Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast Continuous Swimming of Two Pelagic Predators, Saithe (Pollachius Virens) and Mackerel (Scomber Scombrus): a Kinematic Analysis

Straight, forward, unrestrained swimming behaviour, with periodic lateral oscillations of body and tailfin, was described and compared for saithe and mackerel. A method was developed for kinematic analysis of forward motion, lateral displacements and body curvature, based on a Fourier-series approach. The dimensionless kinematic quantities showed relatively small variations over large ranges of swimming speeds. The speed range of mackerel was twice as fast as that of saithe. The main difference in swimming style between the species was a somewhat greater tail amplitude and a correspondingly stronger curvature near the caudal peduncle in mackerel than in saithe. The swimming style of both species yields a Froude efficiency close to the maximum value possible, given the observed amplitude increase in the posterior part.
Sex Chromosome Mosaicism in Liver, Thymus, Spleen and Regenerating Liver of Perameles Nasuta and Isoodon Macrourus

An X chromosome disappears from female cells and the Y chromosome disappears from male cells during development in some somatic tissues of the bandicoots P. nasuta and l. macrourus leaving the cells with a 2n = 13 (Le. XO) chromosome complement. In order to determine time of disappearance of the relevant sex chromosome, counts were made from dividing cells in liver, thymus and spleen of both species at various stages of development. Histological studies of liver and thymus were made at the same developmental stages. Frequencies of 2n = 14 cells (Le. those containing both sex chromosomes) were high in the liver and thymus of animals 1-4 days old but were low at 15 days of age when haematopoietic cells predominated. While most cells of thymus and spleen remained 2n = 13, the frequency of 2n = 14 cells rose again in the liver of animals aged over 20 days at which time blood-forming activity was considerably diminished. It is suggested that blood-forming cells of both species of bandicoot discard a sex chromosome at an early stage of differentiation.
Can aggregation behaviour of Phrynomantis microps tadpoles reduce predation risk

In the Comoe National Park in Ivory Coast, West Africa, tadpoles of the microhylid frog Phrynomantis microps often stay in large and densely packed aggregations near the water surface of savanna ponds. Previous studies have shown that aggregation behaviour was initiated by the presence of visually guided aquatic predators. In the present study, I investigated how efficiently aggregation of P. microps tadpoles reduces the risk of predation. I used an experimental design to count the number of attacks by predators on P. microps tadpole at different densities and distributions. The total strike rate of predators was significantly lower when P. microps tadpoles were aggregated than when they were randomly distributed. However, per capita strikes rate did not differ between treatments. Further replicate trials might have detected benefits to the individual tadpole from aggregating.
Endophyte Acremonium lolii in ecotypes of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) collected in old Irish pastures

The fungal endophyte Acremonium lolii Latch, Christensen and Samuels was detected in 18 of 58 ecotypes of perennial ryegrass {Lolium perenne L. ) collected in old Irish pastures, and examined by a microscopic staining method. The percentage of infec tion varied between 6.7 and 26.7%. The number of hyphal strands within the leaf sheath was assessed on a 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) scale and was between 3 and 5 for 14 of the 18 infected ecotypes. Examination of infected seeds showed the A. lolii mycelium growing profusely in the intercellular spaces of the aleurone layer. Infection was confirmed by a serological test. Seeds of 10 infected ecotypes were analysed for the alkaloid lolitrem B and the concentration ranged from 0 to 0.68 jxg/g dry matter.
Oxidative Stress in Parkinson's Disease

: Dopamine required for neuronal signaling is vesicle bound and redox inert. When it is released from the vesicles into the cytoplasm it is able to influence iron metabolism and undergo redox reactions that result in the formation of neuromelanin and ROS. Neuromelanin in turn will also influence iron metabolism and lead to the production of ROS. The equilibrium between vesicle bound dopamine and cytoplasmic dopamine is regulated by alpha-synuclein. Mutations in this protein shift the dopamine equilibrium in favour of the cytoplasm. In the presence of iron and under conditions of oxidative stress alpha-synuclem will aggregate and form deposits.
EMPLOYMENT OF THE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION IN THE MOLECULAR DIFFERENTIATION OF REPTILIAN HEMOGREGARINES AND ITS APPLICATION TO PREVENTATIVE ZOOLOGICAL MEDICINE

