Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS IN EASTERN AND WESTERN NORTH AMERICA SHOW SIMILAR USE OF COURTSHIP SONGS IN COPULATION CONTEXTS

Abstract Past work with captive Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) has suggested geographic variation in the relative importance females place on the two categories of male courtship song, flight whistles and perched songs. However, audio-recorded copulation sequences showed that western M. a. obscurus (California) and eastern M. a. ater (Maryland, Oklahoma and Missouri) males gave both song categories immediately before and during most sequences in nature, matching previously reported data for the third subspecies, M. a. artemisiae. Thus field data provide no evidence for geographic variation in song use during mating. Because female lordosis responses to flight whistles in captivity can be negated by certain research methodologies, unlike perched song responses, flight whistle responsiveness appears to be more dependent on experience. In all regions, males sang at higher rates prior to and during copulation than in other contexts, a distinctive manner of vocalization that may influence female mating and fertilization choices. Molothrus ater Muestra un Uso Similar de los Cantos de Cortejo en el Contexto Copulatorio en el Este y Oeste de Norteamérica Resumen. Estudios anteriores que utilizaron individuos de Molothrus ater en cautiverio han sugerido una variación geográfica en la importancia relativa que dan las hembras a las dos categorías de canto de cortejo de los machos: silbido al vuelo y canto de percheo. Sin embargo, grabaciones de audio secuencias de copulación mostraron que en estado silvestre los machos de M. a. obscurus del oeste (California) y M. a. ater del este (Maryland, Oklahoma y Missouri), presentaron las dos categorías de canto antes y durante la mayoría de las secuencias, lo que concuerda con datos previamente reportados para una tercera subespecie, M. a. artemisiae. Por lo tanto, los datos de campo no proveen evidencia de variación geográfica en el uso de los cantos durante el apareamiento. Debido a que la respuesta de lordosis de las hembras al silbido al vuelo se ve alterada por la variación en las metodologías de investigación usadas en cautiverio, mientras que la respuesta al canto de percheo no, la respuesta al silbido al vuelo parece ser más maleable. En todas las regiones, los machos cantaron a una mayor tasa antes y durante la cópula que en otros contextos, lo que representa un modo de vocalización distintivo que puede influenciar la elección de la pareja y fertilización de las hembras.
Production of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) Sing Agar, chemical compositionand microflora associated with sclerotium

Pleurotus tuber-regium is a tropical mushroom whose sclerotium is consumed like many other edible mushrooms for their nutritional value, medicinal properties and for their taste and aroma. Assessment of its chemical composition shows mean carbohydrate (63.8%), protein (12.36%), moisture (19.88%), fat (3.23%) and fiber (0.25%). Potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and phosphorous were present in amounts ranging from 0.028 to 0.223 %, while oxalate, tannin, flavonoid, alkaloid and hydrogen cyanide were confirmed to be present. Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotium agar (PTRSA) was evaluated as a complex medium compared with Nutrient agar (NA) and Plate count agar (PCA) for the growth of heterotrophic organisms. Five bacteria and a fungal species (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus and Candida albican were accessed. There was no statistical significant difference (P< 0.05) in the colony forming unit per ml (cfu/ml) recovery of these heterotrophic organisms diluted 1.8x108 by McFarland standard. The PTRSA function compares favorably with those of NA and PCA and can be standardized for use as a cheap medium for the cultivation of heterotrophic organisms. Evaluation of bacterial and fungal flora associated with the sclerotia shows the presence of species of Aspergillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Staphylococci. Pleurotus tuber-regium is an underutilized fungus whose potentials can be further harnessed for the benefit of man.
Ovarian development associated with first maturity in three Antarctic channichthyid species

It has been known for some time that yolk deposition and final ovarian maturation were prolonged processes for many Antarctic fish. The adolescent phase in three species of channichthyid has been studied, based on an extensive series of samples over five seasons. Samples were obtained during a series of abundance estimation surveys on the shelf around South Georgia. Fish were measured, and sex and maturity stage determined from macroscopic examination of the gonads. It was found that for female Champsocephalus gunnari and Pseudochaenichthys georgianus the adolescent phase lasts <1 year but in Chaenocephalus aceratus it lasts for nearly 4 years.
Influence of Forest Fragmentation on the Distribution of Small Terrestrial Mammals in Fir-Beech Commercial Forest

