Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The terrestrial biota prior to the origin of land plants (embryophytes): a review of the evidence

It is often assumed that life originated and diversified in the oceans prior to colonizing the land. However, environmental constraints in chemical evolution models point towards critical steps leading to the origin of life as having occurred in subaerial settings. The earliest fossil record does not include finds from terrestrial deposits, so much of our understanding about the presence of a terrestrial microbial cover prior to the Proterozoic is based on inference and geochemical proxies that indicate biospheric carbon cycling during the Archaean. Our assessment is that by 2.7 Ga, microbial ecosystems in terrestrial settings were driven by oxygen‐generating, photosynthetic cyanobacteria. Studies of modern organisms indicate that both the origin and primary diversification of the eukaryotes could have occurred in terrestrial settings, shortly after 2.0 Ga, but there is no direct fossil evidence of terrestrial eukaryotes until about 1.1 Ga. At this time, it appears that the diversity of life in non‐marine habitats exceeded that found in marine settings where sulphidic seas may have impaired eukaryotic physiology and retarded evolution. Geochemical proxies indicate the establishment of an extensive soil‐forming microbial cover by 850 Ma, and it is possible that a rise in atmospheric oxygen at this time was due to the evolutionary expansion of green algae into terrestrial habitats. Direct fossil evidence of the earliest terrestrial biotas in the Phanerozoic consists of problematical palynomorphs from the Cambro‐Ordovician of Laurentia. These indicate that the evolution of the first land plants (embryophytes) during the Middle Ordovician took place within a landscape that included aeroterrestrial algae which were actively adapting to selection in subaerial settings.
Can shrub cover increase predation risk for a desert rodent

Previous research indicates that predation risk may influence activity patterns, habitat partitioning, and community structure of nocturnal desert rodents. Shrub microhabitat is typically considered safer than open microhabitat for these small mammals. We investigated predation risk for Townsend's ground squirrels (Spermophilus townsendii), which are diurnal desert rodents that detect predators visually and use burrows for refuge. Our results suggested that shrub cover may increase risk for these squirrels by decreasing their ability to escape from predators. Our field experiment indicated that running speeds of juvenile squirrels were lower in shrub (Ceratoides lanata) habitat than in open areas. Shrub cover was also associated with shorter predator-detection distances (mammalian and avian) and fewer refuges (burrow entrances per hectare) than in open areas in one year but not in another. Our study demonstrated that the visual and locomotive obstruction of vegetative cover may increase predation risk for.
Growth patterns in sheep: wool growth during weight loss and subsequent compensatory growth

Summary Wool growth rates (WGR) of individual sheep were measured by a patch-sampling technique, during periods of developmental growth, body-weight loss (which ranged from 21 to 34% of original body weight, at rates between 60 and 150g/day) and subsequent compensatory growth under ad libitum feeding. There was a ‘lag phase’ of about 30 days before WGR appeared to be affected by changes in direction of the animals' growth paths. During body-weight loss WGR declined about 300% more than the percentage change in body weight, with the duration of nutritional stress exerting a greater influence than the rate of body-weight loss. During compensatory growth in body weight, the relationship between WGR and rate of body-weight change was initially negative. Sheep required between 11 and 14 weeks to reach the WGR of 21 g/day found during developmental growth. Compensatory growth of wool did not occur. Duration of the nutritional stress, rather than its severity (as indicated by rate of body-weight loss), was the more important determinant of the time taken for the sheep to regain normal levels of wool growth after the commencement of ad libitum feeding.
Studies on the quantification of specific cyanogens in cassava products and introduction of a new chromogen

