Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary pit connections in Compsopogon coeruleus (Balbis) Montagne (Compsopogonales, Rhodophyta)

Abstract Primary pit connections are diagnostic features of all red algae in subclass Florideophycidae but also have been reported in earlier light microscopic studies of four bangiophycidean genera (Porphyra, Bangia, Rhodochaete, and Compsopogon). Electron microscopic (EM) studies so far have confirmed the prescence of pit connections in Rhodochaete and the conchocelis stages of Porphyra and Bangia but an EM examination conducted on Compsopogon prior to this study concluded that pit connections were absent. To the contrary, we have found that pit connections are consistently located between axial cells, between axial and cortical cells and between cortical cells in Compsopogon coeruleus. The pit connections are very similar to those seen in Rhodochaete in that they are extremely small (less than 0.2 μm in diameter) and possess pit plugs which appear to lack both plug caps and cap membranes. These results indicate that the pit connections in Compsopogon and Rhodochaete are the simplest known among the red.
Population Collapses in a Forecasted Outbreak of Lambdina fiscellaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) Caused by Spring Egg Parasitism by Telenomus spp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

Abstract A major outbreak of the hemlock looper, Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenée), predicted for 1997 on the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec, collapsed due to egg parasitism by Telenomus spp. Only 3,857 ha of balsam–spruce forest were defoliated from the forecasted 130,000-ha outbreak area. This represents only 3% of the anticipated outbreak area. We present data that indicate highly efficient natural control by Telenomus spp. The L. fiscellaria population also collapsed due to egg parasitism by Telenomus spp. on Anticosti Island in the same year. In the past, L. fiscellaria egg parasitism has usually been estimated from egg samples collected in the fall or early spring surveys and was based mostly on the eggs’ black coloration. However, our observations indicate that entirely black and opaque eggs result from parasitism by Trichogramma spp. , those attacked by Telenomus spp. varying from translucent to dark brown but always showing a single dark spot on the chorion. Moreover, our data on seasonal egg parasitism showed important and rapid increases in parasitism by Telenomus spp. in late spring. Therefore, similar unexplained L. fiscellaria outbreak collapses that occurred in the past might have also been caused by egg parasitism by Telenomus spp. There are several species in the Telenomus complex attacking L. fiscellaria and the most abundant one might be a “keystone species” in the population dynamics of this defoliator. The spring activity of Telenomus spp. may lead to errors when forecasting L. fiscellaria populations based only on fall egg surveys.
The cascading effects of elephant presence/absence on arthropods and an Afrotropical thrush in Arabuko‐Sokoke Forest, Kenya

Although studies have explored how habitat structure and disturbance affect arthropod communities, few have explicitly tested the effects of both structure and disturbance level across trophic levels and phyla. We present here the results of a study conducted in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest (ASF) of coastal Kenya, in which abundance of arthropods and one of their avian predators, the East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunning sokokensis was compared in relatively undisturbed habitat (outside elephant roaming areas) and in disturbed habitat (inside elephant roaming areas). Vegetation structure in both areas was measured using several metrics, including leaf litter depth, understory vegetation density, animal disturbance and fallen log counts. Leaf litter and coleopteran abundance were higher outside the elephant roaming areas, whereas understory visibility, animal disturbance and dipteran diversity were much higher inside the elephant areas. Species composition of several arthropod taxa (e.g. Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera and Araneae) was also influenced by degree of disturbance, whereas akalat abundance was inversely related to understory visibility. Our results suggest that differences in species sensitivity to habitat disturbance and vegetation structure across trophic levels should be incorporated into the management and conservation of rare and endangered species.
A dynamic programming model of fishing strategy choice in a multispecies trawl fishery with trip limits

