Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population differentiation in the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) from two geographic locations in Brazil as determined from mitochondrial DNA control region sequences

The franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei, is a dolphin that experiences extensive incidental mortality in fisheries throughout its restricted distribution and is perhaps the most exploited species along the Atlantic coast of South America. However, the basic information required for effective conservation of this species is lacking. To understand the population structure of this platanistoid dolphin, we sequenced 418 base pairs (bp) of the control region and 68 bp of the adjacent pro-tRNA gene of the mtDNA from 20 franciscana that were captured incidentally by gill-net fisheries of Rio Grande do Sul and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Of 11 haplotypes found, 5 were exclusive to franciscana from Rio Grande do Sul and 6 were found only in franciscana from Rio de Janeiro and no haplotypes were shared between locations. Reconstruction of the phylogenetic relationships among the haplotypes through a maximum-likelihood analysis of sequences revealed two distinct lineages that were consistent with the geographic sampling.
THE WHITE MEMBRANE OF CRYSTALLINE BACTERIOOPSIN IN HALOBACTERIUM HALOBIUM STRAIN R1mW AND ITS CONVERSION INTO PURPLE MEMBRANE BY EXOGENOUS RETINAL

Abstract— A new strain isolated from Halobacterium halobium designated R1mW, contained negligible amounts of isoprenoid pigments, had a yellowish white color due to respiratory pigments and showed no proton movement in response to light. However, addition of all‐trans‐retinal converted R1mW into purple cells. Formation of both halorhodopsin and bacteriorhodopsin was indicated by induction of light‐dependent proton uptake and release, respectively. Both haloopsin and bacterioopsin were thus postulated to be present in R1mW. Electron micrographs of freeze‐fractured cytoplasmic membranes revealed patches in a hexagonal array of trimeric particles, comparable to the purple membrane structure.
The linguistic problem of morphology: structure versus homology and the standardization of morphological data

The present article discusses the need for standardization in morphology in order to increase comparability and communicability of morphological data. We analyse why only morphological descriptions and not character matrices represent morphological data and why morphological terminology must be free of homology assumptions. We discuss why images only support and substantiate data but are not data themselves. By comparing morphological traits and DNA sequence data we reveal fundamental conceptual shortcomings of the former that result from their high average degree of individuality. We argue that the delimitation of morphological units, of datum units, and of evidence units must be distinguished, each of which involves its own specific problems. We conclude that morphology suffers from the linguistic problem of morphology that results from the lack of (i) a commonly accepted standardized morphological terminology, (ii) a commonly accepted standardized and formalized method of description, and (iii) a rationale for the delimitation of morphological traits. Although this is not problematic for standardizing metadata, it hinders standardizing morphological data. We provide the foundation for a solution to the linguistic problem of morphology, which is based on a morphological structure concept. We argue that this structure concept can be represented with knowledge representation languages such as the resource description framework (RDF) and that it can be applied for morphological descriptions. We conclude with a discussion of how online databases can improve morphological data documentation and how a controlled and formalized morphological vocabulary, i.e. a morphological RDF ontology, if it is based on a structure concept, can provide a possible solution to the linguistic problem of morphology.
The ter mutation first causes primordial germ cell deficiency in ter/ter mouse embryos at 8 days of gestation

The ter (teratoma) mutation causes primordial germ cell (PGC) deficiency in ter/ter embryos at 9.5–12.5 days of post‐coitum (dpc) in mouse strains 129/Sv‐ter and LTXBJ‐ter. To study the effects of the ter mutation on the PGC development more precisely, we examined the PGC number and distribution in 7.5–12.5 dpc embryo of ter congenic C57BL/6J‐ter strain using their complete serial sections. The ter genotypes of embryos were identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) polymorphisms of the microsatellite DNA of the Grl‐1 locus mapped near the ter locus. Results showed that: (i) the PGC number in ter/ter embryos was similar to those of + /ter and + / + embryos at 7.5 dpc, and did not increase at 8.0–12.5 dpc, although those of normal littermates did usually; (ii) the PGC migration to genital ridges was never affected in all embryos; and (iii) the ter genotype difference in the PGC numbers was not recognized between + /ter and + / + embryos. We concluded that the ter mutation does not affect the PGC appearance around 7.5 dpc, but first causes PGC deficiency around 8.0 dpc at the beginning of their migration and proliferation, suggesting that the normal function of the ter gene may be essential for the proliferation or survival mechanisms of PGC.
QTL Associated with Maize Kernel Oil, Protein, and Starch Concentrations; Kernel Mass; and Grain Yield in Illinois High Oil × B73 Backcross-Derived Lines

Illinois long-term selection strains of maize (Zea mays L.) have been useful for identifying genomic regions controlling kernel oil, protein, and starch concentrations. To identify kernel trait quantitative trait loci (QTL) in a genetic background more relevant to practical breeding, 150 BC 1 -derived S 1 lines (BC 1 S 1 s) were produced from Illinois High Oil and recurrent parent B73. Oil, protein, and starch were measured in BC 1 S 1 s and in Mo17-topcross hybrids (TCs). Kernel mass of BC 1 S 1 s and grain yield of TCs were also determined. Starch was positively correlated with mass in BC 1 S 1 s (r p = 0.67**, α ≤ 0.01) and with yield in TCs (r p = 0.59**). Oil was negatively correlated with mass in BC 1 S 1 s (r p = -0.29**) and with yield in TCs (r p = -0.30**). Oil was negatively correlated with starch in BC 1 S 1 s (r p = -0.75**) and TCs (r p = -0.66**). A genetic map with length = 1486 cM was created with 110 markers. Multiple regression models with QTL detected by composite interval mapping (CIM) explained 46.9, 45.2, 44.3, and 17.7% of phenotypic variance for oil, protein, starch, and mass, respectively, in BC 1 S 1 s and 17.5, 22.9, 40.1, and 28.7% for oil, protein, starch, and yield, respectively, in TCs. A 22 cM-interval on chromosome 6 in BC 1 S 1 s included oil, protein, and starch QTL, including a QTL explaining 36.7% of the BC 1 S 1 phenotypic variation for oil. No yield QTL were detected in this region. Introgression of this QTL into breeding lines might increase oil while maintaining yield.
Valores energéticos e efeitos da inclusão da farinha integral da vagem de algaroba (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C.) em rações de poedeiras comerciais

An experiment was carried out to determine TME and TMEn values of integral mesquite pods meal (MPM) in cecectomized cockerels by Sibbald method. A second experiment was conducted to examine the effects of MPM inclusion (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) in pelleted and mashed diets on laying hens performance. In the experiment 1, values of TME and TMEn in raw MPM were 2819 and 2806 kcal/kg, respectively, while cellulose and lignin contents were five- and four-fold higher than in corn. Results of experiment 2 showed that pelleting increased live weight, egg and albumen weight and percentage of albumen, and reduced yolk percentage. The 30% MPM level reduced egg and mass weights and affected feed to egg mass ratio when compared to control. There was quadratic effect of MPM levels (as main effect) on feed intake, egg production, egg mass, feed to egg mass ratio, and the percentages of shell, albumen and yolk. The MPM intake increased linearly according to their diet addition level. The inclusion of MPM up to 13.6% in isonitrogen and isoenergy diets did not adversely affect laying hens performance.
Effects of taxol on microtubule arrays in cultured higher plant cells

Treatment with 10 μm taxol disrupted mitotic and cytoplasmic arrays of microtubules (MT) in cultured cells of two higher plants, Vicia hajastana (vetch) and Zinnia elegans. When treated for 1, 24, and 48 h, cells in both cultures showed similar effects. After 1 h, multipolar arrays of MT were noted in prophase, large aster-like arrays of MT appeared in metaphase, and extra MT shared poles with otherwise normal-appearing metaphase and anaphase configurations. After 24 and 48 h, some phragmoplasts were multipartite or misplaced. In interphase cells, micronuclei and multinucleate cells were evidence of irregular mitosis and cytokinesis. Cytoplasmic MT in elongated cells were oriented parallel to, instead of at right angles to the long axis of the cell. Some interphase cells lost asymmetry while maintaining organized arrays of MT. Taxol appears to disrupt mitotic and cytoplasmic arrays of MT, seemingly overriding the mechanism(s) regulating MT polymerization and orientation.
Application of wood ash to acidic boralf soils and its effect on oilseed quality of canola

