Conditions for Competence in the Bacillus licheniformis Transformation System

Some variables in the Bacillus licheniformis transformation system, such as inoculum size, initial cell density in transformation medium, and time of optimal competence, have been explored, and a methodology has been developed to obtain greater reproducibility and maximal competence for transformation. The transformation system in B. licheniformis has been shown to be similar to that of B. subtilis in a number of respects, including "dormancy" of transformed cells and the concentration of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid required for saturation.     

Persistence of Salmonella typhimurium on Fabrics

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of using airborne T3 coliphage as a viral tracer in microbial aerosols. Although T3 coliphage was relatively stable when stored either at temperatures ranging from 21 to 37 C or in the frozen state at -20 C, there was a 2-log loss in infectivity when stored for 72 days at 4 C. Either agitation of stored coliphage suspensions held at 31 C or wide fluctuations in storage temperature produced an increased loss of infectivity. In the airborne state, freshly prepared coliphage and stored coliphage behaved similarly, with survival diminishing as the relative humidity (RH) was lowered. The greatest loss occurred during the first five min following aerosolization. The results showed that only under certain conditions of temperature and relative humidity can T3 coliphage be used as a satisfactory aerosol tracer.     

Specific Learning Disorders—Natural History and Current Views

Each professional, whether pediatrician, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or teacher, in evaluating behavioral, neuromuscular, and emotional factors with the tools of his discipline, can arrive independently at very similar views regarding etiology and diagnosis of learning and language disorders. Even though this is possible, it is essential to have the many disciplines work together. This manner of sharing information is not only supportive to the patient, but to the physician as well.The pediatrician''s role does not stop, however, with the diagnosis, but continues with the working through of problems that the child and parents present to one another.     

Amino acid sequences around the cystine residues in horse growth hormone

The cystine-containing peptides of horse growth hormone were isolated and their amino acid sequences determined. Four unique half-cystine residues occur in two peptides, one containing 11 and the other, at the C-terminus of the protein, 15 amino acids. These sequences are compared with published data on growth hormones from other species.     

About phoma liliana Chandra & Tandon

Summary In vitro,Phoma liliana could not be distinguished from the later-describedP. ehretiae and two incidental isolates fromMangifera andChrysanthemum. Starting from the principle of the classification in the Deuteromycetes, our conclusion is that we must speak of one and the same form-species, which can be found on different plants.     

Titration and Neutralization of Poliovirus in Micro Tissue Culture Under Increased Carbon Dioxide

Modification of the micro tissue culture technique, including incubation under increased CO(2), resulted in prolongation of the viability of the cells. As a consequence, satisfactory titrations of poliovirus and of poliovirus antiserum have been achieved by the micro method. The technique offers a number of advantages over conventional methods.     

Beneficial arthropod behavior mediated by airborne semiochemicals. VIII. Learning of host-related odors induced by a brief contact experience with host by-products inCotesia marginiventris (Cresson), a generalist larval parasitoid

Females of Cotesia marginiventris(Cresson), a generalist larval parasitoid, were observed to respond to host related odors in a four-arm olfactometer. The females were significantly more responsive to the odors after a brief contact experience with host-damaged leaves contaminated with host by products. During the experience, actual encounters with hosts were not required to improve subsequent responses to host-related odors. The response to odors of the plant-host complex with which parasitoids had experience was significantly higher than the response to odors of an alternative plant-host complex. This suggests that the experience effect is due, at least partly, to associative learning. We suspect that females of this generalist parasitoid, as was recently found for those of a specialist, recognize specific semiochemicals when they contact frass of suitable host larvae. The parasitoids, subsequently, associate the surrounding odors with the possible presence of hosts, and use these odors as cues in their search for more hosts. This could be an important component in the host-searching behavior of many parasitoids.Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or the recommendation for its use by the USDA.     

Root distribution in relation to soil nitrogen availability in field-grown tomatoes

Tomato root growth and distribution were related to inorganic nitrogen (N) availability and turnover to determine 1) if roots were located in soil zones where N supply was highest, and 2) whether roots effectively depleted soil N so that losses of inorganic N were minimized. Tomatoes were direct-seeded in an unfertilized field in Central California. A trench profile/monolith sampling method was used. Concentrations of nitrate (NO₃ ^-) exceeded those of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) several fold, and differences were greater at the soil surface (0–15 cm) than at lower depths (45–60 cm or 90–120 cm). Ammonium and NO₃ ^- levels peaked in April before planting, as did mineralizable N and nitrification potential. Soon afterwards, NO₃ ^- concentrations decreased, especially in the lower part of the profile, most likely as a result of leaching after application of irrigation water. Nitrogen pool sizes and rates of microbial processes declined gradually through the summer.Tomato plants utilized only a small percentage of the inorganic N available in the large volume of soil explored by their deep root systems; maximum daily uptake was approximately 3% of the soil pool. Root distribution, except for the zone around the taproot, was uniformly sparse (ca. 0.15 mg dry wt g^-1 soil or 0.5 cm g^-1 soil) throughout the soil profile regardless of depth, distance from the plant stem, or distance from the irrigation furrow. It bore no relation to N availability. Poor root development, especially in the N-rich top layer of soil, could explain low fertilizer N use by tomatoes.     

Influence of galls of Phanacis taraxaci on carbon partitioning within common dandelion, Taraxacum officinale

We examined how leaf galls, induced by the cynipid wasp Phanacis taraxaci, influence the partitioning of photoassimilates within the host, the common dandelion, Taraxacum officinale. Galled and ungalled plants were exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ and the labelled photoassimilates accumulating within galls and other parts of the host were measured. During the growth phase of the gall they were physiological sinks for photoassimilates, accumulating 9% to 70% of total carbon produced by the host, depending upon the number of galls per plant. High levels of ¹⁴C assimilation in the leaves of galled plants compared to controls, suggest that galls actively redirect carbon resources from unattacked leaves of their host plant. This represents a significant drain on the carbon resources of the host, which increases with the number and size of galls per plant. Active assimilation of ¹⁴C by the gall is greatest in the growth phase and is several orders of magnitude lower in the maturation phase. This finding is consistent with physiological and anatomical changes that occur during the two phases of gall development and represents a key developmental strategy by cynipids to ensure adequate food resources before larval growth begins.