Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variation of vascular oxygen transport in the dark-eyed junco

Small birds wintering in temperate climates must increase rates of aerobic metabolism to meet thermoregulatory demands. Increased oxygen delivery to the tissues and/or increased oxygen unloading at the tissues may be involved in meeting this need. This study examines seasonal variation in vascular oxygen transport of Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) in western Oregon. Oxygen dissociation curves, hematocrits, and oxygen carrying capacities were determined in summerand winter-acclimatized juncos. Oxygen affinity did not vary seasonally, Pso values for summer and winter were 54.1 torr and 54.0 torr, respectively, at 4 1C and pH 7.5. Hematocrit values averaged 47.2 ? 3.3% in summer and 52.6 ? 2.0% in winter and were significantly different. Mean values for oxygen carrying capacity, 13.33 ? 1.21 vol % in summer and 14.48 ? 1.20 vol % in winter, also differed significantly. Apparently, increased oxygen demands in winter-acclimatized Dark-eyed Juncos are met, in part, by increased oxygen carrying capacity, but not by decreased oxygen affinity.
Cytological Study of Erianthus procerus and E. arundinaceus (Gramineae) in Thailand

Erianthus is a genus related to sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) and is considered to be useful as a genetic resource for sugarcane breeding because of its advantageous characteristics, such as its high biomass yield, robustness, drought tolerance, and disease resistance. In order to evaluate and classify Erianthus germplasms collected in Thailand, the chromosome numbers of 7 accessions of E. procerus and 13 accessions of E. arundinaceus were examined. All accessions of E. procerus have a chromosome number of 2n=40, while E. arundinaceus displays 2 cytotypes, 2n=40 and 2n=60. These observations suggest that various Erianthus genetic resources are present in Thailand.
An Evaluation of Low-Gossypol Cottonseed Meal in Diets for Broiler Chickens 2. Influence of Assigned Metabolizable Energy Values and Supplementation with Essential Amino Acids on Performance

Abstract A prepress solvent cottonseed meal, low in free gossypol, was incorporated into broiler diets at levels up to 30% and diets fed to 42 days of age. Residual gossypol levels were neutralized by supplementation with soluble iron. Modifications in metabolizable energy value assigned to cottonseed meal and amino acid supplementation to account for potential reduction in bioavailability were examined as a means of improving performance on diets containing cottonseed meal. Body weight and mortality were not significantly affected by incorporation of cottonseed meal into the diets. Feed intake was significantly increased and feed utilization significantly depressed by the addition of cottonseed meal. A reduction in assigned metabolizable energy from 2400 ME kcal/kg to 2100 ME kcal/kg was partially but not totally effective in improving feed utilization. The addition of supplemental amino acids to compensate for the reduction in bioavailability was effective in overcoming early problems in feed consumption and utilization but was ineffective over the entire 42-day feeding period.
Fungi associated with the beetles of Ips typographus on Norway spruce in southern Poland

The mycobiota of the beetles of the phloem-feeding spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus was studied. The most important group of fungi were the ophiostomatoid fungi. Among them O. penicillatum was very frequent ophiostomatoid species. Other common fungi were O. ainoae, O. bicolor, O. piceaperdum and O. piceae . The ophiostomatoid fungi were often more frequent in beetles collected in galleries than in the beetles caught With a trap. Generally the ophiostomatoid fungi were more ofien isolated from the beetle.s bathed in sterile water for 30 seconds. However C. polonica, O. ainoae , and O. minutum occurred most abundantly in the beetles disinfected in 96% ethyl alcohol for 15 and 30 seconds.
Reproduction, growth and development of a West African forest mouse, Praomys tullbergi (Thomas)

Praomys tullbergi est le rongeur le plus commun dans la for£t dense humide du sud du Nigeria. Les activites reproductrices des males et des femelies, le developpement morphologique et comportemental du jeune, le comportement parental et les interactions parentjeune sont otudils dans ce travail. Quatre stades de developpement sont reconnus. P. tullbergi est consideYo comme un reproducteur « opportuniste ». La reproduction et le developpement de plusieurs especes de Praomys sont brievement compares.
The Physiology of Plants Under Stress, Abiotic Factors

