New Remains of the Multituberculate Mammal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Barbatodon</Emphasis> from the Upper Cretaceous of the Hațeg Basin (Romania)

The so-called “Ha?eg Island” (Transylvania, Romania) is well known for its rich and peculiar Late Cretaceous vertebrate assemblages, including dwarf dinosaurs, first reported at the end of the 19th century. Besides dinosaurs, other important members of the “Ha?eg Island” terrestrial ecosystems were the multituberculate mammals. Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) multituberculates are extremely rare in Europe, being known exclusively from the “Ha?eg Island.” Two genera are reported from this area: Kogaionon, with the single species K. ungureanui, and Barbatodon, with two species: B. transylvanicus and B. oardaensis. Both genera belong to the European endemic family Kogaionidae. We report herein new remains of B. transylvanicus from the Maastrichtian locality of Pui (Hunedoara District) in the Ha?eg Basin, including the most complete dentaries found to date with complete cheek teeth rows. Intraspecific variability of this species in dentary shape, tooth morphology, and size difference is highlighted.     

First mammal species identified from the Upper Cretaceous of the Rusca Montană Basin (Transylvania,Romania)

Multituberculate mammals are scarce in the Late Cretaceous of Europe, being recorded exclusively from the Maastrichtian terrestrial deposits of the Ha?eg and Transylvanian basins, in Romania. Moreover, they all belong to the endemic and primitive cimolodontan family Kogaionidae. Here, we report multituberculate teeth originating from the Maastrichtian fluviatile sediments of the Rusca Montan? Basin (Occidental Carpathians, Poiana Rusc? Mountains). This is the westernmost occurrence of these Cretaceous mammals in Romania. These teeth are assigned to Barbatodon oardaensis, the smallest Cretaceous kogaionid species. This study presents the first occurrence of this species outside the Metaliferi sedimentary area (southwestern Transylvania, Romania). The distribution of Romanian Maastrichtian kogaionids is also discussed.     

Integration and scaling of UV-B radiation effects on plants: the relative sensitivity of growth forms and interspecies interactions

Aims The relative plant type sensitivity and selected community interactions under increased UV-B radiation where examined. Specifically, we investigated: (i) if there are differences among growth forms in regard to their sensitivity to UV-B radiation, (ii) if increased UV-B radiation influences the plant competitive balance in plant communities and (iii) the response mechanisms of the UV-B radiation-sensitive species that might increase their fitness.Methods To answer our research questions, we used a mechanistic model that, for the first time, integrated the effects of increased UV-B radiation from molecular level processes, whole plant growth and development, and community interactions.Important findings In the model simulations, species types exhibited different levels of sensitivity to increased UV-B radiation. Summer C₃ and C₄ annuals showed similar growth inhibition rates, while biennials and winter C₃ annuals were the most sensitive. Perennials exhibited inhibitions in growth only if increased UV-B radiation results in increases in metabolic rates. In communities, species sensitive to UV-B radiation may have a competitive disadvantage compared to resistant plant species. But, sensitive species may have a wide array of responses that can increase their fitness and reproductive success in the community, such as, increased secondary metabolites production, changes in timing of emergence and reproduction, and changes in seed size. While individual plants may exhibit significant inhibitions in growth and development, in communities, these inhibitions can be mitigated by small morphological and physiological adaptations. Infrequent or occasional increased UV-B radiation events should not have any lasting effect on the structure of the community, unless other environmental factors are perturbing the dynamic equilibrium.     

