Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of S-haplotype-specific S-RNase and SFB alleles in native Chinese apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

Summary Chinese apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) shows gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) controlled by a single locus containing at least two linked genes [i.e., the S-RNase gene and the pollen-expressed SFB (or SLF) gene] as do other fruit species in the family, Rosaceae. To elucidate the S-genotypes of 14 native Chinese apricot cultivars, PCR was performed using primers designed from Prunus S-RNase and SFB consensus sequences. After cloning and sequencing the PCR products, the S-genotypes of all 14 apricot cultivars were determined, and eight new S-RNase alleles and nine SFB alleles were identified. The S-RNases shared typical structural features with S-RNases from other Prunus spp. exhibiting GSI. The SFB genes showed similar structural characteristics to SFB genes in other Prunus spp. The intron sequences of the SFB genes revealed sequence and length polymorphisms. The deduced level of amino acid sequence identity for the eight new S-RNase alleles was 66.4 – 100% in P. armeniaca, while the similarity of the SFB alleles was 73.7 – 98.6%. The physical distances between the SFB and S-RNase genes was determined exactly in the S9,S11,S17, and S26-haplotypes, confirming that the S-RNase and SFB genes were linked. The range of distances between the two genes was 299 – 1,061 bp. This study increases our knowledge on the S-genotypes of apricot native to China, and enriches our genomic information on GSI in the Prunus genus.
Extinction Reprieve Following Alien Removal

Invasive alien organisms are widely recognized as the second-largest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss (Wilcove et al. 1998; Walker & Steffen 1999). Invasive alien trees (IATs) can dominate riparian systems and change the hydrology (Le Maitre et al. 1996; Gorgens & van Wilgen 2004). Little is known, however, about riparian IAT impact on general ecology (Richardson & van Wilgen 2004), although IATs are by far the most major threat to globally red-listed dragonflies (Odonata) in South Africa (Samways & Taylor 2004). South Africa is important for biodiversity because 2 of the world’s 25 hotspots are within the country (Myers et al. 2000). Invasive alien trees are a significant national threat to this biodiversity. In response to this threat, a massive national rehabilitation program was begun in 1995 (Working for Water Programme), with the aim of eradicating invasive alien plants. The program has already made substantial progress toward its stated aim (Macdonald 2004). Yet scarcely anything is known about how biodiversity recovers after riparian IAT removal, and we are aware of no evidence showing that imminent extinction can be averted as a direct result of IAT removal. We report here on the recovery of three South African Odonata species that were feared extinct, yet today are known only at sites where IATs have been removed. Between January 1987 and February 2004, a succession of researchers used close-focus binoculars to sample 12,000 wetland sites across South Africa and record Odonata species distributions. At 359 sites, presence and absence data on Odonata assemblages and habitat variables were recorded along 100-m lengths of the water margin, 3 m onto the bank and 3 m into the water (600 m2). These presence and absence data were entered into a spatial-relational database. This is a particularly useful approach in geographical areas without a network of volunteer recorders, and for a database with a large set of observations from different sources (e.g., Ponder et al. 2001).
Evolution of pendent life-forms in bryophytes

A most striking feature of cloud forests is the pendent epiphytic bryophyte communities. Of those, the majority are pleurocarpous moss species, chiefly of the Meteoriaceae, a family mainly occurring in the Southern Hemisphere. The pendent life-form was regarded as a prominent character uniting this family. Recent molecular and morphological investigations challenge this concept, as other clear morphological characters for the family are missing. We analysed a selected set of species, representing the major pendent genera and their relatives. Molecular analyses of the psbT-H and the trnL-F regions of the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA), together with ITS2 sequence data of the nuclear ribosomal transcription unit (nrDNA), reveal that the pendent life form has evolved independently in several moss lineages, as epiphytism and the pendent life form are presumed to be derived characters. The congruent trees based on either cpDNA or nrDNA, as well as the combined data set, resolve the investigated pendent species mostly as members of the Brachytheciaceae, Meteoriaceae, and Lembophyllaceae. An improved understanding of the morphological characters will provide new definitions of these families. Characters which have been earlier used to delimit the Meteoriaceae, such as the upright capsule, or papillose leaf cells are suggested as adaptations for an epiphytic life and are therefore not useful in taxonomic classification. This emphasises the need to reevaluate the morphological circumscription of the respective families , especially with regard to the Meteoriaceae.
Effects of in vitro culture methods during the rooting stage and light quality during the seedling stage on the growth of hydroponic everbearing strawberry.

