Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical composition of table eggs as influenced by the origin of laying hens

Chicken eggs produced by nine commercial lines of laying hens: Lohmann Brown, Shaver 579, AK (experimental from IZ-OBD Zakrzewo), ISA White, Messa 445, Messa 443, Astra W-1, Astra W-2, and Astra N were used as experimental material. The layers produced eggs for experiments during the period from 63 to 66 week of age. The effect of bird origin on the basic chemical composition of eggs including certain egg yolk lipids was studied. Dry matter content in the egg white ranged from 10.98% (Shaver 579) to 13.13% (Astra W-2), whereas in the egg yolk from 54.89% (Lohmann Brown) to 59.64% (Messa 443). Differences in the yolk lipid content between bird groups reached 2.48%, the lowest one (29.37%) was noted in the eggs from AK layers and the highest (31.85%) in the eggs from Astra N birds. Low cholesterol content was found in the eggs from ISA White (13.63 mg/g) and Shaver 579 layers (13.69 mg/g), while high content was determined in the eggs from Astra W1 (14.50 mg/g) and Astra N (14.61 mg/g) layers. Triglyceride content in the egg yolk varied from 199.70 mg/g in Messa 443 group to 236.55 mg/g in Astra N group of birds. In this study statistically significant differences at p≤0.01 among nine groups of commercial layers were noted in the chemical composition of the examined table eggs.
Testing experimentally the effect of soil resource mobility on plant competition

Aims The volume of soil beyond a plant’s roots from which that plant is able to acquire a particular nutrient depends upon the mobility of that nutri ent in the soil. For this reason it has been hypothesized that the strength of competitive interactions between plants vary with soil nutrient mobility. We aimed to provide an experimental test of this hypothesis. Methods We devised two experimental systems to investigate specifically the effect of nutrient transport rates upon intraspecific competi tion. In the first, the exchange of rhizosphere water and dissolved nutrients between two connected pots, each containing one plant, was manipulated by alternately raising and lowering the pots. In the second experiment, the roots systems of two competing plants were separated by partitions of differing porosity, thereby varying
The China Coastal Current as a driving force for transporting Calanus sinicus (Copepoda: Calanoida) from its population centers to waters off Taiwan and Hong Kong during the winter northeast monsoon period

Calanus sinicus is a copepod with wide geographical distribution in the continental shelf waters of China. Its occurrence in oceans around Taiwan and Hong Song is limited by temperature to winter and spring. We present evidence to show that C. sinicus is carried into the coastal waters of Taiwan and Hong Kong from population centers in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea by the China Coastal Current during the northeast monsoon period in winter.
Chromosome studies in Alouatta belzebul

The chromosome constitution of Alouatta belzebul was studied with G‐, C‐, and silver staining. In ten specimens identified as Alouatta belzebul, the chromosome constitution of males (2n = 49) differed from that of females (2n = 50) owing to a Y‐autosome translocation. In another single female specimen, probably Alouatta belzebul nigerrima, the diploid chromosome number was also 50, though its karyotype was drastically different from that of Alouatta belzebul belzebul. Chromosome studies, taken together with phenotypic and field observations, suggest that Alouatta belzebul belzebul is phenotypically variable in respect to pelage coloration. This attribute is therefore unreliable for the precise identification of Alouatta belzebul subspecies. Conversely, relatively minor phenotypic differences, allowing for the characterization of subspecies within a same species, coexist with unparalleled, drastic karyotypic divergence. These findings clearly question gross morphological attributes as discriminative characteristics of Alouatta belzebul subspecies.
EFFECT OF MANAGING FINANCIAL RISK ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED BANKS IN KENYA

