Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photon flux partitioning among species along a productivity gradient of an herbaceous plant community

1 We studied light partitioning among species along the natural productivity gradient of herbaceous vegetation with an above‐ground dry mass of 150–490 g m−2. The aim was to investigate how the light capturing ability per above‐ground biomass and leaf nitrogen changes in an entire community and to reveal whether different species respond similarly to changes in soil conditions and competition. 2 Species becoming dominant at high soil resources have intrinsically low leaf area ratios (LAR) and lower tissue nitrogen concentration, and hence relatively high nitrogen use efficiency. These traits lead to dominance when soil resources allow rapid growth so that benefits arising from the ability to locate leaves above neighbours and thereby increasing asymmetry of competition, become more crucial. 3 In contrast to our expectations, above‐ground efficiency of nitrogen use on the community level (aNUE) increased along the productivity gradient. Species level nitrogen use efficiency was unaffected by variation in site productivity; the increase in community aNUE was solely as a consequence of changes in species composition. 4 Light absorption per unit of above‐ground mass, ΦM, declined significantly at the community level and also in most species, indicating that light use efficiency increased with increased site productivity and LAI. 5 Light absorption per unit of leaf nitrogen, ΦN, as an indicator of the ratio NUE/LUE showed no clear pattern on the community level because both NUE and LUE tend to increase with increased productivity. At the species level, ΦN tends to decrease because NUE did not change with stand productivity. 6 Some subordinate species responded by enlarging their LAR to increased competition. Additionally, these species were the most responsive in their leaf chlorophyll/nitrogen ratio to changes in light conditions, which shows that physiological plasticity is important for species that are unable to compete for light with the ability to position their leaves above those of other species. 7 This study shows how plasticity in above‐ground growth pattern and nitrogen allocation differs between species with respect to increased soil fertility and competition, leading to distinctive strategies of survival. Light partitioning analysis reveals that increased competition for light, resulting in changes in species composition, is the key factor that leads to decoupling of species and community level acclimation.
Echinodermata

The Crinoids and Sea-urchins are as yet the only members of this class found in the western Scottish coal field. The crinoids of the limestone series have hitherto received very little attention or investigation; but I think there will yet be found a considerable number of undescribed genera and species. We seem, however, to want in our beds many of the typical forms of crinoids met with in similar strata in England and Ireland. In certain strata they occur plentifully both in the lower and upper limestone series. One species, having a pentagonal stem, was found by the late Mr. Skipsey, in a bed at Drumpark, to the east of Glasgow, which occupies a high position in the upper coal measures. It was associated with several other genera of marine carboniferous limestone fossils, and is the highest horizon in which they have been detected in our coal field. In a few instances the remains of crinoids enter largely or almost wholly into the formation of some of the limestone strata in various districts, but their remains are more frequently found in the soft shales. When such is the case, fragments of the stems, single ossiculæ, and portions of the heads, are often found in a good state of preservation; but it is very rarely indeed that anything like perfect specimens are met with. The other member of the class Echinodermata found in our limestone strata is the genus Archæocidaris, one of the oldest forms of Cidaris or Sea-urchins at present This 250-word extract was created in the absence of an abstract
Abstract

Morphological changes induced by oxfendazole in early stage Taenia solium cysticerci, Yong-Jie, L. , Qing-Zhang, L. & Yan-Hong, H. (2003) Morphological changes to early stage Taenia soliutn cysticerci following oxfendazole treatment. Veterinary Jourtnal 165, 73-77
Crystal morphology of binary and ternary mixtures of hydrogenated fats and soybean oil

The objective of this study was to verify the influence of temperature on crystallization of binary and ternary mixtures of two hydrogenated fats and soybean oil, by polarized light microscopy at temperatures of 30° C, 35° C, and 40° C. The types of crystals observed were spherulites type A, and B and the polymorphic forms were s , and s -prime. The soybean oil does not contribute statistically to total area or maximum diameter of the crystals. At 35° C the positive relative coefficients to the interactions presented, in general, absolute values higher than the negative ones, pointing that the crystals were larger than what could be expected, if there was no interaction among the components. At 40° C the negative relative coefficients revealed, in general, absolute values higher than the positive ones, indicating that the samples were close to the melting point, showing the presence of some small crystals.
Response of kabuli chickpea to seed size and planting depth

