bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement in situ of the effective particle-size characteristics of fluvial suspended sediment by means of a field-portable laser backscatter probe: Some preliminary results
Authors: Phillips JM , Walling DE
Published: November 2018

Sediment-associated transport frequently represents an important component of the flux of nutrients and contaminants through fluvial systems, and particle size exerts a fundamental influence upon the hydrodynamic behaviour and geochemical properties of the suspended sediment particles involved. Recent work has highlighted the need to distinguish between the ultimate and effective particle-size characteristics of fluvial suspended sediment. The latter may differ appreciably from the former owing to the existence of composite particles (aggregates or flocs). Obtaining representative data of the effective particle-size distribution ideally requires measurements to be made in situ. This paper describes the use of an immersible, portable laser backscatter probe (Par-Tec 200/300) to make measurements in situ of the effective particle-size characteristics of suspended sediment transported by the River Exe and its tributaries in Devon, UK. Within the study basin the effective and absolute particle-size characteristics of suspended sediment were documented at four sites. Significant spatial variation and inter- and intra-event temporal variation in the mean effective size are identified. The degree of aggregation is assessed by comparing the effective and absolute particle-size data. Such comparisons show aggregation to be an important process in the study basin, although its precise magnitude varies in both space and time.
Community dynamics in Fijian coral reef fish communities vary with conservation and shark-based tourism
Authors: McKeon Mallory G. , Drew Joshua A.
Published: November 2018

Marine protected areas (MPAs) effectively improve the biomass and diversity in heavily exploited marine systems, but often fail to reach their full potential because they require more space, time, and consistency of regulation. Recently, shark-based tourism, which utilises some of the remaining shark strongholds as tourism hotspots, has brought about increased awareness to exploited reef systems. In Fiji, specifically, shark diving companies include local community members in their operations to promote better understanding of their reefs. We seek to investigate whether seemingly denser shark populations during feeding times influence community composition and structure. Visual census data were collected from 50-m belt transects at four different reefs in Fiji: two MPAs with shark-based ecotourism with food provisioning, one MPA without shark-based ecotourism, and one unprotected area without shark-based tourism. Paradoxically, indices of evenness and diversity were highest in the non-protected site. However, there was significantly higher fish abundance and species diversity within reserves than outside of reserves. Within reserves, sites with shark feeding had lower fish abundance and higher richness, diversity, and evenness. Mean trophic level was highest at sites with shark feeding. Use of chum increased average fish abundance and diversity within shark-dive sites. These results indicate that there are evident differences between MPAs that do and do not offer trophic supplementation for shark-based ecotourism. Thus, tourism may be facilitating a shift of ecosystem composition in such areas. Furthermore, the results suggest that feeding methods may augment the impacts of shark-based tourism on the reef at large.
A Collaborative Cardiovascular Health Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Goulburn-Murray Region: Development and Risk Factor Screening at Indigenous Community Organisations
Authors:   The Heart Health Project Steering Committee Contributors: Leeandra Aitken, Anderson Ian , Atkinson Vicki , D Best James , Briggs Paul , Calleja Julie , Charles Sharon , Doyle Joyce , Mohamed Justin , Patten Rochelle , Rowley Kevin , Simmons David
Published: November 2018

The Heart Health Project was developed in partnership between Aboriginal health and social organisations in the Goulburn-Murray region and university departments. The aims included screening for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and evaluating community-directed interventions. We describe the development of the Heart Health Project and the results of risk factor screening among employees (n=66) of Aboriginal organisations during 2003-04. Screening identified few new cases of overt hypertension, diabetes or hypercholesterolaemia, but did find a large proportion of the survey sample who smoked, had evidence of periodontal disease or who had "high normal" levels of risk factors at a relatively young age, placing them at risk of developing overt disease. Barriers to diet and exercise behaviours thought to protect against CVD were documented. While appropriate planning made clinical follow-up relatively straightforward, effective referral of at-risk people to primary prevention programs was more difficult. The barriers to making diet and exercise changes need consideration in designing interventions for primary prevention of CVD, as does the importance of promoting heart health in a culturally relevant way. This can be achieved through community direction but long-term support for partnerships and intervention programs is required.
121 Comparing Two Superstimulation Protocols Prior to Ovum Pick-Up in Dromedary Camel
Authors: Ararooti T. , Niasari-Naslaji A. , Razavi K.
Published: November 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate different superstimulation protocol before oum pick-up (OPU) to increase the number of follicles suitable for puncture in dromedary camel. Follicular waves were synchronized using two intramuscular administrations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue (Alarelin, 25 µg, Vetaroline®, Aburaihan, Iran) 12 to 15 days apart. Two days after the second GnRH (Day 0 of experiment), donors were assigned into 2 groups (n = 6 in each group) receiving different amounts of eCG (Pregnecol®, Bioniche, Canada; intramuscular) and FSH (Folltropin-V®, Bioniche, Canada; intramuscular). Groups 1 and 2 received the respective amounts of eCG (3000 and 2000 IU) and FSH (200 and 160 mg). The eCG was administered as a single dose at the start of superstimulation and FSH was delivered twice daily in decreasing doses (group 1: 40, 30, 20, 10 mg; group 2: 30, 20, 20, 10 mg) between Days 0 and 3. On Day 4 of superstimulation, camel received 2 doses of prostaglandin F2α analogue (25 mg of dinoprost tromethamine; Lutalyse®, Pfizer, Belgium; intramuscular), 12 h apart and were examined by ultrasonography in the morning to record ovarian follicles (≥4 mm in diameter). Data were analysed using GLM procedure followed by Tukey in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Data were presented as mean ± SEM. On Day 4 of superstimulation, the average follicle diameter was similar in group 1 (6.4 ± 0.16 mm) and group 2 (7.4 ± 0.33 mm; P > 0.05). The total number of follicles were different between group 1 (15.5 ± 1.75) and group 2 (4.7 ± 0.71; P < 0.001). Total number of follicles ≤6 was significantly greater in group 1 (6.2 ± 0.95) than in group 2 (1.2 ± 0.60; P < 0.05). Total number of follicles >6 mm in group 1 (9.3 ± 1.20) was greater than in group 2 (3.5 ± 0.76; P < 0.01). In conclusion, superstimulation with eCG (3000 IU) and FSH (200 mg) could provide a relatively good number of follicles for aspiration in OPU program of dromedary camel.
126 A Comparison of Two Different Follicular Coasting Periods for In Vitro Embryo Production in Indian Nelore Cattle
Authors: Tiwari P. , Zawar S. , Pryor J. H. , Looney C. R. , Kaushik R. , Sahare A. , Hazarika J.
Published: November 2018

