Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wood, bark, and pith anatomy in Pittocaulon (∼Senecio, Asteraceae): Water storage and systematics1

Abstract Olson, M. E. (Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tercer Circuito s/n, C.U., Copilco, Coyoacán A. P. 70–367, C. P. 04510, México, D. F., México). Wood, bark, and pith anatomy in Pittocaulon (∼Senecio, Asteraceae): water storage and systematics. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 132: 173–186. 2005. — Anatomy of wood and bark are described for all five species of Pittocaulon, the stems of which consist of a very thick, water storing pith surrounded by a thin-walled cylinder of xylem which is in turn surrounded by a thick, water-storing parenchymatous bark with a wide cortex. The samples examined came from a wide range of water availability, but showed only slight or no differentiation in vessel diameter or other characteristics that commonly track water availability closely. These observations are offered as supporting the hypothesis that the xylem of water-storing plants exists in a selective environment that is in many ways more similar to that of mesic plants than to that of sympatric conventional woody plants. It is hypothesized that the Young's modulus of the small amount of wood present is high, and that the parenchymatous cortex, which has collenchyma beneath the periderm in all species, contributes significantly to the support of the stems. The strata of the chambered pith in Pittocaulon may expand and contract with varying amounts of stored water. Pittocaulon praecox and P. velatum share a lack of sclerified elements in the bark and fusiform cell nuclei. Fibers and druses in the bark may be synapomorphies of the P. bombycophole + P. filare + P. hintonii clade.
Studies on dormancy and macro-molecular drifts during germination in Cassia occidentalis L. seeds

Seeds of Cassia occidentalis L. have inbuilt dormancy which is partially due to seed coat hardiness and partially because of impermeability of seed coat to water uptak e and gaseous exchange. The presence of waxy substances covering the seed coat is attributed as the reason of impermeability. Of the many treatments tried, scaritication of seeds with sulphuric acid was found to be the best for releasing the seeds off their dormancy. The content of total proteins was found to increase in the embryonal axis and cotyledons and decrease in extraembryonal parts during initial phase of germination. The content of RNA in extraembryonal part after hydration increased with the advancement of germination. Preformed RNA instead of newly transcribed RNA was seen to play role in germination. It was nutritive saccharides that were the storage products in these proteinaceous seeds. Under the intiuence of hormones, proteins get mobilised to embryonal zone from extraembryonal part.
Investigation of commercial enzyme preparations for selective release of arabinose from corn fibre

BACKGROUND Lignocellulosic materials have great potential in the production of L-arabinose in a new cost-effective way. Selective enzymatic liberation of L-arabinose from agricultural residues could be a promising method if purification of specific enzymes and extraction of pure polysaccharides could be omitted from the process. To achieve this goal, investigation of commercial multi-component enzyme preparations for selective release of L-arabinose from destarched corn fibre and soaking in aqueous ammonia (SAA) pretreated destarched corn fibres were performed. RESULTS Hemicellulase NS22002 (Novozymes) has a relative xylanase activity of 1% (of measured highest) and 9%, and a relative arabinoxylan-arabinofuranohydrolase (AX-AFH) activity of 71% and 100% at pH 3 and 4, respectively. At pH 6 its relative xylanase and AX-AFH activities are 93% and 52%, respectively. Hydrolyses of SAA pretreated destarched corn fibre with Hemicellulase NS22002 at pH 4 and 6 resulted in a large amount of hemicellulosic oligomers, considerable amount of monomer arabinose and negligible amount of monomer xylose and galactose in the supernatants. During the hydrolysis at pH 3 monomer sugars were not released and low amounts of hemicellulosic oligomers were solubilised. CONCLUSION SAA pretreatment has been found to be an appropriate method to make the structure of destarched corn fibre accessible for hemicellulose-degrading enzymes. Hemicellulase NS22002 has high endo-xylanase activity over a broad pH range, and its α-L-arabinofuranosidase can release arabinose from solubilised hemicellulosic oligomers derived from corn fibre. Enzymatic hydrolysis of SAA pretreated destarched corn fibre using Hemicellulase NS22002 is suitable to solubilise the hemicellulose fraction, however it cannot selectively release arabinose monomers. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbine blade airfoils at high angles-of-attack

