Geographic limitations in the movement of Deep‐Draft tankers between the Indian and pacific oceans

Abstract

The need to move increasing volumes of petroleum over long distances has stimulated the construction of a large fleet of tankers of unprecedented dimensions. The extraordinarily deep drafts of these ships have necessitated a reevaluation of the extent of navigable ocean. Because some major shipping lanes are closed to their movement, alternative routes have developed. For this study, hydrographic charts of the passages between the Indian and Pacific oceans were examined in detail and special purpose maps were constructed. The patterns illustrate the categories of negative ocean, open ocean, and ocean conditional for the movement of deep‐draft ships. Actual and potential routeways for deep‐draft ships past Southeast Asia are identified and the limitations of the Malacca/Singapore straits are described in greater detail.     

MR microscopy of the human fetal upper extremity – a proof-of-principle study

Background

Bone morphogenetic proteins regulate multiple processes in embryonic development, including early dorso-ventral patterning and neural crest development. BMPs activate heteromeric receptor complexes consisting of type I and type II receptor-serine/threonine kinases. BMP receptors Ia and Ib, also known as ALK3 and ALK6 respectively, are the most common type I receptors that likely mediate most BMP signaling events. Since early expression patterns and functions in Xenopus laevis development have not been described, we have addressed these questions in the present study.

Results

Here we have analyzed the temporal and spatial expression patterns of ALK3 and ALK6; we have also carried out loss-of-function studies to define the function of these receptors in early Xenopus development. We detected both redundant and non-redundant roles of ALK3 and ALK6 in dorso-ventral patterning. From late gastrula stages onwards, their expression patterns diverged, which correlated with a specific, non-redundant requirement of ALK6 in post-gastrula neural crest cells. ALK6 was essential for induction of neural crest cell fate and further development of the neural crest and its derivatives.

Conclusions

ALK3 and ALK6 both contribute to the gene regulatory network that regulates dorso-ventral patterning; they play partially overlapping and partially non-redundant roles in this process. ALK3 and ALK6 are independently required for the spatially restricted activation of BMP signaling and msx2 upregulation at the neural plate border, whereas in post-gastrula development ALK6 exerts a highly specific, conserved function in neural crest development.

     

Unravelling the complex story of intergenomic recombination in ABB allotriploid bananas

Background and AimsBananas (Musa spp.) are a major staple food for hundreds of millions of people in developing countries. The cultivated varieties are seedless and parthenocarpic clones of which the ancestral origin remains to be clarified. The most important cultivars are triploids with an AAA, AAB or ABB genome constitution, with A and B genomes provided by M. acuminata and M. balbisiana, respectively. Previous studies suggested that inter-genome recombinations were relatively common in banana cultivars and that triploids were more likely to have passed through an intermediate hybrid. In this study, we investigated the chromosome structure within the ABB group, composed of starchy cooking bananas that play an important role in food security.MethodsUsing SNP markers called from RADSeq data, we studied the chromosome structure of 36 ABB genotypes spanning defined taxonomic subgroups. To complement our understanding, we searched for similar events within nine AB hybrid genotypes.Key ResultsRecurrent homologous exchanges (HEs), i.e. chromatin exchanges between A and B subgenomes, were unravelled with at least nine founding events (HE patterns) at the origin of ABB bananas prior to clonal diversification. Two independent founding events were found for Pisang Awak genotypes. Two HE patterns, corresponding to genotypes Pelipita and Klue Teparod, show an over-representation of B genome contribution. Three HE patterns mainly found in Indian accessions shared some recombined regions and two additional patterns did not correspond to any known subgroups.ConclusionsThe discovery of the nine founding events allowed an investigation of the possible routes that led to the creation of the different subgroups, which resulted in new hypotheses. Based on our observations, we suggest different routes that gave rise to the current diversity in the ABB cultivars, routes involving primary AB hybrids, routes leading to shared HEs and routes leading to a B excess ratio. Genetic fluxes took place between M. acuminata and M. balbisiana, particularly in India, where these unbalanced AB hybrids and ABB allotriploids originated, and where cultivated M. balbisiana are abundant. The result of this study clarifies the classification of ABB cultivars, possibly leading to the revision of the classification of this subgroup.     

