Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptation of Yeast to Cadmium

By using the method of sib selection followed by the replica-plating, a cadmium resistant clone (r1) was isolated from a sensitive strain (Par), and a clone of a higher resistance level (r2) from r1. Thus, r1 and r2 were shown to be of pre-adaptive nature. However, the strain of still higher resistance, obtainable by culturing in the presence of cadmium, has not been isolated by the indirect selection.The mutation rate from Par to r1 and that from r1 to r2 were 6.3×10-9 and 4.0× 10-8 per cell per budding cycle, respectively. Growth of r1 was slower than Par, and r2 than r1, in their mixed cultures.r1 was more resistant to copper, cobalt and nickel than Par, but r2 was less so than r1 except for nickel.
Evolutionary relationships of the Sparidae (Teleostei: Percoidei): integrating fossil and Recent data

ABSTRACT The Eocene sparid fauna (Teleostei: Percoidei) from Monte Bolca, Italy and from the London Clay, U.K. is revised based on re-examination of the type material and phylogenetic analyses of primarily osteological data. Two phylogenetic analyses, one of the Eocene taxa and a combined analysis of fossil and extant taxa, were performed. The addition of fossils to the extant data greatly increased numbers of most parsimonious trees, destabilising and obscuring basal relationships within the Sparidae. Combination of the data from fossil and extant data also affected relationships among the fossil taxa, changing some from those recovered using fossil data alone and destabilising others. Successive approximations character weighting supported the inclusion of the Eocene taxa within a monophyletic Sparidae. The genus Sparnodus, as previously conceived, is paraphyletic and is partitioned to remove the paraphyly. Five monotypic genera are recognised, including three new genera, Abromasta, Ellaserrata and Pseudosparnodus. Inclusion of the fossils in the phylogenetic analysis implies a minimum age of origin for the Sparidae of 55 Ma with most Recent sparid fauna in place no later than the Miocene, and provides further evidence that the diversification of feeding strategies occurred early on in the evolutionary history of the group.
Life histories and distribution of British Trichoptera, excluding Limnephilidae and Hydroptilidae, based on the Rothamsted Insect Survey

Catches of Trichoptera from 67 light traps in Great Britain are studied. Two families are excluded: the Limnephilidae because they have been considered in an earlier publication, and the Hydroptilidae. Catches from 148 complete year records, from 1965 to 1971, are grouped in three areas: A. Scotland, 15 sites; B. Wales and Northern England. 18 sites; C. Southern England, 34 sites. The total of over 146000 caddis flies includes 60 of the 109 British species from 14 families. Small or nil catches are explained by limited distribution or dispersal, short adult lives and day-flying habits. The flight periods are related to published information on life cycles. Most species are univoltine, but some small species are bivoltine. In contrast to Limnephilidae, there is no evidence of a summer adult diapause, median weeks for flight periods tend to be earlier in the south, and few species are autumnal fliers. Density distribution maps, produced by computer, are given for six species.
Cooperative Fishery Survey of the Upper Mississippi River

Abstract Representatives from the States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin and from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, meeting in December 1943, formed the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee for the purpose of carrying on scientific investigations of the fishery and wildlife resources of the Mississippi River from Caruthersville, Missouri, to Hastings, Minnesota. Although originally planned as a post-war project, field operations were started in the spring of 1944. Field work wag divided between two units, one operating from Dubuque, Iowa, northward and one operating from Dubuque southward. Status of the fish population was determined by test-netting, and condition of the commercial and sport fisheries was checked by commercial fishing reports, contacts with commercial fishermen, and creel census. Results of preliminary studies indicate that several types of regulations will be needed in different areas because of different ecological and economic conditions.
The evolution of polyandry I: intragenomic conflict and genetic incompatibility

Why do females across a wide range of taxa mate with more than one male? We suggest that a better understanding of polyandry may be gained by considering the implications of intragenomic conflict for female reproductive success. Here, we revisit the literature on cellular endosymbionts, transposable elements, segregation distorters, maternal-effect lethals and genomically imprinted genes to show that each of these selfish genetic elements can modify maternal and paternal haplotypes in ways that render them incompatible within the developing embryo. We propose that the cumulative threat to female reproductive success of genetic incompatibility arising from intragenomic conflict may be an important force driving the evolution of polyandry. By mating with more than one male, females can potentially exploit post-copulatory mechanisms for minimizing the risk and/or cost of fertilization by genetically incompatible sperm. This hypothesis differs fundamentally from other genetic benefit models of polyandry in that the fitness consequences of intragenomic conflict depend on an interaction between parental genomes and are thus non-additive. Reciprocal evolutionary change between selfish genetic elements and their suppressors, combined with the capacity of these elements for horizontal transfer between species, is likely to ensure the persistence of genetic incompatibility as a threat to female reproductive success.
Genetic Control of Sister Chromatid Recombination: The Role of Radiation Repair (RAD) Genes

