Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presença de microrganismos na silagem de grãos úmidos de milho ensilado com diferentes proporções de sabugo

Avaliou-se, na Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) em Jaboticabal, a presenca de microrganismos nas silagens de graos umidos de milho. Os tratamentos constaram de cinco percentagens de sabugo na silagem (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20% na materia verde) e quatro periodos de amostragem apos a abertura dos silos (0, 2, 4 e 6 dias), em esquema fatorial, num delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com tres repeticoes. O crescimento de lactobacilos foi maior na silagem exclusiva de graos. A presenca de clostrideos diferiu entre os tratamentos, com valores entre 1,30 e 3,32 log UFC/g de silagem. A presenca de leveduras e enterobacterias aumentou em funcao das proporcoes de sabugo e dos periodos de amostragem. A populacao de lactobacilos foi satisfatoria para uma boa fermentacao das silagens, e a presenca do sabugo favoreceu o desenvolvimento de clostrideos, leveduras e enterobacterias apos a abertura dos silos.
Boiling water scarification plus stratification improves germination of Iliamna rivularis (Malvaceae) seeds

Scarification with boiling water plus stratification was most effective in improving germination of Iliamna rivularis (Douglas ex Hook.) Greene (Malvaceae) in an experiment that compared 3 treatments. Seeds from 15 sites representing 5 western US states were used in the experiment. Initial response of the seedlots to the treatments was similar, apart from one seedlot. The control treatment (intact seeds) yielded poor germination (1.8%). Mechanical scarification (part of the seedcoat removed) improved germination (average germination 49%), but not as much as the combination of boiling the seeds for 120 s plus stratifying them 28 d at 4 °C (average germination 70%). Germinants from the boiling plus stratification treatment appeared to be more vigorous. Impermeability of the seedcoat is the main factor preventing germination, but the response of embryos to stratification may suggest some physiological dormancy. These treatments can be adapted to nursery production of this species, which has ornamental potential and ecological importance.
Learned image representations for visual recognition

This thesis addresses the problem of extracting image structures for representing images effectively in order to solve visual recognition tasks. Problems from diverse research areas (medical imaging, material science and food processing) have motivated large parts of the methodological development. The solutions are inspired by and extend state-of-the-art techniques for describing and learning image content. More specifically, the thesis explores two approaches to constructing image representations, namely feature engineering and feature learning. In the feature engineering approach, we devise a new image representation for texture-like patterns based on count statistics of second-order image structure. We demonstrate the discriminative capabilities of this representation on medical images and perform both cell classification and mitosis detection. Moreover, we develop an object identification method based on vector quantized local image descriptors allowing us to distinguish individual meat cuts along a production line and trace them in a non-intrusive manner. In the feature learning approach, we propose to solve the task of segmenting scanning electron microscopy images of calcite crystals by learning a meaningful pixel description to facilitate the actual segmentation. Finally, we present a new unsupervised generative image model addressing the problem of pixel-based similarity measures for images. We propose a scheme for employing feature-based similarity measures and demonstrate how this improves the ability to learn high-level concepts in images of faces. The thesis argues in favor of learning features and presents new methods for domains with limited amounts of labeled data allowing feature learning to be applied more broadly.
Estrogen modulates adiposity and protects against obesity-associated inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance

26 Introduction.27 Materials and Methods.29 Results.33 Discussion. ,38 Chapter 3: Estrogen alters adipocyte biology and protects female mice from adipocyte inflammation and insulin resistance.49 Abstract.49 Introduction.50 Materials and Methods.52 Results.57 Discussion.61
Habitat use by marine tucuxis (Sotalia guianensis) (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in Guanabara Bay, south-eastern Brazil

