Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How plot shape and spatial arrangement affect plant species richness counts: implications for sampling design and rarefaction analyses

Questions: How does the spatial configuration of sampling units influence recorded plant species richness values at small spatial scales? What are the consequences of these findings for sampling methodology and rarefaction analyses? Location: Six semi-natural grasslands in Western Eurasia (France, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Turkey). Methods: In each site we established six blocks of 40 cm × 280 cm, subdivided into 5 cm × 5 cm micro-quadrats, on which we recorded vascular plant species presence with the rooted (all sites) and shoot (four sites) presence method. Data of these micro-quadrats were then combined to achieve larger sampling units of 0.01, 0.04 and 0.16 m² grain size with six different spatial configurations (square, 4:1 rectangle, 16:1 rectangle, three variants of discontiguous randomly placed micro-quadrats). The effect of the spatial configurations on species richness was quantified as relative richness compared to the mean richness of the square of the same surface area. Results: Square sampling units had significantly lower species richness than other spatial configurations in all countries. For 4:1 and 16:1 rectangles, the increase of rooted richness was on average about 2% and 8%, respectively. In contrast, the average richness increase for discontiguous configurations was 7%, 17% and 40%. In general, increases were higher with shoot presence than with rooted presence. Overall, the patterns of richness increase were highly consistent across six countries, three grain sizes and two recording methods. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the shape of sampling units has negligible effects on species richness values when the length–width ratio is up to 4:1, and the effects remain small even for more elongated contiguous configurations. In contrast, results from discontiguous sampling units are not directly comparable with those of contiguous sampling units, and are strongly confounded by spatial extent. This is particularly problematic for rarefaction studies where spatial extent is often not controlled for. We suggest that the concept of effective area is a useful tool to report effects of spatial configuration on richness values, and introduce species–extent relationships (SERs) to describe richness increases of different spatial configurations of sampling units. © 2016 International Association for Vegetation Science
Leaf anatomical studies on selected species of Scrophularia L. (Scrophulariaceae) in Iran

In this survey, anatomical characteristics of leaves in 35 populations belonging to 18 taxa of Scrophularia have been studied. Among 39 quantitative and qualitative anatomical characters, some have more suitable taxonomic value for differentiation of taxa, such as blade thickness, thickness of upper and lower cuticle of midrib, length of upper and lower palisade parenchyma of blade, thickness of lower epidermis wall of midrib, thickness of upper and lower epidermis of blade, rows of spongy parenchyma of blade, upper collenchyma type of midrib and the presence of idioblast. Finally, comparison of the results of the current study together with Grau’s (1981) results confirm the validity of 4 groups out of the 12 groups which he had introduced. As for the remaining groups, no noticeable concordance was found.
Out on a Limb: Arboreal Camera Traps as an Emerging Methodology for Inventorying Elusive Rainforest Mammals

