Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen and energy budgest of free-roaming cattle.

Energy and nitrogen (N) budgets of free-roaming yearling heifers were quantified. Energy and N retention were esthnated from liveweight gains. Intake and excretion of N and energy were mersured directly. Dry matter intake per unit metabolic body weight (MBW = BWks.75) varied seasonally, peaking in late growing season. Fecal dry matter output, which was related to dry matter intake, also peaked iate in the growing season. Urine volume, however, peaked early in the growing season. Urinary N excretion per MBW was correlated with dietary N concentration (r = .79). Fecal N excretion per MBW was relatively constant while fecal N concentration varied. Partitioning of N losses between feces and urine varied seasonally, with 54% excreted in urine during the growing season (April through October) and 45% in urine during the dormant season (November through March). On a year-round basis, 8% of ingested N was incorporated into body tissue. Fecal energy excretion trend followed that of gross energy intake. Digestible energy intake per MBW was relatively high throughout the growing season and steadily declined after onset of the dormant season. Urinary energy output was closely related to urinary N output and peaked early in the growing season. Metabolizable energy (ME) followed dynamics similar to those of digestible energy. Net energy for liveweight gain accounted for about 8% of gross energy intake on a year-round basis. ME and crude protein intake were above maintenance requirements during the growing season, but were inadequate during the dormant season. ME intake apparently limited growth early in the growing season; protein intake was limiting late in the growing season.
Size reduction, reproductive strategy and the life cycle of a centric diatom

The life cycle of Aulacoseira subarctica (O. Muller) Haworth in Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland, is described. Cell numbers can reach up to 17000 per millilitre in spring. Most cells sediment to the bottom after silica limitation and go into a resting state during summer. The inoculum in autumn partly comes from resuspension, with the surviving cells (0.5-5%) continuing to grow through the winter, doubling every one to two weeks. T he population goes through a size reduction and regeneration cycle linked to sexual reproduction. Gametes are only produced in narrower cells (3.8-7.4 um diameter), usually after interruptions in growth caused by low light conditions (surface irradiance 100-150 pE m -2 s-1), but availability of nutrients, especially silica and nitrogen, is also important. Even the highest densities of auxospores (20 m1 -1) represent only a small proportion of the total cells present (0.16%). Size regeneration results in initial cells with diameters (14.8 ± 2 pm) about three times those of the parent. Larger parent cells usually give rise to larger initial cells. Subsequently, cell division leads to a decrease in population diameter, because of the way new valves are laid down below the girdle bands. Reductions are largest in broader cells (0.32 um per division) and gradually decrease as cells get narrower. Occasionally large reductions, up to 1 um, follow periods of environmental stress. By combining these results with studies of changes in cell size (width, length and volume) in related individuals along filaments, it was possible to explain why there have been difficulties in applying the MacDonald-Pfitzer hypothesis to natural populations. Theoretically, the life cycle in L. Neagh might extend over 100 divisions or 15 years but, in practice, cells reach a sexually inducible size in 4-6 years. The discrepancy is because environmental factors (e.g. sedimentation, resuspension, parasitism, etc.) are also important in size selectivity. The interaction of these factors, when combined with intermittent sexual reproduction at low frequencies, results in a relatively stable population size distribution, where there are always some cells in the size range in which sexual differentiation can be induced. Overall, the results demonstrate, that for a full understanding of diatom population dynamics, it is important to quantify events over complete life cycles.
MOVEMENTS OF BLACK VULTURES BETWEEN COMMUNAL ROOSTS IN FLORIDA

Abstract Communal roosts are important resources for local populations of the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), but these roosts are increasingly becoming the focus for complaints of wildlife damage. We studied movements of Black Vultures between communal roosts in Florida using mark-resight methods. We marked 416 Black Vultures with patagial tags at two communal roosts in Orange County, Florida. A total of 1,245 resightings of 226 individuals were recorded over a 3-year period. Black Vultures made one-way movements between communal roosts of up to 152 km, and two-way movements (i.e., birds left a site and subsequently returned) between communal roosts of up to 144 km. Patterns of resightings indicated that some Black Vultures use several roosts over wide geographic ranges during parts of their lives. Long distance exchanges between roosts and high nightly turnover of membership at roosts leads to concerns that control of nuisance Black Vulture roosts has the potential to impact nontarget populations in a geographic area well beyond a given communal roost.
A structural approach to g-protein signaling mechanisms: α-subunits(Derleme)

