Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conservation management of Pinus palustris ecosystems from a landscape perspective

Abstract Question: Do case studies from silvicultural and restoration studies and applied conservation management in second-growth Pinus palustris stands provide unique insights for conservation models? Methods: A review of management paradigms that conserve the high biological diversity and rare species, drawn from characteristics in both second-growth and old-growth stands, is presented for fire-maintained Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) forests. Results: A common assumption that old-growth stands provide the primary information for the development of conservation management strategies de-emphasizes lessons learned from second-growth and restoration studies. Primary conservation management goals for the Pinus palustris ecosystem include the perpetual regeneration of the fire-maintained forest and conservation of the characteristically high biological diversity and rare species. Several attributes, such as a sustained population of Picoides borealis (red-cockaded woodpecker), Aristida stricta (wiregrass)-dominated ground cover, and undisturbed upland-wetland ecotones, can predict a diverse and ecologically functional ecosystem. Such indicators are linked to critical structural and functional features of the system and reflect previous land management histories that suggest sustainable approaches. Conclusions: A traditional definition of ‘old-growth’ relying on overstorey may be limited in describing important features of healthy, diverse Pinus palustris ecosystems. Some characteristics are significantly more important for maintenance of diversity than age of the trees and these features may be present in old- or second-growth forests. We advocate that the management history, structural characteristics and landscape context of stands that harbour desirable conservation attributes (red-cockaded woodpeckers, wiregrass, gopher tortoises and undisturbed upland-wetland ecotones) can be used as indicators to identify important conservation and forest management principles. Abbreviation: NWR = St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge; RCW = Red cockaded woodpecker; SNA = Stoddard-Neel approach.
Estudo do óleo essencial de algumas espécies do gênero Baccharis (Asteraceae) do sul do Brasil

About 15% of the known Baccharis species have been phytochemically studied, but few studies regarding their essential oils have been reported. The present work aims to identify native species of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, and to evaluate their aromatic potential. Twelve samples were collected in different sites within the State. The essential oils were obtained by an one hour hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus, using plant materials dried for four days at 30°C. The GC analyses were carried out with a HP6890 Series apparatus, equiped with a HP-Chemstation data processor and an HP-Innowax column. The GC/MS analyses were carried out with an HP 6890/MSD5973, equiped with an HP Chemstation and a Wiley 275 spectra library, using the same column as above. The best yield was those of B. articulata (0.5% v/w). b-Pinene was identified as the main component in the samples from B. articulata (41.4% to 52.8%) and from B. cogata (27.2%). Spathulenol was present in the samples from B. semiserrata (15.5% and 25.5%) and those from B. uncinella (47.7% and 23.1%). B. oxyodonta showed limonene (24.3%). Two samples of B. milleflora had spathulenol as main component, but a third one had b-pinene as main constituent.
Tissue browning of in vitro cultures of Scots pine: Role of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase

Callus cultures from shoot tips of mature Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were characterized by rapid browning and an inability to regenerate. The peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities and relationship to browning in such cultures were compared with embryogenic and non-embryogenic cultures of Scots pine, started from immature embryos of three different pine clones. The browning in callus cultures derived from pine buds was visible approximately after 2 weeks of culture, and continued thereafter until the callus was dark brown and poorly growing. The non-embryogenic cultures induced from immature embryos showed either light yellow coloring or browning, whereas the embryogenic cultures showed browning. POb activity increased during the first 4 weeks in callus tissue initiated from pine buds, and was significantly higher than in pine buds or cultures derived from immature embryos. The ability of cultures initiated from pine buds to oxidize catechol was notably high compared with cultures initiated from immature embryos, regardless of the time of measurement. Addition of catalase revealed that both POD and PPO were able to use catechol as substrate. An antibody raised against broad bean (Vicia faba) chloroplast PPO was used to recognize PPO. One polypeptide with a molecular mass of 50 kDa was detected in all pine samples on SDS-PAGE and non-denaturing PAGE. Another polypeptide with a molecular mass of 70 kDa was shown exclusively in the light-yellow non-embryogenic cultures. The results suggest that especially the high POD activities in callus tissues started from mature trees cause rapid and early browning and possibly subsequent cell death.
Influence of age, season, lactation on haematology and iron biochemistry of crossbred cattle.

