Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of hedging and repeated cutting cycles for propagating clones of Sitka spruce

Summary Hedging and serial propagation are two options for providing plant material for the long-term propagation of conifer clones. This study compared both options using eight half-sibling clones of Sitka spruce which were propagated for 18 years. The four treatments were propagation from the original plant (ortet), hedges from cuttings (ramets) of the first and second propagation cycles, and serial propagation from ramets of the most recent propagation cycle. Both rooting success and performance in a field experiment were compared. The best overall rooting was obtained from serial propagation from the previous cycle; and the poorest rooting was from cuttings from the original ortet. Rooting success was generally good from 1978 to 1994 (up to 18 years from seed) for serial propagation, but only up to 11 years for hedges. There were some differences between clones for rooting success, but the results were not consistent. In the field, there were no consistent differences in survival or height growth between propagation treatments over time. There was no evidence of any decline in vigour after 6 years’ growth in the field for treatments planted out between 1982 and 1992 (i.e. between 4 and 14 years of age). There were some differences in stem form shortly after planting, with cuttings from serial propagation being more upright. However, such differences did not persist, with all treatments showing an upright pattern of growth within a few years of planting. The propagation success is encouraging for a clonal forestry strategy with Sitka spruce. The best long-term option may be to use hedges for bulk propagation and replace them regularly by serial propagation. The results are discussed in relation to current thinking about maturation effects on rooting and subsequent early growth of cuttings in conifers.
Antifungal Effects of the Extracts and Essential Oils from Foeniculum vulgare and Illicium verum against Candida albicans

Background: Candida albicans is a member of the normal flora of the skin, mucous membrane and gastrointestinal tract. Vaginal candidiasis remains a significant problem in women in childbearing age, Majority of the cases are caused by C. albicans and recurrence is common in spite of topical treatment. Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop the antifungal agent from the medicinal herbs traditionally used in Korea. Method: In this study, the extracts and essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare and Illicium verum were examined for antifungal activities against C. albicans. Result: Dichloromethane extracts and essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare and Illicium verum showed antifungal activity against C. albicans. One fraction from Illicium verum with antifungal activity was founf out as 1-methoxy-4-(2-prophenyl) benzene. Conclusion: Dichloromethane extract and 1-methoxy-4-(2-prophenyl) benzene with antifungal activity from Illicium verum could be the candidate for a new antifungal agent for candidiasis and other fungal diseases. [Kor J Med Mycol 2010; 15(4): 157-164]
Population monitoring for the flightless rail Dryolimnas cuvieri aldabranus

Summary The last flightless bird of the western Indian Ocean, Dryolimnas cuvieri aldabranus survives only on Aldabra. Its population numbered some 8,000 in 1973–1976. Surveys suggest numbers remained roughly constant between 1968 and 1988 (with a fluctuation of only 4% in responses to call playback between 1983 and 1988), but distribution continued to contract. Longevity can reach over 8.5 years (but is probably lower on average), and some birds remain within 100 m of the site of ringing for at least five years. Feral predators remain a threat, and captive populations are recommended. The monitoring procedure may have value for other Gruiformes.
Estrogen-related Receptor α and Estrogen-related Receptor γ Associate with Unfavorable and Favorable Biomarkers, Respectively, in Human Breast Cancer

