Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Variation in Nutrient Status of Australian Waxflowers

Abstract Seasonal fluctuations in the concentrations of 12 nutrients were assessed over 3 years for Chamelaucium uncinatum cultivars Alba and Purple Pride and for Chamelaucium hybrid (C. floriferum × C. uncinatum) known locally as Walpole wax. The plantings were located in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Lower South East and Lower Murray regions of South Australia. Tips of stems, 25–40 mm long, were collected on a monthly basis. The nutrient data were used to identify the most suitable time for tissue analysis; to determine the magnitude of the differences in nutrient composition between cultivars; and to determine the correlations between nutrients. The effect of the sampling error was also determined. The seasonal decrease in concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) corresponded with vegetative flushing (growth dilution effect). Concentrations of the variably mobile nutrients copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were unstable, particularly during autumn–winter. Concentrations of phloem immobile nutrients calcium (Ca), boron (B), and manganese (Mn) decreased early in the season, were lowest when vegetative flushing peaked (summer), and tended to increase in autumn and winter. For preferred sampling times, seasonal trends showed that concentrations of N, P, Ca, Mg, sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), B, Zn, and Mn were fairly stable over the period January–March. Similarly, concentrations of K, S, and Cu were relatively stable during the period July–September when vegetative growth was minimal. The error associated with our sampling procedure was within acceptable limits (coefficients of variation <10%) for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, S, B, and Mn. For the cultivar Alba, the seasonal trends for all nutrients were similar even though they were grown at different sites. Nitrogen and Mg concentrations in stem tips of the cultivar Alba were consistently higher than those in stem tips of the cultivar Purple Pride. In contrast, concentrations of K, Na, Cl, and Mn were lower. For these nutrients, different interpretation standards may be required for these cultivars. Significant (P < 0.05) correlations were found between many nutrients. For example, K concentrations were positively correlated with Cl, S, Cu, and Zn and negatively correlated with Ca and Mg concentrations. These significant relationships may indicate synergistic and antagonistic interactions between nutrients, which need to be considered when interpreting plant test data.
Spatio-temporal patterns of predation among three sympatric predators in a single-prey system

Abstract The manner in which species partition space and time to minimize competition for shared, limited resources has been a major focus of theoretical and empirical ecology. Although numerous examples exist of intra-guild dietary separation among coexisting species, studies of spatio-temporal partitioning among species sharing a single food type are rare. We investigated spatio-temporal patterns of multi-species predation on individually-marked moose Alces alces calves in an Alaskan boreal forest community where moose are the only large herbivore, and constitute the primary prey of coexisting black bears Ursus americanus, brown bears U. arctos and gray wolves Canis lupus. The two most closely related predators, black bears and brown bears, overlapped temporally and spatially in their consumption of moose calves, as indicated by univariate analyses. Moreover, both bear species segregated spatially from wolves when killing moose calves. Hence, our study appears to support key predictions of predator coexistence on a shared resource: namely, that bears and wolves differentiate spatially or temporally in their use of a pulsed prey, presumably to minimize competition.
The content and composition of protein in creamery milks in south-west Scotland

SUMMAARY The content and composition of protein in milk samples from creameries in south-west Scotland were determined over a period of 12 months. The composition of the whole casein was expressed in terms of αsl-, β-, κ-, αs2- and γ-caseins, and that of the total milk serum protein in terms of β-lactoglobulins (β-lg), α-lactalbumins, bovine serum albumin, and a mixture of immunoglobulins, proteose-peptone component 3 and lactoferrin (IPL). Concentrations of the individual caseins varied appreciably and for most, concentration was closely correlated with and showed the same seasonal pattern as total casein concentration. Concentrations of the milk serum proteins also varied but only those of β-lg and the IPL fraction were closely correlated with that of total milk serum protein and seasonal trends were not marked. Relative amounts of the individual proteins, on the other hand, showed smaller variations and so throughout the experimental period the milks contained a protein complex of comparatively constant composition. Because of this comparative constancy it would appear that seasonal variations in milk properties in south-west Scotland are unlikely to be determined to a major extent by milk protein composition, but could be more affected by protein concentration.
The Calcium Channel α2δ-2 Subunit Partitions with CaV2.1 into Lipid Rafts in Cerebellum: Implications for Localization and Function

