Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Butterfly assemblages along a human disturbance gradient in Ontario, Canada

This study relates patterns of butterfly abundance and species richness to position along an urban distur - bance gradient in southeastern Ontario, Canada. Observed assemblages along the gradient (N = 15) included butterflies from the Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, and Hesperiidae families. Of the total 26 observed species, 15 were noticeably absent from the disturbed sites. Butterfly assemblages had equal or higher number of individuals and species richness at moderately disturbed sites compared with the least disturbed sites. In relation to distribution patterns along the gradient, 28% of butterfly species were classified as disturbance adaptable and 58% as disturbance avoiders. These classifications were correlated with host-plant use and voltinism. Canonical correspondence analysis of local-scale data strongly associated disturbance avoiders with a specific environmental variable (e.g., Everes comyntas (Godart, 1824) with grasslands), whereas disturbance-adaptable species were weakly associated with any variable. One- time disturbances (i.e., mowing) during the survey resulted in pronounced changes in butterfly abundance and species composition at two sites, reducing species richness and total abundance by up to 80%. Species were patchily distrib- uted along the gradient, suggesting that they respond differentially to disturbance in the landscape. Resume : Notre etude met en relation les repartitions d'abondance et de richesse specifique chez les papillons, d'une part, et leur position le long d'un gradient de perturbation urbaine dans le sud-est de l'Ontario, Canada, d'autre part. Les regroupements observes le long du gradient (N = 15) comprennent des papillons des familles Papilionidae, Pie- ridae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae et Hesperiidae. Des 26 especes retrouvees, 15 sont, de facon evidente, absentes des si- tes perturbes. Aux sites moyennement perturbes, les regroupements de papillons ont un nombre d'individus et une richesse specifique egaux ou superieurs a ceux des sites les moins perturbes. D'apres leur repartition le long du gra- dient, 28 % des especes de papillons peuvent s'adapter a la perturbation, alors que 58 % des especes l'evitent. Ces classifications sont correlees avec l'utilisation des plantes-hotes et le voltinisme. Une analyse des correspondances ca- noniques des donnees a l'echelle locale associe fortement les especes qui evitent la perturbation a une variable particu- liere de l'environnement (e.g., Everes comyntas (Godart, 1824) avec les prairies), alors que les especes qui s'adaptent a la perturbation sont faiblement associees a toutes les variables. A deux sites, des perturbations isolees (i.e. la tonte de la vegetation) durant l'inventaire ont cause de nets changements dans l'abondance et la richesse specifique des papil- lons, reduisant la richesse et l'abondance totale de jusqu'a 80 %. Les especes se repartissent de facon contagieuse le long du gradient, ce qui indique qu'elles reagissent de facon differente aux perturbations du paysage. (Traduit par la Redaction) Hogsden and Hutchinson 748
A comparison of two-cut and three-cut systems of silage making for beef cattle using two cultivars of perennial ryegrass

Two randomized-block experiments have been carried out to examine the effects of increasing the digestibility of grass silage offered to beef cattle by harvesting three crops of grass after shorter growth intervals rather than two crops after longer growth intervals. In experiment 1 early-cut silages were harvested on 1 June, 16 July and 24 August, and late-cut silages on 20 June and 22 August 1979. In experiment 2 the early-cut silages were harvested on 19 May, 2 July and 20 August, and the late-cut silages on 5 June and 12 August 1980. Early- and late-cut silages were made from each of two cultivars of perennial ryegrass (cultivars Cropper and Talbot). The silages were unwilted and had formic acid applied at 2.5 1/t fresh crop. In experiment 1 the silages were offered ad libitum , both unsupplemented and supplemented with 2·2 kg concentrates per head daily, to 88 cattle of mixed beef breeds and mean initial live weight 337 kg, in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. In experiment 2 the silages were offered ad libitum and supplemented with 2·4 kg of concentrates per head daily to 56 Charolais × (Aberdeen Angus × Friesian) cattle of mean initial live weight 351 kg, in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Grass cultivar did not significantly affect silage intake or animal performance but intake, live-weight gain and carcass gain were significantly higher for the early-cut than for the late-cut silages in both experiments. In experiment 1 silage dry-matter intakes were 6·33, 5·12, 5·80 and 4·67 (s.e. 0·124) kg/day; live-weight gains were 0·72, 0·89, 0·47 and 0·76 (s.e. 0·029) kg/day; and carcass gains were 0·46, 0·60, 0·27 and 0·48 (s.e. 0·016) kg/day, for the unsupplemented and supplemented early-cut silages, and the unsupplemented and supplemented late-cut silages, respectively. In experiment 2 silage dry-matter intakes were 5·49 and 4·95 (s.e. 0·056) kg/day; live-weight gains Were 0·95 and 0·76 (s.e. 0·033) kg/day; and carcass gains were 0·67 and 0·50 (s.e. 0·17) kg/day, for the early- and late-cut silages, respectively.
Comparison of prey of the black Procellaria petrels of New Zealand

