Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breeding Biology of the Threadstalk Milkvetch, Astragalus filipes (Fabaceae), with a Review of the Genus

Abstract Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) is an enormous and diverse plant genus with a cosmopolitan distribution, but relatively few breeding biologies are known for its member species. Threadstalk (or basalt) milkvetch, Astragalus filipes Torrey ex. A. Gray, is common and widespread throughout the U.S. Intermountain West, including the Great Basin. It is being studied and ultimately propagated for extensive rangeland restoration projects throughout the sagebrush steppe. Understanding the breeding biology of A. filipes will be necessary for reliable and consistent commercial seed production with this species. We examined reproductive output from four manual pollination treatments (autogamy, geitonogamy, xenogamy and distant xenogamy) in a common garden. As measures of fitness, we counted fruit and seed set, then germinated viable seeds, to assess reproductive output. This species is weakly self compatible; xenogamous pollen transfer results in nine times more seed per pollination. Pollen transfer between geographically distant seed accessions resulted in a decrease in seed germination, but no difference in fruit or seed set. Cross pollination by bees will be necessary for copious seed production by this species. In the wild, flowers of A. filipes are visited most commonly and ubiquitously by a diversity of Osmia bee species plus several bee species each of Eucera, Anthidium, Bombus and sometimes Hoplitis.
The effect of sub-lethal exposure to copper and the time course of recovery in clean water on biochemical changes in juvenile fish (Acipenser persicus)

This study reports the 96-h LC50 value and tissue copper (Cu) levels and biochemical changes in juvenile fish (Acipenser persicus) exposed to 0.026 mg/l ambient Cu for 1, 7 and 14 days. It then examined the recovery of the same parameters after placing the juvenile fish in clean water for a further period of 28 days. The intestine, kidney and gill Cu levels, plasma glucose, total protein, triglyceride, cortisol, triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations, liver protein contents, liver catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase activities were studied. The 96-h LC50 value of Cu was 0.502 mg/l for juvenile A. persicus. The results indicate that Cu exposure produced significant accumulations of Cu in gills and kidney over the treatment time. Sublethal dose of Cu resulted in a short-term increase in plasma glucose, total protein and cortisol levels that decreased with time. After the 28-day recovery phase, there were significant differences in kidney Cu levels and triglyceride concentrations as well as SOD activities between recovery fish treatments and their control groups on day 42. The 28-day recovery phase caused significant decreases in total protein levels and SOD activities of Cu-exposed fish on day 42 compared to day 14. The results suggest that 28 days are insufficient for complete recovery to Cu exposure by juveniles and a longer period would be required for full recovery. Moreover, the study showed that the recovery phase following Cu exposure could change biochemical parameters to levels that are not close to those seen during exposure or control levels.
Rosenvingea orientalis (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae) from Chiapas, Mexico: life history in culture and molecular phylogeny

The genus Rosenvingea is well known in the tropics. Four species have been reported from Pacific Mexico: R. floridana, R. antillarum, R. intricata and R. sanctae-crucis. We collected a plant (Boca del Cielo, Chiapas) that we identified as Rosenvingea orientalis, a species not previously reported from Pacific Mexico. We were able to characterize the life cycle of this species for the first time in laboratory culture. It reproduced exclusively by plurilocular sporangia (plurangia). The mature plants were up to 6 cm long with cylindrical to compressed fronds (to 2 mm wide) with dichotomous branches in the upper half of the thallus. The medulla was hollow with 2-3 layers of large inflated colourless cells at the periphery. The cortex was comprised of 1 layer of small cells, each with a single chloroplast and pyrenoid. Linear plurangial sori with phaeophycean hairs formed along the mature fronds. Zoospore germlings developed into prostrate filamentous systems, each with a single phaeophycean hair that gave rise to a single erect shoot with multiple hairs arising near the tip. Molecular phylogeny using the psaA gene placed this isolate within the Scytosiphonaceae. It does not confirm the exact identification of R. orientalis, although its placement close to other Rosenvingea sequences was confirmed and morphological evidence supports its placement in R. orientalis. Our culture investigations indicated that it has an asexual life cycle. Further collections are needed to resolve the full generic and specific relationships of Rosenvingea and related taxa, and their reproductive patterns.
Cloning, Expression, Purification, and Characterization of the Human Broad Specificity Lysosomal Acid α-Mannosidase*

