Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food intake, growth and body composition in Australian Merino sheep selected for high and low weaning weight 4. Partitioning of dissected and chemical fat in the body

Changes in the partitioning of both dissected and chemical fat were examined from birth to maturity, in rams and ewes from flocks of Merino sheep selected for high (weight-plus) and low (weight-minus) weaning weight and from a randomly bred control flock. The partitioning of fat between six dissected and 11 chemical fat partitions in the body was examined in 34 mature animals, and the maturing patterns for these fat partitions calculated relative to the weight of total body fat, using the mean values for the mature animals and individual data from 106 immature animals. Strain had no effect on the partitioning of dissected fat in the mature animals, but did affect the partitioning of chemical fat in the bone and pelt partitions. Mature ewes had greater proportions of dissected subcutaneous and kidney fat, and lower proportions of dissected intermuscular and scrotal/udder fat, than the mature rams. There were significant strain and sex effects on maturing patterns for dissected subcutaneous and intermuscular fat. Strain and sex effects were also significant for the maturing patterns of some chemical fat partitions. Selection for high or low weaning weight had little effect on the partitioning of either dissected or chemical fat when compared at the same stage of maturity of total fat. There were large differences in the partitioning of both chemical and dissected fat between the rams and the ewes when compared at either the same weight of total fat, or the same stage of maturity of total fat in the body.
Relationship between Selenium and Sulfur Assimilation and Resultant Interaction on Quality Parameters in Onion

The relationship between selenium (Se) and sulfur (S) uptake and their interaction on the pungency and quercetin contents of onion was investigated in a sand culture trial under polyhouse conditions. The results indicated that application of Se with increasing rates produced an antagonistic effect on S assimilation. An amount of 20 kg Se ha–1 drastically reduced the S content in onion bulbs. Further, the pungency and quercetin concentration also declined. Foliar application of Se at 1.0 ppm resulted in production of bulbs with lower levels of pungency and quercetin. Though Se is essential from a health point, its application up to 10 kg ha–1 was sufficient for enriching onions without much effect on the other essential bulb quality parameters.
Seasonal trends in the prevalence and intensity of Spiruroid nematode infections of Rattus r. rattus.

Abstract Examination of stomach contents from 191 Rattus r. rattus, trapped over 12 months in an area of bush in the Manawatu district, revealed that 123 (64.4%) of the rats were infected with Physaloptera getula (Physalopteridae) and 39 (20.4%) with Mastophorus muris (Spiruridae). The high prevalence of P. getula did not vary significantly during the year, but there were marked seasonal variations in the numbers of worms per rat, the highest mean counts occurring in autumn and the lowest in late winter and spring. The prevalence of M. muris varied significantly through the year, and was highest in autumn. Mean worm counts per rat appeared to be biphasic, with peaks in spring and autumn; however, since only small numbers of animals were infected, this may not represent what actually occurs. The majority of infections with both nematode species comprised less than 10 worms. Possible reasons for the seasonal variation in prevalence and intensity of infections are discussed. Circumstantial evidence suggests .
Comparison of Epilithic Algal and Bryophyte Metabolism in an Arctic Tundra Stream, Alaska

Phosphorus has been added to a reach of the Kuparuk River, Alaska, from late June to mid August every year since 1983. The P-fertilized reach of the river is now extensively colonized by 2 bryophytes (Schistidium agassizii and Hygrohypnum spp.), whereas only S. agassizii is common in unfertilized reaches of the river. We compared photosynthesis rates of epilithic algae, S. agassizii, and Hygrohypnum spp. under reference and P-enriched conditions to extend our long-term records of bryophyte dynamics within the fertilized reach and to describe the physiological differences between major primary producers. Rates of primary production were determined from changes in dissolved oxygen concentration during light and dark incubations of algal and bryophyte samples in closed chambers. Net primary productivity per unit total chlorophyll a (CHLt a) was greater for epilithic algae (2.0-6.0 mg O2 mg-1 CHLt a h-1) than for bryophytes (0.2-1.7 mg O2 mg-1 CHLt a h-1). However, the greater biomass of the bryophyte community in the fertilized reach yielded area-specific productivity rates for Hygrohypnum spp. that were 2 to 4 times greater than areal rates of epilithic algal productivity. Bryophytes accounted for 80% of primary production in P-fertilized reaches but only 9% in reference reaches. Thus, increased bryophyte abundance in response to P increased total net primary production from 2.3 g C/h to 6.3 g C/h. Photosynthesis-irradiance (PI) parameters obtained by fitting data to a hyperbolic tangent model differed between bryophyte species, between reference and fertilized stream reaches, and over the season. Differences in PI relationships between S. agassizii and Hygrohypnum spp. suggest that they use different life strategies (subsistence vs opportunism, respectively) to exist in the arctic environment.
The early evolution of synapsids, and the influence of sampling on their fossil record

