Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dispersal characteristics of seven odonate species in an agricultural landscape

Dispersal is an ecological phenomenon which is of fundamental importance to population biology. While dispersal behaviour of many orders of winged insects has received a great deal of attention, the dispersal characteristics of odonates have been poorly documented. We used capture‐mark‐recapture techniques to study dispersal behaviour of seven species of odonates breeding on a network of 11 small ponds in Cheshire, U.K. The ponds ranged in size from 615 to 1300 m2‐ and varied from 30 to 860 m apart. We found surprisingly high rates of dispersal between ponds, with 10–47% per species of recaptured individuals moving from their natal pond. The mean probability of dispersal differed significantly among species but the relationship between the probability of dispersal and distance moved consistently followed a simple negative exponential curve for all species. Most individuals stayed at their natal pond, but a few moved long distances. Neither the age at which an individual was marked (teneral vs sexually mature) nor its sex significantly affected its tendency to disperse. The negative exponential relationship suggests that dispersal should be relatively easy to incorporate in more complex models of odonate spatio‐temporal dynamics. To our knowledge, this is the first large‐scale, multi‐species study to assess dispersal behaviour of odonates by direct observation.
The reflectance at the 950–970 nm region as an indicator of plant water status

Abstract We present new remote sensing indices of plant water status: the ratio between the reflectance at 970 nm, one of the water absorption bands, and the reflectance at a reference wavelength, 900 nm (R970/R9000; the first derivative minimum in this near-infrared region (dNIRminimum ) and the wavelength where this minimum is found ( λNIRminimum). In order to evaluate them, we carried out three experiments. Daily irrigated gerbera plants were allowed to dry until almost wilting and then daily irrigation was restarted; pepper and bean plants were grown for four months submitted to two different irrigation treatments; and bean detached leaves were submitted to progressive dehydration whereas pressure-volume curves were being carried out. In gerbera plants, the trough about 950–970 nm decreased as the drought was increasing. Therefore, the R970/R900 index and the dNIRminimum closely tracked the changes in relative water content (RWC), leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and the foliage-air temperat.
Reproductive strategy of the Australian Sharpnose Shark, Rhizoprionodon taylori (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhinidae), from Cleveland Bay, Northern Queensland

Reproduction and early embryo development of Rhizoprionodon taylori from Cleveland Bay, Queensland, was studied on the basis of 455 specimens caught between May 1987 and February 1990. Males and females mature at sizes larger than those reported from northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory and far northern Queensland. Mating occurs annually in summer, and the gestation period is approximately 11.5 months. After development to a small blastodermic disc, the embryos enter a state of diapause that lasts approximately 7 months. R. taylori is the only species of shark that is known to have a period of embryonic diapause. The litter size ranges from 1 to 10 (mean 4.9, being markedly larger than that for other carcharhinid species of a similar size. The size at birth is 220- 260 mm. The reproductive and developmental traits are discussed in relation to the life histories of this species and other carcharhinids.
TOXIN EVOLUTION IN SCORPION VENOM: EVIDENCE FOR TOXIN DIVERGENCE UNDER STRONG NEGATIVE SELECTION IN LEIURUS QUINQUESTRIATUS SUBSPECIES

The Buthid scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus is divided into two sub-species whose region of contact occurs at the Suez Isthmus. L.q. quinquestriatus, found in the North Africa is distinguished from L.q. hebraeus by minor differences in morphology. Despite the very high similarity in body plan, out of the 24 toxins isolated from this species none is common to both sub-species, suggesting a degree of molecular divergence not apparent at the morphological level. We show, by comparison with two sets of reference proteins from humans and Old-World monkeys, that divergence of toxins with common structures and functions in these two sub-species has occurred under conditions of strong negative selection. Potential selection pressures responsible for toxin divergence are discussed, including the role of conflicting interests during courtship.
Tissue persistence and prevalence of B19 virus types 1–3

