Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of fine‐scale habitat requirements and riparian degradation on the distribution of the purple‐crowned fairy‐wren (Malurus coronatus coronatus) in northern Australia

Species distributions are influenced by variation in environmental conditions across many scales. Knowledge of fine-scale habitat requirements is important for predicting species occurrence and identifying suitable habitat for target species. Here we investigate the perplexing distribution of a riparian habitat specialist, the western subspecies of the purple-crowned fairy-wren (Malurus coronatus coronatus), in relation to fine-scale habitat associations and patterns of riparian degradation. Surveys of vegetation attributes, river structure and disturbance indicators that are likely to be causal determinants of the species occurrence were undertaken at 635 sites across 14 catchments. Generalized Linear Mixed Modelling demonstrated that the probability of purple-crowned fairy-wren occurrence increased with Pandanus aquaticus crown cover, shrub density and height of emergent trees, while riparian structure and signs of cattle were indirect predictors of occurrence. As our study area predominantly contained Pandanus type habitat, we failed to identify river grass as an important component of habitat. Predictions from a cross-validated model of purple-crowned fairy-wren occurrence suggested distribution is constrained by three factors: (i) low quality of local habitat within catchments where the species occurs; (ii) broad-scale reduction in habitat quality that has resulted in extinction of the species from parts of its range; and (iii) unmeasured variables that limit the exploitation of suitable habitat. The reliance of the species on dense shrubby understorey suggests conservation efforts should aim to maintain the complexity of understorey structure by managing fire and grazing intensity. Efforts to halt the continuing decline of riparian condition and maintain connectivity between areas of quality habitat will help to ensure persistence of riparian habitat specialists in northern Australia. © 2011 The Authors. Austral Ecology
DIAGNÓSTICO DE TENDÊNCIA DE MUDANÇAS NA TEMPERATURA DO AR NO NORDESTE SETENTRIONAL

O objetivo deste trabalho foi detectar tendencias de longo prazo nas medias anuais das temperaturas minima, maxima e media compensada e nas temperaturas minima e maxima absolutas anuais de vinte e quatro localidades da Regiao Nordeste Setentrional (Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba e Pernambuco). Foram usadas as series historicas de 1961 a 1990. Empregou-se a analise de regressao linear, para identificar as tendencias, e o teste t de Student para verificar a significância estatistica dos coeficientes de regressao linear. Observou-se um aumento das temperaturas minima, media compensada, maxima e minima absoluta em quase toda Regiao. A temperatura maxima absoluta nao apresentou tendencias significativas de aumento nem de decrescimo. Portanto, pode concluir que ocorreu uma diminuicao da amplitude termica anual da temperatura no interior do Nordeste Setentrional, principalmente, devido ao aumento da temperatura noturna.
Molecules and models indicate diverging evolutionary effects from parallel altitudinal range shifts in two mountain Ringlet butterflies

Quaternary climatic oscillations caused severe range expansions and retractions of European biota. During the cold phases, most species shifted to lower latitudes and altitudes, and expanded their distribution range northwards and to higher elevations during the warmer interglacial phases. These range shifts produced contrasting distribution dynamics, forming geographically restricted distribution patterns but also panmictic distributions, strongly dependent on the ecologic demands of the species. The two closely related butterfly species Erebia ottomana Herrich-Schaffer, 1847 and Erebia cassioides (Reiner & Hohenwarth, 1792) show subalpine and alpine distribution settings, respectively. Erebia ottomana is found up to the treeline (1400–2400 m a.s.l.), whereas E. cassioides reaches much higher elevations (from about 1800 m a.s.l. in the Retezat Mountains, in Romania, to 2800 m a.s.l.). Thus, both species cover diverging climatic niches, and thus might also have been distributed differently during the cold glacial stages. Individuals of these two species were sampled over the mountain areas of the Balkan Peninsula and genetically analysed using allozyme electrophoresis. Additionally, we performed species distribution models (SDMs) to simulate the distribution patterns of both species in the past (i.e. during the Last Glacial Maximum and the Atlanticum). Our genetic data show contrasting structures, with comparatively low genetic differentiation but high genetic diversity found in E. ottomana, and with stronger genetic differentiation and a lower level of genetic diversity, including many endemic alleles, occurring restricted to single mountain massifs in E. cassioides. The SDMs support a downhill shift during glacial periods, especially for E. ottomana, with possible interconnection among mountain regions. We conclude that during the cold glacial phases, both species are assumed to shift downhill, but persisted at different elevations, with E. ottomana reaching the foothills and spreading over major parts of the Balkan Peninsula. In contrast, E. cassioides (the truly alpine species) survived in the foothills, but did not reach and spread over lowland areas. This more widespread distribution at the Balkan Peninsula of E. ottomana compared with E. cassioides is strongly supported by our distribution models. As a consequence, long-term geographic restriction to distinct mountain massifs in E. cassioides versus panmixia in E. ottomana produced two contrasting evolutionary scenarios. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 112, 569–583.
Effect of dietary betaine supplementation on energy partitioning in pigs

