Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flaxseed Oil and Lipoprotein (a) Significantly Increase Bleeding Time in Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

Platelet hyper-aggregation is a serious manifestation of type 2 diabetes and a precipitating factor in the most frequent cause of death in type 2 diabetes-myocardial infarction. Consumption of flaxseed oil as a dietary supplement containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n-3) through its metabolism to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and subsequent production of anti-aggregatory eicosanoids may reduce such aggregation in vivo. Lp (a) may also influence platelet aggregation in vivo. Furthermore, serum Lp(a) concentrations are increased and bleeding time is decreased in type 2 diabetics presenting an enhanced risk of myocardial infarction. It was hypothesised that Lp(a) and bleeding time would be correlated due to the considerable molecular homology between apolipoprotein (a) and plasminogen which should decrease bleeding time. Bleeding time is an excellent measure of in vivo platelet aggregability. One purpose of this study was to determine the impact flaxseed oil consumption on bleeding time compared to those on safflower oil and to determine the impact of Lp(a) on bleeding time. It was a secondary purpose to determine if there were any gender differences pre- or pre-post treatment in bleeding time. Subjects (N = 40) were randomly divided to take either the treatment, flaxseed oil (N = 20) or the placebo, safflower oil (N = 20). Each of the treatment or placebo groups contained equal numbers of males (N = 10) and females (N = 10). Some subjects dropped from the study due to reasons not related to treatment side effects. Subjects came for 3 visits, each 3 months apart. On each visit age, gender and BMI were recorded and bleeding time was performed. At the completion of visit 2, subjects were randomly assigned to take 1 gram of oil per 10 kg body weight each day for 3 months. Comparing pre- and post-treatment, there was a statistically significant increase in bleeding time in the flaxseed oil group including each of males and females while there was no change in the safflower group in total or by gender. Males had a statistically shorter bleeding time pre-treatment while males and females showed no difference post-treatment with flaxseed oil consumption. Males and females showed a non-significant correlation and statistically significant correlation respectively between pre-treatment values for Lp(a) and bleeding time. The statistically significant correlation also held for the whole population though at a lower value than females. It is concluded that flaxseed oil consumption has a statistically significant effect on slowing bleeding time thus likely reducing the risk of myocardial infarction and that such effect is more profound in males than females suggesting a greater efficacy of flaxseed oil administration for type 2 diabetic males. It is concluded that type 2 diabetic females take better advantage of elevated Lp(a) concentrations than do males thus, at least in part rendering the impact of flaxseed oil on bleeding time greater in males.
Composition, density and biomass of zooplankton in culture ponds of Litopenaeus vannamei (DECAPODA: PENAEIDAE) in southern Brazil.

Litopenaeus vannamei is the most cultivated shrimp species in Brazil, being fed basically on high protein formulated diets. However, some studies have shown that the natural zooplankton found in shrimp ponds can be part of the diet of this crustacean. In this study, the zooplankton composition, density and biomass were evaluated for two shrimp ponds from a shrimp farm in the Patos Lagoon estuary, in southern Brazil (32°00’S, 51°59’W) between 11/09/2005 and 01/20/2006. The two ponds were sampled over three consecutive months using a zooplankton net of 150 cm total length, 30 cm mouth diameter and 140 µm nylon mesh size. All the zooplankton samples were preserved in formaldehyde solution at a final concentration of 4% and transported to the laboratory, where the composition, density and biomass (wet and dry weight) were assessed. Copepoda and Cladocera were the most frequent groups, while the most abundant species were Acartia tonsa, Pseudodiaptomus richardi and Moina micrura,species commonly found in the Patos Lagoon Estuary. The density values obtained in the ponds were higher than those usually found in the estuary during periods of maximum production, reaching 278 org.L-1 in 11/18/2005 (pond 1), and 277 org.L-1 in 12/08/2005 (pond 2), suggesting that the zooplankton grow well in the shrimp ponds. Zooplankton biomass in the ponds was also relatively high, ranging from 0.15 to 13.28 g.m-3 of wet weight and 0.01 to 2.72 g.m-3 of dry weight, following the same tendency of density. These results clearly indicate that the natural zooplankton occurring in the shrimp ponds represents a potential food source for the shrimp larvae and juveniles during the first months of culture.
Flavonoids and mannanoligosaccharides in broiler diets

