Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Seasonal Variations in Soil Water Availability on Gas Exchange of Tropical Canopy Trees

Seasonal variations in environmental conditions influence the functioning of the whole ecosystem of tropical rain forests, but as yet little is known about how such variations directly influence the leaf gas exchange and transpiration of individual canopy tree species. We examined the influence of seasonal variations in relative extractable water in the upper soil layers on predawn leaf water potential, saturated net photosynthesis, leaf dark respiration, stomatal conductance, and tree transpiration of 13 tropical rain forest canopy trees (eight species) over 2 yr in French Guiana. The canopies were accessed by climbing ropes attached to the trees and to a tower. Our results indicate that a small proportion of the studied trees were unaffected by soil water depletion during seasonal dry periods, probably thanks to efficient deep root systems. The trees showing decreased tree water status (i.e., predawn leaf water potential) displayed a wide range of leaf gas exchange responses. Some trees strongly regulated photosynthesis and transpiration when relative extractable water decreased drastically. In contrast, other trees showed little variation, thus indicating good adaptation to soil drought conditions. These results have important applications to modeling approaches: indeed, precise evaluation and grouping of these response patterns are required before any tree‐based functional models can efficiently describe the response of tropical rain forest ecosystems to future changes in environmental conditions.
New species of Neogene radiolarians from the Southern Ocean – part III

In this paper, the third of a series of four, 25 new species are described from the Neogene sediments of the Southern Ocean: six spumellarians (Actinomma telarania, Hexacontium? cooki, Lonchosphaera shackletoni, Joergensenium pseudodictyocha, Cryptolarnacium pauliani and Spongoplegma dentifrangibula) and nineteen nassellarians (Arachnocorallium cerebellum, A. stilla, A.? pyroensis, Amphiplecta? satoshii, Antarctissa kjelli, Lithomelissa celsagula, Botryopera piperata, B. vavato, Lophophaena? neuma, L.? globeacuculla, L. pileata, L. amictoria, Pseudodictyophimus ignatius, Spongomelissa? bipatens, Ceratocyrtis? arthuri, C.? ringisstola, Phormostichoartus ashbyi, Ceratospyris clinamen and Dorcadospyris kennetti).
Food for flight: pre-migratory dynamics of the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

Capsule The post-reproductive stage of Lesser Kestrel is crucial for migratory fuelling and survival. Aims To describe the summer pre-migratory ecology of the Lesser Kestrel in Sicily and review existing data in Southern Europe. Methods We identified the main summer roosts and then made roost counts every ten days from 2010 to 2012. We used case-sensitive modelling procedures to detect biases in counts (generalized linear mixed models), assess the annual population trends from 2005 to 2012 (TRends and Indices for Monitoring); and to model habitat preferences (generalized linear model). We sampled pellets to describe the birds’ diet during the peak month prior to migration. Results We discovered five roosts in Sicily with numbers of Lesser Kestrels varying annually (mean ± sd: 2112 ± 387; min–max: 1797–2544). Counts at the main roost were not biased by meteorological conditions and showed an August peak followed by persistent decline through October. Less urbanized and heterogeneous agricultural areas with large cereal fields were the most significant habitats preferred during summer. Within this landscape, Lesser Kestrels prey on seasonally high concentrations of the small cricket Grylloderes brunneri. Conclusion Arable land not fragmented by agricultural intensification supports habitat rich with Orthopterans and attracts a large number of Lesser Kestrels fuelling before migration. Conservation of such pre-migratory habitats is as vital as conservation of breeding areas.
Relative Weight (Wr) Status and Current Use in Fisheries Assessment and Management

Condition assessment is commonly practiced by fisheries personnel as one tool for evaluating fish populations and communities. Several noninvasive condition measures are available for use, including Fulton's condition factor (K), relative condition factor (Kn), and relative weight (Wr). The use of Wr as a condition measure has increased within several peer-reviewed journals. In 1995 to 1996, survey responses from agency personnel in 48 states indicated that 22 states used Wr as a standard technique, 18 states identified Wr use as occasional, whereas only eight states indicated no Wr use. The regression-line-percentile technique is recommended for developing standard weight (Ws) equations. There are currently Ws equations available for 52 species and three purposeful hybrids. Length-related trends in condition need to be evaluated prior to calculating a population mean Wr. Relative weight target ranges should be adjusted to meet specific management objectives. Relative weight values are influenced by seasonal dynamics. The uses of Wr may go beyond just a measure of fish “plumpness. ” Relative weight can serve as a surrogate for estimating fish body composition, as a measure of fish health, and to assess prey abundance, fish stockings, and management actions.
Class III β-tubulin in human development and cancer†

