Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological Study of Sieve Efficiencies and Mandibular Surfaces in the Antarctic Krill, Euphausia superba

The filtering basket of Euphausia superba is a complex comb filter with a wide range of mesh intervals. Intersetal distances range from approximately 15–95 μm between primary setae to 4–18 μm between secondary setae (setules). Microsetules with spacing of 1–2 μm thicken boundary layers surrounding secondary setae. Reynolds numbers for setules and microsetules, ranging from 0.006 to 0.95, limit the feeding modes available to E. superba for suspension feeding. Relative efficiency of particle capture, estimated from intersetule mesh size and grazing experiments with small phytoplankton (< 30 μm), show an asymptotic efficiency for particles 12–28 μm. Setule frequency distribution conservatively characterizes particle size selection for these small particles. The fine structure of the mandibular pars molaris varies between krill species and shows specialized surfaces that can split diatom chains, cut or fracture hard tests, and grind particles smaller than 10 μm.
TÜRKİYEDEKİ KALKINMA BANKALARININ SERMAYE YETERLİLİK RASYOLARININ MARKOV ZİNCİRLERİ YÖNTEMİ İLE TAHMİN EDİLMESİ

Capital adequacy ratio (CAR)is used as one of the most important indicator for the risk measurement of the banks. In addition, according to the Banking Regulation Law No:5411 and related Bylaws, CAR under %8 is the only financial reason to hold the control of the banks by Banking Regulator and Supervisory Agency (BRSA). Because of that; in order to have an efficient management, it is unavoidable for the banks to estimate their CAR for the financial planning and developing of the investment strategies considering the risk capacity. Moreover for the regulatory body, it is essential to estimate banks CAR for more effective control and directing the system. In this study, for 14Investment and Development Banks which is one of the local sub bank classes defined by BRSA (Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Agency) and also one of the most important component of the banking sector, by using the 2011 January2014 September CAR values, the Markov Chains are constructed. After then the transition matrix are obtained, and next period estimations are added to analysis.As a result of the analysis, it was estimated that the CAR for the development and Investment Banks in Turkey will decrease and reach the level around the of the Turkish Banking Sectors today value.
The Role of Mycorrhizae Associated with Vetiver Grown in Pb‐/Zn‐Contaminated Soils: Greenhouse Study

The effects of mycorrhizae on growth and uptake of N, P, Zn, and Pb by plants were investigated in a greenhouse trial using vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) as host. Inoculation of the host plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Glomus mosseae and G. intraradices spores, significantly increased the growth and P uptake. Mycorrhizal colonization increased Pb and Zn uptake by plants under low soil metal concentrations (at 0 and 10 mg/kg of Pb or Zn), whereas under higher concentrations (at 100 and 1,000 mg/kg of Pb or Zn), it decreased Pb and Zn uptake. P concentration in soil was negatively correlated with mycorrhizal colonization as well as Zn or Pb concentrations. The results showed that inoculation of the host plants with AMF protects them from the potential toxicity caused by increased uptake of Pb and Zn, but the degree of protection varied according to the fungus and host plant combination. The potential of arbuscular mycorrhizae in phytoremediation of the Zn‐ or the Pb‐contaminated soils is discussed in this article.
An Assessment of Leporid Research and Landscape Ecology Metrics in a European Landscape

Abstract Leporids play a dynamic role in the ecosystem and assessments must be undertaken in order to improve research efforts and methods. Landscape ecology metrics are used to quantify components of leporid habitat such as vegetation structure, vegetation cover, habitat type, and fragmentation; however, the degree to which the metrics are utilized in leporid research is relatively unknown. This paper assessed fifty-three published, peer reviewed papers on leporids from various European countries on where the study was done, the species of leporid that was studied, the content of the study (i.e. what the paper focused on), the length of the study, the size of the study area, and the method of study. The quantified landscape metrics within these papers were assessed. This study found that most of the studies occurred in Spain, the European rabbit and European hare were the most studied leporids, many papers were concerned with habitat relationships, many of the studies were conducted in a year or less, many papers utilized pellet surveys and trapping, and the most common landscape metric utilized was habitat type. This survey of research on leporids highlights that there is a lack of utilizing landscape structure and function metrics such as slope, fragmentation, and edge effect. These are important variables to help connect structure and function of ecological processes in the context of leporid habitat and landscapes. It is recommended that leporid researchers and landscape planners exchange research findings so that the best planning practices can occur on the ground for the leporids
Tissue distribution and excretion of radioactivity in rats dosed with sporidesmin-35S

