Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variable paths to seed production within the Kangaroo Valley cultivar of Lolium perenne

Components of seed yield were measured in an erect, early-flowering biotype and a prostrate, late-flowering biotype of Lolium perenne cv. Kangaroo Valley at temperatures from 15/10 to 24/19¦C (12/12 h day/night). We aimed to determine if each biotype had distinctive components of seed yield, and if these varied according to temperature. The two biotypes had distinctive paths to seed yield. Seed yield per plant in an erect biotype depended more on seed weight per spike and less on spike number than in a prostrate biotype. The distinctive paths to seed yield, and relative stability in paths across temperatures, indicated that it was possible to select genotypes from within the Kangaroo Valley cultivar which had particular correlations among components of yield. Floral development was accelerated, but seed yield per plant and most of its components were reduced, at high temperature; only the mean daily rate of dry weight accumulation by individual seeds was the same at all temperatures. At any temperature, seed weight per spike declined almost linearly with lateness of spike emergence within a plant: spikes which emerged within 21 days of the earliest spike contributed 80% of the seed yield per plant. We conclude that biotypes can be selected within the Kangaroo Valley cultivar to have distinctive components of seed yield and, based on the two biotypes we studied, commercial seed production should be based at a location having relatively low temperatures.
Communication With Partially Verifiable Information: An Experiment

We use laboratory experiments to study communication games with partially verifiable information. In these games, based on Glazer and Rubinstein (2004, 2006), an informed sender sends a two-dimensional message to a receiver, but only one dimension of the message can be verified. We compare a treatment where the receiver chooses which dimension to verify with one where the sender has this verification control. We find significant differences in outcomes across treatments. Specifically, receivers are more likely to observe sendersâ€™ best evidence when senders have verification control. However, receivers' payoffs do not differ significantly across treatments, suggesting they are not hurt by delegating verification control. We also show that in both treatments the receiver's best reply to senders' observed behavior is close to the optimal strategy identified by Glazer and Rubinstein.
Viability assessment of bacteria in mixed populations using flow cytometry *

In microbiology cells are called viable when they can be shown to proliferate. Due to long lag phases and the cells' sensitivity to the conditions around them, this definition presents problems when investigating stressed or injured cells. Colony counts only show reproduction, whilst direct single‐cell investigation can divide the status of cells into four stages: (i) reproductive viable cells, (ii) vital cells, (iii) intact cells and (iv) dead cells.
Further studies of plankton ecosystems in the eastern Indian Ocean. VII. Ecology of the Amphipoda

Seasonal changes in 82 species of epiplanktonic copepods along a longitudinal section in the eastern Indian Ocean (meridian 110°) were studied so that the main structural features of the pelagic ecosystem could be identified. Counts were made of 46 species of Eucalanidae, Euchaetidae, and Sapphirinidae, and the presence or absence of the remainder was recorded. This mixture of qualitative and quantitative data was used to identify the major niche complexes ('biocenoses') and habitat complexes (geocenoses') in the study area. Many species were ubiquitous. The greatest proportion of endemic species occurred in a narrow fringe to the south of Java; these included neritic species such as Acartia erythraea and Eucalanus dentatus, upwelling species such as Calanoides carinatus, and other species of less certain origin (e.g. Eucalanus crassus, Euchaeta concinna, and Candacia catula). The best indicator of tropical water was Candacia pachydactyla, and the best indicator of its mixtures with subtropical water was Euchneta wolfendeni. Whereas presence-absence data were sufficient to group many tropical species which had a limited range, numerical data were needed to classify subtropical species such as Eucalanus subtenuis, Euchaeta longicornis, and Copilia mediterranea. Diurnally separate, as well as seasonally separate, biocenoses could be recognized; these were characterized, in particular, by species of the genus Pleuromamma. The agglomerative program MULTCLAS, using quantitative as well as qualitative data, defined plankton geocenoses more clearly than did the simple divisive program DIVINF using qualitative (presence-absence) data alone. Six systems could be recognized. Their latitudinal and seasonal distribution, and their temperature-salinity properties showed that two were tropical, two were subtropical, and two were tropical-subtropical mixtures. The tropical geocenoses were early and late phases of the 'Java Dome', a south-east monsoon upwelling system. The subtropical geocenoses corresponded to the central water mass and the west wind drift transition zone. The tropical-subtropical mixtures were seasonal phases, the south-east monsoon phase being generally richer than its successor, due probably to lateral advection from the north, possibly from coastal upwelling off the north-west Australian shelf. The west wind drift transition zone had unusual biological properties due, apparently, to its characteristic turbulence and deep mixed layer. Using the scaled exponent of the Shannon-Wiener entropy function H, a diversity maximum was located at about 20oS. in the tropical convergence. Eucalanus subtenuis was responsible for diversity minima in the subtropics. A variety of species was responsible for diversity minima in the tropics, in particular Rhincalanus cornutus and Euchaeta russelli, the latter swarming in the upper layers in midsummer and reducing diversity to practically zero.
Direct N2O emission factors for synthetic N‐fertilizer and organic residues applied on sugarcane for bioethanol production in Central‐Southern Brazil