The importance of estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) in human breast cancer was assessed by comparing their mRNA profiles with established clinicopathological indicators and mRNA profiles of estrogen receptors (ERs) and ErbB family members. Using real-time quantitative PCR assays, mRNA levels of ERα, ERβ, epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, ERRα, ERRβ, and ERRγ were determined in unselected primary breast tumors ( n = 38) and normal mammary epithelial cells enriched from reduction mammoplasties ( n = 9). ERRα showed potential as a biomarker of unfavorable clinical outcome and, possibly, hormonal insensitivity. ERRα mRNA was expressed at levels greater than or similar to ERα mRNA in 24% of unselected breast tumors, and generally at higher levels than ERα in the progesterone receptor (PgR)-negative tumor subgroup (1-way ANOVA with repeated measures, P = 0.030). Increased ERRα levels associated with ER-negative (Fisher’s exact, P = 0.003) and PgR-negative tumor status (Fisher’s exact, P = 0.006; Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, P = 0.021). ERRα levels also correlated with expression of ErbB2 (Spearman’s rho, P = 0.005), an indicator of aggressive tumor behavior. Thus, ERRα was the most abundant nuclear receptor in a subset of tumors that tended to lack functional ERα and expressed ErbB2 at high levels. Consequently, ERRα may potentiate constitutive transcription of estrogen response element-containing genes independently of ERα and antiestrogens in ErbB2-positive tumors. ERRβ’s potential as a biomarker remains unclear; it showed a direct relationship with ERβ (Spearman’s rho, P = 0.0002) and an inverse correlation with S-phase fraction (Spearman’s rho, P = 0.026). Unlike ERRα, ERRγ showed potential as a biomarker of favorable clinical course and, possibly, hormonal sensitivity. ERRγ was overexpressed in 75% of the tumors, resulting in the median ERRγ level being elevated in breast tumors compared with normal mammary epithelial cells (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, P = 0.001). ERRγ overexpression associated with hormonally responsive ER- and PgR-positive status (Fisher’s exact, P = 0.054 and P = 0.045, respectively). Additionally, ERRγ expression correlated with levels of ErbB4 (Spearman’s rho, P = 0.052), a likely indicator of preferred clinical course, and associated with diploid-typed tumors (Fisher’s exact, P = 0.042). Hence, ERRα and ERRγ status may be predictive of sensitivity to hormonal blockade therapy, and ERRα status may also be predictive of ErbB2-based therapy such as Herceptin. Moreover, ERRα and ERRγ are candidate targets for therapeutic development.
Biochar amendment of soil improves resilience to climate change

Because of climate change, insufficient soil moisture may increasingly limit crop productivity in certain regions of the world. This may be particularly consequential for biofuel crops, many of which will likely be grown in drought‐prone soils to avoid competition with food crops. Biochar is the byproduct of a biofuel production method called pyrolysis. If pyrolysis becomes more common as some scientists predict, biochar will become more widely available. We asked, therefore, whether the addition of biochar to soils could significantly increase the availability of water to a crop. Biochar made from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) shoots was added at the rate of 1% of dry weight to four soils of varying texture, and available water contents were calculated as the difference between field capacity and permanent wilting point water contents. Biochar addition significantly increased the available water contents of the soils by both increasing the amount of water held at field capacity and allowing plants to draw the soil to a lower water content before wilting. Among the four soils tested, biochar amendment resulted in an additional 0.8–2.7 d of transpiration, which could increase productivity in drought‐prone regions or reduce the frequency of irrigation. Biochar amendment of soils may thus be a viable means of mitigating some of the predicted decrease in water availability accompanying climate change that could limit the future productivity of biofuel crops.
The m. caudifemoralis longus and its relationship to caudal autotomy and locomotion in lizards (Reptilia: Sauna)

Although the phenomenon of tail autotomy has traditionally been viewed in a purely adaptive light, functional constraints imposed by the locomotor system appear to have influenced the presence and extent of autotomy in lizards. Them. caudifemoralis longus is an unsegmented hind limb retractor that originates from the caudal vertebrae. It does not participate in autotomy and thus limits the proximal position of autotomic septa. Variation in the extent of the m. caudifemoralis is correlated with locomotor type. The muscle is large and originates from a long series of caudal vertebrae in fast moving lizards with powerful limb retraction, as exemplified by taxa capable of bipedal running. In slower lizards with sprawling postures, such as geckos, the m. caudifemoralis is small and restricted to the first few postsacral vertebrae. Autotomy is typically restricted or absent in the former lizards, while in the latter only the most proximal vertebrae are incapable of autotomy. In the evolution of existing patterns of caudal autotomy, functional demands intrinsic to the tail may be subservient to locomotor constraints imposed on the tail base by the m. caudifemoralis longus.
Distribution and Abundance of Tree Voles in the Northern Coast Ranges of Oregon

