Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impactos potenciais na avifauna decorrentes das alterações propostas para o Código Florestal Brasileiro

As mudancas propostas no atual Codigo Florestal Brasileiro poderao levar a um aumento de desmatamentos e consequente diminuicao de cobertura vegetal nativa (florestas, campos e banhados) que impactarao diretamente muitas especies de aves. No Brasil, 17 especies de aves globalmente ameacadas sao dependentes de florestas proximas a corpos d'agua, sendo que oito destas so ocorrem em territorio brasileiro. Considerando os requisitos ecologicos dessas especies, e possivel prever que uma diminuicao na largura da faixa que deve ser protegida na forma de Area de Preservacao Permanente (APP) levara a perdas populacionais significativas que podem colocar em risco a sobrevivencia das populacoes e, consequentemente, da especie como um todo. Em paisagens fragmentadas essas APPs tambem funcionam como corredores, permitindo a dispersao das aves atraves da matriz. Do mesmo modo, areas de Reserva Legal devem ser mantidas de forma complementar as APPs, ja que a composicao da avifauna varia entre as areas de vegetacao nativa situadas proximas e distantes de corpos d'agua. A heterogeneidade ambiental e crucial para a manutencao da integridade das comunidades de aves. Mesmo pequenas manchas de floresta sao importantes para a avifauna, funcionando como "trampolins ecologicos" que, assim como os corredores, possibilitam que aves florestais se desloquem atraves da paisagem. As aves sao importantes predadoras, dispersoras e polinizadoras em agroecossistemas sendo que em areas tropicais ja foi demonstrado que uma maior riqueza de aves esta correlacionada com uma maior taxa de remocao de artropodes, incluindo pestes. Assim, mudancas propostas ao atual Codigo Florestal podem representar um impacto negativo nao so em relacao a biodiversidade, mas tambem em relacao a propria producao agricola.
Growth and nutrient uptake parameters in sorghum as influenced by aluminum

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world. The majority of soils on which sorghum is grown are acidic, and production on such soils is limited by high levels of Al and Mn, and deficient levels of Ca, Mg, and P. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate differences in growth and uptake (U), influx (IN), and transport (TR) of nutrients by 40 exotic sorghum genotypes at three levels of soil Al saturation. Growth of shoots and roots and nutrient uptake parameters were affected by soil Al saturation, genotypes, and their interactions. Growth and uptake parameters were used to separate the genotypes into most efficient and least efficient categories at various levels of soil Al saturation [. ]
The Steady State Chlorophyll a Fluorescence Exhibits in Vivo an Optimum as a Function of Light Intensity which Reflects the Physiological State of the Plant

Modulated (690 and 730 nm), as well as direct chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence and changes in the concentration of the oxidized P700 were measured under steady state conditions in leaves of higher plants adapted to different light intensities. All the leaf samples exhibit an optimum curve of steady state fluorescence yield (Fs) versus the light intensity but its position with respect to light intensity varies considerably from one species to another or from one sample to other even in the same plant or within the same leaf sample. However, the optimum level of Fs was always at a moderate light intensity. By using the modulated fluorescence technique, the system with all closed (Flm) or open reaction center (Flo) were measured in steady state conditions. Each experimentally measured fluorescence yield was separated into a fluorescence emission of open (Fopen = Flo,(1—Vs)) and closed (Fclosed = (Flm . Vs)) reaction center (RC) of photosystem II where Vs=(Fs – Flo)/(Flm – Flo) is the function of fraction of closed reaction centers. With increasing light intensity, the fraction of open RC decreased while the fraction of closed RC increased. Maximum quantum efficiency (ΦPo) and actual quantum efficiency (ΦP) decreased by increasing light intensity. An optimum level of Fs was observed, when the fraction of closed reaction centers Vs of each sample was about 0.2 showing a common quenching mechanism which determines the fluorescence properties under steady state condition. This explains the apparent phenomenological contradiction that the fluorescence yield under steady state conditions can increase or decrease upon an increase of actinic light.
Allelic studies of new sources of scald (Rhynchosporium secalis Davis) resistance in barley

