Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Composição e estrutura da assembleia de peixes da zona de arrebentação da praia de Jaguaribe, Itamaracá (PE)

Entre marco de 2005 e fevereiro de 2006, foi analisada a ictiofauna da zona de arrebentacao da Praia de Jaguaribe, localizada na Ilha de Itamaraca, litoral norte do estado de Pernambuco, nordeste brasileiro. Foram efetuadas coletas mensais, com uma rede de arrasto tipo picare, na baixamar em periodos diurno e noturno. Um total de 5.266 individuos pertencentes a 95 especies e 35 familias foi coletado. Carangidae e Engraulidae apresentaram o maior numero de especies, com dez cada. Bairdiella ronchus, Anchoviella lepidentostole, Anchoa tricolor, Polydactylus virginicus, Lile piquitinga, Larimus breviceps, Lycengraulis grossidens, Chirocentrodon bleekerianus e Pomadasys corvinaeformis dominaram quantitativamente e representaram 75,4% do total de exemplares capturados. A analise de agrupamento e a tecnica nao-metrica de Escalonamento Multidimensional das especies com frequencia superior a 33,3% evidenciaram diferencas sazonais na composicao das assembleias durante os meses, refletindo ocorrencia e abundância desiguais dentre as especies nas estacoes seca e chuvosa. Albula vulpes e Haemulon plumieri ocorreram conjunta e exclusivamente na estacao seca, enquanto Mugil sp. , Trachinotus falcatus , Cathrops spixii e Conodon nobilis apresentaram maior abundância e ocorrencia na estacao chuvosa. A zona de arrebentacao da praia de Jaguaribe apresentou uma ictiofauna rica, uma alta diversidade especifica na maioria dos meses e predominância de individuos de pequeno porte (<20cm) e de jovens, sobretudo de especies de importância pesqueira na regiao. Palavras-chave : Juvenis. Nordeste do Brasil. Rede de arrasto. Zona de arrebentacao.
From synthetic poly‐α‐amino acids to bioactive peptides and peptidomimetics

In this article I would like to summarize the evolution of our research in Padova and to show how strong was the impact and stimulus of the collaboration with Murray Goodman on the research of our group. In 1958 Ephraim Katchalsky and Michael Sela published an important review on poly-α-amino acids [1]. The study of this authoritative review stimulated the interest of our research group, headed by Prof. Ernesto Scoffone, in this new field. We followed the work of different groups, including that of Murray Goodman in Brooklyn, NY, who was making outstanding contributions to the field. At that time poly-α-amino acids represented the bridge between classical polymers and biological macromolecules. After the first meeting on poly-α-amino acids held in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1961, the prestigious scientific journal BIOPOLYMERS was founded (the founding Editors were Elkan Blout and Ephraim Katchalski). Later, Murray became the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal and remained in the position until he passed away. His first visit to Padova was in 1962. From that meeting started the scientific and personal interactions between Ernesto Scoffone and Murray. In the 1960s a major controversial point was the mechanism of polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides initiated by tertiary amines or strong aprotic bases. The elucidation of the polymerization mechanism required intensive and competitive efforts from different groups. Important contributions came from the groups of E. Katchalski [1], C.H. Bamford [2], M. Goodman [3], M. Szwarc [4] and our group in Padova [5]. These combined efforts led to the formulation of a general polymerization mechanism which was summarized in a review article in Pure and Applied Chemistry by Murray and myself in 1981 [6]. Starting from the early 1960s, major research interest was devoted to the conformational properties of poly-αamino acids. Studies from different groups allowed the establishment of a correlation between chiroptical properties and ordered conformations. A much debated
Intake and Digestive Processes in the Rumen of Rams Fed with Digitaria decumbens Harvested at Four Stages of Grass Regrowth Age

