Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a nonlethal technique for determining sex of freshwater mussels

Abstract The shells of most North American freshwater mussel species are not sexually dimorphic. During the brooding period, gravid females can be identified by inspection of marsupial gills; however, it is difficult to separate nongravid females from males in species lacking sexual dimorphism. The ability to differentiate males from females throughout the year would assist mussel conservation and research. Our objective was to test the accuracy and safety of a method to determine the sex of live mussels. We used a syringe to extract ∼0.2 mL of gonadal fluid from 67 Elliptio dilatata and 65 Actinonaias ligamentina. The fluid was stained and examined microscopically for developing gametes. This method was safe and effective for determining the sex of mussels. After 1 y, survival was indistinguishable between test and control groups for both species. We sacrificed 4 to 7 E. dilatata and A. ligamentina at 3-mo intervals and examined histological sections of gonads. Sex assigned from examination of gonadal fluid and histological sections agreed in most cases (E. dilatata: 100%, A. ligamentina: 89%).
Branch lengths on Yule trees and the expected loss of phylogenetic diversity

Diversification is nested, and early models suggested this could lead to a great deal of evolutionary redundancy in the Tree of Life. This result is based on a particular set of branch lengths produced by the common coalescent, where pendant branches leading to tips can be very short compared to branches deeper in the tree. Here, we analyze alternative and more realistic Yule and birth-death models. We show how censoring at the present both makes average branches one half what we might expect and makes pendant and interior branches roughly equal in length. Although dependent on whether we condition on the size of the tree, its age, or both, these results hold both for the Yule model and for birth-death models with moderate extinction. Importantly, the rough equivalency in interior and exterior branch lengths means the loss of evolutionary history with loss of species can be roughly linear. Under these models, the Tree of Life may offer limited redundancy in the face of ongoing species loss.
Expression of cytokines in chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells after stimulation by probiotic bacteria and Campylobacter jejuni in vitro

The aim of this study was to delineate the ability of selected probiotic strains to reduce invasion by Campylobacter jejuni in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs). PMBCs were isolated from chicken blood and exposed in vitro to probiotic strains Enterococcus faecium EF55, E. faecium AL41, E. faecium H31, Lactobacillus fermentum AD1, and infected with C. jejuni CCM6191. The mRNA expression levels for selected cytokines were determined at 24 and 48 h postinfection (pi) using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The level of expression of IL-1β, LITAF, and MIP1-β was upregulated (P < 0.05; P < 0.01; P < 0.001) in LAD + CJ (L. fermentum AD1 + C. jejuni) group when compared to control (C), CJ (C. jejuni), and other combined groups (EF55 + CJ, AL 41 + CJ, H31 + CJ) 24 h pi. Overall, L. fermentum AD1 and E. faecium AL41 demonstrated the highest immunomodulatory activity against campylobacter infection in vitro.
Benthic algal and seagrass communities in Baa atoll, Maldives

The present survey was undertaken to provide the first census of the marine flora (macroalgae and seagrasses) of Baa atoll, one of the 26 Maldivian atolls, and to serve along with the macro-fauna biodiversity inventories for conservation purposes. Species collection and inventories have been conducted at 27 sites covering the widest selection of habitats recognized based on satellite images including islands shorelines, reef flats, faros, patch reefs, passes as well as shallow and deep outer reef slopes. A total of 405 specimens were collected and 176 species representing 10 Pheaophyceae, 58 Chlorophyta, 108 Rhodophyta and two seagrasses were identified. The lagoon patch reefs and the oceanic reef slopes were the most diverse geomorphological habitat types and displayed the highest species richness with 38 spp. All lagoon sites shown a similar richness compared to each other with an average species number of 26 spp, while the deep lagoon floor and the seagrass beds in oceanic-exposed reef flats were the less species-rich habitats. The most common species, occurring at all visited sites, were Tydemania expeditionis and Halimeda minima and the most species rich genera appeared to be Halimeda and Caulerpa. No community structure nor strongly supported species assemblages associated to geomorphological habitat types was found. Previous lists available for other Maldivian atolls listed 208 algal species. Sixty of these records were found in Baa Atoll while 113 of the species recorded in the present study represent new records for the Maldives bringing the total number of algal species to 321. The resulting species list shows that the Maldivian algal flora is typically tropical and most of the species belong to the Indo-Pacific biogeographic province. In this paper, we give a general description of the representative macrophyte communities of Baa atoll in relation to the geomorphology of reefs.
Trp64Arg Variant of theβ 3-Adrenoceptor and Insulin Resistance in Obese Postmenopausal Women1

