Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of fattening length, feather colour and sex on some traits in native Turkish geese. II. Carcass traits.

Although goose breeding is not a common livestock practise in Turkey, it is an important rural activity around Kars city. Geographical specifications of the area with numerous water resources give an advantage for the mentioned livestock activity. Goose breeding in the region is an old tradition with the family traditional rearing methods. Additionally, eating goose meat is a part of tradition in the region, even several customs have been established on preserving, preparing and eating goose. These characteristics make the region the most geese populated area in Turkey. Therefore, the region has been chosen to make this research on native Turkish geese. Although, there are not any certain differences among the geese reared in the region, some differences can be mentioned according to feather colour and origin as pointed out by SAATCI et al. (2005). Meat is the most desirable product of geese but breeders do not show any attempt to increase meat production and quality. All geese in the region are reared under the range condition. Therefore, their carcass-meat product is restricted with the standards of pasture. It is possibile that these geese may reach better carcass quality when are reared under intensive condition. There are very few studies on rearing native Turkish geese under intensive condition but none of them was run in Kars as the largest goose keeping area in Turkey (ÇELEBı, 1999; ISGUZAR and TESTIK, 1999; TıLKı and İNAL, 2004). Quality meat from goose is obtained from 8–10 weeks period and this type of goose is called broiler in the intensive system. High feed conversion efficiency and high meat yield are vital in broiler goose but these characteristics are affected by age, breed, sex, diet and duration of fattening period (HROUZ, 1988; BUTLER et al., 1991; GRUNDER et al., 1991). Moreover, it is crucial to know overall growth pat-
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria improved growth, yield and yield components of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic) under shading growing conditions

A farm experiment was conducted to observe the effects of Azosspirillum strain Brasilience inoculation and artificial shading on the yield and yield components of lentil. The seeds of lentil were incubated in flasks by shaking at 80 rpm for 2 h at 28 °C to coat the seeds with the rhizobacteria. In this experiment two factors including five shading levels (control (no shading), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% shading) and bio-priming with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (seed inoculation with Azospirillum and control) arranged in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Shading had significant effect on all traits including number of filled pod, grain number per plant, 100 grain weight, harvest index (HI), biomass yield and grain yield. Also, bio-priming had significant effect on all mentioned traits except harvest index and their interaction were significant (P< 0.01) on all traits except 100 grain weight. The results showed that the highest grain yield (2612.4 kg per ha.), HI (33.9), grain number per plant (43.67), number of filled pod (35.5), resulted from no shading (control) and bio-priming (seed inoculation with Azosspirillum). The lowest amounts of mentioned traits resulted from 100% shading and without bacterial application. Although, Maximum biomass yield achieved from 100 shading and bacterial application. The results of this study suggest that seed inoculation with Azosspirillum have the potential to increase the growth and yield of lentil plant under shading growing conditions.
The influence of deeper water on phytoplankton growth and production - A culture study

This study was done in batch cultures to evaluate the impact of ascending deeper water on the growth rate and organic production of phytoplankton. Both surface seawater and 100-m deeper water were collected near the southern coast of Taiwan. The surface seawater diluted with deeper water in different volume ratios was used to cultivate two neritic phytoplankton, Skeletonema costatum and Prorocentrum minimum, for seven days. Experimental results indicated that addition of deeper water in 1/5 and III 0 dilution ratios significantly induced algal growth and increased chlorophyll a content within three days after inoculation. However, algal growth rate and chlorophyll content decreased markedly in the successive four days. Nitrate and phosphate concentrations in the seawater reduced 73­ 88% and 30-48% of initial concentrations, respectively, within three days after inoculation. It appeared that chlorophyll a concentration was positively correlated with cell density and particulate organic carbon.
Foods of American Badgers in West-central Minnesota and Southeastern North Dakota During the Duck Nesting Season

