Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observations on Natural Pollination in Commercial Plantings of Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) in Malaya

Summary Most oil palm pollen is produced by male inflorescences 2–3 days after anthesis, and this pollen is the most viable. When protected, pollen viability on female inflorescences is good up to 6 days, after which it declines. The majority of the pollen remains below the canopy, especially at bunch level. Results of quantitative evaluation of pollen dispersal showed that atmospheric pollen density is very variable and is governed by numerous factors. There is a marked diurnal variation, with highest pollen density during the afternoon and a negligible amount during the night and early morning. Rain causes an immediate drop in concentration, but pollen densities were influenced more by the number of days on which rain was recorded than by total rainfall. A relationship exists between pollen density, the number of male inflorescences in the vicinity, and rainfall, but the effects of relative humidity, sunshine and wind are obscure. Whilst pollen density drops rapidly within a short distance from the inflorescence, there is a significant dispersal over greater distances than previously thought.
Experimental fossilization of the Thermophilic Gram-positive Bacterium Geobacillus SP7A: A Long Duration Preservation Study

Recent experiments to fossilize microorganisms using silica have shown that the fossilization process is far more complex than originally thought; microorganisms not only play an active role in silica precipitation but may also remain alive while silica is precipitating on their cell wall. To better understand the mechanisms that lead to the preservation of fossilized microbes in recent and ancient rocks, we experimentally silicified a Gram-positive bacterium, Geobacillus SP7A, over a period of five years. The microbial response to experimental fossilization was monitored with the use of LIVE/DEAD staining to assess the structural integrity of the cells during fossilization. It documented the crucial role of silicification on the preservation of the cells and of their structural integrity after several years. Electron microscopy observations showed that initial fossilization of Gram-positive bacteria was extremely rapid, thus allowing very good preservation of Geobacillus SP7A cells. A thick layer of silica was deposited on the outer surface of cell walls in the earliest phase of silicification before invading the cytoplasmic space. Eventually, the cell wall was the only recognizable feature. Heavily mineralized cells thus showed morphological similarities with natural microfossils found in the rock record.
Phylogenetic relationships of gentle lemurs (Hapalemur)

The genus Hapalemur (Geoffroy 1851) is classified in the endemic Malagasy primate family Lemuridae by most authors,1,2 although some have considered it to be a member of the family Lepilemuridae.3 Three partially sympatric species are recognized: H. aureus, H. griseus, and H. simus. The grey gentle lemur H. griseus (Link 1795) is currently divided into four subspecies. H. g. griseus occurs in the humid eastern forests of Madagascar. H. g. olivaceus, recognized as a distinct subspecies for many years, is now included in H. g. griseus.3 A larger-bodied form is confined to lake Alaotra in the east (H. g. alaotrensis), while a smaller-bodied form occurs in the deciduous forests of the west (H. g. occidentalis). A fourth subspecies, H. g. meridionalis, whose coat is darker than that of the other gentle lemurs, was recently discovered near Fort Dauphin in southern Madagascar.4 The broad-nosed gentle lemur H. simus (Gray 1870) is substantially larger than H. griseus, and its ears are noticeably tufted with white hairs.3 In the past, H. simus was regarded as sufficiently distinct to warrant generic separation under the name Prolemur (Gray 1871). Today, H. simus is extremely rare, found only in the southeast. However, subfossil representatives of this species, including some formerly referred to as H. gallieni, were found in central (Ampasambazimba), northern (Ankarana, Montagne des Français), and northwestern (Anjohibe) Madagascar.5 Furthermore, records from individuals in museum collections confirm that, less than a century ago, H. simus occurred throughout the eastern rainforest. The golden bamboo lemur H. aureus, named after its unique golden facial coloring, was recently discovered near Ranomafana in southeast Madagascar.6 H. aureus is somewhat larger than H. griseus, but much smaller than H. simus. H. aureus is an extremely rare species with a very patchy distribution. Few phylogenetic studies have included more than one Hapalemur species. All previously published data sets that examined H. aureus and H. griseus support a sister-group relationship for these taxa.7–9 The only previous phylogenetic studies to include more then one subspecies of H. griseus are based on chromosomes.4,7,10 The karyotypes of H. g. alaotrensis and H. g. griseus are indistinguishable (2N 54), while that of H. g. meridionalis (2N 54) differs in one metacentric chromosome. Cytogenetic comparisons indicate that H. g. meridionalis is the sister group to a clade containing H. g. alaotrensis and H. g. griseus, while H. g. occidentalis (2N 58) was the first subspecies to diverge.
Demogenetic structure of brown trout Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758 populations in mountain headwaters: implications for conservation management

