Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zonación y estructura de la comunidad macrofaunística en playas de arena del Sur de Chile (Mehuín, Valdivia)

Summary Zonation and Structure of the Macrofaunistic Community in Sandy Beaches of Southern Chile (Mehuin, Valdivia) Two beaches of Mehuin (Valdivia) were studied with the purpose of finding out the zonation and structure of the macrofaunistic community in sandy beaches of Southern Chile. Some variability is present between the species composition of the two beaches studied. Notwithstanding, a general scheme for the zonation of the beaches at Mehuin is proposed. The upper level of the midlittoral zone is occupied by talitrid amphipods (O. tuberculata) and cirolanid isopods (E. braziliensis). The intermediate level by cirolanids (E. braziliensis, E. hirsuticauda and E. monodi), theinferior level by anomuran decapods (E. analoga), polychaetes (N. impressa) and bivalves (M. donacium) and the upper level of the infralittoral zone by idotheid isopods (C. paucidens, M. mehuinensis, M. setifer and M. aff. lilianae), haustorid amphipods (two species), anomuran decapods (L. chilensis and B. spinimana) and brachyur.
Sertum Florulae Fossilis Villae de Leiva

El estudio de la flora fosil de Villa de Leiva despierta gran interes paleobotanico y en la presente entrega se describen tres importantes estrobilos de Coniferas. A medida que avanzan las exploraciones y la pormenorizada identificacion de los ejemplares fosiles, se va esclareciendo, una vision cada vez mas diafana de la vegetacion en Colombia del Cretaceo Inferior y mas concretamente del Aptiano Superior. Con ello, es obvio, se avizora el paisaje vegetal y se amplia el conocimiento de las zonas continentales existentes en dicho periodo. Notoria diversidad de especies, a juzgar por los organos vegetales registrados: conos, ramulos, hojas, grandes bracteas, semillas y troncos, comprueba la lozania de los bosques cretaceos poblados por una dominancia de Gimnospermas, con caracteres tan patentes y lucidos que no hacen gravosa ni una aproximada ubicacion taxonomica, ni la reconstruccion de su posible habito y posicion real en el conjunto del paisaje.
Maize silage for the pasture-fed dairy cow 1. Effect of level of silage feeding, and responses to cottonseed meal while grazing perennial pastures in the spring

Dairy cows in early lactation were fed a maize-silage-based supplement at either 3 or 8 kg DM/cow.day, while grazing irrigated perennial pastures at 45 or 30 kg pasture DM/cow.day. The supplement consisted of maize silage, alone or with 16% DM replaced by cottonseed meal. A fifth group grazed at the higher pasture allocation with no supplements. Milk yield and composition, liveweight and body condition, and pasture intake were monitored over 10 weeks during late spring-early summer. Samples of pre- and post-grazed pasture, supplement, rumen fluid, and faeces were collected for chemical analyses. Supplemention increased total feed intake and milk yield of grazing cows, except at the higher level of silage without cottonseed meal. From data on nitrogen content of the grazed pasture and the supplement, together with rumen ammonia concentrations, it was concluded that low dietary protein levels limited milk yield in cows supplemented with 8 kg maize silage DM/day without the additional cottonseed meal. Liveweight and body condition score increases were greater in supplemented animals, while their rumen volatile fatty acid profiles suggested greater partitioning of nutrients towards lipogenesis in body tissue. Pasture was substituted at the rate of 0.67 kg DM for every kg maize silage DM consumed.
Evaluating the Role of Ethnicity on Gardening Purchases and Satisfaction

