Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Habitat selection by reintroduced guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in a heterogeneous mountain rangeland of central Argentina

Quebrada del Condorito National Park is located in the upper belt of the mountains of central Argentina and preserves a heterogeneous rangeland area. After the creation of the National Park, in 1996, domestic livestock were gradually removed to avoid soil loss and degradation due to overgrazing in this fragile ecosystem. Lack of large-scale herbivory allowed the expansion of tussock grasslands over grazing lawns. In 2007 a guanaco (Lama guanicoe) population was reintroduced; this large native herbivore, that had become extinct in the region was selected, because it is a low-impact grazer. Habitat selection by the guanaco population reintroduced to the National Park was studied. Seven habitat types previously defined for the region were considered, each one exhibiting a particular dominant plant growth form and different per cent cover of plant species. Guanacos made a positive selection of moist and dry grazing lawns, and avoided tussock grasslands and forests. The reintroduced guanacos selected landscapes with short plants and a high percentage of perennial graminoids and forbs, which are guanacos’ preferred food items. The results indicate that availability of forage of a nutritive value and dominant plant growth form largely explain habitat selection by guanaco in the National Park; this information can be useful for both the ongoing guanaco reintroduction project and the design of management strategies aimed at ecological restoration of this important rangeland region of central Argentina.
Estudo fenológico de Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville no cerrado sensu stricto da Fazenda Água Limpa no Distrito Federal, Brasil

Stryphnodendron adstringens, popularly known as barbatimao, is widely distributed in the cerrado bioma from Para, in the Amazon region, to the Brazilian central plateau reaching the Southeast (Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo). Its bark and fruits countain taninn and have medicinal properties. Its nutritional requirements are low and it doesn't accumulate aluminium. Flowers are hermaphrodite and pollinated by small insects, especially bees. It is one of the main woody species found in the site studied. The objective of this paper is to analyse the phenological events of this species in an area of cerrado sensu stricto in the Fazenda Agua Limpa (15°56'S and 47°46'W) from 1987 to 1991. Ten trees were observed from january/18/1987 to november/07/1991. The climate is Koppen Aw, with a well-marked seasonality. Phenological patterns were graphically analysed, by Kruskall-Wallis test at 5% and by Spearman Rank Correlation. Annual leaf change patterns were similar over the five-year period. All individuals flowered each year, except for two that did not flower in 1990, one year after an accidental burning. Flowering occurred between July to November with the peaks varying over the years. All individuals produced fruits until 1989 when they were aborted by the burning. No fruiting was observed in the following year and just half of the fruit production was observed in 1991. The phenological model is annual with flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, peaks of senescence and leaf flushing occurring in the dry season. Fruits take about one year to ripe. Occasional dry season fires deeply affected the reproductive activities, especially fruiting.
The perception of risks associated with food‐related hazards and the perceived reliability of sources of information

Summary This study aimed to explore, on the one hand, public perception of risks associated with different food-related hazards and, on the other hand, perception of reliability of various sources providing information on food-related risks. Some differences were found when consumers compared six food-related hazards in terms of perceived personal risk and their knowledge of potential food risks. The concern about food risks was found to be statistically significantly dependent on the perception of risk to the individual. As far as the perception of the reliability of information was concerned, a principal component analysis revealed some differences in terms of respondents’ perception when the sources were compared. Furthermore, a regression analysis showed that the perceived amount of information each source contained about food-related hazards was an important element in perception of reliability, as well as the degree of concern consumers believed the agencies had with protecting their health from food risks.
Ultrasound Avoidance Behaviors in Two Species of Neoconocephalus (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae)

