Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Xylem recovery from cavitation-induced embolism in young plants of Laurus nobilis: a possible mechanism.

Xylem recovery from cavitation-induced embolism was studied in l-yr-old twigs of Laurus mibilis L. Cavitation was induced by applying pre-established pressure differentials (AP0,1 ) across the pit membranes of xylem conduits. ΔP0 ) were 1.13, 1.75 and 2.26 MPa, corresponding to about 50, 77 und 100% of the measured leaf water potential at the rurgor loss point ΔP0,1 were obtained either by increasing xylem tensions or by applying positive pressures from outside, or by a combination of the two. The percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC) did not change, regardless of how the ΔP0-1 were obtained. This confirmed that xylem cavitation was nucleated by microbubbles from outside the vessels. Positive pressures, however, amplified (up to 75%) and sped up the xylem refilling (20 min) in comparison with that measured in unpressurized twigs (c.50% in 15 h). Twigs girdled proximally to their pressurized segment 1 nun after the desired pressure value had been reached, did not recover from embolism. The later the twigs were girdled with respect to when they were tested for PLC, the higher was their recovery from embolism, suggesting that some messenger was transported in the phloem which stimulated xylem refilling. Indol-3-acetic acid (1AA] applied to the exposed cortex of both pressurized and unpressurized twigs, induced an almost complete recovery from PLC. We hypothesize that the refilling of cavitated xylem might be a result of an auxin-induced increase in the phloem loading with solutes. This would cause radial transport of solutes to cavitated xylem conduits via the rays, thus decreasing their osmotic potential and making them refill. No positive xylem pressure potentials were measured during xylem recovery from PLC.
The effect of ‘mosaic management’ on the demography of black‐tailed godwit Limosa limosa on farmland

1. Like many farmland birds, the largest European population of the black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa, in The Netherlands, has been declining for decades despite conservation measures including agri-environment schemes (AES). In a new experimental AES aiming to reverse this decline, collectives of farmers implemented spatially coordinated site-level habitat management ('mosaic management') including delayed and staggered mowing of fields, refuge strips and active nest protection. 2. We evaluated the effectiveness of mosaic management by measuring godwit breeding success in six experimental sites and paired controls. Productivity was higher in mosaics than in controls due to fewer agricultural nest losses. Chick fledging success was poor in both treatments. Productivity compensated for adult mortality in only one AES site. 3. Although creating chick habitat was a major management goal, the availability of tall grass during the fledging period did not differ between treatments, mainly because rainfall delayed mowing in all sites and study years. However, chick survival increased with the availability of tall grass among sites. Higher chick survival will thus enhance the positive effect of mosaic management in drier years, but sensitivity to weather represents a weakness of the AES design. 4. Available estimates of productivity in Dutch godwits suggest a strong reduction over the past 20 years and implicate chick survival as the main driver of their decline. Earlier mowing of grassland is the main causal mechanism, but changes in vegetation structure and composition, and increased predation may also have contributed. 5. Synthesis and applications. Demographic rates like breeding success are useful parameters for evaluating effects of management. Mosaic management increases the productivity of black-tailed godwits, but does not ensure long-term population viability for this flagship species of wet grassland bird communities. More stringent management prescriptions need to improve both the area and the quality (vegetation structure) of grassland mown late. Management efforts should be concentrated in areas with favourable pre-conditions in order to improve overall effectiveness.
Influence of Oxygen and Sulfide Concentration on Nitrogen Uptake Kinetics in Spartina Alterniflora

The effects of sulfide concentration and hypoxia on NH4@? —uptake kinetics in Spartina alterniflora were examined in a laboratory culture experiment. Both factors significantly influenced the Michaelis—Menten parameters, Vmax and Km, which characterize the nitrogen uptake rate as a function of nitrogen concentration. Under oxygen—saturated conditions, the mean NH4@? Vmax per unit root dry mass (DM) was 12.91 @mmol°g—1°h—1 and the Km was 1.05 @mmol/L NH4@? +. Under hypoxia, Vmax decreased to 8.14 @mmol°g—1°h—1, while Km increased to 2.54 @mmol/L NH4@? +. Dissolved sulfide concentrations as low as 0.25 mmol/L inhibited the NH4@? +—uptake kinetics of S. alterniflora significantly, and to a greater extent than hypoxia alone. Exposure to 1.0 mmol/L sulfide resulted in a Vmax per unit root DM of 2.28 @mmol°g—1°h—1 and a Km of 8.79 mmol/L NH4@? +. No significant NH4@? + uptake was found with exposure to 2.0 mmol/L sulfide. The results are consistent with a conceptual model of changes in productivity of S. alterniflora in the salt marsh as a function of environmental modification of NH4@? +—uptake kinetics.
The relationship between soil seed bank, above‐ground vegetation and disturbance intensity on old‐field successional permanent plots