Abstract Synapsids dominated the terrestrial realm between the late Pennsylvanian and the Triassic. Their early evolution includes some of the first amniotes to evolve large size, herbivory, and macro-predators. However, little research has focused on the changes in diversity occurring during this early phase in their evolutionary history, with more effort concentrating on later events such the Permo-Triassic extinction. Here we assess synapsid diversity, at both the species and genus levels, between the Carboniferous (Moscovian) and the Middle Permian (Capitanian). A raw, taxic diversity (richness) estimate is generated, and we use two separate methods to correct for sampling biases in this curve. To remove the effect of anthropogenic sampling bias, we apply a recently published modification of the residual diversity method, and then generate a supertree, using matrix representation with parsimony to infer ghost lineages and obtain a phylogenetic diversity estimate. The general diversity pattern reflects the initial diversification of synapsids in the late Pennsylvanian and early Cisuralian, which was followed by an extinction event during the Sakmarian. Diversity recovered during the Artinskian and Kungurian, coinciding with the radiation of Caseidae, although other families begin to decline. A second extinction event occurred across the Kungurian/Roadian boundary, in which Edaphosauridae and Ophiacodontidae died out although Caseidae and Therapsida diversified. The sampling-corrected curves reveal further extinction during the Roadian, although therapsids were again unaffected. Pelycosaurian-grade synapsids survived during the Wordian and Capitanian, but were a minor part of an otherwise therapsid-dominated fauna. Evidence of significant anthropogenic sampling bias calls into question previous diversity studies that have not employed sampling correction.
Foraging on Prey that are Modified by Parasites

A model that weighs the energetic cost of parasitism for a predator against the energetic value of prey items that transmit the parasite to the predator suggests that there is often no selective pressure to avoid parasitized prey This offers an explanation for why parasites so frequently exploit predators and prey as definitive and intermediate hosts, respectively Furthermore, predators may actually benefit from their parasites if energetic costs of parasitism are moderate and prey capture is facilitated by parasites. Parasite species that benefit predators through modification of prey are not mutualistic, however.
The Protein Import Machinery of Mitochondria*

Most mitochondrial proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and then synthesized as precursors on cytosolic ribosomes after which they must be imported into the organelle. The mitochondrial membranes contain specific machineries (translocases) for recognition, translocation, and membrane insertion of precursor proteins. In recent years, important progress has been made in characterizing the molecular mechanisms and cooperation of the mitochondrial preprotein translocases. Here, we will summarize the principles of mitochondrial protein import, which are well conserved in the eukaryotic kingdom.
Qualidade protéica de multimisturas distribuídas em Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brasil

