QTL influencing growth and wood properties in Eucalyptus globulus

Regions of the genome affecting physical and chemical wood properties (QTL), as well as growth, were identified using a clonally replicated, outbred F2 family (112 genotypes, each with 2 ramets) of Eucalyptus globulus, planted in a field trial in north-west Tasmania. Traits studied were growth (assessed by stem diameter), wood density, cellulose content, pulp yield and lignin content. These traits are important in breeding for pulpwood, and will be important in breeding for carbon sequestration and biofuel production. Between one and four QTL were located for each trait, with each QTL explaining between 9% and 24% of the variation between genotype means. Several QTL for chemical wood properties were co-located, consistent with their high phenotypic correlations, and may reflect pleiotropic effects of the same genes. In contrast, QTL for density and lignin content with overlapping confidence intervals were considered to be due to independent genes, since the QTL effects were inherited from different parents. The inclusion of fully informative microsatellites on the linkage map allowed the determination of homology at the linkage group level between QTL and candidate genes in different pedigrees of E. globulus and different eucalypt species. None of the candidate genes mapped in comparable studies co-located with our major QTL for wood chemical properties, arguing that there are important candidate genes yet to be discovered

Australian dust storm associated with extensive Aspergillus sydowii fungal "Bloom" in coastal waters

A massive central Australian dust storm in September 2009 was associated with abundant fungal spores (150,000/m(3)) and hyphae in coastal waters between Brisbane (27 degrees S) and Sydney (34 degrees S). These spores were successfully germinated from formalinpreserved samples, and using molecular sequencing of three different genes (the large subunit rRNA gene [LSU], internal transcribed spacer [ITS], and beta-tubulin gene), they were conclusively identified as Aspergillus sydowii, an organism circumstantially associated with gorgonian coral fan disease in the Caribbean. Surprisingly, no human health or marine ecosystem impacts were associated with this Australian dust storm event. Australian fungal cultures were nontoxic to fish gills and caused a minor reduction in the motility of Alexandrium or Chattonella algal cultures but had their greatest impacts on Symbiodinium dinoflagellate coral symbiont motility, with hyphae being more detrimental than spores. While we have not yet seen any soft coral disease outbreaks on the Australian Great Barrier Reef similar to those observed in the Caribbean and while this particular fungal population was non-or weakly pathogenic, our observations raise the possibility of future marine ecosystem pathogen impacts from similar dust storms harboring more pathogenic strains

Mutations in desmoglein-1 cause diverse inherited palmoplantar keratoderma phenotypes:implications for genetic screening

INTRODUCTION: The inherited palmoplantar keratodermas (PPKs) are a heterogeneous group of genodermatoses, characterised by thickening of the epidermis of the palms and soles. No classification system unites satisfactorily clinical presentation, pathology and molecular pathogenesis. There are four patterns of hyperkeratosis: striate, focal, diffuse, and punctate. Mutations in desmoglein-1 (DSG1), a transmembrane glycoprotein, have been reported primarily in striate, but also in focal and diffuse PPKs.OBJECTIVES: We report seven unrelated pedigrees with dominantly inherited PPK due to mutations in the DSG1 gene, with marked phenotypic variation.METHODS: Genomic DNA from each family was isolated, and individual exons amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sanger sequencing was employed to identify mutations.RESULTS: Mutation analysis identified novel mutations in five families (p.Tyr126Hisfs*2, p.Ser521Tyrfs*2, p.Trp3*, p.Asp591Phefs*9 and p.Met249Ilefs*6) with striate palmar involvement and varying focal or diffuse plantar disease, and the recurrent mutation c.76C&gt;T, p.Arg26*, in two families with variable PPK patterns.CONCLUSION: We report one recurrent and five novel DSG1 mutations, causing varying patterns of PPK, highlighting the clinical heterogeneity arising from mutations in this gene. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.</p

When the Alarm is Coming from Inside the House: The Relationship Between Nazism and Political Beliefs

The presence of white nationalist extremism in the United States has escalated. Extant research has examined how threats from extremism and prejudice-motivated violence affect perceptions of these groups, particularly normalization and severity of threat. Other research has illuminated how perceived ideological threats further impact political ideology. However, little research examines how white nationalist threats impact political ideology. Our study investigated how exposure to threats from neo-Nazi extremism affects political attitudes. Over two studies (total N = 690), participants were primed with statistics and imagery of violence committed by neo-Nazis or Islamic extremists or were assigned to a control condition. Then, participants rated their mood, along with a battery of policy attitudes. Participants assigned to both threat primes (vs. control) reported increased anger and fear and more support for censoring & aggression towards both groups. Mediation analyses showed that these emotions contributed to increased aggression and censorship. Taken collectively, these findings illustrate how such threats influence political policies

The kelp forest ecosystem at Petticoe Wick Bay lat 55 55’N. Long 2 09’W: an ecological study

The sub littoral vegetation at Petticoe Wick Bay Lat 55 55'N. Long 2 09'W. is described using two methods; a classificatory one (of the Zurich-Montpelier School of Phytosociology) and an agglomerative one (the Wisconsin Comparative Ordination Technique). Floristically distinct groups are extracted and discussed. Methods of measuring the net annual production of the dominant kelp Laminaria hyperborea (Gunn)Poslle and its associated epiphytes to assess their performance in relation to depth of submersion are presented and the results discussed. Data on the age structure of the community and infestation levels of Patina pellucida L is presented. The performance of L. hyperborea at three other sites is studied and compared to the results from Petticoe Wick

Using habitat suitability models in an industrial setting: the case for internesting flatback turtles

To predict and manage ecological impacts of anthropogenic activities effectively, an understanding of at-risk species spatial ecology is first required. This is particularly difficult in the marine environment due to limited offshore access and wide-ranging movements of some species. Flatback turtles are a protected species potentially at risk from hazards associated with the resource sector in Australia, yet their at-sea spatial ecology is not well understood. We use habitat suitability modeling to identify environmental variables that influence flatback turtle internesting movement; identify areas of suitable internesting habitat; and determine overlap of identified internesting habitat with resource sector hazards. Internesting movements of 47 female flatback turtles, from five rookeries in the North West Shelf region of Western Australia, were recorded using platform terminal transmitters between 2006 and 2010. Environmental variables including sea surface temperature (SST), bathymetry, magnetic anomalies, distance from coastline, slope, and ruggedness index were combined with the tracking data from each rookery in an ecological niche model. We used the positions of resource sector vessels to represent areas of potential impact from resource sector hazards and identified overlap with suitable internesting habitat areas as a representative of the likelihood of impact. The primary environmental variables that influenced flatback internesting movement were bathymetry, distance from coastline, and SST. Suitable areas of internesting habitat were located in close proximity to many known flatback turtle rookeries across the region. Areas of suitable internesting habitat overlapped resource sector hazards in close proximity to four of the five rookeries and at other known flatback turtle rookeries. The cumulative overlap across the overall study area indicates a high potential for interaction with resource sector hazards, demonstrating the need for regional protection measures in these areas. This study provides a capability for regulators and developers to determine the potential offshore presence of internesting flatback turtles within the region, allowing for protection measures to be targeted appropriately as industrial development continues