Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In situ target-strength measurements of Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus murphyi) collected with a scientific echosounder installed on a fishing vessel

Pena, H. 2008. In situ target-strength measurements of Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus murphyi) collected with a scientific echosounder installed on a fishing vessel. - ICES Journal of Marine Science 65: 594-604.The use of commercial fishing vessels for scientific purposes has increased worldwide in the past 10 years. Many such studies have involved the collection of acoustic data from both uncalibrated and calibrated echosounders. However, few studies have involved investigations of in situ target strength (TS). During August/September 2003, in situ TS data on Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus murphyi) were collected on board a commercial purse-seiner during normal fishing operations off Chile, using a 38 kHz, Simrad EK60 scientific echosounder. The single-target detections of Chilean jack mackerel were filtered by depth, off-axis beam angle, and beam-compensation criteria to improve the quality of the data used for the TS calculations. Two methods, using raw data and tracked data, were employed to calculate the mean acoustic-backscattering cross section (σ bs ) and mean TS of Chilean jack mackerel. The results of the two approaches gave similar results, with a strong mode in the mean TS distribution between −35 and −37 dB for fish lengths ranging from 26 to 34 cm, indicating a b 20 value of −66 dB. These results agreed well with most results published for this species and others of the same genus (i.e. T. trachurus, Trachurus t. capensis, and T. japonicus).
Seed‐transmission of nematode‐borne viruses

SUMMARY Transmission through seed of crop and weed plants seems to be characteristic of nematode-borne viruses. It occurred with tomato black ring virus (TBRV) in nineteen species (thirteen botanical families), with arabis mosaic virus (AMV) in thirteen species (eleven families), with raspberry ringspot virus (RRV) in six species (five families), and also, in more limited tests, with tomato ringspot, cherry leaf roll and tobacco rattle viruses. A remarkable feature was that infected seedlings, except those containing tobacco rattle virus, often appeared healthy. The occurrence and extent of seed-transmission depended on both the virus and the host plant. In many progenies more than 10%, and in some 100%, of seedlings were infected. The viruses were transmitted through at least two or three generations of seed of those host species tested. After 6 years' storage, TBRV- and RRV-containing seed of Capsella bursa-pastoris and Stellaria media germinated to give infected seedlings. In controlled crossing experiments with strawberry and raspberry, virus was transmitted to seed from both male and female parents but, at least in raspberry, the presence of competing virus-free pollen much decreased the ability of pollen from infected plants to set seed. There was no evidence that healthy mother plants became infected when their flowers were pollinated with infected pollen.
Desempenho de três grupos genéticos de frangos de corte alimentados com rações contendo diferentes teores de proteína

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the performance of three genetic groups of broiler chicks, obtained at UFV, called UFV1, UFV2 and UFV3, fed diets with different crude protein (CP) levels. Two hundred and forty chicks of each genetic group, totaling 720 chicks, were allotted to 48 floor pens up to 42 days of age. At the initial phase (1 to 21 days), all chicks were fed an unique diet. At the final phase (22 to 42 days), the chicks were fed isocaloric diets (3.100 kcal ME/kg) with different CP levels (16.5, 18.0, 19.5, and 21.0%). The studied traits were: feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and feed:gain ratio (FG) in the periods from 1 to 21, 22 to 42 and 1 to 42 days. The experiment design at the initial phase was a completely randomized design, with three genetic groups and sixteen replicates, and for the final phase, a 3x4 factorial arrangement (genetic group and protein level) with four replicates. There were differences among genetic groups for FI and WG. The UFV1 group showed the best results. The feed:gain ratio did not differ among the groups. The increase in the protein levels affected the broiler chicks performance. A positive linear effect of CP levels on WG and FG was observed. Protein levels did not influenced FI. No interaction was observed between genetic group and protein level.
Gynoecium diversity and systematics of the Magnoliales and winteroids

