Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disentangling the interplay of generative and vegetative propagation among different functional groups during gap colonization in meadows

Summary 1.Meadow plant communities are commonly driven by strong competition, and the colonization of gaps plays an important role in the maintenance of their species diversity. Despite this, species-specific information about the dynamics of vegetative and generative propagation, and on the role of seed bank and seed rain, are rather scarce. 2.In a three year manipulative experiment, we aimed to disentangle the effects of seed bank, seed rain and vegetative propagation in vegetation and during colonization of artificial gaps in a mesotrophic meadow. Vegetative propagation was manipulated by felting, and the presence of the seed bank by soil sterilization using gamma radiation. We focused on the dynamics of four main species groups with different regeneration strategies: dicots, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae and Poaceae. The shift from seedling dominance in early stages towards vegetative resprouts dominating at a later stage in the gap colonization process differed considerably among the four species groups. 3.Dicots and Juncaceae, regenerating frequently from the seed bank, acted as pioneer species, and determined species composition of newly disturbed sites. Seed rain became crucial later in the season and resulted in shifting dominance to the more competitive Poaceae. Stress tolerating Cyperaceae were colonizing the gaps vegetatively mainly towards the end of the experiment. While graminoids showed preference for growing into gaps clonally, dicots propagated vegetatively mostly within intact vegetation. 4.Although seed rain soon equalized seedling numbers in plots with and without a seed bank, the presence of a seed bank proved to be crucial for certain species, and its effect on species diversity remained positive in all functional groups for the duration of the experiment, demonstrating the importance of a seed bank for the maintenance of species diversity. Nevertheless, seedling assembly converged to a similar functional composition in all gap types after three years. We have not detected any competitive effect of vegetative resprouts on seedlings or seedlings on vegetative resprouts throughout the experiment. 5.Each of the three means of regeneration has its unique role in the maintenance of species diversity during gap colonization, and the importance of these roles differs in different functional groups. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Ritual Ablation of Front Teeth in Modern and Recent Kenyans

The oral condition of 1274 living people was examined in 3 districts of Kenya and in 117 Kenyan skulls of recent age from the Natural History Museum, London; Cambridge University; and the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. The traits of ritual ablation of mainly mandibular central incisors were observed in 57 cases out of 233 examinees of over 10 years of age (24.5%) in Lodwar, 29 of 210 (13.8%) in Kericho, and 3 of 190 (1.6%) in Nairobi, and in 25 mandibles out of 29 skills (86.2%). Thus, the existence of ritual ablation of the front teeth in modern Kenyans was confirmed, but the incidence is lower than in the skeletal group, and much less in urbanized areas than in rural districts. The size of the remaining space showed a significant correlation with tooth-to-denture-base discrepancy, but not with the lapse of time since extraction.
Testicular Morphology and Sperm Motility in Cultured African Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) at Different Stages of Development

Testicular morphology and sperm motility were evaluated in cultured Clarias gariepinus (n = 25) purposively assigned to five groups according to their age. The results showed that the testes were paired, elongated, dorso-ventrally flattened structures, situated in the caudal aspects of the body cavity. The mean length of both right and left testes increased linearly with age, being significantly (p 0.05) increase in the testicular weight and organo-somatic index was observed. Unidirectional progressive movement of spermatozoa was detected in the milt of C. gariepinus at 6, 7 and 8 months of age, but sperm cells were non-motile at 4 and 5 months of age. Histological sections showed seminiferous lobules, whose germinal epithelia were characterized by many cysts enclosing clones of sperm cells. Each cyst enclosed a clone of sperm cells at an identical stage of spermatogenesis. Spermatids and spermatozoa were present in the lumen of the seminiferous lobule. The obtained results indicate that the morphology of the testes of C. gariepinus is similar to the testes of members of the order Siluriformes, but sexual maturity and production of motile spermatozoa may be achieved at 6 months of age in the African catfish.
Primitive ghost moths. Morphology and taxonomy of the Australian genus Fraus Walker (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae s. lat.).

Hepialidae (ghost moths or swifts) are, in terms of diversity and distribution, the most successful group of homoneurous primitive moths. The morphology of Fraus is described in some detail with emphasis on the adult moth, and a new interpretation of hepialid male genitalia is presented. Beyond describing and illustrating a primitive hepialid, these observations are intended to serve as reference for the study of the classification of Hepialoidea and lower Lepidoptera.In the taxonomic revision, based on more than 3000 specimens, the 25 Fraus species are described and diagnosed. The adult moths, as well as male and female genitalia, are richly illustrated, and distribution maps and flight period diagrams are provided for all species. The biology, behaviour, distribution and phylogeny are summarised and discussed.
Comparisons of radar and audio-visual counts of marbled murrelets during inland forest surveys

Results of inland forest surveys for marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) have been used extensively to develop complex land-management plans and answer specific questions about the inland ecology of this threatened species, yet the metric used for these surveys, the detection, is poorly understood. We compared concurrent radar and audio-visual (AV) observations at inland forest sites in Washington and Oregon during 160 mornings in May-July 1997-2000 to determine the relationship between number of murrelets detected with radar at a nest stand and number of detections observed by AV surveyors. Each morning, we collected radar data on all murrelet targets that flew over inland forest sites, while AV observers transmitted their information on murrelet detections at the site to the radar laboratory in real time. For each observation, we then determined whether radar, the AV observer, or both had detected the murrelet. Radar data indicated that 25% of murrelet movements at inland sites occurred before the standardized Inland Forest Survey Protocol (IFSP) survey starting time. AV observers detected an average of only 10-23% of the murrelets detected by radar during the official survey period, with high among-day and among-station variation in the proportion detected. We did not find annual differences or seasonal trends in the proportion of birds detected by AV observers compared to radar detections. Cloud cover did not influence the proportion of birds detected by AV observers or the timing of murrelets detected by radar, although timing of AV detections averaged 21 minutes later on cloudy days. We observed some over-estimation of site use because 14% of AV detections of murrelets were flying to or from another site and thus were not associated with the site being surveyed. Our results suggest that AV survey data are an inaccurate measure of use of a particular stand of trees by murrelets. Therefore, determining habitat use and setting management priorities for habitat protection based on AV data could be problematic. Furthermore, unless future research were to find temporal, physiographic, or observer-related factors that could be used to reliably correct AV counts, our results suggest that those counts are not well suited for long-term monitoring of murrelets at inland sites.
Mammary Growth and Milk Production Capacity of Replacement Heifers in Relation to Diet Energy Concentration and Plasma Hormone Levels

Abstract The objective was to investigate the influence of ration energy concentration at the same feeding level on mammary growth, hormone secretion and subsequent milk production capacity of dairy heifers. Two groups of 19 Red Danish heifers were given the same amount of net energy in diets with either low or high energy concentration from 3 months of age. The average daily gain (ca. 500 g) was similar at the two diets. Nine heifers from each group were designated for slaughter at different live weights (range 139–383 kg) for estimation of mammary growth. Compared at the average body weight at slaughter (250 kg) the least-square means of mammary gland weights, extra-parenchymal tissue weights and parenchymal tissue weights of the groups fed low and high energy density rations were 1201±79 vs. 1162±84 (p>0.20), 789±63 vs. 698±67 (p>0.20) and 412±44 vs. 464±47 (p>0.20), respectively. In line with this there was no significant difference in the amount of milk produced by the cows raised on a low or high en.
Mycoplasma Faucium and Breast Cancer

Viruses and bacteria are the cause of a large number of different human diseases. It is believed that some of them may even contribute to the development of cancer. The present work is dedicated to the identification of mycoplasmas in patients with breast cancer. Mycoplasmas may participate in the development of several human diseases including chronic fatigue syndrome, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, atypical pneumonia, etc. Moreover, there is a reason to believe that mycoplasma can participate in the development of cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. DNA samples from blood, saliva and tumor tissues of the Oncology Institute of Moldova patients diagnosed with breast cancer were analyzed. Mycoplasma testing was performed using nested PCR method. For Mycoplasma spp. detection, we used primers from the region of the 16S-23S RNA genes. The identification of Mycoplasma faucium, Mycoplasma salivarium and Mycoplasma orale was performed by nested PCR with primers for RNA polymerase beta subunit gene corresponding to mycoplasma. M.faucium and M.salivarius was found in saliva at about 100%, and M.orale at a frequency of about 50%. Only M.faucium was found with the frequency of about 60% in the tissue of the patients. Moreover, a fairly high rate of detection of mycoplasma is observed both in the cases when primers for RNA polymerase gene and primers for 16S-23S RNA were used. We found M.faucium in tumor tissues of patients diagnosed with breast cancer. It is known that mycoplasmas are able to stimulate the synthesis of certain cytokines, which act as mitogenes on the cell. We assume that M.faucium can stimulate the mitogenes synthesis in breast tissues (e.g., cytokines) which, in turn, stimulate cell division and thus participate in the initiation of breast cancer.
The influence of genetic variants of β-lactoglobulin on gelation speed and firmness of rennet curd

Milk samples from Jersey cows with β-lactoglobulin A, B, or C were collected and analysed. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of total proteins, casein and non-casein protein between the A and B variant milk. The C variant of β-lactoglobulin was associated with less total protein, casein and non-casein protein but higher casein:protein ratio. A formagraph was used to investigate the differences in coagulating properties of the milk with different genetic variants for β-lactoglobulin. The date of milk sampling and milk composition had no effect on the coagulating properties of the milk. β-Lactoglobulin B milk was associated with shorter coagulation time and faster rate of firming than either the A or C milk. There were no differences in coagulating properties between variant A and C of β-lactoglobulin.
Gravitational wave background from compact objects and a new search for supermassive black hole binaries

The theory of General Relativity predicts the emission of gravitational waves (GWs), although so far we have only indirect proof of their existence. The first detection of GWs will not only be another positive test of Einstein’s theory, but will also start the era of GW astronomy. In particular, the detection of the GW background (GWB) can unveil information about the early stages of the universe, that cannot be reached with any other type of observations. The GW background is spread over the entire spectrum of GW frequencies. In some frequency intervals, the GWB is dominated by the incoherent superposition of waves from astrophysical systems, like compact binaries and rotating neutron stars. Such a background can hinder the detection of other sources of GWs; this GWB is called unresolvable. The GWB is one of the four main types of signals that are currently searched for with ground-based GW detectors. Moreover, it is the main search goal of an alternative method of GW detection: the Pulsar Timing Array (PTA). This thesis studies the GWB produced by binary systems containing a black hole, a neutron star, or a white dwarf, and that produced by rotating neutron stars, such as pulsars, magnetars and gravitars. This study, that covers the frequency ranges of all current and planned GW detectors, is performed in a clear and self consistent way, and improves upon previous investigations, that have been carried out in a confusing or even incorrect manner. The detectability of the GWB, and whether or not it is unresolvable, are two of the main topics of this work. The PTA aims to detect GWs produced by supermassive black hole binaries (MBHBs). There exist very efficient pipelines that search for individual sources and for an unresolvable background of GWs from MBHBs. However, it is so far unclear if the PTA signal is an unresolvable GWB or rather the superposition of the GWs emitted by only a few single systems. This work, besides presenting the GWB produced by MBHBs, attempts to clarify the expected PTA signal. The peculiar properties of galaxies that can host MBHBs are studied in a simulated universe (produced in the Millennium Simulation). These galaxies present a characteristic distribution of redshifts and stellar masses, and the traces of a recent merger (necessary for the formation of a MBHB) can be identified by looking at the number of neighbouring galaxies. These particular features allow a search to be performed for MBHB hosts in a real galaxy catalog (the Sloan Digital Sky Survey); the efficiency of the search is tested on the simulated universe. We also address the question of whether or not PTA sources are more likely to be found in galaxy clusters. Finally, one of the main outcomes of this work is a list of real MBHB candidates.
The Value of Life: Biological Diversity And Human Society

Debate on the threat to humanity posed by the massive and widespread loss of biological diversity has largely emphasized economic and ecological consequences. In The Value of Life, a leading social scientist adds a critical new dimension. Stephen R. Kellert explores the actual and perceived importance of biological diversity for humankind's physical, emotional, intellectual, and even spiritual well-being. Kellert identifies ten basic values, which he describes as biologically based, inherent human tendencies that are greatly influenced and moderated by culture, learning, and experience. Throughout, Kellert argues that the preservation of biodiversity is fundamentally linked to human well-being as he illustrates the importance of biological diversity to the human sociocultural and psychological condition. His discussion provides the reader with a deeper understanding of how humans depend on a vast matrix of affiliations with other living things to achieve lives rich in meaning and value.
Inferring flight parameters of Mesozoic avians through multivariate analyses of forelimb elements in their living relatives

Abstract. Our knowledge of the diversity, ecology, and phylogeny of Mesozoic birds has increased significantly during recent decades, yet our understanding of their flight competence remains poor. Wing loading (WL) and aspect ratio (AR) are two aerodynamically relevant parameters, as they relate to energy costs of aerial locomotion and flight maneuverability. They can be calculated in living birds (i.e., Neornithes) from body mass (BM), wingspan (B), and lift surface (SL). However, the estimates for extinct birds can be subject to biases from statistical issues, phylogeny, locomotor adaptations, and diagenetic compaction. Here we develop a sequential approach for generating reliable multivariate models that allow estimation of measurements necessary to determine WL and AR in the main clades of non-neornithine Mesozoic birds. The strength of our predictions is supported by the use of those variables that show similar scaling patterns in modern and stem taxa (i.e., non-neornithine birds) and the similarity of our predictions with measurements obtained from fossils preserving wing outlines. In addition, although our WL and AR values are based on estimates (BM, B, and SL) that have an associated error, there is no cumulative error in their calculation, and both parameters show low prediction errors. Therefore, we present the first taxonomically broad, error-calibrated estimation of these two important aerodynamic parameters in non-neornithine birds. Such estimates show that the WL and AR of the nonneornithine birds here analyzed fall within the range of variation of modern birds (i.e., Neornithes). Our results indicate that most modern flight modes (e.g., continuous flapping, flap and gliding, flap and bounding, thermal soaring) were possible for the wide range of non-neornithine avian taxa; we found no evidence for the presence of dynamic soaring among these early birds.
Disentangling grazing effects: trampling, defoliation and urine deposition

