Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracellular organic carbon dynamics during a bottom-ice algal bloom (Antarctica)

Antarctic fast ice provides a habitat for diverse microbial communities, the biomass of which is mostly dominated by diatoms capable of growing to high standing stocks, particularly at the icewater interface. While it is known that ice algae exude organic carbon in ecologically significant quantities, the mechanisms behind its distribution and composition are not well under- stood. This study investigated extracellular organic carbon dynamics, microbial characteristics, and ice algal photophysiology during a bottom-ice algal bloom at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Over a 2 wk period (November to December 2011), ice within 15 cm from the icewater interface was collected and sliced into 9 discrete sections. Over the observational period, the total concen- trations of extracellular organic carbon components (dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total carbohydrates (TCHO) — the sum of monosaccharides (CHOMono) and polysaccharides (CHOPoly)) increased, and were positively correlated with algal biomass. However, when normalised to chlorophyll a, the proportion of extracellular organic carbon components substantially decreased from initial measurements. Concentrations of DOC generally consisted of <20% TCHO, typically dominated by CHOMono, which decreased from initial measurements. This change was coincident with improved algal photophysiology (maximum quantum yield) and an increase in sea-ice brine volume fraction, indicating an increased capacity for fluid transport between the brine channel matrix and the underlying sea water. Our study supports the suggestion that microbial exudation of organic carbon within the sea-ice habitat is associated with vertical and temporal changes in brine physicochemistry.
Targeted mutation breeding of horticultural plants

Mutation breeding can be enhanced by genetic selection for novel alleles. Through targeted mutation breeding, genotypes with induced or natural mutations in candidate genes are identified for cultivar development. For most horticultural plants, targeted mutation breeding may be a more economically feasible approach to trait development than through transgenic technology. Substantial progress has been made in applying targeted mutation breeding to horticulture and this review summarizes recently published work in this area. To date, at least 16 horticultural crops have been screened for natural or induced allelic diversity in over 100 candidate genes. This approach has resulted in traits of commercial use, such as longer shelf-life (tomato, melon), improved starch quality (potato), and virus-resistance (peppers, tomato). Advances in genome sequencing and genetic screening will facilitate the development of cultivars with value-added traits derived from candidate gene polymorphisms.
Production of salmonid amoebic gill disease by exposure to Paramoeba sp. harvested from the gills of infected fish

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. , were exposed to different concentrations of Paramoeba sp. The lowest concentration which induced amoebic gill disease (AGD) was 230 Paramoeba sp. L-1 and the severity of infection increased with increasing concentration. The concentration of Paramoeba sp. positively correlated with the number of gill lesions (R2 > 0.7). This study provides evidence that Paramoeba sp. is the causative agent of AGD and describes an experimental model that enables the severity of the induced disease to be controlled.
Mikkel A. J. KvasnesTorstein Storaas Hans Chr. PedersenSvein BjørkErlend B. Nilsen Spatial dynamics of Norwegian tetraonid populations

Different species in a given site or population of a given species in different sites may fluctuate in syn- chrony if they are affected similarly by factors such as spatially autocorrelated climate, predation, or by dis- persal between populations of one species. We used county wise time series of hunting bag records of four Norwegian tetraonid species covering 24 years to exam- ine patterns of interspecific and intraspecific synchrony. We estimated synchrony at three spatial scales; national, regional (consisting of counties with similar climate), and county level. Ecologically related species with overlap- ping distributions exhibited strong synchrony across Norway, but there was much variation between the dif- ferent regions and counties. Regions with a long coastline to both the North Sea and the Norwegian Ocean exhibited an overall stronger synchrony than those con- sisting of more continental areas. Intraspecific synchrony was generally low across all counties, but stronger syn- chrony between counties within regions defined by climatic conditions. Synchrony was negatively related to distance between populations in three of four species. Only the synchrony in willow ptarmigan showed a clear negative relationship with distance, while the other spe- cies had both strong positive and negative correlations at short distances. Strong interspecific synchrony between some species pairs within regions and weak intraspecific synchrony across counties within regions suggest a stronger synchronizing effect from environmental factors such as weather or predation and less effect from dis- persal. Our results suggest that the complete tetraonid community is structured by environmental factors affecting the different species similarly and causes wide- spread interspecific synchrony. Local factors affecting the population dynamics nevertheless frequently forces neighbouring populations out of phase.
Effects of the addition of water-filled bladders or volatile fatty acids to the rumen on the feeding behaviour in lactating dairy cows at different stages of lactation

