Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variations in the feeding success and behaviour of Galápagos sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) as they relate to oceanographie conditions

The feeding success of sperm whales off the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, was examined over 5 study years; 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1991. A total of 160 days were spent following sperm whales at sea. The defaecation rates of sperm whales were used as an indication of feeding success. The recorded acoustic click rates of sperm whales were used as an indication of aggregative and foraging behaviour. Significant variation in feeding success occurred temporally over periods of days, months, and years. Feeding success also varied spatially with geographic area. Feeding success was inversely related to sea surface temperature (SST). The foraging and associative behaviour of sperm whales also varied with feeding success, SST, and by year. Variations in the feeding success and behaviour of Galapagos sperm whales can likely be attributed to changing oceanographic conditions in the waters surrounding the Galapagos archipelago.
Incidence and infection rate of Maize streak virus disease by Cicadulina triangular on maize plants and its distribution from the lowest diseased leaf under tropical conditions

Several programmes have been initiated for the development of maize varieties with resistance traits of Maize streak virus (MSV) by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, and have been released to farmers and research scientists. Therefore, a survey was conducted in five states in the south west of Nigeria (Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun) during the raining planting season to determine the incidence of MSV disease by visual examination and sero-diagnostic screening of symptomatic plants. The determination of infection rate of MSV disease by Cicadulina triangular on maize plant and its distribution from the lowest diseased leaf was also studied. The mean MSV disease incidence observed in these states was 35.95% which confirms the presence of MSV in the south west of Nigeria. Sero-diagnostic screening of virus-induced symptomatic leaf samples indicated that out of the 250 leaves sampled per state, 24.4% tested positive for MSV in Oyo, 25.6% in Ondo, 34% in Ogun, 19.6% in Ekiti and 38.8% in Osun. In two-week-old plants, symptoms developed on the leaves that were emerging at the time of inoculation, while in six-week-old plants, symptoms developed on the leaves directly below the emerging leaves irrespective of the number of C. triangular used. These suggest that the lowermost leaf with symptoms of the disease indicates the growth stage at which a plant was infected. There was a relationship between symptom expression and plant age which could be very effective when carrying out surveys to gather information for epidemiological studies. In addition, the 10 varieties of maize inoculated with MSV through C. triangular transmission showed no significant difference in disease severity over time irrespective of the number of C. triangular used.
Use of leaf resources by howling monkeys (Alouatta palliata) and leaf‐cutting ants (Atta cephalotes) in the tropical rain forest of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico

Use of leaf resources by a troop of howling monkeys and two colonies of leaf cutting ants was studied for an annual cycle in the rain forest of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. Howling monkeys spent half their annual foraging time feeding on leaves; leaf‐cutting ants spent at least 80% of their recorded foraging time harvesting leaves. Both herbivores preferred young leaves over nature ones, and chemical analysis showed that the protein: fibre ratio of the leaves used was correlated with these preferences. Howling monkeys used 34 tree species as leaf sources. Leaf‐cutting ants used 40 plant species of which 38 were trees. Eighteen species used by Alouatta were also used by Atta; species of Moraceae and Lauraceae were among the most important in their foraging preferences. The plant species used by monkeys and ants occurred at low densities (⩽ 4.0 ind/ha). The seasonal production of leaves, the high density of leaf‐cutting ant colonies at the study site, and the high amounts of young foliage harvested by the ants from tree species, and individual trees used by howling monkeys as sources of young leaves suggest that the foraging activities of Atta may represent a significant pressure upon leaf resources available to Alouatta.
Temperature sensitivity and efficacy of wheat streak mosaic virus resistance derived from Agropyron intermedium

Agronomically promising wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines are now available that have the short arm of chromosome 4Ai-2 from Agropyron intermedium translocated onto the long arm of wheat chromosome 4D. This translocation confers a high level of resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). In growth chamber tests, we demonstrated that, when the translocation is present, the resistance is effective at 20 but not at 25°C. Lines with the entire Ai-2 chromosome remained symptom-free at both temperatures. In field tests, both naturally infested and mechanically inoculated lines carrying the 4Ai2-S translocation were WSMV symptom free, and grain yields, test weights, and plant height were not reduced by WSMV. The grain yields of WSMV-susceptible cultivars were reduced by 21 to 45% in the same test. Although the WSMV resistance carried on the translocation is high-temperature sensitive, it was effective in the field and continues to be a very promising source for the development of WSMV-resistant cultivars.
Effects of Ractopamine Hydrochloride on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics in Wool and Hair Lambs