Abstract The hearing system of the katydid genus Neoconocephalus functions in two contexts: intraspecific communication and predator (bat) avoidance. Male calls and bat echolocation signals differ spectrally and temporally. In order to respond appropriately, katydids must recognize and discriminate between signal types. We categorized bat avoidance behaviors and examined temporal recognition of bat cries behaviorally during tethered flight in Neoconocephalus retusus and Neoconocephalus ensiger. We used simulated bat approaches to categorize bat avoidance behaviors in Neoconocephalus. Four distinct behaviors were observed: steering, wingbeat interruption, dives and leg kicks. The first three behaviors were amplitude dependent and could be elicited by a single pulse of ultrasound. The final behavior only occurred during the terminal phase and was found to be pulse-rate dependent. Response probabilities of specific behaviors varied between species, A comparison of the two Neoconocephalus species showed that steering and leg kicks were performed consistently in both species. However, wingbeat interruptions and dives occurred more often in N. retusus than in N. ensiger. We also tested how temporal properties of model bat cries are used to recognize a signal as aversive. Single-pulse experiments showed that katydids respond best to pulses with relatively short rise times and a minimum duration. Very long pulse durations did not negatively affect responsiveness if rise times were short enough. No differences were found in temporal recognition between the two species.
A Competitive Ratio for Quantifying Competition Between Intercrops

SUMMARY A simple competitive ratio (CR) is proposed as a measure of intercrop competition, to indicate the number of times by which one component crop is more competitive than the other. Intercropping data show that this CR term could be useful in (i) comparing the competitive ability of different crops, (ii) measuring competitive changes within a given combination, (iii) identifying which plant characters are associated with competitive ability, and (iv) determining what competitive balance between components is most likely to give maximum yield advantages.
Calcium enhances cadmium tolerance and decreases cadmium accumulation in lettuce ( Lactuca sativa )

We aimed at characterizing mechanisms controlling cadmium accumulation in lettuce, which is a food crop showing one of the highest capacities to accumulate this toxic compound. In this study, plants from three lettuce varieties were grown for eight days on media supplemented or not with cadmium (15 μM CdCl2) and containing different concentrations of calcium (0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mM Ca(NO3)2). Our results show that exposure to cadmium resulted in biomass reduction. The biomass reduction was particularly high at 0.5 mM calcium but supplementation of the medium with increasing calcium concentrations alleviated the toxic effect of cadmium on the growth and water status of lettuce plants. The three lettuce varieties displayed different abilities to accumulate cadmium. Interestingly, increasing the calcium concentration in the medium resulted in a strong decrease in cadmium contents. These results suggest that cadmium uptake in lettuce plants is negatively associated with the presence of calcium in the culture medium, maybe due to a competition between these two cations for binding and absorption sites in roots. In conclusion, the results suggest that fertilization with Ca 2+ appears to be a promising strategy for decreasing risk associated with ingesting food crops grown on cadmium polluted soils.
Predator release from invertebrate generalists does not explain geometrid moth (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) outbreaks at high altitudes

Abstract Outbreaks of geometrid defoliators in subarctic birch forest in Fennoscandia often occur at high altitude in a distinct zone along the tree line. At the same time, moth larvae may not have an impact on the forest at lower altitude. Directly adjacent outbreak and nonoutbreak areas offer unique opportunities for studying the underlying mechanisms of outbreaks. Within two altitudinal gradients in coastal northern Norway, we investigated whether altitudinal outbreaks might be caused by release from pupal predation by ground-dwelling invertebrates such as harvestmen (Opiliones), spiders (Araneae), rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and other beetles (Coleoptera). We predicted a consistently higher abundance of such generalist predators at low versus high altitudes. Our results did not support this prediction. There was no consistent altitudinal variation in the abundance of predators that could be related to zonal moth outbreaks in the birch forest slopes. In addition, none of the predator groups investigated showed any numerical response to a distinct outbreak of winter moth that took place during the course of the study. Consequently, localised moth outbreaks at the altitudinal tree line in northern Norway cannot be explained by the release from pupal predation by the predator groups examined here. Résumé Des éclosions massives de géométridés défoliateurs dans les forêts subarctiques de bouleaux de Fennoscandie se produisent souvent à haute altitude dans une zone distincte le long de la ligne des arbres. Au même moment, les larves des lépidoptères peuvent être sans impact sur la forêt à une altitude inférieure. Ces zones directement adjacentes avec et sans éclosions représentent des occasions uniques pour étudier les mécanismes sous-jacents aux éclosions. Sur deux gradients d'altitude sur la côte nord de la Norvège, nous avons vérifié si les éclosions saisonnières pouvaient être dues à la réduction de la prédation des nymphes par les invertébrés vivant au sol, tels que les opilions (Opiliones), les araignées (Araneae), les staphylins (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), les carabes (Coleoptera: Carabidae) et les autres coléoptères (Coleoptera). Nous avons prédit des densités toujours plus élevées de ces prédateurs généralistes aux basses altitudes qu'aux altitudes plus élevées. Nos résultats n'appuient pas cette prédiction. Il n'existe pas de variation régulière de l'abondance des prédateurs en fonction de l'altitude qui pourrait être mise en relation avec les éclosions dans des zones particulières le long des pentes des forêts de bouleaux. De plus, aucun des groupes de prédateurs étudiés n'a montré de réponse numérique à une éclosion bien marquée de l'arpenteuse tardive survenue au cours de l’étude. En conséquence, il n'est pas possible d'expliquer les éclosions localisées de lépidoptères au niveau de la ligne des arbres dans le nord de la Norvège par la réduction de la prédation des nymphes par les groupes de prédateurs examinés dans notre étude.
Colonization patterns in a mycorrhiza‐defective mutant tomato vary with different arbuscular‐mycorrhizal fungi

