Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ecological performance of tetra-, penta- and hexaploid geophyte Allium oleraceum in reciprocal transplant experiment may explain the occurrence of multiple-cytotype populations

Aims Many polyploids are geographically separated from their lowerploidy progenitors at a variety of spatial scales. Diverse adaptive and non-adaptive mechanisms have been suggested to contribute to these spatial patterns. A long-standing hypothesis holds that polyploids are established and persist due to specialization to different ecological conditions compared to their progenitors. However, experimental approaches testing this hypothesis remain rare. Empirical evidence for niche differences among ploidy levels has been found previously for the European polyploid geophyte Allium oleraceum. Here, we conducted a 5-year reciprocal transplant experiment with tetraploid, pentaploid and hexaploid A. oleraceum to test for adaptation at the ploidy and population levels. Methods In 2006, we sowed 2160 aerial bulbils among six sites (two per cytotype, central and western Moravia, the Czech Republic) and monitored their emergence in 2007, their survival until 2011 and their performance in 2011. Important Findings The emergence of bulbils was high at all target sites, and no evidence for niche differentiation among cytotypes was recorded in the first year. Survival in the following years was relatively high, but significantly better survival for plants of home ploidy than foreign ploidy was recorded. No plant reached the reproductive stage during our experiment. Adopting a strict definition of local adaptation, local plants only rarely performed better than foreign plants at both sites in pairwise comparisons within a cytotype. Together, our results suggest weak niche differentiation among cytotypes and provide limited support for the existence of local adaptation within cytotypes. Thus, all cytotypes are able to establish in habitats typically populated by other cytotypes via aerial bulbil spread, but will likely die out gradually in non-native habitats. This ability may explain the occurrence of some multiple-cytotype populations. The complex spatial pattern of A. oleraceum cytotypes is therefore the result of several interacting factors, including niche differentiation among cytotypes, the different evolutionary ages of cytotypes, the existence of gene flow between and within cytotypes, the dominance of clonality and stochastic events linked to anthropogenic dispersal and disturbance.
Prenatal dexamethasone leads to both endothelial dysfunction and vasodilatory compensation in sheep

We investigated long‐term cardiovascular effects in the offspring of sheep exposed to prenatal dexamethasone (DM). We assessed in vitro vascular responsiveness and evaluated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) message and protein levels in femoral muscle removed from 5‐month‐old sheep. Dexamethasone was administered i.m. to pregnant ewes as 3 weekly courses (4 × 2 mg at 12 h intervals), starting on day 103 of gestation (term ≈149 days). Ewes were allowed to lamb. At 5 months of age a carotid catheter was placed for blood pressure measurement and hamstring muscle was removed from the lambs under general anaesthesia. We demonstrate that following prenatal DM exposure in the 5‐month‐old offspring: (1) blood pressure is unchanged; (2) as previously reported in the fetus, sensitivity to endothelin‐1 (ET) is increased; (3) acetylcholine‐induced relaxation is increased; (4) l‐NAME suppressible vasodilatory response to ET is abolished; (5) there is no change in endothelium‐independent vasodilatation; and (6) there is no change in eNOS RNA and protein levels, when compared to saline treated controls. We speculate that decreased agonist‐induced NO release is not due to alteration in gene expression, but is more likely to be a post‐transcriptional event. In summary, the lack of a difference in resting mean arterial pressure (MAP) between DM and control lambs indicates that the compensation we have previously demonstrated in the fetus following glucocorticoid exposure persists to 5 months postnatal age. Compensation is likely due to non‐NO‐dependent mechanisms, since no evidence was found of upregulated NOS.
Gibberellic acid-induced flowering of Syngonium podophyllum schott 'White butterfly'

Syngonium 'White Butterfly', growing in 1.6-L pots and treated in August with a single GA 3 spray at 250 to 2000 mg.L -1 , flowered within 86 days. Mean flower number increased with GA 3 concentration. Flowers were normal in appearance and were fertile. Chemical name used: gibberellic acid (GA 3 ).
Land Degradation Analysis by Using Landscape Balance in Lebak Swamp Jakabaring South Sumatra

This research aimed to analyze land degradation by using landscape balances in lebak swamp Jakabaring South Sumatra. The study was carried out in Jakabaring, South of Palembang. Field survey method was applied, the field observations and respondents were taken by randomly purposive sampling. The interviews with farmers were done by using open questionnaire. The study resulted that erosion and abrasion rises above 1,000 % which includes the acreage of 1.16 % in 1988 to 12.34 % in 2015. The landscape becomes more dynamic from year to year (namely 88.75 % of normal landscape in 1988 and becoming 68.14 % in 2015). The drought in the lebak swamp is increasingly unpredictable, making it difficult for farmers to manage their farming activities. Deposited landscape was found about 272.43 ha (10.09 %) in 1988 and increased to approximately 527.04 ha (19.52 %) in 2015. Lebak swamp serves a lot of coming water from the upstream catchment area of approximately 3 million ha. This service is more and more complicated, irregular and burden lebak swamps. The lebak swamp ecosystem has not only enormous potential, but also has a very high resilience.
Inhibitory Effects of Cembratriene- 4,6-diol Derivatives on the Induction of Epstein-Barr Virus Early Antigen by 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol- 13-acetate

