Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanics of locomotion and jumping in the horse (Equus): in vivo stress in the tibia and metatarsus

Principal stresses acting in the midshaft cortices of the tibia and metatarsus of the horse were determined from in vivo rosette strain gauge recordings for overground locomotion at different gaits, as well as for jumping and acceleration. Bone stresses were correlated with limb kinematics and ground reaction forces. The results for these two hind limb bones were compared to earlier determinations of locomotor stress in the forelimb radius and metacarpus (Biewener, Thomason & Lanyon, 1983b). Peak stresses generally increased with increasing speed; however, because of greater bending, stresses in the tibia were substantially higher (45%) than in the metatarsus over the range of steady state speeds. Bending of the tibia resulted from significant off-axis loading by the ground reaction force. In contrast, the metatarsus was loaded in compression due to its close alignment with the ground reaction force. Peak stresses as high as - 53 MPa (caudal cortex) in the tibia and -38 MPa (plantar cortex) in the metatarsus acted at a canter. Increased skeletal stress was matched by a corresponding increase in ground reaction force and a decrease in hind limb duty factor. In both bones, peak stresses were significantly greater and differed in their distribution during jumping and acceleration, compared to peak stresses during steady speed locomotion. Maximal values of - 126 MPa (cranial cortex) in the tibia and - 117 MPa (dorsal cortex) in the metatarsus were developed during jumping. These stresses are similar in magnitude to those reported for a range of different sized mammals during strenuous activity and correspond to a safety factor to yield failure of 1.5 to 3. Though generally consistent within an individual bone, the distribution and magnitude of stresses varied about 20% among individuals. This variation was greater for the metatarsus because of its lesser curvature, which diminishes the bone's ability to control for bending in a fixed direction.
The ecology of large carnivores in the highlands of northern Ethiopia

The degradation and fragmentation of the northern Ethiopian highlands has resulted in frequent encounters of large carnivores with humans and their livestock. We interviewed 500 randomly selected households to estimate economic impact of livestock predation by spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), leopard (Panthera pardus) and jackal (Canis aureus aureus) in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. The annual mean economic loss per household was approximately U.S.$ 20.2, about 7% of the average annual income of households in the area. Households surveyed reported losses of a total of 3122 livestock to hyaena, leopard and jackal predation over the past 5 years. This loss equated to a total financial loss of U.S.$ 50,381. Livestock predation incidents of spotted hyaena, leopard and jackal demonstrated that spotted hyaena had a preference for dog, donkey, goat and sheep; leopard for goat, dog and sheep; and jackal for goat and sheep. Livestock predation of spotted hyaena and leopard were mainly during the night. We conclude that assessing depredation problems is important to develop actions for management of either livestock practices or wildlife conservation. Resume La degradation et la fragmentation des hauts plateaux du nord de l'Ethiopie ont entraine de frequentes rencontres entre de grands carnivores et les hommes et leur betail. Nous avons interroge 500 foyers choisis au hasard pour tenter d'evaluer l'impact economique de la predation que l'hyene tachetee (Crocuta crocuta), le leopard (Panthera pardus) et le chacal dore (Canis aureus aureus) exercent sur le betail de cette region. La perte economique annuelle moyenne par foyer est d'environ 20,2 dollars U.S., soit pres de 7% du revenu annuel moyen des menages de la region. Les foyers interroges ont rapporte au total la perte de 3122 tetes de betail due aux hyenes, aux leopards et aux chacals pour les cinq dernieres annees. Cette perte equivaut a une perte financiere totale de 50,381 dollars. Les cas de predation par les hyenes tachetees, les leopards et les chacals montrent que l'hyene a une preference pour les chiens, les ânes, les chevres et les moutons, le leopard pour les chevres, les chiens et les moutons, et le chacal pour les chevres et les moutons. Les attaques du betail par l'hyene tachetee et par le leopard ont surtout lieu pendant la nuit. Nous concluons qu'il est important d'evaluer les problemes de depredations pour mettre au point des mesures de gestion, que ce soit dans les pratiques d'elevage ou dans la conservation de la faune sauvage.
Efficient In-Vitro Regeneration from Mature Leaf Explants of Scoparia dulcis L., an Ethnomedicinal Plant

