Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conflicts and interactions among reproduction, thermoregulation and feeding in viviparous reptiles: are gravid snakes anorexic?

Constraints on time and energy suggest that animals often will have to forgo one activity in favour of another. In the field, gravid garter snakes, Thamnophis elegans , eat little or nothing, especially late in pregnancy. In addition, they spend considerable time basking, presumably to aid development of their progeny. Apparently, therefore, a conflict exists between feeding and behaviours related to gestation. Alternatively, low feeding levels in the field might reflect reduced ability to catch food while gravid, or anorexia, attributable either to reduced space in the gut or to physiological suppression of appetite. In this study, by supplying abundant food in the laboratory, we test the hypothesis that gravid females are anorexic; we also examine the interactions among feeding, thermoregulation and reproductive condition. Typically, gravid females, whether fed or not, spent most of their time at the warm end of a gradient, as did fed non-gravid snakes; unfed non-gravid females spent significantly less time at the warm end. However, gravid snakes, even when presented with food ad libitum , ate less than non-gravid snakes, suggesting that they are anorexic while pregnant. Feeding and thermoregulatory behaviours of gravid females changed around the time of parturition (increased feeding, reduced warming rate). Comparable changes are seen in animals in the field, and are correlated with changes in movement pattern. Evidently, the tendency to eat little food is carried over into the laboratory, even when apparent proximate causes of the behaviour are removed. Although we cannot distinguish clearly between the two potential causes of anorexia, the evidence slightly favours physiological suppression of appetite. Physiological suppression of appetite while gravid would ensure that the urge to forage rather than thermoregulate does not diminish the chances of present reproductive success. By contrast, non-gravid snakes, faced with a shortage of food, lower their body temperature and reduce their metabolic costs.
Arsenic transport in canal water and across rice fields in district Badin

Background/Objectives: Irrigationwater at Phuleli and Akram canals carry the waste of Hyderabad city and other places on the way to rice fields at lower part of Indus Plain. The long term use of arsenic contaminated irrigation water can accumulate arsenic in rice soils. This study evaluated total arsenic in irrigation water and transported load to rice sites, in addition to the arsenic concentration in main canals and waste sites on the way to Badin. Methods: Atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with hydride vapor assembly was used to analyze the arsenic concentrations in irrigation water. Findings: Currently, the irrigation water quality was generally within the permissible limits of FAO for rice. All types of wastes (14.62-37.2 μg L-1) entering the Phuleli and Akram canals (7.08 μg L-1) on the way contributed to total arsenic (6.30-57.12 μg L-1) in irrigation water at the entrance of rice sites. However, higher arsenic contamination in irrigation water was due to sugar industry waste (37.2 μg L-1) and lowest due to city waste of Badin (14.62 μg L-1). The data indicated that mean total arsenic concentration from irrigation water would load 0.12 and 0.14 mg kg-1 of arsenic annually in soils on the basis of net 1000 and 1300 mm a-1 water application to rice, respectively. Applications/Improvements: The results clearly indicated that waste added from different sources may aggravate the arsenic contamination of canal water and yet the accumulation in rice fields will keep on increasing. It is suggested that waste must be treated before releasing to prevent contamination of rice field.
Production of Biomass and Ginsenosides from Adventitious Roots of Panax ginseng in Bioreactor Cultures

Organic nutrients play a central role during Panax ginseng adventitious root culture in bioreactor systems. To understand how the nutrient elements were uptaken during the adventitious root growth as well as the production of biomass and natural ginsenosides, a biotechnological approach to identifying the nutritional physiology of ginseng in a commercial‐scale bioreactor was necessary. Normal MS medium nutrient in the bioreactor culture of adventitious roots resulted in slow growth, low biomass, and Rg and Rb ginsenoside contents. When the ginsenoside production increased to higher levels, a group of regulatory nutritional elements that have the potential to interact with biomass was identified. The effects of the salt strength of the medium, of macroelements, metal elements, the ammonia/nitrate ratio, sucrose concentration, and osmotic agents on the growth, the formation of biomass and the production of ginsenosides from adventitious roots were investigated. Appropriate conditions allowed for a maximum ginsenoide production of up to 12.42 [mg/g DW] to be obtained after 5 weeks of culture. The results demonstrated that the key organic nutrients can be regulated to improve the biomass and growth, and increase the ginsenoside yield in bioreactor cultures of P. ginseng adventitious roots.
A systematic revision of the piscivorous haplochromine Cichlidae (Pisces: Teleostei) of Lake Victoria (East Africa). Part I

