Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Rate of Spread of Chaparral Prescribed fires in Northern California

Prescribed fire is a common method used to produce desired ecological effects in chaparral by mimicking the natural role of fire. Since prescribed fires are usually conducted in moderate fuel and weather conditions, models that accurately predict fire behavior and effects under these scenarios are important for management. In this study, explosive audio devices and steel stakes were used to record the location of the flaming front during seven prescribed fires in mature, chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) dominated chaparral in northern California. Intervals between detonations measured the time required for five fires to transverse a fixed distance and were used to estimate the rate of spread (ROS) during headfire burning conditions. In two other fires, a stopwatch was used to measure the time required to travel successive 5 m distances and ROS was calculated. Burns were completed during moderate weather conditions: average temperature 17 °C, average relative humidity 42 %, and wind light and variable, generally from the west ranging from 0 km h−1 to 8 km h−1. Average percent moisture was 92.1 % for chamise live one-hour fuels, and 8.8 % for chamise dead one-hour fuels. Live fuel height averaged 1.2 m. Overall average ROS was 0.36 m s−1 (range 0.22 m s−1 to 0.56 m s−1) for areas where the flaming front advanced upslope. Measurements of ROS were indeterminable for many of the points along the line transects due to lack of visibility from smoke and from fire not traversing the terrain as predicted. For comparison, BehavePlus fire modeling was performed using five different shrub fuel models (NFFL 4, SH5, SH7, SCAL15, SCAL17); all models underestimated ROS and flame length with NFFL model 4 producing values most similar to that recorded during the prescribed fires. Users of the recently developed fuel models may benefit from field studies to verify model adequacy and fire behavior predictions.
Nitrate metabolism in soybean root nodules

The nitrate metabolism in nodules induced by Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain PJ17 on roots of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Hodgson] has been characterized by the nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.6.6.1 and EC 1.6.6.3) activity of both partners of the symbiosis. NR activities of bacteroids and nodular cytosol were comparable and significantly higher than those of the roots. Nitrate reduction led to nitrite accumulation in root nodules, which was maximum after pod filling. The nodule had the capacity to metabolize nitrite via nitrite reductase (NiR; EC 1.6.6.4), at least in the cytosolic fraction. This activity was partly inhibited by the low content of free O2 in the nodule. Indeed, nitrite accumulation decreased in the presence of an increased external pressure of O2.
Changes in the glycosylation pattern at the reducing end of azorhizobial Nod factors affect nodulation efficiency

The Nod factors of Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571 are lipo-chitooligosaccharides that at the reducing end can be unsubstituted, substituted with a l-fucosyl group, with a d-arabinose, or with both groups at the same time. These lipo-chitooligosaccharides are the compounds produced by the bacteria during the signal exchange with their host plant at the onset of the nodulation process. By the use of wild-type and mutant strains, the role of the different Nod factor glycosylations on the nodulation behavior was checked. The mere presence of the d-arabinosyl group at the reducing end of the lipo-chitooligosaccharides resulted in a higher number of nodules on roots of Sesbania rostrata, whereas the presence or absence of l-fucose had no effect. The situation is the opposite in other tropical legumes that respond to A. caulinodans ORS571: the l-fucose is the major determinant of nodulation, whereas the presence of d-arabinose is less significant. By the use of a β-glucuronidase reporter fusion, A. caulinodans ORS571 was shown to colonize nodules or nodule-like tissues induced on cowpea and bean, respectively.
Alkaloids may not be responsible for endophyte‐associated reductions in tall fescue decomposition rates

