Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproduction and post-natal development in the marsupial Bettongia lesueur (Quoy & Gaimard)

The female reproductive tract is described and compared with that of other Macropodidae. It is shown that the characters considered to be diagnostic of the Potoroinae are more variable than hitherto supposed and occur also in the Macropodinae. For the greater part of the oestrous cycle the lateral vaginae are probably occluded and the pseudovaginal canal closes within a day of parturition, so that the contents of the vaginal smear are derived mainly from the posterior vaginal sinus. B. lesueur is polyoestrous and monovular. The oestrous cycle has a modal length of 23 days and gestation modal length of 21 days, post-partum oestrus following about 1 day later. The reproductive cycle is delayed during lactation and embryonic diapause occurs. The young leaves the pouch at 115 days and the delayed embryo is born a few days later. Experimental removal of the pouch young results in resumption of development and birth 20 days after removal. The young weighs 0.317 g at birth and it reaches an adult weight at about 280 days, when sexual maturity is attained. Animals less than 1 yr old can be distinguished by the presence of the sectorial premolar 3 in the upper jaw, which is shed at 1 yr. The full adult dentition is attained by 18 months. In close confinement females bred regularly from February to September but about 70% spontaneously lost their young by the age of 3 weeks. In large pens young were carried through lactation to independence. Reproduction in Bettongia is compared to that of Potorous, a closely related rat-kangaroo, and a general hypothesis is developed to reconcile several disparate observations of marsupial reproduction. It is postulated that most marsupials have a period of obligatory diapause interposed in the development of the embryo, and this is followed by a short and relatively constant period of embryogenesis. The diapause may be short, as in Perameles, or long as in Potorous, and, in the special conditions of the Macropodidae may be greatly extended during lactation. This latter phenomenon may be secondarily advantageous to the species ecologically but it is emphasized that its primary adaptive significance is likely to be found in the need to synchronize embryonic and uterine development for intra-uterine nourishment of the embryo.
Grass and oak litter exert different effects on seedling emergence of herbaceous perennials from grasslands and woodlands

1 The effects of litter on seedling emergence (e.g. during succession from grassland to woodland) may not only depend on litter amount and environmental conditions but may also be related to litter types. We tested the effect of litter types, litter cover and soil moisture on the emergence of four congeneric pairs of grassland and woodland species. 2 We carried out a controlled pot experiment (Experiment I) using litter and species from two habitats (grassland vs. woodland), three levels of litter cover (low, medium, high) and two levels of water‐addition (leading to constantly humid or intermittently dry substrate). Amounts of litter were adjusted to result in the same relative light reduction for both litter types. Consequently, we applied 2 g, 4 g and 8 g of grassland litter and 0.5 g, 1 g and 2 g of woodland (oak) litter per pot. 3 To separate the shade effect of litter from its mechanical plus chemical effects we exposed additional pots with seeds of the same species to deep shade conditions (Experiment II) corresponding to 4 g and 1 g of grass and oak litter, respectively. 4 Under intermittently dry conditions both litter types increased seedling emergence. In addition, we found a significant interaction between litter type and species origin: seedling emergence of woodland species was significantly lower from beneath grass litter than from beneath oak litter, whereas grassland species emerged equally well from beneath both litter types. Compared with seed germination under a shade cloth, seedling emergence of woodland species from beneath grass litter was reduced by 44%. Litter significantly affected soil humidity and the amplitude of diurnal temperature fluctuations. Differential effects of litter types on woodland and grassland species are probably related to litter structure. 5 Synthesis. Our experimental data present evidence that ecosystem specific litter effects slow down succession from grassland to woodland and that the effect size is controlled by the litter amount present and the environmental conditions.
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in schizophrenia: decreased mRNA levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes

Recent studies have suggested that the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 AChR) may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In search for peripheral biological markers for schizophrenia we have investigated α7 mRNA levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of schizophrenic patients and healthy controls. Peripheral blood samples were collected from medicated and non‐medicated (drug naive) schizophrenic patients as well as from healthy (non‐mentally ill) smokers and non‐smokers. RNA was prepared from isolated lymphocytes. Polymerase chain reaction products specific for human α7 AChR were quantified by densitometry using Scion image‐analysis (shared NIH software). We observed a significant decrease of α7 mRNA levels on PBLs of schizophrenic patients compared with controls. The decrease in α7 mRNA levels was not a result of medication management, because non‐medicated schizophrenic patients displayed the same level of reduction in α7 mRNA as did patients receiving medication. In addition, we exclude the possibility that the observed decrease in α7 mRNA levels resulted from nicotine consumption in smoking, because healthy smokers exhibited the same levels of α7 mRNA as non‐smokers. We propose that α7 AChR may be involved in the pathophysiology of the disease and may serve as a reliable peripheral biological marker in schizophrenia.
Acquisition and Allocation of Resources: Their Influence on Variation in Life History Tactics

Attempts to demonstrate trade-offs between alternative life history tactics have been relatively successful at higher taxonomic levels, but often fail at the level of individuals within a population. In this note we propose a simple model that explains this failure. The aim of our model is to understand the observations of positive correlations between life history traits where trade-offs, and hence negative correlations, are expected. It is assumed that the amount of resources that individuals can spend on life history traits varies between individuals. When some individuals spend much on several life history traits and others spend little, positive correlations are observed. Whether the observed correlations between life history traits are negative or positive depends on the relative variation in the acquisition and the variation in the allocation of resources.
First detection of serotonin in the nervous system of the marine calanoid copepod Centropages typicus

This investigation constitutes the first study of the serotoninergic nervous system in calanoid copepods (crustaceans). Serotonin (5-HT), a neurotransmitter which plays a part in many biological processes, has been detected by immunofluorescence in the brain, the circumoesophageal collar and the ventral nerve cord of the marine species Centropages typicus.
Effects of Transportation on Stress and Fear Responses of Growing Broilers Supplemented with Prebiotic or Probiotic

Physiological stress response and fear levels were evaluated in broiler chickens fed control diets, chicory (1 kg/ton) and Lactobacillus sp. (1 x 10 cfu/kg) supplemented diets for 5 wk. At the end of the 8 experiment, the birds were subjected to 80 km transport journey (90 min approximately). The fear levels of birds were measured using tonic immobility reaction (TI). The duration of TI and the susceptibility of the birds to the test were measured immediately after the birds had arrived to the laboratory and repeated after one week following their transport. Heterophil (H) counts, Lymphocyte (L) counts and Heterophil to Lymphocyte (H/L) ratios were determined immediately on arrival and at 24 h following birds transport. There was no significant differences were recorded in the fear levels of broilers supplemented with either chicory or Lactobacillus sp. compared with their control counterparts. However, in a comparison with fear levels after one week (without transport), a significant difference was observed (P=0.001) irrespective to dietary supplementation. Handling and transport on this relatively short journey was apparently equally frightening for broilers independent of dietary supplementation. H/L ratios either immediately on arrival or at 24 h following birds transport showed a significant difference between the dietary treatments. Chicory and Lactobacillus sp. supplemented groups decreased H/L ratios compared with control group which is important in reduction of stress effects on birds. In conclusion, supplementation of broiler diet with either chicory or Lactobacillus sp. can modulate the physiological stress response of transported birds and consequently enhance tolerance to stress without change in their behavioural index of fear.
Whitethroat Sylvia communis population studies during 1981–91 at a breeding site on the Lincolnshire coast