Traditionally, arboreal rainforest mammals have been inventoried using ground-based survey techniques. However, given the success of camera traps in detecting secretive terrestrial rainforest mammals, camera trapping could also be a valuable tool for inventorying arboreal species. Here we assess, for the first time, the effectiveness of arboreal camera traps for inventorying arboreal rainforest mammals and compare the results with those from other methodologies. We do so in one of the world's most biodiverse conservation areas, the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru. We accumulated 1201 records of 24 arboreal mammal species. Eighteen species were detected by arboreal cameras, seven by diurnal line transects, six by nocturnal transects and eighteen through incidental observations. Six species were only detected using arboreal camera traps. Comparing arboreal camera traps with traditional ground-based techniques suggests camera traps are an effective tool for inventorying arboreal rainforest mammal communities. They also detected more cryptic species compared with other methodologies. Daily detection frequency patterns were found to differ between ground-based techniques and arboreal cameras. A cost-effort analysis indicated that despite greater upfront costs in equipment and training for arboreal camera trapping, when accounting for the additional survey hours required to provide similar numbers of records using ground-based methods, overall costs were similar. Our work demonstrates that arboreal camera trapping is likely to be a powerful technique for inventorying canopy mammals. The method has considerable potential for the study of charismatic and threatened arboreal mammal species that may otherwise remain largely unknown and could quietly disappear from the world's tropical forests.
Multi-gene resistance to neonicotinoids in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, is a significant pest of potato, and its impact on agriculture is measured on a global scale. The beetle is mainly controlled by neonicotinoid insecticides, however, resistance development is a growing concern. Resistance to neonicotinoids is thought to involve elevated activity of detoxifying enzymes and xenobiotic transporters that break-down and excrete insecticide molecules. Here, using mRNA sequencing, I identified multiple detoxifying enzyme and xenobiotic transporter genes transcriptionally up-regulated in a neonicotinoid resistant strain of beetles. I then used RNA interference to knock down the transcript levels of the ten most promising genes in resistant beetles to test their possible roles in resistance. The silencing of two detoxifying enzyme genes, a cytochrome P450 (CYP4Q3) and a uridine 5'-diphospho-glycosyltransferase (UGT 2B5), significantly increased susceptibility of resistant beetles to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid. My results indicate that over-expression of these two genes contributes to neonicotinoid resistance.
Clonal Assessment of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) Lines for Flower and Seed Characteristics in Jos-Plataeu, Nigeria

A study was carried out during the wet season of 2013 at the Potato Research Farm of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Kuru, Plateau State, to assess five sweet potato clones procured from the NRCRI, Umudike, Nigeria, for flowering and seed characteristics. The clones TIS.2532. OP.1. 13, TIS.87/0087, CIPM 3, CIPM 31 and Ex-Igbariam were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the mean number of days to onset of flowering was highest in the clone CIPM 31 (102 days after planting) and lowest in the clone TIS.2532. OP.1. 13 (56.67 days after planting). The highest mean number of flowers per plant was observed in the clone CIPM 31 and lowest in the clone TIS.2532. OP.1. 13. The mean seed weight per plant was highest in clone TIS.2532. OP.1. 13 and lowest in the clone CIPM.31. The study showed that the pattern of flowering and the potential of seed production in the sweet potato varied with clone. There is, therefore, high prospect for improving the sweet potato through hybridization and controlled pollination in the Jos-Plateau environment.
ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY ON THE INVASIVE WEED Cynanchum acutum L.

The invasive weed, Cynanchum acutum, was collected from nine different habitat sites from Damietta and Kaliobia governorates. There were 27 associated species with C. acutum belonging to 24 genera and related to 15 families. Analysis of variance indicated that soil variables were significantly different at 0.001 level except for pH. The same was also detected for the functional morphological traits of C. acutum; all of the traits were significantly different at a level less than 0.001. On the other hand, there were great differences in carbohydrates, phenolics, protein and proline contents among the studied sites. There were differential correlations between functional physiological traits of C. acutum and the soil variables in the studied sites. Phenolics content was positively correlated with soil chloride but negatively correlated with soil moisture content. On the other hand, proline content was positively correlated with both soil calcium carbonate and bicarbonate. In addition, there was a close correlation between protein content and soil calcium carbonate and bicarbonate. Meanwhile, soil organic matter and available phosphorus correlated well with various physiological variables. Anyway, there was a positive correlation between available phosphorus and protein content. These present results might provide information about the soil characteristics supporting the plant growth in addition to possible expectations of the plant internal composition. These close correlations tend to indicate that the variation in growth and physiological function of C. acutum might be a consequence of the varied edaphic factors.
Ontogenesis of thyroid function and regulation in the developing chick embryo.

