Inbreeding in natural mammal populations: historical perspectives and future challenges

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Archaeology of the Mcclure Site (39Hu7) and the Protohistoric Period in the Big Bend Region of South Dakota

Abstract

The McClure site is an Arikara village in central South Dakota dating from the Protohistoric period at the end of the 17th Century. The settlement consisted of at least 35 earth lodges, was unfortified, and was located below the bluffs on the Missouri River bottoms a few feet above the floodplain. Excavations in two houses, one of them a specialized small lodge, produced artifacts typical of the Felicia phase of the Big Bend region, including ceramics largely assignable to the lona and Talking Crow ware categories, but with a small element of Stanley ware. Because of the location of McClure in the Bad River district around the decade A.D. 1690-1700 and other factors, it is thought to have played some role in the emerging Bad River Phase     

Notes

Abstract

Marvin Cetron and Owen Davies: American Renaissance: Our Life at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989. 400 pages. $19.95 hardback.

Richard Grenier: Capturing the Culture: Film, Art, and Politics. Washington, D.C.: Ethics and Public Policy Center, 1991. 392 pages. $24.95 hardback.

Thomas P. Hughes: American Genesis: A Century of Innovation and Technological Enthusiasm. New York: Viking Penguin, 1990. 529 pages. $10.95 paperback.

Anson Rabinbach: The Human Motor: Energy, Fatigue, and the Origins of Modernity. New York: Basic Books, 1990. 402 pages. $34.95 hardback.

Jeremy Rifkin: Time Wars.: New York: Touchstone Books, Simon &; Schuster, 1989. 302 pp. $9.95 paperback.     

The classics revisited

Franz Boas, RACE, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Midway Reprint, 1988, 647 pp, £19.95 and $27.50, (paperback only).

V. G. Kiernan, THE LORDS OF HUMAN KIND, London: Century‐Hutchinson/ Cresset Library, 1989, viii + 336 pp., £6.25 paperback.     

Book reviews

World Population and Production — Trends and Outlook: W. S. and E. S. Woytinsky, The Twentieth Century Fund, New York, 1953, lxxii, 1268 pp., $12.00.

The Challenge of Man's Future: Harrison Brown, The Viking Press, Inc., New York, 1954, 290 pp., $3.75.     

A Proposito Della Presenza Della Coloquintide (Citrullus Colocynthis Schrad.) Nell'isola Di Pantelleria

Abstract

That deals with the presence of the Coloquintide (Citrullus colocynthis Schrad.) in the Island of Pantelleria. — Though the botanic literature points out clearly that the Coloquintide grows in Pantelleria, the Author tried to carry out researches in the island in order to verify what has been handed down to us. As a result, he is of the opinion that the plant never grew in Pantelleria, or it is to be considered to have disappeared at least a Century ago. Finally he thinks that in Italy the Coloquintide grows only at Vulcanello (Vulcano) in the Aeolian Islands.     

Temporal morph frequency changes in sand‐dune populations of Cepaea nemoralis (L.)

Changes in morph frequency over time in sand‐dune populations of Cepaea nemoralis in the British Isles have been examined using the Evolution Megalab database. Frequencies in colonies on a sand dune at Berrow, Somerset were estimated in 2008–9. This extends a survey started in 1926 by A. E. Boycott and C. Diver and continued in the mid‐20th Century by B. C. Clarke and J. J. Murray. An increase in the frequency of the mid‐banded morph, noted in earlier work, has continued. The apparent decrease in brown was not confirmed but the yellow frequency has increased. At a range of dunes in the British Isles, comparisons between data from the mid‐20th Century and the early 21st Century indicate an increase in yellow and mid‐banded morphs and a decrease in banding and brown morphs. These results differ from the overall trends derived from Europe‐wide comparison of early data with Evolution Megalab data, in which banded and mid‐banded increased in frequency, whereas there was no overall change in yellow. The general pattern of regional variation has been retained, although there is also high heterogeneity between samples, suggesting that a variety of factors are involved in explaining the changes. The mean shifts in frequency are consistent with climatic change over the period. Dunes are probably the most likely habitat in which to detect such a change. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 108 , 315–322.     

Carbohydrate status in roots of two soybean cultivars: A possible parameter to explain different efficiencies concerning phosphate uptake

The carbohydrate levels in the roots of two soybean cultivars (Century, Woodworth) were determined during the early vegetative growth stage. Based on Michaelis-Menten kinetics Century was characterized as being more efficient at phosphate uptake when compared to Woodworth. The experiments were carried out at normal nutrition (+P treatment) as well as under a condition of moderate phosphate stress (–P treatment). The stress situation was created by withdrawal of phosphate from the nutrient solution for five or nine days. Compared to the +P-treatment the deprivation of phosphate led to a reduction of more than 50% in the phosphate content of the plant tissue.The carbohydrates in the roots exhibited differences between both cultivars with Century generally having higher sucrose levels. During the morning the +P treatment of Century exhibited 10 mg g^-1 and in the afternoon 16 mg g^-1 sucrose (plant dry weight basis). This compares to 8 mg g^-1 sucrose (morning) and 13 mg g^-1 sucrose (afternoon) for Woodworth. Phosphate stress increased the levels of hexoses (glucose, fructose) in both varieties significantly. The sucrose levels remained higher for the Century variety even during phosphate stress. We conclude that the shoot of the Century variety supplies its root with an increased amount of energy in form of carbohydrates compared to the Woodworth variety. This may enable the plant to take up phosphate more efficiently. It is also remarkable that the Century variety reduces the pH of the nutrient medium more rapidly. This active proton deposition may create a high membrane potential which is known to be necessary for phosphate uptake.     

Book reviews

The Melting Pot and the Altar: Marital Assimilation in Early Twentieth‐Century Wisconsin: By Richard M. Bernard. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 1980. Pp. xxviii, 162. Graphs, notes, bibliography, index. $17.50.

Identical Twins Reared Apart: A Re‐analysis: By Susan L. Färber. Basic Books, Inc., New York, 1981. 383 pp.

The Political Implications of Human Genetic Technology: By Robert H. Blan, Westview Special Studies in Science, Technology, and Public Policy. Westview Press, Boulder, Colo., 1981. $25.25     

Some Examples of the Use of Wood in the Historical Town of Groningen (The Netherlands)

Summary

Many wooden artifacts have been excavated from deposits formed in Groningen from the 7th to 18th centuries AD. Identifications have been made of wood used for building, for coffins, cups, spindles, a sun watch, a bird cage, a doll and other objects. Inferences are made about woodmanship, gardening and trade.     

钙敏感受体(CaSR)基因986、990多态性与尿石症的相关性研究

目的:探讨钙敏感受体(Ca SR)基因单核昔酸多态性与泌尿系结石的关系。方法:选取90例黑龙江地区的泌尿系结石患者及90例健康对照者外周血标本中的基因组DNA,采用PCR(聚合酶链反应)结合DNA测序,检测并分析Ca SR基因的单核苷酸多态性位点的分布。结果:泌尿系结石组和对照组Ca SR基因第986位、990位频率分布符合Hardy-Weinberg定律,其基因型分布频率在泌尿系结石患者和健康对照者中差异无统计学意义(P0.05),但在泌尿系结石患者组内Ca SR第990位GG纯合子和RG杂合子出现频率明显偏高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:Ca SR基因第7外显子第986、990多态性位点与泌尿系结石的形成无直接相关性,但第7外显子第990位A/G单核苷酸多态性可能与泌尿系结石的形成密切相关。     

The new biology: beyond the Modern Synthesis

Background  

The last third of the 20^th Century featured an accumulation of research findings that severely challenged the assumptions of the "Modern Synthesis" which provided the foundations for most biological research during that century. The foundations of that "Modernist" biology had thus largely crumbled by the start of the 21^st Century. This in turn raises the question of foundations for biology in the 21^st Century.     

