Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are Current Research Evaluation Metrics Causing a Tragedy of the Scientific Commons and the Extinction of University-Based Fisheries Programs?

Are Current Research Evaluation Metrics Causing a Tragedy of the Scientific Commons and the Extinction of University-Based Fisheries Programs? Robert Arlinghaus To cite this article: Robert Arlinghaus (2014) Are Current Research Evaluation Metrics Causing a Tragedy of the Scientific Commons and the Extinction of University-Based Fisheries Programs? , Fisheries, 39:5, 212-215, DOI: 10.1080/03632415.2014. 903837 To link to this article: http://dx.doi. org/10.1080/03632415.2014. 903837
Observations on the effects of germanium dioxide on the growth of macro-algae and diatoms

Abstract Growth of various species of macro-algae and diatoms was measured in culture in a range of concentrations of germanium dioxide. Growth of Laminaria saccharina was inhibited measurably at concentrations above 0.22 mg GeO2 l−1 and very markedly inhibited above 1.1 mg GeO2 l−1. Fucus spiralis was measurably inhibited at concentrations above 0.22 mg GeO2 l−1, as was Ulva lactuca at concentrations above 2.2 mg GeO2 l−1. The Rhodophyta tested (Polysiphonia urceolata, Porphyra umbilicalis, Chondrus crispus) showed no inhibition by GeO2. Most diatoms tested were strongly inhibited by concentrations of 0.134 mg GeO2 l−1. It is suggested that the majority of diatoms can be controlled without inhibiting the growth of most cultures of species of Phaeophyta or Chlorophyta by short-term application of GeO2 in concentrations of 0.045–0.179 mg GeO2 l−1 (0.01–0.04 ml sat. GeO2 soln. l−1) instead of the much higher concentrations previously suggested.
Have we underestimated the importance of humans in the biogeography of free‐living terrestrial microorganisms?

The role of humans in the global dispersal of free‐living terrestrial microorganisms has received surprisingly little attention in the literature, compared with the frequent discussions of human dispersal for aquatic microbes. Here I argue that this area needs more study, using examples from the ecology of testate amoebae to illustrate the nature of the problem. The techniques of molecular ecology now make these ideas open to investigation in a way that would have been difficult in the past, and, in the case of testate amoebae, palaeoecological approaches may also be valuable.
Profile of Transforming Growth Factor-β Responses During the Murine Hair Cycle

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) appears to promote the regression phase of the mammalian hair cycle, in vivo in mice and in organ culture of human hair follicles. To assess the relationship between TGF-β activity and apoptosis of epithelial cells during the murine hair cycle, we identified active TGF-β responses using phospho-Smad2/3-specific antibodies (PS2). Strong, nuclear PS2 staining was observed in the outer root sheath throughout the anagen growth phase. Some bulb matrix cells were positive for PS2 during late anagen. Extensive, but weak, staining was observed in this region at the anagen-catagen transition. We also examined expression of TGF-β-stimulated clone-22 (TSC-22), which is associated with TGF-β-induced apoptosis of some cell lines. Recombinant rat TSC-22 was used to generate a rabbit anti-TSC-22 antibody useful for immunohistochemistry. TSC-22 RNA accumulation and immunoreactivity were observed in follicles throughout the murine hair cycle, including the dermal papilla and lower epithelial strand of late-catagen hair follicles. Neither the expression pattern nor the presence of nuclear TSC-22 correlated with the sites of apoptosis, suggesting that TSC-22 is not an effector of apoptosis in mouse catagen hair follicles. These studies support a complex role for TGF-β in regulating the regression phase of the cycle, with potential for indirect promotion of apoptosis during the anagen–catagen transition.
Genotype Frequencies of the Sex-Linked Feathering and Their Phenotypes in Domestic Chicken Breeds for the Establishment of Auto-Sexing Strains

