Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inducible conditions for sorus formation of the sporophyte discs of Laminaria japonica Areschoug (Phaeophyceae).

Optimal conditions for sorus formation of Laminaria japonica were investigated by culturing discs of the sporophyte in bottles. All discs formed sori in the seven combinational conditions of temperature (5-15•Ž), irradiance (33.2-116 ƒÊE• M-2• s-1) and photoperiods (16:8, 12:12 and 8:16 h LD) in nutrientrich medium. Sorus formation occurred earlier at 15•Ž than at 5 and 10•Ž and were largest in the area at 15•Ž. Sori grew larger under high irradiance (116 ƒÊE• m-2• s-1) than under low irradiances (66.4 and 33.2 ƒÊE• m-2• s-1), but the initiation of sorus formation was not influenced by irradiance. Sorus forma tion was earlier in 8:16 h LD than in 12:12 and 16:8 h LD. Rapid formation of large sori occurred at high temperatures even in a long photoperiod. Sorus formation in discs in nutrient-poor medium was slower than that in discs in nutrient-rich medium, in which all discs formed large sori. Most discs in nutrient-poor medium formed very small sori. These results indicate that water temperature and nutrient conditions strongly affect both to the induction and expansion of sorus formation.
Resistencia al tizón tardío ( Phytophthora infestans ) en materiales promisorios de papa en Costa Rica

Se determino la resistencia al tizon tardio presente en 83 genotipos de papa, provenientes de diferentes cruces y fusion de protoplastos de lineas de mejoramiento con las especies silvestres Solanum bulbocastanum, S. circaeifolium, S. okadae, S. laxissimum, S. berthaultii, S. pinnatisectum y S. commersonii. Los materiales fueron evaluados en el campo, y en el laboratorio se realizo pruebas de foliolos separados, utilizando como inoculo una raza compleja (1- 11) de P. infestans. Los genotipos provenientes de las hibridaciones somaticas o cruces con las especies silvestres S. bulbocastanum, S. circaeifolium y S. okadae fueron los que presentaron los valores mas bajos del area bajo la curva de desarrollo de la enfermedad: 60, 80 y 79, respectivamente. Las variedades Alpha, Waych'a, Pimpernell y Granola, utilizadas como testigos, presentaron los valores mas altos del area bajo la curva 477, 474, 466 y 427, respectivamente.
A single β subunit M2 domain residue controls the picrotoxin sensitivity of αβ heteromeric glycine receptor chloride channels

This study investigated the residues responsible for the reduced picrotoxin sensitivity of the αβ heteromeric glycine receptor relative to the α homomeric receptor. By analogy with structurally related receptors, the β subunit M2 domain residues P278 and F282 were considered the most likely candidates for mediating this effect. These residues align with G254 and T258 of the α subunit. The T258A, T258C and T258F mutations dramatically reduced the picrotoxin sensitivity of the α homomeric receptor. Furthermore, the converse F282T mutation in the β subunit increased the picrotoxin sensitivity of the αβ heteromeric receptor. The P278G mutation in the β subunit did not affect the picrotoxin sensitivity of the αβ heteromer. Thus, a ring of five threonines at the M2 domain depth corresponding to α subunit T258 is specifically required for picrotoxin sensitivity. Mutations to α subunit T258 also profoundly influenced the apparent glycine affinity. A substituted cysteine accessibility analysis revealed that the T258C sidechain increases its pore exposure in the channel open state. This provides further evidence for an allosteric mechanism of picrotoxin inhibition, but renders it unlikely that picrotoxin (as an allosterically acting ‘competitive’ antagonist) binds to this residue.
Lipase activity and lipid metabolism during oat malting

