Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of grazing management on herbage protein concentration, milk production and nitrogen excretion of dairy cows in mid‐lactation

The objective of this experiment was to use diurnal and temporal changes in herbage composition to create two pasture diets with contrasting ratios of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and crude protein (CP) and compare milk production and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) of dairy cows. A grazing experiment using thirty-six mid-lactation Friesian x Jersey cows was conducted in late spring in Canterbury, New Zealand. Cows were offered mixed perennial ryegrass and white clover pastures either in the morning after a short 19-day regrowth interval (SR AM) or in the afternoon after a long 35-day regrowth interval (LR PM). Pasture treatments resulted in lower pasture mass and greater herbage CP concentration (187 vs. 171 g kg−1 DM) in the SR AM compared with the LR PM but did not affect WSC (169 g kg−1 DM) or the ratio of WSC/CP (1·0 g g−1). Cows had similar apparent DM (17·5 kg DM cow−1 d−1) and N (501 g N cow−1 d−1) intake for both treatments. Compared with SR AM cows, LR PM cows had lower milk (18·5 vs. 21·2 kg cow−1 d−1), milk protein (0·69 vs. 0·81 kg cow−1 d−1) and milk solids (1·72 and 1·89 kg cow−1 d−1) yield. Urinary N concentration was increased in SR AM, but estimated N excretion and NUE for milk were similar for both treatments. Further studies are required to determine the effect of feeding times on diurnal variation in urine volume and N concentration under grazing to predict urination events with highest leaching risk.
Propriedades físicas e mecânicas de painéis LVL de Eucalyptus grandis

This paper mainly aimed to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of LVL panels made from Eucalyptus grandis, from reforestation at the region of Senges, in Parana state, Brazil . LVL panels were manufactured using 23 veneers (2,4mm thick each one) in commercial dimension of 2.500 mm long and 1,200 mm wide. The properties of static bending were analyzed (strength and rigidity) in beams of the LVL, in the flatwise and edgewise positions. The properties of compression parallel to grain and shear parallel in the plans L-X and L-Y and density in this LVL panels were also analyzed according to ASTM-D 5456/4761 and ASTM-D 198 codes. The mean values to flatwise bending MOE and MOR were 13114 MPa and 88.76 MPa, respectively, and for edgewise bending MOE and MOR were 15871 MPa and 88.63 MPa, respectively. T he density (12%) of the LVL panels and of the veneers were 690 kg/m 3 and 649 kg/m 3 . The mean values to parallel compression MOE and MOR were 16856 MPa and 58.05 MPa, respectively. The mean values of the maximum resistance to shear parallel in the plans L-X and L-Y were 5.96 MPa and 591 MPa, respectively. All these values reached partially or they passed the medium limits of reference (normative codes, researches and commercial catalogs) established for LVL panels and original solid wood, attesting overall the quality of those panels produced with this wood.
Different mate preferences by parasitized and unparasitized females potentially reduces sexual selection

Parasite‐mediated models of sexual selection predict that females should avoid parasitized mates, thereby generating selection on male traits revealing health. The strength of this selection, however, may depend on the prevalence of parasitism among females if their infection status alters their mate preferences. We evaluated the effects of a socially transmitted parasite on male traits and female behaviour in spadefoot toads. Parasitized males were larger and in better condition than unparasitized males. Moreover, better condition males produced longer calls. Unparasitized females preferred longer calls indicative of good‐condition males that are more likely parasitized. By contrast, parasitized females as a group possessed no preference for call duration. Presumably because of reduced selection by these parasitized females, male mating success was not associated with any measured traits. Thus, when females are parasitized, sexual selection on condition‐dependent traits is potentially reduced.
Respiration of the carp, Cyprinus carpio L., at 10 and 20° C and the effects of hypoxia

