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Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological... more

Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological Diversity's "Aichi Targets". These targets, and many conservation programs, require monitoring to assess progress toward specific goals. However, comprehensive and easily understood information on biodiversity trends at appropriate spatial scales is often not available to the policy makers, managers, and scientists who require it. We surveyed conservation stakeholders in three geographically diverse regions of critical biodiversity concern (the Tropical Andes, the African Great Lakes, and the Greater Mekong) and found high demand for biodiversity indicator information but uneven availability. To begin to address this need, we present a biodiversity "dashboard"--a visualization of biodiversity indicators designed to enable tracking o...

Keystone plants that produce seasonally critical trophic resources comprise one of the main classes of keystone species, yet no studies have attempted to examine the ecological attributes that might help us recognize them and evaluate... more

Keystone plants that produce seasonally critical trophic resources comprise one of the main classes of keystone species, yet no studies have attempted to examine the ecological attributes that might help us recognize them and evaluate their importance in species-rich plant assemblages. In this paper the concept of keystone plant resources is reviewed using potential candidates proposed in the literature for neotropical forest sites. A poorly known example of a potential keystone resource-the gums produced by mature pods of two emergent tree species (Parkia nitida and P. pendula, Leguminosae: Mimosoideae)-is described for primates and other arboreal vertebrates in Amazonian forests. In particular, the fruiting phenology, tree density, patterns of vertebrate consumption, and nutritional quality of Parkia gums in Amazonian terra firme forests are considered. Putative neotropical keystone resources are then divided into four intersecting ecological attributes defining their community-wide importance to vertebrate frugivores: (1) temporal redundancy, (2) degree of consumer specificity, (3) reliability, and (4) abundance. From a vertebrate perspective, keystone plants are here defined as those producing reliable, low-redundancy resources that are consumed by a large proportion of the bird and mammal assemblage with which they coexist. Plant populations proposed to date as keystone species range widely across two of these four variables, which may disqualify most putative taxa (including Parkia spp.) from a more formal definition of keystone resources. Other importance attributes, the context-dependent role, the taxonomic refinement, and removal effects of the keystone plant resource concept as applied to tropical forests are also discussed.

To test the hypothesis that selective breeding for high voluntary wheel running negatively affects maternal performance in house mice, we observed maternal behavior and compared litter size and mass, in replicate lines of selected (N =4)... more

To test the hypothesis that selective breeding for high voluntary wheel running negatively affects maternal performance in house mice, we observed maternal behavior and compared litter size and mass, in replicate lines of selected (N =4) and control (N=4) mice from generations 20 and 21 of an artificial selection experiment. At generation 21, selected-line females ran 2.8-times more revolutions per day than females from random-bred control lines, when tested at approximately 6 weeks of age as part of the normal selection protocol. After giving birth, dams from selected and control lines exhibited similar frequencies of maternal behaviors and also spent similar amounts of time in general locomotor activity at litter ages of both 9 and 16 days. Dams from selected lines also performed equally well as controls in repeated pup-retrieval trials. At first parturition, selected-line dams averaged 2.4 g smaller in body mass as compared with dams from the control lines; however, neither litter size nor litter mass at birth (generation 20) or at weaning (generation 21) differed significantly between selected and control lines. We conclude that, at least under the husbandry conditions employed, maternal behavior and reproductive output at first parturition are genetically independent of wheel-running behavior.

HCV is a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis all over the world. Claudins belong to family of tight junction's proteins that are responsible for establishing barriers for controlling the flow of molecules around cells.... more

