Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trophic relationships in the soil microfood-web: predicting the responses to a changing global environment

In this article, we evaluate how global environmental change may affect microfood-webs and trophic interactions in the soil, and the implications of this at the ecosystem level. First we outline how bottom-up (resource control) and top-down (predation-control) forces regulate food-web components. Food-web components can respond either positively or negatively to shifts in NPP resulting from global change, thus creating difficulties in developing general principles about the response of soil biota to global change phenomena. We also demonstrate that top-down effects can be important in soil food-webs, creating negative feed-backs which may partially counter bottom-up effects. Secondly, we determine how soil food-webs and the processes they regulate respond to various global change phenomena. Enhanced atmospheric CO2 levels can have two main effects on plants which are relevant for the soil food-web, i.e. enhanced NPP (often positive) and diminished organic matter quality (with negative effects, at least in the short term). Climate change effects resulting from elevated CO2 levels may be mainly secondary through alteration of vegetation, as shown by examples. Intensification of land management is usually associated with greater disturbance, which alters soil food-web composition and key processes; this is particularly apparent in comparisons of conventionally tilled and nontilled agroecosystems. Global change involves shifts in plant species composition and diversity, possibly affecting soil food-webs; we interpret this in terms of theories relating biodiversity to ecosystem function. We conclude that a more detailed understanding of interactions between NPP, soil organic matter and components of the soil food-web, as well as their regulation of biogeochemical processes and ultimately ecosystem-level properties, is essential in better understanding long-term aspects of global change phenomena.
The relationship between changes in photosynthesis and growth for radish plants fumigated with SO2 and O3

SUMMARY The effects of possible ambient concentrations of SO2 and O3 on biomass production and gas exchange of radish (Raphanus sativus L, cv. Cherry Belle) are examined, the relationship between photosynthesis and growth is defined and the mechanisms behind pollutant induced changes in growth are elucidated. Ozone was shown to be considerably more phytotoxic than SO2. Fumigation at a concentration as low as 5 μmol O3 m−3 (0.12μl 1−1) produced ‘visible’ injury. No ‘visible’ injury symptoms were apparent with plants fumigated with SO2. The effect of fumigation with Oa at concentrations greater than 2.5 μmol m−3 (0.06 μl 1−1) was to reduce biomass production and alter carbon partitioning. This was not so for SO2, fumigated plants. Ozone-fumigated plants showed a significant reduction in their photosynthetic efficiency (NAR) and despite an increase in LAR, RGR was still depressed below control values. The relationship between photosynthesis and biomass production for fumigated plants was examined and whole plant carbon acquisition was calculated from gas-exchange measurements. On comparing calculated carbohydrate production with measured biomass accumulation, it was dear that changes in A were closely related to changes in growth. Light- and CO2-response curves were used to determine maximum light-saturated photosynthesis (Amax), incident quantum yield (QY) and carboxylation efficiency (d.A/de1), RuBP-regeneration capacity (Jmax) respectively. The presence of SO2 over a concentration of 2.5–8.3 μmol m−3 (0.12–0.20 μl −1) enhanced Amax. QY and Jmax, However, dA/dc1, was reduced at all concentrations. This reduction was offset by an increase in Jmax. At the smallest O3 concentration (2.5 μmol m−3) Amax was stimulated and at the higher concentration severely reduced. Q Y was not negatively influenced by the presence of O3, but d.A/dc1 and Jmax were reduced, particularly as the dose increased.
Micromeryx Azanzae Sp. Nov. (Ruminantia: Moschidae) from the Middle-Upper Miocene of Spain, and the First Description of the Cranium of Micromeryx

Abstract A new species of moschid, Micromeryx azanzae sp. nov., is described on the basis of new fossil material from Toril-3 localities (upper Aragonian; local zone G3, MN 7/8, Zaragoza province, Spain). The fossil localities of Toril-3A and 3B have yielded exceptional material of this taxon, including the first ever described Micromeryx skull remains, dramatically improving the knowledge of Micromeryx morphology; previously unknown regions of the skeleton described here include the tympanohyal complex and most of the postcranial skeleton, both of which will be of great importance in reconstructing the sequence of character state changes within the Moschidae. Evidence for metric sexual dimorphism in M. azanzae is also discussed. Micromeryx azanzae is the best-represented species of the Moschidae in the Spanish fossil record, not only because of the quality and quantity of the fossil material but also because the species appears at nine fossil sites and three sedimentary basins that span three million years (local zones F–H, MN 6 to early MN 9).
PARTNER: Randomised, phase II/III trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the addition of olaparib to platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple negative and/or germline BRCA mutated breast cancer patients.

