A molecular phylogeny for bats illuminates biogeography and the fossil record

Bats make up more than 20% of extant mammals, yet their evolutionary history is largely unknown because of a limited fossil record and conflicting or incomplete phylogenies. Here, we present a highly resolved molecular phylogeny for all extant bat families. Our results support the hypothesis that megabats are nested among four major microbat lineages, which originated in the early Eocene [52 to 50 million years ago (Mya)], coincident with a significant global rise in temperature, increase in plant diversity and abundance, and the zenith of Tertiary insect diversity. Our data suggest that bats originated in Laurasia, possibly in North America, and that three of the major microbat lineages are Laurasian in origin, whereas the fourth is Gondwanan. Combining principles of ghost lineage analysis with molecular divergence dates, we estimate that the bat fossil record underestimates (unrepresented basal branch length, UBBL) first occurrences by, on average, 73% and that the sum of missing fossil history is 61%.     

Improved surface temperature prediction for the coming decade from a global climate model

Previous climate model projections of climate change accounted for external forcing from natural and anthropogenic sources but did not attempt to predict internally generated natural variability. We present a new modeling system that predicts both internal variability and externally forced changes and hence forecasts surface temperature with substantially improved skill throughout a decade, both globally and in many regions. Our system predicts that internal variability will partially offset the anthropogenic global warming signal for the next few years. However, climate will continue to warm, with at least half of the years after 2009 predicted to exceed the warmest year currently on record.     

Starch granule size variation and relationship with tuber dry matter content in heritage potato varieties

Heritage potato varieties in Canada are historic old varieties collected from Canada and various countries before the formal establishment of the Canadian plant variety registration system and may be a valuable gene resource for beneficial traits in potato breeding and bioproducts development. Greater evaluation is the key for the enhanced use of these materials. It is unknown how much variation of starch granules occurs among Canadian heritage potato varieties. We analyzed the starch granule size of 14 potato heritage varieties held in the Canadian Plant Gene Resources collection over 2 years using a squeezed juice and microscopic method recently developed at the Potato Research Centre. The varieties demonstrated considerable variation in starch granule size and shape. The granules showed average lengths ranging from 18 μm in the variety Congo to 32 μm in ‘Russet Burbank’. The largest single granule measured from 64 μm in ‘Congo’ to 91 μm in ‘Crotte d’Ours.’ The granule sizes of the varieties showed a very high correlation (r = 0.975, P < 0.0001) between years. This high reproducibility suggests the existence of genetic factors in determining starch granule size. We also found that the starch granule size is positively correlated with tuber dry matter (in terms of specific gravity) in these heritage potatoes. The results demonstrated reproducible genotypic variation for starch granule size and shape in tubers with a significant correlation to tuber dry matter in these heritage potato varieties, and offers the possibility for and agronomic relevance of genetic modification of starch granules through selective breeding.     

Fat extraction from acid- and base-hydrolyzed food samples using accelerated solvent extraction

This paper describes a new in-cell method for pursuing accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) prior to lipid analysis from food samples. It is difficult to pursue direct ASE with acid- or base-hydrolyzed samples due to the corrosive nature of the reagents and material limitations. In this study ion exchange based materials were used to remove acid or base reagents in-cell without compromising the recovery of lipids. The performance data are presented here for the new methods for lipid extraction for a variety of food samples and compared to the Mojonnier method. NIST Standard Reference Materials (SRM-1546 and SRM-1849) were used to validate the ASE methods. Excellent fat recoveries were obtained for the ASE methods. The new methods presented here enhance the utility of ASE and eliminate labor intensive protocols.     

Quantifying the contribution of dissolved organic matter to soil nitrogen cycling using N isotopic pool dilution

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) has been recognised as a key carbon and nitrogen (N) pool involved with soil-plant-microbe interactions. Yet few studies have quantified this contribution in agricultural soils. In this study we leached DOM from a sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil under either grassland or arable cropping. Two weeks after DOM removal microbial respiration from soils was not altered. However, a significant (P<0.05) decline in microbial biomass-N, potentially mineralizable-N, gross N mineralization and gross nitrification occurred after leaching. This data illustrate that whilst DOM is a small component of the soil OM it contributed up to 25% of microbial N supply within these agricultural soils.     

