Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intraclutch variation in egg appearance of Brown-headed Cowbird hosts

ABSTRACT Several species of avian brood parasites have evolved egg mimicry, which can interfere with host egg rejection. Parasitic egg mimicry may select for decreased intraclutch variation in host egg appearance to facilitate the recognition and rejection of parasitic eggs. This hypothesis has received scant attention in hosts of the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) because the cowbird apparently has not evolved mimetic eggs. Nonetheless, hosts with eggs similar in appearance to cowbird eggs should minimize intraclutch variation to increase the likelihood of detecting parasitism. By contrast, there may be minimal selection pressure to reduce intraclutch variation in hosts with eggs that are divergent from cowbird eggs. Using reflectance spectrometry, we compared the intraclutch variation between accepters and rejecters of 2 groups of host species: those with eggs similar in appearance to cowbird eggs (white maculate eggs) and those with eggs that clearly diverge in appearance from cowbird eggs (blue eggs). We predicted that rejecters with white maculate eggs should have lower intraclutch variation than accepters, whereas accepters and rejecters with blue eggs should have similar amounts of intraclutch variation. The intraclutch variation between accepters and rejecters with blue eggs did not differ, which matched our predictions. However, rejecters with white maculate eggs did not consistently have lower intraclutch variation than accepters; thus, our hypothesis was not supported for this group. A more comprehensive study, focused on cowbird hosts nesting in grassland and edge habitats, is warranted to determine whether a pattern between intraclutch variation and egg rejection exists among hosts with white maculate eggs.
INVESTIGATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE BASAL GANGLIA IN THE SELECTIVE GATING OF SACCADE INITIATION

iii CO-AUTHORSHI v TABLE OFCONTENTS viii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xi LIST OF TABLES xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiv CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Physiology Underlying Saccadic Eye Movements 2 Cortical Inputs for Saccade Generation 5 Anatomy and Physiology of the basal ganglia 8 Functional Model of the SNr in oculomotor processing 11 Basal ganglia Pathology: Parkinson’s disease 17 Objectives of Thesis 20 Identification of the primate Substantia Nigra pars reticulate 21 Neural Correlates of Fixation Disengagement in primate SNr 21 Neural Correlates for Pro-saccades and Anti-saccades in Primate SNr 22 Investigating automatic and volitional control in Parkinson’s disease patients using oculomotor Countermanding 23 CHAPTER 2. IDENTIFICATION OF THE PRIMATE SUBSTANTIA NIGRA PARS RETICULATA 25 ABSTRACT 26 INTRODUCTION 27 MATERALS AND METHODS 28
Effect of Steam and Solarization Treatments on Pest Control, Strawberry Yield, and Economic Returns Relative to Methyl Bromide Fumigation

The phase-out of methyl bromide as a soil fumigant for strawberry (Fragaria ·ananassa, Duch.) and increasingly strict regulations of all fumigants suggest that non-fumigant methods of soil disinfestation are needed. In warm climates, solarization controls soilborne pests, but fog and lower summer soil temperatures in coastal California render it unsuitable for pest control relative to chemical fumigation. The first objective of this study was to test the efficacy of steam in controlling soil pests in strawberry production. The second objective was to determine if combining solarization with steam in coastal California would achieve greater pest control and higher yields compared with steam or solarization used alone. The final objective was to determine the economic feasibility of steam and solarization treatments relative to MBPic fumigation. Field studies were conducted at Salinas, CA, in 2007-2008 and in 2008-2009 growing seasons. Treatments included MBPic 67/33% v/v at 392 kgha -1 , untreated control, solarization, steam, and steam + solarization. For steam + solarization plots, beds were solarized for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after steam application. Before application of a clear film for solarization, beds were irrigated so the soil moisture was optimal for solarization. Steam was injected into the beds to reach soil temperatures to 708 Co r higher upto adepthof 25cmfor 20min.Soiltemperatures duringsteam andsolarization treatments were monitored. Control of soil pests was measured using pathogen and weed propagule bioassays in all treatments. After the 4-week treatment period, 'Albion' strawberry was transplanted in all plots. After transplanting, weed density, weed fresh biomass, and hand weeding time were recorded periodically in each treatment over the cropping season. Weed seed viability in steam and steam + solarization-treated plots was the same or lower than MBPic standard fumigation. Compared with MBPic fumigation, solarization alone was less effective in controlling weeds or reducing the hand-weeding time. Steam and steam + solarization treatments resulted in weed control similar to MBPic fumigation. Only certain steam treatments reduced the number of Verticillium dahliae Kleb. microsclerotia similar to the MBPic fumigation at 15-cm depth with no reductions at greater depths. There were no significant differences among treatments in 2007-2008 with regard to yield, but in 2008-2009, yields from steam treatments were comparable to the MBPic-treated plots. Economic analysis performed for the 2008-2009 season showed that net returns from steam or solarization treatments were less than MBPic treatment.
Distribution of γ‐aminobutyric acid receptors in cultured adrenergic and noradrenergic bovine chromaffin cells