Guanine nucleotide binding proteins regulate a variety of physiological processes, including sensual perception, protein synthesis, hormonal regulation, vesicular and nuclear transport, cell growth and differentiation. They act as molecular mediators, cycling between inactive guanosine diphosphate (GDP)bound and active guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound states. G-proteins are composed of three subunits: α, β, γ, where specificity mainly determined by α. The α-subunit consists of two domains: GTPase domain and α-helical domain. Activation results in conformational changes around so called switch I, II and III regions in GTPasedomain. Interaction of the receptor with the carboxyl terminus of α is clearly important. Carboxy terminus is also shown to be important in effector interaction.
Efecto nematicida de extractos de Quassia amara y Brugmansia suaveolens sobre Meloidogyne sp. asociado al tomate en Nicaragua.

The nematicidal activity of leaves of Quassia amara L. (Simaroubaceae) and flowers of Brugmansia suaveolens L. (Solanaceae) was evaluated against Meloidogyne sp. during a study conducted at the Agricultural Campus of the National Agricultural University in Leon (UNAN- Leon). The plant material was dehydrated, ground and the compounds quassin and scopolamine were extracted using methanol as a solvent. Then a study was conducted in vitro to evaluate mortality in second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne sp. after exposure to extracts (12, 24 and 48 hours). Subsequently, extracts were also evaluated in tomato plants established in pots under greenhouse conditions, and the corresponding nematode population was quantified after exposure to the extract (25, 50 and 75 days of exposure to extract, DEE). In vitro tests with extracts of B. suaveolens and Q. amara diluted at 10% showed that the highest rate of nematode mortality occurs after 48 h of exposure, leaving 89% and 78% of all juveniles dead, respectively. In the test in pots, several aspects were evaluated including juvenile mortality, the plant galling index (GI), and the nematode reproduction factor (RF). The best result for Q. amara was obtained at 25 DEE, with 80% of mortality, a GI of 1 (in a scale from 0-5) and a RF of 0.2. Similarly, the best effect for B. suaveolens, was obtained at 25 DEE with a 71% of mortality, a GI of 1.2, and a RF of 0.29. These results from tests in vitro and in pots results indicate that both extracts have nematicidal activities, as they significantly reduced the nematode population (P≤ 0.05), the reproductive ability and the incidence of root galling in tomato plants.
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association 2012-2015 Research Agenda

Hospice and palliative nursing care occurs in most practice settings, at all stages of chronic illness, and for persons of all ages. Thus, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association seeks to provide direction for research by highlighting key gaps in knowledge that serve as barriers to excellent care. The 2012-2015 Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association Research Agenda follows the 2009-2012 Research Agenda and retains the same objectives. It is designed to (1) provide a focus for graduate students and researchers, (2) guide research funding by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation, and (3) illustrate to other stakeholders the importance of these research foci. Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association members were asked to select from among the 8 domains of the National Consensus Project which domain encompassed the most pressing gaps in knowledge. The three most frequently selected domains were (1) structure and processes of care, (2) physical aspects of care, and (3) psychological and psychiatric aspects of care. Although all research in palliative care is important to patients, the 2012-2015 Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association Research Agenda identifies specific target areas to bring focus to research efforts. The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association will convene a task force in 2015 to examine research progress subsequent to this Agenda and reevaluate the evidence base for practice.
Media Selection and Seed Coating Influence Germination of Turfgrasses under Salinity

