Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microevolutionary Processes Inferred from AFLP and Morphological Variation in Heliconia bihai (Heliconiaceae)

Heliconia bihai is a highly polymorphic species. Populations of the species are distributed throughout the Lesser Antilles and northern South America; the most obvious sign of polymorphism is manifested through differences in bract color. This variation has been attributed to pollinator‐mediated selection, but other processes are also plausible. To test the potential contribution of drift in the evolution of phenotypic variation in this system, we examined the distribution of morphological and genetic variation within and between populations of H. bihai in the Caribbean islands of St. Vincent and St. Lucia. Morphological characterization was limited to flower and inflorescence characteristics, including bract color. AFLPs were used to investigate levels of genetic diversity within and between populations. Genetic similarity among individuals was equivalent to that expected for conspecific individuals. Levels of AFLP and population subdivision were high and were comparable to those of outcrossing species in one island, but they were low and comparable with selfing or clonal species in the other, indicating that genetic variation between islands may be under different evolutionary regimes. There was a significant geographical structure in morphological variation, but this was considerably less pronounced than that found at the genetic level except for bract color patterns, which were different for different islands. We found no correlation between genetic similarity and geographic distance or between genetic similarity and morphological similarity. Observed patterns of genetic and morphological variation in H. bihai suggest that genetic drift is likely to have had a minor role in their development. Instead, these patterns are consistent with phenomena such as selection, inbreeding, and habitat fragmentation that may be operating independently at different spatial scales.
PRODUÇÃO, COMPOSIÇÃO DO LEITE E CONCENTRAÇÃO DE NITROGÊNIO URÉICO NO SORO DE VACAS ALIMENTADAS COM CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR CORRIGIDA

Com o objetivo de avaliar a producao e composicao do leite de vacas alimentadas com dietas a base de cana-de-acucar, cujos teores de proteina bruta foram corrigidos com concentrado a base de farelo de soja ou diferentes niveis de ureia mais sulfato de amonia, foram utilizados 12 vacas da raca Holandesa malhada de preto pura ou mestica, mantidas em baias individuais tie stall, alimentadas ad libitum duas vezes ao dia. A relacao volumoso:concentrado no inicio do experimento foi de 55:45%, correspondendo a 1kg de racao concentrada para cada 2kg de leite produzido. Os animais foram distribuidos em tres quadrados latinos 4x4, de acordo com o periodo de lactacao. A duracao de cada periodo foi de 17 dias, sendo os 10 primeiros de adaptacao e os demais para a coleta de dados. O experimento foi composto de quatro tratamentos que utilizou uma dieta a base de cana-de-acucar com farelo de soja e tres outras com 0,4; 0,8 e 1,2% da mistura ureia e sulfato de amonia (9:1). Nao houve diferenca entre as dietas para producao de leite sem e com correcao para 3,5% de gordura, composicao do leite e concentracoes de nitrogenio ureico no soro (NUS). Quando se comparou a dieta com concentrado a base de farelo de soja com os diferentes niveis de ureia. O farelo de soja pode ser utilizado para a correcao proteica da cana-de-acucar. Para a correcao utilizando a mistura ureia mais sulfato de amonia (9:1) recomenda-se o nivel de 1,2%.
Zinc oxide microrods and nanorods: different antibacterial activity and their mode of action against Gram-positive bacteria

