Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritive value of partially dehulled and extruded sunflower meal for post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in sea water

This study determined the digestibility of protein in partially dehulled sunflower meal (SFM) and then, as the main goal, the nutritive value of high-temperature extruded (≤149°C) partially dehulled SFM (SFMEX) for post-smolt Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in sea water. The digestibility study was conducted using the settling column approach (‘Guelph system’) for faeces collection as described by Hajen, Higgs, Beames and Dosanjh. In the nutritive value study, triplicate groups of 50 salmon (mean weight ∼116 g) in 4000-L outdoor fibreglass tanks supplied with 25–40 L min−1, filtered, oxygenated (dissolved oxygen, 7.0–8.5 mg L−1), 11–12°C sea water (salinity, 29–31 g L−1), were fed twice daily to satiation one of five steam-pelleted dry diets that contained 422 g of digestible protein (DP) kg−1 and ∼16.4 MJ of digestible energy (DE) kg−1 on a dry weight basis for 84 days. Low-temperature-dried anchovy meal (LT-AM) comprised 68.2% of the basal diet protein whereas in four test diets, SFMEX progressively replaced up to 33.0% of the DP provided by LT-AM in the basal diet (SFMEX≤271 g kg−1 of dry matter). Sunflower meal had 87.9% DP. Diet treatment did not significantly affect specific growth rate (1.39–1.45% day−1), feed efficiency (1.19–1.26), percentage of dietary protein retained (45.8–47.5), gross energy utilization (46.5–49.4%), per cent survival (96.0–99.3) or terminal whole body and muscle proximate compositions. We conclude that SFMEX can comprise ≥271 g kg−1 of the dry diet or ≥22.7% of the digestible dietary protein of post-smolt Atlantic salmon in seawater without any adverse effects on their performance.
Daily variations in lung volume measurements in young healthy adults

Lung volume measurements were performed on 30 healthy young volunteers of both genders at three different times of the day (8 am, 4 pm, and 12 am). They included total lung capacity, functional residual capacity (FRC), vital capacity, residual volume (RV), inspiratory and expiratory reserve volumes, and inspiratory capacity, and were technically performed according to well-known, recently stated, international standards.We found statistical increments of the mean values of total lung capacity, FRC, and RV at 4 pm with respect to both 8 am and 12 am The possible mechanisms explaining these findings are addressed, including daily variations of respiratory system compliance, alveolar surfactant activity, and abdominal wall and diaphragmatic muscle tonic activity.
Field infestation of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) pods by beetles of the families Bruchidae and Curculionidae in Northern Nigeria

An account is given of a study of infestation of cowpea pods in the field in Northern Nigeria by the weevil, Piezotrachelus varius (Wagn.), and the Bruchids, Bruchidius atrolineatus (Pic) and Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Oviposition by Bruchids did not commence until the pods were fully formed and light green in colour, whilst infestation by P. varius originated in the young pods. Observations indicated that a high level of parasitism of Bruchid eggs occurred, but that the majority of Hymenopterous parasites emerging from within the pods were related to P. varius . When pods were harvested at regular intervals, large numbers of P. varius emerged from the early harvests only. B. atrolineatus was the predominant Bruchid species emerging, particularly from early harvests. In the case of a single final harvest of pods, large numbers of P. varius , and a higher level of infestation by B. atrolineatus than in pods collected at regular intervals, were recorded. Shelling of four batches of pods indicated a mean of 11 per cent, of seeds attacked by Bruchids in the case of single final harvests, and a mean of only 3·5 per cent, in the case of regular harvests as pods became dry. It is concluded that a considerable improvement in quality would result from an adoption of the latter method by farmers, provided that some method of control in respect of the harvested pods were introduced. From the observations made it is concluded that P. varius is a true field pest, B. atrolineatus primarily a field pest able to continue infestation in store to a very limited extent, and C. maculatus primarily a store pest able to commence its infestation in pods in the field and to build up in numbers rapidly during the immediate post-harvest storage period. The normal manner of cultivation precludes the use of field methods of control at oviposition peaks but observations suggest that elimination of secondary hosts of P. varius and B. atrolineatus might be worthwhile. A reduction in oviposition by C. maculatus by treatment of stored cowpeas in growing areas, and treatment of pods during the immediate post-harvest storage period, should considerably reduce the level of infestation by this species.
Effects of liveweight gain of 15‐month‐old Angus heifers during the first trimester of pregnancy on liveweight and milk intake of their calves

