Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of salinity stress on photosynthesis and vegetative sink in tobacco plants

Abstract The effects of salinity stress on vegetative growth in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants were examined in terms of the source–sink relationship. The effect of salinity stress on plant growth was continuously measured using a micromorphometric technique under greenhouse conditions. This technique is less cumbersome and more precise than conventional techniques used to measure plant growth under salinity conditions. The effect of salinity stress on photosynthetic rate, 13C partitioning and sugar and Na+ concentrations was also measured. Salinity stress was imposed by irrigating the plants with NaCl solution at 50 and 100 mmol L−1. Stem diameters of the control plants started to decrease around 07:00 am and reached a minimum at 03:00 pm. Salinity stress did not change the diurnal pattern of stem diameter dynamics, but increased the amplitude of daytime shrinking, and consequently stem growth estimated by the difference in stem diameter at night was inhibited. The effect of salinity stress on stems, a major sink, appeared within a few hours of treatment, whereas the effects on photosynthetic rate were observed after a lag period of 3–4 days of salt application. Salinity stress also reduced 13C export rate, but increased leaf sugar concentration and Na concentration in all plant parts. These results suggest that salinity impairs sink activity earlier than source activity. Based on the results of this study, the utilization of micromorphometric techniques for early diagnosis of growth in salt-prone environments is recommended.
Effect of heat induced interaction between β-lactoglobulin and κ-casein on syneresis

SUMMARY The effect of preheating skim milk and artificial micelle milk on curd syneresis was studied. The inhibition of syneresis caused by heat was dependent on the presence of β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) and to a lesser extent α-lactalbumin. The degree of inhibition increased with increasing amounts of added β-lg and preheating temperature. This agrees with the hypothesis that the detrimental effect of preheating on syneresis is due to complex formation between β-lg and κ-casein. This complex appeared to be mediated via thiol–disulphide exchange and its formation appeared to interfere with the micelle–micelle interactions responsible for syneresis.
Nasutoceratops titusi (Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae), a Basal Centrosaurine Ceratopsid from the Kaiparowits Formation, Southern Utah

ABSTRACT The skull and associated postcrania of Nasutoceratops titusi, a basal centrosaurine ceratopsid from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Kaiparowits Formation of Grand Staircase—Escalante National Monument, southern Utah, are herein described. Autapomorphies of this taxon include: an ectonaris that comprises 75% of preorbital skull length; pneumatic nasals; a hyper-robust premaxilla—maxilla contact; a double-faceted, medial flange on the maxilla contributing to the hard palate; and unique supraorbital horncores that are anterolaterally directed, anteriorly curved, torsionally twisted, and relatively enormous. A Bayesian analysis, the first conducted for ceratopsians, is coupled with a parsimony phylogenetic analysis of Centrosaurinae, with both analyses recovering Nasutoceratops as the sister taxon to Avaceratops lammersi from the late Campanian of Montana. Nasutoceratops titusi provides insights into the origins of Centrosaurinae and suggests the existence of a previously unknown clade of short-snouted, long-horned centrosaurines that we here hypothesize to have originated in the southern Western Interior Basin of North America.
IFN-γ Suppresses STAT6 Phosphorylation by Inhibiting Its Recruitment to the IL-4 Receptor1

