Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induced moulting procedures in laying fowl

Several successful methods of inducing moulting have been used to recycle laying hens, the majority of which require an optimum weight loss of 25–30% to achieve maximum egg production during the post-moulting period. The conventional feed restriction procedure is most often used in the egg industry because it is a simple, practical and economical technique that can be used in combination with light and/or water restriction. Mineral-induced moulting procedures, such as the use of high levels of either aluminium in the form of a soluble salt or dietary zinc, have also been used successfully. In addition, low levels of dietary zinc combined with a low calcium diet have also induced moulting in laying hens. The use of low sodium diets has been equally as successful as the conventional feed restriction technique as a means of inducing a moult. Although mineral-induced moulting procedures produce similar results to the conventional feed restriction techniques in post-moulting egg production, but with lower mortality rates, some of these procedures may not yet be practical for use in the egg industry. Hormone-induced moulting is another method and involves the use of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonist. It has an advantage over the conventional feed restriction procedure in that it does not require severe initial body weight loss to attain maximum egg production in the post-moulting period.
Insulator elements mediate long-range interactions between polycomb targets and between active enhancers in Drosophila

OF THE DISSERTATION ii Acknowledgement iv Table of contents v List of figures viii List of tables ix Chapter 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Nuclear Organization and Chromatin Structure 1 1.2 Transcription Factories 4 1.3 Enhancers 9 1.4 Polycomb-group genes 15 1.5 Transvection, Pairing Dependent Silencing, Trans-interaction 23 1.6 Insulators 26 1.6. 1 scs and scs’ 30 1.6. 2 The gypsy Insulator 31 1.6. 3 Fab-7 and Mcp 35 1.6. 4 Genomic Location and Regulation of Insulator Proteins 40 1.7 RNAi Pathway 44 1.8 Techniques for DNA interactions 46 1.8. 1 FISH 46 1.8. 2 Live imaging 47 1.8. 3 Chromosome Conformation Capture 48 1.9 Perspectives 52 Chapter 2. Insulators, not Polycomb complexes, mediate long-range interactions between Polycomb targets in Drosophila 54 2.1 Abstract 55 2.2 Introduction 56 2.3 Materials and Methods 59
Relationships Between Gregarine Infection in Damselflies, Wetland Type, and Landscape Characteristics

Abstract Although human-modified landscapes are characterized by the loss of natural habitats, new habitats also can be created and exploited by many species. The importance of landscape change to invertebrate associations (particularly host-parasite associations) is under-studied. Our objective was to determine whether prevalence and intensity of gregarine parasitism in the damselfly Ischnura verticalis (Say) (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) differed between 17 artificial and 7 natural wetlands in landscapes that varied in amount of forest and wetland cover and road density determined at spatial extents of 500 m and 1 km from each wetland. Wetlands were located in and around Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Wetland type did not account for significant variation in principal components based on forest and wetland cover and road density at either spatial extent. Gregarine prevalence was higher in damselflies collected from natural wetlands than in those collected from artificial wetlands and was positively associated with increasing forest cover. In contrast, gregarine intensity was inversely related to road density. Our results suggest that parasitism of damselflies by gregarines is associated with wetland type and landscape characteristics, although the mechanisms producing such relationships are unknown.
Intact roots promote shoot regeneration from hypocotyl independent of exogenous plant growth regulators in eggplant in vitro

