Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reciprocal diel vertical migration behavior in planktivores and zooplankton in British Columbia lakes

Simultaneous comparison of planktivore and crustacean zooplankton distribution patterns in a set of British Columbia lakes suggested coupled diel vertical migration behavior in the two adjacent trophic levels. In lakes where juvenile sockeye salmon performed diel vertical migrations, most zooplankton were non-migratory and concentrated in shallow surface waters over the diel cycle. In contrast, in one lake where pelagic threespine sticklebacks were present, and where juvenile sockeye diel vertical migrations were periodically reversed, most zooplankton undertook diel vertical migrations. The presence of diel vertical migration behavior in zooplankton thus appears to be related to the presence or absence of the behavior in the predominant planktivores.
Confirmation of a New Species of Small Dasyurid Marsupial by Electrophoretic Analysis of Enzymes and Proteins

Eight species of dasyurid marsupials have been typed for the electrophoretic mobility of 18 of their enzymes and proteins. The species were the Ningbing antechinus (Pseudantechinus sp.), Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis (formerly Antechinus macdonnellensis), Parantechinus apicalis (formerly Antechinus apicalis), Parantechinus bilarni (formerly Antechinus bilarni), Antechinus stuartii, Dasykaluta rosamondae (formerly Antechinus rosamondae), Dasycercus cristicauda and Planigale maculata. The results show that the Ningbing antechinus is a probable new species. The data suggest that its nearest relative is Dasycercus cristicauda. Analysis of the results by calculation of a modified x2 and an approximation to Nei's genetic distance indicates that all species have been the product of one radiation, possibly in the late Miocene or early Pliocene. Two races of P. macdonnellensis probably exist, separable by their transferrin types.
Hurricane effects on forest ecosystems in the Caribbean

Hurricanes are common, potentially catastrophic events for ecosystems in the Caribbean. We synthesize the work reported in this issue, together with the existing literature, to discuss effects of hurricanes on Caribbean ecosystems and to highlight priorities for future work. Comparisons of the impacts of hurricanes on different ecosystems are made difficult by the lack of detailed meteorological data, lack of prehurricane ecological data and differences between studies in types and timing of measurements made. Effects of recent hurricanes on Caribbean forest ecosystems include: defoliation, ranging from complete in lowland wet forest in Nicaragua after Hurricane Joan to negligible in parts of Jamaican montane forest after Hurricane Gilbert; felling of trees by uprooting and snapping (80% in Nicaragua to 14% in Jamaica); and tree mortality, which is rarely recorded and generally low (13% in the Yucatan following Hurricane Gilbert to 3% in Puerto Rican montane forests following Hurricane Hugo). Damage to individual trees varies with topographic location, stand characteristics, tree size (large ones uprooting and small ones snapping in Dominica during Hurricane David, but not in Jamaica), and species characteristics (such as wood density), but it is difficult to generalize about these factors. Effects on animal populations are both direct and through reductions in food supplies. Frugivorous and nectarivorous birds were more severely affected than insectivorous species in the Virgin Islands and Jamaica. There is little information about hurricane effects on insect populations, but populations of two species of walking sticks in Puerto Rico declined sharply after Hurricane Hugo. Numbers of adults of one frog species in Puerto Rico quadrupled after Hurricane Hugo, but numbers of juveniles were severely reduced by the storm. Effects of hurricanes on the physical environment include modified microclimates due to increased light penetration through defoliated canopies and landslides triggered by rainfall. Increased litterfall led to increases in some soil nutrients, and fine root biomass was drastically reduced in a Puerto Rican montane forest. Recovery of forest ecosystems from hurricanes depends on a combination of seedling growth and resprouting of canopy trees. In several studies, seed germination was promoted by higher light and/or higher temperature, but seedling mortality also increased. The relative importance of newly germinated seedlings, advance regeneration, and regrowth of damaged adults has not been studied. The few long-term studies of adult trees show the expected decline in the proportion of pioneer and intolerant species with time after disturbance. Hurricanes may be the most important factor controlling species composition and some aspects of ecosystem dynamics in the Caribbean; there is much still to be learned, and we suggest some priorities for future research.
Flatworm asexual multiplication implicates stem cells and regeneration

