Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Within‐patch search flights by Pachyneuron aphidis (Hym., Pteromalidae): a potential strategy to compensate reduced foraging speed by foot

Search flights of the aphid hyperparasitoid Pachyneuron aphidis were observed under field conditions. The pattern and duration differed from those described for aphid primary parasitoids. Forty per cent targeted landings close to aphid colonies indicate that P. aphidis females locate potential host sites during slow and extraordinary long flights in the host plant Cirsium arvense. A comparison between different aphid hyperparasitoids showed that the walking speed of P. aphidis was significantly slower than that of other polyphagous species. This suggests that search flights were performed in order to compensate for a reduced efficiency of foraging on foot.
Litterfall and litter nutrient content in two Brazilian Tropical Forests

Litterfall and transfer of nutrients was estimated in two tropical coastal forests of Brazil - the Atlantic and the Restinga Forests at Cardoso Island, Sao Paulo. Samples were collected monthly, from June 1990 to May 1991, using thirty 0.25 m2 traps. There were significant differences in litter production between the Atlantic Forest (6.3 t.ha-1.year-1) and the Restinga Forest (3.9 t.ha-1.year-1). Litterfall was continuous throughout the year with maximum in the beginning of the rainy season in both sites. The annual return of mineral elements through litter in the Atlantic Forest was (kg.ha-1): 101.8 N, 3.8 P, 20.3 K, 60.0 Ca, 18.0 Mg, and 14.6 S and in the Restinga Forest was: 27.5 N, 1.0 P, 6.5 K, 30.0 Ca, 10.9 Mg, and 6.6 S. The return, although small, is relevant due to the low fertility of the soils in those ecosystems, especially in Restinga. The Restinga Forest seems to be an ecosystem well adapted to oligotrophic conditions, lying among those presenting higher nutrient use efficiency.
The effect of seed weight on the early growth and nodulation of white clover

SUMMARY The results of growing, in agar culture, nodulated and un-nodulated white clover seedlings from three seed-weight categories, and the subsequent growth of selected plants in soil in pots, are reported. Seed-weight variations greatly influenced plant growth, made substantial differences in nodulation parameters and nitrogen fixation, and contributed appreciably to the observed variability. The relationship of such effects to nitrogen fixation and the relevance to breeding for superior symbiosis are discussed. The growth of plants, as determined by agar culture technique, was not predictive of their subsequent performance in the soil in pots, and restricting seed weight variations did not improve the prediction. The importance of such effects and the relevance of tube culture to breeding work are discussed.
Insect herbivory and putative defence mechanisms of Protea magnifica and P. laurifolia (Proteaceae)

Summary Herbivorous insects, herbivory levels and possible defence mechanisms of Protea magnifica Mill and P. laurifolia Thunb. (Proteaceae) were investigated. Numerous Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and one Orthoptera species removed up to 14% of leaf area on P. magnifica and up to 7% on P. laurifolia. Young leaves contained more nitrogen than old leaves but were not attacked, while older leaves, which were tougher and contained less nitrogen and water, were eaten. Important herbivores were found to have gut pH levels indicative of adaptation to a tannin-containing diet. Trichomes on young leaves deterred insects from feeding on them. Resume On a mene une investigation sur les insectes herbivores, les niveaux d'herbivorie et les mecanismes de defense possibles de Protea magnifica Mill et de P. laurifolia Thunb. (Proteaceae). De nombreux Coleopteres, Lepidopteres et une espece d'Orthoptere consomment jusqu'a 14% de la surface de la feuille chez P. magnifica et jusqu'a 7% chez P. laurifolia. Les jeunes feuilles contiennent plus d'azote que les vieilles mais ne sont pas attaquees, alors que les plus vieilles feuilles, qui sont plus dures et contiennent moins d'azote et moins d'eau, sont consommees. Les herbivores importants ont des niveaux de pH intestinaux prouvant leur adaptation a un regime riche en tanins. Les trichomes des jeunes feuilles dissuadent les insectes de s'en nourrir.
Overcoming social barriers to learning and engagement with climate change adaptation: experiences with Swedish forestry stakeholders

