Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seed Availability and Timing of Breeding of Common Crossbills Loxia curvirostra at Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis Dominated Forestry Plantations

In Britain the Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra population has increased markedly in abundance and range with the maturing of the post-war forestry plantations. However, little published information exists on the breeding ecology of the species in these plantations. Crossbills were more abundant in years of high Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis cone production in the upland forestry plantations of South Wales. The breeding season began early in the year with a median laying date of 13 February and declined after this peak with few nests initiated after April, when the availability of Sitka Spruce seeds declined. The modal clutch size was 3 eggs and an estimated 35% of nests produced fledged young. Most nest failures were associated with adverse weather. Our observations indicate ephemeral occupancy of Sitka Spruce forests as a consequence of variable seed availability, a peak in breeding activity determined by photoperiod and food supply and a low level of breeding productivity.
Effect of Dwarfing Induced by Uniconazole-P on Snow Tolerance of the Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Abstract To clarify the effect of artificial dwarfing induced by uniconazole-P, a gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor, on the snow tolerance of faba bean, we examined the snow damage, non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentration, and resistance to snow molds of the seedlings treated with uniconazole-P. Artificial dwarfing markedly decreased snow damage caused by continuous snow cover for 62 days. NSC concentration, which affects physiological snow tolerance and snow mold resistance, was lower in dwarfed plants than in non-dwarfed plants. However, there was no difference in the rate of decrease of NSC concentration between dwarfed and non-dwarfed plants under cold and dark conditions simulating snow cover. In inoculation tests, the lesions of Pythium iwayamai and Sclerotinia trifoliorum on the leaves detached from dwarfed plants were shorter than those on the leaves from non-dwarfed plants. In artificially dwarfed plants, the leaves were thicker and darker in color, and mesophyll cells were larger and denser than those in the non-dwarfed plants. Our findings suggest that the artificial dwarfing caused by uniconazole-P increased the resistance of the leaves to snow molds, thereby increasing snow tolerance, without increasing NSC concentration. The microstructural changes that occur with dwarfing may be a factor in snow tolerance.
Development and Evaluation of Condition Indices for the Lake Whitefish

Abstract Despite frequent use of length-based condition indices by fisheries managers and scientists to describe the overall well-being of fish, these indices are rarely evaluated to determine how well they correlate with more direct measures of physiological or ecological condition. We evaluated common condition indices (Fulton's condition factor KF, Le Cren's condition index KLC, and two methods of estimating relative weight Wr) against more direct measures of physiological condition (energy density, percent lipid content, and percent dry mass) and ecological condition (prey availability) for lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis in Lake Huron. We developed four standard weight (Ws) equations using the regression length percentile (RLP) method: one for the species as a whole, and three separate equations describing immature, mature male, and mature female lake whitefish from 385 populations in North America. Species RLP-Ws showed less length-related bias and more closely matched empirical quartiles of l.
Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and their parasitoids on ornamental trees and shrubs in Erzurum, Turkey

Erzurum Merkezde agac ve cali formundaki sus bitkilerde bulunan yaprakbiti turleri ve bu turlerin parazitoitlerini belirlemek amaciyla 2004 ve 2005 yillari mayis-ekim aylarinda yurutulen bu calismada ornekler her hafta toplanmistir. Calismada 11 farkli konukcu bitki uzerinde 17 yaprakbiti (Hemiptera: Aphididae) ve 8 parazitoit (Hemiptera: Aphidiidae) turu belirlenmistir. Afitlerden Chaitophorus nigritus Hille Ris Lambers 1966, Loniceraphis paradoxa Narzikulov 1962 Chaitophorus vitellinae vitellinae (Schrank 1801), aphidiidlerden Aphidius aquilus Mackauer 1961, Aphidius schimitscheki (Starý, 1960), Binodoxys heraclei (Haliday, 1833), Lipolexis gracilis Foester 1862, Pauesia unilachni (Gahan, 1927) ve Trioxys humuli Mackauer, 1960 Turkiye faunasi icin yeni kayittir. Ayrica dort parazitoit tur icin yeni konukcu kaydi verilmistir.
Lerista bougainvillii, a case study for the evolution of viviparity in reptiles

Many factors, both environmental and biotic, have been suggested to facilitate or hinder the evolution of viviparity (live‐bearing) in reptiles. Viviparity has evolved recently within the Australian scincid lizard Lerista bougainvillii and the species includes oviparous, viviparous, and reproductively intermediate (with prolonged egg retention) populations; thus, it offers an exceptional opportunity to evaluate the validity of these hypotheses. We carried out such tests by (i) comparing environmental conditions over the geographic ranges occupied by oviparous, viviparous, and intermediate populations (to identify possible selective forces for the evolution of viviparity), and (ii) comparing morphological, reproductive and ecological traits of L. bougainvillii with those of other sympatric scincid species (to identify traits that may have predisposed this taxon to the evolution of viviparity). The areas occupied by viviparous L. bougainvillii are significantly colder than those occupied by both their intermediate and oviparous conspecifics, in accord with the “cold‐climate” hypothesis for reptilian viviparity. Rainfall is similar over the ranges of the three forms. Climatic unpredictability (as assessed by the magnitude of year‐to‐year thermal variation) is lower for viviparous animals, in contradiction to published speculations. Comparison with 31 sympatric scincid species showed that L. bougainvillii is not atypical for most of the traits we measured (e.g., body size, clutch size, thermal preferenda and tolerances). However, oviparous L. bougainvillii do display several traits that have been suggested to facilitate the evolution of viviparity. For example, pregnancy does not reduce locomotor ability of females; the lizards are semi‐fossorial; even the oviparous females produce only a single clutch of eggs per year; and they ovulate relatively late in summer, so that the time available for incubation is limited.
The Igκ3′ Enhancer Is Activated by Gradients of Chromatin Accessibility and Protein Association1

The Igκ locus is recombined following initiation of a signaling cascade during the early pre-B stage of B cell development. The Ig κ3′ enhancer plays an important role in normal B cell development by regulating κ locus activation. Quantitative analyses of κ3′ enhancer chromatin structure by restriction endonuclease accessibility and protein association by chromatin immunoprecipitation in a developmental series of primary murine B cells and murine B cell lines demonstrate that the enhancer is activated progressively through multiple steps as cells mature. Moderate κ3′ chromatin accessibility and low levels of protein association in pro-B cells are increased substantially as the cells progress from pro- to pre-B, then eventually mature B cell stages. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays suggest transcriptional regulators of the κ3′ enhancer, specifically PU.1 and IFN regulatory factor-4, exploit enhanced accessibility by increasing association as cells mature. Characterization of histone acetylation patterns at the κ3′ enhancer and experimental inhibition of histone deacetylation suggest changes therein may determine changes in enzyme and transcription factor accessibility. This analysis demonstrates κ activation is a multistep process initiated in early B cell precursors before Igμ recombination and finalized only after the pre-B cell stage.
Development of superactive leptin antagonists and their potential use in research and medicine

Superactive leptin antagonists (D23L/L39A/D40A/F41A), mutants of mouse, human, rat or ovine leptons, were developed in our laboratory, expressed in E. coli, refolded and purified to homogeneity as monomeric proteins. Pegylation of leptin antagonists resulted in a potent and effective long-acting reagents suitable for in vivo studies. In the present review we summarize the possible use of leptin antagonists as (i) research reagents in the study of bone development, autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with particular emphasis on creation of a novel, fast and reversible model of metabolic syndrome and T2DM in mice, and (ii) possible leptin blockers in various human pathologies such as uremic cachexia, anti-inflammatory and anti-autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In conclusion, the recognition and mutagenesis of D23L of previously developed leptin antagonists (L39A/D40A/F41A) enabled construction of novel compounds that induce potent and reversible central and peripheral leptin deficiency. Adipobiology 2012; 4: 5-21.
Chlamydomonas neoplanoconvexa nom. nov. and its unique phylogenetic position within Volvocales (Chlorophyceae)

Chlamydomonas Ehrenb. is a unicellular volvocalean genus consisting of 400–600 species, most of which are known solely based on microscopy. In this study, a newly isolated strain of Chlamydomonas neoplanoconvexa (M. O. P. Iyengar) Nakada nom. nov. (≡Chlamydomonas planoconvexa M. O. P. Iyengar non J. W. G. Lund) was examined using light microscopy and combined 18S rRNA, rbcL and psaB gene phylogeny. The C. neoplanoconvexa strain was quite similar to Chlamydomonas perpusilla (Korshikov) Gerloff in terms of its small fusiform vegetative cells (∼10 µm in length), parietal chloroplast containing a single pyrenoid, and nucleus posterior to the pyrenoid. However, C. neoplanoconvexa was distinguished from C. perpusilla based on the morphology of the papillae and pyrenoids. The two species belong to the clade Caudivolvoxa in the order Volvocales, but are distantly related to each other. Chlamydomonas perpusilla was shown to be sister to Chlorogonium Ehrenb. (clade Chlorogonia, within Caudivolvoxa), while C. neoplanoconvexa represented a second basal lineage within Caudivolvoxa, next to the clade Characiosiphonia. Although the morphology of C. neoplanoconvexa was not particularly outstanding, its unique phylogenetic position will encourage further investigation of this species and its uncultivated relatives.
Neuropeptide F: a novel parasitic flatworm regulatory peptide from Moniezia expansa (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea)