Texas entry-year agriculture teachers' perceptions, practices, and preparation regarding safety and health in agricultural education

The purpose of this study was to gather benchmark data for the assessment of the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding agricultural safety issues and curricula held by Texas agricultural teachers with less than two full years of teaching experience (entry-year teachers). Seventy-four of 118 well-distributed teachers responded to this survey. Researchers concluded that more females were entering a traditionally male-dominated field. Overall, teachers addressed safety within units of instruction rather than as separate units. The most useful forms of new teaching resources that this group of teachers would like to see produced were safety videos and study guides, and class demonstration/simulation activities. There was a significant difference in rankings between teachers less than 26 years old and teachers more than 26 years old regarding the usefulness of transparencies as a new teaching resource (F = 5.00, p = 0.0268). Few teachers were currently CPR and first aid certified, even though most had received training and completed a general safety and/or health related course while in college. Teachers generally agreed philosophically with most practices and exhibited personal beliefs consistent with proper safety preparedness and practice in agricultural settings. However, many of these teachers failed to practice what was expected of safe tractor operators, such as wearing safety belts and allowing younger drivers to operate the equipment.     

Effects of season, maturity, and sex on lipid class dynamics in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides Lacepede)

Abstract Factors that can influence changes in lipid class concentrations in specific tissues have not been reported for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. We investigated patterns of lipid composition by measuring seasonal levels of total lipid and major lipid classes in the muscle and liver tissues of juvenile and adult largemouth bass and gonad tissue of adults. Fish were collected in December, February, April and July to correspond with key stages of the sexual cycle. Total lipid concentrations were substantially greater in hepatic (32.8 [female] to 56.6 [male] mg. g^?1) and gonadal tissues (34.4 [F] to 204.0 [M] mg. g^?1) than in muscle (7. 5 [F] to 11.4 [M] mg. g^?1). Muscle lipid concentrations in juveniles were significantly higher (10.9 [F] and 11.4 [M] mg. g^?1) in summer than in winter in adult muscle tissue (8.6 [F] and 9.4 [MI mg. g^?1). A 44% increase in ovary lipid was observed from preparatory to prespawn stages, followed by a 78% decline after the spawn. Additionally, seasonal hepatic lipid concentrations were substantially higher in juveniles. Concentrations of lipid classes (free cholesterol [C], triacylglycerol [TAG], free-fatty acids [FFA], esterified cholesterol [CE] and phospholipid [PL]) of all tissue types varied significantly among season, sex, and maturity categories. Changes with all lipid classes in the ovary coincided with those occurring in total ovarian lipid. Mobilization and transport of TAG and PL from the liver to the ovary appeared to occur during gametogenesis. All class concentrations in juveniles were invariably higher in liver than in muscle, but seasonally variable among hepatic and gonad tissues of adults. Juvenile males showed slightly greater hepatic C concentrations than other groups. Muscle and hepatic C were generally higher in juveniles.     

Bur buttercup poisoning of sheep

Bur buttercup (Ceratocephalus testiculatus) has not been considered to be poisonous, but the sudden death loss of 150 ewes while grazing it prompted study of the plant. It was found that bur buttercup can be highly toxic to sheep, with a lethal dose being as little as 500 g of green plant for a 45-kg sheep. Clinical signs of bur buttercup poisoning are weakness, depression, diarrhea, labored breathing, anorexia, and occasional fever. Postmortem findings include inflammation and edema of the rumen; hemorrhage in the left ventricle of the heart; congestion of the lungs, liver, and kidneys; and excessive fluid in the thoracic and abdominal cavities.     

Experimental Salmonella-associated conjunctivitis in cats.

Cats were infected experimentally with Salmonella typhimurium via the conjunctiva. Clinical signs consisted of lacrimation, conjunctivitis, blepharospasm, prominent nictitating membrane and scleral injection. These signs were accompanied by an absolute neutrophilia and conjunctival smears indicative of moderate to severe suppurative inflammation. Ocular signs disappeared by day 6 postinfection. Salmonella typhimurium was cultured intermittently from the inoculated conjunctivae and rectal swabs through day 7. At necropsy, mesenteric and cervical lymph nodes were enlarged. Histopathological findings included chronic conjunctivitis and lymphoid hyperplasia in cervical and mesenteric lymph nodes. This study confirms that S. typhimurium can cause a primary conjunctivitis and that the ocular route of infection can lead to fecal excretion of Salmonella, in the absence of other clinical manifestations.