Introductory Comments. The Physiological Basis of Growth. Plant Membranes as Envionmental Sensors. Phytohormone and Plant Response to Stress. Stable Isotopes and Plant Stress Physiology. Plant Carbon Balance. Water Dynamics in Plants. Water Limitation. Flooding. Irradiance. High Temperature and Energy Balance. Temperature: Chilling and Freezing. Multiple Stress Interactions. Biotechnology and Envionmental Stress. Generalities, Trends, and Future Directions. Appendices. Index.
Variability in milk fatty acids: recreating a foraging trip to test dietary predictions in Antarctic fur seals

Using Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella (Peters, 1875)) in a feeding trial, we investigated the use of milk fatty acids to determine diet. In a regime designed to replicate an average foraging trip, six female seals were fed on four successive days meals of krill (Euphausia superba Dana, 1850; day 1), mixed krill and icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari Lonnberg, 1905; day 2), and icefish (days 3 and 4). Four milk samples were collected from each female, one every 12 h from the time of the last feed. Fatty acid profiles of samples were analysed using canonical discriminant analysis and classification trees. Milk fatty acids could be used to distinguish between seals fed the experimental diet, which was high in fish, and those feeding naturally, thought to be consuming mostly krill. However, there was significant variation between individual seals, which may have been the influence of feeding prior to the experiment. Milk fatty acids remained relatively unchanged over time, suggesting that the influen.
The determination of membrane transport parameters with the cell pressure probe: theory suggests that unstirred layers have significant impact

A simulation model was written to compute the time-kinetics of turgor pressure, P, change in Chara corallina during cell pressure probe experiments. The model allowed for the contribution of a membrane plus zero, one, or two unstirred layers of any desired thickness. The hypothesis that a cell with an unstirred layer is a composite membrane that will follow the same kind of kinetics with or without unstirred layers was tested. Typical 'osmotic pulse' experiments yield biphasic curves with minimum or maximum pressures, P min(max) , at time t min(max) and a solute exponential decay with halftime T 1/2 , These observed data were then used to compute composite membrane properties, namely the parameters L P = the hydraulic conductance, σ= reflection coefficient and P s = solute permeability using theoretical equations. Using the simulation model, it was possible to fit an experimental data set to the same values of P min(max) , t min(max) and T 1/2 incorporating different, likely values of unstirred layer thickness, where each thickness requires a unique set of plasmalemma membrane values of L p , or and P,. We conclude that it is not possible to compute plasmalemma membrane properties from cell pressure probe experiments without independent knowledge of the unstirred layer thickness.
Avaliação qualitativa da pastagem diferida de Brachiaria decumbens Stapf., sob pastejo, no período da seca, por intermédio de três métodos de amostragem

ABSTRACT - An experiment was conducted to evaluate the quality of the differed pasture of Brachiaria decumbens under grazingin the dry season. Samples were collected by the total harvesting (TH), hand-plucking sample (HPS) and Extrusa (EXT) collected usingfour Holstein-Zebu steers, with esophageal fistula. The samples were analysed for dry matter content (DM), crude protein (CP), etherextract (EE), mineral matter (MM), total (TC) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), neutral deter gentfiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap), acid detergent fiber (ADF), insoluble acid detergent fiber (iADF), lignin and in vitro drymatter digestibility (IVDMD). TH was superior (P<0,05) in DM, TC, NDf, NDFap, ADF, iADF and lignin contents. These observationsreflected the low IVDMD for TA. The EXT and HPS did not differ on CP, EE, NFC, NDF, NDFap, ADF, iADF, lignin and IVDMD.The CP content were 5.60 and 6.50 and the ones of NDF were 71.87 e 71.70, respectively to EXT and HPS. These results indicate t hatthe sample HPS, in comparasion with sample TH, would better represent those diet selected by grazing animals.Key Words: beef cattle, extrusa, hand-plucking sample, total harvesting
A revision of the Australian genera Austroaeschna Selys and Notoaeschna Tillyard (Odonata : Aeshnidae : Brachytroninae)