Summary 1. Fungal endophyte – grass symbioses can have dramatic ecological effects, altering individual plant physiology, plant and animal community structure and function, and ecosystem processes such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. 2. Within the tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) – fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum) symbiosis, fungal produced alkaloids are often invoked as the putative mechanism driving these ecological responses. Yet few measurements of alkaloids exist in the ecological literature. In this study, we quantified alkaloid levels in live, standing dead and decomposing endophyte-infected (E+) and –free (E−) plant material and simultaneously evaluated the direct and indirect effects of endophyte presence on tall fescue decomposition. 3. Loline and ergot alkaloid levels were consistently high in live E+ (common toxic strain of N. coenophialum) tall fescue biomass throughout the sampling period (May–November 2007), whereas, E− live and standing dead material had non-detectable alkaloid concentrations. Standing dead E+ biomass had significantly reduced alkaloid levels (6–19x lower than the levels measured in the corresponding live E+ biomass) that were equivalent to E− live and dead for loline but were still somewhat higher than E− material for ergots. 4. In an effort to test the role of alkaloids in directly inhibiting decomposition, as has been suggested by previous studies, we conducted a litter bag experiment using green, alkaloid-laden E+ and alkaloid-free E− tall fescue plant material. We incubated E+ and E− litter bags in both E+ and E− tall fescue stands for 170 days, and measured mass loss, carbon and nitrogen content, and ergot and loline alkaloid concentrations over the incubation period. 5. Consistent with previous reports, both direct and indirect effects of endophyte presence on litter decomposition were observed: endophyte presence in the litter and surrounding microenvironment significantly reduced decomposition rates. Surprisingly, despite large differences in alkaloid content between E+ and E− litter from Day 0–Day 21 of the incubation, direct effects of the endophyte on litter decomposition, while significant, were relatively small (differences in mass loss between E+ and E− litter were never >3%). Alkaloids were gone from E+ material by day 56. 6. We propose that results from this study indicating alkaloids are largely absent in standing dead material (the typical input to the decomposition process), and that despite being present in our litter bag experiment, failed to produce large differences in mass loss between E+ and E− material questions the supposition that fungal produced alkaloids directly inhibit decomposition. Additional studies exploring the mechanisms behind the direct and indirect effects of endophytes on this ecosystem process are needed.
Reply: dl-2-Hydroxy-4-(Methylthio)Butanoic Acid from any Commercial Source is Fully Available as a Source of Methionine Activity

We would like to thank D. Hoehler for his comments (“A Misleading Approach to Determine the Methionine Activity of Organic Trace Minerals”), giving us the opportunity to clear up several misconceptions that he and possibly others may have regarding the chemical structure and biological activity of Mintrex organic trace minerals. First, Mintrex organic trace minerals are not the calcium salts of DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (DL-HMTBA), as he describes. Rather, Fourier transform infrared spectroassay and crystal structure analyses have demonstrated that Mintrex molecules are atoms of Zn, Cu, or Mn, each chelated by 2 molecules of DL-HMTBA. The calcium salt of DL-HMTBA is another molecule entirely. Although the calcium salt is fed to provide Met activity, the main purpose of feeding Mintrex is to provide a highly bioavailable source of trace minerals. Nevertheless, the DL-HMTBA ligands in Mintrex would be expected to provide substantial Met activity, which is clearly demonstrated in our paper (Yi et al, 2007). Second, the notion that DL-HMTBA is inferior as a source of Met activity is a fallacy. Numerous refereed publications have demonstrated that DL-HMTBA is equivalent to DL-Met (DLM) as a source of Met activity, including a recent multi-regression analysis of 62 papers in the literature containing over 400 observations for each Met source (Vázquez-Añón et al., 2005). It should be pointed out that this is a much more extensive set of literature than that used in the review referenced by Hoehler (Jansman et al., 2003). Furthermore, the methods used by the Jansman review have been challenged as inappropriate (Kratzer and Littell, 2006). Finally, all of the alleged physiological arguments that attempt to explain the supposed differences in efficacy between DLHMTBA and DLM have been refuted in peer-reviewed publications (Dibner and Knight, 1984; Knight and Dibner, 1984; Dibner et al., 1987, 1990; Dibner, 2003; Richards et al., 2005).
Assessment of Combining Ability in Pearl Millet Using Line x Tester Analysis

