Deletion of a region of the promiscuous plasmid pLS1 encompassing the initiation signals for the synthesis of the plasmid lagging strand led to plasmid instability in Streptococcus pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis. This defect could not be alleviated by increasing the number of copies (measured as double-stranded plasmid DNA) to levels similar to those of the wild-type plasmid pLS1. Our results indicate that in the vicinity of, or associated with the single-stranded origin region of pLS1 there is a plasmid component involved in its stable inheritance. Homology was found between the DNA gyrase binding site within the par region of plasmid pSC101 and the pLS1 specific recombination site RSR. 相似文献
Although eastern chipmunks typically larder hoard food in theirburrows, some scatter hoarding occurs, especially by newly emergedjuveniles and by females with young. To examine patterns ofscatter hoard placement and their adaptive significance, weused standard food provisioning tests followed by continuousmonitoring to determine the longevity and fate of scatter hoards.Longevity of scatter hoards was low (median 74 min) and pilferagewas high (46%). Chipmunks placed scatter hoards away from thepatch, closer to their burrow and within the defended area ofprimary use. Scatter hoard placement was affected by the numberof competitors at the patch. However, juveniles and femaleswith young differed slightly in their responses. competitorsthat approached scatteihoards were sometimes chased away bythe scatter hoard's owner, and the scatter hoard was moved toanother location by the owner. Females with young recoveredtheir largest scatter hoards first, but there was little additionalpattern in scatter hoard recovery. An experiment using simulatedscatter hoards showed that scatter hoards farther from a patchof food lasted longer and that disturbing and marking scatterhoards reduced their longevity. These observations indicate:(1) that scatter hoard placement is more related to avoidingpilferage of completed caches than to rapidly sequestering fooditems from an ephemeral patch and (2) that optimal cache distributionmay be affected by the cache-defense ability of individuals,by the relationship between competitor density and cache securitynear the patch, and by the territorial behavior of neighboringconspecifics. 相似文献
In sequencing-by-hybridization methods, the nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid is reconstructed by overlapping oligonucleotides capable of hybridizing with the nucleic acid. In their present form, the methods are hardly suitable for sequencing of long nucleic acid molecules because of the occurrence of non-unique overlaps between the oligonucleotides, and similarly to the conventional sequencing methods, it is necessary to obtain an individual molecule. In the method described here, most ambiguities in reconstruction of a sequence from the constituent oligonucleotides are eliminated by preparing on oligonucleotide arrays and separate surveying of the nucleic acid nested partials. This enables longer nucleic acids to be sequenced, and results in a high redundancy of the input data allowing most hybridization errors to be eliminated by algorithmic means. Furthermore, large pools of nucleic acid strands can be sequenced directly, without isolating individual strands. 相似文献
An agent-based perspective in the study of complex systems is well established in diverse disciplines, yet is only beginning to be applied to evolutionary developmental biology. In this essay, we begin by defining agency and associated terminology formally. We then explore the assumptions and predictions of an agency perspective, apply these to select processes and key concept areas relevant to practitioners of evolutionary developmental biology, and consider the potential epistemic roles that an agency perspective might play in evo devo. Throughout, we discuss evidence supportive of agential dynamics in biological systems relevant to evo devo and explore where agency thinking may enrich the explanatory reach of research efforts in evolutionary developmental biology. 相似文献
The preparation of a series of 1,3,4-thiadiazoles and 1,3,4-oxadizoles linked by a thioether to 2,6-di-t-butylphenol and the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (CO) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) by these compounds is dicussed. 相似文献
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are a degenerative disease of the aorta associated with high mortality. To date, in vivo information to characterize the individual elastic properties of the aneurysm wall in terms of rupture risk is lacking. We have used time-resolved 3D ultrasound strain imaging to calculate spatially resolved in-plane strain distributions characterized by mean and local maximum strains, as well as indices of local variations in strains. Likewise, we here present a method to generate averaged models from multiple segmentations. Strains were then calculated for single segmentations and averaged models. After registration with aneurysm geometries based on CT-A imaging, local strains were divided into two groups with and without calcifications and compared. Geometry comparison from both imaging modalities showed good agreement with a root mean squared error of 1.22 ± 0.15 mm and Hausdorff Distance of 5.45 ± 1.56 mm (mean ± sd, respectively). Using averaged models, circumferential strains in areas with calcifications were 23.2 ± 11.7% (mean ± sd) smaller and significantly distinguishable at the 5% level from areas without calcifications. For single segmentations, this was possible only in 50% of cases. The areas without calcifications showed greater heterogeneity, larger maximum strains, and smaller strain ratios when computed by use of the averaged models. Using these averaged models, reliable conclusions can be made about the local elastic properties of individual aneurysm (and long-term observations of their change), rather than just group comparisons. This is an important prerequisite for clinical application and provides qualitatively new information about the change of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in the course of disease progression compared to the diameter criterion.
