Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age and growth of yellow eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), determined by two different methods

– Ageing and calculation of growth rate of eels has always been controversial, and remarkably little validation has been reported. This article describes the growth of yellow eels from three lakes in the Burrishoole system, Ireland, as determined by back-calculation from otoliths prepared by burning and cracking. Eels captured by fyke net ranged in length from 25.0 cm to 98.5 cm and the ages ranged from 6 to 49 years. Back-calculated growth was slow, with mean annual increments of 2.08 cm, 1.40 cm and 1.97 cm for the three lakes. Yellow eels captured in the Burrishoole system in 1987 and 1988 were marked by Pan Jet inoculated alcian blue dye and released back into the three lakes. Recaptures made over the following three years yielded considerable growth data. Mean annual growth rates recorded were 2.30 cm, 1.07 cm and 0.97 cm. These data compare favorably with the calculated growth rates, thereby validating the otolith analysis for the eels in the Burrishoole system.
Sea lice dispersion and salmon survival in relation to salmon farm activity in the Broughton Archipelago

The risk of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) transmission to wild juvenile Pacific salmon has spurred management change to reduce lice on salmon farms. We studied the abundance of planktonic lice preceding the juvenile salmon outmigration as well as the abundance of lice on juvenile pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and chum (Oncorhynchus keta) salmon in two distinct migration routes, one containing only fallow farms and the other active farms that applied a parasiticide. Results indicate that fallowing reduces the abundance and flattens the spatial distribution of lice relative to that expected in areas without farms. Active farms remained the primary source of lice, but transmission was reduced 100-fold relative to previous epizootics in the study area. On the migration route containing active farms, � 50% of the juvenile salmon showed evidence of louse damage to surface tissues and the estimated direct louse-induced mortality was ,10%, not including indirect effects of infection on predation risk or competition. The survival of the pink salmon cohort was not statistically different from a reference region without salmon farms. Although repeated use of a single parasiticide can lead to resistance, reducing louse transmission from farmed salmon may help conserve some wild Pacific salmon populations.
Genotype-environment interaction and stability analysis for yield and yield attributing characters in muskmelon

Stability analysis in muskmelon for seven quantitative traits namely, days to first female flower, node to first female flower, fruit polar diameter, fruit equatorial diameter, fruit flesh thickness, TSS and fruit weight using Eberhart and Russell and Perkins and Jinks models showed significant genotypic mean square for all the characters indicating enough variability among the 24 muskmelon genotypes. Fourteen genotypes for days to first female flower, 23 for node to first female flower, 20 for fruit polar diameter, 16 for fruit equatorial diameter, 15 for TSS and 13 for fruit weight were found stable across the environments. Two genotypes namely, PMM-97-19 and PMM-251 were found stable across the five environments for all the characters under study. On over all basis, the desirable stable genotypes for fruit weight having superior fruit quality traits were Pusa Madhuras, PMM-249, PMM-97-19 and PMM-208. However, the genotype PMM-97-19 was found most superior genotype.
The diversity, abundance and biomass of termites under differing levels of disturbance in the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, southern Cameroon

