Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Harvesting wild flax in the Galilee, Israel and extracting fibers – bearing on Near Eastern plant domestication

Flax (Linum usitatissimum, 2n = 30) is considered as the first fiber and oil crop of Neolithic Near Eastern agriculture and is often mentioned as one of the Near Eastern Neolithic “founder crops” assemblage. Wild flax fibers were recovered from a 30,000-year-old Upper Paleolithic site in Georgia, suggesting that the utilization of wild flax by Old World hunter–gatherer societies pre-dates the Neolithic agricultural revolution. We examined the potential of a wild flax species (L. pubescens, 2n = 18), an abundant element in open plant formations in Israel, as a source of fibers. Whole plants were pulled by hand in two sites in the eastern Galilee, Israel, during May 2006 and May 2007. The roots, stems and inflorescences of the collected plants were separated, dried and weighed. Fibers were extracted by retting and hammering the stems, dried, weighed and yarn was spun. Because Linum pubescens is not the wild progenitor of domesticated flax but rather a distantly related wild relative, the results of our expe.
Can chemical signals, responsible for mutualistic partner encounter, promote the specific exploitation of nursery pollination mutualisms? – The case of figs and fig wasps

In nursery pollination mutualisms, where pollinators reproduce within the inflorescence they pollinate, floral scents often play a major role in advertizing host location and rewards for the pollinator. However, chemical messages emitted by the plant that are responsible for the encounter of mutualist partners can also be used by parasites of these mutualisms to locate their host. Each species of Ficus (Moraceae) is involved in an obligatory nursery pollination mutualism with usually one pollinating fig wasp (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Agaonidae). In this interaction, volatile compounds emitted by receptive figs are responsible for the attraction of their specific pollinator. However, a large and diverse community of non‐pollinating chalcidoid wasps can also parasitize this mutualism. We investigated whether the chemical message emitted by figs to attract their pollinator can promote the host specificity of non‐pollinating fig wasps. We analysed the volatile compounds emitted by receptive figs of three sympatric Ficus species, namely, Ficus hispida L. , Ficus racemosa L. , and Ficus tinctoria G. Forster, and tested the attraction of the pollinator of F. hispida (Ceratosolen solmsi marchali Mayr), and of one species of non‐pollinating fig wasp [Philotrypesis pilosa Mayr (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae)] to scents emitted by receptive figs of these three Ficus species. Analysis of the volatile compounds emitted by receptive figs revealed that the three Ficus species could be clearly distinguished by their chemical composition. Behavioural bioassays performed in a Y‐tube olfactometer showed that both pollinator and parasite were attracted only by the specific odour of F. hispida. These results suggest that the use by non‐pollinating fig wasps of a specific chemical message produced by figs could limit host shifts by non‐pollinating fig wasps.
Importin β Mediates Nuclear Translocation of Smad 3*

Smad proteins are intracellular mediators of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and related cytokines. Although ligand-induced nuclear translocation of Smad proteins is clearly established, the pathway mediating this import is yet to be determined. We previously identified a nuclear localization signal (NLS) in the N-terminal region of Smad 3, the major Smad protein involved in TGF-β signal transduction. This basic motif (Lys40-Lys-Leu-Lys-Lys44), conserved among all the pathway-specific Smad proteins, is required for Smad 3 nuclear import in response to ligand. Here we studied the nuclear import pathway of Smad 3 mediated by this NLS. We demonstrate that the isolated Smad 3 MH1 domain displays significant specific binding to importin β, which is diminished or eliminated by mutations in the NLS. Full-size Smad 3 exhibits weak but specific binding to importin β, which is enhanced after phosphorylation by the type I TGF-β receptor. In contrast, no interaction was observed between importin α and Smad 3 or its MH1 domain, indicating that nuclear translocation of Smad proteins may occur through direct binding to importin β. We propose that activation of all of the pathway-specific Smad proteins (Smads 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9) exposes the conserved NLS motif, which then binds directly to importin β and triggers nuclear translocation.
Mother-infant and infant-infant interactions in captive sable antelope: Evidence for behavioral plasticity in a hider species

Five mother-infant pairs of sable antelope. (Hippotragus niger) were studied over a 3-mo period at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Observations were made using instantaneous scan and ad libitum sampling on focal animals (four from the day of birth and one from 1 day of age) and continuing for 1–5 wk for each mother-infant pair. Evidence is presented that conflicts with descriptions of hider maternal behavior found in the literature. Mothers often initiated nursing bouts by approaching to within a meter or less of infants that were in hiding sites (25 of the 35 bouts initiated by mothers when infants were in hiding sites). In addition, two mothers were seen lying in contact with or next to hiding infants for greater than 12 h postpartum (15 and 23 h postpartum respectively). These findings indicate that some behaviors associated with hider species can be modified in captivity; this could have implications for captive management of hider species with regard to reintroduction. Infants as young as 1 wk of age hid with other infants. Hiding infants did not move away from other infants that approached and hid with them. These findings call into question Murdock et al's [1983] conclusions that infants of hider species avoid hiding together and that hiding and creching are distinct activities. It is suggested that hiding and creching form part of the continuum of early social development in some hider species. A primiparous mother was nursed by two infants other than her own (ten observations). This situation is described and its implications for captive management are discussed.
Mammalian Motoneuron Axon Targeting Requires Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases σ and δ

The leukocyte common antigen-related (LAR) subfamily of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs), LAR, RPTP-σ, and RPTP-δ, regulate neuroendocrine development, axonal regeneration, and hippocampal long-term potentiation in mammals. In Drosophila, RPTPs are required for appropriate axon targeting during embryonic development. In contrast, deletion of any one of the three LAR-RPTP family members in mammals does not result in gross axon targeting defects. Both RPTP-σ and RPTP-δ are highly expressed in the developing mammalian nervous system, suggesting they might be functionally redundant. To test this hypothesis, we generated RPTP-σ and RPTP-δ (RPTP-σ/δ) double-mutant mice. Although embryonic day 18.5 RPTP-σ and RPTP-δ single-mutant embryos were viable, RPTP-σ/δ double mutants were paralyzed, were never observed to draw a breath, and died shortly after cesarean section. RPTP-σ/δ double mutants exhibit severe muscle dysgenesis and severe loss of motoneurons in the spinal cord. Detailed analysis of the projections of phrenic nerves in RPTP-σ/δ double mutants indicated that these motoneuron axons emerge normally from the cervical spinal cord, but stall on reaching the diaphragm. Our results demonstrate that RPTP-σ and RPTP-δ complement each other functionally during mammalian development, and reveal an essential contribution of RPTP-σ and RPTP-δ to appropriate motoneuron axon targeting during mammalian axonogenesis.
EVALUACION A 24 MESES POST-TRATAMIENTO CON BENZNIDAZOL EN NINOS DE 6 A 12 ANOS INFECTADOS CON Tiypanosoma cruzi

A finde evaluar la accion terapeutica dei benznidazol en nifios en edad escolar (de 6 a 12 afios) con Ttypanosoma cruzi, se estudiaron 20 nii’ios con serologia positiva para la enfermedad de Chagas. Los nifios eran procedentes de dos compaflias dei Departamento de Paraguari, situadas en un area endemica dei Paraguay. Antes de iniciar ei tratarniento ias viviendas de estas zonas fueron evaiuadas entomologicarnente y posteriormente rodadas con insecticida. Antes dei tratamiento estos 20 niflos fueron sometidos a un examen clinico y laboratonai de control que incluyo paiasiternia directa, xenodiagnastico y confirmacian setologica por ELISA e lnmunoflorescencia Indirecta (lFl). Se realizaron determinaciones hematolagicas y bioquimicas antes y a los 20 dias de iniciado ei tratarniento para permitir detectar ia aparicion de efectos colaterales durante ei rnismo. En ei estudio basai, ei 1 5% (3/20) de ias muestras tuvo parasitemia directa positiva, y eu 55% (11/20) de los nifios se obtuvo xenodiagnastico positivo. Todos fueron tratados con benznid.azoi: 5-7 mg/kg de peso por dia durante 60 dias. Las evaiuaciones seroiogicas y parasitoiogicas se uealizumn a los 6, 12, 18 y 24 meses despues de haber finalizado ei tratarniento. No se observaron variaciones entre ias determinaciones hematologicas y bioquimicas basales y ias realizadas a los 20 dias. Los resultados parasitologicos ai afio y a los 2 afios despues deI tratamiento resuitaron negativos en ei 100% de las muestras. Con respecto a Ia serologia, ai comparar la densidad optica dei test de ELISA, pareando ias muestras dei estudio basai, ai afio y a los 2 afios de finalizado ei tratamiento, en los 12 nifios que no migraron, se observo una diferencia estadisticamente significativa entre los valores dei basal y ei primer afio (p <0.0047), y entre ei basal y ei segundo afio (p <0.001), No hubo diferencia significativa (p <0.1659) ai comparar los titulos entre ei primero y segundo afio. Se concluye que hubo disminucion significativa de la concentracion de anticuerpos dos afios despues dei tratamiento en los 12 niflos que no migraron.
EROSION OF WAXES FROM LEAF SURFACES BY SIMULATED RAIN.

