Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Livestock deaths associated with Clavibacter toxicus/Anguina sp. infection in seedheads of Agrostis avenacea and Polypogon monspeliensis.

Flood plain staggers, a recently discovered poisoning of livestock, has been linked to Clavibacter toxicus infection in the seedheads of blown grass, Agrostis avenacea, in northern New South Wales and annual beardgrass, Polypogon monspeliensis, in the southeast of South Australia. The same bacterium on annual ryegrass, Lolium rigidum, causes the poisoning of livestock known as annual ryegrass toxicity. Strains of C. toxicus from A. avenacea and P. monspeliensis were indistinguishable from strains from L. rigidum based on colony morphology, serological reactions, and bacteriophage specificity (.)
FUNCTIONAL AND ATTITUDINAL OUTCOMES OF TEACHING FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT TO MEDICAL STUDENTS

Teaching geriatric principles to medical students is important because of the increasing geriatric population. Family physicians are in a strategic position to provide this teaching because they provide much of the care for the elderly. The challenge in developing a geriatric curriculum is to determine the content, implement it efficiently, and evaluate its impact. We developed a geriatric assessment experience for third-year medical students. The students were introduced to a geriatric assessment tool and asked to identify a patient, complete the assessment, and record key elements of functional assessment. Student attitudes were measured before and after completing the assessment. The students rated their knowledge, comfort, and experience with a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Students listed approximately seven problems and four recommendations per patient. On average, students identified one functional problem for each patient. There were significant increases in knowledge, comfort, and experience with a comprehensive geriatric assessment. This educational tool met all of our goals. The students identified elderly patients' functional problems, created care plans focused on function and prevention, and reported an increase in positive attitudes about their knowledge, comfort, and experience with geriatric assessment. No outside expertise was needed and faculty time demands were limited.
Filing Strategies and Patent Value

This paper aims at contributing to the literature on the determinants of patent value. First, it puts forward a new potential class of value determinants in the form of filing strategies (encompassing filing routes and drafting styles). Second, it provides empirical evidence suggesting that these strategies are consistently and positively associated with patent value indicators. The empirical implementation relies on a unique dataset (about 250,000 patents granted by the EPO), which allows running large-scale sensitivity tests. The results reveal that the new determinants this paper puts forward -filing strategies - are the most stable of all. They also underline strong dependencies of several 'classical' results to the dependent variables and sampling methodologies, partly explaining several inconsistencies observed in the literature.
Spatial and temporal distribution of commercially important fish species of Lake Tana, Ethiopia

The distribution of Lake Tana fish species was studied from January 2000 to December 2003. Samples were collected monthly using gill-nets of 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mm stretched mesh size. Labeobarbus spp. , Oreochromis niloticus, Claris gariepinus and Varicorhinus beso are commercially important fish species and form 77%, 13%, 9% and 1% of the pooled experimental fish catch. There was significant variability among years and sampling sites encompassing both temporal and spatial aspects. Population densities of Labeobarbus spp. and V. beso were significantly declining, in contrast, the abundance of O. niloticus and C. gariepinus did not change. The most likely explanations for the decline in Labeobarbus spp. are the increase of the commercial gill-net fishery targeting their spawning aggregations in the river mouths, use of poisonous plant materials and the increasing trend of the disconnectivity and channelisation of rivers. The results stress the need for urgent development of a management plan focusing on ensuring river connectivity, fishing effort and gear restrictions, and control in the river mouths and major tributaries during the breeding seasons.
Evolution of neural development in the arthropods

Abstract Insects, both winged and wingless, possess a conserved set of neurons responsible for pioneering major axon pathways in the embryonic CNS and the developmental program for generating those neurons appears to be similarly conserved. There is persuasive evidence that crustacean embryos possess homologues to at least some of these neurons, although it is unclear whether processes of neurogenesis have been conserved between these two arthropod groups. Myriapods, which are traditionally held to be a sister group to the insects, have a pattern of neuronal development which shows many differences to the insect/crustacean plan. I discuss how developmental processes have been altered during evolution to produce differences in neural organization seen both within and between major arthropod groups.
Effects of stocking density on survival, growth, size variation, and production of Tilapia fry

In aquaculture, controls of size (length and weight) and production of fish are two important tasks to meet the market demands, and increasing the stocking density is a way of dealing with the problem of land shortage. In this study, tilapia fry were stocked at the densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 fry I−1 for an experimental period of 10 weeks. The size, size variation, percentage survival and production were found to be significantly affected by stocking density, but not for condition factor. The simple linear regression model, after the logarithmic transformation, was appropriate for the relationship between size and experimental period. The percentage survivals at all stocking densities were high (> 95%), especially at the stocking density of 0.4 fry I−1 and less (100%). At the higher densities, percentage survival and experimental periods were anti-logistically related. At the end of the experiment, there was a negative relationship between the logarithms of size and the logarithms of stocking density, but a positive relationship between the logarithms of production and the logarithms of stocking density.
Preparo e caracterização de proteínas miofibrilares de tilápia-do-nilo para elaboração de biofilmes

