Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dock180/Elmo proteins are critical regulators of phagocytosis, macropinocytosis and chemotaxis in Dictyostelium

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Ionic Liquids as Bifunctional Cosolvents Enhanced CO2 Conversion Catalysed by NADH-Dependent Formate Dehydrogenase

Efficient CO2 conversion by formate dehydrogenase is limited by the low CO2 concentrations that can be reached in traditional buffers. The use of ionic liquids was proposed as a manner to increase CO2 concentration in the reaction system. It has been found, however, that the required cofactor (NADH) heavily degraded during the enzymatic reaction and that acidity was the main reason. Acidity, indeed, resulted in reduction of the conversion of CO2 into formic acid and contributed to overestimate the amount of formic acid produced when the progression of the reaction was followed by a decrease in NADH absorbance (method N). Stability of NADH and the mechanism of NADH degradation was investigated by UV, NMR and by DFT calculations. It was found that by selecting neutral–basic ionic liquids and by adjusting the concentration of the ionic liquid in the buffer, the concentration of NADH can be maintained in the reaction system with little loss. Conversion of CO2 to methanol in BmimBF4 (67.1%) was more than twice as compared with the conversion attained by the enzymatic reaction in phosphate buffer (24.3%).
The head and neck muscles associated with feeding in Sphenodon (Reptilia: Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia)

Feeding in Sphenodon, the tuatara of New Zealand, is of interest for several rea-sons. First, the modern animal is threatened by extinction, and some populations are in competition for food with Pacific rats. Second, Sphenodon demonstrates a feeding apparatus that is unique to living amniotes: an enlarged palatine tooth row, acrodont dentition, enlarged incisor-like teeth on the premaxilla, a posterior extension of the dentary and an elongate articular surtace that permits prooral shearing. Third, Spheno-don has a skull with two complete lateral temporal bars and is therefore structurally analogous to the configuration hypothesised for the ancestral diapsid reptile. Further-more, the fossil relatives of Sphenodon demonstrate considerable variation in terms of feeding apparatus and skull shape. Lastly, as Sphenodon is the only extant rhyn-chocephalian it represents a potentially useful reference taxon for both muscle recon-struction in extinct reptile taxa and determination of muscle homology in extant taxa. Here we provide an up-to-date consensus view of osteology and musculature in Sphenodon that is relevant to feeding. Discrepancies within previous descriptions are evaluated and synthesised with new observations. This paper displays the complex muscle arrangement using a range of different imaging techniques and a variety of different angles. This includes photographs, illustrations, schematic diagrams, and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) slice images. © Palaeontological Association August 2009.
Colonization Pattern of Cecropia by Azteca Ants : Influence of Plant Ontogeny, Environment and Host Plant Choice by Queens

Several plant species of the large Neotropical genus Cecropia acts as a host plant for ants, especially those of the genus Azteca. Although literature has reported that the Azteca queens found colonies by perforating the prostoma to establish their nests inside the Cecropia trunks (domatia), little is known about which host plant parameters (e.g., ontogenetic development) are evaluated by the queens to choose their hosts, or even whether this choice influences colony success. Because larger plants provide more space and food, it is expected that queens of the plant ant Azteca sp. can more frequently colonize the larger plants of C. pachystachya, and that active colonies, i.e., those with active workers, occur more frequently in these plants. In our study, founding queens occurred more frequently in larger plants. However, linear regressions showed a strong positive relationship between trunk diameter and number of perforated prostomes on young plants yet without active colonies ofAzteca sp. , indicating that queens colonize plants which are still very young. In these plants several dead and moribund queens were found inside the basal and apical internodes, respectively. Logistic regressions showed that active colonies occurred with higher probability inside the larger plants. These results suggest that queens recognize larger plants, but are not able to evaluate optimal plant sizes suitable for the colony to thrive.
ALMA observations of sulfur-bearing molecules in protoplanetary disks

Abstract It is thought that protoplanets formed in protoplanetary disks excite the orbital motion of the surrounding planetesimals, and the bow shocks caused by the highly excited planetesimals heat their icy component evaporating into gas. We have performed model calculations to study the evolution of molecular abundances of the evaporated icy component, which suggests sulfur-bearing molecules can be good tracers of icy planetesimal evaporation. Here we report the result of our ALMA observations of sulfur-bearing molecules towards protoplanetary disks. The lines were undetected but the obtained upper limits of the line fluxes and our model calculations give upper limits of the fractional abundances of x(H2S) < 10−11 and x(SO) < 10−10 in the outer disk. These results are consistent with the molecular abundances in comets in our Solar system.
Intrathymic selection of NK1.1+((( T cell antigen receptor (TCR)+ cells in transgenic mice bearing TCR specific for chicken ovalbumin and restricted to I-Ad.