The accessory α2δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels are highly glycosylated transmembrane proteins that interact with calcium channel α1 subunits to enhance calcium currents. We compared the membrane localization and processing of native cerebellar α2δ-2 subunits with α2δ-2 stably expressed in tsA-201 cells. We identified that α2δ-2 is completely concentrated in cholesterol-rich microdomains (lipid rafts) in cerebellum, in which it substantially colocalizes with the calcium channel α1 subunit CaV2.1, although CaV2.1 is also present in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction. In tsA-201 cells, unlike cerebellum, α2δ-2 is not completely proteolytically processed into α2-2 and δ-2. However, this processing is more complete in the lipid raft fraction of tsA-201 cells, in which α2δ-2 also colocalizes with CaV2.1. Cholesterol depletion of intact cells disrupted their lipid rafts and enhanced CaV2.1/α2δ-2/β4 currents. Furthermore, α2δ-2 coimmunoprecipitates with lipid raft-associated proteins of the stomatin family. The apparent affinity of α2δ-2 for its ligand gabapentin is increased markedly in the cholesterol-rich microdomain fractions, in both cerebellum and the stable α2δ-2 cell line. In contrast, α2δ-2 containing a point mutation (R282A) has a much lower affinity for gabapentin, and this is not enhanced in the lipid raft fraction. This R282A mutant α2δ-2 shows reduced functionality in terms of enhancement of CaV2.1/β4 calcium currents, suggesting that the integrity of the gabapentin binding site may be important for normal functioning of α2δ-2. Together, these results indicate that both α2δ-2 and CaV2.1 are normally associated with cholesterol-rich microdomains, and this influences their functionality.
Lipid composition off tissue and plasma in two mediterranean fishes, the gilt-head sea bream (Chrysophyrys auratus) and the European seabass (Dicentratchus labrx)

The fatty acid (FA) composition of phospholipid (PL), triacylglycerol (TAG), and total lipid (TL) fractions was determined for liver, adipose tissue, white muscle, and plasma of European seabass (Dicentaratchus labrax) and gilt-head sea bream (Chrysophyrys auratus) fed on the same diet. FA composition of plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and TAG as well as tissue TAG and TL correlates with that of the diet. FA composition of PL in tissues and plasma was different from that of the diet and different in the two species. Contribution to tissue wet weight of the different lipid fractions showed that both species store lipid primarily outside of muscle (only 3% in both species) as TAG in adipose tissue (about 80% lipid∙wet weight−1). Seabass store 33% wet weight of lipid in liver, while sea bream store only 5% wet weight. The plasma concentration of NEFA and TAG is 2223 and 12 260 nmol∙mL−1 for seabass and 2790 and 9670 nmol∙mL−1 for sea bream. The data show that these two fishes with similar lifestyle s.
Characterization of a New Thermoalkalophilic Xylanase-Producing Bacterial Strain Isolated from Cimanggu Hot Spring,West Java, Indonesia

Alkalophilic bacteria and their enzymes are important for industrial applications. Therefore, finding out new strains of alkalophilic bacteria from Indonesian microbial diversity is still required. In this study, a thermoalkalophilic bacterium was isolated from sediment of local hot spring, Cimanggu,West Java. The temperature of the spot was 60 °C and the pH was 8. The bacterium could live at pH 11 and temperature 55 °C, and produced xylanase that have optimal activity at alkaline pH 9 and high temperature 70 °C. Based on the analyses of 16S rRNA sequence similarity and biochemical characteristics, this strain was clustered into the same group of Bacillus halodurans species with 99% identity to Bacillus halodurans C-125. The isolate also showed other enzyme activities such as amylase, protease, and gelatinase, promising its potential use as an industrial enzymes producer.
Methanol as cryoprotectant and the suitability of 1.2 ml and 5 ml straws for cryopreservation of semen from salmonid fishes

For salmonid semen, the cryoprotective action of 10% methanol was compared with a 5% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), 1% glycerol mixture, until now one of the most effective cryoprotectants. In Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), Salmo trutta L. f. fario, Salmo trutta L. f. lacustris and Salvelinus alpinus (L.), semen cryopreserved with both cryoprotectants yielded post-thaw fertilization rates of 90-100% of control with untreated semen at sperm-to-egg ratios of 1.8 × 106-2.4 × 106 spermatozoa per egg. However, at sperm-to-egg ratios of 0.9 × 106-1.2 × 106 spermatozoa per egg, semen cryopreserved with methanol had significantly higher fertilization rates than semen frozen with the DMSO/glycerol mixture. In other studies we obtained similar data for Coregonus sp. , Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), Thymallus thymallus (L.) and Hucho hucho (L.), proving that methanol is the most effective and generally applicable cryoprotectant for semen of the studied salmonid species. To facilitate the insemination of large egg batches we investigated the suitability of 1.2 ml and 5 ml straws for deep freezing of semen of Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salmo trutta f. fario, Salmo trutta f. lacustris and Salvelinus alpinus. With 1.2 ml straws the fertilization rates were similar to 0.5 ml straws when using lower freezing and higher thawing temperatures. The 5 ml straws resulted in a fertilization success of only about 40% of fresh semen control.
Quantifying the impacts of the Conservation Effects Assessment Project watershed assessments: The first fifteen years

T he United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) spends about US$6 billion each year on agricultural conservation programs to help producers and landowners implement conservation practices (CPs) and systems on their land. In 2003, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) entered into partnership with USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), other federal agencies, and many external partners to create the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP). The goal of CEAP is to quantify the environmental effects of CPs and programs and develop the science base for managing the agricultural landscape for environmental quality (Mausbach and Dedrick 2004; Duriancik et al. 2008). Conservation effects are assessed at national, regional, and watershed scales on cropland, grazing lands, wetlands, and for wildlife. As part of these efforts, CEAP initiated the Watershed Assessment Studies (WAS) component …
Factors regulating kit fox populations

Recent declines in several populations of kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) have been attributed to decreased prey abundance and increased coyote-related mortalities. However, it is not known if short-term fluctuations in prey abundance or interference competition by coyotes can regulate the population dynamics of kit foxes. We coalesced data from all pertinent studies of kit and swift foxes and examined their numerical responses to changes in prey abundance. We also explored the influence of coyote-related mortalities on fox population dynamics. Fox density was positively correlated with leporid abundance, and fox reproduction rates were density-dependent at low prey densities. The proportion of the fox population killed by coyotes increased linearly over low to moderate fox densities, and survival rates of adult foxes decreased as the proportion of mortalities caused by coyotes increased. Hence, prey abundance and interference competition by coyotes may regulate fox populations. We suspect that prey abundance.
A comparison of ammonium and nitrate as nitrogen sources for photolithotrophs

eference s SUMMARY Potential advantages of ammonium relativ e to nitrate assimilation (assumin g equal nitrogen supply in the two forms), deduced from known biochemical pathways and the site of nitrate assimilation in vascular land plants, include (i) a greater maximum specific growth rate, (ii) lower costs of photons and (in transpiring plants) water per unit carbon assimilated, and (iii) lower costs of iron, manganese and molybdenu m per unit carbon assimilated per unit time. Actual measurements sho w that the growth rat e and photon cost predictions are often, but not invariably, born e out; while data on the water cos t of growth almos t invariabl y contradic t the prediction by showing a lower water cost from nitrate-supplied than ammonium-supplied plants. Few data seem to be available that test the predictions as to metal costs of growth; some of the predictions are borne out. These possible or realised advantages to the photolithotrop h of using ammonium must be considered in the context of the relative availability of the two sources of combined nitrogen . In the oceans nitrification o f ammonium produce d in mineralization does not compet e well with photolithotrophic assimilation of ammonium in the euphotic zone, so ammonium is the major combined nitrogen source for 'recycled' primary production, whil e ' n e w' production largely uses nitrate produced in deep, dark water. When both nitrogen source s are available to phytoplankton organisms ammonium is almost invariably preferred, wit h complete suppression of nitrate use with as little as 1-2 mmol m^^ ammonium. In terrestrial habitats the nitrification of ammoniu m produced in mineralizatio n is not photoinhibited (as can occur in the surface water of the ocean) but is subject to inhibition by anoxia, low p H and (possibly) plant-produced defence compounds. However, the lower diffusion coefficien t for ammonium than for nitrate in soils means that nitrogen-limited plant growth as a given rate needs a higher mean dissolved ammonium concentration in th e soil than is th e case for nitrate when the soil contains only one of these nitrogen sources an d root distribution and morphology are unaffected by the nitrogen source. With equal mean ammonium and nitrate concentrations, a nitrogen-limited plant supplied solely with ammonium would need a more extensive root/root hair/mycorrhiza system to attain the same nitrogen uptake rate on a per plant basis as would a nitrate-supplied plant, with consequences for resource allocation by, and growth rate of, the ammonium-grown plant. In addition to the larger mean area-based ammonium assimilation rate by photolithotrophs in th e oceans, consideration of the interactions among ammonium diffusion coefficient, ammonium diffusion distance, organism surface area per unit biomass and th e organis m maximum specific growth rate in the ocea n relative to soils can plausibly account for the lower mean ammonium concentrations in the ocean than in soils.
A sexual conflict in collared flycatchers, Ficedula albicollis: early male moult reduces female fitness

A sexual conflict over levels of parental care occurs in most animals with biparental care, and studies of sexual differences in levels of parental care have usually focused on its intra–annual fitness consequences. We investigated inter–annual fitness consequences of a sexual difference in timing of feather replacement (moult) in collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis). In this study, males overlapped reproduction and moult more often than females, they also initiated their moult at an earlier stage of breeding than females. Females mated to males with a moult–breeding overlap had significantly lowered survival chances than females mated with males initiating moult after breeding. Furthermore, females mated with moulting males risked a lowered future fecundity in terms of a delayed start to breeding in the following season. However, early moulting males achieved a similar reproductive success as males initiating moult after breeding. Likewise, male survival probability to the following breeding season did not differ between early and late moulting individuals, nor was there any evidence that males gained or lost in future mating advantages by moulting early. These results show not only that a sexual conflict over timing of moult may operate, but also that it can impose severe fitness consequences, in terms of reduced future fecundity and survival probability, upon the ‘losing’ sex.
Induction of mutation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by gamma irradiation and EMS

Induction of mutation by gamma rays, ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and their combined treatments was studied in three widely divergent genotypes of tomato, EC620176, EC620177 and Patharkutchi. A steady reduction in germination percentage, seedling height and pollen fertility occurred in M1 generation with the increasing doses/concentrations of mutagens. Combination of gamma radiation and EMS caused more damage followed by EMS treatment and gamma radiation alone in M1 generation. The LD50 dose for EC620176, EC620177 and Patharkutchi corresponded to 67.3 Gy, 290.9 Gy and 303.8 Gy gamma radiation, and 0.10%, 0.17% and 0.38% EMS treatment, respectively. Highest mutation frequency was resulted by gamma radiation followed by the combined mutagens and EMS treatment. Genotype and mutagen, both, influenced the production of mutants. Mutagenic efficiency of lower doses/concentrations was more compared to higher doses in producing desirable mutants. Mutagenic effectiveness of gamma radiation was the highest followed by sole EMS and combined mutagens. Gamma irradiation (50–150 Gy) was most efficient followed by 0.05–0.10% EMS and their combination treatment in inducing wide array of macromutation in tomato. Five putative mutants with exserted stigma flower, dark green fruit, dwarf plant having pyriform fruit from Patharkutchi, multiparous cyme from EC620177 and chlorophyll deficient mutant from EC620176 that could be isolated in M2 generation hold promise for their utilization in tomato breeding programme.
A revision of the West African Hepsetus (Characiformes: Hepsetidae) with a description of Hepsetus akawo sp. nov. and a redescription of Hepsetus odoe (Bloch, 1794)

