Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Validation of Effect of Neutraceuticals on Growth and Immune Response of Nile Tilapia in Cool Water Using a Cluster-Based Approach

This interdisciplinary study investigated computational analytic methods used for biological hypothesis testing and applied the methods for the validation of the effects of nutraceuticals on growth and immune response of Nile tilapia in cool water. Farmers in cooler regions face problems with cultivating tilapia, one of the most popular cultivated fish species, due to poor survival rates at suboptimal temperatures. We hypothesized that two nutraceuticals, phosphatidylcholine and β-carotene, help tilapia adapt to cooler water temperatures and benefit tilapia's growth and immune response. Fish were reared in two different environments: warm water (28°C) and cool water (16°C). Fish reared in warm water (control) were provided with a basal commercial diet, while fish reared in cool water were provided with either the basal commercial diet (cool water control) or diets supplemented with nutraceuticals (either phosphatidylcholine or β-carotene). Experiments were conducted over an eight-week period. The effects of the nutraceuticals were tested using an unsupervised learning technique in data mining and statistics called cluster analysis. An external index used for cluster validation was adopted for testing our hypothesis by formulating the level of agreement between two different partitions of samples: experimental groups and clusters based on the similarity of their features. Contrary to the findings of previous studies, which showed the beneficial effects of phosphatidylcholine and β-carotene supplementation in a range of fish including tilapias, our test results show no significant difference among the fish reared in cool water and fed with either the basal diet or diets supplemented with the nutraceutical. Despite slower growth compared with fish held in warm waters, our study suggests the feasibility of stocking or rearing tilapia in water temperatures as low as 16°C during cool weather, without need for supplementation to basal commercial feed.
THE MEASUREMENT OF TOLERANCE TO EDAPHIC FACTORS BY MEANS OF ROOT GROWTH

SUMMARY The tolerance of plants to toxic metals is frequently measured by comparing rates of root growth in culture solutions with and without the addition of the metal, but many variants of the technique are available. Toxicity is often reduced by the presence of other ions, particularly calcium. Control growth rates may be measured beforehand on the same roots or in parallel on a duplicate set. With a single toxic concentration tolerance is defined as the ratio of the two growth rates; with a range of concentrations the slope of the regression of growth on concentration may be used, but there are some complications with stimulation at low concentrations. Probit analysis may be valuable. There is good evidence that tolerance differences are largely of genetical origin.
A meta‐analysis of isolation by distance: relic or reference standard for landscape genetics?

Isolation by distance (IBD) has been a common measure of genetic structure among populations and is based on Euclidean distances among populations. Whereas IBD does not incorporate geographic complexity (e.g. dispersal barriers, corridors) that may better predict genetic structure, a new approach (landscape genetics) joins landscape ecology with population genetics to better model genetic structure. Should IBD be set aside or should it persist as the most simple model in landscape genetics? We evaluated the status of IBD by collecting and analyzing results of 240 IBD data sets among diverse taxa and study systems. IBD typically represented a low proportion of variance in genetic structure (mean r2=0.22) in part because many studies included relatively few populations (mean=11). The number of populations studied (N) was asymptotically related to IBD significance; a study with 9 populations has only 50% probability of significance, while one with >23 populations will have 90% probability of significance. Surprisingly, ectothermic animals were significantly (p=0.0018) more likely to have significant IBD than endotherms, which suggests a metabolic basis underlying gene flow rates. We also observed marginally significant effects on IBD significance for a) taxa in general and b) dispersal modes within actively-dispersing endotherms. Other factors analyzed (genetic markers, genetic distances, habitats, active or passive dispersal, plant growth form) did not significantly affect IBD, likely related to typical N. For multiple reasons we conclude that IBD should continue as the simplest reference standard against which all other, more complex models should be compared in landscape genetics research.
WOOD IDENTIFICATION -A REVIEW'

Wood identification is of value in a variety of contexts - commercial, forensic, archaeological and paleontological. This paper reviews the basics of wood identification, including the problems associated with different types of materials, lists commonly used microscopic and macroscopic features and recent wood anatomical atlases, discusses types ofkeys (synoptic, dichotomous, and multiple entry), and outlines some work on computer-assisted wood identification.
Molecular Characterization of Burkholderia cepacia Complex Isolates Causing Bacterial Fruit Rot of Apricot

The Burkholderia cepacia complex isolates causing bacterial fruit rot of apricot were characterized by speciesspecific PCR tests, recA-HaeIII restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assays, rep-PCR genomic fingerprinting, recA gene sequencing, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis. Results indicated that the isolates Bca 0901 and Bca 0902 gave positive amplifications with primers specific for B. vietnamiensis while the two bacterial isolates showed different recA-RFLP and rep-PCR profiles from those of B. vietnamiensis strains. In addition, the two bacterial isolates had a higher proteolytic activity compared with that of the non-pathogenic B. vietnamiensis strains while no cblA and esmR marker genes were detected for the two bacterial isolates and B. vietnamiensis strains. The two bacterial isolates were identified as Burkholderia seminalis based on recA gene sequence analysis and MLST analysis. Overall, this is the first characterization of B. seminalis that cause bacterial fruit rot of apricot.
Mesozooplankton interactions with the shelf around the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands archipelago

Mesozooplankton surveys were conducted in April/May for four consecutive years (1996-1999) in the vicinity of the Prince Edward Islands (PEIs), Southern Ocean. The PEIs are located in the Polar Frontal Zone, directly in the path of the east-flowing Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Zooplankton were collected by oblique tows using a Bongo net fitted with 300 μm mesh. The abundance, biomass and average side of the mesozooplankton in the upstream (USR), inter-island (IIR) and downstream (DSR) regions indicated that some groups and species were significantly affected by their interaction with the shallow shelf waters of the PEIs. Total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass were typically highest in the DSR, but no consistent pattern was evident in the USR and IIR, Copepods, euphausiids and fish were generally of a low average size in the IIR. This small size was largely attributed to the reduced abundance, or complete absence, of mesopelagic species from the shelf region. Of total biomass, the mesopelagic species Euphausia longirostris, Euphausia similis, Pleuromamma abdominalis, Paraeuchaeta biloba and Oncaea antarctica together contributed an average of 16% to the USR, 2% to the HR and 15% to the DSR. Conversely, epipelagic species showed no consistent pattern of abundance and biomass distribution between regions. The low incidence of mesopelagic species over the island shelf was attributed mainly to reduced advection of deep water into the shelf region (average depth = 200 m), rather than predation, particularly during the through-flow mode between the islands. This resulted in substantial regional differences in euphausiid community structure. The epipelagic species Euphausia vallentini and Thysanoessa vicina completely dominated the IIR, comprising on average 89% of total euphausiid biomass in this region. However, predation may be important, during the water-trapping mode between the islands. Advection of zooplankton into the IIR appeared to be affected by the proximity of the Subantarctic Front (SAF). In 1996, when the SAF was far north of the PEIs, reduced current velocities resulted in some degree of water retention over the shelf and an increased predation impact. Conversely, when the SAF was close to the PEIs in 1999, more large plankton were transported over the island shelf. High current velocities and productivity associated with the SAF appear to increase the biomass and size of allochthonous zoopilankton/nekton advected info the IIR. and consequently may have increased the availability of prey to land-based predators. The long-term southward movement of the SAF recently observed in the vicinity of the PEIs may therefore have important implications for the ecosystem of these islands.
Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance formation as affected by distribution of polyenoic fatty acids in individual phospholipids

The purpose of the study was to identify and quantitate the individual phospholipids, to determine the fatty acid profile of each individual phospholipids fraction in chiken liver, heart, plasma, and egg yolk, and to study the roles of individual phospholipids in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance formation in edible poultry products.
The ABCs of MHC

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains the most diverse genes known in vertebrates. These genes encode cell‐surface molecules that play a central role in controlling immunological activity and, as a consequence, in tissue rejection, autoimmunity, and immune responses to infectious diseases. In vertebrates, there are many different MHC genes, most with many alleles. This is true for all primates studied thus far. Multiple loci and alleles allow for an increased peptide‐binding repertoire; their variety has a profound impact on an organism's ability to battle constantly evolving pathogens. The argument that infectious disease is a driving force for MHC variability is supported by observations that most of the allelic variation centers on the amino acid residues that directly interact with foreign peptides. However, while MHC diversity could be maintained through heterozygote advantage, frequency‐dependent selection, or both, the direct evidence that natural selection enhances diversity is limited. Indeed, it is not wholly clear whether selection operates only with respect to disease resistance or if behavioral and biological mechanisms also contribute to the extreme variation that has been observed for many species. Furthermore, reproductive behavior and biology may also help to maintain genetic variability at MHC loci.
Detection of novel mitochondrial haplotype variants in populations of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, from Tunisia, Israel and Morocco

The direct analysis of DNA sequence‐based mitochondrial haplotypes in individuals from populations of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, from Tunisia, Morocco and Israel has revealed levels of genetic diversity that far exceed those previously described. A total of 33 distinct haplotypes were identified from 117 individuals representing seven populations from these countries. A network of haplotypes was constructed showing that we have captured essentially all of the sequence variations present in these populations for this gene. These results have important implications for future studies of the genetic structure of this and other closely related pest species.
Leaf Temperature Kinetics Measure Plant Adaptation to Extreme High Temperatures

Leaf temperature kinetics were studied as a function of the rate of change of ambient temperature (Vt), light conditions, plant age, and genotypic and species diversity for Zea mays, Cucumis sativus, Lycopersicon esculentum, Phaseolus vulgaris, Beta vulgaris, Cucurbita pepo and Raphanus sativus. Ambient temperature was varied from 26 to 60oC at rates from 0.5 to 8oC/min. Leaf-air temperature differences (LATD) were registered with differential copper-constantan thermocouples. As the ambient temperature rose LATD increased because stomata had been closed in darkness. Still in the darkness, at some critical ambient temperature stomata opened and the leaf temperature reduced dramatically as result of stomatal transpiration. The critical temperature is strongly dependent upon Vt. Simple equations for the calculation of a threshold of plant temperature sensitivity and of a time constant for stomatal signal transduction have been obtained. These parameters show a high correlation with plant heat tolerance both in genotypic and species aspects. This is consistent with the idea that temporal organisation of plant regulatory systems plays a leading role in evolution and in adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. Both characteristics measured tend to change with plant age. It is concluded that the measurement of leaf temperature kinetics is a very convenient procedure for estimating plant adaptive ability to high temperatures.
Influence of prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) on habitat heterogeneity and mammalian diversity in Mexico

Abstract Prairie dogs are considered to be both a keystone species and an ecosystem engineer in grasslands. To partially test these hypotheses we evaluated burrow densities, soil removal, and mammal (i.e. rodents and carnivores) species composition, richness, diversity, and abundance in grasslands with and without prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus ) in north-western Mexico. We measured habitat heterogeneity as a function of burrow density. As predicted, density of burrows was much higher in areas with prairie dogs. Soil mix was also much higher in prairie dog colonies. Grasslands with and without prairie dogs differed in small mammal species composition, richness, density, and diversity; four species were exclusively found in areas with prairie dogs. Interestingly, carnivore communities were similar in areas with and without prairie dogs. Our results support the hypothesis that prairie dogs and their activities enhance regional species diversity, and thus are an important component of the grassland ecosystem.
Sex ratio variation among broods of great reed warblers Acrocephalus arundinaceus

The sex of 746 great reed warbler fledglings (from 175 broods) was determined by the use of single primer polymerase chain reaction. The reliability of the technique was confirmed as 104 of the fledglings were subsequently recorded as adults of known sex. The overall sex ratio did not differ from unity. Variation in sex ratios between broods was larger than expected from a binomial distribution. Female identity explained some of the variation of brood sex ratio indicating that certain females consistently produced sex ratios that departed from the average value in the population. The theory of sex allocation predicts that parents should adjust the sex ratio of their brood to the relative value of sons and daughters and this may vary in relation to the quality of the parents or to the time of breeding. In the great reed warbler, the proportion of sons was not related to time of breeding, or to any of five female variables. Of five male variables, males with early arrival date tended to produce more daughters. The sex ratio of fledglings that were a result of extra‐pair fertilizations did not differ from that of legitimate fledglings. Hence, there is currently no evidence of that female great reed warblers invest in a higher proportion of sons when mated with attractive males.
Feeding behaviour, food consumption, and growth efficiency of hemiclonal and parental tadpoles of the Rana esculenta complex

1. Clonally reproducing species are often assumed to lack sufficient genetic variability to evolve specific local adaptations to cope with environmental perturbation and competition from sexual species. Yet, many asexuals are extremely successful judged by abundance and wide range, suggesting high competitive abilities in resource exploitation. 2. In this study, food use and its effects on larval growth in a water frog system consisting of the two parental sexual species, Rana lessonae (Camerano 1882) and Rana ridibunda (Pallas 1771), and three different coexisting hemiclones of their hybrid, Rana esculenta (Linnaeus 1758) were investigated. 3.R. esculenta tadpoles spent 18·6% more time feeding than did tadpoles of either parental species, but feeding time was not affected by interspecific mixture. 4.R. esculenta tadpoles consumed 50·8% more food over the whole test period than did tadpoles of the two parental species. 5.R. esculenta tadpoles exhibited higher growth rates than did tadpoles of either parental species. 6.R. lessonae tadpoles had the highest and R. ridibunda tadpoles the lowest growth efficiencies with the R. esculenta tadpoles ranging between the two parentals. 7. The results obtained indicate that hemiclonal hybridogenetic R. esculenta tadpoles display significant phenotypic variation among coexisting hemiclones as well as out-perform tadpoles of the parental sexual species R. lessonae and R. ridibunda. The primary mechanism for success of the hybrid tadpoles is probably behavioural, through increased feeding time and food consumption, and not physiological via growth efficiency.
Leaf anatomical structure and photosynthetic induction for seedlings of five dipterocarp species under contrasting light conditions in a Bornean heath forest