The use of small seed can reduce the production costs of kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) 15 to 25% by reducing the amount of seed needed per unit area, but little is known about the effects of seed size on stand establishment, plant growth, and seed yield in semiarid environments. We conducted a field study in southwest Saskatchewan from 1998 to 2000 and determined the chickpea responses to seed size under different planting depths. Crops grown from small (7.1–9.0 mm) diameter seed required the same number of days to emerge (16.7 d) and mature (106 d) as those from large (9.1–11.0 mm) diameter seed. There were no differences in plant establishment, shoot dry weight, pod production, or seed yield between the two seed sizes when planted at a 50-mm depth. However, the small-seeded crop produced 7% lower plant stand, 4% lower seed yield, and 3% less seed 1799-mm diameter compared to the large-seeded crop when planted at a 100-mm depth (P < 0.05). Large-seed ed chickpea plants were 20 mm (4%) taller, and .
Unusual brain growth patterns in early life in patients with autistic disorder: An MRI study

ObjectiveTo quantify developmental abnormalities in cerebral and cerebellar volume in autism. MethodsThe authors studied 60 autistic and 52 normal boys (age, 2 to 16 years) using MRI. Thirty autistic boys were diagnosed and scanned when 5 years or older. The other 30 were scanned when 2 through 4 years of age and then diagnosed with autism at least 2.5 years later, at an age when the diagnosis of autism is more reliable. ResultsNeonatal head circumferences from clinical records were available for 14 of 15 autistic 2- to 5-year-olds and, on average, were normal (35.1 ± 1.3 cm versus clinical norms: 34.6 ± 1.6 cm), indicative of normal overall brain volume at birth; one measure was above the 95th percentile. By ages 2 to 4 years, 90% of autistic boys had a brain volume larger than normal average, and 37% met criteria for developmental macrencephaly. Autistic 2- to 3-year-olds had more cerebral (18%) and cerebellar (39%) white matter, and more cerebral cortical gray matter (12%) than normal, whereas older autistic children and adolescents did not have such enlarged gray and white matter volumes. In the cerebellum, autistic boys had less gray matter, smaller ratio of gray to white matter, and smaller vermis lobules VI–VII than normal controls. ConclusionsAbnormal regulation of brain growth in autism results in early overgrowth followed by abnormally slowed growth. Hyperplasia was present in cerebral gray matter and cerebral and cerebellar white matter in early life in patients with autism.
Effects of concentrate or ryegrass-based diets (Lolium multiflorum) on the meat quality of lambs grazing on semi-natural pastures

Abstract With the objective of studying the effects of production systems on meat quality, 75 Norwegian White Sheep lambs were subjected to one of the following treatments: continuous grazing on a semi-natural lowland pasture until slaughtering (Control); continuous grazing followed by either stall-feeding on concentrate and grass silage or grazing ryegrass pasture for 44 or 24 days before slaughtering (Conc44, Conc24, Rye44, Rye24). Loin samples of M. longissimus dorsi including the subcutaneous fat were analysed for sensory attributes and fatty acid composition. Compared with the control group, a lower intensity of acid taste (P<0.05) and a lower content of C18:3n-6 fatty acids (P<0.001) were observed in the Conc44 group. The n-6/n-3 ratio was higher (P<0.001) in meat tested from the concentrate treatments compared to the ryegrass treatments. These findings indicate that the fattening of lambs on improved pastures or a concentrate-based diet prior to slaughter may alter meat characteristics.
THE INFLUENCE OF ASPECT ON THE PATTERN OF SEASONAL GROWTH IN THE LICHEN PARMELIA GLABRATULA SSP. FULIGINOSA (FR. EX DUBY) LAUND

