Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phytobenthos of the River Tees and its tributaries

SUMMARY. A standard method is given for describing plant communities in fast-flowing streams and rivers. This involves the selection of a representative 10-m length of stream (termed a reach) which can be re-located exactly. Various estimates of the relative areas covered by different physiognomic forms and the relative proportions of species present are then combined to give a ‘semi-quantitative’ account, which can be compared with data collected at other sites or times. The method has been applied to six sites on the River Tees system. A site below Cow Green reservoir with markedly regulated flows, differs from the others in various ways. Bryophytes show a greater cover here than elsewhere throughout the year and a conspicuous cover of Phormidium occurs in autumn. Filamentous green algae of many different species are abundant at this site in late summer and early autumn. At the most downstream site where such seasonal growths also occur, a single species, Cladophora glomerata, is dominant. Conspicuous spring diatom ‘bursts’ occurred at the two upstream sites and a month later at the two downstream sites.
Effect of Reforestation Methods on Pine Weevil (Hylobius abietis) Damage and Seedling Survival

Orlander, G.1 and Nilsson, U. (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, The Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Asa Forest Research Station, S-360 30 Lammhult, Sweden and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, The Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Box 49, S-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden). Effect of reforestation methods on pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) damage and seedling survival. Received Feb. 16, 1998. Accepted Sept. 15, 1998. Scand. J. For. Res. 00: 000-000, 199X. Damage to Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ) seedlings by the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was monitored in relation to clear - cutting age and silvicultural treatments in southern Sweden. New clear - cuttings were established on four sites during five consecutive years, and seedlings were planted on them from 1989 through 1993. In total, 31 774 seedlings were planted on 20 clear - cuttings. The measures evaluated were seedling insecticide treatment, application of herbicide to gro.
A Survey of Phenolic Compounds in Dryopteris and Related Fern Genera. Part IV. Phloroglucinol Derivatives and Morphology in the Section Marginatae (Pteridophyta, Dryopteridaceae)

The phloroglucinol composition of 29 species of Dryopteris Adanson belonging to subgenus Dryopteris section Marginatae were investigated on a world-wide basis, and the taxonomy is discussed based on both morphology and chemistry. The ferns of this section show relatively variable phloroglucinol patterns in line with their morphological variability. In good agreement with the other sections of subgenus Dryopteris, the majority of ferns of sect. Marginatae contain considerable amounts of phloroglucinols (crude filicin) and oleo-resin (ether extract) in their rhizomes and stipe-bases. However, D. porosa from China and the Hawai'ian species D. mauiensis were lacking in these phenolics. The African species, D. pentheri, D. lewalleana and D. manniana, are subdivided here into two separate chemical races, however, this does not affect their taxonomic identity, except in the case of D. manniana. Dryopteris wideniana Fraser-Jenk. is described as a new species in the D. manniana aggregate from S and E Africa.
Adventitious root formation ‘in vitro’ in apple rootstocks (Malus pumila) I. Factors affecting the length of the auxin‐sensitive phase in M.9

The length of the auxin-sensitive phase of root initiation ‘in vitro’ in the apple rootstock M.9 (Malus pumila Mill.) has been determined using the auxins indol-3yl-acettc acid (IAA) at 2.8 × 10−5M and indol-3yl-butyric acid (IBA) at 1.5 × 10−5M in the presence and absence of 10−3M phloroglucinol (PG). PG synergised IBA-induced rooting after 4 days exposure, but contact times exceeding 8 days decreased root number. In contrast, PG consistently synergised IAA-induced rooting in the dark for contact periods up to 13 days with the highest rooting being recorded at 9 days. An irradiance of 20 W m−2 from fluorescent lamps halved IAA-induced rooting irrespective of the presence or absence of PG. The culture of shoots at temperatures of 22,25 and 29°C during the root initiation phase (auxin present) and the root emergence phase (auxin absent) produced no difference in rooting response. In the presence of PG the use of liquid culture in place of agar-solidified culture during the auxin-sensitive phase reduced root number but not rooting percentage.
Defective Interfering DNAs of Plant Viruses

