Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Habitat selection by critically endangered Florida panthers across the diel period: implications for land management and conservation

Decisions regarding landscape management, restoration and land acquisition typically depend on land managers' interpretation of how wildlife selects habitat. Such assessments are particularly important for umbrella species like the endangered Florida panther Puma concolor coryi, whose survival requires vast wildlands. Some interpretations of habitat selection by panthers have been criticized for using only morning locations in defining habitat use. We assessed habitat selection using a Euclidean distance analysis and location data collected throughout the diel period from GPS collars deployed on 20 independent Florida panthers. We corroborated aspects of earlier analyses by demonstrating the selection of forested habitats by panthers. We also confirmed the selection of open habitats (i.e. marsh–shrub–swamps, prairie grasslands), a novel result. Habitat selection did not vary by sex or season but varied by time of day. Panthers were located closer to wetland forests in the daytime and used prairie grasslands more at night. Our assessment of the effect of patch size on selection of forest habitat revealed that panthers were not solely reliant on large patches (>500 ha) but utilized patches of all sizes (≤1, >5–10, >1000 ha, etc.). Our results emphasize the importance of collecting panther location data throughout the diel period when assessing habitat selection. Conservation strategies for panthers should consider a mosaic of habitats, a methodology that will protect other sensitive flora and fauna in South Florida.
Temperature-dependent development of Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on Aspidiotus nerii Bouché (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) under laboratory conditions

Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.) is an important predator of scale insects that is widely distributed in citrus plantations in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. The developmental time of C. bipustulatus, a polyphagous predator, was studied at six different, constant temperatures (14, 18, 22, 26, 30 and 34°C) and a relative humidity (R.H. of 65±1%, with Aspidiotus nerii Bouche (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) as the prey. The developmental periods of immature stages were 61.67, 51.00, 41.21, 33.72, 26.76 and 27.17 days at 14, 18, 22, 26, 30 and 34 °C, respectively. The developmental threshold for C. bipustulatus determined with the linear model was 5.91. Linear regression was employed to determine the thermal constant of 651.1 degree-days.In this study linear and nonlinear regression models are discussed.
Confirmation that DIRCA SPP. (Thymelaeaeae) Reproduce from Rhizomes

There are three North American species of deciduous shrubs in the genus Dirca L. Dirca palustris L. occurs in the eastern United States and in southeastern Canada (Vogelmann 1953). Although its distribution is broad, D. palustris typically is obscure locally and is restricted to moist soils as an understory species along wooded slopes (Kurz 1997). Dirca occidentalis Gray also occurs on slopes (McMinn and Forderhase 1935), but its distribution is narrowly restricted to six counties of California near the San Francisco Bay. Within this area, D. occidentalis inhabits cool niches with frequent fog and relatively uniform soil moisture ( Johnson 1994). Dirca mexicana Nesom & Mayfield was discovered in 1994 as one population of 800 to 1000 plants along a slope in the Sierra Madre Oriental of Tamaulipas, Mexico (nesom and Mayfield 1995). Disciplines Agricultural Science | Horticulture | Plant Biology | Plant Pathology Comments This article is from Rhodora, 106(n.927) 2004: 291-294. Posted with permission. This article is available at Iowa State University Digital Repository: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/hort_pubs/11
Dynamic interplay between antagonistic pathways controlling the σ32 level in Escherichia coli

Abstract The heat-shock response in Escherichia coli depends primarily on the transient increase in the cellular level of heat-shock sigma factor σ32 encoded by the rpoH gene, which results from both enhanced synthesis and transient stabilization of normally unstable σ32. Heat-induced synthesis of σ32 was previously shown to occur at the translation level by melting the mRNA secondary structure formed within the 5′ coding sequence of rpoH including the translation initiation region. The subsequent decrease in the σ32 level during the adaptation phase has been thought to involve both shutoff of synthesis (translation) and destabilization of σ32-mediated by the DnaK–DnaJ chaperones, although direct evidence for translational repression was lacking. We now show that the heat-induced synthesis of σ32 does not shut off at the translation level by using a reporter system involving translational coupling. Furthermore, the apparent shutoff was not observed when the synthesis rate was determined by a very short pulse labeling (15 s). Examination of σ32 stability at 10 min after shift from 30 to 42°C revealed more extreme instability (t1/2=20 s) than had previously been thought. Thus, the dynamic change in σ32 stability during the heat-shock response largely accounts for the apparent shutoff of σ32 synthesis observed with a longer pulse. These results suggest a mechanism for maintaining the intricate balance between the antagonistic pathways: the rpoH translation as determined primarily by ambient temperature and the turnover of σ32 as modulated by the chaperone (and presumably protease)-mediated autogenous control.
Preferential translocation of boron to young leaves in Arabidopsis thaliana Regulated by the BOR1 Gene

Abstract A mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, bor1-1 (Noguchi et al. 1997: Plant Physiol., 115, 901–916) requires high levels of boron (B) for normal growth. We analyzed the B-deficiency symptoms of bor1-1 mutant plants in detail. A low B supply retarded the growth of the mutant plants more evidently in leaves than in roots. In particular, cell expansion and formation of air spaces were severely impaired by B deficiency in young rosette leaves. Such defects in growth were correlated with the reduced contents of B in leaves. These defects were not observed when a sufficient amount of B was supplied. Uptake experiments with 10B-enriched tracer B demonstrated that B taken up through roots was preferentially transported to young leaves compared to old leaves in the wild-type plants under a low B supply. Such a preferential transport to young leaves was not evident in the mutant plants. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that in A. thaliana plants B is preferentially transported to young organs under a low B supply and that this transport process is controlled at least in part by the BOR1 gene.
Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows Affected by Endometritis, Pododermatitis and Mastitis

The effects of endometritis, pododermatitis and clinical mastitis on the conception rate and calving-conception interval of multiparous and primiparous cows after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) were evaluated. Clinical endometritis was diagnosed by ultrasonography 20-40 days postpartum upon observation of fluid in the uterine lumen. Cows with clinical endometritis were treated intramuscularly with 2 mg/kg ceftiofur hydrochloride over three consecutive days. Forty-five days after delivery, multiparous and primiparous cows with normal uteri according to ultrasonography were selected for the study, filed and inseminated by FTAI. To identify animals with hoof problems and clinical mastitis and to define their respective groups, the cows were observed daily during morning and nightly milking for up to 60 days after FTAI, and animals with hoof lesions were treated. Animals with clinical mastitis were treated with intramammary infusion containing 88 mg cefquinome sulphate every 12 h after milking for four days. The conception rate of multiparous cows with clinical endometritis at 30 and 60 days after FTAI was negatively affected compared with that of healthy cows with pododermatitis. However, clinical endometritis did not influence the primiparous category, whereas pododermatitis and clinical mastitis did not influence the conception rate of any category at 30 and 60 days after FTAI. Differences were not observed between primiparous or multiparous cows in the calving-conception interval. Keywords: Lactation, Pregnancy, Health, Fertility
Functional knockout of forebrain protein 14-3-3 disrupts conditioned taste aversion learning

Protein 14-3-3 isoforms are key to many cellular processes and are ubiquitous throughout the brain. 14-3-3 is a regulator of ser/thr phospho-signaling by binding and sequestering phosphorylated substrates including kinases, histone deactylases, and transcription factors. The role of protein 14-3-3 in conditioned taste aversion learning (CTA) has not previously been examined. We parameterized CTA learning in difopein-YFP transgenic mice, which have widespread by expression of the artificial peptide difopein in the forebrain, including the basolateral amygdala and insular cortex, resulting in functional knock-out (FKO) of all 14-3-3 isoforms. We found that a single pairing of saccharin or NaCl (CS) and LiCl injection (US) was not sufficient to induce CTA in FKO mice. Multiples pairings of CS and US did lead to CTA acquisition in the FKO mice; however, the CTA rapidly extinguished within 30 minutes to 24 hours after acquisition. Additionally, we found that 14-3-3 FKO mice have an attenuated visceral neuraxis response to LiCl as measured by c-Fos induction. The deficit in FKO was not due to an inability to discriminate or avoid tastants, because they showed normal unconditioned taste preferences for both palatable (saccharin, maltodextrin, low concentration NaCl) and unpalatable tastants (quinine, HCl, and high concentration NaCl) and they were able to reduce intake of a maltodextrin solution adulterated with quinine. The FKO did not have a global deficit in ingestive learning, because they were able to form a conditioned flavor-nutrient preference. Thus, FKO of forebrain 14-3-3 appears to disrupt CTA learning leading to forgetting, rapid extinction, or failure to reconsolidate. This further implicates ser/thr phospho-signaling pathways in the regulation of long-term CTA learning.
Impairment of mitochondrial dynamics: A target for the treatment of neurological disorders?

Mitochondrial dysfunction has long been appreciated in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders. However, the molecular basis underlying the decline in mitochondrial function is not fully understood. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that frequently undergo fusion and fission. In healthy cells, the delicate balance between fusion and fission is required for maintaining normal mitochondrial and cellular function. However, under pathological conditions, the balance is disrupted, resulting in excessive mitochondrial fragmentation and mitochondrial dysfunction. The impaired fusion and fission processes can lead to apoptosis, necrosis and autophagic cell death and seem to play causal roles in the progression of acute and chronic neuronal injuries. In this article, important aspects of what is currently known about the molecular machinery regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion in mammalian cells is summarized. Special emphasis will be given to the consequences of disregulated mitochondri.
Effect of Sampling Without Replacement on Isolated Populations of Endemic Aquatic Invertebrates in Central Arizona

ABSTRACT We measured population size and density of Pyrgulopsis morrisoni and Heterelmis sp. within a single spring in central Arizona over four sampling periods in 2001 to evaluate the effect of sampling without replacement. Our analysis detected significant differences in total population size across sampling periods. Sampling without replacement caused a transitory decline in total population size of each organism, though P. morrisoni was again locally abundant the following year. Spring ecosystems are affected by several anthropogenic stressors and many endemic aquatic invertebrates have been afforded Federal protection. Studies should not contribute stress. Until more is known about fecundity, recruitment, and population fluctuations, employ sampling methods that do not remove significant numbers of individuals.
Biochemical Characterization of Brown Adipose Tissue β-Adrenergic Receptor

AbstractThe β-adrenergic receptor of rodent brown fat plays a key role in the control of energy dissipation by this tissue. The aim of the present study was to further characterize the biochemical properties of this receptor. The β-receptor of rat interscapular brown adipose tissue plasma membranes was found to bind the β-adrenergic antagonist [125I] cyanopindolol with a high affinity (KD 67 pM). The [125I] cyanopindolol receptor complex could be solubilized by digitonin and the isoelectric point of the solubilized receptor was found to be 5.8. Brown adipose tissue plasma membranes were labeled with the photoaffinity ligand [125I] cyanopindolol diazirine and labeled membrane proteins were separated by sodium dodecylsufate polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis and analyzed by autoradiography. Autoradiograms revealed a peptide of 62 kDa whose labeling was stereoselectively displaced by alprenolol and isoproterenol. The β1-selective antagonist betaxolol was about 100 times more potent in displacing the labeling .
Enzymatic and Bacterial modifications of natural Biofibres for Synthesis of biocomposites

Environmental concerns have been motivating research in the field of biodegradable materials, especially those from biological sources. Plant fibres are hydrophilic in nature due to interaction with the hydroxyl group of their components and water molecules which results in poor adhesion of these biopolymers to the reinforcing materials due to low compatibility with the hydrophobic polymer matrices that result in inefficient transfer of stress from the matrix to the reinforcing material. Environment friendly methods such as plasma treatment, treatments using fungi, enzymes and bacteria, can be used for the surface modification of plant fibers. In this context, a series of bio-composites e.g. polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with lignocellulosic substrate (native and delignified) based biocomposites and PVA along with bacterial cellulose modified substrate based biocomposites were successfully synthesized by introducing maleic anhydride as compatibilizer and glycerol as a plasticizer. The lignocellulosic materials (sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw and rice straw) were treated enzymatically and the best delignified substrate was further modified by depositing Acetbacter xylinum. Blends were compression molded and the resulting bio-composites were removed from their respective casting surfaces under ambient environment and characterized using different analytical and imaging techniques. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was performed to study the mechanical properties of the composites. The structural changes in the composites were analyzed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), the morphological properties of the bocomposites were studied using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the water absorption behavior of the biocomposites were also determined. The tensile strength, elongation at break point, and Young’s modulus values of the bio-composites reached very high levels in comparison to the composites prepared with pure PVA and pure native straw that were too fragile to be measured for any of the above mentioned characteristics. Morphological analysis of the newly developed biocomposites surfaces through SEM showed a uniform distribution of the PVA and reinforcing substrate. Also there was a marked improvement in the water absorption content of the biocomposite synthesized from 1:3 ratio of wheat straw and PVA. The development of biocomposites by using lignocellulosic biofibres as reinforcement materials will form the basis for the potential use of these biocomposites in various industries.
Generation and characterization of herbicide-resistant soybean plants expressing novel phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase genes

Herbicide resistance genes have been widely used in plant biotechnology both for commercial applications and as selectable markers. Phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase (PAT) detoxifies the nonselective herbicide phosphinothricin (PPT, the ammonium salt of which is known as glufosinate), which is the active ingredient in bialaphos. Two novel PAT genes, hpat and mat, have been isolated from PPT-resistant soil bacteria, and we have now introduced these genes under the control of the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus into soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] by particle bombardment and subsequent hygromycin selection. The expression of each enzyme was confirmed in leaves of the transgenic soybean plants by immunoblot analysis with specific antibodies and by measurement of PAT activity. The transgenic plants showed complete resistance to a commercial formulation of PPT at the recommended concentration. Our results suggest that these PAT genes may prove useful as markers for soybean transformation as well as in the production of herbicide-resistant transgenic plants.
The challenge of delineating biogeographical regions: nestedness matters for Indo‐Pacific coral reef fishes

The delineation of regions is a critical procedure in biogeography, but there is still no consensus about the best approach. Traditionally, a compositional dissimilarity index and a clustering algorithm are used to partition locations into regions. However, the choice of index and algorithm may have a profound impact on the final result, particularly when locations display different levels of species richness and when they are nested within each other. Our objective was to estimate the influence of species nestedness among locations on the delineation of biogeographical regions.
Australian Wetland Plants and Wetlands in the Landscape: Conservation of Diversity and Future Management

The plant communities that are a feature of Australian shallow wetlands reflect the dynamics of their flooding and drying patterns. Anthropogenic changes to wetlands at individual wetland, catchment and landscape scales can change availability of plant habitats and hence the diversity of wetland plants. Policies for conservation of wetlands and the need for integrating policy, management and science in their implementation are addressed as a way forward for conservation. The natural dynamics of wetland plants and wetlands in the landscape are discussed and their resilience considered as an indicator of response to change. Plant community responses to induced change from alteration of water quantity and delivery (timing, frequency, duration and variability of flooding and drying), water quality, invasions and grazing are demonstrated. The responses of wetland plants, communities and wetlands to different flooding and drying patterns from field observation, experimental testing in glasshouse, outdoor tank trials, field scale experimental wetlands and field manipulations are presented to show how research can form the basis of extrapolation and generalization which can be used for prediction of change. The maintenance of mosaics of wetlands is suggested as a way of conserving biodiversity and enhancing resilience of wetlands in the landscape. The need for collaboration between researchers and conservators to establish principles of precautionary management is proposed.
Effect of rhythmic auxin application on shoot morphogenesis in carrot (Daucus carota L.) callus tissue