Present experiment was conducted at Raya, Mathura (U.P.) during the kharif season of 2008, 2009 and 2010 with four male sterile lines (female parents) and nine inbreds used as testers (male parents) of pearl millet in line x tester fashion. In general combining ability analysis GIB 144 found maximum g.c. a. effects for yield, stem thickness, leaf area, panicle length, panicle-girth, and 1000-grain weight, dry weight per plant and harvest index followed by ICMA 93222, GIB 3346 and ICMA 95333. None of the parents showed significant positive g.c. a. effects for number of nodes per main stem and number of leaves per main stem. In specific combining ability analysis seven crosses viz., ICMA 93222 x GIB 78, ICMA 96111 x GIB 129, ICMA 93222 x GIB 144, ICMA 93222 x GIB 129, ICMA 97333 x GIB 157, ICMA 97333 x GIB 135 and ICMA 95333 x GIB 157 were identified as the best specific combiners for yield and major yield components. Analysis of s.c. a. effects revealed that good combining parents yield better hybrids, because parents with significant positive g.c. a. effects were involved more in selected crosses than those with non-significant g.c. a. effects and negative g.c. a. effects. In the present study, the involvement of at least one good general combiner was found essential for obtaining combinations with high specific effects. Combining ability studies revealed that both general and specific combining ability variances were important but the estimates of s.c. a. variance were higher in magnitude for all the characters. Thus, indicating the predominance of non-additive gene action.
Hypolimnetic oxygen consumption by sediment‐based reduced substances in former eutrophic lakes

We quantified the areal hypolimnetic mineralization rate (AHM; total areal hypolimnetic oxygen depletion including the formation of reduced substances) in two formerly eutrophic lakes based on 20 yr of water‐column data collected during oligotrophication. The upward diffusion of reduced substances originating from the decomposition of organic matter in the sediment was determined from pore‐water profiles and related to the time of deposition. More than 80% of AHM was due to degradation of organic matter in the water column (including sediment surface) and diffusion of reduced substances from sediment layers younger than 10 yr. Sediments older than 10 yr, including the eutrophic past, accounted for ~ 15% of AHM. This “old” contribution corresponds to a 20–43% fraction of the total sediment‐based AHM. The contribution from old sediment layers to AHM is expected to be even lower in lakes with deeper hypolimnia (> 12 m). In summary, oxygen consumption in stratified hypolimnia is controlled mainly by the present lake productivity. As a result, technical lake management measures, such as oxygenation, artificial mixing, or sediment dredging, cannot efficiently decrease the flux of reduced substances from the sediment.
Hunting mode and success of African Peregrines Falco peregrinus minor, does nesting habitat quality affect foraging efficiency?

Peregrine Falcon Fulco peregrinus hunting behaviour was studied at nest-sites in three areas of South Africa over eight years. In Africa, resident Peregrines are mostly restricted to high cliffs, possibly because these structures provide optimal conditions for hunting. This hypothesis is examined in terms of the influence of nest-site quality, particularly cliff height, on foraging efficiency. Foraging mode varied considerably between sites, and males foraged more actively than females but there was little variation in the design of hunts between sexes, seasons or study areas. Individually, Peregrines spent 30-50% of the day on or near the nest cliE On average, about 0.5 hunts were recorded per hour of observation. Foraging mode was not correlated with cliff height or elevation above the surrounding terrain, but Peregrine pairs occupying higher cliffs achieved greater hunting success rates. Most hunts were initiated from elevated perches on the nest cliff; and perch hunts were more successful than strikes made from the air. Success was highest in strikes at doves and small passerines, and over habitats with moderate cover. The height difference between Peregrine and prey at the start of a hunt positively and significantly affected hunting success. Overall, Peregrines were relatively sedentary and made extensive use of the nesting habitat as a foraging area. High nest cliffs contributed to foraging success by providing perch-hunting falcons with an effective height advantage over their prey.
Effect of Age of Seedlings at Transplanting on Growth and Yield of Rice Varieties (Oryza Sativa)

