Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ECONOMIC FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ADOPTION OF REDUCED TILLAGE TECHNOLOGIES IN CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN

The zero-tillage and minimum-tillage technologies, which are now being rapidly adopted in many areas of western Canada, have made a significant contribution to the sustainability of the soil resource. As a measure of economic viability of these practices this study uses the Top Management Model to simulate the 5-yr ending equity given stochastic prices and yields for a consensus farm in central Saskatchewan. Simulations are used to compare a minimum disturbance, zero-tillage system to a more conventional direct-seeding system. At 1994 crop and input prices, and a 10% yield advantage, zero-tillage systems compared favourably with conventional direct-seeding system. The relative crop yield and glyphosate price are key determinants to the short-run profitability of adopting zero-tillage technologies with fuel price having a smaller influence. When the switch to zero tillage allows a net reduction in machinery stock, this simultaneously increases the profitability, and reduces the financial risk for the produ.
15 INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION USING FROZEN-THAWED BOAR SEMEN IN SPONTANEOUS AND INDUCED OVULATING SOWS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) using frozen-thawed (FT) boar semen has yet to be reported. The objective of the present study was therefore to evaluate the 24-day nonreturn rate (NR), farrowing rate (FR), number of total piglets born/litter (TB), and number of live born piglets/litter (BA) after IUI with FT boar semen in spontaneous and induced ovulating sows. Ejaculates collected from each of 6 boars [3 Landrace (L) and 3 Yorkshire (Y)] were cryopreserved separately and used to produce LY crossbred offspring. Each batch of qualifying FT semen (≥30% motility) was divided and used in both groups, to minimize an individual boar variation effect. Thawed semen containing 1 × 109 motile spermatozoa extended in 20 mL of Beltsville Thawing Solution extender was flushed into the uterine body (20 mm beyond the cervix) via IUI device (Deep goldenpig™ catheter, IMV Technologies, L’Aigle, France). Forty multiparous sows (20 L and 20 Y) with weaning to estrus interval of 3 to 7 days were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: spontaneously ovulating sows (10 L and 10 Y) and hCG-induced ovulating sows (10 L and 10 Y). The sows with spontaneous ovulation did not receive any treatment. The induced ovulating sows were given 750 IUhCG i.m. at detection of estrus. Ovulation was investigated every 12 h using transrectal ultrasonography. Time of ovulation was determined as 6 h before the first time when preovulatory follicles were not found. Insemination was conducted at 24 h after the detection of estrus and repeated every 12 h until ovulation took place in the spontaneous ovulation group and at 36, 42, and/or 48 h after hCG administration in the induced ovulation group. The statistical analyses were carried out using SAS software (version 9.0, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA.). The interval from detection of estrus to ovulation (EOI), TB, and BA were compared between the groups using Student’s t-test; and NR and FR between groups were compared using chi-square test. P 0.05). The average EOI differed significantly between spontaneous ovulation (40.2 h) and induced ovulation groups (35.6 h; P = 0.01). Moreover, variation of EOI among sows within each group seemed to be lower in the induce ovulation (4.5 h SD) than in spontaneous ovulation (5.5 h SD; P = 0.5). The number of inseminations per sow was 2.9 ± 0.6 (2 to 4 times) in spontaneously ovulating sows and was 2.4 ± 0.5 (2 to 3 times) in induced ovulating sows. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in the NR (80 v. 85%), FR (60 v. 65%), TB (8.0 ± 2.8 v. 9.4 ± 3.7 piglets/litter), and BA (7.8 ± 2.8 v. 8.7 ± 3.7 piglets/litter) between spontaneous and induced ovulating sows. In conclusion, IUI with a low number of FT boar spermatozoa provided fairly good NR and reasonable FR and TB in both spontaneous and induced ovulating sows. The number of inseminations required to attain acceptable fertility tended to be lower in the weaned sows with induced ovulation.
Lean-season primary productivity and heat dissipation as key drivers of geographic body-size variation in a widespread marsupial

