Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploitation of underground bee nests by three sympatric consumers in Loango National Park, Gabon

Honey represents a highly nutritious resource for animals, but is difficult to obtain given bees' defensive strategies. We investigated exploitation of the underground nests of stingless bees (Meliplebeia lendliana) by three sympatric consumers in Loango National Park, Gabon: the central African chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes troglodytes), forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and honey badger (Mellivora capensis). Given the differences in their respective morphological traits and sensory abilities, we hypothesized that chimpanzees would be more limited in digging out the bee nests, compared to the other two competitors, and would show behavioral strategies to overcome such constraints. Our dataset comprised camera trap footage recorded over 60 mo at 100 different bee nests. Chimpanzees visited the nests more often than the other consumers, showing a frequency of extraction success comparable to that observed in honey badgers, the most efficient digger. Both chimpanzees and honey badgers increased their extractive attempts across the dry season, whereas elephants did not. The soil hardness was greater during the dry season than the wet season and, possibly in order to compensate for this, chimpanzees showed a tendency toward digging at nests found in relatively softer soil. They also seemed to be inhibited by indirect cues left by other consumers, possibly as a risk‐avoidance strategy. Overall, chimpanzees and honey badgers extracted the underground nests of stingless bees with similar frequencies, whilst forest elephants did so only occasionally. Moreover, chimpanzees can use tools and other behavioral strategies to overcome the physical limitations that may constrain their exploitation of this resource.
Drought-Stressed Soybean Supplementation for Beef Cows1

ABSTRACT Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementation with whole or rolled drought-stressed soybeans (DSSB) on performance of beef cows. Experiment 1 involved the inclusion of DSSB as a winter supplement for gestating spring-calving cows. Cows grazed abundant dormant native tall-grass prairie pasture and were individually fed 1 of 4 treatment supplements for 88 d prior to onset of parturition. Treatments for Exp. 1 were 1) 0.91 kg/d whole soybeans; 2) 0.91 kg/d rolled soybeans; 3) 1.26 kg/d of soybean meal and soybean hulls; and 4) no supplement (NCON). Experiment 2 was a 4 × 4 Latin square digestibility study with the same supplemental treatments as Exp. 1. Experiment 3 involved lactating fall-calving cows and heifers that had ad libitum access to Bermudagrass hay and were individually fed 1 of 3 treatments for 100 d through the winter. Treatments for Exp. 3 were 1) 0.91 kg/d whole soybeans; 2) 0.91 kg/d rolled soybeans; and 3) no supplement (NCON). All 3 groups of supplemented cows in Exp. 1 maintained BW and BCS compared with severe losses of BW and BCS among NCON cows (P
Plant carbon and water fluxes in tropical montane cloud forests

Abstract: Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) are dynamic ecosystems defined by frequent, but intermittent, contact with fog. The resultant microclimate can vary considerably over short spatial and temporal scales, affecting the ecophysiology of TMCF plants. We synthesized research to date on TMCF carbon and water fluxes at the scale of the leaf, plant and ecosystem and then contextualized this synthesis with tropical lowland forest ecosystems. Mean light-saturated photosynthesis was lower than that of lowland forests, probably due to the effects of persistent reduced radiation leading to shade acclimation. Scaled to the ecosystem, measures of annual net primary productivity were also lower. Mean rates of transpiration, from the scale of the leaf to the ecosystem, were also lower than in lowland sites, likely due to lower atmospheric water demand, although there was considerable overlap in range. Lastly, although carbon use efficiency appears relatively invariant, limited evidence indicates that water use efficiency generally increases with altitude, perhaps due to increased cloudiness exerting a stronger effect on vapour pressure deficit than photosynthesis. The results reveal clear differences in carbon and water balance between TMCFs and their lowland counterparts and suggest many outstanding questions for understanding TMCF ecophysiology now and in the future.
Diversity of shallow water zoantharians in Hengam and Larak Islands, in the Persian Gulf

