Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of smoke., heat and charred wood on the germination of dormant soil-stored seeds from a Eucalyptus baxteri heathy-woodland in Victoria., SE Australia

The effects of dry heat, wet heat, charred wood and smoke on the germination of dormant soil-stored seeds from a Eucalyptus woodland in western Victoria were tested by using a glasshouse seed-bank germination experiment. Seedling density, species richness and species composition were compared between replicated treated and control samples. A total of 5922 seedlings, comprising 59 plant species, was recorded from the soil samples over a period of 150 days. While a few species dominated (including Centrolepis strigosa, Wahknbergia graciknta and Ixodia achillaeoides), 26 species were represented by fewer than five seedlings and 18 species were restricted to single treatment types. With the exception of charred wood, all treatments led to a significant increase in seed germination relative to the control. The highest number of germinants was obtained for the smoke treatment, with a mean (± SE) of 12 547 ± 449 seedlings m−2. Heat treatments yielded intermediate densities, with means (± SE) varying between 7445 ± 234 and 9133 ± 445 seedlings m−2. In comparison with the estimates of seed-bank sizes from other fire-prone ecosystems, these densities are high. Species richness differed significantly among treatments. Highest mean richness was recorded in the smoke treatment and lowest for the control and charred wood treatments. There were significant differences in seed-bank species composition between treatment types based on analysis of similarity (Anosim) using Bray-Curtis similarity. While heat was a specific requirement for triggering germination in hard-seeded species (e.g. Fabaceae), smoke was the most effective trigger for species from a broad range of other families. The potentially confounding effect of physical and chemical mechanisms of germination stimulation in heated bulk soil samples is raised as an issue requiring further investigation in relation to the role of smoke as a germination trigger.
Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) Infection and Dissemination of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Isaria fumosorosea (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) Under Laboratory Conditions

ABSTRACT The infectivity and horizontal transfer of Isaria fumosorosea Wize among Diaphorina citri Kuwayama was measured using a detached leaf bioassay in which blastospores were sprayed on citrus leaf sections or yellow plastic tags (artificial attractant surface). Four leaf sections or three leaf sections and one yellow tag were placed together in a Petri dish chamber. One to four of the leaf sections or the yellow tag was sprayed with I. fumosorosea (1.2–1.7×103 blastospores/mm2). After treatments dried, a single adult psyllid was released into each chamber. Mortality due to I. fumosorosea for the adult psyllid was observed 4.9 ± 0.21–6.1 ± 0.37 d following exposure to the pathogen. The rate of colonization by I. fumosorosea on adults in chambers with untreated leaf sections and one treated yellow tag was as effective in inducing mortality as in chambers with one treated leaf section at 8 days post application. Under high humidity, I. fumosorosea blastospores readily produced hyphae on the surface of leaves, which was useful for determining if adults were responsible for transmission of the fungus. In chambers with a single treated leaf section, adults came into contact with blastospores and moved these around to the non-treated leaves. The same phenomenon, of psyllid infection and subsequent spreading of the fungus to non-treated leaves, was observed when psyllids were placed into chambers with a treated yellow tag. The use of I. fumosorosea inoculated yellow tags has potential as a psyllid dissemination technique for managing pest populations.
Phylogenetic analysis of Staphyliniformia (Coleoptera) based on characters of larvae and adults

Abstract. One hundred and twenty‐one morphological characters of larvae and adults of the series Staphyliniformia were scored (multistate coding) and analysed to determine the family group relationships of the polyphagan groups Scarabaeoidea, Histeroidea, Hydrophiloidea and Staphylinoidea. Cladograms were rooted with exemplars of Adephaga, Archostemata, Myxophaga and the polyphagan families Dascillidae, Derodontidae, Eucinetidae and Scirtidae. Analyses of the same dataset with multistate characters re‐coded as presence/absence (144 characters) produced cladograms that were similar to those produced from analyses of the original characters. Cladograms produced from partitioned larval and adult characters differed strongly, with adult‐only trees more similar to those produced by combined data. The results confirm the monophyly of Hydrophiloidea + Histeroidea and of Staphylinoidea (including Hydraenidae). The Epimetopidae + Georissidae are the only strongly supported clade within Hydrophiloidea. A clade comprising Hydrochidae, Spercheidae and Hydrophilidae, and a sister‐group relationship between the latter two families were confirmed in analyses of the data with presence/absence coding. Helophoridae, Epimetopidae and Georissidae are probably not a monophyletic unit, and additional evidence is needed for a reliable placement of Helophoridae. Scarabaeoidea are placed as a sister taxon of Hydrophiloidea + Histeroidea, but support for this relationship is weak. The branching pattern ((Hydraenidae + Ptiliidae) + (Leiodidae + Agyrtidae)), and a clade comprising Scydmaenidae, Silphidae and Staphylinidae (= ‘staphylinid group’) are well founded. The branching pattern (Orchymontiinae + (Prosthetopinae + (Ochthebiinae + Hydraeninae))) within Hydraenidae is confirmed. Poor resolution at the base of the trees and the placement of some nonstaphyliniform taxa (Dascillidae, Derodontidae, Scirtidae and Eucinetidae) as a sister group to a clade comprising Scarabaeoidea, Hydrophiloidea and Histeroidea suggests that Staphyliniformia may be paraphyletic. It is recommended that series names are eliminated from the classification of Polyphaga, at least for the more ‘primitive’ groups.
Locomotory and feeding effectors of the tornaria larva of Balanoglossus biminiensis

Lacalli, T. C. and Gilmour, T. H. J. 2001. Locomotory and feeding effectors of the tornaria larva of Balanoglossus biminiensis. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 82: 117–126 The tornaria ciliary bands and oesophagus were examined ultrastructurally to identify the neural components that control larval behaviour. The circumoral ciliary band is known to be innervated in part by fibres from the apical plate and adoral nerve centres. Within the band itself, however, the only neurones we could find were multipolar cells, an unusual cell type with apical processes that traverse the surface of the band. Similar cells occur in the circumoral bands of echinoderm larvae. The tornaria telotroch has a much larger nerve, but no neurones were found either in the band or nearby, so the source of the fibres in the telotroch nerve remains unknown. In addition to having different innervation, the two bands also respond differently to cholinergic agonists, which elicit telotroch arrests but have no visible effect on the circumoral band. The oesophagus has a well-developed musculature and an extensive nerve plexus. During feeding, the oesophagus repeatedly contracts, forcing excess water out along two lateral channels prior to swallowing. These channels are also sites of gill slit formation, so there is evidently a continuity between the water bypass mechanism of the larva and that of the postmetamorphic juvenile.
Anatomia de lesões foliares causadas pelo vírus da Mancha Clorótica do Clerodendrum, transmitido pelo ácaro Brevipalpus phoenicis em diferentes espécies

O genero botânico Clerodendrum pertence a familia Lamiaceae e compreende varias especies ornamentais, Manchas cloroticas e necroticas em folhas de coracao-sangrento foram observadas pela primeira vez em um jardim de Piracicaba, SP, associadas a infestacao com Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae). Exames de seccoes de tecidos das lesoes foliares ao microscopio eletronico revelaram ocorrencia de efeitos citopaticos do tipo nuclear e concluiu-se que os sintomas eram causados por um virus transmitido por Brevipalpus (VTB), o qual foi designado de mancha clorotica de Clerodendrum (Clerodendrum Chlorotic Spot Virus- ClCSV). O ClCSV e transmitido mecanicamente de coracao-sangrento para coracao-sangrento. Em ensaios preliminares foi transmitido por B. phoenicis e mecanicamente para varias outras plantas, alem da ocorrencia de sua disseminacao natural por este acaro para outras especies. Visando complementar a caracterizacao do ClCSV foram feitos estudos sobre alteracoes anatomicas em folhas de plantas infectadas pelo ClCSV. Foram examinadas seccoes histologicas de folhas sadias e infectadas pelo ClCSV de C. x speciosum e de outras hospedeiras como Hibiscus schizopetalus, Salvia leucantha, Malvaviscus arboreus e Annona muricata. Constatou-se que o ClCSV causa alteracoes celulares semelhantes nas diferentes hospedeiras e os sintomas causados por este virus sao similares aos causados por outros virus transmitidos por Brevipalpus como o virus da leprose dos citros citoplasmatico (Citrus Lepros Virus Cytoplasmic- CiLV-C) e nuclear (Citrus Leprosis Virus Nuclear- CiLV-N), mancha anular do cafeeiro (Coffee Ringspot Virus- CoRSV), mancha anular de Solanum violaefolium (Solanum violaefolium Ringspot Virus- SvRSV) e "Orchid Fleck Virus" (OFV), representadas por hipertrofia e hiperplasia frequentemente acompanhadas de necrose nos tecidos do parenquima palicadico e lacunoso.
Current status of molecular classification of the phytoplasmas.

Phytoplasmas for which 16S rDNA sequences are available have been classified into 20 major phylogenetic groups or subclades. Further phytoplasmas have been assigned to these groups, according to other molecular data such as RFLP analysis of PCR-amplified ribosomal DNA, nucleic acid hybridization, and serological comparison. A total of 75 phytoplasmas were distinguishable among the molecularly characterized phytopathogenic mollicutes.
Supplementation effect(s) of organic acids and/or lipid to plant protein‐based diets on juvenile yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck et Schlegel 1845, growth and, nitrogen and phosphorus excretion

A feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of organic acids and/or lipid supplementation on growth, utilization and environmental loading of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in juvenile yellowtail fed fishmeal (FM) and plant protein (PP) diets. Six diets as FM (FM-based), FM+P (FM with inorganic P), FM+L (FM with lipid), PP+CA (PP with citric acid), PP+L+CA (PP with lipid and citric acid) and PP+L+FA (PP with formic acid) were formulated. Yellowtails were fed each of the diets in duplicate groups; once a day, 6 days a week to near satiation at water temperature 19.0–25.0 °C for 16 weeks. Fishmeal with inorganic P gave the best growth while PP+L+FA the lowest. However, growth increased in PP+CA and PP+L+CA. Addition of lipid significantly increased N and P retention resulting in significant reduction in N and P excretion. Citric acid and FA supplementation to PP diets also increased retention of P; hence, its excretion was lowered. Thus, CA, FA and lipid in juvenile yellowtail diets can help to partially replace FM with PP sources and reduce inorganic P use to minimize environmental loading from aquafeeds.
Interferons and Alphavirus Pathogenesis: Implications for Developing Medical Countermeasures

Abstract : Our immune system can launch a quick defence against a large number of unforeseen viruses. This front line of defence restricts virus spread and buys time for our body to develop specific and long-lasting immunity. One of the major weapons in this defence system is interferons (IFNs) that are proteins with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Therefore, understanding the interplay between IFNs and viral agents may provide an insight into the development of a single medical countermeasure effective agasint multiple viral agents. As an initial step to tap the IFNs for developing therapeutics against multiple strains of alphaviruses, this memo presents recent advances in studying the role of IFNs in alphavirus pathogenesis. I first review IFNs, then focus on IFN responses against three BW agents in the alphavirus family: Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), and western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV). I conclude with discussion of how to apply this knowledge for therapeutic and vaccine development.
The role of dendritic cell subsets in cross-presentation and stimulation of homing marker expression

Topical antigen (Ag) application mimics natural Ag exposure across the skin. Soluble Ag introduced through this route requires cross-presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) to generate CD8 T cell responses, including skin-homing T cells. DCs process Ag for display to other immune cells, and stimulate T cells to release cytokines or directly lyse infected cells. Some T cells are further stimulated to express homing markers allowing them to enter non-lymphoid tissue such as the skin or the gut. In the last decade, DCs have been divided into subsets based on differential surface marker expression. The differences in development and function of these DC subsets are an area of active investigation. Some subsets may specialize in crosspriming T cells or imprinting skin homing, for example. Determining how different DC subsets interact with T cells would inform vaccine design and potentially lead to the development of DC-targeted vaccines. The studies described in this dissertation were undertaken to determine the contribution of various skin-derived DC subsets to cross-priming and skin-selective imprinting. We developed a co-culture system where DCs loaded in vivo with soluble Ag from skin could be isolated and used to stimulate T cell proliferation and homing marker
Interspecific aggression and habitat selection by Amazonian birds

We report that interspecific territoriality is a common spacing mechanism among closely related bird species distributed along a primary successional gradient in the meander belt of an Amazonian whitewater river. In the first phase of the research, we mapped the territories of more than 330 bird species in large census plots encompassing the complete successional gradient. We found species pairs in over 20 genera that showed contiguous but non-overlapping territories, such that early stages of the successional gradient were occupied by one member of the pair, and later stages by the other. Other species pairs showed additional types of spatial relationships, including partially overlapping and completely overlapping territories. Using reciprocal heterospecific playback experiments, we tested for the existence of aggressive interactions between the members of species pairs (usually congeners) showing all three types of spatial relationship. Among 12 species pairs showing contiguous, non-overlapping territories, 10 showed evidence of interspecific aggression (approach to the playback speaker). In eight of these 10 cases, the responses were markedly asymmetric. Target individuals of one species approached the speaker, whereas individuals of the other species remained in place or moved away. The heavier species was consistently the aggressor. In six species pairs showing partial territorial overlap along the successional gradient, only one species displayed statistically significant interspecific aggressiveness, although some individuals in all six pairs approached or avoided the speaker. In species pairs distributed with completely overlapping territories, we found interspecific aggression in only one of five genera tested. We suggest that spatial segregation of congeneric bird species on habitat gradients (presumably including elevational gradients), is commonly underpinned by interspecific territoriality mediated through directed, asymmetrical interspecific aggression. Aggressive asymmetry suggests a despotic model of habitat occupancy, in which the larger species occupies the more productive end of habitat gradients, and the smaller species occupies less productive habitats. The pronounced successional gradients characteristic of Amazonia may explain much of the increased species richness, especially within genera, of Amazonian bird communities.
Transient expression of gfp in the obligate biotrophic oomycete Plasmopara halstedii using electroporation and a mechanoperforation method

Studying plant biotrophic oomycetes is difficult, because they depend on living plant cells for nutrition, which necessitates investigations in planta. Internal optical labelling is a powerful tool for analysing intra- and interspecific interactions. Different approaches are described for establishing a gfp-transformation system for Plasmopara halstedii, the causal agent of sunflower downy mildew. A vector containing gfp and the oomycete-specific ham34 regulators from Bremia lactucae was constructed for transformation experiments. Particle bombardment of infected sunflower cotyledons during different developmental stages of the pathogen did not result in successful transformation. In contrast, transient gfp expression in sporangia was achieved using electroporation. However, gfp expression was lost during the subsequent round of infection. A novel transformation method for biotrophic organisms in planta employing mechanoperforation – so-called Lochern–resulted in sporangiophores of P. halstedii transiently expressing gfp and emerging distant from the site of transformation. The new technique is advantageous compared with others as the transformed hyphae can recover during their vegetative growth, before reproductive structures occur. This first step lays an important foundation for further investigations of obligate biotrophic organisms.
Drill, baby, drill: the influence of woodpeckers on post-fire vertebrate communities through cavity excavation

