Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intermolecular vibrational energy transfer enabled by microcavity strong light–matter coupling

Atypical vibrational interactions Vibrational energy transfer (VET) between solute molecules is generally unfavorable in liquids because of weak intermolecular forces. Xiang et al. measured the two-dimensional infrared spectrum of a molecular mixture, W(CO)6 and W(13CO)6, with saturated concentrations in a binary solvent embedded in an optical microcavity. This experiment showed that the VET between the asymmetric stretch vibrations of two solute molecules is enhanced via polaritonic intermediate states formed by a strong coupling with the cavity mode. The efficiency is modulated by the cavity lifetime, which provides an opportunity to control the VET process in the liquid phase. This could lead to various practical implementations. Science, this issue p. 665 Strong light–matter coupling enables selective intermolecular vibrational energy transfer in the liquid phase. Selective vibrational energy transfer between molecules in the liquid phase, a difficult process hampered by weak intermolecular forces, is achieved through polaritons formed by strong coupling between cavity photon modes and donor and acceptor molecules. Using pump-probe and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy, we found that the excitation of the upper polariton, which is composed mostly of donors, can efficiently relax to the acceptors within ~5 picoseconds. The energy-transfer efficiency can be further enhanced by increasing the cavity lifetime, suggesting that the energy transfer is a polaritonic process. This vibrational energy-transfer pathway opens doors for applications in remote chemistry, sensing mechanisms, and vibrational polariton condensation.
Divergent T follicular helper cell requirement for IgA and IgE production to peanut during allergic sensitization

Generation of peanut-specific gut immunoglobulin A antibodies is independent of T follicular helper cells. Modeling peanut allergy in mice One of the challenges of understanding food allergies is developing animal models that mirror human food allergies. Here, Zhang et al. have developed a peanut allergy model in mice where feeding mice peanuts alongside immune adjuvant, cholera toxin, promoted the development of peanut-specific antibodies. In addition to peanut-reactive immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies, these mice also developed peanut-specific IgE and IgG antibodies. Although development of IgA was independent of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, Tfh cells were required for the generation of peanut-specific IgE and IgG antibodies. In addition to developing a model to study peanut allergy in mice, their results have also brought to the fore the role of Tfh cells in driving distinct antibody-mediated responses. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the dominant antibody isotype in the gut and has been shown to regulate microbiota. Mucosal IgA is also widely believed to prevent food allergens from penetrating the gut lining. Even though recent work has elucidated how bacteria-reactive IgA is induced, little is known about how IgA to food antigens is regulated. Although IgA is presumed to be induced in a healthy gut at steady state via dietary exposure, our data do not support this premise. We found that daily food exposure only induced low-level, cross-reactive IgA in a minority of mice. In contrast, induction of significant levels of peanut-specific IgA strictly required a mucosal adjuvant. Although induction of peanut-specific IgA required T cells and CD40L, it was T follicular helper (TFH) cell, germinal center, and T follicular regulatory (TFR) cell–independent. In contrast, IgG1 and IgE production to peanut required TFH cells. These data suggest an alternative paradigm in which the cellular mechanism of IgA production to food antigens is distinct from IgE and IgG1. We developed an equivalent assay to study this process in stool samples from healthy, nonallergic humans, which revealed substantial levels of peanut-specific IgA that were stable over time. Similar to mice, patients with loss of CD40L function had impaired titers of gut peanut-specific IgA. This work challenges two widely believed but untested paradigms about antibody production to dietary antigens: (i) the steady state/tolerogenic response to food antigens includes IgA production and (ii) TFH cells drive food-specific gut IgA.
Sample collection from asteroid (162173) Ryugu by Hayabusa2: Implications for surface evolution

