Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biomass and its allocation of Chinese forest ecosystems

Forest biomass and its allocation have long been considered important in forest ecosystem structure and function. However, discrete forest biomass data and its allocation to various forest components must be standardized to explore many ecological questions, e.g., plant allometric scaling laws, biomass allocation theory, and terrestrial carbon cycling. Currently, available data sets focus either on regions other than China, or studies in China are spatially and/or temporally limited, e.g., specific habitats and/or time periods. Therefore, the applicability of conclusions to world or China forests might be problematic. Consequently, in the present study, published studies (during the 1978-2008 period) on biomass and its allocations in China's forests (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) were collected and critically reviewed, and a comprehensive forest biomass data set of China was developed. The data set included the following biomass data: tree overstory components (stems, branches, leaves, and roots, among all other plant material), the understory vegetation (saplings, shrubs, herbs, and mosses), woody liana vegetation, and the necromass components of dead organic matter (litterfall, suspended branches, and dead trees). Moreover, associated information was also included, i.e., geographical location, climate, soil fertility, stand description, sampling regime (the dimension and sample size of plots), and biomass measurement methods. The data set included 1607 entries for 348 study sites, which exhibited a broad spatial distribution, and covered broad climatic gradients (-5.1 degrees C to 23.8 degrees C in mean annual temperature and 223-2515 mm in mean annual precipitation). Our data set can be used to verify the accuracy of models used to budget China's forest carbon dynamics, and also provides an opportunity to further elucidate and confirm general principles and patterns in ecology. Finally, the data set is freely available for noncommercial scientific applications.
Effet structurant de la plante hôte chez la bruche de l'arachide, Caryedon serratus (Olivier, 1790) (Coleoptera : Bruchidae)

Vingt-six populations de la bruche de l'arachide obtenues de gousses de cinq plantes hotes (Arachis hypogaea L., Bauhinia rufescens Lam., Cassia sieberiana DC., Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst. et Tamarindus indica L. ) de quatre localites du Senegal sont comparees par electrophorese basee sur six loci de quatre systemes enzymatiques. La structuration des populations de Caryedon serratus Olivier a ete analysee en utilisant les estimateurs de Weir et Cockerham des F-statistiques de Wright. La valeur de θ (0,235) et le dendrogramme des distances genetiques de Rogers ont revele un fort degre de differenciation genetique entre bruches infeodees a des plantes hotes differentes. En excluant les echantillons issus de C. sieberiana responsables du taux eleve de differenciation, l'analyse montre que les populations forment des races hotes partiellement isolees en fonction de leur plante hote (θ = 0,035). Les distances geographiques entre localites ne semblent pas influencer la structuration genetique des differentes populations.
Photosynthesis of Coffea arabica after chilling

Net photosynthetic CO2 exchange of 1-year-old plants of Coffea arabica L. was studied after the above-ground parts had been exposed once or repeatedly to night temperatures in the chilling range. Chill-reduced rates of CO2 uptake (measured at 24°C and at natural CO, level) were observed after a 12 h night exposure to about 6°C. After exposure to 4°C, activity was reduced to less than half of that of the controls, and after exposure to 0.5°C the leaves suffered visible necrotic injury and were no longer able to take up Co2 If the leaves were not lethally injured, net photosynthesis recovered completely within 2 to 6 days. About 25% of chill-induced reduction of CO2 uptake was due to reduced stomatal aperture and 75% to impairment of carboxylation efficiency. Chilling on successive nights at 4–6°C reduced CO, uptake progressively on each day following treatment. After 10 nights, activity was decreased to less than 10% of initial performance. Conditioning at temperatures slightly above the chilling level (e.g. 15/I2°C) for 2 weeks led to almost complete impairment of photosynthetic activity without additional chilling stress instead of improving chilling tolerance.
A new long‐tailed basal bird from the Lower Cretaceous of north‐eastern China

A new basal Avialae, Jeholornis curvipes sp. nov., from the Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of Liaoning Province (north-eastern China) is described. A revision of long-tailed birds from China and a phylogenetic analysis of basal Avialae suggest that Jeholornithiformes were paraphyletic, with Jixiangornis orientalis being the sister-taxon of pygostylia. The phylogenetic analysis also recovered that the tail reduction is a unique event in the evolution of birds. Jeholornis species were cursorial, nonperching, and seed-eating birds. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 113, 790–804.
Ekstrak Air Umbi Ubijalar Ungu Menurunkan Total Kolesterol serta Meningkatkan Total Antioksidan Darah Kelinci