TPS591Background: No specific targeted therapies are available for Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBC), an aggressive and diverse subgroup. The basal TNBC sub-group show some phenotypic and molecular similarities with germline BRCA (gBRCA). In gBRCA patients, and potentially other homologous recombination deficiencies, these already compromised pathways may allow drugs called PARP inhibitors (olaparib) to work more effectively. Aims: To establish if the addition of olaparib to neoadjuvant platinum based chemotherapy for basal TNBC and/or gBRCA breast cancer is safe and improves efficacy (pathological complete response (pCR)). Trial design: 3-stage open label randomised phase II/III trial of neoadjuvant paclitaxel and carboplatin +/- olaparib, followed by clinicians' choice of anthracycline regimen. Stage 1 and 2: Patients are randomised (1:1:1) to either control (3 weekly carboplatin AUC5/weekly paclitaxel 80mg/m2 for 4 cycles) or one of two research arms with the same chemotherapy regimen but with two .
Regulation of PEA Internode Expansion by Ethylene

INTRODUCTION 225 INDUCTION KINETICS 227 MICROTUBULE AND CELLULOSE MICROFIBRIL ORIENTATION 228 EFFECTS OF ETHYLENE ON CELL WALL BIOCHEMISTRy 230 WALL EXTENSIBILITY AND PROTON SECRETION 233 OTHER AGENTS WHICH INDUCE LATERAL EXPANSION 234 CONCLUSIONS 236
PRIMARY PRODUCTION, CALCIFICATION, AND AIR‐SEA CO2 FLUXES OF A MACROALGAL‐DOMINATED CORAL REEF COMMUNITY (MOOREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA) 1

Community metabolism and air‐sea carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes were investigated in July 1992 on a fringing reef at Moorea (French Polynesia). The benthic community was dominated by macroalgae (85% substratum cover) and comprised of Phaeophyceae Padina tenuis (Bory), Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J. Agardh, and Hydroclathrus clathratus Bory (Howe); Chlorophyta Halimeda incrassata f. ovata J. Agardh (Howe); and Ventricaria ventricosa J. Agardh (Olsen et West), as well as several Rhodophyta (Actinotrichia fragilis Forskál (Børgesen) and several species of encrusting coralline algae). Algal biomass was 171 g dry weight· m−2. Community gross production (Pg), respiration (R), and net calcification (G) were measured in an open‐top enclosure. Pg and R were respectively 248 and 240 mmol Co2·m−2·d−1, and there was a slight net dissolution of CaCO3 (0.8 mmol · m−2·d−1). This site was a sink for atmospheric CO2 (10 ± 4 mmol CO2·m−2·d−1), and the analysis of data from the literature suggests that this is a general feature of algal‐dominated reefs. Measurement of air‐sea CO2 fluxes in open water close to the enclosure demonstrated that changes in small‐scale hydrodynamics can lead to misleading conclusions. Net CO2 evasion to the atmosphere was measured on the fringing reef due to changes in the current pattern that drove water from the barrier reef (a C02 source) to the study site.
Examining the relationships between pellet quality, broiler performance, and bird sex