Effects of volatile fatty acids (VFA) infu-sions on dry matter intake (DMI) differ in lactating compared to dry cows (Faverdin, 1990). The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of satiation signals produced in the rumen on the feeding behaviour of dairy cows throughout lactation. Two satiation tests (rumen bladders and VFA infusion) were carried out at 4, 9, 15 and 35 wk after calving in 4 lactating dairy cows fitted with rumen cannula. Each test consisted of a se-quential comparison of DMI and eating rate be- tween 3 d of control and 3 d of treatment, with 3 d rest between the 2 tests. In the first test, the effect of the reduction of rumen volume by a 20-1 water-filled bladder (WFB) was compared to a bladder-free control. In the second test, a con-tinuous infusion of 20.3 MJ/d volatile fatty acid (VFA) mixture (acetic/propionic/butyric acids, 10.8, 3.37, 2.55 mol/d respectively) into the ru- men was compared to a control infusion (7 g NaCl, 3.7 g KCI and 2.4 ml HCI 2 N per I water) with the same volume, pH and osmolality char-acteristics (50 1, 2.8, 340 mosm/I respectively). A mixed pelleted diet (0.97 FUm and 164 g of CP/kg DM) was offered ad libitum once daily. The DMI the control infusion
Net Returns from Using Genetically Superior Sires

Abstract The net present value of a unit of semen from a genetically superior sire is compared with the net present value of a unit from a sire with predicted difference milk of zero. The method includes all ensuing female progeny and lactations in as many future generations as desired. Variables include conception rate for the initial unit of semen, probabilities of survival of cows to various ages, predicted difference milk and fat for the sire, price of milk, mature equivalent production factors to convert to actual yield, probability of female calves, age at first calving, calving interval, costs of extra feed and health care for daughters of superior sires, minimum attractive annual rate of return, years to recover investment, and the base price of a unit of semen from an average bull with predicted difference of zero. For a fixed set of parameters, the net present value varies linearly with the predicted difference for dollar value (PD$) of the bull. In a typical example with milk selling for $22.05/100 kg, the net present value for semen from a bull with PD of +454 kg compared with an average bull is . 39 PD$, . 25 PD$, . 05 PD$ for years of investment recovery 20, 10, and 4, the latter representing one lactation from the initial daughter. Returns are from milk only. Semen from genetically average bulls with high rates of conception is as valuable as semen from high PD bulls with average conception. Conception rate influences whole lactations in addition to genetic superiority.
The return of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Dutch coastal waters

The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) became virtually extinct in Dutch coastal waters in the early 1960s. A systematic method to record seabird passage along the coast became established in the early 1970s and was used ever since. These observations allowed a reconstruction of the return of the elusive harbour porpoi- se in Dutch coastal waters. A small, but gradually increasing number of sightings in the mid-1980s to early 1990s was followed by a proportional rate of increase of 41% per annum over the last 15 years. At first, only full-grown animals were seen and the occurrence was virtually restricted to mid-winter. In later years, numbers sharply in- creased in winter, and more and more animals were seen also in summer and autumn, including mother-calf com- binations. Both the historic decline and the recent increase are concurrent with similar trends in strandings and at- sea survey data. Unambiguous explanations for the initial decline have never been given and it is equally difficult to fully understand the come-back. There is evidence, however, that distributional shifts rather than population fluctuations underlie the trends observed. The re-distribution of harbour porpoises in the North Sea may have been triggered by local reductions or shifts in principal prey availability.
HOW PREY RESPOND TO COMBINED PREDATORS: A REVIEW AND AN EMPIRICAL TEST

Studies of phenotypic plasticity frequently ask how organisms respond to a change in their environment, but most organisms do not experience single environmental changes. Therefore, we need to move to the next step and understand how organisms respond to combinations of environmental changes. Recent studies of predator-induced plasticity have addressed how prey respond to different combinations of predators. I briefly review 22 studies of combined predator effects on prey phenotypes and identify four factors that make it difficult to interpret the results of these studies: (1) uncontrolled prey consumption, (2) a low number of prey traits, (3) a low number of predator combinations, and (4) confounded predator composition and total predator density. I address these challenges in an experiment that examined how wood frog tadpoles (Rana sylvatica) altered 12 behavioral, morphological, and life historical traits in response to four different caged predators (Erythemis, Belostoma, Dytiscus, and Anax). The pred.
Identification of PCR- based DNA markers flanking three low phytic acid mutant loci in barley

