Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the nitrogen requirements of rice crops with a chlorophyll meter

Soil and plant analyses to estimate nitrogen (N) fertiliser requirements of rice plants continues to be a research priority because of the major influence of N fertiliser on rice yield, production economics, and concerns regarding excess N in our soil, water, and air. Significant achievements have been made using a portable chlorophyll meter to determine the need for additional N fertiliser. This report summarises recent progress with the Minolta SPAD 502 chlorophyll meter in predicting the need for additional N. The meter does not measure N or chlorophyll concentration; rather it provides immediate, on-site, quantitative measurements of leaf greenness that have been correlated (r2 = 0.62) with rice plant N needs during the 10 days before and after the panicle differentiation growth stage. The SPAD meter measurements taken on the most recently matured leaf can range from 25 to 44 depending on N uptake and growth stage. At SPAD readings >40, additional N fertiliser has not increased yields. It is recognised that SPAD values are influenced by plant growth stage, cultivar, leaf thickness, plant population, and any soil or climate factor causing leaf chlorosis. Users should understand that SPAD values do not indicate how much N to apply, they only indicate the need for additional N. SPAD meter technology does not replace other proven N management practices. However, used in combination with other N management tools, the chlorophyll meter can improve N fertiliser practices for rice.
Spatial scale resolves the niche versus neutral theory debate

The 50-ha long-term forest plot on Barro Colorado Island in Panama was ‘ground zero’ for the development of ecology's ‘neutral theory’ and comparisons with its ‘niche theory’ counterpart. In this issue, Garzon-Lopez and colleagues used tree distributions at this site to recast the unresolved (and unresolvable) debate to show that observational scale drives the perception of which processes predominate.
An Investigation of input integration in the mouse basal ganglia

The thalamus relays sensory and motor information to the cortex and is an integral part of cortical executive functions. However, the precise distribution of thalamic projections to the cortex is poorly characterized, particularly in mouse. We employed a systematic, highthroughput viral approach to visualize thalamocortical axons with high sensitivity. We then developed algorithms to directly compare injection and projection information across animals. By tiling the mouse thalamus with overlapping 254 injections, we constructed the comprehensive map of thalamocortical projections. We determined the projection origins of specific cortical sub-regions, and verified that the characterized projections formed functional synapses using optogenetic approaches. As an important application, we determined the optimal stereotaxic coordinates for targeting specific cortical sub-regions and expanded these analyses to localize layer-preferential projections. This dataset will serve as a foundation for functional investigations of thalamocortical circuits. Our approach and algorithms will also provide an example for analyzing the projection patterns of other brain regions.
Differentiation of citrus juices by factorial discriminant analysis using liquid chromatography of flavanone glycosides

Flavanone glycosides (FG) found in citrus juices have been separated and quantitatively determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) using a C18 packed column and water-acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran-glacial acetic acid eluent system. The influence of juice pH on hesperidin and narirutin determinations, from commercial orange juices, has been studied at different pH values (from 2.0 to 6.2). The response factors, averages, relative standard deviations, and recoveries of six FG were determined using LC with an UV detector at 280 nm. The six FG and three unknown compounds found in citrus juices were determined in 124 samples of lemons, limes, grapefruits, and sweet oranges. The major FG in each citrus group were as follows: in lemon and lime, eriocitrin (47-94 mg L-1) and hesperidin (84-196 mg L-1); in sweet orange, narirutin (30-84 mg L-1) and hesperidin (235-407 mg L-1); in grapefruit, narirutin (33-161 mg L-1) and naringin (113-481 mg L-1). Factorial discriminant analysis of the data obtained effectively differentiated lemon and lime and varieties of grapefruits (white, pink, red, and green) and sweet oranges (Valencia, navel, blood, Thomson, and Malta).
Effect of particle size of pea (Pisum sativum L) flours on the digestion of their proteins in the digestive tract of broilers

Pea (Pisum sativum L) protein digestion in relation to particle size was studied in broilers. Birds were fed coarse pea (CP) or -ne pea (FP) or nitrogen- free (NF) diets. Protein digestion was studied in gastro-intestinal contents of chicks by gel -ltration and electrophoresis. Apparent ileal protein digestibility was lower for CP (70E2%) than FP (89E5%) diets. A decrease of protein digest- ibility appeared between ileum and excreta for FP diets. Endogenous proteins in ileal digesta represented important amounts. Estimation of excreta composition was about 24% of microNora in FP and CP. The molecular weight (MW) dis- tribution of nitrogen compounds of diets were characterised by high proportions of components with MW ( 15 000. The relative amounts of very low MW (\500) components were in all cases lower for CP than for FP digesta. In intes- tine, proportions of high MW ((15 000) components were higher for CP than for FP fed birds. Intestinal digesta of NF diet were characterised by higher MW than FP digesta. Similar electrophoresis patterns appeared for CP digesta and pea diet, whereas -ne particles of CP and FP showed disappearance of protein bands. It is concluded that the CP diet leads to lower digestion of proteins than FP, but FP diets can lead to low MW proportion in intestine, which could be a limiting factor in pea protein digestion.
Frequency of Protocalliphora avium (Diptera: Calliphoridae) infestations on bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

This is the first record of nestling bald eagles as hosts of the parasitic blowfly Protocalliphora avium (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The frequency of infestation of the hematophagous larvae was determined by repeatedly examining eaglets over the entire 10- to 12-week nestling period from 1980 to 1982 in north-central Saskatchewan. Seventy-two nestlings were examined a total of 461 times. All nestlings less than 49 days old were parasitized by large numbers of larvae in the aural cavities, on the nape of the neck, and on the top of the head. The frequency of parasitism was high from the time the eaglets hatched until they were 16 days old when it sharply declined. The birds were repeatedly infested, suggesting that P. avium may have been an intermittent feeder. There was no difference between the frequency of infestation in nests containing one or two chicks, nor between the first-hatched and second-hatched eaglet within a brood. Factors associated with the physical and behavioural development of the eaglets.
Ecological Segregation Between Longnose and Blacknose Dace (Genus Rhinichthys) in the Mink River, Manitoba

Longnose and blacknose dace occur in greatest abundance in the middle zone of the Mink River, and segregation in environment occupied is marked. Newly emerged longnose fry were found in stream margins, but by the middle of their first summer had moved into fast riffles (>45 cm/sec) where they completed their life cycle. Blacknose fry also occupied stream margins, remaining there for up to one year. Thereafter they were found mostly in channels of moderate current. Coexistence of fry of the two species in stream margins is minimized by earlier hatching of longnose dace. Diet of longnose and blacknose dace, consisting of aquatic insect larvae and nymphs, was strikingly similar.
Nutritional and antinutritional components of Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach).

The proximate and mineral profiles of the larva of Oryctes rhinoceros were investigated. The fatty acid profile of the larval oil and the amino acid profile of the larval protein were also determined and from the latter, the protein score was evaluated. A high protein content (42.29% wet weight) rich in the essential amino acids (with histidine, methionine and phenylalanine being predominant) with a protein score of 72.97% and valine as the limiting amino acid was observed. The larval oil had a high proportion (60.34%) of unsaturated fatty acids, including the essential fatty acid linoleic acid. A high ash content (12.70% wet weight) containing a high proportion of manganese and iron (3.80 mg 100 gG and 10.70 mg 100 gG , respectively) was 1 1 observed. The other mineral elements, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper and phosphorus were only present in small concentrations (0.20-0.99 mg 100 gG ). The larva could form a base for new 1 food/feed products of considerable nutritive value, especially in view of its high protein content.
SÍNDROME DA ANSIEDADE DE SEPARAÇÃO (SAS) EM CÃES ATENDIDOS NO HOSPITAL VETERINÁRIO DA UNICASTELO, FERNANDÓPOLIS, SP

The separation anxiety syndrome (SAS) is defined by a group of altered behaviors showed by dogs when they are left alone, contributing for the most common behavior problems in this specie. The basic clinical signs of SAS are the following: distress vocalization (whining, barking, howling), destructiveness and house soiling. SAS reduce the animal’s life quality and is a frequent cause of abandonment and euthanasia of these dogs. The goal of this research was to verify the occurrence of SAS in dogs from Fernandopolis, SP, referred to the veterinary hospital of Unicastelo, in the period lying between december/2007 and december/2008. Seventy five animals were studied, comprising 30 (40%) adult males, 9 (12%) young males, 30 (40%) adult females and 6 (8%) young females. The dogs were evaluated through data given by the owners, according to a behavior questionnaire. From the general studied population, 35 dogs (47%) showed distress vocalization, 29 (39%) dogs showed micturition at inappropriate places, 17 (23%) dogs showed defecation at inappropriate places and 22 (29%) showed destructiveness during the periods of the owner’s absence. From the obtained results we may conclude the occurrence of SAS in 68% of the studied dogs. KEY WORDS: Dogs, animal behavior, behavior disturbances, SAS.
A preliminary classification of running‐water sites in Great Britain based on macro‐invertebrate species and the prediction of community type using environmental data

SUMMARY. 1. Macro-invertebrate species lists were obtained for 268 sites on forty-one river systems throughout Great Britain by qualitative sampling in spring, summer and autumn. Information on twenty-eight environmental variables was also collated for each site. The sites were ordinated on the basis of their species content using detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and classified by two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Correlation coefficients between ordination scores and single environmental variables indicated that Axis 1 distinguished between types of rivers and Axis 2 reflected variation along the length of rivers. A preliminary classification of sites into sixteen groups has been proposed, together with a key which allows new sites to be classified. Information on the species and environmental features which characterize each group is also presented. 2. Multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) was employed to predict the group membership of the 268 sites using the twenty-eight environmental variables. 76.1% of sites were classified correctly. An independent assessment of predictive ability using forty test sites yielded a 50% success rate. Predictive ability was higher for the classification presented in this paper than in fifteen additional classifications produced using data from single seasons and/or different taxonomic treatments. 3. TWINSPAN and MDA were found to be useful approaches to the classification of running-water sites by their macro-invertebrate fauna and the prediction of community type (as indicated by the occurrence of species in the sites comprising the group) using environmental variables. Extension of the scope of the classification, coupled with the use of additional environmental variables to increase predictive ability, is now in progress.
Plankton and Water Chemistry in the Montreal River Lake‐Stream System, Saskatchewan

The relations between dissolved solids, water exchange, and productivity were studied in a lake—stream system. Detached epilithic algae composed the plankton of the upper stream, but all other stations displayed a lentic plankton. Turbidity and unsuitable substrate prevented the development of sessile algae on the bottom of the slow—flowing river sections (lakes), but the macrophytes provided a surface for the development of these communities. The concentrations of total dissolved solids and those ions essential for photosynthesis and phyto— and zooplankton numbers. The different rates of the decrease of these nutrients in the upper stream and lake—stream section and probably related to the greater populations of the upper stream and lake—steam section are probably related to the greater populations of autotrophic biota in the latter section. Assuming that nutrients are being added to the system through its course, then the downstream decrease indicates that the increasingly large autotrophic populations .
Detection rates of wild harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins using static acoustic click loggers vary with depth

Acoustic echolocation click loggers are widely used to study the presence and behaviour of coastal cetaceans. Various studies have examined their performance and how animal behaviour may affect click detection. This study examined the effect of logger depth in the water column on click detection rates for harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at a coastal nearshore site. There were significantly more harbour porpoise clicks logged at the click loggers moored in the water column, closer to the surface, compared with those near the seabed. No such difference was recorded for bottlenose dolphins. The results were consistent throughout the study period and across sites, apart from a site closest to a possible feeding site, indicating that cetacean behaviour is among the possible factors explaining these findings. The study emphasizes the need for prior understanding of the target species and its habitat use, and stresses the importance of pilot studies to achieve reliable and meaningful data from static acoustic monitoring programs.
Ecology of Zooplankton, Benthos and Fishes in the Columbia River Estuary

Fauna of the Columbia River estuary were sampled regularly for 21 months. Analyses of plankton samples indicated that three distinct populations existed in the estuary: a freshwater group, a marine group, and an indigenous estaurine group. The latter consisted principally of a large population of Eurytemora hirundoides. Changes in the salinity of the estuary were reflected in the composition of the plankton. The majority of the fish and benthic invertebrates found in the estuary are euryhaline. The largest numbers of fish species, as well as the largest numbers of individuals, occupy the slightly brackish waters of the central portion of the estuary. the major plankton blooms also occur in this area. Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) and sand shrimp (Crangon franciscorum) use the upper estuary as a nursery ground. Extensive analyses of fish stomach contents confirm that food habits of fishes generally reflect the availability of prey. See full-text article at JSTOR
Hydroxyl Scavenging Activity of Glucose, Fructose, and Ribose‐Lysine Model Maillard Products

Nondialyzable model Maillard reaction products (MRPs) were synthesized by reacting L-lysine with D-glucose, D-fructose, and D-ribose under different conditions of reaction time, temperature, pH, and water activity (a w ). Five experiments common to all three models yielding greater than 0.5g of MRPs were assessed for antioxidant activity. All MRPs exhibited detectable, but variable, non site-specific hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenging activity (30-90%) in the deoxyribose assay. MRPs derived from a ribose-lysine study showed the highest OH scavenging activity (80-90%) in both deoxyribose and DNA nicking assays. All MRPs at higher concentrations (0.2 mg/mL) decreased lipid peroxidation in linoleic acid emulsions. Relative effectiveness of different MRPs to scavenge free radicals can vary with reaction conditions and substrates.
Diapause duration, survival in relation to desiccation and egg‐pod morphology of the Senegalese grasshopper, Oedaleus senegalensis

Abstract. The Senegalese grasshopper, Oedaleus senegalensis (Krauss) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is periodically a devastating pest of subsistence crops in the sahelian zone of West Africa.Egg diapause has been suggested as an important component of the mechanism acting to generate outbreaks and therefore diapause duration, egg survival in relation to desiccation and egg‐pod morphology were investigated in this study.
DIFFERENTIAL BLOOD COUNT OF TENCH Tinca tinca (Linnaeus, 1758) IN CONDITIONS OF THERMAL STRESS

Defining the physiological feature provides an understanding of functional adaptation of species to its ecological niche as well as the various forms of stress factors. This paper gives an overview of changes in certain forms of leukocytes (WBC differential) under the influence of thermal stress (increased temperature). In our experiment, we used 46 specimens of tench (Tinca tinca) fished in the Jablanica Lake reservoir. Specimens had previously been adapted in specially prepared tanks for 20 days. The control group of animals (16) was exposed to constant water temperature of 10 0C, while in the treated groups (30), the water temperature was gradually risen to 28 0C and, as such, held for 30 minutes. All specimens were aged 2+ and 3+. It was found that the thermal regime change causes adaptive response of tench specimens by increasing the number of neutrophils and pseudoeosinophils but reduction in the number of lymphocytes. Observed were statistically significant differences in the number of segmented granulocytes, pseudoeosinophils and lymphocytes between the control and the experimental group. However, a significantly higher number of segmented granulocytes and pseudoeosinophils was at the experimental group, while in the control group a number of lymphocytes was significantly higher compared with the experimental group. Neither form of leukocytes showed any significant difference between males and females of the experimental group. It is interesting to note that among individuals from both the control and experimental group, eosinophils and monocytes were rarely noticed, while basophils were not found at all. Key words: thermal stress, tench, Tinca tinca, pseudoeosinophils
Essential Oil of Tagetes minuta from Rwanda and France: Chemical Composition According to Harvesting Location, Growth Stage and Part of Plant Extracted

ABSTRACT The chemical composition of the essential oils produced from Tagetes minuta which was harvested in Rwanda and France at various locations and growth stages, and isolated from different plant parts (flowers, leaves, seeds), was studied. The samples analyzed fell into four categories. Generally, (Z)-β-ocimene predominated in oil from flowers, and dihydrotagetone predominated in that from leaves. Tagetones and tagetenones occurred together or separately in large or small amounts. French oils differened from other oils by its preponderance of (Z)-tagetenone.
Nitrogen Recycling in the Ruminant: A Review

Abstract Movements of N across the gut can be more than double N intake and thus have major effects on N metabolism of the ruminant. These movements may be associated with net losses, as occurs with production of ammonia or irreversible loss of secreted proteins, or as a means by which N products can be salvaged and used for anabolic purposes, e.g., use of urea-N as a source for microbial protein synthesis. Understanding the conditions and mechanisms that underlie these movements should enhance our ability to manipulate feed and husbandry to improve production efficiency. Between 40 and 80% of urea-N synthesized by the liver is returned to the gut, and 35 to 55% of this is converted to further anabolic use in both cattle and sheep. While some of this anabolic use may occur in the small intestine, most involves the rumen, a process that is dependent on energy supply under conditions in which the efficiency of conversion of digested N to amino acids is low. Current data would suggest that sheep are more efficient ( P P P
Economic and greenhouse gas costs of Miscanthus supply chains in the United Kingdom

Miscanthus has been identified as one of the most promising perennial grasses for renewable energy generation in Europe and the United States [Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 9 (2004) 433]. However, the decision to use Miscanthus depends to a considerable degree on its economic and environmental performance [Soil Use and Management 24 (2008) 235; Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 13 (2009) 1230]. This article assessed the spatial distribution of the economic and greenhouse gas (GHG) costs of producing and supplying Miscanthus in the UK. The average farm‐gate production cost of Miscanthus in the UK is estimated to be 40 £ per oven‐dried tonne (£ odt−1), and the average GHG emissions from the production of Miscanthus are 1.72 kg carbon equivalent per oven‐dried tonnes per year (kg CE odt−1 yr−1). The production cost of Miscanthus varies from 35 to 55 £ odt−1 with the lowest production costs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the highest costs in Scotland. Sensitivity analysis shows that yield of Miscanthus is the most influential factor in its production cost, with precipitation the most crucial input in determining yield. GHG emissions from the production of Miscanthus range from 1.24 to 2.11 kg CE odt−1 yr−1. To maximize the GHG benefit, Miscanthus should be established preferentially on croplands, though other considerations obviously arise concerning suitability and value of the land for food production.
Contribution of macrophages to plasmin activity in ewe bulk milk

Abstract A total of 225 bulk sheep milk samples were collected throughout lactation to assess the contribution of macrophages to the regulation of the plasmin/plasminogen system. Samples were analyzed for composition, milk renneting parameters, and for activities of plasmin (PL), plasminogen (PG) and plasminogen activators (PA). Isolation of macrophages from milk was performed using a magnetic positive separation; separated cells were lysed and activity of urokinase-PA was determined. PL activity in milk decreased during lactation (P < 0.001). The reduction in plasmin activity recorded in the mid and late lactation milk matched with the increase in PG/PL ratio (P < 0.001). The activity of PA increased throughout lactation (P < 0.001), the highest value being recorded in the late lactation milk. The amount of isolated and concentrated macrophages was higher in early and mid lactation milk than in late lactation milk (P < 0.01). Stage of lactation did not influence the activity of u-PA detected in isolated macrophages. The activity of u-PA associated with macrophages was lower than total PA activity detected in milk. Our results lend support to the hypothesis that in ewe bulk milk from healthy flocks macrophages only slightly contributed to the activation of plasmin/plasminogen system.