INTRODUCTIONThis experiment was carried out at the at the poultry sector of theSchool of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science – UNESP, Botucatucampus, and aimed at evaluating the effect of the inclusion of flavonoidsalong with mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) as compared to otheradditives on the performance, carcass and parts yields, and meat qualityof broilers reared from 1 to 42 days of age. A total number of 1500Cobb broilers were distributed according to a completely randomizedexperimental design into five treatments, with six replicates of 50 birdseach. Treatments consisted of a control group, probiotic 1, probiotic 2,antibiotic, and flavonoids+MOS. For the period of 1 to 42 days of age,there were no differences among treatments as to daily weight gain,feed intake, mortality, and final body weight, but a significant differencewas found for feed conversion ratio for the flavonoids+MOS treatment.Carcass and parts yields were not significantly influenced by thetreatments. Tbars number, which indicates meat fat oxidation index,was significantly different in both refrigerated and frozen meat. Thelowest oxidation index was obtained with the flavonoids+MOStreatments. Under the conditions of the present study, thesupplementation of broiler diets with flavonoids+MOS was effective.INTRODUCTIONBrazil is presently the world largest exporter of poultry meat. Brazilianpoultry meat production chain generates more the US$10 billionannually, and more than one million direct and indirect job positions(Sbrissia, 2005). One of the consequences of the increase in poultry production wasthe use of additives in animal nutrition to maximize performance indexes.Poultry production is presently highly dependent on the use of growthpromoter to maintain high productivity levels. However, there is anincreasing search for alternatives to practices that may pose risks tothe consumers’ health (Miltenburg, 2000). The global concern with food safety is based on the possibility of theselection of bacteria resistant to antibiotics, which would be caused bythe indiscriminate use of antibiotics used as growth promoters (PalermoNeto, 2002). In the European Union, the ban of the use of antibiotic growthpromoters was effective since January 1
Variation in pheno-morphological and agronomic traits among burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.) populations collected in Sicily, Italy

The present study assessed the diversity of pheno-morphological and agronomic traits among 31 natural populations of burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.) from different environments throughout Sicily, and analysed the patterns of phenotypic diversity in relation to the environmental parameters of each collection site. Three commercial cultivars (Cavalier, Santiago, and Anglona) were also included in the study as check cultivars. Two field experiments were performed in 2005–06 in a hilly area of the Sicilian inland. Principal components analysis (PCA) was performed on the sites using geographic, climatic, and pedological data to assess the differences in types of collection sites. PCA was also performed on the accessions using pheno-morphological and agronomic data to establish the importance of different traits in explaining multivariate polymorphisms. Sicilian burr medic populations showed highly significant inter-population differences for all of the recorded pheno-morphological and agronomic traits, and several populations had agronomic attributes that were more pronounced than those of the check cultivars. PCA did not clearly differentiate the accessions according to their habitats of origin, but in some cases, accessions from the same habitat had a tendency to stay together. Populations from drier and warmer habitats flowered earlier and were less productive than those from wetter and colder ones. The large variability in both pheno-morphological and agronomic traits among Sicilian populations may be valuable when searching for suitable M. polymorpha material to exploit in pastures and crop–livestock farming systems in the Mediterranean region.
Crustacean community composition and trophic use of the drift vegetation habitat by juvenile splitnose rockfish Sebastes diploproa

