Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Migration in the Genetic Structure of Populations in Temporarily and Spatially Varying Environments. I. Conditions for Polymorphism

Natural populations are continually faced with evolutionary problems presented by spatial and temporal changes in the environment. These changes can cause polymorphism, which, in turn, will buffer the effects of the changes on the species. The conditions which permit the maintenance of the variation in changing environments have been investigated in three recent papers (Gillespie 1973a, 1974; Gillespie and Langley 1974). The first of these papers deals with diploid populations subjected only to temporal changes and shows that polymorphism will occur if the geometric mean fitness of the heterozygote exceeds both homozygotes. It had previously been shown (Gillespie 1972, 1973b) that polymorphism never occurs in haploid populations subjected only to random temporal changes, thus pointing out an inherent advantage to diploidy for dealing with temporally changing environments. The third paper deals with purely temporal changes and purely spatial changes. By examining a variety of models, it shows very generally that polymorphism will occur whenever the variance in the environment is sufficient to override mean advantages which may be possessed by particular genotypes. Finally, the second paper deals with the combined effects of spatial and temporal variation. In the model described in that paper, an extension of the model of Levene (1953), the environment is subdivided into a set of patches, each one experiencing the same environmental process through time, although within any generation the patches will be different from each other. The species is assumed to distribute itself at random over these patches each generation, thus removing the possibility of significant local adaptations. In the present series of papers I extend this model of temporal and spatial changes to include both the effects of migration between patches and the role of different processes in the different patches. In this first paper I examine the conditions for polymorphism in the special case of two patches. Future papers in this series will concentrate on the existence of optimal migration rates and on statistical techniques for using electrophoretic data to discover the relevance of changing environments to natural populations.
Observations on limnological conditions associated with a fish kill of Oreochromis niloticus in Lake Chivero following collapse of an algal bloom

Possible causes of deaths of Oreochromis niloticus in Lake Chivero were examined in relation to changes in limnological conditions monitored over a 25-month period. The fish deaths coincided with the collapse of an algal bloom that had developed and builtup in the lake for 8 months. Chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen increased to average concentrations of 42.4 mu g l(-1) and 10.9 mg l(-1) respectively prior to the collapse of the bloom. Dissolved oxygen decreased when the bloom started to die off and coincided with the fish deaths when the average surface dissolved oxygen concentration in the lake was 3.9 mg l(-1) and was at a depth of 5 m < 2 mg l(-1). Mortality probably resulted from depressed oxygen levels caused by the high oxygen demand from the massive algal die-off and released algal toxins. This is the first time that die-off of algae has been linked to fish-kills in Lake Chivero as occurs in other hypereutrophic systems. (Less)
Water relations and some aspects of leaf metabolism of Jatropha curcas young plants under two water deficit levels and recovery

Stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (E), relative water content (RWC), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), leaf carbohydrate soluble (LCS), free amino acids (FAA) and total protein (TP) content were measured under mild and severe drought stress in young potted Jatropha curcas L. in the greenhouse. The plants were kept for 12 days under three different water regimes, control (well hydrated), 50% irrigation control (mild stress) and 25% (severe stress), after rehydration were measured on the second and fourth day. Both mild and severe stress decreased gs and E; however, only severe stress reduced LCS, FAA and TP content and increased SOD activity (70%) and MDA content (60%) compared with the control. Moreover, under these conditions the plants showed severe leaf senescence. These results show that only severe drought stress decrease foliar metabolism in potted plants. These results show that severe drought decreased metabolism and leaf RWC, in potted plants. However, 48 h under a moderate stress is enough to drive the stomatal control is the main barrier against water loss. Finally, in the fourth day after rehydration the plants under a moderate and severe drought even had a gs and E reduced in both evaluation periods.
The role of ClpXP-mediated proteolysis in resculpting the proteome after DNA damage