Dynamic programming was used to model targeting decisions made by bottom trawling vessels in the U.S. west coast groundfish fishery, under management-imposed limits on landings of each target species (trip limits). A model of choice of assemblage (bottom rockfish (Sebastes sp.) versus deepwater Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) complex) within a fishing trip was parameterized with data from an observer study conducted in 1988 through 1990. The model predicted that the vessel would fish the bottom rockfish strategy exclusively without limits but would switch between strategies several times under restrictive trip limits. That higher limits increased switching was consistent with actual landings from trips made by the same vessels under the same trip limit regimes, although the actual landings were more variable. Different trip limits or different market prices for the limited species changed the predicted decisions. Changing the cost of fishing each strategy, probability of a premature trip ending, tow du.
Risk taking by singing males

The distance at which an individual flees from a potential predator represents a measure of risk taking. If individuals are engaged in another activity that might affect fitness, trade-offs between the fitness benefits of flight and the other activity should determine the nearest distance of approach by a predator. In a comparative analysis of birds, flight distance represented a reliable measure of risk of predation by the sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus that increased with decreasing flight distance across species. To test the hypothesis that singing males adjusted their risk taking to the costs and benefits of early flight, we compared the flight distance of singing and nonsinging birds to an approaching human observing with a binocular. Singing birds on average fled at a greater distance than nonsinging birds, implying that singing birds took small risks. We used a standardized measure of difference in flight distance between singing and nonsinging individuals to investigate factors affecting interspecific variation in risk taking. Species that used more exposed song posts (sites used for singing) took smaller risks than species with less exposed song posts. Species that suffered from higher levels of parasitism as reflected by the prevalence of Plasmodium, but not by 3 other genera of blood parasites, took greater risks during singing compared with nonsinging activities. Likewise, species with high circulating levels of natural antibodies, and hence a history of natural selection caused by bacteria took relatively greater risks during singing than species with few natural antibodies. These findings suggest that risks taken by singing birds have been molded by natural and sexual selection, and that risk taking represents a compromise between the costs and benefits of flight from a potential predator. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Flow of Botrytis cinerea inoculum between lettuce crop and soil

Botrytis cinerea causes grey mould, a disease common on many economically important crops. Although much attention is paid to the airborne inoculum of this fungus, as it sporulates abundantly in favourable conditions, knowledge on the abundance and genetic characteristics of soilborne inoculum could help improve control strategies. In this study, the soilborne inoculum of B. cinerea was quantified in two greenhouses at different times before and after the cultivation of four successive lettuce crops. Between 0 and 1177 colony-forming units (CFU) of B. cinerea per gram of soil were recorded. There was no significant correlation between abundance of soilborne inoculum and subsequent disease incidence on lettuce (P = 0·11). Sixty-five isolates collected from diseased plants and 66 isolates collected from the soil were investigated for their genetic diversity. The soil strains showed lower genetic diversity than the lettuce strains when considering the unbiased gene diversity within the nine microsatellite loci, the mean number of alleles per locus and the haplotypic diversity. The genetic differentiation between lettuce and soil strains decreased over three successive lettuce crops. At the same time, the genetic structure of the two groups of strains tended to become similar. These results are consistent with the hypothesis of a flow of inoculum between the lettuce crop and the soil, and vice versa. The study shows that grey mould management should pay more attention to the inoculum of B. cinerea present in the soil.
Discerning Biases in a Large Scale Mark–Recapture Population Estimate for Black Bears