The elaboration of edible films based on biopolymers, implies the knowledge of physicochemical properties of macromolecules. The objectives of this work were to describe a methodology of preparing Nile Tilapia myofibrillar proteins and study the properties related to formation and characterization of edible film elaborated with these proteins. Freshly slaughtered ground Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) muscle was washed and processed until the formation of a homogeneous paste. Evolution of protein fractions during processing was followed by scanning differential calorimetry. Solubility of freeze-dried myofibrillar proteins was studied as a function of pH (2-7). Identification of protein fractions and that of the composition of amino acids were accomplished by SDS-PAGE and ion-exchange chromatography, respectively. Biofilms, thus formed, were submitted to puncture, solubility and scanning electron microscopy tests. The sample of freeze-fried proteins, constituted only of myofibrillar proteins, presented maximum solubility (96.9%), at pH around 3 and a high ionic interaction potential (74.4 kJ/100 kJ). Nile Tilapia myofibrillar protein based biofilms were not very soluble (lower than 20 g/100 g dry matter). Glycerol strongly influenced mechanical as well as solubility properties of biofilms.
Iodine and arsenic redox species in oxygen-deficient estuarine waters

The distribution of the redox species of iodine and arsenic in two isolated pools of seawater underlying river water in deep holes in the estuary of the Yarra River is described. In the river water, the dominant species are iodide and As(V). In the saline water of these holes, there are levels of iodine and arsenic greater than are present in the original seawater. The subhalocline waters contained <0.22 ml 1-1 of dissolved oxygen, and the redox poise was intermediate between oxic and anoxic conditions. Most of the iodate originally in the seawater was reduced to iodide, but As111) and As(V) coexisted. Iodine and arsenic appear to have entered the water from the anoxic sediment.
Two years of trials with biological control programmes in all ‐year‐round chrysanthemums1

In trials conducted in 1989 and 1990 in Kent and Worcestershire (England), an IPM programme for the range of pests of chrysanthemums was evaluated. The main target pest was Frankliniella occidentalis but biocontrols for Trialeurodes vaporariorum, aphids (mainly Myzus persicae) and Tetranychus urticae were also used. Anthocoris nemorum adults and nymphs collected from the wild gave good control of F. occidentalis in Kent in 1989 at the rate of 1 per 10 m2 per week. In 1990 trials, A. nemorum also gave good thrips control at 1 per 20 m2 per week, providing that thrips numbers were low at the start of the trial. Anthocorids also preyed on aphids, spider mites and whitefly scales. Lygocoris pabulinus was not affected by A. nemorum and caused some flower damage in the IPM trial. In the 1990 trial in Worcestershire, a combination of Verticillium lecanii (Mycotal) weekly sprays at 1 g litre−1 of water and Neoseiulus cucumeris predators applied weekly at 50 per m2 also gave good control of F. occidentalis. Conditions for the use of Mycotal were excellent, with humidity in the crop normally above 85% once the blackout screens were drawn. The effect of Mycotal was seen within 2 weeks on the whitefly population, as many infected adults and scales were found. No infected thrips were seen at any time, but it is thought that the Mycotal did have a significant effect upon the thrips population. N. cucumeris (Thripex-Koppert) did not establish well on chrysanthemums when applied in bran from a shaker bottle. However, this predator may establish in larger numbers when slow-release bags are used. Further work on this aspect is needed. The commercial availability of predatory bugs such as anthocorids or Orius spp. would undoubtedly increase the uptake of IPM methods by growers.
Effect of heat treatment on the proteolytic activity of mesophilic bacteria isolated from goats' milk cheese

Strains of mesophilic lactococci and lactobacilli isolated from goats' milk cheese were grown to maximum density in milk at 30°C, pH 6·5. They were subsequently cooled to 12°C and then heated at 50°, 52° and 54°C (holding time, 15 s). The micro‐organisms tested were Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IFPL 60, IFPL 22 and IFPL 359, Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei IFPL 731 and Lactobacillus plantarum IFPL 3, isolated from raw goats' milk cheese. The heated cells presented lower viability and acidification capacity than unheated cells. After heat treatment at 50°C, all the test strains effected practically no reduction in pH of milk (6 h), except for Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IFPL 60, which reduced pH to 5·9 as compared to 4·9 attained by the unheated controls. After treatment, proteolytic, aminopeptidase and dipeptidase activities of cell‐free extracts decreased to a lesser extent than the number of viable cells with acidifying ability. The results suggest that these strains, if treated at 50°C, may be suitable as extra sources of important ripening enzymes in cheese making.
Spatial patterns in the understorey shrub genus Psychotria in central Amazonia: effects of distance and topography

