Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A stratification of the South African forestry landscape based on climatic parameters

The benefits of high-resolution forest site classification systems have been widely acknowledged in South Africa as a prerequisite for decision-making in forestry management. Although substantial research and development work have been done on categorising and mapping the soil and geological environment, surprisingly little has been done to improve our understanding of the role of climate in plantation ecology and to incorporate climatic variables into spatial databases. A stratification of the forest landscape of South Africa is proposed, using growth days and growth temperature as primary variables. The appropriateness of these variables is discussed in terms of its relation to plant physiology and landscape ecology. The provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga are used as a case study for demonstration purposes. A total of nine growth day classes and 17 growth temperature classes were identified. An analysis of variance illustrated a significant difference between all classes in terms of related factors expressing moisture and temperature regimes, indicating the relevance of growth days and growth temperature for identifying areas of homogenous climatic conditions. The covariation between growth days and growth temperature and factors expressing moisture and temperature, respectively, also indicates the usefulness of these variables for landscape stratification in complex biophysical environments such as South Africa. The application potential of this stratification system is discussed in terms of its value as a resource inventory, as well as for species choice, site quality prediction, growth modelling, site ecology analysis and various aspects of risk management in plantations. It is proposed that this system be regarded as a first step towards a more holistic multifactor national forest site classification system.
Using digital photography to study animal coloration

In understanding how visual signals function, quantifying the components of those patterns is vital. With the ever- increasing power and availability of digital photography, many studies are utilizing this technique to study the con- tent of animal colour signals. Digital photography has many advantages over other techniques, such as spectrometry, for measuring chromatic information, particularly in terms of the speed of data acquisition and its relatively cheap cost. Not only do digital photographs provide a method of quantifying the chromatic and achromatic content of spa- tially complex markings, but also they can be incorporated into powerful models of animal vision. Unfortunately, many studies utilizing digital photography appear to be unaware of several crucial issues involved in the acquisition of images, notably the nonlinearity of many cameras' responses to light intensity, and biases in a camera's processing of the images towards particular wavebands. In the present study, we set out step-by-step guidelines for the use of digital photography to obtain accurate data, either independent of any particular visual system (such as reflection values), or for particular models of nonhuman visual processing (such as that of a passerine bird). These guidelines include how to: (1) linearize the camera's response to changes in light intensity; (2) equalize the different colour channels to obtain reflectance information; and (3) produce a mapping from camera colour space to that of another colour space (such as photon catches for the cone types of a specific animal species). © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 90 , 211-237. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: camera calibration - colour vision - colour measurement - digital cameras - imaging - radiance - reflection - signals.
The Photoreaction Unit in Rhodopseudomonas viridis

We have examined the properties of the photoreaction unit (PRU) purified from the photosynthetic membrane of Rhodopseudomonas viridis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS)
Nutritional evaluation of kidney beans (phaseolus vulgaris): The toxic principle

Kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lectins were purified by affinity chromatography on a fetuin-Sepharose-4B column. The net protein utilisation (NPU) of rats fed on a 5% casein-containing diet was strongly depressed by these pure lectin preparations. The extent of this nutritional toxicity was found to be related to the lectin content of the diet according to the following equation: NPU = NPU5% casein −280 x (where x is the lectin content in % w/w). Thus, because in addition lectin-free kidney bean protein preparations were found to be non-toxic for rats, it is now suggested that the toxic principle of kidney bean is identical with its constituent lectins.
Impaired NK Cell Development in an IFN-γ Transgenic Mouse: Aberrantly Expressed IFN-γ Enhances Hematopoietic Stem Cell Apoptosis and Affects NK Cell Differentiation1

