Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population Development of Rain Forest Trees on a Chronosequence of Hawaiian Lava Flows

The purpose of this study was to compare forest structure on a series of geologically similar lava flows that differed in age, but not in climate or in accessibility to pioneer plants. The data were then used to infer the patterns of forest development over 3000 yr on a single flow. Stand structure was measured for populations of Metrosideros polymorpha, other canopy tree species, and tree ferns on a chronosequence of lava flows aged 47, 137, ~300, ~400, and ~3000 yr, in the montane rain forest zone on Mauna Loa, Hawaii. The upper stratum of vegetation at all sites was dominated by M. polymorpha', populations of other trees were relatively sparse throughout the study area. For M. poly? morpha populations, the basal area per hectare increased, at an ever-decreasing rate, as flow age increased; population densities of seedlings, saplings, and trees peaked on the 137- yr flow, then declined, apparently through self-thinning and wind-throw, with further increases in flow age. The decrease in M. polymorpha population density on older flows was accompanied by an increase in the density of tree ferns, which formed a closed sub- canopy on the 3000-yr flow, and may have inhibited regeneration of M. polymorpha. Among M. polymorpha trees there was a successional transition from pubescent varieties on the three youngest flows to glabrous varieties on the oldest flow. A comparison between plant populations on the chronosequence and on one other flow, aged ~ 1400 yr but containing some volcanic ash, indicated that ash may alter some aspects of forest development.
Mitotic signaling by β‐amyloid causes neuronal death

Aggregates of β‐amyloid peptide (βAP), the main constituent of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's brain, kill neurons by a not yet defined mechanism, leading to apoptotic death. Here, we report that both full‐length βAP(j_40) or (1–42) and its active fragment βAP(25_35) act as proliferative signals for differentiated cortical neurons, driving them into the cell cycle. The cycle followed some of the steps observed in proliferating cells, including induction of cyclin Di, phosphorylation of retinoblastoma, and induction of cyclin E and A, but did not progress beyond S phase. Inactivation of cyclin‐dependent protein kinase‐4 or ‐2 prevented both the entry into S phase and the development of apoptosis in βAP(25_35)‐treated neurons. We conclude that neurons must cross the G1/S transition before succumbing to βAP signaling, and therefore multiple steps within this pathway may be targets for neuroprotective agents. —Copani, A. , Condorelli, F. , Caruso, A. , Vancheri, C. , Sala, A. , Giuffrida Stella, A. M. , Canonico, P. L. , Nicoletti, F. , Sortino, M. A. Mitotic signaling by β ‐amyloid causes neuronal death. FASEB J. 13, 2225–2234 (1999)
The Role of Using Body Language in Turkish Teaching on Learning and Attitude

In daily life, while we are walking, sitting or even while we are thinking, we give various conscious or unconscious messages with our hands, arms, facial expressions and clothes. These messages reflect people's feelings, thoughts and attitudes towards a person, an object or a topic. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the teachers' body language use on the learning levels and attitudes of the students. To that end, openended questions were asked to 95 students from the Marmara University, Atatürk Faculty of Education, Turkish Education Department, and their views about the positive and negative effects of the teachers' body language use on the learning levels and attitudes of the students were collected. The study was conducted in the survey model and the answers of the students were evaluated using the content analysis method. At the end of the study, it is found that both students' learning levels and attitudes towards the lessons are substantially affected by the teachers' body language.
Thermal taster status associates with oral sensations elicited by wine

Backgrounds and Aims: Individual differences in the perception of wine flavour may contribute to variation in wine consumer behaviour. Two phenotypes shown to associate with the intensity of oral sensations elicited by simple solutions are thermal taster status (TTS) and responsiveness to the bitterant 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). Thermals tasters (TTs) perceive ‘phantom’ tastes when the tongue is thermally stimulated. Here, we investigate the effect of TTS and PROP responsiveness on the perceived intensity of oral sensations elicited by wine. Methods and Results: Two white (2008 Pinot Grigio, Italy and 2007 Gewurztraminer, Canada) and two red (2007 Valpolicella, Italy and 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile) wines were assessed by 20 TTs and 20 thermal non-tasters (TnTs). TTs rated the intensities of sweet, sour, bitter, astringent and overall flavour higher than TnTs, and males (17) tended to rate these sensations higher than females (23). Unexpectedly, PROP responsiveness was not associated with intensity ratings of oral sensations for any wine (P(r) > 0.05). Neither TTS, PROP responsiveness, nor gender was linked with liking scores of the wines. Conclusion: TTS may be an important determinant of individual differences in oral perception of wine. Significance of Study: Understanding how individuals differ in their perception of wine can assist with product development, formulation and marketing.
Biochemistry and biological functions of citrus limonoids