HCV is a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis all over the world. Claudins belong to family of tight junction's proteins that are responsible for establishing barriers for controlling the flow of molecules around cells. For therapeutic strategies, regulation of viral entry into the host cells holds a lot of promise. During HCV infection claudin-1 is highly expressed in liver and believed to be associated with HCV virus entry after HCV binding with or without co-receptor CD81. The claudin-1 assembly with tight junctions is regulated by post translational modifications. During claudins assembly and disassembly with tight junctions, phosphorylation is required at C-terminal tail. In cellular proteins, interplay between phosphorylation and O-b-GlcNAc modification is believed to be functional switch, but it is very difficult to monitor these functional and vibrant changes in vivo. Netphos 2.0 and Disphos 1.3 programs were used for potential phosphorylation; NetPhosK 1.0 and KinasePhos for kinase prediction; and YinOYang 1.2 and OGPET to predict possible O-glycosylation sites. We also identified Yin Yang sites that may have potential for O-b-GlcNAc and phosphorylation interplay at same Ser/Thr residues. We for the first time proposed that alternate phosphorylation and O-b-GlcNAc modification on Ser 192, Ser 205, Ser 206; and Thr 191 may provide an on/off switch to regulate assembly of claudin-1 at tight junctions. In addition these phosphorylation sites may be targeted by novel chemotherapeutic agents to prevent phosphorylation lead by HCV viral entry complex.

This is to certify that the thesis entitled "STABLE INTEGRATION AND EXPRESSION OF CHITINASE GENE IN TRANSGENIC TOMATO" submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE (AGRI.) in PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY... more

This is to certify that the thesis entitled "STABLE INTEGRATION AND EXPRESSION OF CHITINASE GENE IN TRANSGENIC TOMATO" submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE (AGRI.) in PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY of the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK ,Bangalore, is a bonafide record of research work done by Mr. SHAILESH YADAV, during the period of his study in this University under my guidance and supervision and the thesis has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other similar titles.

Given current extinction trends, the number of species requiring conservation breeding programs (CBPs) is likely to increase dramatically. To inform CBP policies for threatened terrestrial vertebrates, we evaluated the number and... more

Given current extinction trends, the number of species requiring conservation breeding programs (CBPs) is likely to increase dramatically. To inform CBP policies for threatened terrestrial vertebrates, we evaluated the number and representation of threatened vertebrate species on the IUCN Red List held in the ISIS zoo network and estimated the complexity of their management as metapopulations. Our results show that 695 of the 3,955 (23%) terrestrial vertebrate species in ISIS zoos are threatened. Only two of the 59 taxonomic orders show a higher proportion of threatened species in ISIS zoos than would be expected if species were selected at random. In addition, for most taxa, the management of a zoo metapopulation of more than 250 individuals will require the coordination of a cluster of 11 to 24 ISIS zoos within a radius of 2,000 km. Thus, in the zoo network, the representation of species that may require CBPs is currently low and the spatial distribution of these zoo populations makes management difficult. Although the zoo community may have the will and the logistical potential to contribute to conservation actions, including CBPs, to do so will require greater collaboration between zoos and other institutions, alongside the development of international agreements that facilitate cross-border movement of zoo animals. To maximize the effectiveness of integrated conservation actions that include CBPs, it is fundamental that the non-zoo conservation community acknowledges and integrates the expertise and facilities of zoos where it can be helpful.

Environmental conditions can influence the physiology of marine organisms and have important implications for their reproductive performance and capacity to supply new recruits. This study examined the seasonal reproductive patterns of... more

Environmental conditions can influence the physiology of marine organisms and have important implications for their reproductive performance and capacity to supply new recruits. This study examined the seasonal reproductive patterns of the coral Montipora capitata in habitats exposed to different sedimentation regimes. Although M. capitata is a main reef-building coral in the Hawaiian Archipelago, little is known about the gametogenic cycle and reproductive ecology of this important species. Our results indicate that gamete production in M. capitata is a resilient process; no differences in gamete development or fecundity were observed among sites with very different sedimentation regimes. The gametogenic cycle of M. capitata lasts between 10 and 11 months, with spawning occurring over 3-5 months during warmer months (May-September). Oocytes were found throughout the year, but spermatocysts were only found April-August. The largest increases in oocyte size occurred during February to May, the months when solar radiation increased rapidly. The largest variation in oocyte sizes was found during July and August; during this period individual colonies contained mature oocytes for immediate spawning and new oocytes being formed for spawning the next year. The capacity of M. capitata to reproduce in areas with high sedimentation is an interesting finding highlighting the potential of the species for acclimatization, adaptation, or both. Despite this optimistic finding, the management of terrestrial runoff and the restoration of habitat quality for corals remains a top priority to ensure the renewal and maintenance of coral populations.

