Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE INDUCTION OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL MUTANTS IN THE MOSS PHYSCOMITRELLA PATENS.

A B S T R A a T Physcomitrella patens is a monoecious, cleistocarpous moss which completes its life cycle under defined conditions in 7 to 8 weeks. Sexual reproduction is readily obtained by culturing gametophytes at la to 19 C. AMutants were induced by treatment of either spores or protonemal cells with ethyl methane sulfonate, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and X-rays. Thiamine, para-aminobenzoic acid, niacin and yeast extract auxotrophs were obtained. Growth response to various supplements was studied in the auxotrophic mutants. Five yellow mutants and two morphological mutants were induced. The chlorophyll content of the yellow mutants is reduced 35-65% of wild type. The self-sterile, para-aminobenzoic acid-dependent mutant was used as the archegonial parent in crosses with a yellow mutant and a morphological mutant. The selfsterility of the para-aminobenzoic acid-requiring mutant appears to be pleiotropically related to the auxotrophic condition, since self-sterility does not segregate from nutritional dependence in progeny of crosses. On the basis of tests with heterozygous diploids obtained by aposporous regeneration of capsule cells, two mutant alleles were shown to be recessive to their respective wild
Phase Typing of Patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Test for the Phase Shift Hypothesis

The study evaluates the phase-shift hypothesis for seasonal affective disorder (Lewy et al., 1987, 1988) in parallel-design comparison of effects of morning (800-1000) or afternoon (1600-1800) light treatment on mood and circadian phase. Subjective arousal, body temperature, melatonin and cortisol were measured at 800, 1200, 1600, 2000 and 2400 in 23 women with seasonal depression and 20 controls before and after a week of bright light (2 hours per day). The rates of clinical response to both treatments were similar. Comparison of circadian variations did not provide evidence for significant phase-delay in patients compared to controls. However, morning light produced significant phase advance in patients, but not in controls. Also we found that advance phase shifts in well-responded patients were more often than in patients with worse response and controls. Before light treatment phase concordance between different variables in patients was lower compared to either themselves after light treatment or con.
EVOLUTION OF MICROALGAE IN HIGHLY STRESSING ENVIRONMENTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL ANALYZING THE RAPID ADAPTATION OF DICTYOSPHAERIUM CHLORELLOIDES (CHLOROPHYCEAE) FROM SENSITIVITY TO RESISTANCE AGAINST 2,4,6‐TRINITROTOLUENE BY RARE PRESELECTIVE MUTATIONS 1

The increasing rates of global extinction due to human activities necessitate studies of the ability of organisms to adapt to the new environmental conditions resulting from human disturbances. We investigated the evolutionary adaptation of a microalga to sudden environmental change resulting from exposure to novel toxic chemical residues. A laboratory strain of Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides (Naum.) Kom. and Perm. (Chlorophyceae) was exposed to increasing concentrations of the modern contaminant 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT). When algal cultures were exposed to 30 mg·L− 1 TNT, massive lysis of microalgal cells was observed. The key to understanding the evolution of microalgae in such a contaminated environment is to characterize the TNT‐resistant variants that appear after the massive lysis of the TNT‐sensitive cells. A fluctuation analysis demonstrated unequivocally that TNT did not facilitate the appearance of TNT‐resistant cells; rather it was found that TNT‐resistant cells appeared spontaneously by rare mutations under nonselective conditions, before exposure to TNT. The estimated mutation rate was 1.4 × 10−5 mutants per cell division. Isolated resistant mutants exhibited a diminished fitness in the absence of TNT. Moreover, the gross photosynthetic rate of TNT‐resistant mutants was significantly lower than that of wild‐type cells. Competition experiments between resistant mutants and wild‐type cells showed that in small populations, the resistant mutants were driven to extinction. The balance between mutation rate and the rate of selective elimination determines the occurrence of about 36 TNT‐resistant mutants per million cells in each generation. These scarce resistant mutants are the guarantee of potential for adaptation.
Transient Expression of Homologous Hairpin RNA Interferes with Broad bean wilt virus 2 Infection in Nicotiana benthamiana

