Autumnal moth – why autumnal?

1. As for some other spring‐feeding moths, adult flight of Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) occurs in late autumn. Late‐season flight is a result of a prolonged pupal period. Potential evolutionary explanations for this phenological pattern are evaluated. 2. In a laboratory rearing, there was a weak correlation between pupation date and the time of adult emergence. A substantial genetic difference in pupal period was found between two geographic populations. Adaptive evolution of eclosion time can thus be expected. 3. Metabolic costs of a prolonged pupal period were found to be moderate but still of some ecological significance. Pupal mortality is likely to form the main cost of the prolonged pupal period. 4. Mortality rates of adults, exposed in the field, showed a declining temporal trend from late summer to normal eclosion time in autumn. Lower predation pressure on adults may constitute the decisive selective advantage of late‐season flight. It is suggested that ants, not birds, were the main predators responsible for the temporal trend. 5. Egg mortality was estimated to be low; it is thus unlikely that the late adult period is selected for to reduce the time during which eggs are exposed to predators. 6. In a laboratory experiment, oviposition success was maximal at the time of actual flight peak of E. autumnata, however penalties resulting from sub‐optimal timing of oviposition remained limited.     

Morphological Parameters Associated with Ruptured Posterior Communicating Aneurysms

The rupture risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysms is known to be dependent on the size of the aneurysm. However, the association of morphological characteristics with ruptured aneurysms has not been established in a systematic and location specific manner for the most common aneurysm locations. We evaluated posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms for morphological parameters associated with aneurysm rupture in that location. CT angiograms were evaluated to generate 3-D models of the aneurysms and surrounding vasculature. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate morphological parameters including aneurysm volume, aspect ratio, size ratio, distance to ICA bifurcation, aneurysm angle, vessel angles, flow angles, and vessel-to-vessel angles. From 2005–2012, 148 PCoA aneurysms were treated in a single institution. Preoperative CTAs from 63 patients (40 ruptured, 23 unruptured) were available and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that smaller volume (p = 0.011), larger aneurysm neck diameter (0.048), and shorter ICA bifurcation to aneurysm distance (p = 0.005) were the most strongly associated with aneurysm rupture after adjusting for all other clinical and morphological variables. Multivariate subgroup analysis for patients with visualized PCoA demonstrated that larger neck diameter (p = 0.018) and shorter ICA bifurcation to aneurysm distance (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with rupture. Intracerebral hemorrhage was associated with smaller volume, larger maximum height, and smaller aneurysm angle, in addition to lateral projection, male sex, and lack of hypertension. We found that shorter ICA bifurcation to aneurysm distance is significantly associated with PCoA aneurysm rupture. This is a new physically intuitive parameter that can be measured easily and therefore be readily applied in clinical practice to aid in the evaluation of patients with PCoA aneurysms.     

Biotransformation of 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-Propanediol to 3-Hydroxypivalic Acid by Acetobacter Acetii DSMZ3508 and Related Bacteria

Acetobacter acetii DSMZ3508 and related bacteria converted 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol into 3-hydroxypivalic acid (2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropionic acid; 3HP) during submerged cultivation in mineral salt medium. The maximum yield of 3-hydroxypivalic acid was 24.4% of the fed substrate after 18 days. Cultivation parameters, as pH, cell density, optimal substrate concentration, and oxygen supply for the bioconversion process were determined.     

Systematic Screening of Drosophila Deficiency Mutations for Embryonic Phenotypes and Orphan Receptor Ligands