Abstract Limonoids are one of bitter principles in citrus juices. Excessive bitterness lowers the quality and value of citrus juices. Nomilin is considered to be the precursor of all other limonoids accumulated in Citrus and related species. It is biosynthesized from acetate via the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway in the phloem region of stems and then translocated to the leaves, fruit tissues, peels, and seeds where it is further metabolized to other limonoids. The citrus limonoid aglycones are then glucosidated by limonoid UDP‐D‐glucose transferase in maturing fruit tissues and seeds. These limonoid glucosides are accumulated in such high concentrations that they are one of major secondary metabolites in citrus fruit tissues, and they play an important role in fruit quality and possibly in human health. Research on creation of transgenic citrus trees that produce fruits free of the limonoid bitterness problem is in progress. Limonoids have been shown to induce glutathione S‐transferase activity and inhib.
Chilling Injury and Yield of Muskmelon Grown with Plastic Mulches, Rowcovers, and Thermal Water Tubes

Combinations of mulch/rowcover systems were tested using 'Earligold' melon (Cucumis melo L.) transplanted between 7 and 9 May during each of 3 years. The mulches used were black (B), wavelength-selective green (G), or clear (C). In 1993 and 1994, these three mulches were combined with two rowcover systems, either a clear perforated polyethylene (PO; 500 holes/m2) or a clear nonperforated polyethylene with a water-filled tube (UT, thermal tube). Controls consisted of mulch-alone treatments. In 1995, only the green wavelength-selective mulch was tested. A clear mulch combined with an infrared-blocking polyethylene with a thermal tube (IT) and a spunbonded polypropylene agrotextile (AO) were also tested. The highest air temperatures, sometimes >40 °C, were recorded under the CIT and BUT treatments. Perforated tunnels were less efficient in increasing daytime air temperatures, particularly during windy conditions, than the nonperforated tunnels. When combined with all tunnel types, the wavelength-selective mulch produced effects intermediate between those of the clear and black mulches for air and soil temperatures, chilling injury, and days to flowering of perfect flowers. In 1994, only those plants grown with a clear mulch combined with an infrared-blocking or standard nonperforated tunnel with a thermal tube (CIT and CUT) survived seven sequential nights with temperatures between 1.6 and 5.8 °C. Plants in the nonperforated tunnels flowered first, had the heaviest biomass at anthesis, and gave the highest early yields, both in terms of fruit number and mass. However, total yields did not differ significantly between perforated and nonperforated tunnels. Plants produced smaller fruits in treatments that resulted in earlier flowering, i.e., nonperforated tunnels.
Evaluation of Okra Germplasm for Fruit Yield, Quality and Field Resistance to Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus

Field experiments were conducted with 941 indigenous and exotic germplasm of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] at the Regional station of National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Thrissur, Kerala from 1999–2001 to identify high yielding okra germplasm coupled with acceptable fruit quality and field resistance to yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV). During the preliminary germplasm evaluation, 62 high yielding accessions were identified and were were subjected to further evaluation in order to confirm the stability of desired traits for which they were selected. As regard to fruit yield per plant, indigenous accession IC 265147 collected from Thrissur district of Kerala performed better than all others did. Fruit colour, pubescence, shape, thickness, mucilage content and taste of fruits were considered together for assessing fruit quality. Based on 1 to 9 point quality score chart the accessions were grouped into four quality groups viz. low, medium, good and excellent. Accessions IC 43735, 43736, 43720, 128088,39137A, 111500 and 265147 recorded high fruit yield per plant coupled with better 'fruit quality hence qualifying themselves for entry into breeding programme. Screening of these germplasm for YVMV field resistance under natural epiphytotic condition revealed that none of the accession was ‘immune’ or ‘highly resistant’, 43 were ‘moderately resistant’, three accessions viz., IC 218887, IC 69286 and EC 305619 were ‘resistant’ and the rest were susceptible. The results also revealed that none of the yellow vein mosaic virus disease resistant accessions were exceptionally high yielding or vice versa.
Sediment-bound nutrient export from five small reservoir catchments and its implications for the Sudan savanna zone of Ghana

