Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ringing or colour‐banding does not increase predation mortality in redshanksTringa totanus

The use of metal and colour-rings or bands as a means of measuring survival, movements and behaviour in birds is universal and fundamental to testing ecological and evolutionary theories. The practice rests on the largely untested assumption that the rings do not affect survival. However this assumption may not hold for several reasons, for example because the ‘oddity effect’ predicts predators select prey that appear different to their neighbours in order to avoid the ‘confusion effect’. We compared the foraging behaviour and the death rates of redshanks Tringa totanus conspicuously marked with six colour rings and one metal ring each to unmarked birds in a study system, where routinely up to 50% of the total population are killed by avian predators during a winter. If avian predators selectively target and/or have a higher capture success of ringed birds then we would predict the proportion of colour-ringed birds in the population to decline through a winter. The proportion of colour-ringed birds in the population did not change over the course of three separate winters, and in one winter the ratio of marked:unmarked birds found killed by sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus was the same as the ratio of marked birds alive in the population. In the year with largest sample size, power was sufficient to detect a greater than 2.2% difference in predation rate between ringed and unringed groups. The average kill rate difference between ringed and unringed birds across the three winters was less than 1% (0.73±2.2%) suggesting that even if there were differences in predation rate that were not detected because of low statistical power they were extremely small. There were no differences in any foraging measures comparing ringed and unringed birds, suggesting that the rings did not affect the ability of birds to meet their daily energy budgets. The results showed that colour-ringed birds were not preferentially targeted or killed by avian predators, and suggest that the presence of a metal and even several large colour-rings is unlikely to affect behaviour and predation mortality even under extreme selection.
The Influence of Pollinator Diversity and Behaviour on Pollen Movement in Brassica rapa chinensis (Pak- Choi) Crops, and its Significance for Gene Escape

The overall aim of the study was to assess the risk of gene flow from Brassica crops by insectmediated pollen transport. I measured the viability of pollen in Brassica flowers throughout crop development and compared this with the viability of pollen transported by insects inside and outside one earlyand one late-season crop. In order to evaluate the relative importance of different species in pollen transport, I measured abundance of flower visitors during crop development, and measured the foraging behaviour of five key pollinator species throughout the growing season, in relation to variation in microclimate, crop phenology and the relative abundance of other pollinator species competing for flower resources. Flower visiting insects of Brassica rapa crops were highly diverse, and their abundance and diversity changed with crop phenology. I found similar abundances at the family level for both crops studied, although capture rates were greater in the earlythan in the late-season crop. Across flowering development, the greatest numbers of insects were captured at the peak of flowering for both crops. During the flowering period, Diptera was the most abundant order collected, followed by Hymenoptera. The most abundant family in Hymenoptera was Apidae which tracked crop development in both fields, with greater numbers of insects captured inside than outside the field. Standardized-count pollen loads were smaller in Diptera than in Hymenoptera. Of the five key pollinator species sampled, Lasioglossum sordidum (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) transported similar pollen loads, which were much greater than those carried by Eristalis tenax (Diptera: Syrphidae) and Melangyna novae-zealandiae (Diptera: Syrphidae). The numbers of insects captured outside of the crop were 10% and 33% of the totals captured inside for the earlyand the late-season crop, respectively. The proportion of insects entering versus leaving the crop varied considerably across species, crops and trap location (i.e., whether traps were inside or 50 m outside the border of the crop). However, it is worth noting that not uncommonly more insects were attracted into the crop early in the season, staying there rather than leaving, and then when flowers started to disappear there was a massive escape of insects leaving. This research provides evidence for the influence of crop age on the foraging behaviour of key pollinators and for species-specific variation in the foraging behaviour of Brassica visitors with crop development. Temporal variation in the rate and variability of movement between
New Zealand Society of Animal Production online archive