Phytic acid (PA) is the most abundant form of phosphorus (P) in cereal grains. PA chelates mineral cations to form an indigestible salt and is thus regarded as an antinutritional agent and a contributor to water pollution. Grain with low phytic acid (lpa) genotypes could aid in mitigating this problem. In barley, more than 20 lpa mutant lines have been isolated, representing at least 6 different genetic loci. These mutants have significantly reduced levels of seed PA, which are largely replaced by inorganic P, a form readily digestable by animals. Use of lpa lines in breeding has proved a practical approach for improvement of phosphorus nutrition in barley. Efficient utilization of these loci in marker-assisted selection breeding programs requires identification of closely-linked, high-throughput molecular markers. Here we report development of flanking, PCR-based markers for 3 major lpa loci in barley: lpa1-1 (M422), lpa2-1 linked locus (M640), and a locus linked to the myo-inositol 1-phosphate synthase (MIPS) gene (M678). In addition, marker position accuracy in the MIPs region has been improved by detection and elimination of marker redundancy. Key words: Barley breeding, SSR marker, low phytic acid (lpa), grain nutrition.
At least five rhizobial species nodulate Phaseolus vulgaris in a Spanish soil

The genetic relationships among bacteria nodulating Phaseolus vulgaris in a soil of Granada, Spain, were investigated by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, restriction fragment length polymorphism and partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes and restriction fragment length polymorphisms of symbiotic genes. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analysis of 39 isolates determined 11 different electrophoretic types, clustered into three main genetic groups. Genetic distances between groups were above 0.8. Five different 16S rRNA gene alleles were identified in this population, corresponding to previously described rhizobial species, Rhizobium etli, Sinorhizobium fredii, Rhizobium gallicum, Rhizobium giardinii and Rhizobium leguminosarum. Using R. etli strain CFN42 nifH and nodB genes as hybridization probes, identical restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles were found among isolates belonging to four different 16S rRNA gene species, indicative of interspecific gene transfer. Most of the bean-nodulating strains carried three copies of nifH and strongly hybridized to the nodB gene of R. etli CFN42, suggesting that their symbiotic plasmid genes are organized similarly. Combined data from multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and 16S allele characterization indicate that more than five bacterial species compose this rhizobial population, as almost identical 16S rDNA alleles were identified in isolates belonging to deeply divergent multilocus enzyme electrophoresis lineages.
Dermatopathology of Caprine Scabies and Protective Immunity in Sensitised Goats Against Sarcoptes scabiei Reinfestation

The purpose of this study was to compare macroscopic dermatopathology in naive and sensitised goats, and to assess protective immunity possessed by sensitised goats against Sarcoptes scabiei challenge. Eighteen goats were allocated evenly into 3 groups; group 1 sensitised with the mite twice, group 2 once and group 3 was not sensitised (naive). Sensitisation was done by infesting goats with the mites on the auricle and infestation was allowed to progress for 7 weeks, then the goats were treated with Ivermectin to obtain complete recovery. After sensitisation, all sensitised and naive goats were infested with the mites on the auricles. Infestation in the sensitised goat caused severe immediate hypersensitivity that resulted in severe peracute pustular dermatitis. After one week, however, the lesion waned slowly. At 7 weeks post infestation, the remnant of lesion could only be perceived by palpation on the primary site of infestation as a mild papular dermatitis. Infestation on the naive goats, in contrast, produced slowly progressing lesions which at 7-week post infestation, it ended up with severe crusted scabies affecting almost the whole skin. Antigens responsible for the immediate hypersensitivity which are supposedly contained in the mite secretions or excretions are immunologically protective but unlikely to have the capacity to induce a complete protection against mite challenge in immunised animals. This notion is based on the fact obtained from this study that goats sensitised twice did not possess a higher immune protection against mite challenge than goats sensitised once. Key words : Sarcoptes scabiei var. caprae , sensitisation, protective immunity, immediate hypersensitive
NEST SITE SELECTION BY FLORIDA SCRUB-JAYS IN NATURAL AND HUMAN-MODIFIED HABITATS