This study was designed to measure the effect of regrowth age of Digitaria decumbens (D. decumbens) on the intake and dynamics of digesta in the rumen of rams. Six Black-belly rams (mean liveweight: 51.6 (s.d. 0.68) kg) fitted with rumen cannulae were fed twice daily a 14-, 28-, 42- and 56-day old fresh D. decumbens successively for 4 experimental periods. The daily dry matter intake decreased curvilineary from 75.2 to 48.5 (s.e. 2.0) g/kg BW 0.75 as the age of the D. decumbens grass increased from 14 to 56 days. Dry matter intake for the first 3 h after the morning meal was 863.6, 598.3, 576.4 and 401.5 (s.e. 55.6) g for the 14-, 28-, 42- and 56-day old grasses respectively. The pool of NDF in the rumen at the end of the 3-h feeding period did not vary significantly among the four diets. Twelve hours after the beginning of the morning meal, the pool of NDF increased with the forage regrowth age. Within the total pool of NDF, the pool of large particles tended to increase with the regrowth age. It was concluded that high intake was associated with fast evacuation ofNDF from the rumen. Moreover, digestion (cellulolysis) rate and degree of particle reduction by rumination are highly correlated, though speed of physical degradation of forage seems to be the driving force behind intake.
The development of growth and feeding equations for sea bream, Sparus aurata L., culture

The development and testing of two fish growth models is described. The equations are based on the effects of fish weight and water temperature on the specific growth rate and ration of sea bream Sparus aurata L. The models show a good fit and are proposed for prediction of harvesting time and food consumption. In particular, provided a fish-stocking technique similar to that described in this study is followed, prediction can be made on the estimation of the optimum amount of food given to avoid food wastage and save storage space, the overall rearing period from the 2-g fry stage up to the marketable size of 300-350 g, and the optimal stocking period in order to produce marketable fish at the right time and at a satisfactory selling price.
Using fishers’ ecological knowledge to assess the status and cultural importance of sawfish in Guinea‐Bissau

Sawfishes have declined dramatically in West Africa and may be extinct throughout much of their historical range. Guinea-Bissau is considered to be one of the last remaining places in West Africa where sawfish persist. Fishers’ ecological knowledge (FEK) can provide valuable baseline data, which can be used to direct scientific studies, in situations where information is scarce or lacking and can also provide insight into local attitudes towards species of interest. Interview surveys were used to collect FEK data on the past and current range of sawfishes within Guinea-Bissau waters, perceived causes of the decline amongst fishermen, and the cultural importance of this species to Bissau-Guineans. Data were collected from 274 respondents, of whom 85% could identify a sawfish from an image. The majority of respondents reported to have last seen a sawfish in the 1980s, although this varied considerably by region, and 30% of respondents in the south had seen or captured sawfishes in the past decade up to and including 2012. Overfishing or excessive fishing pressure was most frequently cited as a perceived cause for the decline in sawfish, followed by shark finning and overseas fishermen. The sawfish is primarily of cultural importance in the Bijagos Islands, where it is central to many traditional ceremonies. This information provides valuable insight into the cultural importance of sawfish to Bissau-Guineans and their concerns in relation to the sustainability of their local fishery resources. Information on recent catches will be useful for directing future work to locate and protect remaining sawfish in Guinea-Bissau. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Host Species on Some Biological Characteristics of Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson (Hym.; Braconidae)

Koinobiont and solitary, early instar larval endoparasitoid, Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson were reared on two lepidopterous host species, the greater wax moth, Galleriae mellonella (L.) and the small wax moth, Achoria grisella Fabr. under a photoperiod of 12:12 h (D: L) at 25°C and 60 % relative humidity. The parasitoid with three larval instars completed its immature developmental period within 26-28 days when it was reared on G. mellonella and within 25-27 days on A. grisella. The adult parasitoid has no preoviposition period. In the first 24 hours of the adult female life span, 10 to 20 eggs were laid. The duration of oviposition of the females was 3-8 seconds. Adult males and females were able to mate soon after the emergence, and the average duration of copulation was about 23 seconds. The adult size of the parasitoid was variable depending on the host. The adult life span of the parasitoid was also variable depending on the sex of the individual and whether or not it had mated. Adults that had mated lived longer than those that had not, and male adults lived longer than females. Seasonal variation was found in the adult life span of the parasitoids. It is recorded that the host species and the number of parasitoids tested affected the host preference of the parasitoid. A. galleriae preferred A. grisella to G. mellonella as a host.
Fatty acid composition and biometry of five Greek Artemia populations suitable for aquaculture purposes