Abstract Carpel and ovule structure was compared in representatives of all 11 families of the Magnoliales (Annonaceae, Canellaceae, Degeneriaceae, Eupomatiaceae, Himantandraceae, Magnoliaceae, Myristicaceae) and winteroids (Austrobaileyaceae, Illiciaceae, Schisandraceae, Winteraceae). Special attention was paid to features that are constant at family level. Bisexual flowers are always protogynous. In all representatives studied the carpels are closed at anthesis. Carpel closure is attained in three different ways: (1) postgenital fusion of inner surfaces (Degeneriaceae, Eupomatiaceae, Winteraceae), or (2) occlusion by secretion (Austrobaileyaceae, Schisandraceae), or (3) a combination of (1) and (2): in Annonaceae, Canellaceae, Myristicaceae there is a conspicuous secretory canal in the innermost part of the ventral slit; in Illiciaceae and Magnoliaceae there is a narrow canal in the innermost part of the ventral slit; and in Himantandraceae the ventral slit is postgenitally fused in the style but completely open in the ovary. In most families the carpels have a double stigmatic crest or they have two tips in the transversal symmetry plane (i.e. at right angles to the median plane). Stigmas are unicellular papillate in most families but the papillae are bi- to multicellular (uniseriate) in Degeneriaceae and Eupomatiaceae. An unusual cryptic extracarpellary compitum was found in Himantandraceae and Schisandraceae. Intrusive oil cells were found in the carpel epidermis of Illiciaceae and Schisandraceae. Mature ovules vary in length between 0.15 and 1.1 mm. The outer integument is fully annular (not semiannular) in Degeneriaceae, Himantandraceae, Canellaceae, Myristicaceae, and Illiciaceae. A rudimentary aril occurs in Canellaceae, and originates at the same site as in arillate Annonaceae and Myristicaceae. The results most strongly support an Annonaceae-Myristicaceae-Canellaceae alliance, to some degree also an Eupomatiaceae-Degeneriaceae-Himantandraceae-Magnoliaceae alliance, and an Illiciaceae-Schisandraceae-Winteraceae-Austrobaileyaceae alliance.
THE EFFECT OF INTRA-SPECIFIC COMPETITION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHENOPODIUM ALBUM L.

Summary. Plants of Chenopodium album L. were grown at a range of different densities in each of three years. The stem diameter, the number of main branches and the size and number of leaves decreased with increasing density as did weight and leaf area per plant. The dry-matter yield per unit area increased with density up to 576 plants/m2 in two of the three trial years. The proportion of the seed yield relative to the total yield was higher in the leas dense than in the dense stands, or was almost constant. Density did not affect the seed yield per unit area, but seed yield per plant fell as density increased. Maximum seed production was 41 900 per plant and the mean seed yield over the three years was 8300 seeds per plant. The percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium were highest when the plants were at an early stage of development. The proportions of these elements in the dry-matter yield decreased with increasing age of the plants. The density of the stand did not affect the percentages of elements but the total amounts per plot were greatest at the flowering stage and in the denser stands.
Pneumonia enzoótica em javalis (Sus scrofa)

The aim of this paper is to describe the clinical, epidemiological, pathological, bacteriological and immunohistochemical aspects of a pneumonia outbreak in a wild pig farm in the Distrito Federal, Brazil. Ninety wild pigs died in a period of five months, and 63 of these had pulmonary lesions. Clinically, the pigs presented reduced growth rate, anorexia, lethargy, cough and dyspnea, especially after they were moved. High body temperature (40oC in average) was verified in some animals. Auscultation revealed moderate pulmonary crepitation and stertors. Pulmonary gross lesions were typical of lobular bronchopneumonia. Lung lesions were characterized by ventral-cranial consolidation in the majority of the cases. The color of affected pulmonary areas varied from diffuse dark red to mosaic pattern (dark red lobule intercalate by grayish lobule) or diffusely grayish. The majority of the lungs had mucopurulent exsudate in the bronchial lumen that also drained from the parenchyma cut surface. Upon microscopy, the changes were characterized by purulent and histiocytic bronchopneumonia with necrotic foci. In some animals, there was BALT hyperplasia associated with perivascular and peribronchial plasma cells and lymphocytes infiltration in most of these cases. Bordetella bronchiseptica and Streptococcus spp. were the most frequently isolated bacteria. Immunohistochemistry evaluation demonstrated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on the luminal surface of bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells, and the DNA of bacteria was detected by PCR. This is the first report of bronchopneumonia in wild boars associated with M. hyopneumoniae infection.
To Love or to Pay

