Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of water velocity on the size and shape of rusty crayfish, Orconectes rusticus

Abstract. Phenotypic plasticity of ecologically relevant traits relating to physiology, behavior, morphology, and life history is widespread and can affect the ecology and evolution of organisms. In streams, phenotypic plasticity in morphology and corresponding differences in performance have been documented for fishes and, to a lesser extent, for macroinvertebrates. Morphological plasticity in crayfish has not been addressed but, if present, has the potential to interact with behaviorally plastic traits to affect performance in high water velocities. Lake and stream invasions of rusty crayfish, Orconectes rusticus, provide excellent opportunities to examine morphological variation in habitats differing in water velocity. Spread of O. rusticus and displacement of resident species in lakes has been attributed to larger mean body and chelae sizes than for native species, but larger body and chelae sizes may not be advantageous in high-velocity environments. We examined populations of male O. rusticus (form I and II) from lakes, low-velocity streams (LVS ≈ 25 cm/s), and high-velocity streams (HVS ≈ 50 cm/s) to test the hypothesis that size and shape are affected by water velocity. We analyzed scanned images of chelae and body with geometric morphometrics. Body size differed significantly between HVS populations and LVS and lake populations, which did not differ in size or shape. Shape tended to differ between HVS populations and LVS and lake populations. Chelae of form I but not of form II crayfish were significantly smaller in HVS than in LVS and lake populations. Chelae (form I and II) in HVS populations were broader and stunted relative to chelae in LVS and lake populations. Chelae may help deflect water over the bodies. Morphological plasticity in crayfish adapted to HVS may alter invasion rate or success with subsequent effects on stream ecosystems.
Silurian Lichid Trilobites from Northwestern Canada: Ontogeny and Phylogeny of Lichids

Abstract Previously unknown ontogenies of five lichid genera, Dicranopeltis, Platylichas, Borealarges, Dicranogmus and Radiolichas, are described and placed in the context provided by a review of known lichid ontogenies. Lichid phylogenies have been based on holaspid morphology alone without reference to ontogeny. To broaden knowledge of lichid phylogeny, an analysis, based on the last protaspid instar of lichids and possible sister group taxa, is conducted. The results of this analysis show that, within the lichids, the traditional subfamily groupings are not supported, and the sister group of lichids is more likely to be found within the Proetida than the Odontopleurida. Tubercles, a prominent feature of lichid morphology, have not been considered taxonomically significant. An examination suggests that tubercle arrangement and the pattern of change of tubercle arrangement through ontogeny could be important in defining taxa. It is recommended that future work on lichid phylogeny include ontogenetic information and patterns of change in development.
Priority Contribution. Ecology and conservation of birds in coffee plantations: a critical review

Interest in the ecology and conservation of birds in coffee plantations around the world has greatly increased since the early 1990 s, especially in the Neotropical region. Much of the interest was inspired by untested hypotheses proposing that extensive conversion of traditional coffee plantations, grown under a diverse canopy of shade trees, into modern, technified plantations with severely reduced shade canopy, contributed to concurrent declines of long-distance migratory birds. This possible relationship sparked major publicity campaigns during the late 1990 s and continuing today, promoting shaded coffee plantations as quality habitat for migratory birds. Based on a review of the published scientific literature concerning avian use of coffee plantations, I summarize avian ecology in coffee agroecosystems, and evaluate the hypothesis that coffee plantations are important for the conservation of migratory or resident birds. While no literature has presented strong evidence that coffee plantations in general negatively affect bird populations of conservation importance, nonetheless published studies have not tested hypotheses that birds have greater survivability, fitness or productivity in coffee plantations compared with other available habitats (natural or artificial), or that any species selects coffee plantations over other available habitats for foraging or for breeding. While coffee plantations may have higher avian richness and abundance than other highly disturbed agricultural habitats and some natural habitats, more research is needed to evaluate whether and how certain coffee agroecosystems contribute to the conservation or decline of avian diversity.
Applications of xerophytophysiology in plant production - Partial root drying improves tomato crops

As one of the application practices of xerophytophysiology in plant production, partial root drying (PRD) is adopted as an irrigation technique, where half of the root zone is irrigated while the other half is allowed to dry out, and then the previously well-watered side of the root system is allowed to dry down while the previously dried side is fully irrigated. However, the physiological mechanisms are not clear enough. As confirmed in the present research, PRD not only induced osmotic adjustment, whereby the leaf turgor potential maintained higher than usual, but also strengthened the tomato plant resistance to leaf blights. The pressure-volume (P-V) curve analysis showed that the osmotic potential in symplasm at fully turgid status was lower and consequently the leaf turgor potential was higher in tomato leaves of PRD-treated plants than in the control plants. Leaf symplastic water fraction was larger in tomato leaves of PRD-treated plants. Both osmotic potential and relative water content at the point of incipient plasmolysis were lower, suggesting a higher stress resistance, in tomato leaves in PRD treatment. Analyses of photosynthetic hysteresis and stomatal declining curves showed that there were less constraints in photosynthetic mechanisms in PRD tomato leaves, where the transpiration through the leaf epicuticular layer was also smaller, suggesting the leaf surface was more protective from water loss and pathogen infections. As consequences, the PRD-treated tomato plants not only showed higher photosynthetic activity and yielded more and better fruit, but also were less infected by leaf blights. It is concluded that PRD is an acceptable technique to produce stronger crops for disease resistance and yield improvement in crop production.
Recognition of Oerskovia Species in the Clinical Laboratory: Characterization of 35 Isolates

