Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poultry mycoplasmas: sophisticated pathogens in simple guise

1. Mycoplasmas are a genus within the class Mollicutes (trivial name mollicutes), which are the smallest known prokaryotes capable of self-replication. They have a very small genome, and have evolved to this ‘minimalist’ status by losing non-essential genes, including those involved in cell wall synthesis. 2. The mollicutes exploit their limited genetic material to the maximum and many are successful pathogens in man, animals, birds and plants. Most of those of veterinary importance are in the genus Mycoplasma and include 4 poultry pathogens of economic importance: Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma meleagridis and Mycoplasma iowae. 3. The pathogenetic mechanisms of mycoplasmas are not fully understood, but they are successful pathogens because they can enter the host and multiply, evade the defence mechanisms, cause damage and escape to infect new hosts. 4. M. gallisepticum is one of several motile species and possesses a terminal tip structure that mediates adherence to its target tissues. For some species, including M. gallisepticum, some of the organisms may become intracellular. 5. Some Mycoplasma species, including the pathogenic poultry species, have a remarkable ability to vary their major surface antigens, a mechanism that is thought to help them to persist in their host by evading the immune response. 6. The molecular and cellular events that lead to the development of lesions and clinical disease are still obscure. Some lesions appear to be the result of indirect damage from the host's inflammatory and cellular responses. 7. Despite short survival times in the environment, mycoplasmas are able to transmit successfully to new hosts. In poultry flocks there is both horizontal and vertical transmission, the former being encouraged by intensive husbandry and stress factors. Establishing the pathways of transmission and the possible role of other birds, such as game and wild birds, as intermediate vectors between poultry flocks is now greatly aided by the availability of modern molecular methods for strain typing.
New Mathematical Model of Poultry Egg Production

Abstract The compartmental model has been shown to be a suitable model for egg production based on physiological age of the hen. Assumptions made in developing the compartmental model are consistent with the physiology of egg production in poultry. However, when it is applied to egg production data from hen populations where the increasing slope of the egg production curve is jointly affected by the actual rate of change in the egg production and the variation in age at sexual maturity, the compartmental model cannot accurately characterize the change in the initial period of lay, due to limitations in its mathematical properties. In addition, the parameters for the initial age of egg laying and the rate of increase in egg laying no longer make reasonable biological sense. The new model derived in the present study incorporates a component of variation in sexual maturity, with two parameters defined in relation to the characteristics of sexual maturity in the flock. Thus the model will provide more information about the flock and can accurately characterize the whole period of lay. It may be reasonable to consider that the compartmental model and the modified compartmental model have respective suitable application areas and could complement each other. From a practical point of view, the modified compartmental model would have a wider application because it does not rely on synchronized egg production data which are of limited availability in practice.
VARIATION IN THE CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PATHOGENICITY OF FUSARIUM AVENACEUM AND F. ARTHROSPORIOIDES

Variants which occurred commonly in isolates of Fusarium avenaceum and F. arthrosporioides from diseased roots of alfalfa and other hosts in Alberta were of two kinds, viz., culture variants arising as sectors or patches in mycelial colonies of the parent wild type, and spore variants developing from single macroconidia. Both kinds appeared under a wide range of environmental and nutritional conditions, but they were distinct from the temporary, cultural changes which could sometimes be induced by varying these conditions. The culture variants were mostly mycelial and tended to revert partially to the wild type, or to produce other variants. Relatively stable, heavily sporulating types predominated among the spore variants. Variation followed a similar pattern in the two species studied, but isolates differed greatly in respect to number and type of variants produced. Some isolates which were relatively stable in culture produced many spore variants, and vice versa. Taxonomic comparisons indicated that cl.
MECHANISMS OF FLUID SHEAR‐INDUCED INHIBITION OF POPULATION GROWTH IN A RED‐TIDE DINOFLAGELLATE1

Net population growth of some dinoflagellates is inhibited by fluid shear at shear stresses comparable with those generated during oceanic turbulence. Decreased net growth may occur through lowered cell division, increased mortality, or both. The dominant mechanism under various flow conditions was determined for the red‐tide dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedrum (Stein) Dodge. Cell division and mortality were determined by direct observation of isolated cells in 0.5‐mL cultures that were shaken to generate unquantified fluid shear. Larger volume cultures were exposed to quantified laminar shear in Couette‐flow chambers (0.004–0.019 N·m−2 shear stress) and to unquantified flow in shaken flasks. In these larger cultures, cell division frequency was calculated from flow cytometric measurements of DNA·cell−1. The mechanism by which shear inhibits net growth of L. polyedrum depends on shear stress level and growth conditions. Observations on the isolated cells showed that shaking inhibited growth by lowering cell division without increased mortality. Similar results were found for early exponential‐phase cultures exposed to the lowest experimental shear stress in Couette‐flow chambers. However, mortality occurred when a late exponential‐phase culture was exposed to the same low shear stress and was inferred to occur in cultures exposed to higher shear stresses. Elevated mortality in those treatments was confirmed using behavioral, morphological, and physiological assays. The results predict that cell division in L. polyedrum populations will be inhibited by levels of oceanic turbulence common for near‐surface waters. Shear‐induced mortality is not expected unless shear‐stress levels are unusually high or when cellular condition resembles late exponential/stationary phase cultures.
Relative growth of Uca burgersi (Crustacea, Ocypodidae) from two mangroves in the southeastern Brazilian coast

