Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inter-regional hybrids of native and non-native Centaurea sulphurea inherit increased competitive ability from the non-natives

Background : Exotic species can rapidly develop adaptations to their non-native regions, such as increased size and competitive ability. Although these traits are believed to be responsible for invasive success, some non-invasive exotic species display them too. This suggests that increased size and competitive ability might be necessary but not sufficient to turn an exotic into a successful invader. Aim : To assess size and competitive ability of the exotic non-invasive weed Centaurea sulphurea, and of inter-regional hybrids between native and non-native populations. Methods : We experimentally produced a cohort of C. sulphurea individuals from the native range of the species in Spain, from its non-native range in California, as well as hybrids between the two regions. We grew these plants in pots in competition with the grass Bromus hordeaceus, or alone in control pots. Results : Individuals from California were larger and better competitors than individuals from Spain. Furthermore, inter-regional hybrids showed competitive responses similar to that of individuals from California. Conclusions : Our results confirm that increased competitive ability might be more frequent than previously thought among introduced species, since it can be detected in at least some exotic non-invasive species. They also illustrate the importance of maternal effects, how locally adapted traits are conserved and spread in the non-native ranges of exotic species, and suggest that plant size and competitive ability are not directly associated in this species.
Systematic position of the enigmatic genus Sheareria (Asteraceae)― evidence from molecular, morphological and cytological data

The systematic position of the monoecious rheophyte, Sheareria (Asteraceae), a genus endemic to China, has been long disputed and never rigorously examined. In this study, two molecular datasets (trnL-F, ITS), Plus morphological and cytological characters, were used to assess the systematic position of Sheareria. The broader phylogenetic analyses based on the trnL-F data placed Sheareria in the tribe Astereae with strong support. This placement was also supported by the lanceolate style, "Asteroid type" ligule epidermis, yellow anthers, green achenes, and basic chromosome number of x = 9. Analysis of the tribe Astereae based oil the ITS dataset showed that Sheareria and three East Asian genera (Kalimeris, Aster, Rhynchospermum) formed a strongly Supported clade characterized by flat, 2-ribbed, glandular disc achenes. Detailed morphological comparisons indicate that Sheareria is more similar to Kalimeris than to Rhynchospermum. Within this clade, Sheareria is distinguished from other genera by its monoecious breeding system (vs. gynomonoecious). Based on fossil and geological evidence, the development of monoecy in Sheareria is discussed. Within Sheareria, only one species, S. nana, is recognized; S. leshanensis, a newly described species, is placed in synonymy.
Diet of pilotfish, Naucrates ductor (Carangidae), associated with fads in Sicilian Waters (Central Mediterranean)

Le poisson pilote, Naucrates ductor, est une espece accessoire de la peche a la coryphene avec les dispositifs de concentration de poissons (DCP) dans les eaux siciliennes. Dans le but d'etudier le regime alimentaire de cette espece peu connue, les contenus stomacaux de 80 exemplaires (entre 21 et 29 cm LS) ont ete analyses. Les poissons ont ete peches entre octobre 1994 et janvier 1995 avec des filets tournants au large du Nord-Est et Sud-Est de la Sicile (Mediterranee centrale). La proie la plus abondante est representee par des crustaces pelagiques (en particulier des amphipodes Hyperiidea) suivis de gasteropodes pelagiques (Atlantidae) et de larves de poissons. Le poisson pilote semble avoir un regime planctonivore jusqu'a une taille d'environ 30 cm (correspondant a un âge de 6 mois). Les exemplaires plus gros ne sont pas peches, probablement parce qu'ils abandonnent les objets flottants et adoptent des habitudes erratiques dans un environnement pelagique. Les relations du poisson pilote avec les objets flottants ne sont pas encore claires, bien que differentes hypotheses (protection, stimulus visuel et predation) puissent etre suggerees.
Uterine luminal fluid proteins during different reproductive stages (follicular and luteal stages and early pregnancy) in goat

This study was carried out on abattoir derived goat genitalia to evaluate the changes in uterine luminal fluid proteins during different reproductive stages. Genital tracts were classified into follicular phase (n=26), luteal phase (n=21) and early pregnancy (n=13). The genitalia were dissected and uterine fluid samples were collected in eppendorf tubes. SDS-PAGE analysis was performed on the uterine fluid samples and molecular weights (MWs) of protein bands were estimated by comparing their migration rates on the gel with those of protein markers with known MWs. By comparing these fractions with those of the standards, MWs of 198.15, 168.27, 149.64, 118.83, 75.26, 50.33, 46.09, 37.69, 32.96, 21.05 and 15.76 kilodaltons (kDa) were calculated. Protein with molecular weights 46.09 kilodalton were observed only in follicular phase. Proteins with MW 50.33, 37.69 and 32.96 kDa were observed in all the phases but the higher proportions were recorded in early pregnancy. Proteins of 15.76 kDa fraction were observed in early pregnancy. Proteins with MW 168.27, 149.64, 118.83 and 75.26 kDa were observed in follicular phase and luteal phase but the higher proportions were recorded in follicular phase. Protein with molecular weights 198.15 kilodalton was observed in all the phases but was specific during follicular phase. It was concluded that there is a preponderance of high molecular weight proteins during follicular phase and higher proportion of low molecular weight proteins appear during early pregnancy in
Contrasting trait assembly patterns in plant and bird communities along environmental and human‐induced land‐use gradients

Human-driven environmental changes can induce marked shifts in the functional structure of biological communities with possible repercussion on important ecosystem functions and services. At the same time it remains unclear to which extent these changes may differently affect various types of organisms. We investigated species richness and community functional structure of species assemblages at the landscape scale (1 km2 plots) for two contrasting model taxa, i.e. plants (producers and sessile organisms) and birds (consumers and mobile organisms), along topography, climate, landscape heterogeneity, and land-use (agriculture and urbanization) gradients in a densely populated region of Switzerland. Our study revealed that agricultural and urban land uses drove marked shifts in the functional structure of biological communities compared to changes along climate and topography gradients, especially for plants, while for birds these changes were comparable. Agricultural and urban land uses enhanced divergence in traits related to resource use for birds (diet and nesting), growth forms, dispersal, and reproductive traits for plants, while it induced convergence in vegetative plant traits (plant height and leaf dry matter content). These results suggest that contrasting assembly patterns may arise within and across taxonomic groups along the same environmental gradients as result of distinct underlying processes and ‘organism-specific’ environmental perceptions. Our results further suggest a potential homogenization of biological communities, as well as low functional diversity and redundancy levels of bird assemblages in our human-dominated study region. This might potentially compromise the maintenance of key ecological processes under future environmental changes.
Development of chick embryos affected with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Testing alcohol’s effects on a developing embryo is critical. Numerous birth defects can occur when alcohol is entered into the fetus’s blood stream during development in the mother’s womb. Of these defects include cardiac malformations (Stratton, 1996). Two of these malformations are ventricular septal defect (VSD) and atrial septal defect (ASD). VSD is a hole in the wall of the heart that separates the two lower chambers while ASD is a hole in the wall of the heart that separates the two top chambers. Some side effects of these disorders include fast heart rates and heart palpitations where one can feel their own heart beat (Burd, 2007). Although alcohol is a depressant, I believe that the added alcohol will add stress on the developing embryo and will result in a higher pulse. In this study, we tested the effects of embryonic exposure to alcohol on a 3-10 day chick to test the hypothesis that if a chick embryo is treated with alcohol solutions, then the heart rate of that embryo will be higher than that of its control.
Purification and characterization of α-l-fucosidase from the liver of a fucosidosis patient

