Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiphasic analysis of lactation curves in dairy cattle.

Abstract A multiphasic function that considers milk yield to result from an accumulation from more than one phase of lactation was used to describe a lactation curve. Estimated mean milk yields from purebred Dutch Friesian Black and White cows for 15 test d with 20-d intervals, starting from 10 d in milk, were fitted by nonlinear regression using the sum of logistic functions: yt = ∑ i = 1 n { aibi \[ 1 − tan h 2 \( bi \( t − ci \) \) \] } where y t is milk yield (kg) at time t (t = days in milk); n is number of lactation phases (n = 1, 2, 3); tanh is the hyperbolic tangent; for each phase i, a function of parameters a i b i is maximum (peak) yield, c i is time of peak yield, and 2b i −1 is duration, defined as days required to attain about 75% of asymptotic total yield during that phase. Initial yield and 305-d yield were additional functions of parameters. The diphasic function (n = 2) was chosen to estimate parameters for lactation curves for purebred Dutch Friesian Black and White and purebred Meuse-Rhine-Yssel Red and White cows. Effects of breed, parity, and length of lactation on functions of estimates for these parameters were analyzed. Relationships between the two phases of lactation were examined using correlations between functions of estimates for parameters within and between phases.
Benthic studies of waterfowl breeding habitat in south-western New South Wales. II. Chironomid populations

The dynamics of chironomid populations in waterfowl breeding habitat were investigated. Of 12 species recorded, Chironomus 'alternans a', C. tepperi, Kieflerulus intertinctus, Polypedilum nubifer and Procladius villosimanus were common in the mud habitats. C. 'alternans a' was the most commonly recorded species over the whole study, and C. tepperi dominated the faunas afier flooding. Dicrotendipes conjunctus and Dicrotendipes sp. 2 were the major species occurring on stick substrata, and Dicrotendipes sp. 2 and Polypedilum nubifer were dominant on plant substrata. Production of chironomids was high in the first 2 years following an extensive flood but thereafter fell rapidly. Correlative evidence is presented that suggests a relationship between abundance of C. tepperi larvae and breeding by waterfowl.
Crossing relationships and chromosome numbers of Nordic populations of Draba (Brassicaceae), with emphasis on the D. alpina complex

101 populations of Nordic Draba were investigated for chromosome numbers and crossing relationships. The populations were referred to 16 currently recognized species of Sect. Draba, Sect. Chrysodraba (including the D. alpina complex with D. alpina, D. oxycarpa, and D. corymbosa), and Sect. Drabella. The chromosome data suggest that all populations and species are homoploid. Three species are diploid, and 13 species are polyploids ranging from tetraploid to 16-ploid. Draba alpina is decaploid, D. oxycarpa is octoploid, and D. corymbosa is 16-ploid. The chromosome numbers of D. micropetala (n = 16,4x) and D. adamsii (n = 24,2n = 48, 6x) of Sect. Chrysodraba and D. cinerea (n = 24, 6x) of Sect. Draba were determined for the first time based on Nordic material. The relationships inferred from the crossing data largely agree with those inferred from previously published molecular data, but correspond poorly to relationships inferred from morphology. Inter-populational F1 hybrids in D. fladnizensis were entirely sterile, suggesting that this predominantly inbreeding diploid species comprises at least two sibling species, possibly isolated by genic barriers. Sterile to semifertile F1 hybrids with intermediate chromosome numbers were obtained in 19 interspecific combinations. F2 hybrids were obtained in seven of these combinations. Both Sect. Chrysodraba and the D. alpina complex are probably polyphyletic. The crossing data suggest that the morphologically very similar polyploids D. alpina (10x) and D. oxycarpa (8x) do not have any diploid progenitors in common, and that Sect. Draba forms an intricate allopolyploid complex that also includes D. alpina and D. corymbosa of Sect. Chrysodraba. Draba corymbosa (16x) is probably an intersectional, polyphyletic alloploid derived from D. alpina (10x) and various hexaploids of Sect. Draba. Crossing data also suggest that D. norvegica (6x) is one of the progenitors of the Nordic endemic D. cacuminum (8x). The phenotypic expression of genes encoding taxonomically important indument characters did not follow consistent patterns in interspecific hybrids. This result may explain the discrepancy between genetic and taxonomic relationships in Nordic Draba, and supports the use of wide taxonomic concepts in this highly reticulate genus.
Quantitative and qualitative changes in endogenous nitrogen components along the small intestine of the calf