Purpose: Management of financial risk is a fundamental management task that commercial banks have incorporated to help shield the commercial banks from losses. However, listed commercial banks have, in recent times gone through challenging times from a performance perspective. This research assessed the correlation between financial results of commercial banks on Nairobi Stock Exchange from a perspective of managing financial risk. Methodology: A descriptive research design was used along with quantitative research data by collecting panel data for the period 2009-2018 from annual supervision of banks reports along with audited accounts for the concerned entities. Accordingly, an analysis of collected data followed using SPSS 24, which employed descriptive analysis, correlation and regression testing. Results: Results further indicate that credit risk results in (β) = -1.066; liquidity risk (β) = -. 326 and interest rate risk (β) =. 603 changes on the banks financial results. Research findings are expected to enhance policy and practice within the banking industry in Kenya. Contribution of Study : To the regulator the study advocates for new guidelines to ensure that banks have better monitoring mechanisms to avoid breaching their capital reserve requirements. Listed banks should design more robust credit analysis policies and loan administration. This will allow the commercial banks to expand their lending activities to individuals and small businesses overcoming the challenges experienced due to the interest rate caps.
Male Seminole Bat Winter Roost-Site Selection in a Managed Forest

Abstract Understanding year-round roost-site selection is essential for managing forest bat populations. From January to March, 2004 to 2006, we used radiotelemetry to investigate winter roost-site selection by Seminole bats (Lasiurus seminolus) on an intensively managed landscape with forested corridors in southeastern South Carolina, USA. We modeled roost-site selection with logistic regression and used Akaike's Information Criterion for small samples (AICc) and Akaike weights to select models relating roost-site selection to plot- and landscape-level variables. We tracked 20 adult male bats to 71 individual roosts. Bats used a variety of roosting structures, including the canopy of overstory trees, understory vegetation, pine (Pinus spp.) needle clusters, and leaf litter. Roost height, structure type, and habitat type were influenced by changes in minimum nightly temperature. On warmer nights, bats selected taller trees in mature forest stands, but when minimum nightly temperatures were <4° C, bats typically were found roosting on or near the forest floor in mid-rotation stands. We recommend avoiding prescribed burning in mid-rotation stands on days when the previous night's temperature is <4 °C to minimize potential disturbance and direct mortality of bats roosting on or near the forest floor. We encourage forest managers to incorporate seasonal changes in roost-site selection to create year-round management strategies for forest bats in managed landscapes.
The Effect of Giving Cold Therapy to Decreased Pain Sprain Ankle Basketball Players

Sprain, is an injury to a joint that results in a torn ligament that functions as a binding between bones and as a sta-bilizer for the joint that occurs due to excessive pressure and sudden movements repeatedly. It is estimated that nearly 1.6 million injuries occur in connection with basketball in Indonesia. The epidemiology of injuries to male basketball players during training is 4.3 per 1000 while the competition is 9.9 per 1000. This study is an experimental study with a Two Group Pre-Test and Post-Test Design. The research subjects were 30 permanent members of the Bangau Basketball Club which were divided into 2 groups: O1 group was a group that was given cold therapy before training alone, O2 group was a group that was given cold therapy after exercise alone. The study was con-ducted in October-November 2018. There was a difference between pain intensity and the degree of ankle sprain O1 group before and after exercise with the pain intensity difference test value of 0,000 and the value of the ankle sprain degree difference test result of 0.029 (p <0.05). There was a difference between the intensity of pain and the degree of ankle sprain in the O2 group before and after exercise with the test value of the pain intensity difference of 0.024 and the value of the test result of the degree of ankle sprain difference of 0.047 (p <0.05). Wilcoxon test results showed that there was an effect of cold therapy to reduce ankle sprain pain with p <0.05.
Preliminary investigations into the effect of ostrich feather lice (Struthiolipeurus struthionis) on production and leather quality