The production and use of biofuels have increased rapidly in recent decades. Bioethanol derived from sugarcane has become a promising alternative to fossil fuel for use in automotive vehicles. The ‘savings’ calculated from the carbon footprint of this energy source still generates many questions related to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from sugarcane cultivation. We quantified N2O emissions from soil covered with different amounts of sugarcane straw and determined the direct N2O emission factors of nitrogen fertilizers (applied at the planting furrows and in the topdressing) and the by‐products of sugarcane processing (filter cake and vinasse) applied to sugarcane fields. The results showed that the presence of different amounts of sugarcane straw did not change N2O emissions relative to bare soil (control). N‐fertilizer increased N2O emissions from the soil, especially when urea was used, both at the planting furrow (plant cane) and during the regrowth process (ratoon cane) in relation to ammonium nitrate. The emission factor for N‐fertilizer was 0.46 ± 0.33%. The field application of filter cake and vinasse favored N2O emissions from the soil, the emission factor for vinasse was 0.65 ± 0.29%, while filter cake had a lower emission factor of 0.13 ± 0.04%. The experimentally obtained N2O emission factors associated with sugarcane cultivation, specific to the major sugarcane production region of the Brazil, were lower than those considered by the IPCC. Thus, the results of this study should contribute to bioethanol carbon footprint calculations.
Growth Hormone Signaling in the Regulation of Acid Labile Subunit

The past decades have seen enormous advances in our understanding of how GH acts. GH is a pituitary-derived polypeptide hormone that has diverse physiological effects including the regulation of bone growth, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The effects of GH are mediated directly and indirectly through IGF-I. In addition, GH stimulates the hepatic production of ALS. In postnatal life, IGF-I and -II circulate as 150 kDa ternary complexes consisting of one molecule each of IGFBP-3 or IGFBP-5, IGF-I or IGF-II and ALS. It is now known that ALS increases significantly the half-lives of the IGFs, IGFBP-3 and -5, and therefore is responsible for maintaining a circulating reservoir for each of these proteins.
Morphological Analysis Of Cementoenamel Junction Types In Premolars And Molars Of A Sample Of Pakistani Population.

