Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nomadic movement in tropical toads

Dispersal is a critical aspect of the biology of most organisms, but movement patterns are poorly known for most animals. Knowledge of movement patterns allows biologists to construct realistic spatial models, either for theoretical or empirical purposes. Cane toads (Bufo marinus) have high survival rates (30–70% per annum in Australia), but very low recapture rates over long periods in marking studies, suggesting that they may be nomadic. Here we model the movement patterns of cane toads to determine whether they move nomadically. Using radiotracking, we quantified the movements of 64 cane toads, at two widely separated locations in northern Australia. We established that toad movements were indeed nomadic by comparing real movements with those generated by an individual-based, correlated random walk model that selected randomly from empirical distributions of movement parameters. In the wet season, at both locations, real movements were similar to those generated by the model, indicating that toads moved nomadically during this time of year. During the dry season at both locations, toads used a smaller area and travelled less straight paths than predicted by the model. Nomadic movements were more common and extensive during the wet season, although some individuals moved nomadically at all times of year. To determine whether the model provided a good description of toad movements over the long term, we compared observed disappearance rates from a mark-recapture study conducted in one of our study sites, with disappearance rates predicted by the model. There was good agreement between these two methods of measuring toad movements. Previous studies indicated that food availability was lowest and desiccation risk and predation risk were highest in the dry season, suggesting that nomadic movement of toads is most extensive when the costs of movement due to desiccation, predation and energy limitation are lowest.
Environmental limits to coral reef development: Where do we draw the line?

SYNOPSIS. Understanding how reefs vary over the present ranges of environmental conditions is key to understanding how coral reefs will adapt to a changing environment. Global environmental data of temperature, salinity, light, carbonate saturation state, and nutrients were recently compiled for nearly 1,000 reef locations. These data were statistically analyzed to (1) re-define environmental limits over which reefs exist today, (2) identify “marginal” reefs; i.e., those that exist near or beyond “normal” environmental limits of reef distribution, and (3) broadly classify reefs based on these major environmental variables. Temperature and salinity limits to coral reefs, as determined by this analysis, are very near those determined by previous researchers; but precise nutrient levels that could be considered limiting to coral reefs were not obvious at the scale of this analysis. However, in contrast to many previous studies that invoke low temperature as the reef-limiting factor at higher latitudes, this study indicates that reduced aragonite saturation and light penetration, both of which covary with temperature, may also be limiting. Identification of “marginal” reef environments, and a new classification of reefs based on suites of environmental conditions, provide an improved global perspective toward predicting how reefs will respond to changing environmental conditions.
Accumulation and Distribution of Mineral Elements in the Annual Lupins Lupinus albus L. and Lupinus angustifolius L.

The mineral nutrition of L, albus and L. angustifolius was studied under nutrient-sufficient conditions in sand culture. Mineral accumulation by both species was closely synchronized with dry matter accumulation. Fruits acquired major proportions of the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc of both species. Leaflets were major sites of accumulation of calciun~, iron and manganese; stem and petioles accumulated substantial amounts of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and sodium. Intensities of intake of calcium, magnesium and iron by roots of L. angustifolius were higher than in L, albus. The situation was reversed for sodium. Cotyledon reserves of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc were mobilized to seedling parts with 85-97 % efficiency, other elements much less effectively. During fruiting, vegetative parts of the shoot showed net losses of 60-80 % of their nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, 20-50 % of their magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper, and less than 15 % of their calcium and sodium. Mobilization from vegetative structures was generally more efficient in L. albus than in L. angustifolius. Leaflets showed higher mobilization efficiencies than stem and petioles. Post-anthesis mobilization furnished the equivalent of 23-59 % of the fruit's intake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and manganese, 10-25 % of the zinc, calcium, iron and copper, and 2 % or less of the sodium. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium attained higher concentrations in fruits than in mature, non-reproductive parts; less mobile elements (calcium, sodium, iron and manganese) showed the opposite effect. Concentrations of sodium and manganese were especially low in fruits of L. angustifolius compared with L. albus.
Los fenómenos de bioestimulación sexual en ovejas y cabras