Human parvovirus B19 is a minute ssDNA virus that causes a wide variety of diseases, including erythema infectiosum, arthropathy, anemias and fetal death. In addition to the B19 prototype, two new variants (B19 types 2 and 3) have been identified. After primary infection, B19 genomic DNA has been shown to persist in solid tissues of not only symptomatic but also of constitutionally healthy, immunocompetent individuals. The viral DNA persists as an intact molecule without persistence-specific mutations, and via a storage mechanism with life-long capacity. Thus, the mere presence of B19 DNA in tissue cannot be used as a diagnostic criterion, although a possible role in the pathology of diseases, for example through mRNA or protein production, cannot be excluded. The molecular mechanism, host-cell type and possible clinical significance of tissue persistence are yet to be elucidated.
Primary and Secondary Effects of Stress in Fish: Some New Data with a General Review

Abstract Handling in fish induces perturbations of various biological parameters which have been investigated or reviewed in an attempt to analyse and quantify the resulting stress. Endocrine changes, being early consequences of stress, are referred to as primary effects. Original data obtained on coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), sockeye (O. nerka), and chinook (O. tshawytscha) salmon show that all types of stress result in an increase in circulating catecholamines, mainly adrenaline. There is no quantitative difference in response intensity between the species studied but large individual variations exist. In mature male coho salmon, struggling and hypoxia also resulted in an increase of plasmatic corticosteroids. Secondary effects occur as a result of these endocrine changes. Metabolic disturbances include a pronounced increase in blood glucose, and either a decrease or an increase of plasmatic free fatty acid (FFA) according to the species. These metabolic disturbances brought about by stress of short dura.
Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from a fresh mixed sausage processing line in Pelotas-RS by PFGE

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium capable to adhere to the surfaces of equipment and utensils and subsequently form biofilms. It can to persist in the food processing environmental for extended periods of time being able to contaminate the final product. The aim of this study was to trace the contamination route of L. monocytogenes on a fresh mixed sausage processing line, from raw material to the final product. The isolates obtained were characterized by serotyping and molecular typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using the restriction enzymes ApaI and AscI. L. monocytogenes was detected in 25% of the samples. The samples of raw material were not contaminated, however, the microorganism was detected in 21% of the environmental samples (food contact and non-food contact), 20.8% of the equipments, 20% of the food worker’s hands, 40% of the mass ready to packaging and in all the final products samples, demonstrating that the contamination of final product occurred during the processing and the importance of cross contamination. PFGE yielded 22 pulsotypes wich formed 7 clusters, and serotyping yielded 3 serotypes and 1 serogroup, however, the presence of serotypes 4b and 1/2b in the final product is of great concern for public health. The tracing of contamination showed that some strains are adapted and persisted in the processing environment in this industry.
The Second Naphthol Reductase of Fungal Melanin Biosynthesis inMagnaporthe grisea

Mutants of Magnaporthe griseaharboring a defective gene for 1,3,8-trihydroxynaphthalene reductase retain the capability to produce scytalone, thus suggesting the existence of a second naphthol reductase that can catalyze the reduction of 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene to scytalone within the fungal melanin biosynthetic pathway. The second naphthol reductase gene was cloned from M. grisea by identification of cDNA fragments with weak homology to the cDNA of trihydroxynaphthalene reductase. The amino acid sequence for the second naphthol reductase is 46% identical to that of trihydroxynaphthalene reductase. The second naphthol reductase was produced in Esherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Substrate competition experiments indicate that the second reductase prefers tetrahydroxynaphthalene over trihydroxynaphthalene by a factor of 310; trihydroxynaphthalene reductase prefers trihydroxynaphthalene over tetrahydroxynaphthalene by a factor of 4.2. On the basis of the 1300-fold difference in substrate specificities between the two reductases, the second reductase is designated tetrahydroxynaphthalene reductase. Tetrahydroxynaphthalene reductase has a 200-fold larger K i for the fungicide tricyclazole than that of trihydroxynaphthalene reductase, and this accounts for the latter enzyme being the primary physiological target of the fungicide. M. grisea mutants lacking activities for both trihydroxynaphthalene and tetrahydroxynaphthalene reductases do not produce scytalone, indicating that there are no other metabolic routes to scytalone.
Genetic divergence and phylogeny of the Salmoninae based on allozyme data

