Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Egg weight and reproduction traits in laying hens: estimation of direct and maternal genetic effects using Bayesian approach via Gibbs sampling.

Fertility, generally considered as a trait of the two parents, is perhaps best defined as the interaction between the male and female gametes in the production of a viable zygote. Although zygote development and hatchability are traits of the embryo influenced by maternal effects, in most previous studies they have been considered to be female reproductive traits. The aim of this work was to study the influence of sire on fertility and hatchability traits and to estimate the (co)variance components of direct and maternal genetic effects under a Bayesian setting via Gibbs sampling. We measured the fertility of 6396 eggs and the hatchability of 5393 embryos on an individual basis. In addition, egg weight from 42 to 63 weeks of age (EW63) was recorded on an individual egg basis. The sire accounted for a significant amount of the variation infertility and hatchability. For direct heritability, the marginal posterior mean, for fertility and hatchability were almost equal (0·24). The maternal heritabilities for fertility and hatchability were 0·20 and 0·18, respectively. The direct heritability value for the egg weight trait was high. The direct-direct genetic correlation between egg weight and hatchability was negative and significant. The genetic correlations between the direct effect of the egg weight trait and maternal effects for fertility and hatchability were low, with variable signs, and were not significant. On the other hand, significant negative genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects of fertility and hatchability were obtained (the posterior means were –0·56 for FE and –0·55 for HC).
Effects of different methods of non‐lethal tissue sampling on butterflies

1. We investigated the effects of two methods of non‐lethal tissue sampling on post‐release flight behaviour (short‐term response) and survival (long‐term response) of two butterflies, Pieris rapae and Coenonympha tullia, within the same natural habitat. We applied three treatments: control (no tissue removal), wing clipping, and leg removal. Our study is the first to directly compare the effects of these common sampling methods.
Developmental studies in orchid flowers II: Orchidoid species

The floral development of 11 species of Orchidoideae (sensu Rasmussen 1985) was studied by means of SEM, paying special attention to the early development of the gynostemium and its appendages. In contrast to the staminodes found in epidendroid and vandoid orchids, the ‘auricles’ of the tribe Orchideae are developed on the dorsal side of the fertile anther and therefore are not interpreted as staminodes. Presumed vestiges of the staminodes corresponding to those of the Epidendroideae and Vandoideae are differentiated in early developmental stages, but remain inconspicuous structures later on. The three-lobed rostellum originates entirely from the median carpel. The outstanding systematic position of the tribe Orchideae is briefly discussed.
Control of HIV-1C Replication Both in Vivo and in Vitro

In this study, we established an HIV latency model using pluripotent stem cells in vitro. We found that a HIV accessory protein nef is responsible for full-length HIV silencing in human pluripotent stem cells. This effect is mediated by host factors NMT1, NMT2, Hck, PAK2, ACOT8. We further suggested that deprivation of host factors can only partially reactivate the virus. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on Botswana treatment-naive AIDS patients infected by HIV-1C. By applying a statistical method using functional principal component analysis to approximate the underlying trajectories of longitudinal CD4 and VL, we showed three SNPs mapped to genes of HCG22, ZBTB7C and CCNG1 are significantly associated with AIDS disease progression. Our study provided insight in HIV latency mechanisms in vitro and also suggested new mechanisms of host controlling viral replication in African genetic backgrounds. Our result is important for both understanding the pathogenesis of HIV as well as treatment prioritization for AIDS intervention.
he effect of whole‐lake fish community manipulations on Daphnia migratory behavior

A four-summer study of vertical migration by Daphnia was conducted in two neighboring lakes during a two-stage fish community manipulation. This manipulation produced discrete periods of low and high planktivory by fish. The migration pattern was variable and weak during the low predation stage, but became consistent and intense within weeks of the change to high levels of predation, confirming the pre-eminence of predation avoidance among several extant hypotheses.
Die Wirkung von Rohextrakten aus den Meliaceen Azadirachta indica und Melia azederach auf verschiedene Insektenarten1