The use of genetic resistance is a desirable disease management strategy for controlling scald (Rhynchosporium secalis Davis) in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); thus, it is essential to screen for new sources of resistance. The objectives of this study were to test the novelty of scald resistance in two barley lines from New Zealand, 145L2 and 4176/10/n/3/2/6, relative to a number of resistance sources available to western Canadian breeding programs, and to determine the source of this resistance. 145L2 and 4176/10/n/3/2/6 were resistant in New Zealand and in scald screening nurseries in Alberta, Canada, in 1998. 145L2 was crossed with 4176/10/n/3/2/6 and with four local resistant lines to determine allelic relationships between 145L2 resistance, 4176/10/n/3/2/6 resistance and the resistance(s) in the local lines. To determine the source of the resistance, all H. vulgare L. lines in the pedigree of the New Zealand lines were evaluated in the same nurseries. The resistance gene in 145L2 was not allelic to tha.
Effect of exponential fertilization on growth and nutritional status in Buddhist pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus [Thunb.] D. Don) seedlings cultured in natural and prolonged photoperiods

Abstract Slow growth rate limits the development of seedlings from the Podocarpaceae family. The extended photoperiod (EP) is well known to promote tree seedling growth, but it may also cause the possibility of nutrient dilution without a proper nutrient supply regime. Exponential fertilization (EF) has been proven to counter nutrient dilution within tree seedlings efficiently. However, no study has determined the response of Podocarpus seedlings to the interaction of EF and photoperiod. We fed 13-month old Buddhist pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus [Thunb.] D. Don) seedlings using EF applied at rates of 0 (control), 50 (E50), 100 (E100), and 150 (E150) mg nitrogen (N) seedling−1 for 5 months, during which half of all seedlings were cultured in the natural photoperiod (NP) with the others exposed to EP. The longer photoperiod resulted in greater seedling height and biomass accumulation of Buddhist pine seedlings. Relative to NP, EP increased N content at the whole-plant level but decreased N concentration in the stem and root, which indicated the symptom of N dilution. However, both phosphorus (P) content and P concentration increased in response to the longer photoperiod. EF rates in the E100 and E150 treatments were evaluated to be the ‘sufficiency’ ones for both N and P in EP and NP, respectively. In conclusion, EP could stimulate the growth of Buddhist pine seedlings but caused N dilution within them at the same time, and photoperiod would change the nutritional response of these seedlings to EF.
The Vinculin Binding Sites of Talin and α-Actinin Are Sufficient to Activate Vinculin*

Vinculin regulates both cell-cell and cell-matrix junctions and anchors adhesion complexes to the actin cytoskeleton through its interactions with the vinculin binding sites of α-actinin or talin. Activation of vinculin requires a severing of the intramolecular interactions between its N- and C-terminal domains, which is necessary for vinculin to bind to F-actin; yet how this occurs in cells is not resolved. We tested the hypothesis that talin and α-actinin activate vinculin through their vinculin binding sites. Indeed, we show that these vinculin binding sites have a high affinity for full-length vinculin, are sufficient to sever the head-tail interactions of vinculin, and they induce conformational changes that allow vinculin to bind to F-actin. Finally, microinjection of these vinculin binding sites specifically targets vinculin in cells, disrupting its interactions with talin and α-actinin and disassembling focal adhesions. In their native (inactive) states the vinculin binding sites of talin and α-actinin are buried within helical bundles present in their central rod domains. Collectively, these results support a model where the engagement of adhesion receptors first activates talin or α-actinin, by provoking structural changes that allow their vinculin binding sites to swing out, which are then sufficient to bind to and activate vinculin.
ESTRATEGIAS DE MITIGACIÓN ANTE EL CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO EN FINCAS GANADERAS ALTOANDINAS DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE NARIÑO

