Recombinant expression of porcine spermadhesin AWN and its phospholipid interaction: Indication for a novel lipid binding property

AWN is a porcine (Sus scrofa domestica) seminal plasma protein and has been linked to a variety of processes related to fertilization. To acquire the protein in sufficient amount and purity for functional studies, we established its recombinant expression in E. coli and a three‐step purification protocol based on different chromatographies. The test for AWN–phospholipid interaction revealed phosphatidic acid and cardiolipin as potential binding partners. As phosphatidic acid is surmised to play a role in cation‐induced membrane destabilization and fusion events, we propose a membrane protective function of the presented binding affinity. Further studies with recombinant AWN will allow new insights into the mechanism of sperm–spermadhesin interaction and might provide new approaches for artificial reproduction techniques.     

Coinoculated fermentations using saccharomyces yeasts affect the volatile composition and sensory properties of Vitis vinifera L. cv. sauvignon blanc wines

Alcoholic fermentation using Saccharomyces wine yeast is an effective means of modulating wine aroma. This study investigated the impact of coinoculating commercial yeast strains (Vin7, QA23, Vin13) on the volatile composition and sensory profile of Sauvignon Blanc wines. Small-scale replicated fermentations were conducted using single-strain and coinoculations of Vin7 with QA23 and with Vin13. The results showed that the chemical and sensory profiles of the coinoculated wines were different from both the single-strain wines and equal blends of the single-strain wines. Volatile thiol analysis indicated that the Vin7/QA23 coinoculated wines were highest in 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (3MH) and 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA), although this pattern was not observed for the Vin7/Vin13 yeast combination. The negative white vinegar aroma and high volatile acidity measured in the Vin7 single-strain wines were not present in the coinoculated wines. This study demonstrates that coinoculations can modify the aroma profile of wines, when complementary yeasts are used.     

Afforestation with ‘multipurpose trees’ in ‘media lunas’, a case study from the Tarija basin,Bolivia

Human-induced soil erosion has already affected all of the potential farming land in the Tarija basin/South Bolivia. It is described as an afforestation method involving media lunas and multipurpose trees, whose implementation is associated with a high degree of mobilization of the target group.On sites where a sufficient number of media lunas have been established, surface runoff is drastically reduced. They diminish the risk of failure of newly planted trees during frequently occurring dry phases, and promote their growth by preventing excessively large fluctuations in the soil-water balance and increasing soil moisture in general. Mostly indigenous multipurpose trees (Acacia and Prosopis) serve to stabilize erosion-prone sites on a long-term basis, and become invaluable because they provide a source of firewood, improve the soil, and yield protein-rich livestock forage during dry season. Media lunas provide more favorable conditions for natural vegetation.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS – SEMINOMA CAUSING LIVER COMPRESSION IN A SPUR‐THIGHED TORTOISE (TESTUDO GRAECA)

A 13‐year‐old male spur‐thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) was presented with anorexia, apathy, and prolapse of penile tissue. Ultrasonography revealed a large heterogeneous mass in the coelomic cavity, and fine‐needle aspiration demonstrated sperm. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a sharply defined mass originating from the left testis. Appearance and signal intensities were similar to those reported in testicular neoplasms in humans, in particular sharing similarities with seminomas. Necropsy results and histopathological findings were consistent with a seminoma. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of the diagnosis of testicular neoplasia in a reptile using imaging techniques.     

Profitability of Carbon Sequestration in Western Rangelands of the United States

Concerns over climate change have increased interest in carbon sequestration in agricultural lands. While the per-hectare carbon capture potential of rangelands is less than either cropland or forests, existing research suggests modest changes in carbon storage on rangelands can potentially alter the global carbon cycle. This paper examines the potential firm-level revenues from voluntary carbon offset programs, such as the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) Rangeland Soil Carbon Offset program. We estimate revenues for short-term voluntary offsets given historical prices and prices projected with potential cap-and-trade legislation. We also estimate revenues assuming 100-yr offsets are required to meet international sequestration standards. Simulation results indicate a relatively wide range of modest revenues from recent CCX contracts and carbon prices. The analysis suggests that recent carbon prices or low-end projected prices from cap-and-trade legislation are not likely to encourage producer participation. Medium and high carbon price projections for cap-and-trade legislation may make carbon sequestration a more attractive option for rangeland managers, but given potential requirements for projects to meet international guidelines for greenhouse gas offset projects, many issues remain before range managers may be interested in carbon sequestration as an enterprise.     

Sagebrush Control: At What Canopy Cover Is It Economically Justified?

We determine the economic threshold level for big sagebrush control based on 18 yr of forage-response data from an experiment conducted in Carbon County, Wyoming. We analyze the impacts of climatic variables and treatment site characteristics, such as sagebrush abundance levels, precipitation, and understory composition, on forage response and threshold level. We find that sagebrush canopy cover levels, April precipitation, May soil moisture, and understory composition are statistically significant factors in explaining forage response to sagebrush treatment. Forage yield across treated and untreated plots for 10 canopy cover levels, ranging from 4% to 40%, are analyzed via panel data regression techniques. We further investigate the impact of variability in precipitation and understory characteristics on economic outcomes of sagebrush control by analyzing three scenarios. Scenario 1 uses actual forage response data that include all variability from precipitation and understory composition. Scenario 2 uses regression-predicted yields across plots assuming average precipitation and soil moisture conditions. Scenario 3 uses regression-predicted yields assuming average precipitation, soil moisture, and understory characteristics across plots. Net present values based on value of grazing (for estimated yield differences between treated and untreated plots assuming 50% forage utilization) compared to treatment cost across sagebrush cover levels are estimated across these three scenarios. Results indicate that the economic threshold level of sagebrush infestation for the study period was between 8% and 24% for the analyzed scenarios. This indicates variability in precipitation and understory composition impact forage response and the resulting economics of sagebrush control. We conclude that range managers should consider potential control site characteristics and long-range weather forecasts when contemplating sagebrush control.     

Saturnian trapped radiation and its absorption by satellites and rings: the first results from pioneer 11

Electrons and protons accelerated and trapped in a Saturnian magnetic field have been found by the University of Chicago experiments on Pioneer 11 within 20 Saturn radii (Rs) of the planet. In the innermost regions, strong absorption effects due to satellites and ring material were observed, and from approximately 4 Rs inwards to the outer edge of the A ring at 2.30 Rs (where the radiation is absorbed), the intensity distributions of protons (>/= 0.5 million electron volts) and electrons (2 to 20 million electron volts) were axially symmetric, consistent with a centered dipole aligned with the planetary rotation axis. The maximum fluxes observed for protons (> 35 million electron volts and for electrons < 3.4 million electron volts) were 3 x 10(4) and 3 x 10(6) per square centimeter per second, respectively. Absorption of radiation by Mimas provides a means of estimating the radial diffusion coefficient for charged particle transport. However, the rapid flux increases observed between absorption features raise new questions concerning the physics of charged particle transport and acceleration. An absorption feature near 2.5 Rs has led to the discovery of a previously unknown satellite with a diameter of approximately 200 kilometers, semimajor axis of 2.51 Rs, and eccentricity of 0.013. Radiation absorption features that suggest a nonuniform distribution of matter around Saturn have also been found from 2.34 to 2.36 Rs, near the position of the F ring discovered by the Pioneer imaging experiment. Beneath the A, B, and C rings we continued to observe a low flux of high-energy electrons. We conclude that the inner Saturn magnetosphere, because of its near-axial symmetry and the many discrete radiation absorption regions, offers a unique opportunity to study the acceleration and transport of charged particles in a planetary magnetic field.