Stomatal vs. genome size in angiosperms: the somatic tail wagging the genomic dog?
Stomatal size predicts genome size within angiosperms. Correlation is not, however, proof of causality and here our interpretation is hampered by unexpected deficiencies in the scientific literature. Firstly, there are discrepancies between our own observations and established ideas about the ecological significance of stomatal size; very large stomata, theoretically facilitating photosynthesis in deep shade, were, in this study (and in other studies), primarily associated with vernal geophytes of unshaded habitats. Secondly, the lower size limit at which stomata can function efficiently, and the ecological circumstances under which these minute stomata might occur, have not been satisfactorally resolved. Thus, our hypothesis, that the optimization of stomatal size for functional efficiency is a major ecological determinant of genome size, remains unproven.
A comprehensive diabetes clinic may improve management in the ACCHS setting. The clinic promotes regular checks and higher vaccination rates, although insufficient evidence exists to show that this translates to better clinical outcomes. This model may be transferrable to other primary care settings.