Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Colonisation of jarrah forest bauxite-mine rehabilitation areas by orchid mycorrhizal fungi

Orchids require mycorrhizal fungi for germination of seed and growth of seedlings. The colonisation of bauxite-mine rehabilitation areas by orchids is therefore dependent on the availability of both seed and mycorrhizal fungi. Orchid mycorrhizal fungi baiting trials were carried out in rehabilitation areas that were 1, 10 and 26 years old (established in 2001, 1992 and 1976) and adjacent unmined jarrah forest areas at Jarrahdale, Western Australia. Fungal baits consisted of buried six-chambered nylon-mesh packets containing seed of six jarrah forest orchid taxa, Caladenia flava subsp. flava R.Br. , Disa bracteata Sw. , Microtis media subsp. media R.Br. , Pterostylis recurva Benth. , Pyrorchis nigricans (R.Br.) D.L. Jones & M.A.Clem. and Thelymitra crinita Lindl. Detection of orchid mycorrhizal fungi was infrequent, especially at the youngest rehabilitation sites where only mycorrhizal fungi associated with P. recurva were detected. Mycorrhizal fungi of the other orchid taxa were widespread but sparsely distributed in older rehabilitation and forest areas. Detection of mycorrhizal fungi varied between taxa and baiting sites for the two survey years (2002 and 2004). Caladenia flava subsp. flava and T. crinita mycorrhizal fungi were the most frequently detected. The presence of C. flava mycorrhizal fungi was correlated with leafy litter cover and maximum depth, and soil moisture at the vegetation type scale (50 × 5 m belt transects), as well as tree and litter cover at the microhabitat scale (1-m2 quadrats). The presence of T. crinita mycorrhizal fungi was positively correlated with soil moisture in rehabilitation areas and low shrub cover in forest. The frequency of detection of orchid mycorrhizal fungi both at rehabilitated sites (15–25% of baits) and in unmined forest (15–50% of baits) tended to increase with rehabilitation age as vegetation recovered. The failure of some orchid taxa to reinvade rehabilitation areas is unlikely to be entirely due to absence of the appropriate mycorrhizal fungi. However, since the infrequent detection of fungi suggests that they occur in isolated patches of soil, the majority of dispersed orchid seeds are likely to perish, especially in recently disturbed habitats.
Predicting alcohol yield from UK soft winter wheat for grain distilling: combined influence of hardness and nitrogen measurements.

The work reported in this paper showed that whilst grain nitrogen is a key player in determining the alcohol yield obtained from soft winter wheat, other parameters such as grain hardness may also be important. A strong positive correlation was found between grain hardness and grain nitrogen and both parameters affected alcohol yield of processed wheat in a similar way. Although an inverse relationship between alcohol yield and grain nitrogen was observed at each of four growing sites, this relationship was stronger for wheat grown at moderate nitrogen sites than at higher or lower nitrogen sites. A similar inverse relationship, comparable to that obtained for nitrogen, was also found between alcohol yield and grain hardness. Further statistical analysis showed that an improved prediction of alcohol yield can be obtained based on measures of both hardness and total nitrogen, as opposed to total nitrogen alone. Residue viscosity did not appear to directly influence alcohol yield. However, some correlation was observed between both grain nitrogen and hardness and residue viscosity at certain sites. While correlation between nitrogen and residue viscosity was observed at the site with the highest nitrogen content, correlation between hardness and residue viscosity was observed at the two sites where nitrogen content was highest. Finally, scanning electron microscopy revealed that very high protein content was found to result in deformation of the starch structure, limiting access of starch during processing and lowering alcohol yield.
Interferon‐α and antisense K‐ras RNA combination gene therapy against pancreatic cancer