Abstract Nutritional methods of manipulating birthweight of calves would be beneficial for managing dystocia in beef heifers. Sixty‐five 15‐month‐old Angus heifers were managed under the following liveweight gain treatments for the first 42 days and then from 42 to 90 days of pregnancy: treatment 1: high liveweight gain throughout (881 ± 59 g/day and 212 ± 45 g/day); treatment 2: low liveweight gain throughout (182 ± 60 g/day and ‐565 ± 47 g/ day); and treatment 3: low then high liveweight gain (217 ± 59 g/day and 379 ± 44 g/day). Heifers were managed in one herd from day 90 of pregnancy until parturition. Birthweight of calves was not affected by treatment, and was 32.3 ± 0.9 kg, 32.9 ± 0.9 kg and 32.5 ± 0.9 kg for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Calves born to heifers in treatment 2 consumed less milk at 90 days of age than calves from heifers in the other treatments (P < 0.05). Liveweight gain restriction in the first trimester of pregnancy did not reduce birthweight of calves, and therefore could not be used to manage dystocia in heifers.
Effects of weather variables on grain mould of sorghum in South Africa

Effects of weather variables of mould development on sorghum grain were studied over three consecutive seasons in South Africa. Five sorghum hybrids planted at different dates ensured developing seeds were exposed to different weather conditions. Incidence of grain mould fungi was determined at harvest by incubating seeds on 2% malt extract agar. Averages of different weather variables (maximum and minimum temperatures, maximum relative humidity, total precipitation and frequency of precipitation) were determined for all permutations of weekly time intervals for a 2-month postflowering period to identify when these variables and pathogen incidence were significantly correlated. Significant correlations were used to develop models to quantify relationships between variables. Significant positive correlations were observed between the incidence of mould fungi and weather 4–6 weeks after flowering in the shorter season hybrid cv. Buster, and 5–8 weeks after flowering in the remaining hybrids. In most hybrids, correlations between the incidence of grain mould pathogens, including Alternaria alternata, Curvularia spp. (C. lunata and C. clavata), Fusarium spp. (F. proliferatum and F. graminearum), and Drechslera sorghicola, and average minimum temperature, total rainfall and frequency of rainfall were significant (P = 0·05). In four hybrids, models showing a linear relationship between the logarithm of pathogen incidence and minimum temperature, and in one hybrid, between pathogen incidence and rainfall frequency, were developed. Depending on the hybrid, models that used minimum temperature as predictor described 60–82% of variation in the incidence of pathogens. Frequency of rainfall explained 93% of the variation in pathogen incidence in one sorghum hybrid genotype. Evaluation of the models using an independent data set yielded average prediction errors near zero, indicating that the models were acceptable.
Is Sandy Beach Macrofauna Only Physically Controlled? Role of Substrate and Competition in Isopods

Exposed sandy beaches have been defined as physically stressful environments, so that benthic populations living there are thought to be regulated mainly by physical factors, biological interactions being minimal. However, recent long-term studies indicate that potential intra- and interspecific interactions should also play a role in structuring populations and communities. This paper evaluates the role of sediment characteristics and potential interactions in determining the abundance and distribution patterns of the cirolanid isopodsExcirolana armataandExcirolana braziliensisin sandy beaches of Uruguay. Results from concurrent field sampling and laboratory experiments showed that: (1) at a macroscale (between beaches),E. armataoccurred only in beaches with fine sands, whereasE. braziliensiswas observed in both fine and coarse sand beaches, reaching its highest density in the latter; (2) at a mesoscale (within beaches) and in sympatry (fine sands), both cirolanids showed maximum densities at different tidal heights, withE. braziliensisrestricted to the upper beach levels; (3) both isopods showed a clear preference for fine sands, when tested in isolation or combined; (4) survivorship ofE. armatawas higher when tested in the preferred sediment under co-occurrence withE. braziliensis, which in turn presented higher survivorship in coarse sand, either in isolation or combined withE. armata; and (5) individual mean length of both species was consistently higher in allopatry, and similar body lengths were observed in sympatric populations. A geographical analysis of the abundance ofE. braziliensisalong Pan-American beaches showed that this isopod is most abundant in fine sands; this overall pattern supports conclusions derived from sediment preference experiments, implicating a greater niche breadth than that observed in Uruguayan beaches. It was concluded thatE. armatacould be defined as a high substrate-specific species in which intraspecific interactions would be of utmost importance in population regulation. However, distribution patterns ofE. braziliensiscould not be explained by a simple animal-sediment relationship, and correlational evidence suggests that it is displaced byE. armatatowards coarse sands and upper beach levels. Thus, potential biotic interactions cannot be discarded as a structuring force in sandy beach communities.
SPITZER BRIGHT, ULTRAVISTA FAINT SOURCES IN COSMOS: THE CONTRIBUTION TO THE OVERALL POPULATION OF MASSIVE GALAXIES AT z = 3–7

