Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 13-Year Study of A Northern Population of Twin-Spotted Rattlesnakes (Crotalus pricei): Growth, Reproduction, Survival, and Conservation

Abstract: We conducted a 13-yr study of Crotalus pricei in Arizona's Chiricahua Mountains, capturing 306 individual snakes and recapturing snakes on 155 occasions. Juveniles shed and fed more frequently and grew more quickly than adults. Spiny lizard (Sceloporus) scales were found in 78% of fecal samples, making Sceloporus the most common prey item for both juveniles and adults. Males became larger than females at 5 yr of age, a year or two after females reached reproductive size. Although 45% of adult females were gravid, reproduction was not typically biennial and larger snakes were more likely to be gravid than smaller adult snakes. Survival rate (mean ± SE) at our most-studied site was 0.707 ± 0.0334 and detectability was 0.309 ± 0.0386; detectability was positively correlated with number of search hours and negatively correlated with dry weather. Mean population size at this site was 67 snakes, and there was no evidence of a population decline over the course of the study. However, age class structure was skewed toward younger snakes at the site, probably due to illegal collection of snakes for the pet trade.
Comparison of non-linear models to describe the lactation curves of milk yield and composition in Iranian Holsteins

SUMMARY In order to describe the lactation curves of milk yield (MY) and composition, six non-linear mathematical equations (Wood, Dhanoa, Sikka, Nelder, Hayashi and Dijkstra) were used. Data were 5 535 995 test-day records for MY, fat (FC) and protein (PC) contents and somatic cell score (SCS) from the first three lactations of Iranian Holstein cows that were collected on 2547 dairy herds in the period from 2000 to 2011 by the Animal Breeding Center of Iran. Each model was fitted to monthly production records of dairy cows using the NLIN and MODEL procedures in SAS and the parameters were estimated. The models were tested for goodness of fit using root-mean-square error (RMSE), Durbin–Watson statistic (DW) and Akaike's information criterion (AIC). The Wood and Dhanoa models provided the best fit of the lactation curve for MY in the first and second parities due to the lower values of RMSE and AIC than other models; but the Dijkstra model showed the best fit of milk lactation curve for third-parity dairy cows, FC, PC and SCS in the first three parities because of the lowest values of RMSE and AIC. Also, In general, the Sikka model did not fit the production data as well as the other equations. The results showed that the Dijkstra equation was able to estimate the time to the peak and peak MY more accurately than the other equations. However, the Wood equation provided more accurate predictions of peak MY at second- and third parities than the other equations. For first lactation FC, the Dijkstra equation was able to estimate the minimum FC and for second- and third-parity FC, the Wood equation provided more accurate predictions of minimum FC. For first- and second-lactation PC, the Dijkstra equation was able to estimate the minimum PC but for third parity, the minimum value of PC was predicted more accurately by the Wood model. The Dhanoa and Dijkstra equations for first lactation SCS and the Dhanoa equation for second- and third- lactation SCS were able to estimate the minimum SCS more accurately than the other equations. Overall, evaluation of different equations used in the current study indicated the potential of the non-linear functions for fitting monthly productive records of Holstein cows.
Tyrosinase Reaction/Chitosan Adsorption for Removing Phenols from Wastewater

