Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrition and poultry welfare

The main aim of nutrition is to optimise productive efficiency, but this is usually only achieved when health is also optimised. Thus health and consequent welfare are major priorities in modern nutritional practices. The dietary contents of energy, protein and amino acids can be varied to alter specific production outputs, for example, growth rate, body composition, egg weight, usually without any adverse welfare impact. Genetic predispositions to specific disorders affecting the skeletal or cardiopulmonary systems associated with selection of broilers for fast growth can be partially overcome by changes to diet composition or feed supply aimed at suppressing growth rate. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies or imbalances can lead more directly to specific lesions and welfare problems. Metabolic disorders affecting poultry may not always be caused by nutrition, but good nutrition can often alleviate their impacts. Nutritional modifications can also help poultry to cope with stresses. The ban on the use of antibacterial feed additives is putting increasing pressure on the correct formulation of diets and the introduction of novel additives to optimise bird performance and health.
Fuel characteristics of arctic plant species and simulated plant community flammability by Rothermel's model

The relative fuel-potentials of 12 northern tundra and forest–tundra ground species of the Mackenzie delta area were evaluated from measured fuel characteristics by simulating a test fire with the Rothermel (1972) fire behavior model. The relative importance of the fuel parameters were in decreasing order: moisture content, biomass, fineness (surface/volume ratio), packing ratio, silica-free ash content, and caloric content. The fuel-potential ratings of the vascular species and of the communities were differentiated primarily by their leaf characteristics. Dead leaves of Calamagrostis canadensis and Eriophorum vaginatum constituted the most flammable fuels measured. Evergreen Ledum palustre and Empetrum nigrum were clearly differentiated from the live vascular species by higher flammability ratings. Of the cryptogam fuels, Cladonia-type lichens were rated intermediate between the above evergreen ericoids and the deciduous woody species (Betula glandulosa, Vaccinium uliginosum, Salix glauca), while Sphagn.
Australian grains free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (AGFACE) facility: design and performance.

The AGFACE project commenced in June 2007 at Horsham (36°45′07″S, 142°06′52″E; 127 m elevation), Victoria, Australia. Its aim is to quantify the interactive effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (e[CO2]), nitrogen, temperature (accomplished by early and late sowing times), and soil moisture on the growth, yield, and water use of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Australian conditions. The main engineering goal of the project was to maintain an even temporal and spatial distribution of carbon dioxide (CO2) at 550 μmol/mol within AGFACE rings containing the experimental treatments. Monitoring showed that e[CO2] at the ring-centres was maintained at or above 90% of the target (495 μmol/mol) between 93 and 98% of the operating time across the 8 rings and within ±10% of the target (495–605 μmol/mol) between 86 and 94% of the time. The carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) measured inside the rings declined non-linearly with increasing distance downwind of the CO2 source and differed by 3–13% in concentration between the two canopy heights in each ring, but was not affected by wind speed or small variations in [CO2] at the ring-centres. The median values for model-predicted concentrations within the inner 11-m-diameter portion of the rings (>80% of the ring area) varied between 524 and 871 μmol/mol but remained close to target near the centres. The design criteria adopted from existing pure CO2 fumigating FACE systems and new ideas incorporated in the AGFACE system provided a performance similar to its equivalent systems. This provides confidence in the results that will be generated from experiments using the AGFACE system.
Pesquisa de Micobactérias Ambientais em água de torneira, luvas e soluções utilizadas em procedimentos cirúrgicos no Hospital Universitário Getúlio Vargas - Manaus/AM

