Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Analysis of Greater Sage-grouse Habitat Use in Relation to Landscape Level Habitat Structure

Greater sage-grouse (GSG; Centrocercus urophasianus) selectively utilize portions of sagebrush and sagebrush associated habitats within broad and heterogeneous landscapes. Until recently, sage-grouse research has generally focused on fine-scale vegetation structure and composition and less on landscape-scale habitat requirements. Insufficient information at broad scales limits a manager’s ability to interpret and predict habitat use patterns, assess habitat suitability, and target areas for conservation and ecological rehabilitation. We identified environmental attributes associated with GSG habitat use at broad spatial scales. In 2006, we captured 50 GSG, radio-collared each bird, and tracked each bird’s position within a 31,416 ha study area in central Oregon, USA. We monitored birds year-long between March 2006 and March 2008 across the study area. Each time a bird was located, we collected a coordinate position at the point where it was observed. We generated spatially explicit predictor variables in a Geographic Information System to quantify the association between landscape structure and GSG occurrence. Predictor variables included elevation, slope, aspect, curvature, solar radiation, landscape ruggedness, orientation, distance from roads, distance from leks, distance from mesic habitats, and cover type. We used spatial modeling (Maximum Entropy) to 1) develop predictive models of GSG seasonal resource use, 2) generate probability maps for visual assessment, and 3) characterize response curves associated with GSG habitat preference based on individual landscape predictor variables. Results indicate that during the breeding season GSG will use big sagebrush, low sagebrush or complexes of low and mountain big sagebrush cover types. During the summer season, GSG use low sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush, and mesic areas. Additionally, summer season use areas include higher elevation sites within or in close proximity to habitats that sustain succulent forbs throughout most of the growing season. Maps of modeled data identify spatially explicit areas of preferred habitat and predicted bird use patterns. This information can help managers identify and protect important GSG habitat across heterogeneous landscapes.
Efficient method for large-scale preparation of two components H and I of Sg-6 saponins from whole seeds of wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.)

ABSTRACT New saponin components, Sg-6 saponins, have been recently reported from the seeds of wild soybean (Glycine soja) which may have specific health benefits. To evaluate the possible health benefits, a large amount of Sg-6 saponins are needed, but general group A acetyl saponins and new Sg-6 saponins are eluted in overlapping peaks by ordinal preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and/or open column methods. A new method is proposed in this report. This method includes (1) deacetylation of group A acetyl saponins in alkali condition with KOH, (2) precipitation of Sg-6 saponins in acid condition with HCl, (3) recovery of Sg-6 saponins with aqueous methanol from the precipitate, and (4) elution of Sg-6 saponins by preparative reverse-phase open column. With this method, from 450 g of wild soybean whole seed powder, about 1 g of Sg-6 saponins (mixture of six components) was clearly separated from other saponins with 61% recovery. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Modeling Approaches for Estimating Cardinal Temperatures by Bilinear, Parabolic, and Beta Distribution Functions

Estimation of the cardinal temperatures ? the base, optimum and maximum temperatures ? is indispensable because plant growth and development are affected by temperature. Although several models including linear and nonlinear functions are available to estimate the temperatures, a model suitable to the specific crop should be selected. The objectives of this study were to analyzed the estimated the cardinal temperatures for germination of spinach (Spinachia oleracea cv. Gwibin) by bilinear, parabolic and beta distribution models and to find a model reflecting the plant response to temperature adequately. Seeds of spinach were germinated in a growth chamber at constant temperatures of 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, and 36℃. Radicle emergence of 1 ㎜ was scored as germination. The time course of germination was fitted using a logistic function. The base, optimum, and maximum temperatures were estimated by regression of the inverse time to 50% germination rate against temperature gradient. We obtained the base, optimum and maximum temperatures of -4.0, 17.1 and 33.2℃ in bilinear function; -0.9, 15.8 and 32.5℃ in parabolic function; and -2.6, 16.6 and 32.6℃ in beta distribution function, respectively. Among the three functions, a beta distribution function had a good agreement with the plant response to temperature showing the highest R² (coefficient of determination) and the lowest RMSE.
Selection of hard red winter wheat lines with diverse resistance to leaf spot diseases

