Early Proterozoic ultrahigh pressure metamorphism: evidence from microdiamonds

Microdiamonds from the Akluilak minette dykes (Nunavut, Canada) are similar to diamonds formed in subducted metamorphic rocks. High concentrations of unaggregated nitrogen and positive delta(15)N suggest that the microdiamonds formed within rocks subducted to ultrahigh pressures before being sampled by the minette magma 1.8 billion years ago. This ultrahigh pressure metamorphism in North America, probably related to the Trans-Hudson orogen (about 2 billion years ago), extends the occurrence of ultrahigh pressure metamorphism from 0.6 billion years to before 1.8 billion years ago and suggests that Phanerozoic-type subductions were active by the Early Proterozoic.     

Pulsars in binary systems: probing binary stellar evolution and general relativity

Radio pulsars in binary orbits often have short millisecond spin periods as a result of mass transfer from their companion stars. They therefore act as very precise, stable, moving clocks that allow us to investigate a large set of otherwise inaccessible astrophysical problems. The orbital parameters derived from high-precision binary pulsar timing provide constraints on binary evolution, characteristics of the binary pulsar population, and the masses of neutron stars with different mass-transfer histories. These binary systems also test gravitational theories, setting strong limits on deviations from general relativity. Surveys for new pulsars yield new binary systems that increase our understanding of all these fields and may open up whole new areas of physics, as most spectacularly evidenced by the recent discovery of an extremely relativistic double-pulsar system.     

Untersuchungen zur Übereinstimmung des Auftretens zytoplasmatischer Einschlüsse mit dem immunelektronen-mikroskopisch nachgewiesenen Kartoffel-Y-Virus in künstlich infizierten Meristempflanzen-Subkulturen

Zusammenfassung Meristempflanzen-Subkulturen der Kartoffelsorten ‘Vorw?rts’ und ‘Schwalbe’ wurden mit KYV künstlich infiziert und in verschiedenen Infektionsstadien elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Neben der Untersuchung des Zytoplasmas von Mesophyllzellen an Ultradünnschnitten wurde Pflanzensaft für die immunelektronenmikroskopische Dekorationsmethode und die Tauchmethode pr?pariert. Es konnte eine zeitliche übereinstimmung des Auftretens von ‘Pinwheels’ im Zytoplasma und immunelektronenmikroskopischer Nachweisbarkeit des KYV beobachtet werden. W?hrend in der Sorte ‘Vorw?rts’ (geringe relative Resistenz gegenüber KYV) bereits 21 Tage nach der Infektion KYV nachgewiesen wurde, war der Nachweis in der Sorte ‘Schwalbe’ (hohe relative Resistenz gegenüber KYV) erst nach einer zus?tzlichen Pfropfinfektion m?glich. Sowohl die Dekorationsmethode als auch der zytoplasmatische Nachweis eignen sich für eine Diagnose des KYV in Pflanzen mit geringer Viruskonzentration.

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Summary PVY-free subcultures of meristem plants of the potato varieties Vorw?rts (relatively low resistance to PVY) and Schwalbe (relatively high resistance to PVY) were infected in vitro withMyzus persicae (Sulz.). Ultra-thin sections were cut from both infected and non-infected plants 11, 21, 29 and 49 days after inoculation and at the same time sap was prepared according to modifications of the immune electron microscopic Decoration method of Milne & Luisoni (1977) and of the Touch method of Brandes (1957). The investigation established the coincidence of ‘Pinwheels’ in the cytoplasm of infected plants and the presence of PVY particles identified by immune electron microscopy, thus confirming the relationship between the appearance of such ‘Pinwheels’ and an infection with PVY. Depending on their level of resistance to the virus, PVY was detectable in different varieties at varying stages of infection (Table 1). Whereas in cv. Vorw?rts, PVY could be detected 21 days after infection, in cv. Schwalbe it was only possible three weeks after a supplementary graft inoculation. Both the Decoration method and cytoplasmic detection are suitable for the diagnosis of PVY in plants with a low virus concentration. The Touch method fails because of its lack of differentiation potential thus preventing the acquisition of additional information.

