Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adult Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) Survival and Cause-specific Mortality in Custer State Park, S.D

Abstract Although understanding natural mortality rates of ungulate populations is essential for effective management, published data on adult survival from unharvested pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) populations in the Northern Great Plains is limited. We estimated seasonal adult survival rates and cause-specific mortality of an unharvested pronghorn population in Custer State Park, S.D. We assessed the relative importance of sex, age, year, and season in explaining pronghorn survival rates using an information-theoretic approach. We captured and radio-collared 26 male and 24 female adult pronghorn from fall 2005 through spring 2008. We observed higher predation rates and lower survival of adult pronghorn in CSP compared to other populations in the region, but similar to the pronghorn population in Yellowstone National Park. We documented 23 deaths (10 females, 13 males) of the 50 radio-collared pronghorn from Nov. 2005–Nov. 2008. Predation by mountain lions (Puma concolor) and coyotes (Canis latrans) accounted for 69.5% of all mortalities. The season model received the greatest support although there also was strong support for the season × sex model. Seasonal survival for males and females was >0.90 for the winter-grouping and breeding seasons but fell to 0.791(95% CI 0.644–0.887) and 0.837 (95% CI 0.706–0.916) for females and males, respectively, during the small group – parturition season. A dense predator population, as well as a higher vulnerability to predation when pronghorn are solitary or in small groups, may explain the lower survival during these time periods. If population estimates fall below management goals, management actions aimed at reducing predator cover may be beneficial to adult pronghorn. Managers of pronghorn populations near forested and rugged areas and that are sympatric with dense predator populations should consider adult survival may be lower than observed in Great Plains populations.
Recolonization of Rocky Shores in Cornwall After Use of Toxic Dispersants to Clean Up the Torrey Canyon Spill

Fourteen thousand tons of Kuwait crude oil, reduced from 18 000 tons by weathering at sea, was stranded along 150 km of the coast of West Cornwall, England, in March 1967. The oil was treated with 10 000 tons of toxic dispersants during cleaning operations. By itself the oil was not very toxic, although it killed some limpets and barnacles, and most of the mortalities that followed cleaning were due to the dispersants. There was a graded effect. Most animals and some algae were killed on the shores treated heavily with dispersants, while a few animals and most algae survived in places less heavily treated. However, long stretches of coast were contaminated to some extent by drifting of patches of oil and dispersants along the shore and by indiscriminate dispersant use in remote coves. The general sequence of recolonization was similar to that which has been found after small-scale experiments, where the rocks were scraped clean, or where limpets were removed, but took longer to complete. There was first a.
Genetic effects of ABCG2 polymorphism on milk production traits in the Chinese Holstein cattle

The ATP-binding cassette G2 (ABCG2), a drug transporter gene, mainly has a xenotoxin protective function. Xenotoxins are transferred from the mother to the suckling infant via milk that is difficult to reconcile with a protective role. ABCG2 is located within a linkage region with Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) for milk production and milk content resulting from it represents a functional candidate gene for association with milk production traits in dairy cattle. In the present study, we investigated the polymorphism of ABCG2 gene, using pooled DNA sequencing, as a result, a single nucleotide polymorphism, transversion at position g.45599 A > C, was found and then genotyped with Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry technique in 752 Chinese Holstein cows. Significant differences were revealed between ABCG2 genotypes in the protein yield and protein concentration. CC cows at the g.45599 A > C locus showed the highest protein yield and protein concentration, with more than 2.65 kg and 0.04%, respectively, compared with AA cows; heterozygous AC cows indicated intermediate position. The allele substitution results demonstrated that g.45599 A > C-A allele decreased protein yield (1.27 kg) and protein percentage (0.019%), which suggested that g.45599 A > C-C allele increased protein yield and protein percentage. The results suggested that identified polymorphism could be a potential genetic marker to improve the production performance of Chinese Holstein.
Balancing Active and Passive Restoration in a Nonchemical, Research-Based Approach to Coastal Sage Scrub Restoration in Southern California

