Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Climate on Fruit Development and Quality of Four Low-chill Peach Cultivars

The effect of climate was observed on fruit quality of four low-chill peach cultivars (Flordaprince, Flordaglo, UFGold, and TropicBeauty). The cultivars were evaluated in three locations (north-central, central, and southwest Florida). Soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC:TA ratio, fruit weight, blush, and fruit development period (FDP) were determined. Longer FDPs were observed at the north- central location than at the southwest location. Fruit development and the expression of quality attributes were affected by location during fruit growth with higher color and SSC and shorter FDP occurring under warmer conditions. Within locations, 'UFGold' had the shortest FDP except at the southwest location where its chilling requirement may not have been met. At the central and southwest locations, 'UFGold' also tended to have lower TA values and higher SSC;TA ratios than the other cultivars. The production of temperate zone fruit crops in subtropical environments has in- creased significantly in the last 30 years. Low-chill cultivars of apple, blueberries, plum, and peach have been developed by several breeding programs and are in com- mercial production (Byrne and Bacon, 1999). This effort has required a significant invest- ment of time and labor because superior commercial quality germplasm was not adap- ted to low-chill environments and required hybridization with low-quality adapted germ- plasm for cultivar development (Sherman and Lyrene, 2003). The cultivation of peach in a subtropical environment has revealed that breeding for adaptation did not only require selection for the appropriate chilling requirements, but selection for other traits such as low blind wood (Richards et al., 1994; Wert et al., 2007a), fruit shape (Topp and Sherman, 1989b; Wert et al., 2007b), and fruit set (Lyrene, 2005). Prevailing climatic conditions can also affect several fruit quality characteristics of peach. Rouse and Sherman (1989a) reported higher blush of several low-chill peach culti- vars in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas than in Gainesville, FL. They attrib- uted increased blush coverage to the warmer prevailing temperatures in Texas. However, Topp and Sherman (1989b) reported no correlation between temperature and red blush in 13 different production regions of Australia. Other characteristics such as stylar tip protrusion (Salvador et al., 1998; Topp and Sherman, 1989b) and fruit development period (FDP) (Andersen and Sherman, 1994; Rouse and Sherman, 1989a; Topp and Sherman, 1989b; Weinberger, 1948) can be affected by temperature during fruit development. Overall, higher temperatures during early fruit development reduced FDP. The objective of this experiment was to determine the variation in fruit quality char- acteristics of four low-chill peach cultivars grown at three locations in Florida.
Genetic characterization of the Bolivian Andean puma (Puma concolor) at the Sajama National Park (SNP) and relationships with other north-western South American puma populations

Se analizaron originalmente 25 muestras fecales de puma andino boliviano para proceder a su extraccion de ADN. De esas 25 muestras, se detectaron cinco pumas diferentes que, junto, a tres de pieles de animales cazados, completaron un total de ocho pumas andinos bolivianos analizados. Igualmente se analizaron 45 muestras de ADN procedentes de pumas silvestres de Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela y Amazonia occidental brasilena obtenidas a partir de mechones de pelos con bulbo, trocitos de pieles, musculo y dientes. Todas ellas se genotipificaron para siete marcadores microsatelites (Fea 08, 24, 43, 45, 96, 126 y 391). Los niveles de diversidad genetica resultaron muy elevados en ambas muestras (H = 0,942 y 0,845; respectivamente), con valores muy superiores a los reportados para pumas norteamericanos. Diversos analisis de asignacion poblacional mostraron que los pumas andinos bolivianos no formaron un grupo consistentemente diferente del otro grupo de pumas analizado. Unicamente un marcador, Fea 96, mostro heterogeneidad genetica significativa entre ambos grupos. Sin embargo, globalmente, esa heterogeneidad fue extremadamente pequena (FST, GST, RST). Por el contrario, las estimas de flujo genico entre ambas agrupaciones fueron elevadas para toaos los procedimientos empleados. La estimacion del parametro θ (= 4Neμ) mediante el metodo de maxima verosimilitud de Nielsen (1997) mostro que la muestra boliviana es una extension indiferenciable de la otra agrupacion de pumas de otros paises latinoamericanos. Por lo tanto, este estudio aporta resultados concluyentes en favor de un unico acervo genetico de pumas en el nor-occidente de Sudamerica, en contraste con las tradicionales clasificaciones morfologicas y morfometricas que habian identificado un numero considerable de subespecies de puma en esta region de Latinoamerica.
Antioxidative activity of the anthocyanin pigments cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside and cyanidin