When faced with environmental assaults, E. coli can take extreme measures to survive. For example, starving bacteria consume their own proteins, and bacteria with severe DNA damage introduce mutations into their genomes. These survival tactics require restructuring of the bacterial proteomic landscape. To reshape the proteome, bacteria alter both protein synthesis and protein degradation. For important regulatory proteins and proteins potentially harmful to the cell under non-stress conditions, these changes must be environmentally responsive and specific. This thesis explores the role of the ClpXP protease in the response to DNA damage. First, we determine how DNA damage affects substrate selection by ClpXP. These experiments combine quantitative proteomics and use of an inactive variant of ClpP to "trap" cellular ClpXP substrates and compare their relative levels with and without DNA damage. Analysis of trapped substrates reveals that cellular stress can result in dramatic changes in protease substrate selection. Next, we explore a specific mechanism that allows coupling of an environmental signal to a change in proteolysis. When the cell senses DNA damage, it triggers autocleavage of the LexA repressor. Autocleavage creates new signals for ClpXP recognition, ensuring the timely degradation of the LexA cleavage products. The mechanism of LexA recognition became a model for cleavage-dependent recognition of other substrates. Finally, we determined the mechanism of ClpX recognition of a known, damage-inducible substrate, UmuD'. We find that UmuD directs UmuD' degradation in an SspB-like manner. These experiments show how, with the right sequence motif, an interacting partner can become a ClpXP delivery factor. This thesis work contributes to the idea that the bacterial cell has an imperative to degrade certain stress response proteins. Substrate priorities may change throughout the stress response and cellular proteases have devised a variety of strategies to ensure selection of the right substrate at the right time with respect to cellular conditions. This allows the cell to put its best proteome forward as it meets repeated cycles of environmental stress. Thesis supervisor: Tania A. Baker Title: Professor of Biology
NOVEL BIOSYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES (SNPS) USING CHRYSOSPORIUM SPS. AND ASPERGILLUS SPS

Interaction of Chrysosporium sps. and Aspergillus sps. with aqueous AgNO3 was investigated for synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Biological reduction and extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles in 28 hour at 27 0 C and pH 5.6 was done. The nanometallic dispersion was characterized by surface plasmon absorbance measuring at 424 – 530 nm for Ag nanoparticles. High resolution transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of silver nanoparticles in magnification of 50-100 nm. XRD analysis of the silver nanoparticles confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles at average size of 29.18 nm.
Relationships of fatty acid group contents in milk and reproductiveperformance in Holstein cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between milk fatty acid group contents and subsequent reproductive performance in Holstein cows. A total of 27 cows in the 1st to 4th lactations were included in the evaluation. Cows were divided into primiparous and multiparous groups. Daily milk yields increased in the first 8 weeks of lactation. Body condition score decreased until the third month of lactation. As the cows gradually recovered from the negative energy balance, the contents of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) increased, whereas the contents of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) decreased. The contents of SFAs and MUFAs were significantly (P < 0.01-0.05) correlated (r = -0.279 to r = 0.275) with all the reproductive traits evaluated (calving to first insemination interval, days open, and insemination index). PUFA was only correlated (P < 0.01) with calving to first insemination interval (r = -0.141). High milk SFA contents were associated with improved values of days open and insemination index, whereas opposite tendencies were observed for MUFA. It was concluded that the relationship was confirmed between the changes of different milk fatty acid group contents in early lactation, used as negative energy balance indicators, and subsequent reproduction results.
Effects of different amounts of field peas (Pissum sativum L.) in the diets for turkeys on meat qualities