Austroaeschna Selys and Notoaeschna Tillyard are briefly redefined and the species of both genera are reviewed. A new genus, Spinaeschna, is erected, with the species previously known as Austroaeschna tripunctata (Martin) as type-species. Six new species, Austroaeschna muelleri, sp. nov., A. obscura, sp. nov., A. sigma, sp. nov., A. subapicalis, sp. nov., Notoaeschna geminata, sp. nov., and Spinaeschna watsoni, sp. nov., are described from imagines and larvae. It is established that Austroaeschna longissima (Martin) and Austroaeschna speciosa Sjostedt are junior synonyms of Austroaeschna uiitcornis (Martin), and that the correct name of A. unicornis sensu Martin (1909) and all later authors is A. pulchra Tillyard. A. speciosa is a northern subspecies of A. unicornis. The hitherto undescribed females of Austroaeschna flavomaculata Tillyard, A. multipunctata (Martin) and A. unicornis speciosa Sjostedt, as well as the previously unknown larvae of Austroaeschna atrata Martin, A. flavomaculata Tillyard, A. forcipata (Tillyard), A. multipunctata (Martin), A. unicornis speciosa Sjostedt, A. weiskei Forster) and Notoaeschna sagittata (Martin) are described and figured, and further details are given for other species. The infraspecific structure of some species is discussed briefly and illustrated. Lectotypes are designated for Austroaeschna aspersa Martin, A. atrata Martin, Dromaeschna weiskei Forster, Planaeschna longissima Martin, P. multipunctata Martin, P. sagittata Martin and P. tripunctata Martin. The adults and larvae of species of Austroaeschna are keyed, and those of Notoaeschna and Spinaeschna are compared.
The Effect of Local Labor Market Downturns on Postsecondary Enrollment and Program Choice

We examine how workers invest in human capital following unanticipated local labor market downturns. We find that, on average, two-year college enrollment increases by three students within three years for every one hundred workers laid off. This rise in enrollment accounts for half the observed increase in labor force nonparticipation following mass layoffs. Completions in career-technical programs also increase, especially in short-term certificates, but vary by field of study. We find the effect on completions is strongest in fields of study with larger earnings returns.
CLONING, EXPRESSION, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A HISTONE‐LIKE PROTEIN FROM THE MARINE DINOFLAGELLATE LINGULODINIUM POLYEDRUM (DINOPHYCEAE)1

Although nucleosomes and histones are lacking in dinoflagellate nuclei, small basic histone‐like proteins have been reported, but their function(s) is unknown. In this study we cloned and sequenced a gene for a histone‐like protein from the dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedrum (Stein) Dodge (HLp) (formerly Gonyaulax polyedra Stein) and investigated its post‐translational modification and DNA‐binding activities. HLp appears to be acetylated in L. polyedrum, and we identified several L. polyedrum proteins that possess histone acetyltransferase activity and may be responsible for this modification. HLp binds weakly to L. polyedrum DNA but to certain specific sequences with higher affinity, consistent with its having a regulatory function.
3D Somatic Karyotype Analyses in Carthamus tinctorius

Karyomorphological investigation have been carried out in ten different accessions of Carthamus tinctorius belonging to the tribe Cynareae (thistle), sub-family Tubifloreae of family Compositae. For concrete studies we explored the details of 3D karyotype using length and volume of the chromosomes and the chromosome complements, in addition to several other related parameters. The observations show variability pertaining to length and volume as well as morphology of chromosomes indicating the structural chromosome polymorphism. All the accessions possessed 2n=24 and symmetrical or slightly asymmetrical karyotype. The accessions belonging to the same species were showing intra-specific and inter-specific chromosome polymorphism.
229 EFFECTS OF NONYLPHENOL ON MOTILITY, ACROSOMAL INTEGRITY, AND MITOCHONDRAL MEMBRANE POTENTIAL OF EPIDIDYMAL RAT SPERM

