Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two new species of marsupial tree-frogs genus Gastrotheca Fitzinger, 1843 (Anura, Hemiphractidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Two new species of Gastrotheca are described from northeastern Minas Gerais and southern Bahia, in the Atlantic Forestof Brazil. Data on morphology, calls, mitochondrial, and nuclear DNA are provided. Allied to G. fissipes and G. megacephala, the new taxa provide evidence for a higher diversity of species of Gastrotheca than previously thought atthe Atlantic Forest. The data also suggest that G. pulchra, another Atlantic Forest taxon, is more closely related to non-Atlantic Forest species than to the remaining analyzed Brazilian Gastrotheca species. This implies that the Gastrotheca at the Brazilian coastal forests have at least two independent origins.
Directed delivery of CD40 ligand from helper T cells to antigen-presenting B cells

viii Chapter 1: Introduction 1 I. The Antibody Response 1 II. T cell help for B cells 7 A. In vivo 7 B. In vitro 10 III. CD40L 11 IV. Preformed CD40L 13 V. Immunological Synapse 14 VI. Immunological Synapse Structure of different Helper T cell Subsets 19 VII. Transfer of CD40L upon T cell/APC interaction 21
Regional mtDNA SNP differentiation in European Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): an assessment of potential utility for determination of natal origin

Eric Verspoor 1,2*, Sonia Consuegra3, Olafur Fridjonsson4, Sigridur Hjorleifsdottir 5, David Knox1, Kristinn Olafsson4, Scott Tompsett 5, Vidar Wennevik6, and Carlos Garcia de Leaniz 5 Freshwater Laboratory, Marine Scotland, Pitlochry PH16 5LB, Scotland, UK 12 Dixon Terrace, Pitlochry PH16 5QX, Scotland, UK Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK Matis, Vinlandsleið 12, 113 Reykjavik, Iceland Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK Institute of Marine Research, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway *Corresponding author: tel: +44 1796 472945; fax: +44 1796 473523; e-mail: eric.salgen@gmail.com.
Pelagic—benthic coupling in the abyssal eastern North Pacific: An 8‐year time‐series study of food supply and demand

An 8‐yr time‐series study of the trophic coupling between a pelagic food supply and its utilization by the sediment community was conducted at 4,100‐m depth in the eastern North Pacific between 1989 and 1998. Supply of sinking particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate total nitrogen (PTN) was estimated from collections made with sediment traps moored at 3,500‐ and 4,050‐m depth (600 and 50 m above bottom). Sediment community oxygen consumption (SCOC), an estimate of aerobic utilization of organic matter, was measured in situ. POC and PTN fluxes at both depths declined significantly from October 1989 through 1996 then increased in 1998. Organic carbon : total nitrogen (C : N) of the sinking particulate matter fluctuated ~10 throughout the study, except for a major peak (84.8) at 50 m above bottom in summer 1995, indicating lateral advection of organic material of terrestrial origin. POC: SCOC declined progressively over the first 7 yr, from a high of 0.99 in 1989–1990 to 0.22 in 1995–1996. In 1998, there was an increase in POC: SCOC to 0.43, suggesting that the food deficit was reduced by an increase in sinking flux. A continuing deficit in food supply cannot be sustained without ultimately affecting the structural and functional characteristics of the sediment community. The importance of undersampling by sediment traps, lateral advection of marine and terrestrial organic matter from the continental slope and shelf, and dissolved organic matter is evaluated. These other sources of nutrients for benthic organisms may be important in explaining some of the observed discrepancy between supply and demand in the abyssal Pacific. Decadal‐scale climate variations that influence marine primary production and terrestrial discharges into the ocean may be extremely important in understanding biogeochemical processes in the deep sea.
Isopod effects on decomposition of litter produced under elevated CO2, N deposition and different soil types

The performance of Oniscus asellus (Isopoda) and its influence on litter mass loss and mineralization was assessed in a microcosm experiment, using beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaf litter that was produced on different soil types, contrasting atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and different nitrogen deposition rates. Litter quality was significantly altered by these treatments, and many of the CO2 and N effects differed between soil types. Litter quality affected subsequent litter mass loss rates, microbial respiration, and leaching of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate. These effects were largely independent of the presence of isopods, even though isopods highly accelerated litter mass loss, stimulated microbial respiration by 37%, and increased nitrate leaching by 50%. Isopods did not change their relative rates of litter consumption and growth in response to litter quality. Isopod mortality, however, increased with increasing litter lignin/N ratios, and was significantly different between soil types, which may indicate long‐term effects on litter decomposition through altered isopod densities. Having the choice among the litter of three different species [maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and oak (Quercus robur)] grown at either ambient or elevated CO2, isopods preferred maple to beech when all the litter was produced under elevated CO2. This suggests that beyond changes in consumption, an altered food selection by isopods in a CO2‐enriched atmosphere may affect the temporal and spatial composition of the litter layer in temperate forests. In contrast to previous findings, we conclude that isopods do not always increase their consumption rates, and hence do not differentially affect microbial decomposition in litter of poorer quality. Nevertheless changes in animal densities and/or shifts in their food preferences, could result in altered decomposition and carbon and nutrient turnover rates.
Ecological significance of benthic foraminifera: 13C labelling experiments

We examined the ability of foraminifera in taking up freshly deposited algal carbon in intertidal estuarine sediments. Lyophylized C-13-labelled axenic Chlorella was added to intact sediment cores containing natural benthic biota. The response of the system as a whole was rapid; similar to 5% of the added carbon was respired to CO2 within 6 h. Bacteria assimilated similar to 2 to 4 % of the added carbon within 12 h. Among the foraminifera, the dominant foraminifer Ammonia exhibited rapid uptake and it is estimated that similar to 1 to 7% of the added carbon was ingested within 3 to 53 h. This rapid, substantial uptake by Ammonia and the significant contribution of foraminifera to meiobenthic abundance and biomass (37 and 47% respectively) suggest that foraminifera play an important role in the carbon cycle in these sediments. [KEYWORDS: meiobenthos; benthic foraminifera; bacterial biomarkers; algal carbon; carbon cycle; CO2; C-13 labelling Deep-sea; organic-carbon; sedimentation event; metazoan meiofauna; adriatic sea; fatty-acid; phytodetritus; community; microalgae; deposition]
Scaling of body temperature in mammals and birds

Summary 1. We examine variation associated with phylogeny in the scaling of body temperature in endotherms, using data from 596 species of mammal and 490 species of bird. 2. Among higher groups of mammals there is statistically significant scaling of body temperature with mass in Marsupialia (positive), Ferae and Ungulata (both negative). In mammalian orders where data are available for at least 10 species, scaling is negative in three orders (Carnivora, Erinaceomorpha and Artiodactyla), positive in one (Chiroptera) and not significant in seven others. There is no relationship apparent between the scaling of body temperature and the existence of gut fermentation. As expected, monotremes exhibit the lowest body temperatures, but within marsupials diprotodonts have a mean body temperature higher than several placental groups; the traditional ranking of body temperatures in the sequence monotremes ‐ marsupials ‐ placentals is thus misleading. 3. In birds, scaling relationships are significant only for Ciconiiformes (strongly negative) and Passeriformes (weakly positive). 4. When allowance is made for phylogenetic effects, there is no significant relationship between temperature in body mass in mammals overall, but an inverse and almost significant relationship in birds. 5. This study indicates a complex relationship between body mass, body temperature and metabolic rate in mammals and birds, mediated through ecology.
Xylem pressure response in maize roots subjected to osmotic stress: determination of radial reflection coefficients by use of the xylem pressure probe