Generation and negative selection of NK1.1+α/β T cell receptor (TCR)+ thymocytes were analyzed using TCR-transgenic (B10.D2 × DO10)F1 and (C57BL/6 × DO10)F1 mice and Rag-1−/−/DO10 mice, which had been established by breeding and backcrossing between Rag-1−/− and DO10 mice. Almost all T cells from these mice were shown to bear Vα13/Vβ8. 2 that is specific for chicken ovalbumin (cOVA) and restricted to I-Ad. A normal proportion of the NK1.1+ Vα13/Vβ8. 2+ thymocytes was generated in these mice. However, the actual cell number of both NK1.1+ and NK1.1− thymocytes in I-Ad/d mice (positive selecting background) was larger than that in I-Ab/d mice (negative selecting background). Markedly low but significant proportions of NK1.1+ Vα13/Vβ8. 2+ cells were detected in the spleens from I-Ad/d and I-Ab/d mice. It was shown that the splenic NK1.1+ T cells of the I-Ab/d mice were anergized against stimulation through TCR. When (B10.D2 × DO10)F1 and (C57BL/6 × DO10)F1 mice were given cOVA, extensive or intermediate elimination of NK1.1+α/βTCR+ thymocytes was induced in I-Ad/d or I-Ab/d mice, respectively. However, the clonal elimination was not as complete as that seen in the major NK1.1− thymocyte population. The present findings indicate that normal generation of NK1.1+α/βTCR+ thymocytes occurs in the absence of Vα14-Jα281 and that substantial negative selection operates on the NK1.1+α/βTCR+ cells.
Oxygen breathing effects upon night vision thresholds. Rep No 469.

Abstract : Two series of experiments were conducted, --one was concerned with the effects of mask breathing, and the other with breathing 100% oxygen at ambient (sea level) pressure. It was found that the effect of oxygen excess upon rod and cone scotopic threshold is subject to individual variation. Rod and cone scotopic thresholds are only exceptionally affected by breathing near- 100% oxygen for periods up to 140 minutes. When administered at higher pressures, even for periods as short as 20 minutes, the incidence of effects is sharply higher. Rod and cone scotopic thresholds, measured while breathing near-100% oxygen are sensitive to blood sugar levels. Breathing through a mask- demand valve system of the type used in these experiments may cause an elevation of the rod and/or cone scotopic threshold(s) of some individuals, apart from any effect of the inhalant.
Covariation of trophic and habitat‐related traits in chondrostoms (Cyprinidae): implications for repeated and diversifying evolutionary processes

The tenet that ecological adaptation can lead to recurrent ecomorphological trends resulting from repetitive processes has long been a primary topic of investigation in evolutionary ecology. To explore this aspect further, this study provides an analysis of the morphological diversity in chondrostoms (Cyprinidae). This freshwater fish group shows a tendency towards bottom-feeding specialization, which has led to evolutionary innovations in body and mouth shape traits, which are currently used for the classification of genera. Body, lower lip (LL) and corner ray shape were analysed for nine species in total. Allometric relationships among the three morphometric traits were considered to be responsible for LL shape variability and there was significant covariation between LL and body shape, which reflected habitat use. Smaller and opportunistic-feeding species inhabiting stream or small-sized rivers were characterized by a deeper body (increased feeding maneuverability), an arched LL and a terminal mouth position. Conversely, larger and diet-specialized species were characterized by a fusiform body (increased swimming performance), a straight LL and an inframouth position on an elongated snout (optimized bottom feeding). The results suggest that interspecific mouth shape variability may have originated from two types of ‘deformation’ processes, both leading to a straight mouth shape and acting either jointly or independently. Also, given the plesiomorphic state of several of the species under study, the specialization towards a benthic lifestyle in chondrostoms from different phylogenetic lineages is thought to have occurred repeatedly to overcome a number of functional constraints, including foraging efficiency and swimming performance.
Investigating the role of higher order chromatin structure and DNA damage complexity on ATM signalling and G2/M checkpoint arrest