Data on habitat use by marine tucuxis (Sotalia guianensis) were collected in Guanabara Bay (GB), south-eastern Brazil, over a two-year period. Diurnal activities of marine tucuxis were dominated by behaviour related to feeding/foraging (58% of all recorded time). Dolphins spent more time in feeding/foraging activities in the morning with a secondary peak in late afternoon. Dolphins were seen in waters of 2 to 35 m (11.63±6.05; median=12.0). Depths used by S. guianensis groups significantly differed from depths available in GB (Kolmogorov–Smirnov test; Z=5.72; P<0.001). Most groups (69.8%) were sighted in depths between 5.1 and 15.0 m. Dolphins occupied an area of 136.9 km2, which represents about 42% of the entire water surface of GB. Individuals selected areas within GB and avoided the most degraded ones, which suggests that habitat degradation may affect S. guianensis distribution. Diurnal distances travelled by individuals ranged from 3.3 to 27.2 km in a same day. Dolphins found in main channel and adjacent waters moved along the north–south axis of GB throughout the day and covered distances three times greater than dolphins which concentrated their activities in north-eastern areas.
Salient features in locomotor evolutionary adaptations of proboscideans revealed via the differential scaling of limb long bones

The standard differential scaling of proportions in limb long bones (length against circumference) is applied to a phylogenetically wide sample of the Proboscidea, Elephantidae and the Asian (Elephas maximus) and African elephant (Loxodonta africana). In order to investigate allometric patterns in proboscideans and terrestrial mammals with parasagittal limb kinematics, the computed slopes (slenderness exponents) are compared with published values for mammals and studied within a framework of theoretical models of long bone scaling under gravity and muscle forces. Limb bone allometry in E. maximus and the Elephantidae are congruent with adaptation to bending and/or torsion induced by muscular forces during fast locomotion, as in other mammals, whereas limb bones in L. africana appear adapted for coping with the compressive forces of gravity. Consequently, hindlimb bones are expected to be more compliant than forelimb bones in accordance with in vivo studies on elephant locomotory kinetics and kinematics, and the resultant negative limb compliance gradient in extinct and extant elephants, which contrasts to other mammals, suggests an important locomotory constraint preventing achievement of a full-body aerial phase during locomotion. Differences in ecology may be responsible for the subtle differences observed between African and Asian elephant locomotion, and the more pronounced differences in allometric and mechanical patterns established in this study. Key words: long bone scaling models; standard differential scaling; limb gradient functions; proboscideans; extinct and extant elephants
How does human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 cause central nervous system disease? The importance of cross‐talk between infected T cells and astrocytes

Human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) can cause HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma. The main feature of HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis pathogenesis is a virus‐induced hyperactive immune response that causes chronic inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), but the question remains: what is the mechanism by which HTLV‐1 deregulates the immune response and induce chronic inflammation? While T cell infiltrates in the CNS include HTLV‐1‐infected cells, HTLV‐1 does not appear to infect the neuronal cells themselves. It has been established that HTLV‐1 is a unique virus that mainly infects CD4+ helper T cells. We recently showed that HTLV‐1 heavily infects CCR4+ cells, which are known to include regulatory T cells. We showed that HTLV‐1 induces a Th1‐like state in these CCR4+ cells through T‐bet expression. We have also found that CXCL10 plays an important role in a positive feedback loop that maintains inflammation in the CNS. Astrocytes, which were shown to be the main producers of CXCL10 in the CNS, are another key player in the loop. To complete the picture, we showed that the infected CCR4+ Th1‐like T cells produce interferon‐γ, which is what stimulates astrocytes to produce CXCL10. Now we have a much better understanding of the molecular mechanisms at play in HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis pathogenesis, and clearly CCR4+ cells are a significant contributor to the inflammatory pathways. Thus, we are currently carrying out a phase I/IIa clinical trial to test the effects and safety of a therapy that uses antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity to target CCR4+ cells.
Fundamentals of the fungi

Preface. I. MORPHOLOGY AND RELATIONSHIPS OF THE FUNGI. 1. An Introduction to the Fungi. 2. Cells. 3. Zoosporic Fungi. 4. Kingdom Fungi: Division Zygomycota. 5. Kingdom Fungi: Division Ascomycota. 6. Kingdom Fungi: Division Basidiomycota. 7. Kingdom Fungi: Form-Division Deuteromycota. 8. Variation, Speciation, and Evolution. II. PHYSIOLOGY AND REPRODUCTION. 9. Metabolism. 10. Growth. 11. Sporulation. 12. Spores. III. ECOLOGY AND UTILIZATION BY HUMANS. 13. Fungi as Saprotrophs. 14. Fungi in Pathological Relationships of Agricultural Importance. 15. Fungi of Veterinary and Medical Interest. 16. Fungi as Mutualistic Symbionts. 17. Fungi and Human Affairs. Glossary. Index.
Amphibian Community Response to Variation in Habitat Structure and Competitor Density

