Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photosynthetic consequences of Marssonina leaf spot differ between two poplar hybrids.

• In foliage of two hybrid poplars, clone DN-34 (Populus deltoides × P. nigra) and clone NM-6 (P. nigra × P. maximowiczii), we examined relationships between photosynthesis and severity of leaf spot induced by Marssonina brunnea f. sp. brunnea, a common disease of many tree species in the Populus genus with the potential to affect growth. • Gas exchange was measured on asymptomatic and diseased foliage in monoculture stands of each clone. The equation Y = (1 - x)β was used to characterize the relationship between relative photosynthesis (Y) and percent leaf spot (x), where β represents the ratio between functional impairment and measured lesion area. • Leaf photosynthesis was strongly and negatively correlated with leaf spot severity in both hybrids, and β-values indicated that photosynthetic impairment extended beyond visibly damaged leaf tissue. However, large differences in β between hybrids indicated differential photosynthetic consequences for a given leaf spot severity. For each hybrid, values of β were positively related to photosynthetic photon flux density incident upon the leaf during gas exchange measurement. • Declines in leaf photosynthesis appeared to result from a disruption of the photosynthetic apparatus by the invading pathogen. However, specific causes for the differential photosynthetic responses of the two hybrids to disease remained elusive.
Allozyme variation and differentiation among four Apis species

Summary — An electrophoretic survey of 18 putative enzyme loci was conducted on Sri Lankan Apis cerana, A. dorsata and A. florea, using techniques of sequential electrophoresis. Included for analysis were published data from European A. mellifera. Seven enzymes exhibited polymorphism and for some species are reported here for the first time. Seven enzymes showed fixed allozymic differences among all four species and three were fixed for the same allozyme in all four species. Allozyme data were analyzed using UPGMA clustering, a Distance Wagner procedure and a simple cladistic method. The mean genetic distance (Nei’s D = 1.30) indicates that considerable allozyme differences have accumulated among the species. Due to the relatively large genetic distance between A. cerana and A. mellifera (D = 1.10), electrophoretic data do not support a divergence time for these species as recent as that suggested by morphological and behavioral evidence. The electrophoretic data do not resolve questions concerning the phylogeny of Apis, due largely to the number of fixed differences among the species. Electrophoresis does show promise for species identification and resolution of the A. dorsata dcomplexd and other issues in Apis, as even the entry of data from single colonies into the BIOSYS program provided unambiguous discrimination. The treatment of electrophoretic data with phylogenetic tree-building or clustering techniques has potential for subspecies identification in endemic A. mellifera.
Characterisation of quality and safety of tomatoes sold in the state of Kuwait

This study determined the microbiological quality and safety of locally produced and imported tomatoes at selected points of the food chain. To accomplish this objective, a survey was conducted to obtain necessary information on the various links in the food chain for tomatoes. The food chain operational links for local and imported tomatoes were then prepared. Microbiological assessment of tomatoes was then carried out by collecting samples from local farms, retail and wholesale outlets. Microbiological analyses included aerobic plate count (APC), yeast and moulds, Streptococcus faecal, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and detection of Salmonella spp. All samples collected at the farms and the outlets had APC counts less than 107 CFU g−1. Local samples collected from the farms exceeded the microbiological recommendations set for yeast and moulds (10%), faecal Streptococcus (0.7%) and L. monocytogenes (0.7%). Similarly, local tomato samples collected at the outlets exceeded the microbiological recommendations set for yeast and moulds (7.6%) and L. monocytogenes (1.3%). For imported tomatoes, samples exceeded the microbiological recommendations for yeast and moulds (10%), faecal Streptococcus (2.5%) and L. monocytogenes (1.3%). The pathogen, Salmonella spp. was not detected in any of the samples analysed.
Seabird-fishery interactions : quantifying the sensitivity of seabirds to reductions in sandeel abundance, and identification of key areas for sensitive seabirds in the North Sea