The aim of this study was to investigate the quantitative and qualitative changes in endogenous protein components along the calf's small intestine. A protein-free diet and three milk substitutes based on skim milk powder and differing in their protein level (100, 200 and 280 g kg−1 respectively) were prepared. Duodenal, jejunal and ileal digesta were collected through simple cannulae. The flow of non-specific endogenous amino acids (AAs) determined with the protein-free diet was 8, 13 and 12 g kg−1 of dry matter intake in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum respectively. The flow of endogenous amino acids in digesta from calves fed diets containing protein was determined using multiple linear regression analysis. It was higher than the non-specific flow at the duodenum and jejunum owing to additional specific endogenous components. At the ileum, milk proteins were completely digested and the flow of total AAs assayed was equal to the non-specific flow. Seventy per cent of protein flowing at the jejunum was apparently reabsorbed before the terminal ileum. Endogenous protein at the duodenum resembled a theoretical mixture of proteins from saliva, gastric and pancreatic juices (140, 270 and 590 g kg−1 respectively). Ileal protein losses corresponded to a mixture of proteins from the host and gut bacteria in a 50:50 ratio. By contrast, no theoretical mixture of reference proteins fitted the AA composition of jejunal endogenous protein. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry
Identity of Guignardia sp. inhabiting ericaceous plants

An ascomycete belonging to the genus Guignardia with a Phyllosticta anamorph was frequently isolated from living leaves of several ericaceous plants. Ecological study on assemblages of endophytes suggested that this fungus is a dominant endophytic fungus of ericaceous plants. The Phyllosticta anamorph was morphologically similar to Phyllosticta capitalensis P. Henn. , which can be a pathogen of orchids. An authentic culture of P. capitalensis IFO 32914 (= CBS 226.77) produced an ascigerous stage on potato dextrose agar, the morphology of which was identical to the Guignardia sp. from ericaceous plants. Sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA (ITS1 and ITS2, including 5.8S rDNA) supported the identity of the present fungus and P. capitalensis. Consequently, we describe this endophytic ascomycete found from ericaceous plants as Guignardia endophyllicola sp.nov., which has P. capitalensis as an anamorph. Previously known as a pathogen of orchids, the fungus was revealed to ex.
Modulators of lysophosphatidic acid signalling

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a key lipid mediator in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell survival, motility, invasion and wound healing in normal cells, such as fibroblasts and haematopoietic cells. In addition, LPA signalling is implicated in cancer, atherosclerosis, ischaemia perfusion injury and other pathophysiological conditions. LPA, sphingolipids and other lysophospholipids act through several mechanisms: (i) a family of cell-surface seven transmembrane domain G-protein-coupled receptors; (ii) a nuclear hormone-activated transcription factor; (iii) membrane curvature and endocytosis and (iv) other targets yet to be defined. Based on the action of LPA on molecular targets in different human pathologies, both receptor-selective agonists and antagonists are sought as potential clinical agents. In addition, the control of endogenous production and clearance of LPA may provide an important target for treatment of multiple disease states. Thus, modifiers of phospholipase A1 and A2, lysophospholipase D, LPA acyl transferase and lipid phosphate phosphatase activities should be explored as potential therapeutics. This overview summarises the literature and issued patents covering the molecular agents developed to potentially manipulate the specific effects of LPA on cell physiology and clinical outcome.
Census and distribution of black noddy anous minutus nests on heron island, november 1985