We evaluated the effects of topography on the distribution of understorey herbs, shrubs and small trees of the pantropical genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae) in a 10000-ha rain-forest reserve in central Amazonia. As plots were long and thin, and followed altitudinal isoclines, we were able to avoid the trade off between plot size and precision of measurement of topographical variables. The minimum distance between plots (1 km) was sufficient to avoid spatial autocorrelation in topographical variables. However, indices of plot similarity based on species composition were spatially autocorrelated to distances of at least 4 km. Although Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) indicated significant effects of altitude, slope, and watershed on species composition within plots, topographical variables were generally poor surrogates for species distributions. Differences between eastern and western watersheds within the reserve were not due to distance effects, and most species occurred in both watersheds, indicating that differences in species assemblages between watersheds are determined by ecological factors. Habitat specialization and local density were not clearly associated with rarity. At scales of 1–10 km, both distance and habitat affect the distribution of understorey shrubs of the genus Psychotria, but much of the variation in species abundances remains unexplained.
Response of marine bacterial community composition to iron additions in three iron‐limited regimes

In high‐nutrient low‐chlorophyll (HNLC) regimes, iron additions consistently result in primary productivity increases, and the phytoplankton community shifts from small species toward large diatoms. Heterotrophic bacterial production and abundance also increase in HNLC Fe addition experiments, but whether changes in bacterioplankton community composition also occur when Fe is added is unknown. We used trace metal clean shipboard incubation experiments, and molecular biological methods to examine this question in three Fe‐limited environments: the subarctic Pacific, the subantarctic Southern Ocean, and the California coastal upwelling region. After Fe additions and subsequent phytoplankton community shifts, changes in bacterial community composition were examined using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of polymerase chain reaction—amplified bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Responsive bacterial phylotypes in either +Fe or control treatments were classified using phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences. In general, iron‐mediated changes in bacterial communities in all three environments were surprisingly minor compared to the changes in phytoplankton community composition. Responsive phylotypes were mostly γ‐proteobacteria in the subarctic and California HNLC areas, but no changes were noted in the subantarctic experiments. Although bacterial growth and biomass are closely linked to phytoplankton‐derived carbon supplies, our results suggest that on the time scale of our experiments (4–5 d), species composition of algal and bacterial communities can be decoupled in Fe‐limited waters.
UNDERGRADUATE INTEREST IN AGING: IS IT AFFECTED BY CONTACT WITH OLDER ADULTS?

Undergraduate student interest in aging was examined in relation to age, gender, and contact with older adults. Interest in aging is conceived of along a continuum, ranging from initial interest-taking an aging course-to substantial interest as evidenced by academic and career interest. Undergraduate students who have taken an aging course (n = 189) and a stratified random comparison group (n = 261) self-assessed their interest in aging. Background information, including the frequency and duration of contact with older family and non-family individuals, was reported. Being female (p < 001) and having frequent contact with older family members (p < .01) significantly explains initial interest in aging. Initial interest in aging (i.e., taking an aging course) significantly contributes to substantial interest in aging (p < .0001) i.e., taking more aging courses, majoring in gerontology, working or planning to work with older adults. Contact with older adults positively affects undergraduate interest in aging. Interest in aging proceeds along a continuum, from preceding factors to initial interest in aging and then to substantial interest in aging. Aging courses and opportunities for interaction with older adults should be offered at the undergraduate level.
Quality of teaching in four European countries: a review of the literature and application of an assessment instrument

Background From 2002 onwards, initiatives and first steps for the project International Comparative Analysis of Learning and Teaching (ICALT) have been taken by the inspectorates of education in England, Flanders (Belgium), Lower Saxony (Germany) and The Netherlands. The inspectorates of education in these European countries reviewed the results of research on the basic characteristics of good and effective teaching and selected standards and indicators for an observation instrument that could be used to evaluate the quality of teaching. The inspectorates from these countries jointly developed an instrument to observe and analyse the quality of learning and teaching in primary schools. Purpose The observation instrument was piloted for reliability and inter-rater reliability, and for validity, in the four countries. Sample Mathematics lessons in England, Flanders (Belgium), Lower Saxony (Germany) and The Netherlands were observed in 854 classrooms, with children who were about 9 years old when they started the school year. Design and methods Inspectors in the four countries were trained in the proper use of the observation instrument, and used the instrument during their own inspections or evaluations. Results This study shows that the quality of teaching in the four countries can be compared in a reliable and valid way as regards five aspects: ‘efficient classroom management’, ‘safe and stimulating learning climate’, ‘clear instruction’, ‘adaptation of teaching’ and ‘teaching–learning strategies’. Conclusions It is found that only a few percentage points of difference between teachers are due to differences existing in the four countries. Furthermore, it may be concluded that the five aspects of quality of teaching are positively and significantly correlated with pupil involvement, attitude, behaviour and attainment.
Genomic Selection using Multiple Populations