The effect of crude extracts of the MeliaceaeAzadirachta indica and Melia azederachon various insects. Crude extracts of leaves of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) and the Persian lilac (Melia azederach L.) were tested against larvae of the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis Mulsant), diamondback moth (Plutella maculipennis L.), and beet leaf bug (Piesma quadratum Fieb.) by foliar and/or topical application. The extracts caused inhibition of development as well as morphological effects. Some antifeedant activity was observed in tests with the diamondback moth. Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Wirkung von Rohextrakten aus Blattern des Neem-Baumes (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) und des Persischen Flieders (Melia azederach L.) auf Larvenstadien des Mexikanischen Bohnenkafers (Epilachna varivestis Mulsant), der Kohlschabe (Plutella ma-culipennis L.) und der Rubenblattwanze (Piesma quadratum Fieb.) untersucht. Die Larven wurden mit behandelten Wirtspflanzenblattern zwei Tage lang gefuttert, oder die Extrakte wurden topikal appliziert. Es traten sowohl starke Entwicklungshemmung als auch mor-phologische Schaden auf. In den Versuchen mit P. maculipennis wurde eine frasabschrek-kende Wirkung beobachtet.
The Occurrence and Phylogenetics of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism in the Portulacaceae

The plant family Portulacaceae is a relatively small family (∼19 genera and ∼425 species) with a widespread distribution. Species of the Portulacaceae range in size from small herbaceous plants to shrubs that measure up to 4 m in height. Most members of the family have leaves that range from fleshy to fully succulent and live in very diverse habitats ranging from shady understory plants to plants exposed to full sunlight. The Portulacaceae have members that utilize different photosynthetic pathways ranging from C3 to C4 to Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) to CAM‐cycling plants. We are interested in the prevalence of the CAM photosynthetic pathway in this family. We studied the nocturnal CO2 uptake, diurnal acid fluctuation, and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase activity of different members of the Portulacaceae. Our results indicate the highest levels of CAM activity in the genera of Anacampseros, Portulacaria, Ceraria, and Talinopsis. Intermediate in their CAM activity were the genera Talinum, Portulaca, and Calandrinia. Low levels of CAM activity were found in the genera Lewisia, Calyptridium, and Montia. This is the initial report of Talinopsis being a facultative CAM species and the first report of the occurrence of CAM cycling for the genera of Calyptridium, Lewisia, and Montia. These results indicate that physiological and anatomical attributes of the CAM pathway are more widespread in the Portulacaceae than was previously thought. The phylogenetic and physiological data in the Portulacaceae indicate a scheme for the evolution of CAM, possibly starting with changes in leaf anatomy, then progressing to increased enzyme activity with increased acid fluctuations, and finally ending with the development of the full CAM pathway.
Feeding, defaecation and absorption efficiency in the Cape rock lobster jasus lalandii

In order to estimate the absorption rate of carbon by the palinurid lobster Jasus lalandii, the net quantity of ingested carbon and gross carbon content of faeces must be known. Experimental animals were selected for consistent feeding and subsequently starved for 72 h. Ingested carbon was established by determining the carbon content of the prey mussel Choromytilus meridionalis under controlled aquarium conditions through five eating/defaecating cycles. The losses of particulate and dissolved organic carbon due to messy feeding were measured and amounted to 20,1 per cent of the food presented. Of the net carbon ingested, 20,5 per cent was voided as faeces, thereby giving a mean absorption efficiency of 79,5 per cent (n = 15, SD = 4,6%). J. lalandii, as a top carnivore in the inshore Benguela ecosystem, is therefore highly efficient in the utilization of ingested carbon. In animals of commercial size (≥ 89 mm carapace length), small variations in absorption efficiencies exhibited were neither dependent on.
Vibratory signals of the harlequin bug and their transmission through plants

