bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stradano’s Allegorical Invention of the Americas in Late Sixteenth-Century Florence*
Authors: Markey Lia
Published: June 2012

This essay situates Giovanni Stradano’s engravings of the discovery of the Americas from theAmericae RetectioandNova Repertaseries within the context of their design in late sixteenth-century Florence,where the artist worked at the Medici court and collaborated with the dedicatee of the prints, Luigi Alamanni. Through an analysis of the images in relation to contemporary texts about the navigators who traveled to the Americas, as well as classical sources, emblems, and works of art in diverse media — tapestry, print, ephemera, and fresco — the study argues that Stradano’s allegorical representations of the Americas were produced in order to make clear Florence’s role in the invention of the New World.
Abortion and the Confessional in Counter-Reformation Italy
Authors: Christopoulos John
Published: June 2012

What didabortionmean in late Renaissance Italy? In what ways did the reforming Church conceive of it and try to regulate its practice? This study explores attitudes toward abortion in Italy in the second half of the sixteenth century through the lens of confessional discourses and practices. In the last three decades of the century, bishops and popes attempted to eradicate the practice of abortion by imposing shaming and increasingly severe punishments for its procurers. However, such initiatives were hindered by the social and practical consequences of bringing procurers of abortion to light. The ecclesiastical establishment had to rely on the secret space of the confessional to reform this aspect of morality. Exploring the negotiations between theological pronouncements and the sociopolitical realities of ecclesiastical administration, this article draws attention to the ambiguities inherent in early modern conceptions of abortion and contends that these led to inconsistent responses among Counter-Reformation ecclesiastical authorities.
Coastal migrations, temporary use of neighbouring rivers, and growth of sea trout (Salmo trutta) from nine northern Baltic Sea rivers
Authors: Degerman Erik , Leonardsson Kjell , Lundqvist Hans
Published: June 2012

Degerman, E., Leonardsson, K., and Lundqvist, H. 2012. Coastal migrations, temporary use of neighbouring rivers, and growth of Sea trout (Salmo trutta) from nine northern Baltic Sea rivers – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 971–980. The wild migratory trout (Salmo trutta) stocks in the northern Baltic Sea are threatened, and the fishery is thought to play a significant role in the population decline. Therefore, knowledge about the migration patterns of these stocks is needed to develop appropriate management plans. For this reason, we analysed the movement pattern from recaptures of mandatory releases of tagged hatchery-reared trout smolt from nine rivers in the region (1998–2007). The median time from release until recapture was 366 days, and the median migration distance at recapture was 27 km, with a dominating southward direction for northern stocks. Most of the recaptured fish were immature (65%), and recaptures in rivers (55%) dominated over recaptures along the coast (44%). Riverine recaptures were most frequent during autumn–spring. A total of 16% of all recaptures in rivers occurred in non-natal rivers. Straying was about twice as frequent among fish from small rivers as from large rivers. The results from the river Gideälven indicate that using broodstock from other rivers in stocking programmes may lead to a high proportion of strayers. In addition, temporary use of neighbouring rivers was more frequent in large rivers during winter. Growth, in terms of length increment, was high, especially in fish from southern parts of the Baltic, and higher than in neighbouring warmer and more saline sea areas.
Introduction to variability of the North Atlantic and its marine ecosystems, 2000–2009, the proceedings of an ICES/NAFO symposium held in Santander, Spain, 10–12 May 2011
Authors: Wiebe Peter H. , Rudels Bert , Cadrin Steven X. , Drinkwater Ken F. , Lavin Alicia
Published: June 2012

Wiebe, P. H., Rudels, B., Cadrin, S. X., Drinkwater, K. F., and Lavin, A. 2012. Introduction to Variability of the North Atlantic and its marine ecosystems, 2000–2009, the proceedings of an ICES/NAFO symposium held in Santander, Spain, 10–12 May 2011. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 697–702. An international symposium on decadal changes in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) regions of the North Atlantic from 2001 to 2009, jointly sponsored by ICES and NAFO, took place in Santander, Spain, from 10 to 12 May 2011. During the period covered by the symposium, the upper ocean warmed, particularly in temperate and Arctic–boreal regions, and there were major biogeographic shifts and changes in the phenology of the biota that appear to be related to the physical changes.
Target strength and tilt-angle distribution of the lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus)
Authors: Kubilius Rokas , Ona Egil
Published: June 2012

