Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal colour change by moult or by the abrasion of feather tips: a comparative study

Many birds undergo seasonal changes in plumage coloration by prebreeding moult, abrasion of cryptic feather tips, or both. Seasonal dichromatism is thought to result from optimizing coloration to the conflicting demands of different life-cycle periods, sexual selection for conspicuousness being substantial during the mating season, whereas selection for camouflage and for social signals may act in all seasons. Furthermore, energetic and time demands may constrain the extent of moult, thereby limiting colour change. We investigated the relative importance of several factors in shaping this variation in a songbird clade using phylogenetic comparative methods. We found that prebreeding moult relates most strongly to breeding onset and winter diet, demonstrating that both time and food availability constrain feather replacement. Feather abrasion was best predicted by winter flocking behaviour, and secondarily by open habitats, implying that exposure to predators and the simultaneous need for social signalling may favour the expression of partially obscured ornaments in the non-breeding season. The combined occurrence of prebreeding moult and feather abrasion was associated with the polygynous mating system, suggesting that species under strong sexual selection may employ both strategies of colour change to ensure the full expression of breeding coloration. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 94, 711–721.
Characterisation of critical interactions between translation factors eIF2 and eIF2B

Eukaryotic translation initiation is a complex and highly regulated process involving the ribosome, mRNA and proteins called eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs). The overall aim of translation initiation is to position the ribosome at the initiation codon of the mRNA. eIF2, in its GTP-bound conformation, binds the initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAiMet) and delivers it to the 40S ribosomal subunit. When the anticodon of the tRNA is bound to the initiation codon, the GTP on eIF2 is hydrolysed to GDP. The guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) eIF2B regenerates eIF2-GTP. eIF2 and eIF2B are multisubunit/multidomain protein complexes. Because information regarding the interface between each complex is limited, particularly the interface on the eIF2? subunit, which binds the guanine-nucleotides and Met-tRNAiMet, interactions between the minimal GEF domain of eIF2B? , ? GEF, and eIF2 were mapped using mutagenesis and an in vitro cysteine cross-linking approach, with the cross-linker Mts-Atf-Biotin.Site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) was used to mutate five N-terminal and five C-terminal surface-exposed ? GEF residues to cysteines. The mutant alleles were analysed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and it was found that the gcd6-R574C allele was lethal and the gcd6-T572C was Gcd-. Further gcd6-R574 mutant alleles were also found to be lethal in yeast but expressed in vivo. GEF-R574C has dramatically reduced GEF activity in vitro and binding assays showed that this mutant has significantly reduced affinity for eIF2. The ? GEF-T572C and ? GEF-S576C mutants also have severe and minor eIF2-binding defects respectively, while the C-terminal ? GEF-Cys mutants have slightly reduced affinity for eIF2. The N-terminal ? GEF-Cys mutants cross-link specifically to eIF2? , while the C-terminal ? GEF-Cys mutants interact predominantly with eIF2? From the data obtained in this study, we propose a new model for eIF2B-mediated guanine-nucleotide exchange that reduces the importance of eIF2? and suggests ? GEF resembles other GEFs in binding primarily to its G protein partner eIF2?
Evolutionary responses of Drosophila melanogaster to selection at different larval densities: changes in genetic variation, specialization and phenotypic plasticity

Abstract We studied the evolutionary response to novel environments by applying artificial selection for total progeny biomass in populations of Drosophila melanogaster maintained at three different larval population densities. We found the relative amount of genetic variability for characters related with biomass to be lower and the correlation between them more negative at the intermediate density, and that selection resulted in changes in phenotypic plasticity and in patterns of resource allocation between traits. We found some evidence for tradeoffs between densities, which suggests that populations living at heterogeneous densities might be subject to disruptive selection. Our results show that adaptation to new environments may be a complex process, involving not only changes in trait means, but also in correlations between traits and between environments.
A survey of the emesine assassin bugs of the tribes Collartidini, Leistarchini, Emesini, and Metapterini of Taiwan (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Reduviidae)

