Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BREEDING BIOLOGY AND NEST SITE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BICOLORED HAWK IN GUATEMALA

Abstract We studied the breeding biology of the Bicolored Hawk (Accipiter bicolor) in the forest of Tikal National Park of northeastern Guatemala from 1991 to 1994. Bicolored Hawks are year-round residents and establish nesting territories during the breeding season, which coincides with the late dry season and beginning of the wet season. Nest building and courtship spanned 92 days. We documented 17 nesting attempts from February to July 1991–1994. Egg-laying began in April and May, with 36 eggs laid in 15 nests for an average clutch size of 2.4 (range 1–3 eggs). We documented one renesting after failure of the first clutch. Incubation was approximately 35 days (n = 5 clutches). Young hatched asynchronously with a light pinkish natal down. Of 36 eggs laid, 64% hatched. Nearly all hatching occurred during May except one renesting, from which one young hatched on 26 June 1994. Young departed from the nest tree at 30–36 days of age and 100% of the nestlings fledged; thus a total of 1.4 young fledged per breeding attempt and overall nest success was 76%. Most reproductive losses occurred during the incubation period. We found addled eggs in 2 nests and egg predation and nestling predation at 1 nest each. Bicolored Hawk nests averaged 22 m above the ground in living trees 75 cm in diameter. All nests were stick nests, averaging 51 × 44 cm exterior diameter, 26 cm exterior depth, and 3.6 cm interior depth. The Bicolored Hawk diet of 173 identified prey was composed almost exclusively of birds (95%) with relatively few mammals (3%) or reptiles (2%) taken.
Influence of Trap Colour on the Capture of Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Honeybees, and Non-target Flies

Studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of trap colour on the captures of honeybees, Apis mellifera L. , codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. , and non target muscoid flies in sticky delta traps. Traps varied widely in their spectral reflectance. The unpainted white and the painted white and cream traps had the highest reflectance. The painted green trap had the lowest total reflectance. The green, orange, and red traps had low reflectance at wavelengths < 560 nm. Red and green painted traps consistently caught the fewest honeybees, while the unpainted white trap caught the most. Red painted traps caught the greatest number of flies. Significantly more codling moths were caught in green and orange versus the unpainted white traps. In a later experiment, painted green traps caught more codling moths than unpainted white traps.
The effect of drought and ultraviolet radiation on growth and stress markers in pea and wheat

It emerged recently that there is an inter-relationship between drought and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation in plant responses, in that both stresses provoke an oxidative burst. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effects and interaction of drought and UV-B in wheat and pea. The absence of changes in relative leaf water content (RWC) after UV-B treatments indicate that changes in water content were not involved. RWC was the main factor resulting in reduced growth in response to drought. Increases in anthocyanin and phenols were detected after exposure to UV-B. The increases do not appear to be of sufficient magnitude to act as a UV-B screen. UV-B application caused greater membrane damage than drought stress, as assessed by lipid peroxidation as well as osmolyte leakage. An increase in the specific activities of antioxidant enzymes was measured after UV-B alone as well as after application to droughted plants. Proline increased primarily in drought-stressed pea or wheat. Proline may be the drought-induced factor which has a protective role in response to UV-B. The physiological and biochemical parameters measured indicate the UV-B light has stronger stress effectors than drought on the growth of seedlings of both species. The two environmental stresses acted synergistically to induce protective mechanisms in that pre-application of either stress reduced the damage caused by subsequent application of the other stress.
An a priori process for selecting candidate reference lakes for a national survey

Abstract. One of the biggest challenges when conducting a national-scale assessment of lakes, such as the 2007 US National Lake Assessment (NLA), is finding enough reference lakes to set appropriate expectations for the assessed sites. In the NLA, a random design was used to select lakes for sampling to make unbiased estimates of regional condition. However, such an approach was unlikely to yield enough minimally impacted lakes to use as reference sites, especially in disturbed regions. We developed a 3-stage process to select candidate reference lakes to augment the NLA probability sample in the northeastern USA (Northeast). Screening included a water-chemistry database filter, landuse evaluation, and analysis of aerial photographs. In the Northeast, we assembled a database of 2109 lakes >4 ha in surface area, of which 369 passed the water-chemistry screen. Of these, 220 failed the watershed landuse screen and 60 failed the aerial photograph screen, leaving a set of 89 optimal candidate reference lakes. Twenty of these lakes were sampled as potential reference lakes in the NLA. Based on a wide variety of indicators, NLA field measurements indicated that almost all (85–100%) of the chosen candidate reference lakes had least-disturbed water chemistry, although somewhat fewer had least disturbed physical habitat (74–79%) and biology (68–78%). Nevertheless, our 3-stage screening process was an efficient method for identification of good candidates for reference-lake sampling. The reference-lake selection process used in our study can be done in the office and relatively inexpensively. As such, it is very useful for large-scale regional or national studies encompassing areas too large to census. It also has the advantage of adding a level of consistency and quantification to the reference-site selection process.
Evolution and Function of Leaf Venation Architecture: A Review

