Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Needle anatomy suggests hybridization between the relict turfosa form of Pinus sylvestris L. from the Gązwa peat bóg and typical Scots pine

The aim of this study was to characterize the turfosa form of Pinus sylvestris from the Gazwa peat bog reserve in terms of 16 anatomical needle traits and to determine whether pines with a typical morphotype inhabiting the peat bog have been so successful thanks to hybridization with the unique tufosa ecotype. Investigations were conducted on three phenotypic groups of Scots pine growing in the peat bog. The first two groups consisted of 30 tufosa trees at the age of 117-217 years and 20 trees at the age of 30-85 years. The third group consisted of typical pines represented by 10 trees at the age of 20-55 years. In total 30 trees of typical pine, surrounding the peat bog, at the age of 100-150 years served as outgroup. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance with the F test, Tukey's test, and a number of multivariate analyses were used to estimate differences between the studied groups of trees based on 16 anatomical needle characteristics. The old turfosa form from the Gazwa reserve proved to be a unique and relict peat bog pine, as it was shown by the differences in 10 analyzed needle traits in comparison to pine with a typical morphotype growing in the areas surrounding the peat bog. The young typical pines have adapted to conditions found in the peat bog owing to hybridization with the turfosa forms. The young turfosa trees differed from the old turfosa trees and also they have probably been of a hybrid origin. The old turfosa form from the Gazwa reserve is a threatened ecotype due to its hybridization with pines from the population surrounding the peat bog.
Effect of Prostaglandin-J2 on VEGF Synthesis Depends on the Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an inducible enzyme that degrades heme to carbon monoxide, iron ions, and biliverdin. Its expression can be induced by 15-deoxy-Δ12,14prostaglandin-J2 (15d-PGJ2), a natural ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ transcription factor. In macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, 15d-PGJ2 up-regulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a fundamental regulator of angiogenesis. Here we investigated the involvement of HO-1 in the 15d-PGJ2-mediated regulation of VEGF production by human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). Resting HMEC-1 released ~20 pg/ml VEGF protein after 24 h of incubation. Treatment of cells with 15d-PGJ2 (1-10 μM) significantly and dose-dependently increased the VEGF promoter activity, mRNA expression, and protein secretion. In the same cells, 15d-PGJ2 potently induced the expression of HO-1 protein that correlated with HO-1 promoter activity. Activation of HO-1 with hemin or ectopic overexpression of HO-1 in HM.
The Avifauna of the Kerguelen Islands

The status of the 35 bird species breeding on the Kerguelen Islands in the south-western Indian Ocean is reviewed in view of recent discoveries and censuses made between 1984 and 1987. Aspects of the breeding biology of most of the species are described, together with weights and measures for 17 species for which data were previously scarce or unavailable. Four new breeding species have been recently discovered on the archipelago: the Yellow-nosed Albatross, the Southern Giant Petrel, the Soft-plumaged Petrel and the Fairy Prion. The population sizes of King and Macaroni Penguins and albatrosses were monitored: the first two species increased in number during the last 20 years, while Wandering and Black-browed Albatrosses decreased. The status of the three prion species is reviewed and the study validates the previously debated specific status of Kerguelen Antarctic and Thin-billed Prions. The taxonomic status of several Kerguelen seabird populations is discussed. Most of the burrowing petrels breeding on the mainland are today threatened by predation from recently introduced feral Cats and by degradation of their habitat caused by introduced Rabbits and other herbivorous mammals. The presence of 300 islands and islets around the mainland, mostly yet unmodified, will ensure the safety of much of the Kerguelen avifauna if they are protected now from further interference.
A checklist and a key for the Phytoseiidae species of Turkey with two new species records (Acari: Mesostigmata)

ABSTRACT A checklist and a key are given for the 62 species of Phytoseiidae of Turkey. Two species Neoseiulus marginatus (Wainstein) and Transeius wainsteini (Gomelauri), which are new records from Turkey, as well as Transeius herbarius (Wainstein) are redescribed. Amblyseius enab El-Badry, Amblyseius rusticana Athias-Henriot, Typhlodromus tenuis Westerboer, and Typhlodromus intercalaris Livshitz and Kuznetsov are recognized as suspected junior synonyms of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, Amblyseiella setosa Muma, T. herbarius (Wainstein), and Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) invectus Chant, respectively. We accept a previous conclusion on the species concept of Phytoseius plumifer (Canestrini and Fanzago) and consider removing Phytoseius finitimus Ribaga from synonymy with P. plumifer.
Influence of dietary magnesium content on laying performance and egg shell magnesium content in the domestic hen

