Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term changes in tree species composition in the Dinaric mountain forests of Slovenia

This study utilizes data from long-term research sites in managed fir-beech forests (Hrusica, Leskova dolina and Rog) and a virgin forest remnant (Rajhenav), used as a reference site. Data obtained from old forest management plans and forest inventories were analysed. The results of the study support the hypothesis that two main tree speciessilver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)alternate site dominance. The causes of species dominance alternation include both natural processes and anthropogenic factors, in particular silvicultural practices and the impact of ungulates. More than a hundred years ago, European beech dominated stand volume. The proportion of silver fir increased until 19401970 when a gradual decrease started. All indicators suggest that the proportion of silver fir will decrease further in the coming decades. Key words: tree species composition alternation, diameter distribution, silver fir, European beech, forest history, forest planning, managed forests, v.
Modeling and simulation of the human δ opioid receptor

A model for the human δ opioid receptor has been generated via sequence alignment, structure building using the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin as a template, and refinement by molecular dynamics simulation. The model building suggested that, in addition to the previously postulated interaction between D128 and Y308, an internal salt bridge also exists between residues D128 and R192, both of which are conserved in all the opioid receptors. The model and salt bridge were then shown to be stable during a 20‐nsec simulation in a lipid bilayer. It is therefore proposed that both of these interactions play a role in stabilizing the inactive state of the receptor. The model is also used in an effort to rationalize many of the mutational studies performed on δ opioid receptors, and to suggest a plausible explanation for the differences between known δ opioid agonists and antagonists.
Microarray and Growth Analyses Identify Differences and Similarities of Early Corn Response to Weeds, Shade, and Nitrogen Stress

Abstract Weed interference with crop growth is often attributed to water, nutrient, or light competition; however, specific physiological responses to these stresses are not well described. This study's objective was to compare growth, yield, and gene expression responses of corn to nitrogen (N), low light (40% shade), and weed stresses. Corn vegetative parameters from V2 to V12 stages, yield parameters, and gene expression using transcriptome (2008) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) (2008/09) analyses at V8 were compared among the stresses and with nonstressed corn. N stress did not affect vegetative parameters, although grain yield was reduced by 40% compared with nonstressed plants. Shade, present until V2, reduced biomass and leaf area > 50% at V2, and recovering plants remained smaller than nonstressed plants at V12. However, grain yields of shade-stressed and nonstressed plants were similar, unless shade remained until V8. Weed stress reduced corn growth and yield in 2008 when weeds remained until V6. In 2009, weed stress until V2 reduced corn vegetative growth, but yield reductions occurred only if weed stress remained until V6 or later. Principle component analysis of differentially expressed genes indicated that shade and weed stress had more similar gene expression patterns to each other than they did to nonstressed or N-stressed tissues. However, corn grown in N-stressed conditions shared 252 differentially expressed genes with weed-stressed plants. Ontologies associated with light/photosynthesis, energy conversion, and signaling were down-regulated in response to all three stresses. Shade and weed stress clustered most tightly together, based on gene expression, but shared only three ontologies, O-METHYLTRANSFERASE activity (lignification processes), POLY(U)-BINDING activity (posttranscriptional gene regulation), and stomatal movement. Based on morphologic and genomic observations, weed stress to corn was not explained by individual effects of N or light stress. Therefore, we hypothesize that these stresses share limited signaling mechanisms. Nomenclature: Corn, Zea mays L.
Suboesophageal DUM neurons innervate the principal neuropiles of the locust brain

The morphology of the dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons of the suboesophageal ganglion (SOG) of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, were studied by using intracellular staining. The SOG lacks segmental DUM neurons with peripheral axons. All DUM neurons are either intersegmentally projecting (towards the brain or the thoracic nerve cord) or they are local. In addition to previously described DUM neurons with axons in peripheral nerves of the brain (Braunig 1990), the SOG contains DUM neurons which, in the brain, innervate principal neuropile areas such as the antennal lobes, the pedunculi and calyces of the mushroom body, and the central complex. The number and location of DUM cell bodies stained with intracellular fills is compared with those obtained with either backfilling cervical or circumoesophageal connectives, or octopamine-immunocytochemistry. Additional experiments show that the locust brain, like the SOG, lacks both segmental DUM neurons with peripheral axons, and axons descending into the ventral nerve cord.
Bionomics of the Variegated Grasshopper (Zonocerus Variegatus) in West and Central Africa

The variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus, is widespread in western and central Africa. It is primarily associated with the forest regions, but extends into the savannah, where it is restricted to riverine habitats (85). It has been known as a minor pest for many years, attacking plantation crops such as coffee, pineapple, and banana as well as a wide range of subsistence crops, notably cassava (9, 20, I IS); but the incidence and scale of outbreaks have increased in the last 20 years, leading to renewed interest in developing appropriate control strategies. Z. variegatus belongs to the family Pyrgomorphidae and, like some other members of the family (102), it is aposematically colored, sequesters toxic chemicals from plants, and commonly lives in dense groups. This group behavior, together with its polyphagous habit, contributes to its status as a pest.
Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Goats of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra

Helminth parasites of digestive system of goats in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra were studied during the period January 2009 to December 2009. For these 400 faecal samples of goats from different villages were collected. Out of 400 samples 251 were positive (62.75%). In rainy season, out of 150 faecal samples examined 116 were positive (77.33%), while in winter out of 120 samples examined 73 were positive (60.83%) and in summer out of 130 samples examined 67 were positive (51.53%)
Influence of the host plant of the cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti on life‐history parameters of the predator Exochomus flaviventris

To our knowledge, there is still no data available on the influence of plant quality on the trophic suitability of cassava mealybug as prey for Exochomus flaviventrisMader (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae). E flaviventris, a polyphagous ladybird indigenous to subsaharan Africa, is the most active predator of the cassava mealybug in Central Africa (Iziquel & Le Rü, 1989). Cassava-mealybug and mealybug-predator systems have been widely studied both in the laboratory and in the field (Fabres & Kiyindou, 1985; Kiyindou et al., 1990; Reyd & Le Rü, 1992). Until now, only van den Meiracker et al . (1990) have analyzed at plant level the influence of cassava mealybug on the searching behavior ofExochomussp. They showed that inexperienced adult females spend more time searching on cassava leaves previously infested with cassava mealybug than on healthy cassava leaves, and that they are arrested by both wax exuviae and honeydew from the mealybug. Of the three main categories of resistance defined by Painter (1951), antibiosis, which is defined as plant factors that alter the herbivore’s growth, fecundity and survival, is most likely to negatively affect the third trophic level (van Emden, 1991). The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of four different host plants having shown various antibiosis resistance levels to P. manihoti, on the survival, development time, fecundity and prey consumption of the ladybird E. flaviventris. These life-history components can have an important effect on the efficiency of a predator. Material and methods
The Enigma of β2-Adrenergic Receptor Gi Signaling in the Heart: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

See related article, pages 566–573 Four decades ago, it was thought that the cardiac β-adrenergic receptor (AR) was β1AR, the vascular/bronchial counterpart was β2AR, and that β2AR was either nonexistent or nonfunctional in myocardium.1 In the heart, stimulation of β1AR leads to PKA-dependent phosphorylation of a set of Ca2+ regulatory proteins, including sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ channels, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-release channels (ryanodine receptors), SR Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and its regulator phospholamban (PLB), and some myofilament proteins, resulting in positive inotropic, lusitropic, and chronotropic effects. However, over the past decade, compelling evidence has shown that the β2AR subtype is expressed in the heart and its signaling and functionalities markedly differ from those evoked by the closely related βAR subtype, the β1AR. Unlike β1AR, β2AR couples dually to Gs and Gi proteins; the β2AR-Gi signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cardioprotection against apoptotic death of myocytes in culture and in vivo (the “good”), while attenuating the β2AR-Gs-mediated inotropic response (the “bad”) (Figure). 2 Now, in the current issue of Circulation Research , He et al revealed one “ugly” facet of the β2AR-Gi signaling in a canine heart failure model.3 They demonstrated that in the failing heart, activation of β2AR dampens the ability of β1AR, the primary cardiac subtype, to stimulate ICa,L, thus resulting in an overall dysfunction of βAR inotropic response in the failing heart (Figure). 3 Specifically, the effect of βAR stimulation with a nonselective agonist, isoproterenol (ISO), on ICa,L is strikingly diminished in cardiomyocytes from canine failing heart, but can be revived by disruption …
Vegetative and reproductive morphology of Cladosiphon contortus, C. occidentalis and C. cymodoceae sp. nov. (Ectocarpales, Phaeophyceae) from the Canary Islands