This paper presents data on the abundance, biomass and species richness of termites in the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, southern Cameroon. Five plots of differing disturbance level (near primary forest, old secondary forest, young plantation, weeded Chromolaena fallow, and completely cleared forest) were sampled for termites in two successive years (July 1992 and July 1993, giving a total of ten sampling areas, plus one in the completely cleared plot in November 1992). A stratified sampling regime of soil pits, wood samples, mound samples and soil scrape samples was used. Estimated abundance and biomass were extremely high in the near primary and old secondary plot (maximum estimated abundance, old secondary sampling area 1, 10488 m -2 , maximum biomass density, near primary sampling area 1,123.2 g m -2 ). In all cases termite abundance was highly clumped. Disturbance had apparently little effect on termite abundances and biomass in forested plots, but there were clear reductions in abundance and biomass in the cleared plots. In the completely cleared plot, abundance and biomass fell sharply from year 1 to year 2, presumably because colonies left after clearance had dried out and died. There were large differences in the taxonomic-, nesting- and feeding-group composition of the plots, with soil feeding termites being especially strongly affected by disturbance. The sources of error associated with this sampling programme are discussed. It is argued that the near primary forest plot may have higher microhabitat and concomitant termite assemblage heterogeneity than the more disturbed plots. In most cases over 90 % of the overall abundance in a sampling area was due to a few species; extinction, and will make areas. This may be due to the unpredictable dynamics of colony foundation and extinction, and will make estimations of the effect of termites on overall ecosystem processes (from abundance and biomass data alone) problematical. There is no evidence of immigration of savanna termites into the forest reserve, and thus cleared areas have depauperate forest assemblages. It is concluded that this is the most accurate estimation of termite assemblage parameters yet attempted.
A reliable customer : hunting site fidelity by an actively foraging neotropical colubrid snake

Snakes are known to employ two major hunting strategies, ambush or wide foraging. Whatever the strategy a snake supposedly chooses potentially profitable hunting grounds. Whereas hunting site fidelity is recorded for a few ambushing species, there seems to be no records available for such fidelity for a widely foraging snake. We report on hunting site fidelity by the Eastern green whiptail (Philodryas olfersii), a widely foraging colubrid, in southeast Brazil.
Techno-economic analyses of wood species utilized in furniture industry in selected cities of Nigeria

The continuing depletion of the commonly used wood species (CUWS) from the Nigerian forest coupled with their escalating prices has contributed to the high operational cost in the furniture industry (FI). This study, therefore, aimed at analyzing the technical properties and economic returns of some CUWS as well as some lesser used species (LUS) that are evolving, with the aim of determining the possibility of substituting the CUWS with the LUS. Structured questionnaire was administered on 193 furniture factories selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. The sampled 193 furniture factories in Lagos, Ibadan and Benin were categorized into 154 small-scale furniture factories (SSFF), 30 medium-scale furniture factories (MSFF) and nine large-scale furniture factories (LSFF). For technical analysis, a total of 720 test specimens were collected from Mansonia altissima, Khaya ivorensis, Cordia millenii and Tectona grandis as CUWS and Aningeria robusta and Gmelina arborea as evolving LUS. The test specimens were prepared and tested in accordance with British Standard 373:1996. Primary data on production cost and returns in the FI were obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, benefit-cost ratio (BCR), rate of return on investment (RRI) and sensitivity analysis. Significant variations (p<0.05) were observed among the species for all the technical properties. Specific gravity used as indicator for technical properties ranged between 0.35 and 0.52. The BCR and RRI in the three scales of FI ranged from 1.57:1 to 2.02:1 and from 56.5 to 107.3% respectively. The sensitivity analysis revealed that only the use of Mansonia altissima in the LSFF was still profitable with BCR of 1.01:1 at 100% increase in the total cost of production. Based on the findings of this study, Aningeria robusta can be profitably used to substitute Tectona grandis, Mansonia altissima, Khaya ivorensis and Cordia millenii while Gmelina arborea can also be profitably used to substitute Khaya ivorensis and Cordia millenii. Therefore, there is the need for more utilization of Gmelina arborea and Aningeria robusta. Attention should also be directed at increasing the establishment of Gmelina arborea plantation and conducting research on the possibility of raising Aningeria robusta in plantations.
A Mathematical Theory of Evolution, Based on the Conclusions of Dr. J. C. Willis, F.R.S.