This study involved the development and evaluation of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based strategy for typing morphologically similar species and isolates of reptilian hemogrega rines. This typing is important to zoological medicine because hemogregarines can be transmitted across reptile species and can produce clinically significant disease in unnatural host species. Several hemogregarine isolates obtained from different reptilian host species were molecularly characterized at the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus by PCR amplification and restriction enzyme analysis. Am plification of the rDNA from five different hemogregarine isolates resulted in the robust production of 590-bp DNA fragments. Restriction enzyme digestion and electrophoretic analysis of the amplified 590-bp fragments resulted in banding patterns specific for hemogregarines obtained from different host species. The fact that hemogregarines can be molecularly distinguished at the rDNA locus is significant. A PCR-based ribotyping assay system could be employed as a surveillance device for detecting interspecific transmission among reptile populations.
Photosynthesis Under Stress: Stress Signals and Adaptive Response of Chloroplasts

The term plant stress is difficult to define because of several factors. The major factor, however, is the complex interaction between plants and the environment. If a stress is defined in terms of a plant’s response in field conditions, then the stress cannot precisely be described, because the response of any individual stress factor is not easy to identify. In nature, it is almost impossible to find a condition where a single stress operates without the interference of other stress factors. In certain conditions, many environmental factors individually may not exhibit any stress effect but in different combinations can create a stressful environment for the plants. However, most of the studies in this area are conducted in defined conditions; the stress, therefore, is defined in a very general way as a biotic or abiotic factor that prevents plants from normal functioning and thus results in a reduction in their growth and reproduction [1]. Many environmental factors at their extremes have been recognized as stress factors. The threshhold level of different environmental factors exhibiting the stress response depends on many factors, including prehistoric growth and the structure of plants. Since plants cannot flee from the stressful environment, they have developed various strategies during evolution to adapt to the changing environmental conditions and thus counter the stress effects. Plant adaptation involves three major events; namely, stress perception, transduction of stress signals, and the final response. In most stressful environments, plants can sense, correctly recognize stress signals, and use the signals as cues to bring specific changes at various levels, like alterations in morphological structures, physiological behavior, modification in biochemical pathways, and expression of stress-specific genes as a response for the adaptations. In this chapter, the photosynthetic response of green plants to the environmental stress factors, including extremes of light, water, and temperature, are described. Some other factors, like heavy metals and nutrition stress, also are discussed in regard to their effects on photosynthesis. Emphasis
Change in pollinator populations during the flowering span of Niger (Guizotia abyssinica cass.)

Niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) is an important oil seed crop, chiefly grown in India, Nepal and Ethiopia. Niger population is highly out crossing and entomophilous. During flowering span in Bhagalpur area (Bihar, India), several insect species visit the niger capitula and most of these are regular pollinators. Insects visit the flowers rather indiscriminately and thus pollination is highly generalized. The flowering span extended from the last week of October to the end of January. During this period, population of insect pollinators varied remarkably. Butterflies visited the flowers throughout the flowering span although visiting period of a particular species of butterfly was limited with distinct overlapping. Eiiplea core was active from the beginning up to the 2nd week of December, whereas Junonia lamonias appeared only from 3rd week of November but remained in the field till the end of the flowering span. Honey bees were most active towards middle of the flowering span when maximum number of the plants were at bloom. Towards the fag end of the flowering span butterfly population was drastically reduced and replaced by flies. Relative importance of different groups of insect with reference to their periods of activity within the flowering span, and foraging behaviour of some important pollinators have been discussed.
Growth, Yield, and Metabolic Responses of Temperature-stressed Tomato to Grafting onto Rootstocks Differing in Cold Tolerance