Ongole, also known as Nelore (Bos indicus) cattle, are indigenous to the Andhra region in the Prakasam District in the State of Andhra Pradesh in India. A better understanding and utilisation of follicular wave dynamics within this breed would ultimately enhance oocyte and potential embryo production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between coasting periods of 24 h (S1) and 36 h (S2) on oocyte recovery, the rate of viable oocytes, cleavage, and Day 7 blastocyst rates of Nelore cattle in India. A total of 58 ovum pick-up (OPU) sessions (29 per treatment) were performed on 32 healthy donor cows that were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 coasting treatments (S1 or S2). Donors were stimulated as follows: 2.5 mL of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH; Receptal, MSD Animal Health, New Zealand) given IM on Day 1 followed by once-daily descending dose of Folltropin® (FSH, Vetoquinol, Canada) on Days 3 to 5 for a total of 180 mg. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected following OPU on Day 6 either at 24 (S1) or 36 h (S2) following the last FSH injection (coasting period). Donors were subject to OPU 1 to 3 times with a minimum interval of 15 days between procedures from March to April 2017. All 32 donor cows were non-lactating at the time of aspiration and divided equally between treatment groups. A total of 1492 follicles produced 850 total oocytes with oocyte recovery numbers for treatments S1 and S2 (785, 707; 441, 409; respectively). All data were analysed by ANOVA (P < 0.05). The mean number of follicles aspirated from S1 (27 ± 20.2) was not significantly different from that of S2 (24.4 ± 14.4). For S1, 393/441 (89%) quality oocytes were utilised for culture compared with 323/409 (78.9%) for S2, with no differences between rates. Additionally, there were no differences between mean number of oocytes, cleaved embryos, and blastocysts for S1 (15.2 ± 12.7; 9.9 ± 9.2; 4.3 ± 5.4) and S2 (14.1 ± 10; 7.4 ± 6.0; 3.6 ± 3.3; respectively). In conclusion, there were no differences found between 24- or 36-h coasting periods of Nelore cattle undergoing OPU for follicle counts, oocyte recovery, viable oocyte rates, cleavage, and blastocyst rates. Further research is needed to determine whether different stimulation protocols, the use of lactating cows, or coasting periods could alter outcomes.
166 Paracrine Regulation of Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Factors in Oviduct Cells and its Effect on Oocyte Maturation and Subsequent Embryo Development
Authors: Lee S. H. , Setyawan E. M. N. , Lee B. C.
Published: November 2018

