Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial eigenfunction analyses in stream networks: do watercourse and overland distances produce different results?

SUMMARY1. The use of spatial variables is a common procedure in ecological studies. The techniqueis based on the definition of a connectivity⁄distance matrix that conceptually defines thedispersal of organisms. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Despitethe fact that a straight line may not represent the easiest dispersal path for many kinds oforganisms, straight-line distances are often used to detect patterns. We argue that othertypes of connectivity⁄distance matrices will better represent dispersal paths, such as thewatercourse distance for aquatic organisms (e.g. fish, shrimps). 2. We used empirical and simulated community data to evaluate the usefulness of spatialvariables generated from watercourse and overland (straight-line) distances.3. Spatial variables based on watercourse distances captured patterns that straight-linedistances did not, and provided better representations of the spatial patterns generated bydispersal along a dendritic network. Keywords: community, dispersal, overland, stream networks, watercourse
ON THE GENERA OF ORIENTAL CRYPTORHYNCHINAE (COLEOPTERA : CURCULIONIDAE)

Present paper deals with tribes and genera of the subfamily Cryptorhynchinae of the Oriental region west of the Wallace’s line. Tribe Ithyporini auct. and Sophrorhini auct. are combined into Ithyporini of new sense, and a new tribe Mecistocerini is proposed for Mccistocerus-allied genera of Sophrorhini auct. Simulatacalles is described as a new genus, and six genera are sunk as new synonyms as follows: Coelosteridius Morimoto, 1962 = Sybulus Pascoe, 1871 Cryptorrhynchobius Voss, 1965=Cryptorhynchus Illiger, 1807 Deiradocranoides Morimoto, 1962 =Deiradocranus Marshall, 1953 Heterocryptorrhynchus Morimoto, 1962 = Sclerolips Faust, 1895 Paracryptorrhynchus Morimoto, 1962= Sternochetus Pierce, 1917 Sculptosternellum Morimoto, 1962= Rhadinopus Faust, 1897 Key to 93 genera is given together with illustrations of 62 species. The weevils of the subfamily Cryptorhynchinae are characteristic of the well defined pectoral canal and developed unci on tibiae. This taxon was first established by Schonherr (1826) as Divisio Cryptorhynchides, and comprehensive revision of the genera was published by Lacordaire (1866), who classified 77 g e n e r a of the “ Tribu Cryptorhynchides ” into four subtribes by the structures of pectoral follows : canal as I. Canal rostra1 ne depassant pas les hanches anterieures, ou, dans le cas contraire, non limit6 en arriere par le mesosternum et n’entamant pas le metasternum.
Female Recognition and Sexual Dimorphism of Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Monochamus galloprovincialis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

ABSTRACT Monochamus galloprovincialis Olivier (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is the European vector of the pine wilt nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle, which causes the pine wilt disease. A series of experiments were carried out to determine the existence of a contact pheromone on the female's cuticle. All males tested tried to copulate with freshly killed females, but none tried to copulate with the same females after they had been washed with hexane. When the hexane extract was reapplied to the extracted females, 50% of the males tried to copulate with them. This shows that females have a contact pheromone on their cuticle that stimulates male copulatory behavior. Cuticular compounds (mainly hydrocarbons) were sampled with solid phase microextraction and solvent extraction. No marked differences between sampling methods were observed. Individual peak analysis revealed that 23 compounds were significantly more abundant in females and eight were more abundant in males. Correspondence analysis found significant differences between the global hydrocarbon profile of male and female M. galloprovincialis. Individually, these compounds represented a small percentage of the total blend. This suggest that males of M. galloprovincialis may distinguish females by a blend of several, not very abundant, compounds that are present in both sexes but in different proportions.
Molecular biomechanics of seed germination in Arabidopsis thaliana and Lepidium sativum