A two‐step approach for removing phenols from aqueous solutions was investigated. In the first step, weakly adsorbable phenols are converted to quinones by the enzyme mushroom tyrosinase. The tyrosinase‐generated quinones are then chemisorbed onto chitosan, a readily available waste product of the shellfish industry. In the absence of enzyme, quinone was observed to be rapidly adsorbed onto chitosan. Also, the enthalpy for quinone adsorption onto chitosan was observed to be −24.7 kcal/mol, which compares to enthalpies of ‐7 kcal/mol for adsorption of phenols and quinone onto activated charcoal. With the monophenol reactant cresol, the tyrosinase enzyme was observed to be somewhat stabilized in the presence of chitosan. This stabilization of tyrosinase is presumably due to the rapid adsorption of the reactive quinones onto chitosan. In contrast, tyrosinase was not stabilized by chitosan when the o‐diphenol catechol was the reactant. The ability of chitosan to stabilize tyrosinase for monophenols but not for o‐diphenols is discussed in terms of the relative rates of phenol oxidation by tyrosinase and quinone chemisorption onto chitosan. When mushroom tyrosinase and chitosan were added simultaneously to dilute, phenol‐containing solutions, a nearly complete removal of UV‐absorbing material was observed. This observation demonstrates the feasibility of removing phenols from dilute solutions using the tyrosinase reaction/chitosan adsorption approach.
Cell Viability, Acrosomal Status and DNA Integrity in Porcine Sperm Permeabilized with Streptolysin O

The aim of this study is to determine the use of streptolysin O (SLO), to open pores on the plasmatic membrane of the swine sperm, to see the effect on the viability, functional status and integrity of nuclear chromatin. 30 ejaculates were used; immediately after collection, semen was diluted in a solution of BTS (2:1, v/v preheated to 35ºC). Two aliquots of semen samples were assigned to each group, of which: Group 1. 0.3 IU/ml SLO, Group 2. 0.6 IU/ml, Group 3 1.2 IU/ml, and Group 4 Control (PBS). All groups were incubated for 5 minutes at 37ºC, in SLO; after this period, the samples were incubated in 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 15 minutes at 37ºC. Each treatment were evaluated before and after incubation with FBS (to close the pores), in duplicate. Sperm viability, acrosome status and integrity of the nuclear chromatin were evaluated with eosin nigrosine (NE), chlortetracycline (CTC) and acridine orange (AO) stains, respectively. The data obtained was analyzed by comparing proportions in each treatment using non-parametric module of STATISTICA V10.0 program. The Kruskal Wallis H test was used for the analysis. In assessing sperm viability each of the treatments were compared in between, and the resulting differences were also compared with the control group (iv). There was no difference in the proportion of viable sperm, using the concentration of 0.6 IU/ml, before and after sealing of pores (83.15±9.10 vs 91.52±4.83) (p>0.05). And mathematical trend indicates that, after sealing the pores, a higher sperm proportion were viable in both treatments. However, no statistical differences were found (P>0.05). Also no changes were found in patterns of acrosomal status and DNA integrity, suggesting that the SLO executes its permeabilizing effect at the level of sperm membrane.
Genetics of Some Polymorphic Forms of the African Butterfly Danaus chrysippus L. (Lepidoptera: Danaidae)

The genetics of eight sympatric colour forms of the polymorphic butterfly Danaus chrysippus are investigated. Colour is controlled at three loci. The B locus controls the ground colour of both wings, which may be either orange or brown, the latter being dominant. The C locus controls the forewing pattern characterized by either a black apical patch with a row of white spots (form chrysippus) or orange or brown colouring throughout (form dorippus). The latter is dominant. At the A locus, the presence of a large white patch on the hindwing (giving form alcippus when combined with a chrysippus-type forewing or form albinus with a dorippus-type forewing) is recessive to its absence. Dominance is often incomplete at both the A and C loci so that many heterozygotes are phenotypically distinct. The B and C loci are closely linked and probably segregate independently from the A locus. There is evidence suggesting that form chrysippus has superior viability to form dorippus in reared broods. At the A locus, heterosis may be involved. The mode of origin and maintenance of the polymorphism is discussed.
Changes in the circadian flight activity of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae in relation to insemination, feeding and oviposition

