Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term growth of body, body parts and composition of gain of dairy goat wethers

SUMMARY The goal of the present study was to characterize the growth of body parts and composition of the growing empty body to infer how these aspects relate to the long-term growth of goat wethers from dairy breeds. Animals were slaughtered at several ages from birth to maturity (≅900 days old). All body parts were weighed and sampled to determine chemical constituent dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, ash and specific energy. The monomolecular (Brody), Gompertz, and Richards models, a biphasic model formed by the combined Brody and Gompertz functions, and a simple linear model were fitted to the growth profiles with different variance functions and were all evaluated using likelihood-information criteria. The effect of breed (genotype) was accounted for in all models but the resulting models were not more likely than the models without the breed effect. Remarkable differences were observed regarding inflection points, growth rates and trends for all body parts and chemical constituents of the body. The biphasic model did not supplant the monomolecular, Gompertz, Richards or the linear model in terms of likelihood-information criteria. Therefore, body parts and chemical constituents of the empty body presented monomolecular, sigmoid and linear time-trends. The growth profiles of fat, protein and energy of the empty body did not scale isometrically with the empty body proper. In addition, the variance was heteroscedastic along the time scale and was better represented by both an exponential variance over time or by a power function of the mean.
Impact of large herbivores at artificial watering points compared to that at natural watering points in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Abstract Two pairs of a natural and an artificial watering point in each of the four largest land systems in the Kruger National Park, South Africa were randomly selected for study. The herbaceous community composition and basal cover were measured in transects starting at the water and radiating to 100 m from the water. The community composition was converted to herbaceous forage and fine fuel production potential scores. A general linear model was used to test for differences between the impact of large herbivores on these parameters at natural and artificial watering points. There was no evidence of a difference in the impact of herbivores at artificial and natural semi-permanent watering points. Stabilization of natural semi-permanent watering points by artificially making than permanent is likely to have negligible impact on rangeland condition. Artificial watering points are likely to be foci of much greater degradation than seasonal sources and provision of artificial watering points in areas where only seasonal sources naturally exist is not recommended where the aim of management is the maintenance of biodiversity and natural ecological processes.
Geographic morphological variation in parapatric Western Palearctic tree frogs, Hyla arborea and Hyla savignyi: are related species similarly affected by climatic conditions?

Tree frogs Hyla arborea and Hyla savignyi are similar, closely-related species distributed in Europe and the Middle East. We investigated geographic variation in body shape within and between these species, and tested its relationships to macroclimatic conditions. We used morphometric distances (based on size corrected external measurements) to construct phenetic trees (unweighted pair-group method of arithmetical averages, Neighbour-joining), and to test correlations between morphology, geography, and climate by the partial Mantel test. Regardless of their specific affiliation, the parapatric populations of both species from the eastern Mediterranean, where they occupy comparable habitats, are closer to each other in morphospace than to conspecific populations from distal regions. This local interspecific similarity is probably driven by the common response to environment, expressed here as macroclimatic conditions. In support, the geographically close but ecologically vicariant populations of both species from the Caucasus region differ quite substantially in body shape. We suggest that climate-provoked phenotypic variation in closely-related parapatric species should be taken into account as a potential complication to character displacement in morphology. Contrariwise, morphological diversification between related species or their populations could be enhanced by habitat shifts resulting in occupation of different environmental space. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95, 539–556.
Scaling of Teak (Tectona grandis) Logs by the Xylometer Technique: Accuracy of Volume Equations and Influence of the Log Length

The accuracy of ten methods of scaling (Smalian, Huber, Newton, Neloid, paraboloid, cone, paracone, cylinder, truncated cone and truncated Neloid) was evaluated on logs of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 m cut to different heights of 27 teak trees. For this purpose, the volumes estimated by the ten formulas were compared with real volumes obtained by the technique of xylometer. The results obtained showed that the method of Huber was more efficient to calculate the volume of logs throughout the stem when the length was 0.5 m. For the other length logs, it was also the best formula when the logs came from the base of the stem. The formulas of Newton and Smalian gave in the center and top of the stem, in the case of 1 m and 2 m logs, relatively similar results and were better than other methods of scaling. As might be expected, the dendrometric method (cylinder, paraboloid, Neloid, cone) gave worse results regardless of the length of logs considered. With logs of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 m long, truncated forms of cone and Neloid could also be used without significant errors in estimating the volume of teak logs. The model scaling obtained for the entire tree expresses the logarithm of the volume against the logarithm of the diameter and the logarithm of height.
Leaf‐cutting ants as ecosystem engineers: topsoil and litter perturbations around Atta cephalotes nests reduce nutrient availability