The phenomenon of asexual multiplication is rare in the animal kingdom, but it occurs in all main flatworm taxa. In the present paper, we review data regarding the presence of different forms of asexual multiplication in flatworms and argue that the presence of a population of totipotent or pluripotent stem cells, "neoblasts", is a primitive feature of decisive importance for the developing potential of flatworms. Next we present information on the role of stem cells in fission, head regeneration, and pharynx regeneration of planarians. Furthermore, the tracing of neoblasts in lower flatworms and cestodes is presented, and the results indicating heterogeneity of the neoblast pool are dis - cussed. Finally, the mode by which the neoblasts are stimulated to divide, migrate, and differentiate and the nature of the interactions are discussed. We focus on (i) biogenic amines and neuropeptides, (ii) the role of neuropeptides in the early stage of regeneration, (iii) the evidence for the influences of growth factors and nitric oxide, and ( iv) the influ- ence of weak electromagnetic fields. We discuss the pattern in which a gradient system of morphogens and (or) a hier- archical system of inductions is expressed in development.
Fully‐Automatic Measurement of Mycelial Morphology by Image Analysis

A fully‐automatic image analysis method is described for the comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the morphology of filamentous mycelia grown in submerged cultures. The method not only allows rapid measurement of important morphological parameters on freely dispersed mycelia but also provides a novel characterization of the aggregated (clumped) form. The latter can constitute more than 90% of the biomass in some fermentations and might therefore be expected to have a major influence on broth rheology, fermenter mixing, mass transfer, and hence fermentation productivity. Clumps are characterized not only in terms of the percentage of mycelia in this form, as in earlier work, but also in terms of clump area, perimeter, compactness, and roughness. The method has been tested on laboratory‐scale Streptomyces clavuligerus and Penicillium chrysogenum fermentations. It is not only more comprehensive than previous methods but also faster and thus will permit more extensive physiological and engineering studies on mycelial fermentations than has previously been possible.
Responses of Microbial Communities to Light-Hydrocarbon Microseepage and Novel Indicators for Microbial Prospecting of Oil/Gas in the Beihanzhuang Oilfield, Northern Jiangsu, China

Previous studies on microbial prospecting of oil/gas only focused on the anomalies of light hydrocarbon-oxidizing microbes as main exploratory indicators and their exploration applications. In this study, we investigated the responses of microbial communities to light-hydrocarbon microseepage in the Beihanzhuang Oilfield, eastern China using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis and by comparing the difference of two-type areas with high- and low-flux light-hydrocarbon seepages. The results showed that the high-flux light-hydrocarbon seepage favored the growth of Nocardioides, Aciditerrimonas, sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRBs) related to Desulfosporosinus and Desulfovibrio, and Chloroflexi bacteria (b-7), implying that their anomalies might be adopted as novel subsidiary indicators for microbial prospecting of oil/gas in the Beihanzhuang Oilfield. Based on the newly obtained results, we have proposed a general strategy for microbial prospecting of oil/gas, i.e., to determine the anomalies of light hydrocarbon-oxidizing microbes, to select subsidiary indicators for microbial prospecting of oil/gas based on an assessment of the responses of microbial communities to light-hydrocarbon microseepage, to quantitatively measure subsidiary indicators and delimit their anomalies, to comprehensively interpret all microbial anomalies, and to make a suggestion for oil/gas prospecting. This general strategy with novel indicators may provide a more comprehensive evaluation for light-hydrocarbon microseepage and the corresponding anomalies, thereby reducing the exploration risk of oil/gas.
The complex circadian system of Gonyaulax polyedra

Circadian oscillations are a fundamental biological property from bacteria to humans. The molecular mechanisms which produce a ca 24-h rhythmicity are still unknown but it has become clear that they are part of the biochemical machinery of the single cell. The cellular circadian system can be favorably studied in single-cell organisms such as the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax polyedra. The complexity of this circadian model system, which consists of at least two circadian oscillators, receives light via two input systems with different spectral sensitivities, and has several feed-back loops between the central oscillator(s) and the environment, is described here.
Nickel limitation of nitrogen fixation in Trichodesmium

I show that the growth of Trichodesmium, the primary diazotrophic phytoplankton in tropical and subtropical oceans, can be limited by Ni availability in both trace metal‐defined culture media and natural seawater when the supply of Fe and P is sufficient. I further show that the increase of Ni concentrations elevates cellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and nitrogen fixation rates, suggesting that NiSOD may be involved in the protection of nitrogenase from superoxide inhibition during photosynthesis in this nonheterocystous diazotroph.
Selected acute phase proteins, oxidative stress biomarkers, and antioxidants in aborting and non-aborting goats infected with Border disease virus

Abstract Goats were grouped into three health categories based on the clinically and serologically proven cases: infected nonaborting (group A) (n = 10), infected aborting (group B) (n = 10), and non-infected (group C) (n = 10). In all groups, blood samples were collected and analysed for malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in plasma, haptoglobin (Hp) and amyloid A (SAA) in serum, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in erythrocytes. A statistically significant decrease in GSH-Px and SOD activities and increase in MDA, NO, Hp, and SAA levels were observed in groups A and B compared to group C. Additionally, MDA, NO, Hp, and SAA levels of the aborting goats were significantly higher, whereas SOD levels were lower than those of the non-aborting groups.
Cytopalynological studies of arachis (leguminosae)

