Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elevated atmospheric CO2 alters wood production, wood quality and wood strength of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L) after three years of enrichment

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees were grown in open top chambers for three years under ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations. The trees were aged 3 y at the beginning of the CO2 exposure, and the effects of the treatment on total stem volume, stem wood biomass, wood quality and wood anatomy were examined at the end of the exposure. The elevated CO2 treatment lead to a 49% and 38% increase in stem biomass and stem wood volume, respectively. However, no significant effects of the elevated CO2 treatment on wood density were observed, neither when green wood density was estimated from stem biomass and stem volume, nor when oven‐dry wood density was measured on small wood samples. Under elevated CO2 significantly wider growth rings were observed. The effect of elevated CO2 on growth ring width was primarily the result of an increase in earlywood width. Wood compression strength decreased under elevated CO2 conditions, which could be explained by significantly larger tracheids and the increased earlywood band, that has thinner walls and larger cavities. A significant decrease of the number of resin canals in the third growth ring was observed under the elevated treatment; this might indicate that trees produced and contained less resin, which has implications for disease and pest resistance. So, although wood volume yield in Scots pine increased significantly with elevated CO2 after three years of treatment, wood density remained unchanged, while wood strength decreased. Whilst wood volume and stem biomass production may increase in this major boreal forest tree species, wood quality and resin production might decrease under future elevated CO2 conditions.
Photoperiod Differentially Affects the Expression of Three mPer Genes in the Mouse Heart

To investigate the mechanism that controls circadian rhythms in mammalian peripheral tissues, we housed mice in short days (6 h light: 18 h dark) or long days (18 h light: 6 h dark) and examined the rhythmic expression patterns of the mammalian clock genes mPer1, mPer2 and mPer3 and a clock-controlled gene Dbp in the mouse heart. Northern blot analyses showed that peak levels of mPer1 mRNA expression in long days were about 50 % higher than those in short days. On the contrary the amplitude of the mPer2 mRNA peak in long days was about 25 % lower than that in short days. We could not find any effect of photoperiod on either the amplitude or waveform of the rhythms of mPer3 and Dbp mRNAs. Photoperiod differentially affected the expression of three mPer genes even in a peripheral tissue of mice.
Lateral Gene Transfer, Genome Surveys, and the Phylogeny of Prokaryotes

Doolittle argued that to construct phylogenies, an organism should be regarded as either less or more than the sum of its genes ([1][1]). The argument is based on the observation that gene phylogenies are rarely consistent with one another because, among others, of lateral gene transfer (LGT).
Wood density predicts plant damage and vegetative recovery rates caused by cyclone disturbance in tropical rainforest tree species of North Queensland, Australia

The ability to withstand disturbance (resistance) and the ability to recover biomass following disturbance (resilience) were investigated in Australian wet tropical rainforest tree species. These two attributes are expected to be negatively correlated, because investment of biomass in structural support (conferring resistance) results in trees exhibiting high wood densities and slow growth rates, and vice versa. We examined species' responses to disturbance caused by a severe tropical cyclone to test this hypothesized trade-off. We assessed cyclone damage in six species in three Mabi rainforest fragments on the Atherton Tablelands. Species differed in the proportion of individuals within four damage categories (minor damage, severe branch damage, snapped, uprooted). Resistance was positively related to wood density. We found a positive correlation between the proportion of trees experiencing minor damage only and wood density, supporting the hypothesized association between resistance and mechanical strength. Among the subset of trees in which stems snapped, rates of resprouting differed between species and were highest in low wood density species and lowest in species with highest wood density. Resilience, characterized as the ability to recover biomass following disturbance and estimated as growth rate standardized for stem diameter at breast height (g day−1 · mm−1), was negatively related to wood density. Thus, species with low wood densities were more likely to suffer stem and branch damage owing to cyclonic winds, but also demonstrated highest resprouting and fastest responses in terms of redeveloping biomass in the 8 months following disturbance. This suggests that a species' position along the resistance–resilience spectrum can be predicted by mean wood density, which may allow managers to predict species' responses to future cyclones. Our findings also provide mechanistic evidence for the 'direct regeneration' model of post-cyclone succession, where response is characterized by resprouting and species composition is unchanged.
Differential colonization of resistant and susceptible host plants: Pemphigus and Populus.

