In addition to the genomes of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and poplar (Populus trichocarpa), two near-complete rosid genome sequences, grape (Vitis vinifera) and papaya (Carica papaya), have been recently released. The phylogenetic relationship among these four genomes and the placement of their three independent, fractionated tetraploidies sum to a powerful comparative genomic system. CoGe, a platform of multiple whole or near-complete genome sequences, provides an integrative Web-based system to find and align syntenic chromosomal regions and visualize the output in an intuitive and interactive manner. CoGe has been customized to specifically support comparisons among the rosids. Crucial facts and definitions are presented to clearly describe the sorts of biological questions that might be answered in part using CoGe, including patterns of DNA conservation, accuracy of annotation, transposability of individual genes, subfunctionalization and/or fractionation of syntenic gene sets, and conserved noncoding sequence content. This précis of an online tutorial, CoGe with Rosids (http://tinyurl.com/4a23pk), presents sample results graphically.

We find great value in the genomes from the nonmodel organisms papaya and grape. These genomes help us understand the chromosomal history of the superorder rosids. Essential to this process are new, online genomics tools that allow researchers to easily perform their own experiments, such as identifying and evaluating syntenic regions and estimating the degree of posttetraploidy gene fractionation (diploidization); this process is exemplified here using the online comparative genomics toolset CoGe. Using case studies, we show that two of the three genomes within the rosid paleohexaploid are more fractionated with respect to one another than to a third genome. This indicates a shared history derived from a [tetraploid]-then-[wide cross to generate a triploid]-then-[whole genome duplication to generate the hexaploid,] or similar scenario involving unreduced gametes. Two alternative hypotheses are presented that differ in terms of the mechanism and timing of fractionation.

A cohesive master service agreement is a fundamental component of the operator-service provider relationship for the provision of oilfield services for upstream oil and gas operations. This article: explores the sometimes unique contract relationships found in the Canadian marketplace; provides an overview of key contentious issues and potential solutions, which are examined and contrasted with those seen in American and international contracts; and identifies recent relevant market trends, including special considerations for large-scale hydraulic fracturing operations and the perspectives of new international operators entering the Canadian marketplace.Le contrat général de prestation de services représente un élément fondamental de la relation l'exploitant et le fournisseur de service pour la prestation de services nécessaires à la production pétrolière et gazière en amont. Cet article explore la relation contractuelle parfois unique qui existe sur le marché canadien; il donne un aperçu des grandes questions litigieuses et des solutions envisageables qui sont examinées et comparées à ce que l'on retrouve dans les contrats américains et internationaux; et il identifie les dernières tendances de marché pertinentes, incluant les considérations spéciales pour les opérations de fracturation hydraulique à grande échelle et les perspectives de nouveaux exploitants internationaux entrant sur le marché canadien.