Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Metabolism of Cellulose, Glucose and Starch by the Rumen Ciliate Protozoon Eudiplodinium maggii

Washed suspensions of the rumen ciliate protozoon Eudiplodinium maggii incubated anaerobically in the presence of ampicillin utilized cellulose and to a lesser extent starch, but not soluble sugars. The protozoon incorporated 14C from 14C-labelled cellulose, glucose and starch; it synthesized protein from these compounds but only at a rate that would allow for the protozoa to divide every 8300, 1200 and 580 h, respectively, if this were the sole source of protein. These substrates were also metabolized with the production of acetic, propionic and butyric acids. Evidence is presented that 70 % of the cellulase inside the protozoa is soluble and not of bacterial origin. It had an activity of 11 to 28 pg cellulose digested h-1 protozoon-1 [0.55 to 3.3 μg cellulose digested h-1 (mg protein)-1].
Effects of logging on stream environments and faunas in Nelson

The effects of various logging practices on stream environments and faunas were studied at the Golden Downs State Forest in Nelson. Comparisons were made between the features of a control stream with an unmodified forest catchment and three streams whose catchments had been affected by different logging practices. Measurements were made of stream flow, water temperature, stream bed sedimentation, suspended sediment and dissolved solids concentrations, and the abundance of benthic invertebrates and fishes. Clearfelling to the stream's edge, together with inappropriate roading and bridging techniques, caused great changes in stream environments and faunas. Excessive amounts of waste timber and soil entered streams and stream bed loads, and suspended sediment and dissolved solid concentrations increased. In comparison to the control stream water temperatures increased in summer by up to 6.5cc and decreased in winter by as much as 2.5°c. In one stream the benthic invertebrate fauna was greatly modified; there.
Pollenivory in Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Seems to be Much More Common than It was Thought

Abstract. So far, besides some specialised Neotropical ant species of the genus Cephalotes Latr. , the Palaearctic Myrmica schencki Viereck, M. rubra (L.) and Tetramorium cf. caespitum (L.) were known to be, at least facultative, pollen-eaters. The present paper reports on nine other common Palaearctic ant species occasionally feeding on pine pollen: Myrmica ruginodis Nyl. , F. pratensis Retz. , F. cinerea Mayr, F. clara For. , F. sanguinea Latr. , F. exsecta Nyl. , Lasius niger (L.), L. platythorax Seifert, and L. fuliginosus (Latr.) and re-confirms pollenivory of M. schencki. Pollenivory of all these species was revealed based on the presence of pollen grains in the alimentary canal of the dissected workers. The possible role of pollen in the diet of ants as a generally omnivorous insect group is discussed.
Fractionation of oligosaccharides by nanofiltration

Two loose nanofiltration membranes (NF-CA-50 and NF-TFC-50) and one dense ultrafiltration membrane (UF-CA-1) were used to fractionate commercial oligosaccharide mixtures by applying diafiltration in a ‘dead-end’ filtration cell at 40 bar constant pressure with a maximum volume concentration ratio (VCR) of 6 at each fractionation. The rejections of a monosaccharide (glucose) and a disaccharide (lactose) were determined for each membrane; the results indicated that fractionation between these two sugars was possible using the two nanofiltration membranes. During the nanofiltration purification of a commercial oligosaccharide mixture, yields of 19% (w/w) for monosaccharides and 88% (w/w) for di- and oligosaccharides were obtained with the NF-TFC-50 membrane after four filtration steps, indicating that removal of the monosaccharides is possible with only minor losses of the oligosaccharide content of the mixture. The ultrafiltration membrane, at the same time, gave purification levels similar to the NF-TFC-50 membrane with fewer diafiltration steps but with higher losses of di- and oligosaccharides (12% (w/w) for monosaccharides and 53% (w/w) for di- and oligosaccharides on the third run). © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation Of Antimitotic And Anticancer Activity Of The Crude Extracts Of Pterospermum acerifolium Willd Leaves (Sterculiaceae)

