Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns of tree species richness in relation to environment in southeastern New South Wales, Australia

We present regression models of species richness for total tree species, two growth forms, rainforest trees (broadleaf evergreens) and eucalypts (sclerophylls), and two large subgenera of Eucalyptus. The correlative models are based on a data set of 166 tree species from 7208 plots in an area of southeastern New South Wales, Australia. Eight environmental variables are used to model the patterns of species richness, four continuous variables (mean annual temperature, rainfall, radiation and plot size), plus four categorical factors (topographic position, lithology, soil nutrient level and rainfall seasonality). Generalized linear modelling with curvilinear and interaction terms, is used to derive the models. Each model shows a significant and differing response to the environmental predictors. Maximum species richness of eucalypts occurs at high temperatures, and intermediate rainfall and radiation conditions on ridges with aseasonal rainfall and intermediate nutrient levels. Maximum richness of rainforest species occurs at high temperatures, intermediate rainfall and low radiation in gullies with summer rainfall and high nutrient levels. The eucalypt subgenera models differ in ways consistent with experimental studies of habitat preferences of the subgenera. Curvilinear and interaction terms are necessary for adequate modelling. Patterns of richness vary widely with taxonomic rank and growth form. Any theories of species diversity should be consistent with these correlative models. The models are consistent with an available energy hypothesis based on actual evapotranspiration. We conclude that studies of species richness patterns should include local (e.g. soil nutrients, topographic position) and regional (e.g. mean annual temperature, annual rainfall) environmental variables before invoking concepts such as niche saturation.
Regulation of nectar collection in relation to honey storage levels by honey bees, Apis mellifera

Honey bees collect distinct nutrient sources in the form of nectar (energy) and pollen (nitrogen). We investigated the effect of varying energy stores on nectar and pollen foraging. We found no significant changes in nectar foraging in response to changes in honey storage levels within colonies. Individual foragers did not vary activity rates or nectar load sizes in response to changes in honey stores, and colonies did not increase nectar intake rates when honey stores within the hive were decreased. This result contrasts with pollen foraging behavior, which is extremely sensitive to colony state. Our data show that individual foraging decisions during nectar collection and colony regulation of nectar intake are distincdy different from pollen foraging. The behavior of honey bees illustrates that foraging strategy (and therefore foraging models) can incorporate multiple currencies, including botJi energy and protein intake. Key words: foraging theory, honey bees, nectar foraging. [Behav Ecol 7:286-291 (1996)]
The life-cycle of Prosorhynchus crucibulum (Rudolphi, 1819) Odhner, 1905, and a comparison of its cercaria with that of Prosorhynchus squamatus Odhner, 1905

The adult of P. crucibulum is redescribed to form a basis for comparison with the cercaria and metacercaria. Particular emphasis is given to the structure and function of the rhynchus, digestive system and reproductive system. Some features, notably prepharyngeal glands and spematophores, have not previously been recorded in this species. The sporocyst and cercaria which were found in Mytilus edulis are described for the first time. Out of 6907 mussels examined from Borth Rocks, Cardigan Bay, 0·26% were infected with P. crucibulum and 0·06 % with P. squamatus. The cercaria of the latter is redescribed on a comparative basis with that of P. crucibulum, to avoid confusion. The two cercariae are clearly distinguished by three features – flame-cell formula, shape of the excretory vesicle, and structure of the tail stem (this being bilobed in P. crucibulum and trilobed in P. squamatus). The significance of the two types of tail in securing attachment to the second intermediate host is discussed. Metacercariae of P. crucibulum were obtained experimentally in ‘O’ group specimens of Scophthalmus maximus. Three other species of fish, namely Limanda limanda, Onus mustelus and Gobius minutus were also successfully infected. The metacercariae did not develop in the following fish: S. rhombus, Pleuronectes platessa, Cottus bubalis and Blennius pholis. Possible mechanisms which might account for host specificity within Pleuronectidae and Scophthalmus are suggested. The development of the metacercaria in the connective tissues and musculature of S. maximus was followed over a period of 10 months. Within 1 month of infection the hyaline cyst of parasitic origin breaks down, enabling the parasite to feed directly on the host tissues. This feature is thought to account for the advanced development of the metacercaria, which 1 month after infection could clearly be identified with the adult on the basis of comparative morphology, and at 2 months resembles the adult in every respect except the development of the vitellaria. Egg production only occurs within the intestine of Conger conger, the definitive host.
Genetic parameters and trends of production traits in Iranian Holstein population

The aim of the present study was to estimate the genetic parameters and trends of milk yield, fat yield and fat percentage in Iranian Holstein population using animal model (multiple-traits) and Derivative-Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (DFREML) procedure. First lactation data of 1128, 1093 and 1093 Mazandaran Holstein cows were collected from National Animal Breeding Center from 1988 to 2004 for milk yield, fat yield and fat percentage, respectively. The numbers of the whole animals were 49776 from 12 generations of studied pedigree. The heritability of milk yield, fat yield and fat percent during 305 days of lactation were 0.22, 0.24 and 0.28, respectively. Genetic correlations between milk and fat yield, milk yield and fat percent, and fat yield and fat percent were 0.99, -0.98 and 0.52, respectively. The genetic trends of all three studied traits were calculated using regression of means of breeding values over the years. The genetic trends were positive for milk (6.791) and fat (0.139) yields and negative for fat percentage (-0.04). Key words: Production traits, genetic parameter, genetic trend, Iranian Holstein.
Cellular uptake of β2M and AGE‐β2M in synovial fibroblasts and macrophages

BACKGROUND Beta-2-microglobulin (beta(2)M) amyloidosis is a destructive articular disease affecting dialysis patients. The amyloid deposits contain both beta(2)M and beta(2)M altered with advanced glycation end products (AGE-beta(2)M). We have shown that beta(2)M increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 in human synovial fibroblasts, while the effect of AGE-beta(2)M in this model is markedly reduced. Conversely, in human monocyte/macrophages, AGE-beta(2)M stimulates cytokine release whereas beta(2)M is less potent. METHODS To understand why the two forms of beta(2)M produce variable responses in different cells, AGE-beta(2)M was labelled with the fluorochrome Cy5, and beta(2)M was labelled with the fluorochrome Texas Red (TR) and the uptake of 50 microg/ml of each was examined through live cell imaging at different time points using confocal microscopy. RESULTS In human synovial fibroblasts, the AGE-beta(2)M-Cy5 could be seen in endosome-like structures inside cells by 45 min. After 3.5 h the distribution of endosome-like structures had become perinuclear in nature and the concentration of AGE-beta(2)M-Cy5 within these structures had increased. When a 20-fold excess of AGE-BSA was added to the synovial fibroblasts with the AGE-beta(2)M-Cy5, the endosome-like particles were not seen, suggesting competitive inhibition of uptake through an AGE-receptor. In contrast, beta(2)M-TR progressively concentrated along the surface of synovial fibroblasts with minimal cellular uptake indicated by faint endosome-like structures seen only after 8 h. Interestingly, in a different model, human and mouse monocyte/macrophages, the AGE-beta(2)M-Cy5 and beta(2)M-TR had similar patterns of distribution and kinetics of uptake. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that beta(2)M and AGE-beta(2)M are endocytosed via different mechanisms in human synovial fibroblasts and monocytes/macrophages. These results may offer a potential explanation of differences observed in cell culture experiments.
Two New Species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the Puna of Northwestern Argentina

Abstract We describe two new species of Liolaemus belonging to the montanus series. The new species are closely related to L. dorbignyi, but are disjunctly distributed with respect to this taxon. Both new species exhibit unique color patterns, which, along with differences in squamation, differentiate the two new taxa from the other species in the series. Both new species are saxicolous and inhabit rocky hills in the Puna regions of northwestern Argentina. One occurs in the Cerro de la Virgen, Nevados de Cachi and Nevados de Palermo of Salta Province. The other is known only from its type locality in the Cerro El Pichao of Tucumán Province.
Mass‐rearing biology of Fopius vandenboschi (Hym., Braconidae)