Using different populations in genomic selection raises the possibility of marker effects varying across populations. However, common models for genomic selection only account for the main marker effects, assuming that they are consistent across populations. We present an approach in which the main plus population-specific marker effects are simultaneously estimated in a single mixed model. Cross-validation is used to compare the predictive ability of this model to that of the ridge regression best linear unbiased prediction (RR-BLUP) method involving only either the main marker effects or the population-specific marker effects. We used a maize (Zea mays L.) data set with 312 genotypes derived from five biparental populations, which were genotyped with 39,339 markers. A combined analysis incorporating genotypes for all the populations and hence using a larger training set was better than separate analyses for each population. Modeling the main plus the population-specific marker effects simultaneously improved predictive ability only slightly compared with modeling only the main marker effects. The performance of the RR-BLUP method was comparable to that of two regularization methods, namely the ridge regression and the elastic net, and was more accurate than that of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). Overall, combining information from related populations and increasing the number of genotypes improved predictive ability, but further allowing for population-specific marker effects made minor improvement.
Ascorbic acid or pyruvate counteracts peroxidative damage in boar sperm cryopreserved with or without α-tocopherol.

Ejaculates of four crossbred boars were frozen with or without 200 μg/mL of α-tocopherol. Frozen samples were then thawed in the extender containing either ascorbic acid (2.5, 5 or 10 mM) or pyruvate (1 or 5 mM) to obtain the samples in which sperm quality parameters and lipid peroxidation level were evaluated. Ascorbic acid decreased lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner and increased post-thaw sperm motility. The addition of pyruvate decreased lipid peroxidation level without improving sperm quality parameters. Although the addition of ascorbic acid or pyruvate did not show a synergic effect with α-tocopherol, the decrease of lipid peroxidation observed when the antioxidants were added to the thawing extender could be indicating a protective effect on the sperm plasma membrane from peroxidative damage. Since α-tocopherol protects from the lipid peroxidation and improves the sperm motility, it would be considered as the recommended antioxidant to use in boar sperm cryopreservation to extend the time of storage for the use in commercial applications.
Ineffective Rhizobium trifolii Mutants Examined by Immunediffusion, Gel-electrophoresis and Electron Microscopy

SUMMARY: Antigens of 32 ineffective, antibiotic-resistant or antimetabolite-resistant mutants from two effective parent strains of Rhizobium trifolii (ti and t42) were cross-reacted with antiserum prepared against the parent and six other strains of R. trifolii. Fifteen of the mutants were compared with the parent strains by gelelectrophoresis of soluble and cell envelope (bacterial wall plus plasma membrane) proteins and structural examination of nodules. Six mutants of ti and three mutants of t42 appeared to have an altered cell envelope and released internal antigens more readily from intact rhizobia than did the parent strains. The same six mutants of ti formed tumour-like growths on Trifolium pratense roots which contained no infection-threads or rhizobia. The three mutants of t42 formed ineffective nodules which differed in structure. Ineffective nodules produced by the other mutants were defective at various stages of development. No qualitative differences in soluble or cell envelope proteins were found between mutants and parent strains, but the cell envelope fraction of some mutants differed quantitatively.
Leaf and stem nutritive value of timothy cultivars differing in maturity

The nutritive value of herbage is a function of the nutritive value of its component leaves and stems and their proportion in the herbage. A previous study indicated that the proportion of leaves in the herbage did not explain entirely the differences in in vitro true digestibility and NDF concentrations between early and late-maturing timothy (Phleum pratense L.) cultivars. It was therefore hypothesized that the leaves and stems of early and late-maturing cultivars differ in nutritive value. The evolution of leaf and stem nutritive value of field-grown timothy cultivars differing in maturity, and the relationships between parameters of leaf and stem nutritive value, and the leaf to weight ratio (LWR) were studied during primary growth in two experiments. On a given date, stems of early-maturing cultivars had in vitro true digestibilities of dry matter and cell wall up to 61 g kg−1 DM and 71 g kg−1 DM lower that those of late-maturing cultivars, respectively. The NDF concentration of stems of early-maturi.