Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Female Zebra Finches Vary Primary Reproductive Effort in Relation to Mate Attractiveness

Female choice and mate preference have been shown to affect female reproductive effort both prior to copulation (e.g. females seeking extra-pair copulation) and during parental care ('secondary' reproductive effort) in relation to mate quality. Here we show that female zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata, vary their 'primary' reproductive effort in egg production in relation to the attractiveness of their male partner, for some components of reproduction but not others. Females were allowed to choose 'preferred' and 'non-preferred' males in standard mate choice trials, and were then paired sequentially with each male. Preferred males had significantly higher song duration and song frequency than non-preferred males confirming that females preferred attractive, higher quality males. Male attractiveness had a positive, but weak, effect on clutch size: in breeding experiments individual females laid on average 0.5 eggs more when paired with their preferred male compared to the non-preferred male. However, there was no significant difference in breeding propensity (whether females laid eggs or not), number of days between pairing and laying, mean egg size or egg quality (protein and lipid composition) in relation to male type. These results suggest that components of primary reproductive effort in individual female zebra finches are relatively non-plastic traits.
Post‐glacial colonization of eastern Europe from the Carpathian refugium: evidence from mitochondrial DNA of the common vole Microtus arvalis

There is now considerable evidence for the survival of temperate species within glacial refugia that were situated at relatively high latitudes, notably the Carpathian Basin and Dordogne region in Europe. However, the prevalence of fossil remains in such locations is rarely matched by molecular evidence for their contribution to subsequent geographical and demographic expansion of the species in question. One obstacle to this has been insufficient analysis of modern samples from the relevant areas, in particular the parts of eastern Europe that surround the Carpathian refugium. In the present study, we examine the patterns of variation in mitochondrial DNA of the common vole (Microtus arvalis), obtained from existing museum specimens and from newly-collected samples obtained in this area. We show that common voles from one of six extant mitochondrial DNA lineages have colonized most of the species' range in eastern Europe. We contend that the post-glacial dispersal of this lineage most likely originated from the Carpathian refugium, adding support to the argument that such northern refugia made an important contribution to existing genetic diversity in Europe.
Composition of Mares’ Milk as Compared with that of Other Species

Summary Twenty-six samples of milk produced by one Palomino and four Percheron mares were assayed for water, protein, ascorbic acid, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. The milk was produced in the early lactation period during late winter and early spring months when the mares were subsisting principally upon hay and grain. The milk from the Palomino mare contained more protein, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium than the Percheron mares' milk. The average values for the milk of the Percheron mares were: water 89.7 per cent, protein 2.3 per cent, reduced ascorbic acid 89mg. per liter, phosphorus 63mg. , potassium 64mg. , magnesium 9.0mg. , and calcium 102mg. per 100g. These values indicate that mares' milk contains more water than cow, goat, ewe, buffalo, camel, or human milk; less protein than cow, goat, ewe, buffalo, or camel milk, but more than human milk; more ascorbic acid than cow, goat, or human milk; less phosphorus than cow or goat milk but more than human milk; only about one-third as much potassium as cow or goat milk; and less magnesium and calcium than cow or goat milk, but about four times as much calcium as human milk. The ratio of calcium and phosphorus is considerably higher in mares' milk than in cows' or goats' milk but possibly lower than in human milk.
Predicting cyanobacterial dynamics in the face of global change: the importance of scale and environmental context

There is growing concern that harmful cyanobacterial blooms are increasing in frequency and occurrence around the world. Although nutrient enrichment is commonly identified as a key predictor of cyanobacterial abundance and dominance in freshwaters, several studies have shown that variables related to climate change can also play an important role. Based on our analysis of the literature, we hypothesized that temperature or water‐column stability will be the primary drivers of cyanobacterial abundance in stratified lakes whereas nutrients will be the stronger predictors in frequently mixing water bodies. To test this hypothesis, as well as quantify the drivers of cyanobacteria over different scales and identify interactions between nutrients and climate‐related variables, we applied linear and nonlinear mixed‐effect modeling techniques to seasonal time‐series data from multiple lakes. We first compared time series of cyanobacterial dominance to a published lake survey and found that the models were similar. Using time‐series data of cyanobacterial biomass, we identified important interactions among nutrients and climate‐related variables; dimictic basin experienced a heightened susceptibility to cyanobacterial blooms under stratified eutrophic conditions, whereas polymictic basins were less sensitive to changes in temperature or stratification. Overall, our results show that due to predictable interactions among nutrients and temperature, polymictic and dimictic lakes are expected to respond differently to future climate warming and eutrophication.
NEITHER MATERNAL SIZE NOR SITE OF SPAWNING INFLUENCES LARVAL COMPETENCY IN WESTERN ROCK LOBSTER PANULIRUS CYGNUS GEORGE

