Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecology of the euro, Macropus Robustus (Gould), in North Western Australia - IV Age and Growth

Growth and development of the euro, based on results obtained from repeated recaptures of marked animals, are discussed. There is some evidence that growth rate of pouch young of field animals under stringent conditions differs from that of yard animals. Methods of age determination are described and a curve is given for aging euros up to 7 years by molar eruption. Euro growth rates are compared with those for some placental mammals, especially sheep. It is considered that the slow rate of development of the euro is an advantage under marginal conditions, as less energy is required for normal growth.
Managing visitors in nature areas: where do they leave the trails? A spatial model

Outdoor recreation, particularly in winter, causes pressure on wildlife. While many species seem to adjust well to predictable on-trail recreation activities, unpredictable off-trail activities are considered harmful. Measures to minimise human disturbance require the identification of ‘conflict-sites’ where human activities are likely to interfere with the requirements of wildlife. We used winter recreation data combined with spatial modelling to predict where recreationists move from marked trails into wildlife habitats in winter and to determine the environmental factors that trigger this off-trail behaviour. We surveyed marked winter trails in the southern Black Forest, Germany, by foot or ski for tracks of people leaving the trail, with three types of recreationists distinguished: hikers, snowshoe users and cross-country skiers. Using a maximum entropy approach, the probability of leaving the trail was modelled as a function of topographic, forest structure and tourism infrastructure variables. By combining the results with previously mapped habitat information of two disturbance sensitive species, the capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and the red deer Cervus elaphus, we identified conflict sites where mitigation measures would be most effective. All models were effective in predicting the locations where people left the trails and the three types of recreationists showed a similar pattern: the presence of closed summer trails and signposts along these trails proved to be the factors most strongly affecting the probability of leaving marked trails, followed by slope, which was negatively correlated with the probability of going off-trail. People leaving directly into the forest, not using a summer trail, were most positively influenced by the successional stages ‘regeneration’ and ‘old forest’, whereas increasing canopy cover decreased the probability of leaving the trail. The models were extrapolated to all marked trails in the study area. Locations with a high probability of people leaving the trails were identified and intersected with the previously mapped key habitats of the two wildlife species, thereby showing the locations where leaving the trail would be linked with a high potential of human-wildlife conflict. By indicating what triggers people to leave the trails, and identifying the critical locations, our results contribute to the determination of adequate management measures.
Productivity and Decomposition of the Dominant Salt Marsh Plants in Louisiana

Net primary production and decomposition of the 4 dominant salt marsh plants found in Louisiana were determined. Live and dead standing crops were calculated by the harvest method over an annual cycle. Litterbags were used to estimate loss rates of vegetation from the marsh. Peak standing crops were: 1164 g/m2 for Distichlis spicata, 2194 g/m2 for Spartina patens, 1959 g/m2 for Juncus roemerianus and 1473 g/m2 for Spartina alterniflora. Net production estimates using the Smalley (1958) method were from 1291 g.m(—2). yr(—1) for D. spicata, 1342 g.m(—2). yr(—1) for S. patens. 1740 g.m(—2). yr(—1) for J. roemerianus and 1527 g.m(—2). yr(—1) for S. alterniflora. Using the Wiegert and Evans' (1964) method net production for the 4 species was: 1162 g.m(—2). yr(—1), D. spicata; 1428 g.m(—2). yr(—1), S. patens; 1806 g.m(—2). yr(—1), J. roemerianus and 2895 g.m(—2)°yr(—1) for S. alterniflora. It is estimated that these 4 species of Louisiana marshland plants produce 146 x 105 metric tons/yr of plant material. This accou.
Scaffolding proteins: More than meets the eye

The accepted pathway of MAPK activation is through a three kinase phosphorelay arrangement. However, as [Johnson][1] explains in his Perspective, new work has established an alternative way for a MAPK called p38a to be activated ([ Ge et al .][2]). Apparently, a scaffolding protein called TAB1 that is devoid of any known catalytic activity is able to interact with p38a, inducing its autophosphorylation and consequent activation. [1]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/295/5558/1249 [2]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/short/295/5558/1291
Pulse-chase experiments with [35S]methionine show D1 reaction II protein turnover in variously herbicide tolerant species

Abstract D1 protein of Photosystem II, the photosynthetic herbicide target, is rapidly turned over compared to the other chloroplastic proteins. However, the importance of D1 turnover for herbicide action is unclear. In short- and long-term experiments we treated various plant species with atrazine herbicide in combination with chloramphenicol (CAP), an inhibitor of D1 protein synthesis. A synergistic effect which inhibited plant growth was seen primarily in moderately resistant plants treated with herbicide and CAP. D1 protein turnover was studied by [ 35 S]methionine incorporation in seedlings treated in the light with these inhibitors. The effect of the two inhibitors on D1 content varied; CAP inhibited D1 synthesis and retarded its degradation, resulting in a depletion of D1 from the thylakoid membranes of about 50% in all tested species. The herbicide altered both D1 synthesis and degradation but the extent of inhibition varied significantly among species and resulted in either a reduction or an accumulation of D1 protein. Simultaneous treatment with both CAP and herbicide resulted in a significant decrease in D1 content in moderately tolerant plants only. It is supposed that tolerance may be due to faster degradation or overproduction of the D1 herbicide binding protein.
Detection of Malassezia-like yeasts on the skin of apparently healthy dogs using cytology.

The frequency, body distribution and population size of Malassezialike yeasts were determined from 30 dogs with apparently healthy skin. Cutaneous swab samples obtained from nine sites of the body were associated with the breed, length of hair, sex and age of the animals. Of the thirty dogs, eleven (36.67%) were considered positive for Malassezia-like infections. No differences were noted in the frequency of infection between breeds, length of hair, sex and age (P > 0.05). Of the fourteen positive cases based on body distribution, 5 (35.71%) and 4 (28.57%) were obtained from the right and left ears, respectively, 3 (21.43%) from the facial area, 1 (7.14%) from the medial surface of the arm and 1 (7.14%) from the medial surface of the thigh. Population size of Malassezia-like yeast cells ranged from 0 to 273 with no differences (P > 0.05) among breeds, sex and age of dogs. The highest population counts were noted in the right ear followed by the left ear, then face, medial surface of the arm and thigh. Keywords: cytology, dog, Malassezia sp. , malasseziasis, yeast
Social and economic policy issues relevant to marine aquaculture

Summary This paper presents a critical review of current social, economic and policy issues relevant to marine aquaculture (mariculture) in Europe. Tools for identifying the full range of social, economic and environmental issues that influence the sustainable development of mariculture are examined. Under present sectoral approaches to policy, investment, development planning and natural resources management, these issues continue to be treated in isolation. The four main challenges presented in this paper are: (i) how to create a more objective information base with which to assess the social, economic and environmental factors that condition the sustainability of mariculture; (ii) how to provide information from diAerent disciplines in an easy to obtain and compatible format; (iii) how to better integrate knowledge and skills from diAerent disciplines to create a holistic and robust framework for assessing options for mariculture development that integrates social, economic and environmental parameters; and (iv) the eAective integration of these assessments into the formulation of policy, investment strategies, spatial plans and natural resources management for coastal areas. Specific issues that need to be addressed within the framework for the integrated evaluation of the economic, social and environmental parameters governing the sustainable development of mariculture include: • development of more accurate information on the economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of well-planned and managed mariculture; • clearer definition of gaps in existing knowledge on factors critical to the sustainable and equitable development of mariculture; • development of pro-active consideration of the coastal land and water resource requirements of mariculture as part of strategic economic planning, spatial planning and natural resources management; • the need for more equitable treatment of mariculture regarding rights of access to sites for development and use of resources; • development of awareness among decision-makers, planners, and managers from diAerent sectoral agencies of the contribution that mariculture may make in promoting the sustainable use of coastal ecosystems; • promotion of a shift in emphasis away from controlling the end use of resources and toward a more balanced approach to coastal development where emphasis is also given to maintaining the health and productivity of coastal ecosystems and the resources they generate that sustain diAerent forms of activity, including mariculture.
Chromosome studies in Argentinian species of Stemodia L. (Scrophulariaceae)

Chromosome studies were carried out on 5 Argentinian species of Stemodia. First chromosome counts are presented for S. ericifolia (2n=22), S. lanceolata (2n=22), S. stricta (2n=44) and S. hyptoides (2n=66), while the number 2n=22 of S. verticillata is confirmed. These numbers constitute the first reports for South American species of Stemodia. In addition, the karyograms of S. lanceolata and S. verticillata are the first descriptions for the genus. Diploid species showed regular meiotic behaviour and pollen viability was high in all the accessions analysed. These results suggest that 2 different mechanisms would be implicated in chromosome diversification of Stemodia. The first one implicates variation in genome size with karyotype formulae conservation and the second, polyploidy. Chromosome data provided here are discussed in relation to growth habit, morphological characters and taxonomic position of the species.
Effects of different mulching practices on the photosynthetic characteristics of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in a greenhouse in Northwest China

Mulching is considered a desirable management technology for improving and stabilizing agricultural crop production. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different mulching practices on hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) performance in terms of leaf photosynthetic capacity, photosynthetic light response (PLR) curves, and growth parameters, under greenhouse conditions. Consequently, field experiments were conducted during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons in Northwest China using four types of mulching practices (without mulch; wheat straw mulch; plastic film mulch; and combined mulch with plastic film and wheat straw). The results showed that mulching increased the leaf net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance to water vapor, intercellular CO2 concentration, water-use efficiency, and transpiration rate. Mulching significantly affected the PLR curves, and important parameters (such as the apparent quantum yield, maximum net photosynthetic rate, light compensation point, and light saturation point) were all improved under combined mulching conditions when compared with other mulching practices. Therefore, it is inferred that hot pepper leaf photosynthetic capacity and light-use efficiency were significantly improved under combined mulching, and thereby the combined mulching is recommended for hot pepper cultivation in greenhouses due to working well to facilitate soil condition (moisture and temperature), plant growth, and marketable photosynthetic characteristics.
Elia novorossica (Stylommatophora, Clausiliidae) in Ukraine: description, habitats, conservation status, concomitant

A detailed description of the shell and reproductive system of Elia novorossica is given and illustrated. The populations of this species on the Donetsk Upland in Ukraine are established as a new subspecies – E. novorossica nagolnica subsp. nov. Distribution and habitats of this subspecies are described. Three populations of E. novorossica are currently known on Donetsk Upland, one of which is discovered for the first time. All these populations inhabit oak forests along the small rivers in the basin of the Nagolna river, in the highest part of upland. A conservation status of E. novorossica in Ukraine is considered as critically endangered. Species composition of terrestrial molluscs in the locations of E.novorossica and on adjacent territories is adduced.
Cost–Benefit Analysis of Alternative Techniques for Rehabilitating Abalone Reefs Depleted by Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis

The relative cost–benefit of alternative methods for rehabilitating blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) reefs depleted by viral ganglioneuritis was evaluated using quantitative population and bio-economic modeling. Fishery assessment models were adapted to describe population dynamics and economics of reseeding, translocation, and natural rebuilding. Past and current literature on reseeding, translocation, and mortality rates informed a stakeholders’ workshop that agreed on the parameters for the analysis. Comparative economic performance was quantified as the impaired value of the individual transferable quota from the area until the stock recovered to the level of maximum sustainable yield, as it was prior to the abalone viral ganglioneuritis impact. When the cost of capital is considered, none of the intervention scenarios produced any cost–benefit above that estimated to accrue from an unfished natural recovery. The translocation of adults and reseeding of juveniles were found to be similarly effective largely due to the productivity of the assumed stock–recruitment relationship at low stock densities. Across the scenarios, translocation was estimated to always at least pay for direct costs but rarely covered capital costs while reseeding only covered direct costs if the price of abalone was >$25/kg and seed was <$0.50 per individual. When a depensatory form of stock–recruitment relationship, related to adult biomass, was assumed, translocation was estimated to be an order of magnitude more effective due to the time required to augment the breeding biomass with reseeded juveniles.
Plasma proteins and morphology of Salamandra salamandra in Israel