Three interconnected positions are advocated: (1) although serving as a useful model, the immune self does not exist as such; (2) instead of a self/nonself demarcation, the immune system 'sees' itself, i.e., it does not ignore the... more

Three interconnected positions are advocated: (1) although serving as a useful model, the immune self does not exist as such; (2) instead of a self/nonself demarcation, the immune system 'sees' itself, i.e., it does not ignore the 'self' or attack the 'other;' but exhibits a spectrum of responses, which when viewed from outside the system appear as discrimination of 'self' and 'nonself' based on certain criteria of reactivity. When immune reactions are conceived in terms of normal physiology and open exchange with the environment, where borders dividing host and foreign are elusive and changing, host defense is only part of the immune system's functions, which actually comprise two basic tasks: protection, i.e., to preserve host integrity, and maintenance of organismic identity. And thus (3) if the spectrum of immunity is enlarged, differentiating low reactive 'autoimmune' reactions from activated immune responses against the '...

The activation of the G-protein transducin (Gt) by rhodopsin (Rho) has been intensively studied for several decades. It is the best understood example of GPCR activation mechanism and serves as a template for other GPCRs. The structure of... more

The activation of the G-protein transducin (Gt) by rhodopsin (Rho) has been intensively studied for several decades. It is the best understood example of GPCR activation mechanism and serves as a template for other GPCRs. The structure of the Rho/G protein complex, which is transiently formed during the signaling reaction, is of particular interest. It can help understanding the molecular details of how retinal isomerization leads to the G protein activation, as well as shed some light on how GPCR recognizes its cognate G protein. The native Rho/Gt complex isolated from bovine retina suffers from low stability and loss of the retinal ligand. Recently, we reported that constitutively active mutant of rhodopsin E113Q forms a Rho/Gt complex that is stable in detergent solution. Here, we introduce methods for a large scale preparation of the complex formed by the thermo-stabilized and constitutively active rhodopsin mutant N2C/M257Y/D282C(RhoM257Y) and the native Gt purified from bovine...

Mulberry is exclusively used for rearing silkworm due to the presence of unique chemo-factors like morin, β-sitosterol in leaves. Plant is a potential source for curing debilitating diseases. Flavonoids, anthocyanin and alkaloids present... more

Mulberry is exclusively used for rearing silkworm due to the presence of unique chemo-factors like morin, β-sitosterol in leaves. Plant is a potential source for curing debilitating diseases. Flavonoids, anthocyanin and alkaloids present in the leaves, bark, root and fruits of mulberry play a pivotal role in containing free radicals and prooxidants generated in the body due to metabolism and phagocytosis. Though oxygen is much imperative for life processes, metabolism imbalance and generation of free radicals are prime reason for causing different ailments. The review reveals the wide range of important Pharmacological uses of mulberry including phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and medicinal properties. Present paper provides concrete evidence on the role of mulberry for antioxidation therapy and management of human diseases.

The cleft lip and palate (CLP) speech intelligibility is distorted due to the deformation in their articulatory system. For addressing the same, a few previous works perform phoneme specific modification in CLP speech. In CLP speech, both... more

The cleft lip and palate (CLP) speech intelligibility is distorted due to the deformation in their articulatory system. For addressing the same, a few previous works perform phoneme specific modification in CLP speech. In CLP speech, both the articulation error and the nasalization distorts the intelligibility of a word. Consequently, modification of a specific phoneme may not always yield in enhanced entire word-level intelligibility. For such cases, it is important to identify and isolate the phoneme specific error based on the knowledge of acoustic events. Accordingly, the phoneme specific error modification algorithms can be exploited for transforming the specified errors and enhance the wordlevel intelligibility. Motivated by that, in this work, we combine some of salient phoneme specific enhancement approaches and demonstrate their effectiveness in improving the word-level intelligibility of CLP speech. The enhanced speech samples are evaluated using subjective and objective e...

Estre corto documento recoge algunas ideas muy interesantes de varios estudiosos como Antonio Cruz, John Lennox, William Lane Craig y otros. Para explicar el concepto de la palabra evolución , su significado en el contexto y como la... more

Estre corto documento recoge algunas ideas muy interesantes de varios estudiosos como Antonio Cruz, John Lennox, William Lane Craig y otros.
Para explicar el concepto de la palabra evolución , su significado en el contexto y como la evolución presenta conflictos con algunas leyes universales.