A census of Black Noddy nesting density on Heron Island in fate November 1985 returned an estimate of 40 718 ± 3214 (X ± s.e.) active nests, an increase of 10.5% over the most recent previous survey conducted in 1983 and 39% higher than a survey in 1982. An assessment of habitat usage indicated that Black Noddies nest in all species of tree found on the island, even in Casuarina in which few or no nests have previously been reported. With the possible exception of Ficus and Celtis there was no clear indication that any species were preferred for nesting when tree and shrub size were considered. However, 75% of nests were found in Pisonia, predominantly in large ones. The numbers of birds nesting in the eastern and western halves of the island were almost identical despite the extensive development, tree loss and human presence in the west. In die developed half of the island there were greater numbers of nests per tree in the important nesting species, which almost completely compensated for the lower density of trees.
Mother–young cohabitation in Phronimella elongata and Phronima spp. (Amphipoda, Hyperiidea, Phronimidae)

Reproductive characteristics of poorly studied hyperiid amphipods, especially Phronimella elongata, are described. Among nine species of hand-collected phronimids, females of Phronimella elongata, Phronima dunbari and Phronima sedentaria cohabited with their young in a ‘barrel' derived from gelatinous zooplankton. Five growth stages of young were identified in Phronimella elongata: young of stages I–IV were found with the mother in the barrel, but stage-V young clinged to the mother retaining no barrel. The cohabiting young in Phronimella elongata and Phronima sedentaria always consisted of single growth stage. In a single female of Phronima dunbari, however, two different stages of young coexisted in a barrel. In Phronimella elongata, the mother size significantly correlated with the number of brooded eggs or cohabiting young regardless of growth stages of young. Considerable variation in the number of eggs or young per female among phronimid species may attribute to the differences in the volumes of the brood pouches.
Parâmetros genéticos de uma população de milho em níveis contrastantes de nitrogênio

O objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar uma populacao de milho por meio da analise de parâmetros geneticos em baixa e alta disponibilidade de nitrogenio. Assim, foi realizado experimento em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com 162 linhagens, em dois ambientes contrastantes quanto a disponibilidade de nitrogenio, em esquema fatorial com tres repeticoes. A populacao apresentou variabilidade genetica para produtividade de graos em baixo nitrogenio, com reducao na media de altura de espiga, teor de clorofila, numero de espigas, peso de espiga e produtividade de graos em relacao ao ambientes sem estresse. Os coeficientes de correlacao genetica entre produtividade de graos e as outras caracteristicas variaram de acordo com as doses de nitrogenio aplicadas. O numero de espigas apresentou alta correlacao genetica com produtividade de graos sob estresse, alem de maior herdabilidade comparada a obtida em alto nitrogenio, possibilitando assim seu uso na selecao indireta de linhagens produtivas de milho cultivadas sob estresse de nitrogenio.
Long-term changes in the trophic level of western Mediterranean fishery and aquaculture landings

We explored changes in western Mediterranean fishery and aquaculture landings using trophic level (TL) estimates derived from nitrogen stable isotope analysis combined with geographically detailed fishery data collated by the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM). Our analyses confirmed earlier suggestions that there has been a significant decline in the mean trophic level of Mediterranean landings (by ~0.15 TL over 26 years). However, this decline is suggested to be almost entirely a result of increased landings of bivalve molluscs from mariculture and not due to changes in landings from capture fisheries. The mean trophic level of finfish landings has not changed significantly since 1973, although both fish and total landings have become significantly more diverse. Inspection of small pelagic fish landings revealed a marked decrease in the contribution played by anchovy and replacement of this species by sardine. Since 1981, cage culture of high trophic level species such as sea bass (D.
Surface Display of Proteins on Bacteriophage λ Heads