More than 3000 Whitethroats, including almost 500 adults, were ringed during 1981–91 at Crook Bank, on the Saltfleetby‐Theddlethorpe Dunes N.N. R. Adult captures peaked in 1982 and 1987–89, with a population ‘crash’ in 1984. Annual adult survival rates, estimated from between‐year recaptures, varied from 10.8% in 1983–84 to 67.7% in 1988–89, with a mean of 55.1% during 1984–85 to 1988–89, when the population was increasing. The annual ratios of juveniles:adults captured were positively correlated with April‐August rainfall. Juvenile return rates varied from 2.0% in 1991 to 10.3% in 1987, with an overall mean of 5.7%. Differences were found in return rates in the year after ringing for birds ringed either as juveniles or as adults, with significantly more males than females returning. However, there were no differences for Whitethroats returning for their second or later breeding season at Crook Bank. Estimates from ringing data suggested that there were 23–27 pairs breeding on the 8.5 ha study area infive .
Seed and bud legacies interact with varying fire regimes to drive long-term dynamics of boreal forest communities

Sustainable forest management that employs the emulation of natural disturbance paradigm develops plans based on disturbance-driven forest succession. However, most research on forest succession has focused primarily on postdisturbance species change, often ignoring predisturbance legacies. We used the FORECAST ecosystem management model and a newly created natural regeneration submodel to examine the interaction of fire severity, fire frequency, and natural regeneration to produce multicycle dynamics of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) in a western Canadian boreal forest. We simulated 19 different scenarios in a factorial disturbance experiment of three severities and six frequencies and a no-disturbance scenario. Our simulations resulted in a wide diversity of boreal forest community types, including trembling aspen dominated mixedwoods with high-frequency (75 year), high-severity (100% mortality).
Radical Scavenging Capacity and Antioxidant Activity of the E Vitamer Fraction in Rice Bran

: Radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant activity of an E vitamer fraction from rice bran were investigated. The E vitamer fraction was prepared by a liquid-liquid extraction method. The free radical scavenging capacity of the E vitamer fraction was measured by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) method at the concentration range of 2.5 to 640 ppm, whereas the antioxidant activities were measured by both the reducing power and ferric thiocyanate (FTC) methods at different concentrations (0, 2.5, 10, 40, and 160 ppm). Radical scavenging capacity of the fraction was effective up to 160 ppm, then remained stable. Also, at a concentration of 160 ppm, it was highly effective in inhibiting linoleic acid peroxidation. Similarly, superoxide scavenging and antioxidant activities of the E vitamer fraction were compared with those of the synthetic phenol compounds. Results showed that with a concentration of the E vitamer fraction at 160 ppm, the antioxidant activity was comparable to both butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 160 ppm) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA, 160 ppm). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found among them. The E vitamer fraction may be a good substitute for the synthetic phenol antioxidants currently used in industry because the former is more natural and comparatively effective in its radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant activity.
Copper Immobilization in Fouling Diatoms

Observations on the colonization of antifouling paints by diatoms have shown that a small number of tolerant species are usually involved. These species colonize as the toxin leaching rate declines following the initial peak values, and remain even after the onset of macrofouling. Colonization of toxic environments necessitates some form of resistance, whether intra or extracellular. In view of this, tolerant Amphora znaNavicula species colonizing cuprous oxide paints and exposed to increasing concentrations of CuCl2 were processed for transmission electron microscopy and analysed using an energy dispersive system. This enabled investigation of the ultrastructural effects coupled with intracellular copper localization. Ultrastructural examination revealed that copper had entered the cells and was located in either "polyphosphate" or "copper" bodies. The polyphosphate bodies, spherical in shape, and normally located within the cell vacuoles contained high concentrations of phosphorus in association with calcium, and in some, copper. The copper bodies, irregular in outline, and usually associated with membranes, contained high concentrations of sulphur with copper and calcium. The evidence suggests that these bodies are important structures in maintaining low concentrations of free copper within the cells and thus reducing its toxic effects.
Temperature Dependent Behavior of the Cactus Wren

Field and experimental observations show that, as temperature become progressively hotter, Cactus Wrens select relatively cooler micorhabitats, and that after the minimum temperature reaches a critical level of stress, activity decreases. These results lead us to conclude that insectivorous desert birds such as the Cactus Wren are true xerophiles, since they show behavioral adaptations for existence in the desert in the face of limited water intake. See full-text article at JSTOR
Beacon: a novel gene involved in the regulation of energy balance.

