Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gas Exchange Rates of Three Sub-Shrubs of Central Texas Savannas

Abstract Savannas are open communities with a woodland and grassland phase. Some species are restricted to one phase or the other with some in both. The central Texas Edwards Plateau is mainly a savanna community with an east to west rainfall gradient and a tree density gradient with both factors being reduced in the west. We examined gas exchange rates of sun and shade leaves of three perennial species of Asteraceae, Simsia calva (bush sunflower), Wedelia texana (hairy wedelia,) and Brickellia cylindracea (brickell-bush). Maximum photosynthetic rates (Amax), light saturation points (Lsat), ambient light levels, leaf mass per area, leaf conductance, and transpiration rates (E) for sun leaves were significantly greater than shade leaves for all three species. Mean Amax rates were 32.8, 23.2 and 21.2 µmolCO2/m2/s for sun leaves of S. calva, W. texana and B. cylindracea respectively. For shade leaves, rates were 21.3, 15.2 and 12.9 µmolCO2/m2/s respectively for the same species. Mean Rd (dark respiration) rates were 3.00 µmolCO2/m2/s for sun leaves and 1.1 µmolCO2/m2/s for shade leaves of S. calva. Rd rates for sun and shade leaves of W. texana and B. cylindracea were mostly lower but only significantly different for B. cylindracea. There were no significant differences between sun and shade leaves for the initial slope or quantum yield for any of the species. Leaf mass per area was greater for sun leaves of all species. Amax rates for sun leaves were high as expected for sun plants, but Amax rates for shade leaves were fairly high as well, probably because of the relatively open nature of the sub-shrub canopy. Most factors measured were high and suggest that these plants are sun plants or facultative species. These measurements would help explain why these species are present in the full sun, open grassland phase of these central Texas savanna communities and not below the woodland canopy where their growth and survival would be reduced because of lower light levels.
Visual Detection of Plants by Herbivorous Insects

There are hundreds of thousands of insect species for which plants provide a variety of resources such as adult food, mating encounter sites, oviposi­ tional sites, food for immatures, shelter from harmful biotic or abiotic agents, or transport (90, 149, 1 81). Yet our understanding of the process by which an insect detects a resource-furnishing plant is not well developed. This is particularly true for the visual aspects of plant detection by insects. To date, studies of this aspect have focused on the visual location of flowers by pollinators (80). Visual location of plants by herbivores, parasitoids, or predators has received no more than marginal or scattered attention (6, 64, 79, 82, 88, 98, 100, 104, 1 5 1 , 152, 1 56, 162, 169). Before focusing attention exclusively on insect vision, it is useful to briefly review some general aspects of animal vision. Here, vision is defined as the ability to perceive spatial patterns. The physical stimulus that defines a pattern can be regarded as a spatiotemporal distribution of photo flux that differs in total energy and frequency composition, and thus provides the visual color cues of brightness (intensity of perceived reflected light), hue (dominant wavelength of reflected light), and saturation (spectral purity of reflected light). The spatial distribution of photon flux provides information on shape, size, distance, and motion. Visual patterns depend upon the nature of the viewed surface, the optical background, the illuminant, and
Changes in gross protein and lipid requirements of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus my kiss (Walbaum), at elevated temperatures

In southern Africa rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus my kiss (Walbaum), are generally cultured at temperatures between 18 and 22°C, which is higher than the optimal thermal range for maximum growth in this species. Experiments were undertaken on two size classes of fish ( 25g) to determine the gross changes in protein and lipid requirements at these temperatures. The optimal protein and lipid requirements of the smaller fish were found to be 40% and 20–30% of the diet respectively. These levels are significantly different to those under optimal thermal conditions. The protein requirements of the larger fish remained at the ‘threshold level’ of 35% of the diet, although lipid requirements rose lo between 20 and 23% of the diet. The results are discussed in terms of the animal's scope for growth.
The αv integrin antagonists as novel anticancer agents: an update