Hematology and iron metabolism profile was determined in crossbred cattle in relation to age, season and lactation. Mean values of PCV and MCV were significantly higher in heifers (1–3 years) and PCV in old (>9 years) cattle. The plasma iron concentration was lowest in heifers. The values of Hb, PCV, TEC, plasma iron and total iron binding capacity were lower in lactating and MCHC was higher in lactating than non-lactating cows. Mean PCV and MCV was high during winter and spring season as compared to summer and rainy season. Mean MCH value was the lowest in rainy season whereas MCHC was the highest in summer. Season did not affect plasma Fe, total iron binding capacity and per cent transferrin saturation. Plasma Fe concentration varied from 87–269.6 μg. dl–1, total iron binding capacity varied widely from 181.6 to 887μg. dl–1 and transferrin saturation from 18.2 to 80% in cattle.
Fiscal policy, total factor productivity and economic growth in advanced economies

This paper empirically examines the role of fiscal policy in explaining the persistence of weak economic growth in most developed economies since the recent financial/economic crisis. To this end, we estimate the impact of fiscal policy variables on total factor productivity and its implications for economic growth rates over the 2000-2015 period by applying a random varying coefficients growth-accounting model to data from 27 OECD countries classified into four groups according to their total government outlays relative to GDP. We also divide the period under study into two sub-periods of 2000-2007 and 2008-2015 in an attempt to shed some light on the sluggish growth after the recent financial/economic crisis. Our group-wise as well as period-wise results indicate that economic growth is impacted adversely by the size of total government outlays relative to GDP while the growth of government consumption has an unambiguously positive impact on total factor productivity and economic growth. The increase in the former and the decrease in the latter over the 2008-2015 sub-period might explain why growth has been sluggish over this sub-period.
Inhibitory effect of light on methane oxidation in the pelagic water column of a mesotrophic lake (Lake Biwa, Japan)

Methane oxidation was studied in mesotrophic lake water (Lake Biwa, Japan) under thermally stratified conditions. Methane oxidation rates at in situ concentrations were very low in lake water from the epilimnion and thermocline but were high in hypolimnetic water. Incubation under light conditions ranging from 4.1 to 57 µmol photons m−2 s−1 resulted in decreased methane oxidation in hypolimnetic water. This inhibition was more severe as the light intensity increased. Addition of inorganic nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate) did not promote methane oxidation in the thermocline but inhibited it in the hypolimnion. Methane oxidation activity in the thermocline was observed after 1 month of incubation under dark conditions. Our results suggest that the inhibitory effect of light was bacteriostatic for the methanotrophic population. The different rates of methane oxidation between the hypolimnion and epilimnion/thermocline may explain the surface maximum of dissolved methane during the period of thermal stratification.
Resolving Some of the Complexity of a Mixed-Origin Walleye Population in the East Basin of Lake Erie Using a Mark–Recapture Study

Abstract At least two genetically distinct populations of walleye Sander vitreus reproduce in Lake Erie: one west-basin-origin population and one east-basin-origin population. Each year, some west-basin-origin walleyes migrate to the east basin and create a mixed-origin walleye population. Uncertainties associated with this migratory behavior make it difficult to describe the dynamics of the east-basin-origin population. We used mark–recapture analysis to estimate the dynamics of the east-basin-origin walleye population and to measure the contribution of west-basin-origin walleyes to the total walleye harvest in the east basin. Compared with the west-basin-origin walleyes, the east-basin-origin walleyes experienced lower fishing pressure, lower natural mortality, and a higher survival rate. On average, the west-basin-origin walleye migrants comprised about 90% of the annual harvest in the east basin. The number of the west-basin-origin walleyes migrating to the east basin was linearly related to their abu.
Partial migration in a landlocked brown trout population

Population densities of landlocked lake-migratory brown trout Salmo trutta were estimated in two distinct lotic sections, separated by a lentic segment, in the Greana River, Sweden, and individual growth and habitat use were monitored for 835 tagged brown trout from September 1998 to June 2000. Residency dominated in the upstream section where density of 0+ and 1+ year brown trout was low and growth rate high. In contrast, >90% of the brown trout that migrated to the lake originated from the downstream section, where density was high and growth rate low. For ≥2+ year individuals, growth rate was similar between the two stream sections, but densities were higher in the upstream than in the downstream section. Lake-migrants had higher growth rates than non-migrants (residents) during the autumn of both years. From September to May, migrants increased their body mass by >35%, whereas non-migrants increased by <5%. Approximately 70% of the brown trout moved <10 m and <2% moved between the two stream sections. indicating that the lentic habitat might function as a barrier for juveniles. Differences in migratory behaviour, density and growth between the upstream and the downstream section might indicate that environmental factors influence the decision to migrate. It cannot be excluded, however, that the observed differences are genetically programmed, selected by migration costs that favour migratory behaviour downstream and residency upstream.
The salivary gland chromosomes of seven species of Prosimulium (Diptera, Simuliidae) in the mixtum (IIIL-1) group