Thread-legged assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) belonging to the tribes Collartidini, Leistarchini, Emesini, and Metapterini of Taiwan are surveyed. Eight genera and thirteen species are recognized, four species are described as new. Collartidini (represented by the genus Collartida Villers, 1949) is recorded for the first time not only from Taiwan but from Southeast Asia as well. Ploiaria ryukyuana Ishikawa & Tomokuni, 2002, Gardena albiannulata Ishikawa, 2005, and Stenolemus crassirostris Stal, 1871 are recorded for the first time from Taiwan. The species Collartida peregrina sp. n. , Bagauda zigzag sp. n. , Ploiaria huangorum sp. n. , and Stenolemus alikakay sp. n. are described as new. Identification keys to the species of the above tribes occurring in Taiwan are presented, and their zoogeography is briefly discussed. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantitative aspects of plant-insect interactions in fragmented landscapes : the role of insect search behavior

Insects searching for host plants in the landscape are challenged by habitat fragmentation and heterogeneity. Host plants or habitat are usually distributed in scattered patches that may differ in size, shape and isolation. The ability of finding these patches strongly depends on the insect´s search behavior and the sensory cues used for detecting and locating patches. Here, I describe sensory systems of insects, such as vision, olfaction and taste, in relation to host plant search. I discuss quantitative patterns of insect distributions and density-area relations arising from search behavior. Migration pattern may be strongly affected by the cue used by the insect in the patch detection process. The relation between visual cues and patch size is well known, but we lack knowledge about how olfactory cues are connected to patch size. Since search behavior affects the spatial distribution of insects, I briefly describe consequences for host plants. Finally, I describe the main objectives of my PhD-project.
Markups and Productivity under Heterogeneous Financial Frictions

We incorporate heterogeneous financial frictions in a setting of monopolistically competitive firms with endogenous markups. Before producing, firms must pledge collateral to obtain a bank loan, needed to cover part of production costs. Firms differ both in productivity and in their cost of raising collateral. Firm-specic financial frictions, together with productivity, therefore figure in the equilibrium expressions of prices and markups. We validate our theoretical results on a representative sample of European manufacturing firms surveyed during the financial crisis. Guided by our model we retrieve from balance-sheet data firm-specic measures of access to finance, total factor productivity and markups, and then use these variables to estimate our equilibrium equations structurally. Consistent with our model, we show how heterogeneity in access to finance explains part of the dispersion of prices and markups, even after controlling for firms' productivity and size. In the aggregate industry equilibrium, the amount of collateral required by banks significantly affects the cost pass-through to prices.
Utilisation de la teneur en urée du lait comme indicateur de la nutrition protéique et des rejets azotés chez la vache laitière

L'uree constitue le principal metabolite issu du catabolisme proteique d'un ruminant. Sa concentration depend principalement de la quantite formee mais aussi de sa vitesse d'excretion urinaire. Elle peut etre un index interessant de la nutrition proteique et des rejets azotes. Pour mieux interpreter les teneurs en uree du lait du matin, un recapitulatif de 11 essais d'alimentation sur vaches laitieres recevant des rations a base d'ensilage de mais a ete realise. La teneur en uree est bien expliquee par le bilan proteique de la vache (ANIM = apports - besoins PDI), l'equilibre en azote degradable dans le rumen (RUMEN = apports PDIN-PDIE) et la production laitiere L): UREE = 10,9 + 0,028 ANIM + 0,039 RUMEN + 0,37 PL (R 2 = 0,73, Etr = 3,2, n = 127). De meme, l'uree associee a la production laitiere permet une bonne estimation des rejets azotes urinaires (NtU): NtU = 4,4 UREE + 1,9 PL (R 2 = 0,77, Etr = 17, n = 127). Cependant, divers facteurs de variations, comme l'individu, le stade de lactation, le regime et l'heure de prelevement peuvent faire varier de facon importante l'uremie. Ces perturbations doivent inciter a beaucoup de prudence dans l'interpretation de l'uree dans d'autres contextes (pâturage, echelle individuelle.).
Growth and Milk Yield Traits of Türkgeldi Sheep