The development of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria combined with increased implant-associated infections have determined a great interest towards new bactericidal materials containing various organic and inorganic substances. Among them, zinc oxide (ZnO) derived materials have received considerable attention due to their unique antibacterial, antifungal, and UV filtering properties as well as high catalytic and photochemical activities. In the present work, we investigate the antimicrobial properties against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) of ZnO microrods (MRs) and nanorods (NRs), produced in bulk quantities through simple and inexpensive methods. We demonstrate that the antimicrobial effect is strongly dependent on the rod size and dose. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the two investigated microbial types interact differently with the ZnO-MRs and NRs due to their different morphology. This resulted in different outcomes as reported by their respective Colony Forming Unit (CFU) capabilities. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed that changes in cell outer structures, i.e. membrane and exopolysaccharides (EPS), produced by the interaction with the ZnO structures, are responsible for the antimicrobial mechanism without the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. This was further strengthened by the increased survival observed in the case of bacterial cells treated in the presence of an osmotic support, like glycerol. In addition, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis showed that reduced cell viability is not strictly correlated to increased zinc ion release in the suspension. We then concluded that ZnO-NRs have a superior antimicrobial effect against both S. aureus and B. subtilis at much lower doses when compared to ZnO-MRs. This is mainly due to the smaller diameter of the NRs, which promotes surface damaging and protein alteration of the cell wall. Finally, the lack of toxicity and the antimicrobial properties of ZnO-NRs versus S. aureus, validated in vivo using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as host infection model, confirm the promising exploitation of ZnO-NRs in biomedical applications.
Quantifying the effect of interactions between disease control, nitrogen supply and land use change on the greenhouse gas emissions associated with wheat production

A method for calculating the effect of disease control on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with wheat production, reported previously, was developed further to account for effects of disease control on the amount of fertilizer nitrogen (N) which should be applied and on changes in land use. Data from nine randomized and replicated field experiments from the UK and Denmark showed that the economic optimum N input to winter wheat was greater if diseases were controlled by fungicides, than for untreated wheat. The GHGs associated with this additional N largely negated the benefit to emissions per tonne of grain resulting from disease control. However, the mean grain yield obtained without fungicide treatment was 6·71 t ha−1, compared to 8·88 t ha−1 with fungicide treatment, if N input was optimal for each situation. In the absence of disease control by fungicides, and assuming that the optimum N rate was used, an additional 481 kha of wheat would be required to maintain UK wheat production at the current level. If the additional land area came from converting temperate grassland to arable production, the GHG emissions caused by ploughing grassland would cause emissions to rise from 503 to 713 kg CO2e per tonne of grain produced. This would result in an additional 3·15 Mt CO2e per year to produce the typical UK annual production of 15 Mt. This analysis reinforces the importance of winning the ‘arms race’ against pathogen evolution towards fungicide insensitivity and virulence.
Revision and Cladistic Analysis of the Orbweaving Spider Genus Cyrtognatha Keyserling, 1881 (Araneae, Tetragnathidae)

Abstract The Neotropical spiders of the orbweaving genus Cyrtognatha Keyserling, 1881 (Tetragnathidae) are monographed. Cyrtognatha now includes a total of 21 species distributed over a large part of South America, Central America, and the southern parts of North America. Several species are known from the Caribbean islands of Cuba (one species), Hispaniola (two species), Jamaica (one species), and Saint Vincent (one species). Despite the wide geographic distribution of the genus, most Cyrtognatha species are known from single localities and often from very few museum specimens. The web architecture of several Cyrtognatha species is described and illustrated for the first time. Adults and juveniles of Cyrtognatha can be easily distinguished from all other tetragnathids by the presence of a straight line of long and robust macrosetae with enlarged bases on the retrolateral surface of the PLS. In Cyrtognatha the spermathecae are reduced and the sperm storage function is undertaken by an unpaired membranous structure, the posterior sac, which is diagnostic for the genus. A cladistic analysis including all known species of Cyrtognatha plus 51 outgroup taxa scored for a total of 194 morphological and behavioral characters was carried out. Thirteen unambiguous synapomorphies support the monophyly of Cyrtognatha, six of which are free of homoplasy. The internal phylogenetic relationships within the genus are also hypothesized and discussed. The genus Agriognatha O.P.-Cambridge, 1896 is a junior synonym of Cyrtognatha. The following eight new combinations are proposed: C. pachygnathoides (O.P.-Cambridge, 1894), C. bella (O.P.-Cambridge, 1896), C. lepida (O.P.-Cambridge, 1889), C. simoni (Bryant, 1940), C. rucilla (Bryant, 1945), C. espanola (Bryant, 1945), C. bryantae (Chickering, 1956), and C. insolita (Chickering, 1956). The following 11 new species are described: C. catia, n. sp. , C. atopica, n. sp. , C. eberhardi, n. sp. , C. quichua, n. sp. , C. waorani, n. sp. , C. morona, n. sp. , C. leviorum, n. sp. , C. petila, n. sp. , C. paradoxa, n. sp. , C. orphana, n. sp. , and C. pathetica, n. sp. The species C. aproducta Franganillo, 1926 is considered a nomen dubium. The following three new combinations are the result of generic misplacements: Tetragnatha lactensis (Mello-Leitão, 1947), T. exilima (Mello-Leitão, 1943), and Glenognatha globosa (Petrunkevitch, 1925).
Variability in the Relationship between Frost Temperature and Injury Level for Some Cultivated Prunus Species

