Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scanning electron microscopy of the establishment of compatible and incompatible Xanthomonas campestris pathovars on the leaf surface of Italian ryegrass and maize1

Scanning electron-microscopy observations made on the leaves of Italian ryegrass and maize, inoculated with Xanthomonas campestris pvs graminis, oryzae and oryzicola clearly showed a difference in the distribution pattern among the different pathovars tested. Pvs oryzae and oryzicola could be detected on the leaf trichomes of ryegrass, while pv. graminis was not. On maize leaves, the attachment of pvs oryzae and oryzicola to trichomes was much more pronounced than on ryegrass. In addition, pv. oryzae spread further into leaves of maize than did pvs graminis and oryzicola and could be detected in masses until at least the sixth day after inoculation. These observations suggest that non-host plants such as maize could function as alternate inoculum sources of pv. oryzae for nearby rice plants.
Seed–seedling allometry in tropical rain forest trees: seed mass‐related patterns of resource allocation and the ‘reserve effect’

1 The seedlings of larger seeded species generally perform better than those of smaller seeded species under a variety of hazards. The reserve effect proposes that larger seeded species retain a greater proportion of their initial seed resources and their seedlings are therefore better provisioned to cope with post‐deployment resource deficits. 2 This hypothesis was tested with a suite of 32 Australian rain forest species with storage cotyledons, and seed reserve mass ranging from 36 mg to 25 g. Seedlings germinated in dim light were harvested as their first set of leaves became fully expanded, dissected into shoot, root and left‐over cotyledons, dried and weighed. 3 In cross‐species, allometric analyses, the mean mass of the shoot‐plus‐root scaled less than proportionately (slope c. 0.8), and mean cotyledon mass more than proportionately (slope c. 1.1) with either initial seed mass or seedling mass. These slopes were significantly different from each other. Both conditions for a reserve effect were therefore fulfilled. Cotyledons ranged from 45% of total seedling mass in the smallest species, to 92% in the largest. 4 Solid evidence for a reserve effect was detected within two of four families tested (Lauraceae and Myrtaceae), but only in 7 of the 22 species for which there were sufficient data. 5 Even if the reserve effect has present day utility for enhanced seedling performance in larger seeded species, it may have evolved in response to selection for a greater relative retention of initial seed mass during seedling deployment in larger seeded species, combined with selection for greater deployment of seed reserves to the initial shoot and root of smaller seeded species.
Identification of a servo-motor model from experimental data

MODELING OF A SPOT WELDING GUN The thesis applied a system identification method named nonlinear Hammerstein-Wiener to identify an electronic motor system based on the limited measurement of input current and the output displacement. The electronic motor is a servo motor embedded in the arc robot, by define the current, the arc robot moves the corresponding arc head with certain displacement. As long as the motor system is not a linear system, and the number of measurements is limited, the thesis tries to find an effective way to identify a reliable model based on the measurement combination and decreasing of the cost indicator RMSE.
The Effects of Reduced Salinity on the Shell Growth of Small Mytilus Edulis

The shell growth of small coastal Mytilus edulis L. was measured at three different constant low salinities over short periods of time. Growth was significantly depressed in 6·4 and 16‰ S but not in 22·4‰ S. Fluctuating salinities between 0 and 32‰ S depressed growth whether the fluctuations were of sinusoidal or abrupt form. After 1 week of preconditioning to constant 32‰ S the growth of coastal (Bangor) mussels was better than estuarine (Conwy) mussels. However, after two weeks’ preconditioning to 32‰ S the estuarine mussels displayed the best growth. In the fluctuating regime, both coastal and estuarine mussels exhibited poor growth rates. The long-term response of the shell growth of coastal M. edulis was followed over a period of 44 days. Salinities in the range 1·8–9·6‰ S were lethal to the mussels within 10 days. In 12·8 and 16‰ S growth was initially delayed but recovered eventually. There was a gradual decline in the growth rate of the mussels exposed to the higher salinities (19·2–32‰) and an improvement in the growth of the mussels living in lower salinities (12·8 and 16‰) to levels nearly matching that of the high salinity animals by day 37. This suggests that acclimation of the shell growth of M. edulis to salinities in the 12·8–28·8‰ S range was achieved by the mussels during the experimental period.
FECUNDITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MULLEIN BUG, CAMPYLOMMA VERBASCI (MEYER) (HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE)