Abstract We derived 3 rangewide mark–recapture estimates for American black bears (Ursus americanus) in Minnesota, USA, over a 12-year period (1991–2002) to aid in management of this hunted population. We used tetracycline-laden baits to biomark 700–1,200 bears over an area of 85,000 km2 during each of 3 summer marking sessions. Ingested tetracycline produced long-lasting marks in bones and permanent marks in teeth. We collected bone and tooth samples from bears harvested in both the year of marking and the following year and examined them for tetracycline marks. For each marking event, the cumulative recapture sample totaled 3,400–4,800, or 14–30%, of the estimated population. Estimates of population size, derived from a Lincoln–Petersen (L-P) estimator, pertained to the time of marking; loss of animals from the population after marking was thus inconsequential, so long as losses were unbiased with respect to marking. We detected tetracycline marks in a greater proportion of samples collected in the year of marking than the following year. We surmised that the harvest included a disproportionate number of marked bears compared to unmarked bears in the year of marking, probably because both marking and harvest involved the bears' attraction to bait. After removal of these most vulnerable marked bears, the proportion of marked bears declined the next year. We used population reconstruction and a data-driven model to help gauge the potential magnitude and direction of biases resulting from sex–age heterogeneity in mark–recapture estimates based on data from the first year's harvest (biased low), second year's harvest (biased high), or some combination of the two. Uncertainty regarding yearly estimates hampered assessment of population trend. We recommend biomarking with >1 year of recapture data for large-scale population estimation; however, we suggest modifications to our methodology to obtain larger and more representative samples of the population, thereby increasing accuracy and precision.
Accumulation of Metabolites during Seed Development in Trifolium repens L.

Abstract Metabolite deposition during seed development was examined histochemically in Trifolium repens by light- and fluorescence microscopy. All endosperm haustorium at the chalazal pole of the embryo sac and wall protrusions in cell walls of the suspensor and the embryo sac suggest that transfer of metabolites from maternal to offspring tissue takes place primarily at these sites. This is further supported by prominent cutinization of the interpolar region of the embryo sac wall, accumulation of starch in integumental tissue at the embryo sac poles, and breakdown of interpolar endothelial cells. Decomposition of osteosclereid starch is followed by accumulation in the cellular endosperm and subsequently in the embryo parallel to endosperm degradation. The starch accumulates gradually inward from the subepidermal cells of the embryo to the stele. Protein bodies are formed in the vacuoles along the tonoplast, later to be cut off in vesicles released into the cytoplasm. At maturity the embryo is packed with protein and starch, but without lipid reserves. Phytin is observed in the protein bodies. The mature embryo is surrounded by a protein and starch containing aleurone layer which originates from the endosperm.
Seleção de progênies e genitores de pessegueiro com base nas características dos frutos

ABSTRACT – Good fruit quality is one of the most important objectives in peach breeding, it has a direct relationship with the market and consumer preferences. With regard to quality, it means to obtain productive plants, with large and firm fruits, good flavor and attractive color. However, Brazilian peach still does not present good characteristics, mainly regarding firmness, when compared with the international peach patterns. The aim of this study was to evaluate, to select and to indicate some peach genotypes that produce fruit with good quality and non-melting flesh, for future use as male parent in the Peach Breeding Program of Universidade Federal de Vicosa. The studies were carried out at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei (CSIC), Zaragoza – Spain, during the period of May to August in 2006. About 687 seedlings, from 17 peach populations [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch], were evaluated. Based on the obtained results, pollen from ‘Crown Princess’ and from seedlings VADAC 0027, VADAC 0052, VADAC 0063 and VADAC0065 could be recommended as parent in the Peach Breeding Program of UFV, aiming to obtain non-melting flesh fruits, with good quality traits.Index terms: Prunus persica, peach breeding, fruit texture.
Comparison of different methods for measuring leaf area index in a mixed grassland

Available LAI instruments have greatly increased our ability to estimate leaf area index (LAI) non-destructively. However, it is difficult to infer from existing studies which instrument has the advantages in measuring LAI over other instruments for grassland ecosystems. The objective of our study was to compare the LAI estimates by two instruments (AccuPAR, and LAI2000), and correlate the LAI measurements to remote sensing data for a mixed grassland. Leaf area index of four grass communities was measured by both the destructive method and instruments. Ground canopy reflectance was measured and further calculated to be LAI-related vegetation indices. Statistical analysis showed that destructively sampled LAI ranged from 0.61 to 5.7 in the study area. Both instruments underestimated LAI in comparison with the destructive method. However, the LAI2000 is better than AccuPAR for estimating LAI. Comparison of four grass communities indicated that the lower the grass LAI, the greater the underestimated percenta.
The Jacobi-Davidson method for eigenvalue problems and its relation with accelerated inexact Newton scheme