The introduction of males and estrous females among anestric goats and ewes induces synchronous ovulations in the following 3-5 days (the male and female effect). The signal of males is partly pheromonal, and this leads to an increase in the frequency of pulses of the luteinizing hormone (LH). The percentage of responding females to the male odor is lower than for females in direct contact with males, and it indicates that all senses are probably involved in the response but none is necessary. In spite the small evidence, it appears that the female effect produces the same mechanisms. The first induced ovulation is silent in a variable percentage of females, and followed by a short luteal phase. A second LH peak is then released, inducing a second ovulation and the formation of a normal corpus luteum. Depth of anoestrous and sexual activity of males affect the response too: increasing the percentage of silent ovulations and of short ovarian cycles when the anoestrus is deep and the male is sexually inactive. Depth of anoestrus affects the female effect response. In this review, all senses and factors that are probably involved in the response to the male and female effect are discussed.
Application of microalgae biomass in poultry nutrition

The aim of this review is to discuss the use of microalgae as a feed ingredient in poultry nutrition. Microalgae are unicellular, photosynthetic aquatic plants. They are introduced to poultry diets mainly as a rich source of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, including docohexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid, but they can also serve as a protein, microelement, vitamin and antioxidants source, as well as a pigmentation agent for skin and egg yolks. The majority of experiments have shown that microalgae, mainly Spirulina and Chlorella sourced as a defatted biomass from biofuel production, can be successfully used as a feed ingredient in poultry nutrition. They can have beneficial effects on meat and egg quality, i.e. via an increased concentration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids, and in regards to performance indices and immune function. Positive results were obtained when fresh microalgae biomass was used to replace antibiotic growth promoters in poultry diets. In conclusion, because of their chemical composition, microalgae can be efficiently used in poultry nutrition to enhance the pigmentation and nutritional value of meat and eggs, as well as partial replacement of conventional dietary protein sources.
3D-microanatomy of the straight-shelled pteropod Creseis clava (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia: Euthecosomata)

The Thecosomata are pelagic euopisthobranch pteropods that are important for marine food chains, but threatened by ocean acidification. Members of the suborder Euthecosomata are either torted snails with a coiled, sinistral shell (Limacinidae) or are straight-shelled with a symmetrical body and an unusual ventral mantle cavity (Orthoconcha). The classification and taxonomy of euthecosomes still depends on shells, but is being challenged by initial molecular data. There is a large body of morphoanatomical information dating from the beginning of the last century, and only biological (rather than soft-part anatomical) detail has been added since. For our initial study on pteropod morphoanatomy we have selected the potentially basal orthoconch genus Creseis Rang, 1828. Supplementing Meisenheimer’s (1905) monographic work, we redescribe the microanatomy of the Mediterranean C. clava (Rang, 1828) from serial semithin sections and present 3D-models of all major organ systems. In the absence of histological differences we interpret the head to be fused with the foot, forming the wings with reduced labial tentacles and rhinophores. The postpharyngeal nerve ring is strongly condensed, showing fused buccal ganglia and a short visceral loop with two discernable ganglia. The genital system is monaulic and hermaphroditic, with female glands and a potential allosperm receptacle of unclear homology. An open seminal groove connects with the frontal copulatory organ, which shows complex penial infoldings. We confirm the 1808 longitudinal rotation of the visceral organs relative to the condition in limacinids. As an alternative to ontogenetic detorsion, progenesis may have skipped torsion. Other obvious paedomorphoses such as single, basally forked tentacular nerves, suggest that heterochrony has been a driving force in thecosome evolution. Retaining the mantle cavity in a ventral position, Creseis has its large mantle gland—necessary for creating a mucus web for feeding—close to the mouth. Further comparative microanatomical data on orthoconchs and limacinids are needed to corroborate our assumptions of homology, and for reconstructing pteropod evolution once reliable molecular phylogenetic hypotheses are available.
Hydrogenotrophic methanogen strain of Methanospirillum from anaerobic digester fed with agro-industrial waste