We have analyzed a sample of 574 Spitzer 4.5 μm selected galaxies with [ 4.5 ] < 23 ? > and K s auto > 24 ? > (AB) over the UltraVISTA ultradeep COSMOS field. Our aim is to investigate whether these mid-infrared (mid-IR) bright, near-infrared (near-IR) faint sources contribute significantly to the overall population of massive galaxies at redshifts z ≥ 3 ? > . By performing a spectral energy distribution (SED) analysis using up to 30 photometric bands, we have determined that the redshift distribution of our sample peaks at redshifts z ≈ 2.5 ? > –3.0, and ∼ 32 % ? > of the galaxies lie at z ≥ 3 ? > . We have studied the contribution of these sources to the galaxy stellar mass function (GSMF) at high redshifts. We found that the [ 4.5 ] < 23 ? > , K s auto > 24 ? > galaxies produce a negligible change to the GSMF previously determined for K s auto < 24 ? > sources at 3 ≤ z < 4 ? > , but their contribution is more important at 4 ≤ z < 5 ? > , accounting for ≳ 50 % ? > of the galaxies with stellar masses M st ≳ 6 × 10 10 M ⊙ ? > . We also constrained the GSMF at the highest-mass end ( M st ≳ 2 × 10 11 M ⊙ ? > ) at z ≥ 5 ? > . From their presence at 5 ≤ z < 6 ? > and virtual absence at higher redshifts, we can pinpoint quite precisely the moment of appearance of the first most massive galaxies as taking place in the ∼ 0.2 ? > Gyr of elapsed time between z ∼ 6 ? > and z ∼ 5 ? > . Alternatively, if very massive galaxies existed earlier in cosmic time, they should have been significantly dust-obscured to lie beyond the detection limits of current, large-area, deep near-IR surveys.
Analysis of Lodging-Resistant Characteristics of Different Rice Genotypes Grown under the Standard and Nitrogen-Free Basal Dressing Accompanied with Sparse Planting Density Practices

Abstract Field experiments were carried out in 2001 and 2002 to examine the lodging-resistance characteristics of various rice cultivars bred for the Tohoku region of Japan including the widely-cultivated cultivars (WCC) and the newly-released cultivars (NRC). The difference in these characteristics between the plants grown under standard (CONT) and nitrogen-free basal dressing accompanied with sparse planting density (BNo) practices was also analyzed. The lengths of the lower internodes and culms were often shorter in NRC than in WCC. Bending moment by whole plant was not different between NRC and WCC, but the breaking strength at the basal internode (IV) with leaf sheaths was often larger in NRC than in WCC. As a result, the lodging index was smaller in the former than in the latter. Breaking strength at the basal internode (IV) without leaf sheaths was also often larger in NRC than in WCC due to a larger cross section modulus or bending stress in NRC. Although the lengths of the upper internodes (I+II+III) were not different between BNo and CONT, the lower internodes (IV+V) were shorter in BNo, resulting in the shortened culms in BNo, especially in the long-culm cultivars. Breaking strength at the basal internode (IV) with leaf sheaths was significantly larger in BNo than in CONT, and thus the lodging index was smaller in BNo. The breaking strength at the basal internode (IV) without leaf sheaths and its two components, cross section modulus and bending stress, were also significantly larger in BNo than in CONT, particularly in the long-culm cultivars. These results suggest that besides creating new cultivars with short and stiff lower internodes, cultivation with sparse planting density accompanied with application of a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer in the early growth stage like BNo may also effectively increase the lodging resistance in rice plants.
Ecology and Life History of Coaster Brook Trout and Potential Bottlenecks in Their Rehabilitation