Abstract 1. The effects of feeding diets containing various amounts of magnesium on laying performance in the domestic hen were investigated. 2. A reduction in egg number, egg mass, egg shell thickness and egg shell magnesium content occurred in birds receiving diets containing either 207 or 132 mg Mg2+/kg even though the duration of egg formation was unaffected. 3. The progressive increase in magnesium content normally observed towards the outer surface of the hen's egg shell was not present in birds receiving a diet containing 207 mg Mg2+/kg.
Submergence tolerance of rice – A new glasshouse method for the experimental submergence of plants

A new method is described for evaluation of submergence tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants. Responses of a range of cultivars corresponded with known differences in field performance. The method 1) allows fast and effective determination of submergence tolerance, 2) allows screening of many plants in a small glasshouse area, 3) provides for recovery of superior plants for seed collection, 4) allows manipulation of many environmental variables to mimic the natural submergence environment, and 5) uses simple, inexpensive, readily available equipment. Physiological studies performed with this method gave results similar to those obtained from field studies and showed that submergence tolerance increased in older plants; it decreased with increasing depth, increasing temperature and with high or low light levels. The system is ideal for the rapid evaluation of rice germplasm under controlled conditions and physiological studies on the mechanism of rice submergence tolerance. Copyright
Overwintering and Seasonal Patterns of Feeding and Reproduction in Phyllotreta cruciferae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the Northeastern United States

Abstract The life history of the agricultural pest Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), including location of overwintering sites, time of spring emergence, reproductive phenology, and seasonal changes in feeding and responsiveness to yellow sticky traps, was studied in the northeastern United States from 2001 to 2003 to provide growers with information to improve their management of flea beetle populations in Brassica crops. Samples of leaf litter, organic debris, and soil were collected from a variety of vegetation types to determine the location of flea beetle overwintering sites surrounding agricultural fields. Significantly more P. cruciferae were found in the leaf litter beneath shrubs and brush or in wooded areas than in grass, within-field debris, or in soil samples taken within each vegetation type. Weekly dissections of field-collected female beetles suggested the occurrence of a partial second generation by P. cruciferae in 2003. In laboratory assays of beetles collected weekly from Brassica fields in Massachusetts, both adult beetle feeding on Brassica foliage and beetle responsiveness to yellow sticky traps shows two peaks (June and August) that corresponded to the first and second generations. Beetle catch on yellow sticky traps was highly correlated (2002: R2 = 0.8; 2003: R2 = 0.6) with the mean number of feeding holes on injured plants.
Azanza garckeana (Goron Tula) as an Edible Indigenous Fruit in North Eastern Part of Nigeria

Azanza garckeana known as “Goron Tula” (Tula Kola nut) in Gombe State and Morojwa in Botswana is a valuable edible indigenous fruit widely distributed in Tula, Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State and in Michika in Adamawa State. It is an indigenous fruit tree species that is semi-domesticated by the people of Tula. It is an important indigenous source of food in Tula, which is believed to increase the fertility of the people. Besides the fruit, the tree provides fodder for their animals, timber for firewood, shade; soil conservation and the bark and root are utilized for health purpose. The pulp and seed is an important source of phytochemical and mineral components such as ascorbic acid, Magnissium, Calcium, Sodium, Iron, Potassium, Phosphorus, crude fiber, Carotenoids, Tannins, Saponins, Alkoloids, Flavonoids, Phenols, C. glucosides and Xanthone. The potentials of Azanza garckeana cannot be over emphasized. It has a high socially and economic value in Northern part of Nigeria. Keywords: Azanza garckeana, edible fruit tree, Phytochemical, North Eastern Nigeria
Statins Reduce Amyloid-β Production through Inhibition of Protein Isoprenylation*

