Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bitter vetch as a single dietary ingredient for molt induction in laying hens

SUMMARY Molting is used to increase productivity in the second laying cycle of commercial laying flocks. We report here the applicability of whole grain of bitter vetch as an alternative method for molt induction in laying hens. A total of 120 laying hens were molted by feed withdrawal (FW), a high-Zn diet (HZn), a moderate-Zn and Ca-P-deficient diet (MZn-CaP), or whole grain of bitter vetch (BV). Egg production ceased first in FW-treated hens and last in MZn-CaP-treated hens (P 0.05) significantly different among various molting induction methods. Albumen height and Haugh unit of eggs from hens molted by BV, for the most part of the experimental period, were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than for birds on the MZn-CaP diet and unmolted hens. In conclusion, use of BV grain as a single dietary ingredient proved to be effective in molt induction and improving postmolt egg production and internal egg quality when compared with unmolted hens.
Detection and Molecular Characterization of Phytoplasma associated with Lethal Yellowing Disease of Coconut Palms in Cuba

Lethal Yellowing (LY) disease of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) in Cuba has been reported since the end of the 19th century. In order to ascertain the presence of phytoplasmas associated with this disease, leaf samples were taken from plants showing typical disease symptoms and assayed for the LY agent by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using LY-specific primers. Selected PCR amplification products were cloned, sequenced and compared to that of a Mexican LY isolate from the Yucatan region. The results obtained confirm the presence of LY phytoplasma in Cuba. Cuban and Mexican isolates show an overall high degree of sequence similarity with occasional point mutations and small deletions or insertions. Based on these identified genetic differences, LY isolates from the Havana and the Yucatan region cluster together and apart from isolates originating at Maisi in eastern Cuba.
Effects of Backpack Radio-Transmitters on Female Barrow’s Goldeneyes

Abstract We compared time-budgets and return rates of breeding female Barrow’s Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) fitted, or not, with transmitters attached with backpack harnesses in 2001-2004 in southern Québec. We compared the mean proportion of time devoted to feeding, locomotion, alert, resting, preening, and maintenance (i.e., resting plus preening) by females observed ≥200 min. Females with backpacks (N = 5) spent significantly less time feeding (x ± SE: 25 ± 5% versus 43 ± 3%) and more time in maintenance activities (51 ± 6% versus 31 ± 4%) than females without transmitters (N = 6). Mean time devoted to other behavior did not differ significantly. Upon release, females appeared disturbed with the backpack, actively bathing, preening and/or flapping wings. Of the females with transmitters observed ≥200 min, three spent 4%, 8%, and 57% of their preening time at their transmitter, antennae or harness. None of the 16 females harnessed in 2001-2003 were recaptured in nest boxes or seen again on the study area in 2002-2004. For comparison, 66% of adult female Barrow’s Goldeneyes captured in nest boxes and marked with leg bands in 2000-2002 were recaptured or seen again in subsequent years. We do not recommend the use of harnesses on diving ducks and sea ducks as it may affect their behavior and survival, at least for birds wintering in areas where conditions are severe.
Distribution of minerals and proteins between the soluble and colloidal phases of pressurized milks from different species

The pressure-induced (100–400 MPa) changes in casein micelles from bovine, caprine and ovine milks were investigated by studying the distribution of minerals and proteins after separation of the micellar and serum phases by ultracentrifugation. The results showed that pressurization markedly increased the levels of non-sedimentable casein in the three species, as well as the levels of Ca, P and Mg in the serum, but led to only small increases in the Ca2+ concentration. The dissociation rates of individual caseins corresponded to the ester phosphate contents, in the order κ-casein, β-casein>αs1-casein >αs2-casein. The concentration of non-sedimentable casein was highest in pressurized ovine milk, which also contained higher levels of pressure-liberated serum minerals than the milks from the other two species. In the case of bovine and caprine milks, maximum dissociation from the micelle was found in milks treated at 300 MPa, while in ewes' milk dissociation increased with pressure up to 400 MPa. Denatured β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) was present in the ultracentrifugation pellets of the pressurized milks of the three species, but pressure-denatured β-lg also remained in the soluble fraction. Despite the increases in the content of soluble proteins, all casein and most β-lg were incorporated in the rennet curds of the pressurized milks from the three species.
PRELIMINARY DATA ON THE DIATOM COMMUNITIES FROM “LACUL SULFUROS” (“LAKE No. 6”) NEAR TURDA (CLUJ COUNTY,