Germination of five turfgrass species ('Barrister' kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), 'Barvado' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), 'Premier II' perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), 'Bargusto' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.), and 'Sea Spray' seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum O. Swartz)) from coated (ZEBA cornstarch coating; Absorbent Technologies Inc., Beaverton, OR) and uncoated seeds was evaluated on both filter paper and agar. Final germination percentage (FGP) and germination rate (GR) were determined at salinity levels of 0.6 (tap water, control), 2.2 (saline groundwater from a local shallow aquifer), and 7.0, 12.5, and 22.5 dSm -1 (sodium chloride and calcium chloride (1:1, w:w) dissolved in tap water). Final germination percentage for kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue was greater in agar at all salinity levels but was unaffected by the medium at any of the salinities except for 7 dSm -1 for bermudagrass and seashore paspalum. Coated seashore paspalum and coated perennial ryegrass seed exhibited greater germination than uncoated seed at four of the five salinity levels. Seed coating had no effect on FGP of bermudagrass at any salinity level and coated kentucky bluegrass seed showed reduced germination at 0.6 and 7.0 dSm -1 . Final germination percentage for seashore paspalum improved from 22% to 54% at 12.5 dSm -1 and from 8% to 20% at 22.5 dSm -1 when coated seed was used instead of uncoated seed. Germination rates were unaffected by salinity levels ranging from 0.6 to 12.5 dSm -1 and were higher on agar (10%/day) than on paper (8%/day). Our study suggests that the choice of medium can influence the outcome of germination tests and that results can also vary depending on the salinity level tested and whether the seed are coated.
From regional to global patterns in vertebrate scavenger communities subsidized by big game hunting

Anthropogenic food subsidies are increasingly present in ecosystems, but their impacts remain poorly understood. Big game hunting is a growing activity that annually subsidizes ecosystems with tonnes of carrion world‐wide. By feeding on carrion, scavengers support key ecosystem functions and services, becoming key vectors to transfer the impacts of human‐mediated food subsidies across ecosystems. We characterize and compare the structure of vertebrate communities feeding on these subsidies, namely big game hunting remains, at a global scale.
INDUÇÃO DE MUTAÇÃO EM SEMENTES DE ARROZ (Oryza sativa L.) E SELEÇÃO DE POSSIVEIS MUTANTES PARA DORMÊNCIA

Uma mutacao podera proporcionar vantagem ou desvantagem competitiva para uma celula, individuo, populacao ou especie. O trabalho teve por objetivo gerar uma populacao mutante de arroz a partir da cv . BRS 7 “ Taim ” e identificar possiveis mutantes para o carater dormencia. Dez mil sementes da cultivar BRS 7 “ Taim ” foram submetidas a 250Gy de radiacao gama. A populacao M1 foi cultivada em campo para producao da populacao de sementes M2. Trinta familias de sementes M2 foram avaliadas quanto a presenca de sementes dormentes. A inducao de mutacao permitiu gerar um banco de mutantes com desempenho diferenciado para o carater dormencia. A familia M2 24 parece ser altamente promissora para o estudo do carater dormencia, pois 50 % das sementes apresentavam dormencia, enquanto a media das demais familias foi de 7% e a dormencia da cultivar BRS7 Taim foi de 0%. Palavras-chave: dormencia; radiacao gama; arroz Abstract A mutation can provide competitive advantage or disadvantage to a cell, individual, population or species. The goal of this work was to generate a mutant population of rice from the BRS 7 “ Taim ” cultivar and to identify putative mutants for dormancy. Ten thousand seeds of the BRS 7 “ Taim ” cultivar were submitted to 250 Gy . The M1 population were cultivated in field to produce M2 seeds. Thirty M2 seed families were harvested and evaluated for dormancy. The mutation induction allowed the generation of a mutant bank with differentiated performance for dormancy. The M2 24 seed family seems to be the best one to study the dormancy trait, since 50 % of the seeds presented dormancy, while the average of the others was of 7% and the dormancy of cultivating BRS 7 Taim was of 0% . Key words: dormancy; gamma rays; rice.
"PERFIL TRANSCRICIONAL DE GENES DO SISTEMA IMUNE EM LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI DESAFIADOS COM IMNV, APÓS O SILENCIAMENTO VIRAL POR RNAI"