This study was conducted from data from 3 years of research performed at the Turkgeldi State Farm in 1997-2000. A total of 1053 Turkgeldi Pro-type B1 Tahirova x Kivircik sheep including mature and young individuals were used as the study material. Litter size and fecundity were 1.42 and 1.51, respectively. The averages of birth weights and weaning weights were 3.43 and 20.04 kg, respectively. The average lactation milk yield was 100.62 kg, and the lactation period was 174.90 days. The levels of milk fat, protein, dry matter, ash and casein were 7.36%, 5.28%, 18.72%, 0.98% and 4.37%, respectively.
Morphological and Physiological Differentiation in Streptomyces

A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO STREPTOMYCES The names of many organisms reflect their special biological properties. The name Streptomyces describes a unique morphology, albeit inaccurately: The word means “chain fungus,” although streptomycetes are undoubtedly bona fide gram-positive bacteria. The branching hyphae characteristic of Streptomyces vegetative growth form a complex substrate mycelium (Fig. 1a, b) that penetrates and solubilizes organic debris, typically in soil, by the action of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. The inherent immobility of the mycelium is counterproductive to distribution, a problem solved (as in eukaryotic molds) by spore formation (Fig. 1c, d). Long chains of spores (often containing >50 spores) usually form from specialized aerial hyphae, which themselves apparently develop mainly by cannibalizing the vegetative mycelium. At this vulnerable stage in development, when the lysing mycelium might easily be consumed by invading motile microorganisms, it is not surprising to find that chemical defense mechanisms are employed. Indeed, nearly all of the thousands of known antibiotics are made by streptomycetes and molds, usually at a time coinciding with that of aerial mycelium formation. The idea has developed that genes for antibiotic production may therefore be subject to at least some of the regulatory mechanisms involved in setting off aerial mycelium formation and that studies of the one will provide information about the other. In this paper descriptions of growth and morphological differentiation (first two sections) are followed by a summary of Streptomyces genetic phenomena and tools and their use in analyzing sporulation. The section, Physiological Differentiation: Production of Secondary Metabolites deals.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN WILD ENTOURAGES AND MYCOSES, ESPECIALLY SOUTH AMERICAN BLASTOMYCOSIS.

Abstract : A search of pathogenic fungi and actinomycetes has been carried out in 118 samples of soil, plants and plant debris by direct culture and indirect culture from inoculated animals. Most of the samples were collected in zones with woods with autochtonous trees. Plant debris and specially rotted palm-trees constitute a source of pathogenic species as Nocardia asteroides, N. caviae, Phialophora verrucosa, P. pedrosoi and Sporothrix schenckii. N. asteroides was isolated from garden soil and S. schenckii from a moss. One strain of P. gougeroti or P. jeanselmei showing pathogenic effects on a bat was also isolated. Six strains of Basidiobolus ranarum and 1 of B. merisotosporus were isolated from toads and lizards. Infection by Toxoplasma gondi was evidenced in the brain of a bat: Epseticus brasiliensis. Comments are referred on ecological complexes favourishing the growth of pathogenic fungi, on the virulence of these fungi and on the importance of occupational factors. (Author)
Enhancing rice seed germinability & vigor through hydration-dehydration (HD) technique.

Seed invigoration is being utilized as a technique for enhancing quality of aged seeds. In rice, one technique involves hydrationdehydration (HD). This study was conducted to investigate the response of seeds of 4 varieties of rice (`IR64', `C4-63(G)', `Sampaguita' and Turdagol) to HD treatment which consisted of soaking seeds in water for 12 hr and air-drying overnight. Seed vigor level was determined under 2 ageing treatments: natural and artificial, the latter achieved through accelerated aging
ORAL REHABILITATION OF PATIENT WITH SICKLE CELL ANEMIA AND DENTAL ANOMALY: CASE REPORT

