Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimisation of Tissue Culture Conditions for Transformation Studies Using Immature Embryos of Australian Barley Cultivars

Eight Australian barley cultivars were tested for efficiency of embryonic callus initiation and plant regeneration, from immature embryo explants in tissue culture. Optimisation of tissue culture conditions was performed for cultivars Bandulla, Clipper, Schooner and Tallon in an attempt to increase regeneration frequencies to levels suitable for genetic engineering of barley. Variables tested were 2,4-D concentration, salt composition, carbon source and immature embryo explant. Optimal culture medium composition varied between cultivars. Shoot regeneration rates from culture of isolated scutellar tissues were low for all four cultivars. Halved, immature embryos produced most shoots for cultivars Clipper, Schooner and Tallon, whereas Bandulla performed best with entire immature embryo explants. Clipper (a malting barley) and Bandulla (a feed barley) are suggested as model Australian cultivars for transformation studies. Immature embryos of Bandulla produced an average of 5.3 shoots and Clipper 10.1 shoots per embryo under optimal conditions. Our results show that rates of somatic embryo and plant regeneration sufficient for use in transformation studies can be achieved for diverse Australian Barley cultivars, through systematic testing of a range of key variables including explant type and medium composition.
Investigating Childhood Leukemia in Churchill County, Nevada

BACKGROUND Sixteen children diagnosed with acute leukemia between 1997 and 2002 lived in Churchill County, Nevada, at the time of or before their illness. Considering the county population and statewide cancer rate, fewer than two cases would be expected. OBJECTIVES In March 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention led federal, state, and local agencies in a cross-sectional, case-comparison study to determine if ongoing environmental exposures posed a health risk to residents and to compare levels of contaminants in environmental and biologic samples collected from participating families. METHODS Surveys with more than 500 variables were administered to 205 people in 69 families. Blood, urine, and cheek cell samples were collected and analyzed for 139 chemicals, eight viral markers, and several genetic polymorphisms. Air, water, soil, and dust samples were collected from almost 80 homes to measure more than 200 chemicals. RESULTS The scope of this cancer cluster investigation exceeded any previous study of pediatric leukemia. Nonetheless, no exposure consistent with leukemia risk was identified. Overall, tungsten and arsenic levels in urine and water samples were significantly higher than national comparison values; however, levels were similar among case and comparison groups. CONCLUSIONS Although the cases in this cancer cluster may in fact have a common etiology, their small number and the length of time between diagnosis and our exposure assessment lessen the ability to find an association between leukemia and environmental exposures. Given the limitations of individual cancer cluster investigations, it may prove more efficient to pool laboratory and questionnaire data from similar leukemia clusters.
Seasonal Abundance, Longevity and Population Age Composition of Potential Malaria Vectors in Northern and Southern Australia

Populations of Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled fortnightly for 2 years at Casuarina and Leanyer in Darwin, N.T. , and at Appin, N.S. W. , and for 3 years at Echuca, Vic. Six anopheline species were recorded at the Darwin sites: An. bancroftii, An. farauti s.l. , An. hilli, An. annulipes s.l. , An. meraukensis and An. novaguinensis, although only the first three species were common and dissected for age grading. Only one species, An. annulipes s.l. , was recorded at Appin and Echuca. The seasonal peak abundance of Anopheles species at Darwin was generally from the late wet season to the middle of the dry season. The proportion of the populations which was parous generally increased with increasing abundance. The oldest females were found in the early to mid-dry season about May, June and July. An average of 4.3% of An. farauti s.l. , and an average of 2.6% of An. bancroftii, were old enough to be potential malaria vectors at Casuarina; at Leanyer less than 3.0% of An. farauti s.l. , 0.1% of An. bancroftii, and 0.3% of An. hilli were of a potentially infective age. The period of greatest risk for malaria transmission in Darwin was, therefore, from April to August. At Appin and Echuca, populations of An. annulipes s.l. were present throughout the year, being most abundant in mid- to late summer. The populations aged gradually from the spring buildup; the oldest females being found from summer to late autumn. Females old enough to be potentially infective for malaria were recorded at each site during summer: up to 6.6% of the species at Appin and up to 10.3% at Echuca.
Polyamines and Polyamine Amides as Potent Selective Receptor Probes, Novel Therapeutic Lead Compounds and Synthetic Vectors in Gene Therapy