SUMMARY Pelleted feed increases BW gain and FE in broilers when compared with mash feed. However, the improvement in broiler performance may rely on pellet quality. At the West Virginia University pilot feed mill and broiler housing facilities, 2 experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, pellets were produced through varying pelleting techniques to create 5 diets unique in feed form. These diets were fed to male Cobb 500 broilers for performance evaluation. The expected broiler performance was not observed, perhaps because the nutrient availability of the diets was affected by altering the pelleting technique. Experiment 2 was designed to explain variations in feed form on broilers of varying sex categories, with consistent nutrient availability among treatments. Treatments consisted of the following pellet-to-fine ratios: 90:10 (high pellet quality), 60:40 (medium pellet quality), 30:70 (low pellet quality), and 0:100 (ground pellets). Males had improved feed conversion and were larger than females, and those in the group with an equal male:female ratio were intermediate. Whole pellets in the diet improved FCR compared with ground pellets. Broilers fed high-quality pellets exhibited the greatest carcass weight. An economic model based on intake, 2 scenarios of feed costs, and carcass weight was created using the data obtained from experiment 2.
Predicting competition coefficients for plant mixtures: reciprocity, transitivity and correlations with life‐history traits

There are few empirical or theoretical predictions of how per capita or per individual competition coefficients for pairs of plant species should relate to each other. In contrast, there are a considerable number of general hypotheses that predict competitive ability as a function of a range of ecological traits, together with a suite of increasingly sophisticated models for competitive interactions between plant species. We re-analyse a data set on competition between all pairwise combinations of seven species and show that competition coefficients relate strongly to differences between the maximum sizes, root allocation, emergence time and seed size of species. Regressions suggest that the best predictor of competition coefficients is the difference in the maximum size of species and that correlations of the other traits with the competition coefficients occur through effects on the maximum size. We also explore the patterns of association between coefficients across the competition matrix. We find significant evidence for coefficient reciprocity (inverse relationships between the interspecific coefficients for species pairs) and transitivity (numerically predictable hierarchies of competition between species) across competition matrices. These results therefore suggest simple null models for plant community structure when there is competition for resources.
Genetic differentiation and biogeography in southern European populations of the genus Scardinius (Pisces, Cyprinidae) based on allozyme data

Levels of genetic differentiation and variability were assessed in several populations and species belonging to the primary freshwater fish genus Scardinius by means of electrophoretic analyses of 28 enzymatic loci. We studied one population of S. acarnanicus and one of S. graecus, both endemic to Greece, seven populations of S. erythrophthalmus from Greece, Slovenia, northern and central Italy, and the single extant population of S. scardafa, a species endemic to central Italy. Patterns of genetic relationships placed the Greek species basal in the neighbour‐joining (NJ) and maximum parsimony (MP) trees, S. scardafa and S. erythrophthalmus are sister species. Based on the molecular clock, the split between S. acarnanicus and S. graecus occurred around 4.3 Myr ago and the split between (S. acarnanicus, S. graecus) and (S. scardafa, S. erythrophthalmus) around 3.5 Myr ago, both after the Messinian lacustrine ‘Lago Mare’ phase of the Mediterranean. The separation between S. scardafa and S. erythrophthalmus was more recent (0.5 Myr ago) and was probably the result of confluences between adjacent river basins during the Pleistocene. Within S. erythrophthalmus, the Greek population showed a certain degree of genetic differentiation, whereas northern and central Italian populations were nearly indistinguishable. These findings demonstrate the impact of the artificial introduction of this species into central Italy, leading to the near extinction of the endemic S. scardafa.
Comparative study on production performance, egg geometry, quality and hatching traits in four close-bred stocks of Japanese quail

Present study was conducted to compare four close-bred stocks{Major (M), Kaleem (K), Saadat (S) and Zahid (Z)} of Japanese quail at AvianResearch and Training Centre, UVAS Lahore for the duration of 4 weeks. For thispurpose, 144 birds were equally divided into four experimental groups having 36birds for each CBS. The data were collected regarding production performance,egg quality, geometry and hatching traits. Statistical analysis of data inCompletely Randomized Design (CRD) through one way ANOVA technique andcomparison of mean by using Duncan’s Multiple Range test with the help of SAS9.1 revealed significant differences among feed intake / bird (g), body weight(g), production %, FCR / g egg mass, average egg weight (g), surface area(cm2), volume (cm3), shell thickness (mm), Haugh unit, hatchability, fertilityand infertile egg % whereas livability, yolk index, shape index, dead germ anddead in shell % remained non-significantthroughout the experimental period.
Induced plant defences: from molecular biology to evolutionary ecology