The hypothalamus plays a major role in the control of energy balance via the coordination of several neuropeptides and their receptors. We used a unique polygenic animal model of obesity, Psammomys obesus, and performed differential display polymerase chain reaction on hypothalamic mRNA samples to identify novel genes involved in obesity. In this study, we describe a novel gene that encodes a small protein we have termed "beacon. " Beacon mRNA gene expression in the hypothalamus was positively correlated with percentage of body fat. Intracerebroventricular infusion of beacon resulted in a dose-dependent increase in food intake and body weight and an increase in hypothalamic expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY). Simultaneous infusion of beacon and NPY significantly potentiated the orexigenic response and resulted in rapid body weight gain. These data suggest a role for beacon in the regulation of energy balance and body weight homeostasis that may be mediated, at least in part, through the NPY pathway.
Strangler fig-host associations in roadside and deciduous forest sites, South India

Understanding the regeneration niche of animal- dispersed epiphytes is important in understanding forest community structure, maintenance of species richness in plant communities, animal movements and distributions, and in managing plant and animal communities for conservation. Strangler figs are particularly interesting for studying epiphyte-host relations because they are hemi- epiphytes, implying that strangler and host can potentially belong to the same species and either fuse together or strangle each other, and because all stranglers have many-seeded, animal-dispersed fruit, providing many opportunities for seed dispersal to other stranglers. A study was conducted at a roadside and at a forest site in Karnataka State, south India, to determine factors influencing host choice of strangler figs. Stranglers were found more frequently at the roadside site than at the forest site. At the roadside site, stranglers were found much more abundantly on Ficus hosts than on non-Ficus hosts, whereas at the forest site, stranglers were found more abundantly on non- Ficus hosts. Host tree species with animal-dispersed fruit bore significantly more stranglers than those with mechanically dispersed fruit. More stranglers were found on hosts in large d.b. h. size classes (>80 cm d.b.h.) than on those in small d.b. h. classes. Prior studies of strangler-host relations have never found stranglers growing on other stranglers. The results of this study suggest that stranglers are fully capable of regenerating on other stranglers, including conspecifics, but these regeneration events are not observed in forests because of relatively low strangler seed rain, due to lack of clumping of strangler hosts, and low insolation in these habitats.
Effects of fertilization and variety on yield and yield components of winter triticale.

In the research carried out in the vicinity of Bijelo Polje (Montenegro) for a period 2009-2012. the effect of fertilization and variety on yield and yield components of winter triticale. The trial was set in random complete block design with three replications and included the five varieties (Odisej, Kg-20, Trijumf, Rtanj i Tango). The soil on which the experiment was performed was of alluvium type and the size of the experimental plot was 6 m2. Unfertilized plot (the control), the lowest rate of nitrogen (60 kg N ha -1 ) alone and three steps of N fertilization (60 + 90 +120 kg N ha -1 ) on the same level of P and K (80 kg P2O5 + 80 kg K2O kg ha -1 ) were applied. Results of the study showed significant effect of fertilization and varieties on yield and yield components of winter triticale. Tango had the highest average grain yield (5,3 t ha -1 ) while Kg-20 had the lowest (4,4 t ha -1 ). Also, Tango had the highest value of the 1000 grain mass, while Triumph had the highest value of hectoliter weight. The application of fertilizers has led to a very large and significant increase of yield compared with the control. Accordingly, all studied cultivars had the highest yield when the three nutritious elements, N, P and K, were used (120 kg ha -1 N, 80 kg ha -1 P2O5 and 80 kg ha -1 K2O). These results are evidence for importance and role of fertilization and variety in expression of yield and yield components of winter triticale.
Innate recognition of flowers by bumble bees: orientation of antennae to visual stamen signals