Abstract The mullein bug, Campylomma verbasci (Meyer), was successfully established on eggplant cv. “Black Beauty” using the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, as a source of prey for early instars. Colony-raised teneral females lived 17.4±0.8 days (mean±SE) at 25°C, and their progeny averaged 6.7±0.6 nymphs per 48-h oviposition period (range 0–36). Fecundity peaked during days 6–10 and declined steadily beyond day 16. Over their lifespans, females produced eggs that hatched into 37.5±8.2 nymphs (range 2–184). Eggs from a 24-h oviposition period required from 7.2±0.1 days at 27°C to 13.0±0.2 days at 20°C for 100% hatch. An estimated developmental threshold of 9.5°C (r2 = 0.50) was obtained using the equation: rate of development = −0.075 + 0.008 (temperature). The frequency distribution of hatch at each of four constant temperatures was unimodal and approximated a normal distribution. Nymphal development at 22°C required 2.8±0.2, 3.8±0.2, 4.0±0.3, 3.9±0.2, and 6.0±0.3 days for instars 1–5, respectively. Résumé Nous avons réussi d’établir la punaise de la molène, Campylomma verbasci (Meyer) sur l’aubergine cv. «Black Beauty» en utilisant le tétranyque à deux points, Tetranychus urticae Koch, comme source de proie des jeunes stades. Les femelles ténérales élevées en colonie ont vécu pendant 17,4±0,8 jours (moyenne ± erreur type) à 25°C, et elles avaient une progéniture moyenne de 6,7±0,6 nymphes par période de ponte de 48 h (écart de 0 à 36). La fécondité a atteint le point d’apogée entre 6 à 10 jours et a diminué d’un rythme soutenu au delà du 16e jour. Les femelles ont produit des oeufs qui se sont éclos en donnant 37,5±8,2 nymphes en moyenne (écart de 2 à 184). Les oeufs produits pendant une période de ponte de 24 h avaient besoin de 7,2±0,1 jours à une température de 27°C jusqu’à 13,0±0,2 jours à une température de 20°C pour effectuer une éclosion de 100%. Un niveau de développement de 9,5°C (r2 = 0.50) a été défini en utilisant l’équation : taux de développement = −0,075 + 0,008 (température). La fréquence de distribution pour l’éclosion dans le cas de chacune de quatre températures constantes a été unimodale et a rapproché à une distribution normale. Le développement nymphal à 22°C a pris 2,8±0,2, 3,8±0,2, 4,0±0,3, 3,9±0,2 et 6,0±0,3 jours pour les stades 1 à 5, respectivement. [Traduit par la rédaction]
Voriconazole: A Novel Antifungal

Objective: To review the published in vitro, in vivo, and clinical data and FDA background documents that led to the approval of voriconazole. Data Sources: Articles were identified by the referenced package insert and by a MEDLINE search (1966–October 2002) using the terms voriconazole, azole antifungal, aspergillosis, and UK-109, 496. Additionally, journal Web sites and abstracts from major infectious disease meetings were researched to obtain newly published data. Study Selection: All animal and human data published in journals, abstracts, and FDA background documentation were used. The only in vitro susceptibility testing studies used were those that incorporated a large number of fungal isolates. Data Synthesis: Voriconazole is a novel monotriazole antifungal agent that inhibits the fungal cytochrome P450–mediated 14 α-lanosterol demethylation. In vitro susceptibility studies, in vivo clinical trials, and case reports have shown potent activity against various Aspergillus spp. , Scedosporium, and Fusarium. Additionally, voriconazole has shown in vitro activity against dimorphic fungi and yeast, including Candida spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans. The efficacy of voriconazole has been evaluated in 4 clinical trials. The clinical studies indicate that it is at least as effective as amphotericin B for the treatment of acute invasive aspergillus infection. The most common adverse effects in clinical trials included visual disturbances, rash, and elevated liver function tests. Voriconazole is metabolized by CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 and thus causes multiple serious drug–drug interactions. Conclusions: Voriconazole provides an advance in therapy for the treatment of acute invasive aspergillus infection.
Beyond the blue rose: Modification of floral architecture with plant-specific chimeric repressors

