Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
76 DEVELOPMENTAL CAPABILITY OF TRANSGENIC NUCLEAR-TRANSFERRED PIG EMBRYOS PRODUCED USING THE NOVEL METHOD OF PSEUDOPHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIVATION

The physicochemical stimuli, which are commonly used for artificial activation of porcine nuclear-transferred (NT) oocytes, can affect detrimentally or cytotoxically the clonal cybrids and thereby inhibit the development or decrease the quality of cloned embryos. Therefore, we have recently developed a novel method of pseudophysiological transcomplementary (transcytoplasmic) activation to stimulate the developmental program of porcine oocytes reconstructed by somatic cell nuclear transfer. The mechanism underlying this original technique of activation is transcytoplasmic influx of sperm-derived proteins triggering intracellular calcium oscillations, which is mediated via heterologous (rabbit) zygote-descended cytoplasts. The purpose of our study was to estimate the in vitro developmental competences of porcine transgenic cloned embryos following pseudophysiological activation of oocytes receiving pWAPhGH-GFPBsd gene construct-nucleofected fetal fibroblast cell nuclei. In the cloning procedure, IVM pig oocytes were used as recipient cells for cell nuclei of positively selected transgenic fibroblast cells. The reconstruction of enucleated oocytes was performed by intracytoplasmic injection of either the somatic cell-derived karyoplast or whole tiny nuclear donor cell. The activation of porcine NT oocytes was achieved by electrofusion of them with the xenogeneic cytoplasts isolated from in vivo-derived rabbit zygotes (i.e. with the so-called zygoplasts), which led to the formation of triple xenocytoplasmic hybrids (xenocybrids). The rabbit zygotes had been flushed postmortem from the separated oviducts of superovulated postpubertal female donors 18 to 20 hafter administration of hCG and copulation. Single rabbit zygote-descended cytoplasts were inserted into the perivitelline space of previously reconstructed pig oocytes. The resulting zygoplast-NT oocyte couplets underwent fusion, which was induced by generation of 2 successive DC pulses of 1.2 kV cm-1 for 60 μs. The electrofusion medium consisted of 0.3 M Ca2+-deprived mannitol supplemented with 0.1 mM MgSO4 and 0.2 mg mL-1 fatty-acid-free BSA. The transcytoplasmically activated xenocybrids were cultured in vitro for 6 to 7 days up to morula/blastocyst stages. A total of 183/207 (88.4%) oocytes reconstructed with nucleofected fibroblast cell nuclei were successfully fused with zygoplasts. Out of 183 cultured NT embryos, 138 (75.4%) were cleaved. The rates of transgenic NT embryos that reached the morula and blastocyst stages yielded 106/183 (57.9%) and 65/183 (35.5%), respectively. In conclusion, the original method of pseudophysiological activation of porcine NT oocytes turned out to be relatively efficient, which has been confirmed by the high percentages of pWAPhGH-GFPBsd transgenic embryos developing in vitro to morula and blastocyst stages.
Rhacocleis Fieber 1853 and Pterolepis Rambur 1838, distinct species groups or not ?

Abstract Results are presented of a study on the armature of the hind and fore tibiae in 39 species and 4 additional subspecies, out of 54 (formally recognised) species and 9 additional subspecies, belonging to Rhacocleis and Pterolepis. The armature of the hind tibia, traditionally used to separate Pterolepis and Rhacocleis, varies within taxa from very slight in most taxa to extensive in a few. The armature of the upper inner margin of the fore tibia proved a more reliable character than the traditional hind tibial armature to separate Pterolepis and Rhacocleis, indicating that the synonymy of Rhacocleis with Pterolepis proposed in Heller et al. (1998), should be re-evaluated. Observations suggest a possible re-arrangement of species described under Pterolepis and Rhacocleis, but no nomenclatural changes are proposed. It is argued that nomenclatural changes, if any, should only be taken after a much needed review of the generic definitions in the Platycleidini (s.l.). An updated checklist of Pterolepis and Rhacocleis taxa is included. Pterolepis ramburi Serville 1838 is proposed as a species incertae sedis.
Alternative cold response modes in Chlorella (Chlorophyta, Trebouxiophyceae) from Antarctica

