Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two new species of Plagiostachys (Zingiberaceae) from Borneo

Naming of specimens of Zingiberaceae for the Brunei Checklist (Coode et al. 1996) has revealed two new species of Plagiostachys Ridl. Two new species of Boesenbergia were recently described from the same region (Cowley 1998). One species, P parva, has so far only been collected in an area in the Temburong district of Brunei Darussalam near the eastern border with Sabah, and at the same altitude around Poring Springs east of Mt Kinabalu, in Sabah. It has, however, been seen in various places in that country (J. Mood, pers. comm.). The other species, P breviramosa, is quite widely distributed within Borneo. There are collections from Kalimantan, Sabah and Brunei. Smith (1985) lists no fewer than three imperfectly known species with mucilaginous inflorescences, and a "sp. nov.? " which 'does not appear to be mucilaginous' (Smith). Neither of the two new species described here appears to belong to the mucilaginous group (Smith's Group I) or to the species represented by Burtt 8137 at E which Smith cited as a possible new species. It must be mentioned, however, that if the data accompanying the collections do not mention the presence of mucilage, it is not always discernible when the plants are dried, even if the bracteoles have decayed. In P breviramosa the bracteoles decay but are dry, not coalesced as seen in herbarium specimens of P crocydocalyx (K. Schum.) B. L. Burtt & R. M. Sm. , a mucilaginous species. For both the species here described, only very limited flowering material is available and therefore the floral measurements are minimal. It was thought important to publish names for these species, even with limited information, as both species have been seen and recognised by people working in the field. It is hoped that this publication will bring the taxa to the attention of field workers and lead to the collection of more flowering material. It is not always easy to collect and transport spirit material, but it cannot be said too often that in families such as Zingiberaceae, spirit material is essential for their study as the flowers are delicate and their structure is lost on drying and pressing. Smith (1985) mentions how difficult it is to study Plagiostachys from herbarium specimens without accompanying spirit material, mainly
Subfamilial Classification of Labiatae

A subfamilial level classification of Labiatae, originally proposed by G. Erdtman on the basis of pollen features, has received substantial corroboration in the European literature but remains little known in North America. In subfam. Lamioideae, pollen is usually tricolpate and shed in a two-celled stage; in subfam. Nepetoideae (Dumortier) Luerssen, it is usually hexacolpate and shed in a three-celled stage. The number of pollen cells and colpi are reported here for 108 genera of Labiatae, including 93 for which one or both had not previously been reported. The established relationship between number of colpi and pollen cells is consistent in 95% of the labiate genera for which data are available. In the remaining genera, one pollen character is constant while the other varies; in no genus is the pollen consistently tricolpate and three-celled when shed or consistently hexacolpate and two-celled. Other characters whose variation patterns closely parallel the pollen characters include occurrence of endosperm, embryo shape, cotyledon shape, volatile terpenoid content, occurrence of rosmarinic acid, occurrence of iridoid glycosides, degree of un- saturation of fatty acids in the seed oils, and myxospermy. Erdtman's subfamilies appear to be the primary phenetic groupings of the Labiatae, but only subfam. Nepetoideae can be shown to be monophyletic on the basis of synapomorphies. Briquet's (1895-1897) widely used classification is highly incongruent with Erdtman's, and it is recommended that the former be abandoned. A tabulation is provided of the component genera of each of Erdtman's subfamilies, along with the character state data upon which subfamilial assignments were based.
Cocaine and Cinnamoylcocaine Content of Erythroxylum Species