ABSTRACT Experiments were conducted to determine the relationship, if any, between lipase activity and the metabolism of lipids during malting (germination) of oat (Avena sativa L.) seed. During the course of malting, concentration of the free fatty acid fraction increased markedly at the expense of the neutral lipid fraction (predominantly triacylglycerides), while the initially high lipase activity (most of which is located in the surface layers of the grains) decreased by ≈40%. The fatty acid compositions of total and neutral lipid fractions were stable during malting, but there were marked changes in the free fatty acid and phospholipid fractions. In a comparison among 12 hulled and hull-less genotypes, there were no significant regressions between the quantitative changes in lipid fractions and lipase activities. Brief treatments with chemicals or hot H2O that partially or completely inhibited lipase activity had various effects on subsequent quantitative changes in lipid fractions, but these changes.
In Defense of Evolution: Tautology or Theory?

ing makes the difference between stability and instability. Further discussion of these and similar models is given by Roughgarden and Feldman (1976) and by Janson (1975). Nevertheless, we stress again that we do not think our criterion stands or falls by the exhibition of such simple models. Our concern was the situation, comnmon in the field, where some aspects of population interactions can be observed and modeled fairly easily, while others are very difficult. Progress is being made on some of the latter, as Levin's own work on migration and spatial patterns demonstrates, but we do not think discussion of the easier details should be postponed until the harder ones are solved, especially as the two often deal with different aspects of stability-for example, stability of one population in a limited area against system stability over a large region. Incidentally our equation (4) (1975, p. 293) contains a slip; its second part should read dp/dt = dH*f'(H*)h.
Révision systématique du genre Graphiurus (Rongeurs, Gliridae)

Les nombreuses formes decrites pour le genre Graphiarus, Gliride africain,sont rapportees a 6 especes : parvus, murinus, crassicaudatus, platyops, hüeti et ocularis. A I'interieur de ce vaste ensemble, un certain nombre de variations, notamment du pelage et des bulles auditives, obeissent a des regies gonerales. La connaissance de celles-ci a permis de distinguer les veritables criteres specifiques : longueur du corps, longueur du cräne et quelques particular! t es de la morphologic crAnienne.
Histone H3 and U2 snRNA DNA sequences and arthropod molecular evolution

The range of DNA sequences used to study the interrelationships of the major arthropod groups (chelicerates, myriapods, hexapods and crustaceans) is limited. Here we investigate the value of two genes not previously employed in arthropod phylogenetics. Histone H3 data were collected for 31 species and small nuclear ribonucleic acid U2 data for 29 species. The sequences provided a total of 460 sites and 192 parsimony-informative characters. H3 analyses showed substantial codon usage bias, but had a low consistency index (0.26). Consistency indices were higher for the U2 data (0.49), suggesting that the class of snRNAs may provide several phylogenetically useful genes. The present data are not by themselves sufficient to clarify major arthropod group relationships. Partitioned data for H3 and U2 are incongruent according to Incongruence Length Difference tests. Although the most parsimonious trees, based on combined analyses of all taxa, differ substantially from morphology-based trees, anomalous groupings are weakly supported with only one exception. The trees uphold monophyly of Onychophora, Branchiopoda, and Malacostraca (rather than the rival Phyllopoda). Cladistic analyses constraining the monophyly of morphologically defined classes do not significantly distinguish between the main rival hypotheses of major clade relationships. Combined (‘spliced’) analysis of both genes improves topological congruence with morphological groupings relative to that of either partition. Character congruence between H3, U2, and morphology is increased by downweighting (but not excluding) transitions and third codons. Analyses of four-taxon statements using PHYLTEST found significant support for the basal position of the Crustacea among the euarthropods. This support may be due to the similarity of chelicerates, myriapods and hexapods in percentage GC content.
Molecular and Immunological Responses to Food