H. Hu, H. Li and X. Xu. 2008. Alternative cold response modes in Chlorella (Chlorophyta, Trebouxiophyceae) from Antarctica. Phycologia 47: 28–34. DOI: 10.2216/07-28.1 Chlorella was known to show enhanced antifreeze capability after cold hardening. We isolated Chlorella strains NJ-7 and NJ-18, which display alternative cold response modes from rock surfaces in Antarctica. On the basis of 18S ribosomal (rRNA) sequences, NJ-7 is an Antarctic type of Chlorella vulgaris; NJ-18 is also a ‘true’ Chlorella species but differs from any previously reported species in structure. NJ-7 partially retained the enhancing effects of low temperature cultivation on freeze tolerance, which correlates with an increase of C18:3-fatty acid content and up-regulation of two antifreeze protein genes. NJ-18, however, showed stable freeze tolerance regardless of the pre-cultivation temperature. We propose that cold response modes vary widely in Chlorella and that the adaptation of C. vulgaris to Antarctica may serve as a model system for the evolution of antifreeze mechanisms in a single species of photosynthetic microorganism.
Species Diversity, Biogeography, and the Evolution of Biotas

SYNOPSIS. A central scientific problem for ecologists and systematists has been to explain spatiotemporal patterns of species diversity. One aspect of this question is how to understand the taxonomic assembly of biotas and their included ecosystems and communities. Four processes add or subtract species from a region: speciation, extinction, biotic dispersion, and long-distance dispersal. Speciation and biotic dispersion are postulated to result in historically structured (hierarchical) species assemblages, whereas long-distance dispersal results in assemblages that would be expected to be historically unstructured (nonhierarchical). Continental biotas, as exemplified by the Australian avifauna, are historically structured: they are segregated into areas of endemism having hierarchical relationships that presumably arose as a result of their history being dominated by cycles of biotic dispersion and vicariance. It is also proposed that these latter two processes are necessary, and in many cases probably sufficient, to explain the taxonomic composition of communities within these areas of endemism. Long-distance dispersal appears to play a much more minor role in the assembly of either continental biotas or their communities than current ecological theory would predict.
Evolution of Glyphosate-Resistant Crop Technology

Abstract New and improved glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops continue to be rapidly developed. These crops confer greater crop safety to multiple glyphosate applications, higher rates, and wider application timings. Many of these crops will also have glyphosate resistance stacked with traits that confer resistance to herbicides with other modes of actions to expand the utility of existing herbicides and to increase the number of mixture options that can delay the evolution of GR weeds. Some breeding stacks of herbicide resistance traits are currently available, but the trend in the future will be to combine resistance genes in molecular stacks. The first example of such a molecular stack has a new metabolically based mechanism to inactivate glyphosate combined with an active site-based resistance for herbicides that inhibit acetolactate synthase (ALS). This stack confers resistance to glyphosate and all five classes of ALS-inhibiting herbicides. Other molecular stacks will include glyphosate resistance with resistance to auxin herbicides and herbicides that inhibit acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) and 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). Scientists are also studying a number of other herbicide resistance transgenes. Some of these new transgenes will be used to make new multiple herbicide-resistant crops that offer growers more herbicide options to meet their changing weed management needs and to help sustain the efficacy of glyphosate. Nomenclature: Glyphosate
SYMBIODINIUM MICROADRIATICUM FREUDENTHAL, S. GOREAUII SP. NOV., S. KAWAGUTII SP. NOV. AND S. PILOSUM SP. NOV.: GYMNODINIOID DINOFLAGELLATE SYMBIONTS OF MARINE INVERTEBRATES 1

The use of several independent biochemical, physiological, morphological, and behavioral assays has resulted in the reassessment of the taxonomy of the gymnodinioid symbionts of marine invertebrates which belong to the genus Symbiodinuim Freudenthal (Dinophyceae). The formal description of the type species S. microadriaticum Freudenthal is augmented, and three new species are introduced; S. goreauii, symbiotic with the Caribbean sea anemone Ragactis lucida; S. kawagutii, harbored by the Hawaiian stony coral Montipora verrucosa; and S. pilosum, inhabiting the Caribbean zoanthid Zoanthus sociatus.
Initial tree mortality and insect and pathogen response to fire and thinning restoration treatments in an old-growth mixed-conifer forest of the Sierra Nevada, California

