Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A modified form of diffraction tomography to image boundary structures

Wavefield extrapolation downward from the surface, as applied in migration and associated inversion methods, is a common procedure to image subsurface reflectors. These methods require adequate (i.e., extensive and unaliased) sampling of the surface wavefield. Seismic tomography on the other hand, relates parameters of the upward propagated wavefield to the diffracting image, and sampling requirements are less severe; it is usually the only option to image deep structures from sparse data. The ordinary form of ray tomography, however, imposes a severe smoothness constraint on the boundary; in particular the “tops” and “valleys” of a relatively rough structure are not well‐resolved. We have implemented a generalized form of tomography, which uses both the ray term and the diffraction term linearized in the boundary perturbation. We introduce a generalized reflection coefficient that can be linearized in terms of the (unknown) boundary gradient, and we demonstrate the adequacy of this approximation with the.
Influence of Mineral Elements on Wood Formation of Old Growth Spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.)

The influence of mineral element supply on wood formation of old growth spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) was investigated in relation to other exogenous factors, e.g. temperature, precipitation and suction force of the soil. At a 110 year-old spruce stand two plots (3300m each) were selected for studying wood formation, one fertilized in 1986 with 98 kg K, 59 kg Ca and 128 kg Mg, the other unfertilized äs control. Wood increment, biomass production and mineral element content were investigated for selected trees of each plot. In addition, nutrient elements in the cambial region of two trees of each plot were quantified in monthly intervals from May 1991 to March 1992. During the Vegetation per i öd s 1990 to 1992 the influence of mineral element supply on cambial activity and cell differentiation was analysed intraannually. The distribution of mineral elements in the cambial region was investigated also on a subcellular level by Energy-Dispersive-X-Ray analysis (TEM-EDX) parallel to the lignification process studied by UV-spectroscopy. In 1991 the biomass production of the fertilized trees was 30% higher than those of the controls. Higher K, Ca and Mg contents were registered in different tree fractions of the fertilized trees, whereas N
Limits to elevational distributions in two species of emberizine finches: disentangling the role of interspecific competition, autoecology, and geographic variation in the environment

When species’ elevational ranges are wider where putative competitors are absent, researchers have concluded that interspecific competition influences elevational distributions. This overlooks the distinction between factors that limit distributions directly and factors that only influence organisms indirectly through covarying regulators or resources. Because elevation affects organisms indirectly, testing whether competition influences elevational ranges relies on the heretofore untested assumption that the relationship between elevation and factors influencing organisms directly is similar across geography. Focusing on Buarremon brush-finches (Aves: Emberizidae), a group in which distributions represent one of the best examples of the potential role of competition limiting elevational ranges, we show that when distributions are compared along axes of climatic variation, some patterns of elevational range variation do appear to be consistent with predictions of the hypothesis that release from competition underlies expanded elevational ranges in allopatry. However, other patterns of expanded elevational ranges in the absence of putative competitors are better explained by hypothesis related to species’ autoecology and geographic variation in the environment. This latter finding cautions against using elevation uncritically as a dimension of ecological niches, and suggests that classical examples of interspecific competition may need re-evaluation.
Alterations of Steppe‐Like Grasslands in Eastern Europe: a Threat to Regional Biodiversity Hotspots

Abstract: Recent changes in agriculture (intensification or abandonment) have resulted in a critical reduction of steppe‐like grasslands in Eastern Europe. These grasslands harbor an extraordinarily high diversity of plants and invertebrates, including endemics, and are considered refugia for numerous threatened open‐land species. We examined species richness, and abundance, proportion of open‐land, endemic and threatened vascular plants, gastropods, and diurnal and nocturnal Lepidoptera in six different vegetation types all originating from steppe‐like grasslands in Transylvania, Romania. Vegetation types included extensively grazed pastures (initial stage), three seral stages of succession (early stage of abandoned grassland, abandoned grassland with shrubs, and mature forest), and two human‐made grassland alterations, namely abandoned vineyards and Pinus plantations. A total of 852 species (291 vascular plants, 24 gastropods, 129 diurnal and 408 nocturnal Lepidoptera) were found in the 22 study sites. The four taxonomic groups differed in their response to the abandonment of steppe‐like grassland, except that species richness of plants and diurnal Lepidoptera were positively correlated. The complementarity of species composition increased with successional age in all taxonomic groups examined. The number of characteristic open‐land species decreased with successional age in plants and gastropods. All investigated vegetation types harbored threatened (red‐listed) species. Endemic species were found in all vegetation types except mature forests and Pinus plantations. All Transylvanian endemics and the majority of threatened species found were open‐land species. Extensively cultivated vineyards, which have been abandoned for two to three decades, also maintained high plant and invertebrate diversities, comparable to those of the corresponding stages of grassland succession. In contrast, Pinus plantations (a recent grassland alteration) have changed habitat quality and will have a devastating effect on the unique, indigenous diversity of these steppe‐like grasslands as soon as the canopy closes. To prevent losses of characteristic species, we suggest a rotational grassland management program that maintains different seral stages. Succession to mature forest and additional Pinus plantations should be prevented.
A New Basal Archosauriform Diapsid from the Lower Triassic of Argentina

