Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influência da temperatura e da água sobre a germinação de sementes de Paricá (Schizolobium amazonicum Huber ex Ducke Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae)

Parica (Schizolobium amazonicum Huber ex Ducke) is a tree species of the Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae botanical family. This species has been used in rehabilitation programs for of degraded areas and it has good acceptance at local timber markets as well. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different water contents in the substrate and temperatures on germination of S. amazonicum. Seeds were immersed in sulfuric acid for 50 minutes in order to break the impermeability of the seed-coat. After this, they were seeded over Germitest paper rolls wetted with water contents (mL.g-1 paper) equivalent to 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 times the substrate mass without new water addition, and they were maintained in chambers at constant temperatures of 25, 30 and 35oC. In addition to the germination percentage, the speed of germination index and length of primary roots and hypocotyl of normal seedlings were also evaluated. A completely randomized design was used with a 4x3 factorial. The best germination performance was observed at temperatures of 25, 30 and 35oC combining with water contents of 2.5 and 3 times the paper mass. The germination speed was favored by temperatures of 30 and 35oC as well as by the largest water content, which corresponded to 3 times the paper mass. The best results related to root and hypocotyl development were observed in treatments involving water content 3 times the paper mass at a temperature of 25oC.
The population structure of Simulium vittatum (Zett.): the IIIL-1 and IS-7 sibling species

This paper describes two sibling species in Simulium vittatum (Zett.) on the basis of their salivary gland chromosomes. The IIIL-1 sibling is characterized by a Y chromosome carrying the IIIL-1 inversion; the IS-7 sibling is characterized by the IS-7 X chromosome. The basic banding sequences are identical in the two sibling species. The siblings differ however in the relative frequencies of standard and inverted sequences for a number of autosomal polymorphisms that they share. Standard sequences are predominant in the IIIL-1 sibling and inverted sequences in the IS-7 type. The IIIL-1 sibling is distributed from the Atlantic, south to the Gulf of Mexico and west to the Saskatchewan–Alberta border. The IS-7 sibling ranges from the Atlantic to Alaska, but so far has not been found south of Pennsylvania. The sibling species are sympatric over a wide zone extending through parts of Quebec, Ontario, and northeastern United States via Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota to Saskatchewan and Alberta. It is argued .
Evolution of biometric and life‐history traits in lizards (Gallotia) from the Canary Islands

The aim was to study as to how biometric and life-history traits of endemic lacertids in the Canary Islands (genus Gallotia) may have evolved, and possible factors affecting the diversification process of this taxon on successively appearing islands have been deduced. To that end, comparative analyses of sexual dimorphism and scaling of different body, head and life-history traits to body size in 10 species/subspecies of Gallotia have been carried out. Both Felsenstein's independent contrasts and Huey and Bennett's ‘minimum evolution’ analyses show that male and female snout-vent length (SVL) changed proportionally (sexual size dimorphism not changing with body size) throughout the evolution of these lizards and all within-sex biometric traits have changed proportionally to SVL. Life-history traits (size at sexual maturity, clutch size, hatchling SVL and mass, and life span) are highly correlated with adult female body size, the first two being the only traits with a positive allometry to female SVL. These results, together with the finding that the slope of hatchling SVL to female SVL regression was lower than that of SVL at maturity to female SVL, indicates that larger females reach maturity at a larger size, have larger clutches and, at the same time, have relatively smaller hatchlings than smaller females. There was no significant correlation between any pair of life-history traits after statistically removing the effect of body size. As most traits changed proportionally to SVL, the major evolutionary change has been that of body size (a ca. threefold change between the largest and the smallest species), that is suggested to be the effect of variable ecological conditions faced by founder lizards in each island.
Evaluation of biological control agents for managing cucurbit powdery mildew on greenhouse-grown melon