Climate change is expected to significantly affect forestry in the coming decades. Thus, it is important to raise awareness of climate-related risks – and opportunities – among forest stakeholders, and engage them in adaptation. However, many social barriers have been shown to hinder adaptation, including perceptions of climate change as irrelevant or not urgent, underestimates of adaptive capacity and lack of trust in climate science. This study looks into how science-based learning experiences can help overcome social barriers to adaptation, and how learning in itself may be hindered by those barriers. The study examines the role of learning in engagement with climate change adaptation with the help of the theory of transformative learning. Our analysis is based on follow-up interviews conducted with 24 Swedish forestry stakeholders who had participated in a series of focus group discussions about climate change impacts and adaptation measures. We find that many stakeholders struggled to form an opinion based on what they perceived as uncertain and contested scientific knowledge. The study concludes that engagement with climate change adaptation can be increased if the scientific knowledge addresses the needs, objectives and aspirations of stakeholders and relates to their previous experiences with climate change and extreme weather events.
Structure and modeling in the design of β‐ and γ‐secretase inhibitors

This review discusses the involvement of structure and modeling in the design of β‐secretase (BACE‐1) and γ‐secretase inhibitors as putative Alzheimer's Disease therapeutics. The early and broad availability of structural information for BACE‐1, a membrane‐tethered aspartyl protease, has led to the use of in silico methods in the overall design and optimization process. However, for γ‐secretase, an integral membrane protein, the lack of a detailed 3D structure has limited the application of computational methods. Drug Dev Res 70, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Glucosinolate Content of Some Fodder Brassicas

The glucosinolate contents of six kales and five cabbages (Brassica oleracea L.), four stubble turnips and six turnips (B. campestris L.), and six swedes and six fodder rapes (B. napus L.) were determined. As fodder brassica breeders wish to reduce the goitrogenicity of these crops, the concentrations of 2-hydroxybut-3-enylglucosinolate (5-vinyloxazolidine-2-thione is the goitrogenic hydrolysis product) and 3-indolylmethylglucosinolate (the thiocyanate ion is the goitrogenic hydrolysis product) were of particular interest. High concentrations (mmol kg−1 dry matter) of 2-hydroxybut-3-enylglucosinolate were found in stubble turnip leaf (8.12) and bulb (9.20), turnip bulb (9.97), swede bulb (5.66), and rape leaf (8.99) and stem (21.81) but not in kale or cabbage. In contrast, the concentration of 3-indolylmethylglucosinolate was relatively high in cabbage head (6.39) and kale leaf (3.25) but not in the other crops.
Testing evolutionary hypotheses: from Willi Hennig to Angiosperm Phylogeny Group

Sir, Regarding a recent, revived debate in Cladistics on phylogeny and hypothesis testing (Vogt, 2008, 2013; Farris, 2013a,b; and references therein), I present in this letter an additional point of view in honour of Willi Hennig’s legacy in comparative biology (see also Wheeler et al., 2013). My main point is to discuss hypothesis formulation and testing with respect to (i) total evidence, (ii) taxonomic congruence, (iii) reciprocal illumination, (iv) homology assessment, and (v) taxa sampling. To complement this, the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) is treated as a study case. The debate concerning the role of morphological and molecular evidence is also revisited. To conclude, some lessons from Hennig are remembered. I hope the issues briefly addressed here further stimulate the development of a dynamic and healthy background with regard to hypothesis formulation and testing in comparative biology.
Trait Stability and Fitness of the Heat Tolerant Entomopathogenic NematodeHeterorhabditis bacteriophoraIS5 Strain

