Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Locomotor activity and food consumption by the lobster Homarus gammarus

Locomotor activity and food consumption by male, unberried and berried female lobsters were recorded for five‐day periods during 16 months. Annual average locomotor activity was similar in all three categories, but food consumption was in the ratio of 3 (males): 2 (unberried females): 1 (berried females). Since lobsters are caught in baited traps, this result suggests that, in a commercially exploited population with a 1:1 sex ratio, fishing mortality is likely to be in the ratio of 2 males:1 (females). The time when a female lobster hatches her eggs and the time of her peak of locomotor activity were simultaneously recorded; both were found to occur after sunset and at about the same time. The proportion of locomotor activity occurring at night was found to vary. All categories of lobsters were most nocturnally active around the spring equinox and least so around the summer solstice.
The effect of whey protein concentrates and hydrocolloids on the texture and colour characteristics of chicken sausages

Summary The effects of fat reduction by increasing water content and the addition of whey protein and hydrocolloids on the instrumental texture profile, microstructure and water holding capacity of low-fat chicken sausages were analysed. Low-fat sausages were prepared with fresh breast chicken meat; in all formulations, a 3:7 ratio guar/xanthan gum was used. A factorial design with three levels of added fat (0%, 1.98% and 4.96%), two levels of whey protein concentrate (0.64% and 1.94%), and two levels of the hydrocolloids (0.13% and 0.32%) was applied. Samples were heat-processed (73 °C final internal temperature) and, after cooling, chemical composition of the sausages was determined and scanning electron microscopic images were obtained. Colour was measured with a tristimulus reflectance colorimeter. Texture profile analysis of sausages was performed and the results were related to sample formulations. Extra-lean products with a fat content lower than 0.5 g/100 g product showed very good quality attributes determined by a sensory panel.
Development of two multiplex PCR assays targeting improvement of bread-making and noodle qualities in common wheat

Wheat quality properties are genetically determined by the compositions of high and low molecular weight glutenin subunits, grain hardness, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and starch viscosity. Two multiplex PCR assays were developed and validated using 70 cultivars and advanced lines from Chinese autumn-sown wheat regions. Multiplex PCR I includes molecular markers for genes/loci ω-secalin, Glu-B1-2a (By8), Glu-D1-1d (Dx5), Glu-A3d, Glu-B3 (for non-1B·1R type) and Pinb-D1b targeting improved gluten parameters and pan bread quality. Multiplex PCR II comprises markers for genes/loci Ppo-A1, Ppo-D1 and Wx-B1b targeting improved noodle quality. The results were consistent with those achieved by SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC, indicating that the two multiplex assays were highly effective, with good repeatability and low costs enabling their use in wheat breeding programmes. In total, nine alleles (subunits) at locus Glu-B1, four at Glu-D1 and five at Glu-A3 locus were identified, and the alleles (subunits) Glu-B1b (7 + 8), Glu-B1c (7 + 9), Glu-D1a (2 + 12), Glu-D1d (5 + 10), Glu-A3a, Glu-A3c and Glu-A3d were most frequently present in the cultivars and lines tested. The 1B·1R translocation was present in 28 (40.0%) lines, whereas the Wx-B1 null allele for better noodle quality was present in only seven (10.0%) cultivars and advanced lines, and 37 (52.9%) lines had Pinb-D1b associated with hard grains. The allele Ppo-A1b on chromosome 2AL associated with lower PPO activity was present in 38 (54.3%) genotypes, whereas the less effective allele Ppo-D1a on chromosome 2DL, also associated with low PPO activity was present in 45 (64.3%) of genotypes. These two multiplex PCR assays should be effective in marker assisted selection targeting improved pan bread-making and noodle qualities.
Comparative effects of different smoke treatments on germination of Australian native plants