The effect of dietary betaine supplementation on energy partitioning in growing pigs under energy-restricted dietary conditions was assessed. The effect of betaine on the adaptation in energy metabolism of pigs over time after a change in diet and housing also was studied. Six groups of 14 group-housed barrows were assigned to one of two experimental diets: control or betaine-supplemented (0 or 1.29 g/kg of feed). Diets were corn- and soybean meal-based and were formulated to be limiting in energy content but sufficient in amino acids. The experiment comprised a 3-wk adaptation and a 3-wk experimental period. At the start of the experimental period, initial BW was 46 kg, each group of pigs was housed in a climate-controlled respiration chamber, and all pigs were subjected to a change in diet. During the experimental period, diets were diluted with 10␘at hulls. Pigs were fed at 2.5 times the energy requirements for maintenance, and during the experimental period, heat production, energy, and nitrogen balances were measured weekly. Metabolizibility of energy did not differ (P > 0.10) between diets. Averaged over the experimental period, betaine reduced heat production (P < 0.05) and energy requirements for maintenance (P < 0.10) and consequently increased energy retention (P < 0.10). Moreover, the difference in heat production between diets increased with time (P < 0.05). Similarly, the effect of betaine on the energy requirements for maintenance changed with time (P < 0.05). Maintenance requirements were similar in wk 1 and were decreased by betaine supplementation by 5.5uring wk 3 (477 vs. 452 kJ/[kg(0.75) x d]). Results of this study show that dietary betaine supplementation affects energy partitioning by growing pigs. However, based on the observed time-related changes in energy partitioning, it was concluded that dietary betaine supplementation did not influence adaptation by pigs to a change in housing and diet.
Malpighian Tubules in Larvae of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera; Crambidae): A Morphological Comparison between Non-Parasitized and Parasitized by Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera; Braconidae)

In Diatraea saccharalis larvae, the Malpighian tubules are found along the digestive tube, extending from the middle mesenteric region to the end of the posterior intestine, where they come in contact with the rectum to form the cryptonephridium. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of non-parasitized and parasitized larvae by Cotesia flavipes have indicated that the tubules consist of secretory and reabsorption cells. In parasitized larvae, the occurrence of hemocytes and teratocytes around the tubules is indicative of their role in immunological defense; however, they were not observed in non-parasitized larvae. At day 9 of parasitism, the mitochondria-containing vacuoles and myelin-like figures show signs of degeneration. The results of this study have confirmed that C. flavipes manipulates the physiology and biochemistry of D. saccharalis because the Malpighian tubules of the parasitized larvae remain active until the parasitoid completes its pupal stage and is released from the host organism.
Synthesis and Secretion of Interleukin-1α and Intedeukin-1 Receptor Antagonist during Differentiation of Cultured Keratinocytes