Abstract Although the American badger (Taxidea taxus) is common in grasslands and preys on a wide diversity of foods including birds, little is known about badger diet in areas where nesting ducks are common. Small mammals, primarily Muridae and Geomyidae, were the most common food items in the diet of badgers collected from west-central Minnesota and southeastern North Dakota during April–July 1987 through 1990, based on analysis of gastrointestinal tracts of 47 adult (≥1-y-old) and 5 juvenile (<6-mo-old) badgers. Remains of mammals occurred in 98% of samples from adult badgers. Small quantities of insects were found in 40% of adult samples. Bird remains were in 32% of adult samples, most birds identified as Anatidae; ducks or ducklings occurred in 27% and duck eggs in 60% of those samples. Remains of reptiles, amphibians and mollusks were present, but were less common than other foods. Insects and bird eggs were more common during spring (April–May) than summer (June–July). Birds were more frequent in diets of adults than juvenile badgers.
Role of Innate Immunity in Multiple Sclerosis

anticoagulant system needed to limit the host damage, and the lack of homeostatic interactions between these systems leads to thrombosis [14-17]. This could occur in people with genetic or environmentinduced impaired anti-coagulant, and/or anti-oxidative system or during prolonged inflammatory-thrombotic processes. In any case, the presence of thrombotic events indicates an excessive activation of innate immunity.
Prey switching by killer whales in the north-east Atlantic: observational evidence and experimental insights

Studies in the Pacific have identified distinct killer whale ecotypes that are either specialized mammal- or fish-eaters. The different types have developed hunting strategies that would suggest specialization could be more advantageous than generalism. However, it has been suggested, based on long-term dietary markers of tooth wear and stable isotope values, that lineages in the North Atlantic are generalist, but with individual variation in the proportion of prey types consumed. Here, we present the results of ten years of observational and photo-identification data of a population of killer whales that follows the Norwegian spring-spawning stock of Atlantic herring. Although the whales were predominantly observed while feeding upon herring, one pod of herring-eating whales was also observed interacting with seals. This supports the hypothesis based on the long-term markers, of a degree of specialization, with a small number of groups persistently feeding upon mammals, but switching between herring and seals. We further investigated this prey switching by conducting playbacks of herring-eating killer whale sounds to harbour seals at haul-out sites on the herring spawning grounds. We recorded changes in behaviour consistent with an anti-predator response, suggesting the seals perceived the herring-eating killer whales as a potential predatory threat and had not habituated to their calls. This could be due to the risk of herring-eating killer whales switching to mammalian prey, or the difficulty of discriminating between killer whale pods due to the large population size and number of killer whale call dialects in this population, or a combination of both.
Climate controls on C3 vs. C4 productivity in North American grasslands from carbon isotope composition of soil organic matter

We analyzed the δ13C of soil organic matter (SOM) and fine roots from 55 native grassland sites widely distributed across the US and Canadian Great Plains to examine the relative production of C3 vs. C4 plants (hereafter %C4) at the continental scale. Our climate vs. %C4 results agreed well with North American field studies on %C4, but showed bias with respect to %C4 from a US vegetation database (statsgo) and weak agreement with a physiologically based prediction that depends on crossover temperature. Although monthly average temperatures have been used in many studies to predict %C4, our analysis shows that high temperatures are better predictors of %C4. In particular, we found that July climate (average of daily high temperature and month's total rainfall) predicted %C4 better than other months, seasons or annual averages, suggesting that the outcome of competition between C3 and C4 plants in North American grasslands was particularly sensitive to climate during this narrow window of time. Root δ13C increased about 1‰ between the A and B horizon, suggesting that C4 roots become relatively more common than C3 roots with depth. These differences in depth distribution likely contribute to the isotopic enrichment with depth in SOM where both C3 and C4 grasses are present.
Crude glycerin in diets for wethers in feedlot: intake, digestibility, performance, carcass and meat traits

O objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos dos niveis de glicerina bruta (GB) (0; 2,65; 5,33; 8,06 e 10,84% na base da materia seca) sobre o consumo, digestibilidade, desempenho, medidas morfometricas da carcaca e qualidade da carne de ovinos terminados em confinamento. Foram utilizados 25 cordeiros mesticos Santa Ines x Dorper, machos, castrados, com peso corporal medio de 24 ± 2,0 kg, alojados em baias individuais, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os niveis de GB na dieta provocaram efeito linear decrescente (P 0,05) dos niveis de glicerina sobre o desempenho dos animais. Nao foram observadas diferencas (P>0,05) no peso da carcaca quente, peso da carcaca resfriada, rendimento da carcaca quente, rendimento da carcaca resfriada, perda por resfriamento, estado de engorduramento, comprimento de carcaca, comprimento de perna, profundidade de perna, profundidade de peito, area de olho de lombo, textura, marmoreio e cor. Entretanto, foi observada influencia (P<0,05) dos niveis crescentes de glicerina bruta sobre a conformacao da carcaca e espessura de gordura na carcaca. A utilizacao da glicerina bruta reduziu o consumo de nutrientes dos animais, porem, nao influenciou o desempenho e caracteristicas da carcaca, sendo indicada para utilizacao na dieta de ovinos em confinamento.
NOCARDICIN A, A NEW MONOCYCLIC β-LACTAM ANTIBIOTIC

Nocardicin A is a new monocyclic β-lactam antibiotic obtained from the fermentation broth of a strain of actinomycetes. The producing organism, strain WS 1571, was identified as Nocardia uniformis subsp.tsuyamanensis ATCC 21806. The antibiotic, obtained as colorless crystals, exhibits moderate in vitro antibacterial activity against a broad-spectrum of Gram-negative bacteria including Proteus and Pseudomonas. It has low toxicity in laboratory animals.
Influence of call structure on the jamming avoidance response of echolocating bats

Bats rely heavily on echolocation for orientation and prey detection, hence acoustic signals that interfere with echo reception are problematic. When flying in the presence of other bats, some species adjust their echolocation to avoid frequency overlap with the calls of nearby conspecifics, known as a jamming avoidance response (JAR). One aspect of JAR that has not been thoroughly examined is how the spectral structure of the jamming signal impacts the jamming response. Our objective was to examine how the structural characteristics of an echolocation broadcast impact JAR in free-flying Brazilian free-tailed bats, Tadarida brasiliensis. We created 4 echolocation playbacks that differed only in call shape and frequency modulation. We examined the response of bats when flying in the presence of an unchanging broadcast (static stimulus) and when the playback signal was abruptly switched as the bat approached the speaker (dynamic stimulus). Results revealed that the bandwidth of the interfering signal impacted the strength of the observed JAR, while the presence and/or length of a terminal quasiconstant frequency section in the interfering signal did not. Our results agree with laboratory studies documenting JAR in the presence of white noise, as well as field studies demonstrating extensive variability in the echolocation calls of Brazilian free-tailed bats. We relate these results to previous findings on JAR, including a recent study documenting no JAR in a bat species and suggest further experiments to tease apart the physiological limitations of JAR. Overall, this study provides additional insight into the signal processing capabilities of bats and improves our understanding of how bats are able to orient using sound in a noisy world.
Are there latitudinal gradients in species turnover

Aim To examine the effect on the observed relationship between spatial turnover and latitude of both the measure of beta diversity used and the method of analysis. Location The empirical analyses presented herein are for the New World. Methods We take the spatial distributions of the owls of the New World as an exemplar data set to investigate the patterns of beta diversity across latitudes revealed by different analytical methods. To illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative measures of beta diversity and different analytical approaches, we also use a simple random distribution model, focusing in particular on the influence of richness gradients and landmass geometry. Results Our simple spatial model of turnover demonstrates that different combinations of analytical approach and measure of beta diversity can give rise to strikingly different relationships between turnover and latitude. The analyses of the bird data for the owls of the New World demonstrate that this observation extends to real data. Conclusions For the particular assemblage considered, we present strong evidence that species richness declines at higher latitudes, and there is also some evidence that species turnover is greater nearer the equator, despite conceptual and practical difficulties involved in analysing spatial patterns of species turnover. We suggest some ways of overcoming these difficulties.
Spatial variation in the structure of mangrove forests with respect to seawalls