This study consists of a series of investigations designed to determine the potential of concentrated smoke products to stimulate seed germination and assist in the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. Aerosol smoke and conventional smoke water products are not practical for use in broad-scale seed bank regeneration programmes due to infrastructure limitations and the high rate of application required for their use. Concentrated smoke products have been found to be effective in stimulating soil seed banks and are suitable for broad-scale use due to the lower rate of application required to elicit germination within smoke-responsive species. The use of concentrated smoke products on undisturbed soil seed banks at 50 and 100 mL m -2 increased total seedling numbers 10-fold, while species richness more than doubled over untreated controls. Although aerosol smoke applied directly to soil promoted 10 times more seedlings compared to concentrated smoke products, species richness levels in each treatment were similar. Concentrated smoke products cause leaf scorch when applied directly over plants in active growth, with limited to nil damage when plants are not actively growing. The affected plants generally recovered following application of concentrated smoke products as a foliar spray.
Probability of germination after heat treatment of native Spanish pines

Les pins espagnols montrent un haut degre de resilience aux feux frequents. Pour cette raison, ils ont ete consideres comme des pyrophytes actifs. Cependant, l'evidence premiere de la reponse au feu de certaines des sept especes de pins espagnols suggere qu'elles ne sont pas de reelles pyrophytes car aucune augmentation de germination n'a ete observee. Afin de connaitre la reponse a la germination des graines apres chauffage, des graines furent exposees a differents traitements de gradients de temperature (50 °C a 130 °C) et de duree (1 min a 15 min) afin de simuler la reponse a differents regimes de situation de feu. La probabilite de germination apres chauffage a ete modelisee au moyen de regressions multiples logistiques utilisant la temperature, la duree d'exposition et leur interaction comme variables predictives. De tres bons modeles predictifs ont ete etablis pour tous les pins, excepte pour Pinus pinea. Les graines germent deja sans traitement, perdent rapidement leur capacite germinative et montrent une faible protection au feu. Les resultats suggerent que, en depit du fait que tous ces pins soient localises dans un environnement propice a l'incendie, il est clair que leur comportement germinatif n'a pas uniquement evolue en relation avec les feux. En outre, le comportement des graines n'est pas relie au syndrome general decrit comme typique de l'evolution des plantes sous l'influence du feu. Alors que la plupart des semenciers mediterraneens basent leur efficiente regeneration apres passage du feu sur l'existence de graines a teguments epais, la plupart des pins mediterraneens ont etabli d'autres strategies avec des variantes reliees a une production prolifique de graines. Apres incendie, seule la regeneration de P. pinea depend de l'existence de graines resistantes au feu et avec des teguments epais.
Sweet Corn Cultivar Sensitivity to Bentazon1

Five sweet corn cultivars were evaluated for tolerance to bentazon in five field experiments conducted during 2 yr in Ontario. Bentazon was applied postemergence (POST) at 1.08 and 2.16 kg ai/ha, the highest registered rate and twice the highest registered rate, respectively, used in sweet corn in Ontario. When bentazon was applied POST at 1.08 and 2.16 kg/ha to sweet corn cultivar ‘DelMonte 2038’, injury included plant stunting and leaf damage ranging from 6 to 69% and 15 to 90%, respectively. Plant height was reduced to 48 and 100% of the untreated check when treated with bentazon at 1.08 and 2.16 kg/ha, respectively. The visual injury and height reductions were reflected in the marketable yields, which were reduced to 94% when treated with bentazon. Significant reductions in height and marketable yield were not observed in the other four cultivars tested. No correlation was observed between bentazon sensitivity and endosperm genotype. Based on visual injury ratings, sweet corn height, and marketable yield, it was concluded that ‘Calico Belle’, ‘GH 2684’, ‘Reveille’, and ‘Rival’ are tolerant to POST application of bentazon. Nomenclature: Bentazon; sweet corn, Zea mays L. ‘Calico Belle’, ‘DelMonte 2038’, ‘GH 2684’, ‘Reveille’, ‘Rival’. Additional index words: Cultivar tolerance, herbicide injury, photosystem II–inhibiting herbicide. Abbreviations: DAT, days after treatment; POST, postemergence.
Effect of soaking in sodium bicarbonate solution followed by autoclaving on the nutritional and antinutritional properties of velvet bean seeds.