Progesterone (P4) and progesterone receptor signalling appears essential for maintenance of a proper cumulus cell expansion during the oocyte maturation by regulating the epidermal growth factor-like factors (EGF-F) related pathway during the ovulatory process. It is known that expression of EGF-F including amphiregulin (AREG), epiregulin (EREG), and betacellulin (BTC) is critical for cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) expansion and resumption of meiosis. Therefore, we hypothesised that oviduct cells might be involved in nonexclusive mechanisms of actions of P4 that in turn modulate oocyte meiosis resumption by regulating the levels of EGF-F. First, we added different concentrations of P4 (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 μg mL−1) to oviduct cell culture medium and assessed the effect of P4 on expression of AREG, EREG, and BTC in oviduct cells by immunocytochemical analysis. Then, the oviduct cells were used for co-culturing under the proper concentration of P4 with porcine oocytes. The COC were randomly cultured in 3 groups: (1) culturing without oviduct cells, (2) co-culturing with oviduct cells, and (3) co-culturing with oviduct cells treated with P4. After IVM, extrusion of the 1st polar body was observed under the microscope. To evaluate embryo development competence, the matured oocytes were activated with electrical stimulus and parthenotes were cultured in porcine zygote medium-5 for 7 days at 39°C, 5% CO2 and O2 in a humidified atmosphere. The cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were observed under the microscope to evaluate developmental competence. To count the total cell number of blastocysts, they were stained with 5 μg mL−1 of Hoechst 33342 for 10 min. The data were analysed by one-way ANOVA using GraphPad Prism 5.0 (GraphPad Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). Values are means ± standard error of mean (P < 0.05). Significantly higher levels of EGF-F were observed in oviduct cells treated with 1 μg mL−1 progesterone. The oocyte maturation rate of co-culture group treated with P4 (80.7 ± 1.6%) was significantly higher than that of the control (69.7 ± 2.1%). There was a significant difference between co-culture treated with P4 and the control in cleavage rate (67.2 ± 2.4% and 82.0 ± 1.6%). However, no significant difference was observed between the co-culture groups. The co-culture treated with P4 group showed significantly higher rate of blastocyst formation (37.7 ± 0.8%) and total cell number of blastocyst (72.8 ± 1.0) than control and co-culture groups. In conclusion, co-culturing with oviduct cell treated with P4 improved oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development. Thus, we suggested that oviduct cells induce the expression of EGF-F under the treatment of P4, which has a beneficial effect on porcine oocyte development.
This research was supported by NRF-20142A1021187, Korea IPET (#316002-05-2-SB010), RDA (#PJ010928032017) and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, the BK21 plus program.
23 Production of Genetically Modified Founder Pigs as Models for Human Diseases
Authors: Callesen H. , Liu Y. , Pedersen H. S. , Sørensen C. B. , Bentzon J. F.
Published: November 2018

Pigs are increasingly used as genetically modified (GM) animal models for human diseases. Reliable methods to produce GM piglets are needed to produce at least one founder animal that can pass on the transgene to the next generation using conventional reproductive procedures. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT, “cloning”) is one such method, although it has a low efficiency with up to only 10% of offspring born based on number of cloned embryos transferred (Liu et al. 2014 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 27, 429-439) and with a high percentage dying in the first days after birth (Schmidt et al. 2015 Theriogenology 84, 1014-1023). Furthermore, there is concern about the normality and viability of offspring in the following generations after cloning. Here, we report our results related to the latter question and describe the reliability of SCNT to produce healthy GM founder pigs for further studies. From 2006 to 2016, we worked with handmade cloning using donor skin cells from 4 breeds (2 minipigs, 2 standard pigs) that were non-GM or GM with 1 out of more than 20 genes. Cells were reconstructed with oocytes from Large White (LW) sows or gilts, and embryos were in vitro cultured for 5 to 6 days before selection for transfer to LW recipient sows or gilts (Callesen et al. 2014 Cell. Reprogram. 16, 407-410). Enough cloned embryos were produced with each type of GM donor cell for transfer to at least 2 recipients. During the first 4 years, the procedure was being established and refined, whereas in the last 7 years, it was used routinely (Table 1). In the latter period, the GM piglets alive after 30 days represented 17 of the 18 transgenes used. The GM piglets alive 30 days after birth were kept and developed as normal pigs. For 4 of the transgenes used, cloned minipigs were bred using standard breeding; in total, 106 piglets from 15 litters were born in the first generation after the cloning, and 138 piglets from 20 litters in the second generation. Both litter sizes and abnormality frequencies were within the expected range of the given breed (Yucatan or Göttingen), also noting that the pigs harbored a transgene and that some inbreeding was unavoidable due to the few founder piglets available. This work demonstrates that use of SCNT is a reliable way to produce GM founder piglets even though cloning does result in great losses during farrowing and the early postnatal period. However, having overcome these critical phases, the piglets seem to show no visible signs of their challenging background. The overall expense is, of course, high for production of each of the GM founder pigs, and this should be taken into consideration when deciding the species to use for creating a given GM animal model for modelling human diseases.

Table 1.Results from 2010 to 2016 of using cloning to produce genetically modified (GM) and non-GM piglets
27 Quisinostat, a Potent Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Regulates the Expression of Pluripotency- and Reprogramming-Related Genes on Somatic Cell Nuclear Transferred Porcine Embryos
Authors: Taweechaipaisankul A. , Jin J.-X. , Lee S. , Kim G. A. , Lee B. C.
Published: November 2018

