Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Mechanistic Model of Some Physical Determinants of Intake Rate and Diet Selection in a Two-Species Temperate Grassland Sward

1. A model is described which provides a mechanistic explanation of the functional response of intake rate to herbage availability [Leaf Area Index (LAI), height or mass] in large herbivores. 2. When grazing non-selectively (between plant species) rates of encounter (cf. search times) are unlikely to be limiting even at low herbage LAI in cool-temperate pastures. Bite rate and intake rate are limited by handling time. Even at low herbage LAI, the fixed time cost associated with opening and closing the jaw to prehend a bite limits the capacity of animals to compensate for low bite mass by increasing bite rate and so restricts intake rate. 3. The model proposes that differences in the time taken to masticate a unit bite mass are necessary to explain the major differences in intake rate between large-mounthed animals (e.g. cattle) and sheep grazing from the same sward
Obtaining 5S rDNA molecular markers for native and invasive Obtaining 5S rDNA molecular markers for native and invasive Obtaining 5S rDNA molecular markers for native and invasive Obtaining 5S rDNA molecular markers for native and invasive Cichla populations (Perciformes

The 5S rDNA gene is informative and has high conservation rates along the eukaryotic genome, having unique hereditary characteristics. Molecular studies with the 5S rDNA gene have been carried out with several groups, including some species of fish, aiming at solving phylogenetic relationship problems, ancestral patterns and genetic diversity among groups in natural populations. Species of the Cichla genus , introduced in the upper Parana river basin, present some genetic polymorphisms detected by RAPD and SPAR analyses. These species have been intercrossing and forming viable hybrids, with greater genetic variability. The objective of this work was to standardize the amplification methodology for the non-transcribed regions of 5S rDNA multigenic family of Cichla , and to obtain specific markers for parent species that could also be identified in the hybrids. Sixty-five specimens of Cichla collected from the upper Parana river and Amazon basins were analyzed. Although molecular markers that could be useful in the identification of hybrids were not obtained, genetic molecular 5S rDNA species-specific markers for Cichla temensis that can be employed to identify of this species, as well population markers that can be useful in population genetic variability studies, were obtained.
Plantlets Regeneration via Somatic Embryogenesis from the Nucellus Tissues of Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus reticulata L.)

Studies were initiated to explore the role of nucellus tissues and growth regulators in plantlets regeneration via somatic embryogenesis of Kinnow mandarin [Citrus reticulata L. (Blanco)]. Nucellus tissues were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of auxins, cytokinins and malt extract for primary callus induction. The best response for primary callus induction (90%) was obtained when MS medium was supplemented with 5 mg/l 2,4-D and 500 mg/l malt extract. Best results for embryogenic callus induction (80%) were obtained in C8 medium. The induction of somatic embryos was highest when MS medium was supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP and maturation of somatic embryos occurred when MS medium was supplemented with 5 mg/l 2,4-D and 1 mg/l BAP. Maximum plantlets were regenerated (92%) from the somatic embryos on half strength MS medium with no hormones. The plantlets were successfully acclimatized in different potting mixtures and highest survival rate (100%) was achieved in potting mixture containing sand and peat moss (2:1).
Studies of the Vegetation of the English Chalk: III. The Chalk Grasslands of Hampshire-Sussex Border

2. CHALK GRASSLAND: A. At Buriton Limeworks . 183 B. Chalton Down and Chalton Peak . 186 C. Coulter's Dean wasteland . 189 D. Downley grassland. The rabbit-proof enclosures . 190 History from 1908 to 1920 . 191 Relative weights of herbage in 1920 . 193 Flowering in 1920 . 194 Soils . 194 Floristic composition . 196 Quadrats . 200 Notes on the frequencies of species on the two areas and within the enclosures: 202 (a) Species characteristic of chalk grassland . 202 (b) Species not characteristic of chalk grassland 204 Marginal woodland species . 206 Depths of rooting . 206 E. Effect of different slope exposures (War Down and Butser Hill) 207 F. Effect of Rabbits . 211 Windmill Hill . 213 G. Grassland on deeper non-calcareous oil overlying chalk . 218
Heterosis for Reproductive Traits in Reciprocal Crosses of Highly Inbred Lines of Japanese Quail

Heterosis for reproductive traits, such as fertility, hatchability, viability and egg production rate was investigated in the reciprocal crosses between the highly inbred lines (F=0.925) of Japanese quail. High heterosis effect was found for all reproductive traits except fertility. Fertility, hatchability and viability were similar in the reciprocal crosses, however, statistically significant difference was detected in egg production rate.
Releasing characteristics of nonpoint source pollutants from straws under submerging condition

The manner of straw returning is a double-edged sword for cropland ecosystems because it can not only return nutrients for crop,enhance the soil fertility and lessen the use of chemical manures correspondingly,but also it may result in nonpoint source pollutants such as N,P and COD,which were released to water system in the process of its decomposition.How huge is the potential effect of the nonpoint source pollution when straws were applied to paddy fields? In this research,the simulated experiment under submerging condition was conducted to investigate the direct releasing characteristic of nonpoint source pollutants involving N,P and COD in the process of two methods about returned strew to soil such as surface cover(SC) and strew burying(SB). The results taking a period of 38 days showed that under submerging condition,the concentration of TN in surface water was decreased continuously,while TP,COD was increased urgently or slowly and then decreased continuously,respectively.The releasing intensity of TN was higher than that of TP,while the releasing speeds of TN and COD decreased continuously,except that the releasing speed of TP increased slightly at the beginning of submerging.The concentration of nonpoint source pollutants in the covering water of SC was more than that of SB,and it was increasing with the application amount.From the perspective of controlling the agricultural nonpoint source pollution,the appropriate time for TN prevention was in the initial stage of submerging,while the time for the TP and COD prevention was in 1—3 weeks after submerging.The strew burying was the friendly method.The above conclusion could provide the scientific basis for determining the negative effect of straw manure reasonably and limiting the nonpoint source pollution resulted from the returned straws to soil.
Studies on the Muscles of the Pelvic Appendage in Birds II: The Heterogeneous Order Falconiformes

Introduction . ------102 Material and Methods 103 Acknowledgements -1 03 Review of recent literature -103 Review of the muscles of the pelvic limb 104 Modifications of the pelvic limb in the higher aroups of falconiform birds -109 American vultures, Family Cathartidae109 Secretary bird, Family Sagittariidae 110 Other falconiform birds, Families Accipitridae, Panldionidae and Falconidae -111 Summary of differences noted between Pandion, Falco and the Accipitridae 112 Apparent differences between several genera of Accipitridae -114 Comparison of Cathartidae and Sagittarius115 Comparison of Sagittarius and typical Falcones (Accipitridae, Pandionidae and Falconidae) -116 Comparison of Cathartidae and typical Falcones (Accipitridae, Pandionidae and Falconidae) -118 Comparison of Sagittarius and Pandion119 Comparison of Cathartidae and Pandion ----------------------------121 Comparison of Accipitridae and Falco with Pandion -122 Synopsis of the most important features of the muscles of th pelvic limb in falconiform birds 124 Discussion and Conclusions 125 References127
Nonlinear modeling of muskrat use of habitat

Where muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) are burrow dwellers, traditional aerial surveys of lodges to characterize the potential of different areas to sustain the species are not adequate. We present an alternative to identifying critical habitat variables on the basis of muskrat presence indices. We used stepwise logistic regression to create a habitat model based on muskrat presence in early fall along various wetlands of James Bay. We built 2 models, 1 based on presence of burrows only and 1 using the presence of muskrat feeding signs and droppings. Collecting the latter data required less field time than looking for burrows. The burrow model had a classification rate of 88 and 92% for 60-m shore sections of wetland used to build the model and other sections of streams and rivers, respectively. Classification rates for the feeding signs and droppings model were lower (79 and 71%, respectively). Logistic regression analysis on presence/absence of burrow (P < 0.001) selected bank slope, percentages of floating and submerged plant cover, presence of clay-loam soil, and width of shore herbaceous belt as important habitat variables. The number of muskrat burrows in the study area averaged 2.1 ± 5.5/km, and lodges were not found. Slow-flowing rivers represented the best habitats. Methodology presented here may be used to determine variables related to muskrat presence in riverine wetlands. These habitat variables may be used to assign values reflecting the potential of each riparian section of a given wetland to harbor burrow-dwelling muskrats
Purification and Characterization of an Extracellular Alkaline Protease from Aspergillus niger C-15