Abstract Stomach contents of 68 black petrels, Procellaria parkinsoni, 12 Westland black petrels, P. westlandica, and 3 white‐chinned petrels, P. aequinoctialis, were compared. The main prey were Cephalopoda and fish, and these indicated predominantly nocturnal feeding with selection for bioluminescent forms. There is marked latitudinal variation in the Cephalopoda available to these petrels.
Food habits of giraffe in Tsavo National Park, Kenya

Summary In the context of a broader ecological investigation, food habits of giraffe were studied in Tsavo National Park (East). The only method employed was direct observation of feeding animals in the field. Each instance in which one animal fed on one individual plant was counted as one food record for this plant species; 4025 records are analysed. A total of sixty-six plant species was found to be eaten, the great majority being trees and shrubs, with a few creepers and vines. There were marked seasonal differences in the diet of giraffe, deciduous trees, shrubs and vines being dominant in the green season, evergreen plants (partly in riverine forest) in the dry season. All the trees and larger shrubs common in the study area were eaten by giraffe, while few records for very small shrubs and none for herbs and grasses were obtained. An analysis of the available vegetation was made in part of the dry-season habitat, and for twenty species the frequency in the habitat was compared with the frequency in the giraffe's diet, revealing selection for or against certain species. Giraffe utilized the upper vegetation layers, where available, but overall c. 50% of all browsing was below 2 m above ground, i.e. within reach of smaller browsers. Results of this study are compared with what is known on food habits of giraffe in other areas. Possible competition of giraffe with other browsers and the relationship between giraffe and their habitat are discussed. Continued survival of giraffe, and other browsers, in Tsavo National Park depends primarily on (1) adequate control of fire, and (2) the impact of future vegetation changes on the amount and variety of available browse plants.
Influence of the ratio of indispensable: dispensable amino acids on whole‐body protein turnover in growing pigs

Zusammenfassung Einflus des Verhaltnisses von essentiellen: nicht-essentiellen Aminosauren auf den Protein-turnover des Ganzkorpers von wachsenden Schweinen In einem N-Bilanzversuch mit 28 weiblichen Schweinen von im Mittel 44 kg Lebendmasse (LM) wurde mit einer halb-synthetischen Diat der Einflus eines unterschiedlichen Verhaltnisses von essentiellen (EAS): nicht-essentiellen Aminosauren (NEAS) auf den Protein-turnover des Ganzkorpers untersucht. In vier Gruppen wurden isonitrogene Diaten eingesetzt, deren EAS-N schrittweise von 29 auf 35; 43 und 50% des Gesamt-N erhoht wurde. Die Relation der EAS zueinander war immer gleich und entsprach einem Idealprotein. Der Protein-turnover im Ganzkorper wurde mit der Endproduktmethode bestimmt und zwar aufgrund der Plateauwerte der 15N-Ausscheidung im Harnstoff und Ammoniak des Urins nach einmaliger oraler Gabe von 300 mg [15N]-Glycin. Die N-Retention stieg von 0,98 auf 1,27 g/kg LM075/Tag, wenn der EAS-N von 29 auf 43% des Gesamt-N zunahm (p < 0.01). Die Erhohung des EAS-N auf 50% steigerte die N-Retention nicht mehr weiter. Die Proteinsynthese im Ganzkorper stieg entsprechend von 2,9 auf 3,3; 3,8 und 5,1 g N/kg LM0.75/Tag. Die jeweiligen Werte des Proteinabbaues betrugen 2,0; 2,1; 2,5 und 3,8 g N/kg LM075/Tag Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, das in der Gruppe mit 50% EAS-N am Gesamt-N die Synthese- und Abbaurate uberproportional und signifikant erhoht wurden. Entsprechend verringerte sich in dieser Gruppe die Effizienz der N-Retention in% der Syntheserate auf 27% gegenuber im Mittel von 35% in den ersten drei Gruppen. Daraus wurde gefolgert, das ein Uberschus an EAS bei gleichbleibender N-Retention den Protein-turnover uberproportional stimuliert.
Breed and sex differences among equally mature sheep and goats. 6. Breed correlations for body composition and food conversion efficiency.