A study was carried out to determine the efficiency of soybean oil meal replacement with increasing amount of peas (from 10% to 40%) in the diets for turkeys on anatomic carcass dissection and chemical indicators of breast, shoulder, thigh and shin muscles, physical indicators of breast muscles and the content of tryptophan and oxyprolin. The anatomic dissection of carcasses indicated that male turkeys fed peas had from 0.28% to 0.61% (P > 0.05–P < 0.05) less shoulder muscles, whereas female turkeys of the same groups had from 0.09 to 0.31% (P > 0.05–P < 0.05) more abdominal fat compared with the turkeys the diets of which did not contain any peas. The chemical analysis of meat showed that feeding the diets with the increasing amount of peas resulted in 0.69–0.82% lower amount of fat in female shoulder muscle (P > 0.05–P < 0.05). Soybean oil meal replacement with field peas in broiler turkey diets had no significant influence on the other anatomic indicators of the carcass and the other physicochemical indicators of meat as well as the content of trypthophan and oxyprolin in the muscles. Our study indicated that soybean oil meal replacement with peas up to 20% from 0 to 4 weeks, 25% from 5 to 8 weeks, 30% from 9 to 12 weeks and 40% from 13 to 16 weeks, and with 100% soybean oil meal replacement at the final stage had no negative influence on the carcass qualities of broiler turkeys.
Patterns of plant community assembly in invaded and non‐invaded communities along a natural environmental gradient

Questions Is the stress gradient hypothesis (SGH) effective in predicting patterns of community assembly in coastal dune plant communities along the sea–inland environmental gradient? Does the introduction of invasive plant species disrupt these patterns, leading to a collapse in community structure? Location Sandy coastal dunes of the Lazio region (Central Italy). Methods We randomly sampled coastal dune plant species in 2 m × 2 m plots (4 m2). Multivariate techniques were used to classify these plots and allowed identification of four plant communities along the sea–inland environmental gradient, three of which were invaded by Carpobrotus aff. acinaciformis (iceplant). For each community, we computed two different indices of co-occurrence that take into account species abundance, and then used Monte Carlo permutations alongside appropriate null models to determine whether overlap in the use of space was greater (aggregated community structure) or smaller (segregated community structure) than what would be expected by chance alone. Results For the four non-invaded communities, the analysis highlighted how community assemblage patterns were strongly tied to the sea–inland environmental gradient. In the two foredune communities, overlap in the use of space was greater than expected by chance, indicating an aggregated assemblage. In contrast, progressing along the zonation, assemblage patterns first shifted to random in the transition dune community and then became segregated in the fixed-dune community. As for the three communities that were also found in an invaded state, the presence of iceplant was associated with a random structure in community assemblage. Conclusions Taken together, our results are consistent with the SGH, which predicts that along an environmental gradient, facilitation drives the assembly of plant communities where conditions are harsh, whereas competition is predominant where conditions are less severe. The comparison of the three invaded communities with their non-invaded counterparts revealed how iceplant invasion has led to a shift to randomness in community structure, as has been documented for wildfires and other disturbances.
Defence against reactive oxygen species

As part of the European Commission Concerted Action on Functional Food which was managed by the International Life Sciences Institute (Europe) a series of Theme Papers was produced which examined the ‘state of the art’ with respect to the subject matter and made recommendations for research. This paper is a summary of the paper concerned with Defence Against Reactive Oxygen species. Having reviewed the scientific literature the authors concluded that certain stringent criteria, which they identified, would need to be satisfied in order to be able to conclude that free radical events are involved in certain human diseases, and that antioxidants are capable of modulating these events and thus reducing the risk of disease. Although there is some evidence that would lead to this conclusion the authors demonstrated that there is at present insufficient evidence available on which to base a firm conclusion that antioxidants are capable of reducing risk of disease, and very little evidence that addresses the imp.
MEASUREMENT ERROR ASSOCIATED WITH EXTERNAL MEASUREMENTS COMMONLY USED IN SMALL-MAMMAL STUDIES

Abstract Measurement error can occur at both the intra- and interobserver level, result in significant biases in collected data, and increase the likelihood of type II errors. We estimated the intra- and interobserver measurement error associated with 4 commonly used and 1 modified external metric in 4 representative Australian small-mammal species, using both preserved laboratory specimens and live wild-caught individuals. Measurement error was larger in live individuals and was significant in a number of cases in metrics that were difficult to define, were highly flexible, or were relatively small. Observer experience significantly affected precision, and overall, our modified hind foot metric (length of the hind foot, excluding the toes) performed similarly to the currently used metric. The number of replicate measurements significantly affected the size of detectable differences between observers, and we recommend that at least 2 replicate measurements per metric be taken as a matter of course.
Optimal flight behavior of soaring migrants: a case study of migrating steppe buzzards, Buteo buteo vulpinus

This article presents tests of the theoretical predictions on optimal soaring and gliding flight of large, diurnal migrant* using Pennycuick's program 2 for "bird flight performance. " Predictions were compared with 141 observed flight paths of migrating steppe buzzards, Buteo butto vulpinus. Calculations of cross-country speed relative to the air included bird's airspeeds and sinking rates in interthennal gliding and climbing rates in thermal circling. Steppe buzzards adjusted interthermal gliding airspeed according to their actual climbing rate in thermal circling. By optimizing their gliding airspeed, the birds maximized their crosscountry performance relative to the air. Despite this general agreement with the model, there was much scatter in the data, for the model neglects horizontal winds and updrafts during the gliding phase. Lower sinking rates due to updrafts during the gliding phases allowed many birds to achieve higher cross-country speeds than predicted. In addition, birds reacted to different wind directions and speeds: in side and opposing winds, the steppe buzzards compensated for wind displacement during soaring and increased their gliding airspeed with decreasing tailwind component NeveKheless, cross-country speed relative to the ground, which is the important measure for a migratory bird, was still higher under following winds. This study shows that Pennycuick's program 2 provides reliable predictions on optimal soaring and gliding behavior using realistic assumptions and constants in the model, but a great deal of variation around the mean is generated by factors not included in the model.
Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals: Textbook and Colour Atlas

Introduction and General anatomy.History of veterinary anatomy.Directional terms and planes of the animal body.Division of the animal body in organs and organ systems.Locomotor apparatus.1. Axial skeleton.2. Fasciae and muscles of the head, neck and trunk.3. Forelimb or thoracic limb.4. Hindlimb or pelvic limb.5. Statics and dynamics.6. Body cavities and viscera.7. Digestive system.8. Respiratory system.9. Urinary system.10. Male genital organs.11. Female genital organs.12. Organs of the cardiovascular system.13. Immune system and lymphatic organs.14. Nervous system.15. Endocrine glands.16. Eye.17. Vestibulocochlear organ.18. Common integument.19. Topographical-clinical anatomy.Literature. Glossary of Terms.Index
Plasma and tissue α-tocopherol concentrations and meat colour stability in sheep grazing saltbush (Atriplex spp.)

Dry senesced pastures available during the summer and autumn period in Western Australia and other areas with a Mediterranean climate are low in vitamin E. The use of expensive and labour-intensive supplements to prevent nutritional myopathy induced by vitamin E deficiency in weaner sheep is common. Low vitamin E concentrations in the muscle preslaughter can also reduce the shelf life of meat. There is growing interest in incorporating saltbush into farming systems in Western Australia. The potential for saltbush to boost the vitamin E status of sheep and improve the shelf life of meat was investigated. Fifty (2 × 25) 18-month-old Merino hogget wethers (average liveweight 48 kg) were grazed on either a saltbush-dominant saline pasture or on a ‘control’ dry pasture, stubble plot for 14 weeks. At the start of the experiment, all animals were orally supplemented with 2500 IU of dl-α-tocopherol acetate in 6.25 mL solution. The α-tocopherol content in saltbush was 139 and 116 mg/kg dry matter for old man and river saltbush, respectively. Concentrations of α-tocopherol were measured in plasma at Weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12 and in muscle and liver samples taken at slaughter. Grazing on saltbush significantly elevated α-tocopherol concentrations in the liver and muscle compared with grazing on dry pasture, well above the threshold for vitamin E inadequacy (P < 0.001). Plasma α-tocopherol concentrations in sheep fed saltbush increased up to Week 8 and then decreased until the end of the experiment as availability of saltbush declined (P < 0.05). Plasma α-tocopherol in sheep fed dry pasture increased in the first 4 weeks due to the initial vitamin E treatment but declined thereafter, indicating that the pasture was low in vitamin E. The high muscle concentrations of α-tocopherol in sheep fed saltbush also improved colour stability and may have had an influence on drip and cooking loss. The meat from the saltbush-grazed sheep was moister but drip and cooking loss was the same as from the drier meat of the control sheep. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that saltbush is a potential vitamin E source for sheep.
Early Prediction of Plantation Performance for Red Pine

An indication in year 1 or 2 of the relative performance at five years of 3 + 0 red pine plantations can be obtained by supplementing height and survival measurements with a quality assessment based on needle length and growth characteristics of the terminal shoot in the first years after outplanting. Key Words: Red pine, plantation assessment pradiction, needle length height, survival, quality classes.
Development and application of a solute transport model to describe field-scale nitrogen processes during autumn rains

A new generic, three-dimensional, solute transport component was developed into FLUSH, which is a hydrological model developed for Nordic conditions. Water flow and solute transport descriptions in FLUSH follow the dual-permeability concept, which divides the total soil pore space into mobile soil matrix and macropore systems. The solute transport model was parameterized to simulate the main processes of nitrogen (N) cycle in clayey, subsurface-drained soils during autumn periods after the harvest. The model simulates transport of nitrate and ammonium N, as well as mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification. Reactions in soil are affected by temperature and moisture, as simulated by FLUSH. Ammonium can adsorb on soil particles in both pore systems, while organic N is described in simulations as an immobile solute in the soil matrix. One-dimensional version of the model was applied to two subdrained field sections (1.3 and 3.4 ha) in the Nummela experimental field in southern Finland during two autumn periods (2008 and 2011). The model was able to replicate the measured dynamics of nitrate N concentrations in drain discharge during both the periods. Concentrations were the most dependent on drain discharge dynamics and the rate of nitrification. Measured and simulated ammonium concentrations in drain discharge were about 10 times smaller than nitrate concentrations, even though the levels of N input with initial values and deposition for both inorganic fractions were similar. Successful solute transport simulation results further increase the confidence in the description of the water flow processes in FLUSH.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE FORMATION OF GLYCERIC ACID DURING PHOTOSYNTHESIS EXPERIMENTS

The dephosphorylation of phosphoglyceric acid was tested under a variety of conditions. Hydrolysis of the ester by leaf homogenates was relatively slow, even when conditions favored enzymatic activity, and was not detected when frozen homogenate was extracted by boiling 80% ethanol. The results suggest that glyceric acid recovered in ethanol-soluble extracts of leaves following short-term photosynthesis experiments is not normally derived from phosphoglyceric acid. The route proposed for the synthesis of glyceric acid is related, with particular reference to soybean leaf, to an alternate pathway for photosynthetic assimilation which does not utilize phosphoglyceric acid.
The response of heterotrophic CO2 flux to soil warming

In a forest ecosystem at steady state, net carbon (C) assimilation by plants and C loss through soil and litter decomposition by heterotrophic organisms are balanced. However, a perturbation to the system, such as increased mean soil temperature, will lead to faster decay, enhancing CO2 release from decomposers, and thus upsetting the balance. Recent in situ experiments have indicated that the stimulation of soil respiration following a step increase in annual average soil temperature declines over time. One possible explanation for this decline may be changes in substrate availability. This hypothesis is examined by using the ecosystem model G'DAY, which simulates C and nitrogen (N) dynamics in plants and soil.