In Sept. 2004, an Internet study was conducted to evaluate and determine differences in gardening participation, purchases, and levels of satisfaction and regret by ethnic background. Consumers were asked to identify their participation in seven gardening activities and about the purchase of 12 gardening product categories. The sample was stratified by income and age. The number of differences in garden-related activity participation and purchases decreased as income level increased across ethnic groups. At every income level, persons of Caucasian descent had a higher satisfaction average score and factor score and higher regret mean score and factor score. This indicatedthatCaucasiansdidexperiencegreatersatisfactionandlessregretthanpersons of other ethnic backgrounds, regardless of income. For marketers, this shows a heterogeneous market at lower-income levels and a more homogeneous market at upper-income levels. Ethnicity could be used as a basis for market segmentation, and differences are indeed present. vegetable gardening (-7.7%), shrub care (-12.7%), insect control (-3.6%), tree care (-5.0%), landscaping (-1.2%), container gar- dening (-9.1%), raising transplants (-5.0%), and water gardening (-12.0%). Some of this decrease may be attributed to the use of maintenance services, such as mowing and fertilizing services for lawn care, or to increased knowledge in controlling and con-
Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae on rocky outcrops in the Agreste Mesoregion of the Paraíba State, Brazil

The present study consists of the floristics-taxonomic survey of Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae on rocky outcrops located at an Atlantic Forest-Caatinga transition area in Paraiba State, northeast of Brazil, in order to provide data for the implementation of the biota conservation’s policies, especially of the flora associated to rocky environments of Paraiba State, given that the taxonomic studies focusing on such families in this state are still incipient. During the study, ten species in six genera of Bromeliaceae and six species in five genera of Orchidaceae were recorded. The treatment includes keys for recognition of the species of families, morphological descriptions, illustrations, geographic distribution data, and comments on the phenology of the species.
Nutritive values of the drought tolerant food and fodder crop enset

Enset ( Ensete ventricosum ) is a drought tolerant crop, traditionally grown in Ethiopia. It has many usages: food, fodder, fibres and traditional medicine. Being perennial, enset improves local climate and soil conditions. It could contribute to improved food security in several drought-prone parts of the world. The aims of this study were to reveal the amino acids of enset corm, which can be cooked as a root crop, and to increase the general knowledge regarding chemical composition and energy values of different enset fractions. Water content was high, 85 to 90%, which is beneficial when used as fodder during dry periods. Enset corm contained 17 of 20 amino acids and had similar or higher concentration than potato of 12 of these. Leaves had 13% protein, among the highest available in Ethiopia, 20% crude fibre and 10% sugar; a good fodder and suitable for ensilage. The pseudostem, the main food source, was rich in soluble carbohydrates (80%) and starch (65%), but had low protein content (4%). An enset based diet should be supplemented with protein and complementary amino acids; for example from beans, which are suitable to intercrop with enset.
Effects of Food Intake and Composition on the Concentration of Glucose in the Blood of Lactating Cattle

A group of 16 cows, each suckling one calf, were fed on rations composed of maize meal, cottonseed meal, urea and rice straw in one of four different ratios and at two levels, (a) ad libitum and (b) in restricted amounts. The composition of the feed affected intake. Both the gross intake and the estimated intake of metabolizable energy were closely correlated with liveweight change. The intake of metabolizable energy was correlated with blood glucose in the cows fed ad libitum, but not in the cows fed on restricted amounts of the rations. It was concluded that feed quality significantly affected the blood glucose concentration of the lactating cows, but that within the ranges used in this experiment, feed intake and the intake of metabolizable energy had little effect.
Egg Quality Characteristics, Phenotypic Correlations and Prediction of Egg Weight in Three (Naked Neck, Frizzled Feather and Normal Feathered) Nigerian Local Chickens