The following work is founded on that conception of evolution, the most recent and precise formulation of which is due to Dr. J. C. Willis, and represents an attempt to develop the quantitative consequences of the conception. By his statistical studies of distribution Dr. Willis was led to two conclusions:— (1) Species occupying large areas are, on the whole , older than those occupying small areas, provided that allied forms are compared.
The Psychophysiological Differentiation of Actual, Imagined, and Recollected Mirth

Heart rate and galvanic skin response measures were recorded from 23 participants (10 men and 13 women) while mirth was elicited through use of imagination (Imagined Mirth), through recollection (Recollected Mirth), or through an experimental manipulation (Actual Mirth). An analysis of variance indicated significant differences for heart rate, F(2, 22) = 4.716, p = . 0210, and for galvanic skin response, F(2, 22) = 4.779, p = . 0201 among the three methods. Consistent with the hypotheses forwarded, both Imagined and Recollected Mirth generated significantly greater changes in psychophysiology than Actual Mirth. However, there were no significant differences found between Imagined and Recollected Mirth. The implications of these findings on current and future research are discussed.
Online time, experience of cyber bullying and practices to cope with it among high school students in Hanoi

This study is conducted to learn about experiences and practices to cope with cyberbullying among high school students in Hanoi and to explore the association between the average time of Internet used per day among high school students in Hanoi, Vietnam, and the risk of being cyberbullied. A total of 215 students aged 13–18 years completed an online survey using respondent-driven sampling method. The experience of being cyberbullied was examined using the modified Patchin and Hinduja’s scale. The prevalence of experiencing at least one type of cyberbullying was 45.1%. The most common type of cyberbullying was being called by names/made fun of. The average daily time spent on Internet showed dose-response association with the risk of being cyberbullied. The prevalence of having experienced cyberbullying was 54% among subjects who used Internet >3 hours/day compared to 39% among those who used 1–3 hours and 30% among those who used <1 hour. In terms of practices to cope with this, most students chose to ignore it and not share information with their family or teacher. The most frequent method to overcome this problem was talking with friends (60.8%). Research shows that the prevalence of cyberbullying victimization in Hanoi was high, and student’s practices to cope with this new form of bullying were not efficient. Online time had dose-response association with risk of cyberbullying. More attention is needed to increase level of society/school awareness to prevent cyberbullying in Hanoi.
Relationships between Seed Testing Traits, field Emergence and seed yield of sesame (sesamun indicum l.) Under different Plant population environments

Relationships between variables of seed testing traits and field emergence as well as seed yield of 14 indigenous sesame genotypes were tested at three plant population densities. Seed samples were taken from different harvests to conducts seed quality tests in the laboratory and to determine field emergence and seed yield under the three plant population densities. The results indicated that significant differences existed among the genotypes for all traits examined except emergence rate index. Genotypes 530-6-1,69B-88Z, 530-3 and C-K-2 appeared to have good seed quality and high seed yield. Coefficients of correlation between field emergence or seed yield and seed testing traits differed for the three plant population densities. Seed germination, seedling vigour index, excess water stress germination (EWSG) and plumule length were positively correlated with field emergence at low plant density of 133,3333 plant ha 1 while at high population densities of 266,667 plant ha 1 seedling vigour index had high and positive correlation with field emergence. Results of regression coefficients showed that 1000-seed weight as the best contributor to the regression equation, accounting for 36% of variation in field emergence and 13% for seed yield per plant. However, the contributions of other seed testing traits to field emergence were significant but reduced the variations from 8 to 1%. From this, it appears that prediction of seed yield of sesame from seed testing traits in the laboratory is more difficult than field emergence and found to be inefficient for both traits.
Persistência na lactação para vacas da raça Holandesa criadas no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul via modelos de regressão aleatória

