Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overview of the International Crown Fire Modelling Experiment (ICFME)

The International Crown Fire Modelling Experiment (ICFME), carried out between 1995 and 2001 in Can- ada's Northwest Territories, involved 18 experimental high-intensity crown fires, with more than 100 participants repre - senting 30 organizations from 14 countries. ICFME has provided valuable new data and insights into the nature and characteristics of crowning forest fires, which will assist in addressing fire management problems and opportunities af - fecting both people and ecosystems in future decades. ICFME evolved as the result of a number of converging issues: the recognition that the US and Canada could not continue separate approaches to fire behaviour model development, the opening of Russia to the western world, increased communication, and the formation of international associations to facilitate collaboration. While the initial impetus for ICFME was the desire to improve the physical modeling of crown fire propagation and spread, the project also created the opportunity to examine many other aspects and impacts of crown fires. This special issue of the Canadian Journal of Forest Researchdevoted to ICFME is intended to sum- marize most of the major research results from the project. Resume : Dans le cadre de L'Experience internationale de modelisation des feux de cimes (EIMFC), 18 feux de cimes experimentaux de forte intensite ont ete provoques dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest du Canada. L'EIMFC, qui a mo- bilise une centaine de chercheurs issus de 30 organismes et representant 14 pays, a fourni de riches donnees et rensei- gnements sur la nature et les caracteristiques des feux de cimes en foret, qui contribueront indubitablement a resoudre les difficultes de gestion des incendies qui affectent l'homme et les ecosystemes. Plusieurs facteurs ont influe sur la progression de L'EIMFC, notamment la mise en evidence du fait que les E. -U. et le Canada se devaient d'unir leurs ef- forts dans l'elaboration de modeles de comportement des feux, l'ouverture du rideau de fer en Russie, la multiplication des echanges et la constitution d'associations internationales destinees a favoriser la collaboration. Si cette experience internationale avait pour principale visee d'ameliorer la modelisation physique de la transmission et de la propagation du feu, elle a toutefois aussi permis d'examiner plusieurs autres aspects et facteurs d'incidence des feux de cimes. Le present numero de la Revue canadienne de recherche forestiereconsacre a L'EIMFC constitue une synthese des consta- tations les plus marquantes de cette experience. (Traduit par la Redaction) Stocks et al. 1547
Abundance, nest sites, and nesting success of Steller's jays along a gradient of urbanization in western Washington.

We studied abundance, nest site characteristics, and nest success of Steller’s jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) in western Washington from 1996 to 2002. This common but relatively understudied species is a nest predator that may limit the reproductive success of other species. Jays were more abundant at sites on the Olympic Peninsula than at sites in the Seattle area. On the Olympic Peninsula, jays were more abundant in fragmented than contiguous forest stands. In the Seattle area, jays were detected at exurban, suburban, and urban sites, but their abundance was marginally higher at suburban sites. Jay nests in the exurban and wildland forests of the Olympic Peninsula were frequently successful, but those in suburban Seattle rarely were, possibly because of lower nest predator populations and reduced human disturbance on the Olympic Peninsula. Nest site characteristics were similar in all study areas. Thus, while Steller’s jays may be visible members of avian communities near human settlements and recreation areas, we hypothesize that this habitat is of lower quality than fragmented forest away from humans. Because jays concentrate their activities, including nesting, along edges and are most abundant in suburban and fragmented forest areas, other birds nesting along edges in these areas may be at increased risk of nest predation.
Effect of the canopy complexity of trees on the rate of predation of insects