The method of sexing based on differences in the rate of feather growth provides a convenient and inexpensive approach. The locus of feather development gene (K) is located on the Z chromosome and can be utilized to produce phenotypes that distinguish between the sexes of chicks at hatching. To establish the auto-sexing native chicken strains, this study analyzed the genotype frequency of the feathering in domestic chicken breeds. The method of classification of slow- and rapid-feathering chickens was also investigated. In the slow-feathering chicks, the coverts were either the same length or longer than the primary wing feathers at hatching. However, the rapid-feathering chicks had the primary wing feathers that were longer than the coverts. The growth pattern of tail feather also distinctively differed between the rapid- and slow-feathering chicks after 5-days. The accuracy of wing feather sexing was about 98% compared with tail sexing. In domestic chicken breeds, Korean Black Cornish, Korean Rhode Island Red, and Korean Native Chicken-Red had both dominant (K) and recessive () feathering genes. The other breeds of chickens, Korean Brown Cornish, Ogol, White Leghorn, Korean Native Chicken-Yellow, -Gray, -White and -Black had only the recessive feathering gene (). Consequently, feather sexing is available using the domestic chicken breeds. Establishing the maternal stock with dominant gene (K-) and paternal stock with recessive gene (), the slow-feathering characteristic is passed from mothers to their sons, and the rapid-feathering characteristic is inherited by daughters from their fathers.
A note on the Grasshoppers (Acridoidea) of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

A study is being made of the Acridoidea (grasshoppers) in the south-central Kalahari of the Republic of Botswana (Tshane @ Samane region). To gain some understanding of the variation of the grasshopper fauna between different parts of the Kalahari, a brief visit was made in April 1982, to the adjoining Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, Republic of South Africa.
MODEL ORGANISMS IN EVOLUTIONARY STUDIES

Mendel used peas. Morgan used Dro? sophila. Delbruck used T4 phages. The idea was to learn about the general by studying the particular, to use a specific organism as a model for all others. The approach has been unquestionably powerful and suc? cessful. Laboratory-based studies of molec? ular and cellular biology have come to dominate the field of biology, using a handful of familiar laboratory models: Escherichia coli, yeast, maize, Arabidopsis (a cabbage relative), Drosophila, Caenorhab? ditis (nematode), Xenopus, and mouse. These are commonly thought of as the model or? ganisms. The result has been a very large community of scientists using a very small group of organisms to answer questions fundamental to much of biology. In systematics, by contrast, a relatively small group of scientists studies a very large number of organisms. The importance of model organisms to systematists, and of systematics to laboratory biologists who rely on model organisms as research tools, has never really been explored. Yet it seems clear that there should be much common
Effects of UV-B radiation on soybean yield and seed quality : a 6-year field study

Two soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] cultivars, Essex and Williams, were grown in the field for 6 consecutive seasons under ambient and supplemental levels of ultravio-Set-B radiation to determine the potential for alterations in yield or seed quality with a reduction in the stratospheric ozone column. The supplemental UV-B fluences simulated a 16 or 25% ozone depletion. The data presented here represent the first field experiment conducted over multiple seasons which assesses the effects of increased UV-B radiation on seed yield. Overall, the cultivar Essex was found to be sensitive to UV-B radiation (yield reductions of 20%) while the cultivar Williams was tolerant. However, the effectiveness of UV-B radiation in altering yield was strongly influenced by the seasonal microclimate, and the 2 cultivars responded differently to these changing factors. Yield was reduced most in Essex during seasons in which water availability was high and was reduced in Williams only when water was severely limiting. The results of these experiments demonstrate the necessity for multiple-year experiments and the need to increase our understanding of the interaction between UV-B radiation and other environmental stresses in order to assess the potential consequences of stratospheric ozone depletion.
Long‐term C, N and P allocation to reproduction in Bornean tropical rain forests

