Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Electrophysiological Study of Neurones in the Substantia Gelatinosa Rolandi of the Cat's Spinal Cord

Single unit neuronal activity has been recorded in the Substantia Gelatinosa Rolandi (SG) of the lumbar spinal cord of chloralose anaesthetized and gallamine paralysed cats. High impedance, fine tipped glass microelectrodes were used to record from the neurones of the SG. A set of five criteria was laid down to differentiate activity generated by SG neurones from activity produced by other neuronal elements. One hundred and ten neurones satisfied all the criteria and the sample consisted of 78 extracellularly and 32 intracellularly recorded SG neurones. The responses of these neurones to natural stimulation of the skin have been analysed. The majority (86%) showed a conspicuous and persistent background activity in the absence of intentional stimulation and a cutaneous receptive field from which they could be inhibited. These SG neurones have been called ‘inverse’ neurones because their response characteristics were the mirror image of larger neurones in Laminae I, IV and V of the dorsal horn. The background activity of the ‘inverse’ SG neurones was post-synaptically generated; different in pattern from that of larger and deeper dorsal horn neurones and dependent on the afferent drive to the SG neurones. Three main groups of ‘inverse’ SG neurones could be distinguished according to the kind of natural stimulation that produced inhibition: (i) Class ‘inverse’ 1 ([unknown]), inhibited only by non-noxious stimulation of the skin. (ii) Class ‘inverse” 2, ([unknown]) inhibited by both noxious and non-noxious stimulation and (iii) Class ‘inverse’ 3 ([unknown]), inhibited only by noxious stimulation. Class [unknown] SG neurones were excited by noxious stimulation of their receptive fields and Class [unknown] SG neurones were activated by non-noxious stimulation of theirs. It is proposed that SG neurones control the transmission of all sensory messages through the spinal cord by tonically inhibiting the larger dorsal horn neurones in the absence of stimulation and by selectively releasing this inhibition during periods of stimulation.
Spacing behaviour and habitat use of axis deer (Axis axis) in lowland Nepal

A total of 17 axis deer (Axis axis) (12 females, 5 males) were radio-instrumented in Bardia National Park in lowland Nepal, and 1921 locations of females and 605 locations of males were obtained during the 2-year study period. Both the annual home ranges (135 ± 33 and 204 ± 38 (SD) ha for females and males, respectively) and the seasonal home ranges were quite small compared with those reported in another study in Nepal. We present evidence that this difference is due to a more fine-grained habitat mosaic in Bardia. Males used larger areas than females in the monsoon and the hot part of the dry season. The deer were sedentary, with a mean seasonal home range overlap between 49 and 86%, and seasonal occupancy centres were all located less than 1300 m apart. Mean seasonal home range size (68 and 110 ha for females and males, respectively) was smallest in the cool part of the dry season. The rutting period did not seem to have any major effect on the ranging behaviour, as neither males nor females increased .
Avian malaria is associated with increased reproductive investment in the blue tit

Haemosporidians causing avian malaria are very common parasites among bird species. Their negative effects have been repeatedly reported in terms of deterioration in survival prospects or reproductive success. However, a positive association between blood parasites and avian fitness has also been reported. Here, we studied a relationship between presence of malaria parasites and reproductive performance of the host, a hole-breeding passerine – the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus. Since the malaria parasites might affect their hosts differently depending on environmental conditions, we performed brood size manipulation experiment to differentiate parental reproductive effort and study the potential interaction between infection status and brood rearing conditions on reproductive performance. We found individuals infected with malaria parasites to breed later in the season in comparison with uninfected birds, but no differences were detected in clutch size. Interestingly, infected parents produced heavier and larger offspring with stronger reaction to phytohemagglutinin. More importantly, we found a significant interaction between infection status and brood size manipulation in offspring tarsus length and reaction to phytohemagglutinin: presence of parasites had stronger positive effect among birds caring for experimentally enlarged broods. Our results might be interpreted either in the light of the parasite-mediated selection or terminal investment hypothesis.
Genetics and cell biologyofmagnetosomeformation in magnetotactic bacteria

