Mandibular morphogenesis during soldier differentiation in the damp-wood termite<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Hodotermopsis sjoestedti</Emphasis> (Isoptera: Termopsidae)

The conspicuous morphogenesis during termite soldier differentiation is one of the most remarkable examples of specialized caste development in social insects. To clarify the mechanism of morphological changes during soldier differentiation, mandibular morphogenesis prior to the presoldier moult was examined in the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjoestedti. Using experimental induction of presoldier differentiation from pseudergates (7th or later instar larvae) by the application of juvenile hormone analogue (JHA), we compared mandibular morphogenesis in a presoldier moult (from pseudergate to presoldier) with that of a stationary moult (from pseudergate to pseudergate). Future presoldier mandibles were formed under the old mandibular cuticle of the pseudergates just prior to the presoldier moult. Multiple folds of both epidermis and new cuticle were observed in the developing mandible, and large concavities between teeth were formed on the mandibular surface. While in the stationary moult, the future mandibles were formed with a smooth surface. The process of the mandibular morphogenesis in soldier differentiation explains the allometry of soldier mandibles. The morphological differences in mouth parts between castes arise from a switching mechanism that triggers caste-specific mandibular epithelial growth during development.     

DNA-based prenatal carrier detection for group a xeroderma pigmentosum in a chorionic villus sample

DNA-based prenatal carrier detection of group A xeroderma pigmentosum (XP-A) is reported. Chorionic villus sampling was done at the tenth gestational week in a pregnant woman whose first child suffers from XP-A. Genomic DNAs from the villi, proband, and parents were PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-amplified using three sets of primers, because the PCR and a subsequent enzyme digestion with HphI, AlwNI, or MseI may detect the three most frequent mutations of the XP-A complementing gene (XPAC) in Japanese XP-A patients. The results showed that the proband is a homozygote and that the parents and fetus are heterozygotes for a base substitution at the 3′ acceptor site of intron 3 of XPAC, indicating that the fetus is a healthy carrier of XP-A. This is the first case of prenatal carrier detection of the disorder.     

Development of a simulation model for reuse businesses and case studies in Japan

To discuss measures to promote reuse in society, a holistic understanding of reuse businesses and markets is indispensable. This paper presents a simulation model for reuse businesses. To formulate the model, first, prerequisites for reuse businesses are outlined. The simulation model includes these prerequisites as its parameters, and its outcomes yield patterns of reuse markets. The paper presents the formulation of the model and simulation outcomes under four parameter settings. The correspondences between the simulation outcomes and case studies of reuse businesses in Japan are discussed to verify the propriety of the model.     

Airborne myxomycete spores: detection using molecular techniques

Myxomycetes are organisms characterized by a life cycle that includes a fruiting body stage. Myxomycete fruiting bodies contain spores, and wind dispersal of the spores is considered important for this organism to colonize new areas. In this study, the presence of airborne myxomycetes and the temporal changes in the myxomycete composition of atmospheric particles (aerosols) were investigated with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for Didymiaceae and Physaraceae. Twenty-one aerosol samples were collected on the roof of a three-story building located in Sapporo, Hokkaido Island, northern Japan. PCR analysis of DNA extracts from the aerosol samples indicated the presence of airborne myxomycetes in all the samples, except for the one collected during the snowfall season. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the PCR products showed seasonally varying banding patterns. The detected DGGE bands were subjected to sequence analyses, and four out of nine obtained sequences were identical to those of fruiting body samples collected in Hokkaido Island. It appears that the difference in the fruiting period of each species was correlated with the seasonal changes in the myxomycete composition of the aerosols. Molecular evidence shows that newly formed spores are released and dispersed in the air, suggesting that wind-driven dispersal of spores is an important process in the life history of myxomycetes. This study is the first to detect airborne myxomycetes with the use of molecular ecological analyses and to characterize their seasonal distribution.     

Spatial variability of sulfur dioxide and sulfate over complex terrain in East Tennessee,USA

In 2004 and 2005, the East Tennessee Ozone Study (ETOS) enhanced its regional measurement program with annular denuder systems to quantify sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and PM_2.5 sulfate (SO₄^2?) at five sampling sites that were representative of the complex terrain and physiographic features of East Tennessee. Intersite spatial variability was more defined for SO₂ than for SO₄^2?, which showed a fairly uniform structure in both daytime and nighttime measurements. Pollution roses indicated that two sites may have been influenced by the proximity of SO₂ emission sources. The data suggest that SO₂ is affected by nearby sources in the study area while the sources of SO₄^2? are regionally distributed.     

Linking perceived land and water resources degradation,scarcity and livelihood conflicts in southwestern Tanzania: implications for sustainable rural livelihood

In Africa, the land and water resources quality are key factors for sustainable development. The degradation of the quality of these resources leads to scarcities and conflicts, which together threaten the sustainability of rural livelihoods. This work investigated and analysed the livelihoods conflicts over the land and water resources and their scarcities, policies that contributed to the land and water scarcities and the livelihood conflicts and linkage of the conflicts to the resources scarcities and degradation. Implications of degradation of the resources, development policies and livelihoods conflicts on sustainable development are discussed. Literature study, visits and discussions, participatory assessments, observations and questionnaire survey were used tools to collect data. Interviews of the 266 households revealed that, those experiencing the land and water scarcities and conflicts over these resources are significantly (p < 0.001) higher than those not experiencing the scarcities and conflicts. Crop-livestock competition, over the land and water resources causes prominent conflicts. A significant, (p < 0.05) associations of livelihoods conflicts to water shortage and period of water shortage for crop and livestock production were found. Improved accessibility to soil and water management technologies, wildlife–livestock co-existence, recognition of needs and land rights for pastoralists are recommended to minimize scarcities and herders versus farmers’ conflicts.     

Investigation and modeling of diurnal variation in suburban ambient formaldehyde concentration

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a naturally occurring compound found in ambient air which can induce cancer and sick-building syndrome. It plays an important...     

Intrauterine rescue transfusion in monochorionic multiple pregnancies with recent single intrauterine death

To assess the role of fetal blood sampling and intrauterine transfusion in monochorionic (MC) multiple pregnancy complicated by single intrauterine death (IUD), we reviewed ten cases over a 4-year period in a tertiary referral centre which underwent fetal blood sampling within 24 h of death of its MC co-twin. Intrauterine rescue transfusion was performed in all seven anaemic fetuses (hematocrit; Hct<30%) to raise the fetal Hct to ≥40%. The rationale was to prevent death and/or brain injury. Two fetuses, which were severely acidaemic at blood sampling, died in utero within 24 h of the procedure. In two cases, the surviving twins manifested abnormal sonographic findings of the fetal brain 2–5 weeks later and underwent late termination. In two cases, the pregnancies continued uneventfully until delivery at 35 and 40 weeks' gestation with good neonatal outcome. In one case the co-twin delivered 1 week later at 29 weeks but died within 12 h. Fetuses without anaemia were not transfused and had normal clinical outcomes. We suggest that intrauterine rescue transfusion before the development of severe acidaemia in anaemic surviving MC co-twins may prevent fetal death, but does not necessarily prevent brain injury. Until its role becomes clearer, we recommend that its use be restricted to situations in which the parents and the local jurisdiction allow late termination as an option if brain injury subsequently manifests on ultrasound. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.