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of wool and hair lambs. For this purpose, 48 lambs averaging 31.3 kg body weight, of which twenty were wool (Ramboullet x Suffolk) and twenty eight were hair (Tabasco) lambs, and four levels of RAC (0, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg diet, dry matter basis) were used. Wool lambs fed 20 and 30 mg RAC had higher (P<0.05) total gain weight and lower feed conversion than 0 and 10 mg RAC. Wool lambs fed 20 mg RAC had the highest carcass weight, dressing, legs weight and longissimus area as compared to 0, 10 and 30 mg RAC. In hair lambs there were not effect of RAC on growth performance and carcass characteristics. It was concluded that addition of RAC to finishing diets offered the best growth performance and carcass traits in wool lambs as compared to hair lambs.
A rice FRD3-like (OsFRDL1) gene is expressed in the cells involved in long-distance transport

Abstract We identified four putative AtFRD3-like genes (OsFRDL) in the rice genome that exhibited 39.1 to 56.7% amino acid sequence similarities to Arabidopsis FRD3. Of these, we cloned three OsFRDL genes from a cDNA library prepared from iron-deficient rice roots: OsFRDL1, OsFRDL2, and OsFRDL3. OsFRDL1 was expressed weakly in Fe-sufficient roots, and slight expression was induced in the roots of Fe-deficient plants. OsFRDL2 was expressed constitutively in both roots and leaves, and Fe deficiency reduced its expression in leaves. OsFRDL3 was expressed in leaves, but not in roots; Fe deficiency induced slight expression in leaves. An OsFRDL1-sGFP fusion protein was localized in the plasma membrane in onion epidermal cells. The promoter GUS analysis showed that OsFRDL1 was localized in the cells involved in long-distance transport, in both Fe-sufficient and Fe-deficient plants. Furthermore, OsFRDL1 expression was observed during the reproductive stage. These results suggest that OsFRDL1 is a transporter that resides in the plasma membrane of cells involved in long-distant transport.
The dual step size of the alternating direction method can be larger than 1.618 when one function is strongly convex

The alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is one of the most well-known optimization scheme for solving linearly constrained separable convex problem. In the literature, Fortin and Glowinski proved that the step size for updating the Lagrange multiplier of the ADMM can be chosen in the open interval of zero to the golden ratio. But, it is still unknown whether the dual step size can be larger than the golden ratio. In this paper, for the case where one function term is strongly convex and the associate coefficient matrix is full column rank, we present an affirmative answer to the above question. We then derive an exact relationship between the modulus and the dual step size. Our analysis deepens the understanding of the convergence properties of the ADMM.
Optimal trap density in Cossus cossus (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) mass-trapping.

To determine optimum trap density for mass-trapping of Cossus cossus (L.) males, two trials were conducted over 5 yr in apple and pear orchards of Italy’s Emilia-Romano region. The first trial compared densities of 2, 10, and 20 traps per hectare, and the second trial compared 10, 20, and 40 traps per hectare. Trial 1, based on the assumption that the insect was fairly stationary, used ½-ha plots in two replications; trial 2 alternated the tested densities over time to reduce competition involving two different trap densities. Doubling the number of traps in the test plots resulted in a 50% increase in capture rate in the first trial and 10-20% increase in the second. This difference may be explained by assuming a migration of insects from the plots with fewer traps to those with more traps. Even at a density of 10 traps per hectare the number of captured males diminished considerably over time. Increases in captures at higher trap densities were moderate. Thus, a density greater than 10 traps per hectare is unnecessary except in severely infested orchards.
Environmental and metabolic control of LHCII protein phosphorylation: revealing the mechanisms for dual regulation of the LHCII kinase

Light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) protein phosphorylation in plant chloroplasts is under complex regulation. Combination of the in vivo monitoring of LHCII protein phosphorylation (by immunoblotting) with the in vitro [ g g g 32 P]ATP phosphorylation assays revealed that the basic activation/deactivation model of the LHCII kinase, regulated by reversible occupation/release of plastoquinol at the plastoquinol oxidation (Q o ) site of the cytochrome b 6 f (cyt b 6 f) complex, is consistent with, but not sufficient to explain the data obtained with isolated chloroplasts, leaf discs or intact leaves. Not only the light conditions but also the metabolic state of the entire plant, particularly the sugar metabolism, exerted a control over LHCII protein phosphorylation. Feeding of leaves with glucose (also with glutathione) activated the LHCII kinase in darkness. On the other hand, independently of the basic activation/deactivation mechanism of the kinase, a strong inhibition of LHCII protein phosphorylation occurred in vivo at increasing irradiances and even at low light conditions, depending on the metabolic state of the plant. Both the experiments with intact chloroplasts and the reconstitution experiments with isolated thylakoids to mimic LHCII kinase inhibition, disclosed that the kinase in its activated state (plastoquinol at the Q o site of cyt b 6 f complex) is protected against inhibition by thiol reductants. However, directly upon deactivation of the kinase (release of plastoquinol from the Q o site) it becomes a target for inhibition by thiol reductants. Thus the two interdependent regulatory systems of the LHCII kinase, the constantly occurring activation and deactivation on the one hand and the inhibition by thiol reductants on the other, are strongly dependent on the concentration of reducing equivalents in the chloroplast stroma. A scheme demonstrating the interconversion of activated, deactivated and inhibited states of the LHCII kinase in the chloroplast environment of intact leaves is presented.
Effect of sheep, deer and cattle dung on herbage production and soil nutrient content

