scholarly journals High intraspecific genetic and morphological variation in the pioneer lichen Cladonia rei colonising slag dumps

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 579-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Osyczka ◽  
Kaja Rola ◽  
Anna Lenart-Boroń ◽  
Piotr Boroń

AbstractThis study investigates the genetic and morphological variability of the lichen Cladonia rei inhabiting strongly contaminated postsmelting slag dumps in southern Poland. Altogether, 27 C. rei samples were analysed, including 17 from a single population in one dump. The phylogenetic analysis includes samples of C. rei, outgroup species, and external sequences of Cladonia section representatives from GenBank. Comparative analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences revealed the presence of 19 C. rei haplotypes overall, including several of the most frequent, of which 11 are represented by single individuals only. As many as 12 haplotypes were recorded within a single population. Three strongly supported monophyletic clades comprised of specimens from different geographical regions were recovered. Morphometric analysis showed great phenotypic variability within particular clades. Apart from a full range of previously known morphological forms of the species, an additional specific morphotype was recognised in the dumps; however, its representatives do not create a monophyletic group. High genetic variability within a single population suggests that C. rei has a great potential for colonising anthropogenic habitats. This attribute emphasises the role of this lichen as an essential pioneer in the early stages of natural regeneration of such sites.

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1834) ◽  
pp. 20200171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luísa G. Carvalheiro ◽  
Ignasi Bartomeus ◽  
Orianne Rollin ◽  
Sérgio Timóteo ◽  
Carla Faleiro Tinoco

Ongoing environmental changes are affecting physical, chemical and biological soil components. Evidence of impacts of soil changes on pollinators' and seed dispersers' behaviour, fitness and density is scarce, but growing. Here, we reviewed information on such impacts and on a number of mechanisms that may explain its propagation, taking into account the full range of resources required by the large and diverse number of species of these two important functional groups. We show that while there is substantial evidence on the effects of soil nitrogen enrichment and changes in soil water content on the quality and quantity of floral and fruit resources, little is known on the effects of changes of other soil properties (e.g. soil pH, soil structure, other nutrients). Also, the few studies showing correlations between soil changes and pollinator and seed disperser foraging behaviour or fitness do not clearly identify the mechanisms that explain such correlation. Finally, most studies (including those with nitrogen and water) are local and limited to a small number of species, and it remains unclear how variable such effects are across time and geographical regions, and the strength of interactive effects between soil properties. Increasing research on this topic, taking into consideration how impacts propagate through species interaction networks, will provide essential information to predict impacts of ongoing environmental changes and help guide conservation plans that aim to minimize impacts on ecosystem functioning. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People’.


Author(s):  
Paula C Brunetti ◽  
◽  
Romina Leiva ◽  
Ricardo Zapata ◽  
Lorena E Torres ◽  
...  

The species Lippia integrifoliais an aromatic, sub-woody shrub, distributed from Northwest and Central Argentina to Bolivia. It is among the most important native aromatic species. It presents medicinal properties, some of which have been scientifically proven. As an alternative to harvesting, the process of domestication of the species was initiated. The objective of this work was to assess the phenotypic variability based on botanical-taxonomic and morpho-agronomic descriptors and the use of indicators to evaluate its natural situation in the west-center of Argentina. We worked in five wild populations, registering morphological variables, phenology, natural regeneration, herbivory and presence of diseases. L. integrifoliapresents a wide morphological variability, which can be explained with three morphological descriptors. Natural regeneration ́s rate is very low to zero, in four of the sites. The results obtained are of importance to make decisions related to the sustainable use in situ, and to begin a program of domestication of the species.


