Ultrastructural features of the early secretory pathway in Trichoderma reesei

We have systematically analysed the ultra structure of the early secretory pathway in the Trichoderma reesei hyphae in the wild-type QM6a, cellulase overexpressing Rut-C30 strain and a Rut-C30 transformant BV47 overexpressing a recombinant BiP1-VenusYFP fusion protein with an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal. The hyphae were studied after 24h of growth using transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and quantitative stereological techniques. All three strains exhibited different spatial organisation of the ER at 24h in both a cellulase-inducing medium and a minimal medium containing glycerol as a carbon source (non-cellulase-inducing medium). The wild-type displayed a number of ER subdomains including parallel tubular/cisternal ER, ER whorls, ER-isolation membrane complexes with abundant autophagy vacuoles and dense bodies. Rut-C30 and its transformant BV47 overexpressing the BiP1-VenusYFP fusion protein also contained parallel tubular/cisternal ER, but no ER whorls; also, there were very few autophagy vacuoles and an increasing amount of punctate bodies where particularly the recombinant BiP1-VenusYFPfusion protein was localised. The early presence of distinct strain-specific features such as the dominance of ER whorls in the wild type and tub/cis ER in Rut-C30 suggests that these are inherent traits and not solely a result of cellular response mechanisms by the high secreting mutant to protein overload.

The influence of school smoking policy and school prevention programs on the smoking behaviour of high school students in Prince Edward Island, Canada

The aim of the study was to examine the influence of school smoking policy and school smoking prevention programs on the smoking behaviour of students in high schools in Prince Edward Island using the School Health Action Planning Evaluation System (SHAPES). A total sample included 13,131 observations of students in grades 10-12 in ten high schools in Prince Edward Island over three waves of data collection (1999, 2000, and 2001). Changes in prevalence of smoking and factors influencing smoking behaviour were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests. Multi-level logistic regression analyses were used to examine how both school and student characteristics were associated with smoking behaviour (I, II, III, IV). Since students were located within schools, a basic 2-level nested structure was used in which individual students (level 1) were nested within schools (level 2). For grade 12 students, the combination of both school policies and programs was not associated with the risk of smoking and the presence of the new policy was not associated with decreased risk of smoking, unless there were clear rules in place (I). For the grade 10 study, (II) schools with both policies and programs were not associated with decreased risk of smoking. However, the smoking behaviour of older students (grade 12) at a school was associated with younger students’ (grade 10) smoking behaviour. Students first enrolled in a high school in grade 9, rather than grade 10, were at increased risk of occasional smoking. For students who transitioned from grade 10 to 12 (III), close friends smoking had a substantial influence on smoking behaviour for both males and females (III). Having one or more close friends who smoke (Odds Ratio (OR) = 37.46; 95% CI = 19.39 to 72.36), one or more smokers in the home (OR = 2.35; 95% CI = 1.67 to 3.30) and seeing teachers and staff smoking on or near school property (OR=1.78; 95% CI = 1.13 to 2.80), were strongly associated with increased risk of smoking for grade 12 students. Smoking behaviour increased for both junior (Group 1) and senior (Group 2) students (IV). Group 1 students indicated a greater decrease in smoking behaviour and factors influencing smoking behaviour compared to those of Group 2. Students overestimating the percentage of youth their age who smoke was strongly associated with increased likelihood of smoking. Smoking rates showed a decreasing trend (1999, 2000, and 2001). However, policies and programs alone were not successful in influencing smoking behaviour of youth. Rather, factors within the students and schools contextual environment influenced smoking behaviour. Comprehensive approaches are required for school-based tobacco prevention interventions. Keywords: schools, policy, programs, smoking prevention, adolescents Subject Terms: school-based programming, public health, health promotion

Revisiting Coptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): a global taxonomic road map for species validity and distribution of an economically important subterranean termite genus

Coptotermes Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is one of the most economically important subterranean termite genera and some species are successful invaders. However, despite its important pest status, the taxonomic validity of many named Coptotermes species remains unclear. In this study, we reviewed all named species within the genus and investigated evidence supporting the validity of each named species. Species were systematically scrutinized according to the region of their original description: Southeast Asia, India, China, Africa, the Neotropics, and Australia. We estimate that of the currently 69 named species described by accepted nomenclatural rules, only 21 taxa have solid evidence for validity, 44 names have uncertain status, and the remaining species names should be synonymized or were made unavailable. Species with high degrees of invasiveness may be known under additional junior synonyms due to independent parochial descriptions. Molecular data for a vast majority of species are scarce and significant effort is needed to complete the taxonomic and phylogenetic revision of the genus. Because of the wide distribution of Coptotermes, we advocate for an integrative taxonomic effort to establish the distribution of each putative species, provide specimens and corresponding molecular data, check original descriptions and type specimens (if available), and provide evidence for a more robust phylogenetic position of each species. This study embodies both consensus and contention of those studying Coptotermes and thus pinpoints the current uncertainty of many species. This project is intended to be a roadmap for identifying those Coptotermes species names that need to be more thoroughly investigated, as an incentive to complete a necessary revision process.

