Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RESPONSE OF CALCAREOUS GRASSLAND PLANT SPECIES TO DIFFUSE COMPETITION : RESULTS FROM A REMOVAL EXPERIMENT

1 A removal experiment was carried out in a species-rich limestone grassland in Derbyshire, England. Biodegradable herbicide was used to create eight sizes of gap around in situ ramets of five co-occurring plant species: Briza media, Carex caryophyllea, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata and Sanguisorba minor. 2 For all species, plants in larger gaps had more leaves than control plants, although there was an associated decrease in mean leaf length. This morphological response was probably due to changes in light quality. 3 Total leaf length of the target plants remained similar between treatments despite changes in leaf morphology. Flower production was also unresponsive to gap size. The biomass of the three smallest species increased with increasing gap size, largely due to higher specific shoot weight. 4 Both the importance and intensity of competition (measured, respectively, as the variation explained and slope in regressions of above-ground biomass against gap size) were greatest for the three smallest species; the biomass of both Plantago and Sanguisorba was unaffected by diffuse competition over the range of gap sizes studied. 5 Morphological plant characteristics (leaf number and mean leaf length) were more sensitive to gap size than the traits more closely related to fitness (biomass, flowering and total leaf length) and as such may be buffering changes at this higher level.
Status of fish community in East China Sea using the method of abundance-biomass comparison (ABC) curve

Abundance-biomass comparison curve and biomass spectra methods were applied to analyze the data collected from fisheries-independent bottom trawl surveys of four seasons from 1997 to 2000 along the continental shelf (30-200 m in depth) of the East China Sea (ECS). Based on the analysis,the status of fish community in the East China Sea was evaluated. There were 350 fish species,belonging to 239 genera,121 families and 29 orders collected during the surveys. According to the fish abundance rank,57 fish accounted for 99% of the total abundance of all fish. Thereinto the average body weight of 48 fish,which accounted for 84.2% abundance and 82.5% biomass of 57 fish,were lower than 50 g. Otherwise the average body weight of 6 species of fish were between 50-100 g,and the average body weight of 3 species of fish was over 100 g. The dominant species included Japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicas),glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum),Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicas),skinnycheek lanternfish (Benthosema pterotum),gaper (Champsodon capensis) and largehead hairtail (Trichiurus japonicas). The k-dominance curves of abundance were above either the biomass curve (in spring,summer and winter),or the curves intersected (in winter). The W-statistic values were between -0.035 and -0.077 in four seasons. The present fish community in ECS was disturbed based on the theory of Warwick (1986). Furthermore the slopes of normalized biomass spectra were lower than -1,and the biomass size spectra were characterized by a comparatively large biomass of small species. Although the status of fish community presented a better change in some seasons,the proportions of middle and small-sized fish were still high in species composition. Most of the dominant species (such as Japanese anchovy,glowbelly and skinnycheek lanternfish) were in small size with a relatively high proportion of abundance and biomass in all seasons. And some species(such as largehead hairtail,small yellow croaker and Japanese jack mackerel) whose abundance,biomass and average body weight varied in different seasons because the growth and recruitment of juveniles were also included. The larger-sized fish,such as Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius),wart perch (Psenopsis anomala) and yellow-fin filefish (Thamnaconus septentrionalis),whose biomass were more lower than that of the smaller-sized fish were dominant only in certain seasons.
Valuing the Impacts of An Invasive Biological Control Agent: A Choice Experiment on the Asian Ladybird in France

Initially used as a biological control against aphids, the Asian ladybird has become highly invasive in many regions, including Europe. While biological control is usually considered as an environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides in controlling pests in crops, there is growing concern that these environmental benefits could be outweighed by the negative consequences of the invasion. These include (i) biodiversity losses as populations of native ladybirds suffer from intraguild predation and competition for resources; (ii) human nuisance in houses, including risks of allergy and (iii) potential losses to wine-growers. We provide an economic valuation of environmental and private characteristics affected by the Asian ladybird's invasion. We conduct a discrete choice experiment among a representative sample of the French population. Our results show that the consequences of the Asian ladybird's introduction do affect significantly the population's welfare. Among these, the impact on biodiversity through the threat on native species appears to be a significant concern.
Development of the embryonic chick otic placode. II. Electron microscopic analysis