Wehave reported that a short-term in vitro assay system to test inhibitory effects on the induction of the early antigen (EA) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in lymphoblastoid Raji cells which carried the EBV-genome is a very useful means of screening inhibitors of tumor promotion.1 ~3) Using this assay system, we have isolated two diastereoisomers of 2,7, 1 l-cembratriene-4,6-diol (aand /? -CBT) which showed potent inhibitory effects on the induction of EBV-EA by 12-<9-tetradecanoylphorbol13-acetate (TPA), a potent tumor promoter, from cigarette smoke condensate.2) aand /? -CBT also inhibited the induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity by TPA in mouse epidermis2); this short-term in vivo assay system is used for detecting tumor promoters40 and anti-tumor promoters.5) Furthermore, these CBT inhibited the promoting effect of TPAon skin tumor formation initiated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in mice.2) These results prompted us to examine the relationship between the anti-tumor promoting activity and the structure of CBTand its derivatives. In this study, we tested the inhibitory effects of CBTderivatives on the induction of EBV-EA by TPA. The structures of the CBT derivatives tested in this study are shown in Fig. 1. Compounds 6,6) 8,7) and 97)
Biological characteristics of Pachygrapsus marmoratus in the southern Black Sea (Turkey)

The present study was carried out to evaluate the biological characteristics of Pachygrapsus marmoratus in the southern Black Sea, Ordu, Turkey. A total of 1503 crabs, ranging from 0.9 to 4.3 cm in carapace length (CL), were collected monthly from November 2012 to October 2013. Female:male ratio was found to be 1:1. Measured male and female crabs were grouped in 0.49 cm CL class intervals. The mean CL, carapace width (CW) and weight (W) were determined as 2.55 ± 0.02 cm, 2.90 ± 0.02 cm and 14.21 ± 0.27 g, respectively, for all individuals. Correlation analysis was also conducted to reveal relationships between size parameters for males and females as well as between egg number and size. The b values of CW and W for male, female and ovigerous crabs were found to be 3.1, 3.06 and 2.95, respectively. Number of large-sized individuals and growth rate was higher in males compared to females.The highest correlation was found between CW and CL in both sexes. The mean condition index values were calculated as 49.03 for males and 45.79 for females. Ovigerous females were observed only from May to July 2013. The fecundity estimates ranged from 8989 to 151,578 eggs/crab, with an average value of 57,814.53 ± 3349 eggs/crab. The egg diameter ranged between 328.40 μm and 423.38 μm, with a mean size of 365.83 ± 1.97 μm. There was a positive relationship between egg number and female size.
Erzurum Kent Merkezi Donati Elemanlarinin Ergonomik Özelliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi Üzerine Bir Araştirma

Equipment elements are among the indispensible components in life and they are in the first rows among the designed and solution elements which are capable of making an area liveable; load this area a meaning; and meet the functional and aesthetical needs of people. Equipment elements comprise of a very wide range of details used to give form and functionality to a city; from lamp posts to waste boxes; open or closed sitting area to seat units; plant containers to pavement coatings; spring fountains and aquatic elements to warning and direction tables and phone boxes or bus stops. In this study, equipment elements in Erzurum city were evaluated in the respect of their ergonomy and effects on human health considering their efficiencies, ergonomies, positions and functional and aesthetical conditions. Consequently, it was found that some of the equipment elements were very far from functionality since they were fully or partly devastated, while some were not suitable for human health for various ergonomic reasons and some were quantitatively inefficient.
Log-Series and Log-Normal Parameters as Diversity Discriminants for the Lepidoptera

