Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of wetland vegetation on tidal stream channel migration and morphology

Average relative stream channel migration rates of . 21 meters per year (.72 feet per year) for saline tidal wetland stream channels, and . 32 meters per year (1.04 feet per year) for freshwater tidal wetland channels were calculated for a 32 year period (1940 to 1972) using photogrammetric techniques. Saline wetland stream channels averaged higher indices of sinuosity, i.e., the ratio of total channel length to linear downstream distance (1.95), when compared with sinuosities of freshwater tidal channels (1.46). The difference is attributed to differences in vegetation types and consequent soil holding capacity between saline and freshwater tidal wetland environments. Saline channels become entrenched because the banks are supported by dense root systems, while freshwater tidal channels flow through a more homogenous substrate and behave much like channels which cross mud-flats in the intertidal zone. Higher average meander amplitudes (one-half the peak to trough distance of a given meander wave) for saline channels (171 meters) versus lower amplitudes for freshwater channels (114 meters) suggest that meander loops for saline channels are determined primarily by the erosional characteristics of stream banks and by other local factors rather than by hydrodynamic factors such as flow velocity or discharge. It has been stated that meander migration features do not occur in homogenous soil materials (Leopold, et al. 1964); the tendency of saline channels to form these features is attributed to differential erosion caused by variations in root system density. Conversely, the morphology of freshwater tidal channels is influenced by hydrodynamic factors including discharge, and is due to the existence of more homogenous materials, i.e., muddy soils devoid of extensive root systems. An analysis of ebb and flood discharge data arrived at for each tidal channel using existing tidal current velocity and upland discharge records supports the fact that relatively greater erosive forces occur in salt marsh than in fresh tidal marsh areas. A poor statistical correlation between rates of stream channel migration and hydraulic stream flow data such as velocity and discharge must be accepted with caution due to the method of approximating tidal discharge values. The correlation suggests that under normal tidal conditions both saline and freshwater tidal channels migrate little, if any, and thus represent an apparently balanced relatively low energy system. For this reason it is believed that most stream channel migration in both saline and freshwater wetlands occurs as a result of increased forces due to storms.
Morphological traits as predictors of diet and microhabitat use in a diverse beetle assemblage

We explored how morphological traits can complement phylogenetic information to extend our predictions of the ecology of a diverse beetle assemblage. We analysed ten morphological traits from an assemblage of 239 species from 35 families, and identified three axes of morphological variation that were independent of body length: (1) relative robustness; (2) relative appendage length; and (3) relative abdomen length. The trait associations defining these axes of morphological variation did not change after adjusting for family-level phylogeny. We detected significant differences in morphological variation across the beetle assemblage according to diet and microhabitat use, and these patterns were only partially influenced by family membership. Further analysis within dominant families showed that species of Carabidae, Curculionidae, Scarabaeidae and Staphylinidae had greater body length in open versus tree litter microhabitat, and species of Carabidae and Curculionidae had greater relative robustness, but shorter relative appendage length, in open versus tree litter microhabitat. Although it is clear that family-level phylogeny and morphology share some explanatory power for predicting the diet and microhabitat use by beetles, we demonstrate that body length, robustness and appendage length are correlated significantly with microhabitat use when comparing members of the same family. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 102, 301–310.
Reflections on the long-term assessment of ladybird (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) populations in the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom

Large fluctuations in predatory ladybird populations between years makes it difficult to assess the conservation status of this important group of beetles. Monitoring of their long-term trends may be achieved using systematic structured surveys or by the collation of incidental records. Since the 1970s Alois Honěk and colleagues in the Czech Republic have used the former approach to generate some of the best long-term ladybird datasets globally. Declines in species, particularly Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, 1758, have been observed in these datasets, and explanations for the declines offered. Here we reflect on the work of Alois Honěk and colleagues and contrast their approach to monitoring ladybirds with that taken in the UK. UK ladybird trends have been derived from careful analyses of incidental records collected by citizen scientists, along with some systematic structured surveying. We compare the trends suggested by Czech and UK data. There are broad similarities in trends for several species, namely Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus, 1758), Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus, 1758 and Propylea quattuordecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) (decreasing trends) and Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) and Hippodamia (Adonia) variegata (Goeze, 1777) (increasing trends). Conversely the trends for Adalia decempunctata (Linnaeus, 1758), Coccinella quinquepunctata Linnaeus, 1758, C. septempunctata and Calvia quattuordecimguttata (Linnaeus, 1758) are dissimilar in the two countries. We briefly explore whether similar drivers of change were at play in the Czech Republic and UK. In both countries, changes in agricultural practices (notably less small grain cereal-growing and reduced fertilizer use that lowers aphid numbers) may account for some of the ladybird population trends observed.
Studies on AP-1 Sorting Function and Regulation of Membrane Binding

The Adaptor-Protein complex (AP-1) mediates the formation of transport vesicles at the trans-Golgi network and is a component of Clathrin Coated Vesicles. Besides facilitating the binding of clathrin to vesicles, AP-1 also binds the sorting signal motif present in the cytoplasmic domains of transmembrane proteins and thereby functions to sort proteins into transport vesicles. The AP-1 complex consists of 4 subunits, whose functions in the protein sorting and the vesicle formation are only partially understood. Both the large subunits γ1 and β1 consist of, a N-terminal globular domain and a C-terminal globular domain, which bind a μltiplicity of proteins, whose functions in vesicle formation are not known. The μ1A subunit of the complex is essential for the membrane binding of the AP-1 and binds transmembrane proteins, which are transported by the AP-1 complex. With the exception of β1-adaptin, isoforms exist from all subunits of the AP-1, which show tissue specific expression. The functional analysis of a μ2/μ1A-adaptin chimera showed that the domain of μ1A, exhibiting the least sequence homology, has a role in the AP-1 mediated protein sorting. The membrane binding of the AP-1 complex containing the μ2/μ1A chimera, is more stable. Using Y2H method, an uncharacterized protein was identified, which binds with high affinity and specificity to this domain. Its over-expression leads to a decreased membrane binding of the AP-1, but not of the chimeric complex. Three isoforms are found for the σ1-adaptin viz., σ1A, σB and σC, whose functions are not known. Further, the σ1B transcript shows tissue specific alternative splicing. Since a γ1-adaptin binding motif is present in the isoform σ1B-3, this motif was analyzed. It did not interact with γ1, however, interaction was observed by changing only one flanking aminoacid.The sorting of the Sortilin receptor was examined in μ1A-deficient and also in σ1B-adaptin deficient cells. In μ1A -/- cells, sortilin is mislocalized from its normal trans-Golgi network localization to early Endosomes. Thereupon, the role of two sorting motifs of sortilin was examined. The Tyrosine-based Motif showed an interaction with the μ1A-adaptin. The di-Leucine based Motif showed the highest affinity for γ1/σ1B hemi-complex. However, embryonic fibroblasts of σ1B "knock out" mouse showed no mis-sorting of sortilin. The interaction of sortilin with μ1A-adaptin, therefore seems to be sufficient for sorting between the trans-Golgi network and endosomes in these cells. Adipocytes of σ1B deficient mice had however a fourfold higher quantity of sortilin. In adipocytes, the σ1B-adaptin might be involved in a tissue specific transport pathway.
Classification of Abnormal Chicken Eggs

Abstract Differences in the frequency of abnormal eggs were found between lines of White Plymouth Rocks selected for high and low juvenile body weight, and between them and lines where selection for body weight was relaxed. Primary emphasis is given to double-yolked and extra calcified eggs, the incidence of which while apparently independent of each other is not independent of other types of egg abnormalities.
Detection Surveys and Population Monitoring for Pseudacysta perseae on Avocados in Southern California

The avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), is a foliar pest of avocados, and the known distribution of P. perseae includes the Caribbean, the southeastern USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela and French Guyana (Humeres et al. 2009). Pseudacysta perseae was detected for the first time in California (USA) in Sep 2004 from 2 residential avocado trees in Chula Vista and San Diego in San Diego County (Hoddle et al. 2005). We present surveys that delineate the range of P. perseae in California, selected monitoring sites, and long-term monitoring studies to determine population growth trends from 3 years of population data. Two detection surveys for P. perseae with a pest detection grid system established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) were performed in San Diego County during spring (Mar 20-Jun 30) and fall (Sep 20-Oct 30) of 2006 to delineate the geographic distribution of this pest. The CDFA grid square used for surveys was 2.6 km2. If P. perseae was present, or if avocado trees exhibited possible symptoms characteristic of P. perseae feeding (e.g., large necrotic areas on mature leaves, or trees were defoliated), samples were collected and sent to the San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures' Entomology Laboratory for official determination.
Phylogeography of Parnassius apollo: hints on taxonomy and conservation of a vulnerable glacial butterfly invader

Parnassius apollo (Linnaeus, 1758) is probably the most renowned Eurasian montane butterfly. Its specialized ecology makes it very sensitive to habitat and climate changes, so that it is now experiencing range contraction and local extinction across most of its range. We sequenced 869 bp of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase I gene in 78 P. apollo populations (201 individuals) in order to: (1) assess the phylogeographic pattern of the species; (2) shed light on the historical biogeographic processes that shaped the distribution of the species; and (3) identify geographic population units of special value for the conservation of the species' genetic diversity. Our analyses revealed a very strong phylogeographic structure in P. apollo, which displays a number of distinctive mtDNA lineages populating geographically distinct areas. Overall sequence divergence is relatively shallow, and is consistent with a recent (late Pleistocene) colonization of most of the range. We propose that P. apollo is best viewed as an atypical glacial invader in southern and western Europe, the isolated, montane populations of which, threatened by climate warming, retain a large fraction of the species evolutionary heritage. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 101, 169–183.
Effect of hydrogen sulfide in comparison to atorvastatin on endothelial damage in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gaseous molecule, functioning as a physiological regulator. This study aimed to investigate the role of H2S in atherosclerosis. Rabbits receiving high cholesterol were given atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/day, orally) or sodium sulfide (1.1 mg/kg/day, intramuscular) 2 weeks after commencement of high-cholesterol diet and continued for 4 weeks. Serum lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation indexed as malondialdehyde, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, the vascular adhesion molecule-1, and aortic vascular endothelial growth factor were determined. Rabbits receiving a high-cholesterol diet showed elevated levels of total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, malondialdehyde and vascular adhesion molecule-1, and aortic vascular endothelial growth factor expression and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. Treatment with atorvastatin and sodium sulfide has beneficial effects on serum lipid profile, oxidative damage, vascular adhesion molecule-1, and aortic expression of vascular endothelial growth factor.
Determining the self-incompatibility alleles of Japanese apple cultivars

The S alleles of 15 Japanese apple cultivars were determined by using the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion system developed by Janssens et al. (1995). Both S alleles were identified in eight diploid cultivars, two S alleles in three triploid cultivars, and one S allele in the remaining four diploid cultivars. Two cultivars had S alleles different than those predicted by their parentage, and in one comparison of a cultivar with its sport, an identity problem was discovered. The technique helped to indicate the parent contributing the unreduced gamete in triploids.
Genetic control of anthocyanin pigmentation in Antirrhinum flowers

