Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Models for Latitudinal Biodiversity Gradients and Implications in Our Search for Extraterrestrial Life.

SNYDER-BEATTIE, ANDREW EVANS. New Models for Latitudinal Biodiversity Gradients and Implications in Our Search for Extraterrestrial Life. (Under the direction of Kevin Gross.) Biodiversity is greatest in the equatorial regions of our planet, declining as one moves to the poles. This global biodiversity gradient is one of the most prominent ecological patterns on Earth, although the causes of this gradient are still up for debate. Area and sunlight have both been widely cited mechanisms attributed to the latitudinal biodiversity gradient, but the highly collinear nature of these factors makes it difficult to statistically isolate each hypothesis. This thesis attempts to make two contributions. Our first objective will be to improve upon some null models used to explain species richness gradients here on Earth. Previous literature has laid a solid foundation for analyzing the energy and area hypotheses, but formal simulations of these mechanisms have not yet caught up to null model analysis. By incorporating mechanisms behind the area hypotheses, we show how these modified models can produce more realistic species richness gradients than those produced by null models. Our second objective will be to use these models to characterize the hypothetical distribution of life on other planets. The field of astrobiology has largely excluded macroecological considerations thus far, but could potentially benefit from this approach. Given what we know about global biodiversity patterns on Earth, where should we search for life on other planets? We apply models embodying both the area and energy hypotheses to alternative planetary geometries to demonstrate how the implications of these hypotheses are dependent on a planet’s orientation and structure. © Copyright 2013 by Andrew Evans Snyder-Beattie
Aspects of epizoobiontic mollusc assemblages on Pinna shells. II. Does the Mediterranean P. nobilis represent an isle of biodiversity

Les assemblages de mollusques epibiontes des coquilles du genre Pinna. II. L'espece mediterraneenne Pinna nobilis represente-t-elle un ilot de diversite? Des mollusques epibiontes vivant sur 49 individus du bivalve megabenthique de fonds meubles Pinna nobilis Linne, 1758, preleves dans le detroit de Messine (Mediterranee centrale), ont ete etudies. Les indices univaries de diversite, bases sur la richesse specifique, abondance/equitabilite et relation taxonomique ont ete calcules sur le peuplement de mollusques en fonction du niveau bathymetrique et de la dimension de la coquille de P. nobilis. De plus, la structure multivariee des taxa epibiontes les plus typiques et leur role fonctionnel ont ete analyses; la contribution des mollusques basibiontes a la diversite a petite echelle (habitat/biotope de fond meuble) ainsi qu'a grande echelle (biogeographie regionale) a ete aussi evalue. La faune epibionte de mollusques montre quelque caracteristiques parmi les principales des peuplements de fond rocheux, qui sont liees aux algues ephemeres photophiles, mais ce peuplement montre aussi d'autres particularites typologiques et taxonomiques, probablement liees a la selectivite du substrat coquillier vivant. Le rapport gasteropode:bivalve varie de 4,0 a 5,6:1 en nombre d'especes, et de 5,6 a 12,6:1 en abondance, selon la taille des basibiontes. Bittium reticulatum (Da Costa, 1778), Rissoella inflata Locard, 1892 et Gibbula turbinoides (Deshayes, 1835) sont les especes predominantes, bien que l'analyse de similarite et la correlation non-parametrique mettent en evidence au moins deux groupes multispecifiques qui contribuent a caracteriser typologiquement et fonctionnellement le peuplement des mollusques epibiontes. La presence frequente des micro-gasteropodes, qui sont proches en termes de relation cladistique ainsi que de strategie trophique, peut indiquer une possible redondance specifique ou une fonctionnalite complementaire, dependante des macrophytes ephemeres. Le peuplement caracteristique de mollusques epibiontes vivant sur P. nobilis donne a ce bivalve un role de reserve de biodiversite aussi bien a petite qu'a grande echelle. Des estimations de densite locale des peuplements de Pinna nobilis, couples a des courbes cumulees d'especes, permettent le calcul des superficies minimales d'agregations de Pinna nobilis permettant l'existence d'un riche reseau d'especes epibiontes.
Quantitative analysis of induced phenotypic diversity in chickpea using physical and chemical mutagenesis