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) seedlings cultured in vitro were excised at the center of the hypocotyl to generate decapitated seedlings with intact roots. This modification of the complete decapitation method (CDM) developed in vivo by Harada et al. (2005) allowed in vitro culture (CDM in vitro; CDMi). As controls, rootless hypocotyl segment explants (approximately 1 cm) and cotyledon explants were cultured on media supplemented with 4.4 µM 6-benzyladenin (BA) and 0.2 μM thidiazuron (TDZ), respectively. Cotyledon explants had formed calli 2 weeks after excision but did not develop adventitious buds, despite the use of optimal conditions reported previously for a different eggplant cultivar. Calli formed at the cut ends of hypocotyls 1 week after excision in both CDMi and hypocotyl cultures, and adventitious buds regenerated 1 week earlier in CDMi. Six weeks after excision, CDMi yielded 11.4 adventitious buds per explant, but only 4.1 formed in hypocotyl culture. Moreover, shoots longer than 1 cm developed 2 weeks earlier in CDMi than in hypocotyl culture. The number of shoots per explant was 8.1 in CDMi, but only 2.4 in hypocotyl culture 6 weeks after cutting. All shoots that developed were rooted on MS medium in CDMi, but only 71% of shoots formed roots in hypocotyl culture. These results indicate that intact roots are important for explant shoot regeneration and development, and CDMi is a simple and efficient method for obtaining multiple shoots without the need to determine optimal concentrations of plant growth regulators and overcome inhibition of rooting in the obtained shoots.
Assessing losses of genetic variability in the endangered Mallorquí horse.

Abstr Act : Information contained in the studbook of the endangered Mallorqui horse was analysed to assess the genetic variability of the breed. Also, the effect of selection for coat colour variation was assessed using a set of 15 microsatellites genotyped on 68 Mallorqui reproductive individuals previously diagnosed for the presence of the chestnut allele on the melanocortin-1 receptor gene. Mean inbreeding for the whole pedigree (310 individuals) was 2.5% while that for the individuals born during the last three years of recording (reference population) was 4.7%. Only 70% of all the founders have genetic representation in the reference population. A comparison of the parameters such as effective number of founders, effective number of ancestors and founder genome equivalents documented that the losses of founder genes occurred very soon after the implementation of conservation strategies. The parameter F IS computed from genealogical informa - tion was positive (0.029) for the whole population and negative (-0.024) for the reference population, thus illustrating the effort of the Mallorqui horse breeders to avoid matings between relatives in later generations. A total of 14 individuals were heterozygotes for the chestnut allele (allele frequency of 10.6%). The rejection for reproduction of the chestnut heterozygote individuals would not affect the overall gene diversity of the population. However, the total allelic richness would decrease both at the within-subpopulation (1.2%) and total contribution level (0.4%). The chestnut heterozygote individuals are a within-breed reservoir of rare alleles that should be preserved to avoid risks for the future viability of the breed.
Morphological variation of an ornament expressed in both sexes of the mosquito Sabethes cyaneus

Question: Do elaborate ornaments expressed in both sexes show patterns of phenotypic variation consistent with selection via mutual mate choice? Data description: Detailed morphometric data on the striking leg ‘paddle’ ornament of the sabethine mosquito Sabethes cyaneus: ornament size and shape and size of general morphological traits. Data derive from 80 males and 80 females from a wild-type laboratory colony established with individuals collected in Panama. Search method: Shape variation was analysed using geometric morphometric methods (elliptic Fourier analyses). We investigated sex differences in the relationships between body size on the one hand and leg length, ornament size, and ornament shape on the other, using general linear models. We also explored morphological variation in asymmetry, allometry, and in the magnitude of phenotypic variation across traits. Conclusions: These ornaments showed many of the classic hallmarks of a sexually selected and condition-dependent ornament: (i) phenotypic variation in size was much greater than for any other trait; (ii) the size of the major part of the paddle showed positive allometry; and (iii) the degree of fluctuating asymmetry in one component of the shape of the leg paddles decreased with body size. Remarkably, these patterns were more pronounced in females and sexual dimorphism in size and shape of the leg paddle ornament was slight. Although data on the current pattern of morphological variation alone does not allow firm conclusions about past selection, our results are consistent with the maintenance of these ornaments in both sexes by sexual selection via mutual mate choice.
Diversity and antimicrobial activity of isolated endophytic bacteria from Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) of different locations and ages

Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) were collected from two mountainous areas (Jirisan and Yarongsan) in Korea. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from two, five, and seven-year-old deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) roots. The bacterial diversity of deodeok root samples was evaluated by 16S rDNA analysis. In the roots collected from Jirisan, we identified the presence of Bacillus polyfermenticus (JR2-1), Bacillus subtilis (JR2-3 and JR5-5), Bacillus licheniformis (JR2-6), and Bacillus pumilus (JR5-4 and JR7-2). The various Bacillus genera, such as B. polyfermenticus (YR5-1 and YR7-4), B. licheniformis(YR5-2 and YR7-1), and B. subtilis (YR7-2), were found in the roots derived from Yarongsan. Bacillus pumilus (JR5-4 and JR7-2) isolated from Jirisan exhibited antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi. B. subtilis (JR5-5) and B. licheniformis (JR2-6 and JR7-4) showed antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani. This newly demonstrates the antimicrobial activity ability and bacterial diversity of deodeok roots at different ages by comparing two areas that exhibited antimicrobial activity against human pathogens. Key words: Antimicrobial activity, bacterial diversity, deodeok roots, endophytic bacteria.
Ecological characterization of two sibling species, IIIL-1 and IS-7, in the Simulium vittatum complex (Diptera: Simuliidae)

sibling species, IIIL-I and IS-7, in the Simulium vittatum complex. A 4-year study in the eastern United States demonstrated important differences between the two siblings, based primarily on differential occupancy of the stream continuum. Immatures of the IIIL-I sibling predominated below nonspring-fed reservoirs, downstream of sewage effluent outflows, and in warm downstream areas. Immatures of the IS-7 sibling occurred, with IIIL-I, in cool well-oxygenated flows generally associated with groundwater discharge. These sibling- habitat relations produced sibling gradients along the stream continuum. Over their geographic ranges, the IIIL- I sibling became increasingly abundant from north to south, relative to IS-7. At mixed-sibling sites, populations were asynchronous; IS-7 generally predominated in early spring and late fall. 'The major determinants of sibling distributions were those factors affecting respiration: temperature, oxygen, and current. Species such as the black fly Simulium decorum and the midge Chironomus riparius signalled essentially pure populations of IIIL-1. Preimaginal densities of Glossosoma spp. (Trichoptera) also indicated sibling proportions. IIIL- 1 and IS-7 shared all pathogens. At mixed-sibling sites, proportionally more larvae of IIIL- I occurred on rocks than on grasses. Regardless of sibling, larvae on rocks were darker than those on grasses, which suggested differences in the proportion of ingested materials.
YIELD AND SOME QUALITY TRAITS OF WINTER WHEAT, MAIZE AND SOYBEAN, GROWN IN DIFFERENT TILLAGE AND DEEP LOOSENING SYSTEMS AIMED TO SOIL CONSERVATION

Previous research revealed that winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and soybean [Glicine max (L.) Merill] respond more or less to the soil deep loosening work and different tillage systems, depending on the environment. The few data available showed that these agricultural practices also have a certain influence on nutritive values and physical properties of the harvested products. A three year (20082010) winter wheat, maize and soybean field experiment was carried out at Fundulea, Romania, on a cambic chernozem type, with the objective of evaluating the influence of different conservative tillage systems (chisel till, disc till, strip till and no till), with and without deep soil loosening, on yield and some important quality parameters. This research revealed that for winter wheat, the tillage systems and climatic conditions which favored grain yield were unfavorable for protein content. Deep soil loosening and tillage systems had a similar influence on protein and grain yields. 1000 kernels weight and test weight were not influenced significantly by the deep soil loosening and tillage systems. For maize, the application of no till resulted in a significant grain yield increase. Conservation tillage systems may influence negatively grain protein content, depending on the climatic conditions. Protein, fat and starch yields were significantly influenced by tillage systems, year and their interaction. These influences were caused mainly by the magnitude of grain yields differences. 1000 kernels weight and test weight were not significantly influenced by the deep soil loosening and tillage system. For soybean, climatic conditions and tillage systems which influenced the grain yield, affected in a similar way the protein and fat contents. Deep soil loosening had a significant influence only on the grain yield and protein content. Deep soil loosening, tillage system and climatic conditions which influenced the grain yield affected similarly the protein yield. In the case of fat yield, these effects are more or less the same only for deep soil loosening and years, but not for tillage systems.
Changes on quantitative traits of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) induced by EMS in M2 generation