Artificial structures, such as seawalls, are increasingly disrupting the transition zones between terrestrial and marine systems. They can impede the transport of resources across habitat boundaries and impact adjacent sedimentary ecosystems by modifying hydrodynamics which, in turn, influence sedimentology and erosion. We assessed how structural elements of Avicennia marina mangrove forests along the Parramatta River estuary, Sydney, Australia, differ in the presence or absence of a seawall on the landward side of the forest. These forests are of importance to resident and transient fauna. Sampling of paired mangrove forests, with and without seawalls, supported our hypotheses of structural differences between them. Mangrove forests with seawalls were in some instances less than a third of the width of unconstrained mangrove forests, and had up to twice the pneumatophore density. They often contained less leaf litter and had fewer saplings than forests without seawalls. These results suggest that as shoreline armouring continues, urban mangrove forests and their important ecosystem functions may be negatively impacted. Studies are now needed to ascertain the mechanisms by which seawalls modify these systems.
Title: Selection of embryonic stem cell derived eGFP+ dopamine neurons using the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter is confounded by reporter gene expression in immature cell populations

published online Jan 18, 2007; Stem Cells Kwang-Soo Kim Eva Hedlund, Jan Pruszak, Andrew Ferree, Angel Viñuela, Sunghoi Hong, Ole Isacson and populations hydroxylase promoter is confounded by reporter gene expression in immature cell Selection of embryonic stem cell derived eGFP+ dopamine neurons using the tyrosine This information is current as of January 19, 2007 http://www.StemCells. com the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on 1549-4918. Carolina, 27701. © 2007 by AlphaMed Press, all rights reserved. Print ISSN: 1066-5099. Online ISSN: North owned, published, and trademarked by AlphaMed Press, 318 Blackwell Street, Suite 260, Durham, STEM CELLS® is a monthly publication, it has been published continuously since 1983. The Journal is and genomics; translational and clinical research; technology development. embryonic stem cells; tissue-specific stem cells; cancer stem cells; the stem cell niche; stem cell genetics STEM CELLS®, an international peer-reviewed journal, covers all aspects of stem cell research:
Arthogalin inhibits the growth of murine malignant prostate sarcoma cells in vitro.

murine malignant prostate sarcoma cells in vitro. We find that Arthogalin is a potent inhibitor of growth. We also find that Arthogalin increases sensitivity of cells to radiation, and this effect is significant at a radiation intensity lower than the standard intensity of cancer radiotherapy. On the basis of this study, Arthogalin shows promise for combined-modality cancer treatment.
Morphology of Goby Species, Glossogobius celebius (Valenciennes 1837) and Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton 1822) in Lake Lanao Mindanao, Philippines

Morphological differences between two introduced species of freshwater gobies, Glossogobius celebius (Valenciennes 1837) and Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton 1822) were investigated in Lake Lanao. To achieve this, 24 morphometric measurements were made on each of the studied fish specimens (27 Glossogobius celebius and Glossogobius giuris). The results showed that the entire morphometric characters measured in both sexes within the two species were not significantly different (P<0.05), male and female were not sexually dimorphic with apparent distinctions on their morphological attributes, particularly on their differences in sizes and lengths. And with the body proportionality between sexes of G. celebius, females compared to males had a relatively higher percentage of uncorrelated morphometric character which implies that the females' morphological attributes may have experienced slight changes over the Lake Lanao and males' morphological attributes were highly proportional regardless of their spatial distribution. With these, well-proportioned body structure in males would illustrate an attractive physical attribute that may help in the courtship of males to females. Meanwhile, in Glossogobius giuris body proportionality between the two sexes was in contrast with the Glossogobius celebius for the males were the ones to have a higher percentage of uncorrelated morphometric character than females. The results can provide a solid base for the identification, rational management, breeding and conservation of the two fish species.
Parasite and host determinants of visceral leishmaniasis

