Minimizing the effects of radio-frequency heating in multidimensional NMR experiments

Summary Application of radio-frequency power in multidimensional NMR experiments can significantly increase the sample temperature compared to that of the surrounding gas flow. Radio-frequency heating effects become more severe at higher magnetic field strengths and ionic strengths. The effects are particularly noticeable for experiments that utilize ¹H and/or ¹³C isotropic mixing and broadband decoupling. If radio-frequency power is applied during the systematically increasing evolution period t₁, the sample temperature can change with t₁ and thereby cause line-shape distortions. Such distortions are easily avoided by ensuring that the average radio-frequency power remains constant during the entire experiment.     

Gene tagging in Petunia hybrida using homologous and heterologous transposable elements

In this paper we describe the current state of knowledge of transposable element systems in Petunia hybrida. The main features of the unstable An1 alleles are discussed. The data on derivative (un)stable alleles at different loci are summarized. A simple strategy is outlined for random versus directed gene tagging using endogenous and heterologous elements. The progress in the cloning of endogenous elements is presented.     

Defining nutritional constraints on carbon cycling in boreal forests – towards a less `phytocentric' perspective

Growing interest in possible global climate change has underlined the need for better information concerning the way in which carbon partitioning between ecosystem components is influenced by constraints on nutrient availability. Micro-organisms play a fundamental role in the cycling of carbon and nutrients in all ecosystems but the role of fungi in particular is pivotal in boreal forest ecosystems. Traditional models of nutrient cycling are based on methods and concepts developed in agricultural systems where microorganisms are considered primarily as nutrient processors providing plants with inorganic nutrients. The filamentous nature of fungi, their ability to translocate carbon and nutrients between different substrates and the capacity of ectomycorrhizal fungi to utilise organic nutrients have all been largely ignored. In this article, a new model is suggested which emphasises competition for organic nutrients between decomposer organisms and plants, with the plants depending on their associated mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient acquisition. Antagonistic interactions involving nutrient transfer between decomposer and mycorrhizal fungi are proposed as important pathways in nutrient cycling. Due to the nutrient conservative features of decomposer fungi, inorganic nutrients are considered less important for plant nutrition. The implications of the new nutrient cycling model on the carbon balance of boreal forests are discussed.     

Evaluating phylogenetic tree shape: two modifications to Fusco & Cronk's method.

Measurement of the degree of asymmetry in phylogenetic trees is important because a tree's shape reflects the process by which it has grown. For example, highly asymmetric trees are evidence that species have had different potential for diversification. Of the tree shape measures in the literature, that proposed by Fusco & Cronk (J. theor. Biol.175, 235-243) appears to be particularly useful, because it does not require fully-resolved trees whose terminals are of equal taxonomic rank. The value of the asymmetry or imbalance at a node is intended to be independent of the number of species ultimately descended from the node. In this paper, however, we point out that the value does depend upon species number. We propose two modifications that remove the dependency and so increase the measure's usefulness. We illustrate the use of the modified measures, which are implemented in a freely-available program, MESA.     

Bullwhip neurons in the retina regulate the size and shape of the eye

Bullwhip and mini-bullwhip cells are unconventional types of retinal neurons that utilize the neuropeptides glucagon, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) and substance P. These cells have been implicated in regulating the proliferation of neural progenitors in the circumferential marginal zone (CMZ) of the chicken retina. The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of the bullwhip cells in regulating ocular size and shape. We found that intravitreal delivery of colchicine at postnatal day 7 destroys the vast majority (approximately 98%) of the bullwhip and mini-bullwhip cells and their peptidergic terminals that are concentrated in the CMZ near the equator of the eye. Interestingly, colchicine-treatment resulted in excessive ocular growth that involved the expansion of equatorial diameter, but not axial length. Intraocular injections of glucagon completely prevented the equatorial expansion that occurs with colchicine-treatment. In eyes with undamaged retinas, exogenous glucagon suppressed equatorial eye growth, whereas glucagon receptor antagonists caused excessive equatorial growth. Furthermore, visual stimuli that increase or decrease rates of ocular growth caused a down- or up-regulation, respectively, of the immediate early gene Egr1 in the bullwhip cells; indicating that the activity of the bullwhip cells is regulated by growth-guiding visual cues. We found that the glucagon receptor was expressed by cells in the fibrous and cartilaginous sclera in equatorial regions of the eye. Taken together, these findings suggest that glucagon peptide released from the terminals of the bullwhip and mini-bullwhip cells regulates the growth of the equatorial sclera in a vision-dependent manner. Although the bullwhip and mini-bullwhip cells are not abundant, less than 1000 cells per retina, their influence on the development of the eye is substantial and includes vision-guided ocular growth.     

Results of a short study of interactions of cetaceans and longline fisheries in Atlantic waters: environmental correlates of catches and depredation events

In the Atlantic, economic losses have been reported from shark, swordfish and tuna longline fisheries due to depredation by cetaceans. We examined interactions of odontocete cetaceans with commercial longliners operating in waters off Brazil and the Azores archipelago during 2006–2007, analysing relationships between catches, depredation on hooked fish, cetacean sightings, acoustic records of cetacean presence and environmental variables. Data were provided by skippers of six vessels and by on-board observers for two vessels. The percentage of longline sets depredated by cetaceans was low (ranging from 1% to 9% of total sets per ship) but the proportion of fish damaged was high (up to 100%) when depredation occurred. Catches were related to the phase of the moon, cloud cover, sea surface temperature and water depth whereas cetacean sightings were primarily related to catches. In particular there was a positive association between Delphinus delphis sightings and catches of swordfish, and between Stenella frontalis sightings and mako catches. Acoustic detection was low when depredation by false killer whales occurred although high rates of clicks were detected when delphinids were sighted and false killer whales were by-caught. This may indicate that false killer whales are not echolocating when feeding on fish hooked on a longline. Guest editor: V. D. Valavanis Essential Fish Habitat Mapping in the Mediterranean     

Phylogenetic Relationships and Functional Genes: Distribution of a Gene (mnxG) Encoding a Putative Manganese-Oxidizing Enzyme in Bacillus Species

Several Bacillus and Paenibacillus species were isolated from Fe and Mn oxide minerals precipitating at a deep subsurface oxic-anoxic interface at Henderson Molybdenum Mine, Empire, CO. The isolates were investigated for their Mn(II)-oxidizing potential and interrogated for possession of the mnxG gene, a gene that codes for a putative Mn(II)-oxidizing enzyme in Bacillus species. Seven of eight Bacillus species were capable of Mn(II) oxidation; however, the mnxG gene was detected in only one isolate. Using sequences of known Bacillus species both with and without amplifiable mnxG genes and Henderson Mine isolates, the 16S rRNA and mnxG gene phylogenies were compared to determine if 16S rRNA sequences could be used to predict the presence or absence of an amplifiable mnxG gene within the genomes of the isolates. We discovered a strong correspondence between 16S rRNA sequence similarity and the presence/absence of an amplifiable mnxG gene in the isolates. The data revealed a complex phylogenetic distribution of the mnxG gene in which vertical inheritance and gene loss influence the distribution of the gene among the Bacillus species included in this study. Comparisons of 16S rRNA and functional gene phylogenies can be used as a tool to aid in unraveling the history and dispersal of the mnxG gene within the Bacillus clade.