We have developed plasmid and phage vectors for the display of foreign proteins on the surface of bacteriophage λ capsid by modifying theDgene which encodes the major head protein gpD. The vectors have multiple cloning sites, and permit colour selection and conditional chain termination for recombinants. Displayed proteins can be fused to either the N or C terminus of gpD by a peptide linker. The conditional chain termination scheme,viaa hostEscherichia colisuppressor activity, allows the fusion and assembly of homomultimeric proteins as well as control of the number of fusion proteins per phage particle. We have successfully displayed β-lactamase, IgG-binding domains of theStaphylococcus aureusprotein A, and β-galactosidase by cloning the genes into the vector. The constructs express functionally active proteins fused to gpD that assemble into phage particles. These results suggest that gpD may be fused to many other peptides and proteins at their N or C terminus and the fusion products may be accessible on the surface of bacteriophage λ particles.
Genetic diversity in woad (Isatis tinctoria L.) accessions detected by ISSR markers

Woad (Isatis tinctoria L.) was introduced in Europe in ancient times to produce indigo, a natural blue pigment used mainly for dyestuff. This species was cultivated in Portugal until the beginning of the 20th century, especially in the inner North and South. A set of nine inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers generated 177 reproducible fragments, of which 171 were polymorphic. The mean number of fragments/accession was 111, ranging between 100 (Portugal-Coimbra) and 124 (Poland). The total polymorphism observed was 0.3272, the average polymorphism was 0.1784 and the gene differentiation between accessions was 0.4546. Polymorphism ranged between 53.8% (Austria) and 73.1% (Belgium). The genetic relationship among woad accessions was obtained with unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram based on a molecular marker, clearly clustering the woad accessions according to their geographic origin. The genetic diversity observed in this collection shows that there is a considerable potential for its improvement and that ISSR could be used to evaluate intra- and inter-accession similarities in I. tinctoria species.
Lichen colonization patterns show minor effects of dispersal distance at landscape scale

The role of dispersal in controlling the distribution of species at landscape scale (102–104 m) is still a matter of dispute. Here, we use the early colonization pattern of 23 epiphytic lichen species in a former tree-less heathland landscape (170 km2) to test three hypotheses on how a landscape is colonized: A) mainly by long-distance dispersal (LDD), B) by rare LDD events followed by limited local dispersal, and C) mainly by limited dispersal, resulting in a colonization front. The study system consisted of a chronosequence of 94 habitat patches constituting 0.4% of the landscape area, with a minimum inter-site distance of 0.2 km. We used generalized linear mixed models with Bayesian inference to test predictions from the hypotheses. When age of sites and habitat area were accounted for, additional effects of geographical position of sites (distance from old sites, distance-dependent relative propagule pressure, and distance from border of study area) on the probability of colonization by lichen species were small. Furthermore, species richness of sites did not depend on geographical position, either. Our results support a colonization process mainly governed by LDD at landscape scale, and that local stepwise colonization was not important. We argue that passively dispersed species with numerous small propagules tend to exhibit patchy populations with extensive dispersal at the landscape scale, rather than behaving like classical metapopulations.
Aporte e Decomposição da Serapilheira na Caatinga no Sul do Piauí

Studies on nutrient cycling in the Caatinga biome can support a better understanding of the ecological processes in that ecosystem. This study aimed to improve information related to the amount of organic material for litter formation, its chemical composition and required time for decomposition in a study area located in the Caatinga biome, municipality of Santa Luz, Piaui state, Brazil. The litterfall production was monthly collected between December 2010 and November 2011 using 10 collectors. The collected material was partially used as samples for soil analysis (N, K, P, lignin and tannin). The decomposition was assessed using litter bags. Our results indicate that litter deposition increases as precipitation decreases, mainly the leaf fraction. The greatest soil nutrient content was Nitrogen. It seems that the high concentrations of lignin and tannin in the Caatinga litter were responsible for decreasing the decomposition rate of the leaf litter.
A new species of duck leech from North America formerly confused with Theromyzon rude (Rhynchobdellida: Glossiphoniidae)

In North America, Theromyzon specimens with three annuli between the male and female gonopores belong to the newly described species Theromyzon trizonare. A detailed description of the new species is provided, with a description of the external and internal features that differentiate it from other species in this genus. The diagnostic features of T. trizonare include the presence of three annuli between the gonopores, two female pores opening to the exterior, and atrial cornua at the terminal ends of the paired male ducts.
Synthesis of Mucin Glycansfrom the Protozoon Parasite Trypanosoma cruzi

