Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cutting Edge: CD19+ Pro-B Cells Can Give Rise to Dendritic Cells In Vitro

Dendritic cells (DC) have the specific capacity of initiating primary T cell responses and ultimately derive from precursors in bone marrow. DC were originally thought to be only of myeloid origin, and myeloid precursor cells could be induced to differentiate into functional DC in response to granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF. However, early CD4low precursor cells from the thymus can also develop into DC when cultured in IL-1β, IL-3, IL-7, TNF-α, stem cell factor, and Flt-3L. In that case, GM-CSF was not required. We now show that CD19+ pro-B cells develop into DC with T cell stimulatory properties when cultured under similar conditions. These pro-B cells acquired the DC-related markers CD11c and NLDC145/DEC205, along with CD80/B7-1, CD86/B7-2, and a high density of MHC class II Ags. The marrow-derived DC did not express CD4 or CD8α, which are markers related to thymic DC. These findings are consistent with a new pathway through which DC are generated from B lymphoid precursors.
Feeding mechanisms as evidence for cyclostome monophyly

The feeding mechanisms of lampreys and hagfish, as described in the literature, are reviewed. Although current opinion generally holds that these two groups have very different feeding mechanisms, eleven synapomorphous features are recognized, and the underlying anatomical homologies are suggested. In these features, the two groups clearly share none of the anatomy of gnathostomes, and it is concluded that the cyclostomes constitute a monophyletic group, the sister-group of the gnathostomes.
Gastrodia huapingensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae): a remarkable new mycoheterotrophic orchid with dimorphic columns from China

The orchid genus Gastrodia Brown (1810: 330) comprises approximately 50 species with a broad Old World distribution (Pridgeon et al . 2005, Cribb et al . 2010, Kenji 2014). Currently, there are at least 20 accepted species of Gastrodia recorded from China (Chung & Hsu 2006, Chen et al . 2009, Hsu & Kuo 2010, 2011, Yeh et al . 2011, Hsu et al . 2012, Tan et al. 2012, Hu et al . 2014). During our field surveys of Chinese traditional medicine in Huaping National Nature Reserve, Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region, China, a Gastrodia was spotted setting fruit in the past few years. Finally, we were able to observe it flowering in August 2014. After careful comparison morphological study with its close relatives (Averyanov & Efimov 2006) and three other species of Gastrodia recorded in Guangxi, namely Gastrodia damingshanensis A.Q. Hu & T.C. Hsu (2014: 256), Gastrodia elata Blume (1856: 174) and Gastrodia menghaiensis Z.H. Tsi & S.C. Chen (1994: 559), we confirmed this Gastrodia as a new species and thereby a new member to the flora of Guangxi. A detailed description, illustration and ecological information are presented below. We also discuss the remarkable dimorphic columns of this new species, which are documented in Gastrodia for the first time.
Attitudes and Actions Toward Birds in Urban Areas: Human Cultural Differences Influence Bird Behavior

ABSTRACT. Humans profoundly affect wildlife through environmental modification but they can also influence wildlife through direct interactions. We surveyed human attitudes and actions towards birds in two urban areas (Seattle, Washington, and Berlin, Germany) to determine whether encouraging (e.g., providing bird feeders) and discouraging (e.g., actively repelling) behavior directed at birds affected bird behavior. We studied human and bird behavior across an urbanization gradient (heavy to light urbanization) in both cities to capture variation in urban cover, human density, attitudes, and actions as well as variation in human culture and socioeconomic condition and education. We found that residents of Berlin encouraged birds more than residents of Seattle did, and that Seattleites discouraged birds more than Berliners. These differences varied across the urbanization gradient. Likewise, birds (crows and other songbirds) varied their flight initiation distance across the urbanization gradient, with distances increasing from urban to rural sites. However, in rural sites in Seattle, American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) had exaggerated flight initiation distances compared with those of American Robins (Turdus migratorius) in Seattle and those of Hooded Crows (C. cornix), House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), and European Starlings in rural Berlin. This exaggerated wariness of humans in crows and starlings is correlated with the relatively high levels of discouraging behavior toward birds by humans in these rural areas in Seattle. These results demonstrate that in addition to habituation to human disturbance, human behavior directed at birds can affect certain species' behavior.
Root Grafts and their Silvicultural Implications