The differential cellular expression of class III β-tubulin isotype (βIII) is reviewed in the context of human embryological development and neoplasia. As compared to somatic organs and tissues, βIII is abundant in the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS) where it is prominently expressed during fetal and postnatal development. As exemplified in cerebellar and sympathoadrenal neurogenesis, the distribution of βIII is neuron-associated, exhibiting distinct temporospatial gradients according to the regional neuroepithelia of origin. However, transient expression of this protein is also present in the subventricular zones of the CNS comprising putative neuronal- and/or glial precursor cells, as well as in Kulchitsky neuroendocrine cells of the fetal respiratory epithelium. This temporally restricted, potentially non-neuronal expression may have implications in the identification of presumptive neurons derived from embryonic stem cells. In adult tissues, the distribution of βIII is almost exclusively neuron-specific. Altered patterns of expression are noted in cancer. In “embryonal”- and “adult-type” neuronal tumors of the CNS and PNS, βIII is associated with neuronal differentiation and decreased cell proliferation. In contrast, the presence of βIII in gliomas and lung cancer is associated with an ascending histological grade of malignancy. Thus, βIII expression in neuronal tumors is differentiation-dependent, while in non-neuronal tumors it is aberrant and/or represents “dedifferentiation” associated with the acquisition of progenitor-like phenotypic properties. Increased expression in various epithelial cancer cell lines is associated with chemoresistance to taxanes. Because βIII is present in subpopulations of neoplastic, but not in normal differentiated glial or somatic epithelial cells, the elucidation of mechanisms responsible for the altered expression of this isotype may provide insights into the role of the microtubule cytoskeleton in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 55:77–96, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Morphological variation in white and black spruce: investigation of natural hybridization between Picea glauca and P. mariana

To investigate the possibility that white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and black spruce (P. mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) produce natural hybrids, a morphological analysis of cone and twig characters was performed on 41 white and black spruce trees from three sites in northwestern Ontario and on the Rosendahl spruce from Cromwell, Minnesota. For each tree 13 quantitative and 10 qualitative characters were determined, and the diagnostic ability of all characters was tested by frequency histograms. Scatter diagrams and two hybrid indices were constructed; one index was based only on quantitative data left in continuous form, while the second index was based on all diagnostic characters. Scatter diagrams consistently separated the two taxa, and both hybrid indices clearly showed a bimodal distribution of trees coinciding with species boundaries and not correlating with site or environmental factors. Some spruce trees were intermediate in certain respects, but no tree exhibited a pattern of consistent interm.
Mortality rates of mammals

Life-table data of 56 natural populations of mammals were analysed, modelling mortality rate as a three-phase step function of age (the step model) instead of using the Gompertz model. In the step model, mortality rale is constant in each phase. The phases correspond to juveniles and young and old adults. The age of transition between young and old adults is referred to as the age of senescence. This approach has the advantages that, for the first time, the age of senescence is identified objectively using a robust statistical procedure, and that young adult mortality rates are estimated without bias since no assumption is made about how adult mortality rate changes with age. A further statistical problem solved here that has previously caused difficulty is that of correctly accounting for the different levels of precision in data from different age classes. Significant changes (P < 0.05) in adult mortality rate with age were found in 27 out of 56 populations. In 23 of these 27 cases, adult mortality rate increased with age. Juvenile mortality rate differed significantly from young adult mortality rate in 21 cases; in 18 of these the rate for juveniles was higher. These results are discussed in relation to earlier analyses, in particular that of Promislow (1991).
Combination of HLA-A24, -DQA1*03, and -DR9 Contributes to Acute-Onset and Early Complete β-Cell Destruction in Type 1 Diabetes