Summary A demogenetic analysis based on 7 years of observation (2005–2011) was conducted to examine the population structure of brown trout Salmo trutta in pristine dendritic headwaters. The value of genetic divergence (FST) among sampling units ranged from −0.03 to 0.16. Demographic synchrony was low or moderate, and the average correlation coefficient of population growth between sampling units () ranged from 0.28 to 0.66. No isolation by distance was observed, but genetic divergence was negatively correlated with demographic synchrony among sampling units. Variance in the population growth rate (i.e. local extinction probability) increased with distance from the mainstream and from other sampling units. In contradiction with the usual model of stream-dwelling salmonids, the upstream sections of headwaters holds only ephemeral subpopulations, whereas the mainstream played a role in the source area of the metapopulation. These findings stress the importance of the mainstream in management conservation for brown trout in low productive mountain headwaters.
In vitro studies on rice bran wax as skin moisturizer

Waxes have been used in many cosmetic preparations and pharmaceuticals as formulation aids. Rice bran wax is a byproduct of rice bran oil industry. Present study aims to investigate possible use of rice bran wax as occlusive moisturizer. The rice bran wax obtained was purified and its physicochemical characteristics were determined. In vitro studies were carried out to determine trans epidermal water loss through stratum corneum and water holding capacity of stratum corneum of human cadaver skin treated with pure rice bran wax and formulation of rice bran wax. The results show that rice bran wax can be used as a promising occlusive moisturizer.
Insights into selectivity of STI571 [GleevecTM] from X-ray crystallography

STI571 (GleevecTM, Imatinib mesylate) is a potent inhibitor of the Abelson tyrosine kinase (ABL), which has been approved by Food and Drug Administration for treatment of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). The clinical success of this small molecule kinase inhibitor has created a new paradigm for cancer therapeutics [1]. One of the most striking properties of STI571 is its high selectivity towards molecular targets. STI571 potently inhibits ABL, PDGFR and c-Kit tyrosine kinases (IC50<0.3μM), while being essentially non-active towards other known protein kinases. The molecular origin of this selectivity is poorly understood at the moment. We present two crystal structures of STI571 bound to the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), that provide insights into Gleevec’s selectivity towards its molecular targets. FAK is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase [2,3], which is only weakly inhibited by STI571 (IC50>10μM). In the crystal structure, Gleevec binds FAK in the conserved nucleotide binding site, but assumes a different conformation from what was observed in the crystal structure of STI571-abl complex [4,5]. In this non-selective binding mode, the majority of the contacts between the inhibitor and the protein occur in the hinge region, reminiscent of other lessselective kinase inhibitors. Comparison of the non-selective conformation of Gleevec with a second structure of STI571 bound to a FAK mutant, which has an increased affinity for the inhibitor, illuminates the structural features of the kinase active site that confer STI571 selectivity.
Demography and Lifetime Reproductive Success in the Polygynous Great Reed Warbler