OBJECTIVE: The study was developed to evaluate the protein quality of four multimixtures distributed in communities in Alfenas, MG, Brazil, to combat malnutrition. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomaly assigned to one of six groups (n=6) and individually housed in stainless steel cages on controlled temperature (25oC, standard deviation 2oC) for 14 days. The standard group was fed a casein diet, control group was fed a free nitrogen diet and four-test groups were fed different multimixture diets. A biological assay was carried out to determine the protein quality by Protein Efficiency Ratio, Net Protein Ratio, Net Protein Utilization and True Protein Digestibility. RESULTS: The Multimixture test groups showed lower (p<0.05) Protein Efficiency Ratio, Net Protein Ratio and digestibility than casein group. The net retention protein from multimixture test groups was lower (p<0.05) than casein group, except the group fed with multimixture contained a higher powdered milk proportion and was not added with powdered seeds, leaf cassava and egg shell powders in their formula. The multimixture digestibility was roughty 89% however the protein retention was approximately 27%. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the multimixture showed low protein retention, did not promote adequate animal growth and was not capable of maintaining body weight in one multimixture test-group.
Techniques for Measuring Feed Intake

The measurement of feed intake in fi sh can be considered at different levels depending upon the aims and constraints of particular studies. In some cases data acquisition may concern a fi sh group, whereas in others the focus may be on individuals within a group, or even on isolated fi sh. The investigator may wish to measure feed intake over a short period, such as in a single meal, the study may require measurements of daily feed intake to be made, or the investigator may wish to collect temporal series to investigate feeding rhythms in chronobiology studies. Test conditions, holding facilities (tanks or aquaria, pens or cages, ponds and lakes), and ease of access to the fi sh (captive or wild populations) will also differ between studies. All of these factors will infl uence both the method to be used for the measurement of feed intake and the accuracy of the data collected. Whether or not it is possible to collect quantitative, or only qualitative, data depends upon the food type, which may range from the live prey consumed by wild fi sh to the different types of formulated feeds used in fi sh culture, and the sampling protocols employed. Some of the techniques used in the study of feeding in fi sh are invasive, and some are also destructive; so they are limited to a research application. Other techniques are neither invasive nor destructive, and may be used under commercial farming conditions as a feed management tool to enhance farm productivity. In this chapter consideration is given to the technical aspects of some commonly used methods employed in the investigation of feed intake in fi sh. The chapter opens with a discussion of stomach contents analysis, a method that is commonly used to gain insights into the feeding habits of wild fi sh, and then progresses to the examination of methods that are more widely used in laboratory studies of feeding behaviour and feed intake. The applications and limitations of the different methods are discussed in an attempt to guide potential users towards the choice of methods appropriate for the examination of the various facets of feeding in fi sh.
REVIEW: Quantifying urban ecosystem services based on high‐resolution data of urban green space: an assessment for Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Summary: The urban dimension of ecosystem services (ES) is underexposed, while the importance of ES for human well-being is nowhere as evident as in cities. Urban challenges such as air pollution, noise and heat can be moderated by urban green space (UGS), simultaneously providing multiple other services. However, available methods to quantify ES cannot typically deal with the high spatial and thematic resolution land cover data that are needed to better understand ES supply in the urban context. This study derives methods to quantify and map a bundle of six ES as supplied by UGS, using land cover data with high spatial and thematic resolution, and applies these to the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Land cover data comprise eight classes of UGS. Methods are derived from an evidence base on the importance of UGS types for the supply of each of the six ES that was built using literature review. The evidence base reveals that UGS types differ in their contribution to various ES, although the strength of the evidence varies. However, existing indicators for urban ES often do not discriminate between UGS types. To derive UGS-specific indicators, we combined methods and evidence from different research contexts (ES, non-ES, urban, non-urban). Rotterdam shows high spatial variation in the amount of UGS present, and accounting for this in ES supply reveals that ES bundles depend on UGS composition and configuration. While the contribution of UGS types to ES supply differed markedly with UGS type and ES considered, we demonstrate that synergies rather than trade-offs exist among the ES analysed. Synthesis and applications. Our findings underline the importance of a careful design of urban green space (UGS) in city planning for ecosystem services (ES) provision. Based on the latest insights on how different UGS provide ES, the methods presented in this study enable a more detailed quantification and mapping of the supply of ES in cities, allowing assessments of current supply of key urban ES and alternative urban designs. Such knowledge is indispensable in the quest for designing healthier and climate-resilient cities. Our findings underline the importance of a careful design of urban green space (UGS) in city planning for ecosystem services (ES) provision. Based on the latest insights on how different UGS provide ES, the methods presented in this study enable a more detailed quantification and mapping of the supply of ES in cities, allowing assessments of current supply of key urban ES and alternative urban designs. Such knowledge is indispensable in the quest for designing healthier and climate-resilient cities.
In silco studies on modified hydroxamic acid and valporic acid as potential inhibitors for HDAC2