Spatial patterns in the size of Chinese lizards are driven by multiple factors

BackgroundFor almost two centuries, ecologists have examined geographical patterns in the evolution of body size and the associated determinants. During that time, one of the most common patterns to have emerged is the increase in body size with increasing latitude (referred to as Bergmann''s rule). Typically, this pattern is explained in terms of an evolutionary response that serves to minimize heat loss in colder climates, mostly in endotherms. In contrast, however, this rule rarely explains geographical patterns in the evolution of body size among ectotherms (e.g., reptiles).LocationChina.AimIn this study, we assembled a dataset comprising the maximum sizes of 211 lizard species in China and examined the geographical patterns in body size evolution and its determinants. Specifically, we assessed the relationship between body size and climate among all lizard species and within four major groups at both assemblage and interspecific levels.ResultsAlthough we found that the body size of Chinese lizards was larger in warmer regions, we established that at the assemblage level, size was correlated with multiple climatic factors, and that body size–climate correlations differed within the four major groups. Phylogenetic analysis at the species level revealed that no single climatic factor was associated with body size, with the exception of agamids, for which size was found to be positively correlated with temperature.Main conclusionsGeographical patterns in Chinese lizard body size are driven by multiple factors, and overall patterns are probably influenced by those of the major groups. We suggest that our analyses at two different levels may have contributed to the inconsistent results obtained in this study. Further studies investigating the effects of altitude and ecological factors are needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the evolution of ectotherm body size.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of phytoplankton composition in subtropical coastal lagoon, the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA

A 2 year study of the phytoplankton community was carried outin the Indian River Lagoon, USA. In terms of biovolume, thephytoplankton community was generally dominated by dinoflagellates,diatoms or cyanobacteria. Mean phytoplankton standing cropswere highest in the most flow-restricted regions of the lagoon,which had the lowest mean salinity values and comparativelyhigh total nitrogen:total phosphorus ratios. In this region,blooms of dinoflagellates were common in the first year of thestudy, which was characterized by an El Niño event thatyielded exceptionally high rainfall levels and freshwater outflow.Picoplanktonic cyanobacteria blooms became more prominent inthe second year of the study, which was characterized by belowaverage rainfall conditions. In unrestricted flow regions ofthe lagoon, located near inlets to the Atlantic Ocean, diatomswere most often the dominant taxa. Regions of intermediate waterturnover rates and high external loading of phosphorus had aprevalence of diatom blooms. However, the average phytoplanktonstanding crops in the latter regions did not reach the levelsexperienced in the flow-restricted parts of the lagoon. In termsof individual phytoplankton taxa, the most common bloom-formingdiatoms in the Indian River Lagoon system included: Skeletonemacostatum, Dactyliosolen fragilissimus, Skeletonema menzelii,Cerataulina pelagica, Odontella regia, Chaetoceros lorenzianus,Rhizosolenia setigera and Thalassionema nitzschioides. The majorbloom-forming dinoflagellate species included: Pheopolykrikoshartmannii, Akashiwo sanguinea, Prorocentrum micans, the potentiallytoxic species Pyrodinium bahamense var. bahamense and Prorocentrumminimum. Several picoplanktonic cyanobacteria were also prominentmembers of the phytoplankton community, including Synechococcuselongates. The spatial and temporal patterns observed in someof these dominant species were attributable to patterns in keyenvironmental variables, including salinity, temperature andnutrient concentrations.     

Quality of 1980 census data for American Indians

Abstract

The count of American Indians in the 1980 census was over 70 per cent larger than the 1970 census count. An assessment of the demographic basis for this change shows that the cohorts from ages 10 to 74 in 1980 increased by substantial amounts, reaching 35 per cent for many ages. Increases of this nature in the absence of immigration are demographically impossible—an indication that the changes in response patterns identified by Passel (1976) between the 1970 and 1960 censuses persisted in 1980, possibly at even greater levels.

In addition to presenting demographic analyses of the American Indian data at the national level, this paper includes an analysis of geographic variation of implied birth, death, and migration rates at the state level. States which historically have had large American Indian populations in general had high birth and death rates with reasonable migration rates. Many other states, however, had anomalously low birth and death rates with extraordinarily high implied migration rates. This pattern suggests that the changes in response may have occurred primarily in the latter areas.

