Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Factors which Influence the External Form of Fossil Plants; with Descriptions of the Foliage of Some Species of the Palaeozoic Equisetalean Genus Annularia Sternberg

I — On the Factors which Influence the External Form of Fossil Plants Most writers of general treatises on Palaeobotany give an introductory chapter on fossilization, and this as a rule includes an account of the various kinds of fossil plants and the circumstances under which plants may become incorporated in sediments. The differences between the external form of the fossil and the original plant fragment are not often mentioned in relation to the factors which operate in the production of a fossil. It is often implied that fossil plants of the “ incrustation ” or “ impression ” type are produced in much the same way as herbarium specimens. That such a crude analogy does not satisfactorily explain the forms found among fossil plants of this type is obvious to those who have applied transfer methods to the examination of such fossils. In the writer’s opinion, the reason why so little precision has been given to descriptions of fossil-plant forms is that insufficient attention has been paid to the properties of sediments and the role played by the matrix. While many writers recognize that the differences in shape between a fossil and the original plant are due to the compressibility of the plant tissues the writer is not aware of any reference in the literature to the importance of the compressibility of the matrix in determining the form of a fossil embedded in it. It will be shown that the alteration in shape of a plant in undergoing fossilization in many cases may be best described as the result first of the collapse of the plant tissues and second of a more or less uniform vertical strain of the fossil and the surrounding matrix together.
Efeito do pisoteio bovino em algumas propriedades físicas do solo de várzea

The objetive of the work was to evaluate effects of bovine stepping on the physical proprieties of a lowland soil where a mixture of winter pastures were grown. The plant species were italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), white clover (Trifolium repens) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). The soil is classified as an albaqualf, previously leveled with a 0,06% gradient. The experimental design was a randomized block in which each plot measured 0,5ha forming six experimental units under continuous grazzing. The soil treatments were the occasions in which the samplimg were taken; T1 = just before entrance of the animals, T2 = immediately after their exit and T3 = six months later. The animals were 8-10 months old calves with an initial load of 480kg/ha-1 of live load and the residual pasture mass was about 1000kg/ha-1. Animal stepping caused an increase on soil density and a reduction in total porosity. An increase on soil density occurred at the first 5cm soil depth. Six months with no stepping were not sufficient for plant roots to decrease soil compactation.
Clubroot in the Canadian canola crop: 10 years into the outbreak

Abstract Clubroot, caused by the obligate parasite Plasmodiophora brassicae, is an important soilborne disease of the Brassicaceae. In Canada, clubroot has long been a problem in cruciferous vegetables, but was not reported on the Prairie canola (Brassica napus) crop until 2003, when 12 clubroot-infested fields were identified in central Alberta. Continued surveillance has shown that the disease is spreading, and at least 1064 fields in the province had confirmed clubroot infestations as of 2012. While the outbreak is still mainly confined to central Alberta, isolated clubroot infestations and the presence of viable P. brassicae inoculum have been confirmed in southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Dissemination of the parasite appears to be predominantly through the movement of infested soil on farm and other machinery, although secondary mechanisms of spread, such as by wind and water erosion and soil contamination of seeds, also have been implicated. Numerous strains of P. brassicae occur in Canada, but pathotype 3 or 16/15/12, as classified on the differentials of Williams or the European Clubroot Differential series, predominates on canola. Given the significant economic value of Canadian canola, the emergence of clubroot on this crop has caused major concern and led to the initiation of a large, coordinated research effort aimed at understanding and managing this disease. This review summarizes the extent and nature of the clubroot outbreak in the Canadian canola crop, 10 years after it began, and provides a context for ongoing research and management efforts.
Occurrence of tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes between and within populations in Dianthus sect. Plumaria (Caryophyllaceae)

