Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tango1 Coordinates the Formation of ER/Golgi Docking Sites to Mediate Secretory Granule Formation

Regulated secretion is a conserved process occurring across diverse cells and tissues. Current models suggest that the conserved cargo receptor Tango1 mediates the packaging of collagen into large coat protein complex II (COPII) vesicles that move from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi apparatus. However, how Tango1 regulates the formation of COPII carriers and influences the secretion of other cargo remains unknown. Here, through high‐resolution imaging of Tango1, COPII, Golgi and secretory cargo (mucins) in Drosophila larval salivary glands, we found that Tango1 forms ring‐like structures that mediate the formation of COPII rings, rather than vesicles. These COPII rings act as docking sites for the cis‐Golgi. Moreover, we observed nascent secretory mucins emerging from the Golgi side of these Tango1/COPII/Golgi complexes, suggesting that these structures represent functional docking sites/fusion points between the ER exit sites and the Golgi. Loss of Tango1 disrupted the formation of COPII rings, the association of COPII with the cis‐Golgi, mucin O‐glycosylation and secretory granule biosynthesis. Additionally, we identified a Tango1 self‐association domain that is essential for formation of this structure. Our results provide evidence that Tango1 organizes an interaction site where secretory cargo is efficiently transferred from the ER to Golgi and then to secretory vesicles. These findings may explain how the loss of Tango1 can influence Golgi/ER morphology and affect the secretion of diverse proteins across many tissues.
Phylogeny, biogeography and classification of the snake superfamily Elapoidea: a rapid radiation in the late Eocene

The snake superfamily Elapoidea presents one of the most intransigent problems in systematics of the Caenophidia. Its monophyly is undisputed and several cohesive constituent lineages have been identified (including the diverse and clinically important family Elapidae), but its basal phylogenetic structure is obscure. We investigate phylogenetic relationships and spatial and temporal history of the Elapoidea using 94 caenophidian species and approximately 2300–4300 bases of DNA sequence from one nuclear and four mitochondrial genes. Phylogenetic reconstruction was conducted in a parametric framework using complex models of sequence evolution. We employed Bayesian relaxed clocks and Penalized Likelihood with rate smoothing to date the phylogeny, in conjunction with seven fossil calibration constraints. Elapoid biogeography was investigated using maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony methods. Resolution was poor for early relationships in the Elapoidea and in Elapidae and our results imply rapid basal diversification in both clades, in the late Eocene of Africa (Elapoidea) and the mid‐Oligocene of the Oriental region (Elapidae). We identify the major elapoid and elapid lineages, present a phylogenetic classification system for the superfamily (excluding Elapidae), and combine our phylogenetic, temporal and biogeographic results to provide an account of elapoid evolution in light of current palaeontological data and palaeogeographic models.
An Animal Geography of Avian Foraging Competition on the Sussex Coast of England

Abstract Animal geography's focus on the shared “actant” behaviour of animals and people contributes an important reexamination of animal ecology, including possibilities of animal foraging “strategies” and codependent behaviour with people. This paper studies avian inter- and intraspecies competition for human-proffered food (HPF) using a case study of eight species of gulls, corvids, and pigeons in coastal towns of Sussex, United Kingdom. An integrated ecological and social survey also recorded unique and individual bird behaviours in relation to human feeding practices, human impacts on inter- and intraspecies conflicts, and avian presence. Human feeding strategies included species preferences (ducks and doves), individual bird targeting, and aggressive reactions to, and retreats from, bird aggression (herring and lesser black-backed gulls). Feeders' presence and behaviour increased avian presence in nonhabitat areas, dominance of larger species (especially herring gulls) over smaller species, conflicts between similarly sized species, intraspecies competition, and avian attacks on people. Unlike the gulls and corvids, doves and ducks sought refuge near people, and doves used superior agility to out-manoeuvre gulls. Birds exhibited anticipatory behaviour by occupying areas of frequent feeding during nonfeeding periods and approaching nonfeeding humans, in relation to posture, arm movements, and handling of baggage. These codependent, avian-human behaviours contribute a new look at urban avian ecology.
Evaluation of a low-cost, non-invasive survey technique to assess the relative abundance, diversity and behaviour of sharks on Sudanese reefs (Southern Red Sea)

A low-cost and non-invasive survey technique focused on pelagic sharks was evaluated during an ecotourism cruise on two Sudanese reefs, Angarosh and Sha'ab Rumi, in the Southern Red Sea. The research technology was based on a set of small, underwater video recording cameras and a pair of laser pointers. Video footage provided insight into shark biodiversity on the two reefs, detecting five species, Alopias vulpinus, Sphyrna lewini, Triaenodon obesus, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos and Galeocerdo cuvier, during 15.8 h of video recording. These recordings also provided preliminary information on aggregations of S. lewini. The laser pointers were used to measure the size of sharks, providing seven total length (TL) measurements for S. lewini (N = 2) and C. amblyrhynchos (N = 5), confirming the possibility of easily obtaining size parameters using this tool. These low-cost and user-friendly instruments provide ecotourism divers with an opportunity to become involved in marine research projects.
Agriculture in Transition

Agriculture in the United States has been successful in terms of productivity, assets, and employment. Maintaining our agriculture, however, is becoming more cosily in terms of declining resources and offsite environmental damage. Some of the very technology enhancing productivity is part of the cause. Over half the energy costs to produce U.S. crops are for fertilizers and fuel for farm machinery. Tillage and irrigation often bring about heavy soil erosion and water pollution. Some pesticides used to protect our crops may pollute the water supply. Valuable water resources are diminished by heavy irrigation. Adaptation of crops to our current agricultural systems leads to germplasm uniformity. While most practices and technologies that maintain current cannot be abandoned, some modifications are needed to promote a more sustainable agriculture. Presently, U.S. agriculture is in transition. A trend to adopt practices that favor reduced inputs and costs has appeared. Such practices also conserve resources a.
Density-Independent Mortality and Interspecific Competition: A Test of Pianka's Niche Overlap Hypothesis

A review of the relationship between nonselective density-independent mortality (DIM) and the maximum overlap of competitors in the Lotka-Volterra model fails to support Pianka's niche-overlap hypothesis. An analysis of a simple model of exploitative competition reveals that higher DIM may increase the niche separation required for competing species to coexist. This is the opposite of the relationship proposed by Pianka. Confusion regarding this issue may have arisen from a failure to define the intensity of competition. Several possible meanings of this term are presented and discussed in relation to the evolution of interference competition. The nature of correlations between intrinsic rate of increase and competitive ability is especially important in determining whether DIM will ever make coexistence of competitors more likely.
Phenology of Leaf Flushing, Flower Initiation and Fruit Maturation in Dry Deciduous and Evergreen Forests of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, Southern India

Varying with altitude and rainfall of two forest types of tropical forest were studied. Community wide pattern in both vegetative and reproductive phenophases among various tree species of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, Karnataka is reported here. Leaf initiation peaks in the month of April in dry forest, after leaf less period of 1-2 months, in evergreen forest leaf initiation peaks in the month of January simultaneously with leaf senescence. Flower initiation begins from January till June with a peak in April in dry forest. Evergreen forest starts from November to march with a peak in January and February. Fruit maturation in dry forest starts from March to December with a peak in August and November, in evergreen forest from January to July with a peak in April. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/on.v9i1. 5738
The Hybrid New Keynesian Phillips Curve with Multiple Lags of Inflation

In deriving the hybrid new Keynesian Phillips curve (HNKPC) in Gali and Gertler (1999) and Holmberg (2006), it is assumed that backward-looking firms index their prices to the average prices newly set last period plus last period’s inflation rate, resulting in a Phillips curve equation that relates current inflation to a demand variable, expected future inflation, and last period’s inflation. The present study generalizes the derivation of the HNKPC to allow firms to index prices to multiple lags of inflation, resulting in a HNKPC in which current inflation depends on multiple lags of inflation instead of only one lag of inflation, providing theoretical justification for empirical specifications of the HNKPC that include more than one lag of inflation.
Relationship Between Physical Activity and Burnout Among University Faculty in Pakistan

Burnout can lead towards challenge in social interaction and physical ailments. This study sought to determine the relationship of physical activity with faculty burnout. A total of 254 faculty members were surveyed from three public sector universities of southern Punjab region of Pakistan. Physical activity and burnout were assessed using IPAQ short version and OLBI, respectively. Findings indicated a significantly negative relationship of total score of physical activity with disengagement, exhaustion, and total burnout score. Physical activity level (low, medium, high) was significantly negatively correlated with total burnout score and subscale of exhaustion. The negative relationship remained evident between total physical activity and burnout after controlling for age, gender, experience, and academic qualification in partial correlation analysis. In addition, it was observed that burnout increased and physical activity decreased with increased age and job experience. These findings suggest that the interventions dealing with faculty burnout may consider physical exercise as a priority to prevent faculty burnout. More priority needs to be given to the faculty members with higher age and job experience.
Localization of rat glycine receptor α1 and α2 subunit transcripts in the developing auditory brainstem

Glycine receptors (GlyRs), aside from GABAA receptors, mediate fast postsynaptic inhibition in the mammalian nervous system. Spatial and temporal expression of the genes encoding ligand‐binding α subunits (α1–α4) and the structural β subunit leads to the formation of various GlyR isoforms. Currently, the idea of the GlyRs containing the “adult” α1 subunit replacing those with the “neonatal” α2 subunit during early postnatal development predominates. Here, we describe the patterns of expression of the GlyR α1 and α2 subunit genes in the rat auditory brainstem between postnatal day (P) 0 and P20, by using both nonradioactive and radioactive in situ hybridization. We show that the α1 subunit mRNA appears throughout the auditory brainstem during the first 8 postnatal days, which resembles the time of onset described within the spinal cord. In the rostral auditory nuclei (nuclei of the lateral lemniscus and inferior colliculus), the α1 subunit transcript appears later (P8) than in the caudal nuclei (cochlear nuclear complex and superior olivary complex; P0). Surprisingly, we found that low levels of the α2 subunit transcript are present in the auditory brainstem at birth and persist throughout the period analyzed. However, α2 subunit mRNA is present at high levels in other neonatal brainstem structures, such as cranial motor nuclei. Therefore, we conclude that the changes in GlyR composition in the auditory brainstem deviate from the classic α2 to α1 subunit switch observed in spinal cord. Our data suggest that genes for other GlyR subunits (e.g., α3 and α4) may be expressed during early development in the auditory brainstem. J. Comp. Neurol. 438:336–352, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interspecific variation in antipredator behaviour leads to differential vulnerability of mule deer and white‐tailed deer fawns early in life

Summary 1 Ungulates are viewed as being highly susceptible to predation during the initial weeks or months of life. Yet aggressive defence by adult females is common in many ungulates and has the potential to reduce the vulnerability of the young significantly. 2 We observed naturally occurring predatory encounters between coyotes Canis latrans Say and deer fawns to test the hypothesis that a difference in aggressive defence leads to the differential vulnerability of mule deer Odocoileus hemionus Rafinesque and white-tailed deer O. virginianus Zimmermann fawns in summer, when fawns are 0–14 weeks in age. Whitetail fawns suffer higher levels of coyote predation than do mule deer fawns at that time. The two species of deer are similar in size, but are known to differ in their antipredator behaviour in winter when fawns are older. 3 Coyotes were less likely to attack mule deer than whitetail fawns they encountered, and were less likely to kill mule deer than whitetail fawns they attacked. 4 The presence of a mule deer, but not a whitetail, female with a fawn deterred coyotes from attacking the fawn. Once attacked, fawns of both species were less likely to be killed when females defended them, but mule deer females were far more likely to defend fawns. 5 Mule deer females defended fawns that were not their own offspring, including heterospecific fawns. Mule deer fawns were more likely to be defended if they had a larger number of females nearby when encountered. These observations raise the possibility that mule deer, and even whitetail, fawns may have improved survival in areas with higher densities of mule deer females. 6 These results show that higher levels of defence by mule deer females reduced the vulnerability of mule deer fawns, contributing to the lower predation rates reported for mule deer than for whitetail fawns of this age group.
Live Weight Changes, Feed Consumption, Milk Yield and Energy Balance in Dairy Cattle during the First Period of Lactation

Abstract The purpose of this study was to estimate any breed differences and to investigate the interrelationships between live weight changes, feed consumption, milk production in kg energy corrected milk (kg ECM) and the therefrom calculated energy balance with emphasis on the first part of lactation. Altogether 508 lactations were studied for 153 cows from the same herd in first to fifth lactation of the following Swedish dairy cattle breeds: Swedish Red and White (SRB), Swedish Friesian (SLB), reciprocal F1-crosses of the two breeds, and Swedish Jersey (SJB). The gamma function (Y n=an b·ecn) was fitted to each animal's records in order to derive secondary traits from the functions. A Mixed Model Procedure was used to estimate breed and parity effects and variance components. The average goodness of fit to the function, as assessed by the R 2 value, was best for milk production data, followed by feed consumption, while lower R 2 values were obtained for live weight changes and especially for energy ba.
Comparisons of β-Glucan Content of Barley and Oat

ABSTRACT The cholesterol-lowering effect of cereal grains has been associated with the soluble fiber component of dietary fiber. β-Glucan is the major soluble fiber component of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.). Much research has been conducted to determine the β-glucan content of barley and oat genotypes from many different countries. However, genotypes of both crops always were grown in separate experiments, making direct comparisons between the two crops difficult. This study compares in the same experiment the β-glucan content of nine barley and 10 oat genotypes grown at two locations in each of two years (i.e., four environments) in North Dakota. Averaged across genotypes, total β-glucan content of barley and oat groat was similar. Soluble β-glucan content of oat groat was greater than barley, and oat groat had a greater ratio of soluble-to-total β-glucan than barley. The soluble β-glucan content and ratio of soluble to total β-glucan content of the “best” barley genotypes were l.
The effects of temperature and light energy on dry weight and leaf area changes in seedling plants of Lolium perenne L

Nine identical seedling populations of Lolium perenne cv. Grasslands Ruanui were grown at different times in a controlled environment cabinet under 22, 38, and 117 watts m-2Visible radiation (16 hr day length) and at 10, 20, and 30¦C for 32 days. The proportion of the total dry matter present as roots and that of the shoot dry weight present as leaf laminae were only slightly affected by the environment. Shoot growth was dominated by leaf growth; responses to the environment of the average relative growth rate (El,) and the average leaf area growth rate RA) were similar. RW and RA were maximal at 20¦C at each light flux density and increased toward a maximum with increased radiation at each temperature. Maximum RW for seedling plants of L. perenne was about 25% per day. The net assimilation rate increased approximately linearly with increase in light flux and was scarcely affected by temperature. The leaf area ratio was greatly affected by changes in light energy, mainly owing to change in the specific leaf area. The rate of leaf appearance was accelerated by a temperature increase from 10 to 20¦C. Total tiller number was maximal at 20¦C and increased with light flux. When related to leaf number, tillering was reduced only by high temperature at low light energy. The relative changes in net assimilation rate induced by variation in light flux at 20¦C were the same as those in the net photosynthesis of a single leaf lamina. The growth of seedling ryegrass plants in the field in winter is considered to be strongly dependent on temperature and much less restricted by low light energy.
Warming of Subtropical Coastal Waters Accelerates Mnemiopsis leidyi Growth and Alters Timing of Spring Ctenophore Blooms

Shifts in the size, frequency, or timing of gelatinous zooplankton blooms in response to climate variability and climate change have become a concern in many coastal marine ecosys- tems worldwide. When abundant, gelatinous zooplankton can induce trophic cascades as well as alter energy flows to upper-level consumers. To quantify the role water temperature plays in reg- ulating bloom development of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in subtropical coastal waters, we experimentally determined the effects of increases in temperature and rates of warming on growth rate (mg C d �1 ). Conditions were representative of those occurring during late winter and early spring (January to April) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. M. leidyi growth rates increased expo- nentially with temperature (9, 13, 16, and 22°C) and rates of warming (+1, +2, and +3°C wk �1 ). A biologically important temperature threshold (15.0°C, delineating negative and positive growth) as a proxy measure for bloom initiation was applied to a time-series of sea surface temperature (1975 to 2013) from Mobile Bay (Alabama, USA) and indicated climate-related warming of north- ern Gulf of Mexico has likely advanced the timing of the spring M. leidyi bloom over the past 39 yr. Results have implications for ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management since larger ctenophore blooms, occurring earlier in the year, would be expected to intensify potential compet- itive and predatory interactions between M. leidyi, zooplankton, and planktivorous juvenile fish utilizing nearshore waters as nursery habitat during the late winter and early spring.
Morphologic variation in the cranium and mandible of the white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): A comparative study of geographical and four biological distances

Several biological distances based on cranial and mandibular variation among breeding groups of white‐tailed deer were calculated and compared with geographic distances among the groups. Distances based on epigenetic variation among ten groups were calculated using 16 non‐metric variants of the cranium and mandible. Penrose's size and shape distances and Mahalanobis' D2 distance were calculated for 11 groups; the calculations were based on seven skeletal and seven dental metric variables of the mandible.
THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE GIRAFFE, GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS, IN THE EASTERN TRANSVAAL

SUMMARY The giraffe in South Africa live entirely in the Eastern Transvaal, a lowveld region primarily of grass or veld with scattered bushes and low trees. The giraffe browse on a wide variety of trees in the spring and fall when few leaves are available, but in summer when all the trees are in foliage they are much more selective. The giraffe spend most of the day and part of the night feeding, especially the early morning and late afternoon. In the summer when food is abundant, the giraffe have more time during the day to chew their cud and lie down. The males spend part of the day fighting with each other. Such matches are seldom serious and often end in sexual play with one male mounting the other. The most common heterosexual activity was the testing of the females' urine by the male. There is no breeding season among giraffe, and the young are born all through the year. Giraffe are usually found in groups or herds, but they do not appear to communicate with each other, although they are capable of making sounds. The herds are loose associations of animals, generally with no definite leadership, and often include both adult males and females. Herds travelled very slowly, and often remained on the farm where they were studied for at least one year. The giraffe on Fleur de Lys farm have become used to farm conditions; they jump fences instead of breaking through them, and drink water from the cattle troughs, often walking among the cattle to do so.