SUMMARY Using a C-terminally directed pancreatic polypeptide (PP) antiserum and immunocytochemical methods, PP-immuno-reactivity (IR) was localized throughout the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems (PNS) of the cestode, Moniezia expansa. In the CNS, immunostaining was evident in the paired cerebral ganglia (primitive brain), connecting commissure, and the paired longitudinal nerve cords that are cross-linked by numerous regular transverse connectives. The PNS was seen to consist of a fine anastomosing nerve-net of immunoreactive fibres, many of which were closely associated with reproductive structures. Radioimmunoassay of this peptide IR in acid-alcohol extracts of the worm measured 192·8 ng/g of PP–IR. HPLC analyses of the M. expansa PP–IR identified a single molecular form which was purified to homogeneity. Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (PDMS) of purified parasite peptide resolved a single peptide with a molecular mass of 4599±10 Da. Automated gas-phase Edman degradation identified a 39-amino acid peptide with a C-terminal phenyl-alaninamide. Examination of its primary structure shows that it displays significant sequence homology with the vertebrate neuropeptide Y superfamily, suggesting that this platyhelminth-derived peptide is the phylogenetic precursor. Neuropeptide F (M. expansa) is the first regulatory peptide to be fully sequenced from the phylum Platyhelminthes and may represent a member of an important new class of invertebrate neuropeptide.
Cloning of a β‐tubulin gene from Plasmodium falciparum

We describe the isolation and characterization of a gene for β‐tubulin from the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. This organism appears to contain a single gene encoding β‐tubulin. A single transcript from this gene can be detected in the total RNA of the parasite's asexual blood stages. The complete sequence for the gene has been elucidated. It has two introns, one of which has a position identical to that of a related parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. The gene shows the usual preference for codons with A or T in the third position. The predicted amino acid sequence is compared with that of T. gondii and the human host. Further comparisons between these and fungal sequences of β‐tubulins resistant to benomyl, a drug binding this protein, highlight differences that could be exploited in the development of parasite‐specific anti‐tubulin drugs.
Assessing ecosystem functioning in streams affected by forest management: increased leaf decomposition occurs without changes to the composition of benthic assemblages

1. Landscape management practices that alter energetic linkages between aquatic and terrestrial habitats can affect associated ecosystem processes, and ultimately the provision of ecosystem services of importance to humanity. Such effects cannot always be inferred from current biomonitoring schemes, which are typically based on assessment of community structural parameters rather than functional attributes related to important ecosystem-level processes. 2. We investigated effects of forest clearcutting, a major landscape-level disturbance known to alter the energetic basis of aquatic food webs, on headwater streams in northern Sweden. The key ecosystem process of leaf decomposition was measured as an index of ecosystem functioning. The biomass of detritivorous shredders was also quantified, along with various community structural parameters associated with the diversity, composition and functional guild organisation of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages. 3. No differences in macroinvertebrate abundance, diversity or assemblage composition were detected between forested and clearcut streams, and most functional guilds were similarly unaffected, though species density of scrapers was higher in forested than clearcut channels. 4. In contrast, mass loss of two leaf species was elevated in all clearcut streams, with evidence for increases in the efficiency per degree-day of both the microbial and detritivore mediated fractions of decomposition. 5. Increased rates of leaf mass loss in the clearcut streams were associated with greater phosphate concentrations and shredder biomass, and with an increased relative abundance of broadleaves in standing stocks of benthic litter. Together, these findings indicate a more rapid transfer of energy and nutrients through the detrital pathways of our clearcut streams. 6. These results demonstrate the utility of litter decomposition assays for monitoring effects of forest management on stream ecosystem functioning, and have implications for nutrient cycles in landscapes extensively influenced by forest management. The markedly different responses of our functional and structural measures to clearcutting highlight the value of incorporating methods for the functional assessment of ecosystems into biomonitoring schemes.
Introduction d'espèces dans les milieux aquatiques d'eau douce : les impacts genetiques

Les introductions ont des consequences aux niveaux ecologique, pathologique et genetique. Les consequences genetiques n'apparaissent que si le taxon introduit s'hybride avec un taxon resident et si leurs descendants (F1) sont fertiles. Dans cette revue, les divers types d'interactions genetiques sont classes et de nombreux exemples, non limites a la France, les illustrent. A la lumiere de ces cas concrets, les risques genetiques des introductions sont evalues. Puis deux recommandations, directement liees a ces risques, sont proposees. Selon la premiere, il est recommande que le taxon, qu'il soit specifique ou sous-specifique, soit l'entite a prendre en compte et non l'espece. La seconde recommandation s'interesse aux introductions de taxons pour lesquelles aucune connaissance genetique prealable n'est disponible. Pour eviter les risques genetiques developpes dans le texte, il conviendrait d'appliquer un « principe de precaution » selon lequel seules les introductions ou transferts d'une riviere a l'autre d'un meme bassin hydrographique seraient acceptables sans controle.
Sexual selection and infection by ectoparasites in Wellington tree weta, Hemideina crassidens (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae)

