Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of formaldehyde treatment of barley on productive performance of Friesian steers

Mating and lambing over a three-year period (1968 to 1970) were studied for a flock of 540 ewes grazing annual pasture at Werribee, Victoria. Rams were joined with ewes over a six-week period either in February-March or in April-May and the ewes were stocked at three rates (5, 75, and 10 ewes per hectare). The proportion of ewes that lambed and the number of lambs born per ewe were greater when ewes were joined in April-May than in February-March. For the later joining there was little effect of stocking rate on either the proportion of ewes lambing or the number of lambs born per ewe. However, when ewes were joined in February-March, both the proportion of ewes lambing and the number of lambs born per ewe were reduced with each increase in stocking rate. Failure of ewes to lamb was a problem among maiden ewes in 1968 and was more pronounced for the ewes joined early than for those joined later in the breeding season. Among ewes stocked at 5 per hectare the proportion returning to service was higher than among ewes stocked at 73 and 10 per hectare.
No evidence of extra‐pair paternity in the little auk Alle alle

487.Extra-pair paternity is typically rather infrequent in seabirds, as in most other long-lived and socially monogamous birds. Here we report the first paternity study of thelittle auk Alle alle, a high arctic seabird which raises only a single chick per year.Parentage was determined using three highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. Wefound that all 26 chicks in our sample were true genetic offspring of their social parents,with an upper 95% confidence limit of 10.88% for the frequency of extra-pair paternity.This level of extra-pair paternity is not significantly different from frequencies reportedfrom the closely related common Uria aalge and Bru¨nnich’s guillemots U. lomvia.J. T. Lifjeld (correspondence), F. Mehlum and T. Oigarden, Natural History Museum,University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1172 Blindern, NO-0318 Oslo, Norway. A. M. A. Harding,Polish Polar Station in Hornsund, Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences,Spitsbergen, Norway. E-mail: j.t. lifjeld@nhm.uio. no
Ablação ocular no camarão Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae): efeitos sobre a reprodução, pigmentação epidérmica e atividade alimentar

This study analyze the consequences of unilateral and bilateral ablation based on ovigerous percentage, consecutive spawns, and secondary effects of the surgical process in the females of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879). Two experiments were carried out with four and seven months old females in intermolt stage. Each experiment was comprised of control, unilateral and bilateral ablation. Eyestalk ablation was done with a bistoury with a topic hot cauterization followed by application of antibiotic pomades. The animals were maintained at constant temperature (28 ± 1,05oC) and photoperiod of 12L: 12D within fibercement boxes with sandy bottom and biological filter. Females were observed once a day during fourteen weeks, registering gonadal condition, ecdysis and presence of spermatophore (mating) and spawning. Unilateral ablation technique is more efficient due to the anticipation of the first spawn, repeatability between spawns, expressive rate of ovigerous females and survival, that favored its applicability. Bilateral eyestalk ablation produced the mortality of ali the females with change in coloration and food activity patterns. These results corroborate other observations on penaeid shrimps. though bilateral ablation on some lobsters was a success. These results showing an interespecific variation and can be used in aquaculture projects.
Binding Site for S-Adenosyl-l-methionine in a Central Region of Mammalian Reovirus λ2 Protein