Abstract We sampled 86 randomly selected survey plots to evaluate the distribution and abundance of Red Tree Voles (Arborimus longicaudus) on the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests in the northern Coast Ranges of Oregon in 2011–2013. We conducted surveys by visually searching for tree vole nests while walking along 500 m of transect in each plot. Trees with potential nest structures were climbed to determine if the structures were tree vole nests. We found tree vole nests in only 4 random plots, all of which were located near the coast, at the western edge of the Tillamook State Forest. Of 33 tree vole nests located, 20 (61%) were in old forests (≥80 y old), and 13 (39%) were in 1 plot in a young forest that was 65 y old. We concluded that tree voles were absent from most of the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests, probably due to the fact that most of the area was either logged or burned in the early 1900s, and subsequently intensively managed on short rotations. We also suggest that remnant stands of old forest on Bureau of Land Management and state lands are acting as source populations from which tree voles populate adjacent young forests. Cuttings found in nests provided evidence that most of the voles were feeding on needles of Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) or Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis).
Productivity of grazed perennial ryegrass dairy pastures from different ecotypes under nitrogen and irrigation treatments

Abstract A two‐year experiment (1996–1998) was conducted at Hamilton, New Zealand, to compare the productivity of perennial ryegrasses from different ecotypes, under rotational grazing by dairy cows. ‘Ellett’ ryegrass, representing the Mangere ecotype, a major source of parent material for current perennial ryegrass cultivars, was compared with ‘Grasslands Ruanui’ representing an older Hawke's Bay ecotype. Nitrogen (N) fertiliser and irrigation were subplot and sub‐subplot treatments, respectively. Total herbage accumulation over two years was 13% greater for ‘Ellett’ ryegrass than for ‘Grasslands Ruanui’, with higher herbage production occurring mainly in spring and summer. ‘Ellett’ ryegrass had a consistently higher tiller weight and lower tiller density than ‘Grasslands Ruanui’. Tiller density response to N was much greater for ‘Grasslands Ruanui’ (+8698 tillers m‐2) than for ‘Ellett’ (+969 tillers m‐2) over the second year (spring 1997 to autumn 1998). Both ryegrass cultivars showed increased herbage accumulation and tiller weight when treated with N. Cultivar herbage accumulation was increased on average by 30% over the whole trial in response to N, but by only 19% in summer in response to irrigation. ‘Ellett’ ryegrass showed more pulling than did ‘Grasslands Ruanui’ during grazings over summer and autumn, especially when treated with N, but this had only minor effects on yield. Data on the reproductive behaviour of perennial ryegrass cultivars and tillering responses to N applied in spring‐summer, could provide useful selection criteria for persistence under intensive dairying. Ryegrass cultivars with different morphologies and tillering responses to N may require different grazing managements to optimise their performance. Pulling losses in summer are likely to be greater for cultivars with large upright tillers and when N fertiliser is applied.
DNA barcoding of genus Toxoptera Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae): Identification and molecular phylogeny inferred from mitochondrial COI sequences

Abstract Identification of aphid species is always difficult due to the shortage of easily distinguishable morphological characters. Aphid genus Toxoptera consists of species with similar morphology and similar to Aphis in most morphological characters except the stridulatory apparatus. DNA barcodes with 1 145 bp sequences of partial mitochondrial cytochrome‐coxidase I (COI) genes were used for accurate identification of Toxoptera. Results indicated mean intraspecific sequence divergences were 1.33%, whereas mean interspecific divergences were greater at 8.29% (0.13% and 7.79% if T. aurantii 3 and T. aurantii 4 are cryptic species). Sixteen samples were distinguished to four species correctly by COI barcodes, which implied that DNA barcoding was successful in discrimination of aphid species with similar morphology. Phylogenetic relationships among species of this genus were tested based on this portion of COI sequences. Four species of Toxoptera assembled a clade with low support in maximum‐parsimony (MP) analysis, maximum‐likelihood (ML) analysis and Bayesian phylogenetic trees, the genus Toxoptera was not monophyletic, and there were two sister groups, such as T. citricidus and T. victoriae, and two clades of T. aurantii which probably presented cryptic species in the genus.
Análise do óleo essencial de folhas de três quimiotipos de Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Br. (Verbenaceae) cultivados em condições semelhantes

