Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Macromycetes of the Stellario-Carpinetum in the Ińsko Landscape Park (NW Poland) - monitoring studies.

The results of three years mycological observations, a part of the Czech-Italian-Polish joint project "Mycological monitoring in European oak forests" (Perini, Ławrynowicz and Fellner 1995), are presented in the paper. The Insko Landscape Park is the most northerly situated locality investigated in this project. The macrofungi were studied in the Stellario-Carpinetum association on two plots (1000 m 2 each:I - with Quercus petraea snd II - with Qu. robur . The collection of 229 species (157 saprotrophes and 72 mycorrhizal ones) is the subject ofe ecological analysis. Among the collected fungi 9 species associated with oak were distinguished as well as 12 threatened species and l species new to Poland.
The effect of probiotic supplementation on the growth performance, blood biochemistry and immune response of reciprocal F1 crossbred (Rhode Island Red×Fayoumi) cockerels

A study was conducted to evaluate three different probiotic levels, using drinking water supplemented with 0 (control), 1, 2 or 3 ml/L of Protexin (probiotic). In a 2×4 factorial design, 360 of each reciprocal crossbred (Rhode Island Red [RIR]×Fayoumi [FY]) cockerels (six weeks old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. Each diet was offered to three pens of 30 RIR×FY cockerels each or three pens of 30 FY×RIR cockerels each. At 12 weeks of age, body weight (BW) and feed conversion were determined. At the end of 42 d of experiment, 12 birds per treatment were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics, abdominal fat contents and the internal organs. Blood haemato-biochemical parameters were also determined. Haemagglutination inhibtion antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus and lymphoid organs weight/body weight ratio were also determined. The BW and better feed conversion of birds given 3 ml/L of probiotic in drinking water was significantly greater than birds given water without probiotic. The cockerels of FY male×RIR female had higher growth rate than the cockerels of RIR male×FY female in all groups. There was no mortality recorded at higher levels of probiotic in both strains. Differences in carcass characteristics, organs weight, meat composition, haematological values and high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein concentrations among all the groups were nonsignificant. However, abdominal fat and cholesterol contents were reduced significantly in supplemented groups. Feeding levels of 2–3 ml/L of probiotic, did positively affect the immune system within the parameters measured. It may be concluded that performance, blood chemistry and immunity against disease in cockerels could be maintained when supplementing high level of probiotic incorporated in crossbred cockerel's drinking water.
Reproductive biology and strategies of nine meloid beetles from Central Europe (Coleoptera: Meloidae)

The reproductive biology of meloid species from Central Europe is investigated by means of laboratory breeding experiments. They show that the total reproductive potential of meloids, with up to 40,000 eggs, largely exceeds prior data. Furthermore, the number of laid eggs strongly relates to the way by which the triungulins find their host. Clutch size correlates significantly with the size of the beetle, while egg size is independent of this. Both clutch size and egg size decrease with each oviposition. For some species, reproductive data are used to demonstrate how they have adapted to their habitat and to point out existing trade‐offs. Based on the obtained results and on an evaluation of the relevant literature, three types of reproductive strategy can be distinguished within the meloids: (1) very high reproductive rates of open field species with phoretic larvae; (2) average reproductive rates of forest populations of species with phoretic larvae and of species the larvae of which search the nests of their hosts actively; and (3) small to average reproductive rates of those species depositing their clutches in the immediate proximity of their hosts' nests.
PKCδ requires p53 for suppression of the transformed phenotype in human colon cancer cells

We have previously demonstrated that the delta isoform of Protein Kinase C (PKCδ) acts as a tumor suppressor in HCT116 human colon cancer cells, and that p21waf1/cip1 is an essential downstream effector of PCKδ. Our data suf‐fested that p53 might also be involved in the suppression of the neoplastic phenotype induced by PCKδ. Here we show that homozygous knockout of p53 renders the HCT116 cell line unresponsive to PKCδ overexpression. Whereas reconstitution of p53 along did not modify the morphology and growth properties of HCT116/p53null cells, overexpression of both p53 and PKCδ induced a number of alterations indicating suppression of the transformed phe‐notype. Interestingly, PKCδ was ineffective when overexpressed in HT29 cells, a human colon cancer line charac‐terized by the Arg273His dominant‐negative mutation of p53. Thus, our data indicate that wild‐type p53 is an essen‐tial effector of PKCδ in human colon cancer cells.
CELL-WALL LIGNIN CONTENT RELATED TO TRACHEID DIMENSIONS IN DROUGHT-SENSITIVE AUSTRIAN PINE (PINUS NIGRA)