Pterospermum acerifolium is used traditionally in the management of tumors. Ethanol and Water extracts showed good antimitotic activity against meristamatic cell growth. Both extracts also showed good inhibition on yeast cell growth with IC50 47.88 mg/ml and 39.15 mg/ml respectively. The mode of action of both extract with antiproliferative activity is due to fragmentation effect on DNA. Keywords : Pterospermum acerifolium , Sterculiaceae, Antimitotic activity, Allium cepa model, antiproliferative activity, DNA fragmentation assay Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 11 2007 pp. 76-79
Cytosolic Ca2+-Concentrations and Distributions in Rhizoids of Chara fragilis Desv. Determined by Ratio Analysis of the Fluorescent Probe Indo-1

Rhizoids of Charafragilis Desv. were iontophoretically loaded with the Ca2+-sensitive ratio dye indo-1. After loading, the rhizoids regained their preinjection-membrane potential within 2 to 5 min and survived the procedure for more than 24 h, but their growth in length was permanently inhibited. Microfluorimetric measurements of the indo-1 fluorescence-ratio showed spontaneous fluctuations of the cytoplasmic Ca2+-concentration, usually declining from high values after loading to 425 ± 80 nM (± SD, n = 7) as determined by in-vitro calibration. Increasing the extracellular K+-concentration (0.1 mM to 10 mM) or Ca2+-concentration (1 mM to 10 mM) led to increases of 100 to 200 nM in cytoplasmic Ca2+-concentration. The spatial distribution of cytosolic Ca2+ in the rhizoid tips was visualised in ratio images computed from low-light video-pictures. These images showed a fairly homogeneous distribution of Ca2+ throughout the tip cytoplasm with concentrations being in the same range as determined by microfluorimetry. A tip-to-base gradient in cytoplasmic Ca2+, thought to be a prerequisite for cell polarity and tip growth, was found in only 1 out of 16 successfully microinjected cells. Additionally, a progressive compartmentalization of the fluorochrome indo-1, probably in the proplastids and the very abundant endoplasmic reticulum of the rhizoids, was observed.
PREY SELECTIVITY AND SIZE-SPECIFIC DIET CHANGES IN BUFO COGNATUS AND B. WOODHOUSII DURING EARLY POSTMETAMORPHIC ONTOGENY

Ontogenetic diet shifts have been documented in many anurans (Smith and Bragg, 1949; Oplinger, 1967; Labanick, 1976; Christian, 1982; Donnelly, 1991; Lima and Moreira, 1993). These studies compared the diets of juveniles as a whole to those of adults (e.g., Livezey, 1961; Clarke, 1974a; Gittins, 1987). Diet patterns among juvenile size classes, however, have yet to be investigated. Bufonids exhibit high postmetamorphic growth rates early in ontogeny, as do other anurans (Clarke, 1974b). These differences in body size may be a means of avoiding overlap in resource use (Schoener, 1974; Toft, 1985). Hence, diet shifts associated with rapid growth during this relatively short period may be important for survival to reproductive age and may affect interactions with heteroand conspecifics (Werner and Gilliam, 1984). Discrete, size-specific diet shifts may result in selectivity for different prey among toad size classes (Werner and Gilliam, 1984). Some authors have suggested that certain Bufo feed indiscriminately (e.g., Smith and Bragg, 1949; Clarke, 1974a; Duellman and Trueb, 1986; Larsen, 1992). However, these conclusions could be an artifact of pooling size classes consisting of selective feeders into a single class for dietary analysis. Indeed, recent studies indicate that toads are selective predators (e.g., Toft, 1980, 1981). We quantified ontogenetic differences in the diets of toads over a range of sizes that occur within the first month after metamorphosis, and compared prey consumption to prey availability for several prey types consumed by juvenile toads during early ontogeny. We collected postmetamorphic, juvenile toads by hand while walking a transect 1 m from the edge of Rose Lake, a prairie-pothole marsh located approximately 5 km NE of Vermillion, Clay Co., South Dakota. We collected 36 Bufo cognatus and 14 B. woodhousii on 15 July 1992, and 20 B. woodhousii on 27 July 1993. During 1992, all breeding occurred on 15-18 May and most tadpoles of Bufo transformed around 15 June (Graves et al., 1993). The average SVL of B. woodhousii at metamorphosis in South Dakota is 10 mm (Underhill, 1960). The largest toad collected had a SVL of
Weasel Population Response, Home Range, and Predation on Rodents in a Deciduous Forest in Poland