Nonylphenol (NP), a derivative of an estrogenic environmental endocrine disrupter called alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEs), has been shown to have toxic, estrogenic, and carcinogenic effects on both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. NP is widely used in common cosmetic products and detergents. The primary objective these studies was to determine the effects of NP (dissolved in either ethanol or dimthyl sulfoxide (Me2SO)) on rat sperm viability characteristics such as motility, acrosomal integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential. The epididymal rat sperm were suspended (50 × 106 spermatozoa mL–1) in sodium bicarbonate-buffered Tyrode's lactate solution containing 3 mg mL–1 bovine serum albumin (BSA) after removal of the cauda epididymis of sexually mature Sprague Dawley male rats (n = 5). Aliquots of 0.5 mL sperm suspension were added into 5-mL test tubes containing 1, 10, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 µg NP mL–1. As negative controls, no NP–no solvent, no NP+ethanol, and no NP+Me2SO were used. All sperm treatments were incubated for 1, 2, 3, and 4 h at 37°C with 5% CO2 in air. Computer-aided sperm analysis system (Hamilton Thorne, Beverly, MA, USA) was used to determine sperm motility characteristics. An epifluorescent microscopy method was used to determine sperm acrosomal status after staining with 20 µg mL–1 Alexa Fluor-488-PNA (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR, USA) and a flow cytometric method was used to determine mitochondrial membrane potential after staining with 2 µg mL–1 JC-1 (Molecular Probes). The data were analyzed by ANOVA by using SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The results showed that, as compared to negative controls (no NP–no solvent, no NP+ethanol), exposure of rat sperm to 250, 500, or 1000 µg NP mL–1 was highly detrimental to their motility (P 0.05). Nonylphenol induced dose-dependent acrosomal reaction in rat sperm (P 0.05). In conclusion, these data obtained from epididymal rat sperm provide important information about the mechanism of detrimental effects of NP on mammalian sperm, which must be seriously considered in the case of short- or long-term exposure to NP in humans as well as livestock species.
Local distribution, habitat, and numbers of the endemic terrestrial frog Leiopelma hamiltoni on Maud Island, New Zealand

Abstract Systematic surveys in the 16 ha forest habitat of the Maud Island frog Leiopelma hamiltoni show that frogs are not uniformly distributed throughout the forest. They live at higher densities in the lower section of forest where the forest canopy is higher and rocks more abundant. Other habitat variables have less effect on frog distribution. The minimum population estimate, based on frogs seen out at night on two surveys, is c. 6500, though the actual number present in the forest remnant is estimated to be c. 19 000.
The effect of amodiaquine on some brain macromolecules of Wistar rats

Amodiaquine (AQ) is a 4-aminoquinoline antimalarial with schizonticidal action against different strains of Plasmodia. This study assessed the effect of the drug on some macromolecules of the brain of albino Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult Wistar rats weighing between 150-180 g were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group 1 served as the control and received distilled water, while groups 2, 3 and 4, the experimental groups, were treated with 17.50 mg/kg, 8.75 mg/kg and 8.75 mg/kg of AQ, respectively. The treatment lasted three days for groups 2 and 3, and six days for group 4. The brains of the animals were removed, weighed and preserved in sucrose tris-KCl-MgCl (STKM) buffer for some macromolecule analysis. The total proteins (TP) and triacylglycerol (TAG) showed no significant (p>0.05) differences between the experimental groups compared to the control, and there was no significant (p>0.05) difference within the experimental groups. In the cholesterol (CH) estimation, the control had significantly (p Keywords : Amodiaquine, Brain, Total protein, Triacylglycerol, Cholesterol, Wistar rats. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2008: pp. 434-438
Dormancy and germination of heteromorphic achenes of Bidens frondosa