Excessive immune responses to commensals or to food antigens will result in autoimmunity or food allergy. Despite the progress in knowledge regarding the interactions between food antigens and the gut, unanswered questions remain. The chapter addresses these questions by bringing together recent findings on the ways in which different components of the gut tract respond to foods, commensals, and pathogens in a systematic overview. It is structured as follows. First, a descriptive section presents a brief outline of the spatially distinct immune decision-making units and their integrative interactions, including discussion of the cellular and molecular structures involved in gastrointestinal responses to foods, commensal bacteria, and pathogens, as grouped in the proposed autonomous structures. This is followed by an overview of the role of development in determining the outcome of gut responses to foods, since such responses are also influenced by the history of previous exposures to food antigens in utero and after birth. The evolution of the mother-child integrated immunological unit from fetal life to the end of the breast-feeding period is discussed, as well as characterization of the pathological immune responses to foods that occur in the gut and intestinal autoimmune diseases and food allergies. Finally, the chapter describes the preventive and therapeutic proposed uses of oral tolerance and the perspectives and the questions that still remain unanswered.
Response of Dry Matter Accumulation in Maize to Temperature: I. Dry Matter Partitioning

The Leaf area partition coefficient (LAPC) increased linearly with temperature in the 11 to 31 o C range and declined from the + to the 12-leaf stage. Among the components of LAPC. SLAE appeared to contribute most to the variation in LAPC. The LAPC was associated with dry matter accumulation; as much as 50% of the variation in growth rates due to temperature regimes may have been attributable to leaf area partitioning. Similarly, differences in growth rates between hybrids were associated with LAPC
Phase-Related Differences in Mating Strategy of a Locust (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Abstract The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria L. , shows phase polymorphism in which various morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits change according to population density. Information about the reproductive behavior, particularly sperm competition and male-female associations, has been obtained mainly from crowd-reared locusts. To understand the reproductive strategy in different phases, i.e., solitarious versus gregarious phase, we compared the P2 (i.e., the proportion of offspring sired by the second male to mate), length of pre- and postcopulatory mounting and length of copulation between solitarious (isolated-reared) and gregarious (crowd-reared) adults of this locust. We observed that solitarious adults had a higher P2 value, shorter precopulatory mounting, and longer copulation than gregarious adults. A significant positive correlation between length of precopulatory mounting and copulation was found in gregarious adults, but not in solitarious adults in the two geographic strains used. Little or no postcopulatory mounting was observed in either phase. Pairing of crowd-reared males and isolated-reared females indicated that males did not play a decisive role in determining these behaviors. The results demonstrate phase-related differences in reproductive strategy that are likely to be adaptive for locusts facing a large variation in chance of encounters between the two sexes.
Comparison of lycopene, β-carotene and phenolic contents of tomato using conventional and ecological horticultural practices, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

Tomato fruits are rich in anti-oxidant compounds that have been recognized as benef icial for human health. Horticultural practices can influence the concentration of these secondary metabolites. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can increase nutrient and water absorption of plants. The experiment, performed under glasshouse, examined whether organically grown ‘Vitella F1’ tomatoes differed in their fruit content of lycopene, β-carotene and total phenols from that found in conventionally grown tomatoes. Treatments were the cultivation methods: conventional, organic, conventional+AMF and organic+AMF. When comparing the cultivation method, no significant differences for the analyzed nutritional parameters were found; only tomatoes grown organically had slightly lower total phenolic contents. In both cultivation methods, tomato plants inoculated with AMF (Glomus sp.) built higher lycopene content in fruits than those without inoculation. Organic grown tomatoes increased β-carotene and total phenolic contents in fruits as a result of the AMF treatment. AMF applications increased root fresh weight but not shoot fresh weight. The improved growth and nutrient acquisition in tomato demonstrated the potential of AMF colonization for increased antioxidant compounds in fruits. White fly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) was controlled successfully with application of diatomaceous earth Fossil Shield® 90 in organic treatments as well as with Applaud® in the conventional cultivation methods.
Individual‐level trait diversity concepts and indices to comprehensively describe community change in multidimensional trait space