There were used 21,702 test day milk yields from 2,429 first parity Holstein breed cows, daughters of 2,031 dams and 233 sires, distributed over 33 herds in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, from 1992 to 2003. Genetic parameters for three measures of lactation persistency (PS1, PS2 e PS3) and for milk production to 305 days (P305) were evaluated. A random regression model adjusted by fourth order Legendre polynomial was used. The random regression model adjusted to test day between the sixth and the 305th lactation day included the herd-year-season of the test day, the age of the cow at the parturition effects and the order fourth Legendre polinomial parameters, for modeling the milk production average curve of the population, and parameters of the same polinomial for modeling the random additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. The estimated heritabilities were 0.05, 0.08 and 0.19, respectively to PS1, PS2 and PS3, and 0.25 to P305, suggesting the possibility of a genetic gain by selection for PS3 and P305. The genetic correlations between persistency measurements and P305 ranged from -0.05 to 0.07, suggesting being, persistency and milk yield, characteristics determined by different gene groups, and that the selection for P305, usually done, do not promote genetic progress for persistency.
Statistical analysis of durum wheat yield under semi-warm dryland condition

Eight statistical procedures including simple and combined variance, covariance analyses, coefficients of genetic variation, broad sense heritability and genetic advance, simple correlation, stepwise multiple linear regression and path analysis were used to study the relationship between grain yield of spring-type durum wheat and its components under semi-warm dryland condition of Iran. In order to identify relationship of some agronomical traits including yield components with grain yield of durum genotypes, 24 durum wheat genotypes were studied in RCBD design with 3 replications during 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 wheat growing season in Gachsaran Dryland Agricultural Research Station in the southwest of Iran. The results showed that the measured traits varied in genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variations, heritability and genetic advance. Thousand kernel weight had positive significant correlation coefficient and great positive direct effect on grain yield, so it can be considered as indirect selection criteria for better yield in durum breeding programs. The spike number per square meter (S/m ) through direct effect on grain yield and via thousand kernel weight can be defined as another indirect selection criterion. Meanwhile, decreasing and nullifying the negative indirect effect of kernel number per spike by decreasing seed weight should be considered in direct selection for thousand kernel weight and spike number per square meter. It can be concluded that differences among genotypes for days to heading, spike number per square meter, flag-leaf area, flag-leaf weight and grain yield were mainly controlled by environmental variance. The existence of high heritability for growth vigor, days to maturity, plant height, peduncle length, number of kernel per spike, flag leaf senescence, spike length, thousand kernel weight and test weight traits, indicated that effective selection can be done on these traits through breeding programs.
STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, AND DIETARY REGULATION OF Δ6, Δ5, AND Δ9 DESATURASES

▪ Abstract Fatty acid desaturases introduce a double bond in a specific position of long-chain fatty acids, and are conserved across kingdoms. Degree of unsaturation of fatty acids affects physical properties of membrane phospholipids and stored triglycerides. In addition, metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids are used as signaling molecules in many organisms. Three desaturases, Δ9, Δ6, and Δ5, are present in humans. Delta-9 catalyzes synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids. Oleic acid, a main product of Δ9 desaturase, is the major fatty acid in mammalian adipose triglycerides, and is also used for phospholipid and cholesteryl ester synthesis. Delta-6 and Δ5 desaturases are required for the synthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), which are mainly esterified into phospholipids and contribute to maintaining membrane fluidity. While HUFAs may be required for cold tolerance in plants and fish, the primary role of HUFAs in mammals is cell signaling. Arachidonic acid is required as substrates.
Influence of leaf and base lesion of herbaceous cutting in the guava rooting of the selection 8501-9

Com o objetivo de avaliar o potencial de enraizamento da selecao 8501-9 de goiabeira utilizou-se estacas herbaceas com 10-12 cm de comprimento em duas formas de preparo (corte simples sem lesao e exposicao do câmbio) e tres intensidades de supressao das folhas (sem folhas, com folhas cortadas ao meio e folhas intactas). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com cinco repeticoes em arranjo fatorial 2 x 3, com dez estacas por parcela. Apos tratamento com AIB as estacas foram colocadas para enraizamento em caixas plasticas (44 x 30 x 7 cm) contendo casca de arroz carbonizada, em câmara de nebulizacao. Apos 78 dias avaliou-se a retencao foliar, a sobrevivencia das estacas, o numero de estacas enraizadas e de raizes, o comprimento e as massas fresca e seca das raizes. A interacao entre lesao e presenca de folhas nao foi significativa, indicando que estes fatores agem de forma independente em relacao aos fatores estudados. A supressao das folhas resultou em morte das estacas. A exposicao do câmbio nao proporcionou vantagens no enraizamento de estacas herbaceas. As estacas com um par de folhas inteiras apresentaram maiores massas fresca e seca de raizes em relacao as estacas com folhas cortadas, ja as estacas sem folhas nao apresentaram formacao de raizes, sendo a presenca de folhas fundamental para a promocao do enraizamento.
Immunity to the α(1,3)Galactosyl Epitope Provides Protection in Mice Challenged with Colon Cancer Cells Expressing α(1,3)Galactosyl-transferase A Novel Suicide Gene for Cancer Gene Therapy