Aberrant expression of IFN-γ has been demonstrated to cause a wide variety of alterations in cell function and development. Previously we reported that constitutive expression of IFN-γ in bone marrow (BM) and thymus results in a total absence of B cells and a substantial decrease in the number of hematopoietic progenitor cells. In this study, we demonstrate a severe deficiency of NK1.1+CD3− cells in this transgenic mouse model. Compared with normal control littermates, we found a pronounced reduction of NK cells in IFN-γ transgenic mouse spleen and liver despite maintenance of normal function. In addition, we observed a reduced number of BM cells in the IFN-γ transgenic mouse despite normal expression of hematopoietic growth factors in the BM. Interestingly, these cells were less responsive to stem cell factor (SCF) despite c-kit expression on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). We observed that addition of exogenous IFN-γ inhibited proliferation of HSCs and differentiation of NK precursors from HSCs in normal mice in response to SCF, IL-7, fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, and IL-15. Furthermore, we found that HSCs express the IFN-γRα subunit and undergo apoptosis in response to exogenous IFN-γ. Thus, we have demonstrated the occurrence of a severe deficiency of NK cells and lower numbers of BM cells in an IFN-γ transgenic mouse model. Furthermore, because exogenous IFN-γ affects the responsiveness to hematopoietic growth factors such as SCF in vitro, our results indicate that chronic expression of IFN-γ in vivo leads to widespread immune system defects, including alterations in NK cell differentiation.
THE SEPARATION, ESTIMATION, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ALKALI-STABLE OLIGONUCLEOTIDES DERIVED FROM COMMERCIAL RIBONUCLEATE PREPARATIONS

Methods are described which are suitable for the quantitative analysis of the alkali-stable oligonucleotides which result from the hydrolysis of ribonucleates in molar alkali at room temperature for 90 hours. The alkali-stability of the oligonucleotides is presumed to result from 2′-O-methyl substitution of ribose residues and this assumption is supported by the relatively slight reactivity of the purine 2′-O-methyl ribosides in the orcinol color reaction for pentoses. The existence of all of the 16 possible dinucleotides as part of ribonucleate chains has been established. The quantity of alkali-stable trinucleotides is much greater than would be expected for a random spatial distribution of 2′-O-methyl ribosides in ribonucleate chains.
Marking Fish by Scarring Soft Fin Rays

Fish can be permanently marked by scarring soft fin rays. Advantages over existing marking methods include rapidity of application, permanence, individual identification, low costs, and lack of adverse effects caused by the mark. Disadvantages include lack of recognition by untrained observers and a relatively high error rate when reading marks.Key words: fish marking, fin rays
Levels and patterns of genetic variation in an Asian horseshoe crab species, Tachypleus gigas Müller, from the Malay Peninsula

Abstract Horseshoe crabs are one of the oldest living organisms that still exist today. Given the overexploitation of horseshoe crabs around the world, and the lack of information on their populations, it is crucial that genetic variation studies are done to assess their levels and patterns of genetic variation for continuous monitoring and management of their populations. Here, five populations of the Asian horseshoe crab Tachypleus gigas sampled from along the coasts of the Malay Peninsula were studied using simple-sequence repeat (SSR) and inter-simple-sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Different results were obtained using the two different types of markers in terms of the levels of genetic variation estimated, but both concurred that most of the genetic variations were distributed at the individual level rather than among populations of the species. Inbreeding was also observed using the SSR data, although the presence of null alleles could have influenced the estimation. Finally, both marker types revealed that T. gigas could have been subjected to the land barrier effect of the Malay Peninsula that causes populations from the Indian Ocean to be genetically differentiated from the populations from the South China Sea.
Testing concordance in species boundaries using acoustic, morphological, and molecular data in the field cricket genus Itaropsis (Orthoptera: Grylloidea, Gryllidae: Gryllinae)

In most taxa, species boundaries are inferred based on differences in morphology or DNA sequences revealed by taxonomic or phylogenetic analyses. In crickets, acoustic mating signals or calling songs have species-specific structures and provide a third data set to infer species boundaries. We examined the concordance in species boundaries obtained using acoustic, morphological, and molecular data sets in the field cricket genus Itaropsis. This genus is currently described by only one valid species, Itaropsis tenella, with a broad distribution in western peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Calling songs of males sampled from four sites in peninsular India exhibited significant differences in a number of call features, suggesting the existence of multiple species. Cluster analysis of the acoustic data, molecular phylogenetic analyses, and phylogenetic analyses combining all data sets suggested the existence of three clades. Whatever the differences in calling signals, no full congruence was obtained between all the data sets, even though the resultant lineages were largely concordant with the acoustic clusters. The genus Itaropsis could thus be represented by three morphologically cryptic incipient species in peninsular India; their distributions are congruent with usual patterns of endemism in the Western Ghats, India. Song evolution is analysed through the divergence in syllable period, syllable and call duration, and dominant frequency.
Contenido de polifenoles y actividad antioxidante de extractos de semilla de uva (Vitis vinifera) variedad Malvasia y Tempranillo.

The study of functional components in grape seed and its potential health benefits represents the greatest contribution in this research, thus taking advantage of an agro-industrial waste. According to important studies grape seed presents secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, antioxidants considered proven health benefits as radical scavengers and inhibitors of lipid peroxidation. The objectives of this research were to optimize the extraction time to obtain hydrophilic extracts and to determine the content of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of grape seed varieties Malvasia and Tempranillo. The extracts were obtained by Soxhlet method using a methanol:water:acetic acid (90,00:9,50:0,50) and three extraction times: 7, 8 and 9 hours. The total polyphenol content was determined by the Folin Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity was evaluated by the method of radical cation discoloring of 2.2 ‘-azino-bis-3ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS • +), using Trolox as a reference standard. The maximum yield was obtained at 8 hours extraction with values of 5.77 and 6.01% p.p-1 for the Malvasia and Tempranillo variety respectively. The concentration of phenolic compounds was 1.534. 85 and 1.048. 59 GAE.100g-1 mg sample for the Malvasia and Tempranillo variety respectively. The antioxidant activity for the extract of the Malvasia variety was 54.51 mmol TEAC.100g-1 of sample and 48.46 mmol TEAC.100g-1 sample for the Tempranillo variety. The results suggest that grape seed extracts are a potential source of antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds that can be used in the food and health industry.
Interpreting patterns of population change in koalas from long-term datasets in Coffs Harbour on the north coast of New South Wales

We examined a long-term, repeat dataset for the koala population within Coffs Harbour Local Government Area. Analyses of these data have led to the conclusion that, following a perceived population decline in the 1980s, the koala population of Coffs Harbour has endured between 1990 and 2011 and showed no evidence of a precipitous decline during this period. Rather, the population change is best characterised as stable to slowly declining. This conclusion appears to contradict a common view of recent koala population declines on the north coast of New South Wales. There are four possible explanations for the population’s apparent stability: that conservation efforts and planning regulations have been effective; that surviving adults are persisting in existing home ranges in remnant habitat; that the broader Coffs Harbour population is operating as a ‘source and sink’ metapopulation; and/or that the standard survey methods employed are not sufficiently sensitive to detect small population changes. These findings do not mean there is no need for future conservation efforts aimed at koalas in Coffs Harbour; however, such efforts will need to better understand and account for a koala population that can be considered to be stable to slowly declining.
EKSTRAKSI KATEKIN DARI DAUN GAMBIR (Uncaria gambir roxb) DENGAN METODE MASERASI

Catechins are a major components in the plant gambie r . Beside catechins, there are several other components such as acid catechu tannat, querseti n , red catechu, gambier flouresi n , fats and waxes. More than 80% of g ambier production in Indonesia comes from the province of West Sumatra and North Sumatra, mainly in Limapuluh and Pakpak Bharat. Extraction of catechins from gambir leaf was performed by means of maceration that is soaking with a solvent polar. Maceration is carried out by temperature variation s , 30°C, 40°C, 60°C and 80°C; maceration of time that is 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours; and the type of solvent is aquadest, 96% ethanol, 95% ethyl acetate, and a mixture of 96% ethanol and 95% ethyl acetate (1:1). The results were filtered to obtain the filtrate which is then concentrated by rotary vacuum evaporator to test the levels of catechins , moisture content, and ash content. Based on this research the highest levels of catechins obtained the maceration temperature operating conditions of 60 ° C with a time of 6 hours maceration and used 95 % ethyl acetate as solvents in the amount of 87.14 % to 0.925 % moisture content and ash content of 0.04 % .
PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING DAIRY COWS FED COMPLETE PELLETED DIETS BASED ON WHEAT STRAW, BARLEY AND WHEAT

Lactation performance, serum glucose, free amino acids, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations were measured in dairy cows to evaluate three complete pelleted diets. Digestion coefficients were obtained with steers. The diets contained 17.5, 32.5 and 47.5% wheat straw, (designated LS, MS and HS, respectively). Overall health remained satisfactory. Energy digestibility increased from 64.0% on LS, to 69.6% on MS, and to 76.2% on LS. Fat-corrected milk yield and solids-corrected milk yield tended to be lower on LS, whereas total milk solids, percent milk fat and grams of milk fat yield were lower on LS than on MS and HS. Milk protein and solids-not-fat percentages were elevated on the LS diet. Little variation was observed in serum amino acid concentrations. A significant (P < 0.005) negative correlation (−0.52) was observed between milk fat percent and serum insulin.
Stage-specific in vitro expression of the Bacillus subtilis spoVE gene.

Synthesis of the spo VE gene product (a 32 kilodalton protein) of Bacillus subtilis was studied using a DNA-directed protein-synthesizing system from B. subtilis. The spo VE gene product was synthesized specifically by T2 (2 hours after the end of logarithmic growth) cell extracts but not by vegetative cell extracts. A dot blot hybridization experiment with a spoVE-specific probe showed that the spoVE mRNA was synthesized by vegetative as well as by T2-cell extracts, and was present in most spo0 mutants. These results suggest that the transcription of the spoVE gene is not dependent on the spo0 gene function and the synthesis of the SpoVE protein is somehow controlled at the level of translation. Heterologous combination experiments using supernatant fractions from the vegetative and T2 cells, and ribosomes from the vegetative and T2 cells showed that T2-specific synthesis of the SpoVE protein is dependent on the T2-cell supernatant. The addition of the T2-cell supernatant to the vegetative cell extract i.
Fluctuating Asymmetry as a Measure of Ecological Stress in Rousettus ampexicaudatus (a Fruit Bat), in Bohol, Philippines

Bats are biological species that can be influenced by environmental changes. The nature and understanding of the adaptation and survival of bats as biological indicators of the health of the ecosystem is essential for preservation and conservation strategies. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) are fine and random deviations from perfect symmetry of organism’s morphology. It is considered as a reliable factor for measuring developmental instability because it reflects both genetic and environmental stresses especially in endangered populations. Hypothesis assumes that FA has costs and reflects the degree of stress and quality of individuals herewith, a direct relationship between FA and developmental instability. The study determined the developmental instability via fluctuating asymmetry of Rousettus ampexicaudatus, a fruit bat. Using landmark method for shape asymmetry, anatomical and mathematical landmarks were used and analyzed using Symmetry and Asymmetry in Geometric Data (SAGe) program. Results yield highly significant FA for both populations examined (Tamboco cave & claise cave, Bohol). However, population from claise cave in Nagtuang of loon has relatively higher FA and percentage of variation based on the Principal component Analysis (PcA). Thus, the bat population in claise cave experienced a higher degree of stress. Keywords - Animal Ecology, fluctuating asymmetry, SAGE program, experimentaldesign, Philippines
Bambusa tulda Roxb. in Manipur State, India: Exploring the Local Values and Commercial Implications

Tropical moist climate in Manipur supports rich and luxuriant growth of Bambusa tulda Roxb. locally known as Saneibi, which is endemic to northeastern region and West Bengal of India. It represents one of the most costly species of bamboo in Manipur, its price ranging from Rs. 70-150/-per mature bamboo culm. The meitei Manipuris have a rich traditional knowledge for utilization of this particular bamboo species. In fact, it has got multipurpose use covering several aspects from religious to industrial. Because of its strength and durability it is of great demand on the market. Its young shoots (ushoi) and the fermented young shoots (soibum) represent a significant vegetable for local people. Ushoi costs Rs.10-50/- per piece while soibum cost Rs. 30-50/- per kg. Local medicine man use this for healing properties. It forms a good raw material for various handicraft works, house building, paper industries, fencing, and several other useful equipments for day to day life. This bamboo species could yield more than 15 very commonly used and highly marketable articles with prices ranging from Rs.10/-to Rs 300/-per piece. Therefore, the development of small scale industries with highly skilled handicraftsmen can be profitable. Plantation of this bamboo species on farmland, borders of home garden, foothills, riversides, sides of ponds will prove to be a good business as well as a proper help in the conservation and sustainable management of this endemic species. Traditional mode of propagation is done successfully through off-set planting method. This paper presents a detailed study on this particular bamboo species regarding taxonomy, status of distribution, density, regeneration capacity, traditional uses, methods of processing and its commercial implications highlighting the eco-friendly nature of bamboo plantation and bamboo products.
Potential Selection of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Indigenous Ultisols through the Production of Glomalin

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( AMF ) with plants able to increase the capacity of plants to absorb nutrients and water from the soil. Recently, research was indicated that AMF hyphae containing glomalin as a glycoprotein that serves to unify the dispersed soil particles. The content of glomalin in soil is positively correlated with soil aggregate stability. The research potential of AMF species indigenous of Ultisol Darmasraya District of West Sumatra and glomalin production in experimental pots of sterile sand medium has been carried out. The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity of AMF species on Ultisol and to seeking indigenous AMF isolates that had the best glomalin production capability. AMF spores were isolated and identified from the rhizosphere soil of corn in Ultisol. AMF species that had been identified experimentally were tested in culture medium pot of sand and zeolite (w / w 1:1) using corn crops. The results found nine of the AMF species indigenous of Ultisol Darmasraya, namely Acaulospora scrobiculata, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus luteum, Glomus mosseae, Glomus verruculosum, Glomus versiforme, Scutellospora gregaria, Scutellospora heterogama and Gigaspora sp. AMF species that showed better colonization ability in corn was G. luteum, G. verruculosum and G. versiforme. All three species produced glomalin significantly higher than the other species, i.e. 1.29 mg g-1; 1.17 mg g-1; 1.15 mg g-1, respectively. Normal 0 false false false IN X-NONE X-NONE [ How to Cite : Eddiwal, A Saidi, I Lenin, EF Husin and A Rasyidin. 2014. Potential Selection of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Indigenous Ultisols through the Production of Glomalin. J Trop Soils 19: 181-189. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2014. 19.3. 181 ] 800x600 Normal 0 false false false IN X-NONE X-NONE [ Permalink/DOI: www.dx. doi.org/ 10.5400/jts.2014. 19.3. 181 ]
Research note: Salinity tolerance of Arctic kelps from Spitsbergen

The effect of hypo‐ and hypersaline treatments on the effective quantum yield of photosystem II was comparatively studied with a pulse amplitude modulated fluorometer (PAM) in the brown algal species Alaria esculenta, Fucus distichus, Laminaria digitata, Laminaria solidungula, Saccharina latissima (formerly Laminaria saccharina) and Saccorhiza dermatodea collected in the Arctic Kongsfjorden (Spitsbergen). While the euryhaline F. distichus was not affected at all by salinities ranging from 5 to 60 psu, A. esculenta, S. latissima and L. solidungula exhibited under hyposaline conditions strong loss of pigments (bleaching) or even high mortality reflecting stenohaline features. In contrast to the latter species, L. digitata and S. dermatodea survived all salinities, but showed reduced photosynthetic activities at the lowest and highest salt treatments and hence, can be characterized as stenohaline‐euryhaline organisms. The data are discussed in terms of vertical zonation (eulittoral versus sublittoral habitat), in terms of interactive effects with other abiotic factors such as temperature and in terms of the species‐specific acclimation potential.