ABSTRACT A plant regeneration protocol via multiple-shoot induction using leaf explants from field-grown mature plants of Scoparia dulcis L. (Scrophulariaceae), an ethnomedicinal plant, was established. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP, 13.2, 17.6 and 22.2 μM) in combination with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 0.5 and 2.8 μM) or napthalene-3-acetic acid (NAA, 0.5 and 2.6 μM). The maximum number of shoots (14.0 ± 1.14) with longest shoot length (2.97 ± 0.18) were obtained directly (without an intervening callus phase) from the leaf explants using a combination of BAP (22.2 μM) and IAA (0.5 μM). BAP used in combination with NAA produced fewer shoots per explant as compared with the use of IAA and the regeneration was mediated by callus formation. For root induction, the elongated shoots were separated and transferred onto MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA, 4.9 μM). Rooted plantlets (90%) were successfully transferred to soil in the greenhouse with a 75% survival rate.
Comportamento da cepa LE de Schistosoma mansoni, após passagem em hospedeiro humano infectado acidentalmente

A laboratory technician was accidentally infected with the LE strain of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae maintained in our laboratories. After 5 months infection parasitological examination revealed 108 eggs/g faeces. Althrough treated with oxamniquine, the infection still persisted (6 eggs/g of faeces). An isolate (SSF) was obtained from that person and maintained in Biomphalaria glabrata - Swiss mouse by alternate passage. The experimental comparative results between the newly obtained SSF isolate and the original LE strain showed that the differences in pre-patent period, the mice infectivity level and the schistosomicidal response to hycanthone, oxamniquine and praziquantel was not statistically significant. On the other hand the number of miracidia recovered from intestines and livers of equally infected mice was twice as miich in the LE strain than in the SSF isolate. Furthermore, among the LE and SSF infected mice and the non infected control weight gains were different. While the LE infected mice lost weight since the beginning of the infection, the SSF ones initially gained and then lost weight. The conclusion is that only one passage into the human host did not substantially alter the studied strain characteristics.
Studies in the Bangiaceae: structure and reproduction of the conchocelis of Porphyra and Bangia in culture (Bangiales, Rhodophyceae)

Abstract General observations are presented on the form and development in culture of the conchocelis of twenty-two species of Bangia and Porphyra from the coasts of the east Pacific and north Atlantic Oceans. Variations between species are seen in characteristics such as spore germination, form of the filaments and modes of reproduction. Observations with scanning and transmission electron microscopes have emphasized a number of structural details.
Effects of gelatinisation level, gum and transglutaminase on the quality characteristics of rice noodle

Summary The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of gelatinisation level, gum (locust bean gum, xanthan gum, 3%) and/or transglutaminase (TG, 0.5%) on quality characteristics of rice noodle. In order to improve the dough forming ability, rice flour was gelatinised at levels of 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%. Noodle samples were evaluated in terms of cooking loss, total organic matter (TOM), water absorption, swelling volume, maximum force, colour, sensory properties, pasting properties. Noodle sample with a gelatinisation level of 25% had better cooking and sensory properties. Gum and/or TG were added to this noodle formula. The noodle samples including xanthan gum had better cooking and sensory properties. TG caused a significant decrease in TOM. The samples including locust bean gum had significantly higher maximum force values. Xanthan gum caused decreases in some Rapid ViscoAnalyzer viscosity values of the noodle samples, while locust bean gum caused increases.
Studies in the Alismataceae. IX. Development of the flower in Ranalisma humile

The solitary flower of Ranalisma humile has three sepals, three petals, 8–12 stamens, and numerous carpels. The first six stamens appear to arise in pairs associated with the petal primordia. With respect to the perianth and the first six stamens, the flower conforms to the basic trimerous pattern detected in other Alismatalean flowers, but it differs in other aspects of development. Organogenesis is unidirectional during the period of sepal and petal initiation, since both sepal and petal initiation occur first on the same side of the flower bud. After the initiation of the first six stamens there is no evidence that subsequent organs are initiated in any semblance of a trimerous pattern. The transition from stamen to carpel initiation occurs at some point after the initiation of the first six stamens, but it does not occur at a fixed point. There are six organogenetic sites above and alternating with the first six stamens, and these may be occupied indifferently by stamen or carpel primorida. The sequen.
Seedling‐Scale Environmental Heterogeneity Influences Individual Fitness and Population Structure