Jurisdiction Over Underwater Cultural Heritage in the EEZ and on the Continental Shelf: A Perspective From the Practice of States Bordering the South China Sea

Abstract

The Chinese initiative of constructing the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road could be identified as a new chance to promote the protection of underwater cultural heritage (UCH) in the South China Sea. However, uncertainties concerning the jurisdictional issue over the UCH in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the continental shelf constitute an obstacle. The Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage has, to some extent, enlarged the coastal state’s jurisdiction. State practice differs on this issue. This article focuses on the domestic legislations of states bordering the South China Sea related to the jurisdiction over UCH found in their EEZ or on their continental shelf.     

Public and healthcare providers awareness of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Qassim Region,Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThe rapid and extensive spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of concern for both general public and healthcare profession.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to analyze and evaluate the awareness of both the general public and healthcare providers in Qassim region in Saudi Arabia.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted randomly in different shopping malls in Qassim region from 10th of February to 10th of March 2020. All participants have answered the designed questionnaire. The structured questionnaire recorded demographics and awareness of both public participants as well as health care providers.ResultA total of 130 participants have answered the designed questionnaire, out of which 67participants were males (58.5%) and 54 were females (41.5%). Overall, 129 (99%) out of the 130 participants are aware of COVID-19, and 116 (90%) have recognize it as a respiratory disease and 100% of the participants have recognized it as a contagious disease. Around 94% of the participants were able to recognize the correct incubation period of the virus. Participants of the age group 20–40 showed higher awareness level than other age groups (P value = 0.005). In addition, government employees showed higher awareness level than other profession groups (P = 0.039). Results showed significant positive correlation between the recognition of high-risk groups, reliable source of information, infection symptoms, disease prevention and available treatments.ConclusionGeneral public and health care professionals from Qassim Region showed adequate awareness of COVID-19. However, there is a strong need to implement periodic educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices for COVID-19 across all healthcare professions.     

International gestational age-specific centiles for blood pressure in pregnancy from the INTERGROWTH-21st Project in 8 countries: A longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundGestational hypertensive and acute hypotensive disorders are associated with maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, physiological blood pressure changes in pregnancy are insufficiently defined. We describe blood pressure changes across healthy pregnancies from the International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century (INTERGROWTH-21st) Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study (FGLS) to produce international, gestational age-specific, smoothed centiles (third, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 97th) for blood pressure.Methods and findingsSecondary analysis of a prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study (2009 to 2016) was conducted across 8 diverse urban areas in Brazil, China, India, Italy, Kenya, Oman, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. We enrolled healthy women at low risk of pregnancy complications. We measured blood pressure using standardised methodology and validated equipment at enrolment at <14 weeks, then every 5 ± 1 weeks until delivery.We enrolled 4,607 (35%) women of 13,108 screened. The mean maternal age was 28·4 (standard deviation [SD] 3.9) years; 97% (4,204/4,321) of women were married or living with a partner, and 68% (2,955/4,321) were nulliparous. Their mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.3 (SD 3.0) kg/m². Systolic blood pressure was lowest at 12 weeks: Median was 111.5 (95% CI 111.3 to 111.8) mmHg, rising to a median maximum of 119.6 (95% CI 118.9 to 120.3) mmHg at 40 weeks’ gestation, a difference of 8.1 (95% CI 7.4 to 8.8) mmHg. Median diastolic blood pressure decreased from 12 weeks: 69.1 (95% CI 68.9 to 69.3) mmHg to a minimum of 68.5 (95% CI 68.3 to 68.7) mmHg at 19⁺⁵ weeks’ gestation, a change of −0·6 (95% CI −0.8 to −0.4) mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure subsequently increased to a maximum of 76.3 (95% CI 75.9 to 76.8) mmHg at 40 weeks’ gestation. Systolic blood pressure fell by >14 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure by >11 mmHg in fewer than 10% of women at any gestational age. Fewer than 10% of women increased their systolic blood pressure by >24 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure by >18 mmHg at any gestational age. The study’s main limitations were the unavailability of prepregnancy blood pressure values and inability to explore circadian effects because time of day was not recorded for the blood pressure measurements.ConclusionsOur findings provide international, gestational age-specific centiles and limits of acceptable change to facilitate earlier recognition of deteriorating health in pregnant women. These centiles challenge the idea of a clinically significant midpregnancy drop in blood pressure.