The data on 31–37 allozyme loci in 21 species of nine salmonid genera are used for phylogenetic analysis by seven distance methods and several variants of cladistic analysis. Monophyletic origin for all genera and three sub-families of the Salmonidae is corroborated. The closest phylogenetic relationships are characteristic of Parasalmo and Oncorhynchus (bootstrap support is 88–99%), Brachymystax and Hucho (68–97%), and the clade (Brachymystax + Hucho)+Salmo (up to 85%). The patterns of phylogenetic relationships in the group Salmo-Parasalmo-Oncorhynchus are analogous to those in the group Parahucho-Hucho-Brachymystax. The position of Parahucho in phylogenetic trees of the Salmoninae is extremely unstable, although it is most likely associated with the clade (Brachymystax + Hucho)+Salmo) or Salvelinus. When using the out group analysis, Salvelinus appears as the earliest branch of the Salmoninae tree, whereas if the molecular clock is assumed, the basal position is occupied by Oncorhynchus. However, the latter genus is probably characterized by a substantially increased rate of molecular evolution.
Expression of Semliki Forest Virus E1 Protein inEscherichia coli

Exposure of Semliki Forest virus 1 to mildly acidic conditions results in conformational changes of the viral spike proteins, which in turn leads to a pore formation across its membrane. The ability to form a pore has been ascribed to the ectodomain of the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) E1 spike protein. To elucidate whether the E1 protein per se is sufficient for low pH-dependent pore formation, we expressed E1 inEscherichia coli in an inducible manner using the pET11c expression system. The data obtained clearly showed that the E1 protein was expressed in the bacterial cell membrane and that exposure ofE. coli expressing the SFV E1 protein to low pH (<6.2) resulted in a permeability change of the membrane. Thus, we conclude that the E1 protein of SFV per se is sufficient to promote pore formation under mildly acidic conditions.
Ecology of Chytridiomycosis in Rainforest Stream Frog Assemblages of Tropical Queensland

Abstract: In the wet tropics of Queensland, Australia, eight species of stream‐dwelling frogs have experienced population declines. Some declines were associated with an emerging infectious disease of amphibians (chytridiomycosis) caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. We examined the spatial and temporal pattern of infection prevalence in a sample of frog populations. Infected adults and tadpoles of all species were found, and infections occurred at every site. Infection prevalence varied among species and was always < 10.0% in adults but ranged from 0.75 to 76.0% in tadpoles. In this system tadpoles and adults of some species may act as disease reservoirs, experiencing avirulent infections, whereas other hosts (declining species) experience virulent infections. Infection prevalence was higher during the cool, dry winter season (May to September) and at high elevations (600–800 m), suggesting regulation by environmental conditions, including temperature and precipitation. We found no relationships between infection prevalence and mean body condition, fluctuating asymmetry of hind limbs, population density, or the presence of metamorphosing tadpoles and juvenile frogs. Although it is not certain whether chytridiomycosis was responsible for past frog population declines in the wet tropics of Queensland, the pathogen is now endemic. Our data indicate that at the landscape level, environmental conditions have strong effects on host‐pathogen dynamics. These effects interact with species‐specific behavior or immune function and may be important underlying determinants of chytridiomycosis epizootics and emergence.
Obsevations on the Tasmanian Devil, Sarcophilus harrisii (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) I. Numbers, home, range, movements and food in two populations