Summary • The occurrence of both tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes within and between populations of several species of Dianthus section Plumaria was analysed. • Chromosome numbers for 13 populations of eight taxa are presented together with a thorough compilation of previously published data. • Most of the taxa are polyploids (tetraploids and hexaploids). Three groups can be distinguished: (1) only one ploidy level within a taxon; (2) more than one ploidy level, but only single cytotypes within a population; and (3) populations with a cytotype mixture. From some populations, reported earlier to contain tetraploids, we found only hexaploid individuals. Hexaploids occur over the whole range of polyploid taxa, revealing no geographical pattern. • Polyploidy is very likely the result of autopolyploidization, at least for the hexaploid cytotypes, which formed many times independently and occur sympatrically with tetraploids. Most of the populations with mixed cytotypes represent primary hybrid zones. It is not yet possible to decide whether directional (one cytotype will become extinct in the longer term) or balanced selection (both cytotypes can coexist) is acting in those populations.
Differences in aggression, activity and boldness between native and introduced populations of an invasive crayfish.

Aggressiveness, along with foraging voracity and boldness, are key behavioral mechanisms underlying the competitive displacement and invasion success of exotic species. However, do aggressiveness, voracity and boldness of the invader depend on the presence of an ecologically similar native competitor in the invaded community? We conducted four behavioral assays to compare aggression, foraging voracity, threat response and boldness to forage under predation risk of multiple populations of exotic signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus across its native and invaded range with and without a native congener, the Shasta crayfish P. fortis. We predicted that signal crayfish from the invaded range and sympatric with a native congener (IRS) should be more aggressive to outcompete a close competitor than populations from the native range (NR) or invaded range and allopatric to a native congener (IRA). Furthermore, we predicted that IRS populations of signal crayfish should be more voracious, but less bold to forage under predation risk since native predators and prey likely possess appropriate behavioral responses to the invader. Contrary to our predictions, results indicated that IRA signal crayfish were more aggressive towards conspecifics and more voracious and active foragers, yet also bolder to forage under predation risk in comparison to NR and IRS populations, which did not differ in behavior. Higher aggression/voracity/boldness was positively correlated with prey consumption rates, and hence potential impacts on prey. We suggest that the positive correlations between aggression/voracity/boldness are the result of an overall aggression syndrome. Results of stream surveys indicated that IRA streams have significantly lower prey biomass than in IRS streams, which may drive invading signal crayfish to be more aggressive/voracious/bold to acquire resources to establish a population.
Composition of ultraphytoplankton in the central North Atlantic

In the central North Atlantic Ocean, the ultraphytoplankton averaged over depth and season comprises 78% Prochlorococcus spp. , 12% Synechococcus spp. and 10% eukaryotic algae by nurnbers. However, on the basis of light scatter (a substitute for carbon biomass), the average percentages are 11, 2 and 87 % respectively. On the basis of red fluorescence (a substitute for chlorophyll biomass), the average percentages are 28, 11 and 61 % respectively. On the basis of primary productivity, the average percentages are 19, 13 and 68% respectively. Thus, eukaryotic algae dominate the biomass and productivity of ultraphytoplankton.
Interaction of Integrin αvβ3 with Nectin

Cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions cross-talk together, and these two junctions cooperatively regulate cell movement, proliferation, adhesion, and polarization. However, the mechanism of this cross-talk remains unknown. An immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecule nectin first trans-interacts with each other to form cell-cell adhesion and induces activation of Rap1, Cdc42, and Rac small G proteins through c-Src. Trans-interacting nectin then recruits another cell-cell adhesion molecule cadherin to the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites and forms adherens junctions (AJs). Here, we show that integrin αvβ3 functionally and physically associates with nectin. Integrin αvβ3 colocalized with nectin at the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites. The association of integrin αvβ3 with nectin was direct and was mediated through their extracellular regions. This interaction was necessary for the nectin-induced signaling. Focal adhesion kinase, which relays the integrin-initiated outside-in signals to the intracellular signaling molecules, was also involved in the nectin-induced signaling. During the formation of AJs, the high affinity form of integrin αvβ3 co-localized with nectin at the primordial cell-cell contact sites, and then after the establishment of AJs, this high affinity form of integrin αvβ3 was converted to the low affinity form, which continued to co-localize with nectin. Thus, integrin αvβ3 and nectin play pivotal roles in the cross-talk between cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions and the formation of cadherin-based AJs.
Genetic Control of Biochemical Reactions in Neurospora