Fifty-seven clinical isolates of previously unidentified gram-positive, fermentative, nonsporeforming rods were studied and compared to the type strains of Oerskovia turbata and O. xanthineolytica. Thirty-five of the isolates were identified as Oerskovia species: 9 were identified as O. turbata, and 26 were identified as O. xanthineolytica. The Oerskovia cultures could be differentiated from the other isolates on the basis of the development of filamentous colonies.
Endophytic colonization of spruce by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

We evaluated internal tissue colonization of hybrid spruce (Picea glauca×P. engelmannii) seedlings by two plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains, Bacillus polymyxa strain Pw-2R and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain Sm3-RN, using surface sterilization-dilution plating and immunofluorescent antibody staining assays. Both strains were consistently detected inside spruce root and stem tissues 5 months after seed inoculation according to a surface sterilization-dilution plating assay. Internal tissue population sizes ranged from log 3.9 to log 5.0 cfu g−1 plant tissue. Visualization of bacteria using immunofluorescent antibody staining suggested that these microorganisms colonized root hair and cortical cells as well as stem vascular tissues. Our results confirm the capability of these two plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial strains to enter spruce root tissues after soil inoculation and ultimately colonize stem vascular tissue without causing visible symptoms of disease.
Tranferrins receptor association and endosomal localization of soluble HFE are not sufficient for regulation of cellular iron homeostasis

Iron uptake and storage are tightly regulated to guarantee sufficient iron for essential cellular processes and to prevent the production of damaging free radicals. A non‐classical class I MHC molecule, the hemochromatosis factor HFE, has been shown to regulate iron metabolism, potentially via its direct interaction with the transferrin receptor (TfR). In this study, we demonstrate that a soluble β2microglobulin‐HFE monochain (sHFE) folds with β2microglobulin (β2m) and associates with the TfR, indicating that the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains are not necessary for assembly and trafficking through the ER‐Golgi network. We also demonstrate human TfR‐specific uptake and accumulation of extracellular sHFE by treated cells. The sHFE localized to the endosomal compartment albeit we observed variation in the time taken for endosomal trafficking between different cell types. The sHFE monochain was effective in reducing Tf uptake into cells, however this did not correlate to any changes in TfR or ferritin synthesis, in contrast to the HFE‐induced increase and decrease of TfR and ferritin, respectively. These findings of incongruent sHFE activity suggest that either variation in affinity binding of sHFE to TfR prevents efficient modulation of iron‐regulated proteins or that HFE has multiple functions some of which may be independent of TfR but dependent on interactions within the endosomal compartment for effective modulation of iron metabolism. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Demography of Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) in Relation to Emergence Time and Crop Competition

Abstract Twenty-day cohorts of corn poppy were grown in the presence or absence of barley, and seedling survival, biomass accumulation and allocation, plant reproduction, and seed dormancy were measured. Seedling survivorship and biomass accumulation differed strongly among cohorts and were influenced by crop competition. In the absence of crop competition, plants from the first three cohorts (emerging October to January) had 900% higher biomass and 160% more seeds per plant than later cohorts (emerging January to April). Crop competition reduced cohort fitness; for example, in 2003 to 2004, corn poppy biomass was reduced 57 to 96%, and seed production 77 to 97%. Seeds collected from plants that had emerged in spring were less dormant, and thus, germination and emergence of these seeds were higher (25% higher and 200 to 600% higher, respectively) than those for seeds collected from other cohorts. Environmental factors at the time of seed formation may be responsible for the observed differences in dormancy. Cohort-dependent emergence, growth, reproduction, and dormancy have relevant implications for corn poppy management and demography in agricultural systems in northeastern Spain. The dormant seeds produced by autumn to winter cohorts will be the main contributors to the seed bank and weed population shift in subsequent generations. For efficient corn poppy management, the control of cohorts emerging before or with the crop in a cereal field is essential. Nomenclature: Corn poppy, Papaver rhoeas L. ; barley, Hordeum vulgare L. , ‘Graphic’.
Linking environmental warming to the fitness of the invasive clam Corbicula fluminea