2 Abstract: A study was conducted to determine egg quality characteristics, phenotypic correlations and prediction of egg weight from egg quality parameters in three varieties (naked neck, frizzled feather and normal feathered) of local chickens in Akwa Ibom State, Southeastern Nigeria. A total of 600 eggs (200 each of naked neck, frizzled feather and normal feathered varieties) were collected. External and internal defects were computed and expressed as percentage of total egg production and summed up to obtain the total defects score for each variety. Egg quality parameters were compared between varieties using Multivariate General Linear Model of SPSS version 17.0 for ANOVA. Means were tested using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Phenotypic correlations of egg quality parameters and prediction of egg weight using yolk weight, yolk width and albumen weight was done. Lowest total defects score (11.00%) was recorded for frizzled feather, 11.63% for naked neck and the highest (12.65%) for normal feathered. Egg weight differed significantly (p 0.05). Mean highest value of 82.49% for haugh unit by naked neck was significantly different (p<0.05) from 77.57% by normal feathered and 77.01% by frizzled feather. Naked neck had best egg quality characteristics, followed by normal feathered and lastly the frizzled feather. In the normal feathered variety, strong, positive and significant (p<0.01) correlations were observed between egg weight and yolk weight (0.773) and albumen weight (0.797); yolk weight and albumen weight (0.567); yolk index and yolk height (0.715); haugh unit and albumen height (0.954) and albumen index (0.863). In the naked neck, strong, positive and significant (p<0.01) correlations were observed between egg weight and yolk weight (0.611) and albumen weight (0.768); haugh unit and albumen height (0.934). In the frizzled feather, strong, positive and significant (p<0.01) correlations were observed between egg weight and yolk weight (0.567) and albumen weight (0.680); haugh unit and albumen height (0.883) and albumen index (0.856). These parameters would give rapid improvements if selected together in the respective varieties. Egg weight was predictable from albumen weight with sufficient Reliability (R) of 0.77. 0.77 and 0.68 for normal feathered, naked neck and frizzled feather varieties respectively. Although many egg quality characteristics have strong genetic basis, it is necessary to implement a total quality management programme to maintain consistently good quality throughout the egg production cycle.
The Role of Enolase in Tissue Invasion and Metastasis of Pathogens and Tumor Cells

Recent studies have revealed that a glycolytic enzyme, enolase (ENO), is involved in many different physiological and pathophysiological conditions. ENO can be detected in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and is localized in cytoplasm, cell surface and nucleus of various mammalian cells to possibly mediate distinct functions. The surface ENO acts as a plasminogen-binding receptor. Upon cleavage by plasminogen activator, plasminogen is converted to plasmin that can activate collagenase and degrade fibrin and several extracellular matrix proteins. These events are critical in the resolving of fibrous tissue and the invasion of cells through stroma. By concentrating plasminogen on the surface with ENO, cells are provided with a readily source of proteolytic enzymes to assist their penetration of extracellular matrix. Many pathogens, immune cells and tumor cells appear to adopt this strategy for tissue invasion, which may be essential in systemic infection of pathogens, tissue patrolling of immune cells, and metastasis of tumor cells. Surface ENO on Gram-positive bacteria is considered to be a virulence factor. A higher expression of one isoform of mammalian ENO, ENO1 (α-enolase), in tumors is associated with shorter progression-free and overall survival of cancer patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma. Since ENO is present on the surface of many invasive pathogens and tumor cells and plays an important role in tissue invasion and metastasis, ENO may serve as a diagnostic/prognostic factor or a target of therapy of certain infections and cancers.
Rainfall‐related population growth and adult sex ratio change in the Critically Endangered Raso lark (Alauda razae)

Active conservation has often been successful in reversing or arresting population declines of endangered species. However, examples of Critically Endangered species recovering in the absence of human intervention are extremely rare. We censused the Raso lark, a single‐island endemic of the Cape Verdes archipelago, annually from 2001 to 2010. Between 2004 and 2010, the world population grew from 65 to 470 individuals. This remarkable increase occurred without conservation intervention, but correlated strongly and positively with rainfall. Because of this population increase, the mean age of birds reduced and the population shifted from male skew, a consequence of higher male survival, towards one where the sexes were more equally represented. This study illustrates the dramatic effect that natural changes in climatic conditions may have on the recovery of endangered species. However, the current favourable situation may not persist, and we suggest a translocation to another Cape Verdean island be urgently considered. We conclude that temporal trends in the population dynamics of endangered populations need to be considered when planning and implementing species recovery plans.
Does Supplemental Feed Increase Selective Foraging in a Browsing Ungulate?