Abstract Lake Superior once supported abundant lake-dwelling brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis called coasters; however, only scattered remnant populations remained by the early 20th century. Owing to their early decline, there is little information about their ecology and life history, yet such information is vital for the ecologically based rehabilitation and management of coasters. This study reviews the ecology of coaster brook trout from a life history perspective and presents quantitative data on the biology and status of the few populations that have been studied. Within the Lake Superior basin, some brook trout are stream residents while others are lacustrine or adfluvial. Although the variation in migratory behavior may be related to individual energetics, the role of evolution and the proximate factors triggering specific life histories remain uncertain. Comparisons of recent biological data from populations in the Lake Superior basin show that the northern populations have longer lengths at age.
Identification of Microbial Products from Dibenzothiophene and Its Proposed Oxidation Pathway

One of the microbial products produced from dibenzothiophene by Pseudomonas abikonensis or P. jianii was identified as a new substance, trans-4[2-(3-hydroxy)-thianaphthenyl]-2-oxo-3-butenoic acid, and the other as its hemiacetal form. From the structures of the products, an oxidation pathway of dibenzothiophene was suggested. Moreover, the culture broth and the isolated products were examined for plant growth activities on rice plants.
Controle em pós-colheita de Monilinia fructicola em pêssegos

The Brown rot (Monilinia fructicola) causes economic losses for peach (Prunus persicae) producers in spite of sanitation and pre and post-harvest chemicals. There have been several researches on biological control as an desirable alternative for controling plant diseases. We screened putative antagonists of Monilinia fructicola and also evaluated the efficiency of fungicides and biological controls in reducing post-harvest diseases. In the laboratory, the antagonistic potential of filamentous fungi obtained from peaches from the region of Lapa, PR, was evaluated using two methods: pairing culture and diffusion of products per membrane. Two experiments were conducted after growing seasons of 1997 and 1999 that involved fungal screening in vitro, chemical controls. Each fruit was immersed in the treatments (suspension of spores) and then inoculated by spraying the pathogen. The incidence of the disease in the wounds and around them was then assessed. Several antagonists were efficient in vitro using cellophane membrane tests: isolates of Trichothecium spp. (F1, F2 and F4), Trichoderma spp. (F8 and F12), and also with the method of paring culture: isolates of Trichoderma spp. (F7, F8 and F12) and Penicillium sp (F9). In post-harvest the biological control (isolates F1 and F2) showed very good results (above 80% of control) with no statistical differences between them and the best fungicides tested (iminoctadine and azoxystrobin). The phosphite of K showed good results, above 85% of control of latent infections in both experiments.
Selenium-Enriched Fatty Goose Liver Attenuates Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice by Enhancing Antioxidant Capability

The beneficial effects of dietary selenium (Se) supplementation for poultry and the distribution of Se in tissues have been well documented, but the functionalities of the Se-enriched products are much less concerned. Alcohol induces liver injury by initiating oxidative stress and antioxidant therapy has been proposed as an effective way of reducing the injury. Because a correlation between Se and antioxidant capability has been established, the alleviation effect of the Se-enriched fatty goose liver (SFGL, containing 900 μg/kg Se) on alcohol-induced liver injury was studied. Mice were daily fed with 2.5, 5, and 10 g/kg·bw SFGL and common fatty goose liver (CFGL, containing 200 μg/kg Se) one hour after ethanol administration and the animals were scarified and the blood and liver were collected for analysis on day 21. Results indicated that SFGL was more effective in reducing the hepatosomatic index and the degree of steatosis than CFGL. SFGL in all the three doses normalized the lipid metabolism and the activities of ALT and AST, indicating that SFGL attenuated the alcohol-induced liver injury. SFGL decreased the serum and hepatic ADH activities and the MDA content, implying that the liver injury attenuation effect of SGFL was related to oxidative stress reduction. The measurement of antioxidant variables, including GSH-Px, GSH, and SOD, revealed that the levels of these molecules were significantly increased after SFGL ingestion, confirming that SFGL alleviated alcohol-induced liver injury by enhancing the antioxidant capability. It was concluded that Se-enriched poultry tissues are potential remediators against alcohol-induced liver injury.
Nematocyst discharge in hydra does not require the presence of nerve cells

