Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of environmental factors on the growth and interactions between salt marsh plants: effects of salinity, sediment and waterlogging

1 Artificial environmental gradients were established in a series of pot experiments to investigate the effect of salinity, sediment type and waterlogging on the growth, and interactions between Spartina anglica and Puccinellia maritima. In each experiment, one environmental variable was manipulated and plants grown in pairwise combinations to examine the effect of the environmental factor on the intensity of intra‐ and interspecific interactions, quantified using the Relative Neighbour Effect (RNE) index.
Bill length: a reliable method for sexing Purple Sandpipers

Purple Sandpipers (Calidris mar? tima) are sexually dimorphic, with females larger than males. We tested the reliability of using bill length to sex individuals and estimate the sex ratio at a stopover site in Iceland in May 2003 and 2005. Feather samples from 65 of 324 captured birds were used for molecular sexing, and generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to discriminate the sexes from body measurements of the molecularly sexed birds. About 3% of the 324 individuals were misclassified by the Harding-Cassie method, and the proportion of males was 0.657 compared to 0.656 according to the best GLM. Our results showed that the reliability of determining the sex and sex ratio of Purple Sandpipers using a Harding-Cassie plot of bill length measurements was high, but that reliability was improved by including other variables in a GLM. The estimate of an uneven sex ratio in the population we studied was not due to a systematic error, and supports the conclusion of earlier studies that Purple Sandpipers exhibit an uneven sex ratio in favor of males. SINOPSIS. Largo del pico: m? todo confiable para determinar el sexo en Calidris mar? tima Calidris mar? tima, es un chorlo dim? rfico, con hembras m? s grandes que los machos. Trabajamos la confiabilidad de utilizar el largo del pico para determinar el sexo de individuos y estimar la tasa de sexos. El trabajo se hizo de mayo del 2003 al 2005 en un punto de parada de estas aves en Islandia. Se utilizaron las plumas de 65 individuos (de un total de 324 capturados) para determinar el sexo molecularmente. Luego se hicieron modelos lineales (GLMs) para discriminar entre sexos con medidas del pico en aves en las cuales se hab? a determinado el sexo molecularmente. Utilizando el modelo Harding-Cassie, cerca del 3% de los 324 individuos fueron clasificados err? neamente y la proporci? n de machos fue de 0.657 comparado con 0.656 en armon? a con el mejor GLM. Nuestros resultados indican que la confiabilidad del m? todo Harding-Cassie (largo del pico) es alta, para determinar el sexo y tasa de sexos en Calidris mar? tima. Dicha confiabilidad puede incrementarse incluyendo otras variables en un GLM. El desnivel estimado de un tasa de sexos en la poblaci? n estudiada, no se debi? a un error sistem? tico y apoya trabajos previos que indican que el ave exhibe una tasa de sexos desviada hacia los machos.
New Skeletal Remains of Mammuthus columbi from Glynn County, Georgia with Notes on their Historical and Paleoecological Significance

Abstract Although Mammuthus columbi (Columbian Mammoth) remains have been collected and extensively studied throughout the United States, limited in situ material has been discovered in Georgia. Here we describe new Columbian Mammoth material from Clark Quarry, a recently excavated late-Pleistocene locality near Brunswick, GA, and discuss their historical and paleoecological significance. The site has yielded 12 genera of birds, 18 genera of amphibians and reptiles, and 12 species of mammals. Radiocarbon analyses bracket the locality between 19,840 and 22,240 radiocarbon years before present. In 1857, Falconer designated a partial third upper molar unearthed during the excavation of the Brunswick Altamaha Canal as the type specimen for Mammuthus (Elephas) columbi. Clark Quarry borders the abandoned Brunswick Altamaha Canal, and presents the possibility that this new material could be from the type locality of Mammuthus columbi. Material identified thus far indicates a minimum of two individuals and includes a juvenile palate and lower jaw with cheek teeth, adult tooth fragments, complete and partial adult long-bones, carpals, tarsals, ribs, sternal elements, and cervical, thoracic, and caudal vertebrae.
A critical view on the soil fertility status of minimum-till kikuyu–ryegrass pastures in South Africa