Polarized Th1 cells show a stable phenotype: they become insensitive to IL-4 stimulation and lose the potential to produce IL-4. Previously, we reported that IFN-γ played a critical role in stabilizing Th1 phenotype. However, the mechanism by which IFN-γ stabilizes Th1 phenotype is not clear. In this study, we compared STAT6 phosphorylation in wild-type (WT) and IFN-γ receptor knockout (IFNGR−/−) Th1 cells. We found a striking diminution of STAT6 phosphorylation in differentiated WT Th1 cells, but not in differentiated IFNGR−/− Th1 cells. The impairment of STAT6 phosphorylation in differentiated WT Th1 cells was not due to a lack of IL-4R expression or phosphorylation. Jak1 and Jak3 expression and phosphorylation were comparable in both cell types. No differential expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), SOCS3, or SOCS5 was observed in the two cell types. In addition, Src homology 2-containing phosphatase mutation did not affect IL-4-induced STAT6 phosphorylation in differentiated Th1 cells derived from viable motheaten (mev/mev) mice. These results led us to focus on a novel mechanism. By using a pulldown assay, we observed that STAT6 in WT Th1 cells bound less effectively to the phosphorylated IL-4R/GST fusion protein than that in IFNGR−/− Th1 cells. Our results suggest that IFN-γ may suppress phosphorylation of STAT6 by inhibiting its recruitment to the IL-4R.
ADAPTIVE EVOLUTION OF PHOTORECEPTORS AND VISUAL PIGMENTS IN VERTEBRATES

Animals may be camouflaged by a coloration that matches their surroundings or by a combination of color and shape. Some species make themselves conspicuous and rely upon bold and bright coloration as a means of warning off their potential predators. Population biologists have accumulated information on the adaptive significance of coloration for a large number of species. To elucidate the mechanisms underpinning such natural selection events, it is necessary to understand the visual systems of interacting organisms. Molecular genetic analyses on the human opsin genes by Nathans and his colleagues made it possible to characterize the opsin genes of various vertebrates. A striking level of diversity in the opsin gene sequences reflects adaptive responses of various species to different environments. Comparative analyses of opsins reveal that gene duplications and accumulation of mutations have been important in achieving that diversity. The analyses also identify amino acid changes that are potentially important in controlling wavelength absorption by the photosensitive molecules, the visual pigments. These hypotheses can now be rigorously tested using tissue culture cells. Thanks to the molecular characterization of the opsin genes, it is now possible to study the types of opsins associated with certain environmental conditions. Such surveys will provide important first molecular clues to how animals adapt to their environments with respect to their coloration and behavior.
Apparent Forced Mating and Female Control in Saltmarsh Sparrows

Abstract Saltmarsh Sparrows (Ammodramus caudacutus) are non-territorial, lack pair-bonds, and practice promiscuous mating behavior and obligate maternal care of young. Behavioral details of mating behavior and associated intermale aggressive behavior are poorly understood in the species. We report the results of an observational study of mating and agonistic behavior of individually marked breeding birds in New York. We witnessed 1,265 sexual and agonistic interactions within and among males and females from 1977 through 1985. We found no evidence of male mating aggregations, and male aggressive behavior was prevalent only in male-initiated sexual interactions. Females solicit matings from males during nest-building, but the behavior is inconspicuous and not associated with male aggression. Males spend the morning patrolling their home ranges, and chase or approach females they encounter anywhere in their breeding habitat. Males often concentrate patrol activity in the vicinity of nests under construction, but we found little evidence they know the location of most nest sites. Some males seek to forcibly mount females on the ground at any breeding stage, despite female resistance. Females thwart forced mountings in 57% of cases either by fighting with the males, or by uttering an aggressive call. When a more persistent male suppresses a female's resistance, she then crouches passively as he assumes a copulatory position on her back. We discuss this behavior in terms of female control of forced mountings, female choice of mates, and forced mating as a tactic of males that appear not to know the fertility status of females. Males have a large cloacal protuberance, which suggests sperm competition is strongly developed in the species. We caution that evolution of the unusual mating behavior in Saltmarsh Sparrows must be understood in relation to the different sexual behaviors of its closest relatives.
Comparative oocyte morphology and fecundity of five characid species from São Francisco River basin, Brazil

