Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increasing lamb output by crossing commercial Merino ewes with South African Meat Merino rams

Commercial Merino ewes were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups, which were joined either to commercial Merino or South African Meat Merino rams during October 1996 and 1997. Merino rams were involved in 161 joinings, and South African Meat Merino rams in 157 joinings. The proportions of ewes that lambed were independent of the breed of the sire when expressed relative to the number of ewes joined (0.809 and 0.801 in ewes joined to South African Meat Merino and Merino rams, respectively). The proportion of multiple lambs was similarly not affected by the breed of the service sire. Lambs sired by South African Meat Merino rams were on average (± s.e.) heavier (4.17 ± 0.07 v. 3.86 ± 0.07 kg; P<0.01) at birth. They also tended to have a better (0.69 v. 0.59; P<0.10) survival to weaning, and were heavier (26.9 ± 0.6 v. 22.8 ± 0.6 kg; P<0.01) at weaning than purebred Merino contemporaries. The combined effect of the tendency towards an improved survival rate as well as the increased lamb weaning weight resulted in a 36% increase (P<0.01) in lamb output in Merino ewes joined to South African Meat Merino ewes compared with ewes joined to Merino rams. Higher (P<0.01) proportions of ram lambs sired by South African Meat Merino rams reached slaughter weight (about 40 kg) before the onset of the dry Mediterranean summer than purebred Merinos. Two-tooth ewes sired by South African Meat Merino rams were heavier (P<0.01) at 2-tooth age (53.0 ± 0.6 v. 52.0 ± 0.6 kg) than purebred Merinos. The 2-tooth greasy fleece weight of South African Meat Merino sired 2-tooth ewes were lower (3.85 ± 0.08 v. 4.66 ± 0.09 kg; P<0.01), with a lower (66.8 ± 0.6 v. 70.5 ± 0.7 %; P<0.01) clean yield than that of purebred Merinos. This resulted in a marked difference in clean fleece weight between the 2 types (2.56 ± 0.06 v. 3.28 ± 0.06 kg, respectively). Wool produced by South African Meat Merino sired 2-tooth ewes was generally broader (21.8 ± 0.3 v. 20.3 ± 0.3 �m; P<0.01) and shorter (87.3 ± 1.3 v. 96.4 ± 1.4 mm; P<0.01) than that of their purebred Merino contemporaries. The coefficient of variation of fibre diameter as well as staple strength was independent of the breed of the sire. Liveweight of adult ewes and wool traits were independent of the breed of the service sire.
CO2 stabilization, climate change and the terrestrial carbon sink

A nonequilibrium, dynamic, global vegetation model, Hybrid v4.1, with a subdaily timestep, was driven by increasing CO2 and transient climate output from the UK Hadley Centre GCM (HadCM2) with simulated daily and interannual variability. Three IPCC emission scenarios were used: (i) IS92a, giving 790 ppm CO2 by 2100, (ii) CO2 stabilization at 750 ppm by 2225, and (iii) CO2 stabilization at 550 ppm by 2150. Land use and future N deposition were not included. In the IS92a scenario, boreal and tropical lands warmed 4.5 °C by 2100 with rainfall decreased in parts of the tropics, where temperatures increased over 6 °C in some years and vapour pressure deficits (VPD) doubled. Stabilization at 750 ppm CO2 delayed these changes by about 100 years while stabilization at 550 ppm limited the rise in global land surface temperature to 2.5 °C and lessened the appearance of relatively hot, dry areas in the tropics.
Restricted movement in resident stream salmonids : a paradigm lost ?

Gerking (1959. Biol. Rev. 34: 221–242) proposed a theory about the restricted movement of stream fishes that may be considered a paradigm in salmonid biology. The restricted movement paradigm (our term) hold that resident stream salmonids are sedentary. Numerous studies have supported the restricted movement paradigm, but nearly all have relied on the recapture of marked fish from the same areas in which they were released, an approach we believe is biased against detecting movement. We found substantial movement of trout in streams in Colorado and Wyoming using two-way weirs and radio telemetry. A review of the research on Lawrence Creek, Wisconsin, also showed that movement was important in the response of the trout population to habitat enhancement. Movement of resident stream fish has profound implications for research (e.g., measuring production and habitat models) and management (e.g., habitat enhancement, special regulations, and stocking hatchery fish). Methods capable of detecting fish movement c.
Migrations and swimming capabilities of endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) to guide passage designs in the fragmented Yellowstone River