The radial growth of samples of thalli of Parmelia glabratula ssp. fuliginosa were measured in situ on a south-facing and a northwest-facing rock surface each month from August 1973 to July 1974. In the periods August to October 1973 and March to July 1974 the radial growth of thalli in the northwest population was greater than in the south population. In the period November 1973 to February 1974 the radial growth of thalli in the south population was greater than in the northwest population. A physiological basis for the differences in seasonal growth in the two populations was suggested. The mean annual radial growth rate (in units of mm/year) was not significantly different in the two populations. However, the variability in radial growth rate between thalli was signifiacntly larger in the northwest than in the south population. These results may be explained by genetic difference between the populations and environmental differences between the rock surfaces.
The Role of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) in Apoptosis Induced by Ultraviolet C and γ Radiation

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) participate in cellular responses to mitogenic stimuli, environmental stresses, and apoptotic agents. The mechanisms by which JNK integrates with other signaling pathways and regulates the diverse cellular events are unclear. We found JNK, but not p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2, to be persistently activated in apoptosis induced by γ radiation, UV-C, and anti-Fas treatment. Direct correlation was found between JNK activation and apoptosis induced by UV-C and γ radiation; however, JNK induction and apoptosis induced by Fas signaling were not well correlated. Overexpression of activated JNK1 caused cell death in transfected cells, and the expression of a dominant-negative mutant of MAPK kinase 1 or JNK1 (but not a dominant-negative mutant of p38-MAPK or c-Raf) prevented the UV-C- and γ radiation-induced cell death. The inductions of JNK in T-cell activation and apoptosis were distinguished by the different activation patterns, transient versus persistent, respectively. Co-treatment with a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor (sodium orthovanadate) and T-cell activation signals (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin) prolonged JNK induction, followed by T-cell apoptosis. Our data revealed the requirement of the JNK pathway in radiation-induced apoptosis and implicated the importance of the duration of JNK activation in determining the cell fates.
Variação anatômica no lenho de Astronium lecointei Ducke

In order to evaluate the variation of the cellular elements of Astronium lecointei Ducke from the pith towards the vascular cambium, wood samples from three regions of the radial sense in the tree at 1.30 m above the groundwere analyzed: 0% (near to the pith), 50% (intermediate region) and 100% (near to the vascular cambium). The methodology applied in the work was the one traditionally recommended for studies in wood anatomy, following the guidance of the IAWA Committee. It was possible to observe that some anatomical elements showed well-defined, statistically significant variation trends: frequency, diameter and length of the vessel elements, length of rays in microns, and fiber length. There was also greater pore blockage by tyloses close to the pith and in the intermediate region. The tendency to stabilize the values of these structures may indicate the formation of adult wood as from the intermediate region analyzed in the wood of Astronium lecointei Ducke.
THE RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION OF BENTHIC MICROALGAE TO TOTAL MICROALGAL PRODUCTION IN A SHALLOW SUB-TIDAL ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract This study examined the contribution of benthic microalgae to total microalgal production in the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, a shallow subtidal estuarine ecosystem in Baldwin County, Alabama, USA. Environmental characteristics, nutrient concentrations, and benthic and planktonic biomass and productivity rates were measured every 2-4 weeks between February 1991 and August 1992. Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the surficial sediments ranged from 0.2 to 30.7 mg m-2, with a mean of 9.5 ± 1.5 mg m-2 for the study period. Over an annual cycle, benthic microalgae contributed 25.2% of total microalgal biomass. Daily production rates for the benthic microalgae ranged from 0.01 to 0.75 gC m-2 d-1, with a mean of 0.22 ± 0.05 gC m-2 d-1. Annual production of the benthic microalgae was 90.1 gC m-2, or 20.6% of total microalgal production in Weeks Bay. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that nitrate, planktonic chl-a, benthic production, and seston accounted for 33% of the variability in .
Effects of floods on brook trout populations in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia

Abstract The objectives of this study were to describe the effects of the January and May 1996 floods on the stream habitat features, redds of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, and brook trout density in 14 headwater streams in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. We measured stream habitat features, estimated wild brook trout density, and mapped brook trout redds in summer and fall 1995. We resurveyed trout redds in February 1996. In summer 1996 we remeasured habitat features and estimated brook trout density. The floods caused substantial movements of stream substrates. The numbers of riffles and pools increased, though their lengths decreased. Redds were scoured during the January 1996 flood. Few age-0 trout were found in summer 1996, and their density averaged about 98% less than the previous year. Age-1 and older trout also declined; their density in 1996 was about 84% less than the previous year. The effects of the floods on brook trout density were most severe in streams at higher eleva.
Lack of Interaction between Extreme High‐Temperature Events at Vegetative and Reproductive Growth Stages in Wheat

Increased climatic variability and more frequent episodes of extreme conditions may result in crops being exposed to more than one extreme temperature event in a single growing season and could decrease crop yields to the same extent as changes in mean temperature. The developmental stage of the crop exposed to increased temperatures will determine the severity of possible damage experienced by the plant. It is not known whether or not the damaging effects of heat episodes occurring at different phenological stages are additive. In the present study, the interaction of high-temperature events applied at the stages of double ridges and anthesis in Triticum aestivum (L.) cv. Chablis was investigated. Biomass accumulation of control plants and that of plants experiencing high temperatures during the double-ridge stage were similar and were reduced by 40 % when plants were subjected to a heat event at anthesis. Grain number on the main and side tillers declined by 41 %, and individual grain weight declined by 45 % with heat stress applied at the double-ridge stage and anthesis or at anthesis alone. The harvest index was reduced from 0.53 to 0.33. Nitrogen contents in leaves were reduced by 10 % at the double-ridge stage and by 25 % at anthesis. The maximum rates of CO2 assimilation increased with heat stress at the double-ridge stage and higher rates were maintained throughout the growing season. The results clearly indicate that an extreme heat event at the double-ridge stage does not affect subsequent growth or the response of wheat to heat stress at anthesis.
Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of root‐nodulating bacterial strains from Arachis hypogaea with physiological characteristics of both fast and slow growers

N. MATHAN, M. PARANI, A. PARIDA AND S. NAIR. 1996. Strains of root‐nodulating bacteria isolated from Arachis hypogaea showed physiological characteristics of both fast and slow growers. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers showed most of the genotypes could be identified using one or two primers; however, cluster analysis based on the number of bands shared by the genotypes showed a homogenous cluster. These strains were halotolerant in nature and have potential for use in saline soil.
Nitrogen Supply Affects the Remobilization of Nitrogen for the Regrowth of Defoliated Lolium perenne L.

Nitrogen remobilization from roots and pseudostems during regrowth of Lolium perenne L. was studied in miniswards grown with contrasting levels of (NH4)2S04 in solution culture. Growth with a high N supply (5 0 mol NH4 m~3) increased the weight of leaf laminae recovered at each of five weekly clippings, and decreased the proportion of photosynthate used for root growth. Clipped plants growing in a steady-state were supplied with I5N for 48 h and the recovery of labelled N in laminae measured after five weekly cuts. Recovery of labelled N in the laminae from the second clipping onwards was derived only from remobilization of N from roots and pseudostem. Miniswards grown with low N (0-5 mol NH4 m~3) relied more upon remobilization of N for lamina growth than did high N plants. Thus after 14 d 20% of lamina N was labelled in low N plants but only 3% was labelled in the high N treatment. Thereafter, N remobilization declined until at the final clipping after 35 d, labelled N represented only 4% and 1 % of the lamina N in the low and high N plants. When plants were not clipped before the labelling period, they took up more 15N if grown with high N than cut plants. Thereafter, the remobilization of N followed a similar pattern as in the cut plants. Exponential models were used to calculate the rate of N transfer from roots and pseudostem to laminae. When grown with low N, the half-life of remobilization was 1 -56 weeks. High N miniswards had an initial rapid remobilization with a half-life of 0-66 weeks, and a slower phase with a half-life of 2-98 weeks.
Comparison of RAPD, ISSR and SSR markers in assessing genetic diversity among rye (Secale cereale L.) inbred lines