Epidemiological evidence suggests that long term treatment with hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, decreases the risk for developing Alzheimer disease (AD). However, statin-mediated AD protection cannot be fully explained by reduction of cholesterol levels. In addition to their cholesterol lowering effects, statins have pleiotropic actions and act to lower the concentrations of isoprenoid intermediates, such as geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate. The Rho and Rab family small G-proteins require addition of these isoprenyl moieties at their C termini for normal GTPase function. In neuroblastoma cell lines, treatment with statins inhibits the membrane localization of Rho and Rab proteins at statin doses as low as 200 nm, without affecting cellular cholesterol levels. In addition, we show for the first time that at low, physiologically relevant, doses statins preferentially inhibit the isoprenylation of a subset of GTPases. The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is proteolytically cleaved to generate β-amyloid (Aβ), which is the major component of senile plaques found in AD. We show that inhibition of protein isoprenylation by statins causes the accumulation of APP within the cell through inhibition of Rab family proteins involved in vesicular trafficking. Moreover, inhibition of Rho family protein function reduces levels of APP C-terminal fragments due to enhanced lysosomal dependent degradation. Statin inhibition of protein isoprenylation results in decreased Aβ secretion. In summary, we show that statins selectively inhibit GTPase isoprenylation at clinically relevant doses, leading to reduced Aβ production in an isoprenoid-dependent manner. These studies provide insight into the mechanisms by which statins may reduce AD pathogenesis.
A New Chinese Mesozoic Stick Insect

Renphasma sinica gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Liaoning. It has the general habitus of the Mesozoic “stick-insects”, with a short thorax, and broad and long tegmina, as long as the hindwings. Its pattern of tegmina venation is typical of the Mesozoic Phasmatodea, also present in the Eocene stick insect family Gallophasmatidae, viz. archaeorthopteran organisation of median and cubital veins. On the other side it has a vomer typical of modern Phasmatodea, both supporting the hypothesis that the Mesozoic, Cainozoic, and modern stick insects belong to the same clade. The pattern of dark and hyaline spots on the wings of Renphasma is probably related to mimicry with plants.
Whole‐Plant Reconstructions in Fossil Angiosperm Research

There have been many recent advances in angiosperm paleobotany based on studies of reproductive organs, but it remains important that “whole‐plant” concepts not be neglected. Reconstructions of whole fossil plants based on foliage, fruits, seeds, flowers, pollen in situ, and wood are not always easy, but where done well they often yield important new insights. The most convincing whole‐plant reconstructions are accomplished when organs that are normally found separately are found attached. Such occurrences are relatively rare. The repeated co‐occurrence of dispersed organs that share anatomical features provides another acceptable line of evidence for reconstructions. However, mere co‐occurrence, particularly in the case of extinct lineages, provides less‐convincing evidence. An important way to connect dispersed pollen and macrofossils is the study of pollen in situ. Several examples from Platanaceae, Fagaceae, Cercidiphyllaceae, Malvaceae s.l. , and Cucurbitaceae show the importance of whole‐plant approaches for evolutionary and other interpretations.
Relationship between Chemical Characteristics of Autumn-Shed Leaves and Aquatic Processing Rates

Processing rates of autumn-shed leaves in aquatic habitats are highly variable. It has been hypothesized that these processing rates may, in part, be regulated by the concentrations of residual tannins in the leaves. Tests of this hypothesis have been inconclusive, and experimental designs may have been compromised by the use of both processing rates and tannin concentrations taken from a variety of sources using highly variable methods, sites, and experimental conditions. Here, processing rates of 48 species of deciduous leaves are measured using uniform conditions, and related to concentrations of leaf tannins, N, P, C:N, lignin, and toughness. The results indicate that condensed tannin, N, C:N, and lignin are significantly correlated with processing rates, although the predictive power of these simple relationships is weak. A multiple regression model using tannins, measured as total phenolics, N, and lignin explained almost 50% of the variation in processing rates, suggesting that the inhibition of processing by tannins is modified by other measures of leaf quality.
NUCLEOLAR CHROMOSOME VARIANTS IN STERNOPYGUS-MACRURUS (PISCES, STERNOPYGIDAE) FROM 3 BRAZILIAN RIVER BASINS

SUMMARYThe karyotypes, location of nucleolus organizer regions (NOR) and constitutive heterochromatin pattern of Sternopygus macrurus (Pisces, Gymnotoidei) of natural populations from the Amazon River, Sao Francisco River and Tiete River (the last belonging to the Upper Parana River system) are reported. All specimens had 2n = 46 chromosomes and presented small differences in karyotypic formulae, but populations of each river basin had a different fixed NOR phenotype. The loss of the satellite and a gradual deletion of the heterochromatin block adjacent to the NOR may be the origin of the variants. The possible mechanism of fixation of the NOR phenotypes, and the implications of the occurrence of intraspecific differences in fixed NOR phenotype in this species are discussed.
FOOD PREFERENCES OF BLACK RHINOCEROS IN THE TSAVO NATIONAL PARK

Summary Food preferences of the black rhinoceros population in Tsavo National Park, Kenya were studied from 1967 to 1969. Feeding rhinoceros were watched for a period of 1 h, and the plants which they selected and rejected were identified, either as they were feeding or when they had moved on. A technique was used which provided an indication of the relative importance of certain plants in the diet during the wet and dry seasons. A total of 70 h was spent actually watching feeding rhinoceros in six habitat types representative of the changing ecosystem; 3,600 feeding stations were examined. Black rhinoceros were observed eating 102 species from 32 botanical families. In all habitat types the rhinoceros is very selective for herbs and shrubs, and shows a marked preference for legumes. Available grasses are very rarely eaten. Results of food preference studies in other areas of East Africa are compared with the present study. It is suggested that the abundance and distribution of certain kinds of leguminose flora may be the key to an optimum black rhinoceros habitat.
The Correlation Between Range Size and Local Abundance of Some North American Birds

Sokal, R. R. , and F. J. Rohlf. 1981. Biometry. Second edi? tion. W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, California, USA. Swihart, R. K. , and N. A. Slade. 1985^. Testing for inde? pendence of observations in animal movements. Ecology 66:1176-1184. Swihart, R. K. , and N. A. Slade. 19856. Influence of sam? pling interval on estimates of home range size. Journal of Wildlife Management 49:1019-1025. Toft, C. A. , and P. J. Shea. 1983. Detecting communitywide patterns: estimating power strengthens statistical inference. American Naturalist 122:618-625.
Body-Mass Loss, Utilization of Blubber and Fat, and Energetic Requirements of Male Southern Elephant Seals, Mirounga-Leonina, During the Molting Fast

The energetic requirements of male southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, were estimated from mass loss, and changes in blubber mass determined by ultrasound in 11 seals over the moulting fast. Mean rate of mass loss was 9.60+/-2.25 kg day-1 or 6.46+/-0.77 g kg-1 day-1, with about 63% of this lost as fat. Blubber was depleted by about 48% over the moulting period. The relative distribution of blubber remained unchanged after the moult, and seals lost blubber at similar rates over all areas of the body. Energy expenditure was estimated to be 7.54+/-82 MJ kg-1 over the mean 35.6-day moulting period.
Données quantitatives et observations histologiques sur la pachyostose du squelette du dugong, Dugong dugon (Müller) (Sirenia, Dugongidae)

La pachyostose du dugong consiste en une hyperostose des corticales et en un accroissement de la densite des os. Cette derniere est produite par l'augmentation simultanee de la compacite et de la mineralisation du tissu osseux. Cette particularite structurale est circonscrite aux regions cephalique et thoracique et semble associee a la position qu'occupent les os dans le squelette. L'elevation de la compacite osseuse est due a l'affaiblissement de la resorption osteoclasique ainsi qu'a la compaci-fication de la region medullaire par des depots endosteaux centripetes. Les determinismes endocriniens possibles de ces processus sont discutes, de meme que la valeur adaptative eventuelle de la pachyostose.
Molecular Phylogeny of Ophiopogon (Asparagaceae) Inferred from Nuclear and Plastid DNA Sequences