Questions: How does disturbance and successional age influence richness, size and composition of the soil seed bank? What is the potential contribution of the soil seed bank to the plant community composition on sites differing in their successional age or disturbance intensity? Location: Experimental Botanical Garden of Gottingen University, central Germany. Methods: Above-ground vegetation and soil seed bank were studied on formerly arable fields in a 36-year-old permanent plot study with five disturbance intensities, ranging from yearly ploughing via mowing to long-term uninterrupted succession. We compared species compositions, seed densities and functional features of the seed bank and above-ground vegetation by using several methods in parallel. Results: The seed bank was mainly composed of early successional species typical of strongly disturbed habitats. The difference between seed bank composition and above-ground vegetation decreased with increasing disturbance intensity. The species of greatest quantitative importance in the seed bank was the non-native forb Solidago canadensis. Conclusions: The ability of a plant community to regenerate from the soil seed bank dramatically decreases with increasing time since abandonment (successional age) and with decreasing disturbance intensity. The present study underlines that plant species typical of grasslands and woodlands are limited by dispersal capacity, owing to low capacity for accumulation of seeds in the soil and the fact that most species do not build up persistent seed banks. Rare and target species were almost absent from the seed bank and will, after local elimination, depend on reintroduction for continuation of their presence.
Micropropagation of Jatropha curcas superior genotypes and evaluation of clonal fidelity by target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) molecular marker and flow cytometry

The major limitation in large-scale cultivation of Jatropha curcas for use as energy crop is the inconsistent and unstable seed yield due to the heterozygous nature of the plant. A reliable in vitro regeneration system is necessary for continuous supply of quality planting material at large-scale. In this study, the interaction between the season collection of explants and capacity of in vitro regeneration shoots from foliar explants was investigated. Three genotypes selected in our breeding program were evaluated. We achieved an average of 39.8, 25.5 and 10.9 shoots per explant for G1, G2 and G3 genotypes, respectively. All genotypes showed higher regeneration capacity when the foliar explants were collected in September/2012 season. Excellent results were obtained with the use of micrografting technique for the in vitro rooting, with a plant recovery rate of 85%. In order to confirm the genetic stability of micropropagated shoots, two analyses were performed: ploidy estimation using flow cytometry and DNA polymorphism analysis using TRAP molecular markers, which has been here reported for the first time for J. curcas . For G1 genotype, it was found that 4% of the plants were tetraploid and 5% of plants had polymorphic bands. No DNA polymorphisms were found in plants of other genotypes. Thus, the low or no somaclonal variation indicates that the protocol established preserves the clonal fidelity of micropropagated plants. Keywords: Organogenesis, in vitro micrografting, foliar explants. African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(38) 3872-3880
A method of determining rooting depth from a terrestrial biosphere model and its impacts on the global water and carbon cycle

We outline a method of inferring rooting depth from a Terrestrial Biosphere Model by maximizing the benefit of the vegetation within the model. This corresponds to the evolutionary principle that vegetation has adapted to make best use of its local environment. We demonstrate this method with a simple coupled biosphere/soil hydrology model and find that deep rooted vegetation is predicted in most parts of the tropics. Even with a simple model like the one we use, it is possible to reproduce biome averages of observations fairly well. By using the optimized rooting depths global Annual Net Primary Production (and transpiration) increases substantially compared to a standard rooting depth of one meter, especially in tropical regions that have a dry season. The decreased river discharge due to the enhanced evaporation complies better with observations. We also found that the optimization process is primarily driven by the water deficit/surplus during the dry/wet season for humid and arid regions, respectively. Climate variability further enhances rooting depth estimates. In a sensitivity analysis where we simulate changes in the water use efficiency of the vegetation we find that vegetation with an optimized rooting depth is less vulnerable to variations in the forcing. We see the main application of this method in the modelling communities of land surface schemes of General Circulation Models and of global Terrestrial Biosphere Models. We conclude that in these models, the increased soil water storage is likely to have a significant impact on the simulated climate and the carbon budget, respectively. Also, effects of land use change like tropical deforestation are likely to be larger than previously thought.
Quadratic corrections to three‐point functions

Following the recent progress on the calculation of three‐point correlators with two “heavy” (with large quantum numbers) and one “light” states at strong coupling, we compute the logarithmic divergent terms of leading bosonic quantum corrections to correlation functions with “heavy” operators corresponding to simple string solutions in AdS5 × S5. The “light” operator is chosen to be the dilaton. An important relation connecting the corrections to both the dimensions of “heavy” states, and the structure constants is recovered.
Applications of kite aerial photography: Property survey

The techniques of taking aerial photographs from kites were introduced by the authors in the Transactions (Aber, Sobieski et al. 1999; Aber, Aber and Leffler 2001) and in other journals during the past few years (Aber and Galazka 2000; Aber and Aber 2001; Aber, Aaviksoo et al. 2002). The basic method involves large kites for lifting camera rigs 50150 m above the surface. Various film and digital cameras may be utilized to capture images in visible and near-infrared portions of the spectrum. The camera rigs are controlled by radio transmitter from the ground, and pictures may be taken in any orientation relative to the ground and sun position. The resulting airphotos are largescale, high-resolution images that depict ground features in surprising detail. Ground resolution of vertical kite aerial photography is typically in the range of 5-10 cm.
ARTHROPODS INHABITING THE SPOROPHORES OF FOMES FOMENTARIUS (POLYPORACEAE) IN GATINEAU PARK, QUEBEC

Abstract The fauna of the sporophores of the perennial bracket fungus Fomes fomentarius (L. ex Fr.) Kickx were examined in a 3-year study. One species of molluscs and more than 152 species of arthropods excluding mites, representing 13 orders, 70 families, and 5400 individuals, emerged from or were found on or in, 1448 sporophores detached from dead birch trees; the sporophores were collected each year in Gatineau Park, Que. , kept individually in screen-topped glass jars in a laboratory, and examined for several months. Mites, which were recorded quantitatively only in the final year, added 4 orders, 19 families, and 30 species to the preceding totals. Mites were the most frequently occurring and probably the most numerous arthropods, followed by Coleoptera, Psocoptera, Collembola, Hymenoptera, and Diptera.The key organisms of the fauna were five species of beetles that were primarily responsible for tunnelling and destruction of the sporophores and would therefore exert great influence on the composition of the community. Their tunnels provided shelter and food for many smaller arthropods or facilitated their feeding. Some beetle species tunnelled the sporophores for one season and others, for several, but many living sporophores and most dead ones tunnelled by beetles were tunnelled in the same season by more than one species of beetles.There was considerable latitude in types of sporophores inhabited by various arthropods but some species were particularly attracted to living or dead, to younger or older, and to smaller or larger, sporophores. Some species were also attracted to certain regions of the sporophore more than were other species.Possible economic implications of observations made in the study are discussed.
Hypoxia signalling in tumour angiogenesis

Angiogenesis, the sprouting of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is essential for the growth and metastasis of tumours. One of the most important angiogenic factors is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It is upregulated by many oncogenes but especially by hypoxia via a hypoxia-regulated transcription factor called hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Hypoxia is a common event found in tumours and is associated with resistance to therapy and a poor prognosis. This review describes recent advances in the regulation of gene expression, angiogenesis and tumour therapies related to hypoxia.
Lanthanum Trifluoromethane-sulfonate‐Catalyzed Facile Synthesis of Per‐O‐acetylated Sugars and Their One‐Pot Conversion to S‐Aryl and O‐Alkyl/Aryl Glycosides

Lanthanum trifluoromethanesulfonate‐catalyzed solvent‐free per‐O‐acetylation with stoichiometric acetic anhydride proceeds in high yield (95%–99%) to afford exclusively pyranose products as anomeric mixtures. Subsequent anomeric substitution employing borontrifluoride etherate and thiols or alcohols furnished the corresponding 1,2‐trans‐linked thioglycosides and O‐glycosides, respectively, in good to excellent overall yield (75%–85%). Alternatively, reaction of free sugars in neat alcohol employing the same catalyst at elevated temperature gives the corresponding 1,2‐cis‐linked O‐glycosides (along with 1,2‐trans‐linked glycosides as minor product) in good yield (73%–80%). Anomeric mixtures of compounds thus produced were characterized as their per‐O‐acetylated derivatives.
Mutation in Arabidopsis CSN5A partially complements the lack of Beetcurly top virus pathogenicity factor L2

Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification that controls multiple cellular processes, has proven to be a common target for viruses. Recently, geminivirus C2/L2 protein has been shown to interact with the plant CSN5, catalytic subunit of the CSN complex, and possibly disrupt the activity of this complex over CULLIN1, thus interfering with the function of the CULLIN1-based SCF ubiquitin E3 ligases. With the aim of shedding light on the genetic interaction between geminivirus C2/L2 and the plant CSN5, we designed an infection experiment using a combination of mutant plant and virus. Our results indicate that the geminivirus Beet curly top virus (BCTV) infects the Arabidopsis CSN5a mutant less efficiently; moreover, mutation in BCTV L2 can be partially complemented by mutation in Arabidopsis CSN5a. These results suggest that the inhibition of the CSN5 activity might be an important role of geminivirus C2/L2 during the establishment of the infection, and raises the possibility that geminiviral infection might require CSN activity.
Fluctuating Asymmetry: Measurement, Analysis, Patterns