Seed germination is a key process in world agriculture. For this reason, the capacity of a seed to germinate with minimum input from farmers is highly desirable, keeping the production costs as low as possible. The physiological mechanism of germination is well known, involving the rupture of the endosperm and testa envelope by the expanding embryo, but the molecular and biomechanical changes underlying this process are poorly understood. In order to answer the question of how the plant developmentally regulates changes in cell wall stiffness associated with germination, an innovative molecular biomechanics approach was developed. It combines biophysical, engineering and molecular biology approaches. A comparative approach was taken using the related species Arabidopsis thaliana and Lepidium sativum, the former due to the wealth of genomic resources, and the latter due to larger size and ease of use in biomechanics experiments. Environmental scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed that the endosperm structure is intact after protrusion of the radicle, confirming the fact that rupture occurs between individual cells. Germination is a process that requires targeted cell separation or/ and cell wall remodeling. For this reason, following the predictions of the gene network SeedNet, containing the endosperm-specific sub-network cluster 19 (Bassel et al., 2011), endosperm specific genes were studied. In order to localize their expression, promoter::GUS constructs were used for the genes DELTA-VPE, SCPL51 and DOF2.1, and different mutant alleles of four transcription factors from cluster 19 (athb23, bhlh-115, bee2 and dof2.1) were screened to identify changes in germination behaviour. DELTA-VPE and SCPL51 were proven to be endosperm specific and ABA insensitive. DELTA-VPE was GA insensitive and SCPL51 expression required GA. Also, DELTA-VPE expression could be observed after 15 minutes of imbibition in the whole endosperm, while SCPL51 showed a temporal expression requiring 18 hours of imbibition before being observed in all endosperm cells. The analysed T-DNA lines showed an epistatic relationship between ATHB23 and DOF 2.1 and a decreased sensitivity to stress factors like osmotic and salt stresses, than the wild type. Using nanoindentation, a differentiation between different regions of endosperm was attempted, but the methodology was not sensitive enough. However, different elastic modulus values for imbibed and dry Lepidium seeds were registered. To image the internal changes in seed structure during germination, micro-CT was used, estimating values for endosperm thickness from dry state to germinated one. This work enforces the knowledge of the molecular biology and biomechanical properties of the endosperm.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Wild and Aquaculture Stocks of Mercenaria mercenaria in Florida

ABSTRACT The northern hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria is one of the most commercially important bivalve species produced via aquaculture in the eastern United States. Breeding practices associated with large-scale hatchery production of hard clam seed may result in unintended, potentially negative consequences including inbreeding and reduced levels of genetic diversity. Seven microsatellite markers were used to compare levels of genetic diversity in six hatchery stocks and four wild stocks from the state of Florida. Wild stocks of M. mercenaria had slightly higher levels of allelic richness and similar observed heterozygosity (wild = Ar = 3.61,Ho = 0.448; hatchery = Ar = 3.46,Ho = 0.452); however, these differenceswere not statistically significant (Ar: P = 0.145; Ho: P = 0.931). Differentiation was highest between hatchery stocks (GST = 0.03, SD = 0.007; P < 0.001) but minimal among hatchery-by-wild comparisons. In contrast, wild stocks were not differentiated (GST = -0.002, SD = 0.004; P ≈ 0.58) and Bayesian comparisons of competing gene flow models (panmixia, stepping stone, and full-migration) suggested that wild stocks were effectively panmictic at this scale. Together, these results indicate that some genetic drift has occurred within hatchery populations, possibly as a result of broodstock selection and spawning practices. The genetic divergence between wild and hatchery stocks observed in this study are not as pronounced as seen in other aquaculture bivalve species. Given the large scale of hard clam production in Florida we argue that hatchery practices should incorporate long-term genetic goals (i.e., avoidance of inbreeding) to maintain the integrity of hatchery stocks. A secondary objective of this study was to amplify a congeneric species, Mercenaria campechiensis, using the same suite of microsatellite markers to assess their utility for detecting interspecific hybridization. Amplification success was poor and failed for four of the seven loci. The identification of microsatellite loci for different species of Mercenaria should be identified de novo in the future.
Planting Design Effects on Avian Seed Dispersers in a Tropical Forest Restoration Experiment

