FTO genotype is associated with phenotypic variability of body mass index

There is evidence across several species for genetic control of phenotypic variation of complex traits1, 2, 3, 4, such that the variance among phenotypes is genotype dependent. Understanding genetic control of variability is important in evolutionary biology, agricultural selection programmes and human medicine, yet for complex traits, no individual genetic variants associated with variance, as opposed to the mean, have been identified. Here we perform a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of phenotypic variation using ~170,000 samples on height and body mass index (BMI) in human populations. We report evidence that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7202116 at the FTO gene locus, which is known to be associated with obesity (as measured by mean BMI for each rs7202116 genotype)5, 6, 7, is also associated with phenotypic variability. We show that the results are not due to scale effects or other artefacts, and find no other experiment-wise significant evidence for effects on variability, either at loci other than FTO for BMI or at any locus for height. The difference in variance for BMI among individuals with opposite homozygous genotypes at the FTO locus is approximately 7%, corresponding to a difference of ~0.5 kilograms in the standard deviation of weight. Our results indicate that genetic variants can be discovered that are associated with variability, and that between-person variability in obesity can partly be explained by the genotype at the FTO locus. The results are consistent with reported FTO by environment interactions for BMI8, possibly mediated by DNA methylation9, 10. Our BMI results for other SNPs and our height results for all SNPs suggest that most genetic variants, including those that influence mean height or mean BMI, are not associated with phenotypic variance, or that their effects on variability are too small to detect even with samples sizes greater than 100,000.

Nutrient mass balance for Lockyer vegetable production

The potential for fertiliser use in Lockyer Valleys intensive vegetable production to impact on the Moreton Bay Waterways (MBW) is not well defined. Notwithstanding nutrient runoff through soil erosion of agricultural lands has been identified as a process that significantly contributes artificial fertiliser to the MBW (SEQ Healthy Waterways Draft Strategy 2006). In order to better understand this issue the present study undertakes a nutrient mass balance to evaluate nitrogen use efficiency in the intensive horticultural industry of the Lockyer Valley.

Compressible 2nd-order boundary-layers for 3-dimensional stagnation point flows with mass-transfer

All the second-order boundary-layer effects have been studied for the steady laminar compressible 3-dimensional stagnation-point flows with variable properties and mass transfer for both saddle and nodal point regions. The governing equations have been solved numerically using an implicit finite-difference scheme. Results for the heat transfer and skin friction have been obtained for several values of the mass-transfer rate, wall temperature, and also for several values of parameters characterizing the nature of stagnation point and variable gas properties. The second-order effects on the heat transfer and skin friction at the wall are found to be significant and at large injection rates, they dominate over the results of the first-order boundary layer, but the effect of large suction is just the opposite. In general, the second-order effects are more pronounced in the saddle-point region than in the nodal-point region. The overall heat-transfer rate for the 3-dimensional flows is found to be more than that of the 2-dimensional flows.

Selling surf, sun and fitness: Queensland's mass-market fashion

How two powerhouse brands, Billabong and Lorna Jane, took the quintessential Queensland lifestyle to the world stage.

Association analyses of 249,796 individuals reveal 18 new loci associated with body mass index

Obesity is globally prevalent and highly heritable, but its underlying genetic factors remain largely elusive. To identify genetic loci for obesity susceptibility, we examined associations between body mass index and approximately 2.8 million SNPs in up to 123,865 individuals with targeted follow up of 42 SNPs in up to 125,931 additional individuals. We confirmed 14 known obesity susceptibility loci and identified 18 new loci associated with body mass index (P < 5 x 10(-)(8)), one of which includes a copy number variant near GPRC5B. Some loci (at MC4R, POMC, SH2B1 and BDNF) map near key hypothalamic regulators of energy balance, and one of these loci is near GIPR, an incretin receptor. Furthermore, genes in other newly associated loci may provide new insights into human body weight regulation.

Structural characterization of γ-terpinene thin films using mass spectroscopy and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Understanding the polymerization mechanism of a precursor is indispensable to enhance the requisite material properties. In situ mass spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used in this study to understand the RF plasma polymerization of γ-terpinene. High-resolution mass spectra positive ion mass spectrometry data of the plasma phase demonstrates the presence of oligomeric species of the type [M+H]+ and [2M+H]+, where M represents a unit of the starting material. In addition, there is abundant fragmented species, with most dominant being [M+] (136 m/z), C10H13+ (133 m/z), C9H11+ (119 m/z), and C7H9+ (93 m/z). The results reported in this manuscript enables to comprehend the relationship between the degree of incorporation of oxygen and the rate of deposition with the input RF power.