Lauren Green and colleagues study blood pressure in pregnant women across a range of countries.     

Recent vegetation history of Drygarn Fawr (Elenydd SSSI), Cambrian Mountains,Wales: implications for conservation management of degraded blanket mires

Many areas of blanket mire in Britain display apparently degraded vegetation, having a limited range of ericaceous and Sphagnum species. Data are presented here from Wales from the upland locality of Drygarn Fawr (Elenydd SSSI), which is dominated overwhelmingly by Molinia caerulea. Palaeoecological techniques were used to chronicle vegetation history and to determine the nature and timing of vegetation changes, as an aid to devising conservation management and restoration strategies. Although for the past 2000 years the pollen and plant macrofossil data indicate some evidence for cyclic vegetation change, they demonstrate that here the major vegetation change post-dated the start of the industrial revolution. The palaeoecological data show a greater proportion of Sphagnum than currently. Local extinction of some species (e.g., Myrica gale) apparently took place in Medieval times, but most of the degradation and floral impoverishment apparently occurred during the 20th Century. The implications for conservation management are far-reaching. The overwhelming dominance of Molinia is clearly unprecedented. While it was locally present for hundreds of years, some factor(s)—possibly a change in grazer and grazing regime—encouraged its recent ascendancy in the 20th Century. Consequently, any management attempts to reduce the pre-eminence of Molinia would not be countering an ingrained, long-established dominance. It is suggested that investigation of degraded blanket mires elsewhere by historical and multi-proxy palaeoecological techniques—through multiple, dated cores to track species extinctions and directional vegetation changes—would help ascertain previous mire floras and so indicate a range of restoration targets for mire vegetation.     

Recovery of soil nitrogen pools in species‐rich grasslands after 12 years of simulated pollutant nitrogen deposition: a 6‐year experimental analysis

Nitrogen (N) deposition from anthropogenic sources is a global problem that can reduce biodiversity and impair ecosystem functioning through effects on soil eutrophication and acidification. While increasing controls on emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) have reduced European N deposition rates from their peak in the late 20th Century, little is known about the legacy effects of N deposition in soils or the reversibility of N‐induced shifts in ecosystem processes. We studied species‐rich limestone and acidic grasslands, located in a highly polluted region that received over 3000 kg N deposition ha^?1 throughout the 20th Century, followed by a decline of ～50% in NO_x deposition rate in the past two decades. We investigated the effects on seasonal and annual mean concentrations of soil mineral N in experimental plots established in 1990 receiving simulated enhanced N deposition (0–140 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1) until 2002, both in the final year of treatment, and the subsequent 5 years of ‘recovery’ following cessation of treatments. Winter–summer cycles of N mineralization–immobilization were strongly amplified by simulated N deposition rates through the final year of treatments and into the first year of recovery, with winter concentrations of ammonium‐N in the acidic grassland and nitrate in the limestone grassland enhanced by up to 360% and 450%, respectively. Both the magnitude of the seasonal variations and the residual effects of the treatments on soil mineral N concentrations decreased progressively in the first 5 years after treatments ceased, although dose‐dependent trends remained in the acidic grassland. This study establishes that reducing N deposition rates in species‐rich grasslands can reverse eutrophication, even in soils that have experienced prolonged high rates of deposition. It provides new insight into the rates of recovery following, and effects of, declining N deposition rates with implications for restoration of species‐rich grasslands.     

On a 19th Century Pterodactylus (Pterosauria) specimen held in the Natural History Museum of La Rochelle,France

A new specimen of the pterosaur Pterodactylus, purchased in the second half of the 19th Century by the Natural History Museum of La Rochelle and still held in that institution, is described. This previously unreported and almost complete specimen is one of the very few original pterosaur fossils from Solnhofen present in the French historical palaeontological collections. It corresponds to a large adult individual displaying some interesting anatomical details as well as a possible healed fracture of the tibia.