A hydrogenotrophic, mesophilic methanogen designated as strain T 5 3BJ was isolated from anaerobic digester continuously fed with agro-industrial waste. Cells were stained Gram negative, spiral shaped, motile and found resistant to cell lysis by SDS and hypotonic solution. Growth occurred with optimum (i) temperature of 30 °C (20–40 °C) (ii) pH of 7.0 (6.5–8.5), in the presence of 0.0–0.2 M NaCl with a doubling time of 73.43 h and utilized only hydrogen and carbon dioxide (H 2 :CO 2 ; 4:1) as a sole source of carbon and energy. The phenetic and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA and mcrA gene sequences revealed close affiliation of T 5 3BJ strain to the genus Methanospirillum spp. This is the first report about isolation of hydrogenotrophic Methanospirillum spp. from anaerobic digester fed with fruit waste, press mud and neem seed cake, suggesting its potential use for bioaugmentation of anaerobic reactors or upgrading biogas/ syngas to methane.
PATHWAYS OF ENTRY AND SPREAD OF RUST PATHOGENS: IMPLICATIONS FOR NEW ZEALAND'S BIOSECURITY

The long distance dispersal of many plant pathogens has been well documented. This phenomenon is also common in Australasia, with wind currents and movement of people and possibly plant material facilitating introduction of several rust pathogens from Australia to New Zealand. The history of the arrival, survival and spread of three rust pathogens from Australia to New Zealand is outlined. Initial outbreaks of poplar rust in 1973, wheat stripe rust in 1980 and blackberry rust in 1990 are all likely to have been initiated from spores originating in Australia. After arrival, urediniospores have to be viable and there must be sufficient susceptible hosts and favourable environmental conditions so that initial infection foci can establish and facilitate further spread. This information is used to assess the risks posed to New Zealand by other rust pathogens that occur in Australia, such as asparagus rust, and to assess ways to minimise these risks.
Reconstituted SNARE-mediated fusion: Towards a mechanistic understanding.

A novel and well-characterized model system has been developed and used in order to extract mechanistic insights on the SNARE-mediated fusion process. The reconstitution of SNAREs onto large liposomes mediated by n-octyl-β-D-glucoside (OG) was characterized according to size, protein orientation and insertion efficiency. This resulted in SNARE-liposomes with good reconstitution properties that were in the 100 nm range. To induce relatively fast lipid-mixing and observe substantial size increments, it was found essential to stabilize a 1:1 syntaxin⋅SNAP-25 acceptor complex with a C-terminal synaptobrevin fragment (denoted ΔN syb), which provided a fast nucleation site for trans SNARE complex formation. The kinetics of lipid-mixing was found to be governed by the displacement of ΔN syb from the syntaxin⋅SNAP-25 acceptor complex, which gave rise to a transient but long-lived docking state which could be kinetically resolved from fusion. The ability for ΔN syb to delay and slow-down N to C-terminal nucleation, or zippering, was exploited to capture and arrest putative fusion intermediates. This lead to the ultrastructural identification of hemifused liposomes exhibiting extended diaphragms and also to a docked intermediate that consisted of a tight bilayer-bilayer contact interaction. Using a bulk assay to discriminate inner leaflet lipid mixing from outer leaflet lipid-mixing it was possible to conclude that hemifusion in this system constitutes an alternative end-state to fusion.The bilayer-bilayer contact state could be arrested by introducing a deletion mutation on synaptobrevin (Δ84) which interrupted the +8 layer of the SNARE complex, suggesting that a SNARE complex requires efficient mechanical transduction from the SNARE complex to the transmembrane domains in order to mediate fusion. Furthermore, the mutant could not mediate hemifusion, suggesting hemifusion side tracked from fusion at a step posterior to bilayer-bilayer contact. However, Δ84 synaptobrevin was found to mediate fusion between two small liposomes, revealing that curvature stress does play a role in SNARE-mediated fusion and was interpreted as being consistent with the stalk mechanism of membrane fusion. Based on these findings and on the ability to slow down and arrest putative fusion intermediates, a SNARE-mediated fusion reaction pathway was proposed.
Ranking the ability of wheat varieties to compete with Lolium rigidum