Sickle cell anemia patients with dental anomalies represent a difficult challenge for the prosthetic dentist. Proper treatment planning with the medical and dental management of these patients are important prerequisites for successful results. This case report describes a full-mouth rehabilitation of a sickle cell anemia patient with worn-down dentition including the treatment planning, medical consultation, correction of vertical dimensions of occlusion, preparation, and restoration with porcelain fused to metal crowns.
Comparison of Salivary PH Changes with Tap Water and Mineral Water Rinse after 50% Sucrose Solution Rinse: A Cross-Over Trial

Aim: To compare the effect on salivary pH following mouth rinse using tap water and various brands of mineral water after rinsing with 50% sucrose solution. Introduction: Oral hygiene is the primordial level of prevention of dental caries. Since mouth rinsing habit is a daily oral hygiene habit, modification with pH modifying agents can greatly help in the prevention of dental caries. Methodology: A cross-over trial was done among 60 children in the age group of 3-6 years. The salivary pH was measured at 3 intervals at baseline, after rinsing with 50% sucrose solution and after rinsing with tap water. After 30 min the similar protocol is followed for measuring pH after rinsing with mineral water. Randomisation was followed in selecting the brand of mineral water to be used. The results obtained were compared with Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test the salivary pH after tap water and mineral water rinse and with Kruskal-Wallis Test in between the three brands of mineral water. Results: There was a significant difference in salivary pH after the tap water and mineral water rinse with a higher pH after mineral water rinse. However, there was no significant difference in between the three different brands of mineral water. Conclusion: Rinsing mouth with a solution having higher alkaline pH leads to neutralization of acid production, thereby preventing the caries process.
Spontaneous variability of single isolates of Phytophthora infestans. I. Cultural variation

The variability in culture of mycelial isolates of Phytophthora infestans was studied by examining the variation among single zoospore, single sporangium, and single hyphal tip subcultures. Extensive variation in rate of growth and sporangium production on artificial medium was detected among the single zoospore progenies of three mass cultures. Differences in colony morphology and viability of zoospores were also apparent but were not studied in detail. Subcultures established by single sporangia or single hyphal tips were much more uniform than zoospore cultures, although significant differences in growth rate could still be detected. While, with continued culture, some of the single zoospore variants tended to revert to their parental type, others showed a remarkable degree of stability.Isolates established from single zoospores gave rise to as much variation in their asexual progenies as the original mass cultures. This persistence of variation was also observed with isolates whose derivation included.
The development and application of near-isogenic lines for monitoring cereal rust pathogens.

The purpose of monitoring cereal rust pathogens is to provide a basis for disease control strategies that include breeding for resistance, predicting disease response in commercial cultivars and responding to the dynamics of pathogen change. The means of achieving this vary from regular collection surveys based on assessments of sample collections in greenhouse tests, to monitoring and recording static trap plots. Factors governing the method of approach include the size of the target region, the available research resources and the experience of staff involved. This paper is a brief review of the development of near-isogenic lines as a means of monitoring cereal rust pathogens. Emphasis will be given to wheat stripe/ yellow rust and the development and application of a near-isogenic set of materials based on the spring wheat cultivar Avocet. This parent was selected because of its high degree of susceptibility to the disease, agronomic adaptability (semidwarf, spring habit, moderate vernalisation and day-length requirements), and resistance to stem rust. The relative benefits of using these materials will be discussed in the context of available data.
The effect of genotype on sensory and technological quality of beef.

Quality of meat represents one of the most important current issues in modern cattle production. It is known that breed and genetics are the most important pre-slaughter factors which influence the quality of meat. In Serbia, most of the meat that can be found on the market derives from domestic cattle of Simmental breed (80%) whose carcass and meat quality do not satisfy the demand of consumers and meat industry. Industrial crossing of Domestic Simmental breed with French fattening breeds is fast and efficient method for improvement of mentioned properties. In this paper, results of the research of sensory and technological quality of meat from Domestic Simmental cattle and its F1 crosses with Charolais and Limousin breed (N=96) are presented. Genotype significantly (p .01) influenced sensory meat properties. The best color (3.59/5) and consistency (2.84/3) was established in crosses with Limousin, whereas the most distinct marbling was determined in Domestic Simmental breed (2.80/5). Genotype had no significant effect on investigated properties of technological meat quality, except pigment content (p .01). The highest value of this trait was established in domestic breed (101.9 p.p.m.), which was in accordance with visually evaluated lighter nuances of meat color in crosses. Crosses with Limousin breed realized slightly better water holding ability (9.08 ml) and lower cooking losses (38.02) compared to other genotypes, whereas pH 24 value was statistically different (p .05) between domestic breed (5.61) and Charolais crosses (5.56). The greatest diameter of muscle tissue (62.94 μm) and the greatest shear force (8.49 kg) were determined in domestic breed. The highest protein content was established in meat from Limousin crosses (22.79%). Content of fat in meat, contrary to low evaluated marbling, was the highest in the meat of Charolais crosses (1.59%).
Forecasting of jack mackerel landings (Trachurus murphyi) in central-southern Chile through neural networks