Breed means are given for 40 traits relating to food conversion efficiency and body composition at the same stage of maturity in seven breeds of sheep and a feral goat breed. In terms of breed means, food intake and food conversion efficiency were genetically correlated, as were most traits associated with fatness or leanness. Highly inter-correlated measures of breed fatness were proportion of fat in the carcass, proportion of total carcass fat found in the rib plus loin, the fat : muscle ratio and the lipid concentration in the dry matter of all tissues except bone. Dressing proportion was highly correlated with all these measures of fatness. Breeds with a high proportion of subcutaneous fat did not necessarily have a low proportion of intra-abdominal fat. A low proportion of carcass fat in the rib plus loin was associated with a high proportion in the shoulder (inter-breed correlation —0·7): both were measures of leanness. Muscle : bone ratio was not correlated with fatness or leanness. Slower maturing, larger breeds had slightly more bone, less fat and more lean in their higher-priced cuts. Breeds with heavier fleeces were fatter (0·7). The food conversion efficiency of a breed was largely independent of its body composition.
Bird ringing in Britain and Ireland in 2007

This is the 71st annual report of the British Trust for Ornithology's Ringing Scheme, covering work carried out, and data received, in 2007. In partnership with EURING, a web‐based application was developed to map migration routes of waterfowl species identified as being those with the highest potential to carry Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 across Europe. This application used recovery data held in the EURING database. The 25th year of Constant Effort Site (CES) ringing demonstrated how the heavy rainfall during the summer of 2007 had a largely negative effect on breeding success, with productivity of ten species significantly lower than the long‐term average, although that of four species was significantly higher. These contrasting fortunes are likely to be related to the timing of the heaviest rains in relation to breeding stage. For several species, there were also continued declines in adult abundance and there is particular concern for Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat and Linnet, which reached their lowest‐ever levels since CES monitoring began. Data for 96 Retrapping Adults for Survival (RAS) studies were submitted, covering 34 species, including six Red‐listed species and 14 that are Amber‐listed. The total number of birds ringed (786,070) was 7% lower than the mean of the previous five years. This reduction may have been influenced by the heavy rainfall in 2007, which affected breeding success of some species and may have led to fewer opportunities for ringing activities. The recovery total (13,156) was higher than the mean of the preceding five years and the number of recoveries of foreign‐ringed birds (1,368) was the highest annual total ever reported. Recoveries of 223 individual birds are presented in the report. They include unexpected movements, movements that confirm suspected or known migration patterns, and longevity records.
Unnatural Prey and Artificial Diets for RearingPodisus maculiventris(Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract Development and reproduction of the predatory pentatomidPodisus maculiventris(Say) was assessed on three types of unnatural prey and two presentation systems of an artificial diet. Predator nymphs developed faster on pupae of the yellow mealworm,Tenebrio molitorL. , than on larvae of the beetle or caterpillars of the greater wax moth,Galleria mellonellaL. , but nymphal survival and adult weights were similar on all prey tested. Females reared on wax moth larvae, however, produced about twice as many eggs (i.e., ca. 1000 eggs per female) as those fed on larvae or pupae of the tenebrionid. Overall performance ofP. maculiventrison two presentation methods of an oligidic artificial diet based on bovine meat was inferior to that on live prey. Packaging the meat diet in stretched Parafilm sheets yielded better results than a gelled form of the diet. Female predators reared on the artificial diets were significantly smaller than those produced on live prey, but had a fecundity similar to that of females fed on larvae or pupae ofT. molitor.The practical value of the different foods for the mass rearing ofP. maculiventrisis discussed.
The Natural History of the Ninebanded Armadillo of Texas