: This paper is the first one dealing with diatom communities of „Lacul Sulfuros”, Turda, based on plankton and periphyton samples collected seasonally in 2005. It is important to emphasize that this aquatic ecosystem has not yet been investigated from algological point of view; therefore the present list of diatoms is the first one for this lake. Species composition, community structure and seasonal dynamics have been studied. There have been identified 94 diatom species belonging to 7 families (Thalassiosiraceae, Fragilariaceae, Achnanthaceae, Naviculaceae, Bacillariaceae, Surirellaceae, Epithemiaceae), occurring in both planktonic and periphytic communities.
Digestible lysine levels in diets for laying Japanese quails

The objective of this study was to estimate the digestible lysine requirement of Japanese quails in the egg-laying phase. A total of 336 female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) of average initial age of 207 days were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, composed of 6 treatments (lysine levels) with 7 replicates and 8 birds per experimental unit, with duration of 84 days. Experimental diets were formulated from a basal diet, with corn and soybean meal, with 2.800 kcal ME/kg and 203.70 g/kg crude protein, showing levels of 9.50; 10.00; 10.50; 11.00; 11.50; and 12.00 g/kg digestible lysine; diets remained isoprotein and isocaloric. The following variables were studied: feed intake (FI); lysine intake (LI); egg production per bird per day (EPBD); egg production per bird housed (EPBH); production of marketable eggs (PME); egg weight (EW); egg mass (EM); utilization efficiency of lysine for egg mass production (UELEM); feed conversion per mass (FCEM); feed conversion per dozen eggs (FCDZ); bird availability (BA); percentages of yolk (Y), albumen (A) and shell (S); specific egg weight (SW); nitrogen ingested (NI); nitrogen excreted (NE); and nitrogen balance (NB). Significant effect was only observed for LI, EW, EM, UELEM, FCEM, Y, A and SW. The digestible lysine level estimated in diets for laying Japanese quails is 11.20 g digestible lysine/kg diet, corresponding to an average daily intake of 272.23 mg lysine.
Reduced β-Amyloid Production and Increased Inflammatory Responses in Presenilin Conditional Knock-out Mice*

Mutations in presenilins (PS) 1 and 2 are the major cause of familial Alzheimer's disease. Conditional double knock-out mice lacking both presenilins in the postnatal forebrain (PS cDKO mice) exhibit memory and synaptic plasticity impairments followed by progressive neurodegeneration in the cerebral cortex. Here we further investigate the molecular events that may underlie the observed phenotypes and identify additional neuropathological markers in the PS cDKO brain. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis showed reduced levels of the toxic β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides in the cerebral cortex of PS cDKO mice. Interestingly, the reduction in Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides is similar in PS1 conditional knock-out and PS cDKO mice. We further examined the gene expression profile by oligonucleotide microarrays in the PS cDKO cerebral cortex and found that a high number of genes are differentially expressed, most notably a group of up-regulated inflammatory genes. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR and Western analyses confirmed the elevated levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein, complement component C1q, and cathepsin S, up-regulation of which has been associated with inflammatory responses in various neurodegenerative processes. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the increase in complement component C1q is confined to the hippocampal formation, whereas glial fibrillary acidic protein and cathepsin S are up-regulated throughout the entire neocortex and hippocampus. In addition, strong microglial activation occurs in the hippocampus and the deeper cortical layers of PS cDKO mice. These results indicate that the memory impairment and neurodegeneration in PS cDKO mice are not caused by Aβ accumulation and that loss of PS function leads to differential up-regulation of inflammatory markers in the cerebral cortex.
Interacting effects of soil fertility and atmospheric CO2 on leaf area growth and carbon gain physiology in Populus×euramericana (Dode) Guinier.