The incidence of viral diseases has been implied in significant economic losses to the shrimp farming industry. In this context, strategies to improve the ability of shrimp to survive viral outbreaks are a major goal for aquaculture, such as the activation of shrimp antiviral defenses by using the RNA interference (RNAi) technology. The present study evaluated the effect of the RNAi-mediated gene silencing of the Infectious Myonecrosis Virus (IMNV) on the survival of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp and on the expression profile of genes associated to its immune system. Animals previously treated with dsRNA specific to the IMNV genome (dsRNAIMNV) were challenged with a lethal dose of the virus (1.02×10 6 viral copies), while shrimp from the control group were treated with a nonspecific dsRNA (dsRNA-IGSF4D from Danio rerio). The dsRNAIMNV treatment provided a specific protection against the IMNV, reaching a survival rate of 90 % (up to 30 days), whereas all animals treated with the nonspecific dsRNA died within 17 days. The expression of 46 genes, from different functional categories, was assessed in all experimental groups at 0 h, 24 h and 48 h post-infection. From those, 36 genes (85 %) did not change their expression pattern in all analyzed conditions. On the other hand, six genes (13 %) from the functional categories antiviral defense (Lv-Ago2and LvDcr2), antimicrobial defense (Litvan ALF-D and LvCrustin), microbial recognition (LvGal) and apoptosis (LvIAP) were differentially expressed between shrimp that survived and not survived to IMNV infection. Taken together, the expression of these genes can be considered as a transcriptional signature associated with an efficient immune response against IMNV. Interestingly, the coagulation gene (LvClot) was differently expressed only in the treatment with nonspecific dsRNA (24 h and 48 h post-infection), showing higher levels of transcripts in animals that succumbed to the infection. The expression of LvClot could be an indicative of an initial state of myonecrosis in shrimps. Based on these results, it was identified a hemocyte transcriptional signature in L. vannamei associated with the induction of a specific antiviral protection in shrimp, using the RNAi approach. Therefore, this is the first report on the identification of immune effectors potentially involved in shrimp protection and survival to
Social behaviour and reproductive cycles in captive Ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)*

The social interactions of 12 adult Lemur catta were observed under standard conditions over a 20-month period. Descriptions of the behavioural repertoire and of vaginal cytology throughout two breeding seasons provided the basis for a preliminary analysis of hormonal influences on social behaviour in a“lower”primate. Both long and short term fluctuations in gonadal activity were associated with changes in the frequency of expression of several non-sexual patterns, particularly of the species-characteristic and sexually differentiated displays of males. The latter appear to be predominantly olfactory gestures and serve to distribute skin-gland secretions, thereby integrating much social activity. In contrast to the extended receptivity characteristic of some monkeys and apes, mating in the Ring-tail is restricted to a brief period during the 51/2-week cycle, being invariably coincident with vaginal oestrus. Hormonal factors alone are probably sufficient to determine the appearance of full behavioural oestrus. Patterns (other than fighting) tentatively associated with territoriality and/or dominance appear the least sensitive to influence by gonadal secretions.
The short-term effects on wild goose behaviour of chlorpyrifos application to permanent pasture

Summary Chlorpyrifos (Spannit 48% e.c.; PBI) was applied at the recommended rate of 0.72 kg a.i./ha to two pastures on which either Brent Geese (Branta bernicla) or Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were grazing. Observations of the number of geese and their behaviour were made on two or three occasions before spraying and four or five occasions after. Observations enabled an activity index and a count of pecks/minute to be calculated. No changes in the numbers or behaviour of the geese that could be attributed to chlorpyrifos application were found. Thorough searches were made for cadavers of the experimental fields, their environs and the roosts the day after other observations were made. Only one cadaver was found which had died as a result of swallowing angling equipment. Samples for chlorpyrifos residue analysis in the herbage and goose faeces showed no chlorpyrifos to be present prior to spraying the fields and that the chemical was present after spraying in both the herbage and faeces but fell to negligible levels within a few days. At least in the short-term, chlorpyrifos application to pasture appeared to have no perceptible or statistically significant effect on goose behaviour or well-being.
Variation of Nutrients and Functional Properties within Young Shoots of a Bamboo Species (Yushania alpina) Growing at Mt. Elgon Region in Western Kenya