Summary The influence of the hydrogen-ion concentration on the growth and metabolism of a highly acid-resistant green alga, Chlorella ellipsoidea (strain Marburg St), was studied. Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Emerson strain) served as a normal control organism. Growth of Chlorella ellipsoidea occurs in the entire range from Ph 2.0 to Ph 10, whereas for Chlorella pyrenoidosa the limits were found to be Ph 3.5 and Ph 10. Respiration is much less sensitive to hydrogen-ion concentration in the acid-resistant as compared to the normal strain. Thus an increase in acidity from Ph 4.0 to Ph 2.0 increases the respiratory oxygen uptake by 120% in Chlorella pyrenoidosa and by 25% in Chlorella ellipsoidea. In addition, only the less resistant Chlorella pyrenoidosa shows an accumulation of nitrite in the dark in acid culture media, indicating a disturbance of the normal course of nitrate reduction under these conditions. On the other hand, the rate of photosynthesis of both organisms was found to be almost independent of acidity between Ph 4.0 and Ph 2.0. At the acid and alkaline limits of growth in both algae, an inhibition of cell division leads to an increase of cell size and dry weight per cell, frequently connected with the occurrence of bizarre giant cells. — In addition, adaptation phenomena were found to play a role in determining the acid limit of growth. Cells of Chlorella ellipsoidea, after inoculation from normal medium (Ph about 6) into a solution of Ph 2.0, begin growth at a high rate only after a lag of about two weeks. Cells grown previously in an acid medium, however, immediately resume growth upon inoculation into a medium of Ph 2.0. This adaptation involves a considerable reduction of cell size. 相似文献
Zusammenfassung Schon veröffentlichte Feststellungen über verringertes Heimfindevermögen von Brieftauben im Winter werden bestätigt.Durch wiederholte Auflassungen über die gleiche Kurzstrecke (von NNW 22 km nach SSO) wird gezeigt, daß die Einzeltaube regelmäßig wesentlich schlechter abschneidet, wenn sie die gleiche, im Sommer durchflogene Strecke im Winter wiederholt. Durch Verwendung einer hinreichenden Anzahl von Erstfliegern in beiden Jahreszeiten wird der Wintereffekt auch durch Vergleich von Heimkehrschnelligkeiten verschiedener Individuen sichergestellt.Es wird gezeigt, daß die Verwandlung des Landschaftsbildes nicht die Ursache des winterlichen Versagens sein kann. Es ist auch unwahrscheinlich, daß die im Winter geringere Höhe des Sonnenstandes schuld ist. Entgegen einer früher vonKramer geäußerten Meinung können auch weder niedrige Temperaturen als solche noch direkt mit ihnen streng gekoppelte Faktoren verantwortlich gemacht werden.Der Einwand, daß es sich beim Wintereffekt nicht um eine Orientierungsbehinderung, sondern um eine jahreszeitlich, vielleicht mit der Taglänge korrelierte Schwächung des Heimkehrimpulses handeln möge, wird kritisch besprochen. Gegen diesen Einwand wird geltend gemacht, daß nach den bisherigen Erfahrungen der März noch zu den Winter-Monaten zählt; sogar ein Aprilflug trug intermediäre Züge. Dagegen funktioniert das Heimkehrvermögen im September noch gut. — Eine Korrelation mit der Intensität des Fortpflanzungsverhaltens kann deswegen nicht vorliegen, weil die Fortpflanzungsaktivität schon im Februar erheblich gesteigert ist. Es wird der Nachweis geführt, daß bei gleichen Temperaturen im Winter signifikant verschiedene Heimkehrerfolge an nahe beisammenliegenden Daten (3. 1. und 26. 1. 1956) erzielt werden können.Auch für andere Strecken (36 km S — N, 41 km O — W, 94 km S — N) werden Vergleiche von Heimflügen im Sommer mit solchen im Winter angestellt. Die Winterergebnisse sind durchweg erheblich schlechter.Das Bestehen des Wintereffekts zeigt, daß die Orientierung bei der Heimkehr auch über kurze Strecken nicht auf dem visuellen Erkennen von Landschaftsstrukturen beruht. Der Orientierungsmechanismus ist vielmehr unbekannt. Es ist vorläufig zu vermuten, daß er identisch ist mit dem, der über weitere Distanzen wirksam ist.Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft, welche das Fahrzeug zur Verfügung stellte und die Betriebsmittel dafür trug. 相似文献