This study examines the potential of small-scale environmental heterogeneity to influ- ence population structure and fitness of individuals within a population. Two populations of Abutilon theophrasti were established at each of three densities in the greenhouse. At each density, one population was grown on substrate made heterogeneous before planting, with the addition of stones, localized nutrients, or sand, and soil compactions on a scale corresponding to individual seedlings. These were termed "patch types" and were chosen to represent factors that would be unpredictable in both time and space to seedlings emerging in nature. Another population was established on homogeneous substrate at each density. Seedling height, final height, biomass, and seed number were measured. The variation in biomass of individuals within a population was significantly greater on heterogeneous than on homogeneous substrate at the lowest density. When the data were analyzed with ANOVA, there was a significant interaction of patch type with presence or absence of heterogeneity. Patch type explained 47-62% of the variance in 2-d seedling height and 27-33% or 30-37% of the variance in seed output or final biomass, respectively. A multiple regression model including patch type, seedling size, and random block together explained 58-76% of the total variance in final biomass, depending on density. Size of immediate neighbors showed no correlation with individual size. The data support our hypothesis that small-scale stochastic events can influence the position of an individual in a population hierarchy. This conclusion implies that genetic determinants of fitness may be overridden by commonly occurring stochastic events. The resulting lack of predictable selection against certain genotypes should contribute to the maintenance of genetic diversity in populations.
PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN NUTRITION IN CHONDRUS CRISPUS (RHODOPHYTA): EFFECTS ON TOTAL PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN CONTENT, CARRAGEENAN PRODUCTION, AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS AND METABOLISM 1

The existence of a phenomenon in phosphorus (P) nutrition comparable to the “Neish effect” in nitrogen (N) nutrition (an inverse relation between seawater N enrichment and carrageenan content) was investigated in the temperate red alga Chondrus crispus Stackhouse. Plants were preconditioned for 17 d and then cultured under varying enrichments of P (0, 3, 6, 10, 15 μM P·wk−1) and a constant N enrichment (53.5 μM N·wk−1) for 5 wk. Tissue total P, tissue total N, and carrageenan contents were then determined. Identical experiments were performed using C. crispus collected during the fall, winter, spring, and summer seasons. The procedure was repeated using material collected during the following fall season and cultured under constant P (6 μM P·wk−1) and varying N enrichments (0, 3, 6, 10, 25 μM N·wk−1). In the fall (P) experiment, carrageenan content was the highest [53.1 ± 0.3% DW (dry weight)], and tissue total P content was the lowest (1.71 ± 0.27 mg P·g DW−1) in plants that received no P enrichment. Carrageenan content was stable (46.1 ± 1.8% DW) for plants given enrichments of 3 μM P·wk−1 and greater. Thus, a decrease in carrageenan content, concomitant with an increase in tissue total P content, was observed, but only at tissue total P levels below 2 mg P·g DW−1. As these levels were always higher than 2 mg P·g DW−1 in the winter, spring, and summer experiments, carrageenan content remained constant within each season at 46.2 ± 1.3, 43.1 m 0.7, and 44.5 ± 0.6% DW, respectively. Nitrogen enrichment of plants collected in the fall did not affect carrageenan content, which was stable at 49.3 ± 0.9% DW. When these plants were compared with those of the previous fall experiment (6 μM P·wk−1 and 53.5 μM N·wk−1), a slight increase in carrageenan content was noted. Thus, at sufficiently high concentration, N also decreased carrageenan content in C. crispus. Phosphorus nutrition had no significant effect on photosynthesis versus irradiance parameters (Pmax, α, Rd, Ic, and Ik), the contents of the photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll‐a, phycoerythrin (PE), phycocyanin (PC), and allophycocyanin (APC), and the ratios PE:APC and PC:APC. In contrast, N nutrition affected both Pmaxand the photosynthetic pigment contents. The data indicate that N limitation reduces the number of phycobilisomes but not their size. The greater reduction in phycobiliprotein than chlorophyll‐acontent corroborates the natural bleaching phenomenon regularly observed in C. crispus populations during summer when N levels are generally low in seawater. These results suggest that C. crispus in the temperate waters of the Bay of Fundy may experience N limitation, but P limitation is unlikely.
Group-Advantaged Training of Research (GATOR): A Metamorphosis of Mentorship