By parabiosis we have constructed Hydra that lack nerve cells but whose tentacles contain nematocytes (stinging cells). We were able to demonstrate that the nematocysts of these polyps can be triggered either mechanically or electrically. We conclude that nematocyst discharge in hydra does not require the presence of nerve cells.
Aquatic Heteroptera of Great Rivers of the Ukrainian Steppe Zone and Seasonal Changes of Abundance and Biomass

Abstract Aquatic Heteroptera of Great Rivers of the Ukrainian Steppe Zone and Seasonal Changes of Abundance and Biomass. Grandova, M. A. - Aquatic Heteroptera are one of the important components of water biocoenoses. During the study of the great rivers of the Ukrainian continental steppe zone 34 species were found, among them Sigara mayri (Fieber, 1860), a new species for Ukraine. Cymatia bonsdorffi i (C. R. Sahlberg, 1819) and Hydrometra stagnorum (Linnaeus, 1758) are recorded in the Ukrainian continental steppe zone for the first time. During the whole year the aquatic Heteroptera taxocenoses of all the concerned objects create the indivisible complex, which basis is formed by inhabitants of inundated reservoirs. Th e highest abundance is observed in the reed bed lakes in the middle of July, aft er the hatching of the second generation nymphs of the polyvoltine species, the maximum of biomass is observed in October in the reed bed lakes, where Nepomorpha gather for overwintering. Водные полужесткокрылые больших рек степной зоны Украины и сезонные изменения чис- ленности и биомассы. Грандова М. А. - Водные полужесткокрылые представляют собой один из важных компонентов водных биоценозов. В экосистемах больших рек степной зоны материковой Украины обнаружены 34 вида водных клопов, из них Sigara mayri (Fieber, 1860) указан впервые для Украины, а Cymatia bonsdorffi i (C. R. Sahlberg, 1819) и Hydrometra stagnorum (Linnaeus, 1758) впервые указаны для степной зоны материковой Украины. Большую часть года таксоценозы во- дных клопов всех рассматриваемых объектов образуют единый комплекс, основу которого состав- ляют обитатели пойменных водоёмов. Наибольшие значения численности наблюдали в плавнях в середине июля, после появления нимф второго поколения поливольтинных видов, наибольшие значения биомассы - в октябре в плавневых озёрах, где собираются на зимовку представители Nepomorpha.
Drives and limits to feed intake in ruminants

The control of energy intake is complex, including mechanisms that act independently (e.g. distention, osmotic effects, fuel-sensing) as well as interacting factors that are likely to affect feeding via their effects on hepatic oxidation. Effects of ruminant diets on feed intake vary greatly because of variation in their filling effects, as well as the type and temporal absorption of fuels. Effects of nutrients on endocrine response and gene expression affect energy partitioning, which in turn affects feeding behaviour by altering clearance of fuels from the blood. Dominant mechanisms controlling feed intake change with physiological state, which is highly variable among ruminants, especially through the lactation cycle. Ruminal distention might dominate control of feed intake when ruminants consume low-energy diets or when energy requirements are high, but fuel-sensing by tissues is likely to dominate control of feed intake when fuel supply is in excess of that required. The liver is likely to be a primary sensor of energy status because it is supplied by fuels from the portal drained viscera as well as the general circulation, it metabolises a variety of fuels derived from both the diet and tissues, and a signal related to hepatic oxidation of fuels is conveyed to feeding centres in the brain by hepatic vagal afferents stimulating or inhibiting feeding, depending on its energy status. The effects of somatotropin on export of fuels by milk secretion, effects of insulin on gluconeogenesis, and both on mobilisation and repletion of tissues, determine fuel availability and feed intake over the lactation cycle. Control of feed intake by hepatic energy status, affected by oxidation of fuels, is an appealing conceptual model because it integrates effects of various fuels and physiological states on feeding behaviour.