Sandeels Ammodytes marinus are important food for many breeding seabirds in the North Sea, and are harvested in large quantities by an industrial fishery. There is very little evidence of the fishery reducing availability of sandeels to breeding seabirds, but there is concern that fishery managers should take account of the needs of breeding seabirds. Here we present a quantitative index of the sensitivity of different seabird species' breeding success to reduced abundance of sandeels. The index is based on seabird size, cost of foraging, potential foraging range, ability to dive, amount of 'spare' time in the daily budget, and ability to switch diet. Testing the index with empiri- cal data from Shetland during periods of reduced sandeel abundance shows a close correlation between seabird breeding performance and predictions from the index. Mapping the distributions around the North Sea of seabirds with breeding success highly sensitive to sandeel abundance shows that the majority of sensitive seabirds breed in Shetland and Orkney. Industrial fishing in those regions should be closely controlled to avoid depleting the local sandeel stocks on which seabirds depend. This analysis considers only impacts on seabird breeding. There is a need for analysis of possible influences on other aspects of seabird demography.
Current synthetic inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase in 2005

The human neutrophil elastase (HNE)-related diseases, such as acute lung injury (ALI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF), are a serious problem worldwide. To prevent excessive production of HNE, which is a major pathogenic factor of these disorders, and to restore the appropriate balance between HNE and its inhibitors, research and development of potent synthetic HNE inhibitors has been conducted for > 30 years worldwide. At present, the following four agents can be described as the most successful: the acyl-enzyme inhibitors, ONO-5046 and MR-889, and the transition-state inhibitors, ONO-6818 and AE-3763. Additionally, protein inhibitors such as DX-890 (EPI-hNE-4), recombinant α1-antitrypsin, elafin and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) are also being developed and actively researched in 2005. This review focuses upon the major synthetic HNE inhibitors, including those patented in 2004.
Wirkstoffe mit Janusgesicht: Auxin‐Herbizide

Mit ihrer Fähigkeit, insbesondere dikotyle Unkräuter in Getreidearten zu bekämpfen, gehören Auxin‐Herbizide zu den erfolgreichsten Wirkstoffen im Pflanzenbau. Erst in jüngster Zeit jedoch konnten Fortschritte in der Aufklärung ihres Wirkungsmechanismus erzielt werden. Der Schlüssel dazu war die Entdeckung einer neuen Variante des Zusammenspiels der Phytohormone. Nach der Erkennung des Auxin‐Signals kommt dabei der Induktion der 1‐Aminocyclopropan‐1‐carbonsäure (ACC)‐Synthase in der Biosynthese des Ethylens die entscheidende Rolle zu. Bei dikotylen Unkräutern löst die verstärkte Ethylenbildung Wachstumsveränderungen aus und stimuliert darüber hinaus die Synthese der Abscisinsäure. Die Folge ist ein Schluss der Stomata, Hemmung der CO2‐Assimilation, verstärkte Bildung von reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies, Blattseneszenz, Gewebeschädigung und schließlich Zelltod. Im Unterschied dazu kommt es im Gewebe empfindlicher Schadgräser zu einer Anhäufung von phytotoxischem Cyanid, das als Stoffwechselnebenprodukt der stimulierten Ethylenbiosynthese gebildet wird. All dies sind Reaktionen, die im Prinzip auch an der Regulation von normalen pflanzlichen Entwicklungsprozessen und Stressvorgängen beteiligt sein können.
Antiproliferative, antioxidant and apoptosis effects of Zingiber Officenale and 6-Gingerol on HepG2 cells

The present study was designed to compare the antioxidant, antiproliferative and apoptosis effects of ethanolic extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale) with its phenolic component (6)-Gingerol on human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). We found that cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect of ginger extract and (6)-Gingerol could be associated with induction of apoptosis. Both ginger extract and (6)-Gingerol also showed remarkable antioxidant activities in comparison with ascorbic acid and N-acetyl-L-cysteine.
Hydrogen metabolism of mutant forms of Anabaena variabilis in continuous cultures and under nutritional stress