Seed dispersal often limits tropical forest regeneration and animals disperse most rainforest tree seeds. This presents two important questions for restoration ecologists: (1) which animals are common seed dispersers? and (2) which restoration techniques attract them? Fourteen restoration sites were planted with four tree species in three designs, (1) controls (no planting, natural regeneration) (2) islands (trees planted in small patches), and (3) plantations (trees planted continuously over a large patch). We sampled birds in November, February, and April 2007–2008 with mist nets, in February and July 2009 with observations, and in July 2008 with both techniques. We documented 30 seed species from fecal samples of captured birds. All identified seed species were early‐successional forms. Four tanager species, three thrushes, two saltators, two flycatchers, and one finch were categorized as common seed dispersers, based on their high likelihood of dispersing seeds. Common dispersers were generalist species with small gape widths (<15 mm). Common dispersers were captured significantly more often in plantations than controls in most seasons and more often in plantations than islands during one season. Common disperser observations were significantly greater in plantations than controls during two periods and in plantations compared with islands in one period. Results indicate that plantation‐style planting is the conservative strategy to maximize attractiveness to common dispersers in tropical restoration sites. Island planting is an alternative when resources are limited although disperser activity may be lower in some seasons than in plantations. Additional research should investigate how to attract large, forest‐associated dispersers.
Tergitol as a Possible Thinning Agent for Peach cv. Redhaven

The effect of different blossom thinners ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) (1%, 2%), Armothin (1.5%), Tergitol-TMN-6 (0.5%, 1%), applied on peach cv. Redhaven at 50-60% full bloom was evaluated in thinning experiments in south-west Slovenia. The photosynthesis inhibitor metamitron (0.05%) applied at 8 mm fruit diameter was evaluated as fruitlet thinner as well. Application of 2% ATS resulted in excessive thinning. The thinning effect of 1% ATS was also too strong in two out of three thinning experiments. The use of 0.05% metamitron did not cause any thinning effect on peach trees and gave similar results as the non-treated control. The effective fruit set reduction and increase of average fruit weight was achieved with 0.5% and 1% Tergitol application. In three-year experiment both Tergitol applications reduced fruit set toward hand thinned level, but the share of fruit from bigger size class was only once enhanced to the level of hand thinned trees. No sign of phytotoxicity was noticed on fruits in all thinner application treatments.
Folic acid modified copper oxide nanoparticles for targeted delivery in in vitro and in vivo systems

Copper oxide nanoparticles are known to exhibit toxic effects on a variety of cell types. In the present study, copper oxide nanoparticles were modified with folic acid for targeted delivery. The physicochemical properties of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) and folic acid conjugated copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO–FA NPs) were studied by Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). To determine targeting efficacy, we have used folate receptor positive and folate receptor knock down human breast cancer cells MCF7. Flow cytometric analysis, generation of ROS and expression of apoptotic proteins (cleaved PARP, decreased p-BAD) indicated that most cell death occurred through apoptosis in CuO–FA NPs treated MCF7 cells. In the in vivo study, we used Dalton's lymphoma (DL) cell induced tumor in mice. We successfully delivered CuO and CuO–FA NPs through peritoneal injection after induction of the tumor. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) was measured in DL cells isolated from tumor bearing mice. All of these data indicated that CuO–FA NPs was more effective in killing the tumor cells and successful reduction of the tumor was observed in CuO–FA NPs treated mice after 15 days of treatment. These findings have important implications for understanding the potential anticancer properties induced by folic acid modified CuO NPs.
Weed seedbanks in arable fields: effects of management practices and surrounding landscape

Jose-Maria L & Sans FX (2011). Weed seedbanks in arable fields: effects of management practices and surrounding landscape. Weed Research51, 631–640. Summary Weed seedbanks are a reserve of weed diversity and can contribute to the prediction of future weed problems in arable fields. Managing seedbanks should therefore help in optimising biodiversity and controlling weed infestations. This study assessed the effects of management system (organic vs. conventional) and landscape complexity on seedbank size and species richness at the edges and centres of Mediterranean dryland cereal fields and examines the relationship between specific management practices and seedbanks. Field edges and organic fields had more species-rich, denser seedbanks than field centres and conventional fields, and landscape complexity had a limited effect on arable seedbanks. Accordingly, the promotion of low-intensity farming practices regardless of landscape complexity, especially at field edges, would be an effective measure for conservation purposes in Mediterranean agroecosystems. Nevertheless, the high seed density of organic seedbanks reveals the need for more effective seedbank management. The analysis of the effects of specific management practices highlights the importance of cleaning crop seeds properly to reduce seedbank size and using complex rotations, especially as this tends to conserve species richness while reducing seed abundance.
Importance of marginal habitats for grassland diversity: fallows and overgrown tall‐grass steppe as key habitats of endangered ground‐beetle Carabus hungaricus