A field experiment compared the effects of sheep, deer and cattle dung on pasture growth and soil nutrient status. Sheep and deer dung pellets degraded rapidly within three to eight weeks, while it was 12 months before all visible cattle dung had gone from the soil surface. The cattle dung initially reduced herbage yield owing to smothering. However, after 40 days, herbage around the edges of the dung patch responded positively to the dung and more dry matter was produced in this patch than in the control patch during the first 12 months. There was no measurable herbage response to sheep dung, but deer dung significantly increased herbage production. While the rate of nutrient application per unit area was similar for sheep and deer dung, the latter was more evenly spread within the patch area. Consequently, a greater percentage of pasture plants in the patch received nutrient additions from the deer dung and a measurable response was recorded. Twelve months after dung application, soil nitrate, phosphate and organic C were higher in dung patches than in the control patches. In cattle dung patches, this response was accompanied by higher microbial biomass C levels, arylsulphatase and arylphosphatase activities. Some residual effect on organic C levels was still evident three years after cattle dung application.
Bird population changes for the years 1976–77

This paper reports on the 16th year of the Common Birds Census, and details index changes between the years 1976–1977. The largest increase noted this year was 54% for Chifichaffs on farmland (39% in woodland), while the biggest decline was one of 33% for Little Owls.
G protine mRNA expression in immunohistochemically identified dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons in the rat brain

A family of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) is involved in the transduction of information from receptors on the cell surface into cellular responses. Two G proteins, Gi and Gs, were initially defined by their inhibitory or stimulatory actions on adenylyl cyclase, respectively. In addition, brain contains high levels of another G protein, Go. cDNAs for the alpha subunits for these G proteins have been cloned and sequenced. This allowed us to examine the distributions of the mRNAs for the alpha subunits for Gi, Go and Gs, in the rat brain using in situ hybridization with radio‐labelled, synthetic oligonucleotide probes. Various regions known to contain catecholamine cell groups displayed high levels of G protein mRNA. There is good physiological evidence supporting a role for G proteins in signal transduction in dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons. Therefore, further experiments were undertaken using in situ hybridization combined with immunohistochemistry to examine G protein expression in identified catecholamine neurons. The results indicate that the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and the noradrenergic neurons of the locus ceruleus express the mRNA for the alpha subunits of all three of these G proteins. These data provide evidence for the coexpression of multiple G proteins within identified catecholamine neurons in the brain.
Effect of Photoperiod on the Embryonic Development of Obscure Puffer (Takifugu obscurus)

ABSTRACT The effect of photoperiod on development and hatchmg success of the obscure puffer (Takifugn obscurus) was studied by determining total hatch, total mortality, viability of newly hatched larvae 24 h post-hatch, and time to 50% hatch for embryos incubated at four photoperiod regimes: 24L:0D, 12L: 12D, 0L:24D, and natural photoperiod. The results indicated that total hatch, total mortality, and viability of newly hatched larvae were not significantly different among photoperiod treatments (P>0.05). However, time to 50% hatch decreased with increasing length of photoperiod. Hatching time for embryos incubated under continuous light was significantly shorter than the other three treatments (P < 0.05).
Simulation of Maize Grain Yield Variability within a Surface‐Irrigated Field