Agricultural Microbiology Division, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-707, Korea(Received on October 30, 2012; Revised on November 15, 2012; Accepted on November 26, 2012)Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2), genus Fabavirus, subfamily Comovirinae, family Secoviridae, causesdamage in many economically important horticultural and ornamental crops. Sequence alignments showedseveral conserved sequences in 5' non-coding regions (5' NCRs) of RNA 1 and RNA 2 in all BBWV2 strainscharacterized so far. Based on this observation, we generated a hpRNA construct (pIR-BBWV2) harboringan inverted repeat containing a 210 bp cDNA fragment homologous to 5' NCR portion of BBWV2 RNA 1 toinvestigate the silencing potential for its ability to interfere with a rapidly replicating BBWV2. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of the IR-BBWV2 had a detrimental effect on BBWV2 infection, showing nodistinct symptoms in non-inoculated leaves of the agroinfiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana plants. BBWV2genomic RNAs were not detected by RT-PCR from tissues of both the inoculated leaves and upper leaves ofthe agroinfiltrated plants. Accumulation of virus-derived small interfering RNAs was detected in theinoculated leaf tissues of N. benthamiana plants elicited by transient expression of IR-BBWV2 indicating thatRNA silencing is responsible for the resistance to BBWV2.Keywords : Agroinfiltration, Broad bean wilt virus 2, Resistance, RT-PCR, Small-interfering RNA, Transientexpression
Metazoan parasites of the thumb grenadier Nezumia pulchella, from the south-eastern Pacific, off Chile, and their use for discrimination of host populations

The parasite communities of Nezumia pulchella across its geographical range in the south-eastern Pacific were described, from 217 fish captured from four localities in northern and central Chile (24° S to 33° S). Five ectoparasites and 13 endoparasites were recorded and the highest prevalence and intensity of infection was found for the copepods Jusheyhoea macrura and Clavella sp. 1, for the monogenean Diclidophora sp. and for the larval acanthocephalan Corynosoma australe. Parasite species richness decreased with latitude. Multivariate discriminant analysis and correspondence analysis supported the use of parasites of N. pulchella to discriminate populations of this host, suggesting the existence of three well-defined host populations in the geographical range examined. Jusheyhoea macrura, C. australe, Lophoura sp. , Diclidophora sp. , Capillaria sp. and Proleptus sp. were the most important species for discriminant analysis.
Diversificação fisiológica e morfológica de Micropogon furnieri (Desmarest, 1822) ao sul de Cabo Frio, Brasil

This paper deals with some aspects of faunistic diversification and refers to part of the distribution area of a sciaenid fish Micropogon furnieri (Desmarest, 1822) Jordan & Evermann 1884, widely distributed. Such species is characteristic of the tropical area and occurs along the Brazilian coast with highest abundance south of Cabo Frio. The analysis of variations of six meristic characters and eight body proportions and of some reproduction and growth features has shown that along the coast between latitudes 23oS and 33oS diversifi cation occurs within the species; such diversification implies in the existence of two populations, one occupying the area between 23oS and 29oS (area I) and the other between 29oS and 33oS (area II). The eco logical differences between the two mentioned areas according to our point of view is the reason for the species diversification in the whole area under observation. The differences recorded as the characteristics studied were suf ficient enough to illustrate the existence of two populations reproductively isolated suggesting that some gene exchange, if any, between both populations occurs in a very low rate. Our results show that abundance estimates of M. furnieri in this area must be made for each population as a whole until further studies on genetic characters are developed which may confirm the existence of gene exchange and if so, the gene flow rate. As the present study does not cover the total area of occurrence of Micropogon furnieri no hypothesis is extended to the general pattern of diversification (eventual presence of sub-species) and no systematic "status" and names are given to the populations identified.
Organic acids in condensed distiller's solubles: toxicity to soilborne plant pathogens and role in disease suppression