BACKGROUND Cementoenamel junction represents the demarcation between enamel covered crown and cementum covered root surface. There is paucity of population specific data of the morphological variability of cementoenamel junctions of permanent and primary teeth. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological diversity and interrelationship of cementoenamel junction of premolar and molar teeth in permanent dentition of a sample of Pakistani population with potential forensic and anthropological implications. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted at Oral Biology department of Dr Ishrat ul Ebad khan institute of oral health science, Dow University from March till September 2016. Seventy-five maxillary and mandibular permanent premolar and molars from adult patients of both sexes were selected and sectioned. Longitudinal ground sections were prepared to study the morphological interrelationship between Cementum and Enamel in each specimen to be viewed under light microscope. A chi-square test was applied between the categorical variables. RESULTS Results showed 57.3% of sections had cementum overlapping enamel interrelation, 32% showed edge to edge cementum and enamel relation and 9.3% showed that cementum and enamel failed to meet resulting in exposed dentine, while 1.3% sample showed enamel over cementum relation. No significant correlation was found between gender, type of tooth, maxillary, mandibular arches and the morphological variation of CEJ (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that there are considerable morphological variations in CEJ of premolars and molars with preponderance of cementum overlapping enamel in these teeth. Based on these findings, dentists are advised to be mindful of dental procedures involving the CEJ and that these interventions should be performed meticulously avoiding any detachment of cementum and subsequent exposure of dentin resulting in dentin hypersensitivity.
Research Note: Effect of Storage Conditions and Hard Cooking on Peelability and Nutrient Density of White and Brown Shelled Eggs

Abstract Experiments were conducted with 200 eggs (100 white and 100 brown) to study the effects of hard cooking, storage temperature, and environment on physical and chemical composition, peelability, pH, and yolk centering. Temperature of storage (4 or 15 C) and storage environment (with or without 10% NaOH) for 72 h were examined. Peelability and albumen pH were significantly (P
A Fine Balance: Drug Use in Norwegian Nursing Homes

15 SAMMENDRAG . 18 1. BACKGROUND . 21 1.1 NORWEGIAN NURSING HOMES . 21 1.1.1 The nursing home . 21 1.1.2 The providers of medical treatment and care . 22 1.2 PATIENTS IN NURSING HOMES . 24 1.2. 1 Dementia . 24 1.2. 2 Other common conditions and multimorbidity . 26 1.3 DRUGS IN NURSING HOMES . 27 1.3. 1 Demographics . 27 1.3. 2 Psychotropic drugs . 28 1.3. 3 Antihypertensive drugs . 29 1.3. 4 Why is drug treatment difficult? 30 1.4 INTERVENTIONS IN NURSING HOMES . 32 1.5 METHODS OF IMPROVING PRESCRIBING . 34 1.5. 1 Optimal prescribing . 34 1.5. 2 How to optimize prescribing? 36 1.6 RATIONALE OF THE THESIS . 40
Suitability of acoustics as non-lethal deterrents for macropodids: the influence of origin, delivery and anti-predator behaviour

Context Auditory devices used to deter wildlife are a potentially humane and effective way of minimising deleterious interactions with humans and their livelihoods and have been used successfully for many species around the world. Acoustic cues can be used to manipulate anti-predator behaviour, encouraging animals to forage elsewhere. Employing acoustics derived from natural sources to make use of innate behavioural responses has been suggested to outperform novel or artificial sounds; however, anti-predator strategies vary among sympatric species and will influence the utility of acoustic stimuli for deterring wildlife. Aims We aimed to test the interaction between the source of origin (natural or novel) and species traits (anti-predator strategy – grouping behaviour) on the efficacy of using acoustic stimuli to elicit alarm responses for two species in the family Macropodidae commonly associated with browsing on forest plantation seedlings; the red-necked pademelon (Thylogale thetis) and the red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus banksianus). Methods We tested these factors in captivity using playback experiments of acoustic stimuli and monitored the behavioural responses of subjects. Results Red-necked pademelons exhibited strong responses to bioacoustic and novel stimuli but did not greatly differentiate among them. Short-term habituation to predator calls was detected whereas responsiveness to novel sounds increased. Red-necked wallabies most strongly responded to conspecific distress calls, showing no sign of short-term habituation. Conclusions Results from the present and other studies suggest that bioacoustic deterrents, particularly those utilising natural conspecific sounds, aimed at communicating danger, have the potential to play an important role in non-lethal wildlife management, although that responsiveness varies with the form of anti-predator strategies employed. Implications If alarm responses translate into subjects vacating targeted areas, then there is some potential to implement non-lethal acoustic deterrents for macropodids alongside other management measures aimed at preventing impacts on primary production. Problematically, our experiments showed that without accurate acoustic delivery, particularly of sounds with infrasonic components, the development of effective bioacoustic deterrents may remain stymied.
On the stability of casein micelles.