One or more proteins in mammalian reovirus core particles mediate two RNA methylation activities, (guanosine-7-N)-methyltransferase and (guanosine-2′-O)-methyltransferase, that contribute to forming the 5′ cap 1 structure on viral mRNA. We used UV irradiation to identify core proteins that bindS-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM), the methyl-group donor for both methyltransferases. A [methyl-3H]SAM-binding site was observed among the reovirus λ proteins; was shown to be specific by competition with low levels of S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine, the product of methyl-group transfer from SAM; and was subsequently localized to protein λ2. λ2 mediates the guanylyltransferase reaction in cap formation and was previously proposed to mediate one or both methylation reactions as well. SAM binding was demonstrated for both λ2 in cores and λ2 expressed in insect cells from a recombinant baculovirus. Using three different methods to cleave λ2, a binding site for SAM was tentatively localized to a central region of λ2, between residues 792 and 1100, which includes a smaller region with sequence similarity to the SAM-binding pocket of other methyltransferases. Alanine substitutions at positions 827 and 829 within this predicted binding region greatly reduced the capacity of baculovirus-expressed λ2 protein to undergo UV cross-linking to SAM but had no effects on either the guanylyltransferase activity of this protein or its conformation as judged by partial proteolysis, suggesting that one or both of these residues is essential for SAM binding. Based on these findings, we propose that the two methyltransferase activities involved in mRNA capping by reovirus cores utilize a single SAM-binding pocket within a central region of λ2.
Texture of Chinese water chestnut: Involvement of cell wall phenolics

Chinese water chestnuts (CWC) fail to soften during cooking. This is due to thermal stability of cell wall polymers involved in cell-cell adhesion. Information concerning these polymers was obtained by subjecting CWC tissues to a range of chemical and biochemical treatments designed to cleave selectively cell wall chemical bonds. Neither chelating agents nor weak base (Na 2 CO 3 , 0.05 M) facilitated vortex-induced cell separation (VICS) in fresh or canned tissues. However, VICS could be induced after extraction in dilute, cold alkali (0.1 M KOH), dilute hot acid, or a purified, specific endoxylanase. The CWC cell walls also exhibited considerable pH-dependent autofluorescence which originated mainly from ferulic acid and its derivatives. This disappeared during alkali-induced VICS. The results are consistent with the involvement of ferulic acid-containing cell wall hemicelluloses in the thermal stability of cell-cell adhesion and therefore texture in CWC tissues.
Associational resistance mediated by natural enemies

Abstract. 1. Associational resistance theory suggests that the association of herbivore‐susceptible plant species with herbivore‐resistant plant species can reduce herbivore density on the susceptible plant species. Several casual mechanisms are possible but none has so far invoked natural enemies. Associational resistance mediated by natural enemies was tested for by examining densities of a gall fly, Asphondylia borrichiae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and levels of parasitism on two closely related seaside plants, Borrichia frutescens and Iva frutescens, when alone and when co‐occurring.
Contrasted influences of moon phases on the reproduction and movement patterns of four amphibian species inhabiting different habitats in central Italy

Many studies have provided evidence that prey adjust their behaviour to adaptively balance the fitness effects of reproduction and predation risk. Nocturnal terrestrial animals should deal with a range of environmental conditions during the reproductive season at the breeding sites, including a variable amount of natural ambient light. High degrees of illumination are expected to minimize those behaviours that might increase the animal detection by predators. Therefore, under habitat variable brightness conditions and in different ecosystems, the above mentioned behaviours are expected to depend on the variation in predation risk. Although moon effects on amphibian biology have been recognized, the direction of this influence is rather controversial with evidences of both increased and depressed activity under full moon. We tested in four nocturnal amphibian species (Hyla intermedia, Rana dalmatina, Rana italica, Salamandrina perspicillata) the effects of different (i) light conditions and (ii) habitats (open land vs. dense forest) on the reproductive phenology. Our results showed that the effects of the lunar cycle on the study species are associated with the change in luminosity, and there is no evidence of an endogenous rhythm controlled by biological clocks. The habitat type conditioned the amphibian reproductive strategy in relation to moon phases. Open habitat breeders (e.g., ponds with no canopy cover) strongly avoided conditions with high brightness, whereas forest habitat breeders were apparently unaffected by the different moon phases. Indeed, for all the studied species no effects of the moon phase itself on the considered metrics were found. Rather, the considered amphibian species seem to be conditioned mainly by moonlight irrespective of the moon phase. The two anurans spawning in open habitat apparently adjust their oviposition timing by balancing the fitness effects of the risk to be detected by predators and the reproduction.
Reproductive Biology of Male Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) from a Denning Population in Central Wisconsin

