Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic movement upon abscisic acid and salicylic acid combined treatments

Plant hormones are known to play important roles for maintenance of internal conditions under various environmental stresses. Recent studies revealed that there is a significant cross-talk between abiotic and biotic stress responses. To understand such complex mechanisms, comprehensive analyses at multiple levels are required. In this study, to examine the dynamic interactions between plant hormone responses, we analyzed the metabolic movements of Arabidopsis thaliana cultured cells during hormone treatments by NMR metabolic profiling. First, we verified the effect of plant hormone treatments on intracellular metabolites, and detected that the abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), auxin, and brassinosteroid treatment caused metabolic changes. Secondly, since SA and ABA act antagonistically against each other, we monitored dynamic metabolic movements during ABA and SA combined treatments. The response to ABA-only treatment suggested that sugars and amino acids significantly increased. Although SA alone caused fewer metabolic changes, SA caused remarkable metabolic changes when applied in combination with ABA. In addition, our NMR data implied that salicylate glucoside (SAG), which is major metabolite converted from SA, significantly increased in the SA- only treatment but decreased with ABA in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that ABA and SA cross-talk at the metabolite level in a complicate manner and that the combination of various conditions will provide us with a holistic view of plant stress response mechanisms.
Assessing the Economic, Environmental, and Societal Losses from Invasive Plants on Rangeland and Wildlands1

Abstract A literature review was conducted to summarize information on environmental, economic, and societal losses caused by 16 key invasive plants on rangeland and wildlands in the United States. Results of the literature review indicated that scope of published information ranged from narrow to comprehensive. Extensive quantitative information is published about environmental impacts caused by leafy spurge, downy brome, saltcedar, purple loosestrife, and several knapweeds or starthistle. For other species, quantitative information was limited and references to impacts were mainly anecdotal or observational. The economic impacts of most species were poorly documented. Comprehensive economic analyses conducted on either a state or regional basis were published about leafy spurge, saltcedar, and the knapweeds. Agricultural costs including loss of grazing value were quantified for several additional species, but environmental and societal costs were not included in the analyses. Additional research is needed to quantify economic and environmental losses of invasive nonnative plants on rangeland and wildland sites. Nomenclature: Downy brome, Bromus tectorum L. #3 BROTE; leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula L. # EPHES; purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L. # LYTSA; saltcedar or tamarisk, Tamarix spp. , # TAASS; yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis L. # CENSO. Additional index words: Exotic plants, invasive plant impacts, noxious weed impacts.
Calmodulin and calmodulin‐mediated processes in plants

The Ca2+ -binding protein calmodulin is found in all plants investigated so far. The comparison of the biochemical and functional properties reveals that it is structurally conserved and functionally preserved throughout the plant and animal kingdom. Among the plant enzymes so far known to be dependent on the Ca2+ -calmodulin complex are NAD kinase(s), Ca2+ -transport ATPase, quinate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, soluble and membrane bound protein kinases, and H+ -transport ATPase. Calmodulin may play also an important role in the regulation of other cellular reactions, such as hormone-mediated processes, secretion of enzymes, and contractile mechanisms. On the basis of the NAD kinase and its regulation by light and Ca2+ -calmodulin, it is suggested that changes in the cellular, free Ca2+ concentration following stimulation may alter the metabolism of a plant cell. According to this suggestion free Ca2+ may act as a second messenger in plants much as it does in animal cells.
Effect of host plant on susceptibility of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) to the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales)

Abstract We determined host plant effect on susceptibility of whitefly Bemisia tabaci to the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana under controlled conditions. Insects were reared on cucumber, eggplant, tomato or cabbage. Fungal suspensions of 1×104, 105, 106, 107 and 108 conidia/mL were applied on second-instar nymphs. Nymphal survival significantly differed among different host plant species on which the nymphs were reared. Ten days after inoculation with 1×108 conidia/mL, percent survival was 4.2±0.7, 9.6±0.4, 13.4±0.8, and 24.3±0.9% on cucumber, eggplant, tomato and cabbage, respectively. Average survival times of nymphs were also significantly influenced by host plant species. After inoculation with 1×108 conidia/mL, survival times were 4.8±0.15, 6.0±0.11, 5.7±0.13, and 6.2±0.08 days for nymphs reared on cucumber, eggplant, tomato, and cabbage, respectively. Virulence also differed depending on host plant species; 10 days after inoculation, LC50 values were 4.6×104, 1.6×105, 4.2×105 and 2.1×106 conidia/mL on cucumber, eggplant, tomato and cabbage, respectively. Nymphs on cucumber showed highest susceptibility.
Running the predator gauntlet: do freshwater shrimp (Atya lanipes) migrate above waterfalls to avoid fish predation?