A study was carried out in the Sudan savanna zone in the Upper East Region of Ghana to assess the rate of sedimentbound nutrient export (NE) into five small reservoirs (Dua, Doba, Zebilla, Kumpalgogo and Bugri) and to analyse the implications of this export. The catchment soils and reservoir sediments from the various study sites were sampled and analysed for their bulk density, particle size distribution and nutrient content. Assessment of the nutrient concentrations indicated that the reservoir sediments were richer not only in nutrients and organic carbon, but also in clay and silt, than the catchment soils, having enrichment ratios >1. Nutrient export rates (NE; kg ha )1 year )1 ) from the reservoir catchments ranged from 0.755 (±0.264) for OC, 0.104 (±0.0245) for N, 0.0020 (±0.0003) for P, 0.016 (±0.0038) for K, 0.009 (±0.0024) for Na, 0.113 (±0.017) for Ca and 0.027 (±0.0093) for Mg. These rates were lower than those of other studies, likely due to the low nutrient content in the catchment soils. The relationships established between NE and specific sediment yield (SSY) indicated the NE was positively correlated with SSY (R 2 = 0.66‐0.98). The derived empirical equations can be satisfactorily used to predict the quantity of sediment-bound plant nutrients lost from similar catchments and subsequently stored in the reservoir sediments. The study results also suggest the need for sustainable land management practices to forestall erosion in the catchment areas and to reduce reservoir sedimentation, for enhancement of the livelihoods of the communities in the study area.
Propriedades físicas de chapas de partículas aglomeradas fabricadas com resíduos de processamento mecânico da madeira de Pinus elliotii Engelm.

The objective of this research was the investigation of dimensional stability of particleboard made with slash pine wood residues. The boards were manufactured with chips and shaves, resulting from sawmill and planermill industries, respectively, used pure or mixed. The adhesive used was urea-formaldehyde in proportions of 4, 8 and 12%, based on the ovendry weight of the particles. Board density investigated were 0.6 and 0.7 g/cm 3 . The properties evaluated were water absorption and thickness swelling. The best boards were those made of shaves glued with 8 and 12% adhesive content.
Alfalfa, a non-host of pea enation mosaic virus in Washington State

Extensive surveys were conducted in Washington State during a 6-yr period between 1988 and 1994 in an attempt to locate reservoirs of pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV). Many of the peas (Pisum sativum L.), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.), lentils (Lens culinaris Medic), or faba beans (Vicia faba L.) collected during the survey, and which expressed symptoms of virus infection, tested positive for PEMV when assayed by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PEMV could not, however, be detected by ELISA in any of 3230 alfalfa samples collected from eight counties in Washington State, even when samples were taken from alfalfa fields adjacent to infected pea, lentil, or chickpea fields where the virus was present. Dot blot hybridizations using a 4556 nucleotide cDNA fragment of PEMV RNA 1 containing the coat protein region produced strong reactions with positive controls, and did not detect the virus in 597 alfalfa samples tested in 1994. Fifty-six attempts to transmit PEMV into and ou.
Distribution of short-finned squid Illex argentinus (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) inferred from the diets of Southern Ocean albatrosses using stable isotope analyses