Abstract Tissue distribution and excretion of radioactivity after a single intraperitoneal dose of spmidesmin-35S were investigated in male rats. Biliary excretion of the radioactivity was rapid; 69% of the radioactivity recovered in the faeces had been excreted in the bile within 6 hr of dosing. Biliary excretion accounted for 50 to 52% of the administered radioactivity, whereas urinary excretion accounted for only 4.1 to 4.5%. Speridesmin-35S was recovered in the faeces (22% of administered counts), and 36% and 12.5% of the radioactivity excreted in urine and faeces respectively were recovered in the form of precipitated glucuronide conjugates. The remainder of the excreted radioactivity was in the form of unidentified water-soluble substances or was bound to the faeces solids. Tissue distribution of sporidesmin-35S radioactivity was similar to that previously found in guinea-pigs and in accordance with the pattern of pathological disarrangement which follows sporidesmin intoxication. Highest levels wer.
Cordaixylon dumusum (Cordaitales). II. Reproductive Biology, Phenology, and Growth Ecology

A large number of specimens including ovulate cones, pollen cones, pollen, and ovules assignable to the Upper Pennsylvanian shrubby cordaitean Cordaixylon dumusum Rothwell and Warner are described from the type locality for the species. Most specimens are isolated in the matrix, but a few are attached to stems. Some of the ovules are attached to cones, and pollen is preserved in the pollen sacs of other cones. This material provides the first evidence of cone attachment, pollen cone structure, and pollen for C. dumusum, and adds significant new data for the interpretation of ovule ontogeny, phenology, pollination biology, and ecological tolerances of the species. Together with newly developed quantitative data about the frequency of organs and associations of plants in the coal-forming peat, these data provide a basis for interpreting the growth ecology of C. dumusum and for developing an understanding of its role in plant community dynamics and in successional ecology of the peat-forming swamp.
Milk Gel Structure. I. Application of Scanning Electron Microscopy to Milk and Other Food Gels

Abstract The structure of a variety of food gels was studied by scanning electron microscopy. By a stereoscopic technique, pictures of heat-induced, acid-heat, and renneted milk gels, whey gels, tofu, coagulated egg white, and gelatin gels were obtained. Because of the unique structure of gels, various modifications of fixation, mounting, and viewing were introduced. Heat-induced milk gels consisted of casein micelles linked together by short, thin fibers. Such fibers were not in acid-heat gels, which were composed of expanded protein particles closely attached to each other forming thick chains and networks. Renneted milk gels contained a high proportion of long fibers, and casein micelles were fused together. Whey gels contained particles of various sizes, and the occurrence of fiber-like material was low. Tofu and coagulated egg white had similar structures consisting of many corpuscular fibers. Warped sheets of protein were found in gelatin gels.
Tesauros Distribucionais para o Português: avaliação de metodologias

Nasultimas decadas, houve um crescente interesse em metodos para a construcao automatica de tesauros distribucionais a partir de corpora. Esforcos para a avaliacao e aprimoramento sistematicos dos recursos resultantes tem sido feitos para linguas como o ingl es e o frances, mas, para o portugues, ha ainda uma necessidade de tais iniciativas. Este artigo apresenta uma investigacao comparativa entre dois metodos para construcao de tesauros: baseados em contagens e preditivos, com foco no portugues. Para avaliacao, e proposto um teste similar ao TOEFL para o portugues, o Brazilian BabelNetbased Semantic Gold Standard (B2SG), que contem questoes automaticamente geradas a partir do BabelNet, com foco em substantivos e verbos.
CASE REPORT OF A PATIENT WITH RARE P.ARG136CYS (APOE2*) MUTATION IN APOLIPOPROTEIN E GENE

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a polymorphic glycoprotein associated with plasma lipoproteins and plays an essential role in the metabolism and clearance of plasma lipids. ApoE can represent the major genetic risk factor in development of premature atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and late-onset familial and sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). We present a case report of a 51-year old male with suspected AD. After the routine biochemical tests, we performed a Lipoprint System analysis for evaluation of lipoprotein changes and subsequently the molecular-genetic analysis (PCR-RFLP, sequence analysis) of APOE gene. Moderate changes were seen in plasma lipid parameters-an increase of triacylglycerols and a drop of High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL). Lipoprint System assay revealed a shift of lipoproteins to less dense fractions mainly to Very-Low-Density Lipoproteins (VLDL). The presence of a rare APOE mutation p.Arg136Cys has been detected in patient with severe short-term memory problems and symptoms of dementia. Our case report may open a discussion on possible linking of this rare genotype to neurological pathology and justifying the impact of apoE genotype on lipoprotein metabolism and AD.
Impact of grazing on chemical, physical and biological properties of soils in the mountain rangelands of Sahand, Iran

The objective of this study was to characterise the effect of grazing on soil physical, chemical and biological properties of a semi-steppe rangeland grazed by goats and sheep in the Sahand Mountains (Iran) in order to develop effective soil conservation measures and sustain livestock production. Grazing was classified as light, moderate and heavy according to the stocking rate and utilisation rate of the vegetation. Soil sampling was conducted at depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm for each grazing treatment. Soil physical and chemical properties were determined at both depths and soil microbial variables were evaluated at the surface layer. Increasing level of grazing significantly decreased all soil chemical properties at both depths except for pH and magnesium concentration. Increasing the level of grazing significantly decreased the soil moisture content and porosity at both soil depths. The highest values of microbial biomass carbon, total fungi and bacteria were observed on the light treatment. Grazing significantly affected soil properties unfavourably and reduced vegetation vigour and composition, jeopardising the sustainability of the ecosystem.
Interactions of virulent Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium wilt on resistant cowpea genotypes.