Nitrogenase activity and H2 evolution were studied in two mutants of the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 which are impaired in molecular H2-related metabolism. Evidence was obtained that mutants deficient in uptake and reversible hydrogenases were suitable for biotechnological research on H2 production. H2 production by the mutant PK84 in continuous cultures was 4.3 times higher compared to the wild-type. Enhancement in H2 evolution by all the cultures under N2 (1.8–1.9 times) and CO2 starvation (1.4–1.5 times) was observed.
A continuum model for platelet plug formation, growth and deformation

A numerical framework for modelling platelet plug dynamics is presented in this work. It consists of an extension of a biochemical and plug growth model with a solid mechanics model for the plug coupled with a fluid–structure interaction model for the blood flow–plug system. The platelet plug is treated as a neo‐Hookean elastic solid, of which the implementation is based on an updated Lagrangian approach. The framework is applied to different haemodynamic configurations coupled with different shear moduli of the plug. Results about plug growth, shape and size, as well as the stress distribution, are shown. Based on the simulations performed, we conclude that the deformability of the platelet plug is essential for its growth. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demographic genetics of the endangered Amiata donkey breed

Abstract The demogenetic structure of the Amiata donkey, an endangered breed from Central Italy, was investigated using information from pedigrees. Genealogical data of 602 donkeys reared in Tuscany were recorded in a database and analysed by the computer package ENDOG. Population size increased from 89 subjects in 1995 to 503 (129 males and 374 females) in 2005. Animals were distributed among 152 herds, but the effective number of herds was 21, suggesting that a small number of herds provided stallions for the entire breed. The maximum number of traced generation was 4, the mean maximum generation was 1.14, the mean complete generation was 0.53, and the mean equivalent generation was 0.78. The average relatedness coefficient (AR) in the 503 alive animals was 0.94% while the mean F was 0.29% so the effective population size was 172.41. Among 24 animals with a 4-generation history, 3 (12.5%) were 25% inbred. Although the incompleteness of genealogical information did not permit accurate inference of the current values of population genetic parameters, the present work represents a first step towards an efficient management of the breed.
APASS discovery and characterization of 180 variable stars in Aquarius

During a search for RR Lyr variable stars candidate members of the Aquarius stream, which led to the discovery of 71 such objects, we also discovered an additional 180 variables which are presented in this paper. Of them, 141 were previously reported as variables and 39 are brand new. For all 180 objects, we provide: our epoch photometry, accurate positions, mean magnitude and amplitude of variation in Landolt B,V and Sloan g, r, i bands, crossidentification with WISE, 2MASS and GALEX surveys, accurate BVRCICgri photometric sequences and finding charts identifying the variable and the stars of the photometric sequence provided to support follow-up observations. We carried out a Fourier search on all 39 new variables and found periods for 10 of them.
Testing mitochondrial marker efficacy for DNA barcoding in spiders: a test case using the dwarf spider genus Oedothorax (Araneae : Linyphiidae : Erigoninae)

Abstract. The present study focusses on comparatively assessing the efficacy for DNA barcoding of the two most commonly used mitochondrial markers (cox1 and 16S) in a genus of erigonine spiders. In total, 53 specimens representing five species, including four multi-sampled species, were sampled from several European localities. Initial evaluation of species monophyly was performed through parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses. Efficacy of mitochondrial markers was tested using operational (including distance-, tree-based measures and Barcode Gap) and evolutionary criteria (using the General Mixed Yule-coalescent Model) for species delimitation. We propose that the cox1 marker can potentially overestimate analyses of biodiversity and thus might not be the preferred marker for DNA species identification and delimitation methods in Oedothorax. Instead, our results suggest that the 16S marker appears to be a promising candidate for such endeavour. Evaluating the contribution and suitability of markers to the re-identification of species, measured by their recovery of well established morphological species, is critical for future studies and for reliable results in species identification in spiders.
Effect of a Glucose Load on Some Biochemical Parameters in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Ewes