The antioxidative activity of the anthocyanin pigments cyanidin 3-O-β-D-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin (Cy) was examined by using linoleic acid autoxidation, liposome, rabbit erythrocyte membrane, and rat liver microsomal systems. C3G and Cy had antioxidative activity in all systems. Cy had a stronger activity than C3G and the same activity as α-tocopherol (Toc) in the liposome and rabbit erythrocyte membrane systems. In the rat liver microsomal system, Cy and C3G exhibited stronger activity than Toc. These data suggest that the pigments may play an important role in the prevention of lipid peroxidation of cell membranes induced by active oxygen radicals in living systems as dietary antioxidants after ingestion
The possible fitness benefits of striped coat coloration for zebra

The literature addressing evolutionary reasons for the striped patterns of zebra coats is reviewed here. Possible mechanisms, and the evidence for and against them, are discussed. These mechanisms span four general themes: protection from predators; social functions; thermoregulation; and protection from tsetse flies. The last is the only hypothesis that has been tested experimentally, and the results of these tests are inconclusive. Additionally or alternatively, although stripes apparently increase zebra visibility in daylight, it is at least plausible that they provide effective cryptic protection from predators in poor light, although critical testing has not been attempted. Other related evolutionary questions are raised and suggestions made for future research.
A rapid technique for assessing the suitability of areas for invasive species applied to New Zealand's rivers

Early responses to incursions of non‐indigenous species (NIS) into new areas include modelling and surveillance to define the organisms’ potential and actual distributions. For well‐studied invasive species, predictive models can be developed based on quantitative data describing environmental tolerances. In late 2004, an invasive freshwater diatom Didymosphenia geminata, an NIS for which we had no such quantitative data, was detected in a New Zealand river. We describe a procedure used to rapidly develop a classification of suitability for all New Zealand's rivers, based on two sources of information. First, from a review of the limited available literature and unpublished data, we determined that temperature, hydrological and substrate stability, light availability, and water pH were the most important environmental gradients determining D. geminata's broad‐scale distribution and capacity for establishing and forming blooms in rivers. The second information source was a GIS‐based river network developed for a national classification of New Zealand's rivers, with associated data describing environmental characteristics of each section of the network. We used six variables that were available for every section of the network as surrogates for the environmental gradients that determine suitability. We then determined the environmental distance of all the river sections in the network from our assessment of the optimal conditions conducive to D. geminata blooms. The analysis suggested that > 70% of New Zealand's river sections (stream order > 3) fell into the two highest suitability categories (on a five‐point scale). At the time of writing, D. geminata had spread to 12 catchments, all of which were within these two categories. The technique is applicable in initial responses to incursions of NIS where quantitative information is limited, and makes optimal use of available qualitative information. Our assessment contributed to evaluations of the potential ecological, social, and economic impacts of D. geminata and is currently being used to stratify site selection for ongoing surveillance.
Towards a Merged Essential Climate Variable Data Record on Ozone: Stability and Consistency of Contributing Limb Profilers

Various international initiatives intend to build a merged data record on the vertical profile of ozone, an Essential Climate Variable, which should allow the study of processes on the long term and at the global scale. With its three atmospheric limb profilers, Envisat adds significantly to the pseudo-global ozone profile monitoring initiated since 1958 with coordinated ground-based networks, and since the 1980s with limb/occultation satellites. Here we use lidar and ozonesonde network data as a transfer standard to investigate the stability and consistency of twelve satellite ozone profile data records covering altogether the 1984-2012 time period. This paper focuses on the determination of long-term drifts and of meridian and vertical features of the bias and the variability of the satellite data records.
Erratum: Broman KW. 2001. Estimation of Allele Frequencies With Data on Sibships. Genet Epidemiol 20:307–15.