We have cloned and expressed two cDNAs encoding the human lysosomal α-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) by RT-PCR of human spleen mRNA. This enzyme is required for the degradation of N-linked carbohydrates during glycoprotein catabolism in eucaryotic cells. The shorter of the two cDNAs (3 kilobases (kb)) was found to encode an open reading frame of 2964 base pairs and, when expressed in Pichia pastoris, was found to encode an enzyme that could cleave high mannose oligosaccharides, oligosaccharides isolated from α-mannosidosis fibroblasts, and p-nitrophenyl-α-D-mannopyranoside substrates. In addition, the Pichia-expressed enzyme was inhibited by swainsonine, and had a pH optimum, Km, and Vmax characteristic of the enzyme purified previously from human liver. The second, larger RT-PCR product (3.6 kb) was found to contain an insertion and a deletion relative to the 3-kb spleen amplimer and encoded a truncated coding region, indicating that it resulted from alternate transcript splicing. No α-mannosidase activity could be detected in Pichia transformants containing this coding region, indicating that it did not encode a functional enzyme. Antiserum raised to the recombinant product of the 3-kb α-mannosidase cDNA immunoprecipitated lysosomal α-mannosidase activity from human fibroblast extracts. Northern blots identified a 3-kb RNA transcript in all human tissues tested, including α-mannosidosis fibroblasts, while minor transcripts of 3.6 kb were also present in several adult tissues. Human chromosome mapping of the mannosidase gene confirmed that the functional gene maps to the MANB locus on chromosome 19. Sequence comparisons were made to previously published human cDNA sequences encoding a putative lysosomal α-mannosidase (Nebes, V. L., and Schmidt, M. C. (1994) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 200, 239-245) and several differences were found relative to the functional lysosomal α-mannosidase encoded by the 3-kb spleen cDNA.
Numerical analysis of fatty acid patterns of coryneform bacteria and related taxa

A numerical study of the fatty acid patterns of 263 reference strains belonging to the genera Arthrobacter, Aureobacterium, Brevibacterium, Cellulomonas, Clavibacter, Corynebacterium, Curtobacterium, Erysipelothrix, Microbacterium, and Rhodococcus was undertaken based on cultural and chemical standardized techniques. Clustering was by the unweighted pair group method using the correlation coefficient. Two cluster groups could be defined at the 62% level, one containing strains characterized by saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and the second group characterized by iso- and anteiso-branched fatty acids. Within the first cluster group, a clear separation of strains assigned to the genera Rhodococcus, Erysipelothrix, and Corynebacterium could be achieved. Furthermore, strains of the species Corynebacterium glutamicum, Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, 'Corynebacterium ulcerans,' and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae could be found in distinct clusters, based on quantitative differ.
Effects of Degradation and Replacement of Southern Brazilian Coastal Sandy Vegetation on the Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

In this paper we address the effects of anthropogenic disturbance and replacement of Brazilian Coastal sandy vegetation (restingas) on dung beetles communities. We sampled dung beetles in the four main vegetative physiognomies of Guriri Island, Espírito Santo State: forest restinga, restinga Clusia, disturbed restinga (from burning events), and pastures. We placed four sets of two pitfall traps (baited with horse and human dung) in four independent areas of each vegetation type, and collected 14,534 individuals of 13 dung beetle species. Neither log10 of individuals nor log10 of species richness were good predictors of restinga disturbance. However, a significant amount of variation in dung beetle abundance and richness could be explained by bait type. Ordination of these sites using hybrid multidimensional scaling revealed a gradient of habitat disturbance from undisturbed restinga samples to pasture. Dung beetle communities along this gradient demonstrated a complete turnover in species composition, from restinga‐specialists to invasive and generalists species respectively. This complete turnover signals the local extirpation of forest‐adapted species in disturbed and converted areas. Only a single dung beetle species in preserved restingas is protected by Brazilian law (Dichotomius schiffleri). Given the extent of the clearing of restinga habitat, the conservation status of dung beetles associated with restinga forest gives cause for concern.
Short-term effects of fire on Papilionoidea (Lepidoptera) communities: a pilot study in Mediterranean maquis shrubland