Evaluation of a new-to-science Artemia population and comparison with four other existing populations were carried out. Five parthenogenetic Artemia populations from the following Greek saltworks were studied: Alyki (a new population), Kalloni, Milos, Polychnitos and Messolongi. The diameters of non-decapsulated and decapsulated cysts as well as the lengths of nauplii instar stages I, II and III were measured. In addition, the fatty acid composition of decapsulated cysts was estimated. The cyst size of the Alyki population was the smallest, with the largest chorion found in Greece so far. The Messolongi population had the largest cysts, with the smallest chorion of all five populations. The diameter of the non-decapsulated cysts was highly related (P<0.01) to the length of the nauplii instar I, II and III. The diameter of decapsulated cysts was found to be the most stable and reliable biometric characteristic. The study of their fatty acids profiles revealed that the Polychnitos and Messolongi populations are suitable as live food for freshwater species, while the Alyki, Milos and Kalloni populations are suitable for marine species, having high levels (8.9%, 11.2% and 12.5% respectively) of eicosapentaenoic acid and detectable amounts (0.3%, 0.1% and 0.2% respectively) of docosahexaenoic acid.
Influence of soil fauna on fungal plant pathogens in agricultural and horticultural systems

Abstract An understanding of the ecology of plant pathogens is crucial for the development of agricultural and horticultural growing systems that enhance plant health. One important group of organisms that influences plant pathogen survival and dispersal is the soil fauna. This review deals with known and possible interactions between soil animals and different groups of fungal plant pathogens. It is suggested that facultative saprophytes may be affected considerably by mycelial grazing by soil animals, while obligate pathogens may be more influenced by animals that ingest spores and other types of propagules. Both types of pathogens can also be influenced by indirect interactions with the soil fauna. Manipulating the soil environment for enhancement of beneficial soil animals that consume pathogens seems to be a realistic possibility for sustainable agriculture and horticulture.
Evidence from hatching success and DNA fingerprinting for the fertility of hybrid Pied × Collared Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca × albicollis

The Pied and Collared Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca and F. albicollis hybridize on the Baltic islands of Oland and Gotland. Field studies of hatching success in clutches from 36 breeding hybrid males indicate that male hybrids reproduce successfully. In comparison, 25 hybrid females had normal clutch sizes but failed to hatch nestlings, suggesting female hybrid sterility. The paternity of seven hybrid males was investigated by DNA fingerprinting using two hypervariable minisatellite probes. Of these hybrid males, six were assessed as fertile. Three of the hybrid male families (43%) contained nestlings with extra-pair paternity and the frequency of extra-pair fertilization among 37 nestlings was 22%. One nestling originated from intraspeciflc female nest parasitism. The sterility pattern in hybrids between these two flycatchers with sterile female and fertile male hybrids is in agreement with Haldane's rule.
Effect of cadmium and zinc in different salinity levels on survival and osmoregulation of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone)

This study compared the acute toxicity of Cd and Zn on juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei when administered at different salinities. It also evaluated the effect of sublethal Cd and Zn concentrations on the osmoregulatory capacity (OC) of the juvenile shrimp. Tolerance to Cd and Zn increased progressively with increasing salinity. Cadmium was more toxic than zinc. The 96 h LC50's of cadmium to juvenile L. vannamei were 450, 690, and 1020 µg Cd L−1 at 5, 15, and 27 ppt salinity, respectively. The 96 h LC50's of zinc were 3780, 5520, and 8910 µg Zn L−1 at 5, 15, and 27 ppt, respectively. Exposure to sublethal concentration of Cd and Zn reduced the hyper-OC of exposed shrimp at 5 and 15 ppt salinity, and increased the hypo-OC of exposed animals at 27 ppt salinity.
An analysis of the spawning behaviour of the Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus (Pallas) with observations on mating success

