Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of rainfall manipulations and biotic controls on soil respiration in Mediterranean and desert ecosystems along an aridity gradient

Spatially heterogeneous ecosystems form a majority of land types in the vast drylands of the globe. To evaluate climate‐change effects on CO2 fluxes in such ecosystems, it is critical to understand the relative responses of each ecosystem component (microsite). We investigated soil respiration (Rs) at four sites along an aridity gradient (90–780 mm mean annual precipitation, MAP) during almost 2 years. In addition, Rs was measured in rainfall manipulations plots at the two central sites where ∼30% droughting and ∼30% water supplementation treatments were used over 5 years. Annual Rs was higher by 23% under shrub canopies compared with herbaceous gaps between shrubs, but Rs at both microsites responded similarly to rainfall reduction. Decreasing precipitation and soil water content along the aridity gradient and across rainfall manipulations resulted in a progressive decline in Rs at both microsites, i.e. the drier the conditions, the larger was the effect of reduction in water availability on Rs. Annual Rs on the ecosystem scale decreased at a slope of 256/MAP g C m−2 yr−1 mm−1 (r2=0.97). The reduction in Rs amounted to 77% along the aridity gradient and to 16% across rainfall manipulations. Soil organic carbon (SOC) decreased with declining precipitation, and variation in SOC stocks explained 77% of the variation in annual Rs across sites, rainfall manipulations and microsites. This study shows that rainfall manipulations over several years are a useful tool for experimentally predicting climate‐change effects on CO2 fluxes for time scales (such as approximated by aridity gradients) that are beyond common research periods. Rainfall reduction decreases rates of Rs not only by lowering biological activity, but also by drastically reducing shrub cover. We postulate that future climate change in heterogeneous ecosystems, such as Mediterranean and deserts shrublands will have a major impact on Rs by feedbacks through changes in vegetation structure.
Prey classification by Portia fimbriata, a salticid spider that specializes at preying on other salticids: species that elicit cryptic stalking

Portia fimbriata from Queensland, Australia, is an araneophagic jumping spider (Salticidae) that includes in its predatory strategy a tactic (cryptic stalking) enabling it to prey effectively on common sympatric salticids from other genera. Using standardized tests in which only optical cues were available (prey enclosed in small glass vial within large cage), the reactions of P. fimbriata to 114 salticid species were investigated. Except for Myrmarachne spp. (ant mimics), all salticids tested triggered cryptic stalking by P. fimbriata. This included not only sympatric, but also allopatric, salticids. The salticid on which P. fimbriata most commonly preys in nature is Jacksonoides queenslandicus, but cryptic stalking was triggered by salticid species with considerably different appearances, including beetle mimics, species with unusual body shapes and species with a wide variety of camouflaging markings. Portia fimbriata was also tested with lycosid, clubionid, theridiid and desid spiders and with flies and ants, but none of these arthropods triggered cryptic stalking. Optical cues used by P. fimbriata for discrimination between salticid and non-salticid prey are discussed.
Evaluation of fish biodiversity in rivers of three districts of eastern Himalayan region for conservation and sustainability

The present study was conducted in the Eastern Himalayan region to generate a primary database on ichthyofauna diversity of seven rivers in three districts (Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar) of West Bengal, India. Out of the seven rivers, five rivers originate from Bhutan ghat hills, and the other two rivers the Teesta, originates from North Sikkim and river Karala from Jalpaiguri. 141 indigenous fish species belonging to 31 families were identified. The family Cyprinidae represented the largest diversity accommodating 21 genera and 46 species. Amongst all the fishes, 99 species have ornamental value and 87 species the food value. Ornamental fishes are dominant over the food fishes and carnivorous fishes are dominant over the omnivorous and herbivorous fishes. According to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature ) and CAMP (Conservation Assessment and Management Plan), the conservation status of the fishes are listed as 1 (1%) species as Critically Endangered, 12 (8%) species as Endangered, 33 (23%) species as Vulnerable, 17 (12%) species as at Lower Risk Near Threatened, 66 (47%) species as Lower Risk Least Concerned,8 (6%) species as Data Deficient and 4 (3%) species as Not Evaluated. About 44% fish species are near threats, vulnerable and endangered in this region. 20 endemic species are present in this region. It is concluded, that anthropogenic pressure arising out of agricultural run offs, high population growth, construction of highways, roads, bridges and dams, destruction of riparian vegetation and watershed forest cover, denudation causing high siltation, boulder and sand lifting, landslides, rampant fishing, disposal of untreated sewages, indiscriminatory use of fishing with new fishing technologies may cause the decline of the fish diversity. The conservation of ichthyodiversity is important for sustainable livelihood of fishermen and also essential for socioeconomic development of the country.
Patterns of Trunk Diameter, Tree Height and Crown Depth in Crowded Abies Stands