The intra-annual distribution of cell-wall lignin concentration was determined in Austrian pine tree rings and compared with tracheid diameter, lumen width, cell wall thickness and proportion of cell wall area. Lignin concentration was highly correlated with all tracheid dimensions, but only the proportion of cell wall area exhibited a direct statistically significant relationship. Since cell dimensions in Austrian pine are subjected to the indirect and direct influences of the water status of trees, the negative correlation between cellular lignin content and the proportion of cell wall area is attributed to an indirect effect of water stress on lignification in pine tracheids.
THE USE OF MUTANTS IN THE ANALYSIS OF THE CO2-CONCENTRATING MECHANISM IN CYANOBACTERIA

Mutants of cyanobacteria defective in parts of the CO2-concentrating mechanism are classified into three types. (i) Mutants defective in inorganic carbon transporters. One of these mutants was constructed by inactivating cmpA encoding 42 kDa protein in the cytoplasmic membrane. (ii) Mutants defective in NAD(P)H dehydrogenase(s). There are five ndhD genes in Synechocystis PCC6803, two of them expressed constitutively and three inducible by low CO2. Two kinds of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase appear to be involved in energizing and inducing the high affinity inorganic carbon transport system. (iii) Mutants defective in carboxysome with impaired ccm or icfA genes. New type of mutants with impaired cotA (renamed as pxcA) have also been isolated. These mutants did not show light-induced proton extrusion and were unable to grow at acidic pHs. A mutant constructed by inactivating cotA (pxcA) in the wild-type Synechocystis was unable to transport CO2 at pH 6.5. We concluded that cotA (pxcA) has a role in light-induced proton extrusion that is essential at acidic pHs to extrude protons produced during CO2 transport.
Bidirectional Associations Between Inflammatory Biomarkers and Depression Symptoms in Adolescents: Potential Causal Relationships

There are inconsistent findings in the literature about the directionality and magnitude of the association between inflammation and depressive symptoms. This analysis separates predictors into between-persons and within-person components to gain greater clarity about this relationship. Blood samples were collected and depressive symptoms assessed in 140 adolescents (54% female, 59% Black; mean age = 16.1 years) with at least three blood draws and a total of 394 follow-up observations. Multilevel modeling indicated that the within-persons effect of tumor necrosis factor α predicted change in total depressive symptoms, which suggests a potential causal relationship. There were no significant within-persons effects of total depressive symptoms on change in biomarkers. Exploratory analyses examined associations between inflammatory biomarkers and subsets of depressive symptoms. These findings inform modeling decisions that may explain inconsistencies in the extant literature as well as suggest potential causal relationships between certain proteins with significant within-persons effects on depressive symptoms and vice-versa.
Collapse of linefish stocks between Cape Hangklip and Walker Bay, South Africa

The state of the linefishery between Cape Hangklip and Walker Bay on the Cape south coast, South Africa, is assessed. The coast was subdivided into 20 ? beats? to provide high spatial resolution on catch and effort of the shore-based recreational fishery. An observer recorded the number of anglers in each fishery sector, and their catch, during shore patrols over a two-year period. Catch-and-effort data for the commercial boat-based fishery were obtained from an historical database at the turn of last century and from the extant National Marine Linefish System database. Catch per unit effort (cpue) of shore-anglers was low and many of the species caught earlier in the century have disappeared from catches. Compared to the early records, contemporary commercial linefish cpue had dropped by approximately 80%, despite a greater fishing capacity. It is argued that most targeted stocks have been overexploited (notwithstanding indications of environmental change) and many are severely depleted. Poor management o.
Larval diapause, size, and autogeny in the mosquito Aedes togoi (Diptera, Culicidae) from tropical to subarctic zones