Several plant DNA viruses produce significant quantities of deleted versions of their DNA in the infected plants, which is generally correlated with a slowing down of replication process of the viral DNA. These deleted versions of the viral DNA are called Defective-Interfering (DI) DNA because of their inhibitory effect on the helper virus. The sizes of the DI-DNAs for different plant viruses can vary from one tenth of the size of the viral genome to one half and are mostly encapsidated. Sequence analysis suggests that DI-DNAs are formed by deletion, duplication, inversion, rearrangement and sometimes by insertion of non-viral DNA sequences involving the viral genome and its satellites. The role of the host plant in the formation of DI-DNAs is also important as DI-DNAs are readily formed in experimental hosts rather than their natural hosts. Symptom modulation by DI-DNAs is believed to be by competition for essential viral and host factors, thereby reducing the levels of the helper virus. Evidence is also emerging of its role in activating PTGS in the plant against viral transcripts, which is also likely to contribute towards symptom amelioration. The possibility of DI-DNAs playing a role towards the integration of pieces of viral DNA into plant genomes also exists. Most importantly, DI-DNAs have the potential to act as a tool in developing novel control strategies against viruses of crop plants and acting as gene expression/silencing vectors. Referee: Professor Henryk (Hanokh) Czosnek, Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
Diversity of zooplankton in Lower Manair reservoir, Karimnagar, AP, India

Diversity of zooplankton in the lower Manair reservoir was studied September 2010 to August 2011. Samples were collected monthly using plankton net (mesh size 50µm) at four different stations. A total of 34 species of zooplankton belonging to 16 species of rotifera, 8 species of cladocera, 6 species of copepoda, 2 species of ostrocoda and 2 species of protozoa were identified. Species diversity (H - ), evenness (E) and species richness (S) for different months were calculated.
Energy potential of fruit tree pruned biomass in Croatia

The world's most developed countries and the European Union (EU) deem that the renewable energy sources should partly substitute fossil fuels and become a “bridge” to the utilization of other energy sources of the future. This paper will present the possibility of using pruned biomass from fruit cultivars. It will also present the calculation of potential energy from the mentioned raw materials in order to determine the extent of replacement of non-renewable sources with these types of renewable energy. One of the results of the intensive fruit-growing process, in post pruning stage, is large amount of pruned biomass waste. Based on the calculated biomass (kg ha -1 ) from intensively grown woody fruit crops that are most grown in Croatia (apple, pear, apricots, peach and nectarine, sweet cherry, sour cherry, prune, walnut, hazelnut, almond, fig, grapevine, and olive) and the analysis of combustible (carbon 45.55-49.28%, hydrogen 5.91-6.83%, and sulphur 0.18-0.21%) and non-combustible matters (oxygen 43.34-46.6%, nitrogen 0.54-1.05%, moisture 3.65-8.83%, ashes 1.52-5.39%) with impact of lowering the biomass heating value (15.602-17.727 MJ kg -1 ), the energy potential of the pruned fruit biomass is calculated at 4.21 PJ.
Inhibition of Ion Transport in Excised Barley Roots by Abscisic Acid; Relation to Water Permeability of the Roots

Previous papers have shown that abscisic acid can inhibit transport of ions across the root to the xylem vessels, resulting in reduced exudation from excised roots or inhibiting guttation from intact plants. However, it has not been established whether the inhibition was due to a reduction in salt transport (Js) or in permeability of the roots to water (Lp). This paper investigates the effect of ABA on Lp and Js separately. It is shown that Lp increased in ABA and then fell, but was about the same as in control roots when transport was inhibited. The effect of ABA on exudation therefore appeared to be mainly due to reduction in Js. Inhibition of Js was also present in intact, transpiring plants and so was not due to reduced water flow. The inhibition of ion release to the xylem affected
Pregnancy