M. Sansón, M.J. Martín and J. Reyes. 2006. Vegetative and reproductive morphology of Cladosiphon contortus, C. occidentalis and C. cymodoceae sp. nov. (Ectocarpales, Phaeophyceae) from the Canary Islands. Phycologia 45: 529–545. DOI: 10.2216/05-65.1 The genus Cladosiphon is represented in the Canary Islands by three species, C. contortus, C. occidentalis, and the new species C. cymodoceae. Vegetative and reproductive morphology of macrosporophytes, as well as habitat and phenology of the Canarian individuals, are described in detail. The southern limit of distribution of the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean species, C. contortus, is extended to the Canary Islands, and some anatomical features that previous descriptions had apparently overlooked (large inner medullary cells and rhizoid-like perimedullary filaments, longer cortical filaments, sheathed hairs, adventitious cortical filaments, and hairs often formed from inside empty plurilocular sporangia) are documented. Unilocular sporangia of C. contortus are described here for the first time, and they agree with the characteristics of the genus. Cladosiphon occidentalis is reported for the first time in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Specimens previously reported from the Canary Islands as Cladosiphon zosterae were found to be misidentifications of C. occidentalis. Cladosiphon cymodoceae sp. nov., known only from the Canary Islands, is an epiphytic species on leaves of the warm temperate seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Cladosiphon cymodoceae differs from the remaining species of the genus in a unique combination of characteristics: very irregularly branched habit with relatively thick axes and abundant short branchlets, long and thin cortical filaments (to 425 µm long and 5–8 µm lower diameter), sheathed hairs, and plurilocular sporangia with few-celled outgrowths of mature sporangia commonly at the apices of inrolled cortical filaments. Young thalli of C. occidentalis and C. cymodoceae were observed arising from myrionematoid crusts on leaves of Cymodocea nodosa as a juvenile stage in the development of the macroscopic sporophytes.
Estimating the success of protected areas for the vaquita, Phocoena sinus

Bycatch in artisanal gill nets threatens the vaquita, Phocoena sinus, with extinction. In 2008 the Mexican government announced a conservation action plan for this porpoise, with three options for a protected area closed to gill net fishing. The probability of success of each of the three options was estimated with a Bayesian population model, where success was defined as an increase in vaquita abundance after 10 yr. The model was fitted to data on abundance, bycatch, and fishing effort, although data were sparse and imprecise. Under the first protected area option, the existing Refuge Area for the Protection of the Vaquita, bycatch was about 7% of population size, and probability of success was 0.08. Under the second option with a larger protected area, the probability of success was 0.35. The third option was large enough to eliminate vaquita bycatch and had a probability of success >0.99. Probability of success was reduced if elimination of vaquita bycatch was delayed or incomplete. Despite considerable efforts by the Mexican government to support vaquita conservation, abundance will probably continue to decline unless additional measures to reduce vaquita bycatch are taken, such as banning gill nets within the vaquita's range and developing effective alternative fishing gear.
A new barley variety Rakhshan-10 (AZ-96) for Balochistan.