cv. Kommeet) plants were either self-grafted, grafted onto the cold- sensitive cultivar Moneymaker or onto LA 1777, a cold-tolerant accession of Solanum habrochaites . Plants were grown at three different temperatures (T): optimal (19.4 8 C), intermediate (17 8 C), or low (14.6 8 C). Grafting tomato ‘Kommeet’ onto LA 1777 increased shoot growth at intermediate and optimal T and root growth at low or intermediate T in comparison with self-grafting or grafting onto ‘Moneymaker’. Reducing T signiﬁcantly suppressed fruit yield as a result of reduced fruit number per plant without any interaction with grafting treatments. Grafting ‘Kommeet’ onto LA 1777 remarkably restricted fresh and dry fruit mass in comparison with self-grafting of ‘Kommeet’ as a result of a reduction in the fruit number per plant while not inﬂuencing ﬂower number per plant and mean fruit mass, regardless of T regime. Negative effect of LA 1777 on fruit setting points to impairment of pollen fertility indicating signals originating from the root. At low and intermediate T, plants grafted onto LA 1777 were capable of increasing soluble carbohydrates, total amino acids, and guaiacol peroxidase activity in roots to higher levels than those grafted onto S. lycopersicum rootstocks while maintaining a signiﬁcantly lower malondialdehyde content. These differences point to a much weaker oxidative stress in roots of plants grafted onto S. habrochaitis than those grafted onto S. lycopersicum rootstocks when exposed to low and intermediate T. Furthermore, plants grafted onto LA 1777 exhibited signiﬁcantly higher levels of soluble carbohydrates, total amino acids, and guaiacol peroxidase activity in leaves and fruit and superoxide dismutase in fruit at low and intermediate T, which indicates that LA 1777 improved the level of antioxidant compounds in tomato shoots, thereby enhancing its adaptation to lower T than optimal.
Effect of Indoleacetic Acid and Fusicoccin

Maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptile segments loaded with 45Ca released about 50% of the ion after 1 h when treated with indoleacetic acid (IAA). In contrast, fusicoccin (FC) had no effect. The same relation was found when ATP-dependent Ca2" transport, measured as 45Ca uptake, was determined in a plasmalemma-rich membrane vesicle fraction isolated from coleoptiles treated or untreated for 1 h with IAA or FC. In fact, IAA-treated membranes showed an increase in ATP-dependent 45Ca uptake by more than 30% with respect to the control and the FC treatment. Ca2 uptake in IAA-treated membranes was only slightly affected (+27%) by supplying calmodulin (Cam) exogenously. However, Ca2+ uptake in membranes from the control and FC-treated coleoptiles were stimulated (+80%) by exogenous Cam. Calmidazolium, a Cam antagonist, inhibited Ca2+ uptake in the IAA treatment (-48%) to a greater extent with respect to the control and FC treatment (-33 and -29%, respectively). A possible relationship between the effect of IAA on the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport activity, the involvement of Cam, and their effect on growth are discussed.
Influence of temperature on host location by vibrational sounding in two pupal parasitoids

Certain parasitic wasps (Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae) use selfproduced vibrations transmitted on plant substrate to locate their immobile concealed hosts (i.e., lepidopteran pupae). This mechanosensory mechanism, called vibrational sounding, depends both on physical cues of the environment and physical activity of the parasitoid and is postulated to depend on ambient temperature. We analysed the influences of temperature on vibrational sounding by choice experiments using plantstem models with hidden host mimics in the temperate species Pimpla turionellae. The results show a significant effect of temperature on hostlocation activity and on the success of this process. Outside an optimum range, the performance of the wasps decreased both at low and high temperatures. Below 10°C and beyond 24°C the wasps displayed (1) substantial reduction in responsiveness, i.e. proportion of females showing ovipositor insertions, (2) reduction of quantitative activity with ovipositor insertions in the individuals, and (3) reduced precision of mechanosensory host location. Nevertheless, female wasps were able to locate their host over a surprisingly broad range of ambient temperatures which indicates that the wasps are able to compensate for temperature effects on vibrational sounding.
Habitats selected by the endangered Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)—implications for conservation