The influence of the species in spring frost sensibility was determined for the Prunus species peach (P. persica (L.) Batsch), sweet cherry (P. avium L.), almond (P. dulcis (Mill.) Webb/P. amygdalus Batsch), japanese plum (P. salicina Lindl.), and blackthorn (P. spinosa L.). The confidence intervals for lethal temperatures of 10% (LT 10 ) and 90% (LT 90 ) bud injury were also determined. In 2000 and 2001, seven frost treatments were made for each one of the phenological stages comprised between B (first swell) and I (jacket split) in two cultivars per each species. The relationships between frost temperature and the proportion of frost damaged buds for each cultivar, year, and phenological stage were adjusted to linear regression models. The 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. The spring frost hardiness order of the species, from the least to most hardy, was as follows: sweet cherry, almond, peach, japanese plum, and blackthorn. Despite the highly homogeneous nature of the frost and bud characteristics, the temperature range for a given injury degree was quite broad, since the confidence interval's breadth for LT 10 was as high as about 3 °C and as high as about 6 °C for LT 90 . Consequently, when critical temperatures are used in making decisions as to when to begin active frost protection, a prudent measure would be to take the temperature references from the upper limits in the confidence intervals.
The genus Hippolyte Leach, 1814 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Hippolytidae) in the East Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, with a checklist of all species in the genus

The genus Hippolyte Leach in the East Atlantic and the Mediterranean is revised and a list of the world species is given. Eleven species occur in the area studied: H. coerulescens (Fabricius), H. garciarasoi spec. nov., H. inermis Leach, H. lagarderei d'Udekem d'Acoz, H. leptocerus (Heller), H. leptometrae Ledoyer, H. niezabitowskii spec. nov., H. palliola Kensley, H. prideauxiana Leach, H. sapphica d'Udekem d'Acoz, H. varians Leach. An elaborate key, complete descriptions and illustrations of all species are provided, while their ecology is discussed in detail. A morphological account is also given for the species occuring in the Suez Canal: H. proteus (Paulson) and H. ventricosa H. Milne Edwards. It is shown that H. prideauxiana (previously H. huntii) and H. varians display important geographical variations. H. longirostris proves to be a junior synonym of H. leptocerus but part of the specimens previously referred to as H. longirostris belong in fact to a new species: H. garciarasoi spec. nov. The latter is not very variable but it is extremely close to H. leptocerus which itself displays extraordinary variations within individual populations and on a geographical scale. H. sapphica presents discontinuous variations: it comprises a long-rostred form (forma A) and a short-rostred form (forma B). H. niezabitowskii spec. nov. is a new species possibly endemic in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and morphologically close to H. inermis and to the Mediterranean populations of H. varians. H. coerulescens presents some neotenic characters.
Relation between Body-Size and Thermoregulation Behavior: Postprandial Thermophily in Spiny-Tailed Agama, Uromastyx acanthinura Bell

