Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flower Preferences of the Wrocław Botanical Garden Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Abstract Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are morphologically different from each other as determined by the length of their tongue. Seven species of bumblebees were identified in the Wrocław Botanical Garden: the long-tongued Bombus hortorum, and the medium-tongued B. pascuorum, and the 5 short-tongued species, Bombus hypnorum, Bombus lapidarius, Bombus terrestris, Bombus lucorum, and Bombus pratorum. Bumblebees were observed so that their choice of food within the botanical family could be determined. The shape and colour choice of the flower was particularly noted. Bumblebees showed the highest degree of preference for the Lamiaceae family. The Boraginaceae family was also used by all of the recorded species. Bumblebees found pink and purple, lipped, capitular/ globular, and saucer-shaped flowers to be most attractive. The individual species of bumblebees showed different preferences, which may be explained by the differences in their morphology. However, bumblebee flower preference and selection seems to be more complex and requires further, detailed research. Streszczenie Trzmiele (Bombus spp.) morfologicznie różnią się od siebie długością języczka. W faunie Ogrodu Botanicznego stwierdzono występowanie 7 gatunków trzmieli, a wśród nich długojęzyczkowego Bombus hortorum i średniojęzyczkowego B. pascuorum, oraz 5 gatunków krótkojęzyczkowych: Bombus hypnorum, Bombus lapidarius, Bombus terrestris, Bombus lucorum, Bombus pratorum. Obserwowano zachowania trzmieli przy wyborze pokarmu, aby określić ich preferencję w obrębie rodzin botanicznych, a szczególnie w wyborze kształtu i barwy kwiatu. Trzmiele wykazywały w najwyższym stopniu upodobania do rodziny Lamiaceae, ponadto wszystkie korzystały z roślin Boraginaceae. Kwiaty, które przyciągały trzmiele najczęściej miały barwę różową i fioletową oraz kształt typu wargowego, główkowatego/koszyczkowatego i talerzykowatego. Poszczególne gatunki trzmieli wykazywały odmienne upodobania, co można próbować tłumaczyć różnicami w ich morfologii. Jednak preferencje w wyborze kwiatu przez trzmiele wydają się na tyle złożone, że wymagają dalszych i bardziej szczegółowych badań.
Molecular Understanding of Cytokine–Steroid Hormone Dialogue

Abstract: Highly sophisticated mechanisms confer upon the immune system the capacity to respond with a certain degree of autonomy. However, the final outcome of an adaptative immune response depends on the interaction with other systems of the organism. The immune–neuroendocrine systems have an intimate cross‐communication, making possible a satisfactory response to environmental changes. Part of this interaction occurs through cytokines and steroid hormones. The last step of this crosstalk is at the molecular level. In this article we will focus on the physical and functional interrelationship between cytokine signaling pathway–activated transcription factors (TFs) and steroid receptors in different cell models, where the signals triggered by cytokines and steroid hormones have major roles: (1) the ligand‐dependent‐activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) influence the genetic program that specifies lineage commitment in T helper (Th) cell differentiation. How posttranslational modifications of several TFs as well as nuclear hormone receptors could be implicated in the molecular crosstalk between the immune–neuroendocrine messengers is discussed. (2) glucocorticoid (GC) antagonism on the TCR‐induced T cell apoptosis. (3) estrogen receptor/TGF‐β family proteins molecular interaction implicated on pituitary prolactinomas pathogenesis. The functional crosstalk at the molecular level between immune and steroids signals is essential to determine an integrative response to both mediators (which in the last instance results in a new gene activation/repression profile) and constitutes the ultimate integrative level of interaction between the immune and neuroendocrine systems.
An in vitro screen for detecting resistance in Pelargonium somaclones to bacterial blight of geranium

Resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. pelargonii was detected among somaclones of Pelargonium species with an assay of plantlet reactivity to inoculum titer, strain, and pathovar. Three weeks after plantlets growing in culture tubes were inoculated with a 10 7 cfu/ml cell suspension of X. c. pv. pelargonii, seed geranium (P. × hortorum) somaclones from susceptible cultivars had a significantly lower survival rate than did those from the more resistant regal geranium (P. × domesticum) (.)
Uniparental Inheritance in Chlamydomonas reinhardi