The low efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been attributed mostly to inefficient epigenetic reprogramming. Recently, various histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) were used to improve developmental competence of SCNT embryos in several species. However, limited information is available on the effects of quisinostat (JNJ-26481585, JNJ), a second-generation HDACi with high cellular potency towards Class I and II histone deacetylases. Based on our previous study, among various concentrations, treatment with 100 nM JNJ could improve embryo development into blastocysts compared with the control (23.50 ± 1.30 v. 13.97 ± 1.37; P < 0.05). Thus, in the present study, treatment with 100 nM JNJ was used for further investigation into the relative expression of genes related to pluripotency and reprogramming in order to assess the quality of pre-implantation embryos cultured in media with JNJ using quantitative real-time PCR. Porcine fibroblasts isolated from kidney of adult pigs from passage 6 to 8 were used as nuclear donor cells for SCNT. After SCNT, embryos were cultured with or without 100 nM JNJ during the first 24 h of in vitro culture, and blastocysts from each experimental group were collected and kept at –80°C until analysis. Total RNAs were extracted, and transcribed into cDNA before amplification. Then, the relative expression of development-related (Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog), histone acetylation-related (HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3) and DNA methylation-related (DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b) genes between the control and 100 nM JNJ groups were compared. All experiments were repeated 4 times and results were analysed by independent t-test using SPSS 17.0K (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Treatment with 100 nM JNJ showed significant increases in the expression Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog compared with the control (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was significantly lower expression of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in the 100 nM JNJ treatment than in the control (P < 0.05). These expression results moderately illustrated more active transcriptional factors, stable maintenance of embryonic pluripotency, and lesser activity of histone acetylation and DNA methylation enzymes, enhancing the blastocyst formation rate in the treatment group. In conclusion, we suggest that improvement of the in vitro developmental competence of porcine SCNT embryos might be related to positive regulations of JNJ on the expression levels of genes related to pluripotency and reprogramming.
This study was supported by the NRF (#2015R1C1A2A01054373; 2016M3A9B6903410), Research Institute for Veterinary Science and the BK21 PLUS Program.
32 MicroRNA-29b Improves the Quality and Developmental Potential of Blastocysts Derived from Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer in Cattle
Authors: Zhou W.-J. , Liang S. , Cui X.-S.
Published: November 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with important roles in diverse cellular processes. miR-29b plays a crucial role during somatic cell reprogramming. However, studies of the function of miR-29b in embryogenesis are limited. The aim of the current study was to explore the effects of miR-29b on the developmental competence of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos as well as the underlying mechanisms of action. The expression level of miR-29b was lower in bovine SCNT embryos at the pronuclear, 8-cell, and blastocyst stages compared with IVF embryos (P < 0.05). To determine the function of miR-29b in the bovine SCNT embryo, we microinjected a miR-29b mimic and inhibitor into bovine SCNT zygotes. The results showed that miR-29b significantly decreased the expression of Dnmts (Dnmt3a/3b and Dnmt1) in bovine SCNT embryos (P < 0.05). We further investigated SCNT embryo developmental competence and found that miR-29b overexpression during bovine SCNT embryonic development does not improve developmental potency (P > 0.05) but down-regulation inhibits developmental potency (P < 0.05). Although miR-29b overexpression does not improve the developmental potency of bovine SCNT embryos, the quality of bovine SCNT embryos at the blastocyst stage improved significantly (P < 0.05). The expression of pluripotency factors (OCT4 and SOX2) and cellular proliferation rate were significantly higher in blastocysts from the miR-29b overexpression group than the control and down-regulation groups (P < 0.05). In addition, outgrowth potential in blastocysts after miR-29b overexpression was also significantly greater in the miR-29b overexpression group than in the control and down-regulation groups (P < 0.05). Taken together, these results demonstrated that miR-29b plays an important role in bovine SCNT embryo development.
59 Selected Reaction Monitoring-Based Absolute Quantification of Developmentally Relevant Proteins in Early Bovine Embryos Reveals Differences Between In Vitro and In Vivo Embryo Culture and Between Different Maternal Metabolic Stages
Authors: Arnold G. J. , Gegenfurtner K. , Frohlich T. , Deutsch D. R. , Salvetti P. , Forde N. , Lonergan P. , Besenfelder U. , Wolf E.
Published: November 2018