The effect of ostrich feather lice (Struthiolipeurus struthionis) on productivity and leather quality was investigated in the light of louse-related skin damage on other livestock species that seems similar to defects, called pitting, seen on ostrich skins. The occurrence and spread of feather lice on ostriches were also studied. Natural infestation of louse-free ostriches within a group mixed with louse-infested ostriches was achieved within 6 months. Lousiness was determined by visual counts on the body and feathers of the ostriches on five locations. There was a relatively low correlation between the number of lice observed on the live ostriches and the actual number of lice extracted from harvested wing feathers. However, it was demonstrated that lice obtained from feathers increased at a rate of 3.29 (s.e. = 1.34) lice per 100 g of feathers for an increase of one louse observed on the live birds in the paddock (R2 = 0.23). Treatment with synthetic pyrethroid insecticides eradicated all lice. Louse infestation had no significant influence on growth or slaughter traits, while no causal relationship between louse infestation and pitting damage on the processed ostrich skins could be demonstrated.
Production of cloned Asian elephant embryos using an interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) technique

This study was carried out to investigate the feasibility of using interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) techniques in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), using elephant fibroblasts as donor cells and rabbit oocytes as the recipient cytoplasts. Elephant fibroblasts were collected post-mortem from the ear skin of a female Asian elephant and cultured in vitro. Monolayer fibroblasts were trypsinized and used for SCNT. The comparative study showed that the blastocyst rates from iSCNT were significantly lower (P<0.05) than for rabbit SCNT and rabbit parthenogenesis (19.4, 56.7, and 70.3%, respectively). The study tried to improve the efficiency of iSCNT by using phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) to increase the fusion rate and nocodazole to synchronize donor cells in the G1 stage of the cell cycle. The fusion rate of elephant-rabbit couples treated with PHA-P was significantly increased (47.5%) compared with the non-treated group (26.2%; P<0.05). The cloned embryos could develop into blastocysts (27.8%), which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than for the non-treated cells group (14.4%). By using this protocol, Asian elephant blastocysts can be produced by iSCNT of fibroblast cells into rabbit cytoplasts with the use of nocodazole and PHA-P. The blastocyst rate of cloned elephant embryos using rabbit cytoplasts was more than 25% and may have potential in further studies on elephant preservation.
Induction of somatic embryogenesis in Phytolacca tetramera, medicinal species of Argentina.

Phytolacca tetramera Hauman is an endemic species of the Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina), in danger of extinction. This species has active fungicides. The methanol extract of its berries possess antifungal activity against opportunistic fungal pathogens. The somatic embryogenesis technique relies on the formation of an embryo from a somatic cell, that is, without the need for the fusion of gametes (Tisserat et al, 1979), which facilitates mass production of in vitro plants. Obtaining somatic embryos gives us the ability to automate the production process in short periods of time and in a confined space. The technique is a necessary step to generate synthetic seeds. In order to adjust a protocol of somatic embryogenesis sections young leaves of Phytolacca tetramera obtained in vitro were placed in a Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at different concentrations. Somatic embryos were obtained directly from the cutting edge of the blade and embryogenic callus (indirect way) from the midrib.
Pollinator diversity and specialization in relation to flower diversity

In the face of global decline in biodiversity, the relationship between diversity and species interactions deserves particular attention. If pollinators are strongly dependent on floral diversity due to mutual specialization, declines in plant diversity, e.g. caused by land use intensification, may be associated with linked extinctions of pollinators. However, the general extent of pollinator specialization is still poorly known. To explore the dependence of local bee and hoverfly communities on flower diversity, we recorded flower supply and flower-visiting insects on 27 meadows with varying flower diversity in southern Germany and analyzed (a) whether the diversity of flower visitors is correlated with flower diversity, (b) whether the degree of dietary specialization of flower visitors changes with flower diversity and (c) whether flower preferences of individual flower visitor species are constant or variable between different communities. Flower-visitor interaction webs were compiled during a single day on each meadow. This approach prevents relating pollinator species to flowers they never encounter because of non-overlapping phenology or spatial segregation. (a) Flower diversity and flower visitor diversity were positively correlated. (b) Flower visitor assemblies were significantly specialized at a relatively high level, contrasting to the opinion that plant-pollinator webs are highly generalized, and providing a possible explanation for the positive diversity correlation. However, the level of specialization did not change significantly across the gradient of flower diversity, suggesting that pollinators are partitioned to a similar extent in each meadow. (c) In the analysis of ten common flower visitor species previously categorized as generalists, strong evidence was found for both, consistent preferences and preferences that differ between sites. These results indicate a flexibility in flower preferences and a dynamic resource partitioning among pollinators. Generally, our findings highlight the complexity of plant-pollinator interactions and confirm the importance of flower diversity for bee and hoverfly communities.
Orthophosphate uptake by heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, and autotrophic nanoflagellates in Villefranche Bay, northwestern Mediterranean: Vertical, seasonal, and short‐term variations of the competitive relationship for phosphorus