Abstract The size of the western rock lobster broodstock is variable over the range of the Western Australian fishery, due to regional differences in the density and length structure of the stock and the female's size at maturity. Management regulations do not currently discriminate in the protection afforded to the broodstock in the different regions. This study has examined whether regional and size differences in early egg diameter, phyllosoma length at hatch and phyllosoma competency, are related to lipid class and fatty acid composition, protein composition and water content in late stage eggs and early stage phyllosoma larvae. A positive relationship, particularly to phyllosoma competency, would have management implications for the protection of broodstock in different parts of the fishery. Females were sampled in three size groups captured in two sampling regions (Abrolhos Islands 60-70 and 80-90 mm CL; coastal 80-90 and > 95 mm CL). Mostly, eggs and larvae from different maternal size classes and regions were not significantly different with respect to lipid class and fatty acid composition, protein composition and water content, and larval competency. The lipid classes of eggs differed significantly (P < 0.02) between the three maternal size-classes; fatty acids differed significantly between both eggs and phyllosoma grouped by maternal catch site and size-class (P = 0.02 and 0.003, respectively); and there was no correlation between biochemical differences and larval competency. These results imply that maternal identity and subsequent diet may have a greater influence on larval competency in P. cygnus than the maternal attributes (size and capture site) that were tested.
Collection of viable honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae after hatching in vitro

Summary Many techniques currently under development in bee research, including the cloning, genetic manipulation and cryopreservation of embryos, require the rearing of larvae and adults from eggs that may have a reduced chance of survival if introduced into colonies. Obtaining viable larvae from in vitro-rearing of eggs is work intensive, because the duration of embryonic development is highly variable and neonate larvae only survive for a short time without food. We therefore developed and tested 14 protocols to prolong the survival of larvae after hatching in an incubator. The common goal of these techniques was to install the eggs in a way that enabled the larvae to reach food at the moment they hatched. Larvae obtained with the most successful protocol were then reared into queens, in order to evaluate their capacity to continue development. With the best protocol tested, 74.6% of eggs could be retrieved as living larvae when collected at intervals of 12 h, and 56.7% of eggs could be reared into queens. Three different methods to prolong the survival of hatching larvae are described in detail, and their relative usefulness is discussed.
In vitro Activity of Moxifloxacin Against 179 Strains of Anaerobic Bacteria Found in Pulmonary Infections