Abstract The East and Southeast Asian genera Ophiopogon, Liriope, and Peliosanthes are classified in the tribe Ophiopogoneae (Asparagaceae). Phylogenetic relationships of this group were explored using maximum parsimony, Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of nuclear ITS and plastid psbA-trnH, matK, rbcL, and trnL-trnF sequences. These analyses supported the monophyly of Ophiopogon, Liriope, and Peliosanthes within the Ophiopogoneae, although tree topologies based on nuclear and chloroplast DNA differed in the placement of many taxa. Incongruence between these two datasets may be a result of hybridization and introgression. Our results reveal that Ophiopogon consists of two major lineages, which we recognize at the sectional level: O. lancangensis, O. multiflorus, O. yunnanensis, O. reversus, O. longibracteatus (sect. Ophiopogon), and O. tsaii (sect. Peliosanthoides).
Estrutura e persistência temporal da comunidade de peixes de três riachos do Alto Rio Tocantins, GO

Three streams from the upper Tocantins basin were studied in order to describe community structure and temporal persistence of fish species composition. Fish densities of each stream were compared between them and with other streams from Neotropical, Austral and Holartic regions. Forty six species were registered but only 18 co-occurred in the three studied streams. Two streams presented similar species composition, but temporal variations of species densities differed among them. High persistence was registered to Agua Boa and Cavalo streams whereas low persistence was registered to Acaba Saco stream. No significant differences were registered for species densities of each studied stream, nonetheless, Cavalo were that tending to support the highest fish densities. The values of fish density found in the present study were very similar to those found in other geographic regions such as Temperate and Tropical areas.
Chloroplast DNA variation within and among five Plantago species

Chloroplast DNA variation was studied within and among five Plantago species. We determined polymorphism by surveying 86% of the chloroplast genome using 9 or 11 restriction enzymes for intra or interspecific variation, respectively. All five species were polymorphic for both site and length mutations. The outcrossing P. lanceolata has six chloroplast haplotypes of which some were found in the Netherlands as well as in the United States. The highly selfing P. major had five haplotypes and Dutch and United States populations were differentiated from each other in cpDNA. Plantago species are highly differentiated from each other. Of 252 restriction‐sites, 52% were variable among species. Most of this variation was localized in part of the large single copy region. We derived a molecular phylogeny of the five species from restriction‐site variability using PAUP 3.0. P. coronopus and P. maritima form a group as do P. major and P. media. P. lanceolata is more distantly related to the other four species. In a consensus tree both P. major haplotypes and both P. media haplotypes were connected to one node.
Phosphorus and potassium release during decomposition of roots and shoots of green manure crops

Decomposition rates of above- and underground biomass and the dynamics of the remaining phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were studied in trials at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (58°23′N, 26°44′E) in Nordic conditions. The research focused on the decomposition of roots and leaves/shoots of green manure plants. In shoot residues of bird's-foot trefoil and white melilot, after 6 months 19% and 20%, respectively, of P remained. Red clover shoots decomposed the slowest, remaining 44% of P in the residue. In a year, legumes remained 20–22% of initial organic P and 11% in 2 years. Rapid release of K from legume shoot residue occurred in 6 months. The roots released K in a period lasting from 6 to 12 months. The roots retained 15–32% K over a year. White clover roots were the slowest in K release. Residue decomposition and P, K release were all influenced by weather conditions.
Organogenesis in three species of Annona (Annonaceae)

This study aimed to evaluate, under in vitro conditions, the regenerative potential of leaves of three species of Annona (Annonaceae), A. squamosa, A. bahiensis and A. glabra, and hypocotyl and epicotyl segments of A. squamosa. In the first study, organogenesis was induced by inoculating the first leaves of three species of Annona in WPM medium supplemented with all combinations of concentrations of BAP (2.22, 4.44, 8.88 and 17.76 μM) and NAA (0.00, 1.34, 2.68 and 5.37 μM). The cotyledons and first leaves of A. squamosa were also cultivated in the same culture media. In the second study, hypocotyl and epicotyl segments of A. squamosa were inoculated in a medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (0.00, 2.22, 8.87, 17.74 and 35.48 μM). The results showed that organogenesis in Annona leaves is dependent on the type of explant, genotype and auxin-cytokinin balance used. In A. squamosa, the cotyledons had higher organogenic potential for micropropagation. Multiple shoots were regenerated from A. squamosa hypocotyls and epicotyls, but the regenerative potential of the hypocotyl was higher than that of the epicotyl.