The systematic collection of black gram is displayed inadequate variability for biotic and abiotic desirable genes. It is possible that genes for high productivity could have been lost due to overriding role of natural selection and genetic base of the present day collection remains poor due to lack of genetic variability owing to their autogamous nature. Mutagenesis has been widely used as a potent method of enhancing variability for crop improvement. In the present investigation, the genetic variability was induced to improve quantitative traits of black gram in M 2 generation induced by EMS. The results showed that a significant enhancement in quantitative mean performance archived at 0.1% EMS concentration. Â
A modern look at the Animal Tree of Life

The phylogenetic interrelationships of animals (Metazoa) have been elucidated by refined systematic methods and by new techniques, notably from molecular biology. In parallel with the strong molecular focus of contemporary metazoan phylogenetics, morphology has advanced with the introduction of new approaches, such as confocal laser scanning microscopy and cell-labelling in the study of embryology. The discovery of new animal diversity (previously unknown groups like Cycliophora and Micrognathozoa) has invigorated the field as well. At present, broad consensus exists for the monophyly of bilaterian animals, a split of Bilateria into Deuterostomia and Protostomia, a division of protostomes into a clade of mostly spiral cleavers (Lophotrochozoa) and a moulting clade (Ecdysozoa), a ‘restricted’ deuterostome hypothesis that excludes the lophophorate phyla, and a basal position of acoel and nemertodermatid flatworms within Bilateria. However, the position of several protostome phyla, especially Bryozoa and Chaetognatha, remains intractable. Phylogenomic approaches such as Expressed Sequence Tags are showing much promise for resolving ongoing controversies at the base of the animal tree, especially the branching pattern among ctenophores, sponges and cnidarians.
Transformation and Characterization of Transgenic Plants of Solanum dulcamara L.—Incidence of Transgene Silencing

Abstract A transformation system is described for Solanum dulcamara using the supervirulent Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain 1065, carrying both the β-glucuronidase ( gus ) and neomycin phosphotransferase II ( npt II) genes adjacent to the right and left T-DNA borders, respectively. Leaf explants were more efficient for the production of transformed plants compared to stem explants on medium containing 50 mg l −1 of kanamycin sulphate. A 1:10 (v:v) dilution of an overnight culture of Agrobacterium gave optimal transformation in terms of transgenic plant regeneration. From a total of 174 kanamycin-resistant plants selected by their antibiotic resistance, 16 failed to exhibit GUS activity. Southern analysis revealed that these GUS-negative transformants originated from three independently transformed cell lines. Restriction enzyme analyses showed that the GUS-negative plants had both the gus and npt II genes integrated into their genome (one plant had a single copy of each gene; the other two plants had multiple copies), with major rearrangement of the gus gene occurring in plants with several copies of the transgene. GUS-negative plants showed leaf malformations, delayed flowering and a reduction in flower, fruit and seed production compared to GUS-positive and non-transformed (control) plants. Although gene silencing of the gus gene occurred, albeit at a low frequency (9.2%), the transformation system described generates large numbers of phenotypically normal, stably transformed plants.
Selected Body Temperature and Thermoregulatory Behavior in the Sit-and-Wait Foraging Lizard Pseudocordylus melanotus melanotus