Background: Maladaptation to vascular, metabolic, and physiological changes during pregnancy can lead to fetal growth disorders. Moreover, adverse outcomes during pregnancy can further increase the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in mothers. Delivering a large-for-gestational-age (LGA) baby may indicate a pre-existing metabolic dysfunction, whereas delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) baby may indicate a pre-existing vascular dysfunction. This study aims to assess the risk of hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) in women with normal body mass index (BMI) scores who did not experience gestational DM or hypertensive disorders during pregnancy based on the offspring’s birthweight. Methods: This retrospective nationwide study included women with normal BMI scores who delivered a singleton baby after 37 weeks. Women with a history of DM or HTN before pregnancy and those with gestational DM or hypertensive disorders, were excluded from the study. We compared the risk of future maternal outcomes (HTN and DM) according to the offspring’s birthweight. Multivariate analyses were performed to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for the future risk of HTN or DM. Results: A total of 64,037 women were included in the analysis. Of these, women who delivered very LGA babies (birthweight > 97th percentile) were at a higher risk of developing DM than those who delivered appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) babies (adjusted HR = 1.358 [1.068–1.727]), and women who delivered very SGA babies (birthweight < 3rd percentile) were at a higher risk of developing HTN than those who delivered AGA babies (adjusted HR = 1.431 [1.181–1.734]), even after adjusting for age, parity, gestational age at delivery, fetal sex, maternal BMI score, and a history of smoking. Conclusion: These findings provide a novel support for the use of the offspring’s birthweight as a predictor of future maternal diseases such as HTN and DM.
Two New Species of Leiopython Hubecht, 1879 (Pythonidae: Serpentes): Non-Compliance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Leads to Unavailable Names in Zoological Nomenclature

Abstract The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN; hereafter, the Code) governs not only the availability and application of scientific zoological names once they enter the realm of nomenclature but also what is to be considered published work for the purpose of zoological nomenclature. Article 8.1. 1 of the Code clearly demands that to be considered published in the meaning of the Code, works “…must be issued for the purpose of providing a permanent public and scientific record. ” This requirement is often unfulfilled with the publication of nomenclatural acts in hobbyist magazines and amateur literature. Nevertheless, some names published in such outlets are in use today although, under strict application of the Code, these names could be de facto nonexistent for the purpose of nomenclature and cannot be made available simply by subsequent usage (ICZN, 1999: Articles 11.5.2, 16.1). In this paper, I discuss the application of Article 8.1. 1 to the nonscientific literature and, as a consequence, resolve a nomenclatural problem posed by two populations of snakes in the genus Leiopython Hubrecht, 1879 that have been recognized as valid species but that do not have valid names under the requirements of the Code.
THE LOW TEMPERATURE LIMIT FOR SEED GERMINATION

SUMMARY At 2O°C, cucumber and mung bean seeds germinate rapidly. As the temperature is lowered to 14°C, the time required for 50% germination increases with a Ql0 of about 2. However, between 14 and 11°C, Q10 rises to 60–1600 (cucumber) and 87 (mung bean); below 11°C only a small percentage of seeds will germinate. At 10°C, the roots never extend to more than 1.5 mm, while a length of 2.5 mm is necessary for germination. Exogenous supply of various amino acids and hormones fails to alleviate the block to germination in the cold. The mitotic index of root cells in cucumber seedlings is low at 5°C. However, at 22°C the seeds can germinate even under conditions that inhibit mitosis (0.02% colchicine or following γ-irradiation). There is little indication of leakage from cucumber seeds in the cold. Arrhenius plots of the respiration of imbibed seeds, of the growth of 1-cm long roots and the respiration of root tips are a1! linear. It is concluded from the high Q10 figures for germination in the cold that the failure of germination may result from a denaturation of proteins.
Patrones de distribución espacial de ensambles de macroinvertebrados bentónicos de un sistema fluvial Andino Patagónico