Abstract: Basic biological information concerning the reproductive activities of Fopius (Biosteres) vandenboschi (Fullaway) (Hym., Braconidae, Opiinae) were determined to facilitate insectary mass production. Mean (±SE) progeny production per generation (yield) of 200 ♀♀F. vandenboschi was 6835.8 ± 433.2 and 3755.8 ± 112.4 parasitoids, with 24‐h exposure to second instar Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), respectively. Ceratitis capitata as a factitious host was more sensitive to parasitism, producing a significantly higher percentage of uneclosed host puparia frequently containing parasitoid cadavers (22.5 ± 0.8%), than B. dorsalis (3.4 ± 0.2%). The overall mean production of female offspring was ≥50%♀♀ in both host species. Unlike several other opiine parasitoids, young (5‐day‐old) females of F. vandenboschi produced low proportion of daughters (26–37%♀♀) and significantly shifted production to female‐biased offspring (53–71%♀♀) at older age intervals (16–30 days). Based on the parasitoid yield data with a 24‐h exposure period to second instar host larvae of B. dorsalis, about 150 cage replicates (of 200 ♀♀ each) may be sufficient to mass produce about 1 million parasitoids of F. vandenboschi during the reproductive period of 5–30 days, with an average of 56% female offspring. A short oviposition exposure period of 6 h was not optimal for mass production of F. vandenboschi. Total yield at 6 h exposure was one‐fifth the production at 24‐h exposure, using B. dorsalis hosts.
The prevalence of tail damage in slaughter pigs in Finland and associations to carcass condemnations

Tail biting is a serious and common welfare problem in modern pig production. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of tail damage in Finland and to study relationships between tail damage and carcass condemnations. Information on a total of 10,852 pigs from 479 farms was collected at a Finnish abattoir. The prevalence of total tail damage was 34.6%, but the majority of this was healed tail damage. The prevalence of fresh versus severe tail biting was 11.7% and 1.3%, respectively. All forms of tail damage caused an increased risk of carcass condemnation, especially due to abscesses (RR: 4.9 for all tail damage). Severe tail biting caused a highly increased risk for condemnation (RR: 5.2 for condemnations in general, RR: 17.6 for condemnations due to abscesses). Of carcasses with severely bitten tails, 26.8% were partly or fully condemned. Between-farm variation in prevalence of tail damage was large, stressing the importance of on-farm factors. Tail biting appears to be a common problem in Finland and measures should be taken to improve the situation. Tail damage, in all its forms, needs to be taken seriously, as it has, in addition to causing lowered welfare to the animals, large economic implications for production.
Evaluation of solvent and expeller linseed meals as protein sources for dairy cattle

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the nutritive value of expeller linseed meal (ELM) and solvent linseed meal (SLM) as protein supplements for lactating dairy cows utilizing analytical and in situ procedures, and determine the in vivo nutritive value of the most promising linseed meal in diets containing either barley or corn-based concentrate. Canola meal (CM) and soybean meal (SBM) were included in the evaluative stage for comparative purposes. Linseed meals contained 37.8 and 35.4% crude protein (CP); 22.6 and 25.9% neutral detergent fibre (NDF); and 12.9 and 7.1% crude fat for ELM and SLM, respectively. Rate and extent of dry matter, NDF, and CP digestion, as determined by the rumen in situ technique, indicated that ruminal digestibility of SLM was similar to that observed for CM, but ruminal escape of ELM protein was higher than for CM. The proportion of ruminal escape protein was similar for SLM, CM and SBM. Total tract CP digestibilities of SLM and CM were similar to and lower th.
Prevalence of Zoonotic Escherichia coli and Salmonellae in Wild Birds and Humans in Egypt with Emphasis on RAPD-PCR Fingerprinting of E. coli