In the present scenario of variable natural environment and sky-high population, sustainable boost in the agricultural productivity is the utmost priority. Induce mutagenesis generates noble genetic combination without affecting the overall genomic makeup of crop, thus, providing essential genetic variation for any crop improvement programme. The present study has been carried out to investigate the comparative mutagenicity of gamma rays and HZ on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotype (avrodhi) at M2 generation developed from seeds of treated M1 plants population. The assessment on phenotypic expression for the studied qualitative and quantitative traits showed considerable deviations in all the treatments and significant positive shift in 0.01 and 0.02% doses compared to control while 0.04% proved to be most mutagenic with highest significant negative deviation. A broad spectrum and frequency of macro mutations were induced affecting all plant parts and different morphological variants were screened and isolated on the basis of economic importance from the treated populations. Economically important mutations like branching pattern, stem structure, plant height, dwarf and bushy growth habit, foliage type, flowering behavior and maturity were identified and the frequency of the variants were found to be more in 0.03% doses. Explicitly, HZ doses provided greater deviations in both directions in the quantitative phenotypic characters studied while frequencies of distinct morphological mutants were more in gamma rays. The induced elite phenotypes (blue flowered, double flowered, pigmented leaf, bushy and early mutants), having strong correlation with agronomic traits, will definitely be helpful in selection of improved mutants in subsequent generations.
Fish predation control of key copepod species in the Bornholm Basin

Although an established concept in freshwater ecology, top-down controls of plankton communities by fish predation have been rarely documented in the marine environment. Also for the deep basins of the Central Baltic Sea only indications exist for the importance of predation by sprat (Sprattus sprattus) for the interannual dynamics of calanoid copepods. Further, predation by planktivorous fish may regulate spatial distribution patterns of plankton species. Consequently a spatio-temporally resolved investigation on the predatory effect of the main planktivores in the Baltic Sea, i.e. beside sprat also herring (Clupea harengus), on the dynamics of the key copepods Pseudocalanus sp. , Temora longicornis and Acartia spp. was conducted within the GLOBEC-GERMANY programme. The study was conducted in the Bornholm Basin during May to July 2002 and included spatially resolved net sampling of copepods, determination of the predator stock size and distribution using combined hydroacoustic and trawl surveys, and an extensive stomach sampling programme. Our results show a major predatory impact of the sprat stock on Pseudocalanus sp. in May and a lower impact by both predator species on T. longicornis in June and July. Further, our results demonstrate a high within-basin spatial variability with high predatory “hots spots” mainly located on marginal areas of the deep basin. C. Möllmann and F. W. Köster: Danish Institute for Fisheries Research, Charlottenlund Castle, DK-2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark. [cmo@dfu.min.dk; fwk@dfu.min.dk]. A. Temming and M. Bernreuther: Institute for Hydrobiology and Fisheries Science, Olbergsweg 24, D-22767 Hamburg, Germany. [atemming@uni-hamburg.de; mbernreuther@uni-hamburg.de]. D. Stepputtis: Leibniz-Institute for Marine Sciences, Duesternbrooker Weg 20, D-24105 Kiel, Gemany [dstepputtis@ifm-geomar.de]. H. -J. Hirche: Alfred Wegner Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Columbusstr. 1, D-27568 Bremerhaven, Germany [hhirche@awi-bremerhaven.de]. Correspondence to C. Möllmann.
Quinolizidine Alkaloids as Nitrogen Source for Lupin Seedlings and Cell Cultures

Abstract The alkaloid patterns during germination and seedling development of Lupinus polyphyllus, L. angustifolius, L. albus, L. pubescens, Cytisus scoparius, Baptisia australis, Spartium junceum and Laburnum anagyroides were studied by capillary glc and EI-MS and CI-MS. The alkaloid contents were relatively high in the seeds and decreased by 20-100% during germination and the early developmental stages. The plants with fully developed leaves were able to synthesize new alkaloids. The decrease of alkaloid concentrations during germination was interpreted in terms of alkaloid turnover and use of the alkaloidal nitrogen for seedling development. The ability of plants to rely on the alkaloidal nitrogen as a nitrogen source could also be shown in lupin cell cultures which could survive and even grow on media which contained sparteine as the sole nitrogen source.
Sheep and goats tick's infestation in Wasit's districts

