Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Competitive hierarchy for four common old-field plant species depends on resource identity and availability1

Abstract Competitive hierarchy for four common old-field plant species depends on resource identity and availability. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 134: 166–176. 2007. —Competition is an important factor structuring plant communities. Competitive hierarchies may facilitate prediction of the outcome of interactions among multi-species mixtures, but their utility depends upon invariance along environmental gradients. We examined interactions among four common old-field herbaceous dicots (Dactylis glomerata, Festuca elatior, Trifolium pratense, Plantago lanceolata) with pairwise monoculture and polyculture competition experiments at two levels each of light and water. We constructed competitive hierarchies for unique treatment combinations based on competitive effect and response scores. Biomass production and relative yield were affected by presence and identity of neighbor species and inter- and intraspecific competition were typically not distinguishable. Competitive effect and response scores were inversely correlated, but depended on treatment factor as well as levels within factors. Competitive rankings among these four common plant species varied along resource gradients, although the extreme ends of the hierarchy were relatively stable: under most conditions P. lanceolata was most competitive whereas F. elatior was least competitive. Results lay the groundwork for assessments of multispecies mixtures under field conditions along broader environmental gradients.
Establishment of a stable mouse FcγRIII COS7 cell line exhibiting native receptor activity

In order to further the study the properties of the mouse Fc gamma receptor III (moFcγRIII) and mouse γ chain their genes were co-expressed in cultured COS7 cell and a stable cell line was produced. The moFcγRIII and γ chain genes were isolated from the mouse peripheral blood leucocyte mRNA, amplified separately by RT-PCR, and eukaryotic expression plasmids of pc3mRIII and pc3mγ were constructed. After identification by restriction digestion and PCR, the recombinant plasmids of the Pvu I-linearised pc3mRIII and the Pvu I-linearised pc3mγ were co-transfected into COS7 cells with lipofectamine. Cloning by limiting dilution after selective culture with G418, established a stably-transfected cell line successfully. Co-expression of the moFcγRIII and γ chain RNA was confirmed by RT-PCR, and functional expression was identified by flow cytometry and rosetting assay. The moFcγRIII expressed on the surface of selected cell line shows similar specificity. As that of native moFcγRIII and provides a novel experimental system to study further the function of moFcγRIII in a convenient replicating cell line.
Storage and the delayed costs of reproduction in the understorey perennial Lathyrus vernus

1 A trade‐off between current and future reproduction, often referred to as the cost of reproduction, is a fundamental assumption in life history theory. In long‐lived plants, large absolute differences in size between individuals, storage of resources between reproductive events and organ preformation may make such costs difficult to demonstrate, especially when only natural variation is considered. 2 The long‐lived legume Lathyrus vernus shows large size differences compared with variation in carbon resource allocation, and is known to store resources in below‐ground rhizomes. We therefore followed individual plants over a period of 4 consecutive years. We examined the cost of reproductive investment by comparing the performance of untreated plants that differed in size and herbivore damage. We also compared controls with plants where we experimentally reduced flowering in terms of fitness measured as: survival, growth, flower number, fruit:flower ratio and storage. 3 Natural patterns of flowering and fruiting provided no evidence of a negative relationship between current and future reproduction. Individuals that produced fruits did not experience a lower probability of surviving and producing fruits the following season compared with flowering individuals that failed to produce any fruits, even when differences in above‐ground size and herbivore damage were taken into account. 4 Flower removal in a single season increased the allocation to the rhizome but the size of shoot buds for the next season was not increased. Experimental manipulation of reproductive effort by repeated removal of flowers during 3 consecutive years, however, resulted in a significant increase in vegetative size and the probability of flowering and setting fruit compared with control plants. 5 While long‐term data on natural variation in fruit production and short‐term experimental data provided no evidence of a cost of reproduction, such a cost is still present, although detectable only after repeated flower removal.
Calls and tadpoles of the species of Lysapsus (Anura, Hylidae, Pseudae)