Fragmentation of the Yellowstone River is hypothesized to preclude recruitment of endangered Scaphirhynchus albus (pallid sturgeon) by impeding upstream spawning migrations and access to upstream spawning areas, thereby limiting the length of free‐flowing river required for survival of early life stages. Building on this hypothesis, the reach of the Yellowstone River affected by Intake Diversion Dam (IDD) is targeted for modification. Structures including a rock ramp and by‐pass channel have been proposed as restoration alternatives to facilitate passage. Limited information on migrations and swimming capabilities of pallid sturgeon is available to guide engineering design specifications for the proposed structures. Migration behavior, pathways (channel routes used during migrations), and swimming capabilities of free‐ranging wild adult pallid sturgeon were examined using radiotelemetry, and complemented with hydraulic data obtained along the migration pathways. Migrations of 12–26% of the telemetered pallid sturgeon population persisted to IDD, but upstream passage over the dam was not detected. Observed migration pathways occurred primarily through main channel habitats; however, migrations through side channels up to 3.9 km in length were documented. The majority of pallid sturgeon used depths of 2.2–3.4 m and mean water velocities of 0.89–1.83 m/s while migrating. Results provide inferences on depths, velocities, and habitat heterogeneity of reaches successfully negotiated by pallid sturgeon that may be used to guide designs for structures facilitating passage at IDD. Passage will provide connectivity to potential upstream spawning areas on the Yellowstone River, thereby increasing the likelihood of recruitment for this endangered species.
Isolation of microsatellite loci from a rainforest tree, Elaeocarpus grandis (Elaeocarpaceae), and amplification across closely related taxa

Elaeocarpus grandis (Blue Quandong) is a common rainforest tree with a widespread distribution across northeastern Australia, while the related species E. sp. Rocky Creek and E. williamsianus are more restricted in their distribution. Highly polymorphic markers are required to provide genetic information on these species, which will aid in developing effective conservation and management strategies. Eight microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in E. grandis, and tested in the rare species and other species of the Elaeocarpaceae. Cross-species transferability was most successful within Elaeocarpus, with six and eight loci transferring to E. sp. Rocky Creek and E. williamsianus, respectively.
Heat treatment affects protein quality and protease activity in decapsulated cysts of Artemia when used as starter food for larvae of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Decapsulated cysts of Artemia subjected to different heat treatments (40, 60, 80 and 96 °C) were fed to African catfish Clarias gariepinus larvae. Heated cysts, untreated cysts and live Artemia nauplii as control constituted the experimental diets. Protein denaturation and solubility, total alkaline protease and specific trypsin activities in the cyst diets were evaluated. The growth of catfish larvae and the proteolytic activity of larval samples during development were also determined. Heat treatment of cysts increased protein denaturation and decreased protein solubility. The protease activity in the cyst diets decreased with higher heating temperatures. The growth of catfish larvae differed according to the diet; higher fish growth was achieved with nauplii and cysts heated at 40 °C. The digestive enzyme activity in larval samples remained similar in all dietary treatments during larval development. The quality of food protein and the way this protein is processed might be more important for successful larval growth than exogenous enzyme supply.
Immunological control of coccidiosis in poultry

Coccidiosis – caused by parasites of the genus Eimeria – is an infection known to damage poultry. Eimeria spp. follow a typical coccidian lifestyle consisting of an endogenous asexual and sexual phase and an exogenous infectious phase. Eimeria spp. infections are self-limiting because the number of asexual, pathogenic, cycles is genetically pre-determined. However, the infection may be chronic because of oocyst cycling in feces. Coccidiosis is a burden on the poultry industry and many preventive anticoccidial drugs have been created; however, a major limit is emerging drug resistance. Live vaccination is another method of coccidiosis prevention where protective immunity is developed by a dose of non-attenuated Eimeria spp. that is then cycled in the feces to produce protective immunity. The cycling of the controlled infection with live vaccination of replacement laying hens is influenced by commercial caging techniques. This review provides an overview of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria species infecting domestic fowl and the nature of coccidial infections in commercial poultry houses.
New temnocephalans from the branchial chamber of Australian Euastacus and Cherax crayfish hosts