Abstract We investigated the thermoregulatory abilities and behavior of Pseudocordylus melanotus melanotus (Drakensberg crag lizard) in terms of the relationship between the operative temperature (Te), selected temperature (Tsel), set-point range (Tset) and field active body temperature (field Tsel), exposure to low temperature, body posture and activity. The Te range for P. m. melanotus was about 58 C (−3.20 C in winter to 54.94 C in summer). In a laboratory thermal gradient, in a setting that is independent of ecological costs or thermal constraints, lizards maintained Tset (defined as the interquartile range of Tsel, after Hertz et al., 1993) between 29.00 ± 0.36 C and 31.78 ± 0.16 C in winter and 29.61 ± 0.28 C and 32.47 ± 0.18 C in summer. The mean Tsel was 30.08 ± 0.14 C in winter and 30.99 ± 0.11 C in summer. In the field, however, lizards achieved significantly lower Tb, which suggests that the thermal environment limited the Tb that lizards were able to achieve. Lizards were active for significantly longer and selected significantly higher Tb in summer than in winter. During winter, lizards spent a significant amount of time at Tb below their lower critical limiting temperature (defined by loss of righting). The most frequently assumed body postures in summer were those where the head or body were raised, whereas, in winter, lizards usually lay with head and body flat on the rock substrate. We suggest that these differences reflect the physiological requirements of the lizards: Head-up postures in sit-and-wait foragers are consistent with scanning for prey while head-down postures are likely motivated by thermoregulatory needs. It is clear that P. m. melanotus can thermoregulate efficiently, but the Tb maintained may be constrained by the range of Te available to the lizards in their natural environment. Pseudocordylus m. melanotus currently appears to be geographically constrained by low environmental temperatures at the edge of its range. Should global warming become a reality in southern Africa, this species could inadvertently benefit by occupying new habitat that was previously unavailable because of thermal constraints.
Behaviour of two small pelagic and demersal fish species in diverse hydraulic environments

Increased hydraulic diversity could be a means to promote fish diversity in rivers, but little is known of the behaviour of fish in hydraulic environments. This study concerns the behaviour of two species of small native Australian freshwater fish in variable hydraulic environments and ecological habit, with regard for (a) whether the apparent differences in swimming ability are reflected in the behaviour of the species and (b) the influence of changing hydraulic conditions on their patterns of use. An artificial channel was constructed with three levels of discharge, and fish were allowed to swim freely for 3 h without human interference. Their movements and habitat choices reflected their swimming ability and ecological habit, in that the stronger swimming, pelagic common galaxias (Galaxias maculatus) spent most time cruising in the open channel, preferring the turbulent inflow, and the demersal flat‐headed gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps) remained in the shelter of boulders. In effect, the galaxias changed their behaviour with changes in hydraulic conditions, while the gudgeons continued to use their preferred habitat. This study, therefore, provides support for the use of hydraulic diversity as a tool to foster fish diversity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combining Power Analysis and Population Viability Analysis to Compare Traditional and Precautionary Approaches to Conservation of Coastal Cetaceans

Abstract: Traditionally, marine resources have been managed such that controls on new developments are implemented only when harmful effects on other environmental or economic interests can be demonstrated. This approach poses particular problems for the conservation of coastal cetaceans because potential threats to their populations are diverse and likely to interact, individual threats may result from multiple sources, and the problems inherent in studying cetaceans result in considerable scientific uncertainty and low statistical power to detect any effects. Consequently, many countries are adopting integrated coastal management programs and precautionary management principles. In practice, however, issues continue to be dealt with within traditional frameworks that require demonstration of harm. Because cetaceans are long‐lived, they demand long‐term studies, and populations could decline to dangerously low levels before management action is taken. We illustrate these problems using a case study from the Moray Firth, Scotland. This inshore area will soon be designated and managed as a “special area of conservation” to protect bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus) under the European Community's Habitats Directive. The population is small and isolated, and it faces a wide range of potential threats, but there remains considerable uncertainty over the magnitude of each threat. We combined power analysis and population viability analysis to explore the relative consequences of adopting either traditional or precautionary approaches to management. In this case, our results reaffirm the need for precautionary management. More generally, we illustrate how this approach can be used to provide a more scientific basis for determining the level of precaution required to address particular management issues in this and other marine systems.