Integrins are involved in many cellular processes, including some pathological ones associated with various cancers, both solid tumours and metastases. Since integrins are involved in such critical processes as gene expression, which lead to cellular proliferation, migration, survival and angiogenesis, they represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The αvβ3 integrin is one of the most widely studied integrins because it is one of the most promiscuous. Published studies provide compelling evidence that small molecule antagonists have the potential to treat both solid tumours and metastases, serve as diagnostic imaging agents and be used for site-directed delivery of drugs to solid tumours. The αvβ3 integrin antagonists also inhibit blood vessel formation associated with tumour growth. Therapeutic candidates have included antibodies, cyclic peptides, peptidomimetics and small molecules. A number of potent small-molecule antagonists of the αvβ3 integrin have now been identified and are progressing in the clinic. This review focuses on the role of αvβ3 in cancer. The rationale for the development of the therapeutic and diagnostic candidates based on the key role of αvβ3 is discussed.
Reproductive Cycle and Developmental Processes During Embryogenesis of Clavularia hamra (Cnidaria, Octocorallia)

Clavularia hamra Gohar, 1948 is a common octocoral on the reefs of the Gulf of Eilat (northern Red Sea). Reproductive biology of C. hamra was studied for two years. Direct observations of spawning were conducted in situ and in aquaria. Cleavage of eggs and further embryo metamorphosis into mature planulae were examined by scanning electron microscopy and histological sections. Clavularia hamra is dioecious. Young oocytes appear annually in September, gradually grow in size and attain maturity within 11 months. The main spawning event of the population is highly synchronized, occurring on a single night each year between the last quarter and the new moon in mid summer. The released orange eggs are held together by mucus and remain attached amongst the polyps on the outside of the female colonies. Twelve hours after spawning, the young embryos have blastomeres of equal size with numerous microvilli on their external surface. Due to unequal cleavage, bizarre embryos are also formed. By 48 h a blastopore is visible, indicating that a gastrula is developing. Eight days after spawning mature planulae are observed. The external mode of embryo development on the surface of the parent colony reduces dispersal of the planulae. However, this reproductive feature enhances formation of locally dense populations of C. hamra, with distinct habitat preferences.
Growth, Age at Maturity, and Age-Specific Survival of the Arboreal Salamander (Aneides lugubris) on Southeast Farallon Island, California

Abstract Growth, age at maturity, and survival are life-history parameters that provide important information for understanding population dynamics. We modeled growth and age at maturity for an island population of Arboreal Salamanders, Aneides lugubris, using snout–vent length (SVL) growth intervals from a 4-yr capture–mark–recapture study fit to the von Bertalanffy growth interval model. We estimated annual survival as a function of SVL using a multistate open robust design model, and computed age-specific survival using results from the von Bertalanffy growth model. Arboreal Salamanders have indeterminate growth that slows with age from hatchling size (24.4-mm SVL) to the mean adult (asymptotic) size of 66.0-mm SVL. Age at maturity is 2.69 yr, and average adult age is 8–11 yr. Annual survival increased with age from 0.363 in age 0 to 0.783 in ages >4 yr. Our results provide the first estimates of life-history parameters for this species and indicate similarities to other terrestrial salamanders from low-elevation Mediterranean climates.
Effect of cultivar on oviposition preference of the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The oviposition preference of the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was investigated on white cabbage cultivars under field conditions in two vegetation periods. Significantly less eggs were laid on cultivar 'Golden Acre'. There were no differences in the number of eggs found on the cultivar 'Lennox', 'Krautman', 'Krautkaiser' and 'Turquoise'. The cultivar 'Parel' showed different results during experimental period. The data on cabbage moth oviposition preferences can be used in sustainable plant protection strategies in organic farming.
Biomineralized hyaluronic acid/poly(vinylphosphonic acid) hydrogel for bone tissue regeneration

