10,906 research outputs found
Silencing Sl-EBF1 and Sl-EBF2 expression causes constitutive ethylene response phenotype, accelerated plant senescence, and fruit ripening in tomato
No full textThe hormone ethylene regulates a wide range of plant developmental processes and EBF (EIN3-binding F-box) proteins were shown to negatively regulate the ethylene signalling pathway via mediating the degradation of EIN3/EIL proteins. The present study reports on the identification of two tomato F-box genes, Sl-EBF1 and Sl-EBF2 from the EBF subfamily. The two genes display contrasting expression patterns in reproductive and vegetative tissues and in response to ethylene and auxin treatment. Sl-EBF1 and Sl-EBF2 genes are actively regulated at crucial stages in the development of the reproductive organs. Their dynamic expression in flowers during bud-to-anthesis and anthesis-to-post-anthesis transitions, and at the onset of fruit ripening, suggests their role in situations where ethylene is required for stimulating flower opening and triggering fruit ripening. VIGS-mediated silencing of a single tomato EBF gene uncovered a compensation mechanism that tends to maintain a threshold level of Sl-EBF expression via enhancing the expression of the second Sl-EBF gene. In line with this compensation, tomato plants silenced for either of the Sl-EBF genes were indistinguishable from control plants, indicating functional redundancy among Sl-EBF genes. By contrast, co-silencing of both Sl-EBFs resulted in ethylene-associated phenotypes. While reports on EBF genes to date have focused on their role in modulating ethylene responses in Arabidopsis, the present study uncovered their role in regulating crucial stages of flower and fruit development in tomato. The data support the hypothesis that protein degradation via the ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway is a control point of fruit ripening and open new leads for engineering fruit quality
Symmetric powers of Nat sl(2,K)
No full textWe identify the spaces of homogeneous polynomials in two variables K[Y^k, XY^{k-1}, ..., X^k] among representations of the Lie ring sl(2,K). This amounts to constructing a compatible K-linear structure on some abstract sl(2,K)-modules, where sl(2,K) is viewed as a Lie ring
CR1 Knops blood group alleles are not associated with severe malaria in the Gambia
No full textThe Knops blood group antigen erythrocyte polymorphisms have been associated with reduced falciparum malaria-based in vitro rosette formation (putative malaria virulence factor). Having previously identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human complement receptor 1 (CR1/CD35) gene underlying the Knops antithetical antigens Sl1/Sl2 and McC(a)/McC(b), we have now performed genotype comparisons to test associations between these two molecular variants and severe malaria in West African children living in the Gambia. While SNPs associated with Sl:2 and McC(b+) were equally distributed among malaria-infected children with severe malaria and control children not infected with malaria parasites, high allele frequencies for Sl 2 (0.800, 1,365/1,706) and McC(b) (0.385, 658/1706) were observed. Further, when compared to the Sl 1/McC(a) allele observed in all populations, the African Sl 2/McC(b) allele appears to have evolved as a result of positive selection (modified Nei-Gojobori test Ka-Ks/s.e.=1.77, P-valu
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Groups and Embeddings in SL(2, ℂ)
No full textWe give results on when a finitely generated torsion-free group does or does not embed in SL(2, ℂ). For instance, if we glue two copies of the figure 8 knot along its torus boundary, then the fundamental group of the resulting closed 3-manifold sometimes embeds in SL(2, ℂ) and sometimes does not, depending on the identification, whereas a graph of free groups with maximal cyclic edge groups need not embed, even if it is word hyperbolic
Virtual money, practices and moral orders in Second Life
