Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvement in Lupinus luteus (Fabaceae) protoplast culture – stimulatory effect of agarose embedding and chemical nursing on protoplast divisions

Comprehensive studies were undertaken to determine optimal conditions for yellow-lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) protoplast culture. The adopted isolation procedure resulted in a high yield of protoplasts obtained from hypocotyls, cotyledons and young leaves. The usefulness of liquid and agarose-solidified media was evaluated in relation to promoting survivability and morphogenetic responses of protoplasts. The influence of different plant-growth regulators and anti-oxidative agents was also examined. Cultivar ‘Parys’ was the most promising material for manipulations. The solidification of medium enhanced the development of cultures initiated from hypocotyls and cotyledons, significantly increasing the division rate. In both liquid and solid media, mitoses were arrested after the initial division and daughter cells failed to divide. An important breakthrough in the development of cultures appeared in media supplemented with 0.1% activated charcoal. Bypassing the mitosis suppression led to the formation of small aggregates from hypocotyl protoplasts. This is the first report on protocolony formation in protoplast cultures of L. luteus. Notable progress achieved here indicates that, although this species is considered as recalcitrant to in vitro manipulations, it is possible to obtain responsive cultures with higher morphogenetic potential and thus provide new material for breeding programs of lupins.
Vancomycin intermediate and high level vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates in Osogbo, Nigeria

The decreased vancomycin susceptibility and subsequent emergence of vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) strains already multi-resistant to antibiotics is a major public health problem. In 2009, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) altered its guidelines for vancomycin susceptibility testing in S. aureus and recent data suggests the possibility that VRSA may emerge more frequently than previously expected. Against this background, we conducted a study to ascertain the susceptibility status of clinical S. aureus isolates to vancomycin in our environment using vancomycin agar screen, disk diffusion and broth dilution methods. Of the total 49 S. aureus invasive strains isolated, 25 (51.0%) had vancomycin MIC of ≤2µg/ml by the CLSI standard broth dilution method and are classed as vancomycin susceptible; 18 (36.7%) had MIC of 4-8µg/ml (vancomycin intermediate resistant) and 6 (12.2%) had MIC of >256µg/ml (high level vancomycin resistant). Vancomycin agar screen with Mueller-Hinton agar containing 3µg/ml vancomycin (MHA-V3) correctly identified 20 of 25 (80%) vancomycin susceptible isolates; detected all 6 vancomycin resistant isolates and 16 of 18 (88.9%) vancomycin intermediate strains. Similarly, Mueller-Hinton agar containing 6µg/ml vancomycin (MHA-V6) correctly identified 23 of 25 (92%) vancomycin susceptible isolates and all 6 vancomycin resistant isolates but detected 14 (77.8%) of 18 vancomycin intermediate strains. Vancomycin disk diffusion test correctly identified all the 25 vancomycin susceptible S. aureus isolates giving 100% specificity but detected only 1 of 18 (5.6%) vancomycin intermediate and none (0%) of vancomycin resistant isolates. This result shows the occurrence of VISA and high level VRSA isolates in our environment, which contrary to current belief, may indicate widespread dissemination of VRSA. MHA-V3 agar is a useful alternative screening medium for vancomycin non-susceptibility detection in clinical S. aureus isolates but vancomycin disk diffusion is not useful in this regard.
The use of ethylene-suppressed lines to assess differential sensitivity to ethylene of the various ripening pathways in Cantaloupe melons