Abstract Morgante, M. , Gianesella, M. , Casella, S. , Stelletta, C. , Cannizzo, C. , Giudice, E. and Piccione, G. 2010. Effect of a glucose load on some biochemical parameters in pregnant and non pregnant ewes. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 37: 109–112. To evaluate the effect of a glucose load on some biochemical parameters 5 each of pregnant (with single or twin foetus) and nonpregnant clinically healthy and well-fed Sardinian ewes were used. The concentration of glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides and urea was assessed 15 min before and 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 240 min after glucose infusion. There was significant effect of time after glucose infusion on glucose and triglycerides and a significant effect of pregnancy after glucose infusion on all parameters studied. In conclusion, these results showed glucose as an important direct controller of metabolic interactions in normal subjects and of metabolic responses in pregnant ewes.
Deeply divergent lineages of the widespread New Zealand amphipod Paracalliope fluviatilis revealed using allozyme and mitochondrial DNA analyses

Summary 1. We evaluated the population genetic structure of the common New Zealand amphipod Paracalliope fluviatilis using eight allozyme loci, and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene locus. Morphological analyses were also conducted to evaluate any phenotypic differences. Individuals belonging to P. fluviatilis were collected from a total of 14 freshwater fluvial habitats on the North and South Islands, New Zealand. 2. We found evidence for strong genetic differentiation among locations (Wright's FST > 0.25), and fixed differences (non-shared alleles) at two of the eight allozyme loci indicating the possibility of previously unknown species. Analysis of a 545-bp fragment of the COI locus was mostly congruent with the allozyme data and revealed the same deeply divergent lineages (sequence divergences up to 26%). 3. Clear genetic breaks were identified between North Island and South Island populations. North Island populations separated by 12%). Accordingly, present-day dispersal among hydrologically isolated habitats appears minimal for this taxon. 4. Although population differences were clearly shown by allozyme and mtDNA analyses, individuals were morphologically indistinguishable. This suggests that, as in North American and European taxa (e.g. Hyalella and Gammarus), morphological conservatism may be prevalent among New Zealand's freshwater amphipods. We conclude that molecular techniques, particularly the COI gene locus, may be powerful tools for resolving species that show no distinctive morphological differences.
Net Energy Value for Lactation of a High and Low Concentrate Ration Containing Corn Silage

Abstract Rations containing corn silage and either 30 or 60% of the dry matter from concentrate were fed to Holstein cows in amounts calculated to minimize body tissue change. Complete energy balance measurements were made at 6-week intervals throughout the lactation cycle. Digestibility of energy in the 30 and 60% concentrate ration declined from 72 and and 75% at maintenance down to 63 and 64% at 4× maintenance. Smaller losses of energy as methane and urine partially compensated for greater fecal loss, but metabolizability of both rations decreased (P milk required for maintenance is assumed to be 73 kcal/wt . 75 per day, the average NE milk value of the 30% concentrate ration is 1.66±. 11 Mcal/kg dry matter compared to 1.70±. 17 Mcal/kg dry matter for the 60% concentrate ration. Substitution of concentrate for corn silage over the range studied did not increase net utilization of energy.
Social Organization of Eastern Grey Kangaroos in Southeastern New South Wales. II. Associations within Mixed Groups

Les associations et les interactions a l'interieur d'un large groupe de kangourous geants des deux sexes ont ete etudiees pendant trois ans dans des sites contenant des restes de pâtures amendees dans le sud-est des New South Wales, en Australie. De toute taille et classe de reproduction, ils se nourrissaient plus longtemps et avaient des interactions moins frequentes en hiver, quand la biomasse des pâtures etait plus basse, qu'au printemps. L'ecart entre proches voisins etait plus grand en hiver qu'au printemps. Les femelles et leurs petits sont toujours etroitement unis mais se tiennent a une distance relativement grande des voisins. Les grands mâles sont reunis en hiver et separes des femelles
Nutritional and plant-mediated controls on leaf litter decomposition of Carex species