Summary Bidens frondosa is an annual weed occurring on mudflats with heteromorphic achenes. Central achenes are brown and elongated, and peripheral achenes are black and thicker. To identify differences in dormancy between the two morphs, germination of dry-stored achenes, and achenes stratified for 2, 4 and 13 weeks at 5°C, were tested at 15, 25 and 20/10°C in light for two populations. None of the achenes germinated after dry storage or when stratified for 2 or 4 weeks. Significant differences in dormancy between the two morphs were obvious at 20/10°C and 25°C after 13 weeks of stratification. Periphery achenes were less dormant as they germinated to 75% (Furst-Puckler-Park population, FPP) and 65% (Spreewald population, SPR) at 25°C, while only 18% (SPR) and 45% (FPP) of the central achenes germinated. Germination was completed within 3 days. At 20/10°C, the germination rate of periphery achenes was higher than those of central achenes, but nearly all achenes of both morphs had germinated after 21 days. No germination occurred at 15°C. Central achenes are morphologically better-adapted for dispersal by animals. Their deeper dormancy and slower germination might be a strategy to reduce the risk of germination in new, unfavourable habitats. In contrast, less dormant and fast-germinating peripheral achenes with a lower dispersal capability remain near the mother plant and thus can replace it in the following spring.
Development, acceptability and nutritional evaluation of an indigenous food blend fermented with probiotic organisms

Purpose – Probiotic fermented foods are fast being recognized as health foods. Most of such developed foods are based on dairy products and much less work is available on cereals/legumes which constitute the staple diet in developing nations. In the present study an attempt has been made to develop a barley‐based probiotic fermented food mixture and report its acceptability and nutritional profile.Design/methodology/approach – Indigenously developed BCGT food mixture containing barley flour, milk coprecipitate, sprouted green gram paste and tomato pulp (2:1:1:1, w/w) was autoclaved (1.5kg/cm2, 15min., 121○C), cooled and fermented with 2 per cent liquid culture (containing 106 cells/ml broth). Two types of fermentations were carried out i.e. single culture fermentation [ L. casei, L. plantarum (37○C, 24hr.)] and sequential culture fermentation [S. boulardii (25○C, 24hr.)+L. casei (37○C, 24hr.); S. boulardii (25○C, 24hr.)+L. plantarum (37○C, 24hr.)]. The lyophilized and rehydrated food mixtures were subject.
Effects of stochastic herbivory events on population maintenance of an understorey palm species (Geonoma schottiana) in riparian tropical forest

Abstract: Plant populations can respond to temporal environmental heterogeneity caused by natural disturbances, such as herbivory. Palm individuals of several species are preyed upon by mammals, but the effects of such herbivory events on population dynamics remain poorly known. To evaluate the effects of environmental stochasticity on a Geonoma schottiana (Arecaceae) population, we surveyed annually 40 permanent 20 × 10-m plots in a riparian tropical forest over 5 y (2000–2004) and results were analysed using matrix models. The population growth rate (λ) was in equilibrium during the study period and only one bad year was identified (2002–2003), which had a higher mortality of juvenile individuals due to herbivory. Additionally, the bad year had a higher mortality of reproductive individuals than the other periods. The stasis matrix elements of the later life stages were the vital rates with highest elasticities. The mortality of juvenile and reproductive individuals had a negative contribution to λ in the bad year. Conversely, the growth of infant and juvenile individuals and the clonal growth of juveniles were the vital rates with highest contribution to stability maintenance of λ in the bad year in a life-table response experiment. The palm population had a high individual density, high proportion of the initial life stages, clonal growth, high fertility, abundant seed bank and high seedling recruitment. Despite these traits, if stochastic herbivory events occur frequently over a long period of time, the population will have a negative growth rate and the probability of local extinction will be very high.
Inactivation of polyphenol oxidase by high-pressure carbon dioxide

Purified Florida spiny lobster, brown shrimp, and potato polyphenol oxidases(PPOs) exhibited a time-related decline in activity following treatment at 43 o C with high-pressure CO 2 at 58 atm. Kinetic studies showed crustacean PPOs were more vulnerable than potato PPO to high-pressure CO 2 treatment. High-pressure-CO 2 -treated and nontreated PPOs varied with respect to electrophoretic protein patterns, isoelectric profiles, and secondary structures