Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supplementary feeding of mealworms enhances reproductive success in garden nesting House Sparrows Passer domesticus

Capsule Mealworm provisioning increased clutch size and chick survival in garden-nesting House Sparrows. Aim We tested experimentally whether invertebrate availability limits reproductive success in garden-nesting House Sparrows Passer domesticus. Methods Mealworms were provided in feeders as supplementary food for House Sparrows nesting in suburban and rural domestic gardens. Surveys of provisioning adult sparrows were used to determine mealworm usage and nest outcomes were monitored. Results Provisioning parent sparrows travelled up to 165 m from nests to collect mealworms, but most usage of supplementary food was confined to nests within 30 m of feeders. Mealworm provisioning increased clutch size and chick survival which together increased fledgling production by 55%. Conclusions Management interventions that increase the availability of invertebrate prey for garden-nesting House Sparrows have the potential to stimulate substantial increases in reproductive success.
DEVELOPMENT OF BRUGIA PAHANGI MICROFILARIAE FROM JIRD PERITONEAL CAVITY IN AEDES AEGYPTI

A new apparatus for feeding mosquitoes is described. It is constructed without special technique and easy of handling. The usefulness of the apparatus is demonstrated by a report on investigations into the effects of nucleotides on mosquito gorging and the development of the microfilariae from the jird peritoneal cavity and from the dog venous blood in Aedes aegypti. As a phagostimulant 10-3M ATP is the most effective of the nucleotides tested. The microfilariae from the jird peritoneal cavity have been proved to reach stage III (i.e. infective stage) as those from the dog, although the rate is lower in the former. It is also proved that the microfilariae develop to infective larvae in the mosquitoes which have not taken blood, serum or protein meals.
Relationships between temperament and growth in a feedlot and commercial carcass traits of Bos indicus crossbreds

Summary. Two cohorts of Bos indicus crossbreds were studied to determine the relationships between temperament and growth in a feedlot and commercial carcass characteristics. Prior to entry to the feedlot, one cohort received intensive, short-term training at weaning but minimal handling before and after weaning, while the second cohort received similar training at weaning and also experienced a 4-month period of relatively intense handling immediately before entering the feedlot. Both cohorts entered the feedlot at similar ages. Temperament was recorded as the animal’s flight speed, which is the time taken for the animal to cover 1.7 m after leaving a weighing crush, with fast times indicating animals that have poor temperaments. Average flight speed scores of animals in the 2 cohorts differed substantially, with 51 and 12% of animals in cohorts 1 and 2 respectively having fast flight speed scores. Conversely, 23 and 69% of animals in cohorts 1 and 2 respectively had slow flight speed scores and could therefore be regarded as docile. In the first cohort, animals with slow flight speeds gained weight more rapidly (P<0.05) to achieve heavier slaughter and carcass weights (P<0.05) than animals with fast flight speeds. The relationship between flight speed and growth in the feedlot in the second cohort was not significant, although animals with the fastest flight speeds in that cohort had the lowest liveweight gains. Docile animals in both cohorts had comparable liveweight gains in the feedlot. These results suggest that animals with slow flight speed scores (good temperaments) may grow faster in a feedlot than animals with faster flight speed scores (poorer temperaments), regardless of whether the favourable scores result from intensive, long-term handling or because the animals are naturally docile. There was no relationship in either experiment between flight speed and fat thickness or carcass bruising, when bruising was scored simply as presence or absence of bruising. A negative relationship was evident between flight speed score and dressing percentage in the second cohort (P<0.05). The relationship between flight speed and dressing percentage was not significant in the first cohort. It is suggested that feedlot operators could select potential feedlot animals on the basis of temperament before entry to the feedlot to improve performance in the feedlot.
COLOUR CHANGES IN MANTIS RELIGIOSA L.

The literature contains many references to the close resemblance of various Orthoptera to the colour of the vegetation and soil on which they occur. Hancock (1911) noted this particularly with the acridid Dissosteira carolina (Linn.) and attempted to determine whether this species changes colour at the critical stage of the last moult. From his experiments he concluded that the Carolina locust does not change abruptly from one colour to another during the critical period following ecdysis, but that the change takes place gradually.
Inheritance of Resistance to Gray Leaf Spot Disease in Perennial Ryegrass

