Potassium phosphonate alters the defence response of Xanthorrhoea australis following infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi

Potassium phosphonate (phosphite) is widely used in the management of Phytophthora diseases in agriculture, horticulture and natural environments. The Austral grass tree, Xanthorrhoea australis, a keystone species in the dry sclerophyll forests of southern Australia, is susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi, but is protected by applications of phosphite. We examined the effect of phosphite application on the infection of X. australis seedlings and cell suspension cultures by zoospores of P. cinnamomi. Phosphite induced more intense cellular responses to pathogen challenge and suppressed pathogen ingress in both seedlings and cell cultures. In untreated X. australis seedlings, hyphal growth was initially intercellular, became intracellular 24 h after inoculation, and by 48 h had progressed into the vascular tissue. In phosphite-treated seedlings, growth of P. cinnamomi remained intercellular and was limited to the cortex, even at 72 h after inoculation. The cell membrane retracted from the cell wall and phenolic compounds and electron dense substances were deposited around the wall of infected and neighbouring cells. Suspension cells were infected within 6 h of inoculation. Within 24 h of inoculation, untreated cells were fully colonised, had collapsed cytoplasm and died. The protoplast of phosphite-treated suspension cells collapsed within 12 h of inoculation, and phenolic material accumulated in adjacent, uninfected cells. No anatomical response to phosphite treatment was observed before infection of plant tissues, suggesting that the phosphite-associated host defence response is induced following pathogen challenge. Anatomical changes provide evidence that phosphite stimulates the host defence system to respond more effectively to pathogen invasion.

Projecting the U.S. gender wage gap 2000-40

This paper projects the gender wage gap for 25–64 year old Americans for the period 2000–40. The analysis uses data from the Panel Survey of Income Dynamics (PSID) for 1995 and 1996 together with the U.S. Census Bureau demographic projections. The method combines the population projections with assumptions regarding the evolution of educational attainment in order to first project the future distribution of skills and, based on these projections, the future size of the gender wage gap. The main set of projections suggests that changing skill characteristics—specifically educational attainment—will continue to close the gender wage gap. However, even in 2040, a substantial pay gap of at least 75 percent of the size of that in 1995 will remain.

The characteristic red chemiluminescence from reactions with acidic potassium permanganate : further spectroscopic evidence for a manganese(II) emitter

A direct comparison of the laser-induced photoluminescence of manganese(II) with the chemiluminescence from the reaction between acidic potassium permanganate and sodium borohydride was used to confirm that the characteristic red emission from this widely used chemiluminescence reagent emanates from an electronically excited manganese(II) species.

The Australian class structure and Australian politics 1931 - 40

This paper presents the results of an analysis of the class structure of interwar Australia based largely on the 1933 Commonwealth census. It reviews previous analyses by academics but although contemporary journalists and political strategists. It develops an estimate of the class composition of the electorate as distinct from the general population and attempts to define the class position of voters outside of the paid workforce. It considers the question of to what extent Labor needed non-working-class votes to secure an electoral majority and how the differing social composition of the Australian states impacted on electoral outcomes and Labor strategies. It employs the method of bounds to develop some preliminary conclusions about the electoral behaviour of different social groups and concludes with some observations on the divided nature of the Australian working class and the competing strategies that parties developed in their search for an electoral majority.

The aid effectiveness literature : the sad results of 40 years of research

The aid effectiveness literature (AEL) consists of empirical macroeconomic estimates of the effects of development aid. By the end of 2004, it comprised 97 econometric studies of three families of related effects. Each family has been analyzed in a separate meta-analysis. The AEL is an ideal subject for meta-analysis as it uses only a few formally similar models to estimate the same underlying effects. It is also an area with strong beliefs, often generated by altruism. When this whole literature is examined, a clear pattern emerges. After 40 years of development aid, the preponderance of the evidence indicates that aid has not been effective. We show that the distribution of results is significantly asymmetric reflecting the reluctance of the research community to publish negative results. The Dutch disease effect on exchange rates provides a plausible explanation for the observed aid ineffectiveness.

Dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium and calcium in relation to the risk of preeclampsia

To explore the relation between preeclampsia risk and maternal intake of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium and calcium. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a case-control study of 172 preeclamptics and 339 normotensive controls. Maternal dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression procedures were used to estimate the association between each dietary factor and preeclampsia risk. RESULTS: Fiber intake was inversely associated with the risk of preeclampsia. When extreme quartiles of total fiber intake were compared, the odds ratio (OR) for preeclampsia was 0.46 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.92). The multivariate OR for preeclampsia for women in the top quartile of potassium intake (>4.1 g/d) versus the lowest quartile (<2.4 g/d) was 0.49 (95% CI 0.24-0.99). There was some evidence of a reduced risk of preeclampsia with a high intake of magnesium and calcium, though these results were not statistically significant. Intake of fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, total cereal and dark bread were each associated with a reduced risk of preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Our results support previous reports that suggest that diets high in fiber and potassium are associated with a reduced risk of hypertension. Maternal intake of recommended amounts of foods rich in fiber, potassium and other nutrients may reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

In the green zone : 40 years with Colonel Qaddafi

Colonel Muammar Qaddafi has been the leader of Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya since September 1969. After 40 years in control of his nation, Qaddafi is actually the world’s longest serving non‐monarchial head of state. This year’s anniversary makes it timely to review his four decades of rule. From being the leader of a successful military coup to being America’s bête noire of the 1980s and then the head of a much‐vilified rogue state under twenty‐seven years of UN sanctions, the mercurial Qaddafi has lately steered his nation to something of a rapprochement with the West, been elected to the chairmanship of the African Union and simultaneously had a very public falling out with some of his Arab leaders. This paper examines the highs and lows of Qaddafi’s leadership and where his small but prominent North African state may be heading.

Emitting species in chemiluminescence reactions with acidic potassium permanganate : a re-evaluation based on new spectroscopic evidence

The reaction of acidic potassium permanganate with a wide range of compounds is known to produce a broad red emission, and there is strong evidence for an excited manganese(II) emitting species. Nevertheless, numerous researchers have proposed other emitters for reactions with acidic potassium permanganate, particularly for systems where fluorescent compounds were present, either as enhancers or reaction products. We have examined many reactions of this type and found that, in most cases, the same red emission was produced. There were, however, some exceptions, including the oxidation of dihydralazine, certain thiols and sulphite (each in the presence of an enhancer).

Correlation between acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence and in vitro cell culture assay : physiologically meaningful antioxidant activity

There is great interest in the activity of antioxidant molecules, including polyphenols, from food and plant sources. Acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence signal intensity was shown to predict the ability of polyphenols to positively act on cellular redox state and attenuate oxidative stress in cultured skeletal muscle cells.