Early embryogenesis is a highly complex developmental process, accompanied by a plethora of changes at the morphological and molecular level. Particularly at the level of proteins, these changes are still poorly characterised and understood. During the first cleavages, the embryo depends mainly on maternal transcripts and proteins that were accumulated and stored during oogenesis until embryonic genome activation (EGA) occurs. In the bovine system, the major EGA takes place at the 8- to 16-cell stage. However, we recently demonstrated by liquid chormatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based holistic proteome approaches that despite transcriptional and translational silencing, the proteome of the early embryo is highly dynamic (Deutsch et al. 2014; Demant et al. 2015). Based on these findings, we established a targeted LC-MS/MS approach based on multiplexed selected reaction monitoring (mSRM), which facilitates an absolute quantification of 27 proteins relevant in early embryogenesis. Each protein is targeted by 2 independent peptides to facilitate highly reliable quantifications. Nine characteristic developmental stages from germinal vesicle oocyte to hatched blastocyst were analysed (n = 6 per stage), and absolute protein contents are reported as femtomole per embryo, with limits of quantification (LOQ) down to 100 attomoles per embryo. Based on their abundance profiles during maturation, zygote formation, and embryonic development, the 27 proteins could be grouped into 6 SOTA clusters. By principal component analysis (PCA), absolute SRM quantifications of only 9 selected proteins were shown to discriminate between all 9 developmental stages analysed, thus providing molecular fingerprints significant for each developmental stage. We used the 27-plex SRM assay as a powerful readout tool and demonstrated substantial quantitative differences between embryos derived from a well-established in vitro culture system and embryos transferred into the oviduct of living animals for 2 days (in vivo culture). Furthermore, in vivo development of embryos in animals differing in their metabolic stress levels led to significant alterations in the 27-plex SRM profiles.
This work was supported by a grant to GJA from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG FOR1041 ‘Germ Cell Potential’ AR 362/7-1 and European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement n° 312097 - FECUND.
Phanerozoic Australia in the Changing Configuration of Proto-Pangea Through Gondwanaland and Pangea to the Present Dispersed Continents
Authors: Veevers J.J.
Published: November 2018

The neotectonic supercycle of earth history started 320 million years ago with the initial coalescence of the continents in Pangea. Final coalescence took place 230 Ma ago at the same time as rift valleys induced incipient breakup that became actual from 160 Ma with the start of seafloor spreading in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The current phase of seafloor spreading is marked by the growth lines of magnetic anomalies, from which reconstructions of the continents during the past 160 Ma are accurately determinable by eliminating the dated parts of the seafloor. Many small terranes or fragments are not so well constrained.
Palaeolatitude is less precisely determined by continental indicators of magnetic inclination. All this physical evidence provides a unique solution for continental reconstruction since 320 Ma. Less definite evidence provided by biota and geological facies has to be accommodated within this physical framework. Before the coalescence of Pangea (> 320 Ma) the constraints are reversed. This paleotectonic phase lacks preserved seafloor spreading so that continental palaeomagnetism, biota and geological facies are the only indicators.
The changing configuration of Australia and its neighbours in the eastern Gondwanaland province of Pangea - India, Antarctica, Lord Howe Rise-New Zealand Plateau - is detailed through seven stages from the midJurassic breakup of Pangea
Tropical Australian Freshwater Fungi. III.*
Candelosynnema ranunculosporum, a New Genus
and Species of Synnematous Hyphomycetes
Authors: Hyde Keith D. , Seifert Keith A.
Published: November 2018

Candelosynnema ranunculosporum is described and illustrated as a new genus and species of synnematous
Hyphomycetes. The taxon is characterised by the production of lightly pigmented, determinate synnemata
with a terminal, slimy conidial mass, sympodially proliferating polyblastic conidiogenous cells with
rhexolytic conidium secession, and cylindrical phragmoconidia with an apical, tubular appendage.
Tropical Australian Freshwater Fungi. IV.*
Halosarpheia aquatica sp. nov.,
Garethjonesia lacunosispora gen. & sp. nov.
and Ophioceras dolichostomum (Ascomycetes)
Authors: Hyde Keith D.
Published: November 2018

Halosarpheia aquatica sp. nov., Garethjonesia lacunosispora gen. & sp. nov, and Ophioceras dolichostomum
(Ascomycetes) from wood submerged in freshwater are described and illustrated.
Temporal and spatial patterns of salinity in a catchment of the central wheatbelt of Western Australia
Authors: Robertson M. J. , George R. J. , O'Connor M. H. , Dawes W. , Oliver Y. M. , Raper G. P.
Published: November 2018

Many estimates have been made of the future likely extent of salinity at regional and national scales in Australia; however, there are few detailed studies of changes in temporal and spatial patterns at catchment scale. This study was conducted in the Wallatin and O’Brien catchments in the low–medium rainfall zone of the central wheatbelt of Western Australia, where we examined the spatial trends in saline land over the last 18 years and related these to the likely rate and extent of future salinisation.
The analysis showed that: (1) salinity has continued to expand post-1999 in landscape positions where there has been watertable rise and also in areas now at equilibrium even though rainfall has been below average; (2) increases in the area of salinity are still dominated by increases in the valley floor but there is now the emergence of many small, isolated outbreaks on the adjacent slopes; (3) widely available satellite-derived salinity maps (LandMonitor) derived in 1998 provide a reliable base-line for saline mapping but now underestimate the area of salt-affected land by 60%; (4) the trend in watertable levels and time since clearing and interactions with proximity to uncleared native vegetation provide reliable predictors of salinity risk; (5) episodic rainfall in areas of shallow watertables is proposed as a significant cause of the expansion in observed salinisation, even though some of this may be transient.
These results are discussed in terms of management options for farmers and the likely long-term outlook for expansion of salinity in the catchment.
Soil-landscape and soil-hydrological relationships in the Glendhu Experimental Catchments, East Otago Uplands, New Zealand
Authors: Webb T. H. , Fahey B. D. , Giddens K. M. , Harris S. , Pruden C. C. , Whitton J. S.
Published: November 2018