The ability of magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) to orient in magnetic fields is based on the synthesis of magnetosomes, which are unique prokaryotic organelles comprising membrane-enveloped, nano-sized crystals of a magnetic iron mineral that are aligned in well-ordered intracellular chains. Magnetosome crystals have species-specific morphologies, sizes, and arrangements. The magnetosome membrane, which originates from the cytoplasmic membrane by invagination, represents a distinct subcellular compartment and has a unique biochemical composition. The roughly 20 magnetosome-specific proteins have functions in vesicle formation, magnetosomal iron transport, and the control of crystallization and intracellular arrangement of magnetite particles. The assembly of magnetosome chains is under genetic control and involves the action of an acidic protein that links magnetosomes to a novel cytoskeletal structure, presumably formed by a specific actin-like protein. A total of 28 conserved genes present in various magnetic bacteria were identified to be specifically associated with the magnetotactic phenotype, most of which are located in the genomic magnetosome island. The unique properties of magnetosomes attracted broad interdisciplinary interest, and MTB have recently emerged as a model to study prokaryotic organelle formation and evolution.
Diverse perspectives on mammal home ranges or a home range is more than location densities

Abstract Home ranges relate to all aspects of a mammal's biology. The 5 papers in this Special Feature provide statistical, economic, game theoretic, mechanistic, information dependent, and conceptual approaches to understanding home ranges and why animals have them. All the papers emphasize the importance of testing a priori hypotheses, especially hypotheses that elucidate why animals behave as they do. All the papers relate resources and habitat quality to home ranges. Finally, the authors oppose viewing home ranges as the product of measurements and suggest viewing home ranges as the cognitive maps that animals maintain and update.
Effects of light on terpene hydrocarbon synthesis in Pinus pinaster

The biosynthesis of terpene hydrocarbons has been investigated in maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) seedling primary leaves under light and darkness and with different precursors. Impossible in darkness, the synthesis of monoterpenes (mainly α- and β-pinene) is strongly activated by light. Only 14C-carbonate and 14C-acetate can be incorporated into monoterpenes. Activation by light is comparatively much more effective for seedling leaves previously cultivated under short days than in leaves from seedlings given long days. The spectral bands which are efficient for the synthesis of monoterpenes are located around 480 and 685 nm with 14C-carbonate and 480 and 630 nm with l-14C-acetate. Furthermore, this light activation does not occur if leaf pieces instead of whole leaves are used for the incorporation experiments. When 2-14C-mevalonic acid and 1-14C-isopentenyl pyrosphosphate are applied as precursors, no radioactivity is recorded in monoterpene hydrocarbons even after light exposures. In contrast, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (caryophyllene and humulene) are easily synthesized under light or darkness in intact or fragmented leaves from the different precursors of photosynthetic or exogenous origin. From these results the compartmentalization in the synthesis of C10 and C15 hydrocarbons appears clear. There is a metabolic cooperation between the photosynthetic tissues and the specific site of elaboration of C10 hydrocarbons, which site is located in the parts where the epithelial cells of resin ducts are functional. The synthesis of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons takes place in the whole leaf without activation by light.
Conversion of Proliferation and Production of the Colony Stimulating Factor during Serial Passage of Mouse Fibroblasts in Culture

Fibroblast-like cells from a BALB/c mouse embryo were propagated and transferred weekly in culture with a constant inoculation density of 5 × 103 cells/cm2. In this culture schedule a period of decreased proliferation (crisis) continued for 3 to 4 weeks before the initiation of continuous cell proliferation. This provided an experimental system suitable for studying proliferation conversion. The number and the proliferation rate of clonogenic cells increased early in crisis. Production of the colony-stimulating factor for mouse bone marrow cells by fibroblast-like cells was enhanced during the period of decreasing proliferation and crisis, then it decreased when continuous proliferation began. The results indicate that cells with infinite proliferation potential appear early in crisis, although the major population of cells terminates proliferation during crisis and enhances differentiated functions.
Are Spotted Owl Populations Sustainable in Fire-Prone Forests?