El objetivo de este articulo es presentar los resultados de investigacion sobre las posibles alternativas locales de mitigacion, que se pueden aplicar para aminorar los efectos del cambio climatico, a partir de la cuantificacion de Gas Efecto Invernadero (GEI) en fincas ganaderas lecheras altoandinas, ubicadas en la zona suroccidental en los municipios de Cumbal y Guachucal, por encima de los 2.800 metros sobre el nivel del mar (m.s.n.m.) en el departamento de Narino (sur de Colombia). Se partio de un analisis cluster para identificar grupos de fincas con caracteristicas similares; de cada grupo resultante se escogio una Finca Tipo (FT) y una Finca Replica (FR) para su caracterizacion socioeconomica y biofisica, con 18 variables que incluyeron el inventario de ganado en cada una de ellas. Se realizo asi la estimacion anual de GEI con metodologias IPCC nivel 1, a partir de fuentes de emisiones de GEI como: Dioxido de Carbono, Metano, Oxido Nitroso, entre otros. Gracias a los valores obtenidos para los dos municipios de estudio (0,247 ton-c-ano para Cumbal, y 0,340 ton-c-ano para Guachucal) y, teniendo en cuenta las tipologias generadas: Fincas Ganaderas Lecheras Grandes (FGLG), Fincas Ganaderas Lecheras Medianas (FGLM) y, Fincas Ganaderas Pequenas (FGLP), se proponen alternativas de mitigacion, basadas en el mejoramiento de la alimentacion con el ensilaje, picado, bloques nutricionales y manejo de estiercoles, a traves de compostaje y biodigestores que pueden reducir mas de la mitad de las emisiones actuales.
Germination of Native Species: Efforts to Guide Revegetation in a Mexican Petunia-Invaded Floodplain in Florida

Ecological Restoration Vol. 33, No. 3, 2015 ISSN 1522-4740 E-ISSN 1543-4079 ©2015 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. Germination of Native Species: Efforts to Guide Revegetation in a Mexican PetuniaInvaded Floodplain in Florida Adrienne M. Smith (corresponding author: Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110675, Gainesville, FL 32611, amsmith@ufl.edu), Sandra B. Wilson (Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida), Carrie Reinhardt Adams (Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida) and Christine Wiese (Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida).
Changes in Mediterranean plant succession: old-fields revisited

Old-field plots used for a study of succession in Mediterranean France were revisited after 12–14 yr. Our aims were: (1) to verify if predicted patterns of species richness, turnover and composition are confirmed; (2) to compare the development in disturbed plots with that in undisturbed ones; (3) to discuss the impact of management changes. In undisturbed plots species richness and turnover decreased with successional age. Floristic composition changed in a way consistent with the predicted successional development in most plots. Therophytes decreased and phanerophytes increased; anemochorous species decreased and endozoochorous species increased, as expected. In plots disturbed since the first analysis richness decreased with successional age, but generally remained higher than in undisturbed plots. Floristic composition, species turnover and an increase in therophytes indicated changes towards younger successional stages. Thus, disturbance changed succession but not much. This is probably linked with the regeneration abilities typical of mediterranean species, e.g. resprouting. At the landscape scale, richness did not change and species turnover was low. The plots studied were situated in two distinct locations. One had not been disturbed between the two observation periods, while the other is a mosaic of undisturbed and disturbed sites. Observations fitted predictions much more closely at the undisturbed location. We conclude that permanent plot studies are powerful in identifying successional trends and can also provide additional insights into the effects of disturbance some of the mechanisms underlying the dynamics of diversity.
Deforestation, Fire Susceptibility, and Potential Tree Responses to Fire in the Eastern Amazon