An evaluation was made of the ability of two mycoparasite-based products AQ10® (Ampelomyces quisqualis) and Mycotal® (Lecanicillium lecanii), as well as three strains of Bacillus subtilis, to manage powdery mildew disease, caused by Podosphaera fusca on melon seedlings maintained under different regimes of relative humidity and on plants grown under greenhouse conditions in Spain. In every case fungal and bacterial biocontrol agents (BCAs) performed better under conditions of high relative humidity (90–95% RH). In greenhouse experiments, the effectiveness of the mycoparasites to manage powdery mildew was absolutely dependent on mineral oil. The strains of B. subtilis provided disease control similar to that achieved with the mycoparasites or the fungicide azoxystrobin. Microscopic analysis showed the ability of these bacterial strains to efficiently colonize leaf surfaces and revealed the occurrence of antagonistic interactions between biological agents and P. fusca structures. These results confirmed the usefulness of these BCAs for managing powdery mildew on greenhouse-grown cucurbits either as single products or as a component of integrated control programmes.
THE MESOZOIC FISSURES OF THE BRISTOL CHANNEL AREA AND THEIR VERTEBRATE FAUNAS

SUMMARY. Terrestrial vertebrates have been discovered in Mesozoic deposits occurring as fissure fillings in the Carboniferous Limestone of some of the counties round the Bristol Channel (Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Glamorgan). These terrestrial vertebrates fall naturally into two groups: one group consists mainly of mammals and mammal-like reptiles, of Rhaetic or Lower Liassic age, which are found in fissures of submarine origin. Most of these fossils have already been described, and a summary is given of Kuhne's studies of the fissures in which they are found. The other group consists of sauropsid reptiles only, found in a different type of fissure, of continental origin. The paper is mainly concerned with the second group of reptiles and the fissures in which they are found. These fissures are shown to be small underground watercourses, formed during Permo-Triassic times when the area was part of a continent. The age of the sediments and reptile bones found in these underground watercourses is considered, and shown to be late Triassic, both on geological grounds and on the character of the fossil reptiles. The reptiles from different localities probably form part of a fauna, the Bristol Channel fauna, of late Triassic age. In considering the age of the sauropsid reptiles a reconstruction of their physical background is outlined, and this is completed by a tentative sketch of climatic conditions. From this reconstruction emerges an important feature which characterizes the whole Bristol Channel fauna, namely, that the members of this fauna lived on the higher ground of the continent of the period. This is the only known example of a mesozoic fauna of this type, and when its members have been studied it will be interesting to oompare them with those from the lowlands of the Upper Triassic continents. The members of the Bristol Channel fauna identified so far are all diapsids and protorosaurs. During the Triassic the diapsids radiated into the orders and suborders whose members form the common elements of later Mesozoic terrestrial faunas. These late Triassic diapsids are therefore particularly interesting, especially as those of the Bristol Channel fauna are all small (less than six inches to over six feet in length) and therefore free from the specializations which are the concomitant of large size.
Maternal effects on offspring growth rate and weaning mass in harbour seals

We studied maternal effects on offspring traits during lactation in harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina) on Sable Is- land, Nova Scotia, from 1988 to 1996. Duration of lactation was correlated with rate of pup mass gain (r = -0.34, n = 116) and weaning mass (r = 0.29, n = 154). Pups that grew faster had shorter nursing periods, whereas those that at- tained higher weaning masses nursed for a greater number of days. Pup sex did not affect patterns of maternal effects. The pups of young females (4-6 years old) gained mass at a constant but lower rate (0.56 kg/d) than the pups of older females through midlactation (0.74-0.78 kg/d; n = 75). In older females, rates of pup mass gain decelerated between mid and late lactation. Although maternal age did not directly affect weaning mass of pups, path analysis showed that maternal age acted on weaning mass through intermediary traits. Lighter females gave birth to smaller and slower growing pups, but invested relatively more than heavier females (n = 153). Effects of maternal postpartum mass on weaning mass (n = 100) were weaker in harbour seals than in phocids that fast during lactation, but apparently stron - ger than in otariids that forage during lactation, suggesting that the strength of maternal effects is influenced by lacta - tion strategy.
Success in territorial defence by male tarantula hawk wasps Hemipepsis ustulata: the role of residency

