Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resting Behaviour, Growth and Diarrhoea Incidence Rate of Young Dairy Calves Housed Individually or in Groups in Warm or Cold Buildings

The influence of housing and age on the resting, growth and diarrhoea incidence rate was studied by housing male dairy calves for 7 weeks individually (INDIV) or 12 weeks in groups of four; indoors (INGROUP) or outdoors either with (OUTWARM) or without a heated shelter (OUTCOLD). The preweaning (1–7 wk) diarrhoea incidence rates were lower for INGROUP than for INDIV or OUTCOLD. The postweaning growth (8–12 wk) was higher for INGROUP than for OUTCOLD or OUTWARM. The OUTWARM and OUTCOLD calves rested less on their side than the INGROUP calves and more with the neck relaxed. Individual pens did not decrease REM-type sleep, but this decreased overall as the calves aged. In conclusion, the young dairy calves reduced their body area when they were exposed to low temperatures. No clear advantage was found in offering a heated shelter, but a cold environment could be a potential health hazard for calves.
Prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in captive birds of Gujarat zoos.

Received on 16 August 1999 Accepted on 3 March 2000 Abstract A total of 106 group faecal samples of different wild birds from Kamal Nehru Zoo, Ahmedabad and Sayyajibaug Zoo, Vadodara, were examined. Out of this 51 (48.11%) were found positive for parasitic infection. Eggs of Ascaris and Capillaria species were observed in 22 (20.75%) and 14 (13.2%) group faecal samples respectively, while the oocyst of Coccidia (Eimeria species) were observed in 19 (17.92%) group faecal samples. Ascardia galli and Cotugnia digonopora were recovered during postmortem of three hariyal pigeon, while only Ascaridia galli was observed in a postmortem of parrot, peacock and cockatiel.
Variability in thermal and UV‐B energy fluxes through time and their influence on plant diversity and speciation

Throughout Earth’s history there have been temporal and spatial variations in the amount of visible and ultraviolet radiation received by ecosystems. This paper examines if temporal changes in these forms of energy receipt could have influenced the tempo and mode of plant diversity and speciation, focusing in particular upon Cenozoic time‐scales. Evidence for changing patterns of plant diversity and speciation apparent in various fossil records and molecular phylogenies are considered alongside calculated changes in thermal and solar ultraviolet energy (specifically UV‐B) over the past 50 Myr. We suggest that changes in thermal energy influx (amount and variability) affected the tempo of evolution through its influence upon community dynamics (e.g. population size, diversity, turnover, extinctions). It was not only the amount of thermal energy but also variability in its flux that may have influenced these processes, and ultimately the rate of diversification. We suggest that variations in UV‐B would have influenced the mode and tempo of speciation through changes to genome stability during intervals of elevated UV‐B. We argue, therefore, that although variability in thermal energy and UV‐B fluxes through time may lead to the same end‐point (changing the rate of diversification), the processes responsible are very different and both need to be considered when linking evolutionary processes to energy flux.
Changes in the abundance of New Zealand fur seals, Arctocephalus forsteri, on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Kangaroo Island was an important seal-harvesting site during the early years of European colonisation of Australia. A recent survey of the New Zealand fur seal, Arctocephalus forsteri, in South and Western Australia indicates that Kangaroo I. is still an important centre for the species. In order to determine changes in the abundance of the population, numbers of pups were determined at four colonies on Kangaroo Island by mark-recapture in up to five breeding seasons from 1988-89 to 1992-93. Clipping was the preferred technique for mark-recapture estimation of pups because it was quick, easy and effective. Recaptures were conducted visually; they were repeated several times in each season to improve precision of the estimates. No pups were marked between recaptures in order to minimise disturbance. Assumptions made in estimating population size by the mark-recapture technique pertinent to this study are reviewed. Pup numbers increased at three colonies: at Cape Gantheaume, from 458 to 867 over five years (with exponential rate of increase r = 0.16, n = 5); at Nautilus North, from 182 to 376 over five years (at r = 0.19, n = 4); and at North Casuarina Islet, from 442 to 503 over four years (at r = 0.043, n = 2). Rates of increase in the first two colonies are similar to those at the most rapidly increasing fur seal populations in the Southern Hemisphere. The Kangaroo I. population is estimated to be 10000 animals in 1992-93. It is likely to be at the recolonisation phase of growth, with high rates of increase at individual colonies (or parts of colonies) resulting from local immigration. As space does not appear to be limiting expansion in these colonies, fur seal numbers may continue to increase there.
Cladistic analysis and osteological descriptions of the frog species in the Leptodactylus fuscus species group (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

