Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using stable isotope analysis of multiple feather tracts to identify moulting provenance of vagrant birds : a case study of Baikal Teal Anas formosa in Denmark

Moulting provenance of vagrant Baikal Teal A. D. Fox et al. Short c mmunic tion Using stable isotope analysis of multiple feather tracts to identify moulting provenance of vagrant birds: a case study of Baikal Teal Anas formosa in Denmark TONY (A. D.) FOX, 1 * THOMAS KJÆR CHRISTENSEN, 1 STUART BEARHOP 2 & JASON NEWTON 3 1 Department of Wildlife Ecology and Biodiversity, National Environmental Research Institute (NERI), University of Aarhus, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, DK-8410 Rønde, Denmark 2 School of Biology & Biochemistry, Queen’s University Belfast, MBC, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK 3 NERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, UK
A genetic study of pubertal age, litter traits, weight loss during lactation and relations to growth and leanness in gilts

Abstract Multivariate REML analysis was used to treat the results of a selection experiment for lean tissue growth rate that included 393 purebred Swedish Yorkshire gilts. Heritabilities were estimated to be 0.51, 0.33, 0.45 and 0.41 for pubertal age, litter size, mean piglet birth weight and weight loss during first lactation, respectively. There was a negative genetic correlation between pubertal age and growth rate and a positive one between pubertal age and leanness. The genetic correlation was positive between growth rate and piglet weight and negative between litter size and piglet weight. Age at puberty, litter size and piglet weight showed a positive genetic correlation with weight loss during lactation.
Status and recovery of indigenous crayfish populations after recent crayfish plague outbreaks in the Czech Republic

The crayfish plague pathogen (Aphanomyces astaci) is one of the most important threats to indigenous European crayfish. Although it belongs among the most studied pathogens of invertebrates, only a few recent studies are available on the epidemiology of crayfish plague and its long-term effects on crayfish populations. We provide detailed data on 11 populations of European crayfish (Astacus astacus, A. leptodactylus, Austropotamobius torrentium) hit by crayfish plague in the Czech Republic between 1998 and 2011. We repeatedly surveyed the affected localities in the years following the disease outbreaks to investigate potential recovery of crayfish populations and to search for the likely sources of infection. Although the mortalities severely decimated all studied populations, European crayfish could be found in the watercourse catchments after the disease outbreaks in all but two cases. In five cases, migration barriers apparently supported crayfish survival; in two cases, the disease stopped spreading even without the presence of any barrier. Indigenous crayfish were recorded directly in the affected parts of five studied streams after some time but in most cases populations have not yet reached the original densities. Their recovery seems influenced by the population size in unaffected refuges as well as time since the outbreak. Sources of infection and transmission pathways of A. astaci apparently vary in the Czech Republic. Aphanomyces astaci of three genotype groups originating in different crayfish plague pathogen carriers were involved in the outbreaks. Direct transmission of A. astaci from invasive American crayfish present in the same stream is likely in three cases; however, these host crayfish were not recorded at the remaining localities, and long-range dispersal or other pathogen sources may be assumed. We hypothesize that chronic A. astaci infections leading to disease outbreaks under specific conditions may occur in some populations of indigenous crayfish in the Czech Republic.
Diminished Pulmonary Expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 2- α , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Chickens Exposed to Chronic Hypobaric Hypoxia

In a view to explore blood vessels neo formation as a possible adaptive response to hypobaric hypoxia in the chicken lung, mRNA expression of the following genes was examined: hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and -2α (HIF-2α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), receptors for VEGF (Flk-1 and Flt-1), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (HGFR), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR). The molecular regulation of these genes remains completely unknown in these conditions. One group of birds was exposed to relative normoxia and the other group, to hypobaric hypoxia. Comparisons were made among non-pulmonary hypertensive chickens under relative normoxic conditions (NHCN) and non-pulmonary hypertensive chickens (NHCH) and pulmonary hypertensive chickens (PHCH) under hypobaric hypoxic conditions, respectively. For HIF-2α, VEGF, Flk-1, HGF and HGFR genes, no statistical differences were found in the relative mRNA expression between PHCH and NHCH, but those were lower when compared to NHCN (P<0,05). For Flt-1 mRNA expression, a significant difference between NHCH and NHCN was noted (P<0.05), but relative mRNA expression in the lungs of PHCH did not show differences with findings in the lungs of NHCN or NHCH. HIF-1α and EGFR mRNA expression analysis indicated significant differences between NHCN and PHCH, but not between NHCH and PHCH. There was a general trend towards a lower mRNA expression of genes involved in the response to hypoxia and vascular proliferation in the lungs of chickens exposed to chronic hypoxia in PHCH and NHCH when compared with NHCN. These results show consistency with those registered in a parallel study which indicated a lower number of blood vessels with a diameter range ≥50-100 μm in the lungs of PHCH and NHCH when compared with observations obtained in NHCN.
Spread and potential distribution of Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (fireweed) in Australia

The potential distribution of the herbaceous weed Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (fireweed) in Australia was estimated using the Bioclimate Prediction System, BIOCLIM. Climate profiles for S. madagascariensis predicted that suitable areas occurred only in the south-eastern region of Australia. Its potential to spread outside these areas was assessed by comparing the present African and South American distributions of this species with that observed in Australia. The rate of spread of S. madagascariensis in New South Wales was exponential, although in some regions, such as the Gloucester River Valley, the rates had decreased because all farms had become infested. The results indicate that S. madagascariensis may spread and increase in abundance along the far south coast of New South Wales and in south-eastern Queensland. Coastal areas in eastern Victoria and as far north in Queensland as the Tropic of Capricorn may be invaded.
Potential for selection to improve efficiency of feed use in beef cattle: a review

Evidence for genetic variation in feed efficiency of beef cattle is reviewed in this paper, and ways in which this variation might be used in selection programs to improve beef cattle in Australia are discussed. Efficiency of beef production systems is determined by feed and other inputs of all classes of animals in the production system as well as outputs in terms of slaughter progeny and cull cows. Different indices have been used to express aspects of efficiency on cattle over certain periods of the production cycle. Use of these indices is discussed, and then evidence for genetic variation in both growing animals and mature animals is reviewed. Genetic variation in feed efficiency exists in both growing and mature cattle, although information is lacking to determine whether variation in total production system efficiency exists. The physiological basis for observed variation in feed efficiency is discussed, with differences in requirements for maintenance, body composition, proportions of visceral organs, level of physical activity, and digestion efficiency identified as possible sources of variation. Selection to improve efficiency might be achieved by measuring feed intake of growing animals and utilising genetic correlations that are likely to exist between efficiency of growing animals and mature animals. Measurement of feed intake might occur in central test stations, or methods may be developed to measure feed intake on-farm. Ways of utilising information generated in genetic evaluations are discussed, and it is concluded that estimated breeding values for feed intake after a phenotypic adjustment for growth performance would be most practical, although not theoretically optimal. Such estimated breeding values would best be used in an economic selection index to account for genetic correlations with other traits, including feed intake of the breeding herd, and the economic value of feed in relation to other traits. Future research should be directed towards understanding the genetic relationships between feed intake and other traits in the breeding objective, and to find ways to reduce the cost of measurement of feed intake, including a search for genetic markers.
Comparative investigation of physiological responses of field-grown alfalfa and tall fescue to cutting under different water regimes

An important consideration in designing and managing forage systems is the knowledge of the physiological response mechanisms to cutting, especially when water deficit conditions are prevailing. The objective of this study was to determine the physiological response of Medicago sativa and Festuca arundinacea to cutting under different water regimes in a semi-arid Mediterranean region. In a field experiment, two cutting intensities were applied under irrigation and under rainfed (water deficit) conditions. Water potential, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were measured. Based on the results, M. sativa showed higher transpirational water losses under rainfed conditions when compared to those of F. arundinacea, regardless of cutting treatment, because of the higher stomatal conductance. However, leaf water potential remained higher in M. sativa, suggesting a more effective root, stem or leaf related water uptake system. In addition, under water deficit, stomata of M. sativa were less sensitive to low values of water potential, probably resulting in higher productivity when compared to F. arundinacea. Cutting resulted in higher stomatal conductance and, therefore, higher transpiration in both species. Moreover, under water deficit, cutting positively affected water potential, especially in F. arundinacea, alleviating the effect of ageing.
FOXL2 represses the testis-specific enhancer of Sox9 to maintain ovary differentiation

During normal testis development, SRY and SF1 up-regulate Sox9 expression via its testis-specific enhancer element (TESCO), which is crucial for the establishment of the male supporting cell lineage, the Sertoli cells. In contrast, during normal ovarian development, Sox9 expression needs to be down-regulated in the female supporting cells and failure results in XX female-to-male sex reversal. It was not known whether the repression of Sox9 expression is mediated via the TESCO regulatory element in XX gonads. FOXL2 is a forkhead transcription factor, expressed in the supporting cells of the ovary, but not testis, from 12.5~dpc onwards. Homozygous mutation of Foxl2 results in the up-regulation of Sox9 and other testis-specific genes in postnatal gonads, suggesting that FOXL2 plays an important role in proper ovarian development by maintaining the repression of Sox9. In this thesis, in vitro analyses demonstrate that FOXL2 can repress TESCO activity (as can other candidate ovarian determining genes, such as Dax1 and Sox4). The repressing effect of FOXL2 is more severe in the presence of ER. Several forkhead factor binding sites and EREs are present in the TESCO sequence, however mutation analyses showed that the repression effect is not mediated only through these. Moreover, FOXl2 can interact with SF1 and interfere with its ability to activate TESCO in vitro. In vivo studies showed that homozygous loss of Foxl2 results in the de-repression of TESCO activity in the remaining granulosa-like cells in the XX gonads, which correlates with the expression of endogenous Sox9. However, this de-repression occurs only after birth, getting more severe with age, suggesting that Foxl2 is the critical factor to repress TESCO activity in the adult ovary. Moreover, evidence is provided that the de-repression of Sox9 is independent from oocyte-depletion and solely due to the loss of Foxl2 as targeted deletion of oocytes did not result in an up-regulation of Sox9 expression. Further in vivo analyses indicate the involvement of Wnt signalling in the repression of TESCO activity during embryonic development, as TESCO becomes partially de-repressed in Wnt4 homozygous mutant mice before birth.
Gonad morphology and gametogenesis in the deep-sea jellyfish Atolla wyvillei and Periphylla periphylla (Scyphozoa: Coronatae) collected from Cape Hatteras and the Gulf of Mexico

Observations on gonad morphology and the structure of ovaries and testes of the coronate scyphozoans Atolla wyvillei and Periphylla periphylla are described based on samples collected from the Gulf of Mexico and Cape Hatteras (north-western Atlantic). In A. wyvillei, gonads of distinguishable sex were observed in medusae as small as 17 mm bell diameter (BD). Spermatogenesis occurred within follicles (average 366 × 254 μm) that were evenly distributed throughout the gonad. Oocytes in different stages of development were observed in all the females with gonads. Oocytes arise from the gastrodermis and migrate into the mesoglea to develop from early-mid to late vitellogenic oocytes characterized by a large nucleus and granular (organic-rich) cytoplasm. The largest oocytes measured were 543 μm and 263 μm from the Gulf of Mexico and Cape Hatteras respectively. Possible reasons for this difference are discussed. In P. periphylla gonads were also initially observed in medusae 17 mm BD, although not all larger medusae had obvious gonads. Unlike A. wyvillei sperm follicles were arranged in long convoluted rows normally only one follicle thick. The organization of ooytes in female P. periphylla was very similar to A. wyvillei, although the gonads were small and the number of oocytes present in each gonad very low (<22). The largest oocyte measured was 777 μm in a 53 mm BD medusa. Although medusae were collected from one time period only (September) in this study, our findings appear to be in agreement with literature evidence indicating that coronate jellyfish produce few eggs continuously over a long time period. Aspects of gonad development and gametogenesis are discussed with respect to potential differences in site productivity and species identification.
Genome sequence of Leisingera nanhaiensis strain DSM 24252 T isolated from marine sediment

Leisingera nanhaiensis DSM 24252 T is a Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped marine Alphaproteobacterium , isolated from sandy marine sediments. Here we present the non-contiguous genome sequence and annotation together with a summary of the organism's phenotypic features. The 4,948,550 bp long genome with its 4,920 protein-coding and 60 RNA genes consists of one chromosome and six extrachromosomal elements with 236kb, , 92kb, 61 kb, 58kb, 58kb, 56kb and 35kb length, respectively. The analysis of the genome showed that DSM 24252 T possesses all genes necessary for the dissimilatory nitrite reduction and thus might be facultatively anaerobic. Also present in the genome are genes for the utilization of methylated amines, a putative prophage and gene-transfer agents. Phylogenetic analysis and intergenomic distances indicate that L. nanhaiensis might not be a species of the genus Leisingera . doi:10.4056/sigs.3828824
Caloglossa apomeiotica sp. nov. (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) frorn Pacific México

A new species, Caloglossa apomeiotica West et Zuccarello, is described based on material from San Carlos, Bahia Magdalena, Bajo Califomia Sur. The species is morphologically similar to C. leprieurii but characterised by the production of bisporangia and, less commonly, tetrasporangia, and the lack of sexually reproducing plants. In eight culture isolates from throughout the geographic range of the species only the bisporangia were viable. The present known distribution of Caloglossa apomeiotica is from Bahia Magdalena, Baja California Sur to Barra de Navidad, Jalisco in Pacific Mexico. It is suggested that C. apomeiotica is derived from C. leprieurii populations further south in the Americas through a loss of sexual reproduction
Interação genótipo × ambiente e estimativas de parâmetros genéticos de características ponderais de bovinos Tabapuã

Dados de pesos aos 205 (P205) e 365 (P365) dias de idade, de 28.946 animais Tabapua, provenientes de 152 fazendas dos diversos estados brasileiros, nascidos no periodo de 1976 a 1995, foram utilizados nesta analise. Foram avaliadas as interacoes genotipo-ambiente, bem como estimadas herdabilidades direta e materna pelo metodo de maxima verossimilhanca restrita em modelo estatistico, que incluiu efeitos fixos de grupo contemporâneo, idade da vaca ao parto (covariavel) e efeitos aleatorios geneticos direto e materno. As estimativas de herdabilidade direta e materna para P205 nas regioes Sul (R1), Sudeste (R2), Centro-Oeste (R3) e Nordeste (R4) foram: 0,02 e 0,31 (R1), 0,17 e 0,19 (R2), 0,20 e 0,09 (R3) e 0,06 e 0,16 (R4). Para P365, foram 0,05 e 0,03 (R1), 0,20 e 0,03 (R2), 0,51 e 0,62 (R3) e 0,15 e 0,05 (R4). As correlacoes geneticas encontradas para as caracteristicas P205 e P365, ambas consideradas caracteristicas distintas nas regioes R1, R2, R3 e R4, foram: 1,00 e 0,99, 0,84 e 0,99, -0,86 e -0,73, 0,98 e 0,93, 0,51 e 0,45, 1,00 e 0,12 para R1/R2, R1/R3, R1/R4, R2/R3, R2/R4 e R3/R4, respectivamente. Esses resultados indicam que, na desmama (P205), o efeito da interacao genotipo x ambiente foi observado somente nas combinacoes que envolveram a regiao Nordeste (R4) e as regioes Sul (R1) e Sudeste (R2). Para pesos pos-desmama (P365), o efeito dessa interacao foi evidenciado em todas as combinacoes que incluiram a regiao Nordeste.
Response to orphaning in two Neotropical termites: Armitermes euamignathus and Embiratermes festivellus