Airfoil characteristics at deep stall angles were investigated. It appeared that the maximum drag coefficient as a function of the airfoil upwind y/c ordinate at x/c=0.0125 can be approximated by a straight line. The lift-drag ratios in deep stall of a number of airfoils with moderate lower surface thickness coincide. It was found that the lift-drag ratio of airfoils with leading edge separation is independent of aspect ratio. The lift-drag ratios of the various sections of a non-rotating and a rotating blade in deep stall coincide with the two-dimensional curve.
Effect of Supplemental Humate at Different Levels on the Growth Performance, Slaughter and Carcass Traits of Broilers

The current trial was carried out to determine the influence of supplemental humates including humic, fulvic and ulmic acids and some microminerals on the performance and carcass traits of broilers. A study was conducted with total 240 male broiler chicks (Ross-308), received from a commercial hatchery at 1 day of age. Chicks were allocated to four dietary treatments (H , H , H and H groups) as completely 0 1 2 3 randomized experimental design . Feed and water were offered for ad libitum consumption and lightening was continuous throughout experimental period. A basal diet (H ), basal diet plus 0.10 (H ), 0.20 (H ) and 0 1 2 0.30 % (H ) humate (Farmagulator DRY , Humate, Farmavet International Inc., Kocaeli 41400, Turkey) were 3 TM 0 1 2 3 difference was not significant. Average daily weight gains were 51.8, 49.8, 52.9 and 49.9 g, respectively, and the supplementation had statistically no significant effect on this parameter. Daily feed consumptions were 103.2, 95.6, 104.4 and 98.6 g and the difference between control and treatment groups was significant (P<0.05). FCR values were 1.87, 1.84, 1.86 and 1.85. At the end of the trial, hot carcass weights and yields were 1874, 1913, 1912 and 1884 g and 75.78, 75.51, 75.55 and 75.55 %, and difference was not significant. There was no different in offal weights. Abdominal fat pad weights were found to be 35.5, 40.33, 40.0 and 32.16 g, respectively. Difference among the groups in terms of abdominal fat weights was not statistically significant. The mortality was 1.8, 0.0, 0.0 and 0.0 % for H, H , H and H and there was no significan t 0 1 2 3 different among the groups. In conclusion, although humate supplementation to diets of broilers had no effect on performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics, a slightly improvement was observed in FCR for H group fed with diet containing 0.1 % humate. In addition, it was not observed dead chick in humate 1 groups while 1.8 % of mortality in control group.
Immunogenetic regulation of HLA-DR, DQ, DP and CD1a positive cells in the pathogenesis of keloid and hypertrophic scar

Recent studies have shown that HLA-DR, DQ, DP and CD1a positive cells were related to keloid and hypertrophic scar. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the role of immunogenetic factors in the pathogenesis of keloid and hypertrophic scar. The expression levels and distribution patterns of HLA-DR, -DQ, -DP and CD1a molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined in 10 samples of keloid, hypertrophic scar, flat scar and normal people with the stain of streptavidinperoxidase (SP) method. The results show that although the amounts of HLA-DR + , -DQ + , -DP + and CD1a +
MORPHOLOGY AND MORPHOMETRY OF THE NUCHAL PLANE OF BREEDING CHINCHILLA (CHINCHILLA LANIGER, MOLINA 1782) SKULLS ALLOWING FOR SEX AND LITTER SIZE AT BIRTH

The aim of the investigation was to determine the effect of sex and litter size at birth on the values of selected metric traits of breeding chinchilla skulls. Eighty-six chinchillas of both sexes, aged 12 months, kept under similar nutrition and care conditions, were used in the study. The skull’s weight was determined, as well as 14 craniometrical traits of the braincase and the splanchnocranium. The volume of the neurocranium and the area of the foramen magnum surface were determined, and the cranial index was estimated. The basic statistical measurements and the simple, parietal, and semi-parietal correlations between selected traits of the nuchal plane were estimated. The sex and litter size at birth were not the source for variations in the traits: A-P, B-P, A-N, N-P, ZygZyg, Eu-Eu. A significant effect (P≤0.01) of sex of the chinchilla on the height of the squama occipitael bone and the foramen magnum index was found. The inherence of the statistical significance in parietal and semi-parietal correlations for the selected nuchal plane of the skull confirms the necessity of making allowances for sex in craniometric research, as well as for litter size at birth in the case of estimating the values of the metric traits in the skulls of animals coming from multiple litters.
Vegetation Characteristics and Volume Estimation of Shorea and Schima-castanopsis of Kaski District of Nepal

This study aims to evaluate the quantity and quality of resources available in the study area, as well as understanding the silvicultural practices, assessing the risks and its impact on trees and recommendations for a better, more 3 sustainable management. Considering timber trees, Shorea accounts as 40.94 3 m /ha in the Shorea forest where as Schima wallichii as 71.33m 3 /ha in the Schima-Castanopsis forest stand. The mean total volume of poles is 194.92m 3 /ha for Shorea in the Shorea stand while the volume of Castanopsis indica is 153.08m 3 /ha and 49.90 m 3 /ha for S. wallichii in the Schima-Castanopsis forest stand. In Shorea stand, enormous number of regeneration of Shorea and S. wallichii was found, where as in Schima-Castanopsis forest, C. indica and S. wallichii showed poor regeneration. The Schima-Castanopsis stand was found to be more diverse with compared to that of Shorea forest. There are five (5) fire lines which are cleaned and kept free of litter all the year long. There was no serious occurrence of insect risk. Maintenance of old, poor quality trees, on forest floor is necessary to gear up the growth of younger promising.
Evolutionary Implications and Genetic Basis of Peroxide Survival in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genetics) Evolutionary Implications and Genetic Basis of Peroxide Survival in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by Stephanie Diezmann University Program in Genetics and Genomics Duke University Date: Approved: Fred S. Dietrich, PhD, Advisor James A. Alspaugh, MD Joseph Heitman, MD PhD John H. McCusker, PhD Thomas G. Mitchell, PhD Rytas J. Vilgalys, PhD An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University Program in Genetics and Genomics in the Graduate School of Duke University 2009 Copyright c © 2009 by Stephanie Diezmann All rights reserved except the rights granted by the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial Licence
Bacterial carbon metabolism in the Amazon River system

Bacterial abundance and production and community respiration were measured at several mainstem and tributary stations in November-December 1988, April-May 1990, and August-September 199 1 in a 1,950km reach of the Amazon River between Vargem Grande and Obidos, Brazil. Bacterial abundances averaged 1.1 x 1 O9 cells liter - L in the mainstem during the three cruises, and rates of heterotrophic bacterial production and community respiration averaged 1.16 pg C liter- 1 h-l and 0.6 1 PM 0, h-l, respectively. Bacterial production and respiration were carbon limited in the mainstem, indicating that the bulk of the relatively abundant particulate and dissolved organic matter was of limited bioavailability. Spatial variability in measured parameters was minimal even though tributary and mainstem stations included waters with distinct physical and chemical features. Blackwater and whitewater rivers supported similar bacterial abundances and rates of bacterial production and respiration. Strong seasonal patterns of variability were evident; maximal bacterial growth rates and minimal respiration rates were measured during high water stages ofthe hydrograph. Estimates of bacterial growth efficiencies ranged from 4 to 55%, with consistently higher values measured during high water. It appeared that enhanced bacterial growth efficiencies during periods of high water resulted from increased bioavailability of substrates derived from the extensive varzea (floodplain). Heterotrophic bacteria are responsible for a large fraction of the respiration and secondary production in aquatic environments. Bacteria modify and remineralize organic matter and thereby exert a strong influence on the composition and concentration of dissolved and particulate materials, and the resulting bacterial biomass serves as a potentially important component of food webs. Bacterial abundances are relatively high in rivers (Wissmar et al. 1981; Edwards 1987; Healey et al. 1988), and a limited number of measurements of bacterial production in rivers indicate that rates are similar to those in lakes, estuarine, and coastal environments (Edwards and Meyer 1986; Findlay et al. 199 1; Servais and Garnier 1993). Given the recognized importance of bacteria, it is surprising that so few studies have focused on the growth and activity of bacteria in rivers. The present study was
Longitudinal analysis in the selection of Eucalyptus globulus clones under contrasting water availability conditions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth of Eucalyptus globulus clones under contrasting water availability conditions using a multivariate analysis with repeated measures over time. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates with and without irrigation (rainfed) in the administrative region of Bío-Bío in southern Chile. The trial consisted of 30 E. globulus clones assessed between 2008 and 2011. The following variance-covariance structures were fitted to the matrix of residuals using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method: unstructured: UN, first-order autoregressive: AR(1), heterogeneous autoregressive: ARH(1), and heterogeneous compound-symmetry: CSH. According to the information criteria, the best variance-covariance matrix was UN. The broad-sense heritability values were H2=0.61, H2=0.37, and H2=0.12 for height, basal stem diameter, and wood volume, respectively. A complex clone x irrigation interaction was detected. According to the best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP), the Eg29 clone exhibited the best on-site performance under irrigation condition. The Eg11, Eg23, and Eg18 clones were more promising for selecting larger wood volume under rainfed condition. This clonal test, assessed using a multivariate analysis via mixed models, showed enough genetic variability in the experiment, which can be used for different water availability conditions in southern Chile.
Heritability, Fecundity, and Sexual Size Dimorphism in Four Species of Bark Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

ABSTRACT Body size is a key biological trait frequently used to assess fitness. Variation in body size stems from genetic and environmental factors and can have strong affects on reproduction. Here, we quantify narrow-sense heritability of size, fecundity, and sexual size dimorphism in four bark beetle species across two genera: Ips pini (Say), Ips lecontei Swaine, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, and Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte. For each species, we conducted rearing experiments pairing parents of large or small size classes and measuring body length of all progeny. There was significant narrow-sense heritability of body size in Ips, but not Dendroctonus. Male parent size in I. pini, I. lecontei, and D. frontalis was positively correlated with progeny production and female parent size was positively correlated with gallery length in I. pini, D. frontalis, and D. brevicomis. All species exhibited sexual size dimorphism (SSD), with males being larger than females (male-biased SSD) in Ips and females larger than males (female-biased SSD) in Dendroctonus. Although mean differences in body length between sexes was small, ≈l–2% for Ips and 2–4% for Dendroctonus, the pioneer sex (first colonizer) was statistically larger than the nonpioneer sex in all species. In addition, the pioneer sex displayed greater phenotypic variation in body length than the nonpioneer sex, and Dendroctonus exhibited greater phenotypic variation in body length than Ips. Differing selection pressures within species and even between sexes likely affect body size and heritability patterns exhibited by bark beetles.
Effect of Cage Floor Type on Behavior and Performance of Growing Rabbits

Twenty four New-Zealand White rabbits of both genders (12 males and 12 females), 4 weeks old, with nearly equal body weight at the beginning of the experiment, were randomly allotted to three groups of 8 rabbit each (4 males and 4 females). Three groups were established according to the cage floor type. The first group was raised on wire mesh cage floor throughout the experiment. The second group was raised on plastic hollow mat and the third was on rubber hollow mat. Rabbits were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and at weekly intervals thereafter during the experimental period (7 weeks). Individual body weight and feed consumption throughout the experiment were recorded weekly. Body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, ear and eye lesions, total and differential Leukocytes count were also calculated. The results demonstrated that the cage floor type affected drinking and agonistic behavior but did not affect any other behaviors. Rabbits raised on wire mesh floor showed the highest proportion of agonistic behavior. The cage floor type had no influence on BW, feed consumption, BW gain and feed conversion ratio of growing rabbit during the last three weeks of experiment. The incidence of ear and eye lesions was higher in cages with wire mesh (25%) than cages with plastic and rubber mat floor (12.5%). Wire caged rabbits revealed significant increase in white blood cells and lymphocyte counts. It could be suggested that placing of plastic or rubber mat on wire mesh of rabbit' cages has an important effect on reducing the incidence of ear and eye lesions caused by aggressive behaviors and reducing the effect of stress on the total and differential Leukocytes count, as well as improving their welfare state.
DNA UPTAKE BY TRANSFORMABLE BACTERIA