In the state of Para, Brazil, in the eastern Amazon, the authors studied the potential for sustained fire events within four dominant vegetation cover types (undisturbed rain forest, selectively logged forest, second-growth forest, and open pasture), by measuring fuel availability, microclimate, and rates of fuel moisture loss. They also estimated the potential tree mortality that might result from a wide-scale Amazon forest fire by measuring the thermal properties of bark for all trees in a 5-ha stand of mature forest, followed by measurements of heat flux through bark during simulated fires. In pastures the average midday temperature was almost 10{degree}C greater and the average midday relative humidity was 30% lower than in primary forest. The most five-prone ecosystem was the open pasture followed by selectively logged forest, second growth forest, and undisturbed rain forest in which sustained combustion was not possible even after prolonged rainless periods. Even though the autogenic factors in primary forest of the eastern Amazon create a microclimate that virtually eliminates the probability of fire, they are currently a common event in disturbed areas of Amazonia. As many as 8 {times} 10{sup 6} ha burned in the Amazon Basin of Brazil in 1987 alone. In terms ofmore » current land-use patterns, altered microclimates, and fuel mass, there are also striking similarities between the eastern Amazon and East Kalimantan, Indonesia (the site of recent rain forest wildfires that burned 3.5 {times} 10{sup 6} ha). « less
Diet and Seed Dispersal by Eulemur coronatus (Gray, Primates and Lemuridae) in the Amber Mountain National Park, Madagascar

Eulemur coronatus (Gray, Primates and Lemuridae) belongs to the endemic animal species in Amber Mountain National Park, Madagascar. As a frugivorous lemur, it may have an important role in the forest regeneration. However, until now, no study has carried out the role of this lemur in forest regeneration. The diet and seed dispersal by E. coronatus were studied to determine the potential ecological role of this lemur in regeneration of Amber forest. A group of E. coronatus was observed and monitored during 396 hours. Field observation recorded the food items taken, plant species consumed and plants organs preferred. Seeds from discarded food items left by the group of E. coronatus being followed were collected to perform the germination tests. This allowed analysis of the germination potential of the collected seeds. The results showed that feeding times for E. coronatus varied significantly (p=0.01) across the study period. E. coronatus spent more time eating fruits than other organs of plants comprising 92%. E. coronatus consumed 46 plant species, with plants in the family Moraceae comprising 33% of those eaten. Overall, passed seeds had significantly higher germination rates than those control seeds (t =5.53, p=0.01). The average latency period of passed and control seeds ranged from 40 to 87 days and from 47.5 to 91 days, respectively. This study revealed the contribution of E. coronatus on the Amber forest regeneration and the crucial role that it can play in Madagascar forest to preserve the endemic plants species.
Designing a survey protocol to overcome the Wallacean shortfall: a working guide using bryophyte distribution data on Terceira Island (Azores)

Abstract The increasing availability of open access data on species occurrences is leading researchers to generate more hypotheses about patterns of species distributions. However, when all of this information is mapped onto a particular geographical scale, gaps usually appear due to lack of knowledge and sampling spatial bias (the so-called Wallacean shortfall). To overcome these problems as efficiently as possible, field surveys should be designed after distinguishing well-surveyed places from those with incomplete inventories in order to carry out the extra survey effort in those areas not represented environmentally and spatially by the well-surveyed places. This procedure requires (1) gathering, cleaning and standardizing data; (2) selecting environmental variables that are important for the group considered according to field experience and the literature; and (3) making statistical decisions about the number and location of areas that should be surveyed according to the available resources. Here, we summarize most concepts and procedures devoted to the evaluation of biodiversity data, offering some general recommendations on how to use them for optimizing new survey designs. As a practical guide for potential users, we provide an example describing its application to a comprehensive database on bryophyte distribution on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal). More than 8,000 bryophyte records were gathered, but (i) less than half of the island area has been surveyed at least once and (ii) less than 1% of these have reliable inventories (placed on the few remnants of laurel forests that have been traditionally better surveyed). Nevertheless, surveying just 15 additional localities evenly distributed across the major environmental regions and habitats on Terceira Island seems to represent the existing environmental diversity. We believe that the survey protocol presented here for bryophytes of Terceira Island could be flexibly applied to other taxa or areas.
Comparative growth and diet of tench Tinca tinca (L.) larvae and juveniles from river floodplain biotopes in France and England

