Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Invasion of pollination networks on oceanic islands: importance of invader complexes and endemic super generalists

Abstract. The structure of pollination networks is described for two oceanic islands, the Azorean Flores and the Mauritian Ile aux Aigrettes. At each island site, all interactions between endemic, non‐endemic native and introduced plants and pollinators were mapped. Linkage level, i.e. number of species interactions per species, was significantly higher for endemic species than for non‐endemic native and introduced species. Linkage levels of the two latter categories were similar. Nine types of interaction may be recognized among endemic, non‐endemic native and introduced plants and pollinators. Similar types had similar frequencies in the two networks. Specifically, we looked for the presence of ‘invader complexes’ of mutualists, defined as groups of introduced species interacting more with each other than expected by chance and thus facilitating each other’s establishment. On both islands, observed frequencies of interactions between native (endemic and non‐endemic) and introduced pollinators and plants differed from random. Introduced pollinators and plants interacted less than expected by chance. Thus, the data did not support the existence of invader complexes. Instead, our study suggested that endemic super‐generalist species, i.e. pollinators or plant species with a very wide pollination niche, include new invaders in their set of food plants or pollinators and thereby improve establishment success of the invaders. Reviewing other studies, super generalists seem to be a widespread island phenomenon, i.e. island pollination networks include one or a few species with a very high generalization level compared to co‐occurring species. Low density of island species may lead to low interspecific competition, high abundance and ultimately wide niches and super generalization.
The impact of the Manual of Nearctic Diptera on phylogenetic dipterology

Abstract Our knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships of Diptera advanced through the 20th century at an unprecedented rate; the two crowning achievements of the century were Hennig's magnum opus – the Handbuch der Zoologie treatment of the order and Volume 3 of the Manual of Nearctic Diptera series, edited by McAlpine and Wood. The Manual is outstanding because of its scope and rigorous, consistent approach, treating the relationships of the entire order at family level using Hennigian argumentation. Synapomorphic characters from all life stages were identified using outgroup comparison and monophyletic taxa were established using synapomorphies mapped onto nodes. The Manual chapters energized a generation of students to publish rigorous, quantitative cladistic phylogenetic treatments of many dipteran groups. The chapters also acted as an authoritative scaffold for the development of dipteran molecular systematics in the 1990s. No other megadiverse insect order has had such an influential phylogenetic springboard into the 21st century. Résumé Notre connaissance des relations phylogénétiques des diptères a avancé à un rythme sans précédent pendant le 20ème siècle, et les deux plus belles réussites du siècle sont l'analyse de l'ordre par Hennig dans le Handbuch der Zoologie et le tome 3 du Manual of Nearctic Diptera édité par McAlpine et Wood. Ce dernier est exemplaire en raison de son ampleur et son approche rigoureuse et cohérente. Cet ouvrage traite des relations des familles dans l'ordre avec l'argumentation d'Hennig. Les caractères synapomorphiques de tous les stades de vie sont identifiés en utilisant une comparaison avec les groupes distants, et les taxons monophylétiques établis avec les synapomorphies cartographiées sur les nœuds. Les chapitres du Manual ont motivé une génération d’étudiants à publier des traitements cladistiques et phylogénétiques rigoureux et quantitatifs de nombreux groupes de diptères. Les chapitres ont également donné une structure de référence pour le développement de la systématique moléculaire des diptères pendant les années 1990. Aucun autre ordre d'insectes si divers n'a eu un tel travail de préparation phylogénétique pendant le 20ème siècle.
A Type I Peritrophic Matrix Protein from the Malaria VectorAnopheles gambiae Binds to Chitin