Acidic Typic Cryoboralf soils amended with wood ash can raise soil pH and can supplement plant growth by adding minerals and micronutrients. However, presence of other elements in soils such as Cd, S, and Zn can affect plant growth and seed quality. In an earlier paper, we have shown that wood ash applications on Typic Cryoboralf and Typic Cryocrept soils in Alberta, Canada, increased canola (Brassica rapa L.) yield by 72%. In this study, the effect of a single application of 0, 6, 12.5, and 25 t ha -1 (dry weight) wood ash on oilseed quality, based on oil, protein, chlorophyll, and glucosinolate content, was examined over three growing seasons from 1998 to 2000. Seed oil and protein content of ash-treated plots either increased or remained the same as controls. In contrast, significant increases (p 0.05). Levels of B in ash-treated soils were different from each other but not from the controls (P < 0.05). Cadmium levels were below detection limits for the instrumentation used (0.08 mg kg -1 ). These results indicate that use of wood ash on acidic soils has the potential to increase seed oil content but may adversely affect quality of the oilseed produced.
Fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) em porta-enxertos micropropagados de videira

The use of mycorrhizal fungi is an activity of great importance to accelerate the initial development of grape seedlings. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of two AMF on the vegetative growth of three grape rootstocks. Such experiment used the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus etunicatum and Scutellospora heterogama, and the rootstocks SO4, Paulsen 1103 e 043-43. The micropropagated rootstocks were transferred and acclimated in 300 mL plastic cups, and after 58 days were transplanted to 2 L plastic bags containing a mixture of carbonized rice husks and Plantmax® on the proportion 1:1, as substrate. The inoculum consisted of 20 g of rhizospheric soil and roots fragments containing the structures of AMF added to the substrate during the acclimatization stage. Fresh and dry matter of roots and shoots, length of roots and shoots, stem diameter and nutritional status of shoots were evaluated after 135 days of inoculation. The AMF Glomus etunicatum and Scutellospora heterogama provided better nutrition and greater vegetative growth of rootstock varieties when compared to the non-inoculated plants. The benefits of symbiosis were depended on the specific combination of the fungal isolate and rootstock variety employed, with 043-43 benefited mainly by AMF Glomus etunicatun and SO4 and Paulsen 1103 by Glomus etunicatum and Scutellospora heterogama.
Unstable predator–prey dynamics permits the coexistence of generalist and specialist predators, and the maintenance of partial preferences

Saturating functional responses are a unifying principle in ecology, influencing processes at organizational levels from dietary specialization in individuals, to population instability, to community-level indirect interactions among alternative prey. These effects are interrelated. We explore a predator–prey model and demonstrate that unstable dynamics promote coexistence of specialist and generalist predators, when the specialist attacks only high-quality prey, and the generalist attacks high- and low-quality prey (that alone cannot maintain the predator). Coexisting specialist and generalist predators are vulnerable to invasion and replacement by predators with fixed partial preferences. The evolutionarily stable partial preference increases with increasing dynamic instability, but typically declines with increasing abundance of the low-quality prey. Coexisting specialist and generalist consumers, or partial preferences, typically reduce the potential for poor-quality prey to indirectly benefit high-qu.
Influence of sulfur amino acid levels in diets of broiler chickens submitted to immune stress

Several changes in amino acid levels occur during an infection. As a rule, glycine, taurine and serine levels diminish considerably, while cysteine levels increase. Such changes may be attributed to the intense consumption of sulfur amino acids (SAA- methionine+cysteine) during infectious challenge. Methionine plays an important role in humoral and cellular immune responses. It has been suggested that such effect is exerted by intracellular glutathione and cysteine levels. Four-hundred thirty-two day-old Ross male broiler chickens were fed (from 1 to 42 days of age) three SAA levels in the diet (0.72, 0.82, and 0.92% from 1 to 21 days of age; 0.65, 0.75, and 0.85% from 22 to 42 days of age) and submitted to two immunological stimulus series. Vaccines against Marek’s disease, Fowlpox, Infectious Bronchitis and Infectious Bursal disease, Freund’s Complete Adjuvant, and avian tuberculin were used as immunological stimuli. The experiment comprised 6 treatments, with 6 replications using 12 birds per replicate. Performance data were collected weekly. Gumboro antibodies were measured by ELISA, and the cellular immune response by the tuberculin test. SAA levels tested did not influence immune response. Nevertheless, the vaccines applied on the 1 st day impaired chick performance up to the 21 days of age. The SAA levels generally adopted in poultry husbandry may not be enough to assure weight gain, especially when birds are raised if a lowchallenge infectious environment.
Resting eggs of lake‐Daphania II. In situ observations on the hatching of eggs and their contribution to population and community structure