Abstract The leaves of extant terrestrial plants show highly diverse and elaborate patterns of leaf venation. One fundamental feature of many leaf venation patterns, especially in the case of angiosperm leaves, is the presence of anastomoses. Anastomosing veins distinguish a network topologically from a simple dendritic (tree-like) pattern which represents the primitive venation architecture. The high degree of interspecific variation of entire venation patterns as well as phenotypic plasticity of some venation properties, such as venation density, indicate the high selective pressure acting on this branching system. Few investigations deal with functional properties of the leaf venation system. The interrelationships between topological or geometric properties of the various leaf venation patterns and functional aspects are far from being well understood. In this review we summarize current knowledge of interrelationships between the form and function of leaf venation and the evolution of leaf venation patterns. Since the functional aspects of architectural features of different leaf venation patterns are considered, the review also refers to the topic of individual and intraspecific variation. One basic function of leaf venation is represented by its contribution to the mechanical behaviour of a leaf. Venation geometry and density influences mechanical stability and may affect, for example, susceptibility to herbivory. Transport of water and carbohydrates is the other basic function of this system and the transport properties are also influenced by the venation architecture. These various functional aspects can be interpreted in an ecophysiological context.
Diet of the mediterranean european shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii, in a northwestern mediterranean area: a competitor for local fisheries?

In the environments where stars and planets form, about one percent of the mass is in the form of micro-meter sized particles known as dust. However small and insignificant these dust grains may seem, they are responsible for the production of the simplest (H 2 ) to the most complex (amino-acids) molecules observed in our Universe. Dust particles are recognized as powerful nano-factories that produce chemical species. However, the mechanism that converts species on dust to gas species remains elusive. Here we report experimental evidence that species forming on interstellar dust analogs can be directly released into the gas. This process, entitled chemical desorption (fig. 1), can dominate over the chemistry due to the gas phase by more than ten orders of magnitude. It also determines which species remain on the surface and are available to participate in the subsequent complex chemistry that forms the molecules necessary for the emergence of life.
Transfer of the catabolic plasmid RP4::Tn4371 to indigenous soil bacteria and its effect on respiration and biphenyl breakdown

The catabolic plasmid RP4::Tn4371, containing the genes for biphenyl and 4-chlorobiphenyl catabolism, was transferred from Enterobacter agglomerans DMK3 to indigenous bacteria in biphenyl amended sandy soil, although the donor survived for only 3 days. Proliferation of transconjugants above a detectable level required presence of the concomitant pollutant biphenyl. Different Gram-negative bacterial species, tentatively identified as Pseudomonas chlororaphis, Pseudomonas corrugata and Comamonas sp. , had taken up the plasmid and were able to express the biphenyl degradation genes. These genera have, until now, not been reported to express the biphenyl degradative genes. The soil had a high natural catabolic capacity for biphenyl. Notwithstanding this, out of 8 trials in which DMK3 was inoculated, 2 were found not to respond but 6 had an increased biphenyl degradation and concomitant increased oxygen consumption. The results indicate that seeding of RP4::Tn4371 generates a variety of transconjugants and holds potential for increasing the soil biodegradation capacity towards chlorinated biphenyl analogues.
Influence of Nearshore Water Dynamics and Pollution Sources on Beach Monitoring Outcomes at Two Adjacent Lake Michigan Beaches

