Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHARACTERIZATION, ENRICHMENT, AND IN VITRO CULTURE OF SPERMATOGONIAL STEM CELLS IN THE DOMESTIC CAT: A MODEL FOR RARE AND ENDANGERED FELIDS

Title of Document: CHARACTERIZATION, ENRICHMENT, AND IN VITRO CULTURE OF SPERMATOGONIAL STEM CELLS IN THE DOMESTIC CAT: A MODEL FOR RARE AND ENDANGERED FELIDS Lindsey Marie Vansandt, D.V.M., Ph.D., 2014 Directed By: Associate Professor Carol L. Keefer, Department of Animal and Avian Sciences Spermatogenesis is a highly prolific process in which millions of spermatozoa are produced daily. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), the adult stem cell population of the testis, sustain this process by providing a constant source of new progenitor cells. The ability of this stem cell population to self-renew makes it a promising alternative to spermatozoa for genetic preservation of rare and endangered animals. While innovative advances in SSC technologies have been made in the mouse, there is a paucity of information concerning felid SSCs. Therefore, the overall objective of the dissertation was to develop SSC technology in the domestic cat (Felis catus) as a model for rare and endangered felids. In the first study, mRNA transcripts for six SSC marker genes (THY1, GPR125, GFRalpha1, PLZF, UCHL1, and OCT4) were identified in cat testes. Localization within the appropriate in situ niche was confirmed by immunohistochemistry for three of the markers (PLZF, UCHL1, and OCT4). The expression pattern of these markers was conserved in the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis), validating the cat as an appropriate felid model. In Study 2, we explored two techniques to enrich cat testis cells for SSCs. We found that the efficiency of enrichment depends on age of the donor and that prepubertal testes are the preferred source for differential plating. Magnetic-activated cell sorting did not achieve any level of enrichment for cat SSCs, likely due to unsuitability of the antibody. The final study modified the traditional mouse SSC culture system for use in the cat. A clear effect of feeder cell type was demonstrated, with mouse endothelial C166 cells supporting a significantly higher number of germ cell colonies as compared to STO cells or primary cat fetal fibroblasts. Identity of germ cell colonies was confirmed by co-expression of UCHL1, PLZF, and OCT4. During subculture, colonies maintained SSC marker co-expression and displayed alkaline phosphatase activity. At the time of writing, cells had been maintained for 78 days in vitro. Together, these studies provide the groundwork towards application of SSC technology in management of rare and endangered felid populations. CHARACTERIZATION, ENRICHMENT, AND IN VITRO CULTURE OF SPERMATOGONIAL STEM CELLS IN THE DOMESTIC CAT: A MODEL FOR RARE AND ENDANGERED FELIDS
MORPHOLOGY, PHYLOGENETIC TAXONOMY, AND SYSTEMATICS OF ICHTHYORNIS AND APATORNIS (AVIALAE: ORNITHURAE)

Abstract Charles Darwin commented that Ichthyornis, as one of the “toothed birds” from the Late Cretaceous of Kansas, offered some of “the best support to the theory of evolution” (in litt., C. Darwin to O.C. Marsh, August 31, 1880). Ichthyornis figures no less prominently today. It is one of the closest outgroups to crown clade Aves, and remains one of the only Mesozoic avialans known from more than a handful of specimens. As such, Ichthyornis is an essential taxon for analyses of deep divergences within Aves because of its influence in determining the morphologies ancestral to the crown clade. Ichthyornis, however, has languished in need of new anatomical description and taxonomic revision. Many of the best Ichthyornis specimens were largely inaccessible, plastered into Yale Peabody Museum (YPM) exhibit mounts for nearly a century. The focus of this study was the entire YPM Ichthyornis collection, the largest at any institution. The elements removed from the mounts were identified to the specimens with which they were originally associated. Detailed morphological study of the 81 YPM specimens yielded the following results: (1) there is evidence for only one species of Ichthyornis, rather than the eight previously proposed; (2) 78 specimens are part of this species, Ichthyornis dispar; (3) two previously identified species are not part of Ichthyornis; and (4) one new species is identified. This analysis also provided a case study in the application of phylogenetic nomenclature at the species level. The morphology of Ichthyornis dispar is described in detail from the holotype and referred specimens. Phylogenetic analyses of 202 morphological characters, scored for 24 terminal taxa, evaluated the relationships among Mesozoic ornithurines including Ichthyornis dispar and the newly identified taxa. Analysis of 23 core taxa produced two most parsimonious trees (L: 384, CI: 0.66). Marsh's “Ichthyornithiformes” is not monophyletic: Two previously named species of Ichthyornis as well as Apatornis celer are placed as more closely related to or as part of Aves. The results of the phylogenetic analyses have implications for previous hypotheses of the timing and pattern of the origin of Aves.
Effects of the presence or absence of males throughout spawning and maternal incubation on the reproductive efficiency of astacid crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) under controlled conditions