Soil-landscape relationships were investigated in a first-order catchment and
a fifth-order catchment of the Waipori River. The soils are formed mainly from
loess and loess−colluvium derived fromschist, with limited inclusions of
rock material from under lying schist bedrock. Five soil series are identified
primarilyon the basis of differences in soil drainage. Occurrence of soil
series within the landscape is related to a combination of aspect and slope
angle while the depth of regolith is related to a combination of landform
element and slope angle.
Five soil profiles within a first-order catchment were analysed for chemical,
mineralogical, and hydrological properties. Allsoils are acidic, strongly
leached, and moderately weathered. Pedogenesis and geomorphology are discussed
in relation to glacial history, climate, and vegetation. Evidence is presented
to indicate that the change from forest to tussock grassland vegetation,
700−1000 years ago, has had a major impact on the development of a
perch-gley profile morphology.
Permeable conditions are largely confined to the upper
0·10−0·15 m depth and to underlying very stony horizons
below 0·50 m depth. All profiles have one or more horizons with very
slow permeability. Under high or prolonged rainfall conditions, water will
perch above slowly permeable horizons and flow laterally within more permeable
surface horizons. This conclusion is in agreement with previous water-flow
measurements in the catchment.
Emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds involved in eruptive fire: implications for the safety of firefighters
Authors: Barboni Toussaint , Cannac Magali , Leoni Eric , Chiaramonti Nathalie
Published: November 2018

Forest fires are can be fatal for firefighters owing to the phenomenon of eruptive fire. The hypothesis of this study is that biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) accumulate in the vicinity of the fire front. One of the factors required for an eruptive fire to take place is that BVOC concentrations must be between their lower flammable limit and upper flammable limit. When this accumulation of BVOCs is exacerbated by specific geographical zones (e.g. small valleys, thalwegs, canyons), the combination of these two factors can lead to situations with a very high flammability potential, representing a considerable risk for firefighters. In France, 16 firefighters have been fatally injured over the last 15 years. This work was carried out on three species of the Mediterranean basin: Pinus laricio Poir., Pinus pinaster Ait. and Cistus monspeliensis L. The maximum BVOCs emitted as a function of temperature (50–200°C) by these species were 147.9, 11.6 and 56.0 g m–3 respectively. The quantities of BOVCs emitted by P. laricio and C. monspeliensis were sufficiently high for eruptive fires to occur.
Utilising scientific information to support resilient forest and fire management
Authors: Colavito Melanie M.
Published: November 2018

There is increasing interest in better understanding resilience in forest and fire management but a great deal of uncertainty about the characteristics of resilient systems. This presents an opportunity for scientists, managers and other constituents to work together to develop actionable scientific information to inform planning, decision-making and implementation that fosters resilience in forest and fire management. However, despite efforts to improve the usability of scientific information, effectively connecting science and decision-making remains a challenge. Following a workshop about ecosystem resilience in the Southwest United States, interviews were conducted with scientists, managers and other constituents to assess the use of scientific information in forest and fire management. Interview respondents were asked how scientific information is used in management, how management needs are considered in research, how scientific information is communicated, what scientific information is lacking and how scientists and managers can most effectively work together. The results provide insight into the application, development and communication of scientific information, resilience research needs and recommendations for facilitating collaborative research. In-person interactions, identification of common goals, and sustained, ongoing communication are identified as the most important strategies for facilitating collaboration among scientists, managers and other constituents to support resilient forest and fire management.
HDAC stimulates gene expression through BRD4 availability in response to IFN and in interferonopathies
Authors: Marié Isabelle J. , Chang Hao-Ming , Levy David E.
Published: November 2018

In contrast to the common role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) for gene repression, HDAC activity provides a required positive function for IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression. Here, we show that HDAC1/2 as components of the Sin3A complex are required for ISG transcriptional elongation but not for recruitment of RNA polymerase or transcriptional initiation. Transcriptional arrest by HDAC inhibition coincides with failure to recruit the epigenetic reader Brd4 and elongation factor P-TEFb due to sequestration of Brd4 on hyperacetylated chromatin. Brd4 availability is regulated by an equilibrium cycle between opposed acetyltransferase and deacetylase activities that maintains a steady-state pool of free Brd4 available for recruitment to inducible promoters. An ISG expression signature is a hallmark of interferonopathies and other autoimmune diseases. Combined inhibition of HDAC1/2 and Brd4 resolved the aberrant ISG expression detected in cells derived from patients with two inherited interferonopathies, ISG15 and USP18 deficiencies, defining a novel therapeutic approach to ISG-associated autoimmune diseases.
γδ T cells: A disappearing act with a big reveal
Authors: Jameson Julie M.
Published: November 2018