Interferon alpha (IFN‐α) is used worldwide for the treatment of a variety of cancers. For pancreatic cancer, recent clinical trials using IFN‐α in combination with standard chemotherapeutic drugs showed some antitumor activity of the cytokine, but the effect was not significant enough to enlist pancreatic cancer as a clinically effective target of IFN‐α. In general, an improved therapeutic effect and safety are expected for cytokine therapy when given in a gene therapy context, because the technology would allow increased local concentrations of this cytokine in the target sites. In this study, we first examined the antiproliferative effect of IFN‐α gene transduction into pancreatic cancer cells. The expression of IFN‐α effectively induced growth suppression and cell death in pancreatic cancer cells, an effect which appeared to be more prominent when compared with other types of cancers and normal cells. Another strategy we have been developing for pancreatic cancer targets its characteristic genetic aberration, K‐ras point mutation, and we reported that the expression of antisense K‐ras RNA significantly suppressed the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. When these two gene therapy strategies are combined, the expression of antisense K‐ras RNA significantly enhanced IFN‐α‐induced cell death (1.3‐ to 3.5‐fold), and suppressed subcutaneous growth of pancreatic cancer cells in mice. Because the 2′,5′‐oligoadenylate synthetase/RNase L pathway, which is regulated by IFN and induces apoptosis of cells, is activated by double‐strand RNA, it is plausible that the double‐strand RNA formed by antisene and endogeneous K‐ras RNA enhanced the antitumor activity of IFN‐α. This study suggested that the combination of IFN‐α and antisense K‐ras RNA is a promising gene therapy strategy against pancreatic cancer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interplay of Ca2+ and cAMP Signaling in the Insulin-secreting MIN6 β-Cell Line*[boxs]

Ca2+ and cAMP are important second messengers that regulate multiple cellular processes. Although previous studies have suggested direct interactions between Ca2+ and cAMP signaling pathways, the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. In particular, direct evidence for Ca2+-regulated cAMP production in living cells is incomplete. Genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based biosensors have made possible real-time imaging of spatial and temporal gradients of intracellular cAMP concentration in single living cells. Here, we used confocal microscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and insulin-secreting MIN6 cells expressing Epac1-camps, a biosynthetic unimolecular cAMP indicator, to better understand the role of intracellular Ca2+ in cAMP production. We report that depolarization with high external K+, tolbutamide, or glucose caused a rapid increase in cAMP that was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and inhibited by nitrendipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker, or 2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine, a P-site antagonist of transmembrane adenylate cyclases. Stimulation of MIN6 cells with glucose in the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride generated concomitant Ca2+ and cAMP oscillations that were abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and blocked by 2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase. Simultaneous measurements of Ca2+ and cAMP concentrations with Fura-2 and Epac1-camps, respectively, revealed a close temporal and causal interrelationship between the increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+ and cAMP levels following membrane depolarization. These findings indicate highly coordinated interplay between Ca2+ and cAMP signaling in electrically excitable endocrine cells and suggest that Ca2+-dependent cAMP oscillations are derived from an increase in adenylate cyclase activity and periodic activation and inactivation of cAMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase.
Sibling species in the sea

Sibling species are common in all major marine groups and habitats. Their abundance reflects both inadequate study of morphological features of living organisms ("pseudo-sibling species") and divergence in habitat, life history, and chemical recognition systems without parallel divergence in morphology. Many marine sibling species are quite distinct genetically. Others, however, exhibit slight genetic differences whose significance is only clear in sympatry and in combination with other subtle but concordant patterns of differentiation. A large number of abundant, well-studied, or economically important taxa have recently been shown to be complexes of sibling species. The broad habitat and geographic distributions characteristic of many marine species require reevaluation in this context.
Yield Properties and Structure of Boreal Percid Communities in Ontario

A synoptic review of yield data for 70 northern Ontario lakes from 1917 to 1973 showed that percids mainly walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) constituted about one-third, by weight, of the total fish yield. This relationship, which was independent of fishing effort, lake size, and lake productivity, is considered to be an emergent property of this type of fish community and represents a degree of homeostasis within the community under exploitation. The relation of percid yield to theoretical yield (based on the morphoedaphic index — MEI) reflected organizational structure and suggested the existence of a community (percid) component within the MEI, and from this we recommend upper limits of percid harvest for boreal percid lakes.Most (83%) of the 70 lakes had an average total yield of less than 2.5 kg∙ha−1∙yr−1, 53% (37 lakes) yielding less than one-half of the theoretical yield (average 3.4 kg∙ha−1∙yr−1). Long-term average yields exceeded the theoretical maximums in only 11 lakes. Mesotrophic to slig.
Inoculação de nutrientes em ovos de matrizes pesadas

Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of in ovo inoculation of linoleic acid, glucose, and glutamine in chick eggs at 16th day of incubation on hatchability and performance until 10 days of age. It was used a randomized block design with five treatments, as follows: in experiment 1, 0, 100, 200 or 300 µL of linoleic acid; in experiment 2, 0, 100, 200 or 300 mg of glucose; and in experiment 3, 0, 10, 20 or 30 mg of glutamine. The control was represented by the intact eggs in all experiments. In the pre hatch phase, each one of 130 eggs represented an experimental unit, and in post hatch phase each treatment had four replicates with 15 chicks each. The inoculation of linoleic acid or glucose increased embryo mortality and decreased hatchability and chick weight:egg weight ratio. In ovo inoculation of linoleic acid resulted in lighter chicks. In ovo inoculation of linoleic acid, glucose, and glutamine at different concentrations did not improve bird hatchability and performance until 10 days of age.
Morphology of the Hooded crow Corvus corone cornix in relation to age, sex and latitude

The morphological variation of the Hooded crow at Trondheim, Norway, was studied, based on a sample of 734 birds collected during a six year period. Mouth colour, plumage colour, skull thickness and feather length were found to be characters which could readily be used to separate juveniles from adults. Females aged 15–19 months had a thinner skull roof than older female birds. Low coefficients of variation were found for the lengths of the third primary and of the tail feathers. A discriminant analysis showed that of the various body dimensions studied bill height and bill length distinguished the sexes most precisely. A high degree of sexual dimorphism was also found to exist in body weight and in the thickness of the skull roof. Those body structures which develop at about the same stage during the juvenile growth period were associated with the same principal component, viz. the lengths of bony structures, parts that develop early on in life, were intercorrelated (wing bones, tarsus, bill basis and the width of foramen magnum). The lengths of the primaries and of tail feathers were also intercorrelated, structures which develop late. The mean body weight of the Hooded crow population studied in Norway was intermediate between that of the Hooded crow in Germany and of the Carrion and Hooded crows in England and Scotland. No such differences were found in wing length. Norwegian Hooded crows have shorter tails than German ones, but their bills are much larger, in particular for the females. Therefore, the degree of sexual dimorphism in bill size seems to be reduced at high latitudes.
Ecological correlates of hind‐limb length in the Carnivora

What determines the lengths and proportions of mammalian limbs? While the answer to this question is still largely unknown, a number of workers have recently begun analysing the selection of morphology in a rigorous framework, searching for quantitative links between structure, performance, and their ecological and behavioural context. The present study investigates a variety of ecological and behavioural variables to determine whether or not they are correlated with hind-limb length in the Carnivora. Data were analysed by using phylogenetically independent contrasts and phylogenetic analysis of covariance. We found that traditional perceptions of limb length are often inaccurate; some species widely regarded as relatively long-legged actually have limb lengths near those expected for their body size. Interestingly, relative hind-limb length is not a significant predictor of distance moved daily, home-range area, or prey size. Phylogenetic ANCOVA results, however, indicate a relationship between prey-capture behaviour and relative hind-limb length. These findings suggest that the evolution of carnivoran limb length has been most influenced by selection for prey-capture behaviour. These results, coupled with those of other studies, can be used to suggest which performance variables could most fruitfully be studied in the laboratory to understand the selection of the structure of the mammalian limb. We suggest that relevant performance variables might be: maximum jump height and/or length, the ability to generate outforces, and levels of stress tolerance in limb bones during prey pursuit/capture.
Notes on Cerataphis brasiliensis and synonyms palmae, variabilis and fransseni (Homoptera: Aphididae), with a key to Cerataphis species living on palms and orchids

