Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of protein composition of bovine milk

This thesis is part of the Dutch Milk Genomics Initiative, and the general aim was to obtain more insight into the genetic background of bovine milk protein composition. Morning milk samples from roughly 2000 cows were analyzed for the six major milk proteins (αS1-casein, αS2-casein, β-casein, κ-casein, α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin) using capillary zone electrophoresis. The estimated genetic parameters for milk protein composition showed that there was considerable genetic variation for milk protein composition and that the genetic correlations among the six major milk proteins were low. There was a strong negative genetic correlation between β-lactoglobulin and total casein in milk. The presence of genetic variation justified the performance of in-depth genetic analyses such as linkage and association mapping. A linkage study was performed to screen the whole bovine genome to identify chromosomal regions affecting milk protein composition. This study resulted in ten chromosomal regions, of which regions on BTA6, 11 and 14 showed the largest effect on milk protein composition. The confidence intervals of these regions were large, in general. Therefore, an association study was performed to narrow down these chromosomal regions and to detect new chromosomal regions affecting milk protein composition. The association study resulted in four main regions on BTA5, 6, 11 and 14, and also new regions were detected. These new regions may, in addition to the four main regions, play a role in the genetic regulation of milk protein synthesis. The milk protein composition is important for technological properties of milk. An increase in casein index is preferable for the cheese production. Therefore, four scenario’s, to increase casein index in milk, were discussed. The first scenario has been termed genetic differentiation, the second scenario was genetic selection based on estimated breeding values, the third scenario was genetic selection based on genotypes, and the last scenario was genomic selection. These four scenarios illustrated that there are opportunities to utilize genetic variation in milk protein composition.
Mineral content in some Cameroonian household foods eaten in Douala

Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies associated to emerging chronically diseases are serious public health in Cameroon. The main roots are poverty, and poor knowledge on food composition based on optimal uses of available foods to maintain nutrition security. Sixteen recipes more frequently consumed selected after nutritional survey were cooked in triplicate and their minerals (Ca, Mg, K, P, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) content were analysed. Dry weights varied from 11.07 ± 2.58 to 27.87 ± 4.29% fresh matter. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium contents expressed in mg/100 g ranged from 32 ± 0.1 to 878.33 ± 128.77, 48.67 ± 3.5 to 616.33 ± 150.0, 22 ± 3 to 142 ± 5, and 197 ± 34 to 1346.33 ±137.41, respectively. Their zinc, copper, manganese and iron contents were between 0.49 ± 0.06 and 12.08 ± 0.83 mg/100 g, 0.12 ± 0.001 and 0.33 ± 0.02 mg/100 g, 0.05 ± 0.001 and 0.80 ± 0.001, and 1.42 ± 0.55 and 6.61 ± 2.25 mg/100 g, respectively. The recipes could adequately contribute to dietary minerals intake in most of the recipes. However majority these dishes based on cereals, tubers and legumes but poor in animal products can lead to micronutrient because of the presence of antinutritional factors that reduce minerals bioavailability.
Disappearance of bovine fetuses in northwestern Wyoming

Abstract Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of cattle that has become established in elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and bison (Bos bison) of the Greater Yellowstone Area. It causes pregnant elk and bison to abort, and the aborted fetus has the potential to transmit the pathogen to disease-free domestic cattle. We examined how long healthy bovine fetuses, as surrogates for aborted bison or elk fetuses, remained in the environment and could be available for contact by elk, bison, and cattle. Disease-free bovine fetuses were placed on Wyoming's National Elk Refuge, state of Wyoming elk feedgrounds, and Grand Teton National Park to simulate aborted elk or bison fetuses. We monitored the fetuses until they disappeared due to scavenging. Fetuses disappeared on average in 26.8 hours (SD=25.3 hours) from the National Elk Refuge, 40.7 hours (SD=31.1 hours) at state elk feed-grounds, and 57.5 hours (SD=48.0 hours) at Grand Teton National Park. Ninety percent of fetuses can be expected to disappear from the National Elk Refuge within 69.5 hours (2.9 days), from state elk feedgrounds within 68.5 hours (2.9 days), and from Grand Teton National Park within 142 hours (5.9 days). The dominant scavengers at all locations were coyotes (Canis latrans), but ravens (Corvus corax), magpies (Pica pica), bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), black bears (Ursus americanus), grizzly bears (U. arctos), and probably elk and bison also participated in scavenging.
Variable-retention harvesting in Tasmania: regeneration success?