In this issue of JEM, Sandrock et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20181439) compare the origin of IL-17–producing γδ T cells (Tγδ17) with other γδ T cell populations and demonstrate the role Tγδ17 cells play in skin pathology. Using two genetically modified mouse models, one with inducible γδ T cell–specific labeling and the other with conditional γδ T cell depletion, the authors find that Tγδ17 are mostly long-lived lymphocytes and that depleting γδ T cells protects mice from psoriasis.
3. Music as language
Authors: Margulis Elizabeth Hellmuth
Published: November 2018

Music can feel like it is communicating powerfully. “Music as language” considers whether music is actually a kind of language and, if so, what it means and how it conveys these meanings. As communicative systems, music and language both feature some universal components and much cultural variation. Both consist of complex auditory signals that can be visually represented in notation. Both can involve interpersonal coordination. Both combine discrete sound units into rich structures—sentences and paragraphs in the case of language, phrases and sections in the case of music. Musical grammar and musical expressivity are discussed along with learning in music and language, musical meaning, and music-language interactions.
5. The psychology of music performance
Authors: Margulis Elizabeth Hellmuth
Published: November 2018

Performers occupy a special role within contemporary Western musical culture. Since two individuals can produce markedly different responses by playing the same notes, it is clear that notation fails to capture some of the most critical dimensions of musical communication. What are these dimensions? What does it take to acquire the kind of expertise in manipulating them that top-notch performers possess? How do listeners perceive and respond to them? “The psychology of music performance” tries to understand this expressive power. It considers expressivity in performance as well as its mechanics, the way that practice shapes performance, listener responses to performer choices, and the processes of creativity and improvisation.
7. The appetite for music
Authors: Margulis Elizabeth Hellmuth
Published: November 2018

Music can seem captivating and integral to our lives, yet these affective dimensions are precisely the ones for which understanding remains most elusive. It is relatively straightforward to study something like musical memory by manipulating excerpts in various situations and seeing whether people remember them; however, studying the way music moves us requires deeper thought. It also represents a unique opportunity for the psychology of music. “The appetite for music” considers emotional responses to music. How does sound so easily take on such powerful associations with the life circumstances in which it was encountered? Aesthetic responses to music, musical preferences, and the motivations behind people’s interest in music are also discussed.
1. Introduction
Authors: Sharr Adam
Published: November 2018

Somewhere between 1910 and 1970, architecture changed. Expensive Western buildings became transformed from ornamented fancies, which referred to the classical and medieval pasts, into strikingly plain reflections of novel materials, technologies, and ideas. The phrase ‘modern architecture’ describes a spectrum of buildings and ideas and the Introduction explains that it didn’t just emerge fully formed in the 1910s and 1920s, or as the consequence of 19th-century pioneers, but was instead the product of two centuries of industrialization, and the global spread of industrial culture. The aim of this Very Short Introduction is to illustrate how modern architecture was produced out of—and reflected—the cultures that constructed it.
4. Brick
Authors: Sharr Adam
Published: November 2018

Many global cultures have traditions of clay or mud brick construction. Evidence exists of fired brick being used as long ago as 5000 bce in Mesopotamia. The role of brick in modern architecture differed to those of the technical innovations of iron, steel, and reinforced concrete. The adoption of brick represented instead a challenge to the hard-line view of modernity as a rejection of history, understanding modern architecture as a continuation of history. ‘Brick’ discusses the concepts of local and national architectures and critical regionalism, highlighting the monumentality and order of the work of Louis Kahn, including one of his last projects, the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.
1. Waves in essence
Authors: Goldsmith Mike
Published: November 2018

Most waves can be defined by just a few parameters: period, frequency, wavelength, amplitude, particle velocity, phase velocity, and group velocity. ‘Waves in essence’ explains these parameters in turn and then goes on to discuss the spreading and fading of waves and the complexities of waves that arise through their interactions with objects and other waves resulting in diffraction and interference. It also describes the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves and the important wave phenomena of refraction and reflection. It then outlines the fundamental difference between pressure waves like sound, ocean, and seismic waves, and electromagnetic waves, which include light and radio waves. All electromagnetic radiation is made of particles called photons.
2. Water waves
Authors: Goldsmith Mike
Published: November 2018

Water waves may in fact be the most complex of all; out at sea, the water surface is a summation of an ever-changing mix of waves of many sizes, speeds, and directions, thanks largely to the fact that some waves can last for weeks, and in that time they can travel thousands of kilometres. Until recently, many wave parameters were hard to measure, but accurate measurements can now be made by a number of techniques including dual frequency radar altimetry. ‘Water waves’ describes many different waves and how they build, including capillary waves, breakers, edge waves, harbour resonance, seiches, tides, and tsunamis.
5. Biological waves
Authors: Goldsmith Mike
Published: November 2018

There are many instances when the application of simple wave theory can lead to powerful insights and testable predictions. ‘Biological waves’ considers some representative samples of different kinds of wave that are of biological significance. It discusses the different types of brain waves, first discovered in the 1920s by Hans Berger, including alpha, beta, delta, theta, and gamma waves; the rhythm of heart beats; the wave motion of peristalsis that travels all the way down the alimentary tract from throat to rectum; the different wave motion in the locomotion of animals such as worms, snakes, centipedes, and millipedes; and the patterns made by groups of animals such as starling flocks.
6. Electromagnetic waves
Authors: Goldsmith Mike
Published: November 2018