Numerical responses of the weasel Mustela nivalis to the changes in population density of forest rodents (bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus and yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis) and predation by weasels were studied in the pristine deciduous forests of Bialowieza National Park, eastern Poland, in 1985 through 1992. The rodents experienced 5 yr of noncyclic (seasonal) fluctuations (autumn density 23-74 rodents/ha) and 2 yr of outbreak and crash (triggered by synchronous heavy crop of oak, hornbeam, and maple seeds). Autumn numbers of rodents exceeded 300 individuals/ha during the outbreak and dropped to 8 individuals/ha in the following autumn. Weasels were censused by livetrapping in summer and by snowtracking on an 11.2-km 2 grid of transects in winter. Radiotracking of 12 weasels in 1990 and 1991 yielded estimates of home ranges and daily movement distances, which were combined with snowtracking and livetrapping data to estimate densities during 7 yr. Estimated winter density of weasels varied from 5.2 to 27.3 individuals/10 km 2 in December and declined to 0-19.1 individuals/10 km 2 by early spring (March). Midsummer (July/August) indices of weasel numbers were extremely variable and corresponded to 41.9-47.6 individuals/10 km 2 in years with moderate density of rodents, 101.7 individuals/10 km 2 during the rodent outbreak and 19.1 individuals/10 km 2 during the crash. Increase of weasel numbers from spring to midsummer was positively related to the spring numbers of rodents. Autumn and winter decline of weasel numbers was not related to rodent density changes. During the outbreak and crash of the rodent population, the numbers of weasels and rodents (both sampled at 2-3 mo intervals) were positively correlated (P < 0.0005) with no time lag. Home ranges of male weasels radiotracked during the rodent outbreak were 11-37 ha (minimum convex polygon), compared to 117-216 ha during the crash year. The predator/prey ratio varied from 0 to 2.5 weasels/1000 rodents. The ratio was highest at low densities of rodents. With increasing numbers of rodents, the ratio declined, since rodent population growth was overwhelmingly faster than weasel population growth. In the 7 autumn-winter seasons (1 October-15 April), weasels removed, on average, 1.6 to 9.5 rodents from each hectare, i.e., from 2 to 28% of autumn numbers of rodents. Winter predation by weasels was heaviest at rodent density of 20 individuals/ha. At lower densities of rodents, the number of weasels was restricted by food shortage and the role of their predation rapidly declined. At high rodent densities, the rodent numbers by far exceeded the predatory capacity of weasels and predation percentage declined again. Weasel predation in relation to rodent density has the same pattern in geographic zones ranging from Turkmen deserts to European farmlands and forests.
THE BASIC ACTION OF GIBBERELLIC ACID IN ELONGATION OF ???METEOR??? PEA STEMS

Summary The published evidence on the histological action of gibberellins does not favour the widespread belief that the primary action of gibberellic acid (GA) in stem growth is on cell elongation. Histological evidence from Meteor pea internodes shows that the main effect of GA is to stimulate cell division; and even when applied to internodes which have passed into the vacuolation phase of growth GA often re-activates cell division. Mitotic activity in the apical meristem of Meteor pea stems is also stimulated by GA. The experimental results suggest that the primary effect of GA on caulescent plants, as on rosette plants, is to increase mitotic activity in apical and sub-apical meristems; the cell elongation effect of GA may well be a derivative of the increased mitotic activity, possibly through an increased production of auxin in the meristematic region.
Arthropod Encounter Rate: A Null Model Based on Random Motion