ABSTRACT Beach closings are a growing concern in coastal regions because of serious public health and economic ramifications. Two beach sites separated by 150 m of shoreline on Lake Michigan were monitored in the summer of 2003 and 2004 for E. coli densities to evaluate the potential outcome of relocating an existing beach to a site immediately to the south. Under identical weather conditions, there was a large disparity between the two sites for 25 of the 39 days tested, where E. coli levels at the existing beach were at least twice as high as those at the proposed beach. Following rainfall, E. coli levels at the existing beach increased up to 100-fold to levels as high as 4,500 CFU/100 mL, whereas only a 10-fold increase in levels was observed at the proposed beach site. Water exchange in the beach areas was predominantly from wind driven currents rather than dilution, and longshore current speed at the proposed beach was calculated to be twice that of the existing beach. Stormwater and combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharged from two closely spaced outfalls approximately 0.5 km north of the existing beach was found to have E. coli levels above the EPA recommended limit of 235 CFU/100 mL for recreational waters. However, this input did not appear to be a major influence on beach monitoring results. In some cases, E. coli levels at the beach did not exceed 235 E. coli/100 mL during a CSO. Defining the sources and spatial range of pollution inputs would allow beach monitoring results to be interpreted in a more meaningful context, which may lead to the formation of effective management strategies.
VEGETATION COMPARISON OF A NATURAL AND A CREATED EMERGENT MARSH WETLAND

Abstract Four years after construction of a 5.54 hectare wetland, we compared its floral composition to that of a nearby, well-established reference wetland and to the original plan for its construction. The created wetland contained 88 % of the plant species originally installed and more total species than the reference wetland. Obligate wetland species comprised 65 % of the plants in the reference wetland and 34 % in the created wetland. The created wetland also contained more early-successional stage species and more facultative upland species than the reference wetland. Weighted averages analysis of the created wetland based on wetland indicator categories indicated appropriate wetland vegetation. The successful performance of the created wetland was due in large part to seed bank transfer from a salvaged marsh surface.
Precision and Bias of using Opercles as Compared to Otoliths, Dorsal Spines, and Scales to Estimate Ages of Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Abstract Several structures can be used to estimate ages of Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass) and Micropterus dolomieu (Smallmouth Bass). Otoliths are often employed for these black bass age determinations, but processing otoliths can be time consuming and requires an investment in training and equipment. Scales and dorsal spines can also be analyzed to measure age, but precision and accuracy problems have been documented. Use of opercles to estimate age in Largmouth and Smallmouth Bass has not been previously examined. Utilization of both otoliths and opercles requires sacrificing the fish, but opercles are easier to remove and process than otoliths. In our study, four readers estimated the ages of the fish using each of the four structures. Opercles had the lowest coefficient of variation (CV) for both species (Largemouth Bass = 6.31, Smallmouth Bass = 5.23), but underestimated the ages of Largemouth Bass older than nine and Smallmouth Bass older than six, relative to otoliths. Opercles proved easier to prepare and read, and the results showed lower age-bias, higher precision, higher among-reader agreement, and less reader bias than scales and dorsal spines.
NATURE OF LYMPHOCYTE-TUMOR INTERACTION

The binding of sensitized lymphocytes to tumor cells that leads to tumor cell lysis in vitro has been investigated using poly-L-lysine-fixed tumor cell monolayers and lymphocytes obtained from the anatomical site of tumor allograft rejection. The results show that magnesium is an important prerequisite for this interaction and that the extent of lymphocyte-tumor cell binding depends upon temperature as well as pH. Binding can occur in the absence of serum, although serum factors are necessary for the completion of the cytolytic process. The poly-L-lysine technique is applicable to the formation of confluent monolayers with virtually any normal or neoplastic cell type, including those that are otherwise nonadherent to surfaces. Cells immobilized by this technique can be used for the specific immunoabsorption and subsequent recovery of effector lymphocytes sensitized against transplantation or tumor cell antigens.
Aberrant N-Glycosylation of β1 Integrin Causes Reduced α5β1 Integrin Clustering and Stimulates Cell Migration

Altered expression of cell surface N -linked oligosaccharides is associatedwith the oncogenic transformation of many types of animal cells. One of the most common forms of glycosylation in transformed cells and human tumors is the highly elevated β1,6 branching of N -linked oligosaccharides caused by increased transcription of N -acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V). To characterize the effects of increased β1,6 branching on cell-matrix adhesion-mediated phenotypes, human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells were transfected with retroviral systems encoding GnT-V that used both noninducible and tetracycline-inducible promoters. Increased GnT-V expression resulted in a >25% inhibition of cell attachment to and a >50% inhibition of cell spreading on fibronectin. Both cell adhesion and spreading were suppressed by function-blocking antibodies specific for the α 5 and β 1 integrin subunits of the fibronectin receptor. Cell migration toward fibronectin and invasion through Matrigel were both substantially stimulated in cells with induced expression of GnT-V. Induction of GnT-V had no effect on the level of cell surface expression of α 5 and β 1 integrin subunits but did result in a more diffuse staining of the α 5 and β 1 integrin subunits on the cell surface, suggesting that inhibition of integrin clustering may be causing these cells to be less adhesive and more motile. Surprisingly, there was no detectable expression of N -linked β1,6 branching on the α 5 subunit purified from HT1080 cells before and after induction of GnT-V; by contrast, however, the β 1 subunit showed a basal level of β1,6 branching that was greatly increased after induction of GnT-V. These results suggest that changes in N -linked β1,6 branching that occur during oncogenesis alter cell-matrix adhesion and migration by modulating integrin clustering and subsequent signal transduction pathways. These effects most likely result from altered N -linked carbohydrate expression on the β 1 integrin subunit.
Preliminary Studies on the Phylogeny of Orthotrichum (Bryophyta) Inferred from Nuclear ITS Sequences