This study compares leaf anatomy, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic induction rates for seedlings of five dipterocarp species growing both by a path and in the understorey of a Bornean heath forest. Hemispherical photographs were used to estimate the light level. Although three of the five species showed significantly higher photosynthetic capacity in high light conditions, there were no significant within-species differences in induction rates. Average induction times to reach 50% (T50%) and 90% (T90%) of maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax) were about 1.5 and 9 min for Shorea pachyphylla. In contrast, these were 18 and 37 min respectively for Dipterocarpus borneensis, and 12 and 25 min for Shorea multiflora. Intermediate values were recorded for Hopea pentanervia and Cotylelobium burckii. There was an overall weak and negative correlation of induction rate with stomatal density. Three species showed more rapid induction loss in their leaves from the path edge vs. the understorey. The results suggest that photosynthetic acclimation can influence some aspects of a leaf's dynamic response to sunflecks, such as Amax and induction loss, while not affecting overall induction rates. This study also shows significant differences among diptero carp species in photosynthetic capacity, induction responses and leaf structure, and in acclimation on these traits.
The effect of wiping and spray-wash temperature on bacterial retention on abraded domestic sink surfaces

The relative cleanability of artificially abraded stainless steel, enamelled steel, mineral resin and polycarbonate domestic sinks was assessed by examining bacterial retention after cleaning. Two cleaning regimes were used: the mechanical action of wiping combined with a spray-rinse, and spray-washing at a range of temperatures. After wiping, stainless steel retained 0.5–1 log order fewer bacteria than the enamel sinks which in turn were 0.5 log order cleaner than the mineral resin and polycarbonate sinks. After spray-washing, stainless steel retained 0.5 log order fewer bacteria than enamel which in turn was 0.5 log order cleaner than the polycarbonate and mineral resin. Extending the number of wipes or increasing spray-wash temperature enhanced bacterial removal but, in general, did not change the relative cleanability of the sink materials. As a cleaning technique, wiping was shown to be more effective than spray-washing in reducing bacterial numbers. SEM studies showed that bacteria were typically retained in surface imperfections, particularly pits and crevices such that surfaces which sustained the most extensive damage due to abrasion retained higher numbers of bacteria.
Vocal Mimicry in Starlings

Starlings imitate a variety of avian species and have a repertoire of about 15-20 distinct imitations. They also imitate a few sounds other than those of wild birds. The calls of abundant species, calls that are simple in frequency structure and calls that show little amplitude modulation are preferentially imitated. There are local dialects of mimicked sounds. These results are discussed in relation to possible functional explanations of vocal mimicry. Explanations which involve the deceit of other birds are rejected. It is concluded that the understanding of vocal mimicry is probably not distinct from the understanding of the rest of the song.
COMPORTAMENTO INGESTIVO E RESPOSTAS FISIOLÓGICAS DE NOVILHOS NELORE EM DIFERENTES CONDIÇÕES DE PASTEJO

This study aimed to evaluate the ingestive behavior and physiological responses of steers under different grazing conditions. Five Nellore steers, weighing an average of 390.78 ± 14 kg BW, were assigned to five experimental treatments: clean pasture without concentrate supplementation (PLSC), dirty pasture without concentrate supplementation (PSSC), clean pasture with concentrate supplementation (PLCC), dirty pasture with concentrate supplementation (PSCC) and free access to pasture without concentrate supplementation (LAPSC). The experimental design was a 5 x 5 Latin Square. The grazing behavior was measured through visual observation at the end of each trial in ten-minute intervals for 24 hours, and the physiological variables comprised rectal temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate. The physiological responses of animals were not affected by treatments. The number of steps performed by the animals kept in treatments PLSC (6.08 steps/min) and PLCC (5.62 steps/min) were significantly lower than those in treatments PSSC (16.84 steps/min) and PSCC (14.58 steps/min), showing increased activity of locomotion in animals in paddocks with weeds. KEYWORDS: heart rate; locomotion; pasture; weeds.