Collecting a sample of asteroid Ryugu The Hayabusa2 spacecraft recently traveled to the nearby carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu to collect samples and return them to Earth for laboratory analysis. Morota et al. describe Hayabusa2's first sample collection, taken during a brief touchdown on Ryugu's surface. Close-up images and video taken during the sampling process allowed the authors to investigate the surface colors and morphology on a small scale. Relating these to the surface craters and stratigraphy constrains the evolution of Ryugu. The authors conclude that the asteroid experienced a prior period of strong solar heating caused by changes in its orbit. The sample is expected to arrive on Earth in December 2020. Science, this issue p. 654 A sample of the nearby asteroid Ryugu, collected by Hayabusa2, should arrive on Earth in December 2020. The near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu is thought to be a primitive carbonaceous object that contains hydrated minerals and organic molecules. We report sample collection from Ryugu’s surface by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft on 21 February 2019. Touchdown images and global observations of surface colors are used to investigate the stratigraphy of the surface around the sample location and across Ryugu. Latitudinal color variations suggest the reddening of exposed surface material by solar heating and/or space weathering. Immediately after touchdown, Hayabusa2’s thrusters disturbed dark, fine grains that originate from the redder materials. The stratigraphic relationship between identified craters and the redder material indicates that surface reddening occurred over a short period of time. We suggest that Ryugu previously experienced an orbital excursion near the Sun.
Effects of temperature on survival, growth, reproductive and life span characteristics of Branchinecta orientalis G. O. Sars, 1901 (Branchipoda, Anostraca) from Iran

Branchinecta orientalis G. O. Sars, 1901 is a common inhabitant of seasonal water catchments in the northwest of Iran. Hatching, growth, survival, and reproductive characteristics of this species were studied at different temperatures in the laboratory. The Cumulative Hatching Success was significantly higher for specimens cultured at 21°C (85.27 ± 12.21%) compared to those hatched at 12, 15 and 27°C ( P < 0 . 05 ). Hatching started on the same day (48.00 h after inundation) at temperatures of 21, 24 and 27°C), whereas this took more time at lower temperatures, slowest at 12°C (126.00 ± 0.58 h after inundation). The initial hatching fraction was the highest at 21°C (44.60 ± 18.69%) and lowest at 12°C (9.10 ± 8.28%). Total length was significantly longer at high temperatures, 12.38 ± 0.71 mm at 27°C, compared to 4.07 ± 0.42 mm at 12°C on day 15. Nevertheless, contrasting results were obtained for survival, being the lowest at 27°C (22 ± 4.00%) and highest at 12°C (93.07 ± 2.08%) on day 15 of growth. The animals reached sexual maturity significantly faster at 27°C (9.38 ± 1.09 days) compared to all other treatments. A significantly longer life span was detected at 12 and 15°C (63 days), and the higher cyst production at 18°C, compared to other experimental conditions ( P < 0 . 05 ).
Plant‐mediated interactions between the rice water weevil and fall armyworm in rice

Greenhouse studies were conducted to investigate plant‐mediated interactions between an above‐ground and a below‐ground herbivore when sharing a common host plant, rice (Oryza sativa L). Two common pests of rice were used: the rice water weevil (RWW), Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, as the root herbivore, and the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) as the foliage‐feeding herbivore. Rice water weevil larval performance was assessed by measuring larval density and average weight in response to different levels of defoliation by FAW larvae. The reciprocal experiment was done to evaluate FAW performance (growth rate) in response to RWW feeding. Severe defoliation by FAW decreased RWW densities by 32% and reduced larval weights by 48% compared to larvae on roots of non‐defoliated plants. Effects in the converse experiments were not as strong. FAW growth rates were reduced 9–37% when feeding on rice leaves from plants damaged by RWW compared to larvae feed leaves from the no damage treatment. These reciprocal negative effects show that RWW and FAW are potential competitors when sharing a rice plant. Because RWW and FAW did not interact directly, competition was plant‐mediated.
Effect of alternative lipid sources on long‐term growth performance and quality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