Using bacteriological (culture) and molecular (PCR - Restriction Enzyme Analysis, PRA) methods, we investigated the presence of environmental mycobacteria in tap water, antiseptic solutions and surgical gloves, used in carrying out surgical procedures at the Getulio Vargas University Hospital Surgical Center, in Manaus -Amazonas/Brazil. Samples (105) were collected and analyzed from: tap water (24 - collected from 3 taps in the surgical center); povidone-iodine solution, PVP-I, (8); Chlorhexidine solution (7), that were used to hygienize surgeons' hands; surgical gloves (39); and solutions that were effectively used during the surgical procedure (27). Using bacteriological method 41 mycobacteria were isolated, all from samples of tap water. Using PRA, mycobacterial DNA was detected only in the sample from water that provided over 100 colonies per inoculated culture tubes. The isolated were identified as Mycobacterium celatum pattern II, M. gordonae pattern III, M. gordonae pattern VI, M. intracellulare pattern I, M. lentiflavum pattern III and M. mucogenicum pattern I. The isolating of M. mucogenicum, a species that had already been incriminated for causing post-surgical outbreaks in tap water from the surgical center, indicates that cleaning and monitoring procedures must be carried out in every place of water distribution. This may be necessary to prevent nosological mycobacteriosis outbreaks induced by the use of water in different activities such as handling and hygienizing patients submitted to invasive procedures.
Effects of Oxygen in Relation to Temperature on the Development of Embryos of Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout

Embryos of the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill) were incubated in reduced levels of dissolved oxygen of approximately 2.5 ppm, 3.5 ppm, 4.5 ppm, and a control level near air-saturation (10 ppm) at each four temperatures, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 C, from fertilization to a late stage of development. Embryos of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson) were incubated in a similar experiment at levels of oxygen approximating 2.5 and 3.5 ppm and a level near air-saturation at each of the four temperatures, to a similar, late stage of development. A third small experiment was conducted in which embryos of rainbow trout were incubated at 12.5, 15.0, and 17.5 C, at a level of dissolved oxygen near air-saturation. In all instances for both species the velocity of embryonic development, measured by the times required to attain a series of selected embryonic stages, was accelerated by increasing temperature. The velocity of development was increasingly retarded by progressively lower levels of disso.
Biomechanics and functional preconditions for terrestrial lifestyle in basal tetrapods, with special consideration of Tiktaalik roseae

The fossil Tiktaalik roseae from the Late Devonian induces clear definition of the biomechanical and functional preconditions for a terrestrial lifestyle including quadrupedal standing and locomotion on limbs. Therefore, we determined the internal stresses in this model organism under the influence of gravity using the finite element method. Stress patterns during symmetrical two-forelimb support result from bending of trunk and neck. During asymmetrical one-forelimb support, as occurs during terrestrial locomotion, torsional stresses are higher than those caused by bending. The observed patterns of compressive stresses correspond well with the arrangement of compression-resistant materials: vertebral column, shoulder girdle and ribs. The tensile stresses are in accordance with the arrangement of longitudinal and oblique muscles forming the body wall. Torsional stresses concentrate along the periphery of the trunk, leaving its cavity free from mechanical stresses. Theoretical mechanics indicate that the flat skull and the mobility of the neck were advantageous for lateral snapping, similar to crocodiles. The same movement on land requires sprawling and flexed forelimbs. Our results can be interpreted as explanations for the tetrapod bauplan as well as confirmation and refinement of existing hypotheses about the lifestyle at the border between water and land of this early predecessor of terrestrial tetrapods.
Application of Polysaccharide Microarray Technology for the Serodiagnosis of Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection (Melioidosis) in Humans

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, a bacterial infection endemic in tropical regions including southeast Asia and northern Australia. B. pseudomallei contains structurally unique polysaccharides (capsular polysaccharide and O−antigen saccharides of lipopolysaccharide). A polysaccharide microarray platform was developed by immobilizing these polysaccharides onto glass slides. Employing this microarray, we were able to demonstrate the presence of antibodies to these polysaccharide antigens in the sera of melioidosis patients, but not in serum from nonmelioidosis human subjects. The advantages of this polysaccharide microarray technology over the conventional tests for the serodiagnosis of melioidosis are discussed.
Age and Growth of the Lessepsian Migrant Sphyraena chrysotaenia Klunzinger, 1884 from the Gulf of Gabes (Eastern Mediterranean)