A composicao do oleo essencial de Lippia alba apresenta variacao quantitativa e qualitativa, levando a separacao em quimiotipos. O trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o oleo essencial de folhas de tres quimiotipos de Lippia alba, provenientes de diferentes regioes do Brasil, cultivados em condicoes semelhantes, a fim de verificar se as diferencas na composicao do oleo devem-se a fatores ambientais ou a variacao genetica infraespecifica e se a floracao influencia o rendimento e a composicao do oleo. Os quimiotipos produtores de citral, carvona e linalol, foram denominados Lippia alba 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente. Os oleos essenciais foram extraidos por hidrodestilacao de folhas e analisados por cromatografia com fase gasosa e cromatografia com fase gasosa acoplada ao espectrometro de massas. O melhor rendimento foi obtido das plantas no estagio vegetativo. A composicao do oleo essencial manteve-se inalterada para os tres quimiotipos apos cultivo em condicoes semelhantes e tambem nao variou qualitativamente durante o crescimento vegetativo e floracao. Os dados obtidos reforcam a ideia que as diferencas na composicao do oleo essencial dos quimiotipos refletem variacoes genotipicas entre as plantas e que a extracao de oleo essencial de L. alba deve ser efetuada na fase de crescimento vegetativo, quando e maior o rendimento do oleo e a porcentagem dos componentes majoritarios.
Nest Holes of Great Spotted Woodpeckers Dendrocopos major and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers D. medius: Do they Really Differ in Size?

Abstract. Great- and Middle Spotted Woodpecker nest-hole dimensions and tree diameters at hole-entrance height were analyzed in order to test the hypothesis that Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, by making use of a thinner substrate and excavating smaller nest-holes, may reduce interspecific competition for nest-sites with Great Spotted Woodpeckers. It was found that only the vertical diameter of Great Spotted Woodpecker nest-hole openings and the entrance-hole area (49.2 mm, 17.8 cm2 respectively) were significantly larger than the corresponding parameters in Middle Spotted Woodpeckers (44.9 mm, 16.2 cm2). The average tree diameter at nest-height was 42.7 cm in Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 38.2 cm in Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, and did not differ between the two species. There were no correlations between the tree diameter at nest height and nest height in either species. The small variation in hole-entrance diameters (CV ≤ 10%) and the distance that a predator had to reach to plunder the nest (≥ 19 cm) are most likely to protect woodpeckers' broods against arboreal predators — mainly Pine Martens. It is concluded that the tree diameter at nest-height probably makes little or no difference with respect to avoidance by Middle Spotted Woodpeckers of competition with Great Spotted Woodpeckers. The role of nest-hole size in terms of its influence on reproduction is also discussed.
Actin filaments are necessary for FSH-induced CYP19A1 transcription in bovine granulosa cells in vitro.