We describe Group-Advantaged Training of Research (GATOR), a yearlong structured program at the University of Florida that guided graduate student mentors and their undergraduate mentees through the mentored research process. Using the national Survey of Undergraduate Research Experiences for an academic year, we found that outcomes for our mentees were similar to those for other programs. We also used an internal survey, combined with qualitative observations, to develop a road map of the mentoring process, which we call the “Metamorphosis of Mentorship. ” This model provides tangible steps on the road to becoming a scientist, incorporates reasons mentees stall in research, and suggests ways to overcome mentoring challenges and prevent attrition. The structure and outcomes of this program will be useful to researchers and administrators working to engage undergraduates in scientific research, particularly at large universities where undergraduates are often mentored by graduate students.
Effect of acute exposure of acephate on hemocyte abundance in a non-target victim Drosophila melanogaster

Organophosphate insecticide acephate was tested to investigate effects on hemocyte abundance in a non-target dipteran insect Drosophila melanogaster. For this purpose, third-instar larvae were fed on four graded concentrations (2, 4, 6, or 8 μg/ml) acephate for a period of 12 and 24 hr (acute treatment). Control groups were simultaneously maintained for comparison. Relative proportions of plasmatocytes in hemolymph smear were found to fall with increasing concentrations of the test chemical. Similar decreasing trend in population of lamellocytes was also noted after 12 and 24 hr chemical exposure. In contrast to plasmatocytes and lamellocytes, crystal cell number was found to rise with increasing pesticide concentration. Several factors like oxidative stress, apoptosis induction, and mitotic failure might be the cause of reduced plasmatocyte and lamellocyte count. The elevated number of crystal cells in hemolymph smears is directly indicative of high melanin synthesis that assists larvae to combat chemical stress, since melanin is well known for its potential to minimize physical, chemical, and pathogenic stress.
The effect of aging in the female genital tract on the fertilizing capacity of guinea pig spermatozoa

Numerous observations indicate that mammalian spermatozoa, except those of bats (Folk, '40), do not long remain capable of effecting fertilization after their discharge into the female genital tract. The most comprehensive investigation is that of Hammond and Asdell ('26) on the rabbit. Their data reveal a marked decrease in fertility when females are inseminated 22 hours prior to ovulation and complete sterility when the interval between insemination and ovulation is 32 hours or longer. This prolongation of the interval between insemination and fertilization was not accompanied however by any increase in the percentage of atrophic fetuses. The other investigations deal chiefly with the percentage of sterile matings made early in the heat period (Schtschjekin, '30; McKensie and Phillips, '31; Hammond, '34 a), or with the duration of spermatozoan motility in the female genital tract following normal or artificial insemination (literature in Quinlan, Mar6 and ROUX, '32 ; Kartman, '39 ; Merton, '39), but are consistent in that a relatively short period of viability is indicated. An opportunity to study the spermatozoa of a second species, by procedures comparable with those employed by Hammond and Asdell on the rabbit, was presented when the relationship
Gender and Circadian Typology

The aim of the present study was to analyse gender difference in morningnesseveningness preference by using the open questions of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. A sample of 1319 university students, age range 18 to 30 years, was administered the MEQ. A total of 240 (18.19%) morning-types, 795 (60.27%) intermediate-types, and 284 (21.53%) evening-types were identified. The men and women differed significantly in their mean scores (p < 0.00001) and distribution per circadian typology (p < 0.005), with the men presenting a more pronounced eveningness preference. The MEQ items referring to sleep onset phase were sensitive to gender differences irrespective of circadian typology. In contrast, the MEQ item regarding waking up time showed a significant crossover between gender and circadian typology, i.e., evening-men preferred waking up later than evening-women, but morning-men had a propensity to wake up earlier than morning-women. The results seem to support the hypothesis that the circadian system is more flexible in men than in women.
Cytokines in Lyme borreliosis: lack of early tumour necrosis factor‐α and transforming growth factor‐β1 responses are associated with chronic neuroborreliosis