The genus Leptodactylus is predominantly Neotropical (a few species have colonized the southern Neartic region) and is distributed from Texas to Argentina and on certain Caribbean islands. Leptodactylus was divided into five groups of species: Leptodactylus melanonotus, Leptodactylus ocellatus, Leptodactylus fuscus, Leptodactylus pentadactylus and Leptodactylus marmoratus. Among these, the L. fuscus group is the one with most species, with 27 taxa. Characters unverified in most of the species are used to define the L. fuscus group. However, the monophyly of the group has never been tested rigorously in a quantitative phylogenetic context. Thus, the main goal of this study was to test such monophyly and to construct a phylogeny of the L. fuscus group. A matrix of 114 characters scored across 43 taxa was constructed, with 31 characters taken from external morphology, 58 from adult skeletons, 16 from larval chondrocranium, 5 from ethology and 4 from morphometric data were included. Out of all the species examined, 23 belonged to the ingroup and 20 to the outgroup. The data set was analysed with implied weights, by using TNT software. The monophyly of the group was strongly supported in the fittest cladogram obtained. The optimizations of some characters on this hypothesis support traditional evolutionary hypotheses. The optimizations also suggest the presence of paedomorphic character states in some species, which is also discussed. Resumen El genero Leptodactylus es predominantemente Neotropical (pocas especies han colonizado el sur de la region Neartica) y esta distribuido desde Texas a la Argentina y en ciertas islas del Caribe. Actualmente Leptodactylus esta dividido en cuatro grupos de especies (los grupos L. fuscus, L. melanonotus, L. ocellatus y L. pentadactylus). Entre ellos, el grupo L. fuscus es el mas abundante, con 27 taxa. Caracteres no verificados para la mayoria de las especies definen al grupo L. fuscus. La monofilia del grupo nunca ha sido testeada rigurosamente en un contexto filogenetico. El principal objetivo de este trabajo fue testear la monofilia y proponer una filogenia para el grupo fuscus. Ademas se realizo una descripcion osteologica del grupo fuscus. Se construyo una matriz con 114 caracteres y 43 taxones. Se incluyeron 31 caracteres de morfologia externa, 58 de osteologia, 16 de condrocraneo, cinco etologicos y cuatro morfometricos. Entre las especies estudiadas 23 pertenecen al grupo interno y 20 al grupo externo. El set de datos fue analizado considerando a los caracteres bajo pesos implicados, usando el programa TNT. La monofilia del grupo es soportada en el cladograma de mayor ajuste obtenido. La optimizacion de algunos caracteres soporta hipotesis evolutivas tradicionales. Las optimizaciones tambien permitieron detectar caracteres pedomorficos en algunas especies.
Urban Tree Planting Analysis in Four Squares of Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Neste estudo foi realizada a avaliacao da arborizacao de quatro pracas da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, considerando a riqueza de especies, analises morfometricas dos individuos, alem do seu diagnostico fitossanitario. Foram encontradas 310 arvores, distribuidas em 36 especies e 14 familias, com destaque para Cassia siamea e Delonix regia que, juntas, corresponderam a 32,4% dos individuos. Cassia siamea representou 9,4% dos individuos da Praca Castilho Franca, 32,3% da Varnhagen, 24,0% da Saens Pena e 11,1% da Xavier de Brito. Ja Delonix regia totalizou 3,2% das especies da Praca Varnhagen, 10,7% da Saens Pena e 35,2% da Xavier de Brito. Nas quatro pracas foi encontrada uma distribuicao proporcional entre as especies exoticas e nativas. Todavia, comparando o numero de individuos, foi constatado predominio das exoticas. Considerando todos os individuos amostrados, 83,6% concentraram-se entre 5 m e 15 m de altura. Observou-se que 49,5% das arvores apresentaram DAP maiores que 30 cm. Considerando-se os aspectos fitossanitarios, 64,5% das arvores encontravam-se saudaveis e 25,4% mostravam sinais de ataques de pragas, alem disso, 10,1% sofreram injurias. Diante desses fatos, recomenda-se a substituicao dos individuos debilitados que sejam uma ameaca aos usuarios ou prejudiquem a estetica, procurando sempre utilizar o maior numero de especies nativas possivel, para evitar a uniformidade. Tambem se faz necessario intensificar o controle das pragas e as atividades de educacao ambiental, com o intuito de reduzir os danos nos exemplares da flora das pracas urbanas.
Brand Placement Prominence: Good for Memory! Bad for Attitudes?

