Leaf Micromorphology Aids Taxonomic Delineation within the Hypervariable Genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) on O\u27ahu

Variation in leaf micromorphology can aid delimitation of taxonomically difficult groups. The woody genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) dominates Hawai\u27i\u27s native forests and comprises striking, predominantly infraspecific, macromorphological variation, including many forms unrecognized in current taxonomic treatments. On taxonomically rich O\u27ahu, 10 taxa (varieties or unnamed morphotypes of M. polymorpha and other species) occur in a predictable sequence with overlapping ranges from low to high elevation along the numerous leeward ridges of the Ko\u27olau Range. We used scanning electron and light microscopy to examine mature, nonsenescing sun leaves from each of these 10 taxa. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to compare stomatal complex (SC) traits and those of a newly described secretory structure (SS) across taxa. Correlations among traits and discriminant analyses were also done. Density and length of SCs were inversely related overall, and both measures varied significantly across taxa. Although abaxial SSs were consistently present only in the two highest-elevation glabrous taxa, adaxial SSs were present in all 10 taxa. Length and density of adaxial SSs and density of abaxial SSs varied across taxa, and densities of both SCs and SSs were greatest at high elevation. Combined, the SC and SS traits differentiated 100% of four glabrous varieties and two of three pubescent varieties of M. polymorpha. Variation in leaf micromorphology, including presence and density of a newly described SS, aids delimitation of closely related Hawaiian Metrosideros taxa and may refilect differential local adaptation across a heterogeneous landscape

Image processing mini manual

The intent is to provide an introduction to the image processing capabilities available at the Langley Research Center (LaRC) Central Scientific Computing Complex (CSCC). Various image processing software components are described. Information is given concerning the use of these components in the Data Visualization and Animation Laboratory at LaRC

Varieties of the Highly Dispersible and Hypervariable Tree, Metrosideros Polymorpha, Differ in Response to Mechanical Stress and Light Across a Sharp Ecotone

Premise: The drivers of isolation between sympatric populations of long‐lived and highly dispersible conspecific plants are not well understood. In the Hawaiian Islands, the landscape‐dominant tree, Metrosideros polymorpha, displays extraordinary phenotypic differences among sympatric varieties despite high dispersibility of its pollen and seeds, thereby presenting a unique opportunity to investigate how disruptive selection alone can maintain incipient forms. Stenophyllous M. polymorpha var. newellii is a recently evolved tree endemic to the waterways of eastern Hawai\u27i Island that shows striking neutral genetic differentiation from its ancestor, wet‐forest M. polymorpha var. glaberrima, despite sympatry of these forms. We looked for evidence for, and drivers of, differential local adaptation of these varieties across the range of M. polymorpha var. newellii. Methods: For paired populations of these varieties, we compared seedling performance under contrasting light conditions and a strong water current characteristic of the riparian zone. We also conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment and contrasted adult leaf anatomy. Results: Results suggest that the riparian zone is harsh and that selection involving the mechanical stress of rushing water, and secondarily, light, led to significant reciprocal immigrant inviability in adjacent forest and riparian environments. The strongest adaptive divergence between varieties was seen in leaves and seedlings from the site with the sharpest ecotone, coincident with the strongest genetic isolation of M. polymorpha var. newellii observed previously. Conclusions: These findings suggest that disruptive selection across a sharp ecotone contributes to the maintenance of an incipient riparian ecotype from within a continuous population of a long‐lived and highly dispersible tree species

Beyond Rio+20: governance for a green economy

This repository item contains a single issue of the Pardee Center Task Force Reports, a publication series that began publishing in 2009 by the Boston University Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future.As an intellectual contribution to the preparations for the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, a.k.a. Rio +20), the Boston University Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future convened a task force of experts to discuss the role of institutions in the actualization of a green economy in the context of sustainable development. A stellar group of experts from academia, government and civil society convened at the Pardee Center and were asked to outline ideas about what the world has learned about institutions for sustainable development from the past, and what we can propose about the governance challenges and opportunities for the continuous development of a green economy in the future. The Task Force members were encouraged to think big and think bold. They were asked to be innovative in their ideas, and maybe even a little irreverent and provocative. They were charged specifically NOT to come to consensus about specific recommendations, but to present a variety and diversity of views. This report presents their thoughts and ideas

