Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revised infrafamilial classification of Symplocaceae based on phylogenetic data from DNA sequences and morphology

Phylogenetic analyses were conducted with 51 parsimony-informative morphological characters and previously generated DNA sequence data from five genic regions (ITS, trnL-trnF, rpll6, matK, trnC-trnD) to revise the classification of Symplocaceae in accordance with ranked monophyly. Observed conflict between the morphological and molecular estimates is interpreted as a consequence of convergent features of the androecium among two clades of the family, possibly influenced by the advent of hummingbird pollination in the largest New World lineage. All nine taxa above the species level in the revised classification (two genera, and within Symplocos two subgenera, three sections, and two series) are based on clades with ≥ 90% bootstrap support values and Bayesian posterior probabilities of 1.00 in molecular analyses. Symplocos section Cordyloblaste (two species) is elevated to the genus level on the basis of both its position as sister to all other Symplocos species and morphological differences that have been used to delineate genera in other Ericalean families. Optimization of the morphological characters onto one of the trees from the combined morphological and molecular analysis suggests that all nine recognized taxa correspond to clades that have at least two morphological synapomorphies, although for two of these clades support is provided by only ambiguous characters. All 318 species of Symplocos, as currently recognized in the literature, are assigned to subdivisions. The assignment of 90 of these is based on molecular and morphological data, and that of the rest (as yet unsampled for DNA sequence characters) on morphological attributes alone. The ranks of two taxa are changed (to Symplocos subgenus Palura and Symplocos series Urbaniocharis), several lectotypes are designated, and a key to genera and subdivisions of Symplocos, descriptions, and complete synonymy are provided.
THE EFFECT OF NITRIC OXIDE, SALICYLIC ACID AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ON THE PIGMENT CONTENT IN EXCISED COTYLEDONS OF RED CABBAGE (Brassica oleraceae L.)

SUMMARY The effects of nitric oxide (NO), salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), known as messenger molecules, on the physiological processes were investigated in biotic and abiotic stress conditions in plants. The present study explored the effects of NO, SA and H2O2 on the content of photosynthetic pigments and anthocyanin, an antioxidant polyphenolic compound, in excised cotyledons of red cabbage Brassica oleraceae L. comparatively. As the experimental material, the cotyledons of 10-dayold etiolated B. oleraceae seedlings, excised from the petiole were incubated in 10 ml distilled water (control group) and in sodium nitroprusside (SNP), SA and H2O2 of various concentrations (0.1, 0.5 and 1 µM) in the course of 4 hours light period. Following incubation, the pigments were spectrophotometrically measured from the extracts of the cotyledons, of which fresh weights were recorded. A comparative evaluation of the correlation between the applied messenger molecules and the measured values of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocynanin was presented here. As a result, in case of total chlorophyll and carotenoid, inducing concentrations of SNP, SA and H2O2 were found to be 0.5 µM, 1 µM and 0.1 µM, respectively. Of these messenger molecules, SNP was the most effective on anthocyanin at a concentration of 1 µM.
Therapeutic Potential of Myrtus communis Subsp.communis Extract Against Acetic ACID‐Induced Colonic Inflammation in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract from leaves of Myrtus communis subsp. communis (MC) on acetic acid (AA)-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. On the fourth day of colitis induction, all rats were decapitated. Colitis was assessed by macroscopic and microscopic scores and by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, luminol, lucigenin, nitric oxid and peroxynitrite chemiluminescence (CL). Colitis caused significant increases in the colonic MDA levels, MPO activity, CL values, macroscopic and microscopic damage scores along with significant decrease in tissue GSH level. However, treatment with MC extract reversed all these biochemical indices, as well as histopathological alterations induced by AA with the protective effects being similar to that of sulphasalazine treatment. The study showed that MC extract could alleviate colitis in rats and can be considered an alternative therapeutic approach for management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Practical Applications Myrtus communis subsp. communis leaves are used as antihypertensive, antitussive, antiemetic, diuretic, antidiarrheic, cardiotonic, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory agents in folk medicine. This study revealed that the ethanol extract of the plant possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity, confirming its traditional use.
Biogeochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence evidence supports a novel mode of anaerobic methanotrophy in permanently ice‐covered Lake Fryxell, Antarctica

