Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clip-and-wash method of emasculation for lettuce

Complete (100%) hybridization in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was accom- plished consistently using the clip-and-wash method of emasculation. The clip-and- wash method is a combination of washing and clipping, two previously described pro- cedures for pollen removal. The wash and the clip methods produced 98% and 95% hybridization, respectively. The method is quick and easy and eliminates inadvertent self pollination; with it one can produce the many hybrid seeds necessary for backcross and F1 genetic analysis in lettuce.
Studies on the human T cell receptor α/β variable region genes. II. Identification of four additional Vβ subfamilies

The human T cell receptor (TcR) β chain gene segment diversity has been studied using the anchored‐polymerase chain reaction. Three hundred and fifty Cβ‐specific transcripts derived from peripheral lymphocytes were analyzed. Transcripts including V‐Dβ1‐Jβ2‐C2 sequences were found with a high frequency (> 10%), suggesting that “illegitimate” joinings may constitute a cis‐complementing rearrangement mechanism capable of substantially increasing the TcR β chain combinatorial diversity. Twelve previously undescribed Vβ gene segments have been identified. Five of them delineate four novel Vβ subfamilies (Vβw21: two members, Vβw22, 23, 24: one member) which all have a murine homologue. The additional seven gene segments belong to the Vβ5, Vβ6, Vβ12 and Vβ13 subfamilies. In addition, the sequences of two known Vβ7 and Vβ9 gene segments have been extended. Together, the present data support the view that the contribution of the β chain combinatorial diversity to the TcR α/β variability has not yet been fully appreciated.
IgY Technology in aquaculture – a review

Since the discovery of IgY in egg yolk in late 1800s, many applications of this antibody in diagnostics and therapeutics have been reported in human and veterinary medicine. The mass use of antimicrobial agents in aquaculture has caused the resistance in certain bacteria, and these fish pathogens cause tremendous economic losses in aquaculture industry coupled with antibiotic resistance, consequently causing barriers in international trades. IgY antibodies have been developed for the treatment and prevention of certain fish diseases such as white spot syndrome in shrimp, vibriosis, enteric redmouth disease and edwardsiellosis. These antibodies are also developed for the recognition of developing and mature stages of Loma salmonae (microsporidia) in the farmed pacific salmon. Other uses of IgY in aquaculture include the development of sandwich ELISA for the detection of ciguatoxin (a poisonous organic compound) in the tissues of fish, and recently, potential sea food persevering properties of IgY have been revealed. Our review presents an analysis of the characteristics, extraction methods, therapeutic, detection, and seafood-persevering applications of IgY antibodies in aquaculture.
The relative importance of deforestation, precipitation change, and temperature sensitivity in determining the future distributions and diversity of Amazonian plant species

Tropical forests are threatened by many human disturbances – two of the most important of which are deforestation and climate change. To mitigate the impacts of these disturbances, it is important to understand their potential effects on the distributions of species. In the tropics, such understanding has been hindered by poor knowledge of the current distributions and range limits of most species. Here, we use herbarium collection records to model the current and future distributions of ca. 3000 Amazonian plant species. We project these distributions into the future under a range of different scenarios related to the magnitude of climate change and extent of deforestation as well as the response of species to changes in temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric concentrations of CO2 . We find that the future of Amazonian diversity will be dependant primarily on the ability of species to tolerate or adapt to rising temperatures. If the thermal niches of tropical plant species are fixed and incapable of expanding under rapid warming, then the negative effects of climate change will overshadow the effects of deforestation, greatly reducing the area of suitable habitat available to most species and potentially leading to massive losses of biodiversity throughout the Amazon. If tropical species are generally capable of tolerating warmer temperatures, rates of habitat loss will be greatly reduced but many parts of Amazonia may still experience rapid losses of diversity, with the effects of enhanced seasonal water stress being similar in magnitude to the effects of deforestation.
Comparative demography of red squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris ) and grey squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) in deciduous and conifer woodland