To achieve the mass production of pharmaceutical proteins in genetically modified (GM) strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. cv. 'HS138'), a continuous supply of a large number of uniform seedlings is required. We modified the micropropagation method which is suitable for subsequent hydroponic cultivation in a closed plant production system with artificial lighting. In this study, we conducted 6 treatments comprising 2 in vitro culture methods (PM: photomixotrophic culture or PA: photoautotrophic culture) during the rooting stage for 3 weeks and 3 light qualities (white, red and blue) for 4 weeks after transplanting to the ex vitro hydroponic system. The PM plantlets without roots were cultured on agar during the rooting stage, and their roots were washed to remove the agar before transplanting them to the hydroponic system. In contrast, the PA plantlets were cultured on a fibre rod as the supporting medium, which was the same medium as that used in the hydroponic stage. At the end of the rooting stage, the number of leaves, leaf area and dry matter were significantly higher in the PA plantlets than in the PM plantlets. During the hydroponic cultivation stage, the dry matter of seedlings was significantly higher under white and red light conditions than under blue light condition, irrespective of the culture method during the rooting stage. These results suggest that a combination of the PA culture methods during the rooting stage and white or red light condition after the transplanting can improve the efficiency of the propagation method used for GM strawberry production.
Métodos de estimação do coeficiente de repetibilidade no melhoramento da seringueira

O presente estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de testar varios metodos de estimacao dos coeficientes de repetibilidade, bem como determinar o numero adequado de ministestes de producao na selecao de plântulas em viveiro de seringueira ( Hevea sp). Foram utilizados tres ministestes em plântulas oriundas de polinizacao aberta do clone RRIM 600 e estimados os coeficientes de repetibilidade, considerando os metodos da analise de variância e componentes principais, segundo metodologia apresentada por Mansour et al. (1981). A equacao que relaciona os tres minitestes de producao explicou cerca de 87% da variacao existente entre os testes. Nao foram detectadas grandes diferencas nas estimativas do coeficiente de repetibilidade entre os processos testados, optando-se, assim, pelo ANOVA, por ser de mais facil utilizacao.
Drifting fronds and drifting alleles: range dynamics, local dispersal and habitat isolation shape the population structure of the estuarine seaweed Fucus ceranoides

Aim The seaweed Fucus ceranoides is restricted to spatially discrete estuarine habitats and lacks planktonic dispersal phases; it is therefore expected to exhibit strong population differentiation. Its cold‐temperate affinities and mtDNA variation imply that the northern part of the species’ range, where F. ceranoides is now ubiquitous, was recently colonized after the onset of the last deglaciation, potentially resulting in areas with greater genetic homogeneity. Here we examine the population structure of F. ceranoides to test these predictions, emphasizing the contrasting genetic signatures of limited dispersal in refugial versus recently colonized regions.
Intensity of reproduction of the Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior 1834) during the period 1954-1959; Intensywność rozmnażania myszy wielkookiej leśnej, Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior 1834) w latach 1954-1959