Abstract In the Mediterranean landscape fires are common, sometimes arising due to human activity. Fire influences the amount of sunlight that reaches the ground, thus affecting the diversity and distribution of animal and plant species. In this study, we analysed the effect of fire on butterfly diversity at the Site of Community Importance (SCI) “Monti di Lauro” (IT8040013) in southern Italy (Campania). The area covers 7040 ha and is mainly characterised by Mediterranean maquis and woody vegetation. We compared the flight activity of butterflies before and after a fire incident in October 2008. Weekly transects were made from April to September in 2008 and 2009. From the transect data, we calculated several diversity indices. We surveyed 55 species and 5052 individuals (2008: 43 species, 1764 individuals; 2009: 49 species, 3288 individuals). Inter-year comparisons showed that richness was significantly lower in 2008 than in 2009, as well as the abundance; the evenness index was significantly higher in 2008 than in 2009. Intra-year comparisons before fire (2008) showed significant differences among months in all indices analysed, whereas after fire (2009), only evenness differed significantly. Our results show that after fire in the Mediterranean maquis, a rapid change in butterfly community structure occurred, increasing both species and individual abundance. Nevertheless, a lower evenness indicates a less balanced butterfly community after fire. Notably, Melanargia arge, a protected species by the Habitats Directive, was not observed following the fire.
Monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies are essential tools for many molecular immunology investigations. In particular, when used in combination with techniques such as epitope mapping and molecular modelling, monoclonal antibodies enable the antigenic profiling and visualisation of macromolecular surfaces. In addition, monoclonal antibodies have become key components in a vast array of clinical laboratory diagnostic tests. Their wide application in detecting and identifying serum analytes, cell markers, and pathogenic agents has largely arisen through the exquisite specificity of these unique reagents. Furthermore, the continuous culture of hybridoma cells that produce these antibodies offers the potential of an unlimited supply of reagent. In essence, when compared with the rather limited supply of polyclonal antibody reagents, the feature of a continuous supply enables the standardisation of both the reagent and the assay technique. Clearly, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of generation, cost, and overall applications. Ultimately, monoclonal antibodies are only produced when necessary because their production is time consuming and frustrating, although greatly rewarding (at least most of the time! ). This is especially apparent when a monoclonal antibody can be applied successfully in a routine pathology laboratory or can aid in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients. In this article, the generation and application of monoclonal antibodies are demystified to enable greater understanding and hopefully formulate novel ideas for clinicians and scientists alike.
Pollen morphology of Coffea and Psilanthus (Rubiaceae‐Coffeeae), mainly from Africa

Twenty‐six Coffea and six Psilanthus species are examined to provide a survey of the pollen morphological variation of the African Coffeeae. These observations are compared with data from literature and evaluated by numerical analysis. The latter corroborates that the two genera are distinguishable on the basis of pollen morphology. Coffea grains are generally 3‐colporate, while Psilanthus mostly has 4–5‐colporate grains. In Coffea many species show a surprisingly high degree of pollen polymorphism. There is no doubt that this phenomenon is at least in part responsible for the poor taxonomic value of pollen features at the specific level, in this genus. As regards Psilanthus our results seem to indicate pollen morphological differences between African (more narrow muri; no supratectal ornamentation) and Asian species (muri wider; supratectal granules), but this should be confirmed by investigating more species. This is in contradiction to the actual division in subg. Psilanthus and subg. Afrocoffea.
Energy Expenditure in Free-Ranging Lizards

