Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Preliminary Review of the Thermal Requirements of Amphibians

Crofts, D. R. 1929. Haliotis. Liverpool Marine Biology Committee Mem. 29:1-174. Croker, R. S. 1931. Abalones. California Division of Fish and Game, Fish Bull. 30:58-72. Curtner, W. W. 1917. Observations on the growth and habits of the red and black abalones. Master's thesis, Stanford University. Ino, T. 1943. Ingestion and growth of abalone. Bull. Japan, Soc. Sci. Fisheries 2:171-174. 1949. Effect of food on growth and coloration in the top shell (Turbo cornutus). J. Mar. Res. 8:1-5. 1953. Biological studies on propagation of Japanese abalone (Genus Haliotus). Tokai Reg. Fisheries Res. Lab. , Tokyo. Kinoshita, T. 1934. On the growth of Ezoawabi (H. kamtschatkana). Ranku sui kai shi, 29:1-7. , Y. Hirano, and M. Sakuma. 1934. On food habits of exoawabi (H. kamtschatkana) of Hokkaido. Per Repts. Hokkaido Fisheries Exp. Sta. No. 240. Kishinouye, K. 1894. Study of abalone. Repts. Fisheries Invest. 3:1-25; and 4:1-16. Murayama, S. 1935. On the development of the Japanese abalone, Haliotis gigantea. Jour. Coll. Agric. , Tokyo Imp. Univ. 8:227-232. Phillips, J. B. 1937. Abalone. California, Division of Fish and Game, Fish Bull. No. 49. Smith, G. M. 1944. Marine Algae of the Monterey Peninsula. Stanford: Stanford Univ. Press. Talmadge, R. R. 1953. Senility in Haliotidae. Amer. Malacol. Union Ann. Rept. 6:29. Weymouth, F. W. 1923. The life history and growth of the Pismo clam (Tivela stultoru;;i Mawe). Calif. Fish and Game. Fish Bull. No. 7.
WADERS (CHARADRII) AND OTHER WATERBIRDS AT LANGEBAAN LAGOON, SOUTH AFRICA, 1975–1986

Summary Underhill, L. G. 1987. Waders (Charadrii) and other waterbirds at Langebaan Lagoon, South Africa, 1975–1986. Osrrich 58: 145–155. Langebaan Lagoon was surveyed for waterbirds at midsummer and midwinter between 1975 and 1986. The median number of birds counted in summer was 37 500, of which 34 500 were waders (93% of the waders being Palaearctic migrants). Curlew Sandpiper (59,2%), Grey Plover (10,5%), Sanderling (8,3%), Knot (8,1%) and Turnstone (5,7%) were the major components of the summer wader population. The median number of birds in winter was 10 500, of which 4500 were flamingos and 4000 waders. For Palaearctic waders, the median winter population was 11,5% of the median summer population, but varied between 2,5% and 30,1%. For species of wader which breed in the Taimyr Peninsula, Siberia, a three-year cycle in the numbers of birds overwintering was detected, with large numbers in 1977, 1980, 1983 and 1986. Birds feeding on invertebrates consumed 126,9 kJ m−2 yr−1, or 24% of the total produ.
β-Arrestin-dependent Regulation of the Cofilin Pathway Downstream of Protease-activated Receptor-2*

β-Arrestins are pleiotropic molecules that mediate signal desensitization, G-protein-independent signaling, scaffolding of signaling molecules, and chemotaxis. Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), a Gαq/11-coupled receptor, which has been proposed as a therapeutic target for inflammation and cancer, requires the scaffolding function of β-arrestins for chemotaxis. We hypothesized that PAR-2 can trigger specific responses by differential activation of two pathways, one through classic Gαq/Ca2+ signaling and one through β-arrestins, and we proposed that the latter involves scaffolding of proteins involved in cell migration and actin assembly. Here we demonstrate the following. (a) PAR-2 promotes β-arrestin-dependent dephosphorylation and activation of the actin filament-severing protein (cofilin) independently of Gαq/Ca2+ signaling. (b) PAR-2-evoked cofilin dephosphorylation requires both the activity of a recently identified cofilin-specific phosphatase (chronophin) and inhibition of LIM kinase (LIMK) activity. (c) β-Arrestins can interact with cofilin, LIMK, and chronophin and colocalize with them in membrane protrusions, suggesting that β-arrestins may spatially regulate their activities. These findings identify cofilin as a novel target of β-arrestin-dependent scaffolding and suggest that many PAR-2-induced processes may be independent of Gαq/11 protein coupling.
The Joint Effect of Earnings quality and Investor Protection on Foreign Direct Investment across The MENA Countries

This paper aims to explore the association of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries with earnings quality and investor protection between 2001 and 2010. Considering the findings in other cross-country studies that earnings quality are of relatively higher in countries with strong investor protection. This study reinforces whether the relationship between earnings quality and investor protection matter for FDI inflow into the MENA region. The evidence shows that there is an important tie between firm-level governance (measured by the quality of reported earnings) and the strength of the country-level judicial efficiency (measured by investor protection) due to the complementary role as both facilitate FDI inflows. The findings of this paper have implications for policy makers and international investors. Keywords: Foreign Direct Investment, Earnings quality, investor protection, MENA region
Genetic diversity and spatial structure in the rare, endemic orophyte Campanula pseudostenocodon Lac. (Apennines, Italy), as inferred from nuclear and plastid variation

Abstract Analysis of ISSR markers revealed a large variation within samples, with polymorphic loci (P) ranging from 42 to 82%, in relation to population size. A consistent genetic differentiation (Gst = 0.207; Φst 29.71%) was found among the four examined populations. Based on changes in the chloroplast trn LEU intron, three distinct haplotypes were identified. Three out of the four populations were fixed for a single haplotype, with the two northernmost populations, which are geographically closest (65 km apart), sharing the same one. These findings suggest that a relatively long period of restricted gene flow originated the present-day spatial structure of C. pseudostenocodon. Application of both nuclear and organelle markers in estimating genetic diversity may be advisable in conservation studies, since they may reveal a peculiar local diversity.
Population Genetic Structure of 3 Alpine Stream Insects: Influences of Gene Flow, Demographics, and Habitat Fragmentation

Estimating scales of dispersal for benthic macroinvertebrates using neutral genetic markers requires consideration of genetic, demographic, and historical influences on population genetic structure. We used allozyme electrophoresis to investigate the population genetic structure of 3 species of alpine stream insects among major drainages of the Swiss Alps (Rhine, Inn, and Ticino rivers), among streams within each drainage, and within single streams. Within streams we examined reaches that were fragmented by lakes or resevoirs and unfragmented reaches. Rhithrogena loyolaea (Heptageniidae) exhibited little genetic differentiation (θ) within (θ = 0.01-0.03) and among (θ = 0.02-0.03) streams but significant differentiation among drainages (θ = 0.08), suggesting that dispersal occurs among stream fragments and among stream valleys. Allogamus auricollis (Limnephilidae) did not exhibit genetic differentiation at any scale, suggesting that dispersal occurs throughout the geographical range of the study. In contrast, Baetis alpinus (Baetidae) showed moderate to substantial differentiation both within (θ = 0.08-0.39) and among (θ = 0.06-0.09) streams. However, a distinct lack of genetic differentiation for B. alpinus among major drainages of the Alps (θ = 0.01) suggests that low θ values reflect historical rather than present-day levels of gene flow. We suggest that genetic population structure reflects a lack of equilibrium between gene flow and genetic drift, resulting from historical gene flow that continues to mask reduced dispersal and from recurring processes of recruitment that lead to random changes in genetic signatures. We conclude that demographic processes affect small-scale patterns and historical processes affect large-scale patterns. The simultaneous study of multiple spatial scales helps determine the relative importance of each. A synthesis of our results and data from published studies indicated that 4 consistent patterns of genetic differentiation emerged when multiple spatial scales were investigated. These patterns are indicative of taxon-specific dispersal ability within and among streams and whether taxa are in gene flow-genetic drift equilibrium.
Effects of genotype and environment on seed yield and quality of rice

Seed yield and seed quality determine much of the value of rice (Oryza sativa L.) crops to the producers. The effects of genotype and environment on seed yield and quality were investigated using 12 rice genotypes grown during 3 years (2000–2003) at four different sowing dates in India, where detailed environmental data were collected. Yield, seed weight, proportion of seed setting and quality in terms of potential seed longevity, proportion of discoloured seeds, seed leachate conductivity and percentage germination were evaluated. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and the influence of environmental factors was evaluated by correlation analysis. Analysis of variance suggested that proportion of seed setting, seed leachate conductivity, potential seed longevity, percentage seed germination and proportion of seed discoloration were influenced more by environmental effects than by genotypic effects. In contrast, yield, panicle number, seed weight, and proportion of high-density grains were influenced more by genotypic than by environmental effects. The significant interaction effects of genotype and environment for all characteristics were attributed to differential resistance of genotypes to lodging (caused by increased plant height, low radiation and excessive rain at the time of grain filling) and were associated with fewer panicles harvested, lower seed setting and lower seed weight. Correlation analysis suggested that warm weather conditions with high solar radiation and without excessive rains during grain filling stage gave the best rice seed yield with high quality.
Distribution of Lysine Pathways Among Fungi: Evolutionary Implications

With the aid of diagnostic radiocarbon tracers, lysine synthesis was studied in representatives of 21 orders of basidiomycetes, ascomycetes, and phycomycetes. The labeling pattern corresponding to the α-aminoadipic acid-lysine path was given by all basidiomycetes and ascomycetes and by those phycomycetes which produce non-flagellate or posteriorly uniflagellate spores. The pattern characteristic of the α,ε-diaminopimelic acid-lysine path was shown by those phycomycetes which produce anteriorly uniflagellate or biflagellate spores. The remarkable consistency of the distribution of the two lysine paths suggests that (a) they did not arise sporadically; (b) their distribution pattern was not disturbed by genetic exchange; and (c) there is a substantial evolutionary gap in organisms differing in path of lysine synthesis. Neither lysine path is thought to have emerged in an organism possessing the other. The α,ε-diaminopimelic acid path may be the more ancient. A common evolutionary precursor of organisms having the α-aminoadipic acid path is postulated; these organisms include euglenids as the only non-fungal forms known to have this path. The inferred common precursor is viewed as a lysine-non-producing, animal-like organism in an evolutionary line that had branched off the main stream of evolution of the plant kingdom
Remote Sensing of Environment Mapping tropical disturbed forests using multi-decadal 30 m optical satellite imagery

Tropical disturbed forests play an important role in global carbon sequestration due to their rapid post-dis- turbance biomass accumulation rates. However, the accurate estimation of the carbon sequestration capacity of disturbed forests is still challenging due to large uncertainties in their spatial distribution. Using Google Earth Engine (GEE), we developed a novel approach to map cumulative disturbed forest areas based on the 27-year time-series of Landsat surface re ﬂ ectance imagery. This approach integrates single date features with temporal characteristics from six time-series trajectories (two Landsat shortwave infrared bands and four vegetation indices) using a random forest machine learning classi ﬁ cation algorithm. We demonstrated the feasibility of this method to map disturbed forests in three di ﬀ erent forest ecoregions (seasonal, moist and dry forest) in Mato Grosso, Brazil, and found that the overall mapping accuracy was high, ranging from 81.3% for moist forest to 86.1% for seasonal forest. According to our classi ﬁ cation, dry forest ecoregion experienced the most severe disturbances with 41% of forests being disturbed by 2010, followed by seasonal forest and moist forest ecor- egions. We further separated disturbed forests into degraded old-growth forests and post-deforestation regrowth forests based on an existing post-deforestation land use map (TerraClass) and found that the area of degraded old-growth forests was up to 62% larger than the extent of post-deforestation regrowth forests, with 18% of old-growth forests actually being degraded. Application of this new classi ﬁ cation approach to other tropical areas will provide a better constraint on the spatial extent of disturbed forest areas in Tropics and ultimately towards a better understanding of their importance in the global carbon cycle.
Initial gene expression profile of rainbow trout (oncorhynchus my kiss) intestine

One hundred and three random complementary DNA clones representing rainbow trout intestine were partially sequenced as an approach to analyze the transcribed sequences of its genome. Of the sequences generated, 66.0% of the ESTs were represented by 40 known genes. Thirty‐five clones of unknown gene products potentially represented 34 novel genes. The most abundantly represented messages were the 28S ribosomal protein (16.5%) and beta actin (5.8%). The genes involved in ribosome formation (18%) accounted for the major gene expression. Development of EST panels representing the genes expressed in a particular tissue will be useful in determining the role of these genes in normal function and in response to developmental, hormonal, environmental and physiological changes.
Effect of oil-formulated Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana against the rice leaffolder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The rice leaffolder (RLF), Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), has become a major pest of rice in tropical Asia. The virulence of seven fungal isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana to third-instar C. medinalis was tested in initial screening bioassay by application of conidia at the concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/ml. Among the tested B. bassiana, MTCC7690 produced 83% mortality with shorter lethal time (LT50) of 4.64 days (4.51–4.76) and MTCC4104 of M. anisopliae produced 79% mortality with shorter lethal time (LT50) of 4.88 days (4.66–4.95). Further, the M. anisopliae MTCC 4104 and the B. bassiana MTCC7690 were formulated in the canola oil and were tested against the C. medinalis larvae at different concentration (1 × 103–1 × 108 conidia/ml). The mortality of the larvae was dose-dependent and the oil-formulated B. bassiana MTCC7690 conidia was highly virulent isolate with lower LC50 of 9.09 × 104 conidia/ml followed by oil-formulated M. anisopliae MTCC4104 conidia with LC50 of 6.08 × 105 conidia/ml. The oil-formulated effective isolates were tested with second to fourth larval instar and significant differences in mortality among the larval stages were obtained. Also, difference significant in lethal time with shorter lethal time was recorded in second instar larva. The effective canola oil-formulated isolates are known to significantly reduce the longevity of male and female than untreated controls. The significant reduction in the number of eggs laid by the fungi-treated female than untreated control was recorded.
Genetic diversity of Melon necrotic spot virus and Olpidium isolates from different origins

The geographic incidence, genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) and Olpidium isolates were studied in three cucurbit species from several Latin American and European countries on different collecting dates. Of the 112 cucurbit samples analysed, 69 from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Spain were DAS-ELISA-positive for MNSV. Olpidium bornovanus and O. virulentus infections, and MNSV infections mixed with these Olpidium species, were observed for all these countries. Twenty-nine MNSV isolates from all the origins where the virus was detected were selected and amplified by RT-PCR. The resulting RT-PCR of the p29, p89, p7A, p7B and p42 proteins was used to estimate the genetic diversity and the phylogenetic relationships of the MNSV population. The sequences obtained in this study were compared with the MNSV sequences of the NCBI database, and three groups were recovered by nucleotide composition according to geographical origins: the EU-LA genotype group (with two subgroups: EU and LA, European and Latin American isolates, respectively), the JP melon genotype group (Japanese melon reference isolates) and the JP watermelon genotype group (Japanese watermelon reference isolates). The genetic diversity in the entire p7A and p7B proteins of MNSV suggests that these coding regions are under strong selective pressure. Additionally, the rDNA-ITS region was analysed in 40 O. bornovanus and O. virulentus isolates associated with each geographical location and host examined. Phylogenetic analysis showed two groups for each Olpidium species, and these groupings were related to the host from which they were originally isolated.
High Prevalence of Wolbachia in the Azuki Bean Beetle Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera, Bruchidae)

Abstract Members of the family Bruchidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) were examined for Wolbachia infection. Out of seven species investigated, which represented three subfamilies and five genera, amplified bands were detected only from Callosobruchus chinensis by diagnostic PCR with Wolbachia-specific primers. Bacterial 16S rDNA was amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced from the total DNA of C. chinensis. Molecular phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the sequence belongs to a monophyletic group of the genus Wolbachia in the α-Proteobacteria. The Wolbachia was detected from all tissues and body parts such as ovary, gut, fat body, muscle, wing, leg, head and antenna. In six geographic populations from central Japan, all the individuals examined, more than 400 in total, possessed the Wolbachia, indicating high prevalence of Wolbachia among natural populations of C. chinensis.
Nuclear ITS Sequences Help Disentangle Phyllanthus reticulatus (Phyllanthaceae), an Asian Species not Occurring in Africa, but Introduced to Jamaica

