Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activating neurons by light in free-moving adult flies

In this presentation, we show our preliminary results which is related to neurons activation in vivo by laser. A laser scanning system was adopted to guide laser beam to an assigned fly and an assigned position. A 473-nm laser can be a heat punishment source to restrain a wild-type fly’s moving area. Furthermore, neurons in optogenetics transgene flies can be triggered by the blue laser in this system.
Cost of carnivore coexistence on communal and resettled land in Namibia

SUMMARY Human-wildlife conflict is detrimental to the conservation of threatened carnivores and the livelihoods of rural communities. This paper compares perceived levels of human-carnivore conflict experienced on five Namibian communal conservancies and four resettled farming areas. Factors explored include how reported depredation was affected by livestock husbandry practices, the perceived annual cost of depredation and the reported problem predator species. Of the 147 respondents interviewed, perceived depredation was greater than in previous studies; high perceived depredation was associated with greater rates of predator removal, increased ranking of predators as problems and increased predator sighting frequency. Small stock species were the most commonly depredated livestock. The most frequently perceived predators were: jackals on goats and sheep, wild cats on chickens, leopards on horses and spotted hyenas on cattle. The financial cost of this predation was US$508898, mostly attributable to cattle depredation, and agricultural training schemes recommending good livestock management may help reduce this cost. A move from small to large stock farming could be promoted in areas with an abundance of small- to medium-sized carnivores and a lack of large carnivores. Further incentives, such as meat provision and income from consumptive and non-consumptive tourism could ensure benefits outweigh costs of wildlife coexistence.
Spectral characteristics of pine needles at the limit of tree growth in subarctic Finland

Background: Forests in subarctic regions inhabit the transitional zone between the temperate region and the Arctic, where plant survival depends on the capability of individuals to adjust to changing environments. This transitional zone, generally falling between 50° N and 70° N, is becoming increasingly vulnerable under a changing climate, with treelines moving further north and also higher up slopes. Aims: The current study was carried out at 68° N, the most sensitive zone of the subarctic and northern limit of tree growth in Finnish Lapland. The physiology of trees in these conditions is still not fully understood, and an attempt is made here to contribute to a better understanding of the functionality of leaves by studying the spectral characteristics of needles of Pinus sylvestris along an altitudinal transect. Methods: A variety of spectral indices derived from high-resolution reflectance spectra were measured on freshly excised pine needles. The specific hypothesis is that spectral reflectance data can detect the stress that pine needles suffer at high elevations. We also wish to know which of the several possible indices is most indicative of stress. Results: All of the spectral indices, with the exception of NDVI, showed elevational as well as age-related trends consistent with the hypothesis that needles from the highest elevation suffer degradation of chlorophyll. Conclusions: We conclude that appropriate reflectance measurements provide useful information that may in future be used to detect stress effects on conifer foliage. The visual appearance of trees included in the study did also reflect in their spectral characteristics.
Male insect accessory glands: Functions and control of secretory activity

Summary Paralleling the diversity of the class Insecta, the male accessory glands (MAG) exhibit a wide range of form, and their secretion serves a variety of functions, including spermatophore and mating plug formation, sperm activation, provision of nutrients to females, and, through production of fecundity-enhancing and/or receptivity-inhibiting substances, modification of female reproductive behavior. In most insects, juvenile hormone (JH) is important in the regulation of MAG secretory activity; specifically, JH controls the production of particular proteins in the secretion. However, the production of some proteins appears not to be influenced by JH; rather, their synthesis is regulated by ecdysteroids. During sexual maturation, JH and ecdysteroids seem to interact to bring about a specified temporal sequence of protein synthesis in the MAG.
Function of red axial muscles of carp (Cyprinus carpio): recruitment and normalized power output during swimming in different modes

This paper offers an analysis of the recruitment and normalized power output of the slow oxidative (red) axial muscles of the carp, during swimming in two different modes. Recruitment patterns of the muscle fibres and swimming movements were measured by synchronized electromyography and cinematography. The ultrastructure of the muscle fibres along the trunk was measured by electron microscopy. Strain fluctuations and normalized power along the trunk were estimated using a model, as direct measurement was impossible. The model takes into account structural parameters of the sarcomeres, modulation of sarcomere force as a result of changing sarcomere length, modulation of cross-bridge force owing to the force-velocity relationship, and rate of tension rise and of tension decline as a result of fibre properties and stimulation. In continuous swimming, the amplitude of the fluctuations in the strain was constant along the trunk, owing to a remarkable coherence between the amplitude of body curvature and the position along the body of the red muscle fibres with respect to the vertebral column. However, the strain range and speed of contraction at which the fibres were active changed along the trunk in continuous swimming as well as in ‘kick and glide swimming’. During continuous swimming, the fibres along the trunk had a period of negative active power production followed by a period of positive power production. Anteriorly, the positive phase was most important, with a close to optimal power production in a plateau phase, so that net positive work was produced in a swimming cycle. Posteriorly, net negative work was done. In the anal region, the amounts of positive and negative work almost balanced each other. During the first tail strike in intermittent swimming, peak positive normalized work for an activated fibre was produced in the anal region. For this initial tail strike, fast muscle fibres were calculated to work more effectively than slow fibres. Fast fibres were needed to generate kick and glide swimming.
DECREASED PHOTO‐INDUCED MUTAGENICITY OF MONO‐FUNCTIONAL AS OPPOSED TO BI‐FUNCTIONAL FUROCOUMARINS IN YEAST