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iv LIST OF TABLES . vii LIST OF FIGURES . viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . x LIST OF SYMBOLS . xiv LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES . xv
The Influence of Body Size and Hemoglobin Multiplicity on Critical Oxygen Threshold in Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)

Hypoxia is common in marine environments and fishes use a suite of cardiorespiratory adjustments to defend aerobic metabolism, including reducing standard metabolic rate (SMR), the minimum metabolic rate needed to sustain life at a specified temperature, or increasing hemoglobin (Hb)-O 2 affinity. Nonetheless, hypoxia can constrain oxygen transport whereby fish cannot accommodate standard metabolic rate; a point known as critical oxygen tension (P crit ). Currently, it is unclear how life history traits may impact P crit , but available data on red drum ( Sciaenops ocellatus ) suggest that its SMR decreases with size, and its transcriptome contains multiple Hb-α and Hb-β subunits. Therefore we sought to explore the influence of body size and acclimation to hypoxia. Critical oxygen tension (P crit ) was measured for fish over a 2500-fold range in mass (0.26 - 686 g) and surprisingly showed an increase (P crit = 3.15 log M + 16.19; R 2 = 0.44) despite decreasing SMR. Two groups of S. ocellatus (90.96 ± 5.00 g ranging from 69.7 g to 141.9 g) were also subjected to either normoxia ( > 95% P O 2 ) or hypoxia ( 30% ± 5% P O 2 ) treatment for two weeks. Only fish subjected to hypoxia treatment showed a statistically significant decrease in P crit after the treatment. Acclimation had no impact on gill surface area, diffusion distance or relative ventricular mass, but mRNA expression levels of the major Hb-α subunit switched from Hbα-3.1 in the normoxia group to Hbα-3.2 in the hypoxia treatment group and expression levels of Hbα-2, Hbα-3.2 and Hbβ-3.1 showed a statistically significant increase in the hypoxia treatment group. Decrease in P50 and thus an increase in Hb-O2 binding affinity was observed for fish subjected to hypoxia treatment. Taken together these data indicate that hypoxia tolerance is affected by both developmental stage and hypoxia acclimation. further analysis. Another small portion transferred into a 40 mm heparinized plastic microhematocrit tube and sealed at one end with Critoseal . The blood sample was then centrifuged using a CritSpin centrifuge at 15,800 rpm for 2 min, after which hematocrit was read using a microhematocrit capillary tube reader. An incision was then made above the anal vent of the fish and the body cavity opened to expose the heart. The heart was excised out, and the ventricle of the heart was weighed. The first gill arch on the left side of the fish was also sampled for gill surface area and diffusion distance analysis. Gill samples were placed immediately in zinc formalin fixative (Z-Fix; Anatech Ltd, USA), stored overnight, and subsequently transferred to 70% ethanol for long-term storage.
ACTIVITY PATTERNS AND HOME RANGES OF THE AMERICAN MINK MUSTELA VISON IN THE FINNISH OUTER ARCHIPELAGO

Activity patterns and size of home ranges were studied in the American mink (Mustela vison) by the means of radio-tracking in a sea archipelago in southern Finland. Activity pattern was analyzed in 7 tracking periods of individual minks in different times of the year: 1 was nocturnal, 2 were diurnal and 4 were neutral. Total activity was negatively correlated with night length. Home range size varied largely according to season and sex, for instance. The paper discusses some details about the use of home ranges consisting of several islands and skerries.
Next generation gene synthesis: From microarrays to genomes

Similar to the incredible advances in DNA sequencing, the de novo synthesis of DNA is subject to innovations and fast progress in terms of synthesis speed and cost. We will discuss novel techniques that are expected to enable high‐throughput synthesis of oligonucleotides on microarrays and the subsequent assembly into longer fragments, up to whole genomes. Especially, the inherent disadvantages of microarray‐derived oligonucleotide pools for gene synthesis will be discussed in detail, and also the different approaches to still render these oligonucleotides useful for gene assembly. These so‐called next‐generation techniques will lead to a significant cost reduction of gene synthesis and to the possibility of much larger projects, such as whole genome synthesis.
Returns to Education in the Russian Federation : Some new Estimates

This paper presents new estimates of the returns to education in the Russian Federation using data from 1994 to 2018. Although the returns to schooling increased for a time, they are now much lower than the global average. Private returns to education are three times greater for higher education compared with vocational education, and the returns to education for females are higher than for males. Returns for females show an inverse U-shaped curve over the past two decades. Female education is a policy priority and there is a need to investigate the labor market relevance of vocational education. Higher education may have reached an expansion limit, and it may be necessary to investigate options for increasing the productivity of schooling.
Stem Cells and Cancer

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into specialized cell and can divide to produce more stem cells. The concept of cancer stem cells has been discussed in the scientific literature since the 19th century. Circumstantial evidence suggests that most tumors are heterogeneous and contain a small population of cancer stem cells that exhibit distinctive self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation capabilities, which are believed to play a crucial role in tumor progression, drug resistance, recurrence and metastasis in multiple malignancies. Unlike normal adult stem cells that remain constant in number, cancer stem cells can increase in number as tumors grow, and give rise to progeny that can be both locally invasive and colonize distant sites-the two hallmarks of malignancy. Rapid advances in the cancer stem cell feld have provided cause for optimism for the development of more reliable cancer therapies in the future. Strategies aimed at effcient targeting of cancer stem cells are becoming important for monitoring the progress of cancer therapy and for evaluating new therapeutic approaches.
In vitro micropropagation of Ananas comosus L. (Merr.) var. Queen

Efficient protocols, developed for micropropagation of pineapple (Ananas comosus L) var. Queen through in vitro culture of axillary buds from crowns of mature fruits, slips and suckers (induced from adult plants), are presented in this paper. Axenic buds, initially cultured on MS medium with high auxin: cytokinin ratio, when shifted onto MS with high cytokinin: auxin, showed high percentage of culture establishment (80.6%). Further, the shoot multiplication increased upon subculture on freshly prepared high BAP containing multiplication medium. The cycle was found to be repeatable. MS with 2.5 mg L-1 BAP, 2.0 mg L-1 NAA & IBA, 10% CW (coconut water) was found to be the best multiplication medium. In vitro grown shootlets were successfully rooted on MS with 0.5 mg L-1 NAA and 0.5 mg L-1 IBA. While evaluating different culture systems viz., semi-solid, liquid stationary and liquid shaken, the last one was found to be the most promising and maximum buds could be produced over a period of 6 months. Maximum (12.25±1.20) buds per culture in liquid shaken culture was observed in the fifth passage (each of 30 d duration) in an experiment of 6 months duration. The requirement of BAP in liquid shaken culture medium was almost half of the requirement in semi-solid medium to achieve a maximum multiplication. Pulsing of explants from liquid culture to semi-solid medium enhanced the culture response as evident from higher shoot multiplication rate with all types of explants. The potential of callus cultures in regenerating plantlets was found to be immense. Maximum (14.33±2.78) plantlets per culture were developed through this technique. They performed at par with in vitro grown shootlets developed from axillary buds. This offers a route to integrate callus based plantlet development with in vitro multiplication to produce more plantlets within a short time, though the risk of somaclonal variation remains, which is sought to be minimized through judicious cultural manipulation.
Relationships between environmental factors and biological parameters of Asian wedge clam, Donax scortum, morphometric analysis, length-weight relationship and condition index: a first report in Asia