Abstract Phyllanthus comprises approximately 1,270 species, making it one of the world's largest plant genera. Molecular data so far are of limited value for understanding Phyllanthus because of the sheer size of the genus. They can, however, help sort-out cryptic species and provide information on the origin of suspected introduced species. One of the seemingly most widespread species is P. reticulatus, which has been recorded from Asia, Australia, Africa, and Jamaica. The name is based on a mixed collection from tropical Asia now in the Lamarck herbarium, and we lectotypify it here. We use nuclear ITS sequences to test the broad treatment of P. reticulatus in recent floras, identify records of “P. reticulatus” from Africa, and investigate the origin of P. reticulatus on Jamaica. A maximum likelihood tree for accessions of P. reticulatus from throughout its supposed range (plus relevant outgroups) shows that the Jamaican plants represent the Asian species, that the African plants called P. reticulatus belong to a separate clade for which P. polyspermus is the oldest available name, and that the sensu lato treatment of P. reticulatus in recent floras is unjustified. Treating the Asian entities P. reticulatus and P. microcarpus as separate species appears justified, and identical ITS sequences in Asian and Jamaican P. reticulatus indicate a recent introduction. The first “island botanists,” J. Macfadyen and N. Wilson, introduced many plants from India in the 1800s, and theirs are the oldest Jamaican collections of P. reticulatus. Since the species was introduced to Jamaica without its obligate Epicephala moth pollinators, it does not set fruit, persisting instead by vegetative growth.
Sex-biased dispersal and high levels of gene flow among local populations in the argentine boa constrictor, Boa constrictor occidentalis

Abstract The knowledge of dispersal is essential to understand the ecology of any species, since population dynamics, spatial distribution and genetic structure are closely tied to patterns of movement. In this paper we estimate dispersal patterns in natural populations of the endangered snake Boa constrictor occidentalis (Serpentes, Boidae), using allozymes as genetic markers. Blood samples were obtained from a total of 120 adult individuals of nine localities from two areas, Sobremonte and Pocho, in Argentina. Only four out of a total of 24 loci were polymorphic: 6-Pgdh-1, Cat-1, Ldh and Hp. The values of expected and observed mean heterozygosities, the percentage of polymorphic loci and mean number of alleles per locus for each population confirm the low levels of genetic variability in this snake. FST and Nem mean values were 0.0089 and 46.1 for Sobremonte and 0.0379 and 7.46 for Pocho, indicating important levels of gene flow. A comparison of FST between genders in both areas suggests a male-biased dispersal, which could be explained by the characteristics of the mating system: males carry out an active mate search of receptive females, and philopatry could be selected in females due to the benefits of the familiarity with the natal area in the use of local resources.
In Sacco Ruminal Degradation Characteristics of Chemical Components in Fresh Zoysia japonica and Miscanthus sinensis Growing in Japanese Native Pasture

' Ruminal degradation characteristics of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP) in fresh leaves of two Japanese native grasses (Zoysia japonica and Miscanthus sinensis) and one sown temperate grass {Dactylis glomeratd) were investigated by an in sacco method in spring (mid-May), summer (mid-July) and autumn (mid-September). Japanese native grasses had higher NDF and lower CP concentrations than D. glomerata, and the CP concentration in native grasses decreased in autumn. Ruminal degradability of DM, NDF and CP was lower in native grasses than in D. glomerata (p<0.05) in all seasons. DM and NDF degradability decreased in summer for Z. japonica and D. glomerata, while it decreased in autumn for M sinensis. CP degradability in Z. japonica was constant throughout the seasons, whereas that in M. sinensis greatly decreased in summer and autumn (p<0.05). It was concluded that Z. japonica could stably supply ruminally digestible nutrients for grazing animals in Japanese native pasture. However, the degradation characteristics of freshly chopped native grasses did not fit the exponential model of D=a+b(l-e' ct ) proposed by 0rskov and McDonald. (Asian-Aust, J. Anim. ScL 200L Vol. 14, No, 1 : 41-47)