The diets of marine predators are a potential source of information about range shifts in their prey. For example, the short-finned squid Illex argentinus, a commercially fished species on the Patagonian Shelf in the South Atlantic, has been reported in the diet of grey-headed, Thalassarche chrysostoma; black-browed, T. melanophris; and wandering, Diomedea exulans, albatrosses breeding at Bird Island, South Georgia (54°S 28°W) in the Southern Ocean. Tracking data suggest that these birds may feed on I. argentinus while foraging in Southern Ocean waters during their breeding season. This led to the hypothesis that I. argentinus may occur south of the Antarctic Polar Front. To test this hypothesis, we used stable isotope analyses to assess the origin of I. argentinus. We compared I. argentinus beaks from the diets of the three albatross species with beaks of cephalopod species endemic to the Patagonian Shelf and others from the Southern Ocean. Our results show that I. argentinus from the diet of albatrosses at Bird Island have δ13C values in the range −18.77 to −15.28‰. This is consistent with δ13C values for Octopus tehuelchus, a typical species from the Patagonian Shelf. In contrast, Alluroteuthis antarcticus, a Southern Ocean squid, has typically Antarctic δ13C in the range −25.46 to −18.61‰. This suggests that I. argentinus originated from warmer waters of the Patagonian Shelf region. It is more likely that the albatross species obtained I. argentinus by foraging in the Patagonian Shelf region than that I. argentinus naturally occurs south of the Antarctic Polar Front.
Recruitment and distribution of juvenile salmonids in Lake Coleridge, New Zealand

Abstract Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Richardson) and chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha Walbaum) fry and 0+ fingerlings entered Lake Coleridge, a deep, oligotrophic lake in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, in spring and early summer and dispersed throughout the shallow littoral. In contrast, most juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus) remained in the tributaries for 1–2 years before migrating down stream to the lake. Juvenile salmonids ( 150 mm) and adult salmon and rainbow trout (>210 mm). The abundance of 0+ rainbow trout in the littoral zone declined rapidly from February to August and stocks were supplemented by a migration of yearling fish from the tributaries in spring. The shallow littoral zone and tributaries are both important for juvenile trout rearing in this lake.
Purification and characterization of an angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide derived from porcine troponin C

To search for a novel angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide, porcine skeletal troponin was hydrolyzed with pepsin. This hydrolysate showed ACE inhibitory activity, and was applied to various kinds of chromatography to separate an active peptide. Analysis using a protein sequencer identified this peptide as RMLGQTPTK (9mer). This sequence was estimated to occur at the 44–52 position of troponin C, and its 50% inhibitory protein concentration (IC50) was 34 µM. RMLGQTP (7mer), a partial peptide of 9mer, showed activity with an IC50 of 503 µM. RP-HPLC analysis of a reaction mixture of 9mer and ACE showed that 9mer was slowly hydrolyzed by ACE. On the other hand, 7mer was rapidly hydrolyzed by ACE. Activity of 9mer was reduced as its hydrolysis by ACE proceeded. To estimate the resistance of 9mer to digestive proteases after oral administration, it was reacted with pepsin, α-chymotrypsin, or trypsin. In each of these reaction mixtures, a significant amount of 9mer remained as a substrate after digestion. Remaining ACE inhibitory activity was close to that of 9mer. These results suggest that 9mer might not be digested after oral administration, because of its relatively high resistance to digestive proteases. Therefore, 9mer might be expected to work well in vivo as an ACE inhibitor.
A Nearctic tubificid Varichaetadrilus harmani (Loden) n. comb. in a Dutch wetland, with remarks on Tubifex tubifex (Müller) (Annelida: Oligochaeta)

Tubifex harmani Loden, 1979, was found in Europe (The Netherlands) for the first time and, after comparison with the type material, was transferred to the genus Varichaetadrilus Brinkhurst et Kathman, 1983. The definition of the genus is slightly amended. An externally similar phenotype of Tubifex tubifex (Müller, 1774) is described from a neighbouring site. The possible confusion of these two species elsewhere in Europe is discussed.
Delay in the critical time for weed removal in imidazolinone-resistant sunflower (Helianthus annuus) caused by application of pre-emergence herbicide