The various processes of DNA uptake by cells can be categorized as: viral DNA entry, conjugation, or transformation. Within each category, a variety of mechanisms have been found. However, considerable similarities occur among the different mechanisms of conjugation and, especially, transformation. All of these natural mechanisms of DNA transfer are quite elaborate and involve multiple protein components, as the case may be, of the virus, the donor cell, and the recipient cell. The mechanisms of viral infection and conjugation will be discussed mainly with respect to their relevance to transformation.
Insecticidal activity of four medicinal plant extracts against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Methanol extracts from four medicinal plants, Peganum harmala (Zygophyllaceae), Ajuga iva (Labiateae), Aristolochia baetica (Aristolochiaceae) and Raphanus raphanistrum (Brassicaceae) were studied for their insecticidal effects on the stored grain pest Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Response varied with plant species. Larvae growth was significantly inhibited when they were fed with extracts incorporated into the diet. Good insecticidal activity against T. castaneum larvae and adults was achieved with extract of P. harmala seeds, followed by extract of A. iva, Ari. baetica and R. raphanistrum aerial parts. The extracts of the four plants disrupted the developmental cycle of the insect. Extracts of P. harmala, A. iva and Ari. baetica inhibited F1 progeny production. These naturally occurring plant extracts could be useful for managing populations of T. castaneum.
Description of the Tadpole and Redescription of the Advertisement Call of Physalaemus evangelistai (Anura, Leiuperidae), with Notes on Its Natural History

Abstract The tadpole of Physalaemus evangelistai is described from the highlands of the Serra do Espinhaço Mountain Range, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Additionally, a redescription of the advertisement call and natural history information are provided. We compared the tadpole's morphological features with other species described in the Physalaemus genus, including Physalaemus gracilis group: Physalaemus barrioi, Physalaemus gracilis, Physalaemus jordanensis, and Physalaemus lisei. We found minor differences in oral disc proportions, number of marginal papillae rows, and the orientation of the vent tube opening. Advertisement calls (20 calls from three males) were composed of a single harmonic note. Call mean duration was 0.69 sec; mean duration of interval between calls was 13.94 sec; and mean value of dominant frequency was 3.13 kHz. Physalaemus evangelistai breeds during the first half of the rainy season (October to January), building foam nests in temporary ponds at montane meadows. Resumo O girino de Physalaemus evangelistai é descrito a partir de áreas de altitude na Serra do Espinhaço, estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil. Adicionalmente, a redescrição de seu canto de anúncio e dados de história natural são apresentados. Comparamos as características morfológicas dos girinos com os descritos para as espécies do gênero, incluindo aquelas do grupo de Physalaemus gracilis: Physalaemus barrioi, Physalaemus gracilis, Physalaemus jordanensis e Physalaemus lisei. Encontramos pequenas diferenças na proporção do disco oral, número de fileiras de papilas marginais e na abertura e orientação do tubo cloacal. Vocalizações de anúncio (20 vocalizações de três machos) são compostas por uma única nota harmônica. A duração média do canto é de 0.69 segundos, a duração média do intervalo entre cantos é de 13.94 segundos e o valor médio da frequência dominante é de 3.13 kHz. Physalaemus evangelistai reproduz-se durante a primeira metade da estação chuvosa (entre outubro e janeiro), construindo ninhos de espuma em poças temporárias em campos de altitude.