Application of DNA-based genotyping techniques for the detection of kdr-like pyrethroid resistance in field populations of Colorado potato beetle

Permethrin resistance in 16 field populations of Colorado potato beetle was established by bioassay. Permethrin-resistant genotypes were detected using two genotyping techniques, bidirectional polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific alleles (bi-PASA) and single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP). The bi-PASA technique was 86% and SSCP was 95% reliable. In terms of accuracy, bi-PASA determined the correct genotype compared to the actual sequencing data 98% and SSCP 93% of the time. There was marked correlation between increasing survivorship (increasing LD₅₀values) and increasing proportions of resistant genotypes (increasing percentage of resistant allele). These techniques allowed the detection of a resistant allele 98% of the time when sampling only 384 beetles from an overwintering adult population (4995 beetles/ha) that possessed a 1% resistant allele frequency at a cost of $500/ha, substantiating the cost effectiveness of the genotyping approaches to monitoring.     

Conserved genetic basis of a quantitative plumage trait involved in mate choice

A key question in evolutionary genetics is whether shared genetic mechanisms underlie the independent evolution of similar phenotypes across phylogenetically divergent lineages. Here we show that in two classic examples of melanic plumage polymorphisms in birds, lesser snow geese (Anser c. caerulescens) and arctic skuas (Stercorarius parasiticus), melanism is perfectly associated with variation in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene. In both species, the degree of melanism correlates with the number of copies of variant MC1R alleles. Phylogenetic reconstructions of variant MC1R alleles in geese and skuas show that melanism is a derived trait that evolved in the Pleistocene.     

Real time observation of mouse fetal skeleton using a high resolution X-ray synchrotron

The X-ray synchrotron is quite different from conventional radiation sources. This technique may expand the capabilities of conventional radiology and be applied in novel manners for special cases. To evaluate the usefulness of X-ray synchrotron radiation systems for real time observations, mouse fetal skeleton development was monitored with a high resolution X-ray synchrotron. A non-monochromatized X-ray synchrotron (white beam, 5C1 beamline) was employed to observe the skeleton of mice under anesthesia at embryonic day (E)12, E14, E15, and E18. At the same time, conventional radiography and mammography were used to compare with X-ray synchrotron. After synchrotron radiation, each mouse was sacrificed and stained with Alizarin red S and Alcian blue to observe bony structures. Synchrotron radiation enabled us to view the mouse fetal skeleton beginning at gestation. Synchrotron radiation systems facilitate real time observations of the fetal skeleton with greater accuracy and magnification compared to mammography and conventional radiography. Our results show that X-ray synchrotron systems can be used to observe the fine structures of internal organs at high magnification.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Chlorophenol Compounds using Poly Aromatic Star Copolymer

This study investigated the encapsulation and photocatalysis of chlorophenol compounds in water using porphyrin-(polystyrene-b-2-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate) star polymer. The chloride ions generated during photocatalytic process were identified and quantified. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol were satisfactorily decomposed in the photoreactor using porphyrin-(polystyrene-b-2-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate) star polymer, with removal efficiencies of 2,454, 498, and 760 mg/g of porphyrin-(polystyrene-b-2-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate) star polymer. The half-life times reached around 30 min, with the exception of that for 2,4-dichlorophenol. The star polymer-impregnated porphyrin is a promising photocatalyst for the removal of chlorophenols.     

Measuring the Containment and Spillover Effects of Urban Growth Boundaries: The Case of the Portland Metropolitan Area

Although urban growth boundaries (UGBs) are increasingly used as a containment policy to promote contiguous and compact urban forms, little is known about how UGBs affect development within the designated area or how development is displaced to other cities. This study analyzes the UGB's containment and spillover effects, focusing on the case of the Portland metropolitan area where UGBs have long been implemented. This is accomplished by employing a spatial market disequilibrium framework in which explicit consideration is given to the containment and spillover processes when under the influences of UGBs. The findings suggest that UGBs can promote development within the boundaries, but that cooperation with neighboring municipalities is necessary to effectively attain the policy goals.     