Effective Rural and Urban Innovation Policies International Conference in Seinäjoki 5.–6.2.2009

The present collection of articles is based on international conference that was held in Seinäjoki, Finland in February 2009. The topic of the conference was Effective Rural and Urban Policies and it was organised in co-operation between University Consortium of Seinäjoki, Seinäjoki Technology Centre and City of Seinäjoki. The presented papers approached the drivers of regional development from several aspects and in different kind of regional contexts across various countries. As a whole the different contributions formed a comprehensive story of those factors that are shaping the development of both rural and urban regions in global economy. The role of local innovation environment and dynamic of social processes that are ‘oiling’ the interaction between individuals within networks inspired several scholars. Also development of physical infrastructure as well as the recent development of economical models that can predict the regional impacts of large scale investments was discussed in many presentations. Clear focus with cultural and disciplinary diversity formed a fruitful basis for the conference and it was easy to learn something new. On the behalf of all organisers I would like to thank all participants of the conference and especially our foreign colleges who had travelled from distances to spend some winter days in Seinäjoki. As we all know this kind of publication does not appear automatically. All authors have done great job by finding time for writing from their busy schedules. Terttu Poranen and Jaana Huhtala have taken care of the technical editing of this publication. Sari Soini was the main organiser of conference and she has also as a editor kept the required pressure to finalize this book. In addition to University of Helsinki, conference was financially supported by the University of Vaasa, City of Seinäjoki, Lähivakuutus and Regional Centre Programme. These contributions are highly appreciated.

On the taxonomic status of Gegeneophis nadkarnii Bhatta & Prashanth, 2004 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Indotyphlidae)

Examination of type material and new collections from Goa, southern Maharashtra and northern Karnataka, leads to the conclusion that Gegeneophis nadkarnii Bhatta & Prashanth, 2004 is a subjective junior synonym of Gegeneophis danieli Giri, Wilkinson & Gower, 2003. The purported differences between these species are very minor and attributable to normal individual variation, except for some features of the dentition that are peculiar to the exceptionally abnormal paratype of G. nadkarnii. This taxonomic revision extends the known geographic range of G. danieli and suggests it could be transferred from Data Deficient to Least Concern status in the IUCN Red List.

Revision of the scolopendrid centipede digitipes Attems, 1930, from India (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha): reconciling molecular and morphological estimates of species diversity

Recent work on molecular phylogenetics of Scolopendridae from the Western Ghats, Peninsular India, has suggested the presence of six cryptic species of the otostigmine Digitipes Attems, 1930, together with three species described in previous taxonomic work by Jangi and Dass (1984). Digitipes is the correct generic attribution for a monophyletic group of Indian species, these being united with three species from tropical Africa (including the type) that share a distomedial process on the ultimate leg femur of males that is otherwise unknown in Otostigminae. Second maxillary characters previously used in the diagnosis of Digitipes are dismissed because Indian species do not possess the putatively diagnostic character states. Two new species from the Western Ghats that correspond to groupings identified based on monophyly, sequence divergence and coalescent analysis using molecular data are diagnosed based on distinct morphological characters. They are D. jangii and D. periyarensis n. spp. Three species named by Jangi and Dass (Digitipes barnabasi, D. coonoorensis and D. indicus) are revised based on new collections; D. indicus is a junior subjective synonym of Arthrorhabdus jonesii Verhoeff, 1938, the combination becoming Digitipes jonesii (Verhoeff, 1938) n. comb. The presence of Arthrorhabdus in India is accordingly refuted. Three putative species delimited by molecular and ecological data remain cryptic from the perspective of diagnostic morphological characters and are presently retained in D. barnabasi, D. jangii and D. jonesii. A molecularly-delimited species that resolved as sister group to a well-supported clade of Indian Digitipes is identified as Otostigmus ruficeps Pocock, 1890, originally described from a single specimen and revised herein. One Indian species originally assigned to Digitipes, D. gravelyi, deviates from confidently-assigned Digitipes with respect to several characters and is reassigned to Otostigmus, as O. gravelyi (Jangi and Dass, 1984) n. comb.