— Cerataphis brasiliensis (Hempel) is established as a valid species. This specific name predates Cerataphis palmae (Ghesquiere), Cerataphis variabilis Hille Ris Lambers and Cerataphis fransseni (Hille Ris Lambers) which are considered synonyms of C. brasiliensis. The availability of topotypes of C. brasiliensis and syntypes of C. palmae is disclosed, lectotypes and paralectotypes of C. palmae and C. variabilis are designated, and the life cycle of C. fransseni is noted. A key is provided for the identification of species of Cerataphis living on palms and orchids.
PREFERENCE–PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIPS AND EFFECTS OF HOST PLANT CHOICE IN AN HERBIVOROUS MARINE AMPHIPOD

The fitness of herbivores that have limited mobility as juveniles or larvae may often depend on the host choice behavior of adults. For such herbivores, selection should favor adults that choose plants that maximize the performance of their offspring, resulting in positive correlations across host plants among adult preferences, offspring performance (growth, survival, etc.), and for herbivores that are restricted to living on host plants, population-level parameters such as abundance on different hosts. We tested this hypothesis for the marine, nest-building amphipod Peramphithoe parmerong, using a series of behavioral and performance assays and relevant field data. Adults displayed strong preferences among eight species of brown algae in habitat choice assays, with Sargassum linearifolium and S. vestitum highly preferred; Colpomenia peregrina and Padina crassa of lower preference; and Dictyopteris acrostichoides, Dictyota dichotoma, Dilophus marginata, and Zonaria diesingiana consistently avoided. Juvenile amphipods were relatively immobile and, thus, mostly constrained to the host alga selected by their mother. Differences in the growth and survival of juvenile amphipods raised on single-species diets were consistent with adult nest-building preferences among algae, with the best performance on the two high-preference species of Sargassum. Thus, adult preferences for host plants largely determined juvenile performance due to (1) restricted movement by juveniles and (2) differences among algal species in their effects on growth, survival, and onset of reproduction. In contrast to host plant preferences by adults, feeding rates on different algae were not as clearly correlated with juvenile performance. In particular, the low-preference C. peregrina was consumed at a high rate, but survivorship on this alga was relatively poor. Differences in abundances of P. parmerong on different host algae in the field were consistent with laboratory preferences and not related to relative algal abundance or epiphyte loads, supporting the hypothesis that there were population-level consequences of host plant choice in this species. With regard to mechanisms underlying host use, amphipod preferences were closely (negatively) correlated with the presence of nonpolar secondary metabolites. Nonpolar crude extracts from nonhost species, all of which contain secondary metabolites, affected amphipod host acceptance behavior, whereas extracts from host species, all of which lack such metabolites, did not. Overall, host plant use was unrelated to the nutritional value of the algal species, but one low-preference host, C. peregrina, was notably nutritionally poor. These observations, and the correlations among adult preferences, offspring performance, and field densities for P. parmerong, are consistent with intrinsic host plant qualities determining host plant range for this species. This contrasts with previous studies that emphasized the importance of extrinsic factors, particularly predation, in determining amphipod host use.
Fishing for a solution: can collaborative resource management reduce poverty and support conservation?

SUMMARY Protected area management in developing countries faces the challenges of building support for conservation among neighbouring residents and monitoring the social and ecological impacts of conservation programming. This study examined a collaborative resource management (CRM) programme at Kibale National Park (Uganda) that permits residents to fish inside the Park. Like other integrated conservation and development programmes, the goals are to help alleviate poverty and encourage support for conservation and conservation-related behaviours. The programme's impact was empirically analysed using an 81 item personal survey, with 94 CRM fishers and 91 comparison group respondents, and additional data from semi-structured interviews and document review. Fishers’ annual income was significantly greater (median = US$ 376.02 yr−1) than that of the comparison group (median = US$ 196.19 yr−1; p < 0.001), and their tribal affiliation influenced earnings. Fishers indicated greater support for conservation (p < 0.01) than the comparison group. Although some CRM fishers deterred illegal activity, some may extract resources illegally. This study demonstrates that CRM is a viable tool for promoting support for conservation and increasing income, although monitoring of programme participants is needed to deter illegal behaviours and sustain the resource base.
Production and Heterosis Analysis of Rice Autotetraploid Hybrids