Plants show extensive intrapopulational variation in quality as hosts for herbivores. Adaptive discrimination among individual host plants depends on the availability of plant traits that are present when plants are colonized and that are correlated with quality. Here, we examine the ability of colonizers to select appropriate hosts when colonization occurs long before feeding, and when traits available as cues may be least associated with host quality. In such systems the precision of host selection may be limited by a lack of appropriate cues at the time of colonization. In the life cycle of the aphid Pemphigus betae, autumn migrants select among host trees (Populus angustifolia and natural hybrids with P. fremontii) far in advance of the spring feeding stages, while trees are in a very different physiological condition. In order to estimate host quality, we censused successful and aborted galls on 34 trees in a Utah canyon during seven consecutive years, thus obtaining tree—specific rates of stem—mothe.
Role of the tegument and gut in nutrient uptake by parasitic platyhelminths

The ease of procuring nutrient is probably the main selection pressure that drives and maintains the host–parasite relationship. The feeding activities of the ectoparasitic monogeneans exhibit similarities with the predatory turbellarians, with certain monopisthocotylean members feeding by means of a protrusible pharynx. These parasites degrade fish skin by secreting enzymes extracorporeally, but most of the digestion is carried out intracellularly in cells lining a well-differentiated gut. Some polyopisthocotylean monogeneans, however, living within the vascularized gill chamber, took advantage of the availability of a more highly nutritious, consistent, and renewable diet in the form of blood, and this represented a major step in the evolution of endoparasitism. Blood provides a rich source of carbohydrates for the production of energy and amino acids and fatty acids for the synthesis of parasite molecules and for egg production. The external surfaces of all parasitic flatworms depart from turbellarian .
Influences of temperature and water stress on germination and establishment of Prosopis caldenia Burk

Abstract Research was conducted to determine the effect of the temperature and the water stress on germination of Prosopis caldenia seeds, emergence and seedling survival, and early seedling growth. Water availability was most influential on germination of P. caldenia seeds when temperatures are either below (20°C) or above (35°C) optimum temperature. Radicle and hypocotyl lengths of P. caldenia seedlings were reduced by water stress in all temperature regimes. After 45 days, the effect of gradual dehydration of soil reduced emergence and seedling survival, and the growth (above- and underground) of surviving seedlings. The results suggest that P. caldenia seeds can apparently germinate and initiate early growth under conditions of water stress. However, water stress may reduce the probability of seedling establishment because of the effect of low soil water emergence, content on seedling survival, and growth of surviving seedlings.
Computational assessment of predicted three dimensional structures of Pectate lyases from different species of Aspergillus using homology modeling

A total of 28 pectate lyase (PL) sequences representing different species of Aspergillus namely A. flavus, A. niger, A. nidulans, A. fumigatus, A. oryzae, A. clavatus and A. terreus were retrieved from NCBI databases and in-silico characterized for structural diversity. The translated amino acids sequences of these PL genes of Aspergillus were also accessed for various physio-chemical features like molecular weight, theoretical PI, amino acid composition, atomic composition, extinction coefficient, estimated half-life, instability index, aliphatic index and grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY). These sequences exhibit multiple introns and revealed a conserved pectate lyases domain irrespective of Aspergillus species, suggesting its possible role in structural and catalytic attributes of PLs. Homology modeling was performed with Swiss-model workspace at automated mode with selected template to predict the 3D structures of PL proteins. The stability of the 3D models were confirmed by PROCHECK showing more than 95% of the amino acid residues in favored and allowed region of Ramachandran plot and also by favorable QMEAN-Z score. The phylogenetic tree constructed revealed four distinct groups which were further subjected for functional divergence studies. The coefficient of functional divergence (Ɵ) among different groups was found to be less than 1 indicating significant site–specific selective constraints. The bioinformatics study of pectate lyases of different species of Aspergillus gives an insight to the structural variability which further needs to be analyzed for functional attributes.
Phosphorus Retention in Constructed Freshwater Riparian Marshes

