Assortative mating in insects: sexual selection vs. sampling artifact

In this report we analyze patterns of size-assortative mating in an insect genus by (1) describing the consistency and strength of assortative mating among populations of a species and among species of a genus, and (2) determining the role of sampling artifacts in generating this nonrandom pattern of mating. Our data consist of 18 samples of soldier beetles (8 species of the genus Chauliognathus ) from 17 sites within the southwestern United States. Of the 18 samples, just 6 exhibited significant correlations between elytron lengths of mating pairs. We show how these and other significant correlations are generated by 3 kinds of sampling artifacts: mixed-species samples, mixed-population samples, and mixed-microsite samples.     

Metamorphic core complex formation by density inversion and lower-crust extrusion.

Metamorphic core complexes are domal uplifts of metamorphic and plutonic rocks bounded by shear zones that separate them from unmetamorphosed cover rocks. Interpretations of how these features form are varied and controversial, and include models involving extension on low-angle normal faults, plutonic intrusions and flexural rotation of initially high-angle normal faults. The D'Entrecasteaux islands of Papua New Guinea are actively forming metamorphic core complexes located within a continental rift that laterally evolves to sea-floor spreading. The continental rifting is recent (since approximately 6 Myr ago), seismogenic and occurring at a rapid rate ( approximately 25 mm yr-1). Here we present evidence-based on isostatic modelling, geological data and heat-flow measurements-that the D'Entrecasteaux core complexes accommodate extension through the vertical extrusion of ductile lower-crust material, driven by a crustal density inversion. Although buoyant extrusion is accentuated in this region by the geological structure present-which consists of dense ophiolite overlaying less-dense continental crust-this mechanism may be generally applicable to regions where thermal expansion lowers crustal density with depth.     

Simultaneous determination of trace rare earth elements and other elements in high purity terbium oxide (Tb4O7) by ICP-AES after HPLC separation using P507 resin

This article describes a new method for the simultaneous determination of trace rare earth elements (REEs) and non rare earth elements (NREEs) in high purity terbium oxide by ICP-AES after HPLC separation using P507 resin. The chromatographic separation of the analytes from the matrix using dilute nitric acid as mobile phase was studied. The experimental results showed that a favorable separation of trace metals (Cu and Gd) from the matrix (Tb) can easily be achieved by elution with dilute nitric acid within 25 min. The proposed method was applied to the determination of trace metals (Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Si, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd) in high purity terbium oxide. The detection limits (DLs) for the analytes ranged from 0.4–4.0 μg· g⁻¹, and the recoveries are from 78%–105%. Foundation item: Supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 20007010108) and Wuhan Municipal Science & Technology Commission (No. 995004080) Biography, Wanjau Ruth (1961-), female, Ph. D. candidate, Kenyatta University, Kenya, research direction: determination of trace elements.     

Ionic effects on cyclic nucleotide accumulation in a phytophagous insect

Summary Incubation in solutions containing high potassium levels reduces specific accumulation of cyclic AMP in larval nerve cords ofManduca, sexta in vitro with or without serotonin or theophylline.Supported in part by NIH grant NS-09161-20 to R.W.N.     

A method for determining cross-measurements of motor neurons

Summary This new triangulation technique allows the investigator to make cross-measurements of individual cells quickly and easily with a high degree of accuracy and reliability.     

Primary structure of Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase deduced from its cDNA sequence

Acetylcholinesterase, an essential enzyme of the nervous system, rapidly terminates the action of acetylcholine released into the synapse. Acetylcholinesterase is also found (in lower abundance) in extrajunctional areas of muscle and nerve and on erythrocyte membranes. Hydrodynamic analyses of the native enzyme and characterization of its dissociated subunits have revealed multiple enzyme forms which can be divided into two classes: dimensionally asymmetric forms which are usually found within the synapse and contain a collagen-like structural subunit disulphide-linked to the catalytic subunits; and globular forms which appear to be widely distributed on the outer surface of cell membranes. Both forms have been characterized in the ray Torpedo californica and, although their catalytic behaviours seem to be identical, they differ slightly in amino-acid composition, peptide maps and reactivity with certain monoclonal antibodies. Here, we report the complete amino-acid sequence of an acetylcholinesterase inferred from the sequence of a complementary DNA clone. The 575-residue protein shows significant homology with the C-terminal portion of thyroglobulin.     

Effects of centrophenoxine,piracetam and hydergine on rat brain lipid peroxidation

Summary The cerebral insufficiency improvers centrophenoxine, piracetam and hydergine were tested for their effect on lipid peroxidation of rat brain homogenates, both in vitro and in vivo. There was no effect either in vitro or after chronic 8 week dosing of animals.     

Biological effects of singlet delta oxygen on respiratory tract epithelium

Summary Exposure of hamster tracheal organ cultures to gas phase singlet delta oxygen,¹O₂, at atmospheric pressure produced significant alterations in the mucociliary epithelium resulting in changes in ciliary activity and cellular morphology.Acknowledgments. The authors acknowledge helpful conversations with Professor R.W. Murray of the University of Missouri (St. Louis). We would like to thank the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for supporting this work through Public Health Grant 1-RO1-ESO1-O1A1-PHTB.