Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The reproductive output of frogs Rana temporaria (L.) with particular reference to body size and age

Measurements were made on 274 spawn clumps and 271 adult frogs in three consecutive years at breeding sites in the west of Ireland. Mean clutch size was 1008 ± 20 ova, mean egg diameter was 2·32 ± 0·01 mm, and mean clutch weight was 11·62 ± 0·37 g. At any particular body length, larger clutch sizes were associated with smaller egg sizes and vice versa. Clutch size, egg size and clutch weight all increased allometrically with body size. The bigger females produced more and smaller eggs and a heavier clutch, relative to their body size, than smaller ones. Egg size and clutch weight also increased allometrically with female age. Age-specific clutch weight increased during the first two years of maturity and declined slightly thereafter. Age-specific egg size increased with age throughout life. At any age, bigger females produced more but not larger ova, and at any length, older females contained larger but fewer eggs. Both bigger and/or older females exhibited greater variability in the reproductive parameters than smaller and/or younger ones. Laboratory mating experiments showed that egg fertility was positively correlated with absolute male length and with the relative male/female length in amplexus. The fertilizing ability of males, however, declined with mating frequency, irrespective of male length, clutch size or the time interval between successive matings. In the wild, egg fertility ranged from 24–100%, although over 90% fertility was common.
Dysphania Anthelmintica (Amaranthaceae), New to the Non-Native Flora of Italy, and Taxonomic Considerations on the Related Species

Dysphania Anthelmintica (Amaranthaceae), New to the Non-Native Flora of Italy, and Taxonomic Considerations on the Related Species Dysphania anthelmintica is recorded for the first time for Italy (Lazio region). Morphological and ecological characteristics of this plant and its invasive status, as compared with those of Dysphania ambrodioides and Chenopodium suffruticosum, are presented and discussed. Taxonomical notes are also provided. Na ozemlju Italije (območje Lazio) smo prvič zabeležili vrsto Dysphania anthelmintica. Obravnavali smo morfološke in ekološke značilnosti te vrste in njen invazivni status v primerjavi z vrstama Dysphania ambrodioides in Chenopodium suffruticosum. Predstavili smo tudi taksonomske opombe.
Malayan Forest Primates: Ten Years’ Study in Tropical Rain Forest

The prirnates that provide the central theme of these studies by David Chivers and his colleagues are the dominant large herbi- vores of the tropical evergreen rain forest. Tothis extent, they are the ecological counterparts of the great herds of ungulates in- habiting the savannahs of tropical Africa (and the monsoonal plains of Asia in their pristine state). Both groups comprise the chief primary consumers of living vegetable tissue in their respective environments. Members of each show appropriate anatomical adapt- ations for such a diet. As efficient exploiters of a dispersed but generally abundant food source, each group collectively forms the main vertebrate component of animal biernass in the environment. Yet, despite superficial convergence, there are important differences in the biology and behaviour of members of these two groups of herbivores. Of greatest practical moment to the enquiring biologist are the ready visibility of most plains-dwelling ungulates, the ease with which the researcher can travel over (or above) their habitat by motor transport (or light aircraft) and the facility for near approach without causing disturbance that a closed vehicle has proved to offer. Given the additional attractions of wide, open views and stupendaus scenery, generally invigorating climate and easy life-style, it is perhaps not surprising that in past decades much research effort has focussed on the larger herbivorous mammals of the tropical savannahs.
Presence of Leukemia-maintaining Cells in Differentiation-resistant Fraction of K562 Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The present study investigated whether leukemia-maintaining cells reside in a differentiation-resistant fraction using a megakaryocytic differentiation model of K562 cells. Treatment with phorbol-12-myristate- 13-acetate (PMA) significantly inhibited the colony-forming efficiency of the K562 cells. At a PMA concentration of 1 nM or higher, colony was not formed, but approximately 40% of K562 cells still survived in soft agar. Approximately 70% of colony-forming cells that were isolated following the removal of PMA after exposure to the agent were differentiated after treatment with 10 nM PMA for 3 days. The differentiation rate of the colony-forming cells was gradually increased and reached about 90% 6 weeks after colony isolation, which was comparable to the level of a PMA-treated K562 control. Meanwhile, imatinib-resistant variants from the K562 cells, including K562/R1, K562/R2, and K562/R3 cells, did not show any colony-forming activity, and most imatinib-resistant variants were CD44 positive. After 4 months of culture in drug-free medium, the surface level of CD44 was decreased in comparison with primary imatinib-resistant variants, and a few colonies were formed from K562/R3 cells. In these cells, Bcr-Abl, which was lost in the imatinib-resistant variants, was re-expressed, and the original phenotypes of the K562 cells were partially recovered. These results suggest that leukemia-maintaining cells might reside in a differentiation-resistant population. Differentiation therapy to eliminate leukemia-maintaining cells could be a successful treatment for leukemia if the leukemia-maintaining cells were exposed to a differentiation inducer for a long time and at a high dose.
Purification and Characterization of Chitinases from Bacillus licheniformis Using Auricularia auricular Colloidal Substance as a Substrate

