Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Successful voluntary conservation of raptor nests under intensive forestry pressure in a boreal landscape

Cost‐effective conservation strategies are needed because resources for nature conservation are often limited. When areas of high biodiversity value rest on private land, voluntary participation of landowners to conservation should be sought. Voluntary programs are still rarely implemented and evaluated in their effectiveness in achieving conservation targets. From 2000 onwards, a conservation program was conducted to preserve raptor nests from forest clear‐cutting in private lands of North Karelia (Finland). Landowners were proposed to voluntarily set aside a forest buffer around nests of Accipiter gentilis, Buteo buteo and Pernis apivorus on their land. Participation was based on self‐motivation, with no incentive involved. Participation to the program was extremely high (97% of 327 approached landowners during 2002–2006 joined). This positive attitude reduced nest losses as a result of forestry from 54% in the 1990s (n = 327 known nests) to only 2% since the start of the program (n = 519 nests). The voluntary action proved effective as a before‐after‐control‐impact analysis showed that low‐buffered nests (which had clear‐cutting within 100 m; n = 48) had similar occupancy as high‐buffered nests (no clear‐cutting within 100 m; n = 144). Occupancy, however, decreased with shorter distance to the clear‐cut within the 100 m radius, and thus as wide a buffer as possible is recommended to retain occupancy of a nest site. We conclude that voluntary‐based approaches can be useful for cost‐effective conservation and they should be considered more often in conservation practice.
Applying the tools of ecological immunology to conservation: a test case in the Galapagos sea lion

Infectious disease threatens biodiversity and human health on a global scale, and disease emergence may become more common as humans further encroach on habitats and modify environments. To accurately assess the risk of disease emergence in free‐ranging populations of vertebrates, we require an understanding of the dynamics of immunity in the wild. We applied techniques from the emergent discipline of ecological immunology to describe immune activity and dynamics in the endangered Galapagos sea lion Zalophus wollebaeki, which is threatened simultaneously by disease from domestic animals and fluctuations in food supply driven by unpredictable environmental variation. We compared immune activity from shortly after birth until 2 years of age between two Galapagos sea lion colonies: one heavily influenced by humans and the other on an uninhabited island, using a generalized linear model framework. Controlling for development, immune activity was higher in the human‐impacted colony, as assessed with both humoural and cellular immune components and cumulative and snapshot measures of immune activity. We discuss the possibility that sea lions in the human‐impacted colony are under greater immunostimulatory pressure than those in the comparison colony, which could have implications for individual fitness, colony stability and the risk of disease emergence. The study demonstrates the utility of a generalized and widely applicable approach to quantifying immune activity in wild vertebrates, as it highlights important aspects of the system for targeted analysis and further study.
The Mechanism of Quinclorac Selectivity in Grasses

Abstract The mechanism of selectivity of the auxin herbicide quinclorac was studied in susceptible and resistant biotypes of Echinochloa hispidula and E. crus-galli ; in grass species of different susceptibility like Brachiaria platyphylla, Setaria viridis, E. colonum , and Digitaria sanguinalis ; and in tolerant crop rice ( Oryza sativa cv. Thaibonnet). No significant differences in uptake, translocation, or metabolism of quinclorac between resistant and sensitive grasses were found. Hence, the mechanism of selectivity is target-site-based. It has been demonstrated that cyanide, which accumulates as a coproduct during stimulation of ethylene biosynthesis, is the primary phytotoxic principle in the herbicidal mode of action of quinclorac in E. crus-galli (K. Grossmann and J. Kwiatkowski, 1995, Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 51, 150). Following root treatment of plants at the third leaf stage with 100 M quinclorac in hydroponics, the reductions in shoot growth of plants were closely correlated with the stimulation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase activity and with subsequent increases in endogenous concentrations of ACC and cyanide. When compared quinclorac with other auxin herbicides including quinmerac, α-naphthaleneacetic acid and dicamba, lower ACC and cyanide levels and correlated lower growth effects were found after treatment of D. sanguinalis . In quinclorac-resistant grass species and biotypes, ACC synthase activity was not induced and plants exhibited no significant changes in ACC and cyanide levels. Thus, the selective induction of ACC synthase activity, which ultimately leads to cyanide accumulation in the tissues of susceptible plants, plays the primary role for the selectivity of grasses toward quinclorac. This selectivity could be at the level of quinclorac perception or subsequent signal transduction via the auxin pathway leading to regulation of gene expression or posttran scriptional de novo enzyme synthesis. In rice, tolerance to quinclorac could be additionally favored by a higher β-cyanoalanine synthase activity, the main HCN-detoxifying enzyme.
Strength and tissue specificity of chimeric promoters derived from the octopine and mannopine synthase genes

Summary To investigate promoter strength and the tissue-specific patterns of expression, chimeric promoters incorporating subdomains of mannopine synthase (mas2′) and octopine synthase (ocs) promoter and activator regions were affixed to a β-glucuronidase reporter gene and the constructions introduced into tobacco plants. Addition of a trimer of the ocs upstream activating sequence (UAS) to a mas promoter/activator region resulted in highly elevated levels of GUS activity in all tissues examined. In leaf tissue, this chimeric promoter is approximately 156-fold and 26-fold stronger than are the CaMV 35S and the ‘enhanced’ double CaMV 35S promoters, respectively. Expression of GUS activity directed by the mas and ocs promoters/activators is limited to specific cell types. Addition of the ocs or mas UAS to the mas or ocs promoter/activator regions modulated these expression patterns. The addition of a trimer of the ocs UAS to the mas promoter/activator region resulted in a transcriptional control element that directed GUS expression in most cell types. In addition to the strong expression in transgenic tobacco plants, this novel promoter directed higher levels of GUS expression than did the CaMV 35S promoter in transiently transformed tobacco leaf discs and suspension culture cells, as well as in cassava and cowpea explants. It is proposed that the strong promoter containing a trimer of the ocs UAS affixed to the mas promoter/activator will be useful for the very high level constitutive expression of linked genes in a wide variety of plant species.
Association of 10 p Locus with Slovenian Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

Aim: To evaluate association of 10 p locus in Slovenian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with different sub-phenotypes. Methodology: Genotyping of three selected SNPs from 10 p locus was performed in 594 IBD patients, divided into three sub-phenotypes, Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and refractory CD, and in 250 healthy controls with PCR-RFLP technique. Clinical characteristics of patients were compared according to genotype of selected SNPs. Results: We found statistically significant correlation of all three selected SNPs with different sub-phenotypes of IBD. For SNP rs12777960 on gene CCNY we found association with all IBD patients and UC patients separately, where frequency of AA and AC genotype was higher in a group of patients compared to controls ( P = .007). For SNP rs4934697 we found statistically significant association only for refractory CD patients, where frequency of CT and TT genotype was higher in a group of patients compared to controls ( P = .01). For SNP rs2254252 on gene SEPHS1 we found association for a group of all IBD patients and CD patients, where frequency of allele T was higher in a group of patients (0.521) compared to healthy controls (0.451, P = .009). We identified novel association between age at diagnosis and genotype of SNP rs12777960 in gene CCNY where patients with disease susceptible genotype AA were diagnosed younger compared to patients with AC/CC genotype ( P = .03). Conclusion: We confirmed candidate SNPs and genes from 10 p region in population of Slovenian IBD patients and found specific correlations of SNPs with different sub-phenotypes of IBD, particularly SEPHS1 with CD, CCNY with UC and region near CREM and CCNY genes with refractory CD.
Preparation of pellets containing Pothomorphe umbellata extracts by extrusion-spheronization: improvement of 4-nerolidylcatechol photostability

Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miq. , Piperaceae, has been extensively used in Brazilian folk medicine and it is well known for its strong antioxidant properties. However, its main active constituent, 4-nerolydilcatechol (4-NC), is sensitive to ultraviolet and visible light, which can limit the use of intermediate and final herbal preparations of this species. In the present work, coated multiparticulate solid dosage forms of P. umbellata were obtained with the purpose of increasing the stability of 4-NC. P. umbellata extract was used as a wetting liquid for the preparation of pellets by extrusion-spheronization. Pellets were coated in a fluidized bed by three different polymers (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), polyvynilpirrolidone K-30 (PVP-K30), and polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft-copolymer (PVAPEG)). 4-NC photostability was evaluated by an accelerated photostability protocol. Pellets showed a narrow size distribution and low friability. 4-NC photodegradation followed a second order degradation kinetics with similar k values for the percolate, uncoated pellets and HPMC coated pellets. Photoprotection was higher in pellets coated with PVP-K30 and PVA-PEG. PVA-PEG coated pellets with 6 and 9% weight gain resulted in a final concentration of 4-NC approximately cinco times higher than uncoated pellets or liquid extracts, suggesting the potential of this formulation as a multiparticulate solid dosage form for P. umbellata extracts.
Phylogenetic Analyses of the Water-Insoluble Glucan Synthesizing Glucosyltransferase Gene of Streptococcus ratti

The nucleotide sequence of the glucosyltransferase (GTF) gene, which encodes a GTF enzyme that synthesizes a water-insoluble glucan (WIG), was determined in Streptococcus ratti FA-1 (GTC 00245T). The gtf of S. ratti consisted of 4,350-bp that encoded for a 1,449 amino acid protein with a molecular weight of approximately 159.9 kDa and was revealed to be a gtfL type gene, which were first found in Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 25975. The deduced 35 amino acid sequence of the N-terminal was thought to be a signal peptide required for the secretion of GTF-L in S. ratti as it showed high similarity to a known GTF-L from S. salivarius. In addition, three major functional domains of GTF : an N-terminal variable region, a conserved catalytic site for sucrase activity, and C-terminal YG repeating units for glucan binding were also found in GTF-L from S. ratti. The percentage homology of the GTF-L amino acid sequences from S. ratti and S. salivarius was 99.7%. Although GTF-L were classified into the WIG-synthesizing GTF group, phylogenetic analysis suggested that GTF-L were positioned outside of the WIG-synthesizing GTF group of mutans streptococci.
Survey design to estimate the economic values of Romanian national and natural parks.

This paper presents the actions taken in an ongoing research project to reveal tourists’ preferences and attitudes towards recreation activities taken in the Romanian national and natural parks. The focus was on establishing the area of research and on creating the survey instrument to collect data in the field, needed to estimate the welfare measures associated to the parks. The area of research was determined based on the estimated number of visitors and the presence of visitor centres or information points. Thus, 10 parks were selected as research area. The design of the questionnaire receives a special attention because the non-market valuation techniques require the use of specific valuation question formats that need to be carefully formulated. The questionnaire incorporates valuation formats specific to different non-market valuation methods, in a way that respondents would be comfortable to provide accurate information. Collected data are organized in four main groups by the nature of their use and the non-market valuation methods to be utilized to determine the welfare measures. The organized and logical manner of constructing the steps provides a strong database that allows a reliable and effective analysis of data.
Differences in genetic structuring of populations of the Argentine hemorrhagic fever reservoir, the rodent Calomys musculinus , from endemic and non endemic zones

We estimated the effective population size and genetic structuring within populations of the rodent reservoir of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever, Calomys musculinus, from zones with different epidemiologic condition (non endemic, historic and epidemic). We found that populations from epidemic zones presented higher effective sizes, higher differentiation among subpopulations and higher levels of internal relatedness than in non-endemic zones. These results would explain the maintenance of the virus in populations from epidemic zones and the patchy distribution of infected rodents.
Pollen limitation in invasive populations of Solanum rostratum and its relationship to population size

Aims small plant populations may be more likely to suffer more severe pollen limitation due to the lower number of potential mates or suitable pollinators. For invasive species, this phenomenon may be more common when an invading population colonizes a new habitat. Here, we investigated whether pollen limitation occurs in invasive populations of Solanum rostratum during its invasion from North america to China and evaluated the patterns between pollen limitation and population size. Pollen addition experiments were performed on six invasive populations of S. rostratum . by comparing fruit set and seed production with open pollination treatment, we calculated the index of pollen limitation and regressed it to population size and density. with an average of 0.065, suggesting that invasive populations of S. rostratum do suffer from pollen limitation. The index of pollen limitation was negatively correlated with population size, which is consistent with the pattern that smaller populations suffer from more severe pollen limitation.
Book Reviews

Comprehensive, then, are the future scenarios presented (second part of the report), in which the Board focuses on three instruments: integrated evaluation models, scenario techniques, and regional information systems, for use in achieving the required advances in fundamental knowledge and social and technological capacities. All that will be lacking then is the political will – and it (typically American? ) is simply presupposed: sustainability, it is claimed, can be achieved within two generations (that is, by the year 2050 or so). A good part of the argumentation is devoted to environmental risks, with environmental reporting experiencing a positive reassessment: it is, the authors argue, necessary to come to a rapid consensus on indicators of success or failure, above all because they are at present not yet available, at least not in consensual form. Indicators on global, planetary systems, on regional and sectoral vulnerability, and on local stocks of robust systems are set out here as necessary categories. If and to the extent that we must aim for sustainability by means of trial and error, through social experimentation, we find ourselves in need of strategies and institutions that link imperfect knowledge, flexible management, and social learning. The highlights of the report’s most absorbing chapter may be indicated in keywords: developing a science of sustainability; preparing for emergency action; doubling and multiplying material and energy efficiency; advancing regional and local implementation strategies. Conducted in Europe, a sustainability discourse would be likely to include more concrete categories of steps and targets: reduction, phase-out, phase-in, for instance. And it would tend more to be an analysis of constraints than options. That, after all, distinguishes Europeans from Americans. But Americans are also aware of their responsibility: ‘There is no precedent for the ambitious enterprise of mobilising science and technology to ensure a transition to sustainability. Nevertheless, the United States has a special obligation to join and help guide the journey’ (p. 14). Exactly so , as the US not only has a robust, powerful, scientific and technical capacity, it is also one of the greatest consumers of scarce global resources; and sustainably organised communities and cities, Agenda 21 processes, are still a rare phenomenon in the US. So modesty where it is appropriate, resolution where it is called for. A readable, a stimulating, visionary report on our, as the title rightly puts it, common journey to sustainability.
NUMBER OF SEX ALLELES IN A SAMPLE OF HONEYBEE COLONIES

SUMMARY In order to provide a guide in estimating the. number of colonies to be cested at the beginning of breeding work, this paper gives the theoretical distribution of the number of sex alleles in a sample of n queens and m drones drawn at random from a population having a known number k of alleles. It is assumed that the allelic frequencies are equal. If m is fixed at six times the value of n (considering that a queen is inseminated by six drones on average) and for k less than or equal to 20, the computation shows that there is a probability greater than or equal to 0.995 for recovering all the alleles in a sample in which 11 is equal to k.
Experimental assessment of the effect of temperature and salinity on elemental composition of otoliths using solution-based ICPMS

Retrospective determination of the early life history of fish using the microelemental analysis of their otoliths is dependent upon understanding the factors that affect this elemental composition. Here, juvenile Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) were reared under different treatments of temperature and salinity to determine their impacts on elemental inclusion rates in otoliths. Solution-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) was used to measure 21 isotopes in each otolith: isotopic concentrations ranged over seven orders of magnitude, and differed significantly amongst the temperature–salinity regimes. Univariate analyses identified 13 isotopes that contributed to these multivariate differences; the influence of temperature was stronger than that of salinity. Within each treatment there was a significant relationship between otolith microchemistry and otolith size. To some extent this confounded the interpretation of the between-treatment effect of temperature. In contrast, .
Metabolic Changes in a Patient of Methylmalonic Aciduria Treated with D, L-Carnitine Supplement

Carnitine metabolism in a patient with methylmalonic aciduria was investigated. The patient showed a low level of free carnitine and a slightly increased level of acylcarnitine in her serum and urine. After carnitine therapy, acylcarnitine excretion in the urine increased markedly, and the patient had a favorable body weight gain. A small dose of valine was administered with or without the carnitine supplement. This induced metabolic changes, e.g., hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia, with little changes in lactate, pyruvate and ammonia levels. The level of free carnitine in the serum decreased gradually and acylcarnitine was increased by valine administration. These metabolic changes were not much different with or without carnitine supplement. Natural protein tolerance was then investigated. The patient could not tolerate 1.5mg/kg/day of natural protein because of nausea, vomiting, and body weight loss without carnitine. Although nausea and loss of apetite were also seen under carnitine therapy, vomiting did not occur when the patient received 1.5mg/kg/day of natural protein. These results show the usefulness of carnitine for the management of methylmalonic aciduria with restriction of natural protein.
ON THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF CERTAIN SPECIES OF PETUNIA III. THE POSITION OF P. LINEARIS AND P. CALYCINA

SUMMARY Two species of Petunia, P. linearis and P. calycina were grown from seed collected in the wild. Their chromosome number (2n = 18) and karotype morphology have been studied. Both species seem to be related to P. parviflora, which found support in peroxidase isozyme data. The three 2n = 18 species differ considerably from the Petunia species with 2n = 14 chromosomes.
Cytokine and NO release from peripheral blood neutrophils after exposure to metal nanoparticles: in vitro and ex vivo studies

We have observed that nano-size metal particles such as nickel (Nano-Ni), cobalt (Nano-Co), and titanium dioxide (Nano-TiO2) have much more toxic effects on rat lungs than standard-size Ni, Co, and TiO2 particles. Recent evidence indicates that inhaled nanoparticles can penetrate alveolar membranes and enter the circulation, which may result in adverse effects in extra-pulmonary organs. We have proposed that metal nanoparticles may directly or indirectly activate peripheral blood neutrophils after they have translocated from the lungs to the circulation. The neutrophils are the most numerous phagocytes in the body, whose function is not only to defense against bacterial and viral infection, but also to be capable of ingesting particles. Neutrophils contain enzymes that may cause tissue damage if they are excessive or inappropriate activated. In this study, we determined the release of cytokines and nitrite from neutrophils after exposure to metal nanoparticles in vitro and ex vivo. The results showed dose-related increases of TNF-α, MIP-2, and nitrite levels in the supernatants of neutrophils treated with various doses of Nano-Ni and Nano-Co. Neutrophils treated with Nano-Ni and Nano-Co released significantly higher levels of TNF-α, MIP-2, and nitrite than those treated with Nano-TiO2 and the control. The above results were further confirmed by ex vivo experiments that showed dose-related increases in TNF-α, MIP-2, and nitrite release from neutrophils from rats exposed to Nano-Ni and Nano-Co. The level of TNF-α and MIP-2 reached their highest level after 24 h exposure, while the level of nitrite continued to increase, reaching its highest level after 48 h exposure. The levels of TNF-α, MIP-2, and nitrite released by neutrophils from rats intratracheally instilled with Nano-Ni and Nano-Co were consistently significantly higher than those from rats instilled with physiological saline and Nano-TiO2. These results indicate that Ni, Co, and TiO2 nanoparticles of the similar diameter are dramatically different in their ability to activate neutrophils to release cytokines and nitrite, and each metal exerts a different effect.