Histone deacetylases2, Class 1 HDAC family are emerged as an important therapeutic target for the treatment of various cancers. HDAC2 inhibitors are potent anti-cancer agents. Two inhibitors of HDAC2 are Hydroxamic acid and Valporic acid which are potent inducers of growth arrest, differentiation, and/or apoptotic cell death. Total 34 ligands optimized using Triazole group substitution for the target protein Histone Deacetylase2 on the basis of SAHA and Valporic acid. All the ligands are docked with the target protein and results are compared with test compound SAHA. Eight ligands showed better binding affinity towards HDAC2.The binding affinity, free energy and drug scan screening of the above eight ligands have shown that P2, P6 and V6 molecules are best suitable to inhibit HDAC2. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjp.v8i3. 15433 Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology Vol.8(3) 2013 328-335
Growth and Tissue Lipid Deposition of Broilers Fed α-Ketoisocaproic Acid

Abstract Dietary α-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) was studied for effects on growth, feed efficiency, tissue cholesterol (TC) content, and immune response to a Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccination in broilers. In two experiments, broiler chicks were fed diets supplemented with graded levels of KIC to . 54% of the diet. Feed efficiency, fat deposition, BW gain, and plasma cholesterol levels were determined at 3 wk. In a third experiment, broilers were fed diets supplemented with 0, . 1, . 2, and . 4% KIC throughout the starter (0 to 3 wk), grower (3 to 6 wk), and finisher (6 to 7 wk) periods. Abdominal fat and plasma and breast TC were measured at 7 wk. In Experiment 4, levels of KIC to . 6% were fed to broilers to determine TC content and to measure the immune response to NDV vaccination. Feed efficiency, BW gain, and percentage abdominal fat were not affected by KIC in any of the broiler experiments. The addition of KIC to broiler diets resulted in a significant reduction in breast (Pectoralis major) TC. Biceps (Biceps femoralis) TC, adductor (Pubo-ishio-femoralis) TC, and plasma cholesterol content was not affected by KIC. Geometric mean titers to NDV were not improved by KIC. The data indicate that KIC has no effect on growth or abdominal fat deposition, but may have a role in TC homeostasis.
Predicting the direction of sexual selection

Our current understanding of the operation of sexual selection is predicated on a sex difference in parental investment, which favours one sex becoming limiting and choosy over mates, the other competitive and nonchoosy. This difference is reflected in the operational sex ratio (OSR), the ratio of sexually receptive males to females, considered to be of fundamental importance in predicting the direction of sexual selection. Difficulties in measuring OSR directly have led to the use of the potential reproductive rates (PRR) as a measure of the level of investment in offspring of males and females. Several recent studies have emphasized that other factors, such as variation in mate quality and sex differences in mortality patterns, also influence the direction of sexual selection. However, as yet there has been no attempt to form a comprehensive theory of sex roles. Here we show that neither OSR nor PRR is the most fundamentally important determinant of sex roles, and that they are not interchangeable. Instead, the cost of a single breeding attempt has a strong direct effect on competition and choosiness as well as consistent relationships to both OSR and PRR. Our life history based approach to mate choice also yields simple, testable predictions on lack of choice in either sex and on mutual mate choice.
The influence of xenobiotics in river sediment on the reproduction and survival of Daphnia magna, 1820, Straus

OBJETIVO: O rio Taquari, tributario do Lago Guaiba, constitui importante fonte economica e ambiental para o Rio Grande do Sul, estado localizado no extremo sul do Brasil; METODOS: O presente estudo avaliou a interferencia do sedimento deste rio na reproducao e na sobrevivencia de 320 microcrustaceos (80 organismos por local) da especie Daphnia magna. Foram monitorados quatro locais entre o curso medio e a foz do rio, utilizando oito amostras de cada local, entre junho/06 e abril/10. Mortalidade superior a 20% sugeriu acao aguda da amostra sobre os daphniids, enquanto a baixa reproducao indicou presenca de toxicidade cronica. Eventualmente foi observado efeito na sobrevivencia, porem a pequena geracao de individuos foi constante. Ensaios cronicos (21 dias) semi-estaticos foram desenvolvidos em bequeres de 50 mL utilizando sedimento e meio de cultivo M4 na relacao de 1:4 (v:v). Cada bequer recebeu um microcrustaceo nascido de lotes apresentando LC50-24 horas = 0,98 mg K2Cr2O7 ± 0,04 mg totalizando dez replicas por amostra. Os ensaios desenvolveram-se em condicoes controladas de iluminacao (16 horas luz diarias) e temperatura (20 oC ± 2 oC) RESULTADOS: O Teste de Duncan mostrou variacao na reproducao (p < 0.05) com presenca de toxicidade cronica. Ocorreu reducao na atividade reprodutiva em 91% das amostras, enquanto que para sobrevivencia a reducao alcancou 9%. A correlacao de Spearman identificou dependencia entre indice pluviometrico e reproducao em uma das amostras e esteve ausente quando o indice pluviometrico foi comparado com a sobrevivencia CONCLUSOES: O rio Taquari apresentou episodios de toxicidade sendo necessarios estudos na area e fiscalizacao das fontes poluidoras locais como ja vem sendo realizado. Bioensaios cronicos devem ser mantidos quando o objetivo for a avaliacao da qualidade ambiental, ja que a reproducao foi mais sensivel que a sobrevivencia.
The effect of salt stress on lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in the leaf of the cultivated tomato and its wild salt-tolerant relative Lycopersicon pennellii

The possible involvement of the antioxidative system in the tolerance to salt stress was studied in the cultivated tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. M82 (M82) and its wild salt-tolerant relative L. pennellii (Corn) D'Arcy accession Atico (Lpa). All analyses, except that of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), were performed of the youngest fully-expanded leaf of control and salt (100 mM NaCl) stressed plants, 4, 7, 10, 14, 18 and 22 days after completing the stress treatment. In Lpa, constitutive level of lipid peroxidation and activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) were lower while the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) were inherently higher than in M82. Relative to M82, lipid peroxidation was much lower and the activities of SOD, CAT and APX were higher in Lpa at 100 mM NaCl. The activity of DHAR decreased more in Lpa than in M82 under salt stress, and the activity of MDHAR, which was lower in Lpa than in M82 under control conditions, increased much more and to a higher level in salt-treated Lpa plants. GR activity decreased similarly in the two species under salt stress. The results of these analyses suggest that the wild salt-tolerant Lpa plants are better protected against active oxygen species (AOS), inherently and under salt stress, than the relatively sensitive plants of the cultivated species.
Development of infection structures by Hemileia vastatrix in resistant and susceptible selections of Coffea and in Phaseolus vulgaris

The sequence of events leading to successful infection of Coffea by Hemileia vastatrix, following the formation of an appressorium over a stoma, was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. In the host, Coffea arabica, a torpedoshaped substomatal vesicle initial develops bilaterally from the apex of the infection wedge, while in the nonhost, Phaseolus vulgaris, the infection wedge protrudes into the substomatal chamber. The substomatal vesicle in both host and nonhost, at 48 h postinoculation, is anchor shaped. Haustorial mother cells are formed on stubby primary infection hyphae that curve back onto subsidiary cells. No differences in appearance of these structures were noted between resistant and susceptible coffee selections. A much-branched mycelium ramifies through the intercellular spaces of the mesophyll cells 96 h postinoculation in the host. In bean, the SSV began to collapse 48 h postinoculation. Key words: coffee leaf rust, infection, penetration, Coffea, appressorium, substomatal vesicle.