A short, blockwise, 2+2-glycosylation approach to the synthesis of a tetrasaccharide component of Trypanosoma cruzi mucin is reported. Despite the use of a 1,2-linked disaccharide donor, high yield (79%) and good stereocontrol (>10:1, β:α) were achieved in the key glycosylation step. Preliminary studies indicate that this branched tetrasaccharide can serve as a substrate for enzymatic sialylation by the parasite cell surface trans-sialidase.
On a Collection of Diplopods from North India, both Cavernicolous and Epigaean.

Summary. The following new forms are described either from caves or as epigaean species in the Himalayan area: Glenniea nova, Orthomorpha (Kalorthomorpha) almorensis. Chondromorpha kaimura, Sundanina septentrionalis, Glyphiulus sp. , Siphonophora larwoodi and Saroxenus mirus. The cavernicolous genus Glenniea Turk is re-studied and re-described as well as its type species G. indica Turk. The genus Saroxenus often regarded as a doubtful one is re-instated and its range extended to the continent of Asia by the discovery of the new species. Some faunistic notes on the collection are appended. All type specimens of the new species are, at present, in my collection.
Involvement of vertebrate hemoglobin in antioxidant protection: chicken blood as a model

Redox balance can be described as the equilibrium between oxidative and reductive forces within the cell. These forces control several cellular events, including the modulation of redox-sensitive receptors and signaling pathways. In cells, glutathione is the major non-protein thiol and is considered the main redox buffer. The ratio between the oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) forms reflects the cellular redox balance. Reactive protein thiols, including vertebrate hemoglobin (Hb), have been proposed as effective antioxidants that can contribute to the redox balance. To further explore this possibility, chicken (Gallus gallus (L., 1758)) blood was used as a model system. The use of known oxidants (hydroperoxides, diamide, and a system generating reactive oxygen species) originated a pattern of glutathiolation in chicken erythrocytes that was fully reversed after removal of the oxidant, this being consistent with a physiological response. The glutathiolation sequence correlates to kinetic data on chicken Hb.
Mycorrhizal specificity of Diuris fragrantissima (Orchidaceae) and persistence in a reintroduced population

This study investigated the diversity and specificity of mycorrhizal fungi associated with five Diuris (Orchidaceae) taxa in south-eastern Australia, as part of a reintroduction program for the endangered species Diuris fragrantissima. We compared fungi isolated from D. fragrantissima occurring naturally in the only remaining population with those from artificially cultivated plants and reintroduced plants 18 months after planting in a new field site west of Melbourne. Genetic similarity of nuclear internal transcribed spacer and nuclear large subunit DNA sequences showed that Diuris taxa associate with a narrow taxonomic range of fungi within the cosmopolitan family Tulasnellaceae in the Rhizoctonia alliance. All fungal isolates induced host seed germination and hence were considered mycorrhizal. Fungal isolates from naturally occurring D. fragrantissima plants showed a higher level of genetic similarity than fungi isolated from cultivated plants. This observation suggests that, historically, the species may have associated with a more genetically variable range of Tulasnella fungi. Artificially cultivated D. fragrantissima were propagated aseptically from seed and spontaneously formed mycorrhizal associations within 6 months of transfer to potting media. Wild collected D. fragrantissima plants maintained in cultivation for over 30 years were found to contain mycorrhizal fungi similar to those isolated from naturally occurring plants in 2004–2006. Mycorrhizal associations in artificially cultivated D. fragrantissima were present in 18 randomly sampled plants 18 months after reintroduction. Further, associations formed between several reintroduced plants and a fungus concurrently inoculated into site soil. We propose that future orchid reintroductions may benefit from the concurrent addition of suitable mycorrhizal fungi to site soil. Maintenance of orchid mycorrhizal relationships after reintroduction is essential to improve long-term viability of reintroduced populations.