Effects of Prohexadione Calcium on growth and gibberellins contents of Chrysanthemum morifolium R. cv Monalisa White

The effect of Prohexadione Calcium (Pro-Ca) and daminozide was observed on the growth characteristics and endogenous gibberellin contents of Chrysanthemum morifolium R. cv Monalisa White. Three concentrations viz. 100, 200 and 400 ppm of Pro-Ca and a single concentration of daminozide (800 ppm) were applied three times with 7 days interval on three weeks old plant under greenhouse condition. Pro-Ca suppressed the plant length up to 30.7% while daminozide inhibited up to 27.12% at optimum concentration. The chlorophyll contents and stem diameter were higher than control, while the fresh weight and flower number insignificantly reduced with such treatments. Gibberellin (GA) analysis showed that Pro-Ca and daminozide application significantly lowered bioactive GA₁ content, although the amount of its immediate precursor GA₂₀ was fractionally higher. Bioactive GA₄ content was slightly higher than the control while significant difference in GA₉ was found between the plants treated with Pro-Ca and daminozide. Current study showed that both early C13 hydroxylation and non-C13 hydroxylation pathways of GA biosynthesis are operational in C. morifolium.     

Experimental evaluation of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin against a Korean M. hyopneumoniae challenge

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin against a Korean M. hyopneumoniae challenge under experimental conditions. Fifteen pigs were allocated randomly into 3 groups (5 pigs per group) that were designated in 1 of 3 ways: vaccinated-challenged, unvaccinated-challenged, or unvaccinated-unchallenged. The pigs in the vaccinated-challenged group were immunized with an M. hyopneumoniae whole-cell bacterin at a 1.0 mL dose-level at 21 d old. At 42 d old (0 d post-challenge), the pigs in the vaccinated-challenged and unvaccinated-challenged groups were inoculated intranasally with a strain of Korean M. hyopneumoniae. Vaccinated-challenged pigs elicited a strong cell-mediated immunity as measured by M. hyopneumoniae-specific interferon-γ secreting cells when compared with unvaccinated-challenged pigs. Vaccination of pigs with this new M. hyopneumoniae bacterin reduced nasal shedding and lung lesions. The evaluated vaccine was therefore considered effective in controlling M. hyopneumoniae infection.     

Fumigant toxicity of volatile natural products from Korean spices and medicinal plants towards the rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae (L)

The fumigant toxicity of various volatile constituents of essential oils extracted from sixteen Korean spices and medicinal plants towards the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was determined. The most potent toxicity was found in the essential oil from Mentha arvensis L var piperascens (LC₅₀ = 45.5 µl litre^?1 air). GC–MS analysis of essential oil from M arvensis showed it to be rich in menthol (63.2%), menthone (13.1%) and limonene (1.5%), followed in abundance by β‐pinene (0.7%), α‐pinene (0.6%) and linalool (0.2%). Treatment of S oryzae with each of these terpenes showed menthone to be most active (LC₅₀ = 12.7 µl litre^?1 air) followed by linalool (LC₅₀ = 39.2 µl litre^?1 air) and α‐pinene (LC₅₀ = 54.9 µl litre^?1 air). Studies on inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity of S oryzae showed menthone to have a nine‐fold lower inhibitory effect than menthol, despite menthone being 8.1‐fold more toxic than menthol to the rice weevil. Different modes of toxicity of these monoterpenes towards S oryzae are discussed. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of Surface-Modified Adsorbents for Phosphate Removal in Water

Three novel composite adsorbents, sulfate-coated zeolite (SCZ), hydrotalcite (SCH), and activated alumina (SCAA), were characterized and employed for the removal of phosphate from aqueous solution using equilibrium and kinetic batch experiments. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectrum were used to study the surface characteristics of the coated layer. Equilibrium tests showed that the adsorption of phosphate followed both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The powder-type SCZ was better for phosphate removal (maximum binding energy, ???=?111.49?mg?g^?1) compared to hydrotalcite and activated alumina. The adsorption of phosphate was considered to take place mainly by ion exchange. The kinetic data followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The initial adsorption of phosphate onto the sulfate-coated adsorbents was fast, indicating that the sulfate-coated materials developed in this study can be used as promising adsorbents for the removal of phosphate from wastewater or sewage.