This article reviews what is known about uniparental inheritance in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardi. The most important conclusion is that these genes are unlike Mendelian genes in their transmissional genetics, but are similar to Mendelian genes in that they mutate, segregate, and recombine. Experimental evidence is presented which suggests that the number of copies of uniparental genes per cell is probably small. What is known of the transmissional genetics of UP genes is compared with what is known about the transmission of chromosomal and satellite DNA species in C. reinhardi.
Isolation of a new actin-binding protein from dictyostelium discoideum

A new actin binding protein has been purified to homogeneity from amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum. This protein is a single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 120,000 upon sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. It is soluble and trypsin-sensitive, contains no carbohydrate, increases the viscosity and sedimentation rate of F actin, and inhibits the actin-stimulated Mg ATPase of rabbit muscle heavy meromyosin. The interaction of 120,000-dalton protein with F actin is not inhibited by millimolar ATP, pyrophosphate, or micromolar calcium. The 120,000-dalton actin binding protein increases the initial rate of actin polymerization and decreases the critical concentration of actin at steady state. These properties demonstrate that 120,000-dalton protein from Dictyostelium discoidum is not a myosinlike protein. Rather, this protein is probably involved in regulating the assembly of the actin cytoskeletion.
The Dutch Parliamentary Election of 2010

Following the Dutch parliamentary election of 22 November 2006, various accounts were published in a book entitled ‘An Electorate Divided’ (Aarts et al. 2007; title translated by the author). This makes it hard to find a title suitable for a book on the subsequent election of 9 June 2010. A remarkable feature of the election of 2010 and an indication of increased fragmentation is that the Liberal Party (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, VVD; People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) became the largest party with 20.5 per cent of the vote and 31 of the 150 seats in the lower house. In 2006, the Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen Democratisch Appèl, CDA) had become the largest party with 41 seats. For the last 30 years on average the Big Three in Dutch politics, i.e. the CDA, the Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid, PvdA) and the VVD, held about 115 seats in the Second Chamber. In 2010 they fell to 82 seats (see also Table 1). The party landscape has thereby become as flat as the country itself, and this certainly complicated the process of cabinet formation and contributed to the unique result of this process (see below). The election of June 2010 was an early election – elections had been scheduled for 11 May 2011 – due to the early fall of Cabinet Balkenende IV. The previous Balkenende cabinets had met with the same fate (e.g. van Holsteyn 2007). This time the coalition partners (CDA, PvdA and the small protestant Christian Union, CU) were unable to agree on the Dutch mission in the Afghan province of Uruzgan. In December 2007 it was decided that this mission would end in August 2010; in October 2009 the majority of the Second Chamber, including PvdA and CU, reconfirmed this decision. The debate over the continuation of the mission never stopped, however, and was fuelled by requests from NATO not to leave Uruzgan and the Afghan strategy of President Obama. In a political atmosphere with little trust or ‘chemistry’ between the two major coalition parties and their party leaders,
How does buoyancy influence front‐crawl performance? Exploring the assumptions

A new theoretical framework for understanding the influence of buoyancy on swimming performance is proposed in this paper. During front‐crawl swimming, the hydrodynamic force acting on the hands generates the leg‐sinking moment around the center of mass, which is counteracted by the leg‐raising moment generated by the buoyant force.
Couplets

“Couplets” moves back and forth, swapping thought images, turns of phrase and story lines conjured up to get inside the machine and spread of a thing. Curiosity is a thought muscle throwing weight against fake foundations. The airs of a day make rhythm promises and labor demands. Paying attention is a starting point but no guarantee when there’s no floor. Things are happening.
Induced defence reaction in Scots pine following stem attacks by Tomicus piniperda.