To elucidate the genetic factors contributing to heterogeneity of the rate of β-cell destruction in type 1 diabetes, we investigated the relationship between the time course of complete β-cell loss and HLA class I and II alleles. HLA allele frequencies were also examined among subgroups classified by the mode of onset. The subjects were 266 type 1 diabetic patients (among whom 196 patients were studied longitudinally) and 136 normal control subjects. Earlier complete loss of β-cell function was observed in patients who possessed both HLA-A24 and HLA-DQA1*03 and in patients who had HLA-DR9, compared with those without these HLA alleles (P = 0.0057 and 0.0093, respectively). Much earlier complete β-cell loss was observed in the patients who possessed all of HLA-A24, -DQA1*03, and -DR9 compared with the remaining patients (P = 0.0011). The combination of HLA-A24, -DQA1*03, and -DR9 showed a higher frequency in acute-onset than slow-onset type 1 diabetes (P = 0.0002). In contrast, HLA-DR2 was associated with a slower rate of progression to complete β-cell loss. These results indicate that the combination of HLA-A24, -DQA1*03, and -DR9 contributes to the acute-onset and early complete β-cell destruction, whereas HLA-DR2 has a protective effect against complete β-cell loss in type 1 diabetes.
Períodos de interferência de Brachiaria plantaginea na cultura do milho na região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul

Weed control period have great influence on plant growth and crop productivity. The objective of this work was to determine the competition periods, both previous to interference and critical interference prevention of B. plantaginea on corn crop in Southern Rio Grande do Sul. The trial was conducted in a completely randomized block design, under conventional tillage system, with four replications. The treatments consisted of maintaining the culture of corn in the presence and absence of B. plantaginea for 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after crop emergence (DAE). B. plantaginea emerged from the soil seed bank, with an average population of 312 plants m-2. Ten corn plants were sampled and analyzed in each experimental assay to obtain the following variables: plant and ear insertion height (cm), ear length (cm), number of rows per ear, number of grains per row, number of grains per ear. Grain productivity was determined by collecting three central lines of the useful area in each experimental unit. Considering a 5% tolerance in production reduction, it was concluded that the total period of interference prevention was 27 DAE, the period preceding interference was 11 DAE and the critical period of interference prevention was 11 and 27 DAE.
Amyloid β-Peptide: Biphasic Dose Responses

This article summarizes recent findings indicating that amyloid β-peptide displays neurotoxic and neurotrophic effects, depending on concentration. Mechanistic findings revealed that reactive oxygen species mediate both the toxic and neurotropic responses as a function of concentration with low doses being neutotrophic, while higher doses were toxic. The data reveal a potential biological function for amyloid β-peptide within an optimal concentration zone. These findings suggest the critical role of dose in understanding disease causation and clinical therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.
Sector Momentum

This article examines the monthly returns of nine Select Sector SPDRs and finds historically that buying past outperforming sectors and selling past underperforming sectors produces economically and statistically significant profits. Investors may be able to benefit not only from SPDRs’ low fees, tax efficiency, and trading flexibility but also exploit SPDRs as asset allocation tools to earn excess returns on sector momentum. For robustness checks, we test sector momentum investing strategies on CRSP-listed individual stocks between January 1963 and December 2008 using the Global Industry Classifications Standard and also find statistically significant payoffs. Momentum strategies on sector appear profitable even after potential transaction costs and systematic risk adjustments.
Polymorphism in pollen of Salvia leucantha (Lamiaceae)

Abstract LM and SEM study of the pollen from single specimen of Salvia leucantha Cav. , gathered from Kumaon mountains in Western Himalaya have shown significant variations in aperture number and type, shape and size of pollen grains, hitherto not reported. Normal pollen is 6-colpate but 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-colpate to spiraperturate also occur to make it a heterogenous assemblage. In shape, pollen varies from oblate, suboblate, oblate-spheroidal, prolatespheroidal to subprolate, whereas, in size it ranges from 15 μm to 40 μm. Furthermore, besides the marked variations in monads, the polymorphism is also expressed in terms of dyads and triads. Exine ornamentation however, does not vary, it being reticulate-retipilate sexine pattern in all the different types under LM and showing double sculpturing under SEM.
Comparison of size-dependent reproductive effort in two dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) populations

