Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE BACTERIAL INDUCTION OF HOMOGRAFT SENSITIVITY

Heat-killed Group A hemolytic streptococci can induce in guinea pigs a state of altered reactivity to skin homografts which is indistinguishable from that which results from sensitization with homologous tissues. Challenge of suitably prepared recipients with first-set skin homografts obtained from unrelated randomly selected donors elicits white graft reactions or accelerated rejection of such grafts. The gross and histologic appearance of these grafts is identical with that observed in similar reactions obtained in guinea pigs sensitized with homologous tissues. The ability of Group A hemolytic streptococci to induce homograft sensitivity in the guinea pig is a property shared by Types 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 14, and 49 of Group A streptococci.
Evaluation of Three Techniques to Age Arctic Char from Alaskan and Canadian Waters

Abstract Ages of fish from three stocks of North American Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus were estimated by examination of the external surface of otoliths, burnt otolith sections, and sectioned fin rays. Anal and pectoral fins showed the best definition of opaque and translucent zones and produced similar ages. However, age estimates for both fins varied extensively from and were generally lower than ages estimated from burnt otolith sections. Age estimates from both otolith techniques were similar up to about age 8, after which burnt otolith sections yielded greater ages. Maximum ages of Alaskan fish were lower than ages of Canadian stocks from Ekalluk River and Nauyuk Lake (13, 19, and 21 years, respectively). Estimates of von Bertalanffy growth parameters from the two otolith aging techniques were different for the three stocks. Maximum ages estimated for the Alaskan and Canadian fish were similar to those presented in past studies and appear related to what has been designated the western (Alaskan) an.
Satellite estimates of productivity and light use efficiency in United States agriculture, 1982–98

Remote sensing of net primary production (NPP) is a critical tool for assessing spatial and temporal patterns of carbon exchange between the atmosphere and biosphere. However, satellite estimates suffer from a lack of large‐scale field data needed for validation, as well as the need to parameterize plant light‐use efficiencies (LUEs). In this study, we estimated cropland NPP with the Carnegie‐Ames‐Stanford‐Approach (CASA), a biogeochemical model driven by satellite observations, and then compared these results with field estimates based on harvest data from United States Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) county statistics. Observed interannual variations in NPP over a 17‐year period were well modelled by CASA, with exceptions mainly due to occasional difficulties in estimating NPP from harvest yields. The role of environmental stressors in agriculture was investigated by running CASA with and without temperature and moisture down‐regulators, which are used in the model to simulate climate impacts on plant LUE. In most cases, correlations with NASS data were highest with modelled stresses, while the opposite was true for irrigated and temperature resistant crops. Analysis of the spatial variability in computed LUE revealed significantly higher values for corn than for other crops, suggesting a simple parameterization of LUE for future studies based on the fraction of area with corn. Absolute values of LUE were much lower than those reported in field trials, due to uncommonly high yields in most field trials, as well as overestimates of absorbed radiation in CASA attributed to bias from temporal compositing of satellite data. Total NPP for US croplands, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, was estimated as 0.62 Pg C year−1, representing ∼20% of total US NPP, and exhibited a positive trend of 3.7 Tg C year−2. These results have several implications for large‐scale carbon cycle research that are discussed, and are especially relevant for studies of the role of agriculture in the global carbon balance.
One unusual species, Coilia sp. (Engraulidae, Pisces) from the Yellow Sea

Abstract Four specimens of unknown Coilia sp. were collected for the first time from the Yellow Sea in 2008 and compared with Coilia mystus and Coilia nasus. Coilia sp. showed similar morphology to C. mystus and C. nasus, but differed in that its tail was considerably shorter. We conducted an analysis of the morphological and genetic characteristics in an effort to clarify the taxonomic position of Coilia sp. In counts and measurements, Coilia sp. were well distinguished from C. nasus by the number of scutes (42–44 in Coilia sp. vs. 40–45 in C. mystus vs. 45–55 in C. nasus), ratio of dorsal base length to head length (43.4–47.6 vs. 37.9–47.6 vs. 33.0–41.0), and eye length to head length (19.2–20.8 vs. 17.0–22.4 vs. 13.8–18.2). In caudal skeleton of Coilia sp. , urostyle, hypural and epural bones were not observed; instead of them, caudal fin rays were supported by the last vertebra, neural and haemal spines' extension. The molecular phylogenetic relationship was analyzed using 414 base-pair 12S rRNA mitochondrial DNA sequences. The Kimura-2-parameter distance between Coilia sp. and C. mystus was 0.3%, but was 1.3% between Coilia sp. and C. nasus. Both the neighbor-joining tree and maximum-likelihood tree showed that Coilia sp. are closely clustered with C. mystus. Therefore, our results suggest that the Coilia sp. may be a deformed fish of C. mystus.
Microbicidal activity of crude extracts from Sargassum wightii against Bacillus cereus