Summary The separation of females and males after mating is a usual practice when the reproductive phase of astacids takes place under controlled conditions and is carried out to avoid egg losses due to male disturbance during spawning and embryonic development. In order to determine the possible effects of male presence on reproductive efficiency, two treatments were tested in the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes): females alone, and females and males together throughout egg laying and embryonic development, respectively (mean female carapace length = 36.35 ± 0.57 mm). The mating period lasted 19 days. The overall rate of insemination was 98.3%. After 200 days of the experiment, a similar average number of stage-2 juveniles per female was obtained in the two treatments: 48.9± 7.1 in females alone and 46.3± 5.9 with males. In view of the difficulties in separating males and females, and the apparent lack of effect on reproductive efficiency, continued use of the practice should be reconsidered.
Chemistry of the Australian Gymnosperms. Part IX. The Leaf Oils of the Australian Members of the Genus Callitris (Cupressaceae)

Abstract The leaf oils of the 18 species and four subspecies of the genus Callitris endemic to Australia have been investigated by a combination of GC and GC/MS. All taxa produced oils in poor to moderate yields. Callitris baileyi produced a leaf oil in which α-pinene and limonene together, contributed the majority of the oil, while in Callitris canescens methyl citronellate also made significant contributions to the oil. In C. columellaris, limonene was the principal component, contributing up to 78% of the oil. Callitris drummondii gave a leaf oil which showed two chemical varieties. The samples from Western Australia contained large amounts of α-pinene (67–69%), while the sample from South Australia contained limonene (10.9%), bornyl acetate (24.2%) and geranyl acetate (14.9%) as significant components. In C. endlicheri the main components were limonene, α-pinene and bornyl acetate. Limonene and α-pinene were the principal components of the leaf oil of C. glaucophylla. Callitris gracilis ssp. gracilis gave an oil in which the principal components were α-pinene, myrcene and limonene, while in ssp. murrayensis a-pinene was the principal component. α-Pinene and limonene were the principal components of C. intratropica and C. macleayana. Callitris muelleri was found in two chemical forms, one monoterpenoid and one sesquiterpenoid, with either a-pinene or spathulenol being the principal component. In C. oblonga, which consists of three subspecies, α-pinene was the main component. In C. preissii the major components were α-pinene, myrcene, limonene and bornyl acetate. Callitris rhomboidea was distinguished from the vast majority of other Callitris species by containing significant amounts of neryl acetate, geranyl acetate and citronellyl acetate. Callitris roei contained significant amounts of sesquiterpenes in its leaf oil, with (E)-nerolidol being the principal component. In C. tuberculata α-pinene and limonene were the major components. α-Pinene, limonene and camphor were the major components in the leaf oil of C. verrucosa, while in Callitris sp. (Emerald Falls PI. Forster +PIF26357) α-pinene and limonene were the principal components with significant amounts of α-fenchyl acetate. The leaf oil of the putative introgressed populations of C. columellaris—C. verrucosa had α-pinene (25–46%), myrcene (9–19%), limonene (14–24%), α-fenchyl acetate (8–13%) and bornyl acetate (4–13%) as the most significant components. The oil does provide similarities to the oils of both putative parent species in that it contains camphor (1–3%), which is characteristic of C. verrucosa and bornyl acetate (2–13%) characteristic of C. glaucophylla.
Avaliação da acurácia dos métodos do SCS para cálculo da precipitação efetiva e hidrogramas de cheia

The SCS rainfall-runoff relation is commonly applied in Brazil as an indirect rainfall-runoff model. However, this model was originally developed for specific physical basin characteristics. The generalized usage of the SCS rainfall-runoff relation based on reference values of the CN parameter, has led to overestimated design peak discharges, according to the observation of experienced water resources engineers. This paper evaluates and compares the effective precipitation and discharge hydrographs calculated by the SCS method with monitored data in the drainage area of a stream called Serra Azul, in Minas Gerais. To achieve this, the basin was modeled according to the SCS method for computation of the excess precipitation and the SCS synthetic unit hydrograph for transformation. Similarly, the basin was modeled using the basin calibrated CN as a function of rainfall and the observed average unit hydrograph. The results suggest that the SCS method overestimates the runoff and peak discharge, mostly for high precipitation events. On the other hand, the calibrated CN and average unit hydrograph resulted in a smaller percentage error than the SCS method results
STUDIES ON ANTIBODY PRODUCTION

Cells from lymph nodes of rabbits injected repeatedly with bovine serum albumin were transferred subcutaneously to previously irradiated rabbits, and the recipients were immediately injected with bovine serum albumin. A good antibody response resulted. In a series of such animals killed on successive days, skin samples at sites of cell deposition were removed and examined by immunofluorescence and by light microscopy. In these tissues abundant plasmocytes were found to have multiplied and differentiated in a regular progression from immature, to medium, to mature plasmocytes. During the 6 days of the experiment the small plasmocytes accumulated until they reached 85 per cent of the total plasmocytic population. The mitotic index of the large and medium plasmocytes averaged 11 per cent, implying a generation time of 6.3 hours on the basis of a 1 hour mitotic time. This rate of growth is sufficiently rapid to account for all the plasmocytes on the 6th day as deriving from less than 1 per cent of the population initially transferred. This rate and the orderly progression in the evolution of the plasmocytic population, make it highly improbable that plasmocytes arise from transformation of lymphocytes, but rather indicate that they spring from specific precursors already present among the transferred cells.
Distribution and effects on tree growth of lianas and woody hemiepiphytes in a Costa Rican tropical wet forest