Often taken for granted is the fact that physical contact mediates many basic biotic interactions, whether of an intraspecific or interspecific nature. Mating, competition, predation, parasitism, and mutualism are some examples which are dependent, to varying degrees, on encounter. Indices of species diversity and resource overlap are implicitly based on probability of encounter (Hurlbert 1971, 1978). Furthermore, dynamic models of one-species population growth (Volterra 1938), competition (Ayala et al. 1973; Beddington 1975; Rogers and Hassell 1974), mutualism (Heithaus et al. 1980), predation and parasitism (Holling 1959; Watt 1959; Rogers 1972), including the more classical formulations of Lotka (1924) and Volterra (1926), incorporate expressions of encounter rate, though such expressions are often considered phenomena of secondary importance. There thus exists a need for a general formulation of encounter rate, one which may serve as a null model, yet retains a degree of versatility which allows for the incorporation of specific types of animal behavior. This report presents such a model, the foundations of which are based on a kinetic theory of gases. Such an approach is not a new one. Lotka (1924) and Volterra (1926, 1938) based the derivation of their encounter rates on a model of gas kinetics stemming directly from statistical mechanics. Lotka (1924) very explicitly stated this relation, and other investigators have since taken a similar approach (Stanley 1932; Laing 1938; Wesley 1974; Waser 1976; Gerritsen and Strickler 1977). For animals moving over a two-dimensional surface we present two models, each incorporating a different degree of biological behavior, and then compare predictions of these models to empirical data.
Use of AFLP molecular markers for estimating genetic similarity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. Sl.)

Use of AFLP molecular markers for estimating genetic similarity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. Sl.) The aim of study was to determine genetic similarity among sixteen alfalfa populations using the AFLP technique. Plant material was selected considering the high genotypic variability. It included populations of different origin: native forms of alfalfa (secondary ecotypes), inbred lines, single hybrids, synthetic populations, varieties and mutants. Analysis was carried out using 10 combinations of primers. It was noticed, that in case of the studied alfalfa populations, the highest polymorphism was obtained using primers with three selective nucleotides. The genetic similarity coefficients were calculated by the method of Nei and Li. Those coefficients were used for the hierarchical grouping of objects by the unweighted pair group method of arithmetic means. Results of the grouping were presented in the form of dendrogram. Values of coefficients ranged from 0.3311 (between the inbred F line and the Ulstar variety) to 0.8076 (between ecotype 27 and the synthetic population Syn 7-3). Dendrogram of genetic similarity obtained in this way did not fully correspond with the known data about the studied populations' origin. Considering the genetic similarity, inbreed line F was the most outlying from the studied populations of alfalfa.
Enzyme variation in south-eastern Australian samples of the blue-eye or deepsea trevalla, Hyperoglyphe antarctica Carmichael 1818 (Teleostei : Stromateoidei)

Six samples (n =67 to 154) of blue-eye or deepsea trevalla were collected from south-eastern Australia (seamounts off New South Wales, a seamount south-east of Tasmania called the Cascade Plateau, off the east, south and west coasts of Tasmania, and off the coast of South Australia). All fish were analysed by starch or cellulose acetate electrophoresis for the products of seven polymorphic loci (defined in this study as those with an average heterozygosity greater than 0.06); a minimum of 24 fish per area were also analysed for 29 other less variable loci. The average heterozygosity per locus was 5.3%. Polymorphic loci showed no significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The coefficient of genetic subpopulation differentiation, GST, was 0.38%. Bootstrapping procedures showed that this low value could be attributed to sampling error alone. Contingency Χ2 analysis similarly failed to reveal any significant inter-sample differentiation for any locus. The results indicate that gene flow is sufficient to prevent any genetic differentiation among the sampled localities. During the course of the study a second trevalla species, Schedophilus labyrinthicus, was identified in the New South Wales component of the fishery.
Assessing SNPs in coat colour genes for cattle breed traceability

Abstract Aim of this research was to identify a panel of SNPs in coat colour genes useful for breed traceability in Rendena, an autochthonous cattle breed raised in the province of Trento, and other 4 Italian cattle breeds. First, we sequenced some regions of several coat colour genes in 10 animals belonging to 5 breeds characterised by different coat colour phenotypes (Rendena, Italian Brown, Grey Alpine, Italian Friesian, and Italian Red Pied), and we detected 21 SNPs in 13 genes. These markers and 6 additional SNPs were used to genotype 180 animals of the same 5 breeds obtaining useful genotyping data for a total of 22 SNPs in 13 genes. Five out of the 22 SNP markers in the MC1R, KIT, MLPH, and SILV genes had the highest discriminating power. The panel of 22 SNPs is useful to trace Rendena particularly from Red Italian Pied and Italian Friesian.
Temporal Stability of Genetic Variation within Natural Populations of Summer Steelhead Receiving Mitigation Hatchery Fish