The distinction between Harpagochromis and Prognathochromis, and the distinction between these and other cichlid genera of Lake Victoria as proposed by Greenwood (1980), is demonstrated to be artificial. The BM(NH) collections of Haplochromis dichrourus and H. pellegrini were found to be polyspecific and are redescribed. On the basis of specimens formerly included in H. pellegrini a new species is described. Five new species are described based on material from the Mwanza Gulf and Maisome Island. Specimens of H. dichrourus from different areas of Lake Victoria are described separately to demonstrate geographic variation.
Polyculture of Nile tilapia and shrimp at different stocking densities

This study aimed to evaluate the productivity, growth performance and economic feasibility of polyculture of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at different stocking densities. Feed was provided based on fish requirements. The experiment was conducted at the Aquaculture facility of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido - UFERSA, in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates each. Treatments consisted of a tilapia monoculture with 2 tilapias.m-2; and polyculture with 2 tilapias.m-2 and L. vannamei at four different densities (3, 6, 9 and 12 shrimps.m-2). The initial individual biomass for fish and shrimp were 1.23±0.12 g and 0.133±0.009 g, respectively. Water quality parameters, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and transparency were monitored. The experiment lasted 120 days and biomass gain was evaluated every two weeks. Final biomass, survival and feed conversion rates were calculated at the end of the experiment. The economic analysis showed that polyculture systems at stocking densities of nine and twelve shrimps.m-2 resulted in higher gross revenue and operational profits of 120.9% and 97.5% respectively, with mean gross return significantly higher than the monoculture. The O. niloticus and L. vannamei polyculture in oligohaline water was shown to be technically and economically feasible. These two species can be cultured together, without competing for the same resources, because they have different trophic niche, thus increasing productivity and economic returns for the farmers.
Cytogenetic studies on marine ostracods: the karyotype of Gigantocypris muelleri Skogsberg, 1920 (Ostracoda, Myodocopida)

The chromosome complement of a bathypelagic myodocopid ostracod, Gigantocypris muelleri Skogsberg, 1920, is described. The karyotype of this bisexual species consists of 2n = 18 (16A + XX) for the female and 2n = 17 (16A + XO) for the male. These chromosomes are all metacentric and of very similar size, ranging from 19μm to 24μm. This is the first description of the karyotype of a marine ostracod.
Examining the Impact of Contextual Factors in Brand Relationship Initiation and Maintenance: Evidence from Bottom of Pyramid Markets

Abstract This study examines the impact of contextual factors on brand trust, brand loyalty and cross-buying from the perspective of the bottom of pyramid rural consumers in India. Two important contextual factors – distribution intensity and outshopping orientation – were used as the contextual factors. Effects of distribution intensity in the initiation and maintenance of consumer–brand relationships are first examined. Further, it explores the moderating role of in versus outshopping orientation in the formation and maintenance of long-term relationships between consumers and brands in bottom of pyramid markets. Data collected from 478 consumers in three villages in Gujarat, India, were analysed using structural equation modelling technique to test the hypothesized relationships using IBM AMOS 23 software. Distribution Intensity was found to positively influence brand trust. Brand trust was found to mediate the relationships between distribution intensity and brand loyalty and distribution intensity and cross buying. The importance of distribution intensity in relationship initiation was more pronounced for consumers who shopped from local retailers than those who did not. The study underlines the importance of distribution intensity of brands a relationship-based marketing strategy, especially in those products, where the switching costs are low. This study establishes the role of contextual factors in the formation and maintenance of consumer–brand relationships in the bottom of pyramid markets.
A NUMERICAL TAXONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS OF BOMBUS AND PSITHYRUS (APIDAE: HYMENOPTERA)

Abstract The question of whether the evolutionary origin of the parasitic bumble bees (Psithyrus Lep.) was monophyletic or polyphyletic has not been convincingly resolved by conventional systematics. In this study numerical taxonomic (NT) analysis was applied to data on wing venation from a set of 13 species of Psithyrus and 60 species of non-parasitic bumble bees (Bombus Latr.), representing 16 of the subgeneric divisions recognized by Richards. The resultant cluster analysis gave an almost perfect grouping of the constituent Bombus species into their ’correct’ subgenera. This was taken as evidence that the NT procedure had yielded discriminant criteria of evolutionary significance. Since the same criteria also produced a single grouping of the Psithyrus species, the results support a monophyletic origin for Psithyrus.
The role and future use of perennial native grasses for temperate pastures in Australia.