This study investigated the prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli )and salmonellae in 400 cloacal swabs of wild birds including cattle egrets, doves, sparrows and quails (100, each);and 150 stool samples of diarrheic and non-diarrheic humans (75, each), in Sharkia Province, Egypt. The prevalence of E. coli and salmonellae showed no significant differences among examined wild birds (P>0.05). There was a significant difference for E. coli incidence in diarrheic and non-diarrheic humans (P 0.05). Twenty one isolates of E. coli were serotyped from wild birds and human. Six Salmonella isolates from wild birds were serotyped into Salmonella enteritidis(S. enteritidis), S. typhimurium, S. haifa, S. chester and S. muenster, while those two isolates of human were identified into S. typhimurium and S. entertidis. Eight E. coli serotypes; belonged to O127: K63, O128:K67and O26:K60 strains from wild birds and human; were subjected to RAPD-PCR. A maximum similarity (66.7%) was found between O127:K63 from quails and O26:K60 of sparrow origin and the two isolates from doves (O26:K60 and O127:K63). A higher similarity (62.5%) was observed between O128:K67 strain from human and O26:K60 from doves. This evidenced the zoonotic transmission of E. coli strains and salmonellae from wild birds.
Trace metal contamination in estuarine fishes from Vitória Bay, ES, Brazil

Muscular tissue from wild-caught mullet (Mugil spp.) and snook (Centropomus spp.) was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry to determine muscle contamination levels for cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and zinc and evaluate risks to human health associated with seafood consumption. Fishes were captured by subsistence fishermen in Vitoria Bay, a Brazilian tropical estuary with numerous outfalls of untreated industrial and residential sewage. Based on the premisses that subsistence fisherman and local consumer show weak (culinary or other) preferences within the taxa studied, analyses were conducted and results are reported for genera. Snook cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc concentrations were positively correlated with size or weight. Mullet chromium concentration decreased with size. Cadmium and lead were higher and zinc lower in mullet than in snook. Summer cadmium and lead concentrations were higher than in winter. Chromium presented concentrations consistently over the legal Brazilian limit for seafood. However, the greatest health concern was probably related to lead concentration, especially in respect to consumption by young children.
On the Fossil Fishes of the Upper Lias of Whitby. Part I

The laterally-compressed, round-bodied ganoid fishes of the genus Dapedius are abundant in the Upper Lias of Wurtemberg ; but, so far as the present writer is aware, they are only represented as yet by unsatisfactory fragments among the fossils from Whitby. It is true that Agassiz ( op. cit., vol. ii., pt. i., p. 218) mentions “two very beautiful examples” of Dapedius orbis from “the Liassic shales of Whitby,” as having been exhibited by the Rev. M. Williams at the meeting of the British Association at Dublin in 1835. This species, however, is a typically Lower Liassic form, only definitely known from Barrow-on-Soar in Leicestershire; and as the specimens said to have been exhibited at Dublin have not been subsequently traced or noticed, it seems probable that there was a mistake concerning their origin. The record of Dapedius ovalis from Whitby ( Tetragonolepis ovalis, Agassiz, op. cit., vol. i., p. 39) is equally uncertain; though as this is an Upper Lias form in Wurtemberg, it is more likely to occur than the previously-mentioned species. The only fragment of Dapedius from Whitby which has received a distinctive specific name is a portion of the squamation in the collection of the late Sir Philip Egerton (now in the British Museum, No. P.515), intended by Agassiz to be described as the type specimen of Dapedius micans . The scales are somewhat deeper than long, and apparently not serrated at the hinder border. Their exposed face seems to be abraded in the fossil, but the scales of .
EUCALYPTUS- A LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS WASTE AS A MAJOR SOURCE IN BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION

Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass like eucalyptus leaves to ethanol production depends on the chemical complexity of biomass. Thus, such biomasses play a challenge to be used as feed stocks for cellulosic ethanol production. The complexity of the biomass can be simplified by pretreatment which may remove or modify the surrounding matrix of lignin and hemicellulose prior to the enzymatic hydrolysis of the polysaccharides in the biomass. Pretreatment is a process that converts lignocellulosic biomass from its native form to a form were cellulose hydrolysis is much more effective. In general, pretreatment methods can be classified into three categories, including physical, chemical, and biological pretreatment. The present investigation deals with the isolation of commercially important bacteria from marine sources which have the potential to breakdown lignocellulosic biomasses. The isolates were screened and the organism exhibiting maximum biodegradation capacity against the substrate was identified as Bacillus pumilus. Different agrowaste were degraded using the isolate and eucalyptus was found to be one of the substrates having the potential to yield high amount of simple sugars which could be used for the production of ethanol by S. cerevisiae. This ability of degradation was enhanced by the pretreatment of Eucalyptus leaves in preparation for enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation for cellulosic ethanol production.
Land planarians (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Geoplanidae) from the Iberian Peninsula: new records and description of two new species, with a discussion on ecology