High cholesterol diet can increase blood total cholesterol and the incidence of cardiovascular disease.Flavonoid from fruits and vegetables can prevent those conditions due to it’s antioxidant effect. The aimof this study was to examine hypolipidemic and antioxidant possible effects of water extract of purplesweet potato, on blood of local rabbit with high cholesterol diet. This studies used 20 female adult localrabbit which were divided into 2 groups by using randomized pre-test and post-test control group design.Before treatment blood samples were collected from auricula venous to examine the total cholesterol, LowDensity Lipoprotein(LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), triglyseride, malondialdehide (MDA), totalantioxidant, Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamic Piruvic Transaminase(SGPT), and haemoglobin concentration, as pretest data. After pre-tests, group 1 was given high cholesteroldiet without water extract of purple sweet potato. In contrast group 2 was given high cholesterol diet withwater extract of purple sweet potato. After 3 months of the treatment the blood were collected for posttestexamination. The data was analysed by using t-test. The result showed a significant increase in totalcholesterol, LDL, SGOT,SGPT, and MDA in the blood of group 1( p 0.05),although there was a significant difference compared to the control group (p<0.05). Total cholesterol wassignificantly decreased after 3 months of treatment in group 2 (p<0,05). It can be concluded that waterextract of purple sweet potato can keep the lipid profiles in normal range values, prevent the increase ofMDA, increase blood total antioxidant, decrease blood total cholesterol, and safe for the rabbit liver thatgiven high cholesterol diet.
Sex Differences in Spatial Ability: An Evolutionary Hypothesis and Test

A comparison of male and female home-range size and maze performance in two congeneric species of microtine rodents suggests an evolutionary explanation for sex differences in spatial ability. Male/female differences in this cognitive trait seem to depend ultimately not on sex per se, but rather on the type of mating system and on the associated reproductive tactics employed by each sex. Through a combined field and laboratory study, the hypothesis that males evolve superior spatial ability only when they are more mobile (i.e., have larger home ranges) than females is developed and tested.
Multiple Maternal Origins of Korean Native Chicken Based on the mtDNA D-loop Variation

In this study, we analyzed the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region of Korean native chicken to clarify their phylogenetic relationships, possible maternal origin and routes of introduction into Korea. A 1231-1232 bp DNA fragment from the mtDNA D-loop region was sequenced in 315 chickens from 11 populations, Thirty-five variable sites that defined 21 haplotyes were observed. In Korean native chicken, diversity accounted for 90% of the variation, little differentiation among the strains. The 21 haplotypes clustered into 5 clades which were A, B, C, D and E. These results indicate that Korean chickens were derived from China with multiple origins.
The Role of Signal 3 Cytokine Timing in CD8 T Cell Activation: A Dissertation

During an acute virus infection, antigen-specific CD8 T cells undergo clonal expansion and differentiation into effector cells in order to control the infection. Efficient clonal expansion and differentiation of CD8 T cells are required to develop protective memory CD8 T cells. Antigen specific cells require 3 distinct signals for their activation: TCR engagement of peptide-MHC (signal 1), costimulation between B7 and CD28 (signal 2), and inflammatory cytokines including IL-12 or type 1 IFN (signal 3). CD8 T cells that encounter antigen and costimulation undergo programmed cell division, but these two signals alone are not sufficient for full effector cell differentiation and survival into memory. CD8 T cells need a third signal for efficient clonal expansion, differentiation into various effector populations, acquisition of cytolytic effector functions, and memory formation. The requirements for signal 3 cytokines in CD8 T cell activation have only been recently described; however, the timing of exposure to these signals has yet to be investigated. During the course of an immune response not all T cells will see antigen, costimulation, and inflammatory cytokines at the same time or in the same order. I sought to examine how the timing of signal 3 cytokines affected CD8 T cell activation. I questioned how the order of these signals effected CD8 T cell priming and subsequent activation, expansion and differentiation. In order to study the in vivo effects of out-of-sequence signaling on CD8 T cell activation, I utilized poly(I:C), a dsRNA analogue, which is known to induce a strong type 1 IFN response. Through the use of various congenic transgenic and polyclonal CD8 T cell populations, in conjunction with adoptive transfer models, specific T cells which had been exposed to poly(I:C) induced environments could be identified and tracked over time. I wanted to characterize how out-of-sequence signaling affected T cell activation immediately after cognate antigen stimulation (4-5hours), and after prolonged exposure to cognate antigen (days-weeks). Considering type 1 IFN can have both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on CD8 T cell proliferation, and when type 1 IFN provides signal 3 cytokine activity, it has positive effects on CD8 T cell expansion, I wanted to investigate the role of type 1 IFN as an out-of-sequence signal during CD8 T cell activation. We identified a transient defect in the phosphorylation of downstream STAT molecules after IFNβ signaling within poly(I:C) pretreated CD8 T cells. The inability of poly(I:C) pretreated CD8 T cells to respond to IFNβ signaling makes these cells behave in a manner more similar to T cells that only received 2 signals, rather than ones that received all 3 signals in the appropriate order. Consequently, poly(I:C) pretreated, or out-of-sequence, CD8 T cells were found to have defects in clonal expansion, effector differentiation and function as well as memory generation resulting in reduced efficacy of viral clearance. Out-of-sequence CD8 T cells showed…
Genome size variation in Orchidaceae subfamily Apostasioideae: filling the phylogenetic gap