The paper has two aspects: (1) It describes the salivary gland chromosomes of Prosimulium mixtum, P. saltus, P. approximatum, P. mysticum, and P. rhizophorum of the eastern North American IIIL-1 or mixtum group. The chromosomes of P. fontanum (CIt, IIIL-1) have been described previously. Description of the complement of P. fuscum (IIIL) is included because of the apparent close relationship of that species and P. mixtum. The cytological criteria provided should make possible identification of last-instar larvae of all known species of the IIIL-1 group. (2) The study leads to some inferences regarding evolutionary mechanisms. The centromere region of each of the three chromosomes exists in at least two alternate forms (CIs/CIt, CIIs/CIIi, CIIIs/CIIIi); sex chromosomes may be based on one or the other of the two alternative sequences in CIII, and extra heterochromatin and chromocenters may be present or absent. Contrary to a priori concepts, which visualize restriction of new chromosomal traits to single li.
Cereus jamacaru seed germination and initial seedling establishment as a function of light and temperature conditions

Cereus jamacaru is a widespread Cactaceae of northeast Brazil, largely used as cattle food, and as ornamental and medicinal plant. Despite its distinguished importance, until now, there has been little information about the physiological aspects involved on its germination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of light and temperature interaction on the seed germination and seedling establishment of this plant. The evaluated variables were germination percentage at 7 (% G7) and at 14 days after imbibition (% G14), germination average time index (GSI), germination average time (GAT), germination accumulated frequency (GAF), seedling dry mass and height. The highest % G14 and GSI were at 25 oC in white light, whereas the highest GAT values were in darkness for all evaluated temperatures. On the other hand, % G14, GSI and GAF had the lowest values in darkness. Seeds germinated even in darkness, being however stimulated by the presence of light. The combination of white light and temperature of 25 or 30 °C is the most appropriate condition for seed germination tests.
Interactive effects of drought and N fertilization on the spatial distribution of methane assimilation in grassland soils

Soil methanotrophic bacteria constitute the only globally relevant biological sink for atmospheric methane (CH4). Nitrogen (N) fertilizers as well as soil moisture regime affect the activity of these organisms, but the mechanisms involved are not well understood to date. In particular, virtually nothing is known about the spatial distribution of soil methanotrophs within soil structure and how this regulates CH4 fluxes at the ecosystem scale. We studied the spatial distribution of CH4 assimilation and its response to a factorial drought × N fertilizer treatment in a 3‐year experiment replicated in two grasslands differing in management intensity. Intact soil cores were labelled with 14CH4 and methanotrophic activity mapped at a resolution of ∼100 μm using an autoradiographic technique. Under drought, the main zone of CH4 assimilation shifted down the soil profile. Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and cattle urine reduced CH4 assimilation in the top soil, but only when applied under drought, presumably because NH4+ from fertilizers was not removed by plant uptake and nitrification under these conditions. Ecosystem‐level CH4 fluxes measured in the field did show no or only very small inhibitory effects, suggesting that deeper soil layers fully compensated for the reduction in top soil CH4 assimilation. Our results indicate that the ecosystem‐level CH4 sink cannot be inferred from measurements of soil samples that do not reflect the spatial organization of soils (e.g. stratification of organisms, processes, and mechanisms). The autoradiographic technique we have developed is suited to study methanotrophic activity in a relevant spatial context and does not rely on the genetic identity of the soil bacterial communities involved, thus ideally complementing DNA‐based approaches.
Effect of heat‐moisture treatment on morphological, structural and functional characteristics of ball‐milled wheat starches

The effect of heat-moisture treatment (HMT) on the physicochemical properties of ball-milling (BM) modified wheat starch was investigated. The results showed that the damaged starch (DS) content and swelling power of BM modified starches decreased while their solubility increased by HMT. The gelatinization temperature of all the treated starches increased on HMT. However, the ball-milling–heat-moisture treatment (BM-HMT) starches had lower gelatinization temperature than the HMT starch without BM pretreatment. In addition, the BM-HMT starches displayed biphasic endotherms that differed from the BM starches. The crystallinity of starches milled for 0 to 1, 3, and 5 h increased by 5.50, 7.90, 3.50, and 10.30% on HMT, respectively, indicating that a certain degree of granule damage caused by BM treatment prior to HMT can enhance the mobility and realignment of resulting chains during HMT. The viscosities of the BM starches decreased on HMT, indicating enhanced shear stability and reduced retrogradation, which was similar to the effect of HMT on native starch. However, the peak, trough, and final viscosities of BM starches showed a smaller decline than that of native starch by HMT. These results demonstrate that BM-HMT can be a potential and beneficial method for wheat starch modification, providing desirable properties for food industries.
Ontogeny of Lower Limb Morphology and Proportions in the Dinaledi Hominins

