Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Ghagus breed vis-a-vis PD-4 birds for production, adaptability, semen and egg quality traits

The present study was conducted to characterize Ghagus, a native breed of chicken for production, adaptability, semen and egg quality traits in comparison with PD4 birds. Sex wise body weight and shank length of Ghagus birds recorded at 40 weeks of age were significantly lesser than those of PD4 birds. Ghagus birds had significantly higher tonic immobility (TI) duration and asymmetry of shank length than those of PD4 birds but no differences were observed for number of attempts to induce TI and asymmetry of shank width and middle toe length. Mean shank width and middle toe lengths were significantly higher in PD4 birds. Ghagus birds produced significantly lesser number of eggs up to 40 weeks of age with smaller egg size. With respect to semen quality traits, Ghagus roosters had significantly better appearance and concentration of spermatozoa than PD4 birds. Study of egg quality traits revealed significantly better albumen index in Ghagus as compared to PD4 birds. However, significantly higher egg weight, yolk, albumen and shell weights were observed in PD4 birds as compared to Ghagus breed with no significant differences in other egg quality traits. The study indicated that, there is a scope for improvement of this important native chicken breed for growth and production traits as semen and egg quality traits were at desirable levels.
Relationship between net blotch (Drechslera teres) and losses in grain yield of barley in Western Australia

Losses in the yield of cv. Dampier due to net blotch (Drechslera teres (Sacc.) Shoem. ) were examined in six environments in Western Australia. Based on comparison between least diseased and most diseased treatments, there was an overall yield reduction of 21% (P < 0.05). Three models (Critical Point, Area Under Curve and Multiple Point) were used to study the relationship between net blotch infection and percentage yield loss. All models gave similar results. Because of its simplicity, the Critical Point Model based on mean net blotch infection on the top three leaves at GS 75 was chosen. The percentage yield loss in cv. Dampier was defined to be 37% of the mean diseased area on leaves 1 (flag), 2 and 3 at GS 75. This relationship is very similar to that developed earlier for scald, and a common equation for both scald and net blotch was suggested.
Impacts of Small‐scale Clearings due to Selective logging on Dung Beetle Communities

Conservation of biodiversity in production forests is crucial for mitigating biodiversity loss in the tropics. The major ecological impacts of selective logging are often the result of small clearings for skid trails, logging roads, log yards, and logging camps; however, their impacts on forest biodiversity have rarely been examined. The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of these clearings on a forest‐dependent faunal group, dung beetles, and to identify the environmental factors responsible. Abundance and species richness of dung beetles decreased drastically in clearings, but directly increased in forests with the distance from roads/trails; abundance and species richness at 10 m from roads/trails were almost comparable with those detected in further interior forests. Similarly, species composition was significantly different between forests and clearings (except skid trails) but recovered within a short distance from roads/trails. Canopy openness was the most important environmental factor affecting the abundance, and species richness and composition of dung beetles; most dung beetle species were concentrated under closed forest canopy with less than 10 percent of canopy openness, whereas canopy openness ranged from 16 to 53 percent in clearings. Our study demonstrates that even small‐scale, unpaved clearings affect dung beetle communities through increased canopy openness. Although the effective distance was not very large, a considerable portion of logged areas can be affected when road networks are dense therefore minimizing the density of road networks and enhancing canopy recovery after logging are important for retaining biodiversity in tropical production forests.
Learning Disabilities: Issues in Higher Education

College and university presidents understand the benefits of educating a diverse student body. Students with learning disabilities represent a significant segment of this group. This paper addresses emerging issues relative to students with learning disabilities on college and university campuses. The intended audience for this paper includes college and university presidents, administrators, faculty, and professional support staff.
Demographic Parameters of Yellowfin Croaker, Umbrina roncador (Perciformes: Sciaenidae), from the Southern California Bight1