Fire and thinning restoration treatments in fire-suppressed forests often damage or stress leave trees, altering pathogen and insect affects. We compared types of insect- and pathogen-mediated mortality on mixed-conifer trees 3 years after treatment. The number of bark beetle attacked trees was greater in burn treatments compared with no-burn treat- ments, and in some cases, larger pine trees were preferentially attacked. Restoration treatments are not expected to change the trajectory of spread and intensification of dwarf mistletoe. Thinning treatments may have provided a sanitation effect in which large leave trees have lower levels of dwarf mistletoe. Although thinning treatments are known to exacerbate root disease, <12% of cut stumps were infected with root pathogens (Armillaria gallica and Heterobasidion annosum). Treatments increased Ribes (alternate host for white pine blister rust) frequency and abundance, which may have very lo- calized impacts on white pine blister rust dynamics. In some instances, fire, insects, and pathogens appear to conflict with forest restoration goals by reducing the percentage of pine and producing proportionally higher rates of tree mortality in large-diameter size classes. To better understand the long-term effects of restoration treatments on pathogens and insects, continued monitoring over the course of varying climatic conditions will be needed.
Diacylglycerol Kinase γ Serves as an Upstream Suppressor of Rac1 and Lamellipodium Formation*

Nine diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) isozymes have been identified. However, our knowledge of their individual functions is still limited. Here, we demonstrate the role of DGKγ in regulating Rac1-governed cell morphology. We found that the expression of kinase-dead DGKγ, which acts as a dominant-negative mutant, and inhibition of endogenous DGKγ activity with R59949 induced lamellipodium and membrane ruffle formation in NIH3T3 fibroblasts in the absence of growth factor stimulation. Reciprocally, lamellipodium formation induced by platelet-derived growth factor was significantly inhibited upon expression of constitutively active DGKγ. Moreover, the constitutively active DGKγ mutant suppressed integrin-mediated cell spreading. These effects are isoform-specific because, in the same experiments, none of the corresponding mutants of DGKα and DGKβ, closely related isoforms, affected cell morphology. These results suggest that DGKγ specifically participates in the Rac1-mediated signaling pathway leading to cytoskeletal reorganization. In support of this, DGKγ co-localized with dominant-active Rac1 especially in lamellipodia. Moreover, we found that endogenous DGKγ was physically associated with cellular Rac1. Dominant-negative Rac1 expression blocked the lamellipodium formation induced by kinase-dead DGKγ, indicating that DGKγ acts upstream of Rac1. This model is supported by studies demonstrating that kinase-dead DGKγ selectively activated Rac1, but not Cdc42. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that DGKγ functions through its catalytic action as an upstream suppressor of Rac1 and, consequently, lamellipodium/ruffle formation.
Comparison of Polyhaploid Production Frequencies in Crosses of Hexaploid Wheat with Maize, Pearl Millet and Sorghum

Frequencies of polyhaploid production were compared among three hexaploid wheat varieties (2u = 6x = 42, Chinese Spring, Norin 61 and Siete Cerros) pollinated with maize, pearl millet and sorghum lines. All wheat varieties produced embryos in crosses with maize lines at frequencies ranging from 12.6 to 26.8 % . In crosses with pearl millet lines, the embryo formation frequencies were affected by both the wheat varieties and pearl millet lines. In crosses with sorghum lines, the frequencies were highly dependent on the wheat varieties and Siete Cerros produced no embryos. Embryos were obtained from Chinese Spring and Norin 61 in crosses with all lines of maize, pearl millet and sorghum. The embryos from crosses with maize were larger, but developed into plants at lower frequencies than those from crosses with pearl millet and sorghum. Most of the 377 plants cytologically examined were wheat polyhaploids that carried a complement of 3 x = 21 chromosomes. It is inferred that maize-mediated polyhaploid production is more stable than those mediated by pearl millet and sorghum because of less genotypic effects on embryo formation
Community structure of under-ice fauna in the Eurasian central Arctic Ocean in relation to environmental properties of sea-ice habitats