Abstract. Males of the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn), produce five different vibrational songs, whereas females produce one song. Songs differ from those of other stink bugs primarily in their species‐specific temporal characteristics. The broad band male courtship songs of M. histrionica are achieved by a combination of different frequency modulated and/or narrow band subunits, with several higher harmonic frequencies. Males rather than females initiate substrate‐borne vibrational communication, and the longer‐range calling songs found typically in other pentatomid species are lacking. Interindividual differences in song temporal and spectral characteristics are discussed. Transmission of vibrational songs through a cabbage head is more efficient along veins than along lamina. Attenuation of signals transmitted through veins is low and similar to that reported previously for plant stalks. On the leaf vein, distances between peak amplitude minima and maxima are different for the dominant and subdominant frequencies. At any distance from the vibration source, a different relationship between spectral peak amplitudes can be recorded. Resolution of these differences, together with velocity differences between signals recorded on the vein and lamina, may help small stink bugs to estimate distance and to locate each other on a plant.
Effects of Biofloc Promotion on Water Quality, Growth, Biomass Yield and Heterotrophic Community in Litopenaeus Vannamei (Boone, 1931) Experimental Intensive Culture

Six 1.2-m3 tanks were stocked with an initial biomass of 500 g m-3 of Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles (individual weight: 1.0±0.3 g), to evaluate the effect of biofloc promotion on water quality and on shrimp growth and production, and to identify the dominant taxa in the heterotrophic communities present in experimental closed cultures. Feeding was ad libitum twice daily with 35% protein shrimp feed. Three tanks were managed as biofloc technology (BFT) systems, adding daily an amount of cornmeal equivalent to 50% of the shrimp feed supplied. The remaining three received only shrimp feed and served as controls. Experiment lasted 21 days. The mean concentrations of P-PO43- and inorganic dissolved N species (TAN, N-NO2-, N-NO3-) were significantly lower (P<0.5) in BFT than in the control. The individual final weight, increase in biomass, food, and protein conversion rates were significantly better in BFT than in the control (P<0.05). The mean N content of the shrimp biomass gained in the BFT cultures was equivalent to 45.7% of the protein-N added as feed, and was significantly higher than the 34.7% recycled into shrimp biomass in the control cultures. Bacterial concentrations were not significantly different. Vibrionaceae dominated in both systems; in both some isolates were potential pathogens, and diversity was higher in the control than in the BFT treatment. The advantages of BFT technology are confirmed by the significantly lower TAN and N-NO2- concentrations, as well as by the better shrimp performance in terms of growth, biomass yield, and food and protein conversion efficiency.
Bioclimatic assessment of the geographic and climatic limits to hybridisation in a sexually deceptive orchid system

Australia is a major centre of diversity for pollination by sexual deception, a pollination syndrome unique to orchids and characterised by highly specific pollinator relationships. Chiloglottis × pescottiana is a rare natural hybrid between sexually deceptive C. trapeziformis and C. valida. We utilised bioclimatic models to predict the potential range of the parental orchid species, the hybrid and their pollinators. The predicted ranges of the parental orchid species rarely overlapped (only 2% of the core range), with the geographic separation of the species reflecting the occupation of largely distinct climatic niches and limiting opportunities for hybridisation. Comparison of the predictions with independent distributions of the orchid taxa revealed a close match. Unexpectedly, our results revealed that several related and morphologically similar orchid species are, nevertheless, ecologically distinct from C. valida. Our study demonstrates that bioclimatic modelling provides an additional tool for exploring a range of ecological and evolutionary questions.
The role ofthe transcription factor GATA-6 in mouse embryonic development