Abstract Natural populations of entomopathogenic nematodes may possess novel traits that offer advantages in biological control. If, however, the populations cannot be reared under laboratory conditions, and if their beneficial traits are unstable, then increases in biocontrol efficacy will be minimal. The stability of heat tolerance in, and fitness under laboratory conditions of, a newly discovered strain of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (designated IS5) were investigated. Trait stability and fitness assays were conducted after multiple passages through Galleria mellonella. Assays were conducted on IS5 populations reared at 30 and 25°C. Trait stability was determined as survival at elevated temperatures. Relative to the commercially available strain of H. bacteriophora (HP88), the IS5 strain exhibited greater heat tolerance after 12 passages regardless of selection pressure. The population of IS5 reared at 30°C exhibited greater heat tolerance than the population reared at 25°C. Results indicated that the heat tolerance trait is genetically based. Estimates of fitness were based on virulence, infectivity, reproductive potential, and storage capacity. The virulence, infectivity, and reproductive potential of IS5 nematodes were greater than or equal to that of HP88 nematodes. The heat tolerance trait in IS5 was retained after 6 weeks of storage. The IS5 strain survived significantly longer at 25°C than at 10°C, indicating that these nematodes may be cold sensitive. The results of this paper will expedite future genetic, biochemical, and field efficacy studies on H. bacteriophora IS5.
Comparison of Endosperm Starch Granule Development and Physicochemical Properties of Starches from Waxy and Non-Waxy Wheat

Starch granule development and physicochemical properties of starches in waxy wheat and non-waxy wheat were investigated in this article. Starch granules in waxy wheat endosperm showed an early developmental process. Compared with non-waxy wheat starch granules (round-shaped), waxy wheat starch granules (ellipse-shaped) were larger and contained more B-type granules. According to the granule size, starch granules were divided into two groups in waxy wheat, but were divided into three groups in non-waxy wheat. Compared with non-waxy wheat starch, waxy wheat starch had higher swelling power, gelatinization temperatures (To, Tp, Tc), and relative degree of crystallinity. They showed similar ordered structures on external regions of starch granules. Additionally, waxy wheat starch had a higher proportion of double-helical components and a lower proportion of single-helical components than non-waxy wheat starch. Based on the previous results, it was concluded: (1) waxy wheat and non-waxy wheat not only differed in starch granule development, but also in physicochemical properties of starches; (2) waxy wheat had more potential value for producing traditional products than non-waxy wheat.
PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF A PHYTASE FROM RYE

Phytase (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate phosphohydrolase) has been purified about 2,000-fold from ungerminated rye with a recovery of 6%. The enzyme behaves as a monomeric protein ofa molecular mass of about 67 kDa. Optimal pH for the degradation of phytate has been found at pH 6.0 and 45C. Kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of Na-phytate are K M 300 μM and k cat 358 s -1 at 35C and pH 6. 0. The rye enzyme exhibits a broad affinity for various phosphorylated compounds and hydrolyses phytate in a stepwise manner; the pentakis- and tetrakisphosphate were identified as I(1,2,3,4,5)P 5 and I(2,3,4,5)P 4 . Consequently, this enzyme is a 6-phytase (EC 3.1.3.26).
Partitioning genetic and environmental components of reproduction and lifespan in Artemia.

Reproductive and lifespan characteristics were determined for 12 populations of the brine shrimp, Artemia. Based upon geographical distribution and reproductive mode these could be separated into three distinct groups: obligate parthenogenetic populations, Old World sexual popu- lations, and New World sexual populations. The three groups were found to be distinctly different in regard to reproductive and lifespan characteristics. Variance levels were compared between uniparental and biparental populations, allowing estimates to be made of the relative contribution of the genetic and environmental components for 11 life history traits. The environmental portion was estimated to be 100% for encystment traits and for the length of the prereproductive period, while the number of offspring produced (both as a lifetime total and a production rate) and the recovery period between broods had genetic components of variance > 50%. To test for the interrelatedness of life history traits, a correlation coefficient matrix was constructed. In contradiction to most theoretical assumptions, extremely low correlation coefficients were found between the length of the female prereproductive period and the remaining lifespan and reproductive traits. However, recovery time between broods showed a significant positive correlation with number of broods produced, total offspring produced, and female lifespan.
Variability in the dynamics of northern peripheral versus southern populations of two clonal plant species, Helianthus divaricatus and Rhus aromatica