In the April 2001 issue of Genetic Epidemiology, in the article ‘‘Estimation of Allele Frequencies With Data on Sibships,’’ by Broman (20:307–15), there is an error on page 310, in the second paragraph under ‘‘Method 3: Accounting for Relationships. ’’ The stated probabilities that an allele in the second sibling is not identical by descent (IBD) with one of the first sibling’s alleles, written as pl/(1+pl), are incorrect; we had missed two important cases. Let (g11, g12) denote the two alleles of the genotype of the first sibling, (g21, g22) denote the two alleles of the genotype of the second sibling, and g1⁄4 (g11, g12, g21, g22). Further, let pg denote the genotypes for the two parents, and A denote the event ‘‘g21 is not IBD with g11 or g12. ’’ We seek Pr(A|g), which we calculate by conditioning on the parents’ genotypes, as follows:
Implications of water stress‐induced changes in the levels of endogenous ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide in Vigna seedlings

Vigna cutjang Endl. cv. Pusa Barsati seedlings, subjected to increasing degrees of water stress (−0.5, −1.0, −1,5 MPa), produced an approximately proportional increase in glycolate oxidase activity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and proline content but a decrease in catalase activity, ascorbic acid and protein content. Leaf water potential (leaf ψ) and relative water content (RWC) were also lowered with increasing stress. Pretreatment with l-cysteine and reduced glutathione (10-3 M) decreased glycolate oxidase activity, H2O2 content, ascorbic acid oxidase activity, proline content and also slightly improved the water status of leaves stressed (−1.0 MPa) for 2 days. Pretreatment of non-stressed seedlings with these antioxidants had little or no effect. These studies indicate that treatment with antioxidants makes the plant tolerant against water stress by modulating the endogenous levels of H2O2 and ascorbic acid in stressed tissue.
Histological and ultrastructural studies on the effects of hCG on sex inversion in the protogynous teleost Coris julis

In the protogynous diandric teleost Coris julis, sex inversion can be induced by injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The histological changes of the gonad are accompanied by a transformation of the female livery to that of secondary males. At the ultrastructural level, the presence of intragonadal primordial germ cells in spermatogonial nests and within the newly forming seminiferous lobules is shown. Leydig cells and granulocytes appear in the inverting gonads. The results support the assumption that gonadotropic hormone has a key role in protogynous sex change.
Distribution patterns and biodiversity in polychaete communities of the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula area (Southern Ocean)

During the expedition EASIZ II with RV ‘POLARSTERN’ in 1998 a multibox corer yielded 151 quantitative samples from 26 stations between 120 and 2415 m water depth for benthic community analysis. From this material a total of 235 polychaete species out of 37 families was determined. Forty-seven species are new to science. The polychaete fraction contributed 41.9% to total benthic abundance and 6.5% to total benthic biomass at these stations. Overall mean polychaete abundance (ind m−2) and biomass (g wet weight m−2) at the stations were 1617 and 49, respectively. Multidimensional scaling procedure clearly grouped the stations into south-eastern Weddell Sea shelf stations, deep-water stations, and stations mostly around the Antarctic Peninsula. Differences between these groups existed in terms of polychaete abundance and biomass as well as species composition, diversity, and evenness.
Food Habits of Carp and White Suckers in the South Platte and St. Vrain Rivers and Goosequill Pond, Weld County, Colorado