Tropical rain forests in SE Asia are well known for the occurrence of supra‐annual synchronous reproductive events, masting. Answering the question how trees allocate carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to such irregular but gregarious reproduction requires a long‐term observation. We conducted a 10‐year continuous monitoring of litterfall in eight tropical rain forests, which differ significantly in P (and N) availability on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo. Mean P concentration in reproductive organ litter decreased significantly with increasing P‐use efficiency of net primary production (PUE), an index of P deficiency. Therefore, P in reproductive organ litter became diluted as the magnitude of P deficiency increased. Mean annual litterfall (kg ha−1 yr−1) of reproductive organs over the 10 years ranged from 128.5 to 730.9 across the eight forests. Long‐term C allocation ratio to reproductive organs (i.e. C in reproductive organs per C in total litterfall) varied from 2.0% to 7.8% across the eight forests and did not relate with PUE, indicating that long‐term C allocation ratio to reproduction was not controlled by the availability of the most critical soil nutrient. Long‐term N allocation ratio to reproduction varied from 2.7% to 9.9% and significantly positively related with C allocation ratio. The quotient of N allocation ratio to C allocation ratio ranged from 1.1 to 1.4. Long‐term P allocation ratio to reproduction varied from 9.8% to 16.4%. The quotient of P allocation ratio to C allocation ratio ranged from 1.6 to 5.0. Therefore, tropical trees allocated much greater proportion of P to reproduction than C and N over the 10 years. Moreover, trees disproportionately increased P allocation to reproduction with decreasing C allocation to reproduction. Trees adjusted P allocation relative to C allocation and maintained a narrow range of P allocation ratio to reproduction in the long run in each site. Synthesis. Reproduction in Bornean tropical rain forests costs more P than C and N. Our results suggest that reproductive events in these forests are regulated by P at the level of overall long‐term mean. Understanding patterns and processes of reproductive events requires a long‐term monitoring of nutrient dynamics.
Controls on fish distribution and abundance in temporary wetlands

Our main goal was to determine if fish distribution and adundance in temporary wetlands were shaped primarily by large-scale (landscape) or small-scale (local) characteristics and to investigate the influence of cattle ranching on fish assemblages. A total of 24 temporary ponds were selected at the Kissimmee Prairie Sanctuary and the Mac Arthur Agro-Ecology Research Center. Each wetland was sampled for fish using throw traps and dip nets during 1999. Landscape processes (connectivity to permanent water bodies) predominately influenced fish assemblages, although local processes (depthhydroperiod) were also important. Furthermore, no colonizing species went locally extinct before wetlands began to dry. Our findings suggest that large-scale processes that influence colonization dynamics are of more importance than small-scale processes that influence extinction dynamics. Finally, hydrological changes (ditching) associated with agriculture (cattle ranching) have adversely affected temporary wetland fish asse.
Modelling growth responses of individual trees to early-age thinning Eucalyptus globulus, E. nitens and E. grandis plantations in northern Victoria

Summary Interest in production of sawlogs from eucalypt plantations in Australia has increased as logging in native forests has declined. Management for sawlog production commonly involves early-age selection and pruning of potential sawlog trees, and thinning. Existing stand-level models developed using data from unthinned plantations, grown primarily for pulpwood, cannot provide accurate estimates of sawlog yield for thinned plantations, and further model development is required. We addressed this issue using an individual-tree distance-independent modelling approach. Data from thinning and pruning experiments at three sites in northern Victoria were analysed, and diameter increment models were estimated for three tested species, Eucalyptus globulus Labili. , E. grandis Hill ex Maiden and E. nitens (Deane and Maiden) Maiden. A new model form with use of two indicator variables was designed in this study to compare the growth of sawlog trees selected in thinned treatments with their equivalent cohorts in unthinned treatments. The best variables identified by regression analysis included initial diameter of the target tree, stand age, site index and time since thinning, together with a measure of thinning intensity (the removed basal area ratio) and a measure of inter-tree competition (basal area for the larger trees). Structured in this way, the developed models are flexible for predicting the thinning responses of selected sawlog trees for a wide range of tree size, site and stand conditions, and thinning treatments, leading to more accurate prediction of sawlog yield and associated size class distribution information. This result implies that better decisions on whether to thin may be achieved in plantation management practice. To provide the models with sound statistical properties, nonlinear mixed-model techniques were used to correct for within—and between-subject auto-correlation and heterogeneity of errors. Further study to validate the developed models for a wide range of stand and site conditions, and thinning treatments, using independent data is recommended.
Contraceptive and Toxicological Evaluation of Dendrophthoe falcata Stem Extract in Male Albino Rats