Two new species of the genus Microplana are described from the Iberian Peninsula. The new taxa are compared with congeneric species. Distributional records for two other European species, Microplana monacensis (Heinzel, 1929) and Microplana groga Jones et al. 2008, are presented and the presence of Microplana terrestris (Müller, 1774) is confirmed on the Iberian Peninsula. A partial re-description of Microplana nana Mateos, Giribet and Carranza, 1998 is provided. The finding of a new and probably introduced, but unidentified, species of land planarian is reported. Land planarians were generally found in the vicinity of deciduous trees and rivers.
KAPOSI SARCOMA -A MOLECULAR OUTLOOK

Kaposi’s sarcoma–associated herpes virus (KSHV) [or human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8)] is the most successive reason for threat among AIDS patients. KSHV and related herpes viruses have widely pilfered cellular cDNAs from the host genome, giving a unique chance to investigate the scope of viral mechanisms for controlling cell proliferation. A large portion of the viral regulatory homologs encode proteins that straightforwardly repress host adaptive and innate immunity. Other viral proteins focuses retinoblastoma protein and p53 control of tumor suppressor pathways, which additionally assume key effector roles in intracellular immune reactions. The immune evasion strategies utilized by KSHV, by focusing on tumor suppressor pathways actuated amid immune system signaling, may prompt coincidental cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in susceptible hosts.
Hydrobiological Study of a Subtropical Shiwalik Lake, Jammu, J&K (India)

Lake Surinsar, an important subtropical lake in the Shiwalik hills of Jammu province along with another Lake Mansar has been recognized as Ramsar site owing to rich diversity of both producers and consumers. Besides being important breeding and resting ground for various migratory water fowls, the lake supports CITES and IUCN red listed species of a turtle Lissemys punctata and a coelenterate Manseriella lacustris. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study the influence of hydrological regime of this lake on the qualitative and quantitative distribution of zooplankton populations for a period of two years. Among various observed groups, Protozoa, Rotifera and Crustacea (Cladocera, Copepoda and Ostracoda) showed considerable seasonal variations in their abundance, diversity and number. Protozoan dominance, among various groups and presence of various pollution indicator species indicate eutropic conditions prevailing in the lake and has been attributed to increased anthropogenic activities in the catchment and excessive biotic interference in the littoral zone of the lake. Coefficient of correlation( r) of zooplankton with various water quality parameters has generally shown insignificant results.
Fauna fitotelmata en las bromelias Aechmea fendleri André y Hohenbergia stellata Schult del Parque Nacional San Esteban, Venezuela

El presente trabajo caracteriza la asociacion de mosquitos y otros invertebrados sobre bromelias del Parque Nacional San Esteban del Estado Carabobo, Venezuela. Se estudiaron 18 plantas de Aechmea fendleri (11) y Hohenbergia stellata (7) durante las epocas lluvia (Septiembre 2004) y sequia (Marzo 2005). Fueron colectados un total de 2020 macroinvertebrados. Los taxa mas importantes fueron las Familias Chironomidae (43%), Culicidae (25%) y Chaoboridae (6%) del Orden Diptera, y Scyrtidae (5%) del Orden Coleoptera. En Culicidae las especies mas abundantes fueron: Culex consolador (31%), Cx. neglectus (27%) y Wyeomyia celaenocephala (17%). La mayor abundancia y riqueza se encontro en la epoca de sequia, con el aumento de diversidad en Culicidae. La diversidad y equitabilidad de macroinvertebrados fue mayor H. stellata, pero similares entre estaciones para las comunidades de A. fendleri y H. stellata.