1. Analizowany material sklada sie z 2151 okazow myszy wielkookiej leśnej Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior 1834), (1052 ♀♀ i 1099 ♂♂) zlowionych na terenie Bialowieskiego Parku Narodowego w latach 1954-1959. Opracowano okresy rozrodu na podstawie pojawu mlodych oraz okresy aktywności plciowej na podstawie analizy 329 gonad (108 ♀♀ i 221 ♂♂). 2. Ilośc myszy wielkookich leśnych zalezy przede wszystkim od ilości pozywienia w danym roku - urodzaju drzew liściastych oraz od warunkow klimatycznych w okresie poźnej jesieni, zimy i przedwiośnia.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth Characteristics and Productivity of Creeping Forage Plants for Tree-Pasture Integrated System

Sustainable forage production is one of the most important factors in livestock production system. Smallholder livestock production system is a part of agricultural practice in Indonesia. Limited land owned by farmers was dominantly cultivated for food crops, and very small part of it used for cultivating forage plants. This leads to restriction of smallholder livestock development, because no more land available for forage production. Integrated forage production system by planting forage plants and food crops or trees in the same area becomes a considerable cropping system that widely practiced by the farmers in Indonesia. Some grasses and legumes have morphological advantages overcoming growth condition under shading. These growth characteristics are benefit in designing compatible system components for enhanced productivity in tree-pasture systems. Four potential shade-tolerant creeping forages that were combined with 2 levels of nitrogen application were tested using factorial completely randomized design 3 replicates. The first factor was species of creeping forages (stoloniferous): BH = Brachiaria humidicola, PN = Paspalum notatum, AC = Axonopus compressus and, AP = Arachis pintoi. The second factor was nitrogen (urea) fertilizer: A = without N fertilizer and B = with N fertilizer (300 kg Urea/ha). The observations included the growth rates of plant length, plant length, number of leaves, herbages yield (shoot), root dry weight, senescence, total N-shoot, N-soil and N-uptake. The results showed that growth characteristics and productivity of creeping forage plants was significantly differed by the species. Most species showed an increase in growth trend, except P. notatum. A. compressus significantly showed as the best performance species compared to other, in terms of growth rates, plant length, number of leaves, herbage yield (shoot) and root dry weight, N-uptake and N-shoot. This was followed by B. humidicola, P. notatum, and A. pintoi. Based on previous study, A. compressus found as one of the native species in most tree system. It indicated its superior growth compared to other species tested. However, it is needed further research to observe the compatibility of each species in tree-pasture systems.
Nouvelles mesures de l'ultraviolet solaire dans la stratosphère

Abstract. — New measurements of the solar flux in the wavelength bands 196-230 nm and 284-354 nm have been made in the stratosphere with an Ebert-Fastie spectrometer of focal length 25 cm with a pass-band of 0.6 nm. The instrument was on a stabilized stratospheric gondola and was directed towards the sun. The ultra-violet solar spectra obtained with various solar zenith angles lead, by extrapolation to zero air-mass, to the determination of the magnitude of the extraterrestrial solar flux. Below 225 nm the newly measured values are lower than those generally adopted, the apparent temperature of the sun being of the order of 4700 K at 200 nm. Between 225 nm and 310 nm they are in good agreement with Broadfoot (1971) and for wavelengths greater than 310 nm they agree with Arvesen et al. (1969).
Basal Carbon Sources Supporting Fish Food Webs in Terminal Basin Rivers

Terminal basin rivers—those with no outlets to the sea—are unique systems that have been traditionally under-studied despite their widespread occurrence in drier regions of the world. The goal of this study was to elucidate the contributions of terminal basin rivers to broader concepts in lotic ecology using the contrasting frameworks of the River Continuum Concept (RCC) and the Riverine Ecosystem Synthesis (RES). Study sites were chosen for two rivers of the Great Basin, USA, according to coarse-scale hydrogeomorphic variables and included constricted-valley uplands, constricted-valley lowlands, wide-valley uplands, and wide-valley lowlands. Using amino acid, compound specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids (AA-CSIA) of carbon (C), we determined isotopic signatures for fish consumers and their potential food sources. AA-CSIA values for essential and conditionally essential amino acids were used as dietary tracers to estimate the proportional contribution of four different food groups: autochthonous resources (cyanobacteria and green algae), fungi, C3 plants, and C4/CAM plants to consumer basal diets using a Bayesian mixing model. Results suggest that consumer tissue of fish from all sites, regardless of site position along the river network, valley hydrogeomorphology, riparian vegetation, or fish species, was primarily derived from autochthonous C, with an average proportional contribution of 79.9±3.1%. This finding lends some support to the RES, in that over the entire river network, >50% of metazoan production was supported by autochthonous resources; however, there was no significant effect of hydrogeomorphology on the types of food sources assimilated. Additionally, we found no effect of site position to support the RCC. Future studies might gather additional data in different river systems.
Transposon insertion polymorphism as a new source of molecular markers

Transposons constitute a significant fraction of plant genomes and are considered to be one of the major forces driving genome evolution. Each transposition event generates new variability. The presence or absence of a transposon at a particular location in the genome can be readily determined by several molecular techniques. Polymorphic insertion sites can be used in the same way as other widely used molecular marker systems. Molecular marker systems based on transposons can be used to investigate diversity and to create genetic linkage maps. New families of transposons are being identified and characterized. They can be used to develop new marker systems. The present paper reviews approaches which have been used to identify polymorphic transposon insertion sites.
Cheating Monkeys and Citizen Bees: The Nature of Cooperation in Animals and Humans

Here biologist Lee Dugatkin outlines four paths to co-operation shared by humans and other animals: family dynamics, reciprocal transactions (or "tit for tat"), so-called selfish teamwork, and group altruism. He draws on a wealth of examples - from baby-sitting among mongooses and food sharing among vampire bats to co-operation in Hutterite communities and on kibbutzism -to show not only that co-operation exists throughout the animal kingdom, but how an understanding of the natural history of altruism might foster our own best instincts towards our fellow humans.
Limited niche differentiation within remarkable co‐occurrences of congeneric species: Monomorium ants in the Australian seasonal tropics

Niche theory predicts that few closely related species can co-occur because such species tend to be ecologically similar and niche differentiation is required to avoid competitive exclusion. We analyse the co-occurrence of a remarkable 10–15 species of the ant genus Monomorium occurring within single 10 × 10 m plots in a tropical savanna of northern Australia. Most of the species are undescribed, so we use genetic analysis to validate our species demarcations. We document nest dispersion patterns, and investigate differentiation in the three primary niche dimensions: space, time and food. We also examine species differences in competitive abilities, by describing rates of foraging activity, foraging ranges, worker aggression, and levels of behavioural dominance. Analyses of nest and forager distributions showed very limited evidence of spatial segregation within plots. The great majority of species foraged either exclusively or primarily during daylight hours. Body size and isotopic analyses indicated very limited dietary differentiation. Such limited niche partitioning occurred despite the species differing markedly in their competitive abilities as measured by rates of resource discovery, recruitment and monopolization. Our findings defy the traditional assumption that multiple closely related and ecologically similar species of highly interactive taxa cannot co-occur. It seems very likely that species coexistence in our study system is determined to a very large degree by stochastic processes relating to dispersal and establishment, as predicted by neutral theory. However, neutral theory assumes competitive equivalence, whereas we found very marked differences in the competitive abilities of our co-occurring species. We suggest that competitive exclusion is prevented by the modular nature of ant colonies, with competition limiting colony performance but not preventing occurrence. We conclude that other factors that allow species persistence, and not just competitive equivalence, can allow dispersal and establishment processes to drive species coexistence.
A novel application of non-invasive microelectrode ion flux measuring technique in food microbiology