Cultivated pastures provide increased productivity and contribute inter alia to food security. Rangelands in the southern Cape region of South Africa have had a low animal production potential and were therefore improved through time as cultivated pastures. Initially, annual pastures were established by conventional tillage methods, but from the 1990s permanent pastures were established on a minimum-tillage regime. Lime and fertiliser guidelines, which were developed for annual pastures established by conventional tillage methods, were followed on minimumtillage systems, despite changes in the soil physical properties and stratification of biological parameters. The study aim was to survey the soil fertility of irrigated minimum-till kikuyu–ryegrass pastures in the southern Cape region. This study highlights changes in soil fertility and identified potential detrimental effects of elevated levels of extractable phosphorus and zinc, which were drastically increased in the topsoil layer. The necessity for remedial and preventative strategies to mitigate nutrient loading in cultivated pasture soil are stressed. Fertiliser guidelines should be applied strictly and should fit the farming system. In doing so, the dual goals of economic and ecological sustainability should be achieved.
Highly automated and fast determination of raffinose family oligosaccharides in Lupinus seeds using pressurized liquid extraction and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection

BACKGROUND: Taking into account several requirements for the determination of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) from Lupinus seeds—e.g., conducting plant breeding projects or food product development—a reasonable combination of efficient automated sample preparation and reliable analysis need to be developed and validated. RESULTS: In this regard pressurized liquid extraction was applied to extract the RFOs from ground and defatted lupin flour. Compared to many other publications, no further pretreatment, such as protein precipitation, was necessary to obtain satisfactory results applying ion chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. The oligosaccharide content for the examined Lupinus albus samples were in the range 5.19–9.25 g kg−1 and for Lupinus angustifolius RFOs 3.49–4.75 g kg−1. Stachyose has always been the main component followed by raffinose and verbascose. CONCLUSION: The developed sample preparation and analytical method is suited to quantify raffinose, stachyose, verbascose and the disaccharide sucrose and, owing to a high degree of automation for sample preparation and relatively short analysis times by pretty peak separation, particularly high sample numbers can be accomplished. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Lower soil moisture threshold for transpiration decline under water deficit correlates with lower canopy conductance and higher transpiration efficiency in drought-tolerant cowpea.

As water availability is critical for reproduction, terminal drought tolerance may involve water-saving traits. Experiments were undertaken under different vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and water regimes (water stress (WS) and well watered (WW)) to test genotypic differences and trait relationships in the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) at which transpiration declines, canopy conductance (proxied by transpiration rate (TR, g H2Ocm-2h-1)), canopy temperature depression (CTD, °C), transpiration efficiency (TE, gkg-1) and growth parameters, using 15 contrasting cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ) genotypes. Under WW conditions at the vegetative and early podding stages, plant mass and leaf area were larger under low VPD, and was generally lower in tolerant than in sensitive genotypes. Several tolerant lines had lower TR under WW conditions and restricted TR more than sensitive lines under high VPD. Under WS conditions, transpiration declined at a lower FTSW in tolerant than in sensitive lines. Tolerant lines also maintained higher TR and CTD under severe stress. TE was higher in tolerant genotypes under WS conditions. Significant relationships were found between TR, and TE, CTD and FTSW under different water regimes. In summary, traits that condition how genotypes manage limited water resources discriminated between tolerant and sensitive lines. Arguably, a lower canopy conductance limits plant growth and plant water use, and allows tolerant lines to behave like unstressed plants until the soil is drier and to maintain a higher TR under severe stress, as lower TR at high VPD leads to higher TE.
Celecoxib nanoemulsion: Skin permeation mechanism and bioavailability assessment

The aim of the present study was to assess the skin permeation mechanism and bioavailability of celecoxib (CXB) using novel nanoemulsion formulation. Fourier transform infrared spectra and differential scanning calorimetric thermogram of skin treated with nanoemulsion indicated that permeation occurred due to the extraction of stratum corneum (SC) lipids by nanoemulsion. The significant decrease in activation energy for CXB permeation across rat skin indicated that the SC lipid bilayers were significantly disrupted (p < 0.05). Photomicrograph of skin sample showed the disruption and extraction of lipid bilayers as distinct voids and empty spaces visible in the epidermal region. The absorption of CXB through transdermally applied nanoemulsion and nanoemulsion gel resulted in 3.03- and 2.65-fold increases in bioavailability when compared with conventional oral capsule formulation. Overall, these findings indicated that nanoemulsions can be successfully used for the enhancement of skin permeation and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
Overstory Tree Composition of Eastern Hemlock Stands Threatened by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Abstract We described overstory tree age and composition among hemlock stands that varied in physiographic structure at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area located in northeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey. Hemlock stands were comprised primarily of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), black birch (Betula lenta), Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), and white oak (Quercus alba). Forest stands characterized by steep slopes and high gradients supported the highest basal area of hemlock. Trees within hemlock stands ranged in age from 68.0–148.0 years. These data are valuable because as eastern hemlocks decline throughout the mid-Atlantic region of the United States due to infestation of the exotic insect pest, the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), hardwood species will likely become more prominent in these stands in the future. The documentation and description of tree composition of a threatened ecosystem prior to its decline is important for future restoration efforts and potential tree replacement in forest stands.
Influence of a Cell-Wall-Associated Protease on Production of α-Amylase by Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT AmyL, an extracellular α-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis, is resistant to extracellular proteases secreted by Bacillus subtilis during growth. Nevertheless, when AmyL is produced and secreted by B. subtilis, it is subject to considerable cell-associated proteolysis. Cell-wall-bound proteins CWBP52 and CWBP23 are the processed products of the B. subtilis wprA gene. Although no activity has been ascribed to CWBP23, CWBP52 exhibits serine protease activity. Using a strain encoding an inducible wprA gene, we show that a product of wprA, most likely CWBP52, is involved in the posttranslocational stability of AmyL. A construct in whichwprA is not expressed exhibits an increased yield of α-amylase. The potential role of wprA in protein secretion is discussed, together with implications for the use ofB. subtilis and related bacteria as hosts for the secretion of heterologous proteins.
A COMPARISON OF PROCEDURES FOR MEASUREMENT OF PIGMENT CONCENTRATION IN PORK

Pigment concentration of pork with known qualiry defects was evaluated using different methods. In Experiment 1, protein denaturation (induced by postmortem incubation at 5-35C) did not affect the pigment values. However, all methods yielded different absolute pigment values. When using the various procedures on a myoglobin standard, the alkaline haematin method and haematin-chloride method yielded similar results. In Experiment 2, loin samples identified as either PSE (Pale Soft Exudative), RSE (Red Soft Exudative), RFN (Red Firm Non-exudative) and DFD (Dark Firm Dry) based upon drip losses, L-values and ultimate pH, were analyzed for pigment concentration. lle methods yielded different absolute pigment values. Moreover, depending on the method, the pigment concentration of meat from these four quality groups was either similar or significantly different. It is concluded that the lower pigment concentration reported for PSE pork may be due to the method used.
Pathogenicity of Mycobacterium sp. isolated from pejerrey Odonthestes bonariensis.

The pejerrey, Odonthestes bonariensis, given intramuscular injections of Mycobacterium sp. , isolated from pond-cultured pejerrey, developed a condition similar to the natural infection. The fish showed 100% mortality at 14 and 30 days after 10 and 1 mg/ml of bacterial suspension was injected, respectively. The bacterium could be easily re-isolated from the kidney of dead fish. In all injected fish, many typical focal granulomas were found in the site of injection and in the examined internal organs. These data proved that the bacterium was certainly a pathogen of pejerrey.
Gentisic Acid As a Pathogen-Inducible Signal, Additional to Salicylic Acid for Activation of Plant Defenses in Tomato

Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd) and tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), which produce a systemic non-necrotizing infection in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Rutgers), strongly induced the accumulation of a phenolic compound that we have characterized as 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (gentisic acid, GA) by nuclear magnetic resonance, following purification by high-performance liquid chromatography. Levels of free and total GA increased more than 150-fold in response to CEVd and ToMV infections. Unlike these non-necrotizing infections, the necrotizing reaction elicited by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in this host did not produce any accumulation of GA. It is also shown that, in healthy leaf tissues, benzoic acid (BA) and salicylic acid (SA) were rapidly converted to GA, SA being the immediate precursor of GA, according to radiolabeling studies. Interestingly, exogenous GA elicited accumulation of the previously described CEVd-induced antifungal pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins P23, P32, and P34. These protei.
Assessment of species limits in African 'brown buntings' (Emberiza, Passeriformes) based on mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data

We estimated a phylogeny for 10 taxa currently placed in four polytypic species that col-lectively encompass the African ‘brown buntings’: Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis,Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi, Lark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani andHouse Bunting Emberiza striolata. We made use of the mitochondrial cytochrome b geneand the nuclear introns 6–7 of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and intron 2 of myoglo-bin. There was substantial cytochrome b sequence divergence between taxa currentlytreated as conspeciﬁc: sahari vs. striolata (2.6–3.1% (uncorrected-p); 3.0–3.6%(HKY + I)), and goslingi vs. tahapisi (4.4–4.7% (uncorrected-p); 5.4–5.9% (HKY + I)). The degree of divergence of the nuclear loci among taxa was limited, and these locilacked reciprocal monophyly, most likely as a consequence of incomplete lineage sorting.A single representative of the taxon septemstriata, generally treated as a member of thedark-throated tahapisi group, here appears to be genetically consistent with the grey-throated goslingi, and may be of hybrid origin. All other taxa allocated to E. striolata andE. tahapisi make up four reciprocally monophyletic groups consistent with sahari, striola-ta, tahapisi and goslingi, respectively. The extent of genetic evidence suggests that thesetaxa have been evolving as separate evolutionary lineages for a long time. This is furthermanifested in several morphological and vocal characteristics described previously, andwe propose that these divergent taxa be treated as separate species: Cinnamon-breastedBunting Emberiza tahapisi, Gosling’s Bunting Emberiza goslingi, Striolated Bunting Ember-iza striolata and House Bunting Emberiza sahari. We do not propose any taxonomicchanges regarding Emberiza impetuani or Emberiza capensis.Keywords: classiﬁcation, concatenation, gene trees, hybridization, M
Supernumerary teeth in Lynx lynx and the irreversibility of evolution

Supernumerary dental elements have been reported in Lynx lynx by several authors. These features have been given different evolutionary interpretations by different commentators. I note here that, since these features are absent in the plesiomorphic sister-groups of L. lynx, they represent a true evolutionary reversal. If they were simply a retention of an evolutionarily older phenotype, we should expect to see them developed in at least one plesiomorphic sister-group. Such development of a previously hidden character can occur if it is genetically linked to features selected for, until it becomes phenotypically expressed, whereupon selection can act on the character itself. Since Dollo's law, which is the theoretical issue behind the present discussion, is not a law, but a rule, and, like all rules based on probabilities, we should expect to find exceptions in the fossil record. Such exceptions are not rare, but few are as spectacular as the present one, in which the redeveloped feature is at least phenotypically identical with one which has been lost in the Felidae since the Miocene.
Projected range shifting by montane mammals under climate change: implications for Cascadia's National Parks

We examined potential impacts of climate change over the next century on eight mammal species of conservation concern in western Washington State, under four warming scenarios. Using two species distribution models, including a logistic regression-based model and the “maximum entropy” (MaxEnt) model, we predicted the location and extent of the potential current and future range of each species based on a suite of environmental and geographical variables. Both models projected significant losses in range size within the focal area over the next century across all warming scenarios. Projections suggest that future ranges of high elevation species are likely to shrink inward and upward rather than shifting into new areas, and the average range elevation of most species is projected to increase significantly over time. Future projections for higher elevation species largely agreed across species distribution models, global climate model data, and carbon emission scenarios, although projections for lower eleva.
Polymorphism Identification of Pit1 Gene in Indonesian Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and Holstein-Friesian Cows