Zoantharians are one of the least studied orders of benthic cnidarians of the Persian Gulf. A survey and molecular analysis was conducted to determine zoantharian species diversity in the Persian Gulf. For this purpose, 63 colonies of zoantharians were collected from Hengam and Larak Islands in the Strait of Hormuz and some morphological characteristics of each specimen were recorded, i.e. sand encrustation, polyp shape and colour, oral groove, oral zone and oral disc colours as well as tentacle number and colour. After DNA extraction, mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Based on obtained 16S rDNA and COI gene sequences, five putative species-level clades were identified: Zoanthus sansibaricus (N = 30), Palythoa tuberculosa (N = 12), Palythoa mutuki (N = 2), Palythoa aff. mutuki (N = 18) and Neozoanthus sp. Iran (N = 1). While the first three are known species, the last two were potentially novel undescribed species. Palythoa aff. mutuki has an external appearance similar to Palythoa mutuki. However, mitochondrial DNA sequences obtained from these specimens placed them in a previously undescribed species group. The Neozoanthus specimen was morphologically and molecularly different from other described Neozoanthus species. This is the first record of this genus from the Persian Gulf and neighbouring areas. Since there is not much work on zoantharians identification in the Persian Gulf, further sampling and investigation is needed to speculate on the accuracy of these potentially new species and to complete the knowledge of zoantharian diversity in this area.
Meat Characteristic of Crossbred Local Chicken Fed Inulin of Dahlia Tuber and Lactobacillus Sp.

This study was conducted to evaluate the meat characteristic of crossbred local chicken fed diet containing both dahlia tuber powder as inulin source and probiotic Lactobacillus sp. The experimental animals were 168 crossbred local chickens which were randomly divided into 6 groups of treatment (4 replications each) when they were 21-d old. A completely randomized design with 2 x 3 factorial pattern consisted of 2 levels of prebiotic [(0.8% (D1) and 1.2% (D2)] and 3 levels of probiotic [without probiotic (L0), 1.2 mL (L1), and 2.4 mL (L2)] was arranged in the present study. One mL probiotic (Lactobacillus sp.) was equal to 108 cfu. Results showed that the supplementation of prebiotic and probiotic significantly (P<0.05) affected breast meat color in terms of L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness). The meat fat mass and cholesterol was significantly (P<0.05) decreased by the combination of prebiotic and probiotic. The hardness of meat was not affected significantly by all treatments. The conclusion is that breast meat color could be improved, and both meat fat mass and cholesterol content could be decreased by feeding a combination of 1.2% dahlia tuber powder as inulin source and 1.2 mL probiotic Lactobacillus sp.
Arctic Pholoe (Polychaeta: Pholoidae): when integrative taxonomy helps to sort out barcodes

Pholoe longa (O.F. Muller, 1776) and Pholoe minuta (Fabricius, 1780), two of the earliest described polychaete species from the Arctic, are redescribed. Freshly collected specimens from the type locality in Western Greenland were used for a combined morphological and molecular approach to reassess the identity of the species, and to study their phylogeny and distribution. Illustrated descriptions are presented and neotypes are designated. Staining with Shirlastain A was found to be an appropriate method for confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) studies. An extended data set, including publicly available data along with our newly provided sequences, was analysed. It was revealed that taxonomic problems had obviously prevented the correct designation of barcodes in public databases, and consequently a number of entries are suggested to require correction. Phylogenetic reconstructions and species delimitation analyses based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) data revealed the occurrence of at least seven species of Pholoe in the Arctic and subarctic regions, with P. longa and P. minuta among them. Pholoe longa shows a broad distribution and a geographic pattern in the COI network, but has low genetic divergence. Pholoe minuta exhibits a narrow distribution range, but has high genetic divergence with a large number of low-frequency haplotypes. The geographic pattern observed for P. longa suggests a strong influence of the last ice ages on the distribution in the Arctic.
Resistance to Meloidogyne javanica in wild Arachis species

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanicaRace 3 is an important nematode parasite of groundnut. Greenhouse evaluation of 184 accessions of 33 wild Arachis spp. five interspecific derivatives, 18 groundnut cultivars for root damage (galls formed by nematode) and nematode reproduction demonstrated that resistance to the nematode is available in the genepool of wild Arachis spp. Seven accessions, ICG 8952 (Arachis helodes), ICC 13211 (A. sylvestris), ICG 13224 (A. kretscmeri), ICG 13231 (Arachis sp.), ICG 14862 (A. kuhlmannii), ICG 14868 (A. stenosperma), and ICG 14915 (A. sylvestris) were highly resistant to nematode reproduction and root damage. There was no gall and eggmass formation on any plant of these accessions. Thirty-three accessions were resistant and 14 were moderately resistant. All the tested accessions of A. monticola, A. benensis, A. ipaensis, A. hoehnei, A. kempff-mercadoi, A. valida, A. chiquitana, A. rigonii, A. vallsii, A. dardani, A. paraguariensis, A. triseminata , interspecific derivatives, and groundnut cultivars were susceptible. The possible use of resistance sources in the breeding program is discussed.
WATER RELATIONS OF PLANT SPECIES IN THE WET COASTAL TUNDRA AT BARROW, ALASKA

Various aspects of the water relations of six species (Arctophila fulva, Dupontia fischeri, Carex aquatilis, Eriophorum angustifolium, Potentilla hyparctica, and Salix pulchra) characteristic of the wet, coastal tundra near Barrow, Alaska, were measured during the summers of 1972 and 1973 to examine the hypothesis that water stress may increase stomatal resistance and inhibit photosynthesis. A simulation model of internal water status was constructed to examine this hypothesis. The slopes of the leaf water potential vs. relative saturation deficit (RSD) curves were between -0.6 and 1.8 bars RSD-1. The minimum leaf resistances were between 1 and 3 sec cm-1 for all species but A. fulva which was 6 sec cm-1. The relation
The Influence of a Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa) Cover Crop on Weed Control and Corn (Zea mays) Growth and Yield

Influences of a hairy vetch cover crop and residual herbicides were examined in field corn in 1991 and 1992. Hairy vetch was seeded in mid-August and killed the following May with tillage, mowing, or glyphosate plus 2,4-D (no-till). These cover crop management systems were compared with a no-cover treatment. Residual herbicides including atrazine plus metolachlor applied PRE at three rates and nicosulfuron plus thifensulfuron applied POST at a single rate were compared within cover crop management systems. All cover crop management systems effectively controlled hairy vetch except mowing in 1992. The corn population was reduced in mow treatments containing uncontrolled vetch. Hairy vetch mulch suppressed some weeds in the no-till treatments in 1991, but more annual grass was noted late in the season with no-till into hairy vetch than with the no-cover treatments in 1992. Residual herbicide performance was similar across cover crop management systems, except for fall panicum control which decreased in some no-till systems. Unlike soil-applied herbicides, performance of POST herbicides was unaffected by cover crop management systems.
The effect of lake sediment on the hatching success of Daphnia ephippial eggs

A large proportion of lake- Daphnia ephippia which are shed by females in the water column sink to the bottom, where they form an assemblage of dormant stages known as an egg bank. Although the quantity of zooplankton eggs in such assemblages may exceed tens of thousands per square meter, the annual hatch from this bank is usually extremely low (from zero to a few dozens animals per square meter per year). This low-hatching phenomenon may be caused by isolation from hatching stimuli by water or sediment layers, a mechanical barrier formed by sediment that does not allow hatchlings to reach the water, or by a bet-hedging strategy of the resting eggs. The aim of our study was to determine the extent to which coverage by lake sediment may affect the hatching of Daphnia dormant eggs. The ephippia of lake- Daphnia ( longispina species complex), covered by sterilized lake sediment of different thicknesses (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 cm; 4 replicates per treatment), were incubated for 8 weeks in lab controlled conditions. The results indicate that even the thinnest tested layer (0.25 cm) may completely inhibit hatching of ephippial eggs. A few Daphnia neonates were observed in two (of five) sediment treatments, while dozens of animals hatched in the control one. In the second experiment we determined that the sediment sterilization process did not affect the hatching proportion of ephippial eggs (when compared to the treatment with unsterilized sediments). We hypothesize that the observed inhibition of Daphnia hatching in the main experiment, which may cause a serious problem for Cladoceran populations in lakes where no sediment mixing occurs, may be caused by low light intensity, anoxic conditions or a physical barrier created by the sediment.
Anatomical Aspects of Abscission in Pistachio

In pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Kerman), when flowers did not set or when young fruits were removed, pedicels and/or portions of the rachis or of the primary branches subtending these parts abscised. Inflorescence buds on fruiting shoots and those on nonbearing shoots treated with (2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid (ethephon) also abscised. Abscission of the above organs, as well as of leaflets and compound leaves, occurred in definite zones. The first manifestation of the abscission process was transverse cell division in the abscission zone. A separation layer developed in the distal portion of the abscission zone in these organs. The newly formed cells in the proximal area of the abscission zone of pedicels, rachises, and ethephon-treated inflorescence buds became protective layers. However, the counterpart in abscising inflorescence buds on fruiting shoots was largely degraded as abscission progressed. Abscission of mature fruits of pistachio was not preceded by cell division but involved separation and collapse of cells in the fruit mesocarp and exocarp surrounding the distal portion of the pedicel.
Nisin synergy with natural antioxidant extracts of the herb rosemary

The bacteriocin nisin is active against both food spoilage and foodborne pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria. Previous studies have demonstrated that nisin activity can be enhanced in combination with chelating agents, certain emulsifiers and essential oils of herbs. Such combined food protection solutions offer the benefits of a multiple hurdle system, which gives better prevention of the emergence of less sensitive organisms and which may also reduce the required dosage of a single preservative. The present investigation examined the combination of nisin with natural extracts of the herb rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) containing high levels of antioxidant phenolic diterpenes and low levels of flavour compounds such as essential oils. In vitro testing demonstrated such a combination to be synergistic. The rosemary extracts enhanced both the cidal and static antibacterial activities of nisin against Gram-positive bacteria. Comparative testing with differently processed extracts identified the phenolic diterpenes carnosol and carnosic acid as the primary synergists. The synergism was demonstrated against Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus in vitro and in chilled, pasteurised food models (chicken soup, meat and cheese pasta sauces). The effect was increased by low temperature and acid conditions.
Fibromodulin Deficiency Alters Transforming Growth Factor-beta Expression during Mouse Wound Healing

Background: Fibromodulin (FMOD) is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan required for scarless fetal cutaneous wound repair. Interestingly, increased FMOD levels have been correlated with decreased transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression in multiple fetal and adult rodent models. Our previous studies demonstrated that FMOD deficiency in adult animals results in delayed wound closure and increased scar size accompanied by loose package collagen fiber networks with increased fibril diameter. In addition, we found that FMOD modulates in vitro expression and activities of TGF-β ligands in an isoform-specific manner. In this study, we investigated the temporospatial distribution of TGF-β ligands and receptors in both adult FMOD-null and wild-type (WT) mouse wounds to further elucidate how FMOD coordinates TGF-β bioactivity to promote proper cutaneous wound healing.Methods: Expression profiles of TGF-β ligands and receptors in FMOD-null and WT mice were compared by immunohistochemical staining and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using a full-thickness, primary intention wound closure model. Results: During the inflammatory stage, elevated inflammatory infiltration accompanied by increased type I TGF-β receptor levels in individual inflammatory cells was observed in FMOD-null wounds. This increased inflammation was correlated with accelerated epithelial migration during the proliferative stage. On the other hand, significantly more robust expression of TGF-β3 and TGF-β receptors in FMOD-null wounds during the proliferative stage was associated with delayed dermal cell migration and proliferation, which led to postponed granulation tissue formation and wound closure and increased scar size. Compared with WT controls, expression of TGF-β ligands and receptors by FMOD-null dermal cells was markedly reduced during the remodeling stage, which may have contributed to the declined collagen synthesis capability and unordinary collagen architecture. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a single missing gene, FMOD, leads to conspicuous alternations in TGF-β ligand and receptor expression at all stages of wound repair in various cell types. Therefore, FMOD critically coordinates temporospatial distribution of TGF-β ligands and receptors in vivo, suggesting that FMOD modulates TGF-β bioactivity in a complex way beyond simple physical binding to promote proper wound healing.
A functional interpretation of the masticatory system and paleoecology of entelodonts

Entelodonts are medium to large (perhaps 150–750 kg) Oligocene–Miocene bunodont artiodactyls with unique crania but typical artiodactyl postcrania. Functional and ecological interpretations are difficult because there is no clear modern analog to an entelodont in size, dentition, and cranial morphology. Entelodont crania combine primitive and derived features, including laterally expanded zygomatic arch/large temporal fossa (suggesting a large temporalis muscle), unreduced dental formula, long premolar row, fused mandibular symphysis, isognathy, and subcylindrical dentary condyles. Furthermore, the cranium has unique architectural and ontogenetic aspects unparalleled in extant mammals. Canines show heavy, carnivoran-like, apical wear in old individuals, suggesting regular contact with food. Conical premolars and associated diastemata dominate the tooth row. Premolars are often apically worn, in a fashion somewhat like those of carnivorans (e.g., Crocuta, Borophagus). Molars are low-cusped crushing teeth. Wide gape, indicated by the form of the coronoid process and temporal fossa, facilitated canine and premolar use, probably both in feeding and in social behavior. Jaw mechanics, tooth morphology, and tooth wear are compatible with omnivory and probable scavenging, an intriguing proposition for the huge Dinohyus hollandi.
The farmers’ influence on calves’ behaviour, health and production of a veal unit

Although veal production is a highly standardized system, there still remains considerable variability in productivity between units. This variability might be due to the farmers working on these units, through differences in stockmanship, work attitudes or behaviour, which in turn may affect animals’ fear responses, productivity and health. A survey was conducted on 50 commercial farms affiliated to the same veal company. All units had calves housed in individual crates, a similar number of crates, and the same diets and management advice. Data were collected on: building and general farm characteristics, farmers’ backgrounds and their attitudes towards their work and calves, farmers’ behaviour with the calves, calves’ reactivity to people, and disease level of the calves. Productivity results (growth rates, food efficiency and mortality) were used to classify veal units as ‘high producing’ (no. = 24) v. ‘moderate producing’ (no. = 26). Calves were less reactive to people in units where the farmer behaved sympathetically and where there were several stockpersons working. The disease level was lower in units where the farmer had a positive attitude towards the sensitivity of the calves to contact and towards the importance of cleaning. Productivity of the veal unit was associated with the health of the calves but not with their reactivity to people. It is suggested that the farmer can have an influence on the success of the veal unit mainly through his/her ability to control the health of the calves and that a positive attitude towards animals and towards work (specifically cleaning actions) can improve the accuracy of surveillance and care of the animals. Moreover, through his/her behaviour with the calves and his/her ability to control their health, the farmer can play an important role in assuring calves’ welfare.
PAPILLOMATOSIS IN CATTLE: IN SITU DETECTION OF BOVINE PAPILLOMAVIRUS DNA SEQUENCES IN REPRODUCTIVE TISSUES

Bovine papillomatosis is a common viral infection in Brazil that is caused by a bovine papillomavirus (BPV). Dissemination is by direct contact between infected animals, although the investigation of other modes of transmission is a very important aspect in the management of this condition. BPV DNA sequences have been detected in many tissues by using the polymerase chain reaction. In this work, we used in situ hybridization to detect BPV DNA sequences in bovine reproductive tissues and cells. The detection of BPV in these tissues strongly suggests that these sequences could be an important alternative of viral transmission that could contribute to the widespread incidence of bovine papillomatosis and its complex pathology. Alternatively, the viral sequences could result from cell apoptosis and may therefore not be directly involved in the infection.
Lymphoid Genes Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells with Differentiation on Feeder Free Condition

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) as pluripotent stem cells have the potential to give rise to all three germ layer cells. Also, these cells have the self-renewing ability. ESCs could differentiate into most of cell lineages. Lymphocytes generated from hematopoietic stem cells. We designed a feeder free culture condition to generate lymphoid lineage cells from ESCs. We demonstrated that IL-7 plays critical role in differentiation of ESCs into lymphoid lineage and expression of specific cell markers such as CD3, CD19 and CD25 after 14 days of differentiation by RT-PCR.