819 research outputs found
Calculating the carbon footprint:implications for governing emissions and gender relations
In this article, we use fresh empirical evidence, and draw on feminist and critical
accounting and organisational theories to contend that carbon calculators can be
interpreted as discriminatory control technologies. They do this by providing a
new and flexible vocabulary for governing expenses, costs and investments at a
distance, avoiding a sense of direct intervention by the government. Thus, given
our stance that the carbon calculator cannot be considered a neutral tool, we
argue that it has the potential to control personal responsibilities regarding both
environmental and familyâbased issues
Jack-of-all-trades effects drive biodiversity-ecosystem multifunctionality relationships in European forests
Fons van der Plas [et al.].- Received 8 September 2015, Accepted 19 February 2016, Published 24 March 2016There is considerable evidence that biodiversity promotes multiple ecosystem functions (multifunctionality), thus ensuring the delivery of ecosystem services important for human well-being. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are poorly understood, especially in natural ecosystems. We develop a novel approach to partition biodiversity effects on multifunctionality into three mechanisms and apply this to European forest data. We show that throughout Europe, tree diversity is positively related with multifunctionality when moderate levels of functioning are required, but negatively when very high function levels are desired. For two well-known mechanisms, âcomplementarityâ and âselectionâ, we detect only minor effects on multifunctionality. Instead a third, so far overlooked mechanism, the âjack-of-all-tradesâ effect, caused by the averaging of individual species effects on function, drives observed patterns. Simulations demonstrate that jack-of-all-trades effects occur whenever species effects on different functions are not perfectly correlated, meaning they may contribute to diversityâmultifunctionality relationships in many of the worldâs ecosystems.Peer reviewe
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Genome-wide analyses of cassava Pathogenesis-related (PR) gene families reveal core transcriptome responses to whitefly infestation, salicylic acid and jasmonic acid.
BACKGROUND:Whiteflies are a threat to cassava (Manihot esculenta), an important staple food in many tropical/subtropical regions. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating cassava's responses against this pest is crucial for developing control strategies. Pathogenesis-related (PR) protein families are an integral part of plant immunity. With the availability of whole genome sequences, the annotation and expression programs of the full complement of PR genes in an organism can now be achieved. An understanding of the responses of the entire complement of PR genes during biotic stress and to the defense hormones, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), is lacking. Here, we analyze the responses of cassava PR genes to whiteflies, SA, JA, and other biotic aggressors. RESULTS:The cassava genome possesses 14 of the 17 plant PR families, with a total of 447 PR genes. A cassava PR gene nomenclature is proposed. Phylogenetic relatedness of cassava PR proteins to each other and to homologs in poplar, rice and Arabidopsis identified cassava-specific PR gene family expansions. The temporal programs of PR gene expression in response to the whitefly (Aleurotrachelus socialis) in four whitefly-susceptible cassava genotypes showed that 167 of the 447 PR genes were regulated after whitefly infestation. While the timing of PR gene expression varied, over 37% of whitefly-regulated PR genes were downregulated in all four genotypes. Notably, whitefly-responsive PR genes were largely coordinately regulated by SA and JA. The analysis of cassava PR gene expression in response to five other biotic stresses revealed a strong positive correlation between whitefly and Xanthomonas axonopodis and Cassava Brown Streak Virus responses and negative correlations between whitefly and Cassava Mosaic Virus responses. Finally, certain associations between PR genes in cassava expansions and response to biotic stresses were observed among PR families. CONCLUSIONS:This study represents the first genome-wide characterization of PR genes in cassava. PR gene responses to six biotic stresses and to SA and JA are demonstrably different to other angiosperms. We propose that our approach could be applied in other species to fully understand PR gene regulation by pathogens, pests and the canonical defense hormones SA and JA
Acquiescence and Extremity in Cross-National Surveys: Domain Dependence and Country-Level Correlates
Likert-type rating scales are susceptible to response styles, such as acquiescence and extremity scoring. Although it is widely acknowledged that response styles can seriously invalidate findings of cross-cultural research, their theoretical underpinnings are hardly explored. The current study analyzed domain-dependency and country differences in acquiescence and extremity scoring in a large dataset of the International Social Survey Program. The hypothesis that response styles are more likely in domains with a high personal relevance compared to domains with a low personal relevance was tentatively confirmed. Correlations with various cultural, psychological, and economic variables were investigated. We found that acquiescence was negatively related to affluence, individualism, and well-being, while extremity was only negatively related to well-being. Positive associations were found between uncertainty avoidance and both acquiescence and extremity
Intracellular processing and presentation of T cell epitopes, expressed by recombinant Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, to human T cells
Vaccines based on recombinant attenuated bacteria represent a potentially safe and effective immunization strategy. A carrier system was developed to analyze in vitro whether foreign T cell epitopes, inserted in the outer membrane protein PhoE of Escherichia coli and expressed by recombinant bacteria, are efficiently processed and presente
Undetectable Levels of CSF Amyloid-β Peptide in a Patient with 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Deficiency
17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 10 (HSD10) deficiency is a rare X-linked inborn error of isoleucine catabolism. Although this protein has been genetically implicated in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, studies of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in patients with HSD10 deficiency have not been previously reported. We found, in a severely affected child with HSD10 deficiency, undetectable levels of Aβ in the cerebrospinal fluid, together with low expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, ι-synuclein, and serotonin metabolites. Confirmation of these findings in other patients would help elucidating mechanisms of synaptic dysfunction in this disease, and highlight the role of Aβ in both early and late periods of life