Despite considerable research into the effects of leaf‐cutting ant nests, the potential occurrence of low‐nutrient soils at nest sites has hitherto gone undetected. Leaf litter cover and topsoil conditions (organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil acidity, cation exchange capacity) were assessed along transects running from nests of eight adult Atta cephalotes colonies into the understorey of Atlantic forest to examine the extent of nest effects. Nests were virtually free of leaf litter (c. 150 g m−2) and litter cover increased along a saturating curve with nest distance, reaching 1300 g m−2 in the undisturbed forest. Soil acidity and nutrient concentrations were strongly correlated with leaf litter cover (r = 0.66–0.72) for both soil types occurring in the study region. Total soil nitrogen concentration varied from 0.2 g kg−1 in sandy nest soil and 0.5 g kg−1 in clay‐rich nest soil to 0.5 and 1.3 g kg−1, respectively, at a distance of 24 m from nests, while soil carbon concentration ranged from 2.1 to 6.1 g kg−1 (sandy soil) and 4.5 to 15.7 g kg−1 (clay‐rich soil) over the same distance. Nest‐associated variations in edaphic parameters suggest that each colony affected an area of up to 0.5 ha. In contrast to the common perception that leaf‐cutting ant activities increase nutrient availability, our results suggest that their territories are characterised by reduced levels of leaf litter and, consequently, soil nutrients. The observed nutrient depletion must be taken into account when considering the potential impacts of ant nests for plant regeneration.
Simultaneous synthesis of pectin lyase and carotovoricin induced by mitomycin C, nalidixic acid or ultraviolet light irradiation in Erwinia carotovora.

When Erwinia carotovora Er, a bacteriocinogenic strain, was induced after irradiation by ultraviolet (UV) light or inhibitors of DNA synthesis, such as mitomycin C or nalidixic acid, pectin lyase and bacteriocin (designated carotovoricin) activity appeared in the culture fluid. The optimal dose of each of these agents for producing the enzyme or bacteriocin was identical, and the time courses for both were essentially the same. Therefore, we assumed that the synthesis of the enzyme and bacteriocin was regulated by the same mechanism, in which a repressor inactivated by UV light, mitomycin C or nalidixic acid was involved. The other three bacteriocinogenic strains of E. carotovora also formed pectin lyase, in addition to carotovoricin in the presence of mitomycin C, indicating that simultaneous syntheses of pectin lyase and carotovoricin were widespread phenomenon in bacteriocinogenic strains of E. carotovora.
Prediction of botanical composition using NIRS calibrations developed from botanically pure samples.

(.) Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used as a rapid method to predict botanical composition of grass-legume mixtures clipped from field plots. Our objective was to determine if a group of samples, each consisting of one of three botanical components, could be used for calibration in lieu of samples containing mixtures of the components. (.)
TNF-α Coupled to Membrane of Apoptotic Cells Favors the Cross-Priming to Melanoma Antigens 1

The cross-presentation of Ags derived from apoptotic cell processing contributes to peripheral tolerance. Environmental signals possibly modify this default outcome, favoring cross-priming. In this study, we anchored via a biotin-avidin-biotin bridge soluble TNF-α to the membrane of apoptotic melanoma cells and studied in vivo and in vitro the interaction with Ag-presenting phagocytes. TNF-α-coated apoptotic melanoma cells injected s.c. had a faster and more efficient access to draining lymph nodes, with cross-priming of melanoma-specific CTLs and delayed outgrowth of melanomas in all treated animals. Twenty percent of the animals, in the absence of further adjuvant, did not develop the tumor. Immature dendritic cells challenged with TNF-α-coated apoptotic melanoma cells secreted proinflammatory cytokines in an autocrine/paracrine fashion, efficiently matured, as assessed functionally and by flow cytometry and cross-presented with enhanced efficiency melanoma Ags to MHC class I- and II-restricted T cells. The results indicate that TNF-α targeted to apoptotic membranes, at concentrations that can be safely reached in growing tumors without undue systemic toxicity, influences the outcome of the disposal of dying cells and enhances tumor immunogenicity.
Affinities in C3Cyperus lineages (Cyperaceae) revealed using molecular phylogenetic data and carbon isotope analysis

Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of nrDNA (ETS1f) and plastid DNA (rpl32-trnL, trnH-psbA) sequence data are presented for ‘C3Cyperus’ (Cyperaceae). The term ‘C3Cyperus’ indicates all species of Cyperus s.l. that use C3 photosynthesis linked with eucyperoid vegetative anatomy. Sampling comprises 77 specimens of 61 different taxa, representing nearly all previously recognized subdivisions of C3Cyperus and the segregate genera Courtoisina, Kyllingiella and Oxycaryum. According to our results, the Cyperus clade is divided in six well-supported clades. The first of these clades (clade 1) forms three subclades largely corresponding to Cyperus sections Haspani, Incurvi and Diffusi. Clade 2 comprises the entirely New World C. section Luzuloidei sensu Denton (1978). Clade 3 is a highly diverse clade including two subclades: clade 3a, C. sections Pseudanosporum and Anosporum plus the segregate genera Courtoisina and Oxycaryum; and clade 3b, C. section Fusci. Clade 4 corresponds to C. section Alternifolii and clade 5 to C. section Leucocephali plus the segregate genus Kyllingiella. The sixth clade is a well-supported monophyletic clade encompassing all C4Cyperus s.l. species (‘C4Cyperus’). This study establishes a phylogenetic framework for future studies. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 167, 19–46.
Diversity of social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Cerrado biome of the southern of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

An inventory of social wasps in Cerrado biome of the southern of the state of Minas Gerais was performed. A comparison between field and Riparian Forest areas was made in relation to species richness; correlations between diversity, sample methods and environmental factors were conducted. A total of 32 species was registered and Polybia fastidiosuscula de Saussure, 1854 was the most abundant species. The higher richness was in the Cerrado Field, as well as the highest diversity index. The temperature and rainfall had significant correlation with species richness and a significant variation in richness between dry and wet seasons was observed. Polybia fastidiosuscula was more abundant in the Riparian Forest during the dry season and in the Cerrado Field during wet season. The study area showed a great diversity of social wasps, with record both widely distributed species such as rare species, which indicates the quality and potential area for future studies.
A Morphological Analysis of the Structure of Communities of Lizards in Desert Habitats

Using nine measurements of the head, body, and appendages we characterize the morphological relationships among lizards in deserts of western Australia, southern Africa, and western North America. Each species was placed in a morphological space whose dimensions were the logarithms of the original measurements. We calculated the dispersion of the species in each region along principal components to assess the number of dimensions and volume of morphological space occupied. Euclidean distances between all pairs of species were calculated to assess the density of species packing within the morphological space. We also generated random subsets of the species pool within each region and calculated matrices of Euclidean distance for them. In the combined sample of 83 species, the first three principal components accounted for 86, 8 and 3%, respectively, of the total variance in the dispersion of species in morphological space. Pairwise discriminant analysis revealed significant differences between the morphological distributions of the lizards in the three regions. When analyzed separately, the 54 Australian lizards occupied the largest volume, followed by the 11 North American species, and, lastly, the 18 southern African species. We used the average distance to the nearest neighbor (NND) as a measure of species packing. NND's in Australian localities (18—36 species) and in North American localities (4—10 species) were considerably greater than those in southern African localities (10—15 species). When assemblages were adjusted for number of species, the Australian lizards were more widely spaced morphologically than those in either the North American or African localities. Attributes of randomly generated assemblages did not differ morphologically from the subsamples of species found in each locality. Furthermore, the standard deviations of NND's, a measure of the regularity of species packing, were similar in natural and randomly generated communities. Hence the present analysis provides little indication of interaction between species according to morphological attributes. Our morphological analysis confirmed some patterns revealed by studies of ecological relationships in the same localities.
Molecular Identification of Commercial Apple Cultivars with Microsatellite Markers

A collection of 66 commercial apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) cultivars was screened with six previously described SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers for molecular identification. In total, 55 polymorphic alleles were detected at the 6 SSR loci (average 9.2 alleles per locus) and the polymorphism information content (PIC) averaged 0.72. Successful differentiation of all apple genotypes except for somatic mutants was accomplished by using only four (CH03g07, CH04e03, CH05dll, and CH05e03) SSR markers. Sport mutants proved to be indistinguishable from each other and their progenitors. The cumulative probability of obtaining an identical SSR profile for two randomly chosen apple genotypes was 1.79 × 10 -4 , which confirms the high potential of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) for cultivar identification.
Phylogeography of the freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor Clark (Parastacidae) in inland Australia: historical fragmentation and recent range expansion

The yabby, Cherax destructor Clark, is the most widespread species in the most widespread genus of Australian freshwater crayfish. It has a distribution that spans several distinct drainage basins and biogeographical regions within semiarid and arid inland Australia. Here we report a study designed to investigate patterns of genetic variation within the species and hypotheses put forward to account for its extensive distribution using DNA sequences from the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene region. Results of phylogenetic analyses contradicted previous allozyme data and revealed relatively deep phylogenetic structure in the form of three geographically correlated clades. The degree of genetic divergences between clades (8–15 bp) contrasted with the relatively limited haplotype diversity within clades (1–3 bp). Network-based analyses confirmed these results and revealed genetic structure on both larger and more restricted geographical scales. Nevertheless some haplotypes and 1-step clades had large distributions, some of which crossed boundaries between river basins and aquatic biogeographical regions. Thus both older and more recent historical processes, including fragmentation on a larger geographical scale and more recent range expansion on a local scale, appear to be responsible for the observed pattern of genetic variation within C. destructor . These results support elements of alternative hypotheses previously put forward to account for the evolutionary history of C. destructor and the origin of its large distribution.
Effects of Floral Traits, Pollinator Visitation, and Plant Size on Ipomopsis aggregata Fruit Production