Several other anomalies in the American Indian data are reported here. The sample figure for American Indians from the 1980 census exceeds the complete count by more than 8 per cent at the national level. Increases occurred in most states, but the amount of increase varied substantially. Also, the increases tend to occur outside American Indian areas (reservations, tribal trust lands, etc.). Such differences are, for the most part, outside of expected sample variability. Furthermore, differences in the number of persons reporting American Indian race and American Indian ancestry were substantial. Some of the causes of these differences are investigated here. The paper concludes with an overall assessment of the quality and utility of these census data for various types of analysis.     

Some relationships Between Prairie Dogs,Black-Footed Ferrets,Paleo-Indians,and Ethnographically Known Tribes

Abstract

Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) are one of the rarest mammals of North America; ferrets are most often associated with prairie dogs (Cynomys sp.) on which they are thought to be obi igatory predators. Ferret and prairie dog skeletal remains have been found from several sites occupied by Paleo-Indians; these sites are described. The recent history of five Indian groups contain reference to ferrets and prairie dogs: Sioux, Blackfeet, Crow, Cheyenne, and Pawnee. Use of ferrets is described for each tribe. A request is extended to all readers having published or unpublished information about aboriginal associations with prairie dogs (Cynomys sp.) or black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) to please contact the author.     

A Center of Primary Sources for Plains Indian History

Abstract

Preservation of the nation’s Indian records is recogni: zed as a task of national importance. Public access to government documents and data is now possible at ten regional records centers across the country. The material stored provides detailed and analytic accounts of daily activity and business at Indian agencies. The nature and content of the data relevant to Plains Indian agencies is described in this paper.     

Distribution of some planktonic foraminifera species in deep-sea cores from the red sea and their relation to eustatic sea-level changes

Distribution patterns of planktonic foraminifera in four sediment cores from the Red Sea are studied. The most common species are Globigerinoides ruber, G. sacculifer, Globigerinella siphonifera and Orbulina universa. G. ruber and G. sacculifer show opposite trends of distribution in the sediment cores. Abundance of the foraminifera during the glacial periods suggests that the connection of the Red Sea to the Indian ocean was not completely interrupted and the salinity conditions were not extreme.However, higher salinities appear to have existed in the northern Red Sea, where most of the planktonic foraminifera that occur in the southern Red Sea are absent. It is inferred that the salinity in the southern Red Sea during the glacial period was less than 50%, whereas higher salinity might have existed in the north where the influence of the Indian Ocean was minimal.     

Meta-Analysis of the Association between Tea Intake and the Risk of Cognitive Disorders

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder in elderly. This study was aimed to systematically evaluate the association between tea intake and the risk of cognitive disorders by meta-analysis.ResultsThe overall pooled analysis indicated that tea intake could significantly reduce the risk of cognitive disorders (OR = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.58–0.73). Subgroup analyses were conducted based on study design, population, frequency of tea drinking and type of cognitive disorders. The results showed that tea drinking was significantly associated with the reduced incidence of cognitive disorders in all of subgroups based on study design and frequency of tea drinking. In particular, tea drinking was inversely associated with the risk of cognitive impairment (CoI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), cognitive decline and ungrouped cognitive disorders. Moreover, for population subgroups, the significant association was only found in Chinese people.ConclusionOur study suggests that daily tea drinking is associated with decreased risk of CoI, MCI and cognitive decline in the elderly. However, the association between tea intake and Alzheimer’s disease remains elusive.     

Association between ENAM polymorphisms and dental caries in children

AimDental enamel, the most rigid biological tissue of the tooth known to mankind, is the most integral and fundamental part of the tooth. Enamel matrixes compile 5% of Enamelin peptides and at the time of tooth development, they are considered to effect the formation and elongation of enamel crystallites. ENAM plays critical role in enamel formation. Any changes in ENAM may affect the thickness of enamel and may lead to dental caries. The present study is aimed to evaluate the association of ENAM gene polymorphisms and susceptibility of dental caries development risk.Material and methodsThe present study was carried out on 168 South Indian children, children’s with dental caries were included in study. Written consent was taken from their parents/guardians. Additionally 193 healthy individuals were enrolled as controls. Sampling was done after dental examination of the individuals. Three ENAM gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were rs7671281, rs3796704 and rs12640848 was genotyped to check their role in susceptibility of dental caries development risk.ResultsOut of three SNPs rs7671281 showed statistically significant risk association with dental caries susceptibility in this ethnic population at heterozygous allele CT (OR: 1.939, p = .01865) and with minor allele T (OR: 1.451, p = .001292). SNP rs3796704 showed significant protective association with dental caries in Indian population at heterozygous allele GA (OR: 0.409, p = .0192) and with minor allele A (OR: 0.645, p = .00875). SNP rs12640848 showed significant protective association with dental caries in Indian population at heterozygous allele AG (OR: 3.041, p = .00642) and with minor allele G (OR: 1.478, p = .02184). Preliminary insilico analysis also showed that rs7671281 (Ile648Thr) amino acid change will cause the structural and functional changes in ENAM protein.ConclusionsIn the present study significant association was observed between ENAM gene SNP rs7671281 and dental caries susceptibility in South Indian children. These results suggested that ENAM gene variants may contribute to dental caries in children.     