Reproductive effort in dandelions (Taraxacum officinale Weber) from two different habitats was compared. One dandelion population occupied a 5-year-old alfalfa (Medicago spp.) field, an environment subject to regular disturbance but with a relatively low density of neighbours. Individuals from the second population were derived from a number of undisturbed sites where the density of neighbouring grasses was high. Three hypotheses were evaluated with respect to the observed patterns of reproductive effort. One hypothesis, that reproductive effort was a function of differences between habitats in resource availability, did not provide an explanation for our results. A second hypothesis considered patterns of reproductive effort when mortality rates varied with degree of disturbance and neighbour density, which was a consequence of each habitat representing a different successional environment. A third hypothesis used a life-history approach to predict reproductive effort when mortality schedules were size d.
Quantitative Protein And Fat Metabolism In West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Margaritaria Discoidea As Supplement

Protein and energy utilization and quantitative retention of protein, fat and energy was investigated with twelve castrated Djallonke sheep averaging (20.0 ± 2.2kg BW) in nitrogen and energy balance trials. Dried leaves of Margaritaria discoidea were offered as supplement at two levels (25% (diet 2) and 50% (diet 3) of DMI), replacing hay in a basal hay diet. The basal hay diet without supplementation was the control. Measurements were performed by means of nitrogen and carbon balances with the use of indirect calorimetry. The digestibility of protein was not influenced by supplementation, while utilization of protein was influenced (P 0.05) different between treatment. Diet 3 had a higher (P<0.05) total amount of energy retained in protein and fat (0.28 MJ/d) compared with the control diet. It was concluded that Margaritaria discoidea improved protein utilization and retention in Djallonke sheep.
β-Cell Dysfunction in Subjects With Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Early Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—Methods to assess β-cell function in clinical studies are limited. The aim of the current study was to compare a direct measure of insulin secretion with fasting surrogate markers in relation to glucose tolerance status. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In 1,380 individuals from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study, β-cell function was assessed using a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (first-phase insulin secretion; acute insulin response [AIR]), homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-B), proinsulin levels, and the proinsulin-to-insulin ratio. β-Cell function was cross-sectionally analyzed by glucose tolerance categories (normal glucose tolerance [NGT], n = 712; impaired glucose tolerance [IGT], n = 353; newly diagnosed diabetes by 2-h glucose from an oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT] [DM2h], n = 80; newly diagnosed diabetes by fasting glucose [DMf], n = 135; or newly diagnosed diabetes by fasting and 2-h glucose and established diabetes on diet/exercise only [DM], n = 100). RESULTS—In Spearman correlation analyses, proinsulin and the proinsulin-to-insulin ratio were only modestly inversely related to AIR (r values from −0.02 to −0.27), and AIR was strongly related to HOMA-B (r values 0.56 and 0.58). HOMA-B markedly underestimated the magnitude of the β-cell defect across declining glucose tolerance, especially for IGT and new DM by OGTT compared with AIR. Analyses adjusting for insulin sensitivity showed that β-cell function was compromised in IGT, DM2h, DMf, and DM, relative to NGT, by 13, 12, 59, and 62% (HOMA-B) and by as much as 40, 60, 80, and 75%, using AIR. CONCLUSIONS—Subjects with IGT and early-stage, asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients have more pronounced β-cell defects than previously estimated from epidemiological studies using homeostasis model assessment.
Zum Einfluß von Ameisensäure, Calciumformiat und Natriumhydrogencarbonat auf pH‐Wert, Trockenmassegehalt, Konzentration an Carbonsäuren und Ammoniak in verschiedenen Segmenten des Gastrointestinaltraktes

