Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal variations in the concentrations of bacteria and their lytic phages: an example of an indigenous phage host system in Lake Plußsee, Germany

1. We describe the abundance of an autochthonous alphaproteobacteria Sphingomonas sp. and its lytic phages during a period of about 3 months in Lake Plussee, Northern Germany. This is the first report of a specific autochthonous phage host system of a heterotrophic bacterial strain in a natural freshwater environment. 2. The concentration of bacterial hosts (Sphingomonas sp. strain B18) fluctuated between 20 and 1,150 (median 168) colony-forming units (CFU) mL-1 and the concentration of the specific lytic phages ranged from 20 to 680 (median 110) plaque-forming units (PFU) mL-1. Different Sphingomonas sp. strains were isolated, showing different sensitivity against two phage isolates. The specific virus to bacteria ratio (VBR) varied by a factor of about 280 and ranged from 0.03 to about 8.5 (median 0.6). 3. Encounter rates of 0.0007 to 0.198 d-1 (median 0.03 d-1) were calculated from the measured concentrations of Sphingomonas sp. and its lytic phages. From changes of PFU between two consecutive samplings net phage decay rates in a range between 0.003 and 1.3 d-1 (median 0.26 d-1) were calculated. 4. Concentration factors were calculated which enable sufficient encounter rates to explain the concentrations of bacteria and their phages. 5. The results of Kokjohn et al. (1991) support the suggestion that the explanation of the coexistence of lytic phages and their host bacteria by the used encounter rate model needs to be revised.
Adding time‐calibrated branch lengths to the Asteraceae supertree

Abstract New inference techniques, such as supertrees, have improved the construction of large phylogenies, helping to reveal the tree of life. In addition, these large phylogenies have enhanced the study of other evolutionary questions, such as whether traits have evolved in a neutral or adaptive way, or what factors have influenced diversification. However, supertrees usually lack branch lengths, which are necessary for all these issues to be investigated. Here, divergence times within the largest family of flowering plants, namely the Asteraceae, are reviewed to estimate time‐calibrated branch lengths in the supertree of this lineage. An inconsistency between estimated dates of basal branching events and the earliest asteraceous fossil pollen record was detected. In addition, the impact of different methods of branch length assignment on the total number of transitions between states in the reconstruction of sexual system evolution in Asteraceae was investigated. At least for this dataset, different branch length assignation approaches influenced maximum likelihood (ML) reconstructions only and not Bayesian ones. Therefore, the selection of different branch length information is not arbitrary and should be carefully assessed, at least when ML approaches are being used. The reviewed divergence times and the estimated time‐calibrated branch lengths provide a useful tool for future phylogenetic comparative and macroevolutionary studies of Asteraceae.
GENETIC ANALYSES OF CERTAIN CHARACTERS IN COMMON WHEAT USING WHOLE CHROMOSOME SUBSTITUTION LINES

Three sets of substitution lines of the spring wheat variety Chinese with chromosomes from the donor varieties Thatcher, Hope and Timstein were used to study the genetics of awning, earliness, lodging, plant height, spike density, 1000-kernel weight and yield. The various substitution lines, each representing a genotype that differs from that of the recipient variety only with respect to the genes carried by the substituted chromosome, were studied in replicated field trials so that environmental effects on the character in question could be easily removed by appropriate analysis. This permitted a comparison of the genetic effects of individual chromosomes against the standard based on the performance of a population of like genotypes.Genes conditioning awning were associated with seven chromosomes. Studies of earliness indicated that time of heading is conditioned by (a) major genes that differentiate spring and winter growth habit, and (b) genes that modify the expression of growth habit genes to a grea.
Restriction fragment length polymorphisms in myogenin and myf3 genes and their influence on lean meat content in pigs