Geographic body-size variation characterises many mammal species. Hypotheses centring around heat conservation, heat dissipation, primary productivity and seasonality have been advanced to explain geographic body-size patterns. However, identification of the primary body-size drivers has often been hampered by a paucity of data for broadly distributed species and the application of regression models that have not explicitly accounted for the spatial clustering inherent in such datasets. We used Australia's most widespread marsupial, the common brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula, as a model species with which to test five proposed drivers of geographic body-size variation. Using geo-referenced skull measurements from 588 specimens and a suite of putative environmental covariates, we employed spatial simultaneous autoregressive models, together with information criteria, to evaluate these different hypotheses. Our analysis identified a strong, positive relationship between possum body size and primary productivity during the least productive season, whereas the relationship with mean annual productivity received less support. Consistent with the heat-dissipation hypothesis, T. vulpecula body size also decreased with increasing mean summer maximum temperature. Spatial autoregression coefficients estimated from the simultaneous autoregressive models were always high, suggesting that additional abiotic or biotic factors might contribute to the spatial patterns observed. We argue that the analysis of geographic body-size variation should consider multi-causal possibilities rather than treating the numerous hypotheses as competing, mutually exclusive alternatives.
Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and spermatozoa in Prorhynchus sp. (Platyhelminthes, Lecithoepitheliata, Prorhynchidae)

Summary Mature sperm of Prorhynchus sp. have an elongated nucleus, multiple mitochondria and dense bodies, and two free axonemes which are located in grooves of the main shaft for much of their length. The axonemes are subterminally inserted and have the typical 9+ ‘1’ arrangement unique to Platyhelminthes and synapomorphic for taxa of Trepaxonemata. The testis follicles examined had small numbers of developing spermatids and very few mature sperm were present. During spermiogenesis, spermatids remain joined in clusters by distinctive bridges. In each spermatid two centrioles (with an intercentriolar body between them) give rise to free axonemes which grow out in opposite directions from each other. Indistinct ciliary rootlets are present. The axonemes are carried distally from the main spermatid mass on an elongating process and turn back towards the main spermatid mass. Nucleus, mitochondria and dense bodies move into the shaft, and the spermatid elongates before detaching from others in the cluster. Th.
Teores de óleo, proteínas e produtividade de soja em função da antecipação da semeadura na região oeste do Paraná

Early soybean sowing, especially using early cultivars is a practice that is adopted by many growers from the State of Parana in order to anticipate harvest and to enhance growing corn crop during the fall. Experiments of soybean cultivars competition trials were carried out at COODETEC in the city of Palotina, Parana State, aiming to evaluate the influence of early sowing on the chemical composition of seeds, as well as yield. A randomized block design, comprised by two crop years (2003/2004 and 2004/2005), three early cultivars (CD 202, CD 215 and CD 216); and five sowing times (09/15, 09/30, 10/15, 10/30 and 11/15) was utilized. Also, oil and protein content were also determined. The productivity (kg ha-1) was calculated using the yield of grain in each parcel. All data were submitted to variance analysis of group experiments along with all interactions and necessary adjustments. Results allowed to conclude that early sowing can influence grain yield and seed chemical composition.
The long-term fate and distribution of 14C photoassimilated by young white pines in late summer

In early September after shoot elongation and needle expansion had terminated, pine plants (Pinus strobus L.) in their third year of growth were permitted to photoassimilate 14CO2. At intervals of time ranging from to months, the distribution of 14C within the plants was determined. Within the first 48 h about 40% of the photoassimilated 14C was lost from the plant through respiration and of the retained 14C, over 50% was found in the root, a value equivalent to about a third of the total 14C activity initially assimilated. Despite continued losses of 14C from the pines, about 30% of the initially assimilated 14C was still present months later. Evidence for remobilization of 14C into the following year's shoot growth is also provided.
Kinetics of excess (above background) copper and zinc in Hyalella azteca and their relationship to chronic toxicity