Abstract Predation might cause the disparate distributions of fish and shrimp in Puerto Rican streams. Adult shrimp (Atya lanipes) are present only above waterfalls that pose barriers to predatory fishes. Because we have not found Atya in fish stomachs, we think that these amphidromous shrimp avoid predation by migrating to locations above waterfalls as post-larvae. We designed experiments in an artificial y-maze and in natural streams to test whether Atya avoid predatory fishes. In artificial streams, adult Atya avoided the scent of 2 fishes (Gobiomorus dormitor and Agonostomus monticola) regardless of whether the fish had recently been fed Atya, but they avoided the scent of Anguilla rostrata only when they had recently been fed Atya. Postlarval Atya avoided the scent of G. dormitor fed Atya and of crushed conspecifics. We then tested whether adult Atya in 4 natural headwater streams would redistribute themselves if exposed to the chemical scent or physical presence (visual, mechanical, and chemical cues) of G. dormitor. We expected Atya to move upstream from the manipulated pools, resulting in increased emigration from and lower Atya abundance in the pool. Atya relative abundance did not decline significantly in the pools when fish scent was added, indicating that chemical cues alone were not threatening enough to alter adult behavior in natural streams. The relative abundance of adults declined significantly in the pools when fish were added to in-stream cages, a result suggesting that addition of mechanical or visual cues to chemical cues signaled imminent danger and caused Atya to alter their behavior. Emigration increased, but lower activity levels also could have reduced abundances in pools. Our study provides mechanistic evidence that predatory fishes alter the behavior of postlarval and adult A. lanipes, and might explain why adult Atya are absent in reaches downstream of waterfalls.
Controle da produção muscular de espécies reativas e citocinas por ácido palmítico e eletroestimulação: possíveis implicações no envelhecimento.

Lambertucci RH. Control of Muscular Production of Reactive Species and Cytokines by Palmitic Acid and Eletrical Estimulation: Possible Implications in Aging [Doctor thesis Scienses]. São Paulo: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas da Universidade de São Paulo; 2009. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species play a key role in several cell functions, however, high concentrations of these species cause cell dysfunction. High production of reactive species, and cytokines, which also induce skeletal muscle injury, and an increase of plasma concentration of fatty acids are observed in aging. However, an association between the augment in the production of reactive species and cytokines by skeletal muscle and of plasma fatty acid concentrations was not investigated yet. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modulation of production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and of cytokines by palmitic acid and electrical stimulation muscle contraction. Palmitic acid increased the production of superoxide (through mitochondria and NADPH oxidase), nitric oxide (by iNOS), and citokynes (IL-6 and CINC-2), and induced NF-κB activation. The electrical stimulation-muscle contraction increased the production of superoxide (through mitochondria and xanthine-xanthine oxidase system), nitric oxide (by iNOS), and induced NF-κB activation. There was no change in the production of cytokines in the electrical stimulation protocol. In conclusion, palmitic acid raised the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and cytokines by skeletal muscle. Electrical stimulation-muscle contraction also increased the production of these reactive species. Therefore, muscle oxidative stress is controlled by the muscle contractile activity and plasma fatty acid levels.
Boldness and intermittent locomotion in the bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus

Intermittent locomotion, characterized by moves interspersed with pauses, is a common pattern of locomotion in animals, but its ecological and evolutionary significance relative to continuous locomotion remains poorly understood. Although many studies have examined individual differences in both intermittent locomotion and boldness separately, to our knowledge, no study to date has investigated the relationship between these 2 traits. Characterizing and understanding this relationship is important, as both locomotion and boldness are associated with several ecologically relevant behaviors such as foraging, mating, predator evasion, exploration, and dispersal. Here, we report on individual differences in boldness (risk-taking behavior) and intermittent locomotion in a novel laboratory environment in field-caught juvenile bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). Our results show that juvenile bluegill sunfish exhibited individual-level variation in 2 modes of intermittent locomotion (undulatory and labriform swimming) and that this variation was correlated with differences in their boldness behavior. Generally, bolder individuals spent more time moving fast for longer durations and with shorter pauses than more timid individuals. Neither boldness nor locomotion was correlated with body size or body condition. This study provides the first empirical evidence for a link between an animal "personality" trait and intermittent locomotion. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.
Estimating the Size of Fish Consumed by Double-crested Cormorants: Considerations for Better Understanding Cormorant-Fish Interactions