Differences in abundance and spatial distribution of small terrestrial mammals were compared between the forest interior and clearing. In total, seven micromammalian species were detected. Of them, only three species were captured within the forest interior, whereas six species were recorded on the clearing. Apodemus flavicollis and Clethrionomys glareolus were dominant species. Another five species were recorded scarcely. Abundance of Apodemus flavicollis reached significantly (P < 0.001) the highest value in the forest interior. On the contrary, Clethrionomys glareolus was significantly (P < 0.001) attracted by the clearing. The distribution of two dominant rodent species probably reflected the high beechnut supply in the given period. The relationships between food supply and microhabitat preferences of Apodemus flavicollis and Clethrionomys glareolus were discussed.
New species and notes of Colletotrichum on daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)

Nine Colletotrichum strains were isolated from diseased and dead stalks of Hemerocallis species (daylilies) from Guizhou, Guangxi, and Liaoning provinces in China. Morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analysis of ACT, CHS I, GPDH, ITS, and TUB 2 indicate that these strains represent four taxa. Colletotrichum hemerocallidis is a new species that is described, illustrated, and compared with similar species. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. liriopes, and C. spaethianum are also recorded on Hemerocallis species.
Estimation of variances and covariances of milk traits by REML with an individual animal model

Abstract Records form Finnish Ayrshire cattle were used to estimate variances and covariances of milk traits by the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method using the individual animal model (IAM). Two data sets were analyzed. The first data set consisted of 1423 sires and 16363 cows, of which 11911 had records on first lactation. The heritabilities estimated from this data set for milk yield, protein yield, protein content and fat content were 0.40, 0.31, 0.63 and 0.68, respectively. The second data set was a subset of first data set with herds with less than ten observations excluded and consisted of 1335 sires and 11262 cows with 8140 first, 5688 second and 3717 third lactation records. The heritability estimates from the second data set under a repeatability model for milk yield, protein yield, protein content and fat content were 0.30, 0.26, 0.59 and 0.66, respectively. The repeatability estimates for the same traits were 0.53, 0.51, 0.67 and 0.76, respectively. The second data set was also used t.
OPTIMIZATION OF CULTURAL CONDITIONS FOR EXOPOLYSACCHARIDES PRODUCTION BY Frateuria aurentia

The exopolysaccharides (EPS) producing ability was evaluated by nutritional defined media by the Frateuria aurentia was the highest yield EPS-producing strain, which was isolated from elephant dung in Srivilliputhur, Tamilnadu, India. It was identified as Frateuria aurentia with carbohydrate assimilation process and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The favourable conditions for EPS yield by the microorganism growth in a chemically defined medium were tested with carbon, nitrogen, cultivation time, temperature, pH, hydrocarbon, surfactants, sodium chloride, metal ions and inoculums concentration in static and shaking conditions had the most significant influences. Among the various nutritional sources of interactive effects the maximum EPS production was recorded at pH 7.00 (1.431 ± 0.0096 OD); 30 C (1.661 ± 0.028 OD); Jaggery (1.185 ± 0.003 OD); ⁰ Tryptone (1.248 ± 0.011 OD); Ferric chloride (1.682 ± 0.022 OD); Glutamine (2.136 ± 0.067 OD); polyethyleneglycol (0.873 ± 0.041 OD); 2.5% NaCl (1.138 ± 0.023 OD); Neem oil (1.699 ± 0.176 OD); inoculum concentration 2.00% (1.625 ± 0.007 OD); The maximum EPS production was viewed at the 72hrs of incubation at static condition (1.58 ± 0.122 OD).
Endotoxin Tolerance Disrupts Chromatin Remodeling and NF-κB Transactivation at the IL-1β Promoter1