No full textVirtual monies present a limit case in debates about money's moral and political entanglements between sociologists, anthropologists, and economists. Digitized virtual monies seem ephemeral, almost ideal typical examples of money as a pure medium of exchange. This paper begins with the premise that virtual monies are as value-laden and morally entangled as any other form of money. This assertion is demonstrated by exploring how one type of virtual money, the Linden dollar (L$), and some of its associated practices are bound up with research participants' moral categories and judgments in the virtual world of Second Life (SL). Participants' accounts of virtual money practices are linked to moral attributes, sometimes in stark ‘good’ or ‘bad’ dichotomies, but also in more nuanced terms. These framings reproduce classifications of people and practices along a continuum with virtuousness at one end and maliciousness or harm at the other, passing through various states of possible moral dubiousness. For respondents, these two judgments go together; people are what they do with money. As a result, respondents decide what ‘people like that’ deserve. Evaluating someone's money practices means assessing the person. Participants' accounts of Linden dollar practices overlap with explanations of what SL is and how residents should live there. In SL, money is a form of material culture through which appropriate ways of being in the world are debated and reproduced
The art of peer review and author response in music therapy publications: A workshop with the NJMT team
No full textPeer review is a widely accepted format for evaluating a manuscript’s quality and suitability for publication. The Nordic Journal of Music Therapy (NJMT), published with Taylor & Francis, is required to have every manuscript undergo independent peer review. The process begins with the Editorial team, and expands by inviting two or more independent colleagues with relevant experience to provide feedback to the author/s. The NJMT has opted to keep the identity of both the peer reviewers and the authors concealed. Keeping these identities anonymous is believed to promote a more open exchange of opinions free from various power dynamics and conflicts. When it works well, peer review is an opportunity for rich dialogue that supports the author/s to better articulate their findings and perspectives. Publisher surveys have found that authors consistently report that their final version is better quality than the one they originally submitted. However, our Editorial team wishes to explore the experience of the peer review journey, and not just the authors’ satisfaction with the end result.
This workshop will be led by members of the NJMT Editorial Team who will share and analyse deidentified examples of reviewing practices, responses from authors to reviewers, and other Editor perspectives. Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to further develop collegiate reviewing practices that also uphold high standards of research reporting. We will share plans for further resources to support reviewers and authors, and invite workshop attendees to provide feedback on these resources and share their own tips and experiences
Myrmecia croslandi Taylor
No full textMyrmecia croslandi Taylor (Figs 7–9) Myrmecia croslandi Taylor, 1991: 288, worker, Type Locality: Immediately E to NE of Corang River Bridge (-35 12, 150 03), on the Nerriga Road, near Braidwood, NSW. The type-locality is common to both M. croslandi and M. impaternata (see below). Myrmecia croslandi was described initially from the ACT, nearby NSW and Warrandyte South, VIC. It is now known also from the New England Tablelands in northeastern NSW and upland localities on the Darling Downs of SE QLD, from Glen Innes in northeastern NSW, and from near Cobangra, VIC. It was discussed as “ M. pilosula ” by Crosland and Crozier (1986), and as “ M. (pilosula) n=1” by Imai & Taylor (1989). Material examined, distribution. QUEENSLAND: Dalby [-27 11, 151 16], 6/xii/35, N.Geary, 2 alate gynes (QMBA); Millmerran [-27 53, 151 16], 12/v/1941, J. Macqueen (QMBA); Stanthorpe [-28 39, 151 56], 21/ix/30, E. Sutton (MVMA, QMBA); Warwick [-28 13, 152 2], 480 m, 1 Jan 2006, P. McAllister (QMBA). NEW SOUTH WALES: Glen Innes [-29 44, 151 44], 6/ix/1937, F.A. Cudmore (MVMA); New England National Park [-30 30, 152 30], 900 m (-30 25, 152 30) D.S. Olson (PSW collection); near Corang River Bridge (-35 12, 150 03), (Type locality), HI87–136, –148, –151, –153, HI89–030–032, HI91–049–050, HI99–05; Mayfield [-35 12, 149 48], HI87–154. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Bruce [-35 15, 149 6, 18/iii/2007, AAVAS; Curtin [-35 19, 149 5], 28/iii/2006, AAVAS; Canberra [-35 18, 149 8], HI87–135–165–236; National Botanic Gardens (35 16·766, 149.06·579), AAVAS. VICTORIA: Cobungra [-37 6, 147 25], 10 miles W (MVMA); Warrandyte South [-37.46, 145 15] HI87–213. Myrmecia croslandi (along with the locally less frequent M. impaternata) is common in Canberra parks, gardens, suburban grass lawn roadside “nature strips” and in grassy bushland. Nests of the two species are sometimes found only meters apart. Croslandi was found similarly common at localities near Armidale, NSW in Dec/Jan. 1995–96 and Nov. 1999 by JACP collectors. It is also sympatric there with M. impaternata. Several records confirm the presence of this species in SE Queensland. Worker diagnosis. General features as illustrated and in key couplets 1, 2, 5 & 6 above. Distinguished from other pilosula- complex species by its robust form, more massive petiolar node, especially versus representatives of the two races of M. pilosula (compare Figures) and other details, as specified in the key. Middle and hind tibiae medium brown, matching the femora, the tibial apices minutely lightly infuscated at the bases of the reddishorange spurs. Larger workers of both races of M. pilosula often closely resemble those of M. croslandi. Western M. pilosula is then distinguishable by its reddish-orange hind tibiae (see below under that species), but Eastern M. pilosula and M. croslandi are essentially identical in leg coloration (see key couplet 6 above for their discrimination). Dimensions. The holotype and smallest and largest available specimens have the following dimensions (mm): TL = 13.54, 12.46, 13.53; HW = 2.63, 2.54, 2.79; HL = 2.35, 2.37, 2.51; CI = 112, 107, 111; EL =1.02, 1.02, 1.08; OI = 39, 40, 39; SL = 2.02, 1.99, 2.06; SI = 77, 78, 74; PW = 1.70, 1.60, 1.81; WL = 3.88, 3.73, 4.06; PetW = 1.06, 0.93, 1.14; PpetW = 1.59, 1.43, 1.69. Etymology. Named for Michael W. J. Crosland, who as a student of R. H. Crozier at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, discovered the 2n=2 chromosome count while experimenting with the Crozier/Imai airdrying technique of chromosome preparation for microscopy (to great initial consternation that the technique had failed, but later celebration). Crosland had collected the subject specimens shortly before at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve near Canberra. Karyology., Workers and queens in some colonies have the minimum possible eukaryote chromosome count of 2N=2. Myrmecia croslandi is widely celebrated as the only animal other than the nematode Diploscapter coronata known to possess a single pair of chromosomes. Imai & Taylor (1989) reported that its chromosome numbers in fact vary, ranging 2n=2, 3 or 4, and that croslandi demonstrates highly complicated chromosome polymorphisms, including telomere fusion, shift of centromeric activity by centromeric inactivation, salutatory growth of constitutive heterochromatin (C+), and AM inversion. Typical croslandi karyotypes with 2n=2 (2K=2M ci), and 2n=3 (2K=lA c+1M+1M ci) were illustrated by Imai, Taylor et al. (1994, figs 5a, 5b), and karyological details discussed by Imai, Hirae et al. (1992). Field associations. Sympatric variously with M. impaternata and Eastern M. pilosula, and with M. haskinsorum (and Eastern pilosula) at Corang River Bridge (-35 12, 150 03). Most known records of M. impaternata were taken in sympatry with M. croslandi. Research prospects. See below under M. impaternata.Published as part of Taylor, Robert W., 2015, Ants with Attitude: Australian Jack-jumpers of the Myrmecia pilosula species complex, with descriptions of four new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmeciinae), pp. 493-520 in Zootaxa 3911 (4) on pages 503-505, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3911.4.