Climate warming is discussed as a factor that can favour the success of invasive species. In the present study, we analysed potential fitness gains of moderate warming (3 °C above field temperature) on the invasive clam Corbicula fluminea during summer and winter. The experiments were conducted under seminatural conditions in a bypass‐system of a large river (Rhine, Germany). We showed that warming in late summer results in a significant decrease in the clams' growth rates (body mass and shell length increase) and an increase in mortality rate. The addition of planktonic food dampens the negative effect of warming on the growth rates. This suggests that the reason for the negative growth effect of temperature increase in late summer is a negative energetic balance caused by an enhanced metabolic rate at limited food levels. Warming during early summer revealed contrasting effects with respect of body mass (no warming effect) and shell length (increased shell growth with warming). This differential control of both parameters further enhances the loss of the relative (size‐specific) body mass with warming. In contrast, warming in winter had a consistently positive effect on the clams' growth rate as demonstrated in two independent experiments. Furthermore, the reproduction success (as measured by the average number of larvae per clam) during the main breeding period (April) was strongly enhanced by experimental warming during winter, i.e. by eight times during the relatively cold winter 2005/2006 and by 2.6 times during the relatively warm winter 2007/2008. This strong, positive effect of moderate winter warming on the clams' fitness is probably one reason for the recent invasion success of C. fluminea in the northern hemisphere. However, warm summer events might counteract the positive winter warming effect, which could balance out the fitness gains.
An ecological approach to identifying the endangered fauna of New South Wales

This study used ecological criteria to evaluate systematically the conservation status of all mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs in New South Wales. The outcome was an official schedule of endangered fauna as defined under the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 as amended by the Endangered Fauna (Interim Protection) Act 1991. The work was modelled on the study by Millsap et al. (1990) which scored a range of biological variables and used expert opinion to determine priorities for conservation. The listing was undertaken by a statutory Scientific Committee and the results provided the first baseline status list for all species in New South Wales. Of the 883 faunal species (including 10 Lord Howe Island subspecies) identified in the state, 233 (26%) were recognized as endangered. Of these, 40 are considered to be extinct in New South Wales. Mammals constituted the worst affected group, with 77 (59%) of the 130 species recorded as endangered, of which 27 species are recorded as extinct in the state. The assessment of the New South Wales fauna also found that adequate ecological information exists for only 6% of the state's species. The outcome of this study not only provided the first official list of the endangered fauna of New South Wales and explained the methods and reasons for listing or excluding each species, but also furnished new material, ideas and directions for programmes to conserve the state's fauna.
Probiotic Strains for Shellfish Aquaculture: Protection of Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, Larvae and Juveniles Againsl Bacterial Challenge

ABSTRACT Bacterial pathogens, including several Vibrio spp. and Roseovarius crassostreae, cause severe mortality of larval and juvenile eastern oysters. The introduction of beneficial bacterial isolates in oyster hatcheries and nurseries for the biocontrol of bacterial diseases is a good alternative to the use of antibiotics. The goal of this study was to screen and characterize marine bacterial isolates as potential agents to prevent larval and juvenile mortality by the oyster pathogens Vibrio tubiashii and R. crassostreae. Screening of bacterial isolates from Rhode Island marine organisms and environment using agar-based assay methods for detection of antimicrobial activity against oyster pathogens led to the isolation of candidate probionts Phaeobacter sp. S4 and Bacillus pumilus RI06-95. Pretreatment of larval and juvenile oysters for 24 h with 102–106 cfu/mL Phaeobacter sp. S4 or B. pumilus RI06-95 protected larval oysters against mortality resulting from challenge with R. crassostreae and V. tubiashii (relative percent survival (RPS) range, 9%–56%). These probiotics also protected juvenile oysters against challenge with V. tubiashii (RPS, 37%–50%). Probiotic isolates had no negative impact on oyster survival. Protection conferred to larvae against bacterial challenge was short-lived, lasting for only 24 h after removal of the probiotics from the incubation water. These results suggest the potential of marine bacterial isolates Phaeobacter sp. S4 and B. pumilus RI06-95 to serve as biocontrol agents to reduce the impact of bacterial pathogens in the culture of Crassostrea virginica.
Ethylene biosynthesis and its regulation in higher plants