Oxygen consumption of carp acclimated at 10 and 20° C has been measured under routine conditions. Some complications and precautions necessary in continuous flow respirometry are discussed. Routine Vo2 at different levels of hypoxia have been determined. Individual variation leads to scatter in the data and different methods of plotting the relationship between Vo2 and Po2 are proposed; attention is drawn to differences between inlet (or ambient) Po2 and inspired Po2. Using certain criteria a ‘critical’ oxygen tension of about 95 mm Hg was found at 20° C; Q10 values are about 2 at normoxia and some suggestions of an increase near to the critical oxygen tension were found. Blood samples from the dorsal aorta showed rising Pa,o2 of 16 mm Hg which increased to 70–80 mm Hg when Pinsp was 90 and they then fall as the inspired oxygen is lowered. During periods of deep hypoxia (25 mm Hg) blood lactate concentration increases steadily and indicates an increasing dependence on anaerobic mechanisms.
Recent trends in numbers of Crozet shags breeding at the Prince Edward Islands

Numbers of Crozet shags Phalacrocorax [atriceps] melanogenis breeding at Marion Island decreased by more than 70% from 840 pairs in 1994/1995 to 220 pairs in 2003/2004 and then increased to some 500 pairs in 2008/2009. The trends are thought to have been influenced by breeding success, which averaged 0.30 and 0.66 chicks per pair per year during 1998/1999-2002/2003 and 2003/2004-2008/2009 respectively. There were similar trends in numbers breeding and breeding success of gentoo penguins Pygoscelis papua, which at Marion Island have a similar diet to Crozet shags, suggesting that both species may have been influenced by food availability. Numbers of Crozet shags breeding at Prince Edward Island approximately doubled between the summers of 2001/2002 and 2008/2009. In 2008/2009, some 600 pairs of Crozet shags were breeding at the Prince Edward Islands.
Uptake of organic nitrogen and preference for inorganic nitrogen by two Australian native Araucariaceae species

Background: Demonstration of the uptake of organic nitrogen (N) by many boreal plant species and the identification of the transporters mediating amino acid uptake have attracted increasing attention, focusing on organic N uptake by plant species worldwide, particularly by species in tropical and subtropical regions. Due to the rapid decomposition of organic N by plants and the dilution of its isotopes, the capacity of the methods used to test plant uptake of organic N are controversial. The ecological significance of organic N uptake is also under debate. Aims: To assess whether two subtropical species, Araucaria bidwillii and A. cunninghamii, have the ability to take up intact organic N, and whether organic N is their preference. Methods: We used a dual-isotope-labelling method that explicitly took into account isotope dilution, in order to minimise the possibility of differential isotope dilution among different nitrogen forms. Results: Both study species showed the ability to take up glycine intact, which was indicated by the non-significant difference between the 13C : 15N ratio in fine roots and that of glycine (i.e. 1 : 1). However, the discrepancy in the 13C : 15N ratios after 72 h indicated that the absorbed glycine was being metabolised quickly. In addition, the profound preference of these two plant species for NO3−-N relative to organic N suggests that organic N may only become an important N source for these subtropical plants during times when soil NO3−-N is scarce.
Components and structures of plant centromeres

Centromeres are functional chromosomal loci involved in an overall process that delivers sister chromatids equally into daughter cells during mitosis and meiosis. A complex of centromeric DNA and proteins is formed at the primary constriction point, and is referred to as the kinetochore. Since this function is essential for all eukaryotes, the process and centromeric proteins involved are conserved among eukaryotes. On the other hand, the DNA components and structures of centromeres are highly variable among eukaryotes. In the last decade, a plethora of investigations concerning plant centromeric components including centromeric DNA and proteins have been conducted which have shed light on these enigmatic chromosomal regions and associated functions. In this review, an overview of plant centromeric components including centromeric proteins (CENP-C, centromere specific histone H3 variants, and MIS12) and centromeric DNA and structures of plant centromeres (Arabidopsis, rice, and Luzula) are presented.
Effects of Temperature on Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Grape Berry Skins

