Effect of simulated rainfall during wheat seed development and maturation on subsequent seed longevity is reversible

Poor wheat seed quality in temperate regions is often ascribed to wet production environments. We investigated the possible effect of simulated rain during seed development and maturation on seed longevity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Tybalt grown in the field (2008, 2009) or a polythene tunnel house (2010). To mimic rain, the seed crops were wetted from above with the equivalent of 30mm (2008, 2009) or 25mm rainfall (2010) at different stages of seed development and maturation (17 to 58 DAA, days after 50% anthesis), samples harvested serially, and subsequent air-dry seed longevity estimated. No pre-harvest sprouting occurred. Seed longevity (p50, 50% survival period in experimental hermetic storage at 40°C with c. 15% moisture content) in field-grown controls increased during seed development and maturation attaining maxima at 37 (2008) or 44 DAA (2009); it declined thereafter. Immediate effects of simulated rain at 17-58 DAA in field studies (2008, 2009) on subsequent seed longevity were negative but small, e.g. a 1-4 d delay in seed quality improvement for treatments early in development but with no damage detected at final harvests. In rainfall-protected conditions (2010), simulated rain close to harvest maturity (55-56 DAA) reduced longevity immediately and substantially, with greater damage from two sequential days of wetting than one; again, later harvests provided evidence of recovery in subsequent longevity. In the absence of pre-harvest sprouting, the potentially deleterious effects of rainfall to wheat seed crops on subsequent seed longevity may be reversible in full or in part

Silviculture and the red-cockaded woodpecker: Where do we go from here?

Recent standards and guidelines for the protection and management of red-cockaded woodpecker habitat within 3/4 mi of colony sites, and also thinning within colonies to reduce basal area and midstory will have a significant effect on National Forest lands. The relation of these thinnings to forest pest management will be examined as well as the area of forest involved. Current fire regulations in relation to prescribed burns and potential fuel buildup will be examined. Plans for research, including disturbances, hazard, and risk rating for southern pine beetle and landscape changes will be presented

Enaliarctinae, a new group of extinct aquatic Carnivora

p. 203-284 : ill. ; 27 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 280-284)."The new genus and species Enaliarctos mealsi is based on two partial skulls and two natural endocranial casts discovered in the early Miocene Pyramid Hill Sand Member of the Jewett Sand at Pyramid Hill, Kern County, south-central California. The new mammalian subfamily Enaliarctinae is based on Enaliarctos mealsi. Enaliarctos mealsi was a medium-sized arctoid carnivore, a transitional species that departed in structure from terrestrial ursids (Hemicyoninae) and evolved in the direction of aquatic pinnipeds (Otariinae). Ursid features include presence and structure of upper and lower fourth premolars and of two molariform, quadrate-shaped upper molars; the development of sulcus cruciatus and the presence of an 'ursid lozenge'; and the morphology of the basicranium and middle ear. Features associated with aquatic adaptation include an enlarged narial chamber, reduced olfactory bulbs, wide snout, long and transversely arched palate, tendencies toward premolarization of the molars, narrow interorbital region, and enhanced brain circulation. A family Ursidae is recognized that includes primitive terrestrial ursids such as Cephalogale, Hemicyon, and Dinocyon in the subfamily Hemicyoninae. The Enaliarctinae is placed in Carnivora among the Otariidae near the Desmatophocinae. The Otariinae, specifically the Arctocephalini, might be descended from the Enaliarctinae. The phyletic lineage Hemicyoninae - Enaliarctinae - Otariinae emphasizes that the pinniped diphyly problem should be redefined to focus on the relationship of the Phocidae to even earlier Arctoidea. The Desmatophocinae might represent a third group independently derived from the middle-Tertiary adaptive radiation of Arctoidea. A lectotype for Neotherium mirum Kellogg, 1931 is chosen, and the species is included in the Enaliarctinae. The Pyramid Hill local fauna is named and characterized. The fauna comprises invertebrates and more than 39 species of Elasmobranchii, Teleostei, Chelonia, Aves, Squalodontidae (with a summary of northeast Pacific records), Delphinoidea, Mysticeti, Carnivora, Equidae (Anchitherium cf. A. agatensis), and Tayassuidae (Desmathyus sp.). The composition of the fauna indicates a warm-water, near-shore environment at the site of deposition. The Woody local fauna is named, characterized, and discussed. It is slightly higher stratigraphically in the same rock unit, 14 miles north of Pyramid Hill. We question Wilson's (1935) identifications of otariid pinnipeds from these rocks and doubt the validity of the 'phocid' record. The Pyramid Hill Sand can be assigned to the later Arikareean Land Mammal Age and to the Vaqueros Molluscan Stage, and it lies close to or includes the boundary between the Zemorrian and Saucesian Foraminiferal stages"--P. 205

Falling Incapacity Benefit claims in a former industrial city: policy impacts or labour market improvement?

This article provides an in-depth study of Incapacity Benefit (IB) claims in a major city and of the factors behind their changing level. It relates to the regime prior to the introduction of the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in 2008. Glasgow has had one of the highest levels of IB in Britain with a peak of almost one fifth of the working age population on IB or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA). However, over the past decade the number of IB claimants in Glasgow, as in other high claiming areas, has fallen at a faster rate than elsewhere, and Glasgow now has twice the national proportion of working-age people on IB/SDA rather than its peak of three times. The rise in IB in Glasgow can be attributed primarily to deindustrialisation; between 1971 and 1991, over 100,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in the city. Policy response was belated. Lack of local statistics on IB led to a lengthy delay in official recognition of the scale of the issue, and targeted programmes to divert or return IB claimants to work did not begin on any scale until around 2004. Evidence presented in the article suggests that the reduction in claims, which has mainly occurred since about 2003, has been due more to a strengthening labour market than to national policy changes or local programmes. This gives strong support to the view that excess IB claims are a form of disguised unemployment. Further detailed evaluation of ongoing programmes is required to develop the evidence base for this complex area. However, the study casts some doubt on the need for the post-2006 round of IB reforms in high-claim areas, since rapid decline in the number of claimants was already occurring in these areas. The article also indicates the importance of close joint working between national and local agencies, and further development of local level statistics on IB claimants

Biola Hour Highlights, 1975 - 03

Temptation by Curtis Mitchell Revelation by Lloyd Anderson Panel Discussion with Richard Chase, Charles Feinberg, and Samuel Sutherlandhttps://digitalcommons.biola.edu/bhhs/1013/thumbnail.jp

Functional reorganisation and recovery following cortical lesions: A preliminary study in macaque monkeys.

Damage following traumatic brain injury or stroke can often extend beyond the boundaries of the initial insult and can lead to maladaptive cortical reorganisation. On the other hand, beneficial cortical reorganisation leading to recovery of function can also occur. We used resting state FMRI to investigate how cortical networks in the macaque brain change across time in response to lesions to the prefrontal cortex, and how this reorganisation correlated with changes in behavioural performance in cognitive tasks. After prelesion testing and scanning, two monkeys received a lesion to regions surrounding the left principal sulcus followed by periodic testing and scanning. Later, the animals received another lesion to the opposite hemisphere and additional testing and scanning. Following the first lesion, we observed both a behavioural impairment and decrease in functional connectivity, predominantly in frontal-frontal networks. Approximately 8 weeks later, performance and connectivity patterns both improved. Following the second lesion, we observed a further behavioural deficit and decrease in connectivity that showed little recovery. We discuss how different mechanisms including alternate behavioural strategies and reorganisation of specific prefrontal networks may have led to improvements in behaviour. Further work will be needed to confirm these mechanisms.This work was supported by the MRC intramural program MC-A060-5PQ10 (MA, DM, JD, AB), an MRC Career Development Award G0800329 (AM)

Interferon-gamma deficiency prevents coronary arteriosclerosis but not myocardial rejection in transplanted mouse hearts

We have hypothesized that T cell cytokines participate in the pathogenesis of graft arterial disease (GAD). This study tested the consequences of IFN-gamma deficiency on arterial and parenchymal pathology in murine cardiac allografts. Hearts from C-H-2(bm12)KhEg (bm12, H-2(bm12)) were transplanted into C57/B6 (B6, H-2(b)), wild-type, or B6 IFN-gamma-deficient (GKO) recipients after immunosuppression by treatment with anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAbs. In wild-type recipients, myocardial rejection peaked at 4 wk, (grade 2. 1+/-0.3 out of 4, mean+/-SEM, n = 9), and by 8-12 wk evolved coronary arteriopathy. At 12 wk, the GAD score was 1.4+/-0.3, and the parenchymal rejection grade was 1.2+/-0.3 (n = 8). In GKO recipients of bm12 allografts, myocardial rejection persisted at 12 wk (grade 2.5+/-0.3, n = 6), but no GAD developed (score: 0.0+/-0.0, n = 6, P < 0.01 vs. wild-type). Mice treated with anti-IFN-gamma mAbs showed similar results. Isografts generally showed no arterial changes. In wild-type recipients, arterial and parenchymal cells showed increased MHC class II molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 compared to normal or isografted hearts. The allografts in GKO recipients showed attenuated expression of these molecules (n = 6). Thus, development of GAD, but not parenchymal rejection, requires IFN-gamma. Reduced expression of MHC antigens and leukocyte adhesion molecules may contribute to the lack of coronary arteriopathy in hearts allografted into GKO mice

Biola Hour Highlights, 1976 - 11

A Police Officer\u27s View of Life: A Personal Testimony by Robert Vernon Panel Discussions with Richard Chase, Charles Feinberg, and Samuel Sutherland Psalm 63: How Strong is Your Desire for God by Al Sanders Titus for Today\u27s Christian by Curtis Mitchellhttps://digitalcommons.biola.edu/bhhs/1033/thumbnail.jp