Sexual selection can affect the prevalence and intensity of infection of individuals by ectoparasitic mites. According to this theory, males should exhibit greater infection by parasites than females and juveniles should be less infected than adults. In the wild, I investigated whether prevalence and intensity of the chyzeriid mite, Nothotrombicula deinacridae (Dumbleton) differed between the sexes and between developmental stages in Wellington tree weta, Hemideina crassidens. Despite being under strong sexual selection, male tree weta did not exhibit greater parasitism and there was some evidence that adults and juveniles differed in prevalence. The sexual selection hypothesis was not supported in this study.
Renal expression of transforming growth factor-β inducible gene-h3 (βig-h3) in normal and diabetic rats1

Renal expression of transforming growth factor- β inducible gene-h3 ( β ig-h3) in normal and diabetic rats. Background Transforming growth factor- β (TGF- β ) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of kidney diseases characterized by glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. TGF- β is secreted in a latent form requiring extracellular modification to become biologically active. TGF- β inducible gene-h3 ( β ig-h3) is a recently identified TGF- β -induced gene product. The present study sought to examine β ig-h3 expression in normal and diabetic rats. Methods β ig-h3, TGF- β 1 and α 1 (IV) collagen gene expression were assessed by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization in 20 Sprague Dawley rats, randomly assigned to receive streptozotocin (diabetic, N = 11) or citrate buffer alone (control, N = 9) and sacrificed eight months later. The effect of exogenous TGF- β 1 on β ig-h3 expression was also assessed in cultured proximal tubular cells. Results In situ hybridization localized β ig-h3 gene expression to the juxtaglomerular apparatus and the pars recta (S3 segment) of proximal tubules in both control and diabetic animals. Kidney TGF- β 1, β ig-h3 and α 1 (IV) collagen mRNA from diabetic rats were increased two- to threefold compared with controls ( P β 1 and β ig-h3 gene expression in kidneys from diabetic rats ( r = 0.73, P = 0.01). In addition, β ig-h3 mRNA increased in response to exogenous TGF- β 1 in a dose-dependent fashion in cultured proximal tubular cells. Conclusion These findings support the hypothesis that biologically active TGF- β plays a pathogenetic role in diabetic kidney disease and suggest that β ig-h3 may be a useful index of TGF- β 1 bioactivity in the kidney.
Inhibition of IFN-γ Signaling by Glucocorticoids1

Recent reports suggest that a novel mechanism of glucocorticoid (GC) immunosuppressive action is inhibition of signaling by IL-2 and IL-12, cytokines that use the Janus kinase-STAT signaling pathway. We investigated whether GCs could also block activation of Janus kinase-STAT signaling by IFN-γ, a potent proinflammatory cytokine. Addition of dexamethasone to PBMC cultures resulted in a dramatic inhibition of IFN-γ activation of STAT1. Several days of exposure to GCs were required for inhibition of IFN-γ signaling to become apparent, and the underlying mechanism was down-regulation of STAT1 expression. GCs suppressed the expression of STAT1 mRNA, but did not affect STAT1 protein stability. STAT1 expression and IFN-γ signaling were preferentially suppressed in macrophages. GCs did not act directly on macrophages, but worked indirectly by regulating macrophage-lymphocyte interactions that control STAT1 expression. GCs inhibited IFN-γ-inducible gene expression, thus demonstrating the physiological significance of inhibition of signal transduction. Our results identify a novel level of regulation of IFN-γ signaling, whereby GCs control the amplitude of IFN-γ signaling by regulating STAT1 expression. These results suggest that inhibition of IFN-γ signaling contributes to the immunosuppressive action of GCs.
Observed relationships between El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, rainfall variability and vegetation and fire history on Halmahera, Maluku, Indonesia

A temporally high‐resolution palynological study of the uppermost section of core MD98‐2180 from Kau Bay, Halmahera, Indonesia, provides a vegetation and fire record covering the last 250 years. The record is compared with the Maluku Rainfall Index, Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and southern hemisphere winter sea surface temperatures (SST) for the central Pacific Ocean based on instrumental data, as well as reconstructions of the SOI and the central Pacific SST and historically recorded El Niño events. The results show that significant El Niño events are generally associated with increased representation of Dipterocarpaceae pollen, probably reflecting the mass‐flowering of this taxon during El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) droughts, and elevated charcoal levels, reflecting a greater incidence of fires during these extremely dry periods, while humid phases show increased fern numbers. Our findings demonstrate that pollen records ‘ecological’ in scale can provide useful additional proxy records of ENSO events.