ABSTRACT We measured 926 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), 6,935 yellow perch (Perca flavescens), 6,416 rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), and 4,852 pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) otoliths recovered from double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) pellets to determine the sizes (total lengths) of these fish consumed by cormorants. Otoliths were recovered from cormorant pellets collected from 1993 to 2002 at six colonies along the eastern Lake Ontario–St. Lawrence River corridor. Otolith –length fish length regressions were used to estimate the length of fish species consumed by cormorants. Only 1.5% of these otoliths had no visible erosion, 33.3% had minor erosion, and 65.2% had moderate erosion. We found that the exclusive use of uneroded otoliths severely limited the sample size available for estimating fish size and likely would cause an overestimation of fish size. Species-specific differences were evident when using erosion criteria to determine fish size and could result in bias when estimating length, especially for species such as smallmouth bass whose otoliths possess a rostrum that is readily eroded. Using a random sample (n = 100) of all intact otoliths recovered in pellets provided a conservative estimate of fish length that was smaller than that derived from uneroded or minimally eroded otoliths. Annual variation in the size of fish consumed by cormorants was more pronounced than seasonal variation for most species. We describe and recommend a new technique that incorporates both chick regurgitant and pellet samples for estimating the size of fish consumed by cormorants.
Negative Consequences of Forearm Bands that are Too Small for Bats

1Centro Protezione Chirotteri Ticino, CH-6714 Semione, Switzerland 2Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Ecosystem Boundaries Research Unit, Insubric Ecosystems Group, Via Belsoggiorno 22, CH-6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland 3Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Division of Conservation Biology, Baltzerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland 4SWILD, Urban Ecology and Wildlife Research, Wuhrstrasse 12, CH-8003 Zurich, Switzerland 5Corresponding author: E-mail: fabio.bontadina@swild.ch
Ecological, social, and reproductive factors shape producer–scrounger dynamics in baboons

Producer--scrounger models are used to explain the tactics of socially foraging animals where individuals can either search for their food (produce) or join the food discoveries of others (scrounge). However, the empirical testing of such models has generally been restricted to indoor aviary experiments. Here, we examine the social foraging tactics of naturally foraging wild chacma baboons (Papio ursinus). Thirty-six adult baboons from 2 groups were observed during full-day follows: Data from nearly 10 000 foraging events were analyzed using cross-classified, generalized linear mixed models. First, as predicted by producer--scrounger models, we show that baboons altered their foraging tactics in accordance with food patch size and spatial position in the group. Second, we show that the relative characteristics of cofeeding individuals were crucial: In particular, among females, individuals were more likely to scrounge from foraging neighbors who were subordinate and with whom they had a strong social affiliation. However, we found no effect of kinship. Finally, we found that female reproductive state influenced female foraging tactics (females scrounged more from male neighbors when pregnant and less when fertile), but the reproductive state of female neighbors had no such effects on male foraging tactics. These results suggest that, in addition to broad-scale ecological and group-level influences, a myriad of social and reproductive factors can shape producer--scrounger dynamics for wild animals living in complex social groups. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.
Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin Promotes Growth and Has Endophytic Activity in Tomato Plants

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the inoculation with Metarhizium anisopliae on the growth of tomato plants and to determine the endophytic activity of this fungus. The three isolates of M. anisopliae evaluated (Ma 8, Ma 10 and Ma 20) significantly increased plant height, root length, shoot and root dry weight when compared to the untreated control, although the response obtained depended on th e isolate and the inoculation rate. In addition, the three isolates showed endophytic activity and were isolated from roots and shoots. Ma 8 was also found in leaves. This study reveals significant new data on th e interaction between M. anisopliae and plants although there is a need for further research to understand the mechanisms through which M. anisopliae promotes plant growth.
Foreword

Because of the growing need for quality day care in our society, the concept of play is of critical importance to those interested in child development. Professionals agree that play is important, but because play encompasses many different kinds of activities (Sutton-Smith, 1973), no universally accepted definition of play has yet been developed. The functions of play are viewed differently by different theories of child development. Erikson (1950) believed play "permits the child to work off past emotions and to find imaginary relief for past frustrations. " Piaget (1962) viewed play as a medium for cognitive development. Through play children practice newly acquired skills, competencies, and cognitive structures in a relaxed and pleasurable fashion. Berlyne (1960) saw play as a means of satisfying the child's need for exploration. Play can be a safe medium by which to explore novel, complex, and uncertain situations and seek out new information. Regardless of the theoretical perspective one adopts, play remains a vital component for chil-
Deer populations up, hunter populations down: Implications of interdependence of deer and hunter population dynamics on management

Abstract White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are managed to yield diverse impacts, including effects to ecosystems. Many conventional hunting systems manage deer abundance through rules that strive to produce recreation opportunities and an equitable distribution of antlered bucks among hunters. To protect against excessive harvests, antlerless deer harvests often are regulated through quotas. This approach is effective when deer productivity does not outstrip capacity of the hunter population to harvest required numbers of antlerless deer. In many areas of North America, abundance of white-tailed deer has increased dramatically in the past two decades, which has caused many wildlife managers to ask whether deer populations can be controlled with conventional harvest strategies. We used population reconstruction modeling to simulate deer populations from mixed hardwood forests in southern New York, determined antlerless deer harvests needed to stabilize or reduce populations, and evaluated whether current hunting systems can effectively achieve potential ecosystem objectives. Current hunter willingness to seek or use antlerless deer permits likely is inadequate to stabilize or reduce deer densities. This situation may be exacerbated in the future with occurrence of diseases in deer or other factors that diminish hunter participation. We discuss implications for effectiveness of ecosystem management.
Mandarin attributes preferred by consumers in grocery stores