Many trees in stands of Douglas fir, western hemlock and western red cedar on Vancouver Island were joined by functional grafts. In a partially cut stand, 45% of the stumps showed evidence of continued growth and half of these (23%) were still growing vigorously more than 22 years after logging. On experimentally detopped trees, growth extended several meters up the bole. Dominant trees usually supported the growth of the root system and lower boles of grafted suppressed trees.Translocation through grafts may partially explain the frequent stagnation and slow recovery of stands after thinning from above, and may be involved in the usually rapid increase of growth after thinning from below. It is probably a contributing factor in establishing dominance and determining mortality in overtopped trees. In species that graft freely, the use of silvicides in spacing and thinning treatments should be restricted to young stands before grafts are established.
Molecular phylogeny of the ballistoconidium-forming anamorphic yeast genus Bullera and related taxa based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences

The sequence of the small subunit ribosomal coding gene (SSU rDNA) was determined for the type strains of seven species of the genus Bullera and two species which are now regarded as synonyms of species in the genera Bullera and Udeniomyces. The phylogenetic trees for these yeasts were constructed by neighbor joining and maximum likelihood methods, including supposedly related yeasts and filamentous fungi whose SSU rDNA sequences were already known. Fifteen presently recognized species of Bullera were divided into two phylogenetic groups. Bullera mrakii, B. huiaensis, B. sinensis, B. oryzae, B. coprosmaensis, B. crocea, B. armeniaca, and B. variabilis constitute one cluster. In this cluster, the topologies of B. variabilis and orange-colored species, B. crocea and B. armeniaca, are different according to the neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood trees. Bullera pseudoalba, B. alba, B. unica, B, hannae, B. globispora, B. miyagiana, and B. dendrophila constitute another cluster. In this cluster, B. pseudoalba, B. alba, B, unica, and B. hannae constitute a branch but B. globispora, B. miyagiana, and B. dendrophila are located at positions far from one another although the former two species constitute a cluster in the maximum likelihood tree. Among the above species, B. dendrophila constitutes a cluster with Tsuchiyaea wingfieldii and Filobasidiella neoformans. The neotype strain of B. grandispora, which is now regarded a synonym of Udeniomyces piricola, is located close to the position of type strain U. piricola.
Antithamnion algeriensis nov. sp. (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) from Algeria (Mediterranean Sea)

A new species of Antithamnion from Algeria, is described: A. algeriensis. It differs from the closely related species of Antithamnion (distichous whorl-branchlets, opposite and abaxial branchlets and gland cells) by the branching pattern of the axis, the arrangement of whorl-branchlets as well as the frequency, and the location and shape of the gland cells.
Evaluation of PCR methods for fixed bivalve larvae

Investigating the spatio-temporal patterns of planktonic larvae is fundamental to studies regarding stock assessment and larval dispersal of commercial and non-commercial, i.e. invasive or rare marine invertebrates. Because of the difficulty involved in morphological identification of marine invertebrate larvae, various molecular methods based on PCR have been used to enhance taxonomic resolution. In previous studies, different methods for the preservation or pretreatment of larvae were applied in each case. However, no comparative studies have been conducted to determine the optimal method for PCR testing for bivalve larvae, and no information is available regarding the selection of an appropriate method. This study compared the PCR success rate of 6 pretreatment methods for larvae of the Mediterranean blue mussel, which was preserved using different fixatives (70% ethanol, 100% ethanol, 70% acetone and 10% formalin). The results revealed that the success rate of PCR was different for each pretreatment; moreover, the use of ammonium sulphate and Tween 20 buffer with proteinase K digestion was found to be the most effective method. Some pretreatments showed lower success rates for long-fixed larvae than for short-fixed larvae for formalin-fixed larvae; however, the success rate of PCR amplification for ethanol-fixed larvae pretreated by this method did not decrease through 1-year fixation. In addition, this pretreatment showed a high success rate for different fixation periods. These findings suggest that the selection of the pretreatment method is critically important for successfully amplifying larval DNA and that the pretreatment involving the use of ammonium sulphate prior to PCR amplification enables the use of fixatives for preserving bivalve larvae. This method will be utilized in various field studies and molecular genetic studies.
A new ankylosaurian dinosaur (Ornithischia: Ankylosauria) from the Upper Cretaceous of Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China