Novel biomineralized hydrogels composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) and vinyl phosphonic acid (VPAc) were designed with the aim of developing a biomimetic hydrogel system to improve bone regeneration by local delivery of a protein drug including bone morphogenetic proteins. We synthesized crosslinked hydrogels composed of methacrylated HA and poly(VPAc) [P(VPAc)], which serves as a binding site for calcium ions during the mineralization process. The HA/P(VPAc) hydrogels were biomineralized by a urea-mediation method to create functional polymer hydrogels that can deliver the protein drug and mimic the bone extracellular matrix. The water content of the hydrogels was influenced by the HA/P(VPAc) composition, crosslinking density, biomineralization, and ionic strength of the swelling media. All HA/P(VPAc) hydrogels maintained more than 84% water content. Enzymatic degradation of HA/P(VPAc) hydrogels was dependent on the concentration of hyaluronidase and the crosslinking density of the polymer network within the hydrogel. In addition, the release behavior of bovine serum albumin from the HA/PVPAc hydrogels was mainly influenced by the drug loading content, water content, and biomineralization of the hydrogels. In a cytotoxicity study, the HA/P(VPAc) and biomineralized HA/P(VPAc) hydrogels did not significantly affect cell viability. These results suggest that biomineralized HA/P(VPAc) hydrogels can be tailored to create a biomimetic hydrogel system that promotes bone tissue repair and regeneration by local delivery of protein drugs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41194.
Comparative analysis of essential oils from the leaves of wild and domestic Chimonanthus praecox

Characteristics of leaf essential oil extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) from wild and domestication Chimonanthus praecox from Wanyuan City of Sichuan, China, were investigated. Their leaves had twenty-two common essential oil components containing the mains bornyl acetate, caryophyllene oxide and (-)-spathulenol. Their oils were characterized by sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes, especially, the oxygenated. However, the wild plants possessed higher essential oil content and more abundant chemical components than the domestication variety “Suxinmei”. The wild plants possessed sixty-four special components such as o-cymene, eucalyptol, γ-terpinene, linalool, etc, and most of them have enjoyable flavor and curative effect. But, “Suxinmei” was only with the three special components α-muurolene, γ-elemene and γ-himachalene, and without aromatic compounds. These results suggested that partial genetic materials controlling some especial nature products might have been changed or lost in the processes of evolution and domestication from wild to cultivar. It is of importance to powerfully protect and rationally utilize wild C. praecox germplasm resources. Key words: Chimonanthus praecox, germplasm resources, leaf, hydrodistillation, GC-MS, essential oil, yield, chemical component.
Genomic in situ hybridization analysis of Brassica napus x Orychophragmus violaceus hybrids and production of B. napus aneuploids

To further utilize the valuable germplasm Orychophrugmus violaceus for Brassica genetics and breeding, a B. napus x O. violaceus cross was repeated with embryo rescue. All F 1 plants except one B. napus haploid were mixoploids (2n = 17-39 in ovaries) with 2n = 31, 37, 38 and 39 as the maximal chromosome numbers in individuals, but the higher numbers mostly appeared in pollen mother cells (PMCs) with a preponderance of 2n = 30, 37 and 38. Only one chromosome and one chromosome segment of O. violaceus were detected at a low frequency in some ovary cells and PMCs with 2n = 37, 38 and 39 as determined by genomic in situ hybridization analysis. The fatty acid profiles of seeds from the majority of the F 1 and F 2 plants were similar to those of female B. napus cv. 'Oro', but some were obviously different in the percentages of oleic, linoleic and erucic acids, and some F 2 plants (2n = 38) with good seed set had high percentages of oleic (>70.0%) or linoleic (to 38.3%) acids and low erucic acid ( <1%). Subsequently, many kinds of B. napus aneuploids (2n = 28, 30, 34, 36, 37, 39 and 42), without O. violaceus chromosomes, were derived from F 2 progeny and microspores of partial F 1 plants. Finally, the cytological mechanisms behind the variations in chromosome numbers were discussed together with the implications of these aneuploids for Brassica genome research and of the plants with altered fatty acid profiles for improving the oil quality of B. napus.
Adaptive Strategies and Energetics of Tail Autonomy in Lizards