Four constructed freshwater riparian marshes in northeastern Illinois, USA, each experimentally subjected to either high or low loadings of turbid river water over a 3-yr period, were investigated for phosphorus retention and fate. Average phosphorus con- centrations decreased by 64-92% in low-flow wetlands (to 11-40 Kg P/L) and by 53-90% (to 12-57 Kg P/L) in high-flow wetlands. Intensive sampling at 4-h intervals during spring and summer of the final year showed phosphorus mass decreases of 81-74% for low- and high-flow wetlands, respectively. During this frequent sampling, inflow averaged 176 Kg P/L, while outflows were 34 Kg P/L for the low-flow wetland and 45 Kg P/L for the high- flow wetland. Spatial patterns of isopleths showed clear gradients in high-flow wetlands and near-homogeneous concentrations in low-flow wetlands. Annual budgets illustrated that most inflowing phosphorus was retained through sedimentation with some capacity for phosphorus retention by macrophytes and a lesser amount by microbial (periphyton and planktonic) communities. A simple Vollenweider-type model predicted well the retention of phosphorus in these wetlands for low- and high-flow wetlands with 3 yr of data, i.e., the model was calibrated and verified with six independent data sets. A mean deviation of only 9.3% between measured and simulated retention was found when the retention co- efficient was k = 6.51 wk-'. Adding a factor for seasonal temperature fluctuation did not improve the fit, whereas using a model where the retention is a function of flow provided the best overall fit to the data (mean deviation of 6.3% between data and predictions). These constructed wetlands retained about the same amount of phosphorus per unit area (0.5-3 g P.m-2.yr-') as have several other natural and constructed wetlands receiving similar concentrations of phosphorus.
Folic Acid: Beyond Metabolism

Mandatory and discretionary fortification with folic acid is eliminating deficiency of this vitamin. Blood levels of the vitamin have never been higher, with hematologic folate values commonly exceeding the upper range of calibration. The synthetic analog (pteroylmonoglutamic acid) prevents neural tube defects and lowers homocysteine, both positive attributes, yet negative correlates of pteroylmonoglutamic acid are increasingly reported. These involve increased risk for common cancers (ie, colon, breast, prostate) and antimetabolite effects on natural killer cells and at dihydrofolate reductase, a critical gatekeeper enzyme. This review, however, takes a different, human ecological perspective, examining novel folate-related phenomena distinct from the classic metabolic role of the vitamin in maintaining health and well-being. An argument is developed that at molecular, cellular, and organism levels, folate is crucial to some important events that link light to life.
The Tramp Ant Wasmannia auropunctata: Autecology and Effects on Ant Diversity and Distribution on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos'

A large-scale ecological experiment is underway on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, where an introduced ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) is devastating all sympatric ants. Collecting, observation, and experiments were used to study the extent and mechanisms of Wasmannia's success. Seventeen taxa of ants were collected, of which four were endemic, and most of the rest were well-known tropical tramp species. Current distribution of all species was determined. Greatest species diversity occurred in the arid zone, which was also the area of lowest Wasmannia density. Systematic collecting-transects showed that Wasmannia either exterminates or reduces to very low density all sympatric species on Santa Cruz. In many areas the ant fauna composition changes from 100 percent Wasmannia to 0 percent Wasmannia within 100 m. Experiments with artificial baits arranged in transects perpendicular to sharp boundaries showed that Wasmannia mobilized the greatest number of workers, was very successful in replacing other species, and remained the longest time at baits. Wasmannia ate primarily invertebrates, honeydew, and, in the hot season, plants parts. It was active 24 hr/day during three 24-hour periods. There were no central, intraspecifically defended nests. Nests were small and numerous. No intraspecific aggression was ever observed, either under natural conditions or at bait stations. Wasmannia density increased with altitude up to near the summit of the island. The species is not presently found in either the driest or wettest parts of Santa Cruz. Currently no ant species occurs on Santa Cruz which can coexist with Wasmannia in zones of high Wasmannia density, Because Wasmannia occurs in high density and consumes a variety of invertebrate prey, it is probably causing major ecosystem changes in invertebrate diversity and density.
Salinity tolerance in Sorghum. I. Whole plant response to sodium chloride in S. bicolor and S. halepense