This paper develops a dynamic structural lifecycle model to study how heterogeneous health and medical spending shocks affect the savings behavior of the elderly. Individuals are allowed to respond to health shocks in two ways: They can directly pay for their health care expenses (self-insure) or they can rely on health insurance contracts. There are two possible insurance options, one through formal contracts and another through informal care provided by family. Formal contracts may be affected by asymmetric information problems whereas informal insurance depends on social ties (cohesion) and on bequeathable wealth. I estimate the model on SHARE data using simulated method of moments for four levels of wealth in a sample of single retired Europeans. Counterfactual experiments show that health, medical spending, and health insurance are indeed the main drivers of the slow wealth decumulation in old age. I also find that social cohesion rises with age, declines with wealth, and is higher in Mediterranean countries than in Central European and Scandinavian countries. Finally, high social cohesion appears typically associated with increased life expectancy.
Development of a monitoring trap for the olive fly, Dacus oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae), using a component of its sex pheromone as lure

A major component of the sex pheromone of Dacus oleae (Gmel.) has recently been identified as a spiroacetal. The use of this compound as a lure for use in the development of a monitoring trap for that species is described. Polyethylene vials gave a slower release rate of the spiroacetal than rubber septa or microfibres, but even in polyethylene vials a loading in excess of 10 mg was required (optimum 20 to 25 mg) to obtain catches in delta traps which were comparable with those in unbaited vertical yellow sticky traps. In studies in an olive grove near Granada, Spain, a 25-mg spiroacetal lure used with a vertical yellow trap gave catches of males of D. oleae which were four times as great as those in delta traps with the same lure or in unbaited yellow traps. The height of the trap had no apparent effect on catch. Previously recorded components of the sex pheromone did not prove to be effective when combined with the spiroacetal. Combined monitoring of Prays oleae (Bern.) and D. oleae , using their respective pheromones in the same trap, appears to be feasible with delta traps.
Seed bank formation during early secondary succession in a temperate deciduous forest

1 Seed banks are dynamic entities, with input occurring through dispersal and loss occurring through germination and various sources of mortality. Measures of abundance of seeds in the soil at one point in time cannot distinguish those seeds destined to germinate or die in the next growing season from those entering the long‐term seed bank, and cannot therefore reveal the proportion of seeds that are carried over from year to year.
Systematic revision of the genus Psithyristria Stål (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with seven new species and a molecular phylogeny of the genus and higher taxa

The cicada genus Psithyristria Stål (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), endemic to Luzon, the Philippines, is reviewed, and its higher taxonomic affiliations are determined using morphology and molecular phylogenetics. Seven new Psithyristria species, P. grandis, sp.n. , P. albiterminalis, sp.n. , P. incredibilis, sp.n. , P. paraspecularis, sp.n. , P. peculiaris, sp.n. , P. moderabilis, sp.n. and P. genesis, sp.n. , are described. A key to the 12 known species is provided. The molecular phylogenetic analyses of Psithyristria and putatively related taxa showed some unexpected generic relationships, leading to changes in higher taxonomic placement for a number of Asian cicada genera. Psithyristria falls within the tribe Cicadini Latreille, 1802, and the tribe Psithyristriini Distant, 1905 syn.n. is therefore synonymized with Cicadini. The subtribe Psithyristriina Distant, 1905 stat.n. is recognized within Cicadini and defined for the genera Psithyristria, transferred from Psithyristriini, and Basa Distant, Pomponia Stål and Semia Matsumura, transferred from Cicadina, synonymizing Pomponiina Kato, 1932syn.n. with Psithyristriina. The Cicadini subtribe Leptopsaltriina Moulton, 1923 is redefined to include the genera Terpnosia Distant, Euterpnosia Matsumura, Leptosemia Matsumura, Neocicada Kato, Puranoides Moulton, Leptopsaltria Stål, Tanna Distant, Purana Distant, Formosemia Matsumura, Maua Distant, Nabalua Moulton, Taiwanosemia Matsumura, Gudaba Distant and Calcagninus Distant, synonymizing Terpnosiina Kato, 1932syn.n. The tribe Cicadatrini Distant, 1905 is recognized and redefined to include the genera Cicadatra Kolenati, Psalmocharias Kirkaldy, Mogannia Amyot & Audinet‐Serville, Nipponosemia Kato and Emathia Stål, synonymizing Moganniini Distant, 1905 syn.n. The nine Psithyristria species included in the molecular analyses have an uncorrected mitochondrial genetic distance of 2–9%, and most species appear to be related through a single radiation event that occurred approximately 5–10 Ma. No phylogenetic structure was found in two unusually divergent characters, the forewing venation and the shape of the uncal lobes. Psithyristria is found in the northern Luzon mountains and is closely related to Semia of Taiwan and eastern China, Pomponia of east Asia and the Indonesian/Malaysian islands, and probably most closely to Basa of India. Psithyristria may be a cicadid example of a small number of Philippine organisms that trace their ancestry directly back to the temperate Asian mainland, rather than through the island chains to the south of the country.
Associations of zooplankton in six crater lakes in Arizona, Mexico and New Mexico

Zooplankton associations in six crater lakes have been compared by means of indices of similarity and diversity, and by k-dominance curves. The lakes covered a wide range of salinities and vegetational characteristics. The total number of species identified were: Protozoa, 34; Rotifera, 48; Gastrotricha, 7; Crustacea, 24; and Chaoborus larvae, 2; giving an overall total of 115. The numbers of zooplankton species in each lake varied from 68, in a richly vegetated fresh crater lake in Arizona, to one in a highly saline lake in New Mexico. Testate rhizopods and gastrotrichs were not found in the more saline lakes. A comparison of the rotifer associations with those of crater lakes in other parts of the world shows that there is a general tendency for a reduction in the total number of species when the conductivity rises above 400 μS cm−1 20°C, and when the conductivity reaches 10,000 μS cm−1 20°C the number of rotifer species is usually reduced to two. The two species found at high salinities show some variation in different parts of the world, but generally include species of Brachionus and Hexarthra. There is a general tendency for the number of rotifer species in a crater lake to increase with increasing vegetation, at least up to the stage where there is a dense, zoned vegetation, and before a complete mosaic of vegetation covers the lake.
Circumscription of species in the genus Sirodotia (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) based on molecular and morphological data

Species level taxonomy and phylogeographical distribution patterns in the freshwater rhodophyte Sirodotia are resolved through phylogenetic inferences based on rbcL and cox2–3 sequence data. Previous studies focused on the taxonomy of specific Sirodotia species or the distributions across a limited geographical region. Our molecular phylogenies included samples attributable to five recognized Sirodotia species and include collections from Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Canada, Finland, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. Both rbcL and cox2–3 phylogenies inferred S. suecica, S. tenuissima and S. goebelii as a monophyletic group with little sequence divergence. This result supports the synonymy of S. tenuissima and S. goebelii with S. suecica (the species name with priority). Within this clade, samples collected from Australia and New Zealand formed a monophyletic group with no other discernible phylogeographical patterns within S. suecica. This result seems to be somewhat unusual in the Batrachospermales, as other species have shown greater genetic variation among geographically distant locations. As in previous studies, S. huillensis and S. delicatula were inferred as a separate species based on the rbcL phylogeny, supporting the current taxonomy. A specimen of S. aff. huillensis from South Africa, may represent a new species but further research is necessary before it can be designated as such.
Evaluation of Self-Incompatibility Locus Diversity of Domestic Plum (Prunus Domestica L.) using DNA-Based S-Genotyping