THE SOCIABLE WEAVER,PART 5: FOOD,FEEDING AND GENERAL BEHAVIOUR

Maclean, G. L. 1973. The Sociable Weaver, Part 5: Food, feeding and general behaviour. Ostrich 44:254-261.

The food of the Sociable Weaver during the study period consisted of 78,9% animal material by weight; the rest was mainly seeds, mostly of green grasses. The young are fed entirely on animal food. The most important single source of animal food in the Kalahari is the harvester termite Hodotermes mossambica. Sociable Weavers are independent of drinking water under natural conditions. Members of a colony do not usually feed more than about 1,5 km from the nest mass.

Maintenance activities and other general behaviour patterns of the Sociable Weaver are described; they are typically passerine.     

Weight Loss Attempts and Attitudes toward Body Size,Eating, and Physical Activity in American Indian Children: Relationship to Weight Status and Gender

Objective: This study examined dieting, weight perceptions, and self‐efficacy to eat healthy foods and engage in physical activity and their relationships to weight status and gender among American Indian elementary schoolchildren. Research Methods and Procedures: Data for this study were collected as part of the baseline examination for the Pathways study. Participants were 1441 second‐ through third‐grade American Indian children in 41 schools representing seven tribes in Arizona, New Mexico, and South Dakota who filled out a questionnaire and had heights and weights taken. Results: Forty‐two percent of the children were overweight or obese. No differences were found between overweight/obese and normal weight children for healthy food intentions or self‐efficacy. Heavier children (especially those with body mass index > 95th percentile) were more likely to have tried to lose weight or were currently trying to lose weight. No gender differences were found. Normal weight children chose a slightly heavier body size as most healthy compared with overweight/obese children. Discussion: The results indicate that children are concerned about their weight and that weight modification efforts are common among overweight American Indian children. School, community, and family‐based programs are needed to help young people adopt lifelong healthful eating and physical activity practices.     

Evaluation of Serum Cyclooxygenase,Hepcidin Levels in Acute Renal Injury (AKI) Patients Following Cardiac Catheterization

Background:Acute kidney damage is a severe condition common in patients who have undergone heart surgery (catheterization) and secondary injury is also referred to as being synonymous with surgery. The goal of this research is to determine the rate of cyclooxygenase and hepcidin levels in patients with acute renal injury (AKI) following cardiac catheterization.Methods:The study is performed on (81) patients (64 males and 17 females) aged 40-75 years. Data from most patients are reported in the form of age, gender, and smoking background questionnaire.Results:The results indicate a significant increase in serum levels of cyclooxygenase and hepcidin levels in patients with severe renal insufficiency after cardiac catheterization by (79%) males versus (21%) females.Conclusion:In this study, improved risk prediction could enhance patient monitoring and treatment after surgery, direct patient treatment and decision making, and enhance participation in AKI interventional trials.Key Words: AKI, Cardiac surgery, Chronic kidney disease, Cyclooxygenase, Hepcidin     

Esophageal cancer in relation to alcohol drinking and tobacco use among men in Kerala,India – Karunagappally cohort

BackgroundIn the Karunagappally cohort, esophageal cancer is the third most common cancer with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 6.2 per 100,000 person-years among men. The present study analyzed the risk of esophageal cancer in relation to alcohol drinking and tobacco use.MethodsThe study included 65,528 men aged 30–84 years in the Karunagappally cohort, India.ResultsPoisson regression analysis showed that alcohol drinking significantly increased (P = 0.027) the risk of esophageal cancer and the relative risk (RR) for current drinkers was 1.6, (95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–2.3). The risk increased significantly in heavy alcohol drinkers (250 g of ethanol or above per day) (RR = 2.1, 95 % CI = 1.2–3.5) (P for trend = 0.014) and among current arrack consumers (RR = 1.8, 95 % CI = 0.99–3.29) (P for trend = 0.025). Current bidi and cigarette smokers showed an increase in the trend of cancer risk. A significantly higher risk was seen in those who had started smoking bidi before the age of 18 years, RR = 1.9 (95 % CI = 1.1–3.3) (P for trend = 0.044). Furthermore, increased RR for heavy bidi and cigarette smokers were 1.6 (95 % CI = 1.1–2.5) and 2.4 (95 % CI = 1.3–4.5), respectively.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first cohort study in India to report an increased esophageal cancer risk with respect to alcohol drinking.     

