Isotopic studies of the diet of the people of the coast of British Columbia

In 1982, Chisholm et al. used δ¹³C data for human burials from shell midden sites widely distributed on the coast of British Columbia (BC) to show the extreme dependence of these individuals on high trophic level marine consumers, principally salmon and marine mammals. Here, we present previously unpublished analyses of δ¹⁵N for some of the same individuals as well as δ¹³C data for additional individuals. Nitrogen isotope data show that the diet was dominated by high trophic level marine fauna including carnivorous fish and marine mammals. Although most burials were found in shell middens, marine mollusks made up of only a minor component of diet. The data for δ¹³C demonstrate that terrestrial faunal foods are undetectable in the diet of the majority of individuals, and seldom constitute more than 10% of the dietary protein of individuals living on the coast although terrestrial fauna were widely available as a potential source of protein. This dietary pattern of exclusion of land‐based animals from their diet persisted for almost 6,000 years along a wide expanse of coastline. In contrast, people from the BC interior (100 km or more from the coast) consumed a mixed diet of terrestrial and marine foods including spawning salmon. Am J Phys Anthropol 155:460–468, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Characterization of the composition of the aqueous humor and the vitreous body of the eye of the frog Rana temporaria L

This study aimed to analyze the aqueous humor (AH) and the vitreous body (VB) of the eye of the adult frog Rana temporaria L. as a representative species of amphibians, which lead a semi-terrestrial life. The presence of collagen, albumin, uric acid and electron donors was shown in both media; however, there are slight differences in their concentrations. To determine collagen, a spectral-fluorescent probe, cyanine dye, was used. The presence of collagen in AH of the frog was found at the first time. The total content of electron donors (ascorbic and uric acids, tryptophan, and tyrosine) in VB and HA was roughly estimated at ~ 1.5 × 10^− 4 mol/L. Both VB and AH absorb light in similar UV regions. The total protein and albumin contents in AH were found to be somewhat higher than those in VB. The uric acid content was at an equally low level in both intraocular media. It is supposed that the similarity of VB and AH compositions shown in this work is due to some exchange between VB and AH contents in the course of accommodation. The role of intraocular fluids in physiological functions of the eye and in protecting the retina against UV light is discussed.     

Diversity of the Carbohydrate Composition of the Antigenic Polysaccharides of Proteobacteria of the Genera Pseudoalteromonasand Marinomonas

The sugar analysis of the glycans of the type strains of marine proteobacteria of the genera Pseudoalteromonasand Marinomonas—Pseudoalteromonas atlanticaIAM12927^T, P. aurantiaNCIMB 2033^T, P. citreaATCC 29719^T, P. elyakoviiKMM 162^T, P. espejianaATCC 29659^T, P. piscicidaNCIMB 645^T, P. tetraodonisIAM 14160^T, Marinomonas communisATCC 27118^T, and M. vagaATCC 27119^T—showed that they contain glucose, galactose, galactosamine, glucosamine, fucose, rhamnose, mannose, heptose, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO), uronic acids, colitose (3,6-dideoxy-L-xylo-hexose), and 6-deoxy-L-talose. The carbohydrate composition of the antigenic polysaccharides (PSs) of P. elyakoviiKMM 162^Tand P. espejianaATCC 29659^Tdepended on the type and the concentration of carbohydrate substrates in the nutrient media. The molar proportion between rhamnose, glucose, and galactose (ca. 1 : 0.3 : 2) in the PS of P. elyakoviiKMM 162^Twas almost the same in the media lacking carbohydrates or containing glucose or galactose at a concentration of 1 g/l. At the same time, the molar proportion between fucose, glucose, galactose, galactosamine, and glucosamine (ca. 1 : 1 : 1 : 2 : 0.5) in the PS of P. espejianaATCC 29659^Tdepended on the presence and the concentration of carbohydrate substrates in the medium. A high concentration of glucose in the medium (30 g/l) brought about a rise in the content of glucose in PSs (9-fold for the PS of P. elyakoviiKMM 162^Tand 4.6-fold for the PS of P. espejianaATCC 29659^T) and led to a decrease in the content of other carbohydrates. The cultivation of these two strains at a lactose concentration of 30 g/l resulted in their PSs containing glucose and galactose in about equal proportions (ca. 1 : 1 in the case of P. espejianaATCC 29659^Tand ca. 2.1 : 1.7 in the case of P. elyakoviiKMM 162^T).     

A review of the systematic position of the North American species of the genusGlyptotendipes

The systematic position of the North American species of the genusGlyptotendipes is reviewed using morphological characters from all life history stages. The cladistic analysis revealed adult characters which support the monophyly of the three species groups (A, B and C) of PINDER and REISS (1983, 1986) for pupae and larvae. These species groups are given formal subgeneric status, with Group A becomingGlytotendipes, s.s., placingPhytotendipes Goetghebuer, 1937 in synonymy, Group B is namedCaulochironomus (type-species,Tendipes caulicola Kieffer, 1913) and Group C is namedTrichotendipes (type-species,Tendipes signatus Kieffer, 1911).     

Molecular analysis of the D-genome of the Triticeae

Summary The chromosome of three tetraploid Aegilops L. species containing the D-genome were analyzed by in situ hybridization with a repeated DNA sequence clone pAS1 isolated from Aegilops squarrosa and observed to be D-genome specific. This sequence is found on all seven D-genome chromosome pairs of A. squarrosa and hexaploid wheat. Two distinct D-genome patterns were observed in the tetraploid species. The D-genome of A. cylindrica was similar to hexaploid wheat. Seven pairs of chromosomes having large amounts and numerous sites of the sequence were observed. Five chromosome pairs with fewer and smaller sites of the repetitive sequence were observed in the D-genomes of A. crassa and A. ventricosa. In addition to these major repeated sequence differences, chromosomal modifications appear to have occurred between T. aestivum and A. cylindrica and between A. crassa and A. ventricosa resulting in changes with respect to location of the sequence between the respective species. D-genome divergence with respect to pAS1 sequence appears to have occurred at least in two forms, one characterized by the changes in amount of repetitive sequence and the second by changes in location of the sequence.     

Primary production of the periphyton in the littoral of the Danube

Summary The gross primary production of periphyton, grown on artificial substrata in the littoral of the Danube, was measured by the light and dark bottle method from April 1970 to March 1971. The periphyton used for the measurements was sampled from various depths, in order to cover the production of the whole littoral. In connection with this, the littoral area was divided into four zones limited by the heights 600 to 200 cm, according to the local water level gauge. The highest localized zone A (500–600 cm) was inundated only at maximum water levels for rather short period of time, the deepest zone D (200–300 cm) was permanently flooded.The zone A showed an average periphyton primary production of 22.5, the zone B of 54.8, the zone C of 28.9 and the zone D of 9.1 mg O₂/dm²/day. When recalculated to periods when the individual zones were inundated, the annual production was as follows: in zone A: 0.94, zone B: 9.20, zone C: 7.29 and zone D: 3.06g O₂/dm². The highest primary production was always found in the zone just below the water level. Exceptions occurred only when this zone was inundated for a short time as a result of a temporary rise of the water level and the periphyton was insufficiently developed.In order to compare the values of primary production of periphyton obtained from shallower rivers, where the whole bottom is well illuminated, or from rivers that do not exhibit such frequent and extensive level oscillations as the Danube, average value calculated from results obtained from the zone closest to the water level at the time of measurements, were always used. These results represent a special zone following the water level changes which is called surface zone. Primary periphytic production in the surface zone was 43.8 mg O₂/dm²/day. For the annual period it corresponds to the value of 14.74 g O₂/dm². Efficiently of gross photosynthesis in this zone was on the average 1.72%.The height of the water level and the water temperature were higly correlated with gross periphytic production. Close relationships between chlorophyll a concent, biomass and gross primary production of periphyton were found.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Bruttoprimärproduktion des auf künstlichem Substrat im litoralen Bereich der Donau wachsenden Periphytons, wurde vom April 1970 bis zum März 1971, mit Hilfe der Hell-Dunkelflaschenmethode, gemessen. Das für die Messung herangezogene Periphyton wurde aus verschiedenen Tiefenzonen entnommen, um die Produktion der gesamten Uferzone festzuhalten. Im Zusammenhang damit wurde der litorale Bereich der Donau in 4 Zonen gegliedert, welche ihre Grenzen bei einem Pegelstand von 600–200 cm des Ortspegels hatten. Die höchste Zone A (500–600 cm) wurde nur bei den höchsten Wasserstanden und nur für kurze Zeit vom Wasser überflutet, die tiefste Zone D (200–300 cm) war dauernd unter Wasser.In der Zone A war die durchschnittliche Produktion des Periphytons 22,5 mg O₂/dm²/Tag, in Zone B 54,8 mg, in Zone C 28,9 mg und in Zone D 9.1 mg. Nach Berechnung für die Zeit, in der die einzelnen Zonen vom Wasser bedeckt waren war folgende Produktion in den einzelnen Zonen festzustellen: in Zone A 0,94 g O₂/dm², in Zone B 9,20 g, in Zone C 7,29 g und in Zone D 3,06 g. Die höchste Periphytonproduktion wurde jeweils in der Zone festgestellt, welche dem Wasserspiegel am nächsten war. Eine Ausnahme bildeten nur jene Fälle, in denen these Zone nach vorübergehender Erhöhung des Wasserspiegels erst kurze Zeit vom Wasser bedeckt war und das Periphyton ungenügend entwickelt war.Zum Vergleich mit den Werten der Primärproduktion des Aufwuchses aus seichteren Gewässern mit gut belichteter Sohle, oder aus Flüssen welche nicht so häufige und weitreichende Spiegelschwankungen aufweisen wie die Donau, wird in der vorgelegten Arbeit der Durchschnittswert aus den Ergebnissen der Zone verwendet, welche zur Zeit der Messungen dem Wasserspiegel am nächsten war. Diese Ergebnisse repräsentieren eine besondere Zone, welche den Schwankungen des Wasserspiegels folgt und von den Autoren durch den Begriff Oberflachenzone bezeichnet wird. Die Primärproduktion des Periphytons in dieser Oberflächenzone war 43,8 mg O₂/dm²/Tag. Dem entspricht im Jahresverlauf ein Wert von 14,74 g O₂/dm². Die Ausnützung der Sonnenenergie war in dieser Zone im Durchschnitt 1,72%.Von den Umweltfaktoren zeigt die Höhe des Wasserspiegels und die Wassertemperatur den engsten Zusammenhang mit der Höhe der Bruttoprimärproduktion des Periphytons. In kürzeren Zeitabschnitten, in denen es zu keinen raschen ausgeprägten Schwankungen des Wasserspiegels des Flusses kommt, wurde eine enge Abhängigkeit zwischen den Werten der Primärproduktion und dem a-Chlorophylgehalt und auch der Biomasse festgestellt.

     

Microscopical determination of the filtration permeability of the mucosal surface of the goldfish intestinal epithelium

Summary The rate of shrinkage of the mucosal folds of goldfish intestine in response to mucosal hypertonicity was measured by microscopic means. Because of the geometry of the intestinal folds the rate of shrinkage could be directly related to the loss of volume from the fold through the brush border membranes and tight junctions. Experimentally a wide range of velocities was observed, reflecting the difficulty of rapidly estabilishing a uniform osmotic gradient at the preparation's mucosal surface. The initial velocity of volume loss provided a measure of the filtration permeability (P _f ) of the mucosal surface. From the highest velocities observed the filtration permeability was estimated to be approximately 14×10^–3 cm/sec related to the folded mucosal surface and 65×10^–3 cm/sec related to the straight serosal surface. Consideration of the experimental errors and unstirred layer effects make it probable that the latter value is still an underestimate of the trueP _f . The series barriers of the epithelium cause the total tissueP _f to be less than theP _f of the mucosal surface alone. In addition theP _f measured in the presence of an osmotic gradient may differ substantially from the tissue filtration permeability which exists in the absence of a change in osmolarity.     

Changes since the turn of the century in the fish fauna and the fisheries of the Oslofjord

Summary 1. The material for this study is drawn from two sources, (a) investigations of the fish fauna in the inner Oslofjord between 1897 and 1967, (b) fish landing statistics available since 1872 at the Oslo fish market.2. The investigations of the fish fauna reveal that 4 species of fish — 2 sharks and 2 arctic bullheads — have disappeared from the deep waters of the Oslofjord where they were known to exist in 1897. We assume that unfavourable conditions, great changes in temperature or lack of oxygen in the stagnant deep water to which these species belonged have been injurious to their propagation and survival.3. The annual fluctuations in the landed quantities of fish are great, but nevertheless there exists a marked decreasing trend since about 1930; total landings in recent years are less than 1/10 of what they were 30 or 40 years ago.4. The fluctuations in the landings of cod, herring and mackerel are studied in some detail. Three periods (of 20 to 22 years' duration) from 1872 to 1932 show increasing average landings of cod: 44, 57, and 74 tons respectively; in the period 1933 to 1955 landings decreased to an average of 16 tons per year. The effect of fluctuating year classes is discussed.5. The landings of herring and mackerel were very good between 1911 and 1919 or 1920 with a maximum of 1500 tons of herring and 800 tons of mackerel. In the following years there was a trend of decrease with a few years of moderately good landings. Mature mackerels are immigrating into the fjord for feeding and spawning, while mature herrings, to a major extent, are supposed to belong to a local stock. The highest landings of both species are due to extremely great catches of young fish, and the success of the fishery in any one year, therefore, dependent of a successful spawning and hatching one ort two years before.6. In conclusion, the attention is drawn to the fact that there are reasons to believe that the profuse growth of bacteria in the polluted waters seems to be injurious to the hatching of fish eggs and to the survival of fish larvae (Dannevig 1945,Oppenheimer 1955).

---

Veränderungen der Fischfauna und der Fischerei des Oslofjords seit der Jahrhundertwende

Kurzfassung Das Material zu dieser Untersuchung stammt aus zwei Quellen: (a) vier Untersuchungen über die Fischfauna des Oslofjords im Zeitraum zwischen 1897 und 1967, und (b) Statistiken für den Zeitraum von 1872 bis 1964 über die Fischmengen, die im inneren Oslofjord gefangen und an die Fischhalle in Oslo geliefert worden sind. Ein Vergleich der Resultate mit den vier Untersuchungen über die Fischfauna zeigt, daß vier Arten von Tiefwasserfischen aus dem inneren Oslofjord völlig verschwunden sind, nämlichEtmopterus spinax, Somniosus microcephalus, Artediellus uncinatus undIcelus bicornis, die beiden zuletzt genannten wahrscheinlich schon vor 1930. Eine Anzahl anderer Arten, die früher häufig waren, sind jetzt selten. Statistische Erhebungen über die im Oslofjord gefangenen Fische lassen erkennen, daß die Erträge seit den zwanziger und dreißiger Jahren stark zurückgegangen sind. Gleichzeitig hat die Zahl der Fischer abgenommen. Es wird die Schlußfolgerung gezogen, daß die Veränderungen des Oslofjords sich besonders in den letzten 30 Jahren für mehrere Fischarten als schädigend erwiesen haben. Diese Auffassung wird unterstützt durch die Untersuchungen vonDannevig (1945) undOppenheimer (1955), die gezeigt haben, daß die reiche Bakterienflora des Oslofjords für die Entwicklung der pelagischen Fischeier schädlich ist.

     

Evidence of the Insensitivity of the alpha-inc Allele to the Function of the Homothallic Genes in Saccharomyces Yeasts

The possible function of the α-inc allele (an α mating-type allele that is insensitive to the function of the homothallic gene system) was investigated by means of protoplast fusion. The fusion of protoplasts prepared from haploid strains of α-inc HO HMα HMa and α ho hmα HMa gave rise mainly to nonmating clones (58 of 64 isolates) and a few clones (six of 64 isolates) showing α mating type. Thirty of the 58 nonmating clones showed the diploid cell size and 28 clones had a larger cell size. Tetrad analysis of the nonmating clones with diploid cell size indicated that they were a/α-inc diploid; the normal α allele in α/α-inc cells was preferentially switched to an a allele. This observation further indicated that the HO/ho HMα/hmα HMa/HMa genotype is effective for the conversion of the α to a and that the inconvertibility of the α-inc allele is due to the insensitivity of the mating-type allele to the functional combination of the homothallic genes. It was suspected that fusion products larger than diploid cells might have been caused by multiple fusion of protoplasts.     

Parallel Computation of the Matrix of the Chemical Distances on the Connection Machine

Abstract

We report here the parallel implementation of an original algorithm allowing a fast calculation of the distance matrix D of a graph representing a given chemical structure (molecule, polymer, crystal, etc.). Our algorithm fits perfectly in the SIMD parallel architecture of the Connection Machines CM-200 as we shall show. After discussing the performances of the parallel evaluation of D, we will end with a relevant application concerning C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes. The present study applies to a generic globally connected graph without any restriction on the local connectivity of each graph's vertex.     

Insight into the structural organization of the omega leader of TMV RNA: the role of various regions of the sequence in the formation of a compact structure of the omega RNA

The 5′-untranslated sequence of tobacco mosaic virus RNA – the so called omega leader – is a well-known translational enhancer. The structure of the omega RNA has unusual features. Despite the absence of extensive secondary structure of the Watson–Crick type, the omega RNA possesses a stable compact conformation. The central part of the omega sequence contains many CAA repeats and is flanked by U-rich regions. In this work we synthesized the polyribonucleotides containing modified omega sequences, and studied them using analytical ultracentrifugation and thermal melting techniques. It was demonstrated that changes made in both the central and the 3′-proximal part of the sequence led to a strong destabilization of the omega RNA structure. We conclude that the regular (CAA)_n core region and the 3′-proximal AU-rich region of the omega RNA interact with each other and contribute together to the formation of a stable tertiary structure.     

Regulation of the Activity in the p53 Family Depends on the Organization of the Transactivation Domain

1. Download high-res image (164KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Structure of the catalytic core of the Integrator complex

1. Download : Download high-res image (132KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

On the generalization of the logistic law of growth

This communication presents a discussion of some extensions of the formalism of Verhulst's simple logistics, which may constitute an autonomous growth model of a more general scope.For that purpose, the basis concept of growth diagram or trajectory is called upon, as it affords the graphic representation of the change in the growth variable y, using two relevant kinetic parameters: the instantaneous rate and the instantaneous acceleration. The two possible kinds of trajectories are in relation to the use of absolute (V = dyldt; = dV/dt) or relative (or specific) values (R = (1/y)(dy/dt); _R = dR/dt).In the case of simple logistics, the trajectory (V, ) allows 4 growth phases or states to be distinguished. The diagram (R, _R ) shows that the deceleration of the specific rate is not monotonous.In the case of Richards - Nelder's generalized logistics, the qualitative variation of the growth trajectory depends on the value of the dissymmetry parameter (occurrence of a critical value which determines the number of growth states).Blumberg's model is characterized by an analogous property and, moreover, can account for a non monotonous variation of the specific growth rate.     

Study of the acclimation stage and of the effect of the biodegradability on the performance of a microbial fuel cell

In this work, it has been studied the production of electricity and the oxidation of the pollutants contained in a synthetic wastewater fed with glucose and peptone of soybean as carbon sources, using a mediator-less microbial fuel cell (MFC). Special attention has been paid to the acclimation stage, in which it was found that with high hydraulic and solid retention times it is possible to obtain a very efficient process with a 90% COD removal and practically total conversion of COD into electricity (considering the typical stoichiometric yield of heterotrophic biomass). The influence of concentration sludge was studied working with three different amounts of suspended solids, from 120 to 14000 mg. The maximum power density increased exponentially with the concentration sludge from 2.1 mW m⁻² to 11 mW m⁻² at the highest concentration sludge. More over, the percentage of the influent COD used to produce electricity was higher than 100% when the highest sludge concentration was used. This was explained taking into account the endogenous metabolism of micro-organisms presented in the system.     

Specificity of the lipase-specific foldases of gram-negative bacteria and the role of the membrane anchor

Folding of lipases that are secreted by Pseudomonads and other gram-negative bacteria via the type II secretion pathway is facilitated by dedicated chaperones, called lipase-specific foldases (Lifs). Lifs are membrane-anchored proteins with a large periplasmic domain. The functional interaction between the Lif and its cognate lipase is specific, since the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lif was found not to substitute for Lifs from Burkholderia glumae or Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. However, the P. aeruginosa Lif was able to activate the lipase from the closely related species P. alcaligenes. Hybrid proteins constructed from parts of the P. aeruginosa and B. glumae Lifs revealed that the C-terminal 138 amino acids of the B. glumae Lif determine the specificity of the interaction with the cognate lipase. Furthermore, the periplasmic domain of the B. glumae Lif was functional when cloned in frame with a cleavable signal sequence, which demonstrates that the membrane anchor is not essential for Lif function in vivo. However, the recombinant Lif was released into the medium, indicating that the function of the membrane anchor is to prevent secretion of the Lif together with the lipase. Received: 12 November 1998 / Accepted: 19 February 1999     

Determination of contents of the microelements in the blood and the hair of the Han,Uygur and Kazak people

Atomic absorption spectrometry is used to determine the contents of microelements (such as Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg and Fe) in the all-blood and hair of the Han, Uygur, and Kazak people in normal health state. The results show that the above mentioned elements in the hair arranged successively as Ca>Zn>Mg>Fe>Cu and those in the all-blood of the Han people arranged as Fe>Mg>Ca>Zn>Cu; of the Uygur and Kazak people, as Fe>Mg>Ca>Zn>Cu. This paper reports that the content of the microelement Mg in the all-blood and hair of the Uygur and Kazak people is obviously higher than that of the Han people (P<0.05).     

Role of the immune-response region of the B complex in the control of the graft-vs-host reaction in chickens

The relative importance of the B and IR regions of the chicken B complex were compared as to their role in the graft-versus-host (GVH) reaction. Spleen enlargement (splenomegaly) on 19-day-old embryos, inoculated 5 days earlier with immune competent leukocytes, served as the test for the GVH reaction. The B blood group locus was the marker of the B region, and the Ir-GAT gene was the marker of the immune response (Ir) region of the B complex, the major histocompatibility system (MHS) of chickens. The test stocks consisted of B¹B¹ GAT-Low (1-Low) and B¹⁹B¹⁹ Gat-High (19-High) birds of our S1 Leghorn line plus the recombinant genotypes B¹B¹ Gat-High (1-High) and B¹⁹B¹⁹ GAT-low (19-Low). A dosage of 0.1 ml of donor white blood cells was injected into each of 191 recipient embryos on day 14, and the spleens were removed and weighed on day 19. Of 16 combinations of (donor blood)-(host embryos), arranged with respect to the four genotypes listed above, four were compatible, e. g., (1-Low)-(1-Low). There were four incompatible combinations at the B locus, four at the GAT locus, and four at both the B and GAT loci. All 16 combinations were replicated. Results were expressed as a splenomegaly index (SI), that is, the ratio of incompatible to compatible spleen weights corrected for differences in embryo weight. If (SI-1) is greater than 0, the GVH reaction is considered positive within sampling errors. The mean (SI-1) indexes obtained were: incompatible at GAT-0.5±0.07; incompatible at B-1.34±0.10. Thus, both GAT and B contributed to the GVH reaction, but the B region was much stronger than the IR region. The results were strongly asymmetrical: maximal stimulation occurred when the host embryo was B¹⁹B¹⁹ GAT-high and donor leukocytes were B¹B¹ GAT-Low. The parental donor-host paired combinations gave stronger GVH reactions than did the recombinant pairs. Effects of incompatibilities at the two regions proved additive when compared with two-locus differences of parental genotypes. In general, the results proved that the IR region, as specifically defined by recombinants obtained in our S1 line of Leghorns, plays a significant, but minor, role in the GVH reaction compared with the region of the B complex identified with the B blood-group locus.