There is controversy regarding the role of the Trp64Arg variant of the beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta3AR) gene in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. The modest effect of the variant as well as differences in study design, gender, age, and genetic background may contribute to divergent results among investigations. Insulin sensitivity (euglycemic clamp and tracers) was measured in 13 obese women (57 +/- 6 yr old) heterozygous for the beta3AR variant and in 14 women (57 +/- 4 yr old) homozygous for the normal gene. Groups were matched for age, body composition, intraabdominal fat, sc abdominal fat, physical activity level, and aerobic capacity. Exogenous glucose infusion during the clamp was significantly lower (P = 0.03) in beta3AR heterozygotes (241 +/- 135 mg/min) vs. normal homozygotes (379 +/- 172 mg/min). Basal endogenous glucose production was not different (P = 0.20) between heterozygotes (175 +/- 27 mg/min) and normal homozygotes (164 +/- 14 mg/min). Endogenous glucose production during hyperinsulinemia was also not different (P = 0.22) between heterozygotes (77 +/- 57 mg/min) and normal homozygotes (56 +/- 16 mg/min). Total glucose disposal adjusted for residual endogenous glucose production was lower (P = 0.049) for heterozygotes (320 +/- 111 mg/min) than for normal homozygotes (441 +/- 183 mg/min). Our results suggest that obese postmenopausal women who are heterozygous for the Trp64Arg variant in the beta3AR gene have greater insulin resistance than age-, body composition-, and physical activity-matched women homozygous for the normal gene.
Nest Association and Reproductive Microhabitat of the Threatened Blackside Dace, Chrosomus cumberlandensis

Abstract Chrosomus cumberlandensis (Blackside Dace) is a federally protected cyprinid fish found in small tributaries of the upper Cumberland River system in southeastern Kentucky and northeastern Tennessee. Relatively little is known about the species’ reproductive ecology and early life history. From a small number of field observations, the species is known to spawn as an associate with other cyprinid nest-building hosts, namely Campostoma anomalum (Central Stoneroller) and Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek Chub). In the present study, we first analyzed Blackside Dace co-occurrence patterns with other cyprinids to predict the relative importance of each species to Blackside Dace nestassociation behavior. We next studied Blackside Dace spawning activities in seven 200-m reaches in five Kentucky streams during May-July 2006 to document nest associations and measure microhabitat conditions at spawning and non-spawning locations. Three of the seven study reaches were impacted by active logging operations. We observed 25 Blackside Dace spawning events, and all 25 were associated with Creek Chub nests, consistent with predictions from our species co-occurrence analysis. Spawning microhabitats were located in areas with significantly greater mean wetted-channel widths, slower column and bottom velocities, lower silt levels, lower substrate embeddedness, and larger subdominant substrate particles compared to non-spawning microhabitats. Study reaches with adjacent active logging had significantly greater mean silt levels, substrate embeddedness, water temperature, and conductivity values compared to reaches with no active logging, although 4 of the 25 spawning events occurred in reaches with active logging. Our results highlight the importance of cyprinid nest-building hosts (especially Creek Chub) to Blackside Dace reproductive ecology, and they also reinforce the need to maintain the integrity of Blackside Dace streams at the whole-community level.
The effects of the Dot Com bubble and the Credit Crisis on leverage ratios of US non-financial firms