The enzymic assay for cyanogens in cassava as developed by Cooke (1978) and improved by O'Brien et al (1991), was compared with a standard method, involving autolysis/steam distillation/titration, and further improved with a more acceptable coloration and other minor changes. Cooke's assay, using a linamarin calibration curve, gave similar values for cyanogenic potential in fresh cassava as the standard method. For cassava samples with high non-glycosidic cyanogen levels, Cooke's assay yielded slightly lower values. Isonicotinate/1,3-dimethyl barbiturate as reagent in the Konig reaction had the following advantages compared with the so far applied pyridine/pyrazolone color reagent. It is less toxic and does not release repulsive vapours. It is faster, cheaper and easier to handle, and has increased sensitivity and longer storability. Direct measurement of cyanogenic potential was accurate in extracts containing 35–700 μM. Recovery of linamarin supplements was 102±4%. Separate calibration curves of linamarin, acetone cyanohydrin and KCN were necessary for accurate calculation of cyanogenic glycosides and cyanohydrin levels. Extract storability depended slightly on storage temperature, but was not changed by inclusion of ethanol in the extract medium.
Fine Structure of The Paratympanic Organ in the Avian Middle Ear

Light and electron microscopical examination of the paratympanic organ of 8 avian species reveals a sensory epithelium with hair cells and supporting cells, covered by a gelatinous cupula with numerous non-crystalline deposits. The position of the organ is in agreement with previous suggestions of its function as an air pressure detector.
Effect of the partial replacement of fish meal and oil by vegetable products on performance and quality traits of juvenile shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa L.)

Abstract A four-month growth trial was carried out in order to evaluate performance and quality traits of juvenile shi drum fed with two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets having different amounts of vegetable products (Vegetable diet vs. Control diet). Compared to the Control diet, the Vegetable diet was formulated by increasing the replacement of fish meal (14%) with soybean and cereal products, and fish oil (12%) with a mixture of vegetable oil. On June, 4 groups of 225 fish (2 replicates per dietary treatment) were sorted according to live weight and reared in fibreglass tanks over a four- month long experimental period. Fish were hand fed to apparent satiety. Offered feed, growth parameters and feed efficiency were recorded as productive performance. At the end of the trial (October) biometric, chemical and reological traits were examined to assess fish quality. The dietary treatments showed similar productive performance. The relatively high inclusion of vegetable sources led to a significant modification of body shape, mesenteric fat and viscera weight. Among quality traits, Vegetable diet-fed fish demonstrated a significantly lower whole body and fillet crude protein content. Yellowness value of the cooked fillet was significantly lower in the Control diet-fed fish, whereas fillet texture was similar. The results of this research showed that shi drum is a suitable candidate for Mediterranean marine aquaculture and its dietary formulation might include at least the amount of vegetable sources used in this trial.
Solanum tarijense reaction to Phytophthora infestans and the role of plant defence molecules

With 3 figures and 2 tables Abstract Late blight is the main disease of potatoes around the world. Because of the difficulties in applying effective control methods, the introduction of resistant cultivars represents a safe strategy. The potato species Solanum tarijense represents an attractive resistance source as its adaptation to long days is promissory, producing tubers of good size and aspect. Deposition of structural compounds like lignin and callose were described as a non-specific resistance mechanism. In this work, we measured polyphenoloxidases (PPO) and peroxidases (POX) activities and the accumulation of phenols, lignin and callose and their correlation with the resistance levels of S. tarijense. Clones Oka 6320.9 and Oka 5632.11 showed low infection rates and these were correlated with a higher accumulation of phenols, lignin and callose and a strong induction of PPO and POX activities. However, in highly infected clones, a lower or no accumulation of these compounds was observed. These results demonstrate a correlation between the amount of defence molecules and the resistance levels according to the detached-leaf assay. However, more field experiments are required to validate these results.
The Change of Taurine Transport in Variable Stress States through the Inner Blood-Retinal Barrier using In Vitro Model

Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the retina and transported into retina via taurine transporter (TauT) at the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB). In the present study, we investigated whether the taurine transport at the iBRB is regulated by oxidative stress or disease-like state in a conditionally immortalized rat retinal capillary endothelial cell line (TR-iBRB) used as an in vitro model of iBRB. First, ( 3 H)taurine uptake and efflux by TR-iBRB were regulated in the presence of extracellular Ca 2+
Monitoring the prevention of amyloid fibril formation by α‐crystallin