When H. W. Bates (1863) and A. R. Wallace (1853) first wrote about the diversity of tropical butterflies, they were deeply impressed by the variety in a visual sample. '. no description can convey an adequate notion of the beauty and diversity in form and colour of this class of insects. ' (Bates 1892 edn, p. 351). 'I do not speak of the quantity of individuals . but the variety or in other words, the number of species, is very great' (p. 52). Nevertheless, some species were excessively common; 'They assembled in denselypacked masses . so that the beach looked as though variegated with beds of crocuses''The greater portion of them belonging to the genus Callidryas' (p. 128). But many species were rare; 'An infinite number of curious and rare species may then be taken, most diversified in habits, mode of flight, colours and markings . ' (p. 52). This property of diversity, recognized by all the great naturalists to distinguish some faunas, or fioras, from others, is undoubtedly real. Nevertheless it has been quantitatively elusive enough to lead some later writers to question, not only its form, but even its existence. There is no doubt in our minds that species diversity, divested of the encumbrance of species names, responds sensitively to both the physical and biological environments. However, to investigate this response requires the formulation of a diversity measure that behaves as intuition demands; the proof of this pudding is entirely in the eating. Nearly a century after Bates' and Wallace's expedition, when R. A. Fisher required a descriptive function for species frequency in the tropical butterfly collections of A. S. Corbet and the temperate moth collections of C. B. Williams, he derived the logarithmic series and suggested that one of its parameters, a, might be useful as a measure of species richness (Fisher, Corbet & Williams 1943). Although Fisher, in his paper, developed the log-series as a consequence of a gamma distribution of species abundance in the population, it is likely that he originally conceived it as a natural extension of the hyperbolic series which had been used previously by Corbet (1941); the idea of an underlying model came later. Dr C. B. Williams shares this view, and is further convinced that Fisher had no conception of a biological model at the level of species interaction. However that may be, Fisher's mathematical intuition enabled him to show that the data could be described by a two parameter model, with one of the natural defining parameters, x, devoted to sample characteristics, and the other, a, characterizing the required population quality in the way the naturalists' intuition sought. Williams saw the possibilities of oc as an index of diversity and later (Williams 1964) explored the wide range of material apparently capable of description by the log-series. However, he did not dig deeply into the behaviour of a in response to environmental difference and change, except in its seasonal cycles.
Liver transplantation in patients with Budd‐Chiari syndrome

Abstract Patients with Budd‐Chiari syndrome (obstruction of the hepatic veins) and associated hepatic insufficiency may be candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In our series of 405 OLT patients, 3 were transplanted due to Budd‐Chiari syndrome (0.7%). The indication for liver transplantation in these patients was severe hepatic insufficiency (chronic in two and acute in the third one). Morphologic study of the obstructions revealed apparently different causes, including thrombi, membranous webs in hepatic veins, and hydatid cyst compression. The surgical technique employed in these transplantations was similar to that for other etiologies. Due to its implications for the future course of OLT, it is important to determine the exact etiology of Budd‐Chiari syndrome in the pretransplant period and to treat the patients with early and long‐term anticoagulant therapy to avoid syndrome recurrence.
A comparison of the effects of gravity and the nutritional advantage of leaf surfaces on fecundity in the two-spotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The tendency of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, to lay eggs on the abaxial (lower) side of host plant leaves has been explained as an adaptation to avoid rainfall and solar ultraviolet radiation. However, differences in the nutrition and effects of gravity between the abaxial and adaxial (upper) leaf surface could affect mite fi tness. We investigated the fecundity of mites using kidney bean leaf discs with their adaxial or abaxial sides facing upward or downward. Fecundity was greater on adaxial leaf surfaces and on leaf discs facing downward but did not differ between adaxial surfaces facing upward and abaxial surfaces facing downward, suggesting that the effects of gravity and nutrition compensated for each other. Consequently, although leaf surface nutrition and gravity direction affected fecundity, these factors do not explain the biased distribution of T. urticae.
Seasonal Spermatogenesis in Sympatric Crotalus viridis and Arizona elegans in New Mexico

Seasonal spermatogenesis was examined in sympatric Crotalus viridis and Arizona elegans in New Mexico. Seminiferous tubule recrudescence and spermatogenesis were similar in these species but were delayed six weeks in A. elegans. This delay appeared to be due to differences in seasonal and diel activities of the two species. The initiation and completion of spermatogenesis can be experimentally induced by warm temperatures, in the abence of a photoperiod (OL:24D) in A. elegans.
Infection‐associated cellular activation accelerates chronic renal allograft rejection in rats

Abstract The etiology of chronic rejection is unknown, although acute rejection, viral infection, and initial graft ischemia have been implicated. To test the effects of infections on the process of chronic rejection, we simulated bacterial infection by the administration of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potent activator of various cell types in an established rat model of chronic rejection. Lewis recipients of Fisher 344 kidneys were treated with a single dose of LPS or vehicle 8 weeks following transplantation and grafts were examined at various time points. In the chronically rejecting controls, leukocytic infiltration and the expression of cy‐tokines peaked at 16 weeks. In LPS‐treated hosts, leukocyte infiltration and cytokine expression peaked at 12 weeks. By 16 weeks, glomeruli in LPS‐treated recipients had become far more sclerotic than those in controls, mimicking the changes observed in controls at 24 weeks. We conclude that infections may play an important role in the development of chronic rejection.
Waterborne copper impairs grazer‐induced colony formation and photosynthetic efficiency in Scenedesmus obliquus