Lake Fryxell, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica contains a constantly cold water column and perennial ice‐cover. Although carbon and sulfur cycling in this amictic lake have been studied previously, a paired investigation of 16S rRNA gene based microbial diversity and geochemistry of Lake Fryxell is lacking. Here, we used a combination of radiotracer‐based rate measurements, geochemical measurements, and molecular microbial community analysis to investigate the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and associated processes in Lake Fryxell. The results show that while AOM and sulfate reduction appear coupled in the upper regions of the anoxic water column, in deep anoxic waters, where AOM rates are highest, sulfate is unlikely to be the electron acceptor for AOM. Despite significant rates of AOM in these waters, no putative AOM‐associated Archaea or Bacteria were observed. Due to a lack of documented AOM electron acceptors and putative ANMEs, we suggest novel modes of AOM dominate in this extreme environment. First, the notable abundance of the bacterial genus Dehalococcoides suggests that reductive dehalogenation could fuel AOM. Further, taxa of the candidate phylum OP9, the Atribacteria, and the Bathyarchaeota (formerly known as the Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotal Group) both commonly observed at cold methane‐seeps globally, may mediate AOM, possibly using humic acids as electron shuttles, in Lake Fryxell.
Producción, evaluación química, contenido energético, carbohidratos estructurales y no estructurales y digestibilidad in vitro en maíz forrajero Production, chemical evaluation, energy content, structural and non-structural carbohydrates and in vitro digestibility in forage maize

Two hybrids from the Instituto Mexicano del Maíz (IMM) were evaluated: AN-447 and AN-388, and one forage variety on experimentation and the hybrid P30G54 from Pioneer company as control. The culture was carried out in Villa Hidalgo, municipality of Santiago Ixcuintla; Nayarit, México. The chemical compositions were assessed, and were obtained the energetic density, NDF, NSC, and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The dry matter production was different (P≤0.01), in AN-388 and the hybrid P30G54 Pionner with 42.797 and 35.409 Tm.ha-1 , respectively, being superior for AN-388, with 42.797 and for the hybrid P30G54 of Pioneer, with 35.409 TM.ha-1. There was difference (P≤0.01) in CP (%), the highest value was for the forage under experimentation (12.21%) and for AN-447 (11.24%). The EE (%) was different (P≤0.05) and the highest value was for the forage under experimentation (1.37%) and for AN-388 (1.21%). The CF and NFE were not different (P≥0.05). The ash was different (P≤0.05) with high values for all the cultures. The TDN (%), DE, ME, and NEm were not different (P≥0.05). The NEg was highest for the hybrid P30G54 Pioneer, AN-388 and forage on experimentation, with values 1.088, 1.048 and 1.019 (Mcal.kg DM-1) respectively and different than AN-447 (0.928 Mcal.kg DM-1). The NE1 values were not different (P≥0.05). The NDF presented significant difference (P≤0.05). The lowest value (65.57%) was obtained by P30G54 Pioneer and is not statistically different than AN-447 and forage on experimentation, with respectively values of 68.61 and 69.01%. with a higher value and different in AN-388 with 71.52%. The non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) density was different (P≤0.05), with 15.98% being the highest in the hybrid P30G54 Pioneer. The in vitro dry matter digestibility was higher in AN-388 (59.64%) and P30G54 Pioneer (58.38%) and minor and different values for forage on experimentation (52.05%) which also was different to AN-447 (43.41%). The nutrient content of the four genotypes of maize for fodder is good and is an alternative for animal feeding.
Stress tolerance in a novel system: Genetic and environmental sources of (co)variation for cold tolerance in the butterfly Eurema smilax