1. Some male tarantula hawk wasps Hemipepsis ustulata defend landmark shrubs growing on mountain tops, while others only visit a succession of territory sites, generally fleeing from territorial males. To determine whether residency asymmetries contribute to the short duration of most interactions between territorial males and visiting intruders, established residents were held captive for varying periods while other males replaced them at their territories.
Total Lipid and Fatty Acid Composition of Apanteles galleriae and Its Parasitized Host

Abstract We examined the stage and sex-related changes in total lipid, total fatty acids, and fatty acid composition of Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared on Achoria grisella Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The effect of parasitism on the total lipid and fatty acids of host larvae was also investigated and compared with the fatty acid composition of parasitoids. The changes in fatty acid composition of host larvae after parasitization were investigated and the degree of similarity between the fatty acid composition of parasitoid and host larvae was determined. Total lipid of A. galleriae considerably increased in adults compared with immature stages. There was a significant increase in fatty acid levels between the larval and pupal stages. Fatty acids continued to accumulate in adult males, but declined in females. Total fatty acids of parasitoid larvae were significantly higher than that of parasitized or nonparasitized host larvae. All stages of A. galleriae contained the 10–24 carbon fatty acids. Oleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in all stages. A large proportion of the fatty acid composition at each developmental stage of the wasp analyzed comprised palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. The fatty acid composition of the parasitoid larvae was qualitatively similar to that of the host larvae. Parasitism did not affect the total lipid and fatty acid levels of host larvae.
15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 and Thiazolidinediones Activate the MEK/ERK Pathway through Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells*

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors. Recent results have shown that the ligands for nuclear receptors have rapid effects so called “nongenomic” effects, which are observed within minutes after stimulation. We examined whether 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2(15-d-PGJ2) had rapid effects on cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. Phosphorylation of ERK and c-fos mRNA expression were determined by Western and Northern blot analyses, respectively. PPARγ agonists 15-d-PGJ2 and thiazolidinediones such as pioglitazone and troglitazone elicited rapid activation of ERK within 15 min and induced c-fos mRNA expression within 30 min, whereas the PPARα agonist bezafibrate failed to activate ERK. 15-d-PGJ2-induced expression of c-fos mRNA was blocked by PD98059 or U0126, two ERK kinase inhibitors, suggesting that the MEK/ERK pathway mediates 15-d-PGJ2-induced c-fos gene expression. Furthermore, pretreatment with wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase, inhibited 15-d-PGJ2-induced ERK activation and c-fos mRNA expression, suggesting that PI3-kinase is involved in the process. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that 15-d-PGJ2 enhanced AP-1 binding activity to AP-1 consensus sequence in a time-dependent manner. 15-d-PGJ2 increased thymidine incorporation in a PI3-kinase-dependent manner. Taken together, our findings show that 15-d-PGJ2 and thiazolidinediones activate the MEK/ERK pathway through PI3-kinase and lead to c-fosmRNA expression and DNA synthesis. These findings indicate a novel regulatory mechanism of gene expression by 15-d-PGJ2 and thiazolidinediones.
Dimethylsulfoxide action on dark- and light-induced leaflet movements and its necrotic effects on excised leaves of Cassia fasciculata

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) acts on dark- and light-induced movements exhibited by leaflets of isolated leaves of Cassia fasciculate Michx. The closing movement (scotonasty), induced when the leaves are placed in darkness during the normal period of daylight, was inhibited, whereas the opening movement (photonasty), when the leaves arc transferred to light during the normal period of darkness, was promoted. The concentration for significant effects of DMSO was 1% (v/v) when applied over a 3-h period. After five days, a necrosis of the leaflets was observed for DMSO concentrations as small as 0.1%, applied over a 6-h period. Complete abscission took place if 3% DMSO was applied for more than 30 min.
Avaliação técnica do trator florestal arrastador "skidder" com diferentes tipos de rodados na extração de madeira em povoamentos de pinus