Summary Global environmental change can influence ecosystem processes directly or through changes in the trait composition of natural communities. Traits are individual-level features of organisms, and theory predicts that diversity in traits should relate to ecosystem processes. Validated indices that account for both intra- and interspecific trait variation in multidimensional trait space are lacking. In this article, we highlight how an individual-level perspective requires new concepts for trait diversity (TD) and we validate a set of measures suitable to study trait richness, evenness and divergence at the individual scale. First, we tested a selection of multivariate indices for trait richness, evenness and divergence from the literature (FRic, FEve, FDis and the Rao coefficient) using simulated and real individual-level data. We compared the observed changes in the tested indices with those predicted from their expected/required behaviour (i.e. increase or decrease under specific manipulation of community trait structure) and found unsatisfactory results only for FRic and FEve, whereas FDis and the Rao coefficient showed the expected changes. Therefore, we propose two novel concepts and related indices for individual-level trait richness (TOP = trait onion peeling) and evenness (TED = trait even distribution). TOP represents the sum of all successive convex hull areas touching all individuals (points) within a multidimensional trait distribution. TED is a measure of how evenly distributed are individuals within the multidimensional trait space. It is calculated comparing the probability distributions of pairwise distances between individuals and between points of a perfectly even reference distribution. We tested TOP and TED on the same simulated and real data as above, and results indicated appropriate behaviour for TOP (trait richness) and TED (trait evenness). By validating TD indices in an individual-level context, this study contributes to the expansion of functional ecology towards individual-level dynamics. Future comprehensive investigations of individual trait differences in natural communities may improve our understanding of the pathways by which environmental changes affect ecosystem functioning through biodiversity change.
Phenotypic characterization of drug resistance and tumor initiating cancer stem cells from human bone tumor osteosarcoma cell line OS-77

The cancer stem cell theory suggest that presence of small subpopulation of cancer stem cells are the major implication in the cancer treatment and also responsible for tumor recurrence. Based on Hoechst 33342 dye exclusion technique, we have identified about 3.3% of cancer stem like side population (SP) cells from human osteosarcoma OS-77 cell line whose prevalence is significantly reduced to 0.3% after treatment with verapamil. The sphere formation assay revealed that osteosarcoma SP cells are highly capable to form tumor spheres (sarcospheres). Further by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR, we show that OS-77 SP cells have enhanced expression of stem cell surface markers such as CD44, Nanog and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene (ABCG2) which contributes to self-renewal and drug resistance, respectively. Our findings help to designing a novel therapeutic drug which could effectively target the cancer stem cells and prevent the tumor relapse.
The influence of fungal α-amylase supplementation on amylolytic activity and baking quality of flour

In order to determine the quantity of fungal α-amylase to be added to flour of low amylolytic activity, it was thought necessary to develop a method suitable for measuring the activity of both cereal and fungal α-amylase.For determination of fungal α-amylase activity, thermolability of the enzyme made the classical Falling Number Method not suitable. The Fungal Falling Number (FFN) Method was developed to measure amylolytic activity in flour supplemented with fungal α-amylase. Reproducibility of Fungal Falling Number measurements on tested flour samples is high (standard deviation was 16.33 s and the variation coefficient 6.19%). The ratio between flour amylolytic activity, after addition of fungal α-amylase, and the quantity of the added fungal α-amylase, as well as the initial amylolytic activity of flour was described by the multiple regression non-linear model. By applying the model, one could account for 88.48% of total deviations of the regression of the measured Fungal Falling Number values, making the model representative. Such a model can be used to determine the required quantity of fungal α-amylase to achieve the optimal amylolytic activity of flour for the baking industry, provided the starting amylolytic activity in flour is known. The analysis of test baking results has shown that flour with an amylolytic activity range of 100 s < FFN f < 200 s yields bread loaves of the largest volume and excellent sensory properties.
Grey Squirrel Food Preferences: The Effects of Tannin and Fat Concentration

Both tannin and fat concentration in acorns have been postulated to affect squirrel preferences and foraging strategy. Our study directly tests the effects of tannin and fat on the food preferences of free—ranging squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). Using food items processed from white oak (Quercus alba) acorns with various amounts of tannin and fat added, we find that added tannin significantly reduces the probability that a food item will be eaten and the length of time spent eating it. The addition of fat is shown to attenuate the effects of tannin, but the overall effect is that squirrels do not forage in a manner that maximizes daily energy intake. These results are contrary to the findings of previous studies. A hypothesis to presented to account for the apparent contradiction: The squirrels may maximize energy intake over the entire fall/winter season rather than over a shorter period, such as each foraging bout or day.
Comparative influence of hard and soft water on milk production of dairy cows.