Effects of simulated rain on the epicuticular wax of glaucous leaves have been studied. Droplets (250 to 400 μm) travelling at low or medium velocity (0.25 to 5 m s-1 ) fractured the dendrites and tubes on leaves of Brassica spp. , the tubes on Eucalyptus globulus Labillardere and the ribbons on the adaxial surfaces of Pisum sativum L. and Fragaria ananassa Duchesne. Rates of erosion for Brassica and E. globulus leaves were high during an initial application equivalent to 1 mm rainfall but declined markedly with extended exposure. In contrast, erosion from P. sativum and F. ananassa proceeded at a fairly uniform rate throughout the exposure period. The composition of the detached wax deposits was identical with that of the intact leaf wax for Brassica species but differed for the other species. The practical consequences of wax erosion of field crops are considered.
Effects of the Polychlorinated Biphenyl Aroclor® 1254 on Growth, Survival, and Bone Development in Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Eyed eggs of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were exposed to Aroclor® 1254 (0.43–13 μg/L) for 10 d before hatching and the fry for 118 d after hatching. Median hatching time, egg hatchability, and sac fry survival were not affected by Aroclor 1254. At 48 d after hatching, growth was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by Aroclor 1254 concentrations ≥ 1.5 μg/L, but no significant differences in growth of surviving fry were observed at the end of the 118-d exposure. Mortality occurred in fry exposed to 13 μg/L within 48 d of exposure, and after 118 d of exposure significant mortality occurred in the three highest concentrations. Biochemical constituents in brook trout fry related to growth and development were affected by Aroclor 1254. Hydroxyproline and vitamin C concentrations in sac fry (38 d old) were decreased by ≥ 3.1 μg/L. Backbone development in fry exposed for 118 d was significantly altered. Collagen was significantly decreased in the backbone as was the phosphorous concentration, while the cal.
Soil frost enhances stream dissolved organic carbon concentrations during episodic spring snow melt from boreal mires

Changes in winter time conditions at high‐latitude ecosystems could severely affect the carbon exchange processes. Using a 15 year stream record combined with winter field measurements and laboratory experiment, we studied the regulation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in stream water draining boreal mire during snow melt. The most unanticipated finding was that cold soils with deep soil frost resulted in increased snow melt DOC concentrations in the stream runoff. Wintertime field measurements of DOC concentrations below the mire soil frost showed that this phenomenon could be explained by freeze‐out of DOC giving higher levels of DOC in the soil water below the ice as the soil frost developed downwards in the mire. Experimental freezing of water with a certain DOC concentration in the laboratory further corroborated the freeze‐out of DOC. In this experiment, as much as 96% of the DOC was excluded from the ice, whereas the freeze‐out in the mire was less effective (60%). The difference between the proportion of DOC retained in pure water relative to the proportion retained in peat water during freezing is probably due to trapped DOC in the solid peat soil matrix. A simple mass‐balance model showed that to explain the higher stream DOC concentrations during a winter with deep soil frost, approximately 0.5% of the mire area needed to be hydrologically connected to the stream discharge. In the stream records, we also found that the DOC concentrations during snow melt episodic runoff were negatively related to increasing intensity of the snow melt episodes (dilution by low DOC snow melt water) and higher previous export of DOC.
Larval Dispersal as Related To Density in Wild and Laboratory Strains of Delia (= Hylemya) Antiqua Meigen

Using confined larval populations of Hylemya antiqua the effects of increasing larval density on larval dispersal, pupation and mortality were assessed. The experiments were performed initially using a laboratory strain (35 generations rearing in the laboratory). It was shown that dispersal, pupation and mortality were significantly different for the two strains with the wild strain dispersing at a much lower density level than the laboratory strain and with a significantly shorter mean dispersal time. The experiments were repeated four generations later to monitor the effects of laboratory colonization on the wild strain. This time dispersal, pupation and mortality were not significantly different for the two strains; the same was true for larval dispersal time. It was concluded that laboratory colonization had significantly altered larval dispersal behaviour in the wild strain. Multiple comparisons between all four strains revealed that larval dispersal in the original wild strain was significantly different from that in the other three strains. The same pattern emerged following multiple comparisons of the mean larval dispersal times. Therefore, the two laboratory strains and the wild strain reared for a total of six generations in the laboratory exhibited identical responses to increasing larval density as measured by dispersal, pupation, mortality and dispersal time. It was further demonstrated that several self-regulatory mechanisms mitigating against the adverse effects of increasing larval density were present i.e. the magnitude of the dispersal process, the time at which dispersal occurred and regulation of pupal size. It was shown that these processes did not always operate concurrently and often exhibited some interactions. The results were discussed in the framework of laboratory adaptation of the wild strain and the relevance of these behavioural changes when such individuals would be released into a field population during genetic control procedures.
Evaluation of nutritional and anti‐nutritional compounds from tania (Xanthosoma Schott) corms

Purpose – Tuber crops are extremely important for humans, being extensively used in many cultures and mainly in poor and developing countries. Tanias (Xanthosoma Schott) belong to the Aracea family and have been commonly used as a staple food since pre‐Columbian times. Nowadays, tanias are integrated in the staple diet of several countries in the Americas, West Africa, Asia and the Pacific. In order to shed light on their potential and possible risks for human nutrition, nutritional and anti‐nutritional evaluations of different compounds synthesized by tania corms were carried out by using seven tropical species.Design/methodology/approach – Classical analyses for non‐structural carbohydrates and nitrogenated compounds as well inhibitory assays towards α‐amylases and proteases were employed.Findings – Tests for quantitation of reducing sugars, soluble polysaccharides, free amino acid content and total protein amounts presented variable scores among studied species. Nevertheless, the amounts of non‐starchy.
Chronic exposure to increasing background ozone impairs stomatal functioning in grassland species

Two species found in temperate calcareous and mesotrophic grasslands (Dactylis glomerata and Leontodon hispidus) were exposed to eight ozone treatments spanning preindustrial to post‐2100 regimes, and late‐season effects on stomatal functioning were investigated. The plants were grown as a mixed community in 14 L containers and were exposed to ozone in ventilated solardomes (dome‐shaped greenhouses) for 20 weeks from early May to late September 2007. Ozone exposures were based on O3 concentrations from a nearby upland area, and provided the following seasonal 24 h means: 21.4, 39.9 (simulated ambient), 50.2, 59.4, 74.9, 83.3, 101.3 and 102.5 ppb. In both species, stomatal conductance of undamaged inner canopy leaves developing since a midseason cutback increased linearly with increasing background ozone concentration. Imposition of severe water stress by leaf excision indicated that increasing background ozone concentration decreased the ability of leaves to limit water loss, implying impaired stomatal control. The threshold ozone concentrations for these effects were 15–40 ppb above current ambient in upland UK, and were within the range of ozone concentrations anticipated for much of Europe by the latter part of this century. The potential mechanism behind the impaired stomatal functioning was investigated using a transpiration assay. Unlike for lower ozone treatments, apparently healthy green leaves of L. hispidus that had developed in the 101.3 ppb treatment did not close their stomata in response to 1.5 μm abscisic acid (ABA); indeed stomatal opening initially occurred in this treatment. Thus, ozone appears to be disrupting the ABA‐induced signal transduction pathway for stomatal control thereby reducing the ability of plants to respond to drought. These results have potentially wide‐reaching implications for the functioning of communities under global warming where periods of soil drying and episodes of high vapour pressure deficit are likely to be more severe.
Resistance to leaf rust in cultivars of bread wheat and durum wheat grown in Spain

A set of bread wheat and durum wheat cultivars adapted to Spanish conditions was tested for resistance against leaf rust caused by different pathotypes of Puccinia triticina in field trials and in growth chamber studies. Lower levels of resistance were found in durum wheat than in bread wheat. The most frequent Lr genes found in bread wheat were Lr1, Lr10, Lr13, Lr20, Lr26 and Lr28. In durum wheat, additional resistance genes that differed from the known Lr genes were identified. The level of partial resistance to leaf rust was in general low, although significant levels were identified in some bread wheat and durum wheat cultivars.
Effects of ingested diflubenzuron on the longevity and the peritrophic membrane of adult mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L.)

When fed to adults of Tenebrio molitor, diflubenzuron reduced the longevity, the weight of the adults and the thickness of the post-ecdysial adult cuticle. It also affected the production of the peritrophic membrane. The loss of weight and the decrease of longevity of the treated adults may have been because of alterations to the peritrophic membrane, caused by the inhibition of chitin biosynthesis by diflubenzuron.
Correlation Between Water-Use Efficiency and Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Diverse Peanut (Arachis) Germplasm

Stable carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) showed both intraspecific and interspecific variations in leaves collected from field plants representing a wide range of peanut germplasm grown in similar environments. It was predicted, on the basis of theoretical models relating Δ and water-use efficiency (W), that there could be as much as 60% variation in W. The Δ of leaf material was used as a guide to select peanut genotypes for testing, in the glasshouse, for a correlation between Δ and W. Pot plants of nine peanut genotypes were grown in conditions of unlimited water availability or very restricted water supply. Water-use efficiency and Δ of leaves was measured on all plants. A strong correlation (r = -0.81) was found between Δ and W. Water-use efficiency actually varied as much as twofold. Carbon content and Δ were measured in all parts of some plants. The Δ values of all parts were highly correlated with and therefore well-represented by the Δ of the leaves. Calculation of W on a molar basis removes variation associated with carbon content of dry matter. On this basis, W was correlated with the discrimination against 13C of the whole plant. The link between Δ and W is not direct but the strong correlation between Δ and W suggests that other factors, which are discussed, do not interfere greatly. The data provide more evidence that Δ might be used as a selection technique for W in C3 species.
Phytoplankton dynamics affected by the coastal upwelling events in the Gulf of Finland in July–August 2006

The response of phytoplankton to the observed coastal upwelling events in the central Gulf of Finland in July-August 2006 is described on the basis of chlorophyll a and phytoplankton community/biomass data. Due to the nutrient supply, advection, replacement/mixing of water masses and changes in water temperature, not only single phytoplankton species were affected but the entire phytoplankton community changed several times during a 2-month period. A faster response of nanoplanktonic species to the upwelled nutrients and high biomass of photosynthetic ciliate Myrionecta rubra were observed in the upwelling waters. The highest phytoplankton biomass was observed in the area of domed isopycnals in the context of developing downwelling 3 weeks after a relatively weak upwelling near the northern coast of the Gulf of Finland. An increase of biomass was observed also after the relaxation of a major upwelling event near the southern coast. Multi-dimensional scaling analysis matches this relatively high biomass community with the communities observed outside the area of upwelling influence 2 weeks earlier. We suggest that the observed biomass increase could be connected to the relaxation of upwelling and subsequent reversal of surface water mass movement together with the utilization of mostly regenerated but also stored nutrients.