ABSTRACT. The effects of different physiological inputs on the circadian pattern of flight activity were examined in Anopheles gambiae. Males and virgin females had a similar activity pattern in which the initial (light‐off) peak accounted for a large proportion of the total activity. Starvation caused an increase in activity, but the basic pattern remained unchanged. After insemination, the initial peak in females was greatly reduced, while activity later in the dark phase increased. Blood‐feeding was followed by a depression of activity for 2–3 days, but there was an increase in the relative importance of the initial peak until oviposition had taken place. These changes are consistent with the switches in behaviour in the wild, from mating to host‐seeking, and then between host‐seeking and oviposition. Our results suggest that the changes are brought about by factors which have differential effects on the components of the circadian pacemaker.
THE ROLE OF PLASMODESMS IN THE TRANSLOCATION OF VIRUS

SUMMARY Although intracellular inclusion bodies may occur in every cell over large areas of the epidermis, they have not been found in the guard cells of the stomata. No protoplasmic connexions could be shown to exist between the guard cells and the surrounding tissues. These findings suggest that, owing to the absence of plasmodesms, the virus is unable to reach the guard cells. Support is lent to the view that, when the virus moves in the ground tissue of the host, it is carried from cell to cell along the protoplasmic bridges.
Genetics of avirulences in Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei

The genetics of avirulences towards barley mildew resistances were analysed in crosses of the Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei isolate DH14 with CC107 and with CC138. Nine avirulences, Avr a9 , Avr a10 , Avr a11 , Avr a12 , Avr Ab , Avr CP , Avr b , Avr k and Avr La , segregated as single genes in one or other cross. However, F segregation data were consistent with avirulence matching the Mla7 resistance gene being controlled by two genes, designated Avr a7 1 and Avr a7 2. Infection types of avirulent isolates differed on varieties in which Mla7 had been derived from each of the four known sources of that resistance. Linkage was detected between Avr a7 1 and Avr b in the cross CC107 x DH14, and between Avr a10 and Avr k , Avr a11 and Avr La , and Avr h and the triadimenol response gene Tdl2 in CC138 x DH14.
Nutrient removal efficiency of Hydropuntia cornea in an integrated closed recirculation system with pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis

In this study, we have tested the effect of seaweed stocking density in an experimental seaweed biofilter using the economically important red seaweed Hydropuntia cornea integrated with the cultivation of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis. Nutrient removal efficiency was evaluated in relation to seaweed stocking density (2.5, 4, 6 and 8 g fw L−1). Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) was the main nitrogen source excreted by F. brasiliensis, with concentrations ranging from 41.6 to 65 μM of NH4+-N. H. cornea specific growth rates ranged from 0.8 ± 0.2 to 1.4 ± 0.5% day−1 with lowest growth rates at higher seaweed stocking density (8 g fw L−1). Nutrient removal was positively correlated with the cultivation densities in the system. TAN removal efficiency increased from 61 to 88.5% with increasing seaweed stocking density. Changes in the chemical composition of the seaweed were analysed and correlated with nutrient enrichment from shrimp effluent. The red seaweed H. cornea can be cultured and used to remove nutrients from shrimp effluents in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system applied to a closed recirculation system. Recirculation through seaweed biofilters in land-based intensive aquaculture farms can also be a tool to increase recirculation practices and establish full recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) with all their known associated benefits.
Evolutionarily Stable Seed Polymorphism and Small-Scale Spatial Variation in Seedling Density

Using the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) approach in a model for the evolution of seed size, I show that small-scale spatial variation in seedling density favors the evolution of variation in seed size within individual plants if competition among seedlings is sufficiently asymmetric in favor of larger seeds. A single seed size is found to be never evolutionarily stable. I always find at least some continuous adaptive variation in seed size. The model generates the following predictions. At least some continuous variation in seed size is adaptive. Plants with many resources have more variable seeds than plants with few resources. Plants with low juvenile mortality have more variable seeds than plants with high juvenile mortality. Plants with aggregated seed dispersal have seed size distributions that are more biased toward small seeds compared to plants with more even seed dispersal. An explicit formula for the evolutionarily stable seed size distribution was obtained for Poisson-distributed seed numbers and for negative binomial distributed seed numbers per safe site. The application of the model to seed size distributions of entire populations or plant communities is discussed.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis among species of Paridae, Remizidae and Aegithalos based on mtDNA sequences of COI and cyt b