We discuss a new method for the iterative computation of a portion of the spectrum of a large sparse matrix.The matrix may be complex and non-normal.The method also delivers the Schur vectors associated with the computed eigenvalues. The eigenvectors can easily be computed from the Schur vectors, and for stability reasons we prefer the approach with Schur vectors.The method is based on the recently introduced Jacobi-Davidson algorithm (16). This method improves the Davidson method and its generalizations. We also show how the Davidson's methods, including the new one, can be viewed as accelerated inexact Newton schemes.
Genotypic response to re-growth of defoliated sugar beets after re-watering in a water-limited environment: effects on yield and quality

Defoliation produced by abiotic factors and the subsequent re-growth can reduce sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) sucrose content and final sugar yield. Field experiments were conducted during 2003 and 2004 growing seasons in the farm of Hellenic Sugar Industry SA, Larissa factory, central Greece. Three sugar beet cultivars (Rival, Europa and Corsica) were ordinary irrigated till the beginning of July and then left without irrigation for a month. Three defoliation levels (control-C, moderate-MD and severe-SD) were performed at early August and irrigation was simultaneously started to promote re-growth. Four samplings were conducted (before defoliation, 15, 30 and 40 days after defoliation) to determine the changes in physiological and productive traits. Yields were lower in 2003 compared to 2004 because sugar beets were grown under more stressful conditions due to the delayed sowing, the higher temperatures and the lower rainfall. Both defoliation level and cultivar had significant effects on physiological and productive traits after re-growth only in 2003. The late-season cultivar, Corsica, showed better LAI maintenance compared to Europa and Corsica and had the greatest performance after re-growth in regard to fresh root weight and sugar yield. Also, this cultivar showed the least decrease of sucrose percentage in fresh root weight and juice purity mainly due to the stable potassium (K) concentration and limited increase of sodium (Na) accumulation in roots. Corsica consumed the least root α-amino N for its re-growth. Quantitative and qualitative traits were negatively affected only by the SD treatment. Plants suffered from MD treatment gradually recovered during growing season. This study demonstrates that under Mediterranean conditions, the adverse effects of re-growth on sugar beet yield and quality depend on the growing conditions and they can be restricted by the selection of an appropriate cultivar.
Predicting 21st‐century polar bear habitat distribution from global climate models