A total of 120 pigs from farm I and 109 from farm II were examined for DdeI polymorphism in myf3 and for MspI polymorphism in myogenin genes. Meatness, weight and ratio of ham and loin meat, and loin eye area of animals with different genotypes for myf3 and for myogenin were compared. In myf3 polymorphism pigs A/A from farm I displayed significantly lower values for these characteristics. In farm II there was a reverse tendency. Present results indicate that the DdeI polymorphic region in porcine myf3 gene does not influence functionality of this gene but it may point at another polymorphism located nearby and being of functional importance. Two regions of the porcine myogenin gene were analysed for MspI polymorphism. The region encompassing coding sequences (MYOG1) was polymorphic only in three Pietrain pigs (out of 150 individuals tested) making it useless for assessment of meat productivity in pigs. The 3′ untranslated region was polymorphic and the frequency of 4.2 and 4.9 alleles varied among breeds. The 4.2 variant was predominant in Pietrain pigs. Statistical analysis indicated that meat, ham and loin meat percentages as well as loin eye area were significantly higher in 4.2/4.2 homozygotes. Further study will be undertaken to explain the relations between meat productivity and myf3 and MYOG2 alleles within breed.
Effect of Oral and Parenteral N Nutrition vs N‐Free Nutrition on the Endogenous Amino Acid Flow at the Ileum of the Pig*

Two methods were tested for suppressing the depressive effect of N-free diets on the digestive secretions in pigs : the blood perfusion of amino acids (AA) or the peptide alimentation method. In the latter, enzymically hydrolysed casein (EHC), composed of oligopeptides and free AA, was used as the source of nitrogen. The unabsorbed dietary N molecules were discarded from the ileal digesta by ultrafiltration or gel filtration, assuming that the endogenous fraction did not contain significant amounts of small molecules. The AA supply by blood perfusion had no effect on the ileal endogenous AA losses (8.0 g AA kg -1 DM intake) in growing pigs (±50 kg), compared with the N-free diet alone (8.3 g), whereas the EHC supplementation significantly increased them (18.0 g). The increase was due to both endogenous and dietary N. The presence of unabsorbed dietary AA in the ileal digesta was confirmed by the AA profile of the soluble molecules with a very low molecular mass ( < 3 kDa), which was close to that of EHC. Both ultrafiltration (cut-offs of 3 or 10 kDa) and gel filtration methods, utilised to discard the remaining dietary molecules, also eliminated a significant proportion of endogenous AA.
Recent advances in the field of lactic acid/glycolic acid polymer-based therapeutic systems

The mechanism of degradation of bioresorbable lactic acid- and glycolic acid-based aliphatic polyesters (PLA/GA) is still far from being totally understood although a majority of authors agree to consider in vivo degradation as essentially hydrolytic. In the past years, we have shown that hydrolysis of large size devices is heterogeneous, i.e. faster inside than at the surface because of reaction-diffusion phenomena involving acid-catalyzed ester cleavage reactions and water-soluble macromolecular fragments. The proposed mechanism is recalled together with some direct or indirect consequences, namely induced crystallization at body temperature, size- and formulation-dependence of the degradation rates. From these features, one can conclude that it is now possible to increase or decrease the degradation rate and to turn on or off heterogeneous degradation by using accelerating or braking factors, however, accurate piloting of the hydrolytic degradation of PLA/GA is still not feasible.
Floral Development in Asteropyrum (Ranunculaceae): Implications for Its Systematic Position

Systematic affinities and taxonomical rank of Asteropyrum in the Ranunculaceae have been controversial. It has been placed in Coptidoideae, Thalictroideae, Ranunculoideae (incl. Helleboroideae), or sometimes in its own tribe or subtribe. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies, however, supported the inclusion of Asteropyrum in its own tribe Asteropyreae (Ranunuculoideae) but its affinities remain unclear. In order to help resolve such an uncertainty, we used scanning electron microscopy to study the floral development of A. peltatum ssp. cavaleriei. Our results indicated that the petal, carpel and ovule development in Asteropyrum markedly differs from that in Coptis (Coptidoideae) and Dichocarpum (Thalictroideae), whereas the inclusion of Asteropyrum in Ranunculoideae is supported by several floral morphological and developmental characters. Together with vegetative, anatomical, and cytological data from earlier comparative studies, our study indicates that the monotypic tribe Asteropyreae should be maintained.
Parent Cannibalism of Offspring and Egg Raiding as a Courtship Strategy