Metabolic rates of the western fence lizard Sceloporus occidentalis (Sauria: Iguanidae) were measured in the laboratory by gas exchange, and in the field with doubly labeled H2O. Field metabolic rates of adults during the spring reproductive season (0.22 ml CO2 g-' h-' or 141.4J g-' day-') were not different from those during the fall nonreproductive season (0.20 ml CO2 g-' h-' or 127.2J g-' day-'). Field and laboratory metabolic rates of d d were not different from those of Y Y in spring or fall. Average daily field metabolic rates were 2.0 to 2.5 x resting laboratory rates measured on a simulated normal thermal cycle; estimated rates during the field activity period were 2.5 to 3.1 x resting levels measured at 350C. Only 11 to 17% of total daily energy expenditure was used while lizards were inactive in their burrows. Daily field metabolism of this lizard is only 3 to 4% that of a bird or mammal of equal size.
Adaptation of the Sperm Mobility Test for Identification of Turkey Toms with Low Fertilizing Potential

Abstract Because nearly all the turkeys produced in the United States are the result of artificial insemination (AI), it is important to increase the efficiency of this labor-intensive practice. A semen evaluation test predicted of fertility would be extremely beneficial. Studies have shown that sperm mobility is predictive of fertility. The Sperm Mobility Test (SMT) objectively quantifies sperm mobility by measuring the density of sperm that swim through a solution of Accudenz at body temperature. This test results in a sperm mobility index score which is used to rank toms within a flock. Toms classified as having low sperm mobility have reduced fertility compared to those toms with high mobility. By using the SMT, it is possible to screen semen to determine which toms have the least chance of siring poults, then to cull them from a flock. This study attempted to determine if a reliable laboratory method for the analysis of turkey sperm mobility could be successfully modified for commercial field use in the turkey industry. Both the laboratory method and the proposed field methods yielded equivalent results. Consistently, toms classified with low mobility sperm could be identified utilizing any of the test methods evaluated. We conclude that the SMT is adaptable for on-farm use for the selection of potential sires.
Statistical modelling of the population dynamics of a raptor community in a semi-desert environment

Summary 1 We performed an extensive statistical modelling study on the population fluctuations and population growth rates of 15 raptor species in the Kalahari desert in South Africa. 2 The correlation pattern between rainfall and population abundance changed systematically with raptor body weight and diet type. The abundance of heavier raptors feeding on larger prey-items had lower correlations with rainfall than lighter raptors feeding on small prey-items. Whereas raptor species feeding on small prey-items were more affected by immediate rainfall, species feeding on large prey-items were more affected by rainfall in the previous year. 3 Population abundances were explained most parsimoniously by direct and delayed density dependence and rainfall during the current and previous breeding season. Interspecific competition was never a predictor variable. Population abundances of species best described by rainfall fed on larger prey-items than population abundances of species best described by density dependence. 4 Population growth rates were always best described by direct density dependence. The strength of density dependence was positively correlated with reproduction rate, due mainly to Falconiform species having higher reproduction rates than Accipitrid species. 5 Shifting from the species to the guild level, we found that abundance and biomass shares of feeding guilds did not vary significantly over time, supporting the hypothesis of guild constancy.
PDGFRα, PDGFRβ and KIT expression/activation in conventional chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcomas represent 20% of all primary bone sarcomas, and many studies have attempted to unravel molecular targets for future development of new therapies. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression/activation of PDGFRα, PDGFRβ and KIT receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) as potential therapeutic targets in conventional central primary chondrosarcomas (CCS). The expression of PDGFRα, PDGFRβ and KIT RTKs was detected in 16 CCSs using immunohistochemistry (IHC), and their level of expression and activation status were analysed by immunoprecipitation and western blot experiments. PDGFRα, PDGFRβ and KIT cDNAs were screened to verify the presence of activating mutations and the presence of the cognate ligands was analysed by means of RT‐PCR. RTK gene amplification was further studied by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. The immunophenotyping and biochemical analyses showed that the CCSs co‐expressed PDGFRα and PDGFRβ, with the latter showing definitively greater protein expression and phosphorylation levels. PDGFRβ was expressed but not activated in control healthy joint cartilage, in line with no PDGFB detection. Conversely, the KIT gene product did not seem to play a relevant role. These findings, in the absence of activating mutations or an abnormal genomic profile and the presence of PDGFA and PDGFB expression, are consistent with an autocrine/paracrine loop activation of the corresponding receptors. The CCS gene profile described here offers a rationale for the use of RTK inhibitors alone or in combination with chemotherapy, and supports further investigation of RTKs and their downstream signals. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methane dynamics in the Willamette River, Oregon