Sister chromatids are preferred substrates for the recombinational repair of DNA lesions. Sister chromatid recombination (SCR) results in the exchange of genetic information between newly replicated chromatids and ensures that DNA lesions are either tolerated or repaired. Faulty recombinational repair has been correlated to several genetic diseases, including Bloom's syndrome, inheritable breast cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2), and Fanconi's Anemia. One approach to understand SCR mechanisms is to clarify the SCR phenotypes in mutants defective in well-conserve d radiation repair (RAD) genes. These RAD genes include those that participate directly in the recombinational repair of DSBs, known as the RAD51 subgroup, and those that participate in the processing of the DNA break, known as the RAD50 subgroup. A systematic analysis of SCR recombination phenotypes in rad mutants revealed multiple pathways for spontaneous and DNA damage-associated SCR in yeast. Studies focused on vertebrate RAD51 genes have suggested similar pathways. In this review, we shall discuss methods for detecting SCR, recombination mechanisms that generate SCR, mammalian and yeast genes that participate in SCR, and genetic diseases characterized by SCR phenotypes.
Lifestyle, occupation, and whole bone morphology of the pre‐Hispanic Maya coastal population from Xcambó, Yucatan, Mexico

The present bioarchaeological study examines the external diaphyseal geometric properties of humeri, radii, femora and tibiae of the Classic period skeletal population of Xcambo, Yucatan, Mexico. The diaphysial proportions are evaluated using a biomechanical approach together with data from the material context and other osteological information. Our intent is to provide new answers to questions concerning lifestyle, domestic labour division and subsistence strategies of this coastal Maya settlement that was inhabited from the Late and Terminal Preclassic (300 BC–350 AD) to the Postclassic Period (900–1500 AD). Our results provide evidence for a marked sexual division of labour when compared with values from contemporaneous inland populations. The overall male and female loading patterns differ remarkably in terms of form and in bilateral comparison. A high directional asymmetry in the upper limbs is evident among males, a condition related to maritime transportation and trading activities. On the other hand, female upper limbs are characterized by very low side differences. Forces on the arms of women were probably dominated by food processing, in particular the grinding of grains or seeds. In the lower limbs, males show significantly higher anteroposterior bending strengths, which can be explained by greater engagement in transportation tasks and carrying heavy loads. In the course of the Classic period (350–900 AD), diachronic changes affect the male sample only, which suggests a shift of occupational pattern and physical demands. This shift, in turn, reflects Xcambo's changing role as the centre of a densifying settlement area and its place in the trading activities of northern Yucatan. Other topics of discussion relate to general regional trends and local prehispanic subsistence strategies. Our conclusions emphasize the value of geometric long bone analysis in the reconstruction of activity patterns and lifestyles in ancient coastal settlements. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic Evidence for Long-Term Monogamy in a Small Rodent, Peromyscus polionotus

Populations of Peromyscus polionotus, the oldfield mouse, are organized into family groups which are characterized by a high degree of monogamy. There is no evidence that females of this species ever mate with more than one male for each litter. Females that are collected in the field with males have the same mate for consecutive litters (the frequency of mate switching for these females does not differ significantly from zero). In addition, the male that is collected with the female is usually the father of her offspring (the frequency of nonpaternity is .117). Thus, oldfield mice are overwhelmingly monogamous. However, a few females may not form long-term monogamous relationships, as shown by the relatively high frequency of mate switching for females collected without males (.40). Recent research has uncovered several other probable cases of monogamy among small rodents. Any generalization about mating systems among mammals must consider the diversity of mating systems among small rodents. The methods used in this paper have generality and could be used to study the mating system in other mammals that are difficult or impossible to study by direct observation.
Host plants of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Heteroptera: Miridae).

Host plants of the tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), were tabulated from the literature. Recorded hosts include 328 classified to species or subspecies and 57 identified only to genus; 42% of these records has appeared in the past 5 years. TPB host plants have been recorded in 39 states in the United States and 5 Canadian provinces, all from early successional habitats. At least 130 economically important plants have been recorded as TPB host plants, including 21 of the 30 most important crops (ranked by area) in the United States. TPB host plants occur among 55 plant families in 30 of the 70 orders of angiosperms in North America. The TPB's catholicity of taste is also indicated by a preponderance of records in the Rosidae and Asteridae, two of the largest superorders. It is suggested that the TPB has the broadest documented feeding niche of any arthropod.
Balancing sexual selection through opposing mate choice and male competition

Male–male competition and female mate choice act contemporaneously in the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea and the social pheromone of males influences the outcome of both forms of sexual selection. We therefore examined the joint and separate effects of male–male competition and female mate choice to determine if the selective optima for the pheromone were the same or different. Dominant males in a newly established hierarchy mated more frequently, but not exclusively. Manipulations of the multi–component social pheromone produced by males of N. cinerea showed that both long– and close–range attraction of females by males were influenced by the quantity and composition of the pheromone. The most attractive composition, however, differed from that which was most likely to confer high status to males. Since the outcome of male–male competition can conflict with mating preferences exhibited by females, there is balancing sexual selection on the social pheromone of N. cinerea. Such balancing selection might act to maintain genetic variation in sexually selected traits. We suggest that the different forms of sexual selection conflict in N. cinerea because females prefer a blend different to that which is most effective in male–male competition in order to avoid mating with overly aggressive males.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE VEGETATION IN HUBEI PROVINCE, CHINA, AND IN THE CAROLINAS OF THE UNITED STATES

The study of the floristic relationship between Eastern Asia and North America involves many complex problems that concern both time and space. Timewise, a researcher can devote his time looking for paleobotanical information as well as studying current components of the vegetation of the areas concerned. Spacewise, the study can involve extensive research of widespread genera with disjunct distributions as well as intensive investigations of paired species occurring in limited areas. My report represents the result of field observations and herbarium and library investigations of two comparable areas: Hubei Province in Central China and the Carolinas in Eastern U.S.A. It covers the geographic background and general aspects of the floras of the two regions, and compares the similarities and differences of the vegetations they support.
Pinguicula species (Lentibulariaceae) from the southeastern United States: observations of different habitats in Florida

Abstract During field observations mid to end of February 2003 different habitats of Pinguicula caerulea, P. ionantha, P. lutea, P. planifolia and P. pumila native to Florida were visited. A large variation of flower forms and coloration is described. At one location in Hernando county, much larger rosettes of P. pumila compared to normal sized plants were found and a new flower coloration is described.
Free radical generation and antioxidant content in chloroplasts from soybean leaves exposed to ultraviolet‐B

The aim of this work was to study the effect of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure on oxidative status in chloroplasts isolated from soybean (Glycine max cv. Hood). Chloroplasts were isolated from soybean leaves excised from either control seedlings or those exposed to 30 and 60 kJ m -2 day -1 of UV-B radiation for 4 days. Chloroplastic oxidative conditions were assessed as carbon-centered radical, carbonyl groups and ascorbyl radical content. Treatment with UV-B increased the carbon-centered radical-dependent EPR signal significantly by 55 and 100% in chloroplasts from leaves exposed to 30 and 60 kJ m -2 day -1 UV-B, respectively, compared to radical content in chloroplasts from control leaves. The content of carbonyl groups increased by 37 and 62% in chloroplasts isolated from soybean leaves irradiated for 4 days with 30 and 60 kJ m - 2 day -1 UV-B, respectively. The content of soluble metabolites in isolated chloroplasts should not be taken as absolute in vivo values; however, these data are valuable for comparative studies. UV-B exposure did not significantly affect ascorbyl radical content compared to controls. The content of ascorbic acid and thiols in chloroplasts isolated from leaves exposed to 60 kJ m -2 day -1 UV-B was increased by 117 and 20.8%, respectively, compared to controls. Neither the content of total carotene nor that of β-carotene or α-tocopherol was affected by the irradiation. The results presented here suggest that the increased content of lipid radicals and oxidized proteins in the chloroplasts isolated from leaves exposed to UV-B could be ascribed to both the lack of antioxidant response in the lipid soluble fraction and the modest increase in the soluble antioxidant content.
Identification of reference genes for gene expression studies during seed germination and seedling establishment in Ricinus communis L.

Abstract Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is an important technology to analyse gene expression levels during plant development or in response to different treatments. An important requirement to measure gene expression levels accurately is a properly validated set of reference genes. In this context, we analysed the potential use of 17 candidate reference genes across a diverse set of samples, including several tissues, different stages and environmental conditions, encompassing seed germination and seedling growth in Ricinus communis L. These genes were tested by RT-qPCR and ranked according to the stability of their expression using two different approaches: GeNorm and NormFinder. GeNorm and Normfinder indicated that ACT, POB and PP2AA1 comprise the optimal combination for normalization of gene expression data in inter-tissue (heterogeneous sample panel) studies. We also describe the optimal combination of reference genes for a subset of root, endosperm and cotyledon samples. In general, the most stable genes suggested by GeNorm are very consistent with those indicated by NormFinder, which highlights the strength of the selection of reference genes in our study. We also validated the selected reference genes by normalizing the expression levels of three target genes involved in energy metabolism with the reference genes suggested by GeNorm and NormFinder. The approach used in this study to identify stably expressed genes, and thus potential reference genes, was applied successfully for R. communis and it provides important guidelines for RT-qPCR studies in seeds and seedlings for other species (especially in those cases where extensive microarray data are not available).
The biology of Canadian weeds. 90. Abutilon theophrasti.

Abutilon theophrasti Medic. (velvetleaf) forms extensive weed infestations in all major maize and soybean growing areas of Ontario and Quebec. A review of the literature on the biology of the species is presented. Velvetleaf causes crop losses through competition, allelopathic effects and by hosting insect pests and pathogens of crops. Velvetleaf has a number of features which contribute to its success as a weed, including: the production of a large number of seeds that have high viability with prolonged dormancy and sporadic, continuous germination patterns; robust seedling vigor; and the ability to produce seed under competition. Because of sporadic germination patterns, control is difficult. Effective control measures include the application of pre-emergence and/or postemergence herbicides followed by cultivation and additional herbicide applications to control escapes and later flushes of germination. A triazine-resistant bio-type of velvetleaf has recently been reported from the northeastern United S.
Bioenergetics of Stock and Recruitment

A new concept of recruitment is derived from bioenergetic considerations of life history phenomena. The proposed mechanism has two components, a stock-dependent process where individual reproductive effort is a decreasing function of the abundance of the mature stock, and a density-dependent mortality process which operates during the prerecruit stage. A generalized equation describing these processes yields a family of recruitment curves which vary from being asymptotic to dome-shaped, depending on the parameter values. The theory suggests that species like Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus harengus) which tend to have small density-dependent growth coefficients and which allocate most of their surplus energy to reproduction should have a small terminal body size, a high length at maturity to L∞ ratio, and a nearly asymptotic recruitment curve. By contrast, gadoids follow a different life history strategy and therefore should have a higher L∞ and more convex recruitment function. These consequences are s.
Delayed breeding and the evolution of mate copying in lekking species

Abstract Recent experimental evidence indicates that females may copy the mate choice of others. Here, we present a model for the evolution of mate copying strategies in lekking species. In the model, all females (copiers and non-copiers) assess male quality, but a copier’s assessment of a male’s quality increases after males have mated with other females. The model demonstrates that mate copying is favored when breeding late in the season has a relatively high cost. We hope that our results will spur empirical work quantifying the time constraints associated with breeding, thus allowing more direct tests of the model’s predictions.
Gelation of .beta.-lactoglobulin treated with limited proteolysis by immobilized trypsin

The gelation of β-lactoglobulin treated by limited proteolysis with immobilized trypsin was studied by dynamic rheometry. Gelation conditions were (1) 80 o C for 3 h with 7% protein (w/v) and (2) 60 o C for 12 h with 7% (or 15%) protein (w/v). Thermal transition temperatures of the different components in the limited proteolysis mixture were determined by differential scanning calorimetry
Variation in self‐fertility, inbreeding depression and levels of inbreeding in four Cyclamen species

The ability to self in the absence of pollinators, i.e. reproductive assurance, and the detrimental consequences of inbreeding, i.e. inbreeding depression, are central factors influencing plant mating system evolution. The purpose of this study was to quantify whether self‐fertility and inbreeding depression are related to levels of inbreeding in four Cyclamen species, namely C. balearicum (mean Fis = 0.930), C. creticum (mean Fis = 0.748), C. repandum (mean Fis = 0.658) and C. hederifolium (mean Fis = 0.329). C. balearicum showed a markedly greater capacity to autonomously self‐fertilize than the three other species, which may have favoured inbreeding in this species. Levels of inbreeding depression were highest in C. creticum and C. hederifolium at the fruit maturation (δ = 0.18 and 0.20, respectively) and seed number (δ = 0.32 and 0.30, respectively) stages, and for C. repandum at the seed weight stage (δ = 0.23). Although C. balearicum showed inbreeding depression on seed germination (δ = 0.45), this may be an artefact of the generally low levels of seed germination in the experiment. Overall, we observed only limited evidence for the predicted negative relation between inbreeding coefficients and levels of inbreeding since C. creticum had high levels of inbreeding and inbreeding depression. Other factors may thus influence the relationship between inbreeding and inbreeding depression in these species.
Thermogenic flowering of taro (Colocasia esculenta, Araceae)

Thermogenesis and its association with taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) flowering was studied during the warmest period of the year (December 2002 – February 2003) within a large collection of heterogeneous plant material on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. On each studied inflorescence, temperatures of the three main parts of the spadix and the ambient air were recorded during a period of 38 h. The investigation indicates that significant thermogenic activity of taro inflorescences takes place during two successive nights: (1) during the night when an inflorescence becomes odorous (the female phase) and (2) a night later, when microsporogenesis approaches its final phase (the male phase). The highest average difference between mean temperatures of the ambient air and inflorescences were documented during the female phase, at 0500 hours (the mean temperature of the sterile appendix was 29.1 ± 0.9 °C (P = 0.05) and this was 6.8 °C above the temperature of the ambient air). Thermogenic activity is synchronize.