John Tyler Bonner makes a new attack on an old problem: the question of how progressive increase in the size and complexity of animals and plants has occurred. "How is it, " he inquires, "that an egg ...turns into an elaborate adult? How is it that a bacterium, given many millions of years, could have evolved into an elephant?" The author argues that we can understand this progression in terms of natural selection, but that in order to do so we must consider the role of development--or more precisely the role of life cycles-- in evolutionary change. In a lively writing style that will be familiar to readers of his work The Evolution of Culture in Animals (Princeton, 1980), Bonner addresses a general audience interested in biology, as well as specialists in all areas of evolutionary biology. What is novel in the approach used here is the comparison of complexity inside the organism (especially cell differentiation) with the complexity outside (that is, within an ecological community). Matters of size at both these levels are closely related to complexity. The book shows how an understanding of the grand course of evolution can come from combining our knowledge of genetics, development, ecology, and even behavior.
In order to improve the properties of sintered MgO (80 % precipitation) obtained from seawater, an investigation was carried out with (0, 1, 2) w/% of nano-TiO2 and micro-TiO2 additions during ...sintering at a temperature of 1500 °C (1 h and 2 h). The effects of the TiO2 addition on its microstructural properties, density, porosity and chemical composition after sintering were observed. The SEM/EDS analysis confirmed the formation of a homogeneous microstructure composed mainly of periclase grains and well-distributed secondary phases. CaTiO3 and MgTiO4 are predominantly located at the inter- and intra-periclase grain boundary surfaces during cooling. The microstructure of the MgO samples with the addition of nano-TiO2 become more compact, having a positive impact on the porosity and density of the samples. The addition of 1 w/% of nTiO2 represents the optimal amount for the improvement of the properties of the MgO samples (80 % precipitation) obtained from seawater.
Uvod. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) je vzročno heterogena bolezen, katere značilnost je osteoporoza v otroštvu. Pri vseh opisanih bolnikih s podtipom OI tipa V je vzrok bolezni ista mutacija c.-14C>T ...gena IFITM5. Kljub temu med bolniki obstaja izrazita fenotipska variabilnost v klinični sliki, toda opisan je le dober odgovor na zdravljenje z bisfosfonati.
Introduction. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is etiologically heterogeneous disorder characterized by childhood osteoporosis. A subtype OI type V is caused by the same c.-14C>T mutation in the IFITM5 ...gene. Nevertheless, there is a marked interindividual phenotypic variability in clinical presentation; however, response to bisphosphonates is reported to be good.
Methods. Two individuals with OI type V had multiple recurrent fractures with hypertrophic calluses, scoliosis and ossifications of the forearm interosseous membranes. Sequencing of IFITM5, genotyping of variants rs2297480 in farnesyl diphosphate synthase gene (FDPS), and rs3840452 in geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase 1 gene (GGPS1), both involved in bisphosphonate metabolism, was performed.
Results. In patient 1 BMD reached normal values during bisphosphonate treatment and remained normal four years after the treatment discontinuation. In patient 2 no increase in BMD after five years of bisphosphonate treatment was observed and callus formation continued. The c.-14C>T IFITM5 mutation in heterozygous state was detected in both individuals. Additionally, both patients carried FDPS variant rs2297480 in homozygous state, and were heterozygous for GGPS 1 variant rs3840452.
Conclusions. The paper presents a short overview of childhood osteoporosis with a special emphasis on OI type V by presenting two cases. Both OI type V patients had identical disease-causing mutation, but marked interindividual phenotypic variability. The striking failure in response to bisphosphonate treatment in one of the patients could not be explained by the variants in genes involved in bisphosphonate metabolism.
Uvod. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) je vzročno heterogena bolezen, katere značilnost je osteoporoza v otroštvu. Pri vseh opisanih bolnikih s podtipom OI tipa V je vzrok bolezni ista mutacija c.-14C>T gena IFITM5. Kljub temu med bolniki obstaja izrazita fenotipska variabilnost v klinični sliki, toda opisan je le dober odgovor na zdravljenje z bisfosfonati.