Larval and bioacoustical characters are crucial for anuran systematics. Nevertheless, advertisement calls and larval morphology of most Neotropical anuran species are unknown. Lysapsus is a peculiar group of aquatic frogs that have been subject to recurrent taxonomic changes. Recent molecular phylogenetic and external morphology work gave support for some of the recognized species (L. laevis and L. caraya), but considerable doubt remains over the distinction among L. limellum and L. bolivianus. We describe the tadpoles of L. caraya and L. bolivianus, the advertisement call of L. laevis, and redescribe the advertisement calls of L. caraya, L. limellum, and L. bolivianus. Our results support the genus based on larval and bioacoustical characters. Lysapsus caraya and L. laevis have distinct advertisement calls, but no visual or statistically significant differences were observed between advertisement calls of L. limellum and L. bolivianus. Tadpoles of L. caraya, L. limellum, and L. bolivianus are similar based on external morphology and contrast against the distinct tadpole of L. laevis. Considerable doubt is raised on the validity of L. bolivianus, which either is a junior synonym of L. limellum or constitutes a cryptic species based on currently available data. Data on osteology, musculature, and chondrocranium, allied to robust phylogeographic analyses will help clarify the taxonomic status of these two putative species and the biogeographic relationships between the Amazon and the Parana River basins.
The east-facing flowers of Drosera tracyi

-Drosera tracyi, like its sister taxon Drosera fihliformis, has inflorescences that face toward the morning sun. When inflorescences were manipulated to face W vs. E, direction had no effect on pollen removal from anthers or pollen deposition on stigmas. Facing the sun, in this case, is best interpreted as an evolutionary anachronism that no longer has a function, at least not for the enhancement of pollination where D. tracyi now grows in the Panhandle of Florida and adjacent states.
Fluctuating asymmetry in relation to two fitness components, adult longevity and male mating success in a ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Fluctuating asymmetry (random deviation from perfect symmetry between right and left with right minus left values normally distributed and with a mean of zero) results from the inability of individuals to undergo precisely determined development paths (Van Valen, 1962). Fluctuating asymmetry has been attracting the attention of biologists because this is sometimes reported to be heritable and also to have negative correlations with protein heterozygosity and with fitness components such as fecundity or growth rate (Mitton & Grant, 1984; Palmer & Strobeck, 1986; Leary & Allendorf, 1989: Parsons, 1990). Until recently, fluctuating asymmetry has not been tied to sexual selection. Recent studies suggest that fluctuating asymmetry can be used as a measurement of individual quality (Moller, 1990, 1992). Researches on scorpionflies show that more symmetrical individuals were not only gaining an advantage in competition among males but also were preferred by females, and that more asymmetrical individuals have reduced survival (Thornhill, 1992a, b). Thornhill & Sauer (1992) revealed that fluctuating asymmetry has a genetic basis and there exist genetic sire effects on the fighting ability of sons and daughters. These studies indicate that male genetic quality is concerned in the mating system of the species. In these studies, fluctuating asymmetry showed negative correlations with all measured fitness components. However, can we always expect the concordance of relations between fluctuating asymmetry and more than two fitness components? That is, does the lack of concordance indicate a mating system in which male quality is not involved? In this study, two fitness components, adult longevity and male mating success, were scored in a ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis Pallas. The results show the former had a significant negative correlation with fluctuating
Functional Analysis of a Recombinant Glycoprotein Ia/IIa (Integrin α2β1) I Domain That Inhibits Platelet Adhesion to Collagen and Endothelial Matrix under Flow Conditions*