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the antifertility effects of a methanolic extract of Dendrophthoe falcata stem in male albino rats. D. falcata at the dose level of 200 mg/rat/day did not cause any significant change in the body weight, but did result in a significant reduction in the weights of reproductive organs (testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle, and ventral prostate). Testicular sperm count, epididymal sperm count, and sperm motility were observed to significantly decline (p < 0.001), resulting in reduction of male fertility by 100 percent as compared with that of control animals not treated with the plant extract. The extract arrested spermatogenesis at various stages of development. The number of spermatogonia, preleptotene, pachytene, and rounded spermatid declined by 51.08%, 59.53%, 57.01%, and 57.36%, respectively, in the extract treated rats. Serum testosterone level was also significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in the treated animals along with biochemical parameters (protein, sialic acid, glycogen, cholesterol content of testis, and seminal vesicular fructose). No significant changes in total RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea, sugar, serum protein, cholesterol, phospholipid, bilirubin, creatinine, GOT, and GPT levels as compared with untreated control animals. The results suggest that oral administration of crude methanol extract of D. falcata stem can lead to a sterile state in the male rat.
Improved Production Efficiencies of Various Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Serotypes and a Novel Universal AAV Titration Method

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been considered to be a very safe and efficient gene delivery system. However, the major obstacles to therapeutic usage of AAV have been to achieve highly efficient and reproducible production processes, and also to develop a reliable quantifying method of various serotypes with a simple protocol. We compared the efficiency of the conventional production protocol of AAV2 and adenovirus (Ad) co-infection to that of a new method containing AAV2 infection followed by pHelper transfection. We tested HEK293 and 293T, and further examined the time-dependent changes of AAV2 production. The new method of AAV2 and pHelper DNA gave about ten times higher production efficiency than that of the conventional protocol. The highest production efficiency in 293T was achieved as 1.61 × 10? virus genomes (v.g.)/cell by the new method of 10 MOI of AAV2 infection and 5 days post-infection. This protocol of the highest efficiency was then applied to produce various AAV serotypes and showed the efficiencies higher than 10? v.g. /cell. Next, we designed the universal PCR primers of highly conserved regions for various AAV serotypes to develop a simple and reliable titration method. The universal primers could amplify all the tested AAV serotypes with similar sensitivities by ten molecular copies. Therefore, this pair of universal primers can be further utilized to detect AAV contaminants in therapeutic adenoviral vectors.
Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor β and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Bind to the β3Integrin through Its Extracellular Domain*

Integrin-mediated cell attachment and growth factor stimulation often act synergistically on cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival. Some of these synergistic effects depend on the physical interaction of integrins with growth factor receptors. Here we examine the nature of the physical interaction between the αvβ3 integrin and two receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), the platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGF-Rβ) and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF-R2, also known as KDR and flk-1). Both of these RTKs associate with the αvβ3 integrin but do not associate with β1 integrins. Furthermore, growth factor stimulation of these RTKs promotes increased cell proliferation and migration when cells are attached to the αvβ3 ligand, vitronectin. We show that αvβ3 in which the β3cytoplasmic domain is deleted or replaced with the β1cytoplasmic domain coimmunoprecipitates with PDGF-Rβ and VEGF-R2. The β3 extracellular domain alone was sufficient for the PDGF-Rβ association whereas the VEGF-R2 association required the presence of the αv subunit. Activation of the RTKs by their ligands was not required for them to associate with the integrin. Cell migration to PDGF was enhanced in the cells transfected with the chimeric subunit containing the β3 extracellular domain but not when that domain came from the β1 subunit. These results show that the interactions that lead to the association of the αvβ3 integrin with PDGF-Rβ and VEGF-R2 and enhancement of RTK activity take place outside the cell.
M-‘midget’ cells and moult cycle in Penaeus semisulcatus (Crustacea: Decapoda)