‘Electromagnetic waves’ considers the history of the scientific investigation into the electromagnetic spectrum, including Einstein’s insight into the quantized nature of electromagnetic radiation. It explains that the only difference between light, radio waves, and all the other forms of electromagnetic radiation is the length of the fictitious-but-convenient waves or, equivalently, the energy of the photons involved. These different energies lead to different mechanisms for the formation and absorption of the different kinds of radiation, and it is this which gives rise to their different behaviours. Radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays are all discussed.
7. Quantum waves
Authors: Goldsmith Mike
Published: November 2018

At the beginning of the 20th century, the wave theory of light was facing insuperable problems. The ultimate death blow was Einstein’s explanation of the photoelectric effect. ‘Quantum waves’ discusses the work of Louis de Broglie, Niels Bohr, and Einstein. It considers the uncertainty and indeterminacy of electron motion, wave function, quantum tunnelling, and the phenomenon of entanglement. Quantum theory shows that electromagnetic radiation and electrons are particles. If string theory is correct, it shows that the wave concept is much more than a powerful tool to model the way the world works. It means that, for all its staggering complexity, the Universe is nothing more than a vast network of interacting waves.
Biometrics: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Fairhurst Michael
Published: November 2018

Biometrics is the scientific discipline of identifying individuals by means of the measurement of unique personal attributes, such as facial appearance, fingerprints, iris patterning, the voice, the way we write, and the way we walk. The new technologies of biometrics have a wide range of practical applications, from securing mobile phones and laptops to establishing identity in bank transactions, travel documents, and national identity cards. Biometrics: A Very Short Introduction considers the capabilities of biometrics-based identity checking and looks at the basic techniques in use today, developments in system design, and emerging technologies. It also explores the benefits and limitations of biometrics technologies, and how they can effectively support our increasingly interconnected society.
Medical Ethics: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Dunn Michael , Hope Tony
Published: November 2018

Medical ethics—from thorny moral questions such as euthanasia and the morality of killing to political questions such as the fair distribution of healthcare resources—is rarely out of today’s media. Medical Ethics: A Very Short Introduction explores the ethical reasoning used to approach medical ethics, introducing the most important ‘tools’ of ethical reasoning, and discussing how argument, thought experiments, and intuition can be combined in the consideration of medical ethics. It also considers its practical application by health professionals in clinical settings and the increasingly important place of medical ethics in the wider social context, in healthcare policy, discussions in the media, pressure group and activism settings, and in legal judgements.
7. Establishing fair procedure
Authors: Dunn Michael , Hope Tony
Published: November 2018

No healthcare system in the world has sufficient money to provide the best possible treatment for all patients in all situations. When is the extra benefit of a new, better, and expensive treatment worth the extra cost? ‘Establishing fair procedure’ explains that medical ethics can provide practical support to assist policy-makers in the allocation of healthcare resources. The medical ethicist acts as the architect of a process of fair and accountable decision-making, and also facilitates discussion about, and judges between, those ethical values that have been identified for application within this process. The rule of rescue principle is discussed along with thought experiments that support or go against it.
8. How modern genetics is testing traditional confidentiality
Authors: Dunn Michael , Hope Tony
Published: November 2018

Medical ethics is under challenge from developments in medical science and technology, raising new ethical questions or old questions in new ways. The work of genetics clinics worldwide is forcing us to re-think the traditional ways in which we think about medical confidentiality. A genetic test from one person can provide information about a relative. ‘How modern genetics is testing traditional confidentiality’ considers the foundations of medical confidentiality and the fundamental reasons why maintaining medical confidentiality is important: respect for patient autonomy; to keep an implied promise; and to bring about the best consequences. It also discusses two models of confidentiality: the personal account model and the joint account model.
10. A glance into the future
Authors: Dunn Michael , Hope Tony
Published: November 2018

The future of medical ethics, the ways in which it will develop and change, will be largely determined by the nature of the new situations that arise. ‘A glance into the future’ suggests that these are likely to be of two broad types: scientific and technological developments such as gene therapy, stem cell research, synthetic biology, and advances in information technology and artificial intelligence; and social and cultural changes as a result of the increasing international context of our lives. The challenges from both technology and globalization make it crucially important for medical ethics to continue to progress through the process of rational argument and the assessment of evidence.
4. Genre and layout
Authors: Luna Paul
Published: November 2018

Layout is the arrangement of material on a page or screen that articulates the text we are reading. The earliest forms of the book provided a linear visual presentation, with little if any spacing between words and paragraphs, which was close to the continuous linear quality of speech. ‘Genre and layout’ explains that the use of different sizes of different scripts, different coloured initials, and different columnar arrangements became essential to the articulation of increasingly complex documents. It describes different typographic genres and analyses layout. The details of layout and typography have a considerable effect on the way the whole of a publication is perceived.