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Résumé Des plantes indemnes de virus Y de la pomme de terre (PVY) obtenues à partir de repiquages de cultures de méristème de la variété Vorw?rts (faiblement résistante au PVY) et de la variété Schwalbe (fortement résistante au PVY) ont été contaminées au stade in vitro à l'aide deMyzus persicae (Sulz.). Des échantillons de feuilles provenant de plantes saines et de plantes contaminées ont été observés avec le microscope électronique, 11, 21, 29 et 49 jours après la contamination. Des coupes ultrafines ont été obtenues ainsi que du jus de plantes préparés, d'une part à l'aide de la méthode immuno-microscopie électronique de décoration selon Milne & Luisoni (1977) et d'autre part, selon une méthode d'immersion modifiée d'apres Brandes (1957). Les examens ont démontré une concordance temporelle entre l'apparition de ‘Pinwheels’ dans le cytoplasme des plantes contaminées et les particules du PVY décelées par immuno-microscopie électronique. La relation entre l'apparition de ‘Pinwheels’ et l'infection par le PVY a ainsi été démontrée. Selon les résistances variétales, le PVY a été observé à différents stades d'infection (tableau 1). Le PVY a été observé 21 jours après la contamination pour la variété Vorw?rts et seulement 3 semaines après une infection supplémentaire par greffage pour la variété Schwalbe. Pour réaliser un diagnostic du PVY dans les plantes à faible concentration de virus, tant la méthode de décoration que le test du cytoplasme peuvent être appliqués. La méthode par immersion n'a pas apporté d'information supplémentaire en raison de l'absence de moyens de différenciation.

     

Anti-phytopathogenic activities of macro-algae extracts

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from nine Chilean marine macro-algae collected at different seasons were examined in vitro and in vivo for properties that reduce the growth of plant pathogens or decrease the injury severity of plant foliar tissues following pathogen infection. Particular crude aqueous or organic extracts showed effects on the growth of pathogenic bacteria whereas others displayed important effects against pathogenic fungi or viruses, either by inhibiting fungal mycelia growth or by reducing the disease symptoms in leaves caused by pathogen challenge. Organic extracts obtained from the brown-alga Lessonia trabeculata inhibited bacterial growth and reduced both the number and size of the necrotic lesion in tomato leaves following infection with Botrytis cinerea. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the red-alga Gracillaria chilensis prevent the growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi, showing a response which depends on doses and collecting-time. Similarly, aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the brown-alga Durvillaea antarctica were able to diminish the damage caused by tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in tobacco leaves, and the aqueous procedure is, in addition, more effective and seasonally independent. These results suggest that macro-algae contain compounds with different chemical properties which could be considered for controlling specific plant pathogens.     

The challenge and status of IWRM in four river basins in Europe and Asia

This paper assesses the implementation of four selected IWRM principles in four very different river basins in Europe and Asia. The four principles relate to all the different aspects of sustainable development—environmental, social, economic and institutional—as well as the factor that is particularly crucial in many countries of the South: implementation capacity. The paper is based on the work performed in the EC-funded STRIVER project, “Strategy and methodology for improved IWRM—An integrated interdisciplinary assessment in four twinning river basins”. The four basins—Tungabhadra and Sesan (in Asia), and Tagus and Glomma (in Europe) exemplify very different problems and challenges with regard to IWRM: different levels of socio-economic development and very varying problems with regard to water quality and availability. The paper shows that the implementation of IWRM is at a fairly early stage in all the four STRIVER basins; and that successful implementation of water resources is dependent not only on the existence of relevant policies, but also the degree to which laws and policies are in fact implemented.     

Detection of the origin of atrial tachycardia by 3D electro‐anatomical mapping and treatment by radiofrequency catheter ablation in horses

BackgroundAtrial tachycardia (AT) can be treated by medical or electrical cardioversion but the recurrence rate is high. Three‐dimensional electro‐anatomical mapping, recently described in horses, might be used to map AT to identify a focal source or reentry mechanism and to guide treatment by radiofrequency ablation.ObjectivesTo describe the feasibility of 3D electro‐anatomical mapping and radiofrequency catheter ablation to characterize and treat sustained AT in horses.AnimalsNine horses with sustained AT.MethodsRecords from horses with sustained AT referred for radiofrequency ablation at Ghent University were reviewed.ResultsThe AT was drug resistant in 4 out of 9 horses. In 8 out of 9 horses, AT originated from a localized macro‐reentrant circuit (n = 5) or a focal source (n = 3) located at the transition between the right atrium and the caudal vena cava. In these 8 horses, local radiofrequency catheter ablation resulted in the termination of AT. At follow‐up, 6 out of 8 horses remained free of recurrence.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDifferentiation between focal and macro‐reentrant AT in horses is possible using 3D electro‐anatomical mapping. In this study, the source of right atrial AT in horses was safely treated by radiofrequency catheter ablation.