Ontogeny of Lower Limb Morphology and Proportions in the Dinaledi Hominins by Christopher Scott Walker Department of Evolutionary Anthropology Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Steven Churchill, Supervisor ___________________________ Christine Wall ___________________________ Andrea Taylor ___________________________ Anne Pusey An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology in the Graduate School of Duke University 2015 Copyright by Christopher Scott Walker 2015
The Spermatogensis of the Three Species of Polistes (Hymenoptera)

The investigation of Meves, Doncaster and others have shown that the chromosome number of Hymenopterous insects is generally of a haploid nature, and no reducing division occurs in the spermatogenesis. The unfertilized eggs of Polistesz' examined by the author yield males as other Hymenoptera such as bees, hornets, gallflies and a parasitic wasp (Hadrobracon). Having been able to examine the reproductive cells of some Polistes, the author ventures to describe briefly in this paper some of the observations which confirm the theory that the male is haplont and the femalediplont in Hymenoptera. For fixation, Flemming's, Benda's, Csrnoy's, Bouin's and Nawashin's fluids were used all of which are favorable, showing their distinctive characters. As staining, Heidenhain's iron-haematoxylin was used.
Increased growth in elevated [CO2]: an early, short‐term response?

Saplings of four clones of Sitka spruce and cherry were grown for three and two growing seasons, respectively, in open top chambers at two CO2 concentrations (≈ 350 and ≈ 700 μmol mol–1) to determine whether the increase in total biomass brought about by enhanced [CO2] is a result of a transient or persistent effect in nonlimiting conditions. Classical growth analysis was applied to both species and mean current relative growth rate of total dry mass (RT) and leaf dry mass (RL), and period relative growth rate of total dry mass ( ) and leaf dry mass ( ) were calculated. Sitka spruce saplings and cherry seedlings showed a positive growth response to elevated [CO2], and at the end of the experiments both species were ≈ 40% larger in elevated [CO2] than in ambient [CO2]. As a result, the period mean and were significantly higher in elevated [CO2]. The differences in plant dry mass at the end of the experiments were a consequence of the more rapid growth in the early phase of exposure to elevated [CO2]. After this initial phase mean RT and RL were similar or even lower in elevated [CO2] than in ambient [CO2]. NAR of both species was much higher in elevated [CO2], whereas both LAR, SLA, and LMR showed the opposite trend. The higher LAR and SLA of plants in ambient [CO2] contributed to a compensation by which they maintained RT similar to that of elevated [CO2] saplings despite lower NAR and photosynthetic rate. However, when the same size the trees were similar amongst the [CO2] treatments, indicating that one of the main effect of elevated [CO2] on tree growth is to speed‐up early development in all aspects.
Network Motifs Provide Signatures That Characterize Metabolism and Produce Novel Insights into the Evolutionary History of the Eukaryotic Cell.

Network Motifs Provide Signatures that Characterize Metabolism by Erin Rachael Shellman Chairs: Doctor Charles Burant and Professor Santiago Schnell A motif is a small, repeated pattern that is over-represented in a network compared to its abundance in a collection of random graphs. Motifs are of chief interest in network theory and systems biology because their over-expression may determine the topological properties that give rise to dynamic behaviors in biological systems. Motifs also provide novel functional evidence that can help unravel mechanisms of molecular evolution. In this work, we analyze metabolic network motifs, where metabolites are represented by nodes and biochemical associations are represented by edges. We find that metabolic network motifs can be characterized by their enzyme class associations and therefore, their biochemical functionality. Further, we demonstrate that cellular organelles display motif distributions that can be distinct and likely reflect the organelle’s distinct metabolic role in the cell. We follow this analysis by assessing the relationship between motif participation and the property of tolerance to random component failure in the E. coli metabolic network. We find that the metabolic network displays higher levels of failure tolerance than seen in Erdős-Rényi random graphs, and that some motifs have unique structural properties in metabolism. Finally, we apply the methodology of motif mining and analysis to assess specific hypotheses xii of Eukaryotic organelle evolution. Specifically, we present novel evidence suggesting that an α-proteobacterium may not have been the ancestor of modern mitochondria. We independently validate this result using phylogenetic analysis and find that mitochondrial genomes tend to fall within the same clades as δand -proteobacteria. Based on this validation we propose a new hypothesis that modern mitochondria are not derived from α-proteobacteria, but are instead derived from a member of the δor -proteobacterial families.