The community composition and trophic use of the dnft vegetation habitat by pre-settlement juvenile splitnose rochfish Sebastes diploproa was documented in June, August, and October 1992 In the San Juan Archipelago, Washington, USA Fucus spp , Zostera spp and Nereocystls luetkeana were the donxnant vegetation for the months sampled Juvenile S diploproa collected from the drlft vegetation habitat fed mainly on planktonic organisms, including copepods and cladocerans dunng June and August In October diets shifted to larger epiphytic prey and were domna ted by 1 amphipod species Of 5 major prey taxa, 3 had significantly different densities In dnft vegetatlon and nearby open water habitats Prey taxa were not dominant in the dnft vegetatlon habltat In June and August, indicating a high degree of prey selection during these months In October dormnant prey taxa made up a large proportion of the crustacean community in the dnft vegetation habitat and less prey selechon occurred Community indices of the dnft vegetation h a b ~ t a t were up to twice as high as those of the adjacent open water habltat for the 3 mo sampled due to vegetatlon assoc~ated crustaceans Drift vegetation provldes nearshore habitat features to pelagic systems It prov~des food refuge, and possibly transport from offshore to nearshore habitats for a number of recreat~onally and commercially Important species
The Optimal Clutch Size of Insects When Many Females Oviposit Per Patch

When more than one female insect oviposits on the same patch of larval food, the optimal clutch size depends not only on the number of other females that oviposit but also on the form of larval competition within patches. I use models to show that, depending on the type of larval competition, the evolutionarily stable clutch size can either decrease or increase as more females oviposit per patch. The models predict decreases in the evolutionarily stable clutch size with increasing numbers of females ovipositing per patch when larval competition causes rapid mortality at high densities, and they predict increases in the evolutionarily stable clutch size when larval competition is more benign. I also give examples of both extremes of larval competition by analyzing data from the literature for 10 insect species.
The variation of the centipede Scolopendra amazonica in Africa

African centipedes labelled Scolopendra amazonica (Buecherl) and S. morsitans L. in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History) have been examined. All are regarded, at present, as S. amazonica but in many respects S. amazonica in Africa shows greater variation than do S. amazonica and S. morsitans in India. North African populations are very distinct.
Image monitoring on the behavior study of three genetic groups of confined goats

The objective of this study was to analyze the behavior of three genetic groups of confined goats by image monitoring using nine unneutered goats of the Azul, Grauna and Moxoto genotypes. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (genetic groups × periods - morning, afternoon and night), with three replications. Animals were monitored by video cameras placed at the ceiling of each stall for 10 days. There were interaction factors in the frequency of behavioral categories: interaction with the trough, self-cleaning, standing bipedally, social interaction, and other activities. Azul, Grauna and Moxoto native goats kept in the same environment under the same system of containment and feeding show different frequencies and durations in their behaviors, which are influenced by the period of the day.
Seasonal Variation in Flammability Characteristics of Quercus marilandica and Quercus stellata Leaf Litter Burned in the Laboratory