At present, both the control of bacterial growth to ensure food safety, and the balancing of nutritional requirements and optimization of culture growth conditions for beneficial food microorganisms, are essentially empirically based. An alternative time- and money-saving approach to this implies a better understanding of the physiological processes underlying the cellular response to the applied treatment. In the present work, the non invasive microelectrode ion flux measuring technique (MIFE®) was first introduced in food microbiology, to address some of the above issues and to shed some light on adaptive responses of bacterial and fungal cells to environmental change. Several "case studies" were undertaken to explore the utility of the MIFE technique to study of adaptive responses in a variety of microorganisms. First, various methodological aspects of ion-flux measurements in microorganisms were addressed. These included the issue of cell immobilisation, specific details of culture growth and preparation, and potentially confounding effects of environmental "hurdles" on measuring electrodes such as ionic strength of solution, pH etc. Second, a marine protist thraustochytrid ACEM C, proposed as a valuable single source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, was used to demonstrate the applicability of the MIFE technique to understanding the physiology of growth and adaptive responses at the single cell level. Various aspects of membrane-transport processes, associated with thraustochytrid cell growth and development, as well as its adaptive responses to osmoticurn, temperature, and nutritional status, were studied. Third, in a pioneering application of the MIFE technique to bacterial cells, adaptive responses of immobilised bacteria of different genera were studied at the population level. The major emphasis was on Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli, two physiologically contrasting organisms of great economic importance to food microbiology. The adaptive responses were studied in relation to acid stress, bacteriocin (nisin) action, and substrate availability. Finally, an investigation was made into the feasibility and utility of combining the MIFE technique with another method and study of bacterial adaptive responses, specifically, fluorescence Ratio Imaging Microscopy (FRIM), L. monocytogenes responses to acid stress were used as a case study. Overall, this study showed, for the first time, that the application of the MIFE technique to study membrane-transport processes in food-related rilicroorganisms might lead to significant conceptual advances in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying growth and adaptive responses of bacterial and fungal cells and could contribute to reducing food-borne infections or towards improved productions of nutritionally important compounds.
A reprodução em carrapatos e a avaliação de uma enzima de destaque neste processo como antígeno vacinal contra Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

s and Presentations ESTRELA, Andreia Bergamo; SEIXAS, Adriana; CEOLATO, Juliana; TEIXEIRA, Vivian Oliveira; TERMIGNONI, Carlos. “Digestive enzyme association in the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus midgut”. In: XXXVI Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and 10th International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) Conference. Salvador, BA, Brazil. May (21-27), 2007. TEIXEIRA, Vivian Oliveira; ESTRELA, Andreia Bergamo; CEOLATO, Juliana, SEIXAS, Adriana; TERMIGNONI, Carlos. “IgG degrading activity of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus midgut”. In: XXXVI Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and 10th International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) Conference. Salvador, BA, Brazil. May (21-27), 2007. SEIXAS, Adriana; LEAL, Alexandre Trindade; DA SILVA VAZ JR.; Itabajara; MASUDA, Aoi; TERMIGNONI, Carlos. “Avaliacao da proteina VTDCE como imunogeno em uma vacina para bovinos contra o carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus”. In: 14o Brazilian Congress of Veterinary Parasitology. Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. September (3-6), 2006. ESTRELA, Andreia Bergamo; SEIXAS, Adriana; TERMIGNONI, Carlos. “Degradacao de vitelina e hemoglobina por cisteino endopeptidase no carrapato bovino Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)
Effects of added caper on some physicochemical properties of White Cheese

In this study, the effects of caper berries addition on some physicochemical and functional properties of White Cheese were investigated. Three batches of White Cheese were produced: a control group with no caper addition (C), a group with whole grain caper addition (W) and a group with minced caper addition (M). Caper berries were added to the cheese vat after cutting at a level of 8 g per 100 g of curd weight. Changes in chemical compositions, proteolysis (ripening index), lipolysis (acid degree value), free amino acids, free fatty acids (FFAs), and some mineral substances of White Cheese samples were analysed during the ripening period for 90 days at + 4 °C. According to the results obtained from statistical analyses, when compared to control sample, there was a significant difference by adding caper to White Cheese for salt %, lactic acid %, and mineral contents (p<0.05). Generally, the data obtained from this study showed that adding caper to White Cheese reduced some quality characteristics, while some properties such as physicochemical were improved.