Abstract We examined territory selection, occupancy and reproduction among northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) relative to environmental factors influencing wildfire regimes in the eastern Cascade Mountains, Washington, USA. Territory selection was influenced positively by the amount of (a) forest with 30-70% overstory canopy cover; (b) grand fir (Abies grandis) and (c) riparian habitat, and negatively by (a) late-successional forest (LSF); (b) trees 13-19 cm diameter; and (c) elevation. Owl pairs in late-successional reserves (LSRs) were not more productive than those in intervening forests. Owl reproductive rates were lower in territories with more pole-sized trees and with greater annual precipitation at higher, wetter elevations and glaciated landtypes where LSF was abundant. As a result, LSF was not correlated to owl reproduction. The most productive owl pairs occurred in dry forests that were at highest risk to uncharacteristic wildfires. Short-term successional advances toward shade-tolerant, pole-sized trees may have led to abandonment of 45 owl territories in mesic forests. Sustainable conservation in this area should account for physical environmental factors that influence owl population performance and reduce continuity and density of fuels.
Heterosis, overdominance for grain yield, and alpha-amylase activity in F1 hybrids between near-isogenic Rht dwarf and tall wheats

The Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b and Rht-B1c alleles for reduced height in wheat (the Norin 10 and Tom Thumb dwarfing genes previously known as Rht1, Rht2 and Rht3) were exploited in combinations to generate a near-continuous range of plant heights, from 53 cm to 123 cm, amongst near-isogenic homozygotes and F1 hybrids. Pleiotropic yield effects of Rht genes were measured in both homozygous (intravarietal) and heterozygous (intervarietal) genetic backgrounds. Heterosis due to overdominance of Rht genes was detected among intravarietal hybrids. The effects of heterozygosity at other genetic loci (mean dominance) were determined, independently of Rht effects, from comparisons between intravarietal and intervarietal F1 hybrids. Genotypes of intermediate plant heights gave maximum yields, in agreement with other trials of the homozygous lines, so that heterosis (hybrid exceeding best parent) for Rht yield effects was observed in crosses between tall and dwarf isogenic pairs. This heterosis combined additively with increased mean weight per grain in intervarietal crosses, generating the highest overall grain yields in hybrids with semi-dwarf stature in heterozygous genetic backgrounds. The Rht-B1c allele showed single-gene overdominance for grain yield, also the production of alpha-amylase in ripening grains of Maris Huntsman was effectively inhibited in the Rht-B1a/c intravarietal hybrid. The Rht-B1c allele thus offers advantages for both grain yield and grain quality in the heterozygous condition and should be considered as an alternative to the conventional semi-dwarfing genes Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b for F1 varieties in environments conductive to preharvest sprouting.
Ultrastructural changes in the oviductal mucosa throughout the sexual cycle in Bufo arenarum

In Bufo arenarum the oviduct exhibits conspicuous changes throughout the sexual cycle. In the present study, we analyzed the optical and ultrastructural characteristics of the oviductal pars convoluta mucosa, the portion responsible for jelly secretion, during both the preovulatory and postovulatory periods. Secretory epithelial cells, ciliated cells, basal cells, and glandular cells are described.
Acyl type of bacterial cell wall: Its simple identification by colorimetric method.

A simple and practical method was studied to identify the acyl type of bacterial cell wall. This method is based on the determination of glycolic acid derived from the acid hydrolysis of a small amount of bacterial cells. The devised system with micro-columns was useful for quantitative separation of glycolic acid from complex materials in cell hydrolysate, and glycolic acid was determined by colorimetric method of Calkins. Experiments showed that about 50 to 60nmol of glycolyl residue was present in 1mg dry cells in strains such as Corynebacterium equi AJ 1402 (ATCC 6939), Brevibacterium imperiale AJ 1446 (IAM 1654), and Brev. testaceum AJ 1464 (IAM 1537), but the acid was scarcely found in Coryn. diphtheriae AJ 1414 (ATCC 11913), Nocardia madurae AJ 9136 (NRRL B-2127), and so on. No acyl group other than glycolyl and acetyl residues or only acetyl group was detected in the purified cell wall of various bacteria tested.From these results it is concluded that bacteria are classified into glycolyl type or acetyl type relative to their cell-wall acyl type, which can be easily decided by estimation of glycolyl group in the whole bacterial cells.
An Experimental Study of the Sheep-Trypanosome (T. melophagium Flu, 1908), and its Transmission by the Sheep-Ked (Melophagus ovinus L.)

