Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationships between sex ratio, climate and density in red deer: the importance of spatial scale

Summary 1. Recently, contrasting evidence of density-dependent offspring sex ratio variation in red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) has been presented. Kruuk et al. (1999) reported that the proportion of male red deer born on the island of Rum, Scotland, each year declined with increasing population density and with winter rainfall, i.e. as nutritional stress in females increased. In contrast, Post et al. (1999a) reported increasing male-biased offspring sex ratios in Hordaland, Norway, with both rising numbers of hinds and increasing values of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which they regarded an index of severe winters. 2. Compared to Post et al. (1999a), we reanalysed sex ratio variation on a greatly extended data set, including four populations of Norwegian red deer, taking into account a finer population substructure. 3. The proportion of male calves shot each autumn declined markedly as density increased in all four populations. The proportion of male calves shot each autumn increased significantly with an increasing NAO index in one of the four populations, but there was no residual effect of the NAO once the effect of snow depth (at low elevation) was controlled for (decreasingly male biased harvest with increasing snow depth). 4. At the west coast of Norway, the NAO is positively correlated with temperature and precipitation. However, since temperatures in this region often are around 0 °C during winter, the relationship between the NAO and snow depth may be difficult to predict. 5. An analysis of variation in snow depth revealed that snow depth was negatively correlated with the NAO at low altitudes (below 400 m), but this relationship was reversed at high altitudes giving a positive correlation between snow depth and the NAO. We therefore suggest that a high NAO index indicates favourable winter conditions for red deer, as red deer winter at low altitude, and since recent studies show that a high index of the NAO is generally positively correlated with body weight in red deer. 6. Female red deer thus reared fewer sons as nutritional stress increased with increasing density and severity of climate in Norway, which is consistent with the birth sex ratios observed on Rum, Scotland.
APPLICATION OF OVULE CULTURE TO THE PRODUCTION OF INTERGENERIC OR INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDS IN BRASSICA AND RAPHANUS

To examine the usefulness of ovule culture for the production of intergeneric or interspecific hybrids in Brassica and Raphanus, experiments were carried out in 1978 and 1979. Ten to 20 days after pollination, ovules were inoculated on basic White's (1963) agar medium supplemented with 150ml/l coconut milk, 2.5mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2.5mg/l kinetin. Germinated embryos were transferred to basic Murashige and Skoog's (1962) medium supplemented with 0.5mg/l NAA and 2.5mg/l kinetin. After being cultured on filter paper bridges sustained by Murashige and Skoog's (1962) liquid medium, seedlings were transferred to pots. Of 14 cross combinations tested in 1978, 5 combinations gave hybrids by ovule culture, among which 4 combinations did not produce hybrids by the usual crossing method. In 1979, cultures were focused on the crosses between the B. campestris and the B. oleracea groups. The ovule culture was superior to the embryo and ovary cultures in terms of the production rate of hybrids, when B. oleracea was used as the female parent. When B. oleracea was used as the male parent, the ovule culture gave a better result than the embryo culture, but was less effective than the ovary culture. The way to improve the yield of hybrids was discussed.
Non‐angiosperm phytochromes and the evolution of vascular plants

The phytochromes, a class of plant light-sensing pigments, are a gene family with a long, complex evolutionary history. Angiosperms each have five or more phytochromes (designated A to E in Arabidopsis) with distinct functions as light receptors and only moderate sequence identities for different types within a species. The long-term challenge taken up here is to trace the origin and function of the various motifs within the angiosperm phytochromes through gymnosperm phytochromes (types N, O and P) and lower plant phytochromes, sometimes reaching even to bacterial progenitor molecules. Particularly intriguing are the findings of homology of a C-terminal region of phytochromes with bacterial transmitter modules and of a large N-terminal region with a protein encoded by a gene from the cyanobacterum Synechocystis. Phylogenetic analysis helps to answer general questions such as the times of divergence of mono- and dicotyledons, of groups of gymnosperms or of ferns. Phytochrome sequences suggest (1) that mono- and dicotyledons became separated 150-200 million years earlier than indicated by the fossil record and (2) that Ginkgo and Cycas have been separated unexpectedly late from the lineage giving rise to the Pinidae. (3) The status of Psilotum as a close relative of the primeval vascular plants is not supported. Phytochrome gene sequences additionally reveal that (4) moss and fern phytochromes have erratically acquired C-termini which, though kinase-like, are different from the common ones and that (5) introns have been lost, gained or shifted in position from algae to angiosperms. Phytochromes promise to be a rich source of phylogenetic information into the future as more sequences and functional data emerge, not least from studies of lower plants.
Identification of Lophodermium seditiosum and L. pinastri in Swedish forest nurseries using species‐specific PCR primers from the ribosomal ITS region