Two isolates of Meloidogyne incognita from separate field sites in central California were virulent to five cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes carrying resistance gene Rk and three other isolates were Rk avirulent in findings based on egg production in greenhouse experiments. Egg production and root galling at the two field sites with virulent populations and at one field site with an avirulent population confirmed the greenhouse results. The effects of nematodes on wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum and on cowpea yield were examined over 3 years at the two sites infested with virulent nematodes. Main plots in the split-plot experiments were treated with a nematicide or were not treated. Cowpea genotypes planted in subplots had combined nematode (gene Rk) and wilt resistance (genotypes CB46, 7964, and 8517), nematode resistance only (CB5), wilt resistance only (CB3), or no resistance (8679). Infection by M. incognita did not predispose wilt-resistant genotypes to wilt disease on the basis of cumulative incidence of plants with visible symptoms or midseason and late-season vascular discoloration ratings. On wilt-susceptible genotypes, wilt disease occurred in nematicide-treated plots and was exacerbated by nematode infection in nontreated plots regardless of the presence of Rk. The yield of wilt-resistant genotypes was suppressed an average of 17% as a result of nematode infection in nontreated plots compared with plots treated effectively with a nematicide. Wilt-susceptible genotypes had significantly lower yield than wilt-resistant genotypes in treated plots, and in nontreated plots yield of wilt-susceptible genotypes was suppressed an average of 37 to 65% because of the combined effects of nematode and wilt infections.
Interactions among nectar robbing, floral herbivory, and ant protection in Linaria vulgaris

Nectar robbers are often assumed to be plant antagonists; however, empirical data show that the impacts of these animals range from negative to positive depending on the system and ecological conditions. We experimentally evaluated the combined effects of nectar robbing and ant visitation on three indices of reproductive fitness in Linaria vulgaris in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, via indirect effects on flower- and seed-eating beetles (Brachypterolus pulicarius and Gymnaetron antirrhinni). Nectar robbing Bombus occidentalis leave holes in the nectar spurs, effectively creating “extra-floral nectaries” that attract ants. In a paired-plant experiment, ants were significantly more abundant on robbed than on unrobbed plants. Manipulation of ant access and nectar robbing showed that ant exclusion increased beetle attack and decreased female fitness. There was a significant ant-by-robbing interaction on flower damage. Patterns in the other two indices were suggestive of ant-by-robbing interactions, but these were not statistically significant. We also found correlations between spider occupancy on some plants and the mean number of ants (marginally negative) or beetles (significantly positive). Although the effect we report in this study may be highly dependent on spatial and temporal distributions of several interacting species, we discuss its potential role in mitigating the costs of floral parasitism, and its importance to the study of nectar robbing in general.
Genetic Structure and Morphological Differentiation of Three Western North American Dwarf Mistletoes (Arceuthobium: Viscaceae)

Abstract— Dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium spp., Viscaceae) are ecologically and economically important parasitic flowering plants. Despite detection of morphological and host specialization differences, ribosomal DNA and plastid sequence information have not resolved genetic differentiation among the dwarf mistletoes parasitizing white pines (Pinus subgenus Strobus) in the western U. S. A. We assessed the effectiveness of integrating amplified fragment length polymorphism and morphometric analyses in the delineation of three closely related and morphologically similar species of white pine dwarf mistletoes. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism data for 995 loci, we quantified intra- and inter-specific genetic variation, tested for geographic isolation-by-distance, and visualized genetic patterns using Bayesian-based structure analyses, neighbor-joining tree reconstruction, and principal coordinate analysis ordination. A total of 19 morphological characters were also analyzed using standard statistical methods and discriminant analysis. We found that 13% of the total genetic variation (p = 0.0001) was due to among-species differences, and species were distinguished by tree and ordination plots. Species also differed in estimates of genetic diversity and differentiation, and the degree of isolation-by-distance in genetic structuring. Amplified fragment length polymorphism and morphometric analyses both demonstrated that the dwarf mistletoes examined are well-differentiated genetically and morphologically, and therefore, should be considered distinct species.
Cathenamine, a central intermediate in the cell free biosynthesis of ajmalicine and related indole alkaloids