The study was conducted in 4 districts regions in Wasit province during May – August 2010 to investigate the percentage of sheep and goat infestation ; out of 366 animals , 69 (18.85 %) were infested with total general tick mean 2.15 ; infested sheep were more prevalent 79.71% than goats 20.28% ; Highest no. of infestation were found in August 49.27% and June 24.63% . Two species of ticks , Rhipicephalus turanicus 94% on both sheep and goats , while Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum only on sheep 6% were recorded. According to species of animal, sheep in azizia shows highest infestation in august (34.78%) followed by Suwara in june (14.49%) ; and for goat in azizia shows the highest infestation in may (7.24%) . There is significant difference between monthly infested sheep and goats p ≤ 0.028 . There is significant difference between districts containing infested sheep and goats p ≤ 0.000. There is no significant difference between infested sheep and goats p ≥ 0.12. Given data might be aid in epidemiology of ticks and minimize public and veterinary infections.
Molecular cloning, sequence characterization, and geneexpression profile of a novel water buffalo (Bubalusbubalis) gene: Na + , K + -ATPase β 2 -subunit ( ATP1B2 )

Abstract. The Na+, K+-ATPase is a transmembrane carrier protein which plays an important role in Na-K transport and energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to obtain the full-length coding sequence (CDS) of water buffalo Na+, K+-ATPase β2-subunit (ATP1B2) using RT-PCR and to investigate the characterizations of its sequence and tissue expression patterns. Sequence analysis revealed that the CDS of water buffalo ATP1B2 encodes an enzyme of 290 amino acid residues with a deduced molecular weight of 33.39 KDa and a PI of 8.37. Water buffalo ATP1B2 was presumed to have a signal peptide, a strong hydrophobic region and to exert its function in the plasma membrane with high reliability. In addition, water buffalo ATP1B2 has a conserved Na+, K+-ATPase β domain which belongs to Na+, K+-ATPase superfamily. The sequence of water buffalo ATP1B2 gene shares 97.6, 97.4, 92.2, 93.2, 89.9, 93.2, 89.5 and 62.9 % identify with its homologous sequence of cattle, sheep, dog, human, mouse, baboon, rat and African clawed frog, respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on the CDS of ATP1B2 gene showed that water buffalo has a closer genetic relationship with cattle than with other species. The ATP1B2 gene was widely expressed in the tissues examined, being high in the pituitary gland and brain, moderate in the muscle, spleen, liver, mammary gland, kidney and rumen, weak in the heart, small intestines and skin, and not expressed in the lung and adipose tissue. This study will establish a foundation for further insights into this novel water buffalo gene.
Comparative Population Genetics of Fusarium Graminearum and Novel Sources of Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in Spring Wheat

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. v DEDICATION . vii LIST OF TABLES. xi LIST OF FIGURES. xiii CHAPTER 1. LITERATURE REVIEW. 1 1.1. The Host: Spring Wheat. 1 1.2. The Pathogen: Fusarium graminearum. 2 1.3. The Disease: Fusarium Head Blight (FHB). 13 1.4. Literature Cited. 23 CHAPTER 2. THE 3ADON POPULATION OF FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM FOUND IN NORTH DAKOTA IS MORE AGGRESSIVE AND PRODUCES A HIGHER LEVEL OF DON THAN THE PREVALENT 15ADON POPULATION IN SPRING WHEAT. 38 2.1. Abstract. 38 2.2. Introduction. 39 2.3. Materials and Methods. 41 2.4. Results. 47 2.5. Discussion. 50 2.6. Acknowledgements. 55 2.7. Literature Cited. 62
Physicochemical and Sensory Evaluation of Sandwich Cookies Made with Carob Powder