ABSTRACT This article presents two laws about the effects of brand placement on audience reactions. Brand placement is the compensated inclusion of brands or brand identifiers within media programming. The first law states that brand placement prominence has a positive effect on brand memory. This effect has been found for placements in audiovisual media. However, placement prominence has a negative effect on brand attitude under specific circumstances. The second law states that brand placement can affect attitudes and behavior without memory of the placement. This means that brand placement can have implicit effects. Implications of these brand placement laws are discussed.
Apolipoprotein A-I induces translocation of protein kinase Cα to a cytosolic lipid-protein particle in astrocytes Published, JLR Papers in Press, September 17, 2004. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M400222-JLR200

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) induces the translocation of newly synthesized cholesterol as well as caveolin-1 to the cytosolic lipid-protein particle (CLPP) fraction in astrocytes before its appearance in high density lipoprotein generated in the medium (Ito, J., Y. Nagayasu, K. Kato, R. Sato, and S. Yokoyama. 2002. Apolipoprotein A-I induces translocation of cholesterol, phospholipid, and caveolin-1 to cytosol in rat astrocytes. J. Biol. Chem. 277: 7929–7935). We here report the association of signal-related molecules with CLPP. ApoA-I induces rapid translocation of protein kinase Cα to the CLPP fraction and its phosphorylation in astrocytes. ApoA-I also induces the translocation of phospholipase Cγ to CLPP. Diacylglyceride (DG) production is increased by apoA-I in the cells, with a maximum at 5 min after the stimulation, and the increase takes place also in the CLPP fraction. An inhibitor of receptor-coupled phospholipase C, U73122, inhibited all the apoA-I-induced events, such as DG production, cholesterol translocation to the cytosol, release of cholesterol, and translocation of protein kinase Cα into the CLPP fraction. CLPP may thus be involved in the apoA-I-initiated signal transduction in astrocytes that is related to intracellular cholesterol trafficking for the generation of high density lipoprotein in the brain.
Numerical taxonomy of heterotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria isolated from southwestern Pacific hydrothermal vents

Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (n = 161) were enriched and isolated from samples of vent water, invertebrates, and chimney rocks collected at two deep-sea hydrothermal vents (2000 m) in back-arc basins from the southwestern Pacific: the North Fiji Basin and the Lau Basin. Several types of heterotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were repeatedly isolated. They oxidized thiosulfate either to sulfate (acid producing) or to polythionate (base producing). In most of the acid-producing cultures, thiosulfate was transitorily oxidized to polythionate. All of the bacteria were Gram negative, 37% were fermentative, and 88% were denitrifiers or nitrate reducers. Numerical taxonomy and analysis of the G+C content showed that they belong to several genera including Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Vibrio.Key words: hydrothermal vent, culturable thiosulfate-oxidizing bacteria, numerical taxonomy.
Do Worker Honey Bees Discriminate among Unrelated and Related Larval Phenotypes

Experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that worker honey bees can recognize the phenotype of larvae and use this information to favor closely related individuals when rearing queens. Three experimental designs were employed. The first required colonies to rear emergency queen cells; this represents a “natural” context. Queenless bees of one sibling group were given the choice of rearing queens from larvae of the same or a different sibling group. In the second and third experiments larvae were grafted using standard commercial techniques for rearing queens. In one experiment, worker bees could choose between rearing larvae from their own or a different racial group, in the other the choice was between their own and genetically similar larvae. The results of these experiments do not support the original hypothesis; no phenotypic preference in rearing emergency replacement queens or in choosing grafted larvae was noted. We conclude from these experiments that under normal conditions information concerning the phenotype of honey bee larvae does not allow discrimination between related (half- or full-sister) and completely unrelated individuals.
INFLUENCE OF MALTING CONDITIONS ON QUALITY OF FINGER MILLET MALT

Effect of processing conditions on DM loss and quality characteristics of malt from Indaf-6 variety of finger millet was studied. Increasing the temp. of malting from 15 to 35 degree C caused increased DM loss. Germination at 15-20 degree C gave malts of higher alpha-amylase activities than those germinated at 30-35 degree C. Germination at 20 degree C for 4-5 days gave malt with max. enzyme activity and acceptable DM loss. Drying the malt to 12% moisture and kilning at 70 degree C for about 45 min resulted in malt of desired aroma, max. retention of alpha-amylase and min. loss of available lysine. The alpha-amylase in the malted flour caused the slurries to have low hot paste viscosity.
Transgenic soybeans expressing siRNAs specific to a major sperm protein gene suppress Heterodera glycines reproduction.

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, is the major disease-causing agent limiting soybean production in the USA. The current management strategy to reduce yield loss by SCN involves the deployment of resistant soybean cultivars and rotation to non-host crops. Although this management scheme has shown some success, continued yearly yield loss estimates demonstrate the limitations of these techniques. As a result, new control strategies are needed to complement the existing methods. Reported here is a novel method of SCN control that utilises RNA interference (RNAi). Transgenic soybeans were generated following transformation with an RNAi expression vector containing inverted repeats of a cDNA clone of the major sperm protein (MSP) gene from H. glycines. The accumulation of MSP-specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules were detected by northern blot analysis of transgenic soybeans. T0 plants displaying MSP siRNA accumulation were deployed in a bioassay to evaluate the effects of MSP interfering molecules on H. glycines reproduction. Bioassay data has shown up to a 68% reduction in eggs g-1 root tissue, demonstrating that MSPi transgenic plants significantly reduced the reproductive potential of H. glycines. An additional bioassay evaluating progeny nematodes for maintenance of reproductive suppression indicated that progeny were also impaired in their ability to successfully reproduce, as demonstrated by a 75% reduction in eggs g-1 root tissue. The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of an RNAi-based strategy for control of the soybean cyst nematode. In addition, these results may have important implications for the control of other plant parasitic nematodes.
Immunohistochemical studies of the effect of chlormadinone acetate (CMA) on prostatic hyperplasia

The atrophic effect of a synthetic steroidal antiandrogen, chlormadinone acetate (CMA), on spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was investigated. Male beagle dogs (5-8 years old) were divided into four experimental groups. Group 1 consisted of untreated controls. Groups 2 to 4 received CMA 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/day, p.o. , respectively, for 6 months. In group 1, glandular hyperplasia of the prostate was clearly detected. The glandular epithelial cells showed uniformly intense nuclear staining for androgen receptor (AR). AR was also localized in the nuclei of the fibro-muscular stromal cells. Immunoreactively of 5 alpha-reductase type I was positive in most glandular epithelial cells. No fibro-muscular stromal cells were stained. Immunolocalization of 5 alpha-reductase type II was clearly detected in the interacinar fibro-muscular stromal cells, but not in the glandular epithelial cells. In groups 2 to 4, CMA produced marked atrophy of the glandular epithelium. The interacinar fibro-muscular stroma was prominent. The nuclear staining for AR in both epitheial and stromal cells was remarkably decreased. Furthermore, the immunoreaction for 5 alpha-reductase type I in most glandular epithelial cells was negative or very weak. The immunoreaction of 5 alpha-reductase type II in the interacinar fibro-muscular stromal cells was negative or very weak. The decreased AR-immunostaining may be explained by the decrease in the number of AR and it may play a key role in the down-regulation of 5 alpha-reductase gene expression by CMA. The atrophy after treatment with CMA may be due to shrinkage of both glandular and stromal compartments in the prostate tissue.
Effect of various sugars and polyols on the tolerance to desiccation and freezing of oil palm polyembryonic cultures