ABSTRACT: Ectothermal vertebrates regulate their body temperature within definite limits to maintain physiological processes at their optimal levels. Among others, food processing and absorption are strongly temperature-dependent. Deficiency of adequate temperatures limits ectotherms in growth and maintenance. On the other hand, thermoregulatory behavior is costly and should be constrained by many factors. Using artificial thermal gradients (26–44°C), we measured temperature preferences of 10 spiny-tailed agamas (Uromastyx acanthinura) in controlled indoor experiment. Each lizard could choose place in the terrarium before and after feeding. Then, temperature preferences during pre-feeding and post-feeding periods were compared. We found significant increase of preferred temperature after feeding. Detailed view revealed that there is consistent influence of body size: bigger lizards maintained higher temperature during the whole experiment. We hypothesize that bigger potential predation risk on smaller lizards due to their size would force them to choose less optimal conditions.
Endogenous Exchange-Rate Pass-through and Self-Validating Exchange Rate Regimes

A long-standing question in open macroeconomics concerns the choice of currency denomination of nominal prices and contracts. This paper analyzes the interaction between firms’ export pricing and monetary policy, and discusses its potential macroeconomic implications for business cycle synchronization and the choice of an exchange rate regime. In the framework of a highly stylized monetary model, we provide an analytical characterization of the optimal export pricing by imperfectly monopolistic firms subject to nominal rigidities. We show that, when choosing the currency denomination of exports, firms optimize over the covariance between the log of the exchange rate and the inverse of the markup. Intuitively, the currency denomination of exports affects the exposure of firms’ marginal revenue to the shocks moving the exchange rate and demand in the destination markets.
Assessment of Seasonal Changes in Energy Density and Condition in Age-0 and Age-1 Muskellunge

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate seasonal changes in the energy density of age-0 and age-1 muskellunge Esox masquinongy and to compare energy density to various estimates of condition. Three treatment groups of muskellunge were evaluated to determine temporal changes in energy density (J/g wet weight [ww]), water content, condition factor (K TL; K = W/L 3, where W = weight and L = total length in centimeters), and relative weight (Wr .; ratio of actual to “standard” weight) through the first year following hatching. Treatment groups were (1) hatchery (muskellunge reared and maintained in hatchery ponds), (2) stocked (hatchery-reared muskellunge stocked in lakes), and (3) natural (muskellunge naturally produced in lakes). Energy levels and relative condition were compared for fish 4 and 11 months old. Differences in energy density were observed between all three treatment groups. An average overwinter reduction of 494 ± 192 J/g ww in energy density was observed over all treatment grou.
The biogeomorphological life cycle of poplars during the fluvial biogeomorphological succession: a special focus on Populus nigra L.

Riverine ecosystems are recurrently rejuvenated during destructive flood events and vegetation succession starts again. Poplars (i.e. species from Populus genera) respond to hydrogeomorphological constraints, but, in turn, also influence these processes. Thus, poplar development on bare mineral substrates is not exclusively a one‐way vegetative process. Reciprocal interactions and adjustments between poplar species and sediment dynamics during their life cycle lead to the emergence of biogeomorphological entities within the fluvial corridor, such as vegetated islands, benches and floodplains. Based on a review of geomorphological, biological and ecological literature, we have identified and described the co‐constructing processes between riparian poplars and their fluvial environment. We have explored the possibility that the modification of the hydrogeomorphological environment exerted, in particular, by the European black poplar (Populus nigra L.), increases its fitness and thus results in positive niche construction. We focus on the fundamental phases of dispersal, recruitment and establishment until sexual maturity of P. nigra by describing the hierarchy of interactions and the pattern of feedbacks between biotic and abiotic components. We explicitly relate the biological life cycle of P. nigra to the fluvial biogeomorphic succession model by referring to the ‘biogeomorphological life cycle’ of P. nigra. Finally, we propose new research perspectives based on this theoretical framework. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling lipase-catalysed transesterification of fats containing n-3 fatty acids monitored by their solid fat content