Grazer‐induced defense in phytoplankton is known to stabilize community dynamics within aquatic environments. Metal contamination in waters is of grave concern worldwide due to its cytotoxicity to organisms. With the aim of elucidating grazer‐induced defense responses in metal (Cu)‐contaminated waters, we grew the alga Scenedesmus obliquus in media with or without Daphnia filtrate at different concentrations of free Cu2+ (0.03–23.3 × 10−3 μmol L−1). In the presence of Daphnia filtrate, S. obliquus cultured in healthy conditions (0.03 × 10−3 μmol L−1 free Cu2+) was comprised of 60.4% eight‐celled colonies, with 3.4 cells per particle on average on day 3. At Cu2+ concentrations higher than 2.91 × 10−3 μmol L−1, algal growth and photosynthetic efficiency decreased along with reduction in the proportions of colonial populations. Exposure to ≤ 0.89 × 10−3 μmol L−1 free Cu2+ had no significant effect on algal growth and photosynthesis; however, the ability of S. obliquus to form colonies in response to Daphnia filtrate was impaired. These results suggest high sensitivity of grazer‐induced morphological defense to Cu toxicity in Scenedesmus. Metal contamination may result in inducible defended algae being easily grazed by small herbivores, potentially changing the energy flow along the food chain in contaminated waters.
Effects of timing and soil moisture on the allelopathic activity of itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) in soil

Abstract Farmers in the Chaehom-Lampang area of northern Thailand use itchgrass [Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W. D. Clayton] as a mulching material for weed control in vegetable crops. Almost all allelopathic activity due to the release of allelochemicals from itchgrass occurs in field conditions. Therefore, the phytotoxicity of soil amended with itchgrass powder was investigated under laboratory condition. To examine residual allelopathic activity, five application times (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after incorporation [DAI]), powder of two itchgrass parts (shoot and root) and three concentrations of each powder (0, 0.01 and 0.1 g g−1 soil) were tested. To determine the effect of soil conditions on allelopathic activity, five application times (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 DAI), powders of two itchgrass parts (shoot and root) and three soil conditions (dry, half-saturated and submerged) were tested. Incorporating itchgrass powder into the soil had inhibitory allelopathic effects on the growth of Ageratum conyzoides L. and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. and the effectiveness was intensified with increased concentrations of itchgrass powder. The allelopathic activity of itchgrass in soil persisted for a maximum of 15 DAI and then decreased over time. The allelopathic activity of itchgrass was the highest under dry conditions followed by half-saturated and submerged conditions. These results suggest that the allelopathic activity of itchgrass is influenced by timing and soil moisture condition.
Habitat utilization patterns determine the physiological condition of Cynoscion regalis during estuarine residency

For many species, quantifying nursery function of estuarine habitats, including tidal salt marshes, for early life stages is complicated by multiple habitat shifts over their period of estu- arine residency. Our study relates the physiological condition of young of the year (YOY) of a mar- ine transient species (weakfish Cynoscion regalis) to the quality of habitats frequented during their period of estuarine residency by examining their physiological condition (energetic reserves in the form of triacylglycerol, normalized to the expected changes with length) as a function of habitat use patterns and corresponding stable isotope signatures. In addition, for C. regalis preparing to emi- grate offshore to wintering grounds, we evaluated the benefit of energetic reserves towards miti- gating over-winter starvation in the context of individual metabolic rate. We found significant spa- tial distribution in the physiological condition of YOY C. regalis over their period of estuarine residency, with those utilizing polyhaline salt marshes consistently having comparable or higher condition across all years of the study. For C. regalis preparing to emigrate to offshore, we found inter-annual variability both in the relative utilization of marsh versus open bay regions and in their associated energetic reserves. However, variability in reserves was not reflected in the potential benefit of reserves in mitigating over-winter starvation, suggesting plasticity in energy allocation for YOY C. regalis. These results demonstrate that both the habitats utilized over the period of estu- arine residency and larger-scale inter-annual variability can affect the condition and preparedness of YOY marine transients for the rigors of migration and over-wintering.
Range-wide declines of a key Neotropical ecosystem architect, the Near Threatened white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari

Abstract We report a range-wide status assessment of a key Neotropical ecosystem architect, the white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari, categorized as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, using published information and unpublished data from 41 scientists in 15 range countries. We estimate that the white-lipped peccary has been extirpated in 21% of its historical range over the last 100 years, with reduced abundance and a low to medium probability of long-term survival in another 48% of its current range. We found major range declines in Argentina, Paraguay, southern Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, north-east Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica. This species is particularly at risk in more xeric ecosystems, especially the caatinga, cerrado and pampas. Hunting and habitat destruction are the most severe threats, although there are also unexplained sudden die-offs suggestive of disease. We evaluate our results in light of this species’ important interspecific interactions and its role as an ecosystem architect. One of our recommendations is that conservation efforts should focus on landscape conservation of large, continuous and ecologically intact areas containing a mosaic of different habitat types.