The NF-κB family plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of highly lethal septicemia by modulating transcription of many innate and adaptive immunity genes. Two phases of NF-κB activation occur: cytosolic activation and nuclear transactivation. Septicemia with multiorgan failure is associated with chronic activation of cytosolic NF-κB with translocation and accumulation of increased levels of nuclear p65 in blood leukocytes. Paradoxically, NF-κB-dependent transcription of many proinflammatory genes responding to bacterial LPS endotoxin (LPS) is persistently repressed during septicemia; this phenomenon of LPS tolerance is associated with immunosuppression and poor prognosis. This report suggests an explanation for this paradox. Using an in vitro human leukocyte model and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we find that both the cytosolic activation and nuclear transactivation phases of NF-κB occur in LPS responsive THP-1 promonocytes with recruitment and binding of NF-κB p65 at the IL-1β promoter. However, transcriptionally repressed LPS-tolerant THP-1 cells do not bind NF-κB p65 at the IL-1β promoter, despite cytosolic activation and accumulation of p65 in the nucleus. In contrast, NF-κB p50, which also accumulates in the nucleus, constitutively binds to the IL-1β promoter NF-κB site in both LPS-responsive and LPS-tolerant cells. The level of p65 binding correlates with a binary shift in nucleosome remodeling between histone H3 phosphorylation at serine 10 and methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9. We conclude that LPS tolerance disrupts the transactivating stage of NF-κB p65 and altered nucleosome remodeling at the IL-1β promoter in human leukocytes.
Dorsal-Ventral Patterning and Gene Regulation in the Early Embryo of Drosophila melanogaster

In order for an embryo to develop and form properly, the anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral axes must be specified. This is accomplished by controlled regulation of gene expression that allows for the activation and repression of tissue specific genes. Patterning of the Drosophila dorsal-ventral axis is an excellent model for understanding how axis specification is controlled. The dorsal-ventral axis is patterned by a nuclear gradient of Dorsal that is highest in ventral regions of the embryo. Dorsal activates genes in a concentration dependent manner to establish early patterning of the embryo. The patterns are refined by interactions between Dorsal and other activators as well as repressors in both dorsal and ventral regions of the embryo. Until recently there was only evidence for repressors acting in ventral regions of the embryo but our studies and other recent studies have provided evidence to suggest that several repressors act in dorsal regions of the embryo to refine Dorsal target genes. Here we show that an element, the A-box, previously identified in the cis-regulatory module (CRM) of the gene intermediate neuroblast defective (ind), is necessary and sufficient to mediate dorsal repression and is also involved in activation of ind. We conducted an affinity chromatography assay and identified factors that bound the A-box element. One of the factors that bound to this element, Grh, activates ind. We also identified several chromatin-remodeling factors that may function to silence ind in dorsal regions of the embryo. Our results also indicate that a second tier of repression that is independent of the A-box element, mediates repression of ind via Dpp-signaling. We extended our studies to the CRMs of ventral neuroblast defective (vnd) and short gastrulation (sog). Using a chimeric CRM repression assay, we found that strong and weak dorsal repression are also mediated by the vnd and sog CRMs, respectively. This suggests that limiting amounts of Dorsal are not sufficient to establish the dorsal borders of dorsal-ventral patterning genes as was previously believed, and rather, repressors are used to establish these borders.
Influence of phytate level on broiler performance and the efficacy of 2 microbial phytases from 0 to 21 days of age

Abstract Phytate is an antinutrient in animal feeds, reducing the availability and increasing the excretion of nutrients. Phytases are widely used to mitigate the negative influences of phytate. This trial was designed to compare the efficacy of 2 Escherichia coli-derived phytases on broiler performance and bone ash as influenced by dietary phytate level. A total of 1,024 Arbor Acres male broilers were used with 8 replicate pens of 16 birds/pen. Experimental diets were based on low available phosphorus (avP; 1.8 g/kg) with low (6.40 g/kg) or high (10.65 g/kg) phytate. The low-avP diets were then supplemented with mono-dicalcium phosphate to increase the avP level to 4.5 g/kg, 500 phytase units/kg of phytase A, or 500 phytase units/kg of phytase B to create 8 experimental diets. Feed intake, BW gain, FCR, and livability were influenced by a P source × phytase interaction. Feed intake, BW gain, and livability were reduced and FCR was higher in broilers fed low-avP diets, particularly in the presence of high phytate. Phytase A or phytase B improved feed intake, BW gain, and FCR, particularly in the high-phytate diet. However, broilers fed phytase A ate more and were heavier than broilers fed phytase B. Tibia ash was lowest in broilers fed the low-avP diet and highest in broilers fed the diet supplemented with mono-dicalcium phosphate. Phytase increased tibia ash, and broilers fed phytase A had an increase in tibia ash compared with broilers fed phytase B. In conclusion, high dietary phytate reduced broiler performance. Phytase A and phytase B improved bone ash and growth performance, especially in the high-phytate diets. However, phytase A was more efficacious than phytase B, regardless of the level of phytate.
CAN OUR CHESTNUT SURVIVE ANOTHER INVASION