Trypanosoma melophagium Flu, 1908, is a parasite of European domestic sheep (Ovis aries L.), in the blood of which it occurs in very scanty numbers and can be detected by the cultural method. In England it has been found in 80 per cent, of sheep examined. The infection is of fairly short duration and does not produce an immunity in sheep, since the latter can easily be re-infected. In all probability T. melophagium produces no pathological effect in sheep, and is incapable of infecting laboratory animals. Morphologically the sheep-trypanosome is closely allied to the cattle-trypanosome, T. theileri. The intermediate host of T. melophagium is the sheep-ked, Melophagus ovinus L. , in the alimentary canal of which it passes through a definite cycle of development ending in the production of infective forms (metacyclic trypanosomes) in the hind-gut of the insect. The mode of transmission is contammative, the sheep acquiring an infection by ingesting the ked. Infection of sheep did not result from the bite of the ked, through abrasions of the skin, or from inoculation of cultures of the trypanosome. T. melophagium is easily cultivated at 30° C. Its evolution in cultures is similar to that in the invertebrate host.
On the sensitivity of ordination and classification methods to variation in the input order of data

This paper is a reflection on a recent study on input order sensitivity of data analysis methods commonly used in vegetation science. It is pointed out that variability of results is due to some arbitrary element in the method, either in its algorithm or in its computer program. Many methods produce unique results theoretically; this implies that the source of uncertainty can only be the algorithm or its computer imple- mentation. It is stressed that the prerequisite of meaningful comparisons is that these causes have been identified previ- ously. Whenever the method is known to be input-order sensi- tive, such as the unweighted pair group clustering technique, the use of algorithms and programs which disregard this sensitiveness should be avoided.
Abundance and Viability of the Groundwater Microbial Communities from a Borehole in the Tono Uranium Deposit Area, Central Japan

The abundance and viability of microorganisms in groundwater were studied using a scientific borehole in the Tono uranium deposit area, central Japan. Groundwater samples were collected from scientific borehole TH-6 at four depths; 104, 132 and 153 m in sedimentary rocks and 177 m in granite rock using autoclaved geochemical water samplers. The total cell count using epifluorescence microscopy was of the order of 105 to 106 cells ml-1, showing non-systematic change in microbial parameters with depth. Viability estimated from cell membrane integrity ranged from 22.3% to almost 100%, and showed a tendency to increase with depth. In contrast, viability determined using both activities of the electron transport system (ETS) and esterase showed inconsistent depth-profiles. The ETS-active cell count corresponded to 0.57-24.7% of the total count; the minimum ETS-count was found at 153 m, just above the sediment-granite unconformity where the minimum redox potential was estimated. The esterase-active cell count corresponded to 0.4-10.3% of the total, with a maximum at 132 m, the lignite-derived organic-rich layer, and a minimum was found at 153 m, as seen for the ETS-active counts. These inconsistent profiles suggest a difference in microbial viability and activity between each depth. In addition, depth-specific microflorae may develop in response to the availability of various electron acceptors and donors in the subsurface.
Long-term variation in colour-morph frequencies in the spider Enoplognatha ovata (Clerck) (Araneae: Theridiidae): natural selection, migration and intermittent drift