Abstract The activity of moxifloxacin (BAY 12-8039), a new 8-methoxyquinolone, was determined using the NCCLS-approved Wadsworth brucella laked blood agar method and compared to the activities of metronidazole, penicillin G, piperacillin/tazobactam and trovafloxacin. Breakpoints used to define susceptible and resistant categories were, respectively: ≤ 8 and ≥ 32 μg/mL for metronidazole, ≤ 2 and ≥ 8 μg/mL for moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin, ≤ 0.5 and ≥ 2 μg/mL for penicillin G and ≤ 32 and ≥128 μg/mL for piperacillin/tazobactam. A total of 179 anaerobic isolates from pulmonary infections were tested. Piperacillin/tazobactam was the most active antimicrobial, inhibiting 99% of strains at the susceptible breakpoint. Ninety-seven percent of these isolates were susceptible to moxifloxacin; 96% to trovafloxacin, 89% to metronidazole and 43% to penicillin G. Geometric mean moxifloxacin MIC values forBacteroides fragilis and the B. fragilis group were 0.5 and 0.8 μg/mL, respectively. Eighty-eight percent of B. fragilis and 100% of other B. fragilis group species were susceptible to both moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin. All of the strains of B. fragilis and most of the other B. fragilis group species were resistant to penicillin G. At least 99% of other Bacteroides species, Prevotella, and Fusobacterium strains were susceptible to moxifloxacin, metronidazole, piperacillin/tazobactam and trovafloxacin (88% were susceptible to trovafloxacin at 2 μg/mL and all were susceptible at 4 μg/mL). The strains of Clostridium difficile andClostridium ramosum found in these specimens were both resistant to penicillin G but susceptible to the other agents. All strains of Peptostreptococcus species were susceptible to all of the agents except penicillin G. Activities of the agents against non-spore-forming Gram-positive rods at the intermediate breakpoint were, respectively, moxifloxacin-100%, metronidazole-49%, penicillin G-86%, piperacillin/tazobactam-100%, and trovafloxacin-97%. The promising in vitro activity of moxifloxacin against anaerobic pulmonary isolates warrants further investigation, including clinical correlation studies.
Do changes in rainfall patterns affect semiarid annual plant communities

Abstract Question: Climate change models forecast a reduction inannual precipitation and more extreme events (less rainydays and longer drought periods between rainfall events),which may have profound effects on terrestrial ecosys-tems. Plant growth, population and community dynamicsin dry environments are likely to be affected by thesechanges since productivity is already limited by wateravailability. We tested the effects of reduced precipitationandfewerraineventsonthreesemiaridplantcommunitiesdominated by annual species.Location: Three semiarid plant communities from Almeri´aprovince (SE Spain). Methods: Rain-out shelters were set up in each commu-nity and watering quantity and frequency were mani-pulatedfromautumntoearlysummer.Plantproductivity,cover and diversity were measured at the end of theexperimental period.Results: We found that a 50% reduction in wateringreduced productivity, plant cover and diversity in all threecommunities. However, neither the 25% reduction inwatering nor changes in the frequency of watering eventsaffected these parameters.Conclusions: The lack of response to small reductions inwater could be due to the identity and resistance of theplant communities involved, which are adapted to rainfallvariability characteristic of arid environments. Therefore,a rainfall reduction of 25% or less may not affect theseplant communities in the short term, although higherreductions or long-term changes in water availabilitywould probably reduce productivity and diversity in thesecommunities.Keywords: Climate change; Drought; Mediterranean eco-system; Precipitation; Pulsed events; Water availability.
Rootstock Influence on Flower Bud Hardiness and Yield of `Redhaven' Peach

Redhaven' peach trees (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. ) on their own roots or budded to seven rootstock ('Bailey', 'Siberian C', 'Lovell', 'Halford' (seedlings), GF 655.2, GF 677 ('Amandier'), or 'Damas' (GF 1869) (clonal)) were evaluated for root- stock influence on flower bud hardiness, live pistils at bloom, thinning requirements, marketable yield, and production efficiency after exposure to temperatures lower than - 23C in 1987 and to - 26C in 1988. In 1987, flower bud hardiness was as great on 'Siberian C' as on own-rooted 'Redhaven' and greater than on the other rootstock. Fewer live pistils were observed during bloom on GF 677 than on 'Siberian C', 'Lovell', 'Damas', or self-rooted trees in 1987. In 1988, flower bud hardiness was greater on 'Siberian C' and 'Bailey' than on GF 677. At bloom, 'Lovell' and 'Siberian C' rootstock carried more flowers with live pistils than 'Damas'. 'Siberian C' and 'Lovell' required significantly greater fruit thinning than all other rootstock and self-rooted trees. GF 677 produced a larger marketable crop than GF 655.2 or 'Damas'. In addition, 'Bailey', 'Lovell', and self-rooted trees produced a significantly larger crop than 'Damas'. No significant rootstock effect on production efficiency was detected in either year. Tree vigor during the growing season preceding each freeze did not significantly influence flower bud survival or productivity.
Lista de Peces de Agua dulce e Intermareales del Ecuador

The list of freshwater and intertidal fishes of Ecuador is based on bibliographic references and the database of the fish collection of the Institute of Biological Sciences of the National Polytechnic School (EPN). The species have been classified into eleven Ichthyohydrographic zones taking into account the characteristics of each hydrographic drainage which are the product of historical and biogeographic factors that themselves caused sympatric and allopatric vicariance events as well as dispersion and speciation. The presence of the coastal mountains, the Andean ranges and the third mountain range has influenced the morphol* Recibido 17 de marzo de 2011, revisión aceptada 20 de junio de 2011
Stimulation of butyrate production through the metabolic interaction among lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and lactic acid‐utilizing bacteria, Megasphaera elsdenii, in porcine cecal digesta

In this study, we examined the potential of Megasphaera elsdenii as a probiotic agent in combination with sodium gluconate. We also examined the combination of M. elsdenii with probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus acidophilus, to enhance butyrate production in the large intestine using a pig cecal in vitro model under the presence of sodium gluconate. Compared to the uninoculated control culture (with only diluted cecal digesta), the addition of M. elsdenii and LAB to the culture stimulated significantly the production of n-butyrate (60% increase) and n-valerate (50% increase) after 24 h incubation. n-Butyrate is regarded as the most important short-chain fatty acid in the large intestine because it stimulates the proliferation of epithelial cells, mucus release and water and mineral absorption. Therefore, lactate-utilizing butyrate producers such as M. elsdenii play a significant role in supporting the health-beneficial effects of lactogenic prebiotics and probiotics LAB. The potential of M. elsdenii as a probiotic was also suggested.
Development and validation of a model forecasting the phenology of European tarnished plant bug Lygus rugulipennis in the U.K

The European tarnished plant bug Lygus rugulipennis has caused significant economic damage to strawberry production in the U.K. in recent years. Laboratory experiments were conducted to study L. rugulipennis development under fluctuating low temperatures. The results indicated that L. rugulipennis can develop at an appreciable rate at 10 °C. We have developed a model predicting the phenology of L. rugulipennis in the U.K. The model assumes that adults overwinter and uses temperature from the first day of a calendar year to simulate pest development. The model was validated against field observations of L. rugulipennis population dynamics monitored under both open‐field and protected conditions on weeds and strawberry plants. Predicted L. rugulipennis population patterns from the model agreed well with the observed data. The L. rugulipennis model can be used in practice to enable growers to identify the timing of the first generation of L. rugulipennis adult dispersal into strawberry, or other crops, from weeds. The model will also assist growers with the timing of the deployment of pheromone traps and interpreting the importance of trap catches. This will allow growers to better time and target applications of insecticides against damaging life stages of the pest.
Biogenic Amines in the Flesh of Sailfish (Istiophorus plafypferus) Responsible for Scornbroid Poisoning

Sailfish fillets were involved in a 1994 food poisoning outbreak in western Taiwan. Samples were collected from the victims' residues and from retail and wholesale suppliers. They were analyzed for amines by a gradient elution system of HPLC. Tryptamine, histamine, spermine, trimethylamine, spermidine, and cadaverine were found; other amines were not detectable. The concentration of histamine was higher than 100 mg/100 g which was assumed as the toxic level. The allergy-like symptoms of the victims along with the high content of histamine in the sailfish they had eaten were reasonable evidence that the food poisoning was directly associated with histamine intoxication.
Cultural, molecular and pathogenic variability of Mycosphaerella pinodes and Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella isolates from dried pea (Pisum sativum) in France

The characteristics of 50 isolates of Mycosphaerella pinodes and 17 isolates of Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella, originating from several regions of France where ascochyta blight is prevalent, were investigated using cultural, physiological, molecular and pathogenicity analyses. M. pinodes was distinguished from P. medicaginis var. pinodella on the basis of presence of pseudothecia, a higher proportion of larger, bicellular conidia, compared with the smaller, predominantly unicellular conidia of P. medicaginis var. pinodella, and a slower linear growth rate on agar under a 12-h light regime. RAPD analysis clearly distinguished the two species, which had low intraspecific variability. Although both species gave identical symptoms, they could be distinguished by their incubation period and aggressiveness, respectively, shorter and higher for M. pinodes. Virulence tests gave no definitive evidence for the existence of pathotypes among the M. pinodes isolates. Two unidentified isolates had similar characters to both M. pinodes and P. medicaginis var. pinodella in some features but were distinguished from them by their RAPD patterns.
Genetic Aspects of Changes in Staphylococcus aureus Producing Strains Resistant to Various Concentrations of Penicillin