Abstract Increasingly in Australia there is evidence of pasture decline; acidification, salinisation, and land degradation are all indications that pastoral and landform ecosystems are not in equilibrium. With declining terms of trade for farmers, rapidly increasing costs of pasture establishment and maintenance, and an increased environmental awareness in the community, it is timely to consider the future and role of perennial native grasses in temperate pastures. Undoubtedly the sowing of persistent, well‐adapted, deep‐rooted native or introduced grasses can reduce the rate of acidification or salinisation. Native grasses evolved under conditions of a mostly dry and fluctuating climate, low nitrogen and phosphorus soils, low grazing pressure by soft‐footed marsupial herbivores, low trampling pressure, high summer fire frequency, and low densities of legumes such as Swainsona, Lotus, and Glycine. While introduced temperate perennial grasses often require a companion legume and fertiliser input for produc.
Consideration for Dietary Nutrient Density and Energy Feeding Programs for Growing Large Male Broiler Chickens for Further Processing 1

Three trials with identical experimental design were conducted to examine the effects of dietary nutrient density and energy feeding programs on male broiler chickens grown to heavy weights for further processing. Diets were formulated to provide a minimum of 107.5% of NRC (1994) amino acid requirements, maintained in proportion to dietary energy levels. Diets with different nutrient density were obtained by adding 0, 3, and 6% poultry oil (PO) while maintaining essential nutrients in a constant balance with energy. Diets within each age period (0 to 21 days, 21 to 42 days, and 42 to 63 days) had similar ratios of metabolizable energy to crude protein. Six feeding programs were obtained by either feeding these three levels of PO continuously to 63 d or by increasing the amount of PO in the diet at 21 d. Live performance was examined at 14, 21, 42, and 63 d and carcass composition was examined at 63 d. Dietary energy levels or feeding programs had no significant effect on body weight except at 42 d, which improved as PO was added to the diet. Feed intake was not significantly affected by feeding various levels of poultry oil or by utilizing different feeding programs. However, feed conversion at all ages showed a significant improvement as the level of supplemental PO increased. Calorie conversion was not affected at 14, 21, and 42 d. At 63 d, calorie conversion was significantly reduced when birds received diets with increased supplemental PO. Neither supplemental PO or feeding program affected the dressing percentage or yield of economically important carcass components at 63 d when examined on an absolute basis or as percentage of carcass weight. Abdominal fat content was not significantly influenced by level of supplemental poultry oil.
USO DE HARINAS DE MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA Y SARGASSUM SPP. EN ALIMENTOS BALANCEADOS PARA EL CAMARON LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI: EFECTOS SOBRE EL CRECIMIENTO Y LA DIGESTIBILIDAD IN VIVO

The seaweeds giant sargazo (Macrocystis pyrifera) and sargazo (Sargassum spp.) are natural resources with possibilities of being used as additives in balanced feeds for shrimp culture. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of different dietary levels of Macrocystis pyrifera (kelp) and Sargassum spp. (sargazo) meals, on the growth and the in vivo digestibility in juveniles of Litopenaeus vannamei. For the first part, nine diets were elaborated: a Control (without inclusion of marine algae), four containing 1, 4, 7 and 10% of kelp meal (HK), and four containing 1, 4, 7 and 10% of sargazo meal (HS). All diets were formulated to contain 33% protein, 7% lipids and 17 kJ g energy. The culture system consisted of 60-L tanks supplied with air-stones, and filtered and sterilized seawater. Photoperiod and temperature were controlled. Shrimp (1.1 ± 0.1 g initial mean weight) were stocked at a density of 10 organisms per tank, with three replicates per dietary treatment. A growth trial was conducted during 45 days. Shrimp were weighted at the beginning of the experiment, and every 15 days. Survival during the feeding trial was higher than 86% with all the diets. The final weights of shrimp varied from 6.2 to 6.5 g with diets HK1%, HK10%, HS4% and HS10%, being greater than the obtained with the Control diet (5.2 g). A significant beneficial effect of the dietary level of marine algae was detected on shrimp growth. The daily relative growth with diets HK10% and HS10% (12.2 and 12.3%) was significantly higher than the Control (9.5%). Feed intake of diet HK7% was lower than that of diet HS10% (158 and 257 mg/shrimp/day, respectively). The protein intake presented the same pattern as the feed intake. Treatment HK7% registered a feed conversion ratio of 1.6, and the diets Control and HS10% increased it to 2.1. The
An evaluation of Fusarium oxysporum from crucifers based on pathogenicity, isozyme polymorphism, vegetative compatibility, and geographic origin

A global collection of 123 putative isolates of Fusarium oxysporum from crucifers was examined for pathogenicity, isozyme polymorphism, and vegetative compatibility. Of these isolates, 103 were found to be pathogenic on one or more of six differential crucifer cultivars. Three patterns of isozyme polymorphism (electrophoretic types) were found and by means of a nitrate reductase complementation test, three major vegetative compatibility groups were identified that could differentiate among the F. oxysporum pathotypes. Complete correspondence was found among pathotype, electrophoretic type, and vegetative compatibility. It seems appropriate to classify isolates from the Cruciferae into the subspecific taxa, F. oxysporum f.sp. conglutinans, F. oxysporum f.sp. raphani, and F. oxysporum f.sp. matthioli, based on their naturally infected host species, Brassica oleracea, Raphanus sativus, and Matthiola incana, and on estimates of genetic identity. Within formae speciales, races can be identified based on intras.
Isozyme variation, morphology, and growth response to temperature in Pythium irregulare