Kubilius, R., and Ona, E. 2012. Target strength and tilt-angle distribution of lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1099–1107. North Sea stocks of lesser sandeel have recently become depleted, and improved methods for abundance estimation are sought. This paper focuses on the acoustic target strength (TS) and orientation of sandeel, measured simultaneously in several field experiments. A specially designed cubic cage, fitted with an echosounder and a video camera, was lowered onto the sea bottom, trapping wild sandeel inside. Methods for manually selecting valid echotraces from individual sandeel are described. Scattered mean TS values from several experiments are reported. These are, in spite of the observed variability, summarized in a TS–fish length (cm) relationship as TS = 20logL – 93.1 (dB) at 200 kHz. We believe that the accuracy of the relationship may still be debated; incorporating larger uncertainty in the overall mean TS will increase the total uncertainty of the stock biomass estimate from sandeel acoustic surveys. This uncertainty is now, using standard narrow-beam echosounders, dominated by the fish patchiness relative to the survey coverage. Results from pilot investigations of the sandeel swimming orientation using video cameras are also presented, showing that sandeel usually has an anguilliform swimming pattern with substantial positive (head-up) tilt. The spread of the tilt-angle distribution is also larger than for more neutrally buoyant fishes.
Exemplifying a Dispositional Approach to Cross-Cultural Spiral of Silence Research: Fear of Social Isolation and the Inclination to Self-Censor
Authors: Matthes Jörg , Hayes Andrew F. , Rojas Hernando , Shen Fei , Min Seong-Jae , Dylko Ivan B.
Published: June 2012

This article tests the cross-cultural generality of one tenet of spiral of silence theory using an individual difference approach. We argue that the spiral of silence phenomenon is, in part, a manifestation of individual differences in stable personality traits that can be measured universally regardless of country or context—specifically, fear of social isolation (FSI) and willingness to self-censor. In accordance with the theory’s predictions, we examine whether people relatively high in trait FSI are more likely to self-censor their opinions in hostile opinion environments than low FSI individuals. We tested this hypothesis using data from an international online sample of over 2,200 participants spread across four continents and nine countries. Results of partially measurement-invariant multigroup confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the prediction in all countries except for China.
Foliar-Applied Small Molecule that Suppresses Biofilm Formation and Enhances Control of Copper-Resistant Xanthomonas euvesicatoria on Pepper
Authors: Worthington R. J. , Rogers S. A. , Huigens R. W. , Melander C. , Ritchie D. F.
Published: June 2012

We report a small molecule additive, a member of the 2-aminoimidazole (2AI) group that is an analogue of the marine sponge natural product oroidin that suppresses resistance of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria to copper and decreases biofilm formation in an in vitro system. In laboratory experiments, 2AI combined with copper reduced both bacterial multiplication in broth and bacterial recovery on pepper leaf discs of a copper-resistant strain of X. euvesicatoria to a level close to that of a copper-sensitive strain. Compound 2AI used alone exhibited minimal bactericidal activity. In 3 years of field experiments, when combined with a copper-containing material, copper hydroxide (Kocide 3000), and other antibacterial materials, these spray mixtures resulted in decreased bacterial spot foliar disease and increased fruit yields using hybrid bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivars and copper-resistant strains of X. euvesicatoria. This study demonstrates the concept for using small molecules as additives to antibacterial compounds at nonbactericidal concentrations under field conditions that, in the laboratory, were demonstrated to suppress bacterial biofilms and copper-resistant strains.
Hyaloperonospora camelinae on Camelina sativa in Washington State: Detection, Seed Transmission, and Chemical Control
Authors: Babiker E. M. , Hulbert S. H. , Paulitz T. C.
Published: June 2012

Camelina (Camelina sativa) plants with symptoms of downy mildew were obtained from three different locations in Washington State. Based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 region, the causal pathogen was identified as Hyaloperonospora camelinae. The PCR primers consistently amplified 699-bp bands from the infected plants but not from the asymptomatic plants. A comparison of the sequences with those in GenBank revealed 100% sequence similarity to H. camelinae. Growth and development of the H. camelinae was observed in different tissues using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Light microscopic observation revealed the presence of oospores in the infected leaves and SEM revealed the presence of conidia and conidiophores on the seed surface. To determine whether H. camelinae is a seed-transmitted pathogen, seed collected from infected plants were planted in Sunshine professional growing mix maintained in a growth chamber. Disease symptoms were observed in 96% of the seedlings compared with 3% of the seedlings grown from seed from asymptomatic plants, which indicates that H. camelinae is a seed-transmitted pathogen. Seed treated with mefenoxam, a fungicide specific for Oomycetes, significantly reduced the incidence of the disease.
Race and Virulence Dynamics of Puccinia triticina in China During 2000–2006
Authors: Liu T. G. , Chen W. Q.
Published: June 2012

Wheat leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is an important foliar disease of wheat in China. The dynamics of races and virulence in P. triticina populations in China during 2000 to 2006 were studied. Leaf rust samples were collected during surveys of wheat fields and trap nurseries in 16 provinces, and provided by coworkers throughout China. The virulence of single-pustule isolates was determined on near-isogenic Thatcher lines for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17, and Lr30, and races were denominated using the Prt code system. During 2000 to 2006, 79 races were identified from a total of 613 isolates. Races PHT (23.7%), THT (14.7%), PHJ (11.4%), and THJ (4.2%) were the four common races, all avirulent to Lr9 and Lr24. The frequency of isolates with virulence to Lr1, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr11, Lr16, Lr17, and Lr26 was over 80%, and these isolates were widely distributed in China, whereas the frequencies of virulence to Lr9, Lr19, Lr24, Lr25, Lr28, and Lr29 were 0.2 to 2.5%. The diversity of virulence phenotypes of Chinese P. triticina populations appeared to increase from 2000 to 2006. P. triticina races and virulences in China appear to be isolated from those in other countries.
Estimation of the Contribution of Norketamine to Ketamine-induced Acute Pain Relief and Neurocognitive Impairment in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Olofsen Erik , Noppers Ingeborg , Niesters Marieke , Kharasch Evan , Aarts Leon , Sarton Elise , Dahan Albert
Published: June 2012