The absolute pressure in conducting xylem vessels of roots of 2-week-old, slowly transpiring intact maize plants (bathed in nutrition medium) was determined to be +0·024 ± 0·044 MPa using the xylem pressure probe. When the roots were subjected to osmotic stress (NaCI, KCI or sucrose), the xylem pressure decreased immediately and became more negative. However, the response of xylem pressure to osmotic stress was considerably attenuated, indicating that the radial reflection coefficients, σ13 of the maize root for these solutes were rather low (between 0·2 and 0·4 depending on the concentration of the osmoticum). The low values of a, may be caused (partly) by unstirred layer effects. In repeated osmoticum/nutrition regimes a complex pattern of changes in xylem pressure was observed which was apparently linked to the interplay between transpiration and (passive and/or active) solute loading of the xylem. These processes were not observed when the roots were subjected to osmotic stress after excision. In this case, a biphasic response was observed comparable to that found for excised roots using the root pressure probe.
Pushing a Green Agenda: Explaining Shifting Public Support for Environmental Spending

Although mass opinion on many political issues is generally stable, Americans’ beliefs about environmentalism have undergone dramatic changes in recent decades. Many studies of attitudinal change identify cohort- or period-based effects as contributing to large-scale opinion changes. However, limited research exists that considers both explanations simultaneously. This study estimates variability in environmental spending support across cohort and periods while also testing the role of compositional and contextual causes of this variability. Our findings contribute to understanding mass opinion change, as well as variations in the American public’s concern about the environment. Furthermore, the modeling approach addresses the question of which macro- and micro-level characteristics are influential for pushing forward a green agenda. The evidence presented casts doubt on studies that see pro-environmentalism as dependent on personal or national wealth as well as findings that view shifts in concern as stemming from generational replacement. Yet, among the major explanations identified in public opinion research, we find support for elite cues and, to a lesser degree, subjective economic security as important factors that drive shifts in public concern about the environment. Given these results, we argue that theories of postmaterialist environmentalism and theories of global environmentalism are incomplete on their own.
α-AMYLASE AND α-GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF COSTUS PICTUS D. DON IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES

One therapeutic approach for treating diabetes is to decrease postprandial hyperglycemia. This can be achieved by the suppression of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes like a-amylase and α αα α-glucosidase. In the present study the inhibitory effect of C. pictus leaves were evaluated for the first time on α α α α-amylase from porcine pancreas and α α α α α-glucosidase Baker's yeast. It is a newly introduced plant to India, originated in Mexico and is used as a munching dietary supplement for the treatment of diabetes in southern parts of India. In vitro studies in methanol, aqueous, ethyl acetate and ethanolic extract of C. pictus revealed good inhibitory effects on carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes like α-glucosidase and a-amylase. All the tested extracts C. pictus showed good inhibitory activity and higher α αα αα-amylase inhibitory effect was shown by aqueous extract of about 84.16 % at a concentration of 100 mg/ml . In α-glucosidase inhibitory assay, higher inhibition was shown by aqueous extract of about 79%. The results obtained reveals that this may be the possible mechanism for the antidiabetic activity of this plant and can be considered as a potential candidate in the treatment of diabetes.
Nitric oxide interferes with plant photo-oxidative stress by detoxifying reactive oxygen species

Oxidative stress within chloroplasts is originated due to light-dependent O 2 reduction. This may be exacerbated by bipyridinium herbicides, which act at photosystem I as artificial electron acceptors. Their oxidation produces a superoxide anion that further dismutates to H 2 O 2 and then, by the Fenton reaction, H 2 O 2 may be reduced to the hydroxyl radical (OH • ). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), when produced in high amounts, provoke severe damage to the plant cell. Herein it is reported that two nitric oxide (NO) donors, sodium nitroprusside (100 µ M ) and S -nitroso- N -acetylpenicillamine (200 µ µ µ M ), greatly reduced lipid peroxidation and the protein loss caused by the application of a high dose of the bipyridinium herbicide diquat to potato leaf pieces or isolated chloroplasts. Nitric oxide donors also protected the RNA against oxidative damage. Photo-oxidative toxicity was correlated with an increase in photosynthetic electron transport and ROS production, but the rate of electron transport was restored and the ROS free amount was markedly reduced in the presence of NO. The specific activity of superoxide dismutase was not affected by diquat or NO donors, whereas just a small increase in catalase activity was observed after 24 h of treatment. These results provide strong evidence that NO is a potent antioxidant in plants and that its action may, at least in part, be explained by its ability to directly scavenge ROS.
Cranial muscle homology across modern gnathostomes

Imprecise usage of terminology can lead to confusion when trying to compare cranial musculature between taxa from different higher-order groups. The present study aimed to present hypotheses of muscle homology between taxa from four modern gnathostome groups: Actinopterygii (Amia calva), Sarcopterygii (Latimeria chalumnae), Elasmobranchii (Squalus acanthias, Chlamydoselachus anguineus), and Holocephali (Hydrolagus colliei). Muscle homologies are hypothesized based on topological data taken from the anatomical literature and supplemented by new observations of Hydrolagus colliei. Hypothesized muscle groups are tested for congruence against accepted gnathostome phylogeny. From these data, eight muscle groups are identified that are unambiguously homologous across all taxa examined. Four more muscle groups are found to be homologous across a majority of the taxa. Twelve muscle groups are hypothesized to be basal across all gnathostomes. A muscle in Hydrolagus previously called both a geniohyoideus and interhyoideus is here renamed ‘mandibulohyoideus’ to reflect its apomorphic condition. The presence of coracomandibular muscles in all groups supports the hypothesis that basal jaw depression systems in gnathostomes were not linked to hyoid movement, but independently operated by this muscle. The study also offers new insight into muscle reconstruction in fossil groups (Placodermi). © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 94, 195–216.
Expression of heat shock protein genes in apple fruit in the field

Temperatures in the flesh of apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh., cv. Braeburn), during diurnal cycles in summer conditions, were measured continuously using thermocouples. Flesh temperatures on the exposed side of fruit in direct sunlight reached as much as 15°C above air temperatures, even when the latter never exceeded 30°C. An increase in expression of heat shock protein (hsp) mRNA and protein synthesis was associated with these high daily flesh temperatures. Elevated levels of hsp transcripts were maintained over the night period, but rapidly dropped after the onset of daytime. There appears to be a diurnal cycle of hsp gene expression which underlies the heat-induced increases. High internal temperatures, even under temperate climatic conditions, are likely to be common in bulky tissues such as fruit, and the ability to withstand such temperatures is a normal homeostatic response.
Fishes and the environmental status of South African estuaries

Abstract More than 100 fish species are associated with southern African estuaries, many of which are caught by recreational anglers and/or commercial fishermen. Mismanagement of either a catchment or an estuary invariably leads to an impoverished system which is of little value to fishes or people. By taking this cause-and-effect scenario to its logical conclusion, it should be possible to assess the ‘state’ of an estuary by monitoring the biological ‘health’ of the aquatic community. Fishes are a dominant and highly visible component of the estuarine fauna and, by virtue of their key positions in the aquatic food web, can reflect either natural or anthropogenic alterations to the environment. In addition, their mobility enables them to respond rapidly to both deteriorating and improving estuarine conditions. Such attributes may assist scientists and managers in being better able both to assess the magnitude of detrimental impacts, and to monitor the ecosystem response to ameliorative actions. This paper attempts to show that an understanding of the biology and ecology of fishes associated with estuaries can lead to the identification of threats to the environment and result in improved management of these systems. The use of fish communities as an indicator of estuarine health is also examined, and ways of incorporating biological and ecological data into decision-support systems are discussed. The adoption of a set of environmental quality objectives for South African estuaries, together with a system of appropriate environmental quality standards, is recommended.
Incorporation of CO2 and introduced organic compounds by bacterial populations in groundwater from the deep crystalline bedrock of the Stripa mine