Several studies have addressed the importance of woodpeckers as ecological engineers in forests due to their excavation of cavities. Although research in green, unburned forests has identified the influence of different excavators on secondary use by cavity-dependent species, little is known about the relative importance of cavities created by woodpeckers in recently burned forests. By excavating cavities, woodpeckers create habitat for secondary cavity users that can facilitate post-fire regeneration through seed dispersal, seed germination and regulation of insect populations that affect vegetative growth. In this study, we monitored 77 cavities created by three species of Picoides woodpeckers for use by secondary cavity species in a fire that burned in the Sierra Nevada, California. At each cavity we measured nest tree and site-specific parameters to determine if these characteristics could explain differential use by secondary cavity users. We found substantial overlap in cavity characteristics between woodpecker species, with the white-headed woodpecker differing most notably in their placement of cavities in larger diameter, shorter and more decayed trees in less dense stands than either hairy or black-backed woodpeckers. These differences in cavity placement may have resulted in the high diversity and large number of detections of secondary cavity species in white-headed woodpecker cavities. Black-backed and hairy woodpeckers were similar in the number of detections of secondary cavity use, although black-backed woodpecker cavities were used by more species than hairy woodpecker cavities. Secondary cavity use was high (86%) suggesting these woodpeckers, and the white-headed woodpecker in particular, can have an accelerating affect effect on ecological succession by providing valuable habitat features for seed dispersing birds and mammals, insectivorous birds, and small predators, thereby impacting ecological processes and functions.
Analyse autoradiographique de la localisation des différentes ébauches présomptives dans la ligne primitive de l'embryon de Poulet

Le probleme de la localisation des ebauches presomptives chez les Oiseaux est actuellement l9un des themes les plus controverses de la litterature embryologique (Graper, 1929; Wetzel, 1929, 1936; Pasteeis, 1937; Rudnick, 1944, 1948; Spratt, 1955). Une nouvelle analyse de ce probleme s9impose, encore faut-il que la methode employee soit reellement capable d9obvier aux desavantages des techniques de marquage usuelles. En effet, en particulier chez les Oiseaux, ni la technique de coloration locale au bleu de Nil, ni l9apposition de fines particules ne donne la garantie formelle que la marque se rapporte strictement au meme ensemble de cellules du debut a la fin des experiences. Nous croyons que l9emploi de la thymidine tritiee comme marqueur nucleaire peut surmonter cet obstacle. Ce radioisotope s9incorpore specifiquement dans l9ADN et ne se transmet qu9aux cellules-filles issues de cellules marquees. Cette technique a deja ete employee a plusieurs reprises chez le Poulet.
Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production and arthritis in the rat by GW3333, a dual inhibitor of TNF-alpha-converting enzyme and matrix metalloproteinases.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-converting enzyme (TACE) cleaves the precursor form of TNF, allowing the mature form to be secreted into the extracellular space. GW3333, a dual inhibitor of TACE and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), was compared with an anti-TNF antibody to evaluate the importance of soluble TNF and MMPs in rat models of arthritis. Oral administration of GW3333 completely blocked increases in plasma TNF after LPS for up to 12 h. In a model wherein intrapleural zymosan injection causes an increase in TNF in the pleural cavity, GW3333 completely inhibited the increase in TNF in the pleural cavity for 12 h. Under these dosing conditions, the plasma levels of unbound GW3333 were at least 50-fold above the IC(50) values for inhibition of individual MMPs in vitro. In a model wherein bacterial peptidoglycan polysaccharide polymers reactivate a local arthritis response in the ankle, a neutralizing anti-TNF antibody completely blocked the ankle swelling over the 3-day reactivation period. GW3333 administered b.i. d. over the same period also inhibited ankle swelling, with the highest dose of 80 mg/kg being slightly less active than the anti-TNF antibody. In a 21-day adjuvant arthritis model, the anti-TNF antibody did not inhibit the ankle swelling or the joint destruction, as assessed by histology or radiology. GW3333, however, showed inhibition of both ankle swelling and joint destruction. In conclusion, GW3333 is the first inhibitor with sufficient duration of action to chronically inhibit TACE and MMPs in the rat. The efficacy of GW3333 suggests that dual inhibitors of TACE and matrix metalloproteinases may prove therapeutic as antiarthritics.