The induced defence reaction of Scots pine Pinus sylvestris to stem attacks by the common pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (Col, Scolytidae), was studied by inducing natural attacks on young Scots pine trees of different vigour Pruned trees were more heavily attacked by T piniperda than unpruned ones Vigorous trees successfully contained the attacking beetles within resinous lesions, whereas less vigorous trees failed to defend themselves The content of resin acids increased dramatically in the lesions on all trees, and the resin acid composition differed somewhat between some treatments Starch accumulation in the inner bark of the main stem was lower in pruned trees than in unpruned ones, and starch reserves were depleted in the most heavily attacked trees All but one of the unpruned trees survived the attack, whereas most of the severely pruned ones died following attack by beetles at densities exceeding c 300 egg galleries m−2
Influence of silicon on aluminium toxicity in common and durum wheats

Dans les sols acides, la toxicite de l'aluminium est la premiere contrainte qui limite la croissance des plantes. Le silicium pourrait reduire les effets toxiques de l'aluminium en culture hydroponique. L'objectif de cette etude a ete d'examiner les effets des traitements a base d'aluminium et de silicium sur la croissance et l'absorption de potassium des racines et son transport vers les tiges d'un ble tendre resistant a la toxicite de l'Al (Triticum aestivum L.) et d'un ble dur sensible a l'AI (Triticum durum Desf.) Les semis ont ete effectues en culture hydroponique a un pH de 4.1 avec differents niveaux d'AI et de Si. L'accroissement des niveaux d'AI (0 a 100 μM) dans la solution a reduit la croissance des racines, alors que la croissance des tiges n'etait pas influencee excepte pour le ble dur dans les experiences de 7 jours. Le Si dans les solutions nutritives a permis aux plantes d'echapper aux symptomes de la toxicite de l'Al. Les semis de ble dur ses ont montre etre plus sensibles au traitement a l'Al et Si. Dans les experiences d'absorption a court-terme (6 heures), le Si a reduit l'effet stimulant de l'Al sur le prelevement de K + ( 86 Rb) par les racines qui indiquaient une interaction definie AI-Si principalement dans les racines Dans les experiences de pre-traitement avec Si a long terme (4 jours) aucun effet remanant n'a ete detecte.
Indo-Pacific coral biogeography: a case study from the Acropora selago group

We develop species-level biogeographic hypotheses for Acropora, the largest extant coral genus and the dominant scleractinian coral of Indo-Pacific reefs, based on morphometric and phylogenetic analyses of the Acropora selago group. Fourteen morphometric characters differentiated species from this group with an accuracy of 95%. When the Tukey test was administered, 11 of these characters displayed nonoverlapping subsets. The most resolved phylogenetic tree resulted from an analysis based on both morphometric and qualitative characters. Cladistic-biogeographic analysis using this tree and areas derived from species-distribution patterns showed that species with the greatest degree of endemism within the A. selago group possess the most derived character states, while the most primitive species (A. yongei) is the most widespread. Within the range of the group, four areas are recognised: (1) the Red Sea, (2) western to central Indian Ocean, (3) eastern Indian Ocean and (4) western to central Pacific Ocean. Species ranges overlap in a stepwise fashion from west to east. Areas adjacent to one another are biogeographically more closely related than non-adjacent areas. Whilst we offer a scenario for the history of distribution patterns of the A. selago group, we propose that biogeographical hypotheses based on Acropora be tested using a number of different species-groups. Similar distributional ranges for other Acropora species-groups, as well as separate distributional ranges for further groups, suggest that Acropora will provide an appropriate taxon to examine the biogeography of the tropical marine realm.
Post‐ingestive effect of plant phenolics on the feeding behaviour of the honeybee Apis cerana

