Chromosomal interchanges and phylogeny of some accessions of Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta

Summary The occurrence of chromosomal interchanges was studied in F1 hyrids in two diallel schemes, including nine accessions of Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta, originating from Iran, Europe and North Africa, and the common wheat variety Chinese Spring as a reference. Seven accessions of subsp. spelta differed in one translocation from Chinese Spring. The European accession Grey differed in one or perhaps two interchanges from the reference variety, and Iran 417a showed a difference of three interchanges with Chinese Spring. In total six or perhaps seven interchanges were observed. Thus the number of translocation events in subsp. spelta appeared to be low. One translocation was unique and occurred only in the accession from North Africa. Also one accession from Europe, the landrace Schwarzwald, possibly carried a unique translocation. In both diallels an interchange with a relatively low coefficient of multivalent realisation at first meiotic metaphase was observed in most accessions. The two extra translocations in Iran 417a are considered to be the result of more recent translocation events, whereas the possible second translocation in accession Grey showed such a low coefficient of multivalent realisation that its existence could be doubted.     

Phosphorus-use efficiency of kale genotypes from coastal Croatia

Understanding the mechanisms of phosphorus (P)-use efficiency (PUE) may contribute to enhancing crop P nutrition because species growth variability at low-P is well known. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of kale genotypes to different P supply in randomized block design in three replications. Low-P supply led to a decrease in most parameters, whereas an increase was recorded in root growth parameters. Genotypes differed in shoot dry weight (DW), leaf area, root length and area, and shoot and root P content and concentration. Root traits significantly positively correlated with PUE. Genotypes Red Russian (RR) and IJK 17 were superior in terms of shoot DW production at low P supply, and had the highest uptake efficiency. Genotypes IJK 17 and 81 had the highest P utilization efficiency, while Vates blue curled (VBC) showed the lowest PUE. Genotypes had similar shoot P content and concentration at low P supply, but large PUE differences, implying the importance of P utilization efficiency.     

Precipitation chemistry and atmospheric processes in the forested part of Croatia

The influence of mesoscale weather patterns on the chemical composition of daily precipitation samples is analysed. The data of pH, sulphur from sulphates and total nitrogen are analysed for two rural sites: Plitvice station in forested part of Central Croatia (1981 to 1990) and Puntijarka suburban station on the mountain near Zagreb, the capital of Croatia (1982–1991). The two prevailing weather types in precipitation days are selected and the comparison of chemical composition of precipitation is made for each of them. The frequency distributions of pH, sulphur and nitrogen show that concentration of major ions in precipitation apparently depends on the regional scale weather type. It is shown that the seasonal variation of deposition is related to the seasonal variation in precipitation amount. In both weather types Plitvice receives more pollution than Puntijarka that is closer to urban and industrial pollution sources. Both locations are under the prevailing influence of regional pollution sources.     

Feynman's path-integral approach for intense-laser-atom interactions

Atoms interacting with intense laser fields can emit electrons and photons of very high energies. An intuitive and quantitative explanation of these highly nonlinear processes can be found in terms of a generalization of classical Newtonian particle trajectories, the so-called quantum orbits. Very few quantum orbits are necessary to reproduce the experimental results. These orbits are clearly identified, thus opening the way for an efficient control as well as previously unknown applications of these processes.     

National character does not reflect mean personality trait levels in 49 cultures

Most people hold beliefs about personality characteristics typical of members of their own and others' cultures. These perceptions of national character may be generalizations from personal experience, stereotypes with a "kernel of truth," or inaccurate stereotypes. We obtained national character ratings of 3989 people from 49 cultures and compared them with the average personality scores of culture members assessed by observer ratings and self-reports. National character ratings were reliable but did not converge with assessed traits. Perceptions of national character thus appear to be unfounded stereotypes that may serve the function of maintaining a national identity.     

Mass spectrometry of intact V-type ATPases reveals bound lipids and the effects of nucleotide binding

The ability of electrospray to propel large viruses into a mass spectrometer is established and is rationalized by analogy to the atmospheric transmission of the common cold. Much less clear is the fate of membrane-embedded molecular machines in the gas phase. Here we show that rotary adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases)/synthases from Thermus thermophilus and Enterococcus hirae can be maintained intact with membrane and soluble subunit interactions preserved in vacuum. Mass spectra reveal subunit stoichiometries and the identity of tightly bound lipids within the membrane rotors. Moreover, subcomplexes formed in solution and gas phases reveal the regulatory effects of nucleotide binding on both ATP hydrolysis and proton translocation. Consequently, we can link specific lipid and nucleotide binding with distinct regulatory roles.     