The family of polyamines and polyamine amides, especially unsymmetrical synthetic members, is critically assessed with respect to chemical structure and pharmacological activity. Naturally occurring polyamines (and diamines) and mono- (and di-) acylated polyamines (polyamine amides) are blockers of cation channels that are receptor- or voltage-gated. Such compounds are leads for the design of novel therapeutic agents. Furthermore, polyamines and polyamine amides are templates for the design of synthetic vectors with potential application in gene therapy. Natural di- and polyamines, spider and wasp venom polyamine amide toxins and their analogues, and totally synthetic polyamines, are potent cation-channel blockers with uses as selective receptor probes for nicotinic acetylcholine and glutamate (NMDA and non-NMDA) receptors, sodium and calcium channels. Therefore, as receptor probes, they may help us to understand the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, and ultimately to design drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, especially stroke. Polyamine conjugates are also novel therapeutic lead compounds for possible treatments of cancer, diarrhoea, malaria and haemochromatosis (β-thalassaemia). The metal chelating properties of (poly-) ethylenediamines have led to their incorporation in ion chelators which are synthetic RNase and DNase enzymes. Synthetic polyamines and polyamine amides have potential as novel vectors in gene delivery. Such compounds can condense DNA to form toroidal particles which may be incorporated in a non-viral gene delivery system. The applications of polylysine, polyethylenimine, Starburst polyamidoamine dendrimers, Transfectam (DOGS), cholic acid, and cholesterol conjugates to gene therapy are compared as a function of structure and pKa. This assessment of polyamines and polyamine amides stresses the basicity of the amine functional groups. The pKa's of these functionalities are a major determinant in their binding to biological macromolecules. Selectivity of pharmacological action also encompasses contributions from solution conformation and lipophilicity as well as amine pKa. The use of these compounds as leads for the design of novel therapeutics or gene medicines is demonstrated to be practical as well as theoretically possible.
Assessing gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) larval mortality caused by the parasitoid Cotesia melanoscela (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): host age effects.

Estimates of parasitoid-induced mortality obtained from the rearing or dissection of samples of hosts may underestimate the actual mortality attributable to parasitoids. In this study, the use of appropriate unparasitized control hosts allowed the authors to apply Abbott's formula to estimate total parasitoid-induced mortality. Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), larvae at the age of 0, 3, 6, or 9 d were stung by the solitary endoparasitoid, Cotesia melanoscela (Ratzeburg). There were significant curvilinear relationships between host age at the time it was stung and parasitoid emergence and parasitoid-induced nonemergence mortality. Emergence rates were lowest and parasitoid-induced nonemergence mortality rates were highest among hosts stung on days 0 and 9. The negative effect of parasitism on growth rates was greatest among hosts stung on days 6 and 9, and parasitoid development time was longest within hosts stung on days 0 and 9.
The mechanisms of desiccation tolerance in developing seeds

Abstract Desiccation tolerance is one of the most fundamental properties of seeds. It is acquired late in seed development and is considered necessary for the completion of the plant's life cycle, as an adaptive strategy to enable seed survival during storage or environmental stress, and to ensure better dissemination of the species. The role of water status in desiccated tissues and problems related to testing tolerance in seeds are reviewed. The molecular mechanisms of desiccation tolerance has received extensive consideration only during this past decade. There is a general consensus that desiccation tolerance involves the protection of cellular membranes from the deleterious effect of water removal and the resultant necessity to maintain the bilayer structure in the absence of an aqueous environment. Therefore, some aspects of desiccation-induced membrane injury are described. Several strategies for coping with cellular desiccation have been identified the presence of high amounts of non-reducing sugars, the efficiency of free radical-scavenging systems and the expression of desiccation- and/or ABA-regulated genes. These molecular mechanisms allowing cellular protection are reviewed together with their respective role in dessication tolerance. It is concluded that desiccation tolerance is not likely to be ascribed to a single mechanism but rather to a multifactorial property in which each component is equally critical.
A genetic perspective on management and recovery of federally endangered trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) in the American Southwest