The possible role of auxin oscillations in plant development has been considered earlier but direct experimental evidence in support of this concept has been limited. In this research, we conducted a series of experiments by employing an instrument of novel design that dispensed auxin droplets on the surface of callus cultures in fixed amounts at controllable time intervals (frequencies). The effects of 60 h exposures of different indole-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2 mg l−1) and dispensing time intervals (6, 9, 12, 13.5, 15, 18 and 21 min) were tested on carrot calli and compared with control treatments with steady exposure to IAA and rhythmic application of distilled water. Shoot organogenesis was observed after two weeks only on calli that were exposed to IAA oscillations of 9 and 18 min, while other time intervals and controls, including non-periodical controls and periodical application of distilled water, were ineffective. The results were similar among different IAA concentrations. Rhythmical auxin application is much more efficient compared with steady auxin treatment in terms of efficiency and specificity. This effect is frequency-dependent, i.e. there is a resonant stimulation.
The river Vecht fish community after rehabilitation measures: a comparison to the historical situation by using the river Biebrza as a geographical reference

Setting ecological goals for restoring fish communities in larger rivers is hampered by a lack of knowledge of the natural reference conditions. The lowland river Vecht has become highly regulated since 1850. Since the 1970s, measures have been taken to improve water quality followed by the construction of fishways along weirs in the 1990s to rehabilitate migration. We aim to assess the degree of deviation of the current fish community in the river from its pre‐regulation state. The assessment is based on a comparison with the less impacted river Biebrza in Poland as a geographical reference, involving a semi‐quantitative stepwise reconstruction based on available historic evidence. Electrofishing was used to describe the current quantitative species compositions of the fish communities in the rivers Vecht and Biebrza and historical records of the Vecht region were used to crosscheck the reconstructed fish community around 1850 after correcting for zoogeographical differences. Despite various rehabilitation measures, the deviation from the natural reference is still large. Currently, perch Perca fluviatilis and bream Abramis brama are much more abundant, and bleak Alburnus alburnus, white bream Blicca bjoerkna and most rheophilic species are far less abundant, than before. The main reasons for this deviation appears to be the present quality of the habitats and, for some species, the poor connectivity with the sea as well as with small tributaries. The approach used should be widely applicable to derive natural references, assess rehabilitation success or improve the ecological assessment of integrity as imposed by the European Water Framework Directive. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incidence of Viruses and Nematode Vectors in Lebanese Vineyards

Surveys for virus diseases and nematode vectors were conducted in 95 commercial vineyards of four different Lebanese districts (Bekaa valley, Mount Lebanon, North and South Lebanon). Out of 915 randomly collected grapevine samples tested by ELISA, 511 (55.8%) were infected by one or more viruses. Grapevine virus A (30.9%) and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (23.7%) were the prevailing viruses, followed by Grapevine fleck virus (15.1%), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (10.6%) and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (8.7%). Arabis mosaic virus was not found whereas Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and Grapevine virus B were little represented. The most important Lebanese grapevine varieties, i.e. Maghdouchi, Tfeifihi and Beitamouni, had average infection rates between 70% and 87%, whereas varieties of foreign origin had a better sanitary status with the exception of cvs Cinsaut and Thompson (c. 83% infection). Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus was detected in 79 of 90 (87.8%) samples tested by RT-PCR and closteroviruses were recorded in seven of 70 (10%) vines tested. One of these viruses was identified as Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 5 by ELISA and partial genome sequencing. No nepoviruses other than GFLV were detected in any of 90 samples tested using three different sets of degenerate primers. Xiphinema index was found in 23 of 89 soil samples collected from vineyards, and in three of 15 samples collected primarily under fig trees in fields where no grapevines were grown.