Differences between three isolated populations of Salamandra salamandra were examined in this study. It is based on 369 adult specimens which were measured for length and weight. The yellow markings and the quantitative relationship between the black and the yellow areas were compared. Plasma proteins were determined by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. Salamanders from a moist habitat (Tel Dan) are much smaller than salamanders from semi-arid habitats (Mt. Meron and Mt. Carmel). The colour pattern typical of the Lebanese S. s. infraimmaculata was found in all the Israeli populations, whereas colour patterns typical of the European S. s. salamandra were not found in them. The plasma proteins of the Israeli salamanders are very similar to those of the Lebanon (Gasser, 1975) and differ greatly from those of the European S. s. salamandra. These results indicate that the Israeli salamander populations should be arranged taxonomically with S. s. infraimmaculata.
The Antidiabetic Agent Thiazolidinedione Stimulates the Interaction between PPARγ and CBP

Abstract The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor family, which is predominantly expressed on adipocytes and considered to be involved in the process of adipogenesis. The new thiazolidinedione (TZD) compound, T-174, developed as an antidiabetic drug, stimulated the transcription of PPARγ and the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Interestingly, T-174 induced the interaction between PPARγ and CBP (cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) binding protein), a co-factor of various transcription regulators. CBP mRNA was expressed in both preadipocytes and adipocytes. These results suggest that CBP plays a role in the PPARγ-mediated signaling pathway activated by TZD, including adipogenesis.
Nerve Tissue‐Specific Human Glutamate Dehydrogenase that Is Thermolabile and Highly Regulated by ADP

Abstract: Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), an enzyme that is central to the metabolism of glutamate, is present at high levels in the mammalian brain. Studies on human leukocytes and rat brain suggested the presence of two GDH activities differing in thermal stability and allosteric regulation, but molecular biological investigations led to the cloning of two human GDH‐specific genes encoding highly homologous polypeptides. The first gene, designated GLUD1, is expressed in all tissues (housekeeping GDH), whereas the second gene, designated GLUD2, is expressed specifically in neural and testicular tissues. In this study, we obtained both GDH isoenzymes in pure form by expressing a GLUD1 cDNA and a GLUD2 cDNA in Sf9 cells and studied their properties. The enzymes generated showed comparable catalytic properties when fully activated by 1 mM ADP. However, in the absence of ADP, the nerve tissue‐specific GDH showed only 5% of its maximal activity, compared with ∼40% showed by the housekeeping enzyme. Low physiological levels of ADP (0.05–0.25 mM) induced a concentration‐dependent enhancement of enzyme activity that was proportionally greater for the nerve tissue GDH (by 550–1,300%) than of the housekeeping enzyme (by 120–150%). Magnesium chloride (1–2 mM) inhibited the nonactivated housekeeping GDH (by 45–64%); this inhibition was reversed almost completely by ADP. In contrast, Mg2+ did not affect the nonstimulated nerve tissue‐specific GDH, although the cation prevented much of the allosteric activation of the enzyme at low ADP levels (0.05–0.25 mM). Heat‐inactivation experiments revealed that the half‐life of the housekeeping and nerve tissue‐specific GDH was 3.5 and 0.5 h, respectively. Hence, the nerve tissue‐specific GDH is relatively thermolabile and has evolved into a highly regulated enzyme. These allosteric properties may be of importance for regulating brain glutamate fluxes in vivo under changing energy demands.
Acúmulo e exportação de nutrientes em beterraba