The objective of this study was to evaluate technical log extraction activities using a skidder with tires and a skidder with tracks over the tires. Technical evaluation consisted in determining log extraction productivity indexes based on motion and time study, in which the extraction activities were grouped into work cycle phases. Machine productivity was determined in different extraction distances and slope degree situations. The results showed that the operational cycle average time of the tire skidder was 7.1% smaller that the skidder with tracks over the tires, explained by the efficiency of the tires over terrain surface. In slopes above 20.0%, the skidder with tracks over the tires performed the log extraction activities normally, while the tire skidder was unable to operate due to high tire skid and traction capacity decrease.
Preβ high density lipoprotein has two metabolic fates in human apolipoprotein A-I transgenic mice Published, JLR Papers in Press, January 16, 2004. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M300422-JLR200

We compared the in vivo metabolism of preβ HDL particles isolated by anti-human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) immunoaffinity chromatography (LpA-I) in human apoA-I transgenic (hA-I Tg) mice with that of lipid-free apoA-I (LFA-I) and small LpA-I. After injection, preβ LpA-I were removed from plasma more rapidly than were LFA-I and small LpA-I. Preβ LpA-I and LFA-I were preferentially degraded by kidney compared with liver; small LpA-I were preferentially degraded by the liver. Five minutes after tracer injection, 99% of LFA-I in plasma was found to be associated with medium-sized (8.6 nm) HDL, whereas only 37% of preβ tracer remodeled to medium-sized HDL. Injection of preβ LpA-I doses into C57Bl/6 recipients resulted in a slower plasma decay compared with hA-I Tg recipients and a greater proportion (>60%) of the preβ radiolabel that was associated with medium-sized HDL. Preβ LpA-I contained one to four molecules of phosphatidylcholine per molecule of apoA-I, whereas LFA-I contained less than one. We conclude that preβ LpA-I has two metabolic fates in vivo, rapid removal from plasma and catabolism by kidney or remodeling to medium-sized HDL, which we hypothesize is determined by the amount of lipid associated with the preβ particle and the particle's ability to bind to medium-sized HDL.
Forecasting Biological Invasions with Increasing International Trade

Abstract: We used historical data to parameterize species‐accumulation models relating international trade to the establishment rates of nonindigenous species in the United States over the past century. We then coupled these relationships with published trade forecasts to predict future invasion rates for insects, plant pathogens, and mollusks. Relationships between the accumulation of non‐native species and merchandise imports were reasonably described by log‐log and log‐linear species‐area models and Michaelis‐Menten accumulation functions. However, the latter two models produced markedly better fits. When coupled with projected trade forecasts, the log‐linear species‐area model predicted 16–24% taxon‐specific increases in the number of nonindigenous species established in the United States from 2000 to 2020. The Michaelis‐Menten model predicted much lower 3–6% increases, but even this meant 115 new insect species and 5 new plant pathogens. These results suggest that the ecological and economic costs associated with human‐caused biological invasions may continue to rise substantially over the coming decades.
Factors Affecting Cannibalism by Pond-Reared Juvenile Walleyes

Abstract Field and laboratory studies provided information concerning the onset, development, and possible control of cannibalism by pond-reared juvenile walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum) longer than 30 mm. Cannibalism began in early summer and was associated with increases in length ranges. Cannibal walleyes were the largest, and their prey the smallest, fish in field collections; cannibals had a higher growth rate, which led to the appearance of bimodal length-frequency distributions in samples collected in late summer and early autumn. In laboratory experiments, cannibalism did not occur in aquaria containing juvenile walleyes and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Cannibalism was most frequent in aquaria that contained only walleyes and intermediate in frequency in aquaria that contained zooplankton and walleyes. Cannibals in the walleye-only aquarium consumed 6-33%/d of the fish present, and 41% of the vulnerable walleyes overall; when zooplankton were present, losses to cannibalism dropped to 28%.
Desempenho de cultivares de girassol sob diferentes lâminas de irrigação no Vale do Curu, CE