A chitinase was purified from the culture supernatant of Bacillus licheniformis with Auricularia auricular colloidal substance as the sole carbon source. The optimized conditions of this species strain for the production of chitinases were found to be when the culture was shaken at 37°C for 3 days in medium (pH 7) containing 0.05% KH2PO4,0.5%NaNO3, 0.05% MgSO4·7H2O and 1.5% Auricularia auricular colloidal substance powder(w/v). The molecular weights of the chitinases determined by SDS-PAGE were approximately 52kDa. The chitinases was inhibited highly by Mg2+ and PMSF, whereas Co2+ and Mn2+ could increase highly the activity of the chitinase.
MON 37500 Soil Residues Affect Rotational Crops in the High Plains1

MON 37500 is a sulfonylurea herbicide that selectively controls Bromus spp. in winter wheat. Field studies were conducted near Sidney, NE, and Archer, WY, to determine the sensitivity of corn, foxtail millet, grain sorghum, proso millet, and sunflower to soil residues of MON 37500. MON 37500 was applied to winter wheat at 0, 35, 69, and 139 g/ha in the autumn of 1997. Rotational crops were no-till seeded into the standing residues of the previous year's crop from 1999 through 2001. Grain yields for corn, foxtail millet, and proso millet planted 18 to 20 mo after herbicide application were not affected by soil residues of MON 37500. In contrast, average grain yields of grain sorghum were reduced from 1,760 to 30 kg/ha at Archer and from 4,480 to 390 kg/ha at Sidney as MON 37500 rates increased from 0 to 139 g/ha. Thirty to 32 mo after herbicide application, average grain yields of grain sorghum were reduced from 2,360 to 620 kg/ha at Sidney and average aboveground biomass was reduced from 4,000 to 1,800 kg/ha at Archer as MON 37500 rates increased from 0 to 139 g/ha. Nineteen to 20 mo after herbicide application, average sunflower seed yields were reduced from 1,450 to 20 kg/ha at Archer and from 1,830 to 540 kg/ha at Sidney as MON 37500 rates increased from 0 to 139 g/ha. Visual injury was observed 31 to 32 mo after herbicide application, but drought in 2000 prevented collection of seed yield data. In the High Plains, foxtail millet, proso millet, and corn may be successfully grown 18 to 20 mo after the application of MON 37500 to winter wheat. Successful production of grain sorghum and sunflower may require a minimum recrop interval between treatment and planting of >36 mo. Nomenclature: MON 37500, 1-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)-3-(2-ethanesulfonyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-yl)sulfonylurea; corn, Zea mays L. ; foxtail millet, Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv. ; grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench; proso millet, Panicum miliaceum L. ; sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. ; wheat, Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell. Additional index words: Herbicide carryover, recrop, rotation. Abbreviations: POST, postemergence; PRE, preemergence.
Observations on the anamorphs of six species of Diatrype and Diatrypella

Cultures and anamorphs of six species of Diatrype and Diatrypella are described. Diatrypella favacea produces conidia from sympodially proliferating conidiogenous cells, whereas Diatrype stigma produces conidia from percurrently proliferating (annellated) conidiogenous cells. Both of these types of conidiogenous cell proliferation were found in Diatrypella verrucaeformis, Diatrypella pulvinata, Diatrype virescens, and Diatrype albopruinosa. Both the sympodial and percurrent modes of conidiogenous cell proliferation appear to be associated with holoblastic conidiogenesis.
Use of natural extract of chestnut (Silvafeed ENC®) in broiler feeding: effect on growth performance

Abstract The aim of this research was to study the effect of addition of natural extract of chestnut (Castanea sativa) Silvafeed ENC® in commercial feed on the growth of broilers. Two hundred and four broiler chicks (Cobb 508) 14 d old male, were randomly assigned to 12 floor pens and fed commercial diet supplemented with 0% (CE0), 0.15% (CE15), 0.20% (CE20) and 0.25% (CE25) of ENC. The ENC addition showed a beneficial effect on weight increases daily feed intake (DFI) and average daily gain (ADG) from 14 to 35 days of age. In the second half of trial the effects were less evident and concluding with a detrimental effect in CE25 group. Feed conversion rate (FCR) appears to be statistically different in the second and fifth weeks of feeding. The inclusion of ENC at 0.20%, (CE20) had significant influences on final weight, DFI and ADG and a favourable influence on FCR in comparison with the other three groups. In conclusion, ENC has been shown to be beneficial at concentrations between 0.15% and 0.20%.
The Evolution of Human ChildhoodA unique growth phase and delayed maturity allow for extensive learning and complex culture

T b r he pattern of human growth from birth to adulthood is characterized by a prolonged period of infant dependency, an extended period of childhood and juvenile growth, and a rapid and large acceleration in growth velocity at adolescence that leads to physical and sexual maturation. This pattern is unusual for mammals in that most mammalian species progress from the infant nursing period to adulthood without any intervening stages. Compared with other mammals, nonhuman primates extend the infancy period. Many species of monkeys and apes have a phase of juvenile growth, defined as the time of independence from parental care after weaning and before sexual maturation. Only the human species has childhood as a step in the life cycle, and it is a step which is well defined from both a physiological and behavioral perspective. The purpose of this article is to take an evolutionary approach toward human development and show how childhood may be considered a unique characteristic of Homo sapiens. Only the human species has childhood as a step in the
A molecular approach to detect hybridisation between crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and non-indigenous carp species (Carassius spp. and Cyprinus carpio)

Summary 1. Releases of non-native fish into the wild is an increasing problem posing considerable ecological and genetic threats through direct competition and hybridisation. 2. We employed six microsatellite markers to identify first generation hybrids and backcrosses between native crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and introduced goldfish (C. auratus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in the U.K. We also investigated the genetic characteristics of the taxonomically controversial gibel carp (Carassius spp.) from sites across Europe. 3. Natural hybridisation between goldfish and crucian carp occurs frequently, although hybrids between all other species pairs were observed. Only 62% of British crucian carp populations (n = 21) consisted exclusively of pure crucian carp. In some populations hybrids were so frequent, that no pure crucian carp were caught, indicating a high competitive ability of hybrids. 4. Most hybrids belonged to the F1 generation but backcrossing was evident at a low frequency in goldfish × crucian carp hybrids and goldfish × common carp hybrids. Furthermore, some local populations had high frequencies of backcrosses, raising the opportunity for introgression. 5. Gibel carp from Germany and Italy belonged to two triploid clonal lineages that were genetically closely related to goldfish, whereas all individuals identified from British populations proved to be crucian carp × goldfish hybrids. 6. Our study suggests that the release of closely related exotic cyprinids not only poses a threat to the genetic integrity and associated local adaptations of native species, but may also contribute to shifts in community structure through competitive interactions.
Hydrous oceanic crust hosts megathrust creep at low shear stresses

