Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulated glacial and interglacial vegetation across Africa: implications for species phylogenies and trans‐African migration of plants and animals

The paleoenvironmental context of plant and animal species evolution (including glacial migrations and population separations) is based on a very patchy and incomplete paleo‐phytogeographic record. It was our objective, therefore, to provide an additional source for paleovegetation comparison by presenting simulations from a state‐of‐the‐art fully coupled earth system model (HadCM3LC). We simulated potential paleovegetation distributions following pre‐Industrial and last glacial maximum (LGM) climate forcing for the continent of Africa. Our LGM simulations indicate that tropical broadleaf forest was not severely displaced by expanding grasslands within central Africa, although the outer extent of closed forest decreases, particularly in the north. Our simulations indicate that the structure of glacial forests may have been much different from today, in that LGM simulations indicate that forests were likely characterized by lower leaf area indexes, lower tree heights and lower vegetation carbon content. On the other hand, warmer interglacial climate (like our pre‐Industrial climate scenario) results in simulated expansion of tropical forest from coast to coast across central Africa that we postulate could have acted as a barrier to plant and animal species migrations. We suggest that our modeling experiments have implications for the interpretation of phylogenetic data, including that of our own species, Homo sapiens sapiens.
Fishmeal can be completely replaced by soy protein concentrate by increasing feeding frequency in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus GIFT strain) less than 2 g.

An 8 week growth trial was conducted to determine the effects of complete replacement of fishmeal protein by soy protein concentrate (SPC) on growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus GIFT strain) fry (initial body weight 1 6 0 0 g) In control diet, 135 g kg I fishmeal was used and in the other two diets 100% of fishmeal was replaced by SPC supplemented with or without methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) according to the content in FM diet Fish of FM group were fed twice daily Fish of SPC6 group were fed SPC diet six times daily Fish of SPCM group were fed twice (SPCM2) or six times (SPCM6) daily The results showed that complete replacement of fishmeal with SPC did not affect survival condition factor, visceralsomatic index of Nile tilapia Feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fish in SPCM2 and SPC6 groups were higher than those in FM and SPCM6 groups Specific growth rate (SGR) of fish in SPCM6 group was highest among four treatments Productive protein value (PPV) of SPCM2 and SPC6 groups were significantly lower than that of FM group Fishmeal could be completely replaced by SPC without negative effect on growth by MHA supplementation and increasing feeding frequency
White Flank Spots Signal Feeding Dominance in Female Diamond Firetails, Stagonopleura guttata

Plumage colour can be used as an honest signal to convey health and status, which has traditionally been examined in the sexual selection context of choosy females and elaborate males. We use a model avian system to study the role of plumage coloration in a social context such as inter- and intrasexual competition over food resources. The diamond firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) is an endemic Australian finch: females have more white flank spots than males, and white spot number was correlated with cell-mediated immune response in females. We use two experimental designs to test the role of white flank spots for feeding dominance and dominance discrimination in a group-living bird. The results from two-choice trials and from single-arena trials showed that female ornamentation was consistently important in social food contests, and males consistently responded to female spot number. Females with higher spot number fed first, in trials with males and ⁄or females. Also, females preferred to feed next to test birds with low spot number, but males showed no preference for feeding next to birds with few or many spots. Finally, latency to feed was predicted by spot number: both males and females had longer latency to feed if test birds had more spots than the focal birds. We conclude that female, but not male, ornamentation was important for inter- and intrasexual food competition. This is one of the very few studies to show that the same plumage ornament can have a different function between the sexes as a signal of social status. Moreover, this study shows that white plumage can be a signal of dominance.
Rate and causes of decline of mature and overmature balsam fir and spruce stands in New Brunswick, Canada

Data from 585 balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. ) and spruce (Picea spp.) permanent sample plots (PSPs) >50 years old in New Brunswick, Canada, measured between 1987 and 1998, were used to quantify the timing, magnitude, and causes of decline in stand growth, measured as negative net volume increment. Plots were subdivided into classes based on species group, ecoregion, and volume-development pattern (decreasing, fluctuating, stable, or increasing volume with time). Decline began at an earlier age in balsam fir  spruce (BFSP) PSPs (~70 years old) than in spruce  balsam fir (SPBF) PSPs (~120 years). One-third of plots (29%) fell into the decreasing volume-development category. Variation in the proportion of decreasing plots occurred among ecoregions (range 0%60%) and, to a lesser extent, among species groups (26%33%). Decreasing BFSP plots exhibited double the rate of volume loss of their SPBF counterparts (7.4 and 3.9 m3·ha1·year1, respectively). Decline was caused by an increased rate of morta.
Production of extra-cellular polymer in Azotobacter and biosorption of metal by exopolymer

Two Azotobacter strains were isolated from alkaline and acid soils. The production of alginate and exopolymer from these two strains showed that, strain AC2 produced high polymer in 2% beet molasses or 1% sucrose broth and addition of nitrogen sources (yeast extract) reduced production of this polymer. The optimum condition for production of maximum polymer production (7.5 mg/ml) was at 200 rpm shaking, pH 7 without addition of nitrogen sources. The production of polymer was reduced at pH 4. The polymer adsorbed Cu, Zn, and Fe, at 15.5, 20 and 25 mg, respectively.
Are widespread morphospecies from the Lecanora dispersa group (lichen-forming Ascomycota) monophyletic?