Background

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine is metabolized in the liver into its active metabolite norketamine. No human data are available on the relative contribution of norketamine to ketamine-induced analgesia and side effects. One approach to assess the ketamine and norketamine contributions is by measuring the ketamine effect at varying ketamine and norketamine plasma concentrations using the CYP450 inducer rifampicin.

Methods

In 12 healthy male volunteers the effect of rifampicin versus placebo pretreatment on S-ketamine-induced analgesia and cognition was quantified; the S-ketamine dosage was 20 mg/h for 2 h. The relative ketamine and norketamine contribution to effect was estimated using a linear additive population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model.

Results

S-ketamine produced significant analgesia, psychotropic effects (drug high), and cognitive impairment (including memory impairment and reduced psychomotor speed, reaction time, and cognitive flexibility). Modeling revealed a negative contribution of S-norketamine to S-ketamine- induced analgesia and absence of contribution to cognitive impairment. At ketamine and norketamine effect concentrations of 100 ng/ml and 50 ng/ml, respectively, the ketamine contribution to analgesia is -3.8 cm (visual analog pain score) versus a contribution of norketamine of +1.5 cm, causing an overall effect of -2.3 cm. The blood-effect site equilibration half-life ranged from 0 (cognitive flexibility) to 11.8 (pain intensity) min and was 6.1 min averaged across all endpoints.

Conclusions

This first observation that norketamine produces effects in the opposite direction of ketamine requires additional proof. It can explain the observation of ketamine-related excitatory phenomena (such as hyperalgesia and allodynia) upon the termination of ketamine infusions.
The sound of arousal in music is context-dependent
Authors: Blumstein Daniel T. , Bryant Gregory A. , Kaye Peter
Published: June 2012

Humans, and many non-human animals, produce and respond to harsh, unpredictable, nonlinear sounds when alarmed, possibly because these are produced when acoustic production systems (vocal cords and syrinxes) are overblown in stressful, dangerous situations. Humans can simulate nonlinearities in music and soundtracks through the use of technological manipulations. Recent work found that film soundtracks from different genres differentially contain such sounds. We designed two experiments to determine specifically how simulated nonlinearities in soundtracks influence perceptions of arousal and valence. Subjects were presented with emotionally neutral musical exemplars that had neither noise nor abrupt frequency transitions, or versions of these musical exemplars that had noise or abrupt frequency upshifts or downshifts experimentally added. In a second experiment, these acoustic exemplars were paired with benign videos. Judgements of both arousal and valence were altered by the addition of these simulated nonlinearities in the first, music-only, experiment. In the second, multi-modal, experiment, valence (but not arousal) decreased with the addition of noise or frequency downshifts. Thus, the presence of a video image suppressed the ability of simulated nonlinearities to modify arousal. This is the first study examining how nonlinear simulations in music affect emotional judgements. These results demonstrate that the perception of potentially fearful or arousing sounds is influenced by the perceptual context and that the addition of a visual modality can antagonistically suppress the response to an acoustic stimulus.
On molecular diffusion in nanostructured porous media: interfacial exchange kinetics and surface diffusion
Authors: Albaalbaki Bashar , Hill Reghan J.
Published: June 2012

Water-vapour transport in nanostructured composite materials is poorly understood because diffusion and interfacial exchange kinetics are coupled. We formulate an interfacial balance that couples diffusion in dispersed and continuous phases to adsorption, absorption and interfacial surface diffusion. This work is motivated by water-vapour transport in cellulose fibre-based barriers, but the model applies to nanostructured porous media such as catalysts, chromatography columns, nanocomposites, cementitious structures and biomaterials. The interfacial balance can be applied in an analytical or a computational framework to porous media with any microstructural geometry. Here, we explore its capabilities in a model porous medium: randomly dispersed solid spheres in a continuous (humid) gas. We elucidate the roles of equilibrium moisture uptake, solid, gas and surface diffusion coefficients, inclusion size and interfacial exchange kinetics on the effective diffusivity. We then apply the local model to predict water-vapour transport rates under conditions in which the effective diffusivity varies through the cross section of a dense, homogeneous membrane that is subjected to a finite moisture-concentration gradient. As the microstructural length scale decreases from micrometres to nanometres, interfacial exchange kinetics and surface diffusion produce a maximum in the tracer flux. This optimal flux is flanked, respectively, by interfacial-kinetic- and diffusion-limited transport at smaller and larger microscales.
The nonlinear electromigration of analytes into confined spaces
Authors: Chen Zhen , Ghosal Sandip
Published: June 2012