The innate behaviour of flower-naive bumble bees (Bombus terrestris, Bombus lucorum) was observed at artificial flowers that consisted of a corolla and a guide area. A set of key stimuli was found to release a sequence of reactions, including the bee's approach, antennal reaction, and landing. For each reaction a binary choice between visual and olfactory signals was presented at the artificial flowers. Approach from a distance was released by the spectral purity of the corolla colour. The antennal reaction, which is the first antennal contact at an artificial flower, and occurs while the bumble bee is in flight, was oriented toward those areas with colours of the highest spectral purity. The landing reaction was released by visual and olfactory signals from the areas contacted during the antennal reaction. The combined presentation of visual signals from the anthers and olfactory signals from the pollen most effectively promoted landing. The antennal reaction allows precise alignment for landing and the .
EFFECT OF A PHENYL-BENZOYL UREA [l-(4-CHLOROPHENYL)-3-(2,6-DIFLUOROBENZOYL)-UREA] ON DIPRION SIMILIS (HYMENOPTERA: DIPRIONIDAE)

Abstract Ingestion of a phenyl-benzoyl urea [1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)-urea] by Diprion similis (Hartig) interferes with molting. At the highest concentration (1% solution) tested, it prevents ecdysis but does not prevent apolysis. The Cuticle of pharate larvae is thinner than normal but the formation of melanin in the cuticle is not inhibited. At a concentration of.01%, ecdysis is usually completed but many survivors fail to feed following the molt. This failure is associated with the accumulation of a fibrous material in the midgut. Prior to the molt, food consumption as measured by faecal output is not impaired. Résumé L’ingestion d’un composé d’urée au phényl-benzoyl [1-(4-chlorophényl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)-urée] par Diprion similis entrave la mue de l’insecte. Au point de concentration le plus élevé, (solution à 1%) mis à l’essai, elle empêche l’ecdysis mais n’empêche pas l’apolysis. La cuticule des larves "pharates" est plus mince que la normale mais la formation de mélanine dans la cuticule n’est pas entravée. Avec un point de concentration de 0.1%, l’ecdysis est habituellement totale mais de nombreux survivants cessent de se nourrir après la mue. Ce phénomène est relié à l’accumulation de matériel fibreux dans l’intestin moyen. Avant la mue, la consommation de nourriture telle que mesurée d’après les excrétions, n’est pas altérée.
Sapling diameter growth in gaps for two Nothofagus species in New Zealand

We quantified the effects of position within treefall gaps, gap size, and sapling size on sapling radial increment (most recent 5 yr, using tree cores) for two species of Nothofagus (southern beech) on the South Island, New Zealand (42 13' S). Mean radial growth rates of the two species and characteristics of the gaps in which they occurred were similar. Based on regression analysis, stems (1.4-26 m tall) of both species grew faster in larger gaps than smaller gaps (canopy gap area range 16-528 m2) and larger stems grew faster than smaller ones, the latter more true of N. fusca than N. menziesii. N. fusca grew fastest near gap center; N. menziesii grew fastest south of gap center. Smaller stems of both species grew faster south of gap center and large ones faster at, or even north of, gap center. For all size classes, the optimum location for N. menziesii growth was further south than for N. fusca. N. fusca grew faster than N. menziesii near gap center; N. menziesii grew faster than N. fusca south of gap center. These results are intermediate between literature predictions of best growth in gap center (based on soil moisture, soil nutrients and diffuse radiation) and best growth near the south gap edge (based on direct beam radiation and without considering shading).
Rediscovery of Paramecium duboscqui Chatton & Brachon, 1933, and a Description of Its Characteristics

ABSTRACT. Paramecium duboscqui Chatton & Brachon, 1933, was rediscovered in Harbin, China, in 1974. In addition to the morphological features described by Chatton and Brachon, more details such as the silver‐line system, buccal apparatus, stomatogenetic pater, mating types and temperature adaptation are described here. Although minor differences exist between the strains from France and China, the evidence indicates that they are really the same species and a member of the “bursaria” group.