Abstract Gut contents of carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus) and white suckers (Catostomus commersoni [Lacepede]) collected by electrofishing from the South Platte and St. Vrain rivers, and Goosequill Pond near the Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station, Colorado, were analyzed by standard means to determine food habits. Chironomid larvae and pupae were the principle foods of both fish species in the streams. Carp and white suckers competed for this primary food source; both fish species fed primarily on chironomids and did not feed effectively on tubificid worms. White suckers supplemented their diets with species of Simulium, Hydropsyche, Hyalella and terrestrial invertebrates. Carp were more opportunistic and consumed more of the less-abundant food organisms than suckers did. Both streams supported limited numbers of benthic invertebrates. Consequently, large quantities of algae, sand, detritus, and terrestrial invertebrates were found in the gut contents of both fish species. Carp in Goosequill Pond fe.
Survival of Atlantic Salmon Fry Stocked at Low Density in the West River, Vermont

Abstract Fry of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar stocked at low density (32/100 m2; ±0.7, SE) in the West River, Vermont, produced underyearling and yearling parr densities of 13.5 ± 0.8/ 100 m2 and 5.9 ± 0.5/100 m2, respectively. Survival of fry stocked at low density to underyearling and yearling part- was 42 ± 2.5% and 19 ± 1.3%, respectively. Density of underyearling part produced from fry stocked at low density was not significantly different from the 10.6 ± 1.5 parr produced from fry stocking at high density (mean, 117 ± 16.5/100 m2). However, the 4.0 ± 0.8 yearling part-/100 m2 produced was significantly lower at high stocking density. Survival to underyearling and yearling parr at high stocking density was 11.6 ± 2.0% and 4.6 ± 1.0%, respectively, both significantly lower than survival rates at low stocking density. Thus, low-density stocking produced equal or greater densities of parr with much higher survival rates. Estimated smolt production from low-density fry stocking (with the assumption of a pa.
Characteristics of mammal abundance relative to habitat variables in temperate forests

This study was conducted to examine the characteristics of mammal abundance that are related to habitat variables in natural deciduous forest and Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) plantation in the national forest of Mt. Gariwang, Pyeongchang, Korea. Habitat variables differed between forest types. We counted the mammal trails of Korean hares (Lepus coreanus), raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), Siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica), Eurasian badgers (Meles meles), water deer (Hydropotes inermis) and wild boars (Sus scrofa) during the study period. Eurasian badgers, water deer, and wild boars exhibited one or two significant correlations with coverage of understory, downed trees, and coverage of overstory, as determined using a stepwise approach. Habitat variables could be used as predictors of mammal abundance, and thus forest managers should consider such variables in mammal conservation and management activities.
Proprotein-Processing Endoprotease Furin Controls Growth of Pancreatic β-Cells

We have previously reported that in the well-differentiated β-cell line MIN6 cells, theβ-cell–specific differentiated characteristics, such as insulin content, expression of prohormone convertases PC2 and PC3, and glucose-regulated insulin secretion, diminished when the proprotein-processing endoprotease furin was highly expressed. Since furin converts many growth-related protein precursors to their bioactive forms, we compared the four pancreatic islet cell lines RINm5F, βTC3, βHC9, and MIN6 with respect to cell growth rate, furin expression, endoprotease activity, and insulin content. RINm5F cells exhibited the strongest furin expression, higher furin-type endoprotease activity, and the fastest cell growth, but had the least insulin content. In contrast, MIN6 cells exhibited only a weak furin expression, little furin-type endoprotease activity, and the slowest cell growth, but had the highest insulin content. To test whether furin-expressing cells secrete growth-promoting factors cleaved by furin, we prepared conditioned media from RINmSF and furin cDNA–introduced MIN6 (MIN6-F) cells. The conditioned media from RINm5F and MIN6-F induced increased DNA synthesis and promoted the growth of normal MIN6 cells, compared with the medium from the empty vector-introduced MIN6-0 cells. We then examined the effect of the protease inhibitors α1-antitrypsin and its variants by infecting their vaccinia recombinants to the four cell lines. All conditioned media from each cell line expressing the furin-specific α1-antitrypsin variant exhibited the least DNA synthetic capacity on normal MIN6 cells. Furthermore, all three sublines of MIN6-F grew faster than MIN6-0 and MIN6. Thus, we suggest that the islet cells with higher furin expression may induce increased production of growth factors, which result in an increase in cell growth, through an autocrine/paracrine mechanism.
Segregation distortion for AFLP markers in Cryptomeria japonica

