Phylogeny of the Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile) species complex in the Ozark Highlands of Arkansas

Darters are small, benthic fishes that live in freshwater rivers and streams and belong to the family Percidae. Pleistocene glaciations fragmented many darter species, resulting in speciation, but new species are often hard to detect if they are morphologically identical to pre-existing species. Intraspecific hybridization and resulting introgression, which occur frequently in glaciated areas, further complicate identification by introducing heterospecific genomes into mitochondrial DNA, making it difficult to accurately resolve phylogenetic relationships. The results of Bossu and Near’s 2009 study highlight this issue, showing a large degree of incongruence between mitochondrial and nuclear gene trees. This study analyzed samples from 50 collection sites along the White River Drainages in the Ozark Highlands region of Arkansas, and area that is high in both species richness and habitat diversity. SVDQuartets analysis genrerating bootstap values for 1000 iterations recovered 12 species of Etheostoma, including 3 from the E. spectabile species complex, which was surprisingly non-monophyletic for the represented taxa. However, the relationships shown in the tree are consistent with previous studies which concluded that heterospecific DNA is being introgressed into the E. spectabile complex, although the sister-species relationships recovered differ from those found in Bossu and Near. The relationships displayed in this tree reveal the tendency for hybridization and introgression to occur between members of E. spectabile and other Etheostoma, however, sampling size and sampling area are both small, and further analysis is needed that includes more individuals and a broader sampling across a wide range of darter habitats to determine if these relationships are representative of the clade as a whole

What Is a Recipe?

The ontology of recipes is by and large unexplored. In this paper, I offer a three-steps account. After introducing some key terminology, I distinguish four main options for a theory of recipes: realism, constructivism, existentialism, and the na < ve approach. Hence, I first argue that recipes are social entities whose identity depends (also) on a process of identification, typically performed by means of a performative utterance on the part of a cook (e.g. "This is fettuccine Alfredo," "This is falafel"); thus, the best theoretical framework for a theory of recipes is a constructivist. Secondly, I argue that the identity of recipes can be grasped only by being suitably acquainted with the dishes that instantiate them, because of the impossibility to spell out recipes in details that would match a full-fledged dish; hence, the authority to establish the identity of a recipe rests on a process of apprenticeship. Finally, I argue that the identity of recipes and-vicariously-of the dishes that instantiate them, rest on three factors: the expertise required on the part of the cook; authenticity (in turn based on the fit and approval rate of any purported rendering); and the open-ended character of recipes

From Food Consumption to Eating Awareness

Working on her research towards a doctorate, Barbara Ribeiro discusses the importance of introducing sustainable and inclusive food processes in cities. A methodology for planning and designing urban food forestry in public spaces is explored through proposals for two parks in the city of Auckland

The Emergence of New Successful Export Activities in Latin America: The Case of Chile

This paper surveys overall export growth in Chile and focuses on three case studies of the emergence of successful export activities in Chile: wine, pork and blueberries. Each case study discusses how companies, associations, and governments at various levels have addressed market failures and facilitated the provision of public goods necessary for each activity. The case studies additionally profile first movers in each activity and describe the positive externalities they provide to imitators, particularly diffusion of export knowledge. Also included are counterfactual cases of a less successful firm or activity (an unsuccessful wine exporter, other types of berries, and commodity pork production rather than custom cuts, respectively) and a discussion of policy implications.Exports, Agriculture, Chile

Under Construction (Identities, Communities and Visual Overkill)

Most of modern identities emerge from mediated interactions in public and virtual spaces. There are no acknowledged authorities to watch over organizational identities and grant them legitimacy. These identities are renegotiated in real and virtual communities, often carry a permanent label 'under construction' and can be violently contested in public space. Garrulous behaviour stimulated by interactive media and by the forthcoming Evernet allows for a gradual build-up of individual and social response to the visual overkill in media-regulated societies. Voicing the images over, we mobilize for action, dismantle institutional structures and generally speaking mix gate-keeping with data-dating, thus contributing to the overall change of world's cultural climate - one of bricks, clicks and flicks. Benetton's Toscani campaign and Napster's ordeal are cases in point.corporate identity;cultural climate;flicks;virtual community;visual overkill

Thermal Ecology and Physiology of an Intertidal Predator-Prey System: \u3ci\u3ePisaster Ochraceus\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eMytilus Californianus\u3c/i\u3e