The relative competitive advantage of 12 commercially available wheat varieties was examined against Lolium rigidum Gaud. at a number of sites from 1995 to 1997 in south-eastern Australia. Nearly all the variation in crop grain yield was attributable to the variety x environment effects (81%), with only 4% due to variety x weed x environment effects. Some varieties exhibited an environment-specific competitive advantage, for example Katunga, Dollarbird and Hartog, whereas others like Shrike, Rosella and Janz were relatively poorly competitive in some situations. The introduction of greater genetic variability into wheat is required to significantly increase competitiveness. Alternatively, manipulating crop agronomy, such as increasing crop seeding rate, may be a practical alternative. The grain yield of weed-free wheat was highly positively correlated with grain yield of the weedy plots, suggesting that local adaptation is important for strong competitiveness, and that wheat breeders in southern Australia may be inadvertently selecting for competitive advantage with weeds when selecting for other traits such as early vigour. The varieties which showed competitive yield advantage also suppressed L. rigidum. A combination of short-term agronomic manipulations and a longer-term breeding effort is needed for increasing wheat competitiveness, and the increasing importance of herbicide-resistant weeds may facilitate this process.
Coupling of epipelagic and mesopelagic heterotrophic picoplankton production to phytoplankton biomass in the Antarctic polar frontal region

We assessed relationships between phytoplankton standing stock, measured as chlorophyll a (Chl a), primary production (PP), and heterotrophic picoplankton production (HPP), in the epipelagic zone (0–100 m) as well as in the mesopelagic zone (100–1,000 m) in the polar frontal zone of the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean in austral summer (late December to January) and fall (March to early May). Integrated epipelagic HPP was positively correlated to integrated PP in summer (data for fall are not available) but not to integrated Chl a. However, integrated mesopelagic HPP was positively correlated to Chl a in summer as well as fall. The mesopelagic fraction of HPP as a percentage of total HPP was also positively correlated to Chl a, whereas the epipelagic fraction of HPP was negatively correlated to it. These results indicate that with increasing phytoplankton standing stock, constituted mainly of highly silicified diatoms, the focus of its consumption by heterotrophic picoplankton shifts from epipelagic to mesopelagic waters. With a growth efficiency of 30%, our HPP data indicate that in both the epipelagic and mesopelagic zone heterotrophic picoplankton consume 20% of PP. Mesopelagic heterotrophic picoplankton consumed around 80% of the sinking flux, measured from depletion of 234Th, which is a lower fraction than that reported from the central and subarctic Pacific. Our analysis indicates that it is important to include mesopelagic HPP in comprehensive assessments of the microbial consumption of PP, phytoplankton biomass, and particulate organic matter in cold oceanic systems with high rates of export production.
Association rule mining for recommender systems

Association rule mining is the task of identifying patterns in basket data – transactions that possibly consist of multiple items. The aim of this thesis is to better understand the applications of association rule mining for recommender systems, by researching how such systems perform compared to state-of-the art collaborative filtering approaches. First, we survey the tasks and purposes of recommender systems and we present an overview of the field of current generation collaborative filtering recommender systems. Then, two novel approaches are proposed for recommending items of low complexity. These items (such as books, movies and music tracks) rely on little or no metadata. Our first systems uses association rules as a complete replacement of collaborative filtering to predict item ratings, and our second system uses association rule mining to preprocess a latent factor model. The proposed systems are compared to a third system that uses a state-of-the art collaborative filtering approach. Our research methodology comprises an offline evaluation of these systems on the MovieLens dataset. We found that our systems did not improve upon the performance of a state-of-the art collaborative filtering approach.
Effects of treatment with levamisole and glucans on mortality rates in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) suffering from amoebic gill disease.