For most grocery stores, external quality standards require that premium man- darins be orange, unblemished, and large. Thus, for consumers to differentiate among the premium mandarins on any dimension other than price, additional positioning attributes must be evaluated. This study considered consumer preferences for price ($2.18/kg, $4.39/ kg, or $15.41/kg), packaging (1.36 kg of loose fruit, 1.36-kg bag, 2.27-kg box, or 0.23-kg clamshell with peeled fruit sections), type of mandarin (clementine, satsuma, tangerine), shelf life from the day of purchase (3, 14, or 31 days), and vitamin C content (with or without a label stating high in vitamin C). A conjoint survey was conducted in four gro- cery stores located in Birmingham and Montgomery, Ala. In total, 289 respondents used a 7-point intention-to-buy scale to rate photographs of 16 product profiles. Six market segments were identified, based on maximal similarity of preferences within each segment and maximal differences between segments. A simulation was conducted of the effect that an introduction of peeled-and-sectioned satsumas would have on the market share and gross revenue of other mandarins. This product showed great potential, but should be offered in a product mix that includes the loose form as well. Labeling for vitamin C was preferred by all segments, but did not contribute much to the intention-to-buy rating. Awareness and recognition of satsumas needs to be addressed in promotional campaigns. The longest shelf life was the first choice of almost half the respondents.
Environmental and geometric constraints on Indo-Pacific coral reef biodiversity

The Indo-Australian Archipelago supports the world's richest coral reef biodiversity hotspot. Traditional hypotheses that account for such exceptional biodiversity have highlighted the importance of environmental variables such as habitat area and energy input. Recently, however, an additional explanation has been proposed based on geometric constraints in the placement of geographical ranges within a bounded domain, which cause a mid-domain peak in species richness; the mid-domain effect (MDE). Here, for the first time, we examine the relative importance of area, energy and MDE jointly on species richness patterns. Model selection indicates that the best model incorporates MDE and reef area, but no energy effect; moreover, this best-fit model captures all major features of reef fish and coral species richness patterns. Habitat area is the major environmental factor influencing species richness. The prevention of further fragmentation and loss of habitat area is of critical importance for the conservation of coral reef biodiversity.
Prevention of Proteus mirabilis Biofilm by Surfactant Solution

Background: The crystalline biofilms formed by Proteus mirabilis can seriously complicate the care of patients undergoing bladder catheterization, the prevention of crystalline biofilms is important to avoid urinary catheter complications. The surfactant of Lactobacillus acidophilus can be interacting with attachment of many microorganisms. Aims of the study: 1- To detect the biofilm formation ability of Proteus mirabilis isolates in urinary catheter. 2- To detect the growth and biofilm formation ability of Proteus mirabilis isolates on 96-wells microtiter plates. 3- To study the role of Lactobacillus acidophilus surfactant in biofilm formed by Proteus mirabilis isolates. Materials and methods: Since Jan/2011 to Jan/2012 a 48 isolates of Proteus mirabilis were isolated from the encrusted catheter of a patient undergoing indwelling catheterization in Al-Ramadi General Hospital while Lactobacillus acidophilus isolate was obtained from urogenital tracts of healthy woman by vaginal swab and surfactant was extracted from it. The biofilm formation on catheters, quantitative assays of biofilm formation and biofilm inhibition assay by surfactant were studied. Results: Fourty five 45 (93.75%) P. mirabilis isolates produced a biofilm in urinary catheter while 3 (6.25%) isolates were not produce biofilm while 48 (100%) isolates forms good biofilms results on 96-wells microtiter plate, in brain heart infusion broth with 0.2% glucose, and at 37°C. The growth of P. mirabilis isolates in 96-well microtiter plates were determine at OD630, the optimum growth of P. mirabilis isolates were recorded after 48 hours of incubation (OD630= 0.65). Biofilm kinetics of P. mirabilis isolates refers to that attached cells increased with time and the maximum biofilm formation ratio occurs at 48 hours of incubation (OD550= 0.70). Surfactant show a good ability to inhibit biofilm formation, the increasing amounts of surfactant led to a decrease in the amount of biofilm formed by P. mirabilis isolates and that 6.0 µg/ml of surfactant was more than sufficient to completely abolish biofilm formation.