Although coloration of grape berry skins is influenced by temperature, the details of its effects have not been reported. To find temperature sensitive stages for coloration and to clarify the mechanisms that underlie the effect of temperature on anthocyanin accumulation, two-week treatments at temperatures of 20°C and 30°C were carried out at four different stages of development and ripening using each of three potted vines of Aki Queen ( Vitis labrusca x V. vinifera ). Anthocyanin accumulation in the skins was significantly higher at 20°C than at 30°C after the temperature treatment, and the most sensitive stage for the temperature treatment was from one to three weeks after coloring began (stage III). Furthermore, at harvest, the grapes treated at 20°C in stage III contained the highest concentration of anthocyanin. After temperature treatment in stage III, the concentration of abscisic acid (ABA), a plant hormone related to anthocyanin accumulation, in the berry skins was 1.6 times higher at 20°C than at 30°C. The copy numbers of accumulated mRNA of anthocyanin biosynthetic enzyme genes and a myb -related regulate gene, VvmybA1 , were also higher at 20°C than at 30°C. These results and previous reports indicate that the high and low temperatures during ripening, especially in stage III, likely affect the production and/or degradation of ABA in berry skins and that the endogenous ABA level affects the expression of VvmybA1 ; the product of VvmybA1 then controls the expression of the anthocyanin biosynthetic enzyme genes.
Functional genomics of ozone stress in Arabidopsis.

Ozone is an important pollutant that has significant and frequently deleterious effects on plant health resulting in a reduction in cropy ields. This is due largely to oxidative damage caused either directly by ozone or by the reactive oxygen species generated by ozone. Plants possess a range of antioxidant defences to protect them against oxidative stress such as that caused by ozone and the expression of a wide-range of genes, including genes encoding important antioxidants, is altered by exposure to ozone. However, little is known about the signal transduction pathways linking the perception of ozone stress to gene expression. We have used a genomics approach to identify novel genes that respond to acute ozone stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. Initial transcript profiling studies using microarray analysis identified twenty genes which were highly up-regulated and one gene that was down-regulated by ozone treatment. Real Time RT-PCR and additional microarray analysis have subsequently confirmed this result. We have analyzed the expression of five of these genes in detail. Our studies show that the induction of all of these genes in response to oxidative stress was dependent on an increase in cytosolic free calcium and was specific to ozone. Importantly, they were not induced by other calcium-mobilizing oxidative stresses including hydrogen peroxide and cold. These data raise important questions about the mechanism by which these genes are induced by ozone and how stimulus specificity is encoded in the ozone calcium signature.
Players of Th-cell differentiation and immune dysregulation – focus on GIMAP family genes

Mirkka Heinonen Players of Th-cell differentiation and immune dysregulation – focus on GIMAP family genes Faculty of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Turku Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine (TuDMM) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The balance of T helper (Th) cell differentiation is the fundamental process that ensures that the immune system functions correctly and effectively. The differentiation is a fine tuned event, the outcome of which is driven by activation of the T-cell in response to recognition of the specific antigen presented. The co-stimulatory signals from the surrounding cytokine milieu help to determine the outcome. An impairment in the differentiation processes may lead to an imbalance in immune responses and lead to immune-mediated pathologies. An over-representation of Th1 type cytokine producing cells leads to tissue-specific inflammation and autoimmunity, and excessive Th2 response is causative for atopy, asthma and allergy. The major factors of Th-cell differentiation and in the related disease mechanisms have been extensively studied, but the fine tuning of these processes by the other factors cannot be discarded. In the work presented in this thesis, the association of T-cell receptor costimulatory molecules CTLA4 and ICOS with autoimmune diabetes were studied. The underlying aspect of the study was to explore the polymorphism in these genes with the different disease rates observed in two geographically close populations. The main focus of this thesis was set on a GTPase of the immunity associated protein (GIMAP) family of small GTPases. GIMAP genes and proteins are differentially regulated during human Th-cell differentiation and have been linked to immune-mediated disorders. GIMAP4 is believed to contribute to the immunological balance via its role in T-cell survival. To elucidate the function of GIMAP4 and GIMAP5 and their role in human immunity, a study combining genetic association in different immunological diseases and complementing functional analyses was conducted. The study revealed interesting connections with the high susceptibility risk genes. In addition, the role of GIMAP4 during Th1-cell differentiation was investigated. A novel function of GIMAP4 in relation to cytokine secretion was discovered. Further assessment of GIMAP4 and GIMAP5 effect for the transcriptomic profile of differentiating Th1-cells revealed new insights for GIMAP4 and GIMAP5 function.
Factors limiting the intake of feed by sheep. IV. The intake and digestion of mature ryegrass