This thesis researches the impact of the Dot Com bubble and the Credit Crisis on the leverage of US nonfinancial firms, over the period 1995-2011. The data consists of 24,600 US firms. The research is done using the main determinants of leverage and the existing Capital Structure Theories. The aim of this research is trying to give a fresh insight in the effects of the Dot Com bubble and the Credit Crisis on leverage ratio of US non-financial firms. The main results are: the ‘initial’ determinants of leverage work to explain the leverage ratio of US non-financial Firms during a crisis. Furthermore they also seem to explain the effects of both of the crises over the period 1995-2011. The Capital Structure theories seem to hold during periods of distress. The circumstances caused by the Dot Com have large influence on the effects on leverage during the Credit Crisis. Finally the system does not seem to be in a new ‘optimum’ boundary after the Credit Crisis, but lack of data availability makes this hard to conclude.
NEW CYTOCHEMICAL METHOD FOR ADENYLATE CYCLASE AND GUANYLATE CYCLASE WITH DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE

To assess the appropriateness of the lead nitrate method using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for the cytochemical demonstration of adenylate cyclase (ACLase) and guanylate cyclase (GCLase), we have carried out a biochemical assay of ACLase and GCLase in parallel with the cytochemical study. Tissues from rats were fixed in a mixture of 2% paraformaldehyde, 0.25% glutaraldehyde and 5% DMSO in 0.1M cacodylate buffer, pH 7.4, for 30min, and then washed with 5% DMSO in 0.1M cacodylate buffer. Vibratome or Microslicer sections were incubated in the following medium for 15-60min at 37°C. Medium for ACLase: 80mM Tris-maleate buffer, pH 7.4; 4mM MgSO4; 10mM NaF; 2mM theophilline; 2mM lead nitrate; 0.25M sucrose; 5% DMSO; 2.5mM levamisole; 0.5mM AMP-PNP. Medium for GCLase: 80mM Tris maleate buffer, pH 7.4; 3mM MnCl2 or MgSO4; 2mM theophilline; 2mM lead nitrate; 0.25M sucrose; 5% DMSO; 2.5mM levamisole; 0.5mM GMP-PNP. Some reaction medium for GCLase contained NaN3.ACLase and GCLase activities were biochemically and cytochemically enhanced by adding DMSO to the incubation medium as well as to fixatives. Cyclases were localized in the plasma membranes, gap junctions, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus.
Processing of legume seeds : effects on digestive behaviour in dairy cows

In this study, effects of toasting, expander treatment and pelleting on in situ rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility of legume seeds are described. Toasting decreases protein degradability of peas, lupins, faba beans and soybeans and starch degradability of peas and faba beans, especially when broken instead of whole seeds are processed. Toasting of a mixture of peas, lupins and faba beans resulted in a higher starch degradability than expected on the separately treated feedstuffs. Toasting the mixture decreased protein degradability, whereas pelleting and expander treatment increased protein degradability. The observed effects for the latter two treatments were related to particle size reduction during processing. Combinations of toasting, expander treatment and pelleting resulted sometimes in interactions,but the order of the treatments hardly affected the effects on protein and starch degradability. Peas and faba beans showed great resemblance in chemical composition. This was reflected in their sensititivy to the processing conditions. Likewise, lupins and soybeans showed similar behaviour after toasting. The rumen degradability of amino acids (AAN) in lupins decreased, and showed a curvi-linear response to processing time and temperature. Effects of toasting were similar for all amino acids. Correction for microbial contamination based on diaminopimelic acid resulted in a higher degradability of AAN compared to uncorrected N. Moreover, corrections affected the ranking of treatments with respect to degradability of individual amino acids. Laboratory measurements showed that protein dispersibility index (PDI) and protein denaturation enthalpy, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are useful indicators for protein denaturation, and can be used for evaluation of effects of toasting on intestinal digestible rumen undegraded protein.
Brown trout spawning habitat selection and its effects on egg survival