Condensed distiller's solubles (CDS), a coproduct of ethanol production from corn (Zea mays), has shown disease suppressing effects when added to pathogen-infested soils and peat-based substrate prior to planting. In this study, CDS amendment (1% and 3% w / w) to a sandy-loam soil displayed a low level of toxicity to microsclerotia of Verticillium dahliae and reduced their germination by 46% to 63% in 1 week in the laboratory soil microcosm tests. The analyses of CDS for the presence of any toxic substances revealed that it contains moderate levels (~144 mmol/L) of volatile (acetic and formic) and nonvolatile (glycolic) organic acids, and some of these are known toxicants. Glycolic, acetic, and formic acids contents were 77.1%, 17.7%, and 3.9%, respectively. Minor concentrations (0.2–0.7 mmol/L) of propionic, n -butyric, isobutyric, n -caproic, and n -valeric acids were also found in CDS. In solution assays, the viability of V. dahliae microsclerotia treated for 24 h in 1%, 2%, 5%, and 10% (v / v) CDS (pH 3.6–4.5) or a mixture of organic acids (pH 3.2–5.0) with the same percent composition as the CDS was reduced by 2%, 7%, 22%, and 48% or 6%, 32%, 53%, and 69%, respectively. A mixture of organic acids with the same volumetric ratios as 2% and 4% CDS completely inhibited the growth of Pythium ultimum after treatment of culture plugs for 24 h in solution assays. In growth room bioassays, addition of a mixture of organic as in 1% and 2% CDS (v / w) to a P. ultimum infested muck soil reduced damping-off severity by 45%–52% and increased the percentage of healthy seedlings by 164%–180% over the control. A pre-planting amendment of glycolic acid (0.075% and 0.15% w / w) to an infested muck soil significantly increased the percentage of healthy cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings by 107% and 122%, respectively, and decreased the damping-off severity by 33% and 40%, respectively, over the control. This study suggests that organic acids from CDS have a role in disease suppression in sandy-loam and muck soils
Modeling individual conifer seed shape as a sum of fused partial ellipsoids

Because of the importance of seed surface area, volume, and fill to hydraulic and thermal exchanges with the soil, mechanistic simulation of seed physiological processes associated with tree migration dynamics and the spread of invasive species require accurate equations to model seed shape. Seed dimensions have previously been described with measurements of the three principal axes, assuming an implied single ellipsoid. However, conifer seeds often exhibit anisotropy that results from bilaterally symmetric pairing on cone scales. We developed a method for measuring and modeling conifer seed shape as a sum of 2j partial ellipsoids fused at their equators, where j = 0, …, 3. We demonstrate the use of the methods in the study of shape characteristics of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P.& C. Lawson) seeds from four families in Montana and among commercial lots of ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco). The shapes of 92%, 73%, .
Larval Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Fat Body Extracts Catalyze Firefly D‐Luciferin‐ and ATP‐Dependent Chemiluminescence: A Luciferase‐like Enzyme *

Ultraweak light emission was detected upon injection of firefly luciferin into live Tenebrio larvae. A chemilumi‐nescent enzymatic activity dependent on molecular oxygen, D‐luciferin and MgATP was then isolated from larval fat body extracts by precipitation with 70% ammonium sulfate. D‐Luciferin and ATP can be replaced by luciferyl‐adenylate. Pyrophosphate is a main product from the chemiluminescent reaction. The in vitro chemiluminescence intensity was not affected by peroxidase inhibitors such as N3−‐ (0.5 mM) and CN− (1 mM), attesting to its nonperoxidatic nature but was strongly inhibited by AMP (1 mM), luciferin 6′‐ethyl ether (1 mM) and sodium pyrophosphate (2 mM), well‐known firefly lucifer‐ase inhibitors. Some physical‐chemical properties of this enzymatic activity were similar to those of firefly lucif‐erase (KMATP = 195 μM; K0.5 luciferin ‐ 0.8 mM; optimum pH 8.5; δmax= 610 nm at pH 8.5; firefly lucifer‐ase: δmax= 565 nm at pH 8.0 and 619 mm at pH 6.0), but the chemiluminescence was not affected by addition of polyclonal antibodies raised against Photinus pyralis luciferase. These data suggest that this chemiluminescence results from a ligase with luciferase activity.
Proteomic analysis of the distribution of the major seed allergens in wild, landrace, ancestral, and modern soybean genotypes