Shanxia tianzhenensis gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Huiquanpu Formation (Upper Cretaceous) of Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China, and is characterised by the distinctive shape of the squamosal horns. Many characteristics indicate that Shanxia is an ankylosaurid ankylosaur. The discovery of Shanxia is significant for several reasons: ankylosaur specimens from China are rare; Shanxia is the most complete dinosaur yet recovered from Shanxi Province; and Shanxia is the first dinosaur to be recovered from the Huiquanpu Formation and supports the proposed Upper Cretaceous age of this unit.
Movement of the Southern Australian abalone Haliotis laevigata in relation to crevice abundance

The long-term movement of the abalone Haliotis laevigata was measured at three sites in Waterloo Bay, South Australia, characterized by differing amounts of available crevice space. Movement was negligible at a site where crevices were abundant, but extensive at a site without crevice space. At a site of limited available crevice space, the amount of movement increased as available crevice space decreased. In addition, the extent of movement was size dependent and movement was oriented in the direction of the approaching swell. Current experimental designs for measuring natural mortality of abalone depend heavily on assumptions about their movement. An understanding of this behaviour is thus a prerequisite for designing experiments to measure the mortality rates of abalone or other sedentary animals. The natural mortality rate at one site was estimated to be 0.59 (s.e.m. = 0.02, i.e. survival = 56% per year) and the disappearance rate (natural mortality and emigration) was independent of sex.
Rapid Phenotypic Divergence of Feral Rye from Domesticated Cereal Rye

Abstract Feral rye is an agricultural and ruderal weed of the western United States. We investigated how it has phenotypically diverged from its cultivated ancestor, domesticated cereal rye, and across its range since the introduction of its progenitor. Vegetative growth, flowering phenology, and reproductive characters of feral populations from across a 13° range in latitude in the northwestern United States were compared to that of rye cultivars under both vernalized (cold-treated) and nonvernalized conditions. Feral populations as a whole had smaller seeds, thinner culms, and a delay in flowering relative to cultivars, regardless of cold treatment. Vernalized feral populations from northern latitudes (northern California and eastern Washington) produced more, but smaller leaves and more tillers than both vernalized rye cultivars and southern California feral populations. Northern feral populations also flowered significantly later, irrespective of vernalization treatment. We conclude that feral rye is phenotypically distinct from domesticated cereal rye and that feral populations have diverged regionally from one another. Reproductive isolation from domesticated rye, due both to the loss in popularity of the crop and to phenological shifts in feral rye relative to cultivars, may be contributing to the rapid evolution of this weed away from its domesticated ancestor in less than 120 yr since its introduction. Nomenclature: Feral rye, Secale cereale L. , SECCE
EFFECT OF CALCIUM ALGINATE COATING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF IMMOBILIZED YEAST CELLS IN CALCIUM ALGINATE BEADS

Abstract A cell immobilization technique to prevent cell leakage from the matrix in a very common system, alginate-Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was investigated. A double coating of immobilized cell beads prevented leakage very well in flask fermentation even when shaking was applied. The suitable concentrations of sodium alginate were 5, 5 and 3 wt% for the core, internal coating and external coating, respectively. The suitable concentration of calcium chloride was 1 wt% for all cases. Fermentation using a fixed bed reactor containing the immobilized cells was carried out successfully for 25 d.
Ascophyllum and its symbionts. X. Ultrastructure of the interaction between A. nodosum (Phaeophyceae) and Mycophycias ascophylli (Ascomycetes)