Hydration allows subducting oceanic crust to be far weaker than previously recognized. The rheology of the metamorphosed oceanic crust may be a critical control on megathrust strength and deformation style. However, little is known about the strength and deformation style of metamorphosed basalt. Exhumed megathrust shear zones exposed on Kyushu, SW Japan, contain hydrous metabasalts deformed at temperatures between ~300° and ~500°C, spanning the inferred temperature-controlled seismic-aseismic transition. Field and microstructural observations of these shear zones, combined with quartz grain-size piezometry, indicate that metabasalts creep at shear stresses <100 MPa at ~370°C and at shear stresses <30 MPa at ~500°C. These values are much lower than those suggested by viscous flow laws for basalt. The implication is that relatively weak, hydrous, metamorphosed oceanic crust can creep at low viscosities over a wide shear zone and have a critical influence on plate interface strength and deformation style around the seismic-aseismic transition.
The stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, increases trichome density after herbivore and mechanical damage

It is argued that stinging trichomes are a more reliable measure of defence investment than secondary compounds which often have proposed alternative functions. We hypothesise that grazing pressure should lead to higher stinging trichome densities in grazed than in ungrazed areas as a result of selection for more heavily defended plants and/or because damaged plants regrow with increased trichome densities. Urtica dioica is used as a model species and the hypotheses tested by comparing trichome densities on plants from grazed and ungrazed areas, and before and after cutting in the field and in the greenhouse. Plants from grazed fields have significantly higher trichome densitites than plants from ungrazed fields, but the latter showed more variation in density. Regrowth plants have higher trichome densities than initial growth and shoots from the centre of patches had lower trichome densities than edge shoots more exposed to grazing. In greenhouse experiments regrowth again has higher trichome densities than initial in both high and low nutrient conditions, but when plants are recut densities fall most markedly in low nutrient conditions. The results are discussed in relation to plant defence strategy, induced defence and resource allocation.
Homozygous Δ32 deletion of the CCR‐5 chemokine receptor gene in an HIV‐1‐infected patient

Background:Recent research has found that entry of non-syncytium-inducing (NSI), monocyte-macrophage-tropic HIV-1 isolates requires binding to both CD4 and CCR5 receptors, and that Δ32/Δ32 homozygous individuals are protected against infection. Objective:To analyse the polymorphism of CCR-5 gene in HIV-1-infected and uninfected subjects. Design and methods:CCR-5 sequences were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Samples from 152 HIV-1-infected subjects and 122 uninfected controls were tested for the detection of the 32 base-pair deletion. HIV-1 phenotype was determined by viral isolation and MT-2 evaluation. Results:The wild-type/Δ32 heterozygous and Δ32/Δ32 homozygous conditions were represented in 10.7 and 0.8% of healthy controls and in 9.8 and 0.7% of HIV-1-infected subjects, respectively. Of note, the Δ32/Δ32 deletion of the CCR-5 gene was detected by PCR and sequencing confirmed in a patient with progressive infection harbouring a clade B virus with SI phenotype. Conclusions:Δ32/Δ32 homozygosity for the CCR-5 gene does not confer absolute protection against HIV-1 infection, suggesting that either macrophage-tropic viral strains could use coreceptors other than CCR-5 or infect independently of the presence of a functional CCR-5 coreceptor. Alternatively, primary infection sustained by T-cell-tropic isolates, although exceptional, may occur.
The development of live vaccines for furunculosis lacking the A-layer and O-antigen of Aeromonas salmonicida

Mutants of Aeromonas salmonicida strains lacking either the A-protein, O-antigen or both of these major surface antigens were tested in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), for their suitability as live vaccines (LV). All of these mutants were shown to be attenuated, as fish receiving ∼5 × 107 of the respective strains showed no clinical signs of furunculosis. Immersion vaccination of fish in 5 × 107 cfu ml-1 of these strains with an identical immersion dose 14 days later resulted in significant protection by all strains from challenge with a heterologous virulent strain of A. salmonicida 5 weeks later. The levels of protection conferred were all greater than or equal to that provided by an injected bacterin using the same vaccination schedule. With one exception, all LV strains that still possessed a functional O-antigen provided protective indices (PI) four- to seven-fold greater than the PI for the fish injected with bacterin. When antibody responses of vaccinated fish were compared, it was found that only vaccination by bacterin gave rise to a measurable agglutinating litre. Western immunoblots using the immune fish sera failed to reveal any major differences in antigen recognition in fish that received any of the vaccines tested. These data suggest that the immune response generated by the use of live vaccine strains is different from that generated by a bacterin, and that these useful mutations may be incorporated into existing furunculosis LVs for further attenuation.
Cytotaxonomy of species of Vernonia, section Lepidaploa, group Axilliflorae (Asteraceae, Vernonieae)