Projections of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sea ice habitat distribution in the polar basin during the 21st century were developed to understand the consequences of anticipated sea ice reductions on polar bear populations. We used location data from satellite- collared polar bears and environmental data (e.g., bathymetry, distance to coastlines, and sea ice) collected from 1985 to 1995 to build resource selection functions (RSFs). RSFs described habitats that polar bears preferred in summer, autumn, winter, and spring. When applied to independent data from 1996 to 2006, the RSFs consistently identified habitats most frequently used by polar bears. We applied the RSFs to monthly maps of 21st-century sea ice concentration projected by 10 general circulation models (GCMs) used in the Intergovern- mental Panel of Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report, under the A1B greenhouse gas forcing scenario. Despite variation in their projections, all GCMs indicated habitat losses in the polar basin during the 21st century. Losses in the highest-valued RSF habitat (optimal habitat) were greatest in the southern seas of the polar basin, especially the Chukchi and Barents seas, and least along the Arctic Ocean shores of Banks Island to northern Greenland. Mean loss of optimal polar bear habitat was greatest during summer; from an observed 1.0 million km 2 in 1985-1995 (baseline) to a projected multi-model mean of 0.32 million km 2 in 2090-2099 (� 68% change). Projected winter losses of polar bear habitat were less: from 1.7 million km 2 in 1985-1995 to 1.4 million km 2 in 2090-2099 (� 17% change). Habitat losses based on GCM multi-model means may be conservative; simulated rates of habitat loss during 1985-2006 from many GCMs were less than the actual observed rates of loss. Although a reduction in the total amount of optimal habitat will likely reduce polar bear populations, exact relationships between habitat losses and population demographics remain unknown. Density and energetic effects may become important as polar bears make long-distance annual migrations from traditional winter ranges to remnant high-latitude summer sea ice. These impacts will likely affect specific sex and age groups differently and may ultimately preclude bears from seasonally returning to their traditional ranges.
Chromosomal aberrations induced by a low dose of neutron irradiation and hyperthermia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Hyperthermia (HT) on the Frequency of Chromosomal Aberrations (FCA) induced by a low dose of neutron irradiation. Blood samples were exposed to HT, 6cGy neutrons, HT + neutrons and neutrons + HT, and the FCA was scored in metaphase. HT alone at 41.5°C had no effect on FCA; however, the FCA was significantly higher at 43°C (p < 0.05). The FCA was significantly different when cells were irradiated with neutrons alone (p < 0.01). HT after neutron irradiation significantly affected the FCA (p < 0.05) and the FCA was markedly higher when cells were heated at 43°C. As cell death is directly related to the FCA, using HT after neutron irradiation may cause more cell deaths in human lymphocytes. The effect of HT on the FCA is most probably because of its inhibitory role in cell damage repair. Heating cells after neutron irradiation could be considered a suitable cancer treatment modality.
Magpies do not desert after prolonging the parental care period: an experimental study

Parent–offspring conflict theory predicts that offspring desertion would be adaptive for parents when the fitness costs related to investment in the current brood exceed the expected fitness benefits. In several seabirds, a fixed parental care period has been observed, and a preprogrammed fixed parental care period could be a general life-history trait evolved because of parent–offspring conflict. A recent study suggested that this could also be the mechanism by which hosts could discriminate against brood parasitic chicks that need longer care periods, by abandoning a brood when the parental care period passed the one typically needed by their own brood (i.e., discrimination without recognition). Here, we experimentally tested if a fixed parental care period also existed in magpies (Pica pica), the primary host of the great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius). None of the experimentally prolonged magpie broods were deserted, and neither were any of the control or shortened broods. These results suggest that a preprogrammed parental care period is not a general trait in birds and support the idea that brood parasitism could be a selective pressure for optimal (short) parental care periods to evolve, but only in species where brood parasitic nestlings need a longer care period than host nestlings (which was not the case for the great spotted cuckoo). Furthermore, nestlings reared by parents with prolonged parental care period showed a slower development. Increasing provisioning costs, reduced sensitiveness to begging signals, or sexual conflict could cause this result, upholding parental care periods as a challenging matter of research.
Genetic diversity among a founder parent and widely grown wheat cultivars derived from the same origin based on morphological traits and microsatellite markers

Abstract. Founder parents have contributed significantly to the improvement of wheat. Beijing 8 has been used as a founder parent in developing many outstanding improved cultivars in China. The widely grown cultivars Beijing 8 and 6 additional derivatives both derived from the cross ‘Bima 4 × Early Premium’ in China, were characterised using seven morphological traits and 537 microsatellite markers. Phenotypic comparisons revealed that Beijing 8 was similar for certain characteristics to the widely grown cultivars Shijiazhuang 54 and Jinan 2, hinting that acceptable performance for yield components may be the basis for Beijing 8 serving as a founder parent. Simple sequence repeat analysis indicated that Bima 4 contributed more genome information to the derivatives than Early Premium. Fifty-nine unique simple sequence repeat alleles, present in Beijing 8 and absent in other cultivars, were observed. Nearly all loci were in close proximity to the positions of known genes conferring important traits. Furthermore, pedigree tracking found that the frequencies of alleles unique to Beijing 8 varied from 0 to 0.96 in its 51 descendants, suggesting that some of them underwent rigorous selection during breeding.