Abstract Provision of supplemental feed to large herbivores is a common management practice that may motivate selective foraging, thereby influencing plant community composition. Our objective was to assess the effect of a high-quality supplement on diet composition and nutritional quality for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We permanently released hand-reared deer into 4 81-ha enclosures; in 2 enclosures we provided a pelleted supplement. We conducted bite-count studies seasonally to assess diet composition and quality. Supplemented deer reduced mast (fruits and pods of woody plants and cacti) in their diets (P < 0.019) during spring and autumn compared to unsupplemented deer. Diets of deer in supplemented enclosures had 2 times greater proportion of browse during spring (P = 0.065) and 5 times greater proportion of forbs during autumn (P = 0.007). Quality of the forage portion of the diet did not vary by treatment during winter or summer. Metabolizable energy concentration was 13% greater (P = 0.054) in spring and digestible protein content was 3 times greater (P = 0.006) during autumn in diets of supplemented compared to unsupplemented deer. Our results support the selective foraging hypothesis during autumn but not during winter, spring, or summer. Furthermore, white-tailed deer did not reduce the proportion of their diet composed of browse, but did reduce consumption of mast. Supplemented deer continued to eat poor-quality, chemically defended forage, perhaps to alleviate ruminal acidosis induced by the supplement or because nutrients in the supplement increased the deer's ability to detoxify chemically defended browses. A decline in mast consumption by supplemented deer could influence plant communities, depending on the role of deer in seed dispersal and seed predation. Impacts of supplemental feed on selective foraging of white-tailed deer in shrub-dominated rangelands are more complex than suggested by previous research. Long-term studies of vegetation communities are needed before wildlife managers will be able to fully incorporate effects of supplemental feed into management decisions.
PATTERNS OF CHROMOSOMAL VARIATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN RODENTS

Abstract Mechanisms of chromosomal change, distribution patterns, extent of genotypic, phenotypic and ecological divergence, and nature and degree of reproductive isolation were reviewed in 10 chromosomally variable southern African rodent species and species complexes. Genetically similar peripatric or parapatric chromosome races freely interbreed (striped mice, Rhabdomys pumilio; vlei rats, Otomys irroratus), while genotypically or phenotypically divergent, sympatric sibling species (multimammate mice, Mastomys natalensis–M. coucha; tree rats, Thallomys paedulcus–T. nigricauda; red veld rats, Aethomys chrysophilus–A. ineptus) appear reproductively isolated, suggesting a correlation between genetic distance and onset of reproductive isolation. The allopatric gerbil species pair, Tatera brantsii–T. afra, shows little or no prezygotic reproductive isolation despite well-developed male-biased postzygotic isolation (i.e., Haldane effect) that may be associated with a rearrangement on the Y chromosome. Within the actively speciating vlei rat, Otomys irroratus, complex, despite widespread laboratory interbreeding between chromosome races, postzygotic isolation (virtual hybrid sterility) was demonstrated due to fixation of a tandem fusion rearrangement in the high-altitude (>1,400 m) A1 race. Both post- and prezygotic isolation have developed in the absence of significant measurable genotypic divergence at either the gene or the DNA level. Acquisition of reproductive isolation and incipient speciation in the vlei rat complex appears to be mediated by both chromosomal (postzygotic) and nonchromosomal (prezygotic) processes.
Senescence-induced changes in apoplastic and bulk tissue ammonia concentrations of ryegrass leaves.