Quasi modular forms and Taylor expansion of Siegel modular forms
No full textLe premier exemple de formes quasi-modulaires est la série d’Eisenstein G2, qui est une forme quasi-modulaire pour SL(2,Z) et qui joue un rôle fondamental dans la structure de ces formes. En particulier, ces formes apparaissent quand on étudie les développements de Taylor par rapport à la variable abélienne des formes modulaires de Jacobi. Dans cette thèse, nous décrivons de nouvelles formes quasi-modulaires en plusieurs variables: les formes quasi-modulaires pour SL(2,Z)×SL(2,Z) et les formes quasi-modulaires sur les groupes orthogonaux. Les premières sont associées aux développements de Taylor des formes modulaires de Siegel. Les secondes apparaissent lors de l’étude des coefficients de Taylor en certains points des formes modulaires pour un réseau quadratique de signature(2, n).Nous menons des calculs explicites dans le cas des formes modulaires de Siegel pour les groupes paramodulaires en donnant les premiers coefficients de Taylor en z = 0 des formes modulaires fondamentales 1/2 ( la série théta de Siegel de caractéristique 2), 1, 2, 5et 35(les deux dernières sont les formes modulaires d’Igusa) et quelques autres formes reflexives introduites par V.Gritsenko et V.Nikulin dans la théorie des algèbres de Kac-Moody hyperboliques.Les formes modulaires en question sont aussi importantes dans la géométrie algébrique (la théorie des espaces de modules des surfaces abéliennes et des surfaces de Kummer) etdans la physique (la théorie de cordes). Les développements de Taylor des formes modulaires sur les groupes orthogonaux O(2, n) jouent par exemple un rôle important dans la théorie des espaces de modules des surfaces K3 polarisées.The first example of quasi modular forms is the G2 Eisenstein serie which is a quasimodular form for SL(2,Z) and which is very important for quasi modular forms structure.In particular, these forms appear when we study Taylor expansions of Jacobi forms with respect to abelian variable. In this thesis, we describe new quasi modular forms : quasi modular forms for SL(2,Z)× SL(2,Z), quasi modular forms for orthogonal groups. The first ones are associated to Taylor expansion of Siegel modular forms. The second ones appear when we study Taylor coefficients of modular forms for a lattice of signature (2, n) around somes points. We give some definite calculus in the case of Siegel modular forms by giving the first coefficients of Taylor expansion around z = 0 of fundamental modular forms 1/2(Siegel theta serie of characteristic 2) the 1, 2 functions, the 5 and 35 functions (which are the Igusa modular forms) and some other reflective functions introduced by V.Gritsenko and V.Nikulin in the theory of hyperbolic Kac-Moody algebras. .These modular forms are usefull in algebric geometry (theory of moduli spaces of abelian surfaces and Kummer surfaces) and in physics (string theory). Taylor expansions of modular forms for the orthogonal groups O(2, n) are very usefull in the theory of moduli spaces of polarized K3 surfaces for example
Quantum and its irreducible representations
No full textWe define for real a unital -algebra
quantizing the universal enveloping
-algebra of . The -algebra
is realized as a -subalgebra of the
Drinfeld double of and its dual Hopf -algebra
, generated by the equatorial Podle\'s sphere coideal
-subalgebra of and
its associated orthogonal coideal -subalgebra . We then classify all the irreducible
-representations of .Comment: 22 pages; author accepted manuscrip
Myrmecia impaternata Taylor, 2015, sp.n.
No full textMyrmecia impaternata sp.n. (Figs 16–18) Myrmecia impaternata is broadly sympatric with M. croslandi, a matter of possible biological significance (see below). Both species are common in and around Canberra and on the New England Tableland around Armidale. There are confirmed Queensland records of M. croslandi from the Darling Downs in extreme SE Queensland, and of M impaternata from Tamborine Mountain south of Brisbane. JACP voucher specimens of this taxon were discussed by Imai, Taylor et al. (1994) as “ PBF 1 hybrids”, with 2 types: PBF 1 – 1 and PBF 1–2 (PB = pilosula x banksi). Type locality. Immediately E to NE of Corang River Bridge (- 35 12, 150 03) on the Nerriga Road, near Braidwood, NSW. This type-locality is common also to M. croslandi (see above). The site, also supports M. impaternata, M. croslandi and M. pilosula (Eastern Race). Type deposition. Holotype and paratypes in ANIC, paratypes or type-compared vouchers in AMSA, MVMA, QMBA, SAMA, WAMA, TMHA) and in BMNH, CASC, MCZC, MHNG.. Material examined, distribution. QUEENSLAND: Mt Tamborine [- 27 55, 153 10], O. Deane (MVMA); Mt Tamborine Village [- 27 53, 153 8], 15 /i/ 57, BBL. NEW SOUTH WALES: M. impaternata was found common at localities near Armidale [- 30 30, 151 40], NSW, in Dec/ Jan. 1995 – 96 and Nov. 1999 by JACP collectors. It is sympatric there with M. croslandi. Localities elsewhere include: Corang River Bridge [- 35 12, 150 03]; Charleyong [- 35 15, 149 55], HI 87–156; Yowrie [- 36 19, 149 44], HI 87–161, HI 87–162. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Canberra [- 35 18, 149 8], HI 85–372, 373, HI 87–237. AAVAS collections are from the Australian National Botanic Gardens site [- 35 17, 149 7], and the suburbs of Cook [- 35 16, 149 4] and Hawker [- 35 15, 149 2], VICTORIA: Mayfield [- 35 12, 149.48], HI 87–155. Myrmecia impaternata (along with the locally more frequent M. croslandi) is common in urban and suburban Canberra (see below). Worker diagnosis. General features as illustrated and in key couplets 1 – 4 above, which cover leg-coloration. The brassy color of the cephalic pubescence can be hard to discern stereomicroscopically using some types of illumination lamp, and color temperatures of the light provided. It is best observed beyond the near-side eye in acute diagonal lateral view of the head. This pubescence is arguably a legacy of the M. banksi hybrid parentage. Otherwise M. impaternata is similar in physiognamy and sculpturation to small/medium–sized workers of the second parental species, M. pilosula (Eastern Race). There is some size-related graded variation in cephalic and dorsal mesosomal sculpturation between small and large specimens, somewhat as in both races of M. pilosula but less extreme, especially at the high, more intensively-sculptured end of the range. For significant scientific reasons discussed below investigation of the comparative biology of, and possible reproductive relationships between, M. impaternata and M. croslandi is a prime scientific subject. The two species may be readily differentiated using the characters of couplet 2 of the key to species above. Dimensions. (Holotype, smallest paratype, largest paratype (mm): TL = 13.01, 10.87, 13.04; HW = 2.47, 2.22, 2.49; HL = 2.27, 206, 2.27; CI = 108, 107, 109; EL = 0.96, 0.88, 0.97; OI = 39, 39, 39; SL = 1.87, 1.84, 1.94; SI = 76, 82, 78; PW = 1.58, 1.42, 1.59; WL = 3.52, 3.34, 3.75; PetW = 0.97, 0.83, 0.96; PpetW = 1.39, 1.22, 1.33. Etymology. The name impaternata is based on the Latinate (not truly Latin) biological term “impaternate” (= fatherless as a result of parthenogenesis). For explanation see the section on reproductive biology below. Karyology. Details are provided by Imai, Taylor et. al. (1994), and by Taylor, Imai and Hasegawa (in preparation). Myrmecia impaternata has an allodiploid karyotype: n= 5 or 14, 2n= 19. The 5 -chromosome set closely matches one of the haploid sets of M. banksi, while the 14 -chromosome haploid set is generally matched in the Eastern Race of M. pilosula – most closely resembling chromosomes from a colony (HI 87–130) collected at Wambrook Creek (36 º 11 'S, 148 º 56), near Cooma, NSW. On these grounds M. banksi and M. pilosula (Eastern Race) (or close ancestral stocks) are identified here as the parental species which hybridized to originate M. impaternata. See also Imai, Taylor et al. (1994) appendix and fig. 8 (p. 150). Field associations. All M. impaternata sympatric associations throughout its known distribution are with M. croslandi. Nests of both species are frequently encountered interspersed in Canberra parks and gardens, suburban roadside grass lawn “nature strips” and in local grassy bushland. Colonies of the two have often been encountered by the author and other researchers only a few meters apart. Reproductive biology. There has been persistent historical failure by JACP researchers, and the author subsequently, to discover males in M. impaternata nests, despite targeted excavation of field colonies at appropriate seasons over many years. Only two male-right colonies have ever been located and collected. Both were closely adjacent at the Canberra Botanic Gardens Research on males and queens from these nests by Taylor, Imai and Hasegawa (to be published elsewhere) has investigated the reproductive biology of M. impaternata. It convincingly demonstrates that M. impaternata is a sperm-dependent gynogenetic taxon in which unreduced eggs require contact with sperm or spermatic fluid (specifically without the occurrence of fertilization) in order to develop parthenogenetically, and thus to produce diploid workers and gynes (see Kokko et al. (2008) for theoretical background). The necessary spermatic material is evidentially obtained by gynes through copulation with nominally conspecific