The symbiosis of a brown alga, Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis and its obligate fungal symbiont, Mycophycias ascophylli (Cotton) Kohlmeyer and Volkmann-Kohlmeyer, was studied using transmission electron microscopy. A high quality of cell preservation was achieved after propane-freezing and freeze substitution; this allowed us to observe the interaction of the symbiosis without extensive artifacts. The fungus was found in the middle portion of cortical-cell walls, and at the edge of medullary cells and air-bladder filaments, but never close to host cell protoplasm. Host cell-wall modification was limited to a short distance around the hyphae. A sheath with electron-dense materials around the fungus was found in the older hyphae, but not in the hyphal tips. A range of hyphal ultrastructure was observed from cells with dense cytoplasm, absent to slight vacuolation and with well-defined organelles, to highly vacuolated cells with little cytoplasm and poorly defined organelles, to senescent cells that were o.
A Comparison of Bone Strength of Caged and Floor Layers and Roosters

Abstract It is generally believed that hens kept in wire cages exhibit a condition of bone fragility which often results in bone breakage during processing, causing down grading of the ready-to-cook hens. This phenomenon is not normally observed in floor layers. A review of the literature indicates that essentially no research has been reported comparing the bone strength of caged and floor layers. However, Adams et al. (1968) examined a small sample of hens obtained from a commercial processing plant, and reported that the breaking strength of hens kept in cages was slightly better than those maintained on the floor. The study reported herein was conducted to compare bone breaking strength of hens and roosters with a similar background when maintained in cages and in floor pens. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE An experiment involving two trials was conducted to compare the bone breaking strength of hens maintained in wire cages and in floor .
Improved production of doubled haploids in Brassica rapa through microspore culture

With 1 figure and 7 tables Abstract The current study aims at producing doubled haploid Brassica rapa plants through isolated microspore culture. Genotypic differences in embryogenic response and regenerative ability of microspore-derived embryos to plants were observed. Compared with the longer incubation period (72 h), heat shock treatment at 33°C for 24 or 48 h was more beneficial for microspore embryogenesis. Microspore embryogenesis was improved with the addition of 6-benzylaminopurine and naphthalene acetic acid to the NLN medium. The highest frequency of microspore embryogenesis was achieved in ‘SH-8’ (21.1 embryos/bud), whereas ‘SH-6’ had the best regeneration ability (67.4%). In total, 1112 regenerated plants were produced from 2025 embryos in a series of experiments using different modifications of microspore culture technique. The average spontaneous doubling frequency of the different genotypes of B. rapa was 57.5%.
Fire Behavior, Fuel Consumption, and Forest-floor Changes Following Prescribed Understory Fires in Sierra Nevada Mixed Conifer Forests

We quantified fire behavior, fuel consumption, and forest-floor responses to understory fires prescribed to cover a wide range and variable combination of fuel loadings, fuel moisture levels, and weather conditions in Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests. At each of three locations, five burns were conducted under each of four different prescriptions (n = 60). Fuel loads ranged from 75–102 Mg/ha on an open site of low productivity to 125–177 Mg/ha on more productive sites. Total fuel consumption ranged from 15% in early spring burns to 92% in early fall burns. Organic horizons (litter and duff) composed 62–84% of the total fuel load. Consumption of the organic horizons ranged from 11 to 94%. Lower duff (Oa horizon) moisture content was 135% in the former and 15% in the latter. Consumption of the organic horizon was significantly correlated with lower duff moisture content (r2 = 0.51). More than 72% of all fuel was consumed after the flaming front had passed over an area. Postburn mineral soil exposure was .
EL PROCESO MICROEVOLUTIVO DE LA POBLACIÓN NATIVA ANTIGUA DE ARICA