Salmonid females invest heavily in reproduction, through gamete production, habitat selection and maternal care. Habitat selection and maternal care are expected to provide shelter for eggs against scouring and predators. However, females also tend to produce variable egg sizes, and this trait may interact with habitat quality to influence the survival of offspring. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the role of female habitat selection on egg survival conditional on individual egg size and female body size. We monitored female reproductive activity in two natural rivers for 3 years, in order to relate nest characteristics to female body size. Bigger females dug deeper nests at lower shear stress force. Right after the end of nest construction, we sampled a part of the eggs laid by each female, measured them individually, and placed them back using capsules within their original position in the nest. At time of hatching, the capsules within the nest were collected and individual egg mortality was assessed. Our results indicate that scouring was the main driver for mortality (75%) and that nest burial depth and shear stress force above the nest both influenced scouring. However, subsequent survival was influenced by neither nest characteristics, individual egg size, nor the interaction between both. It is therefore expected that traits or tactics that reduce nest scouring probability should be under strong selection.
Determinants of Participation in Nonfarm Economic Activities in South East Nigeria: A Tobit Analysis Approach

This study had looked at the involvement of small scale farmers in nonfarm income generating activities in the south east region of Nigeria. Specifically it investigated the probability of farmers participating in nonfarm income generating activities. A Tobit model was used to analyse cross sectional data collected from 180 farmers selected by means of systematic random sampling technique. The result shows that on the average the farmers were aged 48 years and were characteristically smallholder farmers. All the coefficients had the hypothesized signs in line with a priori expectations. Eight of the variables including age of the farmers, level of formal education, dependency ratio, remittance, farm size, size of farm income, farming status and distance to nearest city were statistically significant. The coefficients of age of the farmers, remittance, and farm size as well as size of farm income, farming status, and distance to nearest city are all negative. These imply that a unit decrease in age of the farmer, remittances, farm size of farm income, time spent on farming activities and distance to cities would bring about increased participation of farmers in nonfarm income generating activities. A deliberate policy of rural development through massive provision of infrastructures will see more people climbing out of poverty through participation in nonfarm activities.
Postemergent Annual Bluegrass Control in Dormant Nonoverseeded Bermudagrass Turf

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) can be a troublesome weed to control in established turfgrass stands; it has developed herbicide resistance after repeated use of products with similar modes of action, and several new herbicides have been registered for use on turfgrasses. Four field studies were conducted near Clemson, S.C. , from 2003 through 2005 to evaluate postemergence annual bluegrass control in dormant, nonoverseeded bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ] turf using various herbicides applied in either December or February of each year and rated in the spring. Annual bluegrass control can be accomplished in dormant, nonoverseeded bermudagrass turf using a wide range of products applied in either December or February. Flazasulfuron, foramsulfuron, glufosinate, glufosinate + clethodim, glufosinate + glyphosate, glyphosate + clethodim, glyphosate + diquat, pronamide, rimsulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron provided 87% or greater annual bluegrass control regardless of application timing. Imazaquin and simazine controlled annual bluegrass greater than 85% when applied in December but less than 80% when applied in February. Glyphosate provided 93% annual bluegrass control when applied in February but only 72% control with December applications. No detrimental effects on bermudagrass spring greenup were observed for any herbicide treatment or application time. The availability of several effective herbicide options with differing modes of action provides turfgrass managers with the opportunity to use herbicide rotations that may prevent, or at least delay, the development of resistant annual bluegrass populations to these chemical products.
THE ECOTYPE CONCEPT

In two papers, published in I922, Turesson (I922a, b) introduced the ecotype concept and its importance in the study of the constitution and origin of species was almost immediately recognized. Ecologists and taxonomists alike appreciate the value of combined field observations and controlled cultural experiments. There was some criticism, in part justified, that the field studies of populations and of the conditions of their environment were insufficiently extensive and intensive and that the ecotype concept was based too much on selected individuals and not on the study of whole populations or of sufficiently large random samples of such. Nevertheless, Turesson's researches have opened up new lines of research and full recognition of his great contributions to the study of species problems must be gratefully accorded by anyone familiar with the facts. There is no intention, or need, to give details of the early investigations on ecotypes. A very useful summary is given by Barton-Wright (I932). More recently, Gregor (I944) has published a most valuable summary of much recent research and trends of thought in this subject. The present paper is concerned mainly with two matters: the full significance of changes in definition of terms first used by Turesson in I922, and the relation between genecology and taxonomy. Gregor (1944) touched on both these problems which were also referred to by the writer in an earlier paper (Turrill, I938) and more recently in a review (Turrill, I942). An investigator is unavoidably impressed more by his own experiences, by the examples with which he himself has worked, and by the difficulties he meets, than by those of others, and the value of concepts, terms, definitions, and schemes of classification can only be tested pragmatically. Genecologists have often criticized taxonomists, sometimes not without reason, but sometimes from a misconception of the taxonomist's functions. Taxonomists have too often ignored these criticisms and indeed the whole experimental work of genecologists, though there is increasing improvement in this respect. The present writer again expresses his appreciation of both the methods used and the results obtained in genecological research and is confident that any criticisms he makes will be accepted in the constructive spirit in which they are offered.
EGG SIZE, HATCHING ASYNCHRONY, SEX, AND BROOD REDUCTION IN THE COMMON GRACKLE'

In clutches of five, the Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) provisions eggs un- equally and starts incubation before the clutch is complete, thereby insuring initial advantages to some young which are not accrued to others. Field observations and experiments show: (1) egg wt increases with laying sequence within the clutch, (2) intraclutch variation in egg size results in competitive advantages in growth for young from large eggs, (3) asynchronous hatching favors young which hatch early at the expense of those which hatch late, (4) starvation mediates brood reduction of late-hatching young in many nests, and (5) normal brood reduction produces a sex ratio skewed in favor of 9 9. Egg size variation within the clutch and asynchronous hatching are interpreted as antagonistic forms of parental investment. Presence of both adaptations suggests that the parent attempts to ensure the survival of chicks which hatch late as long as possible within an overall pattern of initial investment which ensures starvation of those individual young if food is insufficient to raise the entire brood. This retention is interpreted as a means by which the parent maximizes reproduction in the event of unexpectedly favorable food conditions. Elimination of late-hatching young produces a sex ratio favoring 9 9 because ultimately investment in that sex is dependable if exceptionally healthy, and hence potentially polygynous, d d cannot be produced. Facultative adjustment of sex ratio within the brood may produce a high variance around a population sex ratio of 1: 1 or some kurtosis necessitated by unequal costs of raising individuals of each sex. The overall pattern of brood reduction in this species is interpreted as an evolved system by which a 9 parent reduces risks so as to maximize inclusive fitness.
Assigning individual alates of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to their colonies of origin within the context of an area-wide management program.

An estimated $1 billion is spent each year in the United States for Formosan subterranean termite control and structural repair. In 1998, Operation Full Stop was established as part of the National Formosan subterranean termite program, with the aim of demonstrating the benefits of area-wide termite management in the French Quarter, New Orleans. The program consists of USDA sponsored treatment in conjunction with extensive monitoring of termite activity in untreated inground monitoring stations and alate numbers during each swarming season to assess management success. In 2003, inground stations were still infested, and at the same time, alate numbers had plateaued after an initial decline. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that colonies foraging in untreated inground stations contributed to sustained alate activity. We used microsatellite genotyping to determine the numbers and breedingstructures ofcolonies foragingin untreated monitoringstations during the swarming season of June 2003. We tested to what extent alates captured in light traps during a single night of mass swarming originated from these colonies. Each inground station contained a single, genetically distinct colony. Eighty-three percent of the 23 total colonies had extended family breeding structures, indicating they were mature enough to produce alates. Only 4% of alates originated from untreated monitoring stations, while the remaining 96% originated from undetected colonies, possibly outside of the program area or in above-ground structures and/ or trees. Thus, management strategies should focus on expanding the program area and inspections to further increase detection and elimination of colonies in structures and trees.