i Résumé. iii Acknowledgements. vi Contributions to original knowledge.viii Contributions of authors . x Table of contents . xiii List of tables and figures . xvii List of abbreviations . xix Chapter 1 . 1 Review of literature and objectives of research. 1 1.1 Leishmania and leishmaniasis: general considerations. 1 1.1.1 The Leishmania lifecycle. 2 1.1.2 Leishmaniasis: spectrum of disease . 4 1.1.3 Epidemiology . 6 1.1.4 Treatment. 7 1.2 Development of visceral leishmaniasis . 10 1.2. 1 Navigating from the skin to the viscera . 10 1.2. 2 Surviving stress: parasite proliferation in the viscera . 12 1.3 Vector determinants of visceral leishmaniasis. 14 1.4 Parasite determinants of visceral leishmaniasis . 15 1.4. 1 L. donovani A2 protein and visceral disease . 17 1.4. 2 Other visceral disease-promoting factors. 22 1.4. 3 Other virulence factors not specific to visceral leishmaniasis . 23 1.4. 4 Atypical leishmaniasis cases: potential to identify novel determinants of visceral disease . 28 1.4. 5 PKDL: an additional complication. 35 1.5 Host determinants of visceral leishmaniasis. 37 1.5. 1 Protective immunity against visceral leishmaniasis . 37 1.5. 2 Genetic background . 38 1.5. 3 Poverty and susceptibility to visceral leishmaniasis. 39 1.5. 4 Co-infections and susceptibility to visceral leishmaniasis . 39 1.5. 5 Sand fly saliva and immunity to visceral leishmaniasis. 40 1.6 Vaccines against visceral leishmaniasis . 42 1.6. 1 Desirable characteristics of a vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis . 42 1.6. 2 Factors influencing vaccine efficacy . 45
Effect of two opposing changes in photoperiod upon age at first egg in layer-hybrid pullets

An experiment was designed to test the response of growing pullets to two changes in photoperiod (an increase from 8 to 14 h followed 5 weeks later by the reverse change, or a decrease from 14 to 8 h followed by an increase). The first change was made either at 35 days or at 56 days of age, to test the influence of age on the responses observed. Control groups were kept on constant 8-h and constant 14-h photoperiods and the responses to appropriate single changes were also tested. Mean age at first egg varied from 111 days for birds given a single increment at 56 days to 166 days for pullets given an increase in photoperiod at 35 days followed by a reduction at 70 days. Responses to the single changes confirmed earlier reports that sensitivity to change in photoperiod varies with age in a manner that is quantitatively predictable. Responses to the double changes could be explained by postulating that the initial change altered the ‘physiological age’ of the bird to an extent that was also quantitatively predictable. An early increase in photoperiod advances sexual development and makes the bird more sensitive to a subsequent decrease than would be expected by reference to its chronological age. An early decrease in photoperiod delays sexual development, which can have the effect of making the bird more or less sensitive to a subsequent increase since, in layer-strain pullets, sensitivity to an increment in photoperiod normally increases up to about 9 weeks of age but decreases thereafter. Mean age at first egg predicted using these concepts was very highly correlated with observed age at first egg. The results provide a rational basis for constructing a model to predict age at first egg for any combination of increases and decreases in photoperiod applied to growing pullets.
Maximum Metabolism and Aerobic Capacity in Heteromyid and Other Rodents

Minimum and cold-induced maximum metabolisms were measured in six heteromyid and one cricetine species of rodents. Minimum and cold-induced maximum metabolisms have similar slopes, and maximum metabolism is significantly elevated over minimum metabolism by approximately 65 times at 45 g. Minimum metabolism adjusted for body mass is statistically lower for heteromyids than for other rodents. The aerobic capacity model for the evolution of endothermy would predict that since heteromyids have a low minimum metabolism they should also have a low maximum metabolism. Such is not the case in the relatively few species examined. The aerobic capacity model also predicts that mass-independent minimum and maximum metabolic rates will be correlated. This is true for the species we measured here when maximum was induced using cold. The correlation is also significant for rodents in general regardless of whether maximum metabolism was elicited with cold or exercise. Cold-induced maximum metabolism is significantly lower than exercise-induced maximum metabolism in rodents.