The present study was investigated to explore the antibacterial activity of four different solvent (petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and ethanol) crude extracts of marine brown seaweed Sargassum wightti. Crude extracts were screened against human pathogen Bacillus cereus. The antibacterial efficiency was performed by agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods . The results revealed that the crude extract of petroleum ether showed prominent inhibiting activity against B. cereus and other crude extracts showed below detectable level. The highest microbicidal activity (zone of inhibition) 9.0 ± 0.32 mm was obtained at the concentration of 250 μg /ml and the lowest activity was 3 ± 0.20 mm at 31.25 μg /ml concentration. The MIC and MBC values were found to be 125 and 250 μg /ml respectively. Results of this study suggested that the compounds present in the crude extracts of petroleum ether showed high activity against B. cereus and further studies are required to purify the active principles. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/icpj.v3i10.20338 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, September 2014, 3(10): 326-327
Using a kairomone-based attracting system to enhance biological control of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) by Anagyrus sp. near pseudococci (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Sicilian vineyards

The “potato trap” technique was applied for the fi rst time in Italian (Sicily) vineyards in an attempt to assess: a) the impact of the kairomonal activity of the vine mealybug sex pheromone (S)-(+)-lavandulyl senecioate (LS) on the parasitism of mealybugs by the encyrtid Anagyrus sp. near pseudococci , b) the influence of two commonly used insecticides on the parasitization activity of A. sp. near pseudococci towards mealybugs, and c) the efficiency of the release of A. sp. near pseudococci in enhancing parasitism rates of mealybugs. The number of captured A. sp. near pseudococci females in LS baited traps was significantly higher than that in unbaited traps. The minimal number of days for the first parasitoid emergence in LS baited traps was almost 3 days earlier, compared to unbaited control, suggesting a faster host detection by the encyrtid when LS is applied. These findings resulted in a significant increase in parasitism of mealybugs by A. sp. near pseudococci in LS baited traps relative to unbaited traps suggesting that the LS is used by the encyrtid as kairomone to ensure greater potential for host searching activity. Insecticide treatments significantly affected parasitization activity of A. sp. near pseudococci on mealybugs when compared to an untreated control with parasitoid release. The buprofezin, chlorpyriphos-methyl and untreated control with no parasitoid release treatments had statistically similar numbers of emerged parasitoids from exposed mealybugs. The obtained results provide evidence that, in the absence of conventional insecticides applications, the use of the LS could be a promising tool to improve and strengthen biological control of mealybugs by A. sp. near pseudococci within Sicilian vineyard conditions.
Fecal excretion patterns and short term bias of internal and external markers in a digestion assay with cattle

Objetivou-se avaliar o perfil de excrecao fecal e o vicio de tempo curto dos indicadores externos oxido cromico e dioxido de titânio e dos indicadores internos materia seca indigestivel (MSi), fibra em detergente neutro indigestivel (FDNi) e fibra em detergente acido indigestivel (FDAi) em ensaio de digestao com bovinos alimentados com diferentes dietas. Foram utilizados 14 novilhos F1 Red Angus × Nelore, nao-castrados, com idade e peso medios de 12 meses e 287 kg, mantidos em baias individuais. Os animais foram alimentados com silagem de capim-elefante, silagem de milho ou feno de capim-braquiaria, suplementados ou nao com 20% de mistura concentrada. O experimento foi constituido de dois periodos de 13 dias, segundo delineamento em quadrado latino 2 × 2, com agrupamento de sete quadrados. Os animais receberam diariamente 10 g de oxido cromico e 10 g de dioxido de titânio por meio de sonda esofagica. Foram realizadas coletas fecais pontuais (grab samples), diretamente do reto dos animais, nos horarios de 1h30, 3h00, 4h30, 6h00, 7h30, 9h00, 10h30, 12h00, 13h30, 15h00, 16h30, 18h00, 19h30, 21h00, 22h30 e 24h00. Nao foram observados efeitos das forragens ou dos niveis de concentrado sobre a dimensao do ciclo excretorio. O periodo fundamental do ciclo excretorio foi de 15,06 e 18,66 horas para o oxido cromico e dioxido de titânio, e de 9,93; 9,29 e 10,55 horas para MSi, FDNi e FDAi respectivamente. Verificou-se maior amplitude de oscilacao para os indicadores externos. Considerando-se conjuntamente as caracteristicas dos indicadores avaliados, recomendam-se delineamentos de amostragem fecal com o minimo de quatro coletas, distribuidas ao longo do dia ou somente no periodo diurno, para obtencao de estimativas de excrecao fecal isentas de vicio de tempo curto.
Chromosomal Damage in Pigs from a Farm of Central Argentina