Sentinel lymph node procedure in patients with recurrent vulvar squamous cell carcinoma:a proposed protocol for a multicentre observational study
BACKGROUND: Standard groin treatment in recurrent vulvar cancer consists of uni- or bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (IFL), whereas in the primary setting women with selected unifocal tumours will undergo a sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure. The SLN procedure results in fewer short and long-term sequelae compared to IFL, but some concerns must first be considered. Lymph drainage of the vulvar region can be affected by a previous surgery, which might reduce the number of detectable SLN nodes (feasibility) but increase the chance of encountering aberrant lymph drainage patterns such as bilateral SLNs in lateral tumours or SLNs at unexpected locations. Therefore, the SLN procedure potentially carries a higher risk of groin recurrence if a tumour positive node is not retrieved, but may also improve outcomes for women with aberrant drainage patterns. Since the relative benefits and drawbacks of the SLN procedure are still unclear we will investigate the safety of the SLN procedure in women with a first recurrent vulvar cancer. In a simultaneously started registration study we prospectively gather information on women with a first recurrence of vulvar cancer ineligible for the SLN procedure. METHOD: In this prospective multicentre observational study all women with a first recurrence of vulvar cancer will be asked to consent to the collection of information on their diagnostics, treatment and outcome, and to complete quality of life and lymph oedema questionnaires. Women with unifocal tumours smaller than 4âcm and unsuspicious groin nodes will be offered the SLN procedure, with follow-up every 3âmonths together with imaging at 6 and 12âmonths when the SLN is tumour negative. The primary outcome is groin recurrence within 2âyears of initial surgery. A total of 150 women with negative SLNs will be required to demonstrate safety, a stopping rule will apply and an extensive statistical analysis has been designed. DISCUSSION: Should the SLN procedure prove feasible and safe in recurrent vulvar cancer, it will be available for implementation in clinics worldwide. The inclusion of women ineligible for the SLN procedure in the current prospective study will help to bridge knowledge gaps and define future research questions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Medical Ethical Committee approval number NL70149.078.19 (trial protocol version 2.0, date March 2nd, 2020). Affiliation: Erasmus Medical Centre. Dutch trial register NL8467. Date of registration 19.03.2020
Estudio de casos y controles entre anastomosis intra y extracorpĂłrea en pacientes intervenidos de hemicolectomĂa derecha laparoscĂłpica
Introduction: There is still insufficient scientific evidence on which is the best technique to
perform the anastomosis -intracorporeal (IC) or extracorporeal (EC)- in right laparoscopic
hemicolectomy. The objective of the present study is to determine whether there are
differences to compare in both techniques.
Material and methods: A study was performed on a prospective patient series subjected to
right laparoscopic hemicolectomy in our Hospital. The preoperative and the postoperative
variables associated with complications recorded depending on the type of anastomosis.
Results: A total of 60 patients were intervened form June 2004 to June 2010 (35 IC; 25 EC).
There were no significant differences between both groups as regards baseline preoperative
characteristics or associated comorbidities. The median operation time was 212 minutes
(142-305 min), with no significant difference between both techniques. The number of
lymph nodes removed was higher in the IC group (21 versus 14; p = 0.03). The beginning
of oral tolerance and the first bowel movement were significantly earlier in the IC group. The
complications rate was similar for both groups (14% IC; 16% EC; p = 0.89). Three patients in
the IC group had anastomosis dehiscence. The mortality rate was 2.8% (one patient in each
group).
Conclusion: Intracorporeal versus extracorporeal anastomosis in right laparoscopic hemicolectomy
can obtain a higher number of resected lymph nodes and an earlier oral tolerance
and intestinal transit
Olfactory Attraction of the Larval Parasitoid, Hyposoter horticola, to Plants Infested with Eggs of the Host Butterfly, Melitaea cinxia
Parasitoids locate inconspicuous hosts in a heterogeneous habitat using plant volatiles, some of which are induced by the hosts. Hyposoter horticola Gravenhost (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is a parasitoid of the Glanville fritillary butterfly Melitaea cinxia L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Melitaea cinxia lays eggs in clusters on leaves of Plantago lanceolata L. (Lamiales: Plantaginaceae) and Veronica spicata L. (Lamiales: Plantaginaceae). The parasitoid oviposits into host larvae that have not yet hatched from the egg. Thus, though H. horticola is a parasitoid of Melitaea cinxia larvae, it must find host eggs on plants that have not been fed on by the larvae. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, the response of H. horticola to odors of Melitaea cinxia and extracts of the attacked plant species were tested. Three week-old eggs (near hatching) were attractive to young H. horticola, but one week-old eggs were attractive only to old or experienced H. horticola. Melitaea cinxia larvae were not attractive. A water extract of P. lanceolata was attractive, but ethanol or hexane extracts were not. None of the extracts of V. spicata were attractive. Leaves of V. spicata were attractive only if harboring eggs, but P. lanceolata leaves with eggs were not. Free flying H. horticola in a large outdoor enclosure were presented with host and plant cues. As in the olfactometer, V. spicata was attractive only when eggs were on it, and P. lanceolata was somewhat attractive with or without eggs. This study shows for the first time that a parasitoid of larvae uses egg volatiles or oviposition-induced plant volatiles, to find host larvae, and that Melitaea cinxia eggs or traces of oviposition induce the production of these volatiles by the plant. Based on the results, and given the natural distribution of the plants and M. cinxia eggs, parasitism of Melitaea cinxia eggs on P. lanceolata would be expected to be low. Instead, under natural conditions, a fraction of the eggs in virtually all egg clusters are parasitized on both plant species. The mismatch between the experimental results and the natural pattern of host-parasitoid interactions is discussed in terms of the expected coupling foraging cues with foraging success
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