With more than 160-fold variation, Orchidaceae are currently the most diverse angiosperm family with respect to the amount of nuclear DNA. This study provides first genome size estimates for approximately 50% of species currently recognized in subfamily Apostasioideae, which is sister to the other four orchid subfamilies. The estimated 1C-values range from 0.38pg in Apostasia nuda to 5.96pg in Neuwiedia zollingeri var. javanica, a nearly 16-fold range. The two genera show non-overlapping genome sizes, with those in Apostasia being distinctly smaller than those in Neuwiedia. In fact, most Apostasia spp. are at the lower end of the range of orchid C-values. Observed discontinuities in DNA amounts in genera most probably reflect interspecific variation in ploidy. In addition to ploidy heterogeneity in N.zollingeri var. javanica, intraspecific variation in genome size (up to 17.7%) was also detected in some species; this can be plausibly related to the incidence of different geographical variants or unrecognized taxonomic heterogeneity. The AT content varied from 62.6 to 66.0%, which is in the upper range recorded for angiosperms. The genome size data obtained in this study fill a major phylogenetic gap in Orchidaceae and show that (very) small genomes prevail in subfamily Apostasioideae.
Variation of biomass and morphology of the cushion plant Androsace tapete along an elevational gradient in the Tibetan Plateau

Alpine ecosystems are among those biomes that are most vulnerable to climate change. Cushion plants are an important life form of alpine ecosystems and will likely play a critical role for the resilience of these habitats to climate change. We studied cushion size distribution and different measures of the compactness of cushions (biomass and rosette density, leaf area index) of the cushion plant, Androsace tapete along an elevational gradient from 4500 to 5200 m a. s. l. in the Nyainqentanglha Mountains of the central Tibetan Plateau. Cushion size distribution, total cover, and compactness of cushions varied substantially along the elevational gradient. At the driest site at low elevation we found the lowest total cushion cover, a particularly high proportion of very small cushions, and the most compact cushions (highest rosette and biomass densities, and leaf area index (LAI) per cushion). Our results indicate that in the semi-arid Tibetan Plateau water availability is the more important climate factor than temperature affecting cushion plant traits and morphology.
Weed seedling herbivory by field cricket Teleogryllus emma (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) in relation to the depth of seedling emergence

This study aimed to determine whether seedling herbivory by the field cricket, Teleogryllus emma (Ohmachi et Matsuura), promoted the mortality of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), a non-native grass weed in Japan, whether the impact of seedling herbivory differed depending on the depth of seedling emergence and the influence of cricket density on seedling mortality. First, the seedlings at emergence depths of 0, 1 and 2 cm were exposed to the cricket for 2 days in plastic cups and the amount of seedling mortality by herbivory was calculated. The level of mortality of 60 seedlings that emerged from seeds on the soil surface was 92.4%, significantly higher than that of the seedlings that emerged from seeds at depths of 1 cm (10.8%) and 2 cm (9.6%). Second, the seedlings at the emergence depths of 0 and 1 cm were exposed to the crickets at four different densities (zero, one, two and three individuals per 5700 cm2) for 5 days in plastic containers and the amount of seedling mortality by herbivory was calculated. The level of mortality by herbivory of the seedlings that emerged from 100 seeds on the soil surface was higher (33.3–61.3%) than that of the seedlings that emerged from seeds at a depth of 1 cm (4.7–13.1%) in the containers with one-to-three crickets. The level of seedling mortality tended to increase with an increasing cricket density. These results suggest that seedling herbivory by crickets is an important factor in weed mortality, particularly in no-till fields and in field margins, where the seeds are more prevalent near the soil surface.
Ecdysone biosynthesis: Pathways, enzymes, and the early steps problem

Summary In this review, the different aspects of the ecdysone biosynthesis have been described. The “early step problem” and the enzymes which are involved in the final sequence of hydroxylations are discussed in detail. The recent results obtained on ecdysone biosynthesis in embryos are also summarized.
Blood hemoglobin content and metabolic performance of Arctic Tern chicks Sterna paradisaea