In the present study, the performance of neuronal networks models in monthly landing forecasting of jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) in central-southern Chile (32°S–42°S) was assessed. Thus, monthly estimations for 10 environmental variables, fishing effort (fe) and jack mackerel landings for the period 1973– 2008 were used. A preliminary analysis was done in order to remove strongly correlated variables. Sea surface temperature (SST) and fe are established as input variables, then, a non-linear cross correlation analysis was performed to estimate the lag between the input variables and jack mackerel landings. Two models were adjusted: model one includes both training and testing cases randomly selected using all data involved in the analysed period; for model 2, the data is divided into two time series: the first from 1973 to 2002 used for training and the second between 2003 and 2008 used for validation. The external validation process for model 1 showed an explained variance of 92%, with a standard forecasting error of 30%. The explained variance for model 2 was 81%, with a standard forecasting error of 38%. Finally, the sensitivity analysis for both models showed the fe as the most influential variable to jack mackerel landings, which presents functionality depending on anthropogenic effects rather than environmental conditions.
Effect of protectors on the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus M92 in simulated gastrointestinal conditions.

L. acidophilus has been considered to be among the predominant lactobacilli in the intestinal tract of healthy humans. The ability of L. acidophilus to survive and retain its viability through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the main characteristics desirable for probiotic activity. The influence of mucin and dietary constituents, such as casein, whey proteins concentrate (WPC) and skim milk, on survival of L. acidophilus M92 in the simulated GI conditions, was determined. A washed cell suspension was exposed to pepsin (3g/L) and sodium chloride (5g/L) at pH = 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0, and to pancreatin (1g/L), sodium chloride (5g/L) and oxgall (1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 mg/mL) at pH = 8.0, mimicking the GI environment. Much greater tolerance to gastric and small intestinal juice was observed in the presence of mucin and milk proteins, especially with WPC. The influence of WPC, as the best protector, on the cell viability of L. acidophilus M92 in simulated gastric and small intestinal juice was confirmed by a mathematical model. Critical points, indicating GI conditions that L. acidophilus M92 can tolerate, were established. These observations showed that L. acidophilus M92 survives at pH = 1.99 in simulated gastric juice for 2 h and at 3.1 mg/mL oxgall in simulated small intestinal juice for 4 h, while in the presence of WPC it tolerates even lower pH (1.77) and higher concentration of oxgall (4.25 g/L). Furthermore, only 15 % of the L. acidophilus M92 cells survived the direct transit from simulated gastric to simulated small intestinal juice, but with added WPC, 45 % of the L. acidophilus M92 cells survived. These results suggested the addition of WPC as a protector in preparation of L. acidophilus M92 for probiotic use.
Sub chronical effects of electromagnatic field exposure of adult female rats on some hormonal, biochemical and hematological parameters.

This study was achieved on 20 mature female rat, ten of them were exposed to electromagnetic field of 104μT for 30 minutes daily for 21 days. The other ten rats served as control . Blood samples were collected from treated and control rats as well. Results revealed that there were significant. (p<0.05) decrease in progesterone, total serum protein, RBC count, PCV and Hb concentration . There were significant (p< 0.05) increase in thyroxine,T3, serum cholesterol and total WBC count. Statically magnetic field also caused an increase in estrogen but not for the significant level.