Thiosemicarbazones Target Multiple Resistance Pathways in Cancer

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a significant obstacle in the successful treatment of cancer. To date, no therapies that target MDR have reached the clinic. Our thiosemicarbazone compound, di-2-pyridylketone 4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Dp44mT), induces greater cytotoxicity in drug resistant cancer cells that express the drug efflux transporter, P-glycoprotein (Pgp), than in their non-drug resistant counterparts. Herein, the structure-activity relationships of selected thiosemicarbazones were explored and the novel mechanism underlying their ability to overcome MDR was examined. Only thiosemicarbazones with electron-withdrawing substituents at the imine carbon mediated Pgp-dependent potentiated cytotoxicity and caused Pgp-dependent lysosomal membrane permeabilisation (LMP). This LMP relied on copper(II) chelation, reactive oxygen species generation and increased relative lipophilicity. We also synthesised fluorescent zinc(II) complexes of our potently anti-cancer thiosemicarbazones to assess their intracellular distribution. The Zn(II) complexes generally showed significantly greater cytotoxicity than the thiosemicarbazones alone. Confocal fluorescence imaging showed that the Zn(II) complex of our lead compound, di-2-pyridylketone 4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (DpC), was localised to lysosomes. Under lysosomal conditions, the Zn(II) complexes were shown to transmetallate with copper ions, leading to redox-active Cu(II) complexes that induced LMP and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we investigated the anti-cancer efficacy of Dp44mT and DpC in Bcl-2 over-expressing, melanoma cells. Herein, we demonstrated that DpC decreased Bcl-2 expression, while Dp44mT did not. Furthermore, we showed that the mechanism by which DpC and Dp44mT exerted their cytotoxicity in melanoma cells did not involve copper ion binding or ROS generation. DpC, but not Dp44mT, induced autophagosome formation and increased the accumulation of acidic vesicles (e.g., autolysosomes), regardless of Bcl-2 expression. This thesis significantly expands current knowledge regarding novel strategies of overcoming MDR, which can be implemented in the design of innovative therapeutics

MOTIVATING FACTORS: IN-SCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL LITERACY PRACTICES

This qualitative study, conducted in an urban high school, explored the motivational factors in 11 students' home and school literacy practices using expectancy-value theory as the framework. Each of the student participants was represented in an individual case study about in-school and out-of-school literacy activities. The within-case analysis was drawn from multiple sources of data gathered over a four-month investigative period. This study employed several different approaches to data collection commonly used in qualitative case study design - interviews, observations, and document analysis. Additionally, cross-case analysis revealed recurring themes shared by many of the students. Results suggest students' value beliefs and self-efficacy for reading and writing activities is different in home and school environments. Students use home literacy activities to cope with stress in their lives and to imagine attainment of their goals. Adults, especially parents and teachers, play an active role in developing students' value beliefs for and participation in literacy activities. In school, students are primarily motivated by extrinsic factors related to earning good grades for future college and career plans. However, when students are granted some choice in their reading and writing activities at school, they are more intrinsically motivated to tackle challenging tasks

Forest conservation delivers highly variable coral reef conservation outcomes

Coral reefs are threatened by human activities on both the land (e.g., deforestation) and the sea (e.g., overfishing). Most conservation planning for coral reefs focuses on removing threats in the sea, neglecting management actions on the land. A more integrated approach to coral reef conservation, inclusive of land–sea connections, requires an understanding of how and where terrestrial conservation actions influence reefs. We address this by developing a land–sea planning approach to inform fine-scale spatial management decisions and test it in Fiji. Our aim is to determine where the protection of forest can deliver the greatest return on investment for coral reef ecosystems. To assess the benefits of conservation to coral reefs, we estimate their relative condition as influenced by watershed-based pollution and fishing. We calculate the cost-effectiveness of protecting forest and find that investments deliver rapidly diminishing returns for improvements to relative reef condition. For example, protecting 2% of forest in one area is almost 500 times more beneficial than protecting 2% in another area, making prioritization essential. For the scenarios evaluated, relative coral reef condition could be improved by 8–58% if all remnant forest in Fiji were protected rather than deforested. Finally, we determine the priority of each coral reef for implementing a marine protected area when all remnant forest is protected for conservation. The general results will support decisions made by the Fiji Protected Area Committee as they establish a national protected area network that aims to protect 20% of the land and 30% of the inshore waters by 2020. Although challenges remain, we can inform conservation decisions around the globe by tackling the complex issues relevant to integrated land–sea planning

A Call for Action: Mississippi’s Need for Minority Librarians

Recently, The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Library and Information Science successfully recruited ten minority students in the following specialties: three public, three academic, two general, one special and one school for “The Minority Scholarship Initiative.” The scholarship was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Service’s Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program and created in partnership with the Mississippi Library Commission and The University of Southern Mississippi Libraries. Currently, the minority enrollment at the university is 40%. The minority enrollment for the MLIS is 17%; however; it falls to 11% when not including the aforementioned scholarship students (Factbook USM, 2011; LIS Graduate Students Fall Semester 2011 Ethnicity Report). Continued support of minority students is very much needed, especially for those wanting to work in Mississippi’s school libraries

Durability of photometric and radiometric properties of non-prescription sun eyewear following simulated care

Introduction. Consumers are presented with a vast array of available sunglass options. Choices for non-prescription sun eyewear include not only frame style, lens color, and tint density, but, most importantly for some consumers, cost, which may vary from under one dollar to over one hundred dollars. Yet all eyewear manufacturers claim to comply with standards designed to protect ocular health by reducing the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach the eye. hTV absorbers can be applied to a lens as either a coating or a dye. Previous studies assessed characteristics of non-prescription sun eyewear at the point of sale and durability of UV absorbance of prescription eyewear following simulated care. The current study assessed the durability of UV absorbance and other photometric properties of typical non-prescription sun eyewear following one typical season of simulated cleaning with two conventional regimens, as well as one cycle of cleaning with two unconventional methods. Methods. We purchased six pair of non-prescription sun eyewear marketed for bright outdoor conditions from each of three cost categories: under $1 5;$1 5 to $30; and over$30. During the first cleaning cycles, the left lens of each eyewear was cleaned with a water-based cleaner available at any optical dispensary, and dried with a soft cloth diaper. The right lens was cleaned with Ivory Liqui-Gel soft soap and warm water, and dried with a Puffs brand tissue. Lenses were cleaned for three cycles of care, each of which simulated 13 weeks. Lenses were then divided into two groups for one additional cleaning cycle. One group was cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol and the other group was cleaned with Windex, active ingredient ammonia. Spectrometry from 200 to 1100 nm, in 5-nrn increments, was conducted on each lens at baseline and after each cleaning cycle. Results. At baseline, one pair of bargain-priced eyewear did not meet minimum requirements for UV absorption. Several other eyewear did not meet standards for other optical characteristics, such as suitability for driving and for color deficient individuals. However, 9 months of simulated cleaning with a recommended cleaner or soft soap did not alter UV absorbance of any of the eyewear. Likewise, 3 months of simulated cleaning with alcohol or glass cleaner had no affect on UV absorbance of any eyewear. For any cleaning regimen, changes to other photometric characteristics were typically within the measurement tolerance of the spectrophotometer and likely not clinically significant. Conclusion. While there is considerable variability in optical characteristics of non-prescription sun eyewear at baseline, simulated cleaning did not affect the optical performance of any eyewear. Consumers should be confident that most name brand eyewear purchased from a reputable retailer complies with optical and ocular health standards, and that it will withstand a season of typical cleaning. In addition, dispensers should not be concerned about using alcohol to clean eyewear. Key Words: non-prescriptio