Abstract A view of the structure of the casein micelle is given. It is built of submicelles, roughly spherical aggregates of several casein molecules held together by hydrophobic bonds and salt bridges. Regions of amorphous calcium phosphate link the submicelles to each other, the ester phosphate groups form part of this colloidal phosphate. In this way, almost all regions of the casein molecules are severely restricted in mobility. The C terminal part of the κ-casein is however predominantly present as flexible "hairs" located at the outside of the micelles. There are essentially two types of submicelles, with and without (much) κ-casein. The casein micelles greatly change in properties upon lowering the pH, mostly due to dissolution of colloidal phosphate; at still lower pH, increased formation of salt bridges predominates. Temperature also has pronounced effects: upon lowering it, the micelles become more voluminous, presumably due to protruding hairs of (mainly) β-casein. Also at high temperature (>70°C), parts of the casein molecules become more flexible. Casein micelles are very stable, If conditions are changed they may disintegrate or aggregate. Aggregation mostly leads to formation of a gel. The application of the theory of fractal floc formation to gelation is briefly discussed: it serves to explain the very strong dependence of gelation times on volume fraction of aggregating particles. The stability against aggregation is primarily due to steric repulsion, caused by the hairs of κ-casein, and at low temperature presumably also pcasein. The hairs on different casein micelles may however touch, and this may lead to lasting contact of the micelles, i.e., aggregation. The bonds formed can be salt bridges or, at high temperature, covalent bonds (chemical crosslinks). Hydrophobic bonds are probably not involved. The probability that casein molecules in different micelles may touch each other for a sufficient time for bonds to be formed appears to depend on electrostatic as well as steric repulsion, which thereby affect aggregation rate.
Environmental contaminants in great blue herons (Ardea herodias) from the Lower Columbia and Willamette Rivers, Oregon and Washington, USA

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) eggs and prey items were collected from six colonies in Oregon and Washington, USA, during 1994 to 1995. Contaminant concentrations, reproductive success, and biomagnification factors were determined and effects of residue levels were measured by H4IIE rat hepatoma bioassays. Mean residue concentrations in heron eggs and prey items were generally low. However, elevated concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in eggs and prey from Ross Island on the Willamette River. Biomagnification factors varied among sites. Sites were not significantly different in H4IIE tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin equivalents (TCDD‐EQs), although the TCDD‐EQ for Karlson Island was 9 to 20 times greater than that of any other site. Large differences existed between toxic equivalents calculated from egg residue concentrations and TCDD‐EQs, which indicated nonadditive interactions among the compounds. Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin equivalents and nest failure were positively correlated with TCDD concentration. Fledging and reproductive rates were similar to those determined for healthy heron populations, however, indicating that any adverse effects were occurring at the individual level and not at the colony level. Our results support the use of great blue herons as a biomonitor for contamination in aquatic ecosystems. Their relatively low sensitivity to organochlorine contaminants and high trophic position allows contaminant accumulation and biomagnification without immediate adverse effects that are often seen in other, more sensitive species.
‘Chasmatosaurus ultimus,’ a Putative Proterosuchid Archosauriform from the Middle Triassic, is an Indeterminate Crown Archosaur

JUN LIU,* RICHARD BUTLER, CORWIN SULLIVAN, and MARTIN EZCURRA; Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China, liujun@ivpp.ac. cn; csullivan@ivpp.ac. cn; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K., r.butler. 1@bham.ac. uk; martindezcurra@yahoo.com. ar
Scrounging Tactics in Free‐Ranging Ravens, Corvus corax