Poor fertility is the main barrier for utilizing heterosis between the two rice (Oryza sativa L.) subspecies, indica and japonica. Recently, the development of autotetraploid hybrids (2n = 4x = 48) has been suggested as a new method for increasing heterosis in hybrid rice. Using standard experimental protocols, the elite diploid rice male sterile, maintainer, and restorer lines were colchicine-doubled, and autotetraploid counterparts were obtained. Seven resulting hybrids were analyzed for heterobeltiosis (HB), where the F-1 was compared to the male parent, and the degree of heterosis, where the F, was compared to the diploid commercial hybrid, Shanyou 63. The HB among the autotetraploid hybrids ranged from 1.4 to 105.9% for the productive panicles per plant, 0.5 to 74.3% for total kernels per panicle, 17.6 to 255.7% for filled kernels per panicle, and 9.6 to 130.4% for seed set. Improvements in these yield components resulted in the HB for kernel yield ranging from 64.8 to 672.7% among the seven hybrids. Hybrids T461A/T4002 and T461A/T4193 yielded 46.3 and 38.3% more, respectively, than Shanyou 63, and all other hybrids but one yielded the same or more than Shanyou 63. The high heterosis for yield suggests that hybrid sterility between two rice subspecies may be overcome by using tetraploid lines followed by intensive selection. Also, the gigantic features of the autotetraploid hybrids may establish a plant structure able to support the higher yield.
Hybridization between Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz (false flax) and North American Camelina species

The potential for gene flow between Camelina sativa, a promising edible and industrial oil crop in Canada, and its wild North American relatives C. alyssum, C. microcarpa and C. rumelica subsp. rumelica, was investigated. Sequence analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was used to differentiate Camelina species and/or accession-specific nucleotide markers and identify interspecific F1 hybrids. ITS analysis identified hybrids in progeny of C. alyssum × C. sativa, C. microcarpa accession 36010 × C. sativa and C. sativa × C. rumelica subsp. rumelica. Seed set on C. alyssum × C. sativa F1 and F2 progeny was similar to the parents; few seeds were produced on hybrid progeny of C. microcarpa accession 36010 × C. sativa and C. sativa × C. rumelica subsp. rumelica. The study provided evidence that should the species have sympatric distributions and overlapping flowering periods, gene flow between C. sativa and its wild North American relatives is possible and that it would most likely occur with C. alyssum given the high fertility of the F1 hybrids recovered.
Aluminium tolerance in wheat: correlating hydroponic evaluations with field and soil performances*

The objective of this study was to correlate root length of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes grown in Al-containing, acidic hydroponic solutions, with root weights from acid-soil experiments and field scores from Brazilian acid-field trials. A total of 43 wheat genotypes, primarily from Brazil, were evaluated by growing seedlings for 4 days in hydroponic solutions containing 0.0–4.0 mg/l Al. The root growth rate of all the genotypes was reduced with the addition of Al to the solution and the Al-sensitive and Al-tolerant wheat genotypes were clearly identified. Genotypes with intermediate Al-tolerance levels showed variable root lengths in response to Al stress. Correlations between root length or a root tolerance index (RTI) in the Al solutions versus acid-soil experiments and acid-field trials were highly significant (r = 0.71–0.85, P < 0.01). The most significant correlation was observed among seedlings grown in 1 mg/1 Al. This study presents evidence that this short duration and simple screening technique provides a highly significant correlation with previous acid-soil Al-tolerance evaluations. Furthermore, the data obtained suggest that hydroponic screening of wheat seedlings for Al tolerance may be used in breeding programmes or in screening germplasm collections.