Abstract During a 7-day conditioning treatment of clumps of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) somatic embryos on a medium containing 0.75 M sucrose, the fructose and glucose concentrations remained constant, whereas a ten-fold and twenty-fold increase were noted for sucrose and starch concentrations, respectively. The only new sugar detected was arabinose which remained at a low concentration. After conditioning on media supplemented with various sugars and polyols at similar osmolarities, recovery of clumps of embryo growth was satisfactory except with ribose. After an additional desiccation period, survival was optimal with fructose, galactose, sucrose and glucose, intermediate with maltose and lower with other compounds. When embryos were cryopreserved without previous desiccation, survival was noted after conditioning treatment with sucrose only. In contrast, when freezing was performed after dehydration, survival could be obtained with several substances. It was optimal with sucrose, fructose, galactose and raffinose but was possible also with sorbitol and glucose. Intensity of recovery of proliferation was highest with embryos conditioned with sucrose.
Effect of Physiological Hyperinsulinemia on Blood Flow and Interstitial Glucose Concentration in Human Skeletal Muscle and Adipose Tissue Studied by Microdialysis

The effect of an euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp (94 ± 5 μU/ml) on blood flow and glucose extraction fraction in human skeletal muscle and adipose tissue was investigated. Limb blood flow was measured by venous occlusion pletysmography and tissue blood flow by the microdialysis ethanol technique. Insulin infusion resulted in an increased blood flow in the calf and forearm (64 and 36%, respectively; P < 0.01) but not in the studied muscles of these limbs (ethanol outflow-to-inflow ratio: m. gastrocnemius 0.144 ± 0.009 to 0.140 ± 0.011, NS; m. brachioradialis 0.159 ± 0.025 to 0.168 ± 0.027, NS). This was accompanied by an increased extraction fraction of glucose, as measured by an increased arteriovenous difference over the forearm (0.16 ± 0.04 to 0.70 ± 0.10 mmol/l; P < 0.001) and by an increase in the estimated arterial-interstitial glucose difference in the gastrocnemius (0.82–1.42 mmol/l) and brachioradialis muscle (0.82–1.97 mmol/l). The blood flow in adipose tissue was significantly increased during insulin infusion, as evidenced by a decreased ethanol outflow-to-inflow ratio (0.369 ± 0.048 to 0.325 ± 0.046; P < 0.01). This was accompanied by an unchanged concentration of glucose in the dialysate (−2.6%, NS). In summary, during physiological hyperinsulinemia 1) a blood flow increase was detected in the calf and forearm, but not in the studied muscles of these limbs; 2) the blood flow increased in the subcutaneous adipose tissue; and 3) the estimated arterial-interstitial glucose difference increased in both muscles studied and was larger in the forearm muscle than the arteriovenous glucose difference over the forearm. The present study shows that microdialysis is a useful tool to obtain tissue-specific information about the effect of insulin on blood flow and glucose extraction in human skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.
Plant oils as grain protectants against infestations of Cryptolestes pusillus and Rhyzopertha dominica in stored grain

Plant oils (cottonseed, soybean, corn, groundnut and palm) at different dosages were evaluated in the laboratory for their ability to suppress the populations of Cryptolestes pusillus and Rhyzopertha dominica in maize and sorghum. Exposure of adults of both beetle species to grains treated with 10 ml/kg of the different oils induced 100% mortality within 24 h. A dose of 5 ml/kg of each oil significantly decreased the progeny produced by R. dominica. Complete protection was achieved on grains treated with 10 ml/kg. These oils also repelled the adults of both species. Percentage weight loss caused by R. dominica in grains treated with 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg levels were significantly lower than in untreated grains. Oil treatment did not affect the germination of, or water absorption by, maize and sorghum grains compared with untreated grains. The potential use of plant oils in the management of insect pests in traditional grain storage is discussed.