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing a perennial ryegrass-based diet with fodder beet on milk production and milk fatty acid (FA) composition, of dairy cows in early lactation. Sixty Friesian × Jersey cows, were blocked into six groups of 10 cows, and groups randomly allocated to three replicates fed either 18 kg DM/day of ryegrass herbage (H), or 14.4 kg DM/ day of ryegrass herbage + 4 kg DM of harvested FB bulbs (FBB). Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar between H and FBB (15.0±0.77 and 14.2±0.48 kg DM/day respectively). Although milk yield tended to be greater for H than FBB (20.0 and 18.9 kg/ day respectively; P=0.09); milk solids production was not affected by treatment (P=0.89). Supplementation with FBB increased the saturated (80.6 versus 73.2±0.39 g/100g FA; P<0.001) and medium chain milk FA (66.7 versus 56.2±0.783; P<0.001) content, compared with H. Under the conditions of the present study, our results suggest that, supplementing grazing dairy cows with FBB in early lactation, may not improve milk production and increases the saturated FA content of milk.
Response of irrigated rice to the application of poultry manure and inorganic fertilizers N, P, and K in Karnataka, India

The integrated use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers is important to sustain a higher level of soil fertility and productivity. Poultry manure is a rich source of nutrients and is available in abundant quantity near poultry farms. It has not been fully exploited as a source of organic manure. Hence, we studied the response of rice to poultry manure and NPK under irrigated conditions. The poultry manure used in this experiment contained 3.03% N, 2.6% P, and 1.4% K. The field experiment was conducted during the 1998 and 1999 wet seasons (Aug-Dec). The soil has pH 8.2, 260 kg available N, 42 kg available P, and 650 kg available K ha -1 . The available N, P, and K were estimated by the Kjeldahl, Olsen's, and flame photometer method, respectively. The experiment was a split plot conducted at ARS with poultry manure in the main plot and NPK levels in the subplot, replicated thrice. The agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) was calculated by taking the ratio of rice yield to total N applied (Venugopalan and Prasad 1992).
The colonization of broilers with Campylobacter

Poultry is a major reservoir of Campylobacter jejuni, which is currently the leading cause of acute bacterial diarrhoea in western countries. This results in substantial accumulated economic loss due clinical costs and lost working hours. In developed countries reinforcement of hygienic practices and consumer education have so far been inadequate to significantly decrease numbers of human cases of campylobacteriosis. The control of poultry associated infection in humans may also depend upon the control of Campylobacter colonization in broiler flocks. However, sources of C. jejuni and the transmission routes through which broilers become colonized are not clearly defined. A better understanding of C. jejuni epidemiology is urgently needed. This review summarizes current theories on the epidemiology of C. jejuni broiler colonization.
Rosette Recruitment of a Rare Endemic Forb (Gaura neomexicana Subsp. coloradensis) with Canopy Removal of Associated Species

Gaura neomexicana subsp. coloradensis Munz (Onagraceae), (Colorado butterfly plant), a short‐lived perennial forb, became listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in October 2000 because of its small global range and population size. This endemic subspecies consists of only 18 extant populations within southeastern Wyoming, southwestern Nebraska, and northeastern Colorado. Wyoming occurrences are on private land with the exception of three occurrences on F. E. Warren Air Force Base, near Cheyenne. Gaura neomexicana subsp. coloradensis may be displaced by many competitors, including Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. (Canada thistle), an invasive, noxious weed. In June 1998, three G. neomexicana subsp. coloradensis populations were examined for rosette establishment in the presence of and after removal of associated species. The four study treatments removed: (1) Cirsium arvense, (2) grass and forb canopy and associated litter, (3) grass and forb canopy, litter, and C. arvense, and (4) no removal of associated plant species (control). Mature G. neomexicana subsp. coloradensis plants were evaluated for height, number of leaves, and capsule production. The mature plant characteristics monitored in 1998 were not good indicators of subsequent G. neomexicana subsp. coloradensis rosette densities in the following spring. Recruitment was assessed by counting new rosettes in the fall 1999. Although both G. neomexicana subsp. coloradensis and the exotic C. arvense have comparable habitat, removal of C. arvense did not increase G. neomexicana subsp. coloradensis vegetative growth, seed capsule production, or rosette density. Removal of other forbs, grass, and litter, however, increased G. neomexicana subsp. coloradensis rosette density in the following two years, indicating that canopy removal of associated species can enhance rosette establishment of this rare native. The accumulation of dense vegetative cover and litter associated with the absence of herbivory and fire may contribute to the decline of rare species in rich riparian habitats. Return of herbivory and fire in mesic sites to reduce standing biomass accumulations should be considered in restoring recruitment potential to rare monocarpic species.
Amino Acids, Fatty Acids, and Fat Sources for Calf Milk Replacers

