Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases and vascular smooth muscle.

At least 30 different phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes have now been identified in mammalian tissues and cells, many of which are products of separate genes. These different isoenzyme forms can be subdivided into seven families based on their genetic and functional characteristics. Relatively specific inhibitors are available for at least five of these PDE families. A functional classification based on substrate specificity, regulatory properties, and sensitivity to inhibition by isozyme- and tissue-selective inhibitors can be used in describing the PDEs of vascular smooth muscle. Inhibition of these PDEs, especially with inhibitors of the PDE3 isoform, promotes vascular relaxation, particularly if the preparation of smooth muscle has been preconracted. For the most part, the drugs appear to act directly on smooth muscle; their effects are usually observed in endothelium-denuded preparations. In addition to their cardiotonic properties, many PDE3 inhibitors possess antiplatelet and thrombolytic activities, thereby suggesting the potential benefit of these drugs in treating diseases of the cardiovascular system. Isozyme- and cell-specific drugs have been shown to alter the synthetic state (i.e. proliferative phenotype) of smooth muscle cultures toward the appearance of the contractile phenotype. This suggests the possible use of selective PDE inhibitors to minimize the problem of restenosis seen after angioplasty. The development of novel methods to deliver more potent and selective PDE inhibitors to individual cell types and subcellular locales will lead to new therapeutic uses for this class of drugs in diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Global Gap Analysis: Priority Regions for Expanding the Global Protected-Area Network

Abstract Protected areas are the single most important conservation tool. The global protected-area network has grown substantially in recent decades, now occupying 11.5% of Earth's land surface, but such growth has not been strategically aimed at maximizing the coverage of global biodiversity. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the global network is far from complete, even for the representation of terrestrial vertebrate species. Here we present a first attempt to provide a global framework for the next step of strategically expanding the network to cover mammals, amphibians, freshwater turtles and tortoises, and globally threatened birds. We identify unprotected areas of the world that have remarkably high conservation value (irreplaceability) and are under serious threat. These areas concentrate overwhelmingly in tropical and subtropical moist forests, particularly on tropical mountains and islands. The expansion of the global protected-area network in these regions is urgently needed to prevent the loss of unique biodiversity.
A Unified Statistically Efficient Estimation Framework for Unnormalized Models

The parameter estimation of unnormalized models is a challenging problem. The maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) is computationally infeasible for these models since normalizing constants are not explicitly calculated. Although some consistent estimators have been proposed earlier, the problem of statistical efficiency remains. In this study, we propose a unified, statistically efficient estimation framework for unnormalized models and several efficient estimators, whose asymptotic variance is the same as the MLE. The computational cost of these estimators is also reasonable and they can be employed whether the sample space is discrete or continuous. The loss functions of the proposed estimators are derived by combining the following two methods: (1) density-ratio matching using Bregman divergence, and (2) plugging-in nonparametric estimators. We also analyze the properties of the proposed estimators when the unnormalized models are misspecified. The experimental results demonstrate the advantages of our method over existing approaches.
Comparative-analysis of ionoregulation in rainbow-trout (Salmo-Gairdneri) of different sizes following rapid and slow salinity adaptation

Plasma ionic values and gill (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity were compared for rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) of three different fork lengths ( 15 cm) following transference (1) from freshwater directly into seawater of 28–29‰ (DTT), (2) from freshwater directly into an estuarine environment at Fortune Bay where salinity fluctuated primarily between 17 and 29‰ (DTF), (3) from freshwater into a salinity that slowly increased to 28‰ in 22 d (SAT), and (4) from freshwater into freshwater (FC). Trout of all sizes displayed better growth, lower mortality, and better ionoregulatory capacity as judged by plasma Na+, K+, and Cl− concentrations and (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity in sea cages in Fortune Bay (DTF). The poorest ionoregulatory capacity and growth was in the direct transfer from freshwater to salinity of 28–29‰ (DTT). Failure of small trout to adapt to constantly high salinity of 28–29‰ was due to a slower development of (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity, excessively high plasma Na+ and Cl− concentrations.
Population Genetic Structure of Tetranychus urticae and Its Sibling Species Tetranychus cinnabaribus (Acari: Tetranychidae) in China as Inferred From Microsatellite Data

ABSTRACT The population structure of the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and its sibling species the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acari: Tetranychidae), from China were investigated using microsatellite markers. The two species exhibited significant polymorphism but generally low genetic diversity. The genetic differentiation between populations of T. urticae and T. cinnabarinus was extreme and was significantly related to geographical distance between the populations (Mantel test). The overall level of genetic diversity of T. cinnabarinus was significantly higher than that of T. urticae. However, the various geographical levels of T. cinnabarinus were lower than those of T. urticae. The average pairwise FST between geographical populations of T. cinnabarinus was far higher than that of T. urticae, suggesting that the genetic differentiation of T. cinnabarinus was much higher than that of T. urticae. A comparison of T. urticae and T. cinnabarinus collected in adjacent and sympatric areas provided no evidence that genetic differentiation was related to geographical distances, suggesting a lack of gene flow between populations of these two species. In a phylogenetic analysis, seven geographical populations of T. urticae clustered in one branch and six geographical populations of T. cinnabarinus were distributed in other branches.
New records of Platalina genovensium (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) and Tomopeas ravus (Chiroptera, Molossidae)

The monotypic bat genera Platalina and Tomopeas are rare and known from few localities through- out their distributions. These species have not been recorded in the northern half of their distributions for the last 4 and 3 decades, respectively, suggesting local extirpation. Here we present new records for both taxa from a 2012 expedition conducted in the northern end of their distributions. We suggest a role the oil concessions in the area can play towards the conservation of these two unusual bat species, as well as additional actions that will help to protect them.
PROTANDRY AND THE SEQUENCE OF FLOWER OPENING IN THE ONION (ALLIUM CEP A L.)

SUMMARY To assess the importance of protandry in promoting outbreeding in onions, detailed observations were made of the sequence of flower opening in onion umbels. Six stages of flower development were defined, covering the period from flower opening to withering of the style. Regular counts were made in the 1976 season of the total number of flowers at each stage during the flowering of twenty-nine umbels representing four cultivars and six inbred lines. The pattern of flowering was similar in all cases, although the number of flowers per head varied from 126 to 681. At first the number of flowers opening was small, but rapidly increased, giving a peak, which lasted for a mean of 4–10 days. During the middle of the peak flowering period the maximum number of flowers open at one time was often more than 50% of the total flowers on the head. A particular flower could not easily be pollinated with its own pollen because the stigma did not become receptive until about 2–3 days after the anthers had started to dehisce. Protandry was not considered to be effective in preventing pollination between flowers on a single umbel because there was abundant pollen available from the time the first stigmas became receptive, almost until the end of flowering. Other factors which may account for high out-crossing rates in onions are discussed.
The diet of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in south-eastern Australia and the potential effects of rabbit haemorrhagic disease

Prior to the spread of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) across Australian, concern was expressed that foxes (Vulpes vulpes) would prey more heavily on native wildlife and livestock should the disease cause dramatic reductions in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) numbers. In this study we compared the incidence of food items in the stomachs of 240 foxes and 269 foxes collected before and after the arrival of RHD respectively. No dramatic RHD-induced differences in fox diet were detected in this study. It appeared that one widespread environmental event (drought), was closely followed by another (RHD), which may have masked any change in reliance on rabbit or dietary shift to other prey species.
Effect of Synbiotic on Performance and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Ostrich Chicks

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of synbiotic on performance and serum biochemical parameters of ostrich chicks. Forty eight day-old ostrich chicks were divided into 4 treatments with 4 replicates of 3 ostrich chicks in completely randomized design for 8 weeks. Dietary treatments included basal diet (control) and basal diet with 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg synbiotic. Feed Intake (FI), body weight (BW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured during the whole period of the experiment (0-8 wk of age). Additionally, blood samples were taken at the end of the experiment and analyzed for serum biochemical parameters. The results showed that 1 g/kg synbiotic inclusion in the diet significantly improved BW and FCR of the chicks compared to control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, 1.5 g/kg synbiotic substantially increased blood glucose but decreased cholesterol (p<0.05). Serum total protein and uric acid also decreased in the all dietary levels of synbiotic compared to control group (p<0.05). Regarding these results, supplementation of 1 g/kg synbiotic appears to be effective on growth performance and serum biochemical parameters of ostrich chicks.
Systematics, distributions, and bionomics of the small carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Cholevini) of North America

Abstract In North America, the tribe Cholevini (Coleoptera: Leiodidae) is composed of the genera Prionochaeta Horn with 1 species, Catoptrichus Murray with 1 species, Sciodrepoides Hatch with 3 species, and Catops Paykull with 17 species. The species are mostly forest inhabitants that feed on carrion and other decaying materials, but some occur in tundra habitats, in caves, and in rodent burrows. Resurrected status is proposed for Sciodrepoides terminans (LeConte). The subspecies status of Sciodrepoides watsoni hornianus (Blanchard) is not supported. Lectotypes are designated for Catops terminans LeConte (= Sciodrepoides terminans (LeConte)), Choleva gratiosa Blanchard (= Catops gratiosus (Blanchard)), and Choleva egena Horn (= Catops egenus (Horn)). Neotypes are designated for Catops simplex Say and Catops basilaris Say. Catops luteipes Thomson is reported from North America for the first time. New species are Sciodrepoides latinotum Peck and Cook sp.nov., Catops paramericanus Peck and Cook sp.nov., Catops apterus Peck and Cook sp.nov., and Catops meridionalis Peck and Cook sp.nov. Four Catops species are Holarctic in distribution, whereas the others are restricted to North America, south to Mexico. Résumé En Amérique du Nord, la tribu des Cholevini est constituée des genres Prionochaeta Horn, qui compte 1 espèce, Catoptrichus Murray, qui a aussi 1 espèce, Sciodrepoides Hatch, qui contient 3 espèces, et Catops Paykull, avec 17 espèces. La plupart des espèces sont des habitants des forêts qui se nourrissent de charogne ou d'autres matières en décomposition, mais certaines vivent dans des habitats de la toundra, dans des grottes ou dans des terriers de rongeurs. Nous proposons ici de rétablir Sciodrepoides terminans (LeConte). Le statut de sous-espèce de Sciodrepoides watsoni hornianus Blanchard n'est pas reconnu. Des lectotypes ont été choisis pour Catops terminans LeConte (= Sciodrepoides terminans (LeConte)), Choleva gratiosa Blanchard (= Catops gratiosus (Blanchard)), Choleva egena Horn (= Catops egenus (Horn)). Des néotypes ont été désignés pour Catops simplex Say et Catops basilaris Say. Catops luteipes Thomson est cité pour la première fois en Amérique du Nord. Sciodrepoides latinotum Peck et Cook sp.nov., Catops paramericanus Peck et Cook sp.nov., Catops apterus Peck et Cook sp.nov. et Catops meridionalis Peck et Cook sp.nov. sont de nouvelles espèces. Quatre espèces de Catops ont une répartition holarctique, les autres sont restreintes à l'Amérique du Nord, jusqu'au Mexique. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
Penetration of Picea sitchensis root bark by Armillaria mellea, Armillaria ostoyae and Heterobasidion annosum

Summary Penetration of root bark tissues of Picea sitchensis by Armillaria ostoyae, Armillaria mellea and Heterobasidion annosum was examined in the absence of wounds, in superficial wounds (rhytidome tissues removed to expose the secondary phloem) and in wounds to the depth of the vascular cambium (deep wounding). Both species of Armillaria penetrated bark without prior wounding, but neither species formed rhizomorphs in this treatment. Armillaria ostoyae penetrated to 39 cell layers in depth by 48 days after inoculation of unwounded bark, whereas A. mellea penetrated 25 cell layers in the same time. Armillaria mellea penetrated superficial wounds significantly more rapidly than did A. ostoyae. Both species produced rhizomorphs within wounded host tissues. Inoculation of deep wounds with Armillaria resulted in a greater depth of bark necrosis with A. mellea than with A. ostoyae. In the absence of wounding, H. annosum failed to penetrate root bark tissues, but in both superficial and deep wounds hyphae penetrated beyond the ligno‐suberized boundary zone (LSZ) by 12 days after inoculation. Where no inoculations were made, superficial or deep wounding led within 25 days to the restoration of a structurally continuous LSZ, and by day 48 the wound periderm (WP) was fully differentiated. In inoculated wounds, however, formation of the LSZ and WP was delayed or inhibited in most trees, particularly following inoculation with A. ostoyae or A. mellea. Suberization in the LSZ and WP remained diffuse and discontinuous 48 days after inoculation. Moreover, the presence of WP did not prevent further penetration of the tissues by the pathogens. Variations between trees in the depth of pathogen penetration were noted, possibly indicating differing susceptibilities of individual host genotypes. The possible host factors involved in resistance to penetration of root bark tissues by Armillaria and Heterobasidion are discussed.
THE ORGANIZATION OF AGONISTIC VOCALIZATIONS IN RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS WITH A COMPARISON TO BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS

Abstract We describe vocalizations of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) recorded during agonistic confrontations at feeders. Calls were composed of 1–5 different note types. A sixth distinct note type, the W note, was not given within a call sequence. Similar to those of Black-chinned Hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri), Ruby-throated Hummingbird calls were complex, and exhibited a nonrandom organizational pattern as analyzed using a Markov model. The two closely related yet allopatric species shared similarities in the acoustic structure of note types, syntax, and call length. Slight differences occurred in the opening note types of calls in the two species. We investigated how vocalizing is associated with the outcome of encounters at a feeder and found that the vocalizer usually was the winner.
Feeding Ecology of The Domino Damselfish, Dascyllus Albisella

Abstract Damselfishes have served as a model fish for the study of planktivory. The feeding ecology of the diurnal planktivorous Domino Damselfish, Dascyllus albisella (Pomacentridae), was studied in the lagoon of Johnston Atoll (Central Pacific Ocean). Time budgets based on daytime focal observations showed that damselfish spent most (>85%) of their time feeding. Larger D. albisella foraged higher in the water column than smaller damselfish. Individual damselfish fed higher in the water column when the current speeds were lower. All size ranges of damselfish fed primarily on caridean zoea and copepods. The water column was vertically structured with greater caridean and brachyuran zoea concentrations at mid-depths and near the surface than near the bottom. Copepod concentrations, though low, were higher near the bottom than at mid-depths. During the spawning season males had much smaller stomach contents than similarly sized females, which is presumably due to reduced time spent feeding during courtship and nest guarding. These data show an interaction between damselfish size, plankton distributions, feeding heights, and currents. When currents are low, damselfish forage higher in the water column where the flux of plankton is generally greater, with larger damselfish foraging higher than small damselfish. When current speeds increase, damselfish forage closer to the bottom, with less of a difference in the depth distribution of differently sized damselfish. Since damselfish spend most of the daytime hours foraging, the distribution of plankton could be a major selective pressure for larger-sized damselfish.
Latitudinal variation and distribution of photoperiod and temperature sensitivity for flowering in the world collection of pearl millet germplasm at ICRISAT genebank