Wedge clam, Donax scortum occurrence was studied from February 2009 to January 2010 in Padukere sandy beach, Karnataka (India). The following biological parameters were measured in 2367 individuals of the wedge clam, Donax scortum: length, breadth, width, total weight, shell weight, wet meat weight, dry meat weight and number of clams. The calculated linear equation of length-breadth and length-width relationships were B = 3.5968 + 0.5421L and W = 0.8191 + 0.4345L respectively. The length-total weight, length-wet meat weight, length-dry meat weight and length-shell weight relationships were 0.0001414L3. 0224, W = 0.0000037L3. 5204, W = 0.0000011L3. 4513 and 0.0000852L2. 9912 respectively. The values of correlation coefficient for different shell dimensional relationships were very close to unity. It was clear from the study that the most ideal period for clam harvest was April, June and December, especially when condition index was maximum. Length showed a strong correlation with silt and clay. Dry meat weight was negatively correlated with air temperature. Shell weight showed positive correlation with length, breadth, width and dry meat weight, and abiotic parameters, silt and clay. Condition index was positively correlated with electrical conductivity, whereas it was negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen. It showed a strong positive correlation with salinity. Seasonal fluctuation of condition index in D. scortum was probably related to reproductive activity. The harvesting of wedge clam could be carried out considering the maximum sustainable yield without over-exploitation
Prevalence and risk factors for bovine tuberculosis in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological situation of bovine tuberculosis in Mato Grosso do Sul. The State was divided into three regions, Pantanal, Planalto Norte, and Planalto Sul. In each region, properties were randomly chosen and a pre-established number of animals were also randomly selected; these animals were submitted to the intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin diagnostic test. In total, 17,121 animals from 938 properties were tested. In cases of inconclusive results, the animals were retested with the same diagnostic procedure within a minimum interval of 60 days. An epidemiological questionnaire was administered in the properties sampled to investigate possible risk factors for the disease. In the State, the prevalence of infected herds was 1.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–2.37%) and that of infected animals was 0.035% (95% CI: 0.017–0.069%). Point estimates indicated a higher concentration of infected herds (2.61%; 95% CI: 1.31–5.15%) and infected animals (0.132%; 95% CI: 0.055–0.315%) in the Planalto Sul region, which has a predominance of dairy properties. The prevalence of herds infected with bovine tuberculosis was found to be associated with the production of milk, with technification in the mode of production represented by the use of mechanical milking. Thus, it is recommended that the State adopt strategies for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis, with the structuring of the surveillance system for detection and mitigation of infected herds, incorporating risk-based surveillance elements.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Acanthosentis cheni (Acanthocephala: Quadrigyridae)

Abstract Acanthosentis cheni is a marine or brackish acanthocephalan found in fish. The complete mitochondrial genome of A. cheni (Acanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) is first sequenced. It is a circular molecule of 13,695 bp in size and consists of 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 20 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Except tRNA-Gln, all other mitochondrial genes were encoded on the heavy strand. The gene order and orientation of A. cheni mitogenome are basically identical to that of other acanthocephala. This study will facilitate the further research of the population genetics of this species and systematic analyses of the acanthocephala.
A conceptual framework of urban forest ecosystem vulnerability

The urban environment is becoming the most common setting in which people worldwide will spend their lives. Urban forests, and the ecosystem services they provide, are becoming a priority for municipalities. Quantifying and communicating the vulnerability of this resource are essential for maintaining a consistent and equitable supply of these ecosystem services. We propose a theory-based conceptual framework for the assessment of urban forest vulnerability that integrates the biophysical, built, and human components of urban forest ecosystems. A review and description of potential vulnerability indicators are provided. Urban forest vulnerability can be defined as the likelihood of decline in ecosystem service supply and its associated benefits for human populations, urban infrastructure, and biodiversity. It is comprised of (i) exposure, which refers to the stressors and disturbances associated with the urban environment that negatively affect ecosystem function, (ii) sensitivity, which is determined by .
Données nouvelles sur les Crabes primitifs (Crustacea Decapoda Brachyura Podotremata)

Sont presentes ici des resultats preliminaires concernant trois familles de Brachyura Podotremata. Chez les Dynomenidae, grâce a de recentes captures en Nouvelle-Caledonie, le genre Paradynomene Sakai est compare aux autres membres de la famille. Chez les Homolodromiidae sont decrites ou confirmees: la presence chez le mâle de segments abdominaux frequemment dotes de pleopodes rudimentaires sur les somites 3-5 et prolonges par des pleures inclines; dans les deux sexes, l'absence d'uropodes vestigiaux intercales dorsalement et, a leur place, la presence d'une petite piece inseree ventralement. Trois nouveaux taxons sont decrits: Homolodromia kai sp. nov. et Dicranodromia karubar sp. nov. en Indonesie, D, foersteri sp. nov. aux iles Chesterfield
INHIBITORY EFFECT OF LIPOXYGENASE AND DPPH RADICAL SCAVENING ACTIVITY OF FRAXINUS RHYNCHOPHYLLA

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate plant extracts as sources of natural antioxidants and to examine whether Fraxinus rhynchophylla having significant 1- diphenyl 2-picrylhyorazyl (DPPH) activity and Lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity. The plants of F. rhynchophylla were divided into three parts: leaves, outer bark, and endodermis. The antioxidant activity of the F. rhynchophylla extracts was measured on the basis of the scavenging activity of the stable 1, 1- diphenyl 2-picrylhyorazyl (DPPH) free radical. DPPH scavenging activity of outer bark extracts of F. rhynchophylla was evaluated at 4.0 mg/ml was 75.6% and that of leaves was 70.8% at same concentration. The outer cortex of F. rhynchophylla showed maximum inhibition of DPPH activity (IC50 = 70.5 ug/ml). The highest LOX inhibition was recorded in the outer cortex extract among three vegetative parts. The outer bark of F. rhynchophylla showed maximum inhibition of LOX activity (IC50 = 62.6 ug/ml). Although the degree of inhibition of lipoxygenase by F. rhynchophylla were different among leaves, outer cortex, and endodermis at different concentrations, there were not show a statistically significant difference (p <0.05). Strong inhibition of LOX enzymes by extract from F. rhynchophylla makes this pharmacopeial plant material an interesting topic for further biological and phytochemical examination.
Report of the Special Committee on Electronic Publication

The Special Committee on Electronic Publication was re-established at the XVII International Botanical Congress (IBC) in Vienna in 2005, with the mandate to consider on the issues relating to the electronic publication of nomenclatural novelties and to report to the XVIII IBC in Melbourne in 2011. With the global push to inventory biodiversity and to develop information systems to disseminate data, issues surrounding speed of publication, copyright and licensing, and permanence and accessibility of information have surfaced. Electronic publication is central to these issues, and the insistence of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Code) on distribution of printed matter for effective publication is seen by many as a hindrance to progress. Against this backdrop, the Committee conducted extensive negotiations and discussions on a wide range of issues on electronic publication, which are here summarized in the Committee's report. The Committee unanimously supports the extension of effective publication to electronic publication, but in a well-regulated way that will establish the basis for long-term archiving and discovery. The Committee has put forward a set of eleven proposals (Special Committee on Electronic Publication, 2010) to amend the Code to permit electronic publications to be considered effectively published under specified conditions on or after 1 January 2013. It is proposed that electronic material will be effectively published only when distributed in Portable Document Format (PDF) in an online serial publication with an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN). An additional proposal extends this to PDF with an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). Further proposals strengthen this by forbidding post-publication alteration and by discounting preliminary versions as not effectively published. The current method for establishing the date of effective publication is amended to account for electronic material. These changes to the Articles of the Code are supported by a set of Recommendations for best practice for electronic publication of nomenclatural novelties, covering aspects of archiving and immutability, dissemination of data, and clear designation of versions as preliminary or final. This report provides the supporting documentation for the set of proposals that are also published in this issue. It is necessary that the two be read alongside each other.