Abstract An alkaline protease produced by Aspergillus niger C-15 was purified and characterized. The enzyme was purified 19.41- fold with a specific activity of 74150 U/mg and a recovery of 34.4% by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 34 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for the protease activity were pH 8.0 and 60°C, respectively. The enzyme activity inhibited by EDTA suggests that the preparation contains a metalloprotease. The enzyme activity of the metalloprotease was completely inhibited by 5 mM HgCl2 and FeCl3, while partially inhibited by CuSO4 and MnCl2. When polyols such as glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol, were added to the reaction medium, most polyols tested enhanced protease activity. Especially, glycerol showed the highest effect. The alkaline metalloprotease was stable at high temperature and retained more than 90% of the initial activity at 60°C and 86.4% under addition of glycerol.
CULTIVO DE ALEVINOS DE CARPA CAPIM (Ctenopharyngodon idella) ALIMENTADOS COM RAÇÃO E FORRAGENS CULTIVADAS REARING OF GRASS CARP FINGERLINGS (Ctenopharyngodon idella) FED WITH RATION AND CULTIVATE PASTURES

This research evaluated the feeding with different grasses and the suplementation with balanced ration in grass carp rearing (Ctenopharyngodon idella). In the first experiment 800 fingerlings (initial weight=5.5 g) were used, being tested four grasses in the growth and body composition. The results showed that teosinto grass was superior among the grasses, however, in all of the treatments, mobilization of the body reserves was observed. In the second experiment 100 fingerlings were used (initial weight=11g), being tested the daily suplementation or every 2 days of ration plus forage. All suplemented treatments with ration were superior than that containing only forage. It is concluded that only forage as food source doesn't meet the nutritional requirements in the rearing of grass carp, becoming indispensable the use of ration in the diet. Daily allowance of 1% of live weight every 2 days results in higher weight gain to fish.
EVIDENCE FOR THREE DISTINCT CLASSES OF CYSTATHIONINE ,8-SYNTHASE MUTANTS IN CULTURED FIBROBLASTS

A B S T RA C T We have compared in vivo pyridoxine responsiveness with in vitro cystathionine /8-synthase activity in extracts of confluent fibroblasts from 14 synthase-deficient patients. Enzyme activity was measured with and without addition of its cofactor, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, using a radioisotopic assay which detects as little as 0.25% ofcontrol activity. Six ofseven lines from responsive patients had measurable activity without the added cofactor (0.6-15% ofmean control). Two ofthese lines showed a five- and sevenfold stimulation of cystathionine ,B-synthase activity with added pyridoxal-5'-phosphate; in the other four, the cofactor addition increased activity only modestly, as in controls. Two of seven lines from nonresponsive patients had measurable activity (each 3% of mean control) which increased two- and fivefold with the added cofactor. Cystathionine ,8-synthase activity was undetectable in one line from a responsive patient and in five lines from nonresponsive ones. To characterize control and mutant synthase further, dissociation constants for pyridoxal-5'-phosphate were estimated and thermostability (54°C) was studied in two control and five mutant lines. In one mutant, both parameters were normal; in the others, the affinity for the cofactor was reduced 3to 11-fold and thermostability was much impaired. We conclude that at least three general classes ofcystathionine 83-synthase mutants exist: those with no residual activity; those with reduced activity and normal affinity for pyridoxal-5'phosphate; and those with reduced activity and a reduced affinity for the cofactor. Pyridoxine responsiveness in vivo cannot be correlated simply with the presence or absence ofresidual synthase activDr. Fowler was supported by a travelling fellowrship from the Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom. Dr.
Analysis to Mixed Silage Effect of Sorghum-sudangrass Hybrid and Alfalfa

Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids and Alfalfa were ensiled to make mixed silage,according to different quality ratio(5∶ 5,6∶ 4,7 ∶ 3,8 ∶ 2),then compared by whether adding 5% CaCO3 or not during the mixed process,in all eight treatments and corresponding to A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H;the changes between fermentation quality and nutrition composition were observed after the 30days.The results showed that C treatment(7∶ 3) group had minimum acidity,and each group was significantly different(P 0.01). B group(6 ∶ 4) had the highest content of acid detergent fiber,other treatment groups were not significantly(P 0.05). The content of neutral detergent fiber in D treatment(8∶ 2) group achieved at 44.64%,followed by 7∶ 3 treated group,A group(5∶ 5) was the lowest,there was extremely significant difference between other treatment groups(P 0.01). A treatment(5∶ 5) had the highest content of crude protein,which was significantly higher than other groups(P 0.05). Results of crude ash and mineral showed that,the content of ash and mineral(calcium,phosphorus) in G treatment(7∶ 3 + 5% CaCO3) was the highest,which was extremely higher than other groups without adding calcium carbonate.G treatment(7∶ 3 + 5% CaCO3) had the maximum content of crude fat and there was no significant difference between other treatment groups(P 0.05). The results showed that the optimum ratio of mixed silage was C treatment(7∶ 3),and there was no adverse effects on silage while adding 5% calcium carbonate,nutritional values,dry matter,acid detergent fiber,neutral detergent fiber,crude ash,mineral were significantly improved.
ROLE OF ENDOGENOUS IGFBP-3 IN MAMMARY EPITHELIAL CELL APOPTOSIS

Mammary epithelial cell (MEC) number is an important determinant of milk production in lactating dairy cows. IGF-I increases IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) production in these cells, which plays a role in its ability to enhance proliferation. In the present study, we show that the apoptotic factor anisomycin (ANS) also increases IGFBP-3 mRNA and protein in a dose and concentration-dependent manner that mirrors activation of caspase-3 and -7, with significant increases in both IGFBP-3 protein and caspase activation observed by 3 h. Knock-down of IGFBP-3 with small interfering (si) RNA attenuated the ability of ANS to induce apoptosis, while knock-down of IGFBP-2, the other major IGFBP made by bovine MEC, had no effect. Reducing IGFBP-3 also decreased the ability of ANS to induce mitochondrial cytochrome c release, indicating its involvement in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In contrast, transfection with IGFBP-3 in the absence of ANS failed to induce apoptosis. Since both the mitogen IGF-I and the apoptotic inducer ANS increase IGFBP-3 production in MEC, we proposed that cellular localization might determine IGFBP-3 action. While both IGF-I and ANS stimulated the release of IGFBP-3 into conditioned media, only ANS induced nuclear localization of IGFBP-3. A pancaspase inhibitor had no effect on ANS-induced nuclear localization of IGFBP-3, indicating that nuclear entry of IGFBP-3 precedes caspase activation. Treatment with IGF-I had no effect on ANS-induced nuclear localization, but did block ANS-induced apoptosis. In summary, our data indicate that IGFBP-3 plays a role in stress-induced apoptosis that may require nuclear localization in non-transformed MEC.
Fecundity and the Dynamics of Multiple Spawning in Darters: An In-Stream Study of Etheostoma rafinesquei

We determined the annual fecundity and spawning periodicity of the Kentucky snubnose darter, Etheostoma rafinesquei, by collecting all ova spawned by individual females during 26-42 d of in-stream confinement. Fecundity estimates based on spawned ova were comparable with those based on counts of mature follicles in wild-caught females. Each of 15 females, captive for 12 or more days, spawned multiple clutches. Spawning of multiple clutches was related to group synchronous cycles of oocyte development. Vitellogenic follicles were recruited from nonvitellogenic oocytes during the spawning season. Batch fecundity estimates of wild-caught females were not equivalent to daily spawns of caged females. Spawning on successive days was observed frequently; spawning of a batch (clutch) of ova was protracted. Batch fecundity was directly correlated with stream temperature at temperatures below 21.5 C but not related to temperature at temperatures exceeding 21.5 C. Spawning was negatively influenced by high discharge and by stream temperatures in excess of ca 21.5 C, the apparent thermal maximum. Females of the Kentucky snubnose darter spawned ca 500-1000 ova during the 1988 spawning season.
Some life-history parameters of a declining population of southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina

Mark-resight data were analysed for 13 cohorts from a declining population of southern elephant seals branded at Macquarie Island between 1951-1965. First year survival was essentailly stable during the 1950s at c46% for females and 42% for males. There was a dramatic fall in first year survial during the 1960s, declining to <2% for both sexes in 1965. Post-year-1 survival did not change between the 1950s and the 1960s. Comparisons with a stable population of southern elephant seals at South Georgia indicated that both first year and adult survival were lower in the Macquarie Island population. There were no changes in the age at first breeding of the Macquarie Island seals during the study, but this was on average 1 yr later than at South Georgia. The current decline in elephant seal numbers at several of their major breeding islands may be due to the populations returning to pre-sealing levels after they had risen to abnormally high levels with the end of commercial exploitation early this century. -from Author
Colorado Tick Fever Virus in Cell Culture II. Physical and Chemical Properties

Trent, Dennis W. (University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City), and L. Vernon Scott. Colorado tick fever virus in cell culture. II. Physical and chemical properties. J. Bacteriol. 91:1282–1288. 1966. —Heat-inactivation kinetics for Colorado tick fever (CTF) virus grown in L cells indicated that more than one rate constant was involved for inactivation at each exposure temperature. An Arrhenius plot of the data indicated the inactivation rate constants to be dependent on the absolute temperature. The energy of activation, for thermal inactivation of the virus, was 17,289 calories per mole, with the Q10 being 2.6. The optimal pH range for maintenance of CTF viral infectivity was determined to be 7.5 to 7.8. The infectivity of CTF virus was stable to freezing and thawing in diluents which contained: 50% calf serum, 20% glucose, 20% glycerol, 10% bovine serum albumin, 20 mm glutamine, and 2% gelatin. CTF virus replication was insensitive to inhibition by 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine, whereas herpes simplex virus was markedly inhibited, as reported by others. Actinomycin D inhibited CTF virus replication when cells were pretreated for 24 and 12 hr prior to infection, but not when the inhibitor was added at the time of infection. The nucleic acid of CTF virus appears to be of the ribose type.
Is 7-hydroxyphthalide a natural compound of oil gland secretions? – Evidence from Archegozetes longisetosus (Acari, Oribatida)

The monophyly of a clade consisting of Astigmata and some of the glandulate Oribatida is supported by a synapomorphic set of five oil gland-derived secretion compounds (neral, geranial, neryl formate, 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzaldehyde (=2,6-HMBD) and 2-formyl-3-hydroxybenzaldehyde (=gamma-acaridial)), known as ‘Astigmata compounds’. Another aromatic compound, 7-hydroxyphthalide, was reported for Astigmata and Oribatida, but is not known from any other source in nature. It was discussed whether this compound was a ‘natural’ part of oil gland secretions (and thus probably of phylogenetic significance) or an artifact. Here, we show that 7-hydroxyphthalide is the result of a post-extraction chemical transformation of gamma-acaridial, and not a natural compound of oil gland secretions. We compared time series of raw extracts from Archegozetes longisetosus stored at -20°C with extracts stored at +23°C and show that storage at room temperature conditions promotes the transformation. However, since this reaction is quantitatively coherent, summing the amounts of both components seems to be a suitable approximation for the quantity of gamma-acaridial in natural secretions, even if 7-hydroxyphthalide is found in the analyses.
Using Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate kernel-based home range estimators

Kernel density estimators have been used to estimate home range size but little is known of their statistical properties. I applied kernel-based estimators of home range size, calculated from 95% probability contours of nonparametric density estimators, to computer-simulated radiolocation data. Four hypothetical models of home range suggested by Boulanger and White (1990) were used to evaluate bias and precision of these estimators in estimating known home range sizes. Kernel methods compared well with the best methods that are available for home range size estimation provided the appropriate level of smoothing was selected. I used brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani) telemetry data to illustrate how Monte Carlo methods may also be used to assess estimator performance from field radiolocation data. A kernel estimator is preferred to a harmonic mean estimator in this example because it is less biased (i.e., the harmonic mean method has an inherent problem).