Abstract Keratinocytes produce interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and the epithelial variant of its inhibitor, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra). Both IL-1α and icIL-1ra lack a secretory signal peptide; however, some icIL-1ra is found in the supernatants of cultured keratinocytes. The lack of correlation with the release of the cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase suggests that icIL-1ra can be actively secreted. Brefeldin A fails to block icIL-1ra release, suggesting that this protein may be externalized by keratinocytes through a leaderless pathway of secretion. Only minute amounts of soluble extracellular IL-1α are detected: however, both IL-1α and icIL-1ra can be released from the external face of the keratinocyte plasma membrane by mild acidic treatment, suggesting that IL-1α can also be secreted by keratinocytes. The observation of membrane-associated IL-1α and icIL-1ra might reflect an autocrine loop of regulation. Support for this hypothesis comes from the finding that keratinocytes, when exposed to exogenous recombinant IL-1α, increase their content in both IL-1α and IL-1ra mRNA. When keratinocytes are subjected to counterflow centrifugal elutriation, three major cell populations are obtained, representing three different degrees of keratinocyte differentiation. Cells from all populations synthesize IL-1α and IL-1ra: however, while IL-1α is uniformly distributed in cells from all maturational stages, IL-1ra accumulates in large, more differentiated keratinocytes. Changes in the ratio of IL-1ra to IL-1α production and secretion by keratinocytes at different degrees of maturation might contribute to the control of growth and differentiation of human skin.
The cardiovascular physiology of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus): control mechanisms and environmental influences

In this thesis, I used a multi-level approach (whole animal, organ/tissue and cellular) to determine the functional relationships between maximum cardiac performance, heart morphology, and adrenergic capacity of the winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) heart. Further, I studied the capacity of the flounder cardiovascular system to respond to two ecologically relevant environmental stressors: hypoxia and an acute temperature increase. In the first series of experiments, an in situ heart preparation was developed for this species, and in situ cardiac function and in vitro pressure-volume curves were determined. This research showed that maximum stroke volume per gram of ventricle is the highest reported for teleosts, and that this elevated stroke volume is related to a pronounced and extended Starling curve, more compliant heart chambers, and a high bulbus:ventricle mass ratio. -- In the second part of my thesis I determined how flounder in vivo cardiovascular function is regulated by nervous and humoral mechanisms. Although resting cholinergic tonus (26%) was comparable to other teleosts, bretylium (an adrenergic nerve blocker) injection resulted in an increase in heart rate, and there was little evidence that catecholamines support cardiac function at rest or following an exhaustive chase. Further, the high myocardial β-adrenoreceptor density (252.8 fmol mg⁻¹ protein), yet low affinity (1.02 nM), measured for cardiac β-adrenoreceptors raises the possibility that the flounder heart is populated primarily by β₃-adrenoreceptors, not β₁- or β₂-adrenoreceptors as has been reported for most other teleosts. Finally, although flounder acclimated to 8°C underwent a typical reflex bradycardia when exposed to hypoxia, and this species' cardiac response to an acute elevation in water temperature to critical thermal maximum was in general typical of that shown for teleosts, a number of observations do not fit with the pattern established for other species. Specifically, the onset of bradycardia at 8°C occurred earlier than expected for an inactive and hypoxia-tolerant species (60% water O₂ saturation), resting cardiac output was similar in flounder acclimated to 8 and 15°C, and hypoxic bradycardia was absent at 15°C. These observations raise the possibility that behaviour is an important component of this species' response to environmental changes.
Effect of the protein/energy ratio on the growth of Mediterranean yellowtail (Seriola dumerili)

Yellowtails weighing 490 g were fed five experimental diets with different protein/energy ratios, 24.6, 26.9, 28.9, 31.8 and 35.8 g MJ−1, for 152 days. The energy content was similar in all the diets and the protein and lipid levels were 40/26, 45/26, 50/18, 50/26 and 55/18 %CP/%CL respectively. The final weight and SGR were lower in fish fed diets with a lower PD/ED ratio (24.6 and 26.9 g MJ−1), and the mortality of fish fed diet 24.6 g MJ−1 was higher. In fact, only fish that consumed diet 35.8 g MJ−1 had a haematocrit and a normal erythrocyte number similar to that in healthy yellowtail. No differences appeared in feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Digestible energy ingestion was similar for all the diets and digestible protein intake was also low for 24.6 compared with 35.8 g MJ−1. The meat composition was similar for fish fed all the diets, but the profiles of muscle fatty acids indicated an increasing content of saturates and n-3 HUFA, while the levels of monounsaturates decreased, corresponding to an increase in the PD/ED relation. The economic conversion ratio and economic profit index were not different for fish fed the experimental diets.
DNA Fingerprinting in Plants: Principles, Methods and Applications. 2nd Edition. By K. Weising, H. Nybom, K. Wolff and G. Kahl. London: CRC Press (2005), pp. 444, £56.99 (paperback). ISBN 0-8493-1488-7

This book is essentially a primer and laboratory manual for scientists new to the field of DNA fingerprinting, although it does contain detail that would be of interest to more experienced scientists. After a good, general introduction to the sources of genetic variation (Chapter 1) and a very useful overview of the main PCR-based fingerprinting techniques and their variants (Chapter 2), the book turns to its main purpose. A considerable portion of the book (Chapter 4) is dedicated to laboratory protocols and provides all that is necessary to perform the various techniques. However, the protocols themselves are not as clearly laid-out as they could have been – if a person needs to turn to a manual to perform a task then clear, step-by-step protocols, with high quality diagrams, where necessary, are called for. In addition, much of the early part of Chapter 4 deals with DNA extraction and purification, running gels etc., and could have been left for other laboratory manuals. Likewise, Chapter 3 on laboratory equipment seems superfluous. In terms of balance, there is too much attention paid to RAPDs, even though, as the authors themselves acknowledge (page 207), the technique was already being side-lined in the 1990s because of its ‘lack of robustness and reproducibility’. The more recent techniques, SNPs and microarrays, are crushed into a short, nine-page chapter at the end of the book. Greater attention to these would have made for a more interesting read and given the book a longer shelf life.
Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins in the roots of Columbia-0 and Landsberg erecta ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana in response to aluminum toxicity

Karuppanapandian, T. , Rhee, S. -J., Kim, E. -J., Han, B. K. , Hoekenga, O. A. and Lee, G. P. 2012. Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins in the roots of Columbia-0 and Landsberg erecta ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana in response to aluminum-toxicity. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1267-1282. Aluminum (Al) is phytotoxic when solubilized into Al3+ in acidic soils and represents a major constraint for crop production. The present study describes Al-stress responses in roots of Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive Arabidopsis ecotypes, Columbia-0 (Col-0) and Landsberg erecta (Ler), respectively. Comparative proteomic analysis was applied to plants grown in hydroponic solution culture under acidic pH (4.2) conditions. To investigate time-dependent responses, 6-d-old seedlings were treated with 30 µM AlCl3 for 24, 48, or 72 h; total proteins were prepared from roots and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). From 2-DE analysis, were 600 proteins were inspected, 29 proteins were differentially responsive to Al-treatment. The 2-DE patterns were compared and differentially expressed proteins identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Analysis of protein expression patterns revealed that a set of proteins is functionally associated with tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and glycolysis, reactive oxygen quenching and detoxification mechanism, and signal transduction pathways, etc., could play important roles in mediating plant response to Al in Arabidopsis ecotypes. Comparison of the changes in the protein profiles revealed that Al-stress increased Al-tolerance related proteins in Al-tolerant Col-0, but only generic stress responses occurred in Al-sensitive Ler. Specifically, Al up-regulated proteins such as alcohol dehydrogenase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, GTP-binding nuclear protein Ran-2, and leucine aminopeptidase in Col-0 but not in Ler.
Habitat management for surrogate species has mixed effects on non‐target species in the sagebrush steppe

Management by surrogate species assumes that management prescriptions for the surrogate (target) species have no net negative impacts on non-target species with similar life history characteristics. We examined the effects of mechanical manipulations of sagebrush-steppe designed to reduce cover and improve greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) (here, the target surrogate species) habitat quality on 9 non-target, sagebrush-associated bird species for up to 4 years after the treatment manipulations. Two specific presumptions of management by surrogacy were evaluated: 1) no loss (here, local extirpation) of any non-target species is expected in the management area given similar life history characteristics of the target and non-target species; and 2) change in non-target populations characteristics (here, abundance) should mirror those expected for the target species, which typically implies at best an increase or at worst a neutral response to the management treatment. We grouped the 9 non-target species for analysis into 3 categories based on strength of their respective habitat associations with sagebrush (sagebrush-steppe obligate, sagebrush-associated, and steppe associated). The first category was composed of species that met surrogacy criteria for greater sage-grouse, the second were intermediate, and the third did not meet the criteria. We surveyed for birds in treated and reference areas for presence–absence and estimated abundances using distance sampling. We estimated treatment effects using a conditional generalized linear mixed modeling approach; the first model examined local extirpation likelihoods and the second modeled change in abundance conditioned on the species being present post-treatment. Sagebrush treatments had no effect on probabilities of local extirpation 1–4 years post-treatment (P = 0.99). Models fit to abundance data indicated a small but significant (P = 0.031) reduction in overall abundance in treated areas. Abundance responses for species within groupings (e.g., sagebrush-steppe obligate) lacked consistency, indicating benefits to non-target species are best evaluated at the species rather than group level. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Uso del inóculo microbial elaborado en finca en ensilaje de maíz (Zea mays). Valor nutricional y fermentativo

Use of homemade microbial additive in corn silage (Zea mays ). Nutritive and fermentative value. The effect of three levels of homemade microbial additive (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 l.t -1 of FM) and a one level of comercial additive (0.5 kg.t -1 FM) (CEN-Sile®) over the nutritional and fermentative value of silage from hybrid corn (Cristiani Burkard®, harvested at 90 days), were evaluated. Corn silage without microbial additives was also evaluated. Microsilos 1.0 kg in fresh weight were made with vacuum-sealed transparent polyethylene bags, which were open after a fermentative process of 70 days. Dry matter (DM), neutral and acid detergent fiber content (NDF and ADF) in fresh material are reduced as the microbial additive is applied, not so the crude protein content (CP). CP, ashes and ethereal extract (EE) content in the fermented material improved with microbial additive application, but DM, NDF, ADF, lignin, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and energy density content showed a negative effect. The best pH, buffer capacity and ammoniacal nitrogen values were obtained in the material fermented without microbial additives. Total digestibile nutrients (TDN), digestible and metabolizable energy,
Research Institute for Viticulture and Enology, Kecskemét, Hungary; Plant Protection Institute of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary and Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY, USA

The nonvirulent, antagonistic Agrobacterium vitis strain F2/5 was tested for the presence of tartrate utilization plasmid(s) which commonly occur in virulent A. vitis isolates. Following transformation of F2/5 plasmid DNA into Agrobacterium tumefaciens UBAPF2, an approximately 220 kbp plasmid coding for tartrate utilization was isolated. This plasmid, designated pTrF2/5, was also transferred by in planta mating between F2/5 and UBAPF2 and was maintained in a stable state in A. tumefaciens under nonselective conditions, pTrF2/5 could not be allocated into the known incompatibility groups described so far in Agrobacterium. Two transconjugant colonies also acquired an octopine utilization plasmid named pOcF2/5 which is related to the incRh 1 Ti plasmids. Neither pTr nor pOc encodes for the tumour-inhibiting ability of F2/5.
Physicochemical properties of soya bean protein gel prepared by microbial transglutaminase in the presence of okara

Summary The influences of okara on the gelling and secondary protein structure of soya protein isolate (SPI) were investigated. Okara was ultra-refined by high-pressure homogenisation. The resulting particle sizes and microscopic morphologies were determined using a laser particle size analyser and a confocal laser scanning microscope, respectively. After okara homogenisation, surface area average particle size (D32) decreased from 49.68 to 23.29 μm and volume average particle size (D43) decreased from 118.94 to 55.08 μm. Dynamic rheological measurements showed that the storage (G′) and loss (G′′) moduli of SPI gelled in the presence of okara were mostly higher than those of SPI gels alone and were increased as the okara amounts increased. Linear law analysis revealed that SPI–okara gels were weak gels and frequency independent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that okara and transglutaminase influenced the prevalence of α-helices, β-turns, β-sheet and random coils.