Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nanoimaging: Methods and Protocols

A common goal in biology is to dissect the astonishing complexity of the cellular molecular machinery, seeking to understand how individual components of this machinery assemble to form higher-order structures, navigate the cell with synchronized dynamics, and interact to produce a given biologic outcome. Imaging has been an integral tool in biology, allowing researchers to view the detailed molecular biology responsible for coordinating cellular life. Today, advanced imaging modalities enable the visualization of biologic specimens at a range of length scales and resolutions, in multiple dimensions (both time and space), with chemical or molecular specificity, and from the surface or bulk of the specimen, revealing the secrets of the molecular bionetwork within the cell. The book is divided into 4 parts, each containing several chapters pertaining to a given field. Part I, with 9 chapters, covers light microscopy techniques with a special emphasis on imaging at spatial resolutions that go beyond the important Abbe (diffraction) limit. Part II, with 7 chapters, contains several established and powerful techniques in electron microscopy for high-resolution imaging of molecules, cells, and tissues, in both 2 and 3 dimensions. Part III, with 4 chapters, deals with the unique methods that reveal the advantages of scanning probe microscopy for imaging and probing macromolecular complexes and membrane surface topography. Part IV, with 5 chapters, closes the book with correlative microscopy techniques, soft x-ray tomography, and secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging. Keeping up with the tradition of the Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters are largely composed of detailed protocols describing a specific experimental procedure. Figures are mostly clear, and the tables and index are helpful. This book is a timely volume and achieves its mission of highlighting many of the most exciting possibilities in microscopy for the investigation of biologic structures at nanolength molecular scales. I highly recommend this book to academic radiologists, imaging scientists, and molecular biologists.
A quantitative analysis of underwater oviposition by the mosquito Mansonia titillans

ABSTRACT. Formation of the rosette‐like egg mass of the neotropical mosquito Mansonia titillans Walker is described from video recordings of thirteen females ovipositing on the undersurfaces of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) leaves in the laboratory. The female abdomen executes symmetrical stroking behaviour to the right and left of centre line. Outstrokes consist solely of scratching, in which spines on the eighth tergite abrade the leaf surface preparatory to oviposition. A row of eggs is glued to the leaf only on instrokes, which are of longer duration than outstrokes, and may be interrupted by scratches and pauses. Scratching precedes oviposition of each of the first four eggs, which are laid without stroking behaviour. The egg mass is enveloped in an air bubble which is transported underwater on the hydrofuge female abdomen. The deposition of eggs on instrokes is homologous to the behaviour used by Culex and Culiseta mosquitoes in the construction of free‐floating egg rafts.
Evaluation of five most commonly grown cotton cultivars (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under Mediterranean conditions: Productivity and fibre quality

Studies were conducted in four regions of central Greece (Larisa, Karditsa, Livadia, Thiva), to evaluate the productivity and fibre properties (fibre strength and fibre length) of the five most commonly grown cotton cultivars in these regions. The experiments lasted for 6 years (1995-2000). All the characteristics tested were strongly influenced by the factors 'year', 'cultivar' and 'region'. Significant cultivar x region, year x cultivar, region x year and cultivar x region x year interactions occurred for all the characteristics studied. The cultivar Alegria had the highest seed-cotton and lint yield, while Aria had the lowest ones. Both cultivars gave the highest mean lint percentage but the lowest mean boll weight (MBW). Alegria had the lowest fibre strength, while Aria had the highest. The Acala-type cultivars, Acala SJ2 and Zeta 2, had intermediate seed-cotton and lint yield, while Vered 171 had high seed-cotton and satisfactory lint yield. The three cultivars mentioned above had the highest MBW and very good fibre strength. Positive correlation was observed between fibre strength and length. In spite of the fact that mean fibre length was statistically the same in all cultivars, it was influenced by the factor 'year', as a result of different weather conditions. The year 1996 was the most unfavourable one for seed-cotton yield and MBW, because it was characterized by lower than average air temperatures and rather dry conditions for all study sites. The factor 'region', a combination of different climatic conditions and cultural practices, influenced significantly all the parameters studied.
Crop Production During Conversion from Conventional to Low‐Input Methods