The native trout of New Mexico and Arizona have been managed for conservation for almost 80 years and are currently listed under the US Endangered Species Act. Management of these populations has improved the outlook for these species. However, because of a history of non-native salmonids being stocked in the region, genetic analysis of the remaining populations is necessary to ensure that each population is as representative as possible of ancestral populations of Gila (Oncorhynchus gilae) and Apache (Oncorhynchus gilae apache) trout. Here we provide a multi locus genotypic assessment of 19 populations of native southwestern trout that strongly indicates that management has maintained the genetic integrity of these species, while restoring each species to a number of historically occupied streams.
Aggressive behavior between humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) wintering in Hawaiian waters

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) wintering in Hawaiian waters engage in strenuous aggression toward con-specifics. The social context and sex of individuals involved suggest that aggression is the result of male–male competition for sexually mature females, including cows with newborn calves. Characteristic behaviors associated with aggression occur in a roughly hierarchical scaling of intensity and include broadside displays, underwater exhalations, head lunges (in which the throat is inflated and enlarged), physical displacement, and charge–strikes. Humpback whales do not form stable pair bonds during the winter breeding season; females are seen serially and simultaneously with multiple males and males are seen serially with multiple females. Repeated observations of individually identified whales indicate that escorting and singing are interchangeable reproductive roles of mature males. Incidents of aggression show a seasonal increase and decrease that parallel changes in abundance and average .
Detection of Intraspecific Genetic Relationship in Crested Ibises Nipponia nippon through Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis

There are seventeen Crested Ibises (Nipponia nippon) in Beijing Zoo. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was first used to research intraspecific genetic relationships of eight ibises of them. Twenty arbitrary primers were used to amplify genomic DNA of eight Ibises and seventeen primers have distinct RAPD patterns in each amplification. One hundred and sixty-eight amplified fragments were generated by RAPD and one hundred and two fragments were shared by eight Ibises. Hierachical Cluster analysis of the RAPD data was used to calculate the similarity coefficients by spss/pc+ program. Based on the correlation similarity coefficient matrix, a dendrogram was constructed. The dendrogram indicates the genetic relationship of eight Crested Ibises. This study is the basis of constructing the genetic relationships dendrogram of all individuals, which is helpful in working out a better Crested Ibis conservation plan.
Genetic Manipulation of Rubisco: Chromatium vinosum rbcL is expressed in Nicotiana tabacum but does not form a functional protein

N. tabacum lines that lacked functional Rubisco were transformed with plasmids encoding a chloroplast transit peptide in frame with C. vinosum rbcL and stable transformants generated. However, the transgene was transcribed at a low level and no Rubisco activity or C. vinosum large subunits were detectable in any line.
Tissue‐specific variation of heat shock protein gene expression in relation to diapause in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris

Diapause‐associated expression patterns of heat shock protein genes (hsp) were determined in the queen of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, a pollination insect. Partial cDNA sequences of three hsp genes –shsp, hsc70 and hsp90– were obtained, and the deduced amino acid sequences were found to be highly homologous with corresponding hsp of hymenopteran insects. Using northern hybridization, the transcript level of each gene was compared in six stages relating to diapause: pre‐mating, post‐mating, chilling for 1, 2 and 3 months, and post‐chilling. The transcript level was also compared in four tissues of adult queens: brain, thoracic muscle, gut and ovary. The transcript levels of the three hsp genes changed at various rates in relation to diapause, and each pattern was highly tissue‐specific. Overall patterns of hsc70 and hsp90 expression were similar in each tissue. The shsp level in the brain was downregulated after 1 month chilling, but its level in the ovary was upregulated during a long chilling period; levels in muscle and gut did not change in relation to diapause. The levels of both hsc70 and hsp90 in muscle were gradually upregulated in late diapause and postdiapause stages, but levels in the ovary were downregulated during the chilling period, while levels in the brain and gut did not change in relation to diapause. Our results show that the three hsp genes were differentially regulated in stage‐ and tissue‐specific manners throughout diapause, and suggest unique physiological roles for these genes in relation to diapause in each tissue of queen bumblebees.
Resistance without resistance: an anomaly

The elementary two-terminal network consisting of a resistively (R) shunted inductance (L) in series with a capacitatively (C) shunted resistance (R) with R = VL/C, is known for its non-dispersive dissipative response, i.e. with the input impedance Z 0 (ω) = R, independent of the frequency (ω). In this communication, we examine the properties of a novel equivalent network derived iteratively from this two-terminal network by replacing everywhere the elemental resistive part R with the whole two-terminal network. This replacement suggests a recursion Z n+1 (ω) = f(Z n (ω)), with the recursive function f(z) = (iωLz/iωL + z) + (z/1 + iωCz). This recursive map has two fixed points - an unstable fixed point Z* u = 0, and a stable fixed point Z* s = R. Thus, resistances at the boundary terminating the infinitely iterated network can now be made arbitrarily small without changing the input impedance Z ∞ (=R). This, therefore, leads to realizing in the limit n -> ∞, an effectively dissipative network comprising essentially the non-dissipative reactive elements (L and C) only. Hence the oxymoron-resistance without resistance! This is best viewed as a classical anomaly akin to the one encountered in turbulence. Possible application as a formal decoherence device - the fake channel - is briefly discussed for its quantum analogue.
Influence of salinity on root hydraulic properties of three olive varieties

Abstract Three varieties of olive, Barnea, Arbequina and Proline, varying in salt tolerance, were examined to check the sensitivity of their root system hydraulic properties to salinity. Up to three levels of saline water (EC = 1.2, 4.2 and 7.5 dS m−1) were used for long-term irrigation of mature trees. Specific conductivities and embolism rates of roots and branches were estimated by low-pressure conductivity measurement; variability and plasticity of root and branch axial conductivities were calculated. Cross-sections of roots were analysed with respect to xylem anatomy. Barnea, and to a minor degree Arbequina, were found to be more salt-resistant than Proline. Axial root hydraulics under salt stress reacted in a more plastic fashion than branch conductivities. Increased specific conductivities of roots, different plasticities of root hydraulics and modifications in mean conduit diameters can be dismissed as foremost reasons of the observed differences in salt resistance. Instead, a high within-population variability in root conductivity, as found in the salt-tolerant Barnea and Arbequina varieties, coming to full effect in high conductivity roots of Barnea trees, and an increased bimodal distribution of conduit sizes may represent favourable traits to enhance water uptake in soils with heterogeneous salinity.
Polish journalism: A profession still in transition?

Th is paper aims at presenting the conclusions drawn from a systematic review of the studies conducted among Polish journalists since the 1970s. By comparing results of the studies on journalists with expectations and attitudes of current Polish journalism students, the paper off ers an insight into the ongoing changes that have been observed among Polish journalists in the last four decades. In particular, the review revealed signifi cant changes in a demographic profi le of Polish journalists regarding gender, education, and employment, as well as their motivation to work in the profession. Furthermore, professional values of journalism in Poland have been slightly shift ing from a traditional profi le of a social educator and watchdog to new ones, such as a news provider.
Sagebrush‐Steppe Vegetation Dynamics and Restoration Potential in the Interior Columbia Basin, U.S.A.

Abstract: We modeled the dynamics and restoration of sagebrush ( Artemisia spp.) habitats for Greater Sage‐Grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus) in the interior Columbia Basin and adjacent portions of the Great Basin ( referred to as the basin). Greater Sage‐Grouse have undergone widespread decline and are the focus of conservation on over 13 million ha of sagebrush steppe in the basin, much of which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service ( FS) and U.S. Bureau of Land Management ( BLM ). Consequently, we evaluated changes in the amount and quality of sage‐grouse habitat on 8.1 million ha of FS–BLM lands in the basin. Changes were estimated from historical to current conditions and from current conditions to those projected 100 years in the future under proposed management and under two restoration scenarios. These two scenarios were designed to improve long‐term (100 ‐year) projections of sage‐grouse habitat on FS–BLM lands in relation to current conditions and proposed management. Scenario 1 assumed a 50% reduction in detrimental grazing effects by livestock ( through changes in stocking rates and grazing systems) and a six‐fold increase in areas treated with active restoration relative to proposed management. Scenario 2 assumed a 100% reduction in detrimental grazing effects and the same level of active restoration as scenario 1. Under the two scenarios, the amount of FS–BLM habitat for sage grouse within treated areas declined by 17–19% 100 years in the future compared with the current period, but was 10–14% higher than the 100‐year projection under proposed management. Habitat quality under both scenarios was substantially improved compared with the current period and proposed management. Our results suggest that aggressive restoration could slow the rate of sagebrush loss and improve the quality of remaining habitat.
Quantitative resistance of some Elite wheat lines to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici

Host resistance is the most economical way to manage wheat stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. Slow rusting, a type of quantitative resistance, has been reported to last for a long time. Quantitative resistance, in terms of slow rusting parameters including final rust severity (FRS), apparent infection rate (r), relative area under disease progress curve (rAUDPC) and coefficient of infection (CI), was evaluated in a set of 29 wheat genotypes along with susceptible control during 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 cropping seasons. This study was conducted in field plots at Ardabil Agricultural Research Station (Iran) under natural infection conditions with two times artificial inoculation. Artificial inoculation was carried out by yellow rust inoculum having virulent genes against Yr2, Yr6, Yr7, Yr9, Yr22, Yr23, Yr24, Yr25, Yr26, Yr27, YrA and YrSU. Results of mean comparison for resistance parameters showed that lines C-86-1, C-86-2, C-87-1 and C-87-3 along with susceptible had the highest values of FRS, CI, r and rAUDPC, therefore were selected as susceptible lines. The lines C-86-3, C-86-9, C-87-2, C-87-6, C-87-8, C-87-11 and C-87-18 were susceptible at the seedling stage and had low level infection at adult plant stage. Consequently, these lines with low different parameters most probably have slow rusting resistance. The remaining lines had no infection or were at low level of infection. Thus, they were selected as resistant or moderately resistant lines. In this study, correlation coefficient between different parameters of slow rusting was significantly high (r = 0.92–0.99).
Maize Silk Maysin Concentration and Corn Earworm Antibiosis: QTLs and Genetic Mechanisms

Growth of the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie), a major pest of maize (Zea mays L.), is inhibited by high concentrations of maysin, a C-glycosyl flavone, in maize silks. To advance understanding of the genetic control of silk maysin concentration and antibiosis to corn earworm, we conducted a quantitative trait locus (QTL) study in a population derived from a cross of high-maysin (GE37) and low-maysin (FF8) lines. Both lines have phenotypically identical, functional alleles at the p1 locus, a regulator of the biochemical pathway leading to maysin synthesis. We evaluated 250 (GE37 x FFB)F 2:3 families for (i) restriction fragment length polymorphisms at 121 loci, (ii) silk maysin concentrations in two locations (in Georgia and Missouri), and (iii) weight of corn earworm larvae grown on artificial diet containing oven-dried silks. For maysin concentration in both locations, composite interval mapping revealed major QTLs in the asg20-whpl interval of chromosome 2 and near the wxl locus on chromosome 9; smaller effects were detected on chromosomes 1, 6, and 8. For larval weight, the largest QTL was detected in the asg20-whpl interval, and major effects were also associated with chromosomes 1 and 6. However, we found no effect on larval weight at wxl. Significant (P < 0.001) epistasis was observed for all traits. Our results suggest that whp1 on chromosome 2, a gene that encodes chalcone synthase and sm1, a silk-specific gene on chromosome 6, are candidate genes affecting maysin concentration and corn earworm larval weight in this population.