Australian freshwater crayfish are hosts to ectosymbiotic, turbellarian worms of the temnocephalan subfamily Craspedellinae Baer, 1931 which are found in the the branchial chamber and are characterised by possession of one or more transverse papillate ridges across the dorsal body and crenulate (papillate) tentacles. The Craspedellinae is enlarged to accommodate four species viz. Gelasinella powellorum gen. et sp. nov. from Euastacus spinifer and three new species of Craspedella from Cherax spp. The definition of the Craspedellinae is emended to include a description of the organisation of the epidermal syncytial mosaic. The pattern of the epidermal syncytial mosaic of Craspedellinae is diagnostic for the subfamily, but not useful to discriminate either genera or species within the taxon. The biogeography of the Craspedellinae suggests an origin in Australia/New Guinea after the separation of South America and Australia from Antarctica (c. 45 mya) and coevolution and radiation with Cherax crayfish, followed by host switching to Euastacus.
Ultrastructure of the Osphradium of the Tertiary Relict Snail, Campanile symbolicum Iredale (Mollusca, Streptoneura)

The osphradium of Campanile symbolicum Iredale, 1917 is a gill-like, bipectinate sense organ, which is located at the left side of the mantle roof. The mass of the deeply clefted sensory epithelium of the leaflets is built up by sensory cells, which are provided with deeply invaginated aberrant cilia and large cytosomes containing pigment formations. In addition, many free nerve processes are present, bearing a single or few sensory cilia with accessory centrioles. Polyciliary cells are interspersed. A cell type with netlike or concentrically arranged smooth endoplasmic reticulum is commonly found near the central axis of the osphradium. The central zone of each leaflet includes nervous tissue and a complicated muscular grid, with pore cells and fibroblasts also present. Based on the fine-structural data the functional and ecological significance of the osphradium of Campanile symbolicum is discussed. The combination of herbivory and a lamellar osphradium is rare among the Gastropoda, suggesting that the osphradium of Campanile might also be involved in reproductive biology. Many fine-structural features of the osphradium of Campanile symbolicum are unique among the gastropods and reflect the phylogenetic isolation of this relict snail. The net-like cell type, however, is probably homologous with the so-called Si4 cell in the remaining caenogastropods, for which a largely different osphradial fine-structure is diagnostic. The affinities of Campanile symbolicum are probably closer to the Caenogastropoda than to the Allogastropoda and Euthyneura. With present knowledge it might be best classified near the base or even as the first clade within the Caenogastropoda.
Genetic Variation and Phenotypic Plasticity of Quercus robur Populations and Open-pollinated Families in Lithuania

The purpose of the study was to estimate among- and within-population variation for juvenile growth and for growth rhythm traits, bud flushing and leaf colouring, in open-pollinated families of Quercus robur L. from six Lithuanian populations under different environmental conditions. Assessments were done in the nursery up to 4 yrs, and after replanting in three field trials at the age of 6 yrs. A highly significant population effect was found for bud flushing. Large family variance components were estimated for bud flushing and height. The family×site interaction was significant and more pronounced for growth cessation and height than for bud flushing. Depending on the trait, from 13 to 33% of families contributed significantly to the family×site interaction. Strongly significant site×population interaction was estimated only for bud flushing. Families with early bud flushing were taller, although the correlation was weak. Correlations between family means in bud flushing and bud flushing of parent trees varied from 0.53 to 0.60. Large CVA estimates for the adaptive traits suggest that species have a potential to adapt to environmental changes that may occur from global warming and indicate good perspectives for gene conservation and tree breeding when using Multiple Population Breeding System.
Biogeography of Aegagropila linnaei (Cladophorophyceae, Chlorophyta): a widespread freshwater alga with low effective dispersal potential shows a glacial imprint in its distribution

Aim Aegagropila linnaei is a freshwater macroalga that is generally regarded as a rare species. It is apparently absent from large but seemingly suitable areas of the Northern Hemisphere, implying a limited dispersal potential and an imprint of Pleistocene glaciations in its biogeography. However, despite the popularity of its enigmatic lake ball‐form, detailed biogeographical studies of A. linnaei have never been conducted. The main means of reproduction of A. linnaei is fragmentation and akinetes are not formed, supporting the assumption of limited dispersal capacity. The aim of this study was to reconstruct the biogeography of A. linnaei, and to identify possible refugia during glaciations, as well as to evaluate dispersal potential by quantitative desiccation experiments.
Diversidad microbiana de los sedimentos anaerobios de río Tinto