Metode. Oba bolnika z OI tipa V sta imela ponavljajoče se zlome kosti s hipertrofičnimi kalusi, skoliozo in zakostenelo membrano med podlahtnico in koželjnico. Opravili smo sekvenčno analizo gena IFITM5 in genotipizacijo variant rs2297480 gena za farnesil difosfat sintazo (FDPS) in rs3840452 gena za geranilgeranil difosfat sintazo 1 (GGPS1), ki sta vpletena v presnovo bisfosfonatov.
Rezultati. Pri bolniku 1 se je ob zdravljenju z bisfosfonati mineralna kostna gostota povečala do normalnih vrednosti in ostala nespremenjena štiri leta po prenehanju zdravljenja. Pri bolniku 2 kljub pet let trajajočemu zdravljenju z bisfosfonati ni prišlo do izboljšanja mineralne kostne gostote, še naprej so se pojavljali zlomi kosti in hipertrofični kalusi. Pri obeh bolnikih smo ugotovili znano mutacijo c.-14C>T v genu IFITM5 v heterozigotni obliki. Oba imata v homozigotni obliki prisotno tudi varianto rs2297480 gena FDPS in v heterozigotni obliki varianto rs3840452 gena GGPS1.
Zaključek. V članku je predstavljen kratek pregled osteoporoze v otroštvu s posebnim poudarkom na OI tipa V pri dveh bolnikih. Pri obeh bolnikih z OI tipa V, ki sta imela različno klinično sliko in potek bolezni, smo ugotovili mutacijo c.-14C>T v genu IFITM5. Z analizo genov encimov, vpletenih v presnovo bisfosfonatov, nismo mogli pojasniti neuspešnega zdravljenja z bisfosfonati pri enem od bolnikov.
Abstract
The altitudinal distribution, breeding density and population size of Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus was studied in Kopaonik National Park (central Serbia) during the 2011 and 2012 ...breeding seasons. The size of the study area was 24 km2. The
s
urvey method applied was a line transect in combination with stop points and playback of territorial male call. During the two-year research project, 37 territories were located. In Kopaonik National Park, Tengmalm’s Owl males inhabit Norway Spruce Picea abies, mixed Norway Spruce-Silver Fir Abies alba and Norway Spruce-European Beech Fagus sylvatica forests in the altitudinal belt stretching between 1,367 and 1,689 m a.s.l. The breeding density in the studied area was 8.3 territories/10 km2 in 2011 and 7.1 territories/10 km2 in 2012. Total population estimate of Tengmalm’s Owl in Kopaonik National Park is substantially higher than previously assumed, its 42-49 breeding territories making it currently the most important breeding site in Serbia.
A field experiment was conducted on vertisol at Ambo University College (Ethiopia) during 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 cropping seasons to investigate the response of tomato cultivars varying in growth ...habit to rates of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) fertilizers and plant spacing. The treatment consisted of factorial combination of two cultivars (Margelobe and Melka shola), three NP fertilizers rates (50 kg N + 60 kg P2O5/ha, 80 kg N + 90 kg P2O5/ha and 110 kg N + 120 kg P2O5/ha) and three spacing (100 cm x 30 cm, 80 cm x 30 cm and 60 cm x 45 cm) arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Results revealed that fertilizer rates and spacing significantly affected the total and marketable fruit yields as well as % marketable fruit yield. Similarly, plant vigor (plant height), number of fruits per cluster and 10 fruit weight were significantly influenced by all of the main factors. Besides the main factors effect, fertilizer rate*spacing and cultivar*spacing interaction effects were also observed on % marketable fruit yield and 10 fruit weight, respectively. The results of 2003/2004 cropping season showed that the application of 110 kg N + 120 kg P2O5/ha or 80 kg N + 90 kg P2O5/ha resulted in significantly higher total as well as marketable fruit yield of the tomato cultivars. Result of 2004/2005 cropping season, however, demonstrated that only the application the highest fertilizer rate (110 kg N + 120 kg P2O5/ha) resulted in superior fruit yields whilst the other two rates did not significantly differ from each other in affecting fruit yields. Results of both cropping seasons confirmed significantly higher % marketable fruit yield due to the application of either 110 kg N + 120 kg P2O5/ha or 80 kg N + 90 kg P2O5/ha. Closer spacing of 80 cm x 30 cm and 60 cm x 45 cm gave higher total as well as marketable fruit yield than the wider spacing of 100 cm x 30 cm.