Chromosomal aberrations can spontaneously occur in low proportion in pigs, therefore, high frequencies indicate a possible exposure to genotoxic agents. It seems that an increase in chromosomal mutation rate has taken place, taking into account the prevalence of such agents in the general environment of swine populations. For this reason, Gustavsson (1990) advocated the urgent necessity to identify environmental mutagens and to verify their effect on pig health. Chromosomal damage induced by radiation and also by chemical mutagens in swine has already been reported by diiferent authors. McFee et al. (1970a, 1970b, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974) studied chromosomal mutation rate in lymphocytes caused by neutrons and gamma rays. Fries and Strazinger (1982) analyzed the mutagenic eifect in pigs derived from X-irradiated semen, having as a main consequence a decrease of litter size due to an induction of chromosomal transiocations and inversions. Forster and Butler (1978) demonstrated an in vitro adverse eifect of halothane on pig lymphocyte chromosomes. Pig chromosomal damage induced by virus was reported by Lodja and Rubes (1977) who found that the Swine Fever lapinized live vaccine induced structural chromosomal aberrations as well as lymphocyte polyploidy on vaccinated pigs. Rubes (1987) suggested the routine examination of lymnhocyte chromosome to assess the environmental quality of pig farms which are exposed to pollution from difTerent substances such as aflatoxin Bl, biphenols, polychlorinates, DDT, lindane, mercury and cadmium. Rubes et al. (1992) used this analysis not only in pigs but also in other farm animais as a poliution-level indicator due to agricultural and industrial activities in the Czech Republic. About 3.6% of pig lymphocytes showed chromosomal damage in highly contaminated farms of that country. Several cases of chromosomal damage in pigs with reproductive problems from a farm located in Rio Cuarto surroundings, an important swine production region of central Argentina, are reported in the present paper.
Refuge characteristics and preferences of Psammobates oculifer in semi-arid savanna

The availability of suitable refuges to buffer temperature extremes may be a critical determinant in the distribution of arid-zone ectotherms. We studied refuge selection of Kalahari tent tortoises over five seasons in two vegetation types to assess how seasonal climate change, vegetation type, and the size difference between sexes influence refuge selection. Plant refuges accounted for 78% and mammal burrows for 22% of refuges used. Burrow use did not differ between vegetation types or sexes but its use increased exponentially with maximum temperature, indicating that mammal burrows may be an essential resource to protect small-bodied tortoises against summer heat. Kalahari tent tortoises preferred grass refuges to other growth forms, whether shrubs or grasses were dominant in the habitat. Tall grass was selected in excess of availability, by males and females in both vegetation types, probably because it was denser than short grass and provided better protection against heat and predators. The increased use of short grass refuges in colder months may be linked to thermal needs because this growth form allowed P. oculifer to bask in filtered sunlight whilst being in cover. Females made greater use than males did of short grass refuges, perhaps because their larger size necessitated longer exposure to sunlight. Body size differences also explain why males required wider and denser refuges than females did to protect them against environmental hazards. Our results underscore the complexities of refuge selection by an arid-zone ectotherm and the role it may play in their distribution.
The effects of fire on grassland bird communities of Barberspan, North West Province, South Africa

Considering the frequent nature of fires and resultant drastic change in habitat following fire, research on the effects of fire on birds in the grasslands of South Africa is surprisingly scarce. For at least five months after burns we followed the changes in bird species composition, species richness and densities of two controlled burns and one accidental fire at the Barberspan Nature Reserve in grasslands that had not been burned or grazed in 10 years. Compared with the control areas, species richness and densities increased in the burned areas immediately following the burns, with more species and birds recruited to the burned areas than were lost. Immediate post-burn opportunists tended to be larger species, and the biomass increase mirrored the increases in species richness and densities in burned areas. Avian species richness, densities and biomass tended to return to the initial conditions after a number of months. Although the bird communities from two controlled-burns differed before the burns, they converged to a characteristic immediate post-burn composition. Five months after the burns however, the bird communities reflected a pre-burn composition. Indications were that birds in an area larger than that burned were affected. Mosaic burning, with shifting large and small patches, should be considered on a landscape scale.
Roe deer Capreolus capreolus behaviour affects density estimates from distance sampling surveys

1. Roe deer Capreolus capreolus were surveyed at night along tracks and roads in plantation forests in North Yorkshire, UK. Distance sampling was used to estimate their density. This method has been proposed for monitoring deer populations in state-owned forests throughout the UK. 2. Most deer were stationary on detection and the vast majority did not change their behaviour during observation. Few deer were observed on the transects, suggesting that they were avoiding tracks and roads at night as opposed to moving in response to the observer. 3. This has implications for data analysis and hence the results of surveys. Left-truncation or grouping of data close to the transect line to cope with road avoidance decreased the precision of the population estimate and may have impacted upon its accuracy. 4. Use of roads and tracks in forests is the only realistic option for transect surveys of deer at night but the influence of these features on deer distribution and hence density estimates must be taken into consideration when conducting such surveys.
Estimativa de biomassa e carbono em floresta com araucaria utilizando imagens do satélite Ikonos II.