Two geographically separate populations of S. harrisii were studied. There is evidence that long-term population cycles exist in this species. Devils are non-territorial and have a home range which may be shared by several animals. Sclerophyll forest and coastal scrub are their favoured habitats. Individuals in the two populations showed different movements, probably related to food availability; those in areas of abundant food moved about 2 miles and had small home ranges whereas those in areas with less food moved over at least 10 miles per night. The density of population was high in one area, reaching over 30 per square mile, but this is abnormal. Devils have a wide food spectrum and use introduced species as well as native, but in each area their food was based upon one to three species. Man is the principal predator on adult devils. Females were more numerous in all populations but a heavier mortality of this sex occurs in late life. This differential mortality took place at immaturity in one population. Juvenile recruitment was greater in areas with less food than in areas of abundant food, due to the absence of overcrowding.
Ovarian ultrastructure and vitellogenesis in ten species of shallow-water and bathyal sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

Comparative ultrastructural features of the ovary and vitellogenesis have been described for six shallow water and four bathyal species of sea cucumbers representing four major holothuroid orders. Ovarian structure is similar in all ten species except for features of the peritoneal cells of the outer layer and the follicular inner epithelial cells surrounding the developing oocytes. The peritoneal cells vary from monociliated squamous or cuboidal cells to large columnar cells. Ultrastructural evidence suggests that these cells might be capable of incorporating materials from the perivisceral coelom. The follicular inner epithelial cells of two deep-sea species resemble podocytes, a feature previously unre-ported in holothuroid ovaries. It is suggested that these cells function to increase nutrient exchange between the genital haemal sinus and the oocyte during vitellogenesis. In all ten species, the oocytes appear to participate in yolk synthesis through the interaction of the Golgi complex and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The similarity in the ultrastructural features of vitellogenesis suggests that the process of yolk synthesis has been highly conserved in holothuroids. Endocytotic activity was detected in seven of ten species but it is uncertain if this is directly related to vitellogenesis. Cilia and intracellular structures resembling striated ciliary rootlets were observed in the oocytes of four of the ten species studied. The significance of this finding is unclear but could indicate that germ cells have a somatic cell origin.
Characterization of mixed infections with different strains of bovine rotavirus in an outbreak of diarrhea in dairy herds in Goiás, Brazil

Ten faecal samples of bovine rotavirus from calves less than 30 days old from an outbreak of diarrhea in Hidrolândia, Goias, Brazil were submitted to serological and molecular characterization, using enzyme immunoassay for subgrouping and serotyping, PAGE for determination of electropherotypes and PCR for genome typing. Nine samples belonged to group A/subgroup I rotavirus and one sample was group A / subgroup non-I/non-II. Four samples were characterized as G10P[11] (B223-like), four samples showed a mixture of two rotavirus strains (G6G10 and P[5]P[11]), one sample was characterized as G6P[11] and one sample was characterized only by G serotyping/genotyping, and did not react with any P primer used. Two electropherotypes were detected and both were present in the same animal. This study demonstrates that two different electropherotypes and/or serotypes of bovine rotavirus can circulate in the same outbreak.
RNA binding protein PCBP1 is an intracellular immune checkpoint for shaping T cell responses in cancer immunity

RNA binding protein PCBP1 guards effector and antitumor T cell functions. Distinct lineages of T cells can act in response to various environmental cues to either drive or restrict immune-mediated pathology. Here, we identify the RNA binding protein, poly(C)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1) as an intracellular immune checkpoint that is up-regulated in activated T cells to prevent conversion of effector T (Teff) cells into regulatory T (Treg) cells, by restricting the expression of Teff cell–intrinsic Treg commitment programs. This was critical for stabilizing Teff cell functions and subverting immune-suppressive signals. T cell–specific deletion of Pcbp1 favored Treg cell differentiation, enlisted multiple inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules including PD-1, TIGIT, and VISTA on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and blunted antitumor immunity. Our results demonstrate a critical role for PCBP1 as an intracellular immune checkpoint for maintaining Teff cell functions in cancer immunity.
Evaluation of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences in Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Acari : Tetranychidae) for phylogeographic studies