Segregation of AFLP markers was frequently severely distorted when initial attempts were made to develop a molecular-based linkage map of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica). Only 27 out of 46 AFLP markers detected with combinations of three and four selective nucleotide primers (EcoRI + 3 and MseI + 4) fitted a 1:1 segregation ratio (α > 0.01). Greater selectivity was sought using M + 5 primers, derived by extending the original selective M + 4 primers with each possible additional nucleotide. More than 60% of all the fragments detected with M + 4 primers were amplified by at least two kinds of M + 5 primers. The results suggested that single fragments in the E + 3/M + 4 analysis were really fragment complexes in many cases. Of the 19 AFLP markers showing distortion, 13 were amplified by two to four of the M + 5 primers, but the level of distortion shown by these markers was reduced (or eliminated), when M + 5 primers were used. Thus, fragment complexes may be a major cause of segregation distortion. On the other hand, most of markers with a segregation that fitted the 1:1 ratio were amplified by a single M + 5 primer. In addition, E + 3/M + 4 primers detected a much greater frequency of polymorphism than E + 3/M + 5 primers in sugi. Therefore, we would recommend the use of both E + 3/M + 4 and E + 3/M + 5 primers for efficient AFLP mapping.
Structure and production of fish communities in tropical rain forest streams of northern Borneo

Tropical fish communities are often assumed to be more productive than temperate communities. To test this belief, fishes from tributaries of the tropical rain forest Baram River, Sarawak, Malaysia were quantitatively collected with a piscicide and production was calculated by the Ricker algebraic method. Temperature was not considered a major factor influencing production among different climatic regions since the average production in the Baram (76.7 kg∙ha−1∙year−1) was less than in temperate Grand River, Ontario (279.4 kg∙ha−1∙year−1) and Nida River, Poland (121.0 kg∙ha−1∙year−1). Analysis of physical habitat characteristics, community-structure variables, and production estimates from Baram streams indicated production was controlled mainly by nutrient limitations (P < 0.01) while close species packing maximized production by efficiently utilizing the limited resources available. In highly competitive and diverse communities, Baram fishes have probably developed specializations which make them particu.
Habitats associated with vehicle collisions with wild pigs

Abstract Context. Over the past few decades, the frequency of wild pig–vehicle collisions (WPVCs) and number of human fatalities associated with these accidents have increased with expanding populations of this species, particularly in regions outside its native distribution. Aims. To better understand this widespread and growing human safety threat, we quantified habitat attributes associated with 311 WPVC locations occurring between 1983 and 2012 at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, to test the hypothesis that WPVCs occur more frequently in areas proximal to preferred habitats (i.e. riparian and bottomland hardwood habitats). Methods. At each collision site, we measured the distance to the nearest wetland and stream, as well as the composition of habitats within 100-m and 1699-m buffers. We then contrasted habitat attributes associated with collision sites with those from randomly selected locations along the same roads, to identify habitat characteristics contributing to a higher incidence of these accidents. Key results. WPVCs were non-randomly distributed across both spatial scales measured, with collisions occurring more frequently in areas of preferred habitat for this species. Specifically, collisions occurred in areas closer to streams and containing less pine forest than at random locations at both spatial scales evaluated. Conclusions. Similar to vehicle accidents with other ungulate species, our study suggested that vehicle collisions involving wild pigs are spatially clustered around preferred habitat types. Management efforts to reduce vehicle collisions with wild pigs should be focussed in areas where roadways bisect preferred habitats such as stream crossings and bottomland hardwood or other riparian habitats. Implications. These data will aid in the development of mitigation strategies to reduce the frequency and impacts of WPVCs in areas of high wild-pig densities. However, given the paucity of data on WPVC mitigation, additional research is needed to quantify the efficacy of various methods (e.g. signage, fencing, underpasses) at reducing the frequency and severity of collisions with this species.