In the present study, the effect of soaking in sodium bicarbonate solution + autoclaving treatment on the levels of nutritional and antinutritional constituents of seeds of a South Indian underutilized food legume, velvet bean (VB) (Mucuna pruriens [L.] DC. var. utilis [Wall. ex Wight] Baker ex Burck) was investigated. This treatment was found to cause a significant reduction on the levels of various antinutritional compounds such as total free phenolics (82–83%), tannins (74–84%), L-Dopa (83–85%), phytic acid (75–78%), oligosaccharides such as raffinose (76–82%), stachyose (77%) and verbascose (75–76%), hemagglutinating activity (71–75%), trypsin inhibitor activity (81–82%), and α-amylase inhibitor activity (82–84%) of both white and black accessions of VB seeds without affecting their nutritional quality. It also resulted in significant improvement on the in vitro protein digestibility (18.7–20.1%) of VB seeds. Adoption of such viable processing method will enhance the utilization of VB seeds as an alternative/additional protein source for both human beings and animals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The seeds of velvet bean (VB) (Mucuna pruriens[L.] DC. var. utilis[Wall. ex Wight] Baker ex Burck), a South Indian underutilized food legume was reported to contain higher level of protein and other nutrients. But their utilization as food/feed remains little mainly because of the presence of high concentration of various antinutritional compounds. In the present study, the effect of soaking the VB seeds in sodium bicarbonate solution + autoclaving treatment on the nutritional value and antinutritional constituents of VB seeds were investigated. This treatment resulted in the maximum reduction of various antinutritional substances and the significant improvement on the protein digestibility of both white and black VB seeds without affecting their nutritional quality. Hence, such viable cost-effective processing method could be recommended for the effective utilization of VB seeds as an alternative/additional protein source in the diet of livestock animals.
Correlation and path coefficient analysis in pointed gourd

Correlation studies in 25 genotypes of pointed gourd revealed that fruit yield had a positive correlation with vines per plant and fruits per plant. In general, genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients suggesting that the environmental influence reduces the relationship between yield and yield contributing characters of pointed gourd. Path coefficient analysis showed that fruits per plant had direct positive effects on fruit yield. This indicates that this character was the major contributor to fruit yield. Therefore, maximum weightage should be given to this character for improvement of yield in pointed gourd. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 32(2) 2007: 261-268.
Temperature Adaptations in Amphibians

Past studies of ecogeographic character variations have failed to provide a quantitative relationship between the character being measured and the environmental parameter which impinges upon that character. We offer an example in amphibians directly relating a character variation, the range of temperature tolerance, and the critical environmental parameter for that character, the environmental temperature variation. In this example, the range of temperature tolerance is closely related to the environmental temperature variations. Where the environmental temperature variation increases so does the range of temperature tolerance. In addition, where environmental temperatures decrease, the capacity to tolerate such temperatures is lost. These data are consistent with the thesis that congeneric and conspecific populations in different habitats have partially independent evolutionary pathways and that where populations have been displaced from a less to a more uniform environment, characters which are no longer maintained by selection pressure are lost.
Mid infrared digital holography and terahertz imaging

Mid IR and Far IR (THz) regions have been attracting a continuously growing interest, especially for imaging applications. Mid IR imaging systems are widespread in the military, security and medical fields and are, consequently, in continuous development. Even greater expectation is placed on THz imaging techniques, because of the well-known capacity of THz radiation to penetrate many common materials and to provide important spectroscopic information about various strategic stuffs. In this scenario Digital Holography, a quite recent interferometric imaging technique, is proving to be mature enough to play a key role among the other imaging techniques, both in the Mid IR and in the Far IR.
No evidence of juvenile body mass affecting dispersal in male red deer