In response to DNA double stranded breaks (DSBs), mammalian cells have evolved two major repair pathways, DNA Non Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) and Homologous Recombination (HR). The majority of DSB repair in G1 and G2 phase is repaired with fast kinetics by NHEJ in a pathway that involves the core NHEJ factors: Ku, DNA-PKcs, XLF, DNA Ligase IV and XRCC4. A subset of slow repairing DSBs also requires ATM and Artemis (Riballo et al, 2004). This slow component of repair represents DSBs that reside within highly compacted regions of the genome known as heterochromatin (HC) (Goodarzi et al, 2008). ATM functions at HC to mediate relaxation by phosphorylating the HC building factor KAP-1 (Goodarzi et al, 2008). Here I provide evidence that DSBs dependent upon Artemis for their repair also reside within regions of HC. However, unlike ATM, Artemis functions downstream of the HC relaxation process. In response to DSBs, ATM phosphorylates the histone variant H2AX (γH2AX). γH2AX acts as a docking site for the localized recruitment and activation of DNA Damage Response (DDR) proteins. The expansion of γH2AX can spread over megabases of DNA. Here I have shown that highly compacted KAP-1, MeCP2 and DNMT3B enriched chromatin acts as a barrier to IR induced γH2AX expansion. In patient cells deficient for MeCP2 or DNMT3B proteins, such as Rett syndrome (MeCP2 deficient) and Immunodeficiency centromeric-instability facial-anomalies syndrome (DNMT3B deficient), ATM and Chk2 signalling is heightened, which is reflected in a hypersensitive and prolonged G2/M checkpoint arrest. These findings suggest that higher order chromatin complexity is a barrier to ATM signalling to the checkpoint machinery. In the final section of my thesis, I addressed what affect DNA damage complexity exerts on checkpoint arrest. Using exposure to heavy ion irradiation, which induces complex DSBs, I observed larger γH2AX foci and prolonged G2/M checkpoint arrest.
Le statut social et le choix du partenaire chez le canari domestique commun (Serinus canaria): indices comportementaux, hormonaux et vocaux

Chez les oiseaux, la selection sexuelle agit sur de nombreux facteurs pouvant etre relies au statut social et il pourrait etre soumis a cette selection. Nous avons etudie le statut social chez le canari domestique commun (Serinus canaria) et son importance quant au choix de partenaires. Le statut social intervient lors des choix de partenaires et les mâles dominants ont un meilleur succes reproducteur. Il n'y a pas de difference chez les femelles, mais les dominantes s'apparient preferentiellement avec des dominants. Nous avons montre que des dominants ont de plus grands comportements de recherche alimentaire. Il n'y a pas de relation avec les taux de Testosterone. Les dominants chantent plus de phrases A et s'apparient plus tot que les subordonnes. L'ensemble de ces resultats indique que le statut social est utilise lors des choix de partenaires. Ces choix peuvent etre avantageux a court terme et a long terme.
Mycorrhizal symbiosis promotes host-plant zinc nutrition.

Mycorrhiza are ubiquitous soil fungi forming symbiotic association in most of the terrestrial plant species and contributing towards host plant nutrition of slowly diffusing nutrient ions such as PO4, Zn, Cu and B. Mycorrhizal fungi improve the host plant zinc nutritional status as a result of hyphal transport of Zn, biochemical changes in the rhizosphere and physiological modifications in the host plant. Since Zn is immobile in soil solution, the external mycelium of the mycorrhizal fungi facilitates the transport of Zn from the soil to the host plant. Biochemical changes such as acidification of rhizosphere and associated solubilization of residual Zn (fixed form) to exchangeable or organically bound Zn (soluble Zn) improve the availability of Zn in mycorrhizal soil. Further, mycorrhizal symbiosis assists the host plants to produce anti-oxidants that quench the reactive oxygen species and often protect against Zn deficiency. In this review, mechanisms involved in mycorrhiza-aided Zn nutritional status of host plants are summarized.
Nesting Biology of Osmia cornifrons: Implications for Population Management

Nesting Biology of Osmia cornifrons: Implications for Population Management Matthew Isaac McKinney The Japanese hornfaced bee, Osmia cornifrons (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is a palearctic mason bee managed for the pollination of early season fruit crops such as apple and blueberry. Since its adoption as a managed pollinator in Japan during the 1940s, a large body of literature has amassed with the goal of enhancing O. cornifrons management practices. This research makes important contributions to that literature in two ways. First, the research describes the in-nest relationship of O. cornifrons and the cleptoparasitic mite pest Chaetodactylus krombeini. Distribution of male and female O. cornifrons and of C. krombeini was determined using linear and non-linear regression analysis. Results indicated that C. krombeini is more frequently found in the cells of female O. cornifrons and that female O. cornifrons suffer greater mortality than male O. cornifrons due to C. krombeini. Second, the research describes trends in O. cornifrons activity resulting from abiotic factors by utilizing videography techniques. Osmia cornifrons daily activity was measured as the number of trips initiated from the nest every hour. The effects of time of day, temperature, and precipitation on O. cornifrons activity were determined using non-linear regression analysis and correlation analysis. Results of this study showed that O. cornifrons activity is limited days above 13.9 °C without rain, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm. In addition, the videography techniques described in this research provide a new methodology for the study of solitary nesting bees.
Induction of systemic resistance to Sclerotiniasclerotiorum by oxalic acid in oilseed rape

