Mirror self-recognition in the bottlenose dolphin: A case of cognitive convergence

The ability to recognize oneself in a mirror is an exceedingly rare capacity in the animal kingdom. To date, only humans and great apes have shown convincing evidence of mirror self-recognition. Two dolphins were exposed to reflective surfaces, and both demonstrated responses consistent with the use of the mirror to investigate marked parts of the body. This ability to use a mirror to inspect parts of the body is a striking example of evolutionary convergence with great apes and humans.

Dendritic cell modulation by 1α,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its analogs: A vitamin D receptor-dependent pathway that promotes a persistent state of immaturity in vitro and in vivo

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in regulating immune activation and responses to self. DC maturation is central to the outcome of antigen presentation to T cells. Maturation of DCs is inhibited by physiological levels of 1α,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3] and a related analog, 1α,25(OH)2-16-ene-23-yne-26,27-hexafluoro-19-nor-vitamin D3 (D3 analog). Conditioning of bone marrow cultures with 10−10 M D3 analog resulted in accumulation of immature DCs with reduced IL-12 secretion and without induction of transforming growth factor β1. These DCs retained an immature phenotype after withdrawal of D3 analog and exhibited blunted responses to maturing stimuli (CD40 ligation, macrophage products, or lipopolysaccharide). Resistance to maturation depended on the presence of the 1α,25(OH)2D3 receptor (VDR). In an in vivo model of DC-mediated antigen-specific sensitization, D3 analog-conditioned DCs failed to sensitize and, instead, promoted prolonged survival of subsequent skin grafts expressing the same antigen. To investigate the physiologic significance of 1α,25(OH)2D3/VDR-mediated modulation of DC maturity we analyzed DC populations from mice lacking VDR. Compared with wild-type animals, VDR-deficient mice had hypertrophy of subcutaneous lymph nodes and an increase in mature DCs in lymph nodes but not spleen. We conclude that 1α,25(OH)2D3/VDR mediates physiologically relevant inhibition of DC maturity that is resistant to maturational stimuli and modulates antigen-specific immune responses in vivo.

Characterization of Zinc Uptake, Binding, and Translocation in Intact Seedlings of Bread and Durum Wheat Cultivars

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) cultivars exhibit lower Zn efficiency than comparable bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. To understand the physiological mechanism(s) that confers Zn efficiency, this study used 65Zn to investigate ionic Zn2+ root uptake, binding, and translocation to shoots in seedlings of bread and durum wheat cultivars. Time-dependent Zn2+ accumulation during 90 min was greater in roots of the bread wheat cultivar. Zn2+ cell wall binding was not different in the two cultivars. In each cultivar, concentration-dependent Zn2+ influx was characterized by a smooth, saturating curve, suggesting a carrier-mediated uptake system. At very low solution Zn2+ activities, Zn2+ uptake rates were higher in the bread wheat cultivar. As a result, the Michaelis constant for Zn2+ uptake was lower in the bread wheat cultivar (2.3 μm) than in the durum wheat cultivar (3.9 μm). Low temperature decreased the rate of Zn2+ influx, suggesting that metabolism plays a role in Zn2+ uptake. Ca inhibited Zn2+ uptake equally in both cultivars. Translocation of Zn to shoots was greater in the bread wheat cultivar, reflecting the higher root uptake rates. The study suggests that lower root Zn2+ uptake rates may contribute to reduced Zn efficiency in durum wheat varieties under Zn-limiting conditions.

Characterization of Cadmium Binding, Uptake, and Translocation in Intact Seedlings of Bread and Durum Wheat Cultivars

High Cd content in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) grain grown in the United States and Canada presents potential health and economic problems for consumers and growers. In an effort to understand the biological processes that result in excess Cd accumulation, root Cd uptake and xylem translocation to shoots in seedlings of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat cultivars were studied. Whole-plant Cd accumulation was somewhat greater in the bread wheat cultivar, but this was probably because of increased apoplastic Cd binding. Concentration-dependent 109Cd2+-influx kinetics in both cultivars were characterized by smooth, nonsaturating curves that could be dissected into linear and saturable components. The saturable component likely represented carrier-mediated Cd influx across root-cell plasma membranes (Michaelis constant, 20–40 nm; maximum initial velocity, 26–29 nmol g−1 fresh weight h−1), whereas linear Cd uptake represented cell wall binding of 109Cd. Cd translocation to shoots was greater in the bread wheat cultivar than in the durum cultivar because a larger proportion of root-absorbed Cd moved to shoots. Our results indicate that excess Cd accumulation in durum wheat grain is not correlated with seedling-root influx rates or root-to-shoot translocation, but may be related to phloem-mediated Cd transport to the grain.

Illuminating faith : the Bute Book of Hours

"The Bute Book of Hours, an English manuscript dating to c. 1500 in The Berger Collection at the Denver Art Museum, has received cursory attention from scholars in the past. This paper is the first to conduct a comprehensive examination of the object, evaluating its style, iconography, content, religious significance, and patronage. Careful study has revealed that the Bute Book is greatly indebted to early engravings for its imagery, perhaps more than any other known manuscript. The suffrages to saints were selected based on their powers against the plague, Tudor religious preferences, and regional significance. Special attention has been given to more unusual insertions such as Sts. Armel and Ninian, and Henry VI. The Bute Book of Hours was created for a wealthy Englishman, most likely with Yorkshire connections, and it illustrates the tenor of a nation undergoing rapid political, social and religious changes"

