Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Chinese and European Privet (Ligustrum sinense and Ligustrum vulgare) Invasion and Likelihood of Further Invasion in Southern U.S. Forestlands

Abstract Chinese and European privets are among the most aggressive invasive shrubs in forestlands of the southern United States. We analyzed extensive field data collected by the U.S. Forest Service covering 12 states to identify potential determinants of invasion and to predict likelihood of further invasion under a variety of possible management strategies. Results of multiple logistic regression, which classified 75% of the field plots correctly with regard to species presence and absence, indicated probability of invasion is correlated positively with elevation, adjacency (within 300 m) to waterbodies, mean extreme maximum temperature, site productivity, species diversity, natural regeneration, wind disturbance, animal disturbance, and private land ownership and is correlated negatively with slope, stand age, site preparation, artificial regeneration, distance to the nearest road, fire disturbance, and public land ownership. Habitats most at risk to further invasion (likelihood of invasion > 10%) under current conditions occur throughout Mississippi, with a band stretching eastward across south-central Alabama, and in eastern Texas and western Louisiana. Invasion likelihoods could be reduced most by conversion to public land ownership, followed by site preparation, fire disturbance, artificial regeneration, and elimination of animal disturbance. While conversion of land ownership may be neither feasible nor desirable, this result emphasizes the opportunity for reducing the likelihood of invasions on private lands via increased use of selected management practices. Nomenclature: Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense Lour, European privet, Ligustrum vulgare L. Management Implications: Biotic invasions have affected ecosystems worldwide. One of the greatest current challenges facing forest ecosystem management in the southern United States is the control of range expansions by invasive plant species. To move beyond reactive control efforts toward more proactive management requires prediction of potential ranges of invasive species on spatial scales relevant to forest managers. We drew upon extensive geo-referenced datasets on nonnative invasive plants maintained by the U.S. Forest Service to develop an invasion distribution model predicting possible range expansion of Chinese and European privets in forestlands of the southern United States. By identifying determinants of invasion and potential habitat, our analyses should assist land managers and restoration practitioners in planning proactive management strategies and control treatments.
Diet of Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines, Podocnemididae) During the Dry Season in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil

ABSTRACT Stomach contents of Podocnemis unifilis sampled in white water varzéa forest during the dry season in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (Middle-Solimões River) had plant material in 100% of cases, with Poaceae and Bombacaceae the most frequently recorded. Poaceae leaves (67.7% frequency) and seeds (21.5% frequency) were common, as were fibers of the fruit Pseudobombax munguba (Bombacaceae; 38.5% frequency), with fruits in general contributing 45.9% of volume. Animal material was consumed in much lesser quantities—only 0.8% of total volume—but had a 37% frequency.
Molecular Evidence from Chloroplast and Nuclear Markers for Multiple Colonizations of Lavatera (Malvaceae) in the Canary Islands

Abstract A molecular phylogenetic study based on chloroplast DNA restriction site and ITS sequence data shows that the two Macaronesian endemics, Lavatera phoenicea and Lavatera acerifolia, represent two independent introductions into the Canary Islands. The molecular phylogenies, combined with morphological, ecological, and biogeographical data, indicate that Lavatera phoenicea may be a bird-pollinated relict of an ancient laurel forest. Lavatera acerifolia, however, is nested in a derived clade of the Lavatera-Malva taxa from the Mediterranean region, suggesting a more recent introduction into the Canary Islands. Incongruence between chloroplast and nuclear phylogenies suggests that hybridization may have played a role in the evolution of L. acerifolia. Several features of L. phoenicea, such as corolla color and high nectar production, appear to be plesiomorphic and are still present because of historical constraints. In contrast, woodiness is a derived feature that originated as an adaptation to insular conditions. Communicating Editor: James R. Manhart
Evolutionary relationships in Aspergillus section Fumigati inferred from partial beta-tubulin and hydrophobin DNA sequences

Members of Aspergillus section Fumigati are important animal pathogens and food contami- nants. There is considerable variation among the 16 currently recognized species in this section, particu- larly in their mating systems: five are known to be strictly mitosporic, nine are homothallic, and two are heterothallic. Phylogenetic relationships were in- ferred among members of Aspergillus section Fumi- gati based on partial DNA sequences from the benA (-tubulin and rodA hydrophobin genes. Aspergillus clavatus was chosen as an outgroup. The two gene regions provided nearly equal numbers of phyloge- netically informative nucleotide characters. The rodA region possessed a considerably higher level of in- ferred amino acid variation than did the benA region. The results of a partition homogeneity test showed that the benA and rodA data sets were not in signifi- cant conflict, and the topologies of the most parsi- monious trees for the two data sets differed only in branches that were not strongly supported by boot- strapping. The data sets in combination showed that morphological and secondary metabolite characters used in taxonomy were not strongly correlated with phylogeny. Mixed interrelationships were found among strictly mitotic, homothallic (selfing and out- crossing) and heterothallic (obligately outcrossing) taxa, suggesting multiple independent losses of the Neosartorya sexual state and possible derivation of heterothallism from homothallism through loss of self compatibility. The food spoiling species N. fischeri
Decentralisation and Panchayati Raj : A Developmental Perspective