The otic placode takes its origin from surface ectoderm. Prior to the arrival of neural crest cells, surface epithelial cells adjacent to the neural folds are squamous in shape and synthesize primarily interstitial bodies. However, by 26 hours of development, neural crest cells, using the undersurface of the epithelium as a substratum, migrate away from the neural tube. Cells of surface epithelium above the neural crest cells assume a columnar shape, and the amount of intercellular space between adjacent epithelial cells is consequently reduced. Placode cells show extensive interdigitation apically as they pseudostratify and invaginate, while it appears that many of the basal cells contribute components to the underlying extracellular matrix. This extracellular matrix interface between surface epithelium and neural crest cells is distinctly fibrillar and less granular than that found between ordinary head ectoderm and primary mesenchymal cells. Just prior to complete invagination as an otocyst, otic placode cells in a region near the ventrolateral wall of the hindbrain extend cell processes through discontinuities in the basal lamina and leave the otocyst. These are likely to be the cells which contribute to the formation of the acoustico‐facialis ganglion. These observations support the hypothesis that the development of the otic placode is the result of a tissue interaction between surface epithelium and neural crest cells.
Polymorphism study of the mitochondrial DNA D-loop gene sequences from Sparus latus

580bp mitochondrial D-loop gene segments of Sparus latus caught in sea from Haikou (Hainan Province), Xiamen (Fujian Province), Zhuhai (Guangdong Province) were amplified with PCR technique and sequenced. The accession numbers are from AF549503 to AF549524 in GenBank. High genetic polymorphism in the three stocks was examined. It was found that 33 nucleotide sites (5.7%) were variable in mtDNA D-loop gene segments, and there were 22 haplotypes in 24 individuals. According to the sequences of mtDNA D-loop gene segments, the genetic distances of inter-and intrapopulafion of three stocks were calculated using twoparameter method of Kimura, M(1980). The genetic distances were 1.34 %, 1.34 % and 1.41% in individuals within stocks of Hainan, Fujian and Guangdong respectively, and 2.71% between Hainan and Fujian stocks, 2. 70% between Hainan and Guangdong stocks, 1.33% between Fujian and Guangdong stocks. Nucleofide diversity of sequences demonstrated that Hainan stock has a distant genetic relationship with Fujian stock and Guangdong stock, and the Fujian stock has a close relationship with Guangdong stock. In molecular phylogenetic tree constructed by UPGMA method, all the haplotypes of Hainan samples assembled one branch, while the haplotypes of Fujian and Guangdong samples intermixed together and assembled another branch. These results indicated that Hainan samples belong to a separate population, whereas the Fujian and Guangdong samples belong to an identical population. According to these data, we can deduce that gene exchange may exist widely between the stocks of Guangdong and Fujian. Base compositions of the mtDNA D-loop sequence were estimated by statistics programme of sofeware MEGA2.1. Significant differences of base comPositions were not observed among the samples of the three populations. The averages of the base A, T, C and G content were 34.1%, 31. 4 %, 20.3 % and 14.2 %, respectively. Therefore the total content of base A + T was obviously higher than that of base G + C. There was only one Site that base had been inserted or was absent. The amount of transition sites was more than that of transversion sites, which resemble other vertebrate.
Effects of livestock on occurrence of the Vulnerable red panda Ailurus fulgens in Rara National Park, Nepal

Abstract The Vulnerable red panda Ailurus fulgens is endemic to the Himalayas. Anthropogenic activities, including deforestation, have degraded the species’ habitat but the effects of livestock have not been examined. We assessed the effects of illegal livestock activity on the presence of the red panda in Rara National Park, Nepal. The probability of detecting red panda faecal pellets decreased with livestock occurrence but not with elevation or aspect. The presence of bamboo and proximity to water are important to red pandas but did not influence their habitat use at the spatial resolution evaluated. Livestock grazing in Rara National Park appears to adversely affect the presence of the red panda within its habitat. To reduce illegal livestock grazing we recommend enforcement of existing regulations, that training workshops be held for herders, and awareness-raising and dialogue with residents.
Alpova, a New Genus of Rhizopogonaceae, with Further Notes on Leucogaster and Arcangeliella

In the summer of 1930, Dr. Alfred H. Povah, of the Isle Royale Lake Superior Survey, made several collections of a very puzzling member of the Hymenogasteraceae (sensu latiore). This fungus, which has been referred to a new genus, is very curious in uniting the peridial characters of Hysterangium with the gleba of Leucogaster, the scattered basidia of Melanogaster, and the spores of Rhizopogon. This genus should be placed in the Rhizopogonaceae of the author. ' Before discussing the morphology of Alpova in detail it might be of interest to turn our attention to the main evolutionary tendencies which have been at work in the Gasteromycetes, a seemingly highly specialized group which has developed quite independently of the Hymenomycetes, although it must be admitted that some members bear a striking resemblance to the Agaricaceae. The writer prefers to regard this as a convergence phenomenon connected with spore dispersal rather than of phylogenetic significance. If one considers the gasteromycetous condition of certain Boletaceae, one is tempted to consider the Gasteromycetes the more primitive group and that perhaps the Agaricales have developed from them. As a working hypothesis, it seems probable that the following statements are true: 1. The primitive Gasteromycetes consisted of spherical or somewhat irregular fructifications with no differentiated sterile tissues and no stipe, the rhizomorphs on which the fruit-bodies were borne ending at the peridium. Gradually a cushion was formed at the point of attachment from which the larger tramal plates originated. This increased in size, penetrating farther into
Effects of endoparasitism by Encarsia bimaculata on the titers of juvenile hormones and 20-hydroxyecdysone in Bemisia tabaci nymphs

The juvenile hormones (JHs) and molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-E) from Bemisia tabaci nymphs and adults un-parasitized or parasitized by Encarsia bimaculata were measured with RP-HPLC. The results indicated that the parasitized older nymphs had significantly higher titer of JHs (P0.05) but significantly lower titer of 20-E (P0.05) than those un-parasitized older nymphs (CK), which had similar titers of JHs and 20-E with the un-parasitized younger nymphs. This suggested that E. bimaculata could modulate its host metamorphosis hormone level, and prolong the nymph stage of its host. JH titers between adults, ‘pupae' and CK, and 20-E titers between ‘pupae' and CK of B. tabaci, however, were not significantly different (P0.05).
Reply

We thank Dr Karim, MY for his interest in and kind comments on our study (1), in which we reported a low rate (i.e. 7 out of 700; 1%) of patients who required immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT) for recurrent infections despite treatment with prophylactic antibiotics and/or hypogammaglobulinemia during rituximab (RTX) therapy in our cohort. This rate was the lowest compared to other published cohorts, which predominantly comprised patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), ranging from 4-21% (2-4).
EFFECTS OF IMPLANTED RADIOTRANSMITTERS ON CAPTIVE MOURNING DOVES

Previous mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) telemetry studies using transmitter glue attachment have found the technique to be relatively short term (<10 weeks), and that transmitter harnesses possibly have deleterious effects on doves. To improve attachment methods, we developed and refined surgical techniques for implanting subcutaneous and intra-abdominal radiotransmitters with external whip antennas in mourning doves, and we determined physiological and pathological responses to the transmitter implants. We used a captive colony of 200 wild-trapped mourning doves to develop and test procedures for subcutaneous implants (SC1), subcutaneous surgeries without implants (SC2), intra-abdominal implants (IA1), intra-abdominal sur- geries without implants (IA2), and a control group without surgeries or implants (CNT); 20 males and 20 females were assigned to each experimental group. Surgeries for IA1 took less time (3.58 t 0.17 min; i? + SE; P < 0.001) than SC1 surgeries (4.36 ? 0.12 min). Heterophil:lymphocyte ratios showed that IA1 and IA2 doves had higher (P = 0.024) posttreatment changes compared with SC1, SC2, or CNT groups. At 4-6 days postsurgery, 153 of 160 (95.6%) doves with surgical treatments showed closed or healed surgical sites with no complications. At 14 days posttreatment, 34 (87%) SC1 implants were located in the thoracic inlet. Gross necropsy findings at 10 weeks postsurgery found that 36 of 39 (92%) SC1 and 36 of 39 (92%) IA1 implants showed little or no tissue response to the implants. Functioning transmitters began failing 2 weeks posttreat- ment, and 85% were not working at 10 weeks posttreatment. Our data suggest subcutaneous implants with external antennas were a better alternative compared to intra-abdominal implants with external antennas, but further testing is needed to compare subcutaneous implants to conventional attachment techniques.
Cloning and expression of organophosphate pesticide, chloropyrifos degrading opd gene of Kocuria sp.