University of Michigan Women's Cross Country Team, 1992

Back Row: Jacqueline Concaugh, Jennifer Stuht, Jessica Kluge, Karen Harvey, Mayrie Richards, Kelly Chard, Courtney Babcock, Michelle Spannagel, Christie Wilson, Amy Parker, head coach Mike McGuire

Front Row: Kate Jackson, Chris Szabo, Kristin Wink, Molly McClimon, Amy Bucholz, Kristine Westerby, Jennifer Barber, Molly Lori, Katy Holbacher

University of Michigan Women's Cross Country Team, 1993

Back Row: Mara Guillemette, Betsey Vandervelde, Molly McClimon, Heather Grigg, Molly Lori, Mayrie Richards, Jenny Barber, Christie Wilson, Michelle Spannagel, Sharmila Prasad, Kathy Huffman, Annie Erlewine, Ingrid Sharphorn

Front Row: Jessica Kluge, Kristine Westerby, Holly Logue, Amy Parker, Kelly Chard, Katy Hollbacher, Chris Szabo, Karen Harvey, Kristi Wink, Courtney Babcock, Jackie Concaugh, Emily Shively, head coach Mike McGuire.

University of Michigan Women's Cross Country Team, 1994

Back Row: Bridget Mann, Pauline Arnill, Jennifer Barber, Molly Lori, Susan Kaminski, Heather Grigg, Christie Wilson, Deanna Arnill, Eileen Fleck

Middle Row: Mayrie Richards, Amy Parker, Michelle Spannagel, Tanya Mason, Katy Hollbacher, Ashley Zongker, Michelle Slater, Emily Shively, Wendy Robertson

Front Row: Jackie Concaugh, Holly Logue, Kelly Chard, Karen Harvey, Courtney Babcock, Tiffin Goodman, Jessica Kluge

1981/1982 UM Women's Basketball Team

Back Row: head coach Gloria Soluk, ass't coach Marthe McLean, Terrie Soullier, Cheryl Sobkow, ?, Patrice Donovan, Suzanne Dietz, Diana Wiley, ?, ?

Front Row: Cindy Baumgart, Connie Doutt, co-captain K.D. Harte, co-captain Diane Dietz, Peg Harte, Lori Gnatkowski

1981/82 UM Women's Basketball Team

Back Row: head coach Gloria Soluk, ass't coach Marthe McLean, Terrie Soullier, Cheryl Sobkow, ?, Patrice Donovan, Suzanne Dietz, Diana Wiley, ?, ?

Front Row: Cindy Baumgart, Connie Doutt, co-captain K.D. Harte, co-captain Diane Dietz, Peg Harte, Lori Gnatkowski

1982/83 UM Women's Basketball Team

Back Row: coach Gloria Soluk, manager Bridget Brennen, Orethia Lilly, Amy Rembisz, Connie Tudor, Sandy Svoboda, Wendy Bradetich, Carolyn Henry, manager Andrea Wilcox, trainer Sharon Schoelkopf

Front Row: Connie Doutt, Diana Wiley, Peg Harte, Terri Soullier, Cindy Baumgart, Lori Gnatkowski

1983/84 UM Women's Basketball Team

Back Row: ass.t coach Steve Hebold, ass.t coach Paul Kahler, Orethia Lilly, Jerene Middleton, Sandy Svoboda, Lynn Morozko, Connie Tudor, Amy Rembisz, Wendy Bradetich, Cookie Henry, head coach Gloria Soluk

Front Row: Rick Bancroft, Connie Doutt, Melanie Smith, Lori Gnatkowski, Diana Wiley, Terri Soullier, Chris Tuerk, manager Kara Swanson

UM Women's Track Team, 1994

Front Row: Heather Grigg, Abbie Schaefer, Molly McClimon, Jennifer Barber, Christie Wilson, Amy Parker, Theresa Hall, Carrie Stewart, Mara Guillemette

Second Row: Laura Jerman, Holly Logue, Monika Black, Denise James, Katy Hollbacher, Kelly Chard, Courtney Babcock, Jackie Concaugh, Tearza Johnson, Emily Shively, Sharmila Prasad, Kim Skryd

Third Row: Kathryn Huffman, Annie Erlewine, Beth Gould, Richelle Webb, Michelle Spannagel, Kristie Wink, Chris Szabo, Karen Harvey, Jessica Kluge, Kristine Westerby, Ebony McClain, Colette Savage, Tonya Broad, Lisa Adams

Fourth Row: Ingrid Sharphorn, Elizabeth VanderVelde, Molly Lori, Jen Peterson, Ronda Meyers, Linda Stuck, Deb Mans, Jayna Greiner, Kathy Tomko, Laura Molnar

UM Women's Track Team, 1995

Top Row: Karen Harvey, Carrie Stewart

Second Row: Jennifer Ridgley, Tanya Clay, Mayrie Richards, Kelly Chard

Third Row: Jen Petersen, Linda Stuck, Ingrid Sharphorn

Fourth Row: Janya Greiner, Jennifer Barber, Christie Wilson, Kim Skryd, Sarah Clauw, Tania Longe

Fifth Row: Susan Kaminski, Anika Felton, Ashley Zongker, Jackie Concaugh, Bridget Mann, Mara Guillemette, Holly Mzyniski

Sixth Row: Tiffin Goodman, Holly Logue, Julie Copley, Emily Shively Seventh Row: Ndu Okumabua, Tanya Manson, Ebony McClain, Molly Lori, Beth Gould, Tanya Broad, Heather Grigg, Wendy Robertson

Front Row: Hayley Wilkins, Michelle Spannagel, Monika Black, Tearza Johnson, Deanna Arnill, Pauline Arnill, Eileen Fleck, Michelle Slater, Lamika Harper