Abstract Stochastic fluctuation in allele frequencies may reflect microevolutionary processes responsible for genetic change, such as small effective population size (Ne ), which is a legitimate concern for imperiled populations affected by environmental or anthropogenic factors. In salmonids, recent empirical studies have provided conflicting results regarding the consistency of within-population genetic variation over time. In the present study, we surveyed the genetic variation at 14 microsatellite loci in two endemic populations of summer steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (Tucannon and Touchet) for seven consecutive years and the Lyons Ferry Hatchery stock (LFH) for 4 years. The LFH (mitigation) stock is used to enhance fishing opportunities in southeastern Washington State and not to aid in the recovery of natural populations. We observed statistically significant differences in allele frequencies between replicated collections from the same location. One of twenty-one genic tests for the Tucannon River .
An Overview of the Morphology, Anatomy, and Life Cycle of a New Model Species: The Lycophyte Selaginella apoda (L.) Spring

Selaginella apoda is an appropriate model species because of its short life cycle and ease of cultivation. To work effectively with a model species, it is important to understand its morphology, anatomy, and life cycle in detail. We present the timing of specific key events (e.g., opening of the megaspore, development of the archegonium, fertilization, first branching) and a morphological and anatomical description of important features of S. apoda such as habit, stem, rhizophores, roots, leaves, ligules, strobili, sporangia, spores, and gametophytes, with many features newly described for Selaginella in general and for S. apoda in particular. Development and growth patterns indicate that each segment is an independent module consisting of a section of the stem, leaves, rhizophores, and roots. A comparison of different leaf types (dorsal and ventral leaves, dorsal and ventral sporophylls) shows similar stomata and papillae distributions but type‐specific forms and sizes. In the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth, the small dorsal leaves transition to small dorsal sporophylls bearing microsporangia, and the large ventral leaves transition to large ventral sporophylls bearing either microsporangia or megasporangia.
Response of the pollen beetle Meligethes aeneus to volatiles emitted by intact plants and conspecifics

The response of the pollen beetle Meligethes aeneus Fab. (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) to the volatiles of undamaged plants and conspecifics was tested in a Y‐tube‐olfactometer‐bioassay. Beetles that had hibernated preferred significantly the volatiles emitted by their most important host plant, oilseed‐rape (Brassica napus L. ‘Lorar’) in the early bud‐stage. However, the odour emitted by rye (Secale cereale L.), tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) were also attractive when tested against the corresponding growing‐medium. Dock plants (Rumex obtusifolius L.) and touch‐me‐not (Impatiens parviflora L.) possessed no attractive properties. When tested against each other, oilseed‐rape was preferred significantly by M. aeneus above all other plants, with the exception of tomato. The results indicate that M. aeneus is able to locate its host plant by olfactory stimuli in the early bud‐stage, i.e. in that stage in which the infestation begins in the field and when the typical yellow colour and floral scent of oilseed‐rape are absent.
Second derivatives of population growth rate : Calculation and applications

The rate of increase of a population depends on the age- or stage-specific vital rates (survival, reproduction, etc.). Sensitivity analysis explores this dependence by calculating the first derivatives of the rate of increase with respect to each of the vital rates, and has become a standard part of demographic analysis. This paper presents a formula for the second derivatives, for the case where the rate of increase is measured by the dominant eigenvalue X of a population projection matrix. Because the first derivatives of X are written in terms of the eigenvectors, the second derivatives of X can be written in terms of the first derivatives of the eigenvectors. I present examples of the second derivatives of X in age- and size-classified life cycles, and discuss several potential applications of the results: (1) the perturbation analysis of elasticity patterns with applications to conservation biology, (2) the sensitivity analysis of stochastic growth rates, (3) the inclusion of second- order terms in the decomposition analysis of life table response experiments, and (4) the analysis of directional, stabilizing, and correlational selection on life history traits.
Consumers Journey as Ambassador of Brand Experiences

46 Appendix 1. Article I . 49 Appendix 2. Article II . 65 Appendix 3. Article III . 81 Appendix 4. Article IV . 107 Appendix 5. Online questionnaire . 121 Appendix 6. Interview guide . 125 ELULOOKIRJELDUS . 127 CURRICULUM VITAE . 130