Within the genus Hepsetus, a new species from the eastern part of West Africa is described. Hepsetus akawo sp. nov. is mainly distinguished from Hepsetus odoe by a smaller number of lateral line scales [43–51 vs 50–60 (exceptionally 49)] and a shallower head depth [38.0–45.6 (mean 42.0) % head length vs 41.4–49.0 (44.6) % head length] (positively allometric). Hepsetus akawo sp. nov. differs mainly from the recently rehabilitated Hepsetus cuvieri by: a higher number of gill rakers (17–23 vs 8–13); and a lower number of scales between the dorsal fin and the lateral line (7½–9½ vs 10½–11½). Within West Africa, the distribution area of the new species is restricted to the Sassandra River (Ivory Coast) in the west up to the Cross River (Cameroon) in the east. The species is entirely allopatric with H. odoe, which has a far more restricted distribution than previously thought and occurs from the Senegal River (Senegal) in the west to the Cavally River (Ivory Coast) in the east.
Neuromyotonia

INTRODUCTION Neuromyotonia is a very rare condition of spontaneous, continuous muscle activity of peripheral nerve origin. It is characterized clinically by muscle twitching at rest (visible myokymia), cramps that can be triggered by voluntary or induced muscle contraction, and impaired muscle relaxation (pseudomyotonia). Often, patients also have symptoms of excessive sweating and more rarely mild muscular weakness, and paraesthesia Following the electrophysiological account in Denny-Brown & Foley 1948 of ‘undulating myokymia’, the first full description of the syndrome of ‘continuous musclefibre activity’ was made by Isaacs (1961). He established the peripheral nerve origin of the spontaneously-occurring discharges by noting the persistence of abnormal EMG activity after proximal nerve block, no change in spontaneous muscle activity during general anaesthesia with thiopentone, and that the depolarizing muscle relaxant succinylcholine and neuromuscular blocking agent curare both produce electrical silence after a few minutes. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Neuromyotonia can sometimes be seen in isolation, or as
Large-scale monographs and floras: the sum of local floristic research

Large-scale systematic efforts, both floristic and taxonomic, are the result of the unification of information found in smaller-scale projects or even collections. Three examples, all from tropical America, are presented to illustrate how these data and ideas are pooled. The effort to monograph the genus Leiothrix (Eriocaulaceae) is the successful work of a single researcher over time. The project to monograph the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae) demonstrates how joint effort by a collaborating group can monograph a group too large for any single person to attempt. The ‘List of Species of the Flora of Brazil’ project, with over 40,000 species listed, shows how over 400 systematists successfully contributed their knowledge to create a large-scale floristic reference.
Comparing global models of terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP): global pattern and differentiation by major biomes

Annual and seasonal net primary productivity estimates (NPP) of 15 global models across latitudinal zones and biomes are compared. The models simulated NPP for contemporary climate using common, spatially explicit data sets for climate, soil texture, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Differences among NPP estimates varied over space and time. The largest differences occur during the summer months in boreal forests (50° to 60°N) and during the dry seasons of tropical evergreen forests. Differences in NPP estimates are related to model assumptions about vegetation structure, model parameterizations, and input data sets.
Affinity chromatography of proteinases using bacitracin immobilized to porous glass beads

J. FONTECHA, T. REQUENA AND H.E. SWAISGOOD. 1996. This study describes an affinity chromatography procedure for proteinase purification using bioselective binding to immobilized bacitracin. By coupling bacitracin to controlled‐pore glass (CPG) beads, an affinity matrix was obtained that permitted rapid purification of proteinases under conditions that minimize autolysis. Bacitracin‐CPG was used to bioselectively adsorb the extracellular proteinase secreted by Enterococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens IFPL 383. The overall purification obtained with this procedure was 5149‐fold. The ability of bacitracin‐CPG to bind other proteinases was examined using various commercial proteinases. The specific activities of subtilin BPN' and proteinase K were increased by bioselective adsorption and excellent recoveries of all proteinases applied were obtained.