BACKGROUND: A comparativeanalysis of seed allergens from various soybean genotypes is crucial foridentifying and eliminating potential allergens. We have investigated the distribution of three major allergens (Gly m Bd 60K, Gly m Bd 30K and Gly m Bd 28K) in wild, landrace, ancestral and modern soybean genotypes. RESULTS: Gly m Bd 60K allergens consist of α subunits of β-conglycinin and G2 subunits of glycinin. In wild genotypes, α subunits of β-conglycinin separated into six to seven protein spots whereas five to seven spots were observed in the landraces. All genotypes of modern and ancestral groups showed 3‐5 protein spots of α subunits of β-conglycinin. All genotypes showed eight spots of glycinin G2 subunits except one ancestral genotype which had seven spots. Two protein spots were detected for Gly m Bd 30K in 14 genotypes but one spot was detected in two wild genotypes. Two protein spots were detected for Gly m Bd 28K in all genotypes. CONCLUSION: Considerable heterogeneity of the α subunit of β-conglycinin distribution exists among these 16 soybean genotypes. Significant proteomic variation was observed between different soybean groups rather than among genotypes in the same group. This investigation would be valuable to researchers working with soybean and nutrition.  2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Length–weight relationships of Wallago attu and Sperata sarwari from the Indus River, southern Punjab, Pakistan

Summary The present study describes the length–weight parameters of Wallago attu and Sperata sarwari from the Indus River, southern Punjab, Pakistan with W = 0.001698 L3.27 for W. attu and W = 0.001698 L3.28 for S. sarwari. The values of the slope b are significantly higher than b = 3.0, which shows that the weight grows more rapidly as compared to the cube of the length. Thus it was concluded that body proportions changed as fish grew in size.
Relationships between carbon isotope discrimination, water use efficiency and transpiration efficiency for dryland wheat

Carbon isotope discrimination (-) has been shown to be negatively correlated with water use efficiency for wheat cultivars grown in the glasshouse. In the field this negative correlation has been confirmed for peanut but it has yet to be confirmed for wheat. Indeed, several field studies on wheat have shown positive (rather than negative) relationships between dry matter production and -. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between - and water use efficiency for wheat grown in a dryland environment characterized by winterlspring-dominant rainfall and terminal drought. Eight genotypes chosen to give a range in - of c. 2.0x10-3 were grown on a red earth at Moombooldool in the Riverina region of New South Wales. Water use and above-ground dry matter (DM) were measured over the course of the season. Water use was partitioned into transpiration and soil evaporation and values of crop water use efficiency (WET) and transpiration efficiency ( WT) calculated. To account for the effect on WT of seasonal changes in the vapour pressure deficit of the air (D), crop coefficients (k) were derived by multiplying WT by the transpiration-weighted average daytime value of D for each genotype. During the preanthesis period, when there was little limitation of soil water supply on growth, there was a positive relationship between DM and -, as observed previously. The relationship between WET and - also had a positive (though non-significant) trend, but the relationship between k and - was negative, i.e. once the effects of variation in the ratio T/ET and seasonal changes in D were accounted for, the negative correlation between water use efficiency and - re-emerged. This apparent conflict between WET and k arose because genotypes with high - values developed their leaf area faster, with two important consequences. First, high - genotypes transpired more of their water supply during the winter when D was low and the exchange of water for CO2 more efficient. Second, transpiration made up a greater proportion of total water use by high - genotypes. The relationship between water use efficiency and - was further complicated as the crops depleted the soil water store after anthesis. During this period DM production tended to be greater in low - genotypes that had conserved soil water in the preanthesis period. However, DM production also remained high for two high - genotypes. The cause of this variation in post-anthesis growth among high - genotypes was not established.
Trophic shift of soil animal species with forest type as indicated by stable isotope analysis