Abstract The present cytopalynological study relates to the pollen morphology of Arachis L. , comprising diploid wild species, tetraploid species including the cultivated A. hypogaea (ground nut), diploid interspecific hybrids, and triploids and hexaploids of cultivars of A. hypogaea and of diploid wild species. In general, the pollen grains are 3-zonocolpate and reticulate/fossulate and trends in pollen variations have been noticed with regard to aperture and exine ornamentation. The size, shape and number of lumina (per unit area) as seen in SEM picture have provided the basic parameter for taxonomic differentiation of the species and even cultivars (in the case of A. hypogaea), and in the assessment of inheritance pattern in the hybrids.
Relationships Among Leaf Construction Cost, Leaf Longevity, and Light Environment in Rain-Forest Plants of the Genus Piper

Among seven Piper species characteristic of multiple stages of rain-forest secondary succession, leaf construction cost increased and leaf longevity decreased as available light increased. Our results extend the observations of several recent studies reporting a striking constancy of leaf construction costs among co-occurring plants that differ in growth form or phenology. When Piper species characteristic of different habitats co-occurred, their leaf construction costs were similar. However, mean leaf construction costs for sun and shade species, based on plants sampled from the entire range of light environments, were quite different. We reject the hypothesis that leaf construction cost and leaf longevity are generally positively related. The arguments previously used to support the hypothesis lack generality because they fail to consider carbon income as well as cost. The data presented here are consistent with the results of several other recent studies in failing to support the hypothesis. We conclude that the more general hypothesis, predicting a positive relationship between longevity and the ratio of cost to carbon gain, is conceptually more robust and consistent with the data we present. This more general hypothesis derives logically from the arguments previously used to predict a positive relationship between longevity and cost.
Research for PECH Committee - Marine recreational and semi-subsistence fishing - its value and its impact on fish stocks

This study assesses the value and impact on fish stocks of marine recreational and semi-subsistence fisheries in Europe. Total economic impact of marine recreational fishing amounts to 10.5 billion euro, supporting almost 100,000 jobs. The impact varies between fish stocks, representing 2-72% of total catch. The marine recreational fisheries are biologically and economically important, so should be included in stock assessment to ensure sustainability, and considered a sector for development alongside commercial fisheries and aquaculture under the Common Fisheries Policy. IP/B/PECH/IC/2016-131 July 2017
Molecular and Functional Evidence for Calcineurin-A α and β Isoforms in the Osteoclast: Novel Insights into Cyclosporin A Action on Bone Resorption

We provide the first molecular evidence for the presence of a functional serine/threonine phosphatase, calcineurin-A (CN-A), in the osteoclast. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of an osteoclast cDNA library, together with restriction mapping, revealed two isoform sequences, α and β. We then examined the functionality of the detected CN-A by assessing the effect of a classical antagonist, cyclosporin A (CsA), in the osteoclast resorption (pit) assay. CsA (0.1 and 1 μg ml−1) potently inhibited bone resorption. The presence of lymphocytes, with or without prior exposure to CsAin vivo,failed to reverse the CsA-induced resorption–inhibition. Expectedly, CsA had no direct effect on cytosolic Ca2+levels in fura-2-loaded osteoclasts. These studies are a prelude to further investigations into the possible role of CN-A in osteoclast regulation. Finally, mechanistic studies on the bone effects of CsA, a widely used immunosupressant, should proceed from these observations.
Photosynthetic characteristics and resource utilization efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) and millet (Setaria italica L.) in a semi-arid hilly loess region in China

Abstract Photosynthetic characteristics and resource utilization efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) and millet (Setaria italica L.) are studied in a loess region of China. Limited sampling shows that maize has a higher light-saturated CO2 assimilation rate, apparent quantum yield and carboxylation efficiency than does millet in the middle (July) and late (September) growth stage. Compared with millet, maize has lower transpiration rate (T r ) and stomatal conductance (G s ) in July and higher T r and G s in September. This leads to higher leaf water use efficiency in maize in July, but it is lower than for millet in September. Mass-based leaf nitrogen concentrations (N mass) of both crops are similar in both growth stages. Leaf mass per area (LMA) of maize is the same as of millet in July but lower in September. These results indicate differences in photosynthetic capacity and resource use efficiencies between these crops.
Effects of climate on radial growth of subalpine conifers in the North Cascade Mountains