Sphyraena chrysotaenia is currently an important component of the eastern Mediterranean inshore fisheries. In Tunisia it was recorded for the first time in the Gulf of Gabes in 2002 where it is now an important fished species. This study estimates age and calculates growth of this species from the coast of Gulf of Gabes (southeast of Tunisia) based on otolith analysis. Annual periodicity of alternating zones was confirmed, in which one translucent and one opaque zone were observed to deposit each year. These results allowed us the estimation of the approximate age to the appearance of each “stop growth increment. ” The age estimated was 5 years old for both sexes. The means of back calculations of total length-at-age were satisfactorily used to von Bertalanffy growth model L t = 283.2 (1 − e−0.3199(t+ 1.716) ). Differences in the growth rhythms were observed between the sexes. The asymptotic lengths were 285.1 and 258.8 mm, respectively, for females and males. The length-weight relationship for both sexes of S. chrysotaenia is Wt = 0.0048 LT 3.0696 .
Increasing the lifetime of wireless sensor networks by Self-Organizing Map algorithm

Wireless sensor networks are composed of a large number of sensor nodes with limited energy resources. One critical issue in wireless sensor networks is how to gather sensed information in an energy efficient way since the energy is limited. The clustering algorithm is a technique used to reduce energy consumption the performance of Wireless Sensor Networks strongly depends on their lifetime. As a result, Dynamic Power Management approaches with the purpose of reduction of energy consumption in sensor nodes, after deployment and designing of the network. Recently, there have been a strong interest to use intelligent tools especially Neural Networks in energy efficient approaches of Wireless Sensor Networks, due to their simple parallel distributed computation, distributed storage, data robustness, auto-classification of sensor nodes and sensor reading. This paper presents a new centralized adaptive Energy Based Clustering protocol through the application of Self organizing map neural networks (called EBC-S) which can cluster sensor nodes, based on multi parameters; energy level and coordinates of sensor nodes. We applied some maximum energy nodes as weights of SOM map units; so that the nodes with higher energy attract the nearest nodes with lower energy levels. Therefore, formed clusters may not necessarily contain adjacent nodes. The new algorithm enables us to form energy balanced clusters and equally distribute energy consumption. Simulation results and comparison with previous protocols prove that our new algorithm is able to extend the lifetime of the network.
An ANALYTICTRANSFORM KERNEL DERIVATION METHOD FOR VERSATILE VIDEO CODING (VVC)

In the ongoing standardization of Versatile Video Coding (VVC), DCT-2, DST-7 and DCT-8 are accounted as the vital transform kernels. While storing all of those transform kernels, ROM memory storage is considered as the major problem. So, to deal with this scenario, a common sparse unified matrix concept is introduced in this paper. From the proposed matrix, any point transform kernels (DCT-2, DST-7, DCT-8, DST-4 and DCT-4) can be achieved after some mathematical computation. DCT-2, DST-7 and DCT-8 are the used major transform kernel in this paper.
Determinação do potencial antioxidante in vitro de frutos do Cerrado brasileiro

Extratos em metanol e acetona de diferentes especies do Cerrado, semente de Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil (Lobeira), polpa de Byrsonima verbascifolia (L.) DC. (Murici), epicarpo e mesocarpo de Caryocar brasiliense Cambess (Pequi) e penduculo de Cipocereus minensis F. Ritter (Quiabo-da-lapa) foram submetidos a ensaios antioxidantes in vitro para avaliar a capacidade de sequestrar os radicais orgânicos DPPH e ABTS. +, reduzir o ferro (FRAP) e/ ou inibir a peroxidacao lipidica (β-caroteno). Todas as amostras apresentaram consideravel atividade antioxidante, embora em diferentes proporcoes, destacando-se o mesocarpo de Caryocar brasiliense como o responsavel pela maior atividade antioxidante por captura de radicais livres (DPPH e ABTS) e poder de reducao do metal (FRAP) e o pendunculo de Cipocereus minensis frente a inibicao da peroxidacao lipidica (B-caroteno). Os frutos estudados podem ser considerados fontes potenciais de antioxidantes naturais e podem ser explorados como aditivos alimentares promissores para a prevencao de doencas, bem como para a manutencao da saude.
Water Activity in Selected High-Moisture Foods

The water activity, moisture, sodium chloride content, and pH of samples of 73 different selected types of Spanish high-moisture foods including meat, fish and dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and sugar products were determined. The average measured water activities of the foods ranged from 0.911 for plum marmalade to 0.997 for infant foods, potatoes, and radish, i.e., all exceeded 0.910, the lower limit for foods considered high moisture. Both the pH values and the average moisture and salt contents of the samples varied over wide ranges, viz. 2.72–6.44, 14.1–95.9, and 0.36–6.58%, respectively. The water activity of most of the foods assayed can be accurately calculated from their NaCl molality by using the equation aw = 1.0048-0.0386m.
Photoresponses of transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings expressing introduced phytochrome B‐encoding cDNAs: evidence that phytochrome A and phytochrome B have distinct photoregulatory functions

The photocontrol of hypocotyl elongation has been studied in two transgenic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana which contain elevated levels of phytochrome B encoded by either an introduced rice- or Arabidopsis-derived cDNA driven by the 35S CaMV promoter. Inhibition of hypocotyl growth in etiolated seedlings of the phyB-transformed lines was saturated at photon fluence rates of continuous red light (R) which were markedly lower than those required for inhibition of growth in seedlings of the isogenic wild-type (WT). Inhibition of hypocotyl growth in etiolated seedlings of the phyB-transgenic lines under continuous far-red irradiation (FR), however, showed the same relationship with fluence rate as WT. Light-grown seedlings of the phyB-transgenic lines responded to end-of-day FR by an acceleration of growth, in a manner comparable with WT. This response was unaltered when the end-of-day FR was extended from a 15 min pulse to 14 h of continuous irradiation. The response of light-grown, phyB-transformed seedlings to decreasing R:FR ratio was also qualitatively similar to WT, i.e. increased elongation growth of the hypocotyl and petioles occurred under low R:FR quantum ratio. However, absolute elongation growth was markedly less in the transgenic seedlings at all R:FR ratios tested than in WT. Together, these data indicate that seedlings over-expressing phytochrome B are more responsive to R than are WT, but are unaltered in their responsiveness to FR. By contrast, seedlings overexpressing phytochrome A are more responsive than WT to both R and FR; whereas the phytochrome B-deficient mutant hy3 is unresponsive to R while retaining WT-like responsiveness to FR. These data indicate that in WT etiolated seedlings phytochrome A mediates the effects of continuous FR, and phytochrome B the effects of continuous R. The evidence thus supports the conclusion that these two molecular species of the photoreceptor have differential regulatory roles in the plant.
Mate choice for cognitive traits: a review of the evidence in nonhuman vertebrates

To what extent do individuals assess the cognitive abilities of the opposite sex when choosing a mate? With the exception of song learning in birds, the hypothesis that cognitive traits are under sexual selection has received attention only recently. Here, we evaluate the evidence for this hypothesis in nonhuman vertebrates. We first briefly review the literature on brain development, which shows that cognition may be a sensitive indicator of early developmental conditions. We then consider the empirical evidence that females choose mates with better cognitive skills, which may be reflected in males' courtship displays, foraging performance, courtship feeding, or diet-dependent morphological traits. There is very little research that assesses whether females discriminate between males through direct observation of cognitively demanding behavior. Instead, several studies support female choice on the basis of morphological traits correlated with cognitive abilities. We conclude by highlighting key questions for future research: 1) To what extent do cognitive skills determine foraging success, courtship feeding, and the expression of diet-dependent morphological traits? 2) Do behavioral courtship displays depend on motor development and physiological maturation or learning through practice and experience? 3) How do cognitive abilities affect survival and mating success? Studies on a range of vertebrate taxa, with their diverse mating systems and cognitive ecologies, offer great potential to tackle these questions and deepen our understanding of sexual selection on cognition. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Distribuição espacial e sazonal de anfíbios em quatro poças na região serrana do Espírito Santo, sudeste do Brasil: influência de corredores florestais