ABSTRACT We evaluated occurrence and abundance of lianas and woody hemiepiphytes on canopy and emergent tree species in primary tropical wet forest at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. Two pioneers, Cecropia obtusifolia and C. insignis, lacked both lianas and hemiepiphytes. The seven non-pioneer species differed significantly in their loads of lianas and hemiepiphytes. For all non-pioneer species, two measures of liana and hemiepiphyte loads (the percentage of the crown occupied and the combined basal area of descending hemiepiphyte and liana roots and stems) increased significantly with tree diameter. In all non-pioneer species, most trees ∵ 70 cm diameter (50–97%) were colonized. Lianas occupied more trees and had a smaller mean host diameter than did hemiepiphytes; however, basal area of descending roots or stems was equivalent for the two life forms in occupied trees. We used partial correlations controlling for tree diameter to evaluate the relationship between annual tree diameter growth and loads of hemiepiphytes and lianas for six non-pioneer species. Five of the six species showed a significant negative correlation between loads and diameter growth. Existing published data show that the high incidence of lianas and hemiepiphytes at La Selva is paralleled in most other Neotropical wet forests. RESUMEN Evaluamos la presencia y abundancia de lianas y hemiepífitas lenosas en especies de árboles del dosel en el bosque muy húmedo tropical de la Estación Biológica La Selva, Costa Rica. Dos especies pioneras, Cecropia obtusifolia y C. insignis, no presentaron lianas o hemiepífitas. Las otras siete especies no-pioneras mostraron diferencias significativas en la cantidad de lianas y hemiepífitas. Para las especies no-pioneras, dos índices de la cantidad total de lianas y hemiepífitas (el porcentaje de la copa ocupado, y el área basal de todas las lianas y hemiepífitas combinadas) aumentaron significativamente de acuerdo con el diámetro del árbol. Para estas, la mayoría de los individuos >70 cm en diámetro (50–97%) tuvieron lianas o hemiepífitas lenosas. Las lianas occuparon más individuos que las hemiepífitas, y a la vez sus hospederos fueron en promedio de menor diámetro. No obstante, las áreas basales de las raíces de las hemiepífitas y de los tallos de las lianas que llegaban al suelo, fueron equivalentes entre estas dos clases de plantas. Usamos correlatión parcial, controlando el diámetro de árbol, para evaluar la relación entre crecimiento anual en diámetro de los árboles y la cantidad de lianas y hemiepífitas. En cinco de las seis especies examinadas hallamos una relación significativa y negativa entre el crecimiento y la cantidad total de lianas y hemiepífitas. Los datos publicados indican que la alta frecuencia de lianas y hemiepífitas encontrada en La Selva es similar a la mayoría de los bosques húmedos neotropicales.
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE WHETSTONE MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA

Abstract We surveyed the amphibians and reptiles of the Whetstone Mountains in southeastern Arizona using a combination of intensive small-area plots, extensive walking searches, trap arrays, road-driving, spot checks, and review of previous records. We found 43 species within the National Forest boundary and within 1 mile of the boundary. Composition of the herpetofauna is typically Madrean and included 5 anuran, 2 turtle, 21 lizard, and 14 snake species. Previous records from the study area documented only 15 species. Quantitative results of intensive and extensive searches provide additional baseline data that could be used for future monitoring efforts.
Seasonal Production Dynamics in a Guild of Periphyton‐Grazing Insects in a Southern Appalachian Stream

Temporal partitioning has been found to be a predominant mode of ecological segre- gation among groups of systematically related stream insects. We extended this concept to a func- tionally similar but systematically diverse group of species. The life cycles and secondary production of six species of periphyton-grazing insects (scrapers) were studied in a fourth-order unshaded stream reach in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Total annual production (as ash-free dry mass) calculated with the instantaneous-growth rate method was 1195 mg/M2. The size-frequency estimate was 6.4% lower. Annual production (AFDM) by species ranged from 612 mg/M2 for Glossosoma nigrior to 10 mg/M2 for Goera fuscula. The production peaks of the six species occurred at separate points in the year, with very little overlap between species. Comparison with a neutral model indicated that production peaks were significantly more regularly spaced (P < . 1) than would be expected by chance alone. Temporal overlap between species was calculated using density, biomass, and production. Overlaps based on density and bio- mass were similar (means of .173 and .171, respectively). Mean overlap based on production was significantly lower (. 124). The patterns of temporal organization observed in this group of species were linked with special- ized life histories. Five of the six species were univoltine, with periods of larval development (cohort production intervals (CPL)) ranging from 44 to 215 d. The shortest CP~s were associated with species that diapaused in the egg (Agapetus sp.) or larval (Neophylax consimilis) stages. Summer production was dominated by G. nigrior, which had a bivoltine life cycle. Production by the spring-summer cohort of G. nigrior was 4.5x the production of the winter cohort. Glossosoma's bivoltinism appar- ently provides it with the life history flexibility to utilize the high summer periphyton production permitted by the lack of canopy cover at the study site. Seasonal production by the six species was distributed 18% in winter (January-March), 36% in spring, 38% in summer, and 8% in autumn. The seasonal distribution of grazer secondary production correlates well with previously reported seasonal dynamics of periphyton production.
Kinematic Analysis of Symmetrical Flight Manoeuvres of Odonata