SUMMARY Optimum transplanting age and relative growth rate in three groups of rice varieties differed with types and maturity periods. Transplanting 52 day old seedlings reduced the shoot number, and the magnitude of reduction was higher in early than in mid-early and medium varieties. Early transplanting reduced the number of days to flowering in all three groups compared with transplanting later. Senescence was much earlier in early types transplated as 52 day old seedlings. Grain production in early types was more sensitive to late transplanting than the mid-early and medium types. Medium varieties outyielded the early and mid-early ones when transplanted at 38 days after seeding.
A modification of Mallory's connective tissue stain with a discussion of the principles involved

Since the publication in 1900 of Mallory's anilin blue connective tissue stain, a number of modifications have been proposed. These methods, however, often yield results which are generally unsatisfactory, or else discrepant with regard to the coloration of such elements as red blood corpuscles and bone. In some cases the modifications reveal lack of comprehension of the fundamental principles of the method ; in others, the difficulty is caused merely by such practical errors as over-strict adherence to a time stipulation for immersion of sections in the various reagents, failure to avoid exhaustion of the solutions, etc. Without understanding of these points, not even the original Mallory method will yield constant results . The procedure described in this paper and explained in the accompanying notes takes account of the basic principles and results in uniformly well-stained preparations. Mallory 's original method consists in staining appropriately fixed sections in acid fuchsin, which confers a more or less uniform red color upon the tissue generally. This stain is then removed from the collagenous fibers by phosphomolybdic acid, which at the same time acts as a mordant for subsequent staining of the same fibers with anilin blue. Orange G mixed with the anilin blue, serves as a stain for myelin sheaths and red blood corpuscles. When successful, connective tissue reticulum, collagenous fibers, mucus, amyloid
Considering the socio-cultural terrain of hazardous behaviours: A Cross-Cultural Study on problem gambling among Maltese and Italian people

The literature on problem gambling (PG) has received little attention regarding the role of how people make sense of their social experiences and community settings. Based on a semiotic and cultural perspective, the present study used a cross-national approach to investigate whether there are significant differences in the socio-cultural dimensions characterizing problem gamblers in two different European countries, Italy and Malta. Perceived social support, cultural models and PG were assessed in a convenience sample of 134 subjects, balanced by gender, job status and educational status (Malta n=67; mean age 42.00±16.268; Italia n=67; mean age 43.37±14.446). Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to test the relationships among variables; multi-group technique was used to test for any effects defined by the country variable. The findings show that the lower the perceived social support, the higher the likelihood of PG for both national groups. Maltese and Italian people exhibited differences vis-a-vis the cultural models working as risk factor for PG. In the case of Italy, a devaluation of the context of belonging, along with the feeling that one can rely on oneself, relates to PG. In the case of Malta, PG appears to be related to a trustful position toward the micro- and macro-social context. This study suggests that understanding why people engage in hazardous behaviours requires an in-depth consideration of the socio-cultural contexts and networks where people’s ways of evaluating their social experience develop. Implications for designing community PG prevention interventions are discussed.
Distribution of bacteria and seasonal and regional effects in a new database for mastitis pathogens in Finland

Abstract A database containing pathogen-specific information on mastitis has been established in Finland. The data consist of the results from routine milk samples collected from clinical and subclinical mastitis and submitted to laboratories all over the country. In the database, bacteriological information has been recorded on an individual cow basis. A total of 77,051 pathogen records submitted to the database from 1 January 2004 to 1 January 2006 were retrieved for this preliminary report of pathogen distribution. Staphylococcus aureus (18.26% and 17.73%) and coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) (17.57% and 23.51%) were the most frequently isolated pathogens from the milk samples. Seasonal and regional differences in pathogen distribution were also found. The pathogen information is primarily used for targeting the antimicrobial treatment of the cow, but also for designing specific mastitis control strategies for the herds. Pathogen data can also be useful for national mastitis control programmes and breeding programmes of dairy cattle for the selection of more resistant animals.
Can the boreal forest be used for rehabilitation and recovery from stress-related exhaustion? A pilot study