As the staple food of honey bees, honey is rich in plant phenolics derived from pollen, nectar and resin. Most studies concentrate on the temporary response of bees' peripheral chemoreceptors to these chemicals, and the post‐ingestive effects of plant phenolics are largely ignored. In the present study, a series of feeding experiments are conducted to test whether plant phenolics modulate the response thresholds and rhythmic behaviour of the honeybee Apis cerana (Ruttner). The results of the study demonstrate that bees fed with syrup containing high concentrations of phenlics reduce their response thresholds greatly, and shift their feeding rhythms significantly. Because the forager response thresholds determine their foraging choice, and their rhythmic behaviour is required for timing visits to flowers, enhanced plant phenolics as a result of global environment change may change the bees' pollination service in our changing world.
Tibetan hull-less barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a potential source of antioxidants

ABSTRACT Tibetan hull-less barley grows at above 4,000 m altitude. One variety grown in the plain and three varieties grown in Tibet were collected from Tianjin and Lhasa. The barleys were polished into five fractions. Total soluble phenolic content (TSPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and their correlation were investigated. Phenolic compounds were analyzed by HPLC, and TSPC content was evaluated by the Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric method. TAC was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate), and ferric reducing ability of plasma assays. Results showed that TSPC decreased from the outer to the inner fractions, with the outermost layer containing the highest (around 2,803–7,703 μg/g) and inner endosperm the lowest (around 870–1,348 μg/g). TSPC and TAC were highly and positively correlated (r = 0.9583–0.9710). Colored hull-less barley had higher antioxidant activity than uncolored. TSPC and TAC of Tibetan varieties in the outer layers were more than t.
Assessment of a phytase included with lactic acid on productive parameters and on deposition of phosphorus, calcium, and zinc in laying hens fed with sorghum–soybean-meal-based diets

ABSTRACT In an acidic pH, the phytic acid is more soluble and therefore, more susceptible to the action of an exogenous phytase (Phy). 50 Hy-Line W36 hens were randomly allocated into five treatments, each one with 10 replicates (one bird/replicate): (1) Positive Control (0.25% of available phosphorus (Pav)); (2) Negative Control (NC; 0.12% Pav); (3) NC + 0.5% lactic acid (LA); (4) NC + 450 FTU/kg Phy; (5) NC + 0.5% LA + 450 FTU/kg Phy. Low levels of Pav (0.12%) negatively affected the production parameters compared to the 0.25% Pav diet. LA alone only improved the egg laying production, egg mass, and feed intake. When Phy was included, the production parameters improved, being similar from 0.25% Pav diet. Additionally, the deposition of P, Ca, and Zn increased in the bone marrow, as well as Fe contents in the yolk. Phy addition decreased P excretion compared to diets with the same level of Pav. There was no difference between the use of Phy alone or in combination with LA. In conclusion, the addition of Phy into low Pav diets produced results that were similar to those obtained with 0.25% of Pav, without any additive effect seen when LA was also added.
Farmers field evaluation of IPM module against H. armigera infesting chickpea

Helicoverpa armigera, commonly called gram pod borer, is a serious pest of pulses in India and damages chickpea. On average a 30% crop loss is reported. Due to absence of true resistant varieties in both the crops, resorting to chemicals had been the only alternative. But this has resulted in environmental disaster in the form of manifold resistance against insecticide and other social problems. Among the various biocontrol agents, HaNPV is the most practicable solution and has been found efficacious in laboratory as well as research farms. In order to popularize this technique, large-scale farmers' field demonstrations were laid out during 2000 – 1 and 2001 – 2 in villages around IIPR Kanpur, spread over six villages in three districts in chickpea. The result was very promising. In 2000 – 1 the reduction percentage was 77.6. Treated plots gave 36% increase in yield (ranging between 32.0 to 38.6%). Average cost benefit ratio was 1 : 3.3. In 2001 – 2, the avoidable loss due to the treatment of HaNPV was in the range of 2.4 to 14.0% with a mean value of 8.8%. Treated plots gave 44% increase in yield (range 10 to 70%). The average cost – benefit ratio was 1 : 3.4.
1. INTRODUCTION