Within the hepatopancreas of the shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus the functional develop ment and subsequent decay of M-‘midget’ cells is described and linked with the moult cycle. During the feeding stages the frequency of M-cells increases and they each form a large dense vacuole which contains proteinaceous material. Precursors for this material are probably derived from the haemolymph as the cells have no direct contact with the lumen of the gland. During the non-feeding stages before and after ecdysis the contents of the vacuole are progressively removed, probably to the haemolymph. Finally the cells die before the animals recommence feeding.
Analysis of the κ light chain variable region in multiple myeloma

The study of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements in multiple myeloma has revealed extensive divergence from the germline sequences, but no intraclonal diversity with disease evolution. Our study investigated the state of the rearranged κ light chain variable region (Vκ) gene segments, as well as abortive Vκ family gene usage in cases of multiple myeloma expressing λ light chain. We studied 11 cases of κ and five cases of λ light chain‐expressing multiple myeloma. Total cellular RNA was extracted from the bone marrow of patients with overt disease and subjected to reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis to amplify clonally rearranged variable region sequences. Direct nucleotide sequencing by the dideoxy‐chain termination method was performed on the RT‐PCR products. We did not observe preferential usage of certain Vκ gene families. Mutation frequencies of the Vκ segments varied in number. In the majority of cases, extensive somatic mutations occurred within the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of Vκ, whereas only a limited degree of divergence from the germline was observed in others. In all cases studied, replacement mutations tended to cluster in the CDRs, a finding compatible with an antigen‐driven somatic hypermutation process. In 3/5 cases of λ light‐chain expressing multiple myeloma, abortively rearranged Vκ gene segments were amplified from genomic DNA; in two cases a non‐templated nucleotide insertion rendering the Vκ sequences out‐of‐frame was observed, and in the third a stop codon was identified in the open reading frame of the Vκ sequence. Somatic mutations were observed in all cases of abortive Vκ genes studied; however, their distribution does not suggest selection by antigen.
Differences in growth between maturing and non-maturing male Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr.

Sibling male Atlantic salmon parr that matured tended to be the larger fish in January, but their monthly specific growth rates between January and July did not differ from those of non-maturing fish. Maturing fish had lower condition factors in March, but greater increases in condition factor during April, exceeding those of non-maturing males by May. In maturing males, feeding rates between July and September, and specific growth rates in August and September, were lower than those of immature fish. Consequently, the mean size of immatures equalled or exceeded that of maturing males by October. Maturation rates were strongly correlated with increases in mean condition factor only during April.
Prediction of maize single-cross performance using RFLPs and information from related hybrids

Methods for predicting hybrid yield would facilitate the identification of superior maize (Zea mays L.) single crosses. Best linear unbiased prediction of the performance of single crosses, based on (i) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) data on the parental inbreds and (ii) yield data on a related set of single crosses, was evaluated. Yields of m single crosses were predicted as y M =C V -1 y p , where: y M =m×1 vector of predicted yields of missing (i.e., no yield data available) single crosses; C=m×n matrix of genetic covariances between the missing and predictor hybrids; V=n×n matrix of phenotypic variances and covariances among predictor hybrids; and y p =n×1 vector of predictor hybrid yields corrected for trial effects (.)
Interspecific Interactions between Brown Trout and Slimy Sculpin in Stream Enclosures

Abstract We conducted a 30-d manipulative experiment in Valley Creek, Minnesota, to examine interspecific interactions between juvenile brown trout Salmo trutta and adult slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus. We measured the instantaneous growth of each species in the presence and absence of the other in 1-m2 enclosures. We tested single-species (three slimy sculpins/m2 or three brown trout/m2) and combined-species (three sculpins/m2 and three trout/m2) combinations in each of six riffles. We placed a clay tile in each enclosure to evaluate the effects of fish combinations on benthic macroinvertebrates. Growth of brown trout was unaffected by the presence of slimy sculpins (P = 0.647, power (to detect 50% increase in growth) = 0.92), whereas slimy sculpin growth was less in the presence of brown trout (P = 0.038). Densities of total benthic macroinvertebrates, Chironomidae, Trichoptera, and Physa did not differ among fish combinations (P > 0.3). However, densities of Gammarus pseudolimnaeus were significantly le.