With these words Darwin opened a brief paragraph citing observations antithetical to his supposition: anecdotal reports of the inheritance of characters missing from one side of the body. His initial hunch, however, has stood the test of time: Genetic studies have confirmed that where only small, random deviations from bilateral symmetry exist, the deviations in a particular direction have little or no measurable heritability (17, 47, 51, 65a, 73a, 74, 91). The genetic basis of bilateral symmetry thus appears to differ fundamentally from that of virtually all other morphological features. Why, then, all the recent (and not so recent) interest in such minor, nondirectional deviations from bilateral symmetry [fluctuating asymmetry (FA); 60 cited in 99]? Four reasons. First, FA relates in a curious way to what is perhaps the major unsolved general problem in modem biology: the orderly expression of genotypes as complex, three-dimensional phenotypes. As was emphasized in a flurry of activity in the mid to late 1950s, and many times since, FA provides an appealing measure of 'developmental noise,' or minor environmentally induced departures from some ideal developmental program (101). Its appeal derives from an a priori knowledge of the ideal: perfect bilateral symmetry. For unilateral characters, the ideal is rarely known (but see 1, 2, and 59 for one possible approach). A second reason for interest in
Population Biology in the Courtroom: The Hudson River Controversy

In support of more than a decade of litigation, scientists devoted unprecedented ef- fort to modeling the impact of electric power generation on the Hudson River striped bass population. The most sophisticated models failed to provide useful long-term impact predictions. However, simpler models, used to evaluate alterna- tives for mitigation, were instrumental in arranging a negotiated settlement. (Ac- cies, the states of New York and Massa- chusetts, and a host of local and national civic organizations and citizens' groups. The Hudson River controversy was a unique test of the ability of biologists to use their science to aid public decision- makers in achieving an equitable solu- tion to an important environmental prob- lem. In this paper we evaluate some of the successes and failures of this effort, based on our years of experience as technical advisors and expert witnesses for the various federal agencies involved in the case. Because no single paper can do justice to all of the scientific issues involved in assessing impacts of electric power generation on fish populations, we focus on the central component of the Hudson River biological studies: the use of mathematical models of fish popula- tions as environmental assessment tools.
Isolation of total heterotrophic bacteria and phosp hate solubilizing bacteria and in vitro study of phosphatase activity and production of phytohormones by PSB

Water samples from the Karangadu coast, Palk Strait , Southeast coast of India were sampled bimonthly for enumeration of total heterotrophic ba cteria as well as phosphate solubilizing bacteria between January and December 2008.THB was high in November month and PSB was also high in September and November months, populat ion density of THB ranged from 4.258. 25x10 6 cells ml -1 and phosphate solubilizing bacterial population fr om 2.02-2.6x10 3 cells ml -1 . A wide variation in the capacity to solubilize phos phorous by the isolates of PSB were observed. Further, all the isolates were able to secrete phyt ohormones like Indole acetic acid (IAA) and Gibberellic acid (GA 3) and also studied phosphatse activity by efficient PSB isolates under in vitro condition.
Delineating priority habitat areas for the conservation of Andean bears in northern Ecuador

Abstract We sought to identify priority areas for the conservation of Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) habitat in the northern portion of the eastern Andean cordillera in Ecuador. The study area included páramo and montane forest habitats within the Antisana and Cayambe-Coca ecological reserves, and unprotected areas north of these reserves with elevations ranging from 1,800 to 4,300 m. We collected data on bear occurrence along 53 transects during 2000–01 in the Oyacachi River basin, an area of indigenous communities within the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. We used those data and a set of 7 environmental variables to predict suitability of Andean bear habitat using Mahalanobis distance, a multivariate measure of dissimilarity. The Mahalanobis distance values were classified into 5 classes of habitat suitability and generalized to a resolution of 1,650-m × 1,650-m grid cells. Clusters of grid cells with high suitability values were delineated from the generalized model and defined as important habitat areas (IHAs) for conservation. The IHAs were ranked using a weighted index that included factors of elevation range, influence from disturbed areas, and current conservation status. We identified 12 IHAs, which were mainly associated with páramo and cloud forest habitats; 2 of these areas have high conservation priorities because they are outside existing reserves and close to areas of human pressure. The distribution of the IHAs highlighted the role of human land use as the main source of fragmentation of Andean bear habitat in this region, emphasizing the importance of preserving habitat connectivity to allow the seasonal movements among habitat types that we documented for this species. Furthermore, the existence of areas with high habitat suitability close to areas of intense human use indicates the importance of bear–human conflict management as a critical Andean bear conservation strategy. We suggest that a promising conservation opportunity for this species is linked to its occurrence in highland habitats, which play a key role in the maintenance of long-term water supplies.