Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of a flexible grazing management strategy and leader/follower grazing on the milk production of grazing dairy cows and on sward characteristics

An experiment was carried out during 1984 to examine the effects of three alternative grazing strategies for January/February calved British Friesian dairy eows on sward and animal production. Cows were rotationally grazed across 1 d paddocks without concentrate supplementation from 30 April to 1 October. A flexible grazing (EG) treatment involved manipulating residual herbage height, as assessed by a rising-plate sward stick, with cows initially grazing to 80 mm, reducing to 60 mm when milk yield declined below 20 kg d−1 and finally to 50 mm when milk yield declined below 15 kgd−1. Control (C) cows grazed to a constant residual herbage height of 60 mm throughout the season (a 60-inm rising-plate sward stick height is equivalent to a sward surface height of approximately 80 mm). On a further treatment a leader/follower (LF) approach was used, with cows paired for calving date and parity and within pairs allocated to either a high-(leader) or a low-yielding (follower) group, according to milk yield at turnout, with the leader group grazing 1 d ahead of the follower group. Overall stocking rates on C and LE treatments were identical but herbage allowances differed as a result of treatment effects. Animal performance data for the FG, C and LE treatments, respectively, were: milk yield (kg d−1) 14·5, 14·7 and 16·0 (s.e. 0·59); milk fat yield (g d−1) 577, 571 and 637 (s.e. 29); milk protein yield (g d−1) 528, 527 and 576 (s.e. 19); and liveweight gain (kg d−1) 0·09, 0·20 and 0·14 (s.e. 0·04). Overall, there was no benefit in animal production following lax grazing in spring even with high-yielding cows, and this approach resulted in the accumulation of stem and senescent material in the sward in mid-season. However, preferential treatment of high-yielding cows by grazing as a leader group in a leader-follower system resulted in higher milk production, particularly in late season, with an overall improvement in milk yield for the LF treatment of 9% relative to treatment C.
Apaf-1 Oligomerizes into Biologically Active ∼700-kDa and Inactive ∼1.4-MDa Apoptosome Complexes*

Apaf-1, by binding to and activating caspase-9, plays a critical role in apoptosis. Oligomerization of Apaf-1, in the presence of dATP and cytochrome c, is required for the activation of caspase-9 and produces a caspase activating apoptosome complex. Reconstitution studies with recombinant proteins have indicated that the size of this complex is very large in the order of ∼1.4 MDa. We now demonstrate that dATP activation of cell lysates results in the formation of two large Apaf-1-containing apoptosome complexes with M r values of ∼1.4 MDa and ∼700 kDa. Kinetic analysis demonstrates that in vitro the ∼700-kDa complex is produced more rapidly than the ∼1.4 MDa complex and exhibits a much greater ability to activate effector caspases. Significantly, in human tumor monocytic cells undergoing apoptosis after treatment with either etoposide orN-tosyl-l-phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), the ∼700-kDa Apaf-1 containing apoptosome complex was predominately formed. This complex processed effector caspases. Thus, the ∼700-kDa complex appears to be the correctly formed and biologically active apoptosome complex, which is assembled during apoptosis.
Prey and predatory importance of micryphantid spiders in winter wheat fields and hay meadows