Treatment of the lowermost leaf of flowering plants of oilseed rape cv. Linetta with 20 m m oxalic acid induced systemic disease resistance in the three next youngest leaves. Resistance was not caused by the translocation of fungitoxic concentrations of oxalic acid. Resistance was also expressed in the stem; in oxalic acid-treated plants the vertical spread of stem lesions was halted and the signal travelled both acropetally and basipetally. Expression of resistance in the leaves was detected 6 h after treatment and continued for at least 5 weeks. Twenty-four h after treatment, resistance was detectable in the leaves following the use of as little as 0.5 m m oxalic acid. Local resistance in the oxalic acid-sprayed leaf was detectable only at certain times (12 and 48 but not 24 h after treatment) and at very low (0.25 m m) or high (≥40 m m) oxalic acid concentrations. When oxalic acid was applied to a discrete area of the leaf, significant local resistance was expressed in the surrounding leaf tissue, maximum resistance being exhibited by the tissue closest to the site of petiole attachment.
Inheritance of Seed-Coat Color In Peanuts

The testa colours of the varieties used were red, flesh or white. Flesh colour is dominant to white giving a 15: 1 ratio. Red is dominant to flesh giving a 3: 1 ratio; the flesh pigment must be present before red can develop. The two white varieties used had different genotypes. Philippine White has the red and flesh factors in the recessive condition but carries a pair of dominant duplicate factors necessary for the development of colour; Pearl lacks the latter factors but carries the dominant factors for red and flesh.
Clinical Parasitology: A Practical Approach

Introduction. The Amebas. The Flagellates. The Hemoflagellates. Malaria. Miscellaneous Protozoa. The Nematodes. The Filariae. The Cestodes. The Trematodes. Artifacts Confusers. The Arthropods. Specimen Processing. Practice Case Studies. Alphabetized Glossary. Case Study Answers.
Synchronic production of fungal lectin, phycobiont lectin receptor and algal division in Evernia prunastri (Papers to Commemorate the 100th Issue of the Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory) -- (Lichenology)

Arginase, which acts as a fungal lectin, is secreted from Evernia prunastri thalli mainly during spring although it also appears in the medium during the winter. However, urease, which behaves as a lectin ligand, is only secreted during the autumn and winter. In parallel, aplanosporangia formation and the release of small, young algal cells inside the thallus, occurred under short-day conditions and low temperature values. Thus, the synchronization of the production of the lectin ligand and algal cell division supports the recognition of new algal cells by the mycobiont forming the thallus.
Analysis of the spore germination mechanisms of Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of hospital acquired diarrhoea and a major burden to healthcare services worldwide. Endospore production plays a pivotal role in infection and disease transmission, but in order to cause disease these spores must germinate and return to vegetative cell growth. Therefore, knowledge of spore germination is important and may have direct applications in future disease prevention. Germination has been well studied in Bacillus and in some clostridia, but the mechanisms of C. difficile spore germination remain unclear. Apparent homologues of genes important for germination in other spore formers have been identified in the C. difficile genome and ClosTron technology was used to inactivate homologues of sleC, cspA, cspB and cspC (Clostridium perfringens) and cwlJ, sleB and cwlD (Bacillus subtilis) in both C. difficile 630Δerm and a BI/NAP1/027 isolate (a ‘hypervirulent’ type associated with outbreaks of increased disease severity). Using a combination of several different assays to study these mutants in detail, a number of the identified target genes appear to be essential for germination and outgrowth of C. difficile spores. This is the first report of using reverse genetics to study the germination of C. difficile spores and the first gene characterisation by mutagenesis in a BI/NAP1/027 isolate of C. difficile. Furthermore, this study uncovered evidence of significant variation in the sporulation and germination characteristics of different C. difficile strains, but this variation did not appear to be type-associated.
La preposizione a e alcuni suoi corrispettivi polacchi : uno studio cognitivo

The analysis of the Italian preposition a in spatial contexts (static or dynamic) leads to the conclusion that this unit engenders path schema interpretation (source – path – goal) in whatever context it appears. In dynamic contexts path schema highlights the final location of a trajector that has moved along a path built up into the verb stem. In static contexts the location of a trajector is visualized as situated at a point of the path where previuos movement has stopped (suspended motion). In both cases the landmark is approximately idealized as a point i.e. it is shapeless. This characteristic renders the unit a a flexible semantic tool apt to be used in spatial and metaphorical contexts. The Polish equivalents of a phrases in Italian are the following: w+loc , na+loc , nad+instr , do+gen , na+acc , nad+acc , o+loc and bare dative. They all involve the path schema combined with other image schemas such as: container schema, surface, verticality and endpoint (recipient) schema. In Polish the schematic meaning is conveyed not only by prepositional units and verbs but also by inflectional case governed by prepositions. Usually such a case is convergent with dynamic (accusative, genitive) or static (locative, instrumental) predication.