En enero de 2006 se estudiaron los patrones espaciales de distribucion de comunidades de macroinvertebrados bentonicos de la cuenca hidrografica del rio Baker (45°50' O y 47°55' S) y los principales factores controladores, intentando cubrir la mayor variedad de ecosistemas loticos. Para llevar a cabo el estudio se seleccionaron 27 estaciones de muestreo ubicadas en las diferentes subcuencas del rio. En cada estacion se realizo una caracterizacion fisicoquimica del agua (conductividad, oxigeno disuelto, pH, temperatura y turbidez), y se documentaron las caracteristicas del tramo de rio (e.g. ancho del cauce y tipo de sedimento) e informacion cartografica utilizando un sistema de informacion geografica (SIG). Se identificaron un total de 51 taxa que correspondieron en su mayoria a larvas de insectos (80 %). Los grupos con mayor riqueza fueron los ordenes Ephemeroptera (15 taxa), Plecoptera (8 taxa) y Trichoptera (8 taxa). Los analisis de clasificacion y ordenacion realizados con los datos de abundancia, permitieron reconocer siete grupos de estaciones diferentes (A-F) que fueron estadisticamente significativos (P < 0.05). El analisis de regresion multiple, muestra que la variable ambiental que mejor explica los patrones biologicos observados, fue el porcentaje de cobertura de bolones, explicando el 44 % de la varianza de los datos biologicos (r2 = 0.44 P < 0.05).
Salt tolerance and ion relations of Salsola kali L.: differences between ssp. tragus (L.) Nyman and ssp. ruthenica (Iljin) Soó

summary The effect of increasing salt concentrations (up to 200 mmol l−1 Cl−1 on growth, succulence and mineral composition has been studied in some accessions of Saltola kali L. ssp. tragus (L.) Nyman and ssp. ruthenica (Iljin) Soo Differences between accessions corresponded to the taxonomic distinction of subspecies. Dry weight was increased by 50 mmol l−1 NaCl in ssp. tragus, but not in ssp. ruthenica. Rising salinity increased shoot water content in both subspecies, but ssp. tragus was more succulent than ssp. ruthenica. ssp. tragus potassium content decreased after NaCl treatment, and the accumulation of sodium was significantly higher than in ssp. ruthenica. Chloride content and total cation concentration were similar in all accessions. The results indicate a positive correlation between salt tolerance, succulence and low K/Na-ratios in leaves.
SHELL STRUCTURES OF THE RECENT VETIGASTROPODA

A cladistic analysis of the shell microstructures of Recent Vetigastropoda demonstrates, it is more parsimonious to assume crossed lamellar shell structures, rather than nacreous, are plesiomorphic. The clade Vetigastropoda is characterized by having intersected crossed platy shell structure. The analysis suggests resolution of the internal phylogeny of the Vetigastropoda, particularly separation of a crown group with nacreous shells, composed of Haliotidae, Pleurotomariidae, Seguenziidae, Stomatellidae, Trochidae, and Turbinidae, separated from an unresolved grade with cross lamellar structures, Fissurellidae, Osteopeltidae, and Pseudococculinidae. It is also suggested, that Phasianellidae is neither part of nor sister taxon to Turbinidae.
Short Communication Latency type-specific distribution of epigenetic marks at the alternative promoters Cp and Qp of Epstein-Barr virus

Transcripts for the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-encoded nuclear antigens are initiated at the alternative promoters Wp, Cp and Qp. Although the host cell-dependent activity of Cp is regulated by DNA methylation, Qp is unmethylated independently of its activity. Because histone modifications affect the chromatin structure, we compared the levels of diacetylated histone H3, tetraacetylated histone H4 and histone H3 dimethylated on lysine 4 (H3K4me2) at Cp and Qp, in well characterized cell lines representing the major EBV latency types. We found an activity-dependent histone code: acetylated histones marked active Cp, whereas active Qp was selectively enriched both in acetylated histones and H3K4me2. We concluded that active (but not silent) Cp and Qp are located to ‘acetylation islands’ in latent, episomal EBV genomes, similar to the active chromatin domains of the human genome.
Anguilliform Body Dynamics: Modelling the Interaction between Muscle Activation and Body Curvature