textabstractDifferent members of the GAT A family of transcription factors have been studied extensively in our lab. The role of GAT A-I in the differentiation of erythroid blood cells and of GATA-3 during T-lymphocyte development are two typical examples. GATA-6 is the most recently characterized member of the family. Based on its expression pattern during mouse embryonic developmentfor a role for GATA-6 in cardiogenesis had been speculated. To investigate what role GATA-6 may play during embryogenesis we used targeted inactivation of the gene in Embryonic Stem (ES) cells (chapter 2). Unexpectedly, homozygote mutant embryos die just after implantation at embryonic day 5.5. Generation of chimeric embryos in which the GATA-6 mutant cell population was confmed in either the embryo or to the extraembryonic tissues revealed that the primary defect in GATA-6 null embryos lies in an extraembryonic cell lineage. Further in vivo and in vitro analysis of the mutant embryos suggested that the affected lineage is the visceral yolk sac endoderm, a derivative of the primitive endoderm. Cardiogenesis could not be directly studied since mutant embryos die well before heart development starts (embryonic day 8.5). However, in chimeric embryos, GATA-6 -/- ES cells give rise to cardiomyocytes in apparently normal hearts, possibly due to redundant functions with the coexpressed GATA-4 and -5. In contrast, GATA-6 is the only member of the family that is expressed in the lung endoderm. Following on a published observation showing no contribution of GATA-6 null ES cells to the lung epithelium, we decided to generate more highly chimeric embryos to analyze the development of the lung, which is a derivative of another endoderm lineage, the definitive endoderm (chapter 3). Surprisingly, we found that lung endoderm can be formed from GATA-6 mutant cells. However, this mutant endoderm has subsequent morphogenetic and differentiation defects. The importance of GATA-6 protein levels during lung development was confirmed by a different approach. The gene was overexpressed in transgenic mice with a pulmonary epithelium specific promoter (chapter 4). High levels of the protein resulted in branching defects and more interestingly in a block oflung endoderm differentiation to distal alveolar epithelium.
Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the sharpshooter genus Balacha Melichar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini)

Abstract. Balacha currently includes six valid described species and B. caparao sp. nov., here described from Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The new taxon differs from other Balacha species in the ventrally inflated preapical aedeagal area and oblique bases of the ovipositor first valvulae. New records are as follows: B. decorata from Paraguay and Minas Gerais State (Brazil); B. distincta from Brazil; B. melanocephala from Montevideo Department (Uruguay) and Buenos Aires and Distrito Federal provinces (Argentina); and B. similis from Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states (Brazil). Colombia is considered a dubious record for the genus. Phylogenetic relationships among Balacha species are examined based on a matrix of eighteen terminal taxa and sixty‐seven morphological characters. Balacha may be defined by the following synapomorphies: crown–frons transition approximately acute, crown anteriorly produced and with anterior margin subangulate, flattened pronotum continuing contour of head and mesonotum in lateral view, and teeth of second valvulae of ovipositor with anterior dorsal projection. The genus comprises two major lineages: the red Balacha clade (B. lepida(B. distincta + B. rubripennis)), and the black Balacha clade (B. caparao(B. decorata(B. melanocephala + B. similis))). Despite the scarcity of data on host plant usage of outgroup taxa (probably generalists on Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, and Asteraceae), we believe that the shift to feeding on Eryngium(Apiaceae) occurred in the ancestor of all recent Balacha species. Their small size and depressed body appear to be adaptations to living inside the rosette‐disposed leaves, and they seem to be restriced to this microhabitat. Balacha and their Eryngium hosts occur in grasslands in temperate South America, but at lower latitudes in Brazil they are isolated in alpine meadows on peaks of the southeast highlands. Dispersal between such areas through the lowland humid Atlantic forest in recent times would be difficult, thus the ancestor of Balacha was probably distributed in southeast South America before the uplift of the mountain ranges, during the late Eocene or Oligocene. This event may have triggered speciation of some lineages of the genus by vicariance.
The anatomy of the basal ornithischian dinosaur Eocursor parvus from the lower Elliot Formation (Late Triassic) of South Africa