The spider Enoplognatha ovata is univoltine. It has three principal visible morphs, lineata, redimita and mala, whose genetics are understood. Phenotype frequencies and population sizes have been estimated at 44 sites in a single valley in Yorkshire for periods of up to 15 years. Geographically, recognizable areas of high and low frequencies of redimita and ovata are found, typically a few hundred metres across. Statistically significant frequency differences also exist on a scale of tens of metres between adjacent sites. Temporal variation in lineata allele frequency has been investigated using a weighted regression technique assuming either no deterministic change or a steady change at constant rate. There is little direct evidence for selection but variation within sites is less than would be expected through genetic drift. A negative relationship is demonstrated between initial allele frequency in a site and the direction and rate of allele frequency change with time, suggesting that populations are moving towards a global equilibrium. This conclusion is insensitive to varying assumptions about the relationship between estimated and effective population sizes. Evidence from transplantation experiments and from the most isolated site indicate that both migration and selection contribute to this trend. We suggest that populations were stochastically perturbed from the equilibrium during bottlenecks in population size which resulted from major habitat disturbance about 35 years ago.
Effects of defoliation and girdling on fruit production in Ilex aquifolium

1. The effects of defoliation and girdling on fruit production in European holly Ilex aquifolium were studied in a northern Spanish population. Three defoliation treatments (control, 50% and 100% leaf removal) were applied at branch level in 10 trees. Six branches were used per treatment in each tree and half of these branches were girdled (a ring of bark and cambium was removed from the branch base). 2. Leaf removal from ungirdled branches had little effect on fruit set, fruit production and reproductive allocation at branch level. However, these variables decreased as the extent of defoliation increased on girdled branches. 3. Fruit production in undefoliated branches did not differ between girdled and ungirdled branches, showing that girdled branches were autonomous for fruit production when undamaged. Mean fruit mass of girdled-100% defoliated branches averaged 8% of fruit mass produced by control branches. 4. Fruit production of ungirdled-100% defoliated branches did not differ from control branches, showing the importance of resource importation from other branches. Hence the branches may be regarded as only partially autonomous for fruit production. 5. Fruit production of girdled-50% defoliated branches was 42% of fruit production of control branches, while ungirdled-50% defoliated branches amounted to 70% of controls. These results also demonstrated resource importation but did not support the existence of photosynthetic compensatory mechanisms. 6. The ability of resource importation developed by fruiting branches might be a mechanism to reduce the effect of reproductive costs in this species.
Distribution of the plasmalemmal Ca2+-pump and caveolin in the corneal epithelium during the wound healing process

PURPOSE. Caveolae are small plasmalemmal invaginations which are assumed to play various physiological functions. In the present study, distribution of two caveolae-specific proteins, the plasmalemmal Ca 2+ -pump and caveolin, was examined in the corneal epithelium in the normal state and after artificial wounding. METHODS. A central epithelial ablation was made in the mouse cornea by a razor blade. After various intervals, the corneas were excised, fixed, and rapidly frozen. The specimens were subjected to immunofluorescence microscopy and immuno-electron microscopy, using antibodies against the plasmalemmal Ca 2+ -pump or caveolin. RESULTS. In the normal corneal epithelium, both plasmalemmal Ca 2+ -pump and caveolin were observed along the cell surface by immunofluorescence microscopy, and were localized to caveolae by immunogold electron microscopy. In the regenerating epithelium, 12–18 h after injury, plasmalemmal Ca 2+ -pump was seen as many dots in the cytoplasm by immunofluorescence microscopy; in .
Effects of diatom diets on the reproduction of the planktonic copepod Calanus finmarchicus

The potential for an adverse influence of diatom diets on the reproductive success of the planktonic copepod Calanus finmarchicus was investigated experimentally under laboratory conditions. A monospecific diet of the common diatom Thalassiosira nordenskioldii significantly reduced the viability of Calanus eggs, which either failed to hatch or hatched into deformed nauplii. The production of nonviable eggs increased with increasing Thalassiosira concentration and was proportional to the female ingestion rate. At a cell concentration of 104 ml−1 (typical bloom concentration in the St. Lawrence Estuary), the proportion of nonviable eggs was as high as 83% of the total daily production Nonviable egg production was also induced by a diatom of the genus Navicula, but not by two other diatoms, Skeletonema costatum and Chaetoceros debilis. Among non-diatom diets, maternal feeding on a dinoflagellate (Prorocentrum micans) and two flagellates (Isochrysis galbana, Pavlova lutheri) at food-saturated conditions resul.