A simple two-dimensional rod and pivot model is proposed for the mechanical structure of the lamprey, each pivot being controlled by a muscle segment attached via perpendicular extensions to the two rods. The elastic and viscous properties of the body tissues (including muscle) are described as linear functions of the relative displacement and angular velocity of the rods at each pivot. The contractile properties of the muscle are introduced as time-dependent forcing torques at the pivots, which are generated by a travelling wave of activation. The angles between the rods at each pivot are used as adapted coordinates, and the equations of motion are linearized by assuming low curvature dynamics, corresponding to slow swimming speeds. Investigation of these equations with varying viscous and elastic parameters leads to a reconstruction of a lamprey viewed in motion on a smooth flat surface out of water. The most striking feature is of an apparently standing wave motion, which is indeed observed in the real animal but which on careful examination in the model corresponds to a travelling wave of varying amplitude.
Rat NKp46 activates natural killer cell cytotoxicity and is associated with FcɛRIγ and CD3ζ

NKp46 has been identified in the human, rat, mouse, monkey, and cattle. We have generated a monoclonal antibody, WEN23, against rat NKp46. By flow cytometry, NKp46 is expressed by all natural killer (NK) cells but not by T cells, B cells, granulocytes, monocytes, dendritic cells, or macrophages. Thus, NKp46/WEN23 is the first NK cell‐specific marker in the rat. In a redirected lysis assay, preincubation of the effector cells with WEN23 augmented lysis of the Fc receptor (FcR)+ murine tumor target cells, indicating that NKp46 is an activating NK cell receptor. Moreover, preincubation of the effector cells with WEN23 F(ab′)2 fragments reduced killing of target cells, confirming the activating function of NKp46 and indicating that the mouse tumor target cells express a ligand for rat NKp46. Lysis of FcR− mouse and human tumor target cells was reduced after incubation of effector cells with WEN23, suggesting that rat NKp46 recognizes a ligand that is conserved between primates and rodents. By Western blot and immunoprecipitation using WEN23, NKp46 is expressed as a monomer of ∼47 kDa in interleukin‐2‐activated NK cells. The immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activation motif bearing adaptor proteins CD3ζ and the γ chain of FcRI for IgE (FcɛRIγ) with NKp46 from lysates of NK cells, indicating that rat NKp46 activates NK cell cytotoxicity by similar pathways as CD16.
Disregarding the edaphic dimension in species distribution models leads to the omission of crucial spatial information under climate change: the case of Quercus pubescens in France

Species distribution modelling is an easy, persuasive and useful tool for anticipating species distribution shifts under global change. Numerous studies have used only climate variables to predict future potential species range shifts and have omitted environmental factors important for determining species distribution. Here, we assessed the importance of the edaphic dimension in the niche‐space definition of Quercus pubescens and in future spatial projections under global change over the metropolitan French forest territory. We fitted two species distribution models (SDM) based on presence/absence data (111 013 plots), one calibrated from climate variables only (mean temperature of January and climatic water balance of July) and the other one from both climate and edaphic (soil pH inferred from plants) variables. Future predictions were conducted under two climate scenarios (PCM B2 and HadCM3 A2) and based on 100 simulations using a cellular automaton that accounted for seed dispersal distance, landscape barriers preventing migration and unsuitable land cover. Adding the edaphic dimension to the climate‐only SDM substantially improved the niche‐space definition of Q. pubescens, highlighting an increase in species tolerance in confronting climate constraints as the soil pH increased. Future predictions over the 21st century showed that disregarding the edaphic dimension in SDM led to an overestimation of the potential distribution area, an underestimation of the spatial fragmentation of this area, and prevented the identification of local refugia, leading to an underestimation of the northward shift capacity of Q. pubescens and its persistence in its current distribution area. Spatial discrepancies between climate‐only and climate‐plus‐edaphic models are strengthened when seed dispersal and forest fragmentation are accounted for in predicting a future species distribution area. These discrepancies highlight some imprecision in spatial predictions of potential distribution area of species under climate change scenarios and possibly wrong conclusions for conservation and management perspectives when climate‐only models are used.