Upon feeding, mosquito midguts secrete the peritrophic matrix (PM), an extracellular chitin-containing envelope that completely surrounds the blood meal. Because the malaria parasite must cross the PM to complete its life cycle in the mosquito, the PM is a potential barrier for malaria transmission. By antibody screening of an expression library we have identified and partially characterized a cDNA encoding a putative PM protein, termed Anopheles gambiae adult peritrophin 1 (Ag-Aper1). Ag-Aper1 is the first cloned PM gene from a disease vector. Northern analysis detected an abundant Ag-Aper1 transcript only in the adult gut, and not in any other tissues or at any other stages of development. The predicted amino acid sequence indicates that it has two tandem chitin-binding domains that share high sequence similarity with each other and also with the chitin-binding domain of an adult gut-specific chitinase from the same organism. The presumed ability of Ag-Aper1 to bind chitin was verified by a functional assay with the baculovirus-expressed recombinant protein. Ag-Aper1 did bind to chitin but not to cellulose, indicating that Ag-Aper1 binds chitin specifically. The double chitin-binding domain organization of Ag-Aper1 suggests that each protein molecule is able to link two chitin polymer chains. Hence, this protein is likely to act as a molecular linker that connects PM chitin fibrils into a three-dimensional network.
Marine Algae of the Northern Gulf of California: Chlorophyta and Phaeophyceae

The present treatment constitutes a taxonomic study of the green and brown benthic marine algae currently known in the northern Gulf of California. In all, 133 species were found: 4 classes, 7 orders, 13 families, 20 genera, and 63 species of Chlorophyta and 9 orders, 15 families, 26 genera, and 70 species of Phaeophyceae. The systematic account is a guide to the identification of marine algae from the northern Gulf of California, with the accepted name, keys, and descriptions of the orders, families, genera, and species. The date, place, and author(s) of valid publication of each taxon are cited. The current name for each species is given along with its basionym, type locality, synonyms, relevant taxonomic studies, habitat, and distribution in the Gulf of California and in the Pacific Ocean. Illustrations are provided for most species. A remarks section includes additional information on taxonomy, nomenclature, ecology, and/or other problems or facts of interest. In addition to reviewing the taxonomic phycological literature pertinent to the Gulf of California and Pacific Mexico, new records and distribution extensions are given. Four new sections of Sargassum subgen. Sargassum are proposed: S. sect. herporhizum E. Y. Dawson ex J. N. Norris, S. sect. johnstonii E. Y. Dawson ex J. N. Norris, S. sect. lapazeanum E. Y. Dawson ex J. N. Norris, and S. sect. sinicola E. Y. Dawson ex J. N. Norris; five new combinations are made: Desmarestia munda subsp. mexicana (E. Y. Dawson) J. N. Norris, Epicladia condensata (Setchell et N. L. Gardner) J. N. Norris, Epicladia mexicana (Setchell et N. L. Gardner) J. N. Norris, Hincksia bryantii (Setchell et N. L. Gardner) J. N. Norris, and Sargassum sinicola subsp. camouii J. N. Norris et Yensen. One new species, Sporochnus neushulii J. N. Norris, is described.
Abundance and Seasonal Distribution of the Common Species of Ceratopogonidae (Diptera) Occurring in the State of Connecticut

Early in the course of a study of the dipteran family Ceratopogonidae,it was realized that very little was known about the species composition, both in numbers and kind, in the state of Connecticut. Consequently a sltudy was set up to determine the species present and the relative abundance of the more common forms. The results of this study are presented in this paper.
Copper pretreatment augments ultraviolet B toxicity in the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum: a proteomic analysis of cell death.

This study provides first-hand proteomic characterisation of Cu-pretreatment-induced augmentation of ultraviolet B toxicity in the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum Bharadwaja. Of the three treatments (i.e. Cu, UV-B and Cu + UV-B) tested, the UV-B treatment of Cu-pretreated Anabaena produced a greater inhibition of oxygen evolution, 14C fixation, ATP and NADPH contents than UV-B alone. Proteomic analysis using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE), MALDI-TOF MS/MS and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of Cu, UV-B, and Cu + UV-B treated Anabaena exhibited significant and reproducible alterations in 12 proteins. Of these, manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), iron superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) and peroxiredoxin (PER) are antioxidative enzymes; ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCo), phosphoribulokinase (PRK), flavodoxin (Flv), plastocyanin (PLC), phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), phycocyanin (PC) and phycoerythrocyanin α-chain (PC α-chain) are linked with photosynthesis and respiration; and DnaK and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) are associated with cellular processes and light signalling, respectively. However, when subjected to a high dose of UV-B, Cu-pretreated Anabaena depicted a severe down-regulation of DnaK, NDPK and Flv, probably because of inevitable oxidative stress. Thus, the augmentation of UV-B toxicity by Cu can be attributed to the down-regulation of DnaK, NDPK and Flv.
Diurnal changes in the photochemical efficiency of the symbiotic dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae) of corals: photoprotection, photoinactivation and the relationship to coral bleaching