Plant breeders and land managers have been actively pursuing development of an American chestnut with desirable silvicultural characteristics that demonstrates resistance to the chestnut blight fungus. As progress towards development of a blight-resistant chestnut continues, questions arise as to how these plants will interact with pre-existing stresses. Th e Asian chestnut gall wasp is an introduced invader exploiting chestnut in eastern North America and contributing to the complex of stressors facing chestnut restoration eff orts. Th e gall wasp is a potentially devastating pest that causes globular galls on actively growing shoots of all Castanea species. Galling reduces tree vigor, prevents normal shoot development, reduces or eliminates nut production, and can cause tree mortality. Th e persistent spread of this exotic, invasive insect threatens chestnut production and restoration eff orts throughout the eastern United States. We have been characterizing associates of the Asian chestnut gall wasp in eastern North America to more fully understand gall development and what factors regulate gall wasp populations. Th e natural enemy complex has been characterized, and interactions between a native parasitoid and an exotic parasitoid that was introduced for Asian chestnut gall wasp control are being evaluated. We are also evaluating the extent to which surrounding vegetation infl uences natural enemy occurrence. Our ultimate goal is to gain an understanding of the ecological interactions, dispersal patterns, and mechanisms regulating gall wasp populations in eastern North America.
The g/a Nucleotide Variant at Position −30 in the β-Cell-Specific Glucokinase Gene Promoter Has No Impact on the β-Cell Function in Danish Caucasians

Glucokinase (GCK) is proposed to play a key role in the regulation of insulin secretion in pancreas (1). Mutations in the GCK gene explain the phenotype of MODY 2, a subtype of type 2 diabetes characterized by an early age of onset and an impaired insulin secretion (2). Furthermore, previous studies have reported associations of a microsatellite marker at the GCK gene locus and type 2 diabetes in several populations (3-5). Although mutations in the coding region of the gene are rare in patients with late-onset type 2 diabetes, it has recently been shown that a frequently occurring g/a nucleotide substitution at position -30 in the GCK gene promoter is associated with reduced pancreatic P-cell function, as estimated during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in Japanese American subjects (6), and with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (7) in native Japanese men. In an attempt to replicate these findings in Caucasians, we studied the impact on the 3-cell function of the g/a variant in three different Danish cohorts: i ) 240 unrelated middle-aged glucose-tolerant subjects traced in the Danish central population register. All subjects underwent a standard 75-g OGTT. 2) A population-based sample of 380 healthy subjects randomly recruited from a population of young individuals (8). These participants underwent an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Physiological characteristics of this population sample have been presented previously (8). 3) A total of 267 offspring of type 2 diabetic probands from 62 families were recruited from the Danish family resource bank at the Department of Human Genetics, University of Copenhagen (18 families) and from the outpatient clinic at the Steno Diabetes Center (44 families). All siblings underwent a 4-h OGTT (18 time points) and a frequently sampled IVGTT. Because diabetes may cause secondary changes in insulin secretion, only glucose-tolerant siblings were studied (n = 231). Type 2 diabetes and IGT were diagnosed in accordance with World Health Organization criteria In these families, 65 sib-pairs were discordant for
Population recovery in the moustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax): Management strategies and mechanisms of recovery