Summary The morphology of vitellogenic oocytes and the batch fecundity of five tropical forage species belonging to the family Characidae, were studied in 104 late-maturing ovaries. Significant morphological differences between vitellogenic oocytes and ovarian follicles were found. The lowest batch fecundity values were recorded in Hemigrammus marginatus (480 ± 163) and Orthospinus franciscensis (1701 ± 562), which were the smaller species in terms of total length, body weight and oocyte diameter. The highest batch fecundity value was observed in Tetragonopterus chalceus (8384 ± 3944) having the highest GSI and oocyte diameter. Batch fecundity and gonad weight was highly correlated followed by body weight and total length. Relative fecundity was estimated per unit total length, body weight and gonad weight. The wide variation in fecundity observed between the specimens and the species analysed is possibly related to the multiple spawning reproductive strategy of these fishes. Since T. chalceus have higher values of batch and relative fecundity, it is concluded that this species has a higher reproductive potential than the other forage species studied.
The impact of Raccoons Procyon lotor on breeding seabirds at Englefield Bay, Haida Gwaii, Canada

Raccoons Procyon lotor were introduced into the Haida Gwaii archipelago of British Columbia in the 1940s and have spread throughout the islands. Although feeding mainly on inter-tidal invertebrates, they also take seabirds. Haida Gwaii supports internationally important populations of several species of burrow-nesting auks. In 1993, we visited several islands to determine the current status of their seabird populations. We found extensive signs of predation on auks by raccoons, including burrows that had been excavated and carcasses from which little had been eaten, suggesting excess killing. On islands with raccoons, numbers of burrow nesting auks had fallen by as much as 80% since 1986, whereas on islands without raccoons numbers had remained stable or increased. The evidence obtained suggests that burrow nesting auks will not coexist with raccoons and that once raccoons are established the auk populations will be rapidly extirpated.
Temperature Relations in Two Species of Tropical West American Littorines

The intertidal zonation and temperature relationships of two Littorina species which co—occurred over a wide range of latitudes in the West American tropics were studied. It was found that L. aspera lives higher in the intertidal zone, experiences higher tissue temperatures in the field, and has a higher upper lethal temperature than L. modesta. A positive correlation between intertidal height and heat resistance has been observed previously in temperature latitudes. A similar correlation in two high intertidal tropical snails was found in this study. There is a large difference between maximum temperature recorded in the field and thermal tolerance determined in the laboratory, providing the animals with a considerable safety factor. It is suggested that temperature is a major factor influencing the intertidal distribution of these species. See full-text article at JSTOR
Structure of Anogeissus leiocarpa Guill., Perr. natural stands in relation to anthropogenic pressure within Wari-Maro Forest Reserve in Benin

The present study focused on the analysis of the structure of the Anogeissus leiocarpa dominated natural stands in the Wari-Maroforestreservewhichareunderhighandminimal anthropogenic pressures. These stands were considered for forest inventories after carrying out a random sampling scheme of 40 sample units of 30 m · 50 m. In each level pressure stand, the dbh and tree-height of identified treespecies were measured in each plot. Data analyses were based on the computation of structural parameters, establishment of diameter and height distributions and the floristic composition of the two types of stands. Results obtained showed higher values for the overall basal area (9.78m 2 ha )1 ),meanheight(22.37m)andmeandiameter (36.92 cm) for A. leiocarpa in low-pressure stands. In highpressure stands, some species like Afzelia africana had lower Importance Value Index and the frequency of A. leiocarpa trees in the successive diameter classes dropped rapidly and the value of the logarithmic slope of the height‐diameter relationship was lower (9.77) indicating a lanky shape. Results obtained suggest that effective conservation is needed for A. leiocarpa stands under high pressure by limiting human interference and developing appropriate strategy for restoration purposes.
Spillover of Insects from Rain Forest into Adjacent Oil Palm Plantations