Larval development of nine populations of Aedes togoi (Theobald) collected from tropical to subarctic zones was studied under photoperiods of 16 h light (L) : 8 h dark (D) and 10 h L : 14 h D at 15 °C. Larvae that did not pupate within 60 days were regarded as diapausing. Larval diapause did not occur in all populations at 16 h L : 8 h D. At 10 h L : 14 h D, four populations from tropical and subtropical zones included no diapausing larvae, whereas 60–99% of individuals from five northern populations of Japan and Canada were diapausing. Adult size increased with latitude of original locality. The proportion of autogenous females among those developed at 16 h L : 8 h D and 15 °C decreased with original latitude, whereas that among females from nondiapausing larvae reared at 10 h L : 14 h D and 15 °C was consistently high throughout the latitudes. At 10 h L : 14 h D and 15 °C, larval developmental characters of F1 and F2 hybrids between Malaysian (no diapause) and Japanese (diapausing) populations were inte.
Distribution and use efficiency of photosynthetically active radiation in strip intercropping of maize and soybean

An experiment was conducted at Shangqiu Agro-Ecosystem Experimental Station in 2006-2008 to investigate the distribution and use efficiency of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The soil was classified as a Eutric Cambisol. Four treatments were com - pared: (i) sole crop maize (Zea mays L.) (SM); (ii) sole crop soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) (SSB); (iii) three rows of soybean alter- nated with one row of maize (I 1 ); and (iv) three rows of soybean alternated with two rows of maize (I 2 ). Observed fraction of radiation intercepted (F), radiation use efficiency (RUE), and harvest index (HI) revealed that PAR transmittance at the bottom of the soybean canopy adjacent to the maize was higher than that farther from the maize. However, this difference decreased as the crops developed. The averaged extinction coefficient ( K) and RUE were 0.51 and 2.82 g MJ -1 for I 1 and 0.50 and 2.78 g MJ -1 for I 2 , respectively, com- pared with 0.46 and 3.18 g MJ -1 for sole crop maize and 0.59 and 1.55 g MJ -1 for sole crop soybean. The HI of I 1 and I 2 were 0.45 and 0.44 for maize and 0.35 and 0.36 for soybean, respectively. The HI of sole crop maize and sole crop soybean were 0.42 and 0.40, respectively. The mean land equivalent ratio (LER) for I 1 and I 2 was 1.65 and 1.71, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that intercropping usually had greater RUE than sole cropping, which may account for the yield advantage of intercropping.
The life and death of a mythical British endemic, Orchis militaris L. var. tenuifrons P.D. Sell: why infraspecific taxonomy requires a field-based morphometric approach

Abstract Detailed morphometric comparison of the three extant English populations of Orchis militaris with a population from the Vercors region of southern France uses both univariate and multivariate approaches. These analyses reveal only subtle distinctions of similar magnitude between the four populations, and slightly greater variation within the French population than its English equivalents. Morphology does not offer strong support to molecular evidence that the Suffolk population became established only recently. Of the seven morphological characters (six vegetative) previously advanced as diagnosing O. militaris var. tenuifrons P.D. Sell — a taxon endemic to the Chiltern Hills and supposedly distinct from Suffolk and Continental populations — none is in fact diagnostic. Although other characters, notably rosette leaf number and labellum limb widths, offer better discrimination, the populations in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are better perceived as merely representing the subtle morphological differences that are evident among most conspecific populations of allogamous angiosperms. More generally, vegetative features are shown to exhibit two to three times the size variance of floral features. We argue that infraspecific taxa have a continued role to play in systematic biology, but that effective, predictive taxonomy requires thorough field-based observation and sampling linked to quantification through both morphometric and molecular approaches.
Male blue petrels reveal their body mass when calling

