Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Considerations about the genus Pentoniscus Richardson, 1913 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) with description of a new species

The status of the neotropical genus Pentoniscus Richardson, 1913 is reconsidered and a diagnosis of this genus is given. It is shown that Pentoniscus Richardson, 1913 is a valid genus and not a synonym of Philoscia Latreille, 1804 as discussed by Schultz (1968). The type species, Pentoniscus pruinosus Richardson, 1913 is redescribed and for the first time figured in detail. A new species of Pentoniscus Richardson, 1913 is described from Costa Rica, Central America, which differs remarkably from its congeners in being unpigmented and blind.
Effects of Lipolytic Activity and of Mercuric Chloride on the Babcock Test for Fat in Composite Milk Samples

Summary Reductions in the fat tests of milk composites appear to be due to lipolytic hydrolysis. Mercuric chloride (in corrosive sublimate tablets) appears to increase lipolytic hydrolysis of butterfat. Twenty p.p.m. Cu, as copper sulfate, in the presence of mercuric chloride, slightly reduces the activating effect of HgCl 2 . Heating the fresh milk to 160° F. for 30 to 60 seconds effectively prevents fat hydrolysis in composite samples preserved with mercuric chloride.
Cleavage of Amyloid-β Precursor Protein and Amyloid-β Precursor-like Protein by BACE 1*

Site-specific proteolysis of the amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) by BACE 1 and γ-secretase, a central event in Alzheimer disease, releases a large secreted extracellular fragment (called APPS), peptides of 40-43 residues derived from extracellular and transmembrane sequences (Aβ), and a short intracellular fragment (APP intracellular domain) that may function as a transcriptional activator in a complex with the adaptor protein Fe65 and the nuclear protein Tip60. APP is closely related to APP-like protein (APLP) 1 and APLP2, but only APP is known to be cleaved by BACE 1 and to be involved in Alzheimer disease. We now demonstrate that similar to APP, APLP1 and APLP2 are also cleaved by BACE 1 but not by ADAM 9, another APP protease, and also transactivate nuclear Tip60 in a complex with Fe65. Paradoxically, although BACE 1 cleavage appears to be specific for APP and APLPs, their cleavage sequences exhibit no homology, and a short sequence (7 amino acids) from APP that when placed close to the membrane converts a membrane protein that is normally not cleaved by BACE 1 into a BACE 1 substrate. Our data demonstrate that APLPs and APP are processed similarly to act via the same nuclear target, suggesting that BACE 1 cleavage regulates a common function of APP and APLPs in neurons.
Censo de aves migratórias (Charadriidae, Scolopacidae e Laridae) na Coroa do Avião, Igarassu, Pernambuco, Brasil

Thousands of shorebirds and seabirds use the Atlantic route through the northeastern coast of Brazil every year to migrate to South America. In this study was made a census of individuals that uses the Coroa do Aviao (7o40'S and 34o50"W), an islet located on the south bar of the Santa Cruz channel on the north coast of Pernambuco state, from May 1993 throughout April 1995 and from August 1996 throughout July 1997. Four species of the family Charadriidae, seven species of the family Scolopacidae, and two species of the family Laridae was observed. The populational peaks match both the period of arrival to the winter season site and the period of departure to the reproduction site. The species considered very frequent were: Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte, 1825 and Calidris alba (Pallas, 1764). All the other species were considered rather frequent. There was a strong linear correlation between 1993 and 1994 among Pluvialis squatarola (Linnaeus, 1758) and Arenaria interpres (Linnaeus, 1758); A. interpres and Calidris pusilla (Linnaues, 1766); A. interpres and C. alba; and C. pusilla and C. alba. From 1994 to April 1995 it occured between P. squatarola and C. alba; C. semipalmatus and C. pusilla; C. semipalmatus and C. pusilla; and A. interpres and C. pusilla. From August 1996 throughout July 1997 there was correlation only between P. squatarola and C. pusilla. The obtained results demonstrate the great importance of the Coroa do Aviao as a winter season site.
Comparison of complete feed rations to a conventional ration for lactating cows.