Historically, the Cross Timbers forest of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas burned frequently. Fire managers in the region often have varied success when conducting prescribed fires, with one hypothesis being that fuel quality varies with litter age. This study was designed to determine the time-since-leaf-fall flammability characteristics of the two dominant tree species in the Cross Timbers, Quercus marilandica and Q. stellata. Principal components analysis indicated that the burn characteristics of both species are strongly influenced by time since the onset of leaf fall. The percent consumption of leaf litter and flame time of the two species began to diverge at 123 days after leaf fall and continued throughout the remainder of the study. There was no difference between the other flammability characteristics of ember time, total burn time, average temperature, and maximum temperature. Fuel consumption and fire behavior in hardwood leaf litter fuels can vary considerably, possibly as result of fuel mass loss from decomposition, which may due to a loss of flammable material. Our results show that the longer the time period from leaf fall to burn, the greater the change in burn characteristics of these two Quercus species. By identifying these similarities and differences between the leaf litter of dominant tree species, fire managers can adjust fire prescriptions to better meet burn objectives. ResumenHistóricamente, el bosque “Cross Timbers” de Oklahoma, Kansas y Texas se quemaba frecuentemente. Los gestores del fuego en esta región han tenido un éxito desigual en la implementación de quemas controladas, siendo una de sus hipótesis que la calidad del combustible varia con la edad de la hojarasca. Este estudio fue diseñado para determinar la inflamabilidad de estos combustibles desde la caída de la hoja para las dos especies dominantes en Cross Timbers, Quercus marilandica y Q. stellata. Un análisis de componentes principales indica que las características de combustión de ambas especies están influidas fuertemente por el tiempo transcurrido desde la caída de la hoja. El porcentaje de hojarasca consumido y el tiempo de duración de la llama de las dos especies comenzaron a divergir a 123 días de la caída de la hoja, manteniéndose durante el resto del estudio. No existieron diferencias en otras características de flamabilidad, como duración de las pavesas, tiempo total de consumo o temperatura media y máxima. El consumo y comportamiento del fuego en la hojarasca de latifoliadas puede variar considerablemente, posiblemente como resultado de la pérdida de masa debida a la descomposición, lo que puede ser causado por la pérdida de material inflamable. Nuestros resultados muestran que en estas especies de Quercus, la combustión varía más a medida que pasa más tiempo desde la caída de la hoja. A través de la identificación de estas similitudes y diferencias entre la hojarasca de estas dos especies dominantes, los gestores del fuego pueden ajustar sus quemas controladas para cumplir mejor con sus objetivos.
SUBSTRATOS NA PRODUÇÃO DE MUDAS DE MANGABEIRA EM TUBETES

Mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) is a native fruit species from the Brazilian savannah. Its sexual propagation depends on a suitable substrate, because it interferes with seed germination and seedling establishment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different substrates for growing mangabeira seedlings in plastic tubes. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in Cassilândia, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, with four replications and 15 seeds per plot. Five substrates were evaluated: A (washed sand + Plantmax® + soil, 1:1:3 v:v:v), B (carbonized rice husk + Plantmax® + soil, 1:1:3), C (carbonized rice husk + earthworm humus + soil, 1:1:3), D (bovine manure + Plantmax® + soil, 1:1:3), and E (bovine manure + soil, 2:3). The following parameters were evaluated: plant emergence percentage, emergence speed index, mortality percentage, seedling height, stem diameter, root length, number of leaves, chlorophyll leaf index, and shoot, root, and whole plant dry mass. From the results, substrates C, D, and E can be used for growing mangabeira seedlings in plastic tubes.
Sites regression and shifted multiplicative model clustering of cultivar trial sites under heterogeneity of error variances

Previous papers have developed the shifted multiplicative model with one multiplicative term (SHMM 1 ) as a model for clustering yield trial sites or cultivars into groups in which cultivar rank changes are statistically negligible. Properties of SHMM 1 are proportionality of predicted cultivar differences within sites, and of site differences within cultivars. The latter constraint is relaxed if the sites regression model with one multiplicative term (SREG 1 ) is used instead of SHMM 1 . Dendrograms for the two methods are identical, but SHMM and SREG analyses of clusters suggested by the dendrogram may lead to different conclusions concerning acceptability of a particular cluster. This study compared SREG clustering to SHMM clustering in two international maize (Zea mays L.) cultivar trials, when the data to which models were fitted were original unscaled cell means, and, as a way to cope with site to site heterogeneity of error variance, cell means scaled by dividing by the standard error of a cultivar mean within the particular site. Results of both trials confirmed our expectation that SREG clustering would occasionally allow clusters to merge which would not be statistically acceptable under SHMM analysis. This occurred at a cost of a modest increase in percentage and magnitude of significant crossover interactions within the clusters. Both trials exhibited significant site to site heterogeneity of error variances. Scaling of data resulted in more effective removal of significant rank-change interactions from within clusters, provided that the test criterion was based on the assumption of heterogeneous variance. Besides occasionally allowing larger clusters, advantages for SREG clustering of sites are (i) all solutions (including constrained non-crossover solutions) exist in closed form and (ii) the analysis of scaled data is equivalent to a weighted least squares analysis, neither of which holds for SHMM.
Embryo Development and Seed Set in Crosses for Triploid Day Lilies