The physiological ability to survive climatic extremes, such as low temperature, is a major determinant of species distribution. Research suggests that tropically restricted insect populations may possess low to zero variation in stress tolerance, thereby limiting any potential to adapt to colder climates. This paradigm derives largely from contrasts among Drosophila populations and species along the tropical–temperate cline of eastern Australia. Butterfly groups, such as the variously distributed representatives of the genus Eurema, offer opportunities to test the taxonomic breadth of this paradigm. We contribute here by investigating plasticity, repeatability and heritability (h2) for cold tolerance in Eurema smilax. This continentally widespread species (extending from the Torres Strait to the south coast of Victoria) offers an important comparative basis for evaluating stress tolerance in geographically restricted congenerics. We reared two generations of E. smilax under laboratory conditions and measured recovery from a chill-coma assay, which is one of the commonly used methods for characterizing adult cold stress tolerance. Trials on F2s conducted over three consecutive days revealed individual repeatability (r = 0.405). However, recovery time decreased systematically across trials, which is characteristic of a phenotypically plastic ‘hardening’ response to prior cold exposure. Generalized linear modelling, wherein genetic variance was estimated via an ‘animal model’ approach, indicated no difference between sexes and no effect of body size, but a significant additive genetic term, corresponding to a heritability estimate of h2 = 0.414 ± 0.100. These data suggest significant adaptive potential for cold tolerance in E. smilax but show that individuals may also respond directly to extremes of cold via phenotypic plasticity. This indicates the potential to adapt to varied thermal extremes, which would be expected for a broadly distributed species that is resilient to climate change.
Biology, natural history and temporal fluctuation of the geometrid Oospila pallidaria associated with host plant phenology

ABSTRACT We investigated the temporal fluctuation of the geometrid moth Oospila pallidaria and related it to the leaf flush season of its host plant, Mimosa setosa, and to environmental factors. Aspects of the natural history of adults are also described. Mimosa setosa produced leaves all year round, but abundance of O. pallidaria larvae in the field was seasonal. The abundance of immatures showed a tendency to decrease with rainfall and temperature. Our study is pioneering in that it provides insights into factors related to the occurrence of O. pallidaria in natural areas. In addition, the biology of immatures is provided.
First record of Neosiphonia echinata (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) in the South Pacific: an introduced species in Southeast Asia

Abstract Neosiphonia echinata, a well-known western Atlantic species, is here reported for the first time from Indonesia and this extends its distribution into Southeast Asia. Neosiphonia echinata was collected from Sulawesi, Indonesia as an epiphyte on Kappaphycus alvarezii and growing on ropes in a culture farm. We also collected this species from Florida, USA, and then compared their morphology and molecular data. Neosiphonia echinata is identified by having erect main filaments arising from prostrate filaments, numerous rhizoids cutting off from the proximal end of pericentral cells by a cross wall, four pericentral cells throughout the thallus, ecorticate axes, very long and abundant trichoblasts more than twice forked, abundant adventitious laterals, procarps with four-celled carpogonial branches, and a spiral arrangement of tetrasporangia. Our phylogenetic analyses of rbcL and cox1 indicate that N. echinata found in Indonesia was very closely related to material from the Western Atlantic Ocean. Neosiphonia echinata may be added as an introduced species to the Indonesian marine flora. The shipping routes western Atlantic-Mediterranean-Indonesia and western Atlantic-Pacific Ocean-Indonesia might be considered as possible pathways of introduction as a consequence of ballast water and hull fouling.
Evaluation of Urban Consumer Willingness to Pay for Organic Leafy Vegetables