We studied mitochondrial DNA variation in the Kanzawa spider mite, Tetranychus kanzawai, based on 705-bp sequences of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from 23 strains. Fifty-two sites (7.4%) were polymorphic, but we did not find substitution saturation in this gene. Thus, this region was thought suitable for phylogeographic analysis at the intra-specific level. Maximum likelihood trees showed that all of the studied strains of T. kanzawai formed a single lineage. However, geographic and genetic distances were not significantly correlated. Thus, to obtain sufficient polymorphisms for phylogeographic analysis of T. kanzawai, the development of new primers to amplify more variable regions will be required.
ON THE MULTIPLE CYCLES OF BACTERIORHODOPSIN AT HIGH pH

Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) shows at least two parallel photocycles at pH 10.5, suggesting that more than one form of bR exists in alkaline bR sample. Upon the absorption of visible light, the different forms of bR at high pH yield different parallel intermediates: M412 with two rise and two decay components; and R, an extremely fast rising and extremely slow decaying intermediate with an absorption peak at 350 nm. The kinetics and spectra do not agree with the proposal of Kouyama el al. (1988, Biochemistry 27,5855–5863) that the 350 nm‐absorbing species is the N intermediate which follows M412 and that the slow decaying M412 is an M‐like photoproduct of N. Our results basically agree with the proposal of Dacshazy et al. (1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85,6358–6361) that the fast and slow decaying M412 intermediates and R are in independent photocycles arising from different forms of bR. The different forms of bR are probably in dynamic equilibrium with their ratios controlled by pH and ionic strength.
Genetic analysis and mapping of seedling resistance to Septoria tritici blotch in ‘Steele-ND’/‘ND 735’ bread wheat population

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola, is one of the most destructive foliar diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) especially in temperate and humid regions across the world. The susceptibility of recently released varieties, evolution of resistance to fungicides and increasing incidence of STB disease emphasizes the need to understand the genetics of resistance to this disease and to incorporate host resistance into adapted cultivars. This study aimed to decipher the genetics and map the resistance to STB using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population derived from ‘Steele-ND’ (susceptible parent) and ‘ND 735’ (resistant parent). The RILs were evaluated in three greenhouse experiments, using a North Dakota (ND) isolate of STB pathogen. The mean disease severity of parental genotypes, ‘ND 735’ (11.96%) and ‘Steele-ND’ (66.67%) showed significant differences (p < 0.05). The population segregated for STB and the frequency distribution of RILs indicated quantitative inheritance for resistance. The mean disease severity in RILs ranged from 0 to 71.55% with a mean of 21.98%. The genome map of this population was developed using diversity array technology (DArT) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The framework linkage map of this population was developed using 469 molecular markers. This map spanned a total distance of 1,789.3 cM and consisted of 17 linkage groups. QTL mapping using phenotypic data and the framework linkage maps detected three QTL through composite interval mapping. One QTL was consistently detected in all experiments on the long arm of chromosome 5B, and explained up to 10.2% phenotypic variation. The other two QTLs, detected in single environments, were mapped to 1D and 7A and explain 13% and 5.5% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. The map position of the consistent QTL on 5BL coincides with the map position of durable resistance gene Stb1 suggesting the importance of this region of ‘ND 735’ as a source of durable STB resistance for the wheat germplasm.
Diel variation in food intake and diet composition of three native fish species in floodplain lagoons of the Macintyre River, Australia

The feeding periodicity of three species of fishes in floodplain lagoons of the Macintyre River varied during 24 h cycles, however, peak feeding activity (around midday and late afternoon) was similar among the species studied, despite differences in their trophic position. In contrast, sampling season and site seemed to have a stronger effect on the composition of the diet than time of day. These findings have implications for studies of trophic dynamics and food web structure in floodplain lagoons.