Social foraging allows individuals to scrounge, i.e. to exploit the food others have made available. The conditions promoting scrounging as an alternative foraging tactic have yet received limited attention. We presently examine whether ravens, as opportunistic scavengers, adjust their foraging tactics according to the potential costs involved in accessing a particular food source. We observed wild ravens foraging in a game park, at the enclosures of wolves, Canis lupus, and wild boars, Sus scrofa. Wolves may aggressively defend their food and even kill ravens, whereas wild boars do not. When co-feeding with wolves, the ravens showed higher scrounging rates than with wild boars. Only at the wolves, they tended to specialize either on scrounging or on getting food directly from the site. However, scrounging techniques differed in relation to the state of food depletion. Early on, after food became available, the ravens most frequently displaced others from food, whereas towards the end, stealing, solicited sharing, and cache raiding became prevalent. These techniques differed in their profitability and their use was related to the scroungers’ age, social status and affiliative relationships. This suggests that ecological conditions, such as co-feeding with potential predators, may influence the individuals’ decision whether or not to scrounge in competition for food. Social conditions, on the other hand, may affect the way how to get at food possessed by others and may thus, to a large extent, determine the profitability of scrounging.
Relative Efficiency of Selection Methods for Improvement of Feed Efficiency

Abstract A set of optimum weighting factors was derived such that the resulting linear index may be used to select for the ratio of two component traits. In a population of mice, three selection criteria for improvement of feed efficiency (body weight gain/feed intake) were compared: 1) selection on a linear approximation of the efficiency ratio, 2) selection on body weight gain, and 3) restricted selection index for increased body weight gain with feed intake constant. Direct selection on a linear approximation of the efficiency ratio was 10% and 3% more effective than selection on body weight gain and restricted selection index. Selection on linear approximation was preferred over restricted index selection in improving efficiency of feed utilization in laboratory and farm animals.
No empirical evidence for community‐wide top‐down control of prey fish density and size by fish predators in lakes

I tested relationships between fish predator and prey densities or size across 66 lakes of the European temperate zone, covering mean depths between 1 and 22 m and a phytoplankton biomass range between 1 and 270 mg m‐3 chlorophyll a. I hypothesized that in lakes of comparable phytoplankton biomass or depth, prey fish densities and size were lower at high predator densities or size than in systems with lower piscivory. Accordingly, I also expected a stronger trophic cascade from predatory fish to phytoplankton biomass in high‐piscivory systems. None of the hypotheses were confirmed. Prey abundances and biomasses were consistently higher in high‐piscivory than in low‐piscivory lakes, if the effects of trophic state or lake depth on fish densities were accounted for. Chlorophyll a concentrations in lakes of similar depth did not differ between high and low piscivory, suggesting no difference in the strength of the trophic cascade. The overall size of prey was slightly higher in lakes with larger predators. The weak top‐down influence of predatory fish on lower trophic levels may be attributable to the fact that the numerically dominant predator, perch, has to recruit through smaller ontogenetic stages, which dominate the prey community in most of the lakes. The availability of size refuges for prey and the overall omnivory of predators may contribute to the weak evidence for a trophic cascade.
Differential Induction of Adhesion Molecule and Chemokine Expression by LTα3 and LTαβ in Inflammation Elucidates Potential Mechanisms of Mesenteric and Peripheral Lymph Node Development

Lymphotoxin (LT) is a member of the proinflammatory TNF family of cytokines that plays a critical role in the development of lymphoid tissue. It has previously been reported that the presence of the LTα transgene under the control of the rat insulin promoter results in inflammation at the sites of transgene expression. LTα transgene expression results in expression of the adhesion molecules VCAM, ICAM, peripheral node addressin (a marker of peripheral lymph nodes), and mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule (a marker of mucosal lymphoid tissue, including mesenteric lymph nodes). In this study to determine the mechanisms by which LT promotes inflammation and lymphoid tissue organization, we analyzed the regulation of expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines in LT transgenic mice. The results demonstrate that LTα3 induces expression of the adhesion molecules VCAM, ICAM, and mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule as well as the chemokines RANTES, IFN-inducible protein-10, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1, while LTαβ is required for the induction of peripheral node addressin that may contribute to the recruitment of L-selectinhigh CD44low naive T cells. These data provide candidate mediators of LT-induced inflammation as well as potential mechanisms by which LTα and LTαβ may differentially promote the development of mesenteric and peripheral lymph nodes.