From the standpoint of physiological genetics the development and functioning of an organism consist essentially of an integrated system of chemical reactions controlled in some manner by genes. It is entirely tenable to suppose that these genes which are themselves a part of the system, control or regulate specific reactions in the system either by acting directly as enzymes or by determining the specificities of enzymes [1]. Since the components of such a system are likely to be interrelated in complex ways, and since the synthesis of the parts of individual genes are presumably dependent on the functioning of other genes, it would appear that there must exist orders of directness of gene control ranging from simple one-to-one relations to relations of great complexity. In investigating the roles of genes, the physiological geneticist usually attempts to determine the physiological and biochemical bases of already known hereditary traits. This approach, as made in the study of anthocyanin pigments in plants [2], the fermentation of sugars by yeasts [3] and a number of other instances [4], has established that many biochemical reactions are in fact controlled in specific ways by specific genes. Furthermore, investigations of this type tend to support the assumption that gene and enzyme specificities are of the same order [5]. There are, however, a number of limitations inherent in this approach. Perhaps the most serious of these is that the investigator must in general confine himself to a study of nonlethal heritable characters. Such characters are likely to involve more or less non-essential so-called "terminal" reactions [5]. The selection of these for genetic study was perhaps responsible for the now rapidly disappearing belief that genes are concerned only with the control of "superficial" characters. A second difficulty, not unrelated to the first, is that the standard approach to the problem implies the use of characters with visible manifestations. Many such characters involve morphological variations, and these are likely to be based on systems of biochemical reactions so complex as to make analysis exceedingly difficult.
Fontes e proporção de material orgânico para a produção de mudas de cafeeiro em tubetes

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade das mudas de cafeeiro (Coffea arabica L.) produzidas em tubetes com substrato artificial suplementado com fontes de material orgânico em diferentes proporcoes. O experimento foi conduzido sob delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 3 x 6, com quatro repeticoes em parcelas formadas por seis tubetes. O primeiro fator correspondeu as fontes de material orgânico (esterco bovino, humus de minhoca e cama de peru) e o segundo, suas proporcoes (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100%) no substrato artificial (BioPlant-cafe) fertilizado com osmocote® (NPK 15-09-12). As caracteristicas avaliadas foram: altura da muda, diâmetro de caule, numero de pares de folhas, area foliar e massa seca da parte aerea e do sistema radicular. Pode-se concluir que o humus de minhoca adicionado ao substrato artificial na proporcao de 80% ou em uso exclusivo (100%) aumentou a area foliar das mudas de cafeeiro e, como consequencia proporcionou um maior acumulo de massa seca da parte aerea. O uso de esterco bovino (acima de 30%) e a cama de peru nao alterou ou reduziu as caracteristicas vegetativas das mudas de cafeeiro (altura da muda, diâmetro de caule, numero de pares de folhas e area foliar) e diminuiu o acumulo de massa seca.
Effect of Protein Quality, Protein Content, Bran Addition, DATEM, Proving Time, and Their Interaction on Hearth Bread

ABSTRACT The effect of protein quality, protein content, bran addition, diacetyl tartaric acid ester of monoglycerides (DATEM), proving time, and their interaction on hearth bread characteristics were studied by size-exclusion fast protein liquid chromatography, Kieffer dough and gluten extensibility rig, and small-scale baking of hearth loaves. Protein quality influenced size and shape of the hearth loaves positively. Enhanced protein content increased loaf volume and decreased the form ratio of hearth loaves. The effect of protein quality and protein content was dependent on the size-distribution of the proteins in flour, which affected the viscoelastic properties of the dough. Doughs made from flours with strong protein quality can be proved for a longer time and thereby expand more than doughs made from weak protein quality flours. Doughs made from strong protein quality flours tolerated bran addition better than doughs made from weak protein quality flours. Doughs made from high protein content flour.
G Protein‐Coupled Receptor Kinases 2 and 5 are Differentially Expressed in Rat Skeletal Muscle and Remain Unchanged Following β2‐Agonist Administration

Chronic stimulation of β2‐receptors with β2‐agonists causes desensitisation, which in skeletal muscle is accompanied by myosin heavy chain (MHC) remodelling, similar to that observed in heart failure patients. However, the mechanisms for this skeletal muscle remodelling are not well established. G protein‐coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) specifically phosphorylate and desensitise G protein‐coupled receptors during periods of agonist activation. However, desensitisation associated with prolonged agonist activation alters β‐adrenergic signalling, and downstream affects gene expression. We hypothesised that skeletal muscle remodelling induced by β2‐agonist administration could be regulated by GRK expression. Therefore the aim of this study was firstly to characterise which, if any, of the six known isoforms of GRK were expressed in skeletal muscle and then secondly to determine whether remodelled skeletal muscle induced by chronic β2‐agonist administration was accompanied by altered expression of GRK isoforms. Male Wistar rats were administered a β2‐agonist daily for 8 weeks, and the expression of MHC and GRKs examined in gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Treatment with β2‐agonist caused a change in MHC in soleus from types I to IIA, and in gastrocnemius from MHC types IIA/IIX to IIB. Western blotting revealed that GRK2 and GRK5 were expressed in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, despite changes in MHC and differential muscle‐specific expression of GRK isoforms, there was no significant change in expression of GRK2 and GRK5 in soleus or gastrocnemius following β2‐agonist administration. In conclusion the level of GRK expression is unlikely to be responsible for MHC switching following chronic β2‐receptor stimulation.
Morphological and genetic differentiation in anadromous smelt Osmerus mordax (Mitchill): disentangling the effects of geography and morphology on gene flow

Morphological analyses were combined with genetic analyses at nine microsatellite loci to examine the determinants of gene flow at 21 spawning locations of rainbow smelt Osmerus mordux along the east coast of Canada. Associations between morphology, geography and gene flow were examined using a computational geometric approach and partial Mantel tests. Significant barriers to gene flow and discontinuities in morphology were observed between Newfoundland and mainland Canada, as well as within Newfoundland samples. On regional scales, contrasting patterns were present with restricted gene flow between Newfoundland populations (F ST = c. 0·11) and high gene flow between mainland populations (F ST = c. 0·017). Within Newfoundland populations, geographic distance was significantly associated with gene flow (r = 0·85, P < 0·001) contrasting mainland samples where gene flow was most associated with phenotypic divergence (r = 0·33, P < 0·001). At large spatial scales, weak (r = 0·19, P = 0·02) associations between gene flow and geographic distance were observed, and moderate associations were also observed between gene flow and morphology (r = 0·28, P < 0·001). The presence of significant genetic isolation by distance in Newfoundland samples and the clear discontinuity associated with the Cabot Strait suggest geography may be the primary determinant of gene flow. Interestingly, the association between genetic and morphological divergence within mainland samples and overall, supports the hypothesis that gene flow may be moderated by morphological divergence at larger spatial scales even in high gene flow environments.
Study of Trace Elements Water in the Vicinity of Palosi Drain, Peshawar

Research study was conducted from January to May, 2002 in residential areas along the Palosi Drain, Peshawar. Main objective of the study was to evaluate water quality of shallow and deep wells in the vicinity of Palosi Drain. For this purpose, 20 water samples were taken 13 from shallow wells, 3 from deep wells and 4 from wastewater in the Palosi Drain. Water samples were analyzed for heavy metals or trace elements (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn). The results indicated that heavy metals such as Cd, Ni and Pb caused problem at some locations due to their elevated concentrations (0.04, 0.38 and 0.29 mg l‾1, respectively) as compared to WHO`s drinking water standards. The reason could be the corrosion of plumbing fixture and piping fixtures. However, other trace elements such as Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn were not a problem as their average concentrations (0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.16 mg l‾1, respectively) were within the WHO`s drinking water standards. It may be concluded that drinking water was generally of good quality and wastewater did not affect the water quality of shallow wells. (Less)
Integrated approach for the management of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, on eggplant under field conditions