Transesterification of fat blends rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), catalysed by a commercial immobilised thermostable lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosa, was carried out batch-wise. Experiments were performed, following central composite rotatable designs (CCRDs) as a function of reaction time, temperature and media formulation. Mixtures of palm stearin, palm kernel oil and a commercial concentrate of triacylglycerols rich in n-3 PUFA (“EPAX 2050TG” in CCRD-1 and “EPAX 4510TG” in CCRD-2) were used. The time-course of transesterification was indirectly followed by the solid fat content (SFC) values of the blend at 10 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C. A decrease in all SFC values of the blends at 10 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C and 35°C was observed upon transesterification. The SFC10 °C and SFC20 °C of transesterified blends varied between 18 and 48 and SFC35 °C between 6 and 24. These values fulfil the technological requirements for the production of margarines. Under our conditions, lipid oxidation may be neglected. However, the accumulation up to 8.3% free fatty acids in reaction media is a problem to overcome. The development of response surface models, describing both the final SFC value and the SFC decrease, will allow predicting results for novel proportions of fats and oils and/or a novel combination time-temperature.
Phylogeny and Biogeography of Taxus (Taxaceae) Inferred from Sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer Region of Nuclear Ribosomal DNA

Species of Taxus, particularly Taxus baccata , have long been cultivated as ornamentals in Europe and North America. Ten species of Taxus are generally recognized, but phylogenetic relationships among these species remain unclear. We used sequences of the nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS region to infer phylogenetic relationships. Three of the four New World species form a well-supported clade, within which the Pacific coastal species T. brevifolia is sister to a clade containing T. floridana and T. globosa of northwestern Florida and northern Mexico, respectively. Taxus canadensis, which is more widely distributed in eastern North America, appears to be more closely related to Old World taxa than to other New World species. This relationship, though weakly supported in our analysis, is consistent with leaf anatomical features. Taxus chinensis and T. mairei of southeast Asia form a clade, which is sister to a clade containing T. cuspidata of Japan and northeastern China, and T. baccata of Europe and North Africa. Our ITS phylogeny implies that intercontinental disjunctions in Taxus entailed at least two vicariance events: an initial split between the New World T.floridana-T. brevifolia-T. globosa clade and the rest, and a later split separating T. canadensis from the Old World species.
Disturbance history and tree establishment in old-growth Pinus koraiensis-hardwood forests in the Russian Far East

Dendro-ecological studies were undertaken to document the disturbance history in two old-growth mixed Pinus koraiensis-hardwood forests in the southern part of the Sikhote-Alin mountains in the Russian Far East. Establishment of four common canopy conifers, Abies holophylla, A. nephrolepis, P. koraiensis and Picea ajanensis, and three common canopy hardwoods, Acer mono, Betula costata and Tilia amurensis, were also inferred from population age structures and spatial dispersion patterns. Growth releases on increment cores suggested that peak periods of growth releases indicating partial canopy disturbances have repeatedly occurred over the past 230 yr at intervals from ca. 35 to 100 yr. Slight releases and suppressions other than the peak releases occurred in many years of both histories, suggesting the formation of smaller-scale canopy gaps. Despite the predominance of anthropogenic fires in Primorskiy Kray at present, destructive fires had not affected either forest. Wind disturbances and low intensity fires are likely factors controlling the dynamics of the forests. Under the disturbance regime, P. koraiensis has maintained its populations through its dependence on canopy gaps for establishment. Age distribution and gap dependence of P. ajanensis, A. nephrolepis and A. mono suggested continuous establishment of these species under a closed canopy, whereas occasional establishment of T. amurensis was derived largely from vegetative reproduction. Restricted establishment of A. holophylla and B. costata suggested a variety in kinds of disturbance throughout the histories. Continuous habitation of the study area by P. koraiensis is likely under the disturbance regime without destructive fires.