Abstract The abundance and spatial distribution of species are influenced by the distribution and availability of resources. The objective of this study was to evaluate habitat selection by a wild population of Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) in El Palmar National Park, Entre Ríos, Argentina, and the adjacent agroecosystem. Sightings and signs (i.e. faeces, footprints) of Rheas and environmental variables were recorded every 45 days from April 2011 to March 2012 at 51 sites. The associations between the habitat selected by Rheas and landscape elements were analysed by means of generalised linear mixed models and generalised linear models. A total of 301 sightings were made, at 57% of the sampling sites. Habitat use was linked with environmental variables but differed with time of year (breeding vs non-breeding season). For much of the year, Rheas selected sites with a simple landscape structure, open and low vegetation, such as grasslands, crops and firebreaks, which facilitate movements of birds, and near waterbodies. In the breeding season, Rheas selected dense grassland sites. To manage and conserve this species, it is recommended that areas of open grassland free of shrubs are preserved and expanded and that grassland corridors are created to connect fragmented patches of grassland.
Effect of Supplementing Azolla microphylla on Feed Intake and Blood Parameters in Growing Crossbred Female Calves

A study was conducted on 12 crossbred female calves distributed into two groups to assess the effect of supplementing Azolla microphylla on feed intake and blood parameters. The animals in group T0 were fed with conventional ration consisting of paddy straw and concentrate mixture in 1: 1 ratio. In group T1, fresh Azolla microphylla was supplemented @ 1.5 kg/animal (equivalent to 90 g DM) replacing equivalent weight of concentrate mixture on DM basis. The feed intake was similar in both the groups, however, growth rate was better (P<0.01) in group T1. No significant differences were observed with regard to Hb, RBC, WBC, glucose, NEFA, α-amino nitrogen, urea N, total protein, albumin, ALT and AST between the two groups. The concentration of GH, T3, T4 and leptin was also similar in two groups. Therefore, supplementation of Azolla microphylla @ 1.5 kg/day/animal on fresh basis did not affect feed intake, the levels of blood metabolites, haematological indices and hormones in crossbred growing heifers showing no adverse effect on health.
Hot-Fat Trimming Effects on the Microbiological Quality of Beef Carcasses and Subprimals.

Subcutaneous and kidney-pelvic-heart fat were trimmed from one side of each beef carcass (n = 9) immediately after cold water washing. Both sides were sampled for aerobic plate counts (APCs) before being moved to the chill room (0 h) and after 72 h of cold storage. The mean APCs (log10 colony-forming units (CFU)/cm2) of trimmed (HFT) sides at 0 or 72 h were not different (P > 0.05) from those of the nontrimmed (NFT) sides. All sides at 72 h had reduced microbial counts compared to 0 h. By 72 h, HFT sides had numerically lower counts than NFT sides, indicating that the microbial reduction effect of the chill temperature may have been greater on fat-trimmed carcasses than on nontrimmed carcasses. Subprimals from HFT and NFT sides that were trimmed to 0.64-cm fat thickness were microbiologically analyzed before (0 days) and after (14 days) vacuum storage. APCs of all subprimals were slightly reduced after 14 d; however, no difference (P > 0.05) occurred in treatment effect. The mean APC was higher for HFT-side subprimals than for NFT-side subprimals at both 0 and 14 days. This difference probably was due to the fat trimming required for NFT-side subprimals at day 0 as compared to minimal or no trimming of HFT-side subprimals. Those HFT subprimals which were not subsequently trimmed may have picked up additional microorganisms from contact surfaces during fabrication. Based on our trimming protocol, although HFT did not show any negative impact on the microbial quality of carcasses, the higher APC of HFT-side subprimals indicated that extensive trimming may not be effective in improving the microbial quality of meat.
Strategies for Chemical Control of Root-knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in Established Vineyards

Grape-vine root growth was measured for vertical and horizontal distribution as well as seasonal growth periods. The persistance of aldicarb and fenamiphos in the soil as well as in leaves and fruit of grape-vines was monitored over a prolonged period to establish behaviour patterns which inflnence chemical control strategies. Most roots occurred within 600 mm from the trunk, both vertically and horizontally. Two periods of root development occurred annually. Accordingly applications of nematicides should be made in a band covering 600 mm on both sides of the vine trunk, either after harvest and/or during budburst. Results on residues of aldicarb and fenamiphos stress the importance of adequate water supply after application. Both nematicides will reach the bulk of the roots if correctly placed and were still detected after 42 days and 70 days respectively. Applications during spring with aldicarb and fenamiphos at the dosages used will have no effect on the fermentation of grape musts nor result in toxic residues exceeding 0,05 mg/kg in the grapes.
Length of stopover, fuel storage and a sex-bias in the occurrence of red knots Calidris c. canutus and C-c. islandica in the Wadden Sea during southward migration