Abstract. 1. To facilitate effective conservation management of dry‐grassland diversity we studied the habitat selection of Carabus hungaricus, the globally declining, highly endangered, dry‐grassland specialist beetle listed in the EU Habitats Directive, and several co‐occurring beetles at a pannonian dry‐grassland fragment, the Pouzdrany steppe, SE Czech Republic. The beetles were sampled using 186 pitfall traps from March to November 2006. Number of C. hungaricus captures in each trap was related to vegetation and abiotic habitat characteristics; captures of all sampled beetles in each trap were related to each other.
In vivo priming of FcαR functioning on eosinophils of allergic asthmatics

Inflammation in allergic asthma is characterized by an influx of eosinophils and the presence of eosinophil products in the bronchial tissue. Orchestration of this inflammatory response is in part mediated by cytokines and chemoattractants, but final activation can require additional stimuli. IgA, the most abundant immunoglobulin at mucosal surfaces, is potentially a potent trigger for eosinophil activation. Previously, we have shown that binding IgA‐coated targets is dependent on in vitro stimulation of cells with cytokines. Here, we demonstrate that eosinophils isolated from the blood of allergic asthmatic patients bind IgA beads independently of prior in vitro stimulation. Furthermore, we found that the proinflammatory cytokine, TNF‐α, is a potent enhancer of IgA binding to eosinophils from allergic asthmatics, and it does not activate FcαR on eosinophils isolated from normal donors. The difference in IgA binding by FcαRs on normal and patient eosinophils might be explained by the activation of different signal transduction pathways. Studying intracellular signaling, we found an enhanced basal activity of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) in eosinophils derived from allergic asthmatics. Moreover, inhibition of PI3K in these cells blocked the background and the TNF‐α‐induced IgA binding completely. In summary, these data demonstrate that the responsiveness of human eosinophils to TNF‐α might be an important contribution for fine‐tuning the allergic inflammatory reaction. Furthermore, the preactivation of PI3K results in a broader sensitivity to subsequent challenge with inflammatory cytokines.
Mengidentifikasi Durasi dan Tenaga Kerja Berdasarkan Analisa Harga Satuan Pekerjaan (Ahsp) pada Perencanaan Pekerjaan Perumahan Villa Idaman Boalemo

n Pada Rencana Anggaran Biaya (RAB) terdapat Analisa Harga Satuan Pekerjaan (AHSP) yang menggunakan indeks produktivitas (Koefisein tenagan kerja) berdasarkan dari hasil penelitian. Indeks produktivitas menunjukan kebutuhan orang dan hari atau dengan kata lain menunjukan kebutuhan durasi dan tenaga kerja. Mengidentifikasi adalah proses (analisis) menentukan identitas, durasi adalah waktu yang dibutuhkan untuk menyelesaikan pekerjaan, dan tenaga kerja adalah besarnya jumlah tenaga kerja yang dibutuhkan untuk menyelesaikan pekerjaan, maka pengertian “Mengidentifikasi Durasi dan Tenaga Kerja” adalah analisis penentuan atau penetapan waktu dan besarnya jumlah tenaga kerja untuk menyelesaiakan pekerjaan. Dengan menggunakan metode identifikasi berdasarkan Analisa Harga Satuan Pekerjaan (AHSP) dapat diketahui potensi keterlambatan (Durasi minimum) dan cara memaksimalkan waktu penyelesaian pekerjaan (Durasi maksimum) dengan melakukan langkah untuk memaksimalkan berdasarkan prinsip dasar metode Network Planning, mentukan penggunaan tenaga kerja berdasarkan asmusi faktor pengaruh produktivitas serta mengembangkan metode penjadwalan bar chart untuk mengetahui waktu maksimal penyelesaian pekerjaan yang akan ditetapkan. Hasil penelitian pada perencanaan pekerjaan pembangunan Perumahan Villa Idaman Boalemo menunjukan bahwa pada pekerjaan Perumahan tipe 36/120 Perunit durasi minimum adalah 265 Hari dan durasi maksimum adalah 20 hari, jumlah tenga kerja maksimal yang dibutuhkan berdasarkan asumsi faktor produktivitas dengan komposisi paling banyak dalam kelompok kerja utama adalah 32 Orang. n Kata Kuncinnnnnnnnn : Identifikasi, Durasi, Produktivitas, Tenaga Kerja, Pekerjaan, Konstruksi .
Identification and characterization of FT/TFL1 gene family in cucumber.