nd position in rainfed and 1 st in irrigated with grain yield of 2244 (-3%) and 3560 kg/ha (12%) during 1997-98, respectively. In year 1998-99 Rakhshan-10 toped in pooled analysis of NUBYT trial with 1 st position in rainfed and 5 th in irrigated with grain yield of 2430 (+27%) and 2553 (+2%) kg/ha, respectively. During 19992000 cropping season it ranked 2 nd both in rainfed and irrigated trials under NUBYT with 9% and 7% increase over local check. It has excellent resistance against yellow rust and has 14.40 crude proteins which is an added advantage as feed for livestock. It also has good capability to survive at low temperature (-10°C) and can be planted in February if farmers receive late rainfall. In Balochistan only three barley genotypes were released (Soorab-96, Sanober-96 and Awaran-2002) which were mostly winter types. Rakhshan-10 (AZ-96) is excellent for planting in both winter and spring and it can replace the local barley (rust susceptible and low harvest index) and can produce higher grain yield in spring.
First Records of the Echiurans Anelassorhynchus inanensis (Ikeda, 1904) and Ochetostoma pellucidum (Fischer, 1895) from the East Coast of Southern Africa (Echiuroinea: Echiuridae)

Two species of echiurans (Echiura), Anelassorhynchus inanensis (Ikeda, 1904) and Ochetostoma pellucidum (Fischer, 1895), were collected from intertidal rocky shores at Perriers Rock on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. This is the first known record of these two species from South African waters and considerably extends their geographical ranges. A. inanensis, originally described by Ikeda (1904) from Naha, Japan, was later recorded and redescribed by Wesenberg-Lund (1939) from a single specimen from South Annam while Haldar & DattaGupta (1991) assigned two specimens from Kavaratti Island, on the southwest coast of India, to the species. O. pellucidum is based on several specimens collected from Whydah, West Africa. According to Stephen & Edmonds (1972) no illustrations of this species have been given while the description given by Wesenberg-Lund (1954) is based on a single badly-preserved specimen from French Guinea. Both species are redescribed and compared with other closely related forms.
Taxonomic relationships of Nearctic small-footed bats of the Myotis leibii group (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Crania and bacula of five taxa of small-footed bats of the leibii group, comprising two currently recognised species, Myotis californicus and M. leibii, were studied to elucidate their interrelationships. Canonical variate analysis of 14 cranial measurements shows the existence of three distinct nonoverlapping clusters corresponding to (i) M. californicus, (ii) M. I. ciliolabrum and M. I. melanorhinus, and (iii) M. I. leibii. The results of the morphometric analyses do not support the claim that M. I. leibii and M. I. melanorhinus intergrade in Oklahoma. The taxonomic interpretation of the results is that the western forms of M. leibii represent a separate species M. ciliolabrum (Mcrriam). The bacula of the taxa studied lack distinctive characters that would allow one to discriminate between the species of the leibii group.
Contrasting Trans-Atlantic Migratory Routes of Nearctic Purple Sandpipers Calidris maritima Associated with Low Pressure Systems in Spring and Winter

Bird migration is generally scheduled to avoid other energetically expensive events in the annual cycle (e.g. moult) and seasons when survival can be difficult (e.g. northern winters). Purple Sandpipers winter at relatively high latitudes compared to other waders. It is suspected that the majority that winter in Britain and Ireland originate from Canada, but there is no primary evidence of their breeding grounds and migratory routes. These birds, characterised by their long bills, start to arrive in Britain and Ireland in late October/early November, after completing their post-nuptial moult at an unknown location. Fifty geolocators were attached to Purple Sandpipers in northern Scotland and southwest Ireland and we established for the first time their Canadian origin (Baffin Island and Devon Island), migration routes and post-nuptial moulting areas. Spring departure from Scotland and Ireland took place mainly in late May, followed by staging in Iceland and/or southwest Greenland before reaching the breeding grounds. Those that staged in Iceland departed earlier than those that flew directly to Greenland. Post-nuptial moulting areas were in southern Baffin Island, northern Quebec/Labrador (the Hudson Strait), and southwest Greenland. Migration from Baffin Island and Labrador took place during late October – early November, and during mid to late December from Greenland, usually in a single trans-Atlantic flight. Therefore, this migration was scheduled at a time when most other wader species are already on their wintering grounds. No birds staged in Iceland on the return trip. The flight from Baffin Island to Scotland and Ireland was accomplished in about 2.5 days at an average speed of about 1400 km per day. Freezing of coastal waters may be the reason for the eventual departure from the Hudson Strait. The more northerly route via Iceland, taken in spring by most birds, and the more southerly route in early winter were associated with seasonal shifts in the Atlantic low pressure systems (depressions) whose anti-clockwise wind-flows would have assisted flights.
Variation in vegetation and seed bank in a Chilean semi-arid community affected by ENSO 1997