The present study investigates the impact of replacing at least 50% of the fish oil in high-energy salmon diets with other types of oils. Triplicate groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were fed six diets differing only in dietary lipid source for 12 months in sea water. The experimental oils were combinations of fish oil and one or two of the following oils: rapeseed, soybean, linseed, palm or poultry oil. Fish oil constituted 40%−50% of the oil mixtures. The fish grew from an average weight of 120 g to 2000 g during the 12 month trial. Except for minor differences in the lipid concentration of trimmed fillets, no significant effects of dietary lipid source were found on growth, survival, body traits or fillet quality. The main dietary effect was observed in the muscle fatty acid composition, which clearly reflected that of the diets. These results show that high-energy diets where 50%−60% of the fish oil is replaced by other lipid sources can produce similar results to diets containing 100% fish oil during the grow out phase of Atlantic salmon in sea. The importance of fillet fatty acid composition on processing and sensory characteristics requires further evaluations.
Coastal movement and growth of domesticated rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)) in Norway

Between 1979 and 1991, hatchery-reared 1+ and 2+ rainbow trout were released in May and June in the Boknafjord at the mouth of the River Imsa, and from April to June in the Oslofjord, southern Norway. The fish were recaptured in the fjords of release, in rivers emptying there and from rivers and sea further along the Norwegian coast. Of the total recaptures, 35.6% ascended rivers in the year of release. Some fish released at the River Imsa returned to the area of release after spending 1 to 3 years at sea. Among those that were recaptured in rivers, 11.9% were recaptured in other rivers than the Imsa. The growth rate of the fish varied inversely with size at release. The growth rate was higher in the Oslofjord than in the Boknafjord, and in both areas the growth rate decreased with time after release. Rainbow trout that had escaped from local fish farms entered the River Imsa between March and December. Adults ascending in spring remained a shorter time in the river (37 days) than those ascending in autumn (200 days). Fish entering in autumn decreased more in weight during their river stay than those ascending in spring, and females more than males. Spawning took place in April-May. The monthly mean river stay of juvenile entrants ranged from 2 weeks to 6 months. In total, 27.8% of the rainbow trout escaped from fish farms and captured in the Imsa strayed to other rivers for repeat spawning. There is no evidence for continuing survival of escaped Norwegian rainbow trout in the wild.
Borago officinalis attracts the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Aphid parasitoids are often observed to gather around borages (Borago officinalis) used as banker plants in strawberry greenhouse. The attraction of Aphidius colemani as a model aphid parasitoid was observed in response to borage. An aphid generalist parasitoid, A. colemani, shows a preference based on their experience after hatching from mummies of the host-plant volatiles on which their host aphids are reared. A. colemani colonies reared on three host plant-aphid systems (borage/green peach aphid; Japanese radish/green peach aphid; barley/oat bird cherry aphid). A 4-arm olfactometer was used to test the preference of female A. colemani for several plants (infested Japanese radish; infested barley; infested, uninfested and mechanically-damaged borage). Females from each group showed a preference for the plant on which their hosts had been reared and also infested borage regardless of the host plant/aphid system. These results suggested that volatiles from aphid-infested borage attract A. colemani.
Morphological plasticity of leaves in natural regeneration of Fagus sylvatica L. : effects of direct and diffuse light, ontogeny and shoot type

It is known that the role of accessible light as a growth-determining factor in beech natural regeneration rises in importance with growth of individuals. However, the accompanied changes in leaf traits underlying this shift in light demands are not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate influence of ontogenetic stage (0.5 m high ‘seedlings‘, 2.1 m ‘saplings‘), shoot type (terminal, lateral long and lateral short) and diffuse and direct light on morphological traits of leaves at spring-shoot-level in naturally regenerated beech individuals – shoot mean leaf area (mLA), shoot mean leaf weight (mLW), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf area per shoot unit length (LAL), leaf mass per shoot unit length (LWL), number of leaves per shoot unit length (NLL), and ratio of mean-leaf width to its length (LSh). Ontogenetic drift affected the values of these traits; its influence depended on shoot type and component of light. The light explained more trait variability in saplings compared to seedlings (on average 45% vs 32%). The most evident shift was in the case of direct light – while direct light explained on average 18% of traits variability in seedlings, it was about 42% in saplings. The saplings compared with seedlings showed higher values of mLA, mLW, LMA, LAL on short shoots, LWL on lateral long and short shoots, LSh on terminal and lateral long shoots, and lower NLL values on terminal and long lateral shoots. Plastic response to light was higher in saplings than in seedlings (except mLA). Generally, the observed traits showed more plastic response to diffuse than to direct light in seedlings; the response of saplings was similar in both light components. The most plastic trait was LMA, the least LSh. Individuals of saplings displayed higher plasticity in traits close correlating with annual length growth of main axis, which suggests that saplings would benefit from increased light availability more than seedlings.
Estrogen Receptor α Interacts with Gα13 to Drive Actin Remodeling and Endothelial Cell Migration via the RhoA/Rho Kinase/Moesin Pathway