Fluorescence imaging techniques for recording cytosolic [Ca2+]i from single chromaffin cells were used to characterize and discriminate between cell subpopulations containing γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A and GABAB receptor subtypes. By combining this methodology with the immunoidentification of individual chromaffin cells using specific antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phenyl‐etanolamine‐N‐methyl transferase (PNMT), and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) linked to different fluorescent probes, we have been able to ascribe single‐cell calcium responses to identified adrenergic and noradrenergic chromaffin cells. GAD enzyme is present in 30% of the chromaffin cell population, located primarily in adrenergic cells; 86% of GAD+ cells were also PNMT+. GAD expression was not correlated with the presence of GABA receptors. GABA‐responsive cells were found with equal frequency in the GAD+ and GAD− groups. However, the expression of GABA receptors was correlated with the adrenergic phenotype. [Ca2+]i responses to GABA were found more frequently in adrenergic than in noradrenergic cells. GABAA receptors are more evenly distributed; about 90% of GABA‐responsive cells have them. GABAB receptors have a more restricted distribution (present in 45% of responding cells). The coexpression of both GABAA and GABAB subtypes is the rule; only a minor subpopulation (about 12%) displays exclusively GABAB receptors. GABA receptor subtypes are distributed in a similar way when chromaffin cells are separated according to GAD+/GAD− or PNMT+/PNMT− classifications, with only minor differences. These data indicate that the intrinsic GABAergic system in the adrenal medulla is not designed as a paracrine model in which a group of cells specializes in transmitter synthesis and a different group serves as a specific target. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vermicompost effects on bulbing dynamics, nonstructural carbohydrate content, yield, and quality of 'Rosado paraguayo' garlic bulbs