Two important processes which may limit productivity gains in forest ecosystems with rising atmospheric CO2 are reduction in photosynthetic capacity following prolonged exposure to high CO2 and diminution of positive growth responses when soil nutrients, particularly N, are limiting. To examine the interacting effects of soil fertility and CO2 enrichment on photosynthesis and growth in trees we grew hybrid poplar (Populus × euramericana) for 158 d in the field at ambient and twice ambient CO2 and in soil with low or high N availability. We measured the timing and rate of canopy development, the seasonal dynamics of leaf level photosynthetic capacity, respiration, and N and carbohydrate concentration, and final above- and belowground dry weight. Single leaf net CO2 assimilation (A) increased at elevated CO2 over the majority of the growing season in both fertility treatments. At high fertility, the maximum size of individual leaves, total leaf number, and seasonal leaf area duration (LAD) also increased at elevated CO2 , leading to a 49% increase in total dry weight. In contrast, at low fertility leaf area growth was unaffected by CO2 treatment. Total dry weight nonetheless increased 25% due to CO2 effects on A. Photosynthetic capacity (A at constant internal p(CO2 ), ((C1 )) was reduced in high CO2 plants after 100 d growth at low fertility and 135 d growth at high fertility. Analysis of A responses to changing C1 indicated that this negative adjustment of photosynthesis was due to a reduction in the maximum rate of CO2 fixation by Rubisco. Maximum rate of electron transport and phosphate regeneration capacity were either unaffected or declined at elevated CO2 . Carbon dioxide effects on leaf respiration were most pronounced at high fertility, with increased respiration mid-season and no change (area basis) or reduced (mass basis) respiration late-season in elevated compared to ambient CO2 plants. This temporal variation correlated with changes in leaf N concentration and leaf mass per area. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering both structural and physiological pathways of net C gain in predicting tree responses to rising CO2 under conditions of suboptimal soil fertility.
Skin permeability of the amphibious mangrove rivulus Kryptolebias marmoratus in response to emersion

Skin permeability of the amphibious mangrove rivulus Kryptolebias marmoratus in response to emersion Quentin Heffell Advisor: University of Guelph 2016 Dr. Patricia Wright The skin of the amphibious fishes is known to be a physiologically important tissue for maintaining homeostasis during emersion. I tested the hypothesis that skin permeability would be altered to maintain water balance during salinity acclimation and/or emersion. Osmotic permeability of the skin was assessed using H2O fluxes, and bulk osmotic flow was quantified using a novel dye-dilution technique. No regional variability between the dorsal and ventral skin region was found, although fish more often positioned themselves on the ventral surface when emersed. Hypersaline acclimation resulted in a decrease in H2O influx across the skin relative to hyposaline acclimation. Acute emersion (1 day) induced a decrease in bulk osmotic water loss in hypersaline-acclimated fish, whereas prolonged emersion (7 days) resulted in an increase in H2O influx. These findings suggest that K. marmoratus alter skin permeability to maximize water uptake and minimize water loss while emersed in hypersaline conditions.
INACTIVATION OF ENDOTOXIN BY A HUMORAL COMPONENT

A humoral substance which inactivates endotoxin in vitro has been shown to be clearly distinguishable from complement, properdin, and specific antibody. For the present, it is designated "endotoxin-detoxifying component" or EDC. Animal species could be grouped in three categories with regard to the EDC activity of their sera; rat serum was highly potent; chimpanzee, dog, horse, and guinea pig sera were much less active; mouse, rabbit, and sheep sera exhibited no activity. The EDC potency of human sera varied widely, ranging from high to barely discernible activity. In contrast to the variations of EDC potency in serum, citrated plasma from all species manifested high potency of about the same magnitude. The influence of time, temperature, pH, and concentration of reactants on the inactivation of endotoxin by EDC was examined. EDC activity in plasma and serum was found to be labile to beating at 56°C. for 1 hour. Bacterial endotoxins, derived by different isolation procedures from smooth and rough Gram-negative species, varied considerably in susceptibility to EDC action.
Produção agroecológica de mudas e desenvolvimento a campo de couve-chinesa