ABSTRACT The best-known South American Early Triassic archosauriform belongs to a putative proterosuchid briefly reported by José Bonaparte in 1981, collected from the Quebrada de los Fósiles Formation (Puesto Viejo Group, Argentina). This specimen consists of well-preserved natural external molds of a partial postcranium that preserve dorsal vertebrae, osteoderms, a dorsal rib, a possible gastralium, a chevron, a humerus, an ilium, two metapodials, and an ungual. We re-describe this specimen and identify autapomorphies that allow us to recognize Koilamasuchus gonzalezdiazi, gen. et sp. nov. The presence of an iliac blade with a slightly convex dorsal margin and with a maximum length more than 3 times its maximum height places Koilamasuchus within Archosauriformes. A cladistic analysis of basal Archosauriformes positions Koilamasuchus more crownwards than Proterosuchus, Sarmatosuchus, Fugusuchus, and Osmolskina, as the sister taxon of the clade that includes Erythrosuchidae and Archosauria. Proterosuchidae is found to be paraphyletic. The presence of an iliac preacetabular process, a pubic peduncle that forms an angle lower than 45° to the longitudinal axis of the ilium, and dorsal body osteoderms positions Koilamasuchus in Archosauriformes more crownwards than proterosuchids. Koilamasuchus is more basal than erythrosuchids within Archosauriformes because of the presence of dorsal ribs with a poorly developed proximal end. Koilamasuchus importantly increases the diversity of Archosauriformes during the biotic recovery following the Permo-Triassic mass extinction.
Protective Effects of Luteolin against Amyloid β25–35-induced Toxicity on Rat Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Abstract Aim To evaluate the effects of luteolin against amyloid beta-peptide 25–35 (Aβ 25–35 ) on rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs). Methods CMECs were isolated from Wistar rats at 3-week-old, and randomly divided into 5 groups including control group, Aβ 25–35 group, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 μmol·L −1 luteolin groups. Cell viability was determined with MTS assay. Intracelluar ROS level and SOD activity were monitored by DCFH-DA and SOD inhibition assay, respectively. Transendothelial electrical resistance was measured using an EVOM resistance meter. γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were detected using activity assay kits. Levels of TXA 2 and PGI 2 in culture medium were measured as their stable metabolites, TXB 2 and 6-keto-PGF 1α , by ELISA. Results Luteolin attenuated Aβ 25–35 -induced toxicity at 0.1, 1.0, and 10 μmol·L −1 , inhibited intracellular ROS generation, and increased SOD activity at 1.0 and 10 μmol·L −1 . Luteolin was also found to preserve CMECs barrier function, involving the alleviation of TEER reduction, the increase of characteristic enzymatic activity, and regulation of TXA 2 and PGI 2 secretion. Conclusion Luteolin had the ability to protect rat CMECs against Aβ 25–35 -induced toxicity.
Pattern and process in the distribution of North American freshwater fish

Published species lists were analysed to determine the contributions of dispersal, habitat preference, river channel size, body size, and glacial history to large-scale patterns in freshwater fish species richness in North America, north of central Mexico. Total species richness declines to the north and west but the pattern for endemics differs from that of widespread species. Mississippi Basin regions are more species rich than more isolated, coastal, regions. Richness declines more rapidly with increasing latitude in riverine specialist than in habitat generalist species. Levels of endemism are greatest in species found in small- to medium-sized river channels. The strong Rapoport effect, more marked in migratory than resident species, is correlated with habitat preference, channel size, and glacial history. Body size increases with latitude, largely as a result of a trend from small resident to large migrant species. In unglaciated regions, ancestral species survived in large habitats because these are longer-lived, more extensive, less isolated and more stable than headwaters, permitting larger populations and lower extinction levels. Reduced levels of gene flow in small, peripheral, channels isolated by larger downstream habitats have resulted in the production of many, small range, small-bodied species. The latitudinal richness gradient is a consequence of speciation and extinction events in unglaciated faunas and an increasing domination of faunas by generalist, large bodied, large channel, recolonizing species in more northern regions. (C) 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 100, 46-61.
Overexpression of the LASAP2 gene for secretory acid phosphatase in white lupin improves the phosphorus uptake and growth of tobacco plants