Conversion of natural forest to oil palm plantations is a major threat to biodiversity in Southeast Asia. The retention of natural forest habitats within plantations has been proposed as a method to reduce biodiversity losses in agricultural areas, and we examined whether forest areas resulted in spillover of species into adjacent oil palm plantations. We sampled ants and butterflies along two 2‐km transects across an ecotone from plantation into adjacent forest in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Species richness of both taxa was reduced in plantations, but to a greater extent in butterflies (54% reduction) than in ants (25% reduction). Butterfly diversity increased in plantations with increasing proximity to forest primarily due to spillover of ‘vagrant’ forest species (whose larval host plants do not occur in plantations), although richness of species that could potentially breed in plantations also increased near to forest. By contrast, ants showed no spillover effects and were less sensitive to land‐use changes, with much higher levels of similarity in species assemblages across habitats than for butterflies. Our results for butterflies suggest that despite the negative impacts of plantations on diversity, proximity to forest could improve diversity in adjacent plantations for some taxa. Spillover of forest species implies that retaining forest areas within plantations may be important for facilitating dispersal of some species through the landscape.
Effect of the Angle of Incidence of Light on the Net Photosynthesis Rates of Sorghum almum Leaves

Modellers of plant canopy photosynthetic production make the assumption that there is no influence upon a leaf of the angle of incidence of parallel light it receives other than that arising from the geometrically reduced surface irradiance. This assumption was tested using attached leaves of Sorghum almum. Gas exchange measurements indicated that at oblique angles of incidence there was a marked reduction (up to 50% at 70°) in net photosynthesis rate below that expected on the basis of the reduced leaf surface irradiance. This 'angle effect' was shown to be at least partially the result of increased leaf reflectivity at oblique angles of incidence of light. The inclusion of this effect in a canopy model indicated that the common assumption tested could lead to a maximum overestimation of daily canopy production by about 7%.
Antiinflammatory Properties of HDL

There are several well-documented functions of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that may explain the ability of these lipoproteins to protect against atherosclerosis. The best recognized of these is the ability of HDL to promote the efflux of cholesterol from cells. This process may minimize the accumulation of foam cells in the artery wall. However, HDL has additional properties that may also be antiatherogenic. For example, HDL is an effective antioxidants. The major proteins of HDL, apoA-I and apoA-II, as well as other proteins such as paraoxonase that cotransport with HDL in plasma, are well-known to have antioxidant properties. As a consequence, HDL has the capacity to inhibit the oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in a process that reduces the atherogenicity of these lipoproteins. HDL also possesses other antiinflammatory properties. By virtue of their ability to inhibit the expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells, they reduce the recruitment of blood monocytes into the artery wall. These antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of HDL may be as important as its cholesterol efflux function in terms of protecting against the development of atherosclerosis.
Large-scale Analysis of Atlantic Nova Scotia American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Landings with Respect to Habitat, Temperature, and Wind Conditions

American lobster (Homarus americanus) landings per unit of habitat, calculated for 25 statistical districts (SD) of Atlantic Nova Scotia (N.S.), were consistently higher in northern Cape Breton (SD 1–7) and southwestern N.S. (SD 32–34) than from the eastern (SD 15–18) and southern (SD 22–31) shores. Analyses suggest that changes in lobster populations of Atlantic N.S. take place over distances in the order of 100 km and over periods of about 5 yr and that lobster abundance is not limited by habitat availability. Five large homogeneous regions subject to similar historical landing trends could be identified on the basis of their thermal characteristics. Regions of lowest lobster landings (SD 8–31) are oriented in the axis of dominant southwest winds, which generate coastal upwelling, resulting in the lowest cumulative number of degree-days and a high year-to-year variability. Conversely, the high landings recorded in southwestern N.S. can be related to warm and stable temperature conditions, allowing lobst.
Histopathology of cankers on Populus caused by Cytospora chrysosperma

Cuttings of poplar hybrid NE-388 (P. maximowiczii Henry × trichocarpa Torr. & Gray) were inoculated with mycelium of Cytospora chrysosperma (Pers.) Fr. Bark samples for histological study were taken at varying times after inoculation from slowly enlarging cankers, blackstem, control wounds, and uninoculated healthy plants. Histological examination revealed that slowly enlarging cankers are characterized by hyphae in the xylem and necrosis of the cambium ahead of visible bark symptoms, by large- and small-diameter hyphae both between and within host cells, and by hyphal aggregations associated with the leading edge of bark colonization. The blackstem symptom is characterized by rapid colonization of the cortex and phloem by large-diameter intercellular hyphae followed by the digestion of cell contents by small-diameter intracellular hyphae. Histochemical tests indicate degradation of pectic substances, loss of cellulose and starch, and deposition of wound gums. Lignification is not involved. Host response .
Renal Adaptations of Desert Vertebrates