We consider the problem of electromigration of a sample ion (analyte) within a uniform background electrolyte when the confining channel undergoes a sudden contraction. One example of such a situation arises in microfluidics in the electrokinetic injection of the analyte into a micro-capillary from a reservoir of much larger size. Here, the sample concentration propagates as a wave driven by the electric field. The dynamics is governed by the Nerst–Planck–Poisson system of equations for ionic transport. A reduced one-dimensional nonlinear equation, describing the evolution of the sample concentration, is derived. We integrate this equation numerically to obtain the evolution of the wave shape and determine how the injected mass depends on the sample concentration in the reservoir. It is shown that due to the nonlinear coupling of the ionic concentrations and the electric field, the concentration of the injected sample could be substantially less than the concentration of the sample in the reservoir.
The Caribbean slipper spurgeEuphorbia tithymaloides: the first example of a ring species in plants
Authors: Cacho N. Ivalú , Baum David A.
Published: June 2012

A ring species arises when a parental population expands around an area of unsuitable habitat in such a way that when the two fronts meet they behave as distinct species while still being connected through a series of intergrading populations. Ring species offer great possibilities for studying the forces causing species divergence (e.g. the nature of pre-zygotic or post-zygotic reproductive isolation) or helping to maintain species integrity (e.g. reinforcement). Yet, ring species are extremely rare, and have only been documented convincingly in animals. Here, we present phylogenetic analyses of two nuclear gene regions from the Caribbean slipper spurge (Euphorbia tithymaloides) species complex that provide evidence that this group forms a ring species. These data show that the species complex originated in the area where Mexico and Guatemala meet, and expanded around the Caribbean basin along two distinct fronts: one eastward through the Yucatan Peninsula and into the Greater Antilles (GA); one southeastward through northern South America and then northward to the Lesser Antilles and eastern GA. The two terminal forms co-occur in the Virgin Islands and appear to be morphologically and ecologically distinct. Thus, our results suggest thatEuphorbia tithymaloidesis the first compelling example of a ring species in plants.
Ecological and anthropogenic drivers of rabies exposure in vampire bats: implications for transmission and control
Authors: Streicker Daniel G. , Recuenco Sergio , Valderrama William , Gomez Benavides Jorge , Vargas Ivan , Pacheco Víctor , Condori Condori Rene E. , Montgomery Joel , Rupprecht Charles E. , Rohani Pejman , Altizer Sonia
Published: June 2012

Despite extensive culling of common vampire bats in Latin America, lethal human rabies outbreaks transmitted by this species are increasingly recognized, and livestock rabies occurs with striking frequency. To identify the individual and population-level factors driving rabies virus (RV) transmission in vampire bats, we conducted a longitudinal capture–recapture study in 20 vampire bat colonies spanning four regions of Peru. Serology demonstrated the circulation of RV in vampire bats from all regions in all years. Seroprevalence ranged from 3 to 28 per cent and was highest in juvenile and sub-adult bats. RV exposure was independent of bat colony size, consistent with an absence of population density thresholds for viral invasion and extinction. Culling campaigns implemented during our study failed to reduce seroprevalence and were perhaps counterproductive for disease control owing to the targeted removal of adults, but potentially greater importance of juvenile and sub-adult bats for transmission. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of RV maintenance in vampire bats and highlight the need for ecologically informed approaches to rabies prevention in Latin America.
Genomic consequences of multiple speciation processes in a stick insect
Authors: Nosil Patrik , Gompert Zach , Farkas Timothy E. , Comeault Aaron A. , Feder Jeffrey L. , Buerkle C. Alex , Parchman Thomas L.
Published: June 2012

Diverse geographical modes and mechanisms of speciation are known, and individual speciation genes have now been identified. Despite this progress, genome-wide outcomes of different evolutionary processes during speciation are less understood. Here, we integrate ecological and spatial information, mating trials, transplantation data and analysis of 86 130 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight populations (28 pairwise comparisons) ofTimema cristinaestick insects to test the effects of different factors on genomic divergence in a system undergoing ecological speciation. We find patterns consistent with effects of numerous factors, including geographical distance, gene flow, divergence in host plant use and climate, and selection against maladaptive hybridization (i.e. reinforcement). For example, the number of highly differentiated ‘outlier loci’, allele-frequency clines and the overall distribution of genomic differentiation were recognizably affected by these factors. Although host use has strong effects on phenotypic divergence and reproductive isolation, its effects on genomic divergence were subtler and other factors had pronounced effects. The results demonstrate how genomic data can provide new insights into speciation and how genomic divergence can be complex, yet predictable. Future work could adopt experimental, mapping and functional approaches to directly test which genetic regions are affected by selection and determine their physical location in the genome.
Altererythrobacter

gangjinensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from a tidal flat
Authors: Jeong Sang Hyeon , Jin Hyun Mi , Lee Hyo Jung , Jeon Che Ok
Published: June 2012