SUMMARY. 1. To investigate the contribution of hatchlings from lake-Daphnia resting eggs (ephippia) to population and community structure, hatching was monitored in situ from April to November 1986 in two north German lakes. Hatching traps were placed on the sediments and the incidence, genetic and species composition of ephippial hatchlings determined twice-weekly. 2. Hatching began in April after the thawing of ice. and continued for 3–4 weeks until the lakes stratified. There was no obvious relationship between the onset and duration of hatching and the environmental variables recorded, namely Secchi depth, surface temperature, temperature and oxygen concentration at the sediment-water interface. 3. Among the hatchlings were D. galeata, D. hyalina and their interspecific hybrid. 4. In the lake which contained overwintering animals the number of ephippial hatchlings was approximately one third of the total number of juveniles present in the lake. 5. In the second lake, no adults were recorded during winter and the population was probably founded by ephippial hatchlings alone. There was good agreement, in the short term, between the proportion of each species represented among hatchlings and the subsequent species composition in the lake. 6. The hatchlings were genetically diverse, and alleles were representative of those alleles present in contemporary populations.
Unmade Beds

ABSTRACT Liz Hingley received the 2011 Getty Editorial Grant to complete her project The Jones Family, which explores the intergenerational cycle of deprivation within the context of a wealthy country. In this visual essay, she observes the significance of one particular item of material culture—the bed—in the everyday life of a low-income British family. Photographs are taken as points of departure to demonstrate how a close examination of the bed can reveal the patterns of a household's past, present and future lives, economic situation, desires, and ideals. The bed is discussed in relation to socioeconomic status, home arrangement, taste and consumption, family relations, and identity.
A ratio estimator for bias correction in logarithmic regressions

It is recommended that the proportional bias in logarithmic regressions be estimated from the ratio of the arithmetic sample mean and the mean of the back-transformed predicted values from the regression. Under the assumption of a lognormal distribution of errors, the conditions for application of this ratio estimator are optimal. A simulated sampling study has shown that this method gives more reliable results than the methods recommended by Baskerville (G.L. Baskerville. 1972. Can. J. For. Res. 2: 49–53) or that derived by Finney (D.J. Finney. 1941. J. R. Stat. Soc. 7(Suppl): 55–61). The new method is also less sensitive to departures from the assumption of a lognormal distribution than the other two methods.
Influence of ultimate pH, sarcomere length and cooking loss on the textural variability of cooked M. pectoralis major from free range and standard broilers

1. An experiment was conducted to quantify the extent of variability in the texture of cooked poultry breast meat and to attempt to identify which intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to this. 2. Free range (FR) and standard (STD) broilers were killed and processed under commercial conditions and the M. pectoralis major muscle assessed for ultimate pH (pH(u)), sarcomere length, cooking loss and texture 24 h and 7 d after slaughter. 3. Although FR broilers were females with an average age of 60 d, whereas the STD broilers were 45 d old and predominantly male, there were no significant differences in mean values obtained for pH(u), sarcomere length, cooking loss and shear force results between the two bird types. 4. While aging for 7 d increased the pH(u) and cooking loss means, sarcomere length means remained unchanged and shear force values decreased by 6% and 9% for FR and STD birds respectively. 5. Variability in shear force values also decreased on aging for 7 d, no birds having values above 4 kg/cm2 on day 7 whereas 16% were above this value on day 1. 6. There were significant correlations between the results for shear force, pH(u) and sarcomere length, indicating that increased shear force values were associated with a decrease in both pH(u) and sarcomere length. 7. These correlations suggest that variability in the texture of cooked M. pectoralis major from FR and STD chickens is strongly influenced by those post-mortem biochemical changes which lead to the development of rigor during the early stages of processing.
Antibacterial action of chitosan