Abstract Habitat destruction and alteration is a major cause of population declines; thus, habitat restoration is essential for preventing species extinctions. Habitat restoration, however, may be hindered by an inadequate understanding of species' habitat requirements. Habitat structure may play a major role in influencing the biotic interactions among species. Pond-breeding amphibians are one group that has experienced loss and alteration of critical habitats. Vegetation structure in wetland environments may be important to amphibian larvae if its presence mediates biotic interactions, such as competition, which can affect growth and survival to metamorphosis. Despite the potential importance of habitat structure and competition, few studies have examined these factors simultaneously. In a full-factorial pond mesocosm experiment, we tested for the effects of variation in habitat structure and density of a larger tadpole competitor (Rana pipiens, northern leopard frog) on development and survival of three species of larval amphibians: Bufo americanus (American toad), Hyla versicolor (gray treefrog), and Ambystoma maculatum (spotted salamander). Survival of Bufo was greater in mesocosms with live or artificial cattails than in those lacking vegetation. Although responses varied among species, our data suggest that time to metamorphosis, survival, and species evenness can be influenced by both aquatic habitat structure and competition, whereas size at metamorphosis is affected primarily by competition. Our study is the first to demonstrate that vegetation structure alone can affect the expression of metamorphic traits for some anuran species.
Effects of age and variety on nitrate reductase and nitrogen fractions in potato plants

The effects of plant age and variety on the level of nitrate reductase activity in three varieties of Solanum tuberosum (Kennebec, Norchip and Early Ohio) have been studied by assaying nitrate reductase at different intervals during growth and development. Nitrate reductase appears to be localised in leaves and young stems. Negligible nitrate reductase activity was recorded in roots and tubers. The varieties differed significantly in nitrate reductase activity and the tuber protein nitrogen content paralleled the level of activity in leaves. The levels of nitrate reductase activities in leaves were also highly positively correlated with quantities of leaf inorganic nitrogen, protein and free amino acids. The activity began to decline at about 50 days after emergence, and this may be a useful indicator of when to apply nitrogen fertiliser so as to increase tuber protein content.
On the economics of optimal timber production in boreal Scots pine stands

This study analyzes the optimal management of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands by applying recent developments in numerical optimization methods and forest production ecology. Our approach integrates a process-based, stand-level growth model and a detailed economic description of stand management. The variables optimized include the initial stand density, the number, timing, type, and intensity of thinnings, and the rotation period. A generalized pattern search is used to maximize the present value of net timber revenue over an infinite time horizon. The model adopts quality pricing, which takes branch size and quality into account, to differentiate among five different timber assortments. The analysis also covers five different site types. The results demonstrate the necessity of optimizing all of the management variables simultaneously. Given a low interest rate, optimized thinning significantly increases the rotation period, volume yield, and economic outcome. At higher interest rates, optimal r.
Effects of Fragmentation on the Spatial Ecology of the California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)

Abstract We investigated the spatial ecology of the California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) in unfragmented and fragmented habitat with varying patch sizes and degrees of exposure to urban edges. We radiotracked 34 Kingsnakes for up to 3 yr across four site types: interior areas of unfragmented ecological reserves, the urbanized edge of these reserves, large habitat fragments, and small habitat fragments. There was no relationship between California Kingsnake movements and the degree of exposure to urban edges and fragmentation. Home range size and movement patterns of Kingsnakes on edges and fragments resembled those in unfragmented sites. Average home-range size on each site type was smaller than the smallest fragment in which snakes were tracked. The persistence of California Kingsnakes in fragmented landscapes may be related directly to their small spatial movement patterns, home-range overlap, and ability to use urban edge habitat.
Frecuencia de anticuerpos contra Neospora caninum en ganado bovino del noreste de México