Abstract It has been suggested that humans suffering from mental exhaustion recover better in environments that do not demand directed attention. Hence, we hypothesized that forests have restorative effects and examined whether the boreal forest in northern Sweden can be used for rehabilitation from stress-related exhaustion in a pilot study. Six participants suffering from stress-related exhaustion were offered visits twice a week, for 11 weeks, in six different forest settings: pine forest, mixed forest, spruce forest, forest by the lake, the forest with a small stream and rock outcrops. The participants chose one forest setting prior to each visit, and the mental state of each participant was evaluated before and after each visit. Interviews focusing on the experience of the forest were conducted after the 22 visits. Solitude and forest settings with light were identified as positive factors for recovery. Despite the limited amount of data, the results showed that the forest visits had significant positive effects on the participants' mental state. The interviews also indicated that the concept is suitable for use in larger randomized studies and that it is important to provide various forest settings to meet individual preferences of the participants and to offer the possibility of solitude.
Thoracolumbar vertebral number: The first skeletal synapomorphy for afrotherian mammals

Abstract There is overwhelming molecular support for the monophyly of a supra‐ordinal clade of living African placental mammals, the Afrotheria, but there is not a single unequivocal morphological synapomorphy for this group. We conducted a survey of thoraco‐lumbar vertebral numbers across mammals, based on the examination of specimens representing 86 living and 12 fossil species and a thorough review of the anatomical literature. A total of 19 thoraco‐lumbar vertebrae is plesiomorphic for mammals, eutherians and metatherians. Metatherians show no variation in this plesiomorphic condition, suggesting the presence of a developmental constraint, in view of the contrasting variability of the equally old eutherian clade. Several deviations from the plesiomorphic condition have evolved independently in the course of placental phylogeny. Optimization of the information on a published phylogenetic framework based on molecular sequence data reveals that an increase in the number of thoracolumbar vertebrae is the first unambiguous skeletal synapomorphy of Afrotheria.
Methane‐based symbiosis in a mussel, Bathymodiolus platifrons, from cold seeps in Sagami Bay, Japan

Bathymodiolus platifrons, a chemosynthetic mussel from cold seeps off Japan, relies for its nutrition on the productivity of methylotrophic or methanotrophic endosymbionts. High densities of bacterial symbionts appearing to be type I methanotrophs were observed in transmission electron micrographs of gill tissues. Methanol dehydrogenase activity in gill tissue from a single individual was positive compared to non-methanotrophic control samples, indicating a high potential for methanotrophy. Stable isotopic ratios of carbon in symbiont-containing gill tissue, as well as host tissues, were extremely depleted in 13C, and similar to values reported for other methanotrophic species. TEMs of gill tissue showing symbionts in various stages of digestion support the hypothesis that carbon transfer from symbionts to B. platifrons occurs through intracellular digestion of the symbionts. Discovery of methane- or methanolbased symbioses in B. platifrons from cold seeps in Sagami Bay extends the range of such symbioses to include cold seeps and hydrothermal vents, and supports the idea that environmental methane levels control the distribution of these symbioses.
Effect of Temperature, pH and Salinity on carotenoid production in Rodotorula mucilaginosa

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa , is a species of heterobasidiomycetous yeasts which is able to produce carotenoid pigments. The optimum conditions for carotenoid production of this strain in shaking flask cultivation were a temperature of 30 C and initial pH value of 5.0 in a medium of glucose 10 g/L, (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 2 g/L, KH 2 (PO 4 ) 2 g/L, MgSO 4 . 7H 2 O 0.5 g/L, CaCl 2 . 2H 2 O 0.1 g/L, yeast extract 1 g/L. This study demonstrated that this strain failed to produce pigments in any amounts of sea salt.