Abstract Phenotypic plasticity enables invididuals to change their phenotype in response to their environment. These phenotypic changes can affect many interactions between the members of a community. Plants are able to respond towards herbivore attack by defensive mechanisms directly affecting the herbivore and by so-called indirect defences that negatively affect the herbivore by maintenance or attraction of carnivores. The phenotypic changes of plants caused by induced defences may vary with the type of attackers. Different attackers can evoke different plant responses due to specific elicitors or wounding. These different plant responses may be mediated by different choreographies of gene expression. Symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms associated with the plant or the herbivore may play an important role in the induction process. Thus, a plethora of biotic factors affect the physiological, chemical, and molecular characteristics of plants in response to attack. The adaptiveness of phenotypic plasticity in terms of induced responses depends on the balance of their physiological and ecological costs and benefits. An integrated approach is necessary considering ecological, molecular and chemical aspects to gain deeper insight into induced defence and its application in environmentally benign crop protection. Phanotypische Plastizitat befahigt Individuen, ihren Phanotyp in Reaktion auf Umweltreize zu andern. Die phanotypischen Veranderungen konnen zahlreiche Interaktionen zwischen den Mitgliedern einer Biozonose beeinflussen. Angriffe von Herbivoren konnen in Pflanzen direkte und indirekte Verteidigungsmechanismen induzieren. Wahrend die direkte Verteidigung sich unmittelbar gegen die Herbivoren richtet, wirkt die indirekte Abwehr uber die Beherbergung oder Anlockung von Carnivoren auf die Herbivoren ein. Die induzierten phanotypischen Veranderungen der Pflanze sind je nach Typ des Angreifers sehr unterschiedlich. Unterschiedliche Herbivore konnen aufgrund verschiedener Frasverhalten und aufgrund spezifischer Elicitoren jeweils ganz unterschiedliche pflanzliche Reaktionen hervorrufen. Die Vielfalt der pflanzlichen Antworten auf Herbivorenfras wird bestimmt durch unterschiedliche Muster in der Expression der an der Abwehr beteiligten Gene. Symbiontische und pathogene Mikroorganismen, die mit der Pflanze oder den Herbivoren assoziiert sind, konnen eine wichtige Rolle im Induktionsprozess spielen. Demnach beeinflusst eine Fulle biotischer Faktoren die physiologischen, chemischen und molekularen Charakteristika der frasinduzierten pflanzlichen Verteidigung. Der adaptive Wert der phanotypischen Plastizitat, die sich in der Vielfalt der induzierten Verteidigungsmechanismen spiegelt, hangt vom Gleichgewicht der physiologischen und okologischen Kosten und Nutzen der Abwehrreaktionen ab. Zum tieferen Verstandnis der induzierten pflanzlichen Abwehr gegen Herbivore sowie zur Nutzung der induzierten Abwehrreaktion im umweltvertraglichen Pflanzenschutz ist eine integrierte Herangehensweise notwendig, die sowohl okologische wie auch molekulare und chemische Aspekte berucksichtigt.
Use marketing as a strategy for skill development Tablets, QR, AR – our journey from printed book collections to a social place

Uppsala University Library has worked with different techniques to highlight Electronic Materials in the Physical Space. QR Codes, Digital Screens, Tablets and Augmented Reality has been used. Through these projects has several Spin-off effects proved: Creative Ideas Provides Opportunities for Professional Development of Staff as well as new Projects like how users can reach our content mobile.
EVOLUTIONARY SIGNIFICANCE OF LOCAL GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION IN PLANTS

▪ Abstract The study of natural plant populations has provided some of the strongest and most convincing cases of the operation of natural selection currently known, partly because of amenability to reciprocal transplant experiments, common garden work, and long-term in situ manipulation. Genetic differentiation among plant populations over small scales (a few cm to a few hundred cm) has been documented and is reviewed here, in herbaceous annuals and perennials, woody perennials, aquatics, terrestrials, narrow endemics, and widely distributed species. Character differentiation has been documented for most important features of plant structure and function. Examples are known for seed characters, leaf traits, phenology, physiological and biochemical activities, heavy metal tolerance, herbicide resistance, parasite resistance, competitive ability, organellar characters, breeding systems, and life history. Among the forces that have shaped these patterns of differentiation are toxic soils, fertilizers, mowin.
Inclusion of oat hulls in diets for young pigs based on cooked maize or cooked rice