Summary Society’s changing expectations for forest management and an improved understanding of wet-forest ecology have led to the adoption of variable-retention silviculture in Tasmania’s old-growth wet eucalypt forests. Aggregated retention (ARN) retains patches of forest after harvesting to help maintain biodiversity and ecosystem function at the site level, but these ecological goals must be balanced against silvicultural considerations such as achieving successful regeneration. We sampled 38 ARN coupes that were harvested and regenerated from 2007 to 2010 and 31 paired clear-fell, burn and sow (CBS) coupes. Despite more complex boundary shapes and thus much higher levels of forest edge influence, the development of successful ‘slow burning’ methods combined with the adoption of aerial sowing in all ARN coupes has resulted in early regeneration densities and growth rates that are very comparable with those in clear-felled coupes. The longer-term effects of ARN harvesting on eucalypt productivity require further research, but these early results indicate that the initial silvicultural goals for eucalypt regeneration can be met after ARN harvesting in wet eucalypt forests.
Brain Organization and Retinal Pathways in the Sleepy Lizard, Tiliqua Rugosa

Abstract Brain structure and retinal pathways to the brain of the sleepy lizard Tiliqua rugosa were described, with this species identifiable as a type II lizard according to brain organization. The retinal pathway appeared entirely crossed to the opposite side of the brain with termination of retinal fibres observed in the optic thalamus, pretectum, tectum and brainstem tegmentum.
Chemical composition and in vitro total gas and methane production of forage species from the Mid Rift Valley grasslands of Ethiopia

There is increasing interest in sustainable land use in the tropics to optimize animal production while also reducing methane (CH4) emissions, but information on nutritive value and CH4-emission potential of tropical forage species is limited. Samples of 24 grasses and five other forages were collected during the main rainy season on randomly positioned quadrats in semi-arid grassland in the Mid Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Samples were pooled by species, analysed for chemical composition and incubated with rumen fluid to determine total gas and CH4-emission potentials using a fully automated in vitro gas production apparatus. Organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents were calculated from chemical composition and gas production data. Large variability was observed among forages for all nutritional variables considered. The grasses Eleusine multiflora, Pennisetum stramineum, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Eragrostis aspera, Cenchrus ciliaris and Eragrostis cilianensis showed relatively high OMD (68–72%) and ME values (9 1– 10 2 MJ kg 1 dry matter). Melinis repens, E. multiflora and the non-legume forb Zaleya pentandra showed relatively low CH4 to total gas ratios; these species may have potential for use in low CH4-emission forage diets. Acacia tortilis fruits had high content of crude protein and moderate ME values, and may be an ideal feed supplement for the grazing ruminant. Sodium content was below the recommended level for ruminants in all the forage species. Overall, the pasture stand during the main growing season was evaluated as having moderate nutritional quality.
Comparison of development of axenic cultures of five species of lichen-forming fungi

Although several new techniques for isolating and culturing lichens have been reported in recent years, there is little information available concerning the variability in development of species from different taxonomic groups. A comparison of the early stages of the germination and growth of Xanthoria parietina (Teloschistaceae), Parmelia saxatilis (Parmeliaceae), Physconia distorta and two Diplotomma species (Physciaceae) was performed on two different media: one inorganic, and the other containing 4% glucose (LBM; Lilly-Barnett medium). Different germination and development rates, and isolation success rate (single- and multispore cultures) are reported. The new combination Diplotomma rivasmartinezii (Barreno & A. Crespo) Barreno & A. Crespo is made.
Colonization of Restored Wetlands by Amphibians in Minnesota

