Cooperative Research Centre

About: Cooperative Research Centre is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Sea ice. The organization has 7633 authors who have published 8607 publications receiving 429721 citations.

Characterization of proanthocyanidins in grape seeds using electrospray mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Two proanthocyanidin (PA) fractions, one (Sdp3) with the mean degree of polymerization (mDP) of 3 and the other (Sdp9) with mDP of 9, were obtained from a Vitis vinifera cv. Shiraz grape seed extract. The PA fractions were directly analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ES-MS) and negative ion mass spectra were recorded. The mass spectrum of Sdp3 exhibited only singly charged ions corresponding to the molecular mass of PA with a degree of polymerization (DP) up to 9 (nonamers). In contrast, Sdp9 yielded rather complex mass spectra featuring ions with single [M - H](-), double [M - 2H](2-) and triple [M - 3H](3-) charge representing the molecular masses of PAs up to a DP of 28. In addition, the degree of galloylation per procyanidin (DG) was observed to be up to 5 (pentagallates) in Sdp3 and 8 (octagallates) in the Sdp9. This is the first evidence obtained by mass spectrometry for the distribution of grape seed PAs with such a high degree of polymerization and a broad diversity of galloylation. ES-MS data together with the complementary information provided by acid hydrolysis provides a detailed picture of the composition of grape seed PAs.

Regional Antarctic snow accumulation over the past 1000 years

Abstract: . Here we present Antarctic snow accumulation variability at the regional scale over the past 1000 years. A total of 79 ice core snow accumulation records were gathered and assigned to seven geographical regions, separating the high-accumulation coastal zones below 2000 m of elevation from the dry central Antarctic Plateau. The regional composites of annual snow accumulation were evaluated against modelled surface mass balance (SMB) from RACMO2.3p2 and precipitation from ERA-Interim reanalysis. With the exception of the Weddell Sea coast, the low-elevation composites capture the regional precipitation and SMB variability as defined by the models. The central Antarctic sites lack coherency and either do not represent regional precipitation or indicate the model inability to capture relevant precipitation processes in the cold, dry central plateau. Our results show that SMB for the total Antarctic Ice Sheet (including ice shelves) has increased at a rate of 7 ± 0.13 Gt decade−1 since 1800 AD, representing a net reduction in sea level of ∼ 0.02 mm decade−1 since 1800 and ∼ 0.04 mm decade−1 since 1900 AD. The largest contribution is from the Antarctic Peninsula (∼ 75 %) where the annual average SMB during the most recent decade (2001–2010) is 123 ± 44 Gt yr−1 higher than the annual average during the first decade of the 19th century. Only four ice core records cover the full 1000 years, and they suggest a decrease in snow accumulation during this period. However, our study emphasizes the importance of low-elevation coastal zones, which have been under-represented in previous investigations of temporal snow accumulation.

Effect of obesity on breathlessness and airway responsiveness to methacholine in non-asthmatic subjects

Abstract: Obesity is associated with increased prevalence and incidence of asthma, but the mechanism is unknown. Obesity reduces lung volumes, which can increase airway responsiveness, and increases resistive and elastic work of breathing, which can increase dyspnea. To determine if the intensity of dyspnea due to airway narrowing or if airway responsiveness is increased in obese, non-asthmatic subjects. Twenty-three obese (BMI (body mass index) ⩾30 kg m−2) and 26 non-obese (BMI <30 kg m−2) non-asthmatic subjects, aged between 18 and 70 years. High-dose methacholine challenge was used to determine the sensitivity and the maximal response to methacholine. Respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and reactance were measured, using the forced oscillation technique, as indicators of resistive and elastic loads during challenge. Perception of dyspnea was measured by the Borg score during challenge. Static lung volumes were measured by body plethysmography. Static lung volumes were reduced in the obese subjects. There were no significant differences in the sensitivity or maximal response to methacholine between obese and non-obese subjects. The magnitude of change in Rrs was similar in both groups, but obese subjects had more negative reactance after challenge (P=0.002) indicating a greater elastic load. The intensity of dyspnea was greater in obese subjects (P=0.03). Obesity reduces lung volumes, but does not alter the sensitivity or maximal response to methacholine. However, obese subjects have enhanced perception of dyspnea, associated with greater apparent stiffness of the respiratory system, and may therefore be at greater risk of symptoms.

Prospects for genomic selection in forage plant species

Abstract: Genomic selection (GS) is a powerful method for exploitation of DNA sequence polymorphisms in breeding improvement, through the prediction of breeding values based on all markers distributed genome-wide. Forage grasses and legumes provide important targets for GS implementation, as many key traits are difficult or expensive to assess, and are measured late in the breeding cycle. Generic attributes of forage breeding programmes are described, along with status of genomic resources for a representative species group (ryegrasses). Two schemes for implementing GS in ryegrass breeding are described. The first requires relatively little modification of current schemes, but could lead to significant reductions in operating cost. The second scheme would allow two rounds of selection for key agronomic traits within a time period previously required for a single round, potentially leading to doubling of genetic gain rate, but requires a purpose-designed reference population. In both schemes, the limited extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD), which is the major challenge for GS implementation in ryegrass breeding, is addressed. The strategies also incorporate recent advances in DNA sequencing technology to minimize costs.