Coastal sage scrub restoration at Audubon’s Starr Ranch Sanctuary commences with nonchemical control of a high-priority non-native in degraded (and native) grasslands, artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus). Scrub restoration begins the second year of artichoke thistle control. Here I report on how our approach combines active and passive restoration. We use experiments, when time and funding allow, to help guide the active restoration process by answering questions on technique: the effectiveness of soil tamping, differing seed rates, and timing of planting on restoration success. As a result of past experiments, our field crews tamp seeds into soil after hand broadcasting both early (October) and late ( January) each season. Passive processes are compatible with coastal sage scrub restoration since shrub dominants are proficient natural grassland colonizers. We monitor both active and passive restoration sites quantitatively and qualitatively and have demonstrated success that is highly dependent on levels of annual precipitation. We at Starr Ranch believe that our nonchemical, research-based project can serve as a model of a rigorous, sustainable approach to land management in southern California.
Effect of cleistogamy on Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat.

In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance is an important breeding target to reduce yield losses and mycotoxin contamination. We hypothesized that cleistogamous (CL, closed flowering) cultivars have a lower risk of FHB infection than chasmogamous (CH, opened flowering) cultivars because FHB infection usually occurs in the inside of florets or extracted anthers and FHB resistance in CL cultivars decreases mycotoxin accumulation. To test these hypotheses, we produced 126 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between common wheat varieties ‘U24’ (CL variety) and ‘Saikai 165’ (CH variety). Although ‘U24’ and ‘Saikai 165’ are both resistant to FHB infection, ‘U24’ is susceptible to FHB spread, grain deterioration, and mycotoxin accumulation compared with ‘Saikai 165’. Among the RILs, there were significant differences in all of the tested traits. Although the CL RILs showed less initial FHB infection than CH RILs, there were no significant differences in grain deterioration and mycotoxin accumulation between the 2 groups. An FHB-resistant quantitative trait locus (QTL) located on chromosome 3BS increased resistance to FHB spread, grain deterioration, and mycotoxin accumulation; however, not all CL RILs with this QTL accumulated less mycotoxin than ‘Saikai 165’.
Phylogenetic Tests of Alternative Intersexual Selection Mechanisms: Trait Macroevolution in a Polygynous Clade (Aves: Pipridae)

Alternative mechanisms of intersexual selection yield distinct macroevolutionary predictions about the magnitude and patterns of trait and repertoire diversity in clades exposed to persistent intersexual selection. Phylogenetic analyses of the evolution of lek display elements and secondary sexual plumages in manakins (Aves: Pipridae) were conducted to test these predictions and determine which sexual selection mechanisms may have had a predominant role in the evolution of traits within a clade of lekking species. The diverse trait repertoires of manakins are composed of independent, hierarchically distributed (historically nested), behavioral, and morphological novelties. In comparison with the closely related, predominantly monogamous tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae), the diversity of manakin traits and trait repertoires is explosive, indicating that manakin traits have evolved by an unconstrained evolutionary mechanism. The macroevolutionary patterns in manakin traits are consistent with the predictions of the Fisherian and broad sensory bias mechanisms, but they are not consistent with the predictions of the indicator, direct selection, species isolation, or sensory drive mechanisms. The diverse repertoires and hierarchically distributed traits in the lekking manakin clade indicate that Fisherian selection may have played an important role in diversification of secondary sexual traits in other groups of polygynous animals.
Application of Computer Vision in the Construction Industry

In recent years, there is a proliferation of computer vision applications in different industries. Computer vision enables machines to see visually and allows images or videos to be analysed with machine learning algorithms. An abundance of data can be generated daily from sensors, cameras, drones, autonomous robots, BIM (building information model) and other devices. With the help of AI, insights from big data can be drawn to improve construction design, workflow and schedule. In this paper, the focus is to look at computer vision applications that can be employed in the construction industry to resolve construction issues and improve productivity, security and safety of the worksites. Object detection using deep learning algorithm can be employed for inspection of construction material components. This may include contour detection, counting objects and determining size of objects. In terms of security on worksites, facial detection and recognition can be carried out at various points to ensure only qualified people are allowed to enter certain regions to carry out necessary work that include operating on a particular machine. Motion detection mechanism can be deployed in cameras to detect motion in certain regions for surveillance purposes. Real-time interactions of workers and machinery can be captured and workers’ emotions’ can be monitored to check on their wellbeing. Workers’ safety at worksite is always a top concern for companies. Drowsiness detection devices can be installed in cranes to monitor crane operators’ alertness at work. We will look at functionalities provided by OpenCV and discuss the setup, the use and boundary of applications such as object detection, motion detection, facial recognition and drowsiness detection that can be used in the construction industry.
In vitro hepatic metabolism of CYP3A‐mediated drugs quinine and midazolam in the common brush‐tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