Previous studies have suggested that Mediterranean surface water becomes phosphorus limited for both bacteria and phytoplankton during stratified periods and that orthophosphate uptake in these situations was close to diffusion limitation for both cyanobacteria and autotrophic nanoflagellates. In order to better understand vertical and seasonal variations of this system, we measured orthophosphate uptake by bacteria and phytoplankton in Villefranche Bay (northwestern Mediterranean) monthly for the 0–75‐m layer and weekly or biweekly at 10 m from June to December 2002. Turnover time of orthophosphate was relatively short (<2 h) in the surface mixed layer (0–30 m) during the stratified period, and long (>30 h) in the deeper layer during the stratified period and in the whole water column during the mixing period. Short‐term fluctuations in turnover time were repeatedly observed from the stratified through the mixing periods. The dominance of PO4 uptake drastically shifted from both bacteria and cyanobacteria to cyanobacteria when there were slight increases in turnover time (1‐10 h). Compared to the theoretical maximum calculated for diffusion limitation, mean affinity constants at 10 m were similar for autotrophic nanoflagellates and greater for cyanobacteria in situations with turnover time <2 h, but observed values were much smaller than theoretical for heterotrophic bacteria even in samples with turnover time <1 h.
BEHAVIORAL EVIDENCE OF THERMAL STRESS FROM OVERHEATING IN UK BREEDING GRAY SEALS

Gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the UK exhibit clear preferences for pupping close to pools of water on inland breeding sites. The reasons for this are unclear as seals are thought to derive all their water requirements from the metabolism of fat. Likewise, the prospect of seals overheating during the UK's cool, damp, autumnal breeding seasons, has seemed unlikely, but has not been previously explored. Here, we provide preliminary behavioral evidence of thermal stress in female gray seals breeding on the island of North Rona, Scotland. Video footage provided measures of proximity to, and the proportion of animals bathing in, pools in relation to meteorological data (temperature, mean sea-level pressure, rainfall, wind speed and direction) on four dates spread through a single breeding season. The proportion of females close to pools increased with pressure (warmer, drier conditions) and decreased on wetter days. In addition, analyses of colony-wide patterns of seal dispersion showed that females tended to be closer to pools of water at higher pressures and temperatures and at lower wind-speeds. These results provide the first evidence of thermal stress and behavioral thermoregulation through access to pools of water in a phocid breeding in temperate autumnal conditions.
Phytosociology: A modern geobotanical method

Abstract Vegetation Science is a scientific discipline devoted to the study of vegetation at all levels of complexity spanning populations, plant communities and biomes. It attempts to explain vegetation patterns and the processes governing vegetation assembly and dynamics in all temporal and spatial scales. Vegetation analysis serves to record anthropo-zoogenic effects and portrays similarly structured vegetation formations with characteristic vegetation complexes and plant communities. These plant communities consist of recognisable and reproducible associations of plant types which are subject to natural laws under the same ecological conditions. Wherever one finds similar habitat conditions in comparable bioregions or floristic zones on the planet, similar communities exist and can be typified. Such determinative plant community-habitat-type systems possess high bioindicator value for different biotic and abiotic habitat conditions. The floristic compositions and structure of plant communities and biotope-types can be categorised, and such vegetation units can be abstracted as elementary types, marked by their characteristic species combination under certain habitat-dependent conditions. Phytosociology provides the scientific background and method to address these questions. It was established by Josias Braun-Blanquet (Braun-Blanquet J. 1918. Eine pflanzengeographische Exkursion durch Unterengadin und in den schweizerischen Nationalpark. Beitr Geobot Landesaufnahme 4: 1–80.) and promoted for example in Germany by Reinhold Tüxen (Tüxen R. 1937. Die Pflanzengesellschaften Nord-Westdeutschlands. Mitt. Flor. Soz. Arbeitsgemein. Nieders. 3, Hannover, 170 p.). The Flora-Fauna-Habitat-Guideline (FFH-Natura 2000), enacted on 21 May 1992 established homogenous criteria for endangered biotypes throughout Europe, founded on a modern phytosociological basis. Phytosociological terminology also forms the basis of biotype-differentiation in the UNESCO Convention on Biodiversity (COP9). Vegetation science is a socially and politically critical discipline, serving to benefit and progress human society and sustainable usage of its natural resources.
Fusarium mycotoxins in the food chain: maize-based snack foods.