Ornithischia is a morphologically and taxonomically diverse clade of dinosaurs that originated during the Late Triassic and were the dominant large-bodied herbivores in many Cretaceous ecosystems. The early evolution of ornithischian dinosaurs is poorly understood, as a result in part of a paucity of fossil specimens, particularly during the Triassic. The most complete Triassic ornithischian dinosaur yet discovered is Eocursor parvus from the lower Elliot Formation (Late Triassic: Norian–Rhaetian) of Free State, South Africa, represented by a partial skull and relatively complete postcranial skeleton. Here, the anatomy of Eocursor is described in detail for the first time, and detailed comparisons are provided to other basal ornithischian taxa. Eocursor is a small-bodied taxon (approximately 1 m in length) that possesses a plesiomorphic dentition consisting of unworn leaf-shaped crowns, a proportionally large manus with similarities to heterodontosaurids, a pelvis that contains an intriguing mix of plesiomorphic and derived character states, and elongate distal hindlimbs suggesting well-developed cursorial ability. The ontogenetic status of the holotype material is uncertain. Eocursor may represent the sister taxon to Genasauria, the clade that includes most of ornithischian diversity, although this phylogenetic position is partially dependent upon the uncertain phylogenetic position of the enigmatic and controversial clade Heterodontosauridae. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 160, 648–684.
Induction of Heat Shock Protein 47 Synthesis by TGF-β and IL-1β Via Enhancement of the Heat Shock Element Binding Activity of Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1

With most immunological reactions, tissue fibrosis, collagen overproduction caused by immune cytokines, is inevitably associated. Among the various immune cytokines, heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is a procollagen-specific molecular chaperon and is essential for secretion of procollagen from cells. Induction of HSP47 by TGF-β has been previously reported in rat skeletal myoblasts and mouse osteoblasts, but not in human diploid fibroblasts. As for IL-1β, its effect on HSP47 has not been elucidated. In the present study, using human embryonic lung fibroblast cells, we first disclosed that both TGF-β and IL-1β induced HSP47 synthesis. We then revealed that the binding of the heat shock element (HSE) by heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) was enhanced by both cytokines. We further demonstrated that trimer formation of HSF1, which is essential for its binding to HSE, was induced by these cytokines. The enhancement of HSP47 synthesis and their trimer formation of HSF1 were augmented by using a combination of both cytokines. Collectively, TGF- β and IL-1β were found to induce trimer formation of HSF1 which in turn bound to HSE of HSP47, resulting in the enhancement of HSP47 expression. Thus, HSP47 could well be a good candidate for molecular targeting in controlling tissue fibrosis, given that both principal fibrinogenetic cytokines (TGF-β, IL-1β) are commonly involved in its induction through HSF1 trimerization.
Circadian rhythm of foot temperature assessed using infrared thermography in sheep.

Abstr ACt : The circadian rhythm of body core and surface temperature in 10 Comisana sheep kept under a natural photoperiod (06:30/19:00) was evaluated. Every 3 h for 24 consecutive hours rectal temperature (RT) and foot temperature were recorded. Particularly, foot temperature was recorded by infrared thermog - raphy, an ideal technique for evaluating the temperature not only at one point but also at the eight points as follows: in the right front of the interdigital area (FA1), in the left front of the interdigital area (FA2), in the right rear of the interdigital area (RA1), in the left rear of the interdigital area (RA2), in the right front of the interdigital line (FL1), in the left front of the interdigital line (FL2), in the right rear of the interdigital line (RL1) and in the left rear of the interdigital line (RL2). Two-way repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS, followed by Scheffe's test, showed a significant effect of the time of day and side of temperature collection (P < 0.05) on temperature values. The single cosinor procedure showed a daily rhythmicity of RT and foot temperature in all tested sides. The circadian oscillations of RT reflected the familiar circadian patterns of endogenous sources and the results of foot temperatures supported the idea that the daily rhythm was, at least in part, influenced by variation in the blood flow to the extremities. The infrared thermography pro - viding more information on the development of disturbances in the peripheral circulation may be used with an advantage in occupational health examinations and in special clinical work.
Signal discrimination by female Iberian midwife toads (Alytes cisternasii)

Coevolution between signaller and receiver is critical in signal evolution. Midwife toads produce simple calls that are similar among species. I conducted phonotaxis experiments with female midwife toads to study their tolerance to alteration of conspecific advertisement calls. Large alterations in amplitude and frequency modulation rendered the typical call unattractive while smaller alterations in both amplitude and frequency modulation did not influence call attractiveness. Frequency modulations appear to be weighted more heavily in discrimination tests. The evolutionary significance of female tolerance is discussed.