Orangutan cultures and the evolution of material culture

Geographic variation in some aspects of chimpanzee behavior has been interpreted as evidence for culture. Here we document similar geographic variation in orangutan behaviors. Moreover, as expected under a cultural interpretation, we find a correlation between geographic distance and cultural difference, a correlation between the abundance of opportunities for social learning and the size of the local cultural repertoire, and no effect of habitat on the content of culture. Hence, great-ape cultures exist, and may have done so for at least 14 million years.     

Detection of downy and powdery mildew resistance QTL in a ‘Regent’ × ‘RedGlobe’ population

One hundred and eighty six F₁ plants from a ‘Regent’ × ‘RedGlobe’ cross were used to generate a partial linkage map with 139 microsatellite markers spanning all 19 chromosomes. Phenotypic scores for downy mildew, taken over two years, confirmed a major resistance QTL (Rpv3) against downy mildew in the interval VVIN16-cjvh to UDV108 on chromosome 18 of ‘Regent’. This locus explained up to 62 % of the phenotypic variance observed. Additionally a putative minor downy mildew resistance locus was observed on chromosome 1 in one season. A major resistance locus against powdery mildew (Ren3) was also identified on chromosome 15 of ‘Regent’ in the interval UDV116 to VChr15CenGen06. This study established the efficacy of and validated the ‘Regent’-derived downy and powdery mildew major resistance genes/QTL under South African conditions. Closely linked SSR markers for marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding strategies were identified.     

Milk production of Jersey and Fleckvieh × Jersey cows in a pasture-based feeding system

Milk production parameters of purebred Jersey (J) cows and Fleckvieh?×?Jersey (F?×?J) cows in a pasture-based feeding system were compared using standard milk recording procedures. Milk, fat and protein production was adjusted to 305 days per lactation and corrected for age at calving. Effects of breed, parity, month and year were estimated for milk, fat and protein yield as well as fat and protein percentage, using the general linear model procedure. Fixed effects identified as affecting milk production parameters significantly were breed, parity and year. F?×?J cows produced significantly more milk than J cows (6141?±?102 and 5398?±?95 kg milk, respectively). Similarly, fat and protein yields were significantly higher in F?×?J (272?±?4 and 201?±?3 kg, respectively) than in Jersey cows (246?±?3 and 194?±?2 kg, respectively). Fat and protein percentages only differed slightly in absolute terms being 4.61?±?0.04 % fat in the Jersey compared to 4.47?±?0.04 % fat in the F?×?J. Protein levels for J and F?×?J cows were 3.62?±?0.03 and 3.51?±?0.03 %, respectively. Despite a lower fat percentage, F?×?J crossbred cows may be more productive than purebred Jersey cows which may be due to heterotic effects.     

Dynamics of DNA double-strand breaks revealed by clustering of damaged chromosome domains

Interactions between ends from different DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) can produce tumorigenic chromosome translocations. Two theories for the juxta-position of DSBs in translocations, the static "contact-first" and the dynamic "breakage-first" theory, differ fundamentally in their requirement for DSB mobility. To determine whether or not DSB-containing chromosome domains are mobile and can interact, we introduced linear tracks of DSBs in nuclei. We observed changes in track morphology within minutes after DSB induction, indicating movement of the domains. In a subpopulation of cells, the domains clustered. Juxtaposition of different DSB-containing chromosome domains through clustering, which was most extensive in G1 phase cells, suggests an adhesion process in which we implicate the Mre11 complex. Our results support the breakage-first theory to explain the origin of chromosomal translocations.     

美国南部两个州煮花生消费的决定因素

对 60 6所大学学生和职工进行了调查以确定影响煮花生消费的因素。抽样中大约有 5 5 %的人从未吃过煮花生 ,40 .4%的人说他们每星期吃煮花生不会超过一次 ,仅 4%和 1 %的人每星期吃一次和多于一次的煮花生 ,影响煮花生消费的因素有性别、口味、含油量及煮花生是否作为副菜来食用 (p >0 .0 5 )。男人比女人更喜欢吃煮花生。种族不是影响煮花生消费的因素     

The relationship between channel catfish female body weight and relative fecundity and fry production when induced to ovulate with carp pituitary extract and fertilized with blue catfish sperm

ABSTRACT

Little is known regarding the correlation between channel catfish female body weight and relative fecundity and fry production when the females are induced to ovulate with carp pituitary extract and fertilized with blue catfish sperm. A total of 145 female channel catfish were used in the early, middle, and late spawning season. Female body weight of channel catfish had negative correlations with relative fecundity (r = ?0.33 and ?0.25, P < .05; r = ?0.23, P > .05) and before the late spawning season with fry/kg (r = ?0.21, P > .05; r = ?0.30, P < .05). Eggs/kg female body weight and fry/kg female body weight followed a parallel pattern throughout the season, illustrating the logical relationship between relative fecundity and fry output. The size of females used is a consideration to maximize hybrid catfish embryo production during the early and middle spawning season but not late in the spawning season. However, these correlations are relatively small even though significant; thus a dramatic change in fry production would not be predicted. Since reproductive relationships can change during the spawning season, conclusions and recommendations could be flawed if data are not collected periodically during an entire spawning season.     

Degradation of S-2-di-isopropylaminoethyl O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate in soil. Sulphur-containing products

The degradation of [³⁵S]-labelled and [³²P]-labelled S-2-di-isopropylaminoethyl O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate has been studied in humic sand, humic loam and clayey peat under laboratory conditions. Radioactivity, which proved to be tightly bound to the soil, was extracted by alkaline methanol. N,N'-Dithiodiethylenebis(di-isopropylamine) was identified as the only sulphur-containing product in the extract.     

Structural characterization,reproductive phenology and anthropogenic disturbance of mangroves in Costa do Sol,Bons Sinais Estuary and Pemba-Metuge from Mozambique

Mangrove forests are among the most important ecosystems with high ecological and economic value. In order to better understand and conserve this ecosystem, we aim to provide an overview of mangrove structure along the southern, central and northern parts of Mozambique, in Costa do Sol (CS), Bons Sinais Estuary (BSE) and Pemba-Metuge (PM), respectively. A total of 10 plots/site (10 × 10 m) along a transect perpendicular to the seashore were used. Inside the plots, the stem diameter and height were measured, and the species identified. The phenology and deforestation were categorized, and dead stumps were identified by species and its diameter measured. A total of five mangrove species were observed at BSE, four at PM and three at CS. BSE presented the greatest mean height at 3.3 m, as well as the highest complexity at 22.7. Avicennia marina was identified as the most ecologically important species in all the study sites. During May, A. marina trees were mainly dormant, while those of Ceriops tagal and Rhizophora mucronata were flowering and fruiting. Intact trees were dominant in all the study sites. This study will contribute in designing and implementation of sustainable strategies for conservation of mangrove forests in Mozambique.