Based on casual qualitative observations, grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is less tolerant to salt than the noxious weed and potential biomass energy crop, johnsongrass [S. halepense (L.) Pers. ]. The objective was to quantitatively compare whole plant growth and physiological responses to salt stress of these two sorghum species. Salt stress was induced by adding incremental levels of NaCl to a vermiculite medium until concentrations of 0.1 and 0.2 M were attained (.)
Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences of Seed Size in Prunella Vulgaris

Seed size has significant demographic consequences in Prunella vulgaris. Measurements of the effects of seed size were obtained by sowing seeds of known size at four field sites and recording seedling emergence, survival, and size. The intensity of selection on seed size was calculated from these data. Large seeds had a significantly greater probability of emergence at most study sites in each of 2 yr. The effects of seed size were expressed most strongly during the early part of the life cycle, between sowing and emer- gence, and much less so in later phases of the life cycle. In contrast to a prediction based on the greater relative frequency of large-seeded species in later successional habitats, the effect of seed size on percent seedling emergence did not differ significantly between an old-field and a woodland habitat. However, it is likely that the intensity of natural selection on seed size is greater in an old-field than in a woodland population because the natural distributions of seed size in old-field populations include more small seeds than do those in woodland populations. An analysis of the costs and benefits of producing large and small seeds revealed that in addition to selection favoring large seeds, there was selection favoring individuals that produced large seeds at three of the four study sites. At the fourth site, there was no selection favoring larger seeds or parents that produced larger seeds. Substantial capacity for phe- notypic plasticity in seed size suggests that there may be little opportunity for an evolu- tionary response despite strong selection favoring large seeds.
The Coralline Red Algae: An Analysis of the Genera and Subfamilies of Nongeniculate Corallinaceae

An overview of nongeniculate "corallinaceae" collection, preservation and examination of material taxonomic literature on nongeniculate "corallinaceae" historical analysis features diagnostic of subfamilies and genera the identification of Holocene subfamilies and genera accounts of Holocene subfamilies and genera Holocene genera requiring further evaluation, genera of uncertain status and excluded genera. Appendices: 1 - the terms primigenous and postigenous B - nomenclatural change C - list of herbarium abbreviations.
Biodiversity of Root-Nodule Bacteria Associated With the Leguminous Plant Biserrula pelecinus

Biserrula pelecinus is a noteworthy forage legume known for its drought- and acid-resistant properties and nitrogen-fixing ability that forms an extremely specific symbiotic relationship with bacteria from genera Mesorhizobium. To investigate the biodiversity of root-nodule bacteria associated with B. pelecinus, a total of 88 bacterial strains were examined using rep-polymerase chain reaction amplification. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was also used to determine the phylogenetic relationship with type strains of different genera of rhizobia. Our results show that although a considerable genetic variability among Biserrula isolates was found, most isolates were phylogenetically related to Mesorhizobium ciceri. Curiously, a new symbiotic partner was found to nodulate Biserrula, suggesting possible lateral gene transfer of nodulation and nitrogen fixation genes between Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium.
Comparação da fibra em detergente neutro de forragens: desempenho, digestibilidade e parâmetros ruminais