Summary A 28-wk. trial, involving 27 cows in a double-reversal trial, was run to determine the influence of softened water (as compared with hard water) on the performance of lactating dairy cows. This study demonstrated that there was, (1) no significant difference between hard- and soft-water treatments in 4% FCM or in butterfat produced; (2) little difference in water consumed, and (3) essentially no difference in the water consumed per pound of 4% FCM produced.
Ajuste del modelo de erosión WEPP para un Argisol Subéutrico y un Brunosol Éutrico en el Uruguay

Los modelos de estimación de erosión son herramientas útiles para la planificación de sistemas productivos sustentables. El modelo Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) estima erosión laminar y en canalículos, así como la carga y deposición del sedimento, con distribución temporal y espacial. Esto permite estimar no sólo los efectos in situ sino también los efectos fuera del sitio, como ser deposición en cauces de agua, pudiéndose aplicar en estudios ambientales. Si bien este modelo está basado en los procesos físicos que ocurren en el suelo, es preciso realizar ajustes sitio-específicos. El objetivo de este estudio fue ajustar el modelo WEPP, para suelos representativos de la zona agrícola litoral oeste y lomadas del este del Uruguay. Se utilizaron datos de parcelas experimentales de escurrimiento de INIA La Estanzuela y Palo a Pique, y se compararon los valores de erosión estimados por WEPP y USLE/RUSLE con los medidos en términos de promedios anuales. Además se contrastó la erosión estimada con WEPP con la medida a escala anual. WEPP estimó la erosión de ambos sitios con alto nivel de precisión, comparable al de USLE (R2=0,97 y 0,98 respectivamente). El índice Nash-Sutcliffe de 0,92 indica que su desempeño es muy bueno. Para continuar esta línea de investigación resulta necesario realizar medidas de variables físicas del suelo o desarrollar ecuaciones de pedotransferencia alternativas.
Histological structure of gonads in the freshwater pearl mussel, Hyriopsis (Hyriopsis) bialatus Simpson, 1900

Summary The macroscopic and microscopic structures of male and female gonads of Hyriopsis (Hyriopsis) bialatus are described. The sex of individuals was determined from the presence or absence of sperm and eggs in the gonadal fluid under light microscopy analysis. The gonads of both sexes are composed of numerous acini. Male acini contain germ cells at various developmental stages of typical spermatogenesis, i.e., spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa. A striking feature is the presence of morulae with atypical spermatogenesis, interspersed among typical germ cells. Early stage morulae comprise a few large spermatogonia, those at middle stage contain spermatocytes and those at late stage consist of spermatids and spermatozoa. Female acini include oogonia and five different stages of developing oocytes. Stage 1 oocytes are attached to the acinar wall without yolk vesicles and stalk. Stage 2 oocytes have a stalk connected to the acinar wall. Stage 3 oocytes are larger in size, having yolk vesicles accumulated both at the base of the stalk and at the periphery of nucleus. Stage 4 oocytes have yolk vesicles dispersed throughout the cytoplasm. During this period, the basophilia of cytoplasm is replaced by eosinophilic yolk. Stage 5 oocytes contain both mature and developing oocytes. Immature oocytes are surrounded by a vitelline layer and attached to the acinar wall by a narrow stalk. Mature oocytes, however, are completely detached from the acinar wall, being released into the acinus lumen. The male and female germinal ducts are lined by a simple ciliated columnar epithelium. Several acini are connected to a single germinal duct. Numerous mature germ cells are found in the lumen of the germinal duct. No change was detected in the histological structure of male and female gonads collected at different times of the year. Female gonads collected at different stages of marsupial development are also morphologically similar. These observations strongly suggest that H. (H.) bialatus has no distinct reproductive season and may be suitable for commercial culture.