The critical time for weed removal (CTWR) is a period in the crop growth cycle when weed control must be initiated to prevent yield losses. Knowing the CTWR is useful for making decisions about the timing of weed control and in achieving efficient herbicide use from both biological and economic perspectives. Field studies were conducted in 2008 and 2009 at three locations in Serbia and one location in the USA to determine the CTWR in imidazolinone (IMI)-resistant sunflower grown with and without application of pre-emergence (PRE) herbicide. A four-parameter log-logistic model was fitted to data relating relative crop yield to increasing duration of weed presence. The CTWR without PRE herbicide treatment ranged from 14 to 26 d after emergence (DAE) corresponding to the V3 (three leaves) to V4 stages compared to 25 to 37 DAE, which corresponded to the V6 to V8 stages with PRE herbicide. The CTWR in IMI-resistant sunflower grown with PRE herbicide can be delayed by an additional 6 to 12 d compared to the crop grown without PRE herbicide under the present experimental conditions. The practical implication of this study is that the use of PRE herbicide could extend post-herbicide treatments by another 6 to 12 d with respect to the critical time required for weed removal without PRE herbicide in IMI-resistant sunflower.
Prognostic markers of canine pyometra

A piometra e doenca que acomete as femeas da especie canina de meia-idade a idosa durante o diestro. Aspectos hormonais, microbiologicos, hematologicos e bioquimicos sao bem descritos. Entretanto, sao poucos os estudos que avaliam o papel de cada um desses no prognostico da piometra canina. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar marcadores associados ao agravamento clinico de cadelas com piometra. Foram avaliadas prospectivamente 80 cadelas com piometra tratadas cirurgicamente. O grupo 1 foi composto por cadelas que receberam alta ate 48 horas de pos-operatorio, e o grupo 2 por aquelas que necessitaram de internamento prolongado ou morreram. Os achados hematologicos, bioquimicos e os niveis do lactato sanguineo foram comparados entre os grupos, e variaveis como multirresistencia bacteriana, sindrome da resposta inflamatoria sistemica (SIRS), hiperlactatemia e aumento da creatinina foram analisadas por meio da dispersao de frequencias entre os grupos. Entre as variaveis estudadas, a presenca de SIRS e a elevacao da creatinina serica >2,5mg/mL foram eficazes em predizer o agravamento da doenca e podem ser utilizadas como marcadores prognosticos da piometra canina.
Energy Measurement in the Brazilian SPT System

This paper presents results of the instrumentation of 373 blows from two SPT deployments performed in the Sarapuí II Test Site, located in Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro. In these blows the hammer drop height, its velocity at impact, the rate of blows and also the energy transferred to the rod stem have been measured. It is therefore possible to know the loss of energy for the SPT process (and the corresponding efficiency factors), since the hammer is delivered at zero velocity up to the time the transmitted energy reaches the rod stem.
Life history differences among the eutherian radiations

In this paper, we critically evaluate the view that eutherian life history diversity arises because of constraints imposed by the allometric consequences of body size, rather than selection acting on a broad array of possible life histories. Using life history data from over 700 species of eutherians, we examine covariation of life history variables across the 18 orders represented. Eutherian orders can be arranged from those characterized by small rapidly reproducing, rapidly developing, short-lived species, such as lagomorphs, to large, slowly developing, slowly reproducing, long lived species, such as elephants. When the effect of body weight is controlled for, this pattern remains, but the relative positions ofthe orders on the new fast-slow continuum are very different. There is a trade-off between the weight and number of offspring in a litter which is independent of adult body weight. Maximum recorded lifespan is the best identified predictor of annual fecundity: high fecundity is associated with short lives. This is not easily explained as a cost of reproduction, because it is a function of the whole lifetime, rather than just the maximum reproductive lifespan. Those mechanisms said to underlie the allometric scaling of life histories, and which make testable predictions–growth constraints imposed by basal metabolic rate, brain weight and the rate of neuronal tissue growth–are not associated with life history variation once the effects of body weight are removed. Thus these variables have no greater explanatory power than body weight itself, since they cannot explain the variation in life histories which is not correlated with weight. Rates of litter growth rate are associated with life history variation independent of body weight, but until we understand why litter growth rates vary, they are unable, on their own, to explain considerable amounts of life history diversity. Differences in life histories among orders, whether or not the effect of body weight is controlled for, are associated with differences in mortality rates. We suggest that eutherian life histories are better thought of as adaptive strategies, and that mortality patterns offer considerably more promise in the understanding of eutherian life history diversity than loosely defined ideas about scaling principles and the allometric consequences of body size.