In this paper we examine the potential of the termites Armitermes euamignathus Silvestri: 1901 and Embiratermes festivellus (Silvestri, 1901) (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) to produce neotenics experimentally. Three nests of the mound‐building termite A. euamignathus, from the Brazilian cerrado, had their primary queens removed in August 1994. After 12 months, only one mound survived; it had a normal appearance. In this healthy, orphaned colony we found the primary king, six physogastric nymphoid female replacement reproductives, two ergatoid female replacement reproductives, 46 nymphs, several presoldiers, soldiers, workers, larvae and many eggs. These data show that neotenics in A. euamignathus may originate from both workers and nymphs, but nymphoids are produced in larger numbers. The biometric study of nymphs and nymphoids suggests that these brachypterous neotenics were derived from third instar nymphs after a single moult or from four instar nymphs after a reduction of wing bud length. A piece of an E. festivellus nest with some third instar nymphs, soldiers and workers was kept under laboratory conditions. After 12 months, the whole experimental subcolony was examined and appeared to contain two pigmented nymphoid females, two pigmented nymphoid males, only one larva, seven nymphs of the same instar, 148 workers, five soldiers and many eggs. These results also indicate the capacity of the termite E. festivellus to produce nymphoid neotenics. These neotenic females were laying eggs, but they were not physogastric after a year, unlike some nymphoids of the same species collected from natural colonies.
Biocontrol performance evaluation of spontaneous mutants of Pseudomonas fluorescens VUPf5 generated during proliferation

VUPf5 genetic stability as a superior strain (of the 900 bacterial strains that were isolated from the rhizosphere of different regions of Iran) for the control of take-all disease of wheat was studied. The genetic stability of the strain in terms of, whether or not, the mass and reproduction of bacteria in liquid medium was determined. VUPf5 produces some secondary metabolites such as extracellular proteases, phenazine antibiotic, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide and volatile metabolites. The regulatory GacA/GacS system has involved as an important system in the production of secondary metabolites in the biocontrol fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. During proliferation, different colonies of bacteria were found in terms of morphology, such as colour (white instead of orange) and shape (approximately flat and larger) of the colony; and media pH that in the mutants was higher, and the production of some metabolites, such as protease, HCN and phenazine was surveyed. Also, mutants in the genetic comparison with the wild type were different. VUPf5 and different colonies were detected in gacA and gacS genes. This paper appears in colonies with low efficiency in the production of secondary metabolites is related to mutation in genes gacS and gacA.
Quantifying phytoplankton communities using spectral fluorescence: the effects of species composition and physiological state

NICOLAS ESCOFFIER1, CECILE BERNARD2, SAHIMA HAMLAOUI2, ALEXIS GROLEAU1 AND ARNAUD CATHERINE2* 1 EQUIPE DE GEOCHIMIE DES EAUX, UNIVERSITE PARIS DIDEROT, SORBONNE PARIS CITE, INSTITUT DE PHYSIQUE DU GLOBE DE PARIS, UMR 7154 CNRS, F-75013 PARIS, FRANCE AND UMR7245 MCAM MNHN-CNRS, EQUIPE CYANOBACTERIES, CYANOTOXINES ET ENVIRONNEMENT, MUSEUM NATIONAL D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE, CASE 39, 12 RUE BUFFON, F-75231 PARIS CEDEX 05, FRANCE
Stat3 and NFκB glial expression after excitotoxic damage to the postnatal brain

THE nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkB) and the signal transducer activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), are putative transcription factors activated by growth factors and cytokines, and involved in glial gene expression changes after neuronal injury. Immunocyto-chemical analysis of NFκB and STAT3 from 2 h to 14 days after excitotoxic damage to the postnatal rat brain showed STAT3-and NFkB-positive glial cells at 2 h post-lesion, increasing in number to reach a maximum at day 1. Immunoreactivity then decreased but the glial scar remained positive. Glial STAT3 immunoreactivity was located in the nucleus up to 1 day post-lesion and in the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell processes from day 3. Glial NFκB immunoreactivity was mainly cytoplasmatic.
Investigating Factors of E-Government Adoption in Cambodia

In developing country like Cambodia, e-government adoption is still a challenge. Cambodia is considered in the early stage in the adoption in which great effort should be committed in order to improve government performance in delivering service to Cambodian citizen. The working efficiency and effectiveness may be formed through the realization of e-government adoption. This paper is aimed at investigating proposed antecedents such as trust, perceived usefulness and user’s experience and its effects on e-government adoption. The result indicated that trust, perceived usefulness, and trust are significantly associated to the adoption. The mediating role of trust was also estimated among variables in which partial mediation effect was confirmed. Keywords: E-government, Trust, Perceived Usefulness, User’s Experience