The relative growth of the fiddler crab Uca burgersi Holthuis, 1967 was analyzed in two populations from different mangroves (Ubatumirim and Cavalo rivers) in the southeastern Brazilian coast, monthly sampled from May, 2001 to April, 2002. The population from a high productivity level mangrove reaches the sexual maturity in larger sizes than the population from a less productive site. This results can be attributed to the greater amount of nutrients found in the Cavalo than in Ubatumirim mangrove.
Selection ofhprtMutant T Cells as Surrogates for Dividing Cells Reveals a Restricted T Cell Receptor BV Repertoire in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

T cells with somatically acquired mutations in the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) gene were isolated from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) as representatives of populations potentially enriched for in vivo activated T cells. TCRB gene V region usage among mutant isolates from individual IDDM patients, but not from normal controls, showed a pronounced preference for BV14 and, to a lesser extent, BV6. Wild-type (nonmutant) isolates did not show such preferences. Extensive in vivo clonal expansions of the BV14 expressing mutant T cells from IDDM patients were revealed by sequence identity of TCRB chain junctional regions. These data support restricted TCRB gene usage in T cell populations enriched for in vivo activated clones in patients with IDDM.
Patch shape and orientation influences on seagrass epifauna are mediated by dispersal abilities

While there have been theoretical arguments supporting the importance of the shape and orientation of habitat patches for determining species abundances, there have been few empirical demonstrations that these processes actually operate. Instead, most field studies have focussed on the importance of patch area, isolation and edge effects. I demonstrate that passively dispersed seagrass epifauna respond to the shape and orientation of artificial seagrass patches when currents, the dispersal mechanism, are strong, but not when they are weak. Orientation is important because animals dispersing via tidally induced water currents move predominantly in a single direction, and thus patches oriented across the current intercept more potential colonists than do those patches oriented perpendicular to the current. Currents less affect taxa that actively disperse, or that are relatively sedentary. Fish species that tend to use intertidal areas at high tide, however, were more abundant in patches perpendicular to shore (and parallel to the current), presumably because these patches offer the greatest amount of edge to animals undergoing tidal migrations.
Foliar nutrition and growth in red pine: the fate of photoassimilated carbon in a seedling tree

A 2- to 3-year-old red pine seedling was allowed to assimilate 14CO2 for 3 hours at 2000 ft-c and left under the same illumination for 6 days, then divided into segments and analyzed. Ethanol extracts were resolved by chromatography, insoluble residues by chemical methods. The radioactivity in various components was determined for all segments. Autoradiographs were made from stem sections at four levels.Radioactivity was found in all parts of the plant. Per unit mass of tissue, it was more or less uniformly apportioned among root, stem, and leaves, but the expanding terminal bud contained 5 times as much activity per gram of tissue. Overall, about one-third of the radioactivity was in insoluble compounds, mainly in cell wall constituents. In localities where conspicuous growth had occurred the proportion was higher. Autoradiographs of stem sections showed that 14C was concentrated in newly differentiated tracheids, and was still being incorporated after 6 days. About one-third of the activity in the ethan.
TWO APPROACHES TO COMPRESSING AND INTERPRETING TIME‐DEPTH INFORMATION AS AS COLLECTED BY TIME‐DEPTH RECORDERS AND SATELLITE‐LINKED DATA RECORDERS

Time-depth recorders sample information about the three- dimensional behavior of diving animals over time and reduce this into just two dimensions, depth and time. Even so, interpretation of the data may still be difficult because of the volume of data and the detail that remains. Comparison of dive “shape” across individuals, geographical locations, or species presents problems because its analysis may involve subjective judgments or arbitrary distinctions. More constraints may be imposed if a telemetry system is used to transmit the data. Here we present two approaches for dive data compression and analysis. The first (applied before storage and transmission) selects the most important time-depth points in a profile where depth Vs. time trajectories change most significantly. The second (used to either preprocess or postprocess dive information) creates a dimensionless, depth, and duration independent index (TAD), which encapsulates the relevant information from dive profiles on where the diver centers its activity with respect to depth during a dive. Its use facilitates comparison across dives performed at different times or places, within or between individuals or species, irrespective of the duration and depth of their dives. Both can be used to reduce the amount of information sent or stored about dive behavior and can facilitate dive analysis.
The effects of developmental lead (Pb) exposure on the expression of the CTGF and TGF-β1 in hippocampus of pups