Summary • Interactions between a mycorrhiza-defective tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) mutant, rmc, and different species of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were investigated and compared with those with the wild-type cv. 76R. • Both cv. 76R and rmc were challenged with Glomus intraradices, G. mosseae, G. coronatum, G. versiforme, G. etunicatum, G. fasciculatum, Gigaspora margarita and Scutellospora calospora using a nurse pot inoculation system. • Cv. 76R demonstrated normal colonization patterns for all fungal species. By contrast, the development of different fungal species with rmc was impaired at different steps. Development of G. intraradices, G. etunicatum and G. fasciculatum was arrested on the root surface. However, G. mosseae, G. coronatum, G. margarita and S. calospora frequently penetrated the root epidermis, but colonization of the cortex was rare. G. versiforme achieved relatively normal colonization in rmc compared with the other species. • This is the first report on the variation of colonization patterns in a mycorrhiza-defective mutant by different species of AM fungi, and highlights the need for previously described mutants in legumes to be challenged by more than one fungus.
Biogeomorphic Impacts of Invasive Species

Invasive species, often recognized as ecosystem engineers, can dramatically alter geomorphic processes and landforms. Our review shows that the biogeomorphic impacts of invasive species are common, but variable in magnitude or severity, ranging from simple acceleration or deceleration of preexisting geomorphic processes to landscape metamorphosis. Primary effects of invasive flora are bioconstruction and bioprotection, whereas primary effects of invasive fauna are bioturbation, bioerosion, and bioconstruction. Land-water interfaces seem particularly vulnerable to biogeomorphic impacts of invasive species. Although not different from biogeomorphic impacts in general, invasive species are far more likely to lead to major geomorphic changes or landscape metamorphosis, which can have long-lasting impacts. In addition, invasive species can alter selection pressures in both macroevolution and microevolution by changing geomorphic processes. However, the differing timescales of biological invasions, landscape ev.
Longline Fisheries and Foraging Distribution of Flesh-Footed Shearwaters in Eastern Australia

Abstract Incidental seabird mortality associated with bycatch during longline commercial fishing is a conservation concern. An initial step to estimating likelihood of seabird bycatch and conceiving conservation strategies is determining amount of overlap between foraging birds and commercial fishing effort, identifying oceanographic features associated with foraging birds, and quantifying dive characteristics. We tracked 24 adult flesh-footed shearwaters (Puffinus carneipes) breeding on Lord Howe Island located east of Australia during incubation and early and late chick-rearing periods from 6 January to 17 April 2005. At-sea foraging distribution of flesh-footed shearwaters was primarily confined within the jurisdictional Australian Fishing Zone. Foraging was strongly associated with sea-surface temperature >24° C. Spatial and temporal overlap of longline fishing with foraging shearwaters varied throughout the breeding season, but was greatest (63% overlap) during early chick-rearing. Mean maximum distance reached from the breeding colony during a foraging event was 804 km (SD = 280) from Lord Howe Island. Foraging behavior was strongly diurnal, with 91% of dives occurring during daylight, and most dives (77%) were <5 m. Given that longline fishing and flesh-footed shearwaters overlap substantially, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority should consider implementing additional regulations to further reduce bycatch. Conservation strategies such as setting longlines at nights may reduce flesh-footed shearwater bycatch.
ENZYMATICKÁ A MECHANICKÁ DISRUPČNÍ METÓDA RASOVÝCH CELULOTICKÝCH BUNKOVÝCH STIEN JAKO FAKTOR OVPLYVŇUJÚCI ICH IN VITRO STRÁVITEĽNOSŤ ENZYMATIC AND MECHANICAL DISRUPTION METHOD OF ALGAL CELLULOTIC CELL WALLS AS A FACTOR INFLUENCING THEIR IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY

In this study it was evaluated the influence of mechanical and enzymatic disruption methods of algal cell walls on values of in vitro digestibility of green freshwater algae (Chlorella kessleri, Scenedesmus quadricauda, Chlorella sp.) and cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. In vitro digestibility of dried matter and organic matter were determined by enzymatic-gravimetric method after pepsin, pancreatin and combined hydrolysis. The lowest values of digestibility were assessed in green alga Sc. quadricauda, other samples of green algae distinctly higher digestible. Cyanobacterium Sp. platensis was more digestible in comparison with investigated green algae, due to absence of cellulose in cyanobacterial cell wall. Mechanical and enzymatic disruption methods of cell walls of green algae resulted in significant rise in values of their digestibility, thereby increase the affect of utilization of nutrients from their biomass.
Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Magnifies Intra-specific Variation in Seedling Growth of Honey Mesquite: An Assessment of Relative Growth Rates

Abstract The shrub honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa Torr.) readily encroaches into rangelands in the southwestern United States that vary in annual rainfall by almost a factor of 5 (200 to 1 000 mm). This occurs partly because mesquite seedlings grow rapidly and become uncoupled from competition with established herbaceous vegetation. Species that occupy such a wide precipitation gradient frequently include plants that differ genetically in seedling growth rate. Whether atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment affects seedling biomass uniformly across mesquite genotypes or magnifies the expression of genetic variation in seedling growth remains unresolved. We measured the effects of CO2 enrichment on growth of seedlings derived from 14 adult plants (open-pollinated families), 7 plants each from rangelands located near extremes of the rainfall gradient occupied by the shrub (arid southeastern New Mexico vs. mesic central Texas). Growth was measured over days 10 to 30 following emergence on well-watered seedlings in glasshouses at ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations (391 and 706 μmol·mol−1, respectively). Proportional responses of biomass (day 30) to CO2 enrichment varied from 1.03 to 1.74 among families. CO2 enrichment did not consistently favor the largest or fastest-growing families at ambient CO2. Rather, proportional responses of biomass to elevated CO2 were highly correlated across families with the stimulation of relative growth rate (RGR) at elevated CO2. Biomass at ambient CO2 was 19% greater, on average, in families from mesic rangeland than from arid rangeland, but families from extremes of the precipitation gradient did not diverge by seedling size or response to CO2. Selection for greater RGR could augment the mean growth response of mesquite seedlings to CO2. Even in the absence of selection, CO2 enrichment could increase mesquite establishment by enhancing seedling growth and thereby exacerbate the management challenge of minimizing woody encroachment.
Structural Studies of Alkylpurine DNA Glycosylases