Abstract Sixteen high-producing Holstein cows were used in a 110-day continuous trial to compare the effect of feeding three complete feeds containing different sources of roughage (alfalfa, cottonseed hulls or native grass hay) with a conventional system of feeding roughage and concentrate separately on intake of feed, total digestible nutrients and digestible energy, milk yield and composition, gross feed conversions, body weight changes, digestibility of the rations and health of the animals. All rations contained 30% roughage and 70% concentrate, and were fed ad libitum. The cows receiving the cottonseed hulls ration consumed significantly (P
Positioning and number of nutritional levels in dose-response trials to estimate the optimal-level and the adjustment of the models

The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of the number and position of nutrient levels used in dose-response trials in the estimation of the optimal-level (OL) and the goodness of fit on the models: quadratic polynomial (QP), exponential (EXP), linear response plateau (LRP) and quadratic response plateau (QRP). It was used data from dose-response trials realized in FCAV-Unesp Jaboticabal considering the homogeneity of variances and normal distribution. The fit of the models were evaluated considered the following statistics: adjusted coefficient of determination (R²adj), coefficient of variation (CV) and the sum of the squares of deviations (SSD). It was verified in QP and EXP models that small changes on the placement and distribution of the levels caused great changes in the estimation of the OL. The LRP model was deeply influenced by the absence or presence of the level between the response and stabilization phases (change in the straight to plateau). The QRP needed more levels on the response phase and the last level on stabilization phase to estimate correctly the plateau. It was concluded that the OL and the adjust of the models are dependent on the positioning and the number of the levels and the specific characteristics of each model, but levels defined near to the true requirement and not so spaced are better to estimate the OL.
Growth and mortality rates of larval American shad, Alosa sapidissima, at different salinities

The tolerance of post yolk-sac American shad Alosa sapidissima larvae to salinities typically seen in estuaries was assessed experimentally. Sixteen-day-old Hudson River (experiment I) and 35-d-old Delaware River (experiment II) larvae were held for 8 d and 9 d respectively in low (0–1‰), medium (9–11‰), and highly (19–20‰) brackish water, and mortality and growth rates were measured. Growth rates did not vary significantly among salinity treatments. Mortality in experiment I did not vary significantly among salinity treatments however, in experiment II, mortality was zero at 10‰ but higher and statistically indistinguishable between 0‰ and 20‰ In experiment II relative condition increased with salinity. These results imply that estuarine salinities neither depress growth rates nor elevate mortality rates of larval American shad when compared with freshwater conditions. We conclude that ecological factors other than the physiological effects of salinity have played more important roles in the evolution of the upriver spawning and nursery preference shown by this species.
Les stimulations olfactives dans les relations entre l'enfant et la mère

: In this paper, we report new data on mutual olfactory recognition between mother and child. Newborn infants were filmed since birth. When awakening in the mother's room at the Clinical Hospital, they were confronted with a cotton pad impregnated with diverse secretions of the mother and a cotton pad impregnated with the same secretions of another mother or a pad with no specific odour. We used a double-blind technique. By analyzing the films, frame by frame, we found that the whole area swept by the nose and the arms was significantly decreased in the child whose nose came into contact with the "mother" pad. The method could be used to study other sensory abilities in the baby. The olfactory abilities of the mother in relation to the baby were also tested with the double-blind principle. We found (i) on the 3rd and 4th days after birth, most mothers recognized the baby's odour, (ii) this faculty decreased from the 4th to the 6th day, and finally (iii) increased from the 8th day. These results are discussed. We also found that one-third of 3 to 5 years old children more often chose a tee-shirt worn against the mother's skin for 2 to 3 days than any other tee-shirt (worn by an alien mother or with no specific odour). It appears that olfactory cues can play a role in the attachment of the baby to its mother, and that they still are involved in that process when the child is between 3 and 5 years old.
Two New Host Species for the Parasitic Fungus Ichthyophonus hoferi in the Northwest Atlantic

Microscopic examination of kidney tissues from eight Gulf of Maine fish species revealed cysts of the fungus Ichthyophonus hoferi, Plehn and Mulsow, in individuals from three species. Two of these species, the longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) and the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), are new hosts for this parasite in Gulf of Maine waters. The other species, the yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), was previously reported as an Ichthyophonus host.
The effect of dicyandiamide addition to cattle slurry on soil gross nitrogen transformations at a grassland site in Northern Ireland