Pregnant mice were exposed to control (0%), low (0.1%), moderate (0.5%), and high (1%) lead (Pb) acetate in deionized drinking water from the first day of gestation to postnatal day (PND) 21. Pb concentration was determined in blood and the hippocampus at the 7th, 14th, or 21st day of neonatal mice pups. The expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and TGF-β1 mRNA and protein was also measured in the hippocampus using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assays. The expression of CTGF and TGF-β1 mRNA was up-regulated in hippocampus in Pb-exposed groups. These results were further confirmed by immunohistochemistry staining. Data suggest that CTGF and TGF-β1 genes are differentially regulated and are affected by Pb.
Pollen Morphology in the Nyctaginaceae

Abstract The pollen morphology of the tribes Colignonieae, Boldoeae and Leucastereae is described, and scanning micrographs and a taxonomic discussion are provided. The Colignonieae have 12-pantoporate grains with a spinulose and tubuliferous sexine; the Boldoeae have 3-colpate grains with a finely spinulose and tubuliferous sexine; and the Leucastereae have 3-colpate grains with either a spinulose and tubuliferous sexine or coarsely reticulate pattern. Also, the pollen of the genus Phaeoptilum (subtribe Phaeoptilinae, tribe Nyctagineae) which was not available earlier is described and scanning micrographs are included.
Effects of mountain grassland maturity stage and grazing management on carotenoids in sward and cow's milk

Carotenoids are involved in the sensorial and nutritional values of dairy products. In grazing systems, both herbage maturity stage and grazing management may affect the amount of carotenoid ingested, thus these factors may affect carotenoid concentrations in milk. Two homoge- nous plots of mountain grassland (1.4 and 2.0 ha) were grazed during two cycles of growth by 6 dairy cows in mid lactation, in strip (SG) and rotational grazing (RG), respectively. We monitored the changes in carotenoid concentrations in sward and milk, measured by HPLC twice a week. Seven carotenoids were identified in the sward: violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, epilutein, lutein, zeax- anthin, s-carotene and 13-cis s-carotene. Forage quality decreased throughout the course of the first growth stage, but carotenoid concentration in sward did not significantly change. In early regrowth, forage quality was high and the concentration of s-carotene and xanthophylls also tended to be higher. Carotenoid concentrations in sward were not affected by grazing management, averaging 350 µg per g DM. The carotenoids identified in milk were β-carotene (75%) and lutein (25%). A significant decrease in s-carotene concentration in milk was observed throughout the course of the first growth stage, from 5.37 to 3.87 µg per g fat, whereas it increased to 4.91 µg per g fat in early regrowth. β-carotene concentration in milk was not affected by grazing management, averaging 4.72 and 5.03 µg per g fat for RG and SG, respectively. However, lutein concentration was slightly lower for RG than for SG, averaging 1.39 and 1.74 µg per g fat, respectively. It is concluded that carotenoids in milk were only slightly affected by herbage maturity stage, and to a lesser extent by grazing management. carotenoids / cow's milk / mountain grassland / maturity stage / grazing management
Dominance among fruits/sinks and the search for a correlative signal

The present problems with hormonal signals transferring dominance effects are reviewed and, as a new hypothesis, it is stated that the sequence of sink development may establish the dominance effect. ‘Primigenic dominance’ (PD) is suggested to describe this kind of correlative inhibition, in which the earlier developed sink inhibits later developed organs. New results show that the polar IAA export of the earlier developed sink inhibits the IAA export of later developed sinks. This ‘autoinhibition’ occurs at ‘junctions’, where auxin streams from various sinks meet. It is suggested that this depressed IAA-export of the subordinated fruit/sink acts as the signal that leads to inhibited development. This hypothesis avoids some of the problems related with other hypotheses, such as the requirement of a multidirectional signal. Primigenic dominance is a unifying hypothesis, which can be applied to most correlative dominance phenomena in the plant. Primigenic dominance is less complicated than the traditional ‘apical dominance’ (AD) hypothesis, because it does not require secondary messengers.
Sex-Specific Natural Mortality of Arrowtooth Flounder in Alaska: Implications of a Skewed Sex Ratio on Exploitation and Management