1 The clonal perennial herb Helianthus divaricatus and the clonal shrub Rhus aromatica reach the northern limit of their distribution in southern Québec (Canada), where both are rare, but they are more common southwards in the adjacent province of Ontario. We tested whether peripheral populations of these species maintain themselves by having highly variable individual growth and survival rates. Their annual rates of population growth, λ, would then vary more, from year to year, than those of more southern populations in neighbouring Ontario, where the species are common.
A Study on Role of Occupational Stress in Organizations

Healthcare sector are exposed to considerable occupational stress and have little access to stress management facilities. Occupational stress has become an important topic for study of health sector for several reasons. Occupational stress is not an objective phenomenon. It is predominantly subjective in nature, and involves the employee’s active interpretation of his or her objective circumstances. Occupational stress is the perception of a discrepancy between environmental demands (stressors) and individual capacities to fulfil these demands. Several studies have shown that occupational stress can lead to various negative consequences for the individual and the workplace. Consequences of occupational stress can be grouped into those on individual and those on organizational level. On the individual level, there are three main subgroups of strains such as Unwanted feelings and behaviour, Physiological diseases (poor physical health), and Psychological diseases (poor emotional (mental) health). On the organizational level, consequences of occupational stress can be grouped into two major subgroups: Organizational symptoms, Organizational costs. There are some suggestions such as: organize a stress management program that focuses on different employee at all hierarchical level, and undertake stress audit at all levels in the organization to identify stress area improving conditions of job and alleviating job stress. Also, there is need to conduct further research which will give a holistic view on the true nature, complex sources and effects of occupational stress in health sector.
Separation and Characterization of Surfactin Isoforms Produced byBacillus subtilisOKB 105

Abstract Natural surfactin is a mixture of cyclic lipopeptides built from variants of a heptapeptide and a β-hydroxy fatty acid with chain lengths of 13–15 carbon atoms. The lipopeptide biosurfactant was produced by Bacillus subtilis OKB 105 and part of the material subjected to esterification of its Glu and Asp residues. High-resolution preparative reversed phase HPLC on EnCaPharm 100 of surfactin and its monomethyl and dimethyl esters yielded 44 fractions which were characterized by NMR and MS methods. Among the separated isoforms are the known surfactin variants with l -Leu, l -Val, or l -Ile in position 7 of the peptide ring and three hitherto unknown variants showing replacements of the leucine residues in position 2 and/or 7 by l -Val and l -Ile. Our work makes available lipoheptapeptide compounds with modified structures and different hydrophobicities which promise to have potential for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.
Trends in shell fragmentation as evidence of mid-Paleozoic changes in marine predation

Abstract Recent observations indicate that shell fragmentation can be a useful tool in assessing crushing predation in marine communities. However, criteria for recognizing shell breakage caused by durophagous predators versus physical factors are still not well established. Here, we provide data from tumbling and aquarium experiments to argue that physical and biotic processes lead to different patterns of shell damage, specifically that angular shell fragments are good indicators of durophagous predation. Using such angular shell fragments as a predation proxy, we analyze data from 57 European Paleozoic localities spanning the Ordovician through the Mississippian. Our results reveal a significant increase in angular shell fragments (either occurring as isolated valves or present in regurgitalites) in the Mississippian. The timing of this increase is coincident with the increased diversity of crushing predators as well as marked anti-predatory changes in the architecture and mode of life of invertebrate prey observed after the end-Devonian Hangenberg extinction (359 Ma). More specifically, the observed trend in shell fragmentation constitutes strong and independent confirmation of a recently suggested end-Devonian changeover in the primary method of fish predation from shearing to crushing. These results also highlight the important effect of extinction events, not only on taxonomic diversity, but also on the nature of predator-prey interactions.
Differences in the responses of melon accessions to fusarium root and stem rot and their colonization by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum

Fusarium root and stem rot caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum is a major disease in greenhouse cucumbers. Over the past decade, the disease has been documented in melon greenhouses in Greece, and recently it has been sporadically recorded in greenhouse melons in Israel. Variations in disease response were found among 41 melon accessions artificially inoculated with the pathogen: 10 accessions were highly susceptible (90–100% mortality), 23 exhibited an intermediate response (20–86%) and eight were resistant (0–4%). Two melon accessions – HEM (highly resistant) and TAD (partially resistant) – were crossed with the susceptible accession DUL. The responses of the three accessions and F1 crosses between the resistant and susceptible parents were evaluated. HEM contributed higher resistance to the F1 hybrid than TAD. Roots of susceptible and resistant accessions were 100 and 79% colonized, respectively, following artificial inoculation. However, only susceptible plants showed colonization of the upper plant tissues. Microscopic evaluation of cross sections taken from the crown region of the susceptible DUL revealed profuse fungal growth in the intercellular spaces of the parenchyma and in xylem vessels. In the resistant cultivar HEM, very little fungal growth was detected in the intercellular spaces of the parenchyma, and none in the xylem or any other vascular tissue. Finding resistant accessions may create an opportunity to study the genetics of resistance inheritance and to develop molecular markers that will facilitate breeding resistant melon cultivars.
Effects of aqueous extracts of Zanthoxylum macrophylla roots on membrane stability of human erythrocytes of different genotypes

The effects of aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum macrophylla (formerly Fagara xanthoxyloides ) roots on the membrane stabilities of human erythrocyte from HbAA, HbAS and HbSS blood were investigated. The determination of mean corpuscular fragility (MCF), which is the concentration of saline causing 50% haemolysis of the erythrocytes, showed that the aqueous plant extract increased the MCF values of the various erythrocytes. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the MCF values of HbAA and HbAS erythrocytes. However, significant difference (p Zanthoxylum macrophylla and its use in the management of the sickle cell disease. Biokemistri Vol.17(1) 2005: 7-12
Adsorption-Induced Conformational Changes in Fibronectin Due to Interactions with Well-Defined Surface Chemistries

Protein adsorption onto synthetic materials influences cell adhesion and signaling events that direct cell function in numerous biomedical applications. Adsorption of fibronectin (FN) to different surfaces alters protein structure and modulates α5β1 integrin binding, cell adhesion, cell spreading, and cell migration. In the present study, self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiols on Au were used to analyze the effects of surface chemistry (CH3, OH, NH2, and COOH) on the adsorption of a recombinant fragment of FN, FNIII7-10, that incorporates both the synergy and RGD cell binding motifs. Surface chemistry potentiated differential FNIII7-10 adsorption kinetics and adsorbed structure as determined by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and antibody binding assays. FNIII7-10 functional activity, determined by cell adhesion strength, was modulated in a fashion consistent with these structural changes (OH = NH2 > COOH > CH3). However, these changes in protein parameters did not correlate simply to difference.
Effect of altitude on resource allocation in the weed Achillea millefolium (yarrow, Asteraceae) in the Australian Alps

Increasing severity of environment associated with increasing altitude in mountain ecosystems (decreasing temperature, increasing duration of snow cover) can affect relative and absolute biomass-allocation patterns in plants. Biomass allocation was examined along a 620-m altitudinal gradient in the Australian Alps for the important environmental weed Achillea millefolium (L., Asteraceae, yarrow). Relative and absolute biomass allocation (dry weight) to reproductive (capitula, flowering stems and associated leaves), vegetative (leaves not on the flowering stem) and below-ground structures (rhizome and roots) were measured at each of nine sites by using quadrats. Increasing altitude resulted in a decrease in relative and absolute allocation of biomass to reproductive structures. For example, the dry weight of inflorescences declined as altitude increased because of a decrease in the weight of the terminal and side branches of the inflorescences, but not the total number of capitula produced. There was also a trend for increased relative allocation to below-ground structures with increasing altitude, even though altitude did not affect absolute allocation to below-ground and vegetative structures, or the total dry weight of A. millefolium. These results are consistent with those for other species growing at high altitude. The management implications for the control of A. millefolium in the Australian Alps are discussed, including in relation to predicted climatic change.
A study of salmonid populations of the River Teify and tributaries near Tregaron

Population estimates of Salmo sular L. and Salmo trutta L. were made by electrofishing at 39 stations spaced along the main river and tributaries. Within the tributaries there was a tendency for the standing crop, the average weight of individual fish and the proportion of juvenile salmon to trout to decline in an upstream direction The survey included an ayessnient of a salmon alevin restocking project.