Human immunity to α(1,3)Galactosyl epitopes (αGal) may provide the means for a successful cancer gene therapy that uses the immune system to identify and to destroy tumor cells expressing the suicide gene α(1,3)Galactosyltransferase (αGT). Innate antibody specific for cell surface αGal constitutes a high percentage of circulating IgG and IgM immunoglobulins in humans and is the basis for complement-mediated hyperacute xenograft rejection and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In humans, the gene for αGT is mutated, and cells do not express the αGal moiety. We hypothesized that human tumor cells induced to express the αGal epitope would be killed by the hosts’ innate immunity. Previous in vitro work by our group has demonstrated complement-mediated lysis of αGal-transduced human tumor cells in culture by human serum. To induce antibodies to αGal in this in vivo study, αGT knockout mice were used to determine whether immunization with αGal could provide protection from challenge with αGal-expressing murine MC38 colon cancer cells. Knockout mice were immunized either a single time, or twice, with rabbit RBC. Antibody titers to αGal measured by indirect ELISA were significantly higher in mice immunized twice and approached the titers observed in human serum. Anti-αGal antibodies were predominantly of the IgG1 and IgG3 subtype. Immunized knockout mice were challenged i.p. with varying doses of αGal + MC38 colon carcinoma cells. Nonimmunized control groups consisting of αGT knockout mice, and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were challenged as well with MC38 cells. Immunized mice survived and exhibited slower tumor development in comparison to nonimmunized knockout and control mice. This study demonstrates, in vivo , the protective benefit of an immune response to the αGal epitope. Our results provide a basis to pursue additional development of this cancer gene therapy strategy.
INSTREAM FLOW METHODS: A COMPARISON OF APPROACHES

Minimum flows in rivers and streams aim to provide a certain level of protection for the aquatic environment. The level of protection is described by a measure such as a prescribed proportion of historic flows, wetted perimeter or suitable habitat. Conflicting minimum flow assessments from different instream flow methods are arguably the result of different environmental goals and levels of protection. The goals, the way in which levels of protection are specified, and the relationship between levels of protection and the aquatic environment are examined for three major categories of flow assessment methods: historic flow, hydraulic geometry and habitat. Basic conceptual differences are identified. Flow assessments by historic flow and hydraulic methods are related to river size and tend to retain the ‘character’ of a river. Habitat-based methods make no a priori assumptions about the natural state of the river and flow assessments are based primarily on water depth and velocity requirements. Flow and hydraulic methods assume that lower than natural flows will degrade the stream ecosystem, whereas habitat methods accept the possibility that aspects of the natural ecosystem can be enhanced by other than naturally occurring flows. Application of hydraulic and habitat methods suggests that the environmental response to flow is not linear; the relative change in width and habitat with flow is greater for small rivers than for large. Small rivers are more ‘at risk’ than large rivers and require a higher proportion of the average flow to maintain similar levels of environmental protection. Habitat methods are focused on target species or specific instream uses, and are useful where there are clear management objectives and an understanding of ecosystem requirements. Flow and hydraulic methods are useful in cases where there is a poor understanding of the ecosystem or where a high level of protection for an existing ecosystem is required. 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.