Received: Revised: Accepted: June 23, 2014 August 18, 2014 August 23, 2014 Estrogen biosynthesis is catalyzed by the Aromatase (P450arom), which is derived from CYP19A1. We investigated the relationship between actin filament rearrangement, CYP19A1 expression and estradiol bio-synthesis in bovine granulosa cells in vitro. Both bovine fibroblasts and granulosa cells were starved in serum-free culture medium for 24 hours. Serum-starvation disassembled stress fibers in fibroblasts, but not in granulosa cells. Additionally we added Y27632 and CB to medium to de-polymerize the actin filaments, while LPA and insulin were used to re-polymerize actin filaments. A real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that, FSH induced transcription of CYP19A1 mRNA encoded aromatase was inhibited significantly as actin filaments were de-polymerized by both Y27632 and CB, whereas, restored as actin filaments were re-polymerized by both LPA and insulin. However, further study shows that, statistically there were no differences in the expression of aromatase proteins analyzed by western-blot, during the process of actin filament rearrangement. ARIA analysis also indicated that the secretions of estradiol by bovine granulosa cells were not changed significantly. The results suggested that serum-starvation could not induce actin filaments depolymerization in bovine granulosa cells, while chemically induced actin filament rearrangement influenced the expression of aromatase in mRNA level. But there were no differences in protein level and biological activity of bovine granulosa cells in vitro. ©2014 PVJ. All rights reserved
DISPERSAL PATTERNS AND POPULATION STRUCTURE OF THE LAND SNAIL ALBINARIA COERULEA (PULMONATA: CLAUSILIIDAE)

We studied dispersal patterns in a representative population of the rock-dwelling land snail Albinaria coerulea (Clausiliidae), to obtain direct estimates of gene flow and to predict the spatial scale and mode of population differentiation and expansion. We recorded and estimated per month, at the site of Vravrona (Attica, Greece), for a period equal to the assumed generation time (2.5 years), dispersal distances and directions from four remote release stations and minimal movements from recapture points of 200 individually marked specimens. Mean dispersal and minimal movement distances were small (162.4 and 53.5 cm, respectively), with most individuals moving short or medium distances, and few individuals dispersing longer distances (extreme recorded values: 750 and 844 cm). We found significant monthly fluctuations of dispersal and minimal movement distances, but not any auto- or partial correlation of those distances at any time lag, or relation to density and climatic factors. The differing dispersal patterns between stations were attributed to differences in the relative abundance and proximity of suitable refugia (crevices) at each station. Dispersal was not random but no systematic directional trends or migration from station to station were detected. However, spatial distribution was associated with evident clustering behaviour and the occurrence and connectivity of suitable refugia. Neighbourhood size was relatively small on average (198), but varied significantly (13-1082), depending on the varying dispersal and density values and habitat structure. The estimated low mean and the extreme recorded values of dispersal distances, the lack of systematic dispersal trends, and the association of dispersal and spatial patterns with habitat suitability and connectivity, along with clustering behaviour, support the hypothesis of a mixed population structure with adjacent subpopulations partly separated by physical barriers, and occasionally significant isolation-by-distance processes within each subpopulation. Therefore, we cannot dismiss the potential role of genetic drift and natural selection in promoting very local differentiation, especially in cases of less dense and more isolated populations.
Growth of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. from Lakes Zwai, Langeno and Chamo (Ethiopian rift valley) based on otolith microincrement analysis

Age and growth of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, from Lakes Zwai, Langeno and Chamo (Ethiopia) were studied from microincrements in otoliths. Growth in length was best described by the Gompertz model. Average growth rate of the fish was most rap
On the thermodynamics of autotrophic and heterotrophic growth of Pseudomonas saccharophila

Calculations are made of the thermodynamic changes accompanying the growth of Pseudomonas saccharophila autotrophically on hydrogen and heterotrophically on acetic acid, pymvic acid, lactic acid, glucose, and sucrose, for the purpose of determining the extent to which the energetics of autotrophic and heterotrophic growth are related. Growth with respect to each substrate is divided into equations representing the processes of anabolism and catabolism, the sum of which is an equation representing metabolism. Using appropriate values for the thermodynamic properties of the substances represented by the terms in the equations, it becomes possible to calculate the changes in free energy, enthalpy, and entropy accompanying these processes. The results suggest, but do not rigorously prove, that the quantity of available electrons conserved within the substance of the cells is linearly related to those potentially available from the electron donors, whether these latter are organic or inorganic. The efficiency of electron conservation can be used to calculate the changes in free energy, enthalpy, and entropy accompanying metabolism.