The interaction of platelets with collagen plays an important role in primary hemostasis. Glycoprotein Ia/IIa (GPIa/IIa, integrin α2β1) is a major platelet receptor for collagen. The binding site for collagen has been mapped to the I domain within the α2 subunit (GPIa). In order to assess the role of the α2-I domain structure in GPIa/IIa binding to collagen, a recombinant I domain (amino acids 126–337) was expressed in Escherichia coli. The α2-I protein bound human types I and III collagen in a saturable and divalent cation-dependent manner and was blocked by the α2β1 function blocking antibody 6F1. The α2-I protein inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation (IC50 = 600 nm). Unexpectedly, 6F1, an antibody that fails to inhibit platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma, blocked the inhibitory effect of the α2-I protein. The α2-I protein was able to prevent platelet adhesion to a collagen surface exposed to flowing blood under low shear stress. Interestingly, it inhibited platelet adhesion to extracellular matrix at high shear stress. These results, taken together, provide firm evidence that GPIa/IIa directly mediates the first contact of platelets with collagen under both stirring and flow conditions.
Some Microbiological, Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Pastırma Marketed in Erzurum

In this study, 48 pastirma samples collected from 6 different retailers were examined. It is concluded that lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus were found to be dominant in the flora. From the microbiologic analyses, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus, lactic acid bacteria, yeast and mould counts were determined as 4.00-7.45 log CFU/g, 3.75-7.89 logCFU/g,
Syndecan-2 Regulates Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling*

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has multiple functions including increasing extracellular matrix deposition in fibrosis. It functions through a complex family of cell surface receptors that mediate downstream signaling. We report here that a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, syndecan-2 (S2), can regulate TGF-β signaling. S2 protein increased in the renal interstitium in diabetes and regulated TGF-β-mediated increased matrix deposition in vitro. Transfection of renal papillary fibroblasts with S2 or a S2 construct that has a truncated cytoplasmic domain (S2ΔS) promoted TGF-β binding and S2 core protein ectodomain directly bound TGF-β. Transfection with S2 increased the amounts of type I and type II TGF-β receptors (TβRI and TβRII), whereas S2ΔS was much less effective. In contrast, S2ΔS dramatically increased the level of type III TGF-β receptor (TβRIII), betaglycan, whereas S2 resulted in a decrease. Syndecan-2 specifically co-immunoprecipitated with betaglycan but not with TβRI or TβRII. This is a novel mechanism of control of TGF-β action that may be important in fibrosis.
Effect of cold shock, liquid storage, and pellet-freezing on successive ram ejaculates

(1) Nine successive ejaculates were collected from each of four Merino rams on three occasions at intervals of three days. The mean time intervals between successive ejaculates on the first, second, and third collecting days were respectively 41, 28, and 30 min. Aliquots from alternate ejaculates (first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth) were cold-shocked before and after 1 : 4 dilution with an egg yolk–glucose–citrate diluent. Similarly diluted aliquots were stored at +2°C for 16 days and also frozen in pellet form after addition of 6% glycerol to a final 1:8 dilution. (2) Both undiluted and diluted spermatozoa showed increased susceptibility to cold shock with succession of ejaculates. Egg yolk–glucose–citrate diluent ameliorated the deleterious effect. (3) There were no marked differences in reanimation at thawing of pellet-frozen successive ejaculates. During a 6 hr incubation of the thawed semen at 37°, however, there were significant ejaculate differences in viability, the ninth collection having the lowest value. The mean reanimation of pellet-frozen spermatozoa after thawing was 58.7°. During incubation periods of 2,4, and 6 hr at 37°C, 47, 60, and 70% respectively of the original post-thawing motile spermatozoa became immotile. (4) During storage for 16 days at +2°C, the third and fifth ejaculates gave the best viability values. There were, however, no marked differences between ejaculates during the first 6 days of storage. (5) No firm relationships were found between cold shock values and subsequent viability during liquid storage or recovery after pellet-freezing.
EFECTO DEL MÍNIMO TÉCNICO DE UNIDADES GENERADORAS EN EL CÁLCULO DEL COSTO MARGINAL DE CORTO PLAZO SOBRE LA SEÑAL DE INVERSIÓN DE LARGO PLAZO