Gray leaf spot disease, caused by Pyricularia oryzae Cavara, is an important disease in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) turf. Host resistance is an ideal and promising approach to disease control. In this study, two diallel crosses involving six parents and eight parents, respectively, of perennial ryegrass were established to investigate the inheritance of gray leaf spot resistance. Parents and progenies were evaluated for gray leaf spot resistance in growth chamber experiments where they were inoculated with a mixture of five pathogen isolates. A field experiment was conducted on the progenies of one diallel cross. Effects of both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant in both growth chamber and field tests. However, the GCA variance accounted for the major portion of the total genotypic variance. Narrow-sense heritability calculated by midparent-offspring regression ranged from 0.57 to 0.76, indicating additive gene effects were the major genetic component in control of gray leaf spot. Estimates of minimum number of genes ranged from 2.1 to 4.4, suggesting resistance to gray leaf spot was controlled by a small number of genes. All the results suggested that a breeding program basing on recurrent selection should be effective to improve the resistance to gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass.
Uso de redes de espera no estudo de ritmos circadianos de algumas espécies de peixes nos lagos de várzea do rio Solimões

Rhythmic activity patterns are demonstrated for 15 species of fish in varzea lakes of the Solimoes river by analyzing catch per hour-of-day data. Supplemented by visual observation, an array of six gillnets of equal length but different mesh size was used for collecting. The data, in general, show a bimodal pattern of activity. The two peaks of catch can be related to movement during twilight periods, while low catches can be ascribed to reduced activity during times close to mid-day or night Observed activity peaks correspond to local displacements of fish between feeding and shelter sites. In the case of piscivorous fishes, activity peaks could be explained by facility in prey localization, which is greatest during twilight periods when prey species are moving.
Avatara by Donato Mancini, Flick Harrison and Jeremy Turner Vancouver: 536, 2003, DVD. 72 minutes Produced and distributed by 536, 536 east 20th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5V 1M8 Can$20

William Gibson, a Vancouver-based novelist, who coined the term cyberspace in his 1984 novel Neuromancer, envisioned a set of virtual communities where interaction takes place through computers as a sort of consensual hallucination revolving around a graphic representation of data abstracted from the computers of millions of users. The notion of the avatar came into play in the 1992 novel Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson who envisioned fictional, graphic representations of individuals in cyberspace. In comes a new film, perhaps a new ethnographic film genre, bearing witness to and bringing to life the worlds envisioned by both Gibson and Stephenson.
Impacts of Kafirin Allelic Diversity, Starch Content, and Protein Digestibility on Ethanol Conversion Efficiency in Grain Sorghum

ABSTRACT Seed protein and starch composition determine the efficiency of the fermentation process in the production of grain-based ethanol. Sorghum, a highly water- and nutrient-efficient plant, provides an alternative to fuel crops with greater irrigation and fertilizer requirements, such as maize. However, sorghum grain is generally less digestible because of extensive disulfide cross-linking among sulfur-rich storage proteins in the protein– starch matrix. Thus, the fine structure and composition of the seed endosperm directly impact grain end use, including fermentation performance. To test the hypothesis that kafirin (prolamin) seed storage proteins specifically influence the efficiency of ethanol production from sorghum, 10 diverse genetic lines with allelic variation in the β-, γ-, and (δ-kafirins, including three β-kafirin null mutants, were tested for ethanol yield and fermentation efficiency. Our selected lines showed wide variation in grain biochemical features, including total protein (9.96–16.
Foliar fungal pathogens of European woody plants in Siberia: an early warning of potential threats?

Summary In this article, we report observations made during thirteen years on foliar fungal pathogens attacking European and Eurasian woody broadleaved species in Siberian arboreta and cities and discuss the possibility of using such data for detecting exotic pathogens that may represent a danger for European tree and shrub species, should these pathogens be introduced into Europe. A total of 102 cases of symptomatic infections (fungus-host plant associations) involving 67 fungal species were recorded on 50 of the 52 European and Eurasian woody plant species. All but four of the fungi found during the surveys were previously reported in Europe. However, 29 fungus–host plant associations are apparently new to science, suggesting that complexes of cryptic species differing in their host range and geographic range may occur. Seventeen percentage of associations were given a high damage score, that is, more than 50% of plant area was attacked, for at least some localities. In nearly half of the cases, fungus–host plant associations were found to be very frequent, that is, occurring every year and at all locations where the plant was inspected. A list of pathogen–host associations in Siberia deserving further investigation is provided, either because the pathogen is not yet recorded in Europe or because the pathogen–host association has not yet been reported, and the damage is high or, finally, because the damage and infestation level is unusually high in known associations. Further studies should involve molecular characterization of these foliar pathogens and their host range testing.
Haemodynamic Factors in the Evolution of the Double Circulation in the Vertebrates

IN most text-books the evolution of the double circulation, with its complete separation of pulmonary and systeimc circuits, is treated purely fromi the point of view of efficiency of oxygen transport. In mnalimm.ials and birds the complete separation of right and left sides of the heart gives an equally complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. In the amphibian and reptilian circulations the separation is only partial, and is usually presented as being " inefficient," without further discussion: for instance, Hyman (1942), referring to the circulatory system of reptiles, states that " this arrangement is impractical, since it allows mixing of venous and arterial blood. " This inefficiency in oxygen transport is, however, a necessary stage in the evolution of pulmonary respiration. The crocodile presents one of the most striking examples of such inefficiency, and may conveniently be considered first. Here (Fig. la) there is a complete separation of the two ventricles; the right systemic trunk arises from the left. , and the pulmonary artery from the right ventricle. This arranogemnent offers the possibility of a complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenateed blood, but the possibility is not realized. The right systemic carries only oxygenated blood, but the left systemic arises together with the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle, and so delivers deoxygenated blood into the systemic circulation. In other reptiles the
Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of New Pyrazolidine-3,5-diones as AT1 Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists

On the basis of the structure of the non-peptide receptor antagonist irbesartan, a new series of AT(1) ligands was designed. In these compounds the central imidazolone nucleus of irbesartan was replaced by a pyrazolidine-3,5-dione structure. The key intermediate N-alkylpyrazolidine-3,5-diones were synthesized according to a new and general method. The most active compounds possess a spirocyclopentane ring at position 4, a linear butyl chain at position 1, and the [2'-(5-tetrazolyl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl or [2'-(benzoylaminosulfonyl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl group at position 2. Affinity toward the AT(1) and AT(2) receptors was assessed by the ability of the compounds to competitively displace [(3)H]AII from its specific binding sites. The most active compounds, 28 and 48, displayed high affinity for the AT(1) receptor, good selectivity AT(1) versus AT(2), and potent in vitro antagonist activity.
Rejection Responses By Female Drosophila Melanogaster : Their Ontogeny, Causality and Effects Upon the Behaviour of the Courting Male

1. The experiments reported were designed to study the causes and consequences of various responses emitted by female Drosophila melanogaster in relation to the behaviour of the courting male. 2. The female responses studied were: flicking, kicking, curling, extruding and fending. These were recorded simultaneously with male behaviours, from single pair courtships, onto a multi-channel time-event recorder. The male behaviours recorded were: orientation, vibration, licking, attempted copulation, locomotor activity, preening and male stationary. 3. Four groups of female were examined for modal response and the associated pattern of male behaviour. The groups were selected in order to elucidate developmental changes in the nature of the rejection response and any changes consequent upon fertilisation. 4. Three methods of analysis were employed. A description of the frequency response for each group of females was followed by an analysis of the temporal pattern of male behaviours associated with the modal response. 5. A finer resolution of the relationship between male and female behaviour was obtained by a transitional analysis of the females' responses with the various male activities. 6. Both fertilised females and aging virgins showed extrusion of the ovipositor as the modal response. 7. Fending and curling occurred rarely and did not lead to any changes in male behaviour. 8. Kicking and flicking were deduced to be responses to different aspects, or intensities of courtship. Kicking was largely contingent upon attempted copulation, whereas flicking resulted from licking and sometimes non-courtship behaviours. Flicking is also correlated with a high level of locomotor activity. 9. Extrusion by aged virgins and fertilised females was associated with the wing vibration display of the male, and in both groups was followed, rather than preceded, by attempted copulation. However, the aged virgins were receptive, whereas the fertilised females were not. Extrusion was interpreted as a means of physically preventing copulation, rather then producing long term inhibition of courtship. 10. It is suggested that the ontogeny of extrusion is associated with development in the female's egg producing system. 11. The temporary reluctance of the 3 day old virgin females, exemplified by their kicking, was discussed in the context of EWING'S (1969) concept of a 'reference oscillator' used by the female to identify the auditory signals produced by a conspecific.
Vergleich verschiedener Methoden zur Desinfektion der Eier der Kohleule (Mamestra brassicae [L.]) (Lep.: Noctuidae)

Comparing studies on different methods of disinfecting the eggs of Mamestra brassicae (L.) (Lep.: Noctuidae) Three methods of disinfecting the eggs of the cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae [L.]) were compared for optimal sterilization of the egg surface: 1. soaking the eggs in a 3 % dilution of sodium hypochlorite or 2. in 5 % formalin for 3 min or 3. fumigating the eggs with formaldehyde vapor for 6 hours. Only method 3 prevented appearance of nuclear-poly-hedrosis in the larvae after artificial contamination of eggs with a suspension of nuclear-polyhedra. Therefore, avoiding of trans-ovum transmission of nuclear-polyhedrosis of the cabbage moth is possible by surface sterilization of the eggs. Zusammenfassung Da in unserer Zucht der Kohleule (Mamestra brassicae [L.]) trotz Desinfektion der Eier mit Natriumhypochlorit-Losung immer wieder kernpolyedrose Larven auftraten, wurde die Wirksamkeit dreier Desinfektionsmethoden verglichen: 1. Tauchen der Eier in eine 3%ige Natriumhypochloritlosung fur 3 min, 2. Tauchen der Eier in 5%iges Formol fur 3 min und 3. sechsstundige Begasung der Eier mit Formaldehyd-Dampfen. Nach kunstlicher Kontami-nation der Eier mit Kernpolyeder-Suspensionen traten nur bei Gasdesinfektion keine Virus-infektionen auf. Somit kann eine Desinfektion der Eier der Kohleule die trans-ovum-uber-tragung der Kernpolyedrose verhindern.
Quadratic and quadratic-plus-plateau models for predicting optimal nitrogen rate of corn: a comparison

Based on quadratic response models, the University of Illinois recommends 22 kg fertilizer N Mg −1 corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield, with adjustments for cropping history, manure, and planting date. Recent work suggests recommendations based on the quadratic model are excessive. This field study evaluated the quadratic-plus-plateau and quadratic models and the current recommendation for a 10- to 12-yr, two-location, two-crop-sequence data set with 5 N fertilizer rates in Illinois. For all location-sequences, we detected a systematic bias with the quadratic model as compared with the quadratic-plus-plateau model [. ]
Song Repertoires and Lifetime Reproductive Success in the Great Tit (Parus major)

We recorded the song repertoires of breeding male great tits during six successive seasons and tested for correlations between repertoire size and reproductive success. Males with larger repertoires are more likely to survive to breed in a second season. They are also more likely to father offspring which survive to breed. Lifetime reproductive success appears to be highest for males with intermediate-sized repertoires. Males with larger repertoires produce heavier fledglings, and this may be related to territory quality.
Robust optimisation of forest transportation networks: a case study

Forest transportation costs are the major cost component for many forest product supply chains. In order to minimise these costs, many organisations have turned to optimisation models to guide decisions that are extremely complex in nature. These models generally assume that input parameters are known with certainty, but in reality they are often associated with a high degree of uncertainty. One way of dealing with uncertainty is through robust optimisation, a procedure which is capable of generating near-optimal solutions that are relatively unaffected by the surrounding uncertainty. We illustrate this by means of a case study that employs a robust optimisation procedure. Our procedure employs a two-phase approach. The first phase creates a more tractable problem by limiting the search to those solutions that are near optimal and feasible. The second phase simulates the affect of uncertainty on the solutions isolated in the previous phase. The simulation results are then evaluated for robustness by means of seven robustness performance measures. For our case study, the results show that (1) the deterministic solution is extremely unstable and highly reliant on a particular degree of uncertainty, that (2) the robust solution is dependent on the robust performance measure selected, and (3) that the true robust solution is different from the deterministic solution.
Population history in third-millennium-BC Europe: assessing the contribution of genetics

ABSTRACT Several recent high-profile aDNA studies have claimed to have identified major migrations during the third millennium BC in Europe. This contribution offers a brief review of these studies, and especially their role in understanding the genetic make-up of modern European populations. Although the technical sophistication of aDNA studies is beyond doubt, the underlying archaeological assumptions prove relatively naive and the findings at odd with more ‘traditional’ archaeological data. Although the existence of past migrations needs to be acknowledged and fully considered by archaeologists, it does not offer either a robust explanatory factor or an enduring platform for interdisciplinary dialogue between archaeology and genetics. Alternative hypotheses are briefly explored.
Cellular DNA Content and the Evolution of Teleostean Fishes

The haploid DNA content has been determined for 275 species of teleostean fishes. Chromosome numbers are known for 73 of these. DNA content ranges from 4.4 picograms down to a minimum of 0.4. The more specialized or evolutionarily advanced fishes usually have less DNA than the more generalized forms. There are, however, several exceptions which may represent fish groups that are now in the process of evolutionary radiation. Chromosome number and DNA content are correlated, indicating that increases in DNA may have occurred by some form of polyploidy. An increase in DNA, followed by a gradual decrease, which is associated with specialization, appears to have accompanied fish evolution.
Determination of Variations of Some Enzymes in Orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.) Ecotypes

In the present study, wild orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.) collected from four different locations (Oltu, Olur, Uzundere and Uluba < ) of Erzurum (Turkey) were used to investigate various electrophoretic analyses within and between four ecotypes based on peroxidase (PRX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes. Four natural populations of Dactylis glomerata showed genetic variability within and among ecotypes based on similarities and polymorphism of isoenzyme bands. In addition, a dendogram analysis was made according to band patterns indicating that ecotypes could be grouped showing characteristics in relation to each other, notably Oltu-Uluba < and Olur-Uzundere. However, the degree of relationship of Oltu-Uluba < (6 units) was higher than Olur-Uzundere (12 units).