The fate of deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA) and fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) were examined in three representative snack food production methods. Assessing results on an 'as is' basis so as to compare results with EC legislation showed DON to be the most stable mycotoxin during the manufacture with mean levels in each finished products >68% of the levels in the starting ingredients. The concentrations of ZEA in the snack food ingredients during this study were very low but did allow limited studies that showed a mean 52% reduction during the manufacture of one snack product, but little reduction when producing a tortilla chip. In contrast, fumonisins were mostly lost (>90%) in two out of the three processes. However in a tortilla chip prepared from maize flour by extrusion, heating and frying, the amount of FB1 + FB2 remaining in the retail product was reduced on average by 59% which is similar to the 60% difference in the statutory levels for flour (products <500 micron) or 50% difference for.
Plant Genome Size Measurement with DNA Image Cytometry

Abstract To test the reliability of DNA image cytometry for the measurement of nuclear DNA content in plant material, we conducted independent experiments in two laboratories using different image analysis instruments for densitometric measurement of nuclear DNA amount in Feulgen-stained squash preparations of root tips. The 2C nuclear DNA content of the nine species studied spanned a 100-fold range (approx. 0.3–33 pg). The estimates of nuclear DNA content measured with image cytometry methods were comparable to values obtained previously using both photometric cytometry and flow cytometry. Image cytometry methods showed little variation among repeated experiments within each laboratory or among different operators using the same instrument. Furthermore, the interphase-peak method (measurement of several hundred interphase nuclei per slide) was comparable to the classical prophase/telophase approach (measurement of ten early prophase and ten late telophase nuclei per slide). Hence, DNA image cytometry gives accurate and reproducible results and may be used as an alternative to photometric cytometry in plant nuclear DNA content measurements. In the present study, we propose that two standards for quality control of nuclear DNA content measurement are used in plant DNA image cytometry: (1) the coefficient of variation of the peak should be lower than 6%, and (2) the 4C/2C ratio should be between 1.9 and 2.1.
Distribuição ecológica das comunidades de macroalgas da bacia de drenagem do Rio das Pedras, região Centro-Sul do Estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil

Macroalgal communities of nineteen stream segments from Rio das Pedras drainage basin, mid-southern region of Parana State, southern Brazil (25o13'-25o26' S, 51o13'-51o28' W) were investigated regarding taxonomic and ecological aspects. Sixteen stream segments were visited once and three were examined monthly from April 2004 to March 2005. Thirty-six taxa were found, and Phormidium retzii (C. Agardh) Gomont (Cyanophyta) was the most widespread species, occurring in nine sampling sites (47%). Otherwise, a very high proportion of species had restrict distribution (58% of species occurred in one stream segment). Species richness in the drainage basin was relatively high, however, the species richness in each stream segment was relatively low. Species abundance had very low values, both to drainage basin and individual sampling sites. Correlation analyses revealed only few correlations among some environmental variables and the macroalgal communities' distributional patterns in the study area. Thus, the results suggest that the local variation in the environmental features define a typical macroalgal community to each sampling site.