With the objective to value the influence of six levels of irrigation in the agricultural performance of two cultivars of sunflower, (Catissol 01 e Embrapa 122 V-2000), was made an experiment at the Experimental Farm, Valley of Curu River,county of Pentecoste, CE. The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks with divided plots, with four replicates. The effect of six levels of irrigation based on percentage of evaporation of class A pan (ECA) by the factors 0.25; 0.50; 0.75; 1.00; 1.25 and 1.50 , was evaluated for the cultivars. The variables, diameter of head, mass of 1000 achenes, potential of production of achenes, content of oil of the achenes, potential of production of oil,were determined. The greater values were achieved by the cultivar "Catissol 01", except for the content of oil of the achenes,higher for the "Embrapa 122 V-2000". There were significant differences between the cultivars in the variable diameter of head and potential production of achenes. The level of irrigation of 533.70 mm (150% of ECA) proportioned the greater potential production of achenes that was of 4,222.76 and 3,948.02 kg ha-1, and of oil 1,851.55 and 1,760.63 kg ha-1 to the cultivars Catissol 01 e Embrapa 122 V-2000, respectively.
Lectotypifications in Elatine (Elatinaceae) and Some Taxonomic Remarks

Elatine orthosperma Düben, E. spathulata Gorski, Elatine hydropiper L. subsp. gyrosperma Fr. and E. triandra Schkuhr var. callitrichoides Nyl. are lectotypified, and an epitype is selected for the lectotype of E. spathulata. The synonymizing of E. spathulata with E. hydropiper is supported. — Flora Nordica Notes 36.
Protozoan ciliate epibionts on the freshwater apple snail Pomacea figulina (Spix, 1827) (Gastropoda, Ampullariidae) in an urban stream of south‐east Brazil

The objective of this study was to record and analyze the prevalence of ciliated protozoa associated with prosobranchian snails of the species Pomacea figulina collected from an urban stream in south‐eastern Brazil. Four collections were carried out between December, 2005, and March, 2006, from which 23 snails and 10 ‘empty’ shells were obtained. The shells and opercula were scraped over Petri dishes and the ciliates were observed using bright field and phase contrast microscopy. Seven species of ciliates were recorded on the snails of P. figulina. Of the 23 snails analyzed, 82.60% (n = 19) were infested with at least one species of ciliate. No ciliates were found on the ‘empty’ shells and opercula. The results are discussed in terms of ecological aspects involved in this association.
Integration of hydrodynamic information in the hindbrain of fishes

Fishes detect weak water movements generated by a predator or by prey with the aid of the mechanosensory lateral line. In this study, we investigated the way information received by the lateral line is processed by neurons in the hindbrain of two fish species, the bottom dwelling catfish, Ancistrussp. , and the goldfish, Carassius auratus. We stimulated the lateral line with a small object moving in the water and recorded the responses of single units in the medulla. Medullary lateral line units increased their discharge rate when the moving object passed the fish. At least three different response types could be distinguished on the basis of response patterns. In some units, the response pattern differed for different motion directions, indicating that these units were sensitive for the direction of object motion. In general, discharge rates decreased both when object speed decreased or when object distance increased. The results suggest that in the hindbrain of fishes different neuron populations may be .
Turbulent plumes of heat, moist heat, and carbon dioxide elicit upwind anemotaxis in tsetse flies Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae)

The roles and interactions of turbulent plumes of heat, moist heat, and carbon dioxide in mediating upwind flight of adult tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood) were investigated using a wind tunnel in a constant-environment chamber. Heat fluctuations in the plume that were detected by a thermocouple and displayed as oscilloscope traces allowed direct visualization of the structures of the plumes. Significantly more flies flew upwind when exposed to plumes of (i) carbon dioxide (0.0051% above background) and air (58% relative humidity) compared with air alone; (ii) carbon dioxide and heated air (35% relative humidity and temperature fluctuating up to 0.09°C above background) compared with carbon dioxide and air; and (iii) carbon dioxide and moist (82% relative humidity) heated air (temperature fluctuating up to 0.05°C above background) compared with carbon dioxide and heated air. However, there were no significant differences in upwind flight of flies exposed to plumes of (i) air compared w.