: B.H. Willier (Analysis of Development, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1955, pp. 574-619) hypothesized that the early differentiation and initial function of the glandular components of vertebrate endocrine axes are autonomous and that functional interdigitation of these glands occurs later in developmental time. The present review summarizes findings that indicate that the hypothalamus, pituitary, and thyroid glands of the developing chick embryo synthesize their appropriate hormones early in development, i.e., before day 5.5 of incubation. Observations also indicate that it is not until the days 10.5-11.5 embryonic period that the feed-forward and feed-backward components of the adenohypophyseal-thyroid or the hypothalamo-adenohypophyseal-thyroid axis mature. Evidence is also presented for a midgestational beginning of hypothalamic regulation of adenohypophyseal-thyroid unit function.
Irradiance and Plant Growth in Greenhouses during Winter

Turnip (Brassica rapa L.) growth in an unshaded, temperature-controlled greenhouse varied annually as a function of month. Growth was proportional to the average daily irradiance at plant level, but variance of the data suggested an interaction with some other environmental factor, possibly reduced substrate and plant temperature due to reradiation to the cold greenhouse glass at night during winter.
Comparison of gonadal gene expression patterns after masculinization of female Rainbow trout with an androgen or an aromatase inhibitor

t he aim of this study was to compare the effects of two masculinizing treatments; one with an androgen (11s-hydroxyandrostenedione, 11sand) and another with an aromatase inhibitor (androstenetrione, atD) on gonadal gene expression in the rainbow trout. Both treatments did not induce any morphological changes in gonads during the first seven days. The development of a testis-type gonad occurred around sixteen days after treatment and was preceded by a strong down-regulation of early ovarian differentiation genes (cyp19a1a, foxl2a, fst). in particular, a strong and quick inhibition of cyp19a1a was observed in the somatic extralamellar cells of ovaries. Simultaneously, a strong up-regulation of testis dif- ferentiation markers as dax1, pdgfra or dmrt1 was also observed. Several days after the development of a testis-type gonad atD restored the male pattern of gene expression in pre-Leydig cells (cyp11b2.1, hsd3b1, cyp17a) and pre-Sertoli cells (sox9a2, amh). Contrasting with that, the androgen treatment induced a strong down-regulation of these genes. our results clearly demonstrates that at least part of the disturbed gene expression pattern observed following androgen treatments is not necessary for masculinization to proceed as the at D treatment do not induce these dysregulations. t he late restoration of pre-Leydig gene expressions by ATD suggests that androgens are not involved in the early steps of ovary to testis trans- differentiation. Masculinization both with at D and 11sand shares in common the quick inhibition of female differentia - tion suggesting that this inhibition of the female pathway is the major required step towards an effective masculinization. In this context, the inhibition of estrogen synthesis capacity observed in both treatments would be the necessary condition for inducing an ovary to testis trans-differentiation.
The Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 Inhibitor CGP74514A inhibits cell proliferation, induces apoptosis and causes downregulation of Cyclin B1and accumulation of p53 in HepG2 cells

Cancer cells are characterized by dysregulation of proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis. Cell cycle and apoptosis are linked through proteins that play a role in the regulation of both pathways such as cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). Therefore, inhibition of CDK1 could be an attractive target in cancer therapy. Several pharmacologic inhibitors of CDKs have been developed and some are currently in clinical trials. The goal of the present work was to study the effect of the CDK1 inhibitor CGP74514A on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis using the HepG2 liver cancer cell line and to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. 5 µM CGP74514A markedly inhibited proliferation of HepG2 cells, induced an accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, inhibited colony formation and induced apoptosis. Studying the molecular changes in the protein expression of cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins revealed that treatment of HepG2 cells with CGP74514A resulted in marked down regulation of cyclin B protein and the T161 phosphorylation site of CDK1 (both are positive regulators of CDK1 activity) but no changes in CDK1 protein levels were observed. Furthermore, CGP74514A down regulated Chk1, however, it stabilized the protein levels of p53 and reduced the levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl2. Taken together, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anitproliferative and apoptotic effects of CGP74514A involved down regulation of cyclin B, abrogated phosphorylation at the T161 of Cdk1, reduced levels of Chk1, p53 stabilization and down regulation of Bcl2. Therefore, CGP74514A may have therapeutic implications in liver cancer.
Les maladies pyogènes du dromadaire en Ethiopie. Symptomatologie. Etiologie

L'etude des maladies pyogenes du dromadaire en Ethiopie permet de degager deux entites cliniques assez definies: le mala ou forme ganglionnaire et le maha ou doula ou necrose cutanee. Le mala principale maladie pyogene, est du a Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosi s et Streptococcus groupe B de Lancefield. C'est une affection chronique, se traduisant par des abces ganglionnaires a la base du cou et sur la croupe. Les streptocoques B et les staphylocoques dominent dans l'etiologie du maha, maladie cutanee a abces plats evoluant vers l'ulceration. Les autres affections pyogenes externes sont des infections localisees, liees a des traumatismes divers, et pour lesquelles sont isoles: streptocoque B (47 p. 100 des cas), Corynebacterium pyogenes (12,2 p. 100), staphylocoques (14 p. 100), bacteries du type Lactobacillus et, rarement Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, ainsi qu'un actinomycete presentant les caracteres de Dermatophilus congolensis
Tolerance of dung insects to low oxygen and high carbon dioxide concentrations

La tolerance envers les concentrations basses d'oxygene et les concentrations elevees de dioxyde de carbone a ete etudiee chez quatre especes d'insectes coprophages: les adultes des coleopteres Aphodius rufipes (L.), A. fimetarius (L.) (Aphodiidae), Sphaeridium scarabaeoides (L.) (Hydrophilidae) et les larves du troisieme stade du diptere Mesembrina meridiana (L.) (Muscidae). La tolerance a ete etudiee a travers la capacite de maintenir des mouvements normaux (marcher ou ramper) pendant 5 ou 30 minutes dans l'atmosphere experimentale. La concentration minimale d'oxygene autorisant une telle activite a ete estimee a 0,7% pour S. scarabaeoides et M. meridiana (5 min.) et 1,7% pour M. meridiana (30 min.) meme maniere, la limite maximale de dioxyde carbonique varie entre 17% pour M. meridiana (30 min.) et 25% pour S. scarabaeoides (5 min.). Bien que ces adaptations physiologiques soient remarquables, les niveaux d'oxygene et de dioxyde de carbone dans le centre des bouses de vache fraiches (contenant environ 85% d'eau) sont plus extremes que ceux testes dans cette experimentation. La partie centrale des bouses recemment deposees est donc probablement inutilisable de facon permanente par les insectes en depit de leurs adaptations extremes
Comparison of new particle formation events at two locations in northern Finland

During 21 months (April 2000-December 2001) of continuous aerosol particle number size distribution measurements in a subarctic area in northern Finland over 90 new particle formation events were observed. Measurements were done at two stations separated from each other by 250 kilometres. The Pallas station is located in western Lapland and Varrio station in eastern Lapland. New particle formation events were compared between the stations. Trajectories, trace gas concentrations and various weather parameters were investigated to explain the reasons for observed differences. According to trajectory analyses, all events were associated with marine/polar air masses originating from the northern Atlantic or the Arctic Ocean. 55% of particle formation events were observed at the same day on both sites, while on 45% of the cases particle formation was observed only at one of the stations. Most of these differences were explained by air masses of different origin or rain/fog on the other station. Among events observed only at the Varrio site, experiencing air masses from Kola Peninsula industrial area, about 80% were associated with high SO, concentrations. At the Pallas site no increase in SO 2 concentrations was observed. This is an indication that in plumes originating from the Kola industrial area, new particles are formed by nucleation involving H 2 SO 4 from SO 2 oxidation. The distance from Kola Peninsula to Pallas is long enough to reduce the SO 2 concentration level lower than needed to launch the nucleation process at Pallas. Also on some occasions the air masses arriving at Pallas had been reasonably higher up in the atmosphere as compared with air masses at the site closer to Kola Peninsula. Air masses at higher altitudes are not influenced so much by the Kola industry. Based on this work about one third of the nucleation events observed at Varrio are effected or caused by the Kola Peninsula industry.
Phytophthora Root Rot Mortality in Fraser Fir Seedlings

Seventeen-month-old seedlings from three fraser fir (Abies fraseri [Pursh] Poir.) seed sources (Mount Mitchell, Richland Balsam and Roan Mountain) were inoculated in an outdoor lath house with five genotypes of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. After 122 days, overall mortality was 90.5% with significant (p ≤ 0.07) differences among seed sources. The Mount Mitchell source had lower mortality (83.2%) than the Roan Mountain source (95.8%), while the Richland Balsam source (92.5%) was intermediate. Mortality curves were developed using nonlinear regression (Richards 'function). Due to a significant seed source x inoculum genotype interaction (p s 0.0001), equations were developed for each combination of seed source and inoculum genotype. Results suggest that while the overall frequency of resistance in fraser fir is low, seed sources differ in their frequency of resistance and that more than one resistance gene may be present. Survivors from this or similar inoculations could be cloned via grafting or rooted cuttings for further resistance testing and/or grafted into a Phytophthora-resistant fraser fir seed orchard.
Genetic studies of correlation and path coefficient analysis for seed oil, yield and fibre quality traits in cotton (G. hirsutum L.).

Correlation studies conducted using 4 lines, 7 testers and their 28 made with parents F1’s of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) revealed that seed cotton yield has positive significant correlation with days to fifty percent flowering, number of sympodia per plant, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, number of seed per boll, ginning outturn, lint index, seed index, and micronaire. In parents and hybrids, seed oil had negative correlation with seed cotton yield and days to first flowering. Seed oil had positive correlation with number of sympodia per plant, boll weight, number of seeds per boll, lint index, seed index and 2.5 per cent span length. Path analysis revealed that boll weight, number of sympodia per plant, lint index and number of seeds per boll directly influenced the seed cotton yield with high direct effects. Seed oil influenced the seed cotton yield negatively. The result of this study indicate that sympodia per plant, boll weight, number of seeds per boll, lint index, seed index and 2.5 per cent span length has been affected seed oil improvement in cotton. It was concluded that these characters should be considered as significant selection criteria for seed oil improvement in cotton.
Osmotic Dehydration of Button Mushroom

Osmotic dehydration of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) slices carried out done by dipping them in brine of different concentrations of salt (10%, 20% and 30%), mass ratios (1/10 and 1/25 w/w) solution at a temperature of 60°C, and duration of 30 minutes. With respect to water loss (WL) and salt gain (SG), with the increase in concentration of salt, the water loss increased and the solid gain decreased. The quality of dehydrated slices were evaluated on the basis of moisture per cent, non-enzymatic browning, rehydration ratio and colour values. The lowest moisture content (6.3%) and non-enzymatic browning (0.37) and highest rehydration ratio of 2.68 respectively was observed in treatment T6 (containing salt 30g and mushroom to solution ratio of 1:25) nad thus, was the best.
Physiological maturity in seeds of Atriplex cordobensis (Gandoger et Stuckert) : correlation with visual indicators

The purpose of this study was to characterize physiological maturity in seeds of A. cordobensis and correlate it with visual indicators. In seeds of A. cordobensis, physiological maturity (measured as maximum viability) is attained after maximum dry weight accumulation is completed (mass maturity). At this stage, 50% of the dispersal units are yellowish and the seed tegument is light brown, a visual indicator for the time of maximum seed viability. The accumulation of dry weight in seeds results from the increase in carbon stored in carbohydrates and proteins. Dry weight increases, however, are parallel to changes in carbohydrates rather than in protein content, suggesting that the former, and mostly starch, are the main storage substance in seeds of this species.