Current understanding of reproduction for animal-pollinated plant species is based on the premise that traits of flowers and inflorescences influence reproductive success by affecting pollinator behavior. This implies that within-population variation in such traits should affect reproductive success. I used path analysis and structural equation modeling to test this hypothesis for two populations of the monocarpic herb Ipomopsis aggregata (Polemoniaceae). The basic hypothesis proposes that pollinator behavior may be affected by plant traits (including floral nectar production rate, corolla size, number of open flowers, and inflorescence height) and that behavior, along with plant size, may influence reproductive success through female function (proportion fruit set and total fruit production). This hypothesis was consistent with the data in both populations, although the specific details of the appropriate formulation varied. For both populations, the basic hypothesis is significantly better as a description of the interactions than alternative hypotheses that ignore the effects of plant traits on pollinator behavior or plant size on reproduction. In one population, disallowing the effects of pollinator behavior on reproduction significantly decreased the fit of model to data, and in the other, the decrease was almost significant (P = .06). Overall, the fundamental causal relationships proposed in the basic hypothesis were confirmed.
Effects of Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Application Rate on Grain Yield and Protein Content of the Bread Wheat Cultivar ‘Minaminokaori’ in Southwestern Japan

Abstract We examined the effects of seeding rate, 50 or 150 seeds m-2, nitrogen (N) application rate at active tillering and jointing, 4 and 2 g N m-2, respectively, or none, and N application rate at anthesis, 0, 2, 4, or 6 g N m-2, on grain yield and protein content of a bread wheat cultivar, ‘Minaminokaori’, during the 2004–2005 crop season in southwestern Japan. Grain yield was similar at a seeding rate of 50 and 150 seeds m-2. It was higher when 4 and 2 g N m-2 were applied at active tillering and jointing, respectively (4–2N), than when no N was applied at these stages (0–0N). However, it was not influenced by N application rate at anthesis. Grain protein content was similar at 50 and 150 seeds m-2. It was higher in 4–2N than in 0–0N. It was the highest when 6 g N m-2 was applied at anthesis, followed by 4, 2, and 0 g N m-2. The SPAD value at anthesis was higher at 50 than 150 seeds m-2, but leaf area index (LAI) at anthesis was similar at 50 and 150 seeds m-2 and protein content of grain was nearly the same at 50 and 150 seeds m-2 irrespective of N application rate at anthesis. LAI and the SPAD value were higher in 4–2N than in 0–0N and the protein content of grain was also higher in 4–2N than in 0–0N irrespective of N application rate at anthesis. Therefore, both LAI and the SPAD value may be important traits related to the N application rate at anthesis suitable for yielding wheat grain with a high protein content.
Late Oligocene mesotheriids (Mammalia, Notoungulata) from Salla and Lacayani (Bolivia): implications for basal mesotheriid phylogeny and distribution

The oldest known mesotheriids are referred to the genus Trachytherus, a taxon traditionally included in its own subfamily ‘Trachytheriinae’. The ontogeny, morphological variation and systematics of the genus Trachytherus are still poorly understood and the monophyly of this taxon is questionable. For the first time, a large collection of basal mesotheriids (belonging to the genus Trachytherus) yielded by the Bolivian Salla beds (Deseadan, late Oligocene) and previously referred to T. spegazzinianus was included in a large-scale analysis. This has led to the recognition of a unique new species in the locality of Salla-Luribay, distinct from T. spegazzinianus: Trachytherus alloxus sp. nov. Skulls of this species are described and cheekteeth variation range throughout ontogeny is discussed. These new data are incorporated in a parsimony analysis of basal mesotheriids. The most probable hypothesis of a clade T. spegazzinianus-mesotheriines is discussed. The distinction of the new Salla species from the Patagonian species T. spegazzinianus confirms the faunal differences observed between these Bolivian and Patagonian Deseadan localities. Moreover, the assignment to Trachytherus spegazzinianus of mesotheriid remains from the Bolivian Lacayani deposits complicates the problem of these faunal differences. Further systematic investigations on the Lacayani fauna and on the age of the Patagonian localities are needed. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 152, 153–200.