Various methods were used to study and quantify components of tail autotomy adapta- tions in four species of lizards; Coleonyx variegatus (Gekkonidae), Eumeces skiltonianus and Eumeces gilberti (Scincidae), and Gerrhonotus multicarinatus (Anguidae). High frequency of tail breaks in natural populations of these species (65%, 62%, 52%, and 74% respectively) suggests the effectiveness of autotomy for predator escape. In species where tail autotomy is most important for escape, regener- ated tails are as large or larger than the original tails. Regenerated tails were higher in lipids and energy than original tails, which were, in turn, higher than bodies. The species with alternate uses for the tail (other than predator escape via autotomy) exhibited lower rates of energy allocation to regeneration and the regenerated tails were lower in energy content (both per unit weight and total, proportionately) than tails of other species studied. Total growth energy allocated to tail regeneration varied from 24.7% in G. multicarinatus (the species least adapted for autotomy) to 56.5% in E. gilberti (a species highly adapted for autotomy). Regeneration was most rapid in short-lived early-maturing species, those with several breeding opportunities in a given season. Species with high probabilities of future reproduc- tions (long-lived, late-maturing) and short, seasonally restricted breeding seasons, regenerated tails at low rates. Energy allocations to tail regeneration were varied within and among species. Generally, immatures of all species except G. multicarinatus allocated proportionately less to tail regeneration and more to body growth than adults. Energy allocations to tail regeneration in G. multi- carinatus were relatively consistent across age groups. A summary of pathways by which autotomy adaptations may be selected for, or by which retention adaptations may evolve, is presented.
THE INCUBATION PATTERNS OF BIRDS.

Summary. A classification of the known methods of incubation of the birds of the world, on the basis of the division of labour between the sexes and the apportionment of time on the eggs, shows that practically every feasible pattern has been adopted by one species or another. A review of the evidence suggests that incubation by both sexes was the primitive method among birds. Among passerines, there appears to be little correlation between incubation by the male and his possession of a brood-patch. Some males which regularly incubate lack it, whereas others which fail to incubate develop it. There is also poor correlation between the form of the nest (whether open or covered), the coloration of the two sexes, and their participation in incubation. Participation of the sexes is not generally correlated with the environment. The non-incubation by the female Emperor Penguin and the sharing of incubation by the male Gould's Hummingbird, seem to be instances of response to rigorous climates. Except possibly in migratory birds whose breeding season is short, incubation by the male seems compatible with efficient territorial defence. Some males and even females sing loudly from the nest, apparently without betraying it to predators. When the sex-ratio is strongly unbalanced, the failure of the less numerous sex to incubate makes it possible for a larger proportion of the adults to reproduce. But in a number of species in which polygamy or polyandry occurs, the sex-ratio is not known to be unbalanced. Many modifications in the incubation pattern, especially those involving the participation of the sexes, appear to be non-adaptive, and to persist because they do not decrease reproductive efficiency.
Life form and preference can drive spatial relationships among plant species in semi-arid rangelands of middle Iran

The interaction among species is one of the most important factors influencing the distribution of plants in a given habitat. Vegetation of arid rangelands often appears patchy with many herbaceous species associated with shrub species. It was hypothesised that plant interactions among different life forms together with the effect of grazing preference generate this type of spatial distribution of plant species in the semi-arid rangelands of middle Iran. Spatial patterns and associations were quantitatively analysed using Hopkins' index and Chi-square tests to establish links between spatial relationships,plantlifeformsandpreferencebygrazersonthesouthfoothillsoftheTaleghanranges,AlborzProvince.Data were collected from three geographical sites with different dominant species and clumped patterns of plant spatial distributions for these species were detected. These spatial patterns were probably generated by the interplay of life form- dependentfacilitativeinteractionsamongplantsandthegrazingpressureonpreferredspeciesratherthanduetotheirintrinsic characters.Inthestudysites,grassspeciesweresignificantlymorefrequentlyobservedinthevicinityofnursespeciesthanin open areas. It was also found that plant-plant interactions may change in response to changes in environmental conditions, such as soil characters and the benefits achieved by the beneficiary species from being associated with nurse species. All preferred perennial species were spatially associated with shrub species (Astragalus gossypinus Fischer and Thymus kotschyanus Boiss & Hohen), while nurse species that just physically protect the beneficiary species from grazing (e.g. A. gossypinus) did not associate with non-preferred species (e.g. Stipa barbata Desf). Instead, these non-preferred species may positively aggregate with nurse plants showing other beneficial characteristics such as nitrogen fixation and improvement of soil conditions. Additional keywords: competition, facilitation, grass species, shrubs, spatial association, Taleghan.
Glikobiyoloji Güncel Moleküler Biyoloji

Ozet: Karbonhidrat kimyas›, gecen yuzy›l›n sonunda karbonhidrat biyokimyas›na ve giderek karbonhidrat biyolojisine veya glikobiyoloji'ye donuflmufltur. Glikobiyoloji, yeni ve modern molekuler biyoloji araflt›rma alan›d›r ve flekerlerin yap›lar›n›, biyosentezlerini ve biyolojik gorevlerini araflt›r›r. Monosakkaritlerin say›lar›, balar›n›n (α veya β) tipi, pozisyonlar›, balanma noktalar› ve ifllevsel grup farkl›l›klar› mikroheterojeniteyi oluflturur. Boylece ince kucuk yap›sal farklarla cok say›da glikoformlar meydana gelir. Her bir glikoform farkl› bir biyolojik ligant olarak farkl› gorev yapar. Glikobiyolojide araflt›rmalar molekuler yap›lar›n, glikozilasyon mekanizmalar›n›n, biyolojik kontrol mekanizmalar›n›n ayd›nlat›lmas›, farkl› hucre tiplerinin fenotipik ozelliklerinin belirlenmesi ve iliflkili enzimlerin klonlanmas› uzerine younlafl›r. Glikobiyoloji temel araflt›rma, t›p bilimi ve modern biyoteknolojide artan oneme sahiptir. Anahtar Sozcukler: Glikobiyoloji, k›sa tarihce, mikroheterojenite, yontemler, gelecekteki onemi Abstract: Carbohydrate chemistry evolved into carbohydrate biochemistry and gradually into the biology of carbohydrates, or glycobiology, at the end of the last century. Glycobiology is the new research area of modern molecular biology, and it investigates the structure, biosynthesis and biological functions of glycans. The numbers, linkage types (α or β), positions, binding points and functional group differences of monosaccharides create microheterogeneity. Thus, numerous glycoforms with precise structural differences occur. Each glycoform as a distinct biological ligand has a different function. Studies in glycobiology have concentrated on determining molecular structures and glycosylation mechanisms, investigating biological control mechanisms and the phenotypic characteristics of different cell types and on the cloning of related enzymes. Glycobiology is of increasing importance in fundamental research, medical science and modern biotechnology.
Salicylic acid alleviates the toxicity of cadmium on seedling growth, amylases and phosphatases activity in germinating barley seeds

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the possible mediator role of salicylic acid (SA) in alleviating cadmium (Cd) toxicity during the germination stage of barley. The exposure of barley seedling to increasing Cd concentrations (25, 50 and 100 µM) during early stages of their establishment, caused a gradual decrease in vigour index, root length, α-amylase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase activities in endosperms and mitotic index of the root tip. Seed pretreatment with 600 µM SA partially alleviated the negative effects of Cd on germination parameters and increased the hydrolytic enzyme activities and mitotic index. Cadmium treatment increased Cd accumulation in roots. Furthermore, results showed that compared to the cadmium treatment applied alone, SA pretreatment of the seeds did not influenced the Cd concentration in the roots. These results suggest that SA plays a positive role in barley-seed germination and early seedling growth by protecting it against Cd toxicity by moderating its toxic effect on the mobilization of organic reserves.