The phylogeny of Paridae and allies has been studied intensively during past decades. However, the phylogenetic relationship among species tends to become increasingly controversial as different genetic markers emerge. In our study, the partial mitochondrial genes cytochrome b (cyt b) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) were obtained from 15 species that included 10 tits, 4 long-tailed tits and a Chinese penduline tit. Analyses were conducted on the combined cyt b and COI sequences with maximum likelihood and Bayesian algorithms. Based on strong, congruent support among the different temporal partitions and models of sequence evolution, a highly resolved consensus of the relationships among Parids and their allies has been formed. The monophyly of Paridae and Remizidae is strongly supported. However, the monophyly of Paridae and Aegithalos is rejected. This agrees with previous studies using other molecular markers. Our results suggest the promotion of the subgenus Machlolophus from genus Parus to a separate genus. The phylogeny of Aegithalos is robust in the current study. However, by considering differences of both morphological and molecular characters within species, we conclude that more data are needed to define their phylogeny. Based on the patterns of taxonomic diversity and endemism, we suggest the southwestern mountain ranges of China might be the center of origin of the Aegithalos species. Divergence time estimates for the long-tailed tits range from the late Miocene to the Pleistocene (from 5.5 to 0.1 Mya) using a calibration of 2% divergence per million years. In a comparative sense, we found a congruent genetic differentiation among sympatric distribution taxa.
Polychlorinated biphenyl residues and egg mortality in double‐crested cormorants from the great lakes

We evaluated the overall potency of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-containing extracts from double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritis) eggs with an in vitro bioassay system, the H4IIE rat hepatoma cell bioassay. Results from the H4IIE bioassay were strongly correlated with the hatching success of eggs in the colonies, whereas conventional methods of PCB analysis correlated poorly with hatching success of eggs from the same colonies. These observations suggest that even though concentrations of total PCB residues have declined in almost all compartments of the environment, their effects are still being observed. The significance of this observation is that the adverse symptoms presently observed in certain Great Lakes fish-eating waterbird populations do not appear to be caused by some as yet unidentified industrial chemical or chemicals and seem not to be the result of pesticides, but rather to the dioxin-like activity of PCBs. Evidence is presented to suggest that the relative enrichment of the potency of PCBs in the environment may play a role in the persistence of the observed adverse symptoms.
Salinity tolerance and osmoregulation in the silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus Mitchell (Teraponidae), an endemic Australian freshwater teleost

Juvenile silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus, were subjected to direct transfer from fresh water to various test salinities. No mortality was observed when the fish were transferred from fresh water to a salinity of 12, but 40% mortality was observed at a salinity of 15 after seven days. Pre-acclimation of silver perch to a salinity of 12 for seven days resulted in only marginally better survival at higher salinities. Plasma osmotic concentrations of silver perch rose slightly in salinities below 9 but rapidly at higher salinities, following the same track as the iso-osmotic line. Minimum body water content was observed in individuals subjected to a salinity of 15 for 24 h. As found in other freshwater teleosts, chloride cells were found in the branchial epithelium of silver perch. Accessory cells were observed beside the chloride cells in both freshwater and salt-water conditions. Fish subjected to a salinity of 12 for seven days showed chloride cells with a more developed tubular system than controls. The length of the junctions between chloride cells and accessory cells was significantly shorter in fish adapted to a salinity of 12 than in controls. The ultrastructural feature of 'interdigitations' of accessory cells was not observed during salt-water adaptation. These data indicate that silver perch is the least tolerant of high salinities and the most truly freshwater Australian teleost species examined to date.
Prospects for Integrated Pest Management of the Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