The clinical outcome of the tick born infection Lyme borreliosis seems to be influenced by the type of immune response mounted during the disease, as suggested by various animal models. Here we report the serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in samples drawn at different disease intervals during the course of non‐chronic neuroborreliosis (n=10), chronic neuroborreliosis (n=15), erythema migrans (n=8, serum only) and controls (n=7). When comparing early neuroborreliosis cerebrospinal fluid samples, significantly higher levels of TNF‐α were found in non‐chronic patients than in chronic patients (P<0·05). Moreover, TGF‐β1 was increased in the early serum samples of non‐chronic patients, as compared to chronic patients (P<0·01). Elevated serum levels of TGF‐β1 were also found in erythema migrans as compared to neuroborreliosis and controls (P<0·05). The high TNF‐α levels noted in early cerebrospinal fluid samples of non‐chronic patients only, possibly reflects an ongoing pro‐inflammatory immune response in the central nervous system, which could be beneficial in eliminating disease. High serum levels of TGF‐β1 probably mirror an anti‐inflammatory response, which might play a role in controlling the systemic immune response.
Effect of harvest period on the protein content in sea buckthorn leaves

A study was conducted at Summerland, BC, in 2000 and 2001 to investigate the effect of harvest period on the protein content of sea buckthorn leaves. Leaves of both male and female plants were collected bi-weekly during the growing season and analyzed with a LECO FP-528 nitrogen analyzer after air- and freeze-drying. A conversion factor of kA = 5.7 was applied to obtain the protein content. Total protein content in sea buckthorn leaves showed very small differences between male and female plants and from either freeze-dried or air-dried materials. There were significant fluctuations among harvest periods in both years. Based on the results of this experiment, sea buckthorn leaves should be harvested from late July to early August since leaf protein content peaked around this period of time and started to decline significantly by the middle of August. Key words: Sea buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L. , leaf protein
Determinants of Recruitment, Juvenile Growth, and Spatial Distribution of a Shallow-Water Gorgonian

In the northern Gulf of Mexico, the gorgonian Leptogorgia virgulata (Cni- daria: Octocorallia) recruited onto a shallow limestone outcropping that was covered by sand of various depths. To test the hypothesis that sand limited the recruitment of L. virgulata at this site, I placed cement patio stones as settlement surfaces in different mi- crohabitats. Sand scour reduced recruitment by 50% on buried stones compared with unburied controls. Recruitment was also inhibited by the presence of an algal mat on unburied controls. Initial recruitment patterns persisted for 10 mo on artificial substrata. By that time, dead, intact skeletons were more common on buried than on raised stones. Overall mortality rates did not differ between raised and buried treatments. In a 55-d transplant experiment, buried juvenile colonies grew significantly more than unburied colonies. Rapid growth may enhance survival of buried colonies by raising polyps out of the sand. I mapped the microhabitats in an untouched 24-M2 plot and constructed an index of habitat quality for each contiguous 1-nM2 block. This index was highly correlated with numbers of both adult and juvenile Leptogorgia virgulata colonies. Sixty-seven percent of the 1984 recruitment cohort died the following year, but the spatial pattern established at the time of recruitment persisted. Although the abundance of recruits was correlated with habitat quality, there was no relationship between recruitment and adult abundance or the percent cover of encrusting organisms. Finally, recruitment was highest and least variable in patches of clean limestone compared with recruitment in randomly selected patches. On both natural and artificial substrata, the recruitment of Leptogorgia virgulata was affected by the distribution of sand. In spite of heavy 1st-yr mortality, the spatial pattern established at the time of recruitment persisted in the adult population. Mortality after recruitment did not modify the distribution of colonies to any great extent.