This study aimed to investigate the viability of replacing cocoa by carob powder in the development of sandwich cookies and to evaluate their physicochemical and sensory characteristics. Three formulations were tested: carob sandwich cookies, carob and Textured Soy Protein (TSP) sandwich cookies and cocoa sandwich cookies. Some physical analysis was taken such as: weight and diameter, before and after baking. It was also evaluated protein, fatty-acids, fiber, ashes, moisture, carbohydrates and calories. Forty eight judges analyzed the cookies acceptability and purchase intention of the cookies. In physical analyses, a significant difference was observed in weight after baking between the carob cookies and cocoa cookies. Moisture, ash, protein, lipids, calories per portion showed similar chemical characteristics for all the samples. Cocoa cookies presented the highest content of crude fiber. Carob cookies presented highest content of carbohydrate; however Carob and TSP cookies showed the highest content of proteins and the lower content of lipids. The attributes appearance, texture, flavor and global acceptability showed similar characteristics for all the samples. The attributed color showed higher acceptability in Cocoa cookies, nevertheless the purchase intention was similar for all the samples.
Pyrrhulina brevis (Steindachner, 1876) como uma nova opção para a piscicultura ornamental nacional: larvicultura

In the international trading of ornamental fish, the amazonian fish are prominence, however the mostly fish are captured from the extractive fishery, generating pressure on natural populations. Thus, the development of farming technologies for these species should be seen as a new field to be explored by the brazilian aquaculture, generating income and protection of natural stocks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Pyrrhulina brevis larvae at different stocking densities, feeding frequency, feeding rate and resistance to salinized water. The first experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement with 4 concentrations of Artemia sp. nauplii larvae-1 day-1 (50, 100, 150 and 200) and two feeding frequencies (2 or 4 meals). The stocking density assay was conducted with 6 treatments (1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 larvae L-1). The evaluation at salinized water resistance was realized by factorial arrangement with 4 stocking densities (1, 5, 10 and 15 larva L-1) and 4 salt concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 g L-1). The best feeding and frequency ratio that promoted higher growth and survival was 150 Artemia sp. larvae-1 distributed in the four daily meals, the best stocking density was 40 larvae L-1 and the larvae could be reared in salinized water as prophylactic measured at 2 g L-1 since the density is not superior to 5 larvae L-1.
Hyperthermia-induced intestinal permeability and the role of oxidative and nitrosative stress. Commentary

The purpose of this study was to characterize intestinal permeability changes over a range of physiologically relevant body temperatures in vivc and in vitro. Initially, FITC-dextran (4,000 Da), a large fluorescent molecule, was loaded into the small intestine o: anesthetized rats. The rats were then maintained at ∼37°C or heated over 90 min to a core body temperature of ∼41 ∼41.5, or ∼42.5°C. Permeability was greater in the 42.5°C group compared with the 37, 41, or 41.5°C groups. Histolog ical analysis revealed intestinal epithelial damage in heatec groups. Everted intestinal sacs were then used to further characterize hyperthermia-induced intestinal permeability and to study the potential role of oxidative and nitrosative stress. Increased permeability to 4,000-Da FITC-dextran in both small intestinal and colonic sacs was observed at a temperature of 41.5-42°C compared with 37°C, along with widespread intestinal epithelial damage. Administration of antioxidant enzyme mimics or a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor did not reduce permeability due to heat stress, and tissue concentrations of a lipid peroxidation product were not altered by heat stress, suggesting that oxidative and nitrosative stress were not likely mediators of this phenomenon in vitro. In conclusion, hyperthermia produced increased permeability and marked intestinal epithelial damage both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that thermal disruption oi epithelial membranes contributes to the intestinal barrier dysfunction manifested with heat stress.
Histamine-induced adherence and migration of equine eosinophils.