α-l-Fucosidase was partially purified from the liver of a fucosidosis patient by column chromatography either on agarose–e-aminohexanoylfucosamine or on concanavalin A–Sepharose, despite no apparent enzymic activity in the crude liver supernatant. Mixing studies indicated that the liver of the fucosidosis patient did not lack activators or contain inhibitors of α-l-fucosidase activity. The partially purified α-l-fucosidase from the liver of the fucosidosis patient exhibits a 4–5-fold-increased Michaelis constant for the 4-methylumbelliferyl substrate (700–750μm) and a greatly decreased thermostability at 55°C compared with the normal liver enzyme. The pH–activity curve is similar to that for the normal enzyme between pH5 and 8, but quite dissimilar in the acid region (pH3.0–4.5): below pH4.5 the α-l-fucosidase shows no activity, whereas the normal enzyme retains considerable activity (≥50% of maximal activity). Isoelectric focusing of the α-l-fucosidase revealed one major form with pI5.8 and other possible minor forms. No cross-reacting material was detected when the α-l-fucosidase was run in double-immunodiffusion experiments against the immunoglobulin-G fraction of anti-(α-l-fucosidase) antibodies, but the enzyme was immunoprecipitated by this immunoglobulin-G fraction. For at least the fucosidosis patient being studied here, all the data suggest retention of a thermolabile portion of normal α-l-fucosidase (with characteristic Michaelis constant and pH–activity curve) or production of a kinetically altered α-l-fucosidase with decreased catalytic activity but antigenic similarity to the normal enzyme.
Perfil mineral de vacas mestiças Girolanda no período de transição em sistema semi-intensivo em duas estações do ano

The metabolic profile of dairy cows in the transition period during summer and winter was evaluated. Were used 31 crossbred Holstein/Gir cows at each season, totaling 62 cows. During summer they remained in pasture with supplementation of corn silage and concentrate and in the winter, corn silage and concentrate was offered to furnish the nutritional requirements. A total of 11 blood samples from each animal were taken according to the following protocol: four collections weekly antepartum, at birth and at 2, 5, 10, 15, 21 and 30 days postpartum. Concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were evaluated. All analytes varied according to the physiological status. The average concentrations of calcium and magnesium were higher in summer than in winter. In both seasons, the lowest mean calcium concentrations occurred near calving, and 75% of the animals in winter and 35.48% of the animals in the summer were hypocalcemic. Only on the tenth day postpartum, the calcium concentrations returned to levels of prepartum, demonstrating that this time is necessary for the adaptation of the new condition of lactating. Magnesium concentrations were lower postpartum than prepartum in both seasons, demonstrating the need for this mineral for the production of milk. The average concentrations of magnesium remained always within the reference values for the species, but 19% of the animals at two days postpartum in winter and 7% of the animals at 10 days postpartum in summer had concentrations below these limits. Phosphorus concentrations suffered large variation along the peri-partum, but always at high levels, with 49.8% of the animals in winter and 37.3% in summer had phosphorus levels above the reference range of the species.
DGAT1 Gene in Dairy Cattle

Department of Animal Production, Genetics and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural Technology and Fish Sciences, Alneelain University, Sudan Department of Dairy Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural, University of Sudan of Sciences and Technology, Sudan Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan
How rare is phyletic gradualism and what is its evolutionary significance? Evidence from Jurassic bivalves

Both intensive analysis of Gryphaea and an extensive survey of Jurassic bivalves in Europe supports the punctuated equilibria model of speciation, with the exception of phyletic size increase, which appears within the limits of the data to be gradualistic and affects at least a significant minority of species. The size increase takes place both within species and between successive species in a lineage. In Liassic Gryphaea, a combination of allometry in the ontogenetic development of the ancestral species and paedomorphosis led also to changes of shape up the sequence. The production of evolutionary trends by species selection is not supported. The favoured interpretation of phyletic size increase is a gradual delay in maturation time consequent upon a change in the organisms' adaptive strategy from the r-selected to the K-selected mode and is backed up by evidence on changing population numbers and distribution. An extinction/speciation model is proposed for neritic organisms based on fluctuating sea levels. Times of low sea level or regression correspond with times of high stress and hence high extinction among stenotopic organisms and increased rates of allopatric speciation, with r-selection as the dominant mode. Times of high sea level or transgression correspond with low extinction and speciation rates and increased freedom of migration. K-selection is the dominant mode and often leads to phyletic size increase provided the environment remains stable for a sufficiently long period.
Comparative evaluation of studies of the action of different levels of hypoxia on the human immunobiological status