Renal adaptations of desert vertebrates may involve regulation of urine osmolality and glomerular filtration rate. Changes in the latter may influence the former. Excretory end products of nitrogen metabolism may influence urine osmolality, excretion of water, and excretion of inorganic ions. These are integrated with other physiological and behavioral mechanisms for desert survival. (Accepted for publication 7 July 1981)
Economic analysis of integrated management of wild oats involving fallow, herbicide and crop rotational options

Summary. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the economic benefits associated with an integrated weed management approach for wild oats (Avena fatua and A. ludoviciana) in northern New South Wales involving chemical and non-chemical controls. The paper presents a framework for assessing the population dynamics of wild oats and the economics of a range of control options over 15 years. Wild oats is a weed primarily of winter crops which, as a consequence of its persistence and its impact upon yields, leads to significant economic losses in the grain growing regions of Australia. In this study, a dynamic programming model is developed to examine the impact of a range of management strategies for the control of wild oats in wheat. The strategies evaluated include conventional herbicide control to reduce weed densities, the use of selective herbicides to reduce seed set of the weed, and summer crop and winter fallow rotational options which provide a break in the cereal cycle and allow accelerated control of wild oat populations. The hypothesis for the study, that strategies which involve measures that directly reduce seed production and minimise wild oats seed bank populations will yield the greatest economic benefit, is acceptable based on the findings of the study. The work also shows that a dynamic programming model provides a means of determining the optimal combination of strategies over time for various initial values of the seed bank. The methodology is considered to have general application as a framework for evaluating the economics of weed control problems in annual cropping systems.
Solid-phase assay for the detection of varicella zoster virus

Aims: ViriChip™ is a novel bionanotechnologic resource that couples atomic-force microscopy with the high-affinity solid-phase capture of viral particles. In this work, it was used for the detection of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Materials & methods: ViriChip was used for VZV detection. PCR, quantitative real-time PCR and electron microscopy were also used to determine the sensitivity and effectiveness of the method. Results: VZV binding was found to be linear at concentrations between 102 and 105 viral particles/µl of an applied sample and the virus was identified by its distinct morphology, shape and size uniformity. The identity of the VZV was verified by direct visualization using electron microscopy, fluorescent imaging with labeled VZV antibodies, PCR and quantitative PCR. Immunocapture was antibody specific, with a sensitivity of 102 viral particles/µl. Conclusion: The ViriChip method allows the detection and visualization of VZV, as well as the recovery of viral particles without inducing mo.
Anti-Cancer Activity of the Flower Bud of Sophora japonica L. through Upregulating Activating Transcription Factor 3 in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

The flower buds of Sophora japonica L (SF), as a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, have been used to treat bleeding-related disorders such as hematochezia, hemorrhoidal bleeding, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and diarrhea. However, no specific anti-cancer effect and its molecular mechanism of SF have been described. Thus, we performed in vitro study to investigate if treatment of SF affects activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) expression and ATF3-mediated apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. The effects of SF on cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and Western blot analysis against cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). ATF3 activation induced by SF was evaluated using Western blot analysis, RT-PCR and ATF3 promoter assay. SF treatment caused decrease of cell viability and increase of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Exposure of SF activated the levels of ATF3 protein and mRNA via transcriptional regulation in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 by PD98059 and p38 by SB203580 attenuated SF-induced ATF3 expression and transcriptional activation. Ectopic ATF3 overexpression accelerated SF-induced cleavage of PARP. These findings suggest that SF-mediated apoptosis may be the result of ATF3 expression through ERK1/2 and p38-mediated transcriptional activation.