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of the main cereal (cooked maize or cooked rice) and the inclusion of cooked and expanded oat hulls (0, 20 or 40 g/kg) in the diet on total tract apparent nutrient digestibility (TTAD) and productive performance of piglets weaned at 21 days. Each of the six treatments was replicated eight times (five piglets penned together) and the trial lasted for 33 days. From 21 to 41 days of age piglets were given their respective experimental complex diets that contained 530 g/kg cooked cereal and from 41 to 54 days they received a common starter diet based on maize, barley and soya-bean meal. Growth promoters were not included in the diets. The TTAD was determined at 27 and 37 days of age and pig performance was measured at 31, 41 and 54 days of age. Nutrient digestibility increased with age ( P<0·001) and in general were higher for rice- than for maize-based diets ( P<0·001 for dry matter, organic matter and gross energy and P<0·05 for ether extract). From 21 to 41 days of age piglets given rice had higher food intake (FI, P<0·05) and average daily gain (ADG, P<0·01) than piglets given maize but food conversion ratio was not affected. The differences observed were maintained until the end of the trial. The inclusion of oat hulls in the diet did not affect TTAD of the nutrients but tended to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea from 21 to 41 days of age ( P<0·1). Oat hulls inclusion reduced FI and ADG in diets based on maize but had the opposite effect in diets based on rice, indicating that piglets might have a minimum requirement for dietary fibre. It is concluded that cooked rice is an ingredient of choice in pre-starter diets for weanling pigs. Also, the inclusion of moderate levels of fibre as oat hulls reduces the incidence of diarrhoea and might improve productive performance in low fibre diets.
Maternal serum β-HCG and α-fetoprotein concentrations in singleton pregnancies following assisted reproduction

BACKGROUND: The reason for the elevated levels of HCG in assisted reproduction pregnancies remains unknown. Our hypothesis was that this increase is caused by the ovarian superovulation therapy. METHODS: We compared the β-HCG and α-fetoprotein (AFP) multiples of the median (MoM) in singleton pregnancies after IVF or ICSI with those achieved by frozen embryo transfer (FET) in spontaneous cycles. RESULTS: The HCG and AFP MoMs ( SEMs) of 59 FET pregnancies were compared with 144 IVF (including 48 ICSI) pregnancies. The maternal HCG of pregnancies following ovarian stimulation was 1.31 0.08 MoM compared with 1.35 0.12 MoM in the unstimulated ones. The values for AFP were 1.06 0.05 versus 1.11 0.05 respectively. No significant differences could be observed between pregnancies following stimulated IVF/ICSI and unstimulated FET cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that second trimester maternal serum HCG is also elevated in singleton pregnancies following spontaneous FET cycles. The increased maternal serum HCG in IVF pregnancies is thus not related to superovulation therapy. Because of the elevated maternal serum HCG levels, serum screening cannot be performed reliably in pregnancies following assisted reproduction technology. Ultrasonographic detection of the nuchal translucency is unaffected and should be used for this group of women undergoing assisted reproduction.
The causes and consequences of constrained sex allocation in haplodiploid animals

Males of haplodiploid species develop from unfertilized eggs. An unmated female, or a female in some other way prevented from fertilising eggs, is thus still able to produce male offspring. The presence of females constrained to produce only male progeny distorts the population sex ratio and leads to selection on unconstrained females to produce a daughter‐biased sex ratio. With panmictic mating, the response of unconstrained females maintains a population sex ratio of equality. In populations with strong local mate competition, the presence of constrained females has only a minor affect on the sex ratio of unconstrained females. If unconstrained females modulate their sex ratio in response to all‐male oviposition, there is still no penalty to the production of all‐male broods as constrained oviposition becomes more common, providing less than 50% females are so constrained. When there is local mate competition or if there is no sex ratio response by unconstrained females, there will be unequal costs and benefits to all‐male production, some of which are discussed. The paper also contains a review of the factors leading to constrained oviposition in parasitic wasps and a discussion of how the percentage constrained oviposition can be measured in natural populations.