: The effect of hypoxic hypoxia on the specific factors of immunity of 16 test subjects was studied during their 30-day exposure to an altitude of 2100-4200 m above the sea level in the area of the Elbrus mountain. In order to differentiate the effect of hypoxia per se from that of other factors typical of highlands, five runs of altitude chamber experiments were carried out. In each run the test subjects were 10 times lifted to altitudes of 3200 m, 4200 m and 5200 m. The chamber experiments were performed on 28 test subjects, aged 26-46. During an exposure to an altitude the test subjects did two or three times exercises of 450-900 kgm/min on a bicycle ergometer. The experimental findings show that hypoxic hypoxia brings about consistent changes in the immunobiological status of man that are directly correlated with the level of hypoxia. These changes include a decline in the acquired antiviral and antitoxic immunity activation of the autoimmune process and an increase in the phagocytic activity of neutrophils. Our results suggest optimal profiles of the hypoxic effect to which test subjects should be exposed during mountain training for a specific occupational activity.
Characteristics and behaviour of brushtail possums initially moving into a depopulated area

ABSTRACT Brushtail possums are controlled extensively in New Zealand because they are a livestock disease vector and have an impact on native biodiversity. Reinvasion of controlled areas and subsequent population recovery is a significant management problem but little attention has been paid to what influences the settlement of possums in depopulated areas. To address this gap we trapped possums out of an area of about 24 ha in native podocarp–hardwood forest and studied reinvasion and settlement in the central c. 14 ha over 22 months. Most new possums were young males, but adults were also trapped. Many of the new possums caught on the study site post-depopulation did not settle there, most likely because they continued to disperse, but some may have returned to their ranges nearby or were residents with a very low probability of capture. This finding highlights the need for better information about the origins and settlement of possums in depopulated areas to improve management of population recovery and long-term sustained control of possums.
Use of low point density ALS data to estimate stand-level structural variables in Mediterranean Aleppo pine forest

Littleresearchhasfocussedontheuseoflowpointdensityairbornelaserscanning(ALS)technologyinMediterraneanAleppopine( Pinushalepensis Mill.)foresttoderivekeystandcharacteristicsforforestry.Theobjectiveofthisresearch wasto develop models of Aleppo pine structural variables from ALS point clouds with a point density of 1 point m 2 2 and ﬁeld information, in an area located in north-eastern Spain. Field stand metrics were obtained within 45 plots, 30 m in diameter. A multiple regression analysis was performed in order to develop the models for mean height, squared mean diameter, basal area, timber volume, stand density and crown ratio, which led to the following R 2 values: 0.87, 0.84, 0.89, 0.89, 0.48 and 0.69, respectively. ALS-derived metrics included in the models were maximum height, the 99th, 95th and 50th canopy height percentiles, the skewness, the kurtosis, the standard de-viation,thecoefﬁcientofvariationand the percentagesofallandﬁrst returnsfromabove 1 m of the groundsurface. Withtheexceptionof standdensity,theﬁnalmodelsare appropriatetobeusedinforestmanagementoperationsin MediterraneanAleppopineforest.ThisstudydemonstratestheusefulnessoflowpointdensityALSdatatoaccuratelyestimatekeystructuralparametersofAleppopineforestusinganarea-basedapproach.
mes de um riacho da Floresta Atlântica, Guaraqueçaba, aqueçaba, aqueçaba,

