Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dominance and predator avoidance in domesticated and wild masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou

ABSTRACT: Dominance, aggression and predator avoidance were compared among farmed, sea-ranched and wild juvenile masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou in laboratory experiments. Domesticated fish (farmed and sea-ranched), which had been exposed to artificial selection, were not dominant against wild fish in pairwise contests, nor did they show greater aggressiveness. Farmed fish did show greater feeding than wild fish. Under chemically simulated predation risk, farmed fish were more willing to leave cover and feed than wild fish, indicating reduced predator avoidance in the farmed fish. Our results indicate that selection for fast growth (domestication) in masu salmon favors fish that respond to food quickly and ignore predation risk.
Rapid isolation and estimation of polysaccharide from fermented skim milk with Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus by coupled anion exchange and gel-permeation high-performance liquid chromatography

Dairy starter cultures that contain Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus (Str. thermophilus) and/or Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus capable of producing slime are of commercial interest. However, there is no information on the amount and chemical composition of polysaccharides produced by these lactic bacteria in fermented skim milk. Several publications give the chemical composition of lactic bacteria exopolysaccharides (Groux, 1973; Tamime & Robinson, 1978; Oda et al. 1983; Schellhaass, 1983; Manca de Nadra et al. 1985; Cerning et al. 1986, 1988; Giraffa & Bergere, 1987; Doco et al. 1989a, b) produced in milk culture but only Giraffa & Bergere (1987), Cerning et al. (1988) and Doco et al. (1989a, b) report the amount of polysaccharide from Str. thermophilus excreted by the bacteria during the fermentation process. This information is very important with regard to the improvement of body and texture of yogurt that these polysaccharides can provide. In this way Cerning et al. (1988) described a direct relationship between the viscosity of the fermented skim milk treated with Str. thermophilus and the amount of polysaccharide produced by these bacteria. In this paper we describe a method for the rapid isolation and measurement of amounts of Str. thermophilus polysaccharide by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique.
In vitro Shoot Organogenesis in Bulgarian Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Varieties

The effect of Humates and silver nitrate on organogenesis of cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of four sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties was investigated. The rate of plant regeneration was found to depend on genotype, explant type and culture medium. The cotyledons were more effective as explants for bud induction and subsequent plant elongation than hypocotyls. The highest regeneration frequency (2.35 plants per explant) was achieved in cotyledons from variety Maritsa on culture medium supplemented with 0.2 mgL-1 AgNO3. The medium containing 5.0 mlL-1 Humates promoted plant regeneration in hypocotyls. Differences in morphological characteristics and pollen fertility between seed-derived and in vitro regenerated plants grown in greenhouse conditions were registered.
Habitat Selection Experiment: Examining the Coexistence of Two Sympatric Peromyscus Species

Although deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and white-footed mice (P. leucopus) have been observed to regularly co-occur in habitats, the mechanisms and niche partitioning underlying their continued coexistence are still being determined. During the summer of 2006, eight live-trapping plots were set up around the UNDERC property in mixed hardwood forests. At each site, vegetation surveys were taken to measure ground cover and vertical stratification to test their affect on relative species abundance. A multiple regression was run on both species separately, revealing statistically significant values for the Levins index versus white-footed mice and percent canopy cover versus deer mice. Although results revealed the coexistence of deer mice and white-footed mice on property, the mechanisms behind habitat segregation and resource partitioning still require further investigation. Introduction Previous studies on resource partitioning and the distribution and abundance of rodents in mixed deciduous-coniferous forests have demonstrated that many rodents in the family Cricetidae reduce competition by partitioning vertical space (Vickery, 1980). In the Peromyscus genus, deer mice (P. maniculatus) and white-footed mice (P. leucopus) are both semi-arboreal (Barry, Jr. et al., 1984) and nocturnal (King, 1968) species, which forage for similar food sources and prefer similar habitats, giving them the potential to coexist. Although these two species regularly co-occur in habitats, the mechanisms and niche
Contrasting effects of different landscape characteristics on population growth of a perennial forest herb

Anthropogenic changes in landscape structure, such as habitat loss, habitat subdivision and edge increase, can strongly affect the performance of plants, leading to population declines and extinctions. Many studies to date have focused on single characteristics of landscape structure or single life-cycle phases, but they poorly discern the different pathways through which landscape change influences plant population dynamics via different vital rates. In this study, we evaluated the effect of two structural characteristics (habitat quantity and edge length) on vital rates and population growth rates of a perennial forest plant (Primula vulgaris) in a historically managed landscape. Areas with higher amounts of forest habitat had higher population growth rates due to higher recruitment, survival and growth of seedlings, while increased forest edge length was positively associated with population growth rates primarily due to a higher survival of reproductive individuals. Effects were stronger during the first of the two transition intervals studied. The results demonstrate that changes in different landscape structural characteristics may result in opposing effects acting via different vital rates, and highlight the need for integrative analyses to evaluate the effects of rapid landscape transformation on the current and long term plant population dynamics.
Influence of the type of environment and of the hydrological level variation in endoparasitic infrapopulations of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Agassiz) and Schizodon borelli (Boulenger) (Osteichthyes) of the high Paraná River, Brazil

One hundred and ten specimens of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Agassiz, 1829) (Pimelodidae), "pintado", and 582 specimens of Schizodon borelli (Boulenger, 1900) (Anostomidae), "piava", collected in the floodplain of the high Parana River were analyzed. P. corruscans presented 74.54% of parasitism while S. borelli presented 19.42%. Results of the present research show that in the case of P. corruscans, two species of proteocephalideans presented a significant relationship with the type of environment with regard to prevalence. Spasskyelina spinulifera (Woodland, 1935) was the only species that presented a relationship between the intensity of infection and the environment. In S. borelli only Cucullanus pinnai Travassos. Artigas & Pereira, 1928 presented a relationship with the environment. In this case the mean intensity was greater in lentic environments. The high values of the similarity index in the three environments studied indicate a considerable homogeneity of the endohelminths' species with regard to P. corruscans and S. borelli. This is probably due to what occurs with environments during the high water period when they are interlinked. The hydrological level was a less influential variable in endoparasitic infrapopulations of the hosts studied. In P. corruscans only three species, S. spinulifera, Nomimoscolex sudobim Woodland, 1934 and Megatnylacus travassosi Pavanelli & Rego, 1992 presented higher mean intensities in the high water period. This fact was also observed in the case of C. pinnai in S. borelli.
Relationship between placental development and calf birth weight in beef cattle

Echternkamp, S.E. , 1993. Relationship between placental development and calf birth weight in beef cattle. Anita. Reprod. Sci., 32:1-13. Relationships between circulating concentrations of estrone sulfate and progesterone in the dam prepartum and weight of the calf and placenta at birth were evaluated at first parity in Hereford×Angus heifers (n=27) bred to a purebred Angus bull. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein of all heifers at 14 day intervals throughout the last trimester of gestation, and a complete placenta was obtained from 22 heifers at parturition. Estrone sulfate was measured as free estrone after incubation with sulfatase enzyme, and both estrone and progesterone levels were quantitated by radioimmunoassay. Maternal plasma estrone sulfate concentrations increased (P 0.1) by the sex of the fetus. Calf birth weight was correlated positively with maternal plasma estrone sulfate concentrations between Days 10 and 1 prepartum (r=0.65, P<0.01 ) and with the dry weight of the cotyledons (r=0.76, P<0.01 ), intercotyledonary membranes (r=0.48, P<0.05) and total placenta (r=0.71, P<0.01 ). Three neonatal calf deaths occurred; dams for two of the calves had a 50% reduction in plasma estrone sulfate concentrations for the last 20 days of gestation and a reduction in cotyledonary surface area. Collectively, these results suggest that variation among dams ( i.e. either of inilerent or pathological origin ) for total mass and (or) function of the placentomes within the placenta may influence birth weight, and possibly neonatal viability, of calves born to first parity beef heifers. Furthermore, estrone sulfate concentrations in the maternal circulation provide an index of fetal-placental-maternal well-being and placental insufficiency in cattle.
Spacing patterns and social mating systems of echimyid rodents

Abstract Echimyid rodents are widely distributed and abundant throughout most of the Neotropics. I review the available information on spacing patterns and mating systems and develop a general framework for understanding variation among populations and species. In most studied species males have larger home ranges than do females, and overlap with either sex can range from 0% to nearly 100%. Males typically display more overlap with both other males and females than do females. Although lack of overlap has been interpreted as territoriality, most such cases have been from populations at low densities. Individuals of those same species show considerable overlap at higher densities. I suggest that individuals typically are not territorial but instead merely space themselves out when vacant space is abundant. Individuals are then facultatively monogamous because multiple mates are not available. As densities increase male home ranges overlap more simply because their home ranges are larger than those of females. Males then can acquire multiple mates, and polygyny becomes evident. At the highest densities multiple mates are available for both males and females, and promiscuity results. The mating system within a given population of many echimyids therefore depends upon density, which in turn is determined primarily by resource availability.
Pathological Features of Experimental Bovine Leukaemia Viral (BLV) Infection in Rats and Rabbits

Abstract Rabbits and rats were inoculated with material derived from FLK cells producing permanently bovine leukaemia virus (BLV). The viral presence in the inoculum was proved by transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, immunogold labelling demonstrating viral Tax protein, and PCR analysis. About 30 % of the infected animals sustained BLV seropositivity during the experiment, and demonstrated symptoms of lympholeukaemia - clinical manifestation of an immunosuppressive condition, increased number of lymphocytes and lymphoblasts, and preneoplastic lymphoid cell accumulations in the liver, lungs, kidneys, and lymph nodes. BLV DNA, detected by PCR in diseased animals, indicates the role of BLV as an aetiological factor of lympholeukaemia, developed in these animals after BLV infection. The alterations in rats were more pronounced than those in rabbits. The results prove that these two species of laboratory animals, especially rats, are suitable models for the in vivo studies of leukaemogenesis caused by BLV/HTLV infections.
Assessing pH changes since pre-industrial times in 51 low-alkalinity lakes in Nova Scotia, Canada

Diatom-based paleolimnological techniques were used to reconstruct lake acidification trends in 51 low-alkalinity Nova Scotia lakes that spanned gradients of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and sulphate deposition. Pre-industrial, diatom-inferred pH values of these lakes were <6.8, with 31 lakes having pre-industrial pH < 6.0 and two lakes having pH < 5.5. Lakes in Kejimkujik National Park documented the greatest pH decline (–0.4 pH unit (±0.2)) since the 19th century, whereas those in northern parts of the province (e.g., Cape Breton Highlands National Park) experienced little or no acidification, with a net mean pH decline = –0.1 pH unit (±0.2). While the sulphate deposition and diatom-inferred pH changes have not been as great as those observed in other acidified areas of northeastern North America (e.g., Adirondack region of New York or New England), Nova Scotia lakes have experienced biological changes toward more acidophilous diatom assemblages, especially in lakes with low pre-industr.
Updates on the status of giant clams Tridacna spp. and Hippopus hippopus in the Philippines using mitochondrial CO1 and 16S rRNA genes

T he CO1 and 16S rRNA genes of six of the possible eight species of giant clams (Hippopus hippopus, Tridacna gigas, T. crocea, T. squamosa, T. derasa, and Tridacna sp.YCT-2005) under the Tridacnidae family found in the Philippines were sequenced for molecular approach-based species identification. We first reported here the CO1 sequence of H. hippopus and made it available online through GenBank. We also reported the first sighting of Tridacna sp. YCT-2005 in Philippine waters, an undescribed species of giant clam, which has initially been reported to be a potentially new species that was thought to be found only in Taiwan. Phylogenetic trees of CO1 and 16S rRNA gene sequences of giant clam samples from the Philippines were constructed using both the Neighbor-Joining approach and the MaximumLikelihood approach. Both trees showed similar topology in which Tridacna and Hippopus formed two distinct clades. T. crocea, T. squamosa, T. maxima, T. costata, and Tridacna sp. YCT-2005 showed monophyletic grouping under subgenus Chametrachea confirming the recognized groupings of giant clams based on morphology. On the other hand, restriction site mapping based on the 16S rRNA gene showed a unique recogni-
Study on Yield and Quality of 16 Tomato Cultivars in South of Iran

In order to, evaluation and identification of suitable cultivar for Minab region at south of Iran, this experiment was performed as RCBD with 16 tomato cultivars and 3 replication. Sowing was performed in tray culture with 105 cells containing peat moss in early September and transplants was cultured in mid October. Evaluated cultivars were consist: Lesto, Kimia, DFT3000, DFT3002, DFT3003, ZD731, ZD625, ZD633, ZD634, ZD610, 9014, T97301, RFT112, TUS33812, TH1462 and Sunseed6189 as control. Traits were recording done based on tomato discriptor. Other traits also was evaluated such as yield, qualitative traits such as Brix, Vitamin C, pH and external resistant to fungi and virus diseases. In addition to more yielding and beter quantitative and qualitative traits, the cultivars that had beter resistant to fungi and virus diseases in condition of this study, had been recognaized suitable. These cultivars respectively were consist of RFT112, Kimia, ZD634 and ZD633.
Using an Airborne Platform to Measure Canopy Temperature and NDVI under Heat Stress in Maize

In light of anticipated climate change, we assessed the possibility to use an airborne platform to measure canopy temperature (CT) and the normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) as well as the suitability of both traits for their use in breeding for tolerance to heat stress. We evaluated 71 subtropical maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids under heat stress and combined heat and drought stress in an environment with average temperatures of 29.8°C during the growing season and 31.2°C during the flowering period. Grain yield (GY) ranged from 0.33 to 4.19 Mg ha−1 under heat stress and from 0 to 1.37 Mg ha−1 under combined heat and drought stress, going along with increases in CT from 42.5°C to 49.5°C and decreases in NDVI from 0.54 to 0.48. The NDVI explained differences between and within treatments, while CT explained differences in GY among treatments and genotypes within the heat and drought stress treatment, as indicated by genetic correlations with GY. A principal component analysis was used to identify combinations of physiological characteristics associated with genotypic variation in GY. Results showed that selection gains for GY could be improved by 0.486 Mg ha−1 and 0.015 Mg ha−1 under heat and combined heat and drought stress, respectively, if selection is simultaneously carried out for GY, NDVI, and lower CT and shorter anthesis silking interval. We postulate that the use of selection indices, including CT and NDVI in conjunction with GY, will improve selection gains and increase cost efficiency of breeding programs.
Alkaline cellulase produced by a newly isolated thermophilic Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus WBS2 from hot spring, India

A thermophilic bacterium Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus WBS2 producing extracellular thermophilic cellulases was isolated from hot spring in India. Till date there is no report in literature about thermophilic cellulases produced by A. thermoaerophilus and optimization of nutritional factors for increasing cellulases yield. In order to enhance cellulase production, various fermentation parameters were optimized. Maximum cellulases production by A. thermoaerophilus WBS2 was obtained at pH 9.0 when growing in shake culture (150 rpm) at 65°C using 2% inoculum size. Using wheat and rice straw as substrates, 40 h of incubation period found to be optimum for exoglucanase activity whereas, for endoglucanase activity it was 60 h. Combination of inorganic and organic nitrogen source found to be most suitable. This is the first study to show that A. thermoaerophilus can degrade cellulose. Keywords: Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus, Thermophilic cellulases, hot spring, optimization of nutritional factors.
Comparison of the Measured Electrical Properties of Pig Internal Organs with the Given Values for Human Organs

The electrical properties of pig internal organs including lung, liver, heart, kidney, blood, stomach, and small intestine are measured using an open-ended coaxial probe and an improved virtual transmission-line model. The measured complex permittivities of the pig organs are compared with the given values of the corresponding human organs. A similarity between these values is confirmed. For organs such as lung, liver, heart, and kidney that have regular texture and contents, the complex permittivities are almost identical to those of the corresponding human organs. The complex permittivities of human and pig blood are also very close in value. However, relatively large deviations are observed for the cases of stomach and small intestine because the internal contents of these organs significantly affect the measured electrical properties.
Efficacy of insecticides and bio-pesticides against sucking pests in black gram.

The results revealed that thiamethoxam 25% WG, acetamiprid 20% SP and triazophos 20% EC were found to be the most effective in reducing the population of whitefly and leafhopper. The treatments of azadirachtin 0.03% EC, jatropha oil and Beauveria bassiana 5% WP were found relatively less harmful whereas, indoxacarb 14.5% SC was observed relatively toxic to the coccinellid beetles.
Modeling nonexponential growth of a short-cycling plant, Tagetes erecta (Asteraceae)

A method for establishing a plastochron index was developed as part of an analysis of the growth pattern of Tagetes erecta 'Moonshot' plants. Both log-linear and log-quadratic equations were fitted to balanced sets of leaf-length data. Although the log-linear model fit the data, the log-quadratic model consistently provided a better fit. Slope values and length of plastochron from both models were compared versus leaf and plant number. An analysis of variance showed that overall, the leaves grew at different rates and were initiated at different intervals. However, leaves 2–4 on each plant fulfilled the criteria for establishment of a leaf plastochron index and can be considered developmentally equivalent. The method presented herein is not only statistically appropriate but also most accurately represents growth of T. erecta. This method also should be useful where development of a plastochron index for rapidly growing plants is desired, and it may be applicable to plant growth studies in general. Key wo.
Rectal Temperature Changes in Broilers Kept Under Hot and DryConditions

This study investigated the effects of environmental conditions on rectal temperature of broilers subjected to different heat loss- and heat gain-enhancing treatments. Twenty six-week old broilers with similar body weight were used in the study. The four treatments were allocated to the broilers in a Completely Randomized Design: (і) Beak and Wings Taped (BWT) where birds could not pant or droop wings; (іі) Beak Taped (BT) where birds could not pant; (ііі) Wings Taped (WT) where birds could not droop wings and; (іv) the Control (C) where birds could pant and droop wings. The experiment was replicated five times (5 birds per treatment). The rectal temperature (RT) probes were used to measure RTs of the broilers every 20 seconds during each 8-hour experimental period. Environmental conditions, i.e., air temperature (T); relative humidity (RH); air velocity (V), and duration of heat exposure were measured and used as independent variables in linear regression models of rectal temperature. The resulting models were RTBWT = 0.640T + 0.225RH – 0.578V + 15.223; RTBT = 0.811T + 0.353RH – 0.142V + 5.433; RTWT = 0.257T – 1.288V + 35.602 and RTC = 0.382T + 0.062RH – 1.179V + 29.339. For the latter, the models developed were RTBWT = 0.681t + 41.013; RTBT = 0.775t + 41.410; RTWT = 0.391t + 41.014 and RTC = 0.438t + 40.967. Both panting and drooping of wings were effective in relieving the birds of heat stress. Panting was the dominant heat loss mechanism as air temperature approached or exceeded body temperature of the birds. The birds died at varying degrees of cumulative body heat loads which seemed to depend on the individual bird’s ability to cope with heat stress. The average lethal cumulative heat loads were 7.1, 8.3, 9.0 and 11.0oC-hr for the BWT, BT, WT and C treatments, respectively. For future similar experiments, improvement should be made on the tunnel to accommodate more than one bird per cage.