I analysed demographic parameters and lifetime reproductive success in a Swedish population of Great Reed Warblers. The population was followed on a daily basis in 1985-1993 when all breeding Great Reed Warblers were individually marked and >95% of the young fledged in the study area were ringed. Between-year breeding site fidelity of adults was relatively high both for males (55%) and females (51%), and it seemed not to be affected by previous breeding results. Natal site fidelity was also relatively high as 14% of the fledglings hatched in the study area returned to breed in subsequent years. Each year, however, about 50% of the breeders were hatched outside the study area (i. e. immigrants). The production of lifetime recruits was biased so that 17% of the males and 13% of the females produced more than 50% of the recruits in the population. There was no difference in lifetime reproductive success between native birds and immigrants, suggesting that immigrants contributed substantially to the local gene pool. Despite this, effects of non-incestuous inbreeding, measured as lowered hatchability of eggs among broods of genetically more similar pair members, were found in the study population. This may be a result of the dispersal pattern between local Great Reed Warbler populations in Sweden and also a consequence of the short history of these small populations.
Identification of heat shock protein genes hsp70s and hsc70 and their associated mRNA expression under heat stress in insecticide-resistant and susceptible diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

To gain further insight into the molecular features of the ubiquitous Hsp70 family of conserved heat shock proteins, total nine full-length cDNA sequences of inducible hsp70s (Px-hsp69-1, -2a, -2b, -3, -4, Px-hsp72-1a, -1b, -2 and -3) and one constitutive hsc70 (Px-hsc70(C)) were isolated and characterized in the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, collected from Fuzhou, China. The nine Px-hsp70s cDNAs encoded the protein of between 629-669 amino acids with molecular weight ranging from 69.00-72.58 kDa and were derived from four hsp70 genes in the genome of DBM. The Px-hsc70(C) cDNA contained 1,953 bp of open reading frame (ORF), which produced a putative protein comprising 650 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 71.18 kDa. Whether in adults or larvae of chlorpyrifos-resistant (RR) and chlorpyrifos-susceptible (SS) strains of DBM, the basal level (at 25°C) of Px-hsc70(C) mRNA expression was high, but no significant up-regulation expression was found under heat stress. However, heat stress facilitated up-regulation expressions of Px-hsp70s, and SS DBM displayed higher up-regulation expression of Px-hsp70s than RR DBM. We suggest that higher up-regulation expression of Px-hsp70s in SS DBM is probably involved in their higher thermal tolerance.
The ultrastructure of Mychonastes ruminatus gen. et sp. nov., a new member of the Chlorophyceae isolated from brackish water

A new monotypic genus of the Chlorophyceae isolated from brackish water of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, U.S.A. is described as Mychonastes ruminatus. The alga is compared with similar members of the Oocystaceae. Based on the presence of a thick ruminate cell wall, the lack of discernible pyrenoids, and other vegetative characters, Mychonastes can be delineated from other green coccoid unicells. The cellular life cycle of Mychonastes was studied by electron microscopy and compared to published studies of Chlorella. The genera are differentiated by wall and chloroplast structure. Mychonastes cell wall is sculptured and changes during the life cycle from a highly irregular appearance when young, to a less irregular state when mature. Mychonastes chloroplast lacks pyrenoids at all times. Chlorella has a smooth wall and pyrenoids which are apparent just after release from the mother cell until division. Organelles of both genera migrate in a similar pattern throughout the life cycle, with Mychonastes producin.
Cytosolic LOX overexpression in Arabidopsis enhances the attractiveness of parasitic wasps in response to herbivory and incidences of parasitism

Abstract In response to herbivory by cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae) larvae, crucifer plants emit green leaf volatiles (GLVs) that attract Cotesia glomerata, a carnivorous natural enemy of the larvae. To artificially increase GLV production by crucifers, we created transgenic Arabidopsis that constitutively expressed cucumber cytosolic lipoxygenase (CsLOX2). Transgenic Arabidopsis (p35S::CsLOX2.6 and p35S::CsLOX2.14) infested with P. rapae larvae were more attractive to C. glomerata than wild type (wt) and produced more jasmonic acid. p35S::CsLOX2.14 had a higher incidence of parasitism of the larvae than did wt. Infested transgenic plants emitted more (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-β-ocimene, (Z)-β-ocimene, and DMNT than infested wt plants; (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate is known to attract Cotesia wasps. Transforming cruciferous crops with cytosolic CsLOX2 could aid integrated pest management via tritrophic interactions.
Behaviour Studies on Heliothis armigera and their Application to Scouting Techniques for Cotton in Thailand