Abstract— The photoaddition of mono‐functional furocoumarins such as 5,7‐dimethoxycoumarin, angelicin and 3‐carbethoxypsoralen induces as a function of dose or of survival a much lower frequency of reverse mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae than the two bi‐functional furocoumarins, psoralen and 8‐methoxypsoralen. From this, it is suggested that bi‐functional lesions, i.e. DNA interstrand cross‐links, may be repaired in yeast by an error‐prone process.
Seasonal Variations in the Maturation Period, Anthocyanin Content, and Ascorbic Acid Content in Strawberry Fruits

We investigated fluctuations in the fruit maturation period (from flowering to harvest), anthocyanin content, and reduced ascorbic acid content in strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.) depending on the differences in harvest time, and discussed their relationships with the cultivation environment (solar radiation, temperature). The fruit maturation period of ‘Nyoho’ and ‘Toyonoka’ decreased significantly as cultivation progressed. In both cultivars, the fruit maturation period had a high correlation with solar radiation and temperature, and in particular, a complete proportional relationship was observed between integrated maximum temperature and fruit maturation period, suggesting the possibility of predicting harvest dates using the regression formula. Although the anthocyanin content of ‘Nyoho’ was higher than that of ‘Toyonoka’, a difference in harvest time was scarcely observed between the two cultivars. Furthermore, the correlation between the anthocyanin content and solar radiation or temperature was significantly low compared with the fruit maturation period, but that in ‘Toyonoka’ tended to be higher than that in ‘Nyoho’, indicating the characteristics of both cultivars. The reduced ascorbic acid content was the same in both cultivars, significantly decreasing in the middle of the cultivation period, and its correlation with solar radiation and temperature fluctuated irrespective of their variations.
From north to south and back: the role of the Balkans and other southern peninsulas in the recolonization of Europe by wild boar

We analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Balkans, including individuals from the northern Dinaric Balkans, an area that had not previously been characterized. Our aims were: (1) to reveal the level of genetic diversity and structuring and examine the demographic expansion of wild boar populations in the Balkans and Europe; (2) to examine the role of the Balkan gene pool in the post‐LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) recolonization of Europe; and (3) to elucidate the phylogenetic position of European and Balkan wild boar in a Eurasian context by comparing sequences of wild boar worldwide.
Suplementação de acidificantes orgânicos e inorgânicos em dietas para frangos de corte: desempenho zootécnico e morfologia intestinal

The effect of supplementation of acidifiers in diets for broiler chicks on performance na intestinal morphology was valuated. A total of 2,112 birds was allocated to eight diets, with six replicates, constituted by the addition of antibiotics or acidifiers blenders according to the phase development (from 1 to 7, from 8 to 21 and from 22 to 35 days old), in different composition: control - positive = bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD - 55 ppm) + colistin (10 ppm); control-negative = without antibiotic growth promoters or acidifiers; blend A = 8, 4.5 and 2.5 kg/t; blend B = 10, 6 and 3 kg/t; blend C = 4, 2 and 1 kg/t; blend C = 3, 3 and 1 kg/t; blend D = 5, 2.5 and 1 kg/t and blend D = 3, 3 and 1 kg/t. There was a general benefit with the use of acidifiers on feed conversion, which was similar to the use of antibiotics, except for blend B. Small intestine of birds of control-negative was heavier and had shorter villi height. The deeper Lieberkuhn crypt depth was not altered by the antibiots and by great part of the acidifiers. The use of acidifiers was efficient in maintenance of performance and morphological conditions of small intestines of broilers chicks, similar to the benefit of the use of antibiotics, except for Blend B. There was no difference among the blenders thea could be attributed the different composition, except for the duodenal crypt depth for birds fed Blend D (3/3/1 kg/t).
Aphelenchoides goodeyi n.sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoidea), a mycophagous nematode from South India.