REV3L single nucleotide variants lead to increased susceptibility towards non-small cell lung cancer in the population of Jammu and Kashmir

BackgroundNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common lung cancer, accounting for 80–85% of all lung cancer cases. Various genetic studies have associated REV3L (Protein reversion less 3-like) gene mutations, which encodes the catalytic subunit of error prone translesion synthesis polymerase zeta with cancer, including lung cancer; however, no such data is available from any North Indian population. In this study we attempted to screen the North Indian population of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the potential role of REV3L gene polymorphisms in NSCLC.MethodsA total of four REV3L single nucleotide variants were selected for genotyping based on the available literature. The genotyping was carried out by using the TaqMan allele discrimination assay in 500 subjects (200 NSCLC patients and 300 age and sex matched healthy controls). The association of variants with NSCLC was evaluated by logistic regression.ResultsOut of the four REV3L variants genotyped; rs1002481, rs462779, and rs465646 were found significantly associated with NSCLC risk under the recessive model, with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 3.52(2.14–5.8 at 95% CI, p-value = 0.00000062), 3.7 (1.8–7.6 at 95% CI, p-value = 0.00031), and 2.2 (1.47–3.37 at 95% CI, p-value = 0.0003), respectively.DiscussionOur data supports a strong association between variants rs1002481, rs462779, rs465646 and NSCLC, indicating a potential role of these REV3L variants in increasing the risk for the development of NSCLC in the studied population. Although a first report from any Indian population, these variants have been previously reported to be associated with lung and colorectal cancers in different world populations. Our data along with the existing data supports the notation that these variants can be used as potential genetic predisposition markers.Availability of data and materialsData generated and analysed during study is not available publicly but can be made available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.     

Admixture and population replacement of the sells Papago Indians: Three strategies

Abstract

Changes in rates of admixture on the Sells Papago Indian reservation over the last century are shown to reflect ethnohistorically recorded events of extra‐tribal contact. Three distinct strategies providing, in varying degrees, for the preservation of group identity were identified. It is argued that strategies favoring maximum preservation of ethnic identity have threatened the survival of the reservation breeding units because traditional patterns of mate selection are inconsistent with present settlement patterns and result in delay of mate selection and childbearing early in reproductive life.     

Preliminary molecular analysis of Pelecanoides georgicus (Procellariiformes: Pelecanoididae) on Whenua Hou (Codfish Island): Implications for its taxonomic status

Abstract

Using sequences from the central and 3' regions of the mitchondrial small subunit (12S) ri‐bosomal RNA gene for six procellariiform species, this study confirms that the population of Pelecanoides georgicus on Whenua Hou (Codfish Island), New Zealand, is most closely related to P. georgicus from the southern Indian Ocean. The level of variation between sequences for this conserved gene suggests that the isolated Whenua Hou P. georgicus population split off from populations in the Indian Ocean several hundred thousand years ago. Although P. georgicus is globally numerous, the Whenua Hou population is endangered. As our preliminary sequence data suggest that the Whenua Hou population may have diverged from its parent population, it may deserve recognition in its own right.     

Notes on the feeding behaviour and swimming pattern of Manta alfredi (Chondrichthyes,Mobulidae) in the Red Sea

The feeding behaviour and the swimming pattern of the reef manta (Manta alfredi) are described based on video recordings conducted in Sudan, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, during June 2001. Three circular swimming patterns are described: horizontal circle pattern, inclined circle pattern and double circle pattern, related to feedings on zooplankton distributed in the water column. The observation of circle-like swimming patterns for reef manta rays in shallow waters expands our knowledge about M. alfredi and suggests that the distribution and abundance of zooplankton influence the occurrence and group size of this species in the studied area, as reported from other localities for Manta species.