The growth and diet of larvae and 0 + juveniles of riverine tench Tinca tinca (L.) were compared in two stagnant floodplain biotopes from the upper River Rhone, France, and the River Great Ouse, England. The diet of tench was generally similar at the French and English sites, with Cladocera being the predominant prey of young larvae (English site only). Cladocera and Copepoda were the principal prey of older larvae and 0 + juveniles, though the latter took a variety of other, larger prey items. Ontogenetic changes in diet at both sites probably reflect prey availability. Protracted spawning at the French site contrasted a single spawning effort in the English backwater. Fluctuations in growth rate and condition were observed to coincide with shifts in diet, suggesting that tench developing in riverine biotopes may be vulnerable to competition at particular transitional intervals in their early ontogeny.
Immunomodulatory and CNS effects of sitoindosides IX and X, two new glycowithanolides from Withania somnifera

Two new glycowithanolides, sitoindoside IX (1) and sitoindoside X (2), isolated from Withania somnifera Dun. , were evaluated for their immunomodulatory and CNS effects (anti‐stress, memory and learning) in laboratory animals, because the plant extract is used by practitioners of the Indian systems of medicine for similar purposes. The two compounds, in doses of 100–400 μg/mouse, produced statistically significant mobilization and activation of peritoneal macrophages, phagocytosis and increased activity of the lysosomal enzymes secreted by the activated macrophages. Both these compounds (50–200 mg/kg p.o.) also produced significant anti‐stress activity in albino mice and rats and augmented learning acquisition and memory retention in both young and old rats. These findings are consistent with the use of W. somnifera, in Ayurveda, to attenuate cerebral function deficits in the geriatric population and to provide non‐specific host defence.
A new marine araphid diatom, Thalassionema kuroshioensis sp. nov., from temperate Japanese coastal waters

A new marine planktonic diatom Thalassionema kuroshioensis sp. nov., was described based on morphological comparison with five other extant Thalassionema species. Thalassionema kuroshioensis was found in coastal to offshore regions of the Kuroshio current in the temperate to subtropical western North Pacific. Morphological characteristics of T. kuroshioensis were identified using light and scanning electron microscopic observations and include isopolar valves, high density of areolae, cross- to club-shaped occluding bars, apical excavations, and sternum traversed across both ends of apices on the valve face. One rimoportula is located at the end of both valve apices connecting with the external opening slit in the deeply excavated apex. The outline of the valve is linear or slightly inflated. We provide size ranges and a key to the species of all known extant Thalassionema species, including the new species.
What is modelling for? a critical review of the models of path integration

Abstract Path integration (dead reckoning) is a computational process by which an animal can keep track of its position relative to some starting point by relying on self-generated information collected en route. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: first, to review four important models of path integration, analysing how the different models have evolved as a result of the authors’ particular focus; second, to assess what they have brought to the understanding of path integration. The more specific the model, the less it will be possible to apply it to different situations; the more general its nature, the less adequately it will represent the details of the behaviour to be modelled. In this context, the paper discusses how the authors envisioned the role of homing errors. The usefulness and limits of the different perspectives is discussed, in particular how well the models fit with observations. Finally, ways of improving and developing the modelling process are proposed.
Phased array antenna for tracking and communication with LEO satellites

A ground receiving phased array antenna system is described for tracking and communication with satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Different active array antenna architectures and the minimum number of array elements for meeting the system G/T requirement are evaluated and compared. A general noise temperature model is also developed for evaluating any phased array antenna system. Moreover, this model is also useful for the design and planning of other receiving antenna systems on automobiles, ships, aircraft, satellites,. , etc.