A new species of Duttaphrynus (Anura : Bufonidae) from Northeast India

A new species of montane toad Duttaphrynus is described from Nagaland state of Northeast India. The new species is diagnosable based on following combination of characters: absence of preorbital, postorbital and orbitotympanic ridges, elongated and broad parotid gland, first finger longer than second and presence of a mid-dorsal line. The tympanum is hidden under a skin fold (in male) or absent (in female). The species is compared with its congers from India and Indo-China. We propose to consider Duttaphrynus wokhaensis as junior synonym of Duttaphrynus melanostictus.

Is The Burden of Medical Education Affecting Ethics of Medical Treatment?

A substantial number of medical students in India have to bear an enormous financial burden for earning a bachelor's degree in medicine referred to as MBBS (bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery). This degree program lasts for four and one-half years followed by one year of internship. A postgraduate degree, such as MD, has to be pursued separately on completion of a MBBS. Every medical college in India is part of a hospital where the medical students get clinical exposure during the course of their study. All or at least a number of medical colleges in a given state are affiliated to a university that mainly plays a role of an overseeing authority. The medical colleges usually have no official interaction with other disciplines of education such as science and engineering, perhaps because of their independent location and absence of emphasis on medical research. However, many of the medical colleges are adept in imparting high-quality and sound training in medical practices including diagnostics and treatment. The medical colleges in India are generally of two types, i.e., government owned and private. Since only a limited number of seats are available across India in the former category of colleges, only a small fraction of aspiring candidates can find admission in these colleges after performing competitively in the relevant entrance tests. A major advantage of studying in these colleges is the nominal tuition fees that have to be paid. On the other hand, a large majority of would-be medical graduates have to seek admission in the privately run medical institutes in which the tuition and other related fees can be mind boggling when compared to their public counterparts. Except for candidates of exceptionally affluent background, the only alternative for fulfilling the dream of becoming a doctor is by financing one's study through hefty bank loans that may take years to pay back. It is often heard from patients that they are asked by doctors to undergo a plethora of diagnostic tests for apparently minor illnesses, which may financially benefit those prescribing the tests. The present paper attempts to throw light on the extent of disparity in cost of a medical education between state-funded and privately managed medical colleges in India; the average salary of a new medical graduate, which is often ridiculously low when compared to what is offered in entry-level engineering and business jobs; and the possible repercussions of this apparently unjust economic situation regarding the exploitation of patients.

Patologías ováricas en equinos (Equus ferus caballus) de alto valor genético en ranchos de criadores de los departamentos de Managua, Masaya y Chinandega en el periodo Julio 2012- Julio 2013

En el presente estudio se analizó la prevalencia de patologías reproductivas y ováricas específicamente, en hembras equinas destinadas a la producción de pie de cría de alto valor genético, considerando los factores: edad, propietario, número de partos y raza sobre la presentación y desarrollo de patologías ováricas, también se realizó una evaluación del impacto financiero que representan dichos trastornos para el criador. Los datos se recopilaron de los antecedentes reproductivos y diagnósticos ultrasonográficos de distintos ranchos de los departamentos de Managua, Masaya y Chinandega, realizados en las hembras, en el periodo comprendido desde julio del 2012 hasta julio del 2013. Los datos fueron sometidos estadísticamente a análisis de varianza bajo un modelo general aditivo que resulto altamente significativo (P<0.0001) denotando que la suma de los factores considerados ejercen efecto sobre la presentación de patologías ováricas. Mediante el coeficiente de Pearson se determinó la existencia de asociación entre los factores considerados sobre la presentación de patologías ováricas y a través de la prueba de Duncan se estableció la diferencia entre medias para establecer el o los trastornos ováricos de mayor presentación. De un total de 51 ultrasonidos recopilados se encontró que del total de trastornos reproductivos (33.3%) prevalecen en mayor cantidad las patologías ováricas con un 88.23% con una prevalencia de 29.41% del total de la muestra. En tanto para las patologías ováricas analizadas se encontró que el cuerpo lúteo persistente es de mayor presentación con 26.66%, seguida por el tumor de las células de la granulosa (TCG) con un 20%, en tanto para las condiciones: ovarios multifoliculares (OMF), ovarios anéstricos (OAN) y ovarios luteinizados (OLU) fue de 13.33% en cada una; finalmente, ovarios hipoplásicos (OHP) y quistes lúteos (QUL) tuvieron el menor valor individual con un 6.66%. sobre la presentación de trastornos ováricos, ejerce alta influencia el propietario, quien responde al manejo que en general se brinda a las reproductoras en cada rancho, por otro lado se observó que las hembras jóvenes nulíparas tienden a presentar mayor prevalencia de este tipo de patologías respecto a las hembras adultas y experimentadas. El factor raza per se, no mostró inflluencia. Desde el punto de vista reproductivo, las pérdidas económicas generadas por las patologías ováricas son altas y representan un costo anual por yegua de aproximadamente $3,620.00 (C$90,717.20), en yeguas Iberoamericanas y $4,620.00 (C$115,777.20), en yeguas PRE.