FOR some years past the writer has been engaged in a study of various phases of the biology of the Texas armadillo and has published a number of papers, some of them in collaboration with J. T. Patterson and some of them alone, dealing with matters of development, cytology, sex and heredity. There now appears to be a demand for a brief, non-technical summary, giving the gist of the findings discussed in detail in these papers. The present account will furnish such a summary and will in addition deal with certain matters not yet published.
Fruit morphology, anatomy and taxonomy of tribe Nepeteae (Labiatae)

The results of a detailed SEM study of nutlet morphology in 156 species of tribe Nepeteae (Labiatae) are presented. Two main types, smooth and sculptured, are described; within them such subgroups as reticulate, cellular, verrucose and tuberculate are defined. The taxonomic significance of these characters is discussed. Pericarp structure was investigated in 34 species. Mucilaginous tubercles were found on the surface of the nutlets in Nepeta, Drepanocaryum and Lophanthus, and their structure is described. In the 10 genera of this widespread tribe, three informal generic groups are recognized, based on a combination of nutlet morphology, pericarp structure and vegetative and floral features.
Altered collagen structure in mouse tail tendon lacking the α2(I) chain

Type I collagen is the most prevalent member of the fibril forming family of collagens in higher vertebrates and its heterotrimeric form is comprised of two α1(I) chains and one α2(I) polypeptide chain. The functional importance of having two distinct chain types in type I collagen is largely undefined. The existence of a mouse model with a Cola-2 gene mutation (termed oim) that results in non-functional proα2(I) chains presents a unique opportunity to explore changes in collagen structure resulting from the complete (oim/oim mice) and partial (oim/+ mice) loss of functional α2(I) chains. Tail tendon is a tissue with a well-defined, hierarchical organization of type I collagen. X-ray diffraction studies on oim/oim versus control tendons indicate that the total absence of α2(I) chains results in a decrease in the order of axial packing and a loss of crystalline lateral packing. This suggests that the non-equivalence of three chains is an important determinant of lateral interactions between adjacent molecules and may be involved in the long-range axial order in type I collagen-containing tissues. Both homotrimeric and heterotrimeric type I collagen molecules are found in heterozygous oim mice and these appear to be present in the same co-polymeric fibrils, preventing crystalline lateral packing. In addition to these changes at a fibrillar level, the absence of the α2(I) chain results in an increased enzymatic susceptibility at one site. The oim/oim mice are observed to have reduced body size and smaller tendon bundles, which may be a consequence of these molecular and fibrillar changes in collagen. Furthermore, it is likely that a similar alteration in the molecular packing of collagen in bone fibrils contributes to the osteopenia and decreased bone strength in mice with the oim mutation that are also characteristic of human osteogenesis imperfecta.
Nesting biology of equatorial Afrotropical stingless bees (Apidae; Meliponini) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Summary An inter-specific nesting biology of highly eusocial stingless bees (meliponini) was studied in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, south-western Uganda. Fieldwork was guided by Batwa Pygmies who are the local indigenous honey-hunters residing around the park. During the fieldwork, stingless bees were identified according to local Pygmy folk taxonomy. A total of 538 natural nests of five stingless bee species belonging to two genera were found: Meliponula (four species) and Hypotrigona (one). Two morphs of M. ferruginea (6 mm) were identified, which previously were called M. erythra but now are regarded species synonyms. The bees nested in tree cavities, mud house wall crevices and underground. There were no exposed nests. Trees contained nests of the bigger bee species. A broad range of trees (133 trees of 36 species) was used as nesting sites. H. gribodoi only nested in mud house wall crevices. Meliponula bocandei and Meliponula lendiliana nested both in tree cavities and in the ground thus exhibiting high degree of flexibility which can ultimately lead to better survival of these two species. There was some degree of nest tree height partitioning with bigger bees selecting higher heights. Tree selection by bee species not only depended on tree availability but also on size of the bee. Most bee nests were situated in large trees.
WATER UPTAKE IN EGGS OF CAMNULA PELLUCIDA (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO EMBRYOGENESIS