The present work will study long-term capacity expansion planning when restrictions in the short-term operation of the system are considered focusing on minimum stable level (MSL) constraints. The relevance of the analysis is linked to the revenues of current conventional power plants that are operating at MSL conditions. This condition implies that these units may operate above the marginal cost of the electrical power system. From the optimal economic point of view, this strategy is inefficient due to the place that they have in the order merit list associated with the dispatch process. Certainly, the situation described above will affect the cost of the system and therefore a specific entity will have to pay for the deficit to ensure payments for the operation of the units. Including MSL constraints of thermal generators in GCEP adds a number of integer variables to the mathematical formulation, wich can slow significantly its resolution. Thus, most GCEP models tend to ignore them. Rising penetration of variable renewable generation can make this omission unadvisable. In order to analyze the investment signals with and without modeling technical minima of fossil-fuel generators (MSL), three simulation cases are considered. The first set of simulations aims to find differences in the amount of installed capacity by technology, with and without considering MSL constraints.The purpose of this simulation is testing the idea that pure marginal theory is valid only for economically adapted systems. Thus, investment decisions will be continuous and simulations will be conducted in a single-node small test system with three types of generator and with a decision horizon of only one year and 6 load blocks per year. The second set of simulations will try to identify differences for the investment timing for a portfolio of available technology, considering an economically adapted system with and without considering MSL constraints. As the system will be economically adapted, unlike the first set of simulations all investments will be forced. Thus, the differences will be given only by the year in which the investments occur and the fact that the investment decisiones are discrete. Simulations will be conducted for a single-node test system with three different types of generators and a 15-year horizon. Finally, the third case will analyze the distortion of investment signals, considering both MSL and minimum operation time constraints. These simulations will be conducted on a modified SING system, considering transmission and a 15-year horizon. Two models will be simulated in this case. A classical model of capacity expansion planning considering LDC decomposition will be compared against a chronological one.
Large-scale, differential summer habitat use of three anadromous salmonids in a large river basin in Oregon, USA

The summer distribution of three juvenile anadromous salmonid species was compared in the mainstem sections and nine tributaries of the Upper South Umpqua River Basin, Oregon, USA. Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), was found at highest densities in the mainstem and mid-elevation tributaries. Coho salmon, O. kisutch (Walbaum), was essentially absent from the mainstem, but was found at high densities in the low-elevation tributaries. Steelhead trout, O. mykiss (Walbaum), was found in the mainstem and all nine tributaries; the highest densities of this species were in the upper mainstem reaches and high- elevation tributaries. No significant correlations were found between ranks of mainstem and tributary densities among the three species (Spearman's rs; P > 0.05). Observed spatial segregation of basin habitat by these species during summer indicated that protection provided at the level of the river basin will be necessary to assure the continued existence of all stocks.
First report of pepper as a natural new host for Tomato marchitez virus in Sinaloa, Mexico

Abstract Tomato marchitez virus (ToMarV) was observed infecting pepper as a natural new host in Sinaloa, Mexico during the annual growth season (September 2010 to May 2011). Symptoms typical of viral infection consisted of yellow mosaic, upward leaf curling, crinkling, and stunting. The presence of whiteflies was observed on the affected plants, indicating possible vectors of the virus. Samples from symptomatic plants tested negative for the presence of viruses in the genera Begomovirus and Crinivirus, both of which are whitefly-transmitted. The results from RT-PCR and sequencing analysis indicated that ToMarV (genus Torradovirus) was present in six out of 15 samples. Subsequently, sap from infected leaves was used to successfully transmit the virus by mechanical inoculation to three pepper cultivars. This is the first report of Tomato marchitez virus infection on pepper in Mexico.
Engineered Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance

A variety of plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs), including the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), elicit the initiation, development and maintenance of a specialized nurse cell from which they derive their nutriment (Figure 1). Remarkably, during parasitism by the PPN, the nurse cell survives the apparently significant resource drain on the root cell that would be expect‐ ed to detrimentally impact normal physiological processes of the cell. This outcome indi‐ cates that the nematode has developed a well tuned apparatus to ensure that the root cell does not collapse and die during parasitism. In contrast, in the soybean-SCN pathosystem, the nurse cell and sometimes the surrounding cells are the sites of the defense response to the parasite (Ross, 1958; Endo, 1965). Therefore, plants have in place a mechanism to over‐ come the influence of the activities of the nematode. Identifying the factor(s) is of utmost im‐ portance in developing resistance to PPNs.
Skeletal development of the striped dolphin(Stenella coeruleoalba)in Japanese waters

Development, sexual dimorphisms and individual differences of the skele ton of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) living off the Pacific coast of Japan were examined. As materials, 38 individuals were used. Cranial skeleton reach adult plateau at the age of 3. Earbone increases little after birth. Most of post cranial skeleton reach adult size at the age of 7-10. Length of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, thylohyals, stylohyals, ribs and sternals continue to grow at the age of 15-19. Length of the 2nd-the 7th cervical vertebrae reach adult plateau at the age of 3. The front edge of the occipital in adult female overhangs the frontals to form a crest, but in adult males the crest is typically absent. Width of rostrum (except for at base) and length of basyhyal, the 2nd-8th ribs and pelvic bones are larger in male on average than in female. Individual differences are found in the number of vertebrae (77-81), chevron bones (26-31), phalanges of the 1st digit (3-4), the 2nd (5-8), the 3rd (7-10) and the 4th (2-3), teeth in upper left (43-52), upper right (4352), lower left (41-50) and lower right (42-53). The species reaches physical maturity at ages between 15 and 19.
Phylogeographic analyses suggest that a deciduous species (Ostryopsis davidiana Decne., Betulaceae) survived in northern China during the Last Glacial Maximum

Aim Palaeontologial data suggest that all temperate forest species in northern China migrated southwards during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and recolonized post‐glacially within the Holocene. We tested this assumption using phylogeographical studies of a temperate deciduous shrub species (Ostryopsis davidiana Decne., Betulaceae), which has a wide distribution in northern China.
Application of AFLP for the detection of sex-specific markers in hemp

Two dioecious hemp accessions (Can18 and Can17) were tested by bulked segregant analysis for polymorphisms between male and female bulks with amplified fragment length polymorphisms. Thirty-nine primer combinations were tested and 20 of these yielded one to three male-specific bands. In contrast, no female-specific band was detected. Eight of these primer combinations were used for testing 80 progeny plants from a cross between two plants from Can18 and 30 plants from Can17. A total of 16 and 17 male-specific fragments were obtained for Can 18 and Can 17, respectively. Eleven fragments exhibited the same fragment size in both accessions. All male plants, but not one female plant, showed the respective polymorphic band with each of the eight primer combinations. Problems regarding sex determination under field conditions were successfully overcome by testing plants that had been grown in small pots in a greenhouse. The abundant number of potential markers for the male sex, their complete cosegregation with male plants and the absence of markers for the female sex support the presence of a male sex chromosome in hemp.
Suplementação da dieta de bovinos de corte como estratégia do manejo das pastagens

The grazing management system based on the intensive pasture utilization result in a high animal and area yield. In order to that to be possible, it should be used a management criteria aiming to control, simultaneously the quality and the amount of forage, maintaining the sustainability of the system. The grazing intensity is dynamic, it never keeps the same status, it can be changed with the animals rate intake, and also by the plants growth, changing every hour and day, due to that, it should be controlled systematically. In this scenery, the forage intake is the main factor which explains the variations in the animal performance in relation to the forage quality. Energy and protein supplementations of the grazing animals increase performance, reducing slaughter and the first birth age. However, the nutritional characteristics of the supplement should vary in function of the amount and quality of the forage allowed. Pastures grazed by supplemented animals can be managed at a lower height, compared to those grazed by animals supplemented with only mineral salt, without reducing the tillers population density. These management strategies can reduce the probability of future pasture degradation. Thus, supplementation of the diet of the grazing animals can increase the pasture carrying capacity.