Physiological characterization of ethylene-suppressed Cantaloupe Charentais melons (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis Naud cv. Vedrantais) revealed that some ripening-associated events, like degreening of the rind and cell separation in the peduncular abscission zone, are totally dependent on ethylene. By contrast, some other ripening events, like softening and membrane deterioration, depend only partially on ethylene and display some ethylene-independent components. Application of increasing levels of exogenous ethylene on these antisense 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase fruits enabled the determination of the gradual sensitivity of various ripening pathways to the hormone. The threshold level of ethylene capable of physiological activity varied from 1 ppm for degreening of the rind to 2.5 ppm for softening, membrane deterioration and cell separation in the peduncular abscission zone. Up to a saturating dose of 5 ppm, the extent of rind degreening was proportionally related to the level of applied ethylene. The saturating levels of ethylene for flesh softening (2.5 ppm) and for membrane deterioration and cell separation in the peduncular abscission zone (5 ppm) were much lower than the internal ethylene found at the climacteric peak of wild-type fruit (over 100 ppm). The cessation of ethylene treatment resulted in a complete arrest of the rind degreening and peduncular cell separation indicating that both ripening pathways are completely dependent on ethylene. On the contrary, softening and membrane deterioration, though significantly slowed upon removal of ethylene treatment, continued to proceed in the absence of the hormone, thereby unmasking the ethylene-independent component of softening and membrane deterioration. The presence of ethylene-independent components in the regulation of individual pathways indicates that the ripening of climacteric fruit involves a substantial portion of non-climacteric regulation.
Host range and symptomatology of a graft‐transmissible pathogen causing bud union crease of citrus on trifoliate rootstocks

A graft-transmissible pathogen causing bud union crease of Nagami kumquat SRA‐153 on Troyer citrange was characterized for host range and symptomatology. Buds of Marsh grapefruit, Nules clementine, Eureka lemon and Pineapple sweet orange preinoculated with kumquat SRA‐153 were propagated on citrange rootstocks. Some plants of Nules clementine and Eureka lemon had developed bud union crease six months after propagation, whereas all Marsh grapefruit and Pineapple sweet orange plants still showed normal bud union after one year. On indexing these preinoculated species, Nules clementine and Eureka lemon caused vein clearing in Pineapple sweet orange and Dweet tangor, chlorotic blotching in Dweet tangor and stem pitting in Etrog citron, whereas Marsh grapefruit and Pineapple sweet orange caused only chlorotic blotching in Dweet tangor and stem pitting in Etrog citron. Following shoot-tip grafting in vitro of kumquat SRA‐153, kumquats 38‐1 and 497‐2 obtained from it caused chlorotic blotching in Dweet tangor and stem pitting in Etrog citron, but not vein clearing in Pineapple sweet orange and Dweet tangor or bud union crease when propagated on citrange. These results suggest the presence of at least two pathogens or pathogen strains in kumquat SRA‐153 and the elimination of one of them after shoot-tip grafting in vitro or inoculation on Marsh grapefruit or Pineapple sweet orange. They also indicate that the pathogens in kumquat SRA‐ 153 can be detected by indexing on Dweet tangor or Etrog citron.
Flight speeds of seven bird species during chick rearing

Flight speeds of seven bird species were recorded using a hand-held Doppler radar for adult birds flying to and from foraging areas while rearing chicks. R.A. Norberg (1981. J. Anim. Ecol. 50: 473–477) predicted that birds rearing chicks should fly at speeds greater than the maximum range speed to bring the most food to their chicks as long as the associated increase in travel costs can be more than compensated for by foraging in the travel time saved. From aerodynamic and total power curves based on a range of literature values for the drag coefficient (0.05–0.4), the minimum power speed (minimum point on the U-shaped curve), and maximum range speed (a tangent to the curve from the origin at which the distance traveled per unit energy is maximized) are compared with the mean measured flight speed for each species. For all species, the mean measured flight speed was significantly less than the maximum range speed (p < 0.05), which is independent of foraging style and habitats, suggesting that flying at sp.
Morphological Phylogeny of Pikas (Lagomorpha: Ochotona), with a Description of a New Species from the Pliocene/Pleistocene Transition of Hungary