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the partial replacement of corn silage NDF by sugarcane NDF or sugarcane treated with NaOH NDF or alfalfa hay NDF, on performance, digestibility and rumen parameters of lactating Holstein cows, cannulated in the rumen and duodenum, which were assigned in a 5×5 Latin Squared design. Two control diets were utilized, one with low (negative control; SMB) and another one with high (positive control; SMA) forage NDF concentration (SMB containing 14% and SMA containing 22% forage NDF from corn silage). Three experimental rations were balanced to contain 14% corn silage NDF and 8% sugar-cane NDF (CAN) or sugar-cane treated with NaOH NDF (CAS) or alfalfa hay NDF (FA). Feed intake, milk production and milk composition were not affected (P>0.05) by diets. There was response (P<0.05) of the concentration and source of forage NDF on rumen pH, molar proportions of short-chain fatty acids, and acetate:propionate ratio. The data of this experiment indicate the viability of replacing 8% corn silage NDF by sugarcane NDF fed to dairy cows with milk yield of 18.2 kg/day KEYWORDS: alfalfa hay; corn silage; fat; hydrolysis; sugarcane.
Xinghaiornis lini (Aves: Ornithothoraces) from the Early Cretaceous of Liaoning: An Example of Evolutionary Mosaic in Early Birds

We describe a new species of Early Cretaceous bird from the Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province. Xinghaiornis lini gen. et sp. nov. is relatively large and characterized by a long, toothless rostrum and an elevated pedal digit I. The design of the skull and feet suggests that this bird was likely a mud‐prober. This discovery provides strong support indicating that this avian trophic specialization originated at least 125 million years ago.
Root respiration and soil aeration status of blueberries (Vaccinium SP.)

Abstract Plants of 3 progenies of Vaccinium sp. were utilized in exised root respiration studies over a range of O2 levels from 2.5 to 21%. Root respiration of plants from an intraspecific V. ashei Reade progeny, Powderblue x T‐142, were approximately half that of two other progenies, one with germplasm of V. ashei and V. constablaei Gray and the other with germplasm of V. corymbosum L. , V. ashei and V. constablaei. The V. ashei progeny was unaffected by reduced O levels under laboratory conditions, whereas the other two progenies showed significantly reduced root respiration rates, particularly at the 2.5% O2 level. However, soil O2 levels were near 21% at a depth of 15 cm under established blueberry bushes indicating that root respiration per se may be a more important criteria in blueberry adaptation to soil and environmental stresses than actual soil oxygen status. Root respiration measurements at 21% O2 may provide a useful tool in screening blueberry progenies for adaptation to climatic and soil ind.
The latitudinal and bathymetric ranges of marine fishes: a global analysis to test the application of Rapoport′s Rule

We evaluated the applicability of Rapoport’s Rule (RR) to the marine bony fishes of the world. The biogeographical pattern predicted by RR has been the subject of a large number of studies, some supporting it and some not. In this exercise, we attempted to generate results free of biases from taxonomy or geographic scale. The study area encompassed all world oceans. Our analysis was based on secondary data. We tested the relationship of the geographic range and the bathymetric range to the latitude gradient, using the method of Stevens (American Naturalist 1989, 133, 240–256). We compared all known species of marine bony fishes together, and performed a second analysis limited to the non-pelagic species. Our results were generated from a databank including 13,957 species. The results indicated that RR (latitudinal range) is valid for 11 regions. However, there were exceptions for the northern part of the Eastern Atlantic and Pacific, the northern part of the Western Indian, and the Arctic Oceans. The analyses of RR (bathymetric range) were supported for 13 regions. We found only one exception, for the northern part of the Western Indian Ocean. The applicability of RR and its relationship to energy supply, represented here by the temperature variability of the marine water masses, was clear. The exceptions appeared when some feature associated with the distribution of water masses was superposed on the latitudinal gradient, or when some life trait characteristic of a taxon, for instance body size, was confounded with the effect of climate variability.