When levamisole was added to freshwater baths, used to treat Atlantic salmon for amoebic gill disease (AGD), there was a significant decrease in subsequent mortality of the fish. This was particularly the case in fish experiencing their first exposure to AGD. There were no significant differences in responses to 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/L levamisole. It is proposed that this response is related to enhancement of the non-specific immune system. Oral supplementation with levamisole or glucans did not prevent subsequent moralities when Atlantic salmon, naive to AGD were subsequently exposed to this disease.
Antimicrobial systems in milk

PAGE Specifics inhibition 131 Immunoglobulins 131 Cellular immunity 133 Phagocytosis 133 Complement mediated bactericidal activity 134 Nonspeoifio inhibition 135 Colonization of the gastrointestinal tract 135 Lysozyme (N-aoety.1 muramyl hydrolase) 137 Baoteriostatic activity of lactoferrin 137 Bactericidal activity of the lactoperoxidase/thiocyanate/hydrogen peroxide system 138 Other antibacterial systems 139
Rendimiento de nuevos híbridos PUMAS de maíz para la zona de transición de México.

Con el objetivo de ofrecer nuevas y mejores opciones a los productores de la Zona de Transicion Bajio Valles Altos (1800-2200), se evaluaron cuatro nuevos hibridos de cruza doble y 16 de cruza triple y se compararon con hibridos comerciales H-135, A- 791, PUMA 1157 y PUMA 1159, trilineales y de cruza doble el H-137, en el ciclo primavera-verano de 1996. El analisis de varianza mostro diferencias estadisticas altamente significativas, para casi todas las variables evaluadas en cuanto al factor genotipos y no significativas para el factor repeticiones. Nueve hibridos trilineales mostraron rendimientos de ocho a 12 t/ha, superando estadisticamente al resto de los hibridos tanto dobles como trilineales, incluyendo los testigos. Destaco el hibrido trilineal UHT96E410 con 12,4 t/ha y con 77 dias a floracion masculina, siendo el testigo A-791, tambien trilineal, el que mas se les acerco con 8,6 toneladas y con 94 dias a la floracion masculina, ademas de que UHT96E410 tuvo 209 cm de altura. Cinco de los testigos tuvieron alturas de planta de mas de 230 cm. Asi es como sobresalen estos nuevos hibridos con excelentes rendimientos y caracteristicas agronomicas favorables, ampliando a su vez el rango de opciones para los agricultores de la zona de transicion de Mexico.
Morphology of the Giant Dopamine-Containing Neurone, R.Pe.D.I, in Lymnaea Stagnalis Revealed by Lucifer Yellow CH

The morphology of the giant dopamine-containing neurone of Lymnaea stagnalis , R.Pe. D.I, was studied by injection of Lucifer Yellow CH and by electrophysiological techniques. R.Pe. D.I was found to project to the periphery via the nerve trunks of theright parietal and visceral ganglia. Neurites bearing varicosities were found in each ganglion through which the axon passed. The neurites consistently arose from the same regions of the axon and the neuritic fields were similar in each preparation. Note:
Optimization of Feed Peas, Canola and Flaxseed for Aqua feeds: the Canadian Prairie Perspective

Supplies of marine fish oils and fish meal are limited and continued growth in aquaculture production dictates that substitutes must be found that do not compromise fish performance and product quality. When selecting potential vegetable protein and lipid sources as substitutes for fish meal and fish oil in coldwater aquatic diets, protein and energy availability in addition to the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids must be considered. Literature studies demonstrate that further processed plant protein and energy ingredients are good alternative feed ingredients for aquatic species. Worldwide, Canada is one of the largest producers of field peas, canola and flaxseed with the greatest amount of production occurring in Saskatchewan. Enhanced market opportunities for the use of peas, canola and flaxseed, either locally or abroad, would be beneficial to producers in western Canada. The aqua feed industry provides a unique opportunity for processed pulse and oilseed crops since feeds for use in aquaculture are the fastest growing sector of the animal feed industry worldwide.