We followed plant cover and soil seed density of shrubs and herbs in two markedly contrasting years with regard to annual rainfall in two opposite-facing slopes (mesic vs xeric) and an intervening, relatively wet, ravine of a typical creek in semi-arid Chile. During the ENSO year 1997 cover of ephemerals increased in all three sites; 43% vs 8% on the xeric slope 75% vs 26% on the mesic slope and 57% vs 32% in the ravine. The number of species was almost three times higher on the xeric slope (27 vs 10 species), increased by 47% on the mesic slope (28 vs 19) and by 14% in the ravine (24 vs 21). Cover of shrubs plus perennial grasses increased from 52% in 1996 to 59% in 1997 on the xeric slope, but no significant cover changes were found on the mesic slope or the ravine. On the xeric slope peak density of seeds was 4500/m 2 in 1996, while during the ENSO year it was 24000/m 2 . On the mesic slope equivalent values were 3000 and 17000 seeds/m2 while in the ravine figures were 8500 and 27000 seeds/m 2 . The strong responses of ephemerals and seed bank to the ENSO-driven wet year of 1997 demon- strate the importance of this phenomenon in replenishing, recovering and probably maintaining ephemeral vegetation in this region.
Production of Cottage Cheese Using Dressing Fermented by Bifidobaceria

Abstract Creamed cottage cheese was produced by adding cream dressing fermented by Bifidobacterium infantis to the dry curd. During the storage of creamed cottage cheese, viability and β -galatosidase activity of B. infantis and biochemical changes such as lactose hydrolysis were estimated. Bifidobacteria survived in cottage cheese for 10 to 15 d. Storage of cottage cheese using unfermented dressing or dressing fermented to pH ≥5.0 had little effect on β -galactosidase activity of B. infantis . Loss of enzymatic activity was more pronounced in cheese using dressing fermented to pH 4.5. During storage, loss of viability of B. infantis was greater than loss of enzymatic activity, which suggested that cells that were unable to reproduce still maintained their enzymatic activity and could contribute to decreasing the lactose content of the creamed cottage cheese. After 29 d of storage, lactose content in cottage cheese decreased 83% after addition of unfermented dressing or dressing fermented to pH ≥5.0. However, lactose hydrolysis was slightly lower (73%) in cottage cheese with added dressing fermented to pH 4.5. Finally consumers preferred the control cottage cheese and the cottage cheese made with the dressing fermented to pH 5.5 to the cottage cheese with added dressing fermented to pH 4.5. The results indicated that B. infantis introduced into fresh cheese exhibited vigorous metabolic activity during storage for 28 d.
Prenatal exposure to indoor air pollution and the risk of Low Birth Weight: A case-control study in a rural maternity hospital in Ramanagara district, Karnataka

Sobin Sunny, Bhavapriya Mani, Merina Mathew, Jesica Maria D’Souza, Agnus Jose, Avita Rose Johnson Affiliation: : 1Post-graduate student, Department of Community Health, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, 2Intern, Department of Community Health, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, 3Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru,India . Date of Submission : 28-03-2019 Date of Acceptance : 26-04-2019 Date of online Publication : 27-05-2019 Date of Print Publication : 30-06-2019
Integration and expression of the WAP-hPC gene in three generations of transgenic rabbits

The aim of the present study was to obtain transgenic rabbits expressing human protein C in their mammary gland. A fusion construct which consisted of 4.2 kb long mouse whey acidic protein (WAP) promoter and 9.4 kb genomic human protein C (hPC) was microinjected into rabbit zygotes. Born animals were subjected to PCR amplification to detect the integration of the injected construct into their genome. As examined during three generations, the founders transmitted transgenic allele in a Mendelian fashion. Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of hPC in the milk of lactating transgenic females. The concentration of the recombinant hPC, as determined by ELISA, ranged between 0.24-0.56 µg/ml. This relatively low expression rate might be caused by the animal species used or might be a subject of position effects of the integration of the heterologous construct.