EL OBJETIVO EN ESTA INVESTIGACION EPIDEMIOLOGICA FUE DETERMINAR LA FRECUENCIA DE ANTICUERPOS CONTRA NEOSPORA CANINUM EN GANADO LECHERO Y PRODUCTOR DE CARNE EN LA ZONA NORESTE DE MEXICO. EL PRESENTE ESTUDIO SE LLEVO A CABO CON 44 HATOS BOVINOS PERTENECIENTES A DIFERENTES LOCALIDADES DE COAHUILA, NUEVO LEON Y TAMAULIPAS. EN EL ESTUDIO SE ANALIZARON 591 MUESTRAS DE GANADO BOVINO. PARA LA DETECCION DE ANTICUERPOS CONTRA NEOSPORA CANINUM SE UTILIZO UN PRODUCTO COMERCIAL. EN COAHUILA SE OBSERVO UNA FRECUENCIA DE 45%; EN NUEVO LEON, 40%; Y EN TAMAULIPAS, 16%. LA FRECUENCIA EN LA REGION NORESTE DE MEXICO FUE DE 36%. LOS RESULTADOS OBTENIDOS DEL PRESENTE ESTUDIO PERMITIERON ESTABLECER LA EXISTENCIA DE ANIMALES SEROPOSITIVOS AL PROTOZOARIO NEOSPORA CANINUM , EN EL NORESTE DE MEXICO. LA EVIDENCIA SEROLOGICA FUE ADVERTIDA TANTO EN PRODUCCION DE LECHE COMO DE CARNE. TALES DATOS INDICAN QUE DEBEN AUMENTARSE LOS ESFUERZOS EN EL AREA ZOOSANITARIA RELACIONADA CON LAS CAMPANAS DE CONTROL Y ERRADICACION DE LAS ENFERMEDADES PARA TENER ADECUADAS CONDICIONES Y ALCANZAR MEJORES NIVELES DE PRODUCCION EN LA ZONA DE ESTUDIO.
Postnatal Growth and Age Estimation in the Mehely's Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus mehelyi)

Empirical growth curves were derived by measuring length of forearms, body mass and length of the total gap of the fourth metacarpal-phalangeal joint in a free ranging population of the Mehely's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus mehelyi) in a maternity roost in western Iran. Length of forearm and body mass followed a linear pattern of growth until day 14 and subsequently decreased to reach a stable level. The length of the gap of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint showed an increase up to 10 days and decreased until it had closed at over 55 days. Initiation of flight occurred approximately four weeks after birth. During the first two weeks of postnatal growth, the body mass and the length of forearm of pups increased linearly at mean rates of 0.58 g/day and 1.55 mm/day, respectively. A method of estimation of age was derived from values of forearm length and the total gap of the four metacarpal-phalangeal joint during the preflight and post flight periods.
Delimitation of the genus Avena (Gramineae)

An historical sketch of the different opinions concerning the generic limits of Avena and its relationships among other closely related genera of the tribe Aveneae is given. Advancement indexes of Avena and its closest allies were calculated. It is found that Avena possesses many primitive characters and in this respect is most closely allied to Arrhenatherum and Helictotrichon. The genera Amphibromus, Deschampsia, Trisetum, and Ventenata possess a greater number of more advanced characters and are considered to be more distantly allied with Avena. Diagnostic characters for Avena have been assessed. Avena macrostachya, a perennial species, has been included together with the annual oats within the generic limits of Avena. A full description of the genus is given.
Effects of days of regrowth and N fertilization on fatty acid composition of perennial ryegrass and CLA concentration in milk from stall-fed dairy cows.

Grassland management could offer means to produce milk with naturally higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids (FA) such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Regrowth stage and N fertilization affect the concentration of FA in grasses, which could affect milk FA. Four paddocks were split and received either 73 or 37 kg N ha -1 ; herbage was subsequently cut daily from 25 to 43 days of regrowth. Two groups of 18 cows were stall-fed during these 19 days with either high or low N fertilized grass. FA concentrations in the herbage and the CLA concentration in the milk were monitored. The high N fertilized plots had a higher herbage mass, but there was no difference in herbage N or FA concentration. There was a negative effect of days of regrowth on the FA concentration in grass, which was associated with a lower CLA concentration in the milk. In general there was no effect of N treatment on milk CLA concentration. Only during the last two days of the experiment, when there was a very large difference in herbage mass between the N treatments (2000 vs. 4000 kg DM ha -1 ), the CLA concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in milk of cows fed grass from the low N treatment. This could be a result of the lower herbage yield and NDF content. The lack of effect of N fertilizer treatment on milk FA composition may be due to the fact that treatments surprisingly did not differ in grass N content. During the final days, effects were confounded with changes in other chemical composition variables. The negative effect of grass regrowth stage on herbage FA and milk CLA concentration confirmed our hypotheses.
New species of Uroglena and Ochromonas (Chromulinales, Chrysophyceae) from Estonia