The molecular chaperone, α‐crystallin, has the ability to prevent the fibrillar aggregation of proteins implicated in human diseases, for example, amyloid β peptide and α‐synuclein. In this study, we examine, in detail, two aspects of α‐crystallin's fibril‐suppressing ability: (a) its temperature dependence, and (b) the nature of the aggregating species with which it interacts. First, the efficiency of α‐crystallin to suppress fibril formation in κ‐casein and α‐synuclein increases with temperature, despite their rate of fibrillation also increasing in the absence of α‐crystallin. This is consistent with an increased chaperone ability of α‐crystallin at higher temperatures to protect target proteins from amorphous aggregation [GB Reddy, KP Das, JM Petrash & WK Surewicz (2000) J Biol Chem275, 4565–4570]. Second, dual polarization interferometry was used to monitor real‐time α‐synuclein aggregation in the presence and absence of αB‐crystallin. In contrast to more common methods for monitoring the time‐dependent formation of amyloid fibrils (e.g. the binding of dyes like thioflavin T), dual polarization interferometry data did not reveal any initial lag phase, generally attributed to the formation of prefibrillar aggregates. It was shown that αB‐crystallin interrupted α‐synuclein aggregation at its earliest stages, most likely by binding to partially folded monomers and thereby preventing their aggregation into fibrillar structures.
Neighbour identity modifies effects of elevated temperature on plant performance in the High Arctic

Competition among plants in extreme environments such as the High Arctic has often been described as unimportant, or even nonexistent; environmental factors are thought to overrule any negative plant–plant interactions. However, few studies have actually addressed this question experimentally in the Arctic, and those that did found only little evidence for competition. Such species interactions will presumably become more important in the future, as Global Climate Change takes effect on terrestrial ecosystems. We investigated plant–plant interactions in the High Arctic, following the growth of Luzula confusa and Salix polaris in pure and mixed stands, and under elevated‐temperature treatment over 2 years. To understand the mechanisms of competition, a parallel experiment was undertaken in phytotrons, manipulating competition, temperature and nutrient availability. Our findings indicate that competition is acting in the natural vegetation, and that climatic warming will alter the balance of interactions in favour of the dwarf shrub S. polaris. The phytotron experiment suggested that the mechanism is a higher responsiveness of Salix to nutrient availability, which increased under warming in the field. While Luzula showed a positive response to higher temperature in the lab, its performance in mixed stands in the field was actually reduced by warming, indicating a competitive repression of growth by Salix. The growth of Salix was also reduced by the presence of Luzula, but it was still able to profit from warming. Our findings suggest that climatic warming will result in greater shrub dominance of High Arctic tundra, but we also conjecture that grazing could reverse the situation to a graminoid‐dominated tundra. These two divergent scenarios would have different implications for ecosystem feedbacks to climatic change.
Estimation of roughage intake in sheep using a known daily intake of a labelled supplement

A feeding trial with growing sheep was conducted on mixed roughage-supplement diets, to test whether roughage intake could be estimated from a known intake of a supplement and an alkane-based estimate of the supplement and roughage proportions in the diet (diet composition) without the need for separate dosing with external marker alkanes. Diets consisted of chaffed Trifolium subterraneum hay (SC), or a mix of SC and beeswax-labelled cottonseed meal (CSM) in the proportions of 7: 1, 6: 2, 5: 3 and 4: 4 (air-dry matter basis). Six sheep were given the pure SC diet and three sheep were given each of the mixed diets. Additionally, the CSM was also labelled with octatriacontane (C 38 ) to investigate its use for labelling supplements. Due to unexpectedly low recoveries, C 38 was not included in any estimation of diet composition or digestibility. The inclusion of beeswax-labelled CSM in a SC diet resulted in lower faecal alkane recoveries (as proportions of alkane ingested; P ≤ 0·05). Within mixed diets, recoveries decreased significantly with increasing proportion of CSM, but this effect was significant ( P The results indicate that roughage intake can be estimated from a combination of known supplement intake and an estimate of diet composition, which obviates the need for separate alkane dosing to estimate intake. The method should be applicable in situations in which animals either normally receive supplements (e.g., dairy cows) or could readily be given supplements.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of one new and several known species of the reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus Linford & Oliveira, 1940 (Hoplolaimidae: Rotylenchulinae), and a phylogeny of the genus