OBJECTIVES To examine effects of histamine on equine eosinophil adherence in vitro and to determine the histamine receptor subtype(s) and cell surface adhesion molecules that mediate this response. In addition, to determine the receptor subtypes involved in histamine-induced eosinophil migration. ANIMALS 8 healthy ponies. PROCEDURE Effects of histamine on equine eosinophil adherence to serum- or fibronectin-coated plastic, and migration in a microchemotaxis assay were examined. In some experiments, eosinophils were pretreated with histamine receptor antagonists or monoclonal antibodies raised against cell adhesion molecules. For comparison, the effect of histamine on equine neutrophil adherence and migration was studied. RESULTS Histamine induced adherence of equine eosinophils, but not neutrophils, to serum- and fibronectin-coated plastic (P < 0.01). Histamine also caused migration of equine eosinophils, but not neutrophils (P < 0.01). Histamine-induced adherence and migration of equine eosinophils were inhibited by histamine, (H,)-receptor antagonists chlorpheniramine and mepyramine (P < 0.01), but not H2- or H3-receptor antagonists cimetidine and thioperamide. Monoclonal antibodies raised against CD18, but not very late antigen 4, reduced histamine-induced equine eosinophil adherence to serum- and fibronectin-coated plastic (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS When released from mast cells or basophils, histamine could stimulate adherence and migration of equine eosinophils via H, receptor activation and induce adherence of equine eosinophils to opsonized surfaces or dermal connective tissue matrix proteins via CD18 activation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Histamine may have a part in regulating equine eosinophil function during parasitic killing or antigen-induced responses in horses with insect hypersensitivity.
Interspecies co-use of southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) burrows

Burrows can provide refuge for both burrowing and non-burrowing species within harsh environments through protection from climatic extremes, water loss and predation. In Australia, however, despite having a rich diversity of burrowing mammals, little is known about the use of burrows by non-burrowing species. This study aimed to identify the extent of co-use of southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) burrows on Wedge Island off the coast of South Australia. Burrow use was monitored using 34 motion-activated cameras placed outside wombat burrows between March and September 2015. Eleven species were found to use burrows, with six commensal species observed using burrows on numerous occasions. These included two mammal species (black-footed rock-wallaby, Petrogale lateralis pearsoni; brush-tailed bettong, Bettongia penicillata), three reptile species (peninsula dragon, Ctenophorus fionni; southern sand-skink, Liopholis multiscutata; White’s skink, Liopholis whitii), and one avian species (little penguin, Eudyptula minor). The most common species observed using burrows was the black-footed rock-wallaby, which was recorded using burrows 1795 times. Observations of wombats using burrows were made 1674 times. The prevalent use of burrows on Wedge Island by species other than wombats is an observation with potentially important and broad ecological, conservation, and management implications across Australia’s arid and semiarid zones.
Optimising nearest neighbour information—a simple, efficient sampling strategy for forestry plot imputation using remotely sensed data

ABSTRACT The rapid adoption of LiDAR-assisted forest inventory, together with nearest neighbour imputation, has created new challenges for those involved in sample selection. It is not obvious a priori what type of sample will be the most efficient when used with imputation. In this paper we explore a number of sampling approaches, including conventional methods such as stratification, spatial methods based on tessellations, and balanced sampling. We introduce a new approach called nearest centroid (NC) that optimises the survey design by using the distance properties of the sample in the space defined by the auxiliary variables, and examine this and other methods across a range of survey situations and objectives. The NC method is shown to be highly efficient when compared with other methods and is very flexible in the way it can be implemented.
Evaluation of effectiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum strains on broad beans

Broad beans are grown worldwide as a source of protein in human diets, forage crop for animals, and for increasing nitrogen content in the soil. Experiments were carried out to investigate the effectiveness of four Rhizobium leguminosarum strains from the collection of Latvia University of Agriculture. Two cultivars of broad beans ‘Bartek’ and ‘Karmazyn’ were used. Experiments were located in three places with different soil mineral and chemical composition and pH. Streptomicine resistant strains Nr. 23, 110, 407 and 505 were used. Seeds were treated with suspension of bacteria before sowing. Control was without treatment. Plant weight, dry matter and protein content in plants and seeds were analyzed at the flowering stage and at the end of experiment. During flowering stage number of nodules was evaluated. Experiments were done in four replications with 10 plants in each replicate. Results showed that strain efficiency depended on interaction between strain, soil conditions and cultivar. In average higher number of nodules was observed in the roots of ‘Karmazyn’, but it doesn’t reflect on yield. Higher yields, dry mater and protein content in seeds were observed for ‘Bartek’. Correlation between protein content and soil fertility was observed in different locations. Strain Nr. 407 promoted protein accumulation in the seeds of both cultivars.