Abstract Water uptake and embryogenesis were investigated in eggs of Camnula pellucida (Scudd.) kept under a variety of conditions. Under both laboratory and field conditions eggs take in no water for several weeks after oviposition while embryonic growth progresses; then slowly a little water is absorbed as anatrepsis is completed. Following the breaking of diapause by chilling, eggs incubated at 30 °C in the laboratory rapidly take in water; embryonic growth resumes, blastokinesis rapidly takes place, and hatching occurs in about 10 days. In a natural habitat, however, eggs take in most of their required moisture shortly after the snow melts; during this time no embryonic development takes place, presumably because temperatures are too low. As temperatures rise embryonic growth resumes, with hatchlings emerging sooner or later, depending upon seasonal temperatures. Eggs laid late in the season show little or no embryonic development and most seem unable to survive the winter.
Ablution exercise – may prevent dacryocystitis

Background: Dacryocystitis is an infection and inflammation of the lacrimal sac and most common cause of ocular morbidity in India. It’s accounting for 87.1% of epiphora and causes social discomfort due to continuous watering from the eyes. It is more common in India as being tropical country. It has higher incidence among lower socioeconomic status. Hygiene plays an important role in its aetiology. Objective: This study was aimed to survey the demographic characteristics of patients received external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery to correlate with religious aspect of the patients. Material & Methods: The present study is a retrospective study conducted at Ophthalmology Department from the hospital records of patients who underwent external DCR for epiphora from January 2013 to December 2017. Results: Out of 305 cases underwent DCR (n=305), maximum (n=179, 58.69%) were above the age of 40 years out of which maximum were in age group of 41-50 years (n=78, 24.57%), majority of them were females 70.49% (n=215) with males being only 29.51% (n=90). Out of 305 cases majority were Hindus (n=236, 77.38%) with Muslims being only 14.43%(n=44) while 8.19% included Christians, Sikhs, Jains and other religions. Conclusion: Overall finding showed in comparisons of men with the females of middle age and above and Muslims despite contributing to major population had less rate of DCR surgery than Hindus. This led to our view that some practices in Muslims might be preventing dacryocystitis in Muslims where ablution exercise might be one of them.
Determination of the Heavy Metal Levels in Panax notoginseng and the Implications for Human Health Risk Assessment

ABSTRACT High levels of heavy metals in Panax notoginseng (Sanchi), a valued traditional Chinese medicine, have drawn increasing concern regarding the safe usage of Sanchi preparations. Here, we measured the concentrations of six heavy metals in Sanchi samples from 20 major plantations, investigated the pharmaceutical processes and usages of Sanchi preparations, and assessed the associated potential health risks to consumers. The average concentrations of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in the Sanchi samples were 2.7, 3.7, 6.2, 22.1, 2.0, and 1.4 mg/kg, respectively. The hazard quotients (HQs) for these six single metals and the hazard index (HI) of these metals’ combination were all far less than 1, indicating the absence of a non-carcinogenic health hazard to consumers. The carcinogenic risk of As was 2.1 × 10−6, which is higher than the allowable level suggested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency but less than the level suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). The probabilities of consumers’ exposure due to daily medicine consumption exceeding the allowable daily intakes from medicine (ADIsdrug, 1% of the ADI) suggested by the WHO were 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.1%, 0.0%, 1.6%, and 27.3% for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and As, respectively.
TGF-ß-induced apoptosis and reduction of Bcl-2 in human lens epithelial cells in vitro

Purpose. TGF-ß has been shown to induce lens epithelial cells to undergo an aberrant growth and transdifferentiation that mimic some characteristics of anterior subcapsular cataract, and posterior capsular opacification. Here we sought to examine whether TGF-ß induces apoptotic cell death in human lens epithelial cells in vitro. Methods. Cell death of human lens epithelial cells HLE-B3 cell line was measured by TUNEL assay, FACS analysis, and DNA fragmentation assay. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 was examined using Western blot analysis. Results. TGF-ß-induced cell death was detected in human lens epithelial cells by TUNEL assay. DNA fragmentation assay showed the characteristic laddering pattern from the genomic DNA from human lens epithelial cells treated with TGF-ß. The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and its protein was markedly decreased in human lens epithelial cells treated with TGF-ß. Caspase-3 and PARP were not activated in this process. Conclusions. This study suggests that TGF-ß induces apoptotic cell death in human lens epithelial cells and that decreased expression of Bcl-2 might play a role in this process.