The photochemical efficiency of symbiotic dinoflagellates within the tissues of two reef-building corals in response to normal and excess irradiance at water temperatures < 30 °C were investigated using pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) chlorophyll fluorescence techniques. Dark-adapted Fv/Fm showed clear diurnal changes, decreasing to a low at solar noon and increasing in the afternoon. However, Fv/Fm also drifted downwards at night or in prolonged darkness, and increased rapidly during the early morning twilight. This parameter also increased when the oxygen concentration of the water holding the corals was increased. Such changes have not been described previously, and most probably reflect state transitions associated with PQ pool reduction via chlororespiration. These unusual characteristics may be a feature of an endosymbiotic environment, reflective of the well-documented night-time tissue hypoxia that occurs in corals. Fv/Fm decreased to 0·25 in response to full sunlight in shade-acclimated (shade) colonies of Stylophora pistillata, which is considerably lower than in light-acclimated (sun) colonies. In sun colonies, the reversible decrease in Fv/Fm was caused by a lowering of Fm and Fo suggesting photoprotection and no lasting damage. The decrease in Fv/Fm, however, was caused by a decrease in Fm and an increase in Fo in shade colonies suggesting photoinactivation and long-term cumulative photoinhibition. Shade colonies rapidly lost their symbiotic algae (bleached) during exposure to full sunlight. This study is consistent with the hypothesis that excess light leads to chronic damage of symbiotic dinoflagellates and their eventual removal from reef-building corals. It is significant that this can occur with high light conditions alone.
Sulphur as a Factor in Soil Fertility

1. Composite soil samples from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin were analyzed for total sulphur, total phosphorus, and volatile matter (loss on ignition), and cooperative fertilizer experiments with gypsum were conducted in fields in Indiana and Kentucky. 2. The analytical data show a general relation between the sulphur content and loss on ignition in soil samples from the same soil type or closely related soil types, but the relation is not apparent when different soil types are compared. 3. The sulphur contents in the surface soil vary from 0.0118 to 0.0905 per cent, while the phosphorus contents vary from 0.0360 to 0.3407 per cent. All the upland soils and most of the alluvial soils are low in sulphur. Most of the Kentucky soils and one of the Indiana soils are high in phosphorus. This is undoubtedly due to the influence of the rock from which the soils were formed, as all the Kentucky samples were from soils derived either from the Trenton limestone or the Cincinnati limestone, both of which are high in phosphorus content. 4. The sulphur and phosphorus contents were calculated to pounds per acre in the surface soil, and compared with the amounts of sulphur and phosphorus removed by maximum crops of corn, wheat, timothy, clover, and alfalfa. The highest sulphur content is sufficient for only 39 years of alfalfa, 139 of clover, 159 of timothy, 355 of wheat, or 232 of corn; while the lowest sulphur content is sufficient for only 5 years of alfalfa, 18 of clover, 21 of timothy, 46 of wheat, or 30 of corn. The lowest phosphorus content is equal to the amount removed by 42 years of corn, 60 of wheat, 80 of timothy, 36 of clover, or 20 of alfalfa. On the other hand, it would take 401 years of corn, 568 of wheat, 757 of timothy, 341 of clover, or 189 of alfalfa to remove as much phosphorus as is found in the soil with the highest phosphorus content. 5. On some of the soils tobacco, clover, and alfalfa have been benefited by the use of gypsum. The results, however, are not quantitative. More field experiments are needed and greater care should be taken to eliminate other factors as far as possible. Each treatment should be replicated to reduce the probable error.
Inhibition of NF-κB by Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Blocks Endothelial Cell Activation