An organophosphate (OP) pesticide is the most popular type of pesticide family, which effectively eliminates pests owing to its acute neurotoxicity. Organophosphorus hydrolase (oph) is a bacterial enzyme that is capable of degrading a wide range of neurotoxic OP pesticides. The present studies aimed at cloning the opd gene encoding Organophosphorus hydrolase of Kocuria species into the suitable vector opd pMAL-c2X and study its expression. The transformed colonies were screened by blue-white screening. The enzyme organophosphorus hydrolase was precipitated at 70% saturation with ammonium sulphate. The SDS-PAGE analysis showed that oph was 35 kDa which was expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α.
Carbohydrate-Processing Phosphorolytic Enzymes

糖質を加リン酸分解する酵素はその反応の可逆性を利用して基礎、応用両面から興味が持たれる酵素であるが、加水分解酵素、合成酵素に比べてその研究例は少ない。 しかしながら最近になり加リン酸分解酵素の高い立体特異性を生かした糖鎖合成への応用などから新規な加リン酸分解酵素の発見が報告されるようになった。 本稿では、これら加リン酸分解酵素の研究例を示すことにより、それらの特性および応用の可能性について概説する。
Activation of Initiator Caspases: History, Hypotheses, and Perspectives

Apoptosis is executed by a cascade of caspase activation. Activation of an effector caspase is mediated by specific initiator caspases through an intra-chain cleavage. Activation of an initiator caspase, such as caspase-9, relies on a specific adaptor protein complex, such as apoptosome. Although conclusive mechanisms by which the initiator caspases are activated remain elusive, important insights have emerged from recent investigations. The induced proximity model summarizes the general process of initiator caspase activation. The proximity-driven dimerization model describes how initiator caspases respond to induced proximity and offers an explanation for their activation. However caspases are activated, enhanced activity must be correlated with altered active site conformation. The induced conformation model posits that the activated conformation for the active site of a given initiator caspase is attained through direct interaction with the adaptor protein complex or through homo-oligomerization facilitated by the adaptor protein complex.
Elucidating the Function of a Pseudo-tRNA in Bacillus cereus

ii Acknowledgements . iv Vita . v List of Tables.xi List of Figures . xii List of Symbols and Abbreviations . xv Chapter 1: The various functions of tRNAs.1 1.1. Biosynthetic processes involving tRNAs. 2 1.1.1. Ribosomal protein synthesis.2 1.1.2. Amino acid biosynthesis . 3 1.1.3. Tetrapyrrol synthesis.6 1.1.4. Antibiotic synthesis.6 1.1.5. Peptidoglycan synthesis . 7 1.2. Cell membrane modification . 8 1.3. Protein degradation . 10 1.4. tRNA-like structures.11 1.5. Regulation of gene expression . 13 1.5. 1. Regulation of gene expression by codon usage.13
Record of Lamellibrachia sp. (Annelida: Siboglinidae: Vestimentifera) from a deep shipwreck in the western Mediterranean Sea (Italy)

The siboglinid tubeworm, Lamellibrachia sp. (Annelida: Vestimentifera) has recently been described and reported from various sites in the eastern basin and in a single site in the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea. Here we report a further record of Lamellibrachia sp. in the western Mediterranean, where these giant worms were sampled—by the grabbers of a working class ROV—from the shipwreck of the liner ‘Catania’, sunk in 1917 at 490 m depth off the coast of Cetraro (Calabria, southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). Twenty-seven entire tubes were collected ranging from 23 to 60 cm in length and from 0.6 to 13 mm in diameter. Clear annulations were present near the tube openings. Only two of the tubes contained specimens of Lamellibrachia, both lacking most of the posterior portion (including the opisthosoma); the obturaculum was 13 mm long in both specimens; three sheath lamellae and eight branchial lamellae occurred in one specimen, and six and 14 in the other. DNA analysis through COI sequencing suggests a close similarity with specimens collected in the eastern Mediterranean (GenBank EU046616) and belonging to a new species recently described. It needs still to be clarified which type of energy source the obligate symbiotic bacteria of these worms may use for nutrition, since no sulphur emissions can be documented on and around the shipwreck. The ‘Catania’ contained some wooden structures and was transporting cotton balls and oil seeds, so the symbiotic bacteria may rely on degradation of these materials. This record stresses the importance of shipwreck as a possible stepping stone habitat for the large scale dispersion of Vestimentifera.
Some observations on the biology of the Cassowary in Northern Queensland

The Cassowary Casuarius casuarius and its diet were studied in the Lacey's Creek- Clump Point area of northern Queensland. Birds are usually solitary and territorial, females apparently dominant over males. Males incubate and rear the chicks. Females may mate with more than one male during the year. Some agonistic and sexual displays are described. Development of chicks is briefly outlined. The birds take three years to develop full adult plumage. Cassowaries eat fruit of over sixty-seven species. The family Lauraceae is most important. The breeding season, June to October, corresponds wlth the time of maximum abundance of fruit in the forest.
Reply

To the Editor: I read with great interest the report by Torp-Pedersen et al on the impact of power and color Doppler settings for inflammatory flow on scoring of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (1). I agree with the authors’ comments on the differences in color Doppler sensitivity to blood flow among different machines, Doppler modalities, and ultrasound settings, and their findings provide good data support for evaluation of the sensitivity of different ultrasound apparati. However, the study conclusion is still a debatable issue, because some important influencing factors may have been overlooked. In Torp-Pedersen and colleagues’ study, 6 types of ultrasound machine with different frequency probes were used. Thus, an important factor should be considered, i.e., the effect of differences in frequency probe on blood flow display. In fact, higher-frequency transducers improve sensitivity to low blood flow (2–4). For clinical Doppler sonography, Rayleigh-Tyndall scattering governs the intensity of the backscattered echoes. If the Doppler frequency doubles (for example from 2 MHz to 4 MHz), signal intensity increases 16-fold (4,5). The greater number of signal results makes higherfrequency transducers more sensitive in scanning superficial flow. On the other hand, high-frequency transducers can yield greater frequency shifts, which obviously increase sensitivity to low flow. Because power Doppler has a better signal-to-noise ratio, its most important benefit is improved flow sensitivity. Power Doppler is most useful in clinical musculoskeletal ultrasound, where optimal sensitivity is required, or when a more robust flow image is desired. With specific reference to rheumatology, use of a higher-frequency probe with power Doppler usually results in increased Doppler signals from the joints of patients with inflammatory arthritis. Indeed, my colleagues and I have also noticed that color Doppler may appear more sensitive than power Doppler in detecting low blood signals. Nevertheless, Torp-Pedersen and colleagues’ statement that “It is a misconception that power Doppler is inherently more sensitive than color Doppler” cannot be confirmed from their reported results. In the study they describe, the differences in sensitivity resulted from the use of different frequency probes. Another important factor may have been the manufacturing quality of the different machines; the use of advanced technology in the manufacture of clinical color Doppler systems is needed in order for them to perform at an excellent level.
Tree species and position matter: the role of pests for survival of other insects

We investigated insects overwintering in Norway spruce and Scots pine killed by cambium‐feeding beetles. The study was conducted in five large forests in north‐eastern Poland. Insects were reared from wood samples cut from the upper and lower parts of trees growing in both shaded and sun‐exposed conditions. We found that the species richness of overwintering insects on killed trees was mainly driven by the position in the lower trunk strata rather than in crowns or along a sun–shade gradient. Even though pine and spruce shared almost the same species composition, spruce hosted a significantly higher number of species, including beneficial ones. These results support the hypothesis that disturbance regimes change the spatial distribution of biodiversity, which is higher in low strata, as is known for abiotic disturbances that change the environment of the forest. One of the most important messages emerging from the present study is that pest beetle disturbance during non‐outbreak periods creates habitats that are necessary for the survival of myriads of other insects. Thus, maintaining parts of the trees that were killed by bark and wood‐boring beetles, especially high stumps, would help to support biodiversity in managed forests.