A Gram-stain-negative, ochre-pigmented, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain KJ7T, was isolated from a tidal flat of the Gangjin bay in South Korea. Cells were halotolerant, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive rods. Growth of strain KJ7T was observed at 5–35 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6.0–9.5 (optimum, pH 6.5–7.0) and in the presence of 0–9 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2 %). The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C17 : 1ω6c, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The polar lipid pattern indicated the presence of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, a sphingoglycolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 60.2±0.9 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain KJ7T formed a phyletic lineage distinct from other members of the genus

Altererythrobacter

and was most closely related to

Altererythrobacter luteolus

SW-109T and

Altererythrobacter namhicola

KYW48T (95.6 and 95.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain KJ7T represents a novel species of the genus

Altererythrobacter

, for which the name

Altererythrobacter

gangjinensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KJ7T ( = KACC 16190T = JCM 17802T).
Kangiella

sediminilitoris sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment
Authors: Lee Soo-Young , Park Sooyeon , Oh Tae-Kwang , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: June 2012

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strain, BB-Mw22T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment of the South Sea in South Korea. It grew optimally at 30–37 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain BB-Mw22T belonged to the genus

Kangiella

and the cluster comprising

Kangiella

species and strain BB-Mw22T was clearly separated from other taxa. Strain BB-Mw22T exhibited 95.3–98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of recognized

Kangiella

species. Strain BB-Mw22T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquionone and iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C11 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain BB-Mw22T was 48.9 mol%, and its mean DNA–DNA hybridization values with

Kangiella geojedonensis

YCS-5T,

Kangiella japonica

JCM 16211T and

Kangiella taiwanensis

JCM 17727T were 14–28 %. Phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness and differential phenotypic properties revealed that strain BB-Mw22T is distinguishable from all recognized

Kangiella

species. On the basis of the data presented, strain BB-Mw22T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Kangiella

, for which the name

Kangiella

sediminilitoris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BB-Mw22T ( = KCTC 23892T  = CCUG 62217T).
Splicing in oncogenesis and tumor suppression
Authors: Kaida Daisuke , Schneider‐Poetsch Tilman , Yoshida Minoru
Published: June 2012

Post‐transcriptional modifications, such as 5′ end capping, 3′ end polyadenylation and splicing, are necessary for the precise regulation of gene expression and transcriptome integrity. Therefore, it is not surprising that abnormalities of these post‐transcriptional modifications prompt numerous diseases, including cancer. In fact, many studies revealed that misregulation of mRNA processing, especially splicing, are observed in a variety of cancer cells. In this review we describe how changes within RNA splicing regulatory elements or mutations in the processing factors alter the expression of tumor suppressors or oncogenes with pathological consequences. In addition, we show how several small molecules that bind to spliceosomal components and splicing regulators inhibit or modulate splicing activity. These compounds have anticancer activity and further development of small molecule modulators has potential in next generation cancer therapy.
The impact of seed head age and orientation on seed release thresholds
Authors: Borger Catherine P. D. , Renton Michael , Riethmuller Glen , Hashem Abul
Published: June 2012

1.It has been established that the timing of abscission has a major impact on the dispersal distances achieved by individual seeds, and yet there is little information available on seed release thresholds.

2.The current research usedConyza bonariensisto examine seed release thresholds of seed heads at varying ages and at varying orientations (in relation to the direction of the air flow).

3.Wind speeds of 0–70 m s−1were used to remove the seeds from seed heads harvested directly prior to exposure to wind. Seed head age at the time of harvest from the plant (0–10 days old, where day 0 is the day on which the seed head opens) and seed head orientation (in relation to the direction of air) were altered.

4.While seed loss increased with increasing wind speed, average loss from seed heads increased from 49·4% on the day they opened to 92·8% from seed heads open for 10 days. Further, there was an average seed loss of 76·4%, 72·5%, 73·9%, 65·3% and 58·8% for wind orientations of 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180°, where 0° indicates wind directed up towards the base of the hemispherical seed head (simulating an updraft), 90° indicate wind directed towards the side of the seed head (horizontal wind) and 180° indicate wind directed down towards the top of the seed head (simulating a downdraft).

5.Seeds were released in the strongest wind events and were more likely to be released in updrafts or horizontal winds rather than downdrafts. Both of these factors interact with seed aging in a way that will increase the potential dispersal distance. Given that minor changes to abscission can have major impacts on maximum dispersal distance; these factors need to be taken into account when formulating models on dispersal.