Questions Do the effects of grazing components on vegetation structure differ in their relative importance? Do components interact in their effect on vegetation? Location San Jose department, Southern Campos, Uruguay. Methods In a manipulative field experiment we simulated three different grazing components: trampling, defoliation and urine deposition, over 3 yr in a natural grassland. Defoliation was analysed through two intensity levels and two procedures: uniform and selective cutting. We evaluated the effects of grazing components on species diversity and composition, and frequency of plant functional types. Results All simulated grazing components had at least some effect on vegetation structure. Additionally, both individual and interactive effects on vegetation attributes were detected. Our study indicates that the relative influence of each grazing component varied according to the attribute considered. N addition was the only treatment that affected plant diversity. Plant functional type composition, in turn, was affected mainly by trampling. N addition and trampling were the component that affected the frequency of the largest number of species. Defoliation selectivity showed effects both in terms of plant functional type and species composition. Exclosure treatment and defoliation intensity had slight effects on grassland structure. Conclusions This study provides insight on the underlying mechanisms of some observed patterns of grazing on the Campos grasslands. Our results lead us to conclude that all grazing components have to be taken into account to understand vegetation dynamics subjected to grazing. Prevention of woody encroachment by grazing can be attributed to direct and indirect effects of trampling. Trampling should be taken into account to explain increaser species responses. However, mechanisms responsible for other general patterns remain less clear. The importance of selective defoliation in species replacement induced by grazing in these grasslands has yet to be clarified.
The Durian Theory or the Origin of the Modern Tree

THE value of a theory, as of any organization, is proved by what cannot be done without it. The theory which I offer seems useful because it reveals many insights into the nature of flowering plants, birds, and mammals —the life, that is, par excellence, of the tropical forest. It has led me to compare not only the forms of fruits and those of trees, but to think, at the same time, of tapirs, cycads, and brussels sprouts, of colours and monkeys, of fishes' eyes and modern patterns. It has led me to study the chalaza of the ovule as the neuropore of the gastrula, the formation of peltate scales, the lengths of funicles, and the weights of seeds, and to consider, beside the more obvious things, the biological significance of dangling, the origin of poppies, the disappearance of apes and elephants, the clamour of parrots, and that gap in palaeobotany—the beginning of flowering plants. Hitherto the lead in evolutionary thought has been taken chiefly by zoology. This theory will turn attention, I hope, to tropical trees and, as a proof of the concept of Xerophyton, in a way not visualized by its author, will reawaken interest in that neglected work 'Thalassiophyta' (Church, 1919). There is now in the rain-forests of the equatorial belt a Xerophyton, representing a culmination of plant-evolution still in dynamic equilibrium with its degeneration-products, as the world ages, though the Thalassiophyton has gone for
Correlation of WNT/β-catenin pathway activation with immune exclusion across most human cancers.

3004Background: The presence of intra-tumoral CD8+T cells has been associated with clinical benefit to immunotherapy and patients can be categorized based on the presence or absence of a T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment. Molecular mechanisms underpinning the absence of a T cell response are beginning to be understood with identification of the WNT/β-catenin pathway playing a major role in melanoma. Methods: Gene expression data from TCGA was segregated using a T cell-inflamed gene expression signature to identify patient samples by immune phenotype. Within the subset of each tumor histology lacking the T cell signature, exomic sequencing data was interrogated for mutations and pathway analysis was performed to identify gene expression changes predicted to activate the β-catenin signaling pathway. Immunohistochemistry was performed on human primary and metastatic specimens of multiple tumor histologies to correlate the presence of nuclear β-catenin with the lack of a T cell infiltrate. Results: Predi.
Use of Pupal Parasitoids as Biological Control Agents of Filth Flies on Equine Facilities

Filth flies, including house flies, Musca domestica L. , and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), are common pests on equine farms. The use of pupal parasitoids as biological control agents for filth flies is becoming more common on equine farms; however, there is a lack of information on the execution of augmentation programs for these farms. This review of biological control of filth fly pests on equine farms provides an overview of the life history and identification of filth fly pests and common commercially available parasitoids. Additionally, recommendations for use of pupal parasitoids based on known literature are provided, and the importance of continued research in this area is highlighted. When coupled with cultural control practices and other manure management techniques, pupal parasitoids offer an environmentally sound option for mitigating on-farm fly breeding.