The size structure of trees in crowded, even-aged Abies (fir) stands of «Shimagare» or «wave-regenerated» sub-alpine forests is analyzed. Tree-height distributions show consistently smaller variation and less positive skewness than the distributions of trunk diameter and crown depth (tree height minus height of the lowest branch). This difference is associated with changes in the relationships between trunk diameter, tree height and crown depth as stands age. These, in turn, result from self-pruning of the lower foliage crown due to competition for light in crowded stands
Grapevine Susceptibility to Pierce's Disease II: Progression of Anatomical Symptoms

The progression of anatomical symptoms of Pierce's disease in susceptible Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay grapevines was studied over a time course following controlled inoculation of Y—shaped, two-shooted plants with Xylella fastidiosa . Leaf, petiole, and stem tissue samples collected from locations on inoculated and noninoculated shoots were taken at 10, 14, and 18 weeks following inoculation. After 10 weeks, leaf necrosis was visible in the inoculated shoots. Leaf and petiole xylem was predominantly occluded with gums and bacteria, whereas stem xylem was occluded almost exclusively with tyloses. After 14 weeks, bacteria and gums were found in noninoculated shoots, but tyloses were absent from these stem tissues. At 18 weeks, tylose development was observed in the xylem in stems of noninoculated shoots. Consequently, basipetal movement of bacteria occurred from the inoculated shoot into a noninoculated shoot. Results indicate that there is a predictable initial sequence of symptoms within infected shoots: gum and bacterial accumulation in leaves and petioles followed by tylose formation in stem tissue. This pattern is repeated with colonization of new shoots, eventually creating a systemic presence of the disease. Acknowledgments: Funding for this research was provided from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, agreement no. 01-0712. The authors would like to thank the cooperative efforts in maintaining bacterial cultures and inoculating grapevines from the Bruce Kirkpatrick lab, including M. Caroline Roper, and the preliminary anatomical contributions made by Philip Bates.
Determination of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Saponins by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been successfully applied to the determination of saponins in alfalfa root and aerial parts. It was shown that a single extraction of saponins with 30% MeOH followed by SPE C 18 Sep-Pak cleanup permits 91 and 96% recoveries from roots and aerial parts, respectively. The mostabundant saponins in roots were medicagenic acid glycosides substituted at the C3 position with glucuronic acid or glucose and hederagenin glycoside. The aerial parts contained mainly medicagenic acid glycosides substituted with glucuronic acid at C3, zanhic acid tridesmoside, and soyasaponin I
Randstad Holland: Multiple Faces of a Polycentric Role Model

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Elevated Constitutive IκB Kinase Activity and IκB-α Phosphorylation in Hs294T Melanoma Cells Lead to Increased Basal MGSA/GRO-α Transcription

The basal transcription of the CXC chemokine, melanocyte growth stimulatory activity (MGSA)/growth-regulated protein (GRO)-α, is up-regulated in Hs294T melanoma cells compared with the normal retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Previous studies characterized a cytokine-inducible, functional nuclear factor (NF) -κB consensus element in the immediate 5′ regulatory region of the MGSA/GRO-α gene at −78 bp. Although the cytokine-inducible mechanisms for transcription of this gene are fairly well delineated, the mechanisms involved in its basal up-regulation of transcription in Hs294T melanoma cells are poorly understood. Recently, we demonstrated an increased rate of IκB-α degradation in Hs294T cells, which leads to an increased nuclear localization of NF-κB (R. L. Shattuck-Brandt and A. Richmond. Cancer Res., 57: 3032–3039, 1997). Here we demonstrate that Hs294T melanoma cells have elevated basal IκB kinase (IKK) activity relative to RPE cells, causing an increased constitutive IκB-α phosphorylation and degradation. We also show here that the resultant elevated nuclear NF-κB (p50/p65) in these cells is responsible for the increased basal transcription of MGSA/GRO-α. Pretreatment of Hs294T or RPE cells with proteasome inhibitors MG115 or MG132 captures the slower migrating, constitutively phosphorylated form of IκB-α in Hs294T melanoma cells, but not in RPE cells. In addition, a phospho-specific antibody that specifically recognizes the inhibitory form of IκB that is phosphorylated at Ser-32 reacted with IκB-α in Hs294T cell, but not in unstimulated RPE cells. Although the basal level of protein expression of IKK-α or IKK-β are the same in both Hs294T and RPE cells, immunoprecipitation with IKK-α antibody combined with activity assay reveal a constitutively active IKK complex in Hs294T melanoma cells. Cotransfection of a 350-bp MGSA/GRO-α promoter-luciferase reporter construct with either the dominant negative IKK-α or the repressors of NF-κB, the IκB-α wild type or mutants lacking the inducible phosphorylation sites, demonstrates that the increased basal MGSA/GRO-α transcription in the Hs294T cells is due to the enhanced nuclear activation of NF-κB.
Biodiesel production using Aspergillus niger as a whole‐cell biocatalyst in a packed‐bed reactor

Enzymatic lipase transesterification of palm oil to biodiesel in a packed‐bed reactor (PBR) using a novel strain of the fungus Aspergillus niger, immobilized within polyurethane biomass support particles (BSPs), was investigated. A three‐step addition of methanol was used to reduce lipase inhibition by immiscible methanol. The influence of water content and PBR flow rate was investigated. FAME yield was enhanced with an increase of PBR flow rate in the range of 0.15–30 L h−1, where inefficient mixing of the reaction mixture at lower flow rates resulted in low conversion rates i.e. 69% after 72‐h reaction. Adding the third mole equivalent of methanol resulted in lipase inhibition due to methanol migration into the accumulated glycerol layer. Glutaraldehyde (GA) solution (0.5 vol.%) was used to stabilize lipase activity, which led to a high FAME yield (>90%) in the PBR after 72‐h of reaction time at a flow rate of 15 L h−1, and a water content of 15%. Moreover, a high conversion rate (>85%) was maintained after four palm oil batch conversion cycles in the PBR. In contrast, lipase activity of non‐GA‐treated cells decreased with each PBR batch cycle, where only 70% FAME was produced after the forth PBR cycle. Transesterification of palm oil in a PBR system using BSPs‐immobilized A. niger as a whole‐cell biocatalyst is a viable process for enzymatic biodiesel production.
Britpop's common people : national identity, popular music and young people in the 1990's

The thesis discusses the significance of Britpop’s representation of British identity for British youth and their attitude towards British identity in the 1990’s. Taking issue with the dominant academic critique of Britpop as an ‘assertion of white, male, heterosexual Englishness’ (Bennett and Stratton, 2010, p.6; Percival, 2010; Hawkins, 2010; Whiteley, 2010) the thesis argues that Britpop’s representation of national identity was more complex and ambiguous than previously suggested by academia and that Britpop’s positive attitude towards Britain and its nostalgic image of British identity needs to be interpreted as a cultural critique of social, economic and political changes in the United Kingdom in the 90s. The concepts of ‘Imagined communities’ (Anderson, 1983) and of ‘Banal nationalism’ (Billig, 1995) are used as a starting point to explore the significant role of young people and popular music for the construction and reproduction of national identity. Drawing on a qualitative textual analysis of Britpop lyrics, album reviews, and mainstream media coverage alongside data collected from qualitative interviews/surveys with musicians, PR agents, journalists, and fans, it also discusses how national identity is constructed and maintained through cultural references in popular music and related media discourses. The results of the empirical research which is focused on research categories such as British lifestyle/suburbia, ethnicity, gender and class show that Britpop’s heavy use of cultural references created a strong sense of nostalgia and played a significant role in Britpop’s mainstream success in the UK as it deliberately connected the contemporary culture of the younger generation with the cultural heritage of older generations which strengthened Britain’s image as a nation of great pop music and was celebrated in the 2012 Olympic games open/closing ceremonies. Finally, the thesis argues that in contrast to the British Invasion bands who were selling British pop music/identity abroad, Britpop bands were selling British pop music/identity back to the British people.
Phylogenetics of Escallonia (Escalloniaceae) based on plastid DNA sequence data

Escallonia (Escalloniaceae) is a New World genus of c. 39 species distributed mainly in the South American highlands. Plastid DNA sequence data from the intergenic spacers trnS-trnG and 3′ trnV-ndhC and the ndhF gene for 32 species were used to examine the relationships among species and related genera and to analyse the relationship between phylogeny and the geographical distribution of the species. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference were employed to analyse the data. The sister relationship of Escallonia to Forgesia and Valdivia was corroborated. We recovered five strongly supported clades that are geographically structured, suggesting that the evolutionary history of the genus may be linked to historical processes, including the uplift of mountainous systems in South America. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173, 442–451.
Light, Temperature, Seed Burial, and Mulch Effects on Mulberry Weed (Fatoua villosa) Seed Germination1