'DEVELOPMENT', indicating the direction of historical change in modern times, characterised by an accelerating pace of technological advance, has the flavour of secular teleos about it. One need not subscribe to the doctrine of historical inevitability to be able to sense this flavour. Positivistic prevarications apart, recognition of the history-shaping power of liberal and socialist ideologies could be a useful point of departure. Their sweep might be a source of confusion. But certain broad aspects are clearly discernible. Risking tautology, we may say that their interaction intimates some core features of 'development' in our times. A degree of fusion has already taken place. What this fusion can mean to us is indicated by a simple definition of 'development': secular evolution towards a participant society. To be sure, an operationally clear synthesis of the egalitarian and libertarian dimensions of a participant society has not yet emerged. But the combined developmental thrust of these ideologies has in it elements which have a universalistic content. The stress on 'preferred futures' has to be suitably modulated if it is to make historical sense.
EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROLLED-RELEASE FORMULATIONS OF MCH FOR PREVENTING DOUGLAS-FIR BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE) INFESTATION IN FELLED TREES

Abstract Five controlled-release granular formulations were developed that eluted 3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (MCH) in the laboratory at a rate ≥ 0. 5µg/h for 60 days. Elution rate was determined by trapping gaseous radioactive MCH followed by scintillation counting. The inert components of these formulations consisted either of a wax-coated molecular sieve, polyethylene emulsion-coated ground corncob, or dimer acid polyamide beads. These formulations and a liquid standard were applied 9 May just prior to Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopk.) flight to plots containing single, freshly felled Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) trees. Three months later, infestation by Douglas-fir beetle and other insects was evaluated. All treatments except coated corncobs and certain applications of the molecular sieve significantly reduced Douglas-fir beetle attacks. Douglas-fir beetle brood in three treatments was significantly less than in controls. Abundance of entomophagous insects was proportional to density of host beetle attacks. Douglas-fir beetle attack density was negatively correlated with degree of infestation by the scolytid Pseudohylesinus nebulosus (Lee).
Temperature effects on copepod egg hatching: does acclimatization matter?

This report investigates female sizes, egg sizes and egg hatching rates in relation to temperature for the near-shore calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa cultured at 6, 9, 14 and 24°C for several generations to achieve acclimatization. Inverse size relationships of eggs and females were revealed with increasing temperature. Eggs produced at 6°C were 85 ± 4 μm in diameter, but decreased to 80 ± 3 μm at 24°C. Female cephalothorax length was 840 ± 52 and 692 ± 39 μm at 9 and 24°C, respectively Parallel hatching experiments were performed between non-acclimatized and acclimatized cultures across a range of temperatures reflecting natural conditions in Danish waters. A greater fraction of eggs enter quiescence as temperature declines. Eggs were able to hatch at temperatures as low as 1.5°C. Final egg hatching success increased with temperature. Acclimatization of the copepods resulted in a lower maximum hatching rate, but a higher final hatching success at 9 and 6°C compared with egg hatching from non-acclimatized copepods. Eggs develop significantly better at low temperatures when compared with females in culture. This adaptation suggests that the observed annual population fluctuations in, for example, Danish waters can be explained as follows: the population of copepods in the pelagic virtually die out during the autumn―winter months; the population the following year emerges from resting eggs from the sediment and is produced by the pelagic copepods the previous year(s).
Responses of fungal root colonization, plant cover and leaf nutrients to long‐term exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2 and warming in a subarctic birch forest understory

Responses of the mycorrhizal fungal community in terrestrial ecosystems to global change factors are not well understood. However, virtually all land plants form symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi, with approximately 20% of the plants' net primary production transported down to the fungal symbionts. In this study, we investigated how ericoid mycorrhiza (ErM), fine endophytes (FE) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) in roots responded to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations and warming in the dwarf shrub understory of a birch forest in the subarctic region of northern Sweden. To place the belowground results into an ecosystem context we also investigated how plant cover and nutrient concentrations in leaves responded to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations and warming. The ErM colonization in ericaceous dwarf shrubs increased under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, but did not respond to warming following 6 years of treatment. This suggests that the higher ErM colonization under elevated CO2 might be due to increased transport of carbon belowground to acquire limiting resources such as N, which was diluted in leaves of ericaceous plants under enhanced CO2. The elevated CO2 did not affect total plant cover but the plant cover was increased under warming, which might be due to increased N availability in soil. FE colonization in grass roots decreased under enhanced CO2 and under warming, which might be due to increased root growth, to which the FE fungi could not keep up, resulting in proportionally lower colonization. However, no responses in aboveground cover of Deschampsia flexuosa were seen. DSE hyphal colonization in grass roots significantly increased under warmer conditions, but did not respond to elevated CO2. This complex set of responses by mycorrhizal and other root‐associated fungi to global change factors of all the fungal types studied could have broad implications for plant community structure and biogeochemistry of subarctic ecosystems.
Effect of α Subunit on Allosteric Modulation of Ion Channel Function in Stably Expressed Human Recombinant γ-Aminobutyric AcidA Receptors Determined Using36Cl Ion Flux

Inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors are subject to modulation at a variety of allosteric sites, with pharmacology dependent on receptor subunit combination. The influence of different α subunits in combination with β3γ2s was examined in stably expressed human recombinant GABAA receptors by measuring 36Cl influx through the ion channel pore. Muscimol and GABA exhibited similar maximal efficacy at each receptor subtype, although muscimol was more potent, with responses blocked by picrotoxin and bicuculline. Receptors containing the α3 subunit exhibited slightly lower potency. The comparative pharmacology of a range of benzodiazepine site ligands was examined, revealing a range of intrinsic efficacies at different receptor subtypes. Of the diazepam-sensitive GABAA receptors (α1, α2, α3, α5), α5 showed the most divergence, being discriminated by zolpidem in terms of very low affinity, and CL218,872 and CGS9895 with different efficacies. Benzodiazepine potentiation at α3β3γ2s with nonselective agonist chlordiazepoxide was greater than at α1, α2, or α5 (P α2 > α3 = α4 > α1, for loreclezole α1 = α2 = α3 > α5 > α4, and for pentobarbital α4 = α5 = α2 > α1 = α3.
Small mammals in managed, naturally young, and old-growth forests.

Forest managers in the Pacific Northwest are faced with new challenges of providing for all wildlife in managed forests. Our objective was to elucidate the factors governing the composition and biomass of forest floor mammal communities that are ame- nable to management. We sampled small mammal communities in forests of various man- agement histories on the Olympic Peninsula and contrasted our results with those of other large studies in the Pacific Northwest. Forest floor mammal communities in forests >35 yr old in the Western Hemlock Zone of Washington and Oregon are composed of 5-8 characteristic species. These include Sorex trowbridgii (numerically the most dominant); one species each of Clethrionomys, the Sorex vagrans complex, and Peromyscus; and Neurotrichus gibbsii. Species composition changes from south to north, and the communities on the Olympic Peninsula contain two or three additional species compared to communities to the south. Communities in naturally re- generated and clearcutting regenerated (managed) young forests are similar in composition to those in old growth; old growth, however, supports 1.5 times more individuals and biomass than managed forest. Community diversity seems related to the south-north mois- ture-temperature gradient that is reflected in increased diversity of canopy conifers, de- velopment of forest floor litter layers, accumulation of coarse woody debris, and abundance of herbs, deciduous shrubs, and shade-tolerant seedlings (as opposed to understories dom- inated by evergreen shrubs). Previous work found few habitat variables that were good predictors of species abundance in natural young and old-growth stands. Naturally regen- erated young stands had higher levels of coarse woody debris than old growth. Managed stands had much lower abundance of coarse woody debris and tall shrubs than old growth. Understory vegetation (herbs and shrubs) and coarse woody debris accounted for a major part of the variation in abundance of six of eight species in managed stands, but only two species in old growth. Management of Western Hemlock Zone forest for conservation of biodiversity and restoration of old-growth conditions should concentrate on providing mul- tispecies canopies, coarse woody debris, and well-developed understories.
Interspecific defoliation responses of trees depend on sites of winter nitrogen storage

Summary 1 To determine if the response of trees to herbivory is related to their ability to store nitrogen, saplings of Pinus sylvestris L. , Betula pendula Roth. and Sorbus aucuparia L. were clipped, either when dormant or at spring bud burst, to remove half the previous year’s shoot growth. The impact of clipping on N remobilization and uptake was quantified in relation to their growth responses. 2 Pinus sylvestris stored N during the winter in needles grown the previous summer, whereas B. pendula and S. aucuparia used their woody roots and older stems. Therefore, N remobilization was unaffected by clipping the deciduous species, but was reduced by half in the evergreen. 3 For both P. sylvestris and B. pendula, root uptake contributed N for leaf growth immediately after bud burst, concurrently with remobilization. Sorbus aucuparia had remobilized half the N from storage before any N was taken up by the roots. 4 Pinus sylvestris, which has a fixed pattern of growth, produced a lower total needle mass when clipped, but individual needles were heavier. Nitrogen uptake during summer was reduced by 26 and 44% for winter- and spring-clipped saplings, respectively. Both deciduous species showed compensatory leaf growth such that, by the end of the summer, leaf mass (and B. pendula leaf area) were unaffected by clipping. Nitrogen uptake by both deciduous species was unaffected by clipping. 5 We conclude that the site of N storage during winter is a crucial factor in determining the response of a sapling to herbivory, as interactions with the growth patterns of the three species can lead to different responses to damage. We suggest that for evergreen trees, the production of antiherbivory compounds serves primarily to protect N stored in their foliage, rather than the leaves themselves.
Vestibular labyrinth diversity in diprotodontian marsupial mammals

ABSTRACT The bony labyrinth of specimens representing eight diprotodontian species were visualized by high-resolution computed tomography. Linear measurements of the labyrinth were taken, e.g., the height and width of the arc of each semicircular canal. The relative sizes and spatial arrangements of the semicircular canals were compared and some of the variation was atomized into 17 characters, which were then phylogenetically interpreted. There has been a change both in size and in relative arrangement of the semicircular canals that for some aspects maps onto the ecological change from arboreality to terrestriality. In particular, there are differences among diprotodontians in the height of the anterior semicircular canal in relation to the posterior one. In arboreal species, the lateral semicircular canal is relatively longer than the equivalent semicircular canals of terrestrial species. A rounder anterior semicircular canal is widespread for Diprotodontia with a shift in Pseudocheiridae, where it is more flattened. Dendrolagus shows features typical of terrestrial species in spite of its arboreal lifestyle. The fact that it shows the derived character state is congruent with the fact that it has secondarily and only recently evolved an arboreal lifestyle.
Divergence in Multiple Courtship Song Traits between Drosophila santomea and D. yakuba

The courtship song of Drosophila is useful for species recognition and sexual selection. A new species of the melanogaster group of Drosophila, D. santomea, has recently been described from the island of Sao Tomein the Gulf of Guinea. We describe the courtship song of D. santomea and compare it with that of its sibling species D. yakuba. Both species have a relatively unusual song pattern for melanogaster-group species, in that they have two types of pulse song but no sine song. There are large dif- ferences in the inter-pulse interval of both types of song, but no major differences in pulse shape or intrapulse frequency between the species. The song of D. yakuba is similar in lines from the African mainland (allo- patric to D. santomea) and from Sao Tome´ (sympatric). We test if song pattern might influence sexual isolation by examining the mating suc- cess of wingless males with homo- and hetero-specific females. We show that song pattern contributes to sexual stimulation, but the differences in song patterns alone are unlikely to explain patterns of sexual isola- tion such as the asymmetrical isolation seen between species.
Holarctic radiation of Neogene muroid rodents and the origin of South American cricetids

ABSTRACT A review of the fossil record suggests that Calomys (Bensonomys) may be derived from Megacricetodon from the Miocene of Eurasia. If this is true, South American sigmodontine cricetids could be less closely related to North American peromyscines than to some Old World muroids. An origin of Calomys (Bensonomys) from megacricetodontine ancestors is consistent with some neonto-logical approaches based on host–parasite distributions and penile morphology.
Commentary

In a seminal paper published in 1992, Eric Wright's group showed that when mouse bone marrow cells were traversed by single alpha particles, damage to the genome could be delayed for up to six generations of cell replication. The timing of this publication was particularly opportune for those concerned about proposals to increase the discharges from Sellafield as a result of the commissioning of the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) and Enhanced Actinide Removal Plant (EARP) there proposals which were exposed to protracted public consultation and finally a legal challenge from Greenpeace in 1994. The discovery of an excess of childhood leukaemia around Sellafield in 1983 had provoked a continuing controversy about whether these cancers could be anything to do with environmental radioactivity. The message from conventional dosimetry was (and still is) that the estimated doses to children living in the area were much too small to account for the additional cases. But had the doses been estimated correctly? The relative effects of alpha particles and gamma rays usually summarized in a quantity called the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) had always been a problematical issue. Perhaps alpha particles, because of the very localized way in which they deposit their energy, could have unique effects? Indeed, the 1992 paper states: