A conserved domain in axonal targeting of Kv1 (Shaker) voltage-gated potassium channels

Axonal voltage-gated potassium (Kv1) channels regulate action-potential invasion and hence transmitter release. Although evolutionarily conserved, what mediates their axonal targeting is not known. We found that Kv1 axonal targeting required its T1 tetramerization domain. When fused to unpolarized CD4 or dendritic transferrin receptor, T1 promoted their axonal surface expression. Moreover, T1 mutations eliminating Kvbeta association compromised axonal targeting, but not surface expression, of CD4-T1 fusion proteins. Thus, proper association of Kvbeta with the Kv1 T1 domain is essential for axonal targeting.     

Influence of water management,photoperiod and aeration on growth,survival, and early spat settlement of the hatchery-reared green mussel,Perna viridis

In an attempt to induce early spat settlement and improve mussel seed production, this study aims to determine the influence of water management, photoperiod, and aeration, on the growth, survival and settlement of green mussel (Perna viridis). Water in the pediveliger rearing tanks was changed every day, every 3 days and every 5 days for the water-management experiment. Pediveligers were exposed in 24L:0D h (light: dark), 12L:12D h and 0L:24D h conditions for the photoperiod experiment. Three aeration intensities were also tested—mild (10 L h−1), moderate (20 L h−1), and strong (30 L h−1). This study demonstrated that changing water every 3 days was effective in maintaining the rearing water quality and improving the growth and survival of P. viridis larvae. Highest growth and survival rates were observed in P. viridis spats grown in 0L:24D h photoperiod. There was no significant difference in the settlement rate of larvae exposed to different photoperiods. Mild aeration has shown to improve the growth of P. viridis larvae, but higher survival and settlement rates were attained in the strongly-aerated conditions. Therefore, when the larvae start to settle, it is recommended to expose them to darkness, change the water every 3 days and provide a strong aeration to be able to attain high survival and settlement rates, and bigger spats.     

hamlet,a binary genetic switch between single- and multiple- dendrite neuron morphology

The dendritic morphology of neurons determines the number and type of inputs they receive. In the Drosophila peripheral nervous system (PNS), the external sensory (ES) neurons have a single nonbranched dendrite, whereas the lineally related multidendritic (MD) neurons have extensively branched dendritic arbors. We report that hamlet is a binary genetic switch between these contrasting morphological types. In hamlet mutants, ES neurons are converted to an MD fate, whereas ectopic hamlet expression in MD precursors results in transformation of MD neurons into ES neurons. Moreover, hamlet expression induced in MD neurons undergoing dendrite outgrowth drastically reduces arbor branching.     

Knowledges of the creative economy: Towards a relational geography of diffusion and adaptation in Asia

Abstract: Recent dialogues in geography and the social sciences have reminded researchers of the extent to which academic and policy knowledges are socially and spatially embedded – that is, they circulate through formal and informal systems of publishing, exchange, commodification and cultural influence. Academic and policy knowledges are, in short, very much a part of the creative economy. In light of this, our paper surveys knowledges of the creative economy itself, as reflected in a geography of industry reports and government policy statements in selected Asian countries. Using a post‐positivist framework adapted from diffusion theory, we critically interpret the circulation, mutation and adaptation of knowledges of the creative economy, claims to its significance, areas of emphases and notable silences.     

Genotyping USDA rice (Oryza spp.) mini-core collection with functional markers for important agronomic traits

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The USDA rice mini-core collection was established to capture the diversity of an entire collection of over 18,700 accessions of global origins for efficient...     

Presence of β-glucanase activity in wheat and dairy ingredients and use of organic salts as potential enzyme inhibitors

Depolymerization of mixed linkage cereal β-glucans has been observed during the mixing and fermentation of multigrain breads. To maintain the bioactivity of β-glucans in bread and other foods, control of β-glucanase activity during production is needed. β-Glucanase activity in wheat and dairy ingredients was determined by adding them to β-glucan solutions and following the change in the molecular weight of β-glucan at 50 °C for 60 min. The activities in six wheat and six dairy ingredients ranged from undetectable to a 98% reduction in molecular weight. Calcium propionate, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate are salts of organic acids commonly used as food preservatives. Low concentrations of these additives (0.1–1.0%) were found to have an inhibitory effect on the β-glucanases found in wheat flour and whey protein isolate. The depolymerization rate of β-glucan was reduced by up to 76% by the three additives.     