During southward migration the Wadden Sea is the meeting place of Red Knots Calidris canutus of two subspecies that breed in either western Siberia (C. c. canutus) or north Greenland and north-east Canada (C. c. islandica), but the details of their co-occurrence have not been described. In 1995-98 numbers of Red Knots in our study area in the western Dutch Wadden Sea usually built up in late July towards maxima of 10 000-20 000 individuals in August and early September. In each of these four years we attached tiny (1.3-1.8 g) radiotransmitters to a total of 95 molecularly sexed adults to determine the length of stay of different categories of birds. The 65 females (68%) predominated the samples, and among the females the majority (48 birds) was captured without traces of wing moult. In females, but not in males, birds caught in wing moult stayed significantly longer than non-moulting birds. Non-moulting females weighed up to 200 g and disappeared within three weeks after being marked. The timing of their disappearance corresponded with observed departures of flocks towards the southwest, and published departure times of canutus. The relationship between length of stay and mass at capture of these early departing non-moulting females suggests a daily mass gain of about 2.84 g d(-1). These birds had a mean bill length that was 1 mm (yet significantly) longer than those of the other female categories; a relatively long bill is a well known attribute of canutus. The much smaller sample of males with similar mass, moult and staging time characteristics did not show longer bill lengths and we are thus unable to unambiguously confirm the presence of canutus males in late July and early August; this bias remains to be functionally explained. Sex ratios were even in birds assignable to islandica.
Morphometric considerations of articular surfaces of calcaneum, occurrence of enthesophytes and evolutionary significance of cuboidal facet

Introduction: Pattern of talar articular facets on the superior aspect of calcaneum significantly influence in causation of subtalar arthritis. Enthesophytes from calcaneum is a major cause of heel pain. Evolutionary modification of cuboidal facet on calcaneum is an important aspect of human bipedal gait. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of calcaneal facet pattern and incidence of enthesophytes in calcaneum. Methodology: Thirty-four dry human calcaneum were studied in Department of anatomy, Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences, Kollam. All bones were examined for pattern of talar articular facets and classified accordingly. Meticulous examination was carried out to evaluate the incidence of enthesophytes. Morphometry of articular facet for cuboid and talar facets were carried out. Results: Pattern I morphologic variant was the most frequently encountered type (25 out of 34). Pattern V not observed. Enthesophytes were observed in 21 (61.7%) bones, with medial predominant medial enthesophytes. One bone showed two enthesophytes. Mean cuboidal facet surface area was 386 (±46) square mm. Conclusion: It was noted that pattern I was the most common morphological variant. Medial tubercular enthesophytes were most common type of abnormal bony outgrowths of calcaneum. The knowledge about variations in morphology is important for all surgeries in subtalar region. Key words: Calcaneum, Talar articular facets, Cuboidal facet, Enthesophytes
Weed suppression by increasing spring rape crop density

Field experiments were conducted in 2003 and 2004 at the Experimental Station of the Lithuanian University of Agriculture to study the influence of different spring rape (Brassica napus L.) densities (50.1-100, 100.1-150, 150.1-200, 200.1-250,250.1-300, 300.1-350, 350.1-400, 400.1-450 plants m -2 ) on weed abundance. Increase of crop density and herewith increase of canopy should intensify the competition ability of spring rape plants and suppress weeds better. The results show that light intensity on the soil surface decreases when the assimilation area of spring rape leaves and total crop biomass increases. Weed density decreases when spring rape crop is densier. A significant negative relationship exists between weed biomass and spring rape leaf area index (LAI) (r = -0.62, P < 0.05), as well as between weed biomass and spring rape biomass (r = -0.67, P < 0.01). A significant positive correlation appears between weed abundance and light intensity on soil surface (r = 0.68, P < 0.01).