By analysis of slow-motion films of dragonflies and damselflies in free flight, released in front of a backdrop or startled during flight, the following flight parameters have been quantified for symmetrical manoeuvres: wingbeat frequency, relative durations of up- and downstroke, phase relationships of the beats of fore- and hindwings, stroke amplitude, mean stroke velocity, flight velocity, nondimensional flight velocity, advance ratio, acceleration, angle of attack and stroke plane. The wingbeat frequencies are higher in the smaller species and in those with relatively large wing loading. As a rule, Zygoptera have a wingbeat frequency only half that of Anisoptera. The stroke amplitude is almost always much larger in Zygoptera than in Anisoptera, which have a greater range of variation in this respect. Stroke velocity is higher in Anisoptera than in Zygoptera; it is also higher in the more elaborate flight manoeuvres than in others. The calculated stroke velocities resemble those actually measured. Anisoptera fly more rapidly than Zygoptera. With respect to the nondimensional flight velocities, it is notable that although the values for Anisoptera are higher than those for Zygoptera, they are exceeded by the Calopterygidae; the latter can fold their wings back during rapid forward flight and shoot away, as in the ‘ballistic’ flight of small songbirds. However, the advance ratio is higher in Anisoptera than in Calopterygidae. Anisoptera also perform better than Zygoptera with respect to acceleration. Three categories of phase relationships between the beats of the fore- and hindwings are established: counterstroking, phase-shifted stroking and parallel stroking. Counterstroking produces uniform flight, whereas the flight produced by phase-shifted and, in particular, parallel stroking is irregular. The angles of attack of the wings are shown to be associated with particular flight manoeuvres, as are the stroke planes. Flight manoeuvres are discussed without drawing detailed aerodynamic conclusions. The flight of Anisoptera is compared with that of Zygoptera.
The impact of sulphur dioxide and oxygen on the behaviour of 2‐furaldehyde in beer: an industrial approach

Summary 2-Furaldehyde is often used as an analytical indicator of beer flavour deterioration. Although 2-furaldehyde itself has a flavour threshold far above levels generally present in beer, it can be used as a good marker of heat damage of beer. A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic assay, using ultraviolet-visible detection, was applied to investigate the behaviour of 2-furaldehyde throughout the brewing process and during extended storage of beer. The impact of storage temperature, sulphur dioxide and oxygen content on the level of 2-furaldehyde was studied. It was found that the concentration of 2-furaldehyde markedly increases during wort boiling and is rapidly reduced by yeast during the first hours of fermentation, emphasising the yeast reducing capacity as a determinant factor for the 2-furaldehyde content found in the final beer. The results obtained suggest that sulphur dioxide and oxygen content play a key role on the 2-furaldehyde content in packaged beer. 2-Furaldehyde increase during ageing is oxygen dependent and sulphur dioxide retards its development by possibly protecting beer against the occurrence of oxidative reactions.
Assessing terrestrial lichen biomass using ecoforest maps: a suitable approach to plan conservation areas for forest-dwelling caribou

Terrestrial lichens are an important part of the winter diet of forest-dwelling caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)), and developing forest management guidelines to support high lichen biomass could enhance both individual- and population-level health of this threatened species. Our objective was to develop an index to assess terrestrial lichen biomass available to caribou at the landscape scale using ecoforest maps based on forest characteristics (age, density, and height) and geographical variables (slope, altitude, and latitude). We sampled 439 sites within 8340 km2 of the spruce–moss domain located >100 km north of the Saguenay River (Quebec, Canada). Since they are known to support terrestrial lichen, we sampled only spruce-dominated stands older than 50 years, representing 41.8% of the study area. Using a two-step approach, we first modeled lichen occurrence and thereafter lichen biomass in sites where lichens were found. Lichen occurrence was positively correlated with latitude but ne.