Dispersal is an important mechanism in population dynamics with a sparse empirical basis. Environmental causes of dispersal may work directly or indirectly. In a population with documented negative density-dependent male dispersal, we investigated if the effect of density on dispersal was indirectly mediated through body mass. We analysed the probability of dispersal in 170 juvenile red deer males in Snillfjord municipality, Norway, during a 20-year period of rapid population growth (1977–1997). Body mass and dispersal propensity were not related. Thus, changes in population density act directly on dispersal and are not affected by body mass. Body mass-dependent dispersal occurs in species with strong antagonistic interactions and a high cost of dispersal. Our result suggests that the cost of dispersal in male red deer is low in terms of energy expenditure and survival. We conclude that the effect of body mass on dispersal is likely to vary with mating system and cost of dispersal.
Responses in gilt post-farrowing traits and pre-weaning piglet growth to divergent selection for components of efficient lean growth rate

Responses in sow traits at farrowing and during lactation and in pre-weaning piglet growth rate were determined in a population of Large White pigs, after seven generations of divergent selection for components of efficient lean growth rate. Information on the factors influencing preweaning piglet growth rate is required for a comprehensive evaluation of alternative selection strategies.There were four selection groups: daily food intake (DFI), lean food conversion (LFC), lean growth rate (LGA) on ad-libitum feeding and lean growth rate on scale feeding (LGS). There were 242 gilts in the study, with 20 gilts in the high, low and control lines of each selection group. Pigs in the ad-libitum selection groups were performance tested over a fixed weight range of 30 to 85 kg. Pigs fed on scale feeding were performance tested for a fixed time period of 84 days from 30 kg with food intake equal to 0.75 g/g of daily ad-libitum food intake. Matings were unsupervised and took place in outside paddocks.
Secretions of Dufour's Gland in Some Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The ant Pachycondyla sennaarensis (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae) is a small dark ant, a recent accidental introduction into Saudi Arabia. It tends to be found in or near human habitations, and it is particularly unpleasant because its sting can cause severe reaction in some individuals, and there are reports of fatal effects. Analysis of the poison apparatus of P. sennaarensis, locally known as the samsum ant, and comparison with two other native small black ants, Messor meridionalis and M. foreli (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), have shown distinct differences in the materials in their Dufour glands and clearly distinguish P. sennaarensis from the two Messor species. Pachycondyla sennaarensis showed only hydrocarbons in its Dufour gland dominated by nonadecene, nonadecane and heneicosane. The powerful venom revealed no volatile compounds. The Dufour glands of M. meridionale and M. foreli had characteristic mixtures of hydrocarbons, but no venom gland volatile compounds. Pentadecane and hepadecane were the major compounds of the gland in M. meridionalis while nonadecane and heneicosane were the major in M. foreli.
MORPHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE SHEDDING OF SURFACE LAYERS FROM PEANUT ROOTS

Epidermal cells and cells originating in the outer cortex form the surface layers of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) roots, the outermost of which separate and shed from the periphery. Shedding takes place continuously and over the whole surface of the root. Light and electron microscopic studies revealed that the shedding of surface layers involves modification of cell walls and separation of intact cells. Wall breakdown, as well as the expansion of cells resulting from wall breakdown, might facilitate the separation of intact cells. Examination of enzymes revealed that cellulase showed much higher activity in the shedding layers than in the remaining tissues. The results suggest that the cell separation process in peanut roots involves a wall-degrading enzyme-mediated mechanism. Key words: Arachis hypogaea, morphology, root, shedding, surface layers, wall breakdown.
Environmental requirements for three sea pen species: relevance to distribution and conservation