The research was carried out in two stages: the production of seedlings of chinese cabbage in trays with subsequent transplantation for the field, aiming to evaluate the performance of different substrates on the culture development. For this reason it was determined, both at the stage of formation of the seedlings, as in adult plants the length of the aerial part, number of leaves, root length, dry mass of the aerial part, root dry mass and diameter of the root collar. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment with the following treatments: T0 Plantmax substrate® (HA); T1: 100% compound; T2: 95% compost + 2.5% sand + 2.5% rock powder; T3: 90% compost + 3% sand + 7% powdered rock and T4: 85% compost + 6% sand + 9% rock powder. In the production of seedlings, the organic substrates formulated with 100% and 85% compound, had better results, the 15 and 28, respectively. The results of field have shown that the addition of rock powder is a determinant factor in the performance of seedlings, with the best results in the plots cultivated with seedlings obtained in the substrates formulated with 7 and 9% of basalt powder.
Distinctive identification of Cladosporium sphaerospermum and Cladosporium halotolerans based on physiological methods

Abstract We aimed to detect physiological characteristics that clearly varied among the closely‐related Cladosporium sphaerospermum‐like species. We isolated the fungi identified as C. sphaerospermum s.l. based on traditional morphological criteria from various locations and substrata, and redefined this initial identification by the molecular phylogenetic methods. The isolates were identified as only C. sphaerospermum and C. halotolerans. We analyzed the substrate‐utilization of 95 carbon sources using the Biolog system and made statistical comparisons of isolates by their abilities to grow at different osmolarities. The substrate‐utilization patterns separated the isolates into two groups corresponding to the molecular data, and the osmotolerance was different between the species. We first showed that C. sphaerospermum and C. halotolerans were diverse not only at the molecular level but also at the ecological and the physiological levels, by analyzing substrate‐utilization patterns and osmotolerance. Furthermore, we showed the potential utility of the Biolog system for discriminating among closely‐related fugal species.
Population status and structure of mountain nyala in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

The study on the population status and structure of mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) was carried out in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia during the wet and dry seasons of 2000/2001. Total counts were carried out in an area of 13.1 km2. The count ranged between 682 and 732 individuals. Females comprised 62.9% while males 27.4%. The calf ratio was 9.7%. The group structure of the animals varied with season. Large herds were frequently observed during the wet season and smaller groups during the dry season. Group size changed seasonally. In both seasons, 7–12 individuals were the frequent group size formation. The maximum group (62) was observed during the wet season. The population trend of the animal from 1975 to 1990 indicated a recovery and increase. But between 1990 and 1995 the population showed a continuous and steep decline. However, between 1995 and 2000 the population trend showed a better condition when compared with the previous years.
Carbon burial by shallow lakes on the Yangtze floodplain and its relevance to regional carbon sequestration

Floodplain lakes may play an important role in the cycling of organic matter at the landscape scale. For those lakes on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze (MLY) floodplain which are subjected to intense anthropogenic disturbance, carbon burial rates should, theoretically, be substantial due to the high nutrient input, increased primary production and high sediment accumulation rates. There are more than 600 lakes >1 km2 on the Yangtze floodplain including 18 lakes >100 km2 and most are shallow and eutrophic. 210Pb‐dated cores were combined with total organic carbon (TOC) analyses to determine annual C accumulation rates (C AR; g C m−2 yr−1) and the total C stock (since ~1850). The sediment TOC content is relatively low with an average <2% in most lakes. C AR ranged from ~5 to 373 g C m−2 yr−1, resulting in C standing stocks of 0.60–15.3 kg C m−2 (mean: ~5 kg C m−2) since ~1850. A multicore study of Chaohu lake (770 km2) indicated that spatial variability of C burial was not a significant problem for regional upscaling. The possible effect of changes in lake size and catchment land use on C burial was examined at Taibai lake and indicated that lake shrinkage and declining arable agriculture had limited effects on C AR. The organic C standing stock in individual lakes is, however, significantly dependent on lake size, allowing a simple linear scaling for all the MLY lakes. Total regional C sequestration was ~80 Tg C since ~1850, equivalent to ~11% of C sequestration by soils, but in ~3% of the land area. Shallow lakes from MLY are a substantial regional C sink, although strong mineralization occurs due to their shallow nature and their role as C sinks is threatened due to lake drainage.
Tropical Dry Forests of Venezuela: Characterization and Current Conservation Status 1