The dried leaves of 31 species and two varieties of the genus Erythroxylum were quantitatively analysed for cocaine and both cisand trans-cinnamoylocaine, using a stable-isotope dilution method and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry selected-ion monitoring. Both cocaine and cinnamoylcocaine were detected in all four varieties of cultivated coca ( E . coca var. coca, E. coca var. ipadu, E. novogranatense var. novogranatense and E. novogranatense var. truxillense). Cinnamoylcocaines (cis and trans) were found in much higher concentrations in both varieties of E. novogranatense than in either variety of E. coca. Amazonian coca ( E . coca var. ipadu) contained consistently lower cocaine levels than the montane variety ( E . coca var. coca). Twenty-nine wild species of Erythroxylum , selected to represent morphological, ecological and taxonomie diversity, were analysed for the same alkaloids; cocaine was detected in 13 neotropical species, representing five sections of the genus. No cocaine was detected in the Old World species. Two wild species from Venezuela, E. recurrens and E. steyermarkiU contained cocaine levels comparable to those found in the commercially cultivated species. Key words'. Erythroxylaceae, Erythroxylum , coca, cocaine, cinnamoylcocaine, alkaloids, chemotaxonomy.
Species richness, species rarity and conservation evaluation of rich-fen vegetation in lowland England and Wales

(1) The botanical resource of rich-fen sites in England and Wales is analysed, based on a survey between 1972-85 of most known sites. The 464 plant species recorded in the survey are segregated into those (153) for which fens are a major habitat (principal fen species), those (203) that are as well or better represented in other habitats as in fens (affiliated species) and those (108) essentially atypical of fens (accidental species). (2) The occurrence of principal fen species of low frequency (occurring in < 5% of samples) (i.e. rare species) is analysed from 2900 quadrats from herbaceous and wooded fen vegetation. Many rare species occur mainly in just a few distinctive herbaceous vegetation types of low crop mass. Most do not occur at all in fen carr. (3) Variation in species richness (number of species 100 m-2) in 2100 samples of herbaceous fen vegetation is analysed. Very species-rich stands are infrequent and referable to just a few vegetation types. These are the ones that also contain most rare species. (4) Individual fen plant species (principal and affiliated species) occupy a discrete range of vegetation species-richness (the 'associated-richness') in herbaceous fen vegetation samples. Those species which show only small variation in the associated-richness values (interquartile range <50% median associated-richness value) are 'richness indicator species' and their occurrence can be used to predict the species-richness of herbaceous fen vegetation. (5) Regressions of total number of species and number of common species against number of rare species within vegetation samples both show a strong (P < 0 0001) positive relationship. The proportion of rare species within the vegetation also increases with increasing species richness. (6) The present infrequency of species-rich vegetation (and its associated rare species) in undrained fens is probably mainly due to increase in vegetation crop mass at many sites, caused by the abandonment of traditional management regimes perhaps exacerbated by increased net productivity caused by fertilizer run-off from the catchments. (7) A few rare species are most characteristic of comparatively species-poor vegetation of fairly high crop-mass. The reasons for their current rarity are not known. (8) The data on species-richness and rarity provide a basis for conservation priorities in rich-fens. Four possible indices, based on richness and rarity, for the evaluation of fen sites for conservation are proposed and fifteen sites are evaluated using these.
Toward Good Read-Across Practice (GRAP) guidance SUPPL

1 http://dx.doi. org/10.14573/altex.1601251s This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is appropriately cited. Ball et al.: t4 report Toward Good Read-Across Practice (GRAP) Guidance Supplementary Data
Characterization of Forest Structure and an Assessment of Litter Production, Accumulation and Litter-asscociated Invertebrates in Two Naturally Occuring Rhizophora mucronata Stands in Mauritius (Indian Ocean)