The study presents a phylogenetic analysis of species of the moss genus Orthotrichum. ITS1 and ITS2 for 30 species were sequenced. The results do not fully reflect the current division of Orthotrichum into subgenera and sections. Molecular data divide the genus into two groups of species with superficial and immersed stomata, and indicate a clear distinctness of dioecious species. This suggests that a previous concept postulating that the subgenus Orthophyllum should be excluded from the genus Orthotrichum might be justified.
Growth, physiological rates and behaviour of mytilus edulis exposed to the predator Asterias rubens

A laboratory study was made of the defensive behaviours and their bioenergetic costs in the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, exposed to water in which the starfish, Asterias rubens, had been kept. The shell length increase during a long‐term growth assay was significantly lower for predator‐exposed mussels but was not accompanied by reduced weight increment, thus suggesting development towards a more compact and rounded morphology. A Scope for growth index confirmed an equal growth potential for predator‐exposed and control mussels. Respiration, excretion and activity were reduced and the O/N‐ratio increased in predator‐exposed water but these defensive behaviours were noted only at low food concentrations. Long‐term predator exposure seemed to lower the risk of a mussel being attacked by starfish in a choice assay. The growth experiment suggests that predator‐induced phenotypical change in morphology as an improvement of the mechanical protection against predators, may occur in M. edulis.
The relationships between habitat topology, critical scales of connectivity and tick abundance Ixodes ricinus in a heterogeneous landscape in northern Spain

The habitat mosaic was used to quantify connectivity between patches of different tick density of the notorious tick species Ixodes ricinus in an attempt to determine the cause of variations in tick abundance among apparently homogeneous sites in northern Spain. The analysis revealed that patches with high tick abundance are stepping-stone territories that, when removed from the landscape, cause large changes in connectivity. Sites with medium tick abundance do not cause such a critical transition in connectivity. Patches with low tick abundance, but optimal abiotic conditions for survival, are located within the minimum cost corridors network joining the patches. while those sites where the tick has been intermittently collected are located at variable distances from this network. Sites where the tick is consistently absent, but where the habitat is predicted to be suitable (old, heterogeneous forests of Quercus spp.) for the tick, are very separated from this main network of connections. These results suggest that tick distribution in a zone is highly affected not only by abiotic variables (vegetation and weather) but also by host movements. Dispersal of the tick is a function of how the hosts perceive the habitat, and the habitat's permeability to host movement. Permanent tick populations seem to be supported by the existence of these critical, high density patches, located at significant places within the habitat network. Dept of Parasitology, Veterinary Fac. , Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
A revision of the genus Rotylenchulus Linford and Oliveira, 1940 (Nematoda: Tylenchidae).

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Evaluating of Some Treatments on Breaking seed Dormancy in Mesquite

Seed dormancy is one of the well-known features in many weed seeds caused weed control to be hard. Mesquite, as a woody perennial invasive plant has become troublesome in the arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. The effect of mechanical (sandpaper and scalpel), chemical (sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide) and boiling water on breaking seed dormancy in two populations of Mesquite were examined. For mechanical treatments, seeds were abraded 10, 20 and 30 times with two kinds of sandpaper or scarified with scalpel. Seeds were also soaked in boiling water for 2, 5 and 10 min. For chemical treatments, the seeds were soaked for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min in 98% sulfuric acid or 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 min in 50%, 70% and 90% sodium hydroxide solution. Germination was obtained through scarification with scalpel (89%, 68.2%), sulfuric acid (72.8%, 54.2%) and boiling water (53.6%, 28%), in Borazjan and Kashmar populations respectively. Sodium hydroxide (22.6%, 1%) and sandpaper (19.2%, 3.5%) have no effect on both populations, particularly in Kashmar. In general Kashmar showed more hardseedness than Borazjan populations.