The effect of the complexity of tree canopies on the effectiveness of biological control of tree‐dwelling insect herbivores by predators has been neglected. A complex canopy provides a greater variety of resources than a simple canopy, which may result in an increase in the abundance of both herbivores and predators in complex canopies and a higher predation rate. On the other hand, it may be more difficult to locate prey in trees with a complex canopy, which may lower the predation rate. The main aim of this study is to determine the relationship between predation rate and canopy complexity. We have used a system consisting of lime trees, larvae of blowflies as prey and naturally occurring predators (mainly birds and ants). The complexity of the canopy of 12 of the lime trees was reduced by pruning, and the predation rate was determined by recording the fate of prey pinned on each of the trees for 30 min several times during the course of a year. The predation rate was negatively associated with canopy complexity. We compare these results with those reported in the literature and contrary to the widely held view conclude that a negative relationship between predation rate and canopy complexity is a common phenomenon and can be expected to be reported in studies not only on ambush but also on predators that actively search for prey.
Variation in Cold Hardiness of Liriomyza huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) Along Latitudinal Gradients

Abstract Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is an economically important pest around the world. The insect was first reported in China in 1993, and now has spread to >10 provinces, ranging from subtropical to temperate regions. Supercooling capacity and cold survival ability of pupal L. huidobrensis were investigated in eight populations along a latitudinal gradient: latitude 25°01′ N to latitude 42°16′ N. A northern distribution limit was proposed based on cold tolerance and the lowest monthly mean temperature of the year. The pattern of variation in cold tolerance with latitude differed for populations on different sides of the border. From the southernmost population in Kunming to the northern marginal population in Xi’an, cold tolerance of L. huidobrensis increased with latitude as measured by low lethal time (Ltime50) at −5°C. Field populations can depress their supercooling point 3.6°C between the spring geographic populations at the two extremes. Cold tolerance also was enhanced significantly by prechilling of pupal L. huidobrensis at 0, 5, and 10°C. Both acclimation at 5 and 10°C for 8 d resulted in the maximum observed survival rate. Therefore, south of the distribution limit, L. huidobrensis can successfully overwinter and persist as a source population, continually supplying insects for further reinfestation or dispersal. However, populations beyond the northern border did not show the enhanced cold tolerance with increasing latitude. Most of the leafminers there survived severe winter condition by opportunistic exploitation of protected microhabitats. Our results may facilitate future predictions of range expansion and integrated management of this pest.
Acute Lead Toxicosis in Mourning Doves

Abstract Previous research has suggested that free-ranging mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) may ingest spent lead pellets, succumb to lead toxicosis, and die in a relatively short time (i.e., an acute lead toxicosis hypothesis). We tested this hypothesis by administering 157 captive mourning doves 2–24 lead pellets, monitoring pellet retention and short-term survival, and measuring related physiological characteristics. During the 19- to 21-day posttreatment period, 104 doves that received lead pellets died (deceased doves) and 53 survived (survivors); all 22 birds in a control group survived. Within 24-hr of treatment, blood lead levels increased almost twice as fast for deceased doves compared to survivors (F1,208 = 55.49; P < 0.001). During the first week, heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratios increased twice as fast for deceased doves than with survivors (F1,198 = 23.14, P < 0.001). Posttreatment survival differed (χ2 = 37.4, P < 0.001) among the 5 groups of doves that retained different numbers of pellets, and survival ranged from 0.57 (95% CI: 0.44–0.74) for doves that retained ≤2 lead pellets 2 days posttreatment compared to 0.08 (95% CI: 0.022–0.31) for those doves that retained 13–19 lead pellets on 2 days posttreatment; significant differences existed among the 5 groups. After controlling for dove pretreatment body mass, each additional lead pellet increased the hazard of death by 18.0% (95% CI: 1.132–1.230, P < 0.001) and 25.7% (95% CI: 1.175–1.345, P < 0.001) for males and females, respectively. For each 1-g increase in pretreatment body mass, the hazard of death decreased 2.5% (P = 0.04) for males and 3.8% (P = 0.02) for females. Deceased doves had the highest lead levels in liver (49.20 ± 3.23 ppm) and kidney (258.16 ± 21.85 ppm) tissues, whereas controls showed the lowest levels (liver, 0.08 ± 0.041 ppm; kidney, 0.17 ± 0.10 ppm). For doves dosed with pellets, we observed simultaneous increases in blood lead levels and H:L ratios, whereas packed-cell volume (PCV) values declined. Our results support an acute lead toxicosis hypothesis. Although further research is necessary to investigate the magnitude of lead shot ingestion and toxicosis in mourning doves, we recommend that management agencies initiate development of a long-term strategic plan aimed at implementing a nontoxic shot regulation for mourning dove hunting.
Taxonomic and biological notes on some Atlantic species of the snapping shrimp genus Synalpheus Spence Bate, 1888 (Decapoda, Alpheidae)