Many studies have cited mangroves as being among the most productive ecosystems of the world in terms of gross primary productivity and litter turnover, which forms a major food source for most estuarine animals. The present study aimed at characterizing the forest structure and assessing litter production, accumulation and litter-associated invertebrates at two naturally occurring Rhizophora mucronata stands in Mauritius, namely Macondé and Bambous Virieux, found respectively in the south-western and south-eastern part of the island. Comparatively with Bambous Virieux, Macondé has a taller and denser population of Rhizophora mucronata trees with heights ranging from 4.8 to 9.0 m and a stand density of 14622 trees per/ha. Litter fall rates at Macondé averaged at 4.63 g DW m -2 day -1 and 4.74 g DW m -2 day -1 at Bambous Virieux. Peak litter fall rates occurred at the beginning of March coinciding with strong windy period. At both sites, leaves were the most important contributors in the total litter fall: 54.2% and 42.7% at Macondé and Bambous Virieux respectively. There was a positive correlation between litter fall rate and wind speed. No site difference was found in litter production and accumulation, but there was a significant difference in litter fall rates among samplings. At Macondé, litter accumulated at an average of 780.48 g m -2 and 649.0 g m -2 at Bambous Virieux; the turnover rates of leaf litter were 0.12 g DW m -2 day -1 and 0.14 g DW m -2 day -1 respectively. Litter fall and turnover rates at the two sites are discussed in relation to the structural Characterization of Forest Structure and an Assessment of Litter Production, Accumulation and Litter-associated Invertebrates in Two Naturally Occurring Rhizophora mucronata Stands in Mauritius (Indian Ocean) 245 characteristics of the mangrove stands and to the hydrology and meteorology of the sites. The study also showed that litter forms a microhabitat to a rich diversity of species; litter-associated invertebrates comprised mainly of three Phyla: Arthropoda, Mollusca and Annelida.
Shifting the Paradigm in HIV Prevention and Treatment Service Delivery Toward Differentiated Care for Youth

Despite significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the United States, HIV prevention and treatment disparities among key populations remain a national public health concern. While new HIV diagnoses are increasing among people under age 30—in particular among racial, ethnic, and sexual minority adolescents and young adults (AYA)—dominant prevention and treatment paradigms too often inadequately consider the unique HIV service needs of AYA. To address this gap, we characterize persistent and largely overlooked AYA disparities across the HIV prevention and treatment continuum, identify AYA-specific limitations in extant resources for improving HIV service delivery in the United States, and propose a novel AYA-centered differentiated care framework adapted to the unique ecological and developmental factors shaping engagement, adherence, and retention in HIV services among AYA. Shifting the paradigm for AYA to differentiated HIV care is a promising approach that warrants implementation and evaluation as part of reinforced national efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030.
Bordetella Adenylate Cyclase Toxin Can Bind Ganglioside GM1

Adenylate cyclase toxin (CyaA) is produced by Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough. CyaA specifically binds to the heavily Nglycosylated β2 integrin receptor CD11b/CD18 on its main cellular target myeloid phagocytic cells. However, CyaA can also interact with and intercalate into cell membranes lacking CD11b/CD18, where saccharides may play a propagating role in membrane binding. The present study was undertaken to examine whether CyaA can bind to ganglioside GM1 (GM1), a membrane raft associated oligosaccharidebearing lipid. For this sake, the potency of highly selective GM1 ligand cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) to block CyaA binding in GM1-positive CD11b/ CD18-negative human erythrocytes and K562 cells was studied by flow cytometry. Pre-treatment of erythrocytes and K562 cells with CTB markedly (29% and 28%, respectively) decreased their binding of CyaA, indicating that CyaA can bind to GM1, apparently by recognizing terminal galactose and sialic acid residues in GM1.
Marker-assisted Selection and Application of Blast Resistant Gene Pib in Rice

Objective In order to explore the feasibility of utilization of molecular markers of rice blast resistance gene Pib in marker-assisted selection,resistance identifications of Pib gene were performed with 36 rice blast fungus strains collected in Sichuan. A set of dominant molecular markers of blast resistance gene Pib was established by dominant marker Lys145 of the susceptible alleles Pib gene,coupled with the dominant marker Pibdom as of previously reported. Method The dominant molecular markers of the rice blast resistance gene Pib were used to identify the presence of Pib gene in 122 hybrid parents and breeding materials. ResultPathogenicity assays with the single race inoculation of rice blast fungus strains 05-12 (ZB13) and 05-30 (ZC15) indicated that only 7 of the 122 hybrid parents and materials contained the resistance gene,which also showed resistance to the both strains of rice blast fungus. In addition,a pair of dominant markers Pibdom and Lys145 was used to screen the 600 F2 individuals at the early stage. 185 of 600 F2 plants containing homozygous Pib gene were isolated. At the same time,the rice blast resistances in the field were investigated. Conclusion The results demonstrated that the presences of resistant gene were consistent the resistance in the field test. Therefore,the set of dominant markers could be used in marker-assisted selection of the rice blast resistance gene Pib.
Interspecific interactions in nesting and feeding urban sites among introduced Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) and syntopic bird species

Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is a successful invader of many European urbanised habitats. Here, we report evidence of interspecific interactions between this species and some synanthropic co-occurring birds in three urban parks of Rome (central Italy). In both nesting and feeding sites, we recorded 158 interactions with seven syntopic species in eight colonial focal nests (0.74 events/hr). The number and frequency of interactions significantly differ among nests and species, the Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae) being the most interactive species. For this species, the frequency of interactions was normally distributed between different months with a peak in June. We also observed a case of nest cohabitation, as well as predatory attacks carried out by Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix). As far as foraging sites are concerned, 11 out of 74 clusters of parakeets (15%) hosted four bird species, mainly Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, but we did not observe any interactions. Although Monk Parakeet is a social bird generally tolerant towards other species near their nests and in foraging areas, we observed interspecific interactions in nesting sites as a response to competitive or predatory mechanisms. Italian Sparrows interact because they use parakeet nests as a secondary structure for nesting (cohabitation) and, probably, because of the wide availability of food resources (invertebrates) useful for juvenile recruitment. The interaction of parakeets with Hooded Crow is a response to predatory attacks on eggs or juveniles. However, interspecific interactions seem to be occasional events in nesting sites and are apparently absent in feeding sites, where competitive behaviour is probably reduced due to high availability of plant resources. In urbanised areas, where Monk Parakeets have recently been introduced, the number of competitors and predators might be very reduced (both in number of events and species) in comparison to native areas where competition and predatory mechanisms reflect long-term co-evolutionary dynamics.
Expression of two endo-1,4-β-glucanase genes during fruit ripening and softening of two pear varieties.

Endo-1,4-β-glucanase (EG) is involved in the metabolism of plant cell wall, and plays important roles in the growth and development of plants. EG is closely associated with cell elongation, fruit ripening, and tissue abscission. Here, two EG genes were cloned from Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. cv. Chili, and their expression patterns were analyzed in fruit of Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. cv. Chili and fruit of Pyrus pyrifolia Rehd. cv. Whangkeumbae. The two pear varieties showed different softening behaviors, ‘Chili’ maintained a stable firmness during the storage time, while the firmness of ‘Whangkeumbae’ decreased during the storage. The functions of two EG genes were discussed in the ripening and softening processes. During the 0°C storage period of ‘Chili’ pears, PbEG3 and PbEG4 expression levels both showed a downward trend. The expression levels of both the genes were high during the early harvest period (0 days), and declined rapidly thereafter. Treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) inhibited PbEG3 expression, but had no significant effect on PbEG4. During the 0°C storage period of ‘Whangkeumbae’ pears, the expression of PbEG3 first increased, peaked at the 60 th day of storage, declining gradually thereafter until 120 d of storage. In contrast, PbEG4 gene expression displayed decreasing trend at first and increased thereafter. The different expression patterns of the PbEG3 and PbEG4 genes in ‘Chili’ pears and ‘Whangkeumbae’ pears showed that PbEG3 might be involved in ripening and softening, and the expression of the two genes are different in different cultivars.
HORMONAL AND NUTRITIONAL REGULATION OF MOLTING, METAMORPHOSIS, AND REPRODUCTION IN BED BUGS, Cimex lectularius