In Arabidopsis, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) are known to control growth habit of determinate or indeterminate type. In cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), any FT or TFL1 homolog is expected to be the candidate for the gene controlling the growth habit. Most cucumber cultivars show indeterminate type of growth habits. For more effective breeding, it is necessary to develop determinate type cultivars. In this study, we isolated one FT and five TFL1 homologs in cucumber. On these homologs, the genomic organizations, phylogenetic relationships, expression patterns, and linkage to growth habit are elucidated herein. Through genetic analysis of F2 individuals, two homologs did not co-segregate with the determinate-indeterminate phenotypes. On the other hand, different expression patterns of several homologs were detected between determinate and indeterminate cultivars.
Facilitation and interference in subalpine meadows of the central Caucasus

We studied the effects of neighbours on the biomass of seven randomly chosen species in species-rich sub-alpine meadows in the central Caucasus Mountains by comparing the performance of plants with neighbours removed experimentally to that of paired plants with their neighbours left intact. In most cases the removal of neighbours led to significant increases in vegetative and total above-ground biomass implying the species were limited by competition. However, the neighbour removal led also to an increased leaf wilting for target plants, as well as to strong decline in reproductive effort for some species. We hypothesise that competition may be the prevailing type of interaction in species-rich sub-alpine meadow communities, but competitive effects on vegetative production may be balanced, if not outweighed, by facilitation, at least for some species. Such a balance may enhance species coexistence in communities.
Modeling avian nest survival in program mark

Understanding the factors influencing nesting success is a primary goal of many studies. To do this effectively, more advanced tools than Mayfield's ad hoc estimator are needed. The recent development of a nest-survival model in program MARK provides a powerful and flexible tool for the study of avian nest survival that can incorporate seasonal variation in survival and nest-specific covariates. We briefly review the model and its development, illustrate how to include the effects of daily nest age and observer visits to nests, and conclude with an example analysis of Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) nest survival in Iowa. In this example, we found evidence for stage-specific differences in nest survival, seasonal patterns in nest survival that were best explained by a quadratic-time trend, and that survival differed between years. An exploration of several nest-specific covariates revealed that blackbird nest survival was positively affected by nest height, weakly affected by nest placement (nests placed in living vegetation may have experienced slightly higher survival), and unaffected by clutch size and within- and between-cell nest placement.
Egg‐hatching in thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera)

The hatching of eggs of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) was investigated for three thripids, Thrips tabuci Lindeman, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) and Kakothrips pisivorus (Westwood), and for a phlaeothripid, Haplothrips leucanthemi (Schrank). An embryonic cuticle with hatching spines was found in these thripids, and distinct lids were discovered on eggs of the first two species of thripid. At least one species of phlaeothripid lacks hatching spines. Haplothrips leucanthemi eggs did not have a distinct lid; the eggs split along lines of weakness following the pattern left by the follicle cells. Kakothrips pisivorus was observed and photographed during hatching. The larva emerged most of the way out of the egg while still enclosed in embryonic cuticle. Expansion and contraction of the pronotum split the embryonic cuticle, which was then forced down to the tip of the abdomen by peristaltic movements, freeing in turn the antennae and legs. The embryonic cuticle was left poking out of the oviposition hole.