The objectives of this work were to a) determine vermicompost effect on bulbifica- tion dynamics in terms of garlic (Allium sativum L.) bulb dry weight and sucrose metabolism and b) evaluate the impact of vermicompost on garlic bulb yield and quality. The treatments were soil (control) and 1 soil : 1 vermicompost (by volume). The use of vermicompost as a substrate caused early bulbing (18 to 20 days) and lengthened bulb filling period. Bulb filling period corresponded to an increase in the total soluble carbohydrates and a later modification in nonstructural carbohydrate distribution patterns regarding fructan (scoro- dose) metabolism. The vermicompost treatment increased scorodose accumulation, which was directly related to the harvest index, resulting in greater yield and bulb quality. Bulb quality was not modified in terms of bulb pungency and soluble solids content by the use of vermicompost. In the current agronomical context, the use of solid agricultural waste (vermicompost) in garlic production constitutes a valid alternative, though the physiological and/or agronomical implications of such use are unknown. Arguello et al., (1997) determined the critical period for fertilizing garlic may be between the initiation of shoot growth and the beginning of bulb fill- ing. In particular, previous work on traditional fertilization, such as urea on garlic, show the fertilization advances the onset of bulbifica- tion by 5 to 6 d, which favorably lengthens the period of bulb filling, increases the bulb's dry weight by 10%, and increases yield and quality (Ledesma et al., 2000). Vermicompost effect on dry weight, bulbing, yield and quality of garlic bulbs is not known. The use of vermicompost on onions in- creased growth and yield from 2.72 g/plant to 38.05 g/plant (Thanunathan et al., 1997). In other vegetables, such as cucumber and lettuce, add- ing 20% of pig manure vermicompost increased the aboveground dry weight of seedlings as compared to the traditional commercial crop medium (Atiyeh et al., 2000). In tomatoes, add- ing 20% of pig manure vermicompost resulted in a 12.4% increase in fruit weight; and adding between 20% and 40% of this compost increased commercial fruit size (Atiyeh et al., 2001). Let- tuce seedlings treated with a 50% NutriLomb (Allium sativum L.) clove seeds taken from the second and third fertile leaves of bulbs sown in the Villa Dolores area (Province of Cordoba, Argentina) were used in this study. The experiment was conducted at the Fac-
Crop Residue Management in Pigeonpea-based Intercropping Systems under Rainfed Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2005, 2006 and 2007 at Agricultural Research Station, Gulbarga, University of Agricultural Sciences; Dharwad (Karnataka) on shallow black soils to study the effect different crop residues in pigeonpea-based intercropping systems. The treatments comprised of two intercropping systems viz., pigeonpea + pearlmillet and pigeon pea + green gram with 12 different crop residues and fertilizer management. On the basis of 3 year results, pigeonpea + greengram intercropping system recorded significantly higher pigeonpea seed yield (12.11 q/ha), pigeonpea equivalent yield (14.15 q/ha), gross returns (Rs. 34,265/ha), net returns (Rs. 26,154/ha) and B: C ratio (3.21) over pigeonpea + pearlmillet intercropping system (11.37 q/ha, 12.75 q/ha, Rs. 30,616/ha, Rs. 22,667/ha and 2.84, respectively). The seed yield of pigeonpea, pearlmillet and green gram increased significantly due to combined application of crop residues and recommended dose of fertilizers as compared to control. Among the integrated crop residue management practices, application of pigeonpea stalks @ 5 t/ha + 100% RDF recorded significantly higher yield of pigeonpea (13.11 q/ha), pearlmillet (7.53 q/ha), greengram (3.82 q/ha), pigeonpea equivalent yield (15.25 q/ha), gross returns (Rs. 36,773/ha), net returns (Rs. 28,160/ha) and B:C ratio (3.26) over other integrated crop residue management practices, but it was found to be on par with application of sorghum stubbles @ 5 t/ha + 100% RDF, sunflower stalks @ 5 t/ha + 100% RDF and 100% pure RDF only.
Adolescents’ Vulnerability to Peer Victimization: Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Predictors

This study explored how certain personality traits, behaviors, and social status may be associated with who is targeted as a victim of peer aggression. The sample consisted of 233 students in sixth through eighth grades from rural communities. Results indicate that symptoms of anxiety, a high sense of inadequacy, and elevated social stress are associated with victimization. The article discusses implications for prevention and intervention.
Similarity in flight activity rhythms in coexisting species of Aleyrodidae, Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes abutilonea