Fastness or resistance -to penic'illin and to sulfa drugs is known to occur in strains of bacteria which are sensitive to these chemicals; and in numerous instances on record this new property has been produced in vitro under experimental conditions. It is known that the degree of resistance can readily be increased by growing bacteria in a medium containing increasingly higher concentrations of such chemicals, and that the resistant strains so developed retain the property of resistance. My interest in this problem was to obtain quantitative data regarding the.origin of resistance and to determine whether or not a genetic interpretation could. be given to them. The preliminary summary of these results which has . been published (Demerec, '45) indicates that the change to penicillin-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is a genetic change comparable to gene mutation.
Zur Topographie der Gehirngefäße des Hundes

I. Einleitung Wie fur alle lebenswichtigen Organe is t auch fur die Funktion des Gehirnes eine kontinuierliche, ausreichende Blutversorgung unabdingbare Voraussetzung. Einzelne Regionen des Gehirnes verbrauchen das Hundertfache an Sauerstoff im Vergleich zum Skelettmuskel. Eine vollstandige Unterbrechung der Gehirndurchblutung fuhrt bereits nach wenigen Sekunden zu Bewufitlosigkeit und nach etwa 30 Sekunden zu schweren Schadigungen der Nervenzellen, die nach 5 Minuten nicht mehr ruckgingig zu machen sind (KOLB, 1962). Daher ist es verstandlich, dai3 die Blutzufuhr zum Gehirn uber zwei vollkommen unabhangige Gefafibahnen erfolgt, die an der Gehirnbasis im sog. Circulus arteriosus cerebri miteinander in Verbindung stehen. Die in den letzten Jahren erzielten Fortschritte und Moglichkeiten auf dem Gebiet der Gehirnchirurgie und die damit in Zusammenhang stehende Verwendung des Hundes als Versuchstier fur Gehirnoperationen beim Menschen machen eine genauere topographische Beschreibung und vor allem eine bildliche Darstellung der HauptgehirngefaGe nach Verlauf und Versorgungsgebieten gerade be; dieser Tierart erforderlich. Auch durften die hier vorgelegten Zeichnungen eine wertvolle Unterstutzung fur die Deutung angiographischer Rontgenbefunde am Hundegehirn darstellen.
Phosphorus dietary assimilation and efflux in the marine copepod Acartia erythraea

We examined the metabolism of phosphorus (P), including its dietary assimilation, efflux, and regeneration, in the marine subtropical copepod Acartia erythraea feeding on diverse types of marine phytoplankton. The P assimilation efficiency (AE) ranged between 19 and 78% when the copepods were fed 6 algal diets at the same concentration (1.45 mg C l(-1)). Among the different algal diets, the AEs were not significantly related to the ingestion rate and the food gut passage time of copepods, or the P partitioning in the algal cytoplasm. The P AE decreased ca. 2-fold when the food concentration increased from 0.073 to 3.625 mg C l(-1), but was not influenced by the P quota in diatoms. The P efflux rates in the copepods feeding on diatoms were 0.30 to 0.36 d(-1) over the food concentrations examined; the efflux rate was significantly higher when the copepods ingested diatoms with higher P quotas, suggesting that the P homeostasis in the copepods may possibly be achieved by efflux of P from the body. During the dietary assimilation and efflux periods, most P lost from the copepods was regenerated into the dissolved phase and only a small portion of P was detected in other compartments (mainly in the feces), suggesting that copepods rapidly regenerate particulate P into the surrounding waters. Our study indicated that both P dietary assimilation and efflux can play an important role in maintaining the P stoichiometry in copepods.