Fatoua villosa (mulberry weed) is a new and invasive weed of container nurseries and landscapes in the southeastern United States. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of light, planting depth, mulch depth, and temperature on mulberry weed seed germination and seedling emergence. Light stimulated mulberry weed seed germination, with less than 5% of seeds germinating in the dark compared with 48 to 60% germinating in the light. In all emergence studies, the highest number of seedlings emerged when seeds were placed on the soil surface, with emergence decreasing as planting or mulch depth increased. Planting depths of ≥ 1.8 cm or mulch depths of ≥ 3.7 cm reduced mulberry weed emergence by ≥ 90%. These data suggest that mulch would control mulberry weed effectively. To study the effects of temperature on germination, two seed batches collected locally in October 1998 and August 1999 were used. Maximum germination of seeds collected in 1998 occurred at 25 C, with germination decreasing at higher temperatures and no germination at lower than 15 C or over 40 C. For seeds collected in 1999, maximum germination occurred from 19 to 29 C, with germination decreasing with temperatures above 29 C or below 19 C. At temperatures of 15 and 42 C germination, percentages were 71 and 11%, respectively. Seedlings germinated at 15 C developed slowly but otherwise appeared normal. For both seed lots, seedlings were stunted and chlorotic at ≥ 38 C. That mulberry weed seed germinated over a wide range of temperatures suggests its potential to emerge throughout most of spring, summer, and autumn in the southeastern United States. Nomenclature: Mulberry weed, Fatoua villosa (Thunb.) Nakai. Additional index words: Germination, light, mulch, planting depth, temperature.
New records of Rotifers from Iran with biogeographic considerations

The rotifer fauna of Iran is poorly known. This comprehensive study presents the results of an investigation of rotifers sampled in 51 freshwater sites of Tehran and neighboring provinces of Iran, from May 2006 to May 2007. Of the 115 species identified, 72 from 19 genera and 5 families are new for the fauna of Iran. Including the present records, the number of known Iranian rotifers has now reached 143. So far, the species found in Iran are overwhelmingly Palearctic. The present study is a first step towards more similar studies to update the existing species list of rotifers from all over Iran.
Circadian Rhythm Affects the Dynamics of S-IgA Mucosal Secretion

Ryoki Kobayashi, Chieko Taguchi, Shusuke Yonenaga, Kazumune Arikawa, Toshikazu Uchiyama, Tetsuro Kono, Takashi Takeuchi, Ikuo Nasu, Hirohiko Hirano, and Tomoko Ochiai Departments of Oral Immunology, Preventive and Public Oral Health, Renascent Dentistry, Practice Administration, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Matsudo, Chiba271-8587, Japan Undergraduate Student, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Matsudo, Chiba271-8587, Japan Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
Morphological and Palynological Investigation on Silene gigantea L. var. gigantea and Silene behen L. (Caryophyllaceae) Distributed in Western Anatolia and Northern Cyprus

A comparative investigation was carried out on the morphology and palynology of Silene gigantea L. var. gigantea and Silene behen L. species of the family Caryophyllaceae distributed in Western Anatolia and Northern Cyprus. An examination conducted on S. gigantea var. gigantea revealed that the calyx length in Western Anatolian specimens was shorter than that of those from Northern Cyprus, that the basal petal blades of the Western Anatolian specimens did not have any ligula while those from Northern Cyprus did, and that the petal blades belonging to the specimens from Northern Cyprus demonstrated less clefting as compared to those from Western Anatolia. Therefore, S. gigantea, growing in Western Anatolia and Northern Cyprus, could be separated into 2 subspecies. In addition, S. behen also could be separated into 2 subspecies. It was also observed that the seeds taken from all specimens of both species were reniform, with the tubercles on the seed surfaces of the S. behen species having a longer conical structure as compared to those of S. gigantea var. gigantea. Pollen grains of both species are spheroidal, tectate and spinulose-microperforate. It was also determined that S. gigantea var. gigantea specimens collected from Northern Cyprus had greater pore diameters, whereas S. behen specimens from Western Anatolia had greater distances between the pores.
Two Hemicriconemoides (Nemata: Criconematidae) from Venezuela

In the course of a nematode survey in Venezuela, two Criconematid species identified as Hemicriconemoides communis and H. mangiferae were found. H. communis was found around roots of Psidium guajava in Mara Municipality (Zulia State) and is recorded for the first time in Venezuela, and H. mangiferae was recorded in many areas. Measurements and light microscope photomicrographs of both species are given together with scanning electron microscopy illustrations of H. communis.
A review of the Banchus‐group of ichneumon‐flies, with a revision of the Australian genus Philogalleria (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

ABSTRACT. The composition and relationships of the Banchus genus‐group are discussed. A key to the genera is provided and for each genus a diagnosis and notes are given. A new genus and species are described. The genus Philogalleria Cameron is revised: six species (five of them new) are recognized, described and keyed. Rhynchobanchus is newly recorded from Britain and a key is given to its European species.