There is a significant difference between cereal crops and floricultural crops in the concept of genetic modification. This is due to the difference in requirements for these agricultural products; wide variation of flower color, shape and fragrance for floricultural plants in contrast to productivity improvements or fine-tuning of physiological traits for crop plants. Bringing GM flowers to the market against their short product life involves the following factors: (1) a high-efficiency production and screening system of elite lines, (2) reliable methods to minimize biodiversity impact and evaluation of their efficacy, and (3) social receptivity based on intensive education and information sharing. We have developed an efficient system by merging the genetic information resources of the Arabidopsis genome and a transcription factor-based gene silencing system called CRES-T through the Flower CRES-T Project. In this project, we have demonstrated the applicability and general versatility of CRES-T in various plant species through experiments on eight different flower species with over 100 transcription factors. In addition to providing phenotypic information via the original database, we are attempting to improve public knowledge, for example, through the production of resin-embedded specimens of GM-flowers and reviving lost garden varieties of morning glory and using them in educational programs, to gain public acceptance of GM plants. Multi-petal cyclamens with complete sterility, which have been produced by suppressing a pair of floral-organ identity genes, will be released in the near future as the third GM commodity following Suntory's blue carnations and rose. This cyclamen represents the best example of a GM product with a low diversity impact ever produced.
Late- and Post-Glacial history of the Mustelidae in Europe

1. Analyses of the subfossil records of mustelid species in Europe indicate specific differences in the pattern of temporal and spatial recolonization of central Europe after the maximum glaciation of the last glacial period. 2. For Meles meles, Martes martes and (with some reservations) Mustela putorius it can be seen that the populations were separated in several glacial refugia during the maximum glaciation of the Weichselian. In contrast, the European population of Lutra lutra was restricted to a single glacial refuge, which had not been clearly localized until now. 3. Besides the known glacial refugia of the Iberian Peninsula, Italian Peninsula and the Balkans, there is evidence of possible additional glacial refugia for mustelids near the Carpathians, in western Moldova and in the northern Pontic region. 4. Gulo gulo, Mustela nivalis, and Mustela erminea show adaptations for survival in Pleistocene conditions, but they were historically also distributed in the warmer areas of southern Europe. 5. Among the more thermophilic mustelid species, Mustela putorius is likely to have been the earliest immigrant following the maximum glaciation. Meles meles has been recorded in comparably early times and also seems to be relatively tolerant of climatic extremes. It is clear that Martes martes had already arrived in central Europe during the Allerod, in connection with the recolonization by birch and pine woods. Lutra lutra, by contrast, seems to have been an absolute Holocene immigrant.
Reindeer reduce biomass of preferred plant species

Reduced weights in reindeer that graze in pastures with high reindeer densities have raised the question if coastal summer pastures are modified by grazing. To evaluate this, the impact of reindeer grazing on standing crop was measured by the plant intercept method inside and outside grazing exclosures in the understorey of a coastal mountain birch forest in northern Norway. The understories of coastal birch forests are dominated by vascular plants and are important summer pastures to reindeer. Based on the literature, we made a priori categorization of the vascular plant species into functional groups of preferred forage, less preferred forage and forage of unknown value to reindeer. Intercept frequency was measured within the same plots on three occasions in the summer of 1996. At the end of the grazing season, total standing crop was 33% lower in open plots compared to plots protected by exclosures. However, the reduction varied between the functional groups, with only preferred forage plants being significantly reduced in standing crop (by 49%). Results suggest that reindeer have a strong annual impact on most of the preferred forage species. However, some of the preferred graminoids are tolerant of grazing and dominate the understorey despite decades of high grazing pressure. We suggest that current grazing pressure is favouring the establishment of a few grazing tolerant graminoids, and that this reduces the forage plant variability. The results are discussed in relation to the grazing optimization hypothesis and the potential importance of plant variability for pasture quality.
A comparative study of tentacle regeneration and number in symbiotic and aposymbiotic Hydra viridis: Effect of zoochlorellae