In the Fond du Lac River, adult male Arctic grayling defend territories on the spawning ground for up to 7 days. Females do not defend territories and do not exhibit agonistic behaviour during the breeding season. The behaviour patterns exhibited by Arctic grayling during spawning are virtually identical to those exhibited by European grayling. The characteristic large dorsal fin of the grayling is of major importance during the spawning act. Less than 50% of all spawning attempts proceed to completion. Interference by other fish or the improper orientation of one fish may result in one member of the spawning pair moving away. Most often however, incomplete acts are the result of the female moving away for no apparent reason. Females may initially ‘test’ males or may simply not be ready to spawn when approached by males. Homosexual spawning attempts were rarely observed.
Taxonomic sufficiency and indicator taxa reduce sampling costs and increase monitoring effectiveness for ants

Despite the accelerating loss of biodiversity and the increased number of methods for conservation planning, the availability of information about the spatial distribution of biodiversity remains limited. One way to overcome this problem is to focus on surrogate resolutions that are able to represent species‐level data and can be efficiently measured. Surrogates are only useful if the ecological patterns detected at the species‐level still hold when based on coarser taxonomic identification, and if these responses are consistent across regions. We present a comprehensive analysis using data from a large‐scale evaluation of ground‐dwelling ants, to evaluate the use of surrogates.
Potential of genomic selection in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) breeding

Genomic selection employs genome-wide marker data to predict genomic breeding values. In this study, a population consisting of 391 lines of elite winter oilseed rape derived from nine families was used to evaluate the prospects of genomic selection in rapeseed breeding. All lines have been phenotyped for six morphological, quality- and yield-related traits and genotyped with genome-wide SNP markers. We used ridge regression best linear unbiased prediction in combination with cross-validation and obtained medium to high prediction accuracies for the studied traits. Our results illustrate that among-family variance contributes to the prediction accuracy and can lead to an overestimation of the prospects of genomic selection within single segregating families. We also tested a scenario where estimation of effects was carried out without individuals from the family in which breeding values were predicted, which yielded lower but nevertheless attractive prediction accuracies. Taken together, our results suggest that genomic selection can be a valuable genomic approach for complex agronomic traits towards a knowledge-based breeding in rapeseed.
Fontes de carboidratos e porcentagem de volumosos em dietas para ovinos: balanço de nitrogênio, digestibilidade e fluxo portal de nutrientes

Avaliou-se a influencia de duas fontes de carboidrato (casca de soja e milho em grao) e de dois niveis (40 e 70%) de volumoso nas dietas sobre a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, o balanco de nitrogenio e o fluxo portal de nutrientes em ovinos. Foram utilizados quatro ovinos Corriedale (45 kg PV) com tres cateteres implantados (veia e arteria mesenterica e veia porta), distribuidos em delineamento quadrado latino. A digestibilidade dos nutrientes foi obtida utilizando-se a tecnica de coleta total de fezes e urina e o fluxo portal de nutrientes pelo principio de Fick. A digestibilidade da MS das dietas contendo milho (66,7%) foi maior que daquelas contendo casca de soja (60,9%). A ingestao (789,7 g/dia), a digestao (444,2 g/dia) e a digestibilidade (56,2%) da FDN foram maiores para as dietas contendo casca de soja como fonte de carboidrato. As dietas contendo milho proporcionaram maior ingestao e digestao do EE. Houve efeito da interacao fonte de carboidrato ´ proporcao de volumoso sobre a ingestao e a digestao dos CNF. Os valores de ingestao e digestao nas dietas com milho foram maiores na menor proporcao de volumoso, mas, naquelas com casca de soja, nao foram influenciados pelas proporcoes de volumoso estudadas. O teor de NDT foi maior para as dietas contendo milho. Dietas com 40% de volumoso resultaram em menores perdas fecais e urinarias e em maiores digestibilidade e retencao de nitrogenio. As concentracoes portal e arterial de glicose foram maiores para dietas contendo milho e para aquelas contendo 40% de volumoso. As concentracoes portal de amonia e ureia, assim como a diferenca venosa-arterial e o fluxo portal de amonia, foram menores para dietas com 40% de volumoso.
Role of Protein Kinase Map4k4 in Energy Metabolism: A Dissertation