Sex steroids control cell movement and tissue organization; however, little is known of the involved mechanisms. This report describes the ongoing dynamic regulation by estrogen of the actin cytoskeleton and cell movement in human vascular endothelial cells that depends on rapid activation of the actin-regulatory protein moesin. Moesin activation is triggered by the interaction of the C-terminal portion of cell membrane estrogen receptor alpha with the G protein Galpha(13), leading to activation of the small GTPase RhoA and of the downstream effector Rho-associated kinase. The resulting phosphorylation of moesin on Thr(558) is the means of moesin's binding to actin and the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. This cascade of events ensues within minutes of estradiol administration and results in changes in cell morphology and to the development of specialized cell membrane structures such as ruffles and pseudopodia that are necessary for cell movement. These findings expand our knowledge of the basis of estrogen's effects on human cells, including the regulation of actin assembly, cell movement and migration. They highlight novel pathways of signal transduction of estrogen receptor alpha through nontranscriptional mechanisms. Furthermore, exposure of this estrogen receptor-dependent, nongenomic action of estrogen on human vascular endothelial cells is especially relevant to the present interest in the role of estrogen in cardiovascular protection.
Pollen aperture polymorphism in the Angiosperms: importance, possible causes and consequences

Summary To investigate the evolutionary mechanisms that produced the great diversity of pollen morphology, we concentrated on pollen aperture polymorphism. Possible selective forces and evolutionary mechanisms have been investigated previously. In this paper, we aim to test the predictions of a theoretical model and to evaluate the influence of ploidy on pollen aperture polymorphism. A survey of 186 species showed that pollen aperture number variation occurs mainly as different types in all plants (heteromorphism) whereas genetic polymorphism is related to heterostyly. Sporophytic ploidy increases the mean aperture number by shifting the mode to higher-aperturate pollen. However, the different types found within a plant do not correspond to reduced and unreduced gametophytes. The evolutionary consequences of these results are discussed.
Atributos microbiológicos do solo e produtividade de rabanete influenciados pelo uso de espécies espontâneas

O uso de especies espontâneas da Caatinga como adubos verdes e uma tecnica de manejo alternativa para a producao de hortalicas no Nordeste do Brasil, mas ainda escassas sao as informacoes. O presente trabalho foi realizado de outubro a dezembro de 2009 em Mossoro-RN com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de tres especies espontâneas da Caatinga em diferentes doses de biomassa nos atributos microbiologicos do solo e na produtividade do rabanete. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com tres repeticoes, sendo os tratamentos compostos de tres especies da Caatinga [jitirana (Merremia aegyptia); mata-pasto (Senna uniflora) e flor-de-seda (Calotropis procera)] utilizadas em cinco doses de massa seca (5,4; 8,8; 12,2; 15,6 e 21,0 t ha-1). As caracteristicas microbiologicas avaliadas no solo foram o numero de unidades formadoras de colonia (UFC) de actinomicetos, fungos e bacterias e no rabanete foram as produtividades total e comercial, massa seca de raizes, massa seca da parte aerea e percentagens de raizes comercial e refugo. O crescimento dos microorganismos no solo nao foi influenciado pelas especies estudadas, mas houve aumento no numero de UFC de microrganismos com as doses aplicadas (1,025 x 104 para actinomicetos; 7,995 x 102 para fungos e 7,841 x 106 para bacterias). As maiores produtividades total e comercial e massa seca da parte aerea do rabanete foram obtidas com 21,0 t ha-1 de biomassa de jitirana. As maiores percentagens de raizes comercial e refugo do rabanete foram registradas nas especies jitirana e mata-pasto. As percentagens maxima de raizes comercial e minima de raizes refugo foram obtidas com a incorporacao de 21,0 t ha-1 de biomassa dos adubos verdes.
Preparation of Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts with high rates of photosynthesis