Imaging and thermal studies of wheat gluten/poly(vinyl alcohol) and wheat gluten/thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) blends

The morphology of wheat protein (WG) blends with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and respectively with thiolated polyvinyl alcohol (TPVA) was investigated by atomic force (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as by modulated dynamic scanning calorimetry (MDSC). Thiolated additives based on PVA and other substrates were previously presented as effective means of improving the strength and toughness of compression molded native WG bars via disulfide-sulfhydryl exchange reactions. Consistent with our earlier results, AFM and TEM imaging clearly indicate that the addition of just a few mole percent of thiol to PVA was sufficient to dramatically change its compatibility with wheat protein. Thus, TPVA is much more compatible with WG and phase separates into much smaller domains than in the case of PVA, although there are still two phases in the blend: one WG-rich phase and another TPVA-rich phase. The WG/TPVA blend has phase domains ranging in size from 0.01 to 0.1 microm, which are roughly 10 times smaller than those of the WG/PVA blend. MDSC further illustrates the compatibilization of the protein with TPVA via the dependence of the transition temperatures on composition.     

Genetic variation in two conserved local Romanian pig breeds using type 1 DNA markers

Analysis of the genetic variation of an endangered population is an important component for the success of conservation. Animals from two local Romanian pig breeds, the Mangalitsa and Bazna, were analysed for variation at a number of genetic loci using PCR-based DNA tests. Polymorphism was assessed at loci which 1) are known to cause phenotypic variation, 2) are potentially involved in trait differences or 3) are putative candidate genes. The traits considered are disease resistance, growth, coat colour, meat quality and prolificacy. Even though the populations are small and the markers are limited to specific genes, we found significant differences in five of the ten characterised loci. In some cases the observed allele frequencies were interesting in relation to gene function and the phenotype of the breed. These breeds are part of a conservation programme in Romania and marker information may be useful in preserving a representative gene pool in the populations. The use of polymorphisms in type 1 (gene) markers may be a useful complement to analysis based on anonymous markers.     

Changes in anthropometric and fitness profile of Italian regional academy rugby union players

In rugby union, physical characteristics may partially contribute to long-term career progression, especially during adolescence. Therefore, the primary purpose of the study was to evaluate Italian regional rugby union academy players’ (i.e., under-18) anthropometric and physical characteristics during a competitive season. Body mass, height, upper- and lower-body maximal strength, sprint, and high-intensity running ability were assessed in 29 elite players (backs, n = 13, forwards, n = 16). A mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures showed that backs were shorter (ES = 0.59), lighter (ES = 0.94), stronger relative to body mass (bench press; ES = 0.60; deadlift; ES = 0.63; clean ES = 0.63; rowing ES = 0.67), and fitter (shuttle run max; ES = 0.38; shuttle run tot; ES = 0.79) than forwards. However, the forwards achieved greater sprint momentum (initial sprint momentum; ES = 0.97; maximal sprint momentum; ES = 0.98). During the season, players changed in stature, upper-body maximal strength, jumping, and high intensity running (p < 0.05), but not in body weight or lower-body maximal strength (p > 0.05). Maximal strength improved in the first part of the season, whereas jumping and sprinting performances increased in the last part of the season. Therefore, these findings highlight the importance of regularly monitoring the physical development in a long-term perspective, even suggesting that physiological adaptations are heterochronic between positional roles.     

Veronidia,un genre nouveau des Sphaerioidales et deux champignons parasites sur les feuilles de Vaccinium

Sans résumé     

The Humanistic Burden of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Europe: Examining Health Outcomes and the Role of Complications

AimsDiagnoses of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in Europe appear to be on the rise. Therefore it is imperative that researchers understand the potential impact that increases in prevalence could have on the affected individuals as well as on society as a whole. Accordingly this study examined the humanistic and economic burden of T1DM in patients relative to those without the condition across a number of health outcomes including health status, work productivity loss, activity impairment, and healthcare resource use.MethodsSurvey data from a large, representative sample of EU adults (The EU National Health and Wellness Survey) were examined.ResultsResults suggest that overall burden is higher for those diagnosed with T1DM than respondents without diabetes and that burden increases as complications associated with T1DM increase.ConclusionsTaken together, these results suggest that treatment strategies for T1DM should balance clinical, humanistic, and economic burden and patients should be educated on the role of complications in disease outcomes.