Major changes in fecundity and the effect on population egg production for three species of north-west Atlantic flatfishes

Temporal and spatial variability in fecundity was investigated for three species of north-west Atlantic flatfishes: American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides , yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea and witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus . Significant log₁₀ linear relationships existed between fecundity and total length ( L _T) for all three species and for all combinations of area (NAFO regulatory areas) and year. Fecundity differed between areas for yellowtail flounder and witch flounder and changed significantly for all three species since the last reported fecundity studies in the region 30–40 years ago. Three populations experienced decreases in fecundity (3LNO American plaice and yellowtail flounder, 3Ps witch flounder), one experienced an increase (3NO witch flounder) and one did not change (3L witch flounder). Significant yearly variability in fecundity at length and relative fecundity existed for all three species within the 6 year sampling period (1993–1998). Estimates of population egg production based on new and historic fecundity data revealed that using the old, invariant fecundity and L _T relationship resulted in overestimation of total annual egg production by up to 24% for 3LNO American plaice and as high as 41% for 3LNO yellowtail flounder. These results clearly demonstrate the variable nature of fecundity for flatfishes in Newfoundland waters and suggest that the use of an invariant fecundity and L _T relationship may result in inaccurate estimates of stock reproductive potential.     

A Shared Intentional Space of Witch-Hunt and Sacrifice

In this article, the issue is whether witch-hunts can be seen to share certain aspects with the realm of sacrifice. With resource to recent developments in the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, it is argued that witchcraft is ‘the other side of sacrifice’ in more than one sense: firstly, as the witch is sacrificing its victim and breaking through to the social world from a world beyond and, secondly, as the witch-hunt is a movement with the purpose of sacrificing the accused witch for the healing of the community. The argument hinges on the alignment of the space intended by sacrifice and the space revealed by the appearance of the witch – as both articulating an engagement with ‘the very source of life’ (Hubert & Mauss 1964: 98).     

From the body to the wallet: conceptualizing Akan witchcraft at home and abroad

This article focuses on the way that Akan witchcraft invokes imagery of new forms of modernity, especially a feature of the post-colonial monetary economy, the credit card. Credit card spending encodes relations within a technological monetary network, and it affects personal relations at home and abroad. The article is based on fieldwork carried out in 1990-1 at anti-witchcraft shrines in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana. It looks at young entrepreneurs who work in the large commercial cities, and who visit shrines in the Dormaa-Ahenkro district in order to buy protection from witchcraft. These young businessmen distinguish between two types of witchcraft and explain how a witch at home, as opposed to a witch abroad, does not have the business acumen or technological knowledge to harm their finances.     

Witchcraft Beliefs and Witch Hunts

This paper proposes an interdisciplinary explanation of the cross-cultural similarities and evolutionary patterns of witchcraft beliefs. It argues that human social dilemmas have led to the evolution of a fear system that is sensitive to signs of deceit and envy. This was adapted in the evolutionary environment of small foraging bands but became overstimulated by the consequences of the Agricultural Revolution, leading to witch paranoia. State formation, civilization, and economic development abated the fear of witches and replaced it in part with more collectivist forms of social paranoia. However, demographic-economic crises could rekindle fear of witches—resulting, for example, in the witch craze of early modern Europe. The Industrial Revolution broke the Malthusian shackles, but modern economic growth requires agricultural development as a starting point. In sub-Saharan Africa, witch paranoia has resurged because the conditions for agricultural development are lacking, leading to fighting for opportunities and an erosion of intergenerational reciprocity.     

Comparison of the properties of phosphoglucomutase from muscle of turbot (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Greenland Halibut) and witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) from the Northwest Atlantic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence

1. Phosphoglucomutase from muscle of turbot and witch has been purified and the properties studied from two regions of the Northwest Atlantic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 2. The enzyme, purified 157 fold from turbot and 164 fold from witch had specific activities of 596 and 475 U/mg/min respectively. 3. The M.W. and pH optimum of the enzyme from both species were 63,500 and 7500; and 63,000 and 7800 for the Northwest Atlantic and the Gulf samples respectively. 4. The amino acid contents and responses towards different inhibitory agents were different for the enzyme from the Gulf than the Northwest Atlantic samples. 5. The findings compares well with the genetic analysis of the electrophoretic properties of the enzyme in relation to stock discrimination of the two species.     

