A Reference Section for the Pennsylvanian Lorton Coal Bed (Root Shale: Wabaunsee Group) in Kansas

The Lorton coal bed (Wabaunsee Group: Virgilian) of Late Pennsylvanian age is formally recognized as a bed-level stratigraphic unit in the Root Shale in Kansas. A stratigraphic reference section in Lyon County, Kansas, is given for the Lorton coal bed

A Reference Section for the Pennsylvanian Lorton Coal Bed (Root Shale: Wabaunsee Group) in Kansas

The Lorton coal bed (Wabaunsee Group: Virgilian) of Late Pennsylvanian age is formally recognized as a bed-level stratigraphic unit in the Root Shale in Kansas. A stratigraphic reference section in Lyon County, Kansas, is given for the Lorton coal bed

The Transmembrane Domains of the EBV-Encoded Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) Variant CAO Regulate Enhanced Signalling Activity

AbstractSequence variants of the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) have been reported in association with EBV-linked malignancies but little is known about their effects on signalling pathways and phenotype. We have examined the ability of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)-derived variant, CAO-LMP1 to activate the transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1 in epithelial cells. In this study, transient expression of CAO-LMP1 was found to activate higher levels of NF-κB and AP-1 than the prototype B95.8-LMP1 in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and SV40-transformed keratinocytes (SVK). In addition, pulse–chase analysis revealed that CAO-LMP1 has a longer half-life than B95.8-LMP1. Chimera studies localised these phenomena to the transmembrane domains of CAO-LMP1, suggesting that this enhanced signalling capacity may be a consequence of its prolonged half-life. The ability of CAO-LMP1 to activate higher levels of NF-κB and AP-1 may contribute to its potent transforming properties

ASCA Observation of an X-Ray-Luminous Active Nucleus in Markarian 231

We have obtained a moderately long (100 kilosecond) ASCA observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy Markarian 231, the most luminous of the local ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) population. In the best-fitting model we do not see the X-ray source directly; the spectrum consists of a scattered power-law component and a reflection component, both of which have been absorbed by a column N_H \approx 3 X 10^(22)/cm^2. About 3/4 of the observed hard X-rays arise from the scattered component, reducing the equivalent width of the iron K alpha line. The implied ratio of 1-10 keV X-ray luminosity to bolometric luminosity, L_x/L_bol \sim 2%, is typical of Sy 1 galaxies and radio-quiet QSOs of comparable bolometric luminosities, and indicates that the bolometric luminosity is dominated by the AGN. Our estimate of the X-ray luminosity also moves Mrk 231 in line with the correlations found for AGN with extremely strong Fe II emission. A second source separated by about 2 arcminutes is also clearly detected, and contributes about 25% of the total flux.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures; to appear in ApJ Letter

Reproductive Compatibility among Populations and Host‐Associated Lineages of the Common Bed Bug (\u3cem\u3eCimex lectularius\u3c/em\u3e L.)

As populations differentiate across geographic or host‐association barriers, interpopulation fertility is often a measure of the extent of incipient speciation. The bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., was recently found to form two host‐associated lineages within Europe: one found with humans (human‐associated, HA) and the other found with bats (bat‐associated, BA). No unequivocal evidence of contemporary gene flow between these lineages has been found; however, it is unclear whether this is due to an inability to produce viable “hybrid” offspring. To address this question and determine the extent of compatibility between host‐associated lineages, we set up mating crosses among populations of bed bugs based on both their host association (human—HA vs. bat—BA) and geographic origin (North America vs. Europe). Within‐population fecundity was significantly higher for all HA populations (\u3e 1.7 eggs/day) than for BA populations (\u3c 1 egg/day). However, all within‐population crosses, regardless of host association, had \u3e 92% egg hatch rates. Contrary to previous reports, in all interlineage crosses, successful matings occurred, fertile eggs were oviposited, and the F1 “hybrid” generation was found to be reproductively viable. In addition, we evaluated interpopulation genetic variation in Wolbachia among host‐associated lineages. We did not find any clear patterns related to host association, nor did we observe a homogenization of Wolbachia lineages across populations that might explain a breakdown of reproductive incompatibility. These results indicate that while the HA and BA populations of C. lectularius represent genetically differentiated host‐associated lineages, possibly undergoing sympatric speciation, this is in its incipient stage as they remain reproductively compatible. Other behavioral, physiological, and/or ecological factors likely maintain host‐associated differentiation