The implications of forest reduction in the carbon cycle have created a demand for development of non-destructive methods to biomass estimates, a key component for modeling biogeochemical. Results from the application of a new methodology using satellite images from IKONOS II to estimate biomass and organic carbon in Araucarian Forest are present. The methodology included statistical analysis (correlation analysis) of the bans and vegetation indices with the biomass and organic carbon data as well as adjustments and selections of equations to estimate the biomass and organic carbon (dependent variables) in function of data from the satellite images. The reflectance of the MS-1, MS-2, MS-3, MS-4 bands, the ratio among bans (MS-4/MS-3), NDVI and SAVI were used as independent variables. The use of satellites images from IKONOS II presented satisfactory results, although it still needs adjustment from mathematical models for better results.
Restoration Results for a Maryland Shale Barren after Pignut Hickory Management and a Prescribed Burn

ABSTRACT Maryland shale barren (savanna) communities support rare, threatened, and endangered species, but biodiversity conservation sites are transitioning to pignut hickory woodland and forest as a result of fire exclusion. In Green Ridge State Forest, an exemplary community was studied for vegetation change after pignut hickory management and a prescribed burn. Portions of contiguous chestnut oak (Quercus montana) and streamside hardwood communities were also included. Prerestoration herbaceous layer characteristics were quantified in 2010 using transect plots before hickories were killed by herbicide. A prescribed burn was conducted in November 2011 followed by resampling in 2013. In the barren community, Carex pensylvanica remained the dominant herbaceous layer species, but codominant species changed. Ground cover increased from 63% to 76%, species richness from 48 to 52, and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′) from 3.138 to 3.373. In the chestnut oak forest, the dominant herbaceous layer species changed, ground cover increased from 15% to 65%, species richness from 22 to 29, and H′ from 2.578 to 2.686. In the streamside community, ground cover increased from 50% to 83%, species richness from 38 to 50, and H′ from 3.114 to 3.319. Results emphasize the biodiversity importance of woody plant management and periodic ground fires to shale barren restoration.
Is the annual cycle in body weight of pouched mice (Saccostomus campestris) the result of seasonal changes in audit size or population structure

The annual cycle in body weight of pouched mice (Saccostomus campestris) was examined among 104 specimens which were collected throughout the year in the Transvaal province of South Africa. Each specimen was assigned to one of five age classes using toothwear characteristics although none of them belonged to the youngest age class. There was no significant effect of sex on body weight but older individuals were significantly heavier than younger ones. Pooled data from both sexes displayed seasonal variation in body weight with significantly heavier animals in the wet season (December-March) than during the dry season (June-September). However, there was no significant difference between the age structure of the population at these times. Instead, pouched mice in the two younger age classes were significantly lighter in the dry season compared to the wet season, while older individuals maintained a relatively constant body weight throughout the year. These results suggest that the annual cycle in body weight of S. campestris is caused by a reduction in body weight of young animals which lose weight in winter as an adaptation to limit their energy requirements when food availability declines.
Detection of an endophytic fungus of Lolium perenne using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Abstract A technique using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), has been developed for the detection of an endophytic fungus of Lolium perenne L. presumed to be the causative agent of ryegrass staggers. ELISA enabled detection of endophyte mycelium at levels as low as 0.1 ųg/ml, in pasture plants and seed, and in plants grown in the glasshouse from infected seed. Antibodies to the endophyte show negligible reactivity with other fungal mycelia tested. ELISA greatly increased the rapidity and sensitivity of detection in both routine diagnostic and experimental applications, compared with traditional methods oflight microscopy examination.
Using self-organizing maps for regression: the importance of the output function

Self-organizing map (SOM) is a powerful paradigm that is extensively applied for clustering and visualization purpose. It is also used for regression learning, especially in robotics, thanks to its ability to provide a topological projection of high dimensional non linear data. In this case, data extracted from the SOM are usually restricted to the best matching unit (BMU), which is the usual way to use SOM for classification , where class labels are attached to individual neurons. In this article, we investigate the influence of considering more information from the SOM than just the BMU when performing regression. For this purpose , we quantitatively study several output functions for the SOM, when using these data as input of a linear regression, and find that the use of additional activities to the BMU can strongly improve regression performance. Thus, we propose an unified and generic framework that embraces a large spectrum of models from the traditional way to use SOM, with the best matching unit as output, to models related to the radial basis function network paradigm, when using local receptive field as output.