Only 18.6% of 1,607 pollinations between diploid and tetraploid Hemerocallis formed capsules that survived beyond 35 days. Most seeds were aborted and nonviable. Twenty-nine triploid seedlings were obtained, 20 from tetraploid seed parents and nine from diploid seed parents. Most triploids were from crosses of Shirred Apricot and Imperial Blush with various seedlings of Tetra Chetco × Tetra Sherwood, indicating possible genetic influences on the survival of triploid zygotes. In normal seeds the endosperm and ovule grew rapidly during the early developmental stages, attaining near maximum sizes by the end of the third and fourth weeks, respectively. Embryos remained relatively small until the fourth week and attained mature size by the fifth week. Most triploid embryos aborted within the first 2 weeks.
Biogenic silica dissolution in diatom aggregates: insights from reactive transport modelling

Diatom aggregates contribute significantly to the vertical sinking flux of particulate matter in the ocean. These fragile structures form a specific microhabitat for the aggregated cells, but their internal chemical and physical characteristics remain largely unknown. Studies on the impact of aggregation on the Si cycle led to apparent inconsistency. Despite a lower biogenic silica (bSiO2) dissolution rate and diffusion of the silicic acid (dSi) being similar in aggregates and in sea-water, dSi surprisingly accumulates in aggregates. A reaction-diffusion model helps to clarify this incoherence by reconstructing dSi accumulation measured during batch experiments with aggregated and non-aggregated Skeletonema marinoi and Chaetoceros decipiens. The model calculates the effective bSiO2 dissolution rate as opposed to the experimental apparent bSiO2 dissolution rate, which is the results of the effective dissolution of bSiO2 and transport of dSi out of the aggregate. In the model, dSi transport out of the aggregate is modulated by alternatively considering retention (decrease of the dSi diffusion constant) and adsorption (reversible chemical bonds between dSi and the aggregate matrix) processes. Modelled bSiO2 dissolution is modulated by the impact of dSi concentration inside aggregates and diatom viability, as enhanced persistence of metabolically active diatoms has been observed in aggregates. Adsorption better explains dSi accumulation within and outside aggregates, raising the possible importance of dSi travelling within aggregates to the deep sea (potentially representing 20% of the total silica flux). The model indicates that bSiO2 dissolution is effectively decreased in aggregates mainly due to higher diatom viability but also to other parameters discussed herein.
Ovarian maturation stages of the mud crab Scylla serrata

Ovarian maturation in adult wild-sourced and pond-grown Scylla serrata (Forsskal) was determined based on gross morphology and histological appearance. There were no significant differences noted in the histological features of both wild and pond-reared S. serrata females. Ovarian maturation was classified into five stages: immature, early maturing, late maturing, fully mature and spent. The immature ovaries are thin and translucent to off white and contain oogonia, primary oocytes with large nuclei. The follicle cells were found around the periphery of the lobes and an area among groups of oogonia and oocytes. The follicle cells gradually enclosed the oocytes. The early-maturing ovaries were yellow and small yolk globules started to appear in larger oocytes. In late-maturing ovaries, the colour became light orange and lobules were apparent. Yolk globules occurred in the cytoplasm with larger globular inclusions towards the periphery, while follicle cells were hardly recognizable. Fully mature ovaries were orange to deep orange and had swollen lobules. Large yolk globules were apparent in the entire cytoplasm. Follicle cells were hardly seen. Spent ovaries were similar to the early-maturing and late-maturing stage in partially spawned females. The ovarian development was correlated closely to the gonadosomatic index, oocyte diameter, and ovarian histology. The classification of ovarian maturation provides baseline information for further studies on reproductive biology. Likewise, the information provides a guide for broodstock management in the hatchery.