El rio Tinto (Huelva, Espana) es un ambiente natural, semejante a los denominados drenajes acidos de mina (Acid Mine Drainage), producido por la bio-oxidacion de sulfuros metalicos procedentes de la Faja Piritica Iberica. Hasta ahora, y a pesar de su interes ecologico, sus sedimentos habian sido escasamente estudiados. En esta tesis, presentamos un amplio estudio de la microbiota anaerobia de los sedimentos del rio Tinto combinando tecnicas dependientes e independientes de cultivo siguiendo el llamado ciclo completo del rRNA. Usando tecnicas de biologia molecular, ha sido desarrollado un modelo geomicrobiologico de los distintos ciclos microbianos que operan en el sistema. Para ello, se aplicaron tecnicas independientes de cultivo basados en la subunidad pequena del RNA ribosomal (SSU RNA), como electroforesis en gel de gradiente desnaturalizante (DGGE), secuenciacion del gen de 16S rRNA (clonaje) y la variante de hibridacion in situ con sondas fluorescente con deposicion catalizada (CARD-FISH). Fueron identificados microorganismos relacionados con el ciclo del hierro (At. ferrooxidans, Sulfobacillus spp., Ferroplasma spp., etc.), azufre (Desulfurella spp., Desulfosporosinus spp., Thermodesulfobium spp., etc.), carbono (Acidiphilium spp., Bacillus spp., Clostridium spp., Acidobacterium spp., etc.) y nitrogeno (Alcaligenes spp., Pseudochrobactrum spp., etc.) y su distribucion correlacionada con los parametros fisico-quimicos de los sedimentos. En aquellos puntos donde el pH y el potencial redox son mas cercanos a la columna de agua (pH 2,5 y +400 mV), los organismos predominantes fueron identificados como bacterias reductoras de hierro: Acidithiobacillus spp. y Acidiphilium spp. , probablemente relacionado con la alta solubilidad del hierro a bajo pH. En cambio, a mayor pH (4,2-6,2) y condiciones redox mas reductoras (50, -210 mV) dominaban bacterias sulfatoreductoras de los generos Syntrophobacter, Desulfosporosinus y Desulfurella. El diseno de una sonda especifica para los reductores de azufre pertenecientes al genero Desulfurella fue primordial para el trabajo. Adicionalmente, se han llevado a cabo cultivos de enriquecimiento especificos para validar este modelo y probar la existencia de las potenciales actividades anaerobias que habian sido inferidas en los sedimentos acidos del rio Tinto. Se obtuvieron resultados positivos para cultivos de metanogenas, sulfatorreductoras, desnitrificantes, reductoras de hierro y productoras de hidrogeno. Ciertos microorganismos han podido ser aislados como sulfatorreductoras acidofilas (dos posibles nuevas especies y un posible nuevo genero relacionados con Desulfosporosinus/Desulfitobacterium), fermentadoras (un posible nuevo genero, proximo a Paludibacter) y productoras de hidrogeno. Finalmente, se ha testado la capacidad de biorremediacion de las bacterias sulfatorreductoras que pueblan los sedimentos del rio Tinto tratando simultaneamente aguas acidas de mina y aguas residuales urbanas. Se obtuvo un efluente de pH neutro y bajo contenido en materia organica, sulfatos y metales pesados.
PBSC‐collection in patients using the FRESENIUS‐AS 104 leucollect‐protocol.