This report characterizes the P450 isoenzymes involved in quinine metabolism in liver microsomes of the common brush‐tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). The mean maximal velocity (Vmax) for 3‐hydroxyquinine formation in possum livers was 1,512 ± 510 pmol/mg protein/min (males) and 1,680 ± 690 pmol/mg protein/min (females). The mean Vmax value for 3‐hydroxyquinine formation in possums was approximately threefold higher than that found in human livers. The mean apparent Michaelis constant (Km) for 3‐hydroxyquinine formation in possum livers was 31.9 ± 16 μM in males and 16.1 ± 5 μM in females. At low concentrations of quinine (40 μM), the quinine 3‐hydroxylation was inhibited more than 90% by midazolam, 60% by troleandomycin, 40% by erythromycin, and 47% by nifedipine, all of which are CYP3A inhibitors. Other inhibitors for CYP2C9/10, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP1A1/2 showed little or no inhibition effect on 3‐hydroxylation of quinine. Xenobiotic inhibition studies suggest that the liver CYP3A enzyme family or one similar to human liver CYP3A is responsible for 3‐hydroxylation of quinine in possum livers. The metabolism of midazolam to 1′‐hydroxy and 4‐hydroxy metabolites was also studied. The in vitro metabolism of midazolam was found to be much lower in possum liver microsomes as compared to that observed in human liver microsomes. The mean Vmax values for 4‐hydroxy‐ and 1′‐hydroxymidazolam in male possums were 179 ± 53 and 479 ± 333 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. For female possums, the mean Vmax values were 235 ± 31 and 671 ± 143 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. These Vmax values for male possums were 23 and 8 times less (17 and 6 times less for female possums), respectively, than those observed with human liver microsomes. The present study has demonstrated that, although possums are able to metabolize both midazolam and quinine, the capacity to metabolize midazolam is considerably lower in possum livers than in human livers. This finding could be useful for the selection of alternative poisons to control populations of possums.
Past, present and future of rice blast management

Blast disease caused by fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae is the most severe disease of rice ( Oryza sativa L). On an estimate it annually destroys rice, which can feed around 60 million people. Keeping in view of the importance of the disease, various management strategies like controlled use of nitrogen fertilizers, application of silica and flooding of paddy fields are the practices in use to reduce the rice blast since long time. Improved chemical methods include utilization of copper fungicides, organomercuric and organophosphorus compounds. Some antibiotics e.g., Blasticidin S and Kasugamycin and many systemic and site specific fungicides including melanin biosynthesis inhibitors and plant activators were also utilized effectively for blast management. In the recent years leaf extracts of tulsi and bael have been found effective. Due to the highly variable nature of M. oryzae , exploitation of durable host resistance has remained a challenging job for plant pathologists and breeders. Lots of efforts have been made worldwide to study the variability in the pathogen and to find out the resistance sources. To date approximately 100 R genes for blast resistance have been mapped and 20 of these genes have been cloned in rice. Now, scientists are looking forward to develop durable resistant varieties through pyramiding of quantitative trait loci and major genes. Among the biocontrol agents, different strains of Bacillus spp. and Streptomyces sindeneusis are in use. The availability of rice and M. oryzae genome sequence data are facilitating blast resistance management program to new paradigms which includes isolation and characterization of R and Avr genes, development of noble fungicides, transformed bioagents, transgenic rice and durable resistance.
Wood properties of northern forest trees grown under elevated CO2, O3 and temperature

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of climate change on the radial growth, wood structure and chemistry of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ). The materials for this study were obtained from climate change studies carried out in Finland, USA and Sweden. Elevated CO2 concentration, O3 concentration and temperature affected wood properties of the forest trees. In silver birch, elevated CO2 increased ring width and the concentrations of extractives and starch, while the concentrations of cellulose and gravimetric lignin were decreased. The responses to elevated O3 depended on the clone: vessel percentage and nitrogen concentration decreased, while cell wall percentage increased in one clone. In vessel percentage, elevated CO2 ameliorated the O3-induced decrease. Responses of wood properties to elevated CO2 and O3 differed between 3-year-old and 5-year-old aspen and paper birch. In 3-year-old aspen clones and birch, lignin concentration increased under elevated O3. However, elevated CO2 ameliorated the effect, and the lignin response was no longer found with 5-year-old trees. In aspen, elevated CO2 decreased uronic acids and elicited clone-dependent increases in concentrations of extractives and starch. Elevated O3 reduced stem radial growth and vessel lumen diameter, while it increased cell wall thickness in aspen. In 5-year-old paper birch, elevated CO2 increased extractives and decreased starch, while elevated O3 increased both of them. Three-year-old maple was the least responsive of the tree species to both elevated CO2 and O3. In 40-year-old Norway spruce, elevated CO2 decreased nitrogen concentration, earlywood cell wall thickness and tracheid lumen diameter, while ring width in nonfertilised trees and latewood tracheid lumen diameter were increased. Elevated temperature decreased the concentrations of extractives and soluble sugars, and increased cell wall thickness and wood density. The data from these exposure studies shows that wood properties may change as a result of climate change, but the responses to increasing concentrations of CO2 and O3 and to increasing temperature may depend on species and the age of trees. Since trees are longliving organisms, further data on long-term exposure studies are still needed before wood characteristics and material properties for different end-use purposes can be predicted for a future climate.
Protein Kinase C ϵ Dependence of the Recovery from Down-regulation of S1P1 G Protein-coupled Receptors of T Lymphocytes*

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) from mononuclear phagocytes and platelets signals T cells predominantly through S1P1 G protein-coupled receptors (Rs) to enhance survival, stimulate and suppress migration, and inhibit other immunologically relevant responses. Cellular S1P1 Rs and their signaling functions are rapidly down-regulated by S1P, through a protein kinase C (PKC)-independent mechanism, but characteristics of cell-surface re-expression of down-regulated S1P1 Rs have not been elucidated. T cell chemotactic responses (CT) to 10 and 100 nm S1P and inhibition of T cell chemotaxis to chemokines (CI) by 1 and 3 μm S1P were suppressed after 1 h of preincubation with 100 nm S1P, but recovered fully after 12–24 h of exposure to S1P. Late recovery of down-regulated CT and CI, but not early down-regulation, was suppressed by PKC and PKCϵ-selective inhibitors and was absent in T cells from PKCϵ-null mice. The same PKCϵ inhibitors blocked S1P-evoked increases in T cell nuclear levels of c-Fos and phosphorylated c-Jun and JunD after 24 h, but not 1 h. A mixture of c-Fos plus c-Jun antisense oligonucleotides prevented late recovery of down-regulated CT and CI, without affecting S1P induction of down-regulation. Similarly, S1P-elicited threonine phosphorylation of S1P1 Rs was suppressed by a selective inhibitor of PKCϵ after 24 h, but not 1 h. Biochemical requisites for recovery of down-regulated S1P1 Rs thus differ from those for S1P induction of down-regulation.
Halococcus salifodinae sp. nov., an Archaeal Isolate from an Austrian Salt Mine

A novel extremely halophilic archaeon (archaebacterium) was isolated from rock salt obtained from an Austrian salt mine. The deposition of the salt is thought to have occurred during the Permian period (225 × 106 to 280 × 106 years ago). This organism grew over a pH range of 6.8 to 9.5. Electron microscopy revealed cocci in tetrads or larger clusters. The partial 16S rRNA sequences, polar lipid composition, and menaquinone content suggested that this organism was related to members of the genus Halococcus, while the whole-cell protein patterns, the presence of several unknown lipids, and the presence of pink pigmentation indicated that it was different from previously described coccoid halophiles. We propose that this isolate should be recognized as a new species and should be named Halococcus salifodinae. The type strain is Blp (= ATCC 51437 = DSM 8989). A chemotaxonomically similar microorganism was isolated from a British salt mine.
Effect of feeding intensity and type of roughage fed to Limousin bulls in the finishing period on slaughter traits and fatty acid profile of meat

the objective of the study was to determine the degree to which the intensity of feeding rations differing in the type of roughage affects fattening and slaughter traits, chemical composition, and fatty acid profile of intramuscular fat in m. longissimus dorsi (mLd) of bulls. a total of 36 Limousin bulls were assigned according to feeding level (i – intensive or si – semi-intensive) to 3 analogous groups (with 6 animals per group) differing in the type of roughage fed (maize silage – ms or wilted meadow grass silage – mgs or pasture grass – pg). these feeds were supplemented with meadow hay (1 kg/day) and different amounts of concentrate (1.0 or 0.6 kg/100 kg of body weight). the feeding level had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on differences in the final body weight, daily weight gains, carcass weight after slaughter, bone content in 5 half-carcass cuts, and crude protein content in mLd. the meat of bulls fed meadow grass silage was characterized by considerably lower (p = 0.0001) total cholesterol content in mLd compared to the meat of bulls receiving maize silage or pasture grass. a high interaction (p = 0.0001) was also found for total cholesterol between feeding level and the type of roughage fed. When semi-intensive feeding was used, mLd was characterized by a tendency towards increased proportion of c 14:0, c 18:0, c 18:3 n-3 and sum of cLa isomers and decreased proportion of c 18:2 n-6 compared to intensive feeding. the mLd of bulls from the mgs and pg groups was characterized by a lower content of c 18:3 n-6, a higher content of c 18:3 n-3, Epa, dha and sum of cLa isomers, and a narrower n-6 pufa to n-3 pufa ratio compared to the mLd of bulls from the ms group (p = 0.005–0.0001). compared to the bulls from the ms and mgs groups, the bulls from the pg group had a lower (p<0.01) c 18:2 n-6 content of mLd. in addition, high interactions (p = 0.009–0.0003) between the type of roughage and the feeding level were found for the c 14:0, mufa and Epa content of mLd and the n-6 pufa to n-3 pufa ratio (p = 0.009–0.0003) as well as a significant interaction (p = 0.024) for the proportion of c 18:2 n-6.
Giemsa C‐Banded Karyotypes of two Cytotypes (2x, 4x) of Psathyrostachys Lanuginosa (Poaceae; Triticeae)

The karyotypes of the diploid (2n = 2x = 14) and tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) cytotypes of the outbreeding P. lanuginosa collected from one population in China were investigated by Giemsa C- and N-banding and AgNO3 staining. The complement of the diploid consisted of 14 large chromosomes: 8 metacentrics and 6 SAT-chromosomes, one metacentric and 2 submetacentric pairs, with small to minute, polymorphic, completely heterochromatic satellites. Except that only eight SAT-chromosomes were observed, the complement of the tetraploid matched a doubling of that of the diploid and indicated an autoploid origin. The existence of 12 chromosomes with nucleolus organizers was established through AgNO3 staining demonstrating nucleoli. C-banding patterns comprised from zero to three (2x), or four (4x) small bands per chromosome giving a low content of constitutive heterochromatin (< 3 percnt;). The level of banding pattern polymorphism was low. N-banding produced no bands. Variation in the size of nucleoli demonstrated a differential nucleolus forming capacity of nucleolus organizers among SAT-chromosomes. The basic karyotype was similar to those of P. fragilis, P. juncea and P. stoloniformis, indicating a close relationship and the presence of genome N. Meiotic analysis suggested the presence of a chromosomal rearrangement in the diploid. The frequency of interstitial chiasmata was high. Differences in pollen diameters differentiated the two cytotypes.