1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. McGillis ◽  
V. P. Carey

The Marangoni effect on the critical heat flux (CHF) condition in pool boiling of binary mixtures has been identified and its effect has been quantitatively estimated with a modified model derived from hydrodynamics. The physical process of CHF in binary mixtures, and models used to describe it, are examined in the light of recent experimental evidence, accurate mixture properties, and phase equilibrium revealing a correlation to surface tension gradients and volatility. A correlation is developed from a heuristic model including the additional liquid restoring force caused by surface tension gradients. The CHF condition was determined experimentally for saturated methanol/water, 2-propanol/water, and ethylene glycol/water mixtures, over the full range of concentrations, and compared to the model. The evidence in this study demonstrates that in a mixture with large differences in surface tension, there is an additional hydrodynamic restoring force affecting the CHF condition.


Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Castori

Abstract Joint hypermobility is a common characteristic in humans. Its non-casual association with various musculoskeletal complaints is known and currently defined “the spectrum”. It includes hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). hEDS is recognized by a set of descriptive criteria, while HSD is the background diagnosis for individuals not fulfilling these criteria. Little is known about the aetiopathogenesis of the spectrum. It may be interpreted as a complex trait according to the integration model. Particularly, the spectrum is common in the general population, affects morphology, presents extreme clinical variability and is characterized by marked sex bias without a clear Mendelian or hormonal explanation. Joint hypermobility and the other hEDS systemic criteria are intended as qualitative derivatives of continuous traits of normal morphological variability. The need for a minimum set of criteria for hEDS diagnosis implies a tendency to co-vary of these underlying continuous traits. In evolutionary biology, such a co-variation (i.e. integration) is driven by multiple forces, including genetic, developmental, functional and environmental/acquired interactors. The aetiopathogenesis of the spectrum may be resolved by a deeper understanding of phenotypic variability, which superimposes on normal morphological variability.


2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth R. Jacob ◽  
Lisa McKenna ◽  
Angelo D'Amore

Objective This paper reports on a project to examine the expectations of senior nurses regarding graduate roles of registered and enrolled nurses educated in Victoria, Australia. Methods Participants completed an online survey to indicate whether predetermined competencies were in the roles of graduate enrolled or registered nurses or not in the role of either nurse. Chi-squared analysis was used to identify differences between participant groups. Results Participants expressed variations in role expectations for the different level of graduate nurse. Although basic nursing care was undertaken by both graduate enrolled and registered nurses, no specific role was identified for enrolled nurses. Differences were found in the opinions of senior nurses over the roles of graduate nurses, demonstrating considerable variation in expectations. Management, education and research roles were not identified as the role of either nurse on graduation. Differences were found in the expectations of the different senior nurse groups regarding the roles of the enrolled nurse, particularly in the new skills taught in the enrolled nurse diploma program. Conclusions Confusion exists regarding the roles of both types of nurse on graduation. Further research across Australia is required to clarify the roles of the different level of nurse in different practice contexts. What is known about the topic? Australia, like many other countries, prepares two levels of nurse for entry to practice: the degree-prepared registered nurse and the diploma-prepared enrolled nurse. Role confusion and ambiguity have been reported in the literature by many countries, including Australia, that employ two levels of nurse. What does this paper add? Great variation exists between expectations of senior nursing staff as to the role of both levels of graduate nurse. Role confusion and ambiguity exists for nurses in Australia. Role confusion and ambiguity around the scope of practice for enrolled nurses is seen as both limiting their practice and encouraging them to work at levels for which they have not been prepared. Graduate registered nurses were seen as more prepared for required graduate attributes than enrolled nurses. Care of acute, complex or deteriorating patients remains the role of registered nurses. What are the implications for practitioners? Practising nurses need to be educated as to the skills and knowledge that diploma enrolled nurses are graduating with in order to enable them to use their full range of abilities. To provide safe, quality care, registered nurses must fully understand the roles and abilities of the enrolled nurses to whom they delegate care. Organisational health policies and procedures need to be reviewed to accommodate the increased skills and knowledge of diploma-prepared enrolled nurses and enable best utilisation of their skills. Practising nurses need to be aware that enrolled nurses are not educationally prepared to care for complex or deteriorating patients. Although they are able to undertake basic nursing care, the role of caring for complex, highly acute and deteriorating patients remains in the domain of registered nurses. The increasing acuity of patients admitted to health services requires a higher skill mix of registered nurses to safely care for them.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 348-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rand H.M. Agha ◽  
John M. Kamara