This study was designed to determine whether the development of an increased aerobic capacity (increased potential for oxygen uptake) during the initial growth stages of hatchlings is associated with an increase in blood hemoglobin content. We measured the resting (at thermoneutrality) and maximum (cold induced)b oxygen uptake of Arctic Tern chicks from 0 to 9 days of age. In addition, blood hemoglobin content and hematocrit were measured. The results show that in spite of a marked increase in both resting and maximum oxygen uptake, indicating increased metabolic performance, there was a slight decrease in blood hemoglobin content during the first few days of development. A residual analysis, made to eliminate the effect of age, showed that blood hemoglobin content of individual chicks, blood hemoglobin contents is not a limiting factor for oxygen uptake by Arctic Tern chicks.
Composición, estructura y diversidad del cerro El Águila, Michoacán, México Composition, structure and diversity of the cerro El Águila, Michoacán, Mexico

This study describes composition, structure and diversity of vegetation in the Cerro El Aguila, Michoacan. Five plant communities were recognized and for each one all woody individuals ≥10 cm DBH were tallied in sixteen 400 m 2 circular plots, whereas individuals between 2.5 and 9.9 cm DBH were measured in a 100 m 2 circular sub- plot centered within each larger plot. A total of 46 species, 33 genera and 21 families were recorded. The tropical deciduous forest and Quercus deserticola forest had low values of mean plant height ( 11 m) and basal area (> 40 m 2 /ha). Diversity was greater in the tropical deciduous forest (S= 23 and α= 5.4, respectively) and lower in the oak-pine forest (S= 13 and α= 2.71). All communities displayed different dominant species and high beta diversity. Our results suggest that composition and structure could be affected by altitude and human activities. Nevertheless, the Cerro El Aguila still has well conservation areas, mainly temperate forests located toward summit zone and we recommend their inclusion in a near future within the state reserve system.
Progress in Dairy Science

New systems of protein rationing for dairy cows developments in sodium nutrition of dairy cattle nutrition and host defences against disease in dairy cattle the effect of using recombinantly derived bovine somatotropin (r bST) on dairy production, health and economics the bovine gene map applications of genetic markers in dairy cow selection programmes breeding for longevity in dairy cows effects of draught work on the reproduction of dairy cows the aetiology and control of bovine spongiform encephalopathy mastitis control control of lameness in dairy cattle amelioration of heat stress in dairy cattle production and utilization of dairy cow's milk and products with increased unsaturated fatty acids robotic milking of dairy cows modifications of dairy milk proteins by gene transfer autocrine regulation of milk secretion improved slurry management for dairy farming systems organic dairy farming economic aspects of feeding dairy cows to contain environmental pollution an assessment of the ethical impact of biotechnology in dairying.
Production of IFN-γ by CD4 T Cells Is Essential for Resolving Ehrlichia Infection1

To address the role of cellular immunity during ehrlichia infection, we have used a newly described model of monocytic ehrlichiosis that results from infection of mice by an ehrlichia that was isolated from an Ixodes ovatus tick (Ixodes ovatus ehrlichia, IOE). Immunocompetent C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice exhibited a dose-dependent susceptibility to IOE infection. Mice infected with a high dose inoculum (∼1000 organisms) exhibited pronounced thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, anemia, and morbidity within 12 days postinfection. Infection was associated with bacterial colonization of a number of tissues. In contrast, mice infected with a low dose inoculum (∼100 organisms) exhibited only transient disease and were able to resolve the infection. SCID mice were highly susceptible to low-dose infection, indicating that adaptive immunity was required. Resistance to sublethal challenge in both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice was CD4-, but not CD8-, dependent and required IL-12p40-dependent cytokines, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, but not IL-4. CD4 T cells purified from infected mice proliferated in vitro in response to IOE Ags. T cell proliferation was associated with production of IFN-γ, and the production of this cytokine by CD4 T cells rescued IFN-γ-deficient mice from fatal infection. Exogenous IFN-γ was capable of inducing microbiocidal activity in infected macrophages. The data suggest that classical immune mechanisms involving CD4 cells and type 1 cytokines are responsible for macrophage activation and for elimination of this intracellular bacterial pathogen.
Enzyme Activities and Gene Expression of Yak Skeletal Muscles

Abstract Zheng, Y.C. , Lin, Y.Q. , Xu, Y.O. , Wang, G.S. , Jin, S.Y. and Li, Y.P. 2010. Enzyme activities and gene expression of yak skeletal muscles. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 38: 135–138. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the metabolic enzyme activities and gene expression levels in yak skeletal muscles. Yak longissimus dorsi had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, lower activities ofmalate dehydrogenase (MDH), β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) and cytocrome c oxidase (COX) compared with biceps femoris. Meanwhile, native PAGE of muscle extracts revealed that longissimus dorsi had higher proportion of LDH5 compared with biceps femoris. These data indicate the less oxidative metabolic orientation of yak longissimus dorsi. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed no significant difference in the expression of four genes including adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARγ2), myosin heavy chain 1 (MyHC1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator lα (PGC-1α) between yak longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris.