Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies on the nature of plasma growth hormone

The paper presents further evidence for the existence of two discrete forms of growth hormone in human plasma, one which is detectable by both radioimmunoassay and bioassay and is immunoreactive, and the other, termed 'bioactive', which is detected by tibial bioassay but shows little reactivity with currently available antisera to pituitary growth hormone. The same division of immunoactive and bioactive growth hormone occurs in rats, though with less disparity. Tests on rats indicated that the bioactive hormone is preferentially released into jugular vein plasma and that plasma concentrations of the bioactive hormone can be enhanced by insulin administration. The bioactive hormone was detectable by tibial assays in Cohn fractions IV, IV-1, and IV-4, and could be concentrated about 40-fold by fractionation with (NaPO3)6 and (NH4)2SO4.
Food Utilization and Fecal Pellet Production by Drywood Termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)

Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) and Incisitermes immigrans (Light) nymphs were held either individually or in groups of ten for an eight-week period, and fed either filter paper, Douglas-fir, or Ponderosa pine. Total consumption was noted; and fecal pellet number, mass, and volume were recorded weekly. Solitary individuals defecated more and produced smaller fecal pellets than nymphs maintained in groups, although the total individual mass of feces produced was similar. Diet affected feeding, food utilization, and fecal pellet number and mass. Consumption and defecation reflected cellulose and lignin content of the substrate, with less ingestion of filter paper than wood on a weight basis, but greater utilization of the ingested paper (98%) and less fecal mass. The percentages of the ingested wood utilized (not excreted) were virtually equivalent for Douglas-fir and pine: 63% and 65%, respectively, with C. brevis, and 71% and 72% with I. immigrans. Each I. immigrans nymph consumed about 0.2 mg of wood each day, while each C. brevis nymph consumed slightly less than 0.15 mg ofwood per day. On the average, nymphs of both termite species deposited from 0.7 to 1.0 fecal pellets per day, equivalent to a daily average fecal mass of 0.06 mg when fed Douglas-fir, and 0.05 mg when fed pine. Correlation of these data with population growth curves could permit estimation of the size and age of drywood termite colonies.
Description of a new species of Phylloscopus warbler from Vietnam and Laos

A new species of Phylloscopus warbler, which we name Phylloscopus calciatilis Limestone Leaf Warbler, is described from central and northern Vietnam and central and northern Laos; it probably also breeds in southernmost China. In morphology, the new species is very similar to Sulphur-breasted Warbler Phylloscopus ricketti, but it is smaller with a proportionately larger bill and rounder wing. Its song and calls are diagnostic. Based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, the new species is most closely related to P. ricketti and Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator, and it is inferred to be sister to the latter. The mitochondrial divergences between these three species are at the low end of the variation found in other species of Phylloscopus and Seicercus warblers, but greater than in other taxa generally treated as subspecies. Possible introgressive hybridization between the new species and P. ricketti is discussed, but more data are needed to establish whether it does occur and, if it does, to what extent. The new species appears to have a restricted breeding range in limestone karst environments, where it is locally common and therefore not under any immediate threat. In view of the recognition of the new species, all previous records of P. ricketti sensu lato need to be re-evaluated.
Effect of NP fertilizers on the growth and flower production of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.).

The effect of different NP levels on the growth and flower production of Zinnia elegans L. were investigated. The experiment was conducted at Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam during the year 2007 evaluating six NP levels (10+1 0, 10+20, 30+10, 30+20, 50+10 and 50+20 g/1.5 m). Highest NP rate of 50+20 g/1.5 m 2 took 50.66 days to emergence of first flower bud, 59.66 days for opening of first flower, 7.33 days l ife of flower, 11.33 branches plant , 12.66 flowers plant -1 and plant height of 68.22 cm. The NP at 50+10 g/1. 5 m took 52.33 days to emergence of first flower bud, 60.33 days to openin g of first flower, 6.66 days average life of flower, 10.33 branches plant , 11.33 flowers plant -1 and plant height of 61.31 cm. Zinnia fertilized with 30+20 g N+P/1.5 m 2 took 55.00 days to emergence of first flower bud, 62.33 days to opening of first flower, 6.33 days average life of flower, 9.00 branches plant , 10.33 flowers plant -1 and plant height of 53.66 cm. Reduced NP levels to 30+10 g, 10+20 g and 10+10 g/1.5 m resulted in considerable negative effect on all th e growth and flowering related parameters of zinnia. There was inverse effect of i ncreasing NP levels on days taken to emergence of first flower bud and opening of first flower, while linear positive effect of increasing NP rates on flower life, number of branc hes and flowers plant -1 and plant height. However, NP application at 50+10 g/1.5 m 2 proved to be an optimum level for zinnia flower production, because differences in almost all the g rowth and production related parameters between 50+20 g/1.5 m 2 and 50+10 g/1.5 m were ststistically non-significant.
Brown midrib corn silage in dairy cattle rations

Abstract Two groups of 12 Holstein cows past peak lactation were fed complete mixed diets containing either brown midrib corn silage or its normal genetic counterpart. All cows were fed a standardization ration containing another corn silage prior to and after the experimental period. Performance during the experimental period was expressed as deviation from standardization. Cows fed brown midrib silage produced . 66kg more milk per day that tested . 28 percentage units less fat during the 4-wk experimental period than during standardization. Control cows produced . 10kg more milk per day in the experimental period as compared to standardization without difference in fat test. On a fat-corrected basis (4%) there was no difference in milk yield between treatments.
Future-thinking in animals: capacities and limits

N animals (hereafter “animals”) do not harness the future to dominate their environments in the immediately obvious way that humans do (Suddendorf, 2006). It is therefore unsurprising that early thinkers such as Schopenhauer and others (e.g., Bergson, 1896/2004; Köhler, 1917/1927; Nietzsche, 1876/1998) regarded animals as being largely mentally bound to the present (but see James, 1890). Contemporary scientific theorists have also made cases for strong limits on nonhuman futurethinking (Roberts, 2002; Suddendorf & Corballis, 1997), and, driven by these claims, comparative psychologists have begun to document animal behaviors that appear in some way oriented toward the future (for previous reviews, see Cheke & Clayton, 2010; Roberts, 2012; Suddendorf & Corballis, 2007, 2010). Conflicting interpretations of the results has led to the formation of two camps within the literature: one that tends to emphasize the possible continuities between human and animal futurethinking (e.g., Clayton, Bussey, & Dickinson, 2003; Corballis, 2013; Osvath & MartinOrdas, 2014; Roberts, 2012; Scarf, Smith, & Stuart, 2014; Zentall, 2005) and one that tends to emphasize the possible discontinuities (e.g., Cheng, Werning, & Suddendorf, 2016; Hoerl, 2008; Redshaw, 2014; Suddendorf, 2013a; Tulving, 2005). Despite much heated debate, however, the dichotomy between the continuity and discontinuity camps is, in many respects, a false one. Both sides would agree, for instance, that animals often act in ways that increase their future survival and/ CHAPTER 2
The effects of cow genetic merit and feeding treatment on milk production, herbage intake and grazing behaviour of dairy cows

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of cow genetic merit and grass-based feeding treatment on milk production, herbage intake and grazing behaviour of first lactation Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. A total of 48 high genetic merit cows (HG) and 48 medium genetic merit cows (MG) were assigned, within merit group to three grass-based feeding treatments: 1) standard feeding treatment, 2) high concentrate and 3) high grass allowance. The HG cows had a higher milk yield (24.7 v. 21.2 kg/day; P < 0.001), fat yield (0.87 v. 0.82 kg/day; P < 0.05), protein yield (0.81 v. 0.73 kg/day; P < 0.001) and lactose yield (1.14 v. 1.00 kg/day; P < 0.001) than the MG cows. The milk of the HG cows had lower fat (35.6 v. 38.7 g/kg; P < 0.01), protein (33.2 v. 34.5 g/kg; P < 0.01) and lactose (46.4 v. 47.6 g/kg; P < 0.01) concentrations. The HG cows had a higher (P < 0.01) grass dry matter (DM) intake. Total grazing time was not affected by cow genetic merit but the HG cows had more (P < 0.10) grazing bouts of shorter (P < 0.05) duration. The HG cows also had higher (P < 0.001) biting rates and spent a greater (P < 0.01) proportion of time ruminating than the MG cows. Offering a higher level of concentrate (Treatment 2) significantly increased yield of milk (P < 0.001), fat (P < 0.05), protein (P < 0.001) and lactose (P < 0.001). The higher concentrate feeding treatment also resulted in a significantly (P < 0.001) higher lactose concentration with no effect on fat or protein concentrations. Allocating a higher allowance of grass (Treatment 3) had no effect on milk production except for lactose concentration which was higher (P < 0.05). Offering a higher level of concentrate reduced (P < 0.001) grass DM intake. Feeding treatments 2 and 3 both reduced (P < 0.05) the duration of grazing bouts and biting rate during the day.
Hidrocarburos de petróleo, disueltos y dispersos, en cuatro ambientes costeros de Costa Rica

Four coastal ecosystems with contrasting characteristics were sampled in Costa Rica (2000 – 2002). Oil pollution status, expressed as the fraction of dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons related to chrysene equivalents, was determined by the molecular fluorescence analytical technique. A total of 130 water samples were taken, from the Caribbean (Moin Bay), and from the Pacific (Bahia Culebra, Gulf of Nicoya and Dulce Gulf). On one occasion, seven samples along the Puntarenas estuary were also analysed. In Moin the mean and standard deviation were 0.10 μg·L-1 ± 0.18 μg·L-1, ranging from non detectable (nd) to 0.65 μg·L-1. For the Pacific ecosystems the total range was from nd to 0.37 μg·L-1. In Bahia Culebra no fluorescence signals were obtained. In the Gulf of Nicoya the mean and standard deviation were 0.04 μg·L-1 ± 0.09 μg·L-1, from nd to 0.33 μg·L-1. Values in Dulce Gulf were 0.05 μg·L-1 ± 0.11 μg·L-1, from nd to 0.37 μg·L-1. Along the Puntarenas estuary the range was 0.17 to 5.91 μg·L-1, with a mean of 1.21 μg·L-1 and a standard deviation of ± 2.10 μg·L-1. The four coastal ecosystems had concentrations below the 10 μg·L-1 limit for polluted oceanic areas. The Puntarenas estuary reflects the influence of
Forensic diatomology and drowning

Bodies in Water and the Diatom Test for Drowning. Medicolegal investigation of bodies in water. What are diatoms? The diatom and drowning axiom. Unnatural deaths and water. Accidental and suicidal drowning. Homicidal drowning. Drowning in the bath. References. The Forensic Pathology of Drowning. Pathophysiology of anoxia. Mechanisms of anoxia. Anoxic encephalopathy. The types of asphyxia. Classification of asphyxial deaths. Pathology of asphyxia and rapid anoxial deaths. Fluidity of the blood. Pathophysiology of drowning. Pathology of freshwater drowning. Introduction. Perimortem injury and events. Water-related alterations. Air passages. Lungs. Pleural effusion. Hemorrhage in the petrous temporal bone. Visceral organs. Pink Teeth. The history of pink teeth. The significance of pink teeth. Aquatic decomposition. Aquatic taphonomic factors. Decomposition sequence in freshwater. Adipocere. References. The Medicolegal Value of the Diatom Test for Drowning. Analytical approaches to drowning. Chemical tests for drowning. Micro-organism tests for drowning. The so-called "War-on-Diatoms". A brief history of the diatom test. Are diatoms ubiquitous in tissue? Research and the diatom test. Experimental models. Extraction of frustules. Qualitative and quantitative diatom analysis. Use of bone marrow. References. Validity and Utility of the Diatom Test Using Bone Marrow. Utility. Outcome ratios for the diatom test. Seasonal and monthly variation of diatom test outcome. Validity. Concepts in support of the diatom test. Test outcome correlates with diatom content of water. Frequency of concordance of frustules in bone marrow and water. Size and shape of drowning-associated diatoms. Sensitivity and specificity. The diatom test and diagnostic indices. References. Laboratory Procedure for the Diatom Test. Collection of samples. Collection of samples at the scene. Collection of biological samples. Chain of custody. Laboratory method. Overview. Materials. Procedure. Laboratory method for inanimate objects. Overview. Procedure. Interpretation. Microscopic examination of bone marrow extracts. Microscopic features of diatom frustules. Non-diatomaceous silica. Significance of bone marrow diatoms. Other methods. Electron and atomic force microscopy. Molecular biological approach to the diatom test. References. Investigative Applications of the Diatom Test. General applications. Indications for the diatom test. Contra-indications for the diatom test. Decomposition and the diatom test. Aquatic decomposition and the diatom test. Skeletonized bodies and the diatom test. Drowning in filtered water. Dismembered body parts. Diatoms as trace evidence. Diatoms and homicide. Case study: Murder in the Hudson river. References. A Guide to the Freshwater Diatoms of Drowning. Centric diatoms. Naviculoid diatoms. Dorsiventral diatoms. Epithemia. Nitzschia and Hantzschia. Asterionella and Tabellaria . Cocconeis . Heteropolar and other diatoms.
The structural response and progressive failure of batten to rafter connections under wind loads

Batten to rafter connections in light framed timber housing are vulnerable to wind loading and failures of these connections are one of the more common failure modes seen in post windstorm damage surveys. Such failures often occur in a progressive or cascading manner resulting in the loss of a large section of the building envelope. These progressive failures of batten to rafter connections are a complex process influenced by the pressure fluctuations on the roof surface, the response of individual connections and the behaviour of the structural system as a whole. This study presents a method of examining load redistribution and progressive failure behaviour of batten to rafter connections in light framed structures. Nonlinear time history analysis was performed using a finite element model using fluctuating pressures determined from a wind tunnel study and connection properties determined from laboratory testing of connections under dynamic loads. Flow separation and building-induced turbulence cause intermittent 'peak-events' where negative pressures on the roof surface are especially high. These 'peak-events' can move across the roof causing high loads occurring at different connections with slight lead or lag times. Damage to connections occur during the 'peak events' as nails are incrementally withdrawn. Loads are redistributed and load paths change during nail slips, causing damage to spread from an initial location. Load redistribution continues until a few connections fail completely, upon which a cascading failure occurs where almost all connections on the roof fail in rapid succession. As an application of this research, the analyses performed were used to assess the fragility of batten-rafter failures, and the most vulnerable parts of the roof identified. Cost effective retrofitting measures can be justified and designed with this information.
Contribution of bacteria to the Artemia diet

The aim of this study was to determine the dietary role of bacteria in Artemia culture. In the first study, bacteria associated in Artemia culture were isolated and fed to germ-free Artemia nauplii under gnotobiotic cultutre condition (with a known flora) in 6 days experimental period. The results showed that among nines isolated (HT1-HT9), some bacteria could be a food source when offered as a sole food. Among nine isolates, HT3 and HT6 fed Artemia had higher survival and growth, for this reason HT3 and HT6 was included in the second study where mixed diets between bacteria and microalgae were fed to Artemia under gnotobiotic culture condition. In this study, 15N stable isotope was used to label on microalgae in the mixed diet. After 24 h feeding period, 15N accumulated in the Artemia tissue from microalgae were analyzed. The results show that, when bacteria were offered as food together with microalgae there may be enhanced assimilation of nitrogen from microalgae, as compared to the algal mono-diet. In the last study, heterotrophic bacteria were enhanced to grow by sucrose addition from day 2 after hatching (DAH2) onwards within the Artemia culture vials. The assimilation of bacteria by Artemia was evaluated with different depressive feeding regimes: standard feeding regime (SF), half of SF regime (SF1/2), one third of SF regime (SF1/3) and one fourth of SF regime (SF1/4). 15N stable isotope and fatty acids were used as study tools to follow the assimilation of bacteria by Artemia. The results at DAH15 showed that, Artemia biomass production increased in all sucrose addition treatments as compared to the control culture without sucrose addition. Particularly, the Artemia biomass production in the SF1/3 regime with carbon addition treatment was equal to that obtained in the SF regime treatment (without carbon addition). The results of fatty acids level and 15N accumulation in Artemia tissue showed that Artemia fed on bacteria, especially in the algae-limited conditions. Our results, however, still remain to be confirmed in pond culture conditions.
Winter tourism increases stress hormone levels in the Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus

Montane and alpine habitats in Europe remained relatively undisturbed until the beginning of the last century. Today, outdoor recreation activities are a major economic factor in alpine regions. Many tourism areas coincide with winter habitats of shy and endangered species. The Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus has suffered from rapid population declines during recent decades over much of its range. In central Europe, many Capercaillie are exposed to intensive human recreation activities in their habitats, which may contribute to this decline. However, little is known about their susceptibility to human recreation activities. This study assessed whether human recreation in winter evokes physiological stress responses in several populations of Capercaillie. During two winters, we sampled 1130 Capercaillie droppings in Germany and Switzerland of populations at various distances from winter recreation activities and measured concentrations of faecal corticosterone metabolites. Capercaillie in relatively dense and homogeneous mountain forests dominated by Norway Spruce Picea abies showed markedly increased stress hormone levels closer to locations with winter recreation activity. However, this physiological response to human recreation was not detectable in forests dominated by various pine species and a heterogeneous structure. Capercaillie may be particularly sensitive to recreation because any factor affecting their fine-tuned physiological and behavioural adaptations to survive under harsh winter conditions may lead to harmful fitness costs.
Mucus Production by Corals Exposed during an Extreme Low Tide

An extreme low tide resulted in the severe exposure of corals on the reef flat surrounding Coconut Island in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. The exposed corals produced vast quantities of mucus that aggregated as mucous ropes near the shoreline. These mucous ropes were heavily laden with carbonate sediments, amorphous materials, microflora, and microfauna. Compared to the purified liquid mucus of the coral Fungia scutaria, the consolidated mucous ropes were rich in organic material and phosphorus. Pure mucus was relatively low in trophic quality. While the pure mucus may provide corals with some protection against dessication, it is not a particularly rich food source for reef heterotrophs. Perhaps the most important role of coral mucus is the con­ solidation of microscopic organic particulates into macroscopic aggregates of considerably higher trophic quality than the pure mucus itself. ABSTRACT: An extreme low tide resulted in the severe exposure of corals on the reef flat surrounding Coconut Island in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. The exposed corals produced vast quantities of mucus that aggregated as mucous ropes near the shoreline. These mucous ropes were heavily laden with carbonate sediments, amorphous materials, microflora, and microfauna. Compared to the purified liquid mucus of the coral Fungia scutaria, the consolidated mucous ropes were rich in organic material and phosphorus. Pure mucus was relatively low in trophic quality. While the pure mucus may provide corals with some protection against dessication, it is not a particularly rich food source for reef heterotrophs. Perhaps the most important role of coral mucus is the con­ solidation of microscopic organic particulates into macroscopic aggregates of considerably higher trophic quality than the pure mucus itself. ABSTRACT: An extreme low tide resulted in the severe exposure of corals on the reef flat surrounding Coconut Island in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. The exposed corals produced vast quantities of mucus that aggregated as mucous ropes near the shoreline. These mucous ropes were heavily laden with carbonate sediments, amorphous materials, microflora, and microfauna. Compared to the purified liquid mucus of the coral Fungia scutaria, the consolidated mucous ropes were rich in organic material and phosphorus. Pure mucus was relatively low in trophic quality. While the pure mucus may provide corals with some protection against dessication, it is not a particularly rich food source for reef heterotrophs. Perhaps the most important role of coral mucus is the con­ solidation of microscopic organic particulates into macroscopic aggregates of considerably higher trophic quality than the pure mucus itself.
Correlated anatomical and physiological studies of the growth of the nervous system of amphibia. II. The afferent system of the head of amblystoma

1. The trigeminal nerve. 248 a. The non-motile stage. 248 b. The early flexure stage. 251 c. The coiled-reaction stage. d. The early swimming stage. 2. The facial and auditory nerves. 257 a. The non-motile stage . 258 b. The early flexure stage. 259 c. The coiled-reaction stage. 261 d. The early swimming stage. 264