Abstract Conservative fisheries management in Alaskan waters typically limits harvest to maintain a target biomass of female spawners (40% of the female biomass observed in the absence of fishing). This harvest calculation does not consider the male population level for a species. If natural mortality rates (M) differ between sexes and if females outlive males, then a reduction in males relative to females could diminish the reproductive potential of the stock. This problem was examined in the present study by estimating separate sex-specific M-values for the arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias in Alaska, where females are almost always found at higher proportions than males during trawl surveys. Age data indicated that females outlive males, and estimates of M ranged from 0.10 to 0.33 for females and from 0.16 to 0.51 for males. Based on four estimation methods, male M was consistently higher than female M. Simulated harvest scenarios in which male M and selectivity were varied indicated that increas.
Developmental Morphology of Human and Avian Tubercle Bacilli on Bordet-Gengou Medium

These observations on the developmental morphology of human and avian tubercle bacilli are in agreement with those made by Kahn 1 with H37 and a more recently isolated human strain, on Long's medium. Bordet-Gengou medium was chosen for this study, as it differs from Long's medium in not being synthetic, and is more highly enriched. Smears were made at daily and weekly intervals from growth on Bordet-Gengou slants which were first tested for sterility by incubation at 37°C. for 24 hours. They were then seeded with a light inoculum. Prior to planting, smears were made of the inoculums. The slides were stained by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen method 2 which had been found excellent for demonstrating non-acid-fast forms of the tubercle bacillus. Each slide prior to staining was covered by a clean strip of filter paper to protect the smears as much as possible from particles of precipitated stain which might lead to inaccurate observations. The slides used were clean and free from grease. The strains employed were 2 recently isolated human strains H3 (Mishulow) and Arilotta (Alexander), and R and S strains of a dissociated avian strain obtained through Dr. Florence Sabin. During the first week of incubation at 37°C. no growth was visible, but smears made during the first few days revealed segmenting acid-fast bacilli, acid-fast cocci and diplococci, and some non-acid-fast cocci and diplococci. Transitional diplococci were noted which appeared to consist of one acid-fast coccus and one smaller non-acid-fast coccus. After about 5 days only non-acid-fast cocci and diplococci appeared on the smears. No acid-fast bacilli were observed.
Enraizamento de estacas lenhosas de espécies florestais

Neste estudo, objetivou-se estudar o potencial de enraizamento de estacas lenhosas de 20 especies florestais nativas. Dois experimentos distintos foram conduzidos. Em ambos, as estacas caulinares apresentavam em media de 15 a 20 cm de comprimento. No primeiro, estacas de nove especies foram selecionadas em quatro classes de diâmetro, com media de 5,0; 9,0; 14,5 e 24 mm. No segundo, estacas de 20 especies foram tratadas com acido indolbutirico (AIB). Cada tratamento foi avaliado em quatro repeticoes com 10 estacas por parcela arranjadas aleatoriamente. Nos dois ensaios, os propagulos foram estaqueados em tubetes preenchidos com vermiculita e casca de arroz carbonizada na relacao 1:1 (v:v). Apos 45 dias em casa de vegetacao, as porcentagens de enraizamento, numero e comprimento de raizes por estaca foram computados. No primeiro experimento, seis apresentaram taxas de enraizamento que variaram de 2 a 88%. Estacas com diâmetro medio de 14,5mm apresentaram melhores resultados em relacao ao enraizamento e a qualidade do sistema radicular. Ja no segundo, nove especies enraizaram e o percentual variou de 0,5 a 88%, sendo que nao foi verificada influencia significativa do tratamento com AIB.
ADAPTIVE LEAF ARCHITECTURE IN EMERGENT AND FLOATING SPARGANIUM

A B S T R A C T The robust emergent leaves of Sparganium eurycarpum and S. americanum are supported by corner fiber masses and large bundle sheaths, but the thin floating leaves of S. fluctuans and S. minimum have only moderate bundle sheaths. In emergent types heavily photosynthetic diaphragms bearing vascular bundles are separated from each other in the leaf compartments by three lightly photosynthetic diaphragms without bundles, but in floating types only every other heavily photosynthetic diaphragm has a bundle. Palisade chlorenchyma occurs only at aerial surfaces-abaxial and adaxial in emergent leaves, but only adaxial in floating leaves. Extra photosynthetic areas are provided in emergent leaves by concentrations of chlorenchyma in limited areas on interior partitioning walls, while the remainder of the walls is translucent. Since only 25 % of the diaphragms are heavily photosynthetic, and the others essentially transparent because of their diffusely distributed chloroplasts and large intercellular spaces, a sieve effect exists which allows even the interior parts of thick emergent