We studied the effects of experimentally induced variation in leaf litter chemistry on leaf litter decomposition and leaf litter nutrient release of Carex species from habitats that differ in nutrient availability. Carex diandra, C. rostrata, and C. lasiocarpa are dominant in less productive mesotrophic fens, whereas C. acutiformis is dominant in more productive eutrophic fens. For each species, three types of litter were used: litter collected in the field (FLD); and litter from experimental populations grown at low (LN: 3.3 g N·m−2·yr−1) and high N supply (HN: 20.0 g N·m−2·yr−1). For all the litter chemistry parameters studied there were highly significant interactions between species and litter type. This implies that, due to differential plant-mediated controls on leaf litter chemistry, it is not always possible to predict changes in litter chemistry in response to increased nutrient supply. Litter decay was determined in a long-term (3 yr) field experiment using litter bags. The litter types of each species were incubated at their native growing sites. Contrary to what is generally found, the leaf litter decomposition rate of the species growing at the nutrient-poorest site (C. diandra) was higher than that of the species growing at the nutrient-richest site (C. acutiformis). Only for C. diandra and C. lasiocarpa was the decomposition rate of the litter from the HN treatment higher than that of the field litter. Thus, increased nutrient supply does not necessarily lead to higher litter decomposition rates. Nutrient controls on litter decay changed with time: initial litter decay (≤3 mo) was strongly controlled (high r2 values) by all P-related litter quality parameters, whereas long-term litter decay (>1 yr) was most strongly related with the phenolics : N ratio, the phenolics : P ratio, the lignin : N ratio, and the C:N ratio. Our data suggest that high levels of atmospheric N deposition, such as in the study area (The Netherlands), may lead to a relative shortage of P in the plant-derived substrates for bacteria and fungi. As a result, P-related litter chemistry parameters exert a strong influence on litter decay. Our data did not support the hypothesis that high-nutrient species increase nutrient cycling due to the production of easily decomposable litter with high rates of nutrient release. The leaf litter from Carex acutiformis, the species from the high-productivity fens, decomposed more slowly than that of the other species, immobilized more N and P and had a longer period of net N and P immobilization. However, this species has a higher litter production than the other species and thereby increases the rate of nutrient cycling. At the intraspecific level, increased nutrient supply led to lower amounts of immobilized N and P and faster N and P release from litter in most species, and thereby to a higher rate of nutrient cycling. This positive feedback between nutrient supply rate and the rate of nutrient cycling is reinforced by the increase in litter production in response to increased nutrient supply.
Is there a ‘browse trap’? Dynamics of herbivore impacts on trees and grasses in an African savanna

Despite widespread acknowledgement that large mammal herbivory can strongly affect vegetation structure in savanna, we still lack a theoretical and practical understanding of savanna dynamics in response to herbivory. Like fire, browsing may impose height‐structured recruitment limitations on trees (i.e. a ‘browse trap’), but the demographics of herbivore effects have rarely been considered explicitly. Evidence that cohorts of trees in savannas may establish during herbivore population crashes and persist long term in savanna landscapes is anecdotal. Here, we use an experimental approach in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park in South Africa, examining the response of grass biomass and tree populations to 10 years of graduated herbivore exclusion, and their subsequent response when exclosures were removed. We found that grazer exclusion increased grass biomass and that, despite presumable increases in fire intensity and grass competition, herbivore – especially mesoherbivore, including impala and nyala – exclusion resulted in increases in tree size. After herbivore reintroduction, grazers reduced grass biomass over short time‐scales, but tree release from browsing persisted, regardless of tree size. Synthesis. This work provides the first experimental evidence that release from browsing trumps grazer–grass–fire interactions to result in increases in tree size that persist even after browser reintroduction. Escape from the ‘browse trap’ may be incremental and not strictly episodic, but, over longer time‐scales, reductions in browsing pressure may lead to tree establishment events in savanna that persist even during periods of intense browsing. Explicitly considering the temporal demographic effects of browsing will be the key for a much‐needed evaluation of the potential global extent of herbivore impacts in savanna.
Iron Production in Uganda: memories of a near-forgotten industry

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