This paper defines a collection of Drosophila deletion mutations (deficiencies) that can be systematically screened for embryonic phenotypes, orphan receptor ligands, and genes affecting protein localization. It reports the results of deficiency screens we have conducted that have revealed new axon guidance phenotypes in the central nervous system and neuromuscular system and permitted a quantitative assessment of the number of potential genes involved in regulating guidance of specific motor axon branches. Deficiency “kits” that cover the genome with a minimum number of lines have been established to facilitate gene mapping. These kits cannot be systematically analyzed for phenotypes, however, since embryos homozygous for many deficiencies in these kits fail to develop due to the loss of key gene products encoded within the deficiency. To create new kits that can be screened for phenotype, we have examined the development of the nervous system in embryos homozygous for more than 700 distinct deficiency mutations. A kit of ∼400 deficiency lines for which homozygotes have a recognizable nervous system and intact body walls encompasses >80% of the genome. Here we show examples of screens of this kit for orphan receptor ligands and neuronal antigen expression. It can also be used to find genes involved in expression, patterning, and subcellular localization of any protein that can be visualized by antibody staining. A subset kit of 233 deficiency lines, for which homozygotes develop relatively normally to late stage 16, covers ∼50% of the genome. We have screened it for axon guidance phenotypes, and we present examples of new phenotypes we have identified. The subset kit can be used to screen for phenotypes affecting all embryonic organs. In the future, these deficiency kits will allow Drosophila researchers to rapidly and efficiently execute genome-wide anatomical screens that require examination of individual embryos at high magnification.     

Regulation of thyroid hormone metabolism in rat liver fractions

The nature of the conversion of thyroxine (T₄) to triiodothyronine (T₃) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT₃) was investigated in rat liver homogenate and microsomes. A 6-fold rise of T₃ and 2.5-fold rise of rT₃ levels determined by specific radioimmunoassays was observed over 6 h after the addition of T₄. An enzymic process is suggested that converts T₄ to T₃ and rT₃. For T₃ the optimal pH is 6 and for rT₃, 9.5. The converting activity for both T₃ and rT₃ is temperature dependent and can be suppressed by heat, H₂O₂, merthiolate and by 5-propyl-2-thiouracil. rT₃ and to a lesser degree iodide, were able to inhibit the production of T₃ in a dose related fashion. Therefore the pH dependendy, rT₃ and iodide may regulate the availability of T₃ or rT₃ depending on the metabolic requirements of thyroid hormones.     

Conditional Maximum Likelihood Estimation Following a Group Sequential Test

We consider estimation after a group sequential test. An estimator that is unbiased or has small bias may have substantial conditional bias (Troendle and Yu, 1999, Coburger and Wassmer, 2001). In this paper we derive the conditional maximum likelihood estimators of both the primary parameter and a secondary parameter, and investigate their properties within a conditional inference framework. The method applies to both the usual and adaptive group sequential test designs. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Hybridization between redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus and black redstart P. ochruros, and the effect on habitat exploitation

Although redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurus and black redstarts P. ochruros breed in different habitats they have been found to interbreed and to produce viable and fertile offspring, which backcross to the parental species. In a dual choice experiment, I investigated the preference of black redstarts and redstarts, and F₁-hybrids for different habitat structures in an aviary. Black redstarts strongly preferred a perch type on which they could stand to a perch they had to cling to. Redstarts were less selective and used both perch types equally as long as food was offered between both perches on the ground. If food was given at one of the perches redstarts changed their preference depending on food location. Black redstarts, however, showed only a slight response. They always preferred the same perch type. Hybrids behaved like redstarts. They did not show a preference as long as food was placed on the ground. When food was offered at one of the perch sites they more often chose the one with food. Due to high phenotypic variability among individuals perch type preference overlapped between the three experimental groups.     

The transepithelial potential difference in the gills of the fiddler crab,Uca tangeri: Influence of some inhibitors

Summary Euryhaline Crustacea living in dilute media, counterbalance the salt loss by active absorption of NaCl across the gill epithelium. To investigate the mechanisms involved in salt absorption, transeptithelial potential difference (PD_te) was measured in isolated, perfused gills of the fiddler crab,Uca tangeri. The influence of some specific inhibitors of epithelial ion transport on the PD_te was tested.With symmetrical conditions on both sides of the epithelium, the posterior gills ofUca tangeri showed a spontaneous PD_te of +5 to +10 mV, that is an active transport potential which was positive on the bath side as referred to the hemolymph side. This potential decreased considerably after application of KCN or 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) to the perfusion saline.Omission of K⁺ from the perfusion saline or addition of ouabain led to a reversible drop of the PD_te, suggesting that the absorption of Na⁺ and also of Cl^– is driven by the (Na⁺+K⁺)ATPase located in the basolateral membrane of the epithelial cells.Perfusion of the hemolymph space with saline containing diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC) or the loop diuretic furosemide resulted in a decrease of the PD_te.After application of amiloride to the bath saline the PD_te increased. Half-maximum response to amiloride was reached at a concentration of about 10^–5 mol·l^–1. This suggests that one of the Na⁺ pathways across the apical membrane may consist of Na⁺ channels.Abbreviations PD _te transepithelial potential difference - DPC diphenylamine-2-carboxylate - R _ps resistance of perfusate shunt - R _te transepithelial resistance - R _in input resistance - DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol Parts of this study have been reported at the 1st Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Liège 1984, and at the Vth European Colloquium on Renal Physiology, Frankfurt, 1985     