SUMMARY Many studies have shown the efficacy of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) in reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and nitrate (NO3 −) leaching. However, there is no information on the effect of DCD on gross soil N transformations under field conditions, which is key information if it is to be used as a mitigation strategy to reduce N losses. The current field study was conducted to determine the effect of DCD on ten gross nitrogen (N) transformations in soil following cattle slurry (CS) application to grassland in Northern Ireland on three occasions (June 2010, October 2010 and March 2011). Ammonium (NH4 +) oxidation (ONH4) was the dominant process in total NO3 − production (ONH4+ONrec (oxidation of recalcitrant organic N to NO3 −)) following CS application, accounting for 0·894–0·949. Dicyandiamide inhibited total NO3 − production from CS by 0·781, 0·696 and 0·807 in June 2010, October 2010 and March 2011, respectively. The lower inhibition level in October 2010 was thought to be due to the higher rainfall and soil moisture content in that month compared to the other application times. As DCD strongly inhibited NH4 + oxidation following CS application, it also decreased the rate of total NO3 − consumption, since less NO3 − was formed. The rates of mineralization from recalcitrant organic-N (MNrec) were higher than from labile organic-N (MNlab) on all occasions. The DCD significantly increased total mineralization (MNrec+MNlab) following CS application in June 2010 and March 2011, but had no significant effect in October 2010. In contrast, the rate of immobilization of labile organic-N (INH4_Nlab) was higher than from recalcitrant organic-N (INH4_Nrec) on all occasions, accounting for 0·878–0·976 of total NH4 + immobilization from CS. The DCD significantly increased total immobilization (INH4_Nrec+INH4_Nlab) when CS was applied in June 2010, but had no significant effect at other times of the year. Dicyandiamide was shown to be a highly effective inhibitor of ammonium oxidation at this grassland site. Although there was evidence that it increased both NH4 + mineralization and immobilization following CS application, its effect on these processes was inconsistent. Further work is required to understand the reason for these inconsistent effects: future improvements in 15N tracer models may help.
Natural Polyploids in Cucurbitaceae I. Cytogenetical Studies in Triploid Momordica Dioica Roxb.

SUMMARYCytomorphological studies have been carried out in a naturally occurring triploid male plant of Momordica dioica. Different vegetative and floral parts of these triploids were found to be intermediate between diploids and natural tetraploids. Meiosis was highly irregular, forming trivalente and univalents. Pollen fertility was very low (about 2%). This triploid has been used in crossing experiments from which some fruits and seeds have been obtained.
Why do warning-coloured prey live gregariously?

The striking gregarious behaviour of many conspicuously coloured unpalatable prey has puzzled evolutionary biologists ever since the kin selection hypothesis was formulated. Nevertheless, no convincing evidence has yet been provided in support of any hypothesis so far proposed to explain the gregariousness of aposematic prey. We here report experimental results with domestic chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus) demonstrating that prey aggregation may be an aposematic signalling strategy that enhances predator discriminative aversion learning. In addition, our results show that aggregation works by enhancing the effectiveness of the visual, not the chemical, defence, illustrating the crucial influence of receiver psychology in the design of an animal signalling system.
Further species diversity in Neotropical Oropogon (Lecanoromycetes: Parmeliaceae) in Central America

Abstract The new species Oropogon evernicus Essl. & S. Leavitt and O. protocetraricus S. Leavitt & Essl. are described from montane regions of Central America, further increasing the diversity of this genus in the New World. Oropogon evernicus is separated from O. americanus by the presence of medullary tissue directly beneath the pseudocyphellae, while O. protocetraricus is separated from O. caespitosus by the presence of protocetraric acid. The segregation of both species is confirmed by molecular sequence data (nuclear ITS, nuLSU, and β-tubulin). Both species appear to have split from their most recent common ancestor during the Miocene, supporting Miocene-dominated diversification of neotropical Oropogon species found in Central America.
Miocene Origin of the Characteristic Broad-Leaved Evergreen Shrub Ammopiptanthus (Leguminosae) in the Desert Flora of Eastern Central Asia