The ICRISAT genebank, Patancheru, India holds 22,211 pearl millet germplasm accessions from 50 countries, including 19,063 landraces. Among these, 15,904 landraces that were geo-referenced are either thermo-sensitive (52.5%), or photoperiod-sensitive (45.6%), or insensitive to both temperature and photoperiod (2%). Latitude ranges of 10–15°N with 39.6% and 15–20°S with 13.1% of total accessions are the important regions for pearl millet germplasm. A study on climate data of the germplasm collection sites revealed that most accessions from latitudes ranging from 10 to 20° on both sides of the equator were highly sensitive to longer photoperiod (>12.5 h) and/or lower temperature ( < 12°C). Accessions that originated in locations at higher latitudes (>20–35°) on both the hemispheres exhibited low sensitivity to both photoperiod and low temperature, as they were exposed to such climates during their evolution. The accessions that are insensitive to both photoperiod and temperature were few but they originated from locations spread across all latitudes, although the highest numbers were from mid-latitudes (15–20°) in both hemispheres. As germplasm accessions are sensitive to climatic variables such as temperature and photoperiod, recording of location-specific geo-reference data while collecting the germplasm, which can help to elucidate the sensitivity of accessions to temperature and photoperiod, is emphasized. Critical evaluation of photoperiod-sensitive accessions that are late flowering for forage production and the photoperiod-insensitive early-maturing accessions for grain production, multiple cropping and development of parental lines with synchronized flowering for the development of hybrids is suggested.
Open-Top Chambers with Solar-Heated Air Introduction Tunnels for the High-Temperature Treatment of Paddy Fields

Abstract The quality of rice grain has been deteriorating as a result of the high temperature during the ripening stage caused by global warming. Easy and effective methods of high-temperature treatment are essential for the analysis of high-temperature tolerance and to screen for tolerant strains. We have improved the open-top chamber (OTC) by adding a solar-heated air introduction tunnel (SAT). The air is warmed by solar radiation as it passes through the tunnel and then flows into the OTC. The increase in temperature in the OTC-SAT was powered by solar radiation. Thereby, the temperature in OTC-SAT rose during the day according to the distance from the air intake (the nearer, the higher). A more uniform increase in temperature of approximately 1.2°C in the daytime was achieved by attaching a sloping wall and funnel-shaped air exhaust tunnel to the OTC-SAT to improve the air flow. The area of the high-temperature treatment was easily increased by increasing the width of the OTC-SAT; this finding might be useful for screening a large number of strains. The increase in the percentage of chalky grains by the use of OTC-SAT was similar to that obtained with the other treatment methods; the OTC-SAT will thus be useful for investigating high-temperature tolerance during the ripening stage, particularly in areas where the wind direction is stable. The use of an OTC with a funnel-shaped tunnel on both the air entrance and the air exit sides might be useful in areas where the wind direction is often reversed.
Coupled changes in the cell morphology and elemental (C, N, and Si) composition of the pennate diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia due to iron deficiency

We investigated the changes in cell morphology and elemental composition with varying iron nutritional status in four oceanic and two coastal isolates of the marine pennate diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia. When iron‐deficient, most isolates exhibited slower specific growth rates (m), reduced maximum photochemical yields (WM), and lower chlorophyll a (Chl a) contents than iron‐replete cultures. Iron‐deficient cells exhibited reduced cell volumes, primarily as the result of decreased valve transapical widths, which increased the valve aspect ratios. The increase in aspect ratios varied among isolates and was not correlated with the degree of growth limitation due to irondeficiency. In all Pseudo‐nitzschia isolates, the mean carbon (Ccell), nitrogen (Ncell), and silicon (Sicell) cell quotas of iron‐deficient cells decreased when compared to iron‐replete cells. Similarly, in five out of the six isolates, the mean C and N quotas normalized per unit cell volume (Cvol and Nvol) of iron‐deficient cells also decreased, but by a lesser extent. In contrast, there were no clear differences in the changes in the mean Si quotas normalized per unit cell surface area (Sisa). The Sicell:Ncell and Sicell : Ccell ratios (quotas normalized per cell) of iron‐deficient cells increased compared to iron‐replete conditions due to greater reductions in C and N cell quotas compared to Si cell quotas. This increase in the Sicell:Ncell ratio was proportional to the changes in the valve aspect ratios. Our results show that iron‐deficient Pseudo‐nitzschia cells acclimate to low iron concentrations by increasing their valve aspect ratios, thus reducing their cell volumes and increasing their surface area‐to‐volume (SA : V) ratios. These changes in cell morphology increase the Si‐containing valve surface area relative to the volume of the internal components, which may then influence the cellular elemental composition, in particular, the Si :N and Si :C ratios.