The blue petrel Halobaena caerulea is a nocturnal burrow-dwelling seabird: probably for this reason, sexual signalling in this species is based primarily on vocalizations. In this paper, we examine the possibility that structural parameters of the male call can provide information to females about male qualities. Several temporal parameters (durations and rhythm) are significantly correlated with body mass or condition of the males. These results are discussed in relation to the fact that body mass may be a good predictor of breeding success in some species of seabirds.
Synopsis of the genus Peltigera (lichenized Ascomycetes) in British Columbia, with a key to the North American species

Based on extensive field studies, herbarium research and thin layer chromatography, the taxonomy, distribution and ecology of 28 species of Peltigera occurring in British Columbia are discussed. Distribution maps are presented for selected species, and a key to the North American taxa is provided. Peltigera cinnamomea Goward is described as new, and the blue-green phototype of Peltigera leucophlebia (Nyl.) Gyelnik is documented for the first time. Peltigera scabrosella Holt. -Hartw. is reported as new for North America based on a collection from the Yukon Territory. Peltigera hymenina is new for British Columbia. Key words: lichens, Ascomycotina, Peltigera, Peltigeraceae, British Columbia, distribution.
An analysis of country, socio‐economic and time factors on worldwide zoo attendance during a 40 year period

Attendance figures are an indicator of the popularity of zoos in society, and also reveal the levels of funding available because entrance fees and other revenues generated during visits are the main sources of funding for British zoos. However, the literature provides conflicting information on zoo attendance, and existing reports are also limited by their research designs and lack of international perspective. Therefore, it is difficult to judge how popular zoos really are, and hence there is a need for a detailed analysis of zoo attendance. To deal with this, the present article reports an analysis of worldwide zoo-attendance patterns using a large data set provided by the International Zoo Yearbook. The data show that attendance has generally declined in most world regions during the 40 year period, and was particularly marked during the 1960s and 1970s. There have been recent increases at North American and British zoos since the 1980s. More people visit zoos in Japan and the United States, and attendance patterns during the past 40 years have followed different paths in different world regions and countries. Attendance figures for zoos around the world were compared with several socio-economic variables, and the analysis revealed a positive significant relationship between a country's population size, country income and zoo-attendance figures.
The effect of chlorine and chlorine dioxide on pathogenic free‐living amoebae (PFLA) in simulated natural conditions: The presence of bacteria and organic matter

Abstract Bacteria and bovine faecal matter were introduced into cultures of pathogenic free‐living amoebae, with chlorine or chlorine dioxide. The bacteria and faeces were to simulate natural conditions for a more exacting test of disinfectant demand when compared to axenic conditions. Both chlorine and chlorine dioxide were effective disinfectants under all conditions tested. Axenically and monoxenically cultured amoebae were used, the latter exerted a greater disinfectant demand.
Cannibalizing Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae use endogenous cues to avoid eating relatives

Cannibalism is widespread among many different organisms, and can have both negative and positive fitness consequences. Avoiding eating relatives can minimize negative fitness consequences of cannibalism. Such avoidance requires kin discrimination, but evidence for this ability among cannibals is limited with little data that address the cues used in such discrimination. We examined whether larvae of the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis avoid eating their relatives. We further manipulated environmental factors to create individuals that had similar or dissimilar rearing environments to begin to test for endogenous versus exogenous recognition cues. In our experiments, third‐instar larvae were much less likely to cannibalize if they were interacting with a relative. Larvae that did cannibalize kin required more encounters, and significantly delayed cannibalism, compared to larvae cannibalizing unrelated individuals. Acquired cues were less important. Even though the different rearing environment resulted in significantly different phenotypic effects, similarity or dissimilarity of rearing environment had no effect on cannibalism, and there was no interaction between environments and relatedness in cannibalism. We suggest that H. axyridis has a well‐developed kin discrimination system, and that kin recognition in this ladybird beetle is based on endogenous rather than exogenous cues. We also argue that these cues reflect either direct or indirect genetic effects on larval phenotypes.
Hormonal Regulation of α-Lactalbumin Secretion from Bovine Mammary Tissue Cultured in Vitro*