Se estudia la afinidad biologica entre grupos prehistoricos de la costa y del valle de Azapa (Norte de Chile). La muestra esta constituida por 245 craneos pertenecientes a diferentes periodos (Arcaico Tardio, Intermedio Temprano, Medio, Intermedio Tardio y Tardio) del desarrollo de la poblacion. Empleando caracteres continuos y aplicando diferentes tecnicas de analisis multivariado (distancias biologicas, analisis discriminante canonico y tecnicas de agrupamientos) se evaluaron las relaciones biologicas entre muestras de las fases Chinchorro, Alto Ramirez, El Laucho, Tiwanaku, Maytas, Cabuza, Gentilar, San Miguel e Inca. Los resultados muestran una evidente diferenciacion entre los grupos que vivian en la costa y en el valle. En las fases finales se observa una mayor integracion entre ambas areas, aunque la diferencia entre ellas permanece. Se interpreta la historia del poblamiento nativo de Arica como el resultado de por lo menos dos eventos colonizadores principales: uno vinculado con el establecimiento de grupos pescadores costeros y otro con el afincamiento y desarrollo de grupos pastores y agricultores que alcanzan un indudable predominio hasta epocas tardias. Ambos grupos tienen un origen genetico comun en una poblacion arcaica ancestral y se diferenciaron gradualmente en ambientes diferentes por la accion de factores evolutivos (sistematicos y aleatorios) y culturales, los cuales continuaron operando en el nuevo escenario
Reviewing change in the arable flora of Europe: a meta-analysis

Changing agricultural practices have dramatically altered the arable flora of Europe since the Second World War. We conducted a meta-analysis of the available literature to assess the dynamics of species richness and species traits in the arable flora across Europe during this time period. We found a total of 32 publications, yielding 53 data sets with an average number of 252 studied plots per data set. Average species number per plot of arable plants across all data sets declined by about 20%. However, twelve data sets showed an increase in average species number per plot, including all studies starting after 1980. Plant species preferring nutrient-rich sites, neophytes and monocotyledons generally increased since 1980, while characteristic or threatened species of arable weed communities further declined. This temporal development of the European arable flora suggests that the changes happening in agricultural management since the 1980s, such as organic farming and reduced pesticide input, may have helped slow the decline of the arable flora in terms of species number, but not in terms of characteristic or threatened arable weeds. Hence, more specific measures are necessary to stop decline of the latter, making sure that these measures are advantageous for rare and characteristic arable species, but not for harmful weeds.
Investigation on Agronomical and Quality Characteristics of Improved Clonnes in Origanum (Origanum onites L.) Breeding

Flora of west and southwest Anatolian regions are very rich in terms of Origanum species. A large amount of Origanum onites L. plants collected from the flora is consumed in Turkey and exported. In order to determine agronomical and technological characteristics of 14 improved clonnes by selection of Origanum onites L. populations collected flora of Izmir, Mugla and Antalya regions this study was conducted under Bornova ecological conditions. According to two years averages; drog herbage and drog leaf yield were obtained 12760 kg/ha, 7420 kg/ha, respectively. Essential oil rate varied from 2.61 % to 5.12 %, carvacrol rate varied from 70.73 % to 85.68 %.
Die Gattung Bathydoris Bergh, 1884 (Gnathodoridacea) im phylogenetischen System der Nudibranchia (Opisthobranchia, Gastropoda)

The genus Bathydoris Bergh, 1884 (Gnathodoridacea) in the phylogenetic system of the Nudibranchia (Opisthobranchiu, Gastropoda) The position of the genus Bathydoris Bergh, 1884 in the phylogenetic system of the Nudibranchia is discussed. Doridoxa Bergh, 1900, a genus which is assigned to the taxon Gnathodoridacea together with the genus Bathydoris, is taken out from this taxon, lacking snapomorphies. Doridoxa is considered to be a sister grou of the Euctenidiacea, with the transrormation of the right digestive gland into a caecum as the only synaomorphy with the latter. The Gnathodoridacea with the one enus Bathydoris is removed from the taxon Doridacea and considered to be the sister group or the latter. Gnathodoridacea and Doridacea form the taxon Euctenidiacea with the synapomorphy “dorsomedial position of anus and nephroproct”.