Abstract Bird species having specialized nesting substrates could suffer reduced reproductive success in habitats modified by human activities where optimal nest sites may be in short supply. We examined nest sites of Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) in intact, natural oak scrub and in scrub islands embedded in a suburban matrix. Despite differences in vegetation structure between natural and suburban scrubs, scrub-jays used scrub oaks (Quercus spp.) as substrate for >80% of all nests in both habitats. Because of fire suppression, vegetation in suburban scrubs tended to be taller than in natural scrubs; however, in both habitats jays appeared to prefer shrubs slightly taller than those available. In both habitats, nest height increased with nest shrub height, but the relationship was stronger in suburbs. In suburbs, the height of nests relative to nest shrub height remained constant, whereas in natural scrub, nest height declined relative to nest shrub height. In both habitats, nests built near the top of shrubs were associated with the presence of Smilax spp. , a perennial vine that provides dense foliage near the crown of oak shrubs. However, 68% of all nests in suburbs were associated with Smilax, whereas in natural scrub 9% of nest sites had Smilax. Few nest site characteristics, including habitat, were associated with nest failure, but nests built in oak shrubs were more successful than nests built in other vegetation. Suburban nests built near the top of relatively tall shrubs appeared to be more vulnerable to wind damage.
Immunity to Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus is one of the most immunodominant antigens that are encountered by the human immune system. The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) exhibits a broad cellular tropism and can infect most major organ systems and cell types. Immunologic control of HCMV replication includes several distinct categories of effector cells: natural killer cells, macrophages, B cells and T cells however virus-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells appear to play a pivotal role. The importance of cell mediated immunity against CMV is exemplified by the occurrence of severe and prolonged HCMV infection in immunocompromised individuals, including transplant recipients, late stage -HIV patients, congenitally infected neonates, elderly subjects and/or septic patients. Severely impaired T-cell function leads to viral reactivation and consequences are widely variable, ranging from asymptomatic infections to life-threatening situations. Monitoring of protective HCMV-specific immune response may serve as an early predictive marker for identifying individuals at high risk for HCMV disease prior to the detection of increased viremia. The identification of patients who are at high risk of CMV is a more complex challenge for the laboratory. Mainly HCMV specific T cell immunity, resp. enumeration of CD8+ HCMV specific T cells would be expected to correlate with the incidence of HCMV disease. Recently, it has become possible to enumerate antigen-specific CD8+ T cells by using tetramers. HCMVspecific cellular immunity by evaluating the activation capacity of CD8+ T cells to a mitogenic stimulus or whole HCMV antigen or HCMV peptides assessed by IFNγ ELISPOT or ELISA seem to be promising in the assessment of HCMV specific function/immunity. However the clinical utility of these assays will need to be evaluated.
Species segregation during predator evasion in cyprinid fish shoals

SUMMARY. 1. When a predator attacks a mixed-species group, individual prey arc faced with a conflict between retaining the advantages of large group size and the disadvantages of remaining among aliens. Experiments were designed to show how this conflict is resolved in fish shoals. 2. Simulated attacks with a model predator were made upon mixed and single species shoals of three cyprinid species under semi-natural conditions in a fluvarium. 3. Measurements of elective group size, neighbour identity and distance, and encounters within and between species revealed behaviour which sorted fish into species at the onset of predator attack. 4. A control experiment demonstrated the same effect for fish of matched size. 5. The value to the individual of segregative behaviour in response to predator threat is discussed.
Local attitudes toward community-based conservation policy and programmes in Nepal: a case study in the Makalu-Barun Conservation Area

Community-based conservation (CBC) has been projected as the most practical approach to stem biodiversity loss in developing countries. Since CBC is 'people-centred' and experience with it is relatively new, it is important to know the views of local communities regarding implemented policies and programmes. This paper examines the attitudes of local communities toward policy and programmes implemented by a project under the CBC approach in the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area of Nepal, based on a 1996 survey of 400 people living in it. Overall, respondents did not have a particularly favourable perception of the community development programmes implemented. Strong support existed for ecotourism development in the Conservation Area. Respondents overwhelmingly endorsed community forestry. Wildlife protection remained a low priority amongst a significant majority of respondents. Some demographic and socio-economic factors exerted important influences on the attitudes of respondents. This study suggests that the project should continue addressing local development needs, encourage women's participation in community forestry, work toward dispute settlement of community forest-user groups, and allow hunting of pest wild animals, if it wants to win the support of local communities for long-term biodiversity conservation goals.
Oviposition preferences of the Japanese Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar japonica (Motschulsky, 1860) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lymantriinae), on evergreen broad-leafed tree leaves in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

2 Abstract: Female gypsy moths, Lymantria dispar dispar (Linnaeus, 1758), commonly deposit their egg masses on tree trunks in Europe and North America. However, in northern Japan (Hokkaido and northern Honshu) females of L. umbrosa (Butler, 1881) and L. dispar japonica (Motschulsky, 1860) show a strong preference for white birch, Betula platyphylla Sukatschev var. japonica (Miq.) Hara (Betulaceae), trunks. In those areas of Japan where white birches are absent, it has been unclear where most oviposition occurs. In southern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, where evergreen broad-leafed trees exist, a preliminary egg mass survey failed to find egg masses on any tree trunks. Subsequently an intensive survey of 1115 individual trees (of 36 different species) in three broad-leafed forest plots found 126 egg masses of which 125 (99.2%) were on Quercus glauca (Thunb.) (Fagaceae), Camellia japonica L. (Theaceae), Eurya japonica Thunb. (Theaceae), or Ilex purpurea Hassk (Aquifoliaceae), and 111 egg masses were positioned on the undersurface of new- growth Q. glauca leaves. In southern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, gypsy moth egg mass surveys in the future should focus on the evergreen leaves of broad-leaved trees, especially Q. glauca.