Hormonal control of α-lactalbumin secretion was studied in mammary tissue obtained from nonlactating multiparous Holstein cows pregnant approximately 8 months. Mammary explants were incubated for 72 h in medium containing insulin, T3 and various combinations or concentrations of PRL, cortisol, progesterone, 17β-estradiol, and GH. Concentrations ofα-lactalbumin in the medium and in homogenates of tissue were measured by RIA or sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis as an index of lactogenesis. Increasing quantities of PRL (25 to 100 ng/ml) progressively increased the release of α-lactalbumin into the medium, whereas concentrations of α-lactalbumin in explants exposed to PRL were similar to those in controls. Mammary explants exposed for 3 h to [3H]leucine plus PRL incorporated approximately 2, 11, and 18 times more label into α-lactalbumin 21–24, 45–48, and 69–72 h after initiation of culture, respectively, than explants cultured in the absence of PRL. Cortisol alone had no effect on α-lactalbumin secr.
Ecophysiological adaptation of some species in the Mediterranean Desert of Egypt

Abstract Ecophysiological strategies were examined for some species colonizing the different habitat types of north Egypt, namely, saline flat covered by sand sheets, a transitional area between the saline flat and rocky ridge, rocky ridge covered by gravely sand deposits and a non-saline depression. These habitats are characterized by marked soil variations which affect species tolerance. Water content, relative water content, pH, dry matter percentage, chlorophyll content, proline and carbohydrates varied in the species characteristic of each habitat type. Such information has made it possible to identify the most suitable habitat for each species within the range of habitats where they occur.
An Initial Investigation into Visual Cues for Altitude Perception in Terrain Following Flight

Previous work indicates that texture on terrain and vertical features extending above the terrain surface are effective in aiding perception and control of altitude during a flight task. Texture and features have independent effects on performance as each provides a different type of visual information. A simulation experiment was undertaken to determine the extent to which the visual cues of texture and object density are used by pilots to determine altitude in terrain following flight. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which these factors are important in the visual scene, with the longer-term aim of informing the design of simulators. The outcomes and implications of the experiment will be discussed.
Cultivar rotation as a strategy to reduce leaf diseases under barley monoculture

A 3-year experiment was established in 1998 to determine whether barley cultivar rotation could be used to reduce the impact of leaf diseases while maintaining crop productivity. Treatments consisted of various sequences of two cultivars with varying degrees of scald and net blotch resistance, 'Kasota', and 'AC Lacombe'; a previously scald-resistant cultivar 'CDC Earl'; a susceptible check, 'Harrington'; and a nonhost, triticale, cultivar 'Wapiti'. In 1998, significant differences in scald severity occurred among the barley cultivars tested. In 1999, significant rotation differences occurred for scald and net blotch severity as well as for PCR-based assay results for scald infection of grain. In general, disease severity was highest and yield was lowest when a barley cultivar was grown on its own residue, especially for cultivars other than 'Kasota'. Contrasts indicated that yield and kernel weight were lower, while scald and net blotch levels and PCR-based assay results were higher, for barley cultivar monoculture than for barley cultivar rotation. In 2000, when a barley cultivar was grown on its own residue, scald severity was usually higher compared with barley cultivar rotation. A similar trend was also observed for net blotch, except for the cultivars 'Kasota' and 'CDC Earl'. Poor stand establishment in some plots precluded the detection of yield differences among some treatments in 2000. Contrasts for 2000 indicated that higher levels of scald and net blotch, and decreased kernel and test weights, occurred for barley cultivar monoculture compared with barley cultivar rotation. In both 1999 and 2000, barley planted on triticale residue generally had higher yield, higher kernel weight and test weight, and lower disease levels compared with barley planted on barley residue. Barley cultivar rotation can be used as a short-term strategy to help reduce leaf disease levels and maintain crop productivity for Alberta barley producers, when rotational options are limited because of livestock feed requirements or market factors. However, long-term sustainable leaf disease management likely would require the introduction of rotations with alternative crops such as triticale, or the implementation of other methods of adding diversity, to cropping systems focused on the intensive production of livestock feed.