ARTHUR ANKER 2, , PAULO P. G. PACHELLE, SAMMY DE GRAVE & KRISTIN M. HULTGREN 6 1 Laboratorio de Zoobentos, Instituto de Ciencias do Mar (Labomar), Universidade Federal do Ceara (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil 2 Current address: Department of Biological Sciences / TMSI, National University of Singapore, Singapore 3 Laboratorio de Invertebrados Marinhos do Ceara, Departamento de Biologia, Campus do Pici, Universidade Federal do Ceara (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil 4 Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford, the United Kingdom 5 National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA 6 Current address: Department of Biology, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, USA 7 Corresponding author: E-mail: arthuranker7@yahoo.com
Mammalian DCN-1-like Proteins Enhance Neddylation of CUL3, and Vary in Localization and Tissue-Specific Expression

The Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Related Oncogene (SCCRO/DCUN1D1), located at 3q26.3, is a candidate oncogene that is gene-amplified and overexpressed in squamous-cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract and lung. The SCCRO protein is a member of a phylogenically conserved protein family, the defective in cullin neddylation 1 like domain containing (Dcun1d) proteins, which have been shown to promote the covalent modification of cullin proteins by the ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8. In this study, we sought to characterize the expression and molecular interactions of vertebrate Dcun1d proteins, in order to better understand the normal function of genes in this family. We demonstrate that the majority of SCCRO protein in cultured human epithelial cell lines is not found in stable complexes with known interactors, including cullins, UBC12, and CAND1, a regulator of cullinRING-finger ubiquitin ligases (CRLs). We show that SCCRO expression is not cell-cycle regulated in HeLa-S cells. We describe five highly conserved vertebrate Dcun1d genes, and show that the products of all five genes interact with cullins and with CAND1. We show that four of the five proteins enhance the neddylation of CUL3 in a dose-dependant fashion in-vitro. We demonstrate that the UBA domain-containing SCCRO and Dcun1d2 proteins are pan-cellular in localization, while other family members contain alternate N-terminal domains which mediate their exclusive localization to the nucleus (Dcun1d4 and Dcun1d5) or to cellular membranes (Dcun1d3). We demonstrate that expression of alternate Dcun1d1 transcipts is specifically regulated in mouse germ cells during spermatogenesis, and we present evidence for specific expression of Dcun1d2 in brain and muscle tissue. We conclude that spermatogenesis and myogenesis could serve as valuable model systems for future studies of the interaction between expression levels of vertebrate Dcun1d proteins and the activity of CRL complexes. Such work could be valuable in understanding how SCCRO overexpression contributes to cancer.
X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disease 2b4 Molecules Displaying Inhibitory Rather than Activating Function Are Responsible for the Inability of Natural Killer Cells to Kill Epstein-Barr Virus–Infected Cells