The effect of symbiotic zoochlorellae on tentacle number and budding in Swiss and Israeli strains of Hydra viridis in the light and in the dark, in normally grown and in regenerating specimens has been studied. The mean tentacle number in symbiotic and aposymbiotic hydra was 8.65 ± 1.05 and 7.48 ± 0.86 in the Swiss strain, and 8.62 ± 1.29 and 6.66 ± 0.72 in the Israeli strain. In aposymbiotic hydra reinfected with zoochlorellae isolated from either strain, the number of tentacles increased to that of symbiotic hydra. Decapitated symbiotic hydra regenerated more tentacles than aposymbionts, and regenerating Swiss symbionts also formed more buds than their respective aposymbiotic hydra. The algal enhancing effect was found in the light and in the dark. Regeneration rate was initially higher in the symbiotic hydra, and the ratio between the number of tentacles formed by the regenerating symbiotic and aposymbiotic hydra varied daily during the experimental period of 7 days. We conclude that in H. viridis the endosymbiotic zoochlorellae exert a significant stimulatory and morphogenic effect in the light and in the dark. We do not know yet how the algal effect is mediated to their host. We suggest that a distinction should be made between the stimulatory effect on regeneration rate and the morphogenic effect on the final number of tentacles or buds.
Amino acid budgets in three aphid species using the same host plant

Abstract. Nutrient provisioning in aphids depends both on the composition of ingested phloem sap and on the biosynthetic capabilities of the aphid and its intracellular symbionts. Amino acid budgets for three aphid species, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) and Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), were compared on a single host plant species, wheat Triticum aestivum L. Ingestion of amino acids from phloem, elimination of amino acids in honeydew, and the content of amino acids in aphids tissue were measured. From these values, ingestion rates were estimated and compared to honeydew and to estimated composition of aphid proteins. Ingestion rate was lowest in D. noxia due to low growth rate and low honeydew production; intermediate in S. graminum due to higher growth rate and intermediate honeydew production; and highest in R. padi, which had the highest rates for both variables. Both D. noxia and S. graminum induced increases in the amino acid content of ingested phloem. These changes in phloem content, combined with differences in ingestion rates, resulted in large differences among aphids in estimated rates of ingestion of individual amino acids. In honeydew, most essential amino acids were found in low amounts compared with the amounts ingested, especially for methionine and lysine. A few amino acids (arginine, cystine, histidine and tryptophan) were more abundant in honeydew of some aphids, suggesting oversupply. Aphid species differed in the composition of free amino acids in tissue but showed very similar composition in protein, implying similar requirements among the aphids. In R. padi and D. noxia, most essential amino acids were ingested in amounts insufficient for growth, implying dependence on symbiont provisioning. In S. graminum, most amino acids were ingested in amounts apparently sufficient for growth.
Seasonal singing patterns and individual consistency in song activity in female European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

Nearly all studies on seasonal changes in song behaviour have focused on male songbirds and detailed studies on seasonal patterns of song activity in females are lacking. Here, we present information on the annual cycle of song activity in female European Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) housed in a large outdoor aviary in a single-sex situation (except for the breeding season when males were introduced) and examine social and environmental factors motivating singing behaviour. Female song activity varied significantly throughout the year and was highest during December-mid April. Little or no song was produced when males were present (mid April-June) and in July. With these exceptions, females produced song in every month of the year. A high proportion of females occupied a nestbox throughout the year. Females occupying a nestbox sang significantly more than females without a nestbox, independently of the period. During March and early April females owning a nestbox sang significantly more in their nestbox and/or defended it more often, suggesting that song in that period is produced in the context of intrasexual competition. There was a large individual variation in song rates among females. Furthermore, song rates of individual females were repeatable across the year.
Abstract CT165: Phase II open label trial of minnelide™ in patients with chemotherapy refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer

BackgroundTriptolide and its water-soluble prodrug, Minnelide™, have shown promising activity against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Triptolide induces apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells by different pathways, including caspase-dependent apoptotic death and caspase -independent autophagic death. It inhibits the activity of the TFIIH general transcription factor complex and modulates the transcriptional landscape of both the stroma and cancer cell compartments. In the epithelial tumour compartment, triptolide down-regulates key transcription factors such as c-MYC. In the phase I clinical trial of Minnelide™ significant activity in highly refractory metastatic pancreatic carcinoma was observed. Hence we undertook this study in patients with chemotherapy refractory metastatic PDAC. MethodsEligibility criteria include stage IV PDAC that has progressed on standard chemotherapy, Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70%, and measurable disease. Planned sample size is up to 35 patients with interim analysis after the first 18 evaluable patients, aiming for at least a 20% difference in DCR (10% v 30%). Minnelide™ 0.67 mg/m2 is administered intravenously over 30 minutes on days 1-21, followed by a 7 day rest period in a 28 day cycle. Exploratory objectives include: analysis of tumor texture on radiologic scans as a non-invasive biomarker for response, as well as analyses of paired tumour biopsies for changes in immune cell infiltration, stromal activation, chromatin accessibility, phopshoproteomics and metabolism. # NCT03117920The trial opened 4/2017 and as of 12/2018, 18 patients have been treated. Supported by SU2C, Cancer Research UK, Lustgarten Foundation Citation Format: David Propper, Haiyong Han, Daniel Von Hoff, Erkut Borazanci, Tannishtha Reya, Jonathan Ghergurovich, Irina Pshenichnaya, Corina Antal, Rachel Condjella, Shreya Sharma, Peter O9Dwyer, Trevor Littlewood, Hitendra Patel, Ashok Saluja, Mohana Velagapudi, Lifeng Yang, Michael Downes, Ronald Evans, Gerard Evan. Phase II open label trial of minnelide™ in patients with chemotherapy refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT165.
Flowering in darkness in Arabidopsis thaliana

A modified method for studying the initiation of flowering in darkness (dark flowering, DF) in Arabidopsis thaliana has been developed, and the DF process has been examined with the aid of late-flowering mutants. A majority of plants developed floral buds by the use of liquid-shaken cultures in darkness. The late-flowering phenotype in gi and co mutants and early-flowering phenotype in a hy2 mutant disappeared in DF. It was found that wild-type plants grown under DF conditions express light-regulated genes and develop appropriate leaf architecture, as do the light-grown plants, without the apparent differentiation of chloroplasts. The shift experiments from darkness to light revealed the critical duration of growth in darkness for the initiation of DF. These results indicate that the DF process to the initiation of flowering is a mode of development distinct from that in light in Arabidopsis.
LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF DISSODACTYLUS RUGATUS BOUVIER, 1917 (=D. CALMANI RATHBUN, 1918) (BRACHYURA: PINNOTHERIDAE) REARED UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

ABSTRACT Dissodactylusrugatus is a small parasitic crab occurring on the irregular urchin Clypeaster rosaceus. The larval phase consists of three zoeal stages and a megalopa. Eggs were incubated by females for 11-13 days at 27°C. Average duration of zoeal stages was 2.1, 2.8, and 3.1 days, respectively, with metamorphosis to the megalopa occurring as early as the eighth day (mean 9.0). In the absence of a host no megalopa successfully molted to the first crab instar. Dissodactylus rugatus is one of three sympatric species for which the complete larval development is known. In comparison to D. crinitichelis and D. primitivus, zoeae of D. rugatus are more compact, having the shortest spines and an intermediate-sized carapace. Other differences are seen in developmental time, and in setation, with fewer plumodenticulate setae on the basipodite of maxilliped 1 in all zoeal stages. The megalopa is also of intermediate size, but setation of the antenna, the dactyl of maxilliped 3, and dactyls of the pereiopods is characteristically unlike that of species previously described. The undifferentiated exopodite bud of maxilliped 3 is seen as a potential character specific to the genus Dissodactylus. Examination of holotypes showed Dissodactylus rugatus Bouvier, 1917, to be an earlier synonym of D. calmani Rathbun, 1918.