Three trials were conducted to examine the effect of including specific amino acids, fatty acids, and fat sources in 20 and 22% CP and 20% fat milk replacers (MR; as-fed) fed at 454 g daily. Trial 1 measured selected blood constituents in calves fed a 20% CP, 20% fat MR including all added fat from lard and no added synthetic amino acids (CON20); a MR with added butyrate (BUT20); a MR with added coconut plus canola oil (FB20); and a MR with added L-Lys plus DL-Met (LM20). Trial 2 compared CON20, LM20, and a MR with 22% CP (CON22). Trial 3 compared CON22, a MR with 20% CP with added Lys and Met, 20% lard, coconut, and canola fat with sodium butyrate (MOD20), and pasteurized whole milk at the equal rates of DM. Compared with calves fed CON20 in Trial 1, amylase increased (P < 0.05) and urea-N decreased (P < 0.05) in calves fed BUT20; alkaline phosphatase increased (P < 0.05), creatinine tended to increase (P < 0.10), and urea-N decreased (P < 0.05) in calves fed FB20; and urea-N decreased (P < 0.05) in calves fed LM20. Calves fed LM20 in Trial 2 grew faster (P < 0.05) than calves fed CON20. In Trial 3, the calves fed MOD20 grew faster (P < 0.05) than calves fed CON22 or whole milk and had fewer abnormal fecal score days (P < 0.05) than calves fed CON22. Calves fed 20% CP MR for
Effect of duration and pattern of underfeeding in early lactation on milk production and reproduction of dairy cows

Eighty cows of mixed breeds were fed so that they calved in moderate condition, and were then strip-grazed at different rates over the first ten weeks of lactation. Two levels of feeding were used factorially ; either ad libitum pasture intake (H) or an allowance of pasture which resulted in an intake of 7 kg of pasture dry matter cow-1 day-1 (L), for the first or second five-week period. After ten weeks, all cows were grazed as one group as well as seasonal conditions permitted. The effects of five-week periods of underfeeding on milk, milk fat and protein yield were equal and additive over the first ten weeks of lactation, HL and LH groups producing 11 kg and LL group 22 kg less milk fat than the HH group. Residual effects, however, from week 11 to the end of lactation differed markedly between treatments, the LH group producing the same as, but HL and LL groups producing 9 and 21 kg less than, the HH group. Residual effects of only 0.7 and 1.0 times the immediate effect were recorded for underfeeding in the first five and ten weeks of lactation, respectively. Cows underfed in early lactation gained more liveweight in later lactation at the expense of milk yield. An extra 10 kg pasture dry matter was required in early lactation to give an extra kilogram of milk fat over the lactation. The calving to conception interval in the LL group was 18 days longer than in the HH group (P < 0.05). The delay was associated with both a longer post-partum anoestrus and a higher number of services per conception. There was no effect of stage of underfeeding (HL vs LH) on reproductive performance. The poor understanding of factors affecting residual effects from underfeeding in early lactation is highlighted. As pattern of underfeeding has little effect on lactation performance, this gives the farmer considerable flexibility in allocating feed supplies in early lactation.
Annual and seasonal trends in the use of garden feeders by birds in winter