Na Ambo University College v Etiopiji je bil v letih 2003/2004 in 2004/2005 izveden poljski poskus z dvema kultivarjema paradižnika (determinantnim in nedeterminantnim) da bi raziskali vpliv gnojenja z dušikom (N) in fosforjem (P) ter razdalje med rastlinami na paradižnik. Izveden je bil faktorski poskus z dvema kultivarjema (Margelobe in Melka shola), tremi odmerki gnojil NP (50 kg N + 60 kg P2O5/ha, 80 kg N + 90 kg P2O5/ha in 110 kg N + 120 kg P2O5/ha) in tremi razdaljami med rastlinami (100 cm x 30 cm, 80 cm x 30 cm in 60 cm x 45 cm) v naključnem bloku. Rezultati so pokazali, da so stopnje gnojenja in gostota rastlin značilno vplivali na celoten in tržen pridelek raslin, kot tudi na odstotek uporabnega pridelka. Podobno so bile višine rastlin, teža in število plodov v značilni povezavi z vsemi glavnimi faktorji. Poleg glavnih vplivom so vplivale tudi interakcije gnojenje*gostota in kultivar*razdalje tako na % tržnega pridelka plodov kot na težo 10 plodov. Rezultati v sezoni 2003/2004 so pokazali da je uporaba 110 kg N + 120 kg P2O5/ha ali 80 kg N + 90 kg P2O5/ha omogočila značilno višje celokupne in tržne pridelke paradižnikov pri obeh kultivarjih. Toda v sezoni 2004/2005 je samo najvišji odmerek gnojil (110 kg N + 120 kg P2O5/ha) dal višje pridelke. Rezultati obeh sezon skupaj so potrdili višji % tržnega pridelka pri uporabi 110 kg N + 120 kg P2O5/ha ali 80 kg N + 90 kg P2O5/ha. Gostejša saditev (80 cm x 30 cm oziroma 60 cm x 45 cm) je dala višje pridelke kot redkejša saditev (100 cm x 30 cm).
The paper discusses the breeding and non-breeding distribution and population density of the Kestrel Falco tinnunculus in Slovenia, its movements, breeding biology, hunting behaviour, diet and ...interactions with other species. The data were collected from published works and directly from observers. The species’ breeding distribution is shown as a comparison of both national breeding bird atlases, which indicated no convincing changes in its distribution. The non-breeding season population estimate (1,000-2,000 ind.) is lower than the breeding population estimate (1,500-2,000 pairs). The Kestrel breeds at altitudes from 0 to 2,050 m a.s.l.; outside the breeding season, it has been observed at altitudes of up to 1,700 m a.s.l. At least part of the breeding population migrates, apparently more or less towards SSW. The breeding season lasts from February to July. It nests in trees, buildings, cliffs, nestboxes and on electricity pylons. In trees it uses abandoned nests of corvids. On buildings it nests mainly on ledges and in various openings. It often nests on industrial and residential buildings. On cliffs it nests in natural openings and in abandoned nests of other species. It lays 3-9 eggs, usually five. It hunts over open terrain by windhovering, active aerial pursuit and stooping onto the ground from perches. It feeds mainly on small mammals and, to a lesser extent, on passerines, reptiles and invertebrates. It interacts with other species during hunting, nest-site selection and breeding itself. Platyhelminthic, nematode, ixodid and insect parasites have all been recorded on the Kestrel
Gnezditvena gostota velikega skovika Otus scops v naseljih otoka Brača (srednja Dalmacija)
Between 19 and 25 Apr, 2003, a Scops Owl Otus scops survey was carried out with the playback method on the ...island of Brač in Croatia, encompassing 20 human settlements scattered over the entire island. In eight settlements, a total of 24 calling Scops Owl males were recorded. With the exception of a single individual, all owls were registered in the settlements, which is a common characteristic of this owl species in Southern Europe. Given that in a great part of the island the owls were not recorded, either because it was not surveyed or because owls did not respond due to adverse weather conditions, the authors assume that the island's Scops Owl population is greater than that established through their survey. The crude density for the entire island was estimated at 0.06 calling males/km2, whereas for the central and western parts of the island, where all individuals were surveyed, it reached 0.18 calling males/km2. The ecological densities for all settlements and only for those on central and western parts of the island were 0.9 and 2.0 calling males/10 ha, respectively. The ecological densities for separate settlements ranged between 3.1 and 15.0 calling males/10 ha and are considered among the highest in Europe.