Dendroecological techniques were used to study the influence of climate on the growth of subalpine fir (Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. ), Engelmann spruce (Piceaengelmannii Parry), and subalpine larch (Larixlyallii Parl.) in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington state. Study sites were selected on different topographic features at three points along an elevation gradient (ridgetop, valley slope, and valley floor) to characterize site influences on growth response to climate. Mixed species stands were sampled to identify possible differences in species response to climate on a common site. Species differences account for most of the variability in radial growth patterns and response to climate. The greatest differences are between subalpine fir and subalpine larch, while the greatest similarities are between subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce. After species, aspect is the most significant factor affecting growth response to climate. Spring snowpack and summer temperature are the primary climatic factors .
Flutuação populacional da cigarrinha-do-milho em duas localidades do Mato Grosso do Sul

The leafhopper of corn, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott, 1923) (Hemiptera: Cicadelidae), is considered one of the main corn pest due to its damage of sap suction and disease transmission to plants. This work had the aim to get information about population fluctuation of D. maidis in the Southern region of Mato Grosso do Sul State. Yellow stick cards of double side (7 by 12cm) were installed fortnightly on a wood frame of 0.5m and 1.5 above soil surface within areas cultivated with corn in Dourados and Ponta Pora, MS and stayed in the area for seven days. The same kind of traps was also installed in a grass-plot of Dourados, MS without corn crop nearby. Two peaks of leafhopper were observed being one during the dry period (the period without corn in the field - between July and September) and the other during summer (between December and January). Stick traps installed at 0.5m above soil surface did capture significantly more leafhopper than the ones installed at 1.5m if we consider all sampling carried out during the two years of study.
Inferência Bayesiana na análise genética de populações diplóides: estimação do coeficiente de endogamia e da taxa de fecundação cruzada

The Bayesian methodology was used to estimate the inbreeding coefficient and outcrossing rate in diploid populations by COCKERHAM random model to allelic frequency. The proposed methodology was evaluated by data simulation. The Gibbs Sampler algorithm was implemented in the R statistical software to obtain the random samples of the inbreeding coefficient and outcrossing rate posteriors marginal distributions. The Bayesian method showed good results, because the 95% credible intervals contained the true parameter values to all of the selected scenes. The Gibbs Sampler convergence was checked and this validated the estimation results.
Dispersion and Population Interactions

The spatial component of environment, often neglected in modeling of ecological interactions, in general operates to increase species diversity. This arises due to the heterogeneity of the environment, but such heterogeneity can arise in an initially homogeneous environment due to what may be random initial events (e.g., colonization patterns), effects of which are magnified by species interactions. In this way, homogeneous environments may become heterogeneous and heterogeneous environments even more so. In patchy environments, distinct patches are likely to be colonized initially by different species, and thereby a kind of founder effect results whereby individual patches evolve along different paths simply as a consequence of initial colonization patterns. Species which would be unable to invade may nevertheless survive by establishing themselves early and will moreover be found in lower densities in other areas as overflow from their "safe" areas. Spatially continuous environments may evolve toward essentially patchy ones by this kind of process. Overall species richness is expected to be higher in patchy environments but to decrease as the ability of species to migrate becomes large. These results are due to patchiness per se and do not depend on the existence of several kinds of patches, a situation which will tend to reinforce these effects. Diversity is also increased in such environments with spatial extent due to the opportunities for fugitive-type spatio-temporal strategies. In these, local population oscillations provide the salvation for species which are for example competitively inferior or easy victims to predation but which can survive by superior migratory ability and (in patchy environments) talent for recolonization. Again, dependence is on spatial heterogeneity, in addition to temporal heterogeneity; again, this may be externally imposed or the result largely of internal processes. Some gross statistics for these processes, principally patch occupancy fractions, may prove useful for a simplified treatment of colonization-extinction equilibria, as in the approaches of Cohen (1970), Levins and Culver (1971), Horn and MacArthur (1972), and Slatkin (in preparation). For such considerations, however, one cannot assume independence of distributions; and the approach of Cohen (1970) and Slatkin (in preparation), which allows for consideration of covariance, is favored.
Comparative life histories of a low- and a high-elevation population of the common frog Rana temporaria

Common frogs from a breeding pond in the Swiss Alps (1930 m) were studied by skeletochronology and life history traits were compared to a previously described lowland population. Snout-vent lengths ranged from 63 to 85 mm (males) and 65 to 94 mm (females). Ages varied from 4 to 13 years with means of 6.6 (males) and 8.3 years (females). Growth of immature frogs was slow. Immature males grew faster than females, but the reverse was true for adult frogs. Egg numbers ranged from 784 to 1616 and were not correlated with snout-vent length. Egg diameters (1.83-2.19 mm) were positively correlated with snout-vent length. Frogs from the Alps differed from the lowland population in slower growth to maturation, resulting in higher ages, but similar sizes, at first reproduction. I argue that the alpine life history pattern was shaped by two environmentally determined traits, slow growth and high annual survival.