Summary Lophodermium seditiosum is a serious needle pathogen on pine, particularly in nurseries, and there is a need to detect the pathogen during its latent phase. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rDNA of L. seditiosum and L. pinastri were amplified with universal primers and sequenced. Sequence comparisons of the two species allowed the design of species-specific primers for the ITS regions. The primers were between 18 and 24 bp long with a minimum of 3 bp differences between the species. These primer pairs did not give any amplification of DNA from any other of the examined fungal species or from healthy Pinus sylvestris needles. It was also possible to identify either L. seditiosum or L. pinastri in infected needles with and without signs of infection using these primer pairs. The method was found to be very useful for detection of latent infections of L. seditiosum in P. sylvestris needles in nurseries.
Histology of the alimentary canal of the mature larva of Prodenia litura Fabr. (Lepidoptera)

Summary The histology of the alimentary canal of the mature larva of Prodenia litura Fabr. is described in detail. The status of the oesophageal and stomodaeal valves, structure and morphological relationship of the mesenteric cells and the structure and formation of the peritrophic membrane are discussed. The oesophageal epithelium is deeply compressed by the intruding muscules and the chitinous intima bears prominent spines thus forming a valve. The structure and function of this valve is quite different from that of the stomodaeal valve. The interstitial cells give rise to two different forms of mesenteric cells, viz. the columnar and goblet cells. There are clusters of unspecified cells at the anterior end of the mesenteron. The role of these cells appears to be secreting chitin which helps in forming the peritrophic membrane.
Increased propensity for aerial dispersal in disturbed habitats due to intraspecific variation and species turnover

Animal dispersal depends on multiple factors, such as habitat features and life-history traits of the species. We studied the propensity for ballooning dispersal in spiders under standardized laboratory conditions. The 1269 tested individuals belonged to 124 species and originated from 16 sites with wide variation in habitat type. Spiders from disturbed habitats ballooned 5.5 times more than spiders from stable habitats. In Meioneta rurestris , for which we had enough data for a single-species analysis, individuals were most dispersive if they originated from highly disturbed habitats. While the data for the other species were not sufficient for single-species analyses, a hierarchical model that included the data simultaneously on all species suggested that dispersal propensity generally increases within species with the level of habitat disturbance. Dispersal probability showed a trend to increase with niche width, but the higher commonness of species with wide niches provides an alternative explanation for this pattern. As the prevalence of especially dispersive species was highest in disturbed habitats, variation in dispersal propensity was influenced by both inter- and intraspecific factors. We conclude that the positive correlation between niche width and dispersal propensity enables generalist species to utilize highly disturbed habitats, whereas the persistence of specialist species with restricted dispersal ability requires the conservation of stable habitats.
Development and External Validation of a Diagnostic Model for in-Hospital Mortality in Patient with Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Objective: To develop and externally validate a diagnostic model of in-hospital mortality in the population of unselected real-world patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI ). Design: Multivariable logistic regression of a cohort of hospitalized patients with acute STEMI . Setting: Emergency department ward of a university hospital. Participants: Diagnostic model development: Totally 2183 hospitalized patients with acute STEMI from January 2002 to December 2011. External validation: Totally 7485 hospitalized patients with acute STEMI from January 2012 to August 2019. Outcomes: In-hospital mortality. Results: Totally 61 (2.8%) patient died in the development dataset and 127(1.7%) patient died in the validation dataset. The strongest predictors of in-hospital mortality were age and Killip classification. We developed a diagnostic model of in-hospital mortality . The area under the receiver operating characteristic ( ROC ) curve ( AUC ) was 0.9126 0.0166, 95% confidence interval( CI )= 0.88015 ~ 0.94504 in the development set . We constructed a nomograms using the development database based on age and Killip classification. The AUC was 0.9305 0.0113,95% CI= 0.90827 ~ 0.95264 in the validation set . Discrimination, calibration ,and decision curve analysis were satisfactory. Conclusions: We developed and externally validated a strong diagnostic model of in-hospital mortality in patient with acute STEMI . We registered this study with WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (registration number: ChiCTR1900027129; registered date: 1 November 2019). http://www.chictr. org.cn/edit.aspx? pid=44888&htm=4. Key Words: coronary disease ST elevation myocardial infarction in hospital mortality nomograms
Ascorbate Peroxidase OsAPx1 is Involved in Seed Development in Rice