A compound, which accumulates when tryptamine (I) and secologanin (II) are incubated with an enzyme preparation from Catharanthus roseus cell suspension cultures, was identified as 20,21-didehydroajmalicine (cathenamine)(IVa), and was shown to be a central intermediate in the enzymatic production of ajmalicine (Va),19-epi-ajmalicine (Vb) and tetrahydroalstonine (Vc).
Impact of temperature on the breeding performance and selection patterns in lesser kestrels Falco naumanni

Adjusting breeding phenology to climate fluctuations can be problematic for migratory birds as they have to account for local environmental conditions on the breeding grounds while migrating from remote wintering areas. Predicting general responses to climate change is not straightforward, because these responses vary between migrant species due to the species-specific ecological drivers of breeding behaviour. Therefore more information is needed on species with different ecological requirements, including data on heritability of migration, factors driving phenological changes and how climate affects selection pressures. Here, we measure heritability in settlement dates and the effect of local climate at the breeding grounds on settlement dates, reproductive success and selection patterns in a French population of a trans-Saharan migratory insectivorous raptor, the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni, monitored and ringed since 1996. Heritability of settlement dates was low (0.07 ± 0.03), indicating a weak evolutionary potential. Nevertheless, plasticity in settlement dates in response to temperatures allowed earlier settlement when early spring was warmer than average. Reproductive success and selection patterns were strongly affected by temperature during settlement and chick rearing respectively. Warmer spring decreased selection for earlier settling and warmer early summer increased reproductive success. Interestingly, selection for earlier settling was more intense in cooler springs, contrasting with patterns from passerines lagging behind food peaks. Altogether, these results suggest a positive effect of warmer temperatures on breeding performances of lesser kestrels most likely because the French population is at the coolest boundary of the species European breeding range.
Bird–Vegetation Relationships in Southeastern British Columbia

Abstract To produce better habitat models, we analyzed a 1977 breeding bird data set with recently developed techniques. Our generalized linear models for specific bird species produced precise descriptions of bird–vegetation relationships, using visually obvious habitat features (e.g., grass, broad-leaved shrubs, and conifers of differing heights). This was, in general, confirmed by canonical correspondence analysis, which related the entire bird community to the vegetation across the successional stages. Nevertheless, our analyses produced some results that contradicted our expectations; ground-nesting species negatively associated with bunch grasses (species that grow in clumps within the Agropyron, Festuca, and Stipa genera), and cavity-nesting species negatively associated with stumps and snags. We speculate that those contrary relationships resulted from nest sites not being a limiting resource. We conclude that visually obvious vegetation features are sufficient to describe most breeding bird–habitat relationships. Further, appropriate landscape management for bird biodiversity requires that all successional stages are present.
Virulence phenotypes of Puccinia striiformis in Alberta from 2009–2011

Abstract One hundred and four isolates of Puccinia striiformis were obtained primarily from central Alberta during 2009–2011 from wheat, barley, foxtail barley and triticale. Isolates were identified as P. striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) or P. striiformis f. sp. hordei (Psh) based on virulence on differential seedlings. Twenty-five wheat differentials separated 67 Pst isolates into 12 pathotypes, with a single pathotype representing 48% of Pst isolates. Wheat differentials with resistance genes Yr5 and Yr15 were resistant to all 12 pathotypes, while wheat lines with genes Yr1, Yr10, Yr24, Yr28, YrTyee and YrSP were resistant to 80–98% of the isolates. The remainder of the wheat differentials were susceptible to all Pst isolates. Within the 37 Psh isolates, 12 pathotypes were detected based on 12 barley differentials, half of which were previously unreported in Alberta. The two most common Psh pathotypes combined accounted for 46% of the isolates. One half of the Psh isolates may be the result of hybridization between the two formae speciales since they exhibited virulence on a large number of wheat and triticale lines in addition to barley lines. Psh isolates with these virulence factors were more frequently recovered from six-row than two-row barley. For both formae speciales, there was no apparent association between pathotype and location, with pathotypes being widespread and recovered from multiple locations.
Adaptations to Aquatic, Arboreal, Fossorial and Cursorial Habits in Mammals. III. Fossorial Adaptations

THE purpose of the following article is to summarize a few of -the principal modifications in external shape and in the skeleton independently acquired by mammals in different orders which have become wholly or partially adapted to a life beneath the surface of the ground. The highest specialization in this clirection is found, as we should expect, in those forms which secure not only safety but also their food within the earth (c. g. the moles). Such forms are completely fossorial. On the other hand the procuring of food above ground and the use of the burrow merely as a safe place in which to live and rear young requires fewer fossorial modifications, and such forms may be called semi-fossorial, although, naturally, between fossorial and semi-fossorial no fixed line can be drawn. The following characters are best seen in the truly fossorial forms.