(.) Corn grain yields in the low-input systems were 75% of conventional in 1981 to 1984, but yields were not significantly different in 1985. Weed competition and insufficient N limited low-input corn yields during the first 4 yr. Soybean yields in the low-input systems were equal to or greater than conventional all 5 yr. It is concluded that a favorable transition from input-intensive cropping to low-input systems is feasible. (.)
Submerged aquatic vegetation in relation to different nutrient regimes

Abstract Submerged vegetation respond to increased nutrient loading through a shift from slow-growing seagrasses and large macroalgae to fast-growing macroalgae, and the ultimate dominance of phytoplankton at high nutrient loadings. This shift reflects a change from nutrient to light limitation along the eutrophication gradient. Slow-growing seagrasses and large macroalgae are good competitors when nutrients are limiting because they have relatively low nutrient requirements, are able of efficient internal nutrient recycling, and can access the elevated nutrient pools in the sediment. Fast-growing macroalgae and phytoplankton are superior competitors when light is limiting because they are positioned closer to the water surface, and capture and use light more efficiently. The important ecosystem consequences of altered nutrient regimes derive from the shift in dominant vegetation types. Slow-growing seagrasses and large macroalgae are longevous, decompose slowly, and experience only moderate grazing losse.
Effects of omnivory and predator‐prey elemental stoichiometry on planktonic trophic interactions

We used laboratory food chains to experimentally explore the independent and combined effects of omnivory and food quality on planktonic trophic interactions. Omnivory is predicted to dampen indirect (trophic cascade) interactions, whereas availability of a low‐quality diet, here defined as predator‐prey elemental stoichiometric imbalance, should strengthen both direct (grazing and predation) and indirect interactions. Food chains were constructed with a copepod, Acartia tonsa, an aloricate ciliate, Strombidinopsis sp. , and two centric diatoms of different size, Thalassiosira weissflogii (larger) and Thalassiosira pseudonana (smaller). Comparing results between food chains with two (copepod and diatoms or ciliate and diatoms) and three (copepod, ciliate, and diatoms) trophic levels tested omnivory effects. Offering grazers phytoplankton grown under nitrogen‐replete and nitrogenlimited conditions tested stoichiometric imbalance effects. Carbon ingestion increased by 25% for the copepod and 160% for the ciliate on the nitrogen‐limited relative to the nitrogen‐replete diatom, demonstrating considerable compensatory feeding by both grazers. On a mixed diet comprised of the nitrogen‐limited large diatom and the nitrogen‐replete small diatom, the copepod continued to engage in compensatory feeding, but the ciliate did not. Cascading indirect effects of the copepod on phytoplankton via the ciliate were minimal. The decrease in phytoplankton due to direct grazing by the copepod was much greater than any indirect increase resulting from reduced ciliate grazing pressure. Omnivory and compensatory feeding were stronger than positive prey selection for the N‐replete intermediate grazer, thus weakening cascading indirect effects of the top predator on phytoplankton.
Old versus new characters for systematics: Cautionary tales from virology

Molecular sequence information about viruses has mostly confirmed the groupings devised by traditional taxonomic methods, but shown in addition that the genes of related species may differ in number, arrangement, orientation and in sequence homology. It has also revealed that true genetic recombination between viruses has been common, even among those with RNA genomes, indeed most virus groups seem to have arisen y recombination. Thus, there is an unexpected wealth of genetic chaos hidden behind the fatade of the phenotype, and it is possible that the difficulties that plant taxonomists have had in identifying the relationships of the major groupings of plants could have similar causes. Nonetheless, molecular taxonomy does give sensible results and this is illustrated by a classification of the large subunit Rubisco proteins of 21 plant species based on their amino acid sequences.
Unfavourable thermal conditions of air at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries reducing crop productivity of pickling cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Poland