Ascorbate peroxidases (APXs) are enzymes that detoxify peroxides such as hydrogen peroxide using ascorbate. They are distributed as isoenzymes in distinct cellular compartments, such as the cytosol, mitochondria and peroxisomes, where they play essential roles in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protecting cells against the toxic effects of these species in higher plants, algae, euglena and other organisms. APXs also respond to environmental stresses, such as salinity and drought, and rice ascorbate peroxidase 1 (OsAPx1) participates in salinity tolerance. However, it is still unclear how OsAPx1 is involved in growth and development before and after flowering. Here, we show that OsAPx1 plays an important function in seed development, including fertilization. Proteomic analysis and quantitative RT-PCR showed that protein and mRNA levels of OsAPx1 were much higher in immature seeds than in mature seeds. Plant height and grain size in an Osapx1 mutant were almost the same as those in wild-type plants. However, about 58% of the seeds were aborted in the Osapx1 mutant, although the mutant was capable of normal flowering. Our results suggest that rice ascorbate peroxidase functions both as a regulator of seed development and as a scavenger of ROS.
Short Communication AN IMPROVEMENT OF MICROMERITIC PROPERTIES AND DISSOLUTION BEHAVIORS OF CARVEDILOL SPHERICAL AGGLOMERATES CRYSTALLIZED IN PRESENCE OF INUTEC SP1

The objective of the present work was to improve micromeritic properties and dissolution rate of a poorly water soluble drug, carvedilol, by spherical agglomeration in presence of Inutec SP1. In the present work acetone, water and dichloromethane were used as good solvent, poor solvent and bridging liquid respectively for the agglomeration process. The prepared spherical agglomerates were evaluated for its percentage yield, drug content, morphology, thermal behavior, micromeritic properties and in vitro drug release. The percent drug content of spherical agglomerates was found to be in the range of 93.21±2.01 to 100.0±0.0. Differential scanning calorimetric and powder X-ray diffraction studies confirm that formulation process altered the crystalline nature of carvedilol. The recrystallized agglomerates exhibited significant increase (P<0.05) in micromeritic properties than untreated carvedilol. In vitro drug release studies indicated that the spherical agglomerates CI-1 showed significant increase (P<0.05) in dissolution rate than pure carvedilol alone.
The most abundant multifunctional phosphoprotein of nucleolus

The nucleolus is the most prominent structure in a cell nucleus and is the site of the biogenesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits (r-subunits). In metabolically active animal and plant somatic cells and in yeast, the nucleolus contains tens to hundreds of active rRNA and r-subunit genes, which account for about one-half of the total cellular RNA production. There are several nuclear proteins in the nucleolus. Nucleolin is one of the most abundant non ribosomal proteins, which accounts for approximately 10% of the protein content within the nucleolus. This protein was first identified in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and Novikoff hepatoma cells. Whilst mammalian nucleolin has a predicted molecular mass of approximately 77 kDa (depending on the species), the apparent molecular mass is between 100 and 110 kDa, and has been attributed to the amino acid composition of the N-terminal domain, which is highly phosphorylated. Cell culture studies have shown that nucleolin is stable in proliferating cells, but undergoes self-cleavage in quiescent cells.
THE MARINE PLANKTONIC DIATOMS THALASSIOTHRIX LONGISSIMA AND THALASSIOTHRIX ANTARCTICA WITH COMMENTS ON THALASSIONEMA SPP. AND SYNEDRA REINBOLDII

Light and scanning electron microscope investigations of type material and representative samples from the Davis Strait, the North Pacific Ocean and the Antarctic show that Thalassiothrix longissima and T. antarctica deserve the rank of separate species. The main distinctive characters are the presence of serrated protrusions at both poles of T. longissima and two winged spines at one pole of T. antarctica; the location of the marginal spines at the lower border of the vela in T. longissima and in the middle of the vela in T. antarctica; and in addition, the difference in the shape of the cell, T. longissima being straight or slightly curved and T. antarctica usually sigmoid but occasionally straight. Comparison with other araphid diatoms indicates an isolated taxonomie position of Thalassiothrix, Thalassionema being the closest relative. Morphological similarities and dissimilarities between T. antarctica and Synedra reinboldii are also illustrated and discussed.
Fine structural description of the compound eye of the Madagascar ‘hissing cockroach’Gromphadorhina portentosa (Dictyoptera: Blaberidae)