A 2-year field study was conducted to develop an eco-friendly field application method for controlling root-knot disease of eggplant (Solanum melongena). The test sites were heavily infested with the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. The efficacy of neem cake (1.5 t ha−1), talc-based preparations of Pseudomonas fluorescens (10 kg ha−1) and Trichoderma harzianum (10 kg ha−1) as soil application and seed treatment (10 g (kg seed)−1) were tested to develop an integrated nematode management module against M. incognita infecting eggplant. Neem cake, P. fluorescens and T. harzianum alone and in combinations significantly reduced the incidence of root-knot disease of eggplant. Fresh and dry weight of shoots were higher in the plant where neem cake, P. fluorescens and T. harzianum had been applied, than in both M. incognita-infected plants and other treatments. The best protection of disease, in terms of reduction in number of galls (81%) and reproductive factor (Pf∕Pi < 0.5) of the nematode, was achieved through this treatment. It also enhanced yield of eggplant by up to 70%. It is suggested that integrated approach using organic amendment with bio-control agents to manage root-knot disease of eggplant under natural infestation is not only environmentally friendly but also more beneficial to growers. This approach also has potential for overcoming some of the efficacy problems that occur with application of individual biological control agent.
Novel aminopropiophenones as potential antidepressants

The atypical antidepressant drug bupropion and the psychostimulant drug methcathinone are both members of a chemical class known as aminopropiophenones. Differences in the psychoactive effects of these two drugs result from small variations in their chemical structures, but the relationship between chemical structure and psychoactivity has not been characterized. To investigate how structural modifications to aminopropiophenones affect antidepressant or stimulant activity, we synthesized several analogs of bupropion and methcathinone and tested the new compounds for antidepressant‐like or psychostimulant effects. The synthesized compounds are 2‐(methylamino)‐1‐(3‐bromophenyl)propan‐1‐one (3‐BMAP), 2‐(methylamino)‐1‐(4‐bromophenyl)propan‐1‐one (4‐BMAP), 2‐(iso‐propylamino)‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one (i‐PAP), and ‐(tert‐butylamino)‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one (t‐BAP). Bupropion, methcathinone, desipramine, and the newly‐synthesized aminopropiophenones were administered to rats for behavioral testing. We used the Porsolt swim test to assess antidepressant‐like activity and a locomotor activity assay to test for psychostimulant effects. All of the compounds displayed antidepressant‐like effects in the Porsolt swim test. Some compounds, including bupropion, increased locomotor activity at moderate‐to‐high doses. A halogenated analog of methcathinone, 4‐BMAP, increased swim time but did not stimulate locomotor activity, even at the highest dose tested. The data indicate that phenyl ring substitution or branched alkylamines can shift the psychopharmacological profile of aminopropiophenones from stimulant activity to antidepressant‐like activity. Several of the new drugs may be effective antidepressants in humans with fewer stimulant‐like side effects compared to bupropion. Drug Dev. Res. 60:252–260, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New genera and species of Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) from New Zealand

Abstract New genera Isothraulus, Arachnocolus, and Penniketellus are established for three species of leptophlebiid mayfly from New Zealand. Each genus is monotypic and endemic to New Zealand. Isothraulus and Arachnocolus are known only from the northern North Island, and Penniketellus is known only from the Arthur's Pass area of the central South Island. The male and female imago, nymph, and egg of Isothraulus abditus n.sp. , the male imago, male subimago, and nymph of Arachnocolus phillipsi n.sp. , and the male and female imago, female subimago, and egg of Penniketellus insolitus n.sp. are described. The relationships of each genus and the ecology of nymphs of each species are discussed.