The demography of red and grey squirrels was studied by live-trapping and radio-tagging at 14 deciduous and conifer sites in southern Britain and at eight conifer sites for one year in northern England. Densities and productivity correlated with tree seed crops for both squirrel species in deciduous and conifer habitats. Productivity was reduced by high density of full-grown squirrels relative to seed abundance. In oak-hazel woods, demography of grey squirrels correlated with abundance of acorns but not of hazel-nuts, whereas density and productivity of red squirrels correlated with hazel-nut abundance. Correlations of female density and productivity with pine-cone crops did not differ between red and grey squirrels. Predators ate many radio-tagged grey squirrels in conifers, and annual survival was only 50% compared with 80-82% for both species in other habitats. Grey squirrel populations in southern conifer sites were sustained by immigration, and at northern sites female density correlated with oak abundance within 500m. Failure to exploit acorn crops puts red squirrels at a competitive disadvantage in deciduous woodland. Red squirrels had higher survival than grey squirrels in conifers, which may give them an advantage in that habitat, but could also have been explained by a lack of predators on their island study site.
Environmental and fisheries effects on Gracilechinus acutus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) distribution: is it a suitable bioindicator of trawling disturbance?

Habitat preferences of Gracilechinus acutus in the southern Bay of Biscay were studied using data from autumn bottom-trawl surveys. Wet weight and number of specimens of G. acutus were obtained and related to environmental variables (depth, sediment type, and organic matter percentage) at each haul and to trawl fishing effort. With this information and the otter trawl effort data, the environmental requirements and the impact of the trawl fishery on G. acutus populations were analysed. Although the species was present in all depth strata and all sediment types studied, it had clear habitat preferences, as greater abundances and mean weight values were found at depths ranging from 71 to 200 m and in bottom sediments dominated by coarse and medium sands. The effect of disturbance by trawling on this echinoid was significant and clearly negative. Seabeds exposed to higher trawling disturbance showed lower values of urchin abundance and smaller urchins than areas with lower disturbance. Results of the present study confirm the initial hypothesis of the suitability of using this urchin as a bioindicator of trawling impact but only in areas with appropriate environmental conditions, highlighting the importance of attaining a wider knowledge on the essential habitat of the species.
Morphological correlates of life-history variation : is lizard clutch size related to the number of germinal beds in the ovary?

Clutch size varies widely in reptiles, both intraspecifically and interspecifically. The mechanisms that generate this variation have attracted detailed study, focusing primarily on ecological factors (e.g. food availability), trade-offs with other traits (e.g. offspring size), and physical constraints (e.g. maternal body shape). Does ovarian morphology, specifically the number of germinal beds from which ova are produced, also correlate with clutch size? Our review of published data on 58 lizard species reveals that clutch size is correlated with the number of germinal beds per ovary (more fecund species have more germinal beds), and that phylogenetic changes in germinal beds have been consistently associated with concurrent phylogenetic changes in fecundity. These correlations imply a causal connection: either clutch size is constrained by ovarian morphology, and/or ovarian morphology evolves to allow adaptive shifts in clutch size. The latter hypothesis is more consistent with available data. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 94, 81–88.
Fauna run-over mitigation measures on Brazilian federal highway concessions

O desenvolvimento socioeconomico de diversos paises esta relacionado a expansao e manutencao da infraestrutura rodoviaria. No Brasil, o modo rodoviario e o mais utilizado, todavia, as rodovias podem causar impactos negativos a biodiversidade, pois contribuem para a fragmentacao de habitats e a reducao de fluxos biologicos. Dentre os principais impactos causados pelas rodovias, destaca-se o atropelamento da fauna, de forma que medidas de mitigacao para esse impacto se tornam necessarias. Com base nos dados coletados ate o ano de 2017, o presente estudo tem por objetivo apresentar informacoes quanto as medidas mitigadoras ao atropelamento de fauna silvestre presentes nas rodovias federais concedidas do Brasil. Foram cadastradas 461 medidas de mitigacao, mais 627 dispositivos de engenharia que podem ser utilizados como passagens, sendo que, desse total, 334 encontram-se nas proximidades de areas legalmente protegidas. Existem 158 medidas em fase de planejamento para serem implementadas.
The value of urea as a substitute for protein in the rations of dairy cattle: I. Field trials with dairy cows