6.This research supports the theory that where greater dispersal confers an evolutionary advantage, wind‐dispersed plants would be likely to evolve strategies to ensure maximum dispersal capability.
Expression and significance of stem cell markers in pulmonary sclerosing haemangioma
Authors: Lin Xu‐Yong , Fan Chui‐Feng , Dong Xin‐Jun , Yu Juan‐Han , Dai Shun‐Dong , Wang En‐Hua
Published: June 2012

Lin X‐Y, Fan C‐F, Dong X‐J, Yu J‐H, Dai S‐D & Wang E‐H  (2012) Histopathology 61, 178–185  Expression and significance of stem cell markers in pulmonary sclerosing haemangioma

Aims:  The two major types of cells of pulmonary sclerosing haemangioma (PSH) with the same origin show significant differences in morphological phenotype. Whether these differences are caused by their different differentiation status is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to analyse their differentiation status by detecting the expression of several stem cell markers in PSH.

Methods and results:  The expression of stem cell markers was examined by using streptavidin peroxidase (SP) immunohistochemisty in 45 PSH specimens. Also, the two types of cells were, respectively, captured by laser capture microdissection (LCM) from 28 PSH specimens, and total RNA was then extracted followed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). The results demonstrated that the expression rates of ABCG2, Notch1 and Notch3 in polygonal cells were significantly higher than those in cuboidal cells (P < 0.05), and the expression levels of ABCG2, Notch3 and Jagged1 in polygonal cells were clearly higher than those in cuboidal cells (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  The data obtained provided evidence that the two types of cells in PSH may be different in differentiation status. The differentiation difference between the two types of cells might lead to variation in their morphological phenotype.
Nodal cytotoxic molecule (CM)‐positive Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL): a clinicopathological study of 26 cases
Authors: Kato Seiichi , Takahashi Emiko , Asano Naoko , Tanaka Tsutomu , Megahed Nirmeen , Kinoshita Tomohiro , Nakamura Shigeo
Published: June 2012

Kato S, Takahashi E, Asano N, Tanaka T, Megahed N, Kinoshita T & Nakamura S  (2012) Histopathology 61, 186–199

Nodal cytotoxic molecule (CM)‐positive Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL): a clinicopathological study of 26 cases

Aims:  The clinicopathological distinctiveness of nodal cytotoxic molecule (CM)‐positive Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) remains to be clarified. We investigated 26 patients with this lymphoma compared to nodal CM+ EBV− PTCL (n = 39) and extranasal natural killer/T cell lymphoma of nasal type (ENKTL, n = 44).

Methods and results:  Nodal CM+ EBV+ PTCL patients were more likely to have B symptoms (P = 0.019) and hepatic involvement (P = 0.026) than nodal CM+ EBV− PTCL patients. The former also had more Stage III/IV disease (P = 0.025) but much less cutaneous involvement (P < 0.001) than ENKTL patients at diagnosis. This nodal EBV+ lymphoma possessed a distinctive immunophenotype of high CD8+, CD56− pattern with an aggressive clinical course (median, 6.6 months). Thrombocytopenia was present in 11 (50%) patients and found to be the strongest prognostic indicator (P = 0.001) in this nodal EBV+ group. For all nodal CM+ PTCL cases CD5 negativity, but not EBV positivity, was the significant adverse prognostic factor (P < 0.002) in a multivariate analysis, independent of prognostic index for PTCL (PIT) or International Prognostic Index (IPI) scores.

Conclusions:  Nodal CM+ EBV+ PTCL constitutes a unique group of lymphomas distinct from ENKTL. The data provide support for our assertion that nodal CM+ PTCL should be distinguished in the 2008 WHO category of PTCL, not otherwise specified.
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 in invasive breast carcinoma: prognostic significance and relationship with markers for aggressiveness
Authors: Dhakal Hari Prasad , Naume Bjørn , Synnestvedt Marit , Borgen Elin , Kaaresen Rolf , Schlichting Ellen , Wiedswang Gro , Bassarova Assia , Holm Ruth , Giercksky Karl‐Erik , Nesland Jahn M
Published: June 2012

Dhakal H P, Naume B, Synnestvedt M, Borgen E, Kaaresen R, Schlichting E, Wiedswang G, Bassarova A, Holm R, Giercksky K‐E & Nesland J M  (2012) Histopathology 61, 350–364

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 in invasive breast carcinoma: prognostic significance and relationship with markers for aggressiveness

Aims:  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR‐1) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2) play a role in breast cancer growth and angiogenesis. We examined the expression and relationship with clinical outcome and other prognostic factors.

Methods and results:  Tumour sections from 468 breast cancer patients were immunostained for VEGF, VEGFR‐1, and VEGFR‐2, and their relationships with tumour vascularity, disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) in bone marrow and other clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. VEGF, VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2 immunoreactivities were observed in invasive breast carcinoma cells. VEGF expression was significantly associated with VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2 expression (P < 0.001). High‐level cytoplasmic expression of VEGFR‐1 was associated with significantly reduced distant disease‐free survival (DDFS) (P = 0.017, log‐rank) and breast cancer‐specific survival (BCSS) (P = 0.005, log‐rank) for all patients, and for node‐negative patients without systemic treatment (DDFS, P = 0.03, log‐rank; BCSS, P = 0.009, log‐rank). VEGFR‐1 expression was significantly associated with histopathological markers of aggressiveness (P < 0.05). Significantly reduced survival was observed in DTC‐positive patients as compared with DTC‐negative patients in the combined moderate/high VEGFR‐1 group (P < 0.001 for DDFS and BCSS), and the same was true for DDFS in the moderate VEGFR‐2 group (P = 0.006).

Conclusions:  High‐level expression of VEGFR‐1 indicates reduced survival. Higher‐level expression of VEGFR‐1 or VEGFR‐2 in primary breast carcinomas combined with the presence of DTC selects a prognostically unfavourable patient group.
Boldness in two perch populations – long‐term differences and the effect of predation pressure
Authors: Magnhagen Carin , Hellström Gustav , Borcherding Jost , Heynen Martina
Published: June 2012

1. Populations of the same species often display different behaviours, for example, in their response to predators. The question is whether this difference is developed as part of a divergent selection caused by differences in predation pressure, or as a result of phenotypic responses to current environmental conditions.

2. Two populations of Eurasian perch were investigated over a time span of 6 years to see whether risk‐taking behaviour in young‐of‐the‐year perch were consistent across cohorts, or if behaviour varied over time with changes in predation regime.

3. Boldness was estimated in aquarium studies by looking at how the fish made trade‐offs between foraging in a risky area and staying in shelter. Predation risk of each year and lake was estimated from fishing surveys, using an individual‐based model calculating attack rates for cannibalistic perch.

4. The average boldness scores were consistently lower in perch from Fisksjön compared with those in Ängersjön, although the magnitude of the difference varied among years. Variance component analyses showed that differences between lakes in boldness scores only explained 12 per cent of the total variation. Differences between years were contributing at least similarly or more to the total variance, and the variation was higher in Fisksjön than in Ängersjön.

5. The observed risk‐taking behaviour of young‐of‐the‐year perch, compared across cohorts, was significantly correlated with the year‐specific estimates of cannibalistic attack rates, with lower boldness scores in years with higher predation pressure. In Fisksjön, with significant changes over the years in population structure, the range of both predation risk and boldness scores was wider than in Ängersjön.

6. By following the two perch populations over several years, we have been able to show that the differences in risk‐taking behaviour mainly are due to direct phenotypic responses to recent experience of predation risk. Long‐term differences in behaviour among perch populations thus reflect consistent differences in predation regime rather than diverging inherent traits.
Hypothalamic Galanin‐Like Peptide Rescues the Onset of Puberty in Food‐Restricted Weanling Rats
Authors: Mohr M. A. , Leathley E. , Fraley G. S.
Published: June 2012

Galanin‐like peptide (GALP) is a known mediator of metabolism and reproduction; however, the role that GALP plays in the onset of puberty is unknown. First, we tested the hypothesis that central GALP administration could rescue puberty in food‐restricted weanling rats. GALP treatment in food‐restricted rats of both sexes rescued the timing of the onset of puberty to that seen in ad lib. fed controls. Second, we tested whether GALP translation knocked‐down in ad lib. fed, prepubertal rats would alter the timing of puberty. Knock‐down females, but not males, showed a significant (P < 0.01) delay in the onset of puberty compared to controls. Third, we sought evidence that the role of GALP in pubertal onset is mediated by the kisspeptin system. In situ hybridisation analyses showed a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in Kiss1 mRNA within the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus in food‐restricted rats compared to ad lib. fed controls and this reduction was prevented with i.c.v. GALP administration. Furthermore, analyses of Fos‐immunoreactivity (‐IR) after i.c.v. GALP treatment did not elicit Fos‐IR within any kisspeptin neurones, nor are GALP and kisspeptin peptides or mRNA colocalised. These data demonstrate that hypothalamic GALP infusion maintained the onset of puberty in food‐restricted weanling rats, although probably not via direct innervation of kisspeptin neurones.
Defining spatial and temporal patterns of phylogeographic structure in Madagascar’s iguanid lizards (genus Oplurus)
Authors: CHAN LAUREN M. , CHOI DEAN , RASELIMANANA ACHILLE P. , RAKOTONDRAVONY HERY A. , YODER ANNE D.
Published: June 2012

Understanding the remarkably high species diversity and levels of endemism found among Madagascar’s flora and fauna has been the focus of many studies. One hypothesis that has received much attention proposes that Quaternary climate fluctuations spurred diversification. While spatial patterns of distribution and phylogenetic relationships can provide support for biogeographic predictions, temporal estimates of divergence are required to determine the fit of these geospatial patterns to climatic or biogeographic mechanisms. We use multilocus DNA sequence data to test whether divergence times among Malagasy iguanid lizards of the subfamily Oplurinae are compatible with a hypotheses of Pliocene–Pleistocene diversification. We estimate the oplurine species tree and associated divergence times under a relaxed‐clock model. In addition, we examine the phylogeographic structure and population divergence times within two sister species of Oplurus primarily distributed in the north‐west and south‐west of Madagascar (Oplurus cuvieri and Oplurus cyclurus, respectively). We find that divergence events among oplurine lineages occurred in the Oligocene and Miocene and are thus far older and incompatible with the hypothesis that recent climate fluctuations are related to current species diversity. However, the timing of intraspecific divergences and spatial patterns of population genetic structure within O. cuvieri and O. cyclurus suggest a role for both intrinsic barriers and recent climate fluctuations at population‐level divergences. Integrating information across spatial and temporal scales allows us to identify and better understand the mechanisms generating patterns diversity.
Elevated growth temperatures alter hydraulic characteristics in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) seedlings: implications for tree drought tolerance
Authors: WAY DANIELLE A. , DOMEC JEAN‐CHRISTOPHE , JACKSON ROBERT B.
Published: June 2012

Although climate change will alter both soil water availability and evaporative demand, our understanding of how future climate conditions will alter tree hydraulic architecture is limited. Here, we demonstrate that growth at elevated temperatures (ambient +5 °C) affects hydraulic traits in seedlings of the deciduous boreal tree species Populus tremuloides, with the strength of the effect varying with the plant organ studied. Temperature altered the partitioning of hydraulic resistance, with greater resistance attributed to stems and less to roots in warm‐grown seedlings (P < 0.02), and a 46% (but marginally significant, P = 0.08) increase in whole plant conductance at elevated temperature. Vulnerability to cavitation was greater in leaves grown at high than at ambient temperatures, but vulnerability in stems was similar between treatments. A soil–plant–atmosphere (SPA) model suggests that these coordinated changes in hydraulic physiology would lead to more frequent drought stress and reduced water‐use efficiency in aspen that develop at warmer temperatures. Tissue‐specific trade‐offs in hydraulic traits in response to high growth temperatures would be difficult to detect when relying solely on whole plant measurements, but may have large‐scale ecological implications for plant water use, carbon cycling and, possibly, plant drought survival.
The Arabidopsis thaliana DSB formation (AtDFO) gene is required for meiotic double‐strand break formation
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Song Yao , Cheng Zhi‐hao , Wang Ying‐xiang , Zhu Jun , Ma Hong , Xu Ling , Yang Zhong‐Nan
Published: June 2012

DNA double‐strand break (DSB) formation is the initial event for meiotic recombination catalyzed by the conserved Spo11 protein. In Arabidopsis, several proteins have been reported to be involved in DSB formation. Here, we report an Arabidopsis DSB forming (DFO) gene in Arabidopsis that is involved in DSB formation. The dfo mutant exhibits reduced fertility, producing polyads with an abnormal number of microspores, unlike the tetrads in the wild type. The dfo meiocytes were defective in homologous chromosome synapsis and segregation. Genetic analysis revealed that the homologous recombination of Atdfo‐1 is severely affected in meiotic prophase I. DFO encodes a protein without any known conserved domain. There was no homologue identified outside the plant kingdom, indicating that AtDFO is a plant‐specific protein. AtMRE11 has been reported to be responsible for processing SPO11‐generated DSBs. The Atmre11 mutant displays chromosome fragmentation during meiosis. However, the Atdfo Atmre11 double mutant had no such chromosome fragmentation, indicating that AtDFO is required for DSB formation.
Interactions between pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing in spring cereals
Authors: BRANDSÆTER L O , MANGERUD K , RASMUSSEN J
Published: June 2012

Brandsæter LO, Mangerud K & Rasmussen J (2012) Interactions between pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing in spring cereals. Weed Research52, 338–347.

Pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing were studied in spring cereals in different environments and with two types of harrows in Norway during 2004–2006. The objectives were to investigate interactions between pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing and the importance of harrow type. We hypothesised that pre‐ and post‐emergence harrowing interact positively, that a combination gives more stable weed control effects than pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing used alone, and that a harrow type with bent tines is more aggressive and suitable on hard‐packed soils than a harrow with strait tines. The results only supported the last of these hypotheses. Post‐emergence weed harrowing controlled a certain percentage of the present weeds, and this percentage was not dependent on pre‐emergence weed harrowing. On average, pre‐emergence harrowing reduced weed density by 26% and weed biomass by 22%, while the average effect of post‐emergence harrowing was 47% on weed density and 41% on weed biomass. The combined effect of pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing was 61% on weed density and 54% on weed biomass. The combination did not give more stable weed control effects than pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing used alone. Pre‐emergence harrowing increased the average crop yield by 6.2%, post‐emergence harrowing by 4.0% and the combined effect was 10%. Crop yield was mainly increased on hard‐packed soils. Weed and crop responses varied strongly among experiments, but the efficacy of pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing was positively correlated across experiments. Weed species composition was of minor importance regarding weed control. The study indicates that one aggressive post‐emergence cultivation may be as good as one pre‐emergence and one less aggressive post‐emergence cultivation. However, little is known about the interactions between cultivation at different crop and weed growth stages.