Abstract Endothelial cell activation is achieved by the rapid, protein synthesis-independent induction of a characteristic set of genes. Because of the abundance of binding sites for the transcription factor NF-κB in the regulatory region of the aforementioned genes, we hypothesized that this factor might play a key role. Reactive oxygen intermediates act as second messengers in the activation of NF-κB. We have used the antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate to analyze the effect of NF-κB inhibition on TNFα-induced EC activation in vitro. We show that pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate strongly reduces the TNFα-mediated induction of E-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, PAI-1, tissue factor, IL-8 and IκB-α. We present evidence identifying NF-κB as a central regulator of EC activation. Therefore, this factor may represent a prime target for therapeutic intervention in pathologic conditions associated with EC activation such as allo- and xenograft rejection, atherosclerosis, ischemic reperfusion injury and vasculitis.
Potential of agroforestry techniques in mitigating CO2 emissions in Nigeria: some preliminary estimates

This paper attempts some preliminary evaluation of the potential of agroforestry techniques as a forestry strategy for controlling atmospheric CO2—a critical greenhouse gas. The end-use scenario that attempts to meet the wood and related needs of the nation while mitigating climate change was adopted. The net emission estimate for the Forestry Sector in 1990—the base year for the study—was 9.5 million tonnes of carbon (MtC). Based on this figure, projections into the year 2030 gave cumulative net emissions of 427.4 and 580.5 MtC at 1.3% and 2.6% deforestation rates respectively. However, mitigating with agroforestry techniques, assuming that about 76% of the estimated 39.5 million ha of farmland in the country is committed to a variety of agroforestry systems, the results show that a total of 1530 MtC can be withdrawn from the atmosphere by the year 2030. The paper concludes that there is a reasonable case for the use of agroforestry techniques in the country, both as a means of sustaining soil productivity and as a strategy for mitigating climate change.
Collective Migrations of Drosophila Embryonic Trunk and Caudal Mesoderm-Derived Muscle Precursor Cells

Mesoderm migration in the Drosophila embryo is a highly conserved, complex process that is required for the formation of specialized tissues and organs, including the somatic and visceral musculature. In this FlyBook chapter, we will compare and contrast the specification and migration of cells originating from the trunk and caudal mesoderm. Both cell types engage in collective migrations that enable cells to achieve new positions within developing embryos and form distinct tissues. To start, we will discuss specification and early morphogenetic movements of the presumptive mesoderm, then focus on the coordinate movements of the two subtypes trunk mesoderm and caudal visceral mesoderm, ending with a comparison of these processes including general insights gained through study.
IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) plasma levels are co‐ordinately regulated by both IL‐1Ra and IL‐1β genes

The genes in the IL‐1 complex code for three proteins, IL‐1α, IL‐1β and the IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra). The severity of a given infection is influenced by the balance between the levels of IL‐1β, the major extracellular agonist, and that of IL‐1Ra. In healthy individuals, IL‐1Ra is readily detectable in plasma but IL‐1β levels are usually undetectable. As there are polymorphisms in both of these genes, we have now analyzed whether there are allelic associations between these loci and whether these would have an influence on plasma IL‐1Ra levels. In 200 healthy blood donors, the mean plasma IL‐1Ra concentration was 681 pg/ml. The IL‐1Ra allele 2 (IL1RN*2) had a clear influence on IL‐1Ra levels: its carriers had higher levels than the non‐carriers (745 ng/ml vs. 627 pg/ml, p < 0.05, t ‐test). As marker alleles for IL‐1β we used two biallelic base‐exchange polymorphisms (at positions − 511 and + 3953 relative to the transcriptional start site). The more rare allele of IL‐1β − 511 (allele 2) was significantly associated with the presence of IL‐1Ra allele 2, but in the case of the IL‐1β + 3953, the more rare allele (allele 2) was less frequent in the carriers of the IL‐1Ra allele 2. These IL‐1β allelisms did not have a direct influence on plasma IL‐1Ra levels, but the enhancing effect of IL‐1Ra allele 2 on IL‐1Ra plasma levels required the presence of the IL‐1β − 511 allele 2 or absence of the IL‐1β + 3953 allele 2. Taken together, these results indicate that the IL‐1β gene participates in the regulation of IL‐1Ra production in vivo and that the alleles of IL‐1β and IL‐1Ra which demonstrate this cooperative effect are often associated.
An alternative route to coloniality in the bearded tit: females pursue extra-pair fertilizations

We combine behavioral studies with DNA-fingerprinting of a population of bearded tits Panurus biarmicus and test the idea that the pursuit of extra-pair copulations by females acts as selective pressure that may contribute to the formation of colonies in this socially monogamous species. We show that the rate of extra-pair paternity in colonial breeding pairs is very high, whereas no extra-pair chicks were detected in solitary nests. We found no cases of extra-pair maternity and intraspecific brood parasitism in solitary nests, whereas it did occur in dense breeding situations. We further found no difference in die quality of males between colonial and solitary individuals. However, colonial females were of significantly higher quality in terms of body size and condition. We propose that high-quality females settle in colonies to increase their opportunities to adjust the choice of their social partner by obtaining extra-pair copulations. We suggest that colony formation enables high-quality females to incite male-male competition for extra-pair copulations and consequently secure extra-pair fertilizations by high-quality males and that high-density nesting is controlled by female bearded tits. Kty words: Aves, coloniality, extra-pair fertilization, F. Paradoxornithidae, female quality, nest site choice. [Behav Ecol 8:113-119 (1997)]
Modeling the Effects of Plant-to-Plant Gene Flow, Larval Behavior, and Refuge Size on Pest Resistance to Bt Cotton

ABSTRACT Growers of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops often use refuges of non-Bt plants to delay pest resistance, but plant-to-plant gene flow between Bt and non-Bt crops could affect this strategy. Here we used simulation modeling to explore the consequences of pollen- and seed-mediated gene flow in cotton fields on the evolution of resistance in a generic pest. We modeled a landscape of 0.5-ha fields where growers used farm-saved seed, as could often occur in the developing world. Specifically, we examined the effects of moderate and high gene flow rates, larval feeding behavior, dominance of resistance, refuge type and abundance, and the interactions among these factors. With either completely dominant or completely recessive inheritance of resistance, gene flow among plants and larval feeding behavior had limited practical impact on resistance evolution. With intermediate dominance, however, moderate or high gene flow among plants substantially accelerated resistance evolution in some simulations where non-Bt cotton refuges were 5 or 20% of the cotton acreage. The acceleration was usually greater when larvae moved and fed indiscriminately among Bt and non-Bt cotton plants than when larvae were sedentary or discriminated among plant types. Adding alternative host plant refuges to the landscape delayed resistance, while increasing the non-Bt cotton refuge from 20 to 50% of the cotton acreage had positive, negative, or neutral effects, depending on dominance, the amount of alternative host plant refuges, and larval feeding behavior. The results suggest that, under certain conditions, reducing gene flow between refuges and Bt crops could help delay pest resistance.
The Science of Open Spaces: Theory and Practice for Conserving Large Complex Systems. Charles G. Curtin. 2015. Washington, DC: Island Press: $80.00 hardcover. ISBN: 978-1-597-26992-6. $40.00 acid-free paper. ISBN 978-1-597-26993-3. $39.99 e-book. ISBN: 978-1-610-91205-1. 272 pages.

chapters will provide valuable resources for designers looking to impart these pollutant management strategies into landscapes. Chapter 5 brings together the specific strategies and considerations outlined in the previous chapters to provide guidance on phytoremediation-integrated site design. This is clearly in the “wheelhouse” of these two landscape architects as their graphic depictions of multifunctional landscape design strategies are both comprehensible and comprehensive. This chapter is perhaps the most unique contribution Phyto contributes to the field of phytoremediation. It greatly expands and improves on what the Interstate Technical and Regulatory Council provided with the guidance documents PHYTO-1, PHYTO-2, and PHYTO-3, which provided guidance on how to implement phytoremediation into site management designs in a decision tree approach. Phyto adeptly navigates the difficult territory of technology transfer, which is so often fraught with misfires and mired in profiteering that well established scientific knowledge often never leaves the lab. The application of phytoremediation to address environmental contamination has seen successes over the years, even a few successful commercial ventures. However, the potential of this field has not been realized, not even close. As I am sure the readers of this publication can appreciate, reintegrating what Goethe called “Nature’s open secrets” into the landscape of our time will significantly advance our society towards sustainability. By providing a “how-to” approach to phytoremediation, without compromising on technical rigor, landscape designers may now be able to decipher this complex topic and include aspects of phytoremediation in landscape designs for the built environment. This, in my view, has to be the next phase of the field of phytoremediation if all those decades of scientific research are to bear fruit.