1. A large-scale experiment with 274 dairy cows has been carried out to determine whether urea can be a substitute for part of the protein requirement of the lactating. dairy cow. 2. It has been emphasized that any proteinsparing effect of urea or other sources of non-protein nitrogen can only be determined in the proteindeficient animal and one of the experimental treatments was therefore designed to supply well below that minimum requirement of protein compatible with milk production. 3. The addition of protein to such a ration increasing the percentage of crude protein in the production rations from 12·9 to 17·9 and the protein equivalent from 9·5 to 14·5 resulted in a significant increase in milk production. This gave ample confirmation of the protein deficiency of the low protein ration.
Identification of cultivable Bifidobacterium species isolated from breast-fed infants feces in West-Algeria

Gastrointestinal microflora exerts a high impact on its host mainly by performing a great variety of metabolic activities, protecting the host against colonization by pathogen and stimulating the gut immune system. The integration of bifidobacteria in dairy products is of interest for reinstalling the intestinal microflora. The mother\'s milk is a prebiotic factor which stimulate the bifidobacteria growth in vivo. Results obtained in west Algeria area show that the number of bifidobacteria reach 26 10 9 cfu/g in breast-fed infant feces. The microbiological, fructose–6-phospho-ketolase and the biochemical tests have revealed Bifidobacterium strains. The most prevalent isolates belong to the species Bifidobacterium longum (75%) and Bifidobacterium breve (25%). In order to evaluate the potential use as a starter culture, the occurrence of some selected properties such as growth and survival in fermented milk were investigated. These strains have a fast growth in glucose, galactose and lactose media compared to reference species. All isolates studied are sensitive to the pH 8. the B. breve strain support the conservation conditions in pure culture better than in mixed culture with Streptococcus thermophilus or Lactobacillus acidophilus . African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (5), pp. 422-430, 2005
Spatial analysis of microgeographic genetic structure in Richardson's ground squirrels

Local genetic structure has a sound theoretical basis, yet empirical demonstration in animal species has proved elusive, even in apparently ideal candidate species. Techniques based on the distribution of individual genotypes may offer a more complete picture of population structure than traditional measures focusing on isolation by distance and dispersal behavior. We used spatial autocorrelation and contiguous clustering to identify structure in a population of Richardson's ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii) for which deviation from Hardy–Weinberg expectations indicated population subdivision. Nonrandom aggregates of genotypes were detected at five of six enzyme loci examined and selection at one locus. Genetic structuring was highly sex-dependent, being prominent only among females. Isolation by distance cannot account for the patterns of gene diversity observed, but Mantel matrix procedures of inter-individual distance based on demographic–behavioral characteristics and geographic distance wer.
The Role and Regulation of Etv2 in Zebrafish Vascular Development: A Dissertation

The signature of the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences signifies that the student has met all graduation requirements of the school. He taught me the meaning and value of hard work. Thanks Dad. I miss you. iv Acknowledgements I would like to thank Dr. Nathan Lawson, my graduate mentor. Nathan, you have taught me to think critically, encouraged me to work hard and accepted nothing short of perfection. Your relentless pursuit of knowledge is admirable and has instilled in me an unending curiosity to discover. You have left an indelible mark on my scientific process. I may never have pursued a career in science if it was not for my high school teacher, Mrs Pauline Allaire. She never gave up on me and insisted I continue studying science. Dr. Denis Larochelle gave me my first opportunity at " bench research " and taught me all I know about molecular biology. If I had not fell in love with research working with you as a summer student, I would not have gone to graduate school. I hold a special place for all my colleagues in the Lawson lab past and present. Laurence Covassin, Stefania Nicoli and Arndt Siekmann taught me how to use the zebrafish as a developmental model organism and gave me much needed advice. Mike Kacergis and Ira Male expertly took care of my zebrafish throughout my studies. My brother from another mother, Jacques Villeftranc, you are the best colleague, friend, and confidant anyone could ask for. I will never forget our times in the lab together. George Kouroulis, Tom Smith and Aaron Aday, you have been great lab mates and are some of my closest friends. I look forward to fishing, hiking and other outdoor pursuits with you in the future. Aurelie Quillien, you were essential in getting our " Notch indicator " transgenic story published and I will miss our late night " liquid incubations ". Sarah Sheppard, I owe you many thanks for your help with the post-transcriptional regulation of Etv2 story. It was amazing working with you and I appreciate all the time and effort you put into doing cloning, injections, transplants, imaging and data analysis for my project. Sissaoui, it has been a great pleasure working with all of you. You have all helped v me throughout our time in the Lawson lab together in immeasurable ways. My lunch crew: Amy …
Limnocorral Studies of Chemical and Biological Acid Neutralization in Two Freshwater Lakes

Twenty-nine 1 m diameter limnocorrals were installed in two Canadian Shield lakes to examine the relative importance of individual acid neutralization processes. Once the water column alkalinity was depleted, the within-lake alkalinity production processes were confined to the lake sediments. The flocculent organic-rich sediments of a shallow dystrophic lake (Lake 114) neutralized acid at a significantly greater rate than the sandy littoral sediments of an oligotrophy lake (Lake 302). Since the water column alkalinity of Lake 114 is much lower than Lake 302, ambient alkalinity is not a good predictor of acid neutralization capacity in the sediments. In both lakes, HNO3 was neutralized at a substantially higher rate than HCl or H2SO4. The rates of nitrate consumption, sulfate consumption, and abiotic acid neutralizing processes are independent of each other. Denitrification to an uncharged end-product is the primary mechanism of NO3− removal. The principal source of non-anion-specific buffering in the encl.
Taxonomic Status of Atelophryniscus chrysophorus McCranie, Wilson, and Williams, 1989 (Anura: Bufonidae) Inferred from Phylogeny

Abstract The family Bufonidae is nearly cosmopolitan in distribution and contains 33 genera. The monotypic bufonid genus Atelophryniscus was described relatively recently from Honduras. This taxon was distinguished from Bufo on the basis of its unusual gastromyzophorus tadpole. Stream-dwelling gastromyzophorus tadpoles are atypical within Bufonidae and when Atelophryniscus was described, this type of tadpole was unknown among members of the genus Bufo. To investigate the phylogenetic placement of this taxon, we analyzed 83 previously published morphological characters for a sampling of Old and New World bufonids and included newly coded data. The data indicate that (1) there are no autapomorphies supporting the recognition of Atelophryniscus; (2) this taxon is embedded within the genus Bufo; and (3) it is sister to Bufo veraguensis of South America.
Abscisic acid accumulation in relation to drought tolerance in Kentucky bluegrass

Drought is a major factor limiting plant growth, which has been associated with the accumulation of absicsic acid (ABA) in various species. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between ABA accumulation and drought tolerance for kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) during short-term drought stress. Eight kentucky bluegrass cultivars ('Midnight', 'A82-204', 'RSP', 'Alpine', 'Moonlight', 'Brilliant', 'Washington', and 'Baruzo') were subjected to drought stress in a growth chamber. Water relations, gas exchange rate, and ABA content of leaves were determined at various times during drought stress. Turf quality decreased with drought duration for all eight cultivars. Leaf ABA content increased linearly with drought stress within 11 days of treatment; the rate of the increase was negatively related to the rate of turf quality decline. The rate of ABA accumulation during drought stress was positively correlated with the rates of decrease in turf quality (r 2 = 0.6346), increase in electrolyte leakage (r 2 = 0.7128), and decrease in relative water content (r 2 = 0.5913). There were highly signifi cant negative correlations between ABA content and leaf water potential (r 2 = 0.9074), stomatal conductance (r 2 = 0.6088), transpiration rate (r 2 = 0.6581), net photosynthesis rate (r 2 = 0.6956), and a posi- tive correlation between ABA content and electrolyte leakage (r 2 = 0.7287). The results indicate that drought tolerance is negatively related to ABA accumulation during short- term drought stress. ABA accumulation in response to drought stress could be used as a metabolic factor to select for drought tolerance in kentucky bluegrass.
Aphyosemion pseudoelegans (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), a new killifish species from the Cuvette centrale in the Congo Basin (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Aphyosemion pseudoelegans, new species, is described, based on collections that have been misidentified for decades as A. elegans by all authors. The new species superficially resembles A. elegans, but can be distinguished from the latter and all other species of the genus by a diagnostic combination of colour pattern characters, most prominently it has a dark red to black dorsal fin in males, a colour pattern always absent in all known A. elegans populations, includ- ing the type specimens, and an asymmetrical colour pattern on caudal fin margins versus symmetrical in A. elegans. Aphyosemion pseudoelegans, new species, is found in small rivers on the left bank of the middle Congo, where it occurs sympatric and sometimes even syntopic with A. elegans, A. sp. aff. castaneum, or an undescribed species of Aphyosemion at Ikela. Resume. Aphyosemion pseudoelegans, espece nouvelle, est decrite, sur base de collections qui furent, depuis des de- cades, mal identifiees en tant que A. elegans par tous les auteurs. La nouvelle espece ressemble superficiellement a A. elegans, mais peut en etre distinguee, ainsi que de toutes les autres especes du genre, par une combinaison diagnostique de caracteres du patron de coloration. Principalement, elle presente une nageoire dorsale rouge fonce a noire chez les mâles, un patron de coloration toujours absent chez toutes les populations connues de A. elegans, y inclus les specimens types, et un patron de coloration asymetrique des marges de la nageoire caudale alors qu'il est symetrique chez A. ele- gans. Aphyosemion pseudoelegans, espece nouvelle, se rencontre dans de petites rivieres de la rive gauche du Congo Moyen. Elle y est sympatrique, et parfois meme syntopique, de A. elegans, A. sp. aff. castaneum, ou une espece non- decrite de Aphyosemion a Ikela.
Branching processes, extinction probabilities with application to pest eradication

This project introduces branching processes as a stochastic tool for estimating the number of the population of individuals at any generation n. This estimation was done by finding the mean, variance, probability, and the time to extinction of the individual’s population. An application is presented, modelling the life history of tsetse flies. Some of the known control measures of tsetse flies such as sterile insemination technique (SIT) and mortality reduction (bait technology) are also included in the model and subsequently analysed.
Influences of presowing treatments on the germination and emergence of fig seeds (Ficus carica L.)

Seed germination of fig seeds is important for obtain seedlings with high variability in breeding studies, and for producing mosaic virus-free seedlings. This experiment was carried out to evaluated the effects of several treatments (priming with water for 24h, GA3 at 500 and 1000 ppm for 24h, 3% KNO3 for 24h, and stratification at 4°C for 7, 14 and 21 days) on seed germination and emergence of 'Bursa Siyahi' and 'Sarilop' fig cultivars. The application of GA3 increased the germination and emergence of these fig seeds. The highest percentages of germination and emergence were obtained with GA3 at 500 or 1000 ppm for both cultivars. The seed germination and emergence of the cultivar 'Bursa Siyahi' were higher than observed with the 'Sarilop'. The application of GA3 at 500 ppm or 1000 ppm reduced the time to germination and emergence from the seeds of both cultivars. In summary, the GA3 treatments showed efficacy to overcome the dormancy of these fig seeds.