ABSTRACT. Phylogenetic relationships among 20 species of extinct and living pikas (Ochotona) from Asia, Europe and North America were investigated by examining 38 cranial, mandibular and dental characters. Our data support phylogenetic distinction of three clades (Ochotona, Conothoa and Pika) recognized in recent molecular studies. Among the pikas of the subgenus Conothoa we found a lineage including three extinct species from Central Europe (in their number Ochotona kormosi sp. nov. from the Pleistocene of Hungary, described herein) along with extant O. roylei as a sister taxon. Our results suggest paraphyly of the subgenus Conothoa as currently understood. In addition, the steppe pika (O. pusilla) was recovered as a separate clade outside the monophyletic subgenera. Our cladistic analysis is the first to examine phylogenetic placement of extinct forms within extant lineages of Ochotona. O. dodogolica is proposed as a member of Pika, O. polonica, O. kormosi and O. zabiensis as close to O. roylei, and O. nihewanica as a sister taxon to O. dauurica + O. thibetana. O. chowmincheni, a late Miocene species from China, proved a basal taxon, resembling Ochotonoides in the cranial and dental morphology, but lacking close affinities among Ochotona. According to our analysis, O. pusilla (with fossil O. gudrunae) belongs to the most basal clade of Ochotona, which supports the suggested antiquity of this lineage. Thus, we argue that of two morphotypes observed early in the evolutionary history of Ochotona, namely, the small species forms with minor p3 anteroconid versus large forms with enlarged p3 anteroconid with additional folds present, the former is more primitive and most probably evolved directly from the Bellatona—Bellatonoides lineage. Our results are in agreement with the known fossil record and we suggest the earliest Late Miocene of north China (Inner Mongolia and the adjacent regions) as the probable time and place of the origin of Ochotona.
A Theoretical Framework for Intraguild Predation

Many important issues in community ecology revolve around the interplay of competition and predation. Species that compete may also be locked in predator-prey interactions, a mixture of competition and predation known as "intraguild predation" (IGP). There is growing evidence for the importance of IGP in many natural communities, yet little formal ecological theory addresses this particular blend of interactions. In this article, we explore the consequences of incorporating IGP into standard models of exploitative competition and food chains (a general resource-consumer model, a Lotka-Volterra food chain model, and Schoener's exploitative competition model). Our theoretical analyses suggest a general criterion for coexistence in IGP systems: the intermediate species (the prey in intraguild predation) should be superior at exploitative competition for the shared resource, whereas the top species (the predator) should gain significantly from its consumption of the intermediate species. Along gradients in environmental productivity, coexistence is most likely at intermediate levels of productivity. Analyses of the models reveal the potential for alternative stable states in systems with IGP; these are particularly likely if the top predator gains little benefit from consuming the intermediate predator. We further show that IGP can lead to unstable population dynamics, even when all pairwise interactions are inherently stable and each species can increase when rare. Persistent, strong IGP raises a puzzle of species coexistence, particularly in productive environments. We conclude by comparing IGP with related community modules (i.e., food chains, exploitative competition, apparent competition) and discussing mechanisms that should foster coexistence in systems with strong IGP.
Community‐level assessment of freezing tolerance: frost dictates the biome boundary between Albany subtropical thicket and Nama‐Karoo in South Africa

The sub‐escarpment coastal plains of South Africa provide remarkable opportunities to study the determinants of biome boundaries as numerous biomes are found closely juxtaposed, including the Nama‐Karoo semi‐desert shrubland and Albany subtropical thicket. The Nama‐Karoo shrubland is centred on the semi‐arid and frosty high‐elevation interior plateau of South Africa, whereas the Albany subtropical thicket inhabits the comparatively warmer sub‐escarpment coastal plains. We examined the role of winter frosts in determining the boundaries between these two biomes on the coastal plain.
The usefulness of macrophyte monitoring-systems, exemplified on eutrophication and acidification of running waters

Summary Apart from other biological methods, the mapping of submerged macrophytes is an important instrument for longterm monitoring of the quality of running waters. This type of monitoring is particulary suitable to lotie systems with lower dynamic discharge patterns resulting in a wide diversity of macrophytes. Submerged macrophytes react equally to processes of eutrophication and oligotrophication (acidification of waters) caused by man. Their high ability to persist, compared to other groups of organisms, allows for a highly integrative bioindication statement. The overall statement and high local precision achieved with a mapping of macrophytes comply with the increasingly important assessment of the integrity of the ecological system of running waters.
Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography

Two genera and four species of Podostemaceae in Malesia are enumerated and a key to the species is provided. They are morphologically distinct from each other. Cladopus javanicus and C. nymanii are endemic to Java and Malesia, respectively, and C. queenslandicus occurs in eastern Papua New Guinea and north-eastern Australia. Terniopsis malayana, formerly called Malaccotristicha malayana, is distributed in Peninsular Malaysia to Peninsular Thailand. Asian Podostemoideae including Cladopus are a product of secondary diversification following a single migration, while Tristichoideae with Terniopsis show primary diversification in Asia.
The p110γ PI‐3 kinase is required for the mechanism by which the EphA8‐induced neurites are modulated by ephrin‐A5 engagement

This study provides evidence that expression of EphA8 receptor in NG108–15 cells results in a substantial increase in the number of neurite‐bearing cells. However, the EphA8‐induced neurite outgrowth does not require either ephrin‐A5 stimulation or ectopic expression of p110γPI‐3 kinase. In contrast, co‐expression of a lipid kinase‐inactive p110γ mutant together with EphA8 causes neurite retraction in the presence of ephrin‐A5 stimulation. This effect was not observed in the absence of ephrin‐A5 stimulation. Significantly, the tyrosine kinase activity of EphA8 is not important for either of these processes. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that p110γ PI‐3 kinase is critically involved in the regulatory process by which ephrin‐A5 exerts effects on the EphA8‐induced neurite outgrowth.
Análise econômica de esquemas alternativos de controle leiteiro

Costs of six different milk recording schemes based on the interval between controls (with the possibility of a three-month interval supervision control and the use of the farmers milk recording data), the number of milking recorded and milk quality analyses (milk composition and/or somatic cell counting) were compared. The ratio milk recording costs over gross income (CL/RB) and over net income (CL/RL) were also estimated. The traditional scheme (monthly recording) presented the highest monthly costs and ratios CL/RB and CL/RL. Schemes with longer intervals between controls and alternate sampling presented the lowest costs due to the reduction of travel costs. Monthly milk recording costs over milk gross income and over net income ranged from 0.68% to 1.8% and from 6.6% to 17.0%, respectively.
Seedling Stage Drought-Induced Phenotypes and Drought-Responsive Genes in Diverse Cowpea Genotypes

Populations developed from crosses between parents contrasting in drought tolerance are used to identify drought-related genetic elements in crops. Easily assayable phenotypes and identifi cation of contrasting genotypes are important components of such studies. We investigated genotypic and phenotypic responses to seedling-stage drought of 14 cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ] genotypes. Observations on stem greenness, unifoliate senescence, wilting, trifoliate abscission, and anthocyanin accumulation made twice weekly for 30 d after the last watering in greenhouse experiments were compared with survival and recovery dry weights to identify contrasting genotypes. Based on survival and recovery dry weights, four genotypes were identifi ed representing the drought-tolerance spectrum. The genotype IT93K-503–1 was highly tolerant and IT98K-499–39 was tolerant, whereas CB46 was susceptible and ‘Bambey 21’ was highly susceptible. Genotypes differed in all phenotypic responses assayed. Only stem greenness was correlated with survival and recovery dry weight (r > 0.60). Field droughtinduced senescence was correlated with greenhouse stem greenness, survival, and recovery dry weight (r > –0.56). Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 12 droughtrelated complementary DNAs generated 29 polymorphic bands among the 14 genotypes. Seven of these bands were correlated with different drought-related phenotypes. These fi ndings have utility for improved selection and molecular genetic studies of seedling drought tolerance in cowpea. W. Muchero and P.A. Roberts, Nematology Dep. , Univ. of Califor
A molecular study of the tardigrade Echiniscus testudo (Echiniscidae) reveals low DNA sequence diversity over a large geographical area

In the present study we investigate the genetic diversity within the asexually reproducing tardigrade Echiniscus testudo. The present study is the first to sample a tardigrade species for comparison of DNA sequence diversity between widely separated samples. Echiniscus testudo was sampled at 13 localities spanning three continents. DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene and the nuclear ITS2 sequence were used to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of the various asexual lineages. Terrestrial tardigrades with the capability of entering a cryptobiotic state are assumed to have a high passive dispersal potential through airborne transport. Our results show moderate (ITS2) to high (COI) haplotype diversity and low sequence diversity that indicate evolution of haplotypes within distinct asexual lineages and a high dispersal potential. No isolation by distance was detected by Mantel tests. Different phylogeny inference methods (neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) revealed little topological resolution, but minimum spanning networks showed some phylogeographic patterns. The COI and ITS2 minimum spanning networks show patterns that indicate dispersal of several haplotypes from founding populations. In conclusion our data show a low genetic diversity and a relatively high haplotype diversity indicating that E. testudo is a young species with a high dispersal potential.
Determination of the complete genomic sequence and molecular biological analysis of Soybean mosaic virus