Abstract To evaluate the current delimitation of broadly distributed morphospecies from the Lecanora dispersa group, the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) was analyzed phylogenetically and compared to phenotypic data variation within and among species. Phylogenetic relationships among 34 individuals representing eight species from the L. dispersa group, collected mainly from Poland and other European countries, were inferred using two types of Bayesian analyses (with and without a priori alignments), maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony approaches. The highest phylogenetic resolution and the largest number of significantly supported internodes resulted from the Bayesian analysis without a priori alignment. Inferred phylogenies confirmed a broader delimitation of the L. dispersa group, to include four additional lobate taxa: L. contractula, L. pruinosa, L. reuteri, and L. thuleana ( = Arctopeltis thuleana). Lecanora crenulata, L. dispersa, L. reuterii, and the core of L. albescens and L. semipallida were all found to be monophyletic with high support (by at least one phylogenetic analysis) except the first species. Based on the ITS region, phenotypically similar individuals, thought to belong to one monophyletic group, were found to belong to multiple distantly related groups (e.g., members of L. albescens and L. hagenii), suggesting that morphological, anatomical and chemical characters may not be consistent in predicting species boundaries within the L. dispersa group. Potential undescribed species were found within phenotypically defined L. albescens and L. semipallida. Phylo-taxonomic studies of the L. dispersa group with more loci and a more extensive taxon sampling are urgently needed.
Proliferation and differentation markers in snuff-induced oral mucosal lesions

Background: Regular use of snuff is known to cause whitish oral mucosal lesions of variable severity at the usual quid placement site. The main aim of this study was to elucidate cellular mechanisms involved in snuff-induced epithelial changes. Methods: Expression patterns for markers of cell proliferation (PCNA, Ki-67), cell cycle regulation (p53, p21), keratin changes (pankeratin, CK18, CK19), cell stress (HSP 70) and collagen type IV in 14 snuff-induced oral mucosal lesions and 12 control samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: On light microscopy, all snuff-induced lesions were characterized by a hyperkeratinized and thickened epithelium. Some vacuolized cells, markers of cell degeneration, were frequently seen (in 9/14 of the samples) in the superficial layers in epithelia. Expression of PCNA and Ki-67 was found in a statistically significantly fewer cells in snuff-induced lesions (P < 0.001) than in the controls. This indicates that epithelia in snuff-induced lesions are not thickened as a result of increased cellular proliferation, but by protracted turnover of differentiating cells. Of cell cycle markers, p21 was found be up-regulated in 4/14 snuff-induced lesions, probably by p53-independent pathways. Only two snuff-induced lesions showed p53 positivity. However, the number of stained cells with p53 and p21 was not statistically different from that in controls. Expression of CK18, but not any alterations in CK19 expression, was seen in 5 of 14 snuff-induced lesions. Snuff also seems to stimulate the expression of collagen type IV, possibly by basal cells, as indicated by the thickened staining of the basal lamina. Conclusions: The findings of this study showing suppressed cellular proliferation and infrequent p53 dysfunction in snuff lesions may partly explain why dysplastic changes are seldom seen in mucosal lesions induced by the Scandinavian type of snuff.
Differential Proteomic Analysis of Secreted Proteins from Cutinase-producing Bacillus sp. SB-007

Bacillus sp. SB-007 was isolated from pea leaves harvested from the southwestern parts of South Korea through screening on a minimal medium containing 0.2% purified cutin for its ability to induce the cutinase production. However, no cutinase was produced when it was grown in a minimal medium containing 0.2% glucose. A proteomic approach was applied to separate and characterize these differentially secreted proteins. The expression level of 83 extracellular proteins of the cutinase-producing Bacillus sp. strain SB-007 incubated in a cutinase-induced medium increased significantly as compared with that cultured in a non cutinase-induced medium containing glucose. The extracellular proteome of Bacillus sp. SB-007 includes proteins from different functional classes, such as enzymes for the degradation of various macromolecules, proteins involved in energy metabolism, sporulation, transport/binding proteins and lipoproteins, stress inducible proteins, several cellular molecule biosynthetic pathways and catabolism, and some proteins with an as yet unknown function. In addition, the two protein spots showed little similarities with the known lipolytic enzymes in the database. These secreted proteome analysis results are expected to be useful in improving the Bacillus strains for the production of industrial cutinases.
The influence of nest-site choice and predator sensory cues on nesting success in the Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton)