Untangling natural systems’ complexity requires understanding the mechanisms responsible for organisms’ responses to environmental change. Recently, significant advances have been made by recognizing the relevance of direct and indirect effects, which take place when multiple biotic and abiotic factors influence each other. I examined potential direct effects of environmental variables on a predator-prey interaction, as well as potential indirect effects of these variables on the interaction itself. I placed emphasis on behavioral and physiological adaptations, which would potentially contribute/modify these effects. My study system was comprised of a rocky intertidal keystone predator, the sea star Pisaster ochraceus, and its main prey the mussel Mytilus californianus. While previous work had explored the influence of both seawater and aerial temperature on their interaction, few studies had explicitly considered the physiological basis of such responses. Given the direct links between Pisaster body temperature and physiological performance, in Chapter 1 I asked, where exactly is Pisaster located? And, what physiological consequences it might bring? Pisaster exhibited a size-dependent distribution, with small animals found higher on the shore. Also, most individuals were found in refugia at low tide, reflecting Pisaster risk-avoiding strategy, despite generally mild conditions. We suggest that the strategy may help prevent exposures to extreme (although rare) events. Chapter 2 provided an opportunity to compare thermal performance between the predator Pisaster and prey Mytilus. Within an environmental stress model framework, I asked: which species would be more negatively impacted by thermal stress? To avoid influencing individuals’ response, I tested this idea indirectly via thermal performance curves (TPC). I described TPCs for both species, which first allowed comparing them based on their intrinsic thermal sensitivities. Second, these curves were used to calculate thermal performance using field body temperature data. I collected data on body mass indices and heat-shock protein 70kDa to evaluate both species general physiological condition and levels of extreme thermal stress. Thermal sensitivity varied between species and site of origin. Contrary to previous findings, I observed that Mytilus performance resulted more negatively affected by temperatures than Pisaster, and no effects of movement behavior were detected. Chapter 4 describes a Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model for Pisaster. I discussed the models’ ability to simulate growth throughout ontogeny, shrinkage when food is scarce, and the combined effects of changes in body temperature and food availability. This model should prove useful in predicting Pisaster physiological responses to environmental change

Pest risk analysis for Bactrocera invadens : Guidelines on Pest Risk Analysis

Stripping related moisture damage has been recognized as one of the major pavement distresses since the early 1990s. The main objective of this study is to establish an effective test protocol to quantify moisture susceptibility of asphalt pavements. To this end, selective test methods (Texas Boiling test, Tensile Strength Ratio, Retained Stability, and Hamburg Wheel Test), and procedures based on surface chemistries and molecular-level mechanistic properties have been investigated in this study. Firstly, a comprehensive list of literature related to moisture damage in asphalts was reviewed. Based on the literature review, a detailed project plan and test matrix were developed. Binder samples originated from two different crude sources were collected. The moisture resistance related tests such as static contact angle measurements and Texas Boiling tests were conducted. Besides, asphalt binders’ nanomechanical properties using an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and surface chemistries using a static contact were evaluated in the laboratory. Based on limited test data and analysis, it is concluded that there does not exist any single test method that all agencies are comfortable and equipped to follow in their daily work as each technique has some merits and demerits. However, the Texas Boiling test is found to be the simplest method that requires minimal time and resources. On the other hand, surface chemistry and atomic force microscope-based techniques are becoming popular among researchers and pavement professionals. Findings of this study are expected to help ARDOT in selecting an appropriate moisture resistance test method that is simple, reliable, and easy to implement in their routine work

Functional Importance of Endophytic Microorganisms in Plant Growth Promotion Bioactive Compound Production for Sustainable Agriculture

Endophytes constitute living microorganisms inhabiting inside tissues of plants. Endophytes perform criticalfunctions in upgrading the growth of plants and their defense to fight stress by a variety of phytohormones, biologically active compounds, volatile organic compounds, and biotechnologically valuable enzymes. How biological nitrogen fixation, nutrient uptake, and disease suppression occurs by endophytes, have been discussed in detail in the review. The mutual symbiotic relationship enhances plant growth, fitness, physiology, and metabolite production ability. Endophytes inhibit the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms and protect crops against diseases. Endophytes are also involved in strategies for environmental clean-up such as biodegradation, bioremediation, and phytoremediation. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze and study the mechanisms of interactions, colonisation, diversity, and functionalities for successful implications in agriculture. Thus, the endophytic relationship opens possibilities for medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. The present review emphasizes the importance of endophytes in sustainable agriculture under several adverse environmental impacts through a better understanding of their functioning inside the plant