Species-specific sensitivity of earthworm coelomocytes to dermal metal (Cd,Cu, Ni,Pb, Zn) exposures: Methodological approach

Earthworm immune-competent cells (coelomocytes) can be adversely affected by soil metal contamination. The aim of the present paper was to perform comparative studies on the coelomocytes of four lumbricid species dermally exposed for 2 days to filter paper soaked with Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, or Pb chlorides (1 mM). Coelomocytes were expelled by electro-stimulation, counted, and assayed ex vivo by flow cytometry and spectrofluorometry. The coelomocytes of Allolobophora chlorotica and Dendrobaena veneta contain both amoebocytes and riboflavin-storing eleocytes; consequently, they were subjected to assays based on flow cytometric quantification of autofluorescent eleocytes and spectrofluorometric measurement of riboflavin content in coelomocyte lysates. In Al. chlorotica, the number of coelomocytes, the percentage of eleocytes, and the amount of riboflavin were significantly lower in Cu-exposed worms although these cytometric parameters were less affected by Ni, Zn, Cd exposure, and entirely unaffected by Pb exposure. In D. veneta, such cellular effects were also only observed in Cu-exposed worms. The coelomic fluids of Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus rubellus are constitutionally impoverished of eleocytes; therefore, these species could not be subjected to assays measuring the riboflavin content of these granular cells. Rather, the amoebocytes of Ap. caliginosa and L. rubellus were subjected to flow cytometric measurements of in vitro neutral red uptake (NR). However, the NR uptake assay was technically demanding, requiring a strictly normalized incubation period over all samples to yield useful comparative data. In contrast, the riboflavin content in the coelomocyte lysates of eleocyte-rich species appears to be a robust and convenient immune-function biomarker of environmental stress.     

Riboflavin storage in earthworm chloragocytes and chloragocyte-derived eleocytes and its putative role as chemoattractant for immunocompetent cells

We have shown previously that riboflavin is stored in chloragosomes of chloragocyte-derived earthworm eleocytes what may have an adaptive value for worms vulnerable to soil-derived pathogen invasion. Thus, it is important to determine whether riboflavin stores are also present in earthworm species with low eleocyte counts, especially in the chloragocytes of their chloragogen tissue that surrounds the coelomic site of the intestine, and find out its putative roles in earthworm immunity. Experiments were performed on adult worms from 6 species. Freely floating coelomocytes (consisting of amoebocytes plus species-specific numbers of eleocytes) were extruded by mild electric shock and then chloragocytes from the same anaesthetized worm were mechanically detached into buffer. Both cell suspensions were analyzed by spectrofluorometry for riboflavin content. It turned out that riboflavin is stored in species-specific quantities in all investigated species. Riboflavin storage predominates in free coelomocytes of eleocyte-rich species (Eisenia andrei, Dendrobaena veneta, Allolobophora chlorotica) while in chloragocytes of species with few eleocytes (Lumbricus terrestris, L. rubellus, and Aporrectodea caliginosa). Upon a massive microbial impact, the coelomocytes (both amoebocytes and eleocytes) are involved in the formation of multicellular bodies encapsulating soil-derived pathogens, what is connected with enhanced coelomocyte mobility. Thus the second aim of the present investigation was to check if riboflavin can participate in coelomocyte accumulations. Tests performed in a 48-well chemotaxis chamber revealed that riboflavin behave as chemoattractant for coelomocytes of all investigated earthworm species, which may be one of mechanisms underpinning its immunomodulatory functions.     

乳酸乳球菌乳脂亚种IMAU60064增殖培养基的优化

以分离自西藏那曲县罗玛镇传统发酵酸牦牛奶中的乳酸乳球菌乳脂亚种（Lactococcus lactis subsp．Cremoris）IMAU60064为试验菌株,研究其最佳的培养条件。对碳源、氮源、缓冲盐等培养基成分及培养条件进行优化,并采用响应面法对优选的碳源、氮源和缓冲盐类的组成含量进行优化,得到IMAU60064的增殖培养基为：葡萄糖23g／L、大豆蛋白胨11g／L、牛肉膏11g／L、胰蛋白胨5g／L、NaAC1．8g／L、K2HP041．2g／L、柠檬酸钠1．2g／L、MgSO4·7H200．4g／L、MnSO4·5H2O54mg／L、L-半胱氨酸盐酸盐0．5g/L、吐温80为1g／L。Lactococcus lactis subsp．cremorisIMAU60064在此增殖培养基中经30℃,14h培养活菌数可达到3．26×10^8cFu／mL,比在MRS中（6．54×10^7CFU／mL）提高近5倍。