The concepts of integrated pest management (IPM) may be applied to the problem of controlling the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, in the Great Lakes. IPM originated as the integration of biological and chemical methods of insect control. It has since evolved into an interdisciplinary approach to ecologically, economically, and socially compatible pest control based on applied systems ecology, real-time monitoring systems and optimal control theory. The component processes of sea lamprey population dynamics are discussed with reference to key ecological variables and possible control points. To implement an integrated approach to sea lamprey pest management successfully, work is needed on basic lamprey biology and ecology, predictive models, alternative control tactics, and the economics of lamprey-induced injury to fish.Key words: Petromyzon marinus, sea lamprey; integrated pest management, systems analysis, modeling
Influence of S-allyl cysteine on biochemical circadian rhythms in young and aged rats

Advanced aging is characterized by modification of circadian rhythms of physiological, biochemical and endocrine variables. Oxidative stress has been implicated to play a major role in aging and age-related diseases. In the present experiments, we investigated the effect of S-allyl cysteine (SAC) on young and aged rats by studying 24 h rhythms of lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances-TBARS) and antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). In treatment with SAC, aging processes were found to delay TBARS and to advance GSH, catalase, SOD and Gpx acrophases. Amplitude, ‘r’ and mesor values of these rhythms (decreased mesor of TBARS associated with increased antioxidant activities) were found during aging processes. Furthermore, this study indicates the necessity to perform more research to reveal the temporal interplay between the central biological clock (SCN), oxidative–antioxidative imbalances and aging processes.
Habitat availability, hunting or poaching: what affects distribution and density of large mammals in western Tanzanian woodlands?

Game reserves (GR) in Tanzania have been found to support similar or lower densities of large mammals compared with National parks (NP). But as these areas usually differ considerably not only in regard to management but also to environmental factors, we assessed the relative importance of vegetation cover, species-specific habitat preferences and legal (trophy hunting) and illegal off-take for observed differences in species-specific densities. In the Katavi ecosystem, open habitats were characteristic elements of Katavi NP, while Rukwa GR was dominated by miombo forest. In an inter-specific comparison, density differences were moderately correlated with preferences for open habitats, and with estimates of combined legal and illegal off-take but not with one of these separately. In a multiple linear regression, open habitat preference was found to explain 39.6% of the density differences between the two protected areas. This analysis suggests that the broad-scale pattern of most species’ distributions is governed by differing vegetation cover but that several species are overexploited by illegal (elephant, giraffe, buffalo, bush pig, warthog) or combined off-take (hippopotamus, eland, waterbuck), thus emphasizing the need for quota readjustments and a more efficient anti-poaching control. Resume En Tanzanie, on a decouvert que les reserves de chasse, comparees aux parcs nationaux, abritaient des densites semblables ou inferieures de grands mammiferes. Mais etant donne que ces zones different d’habitude considerablement, en termes non seulement de gestion mais aussi de facteurs environnementaux, nous avons evalue l’importance relative de la couverture vegetale, des preferences specifiques des especes en matiere d’habitat, et des prelevements legaux (chasse aux trophees) et illegaux dans les differences constatees des densites specifiques. Dans l’ecosysteme de Katavi, les habitats ouverts sont des elements caracteristiques du Parc National de Katavi (PN) alors que la Reserve de Chasse de Rukwa (RC) est dominee par la foret a miombo. Dans une comparaison interspecifique, les differences de densiteetaient moderement liees a la preference pour des habitats ouverts et aux estimations de prelevements legaux et illegaux combines, mais pas avec les estimations separees des uns ou des autres. Dans une regression lineaire multiple, on a decouvert que la preference pour un habitat ouvert expliquait 39.6% des differences de densite entre les deux aires protegees. Cette analyse suggere que le schema, a grande echelle, de la distribution de la plupart des especes est regi par une difference de couverture vegetale, mais que plusieurs especes semblent etre surexploitees par les prelevements illegaux (elephants, girafes, buffles, potamocheres, phacocheres) ou combines (hippopotames, elands, waterbucks), ce qui souligne la necessite de reajuster les quotas et d’exercer des controles anti-braconnage plus efficaces.