Ammopiptanthus is the only broad-leaved evergreen angiosperm genus in the deserts of eastern central Asia. Evolutionary history of Ammopiptanthus was examined by means of phylogenetic and molecular dating analyses with a more extensive sampling than ever to shed light on the origin of the genus and the eastern central Asian flora. MatK and nrITS sequences were analyzed using parsimony and Bayesian methods. Divergence time of Ammopiptanthus was estimated using Bayesian dating analyses with relaxed clock model. Both the nrITS-based phylogeny and the matK-based phylogeny gave similar results that Ammopiptanthus is monophyletic and sister to a clade including Sophora and Ammodendron. Low levels of molecular variation were detected in both the plastid and the nuclear DNA regions within Ammopiptanthus. The two species of the genus cannot be distinguished by the analyses. The stem age of Ammopiptanthus was estimated to be 19.6 million years (Myr; 95% highest posterior density [HPD]: 11.2–28.2 Myr) by the matK data and 21.8 Myr (95% HPD: 13.8–30.0 Myr) by nrITS analysis. The estimated divergence time favors the hypothesis that Ammopiptanthus is a Tertiary relic genus descended from the broad-leaved evergreen Tethyan flora. With increasingly intensified aridification of the region, Ammopiptanthus, together with other characteristic genera in the modern desert flora of eastern central Asia, was able to successfully establish themselves because of high ecological capacities in adaptation to local environments and have persisted for a long time.
Revision of the European species of Anacaena Thomson (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae)

The European species of Anacaena Thomson are examined. Five species are recognised: A. bipustulata (Marsham), A. globulus (Paykull), A. limbata (Fabricius), A. lutescens (Stephens) and A. rufipes (Guilleheau). It is shown that rufipes and lulescens are distinct species, and not a var. of globulus and a synonym of limbala respectively. The species are keyed and redescribed. Synonymy is given on the basis of examination of type-material. Lectotypes are designated for Anacaena carinata Thomson, 1870, A. immatura Abeille de Perrin, 1901, A. globula var. nitidior Kuwert, 1890, A. variabilis Sharp, 1870, Brachypalpus ambiguus Rey, 1885, Laccobius marshami Stephens, 1839, Hydrophilus bipustulatus Marsham, 1802, Hydrobius foveolatus Stephens, 1829, H. lutescens Stephens, 1829, H. ochraceus Stephens, 1829, Sphaeridium limbalum Fabricius, 1792, and Philydrus nitidus Heer, 1841. Anacaena immalura, A. variabilis, Brachypalpus ambiguus, Laccobius marshami, Hydrobius lutescens var. s sordens and Philydrus nitidus are placed in synonymy with A. lutescens. A. globulus glabricollis d'Orchymont, 1940 (nec Schaufuss) and A. jordanensis Burmeister, 1985 are placed in synonymy with A. rufipes. Distributional records and data on habitat are given.
The Limiting Similarity, Convergence, and Divergence of Coexisting Species

1. There is a limit to the similarity (and hence to the number) of competing species which can coexist. The total number of species is proportional to the total range of the environment divided by the niche breadth of the species. The number is reduced by unequal abundance of resources but increased by adding to the dimensionality of the niche. Niche breadth is increased with increased environmental uncertainty and with decreased productivity. 2. There is a different evolutionary limit, L, to the similarity of two coexisting species such that a) If two species are more similar than L, a third intermediate species will converge toward the nearer of the pair. b) If two species are more different than L, a third intermediate species will diverge from either toward a phenotype intermediate between the two.
Life history aspects of Phalloceros anisophallos Lucinda, 2008 (Osteichthyes, Poeciliidae) from Córrego Andorinha, Ilha Grande (RJ, Brazil)