Isozyme-based genetic diversity, morphological characters, and growth rate at different temperatures were compared in a worldwide collection of 125 isolates presumed to be Pythium irregulare Buisman. The isozyme data was analysed with previously published data for Pythium ultimum Trow and Pythium sylvaticum Campbell & Hendrix. UPGMA cluster analysis yielded a dendrogram with four distinct groups: P. ultimum, P. sylvaticum, and two for P. irregulare. Putative P. irregulare isolates were separated into 33 multilocus genotypes defined by 11 isozyme loci: group A contained 116 isolates in 25 genotypes, and group B, 8 isolates in 7 genotypes. One genotype with a single isolate was determined as P. sylvaticum. Based on the isozyme analysis, group B was considered a distinct taxonomic entity from group A, but lacked any unique morphological character. There was a wide range in oogonium and oospore sizes among different isolates of P. irregulare, with those in group B generally being larger. Some isolates in grou.
Characterization of the 5α-Reductase-3α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Complex in the Human Brain1

Although androgen metabolism in the human brain was discovered almost 30 yr ago, conclusive studies on the enzymes involved are still lacking. We therefore investigated 5α-reductase and colocalized 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD) activity in cerebral neocortex (CX) and subcortical white matter (SC) specimens neurosurgically removed from 44 patients suffering from epilepsy. We could demonstrate the presence of the 5α-reductase-3α-HSD complex in the biopsies of all patients under investigation. Inhibition experiments with specific inhibitors for 5α-reductase type 1 and type 2 revealed strong evidence for the exclusive activity of the type 1 isoform. We detected a significantly higher 5α-reductase activity in CX than in SC (P < 0.0001), but no sex-specific differences were observed. Furthermore, we found that, in contrast to liver, only 3α-HSD type 2 messenger RNA is expressed in the brain and that its expression is significantly higher in SC than in CX without sex-specific differences. The present .
A search for pattern and from

Seed science is a microcosm of biology which deals with a wide range of hierarchical levels of organization — from molecular biology to population ecology. Information at every level accumulates at an alarming rate. Making sense of it all calls for generalizations. Those which enable predictions to be made for circumstances different from those in which the observations were ﬁrst made are particularly useful. Many scientists approach these problems by searching, consciously or unconsciously, for patterns or forms. Patterns for this purpose are deﬁned here as discontinuities with some measure of repetition, whereas forms are thought of as continuous shapes in two or more dimensions; both can be visualized as spatial structures (most people have difﬁculty in conceptualising more than three or, at most, four dimensions). If one considers the whole range of hierarchical organization in biology, from molecules to communities, the recognition of the patterns and structures of processes at one hierarchical level of organization may assist in understanding the processes at adjacent levels, but such knowledge may not always be helpful in explaining processes at more remote hierarchical levels where different rules and mechanisms may predominate. Arbitrary curve ﬁtting sometimes has a role in the recognition of the form of processes, but it is usually better to try and discover relationships where the coefﬁcients have some biological meaning. Not only can a search for patterns and forms of processes help in the interpretation of data and the development of new ideas, but it can also sometimes help in the design of experiments. This personal view deals with some examples taken from seed research in the hierarchical levels in which I have been involved — usually somewhere between molecules and ecology.
Exploring Iranian Pre-Service English Teachers’ Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) Identities and the Role of Mentor Teachers

Globally occurring changes in an ever-shrinking world acknowledge the goal of making effective communication between people with various cultural backgrounds (East, 2012; Jin, 2014; Kramsh, 2013; Zheng, 2014) and hence the development of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in EFL context respectively. This longitudinal study based on mixed method sequential design, and random sampling procedure strived to investigate male and female Iranian pre-service teachers' intercultural communicative competence. It also tried to assess the effect of mentor teachers on pre-service teachers' ICC and to see how and to what extent those perceptions are reflected in their classroom practices. This investigation was done in two academic semesters with participation of 49 pre-service teachers (M= 29, F=20) who were in their last year of their teacher education program in Farhangian university of Esfahan, one of the biggest teacher training centers in Iran. the second group of the participants was four mentor teachers (M=2, F=2). Results revealed that the first group of participants achieved an acceptable level of ICC, with higher mean scores in the attitude dimensions and lower levels in skill and knowledge components respectively. The results also indicated negative correlation between the attitudes and skill components of mentor teachers and pre- service teachers. The results of triangulation indicated an apparent disparity between teachers’ ICC perception and practice.