Zusammenfassung Insgesamt 72 Kreuzungsferkel wurden nach einem 42-tagigen Wachstumsversuch mit 6 Gruppen zu je 12 Tieren geschlachtet und der Inhalt des Magens, Dunndarms, Caecums und Colons gewonnen. Es wurde versucht, die Saureanionenwirkung organischer Sauren auf T-Gehalt, pH-Wert, Konzentration an Carbonsauren und Ammoniak im Gastrointestinaltrakt modellmasig abzuleiten. Als Zulagen wurden neben einer Kontrollgruppe 1,25% Ameisensaure (Ams) und, in der dazu aquivalenten Saureanionenmenge, 1,8% Ca-Formiat (Cafo) zugelegt. Diese drei Behandlungen wurden zusatzlich noch ohne bzw. mit 2% Natriumhydrogencarbonat (Puffer) versehen. Der Puffer sollte die pH-Wert-Absenkung der Ameisensaure-Zulage im Futter wieder ausgleichen und ebenfalls Hinweise auf deren Saureanioneneffekt liefern. Bei einem postprandialen Abstand von ca. 3 Stunden senkte der Zusatz von 1,25% Ams zum Futter den pH-Wert im Mageninhalt signifikant ab. 1,8% Cafo zeigte dagegen keinen Einflus. Der Pufferzusatz erhohte jeweils den pH-Wert im Magen. Die Konzentrationen an fluchtigen Fettsauren wurden ebenfalls nur durch Ams gesenkt, Cafo und der Puffer verursachten keine nachweisbaren Veranderungen. Im Dunndarminhalt traten keine Veranderungen im pH-Wert und den fluchtigen Fettsauren auf. Der Ams-Zusatz reduzierte die Milchsauregehalte starker als Cafo, der Puffer erhohte diese gesichert. Die pH-Werte im Caecum und Colon waren durch die Behandlungen im Vergleich zur Kontrolle unbeeinflust. Die Konzentrationen an fluchtigen Fettsauren im Caecuminhalt waren durch Ams- und Cafo-Zulage leicht vermindert, der Pufferzusatz wirkte sich jeweils erhohend aus. Im Coloninhalt waren keine Veranderungen nachweisbar. Im Caecum und Colon waren durch Ams und Cafo uber beide Pufferstufen die relativen Anteile der Essigsaure bei verminderten Buttersaureanteilen erhoht. Der Ammoniakgehalt im Magen wurde durch 1,25% Ams-Zulage signifikant gesenkt. Der Pufferzusatz wirkte sich erhohend aus. Auch im Dunndarminhalt waren die Ammoniakgehalte durch 1,25% Ams signifikant um 35% zur Kontrolle vermindert. 1,8% Cafo und die Ams-Gruppe mit Pufferzusatz senkten den Ammoniakgehalt im Dunndarm um immerhin 22 bzw. 19% ab. Der Ammoniakgehalt im Caecum wurde durch Ams und Cafo um 11 bzw. 8% vermindert, in den Behandlungen mit Pufferzusatz war er jeweils erhoht. Im Colon war kein Behandlungseinflus auf die Konzentration an Ammoniak festzustellen.
Effects of Water Temperature and Salinity on Blood Properties and Oxygen Consumption in Hagfish (Eptatretus burgeri)

Abstract Hagfish Eptatretus burgeri is classified as a agnathans and has many different physiological properties compared with vertebrates. In this study, we examined effects of water temperature and salinity on blood properties and oxygen consumption in hagfish. In the experiment of water temperature change, hematocrit (Ht), red blood cell (RBC) and glucose of hagfish blood revealed the lowest values at 15℃. Oxygen consumption of hagfish had significantly increased with rising water temperature, and the increasing rate was twice as much when the temperature was manipulated every 5℃. Also, oxygen consumption during the night time (a short photoperiod) was significantly higher than that of the daytime. Q10 level was 3.50 in the light period and 3.92 in the dark period. No significant change in plasma glucose level was showned in changing salinity from 30 psu to 22 psu, while it had rapidly increased at 20 psu (13.7±4.0 mg/dL) and thereafter all hagfish were dead at 18 psu. However, osmolarity, Na+, K+ and Cl- levels had significantly decreased when salinity decreased. This results are expected to develop the artificial rearing techniques of natural hagfish.Key words : Hagfish, Water temperature, Salinity, Blood property, Oxygen consumptionCorresponding author : 051-629-5915, yjchang@pknu.ac. kr* (2013 ) .
An Initial Inventory of Bacteria Found within the Soils and Waters of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract Soils and waters were collected from Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), and bacteria were cultured or DNA cloned from the samples. Oconaluftee Visitors Center and Kephart Prong Trail were sampled to examine distributions of heterotrophs inhabiting streams and riparian soil. Soil from All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory plots at Albright Grove, Cataloochee, and Purchase Knob were also sampled. A total of eleven phyla were detected, of which six were only found via culture-independent techniques. Overall, 69 genera were documented, with differences in their detection in soil and water and by methodology. Firmicutes dominated cultures from soil, while Acidobacteria dominated clone libraries; Bacteroidetes was the dominant phylum in water. Three classes of the phylum Proteobacteria were commonly seen as isolates or clones. Prokaryotic diversity is extraordinary; this is the first inventory examining non-photosynthetic bacteria inhabiting GSMNP and it lays the groundwork for investigations exploring the true breadth of diversity in the park and what this diversity means to the broader ecosystem.