Algesia and local responses induced by neurokinin A and substance P in human skin and temporal muscle

Neurokinin A (NKA), substance P (SP) and the two peptides combined (SP + NKA) were injected intracutaneously on the forearm and into the temporal muscle of healthy volunteers. Pain intensity, cutaneous wheal and flare responses and tenderness of the temporal muscle were quantitated. SP but not NKA induced cutaneous pain. This relates the algesic effect of SP to the specific N-terminal amino acid sequence of the peptide, not shared by NKA. NKA, however, potentiated the algesic effect of SP as SP + NKA induced a significantly prolonged cutaneous pain sensation. Both peptides induced wheals, but only SP induced flare. These results confirm previous studies relating wheal formation to the identical C-terminal amino acid sequence of the two peptides and flare reaction to the N-terminal part of SP. Injections into the temporal muscle did not cause pain or tenderness.     

Die Verbreitung des Weidensperlings (Passer hispaniolensis) in Marokko

Zusammenfassung In Marokko fällt die südliche Verbreitungsgrenze des Weidensperlings wahrscheinlich mit dem Nordrand des Antiatlas zusammen. Aus den Oasen der ehemaligen Spanischen Sahara liegen keine Beobachtungen vor. Aus dem Raum Oujda sind die östlichsten Populationen, die ständig zwischen Marokko und Algerien migrieren, bekannt. Landnutzung und Klima prägen entscheidend die Dispersion des Weidensperlings. Als euryöke Art ist er in der Lage, das reichhaltige Angebot an Schlaf- und Brutplätzen sowie an Nahrung und Wasser in den ackerbaulichen Nutzflächen zu verwerten. Auffallend ist, daß die Hauptverbreitungszonen mit den großen ackerbaulichen Nutzflächen zusammenfallen. Während die agrarischen Nutzflächen sich in den letzten Jahrzehnten im Zuge der Modernisierung der Landwirtschaft rapide änderten, und das erklärte Ziel für das Jahr 2000 in einer bewässerten Fläche von einer Million Hektar besteht, gingen die ursprünglichen Habitate des Weidensperlings, wie die Bereiche der mauretanischen Wüstensteppengebiete, drastisch zurück. Ferner konnte im Raum Marrakech eine Abnahme der Niederschläge beobachtet werden, die das für die Weidensperlinge verfügbare Nahrungsangebot entscheidend beeinflußt und somit die Populationsdynamik steuert.

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On the distribution of the Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) in Morocco

Summary In Morocco, the southernmost border of the distribution of the Spanish Sparrow coincides probably with the North-Antiatlas. From the oasis of the former Spanish Sahara don't exist any observations. In the region of Oujda the easternmost populations are found which are migrating permanently between Morocco and Algeria. The euryoecous species is able to use a high variability of different roosts, breeding sites, resources of food and water in the agricultural areas. A high overlap of the main distribution areas with the large agricultural regions is obvious. While the cultivated areas have been changed heavily during the modernisation periode of the Moroccan agriculture the original habitats of the Spanish Sparrow (i. e. the parts in the Mauretanian desert-steppe regions) disappeared dramatically. The goal of the year 2000 lies in an irrigated scheme of 1.000.000 ha. Moreover, a decrease of the precipitation in the region of Marrakech was observed, which has a great influence on the food available for the species and which therefore controls the population dynamics.