In 2008, breeding birds were studied in the shelterbelts surrounded by arable land NW of Sombor (Vojvodina, NW Serbia). Seven 500 m long sections of wooded shelterbelts were selected and surveyed for ...birds six times between May and July. Sampling plots differed in tree species composition and dominance, in height of trees, and presence and composition of shrub and herb layers. 22 breeding species were found with a mean density of 9.86 ± 1.47 pairs/km of shelterbelt. The mean number of species per shelterbelt was 8.3 ± 1.2. Species richness ranged from 4 (shelterbelt G) to 14 (shelterbelt D) species. Similarity, measured by the Sørensen index, showed strong qualitative similarity (over 70%) between the compared communities in only 19% of all possible pairs of shelterbelts. The most abundant breeding species were Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus and Greenfinch Carduelis chloris, with overall linear densities of 2.9 and 2.6 pairs/km, respectively. Overall linear densities of a further four species (Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio, Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus, Whitethroat Sylvia communis and Cuckoo Cuculus canorus) exceeded 1 pair/km. The densities of breeding birds are compared to those obtained during other studies in Europe and elsewhere.
Gnezdilke drevoredov pri Somboru (SZ Srbija)
Gostota lidarskih točk na površinsko enoto je pomemben podatek pri naročanju lidarskih podatkov, ki odločilno vpliva tudi na ceno lidarskega snemanja. V članku najprej obravnavamo teoretični ...izračunminimalne gostote lidarskih točk, ki je potrebna za zajem topografskih podatkov v največjih merilih. Za ta namen smo uporabili teorem vzorčenja. Ker pa so topografski objekti in pojavi, ki so predstavljeni na topografskih kartah in v topografskih bazah,velikokrat pod vegetacijo (ceste, vodna telesa itd.), moramo poznati tudi delež prodiranja laserskih žarkov skozi vegetacijo za območje, kjer bomo zajemali topografske podatke. V raziskavi smo na testnemprimeru na območju mesta Nova Gorica izračunali delež prodiranja laserskih žarkov za štiri različne vegetacijske tipe: redko mediteransko vegetacijo, gost termofilen listnati gozd, mešano vegetacijo (travniki, sadovnjaki in gozd) in pozidano območje. S povezavo teoretične minimalne gostote lidarskih točk in deležaprodiranja smo določili minimalno gostoto lidarskih točk za potrebe zajema podatkov na topografskih kartah največjih meril oziroma v topografskih bazah primerljive podrobnosti (od 1 : 1000 do 1 : 10.000).When ordering LiDAR data, LiDAR point density per surface unit is important information with decisive influence on the price of the LiDAR survey. The paper first deals with the theoretical calculation of the minimum LiDAR point density, necessary forthe acquisition of topographic data of the largest scales. For this purpose the sampling theorem is used. However, since topographic objects (roads, water bodies, etc.) and phenomena represented ontopographic maps and in topographic bases are in many cases located under vegetation, also the rate of laser beam penetration through vegetation for the area where the topographic data are to be gathered has to be known. In a research on a test case conducted in the area of the town Nova Gorica we calculated the rate of laser beam penetration for four different vegetation types: scarce Mediterranean vegetation, thick thermophilic deciduous forest, mixed vegetation(meadows, orchards and forest) and built-up area. By connecting the theoretic minimum LiDAR point density with the rate of penetration, we defined the minimum LiDAR point density for the needs of dataacquisition on topographic maps of the largest scales or in topographic bases of comparable detail (from 1 : 1000 to 1 : 10,000).
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