SUMMARY: The incorporation of CO2 and assimilation of introduced organic compounds by bacterial populations in deep groundwater from fractured crystalline bedrock has been studied. Three depth horizons of the subvertical borehole V2 in the Stripa mine, Sweden, 799-807 m, 812-820 m and 970-1240 m, were sampled. The groundwaters, obtained from fracture systems without close hydraulic connections, were anoxic and had the following physicochemical characteristics: pH values of 9·5, 9·4 and 10·2; E h values of + 205, + 199 and—3 mV; sulphide, 0, 106 and 233 μM; CO2- 3, 158, 50 and 57 μm; CH4, 245, 170 and 290 μl l-1; and N2, 25, 31 and 25 ml l-1. Biofilm reactors, each containing a series of parallel glass surfaces, were connected to the groundwaters issuing from these depth horizons at flows of approximately 1×10-3 m s-1 during two periods of two and four months. There were from 1·8×103 to 1·2×105 bacteria per ml groundwater and from 1·2×106 to 7·1×106 bacteria per cm2 of colonized test surface. These results imply that the populations of attached bacteria are several orders of magnitude greater than those of unattached bacteria in bedrock fractures with flowing groundwater. The incorporation of 14CO2, [14C]formate, [U-14C]lactate, [U-14C]glucose and l-[4,5-3H]leucine by the bacterial populations was demonstrated using microautoradiographic and liquid scintillation counting techniques. The measured CO2 incorporation reflected the in situ production of organic carbon from CO2. Incorporation of formate followed that of CO2 and indicated the presence of bacteria able to substitute formate for CO2, e.g. methanogenic bacteria. The presence of sulphate-reducing bacteria is suggested by the observed incorporation of lactate by up to 74% of the bacterial populations. The recorded uptake of glucose indicates the presence of heterotrophic bacteria other than sulphate-reducing bacteria. Up to 99% of the populations incorporated leucine, showing that major fractions of the populations were viable.
The effect of salinity on growth and anatomical attributes of barley seedling (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The objective of the present work was to identify the tolerance of barley varieties to salinity and determine specific anatomical features of barley plants under saline conditions. Plants were grown in hydroponic conditions in three variants: control, 50 mM NaCl and 100 mM NaCl. The tolerant and sensitive varieties of barley to salinity were identified. The results show that salinity reduced the growth and biomass accumulation of plants, reduced the thickness of the upper and lower epidermis, reduced the diameter of the vascular bundles of leaves and the central cylinder of roots and increased the ratio of exodermis/endodermis roots in some varieties.
Occurrence and Pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. on the potato tubers in Malaysia

Dry rot of potato caused by Fusarium species is a common and commercially important disease of potato tubers found in all production areas of the world, including Malaysia. The objective of this study was to identify Fusarium species associated with wet market potatoes and their pathogenicity on potato tubers in Malaysia. In this survey, 65 Fusarium strains were isolated and identified from diseases decayed potato's segments collected from different regions in Malaysia. All of these 65 isolates, which belong to two morphotypes of Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) and Fusarium oxysporum, were evaluated to study their pathogenicity on healthy potato tubers. The tubers rot symptoms were observed on the 21st day after inoculation of F. solani and F. oxysporum strains on the tubers tested. In the tubers inoculation tests, lesion sizes were quite variable; therefore, the measurement was done to compare the depth and width of lesion expansion among the strains. The results of the pathogenicity test revealed that F. solani isolates FSO4, FSO12 (morphotype I), FSO18 (morphotype II) and F. oxysporum isolates FOX4 and FOX16 were strongly pathogenic to inoculated potato tubers. The inoculated fungi were re-isolated from the diseased potato tubers to prove the Koch’s postulates. The present study showed that two morphotypes of F. solani were associated with tuber rot of potato in Malaysia. This is the first comprehensive report on identity and distribution of major pathogenic fungi causing potato dry rot in Malaysia.