Provision of bird food in gardens is a common activity that may provide an alternative food source to birds in winter. Long-term survey data recording the weekly presence of all bird species using garden feeders in the winter were analysed to see if there was any evidence of trends in feeder use between 1970 and 2000 and whether these trends were correlated with breeding bird population trends. Of 41 species analysed, 21 showed significant increases in occurrence at garden feeders between 1970 and 2000. Many of these increases were evident only in the last 10 years. Several species showed significant positive correlations between trends in winter garden use and trends in relative population size in the previous breeding season. This was especially the case for species with population change (either increase or decrease) of the greatest magnitude. There was no evidence that seasonal shifts in garden feeder use were associated with population change in any species. Temperature was an important predictor of garden use but could not explain the year-to-year trends. However, as the number of feeding stations had increased over time the response of birds to the greater food availability in gardens may have been responsible for the widespread increases in occurrence of several species.
Anti-viral effect of Indigoferra gerardiana on core protein of HCV and clinical significance of serum markers in chronic HCV genotype 3a patients in district Peshawar

Background/aim: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease is a health challenge due resistance cases globally. Many plant-derived natural compounds have demonstrated antiviral effects. These plants can provide an alternative way to new antiviral. Core protein of HCV has ability to interact with a wide range of viral and cellular proteins, including proto-oncogenes. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, total of 421 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) positive patients were subjected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The correlation of genotype with continuous and categorical variables was analyzed. Furthermore, antiviral activity of indigoferra gerardiana (IG) was tested against core protein of HCV. The amplified complete core protein of HCV genotype 3a was sequenced and cloned. IG was extracted and screened against core protein of HCV 3a genotype in cell line. Results: Genotype 3a was the common genotype type of HCV (n=363, 86%). Significant differences were observed in viral load among 3a genotype of HCV (< P 0.05). Frequently detected age group was 21-40 (59.4%) Sex and age were statistically associated with HCV infection (49% males and 37% in females). The results of RT-PCR demonstrated that methanolic extract of IG showed 57% reduction of infecting cells. Conclusions: Methanolic extract of IG showed good antiviral activity i.e. 57% reduction of infecting cells.
Evaluation of some heavy metals in Pangasius hypothalmus and Tilapia nilotica and the role of acetic acid in lowering their levels

Concentrations of cadmium, mercury, manganese, phosphorus, lead and zinc in samples of Basa fish (Pangasius hypothalmus ) and some fresh water fish ( Tilapia nilotica , named Bolti and Karmout) collected from Kafer-El-Zayat were determined. Karmout fish contained the highest level of metals where phosphorus level was 3.45 µg/g, lead (1.51 µg/g), zinc (1.03 µg/g), cadmium (0.17 µg/g), manganese (0.08 µg/g) and mercury (0.007 µg/g). In Bolti fish, phosphorus level was 4.03 µg/g, lead (0.83 µg/g), zinc (0.62 µg/g), cadmium (0.12 µg/g), manganese (0.08 µg/g) and mercury (0.004 µg/g). In Basa fish, phosphorus level was 4.06 µg/g, lead (0.79 µg/g), zinc (0.62 µg/g), cadmium (0.12 µg/g), manganese (0.07 µg/g) and mercury (0.004 µg/g). Cadmium and lead levels in all examined fish were higher than permissible safety level of human use (0.1 ppm). Pre-treatment of fish muscles by acetic acid (5%) for a period of 15 min resulted in marked reduction of metals in these fish. When the Basa fish was immersed in 5% acetic acid, the cadmium level in the flesh was reduced from 0.12 to 0.07 µg/g (41.6%) and lead level was reduced from 0.83 to 0.41 µg/g (51.9%). In Bolti fish, pre-treatment of the fleshy parts by acetic acid reduced cadmium level from 0.12 to 0.07 µg/g (58.3%) and lead was reduced from 0.83 to 0.02 µg/g (24%). The same result was observed in Karmout fish, where pre-treatment with acetic acid lowered the cadmium level from 0.17 to 0.05 µg/g (29.4%) and lead was lowered from 1.51 to 0.82 µg/g (54.3%).
Susceptibility of Vitis vinifera 'Semillon' and 'Chardonnay' to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica

A study to assess the effect of the initial population (Pi) densities (0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 second stage juveniles (J2) kg -1 dry soil) of the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica , on the growth, yield and juice characteristics of two white wine grapevine ( Vitis vinifera ) cvs. 'Semillon' and 'Chardonnay' was conducted in a vineyard located at the Centre for Irrigated Agriculture, Riverina, NSW, Australia. M. javanica J2 population densities in soil after harvest during 2004-2008 growing seasons increased gradually, year by year, and in most cases were higher where the initial densities were higher. Regression analysis revealed that yield, in general, was reduced significantly with the increase of the nematode population densities·kg -1 soil for both cultivars. After six years, the nematode population had increased by ca. 9.0-22.4 fold for 'Semillon' and 6.7-18.5 fold for 'Chardonnay'. All Pi densities significantly reduced Semillon yields in all years but only the highest level (800 J2·kg -1 dry soil) affected 'Chardonnay' yields. At the end of the experiment, M. javanica decreased yields by 15-20 % in Semillon but only 7-13 % in 'Chardonnay'. The nematode inoculation also caused a decrease in bunch numbers in 'Semillon' but not in 'Chardonnay'. This is the first study showing that 'Chardonnay' is less susceptible to M. javanica than 'Semillon'.
Acetaminophen Induced Hepatic Toxicity: Protective Role of Ageratum conyzoides

The preventive potentials of ethanol leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides (ACE) against acute acetaminophen and caffeinated acetaminophen over dose in Wister rats were investigated. Thirty Wister rats of both sexes were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats per group. There were two control groups. Animals in control group 1 were administered 600 mg/kg body weight of acetaminophen intraperitoneally (ip) whereas, animals in control group 2 in addition to acetaminophen were administered 100 mg/kg body weight of caffeine by oral gavage. Experimental groups 3 and 4 were treated with acetaminophen as in group 1 but in addition received 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively of ACE by oral gavage, The experimental groups 5 and 6 were treated as in control group 2 and in addition received 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively of ACE. The treatment lasted 14 days. Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALP) levels (U/L) significantly increased (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively) in group 2 than group 1 but dropped marginally in groups 3 and 4. Comparing group 2 with group 5, ALT, AST and Akaline Phospotase (ALP) (U/L) activities reduced significantly (p<0.01) in group 5 treated with 250 mg/kg of ACE. Similar significant reductions were observed in group 6 treated with 500 mg/kg of ACE, ALT activity (p<0.01), AST and ALP activities (p<0.001). Total serum protein level (g/100mL) was marginally increased in group 3 (acetaminophen plus 250 mg/kg ACE) than group 1 (acetaminophen only). Total serum protein was however increased significantly (p<0.01) in group 5 (acetaminophen plus caffeine plus 250 mg/kg ACE) and (p<0.05) group 6 (acetaminophen plus caffeine plus 500 mg/kg ACE) more than group 2 (acetaminophen plus caffeine). It is concluded from these findings that ACE offered protection against acetaminophen and caffeinated acetaminophen toxicity in rats.
Cutting Edge: TRANK, a Novel Cytokine That Activates NF-κB and c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase

We searched the expressed sequence tag database using sequence homology and identified a novel cytokine, which we have named TRANK (thioredoxin peroxidase-related activator of NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase). The predicted amino acid sequence of TRANK was highly homologous to that of the thiol-specific antioxidant proteins. Unlike these proteins, however, TRANK had a putative secretory signal polypeptide and was found to be secreted by cells. TRANK was expressed in most tissues and cell lines, and the gene that encodes it was mapped to chromosome Xp21–22.1. TRANK activated NF-κB and induced the degradation of the inhibitory subunit of NF-κB. In addition, TRANK up-regulated the expression of NF-κB-dependent gene products, ICAM-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. TRANK also activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase and induced the proliferation of normal human foreskin fibroblasts. Its homology with antioxidant proteins, wide distribution in tissues, and ability to activate NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase suggest that TRANK plays an important role in inflammation.