One-week-long metal uptake experiments with Hyalella azteca are potentially a powerful tool for rapidly assessing the impact of copper or zinc in contaminated water samples. Copper and zinc concentrations in whole body Hyalella are independent of body size for both control and metal-exposed amphipods. Uptake rates are rapid for both metals, but copper concentrations in Hyalella during continuous exposure peak at about 1 week, then gradually decline back towards control levels at an apparent rate of 0.039 d−1. Hyalella can, therefore, control body copper concentrations during exposure to elevated copper, but only gradually and after long exposure periods. Depuration rates for copper and zinc (0.16 and 0.68 d−1 respectively) are approximately five times slower than the apparent depuration rates during uptake, assuming a simple diffusion model. Uptake at increasing water concentrations results in saturation for both metals with maximum accumulations of 3.6 μmol/g dry weight above background. A mathematical m.
Probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic supplements in sturgeon aquaculture: a review

This study addressed the issue of the dietary supplements; probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotics considered as functional food ingredients in sturgeon aquaculture. Developments of this strategy have been suggested and practiced as an alternative to antibiotic administration in aquaculture. Sturgeons are commercially valuable species due to their meet and roe, which is made into caviar. Aquaculture of sturgeons up to marketable size has increased during the last decade while disquieting decreases have been noticed of the natural populations. In line with the expand evaluations of microbial dietary supplements and prebiotics in finfish and shellfish aquaculture, the scientific community has also increased their interest in approaches to these issues in sturgeon aquaculture. The present review summarizes and discusses the results on intestinal microbiota of sturgeon species and the effects of probiotic, prebiotic or synbiotic administration on growth performance, gut physiology, intestinal microbiota, immune response and health. Furthermore, this study tries to cover the gaps of existing knowledge and suggest issues that merits further investigations.
GENES FOR SHORT STATURE IN BARLEY

Inheritance of height in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was studied with the objective of finding genes for short stature and understanding height inheritance. Segregation for height was visually classified in F₃ populations derived from crosses of 11 short-stature genotypes to two testers, tall cultivar Robust and M62 (a Minnesota semidwarf line containing the ‘Jotun’ derived sdw gene). Populations were classified in the field from 1987 to 1991. Height in the short-stature genotypes was hypothesized to be controlled by one, two, or three recessive genes. The seven genotypes which have only one short-stature gene, ‘Diamant’ (‘Triumph’ and ‘Cheri’), ‘Gus’, ‘Kombar’, NK41558, and SMAI6W41428, appear to contain sdw or an alternative allele at that locus. We hypothesize that two genotypes, E295 and ‘Poco’, contain one short-stature gene in addition to the sdw gene, and that Apam Dwarf contains two short-stature genes as well as sdw. ‘UC476’, the only short-stature genotype in this study that appears not to contain sdw, likely has two other short-stature genes. Heights of the parents and F₂. ₃ progenies fell roughly into four classes, which we hypothesized corresponded to genotypes with no, one, two, or three recessive shortstature genes. Height differences in all populations and among the parents indicated that modifying genes play an important role in determining height. This study revealed that the sdw gene is wide-spread, occurring in 10 of the 11 short-stature genotypes. Putative new genes for short-stature were found in E295, UC476, Poco, and Apam Dwarf. Contribution of the Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108. Paper no. 20,856, Scientific Journal Series, Minnesota Agric. Exp. Stn.
The impact of length‐variable data and alignment criterion on the phylogeny of Decapodiformes (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

In molecular phylogenetics, mode of analysis is typically the primary reason cited for obtaining different topologies. However, sequence alignment is as important in determining topology as analytical method or optimality criterion, particularly for length‐variable sequences. We investigate the effect of alignment strategy and parameters in an analysis of length‐variable 18S rDNA sequences from 41 oceanic squids (Decapodiformes), focusing particularly on the impact of including variable regions on the resulting topology. Decapodiformes are an enigmatic group of molluscs whose evolutionary relationships remain unclear because standard molecular analyses have continued to produce poorly supported or poorly resolved trees, possibly due to elevated levels of molecular evolution. We find that alignment strategy (Clustal X versus POY) has a greater affect on topology than does parameter choice. Some groups were robust to shifts in methodology, including cuttlefishes (Sepiidae), bobtail squids (Sepiolidae) and pygmy squids (Idiosepiidae). No alignment strategy supported the monophyly of Oegopsida, although Myopsida did consistently form a monophyletic group. The variable regions consistently provided more well‐supported and well‐resolved trees than the conserved regions alone, indicating the phylogenetic importance of including length‐variable data.
Rough-legged Buzzards use vole scent marks to assess hunting areas

Voles scent mark their territories with urine and faeces that are visible in ultraviolet (UV) light. Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopus feed mainly on voles. We performed a field experiment in northern Finland to test whether buzzards are attracted to UV-visible vole scent marks. The buzzards hunted more often on plots with vole scent marks than on control plots. Our results indicate that Rough-legged Buzzards may be able to use vole scent marks as a cue when searching for profitable hunting and breeding areas.
Biblioteca subtrativa de raízes de soja em resposta à inoculação com Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] is the most important legume cropped worldwide, with an economic value attributed mainly to the high protein content of the grain, which, in turn, demands a heavy supply of nitrogen. An environmentally friendly source of nitrogen at low cost to farmers is represented by the biological fixation of atmospheric nitrogen that takes place is association with symbiotic bacteria. For the soybean, the association occurs mainly with bacteria belonging to the species Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii , but our knowledge about gene expression associated with the symbiosis is still poor. This work—part of an effort by the Soybean Genome Consortium (Genosoja)—was conducted with the aim of achieving better understanding about the functionality of the genes expressed in soybean roots in the early stages of the interaction with B. japonicum . The study was performed with soybean plants growing under greenhouse conditions, inoculated (or not) with strain CPAC 15 (=SEMIA 5079) of B. japonicum , which is broadly used in Brazilian commercial inoculants. Total RNA was extracted, the mRNA was isolated and a subtractive library was constructed. Sequencing analysis generated 4,621,072 reads, which were assembled in 3,776 sequences, defined as the differentially expressed sequences of the inoculated versus non-inoculated treatments. The sequences were categorized according to their molecular function and grouped with representatives of antioxidant activities, molecular transduction, transporters and enzyme regulation activities, but with an emphasis on catalytic and molecular binding/signaling
Melanin‐concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists for the treatment of depression and anxiety

Melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic, 19‐amino‐acid neuropeptide produced in the lateral hypothalamus. MCH is implicated in a number of physiological processes including feeding behavior, energy balance, reproductive function, memory, sleep‐wake regulation, and emotional states. Since the discoveries in the mid‐1990 s that MCH is an appetite stimulant in rodents and that KO mice lacking MCH become lean, together with the findings that MCH receptor 1 (MCH1R) is responsible for these functions, most research has been focused on the roles of the MCH system in feeding and energy homeostasis. It is now established that MCH plays a key role in controlling feeding and energy homeostasis via MCH1R, and some pharmaceutical companies have reported nonpeptidic MCH1R antagonists with diverse structural features in the treatment of obesity. Recently, emerging lines of evidence have indicated that MCH1R plays important roles not only in feeding and energy balance but also in regulation of emotion. Indeed, MCH1R is widely distributed in the regions associated with emotion, and MCH1R antagonists have been demonstrated to exhibit antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in various rodent models. This review describes recent advances in research to clarify the involvement of MCH in depression and anxiety. The paper will also discuss the potential value of MCH1R antagonists in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders. Drug Dev. Res. 65:278–290, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of αv and β3 integrin subunits in rat osteoclasts in situ