The aim is to determine the environmental requirements, estimate the extent of suitable habitat for three sea pen species, and assess the implications for marine protected areas (MPAs). The sea pen Funiculina quadrangularis and the habitat associated with two further sea pen species, Virgularia mirabilis and Pennatula phosphorea, are of key conservation importance and are recommended for protection within MPAs. This study models their potential distributions using the MAXimum ENTropy algorithm and assesses these in relation to five possible marine protected areas (pMPAs) proposed for Scottish waters. Metrics relevant to assessing the efficacy of MPAs are also presented. Four environmental variables of prime importance for predicting the presence of all three species of sea pen were identified: mud, minimum salinity, depth, and gravel. The habitat suitability index increased with mud content. The modelled distribution of F. quadrangularis indicated a deeper distribution than V. mirabilis or P. phosphorea and was not present in sediment with gravel content above 30%. Pennatula phosphorea had the smallest area of suitable habitat, while V. mirabilis had the largest. The percentage predicted suitable area for each species that was encompassed by the five pMPAs ranged from 11% for F. quadrangularis to 15% for P. phosphorea. Some of the largest areas predicted as suitable for F. quadrangularis lay outside the pMPAs. The model results indicated differences in the environmental requirements of the three species of sea pen that can be linked to the autecology of each species. Patch sizes, calculated from a binary output of the model, were used to estimate the degree of habitat fragmentation, thereby giving a partial assessment of the adequacy criterion for these pMPAs. The results suggest that potential MPAs within the study area cover sizeable areas of potential sea pen habitat. However, further areas suitable for F. quadrangularis could be considered.
Effect of an aqueous Russian tarragon extract on glucose tolerance in response to an oral dextrose load in non-diabetic men

correspondence: richard J Bloomer cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Laboratory, 161F roane Field house, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA Tel +1 901-678-4341 Fax +1 901-678-3591 email rbloomer@memphis.edu Background: Russian tarragon extracts have been reported to have anti-diabetic activity in animals. This pilot study aimed to investigate the acute effects of an aqueous extract of Russian tarragon (RT) on serum glucose and insulin in response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Methods: Using a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design, 12 non-diabetic men reported to the lab on 2 different mornings separated by 1 to 2 weeks, and ingested 75 g of dextrose in solution. Fifteen minutes before ingestion, subjects ingested either 2 g of RT or a placebo. Blood samples were collected before ingestion of the RT and placebo, and at 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 minutes post ingestion of the dextrose load. Samples were assayed for serum glucose and insulin. Results: For serum glucose, no condition (P = 0.19) or condition × time (P = 0.99) effect was noted. A time effect was noted (P , 0.0001), with values at 15 and 30 minutes higher than pre-ingestion (P , 0.05). No area under the curve (AUC) effect (P = 0.54) was noted, although a 4.5% reduction in AUC was observed for RT (569 ± 92 mg ⋅ dL−1 ⋅ 75 min−1) vs placebo (596 ± 123 mg ⋅ dL−1 ⋅ 75 min−1). Similar findings were noted for serum insulin, with no condition (P = 0.24) or condition × time (P = 0.98) effect noted. A time effect was noted (P , 0.0001), with values at 15, 30, and 45 minutes higher than pre-ingestion (P , 0.05). No AUC effect (P = 0.53) was noted, although a 17.4% reduction in AUC was observed for RT (114 ± 22 μIU ⋅ mL−1 ⋅ 75 min−1) vs placebo (138 ± 30 μIU ⋅ mL−1 ⋅ 75 min−1). Approximately two-thirds of subjects ingesting the RT experienced attenuation in both the glucose and insulin response to the OGTT. Conclusion: These data indicate that acute ingestion of RT results in a slight, non-statistically significant lowering of blood glucose in response to a dextrose load. This occurs in the presence of a slightly lower insulin response. These findings are specific to a small sample of healthy, non-diabetic men. Additional study is needed involving a larger sample of individuals with pre-diabetes or untreated diabetes.
Nitrogen metabolism, rumen fermentation, and water absorption in red deer, goats, and sheep

Abstract Comparisons between species and seasons in nitrogen (N) retention, rumen ammonia concentration, rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) proportions, and water flows along the digestive tract were measured with red deer, goats, and sheep fed a chaffed lucerne hay diet ad libitum. Measurements were made in summer (S) and winter (W). Rumen ammonia kinetics were measured in the three species during W only using continuous infusions of 15N. Red deer showed greater N retention in S than in W (P 0.05) in N retention, with sheep being intermediate. Sheep and goats showed no (P > 0.05) seasonal differences in rumen ammonia (NH3-N) concentration (158–181 mg N/litre), whereas deer showed an increase from W to S (110 versus 172 mg N/litre; P sheep > deer. Sheep showed no seasonal differences in rumen VFA patterns, whereas both deer (P < 0.05) and .