PATHWAY OF ETHYLENE BIOSyNTHESIS 156 Methionine as an Intermediate . 157 S-Adenosylmethionine as an Intermediate 158 I-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic Acid as an Intermediate . 158 Methionine Cycle . 161 Conversion of l-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic Acid to Ethylene 164 REGULATION OF ETHYLENE BIOSYNTHESIS 167 Regulation in Ripening Fruits and Senescing Flowers . 167 Auxin-Induced Ethylene Production 169 Regulation of Ethylene Biosynthesis by Ethylene 169 Stress-Induced Ethylene Production . 171 Regulation by Light and Carbon Dioxide 173 Inhibitors of Ethylene Biosynthesis : 174 Conjugation of l-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic Acid to l-(Malonylamino) cyclopropanecarboxylic Acid 178 CONCLUDING REMARKS 180
Rare Epiphytic Coastal Lichen Habitats, Modeling, and Management in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract The ecological amplitudes, associated lichens, and substrates of fifteen regionally rare coastal epiphytic lichens (Bryoria pseudocapillaris, B. spiralifera, B. subcana, Erioderma sorediatum, Heterodermia leucomela, Hypotrachyna revoluta, Leioderma sorediatum, Leptogium brebissonii, Niebla cephalota, Pannaria rubiginosa, Pseudocyphellaria perpetua, Pyrrhospora quernea, Ramalina pollinaria, Teloschistes flavicans, and Usnea hesperina) in 85 randomly-selected and 49 purposively-selected 0.04 ha circular plots along a 5 km wide strip of Pacific coastline from San Francisco Bay to the U.S.-Canadian border are reported. Logistic regression, used to identify environmental variables most indicative of suitable habitat, indicated that small changes in climate and forest type strongly affected probability of occurrence for many species. Threats to coastal lichens, including climate change, are discussed. The findings can be used to aid discovery of additional populations and manage existing habitat.
Comparative microbiological analysis of raw fishes and sun-dried fishes Collected from Kawran bazar in Dhaka city

F U L L P A P E R Comparative microbiological analysis of raw fishes and sun-dried fishes collected from the Kawran bazaar in Dhaka city, Bangladesh Nur, I.T. , Ghosh, B.K. and Acharjee, M. Department of Microbiology, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51 Siddeswari Road, Dhaka-1217, Bangladesh Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Oya 836, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Bostrychioideae (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta): subsuming Stictosiphonia and highlighting polyphyly in species of Bostrychia

G.C. Zuccarello and J.A. West. 2005. Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Bostrychioideae (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta): subsuming Stictosiphonia and highlighting polyphyly in species of Bostrychia. Phycologia 45: 24–36. DOI: 10.2216/05-07.1 The subfamily Bostrychioideae (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) presently consists of two genera and about 17 species. Generic distinction within the subfamily is based on the number of tier cells (the results of transversely dividing pericentral cells) per axial cell, with two tier cells designating the genus Bostrychia and more than two characterising Stictosiphonia. Phylogenetic analysis of all but two species of this subfamily based on DNA sequences from the nuclear-encoded 26S ribosomal RNA gene and plastid-encoded rbcL gene shows that this generic split is not supported. Our data suggest that the subfamily may be split into two sections based on one or another type of attachment structure, as first proposed by Erika Post, but we propose that all species be returned to the genus Bostrychia due to as yet not fully resolved or supported phylogeny. We also recommend that Bostrychia tenella ssp. flagellifera be returned to B. flagellifera because it does not group with B. tenella samples and shows a diagnostic synapomorphy (branching interval). Our data additionally show that many currently circumscribed species are not monophyletic. Even when B. tenuissima is regarded as synonymous with B. simpliciuscula, due to equence identity, the resulting amalgamated species is still polyphyletic when populations from broad geographic regions are analysed. Another possible polyphyletic species is B. calliptera. The clade containing cladohaptera (specialized attachment organs) is taxonomically unresolved but contains a heavily corticated species (B. pilulifera), a parasite (Bostrychiocolax australis), plus several lineages in the Bostrychia radicans/B. moritziana species complex that are morphologically very similar.
On the Effect of Flipped Classroom on Learners’ Achievement, Autonomy, Motivation and WTC: Investigating Learning and Learner Variables

AbstractPitfalls inherent in traditional approaches, movement into post-method frameworks and necessity of reaping benefits of technological advancements gave birth to flipped instruction as a newly emerged practice of teaching. A robust literature has submitted proofs on the merits of this practice in language learning. Adopting an innovatory perspective, the current research was an attempt to investigate the effect of this practice on a number of learning and learner related variables among Iranian intermediate language learners. To this aim 39 learners were selected through convenience sampling, and after removing outliers, 29 learners were randomly assigned to control (N=14) and experimental (N=15) groups. For each variable, a valid instrument was selected or adopted from the literature and modified for the purpose of the study. Then, employing a post-test-only control-group design, their performance on the post-test was measured and analyzed through one-way analysis of variance. The outputs reveled a statistically significant difference between groups in achievement (F (1, 27) = 9.627, p = . 004) and autonomy (F (1, 27) = 8.308, p = . 008) while indicating no significant effect on motivation and willingness to communicate. Some of these findings are in line with major currents of research in the literature but others stand in sharp contrast. Further investigation is required to examine into the nature of these findings through qualitative perspectives, interviews and open-ended questionnaires. These findings have implication for educational researchers, language teachers, language learners and applied linguists.