In fish, and possibly other groups, egg-guarding males may benefit from the consumption of some of their own genetic offspring by remaining in good condition for subsequent brood cycles. This parasitism of the female's great cytoplasmic commitment to reproduction generates conflicts of interest which provide an evolutionary explanation of several previously enigmatic behavioral patterns. The fundamental conflict obtains from females trying to minimize their egg loss by laying for males that will receive multiple clutches; this means males without eggs are handicapped in courtship. Egg raiding in sticklebacks, wherein eggs are stolen and deposited in the thief's nest, is interpreted as a courtship strategy, partly deceptive and partly honest, designed to convince the female that loss of her eggs to the fasting male will be minimal. The canopied nests of sticklebacks may conceal the absence of eggs and make courtship fanning serve to deceptively entice females to proceed with courtship, because fanning normally indicates that the male has eggs. The shift from the courtship to the parental phase by guardian males occurs because females should refuse to lay for males with perceptibly advanced eggs yet will benefit from eating such eggs. Finally, differences among species in the relative importance of filial cannibalism and heterocannibalism may explain patterns of sexual size dimorphism in fish with parental care. Where heterocannibalism is more important, females should prefer larger males as better brood defenders; thus, epigamic and agonistic sexual selection are reinforcing. But where filial cannibalism is more important, females should prefer small males because they need to consume fewer eggs for their own maintenance; thus, intramale selection for larger body size is countered by female choice of small males.
Nematode reproduction on endophyte-infected and endophyte-free tall fescue.

Infection of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) with the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum has been shown to reduce nematode population in field soils. We evaluated reproduction of three plant-parasitic nematodes on endophyte-infested (E+) and endophyte-free (E−) tall fescue in greenhouse tests. E+ plants had lower numbers of Pratylenchus scribneri, a migratory endoparasite, than E− plants, and roots of E+ plants had fewer egg masses and eggs of Meloidogyne marylandi, a sedentary endoparasite. However, levels of Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, an ectoparasite nematode, were not significantly different in pots of E+ and E− tall fescue (.)
Modelling of Microbial Growth in Potato Homogenate

The use of linear and non-linear models (Gompertz and logistic equations) to fit changes in microbial counts in a model system of potato homogenate at various concentrations of chemical preservatives (citric and ascorbic acids) was evaluated. The effect of undissociated acid concentrations (UAC) on μ (specific growth rate), lag phase duration and inactivation rate of Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus sp, Pseudomonas sp and psychrotrophic microorganisms was determined. Citric acid had a strong inhibitory action on growth rate at low concentrations (0.065 mM UAC, pH=5). Pseudomonas sp were the microorganisms most inhibited by citric acid. Ascorbic acid, at low UAC concentrations (0.302 mM UAC) was more inhibitory to Enterobacteriaceae than to the other microorganisms. For UAC concentration lower than 3 mM, μ values of all the microorganisms tested were higher with ascorbic acid than with citric acid; however at higher concentrations (>10 mM) both acids had similar effects on μ. © 1997 SCI.
043.12 SPATIAL INFORMATION TRANSFER FROM VIRTUAL TO REAL VERSIONS OF THE KIEL LOCOMOTOR MAZE

The Kiel locomotor maze requires participants to choose five targets from among 20 locations marked by small red lights on the floor of a dimly lit circular environment having four wall-mounted extramaze cues and two intramaze cues at floor level. In the present study, acquisition of the real task was examined in 11-year-old children following prior accurate training in a virtual version, following misleading virtual training, or following no training. The virtual version was displayed on a desk-top computer monitor. Acquisition testing in the real maze was either locomotor or non-locomotor. Good transfer was achieved from virtual to real versions. Children’s exploration of the real maze prior to real maze acquisition training revealed a clear transfer of spatial information previously learned in the virtual version. Children taught the correct target configuration in the simulation made fewer errors and more rapid, confident responses to targets in the real maze than children given no training. However, acquisition was also better following misleading training than no training, suggesting that a non-specific components of performance also transferred. Male superiority was only seen following misleading training, which was interpreted in terms of male superiority in mental rotation. After acquisition, a single probe trial was performed, in which proximal cues and participants’ starting position were rotated, but this had equivalent effects on all groups’ performance. It is clear that transfer of spatial information occurs from the simulated Kiel maze to the real version. This has implications for its use in diagnosis and training.
Antibacterial activity of silkworm hemolymph after hemopoietic organ being injured with radiosurgery

Abstract: To study the effect of hemopoietic organs damage on hemocyte function and antibacterial activity of hemolymph, silkworm ( Bombyx mori) larvae were locally irradiated with carbon ion beams (12C5+, 100 Gy), live and death ratio of hemocytes and antibacterial activity of hemolymph were investigated. For unirradiated controls, the ratio of died hemocytes hardly changed at the fifth instar, but for locally irradiated silkworms, with growth died hemocytes and low‐functional hemocytes increased clearly, and reached an extremely significant level at the later stage of the fifth instar. For irradiated individuals, the phenolxidase activities and sterilization effect of hemolymph were clearly lower than those of controls. So it is considered that after irradiating hemopoietic organs with heavy ion beams, not only the number of hemocytes decreased but the function of hemocytes also dropped, and they at last lead to a decline in immunity.
Flora arbustivo-arbórea de uma floresta ripária no alto Rio Grande em Bom Sucesso/MG

A floristic survey was carried out in a riparian forest of the Rio Grande in Bom Sucesso, Minas Gerais, Brazil, considering the species of trees and shrubs with diameter at the base of the stem >= 5 cm. The purpose was to produce a list of indigenous species for potential use in environmental rehabilitation programs that have bee carried out on the margins of rivers and dams of this region. A list is provided with 245 species of 65 botanic families. Floristic comparisons are made with florests surveyed in the State of Sao Paulo.
How does insect visitation trigger floral colour change?

Abstract. 1. Visitation by the key pollinator, Bombus terrestris, was implicated in inducible flower colour change in Lupinus pilosus. Behaviour at the flower and rate of visitation by these bumble bees had specific effects; exclusion of this flower visitor led to retarded onset, and reduced rate, of colour change.
Mixing processes relevant to phytoplankton dynamics in lakes

Abstract Active turbulence in lakes is confined to the surface mixed layer, to boundary layers on the lake sides and bottom, and to turbulent patches in the interior. The density stratification present in most lakes fundamentally alters the pathways connecting external mechanical energy inputs, for example by wind, with its ultimate fate as dissipation to heat; the density stratification supports internal waves and intrusions that distribute the input energy throughout the lake. Intrusions may be viewed as internal waves with zero horizontal wavenumber and are formed each time localised mixing occurs in a stratified fluid. Intrusions are also formed in the epilimnion by differential heating or cooling and by differential deepening. The fraction of lake volume below the diurnal mixed layer that is subject to active turbulence is very small, probably of the order of 1% or less in small to medium‐sized lakes. By contrast, in the surface mixed layer, turbulence is less intermittent and maintains phytoplankton.
Photosynthesis and photoprotective strategies in Laurus nobilis L. and Quercus ilex L. under summer drought and winter cold

Abstract Photosynthesis and photoprotective mechanisms were investigated in the field on Laurus nobilis L. and Quercus ilex L. leaves exposed to summer drought (July) and winter cold (February) conditions compared with no-stress conditions (May). In July, net photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (g s) decreased significantly compared with May in both species; conversely the highest ETR/A ratio and no difference in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was observed. In February A, g s and ETR/A declined compared with May but the highest NPQ were found in both species. Our data suggest that during summer, an increase of photochemical alternative pathways to carbon reduction, were able to effectively protect the photosynthetic apparatus under drought. In winter, the thermal dissipation of excess absorbed light constitutes the main safety valve for the photosynthetic apparatus.
Ultrastructure of Mitosis and Cytokinesis In the Colorless Flagellate Katablepharis Ovalis Skuja

ABSTRACT. Mitosis and cytokinesis in Katablepharis ovalis, a colorless flagellate, was investigated. Two new flagella are produced prior to prophase, resulting in a motile quadriflagellate cell during mitosis. the inner array of microtubules of the feeding apparatus disappears before prophase begins. the nuclear envelope disperses during prophase, apparently being converted into rough endoplasmic reticulum. the chromatin condenses and the nucleolus disperses with spindle microtubules appearing oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cell. At metaphase, the chromatin is condensed as a single disc‐shaped mass and rough endoplasmic reticulum flanks the chromatin mass on each side. Groups of spindle microtubules pass through tunnels in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and through electron‐translucent areas of the chromatin. the spindle microtubules end at a number of minipoles in the cytoplasm. Vesicles, ribosomes, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum migrate among the spindle microtubules. There is no polar body or any electrondense area associated with the spindle poles. the basal bodies of the flagella remain attached to the axonemes and do not participate in mitosis. In anaphase, the chromatin separates and migrates to the poles. During telophase, the nuclear envelope reforms from the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the nucleoli reappear. the spindle microtubules are persistent during telophase. Cytokinesis occurs by longitudinal fission, starting at the anterior end and progressing posteriorly. Cytokinesis may be driven by elongation of the spindle microtubules since there is no visible structure associated with the furrowing.
A first comprehensive census of fungi in soil reveals both hyperdiversity and fine-scale niche partitioning

Fungi play key roles in ecosystems as mutualists, pathogens, and decomposers. Current estimates of global species richness are highly uncertain, and the importance of stochastic vs. deterministic forces in the assembly of fungal communities is unknown. Molecular studies have so far failed to reach saturated, comprehensive estimates of fungal diversity. To obtain a more accurate estimate of global fungal diversity, we used a direct molecular approach to census diversity in a boreal ecosystem with precisely known plant diversity, and we carefully evaluated adequacy of sampling and accuracy of species delineation. We achieved the first exhaustive enumeration of fungi in soil, recording 1002 taxa in this system. We show that the fungus : plant ratio in Picea mariana forest soils from interior Alaska is at least 17:1 and is regionally stable. A global extrapolation of this ratio would suggest 6 million species of fungi, as opposed to leading estimates ranging from 616 000 to 1.5 million. We also find that clos.
Fate of acifluorfen and lactofen in common waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) resistant to protoporphyrinogen oxidase–inhibiting herbicides

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine acifluorfen and lactofen absorption, translocation, and metabolism in protox-inhibiting herbicide-susceptible and -resistant common waterhemp. Acifluorfen and lactofen absorption was similar in both biotypes. Herbicide absorption was 12% in both susceptible and resistant common waterhemp 6 h after treatment (HAT). Absorption increased to 32 and 42% in susceptible and resistant plants, respectively, at 72 HAT. Translocation was similar in both biotypes for both herbicides. Herbicide translocation out of the treated leaf ranged between 5 and 15%. In a separate study, resistant common waterhemp plants were treated with acifluorfen or lactofen, alone or with tridiphane. Acifluorfen or lactofen injury to resistant common waterhemp was not altered with the addition of tridiphane. Treatments of 14C-acifluorfen or -lactofen on susceptible and resistant common waterhemp resulted in similar lactofen metabolism in both biotypes, but acifluorfen was not metabolized in either biotype within 24 HAT. This data indicate that differences in herbicide absorption, translocation, or metabolism are not the mechanism of common waterhemp resistance to protox-inhibiting herbicides. Nomenclature: Acifluorfen; lactofen; tridiphane; common waterhemp, Amaranthus rudis Sauer AMATA.