The genus Antirrhinum (commonly known as snapdragons) contains more than twentyfive recognised species. The genus has been divided into three morphological subsections: Antirrhinum, Streptosepalum and Kickxiella (Rothmaler, 1956). One of the major characteristics distinguishing the three subsections is flower colour. Most species in subsection Antirrhinum have dark pink or yellow flowers, Kickxiella species are white or pale pink and Streptosepalum species have yellow or pale pink flowers. All Antirrhinum species can be crossed to produce fertile hybrids which allow the genes that underlie their differences to be identified. I used quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis on hybrids of A. majus (dark magenta flowers) and A. charidemi (pale-pink flowers) to map genomic regions underlying differences in flower colour. This identified two major-effect loci, in Linkage Group 3 (LG3) and LG7, that explained most of the differences between these species. I used near-isogenic lines (NILs) to further test involvement of two candidate genes - Rosea (Ros) in LG3, which encodes a regulator of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway (ABP) and Incolorata (Inc) in LG7 which encodes a rate-limiting enzyme of the ABP. In both cases, the A. majus allele increased pigmentation. Sequence differences between Ros alleles of A. majus, A. charidemi and A. molle (a Kickxiella species with white flowers) suggest that A. molle carries a ros loss-of-function mutation and that a transposon insertion in the ROS promoter might contribute to differences in expression between A. majus and A. charidemi. Ros genotypes were found to be strongly correlated with pigmentation in the corolla tube in A. majus x A. charidemi hybrids, and to a lesser extent with corolla lobe pigmentation, although NILs suggested that ROS did not correspond to the major-effect QTL indentified in LG3. I also mapped a minor-effect QTL for tube pigmentation to a region of LG4 containing the ABP structural gene Candica. Analysis of NILs revealed that Inc was not the second major-effect QTL mapped to LG7, although sequence differences were detected between Inc alleles of A. majus and A. charidemi. I was further able to narrow down the region containing the second LG7 major-effect QTL to an interval of 11 cM, between two molecular markers, which could be used to determine the likely QTL genotypes of segregating NILs. Surprisingly, several ABP genes, particularly Nivea, Inc and Pallida, were expressed at higher levels in pale flowers that were homozygous for the A. chardemi QTL allele than in their dark flowered siblings that carried an A. majus allele. This suggests that ABP genes might be up-regulated in pale flowers as part of a negative feedback mechanism. Two potential roles of the LG7 QTL are considered 1) its requirement for anthocyanin modification or transport to the vacuole, so that a build-up of cytosolic anthocyanins or their break-down products in pale flowers increases structural gene expression but cannot compensate for the overall reduction in anthocyanin, or 2) a role…
Nightly and Yearly Bat Activity Before and After White-nose Syndrome on the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia

In the central Appalachians, conservation concern about bat communities and their population status has become increasingly more significant with the advent and spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS). However, managers often are hampered in their response to WNS by the lack of information on pre-WNS local distribution, abundance, or activity patterns for most bat species. At the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF), Tucker County, WV, where bat research has been conducted since the mid-1990s, we acoustically monitored bat activity a total of 20 nights each at four sites for 4 years3 years before and 1 year after WNS was detectedto better assess those local patterns. Within sampling nights, activity of northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) peaked directly after sunset and declined throughout the night, whereas activity of little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) and Indiana myotis (Myotis sodalis) had a unimodal distribution that peaked in the middle of the night. Activity of many bat species differed among sample sites and was highest at a small, artificial pond located on a dry ridgetop. Activity of little brown myotis, northern myotis, and Indiana myotis was lower post-WNS than pre-WNS, consistent with the species' precipitous declines previously reported in WNS-affected areas in the Northeast and upper portions of the Mid-Atlantic.
Inter-specific variability in protein use by two vegetable crop species