Life history traits of Phalloceros anisophallos from Córrego Andorinha, Ilha Grande (RJ, Brazil) were examined and the following parameters were evaluated: superfetation, matrotrophy, brood size, reproductive season, length–weight relationship, female weight and brood size relationship. Males were smaller and less abundant than females. According to the temporal variation of the gonadosomatic index, reproduction occurred throughout the year, with a reduction around April. We did not register superfetation among reproductive females, but there was significant increase of dry weight of developing embryos, indicating substantial matrotrophy. Such a combination of reproductive features seems to be rare in the family Poeciliidae but common in the genus Phalloceros. More studies on the other species of the genus are necessary to confirm this pattern.
Effect of moisture content on physical properties of some grain legume seeds

Abstract This study was carried out to determine the effect of moisture content on physical properties of some grain legumes seeds such as kidney bean (Phaselous vulgaris), dry pea (Pisum sativum), and black‐eyed pea (Vigna sinensis) seeds. Three different moisture contents for each grain legume were evaluated. The average length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, and unit mass of seeds ranged from 16.66, 8.86, 7.17, 10.17mm, and 0.715g for kidney bean; 7.46, 6.02, 4.49, 5.85mm, and 0.158g for pea; 9.19, 6.96, 6.26, 7.32mm, and 0.255 g for black‐eyed pea at a moisture content of 8.21%, 8.20%, and 5.66% (wet basis), respectively. The sphericity, thousand‐seed mass (1000‐seed mass), and projected area increased, whereas the bulk and kernel densities linearly decreased with an increase in moisture content for each grain legume seed. The porosity, the volume of seed, and angle of repose increased for three grain legumes seeds, whereas the angle of repose decreased for black‐eyed pea seeds in the moisture contents studied. The static and dynamic coefficients of friction on various surfaces, namely, galvanised metal, chipboard, mild steel, plywood, and rubber also linearly increased with an increase in moisture content of each grain legume seed.
A two year pollen calendar for traditionally produced honey types from Gaya, southern Niger

Abstract A pollen calendar of traditionally produced honeys in Gaya/southern Niger was established for a two year period. The region is situated in the transition zone from the sahelian to the sudanian savannas. In this area honey represents an appreciated source for further income for the cultivators. Palynological investigations of the honey samples showed that the bees regularly exploit a restricted number of trees and bushes, such as Combretum, Terminalia or Guiera throughout the whole year or Lannaea, Parkia and Bombax during the winter and spring. Other Sudanian trees and bushes are only occasionally visited in addition. During the dry season Gramineae are also exploited because of the sap provided by the Aphids. In their pollen spectra the honeys reflect both the vegetation types and the agrarian systems of the region as for as can be traced from their collection time and from observations on the flowering period of the trees and bushes visited. Ein zweijahriger Pollenkalender konnte fur die Region.
Gross Morphological Root Habits of Alfalfa in North Carolina 1

R. P, UPCHURCH AND R. L. LowoRN EXTENSIVE studies of the nature of alfalfa root systems have been conducted in parts of the United States other than the Southeastern region (1, 4, 6, 13). These studies revealed that the root system of this plant reacts markedly to differences in soils and climate. Alfalfa is being successfully grown in the Southeastern United States in spite of the fact that the soils and climate are very different from the regions in which, in the past, alfalfa has been most successfully grown. In view of these climatic and soil differences, this study was conducted to depict the gross morphological root characteristics of alfalfa in North Carolina.
Distribution and Growth of Young-of-the-Year Striped Bass in the Miramichi River Estuary, Gulf of St. Lawrence

Abstract Distribution and growth of young-of-the-year striped bass Morone saxatilis were determined at the northern edge of the species' range in the Miramichi River, Gulf of St. Lawrence, between May and December 1992, from samples obtained from ichthyoplankton, beach seine, trawling, and bycatch surveys. Shortly after yolk absorption, catches declined in offshore plankton surveys, and young-of-the-year appeared in nearshore areas. As summer progressed, young-of-the-year striped bass moved downstream into more saline waters. Downstream migration appeared to be size related. A logistic growth model closely fit field observations. Growth was relatively slow in spring (June: 0.32 mm/d), rapid in summer (July, August, and September: 0.75–1.15 mm/d), and reduced in fall (October and November: 0.17–0.46 mm/d). Growth was faster and length attained before winter was greater than reported for populations in the center of the species' geographic distribution.