Abstract Twelve wetlands (7 recently restored; 5 reference) in central and southern Minnesota were monitored during the 1998 breeding season to assess colonization of recently restored wetlands by amphibians, compare the amphibian fauna to that of reference wetlands and identify important factors influencing the probability of colonization. Eight amphibian species rapidly colonized recently restored wetlands and established breeding populations. Reference wetlands were inhabited by twelve species, including four not found in restored wetlands (Ambystoma laterale, Notophthalmus viridescens, Pseudacris crucifer and Rana clamitans). Most local habitat variables, such as water chemistry or aquatic vegetation cover, were not influential in determining species richness patterns in recently restored wetlands. Size and spatial isolation of restored wetlands, however, were important predictors of species richness. Habitat suitability also influenced the probability of colonization for some species. The results of this study indicate that restored wetlands are valuable habitat for at least a subset of the amphibian fauna of this region and that wetland size, isolation and habitat suitability all influence colonization success.
Glutathione-S-transferase (M1 and T1) polymorphisms in Nigerian populations

The Mu ( �) and Theta ( Θ) classes of glutathione transferase gene, GSTM1 and GSTT1 are polymorphic in humans. GSTM1 and GSTT1 enzyme deficiencies have been suggested to predispose people to lung, bladder and colorectal cancer. This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of Glutathione transferases (GSTs) genotype frequency in the three major Nigerian ethnic groups with a view to understanding the implication of the GST polymorphisms on disease susceptibility. Three hundred unrelated volunteers from the three major Nigerian ethnic groups of Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba who consented to the study were genotyped for GSTM1*1, GSTM1*0, GSTT1*1 and GSTT1*0 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The homozygous null GSTM1*0 genotype frequency was found to be 37% in Hausa, 23% in Ibo and 31% in Yoruba with significant difference (p<0.05) especially, in the Ibo ethnic group while GSTT1*0 genotype was found at a comparably high frequencies of 42, 36, and 35% in the Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba populations of Nigeria, respectively. The genotype frequencies of the null GSTM1 and GSTT1 were found to be relatively high in the Nigerian population with a possible implication on increase susceptibility to some cancers.
Male Parental Behavior in Birds

Male parental care is rare in most groups of animals but common in birds. Among birds considerable variation exists in the form of care provided their young; recent developments in several areas may help to explain this variation. These include (i) improvements in the comparative method, particularly the use of phylogenies to investigate questions about the evolution (origin) of behavior; (ii) field studies designed to determine the fitness benefits of care and the selective factors that maintain it; and (iii) investigations of the mech­ anisms of care, especially its neural and hormonal bases. The greatest challenge to functional explanations of male care has come from the revelation that males frequently provide care for offspring that are not genetically their own. Re­ solving this apparent paradox will require more accurate accounting of the costs and the benefits of care, and greater attention to the form of care provided by males. Data support the following working hypothesis: In taxa in which males incubate, as opposed to providing other forms of care, sexual selection may be less intense and males may resemble females more in appearance and physiology. Males may also be more likely to be the genetic sires of the offspring they care for, perhaps because of the greater cqst to females of multiple matings or perhaps because male incubation is incompatible with sustained sexual behavior. Ultimately, an integrated consideration of history, function, mechanism, and development should reveal the interplay of factors that have led to male parental care in birds and that account for its maintenance in various forms today.
Epilithic bacteria in an acid and a calcareous headstream