Abstract Soybean mosaic virus (SMV; Potyvirus, Potyviridae) is a plant pathogenic virus that infects many commercially important plants worldwide, including soybean, and impairs their production and quality. SMV can be classified into strains based on differences in virulence. Many of these strains have been sequenced; however, only a few complete genomic sequences of virus strains and isolates from soybean grown in China have been reported. In this study, the complete genomic sequences of three SMV isolates of different virulence from plants in China were determined and compared with the sequences of 54 other SMV strains and isolates. Genomic nucleotide diversity analysis and the Neutrality Test showed that the sequence of the 5′ untranslated regions (5′UTR) of the virus genome-linked protein (VPg) and first protein (P1) genes had been altered by negative selection pressure. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that sequence variation in the cytoplasmic inclusion (CI) cistron of the virus was correlated closely with the level of virulence and with the source of the virus isolate. The CI gene was found to be crucial for classification and characterization of the SMV strains, and may be a determining factor in the level of SMV virulence.
Riparian gravel banks of upland and lowland rivers in Victoria (south-east Australia): arthropod community structure and life-history patterns along a longitudinal gradient

Riparian sand and gravel banks are inhabited by a fauna that is well adapted to varying river water levels and frequent inundation of the banks. Arthropods found in these habitats were studied from November 1998 to January 1999 in the upper and lower floodplains of the main rivers and tributaries in ten major catchments in the Victorian Alps. Wolf spiders (Lycosidae, 68%) and ground beetles (Carabidae, 7.8%) were the most abundant arthropods, with densities averaging 14.6 ± 1.8 (s.e.) and 2.3 ± 0.4 individuals m–2 respectively. Species composition and wolf spider densities changed substantially between upland and lowland rivers. These differences correspond with changes in altitude, shading, and gravel and gravel bank size. Comparison of our results with similar studies conducted in temperate Northern Hemisphere floodplains showed significant differences. Carabidae, not Lycosidae, are the dominant arthropod group in Northern Hemisphere floodplains. Wolf spider densities are higher in upper than lower reaches of rivers in the Victorian Alps, but do not change along rivers in the Northern Hemisphere. In contrast, carabid beetles showed similar densities between upland and lowland floodplains in Victoria, but increase in density along rivers in the Northern Hemisphere. A second, monthly sampling program on gravel banks along the Avon River (Gippsland) over a one-year period in 1996 and 1997 provided information on the life histories of eight common gravel-bank arthropods: Venatrix lapidosa, V. arenaris, two undescribed Artoria species (‘A’, ‘B’) (Lycosidae), Eudalia macleayi, Elaphropus ovensensis, Perileptus constricticeps and an unidentified Loxandrus species (‘B’) (Carabidae). Artoria sp. A and sp. B are diplochronous. Despite its smaller size, Artoria sp. B matured one month after Artoria sp. A. Lower temperatures at upland streams and rivers, the typical habitat for Artoria sp. B, may delay its development in comparison with Artoria sp. A, which is generally found further downstream. The life histories of both lycosid spiders and carabid beetles, characterised by prolonged reproductive period and short larval development, appear to have some adaptive value in regard to the disturbance-prone environment.
Evidence for the persistence of Arabian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) in the Ibex Reserve, Saudi Arabia and its preferred prey species

Abstract Numbers of Arabian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) on the Arabian Peninsula are in decline and intact ecosystems in which large carnivores prey on larger mammals are virtually absent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Moreover, many canids roaming in the Kingdom are hybrids between feral dogs and wolves. In this study we provide genetic evidence for the persistence of wolves in the Jebel Tuwaiq ecosystem (Ibex Reserve) in central Saudi Arabia and we provide information on the preferred prey species of wolves in this protected area.