While collecting peripheral blood derived stem cell (PBSC) concentrates for autografting, we investigated the applicability of the new, completely microprocessor controlled continuous flow cell separator Fresenius-AS 104 for PBSC-collection in patients. After correcting some small initial problems, we are working using the Leucollect program version 4.4. 32 separations carried out in 11 patients are evaluable. Due to venous problems, we had to stop one separation after processing 2863 ml. Therefore, a mean peripheral blood volume of 9101ml (±1391) per separation has been processed and PBSC concentrates of 276 ml (±43) were collected. During the 215min (range: 97–252) separation time, no technical problems occured. As the absolute cell count in the concentrates depends on the patients preseparation count, we defined the program's efficiency as percentage of the collected mononuclear cells (MNC) and granulocyte-monocyte-colony-forming-units (CFU-GM) in relation to the cells that were theoretically available and obtained a mean MNC-efficiency of 47.2 % and a mean CFU-GM-efficiency of 126.4 %.
RESEARCH CONCERNING THE MAIN CHARACTERITICS OF THE MILT OBTAINED FROM THE COMMON CARP BY HYPOPHYSIS EXTRACT TREATMENT

The artificial reproduction of the carp, realized b y the application of some techniques which start with the gametes retrieving and ends with spa wn hatching, is just a stage of consumption fish pr oduction obtaining. The advanced artificial reproduction techniques of the common carp involve a hormonal treatment before spawn and milt stripping from the mature rep roductives. The hormonal induction of spawning allo ws the reproductive synchronization of a large number of i ndividuals, which contribute to the efficiency of systematizing in the incubation station and facilit ate the fishery management. The hormonal induction of spawning is based on the conduction of the brain - hypothalamus - hypophysis - gonads chain. Some of the used substances for the hormonal treatment for spaw ning are the hormones, represented in this paper by the hypophysis extract. The estimation of milt quality after the hypophysi s extract treatment was performed through macroscopic and microscopic analysis and there were measured some parameters such as: the milt quantit y obtained, sperm mobility, viability, concentration and abnormalities.
Evaluating Verticillium dahliae for biological control of Ophiostoma novo-ulmi in Ulmus minor

The ability of isolate Vd-48 of Verticillium dahliae to induce resistance against subsequent challenge with Ophiostoma novo-ulmi was examined in Ulmus minor. In the first experiment, conditioning inoculation of 5-year-old elm trees (2–3 m in height) with Vd-48 15 days prior to challenge inoculation with O. novo-ulmi significantly reduced wilting (P ≤ 0·05) compared with trees not conditioned with Vd-48. However, in another experiment on 6-year-old trees (2–3·5 m in height), no protection was achieved when the length of time between conditioning and challenge inoculations was 45 or 60 days. In a further experiment, inoculations with Vd-48 alone resulted in severe wilting in 22 out of 118 trees (6–10 years old and 4–7 m in height). Across the 2 years of this last trial, nine trees showed massive feeding wounds made by Scolytus sp. , while O. novo-ulmi strains were isolated from six trees. Vd-48 provided a variable prophylactic effect against O. novo-ulmi in U. minor. Major difficulties with this approach to control Dutch elm disease are discussed.
Genetic diversity of goniomonads: an ancient divergence between marine and freshwater species

Goniomonas is a ubiquitous free-living, phagotrophic zooflagellate genus related to the photosynthetic cryptophytes. Only one freshwater and two marine species have been described. Although the two marine species (G. pacifica and G. amphinema) are morphologically quite distinct from each other, it was unclear until recently whether one of them (G. pacifica) is really separate from the freshwater G. truncata because their morphology and size are so similar. We have isolated six new Goniomonas strains and amplified and sequenced their small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. Our results reveal remarkable genetic diversity within all three nominal species and confirm that G. pacifica is genetically very distinct from G. truncata. Within each morphospecies there is more divergence than between many cryptophyte genera and there are many more substantially different genotypes of Goniomonas than established ‘species’. This implies that there are numerous undescribed ‘species’ of Goniomonas and suggests that goniomonad genetic diversity might equal that of the cryptophytes. Phylogenetic analysis of 10 Goniomonas sequences shows two very robust clades, one consisting only of ‘G. truncata’ and the other comprising G. pacifica-related sequences and a separate cluster of genotypes that probably represent G. amphinema. Thus, one clade comprises five freshwater strains, which have markedly longer genes, and the other clade comprises five marine strains. The divergence between all freshwater and all marine sequences is several times greater than that within one morphospecies. This deep genetic divergence implies that for several hundred million years, freshwater goniomonads have not been able to colonize marine habitats effectively, and vice versa. Our trees show that the 18S rRNA gene has evolved in freshwater strains faster than in the marine strains and robustly support the holophyly of all goniomonads and their sister relationship with cryptophytes.