Intake and digestion studies were conducted with sheep fed on ryegrass hay containing 6% crude protein and having an organic matter digestibility of 58%. The intake of ryegrass was little affected when additional protein was provided both as a dietary supplement and as an infusion per abomasum. When supplements containing adequate amounts of protein and minerals were given, the intake of the hay was still comparatively low at 780 g organic matter per day. Grinding and pelleting the diet of hay + supplements permitted a higher feed intake. It was concluded that feed intake was limited by the resistance of the organic matter of the hay to removal from the rumen. Digestion studies were conducted at a level of feeding equal to approximately 90% of the ad libitum intake. The quantity of organic matter apparently digested in the stomach was equal to 60% of the organic matter digested in the alimentary tract; about 80% of the digestion of fibre took place in the stomach. There was a net daily gain of 7.5 g of nitrogen during the passage of digesta through the stomach, and part of this gain appeared to be due to the passage of endogenous nitrogen into the rumen. The apparent digestibility in the intestines of nitrogen that left the stomach in digesta was 73%; 1.6 g of nitrogen was apparently digested in the intestines per 100 g organic matter intake. Values of certain parameters relating to the movement of digesta through the stomach were similar to those previously recorded with a low quality cereal hay.
A Practical Approach for Containing Ecological Risks Associated with Fish Stocking Programs

Abstract As wild fish populations continue to decline, fisheries managers are increasingly concerned about how hatchery operations might be contributing to declines of highly valued wild populations. Ecological risk assessments can provide decision makers with critical information about potential effects of stocking. In this paper we describe a practical approach for assessing ecological risks to select nontarget taxa (NTT) associated with fish stocking programs. This approach requires the completion of five tasks: (1) Determine acceptable impacts to NTT (e.g., impact of 10% to a species distribution, abundance, or size structure); (2) determine potential spatial-temporal overlap of NTT life stages with target taxon; (3) determine potential strong ecological interactions; (4) determine ecological risk; and (5) determine scientific uncertainty of ecological risk assessment. These tasks are accomplished by analyzing information gathered from scientists, managers, and policy makers. The result of the assessm.
Viruses of pome fruit trees in Syria

A survey was conducted to evaluate the sanitary status of pome fruit trees in Syria during spring 2003 and 2004 in 6 governorates: Damascus, Al-Qunaitara and Al-Sweida (Southern region), Homs and Hama (Central region) and Latakia (Costal Western region), as the main production areas of pome fruits. Leaf samples from 1077 apples, 54 pears and 14 quince were collected and tested for the presence of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) and Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) in 70 commercial orchards and 3 varietal collections by ELISA. Results showed that the virus infection rates were 34 and 2% in apple and pear, respectively. Quince trees were found to be virus tested free. ACLSV was prevailing on apple with 34%, whereas ASGV and ApMV were found in 2 and 0.2% of tested trees, respectively. Pear trees were infected only with ACLSV (2%). 21 apples and 15 pears representative budwood samples were indexed by grafting on the following indicators: (i) Malus pumila cvs. Virginia Crab and Radiant for apple and (ii) M. pumila cv. V. Crab and Pyrus communis cv. Nouveau Poiteau for pear. The virus infection rates by woody indexing were much higher than ELISA, Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) and ASGV were found in 86 and 82% of apple tested samples, whereas they were 80 and 60% of pear tested samples, respectively. Additional RT-PCR testing carried out for a limited number of samples confirmed the high incidence of ACLSV ASPV, ASGV and the presence of ApMV. This is the first report on pome fruit viruses in Syria, indicating an unsatisfactory sanitary status of the industry. As a consequence, a certification program is recommended for producing locally healthy propagating material.
Bone Marrow Lacks a Transplantable Progenitor for Smooth Muscle Type α‐Actin–Expressing Cells