用度量误差模型方法编制相容的生长过程表和材积表

指出了按照常规方法建立的生长模型和材积模型不相容的原因、利用两阶段度量误差模型方法估计生长模型和材积模型的参数,进而编制相容的生长过程表和材积表．     

Reconsidering Witchcraft: Postcolonial Africa and Analytic (Un)Certainties

African notions of witchcraft are neither archaic nor static but are highly flexible and deeply attuned to the conundrums of our contemporary world. Many anthropologists have recently argued that notions of the African witch provide commentaries on the meaning and merit of modernity as experienced in different historical and cultural settings. By exploring one particular type of witchcraft —that involving rain—amongst the lhanzu of Tanzania, this article suggests instead that some forms of witchcraft may be more pertinent to understanding local notions of "tradition" than "modernity." It is argued that the process of identifying rain witches provides lhanzu men and women with a way to circumscribe, contemplate, and, ultimately, reassert the veracity and significance of a conceptual category they call "tradition." The article concludes by critiquing the homogenizing effects of terms like the African witch and African witchcraft, compelling us to think in terms of pluralities rather than singulars. [Keywords: witchcraft, modernity, tradition, rainmaking, anthropological theory]     

The effect of electrostatic interactions on the conformation of the sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA]

The influence of sugar ring flexibility in DNA on the mechanism of the B<-->A conformational transition is studied. The dipole moment of the deoxyribose as a function of its puckered states is calculated by the quantum-mechanical method using the MINDO/3 approximation. The interaction of the sugar dipole with the neighbour molecular groups in polynucleotide chain is estimated. The sugar dipole interaction witch phosphate groups and counterions is shown to be strong and capable to deform the pseudorotation potential of deoxyribose. The effective pseudorotation potential of sugar ring in the B- and A-helices is obtained. The results are used to explain the behaviour of Raman bands in the region of sugar-phosphate vibrations. The mechanism of the effect of electrostatic forces on the sugar-phosphate backbone conformation which is essential for the B<-->A and other structure transitions is offered.     

Alimentary tract helminths of four pleuronectid flatfish in relation to host phylogeny and ecology

Eighteen species of helminths were analysed in relation to host–parasite specificity and the effect of host ecological preferences on the establishment of the parasite fauna in the alimentary tract of four pleuronectid flatfish, flounder Pleuronectes flesus , witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus , American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides , and Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus in northern Norway. Thirteen species were generalists and the diversity of the parasite faunas decreased with increasing depths inhabited by the host. Similarities were greatest between the parasite faunas of flounder and American plaice and least between flounder and witch flounder. Host ecology, rather than phylogenetic relationships of these hosts, mainly influences the composition and diversity of the parasite communities of flatfishes in northern Norway.     

The impact of flucycloxuron on eggs weight kinetic and hematological parameters of chicken (Gallus domesticus)

The struggle against the harmful bugs of culture is intensified, and several products are appeared every year without the knowledge how to control their effects on environment and especially on being life. The introduced chemical products in nature are generally, the synthesis products witch are the pesticides. Our study consist the impact mechanism of a pesticides (FCX) on other biological model than harmful bugs, this biological model is a vertebrate model witch is the domestic chicken eggs (Gaollus domesticus). The toxicity of Flucycloxuron reviewed across the eggs weight kinetic accompanied with embryonic hematological parameters, in ovo and after hatching. The tested concentrations of pesticide are 1, 10 and 20 microg/egg injected at first day of incubation. Eggs treatment by three concentrations of pesticides, disturbs the studied parameters, where we observe that the pesticide inhibit the nutriment transformation, translated by eggs decreased weight kinetic according to the control, also the FCX affect the shell weight and cause the alteration of shell integrity. Hematological parameters show a clear impact of the pesticide at the lowest concentration (1 microg/egg). The obtained results confirm that the chosen biological model is good bio-indicator for eventual pollution and they are not far from pesticides toxicity.     

Fishing,thieving, witchcraft: apprehension and mistrust in maritime West Africa

This article explores the ‘apprehension’ that permeates life in coastal Sierra Leone as fisherfolk struggle to navigate a precarious economy of overfished waters and overstrained relationships. In a context of deepening uncertainty, social vigilance has come to be regarded as a key survival skill. At sea, even as fishermen strain their senses for evidence of shoaling fish, they remain equally vigilant to rival crews, who may seek to deceive them in their competition for the same depleted resource. When crews return home with empty nets, again, exchange partners regard them with suspicion, watchful for clues that they could have sold their catch covertly in another coastal town. When businesses founder or savings evaporate, people are quick to assume their fortunes must have been invisibly robbed ‘in a witch way’ by one of their neighbours. And yet, despite the deep mistrust and apprehension through which people regard their social world, moral discourses about this supposedly rampant trickery are nuanced. Despair at believing themselves to have been grifted in some unseen way is often tempered by a weary empathy for their antagonists’ poverty, and even grudging respect for their skills of dissimulation.     

Structural studies of the O-specific side-chains of the shigella sonnei phase I lipopolysaccharide

The structure of the O-specific side-chains of the Shigella sonnei phase I lipopolysaccharide has been investigated. The side chains are composed of disaccharide repeating-units containing two uncommon sugar components, one of witch, 2-amino-2-deoxy-L-altruronic acid, has been identified previously. The other has now been identified as 2-acetamido-4-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy-D-galactose. The uronic acid, as N-acetylated α-pyranosyl residues, is linked through O-4, and the diamino sugar, as β-pyranosyl residues, is linked through O-3. The pyranosyluronic acid residue assumes the ⁴C₁ conformation in the polymer, with the carboxyl group in the axial position.     

Defying the Gaze: Exodelics for the Bewitched in Sukumaland and Beyond

Since the late seventies the Sukuma ofnorthwest Tanzania have observed an increase inwitchcraft practice as well as an extension ofthe list of potential witches. Theyparticularly blame the Ujamaa resettlementprogram of the Tanzanian government, whichimposed mono-centric village structures uponthe agro-pastoral farmers. Suddenly gone werethe distances that used to be crossedsystematically as a token of solidarity betweenhomesteads. The national policy caused thebewitching curse called ``gaze' to intensify,while it deprived neighbors of their mainanti-dote to witchcraft suspicions. Thatanti-dote generally refers to an exchange ofgifts that disarms the reproaching gaze. Forlack of a better term I will call its effectexo-delic: the bewitched must transcendthe surrounding world, which has become toointrusive to manifest itself as an outside; heor she must make that world appropriable again,for example by appreciating its `exotic' side.Inflatory discourse on the occult manages to doso, in Sukumaland and far beyond. Collectivedrinking is equally effective in remedyingfeelings of bewitchment. Those remedies appearto draw their meaning from the one figure thatis anti-thetical to the witch: the dancer, whodefies the collective gaze. So I could observeon my journey to the invisible village ofGamboshi.     

An acidic loop and cognate phosphorylation sites define a molecular switch that modulates ubiquitin charging activity in Cdc34-like enzymes

E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes are crucial mediators of protein ubiquitination, which strongly influence the ultimate fate of the target substrates. Recently, it has been shown that the activity of several enzymes of the ubiquitination pathway is finely tuned by phosphorylation, an ubiquitous mechanism for cellular regulation, which modulates protein conformation. In this contribution, we provide the first rationale, at the molecular level, of the regulatory mechanism mediated by casein kinase 2 (CK2) phosphorylation of E2 Cdc34-like enzymes. In particular, we identify two co-evolving signature elements in one of the larger families of E2 enzymes: an acidic insertion in β4α2 loop in the proximity of the catalytic cysteine and two conserved key serine residues within the catalytic domain, which are phosphorylated by CK2. Our investigations, using yeast Cdc34 as a model, through 2.5 μs molecular dynamics simulations and biochemical assays, define these two elements as an important phosphorylation-controlled switch that modulates opening and closing of the catalytic cleft. The mechanism relies on electrostatic repulsions between a conserved serine phosphorylated by CK2 and the acidic residues of the β4α2 loop, promoting E2 ubiquitin charging activity. Our investigation identifies a new and unexpected pivotal role for the acidic loop, providing the first evidence that this loop is crucial not only for downstream events related to ubiquitin chain assembly, but is also mandatory for the modulation of an upstream crucial step of the ubiquitin pathway: the ubiquitin charging in the E2 catalytic cleft.     

American witch hazel—History,nomenclature and modern utilization

The aqueous extract of witch hazel twigs has long been an American household liniment, but only three concerns manufacture it today, producing over halt a million gallons annually. The more concentrated tannin-containing alcoholic extract from leaves and bark is compounded into styptic remedies.     

Bistable switching and excitable behaviour in the activation of Src at mitosis

MOTIVATION: The protein tyrosine kinase Src is involved in a multitude of biochemical pathways and cellular functions. A complex network of interactions with other kinases and phosphatases obscures its precise mode of operation. RESULTS: We have constructed a semi-quantitative computational dynamic systems model of the activation of Src at mitosis based on protein interactions described in the literature. Through numerical simulation and bifurcation analysis we show that Src regulation involves a bistable switch, a pattern increasingly recognised as essential to biochemical signalling. The switch is operated by the tyrosine kinase CSK, which itself is involved in a negative feedback loop with Src. Negative feedback generates an excitable system, which produces transient activation of Src. One of the system parameters, which is linked to the cyclin dependent kinase cdc2, controls excitability via a second bistable switch. This topology allows for differentiated responses to a multitude of signals. The model offers explanations for the existence of the positive and negative feedback loops involving protein tyrosine phosphatase alpha (PTPalpha) and translocation of CSK and predicts a specific relationship between Src phosphorylation and activity.     

Changes in fascicle length from rest to maximal voluntary contraction affect the assessment of voluntary activation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the differences between the actual fascicle length during a voluntary contraction and the fascicle length at rest of the triceps surae muscle on the determination of the voluntary activation (VA) by using the interpolated twitch technique. Twelve participants performed isometric voluntary maximal (MVC) and submaximal (20%, 40%, 60% and 80% MVC) contractions at two different ankle angles (75 degrees and 90 degrees ) under application of the interpolated twitch technique. Two ultrasound probes were used to determine the fascicle length of soleus, gastrocnemius medialis and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles. Further, the MVCs and the twitches were repeated for six more ankle angles (85 degrees , 95 degrees , 100 degrees , 105 degrees , 110 degrees and 115 degrees ). The VA of the triceps surae muscle were calculated (a) using the rest twitch force (RTF) measured during the same trial as the interpolated twitch force (ITF; traditional method) and (b) using the RTF at an ankle angle where the fascicle length showed similar values between ITF and RTF (fascicle length consideration method). The continuous changes in fascicle length from rest to MVC affect the accuracy of the assessment of the VA. The traditional method overestimates the assessment of the VA on average 4% to 12%, especially at 90 degrees ankle angle (i.e. short muscle length). The reason for this influence is the unequal force-length potential of the muscle at twitch application by the measure of ITF and RTF. These findings provide evidence that the fascicle length consideration method permits a more precise prediction (an improvement of 4-12%) of the voluntary contraction compared to the traditional method.     

壁膜连接中断影响植物细胞响应机械应力的实验研究

目的:研究植物细胞响应机械应力的形态学变化;初步探讨壁膜连接对于植物细胞响应机械应力的意义,及其是否参与机械应力响应过程。方法:将植物单细胞包埋后进行精确机械力加载并培养数日,每天抽样进行显微观测和图像分析监测其形态变化;在此基础上进行质壁分离,并采用RGD多肽处理中断细胞壁膜连接后进行应力加载,监测其形态变化。结果:植物细胞经机械应力加载后,其分裂方向趋于垂直应力加载方向。经壁膜连接中断处理后进行加载的植物细胞失去沿主应力线垂直方向分裂的能力,细胞分裂方向呈无序状态。结论:壁膜连接特别是以RGD序列识别为基础的细胞连接参与了植物细胞对机械应力的响应过程。     

The codon specificity of eubacterial release factors is determined by the sequence and size of the recognition loop

The two codon-specific eubacterial release factors (RF1: UAA/UAG and RF2: UAA/UGA) have specific tripeptide motifs (PXT/SPF) within an exposed recognition loop shown in recent structures to interact with stop codons during protein synthesis termination. The motifs have been inferred to be critical for codon specificity, but this study shows that they are insufficient to determine specificity alone. Swapping the motifs or the entire loop between factors resulted in a loss of codon recognition rather than a switch of codon specificity. From a study of chimeric eubacterial RF1/RF2 recognition loops and an atypical shorter variant in Caenorhabditis elegans mitochondrial RF1 that lacks the classical tripeptide motif PXT, key determinants throughout the whole loop have been defined. It reveals that more than one configuration of the recognition loop based on specific sequence and size can achieve the same desired codon specificity. This study has provided unexpected insight into why a combination of the two factors is necessary in eubacteria to exclude recognition of UGG as stop.