Weekly monitoring of dissolved methane (CH4) at two sites along an ~ 2‐km stretch of the Willamette River (Oregon) between October 2008 and November 2010 revealed persistent supersaturation (24–170× atmospheric equilibrium). The CH4 concentration difference (δCH4: 0–200 nmol L−1) between the two sites varied inversely with river flow, which ranged from 125 m3 s−1 to 1500 m3 s−1 over the time series. At the downstream site, an ‘excess’ of ≤ 125% was observed, with groundwater input being the likely CH4 source. Quasi‐synoptic studies of spatial trends in summer (2010, 2011) revealed steady CH4 decrease along a 12‐km river stretch downstream of the time‐series sites. The estimated loss due to air–water exchange for this stretch was ~ 9× greater than the perceived net loss, consistent with regionally widespread groundwater input of CH4. Bi‐weekly dissolved nutrient measurements indicated that a distinct nitrate (NO3−) source also existed between the upstream and downstream time‐series sites. The excesses of and CH4 were inversely correlated, with the greatest supply corresponding to periods of high rainfall in winter and highest river flow. Although groundwater input is also the probable source of , seasonal seepage of rainwater‐saturated soils (shallow groundwater recharge) explains the input, while hyporheic exchange with a persistent deep aquifer best explains the CH4 input. Improved understanding of groundwater input and exchange dynamics in the Willamette River will clarify the influence of human activities on river biogeochemistry and help to better constrain the magnitude of CH4 and other greenhouse gas fluxes associated with inland waters.
Calcium regulation of senescence in rose petals

Rose plants grown at high relative humidity (RH) produce flowers with a shorter vase life than those grown at low RH. The calcium content of the former is lower than that of the latter. The present study was conducted to examine the possible involvement of calcium in the regulation of rose flower senescence. In whole cut flowers and in detached petals of cvs Mercedes and Baroness, CaCl 2 treatment promoted bud-opening and delayed senescence. The treated flowers stayed turgid and continued their initial postharvest growth for longer periods of time. The membrane protein content in detached petals decreased with time, in parallel to the decline in membrane phospholipids (PLs). Calcium treatment delayed the decrease in both membrane proteins and PL and increased ATPase activity in the aging petals. Electrolyte leakage, which is a reliable indicator of petal-membrane senescence, was postponed in calcium-treated flowers. Calcium treatments also suppressed ethylene production with age. We suggest that the calcium-induced delay in rose petal senescence involves the protection of membrane proteins and PLs from degradation, thus preserving the integrity of the membranes, reducing ethylene production, and hence maintaining solute transport and tissue vitality.
Long-term variation in Scots pine seed crop size and quality in northern Finland

Abstract Quantitatively and qualitatively good Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seed years are rare in northern areas because of the short growing seasons. The seed crop size was studied in four natural pine forests in northern Finland during 1960–2004. Data on seed crop quality were collected during 1986–2004 and quality was determined by X-ray radiography. The long-term average annual seed crop of pine was 77 seeds m−2, varying from 5 to 225 seeds m−2. The expected average annual germination percentage of the seed crop was 61%, varying from 7 to 81%. General linear models were used to analyse the size and quality of the seed crop. Independent variables explained 52% of the variation in annual seed crop quality, and no proper model was found for determining the size of the seed crop; the coefficient of determination was only 5%. A combination of more than 100 seeds m−2 and an expected germination percentage of over 50% was observed once during the years 1986–2004. In most years, natural regeneration in northern Finland is difficult and often limited by the seed crop's quality as well as quantity. These results confirm the importance of seed tree cutting in abundant seed crop years to enable the natural regeneration of pine.