Development of powdery mildew on leaves of several barley varieties at different growth stages

On detached leaves and intact plants of several barley varieties at different growth stages, lower percentages of germinated conidia of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei penetrated the host and initiated infection on the abaxial than adaxial surface. More and larger E. graminis colonies developed on the adaxial surface and these comprised more densely packed hyphae and produced more conidiophores than did colonies on the abaxial surface. These results are consistent with the observation that there is usually more powdery mildew on the adaxial than abaxial surface of barley leaves in the field. Smaller proportions of germinated E. graminis conidia penetrated and infected the host on leaves of adult or near-adult plants than on those of seedlings or juvenile plants. Older plants also supported fewer, smaller and less dense colonies with less sporulation than young plants. The effects of growth stage of the host plant on development of powdery mildew were much greater in some barley varieties, and with some E. graminis isolates, than others.     

Unifying Electrostatic Mechanism for Phosphates and Sulfates in Cell Signaling

Prior proposals suggested the importance of electrochemistry in signal transduction and receptor-ligand activity. Electrostatic fields associated with ions and dipoles were assigned important roles. Little is known concerning the precise mode of action in cell signaling by widespread phosphorylation. According to the hypothetical framework, molecular electrostatic potential associated with phosphate anion is a key element as a link in the communication grid, possibly inducing favorable energetics in the electron transfer process. Similar involvement appears plausible for the sulfate anion. Supporting evidence for the electrostatic mechanism is presented. Representative literature on phosphorylation in the biological domain is reviewed with emphasis on cell signaling. The treatment includes phosphates from protein, lipids, and other molecules, plus the role of reactive oxygen species. Protein sulfation is also discussed.     

Unifying Electrostatic Mechanism for Receptor-Ligand Activity

A prior article in skeletal form proposed an electrostatic mechanism for receptor-ligand activity. The present review provides an elaboration, including supporting evidence. The fundamental aspect entails the presence of molecular electrostatic potential associated with ions and dipoles in the ligand. The ligand can be regarded as an electrical link that joins prevalent electrostatic fields present in the surrounding protein matrix. The exact role of these fields is speculative. One possibility is to function as conduits for electrons and radicals in cell signaling. There is increasing support for important participation of these species in signal transduction. There might also be a favorable influence on energetics involving the electron transfer process. A summary of receptor biology is also provided, including receptors for acetylcholine (nicotinic and muscarinic), GABA, adrenergic, and glutamate.     

Migration and evolution of lesser long-nosed bats Leptonycteris curasoae, inferred from mitochondrial DNA

We used sequence variation within 297 bp of control region mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) amplified from 53 lesser long-nosed bats, Leptonycteris curasoae (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) captured at 13 locations in south-western United States and Mexico and one site in Venezuela to infer population structure and possible migration routes of this endangered nectar- and fruit-eating species. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony and UPGMA confirmed species and subspecies distinctions within Leptonycteris and revealed two clades exhibiting 3% sequence divergence within the Mexican subspecies, L. c. yerbabuenae . Even though many roosts contained L. c. yerbabuenae from both clades, weak population structure was detected both by a correlation between genetic differentiation, F _st, and geographical distance and by a cladistic estimate of the number of migration events required to align bat sequences with geographical location on maximum parsimony, as compared to random, trees. Three results suggest that L. c. yerbabuenae are more likely to migrate between sites along the Pacific coast of Mexico or along the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental than between these regions. (1) Seventeen of 20 bats which shared an identical sequence were captured up to 1800 km apart but within the same putative migration corridor. (2) Residuals from a regression of F _st on distance were greater between than within these regions. (3) Fewer migration events were required to align bats with these two groups than expected from random assignment. We recommend analysing independent genetic data and monitoring bat visitation to roost sites during migration to confirm these postulated movements.     

Cell Division Heterogeneity in the Primary Meristems of Pisum sativum Root Tips after Excision

Root tips (1.0 cm) were excised, transferred to culture medium,sampled at intervals, embedded in paraffin and sectioned. Themitotic index in each primary meristem in the 2.0 mm tips wasreduced immediately after excision. After 8–12 h mitosisresumed. The position of mitotic figures in the protoderm, groundmeristem, procambium, and root cap was determined. The greatestnumber of mitotic figures occurred in the procambium, and uponexcision the smallest percent reduction also occurred in thisregion. The ground meristem showed the greatest reduction inmitotic figures. After excision, the relative contribution tothe total number of mitotic figures increased in the procambiumtissue and decreased in the ground meristem. Cell division inall primary meristems of the root tip is reduced after tip excision,but the ground meristem (cortical region) is the primary targettissue.     

Chemistry of sediments from two linked lakes in North Wales

SUMMARY. Cores of sediment from Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn, two linked lakes in North Wales, are described. Dating of sediments by ¹⁴C techniques, investigations of remanent geomagnetism and estimates of recent deposition rates from measurements of ¹³⁷Cs, indicate that in Padarn an unbroken record of the last 7000 years has been obtained. In Peris, the upper lake, the rate of sediment accumulation is greater than in Padarn and the sediment has been considerably disturbed. Sediment chemistry is related to the climatic and industrial history of the area. Some features of the chemical profiles in Padarn are similar to those of lakes in the English Lake District, and there is evidence to suggest that erosion has increased in the catchment since c . 3500 years ago. This is more recent than similar increases in erosion reported for the English Lake District. In Peris, industrial activity during the past few hundred years has resulted in high levels of copper and calcium in the surface regions of sediment profiles.