Experiments were conducted in Arizona, USA to examine the diel patterns of flight activity of two coexisting species of whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and Trialeurodes abutilonea (Haldeman) (Aleyrodidae). Aerial populations were monitored during parts of two growing seasons using sticky traps. It was found that on most days when more than 100 whiteflies were captured, the flight activity rhythms of the two species were remarkably similar. During 13 of 14 weeks if aerial populations of one species were used to predict populations of the other, coefficients of determination were highly significant. This is in part a function of the two species having parallel patterns of pupal eclosion and teneral periods of approximately the same duration. The two species both experience 90% eclosion within 1 h of the onset of photophase and both have a teneral period slightly in excess of 4 h at 27°C. As a result populations of the two whiteflies emerge together, become flight ready, and fly at the same time. Arizona populations of these two introduced species appear to have developed certain very similar behavioral and physiological processes under conditions of a rigorous desert climate.
Quality and selected metals content of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain after the treatment with brassinosteroids during cultivation.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant natural polyhydroxysteroids supporting the plant growth; their structure resembles animal steroid hormones (Bajguz, 2010). In plants, steroid hormones serve as endogenous signaling molecules. Brassinosteroids act as positive growth regulators or as compounds responsible for plant stress tolerance. Phytoecdysteroids probably show an antifeedant activity (Kamlar et al., 2010). Brassinosteroids were classified as essential plant hormones nearly thirty years after the discovery of brassinolide (the first brassinosteroid) by Groove et al. (1979) in the rape (Brassica napus L.) pollen. Presence of brassinosteroids was demonstrated in many plant species including higher and lower plants and at the same time they were detected in parts of plants, e.g. pollen, seeds, leaves, stems, roots and flowers (Sakurai et al., 1999). Up to date it was characterized 70 compounds belonging to the class of brassinosteroids, among them 65 in free form and 5 conjugated (Zulo & Adam, 2002, Bajguz & Tretyn, 2003). Brassinosteroids are phytohormones with pleiotropic effects. They influence growth, seed germination, cell elongation, photomorphogenesis and senescence (Upreti & Murti, 2004). In relation to the growth and growth regulators, the typical effect of brassinosteroids is coincidental elicitation of cell prolongation and division (Worley & Mitchell, 1971). Investigations confirm the ability of brassinosteroids quantitatively affect plant morphogenesis; this leads to the enhancement of number and growth productive lateral shoots and branches and thereby also to the enhancement of number of spikes, pods etc. (Sakurai et al., 1999). Brassinosteroids help to overcome stresses provoked by low and high temperature, drought, salt, infection, pesticides and heavy metals (Takematsu et al., 1986; Cutler, 1991; Kulaeva et al., 1991; Schilling et al., 1991; Hathout, 1996; Bajguz 2000; Anuradha & Rao, 2001; Krishna, 2003; Janeczko et al., 2005; Cao et al., 2005; Sharma & Bhardwaj, 2007 a, b; Kagale et al., 2007; Ali & Abdel-Fattah, 2006, Ali et al., 2007, 2008, Kroutil et al., 2010 a,b). Heavy metals give rise to antioxidant stress and brassinosteroids can
V genes in primates from whole genome shotgun data

The adaptive immune system uses V genes for antigen recognition. The evolutionary diversification and selection processes within and across species and orders are poorly understood. Here, we studied the amino acid (AA) sequences obtained of translated in-frame V exons of immunoglobulins (IG) and T cell receptors (TR) from 16 primate species whose genomes have been sequenced. Multi-species comparative analysis supports the hypothesis that V genes in the IG loci undergo birth/death processes, thereby permitting rapid adaptability over evolutionary time. We also show that multiple cladistic groupings exist in the TRA (35 clades) and TRB (25 clades) V gene loci and that each primate species typically contributes at least one V gene to each of these clade. The results demonstrate that IG V genes and TR V genes have quite different evolutionary pathways; multiple duplications can explain the IG loci results, while co-evolutionary pressures can explain the phylogenetic results, as seen in genes of the TR loci. We describe how each of the 35 V genes clades of the TRA locus and 25 clades of the TRB locus must have specific and necessary roles for the viability of the species.
Biological effects based quality control of a traditional Chinese medicine

The main objective of this paper is to establish a quality control method based on lipid-lowering and anti-oxidation effect of Jiang-Zhi-Ning (JZN). Biological effects based quality standard of its active components was investigated. Two kinds of cells: oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) injured human umbilicalvein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and human hepatoma cell line Bel-7402 were employed to investigate the biological effects of the standard product of JZN and 5 batches of its test samples. Calculation of the biological effect ratio (BER) = effect of test products of JZN / effect of active constituents of JZN×100%. By evaluation of the effect indexes of lipid-lowering and antioxidant activities of JZN, and by the computation of the biological effect ratio, the biological effect of the active constituents of JZN was confirmed and 11 indexes were assessed as standard biological effect indexes. Moreover, the biological effect ratio of the active constituents of JZN in low, middle and high concentrations of five test samples all ranges from 80 to 120%; as such, they were all judged as eligible products. The standard biological effect of active constituents of JZN could be assessed as standard effect. This research also provided evidence for quality standard evaluation system of Chinese herbal compound. Key words: Quality control, biological effects, antioxidant activities, traditional Chinese medicine.
On some aspects of the behaviour of Oithona plumifera (Copepoda: Cyclopoida)

Individual adult females of the cyclopoid copepod Oithona plumifera were continuously observed for up to 60 min to evaluate their motion and feeding behaviour. These females move only about five times per minute, each time with a brief relocation jump. They sink rather slowly while mainly in a horizontal position, which enhances the probability of encountering suitable food particles. They perceive food particles hydrodynamically via the setae on their first antennae, their prosome appendages and their abdomen. They appear to be able to obtain sufficient food even at tropical open ocean food abundances. A comparison with the calanoid Clausocalanus furcatus reveals notable differences in behaviour between these two species, which dominate the copepod assemblages in oligotrophic environments.
Manejo mecânico e cultura de cobertura na entrelinha da seringueira (PB 235 e RRIM 701) e os atributos físicos de um latossolo vermelho no Planalto Paulista

This work aimed to mechanically evaluate the effect of soil management between rubber tree rows using heavy bars and rotary mowers and cover crop on the physical properties of the soil. Thus, rubber trees (PB 235 and RRIM 701) were established in a Dystrophic Hapludox soil in Jaboticabal-SP in 1992, so that the spaces between the rows were managed with heavy bars, rotary mowers and tropical Kudzu crop cover (Pueraria phaseoloides). After eight cropping years, some physical attributes of the soil (density, macro and microporosity, particle size and water clay dispersion)were analyzed in the rows. The mechanical and cover crop management in the space between the rows had affected the physical properties of the soil, especially porosity and density although not influencing significantly soil particle size. The greatest physical alterations in the soil in function of the management of the space between the rubber tree rows became evident only in the superficial layer of the soil (0-20 cm). Rotary mower management significantly reduced soil porosity (0.08-0.04 m3/m3) and increased soil density (1.4-1.5 kg/dm3) while management with heavy bars did not degrade the physical properties of the soil compared with the rotary mowers and crop cover using tropical Kudzu.
Isolation and Characterization of a Virulent Bacteriophage φPA-HF17 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an important causative agent of nosocomial infection, is found throughout the hospital environment in moist reservoirs, and multidrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa have been increasingly reported worldwide. Bacteriophages are often considered potential therapeutic candidates in treating infectious diseases. In this study, a novel virulent bacteriophage φPA-HF17, specific infecting clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, was isolated and characterized from environmental sewage. Transmission electron microscopy showed that phage φPA-HF17 had an icosahedral head with a very short tail, and exhibited characteristics typical of a podovirus. Restriction analysis indicated that phage φPA-HF17 was a double-stranded DNA virus, which might be digested by some restriction endonucleases. Phage φPA-HF17 was highly infectious with a rapid adsorption (>90% adsorbed in 4 min). In a one-step growth experiment, phage φPA-HF17 was shown having a latent period of 10 minute, with corresponding burst sizes of 200 PFU/cell. Furthermore, when φPA-HF17 alone was incubated at different pHs and different temperatures, the phage was stable over a wide pH range (4 to 10) and at extreme temperature (50°C). These results suggest that φPA-HF17 may be candidate therapeutic phage to control P. aeruginosa infection.
Dynamics of Canopy Structure and Light Interception in Pinus Elliottii Stands, North Florida

In order to develop a model of the carbon cycle for mature slash pine (Pinus elliottii) stands in north Florida, we studied seasonal variation in leaf area index (LAI, all- sided), aboveground biomass increment and litterfall, and light penetration through the forest canopy, over a 3-yr period. The primary approach to establishing monthly LAI included annual destructive analyses and monthly measurements of needle fall and elon- gation. Imagery from the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and patterns of light penetration were also used in attempts to derive less arduous estimates; the TM imagery was most promising. LAIs ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 on control plots over the 3 yr, with repeated fertilization increasing maximum LAI by >40%. Seasonal variation was high (40%), as was variation from year to year. An average of 3 1% of the incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) penetrated the canopies annually, ranging from 18 to 42% seasonally. Seasonal light penetration could not be described using a simple application of the Beer-Lambert law, perhaps due to the highly aggregated nature of the canopies. Models incorporating more information on canopy structure are necessary to predict light penetration through slash pine stands accurately. A model of needle litterfall was derived that could account for much of the seasonal and annual variation using stand basal area and climate conditions from the spring of the previous year; this model may be useful for developing climate-driven predictions of LAI. Efficiencies of use of incoming and intercepted PAR were low compared to other forest types. Low light interception and high nutrient-use efficiencies (demonstrated in earlier studies) are important adaptive characteristics of slash pine stands to these relatively warm and nutrient-poor sites.