Yushania alpina is an indigenous bamboo species growing at Mt. Elgon forest in Western Kenya and its young shoots are consumed by the local people as a vegetable. This study was done to determine some physico-chemical properties and their distribution within the shoot. Each shoot was divided into the upper and lower portions which were analyzed separately, and results were expressed in dry weight basis. On proximate composition, there was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the two portions in terms of moisture, protein, ash and fat content, which ranged 92.2-92.4% fresh weight, 33.0-33.4% dry weight basis (dwb), 17.0-17.1% dwb and 2.0% dwb, respectively. Significant difference was found in fiber and carbohydrates, whose content was 23.9 and 23.6% dwb in the upper portion compared to 30.7 and 17.3% dwb in the lower part, respectively. The upper portion contained Ca of 2,670, Mg of 4,300, K of 35,900 and P of 7,630 µg/g dwb, whereas the lower portion had Ca of 1,060, Mg of 1,270, K of 27,600 and P of 4,810 µg/g dwb. The upper portion was found to contain thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin C of 2.2, 8.4 and 78.2 µg/g dwb, respectively, whereas the lower part contained 1.8, 7.3 and 51.2 µg/g dwb, respectively. Fructose was found to differ significantly with the upper portion having 2.19 % against 0.62 % in the lower portion. Total polyphenol and flavonoid content of 27.6 and 24.6 mg/g dwb, respectively, were observed in the upper part compared to 25.9 and 20.1 mg/g dwb, respectively in the lower part. The upper portion was observed to exhibit better antioxidant activity with LC50 of 1 mg/ml compared to 5 mg/ml for the lower part, and higher Hunter’s L* value.
SIGNIFICANT EMERGENT ROLE OF FLAVONOIDS AS VALUABLE NUTRACEUTICALS: SYSTEMIC REVIEW

Nutraceuticals are food or food products that render health and medical benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Such products may range from isolated nutrients, dietary supplements and specific diets to secondary metabolite foods, herbal products, and processed foods such as cereals, soups, and beverages. One such major class of secondary metabolites is phenolic compounds with various structures involved in organoleptic features of plant-derived foods and beverages. Phenolic compounds contribute in the nutritional values of certain fruits and vegetables. Among these compounds, Flavonoids are considered as the most omnipresent groups of plant phenolics. Due to their significance in organoleptic properties of food and human health, necessitates better understanding of their structures and biological activities. This revealed the potentials of Flavonoids as therapeutic agent that also helps in predicting and controlling food quality. Owing to diversity of pharmacological activities of Flavonoids in the human body, they are referred as important nutraceutical.
NOREPINEPHRINE AND CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW REGULATION IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATIONS

OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis that the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in cerebral blood flow regulation in patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVM). METHODSCortical interstitial norepinephrine was measured by means of microdialysis, regional cerebral blood flow was measured by a thermal diffusion technique, and regional oxygen saturation (SO2) was measured by microspectrophotometry in 12 patients harboring cerebral AVMs (AVM group) and in 15 patients with deep-seated nonvascular lesions (control group) before and after resection. Measurements were compared according to groups and times of measurements. All values are given as means ± standard deviation. RESULTSCortical regional SO2 increased significantly (P < 0.05) in both groups after surgery (AVM group: presurgery 52.4 ± 12.5% SO2, postsurgery 71.4 ± 7.4% SO2; control group: presurgery 57.1 ± 8.4% SO2, postsurgery 69.9 ± 8.7% SO2), whereas regional cerebral blood flow increased only in the AVM group (AVM group: presurgery 18.9 ± 6.6 ml/100 g/min, postsurgery 26.2 ± 6.9 ml/100 g/min; control group: presurgery 20.1 ± 7.6 ml/100 g/min, postsurgery 19.4 ± 7.8 ml/100 g/min). Norepinephrine concentrations were significantly lower in the AVM group as compared with the control group before surgery. Although there was no significant difference between pre- and postsurgery conditions in the AVM group, the norepinephrine level of the control group was significantly lower after surgery (AVM group: presurgery 3.3 ± 1.2 nmol/L, postsurgery 2.9 ± 1.7 nmol/L; control group: presurgery 5.4 ± 1.4 nmol/L, postsurgery 4.2 ± 1.1 nmol/L). CONCLUSIONChronically lowered perfusion pressure seems to induce the hypothesized adaptive down-regulation of sympathetic nervous system activity, yet protective up-regulation after a sudden elevation of cerebral perfusion pressure after AVM excision could not be shown in this study.