Place and function of fourth age persons in the family and in society: a challenge

The life expectancy, at the age of 75 years, is nowadays 11 years for men and 13.5 for women, and is still increasing. Two aspects are here discussed; (i) the role of independent elderly people bringing to the younger generations financial support, experience, rules of social behaviour and memory, and (ii) the specific needs of solidarity that society and family have to provide to dependent elderly people. Adequate management of these problems is certainly a challenge for our culture.     

Implication of glutamate, isocitrate and malate deshydrogenases in nitrogen assimilation in the cadmium-stressed tomato

Tomato seedlings grown on nitric medium and treated with various cadmium concentrations (0 to 50 microM) were used. Results obtained show that cadmium remains predominantly located in the roots, which then seem to play the role of trap-organs. Increasing cadmium concentration in the medium leads particularly to a decrease in NO3- accumulation, together with a decrease in the activity of glutamine synthetase and in the quantity of plastidic isoform ARNm (GS2), and, on the contrary, to an increase of the cytosolic isoform ARNm (GS1). On the other hand, stimulations were observed for NADH-dependent glutamate synthase, NADH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase, ARNm quantity of this enzyme, ammonium accumulation, and protease activity. In parallel, stimulations were observed for NAD+ and NADP+-dependent malate dehydrogenase and NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase. These results were discussed in relation to the hypothesis attributing to the dehydrogenase enzymes (GDH, MDH, ICDH) an important role in the plant defence processes against cadmium-induced stresses.     

History as Resource: Moral Reckonings with Place and with the Wartime Past in Oro Province,Papua New Guinea

ABSTRACT

Located in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, Higaturu Station is a place marked by multiple intersections of violence. Originally established as an Australian colonial headquarters, in 1943 it was the site of execution of 21 local Orokaiva men convicted – by the Australian administration – of treason during the Second World War. Eight years after the executions, the nearby Mount Lamington volcano erupted, killing thousands and devastating Higaturu. Today the place remains uninhabited but laden with memory and meaning, a site of ambivalent moral reckonings both with the colonial past and with the postcolonial present. These moral reckonings, in turn, intersect with peoples’ experiences of, and hope for, ‘development’. In Oro Province, history is becoming a resource – not unlike gold, or the oil palm plantations that extend across the landscape – which might attract outsiders, and with them forms of wealth and possibilities for realising the good life. Accordingly, Higaturu landowners work to attract outsiders to the site of the eruption and the hangings. At the same time, however, they worry that the outsiders they attract – including anthropologists – will exploit and profit from their history in the ways that so many outsiders have profited from the Province's other resources. Commercial considerations inform these hopes and worries, but the mobilisation of history-as-resource also speaks to other concerns, including about the relationships of insiders and outsiders across time, and the proper attributions of guilt, responsibility, and entitlement within colonial and postcolonial landscapes of remembrance.     

拟衣藻属一新种——中华拟衣藻及其生活史的研究

报道了团藻目衣藻科拟衣藻属一新种。此种从中国科学院武汉植物研究所一浇园粪缸中采得,在分离室内单种培养过程中,对其形态学和生活史进行了研究。营养细胞具有多个盘状色素体,与拟衣藻属已知的种类有明显的差别。经培养观察,作者发现除细胞分裂、无性生殖外,还有同宗异配式有性生殖,在生活史各阶段该藻中绿体中均未见蛋白核,因此,拟衣藻作为分类单元是一个有效的属。     

Demographic and Female Life History Parameters of Free-Ranging Chimpanzees at the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project, River Gambia National Park

We analyzed fertility and mortality records for 113 provisioned, free-ranging chimpanzees at the River Gambia National Park, The Gambia. The chimpanzees are rehabilitated orphans released by the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project (CRP), and their descendants born in a natural environment. Females experienced their 1st births at an average age of 14.3 yr, with average interbirth intervals of 68 mo. Despite limited provisioning, reproductive parameters in both released and 1st-generation females resembled those of wild chimpanzees and showed seasonal fluctuations. Mortality rates were low compared to those for wild chimpanzees, particularly for infants and juveniles; life expectancy at birth was 23.6 yr for females and 18 yr for males. The results have implications for our understanding of variation in reproductive parameters between captive and wild chimpanzees. We also discuss issues related to chimpanzee conservation and captive rearing.     

Life History,Reproductive Morphology and Development of the Antarctic Brown Alga Desmarestia menziesii J. Agardh*

The life history, reproduction and development of Desmarestia menziesii J. Agardh from Antarctica is described. Unilocular sporangia occur singly or in small groups in the outermost cortical layer of the sporophyte. They are formed by periclinal division of cortex cells into a stalk cell and the sporangium initial. Meiospores germinate into dioecious microscopic filamentous gametophytes. As in other perennial Antarctic species of the Desmarestiales, gametangia are formed in culture under short-day conditions or in darkness. In nature, juvenile sporophytes should therefore be formed in winter. They develop only attached to the oogonium. At first they are uniseriate and elongate by means of an intercalary meristem located in their middle part. Laterals are formed predominantly in this region, and they subsequently give rise to secondary laterals. The branching pattern is opposite to alternate in both young and adult plants. Cortication of the main axis is initiated by filaments growing out from the lowermost cells of the primary laterals. In sporophytes of this developmental stage the meristem of the main axis is confined to a small region where cortication starts and above. Lateral branches elongate and become corticated in the same way as the main axis. In mature plants, cells of the inner cortex can become meristematic again and form a meristoderm which contributes to axis thickness by periclinal and anticlinal divisions. The observations are discussed in relation to possible evolutionary relationships in the genus Desmarestia and in the order Desmarestiales.     

Life history and reproduction of the neotropical caecilian Siphonops annulatus (Amphibia,Gymnophiona, Siphonopidae), with special emphasis on parental care

Due to their mainly fossorial way of life, caecilian amphibians are the least known order of terrestrial vertebrates. Here, we present new observations on the natural history and reproductive biology of the neotropical oviparous, siphonopid caecilian Siphonops annulatus from a long-term study of this species in the field and in captivity. In the studied population, mating occurs between the end of August and beginning of October, and oviposition between November and December, when rainfall peaks. Egg hatching occurs between the end of December and beginning of January. The complete cycle of maternal care, from oviposition to independent, self-sufficient offspring lasts about 3 months. After eclosion, the altricial young feed on the mother's specially modified skin (maternal dermatophagy) and are also supplied by a fluid released from coming from the maternal cloaca. Also presented are observations on the burrows, feeding and social behaviour of S. annulatus.     

Phenotypic Variations in the Life History of Two Clones of Macrobiotus richtersi (Eutardigrada, Macrobiotidae)

A comparative study of life history traits of two clones (CDMr01 and CDMr02) of a triploid thelytokous apomictic population of the eutardigrade Macrobiotus richtersi has been carried out. Both clones were reared under the same lab conditions: temperature of 14 °C, photoperiod of 12 h/12 h (L/D), and nematodes ad libitum as food. Statistical analysis of the life history traits considered has indicated interclonal variability. The two clones were significantly different in the number of eggs per clutch (fertility), number of eggs laid per female per life span (fecundity), hatching percentage of eggs and hatching time. Similarities between clones have been observed with regard to life span, total number of ovipositions per life span, and age at first oviposition. In addition, significant differences in hatching time, with eggs hatched over a long period, were found within each clone. Interclonal variability in life history traits indicated the effects of genetic factors, whereas intraclonal variability reflected the effects of environmental factors. The evolutionary and adaptive significance of the life history phenotypic variations is discussed.     

Environmental History and the Desertification of the Karoo,South Africa

Abstract

This paper reviews the desertification debate in South Africa and emphasizes the methods that have been used to understand the environmental history of the semi–arid rangelands in the eastern Karoo during the last 500 years. These mixed grass/dwarf shrub rangelands, with mean annual rainfall totals typically between 300–400 mm, are described and the main driving variables discussed. A brief historical account of the European settlement of the region is also presented. The desertification debate has focussed on three main issues. Firstly, because arid and semi–arid lands appear to be heavily influenced by climate, the changing climatic regime during the Holocene and particularly during the last two hundred years has been the subject of intensive investigation. While all studies conclude that there is no evidence in the historical record to support the popular perception that rainfall totals have decreased this century, the question of changing rainfall seasonality has not been adequately explored. Although mean annual temperatures over the last 50 years have not changed there have been significant increases in mean monthly maximum temperatures and significant decreases in mean monthly minimum temperatures for some of the stations investigated. The second issue of great interest in the South African desertification literature is that of the nature of pre–colonial environments. A wide variety of archaeological, historical and ecological techniques have been used, including analyses of fossil mammal bones in owl pellets, fossil pollen in hyrax middens, notes from traveller's accounts of the region and stable carbon isotopes in soil as well as fossil mammal bones. While all authors agree that the eastern Karoo was more grassy at some stage in the past there is disagreement as to both the timing and cause of the changes to a more shrubby vegetation. The final issue of great concern to the desertification debate in South Africa concerns the rate of change during the last 100 years. Satellite imagery, matched ground and aerial photography, survey data and an analysis of historical stock records cannot agree as to whether the Karoo is degrading or not. Certainly, the classic view of an annually expanding desert margin has been replaced in recent years by a more realistic understanding of the seasonal dynamics of the vegetation. The recent trend to detailed modelling of the demographic process in key species holds much promise for our understanding of the degradation process. The vibrant community of researchers, employing a range of archaeological, historical and ecological techniques, will make important contributions to South Africa's National Action Plan to Combat Desertification.     

Metacyclops minutus (CLAUS, 1863) - Population Dynamics and Life History Characteristics of a Rapidly Developing Copepod

The cyclopoid copepod Metacyclops minutus, a typical species of temporary pools, shows an unusual life cycle in a small pond in South Germany. The species is present from April/May to December during which period it forms at least 8 generations. Winter and early spring, when the pond is frozen to the bottom, are spent in the bottom mud as C4 or C5 instars. M. minutus shows an extraordinarily low degree of sex size dimorphism (female: male body length ratio) and no significant differences in. copepodite development time between the two sexes. This, together with the exceptionally short durations of embryonic- and postembryonic development enables reproduction to start without delay and rapid population growth after harsh conditions. By these means M. minutus is the first species to reproduce after periods of extremely low water level; later, when conditions in the pond become more stable, M. minutus is surpassed in numbers by a coexisting, filterfeeding and parthenogenetically reproducing cladoceran Moina brachiata.     

The Combined Effects of Food and Temperature on the Life History Parameters of Brachionus patulusMULLER (Rotifera)

The combined effects of different levels of temperature (15°, 25° and 35°C) and food Chlorella (1,2 and 4 × 10⁶ cells/ml) on the life history parameters (lifespan, life expectancy, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, developmental time, and generation time) of a laboratory population of the rotifer Brachionus patulus were investigated. Both food and temperature, independently and in interaction, significantly influenced nearly all the parameters. The reproductive performance was a direct function of the food level, but the magnitude of food effect was temperature-dependent. The observed temperature × food interaction effects are explained in terms of the energetics of resource apportionment between metabolism and reproduction.     

Natural variation in the regulation of leaf senescence and relation to other traits in Arabidopsis

Leaf senescence results in the recycling of nutrients, thereby providing resources required for growth and reproduction. In this study, the effect of day-length on leaf senescence in eight different Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes was determined and the relationship between senescence and other morphological and life history traits was analysed. A significant variation in the start and extent of leaf senescence depending on the genetic background and the response to day-length was found. Whereas senescence of early flowering ecotypes was accelerated by long days, no effect of day-length on senescence could be found in late flowering Kas-1 plants. Senescence in the different ecotypes was associated with other traits, such as floral transition, the total number of fruits, the total number of leaves and the maximum chlorophyll content. Plants that bolted early also senesced early, produced fewer leaves, accumulated less chlorophyll, but produced more fruits. The present results indicate that senescence may be a key component in the trade-off between investment in photosynthetic capacity and reproduction. The relationship between senescence and other traits was maintained independent of whether differences in senescence were caused by genetic (ecotype) or environmental (day-length) variation, suggesting that genetic and environmental factors affect these traits through common regulatory pathways.     

Life History Studies on the Genus Trillium (Liliaceae) IV. Stage Class Structures and Spatial Distribution of Four Japanese Species

Abstract The population struaures, spatial and temporal distributions of individual plants, and survivorship were investigated in four Japanese Trillium species (Liliaceae), T. kamtschaticum, T. tschonoskii, T. apetaion and T. smallii.
The stage class structures of these four species based on leaf area categories all showed similar depletion curves associated with an increase in stnge class. That is, there occurs a conspicuous decrease in early juvenile stages, subsequent leveling-off in the intermediate stages and a slight decrease again in the larger stages. The high mortality in juvenile stages was also confirmed by continuous observations in the permanent plots established on the forest floor for T. kamtschaticum and T. apetalon. Furthermore, the analysis of spatial distribution patterns for T. kamtschaticum and T. apetalon revealed successive distributional changes from under-dispersed (aggregated) to random or overdispersed with the progress of the growth stage.     

Life Cycle Inventories for the Nuclear and Natural Gas Energy Systems,and Examples of Uncertainty Analysis (14 pp)

Goal, Scope and Background The energy systems included in the ecoinvent database v1.1 describe the situation around year 2000 of Swiss and Western European power plants and boilers with the associated energy chains. The addressed nuclear systems concern Light Water Reactors (LWR) with mix of open and closed fuel cycles. The system model ‘Natural Gas’ describes production, distribution, and combustion of natural gas. Methods Comprehensive life cycle inventories of the energy systems were established and cumulative results calculated within the ecoinvent framework. Swiss conditions for the nuclear cycle were extrapolated to major nuclear countries. Long-term radon emissions from uranium mill tailings have been estimated with a simplified model. Average natural gas power plants were analysed for different countries considering specific import/export of the gas, with seven production regions separately assessed. Uncertainties have been estimated quantitatively. Results and Discussion Different radioactive emission species and wastes are produced from different steps of the nuclear cycle. Emissions of greenhouse gases from the nuclear cycle are mostly from the upstream chain, and the total is small and decreasing with increasing share of centrifuge enrichment. The results for natural gas show the importance of transport and low pressure distribution network for the methane emissions, whereas energy is mostly invested for production and long-distance pipeline transportation. Because of significant differences in power plant efficiencies and gas supply, country specific averages differ greatly. Conclusion The inventory describes average worldwide supply of nuclear fuel and average nuclear reactors in Western Europe. Although the model for nuclear waste management was extrapolated from Swiss conditions, the ranges obtained for cumulative results can represent the average in Europe. Emissions per kWh electricity are distributed very differently over the natural gas chain for different species. Modern combined cycle plants show better performance for several burdens like cumulative greenhouse gas emissions compared to average plants. Recommendation and Perspective Comparison of country-specific LWRs or LWR types on the basis of these results is not recommended. Specific issues on different strategies for the nuclear fuel cycle or location-specific characteristics would require extension of analysis. Results of the gas chain should not be directly applied to areas other than those modelled because emission factors and energy requirements may differ significantly. A future update of inventory data should reconsider production and transport from Russia, as it is a major producer and exporter to Europe. The calculated ranges of uncertainty factors in ecoinvent provide useful information but they are more indications of uncertainties rather than strict 95% intervals, and should therefore be applied carefully.     

Reconsidering the Early Neolithic of Anatolia. Recent recoveries,some excerpts and generalities

In the course of last decades Neolithic research has taken a new pace in Turkey, while projects in the western and the central parts of the of the country have been working mainly on the later stages of the Neolithic era, those in south-eastern Turkey had their focus on the incipient stages of neolithization. Work in the south-eastern parts, highlighted by the results attained at Göbeklitepe has been carrying out large scale excavations at several Pre-Pottery Neolithic sites, most of them having their earliest layers by the very beginning of PPNA, evidence of antecedent stages being highly debatable. Recent recoveries have been greatly elaborating our understanding on the entire span of Neolithic way of living, also displaying the differences among distinct core areas of neolithization. However, more significant is the outcome of new research taking place in the Upper Euphrates-Upper Tigris basins of south-eastern Anatolia, revealing ground breaking results so different from our conventional perceptions that redefining what is implied by the term Neolithic is now stands as an absolute necessity; inevitably some more time is necessary for the newly emerging picture on Neolithic process to sink in. However, some of the recent findings being unexpectedly different is apt to lead to speculative misconceptions, particularly when coupled with deeply rooted biases of research history. In this respect, the paper will present a conspectus on the progressive stages of Neolithic research in Anatolia, touching upon some biases in retrospect. Accordingly, the paper neither intends to cover an exclusive narrative of research history nor to bring the highlights of present research; it is targeted to surface the modalities that patterned past research so as a provide a subtle bases to future prospects.