In this paper, we study what are the most important factors that deteriorate the performance of the k-means algorithm, and how much this deterioration can be overcome either by using a better initialization technique, or by repeating (restarting) the algorithm. Our main finding is that when the clusters overlap, k-means can be significantly improved using these two tricks. Simple furthest point heuristic (Maxmin) reduces the number of erroneous clusters from 15% to 6%, on average, with our clustering benchmark. Repeating the algorithm 100 times reduces it further down to 1%. This accuracy is more than enough for most pattern recognition applications. However, when the data has well separated clusters, the performance of k-means depends completely on the goodness of the initialization. Therefore, if high clustering accuracy is needed, a better algorithm should be used instead.
Phytophthora cinnamomi and oak decline in southern Europe. Environmental constraints including climate change

L'un des plus virulents pathogenes racinaires, le champignon oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi, est implique dans la mortalite et le deperissement de Quercus suber et Q ilex en region mediterraneenne. Les symptomes et la repartition de ce deperissement sont decrits. P cinnamomi est un pathogene primaire d'une large gamme d'especes arborescentes forestieres et ornementales a travers le monde, mais est probablement originaire de Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinee. Il est present dans le sol, et l'existence de chaleur et d'humidite est necessaire pour l'infection des racines. Depuis le debut du siecle, ce champignon a ete a l'origine d'epidemies sur les chataigniers americains et europeens, et menace actuellement la stabilite d'ecosystemes forestiers entiers dans differentes regions australiennes. Il peut etre, en combinaison avec la secheresse, le facteur majeur d'induction du deperissement du chene dans la peninsule iberique. Son role potentiel dans ce deperissement, en interaction avec la secheresse, est discute, et une hypothese de travail plus generale sur les mecanismes de deperissement est proposee. L'influence potentielle d'un rechauffement climatique sur l'activite de P cinnamomi est egalement prise en compte. Un modele base sur le programme Climex suggere que le rechauffement prevu pourra significativement augmenter l'activite du pathogene dans les zones ou il est deja present (comme les regions mediterraneennes occidentales et les cotes d'Europe nord-occidentale) mais qu'il n'elargirait que faiblement son aire d'activite dans les zones a hivers froids comme l'Europe centrale et orientale.
Demography of Peromyscus leucopus populations on habitat patches: the role of dispersal

We studied the demography of populations of the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, inhabiting forest patches. Patch populations were characterized by high density, low rates of emigration and immigration, large temporal variance in density, low spatial variation in density, and high home-range overlap. There was no relationship between density and the distance from other forest patches. However, patches less than 2 ha in size had the highest mouse densities. Radiotelemetry, fluorescent-powder tracking, and trapping indicated that few mice disperse through grassland or agricultural fields surrounding patches. The recovery of a population from extinction was slower in more distant patches. We suggest that dispersal plays a key role in the demography of P. leucopus metapopulations that inhabit a landscape composed of a mosaic of large forest tracts, isolated forest patches, and agricultural fields.
The objectives set by South African sponsors for sport

Sport sponsorship expenditure has grown substantially since the early 1990s, largely due to South Africa's re-admission to international sport and an increase in television coverage of major sporting events. International experts conclude that five main categories of sport sponsorship objectives exist, and the opinions of South African sport sponsors on these were analysed. An indication was found that local sport sponsors focus heavily on media coverage objectives; and that they set objectives to suit the measurement of the effectiveness of the sponsorship through media coverage and awareness measurement tools. Die groei in besteding aan sportborgskappe sedert die vroeë 1990s is hoofsaaklik te danke aan Suid-Afrika se hertoelating tot internasionale sport en ‘n toename in televisiedekking van belangrike sportbyeenkomste. Die opinies van internasionale kundiges stel dat vyf hoofkategorieë sportborgskapdoelwitte geïdentifiseer kan word, en die opinies van Suid-Afrikaanse sportborge oor hierdie kategorieë is ontleed. Dit wil voorkom asof plaaslike sportborge sterk klem plaas op mediadekkingsdoelwitte; en dat hul doelwitte aanpas by die gebruik van mediadekking as ‘n meting van borgskapeffektiwiteit.