This study evaluated the composition of anuran assemblages, and also the spatial and temporal distribution of those species in four permanent ponds. Two of these ponds are connected to Atlantic rainforest fragments by forest corridor and the other two are surrounded by Eucalyptus plantation and human settlement. Twenty-two species from five families were recorded from December 2003 to November 2004. Most species and individuals collected belong to Hylidae, which presented pronounced spatial overlap. Vegetation under 0.60 m was the most used calling site. Although not statistically supported, species richness and abundance were higher in rainy than dry months. Ponds with corridors had higher species richness and fourteen species were exclusively found on these ponds. The community structure of anurans in permanent ponds at this fragmented landscape is apparently dictated by the presence or absence of forest corridors connecting ponds to forest fragments.
Time allocation and vigilance behaviour of Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) wintering in the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia

We studied time allocation and vigilance behaviour of Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) wintering in the Gulf of Gabès. In particular, we tested the relationships between time devoted to vigilance and that devoted to foraging and sleeping, and investigated variation in individual vigilance level with group size and group activity. Our results suggest that vigilance behaviour is costly for flamingos wintering in the Gulf of Gabès, in that significant trade-offs were found between vigilance and foraging, and between vigilance and sleeping. We also found that vigilance level of individual flamingos was dependent on group activity and group size. Overall, flamingos were most vigilant during mixed activities and vigilance level increased with group size. The latter result could be due to the increase in competition and social friction with group size. Nous avons étudié l'allocation du temps et la vigilance chez le flamants rose (Phoenicopterus roseus) hivernant dans le Golfe de Gabès. En particulier, nous avons examiné la relation entre la vigilance et les autres principales activités des individus, à savoir l'alimentation et le repos, et nous avons testé les effets de la taille du groupe et de son activité sur le degré de vigilance des individus. Globalement, nos résultats suggèrent que la vigilance est coûteuse pour les flamants roses, dans la mesure où elle réduit le temps alloué à l'alimentation et celui alloué au repos. D'autre part, la vigilance individuelle semble dépendre de la taille du groupe et de son activité générale. C'est en effet au cours des activités mixtes et au sein des groupes nombreux que les individus semblent les plus vigilants. Ce dernier résultat serait du à l'augmentation de l'intensité de la compétition et des frictions entre les individus avec la taille du groupe.
A comparison of animal performance and carcass and meat quality characteristics in Hereford, Hereford × Friesian, and Friesian steers grazed together at pasture

Abstract An experiment was carried out to compare the quality of beef produced from Hereford (H), Hereford × Friesian (HF), and Friesian (F) steers grazed together on pasture from weaning. Carcass characteristics, meat quality parameters, and consumer acceptability were compared when the breeds were slaughtered at the same age (H, HF1, Fl) and at the same level of “fatness” (i.e., same biological maturity; H, HF2, F2). H steers reached slaughter weight and fatness at 27 months of age (approx. 610 kg, 6.75 mm fat at 12th rib, respectively) at which time all H, half the Hereford × Friesians (HF1), and half the Friesians (Fl) were slaughtered. The remaining steers (HF2 and F2) continued to graze until they reached a similar level of fatness to H steers and were slaughtered at 29 and 35 months of age, respectively. Growth rates were similar between breeds throughout the trial. When slaughtered at the same age, H steers had higher carcass weights, higher dressing‐out percentages, whiter fat, and were significantly fatter than HF1 or Fl steers. However, meat colour, total weight of significant meat cuts, and meat tenderness were similar in all breeds. When slaughtered at the same maturity, F2 carcasses were significantly heavier than HF2 or H steers and thus had higher overall meat yields. However, differences in meat yield, as a percentage of total carcass weight, were small. Meat from mature Friesians (F2) took slightly longer to age than H steers although by 9 days after slaughter breed differences in shear force tenderness measurements were not significant. Differences in tenderness immediately post slaughter were associated with higher calpastatin to (i‐calpain ratio in the meat from F2 steers. Although HF2 steers were 2 months older and F2 steers 8 months older than H steers at slaughter, there was no effect on meat colour but fat colour was significantly yellower in F2 steers. Differences in organoleptic parameters were small and no consistent breed effects could be distinguished by taste panellists when compared at the same age or the same maturity. It was concluded that when managed similarly on pasture and slaughtered at the same age, differences in beef quality between Hereford, Hereford x Friesian, and Friesian steers are small and, where they exist, are largely due to differences in carcass fatness.