The compound eyes of the wingless adults of the Madagascar ‘hissing cockroach’Gromphadorhina portentosa Sachum, 1853 were examined by light and electron microscopy. Each eye contains 2 400‐2 500 mostly hexagonal facets. However, irregularities affecting both shape and size of the ommatidia are relatively common, especially towards the margins of the eye. An individual ommatidium of this eucone type of apposition eye contains eight retinula cells, which give rise to a centrally‐fused, tiered rhabdom. The distal end of the latter is funnel‐shaped and accommodates the proximal end of the cone in its midst. Further below, the rhabdom (then formed by the rhabdomeres of four retinula cells) assumes a squarish profile with microvilli aligned in two directions at right‐angle to each other. Cross sections through the proximal regions of the rhabdom display triangular rhabdom outlines and microvilli (belonging to 3‐4 retinula cells different from those involved in the squarish more distal rhabdom) that run in three directions inclined to one another by 120°. Overall the organization of the eye conforms to the orthopteroid pattern and particularly closely resembles that of the American cockroach Periplaneta americana. However, since G. portentosa possesses fewer ommatidia, this could be a consequence of its inability to fly. On the other hand, the large size of the facets and the voluminous rhabdoms suggest considerable absolute sensitivity and an ability to detect the plane of linearly polarized light. Based on the pattern of microvillus orientations in combination with the crepuscular lifestyle G. portentosa leads and the habitat it occurs in, the prediction is made that this insect uses its green receptors for e‐vector discrimination in the environment of down‐welling light that reaches the forest floor.
Priming of soil organic matter decomposition scales linearly with microbial biomass response to litter input in steppe vegetation

Fresh plant litter inputs accelerate soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition through a ubiquitous mechanism called priming. Insufficient priming has been suggested as a stabilization mechanism of SOM at depth, as well as the long-term persistence of some highly degradable organic compounds in soils. Priming therefore plays a crucial, albeit unquantified and commonly neglected, role in the global carbon cycle. Because priming intensity is likely to be altered by global change-induced changes in net primary productivity, it casts substantial uncertainty to future projections of the climate-carbon cycle feedback. Using results from a large field litter manipulation experiment in Mongolian steppe, we here show that priming intensifies with increasing litter inputs, but at a decreasing efficiency: the stimulation per unit litter added declines with increasing litter inputs. This non-linear behavior originates from two antagonistic responses to fresh litter inputs: a stimulation of microbial activity versus a shift in microbial community composition (more fungi) associated to substrate shift from SOM to litter. Despite all complexity, however, the priming effect on SOM decomposition scaled linearly with the response of microbial biomass across the entire range of plant litter addition (60–480 g C m−2), suggesting that priming could be modeled effectively as a function of the response of microbial biomass to litter inputs. Incorporating the priming mechanism in Earth System models will improve their estimates of the SOM-climate feedback and appears to be best addressed by explicitly representing microbial biomass in the models.
Enzymatic Baeyer–Villiger oxidations of some bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones using monooxygenases from Pseudomonas putida NCIMB 10007: enantioselective preparation of a precursor of azadirachtin

Two monooxygenases MO1 (NADH dependent) and MO2 (NADPH dependent) isolated from Ps. putida NCIMB 10007 [grown on (+)-camphor] have been utilized as biocatalysts in Baeyer–Villiger oxidations. The former enzyme oxidized the racemic ketones 9, 10 and 14 into the optically active lactones 15–17. The ketone 9 is not oxidized by MO2 but the ketones 10 and 14 gave the optically active lactones 16 and 17. Whole-cell preparations of Ps. putida degraded the ketone 9 but transformed the racemic ketones 10 and 14 into the optically active lactones 16 and 17. All the lactones possess the same absolute configuration: 1S, 5S, 6R. (+)-MO1 [the isozyme which metabolizes (+)-camphor], oxidized the ketone 10 but not the ketone 9. Conversely, (–)-MO1 [the isozyme which metabolizes (–)-camphor], catalysed the oxidation of the ketone 9 but not the ketone 10. Co-factor recycling was effected using dehydrogenase enzymes in preparative-scale experiments. The optically active lactone 17 is an intermediate in the synthesis of compound 5, an important precursor of azadirachtin 6.
Menopause uncertainty: the impact of two educational interventions among women during menopausal transition and beyond

Introduction Menopause is a natural part of women’s lives, which is associated with physical and mental changes and can lead to uncertainty and consequent undesirable effects in the lives of menopausal women. The present study was conducted to compare the impact of multimedia and booklet educational methods on the uncertainty about menopause during this transition period. Materials and methods In a cluster randomized trial 68 women aged 45-55 years were randomly allocated into two groups: multimedia and booklet. Data were collected using knowledge and uncertainty questionnaires about menopause in three stages, i.e. before intervention, immediately after intervention (two weeks later), and one month later. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (rANOVA) was used to compare knowledge and uncertainty scores between two groups for the duration of the study. Data were analysed using SPSS software and p values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results The results of the study indicated a high level of uncertainty in both groups before the implementation of the educational program. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of knowledge and uncertainty about menopause over time (p > 0.05). However, we found a significant increase in knowledge and a significant decrease in uncertainty scores in both groups (p < 0.001) after the interventions. Conclusions Although the findings of this study did not show a significant difference between the effect of multimedia and booklet educational methods in postmenopausal women, the high level of uncertainty of women before intervention and its significant reduction after the implementation of the educational programs indicated the importance of education throughout this period.