Aphelenchoides goodeyi n. sp. was found feeding on a culture of mixed fungi from soil around citrus roots from South India. It is distinguished by the stellate tail mucro and the short gonad. The females are probably syngonic hermaphrodite. No males were found.
Individual traits influence vigilance in wild female eastern grey kangaroos

Abstract. Vigilance is an essential component of antipredator behaviour and is also used to monitor conspecifics, but is traded off against feeding in herbivores. This trade-off can be influenced by variation in many environmental, social and individual traits. Our aim was to test the relationship between individual-level traits, including boldness, body condition and reproductive state, and vigilance, while controlling for environmental and social variables. Using multiple 5-min video samples of 30 foraging, individually recognisable, female eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) at Sundown National Park in Queensland, we investigated individual-level variation in the duration, intensity and target of vigilance behaviour during foraging. On separate occasions, we used flight-initiation distance tests to measure boldness in our kangaroos. Females with longer flight-initiation distances (shyer females) spent more time vigilant, providing preliminary support for studies of animal personality that have suggested that boldness may covary with vigilance. Body condition did not affect the total time spent vigilant, but females in poorer body condition spent more of their vigilance time in low-intensity vigilance. Vigilance patterns were not related to reproductive state, but varied among months and differed between mornings and afternoons, and females spent more time in high-intensity vigilance when further from cover. Even after accounting for all our variables we found that 7% of the variation in total time vigilant and 14% of the variation in vigilance intensity was explained by individual identity. This highlights the importance of individual-level variation in vigilance behaviour.
Valor nutricional e energia metabolizável de subprodutos do trigo utilizados para alimentação de suínos em crescimento

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o valor nutricional e energetico de subprodutos do trigo, em dietas para suinos em crescimento, e obter equacoes de predicao da energia metabolizavel. Foram utilizados 36 suinos machos, castrados, alojados em gaiolas metabolicas individuais. Realizou-se a coleta total de fezes e urina em dois periodos de dez dias: cinco para adaptacao e cinco para coleta. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, tendo-se considerado o periodo de coleta como bloco, com seis tratamentos e seis repeticoes. A dieta referencia foi substituida em 30% por um dos subprodutos testados: farinheta, farelo fino, farelo de trigo, farelo grosso e farelo grosso moido; este ultimo usado para avaliar a influencia da granulometria na digestibilidade. A fibra bruta foi a variavel que proporcionou a melhor estimativa da energia metabolizavel. O farelo fino foi superior em energia digestivel e metabolizavel, em comparacao ao farelo grosso moido. O farelo grosso moido apresentou os menores coeficientes de digestibilidade, e a diminuicao de seu diâmetro geometrico medio nao aumentou a digestibilidade dos nutrientes e da energia. Entre os subprodutos avaliados, a farinheta apresenta maior energia digestivel, energia metabolizavel e proteina digestivel, o que mostra elevado potencial para utilizacao em dietas para suinos em crescimento.
Local adaptation and gene-for-gene coevolution in a metapopulation model

In several reciprocal cross-infection experiments parasites were found to be significantly more adapted to their local host populations than to hosts from distant populations. We developed a metapopulation model, taking explicit account of both population densities and gene frequencies, to determine the influence of ecological and genetical parameters on the local adaptation of the parasites and on the spatial distribution of resistance and virulence genes. Our results point to the predominant effect of ecological parameters such as parasite growth rate and host and parasite migration rates on coevolutionary outcomes. In particular, the parasites are more likely to be adapted to their local host population than to allopatric hosts when the parasite migration rate is larger than the host migration rate. The opposite should be observed whenever hosts migrate more than parasites.
THE GROWTH AND MITOSIS OF HUMAN SMALL LYMPHOCYTES AFTER INCUBATION WITH A PHYTOHÆMAGGLUTININ

Suspensions of human peripheral blood lymphocytes have been obtained by centrifuging blood in which the red cells were agglutinated with a phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). After 2 and 3 days culture, these suspensions frequently contained numerous large dividing cells. It is thought that it is the small lymphocyte which grows during the period of culture into a cell capable of dividing since on occasion greater than 98 per cent of the cells in the original suspension were small lymphocytes. The changed lymphocytes are pyroninophilic. Electron micrographs of these cells show no extensive endoplasmic reticulum.
Effect of Abscisic Acid on Pollen Germination and Tube Growth of Maize Genotypes1

As a preliminary step to using gametophytic selection to obtain genotypes of maize, Zea mays L. , differing for abscisic acid (ABA) content and/or sensitivity, the influence of ABA on the in vitro germination and tube growth of maize pollen and the presence of genetic variability for these traits was investigated. In a first experiment, pollen samples of three genotypes were germinated on substrates containing increasing amounts of ABA. Low ABA concentration (0.5 νM) significantly increased pollen germination and tube growth, while 500 νM ABA significantly decreased both traits, thus indicating that ABA can influence the growth of maize pollen in vitro. In a second experiment, eleven inbred lines were screened for the in vitro reactivity of their microgametophytes to ABA. The lines differed significantly for the response (% of control) of tube length, but not of pollen germination to ABA.
Effect of different lipid systems on antioxidant activity of rosemary constituents carnosol and carnosic acid with and without α-tocopherol