The reniform nematodes of the genus Rotylenchulus are semi-endoparasites of numerous herbaceous and woody plant roots and are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we provide morphological and molecular characterisation of six out of ten presently known valid species of Rotylenchulus : R. clavicaudatus , R. leptus , R. macrodoratus , R. macrosoma , R. reniformis and R. sacchari from South Africa, USA, Italy and Spain. Rotylenchulus parvus was only studied morphologically. A new species, R. macrosomoides sp. n. , isolated from soil and roots of sugarcane in South Africa, is described. The phylogeny of Rotylenchulus , as inferred from the analyses of D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA, coxI mtDNA and hsp90 gene sequences, is presented. The study revealed that R. reniformis and R. macrosoma have a sister relationship, but that relationships between other Rotylenchulus species remain unresolved. The phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the hypothesis that this genus originated from the Afrotropical zoogeographical region. Our study revealed that R. reniformis and R. macrosomoides sp. n. have two distinct rRNA gene types and R. macrosoma have three rRNA gene types in their genomes. PCR with species-specific primers was developed for rapid diagnostics of R. reniformis .
IMMEDIATE AND RESIDUAL EFFECTS OF LIME AND PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER ON SOIL ACIDITY AND MAIZE PRODUCTION IN WESTERN KENYA

SUMMARY Soil acidity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are some of the major causes of low maize yields in Kenya. This study determined the immediate and residual effects of lime and P fertilizer on soil pH, exchangeable aluminium (Al), available P, maize grain yield, agronomic P use and P fertilizer recovery efficiencies on a western Kenya acid soil. The treatments were: P fertilizer (0, 26 and 52 kg P ha−1 as triple super phosphate) and lime (0, 2, 4 and 6 tons lime ha−1) applied once at the beginning of the study. A burnt liming material with 92.5% calcium carbonate equivalent was used. Soil samples were analysed prior to and after treatment application. The site had low soil pH–H2O (4.9), available P (2.3 mg kg−1), total N (0.17%), high Al (2.0 cmol kg−1 exchangeable Al and 29% Al saturation). Lime reduced soil pH and exchangeable Al, leading to increased soil available P. Lime at 2, 4 and 6 tons ha−1 maintained soil pH ≥ 5.5 for 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. The study observed that the recommended P fertilizer rate (26 kg P ha−1) for maize production in Kenya was inadequate to raise soil available P to the critical level (≥10 mg P kg−1 soil bicarbonate extractable P) required for healthy maize growth. To maintain soil available P at the critical level where 52 kg P ha−1 and combined 52 kg P ha−1 + 4 tons lime ha−1 were applied, it would be necessary to reapply the same P fertilizer rate after every one and two cropping seasons, respectively. The 4-year mean grain yield increments were 0.17, 0.34, 0.50, 0.58 and 1.17 tons ha−1 due to 2, 4, 6 tons lime ha−1, 26 kg P and 52 kg P ha−1, respectively. Both agronomic P use and P fertilizer recovery efficiencies increased with increasing rates of lime and decreased with increasing rates of P fertilizer. Therefore, combined applications of both lime and P fertilizer are important for enhancing maize production on P-deficient acid soils in western Kenya.
STIMULATION OF GERMINATION IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) BY A STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD

This study evaluates the percentage and rate of germination of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds, when exposed to magnetic treatment in laboratory conditions. The seeds were exposed to 150 and 250 mT magnetic fields both chronically and for 20 min after seeding. Nonexposed seeds were used as control. Chronic exposure to a 150-mT magnetic field increased (p < 0.05) both the rate and percentage of germination relative to nonexposed seeds (18% at 48 h). Significant differences were also obtained for seeds exposed to a 250-mT magnetic field for 20 min (12% at 48 h). Additionally, seeds were moistened with water magnetically treated by static and dynamic methods. Dynamic and static treatment of water improved the germination of seeds related to the control, but significant differences (p < 0.05) were only obtained for the dynamic method (16% at 48 h).
Impact of different meadow mowing techniques on field invertebrates

Low‐input meadows are now recognized for their high biodiversity value and form an integral element of many agri‐environmental schemes in Europe. Meadow mowing techniques, however, have become highly mechanized in recent decades and scientific knowledge on the direct impacts of these techniques on field fauna is based on very few and often poorly replicated studies. Yet these studies, despite their limitations, suggest that such impacts can be considerable. With a view to providing a more comprehensive experimental assessment, we evaluated the direct impacts of four different mowing techniques (hand motor mower with cutter bar, rotary mower cut at 9 cm and rotary mower cut at 6 cm with and without a conditioner) on wax invertebrate models and real caterpillars. The size of the organisms, their microhabitat, the tractor wheel effect and the cutting height were also investigated as factors that could potentially affect mowing‐caused mortality. Rotary mowers were found to be more damaging than motor bar mowers on caterpillars (37% vs. 20%), but only on one type of invertebrate wax‐model. Conditioners more than doubled damage to all wax‐models in the vegetation (in average from 11% to 30%) and increased caterpillar mortality from 38% to 69%. Larger organisms were more vulnerable than smaller organisms and ground organisms were strongly impacted by tractor wheels. While conditioner should not be used in meadows where conservation of the inhabiting fauna is of concern, we also recognize that there is no damage‐free mowing technique. We therefore advocate the importance of leaving uncut areas as a refuge for invertebrates.
Functional adaptation of sarcolemma to physical stress

Piitulainen, Harri Tapio Functional adaptation of sarcolemma to physical stress Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2010, 103 p. (Studies in Sport, Physical Education and Health, ISSN 0356-1070; 150) ISBN 978-951-39-3951-9 It is known for a century that repetitive muscle activity where active lengthening of a muscle takes place with adequate intensity causes muscle soreness and prolonged loss of its force production capability. However, the exact mechanisms for this phenomenon have remained unclear. There is morphological evidence suggesting disruption in membrane structures of the muscle fibres after such an exercise. However, it is unclear how this is reflected in the function of the membrane structures, such as action potential propagation over sarcolemma, which is a crucial event for muscle fibre contractility. The aim of the present research was to find further knowledge for this issue by investigating the adaptation of sarcolemmal function after intensive exercise models with or without the active lengthening of the muscle in vivo in humans. The sarcolemmal action potential propagation properties were examined both in the whole muscle and individual motor unit level at wide range of isometric contraction forces. This research work included development, validation and application of novel high-density surface electromyography (sEMG) methodology. This methodology proved to be valid and consistent. The results indicated that both maximal eccentric (active lengthening) and concentric (active shortening) exercises cause a reduction of maximal force production capability, a delayed increase in muscle soreness and an increase in the permeability of the muscle sarcolemma to myoplasmic proteins. These symptoms were significantly higher after the eccentric exercise. Furthermore, greater impairments were observed in global whole muscle excitability and sarcolemmal action potential propagation after eccentric than concentric exercise. Moreover, distortion of control of motor units and slowing of action potential propagation were observed in individual motor unit level after the eccentric exercise. These findings were especially evident at high contraction levels and relatively early (< two days) after the exercise(s). For this reason, it seems that the early loss of force production could be partially explained by failure of the sarcolemmal action potential propagation, but the more prolonged effects are caused by impairment in the processes beyond the sarcolemma. Finally, it appears that the central nervous system attempts to compensate the early force loss by increasing rate coding of motor units at submaximal contractions after the maximal eccentric exercise.