ABSTRACT Excessive application of chemical fertilizers and the remnants of pesticides in food products can be a threat to people’s health. Technological developments and changes in lifestyle and food regime have increased the frequency of diseases such as cancer. Modern agriculture systems have been criticized and a consensus reached for introduction of organic agriculture to increase efficiency and reduce damage to the environment and public health. Consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for organic leafy vegetables was studied with a contingent valuation approach in Rasht City, Iran. Among the studied variables, income, education level, and family history of cancer positively and significantly affected consumers’ WTP for organic leafy vegetables. Mean WTP was 4.22% higher for organic leafy vegetables than for conventional vegetables. There was a positive attitude toward using organic leafy vegetables and farmers could benefit from producing organic products.
Impacts of CO2 leakage on plants and microorganisms: A review of results from CO2 release experiments and storage sites

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, a process consisting of the separation and capture of CO2 from point sources and injection into deep geological reservoirs for long-term isolation from the atmosphere, is considered to be a promising technology that can mitigate global climate change. However, the risk of CO2 leakage from storage sites exists, and thus its impact on ecosystem functions needs to be understood for safe implementation of CCS. Plant and microbial parameters were monitored in artificial CO2 release experiments in the field and in greenhouses. In addition, plants and microorganisms were monitored in CO2 storage sites. We review the findings from these studies and suggest directions of future research for determining the impact of potential CO2 leakage from CCS sites on plants and microorganisms. Our review showed that under high levels of soil CO2, (i) plant stress response was visible within short period of time; (ii) dicots were more sensitive than monocots in most studies; and (iii) the responses of microorganisms were more diverse and harder to generalize than those of plants. Only a limited number of field and greenhouse experimental studies have been conducted so far, and thus more field and greenhouse experimental studies are needed to better understand the plant and microbial response to elevated soil CO2 levels and elucidate specific mechanisms underlying these responses. Determining the ecological impacts of geological CO2 storage and ensuring its environmental safety via such research will make CCS a more viable technology. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Isozyme Studies on the Origin and Evolution of Puccinia Graminis F. SP. Tritici in Australia

Isozyme phenotypes for eight enzyme systems were used to assess the origins and evolution of P. graminis f. sp. tritici (the wheat stem rust pathogen) in Australia. The results obtained by this approach agreed with pathways postulated on the basis of virulence studies, confirming the suggestion that most of the major changes in the wheat stem rust pathogen flora of Australia have resulted from overseas introductions. Moreover, they suggest that, although the more recent of these were from Africa, the first major change detected occurred as a result of an introduction from elsewhere.
Isolation and purification of alkaline ribonuclease from Bacillus intermedius

: The paper describes a method for preparing extracellular alkaline ribonuclease from Bacillus intermedius (EC 3.1.4.23). The method consists of acid treatment of the culture fluid for selective inactivation of the interfering enzymes, concentration of the enzymic protein by ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis against water, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and phosphocellulose in the steady state, rechromatography on a phosphocellulose containing column, desalting and freeze-drying of the end product. Experimental samples of ribonuclease of 92% purity have been thus obtained.
Zur Taxonomie der Gattung Rattus (Rodentia, Muridae)

On the taxonomy of the genus Rattus (Rodentia, Muridae) Investigated the relations between 12 taxa of murine rodents of the genus Rattus and similar forms according to the distribution of some morphological characters and differences in proteines demonstrated by gel electrophoresis. Both methods had some major results in common: 1 . Maxomys surifer has to be excluded from the genus Rattus, if Bandicota is recognized as a separate genus. 2. The delimitation of the genus Bandicota and of the species included is correct for the forms considered. 3. The degree of kinship with Rattus rattus decreases in the following order: Rattus tiomanicus, R. argentiventer, R. exulans or R. norvegicus, R. berdmorei, Bandicota, Maxomys surifer. The results for the Australian Rattus villosissimus are controversal. The electrophoretical distance to typical Rattus is great, whereas the morphological distance seems to be smaller.
Female cloacal anatomy in the spectacled salamander, Salamandrina terdigitata (Amphibia: Salamandridae)

The cloacal region of female Salamandrina terdigitata from seasonal samples was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. Externally this region is quite flat and the cloacal orifice a lipless slit leading to a cavity formed of a cloacal tube and chamber, the walls of which are lined with predominantly mucigenous epithelium. Connected to these cavities are two tubular, exocrine gland complexes ensheathed by myoepithelium, spermathecae, and ventral glands. The spermathecal tubules contain sperm from autumn to spring. During the same period, the glandular epithelium produces a secretion which is mixed with sperm in the tubule lumen. The gland ducts of the spermathecae open separately into the cloaca, in areas lined with ciliated epithelium. In ventral glands, secretory epithelium is particularly active during the laying period, suggesting that the secretion of this glandular complex plays a role during oviposition.
Title: Mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate accelerates early folliculogenesis and inhibits steroidogenesis in cultured mouse whole ovaries and antral follicles 1 Running Title: MEHP disrupts folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis

Humans are ubiquitously exposed to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), which is an environmental toxicant present in common consumer products. DEHP potentially targets the ovary through its metabolite mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). However, the direct effects of MEHP on ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis, two processes essential for reproductive and non-reproductive health, are unknown. The present study tested the hypotheses that MEHP directly accelerates early folliculogenesis via over-activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling, a pathway that regulates primordial follicle quiescence and activation, and inhibits the synthesis of steroid hormones by decreasing steroidogenic enzyme levels. Neonatal ovaries from CD-1 mice were cultured for six days with vehicle control, DEHP, or MEHP (0.2-20μg/ml) to assess the direct effects on folliculogenesis and PI3K signaling. Further, antral follicles from adult CD-1 mice were cultured with vehicle control or MEHP (0.1-10μg/ml) for 24-96hr to establish the temporal effects of MEHP on steroid hormones and steroidogenic enzymes. In the neonatal ovaries, MEHP, but not DEHP, decreased phosphatase and tensin homolog levels and increased phosphorylated protein kinase B levels, leading to a decrease in the percentage of germ cells and an increase in the percentage of primary follicles. In the antral follicles, MEHP decreased the mRNA levels of 17α-hydroxylase-17,20-desmolase, 17βhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and aromatase leading to a decrease in testosterone, estrone, and estradiol levels. Collectively, MEHP mediates the effect of DEHP on accelerated folliculogenesis via over-activating PI3K signaling and inhibits steroidogenesis by decreasing steroidogenic enzyme levels. Summary Sentence: Mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate directly accelerates primordial follicle recruitment via over-activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling and decreases the levels of steroidogenic enzymes responsible for synthesizing estradiol.
Climate tolerances and trait choices shape continental patterns of urban tree biodiversity

Aim We propose and test a climate tolerance and trait choice hypothesis of urban macroecological variation in which strong filtering associated with low winter temperatures restricts urban biodiversity while weak filtering associated with warmer temperatures and irrigation allows dispersal of species from a global source pool, thereby increasing urban biodiversity. Location Twenty cities across the USA and Canada. Methods We examined variation in tree community taxonomic diversity, origins and production of an aesthetic ecosystem service trait in a cross-section of urban field surveys. We correlated urban tree community composition indicators with a key climate restriction, namely mean minimum winter temperature, and evaluated alternative possible drivers: precipitation, summer maximum temperature, population size and the percentage of adults with a college education. Results Species accumulation curves differed substantially among cities, with observed richness varying from 22 to 122 species. Similarities in tree communities decreased exponentially with increases in climatic differences. Ordination of tree communities showed strong separation among cities with component axes correlated with minimum winter temperature and annual precipitation. Variation among urban tree communities in richness, origins and the provisioning of an aesthetic ecosystem service were all correlated with minimum winter temperature. Main conclusions The urban climate tolerance and trait choice hypothesis provides a coherent mechanism to explain the large variation among urban tree communities resulting from an interacting environment, species and human decisions. Reconciling the feedbacks between human decision making and biophysical limitations provides a foundation for an urban ecological theory that can better understand and predict the dynamics of other linked biotic communities, associated ecosystem dynamics and resulting services provided to urban residents.