Abstract Micryphantidae (Erigone spp. and Oedothorax spp.) dominate the spider faunas on the ground surface of winter wheat fields and hay meadows (>75% of the numbers of spiders sampled with pitfall traps during the summer). These small spiders of 35% by numbers) and aphids (>25%) were the prey most frequently captured by micryphantid spiders. Larger and hard-bodied arthropods such as carabid and staphylinid beetles were missing in these spiders' prey spectrum. Micryphantidae were observed to be predaceous on the agriculturally harmful cereal aphids Rhopalosiphum padi L. and Sitobion avenae F. Since micryphantid spiders occur in the fields in fairly high numbers (estimated 12–53 ind./m2 in winter wheat, 13–25 ind./m2 in hay meadows) and since they feed largely on aphids, they are suspected to play a useful role as natural control agents in damping the aphids' population explosions. The efficiency of micryphantids as mortality agents may, however, be limited by the small size of these spiders and their webs (low food demand), suggesting that they have a low individual prey killing capacity. Zusammenfassung Beutespektrum und Effizienz der Zwergspinnen in Winterweizenfeldern und Mahwiesen Zwergspinnen aus den Gattungen Erigone und Oedothorax (Micryphantidae) dominieren in den epigaischen Spinnenfaunen von Winterweizenfeldern und Mahwiesen (> 75% der im Sommer mit Bodenfallen gefangenen Spinnen bezuglich der Individuenzahl). Diese sogenannten “Zwergspinnen” — die als Adulte 35% der Anzahl gefangener Beutetiere) und Blattlause (>25%). Grosere und gepanzerte Arthropoden, wie etwa die in den Feldern in hoher Abundanz vorkommenden Carabidae und Staphylinidae, fehlten im Beutespektrum dieser Spinnen. Es wurde beobachtet, das Micryphantidae naturliche Feinde der landwirtschaftlich schadlichen Getreideblattlause Rhopalosiphum padi L. und Sitobion avenae F. sind. Da Micryphantidae in den Feldern in recht hohen Besiedlungsdichten vorkommen (schatzungsweise 12–53 Ind./m2 in Winterweizen, 13–25 Ind./m2 in Mahwiesen) und sich zu einem grosen Teil aphidivor ernahren, werden sie verdachtigt, einen bremsenden Einflus auf die Bevolkerungsexplosionen von Blattlauspopulationen auszuuben. Die Effizienz der Micryphantidae als Mortalitatsfaktoren von Schadinsekten ist jedoch moglicherweise eingeschrankt durch die geringe Grose dieser Spinnen und ihrer Netze (geringer Nahrungsbedarf bzw. niedrige individuelle Totungskapazitat).
The intake of dietary fiber from grape seeds modifies the antioxidant status in rat cecum

The aim of this study was to measure the antioxidant activity and polyphenolic compounds in cecum and feces of rats fed with a grape seed concentrate. The grape concentrate was rich in indigestible compounds (dietary fiber, polyphenols and other associated compounds) which presented significant antioxidant activity. Polyphenols extracted by aqueous–organic solvents (extractable polyphenols, EPs) and non-extractable polyphenols (NEPs) exhibited high antioxidant capacity as measured by the ABTS method. High correlations were found between antioxidant capacity values and EP (r2 = 0.9608) and NEP content (r2 = 0.9179). EPs and NEPs exhibited considerable antioxidant activity within the large intestine. Significant antioxidant activity was also found in feces derived from excreted EPs and NEPs. The grape fiber concentrate enhanced the antioxidant status in the large intestine. The antioxidant activity in the intestinal content should be considered when assessing the effects of dietary components on bowel diseases. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Effluent from grass silage for finishing pigs