Abstract Secretion of acid phosphatase (APase) from the roots to take up phosphorus (P) is a well-known strategy of plants under P-deficient conditions. White lupin, which shows vigorous growth in low-P soils, is noted for its ability to secrete APase under P-deficient conditions. The APase secreted by white lupin roots is stable in soil solution and shows low substrate specificity, suggesting that genetic modification of plants using the APase gene LASAP2 might improve their ability to use organic P. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of LASAP2 transgenic plants to increase organic P utilization. Dry matter production and P accumulation were higher in LASAP2 transgenic tobacco plants grown in gel media containing soluble phytate as the sole P source than in wild-type tobacco plants. Phosphorus uptake by the transgenic plants also increased in soil culture conditions. LASAP2 was apparently more effective in the liberation of organic P, including phytate, in the soil than the native tobacco APase. Thus, the enzymatic stability of LASAP2 in the soil appears to be an important factor for P acquisition.
Use of (CAT)5 as a DNA fingerprinting probe for fungi

A new DNA fingerprinting probe, (CAT)s, was evaluated for its ability to detect variation in higher fungi. The probe, which apparently detects variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci, was shown to be highly sensitive to genetic variation. The DNA of each of 30 single-basidiospore progeny of a dikaryon of Hererobasidion onnosum exhibited a unique fingerprint after PstI restriction, electrophoresis, and in-gel hybridization with the oligonucleotide. Twelve of 28 scored bands were heterozygous in the parent dikaryon. Six bands segregated in the expected 1:1 ratio, and the remaining six exhibited skewed segregation ratios. Two new bands were observed among the progeny but not the parent dikaryon, suggesting a high mutation rate (>0.3%), consistent with other reported VNTR loci [. ]
Earliest References to Age Determination of Fishes and Their Early Application to the Study of Fisheries

Abstract Age data are routinely used in fish population studies today. While various works have touched upon aspects of the history of fish aging techniques, there does not appear to be a single source that attempts to summarize the earliest literature on age determination of fishes in a broad historical context. The Fisheries Management Section formed the ad hoc Assessment of Fish Aging Techniques Committee in 2006, with development of such a review as a goal. The earliest references to rings on the hard structures of fish by Leeuwenhoek and Hederstrom date to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Scientific validation of annuli on the scales offish did not take place until the late 180Os, with the work of Hintze and Hoffbauer. The work of Reibisch on otoliths and Heincke with other hard structures quickly followed. These later studies on fish aging techniques came at a time when large-scale studies offish populations were gaining momentum. While the new aging methods were adopted rapidly by many fis.
lmmunoelectron Microscopic Localization of Sperm-specific Nuclear Basic Proteins during Spermatogenesis in Anuran Amphibians

Antisera were raised in rabbits against sperm-specific nuclear basic proteins (SPs) of Bufo japonicus and Xenopus laevis. The localizations of these proteins in spermatogenic cells were then studied by electron microscopy with colloidal gold labeled antibodies as probes. The numbers of gold particles counted on ultra-thin sections of cells at various spermatogenic stages were corrected for the density per unit area, on the basis of areas determined with a digitizer. No grains were deposited during early nuclear elongation stages. Grains appeared on nuclei at the beginning of chromatin granulation, and their density increased first gradually and then sharply at the last step of spermiogenesis. Recalculation of grain counts according to the estimated nuclear volumes of Bufo spermatogenic cells also indicated a sharp increase in the amount of SPs per nucleus in the last step of spermiogenesis. No significant localization of grains in the cytoplasm was observed at any stage of spermatogenesis.
Research note: Ecotype differentiation in qualitative content of water soluble organic compounds between marine and brackish Fucus vesiculosus L. (Phaeophyceae)

In the present study we compared the contents of water soluble organic compounds of the marine intertidal ecotype of Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae) from the Norwegian Sea (34 practical salinity units, psu) with the sublittoral ecotype of F. vesiculosus from the brackish Bothnian Sea (5 psu). Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra revealed that marine F. vesiculosus had additional types of water soluble organic compounds compared with brackish F. vesiculosus. The results suggested that glycine betaine in the marine ecotype could be the reason for this ecotype differentiation. Furthermore, the qualitative differences between the ecotypes were the same after one week's treatment of marine algae in brackish water and of brackish algae in marine water. These suggest that the additional types of water soluble organic compounds in marine F. vesiculosus are not caused by the salinity conditions at the growth sites. Further research concerning other environmental factors that may influence ecotype differentiation of water soluble organic compounds qualitative content and adaptation in F. vesiculosus is recommended.
Laboratory system for evaluation of hay preservatives

The evaluation of additives for the preservation of moist hay through fields experiments is made difficult by large and variable experimental units and environmental effects. A laboratory system was developed to rapidly screen hay preservative treatments. Ovendried hay was rehydrated with water and a preservative to the desired moisture concentration. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes provided the storage vessel. A constant initial density (200 kg m −3 ) was achieved using a mechanical press. Aeration was by diffusion through the open vessel top. Resistance to heat loss was provided by a fixed, polystyrene bed into which PVC tubes were inserted during a 21-d incubation at 25 o C (.)
How to evaluate synthetic radar data? Lessons learned from finding driveable space in virtual environments

Generating synthetic sensor readings at scale by means of virtual sensors is expected to facilitate safety validation of autonomous driving functions. An absolute equality of real and synthetic data is not to be expected. Instead, it has to be proven that synthetic sensor data exhibits a comparable level of uncertainties as data from the real sensor, so that subsequent algorithms draw the same conclusions from the respective input data. This paper addresses this problem by comparing free space information inferred from real and synthetic radar data. It is shown that comparable free space can be calculated from the sensor simulation, although deviations between synthetic and real sensor data exist. The presented method to compare the calculated free space from synthetic and real data serves as evaluation of the simulation model.
Niche breadth and geographic range size as determinants of species survival on geological time scales

Aim Determining which species are more prone to extinction is vital for conserving Earth's biodiversity and for providing insight into macroevolutionary processes. This paper utilizes the Pliocene to Recent fossil record of mollusks to identify determinants of species' extinction over the past three million years of Earth history. Location Western Atlantic. Methods We focus on 92 bivalve and gastropod species that lived during the mid-Pliocene Warm Period (mPWP; ∼3.264–3.025 Ma) and have either since gone extinct or are still extant. We used ecological niche modeling (ENM) to assess the vulnerability of these species to extinction as a function of both fundamental (FN) and realized (RN) niche breadth proxies, geographic range size, and amount of suitable area available to them during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ∼21 Ka). Results Geographic range size emerged as a key predictor of extinction for the studied mollusk species, with RN breadth and amount of suitable area available during the LGM as secondary predictors. By contrast, FN breadth was not a significant predictor of extinction risk. Main conclusions The failure to recover FN breadth as a predictor of extinction may suggest that extinction resistance is achieved when species are more successful in filling the geographic extent of their fundamental tolerances. That is, when it comes to species' survival, being a generalist or specialist sensu stricto may be secondary to the unique historical, dispersal, and biotic constraints that dictate a species' occupation of suitable environments, and consequently of geographic space, at a particular time. Identifying the factors that promote extinction is important because of the time-intensive nature of estimating extinction risk for individual species and populations, and because of the rising concerns about the future of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Microbiological and Chemical Changes During the Production of Acidic Whey, A Traditional Chinese Tofu-Coagulant

In this study, acidic whey (AW), a natural tofu-coagulant in China, was investigated for the micro flora and chemical changes of AW during tofu whey natural fermentation. The gel properties of AW tofu coagulated with AW were also studied. Throughout the fermentation stages, the change of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was found to be similar to that of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB), implying that LAB is the most important role that works on AW fermentation. The numbers of enterobacteriaceae, yeast and mould (fungi) were too low to detect. Bacterial spores (spores) and acetibacteria was found to increase slowly with fermentation time. The pH value, protein, carbohydrate, organic acid changes during the production of acidic whey were studied. It was found that the pH value of acidic whey had a significant effect on the gel properties of AW tofu. The microbiological findings in this study have clearly demonstrated the presence of the high counts of LAB investigated and a large amount L-lactic acid produced by LAB must have act as the main tofu coagulant.