2B4 is a surface molecule involved in activation of the natural killer (NK) cell–mediated cytotoxicity. It binds a protein termed Src homology 2 domain–containing protein (SH2D1A) or signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP), which in turn has been proposed to function as a regulator of the 2B4-associated signal transduction pathway. In this study, we analyzed patients with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP), a severe inherited immunodeficiency characterized by critical mutations in the SH2D1A gene and by the inability to control Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections. We show that, in these patients, 2B4 not only fails to transduce triggering signals, but also mediates a sharp inhibition of the NK-mediated cytolysis. Other receptors involved in NK cell triggering, including CD16, NKp46, NKp44, and NKp30, displayed a normal functional capability. However, their activating function was inhibited upon engagement of 2B4 molecules. CD48, the natural ligand of 2B4, is highly expressed on the surface of EBV+ B cell lines. Remarkably, NK cells from XLP patients could not kill EBV+ B cell lines. This failure was found to be the consequence of inhibitory signals generated by the interaction between 2B4 and CD48, as the antibody-mediated disruption of the 2B4–CD48 interaction restored lysis of EBV+ target cells lacking human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. In the case of autologous or allogeneic (HLA class I+) EBV+ lymphoblastoid cell lines, restoration of lysis was achieved only by the simultaneous disruption of 2B4–CD48 and NK receptor–HLA class I interactions. Molecular analysis revealed that 2B4 molecules isolated from either XLP or normal NK cells were identical. As expected, in XLP-NK cells, 2B4 did not associate with SH2D1A, whereas similar to 2B4 molecules isolated from normal NK cells, it did associate with Src homology 2 domain–containing phosphatase 1.
Cold comfort farm: the acclimation of plants to freezing temperatures.

Plant acclimation to freezing temperatures is very complex. Many temperate plants increase in freezing tolerance upon exposure to a period of low but non-freezing temperatures, an adaptive process known as cold acclimation. This acclimation phenomenon has encouraged investigations of physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes that are associated with the development of freezing tolerance. Although many biochemical and gene-expression changes occur during cold acclimation, few have been unequivocally demonstrated to contribute to the development of freezing tolerance. However, in the last few years, exciting new progress has been made through the use of mutational analysis and molecular genetic approaches. We now recognize that several interacting signal pathways are activated to bring about cold acclimation and ensure the winter survival of plants. The challenge for the future is to understand these pathways at a mechanistic level. Facile map-based cloning in Arabidopsis and techniques (such as DNA micro-arrays) for transcript profiling will provide the tools needed for this task.
A rapid method for detecting cold injury in conifer seedling root systems

A method is described for rapidly determining the extent of cold injury to Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedling root systems. It is based upon pressure:volume theory but short-cuts the tedious pressure:volume method. Injured root systems were brought to full hydration, then weighed and placed into a pressure chamber. A pressure of 1.5 MPa was applied for a 5-min period, then the root system was removed from the chamber and reweighed. The percent weight loss was then calculated. Percent weight loss was closely related to degree of low temperature exposure in Douglas-fir seedling roots. Percent weight loss values were near 5 in uninjured controls, whereas freeze-injured seedlings had percent weight loss values of 7 or greater. Percent weight loss values measured on seedlings just before planting were closely correlated with seedling vigor and mortality 3 months following planting in both a field test and a greenhouse pot trial.
Changes in Tolerance to Partial Desiccation and in Metabolite Content of Celery Somatic Embryos Induced by Reduced Osmotic Potential

Effects of reduced osmotic potential on somatic embryos of celery (Apium graveolens L.) were studied in an attempt to understand and improve their tolerance to partial desiccation. Embryos responded similarly to appli- cation of high osmoticum (384 mOs/kg H2O vs. 190 mOs/kg H2O in the control), achieved either by manipulation of sucrose or polyethylene glycol concentrations (PEG). Treatments of high osmotic concentration applied during the last 2 days of the embryo production cycle increased embryo survival and conversion after partial desiccation. The most striking effect of the high osmotic concentrations was the 4-fold increase in proline, while a 2-fold increase was obtained with 1 µ M ABA alone. Application of high osmotica decreased reducing sugars, increased sucrose, but did not affect starch content of embryos; of these responses, only the change in sucrose was similar to that induced by ABA. Osmotic treatments did not affect total fatty acid content in the embryos compared to the 2-fold increase induced by ABA. Chemical name used: abscisic acid (ABA). During the last stage of seed development, embryos undergo a maturation process that includes a buildup of nutrient reserves, an arrest of tissue growth, the development of desiccation tol- erance, and, in many seeds, the induction of dormancy. ABA levels in developing seeds are temporally correlated with the onset of maturation and the prevention of precocious germina- tion (Quatrano, 1987). Similarly, ABA supplementation of so- matic embryo culture medium has been shown to prevent germination (Ammirato, 1983), increase desiccation tolerance (Kitto and Janick, 1985), and induce maturation events (Rim and Janick, 1990, 1991). potential induced by sucrose, PEG, or trehalose on tolerance to partial desiccation of celery cultured with or without ABA. Changes in metabolite content induced by sucrose and PEG were compared with those induced by ABA.
Yeasts as antagonists against fireblight