Introduction, establishment, and potential geographic range of Carmenta sp. nr ithacae (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), a biological control agent for Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in Australia

Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.), a major weed causing economic, environmental, and human and animal health problems in Australia and several countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, has been a target for biological control in Australia since the mid-1970s. Nine species of insects and two rust fungi have been introduced as biological control agents into Australia. These include Carmenta sp. nr ithacae, a root feeding agent from Mexico. The larvae of C. sp. nr ithacae bore through the stem-base into the root where they feed on the cortical tissue of the taproot. During 1998-2002, 2,816 larval-infested plants and 387 adults were released at 31 sites across Queensland, Australia. Evidence of field establishment was first observed in two of the release sites in central Queensland in 2004. Annual surveys at these sites and nonrelease sites during 2006-2011 showed wide variations in the incidence and abundance of C. sp. nr ithacae between years and sites. Surveys at three of the nine release sites in northern Queensland and 16 of the 22 release sites in central Queensland confirmed the field establishment of C. sp. nr ithacae in four release sites and four nonrelease sites, all in central Queensland. No field establishment was evident in the inland region or in northern Queensland. A CLIMEX model based on the native range distribution of C. sp. nr ithacae predicts that areas east of the dividing range along the coast are more suitable for field establishment than inland areas. Future efforts to redistribute this agent should be restricted to areas identified as climatically favorable by the CLIMEX model.

Mass transfer properties (permeability and mass diffusivity) of four Australian hardwood species

Characterisation of mass transfer properties was achieved in the longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions for four Australian hardwood species: spotted gum, blackbutt, jarrah and messmate. Measurement of mass transfer properties for these species was necessary to complement current vacuum drying modelling research. Water-vapour diffusivity was determined in steady state using a specific vapometer. Permeability values of some species and material directions were extremely low and undetectable by the mass flow meter device. Hence, a custom system based on volume evolution was conceived to determine very low, previously unpublished, wood permeability values. Mass diffusivity and permeability were lowest for spotted gum and highest for messmate. Except for messmate, in the radial direction, the four species measured were less permeable in all directions than the lowest published figures, demonstrating the high impermeability of Australian hardwoods and partly accounting for their relatively slow drying rates. Premeability, water-vapour diffusivity, and associated anisotropic ratio data obtained for messmate were extreme or did not follow typical trends and is consequently the most difficult of the four woods to dry in terms of collapse and checkinng degradation.

A note on mass transfer in turbulent wall jets

THE PROCESS of mass transfer from saturated porous surfaces virtual origin ; exposed to turbulent air streams finds many practical applitransverse coordinate; cations. In many cases, the air stream will be in the form of a height of nozzle above flat plate--radial wall jet; wall jet over the porous surface. The aerodynamics of both plane and radial wall jets have been investigated in detail and a vast amount of literature is available on the subject [l-3].

Omnidemptus affinis gen et sp. nov., teleomorph of Mycoleptodiscus affinis sp. nov

Omnidemptus is described as a new monotypic genus of ascomycetes and O. affinis isolated from leaves of Panici effusi var. effusi in Queensland, Australia, is shown to have as its anamorph a new species of the hyphomycete genus Mycoleptodiscus, M. affinis.

Cochliobolus heliconiae sp nov (Ascomycota)

A new species of Cochliobolus, C. heliconiae, is described and illustrated. The species is heterothallic and ascomata were produced in pure culture using two isolates of its Bipolaris anamorph, also described as new, obtained from lesions on Heliconia spp. in northern Australia.

Paliphora intermedia sp nov from Australia

Paliphora intermedia sp. nov. (Hyphomycetes) from unidentified leaf litter collected in Queensland, Australia is described and compared with the two other species in the genus.

Sphaerophragmium quadricellulare sp nov (Mycota, Uredinales) on Acacia in Australia, with brief notes on some related rust genera

A telial rust on leaves of Acacia pennata ssp. kerrii from Cape York Peninsula is described as Sphaerophragmium quadricellulare sp. nov. No other spore stages have been observed. Brief notes on other related rusts occurring in Australia are given.

Modelling temperature, photoperiod and vernalization responses of Brunonia australis (Goodeniaceae) and Calandrinia sp (Portulacaceae) to predict flowering time

Crop models for herbaceous ornamental species typically include functions for temperature and photoperiod responses, but very few incorporate vernalization, which is a requirement of many traditional crops. This study investigated the development of floriculture crop models, which describe temperature responses, plus photoperiod or vernalization requirements, using Australian native ephemerals Brunonia australis and Calandrinia sp. A novel approach involved the use of a field crop modelling tool, DEVEL2. This optimization program estimates the parameters of selected functions within the development rate models using an iterative process that minimizes sum of squares residual between estimated and observed days for the phenological event. Parameter profiling and jack-knifing are included in DEVEL2 to remove bias from parameter estimates and introduce rigour into the parameter selection process. Development rate of B. australis from planting to first visible floral bud (VFB) was predicted using a multiplicative approach with a curvilinear function to describe temperature responses and a broken linear function to explain photoperiod responses. A similar model was used to describe the development rate of Calandrinia sp., except the photoperiod function was replaced with an exponential vernalization function, which explained a facultative cold requirement and included a coefficient for determining the vernalization ceiling temperature. Temperature was the main environmental factor influencing development rate for VFB to anthesis of both species and was predicted using a linear model. The phenology models for B. australis and Calandrinia sp. described development rate from planting to VFB and from VFB to anthesis in response to temperature and photoperiod or vernalization and may assist modelling efforts of other herbaceous ornamental plants. In addition to crop management, the vernalization function could be used to identify plant communities most at risk from predicted increases in temperature due to global warming.