Mitotic chromosomes of eight populations of six species of Vernonia sensu Baker (Asteraceae, Vernonieae, section Lepidaploa, group Axilliflorae) were studied to assess the validity of maintaining the genus as proposed currently (sensu Baker) or of splitting it into several smaller genera (sensu Robinson). The species were collected in areas of ‘cerrado’ and ‘campo rupestre’ in southern and central-western Brazil. The chromosome numbers were 2n = 20–40 and karyotypic analysis showed a predominance of metacentric chromosomes, with some submetacentrics. B chromosomes were seen in one population of V. geminata. The chromosomes varied in length from 0.9 to 4.6 µm, with a total chromatin length of 29.7–45.0 µm and a symmetry index of 41.2–46.9%. The intrachromosomal asymmetry index varied from 0.13 to 0.29, and the interchromosomal asymmetry index varied from 0.15 to 0.21. The dispersion diagram showed that population 1 of V. geminata had the most asymmetrical karyotype. These results do not provide sufficient evidence for a conclusive cytotaxonomic discussion of Vernonia, mainly because of the impossibility of associating any infrageneric group with specific karyotypic characters, and also because of the small number of species analysed so far. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 154, 99–108.
Difference in secondary compounds and chlorophylls between fibrils and main stems in the lichen Usnea longissima suggests different functional roles

Usnea is a species-rich and widespread lichenized fungal genus of well-lit parts of forest canopies (Motyka 1936, 1947; Clerc 1998). The bright greenish colour of these beard lichens reflects the presence of usnic acid in the cortex, which forms a thin, but dense sleeve around the trebouxioid photobiont in the outermost parts of the medulla. Usnic acid, a widely distributed dibenzofuran derivative produced by various mycobiont genera, strongly absorbs UV-B, but also the shortest PAR wavelengths (e.g. McEvoy et al. 2006, M. McEvoy, K. A. Solhaug and Y Gauslaa unpublished). Depending on species (Halonen et al. 1998), Usnea also contains a wide range of UV-B absorbing depsidones and depsides, though these are usually assumed to be confined to the medulla. Quantitative data on lichen compounds are rare in Usnea species, particularly with respect to the intrathalline variation.
Cyphophthalmi aus Brasilien (Opiliones): Mit 41 abbildungen

Summary There are given descriptions of all species of the Subordo Cyphophthalmi so far discovered in Brazil: Neogovea immsi Hinton is redescribed; three further species are new to science. The proposals of Hoffman (1963) regarding morphological peculiarities of the Cyphophthalmi are accepted.
Influence of microfluidization of milk on Cheddar cheese composition, color, texture, and yield

Abstract The microfluidization of milk used to manufacture Cheddar cheese was investigated with the ultimate objective of whitening the cheese. Four vats of cheese were prepared simultaneously from 2 kg of the following milks: untreated milk (control), milk microfluidized at 7 MPa, and milk reconstituted to its original composition made from cream microfluidized at 14 or 69 MPa. Whey was analyzed for fat and protein losses (fines), and cheese was analyzed for composition, color, and texture. Microfluidized milk produced cheese that was significantly whiter but higher in moisture; means were 35.0% for the control and 37.6, 38.4, and 39.3% for cheeses made from milks microfluidized at 7, 14, and 69 MPa, respectively. Protein and fat in the DM, respectively, decreased and increased with microfluidization pressure. In the whey of control cheese, fat loss was higher, and fewer fines were collected, than for treated cheese. Firmness for cheese made from microfluidized milk at 7 MPa was not significantly different from the control; however, microfluidization of cream at 14 or 69 MPa significantly and progressively decreased firmness. The significant increase of yield for cheeses made from treated milk was explained by a better retention of fat into the cheeses and increased cheese moisture. Microfluidization also whitened Cheddar cheese, but its effects on texture and composition were less important for milk microfluidized at 7 MPa than for cream separately microfluidized at 14 or 69 MPa.