It is now well-known that plants can uptake not only inorganic nitrogen but also organic nitrogen compounds, mainly amino acids. However, soil proteins are the main pool of amino acids. According to our earlier papers, plants can get access to this source of nitrogen using root-secreted proteases, but the level of proteolytic activity of such root-secreted proteases is species-specific. Our aim was to compare the use of protein as nitrogen source by two vegetable crops having high (Allium porrum) or low (Lactuca sativa) level of activity of root-secreted proteases. Seedlings were cultivated on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), MS medium without inorganic nitrogen, MS medium without inorganic nitrogen, but with casein in concentration of 0.01%, 0.1% or 1%. Fresh weight of shoot of A. porrum was the highest for seedlings growing on culture medium with casein, but shoots of L. sativa obtained the highest weight growing on the culture medium with inorganic nitrogen. Allium porrum seedlings obtained 15-fold higher proteolytic activity in the culture medium than L. sativa. Seedlings of A. porrum using such high activity of proteases secreted by roots could provide a substantial pool of amino acids for intensive growth. The current studies conducted on A. porrum and L. sativa suggest that the efficiency of protein use in nitrogen nutrition by plants is species-specific.
Independent occurrence of the novel Arg2163 to His mutation in the factor VIII gene in three unrelated families with haemophilia A with different phenotypes

Using chemical mismatch analysis or denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis followed by nucleotide sequencing, we have identified the same G6545A mutation leading to an Arg 2163 His substitution in the factor VIII gene of three haemophiliacs from unrelated families. One of the affected individuals has severe haemophilia, while the other two are moderately severe. While we cannot exclude the possibility that these differences in phenotype arise from differences in VIII:C assay methods, other studies have also identified different clinical phenotypes in individuals with the same mutations, and suggested that they may arise from extragenic factors that affect or modify gene expression or protein function. The G6545A mutation occurs at a CG dinucleotide which is a known mutation hotspot, and which may explain the independent occurrence in unrelated families. Hum Mutat 11:334, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro approach for callus induction in kheemp [Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne]: a multipurpose plant.

Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne is a desert herb belonging to family Asclepiadaceae is one of such medicinal plants, locally known as Khimp or Khip (Rajasthan), Broom bush (English) is an erect, ascending, shrub up to 1.2m-3.5m high with green stem and pale green alternating bushy branches with watery sap. Being highly droughtresistant, Leptadenia pyrotechnica has played an important role in the desert afforestation programs. The herb kheemp is a strong soil-binder and as such is one of the pioneer species in sand dune fixation due to prolonged and extensive root system. It is a valuable desert plant which is commonly used in traditional system of medicine for relieving pain and inflammation, as well as in a number of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity (Rekha et al., 2013). The plant is Abstract : Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forsk.) Decne belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae. It is commonly known as Kheemp in India. L. pyrotechnica is an important component of an arid ecosystem and source of fibre, forage, and medicines. In this present investigation, an efficient method has been developed for a rapid callus induction in Leptadenia pyrotechnica. After surface sterilization on MS medium supplemented with cytokinins and auxins (PGRs) individually and with various combinations, nodal, pod and inter-nodal explants from mature plant of L. pyrotechnica were cultured. Cultures were maintained at 30 ± 2°C temperature, 50–60 ìmol m-2 s-1 SFP, 16 hr day-1 photoperiod, and 62 per cent relative humidity (RH). Nodal segments proved the best explants (95% callus induction) compared with inter-nodal and pod explants had 11 per cent and 5 per cent callus induction, respectively. Different treatments were employed for surface sterilization of explants revealing that combination of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl2) and mercuric chloride (MC) were found significant. Minimum contamination (9%) occurred at 30 per cent NaOCl2 + 2 g/L MC, while 85 per cent occurred at 30 per cent NaOCl2 + 1 g/L MC. The nodal segments cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L NAA that produced maximum callus (95%) within four weeks. It was followed by 65 per cent callus induction at 5 mg/L NAA + 2.5 mg/L benzyl-adenine (BA) and 25 per cent at 10 mg/L 2,4-D + 3 mg/L 2ip + 3 g/L activated charcoal (AC), while only 15 per cent appeared at control (without hormone application). This study may contribute in conservation management of this native plant species found especially in the Thar desert of Rajasthan.