During the spring of 2003 ninety-five water bodies in southeastern Estonia were surveyed for chrysophytes. The sampling was carried out as the ice broke up, when, within two weeks, the water temperature rose from 3 degrees C to 13 degrees C. Large lakes to small pools of different water chemistry were investigated. The plankton collected was studied alive within a few hours after sampling. Preparations for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were made from fresh samples and later also from material preserved in Lugol's solution. About 95% of the water bodies contained chrysophytes. Species belonging to the genera Chrysosphaerella, Dinobryon, Mallonionas, Synura, Ochromonas, Paraphysomonas, Spiniferomonas, Uroglena and Uroglenopsis were recorded. The genus Uroglena was frequent and recorded in 30% of the localities studied. Mass development of different Uroglena species was found in several waterbodies. Many populations had developed stomatocysts (statospores, cysts) of different morphology, and, using LM, smooth stomatocysts and stomatocysts with long spines could be recognised. However, using SEM, it was shown that also the smooth stomatocysts had short spines. Four new species of Uroglena were found and are described here. Uroglena estonica and U. spinosa had long spines while U. kukkii and U. pikamae had very short spines. In addition, mass development of stomatocysts of an Ochromonas was recorded in two lakes. This species had similarities with Ochromonas stellaris, but differed in stomatocyst ornamentation, and is also described as a new species, O. magnifica. (Less)
PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIOXIDANT PEPTIDES FROM SOY PROTEIN HYDROLYSATE

Soy protein hydrolysates (SPH) were obtained by Alcalase hydrolysis of soy protein. Antioxidant activity of SPH was measured with a lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity and lipid oxidation was evaluated by measuring the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and peroxide value. The potent antioxidant peptide was purified using ultrafiltration and consecutive chromatographic methods including FPLC and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity having a specific activity of 108.13%/µg for TBA method was enhanced 67.6-fold compared with SPH. In the amino acid composition of the final potent antioxidant peptide, hydrophobic amino acids were the most abundant amino acids and among them phenylalanine was especially abundant. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Soybean is important because of not only its multiple health-promoting properties but also its role as a useful source for producing biological active peptides. Enzymatic hydrolysis has been employed in order to produce the active peptide from various protein sources because of its naturalness and safety. In this paper, the potent antioxidant peptide was purified by an ultrafiltration and a series of chromatography from soy protein hydrolysates (SPH) obtained by Alcalase treatment. It is expected that the SPH with enhanced antioxidant activity could be used in a wide range of foods as a useful functional food ingredient.
Igα/Igβ Complexes Generate Signals for B Cell Development Independent of Selective Plasma Membrane Compartmentalization1

Ligand-induced BCR association with detergent-resistant plasma membrane compartments (lipid rafts) has been argued to be essential for initiating and/or sustaining Igα/Igβ-dependent BCR signaling. Because a fraction of the BCR and an even larger fraction of the preBCR associates with lipid rafts in the apparent absence of ligand stimulation, it has been proposed that raft-associated receptor complexes mediate the ligand-independent basal signaling events observed in resting B lineage cells. However, there is no direct evidence that localization of Igα/Igβ-containing complexes to detergent-resistant membrane compartments is absolutely required for the signaling events that drive B cell development. To address these issues we have designed surrogate preBCR/Igα/Igβ complexes that are incapable of ligand-induced aggregation and that are preferentially targeted to either raft or nonraft compartments. An analysis of their ability to promote the preBCR-dependent proB→preB cell transition of murine B cell progenitors revealed that expression of these surrogate receptor complexes at levels that approximate that of the conventional preBCR can drive B cell development in a manner independent of both aggregation and lipid raft localization.