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar o acumulo e exportacao de nutrientes pela cultura da beterraba em condicoes de altas temperaturas e luminosidade. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados completos com quatro repeticoes, sendo os tratamentos constituidos pelas epocas de coleta de plantas (20, 30, 40, 50 e 60 dias apos semeadura). Em cada coleta foram utilizadas quatro plantas por repeticao. O maximo acumulo de massa seca ocorreu aos 60 DAS, sendo de 21,35 g/planta. A maior demanda de nutriente aconteceu no periodo de 50 a 60 DAS para N e Mg, 30 a 50 DAS para P, 30 a 40 para K e 40 a 50 DAS para Ca. A ordem decrescente dos nutrientes acumulados pela beterraba foi: N, K, Mg, Ca e P. As quantidades totais de N, P, K, Ca e Mg exportadas pelas raizes foram respectivamente de 88,0; 6,1; 93,2; 12,1 e 16,8 kg/ha.
Factores que determinan el uso de innovaciones tecnológicas en la ganadería de doble propósito en Sinaloa, Mexico

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar los factores que inciden en la adopcion de innovaciones por parte de productores de bovinos de doble proposito. Mediante seleccion no estocastica de 121 productores que participaron en el programa Soporte de la SAGARPA en el periodo 2010-2011, se identificaron por medio de estadisticos de posicion, tres tipos de productores con diferente uso de tecnologia (alto, medio y bajo); por medio de un analisis de varianza y una prueba de Ji-cuadrada se determinaron las variables que inciden en la implementacion de sus practicas tecnologicas. El uso promedio de innovaciones resulto significativo (P<0.05) en la diferenciacion de los grupos de productores, en tanto las variables significativas (P<0.05) para su descripcion fueron el numero de vacas adultas, la distancia de la unidad de produccion al municipio, el metodo de reproduccion, el tipo de ordeno y los anos de recibir asistencia tecnica. Se concluye que la tipologia realizada permitio identificar tres tipos de productores de acuerdo al uso de innovaciones tecnologicas; por grupo los factores que influyen en la adopcion de innovaciones fueron aquellos relacionados con variables de escala, localizacion, tecnologicos y de innovacion. Los resultados pueden servir para reorientar y planificar programas de transferencia tecnologica en sistemas de produccion de doble proposito.
Effects of seasonal temperature and photoperiod on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). II. Enzymes of intermediary metabolism

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were held at either constant (~9 °C) or ambient ocean temperatures from December 2000 to June 2002 under natural photoperiod. The activities of gluconeogenic, glycolytic, lipid, and amino-acid-related enzymes were measured in liver and white muscle at eight time points over the experimental period. Principal component analysis reduced the 13 liver enzymes to two factors and the nine muscle enzymes to three factors. Factor scores were used to investigate the effects of season, temperature, and photoperiod on cod physiology. Liver factor I (FI) and muscle factor III (FIII) were significantly correlated with mass and length of the fish. Only liver FI was significantly correlated with tissue metabolites parameters. Significant differences between thermal groups were only observed for muscle FIII in June 2002. This study demonstrates that temperature is not a major factor determining the activity of the selected enzymes in ages-1+ to -3+ cod. Photoperiod and internal physiological c.
Menopause in female rhesus monkeys

Fifteen female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatto), ranging in age from 8 to 34 years, were studied for one year to characterize the endocrine and menstrual changes associated with menopause in this species. Five monkeys were premenopausal; these younger monkeys, ages 8–11 years, menstruated and showed cyclic ovarian activity during the 12–month study period, as evidenced by menses and periodic elevations of serum estradiol (E2) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations. Four females, ages 24–26 years, were in transition to menopause. Two of these perimenopausal females menstruated and secreted E2 and LH in a periodic fashion; the other two females showed elevated LH concentrations, consistently low E2 levels, and no evidence of menstruation. Six females, ages 27–34 years, were clearly postmenopausal; LH concentrations were high, whereas E2 concentrations were uniformly low. There was a significant inverse correlation between basal E2 concentrations and age, and a significant positive correlation between age and LH concentrations across all 15 animals. Hormonal changes indicative of ovulation, when they occurred, were generally restricted to the winter and early spring months. Histological analysis of ovaries from four postmenopausal females revealed little or no evidence of active folliculogenesis. These data indicate that menopause in female rhesus monkeys does not occur until the second half of thethird decade of life. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.