• Apoplastic and bulk tissue concentrations of NH4 + and H+ were measured during senescence of intact (attached) and excised ryegrass (Lolium perenne) leaves differing in nitrogen and carbon status. The potential for NH3 emission from the senescing leaves was estimated on the basis of the ratio between [NH4 + ] and [H+ ], designated the Γ-value, in apoplastic solution and bulk tissue. • Attached leaves with visual symptoms of senescence showed two to three times higher [NH4 + ] and 0.5-1 unit lower pH in both apoplastic solution and bulk tissue extracts compared with green leaves. The Γ-values were, in all cases, low in attached leaves, ranging from 20 to 300 in the apoplastic solution and 500-900 in the bulk tissue. • In excised leaves with high nitrogen status and low C : N ratio (≈ 10), apoplastic [NH4 + ] increased from around 40 µm to 2 mm after senescence in darkness for 4-9 d. Bulk tissue water [NH4 + ] increased in the same period to > 30 mm. Apoplastic Γ-values were in all cases < 1000, while bulk tissue Γ-values increased dramatically and reached more than 60 000 in high-nitrogen leaves. • Ammonia compensation points predicted on the basis of apoplastic [NH4 + ] and pH in senescing leaves with high-nitrogen status reached 6-8 nmol mol-1 air. Consequently, senescing leaves may constitute a significant source of atmospheric NH3 .
Haematological health state indices of reproducing Great Tits: methodology and sources of natural variation

1. A cornerstone concept of ecological immunology is that immune function, interacting with various aspects of individual health state, plays a central role in the life-history trade-offs between conflicting demands of survival and reproduction. In order to develop this research, more knowledge about the applicability and usefulness of different health state assays is needed. 2. Eleven, mostly hemato-serological, health state indices are described and their suitability for sensing the condition of breeding Great Tits (Parus major L.) in terms of measurement precision, constancy in time, diurnal variation, and sex- and site-related differences, is examined. 3. Measurement errors for the plasma albumin content, residual body mass, heterophile/lymphocyte ratio and total plasma protein content were relatively small compared with the total variation, suggesting these indices to be most adequate for ecological research. Measurement precision was lowest for the heterophile count and ‘buffy coat’ layer height (relative amount of leucocytes in total blood volume). Buffy coat layer height correlated weakly (r=0·21) with total leucocyte count estimated from blood smears and therefore appeared inappropriate for estimation of the leucocyte number. 4. Body mass (residual in respect to size) and intensity of Haemoproteus blood parasite infection were the least variable state indices during the nestling period (for both, the correlation between the values measured on the 8th and 15th days of the nestling period=0·71). Haematocrit, heterophile count and albumin/globulin ratio showed no individual constancy across the nestling period, while other traits revealed moderate but statistically significant correlations between 8th- and 15th-day values. 5. Leucocyte (both lymphocyte and heterophile) counts were higher among females captured at night compared with those captured during the day. 6. Females had higher intensities of Haemoproteus infection, higher heterophile counts and higher heterophile/lymphocyte ratios than males. Contrary to published information, females had higher haematocrits than males. 7. Haematocrit values in both sexes, as well as total plasma protein and albumin concentrations in males, differed significantly between Great Tits breeding in urban habitat and rural woodlands, respectively.
Antioxidant effect of ginger to prevents lead-induced liver tissue apoptosis in rat.

Lead acetate is an example of heavy metals that for decades being known for its adverse effects on various body organs and systems such that their functions are compromised. In the present study, the ability of lead to adversely affect the liver tissue apoptosis was investigated. Ginger is source of antioxidants was administered orally to prevent the adverse effects of lead acetate. Thirty Wistar rats, randomised into 3 groups (n = 10), were used for this study. Animals in group (A) served as the control and were drinking distilled water. Animals in groups (B) and (C) were drinking 1% lead acetate. Group (C) animals were, in addition to drinking lead acetate, treated with 100 mg/kg/rat of ginger. All treatments were for 10 weeks. The obtained results showed that lead acetate caused a significant reduction in the liver weight, plasma superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, but a significant increase in plasma malondialdehyde concentration, using ginger cause to modified these harmful effects. These findings lead to the conclusion that ginger significantly decreased the adverse harmful effects of lead acetate exposure on the liver as well as lead acetate -induced oxidative stress. Key words: Apoptosis, ginger, lead acetate, liver, reactive oxygen species.