donor males bred in impaternata nests. In this example the sperm cells dissected from male testes and gyne spermathecae were identically and characteristically structurally degenerate and putatively incapable of actually effecting fertilization. Their presence in both sexes importantly attests previous mating between relevant males and gynes. The where’s and when’s of copulation are not known. In other known sperm-dependent gynogenetic animals (all of which are hybrid-originated allodiploid entities, including various fish and amphibian species, none of which are known to possess a male sex) sperm is obtained for this unusual purpose by the females through parasitic copulation with males of other separate, sympatric, congeneric and usually closely related donor species. The distribution, stable presence and long-term population survival of such gynogenetic taxa is totally dependent on sympatric associations with sperm-donor host species, a factor which critically restrains their distributional ranges and dispersability, but ultimately ensures their survival as species in nature. Because males in ants are genetically haploid, it is suggested that those produced by impaternata females will likely be of two types, genetically, karyologically and perhaps morphologically equivalent to males of the putative parental species M. banksi and M. pilosula (Eastern Race). Remarkably, males produced in impaternata colonies would technically therefore not be conspecific with their impaternata mothers. Taylor, Imai and Hasegawa conclude that: “ M. impaternata thus has no need to maintain risky, restrictive parasitic affiliation or sympatry with other free-living, closely-related sperm-donor host species. It is apparently able to produce the necessary allospecific males by accessing its own genome!” The authors also suggest that M. impaternata queens might at times more usually operate as sperm parasites of M. croslandi by obtaining sperm allospecifically from croslandi males. This hypothesis is encouraged by the persistent historical failure to discover males in M. impaternata nests. Status as a taxonomic species. Despite its apparent hybrid origin and reproduction by theletokous parthenogenesis, M. impaternata functions in nature as a biological species. It is accorded specific taxonomic status here following the precepts of Maslin (1968) and Cole (1985), on the grounds that it is a genetically and historically unique, self perpetuating, separately evolving entity, reproductively isolated from its ancestors and sympatrically-associated related species. Taylor, Imai & Hasegawa raise the possibility that several M. impaternata- related hybrid clones with separately evolved alternative reproductive arrangements could be present in nature, each derived from a different foundation hybridization event between M. banksi and M. pilosula (Eastern Race). Note that Imai, Taylor et al. (1994) recognized two forms of M. impaternata (PBF 1 - 1 and PBF 1-2) differing in details of leg coloration (see their fig 10). These could arguably represent separately originated banksi x pilosula hybrid entities. Alternative hybrid lineages, if demonstrated, could not be considered formally conspecific with one another following the precepts of Maslin (1968) and Cole (1985) discussed above, nor would they be. Myrmecia impaternata and its kind could well have an interesting scientific future! Research prospects. Further understanding of the reproductive biology of M. impaternata is greatly desirable. Of particular interest are: (1) determining whether sperm or spermatic materials actually enter the egg cytoplasm or not; (2) investigation of the possibility that two classes of males (comparable respectively to those found in colonies of M. banksi and M. pilosula [Eastern Race]) are developed from haploid impaternata queen-laid eggs; (3) testing the possibility that production of “ impaternata ” males and their presence in nests might in this case be unusual; (4) finding whether impaternata might also (more usually?) maintain a parasitic copulatory relationship with M. croslandi, considering their frequent, very proximate, and wide-ranging sympatric co-presence; and (5) determining when and where copulation occurs in either of these scenarios.Published as part of Taylor, Robert W., 2015, Ants with Attitude: Australian Jack-jumpers of the Myrmecia pilosula species complex, with descriptions of four new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmeciinae), pp. 493-520 in Zootaxa 3911 (4) on pages 514-516, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3911.4.2, http://zenodo.org/record/6879
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