The cotton mealybug, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phenacoccus solenopsis</Emphasis> Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Israel: pest status,host plants and natural enemies

In Israel, the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, an invasive scale insect, was reported for the first time in the Jordan Valley in 2008 on basil (Ocimum basilicum) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). This mealybug is highly polyphagous with economic and environmental impacts. Since then, Ph. solenopsis has spread to almost every region of Israel and developed high populations on several ornamental plants, mainly Hibiscus sp. (Malvaceae) and Lantana sp. (Verbenaceae). It has become a pest in greenhouses, mainly on bell pepper, tomato, and eggplant (Solanaceae) and a serious threat in cotton fields. Fourteen species of insect natural enemies have been found in association with Ph. solenopsis in Israel the common ones were: Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hym. Encyrtidae), Cheilomenes propinqua (Mulsant), Hyperaspis vinciguerrae (Capra); H. polita Weise, Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson), Parascymnus varius Kirsch and Scymnus flagellisiphonatus (Fursch) (Col., Coccinellidae). To date, the population density of Ph. solenopsis in Israel is steeply decreasing in most regions of Israel due to the activity of A. arizonensis. An identification key to distinguish between adult females of the eight species belonging to the genus Phenacoccus in Israel is also provided.     

Role of potassium permanganate and urea on the improvement of the mechanical properties of jute polypropylene composites

Jute fabrics (hessian cloth) reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix composites (45 wt% fiber) were fabricated by compression molding. Jute fabrics were treated with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) using ultraviolet radiation in order to improve the mechanical properties of the composites. Concentration of HEMA, soaking time and radiation dose were optimized. It was found that 15% HEMA in methanol along with photoinitiator Darocur-1173 (2 %), 10 min soaking time and 20th pass of radiation rendered better performance. Urea of different concentrations (0.5–2 %) was incorporated with 15 % HEMA to monitor its effect on the properties and 1 % urea revealed the best results. For the improvement of the properties, jute fabrics were treated with potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) solution in acetone of different concentrations (0.02, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.5 %) at different soaking times (1, 2, 3, and 5 min) before the composite fabrication. Optimized jute fabrics (jute fabrics treated with 0.03 % KMnO₄) were again treated with HEMA (15 %) solution along with urea (1 %) and promising improvement of mechanical properties of the composites was observed. Scanning electron microscopy, water uptake, soil degradation and thermal aging of the treated and untreated composites were also performed.     

Effects of region and cultivar on alkylresorcinols content and composition in wheat bran and their antioxidant activity

This study evaluated the effects of cultivar and region on the composition of alkylresorcinols (ARs) of 24 wheat bran samples from 6 cultivars grown in four locations (Bath, Nairn, Palmerstone and Ridgetown) in Ontario (ON), Canada, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Total phenolic content (TPC) of wheat bran extracts was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau method and the antioxidant activity of wheat bran extracts was measured by 2, 2-Dipheny-1-picryhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The highest ARs content (μg/g) was found in cultivars Emmit (1522), Harvard (1305), Warthog (1170), and Superior (853), grown in Ridgetown. The relative saturated and unsaturated ARs (%) were 89 and 11, respectively. Total ARs content, their composition, TPC and antioxidant activity of wheat bran extracts were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by location and cultivar and their interaction. TPC, %DPPH_dis, and ORAC values for different wheat bran sample extracts ranged from 3 to 58 (mg FAE/g), 5 to 68 (%), and 6 to 94 (μmol TE/g), respectively. Our work provides a detailed examination of region and cultivar effects on potential of ARs in wheat bran and the results can be used for screening and breeding purposes.