Arctic sea-ice decline is expected to have a significant impact on Arctic marine ecosystems. Ice-associated fauna play a key role in this context because they constitute a unique part of Arctic biodiversity and transmit carbon from sea-ice algae into pelagic and benthic food webs. Our study presents the first regional-scale record of under-ice faunal distribution and the environmental characteristics of under-ice habitats throughout the Eurasian Basin. Sampling was conducted with a Surface and Under-Ice Trawl, equipped with a sensor array recording ice thickness and other physical parameters during trawling. We identified 2 environmental regimes, broadly coherent with the Nansen and Amundsen Basins. The Nansen Basin regime was distinguished from the Amundsen Basin regime by heavier sea-ice conditions, higher surface salinities and higher nitrate + nitrite concentrations. We found a diverse (28 species) under-ice community throughout the Eurasian Basin. Change in community structure reflected differences in the relative contribution of abundant species. Copepods (Calanus hyperboreus and C. glacialis) dominated in the Nansen Basin regime. In the Amundsen Basin regime, amphipods (Apherusa glacialis, Themisto libellula) dominated. Polar cod Boreogadus saida was present throughout the sampling area. Abrupt changes from a dominance of ice-associated amphipods at ice-covered stations to a dominance of pelagic amphipods (T. libellula) at nearby ice-free stations emphasised the decisive influence of sea ice on small-scale patterns in the surface-layer community. The observed response in community composition to different environmental regimes indicates potential long-term alterations in Arctic marine ecosystems as the Arctic Ocean continues to change.
Comunidad ectomicorrícica en una cronosecuencia de Pinus radiata (Pinophyta: Pinaceae) de la zona de transición climática mediterráneo-templada de Chile central

En ecosistemas naturales y plantaciones, las coniferas establecen asociaciones mutualistas con una comunidad diversa de hongos micorricicos. El estudio de este tema en Sudamerica es aun incipiente, y no existen antecedentes sobre la dinamica temporal de esta comunidad, y menos de sus potenciales causas, a pesar de su importancia para un pais forestal como Chile. En el presente trabajo se evaluo la dinamica de la comunidad ectomicorricica, identificando y cuantificando los hongos formadores de esta asociacion en raices finas de Pinus radiata en plantaciones de 3, 10 y 20 anos. Los resultados confirman que la comunidad ectomicorricica de P. radiata cambia con la edad de los arboles, la cual difiere mas bien en el patron de dominancia que en la riqueza de especies, separandose un primer grupo de arboles de 3 y 10 anos de un segundo grupo de 20 anos. Un total de once morfotipos de micorrizas fueron diferenciados. Cuatro de ellos, identificados como Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Inocybe sp. , Russula sardonia y Pinirhiza spinulosa, fueron los mas abundantes (77, 29, 78 y 8 % respectivamente), mientras las otras se encontraron colonizando menos de 100 puntas de raiz (< 7 %), mostrando ademas una distribucion en parches. La especie Inocybe sp. fue encontrada exclusivamente en apices radicales de arboles de tres anos, caracterizandose como micobionte de estado temprano. Hebeloma crustuliniforme, como colonizador de estado multiple, estuvo presente en raicillas de todas las clases de edad, sin embargo fue dominante en arboles de 3 y 10 anos, mientras R! sardonia, como especie de estado tardio, domino en los arboles de 20 anos junto con el morfotipo no identificado Pinirhiza spinulosa que fue registrado por primera vez en Chile. Nuestros resultados sugieren que no es el sitio per se el que genera el cambio de la comunidad ectomicorricica, sino la interaccion del bosque con el entorno.
Weekly xylem production in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) in response to artificial defoliation

The present study investigated the effect of artificial defoliation on weekly radial xylem production in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). It was hypothesized that defoliated trees would show reduced xylem and vessel production and thinner secondary walls in fibres. Two adjacent natural forest sites were selected within Winnipeg, Manitoba. Microcores were extracted weekly from the stems of 30 aspen trees from May to October 2002. Ten aspen trees were defoliated using pole pruners between 22 June and 6 July. Measurements included weekly xylem increment, annual vessel characteristics, and late growing season fibre dimensions. No significant difference in overall ring width was observed; however, trees from both groups showed a significant reduction in ring width in 2002. The ratio of radial growth in 2002 / radial growth in 2001 was significantly less in defoliated trees, suggesting a higher reduction in radial growth due to defoliation. Sigmoidal regression models suggested early growth cessati.
Predictability of heavy sub-hourly precipitation amounts for a weather radar based nowcasting system