Abstract The antibacterial action of chitosan hydroglutamate (CH), chitosan lactate (CL) and chitosan derived from fungal mycelia was examined against both gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria. Plate counts indicated inactivation rates of one‐ to five‐log‐cycles within one hour. Fungal chitosan had significantly less antibiotic effect than CH and CL. The antibacterial action of CH and CL was very similar and shown to be concentration dependent with 0.1 mg/mL more effective than 2.0 and 5.0 mg/mL. When CH (or CL) and polygalacturonate were added to cell suspensions, death was prevented, possibly indicating that chitosan complexed with polygalacturonate could not penetrate the cell or disrupt the membrane. Leakage of intracellular components caused by chitosan was determined by exposing lactose‐induced Escherichia coli to chitosan with assay for s‐galactosidase activity indicating that cell permeabilization occurred more extensively at the low chitosan concentrations. Microscopic examination showed that.
Influence of apo- and iron-saturated lactoferrin and transferrin, immunoglobulin G and serum albumin on proliferation of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Whey proteins from non‐lactating bovine mammary secretions reduced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) response to mitogens. Specific proteins responsible for hyporesponsiveness are unknown. This study evaluated the influence of apo‐ and ironsaturated lactoferrin (APOLF and FELF) and transferrin (APOTF and FETF), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum albumin (SA) at concentrations ranging from 0·02 to 2·5 mg ml‐1 on PBMC response to concanavalin A. PBMC were collected from five pregnant Holstein cows during late lactation. Lactoferrin (LF), transferrin (TF) and IgG resulted in a dose‐dependent reduction of PBMC proliferation, whereas SA had no effect. Decreased PBMC response was significant at all concentrations of APOLF and FELF, at APOTF concentrations ≥ 0.3 mg ml‐1, only at 2·5 mg ml‐1 FETF, and at IgG concentrations ≥ 1·25 mg ml‐1. The degree of iron saturation of LF did not influence PBMC response; however, APOTF had a greater influence than FETF. Reduced PBMC response at low levels of LF indicate th.
Acute phase proteins in the domestic fowl

Post-mortem assessment of poultry health requires both identification and classification of the severity and chronicity of lesions. Such assessments are essential for deciding the necessity for treatment or its withdrawal. Poultry meat inspection and routine necropsies are also complicated by subclinical as well as hidden inflammatory processes which result in decreased production. Measurement of changes in the plasma levels of hepatic acute phase proteins in mammalian species is known to give an indication of the stage and severity of inflammatory processes as well as identifying inaccessible lesions. For poultry, several papers have been published on the plasma changes of some acute phase proteins in association with some common poultry diseases and general inflammatory processes. Some have corresponded well with the severity and stages of lesions. It is suggested that measurement of such proteins could be used to complement routine necropsy findings. Understanding the chicken acute phase response, major acute phase proteins present, and their advantages and shortfalls as markers of inflammation, is paramount to the achievement of these goals.
Feeding increases MyoD and PCNA expression in myogenic progenitor cells of Notothenia coriiceps

Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of the Antarctic fish Notothenia corikeps (18.4 cm L-F) increased respectively two and fourfold above fasting levels 24 h after feeding with a single meal of shrimps (5.5 to 7.5% of body mass), and remained elevated for 120 h. In fasted fish, c-met positive cells in the fast muscle represented 5.5% of the total number of myonuclei. The number of c-met positive cells staining for the proliferating cell nuclear antigen was increased by 60% both 24 and 96 h after the meal, while the number of cells expressing the myogenic transcription factor, MyoD, was increased by 20% after 24 h, and by 44% after 96 h. The total numbers of c-met positive cells and cells expressing myogenin were not significantly altered 96 h following feeding. The results are consistent with an activation of myogenic progenitor cells proliferation by feeding but suggest a relatively long cell cycle time. (C) 2002 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.