Dietoff ff ffourspecies species species speciesofCharacif acif acif acif aciformsinanAtlanticF F F F Foreststream Guaraquecaba Parana Br Br Br Brazil. In the present study we analyzed seasonal changes in the diet, feeding behavior and food resource partitioning between juveniles and adults of four characiform species in an Atlantic Rainforest stream of the northern coast of the State of Parana, Brazil. Samples were collected monthly between September, 1999 and August, 2000 using a variety of capture techniques and underwater observations. In general, full stomach contents were more common in juveniles than in adults. Deuterodon langei Travassos, 1957 was classified as an omnivorous species, with a tendency toward herbivory, Characidium lanei Travassos 1967 was classified as an insectivore, with a tendency toward larvophagy, Hyphessobrycon griemi Hoedeman, 1957 was classified as an omnivore, and Mimagoniates microlepis Steindachner, 1876 was classified as an insectivore, with a predominance of allochtonous insects. Juveniles and adults of all studied species showed low selectivity and high opportunism in their food selection. The high frequency of allochtonous food items in stomach contents underscores the importance of marginal vegetation in their diets, being essential for the integrity of these environments and for the preservation of coastal stream fish communities.
The effect of egg size on hatch time and metabolic rate: theoretical and empirical insights on developing insect embryos

Summary Body size scaling relationships allow biologists to study ecological phenomena in terms of individual level metabolic processes. Recently, dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory has been shown to offer novel insights on the effect of body size on biological rates. We test whether DEB theory and its unique partitioning of biomass into reserve and structural components can explain the effect of egg size on hatch time and the time course of respiration in insect embryos. We find that without any parameterization (calibration), DEB theory is able to predict hatch time for eggs sizes spanning four orders of magnitude from fundamental biological processes. We find, however, that the standard DEB model poorly predicts the time course of respiration, particularly in early embryonic development where a strong effect of egg size is observed. Further, we show that other theoretical models also poorly predict early embryonic respiration. By modifying the assumption that a fresh egg is entirely reserve, we show that embryonic respiration and hatch time can be better predicted by the DEB model. Useful theories in metabolic ecology, such as DEB theory, can help explain universal scaling patterns in development times. However, simple theoretical models must be expanded if they are to capture the scaling of metabolic rate in insect eggs. A Lay Summary is available for this article.
Changes in Gene Expression in Needles and Stems of Pinus radiata Rootstock Plants of Different Ontogenic Age

A major problem in forest clonal productivity is the loss of morphogenetic capability with the increasing age of plants. However, despite of the importance of loss of morphogenetic competence, very little research has been done about the underlying mechanisms involved in this process. For this reason, a gene expression analysis using dot blot technique was performed in needles and stems of 1- and 3-year old Pinus radiata rootstock plants with a proved decrease in morphogenetic competence. Needles of one year old rootstock plants showed a higher number of up-regulated in genes mainly corresponding to photosynthesis and protein synthesis, degradation and modification, reflecting a higher number of active pathways in younger hedges, contrary to the older ones. Gene expression profiles found in stems are in agreement with those found in needles, indicating more active pathways in younger rootstock plants than in older ones. Several transcripts regulating transcription and translation were up-regulated in young competent tissues. Three-year-old stems presented an increase in the expression of an ethylene response factor, involved in plant organ senescence, indicating that pathways involved in senescence and ageing might inhibit the adventitious root formation, as in the older cuttings.
INTERCALIBRATION OF DIFFERENT LIGHT-TRAPS AND BULBS USED IN MOTH MONITORING IN NORTHERN EUROPE

Four different combinations of light-traps and bulbs were tested during the summer 1996 in Kainuu, northern Finland: a Jalas model with a 160-W (J/160W) blended light lamp or a 125-W (J/125W) mercury vapour lamp, a Ryrholm trap with a 125-W (R/125W) mercury vapour lamp and a Rothamsted trap with a 200-W tungsten lamp (G/200W). The traps were rotated between four sites every night, but were kept in the same position for the fifth night in order to prevent the possible influence of moonlight. The longest distance between the traps was 150m, and there was no direct visibility between any of them. Three orders were inspected, i.e. Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Hemiptera, the total numbers of individuals and species being as follows: 20857/425, 862/101 and 1868/58. G/200W collected significantly fewer moths than the other traps. In some cases, J/125W collected significantly more moths and less species than the J/160W design. The R/125W design collected significantly more species than the J/160W design. Similar differences in the effectiveness of the lamps and traps were found in the case of Coleoptera and Hemiptera. Alpha diversities showed the same trend.