Heavy precipitation events and subsequent flash floods are one of the most dramatic hazards in many regions such as the Mediterranean basin as recently stressed in the HyMeX (HYdrological cycle in the Mediterranean EXperiment) international programme. The focus of this study is to assess the quality of very short range (below 3 hour lead times) precipitation forecasts based on weather radar nowcasting system. Specific nowcasting amounts of 10 and 30 minutes generated with a nowcasting technique (Berenguer et al 2005, 2011) are compared against raingauge observations and also weather radar precipitation estimates observed over Catalonia (NE Spain) using data from the Meteorological Service of Catalonia and the Water Catalan Agency. Results allow to discuss the feasibility of issuing warnings for different precipitation amounts and lead times for a number of case studies, including very intense convective events with 30minute precipitation amounts exceeding 40 mm (Bech et al 2005, 2011). As indicated by a number of verification scores single based radar precipitation nowcasts decrease their skill quickly with increasing lead times and rainfall thresholds. This work has been done in the framework of the Hymex research programme and has been partly funded by the ProFEWS project (CGL2010-15892).
Using Binomial Distance-Sampling Models to Estimate the Effective Detection Radius of Point-Count Surveys Across Boreal Canada

ABSTRACT. We used binomial distance-sampling models to estimate the effective detection radius (EDR) of point-count surveys across boreal Canada. We evaluated binomial models based on 0–50 m and >50 m distance categories for goodness-of-fit and sensitivities to variation in survey effort and habitats sampled. We also compared binomial EDRs to Partners in Flight's maximum detection distances (MDD) to determine differences in landbird population sizes derived from each. Binomial EDRs had a small positive bias (4%) averaged across 86 species and a large positive bias (30–82%) for two species when compared with EDRs estimated using multinomial distance sampling. Patterns in binomial EDRs were consistent with how bird songs attenuate in relation to their frequencies and transmission through different habitats. EDR varied 12% among habitats and increased 17% when birds were counted to an unlimited distance, compared with a limited distance of 100 m. The EDR did not vary with the duration of surveys, and densities did not differ when using unlimited-distance versus truncated data. Estimated densities, however, increased 19% from 3- to 5-min counts and 25% from 5- to 10-min counts, possibly from increases in the availability, movement, or double counting of birds with longer counts. Thus, investigators should be cautious when comparing distance-sampling results among studies if methods vary. Population sizes estimated using EDR averaged 5 times (0.8–15 times) those estimated with MDD. Survey data from which to estimate binomial EDRs are widely available across North America and could be used as an alternative to MDD when estimating landbird population sizes.
Osmotic Stress Induces the Expression of VvMAP Kinase Gene in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

Abiotic stress adversely affects the growth of grapevine plants. In order to study the early expression changes of genes particularly involved in signal transduction upon salt and drought stresses in grapevines, ESTs derived from a suppressive subtractive hybridization approach (SSH) were selected for expression studies. We were particularly interested in the expression behaviour of the MAP kinase cDNA clone identified by differential screening of the salt-stressed SSH libraries. Interestingly, VvMAP kinase transcript showed a differential expression towards salt and drought treatment in the salt tolerant cultivar Razegui. The upregulation of this transcript was confirmed by RNA blot analysis. Our results revealed that the VvMAP kinase gene could be classified as an osmotic stress responsive gene as its expression was induced by salinity and drought. Furthermore, our study provides the basis for future research on the diverse signaling pathways mediated by MAPKs in grapevine.
Nucleotide Polymorphism at the rp49 region of Drosophila subobscura: Lack of geographic subdivision within chromosomal arrangements in Europe

Restriction‐site polymorphism at the rp49 gene region has been studied in 234 lines of Drosophila subobscura representing different gene arrangements for the O chromosome. The population surveyed (El Pedroso, Spain) was sampled four times in each of two consecutive years. The data indicate that the two chromosomal classes studied, O[ST] and O[3 + 4], are genetically differentiated in El Pedroso. Comparison of the present results with those previously obtained for two other populations further supports that, for a given chromosomal class, European populations are not genetically differentiated. This lack of differentiation at the rp49 region within O[ST] and within O[3 + 4] stands in contrast to the clear latitudinal clines found in Europe for these arrangements.