Abstract First instar larvae of Heliothis armigera were marked with rain-resistant ink and released on field-grown cotton plants. The larvae were monitored through to the fifth (final) instar stage while recording information on feeding, distribution, exposure and movements. The results obtained embody the first, comprehensive account of the behaviour of Heliothis armigera as the most important insect pest of cotton in Thailand. The development of a simple scouting technique based on these findings and using first and second instars only is discussed.
Determinants of attitudes of primary stakeholders towards forest conservation management: a case study of Subri Forest Reserve, Ghana

Understanding the attitude of stakeholders towards forest management is important for the conservation of forests. In this paper we examine attitudes of primary stakeholders towards forest conservation management in Ghana, with Subri Forest Reserve as the study area. Using a survey methodology, 300 households from 10 communities around the reserve were randomly selected and interviewed with structured questionnaires. The results revealed that primary stakeholders have positive attitudes towards forest management and this was not dependent on the location of the community. They support sanctioning people who degrade the forest and accept the need to get a permit before harvesting. However, they are not in favour of strict protection of the reserve. Their attitude towards forest management is influenced by their perception of forest values, concern about degradation of the reserve, economic benefits they derive from the reserve, exposure to resource-use conflicts and membership of conservation organizations. Our findings suggest that primary stakeholders are interested in forest conservation management. But, to achieve sustainable development, it will be necessary to identify the types and quantity of forest products used and their economic significance and to develop initiatives that will support rural livelihoods.
Mycorrhizae and Tree Nutrition

fertile soils (Wilde & Spyridakis, 1967). But in prairie and other grassland soils devoid of certain symbiotic fungi, the growth of trees is arrested at the stage of the first whorl of leaves; during the first growing season in such soils they exhibit symptoms of malnutrition and eventually die. This takes place despite the presence of an abundant supply of available nutrients in the soil, as determined by soil analyses or demonstrated by a yield of some 150 bushels of corn per acre (White, 1941; Rosendahl, 1942). An introduction of fungal symbionts of trees into grassland soils, accomplished by an addition of a fraction of 1% of a forest soil or a few crushed roots of mycorrhizal seedlings, invariably leads to a rapid initiation of a vigorous growth of tree seedlings (Fig. 1). In some instances the spectacular effect of inoculation is accompanied by the ingrowing of fungal hyphae into the cortex of roots and development of root-fungus organs or mycorrhizae. In other cases no alteration of the root
Transgenic plants for abiotic stress tolerance: current status

Abiotic stress is one of the primary causes of crop losses worldwide (Bray et al. 2000. Responses to abiotic stresses. In: Buchanana BB, Gruissem W, Jones RL, editors. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants. Rockville (MD): American Society of Plant Physiologists. p. 1158–1249). To cope with the detrimental effects of stress, plants have evolved many biochemical and molecular mechanisms. One of the well-documented stress responses in plants is accumulation of osmolytes during stress. Although their actual roles in plant-stress tolerance remain controversial, these molecules are thought to have positive effects on enzyme and membrane integrity, along with adaptive roles in mediating osmotic adjustment in plants grown under drought conditions. Recent studies have demonstrated that the manipulation of genes involved in the biosynthesis of these osmolytes have improved plant tolerance to drought and salinity in a number of crops. There is renewed hope of understanding the molecular basis of osmolyte accumulation under stress and manipulating these processes via genetic engineering. For future work on generating transgenic plants with still higher levels of tolerance, the new knowledge may be used via guided genetic engineering of multiple genes to create crop plants with significantly increased productivity under drought stress. This review surveys the current advances in engineering abiotic stress-tolerant plants, particularly the genetic engineering of osmolyte genes (osmoprotectants) for imparting drought stress tolerance in plants.
Biotransformation of unsaturated heterocyclic rings by Pseudomonas putida to yield cis-diols