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adaptations that have been made to traditional courtyard houses (TCHs) in Baghdad, Iraq. The aim is to develop an understanding of various factors in the adaptation of these buildings to suit contemporary lifestyles, which will contribute to the wider field of building adaptability. Design/methodology/approach Empirical evidence was collected through case studies of 12 TCHs in the Al-Kadhimiya area of Baghdad, which involved a physical survey of buildings and semi-structured interviews with 24 occupants. Findings Case study analysis show that building adaptability involves both a change to physical spaces and also to lifestyles; with the latter being more likely when there are limitations in how much change can be made to the physical structure. Research limitations/implications The focus of this research is mainly on users’ adaptation of spaces and therefore does not consider the full range of stakeholders involved in the adaptation process. The findings also only apply to the cases considered and may not be applicable to other house types or locations. Originality/value Studies on building adaptability mostly focus on the ease of change to the building fabric, although the role of users is acknowledged. This study provides insights into the complexity and variety of changes that users can make, which are influenced by lifestyles and driven by the need for comfort. These insights are represented in an adaptation model, which can serve as a basis for further research.


1975 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 268-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
W P Feistritzer

In this short article the author indicates the present stages of development of variety evaluation, testing, certification, production and marketing of quality seed—of cereals, industrial crops, pasture plants and vegetables—in major geographical regions of the world and draws attention to some of the underlying problems which must be faced in the future if further progress is to be made.


Author(s):  
Gurid Aga Askeland ◽  
Malcolm Payne

The chapter presents a content analysis and discussion of interviews with most of the awardees and of biographies of others who received the Katherine Kendall Award, focused on their views on the future of international social work and its education. Debate on the future role of the International Association of Schools of Social Work is also reviewed. Weaknesses in the representation of the full range of international social work education by the Association and the Award are considered. Ways of strengthening representation through greater involvement from the Global South and better funding of representation are explored.


2003 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.E. Hill ◽  
C.E. Davies ◽  
M.J. Wilson ◽  
P. Stephens ◽  
K.G. Harding ◽  
...  

There is growing evidence to suggest that the resident microflora of chronic venous leg ulcers impairs cellular wound-healing responses, thereby playing an important role in maintaining the non-healing phenotype of many of these wounds. The significance of individual species of bacteria will remain unclear until it is possible to characterize fully the microflora of such lesions. The limitations and biases of culture-based microbiology are being realized and the subsequent application of molecular methods is revealing greater diversity within mixed bacterial populations than that demonstrated by culture alone. To date, this approach has been limited to a small number of systems, including the oral microflora. Here, for the first time, the comprehensive characterization of the microflora present in the tissue of a chronic venous leg ulcer is described by the comparison of 16S rDNA sequences amplified directly from the wound tissue with sequences obtained from bacteria that were isolated by culture. The molecular approach demonstrated significantly greater bacterial diversity than that revealed by culture. Furthermore, sequences were retrieved that may possibly represent novel species of bacteria. It is only by the comprehensive analysis of the wound microflora by both molecular and cultural methods that it will be possible to further our understanding of the role of bacteria in this important condition.


AAESPH Review ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis R. Knapczyk ◽  
Richard B. Dever

In attempting to provide a full range of educational services to severely handicapped persons, school systems will encounter many problems over and above those which can be handled by qualified classroom teachers. Among these problems are curriculum development, staff in-service training and consultation, program evaluation, and educational program liaison with other school and community programs. To handle these problems, supervisory personnel must receive training beyond that given to regular administrative personnel. This article describes the areas in which training should be provided.


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