ABSTRACT The yellowfin croaker, Umbrina roncador Jordan & Gilbert, 1882, is a common nearshore and surf-zone species in the southern California bight. Age was determined for individuals (n = 1,209) using annual increments in otoliths, and size at age was modeled using the von Bertalanffy growth curve (L∞ = 307.754 mm, k = 0.278 yr−1, t0 = −0.995 yr; maximum age = 15 yr). Females (L∞= 313.173 mm, k = 0.307 yr−1, t0 = −0.771 yr) grew significantly faster and larger than males (L∞= 298.886, k = 0.269 yr−1, t0 = −1.072 yr). Age and growth modeling based upon otolith length (OL) and width (OW) measurements were assessed and were consistent with body measurements. Males and females were found in all size classes and in an overall 51.49 ratio that was not significantly different from a 50% sex ratio, suggesting that these fish are gonochores. Fish were reproductive during summer months, with gonadosomatic indices (females, 5.65%; males, 5.51%) consistent with group-spawning fishes. Data from two separate monitoring programs indicated that yellowfin croaker catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) fluctuated appreciably from 1992 to 2006 on both spatial and temporal scales. CPUE also declined significantly in the latter years of these programs. Based on samples collected between 2003 and 2004, an estimate of overall annual total mortality was A = 0.4492, and instantaneous coefficient of total mortality was estimated at Z = 0.5964. Recruitment year classes were back calculated using annual survivorship. Year class strength was variable and declined significantly by the end of this study. Considering the high temporal and spatial variation in estimates of abundance and recruitment, coupled with the likelihood that these fish employ a probable group-spawning reproductive behavior, we recommend a cautious approach for the future management of this species.
Cubitermes subarquatus termitaries as shelters for soil fauna in African rainforests

Most soil fauna in tropical rainforests require a pre-existing shelter for at least part of their life cycles. Among termites and ants, the most frequently encountered taxa, the availability of appropriate nesting sites is a major factor controlling the multiplication of colonies. Work carried out in five forests in southern Cameroon indicates that termitaries of Cubitermes subarquatus, whether active or abandoned, provide shelter for large numbers of invasive invertebrates, particularly ants and other termite species, and may be a determining factor in the patchy distribution of many taxa. Dissections of 90 termitaries (65 active, 25 abandoned) produced a great diversity of invasive fauna, including 354 ant colonies representing 75 species in 31 genera. Ants occurred in all abandoned termitaries but 6·1% of active termitaries had no ants present. Nevertheless, in total active termitaries sheltered more ant colonies (273) than did abandoned ones (81). Every termitary examined also sheltered founding pairs.
Comparative evaluation of Friesian-Sahiwal and Friesian Hariana halfbreds at different military farms

Data consisting of first lactation and lifetime performance records of 1 380 Friesian-Sahiwal (FS) and 690 Friesian-Hariana (F:H) halfbreds maintained al 6 milntary dairy farms were analysed. I:S halfbreds yielded 271 kg more milk In first lactation than I.H halfbreds at Agra, whereas FS halfbred produced 175 kg less milk than FH halfbreds at Lucknow. First lactation profit was negative in both genctic groups. FS gave more loss in first lactation than FH halfbreds at Ambala, whercas F.H hallbreds gave more loss at Bareilly and Jhansi. The first calving Interval was longer in FS halfbreds at Barcilly and Meerut. FS has halfbreds completed more lactations than FH halfbreds at Barcilly ,Jhansi and Meerut. F:S had longer herd Me than FH halfbreds at Agra, Barcilly, Jhansi and Meerut. The F:S halfbred. yielded more milk during life lime than FH halfbreds at Agra, Barcilly, Jhdnsi and Meerut FH produced more milk than FS at Lucknow. I:S halfbreds yielded more profit in life than FH halfbrcd< at all farms except Lucknow. The performance of the two genetic groups differed at dffrerent farms.
Spatial stochastic modeling of resin yield from pine stands