While some studies have suggested that hematopoietic stem cells might give rise to other tissue types, others indicate that transdifferentiation would have to be an extremely rare event. We have now exploited smooth muscle type α‐actin (αSMA) promoter– driven green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice (αSMA‐GFP mice) for bone marrow transplantation to evaluate their potential to generate donor‐type tissues in irradiation chimeras. There was a highly restricted pattern of GFP expression in the transgenic mice, marking bone marrow stromal cells and mesangial cells in the kidney. However, these characteristics were not transferable to wild‐type animals given transgenic marrow cells even though hematopoietic cells were largely replaced. Our findings support earlier studies suggesting that the bone marrow microenvironment is difficult to transplant and indicate that hematopoietic stem cells are unlikely to give rise to αSMA‐expressing progeny.
THE EFFECT OF DIETARY ZATARIA MULTIFLORA BOISS. ESSENTIAL OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON MICROBIAL GROWTH AND LIPID PEROXIDATION OF BROILER BREAST FILLETS DURING REFRIGERATED STORAGE

Seventy-two 1-day-old broilers were allocated into four groups (basal diet as control, basal diet supplemented with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg Zataria multiflora essential oil) and fed for 6 weeks. In the term, chicks were slaughtered and their breast fillets were stored at 4C for 12 days. Lipid peroxidation was assessed on the basis of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances formed, whereas microbial growth was assessed on the basis of total viable counts, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and psychrotrophic bacteria. Results indicated that incorporation of Z. multiflora essential oil in broiler diets caused the delay of lipid peroxidation in raw breast meat (from 296.08 to 472.65 mg/kg malondialdehyde [MDA] equivalents) in comparison with 854.71 mg/kg MDA equivalents of the control sample at the last day of the experiment (P < 0.05). Moreover, breast samples containing higher concentration of Z. multiflora essential oil showed lower bacterial count than the control and 100 ppm essential oil supplemented samples (P < 0.05) during the experiment.
Use of Multiple Cues for Navigation by the Leaf-cutter Ant Atta cephalotes.

Dissertation Title: Use of Multiple Cues for Navigation by the Leaf-cutter Ant Atta cephalotes. Kyle Alrich Vick, Doctor of Philosophy, 2005 Dissertation directed by: Associate Professor John Jeka Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences Program In the first chapter, there is a brief introduction to ant navigation and a review of previous literature as well as a summary chapters 2-7. In chapter 2, I examine orientation of Atta cephalotes workers in the laboratory. Laden nest-bound foragers were moved from a “bridge” with or without trail pheromone present and placed on a parallel bridge with or without pheromone. In chapter 3, I continue to examine orientation of A. cephalotes foragers in the laboratory. Foragers walked on a single bridge and I altered various cues and contexts and recorded which manipulations caused the ants to reverse course. In chapter 4, I put orientation cues into direct conflict by letting the ants forage on a Y-maze. Foragers that were returning to a food source preferred visual cues to odor cues while recruited foragers consistently used odor cues. In chapter 5, I use a vertical T-maze to investigate the role that gravity plays in A. cephalotes navigation. The gravitational cue was put in direct conflict with odor cues and light cues. There was an asymmetry to the ants’ response to the gravity cue in that ants returning to a food source had a tendency to go up regardless of the previous position of the food source or the position of the odor trail. Introducing a light cue changed the angle required to make the ants respond to the gravitational cue. In chapter 6, I investigate the anatomy of A. cephalotes eyes and brains. Based on tissue sections, I measured the angles between adjacent ommatidia in the eyes, and the volumes of sub-compartments of the brain. In chapter 7, I use the results from the other chapters to inform my speculations about the nature and neural basis of A. cephalotes navigation. I develop an hypothesis of navigation in the wild and a simple model of its neural underpinnings.