Abstract The attributes of a nest-site that a bird selects may be influenced by the potential predator species present, as different types of predator use different foraging strategies and sensory cues to locate nests. However, in many studies of avian nesting, the identity of the main nest predators and their foraging strategies are not known, limiting our interpretation and understanding of how choice of nest-site and nesting success might be linked. We investigated nest-site choice, nest survival and the nest predators in a population of Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) in tropical Australia. Crimson Finches preferred to nest among foliage of the crowns of Pandanus on stems with aquatic barriers, and near old nests of conspecifics. However, none of these or any other attributes of nest-sites that we recorded significantly affected nest survival. Moreover, neither visual nor olfactory cues influenced nesting success in field experiments with quail eggs. Similar rates of predation of natural and experimental nests, coupled with similar rates of daily predation of eggs and nestlings suggest that predators were not using nest-attendance behaviour of the adult Finches as a cue to find active nests. Identified nest predators were reptiles; our study suggests that Crimson Finches may not be able to choose nest-sites that reduce the ability of these olfactory-driven predators.
Plant Species Diversity in Natural and Managed Forests of the Pacific Northwest

With the exception of the tropics, nowhere has the relationship between resource management and conservation of biological diversity been more controversial than in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Widespread loss and fragmentation of old-growth ecosystems have stimulated critical review and revision of existing forest management policies. However, studies of the consequences of forest management for plant species diversity are sorely lacking. We present data from permanent-plot and chronose- quence studies in managed and unmanaged forests of western Oregon and Washington to describe the early responses of understory communities to forest harvest, and to suggest how post-harvest practices that alter natural successional processes may influence long- term patterns of diversity and species occurrence. Permanent-plot studies of early succession in old-growth Pseudotsuga forests suggest that changes in understory diversity are fairly short-lived following clear-cut logging and slash burning. Populations of most vascular plant species recover to original levels prior to canopy closure. However, diversity may remain depressed for more than two decades on severely burned sites, and some species may experience local extinction. Evidence of the effects of post-harvest practices on vascular plant diversity is limited by an absence of community-level studies in older, managed forests. Chronosequence studies of natural forest stands indicate that, following canopy closure, vascular plant species diversity tends to increase with time, peaking in old growth. Few understory species are restricted to, or absent from, any stage of stand development (i.e., young, mature, or old growth). However, many species differ significantly in their abundance among stages. A majority of these showed greatest abundance in old growth. Changes in levels of resources (increased shade), changes in the spatial variability of resources and environments (increased horizontal and vertical heterogeneity), and species' sensitivity to fire and slow rates of reestablishment/growth may drive these trends during natural stand development. Silvicultural prescriptions that maintain or foster spatial and temporal diversity of re- sources and environments will be most effective in maintaining plant species diversity. Practices associated with intensive, short-rotation plantation forestry, that preclude or delay the development of old-growth attributes, may result in long-term loss of diversity. Ulti- mately, it may be necessary to manage some stands on long rotations (150-300 yr) to maintain understory species that require long periods to recover from disturbance.
Risk Assessment as a Decision-Making Tool for Treatment of Emissions at a New Aluminum Smelter in Iceland: 3. Ecological Assessment

ABSTRACT Predictive ecological risk assessment was used to determine whether any risk-reduction benefit would result from the installation and operation of wet scrubbers at an aluminum smelter in East Iceland. Sulfur dioxide and hydrogen fluoride exposure will not result in any appreciable risk to mosses, lichens, lodgepole pine, and heather/heath grassland communities beyond the dilution zone without scrubbers. With scrubbers, exceedances of plant criteria may occur beyond the dilution zone. Critical concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) in terrestrial wildlife food items were converted to critical air concentrations, which were then compared to modeled air concentrations. Terrestrial wildlife species are not expected to be exposed to PAH concentrations that result in appreciable risk. If wildlife species are assumed to consume only grasses, predicted HF exposures will not result in exceedance of toxicity thresholds. However, if wildlife species are assumed to consume only heather, thresholds are exceeded at some locations for the rock ptarmigan and wood mouse. Results of population modeling indicate no potential for population impacts to rock ptarmigan outside the facility boundary. Impacts to wood mouse carrying capacity are expected to extend beyond the dilution zone with scrubbers, but not without.
In-vitro Sensitivity of Selected Enteric Bacteria to Extracts of Allium sativum L.