Comparison of RAPD, ISSR and SSR markers in assessing genetic diversity among rye (Secale cereale L.) inbred lines Forty eight inbred lines of winter rye, of various origin and pedigree, were analysed using 19 RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) primers, 8 ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeats) primers and 13 SSR (simple sequence repeats) primer pairs. On the basis of particular marker types, there were created three separate dendrograms and one combined similarity tree, prepared on account of the whole data. Correlation coefficients for individual technique based on genetic similarity matrices were not significant. By comparing the GS data obtained on the basis of singular methods with collective matrix, it was observed that the highest correlation rate was for ISSR method (r=0.68). The utility of each marker technique was compared by using marker index MI. Diversity detecting index (DDT) was suggested in the paper, which may prove helpful in planning and comparing researches on phenetic relationships.
Habitat Differences and Variability in the Lek Mating System of Black Grouse

Spatially fixed territoriality has been regarded to be a general feature in lek mating systems. In the absence of territories, however, the nature of leks may change remarkably. We compared leks of black grouse in areas, where territoriality was governed by habitat characteristics. On ice-covered lakes, where the lekking ground was homogeneous and offered no landmarks by which the displaying males would be able to recognize territory boundaries, the male aggregations were mobile. 'Classical' leks on bogs, however, were stable. It also appeared that on mobile leks, as compared to stable leks, the opportunities for females to choose their mates were reduced. The distribution of mating success was more biased in the absence of fixed territories, which may indicate more intense sexual selection.
Ten new species in the subgenus Unionicolides (Acari: Unionicolidae: Unionicola) in North and South America, with a re-evaluation of related species

Abstract Ten new species (Unionicola (Unionicolides) bakeri, hoesei, poundsi, fulleri, conroyi, burchi, scutella, lasallei, calnani and stansberyi) are described for the first time. Ten species were previously known in the subgenus Unionicolides, a New World group that parasitizes fresh-water mussels. All North American species are re-evaluated. Unionicolides contains a large number of incipient species which may be diverging through sympatric host race formation.
Increasing the intake of highly digestible Persian clover herbage reduces rumen fluid pH and the rate of degradation of neutral detergent fibre in grazing dairy cows

An experiment was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that increasing the intake of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) would decrease rumen fluid pH and the rate of loss of neutral detergent fibre from nylon bags. It was further hypothesised that the reduction in the rate of disappearance of neutral detergent fibre with increased intake would be less in highly digestible clover than in highly digestible ryegrass or pasture hay. Sixteen rumen fistulated cows, in late lactation, were used in a completely randomised, split-plot design for 33 days. There were 4 pasture allowance treatments (9, 16, 32 and 53 kg dry matter (DM)/cow.day of Persian clover) with 4 cows per treatment. Cows grazed in individual plots, pasture intakes were measured, and rumen fluid and in sacco measurements were undertaken. Pasture DM intake increased asymptotically as pasture allowance increased from 9 to 53 kg DM. Cows grazing at the 9 kg pasture allowance spent less time grazing than cows at higher allowances (294 v. 368, 421 and 414 min, P 0.05) of pasture allowance on time spent ruminating, which averaged 236 min. Estimated rates of intake increased (P 0.05). There were no differences (P>0.05) in total rumen contents (75.6 kg; s.e.d. = 6.95), or DM (7.3 kg; s.e.d. = 0.73) and neutral detergent fibre (2.7 kg; s.e.d. = 0.32) pools, of cows grazing at different allowances. Offering cows increasing allowances of Persian clover pasture reduced rumen digesta retention times, as rumen pool sizes did not change. Average daily pH fell with increasing allowance due to differences in daily intake and pH patterns, and increasing pasture allowance decreased the rate of disappearance of neutral detergent fibre. It is suggested that increased outflow rates, driven by differences in daily pH patterns and changes in substrate composition, were responsible for the decline in disappearance of neutral detergent fibre from nylon bags, but the effects of the factors cannot be separated.