SUMMARY. 1. Environmental variables and epilithic bacteria on small stones were monitored during summer and winter in Burbage Brook and the River Lathkill, two headstreams in the Derbyshire Peak District. 2. Burbage Brook was usually near-neutral in summer, but acid in winter; the River Lathkill was circumneutral throughout the year. 3. In summer, epilithic bacteria showed few between-stream differences. In winter, however, total bacteria, colony-forming units, per cent chromogenic colony-forming units, per cent viable bacteria, Vmax for glucose mineralization and Vmax/bacterium were all significantly less in the acid Burbage Brook. 4. Inhibition of epilithic bacteria in Burbage Brook was also observed when pH fell to a low level during a summer spate. 5. Multiple-regression analysis confirmed that epilithic bacteria were less successful at low pH but also suggested that pH was not the only environmental variable to influence epilithic bacteria. Especially notable were positive relationships with density of epilithic chlorophyll a and temperature in Burbage Brook and with chlorophyll a in the River Lathkill.
New records of biting midges of the genus Dasyhelea from Israel, with notes on synonymy in the genera Culicoides and Forcipomyia (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Six species of Dasyhelea KIEFFER , 1911 from Israel are recorded for the first time and detailed drawings of their male genitalia are presented. These species represent the following faunal elements: Afrotropical ( Dasyhelea flava CARTER , INGRAM et MACFIE , 1921), meridional (eremial) Palaearctic ( D. alboverrucosa REMM , 1967, D. punctiventris GOETGHEBUER , 1940), west Palaearctic ( D. arenivaga MACFIE , 1943), arboreal Holarctic ( D. bifida ZILAHI -SEBESS , 1936) and arboreal Palaearctic ( D. turficola KIEFFER , 1925). D. flava is reported for the first time in the Palae- arctic Region. Culicoides subneglectus VIMMER , 1932 and C. bulbostylus KHALAF , 1961 are rec- ognized as new junior synonyms of Culicoides trivittatus VIMMER , 1932. Dasyhelea dasyptera GOETGHEBUER , 1934 is recognized as a new junior synonym of Forcipomyia frutetorum (WIN- NERTZ , 1852).
Behaviour of cadmium derived from sewage effluent irrigation and impact on tomato growth depend on soil physicochemical characteristics.

The shortage of water resources in Algeria requires inevitably the recourse to the re-use of water in agriculture. However, this water can contain various pollutants, in particular heavy metals. Some of these elements generate rather frightening incidence on the environment and even on the health of the alive beings. Their movement and their mobility are closely related to the physical and physicochemical characteristics of the environment. The aim of present investigation was to study the influence of physicochemical characteristics of an irrigated soil on the behaviour of cadmium and its impact on the development and growth of tomato. Experimental device comprised eleven PVC columns of 1 m height and 40 cm diameter. filled with soil on height of 70 cm. Organic matter was added to columns No. 7-10. The columns No. 1, 6, 7 and 11 were irrigated with sewage effluent, the columns No. 2, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 with sewage effluent including Cd 2+ 0.8 mg/l and the column No. 3 was irrigated with tap water. Drainage water was collected in basins under the columns. Tomato plants were growing in the columns No. 1, 2, 7 and 8. During growth observations were done on surfaces of the leaves, length and thickness of stems, number of flowers and fruits and possible symptoms of diseases. Adsorption of cadmium was more remarkable in soils containing organic matter, and organic matter contributed to increase of tomato growth and yield. The use of raw sewage effluent has an influence on the physical and physico-hydrous parameters of the soil, which themselves will have a direct influence on the quality and the quantity of trace metals retained by these soils.
A provisional list of Irish archaeophytes.

Archaeophytes are plant taxa that were introduced by humans before 1500. Here we record a first, provisional, list of Irish archaeophytes used in our other work. There are 96 taxa that are treated as archaeophytes in Ireland on the basis that they are regarded as archaeophytes in Britain and have established populations in Ireland. The limitations of this approach and the need for further work are discussed.
Spatial and temporal variation of the nutrients in the sediment and leaves of two Brazilian mangrove species and their role in the retention of environmental heavy metals