Recent findings suggest that the vitronectin receptor, a member of the integrin family, plays an important role in the attachment of osteoclasts to bone matrix. We report here the localization by in situ hybridization of the mRNA for the α and β subunits of the vitronectin receptor in rat bone sections. To generate the rat‐specific RNA probes used in this study, we cloned cDNA fragments of integrin chains αv, β3, and β5 by the polymerase chain reaction from rat cDNA. These fragments share 86–91% homology with the respective human sequences. In situ hybridization localized the αv and β3 mRNAs to regions undergoing extensive bone resorption. The histologic appearance and prestaining of bone sections for tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) indicated the presence of these mRNAs in osteoclasts. These observations support immunohis‐tochemical findings that osteoclasts express high levels of the vitronectin receptor, confirm the identity of this receptor as integrin αv/β3, and suggest that osteoclasts may actively synthesize these molecules.
Determination of endogenous amino acid flow at the terminal ileum of the rat

In a comparative study endogenous amino acid flow was determined in twenty-four 190-g male rats (protein-replete) given diets containing synthetic amino acids as the sole nitrogen source but devoid of specific amino acids, and six rats fed a protein-free diet. Endogenous flows were not significantly different (P > 0.05) for aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine and lysine but were significantly higher (P 0.05) between the latter excretions and those obtained by feeding the rats a protein-free diet.
An immunohistochemical study on α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex in Parkinson's disease

We report an immunohistochemical study of the mitochondrial α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC) in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease. The KGDHC, the three enzyme complex catalyzing the oxidation of α‐ketoglutarate to succinate through succinic semialdehyde, is the rate‐regulating enzyme of the TCA cycle. The mitochondrial toxin, MPP+, inhibits not only complex I but also the KGDHC. Therefore, we investigated this enzyme complex in Parkinson's disease. In the control patients (n = 6), the immunostaining of the melanized nigral neurons was generally uniform; most of the melanized neurons showed good immunostaining with some neurons showing somewhat reduced staining. In Parkinson's disease (n = 9), many melanized neurons showed reduced immunostaining for the KGDHC, and those neurons were more frequently seen in the lateral one‐third of substantia nigra. The decrease in the immunostaining for the KGDHC correlated roughly with the severity of degeneration. The KGDHC is more vulnerable to degeneration than complex II, III, and IV as noted in our previous immunohistochemical study. Even if secondary, the loss may play a role in the progression of the disease.
Short-term recovery of Bradyrhizobium japonicum during an inoculation process using mineral microgranules

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) can be inoculated by delivering inoculant mixed with mineral microgranules to the seedbed. An average decline of 0.61 log units in the number of viable Bradyrhizobium japonicum was found during the 1sth, using available commercial inoculants and granules. These losses were shown to be influenced by inoculant type (peat based, liquid, lyophilized) and granule type. When mixed with granules, a peat-based inoculant was found to be desiccated immediately and subjected to a water potential as low as −170 MPa. Bradyrhizobium japonicum recovery was improved when the moisture content of the granules increased. It was concluded that water suction by granules can subject the bacteria to rapid desiccation and significantly decrease their number. Thus, the nature of inoculant and granular material and their relative water retention characteristics must be taken into account to improve the efficiency of this inoculation process.Key words: Bradyrhizobium japonicum, granular inoculant, i.
Feeding of adult sprat, Sprattus sprattus, during spawning season in the Adriatic Sea

Abstract The aim of this study was to obtain preliminary information about food composition and feeding habits of the adult sprat during its spawning season in the Adriatic Sea. The most important food items were adults and juveniles of planktonic copepods and decapod larvae. Cladocerans, mysids, appendicularians, isopods, ostracods, pteropods, bivalve larvae and fish eggs were also found; no phytoplankton or other algal remains were found in the stomachs. Significant differences between samples collected during night, morning and afternoon hours were found. The maximum values of stomach content were found in the samples collected during afternoon, while the stomachs of fish caught before sunrise were generally empty.