Spatial variability of crop yield within a surface-irrigated field is related to spatial variability of available water due to nonuniform irrigation and soil characteristics, among other factors (e.g., soil fertility). The infiltrated depth at each location within the field can be estimated by measurements of opportunity time and infiltration rate or simulated with irrigation models. We investigated the use of the crop growth model EPICphase to simulate the spatial variability of maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield within a level basin using estimated or simulated (with the irrigation model B2D) infiltrated depth. The relevance of the spatial variability of infiltration rate, opportunity time, and soil surface elevation in the simulation of grain yield spatial variability was also investigated. The measured maize grain yields at 73 locations within the level basin, ranging from 3.16 to 11.54 t ha -1 (SD = 1.79 t ha -1 ), were used for comparison. Estimated infiltrated depth considering uniform infiltration rate resulted in poor simulation of the spatial variability of grain yield [SD = 0.59 t ha -1 , root mean square error (RMSE) = 1.98 t ha -1 ]. Simulated infiltrated depth with the irrigation model considering uniform infiltration rate and soil surface elevation resulted in grain yield simulations with lower variability than measured (SD = 0.64 t ha -1 , RMSE = 1.58 t ha -1 ). Introducing both sources of spatial variability in the irrigation model resulted in the best simulation of grain yield spatial variability (SD = 1.68 t ha -1 , RMSE = 1.16 t ha -1 ; regression of calculated vs. measured yields: slope = 0.74, r 2 = 0.56).
Cytochemical localization of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPase) and nucleoside diphosphatase activities in the Golgi apparatus of the rat epididymis

The ultrastructural localization of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPase) and thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) or nucleoside diphosphatase (NDPase) activities was studied in the principal cells of the rat epididymis and compared with the pattern produced after monensin treatment.The NADPase activity was found positive in the intermediate cisternae near the cis side of the Golgi lamellae, to show a difference in compartment from that of TPPase on the trans side. After 60min treatment with monensin, most of the Golgi stacked lamellae exhibited dilation. The swelling occurred in all stacks without preferential effect on any particular Golgi subcompartment. With these enzymes, the characteristic staining patterns on the subcompartments in the Golgi apparatus were basically unchanged after treatment with monensin. However, some of the NADPase positive intermediate cisternae on the cis side of the Golgi apparatus were remarkably dilated.
The concepts of ‘plant functional types’ and ‘functional diversity’ in lake phytoplankton – a new understanding of phytoplankton ecology?

Summary 1. This is a discussion of the applicability to the phytoplankton of the concepts of ‘plant functional types’ (PFTs) and ‘functional diversity’ (FD), which originated in terrestrial plant ecology. 2. Functional traits driving the performance of phytoplankton species reflect important processes such as growth, sedimentation, grazing losses and nutrient acquisition. 3. This paper presents an objective, mathematical way of assigning PFTs and measuring FD. Ecologists can use this new approach to investigate general hypotheses [e.g. the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH), the insurance hypothesis and synchronicity phenomena] as, for example, in its original formulation the IDH makes its predictions based on FD rather than species diversity.
Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Monochoria vaginalis against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

SUMMARY The present study was aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities ofethanol extract from Monochoria vaginalis (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg B/W) on acetaminophen (APAP)induced rat hepatic injury. Monochoria vaginalis is a traditional medicinal plant that is commonlyused to treat and improve liver conditions in India and other Asian countries. The developmentof hepatotoxicity induced by APAP is promoted by oxidative stress. APAP treated groupsignificantly (P < 0.01) elevated the serum enzymatic levels like glutamate oxaloacetatetransaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase (SALP), total bilirubin andmalondialdehyde (MDA), which were restored towards normalization significantly (P < 0.01)thanol extract of yonochoria vagin is (EEMV). In addition, the EEMV significantly (P < 0.01)elevated the decreased level of total protein and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxidedismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase and reduced glutathione.Apart from these, histopathological changes also showed the protective nature of the EEMVagainst APAP induced hepatic damage in liver tissues. The activity of EEMV at 500 mg/kg B/Wwas comparable to the standard drug silymarin (25 mg/kg B/W). In conclusion, these datasuggest that the EEMV possess hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects against APAP-inducedhepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats.Key words: Hepatoprotective; Monochoria vaginalis; Acetaminophen; Silymarin; Antioxidant
Adopting Agroforestry

Abstract This study was conducted in rural central and northern Malawi to (1) identify factors limiting/enhancing agroforestry adoption and (2) assess the impact of cultural differences on the adoption and use of agroforestry systems. The study involved interviewing representatives of a large number households concentrated in four separate study areas. The study used the grounded theory method of sociology, which relies on largely qualitative data and inductive reasoning. Nine-tenths of the farmers in the study were resource poor with little or no formal education. Two-thirds of the farmers in the study were not familiar with agroforestry systems such as alley cropping. The level of interest in adopting agroforestry systems, which did not include the application of inorganic fertilizer, was quite high because of anticipated improved crop yields. An overriding theme emerging from the study was the importance of considering micro-level economic conditions and cultural dynamics in the design of successful agroforestry programs. The results also suggest the utility of local level social analysis prior to efforts designed to further promote the adoption of agroforestry. Clearly, biological sus-tainability is essential, but not sufficient in the design of such programs.