A variacao espacial e temporal das concentracoes de nutrientes das folhas e do sedimento entre as raizes de Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. f. e Rhizophora mangle L. foi analisada no manguezal do estuario do Rio Sao Mateus, Espirito Santo, Brasil. No tecido foliar, os nutrientes seguiram a ordem: N > Ca > K > Mg > S > P > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu, havendo diferenca significativa entre especies e sitios de estudo. Em geral, os teores de K foram mais elevados no periodo seco em relacao ao periodo chuvoso, para ambas as especies analisadas, enquanto que Ca e Cu exibiram maiores concentracoes no periodo chuvoso, para Laguncularia racemosa. No sedimento, os nutrientes seguiram a ordem: Mg > Ca > Fe > K > Mn > P > Zn > Cu, em geral, com menores concentracoes no sitio onde o sedimento foi mais arenoso. Registrou-se variacao significativa das concentracoes de nutrientes do sedimento entre os periodos analisados, mas o padrao sazonal nao foi claro para todos nutrientes. Concentracoes de nutrientes determinadas nas folhas de ambas as especies nao se correlacionaram com as concentracoes dos respectivos sedimentos. O fator de concentracao foi menor que 1,0 para Fe e entre 1,0 e 3,7 para Mn, Zn e Cu. Estes resultados fornecem evidencias fisiologicas sobre a relevância destas especies arboreas para o papel dos manguezais como barreira biogeoquimica ao trânsito de metais pesados.
Patchiness in Populations of Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Abstract The distribution and abundance of entomopathogenic nematodes within and among sites were investigated by taking soil samples along transects at several locations in southwestern New Jersey and by assaying for nematodes using the Galleria -bait method. Entomopathogenic nematodes were found at 12 of 13 sites (92.3%) and in 72 of 600 soil samples (12.0%). Heterorhabditids (probably Heterorhabditis bacteriophora ) were found in 60 samples from 12 sites. Steinernematids were rarer, with Steinernema glaseri being found in 8 samples from 3 sites, S. feltiae (=bibionis) in 4 samples from 2 sites, and S. carpocapsae in 2 samples from 2 sites. Heterorhabditids differed significantly in abundance among sites with from 0 to 47.5% of samples from individual sites proving positive. Overall, heterorhabditids were equally abundant in turf and weedy habitats but significantly less abundant in closed-canopy forest where no positive records were obtained. Within sites, heterorhabditids were aggregated, with individual soil samples being much more likely to contain sufficient nematodes to infect multiple Galleria larvae than predicted based on the total number of positive soil samples and a random distribution. However, this patchiness occurred on a relatively small scale since the occurrences of nematodes in successive soil samples taken at 4-m intervals along transects were statistically independent of one another. Spatial heterogeneity is probably a fundamental aspect of the population biology of these species and has important ramifications for their population dynamics, population genetics, and community structure.
Chromosomes of six species of Indian snakes

The karyotypes of six species of snakes belonging to the families, Colubridae, Elaapidae, Viperidae and Hydropidae are described. in chrysopelea omata(Colubridae) the sex chromoseomes are morphologically indistinguishable, whereas, in Bungarus fasciatus (Elapidae) and Vipera r. russelli (Viperidae) they are distict because of the minute size of the W chromosome. in dryophis nasutus (Colubridae) and hydrophiso. omatus (Hydrophidae) also, the sex chromosomes are morphologically distinguishable because of the heteromorphism of Z and W chromosomes, but the W chromosome in the former is larger than the Z and in the latter similar in size but different in morphology. there is no similarity in the known karyotypes of the families Elapidae and Hdrophidae. it apparently justifies the separation of the two families. detailed autoradiographic study using 3 H-TdR in the ♀ of the banded krait reveals for the first time, asynchrony in the replicating pattern of the Z chromosome.
The effects of light, temperature and osmotic stress on the germination of Pinus halepensis and P. brutia seeds

Summary Seeds of the mediterranean pines, Pinus halepensis and P. brutia. genninate optimally at 20°C in darkness. Their temperature range of gennination is rather narrow and their rate very slow. When seeds are osmotically stressed the rate becomes even slower, while final gennination percentage is inhibited only at very low osmotic potentials. Continuous red light or diurnal white light always promote gennination rate and sometimes maximum percentage, as well. Intermittent far-red light not only inhibits gennination in both species, but also induces a secondary donnancy, shown to be under phytochrome control. Experiments under daily alternating conditions of light and temperature resembling those which are naturally met, lead to the conclusion that field germination is feasible throughout the rainy season of the mediterranean-type climate and is strongly favoured in open, sunny sites.