The spatial structure of resin-yield in maritime pine stands in central Spain was studied on two different scales and with data from two tapping periods (1998 and 1999). For the fine scale, Moran's I and the K function were used to study within-stand spatial variation. We found that in one plot, trees separated by distances of less than 5 m had similar production. The K function results showed that the distribution of trees did not depart significantly from complete spatial randomness. For a much larger scale, data was available from 37 and 59 ten-tree plots for years 1998 and 1999, respectively. Partial (monthly) yields were also measured. The experimental variograms for the mean plot production showed that a large percentage of the total variance was spatially structured. Furthermore, the experimental variograms for the partial yields revealed changes in the spatial structure of this phenomenon within the same year. Spatial stochastic modeling was shown to be an effective and economic modeling strategy.
Discrimination of SHV β-Lactamase Genes by Restriction Site Insertion-PCR

ABSTRACT Restriction site insertion-PCR (RSI-PCR) is a simple, rapid technique for detection of point mutations. This technique exploits primers with one to three base mismatches near the 3′ end to modulate a restriction site. We have developed this technique to identify described mutations of the blaSHV genes for differentiation of SHV variants that cannot be distinguished easily by other techniques. To validate this method, eight standard strains were used, each producing a different SHV β-lactamase: SHV-1, SHV-2, SHV-3, SHV-4, SHV-5, SHV-6, SHV-8, and SHV-18. Mismatch primers were designed to detect mutations affecting amino acids at positions 8 (SspI), 179 (HinfI), 205 (PstI), 238 (Gly→Ala) (BsrI), and 240 (NruI) ofblaSHV genes. All amplimers of theblaSHV genes used in this study yielded the predicted restriction endonuclease digestion products. In addition, this study also makes theoretical identification ofblaSHV-6, blaSHV-8, and 12 novel blaSHV variants using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique possible. By using a combination of PCR-RFLP and RSI-PCR techniques, up to 27 SHV variants can now be distinguished rapidly and reliably. These simple techniques are readily applied to epidemiological studies of the SHV β-lactamases and may be extended to the characterisation of other resistance determinants.
Settlement of barnacle larvae is governed by Euclidean and not fractal surface characteristics

1. Extensive research has been carried out on the biological, physical and chemical characteristics of surfaces that promote, or prevent, marine fouling. The texture of the substratum is probably the most important factor affecting settlement of the Acorn Barnacle Semibalanus balanoides in the field. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between fractal and Euclidean descriptions of substratum surface complexity and settlement of the Acorn Barnacle. 2. Replicate settlement panels with smooth, fine, medium and coarse surfaces were manufactured using a precise and accurate technique. Two-dimensional profiles were measured using a laser profilometer, and two surface complexity indices, potential settling sites (PSS) and the Minkowski fractal dimension (MFD) were calculated. PSS is a Euclidean measure of the surface complexity taking into account the body size and settlement behaviour of the barnacle larvae, whereas MFD is a fractal dimension related to the complexity of the surface at a variety of scales. 3. In a field experiment, settlement density of S. balanoides was positively related to both PSS and MFD. To break the correlation between PSS and MFD, surfaces were modified by sandblasting with either 64–125-μm or 250–500-μm grains. This decreased MFD but did not affect PSS. 4. A further field experiment found that this erosion using small-scale sand particles had no effect on settlement of the barnacle. It was concluded that S. balanoides larvae were responding to characteristics of the surface related to PSS and not MFD. 5. Although a correlation was found between species abundance and the fractal complexity of its habitat, further experimentation showed that there was no causality in this relationship. Many surveys, with no experimentation, of aquatic and terrestrial communities have shown relationships between organisms and their habitat and assumed causality; however, care must be taken in interpretation of such studies.
Nuclear Replication Activity During Seed Development, Dormancy Breakage and Germination in Three Tree Species: Norway Maple (Acer platanoidesL.), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanusL.) and Cherry (Prunus aviumL.)