Growing influence of anthropopressure and irregular changes in weather conditions necessitated conducting agroclimatic research into the assessment of plant cultivation risk caused by unfavourable meteorological conditions, including thermal conditions of air. The goal of the work was to assess the risk of pickling cucumber field cultivation in Poland caused by an unfavorable course of air temperature (T a ) in the period from sowing to the end of harvesting at the turn of the 20 th and 21 st centuries. To accomplish the goal, the study used data describing growth, development and crop productivity of cucumber in the years 1966-2005. Data was used concerning the described thermal conditions with the average T a in the whole growing season of the analysed plant. The data came from 28 experimental stations and 53 meteorological in Poland. The effect of T a in the growing season (sowing-end of harvesting) on the total and marketable yield of cucumber was evaluated. The study used curvilinear regression analysis with two variables. The highest risk of cucumber’s cultivation caused by unfavorable thermal conditions of air was recorded in south-western, south-eastern, and also northern and north-eastern Poland. In these high risk areas reduction in the total yield oscillated between 15% and even over 21% below the multi-annual average. Reduction in the total yield occurred with frequency from 40% to above 80%. In south-western and south-eastern Poland, a reduction in the marketable yield amounted to maximally above 15%. A marketable yield reduction occurred with a frequency of from 50% to above 70%.
Big old cottonwoods

In studying riparian woodlands along streams across western North America, we observed a grove of exceptionally large and old black cottonwoods, Populus trichocarpa Torr. & A. Gray, along the Elk River in southeastern British Columbia. Situated in a floodplain forest dominated by western red cedar, Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don, the cottonwoods were up to 2.2 m in diameter, and although heart rot prevented precise aging, increment cores indicated ages of up to 400 years. This demonstrated the potential for substantial longevity of section Tacamahaca cottonwoods (including Populus angustifolia James and Populus balsamifera L.) compared with section Aigeiros species (Populus deltoides Bartr. and Populus fremontii Wats.), which are shorter lived (about 150 year maximum). Very old cottonwoods make distinctive contributions to habitat structure of riparian woodlands and reveal stable floodplain locations that have not been eroded by the river channel for the duration of the trees' lives.Key words: aging, poplar.
Availability of N and P in the forest floors of adjacent stands of western red cedar–western hemlock and western hemlock–amabilis fir on northern Vancouver Island

Availability of N and P was compared in the forest floors of old-growth forests of western red cedar (Thujaplicata Donn)and western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. ) (CH forests), and second-growth forests of western hemlock and amabilis fir (Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes) (HA forests) of windthrow origin. Five samples of each forest floor layer (litter, fermentation (woody and nonwoody), and humus (woody and nonwoody)) were collected from three forests of each type (CH and HA). All layers of CH forest floors had smaller concentrations of total and extractable N and mineralized less N during 40-day aerobic incubations in the laboratory. Total and extractable P was lower in the litter layer of CH forest floors. Seedlings of western red cedar, Sitka spruce (Piceasitchensis (Bong.) Carr. ), western hemlock, and amabilis fir grown from seed in forest floor material from CH forests grew more slowly and took up less N and P than did seedlings grown in HA forest floor material. The low supply of N and P in.
L’électroporation in vivo chez l’embryon

Une nouvelle technique de transfert de gene in vivo, par electroporation a faibles voltages permet maintenant de modifier de facon simple l’expression genique dans de nombreux tissus ou organismes. De plus en plus utilisee dans des strategies de transgenese transitoire en biologie du developpement, cette methode a egalement des applications therapeutiques. Permettant aussi bien de modifier l’expression d’un gene que de cartographier des regions regulatrices ou d’etudier des sequences d’activation genique, elle a aussi revitalise l’utilisation du modele “poulet” en biologie du developpement.
Lack of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 function induces a palmitoyl-CoA Δ6 desaturase and represses the stearoyl-CoA desaturase-3 gene in the preputial glands of the mouse Published, JLR Papers in Press, September 16, 2002. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M200271-JLR200

The mouse preputial gland (PG), a specialized sebaceous structure, is rich in wax esters, triglycerides, and alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerol. We have found that the mouse PG expresses the three gene isoforms (SCD1, SCD2, and SCD3) of the Δ9 stearoyl-CoA desaturase enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids mainly, C16:1n-7 and C18:1n-9. However, mice with a targeted disruption in the SCD1 isoform (SCD1−/−) have undetectable SCD3 mRNA expression in the PG while the expression of SCD2 isoform was not altered. The levels of C16:1n-7 were reduced by greater than 70% while that of C18:1n-9 were reduced by 28%. The content of the C16:1n-10 (Δ6 hexadecenoic acid) isomer and a major fatty acid of the PG was increased by greater than 2-fold, mainly in the wax ester fraction of the SCD1−/− mouse. We demonstrate that the increase in C16:1n-10 is due to induction of a specific palmitoyl-CoA Δ6 desaturase activity. Testosterone administration to the SCD1−/− mouse induced SCD3 mRNA expression and resulted in an increase in the Δ9 desaturation of 16:0-CoA, but not of 18:0-CoA. These observations demonstrate that loss of SCD1 function alters the expression of SCD3 and reveal for the first time the presence and regulation of a palmitoyl-CoA Δ6 desaturase enzyme in mammals.
Pest Lists and Their Damages on Mango, Dragon Fruit and Atemoya in Jeju, Korea

Tropical plants of mango(Mangefera indica), dragon fruit(Hylocereus undatus), and atemoya(Annona cherimola A. squamosa) are cultivated in Jeju, Korea. A pest survey on those tropical fruits was conducted from 2008 to 2011. Major pests of Mango were thrips, aphid, mealybug, and lepidoptera species. Thrips palmi and Scirtothrips dorsalis were the most important pests in mango fields. T. palmi mainly injured the leaf but S. dorsalis injured the leaf and fruit. Lepidoptera mango pests injured leaves but some larva of Adoxophyes honmai injured fruit surface around the stem. Aphid pests, Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae, injured the shoots and Pseudococcus kraunhiae occurred on the stem and fruit. Ant species, A. gossypii, and S. litura, were important pests on dragon fruit. Ants and aphid occurred and injured the stem, flower, and fruit. Spodoptera litura larva severely injured the stem. Among the atemoya pests, S. litura and Homona magnanima caused severe damage.
Codified Morphological Stage for Predicting Digestibility of Italian Ryegrass during the Spring Cycle

A precise prediction of changes in digestibility of grasses during the growth cycle would allow targeting of harvests to desired levels of nutritive composition to meet specific animal requirements. In this study, regression analysis was used to formulate and test prediction equations for organic matter digestibility (OMD) of standing crops of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) with codified morphological stage, canopy age, growing degree days (GDD), and N fertilization as independent variables. The field study was conducted for 7 yr with six Italian ryegrass cultivars, diversified for ploidy and earliness, grown in the western Po Valley (Italy). Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at various rates as top dressing. Sequential harvesting from early vegetative to full flowering provided herbage samples (n = 153) varying in age and stage of development. The 0-400 classification system that was used to evaluate the morphological stage included four primary stages: vegetative, elongation, inflorescence emergence, and flowering. The OMD decreased from 928 to 576 g kg -1 OM, as the herbage aged. All cultivars responded in the same way during the whole growth cycle. Morphological stage was a better predictor of OMD than GDD or age in days, with a higher r 2 (0.88) and a lower root mean square error (28.0 g kg -1 OM). Nitrogen fertilization slightly decreased digestibility. The developed equation tested on an independent set of farm scale data (n = 34) showed that this codified morphological stage system can provide a rapid and easy estimate of Italian ryegrass digestibility in the field.
Vibriosis resistance induced by glucan treatment in tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

Postlarval tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) were immersed in aerated beta-glucan suspensions for 3 h. Enhanced growth was observed in shrimp immersed in glucan at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/ml, but not at 0.25 mg/ml. Shrimp gill tissue became shrunken immediately after immersion in the 2 mg/ml suspension. On days 10, 18, and 43 after beta-glucan treatment, shrimp were immersed in a bacterial suspension containing Vibrio vulnificus cells at a concentration of 5×107 CFU/ml for 12 h at a density of 25 individuals per liter; deaths were recorded for one month following experimental infection. The protective effect of glucan treatment was observed in those shrimp treated with 0.5 and 1 mg/ml glucan, but not in shrimp treated with 0.25 and 2 mg/ml glucan. The protective effect lasted until day 18 following immersion. In vitro, beta-glucan treatment enhanced the phenoloxidase activity in shrimp hemocytes. It therefore appears that beta-glucan is a short-term immunostimulant for shrimp.
Effect of daylength on flowering and seed morphology ofSpergularia diandraoccurring in the Negev Desert, Israel

Abstract Spergularia diandra is a common annual plant in the deserts of Israel. It displays a quantitative long-day response to flowering. The longer the daylength, from 8 to 18 h, the earlier the time of flowering. Tiny wind-dispersed seeds, which mature on plants under these daylengths, differed in their seed coat structure and size. In addition, in natural populations nine types of seeds were found: three plant genotypes with smooth, hairy or partially hairy seeds; and within each genotype there are three seed phenotypes: black, brown and yellow. The flowering and ‘escape’ strategy of seed dispersal diversity are discussed.
Evaluation of hairbulb incubation test and tyrosinase assay in the classification of albinism

Hairbulb tests and tyrosinase assays were performed in 88 albinos, 59 obligate heterozygotes and 54 normal controls. Our findings suggest that the classification of albinism is more complicated than previously assumed. An improved classification system is important for genetic counseling as there is evidence for the existence of two different autosomal non-allelic genes for OCA (Witkop et al, 1970; Nance et al., 1971). Our results indicate that the hairbulb test alone is insufficient for classifying albinos, i.e. detecting two genotypes. the hairbulb test, tyrosinase activity, hair color and the ability of the skin to tan do not parallel in all cases.We tried to classify the albinos phenotypically and biochemically, the latter into five groups: four according to the hairbulb test, a fifth group consisted of XOA. Tyrosinase assays demonstrate that the values range from zero to low in our TN and T ± groups; from zero to high in our TP+, TP and XOA groups. the latter values overlap with those of the controls.
ANOPHELES FARAUTI LAVERAN SENSU LATO AND AN. HILLI WOODHILL AND LEE (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) IN TORRES STRAIT, AUSTRALIA

The sibling species composition of Anopheles farauti sensu lato in the Torres Strait islands was determined by cellulose acetate electrophoresis of isoenzymes. An. farauti No. 1 was widespread and the predominant species on all islands surveyed. An. farauti No. 2 was recorded on the southern islands of Horn and Prince of Wales. An. farauti No. 3 was not collected. Maximum biting activity of An. farauti No. 1 occurred around the middle of the night; insufficient An. farauti No. 2 were collected to determine biting activity. The majority of An. hilli fed before midnight although pre‐dawn activity peaks were also observed. In simultaneous indoor and outdoor collections, 11–64% of An. farauti No. 1 and 6–40% of An. hilli were caught indoors.
Different sensitivity of α2A-C10 and α2C-C4 receptor subtypes in coupling to inhibition of cAMP accumulation

Abstract Two human α 2 -adrenergic receptor subtypes, α 2 A-C10 and α 2 C-C4, were compared with respect to their ability to inhibit stimulated cAMP-production. The inhibition was transduced with about one order of magnitude higher sensitivity in the α 2 C-C4 subtype than in the α 2 A-C10 subtype. The phorbol ester, TPA, known to desensitize α 2 -adrenergic receptor function, possible through phosphorylation of G i , almost completely abolished the inhibition of cAMP-production in the α 2 C-C4 subtype, while only a partial effect was seen in the α 2 A-C10 subtype. These results suggest that the receptor subtypes differ with respect to their coupling efficiency to adenylyl cyclase.
An Autopsy Case of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The great omentum is consisted of ca. 5 cm. thickened group of tumors, and ca. 1 to 8 mm. diametrical tubercular tumors, grey-white in color are numerously scattered on the serous membrane of abdominal cavity, liver, spleen, stomach and small and large intestines, and also in the pelvic cavity accumulated plaques of tumors are observed. There are also greyish white, man’s fist sized tumors in the left lateral abdomen which are adhered to the pancreas, stomach, and the above mentioned omental tumor. The mesentery which contains many grey-white, rice-bean sized tumors, has a pearl inlayed appearance. No abnormal findings in the retroperitoneum and also no metastasis in the lymphglands and other viscera are seen.