The effect of oxidizing lipid substrate on the antioxidant activity of carnosol and carnosic acid were evaluated in bulk and emulsified systems. In bulk methyl linoleate, carnosic acid was a better antioxidant than carnosol on the basis of conjugated diene hydroperoxide formation, and both were more active than α-tocopherol. However, in linoleic acid carnosol was more active than carnosic acid. In bulk corn oil triglycerides, α-tocopherol exhibited the most antioxidant activity followed by carnosic acid and carnosol. In all emulsified systems, α-tocopherol consistently exhibited more antioxidant activity than carnosol and carnosic acid. In mixtures, carnosol decreased and carnosic acid increased the oxidative stability of α-tocopherol in corn oil. During oxidation carnosic acid and carnosol are converted to unknown compounds which exhibit antioxidant activity. The type and polarity of the lipid system used as a model substrate significantly affect the antioxidant activity of carnosol and carnosic acid. Ke.
Vacuolar Autophagy: Apparent Dilution and Elimination of Cytoplasmic Organelles in Acridine Orange-Treated Plant Cells

SUMMARYPlant vacuoles which are structurally as well as functionally analogous to animal lysosomes; accumulated cytoplasmic masses when root tips were treated with aqueous solutions of acridine orange. The intravacuolar cytoplasmic masses were composed of recognizable cytoplasmic organelles viz. mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes. These organelles were diluted by the hydrolytic enzymes present in the lysosomic vacuoles. If the root tips were treated for a longer time, vacuoles also accumulated the dye; which formed a complex with heavy metals used during processing of the tissue for electron microscopy. As a result of formation of this complex the peripheral membranes of autophagocytosed organelles appeared extraordinarily thick.
Genetic Analysis of Yield and Physiological Traits in Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L. ) under Irrigation and Drought Stress

Implementing appropriate breeding strategies for sunflower, alongside dependable information on heritability and gene effects upon yield and related traits under drought conditions, are all necessary. Thirty sunflower hybrids were produced by line × tester cross of six male-sterile and five restorer lines. Their hybrids were evaluated in three levels of irrigation, as follows: (1) non-stressed plots, irrigated at regular intervals (W 1 ); (2) mild water stress (W 2 ), irrigated from the beginning of the button stage (R 4 ) to seed filling initiation (R 6 ); (3) severe water stress (W 3 ) started from the beginning of button stage (R 4 ) to physiological maturity. Based on observations and specific methods for determination, canopy temperatures , chlorophyll index, relative water content and proline content, were studied by additive effects, under the different irrigation conditions. Canopy temperatures , chlorophyll index, relative water content, leaf water potential, proline content and yield were controlled by additive effects under mild stressed conditions. Under severe stress conditions however, canopy temperatures , leaf water potential and proline content were controlled by additive effects, while chlorophyll index and relative water content were controlled by both additive and dominant effects, as seed yield was mainly influenced by the dominant effects. The narrow sense heritability ranged from 47-97% for all traits, except for chlorophyll fluorescence. Yield correlated positively with chlorophyll index and relative water content, and negatively with canopy temperature and leaf water potential. Therefore, under drought stressed conditions in breeding programs, canopy temperatures, chlorophyll index and relative water content can be reliable criteria for the selection of tolerant genotypes with prospect to higher yields.
Wild‐type ovule development in Arabidopsis thaliana: a light microscope study of cleared whole‐mount tissue

A detailed morphological description of wild-type ovule development in Arabidopsis thaliana is presented. The entire process from the formation of the ovule protrusion until the eight-nuclear endosperm stage is described. The study is based on a light-microscopical analysis of stained and subsequently optically cleared whole-mount ovules. It is supplemented by confocal laser scanning microscopy of propidium iodide-stained whole-mount ovules. It has been shown that the combination of both techniques eliminates the need for sections to a large extent, and hence allows the rapid morphological inspection of a large number of ovules in Arabidopsis. The ovule constitutes a relatively simple organ. During development, three discrete major pattern elements are laid down along the proximal-distal axis: the nucellus at the distal end (harbors the megaspore/gametophyte lineage), the chalaza (flanked by the integuments) and the funiculus (includes the vascular strand) at the proximal end. These three pattern elements already appear at a very early stage, when the initially formed protrusion, consisting of files of uniform cells, is transformed into a patterned primordium. Subsequent morphogenesis results in the manifestation of the morphological characters of each pattern element. It was possible to dissect this developmental process into distinct, morphologically discernible steps at a high resolution. A classification scheme of ovule developmental stages is proposed, which is based on ovule-specific, discrete, and easy-to-score markers.