OF DISSERTATION HORMONAL AND NUTRITIONAL REGULATION OF MOLTING, METAMORPHOSIS, AND REPRODUCTION IN BED BUGS, Cimex lectularius The bed bug, Cimex lectularius is an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite that feeds on humans. The increase in travel and development of insecticide resistance to commercially available insecticides have enabled the bed bug population to resurge, causing economical and psychological trauma to the human population. Lack of knowledge about the basic molecular biology of bed bugs has motivated us to study the key aspects of molting, metamorphosis, and reproduction. A blood meal triggers expression of various genes that enable bed bugs to molt or undergo metamorphosis. Molting and metamorphosis in bed bugs are regulated by two key hormones: 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH). JH induces expression of Krüppel homologue 1 (Kr-h1) gene. Higher expression of Kr-h1 in the penultimate nymphal instar represses ecdysone inducible gene E93 and the development of adult characteristics in the insect. E93 is expressed during the last instar stage in the absence of Kr-h1. E93 promotes the development of adult structures and metamorphosis to the adult stage. Studies on reproduction have also shown that blood meal and mating are essential for vitellogenin gene expression and oocyte maturation in bed bugs. JH and 20E regulate reproduction in bed bugs. Detailed studies on the involvement of juvenile hormone in reproduction using the next generation sequencing technology identified genes that regulate reproduction in bed bugs. V-Maf, avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (MafB), forkhead box protein (Foxl2) and heparanase were found to play key roles in regulation of reproduction. The role of ABC transporters was also studied using RNA interference. ABC transporters (ATP-binding cassette) are involved in active transport of various molecules including steroid hormones, cuticle lipids, and other molecules. ABC transporters were also shown to be involved regulation of reproduction, molting and metamorphosis in bed bugs. This study lays a foundation for future research aimed at the development of novel methods for controlling bed bugs.
REGULATION IN GAS EXCHANGE AND QUANTUM YIELD OF PHOTOSYSTEM II (PSII) IN SALT-STRESSED AND NON-STRESSED WHEAT PLANTS RAISED FROM SEED TREATED WITH TRIACONTANOL

To assess the effect of exogenous application of triacontanol (TRIA) as a presowing seed treatment on wheat under saline conditions, a greenhouse experiment was performed. Seeds of two wheat cultivars, MH-97 (moderately salt sensitive) and S-24 (salt tolerant) were primed with TRIA for 12 h. Plants raised from TRIA-treated seeds were grown in full strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution for 24 days under non-saline conditions, after which time, they were subjected to 0 (control) or 150 mM NaCl. After 21 days of salt application, data for different growth, plant pigments and gas exchange characteristics were recorded. Salt stress of the root growing medium markedly decreased shoot and root fresh biomass, net CO2 assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate (E), while no significant effect of salinity was observed on chlorophyll pigments (a, b and a/b ratio), quantum yield of PSII, substomatal CO2 concentration and water use efficiency (A/E). Exogenous application of TRIA as seed priming did not ameliorate the inauspicious effects of salt stress effectively, although it slightly increased photosynthetic rate in both wheat cultivars, transpiration rate in MH-97 and water use efficiency in S-24 under saline conditions.
Mutagenic effects of colchicines on Vitis davidii Foex

Taking the diploid Vitis dabidii as materials,using different concentrations of colchicines,with immersion of colchicine concentration on axillary bud and injection of colchicine concentration on axillary bud,variation in leaves and branches was observed,leaves stoma,pollen,chlorophyll were measured and chromosome of V.dabidii were tested.The results showed that the mutagenic effects of colchicines on V.davidii were remarkable,0.3% colchicines brought the most significant effects,its respective inducement ratio was 33.3%. The mutated branches had thicker leaf(26.7%-32.0%),the stomata density of the leaf had become low,the size of defensive cell increased,and the pollen size increased by 38.4%. The branch segment became shorter.There has been an appreciable increase in chlorophyll,the chorosome number of mutated planllets was 2n=4x=76,and some mixoploids were obtained.