In 1978, 66% of the individuals of Saguinus mystax and 9.5% of Saguinus fuscicollis were cropped from a population at the Yarapa river, Peru. The effects of cropping on the remaining tamarin population were evaluated by conducting censuses in 1981 and 1982 and by trapping and release of Saguinus mystax in 1981. Three hundred kilometers of trail were covered in the censuses, and all the groups within the 1.9‐km2 study area were located. Within three years after cropping, the population of S. mystax had increased by 124%, more than double the size left in 1978. Increased reproductive rate, early breeding, and reduced infant mortality contributed to the recovery. On the other hand, S. fuscicollis had decreased by 12% in the three years following the cropping but had increased in the fourth year to a level slightly below the precropping density. The cropping of more S. mystax than S. fuscicollis might have contributed to the decline of the latter. The cropping of a sizable percentage of S. mystax from a natural population does not seem to impair its recuperative powers. It may take longer than four years for a population exhibiting high density, such as that at the Yarapa site, to recover completely.
Effectiveness of Spring Burning as a Physical Management Tactic for Thrips in Phleum pratense L. (Poales: Poaceae)

Abstract. Timothy, Phleum pretense L. , is an important forage crop in many western U.S. states. Thrips are an important pest of this crop. The effectiveness of field burning as an alternative management tactic for thrips is undocumented. Small-plot burn experiments were initiated with a hand-held torch in two fields in late winter 2007 and in one field on 5 March 2008. Thrips numbers assessed 2 weeks after burning. Grower-burned and nonburned fields were sampled post-burning for thrips on 20 March 2007 and 2008. In 2007, one experiment had relatively low overall abundance of thrips, and adults and larva were found only in nonburned plots. In the other 2007 experiment, more larvae were found in nonburned than burned plots, although adult numbers were similar. In 2008, the number of adults was greater in nonburned plots, while numbers of larvae were relatively low and were similar between burned and nonburned plots. There were no significant differences in thrips abundance between burned or nonburned grower fields during either year. Primarily brachypterous adults were found but both brachypterous adults and larva were found when sampling occurred later or in warmer areas. Timing of burning, in correlation with thrips phenology, was the most likely explanation for differences in population structure between years in burned plots. Population distributions were not aggregated over the spatial scales of these plot experiments. Burning was demonstrated as a possible short-term management tool, but other factors, in addition to burning, probably are important for regulating abundance in the long term.
Three new species of Phytophthora from European oak forests

In several studies of oak decline in Europe, one semi-papillate ( Phytophthora psychrophila sp. nov.) and two non-papillate homothallic Phytophthora species ( P. europaea and P. uliginosa spp. nov.) were isolated, together with other Phytophthora species, from rhizosphere soil samples which could not be assigned to existing taxa. P. psychrophila differs from other semi-papillate species of Waterhouse's morphological Group IV, like P. ilicis and P. hibernalis , by its uniform, dome-shaped and cottonwool-like colony growth pattern on V8 juice agar and malt extract agar, the occurrence of sympodially branched primary hyphae, the high variation in size and shape of the sporangia, shorter pedicels, lower optimum temperature for growth, and ITS sequences. P. europaea is distinguished from related non-papillate Group V and VI species, namely P. fragariae, P. cambivora , and the ‘alder phytophthora’, by producing oogonia with tapered bases, irregular walls and exclusively paragynous antheridia, its cardinal temperatures for growth, and ITS sequences. P. uliginosa differs from related Group V and VI species by its large oogonia with exclusively paragynous antheridia, the predominant occurrence of ellipsoid sporangia with markedly wide exit pores, its slow growth, low cardinal temperatures, its colony growth patterns, and ITS sequences. P. uliginosa is separated from P. europaea by its larger oogonia without tapering bases, lower cardinal temperatures and growth rates, different colony growth patterns, and greater aggressiveness on Q. robur.
Loss of interactions with ants under cold climate in a regional myrmecophilous butterfly fauna

Aim Specialized mutualistic clades may revert and thus increase their autonomy and generalist characteristics. However, our understanding of the drivers that trigger reductions in mutualistic traits and of the consequences for the tolerance of these species to various environmental conditions remains limited. This study investigates the relationship between the environmental niche and the degree of myrmecophily (i.e. the ability to interact with ants) among members of the Lycaenidae.