Anthropogenic land use shapes the dynamics and composition of central European forests and changes the quality and availability of resources of the decomposer system. These changes likely alter the structure and functioning of soil animal food webs. Using stable isotope analysis (13C, 15N) we investigated the trophic position and resource use of soil animal species in each of four forest types (coniferous, young managed beech, old managed beech and unmanaged beech forests) across three regions in Germany. Twenty-eight species of soil invertebrates were analyzed covering three consumer levels and a representative spectrum of feeding types and morphologies. Data on stable isotope signatures of leaf litter, fine roots and soil were included to evaluate to which extent signatures of soil animals vary with those of local resources. Soil animal d15N and d13C signatures varied with the respective signatures of leaf litter and fine roots. After calibration to leaf litter signatures, soil animal stable isotope signatures of the different beech forests did not differ significantly. However, thick leaf litter layers, such as those in coniferous forests, were associated with low animal stable isotope signatures presumably due to reduced access of decomposer animals to root-derived resources, suggesting that the decomposer food web is shifted towards leaf litter based energy pathways with the shift affecting all consumer levels. Variation in stable isotope signatures of soil animal species with litter quality parameters suggests that nutrition of third level but not first and second level consumers is related to litter quality, potentially due to microorganisms locking up litter resources thereby hampering their propagation to higher trophic levels.
Mercury Increases Light Susceptibility in the Green Alga Haematococcus lacustris

: The influence of mercury ions (Hg2+, 10 μM) on photosynthesis was investigated in flagellates and aplanospores of Haematococcus lacustris. Hg2+ stress resulted in a fast decrease of chlorophyll fluorescence yield. This was initially caused by an increase in reversible non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. During further exposure to Hg2+, an increasing contribution of pH independent non-photochemical quenching and a parallel rise in the content of the xanthophyll cycle pigment zeaxanthin was detected. An increase of the initial chlorophyll fluorescence as a final sign of Hg2+ induced adverse effects on photosynthesis supports our hypothesis that mercury ions predispose to non-reversible, “chronic” photoinhibition.
The Green-Eyed Monster: Exploring the Associations of Ego Defenses and Relationship Closeness on Romantic Jealousy

The present study explores the relationship between ego defenses, relationship closeness and romantic jealousy. The study was done with a sample of 231 individuals (falling within 18-32 years) out of which 127 were female and 104 were male. Results of the study revealed that there was a gender difference only in terms of cognitive jealousy with men showing higher levels of the same. However no differences were found when it came to emotional and behavioural jealousy or relationship closeness. Also people with a romantic partner were found to be high in relationship closeness compared to those without a partner (those who just show romantic attraction for someone). Correlations between these variables showed that immature defenses showed a positive association with cognitive and behavioural jealousy. Mature and neurotic defenses showed no correlation with jealousy. Relationship closeness showed a negative correlation with cognitive jealousy and a positive correlation with emotional jealousy. Regression analysis showed that relationship closeness emerged as the best predictor of cognitive jealousy and immature defense style was found to be the best predictor of behavioural jealousy. However the regression model was not significant for emotional jealousy.
The disruption of aggregation behaviour in Pieris brassicae larvae by chlordimeform

The behavioural basis for the reduction in feeding caused by the formamidine pesticide chlordimeform was investigated in second‐instar larvae of the large cabbage white butterfly, Pieris brassicae L. Normally, these caterpillars feed communally. On chlordimeform‐dipped leaves (10‐6 M‐10‐2 M) they rapidly became excited, locomotion increased and only unstable aggregations formed in which any feeding was usually transient. Over 24 h excitation declined, aggregations re‐formed and feeding was resumed. However, between 24 and 30 h, on leaves treated with chlordimeform solutions of 10‐4 M or greater, larvae dispersed again.
Notes on clavarioid fungi. XI. Miscellaneous notes on Clavaria

Evidence is given for acceptance of Clavaria inaequalis Muller ex Fr. as a valid species, including description of a specimen from the herbarium of Fries. Four species of Clavaria (including C. californica Pet., sp. nov. and C. neonigrita Pet., sp. nov.) are described with spiny spores, and comments on their phylogenetic relationships are made. A discussion of the appropriateness of separation of Clavaria from Clavulinopsis is included with special reference to Clavaria longispora, Clavulinopsis appalachiensis, and Clavulinopsis corallino-rosacea. Clavaria americana Pet. , sp. nov., is proposed.