A simple and quick method is described for rapid isolation of metabolically active mesophyll protoplasts from leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. The optimal composition of the digestion medium, period of digestion and stability of protoplast preparation were examined. A large number of protoplasts could be prepared within an hour. The isolated protoplasts were intact, stable and metabolically very active, as indicated by their high rates of photosynthetic oxygen evolution. The important factors during the preparation of protoplasts are short time of digestion, composition of medium, use of nylon nets for filtration, centrifugation at low speed and use of pH 7.0 for storage. The highest rate of photosynthesis obtained in these experiments was 130 ± 4 μmol O 2 evolved mg -1 Chl h -1 , at 1 mM sodium bicarbonate and at a light intensity of 600 μE m -2 s -1 . The present technique of isolation can be very useful for making Arabidopsis protoplasts for studies on not only metabolic processes, such as photosynthesis, but also metabolomics, proteomics and genomics.
XXV.—The Anatomy of a Fœtal African Elephant, Elephas africanus (Loxodonta africana). Part II. The Body Muscles

In the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Vol. LIV, Part III, No. 11, 1926, the author published an account of the anatomy of the head of an African Elephant fœtus, 21 cms. in length. The present paper deals with the voluntary muscles (except those already described) of the same fœtus. The author intends to prepare later an account of the skeleton and internal organs, so that a complete description of the anatomy of this rare specimen will be available. The section which treats of the head will henceforward be referred to as Part I; the present paper, therefore, becomes Part II. The body muscles were investigated under the Zeiss Binocular Dissecting Microscope, and the work was facilitated by rapid staining with a weak solution of saffranin. Owing to long preservation, the muscles, nerves, and blood-vessels of the specimen were quite colourless. The saffranin gave a certain amount of differentiation which lasted for several hours, and the advantage of the method is that the colour disappears entirely when the specimen is put back into the store jar between one working period and the next.
Part Lactations. III. Progeny Testing with Part Lactation Records

Summary Analyses of monthly records of artificially-bred cows indicate that under New Zealand conditions records accumulated up to a specified test day early in lactation are suitable for progeny testing. Heritability slightly exceeds that for lactation yield and the genetic correlation between the part record and lactation yield exceeds 0.90. As a result, the rate of progress in improving additive genetic merit for lactation yield when selecting on part records differs very little from when selecting on lactation yield. Approximately 40, 60, and 80 daughters in sire proofs using part records give the same information about lactation yield as a proof using lactation yield on 30, 40, and 50 daughters, respectively. Proofs evaluated on both kinds of records for the same group of sires were highly correlated and the part lactation proofs were just as repeatable as those based on lactation yields.
Specific root length as an indicator of environmental change

Abstract Specific root length (SRL, m g−1) is probably the most frequently measured morphological parameter of fine roots. It is believed to characterize economic aspects of the root system and to be indicative of environmental changes. The main objectives of this paper were to review and summarize the published SRL data for different tree species throughout Europe and to assess SRL under varying environmental conditions. Meta-analysis was used to summarize the response of SRL to the following manipulated environmental conditions: fertilization, irrigation, elevated temperature, elevated CO2, Al-stress, reduced light, heavy metal stress and physical disturbance of soil. SRL was found to be strongly dependent on the fine root classes, i.e. on the ectomycorrhizal short roots (ECM), and on the roots <0.5 mm, <1 mm, <2 mm and 1 – 2 mm in diameter SRL was largest for ECM and decreased with increasing diameter. Changes in soil factors influenced most strongly the SRL of ECM and roots <0.5 mm. The variation in the SRL components, root diameter and root tissue density, and their impact on the SRL value were computed. Meta-analyses showed that SRL decreased significantly under fertilization and Al-stress; it responded negatively to reduced light, elevated temperature and CO2. We suggest that SRL can be used successfully as an indicator of nutrient availability to trees in experimental conditions.