Alkylation of DNA bases produces a broad spectrum of cytotoxic and mutagenic lesions that are removed from the genome by alkylpurine DNA glycosylases. These DNA repair enzymes exist in eukaryotes, archaea, and bacteria, and have varied, well-defined specificities for particular alkylpurine nucleobases. Crystal structures of these enzymes in complex with DNA and alkylated bases have illuminated some of the chemical determinants for selection of damage amidst a vast background of normal DNA. However, only now are we beginning to understand the basis for alkylpurine specificity. Here, we review the structures of alkylpurine DNA glycosylases determined to date. Comparison of these structures in the context of functional data provides insight into the mechanisms of alkylpurine selection and excision.
Characterization of human semen α-l-fucosidases

Human semen contains a large amount of a-L-fucosidase activity, the great majority of which is found in the seminal fluid. Immunocytochemical studies indicate that a small amount of semen fucosidase activity is present on the sperm plasma membrane, primarily in the posterior head region. Subcellular fractionation studies also indicate that sperm a-L-fucosidase is present in the plasma membrane-enriched fraction. Comparative characterization of human seminal fluid and sperm a-L-fucosidases indicates that seminal fluid a-L-fucosidase has a broad pH optimum curve with a number of near-equal maxima between pH 4.8 and 7.0 while sperm fucosidase has a major optimum between pH 3.4 and 4.0. Isoelectric focusing indicates that seminal fluid a-L-fucosidase contains three to six isoforms with isoelectric points (pI) of 5‐7 while sperm fucosidase contains two distinct isoforms with pI values of 5.2 K 0.2 and 7.0 K 0.2. Western blotting indicates that seminal fluid fucosidase contains a major protein band with a molecular mass ratio (Mr) of ~56 kDa while sperm fucosidase contains a major protein band of ~51 kDa. The overall results indicate the presence of a low-abundance, plasma membrane-associated human sperm a-L-fucosidase, which is different in its properties from human seminal fluid a-L-fucosidase(s), and whose function is not yet known.
Stranding and mortality of pelagic crustaceans in the western Indian Ocean

Recent observations of unusual mass stranding and mortality of two Indian Ocean crustacean species, the swimming crab Charybdis smithii and the mantis shrimp Natosquilla investigatoris, are documented and analysed. Strandings of C. smithii were observed for the first time in the equatorial Indian Ocean, the main area of its pelagic distribution. Strandings of mantis shrimps are reported from throughout the western Indian Ocean; occurrences of mass stranding in the Maldives Archipelago mark an extension of the known range of N. investigatoris into the central Indian Ocean. Mortality of crabs probably represents a ‘catastrophic event’. In contrast, mantis shrimp strandings, which were always associated with a sudden increase of its biomass (‘blooms’), are apparently post-reproduction mortalities indicating potential semelparity for this species.
ESTIMATION OF BREED INFLUENCE ON SOMATIC CELL COUNT IN BLACK AND WHITE CATTLE BREEDS BRED IN LITHUANIA

Santrauka. Somatinės ląstelės piene yra vienas iš svarbiausių karvių pieno kokybės ir tešmens sveikatingumo rodiklių. Įvairių galvijų veislių somatinių ląstelių kiekio piene tyrimų statistiniai duomenys įrodo pieno kokybės priklausomybę nuo veislės. Dispersinės analizės metodu įvertinus 2001–2003 metais Lietuvoje kontroliuotų juodmargių veislių karvių pieno kokybės duomenis nustatyta, kad somatinių ląstelių kiekį piene statistiškai patikimai (p<0,001) veikė karvės veislė. Didžiausias somatinių ląstelių skaičius nustatytas aukščiausio produktyvumo Švedijos (763±31,2 tūkst./ml), Vokietijos juodmargių (710±12,9) ir holšteinų (688±15,2) veislių karvių piene. Geriausia pieno kokybe pagal somatines ląsteles pasižymėjo prie vietinių sąlygų gerai prisitaikiusios, seniausiai į Lietuvą įvežtos Olandijos (378±69,3), Danijos (513±33,9) ir Anglijos juodmargės (529±45,5) bei Lietuvos juodmargių veislės karvės (528±1,7). Raktažodžiai: juodmargiai galvijai, veislė, pieningumas, somatinės ląstelės piene.