Abstract Reproductive behavior of the eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) was evaluated in the field at the Mosquito Hill Nature Center, New London, Wisconsin. In addition, twenty-eight males (24 adult; 4 subadult) were collected during the active season to examine the reproductive physiology. Courtship behavior and mating in this population was similar to previous reports on Thamnophis with the exception of a relatively abbreviated courtship season lasting only 3–5 d. Our study population exhibited a dissociated reproductive pattern in which spermatogenisis was initiated after the breeding season had ended and sperm over wintered in the vas deferens. Upon emergence from low temperature dormancy, the testis mass and seminiferous tubules were regressed with spermatogonia the dominant cell type. Maximum tubule and epithelial development occured in late summer corresponding to peak spermatogenesis and elevated testosterone levels (T). While the tubule diameter and epithelial height of the renal sexual segment (RSS) did not exhibit seasonal fluctuation, sexual granules within the cells of the epithelia did display a seasonal variation that was determined by the absolute number, individual granule density and staining properties. Testosterone levels (T), elevated in the fall before entering winter dormancy, were not significantly different from the levels of animals sampled immediately upon emergence. There was, however, a significant reduction in circulating T in animals sampled following the end of the breeding season. Four small males collected in mid-to-late summer had just initiated spermatogenesis. Examination of the caudal vertebrae by skeletochronology revealed these individuals were in their second active season. In these subadults, development of the testes and RSS development was not as advanced as that of adult males collected at the same time. In addition, the level of circulating T in the subadults was significantly lower than in adults collected at the same time.
Effects of irradiance and water supply on grain development in wheat

SUMMARY The effects of two levels of irradiance and of water supply on grain development in two cultivars of winter wheat were studied by imposing treatments during the phases of cell production and cell expansion in the endosperm. The storage capacity of the grain was determined by cell number in the endosperm, which was reduced by both treatments during the cell production phase. Changes in cell number caused by the treatments were due to changes in the rate of production of cells; the duration of the cell production phase was constant. Weight per grain at maturity was proportional, both within and between cultivars, to the number of endosperm cells, except when treatments altered the supply of assimilate to the grain during the cell expansion phase. Reducing irradiance and water during the cell expansion phase decreased the rate of accumulation of dry matter in the grain and reduced weight per grain at maturity, with no effect on the duration of grain filling. Shrivelled grain resulted from a failure of the endosperm cells to fill completely, and was characterised by a reduction in the number of ‘B’-type starch granules.
The Value of Urban Forests to Wintering Birds

Abstract Although the negative impacts of urbanization on ecological communities are usually emphasized in the literature, urban parks may make positive contributions to conservation. We hypothesized that riparian forest parks surrounded by urban development would support greater numbers and diversity of wintering birds than similar forests in more rural landscapes due to improved food resources and microclimate conditions in urban landscapes. During winters 2001–2002 and 2002–2003, we surveyed bird communities three times each year at 36 sites located in riparian forests along a rural-urban gradient in central Ohio. At each forest site, we measured forest width (m), landscape characteristics (percentages of urban and forest cover within 1 km), and local variables describing both habitat and microclimate conditions. Species richness, total abundance, and numbers of nine of 10 species were positively related to urban development within 1 km. These patterns may be partially explained by positive associations between urban development within 1 km and winter temperatures, numbers of birdfeeders near sites, and understory stem densities. Unlike most studies of breeding birds, our results suggest that an urbanizing landscape matrix surrounding riparian forests may benefit some native birds in winter.
Freshwater Wetlands

25 Fire Suppresses Woody Vegetation in Fens (Maine) Sally C. Rooney, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469 Wcbbcr Fen, a small peatland in southern Aroostook County, Maine, supports an exceptional array of plant species, most notably the extremely rare eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophea). The fen and adjacent Crystal Bog (a Nature Conservancy preserve) are the eastern-most locations of this rare orchid. Unfortunately, in recent years numerous woody species-principally northern white cedar (Thuga occidentalis), eastern larch (Larix laricina) and shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)--have invaded. Early in 1988, I established three 20 m x 20 m burn plots and adjacent control plots (each containing 12 randomly-placed circular subplots, one meter in diameter) in three areas. The first in an area quite heavily invaded by tree species, the second in a typical, sedge-dominated fen, and the third in an area now dominated by shrubby cinquefoil. We carried out a controlled burn on all three areas in September of 1988. In June 1989 we found statistically significant reduction in the percent cover of both cedar and larch, but percent cover of Potentilla remained at preburn levels. Fire intensity was presumably not hot enough (rarely exceeding 70 B.T.U.s/fl./sec, judging from the three-foot flame lengths) to suppress underground portions of this woody species. No response to fire by the prairie fringed orchid was observed.That a relatively cool fire produced significant reduction in Woody cover for at least one growing season indicates that frequent burning may be effective in controlling some woody invasives in Maine fens.
Étude des caractères d'enracinement et de leur rôle dans l'adaptation au déficit hydrique chez l'orge (Hordeum vulgare L)

Les genotypes, originaires de la zone mediterraneenne, ont ete cultives en serre et en pots sous differentes conditions de deficit hydrique. Cela a permis de mettre en evidence d'importantes differences varietales pour la plupart des caracteres etudies: -nombre de racines principales; -volume racinaire; -rapport entre la masse de matiere seche des parties aeriennes et la masse de substance seche des racines; -surface foliaire et potentiel hydrique de la derniere feuille (stade B2 de Jonard)
GROWTH AND MORTALITY OF CHICKS AS AFFECTED BY THE FLOOR LITTER

Prevention or control of coccidiosis has centered around the frequent removal of the floor litter, which has been considered as an axiomatic, sanitary procedure, despite its failure to accomplish the purposes expected. That this procedure may be self-defeating has been indicated by extensive experiments conducted by this station in which more effective growth and prevention or control of coccidiosis was realized by the growth of chicks on old built-up floor litter. Beach and Corl (1925), Johnson (1927 and 1932), Tyzzer (1929), and Farr (1943) have cited conclusive evidence to the effect that chicks can acquire resistance or immunity to coccidial infection through repeated light exposures to sporulated oocysts. This may be one reason for the inhibiting effect of old built-up floor litter on the incidence of coccidiosis, since the day-old chicks in the Ohio Station’s experiments were started on the old built-up floor litter used by previous broods of chicks. Old built-up floor litter may, conceivably, also provide a favorable environment for the growth of microorganisms directly inimical to the coccidia, or the coccidia may be ill affected by the ammonia developed in the old litter. The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (1943) reported that the use of hydrated lime in the floor litter served as a preventive of the spread of coccidiosis. A t the Ohio Station, chicks were brooded and raised in adjoining pens on built-up floor litter with and without hydrated lime. Practically the same growth and low rate of mortality were secured in each pen from three consecutive broods of chicks. Koutz (1948) presented data from four experiments which indicated that hydrated lime mixed in deep litter did not prevent oocysts of E. tenella from sporulating and was no more effective than deep litter alone in preventing coccidiosis. In contrast to the dearth of information relative to the r61e of built-up floor litter in the prevention or control of coccidiosis and other diseases of chicks started on old built-up floor litter, there is much to confirm its nutritional importance. That better hatchability of eggs and a better rate of growth of chicks could be expected from birds on old built-up floor litter has been indicated by Lamoreaux and Schumacher (1940), who found feces from laying hens to contain no more riboflavin a t the time of defecation than was in the feed being used. But approximately 100 per cent more was present when the feces were held a t room temperature for 24 hours, and 300 per cent more when they were held for one week. McGinnis, Stevens, and Groves (1947) showed that, by incubating hen feces 72 hours a t 30” C. , the unidentified factor(s) required for maximum growth and livability of chicks were increased. This indicated that the synthesis of the unidentified chick growth factor(s) in the hen’s feces takes place, a t least in most part, after voiding of the feces and not to any extent in the digestive tract.
Splitting Behaviour Into Bouts; a Maximum Likelihood Approach

One method of splitting behaviour into bouts is to model the data as a mixture of two (or more) exponential distributions and to calculate a bout criterion from the resulting parameter estimates. The parameter estimates under a mixture model can be obtained using a maximum likelihood approach. The sample size required to obtain reasonable estimates of the parameters using this approach is investigated using simulated data, and found to depend on the ratio between the two densities of the two exponential processes and the proportion in which they are mixed. The use of likelihood ratio tests in helping to determine whether the data occur in bouts is also described and illustrated.
Effects of crude extract of dry fruits of Piper guineense on male fertility parameters of adult Sprague Dawley rats.

Objective: To study the effect of aqueous extract of dry fruits of Piper guineense on male fertility parameters of adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: 30 adult male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 120g -150g were used. They were divided into three (3) groups. The control (group A), Short term treatment Group A (Group B) received 200 mg/kg of extract for 4 weeks (28 days) and long term treatment (Group C) received 200 mg/kg of extracts for 8 weeks (56 days). Extract was given via gastric intubation. The controls as well as treated animals were allowed free access to pelleted feed and water ad libitum. Original Research Article Memudu et al.; EJMP, 5(3): 297-303, 2015; Article no.EJMP. 2015.029 298 The animals were sacrificed and blood taken for serum biochemical analysis. Testicular weight was taken and recorded. Caudal epididymis excised for semen analysis. Results: There was an increase in animal body weight gained throughout the duration of the experiment as compared with the control. There was also a significance increase in testicular weight. Serum testosterone level increased in treated groups. Semen analysis reveals normal parameters no oligospermic or azoospermic condition was detected. Sperm morphology was normal and no teratozoospermic sperm found. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Piper guineense at dose of 200mg/kg for 4 weeks and 8 weeks respectively had a positive impact on male fertility parameters. From results obtained, Piper guineese enhances testicular hormone secretion. This study revealed no deleterious effects of aqueous extraction of dry fruits of Piper guineense on male fertility.
Microcrystalline structure and surface area of elemental sulphur as factors influencing its oxidation by Thiobacillus albertis

The effect of particle size, surface area per unit weight, and molecular composition of S0 on the rate of S0 oxidation by Thiobacillus albertis was studied. Spherical S0 prills varying in size and surface areas were prepared and added as the sulphur source to synthetic salts medium. The rate of S0 oxidation by T. albertis was found to be a function of surface area/unit weight of sulphur. In all these experiments was produced in a linear manner with time indicating sterically favorable cell–sulphur oxidation binding sites for bacterial growth. Different powdered forms of S0 (high-purity orthohombic, high-purity polymeric, and mixed molecular sulphur) were oxidized at a significantly faster rate than the prilled S0. Also the initial oxidation was exponential up to 3 days at which point production from mixed molecular sulphur utilization fell off substantially with time as compared with similar rate curves obtained with high-purity orthorhombic and high-purity polymeric oxidation. It was implied that the inc.
Effect of flavonoids on the development of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

Abstract In the present study the effect of flavonoid compounds on the germination and fungal growth of the soil-borne tomato pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici was studied. Out of 12 flavonoid compounds only myricetin and luteolin exhibited a low stimulating activity on microconidia germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, whereas the other flavonoids tested were inactive when applied at five different concentrations. In our study the tested flavonoids affect fungal growth differently to microconidia germination. Individual flavonoid concentrations resulted in a small increase of fungal growth, but the lowest flavonoid concentrations showed an inhibiting effect on fungal growth for all flavonoids tested. There is evidence to suggest, that low flavonoid concentrations exhibit slight antimicrobial properties against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.