Tropical dry forests are located predominantly in the northern portion of Venezuela, above 6°N. Although their potential extent covers ca 400,000 km2 (44% of the land), they currently occupy about 10 percent of this area. The diversity and complexity of Venezuelan dry forests increases from north to south along a gradient of decreasing severity of the dry season. A typical dry forest in Venezuela presents ca 110–170 species of plants from ca 40 to 50 families within an area of approximately 10 ha. Species composition and forest structure, however, are dependent on local landscape conditions (e.g., soil type, topography), and nearby forest types can be very different. Our analysis of five dry forest variants showed a maximum family similarity of 67 percent, although most values fell in the 50–60 percent interval. They are currently considered as one of Venezuela's most threatened ecosystems, but only 5 percent of extant dry forests are included in protected areas; this represents 0.5 percent of their potential extent. It is fundamental to promote the creation of at least 3 or 4 more large protected areas (ca 5000 ha), with different climatic and orographic characteristics, in combination with the recovery of threatened species, the restoration of degraded systems, and the implementation of sustainable development projects. Their apparent high resilience suggests that with the proper management we can restore and maintain the integrity of Venezuelan dry forests.
Massachusetts

Tufts University is expanding its efforts to address student mental health. The university is joining JED Campus, a program that helps campuses evaluate and enhance their mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention activities. In addition to its on-campus counseling and mental health services, Tufts now offers stress reduction programs and telehealth resources that provide therapy by phone, chat, and video. This month, the university’s Mental Health Task Force plans to release the results of a study evaluating how effectively Tufts is addressing student needs. “We have made mental health a priority at Tufts in recognition of the importance of meeting our students’ needs, fostering resilience, and creating a healthy and supportive community,” said Tufts President Anthony P. Monaco.
Effects of fungal parasites on cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae Woll.) from naturally infested soil : a scanning electron microscopy study

The effects of fungal endoparasites, attacking the eggs of the cereal cyst nematode Heterodera avenae, and details of the infection process were studied by low-temperature scanning electron microscopy. Some female nematodes, even young ones containing no eggs, were colonized by fungi. Spores and hyphae similar to those of Nematophthora gynophila were found in infected specimens. Fungi colonized both roots and nematodes. In early stages of infection, fungi developed within the female nematode between the organs, presumably using the female's body as a food source. In some immature females, the fungi appeared to have destroyed the uterus. In old females, appressoria of Verticillium spp. , including V. chlamydosporium, penetrated the eggs they contained and progressively destroyed their contents until the egg shell was filled with hyphae and spores. Only rarely were second-stage juveniles within eggs infected by these fungi. Fungal infection of eggs, which arrests their development at an early stage, therefor.
Pollen-mediated gene flow in a small, fragmented natural population of Fagus crenata

Pollen-mediated gene flow was analyzed in a small, fragmented, natural population of Fagus crenata Blume by surveying five microsatellite markers in seedlings derived from open-pollinated crosses. Paternity of 162 seedlings derived from two maternal trees was assigned by the maximum-likelihood method using CERVUS 2.0, and pollen dispersal patterns within the study site were determined. Most of the trees within the site sired seeds, although we found evidence of limited pollen-mediated gene flow from outside the stand; 92% of the matings that generated the seedlings occurred between trees within the population, and 8% of the matings were mediated by pollen derived from trees located outside the study site. Although the pollen-mediated gene flow within the site was not strongly limited, mating frequencies of paternal trees were found to be weakly negatively correlated with their distance from the mother trees, positively correlated with their stem diameter at breast height, and uncorrelated with their relat.