SUMMARY A total of 52 individually penned pigs (mean initial and final live weights (LW) of 31·7 and 81·5 kg, respectively) was used in a randomized block experiment at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, in 1984. The treatments were based on dietary regimes which comprised a control diet in which meal was offered at 86 g dry matter/k W0·75 per day or diets in which silage effluent was substituted for part of the allowance of meal of the control diet at 125, 175, 225 and 275 g/kg on a dry matter basis to give 0·125, 0·175, 0·225 and 0·275 effluent diets. There was also a negative control diet in which meal was offered at 850 g/kg of the rate of feeding of the control diet. Each of these dietary treatments included water available ad libitum. In a further treatment, effluent was substituted for 225 g/kg of the meal allowance of the control treatment on a dry matter basis, but additional water was not offered. The treatment based on the 0·275 effluent diet was omitted from the first four replicates. Some refusals of diet occurred at the higher rates of effluent feeding, with mean refusals of 7, 11 and 21 g/kg, respectively, for the 0·175, 0·225 and 0·275 effluent diets on a dry matter basis. Significant linear and quadratic contrasts (P <0·01) were found for daily LW gain, feed conversion ratio and total liquid intake. The quadratic response curves for daily LW gain and feed conversion ratio had relatively flat peaks, optimum values occurring at concentrations of effluent in the diet of 95 (S.E. 17) and 99 (S.E. 15) g/kg, respectively. From the response curves, performance in terms of LW gain and feed conversion ratio was equal, or superior, to that obtained with the control diet at concentrations of effluent of up to 190 (S.E. 33) and 199 (S.E. 30) g/kg, respectively, but deteriorated at higher concentrations of effluent. Additional water was consumed at all rates of inclusion of effluent. However, from the quadratic equations, the total consumption of liquid was lower with diets containing effluent at up to 161 g/kg of diet than with the control diet.
New insights into the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic relapsing disorder commonly encountered in the primary care setting. Considerable uncertainty still exists with respect to basic questions concerning pathophysiological factors and the cause of extraoesophageal symptoms in some patients with GERD. The numerous receptors located in the muscular layer at the site of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) are under neurological control. These receptors are of interest in the investigation of both LES dysfunction and new potential pharmacological approaches for GERD. Therapies for GERD, based on various pathophysiological mechanisms, with attention to either drug inhibition of acid secretion, protection of the oesophageal mucosa, influencing salivary composition or improving oesophageal clearance, have been reviewed. Alternative approaches to the more traditional treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease are also being pursued. In particular, pharmacological efforts towards modification of intrinsic and extrinsic neurological controls of oesophageal motility, aimed at improving LES function, are discussed.
Umpiring

Abstract Umpire (or referee) recruitment and retention is an issue for many sports, yet little is known about the positive experiences that influence an individual's decision to continue umpiring. This research examined umpiring as serious leisure. Nineteen volunteer umpires in Australian Rules football were interviewed. There are four key findings from this research: individuals actively choose to umpire rather than to engage in other leisure activities; individuals derive meaning from engaging in umpiring, and understand themselves as athletes; umpires experience isolation; and, socialisation within the umpire group is important group cohesion and assists in reinforcing identity and meaning. Umpiring is a serious leisure pursuit that can be complementary to other leisure activities. This research outlines strategies for recruitment and retention.
The projection of the lateral geniculate body on the cerebral cortex of the opossum, didelphis virginiana

Considerable evidence has been accumulated during relatively recent years which demonstrates rather conclusively that the lateral geniculate body forms the principal, and probably the only, gateway for visual impulses passing to the cerebral cortex, and that the striate area of Elliot Smith (field 17 of Brodmann) constitutes the principal, and perhaps the only, part of the cerebral cortex which receives the terminals of nerve fibers arising in the lateral geniculate body. These conclusions have been reached mainly because experimentally produced lesions in the striate area, and in no other part of the cortex, of rabbits (Monakow, 1881, 1883-1885; and the Putnams, '26), dogs and cats (Monakow, 1889 ; Minkowski, '11, '13), rats (Lashley, '34 a) and monkeys (Brouwer et al., '28; Heuven, '29; and Poliak, '32, '33) result in definite and consistently localized foci of degeneration in the ispsilateral dorsal nucleus of the lateral geniculate body, and in no other subcortical centers. The position of these foci of degeneration
The meanings of weaning: Growth, lactation, and life history

Hooded seal pups are suckled for a total of four days; chimpanzees and elephants sometimes are suckled for as long as eight years. This enormous range suggests considerable diversity in reproductive strategies. Lactation represents early maternal effort, whereas weaning is the infant's transition to nutritional independence. Weaning behavior is thus important from two interconnected perspectives: that of the infant during this transition and that of the mother with the cessation of lactation and the resumption of her reproductive capacity. What controls such diversity in the duration of lactation? What are the consequences of this diversity for mothers in terms of reproduction and for infants in terms of their growth and survival? How are differences in lactation reflected in behavioral interactions? The answers to these questions involve consideration of weaning and growth, and have implications for life histories.
Collage

Abstract This paper discusses collage as a method of inquiry in a participatory action research project, which examined the meaning of healing with Aboriginal women and the meaning of leisure in their experiences of healing. The discussion highlights how simultaneous analysis, synthesis, and representation led to a rhizomatic process and multivocal understandings. Given that the project was also founded upon Indigenous epistemologies, this artistic means supported Indigenous ways of knowing by enabling emotional and spiritual connections throughout the process. Metaphor, symbolism, and interpretive communication are used to move beyond binary thought patterns and language. As such, collage has the potential to communicate a poignant and evocative message, thereby contributing to creating a strong platform for social justice.
Identification of amino acid residues responsible for the α5  subunit binding selectivity of L‐655,708, a benzodiazepine binding site ligand at the GABAA receptor

L‐655,708 is a ligand for the benzodiazepine site of the γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor that exhibits a 100‐fold higher affinity for α5‐containing receptors compared with α1‐containing receptors. Molecular biology approaches have been used to determine which residues in the α5 subunit are responsible for this selectivity. Two amino acids have been identified, α5Thr208 and α5Ile215, each of which individually confer approximately 10‐fold binding selectivity for the ligand and which together account for the 100‐fold higher affinity of this ligand at α5‐containing receptors. L‐655,708 is a partial inverse agonist at the GABAA receptor which exhibited no functional selectivity between α1‐ and α5‐containing receptors and showed no change in efficacy at receptors containing α1 subunits where amino acids at both of the sites had been altered to their α5 counterparts (α1ΔSer205‐Thr,Val212‐Ile). In addition to determining the binding selectivity of L‐655,708, these amino acid residues also influence the binding affinities of a number of other benzodiazepine (BZ) site ligands. They are thus important elements of the BZ site of the GABAA receptor, and further delineate a region just N‐terminal to the first transmembrane domain of the receptor α subunit that contributes to this binding site.
Differential Responses to Hunting in Two Sympatric Species of Brocket Deer (Mazama americana and M. nana)

Hunting by humans may affect the abundance and activity patterns of game species. We examined the effect of hunting on the abundance and activity patterns of sympatric red brocket deer Mazama americana and dwarf brocket deer M. nana. We conducted four camera‐trap surveys (158 sampling stations, 10,244 trap‐days, total area sampled 1200 km2) in three areas within the Atlantic Forest of Misiones, Argentina, that differ in protection and hunting pressure. We used logistic regression and tests of independence to evaluate if protection, hunting pressure, and other independent variables affect the probability of recording each species and their recording rate. We used the Mardia–Watson–Wheeler test to examine if the daily activity pattern differs between species and changes with hunting pressure. Red brocket deer were more frequently recorded (397 records, 58% of stations) than dwarf brocket deer (100 records, 37% of stations). The probability of recording red brockets was higher in areas with better protection and increased with the distance to the main accesses used by poachers. The probability of recording dwarf brockets was higher in areas with low protection. Red brockets were more nocturnal than dwarf brockets, a difference that may reduce interspecific competition. However, red brockets were more diurnal in the best‐protected areas, suggesting that they can adjust their activity to local hunting pressure. Hunting has opposite effects on the abundance of these deer and may facilitate their coexistence. Hunting should be carefully controlled or managed to ensure the conservation of these little known species.
Mediated masculinities

[12—The role of media discourses in the configurations of masculinity is at once contradictory and unstable, as well as aligned with powerful, contemporary social discourses. Increasing attention to the male body and masculinity in all forms of communication media is an important cultural phenomenon. Critical media studies of masculinity should be attentive to this phenomenon and the dynamics of race, class, sexualities, and other social relations that fragment masculinity into masculinities. This fragmentation does not, however, mean a loss of social power. Four scholars who work in the area of gender, sexuality, and communication studies explore this unstable discursive terrain in the following essays in order to highlight some aspects in the current state of thinking about masculinities. Roseann M. Mandzjuk explores current feminist thinking about masculinity and uncovers three critical themes: the description of masculinity as hegemonic, yet provisional; the analysis of masculinity as crossing borders beyond that of gender difference; and the characterization of masculinity as transgressive masquerade. She notes that feminist scholars are moving away from treating masculinity as a homogenous and monolithic force and are seeing it instead as existing in a dialectically relationship with femininity, a state of affairs which produces ongoing struggles and explorations about the cultural meanings of both. Fred Corey examines masculinity as performance, "the embodied engagement of literary and cultural texts for the sake of an audience. "He reviews four recent works with particular focus on the "drag king" culture, females performing as men. He notes that such performance presents a critique of "masculinity" as a cultural production. These works interrogate "borders" and border crossings, and through each into relief masculinity as an embodied act. Thomas Nakayama structures his remarks around a discussion of four recent studies which addressed the issue of race and masculinity. He notes that a discussion of race and masculinity typically runs the risk of defining "race" as "blackness," a state of affairs which provides insightful analysis of African American masculinity, but which often deflects attention away from other racializpd masculinities, including white masculinity. Fred Fejes notes that most discussion of masculinity utilize a two-sex model of the body, a cultural
Coexistence of GABAA and GABAB receptors on Aδ and C primary afferents

1 Intracellular recordings from adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurones were performed in vitro and the coexistence of two γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors on the membrane of identified Aδ and C primary afferents was demonstrated. 2 Transient applications of GABA (10−6 − 10−2m) evoked dose‐dependent depolarizations and increased membrane conductance. The responses were mimicked by muscimol, isoguvacine, THIP and 3 amino propane sulphonic acid (3 APS); they were blocked by bicuculline and picrotoxin. Pentobarbitone induced an increase of GABA‐induced depolarizations. 3 Perfusion of tetraethylammonium (TEA, 7.5 mm) and intracellular injection of Cs+ ions unmasked the Ca2+ component of action potentials, which appeared as long‐lasting plateau depolarizations. Such action potentials were shortened in the presence of methoxyverapamil (D600, 5 × 10−6‐ 10−5m) and in a medium without Ca+ ions. 4 Prolonged (5–10 min) perfusion of GABA (10−9‐10−5m) shortened the Ca2+ component of action potentials. This effect was mimicked by baclofen (10−7‐5 × 10−6m) and muscimol (5 × 10−7‐10−5m) and was not affected by bicuculline perfusion (5 × 10−6‐10−5m). Isoguvacine (2.5 × 10−5m) did not affect action potential duration. 5 It is concluded that two GABA receptors coexist on the membrane of slow conducting primary afferents: the bicuculline‐sensitive GABAA receptor mediates depolarizations and the bicuculline‐insensitive GABAB receptor shortens the calcium component of action potentials.
Some Probabilistic Interpretations of the Multinomial Theorem

Summary We give a simple probabilistic proof of an important combinatorial identity. In the process, we show via probabilistic arguments that there are exactly terms in the multinomial expansion of (λ1 + λ2 + ⋯ + λm)n. Also, an alternate probabilistic proof of the multinomial theorem is obtained using the convolution property of the Poisson distribution.
Characteristics of Articular Chondrocytes Seeded in Collagen Matrices in Vitro

This study directly compared the behavior of adult human and canine and young bovine (calf) chondrocytes in porous type I and II collagen matrices. Certain characteristics of the cells varied among these groups, with the calf cells being relatively heterogeneous. There was a similar trend, however, in the behavior of the cells in the matrices with a majority of the cells in the type II sponge retaining their chondrocytic characteristics. Collagen production by chondrocytes in matrices, as assessed by SDS-PAGE, also varied with the chemistry of the matrix.
The provision of supplementary food to hive bees.

Sucrose syrup is less satisfactory than honey as a winter and spring food for bees: a mixture of approximately equal parts of honey and syrup is of almost the same value as honey alone. Feeding confined to early autumn induced the strongest spring development of colonies; syrup feeding in the spring may retard colony development, and food supplied at this time is apparently wasted. Feeding with syrup and pollen is advantageous only when a colony is lacking in stores of carbohydrate and protein. A total of four British Standard brood combs full of pollen provides sufficient protein for a colony on B.S. equipment from autumn until April: the best results were obtained by providing colonies on eleven B.S. combs, in early autumn, with 35-40 lb. of honey, or honey and concentrated sucrose syrup, and four brood combs full of pollen.