Systemic glucose regulation is essential for human survival as low or chronically high glucose levels can be detrimental to the health of an individual. Glucose levels are highly regulated via inter-organ communication networks that alter metabolic function to maintain euglycemia. For example, when nutrient levels are low, pancreatic α-cells secrete glucagon, which signals to the liver to promote glycogen breakdown and glucose production. In times of excess nutrient intake, pancreatic β-cells release insulin. Insulin signals to the liver to suppress hepatic glucose production, and signals to the adipose tissue and the skeletal muscle to take up excess glucose via insulin-regulated glucose transporters. Defects in this inter-organ communication network including insulin resistance can result in glucose deregulation and ultimately the onset of type-2 diabetes (T2D). To identify novel regulators of insulin-mediated glucose transport, our laboratory performed an siRNA-mediated gene-silencing screen in cultured adipocytes and measured insulin-mediated glucose transport. Gene silencing of Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (Map4k4), a Sterile-20-related serine/threonine protein kinase, enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose transport, suggesting Map4k4 inhibits insulin action and glucose transport. Thus, for the first part of my thesis, I explore the role of Map4k4 in cultured adipose cells and show that Map4k4 also represses lipid synthesis independent of its effects on glucose transport. Map4k4 inhibits lipid synthesis in a Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)- and Sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (Srebp-1)-dependent mechanism and not via a c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (Jnk)-dependent mechanism. For the second part of my thesis, I explore the metabolic function of Map4k4 in vivo. Using mice with loxP sites flanking the Map4k4 allele and a ubiquitously expressed tamoxifen-activated Cre, we inducibly ablated Map4k4 expression in adult mice and found significant improvements in metabolic health indicated by improved fasting glucose and whole-body insulin action. To assess the role of Map4k4 in specific metabolic tissues responsible for systemic glucose regulation, we employed tissue-specific knockout mice to deplete Map4k4 in adipose tissue using an adiponectin-cre transgene, liver using an albumin-cre transgene, and skeletal muscle using a Myf5-cre transgene. Ablation of Map4k4 expression in adipose tissue or liver had no impact on whole body glucose homeostasis or insulin resistance. However, we surprisingly found that Map4k4 depletion in Myf5-positive tissues, which include skeletal muscles, largely recapitulates the metabolic phenotypes observed in systemic Map4k4 knockout mice, restoring obesity-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Furthermore these metabolic changes were associated with enhanced insulin signaling to Akt in the visceral adipose tissue, a tissue that is nearly devoid of Myf5-positive cells and does not display changes in…
EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF DEFOLIATION ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF WATER-STRESSED MAIZE AND COTTON PLANTS

In this study, different levels of defoliation were imposed on a determinate species (maize) and a relatively indeterminate species (cotton). The aim was to quantify the effects of defoliation on plant growth and production, under either optimum or water-stressed conditions. Under well-watered conditions, 33% defoliation twice (conducted 28 and 35 days after emergence) resulted in a 16% reduction in grain yield of maize while 67% defoliation once (conducted 28 days after emergence) had no significant effect on yield. Under water stress, the grain yields of maize plants with 33% (twice) and 67% defoliation were 13.5% and 25% greater than that of non-defoliated control plants, respectively. For cotton, the reproductive yields (seed and lint) with 33% and 67% defoliation (conducted 43 days after emergence) were reduced, under well-watered conditions, by 28% and 37% of that of the non-defoliated control, respectively. Defoliated cotton plants lost less fruiting forms (squares and young bolls) than non-defoliated plants during water stress. Therefore, under water stress the harvestable product of cotton plants with 67% defoliation was double that of non-defoliated control plants. In non-defoliated cotton plants, a second flush of flowering after release from water-stress permitted further compensatory fruit set and boll harvest. Defoliated plants did not show such levels of compensation. Defoliation significantly reduced water use by maize and cotton. The relative yield advantage of defoliated plants under water-stress conditions can be attributed to defoliation-induced improvement in water status as reflected in measures of photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. Under anticipated drought stress, defoliation could be an important management practice to reduce drought-induced yield decrease, but this needs to be tested under field conditions.