Yeasts are potential antagonists of microorganisms in the phyllosphere. Due to their osmotolerance, they should also be able to colonize apple flowers. In field experiments, we applied yeast agents against fireblight at two different sites in the southern part of Germany. They showed efficiencies 0-20% below Plantomycin (streptomycin). Co-culture experiments in liquid basal media with synthetic nectar resulted in suppression of Erwinia amylovora by yeast. This effect could not be confirmed with population studies of yeasts and E. amylovora in flower clusters. Field and laboratory experiments indicated that yeasts have antagonistic properties against fireblight but further research is needed to investigate this potential.
Finite Element Analysis and Understanding the Biomechanics and Evolution of Living and Fossil Organisms

AbstractFinite element analysis (FEA) is a technique that reconstructs stress, strain, and deformation in a digital structure. Although commonplace in engineering and orthopedic science for more than 30 years, only recently has it begun to be adopted in the zoological and paleontological sciences to address questions of organismal morphology, function, and evolution. Current research tends to focus on either deductive studies that assume a close relationship between form and function or inductive studies that aim to test this relationship, although explicit hypothesis-testing bridges these two standpoints. Validation studies have shown congruence between in vivo or in vitro strain and FE-inferred strain. Future validation work on a broad range of taxa will assist in phylogenetically bracketing our extinct animal FE-models to increase confidence in our input parameters, although currently, FEA has much potential in addressing questions of form-function relationships, providing appropriate questions are ask.
Two Unsuccessful Reintroduction Attempts of Rock Hyraxes (Procavia capensis) into a Reserve in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) are categorized as ‘Least Concern’ in the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In South Africa they were once listed as vermin in the old Cape Province due to their high population numbers and Impact on grazing. However, about 10 years ago, populations in the KwaZulu-Natal province became locally extinct. This resulted in the recent reintroductions of rock hyraxes, purchased at annual wildlife auctions in the province. Success of these reintroductions was unknown as there had been no post-release monitoring. This study determined the success of reintroducing rock hyraxes, using two source populations, namely rock hyraxes that had been in captivity for 16 months (n = 17) and those from the wild (n = 9). Captive rock hyraxes did not have site fidelity after release and after three months could not be found. All wild rock hyraxes, except one whose fate is unknown, were found dead within 18 days of release. One had an accidental death while the rest were preyed upon. In conclusion, the reintroduction of captive and wild rock hyraxes likely failed due to predation. This may have been a consequence of group disintegration, probably as a result of incorrect group composition, captive stress, and type of release. Suggestions to improve the success of future rock hyrax reintroductions are provided.
EFFECTS OF SIZE AND CONCENTRATION OF FOOD PARTICLES ON THE FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF THE MARINE PLANKTONIC COPEPOD CALANUS PACIFICUS

When adult females of Calanus pacificus are fed on monospecific cultures of centric diatoms which grow as single cells, a predictive relationship is found between feeding behavior of the copepods and size and concentration of food particles. Ingestion rate of copepods increases linearly with cell concentration up to a maximal rate. This maximal ingestion rate, expressed as carbon, is the same for copepods feeding on diatoms ranging in diameter from 11-87 P. As the size of food particles increases, the carbon concentration at which this ingestion rate is achieved decreases. Thus females of C. pacificus can obtain their maximal daily ration at relatively low carbon concentrations of large cells,