New cis-diol metabolites of both aromatic and non-aromatic heterocyclic rings have been isolated from growing cultures of a mutant strain of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida(UV4) and stereochemically assigned; a novel heterocyclic cis-diol of benzothiophene, 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzothiophene is found to exist exclusively in the cis-configuration in water but equilibrates readily with the trans-isomer.
The Origins of Vocal Learning

Facts and theories on the evolution of vocal learning in mammals and birds are reviewed. An attempt is made to articulate principles of general heuristic importance. Different contexts in which vocal learning occurs are evaluated. It is concluded that maximal stimulation of females and benefits accruing from formation of vocal dialects have been selective pressures leading to vocal learning. Correlations between intense speciation and vocal learning, and between long-lasting pair bonds and filial song learning, need further study. In all cases where selective pressures leading to vocal learning have been identified, females are the selective agent. Use of vocal signals to attract females is much rarer in mammals, and this is correlated with a low incidence of vocal learning. The successive steps leading from genetically determined motor ontogenies to vocal learning are discussed.
Ion balance, acid-base regulation, and chloride cell function in the common killifish,Fundulus heteroclitus—a euryhaline estuarine teleost

The common killifish,Fundulus heteroclitus, is a euryhaline teleost common throughout estuaries of eastern North America. This symposium paper reviews the important contributions of the killifish to our present understanding of ionoregulation in seawater (SW) fish and their mechanisms of euryhalinity, and presents new data developing the killifish as a freshwater (FW) model system. Experiments on killifish have characterized (i) drinking in SW and its reduction in FW; (ii) the adaptive roles of the kidney to SW and FW conditions; (iii) the instantaneous (Phase I) and delayed (Phase II) reductions in Na+ outflux that occur upon transfer from SW to FW; (iv) the importance of prolactin secretion in the Phase II effect; (v) the cortisol-stimulated induction of branchial Na+, K+-ATPase that occurs upon transfer from FW to SW; (vi) the accompanying changes in morphology of the mitochondria-rich (MR) or “chloride cells” on the gills; (vii) the localization of this Na+, K+-ATPase activity to the basolateral membrane of chloride cells; and (viii) the NaCl-secretory function of these cells in SW. The opercular epithelium, which is rich in chloride cells, has been used as an in vitro model to characterize the mechanisms and control of NaCl secretion in SW fish. Much less is known about gill function in fresh water (inward NaCl transport), primarily due to the absence of a comparable freshwater model. Here we show that killifish acclimated to dilute FW ([NaCl] = 1 mmol I−1) possess large numbers of MR cells on the opercular epithelium. When mounted in vitro with FW on the outside, the preparation develops a large inside negative transepithelial potential (TEP) that is a Na+ diffusion potential. By the Ussing flux ratio criterion, Na+ fluxes are passive, but a small active influx of Cl− occurs, an observation that supports the involvement of MR cells in active Cl− uptake. This FW opercular epithelium if bathed with isotonic saline on both sides does not secrete Cl−, indicating that the MR cells indeed are of the FW type. In vivo, the fish exhibits a high rate of Na+ influx and outflux; Cl− outflux is much lower, and there is no detectable Cl− influx. Experimental variation of FW [NaCl] reveals a saturable, low affinity Na+ uptake mechanism, a Cl− influx mechanism that is activated only at much higher concentrations, and no evidence of exchange diffusion. Acid-base disturbance appears to be corrected by differential regulation of the outflux components only. Hence, the FW killifish ionoregulates somewhat differently from the few other FW teleosts that have been examined, and its opercular epithelium will serve as a very useful model system.