Efecto de diferentes láminas de riego por goteo y la aplicación fraccionada de 200 kg.ha-1 de nitrógeno, sobre el cultivo de maíz (Zea mays L.) en su rendimiento de chilote a una densidad de 125.000 ptas.ha-1

En la unidad experimental de la Universidad Nacional Agraria (U.N.A.) ubicada en el km 121⁄2 Carretera Norte. Se estableció el ensayo en época seca comprendido en el período durante los meses de (Marzo-Mayo) de 2012, que consistió en el estudio del Efecto de diferentes láminas de riego por goteo (al: 4.5;a2:3.6;a3: 2.5litros/m/día) y la aplicación fraccionada del nitrógeno (b1: 100 % a los 21 ddg;b2: 50 % a los 21 ddg y 50 % a los 42 ddg;b3: 100 % a los 42 ddg), sobre el cultivo del maíz (zea maysL.) en su rendimiento de chilote, con una variedad mejorada de Maíz NB-S a una densidad de 125,000 plantas. El ensayo se trabajó con un diseño bifactorial 3x3, utilizando un arreglo de parcelas divididas, en bloques completos al azar, con cuatro repeticiones y nueve tratamientos. Se trabajó con dos factores: A (Láminas riego /goteo) y B (Momentos de aplicación de la dosis a razón de 200 kg.ha-1 de N) recolectando los datos en la etapa de campo alos 14,35, 48 ddg y la cosecha a los 60 ddg. Las variables cuantitativas evaluadas en el estudio durante el crecimiento del cultivo fueron las características de: Altura de planta (cm),Diámetro del tallo (cm), Número de hojas por planta y para la Cosecha del chilote a los 60 ddg. Se midieron las variables: A altura de la primera y segunda inserción del chilote en (cm), Peso del chilote con brácteas y sin brácteas (gr), Longitud del chilote con brácteas y sin brácteas (cm), Diámetro del chilote con brácteas y sin brácteas(cm), Rendimiento del chilote (kg. ha-1) . Los datos recolectados se sometieron a un análisis estadístico y procesamiento de datos con el software InfoStat versión 2008, a consideración de la separación de medias por rangos múltiples de Duncan (α=0.05). Se realizaron los análisis económicos cumpliendo la metodología empleada por el CIMMYT (1988) de viabilidad y rentabilidad. El mejor en estudio de los nueve tratamientos evaluados, la interacciona 1 b2 (4.5 lt de agua/m/día; 200 kg. ha-1 de N aplicado (Urea) el 50 % de la dosis a los 21 ddg y 50 % a los 42 ddg.) indujo al mayor rendimiento de chilote con una producción de 2,229.16 kg. ha-1, con un total de costos variables de 4,458.00 C$.ha-1 y un beneficio neto de 14,266.94 córdobas por hectáreas y una tasa de retorno marginal de 1927,59%.

O processo legislativo, o orçamento público e a Casa Legislativa

Reúne artigos sobre o processo legislativo e seus impactos na democracia, sobre o orçamento e políticas públicas e sobre assuntos pertinentes à Casa Legislativa, abrangendo os aspectos da gestão estratégica, da informação legislativa e da participação da Câmara dos Deputados em ações de sustentabilidade, tendo como foco o programa de coleta seletiva.

Exame de compatibilidade e adequação orçamentário-financeira dos Pls 2197/2011 e 2198/2011

Analisa a compatibilidade e adequação orçamentário-financeira do Projeto de Lei - PL nº 2.197, de 2011, da autoria do Presidente do Supremo Tribunal Federal - STF, que "Dispõe sobre o subsídio de Ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal".

Concentração no setor de planos de saúde

Consultoria Legislativa - Área XVI - Saúde Pública, Sanitarismo - Área IX - Política e Planejamento Econômicos, Desenvolvimento Econômico, Economia Internacional.

As lideranças partidárias na Câmara dos Deputados

Avalia a organização e o funcionamento das lideranças partidárias na Câmara dos Deputados para explicar como interferem na atuação dos partidos políticos. Discute a importância do líder partidário no presidencialismo de coalizão e a origem do seu poder. Descreve a infraestrutura que a Câmara dos Deputados oferece às lideranças partidárias, como os serviços de consultoria, material, equipamentos e espaço físico. Demonstra que a organização das lideranças partidárias possui significativa influência na atuação dos partidos políticos. Propõe modelo organizacional básico de liderança partidária.