Garlic has been used throughout all of recorded history for culinary and medicinal reasons. The portion of the plant most often consumed is an underground storage structure called a head. The antimicrobial effects of Allium sativum (garlic) against some bacterial isolates were investigated using the agar diffusion well method. Standard methods were used to carry out the investigation. Photochemical analyses of the ethanolic extracts showed the presence of many secondary metabolites such as saponins, tannins, alkaloid steroids and glycosides. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the agent (garlic) was determined for both the aqueous and ethanolic extract. The ethanolic extract was more effective than the aqueous extract, inhibiting all the test organisms. While the aqueous extracts was effective against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Garlic extracts are strictly broad-spectrum with immune boosting phytonutrients from Allium ‘family’. Further research will need to be done to carry out the purification of the active ingredients which have potential for combating human disease. Also, toxicological studies need to be evaluated.
SAMPLING THE DENSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF AMBLYSEIUS FALLACIS (ACARINA: PHYTOSEIIDAE) IN THE GROUND COVER OF MICHIGAN APPLE ORCHARDS

Abstract An extraction method, timed counts taken from broadleafed forbs, and counts taken on apple sucker leaves were evaluated as sampling methods to estimate populations of the predatory phytoseiid mite Amblyseius fallacis Garman in the ground cover of commercial apple orchards. All three gave comparable density estimates at moderate and high population levels. The extraction sample technique was most effective in measuring low population densities, however the timed vegetational procedure was deemed the most practical method for monitoring these mites for pest management purposes. With respect to predator distribution in the ground cover, mites were aggregated somewhat in the heterogeneous understory, but were almost randomly distributed on apple sucker leaves. Predators were equally likely to find prey irrespective of location beneath the tree canopy. They showed little preference for different plant species with the exception of a higher incidence than expected on apple (Malus) and possibly on grape (Vitus sp.) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia).
Whole grain diets for pullets

1. Three experiments, each involving over 400 pullets, were conducted into the use of whole grain rearing diets. They were concerned with the cereal to be used, the age from which such diets may be used, and the value of a vitamin‐trace element supplement. Each experiment was performed on a brown‐egg and a white‐egg strain. 2. Whole maize was found to be unsuitable. 3. Whole wheat or whole barley diets should not be introduced before the age of 10 weeks to avoid unacceptably high mortality due to cannibalism. Thereafter the principal results are reduced body weight at caging and retarded sexual maturity. 4. The addition of a vitamin‐trace element supplement had some effect in reducing mortality when whole grain diets were introduced before 10 weeks of age.
Water Stress, Water Use Efficiency, Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Leaf Gas Exchange Relationships of the Bush Bean

Water use efficiencies for the whole plant (WUE t ) and single leaves (WUE i ) were studied in a greenhouse as a function of soil moisture during four phenological stages of bush bean growth. WUE t increased significantly with soil moisture stress and attained its maximum value before the flowering stage. WUE t and WUE i were linearly related (r = 0.92), and WUE i was correlated with the transpiration rate (r = -0.87), stomatal conductance (r = 0.80) and photosynthetic rate (r = 0.81). Carbon isotope discrimination, ), decreased as soil moisture decreased, and ) was negatively correlated with both WUE t (r = 0.92) and WUEi (r = -0.88). There were significant differences in leaf N among water regimes.
Diet of large-eye dentex Dentex macrophthalmus (Pisces: Sparidae) off Angola and Namibia

The large-eye dentex Dentex macrophthalmus is a major target species of the demersal fishery off Angola, and is taken as bycatch off northern Namibia. Its prey spectrum off Angola and Namibia is described from the stomach contents of 593 individuals collected between northern Namibia (21°S) and northern Angola (6°S) during a bottom trawl survey carried out in 1997. In all, 20 prey types were recorded in the diet, demonstrating that it is an opportunist feeder. The main food items were fish (80.9%), euphausiids (12.0%), polychaetes (4.8%), crustaceans (2.5%) and cephalopods (0.1%). The variety of prey increases with fish size, but there is no systematic effect of depth on the diet. The dominant prey types varied as a function of fish size as well as spatially, demonstrating the different ecological niches provided by the Angola Current off northern Angola, the cold Benguela Current off northern Namibia, and the Angola-Benguela Front off southern Angola.
The Phytochemical screening and the effects of methanolic extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaf on the Biochemical parameters of Male guinea pigs.

The phytochemical screening and the effects of the methanolic extracts of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus on some biochemical parameters of male Guinea pigs were investigated. Phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. The methanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves (50-800mg/kg) caused a statistically significant (P alkaline, and acid phosphatases. The highest reduction effect was obtained with uric acid at 400mg/kg of P.amarus extract while the least effect was observed in total cholesterol. These effects were dose- and time- dependent. This shows that the leaves of P . amarus have hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and cardio protective properties. The study therefore, supports the claim on the use of the aerial part of this plant by traditional medicine practitioners as a hepatoprotective agent. Although further studies need to be done to investigate the contribution of the seeds of this plant as a hepatoproctective and nephroprotective agent and to isolate, identify and characterize the active principles in the leaf extracts of this plant.