Pit-1 gene has been identified as the pituitary specific transcription factor that regulates the expression of the growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) genes in the anterior pituitary. The use of polymorphic markers in breeding programmes could make selection more accurate and efficient. A total of 320 Indonesian buffaloes from four populations and 45 FH cows from nine populations were genotyped for polymorphism of Pit1|Hinf1 gene by the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. The gene polymorphism was detected only in FH cattle. The frequency of AA, AB, and BB genotype was 2%, 44%, and 53% respectively. The frequency of A allel was 25% and B allel was 75%, but no polymorphism was detected in 320 Indonesia buffaloes.
Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Studies on Turkish Samples of Papaver macrostomum.

Abstract Three alkaloids, cheilantifoline, mecambrine, and laudanosine, and two flavonoids, luteoline and tricine, have been isolated from two samples of Papaver macrostomum. Boiss. & Huet ex Boiss. (Papaveraceae) of Turkish origin. Antimicrobial tests have been performed on the extracts obtained from these species. It has been found that diethyl ether and acetone extracts of two samples obtained from the aerial parts of the plant have antimicrobial activity against almost all bacteria tested. The existence of flavonoids and the antimicrobial activity of this species are reported for the first time.
Maturation of Squalus mitsukurii and Cirrhigaleus asper (Squalidae, Squaliformes) in the southwestern equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Specimens of Squalus mitsukurii (n = 206) and Cirrhigaleus asper (n = 93) were opportunistically collected from the catches of a research vessel using traps and benthic longlines off the coast of northeastern Brazil between March 1997 and August 2002. For both species, larger females than males were captured. Catches of S. mitsukurii were biased toward females (1:4.6), while no significant disequilibrium in sexes was detected for C. asper (1:0.86). Common regressions for total length (TL) and eviscerated weight (EW) were calculated as LnEW = 3.13LnTL-6.217 (S. mitsukurii) and LnEW = 3.22LnTL-7.01 (C. asper). Based on changes to the reproductive tract, females and males of each species were categorized into several stages of maturation. Sizes at sexual maturity for female (n = 169) and male (n = 37) S. mitsukurii were 77.8 and 65.0 cm TL, respectively. Gravid S. mitsukurii had between 3 and 11 embryos that ranged in size from 2.0 to 22.5 cm TL (n = 262). No significant bias in the sex ratio of embryos was detected. A clear relationship between embryonic development and maturation of the ovary demonstrated that female S. mitsukurii are ready to ovulate immediately after parturition. Female (n = 43) and male (n = 50) C. asper approached sexual maturity at 110.0 and 91.0 cm TL, respectively. Uterine fecundity in gravid C. asper ranged from 12 to 19 embryos that varied in size between 4.0 and 21.9 cm TL. Unlike S. mitsukurii, there was no concurrent development of the ovary and embryos. The results are discussed in terms of the reproductive plasticity of S. mitsukurii and the need for further life history studies on both species.
Immunocytochemical Localization of Estrogen Receptors α and β in the Human Reproductive Organs

To better define the role of estrogens in reproductive functions, we have proceeded to the immunocytochemical localization of the estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ERα and the recently discovered ERβ, in human reproductive tissues. In the ovary, ERβ immunoreactivity was found in nuclei of granulosa cells of growing follicles at all stages from primary to mature follicles, interstitial gland, and germinal epithelium cells. Nuclear staining for ERα occurred in thecal, interstitial gland, and germinal epithelium cells. In the uterus, strong ERα immunoreactivity was detected in nuclei of epithelial, stromal, and muscle cells. Similar localization was obtained for ERβ, although the staining was much weaker. In the vagina, only ERα could be detected; a nuclear reaction was observed in deep layers of the stratified epithelium as well as in stromal and muscle cells. In the mammary gland, both ER subtypes were observed in epithelial and stromal cells. In the testis, ERβ was detected in nuclei of Sertoli and Leydig .