Flow cytometric analyses of nuclear DNA levels were carried out during development, stratification and germination of dormant seeds from three tree species with contrasting characteristics. Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) have orthodox (desiccation-tolerant) and recalcitrant (desiccation-sensitive) storage behaviours, respectively, and require only a period of cold to break dormancy, whereas, orthodox cherry (Prunus avium) seeds require an initial warm period before cold stratification to fully stimulate germination. Whole embryos and radicle tips of both Norway maple and sycamore were found to have stable high levels of 4C DNA during the latter stages of development and both contained nuclei arrested at the 2C and 4C levels at maturity. Mature cherry embryos had nuclei predominantly arrested at the 2C level. This suggests that the acquisition of desiccation tolerance is not correlated with the arrest of the cell cycle at any particular nuclear DNA level. Neither DNA replication in radicle cells nor germination occurred when seeds were maintained moist at a constant 20 °C. However, in the late stages of cold treatment during stratification, nuclear DNA levels in radicle cells changed in advance of radicle emergence in the orthodox Norway maple and cherry, whereas in the recalcitrant sycamore, change was not recorded until after radicle emergence. These results show that DNA replication has potential use as an indicator of the progress of tree seeds through stratification treatments used to break some types of dormancy. The ways in which this indicator could be exploited for seed quality and performance testing are discussed.
A new 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase gene from Taxus media: Cloning, characterization and functional complementation

2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (MECPS, EC: 4.6.1.12) is the fifth enzyme of the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway of Taxol biosynthesis. The full-length cDNA sequence (designated as TmMECPS) was cloned and characterized from Taxus media. The full-length cDNA of TmMECPSwas 899 bp containing a 723 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 241 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 26.1 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.22. Comparative analysis indicated that TmMECPS was similar with other plant MECPSs with the conserved Zn2+ ligands and CDP-binding residues, the subcellular prediction showed that TmMECPS owned a 60 amimo-acid plastidial transit peptide at it N-terminus. In the phylogenetic analysis, plant MECPSs were divided into 2 groups including angiosperm MECPSs and gymnosperm MECPSs. Tissue expression pattern analysis indicated thatTmMECPS expressed in all tested tissues including tender barks, leaves, roots and stems but at different levels, TmMECPS had higher expression levels in tender barks and leaves than that in roots and stems. The genetic complementation assay demonstrated that TmMECPS did encode the enzyme that had the MECPS activity like Arabidopsis MECPS. The cloning and characterization of TmMECPS will be helpful to understand more about the role of MECPS involved in the taxol precursor biosynthesis at the molecular level. Key words: MECPS gene, cloning, color complementation assay, Taxus media, expression.
Population-Scale Movement of Coastal Cutthroat Trout in a Naturally Isolated Stream Network

Abstract To identify population-scale patterns of movement, coastal cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii tagged and marked (35 radio-tagged, 749 passive integrated transponder [PIT]-tagged, and 3,025 fin-clipped) were monitored from June 1999 to August 2000. The study watershed, located in western Oregon, was above a natural barrier to upstream movement. Emigration out of the watershed was estimated with a rotating fish trap. Approximately 70% of recaptured coastal cutthroat trout with PIT tags and 86% of those with radio tags moved predominantly at the channel-unit scale (2–95 m); fewer tagged fish moved at the reach scale (66–734 m) and segment scale (229–3,479 m). In general, movement was greatest in April as spawning peaked and lowest in October, when discharge was at its lowest. Only 63 (<1% of tagged and marked fish) coastal cutthroat trout were captured in the fish trap. Trap efficiency was about 33%, and the expanded estimate of emigrants between February and June was 173 fish. These resul.
Relationship Quality in Services Selling: An Interpersonal Influence Perspective

Salespeople involved in the marketing of complex services often perform the role of “relationship manager. ” It is, in part, the quality of the relationship between the salesperson and the customer that determines the probability of continued interchange between those parties in the future. A relationship quality model is advanced and tested that examines the nature, consequences, and antecedents of relationship quality, as perceived by the customer. The findings suggest that future sales opportunities depend mostly on relationship quality (i.e., trust and satisfaction), whereas the ability to convert those opportunities into sales hinges more on conventional source characteristics of similarity and expertise. Relational selling behaviors such as cooperative intentions, mutual disclosure, and intensive followup contact generally produce a strong buyer-seller bond.
Temporary host paralysis and avoidance of self‐superparasitism in the solitary endoparasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis

We suggest a new mechanism for the avoidance of self‐superparasitism by a solitary endoparasitoid of free‐living hosts. Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a solitary larval endoparasitoid of a wide range of Lepidoptera. First, we tested the tendency to avoid multiple oviposition on Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae, examining the distribution pattern of eggs deposited in 20 hosts in 24 h. The standardized Morisita index of dispersion (Ip) for the number of eggs in a host larva was almost always below zero, and the 95% confidence limits of the means were lower than zero for both experienced and inexperienced females, indicating that parasitoids tend to avoid multiple oviposition, although not completely. Second, we observed changes in host movements (head shaking and forward movement) after oviposition and the occurrence of additional ovipositions in pre‐oviposited hosts, because a recent study indicated the necessity of visual cues provided by host movements for oviposition by this species. The incidence of host movements decreased markedly after oviposition and remained at a low level for approximately 1 h, during which time additional ovipositions were rarely observed. Temporary host paralysis after oviposition would be a new mechanism for the avoidance of self‐superparasitism in a solitary endoparasitoid using visual cues from moving hosts for oviposition.
Changes in blood biochemical and enzyme profile in experimental chronic selenosis in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Blood glucose, plasma biochemicals, viz. plasma urea nitrogen, creatinine, total proteins and albumin; and plasma enzymes activities, viz. alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transferase (AL T) and aspartate transferase (AST) were analysed in buffalo calves after induction of selenosis by ad lib. feeding of selenium enriched (S.54 ppm) wheat straw for 84 days. The mean blood glucose values (48.70±1.45 mg/dl) reflected hypoglycaemia, whereas mean ALP (90.72±6.98 lU/L), ALT (43.5 1± 1.62 IU/L), AST (89.67±0.30 IU/L) activities and plasma urea nitrogen (13.08±0.69 mg/dl) showed significant increase after 14, 70, 56, 42, and 42 days, respectively, of feeding wheat straw, indicating chronic liver damage and nephritis respectively. However, mean plasma creatinine, total plasma proteins and albumin revealed nonsignificant alterations throughout the period of induction of selenosis as compared to respective mean values of healthy controls.
Lysozyme: an important defence molecule of fish innate immune system

The innate immune system of fish is considered to be the first line of defence against a broad spectrum of pathogens and is more important for fish as compared with mammals. Lysozyme level or activity is an important index of innate immunity of fish and is ubiquitous in its distribution among living organisms. It is well documented that fish lysozyme possess lytic activity against both Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. It is also known to be opsonic in nature and activates the complement system and phagocytes. It is present in mucus, lymphoid tissue, plasma and other body fluids of freshwater and marine fish. It is also expressed in a wide variety of tissues. Lysozyme activity has been shown to vary depending on the sex, age and size, season, water temperature, pH, toxicants, infections and degree of stressors. Here, we review our current understanding of different types of lysozyme and their expression and its role in fish innate immune system.
Response of enzyme activities and metabolic intermediate concentrations to epinephrine administration in hepatopancreas and muscle of carp.

SUMMARY: An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of an intraperitoneal glucagon administration (60 μg/kg) on enzyme activities and metabolic intermediate concentrations in the hepatopancreas and muscle of common carp Cyprinus carpio. In the hepatopancreas, glycogen phosphorylase a activity together with cyclic adenosine-5′-monophosphate (AMP) concentration were significantly increased, and glycogen content was significantly decreased, at 1 h after the glucagon administration. Additionally, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities as well as plasma glucose and free amino acid concentrations were increased after its administration. In the muscle, glucose and glycogen contents increased after the administration. Furthermore, the hormone administration also increased phosphofructokinase activity together with fructose-6-phosphate, AMP, and adenosine-5′-diphosphate concentrations and decreased adenosine-5′-triphosphate concentration. From 3 h after the administration, many parameter concentrations in both tissues showed a tendency to recover to the initial levels. These results suggest that glucagon administration enhanced glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the hepatopancreas, and as a consequence, glucose was released into the bloodstream. The blood glucose seems to be metabolized through enhanced glycolysis and glycogenesis in the muscle.