There is limited information on genetics of self-incompatibility in domestic plum (P. domestica L.). In comparison with other Prunus species, there are no S-allele specific markers for the identification of compatibility groups, and thus, genetic diversity of self-compatibility genes is not clear. Six S-locus-specific markers previously used for other Prunus species were used to study genetics of self-compatibility of plums, and 33 domestic plum cultivars were genotyped. The applied primer pairs showed good transferability among Prunus species and showed high diversity in the tested plant material (14-37 alleles per marker, average observed heterozygocity - 0.953). Applification of the tested primer pairs allowed discrimination of all plum cultivars by unique S-genotypes. Based on the obtained results, primer pairs EM-PC2consFD/ EM-PC3cons RD, PasPcons-F1/ PaC1cons-R1 and F-Box50A/ F-Box intronR are suggested as supplementary markers for characterisation and identification of plum germplasm with potential functional relevance. Although the markers used did not strictly distinguish plum cultivars according to compatibility groups (selfcompatible, partly self-compatible and self-incompatible), group-unique amplification fragments were identified, which can serve as a baseline in further development of specific markers. Joprojām ir nepietiekama informācija par pašnesadcribas iedzimšanu mājas plūmēm (P. domestica L.). Salīdzinājumā ar citām Prunus sugām, tām nav izstrādāti ,9-alēlēm specifiski molekulārie marķieri, identificētas šķirņu saderības grupas, nav zināma pašnesaderibas lokusa daudzveidība. Tāpēc, izmantojot sešus citām Prunus sugām izstrādātos S-lokusam specifiskos molekulāros marķierus, tika veikta 33 mājas plūmju genotipēšana. Lietotie marķieri uzrādīja labu starpsugu pārnesi un nodrošināja augstu ģenētisko daudzveidību (konstatēti 14-37 amplifikācijas fragmenti, vidējā heterozigotāte - 0,953). Izmantotie molekulārie marķieri uzrādīja augstu izšķirtspēju un nodrošināja visu pētījumā iekļauto mājas plūmju šķirņu identifikāciju. Pamatojoties uz iegūtajiem rezultātiem, praimeru pāri EM-PC2consFD/ EM-PC3consRD, PasPcons-Fl/ PaClcons-Rl un F-Box50A/ F-Box intronR tiek rekomendēti kā papildus marķieri plūmju augu materiāla raksturošanai un identifikācijai. Lai gan pētījumā lietotie molekulārie marķieri nespēja grupēt plūmju šķirnes pēc to piederības pašsaderības gupām (pašsaderīgas, daļēji pašsaderīgas un pašnesaderīgas), tika identificēti katrai no šīm grupām unikāli amplifikācijas fragmenti, kas izmantojami turpmākajā darbā, izstrādājot saderības grupām specifiskos marķierus.
Coenzyme Q 10 Abrogates Flutamide-induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats

Aim: The efficacy and therapeutic benefit of flutamide (FLU) can be clinically limited by the occurrence of hepatotoxicity which may progress to liver failure. This study, therefore, evaluated the protective effect of coenzyme Q 10 (COQ 10) against FLU-induced liver toxicity in albino rats. Materials and Methods: Forty-five adult male albino rats of average weight 250 g were randomized into groups and treated intraperitoneally with COQ 10; 50 mg/kg + FLU 200 mg/kg, COQ 10; 100 mg/kg + FLU 200 mg/kg and COQ 10; 200 mg/kg + FLU 200 daily for 7 days. On the 8 th day, rats were sacrificed, serum samples were extracted from blood and liver was excised and evaluated for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin (TB), and conjugated bilirubin (CB). Liver was evaluated for oxidative stress markers and pathologic changes. Results: Serum and liver AST, ALT, ALP, AST, GGT, LDH, TB, and CB levels were significantly ( P < 0.001) increased in FLU-treated rats when compared to placebo control. Liver superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase were decreased, whereas malondialdehyde levels were increased significantly ( P < 0.001) in FLU-treated rats when compared to placebo control. The liver of FLU-treated rats showed hepatocyte necrosis. However, FLU-induced liver toxicity was significantly abrogated in a dose-dependent manner in COQ 10; 50 mg/kg ( P < 0.05), COQ 10; 100 mg/kg ( P < 0.01); and COQ 10; 200 mg/kg ( P < 0.001) pre-treated rats when compared to FLU-treated rats. Conclusion: This study showed that COQ 10 abrogates FLU-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats in a dose-dependent manner. It may have clinical application in hepatotoxicity associated with FLU.
Expression of basic genes involved in tea polyphenol synthesis in relation to accumulation of catechins and total tea polyphenols

Catechins, a group of polyphenolic compounds in the green leaf of tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze], are major components conferring quality attributes and health benefits on processed tea. Expression patterns of the basic genes related to accumulation of the catechins and total polyphenols at different stages of tea leaf development and their relationship with catechin concentration were investigated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and high-performance liquid chromatographic methods. The results showed that the concentration of total catechins and polyphenols in leaves at different stages of development declined with age of the leaf but changes of the individual catechins varied, with a general decrease in catechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate and increase in epigallocatechin and epicatechin gallate. Genes of phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL), dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) and three chalcone synthase genes (CHS1, CHS2, CHS3) were highly expressed in bud, first leaf and second leaf but were barely detected in mature leaves. The expression of DFR, a downstream gene in the catechin biosynthesis pathway, was closely related to the concentration of total catechins and polyphenols in various stages of leaf development.