The golden cownose ray, Rhinoptera steindachneri, was one of the most abundant species landed in artisanal elasmobranch fisheries in the northern Gulf of California (Baja California and Sonora) and Bahía Almejas, Mexico during 1998-1999.... more

The golden cownose ray, Rhinoptera steindachneri, was one of the most abundant species landed in artisanal elasmobranch fisheries in the northern Gulf of California (Baja California and Sonora) and Bahía Almejas, Mexico during 1998-1999. In the northern Gulf of California, R. steindachneri was most frequently observed during summer months (11.4% of elasmobranch landings, catch per unit effort (CPUE) = 6.8 individuals/vessel trip) and was rare during winter (0.1%, CPUE = 0.1). In Bahía Almejas, its relative abundance was greater during August (5.2%) than June (0.3%), a trend also evident in CPUE (August = 1.2, June = 0.1). The mean size of R. steindachneri landed in the Gulf of California was 64.3 ± 12.8 (SD) cm disc width (DW). Median size at maturity for Gulf of California specimens was similar for females (70.2 cm DW) and males (69.9 cm DW). Fecundity was found to be one offspring per female, with parturition estimated to occur from late June-August. Size at birth was estimated at 38-45 cm DW after a gestation period of approximately 11-12 months. Greater maximum sizes (to 104 cm DW) and embryo sizes (to 43 cm DW) were observed in Bahía Almejas. The large size at maturity, low fecundity, and long gestation period determined for R. steindachneri indicate that this species could be particularly susceptible to overexploitation.

Introduction: As high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses pose heavy financial burden on the families, Government of India is considering a variety of financing and delivery options to universalize health care services. Hence, an estimate... more

Introduction: As high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses pose heavy financial burden on the families, Government of India is considering a variety of financing and delivery options to universalize health care services. Hence, an estimate of the cost of delivering universal health care services is needed.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar y evaluar las propiedades físico-mecánicas de la madera de corta final de una plantación experimental de 15 años de edad de Prosopis alba a partir de clones resistentes a la salinidad. Se consideró... more

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar y evaluar las propiedades físico-mecánicas de la madera de corta final de una plantación experimental de 15 años de edad de Prosopis alba a partir de clones resistentes a la salinidad. Se consideró procedente, comparar los valores obtenidos con datos de evaluaciones similares sobre árboles de la misma plantación, en oportunidad del primer y segundo raleo; contrastándose estos valores con los obtenidos de árboles adultos provenientes de bosques nativos. La metodología utilizada consistió en muestreo, selección y extracción del material que posteriormente fue acondicionado y trasladado al ITM-FCF-UNSE a los fines del estudio y evaluación de las propiedades físico-mecánicas. Los resultados obtenidos son muy alentadores, ya que esta madera presenta valores que sobrepasan los determinados en árboles maduros de la misma especie extraídos del bosque nativo, siendo muy similares a los encontrados en los provenientes de los raleos de 7 y 12 años de es...

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the "Content") contained in the publications on our platform. Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties... more

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the "Content") contained in the publications on our platform. Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Versions of published Taylor & Francis and Routledge Open articles and Taylor & Francis and Routledge Open Select articles posted to institutional or subject repositories or any other third-party website are without warranty from Taylor & Francis of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Any opinions and views expressed in this article are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor & Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.

Taking into account the economic importance of Acer species and their frequent use in landscape architecture, both nationally and internationally, it is necessary to develop an in vitro biotechnology research to propagate some of the most... more

Taking into account the economic importance of Acer species and their frequent use in landscape architecture, both nationally and internationally, it is necessary to develop an in vitro biotechnology research to propagate some of the most popular and requested Acer varieties. The study presents data on the partial results of in vitro initiation for two varieties of Acer platanoides: 'Globosum' and 'Crimson King'. During the initiation phase, Acer platanoides 'Globosum' showed the best initiation percentage, using the next nutrient composition: MS macroelements, MS microelements, MS vitamins, auxins/citokinine 0.2:1 mg/l, while Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' variety recorded the best results on the nutrient medium with a different composition: MS macroelements, MS microelements, LF vitamins and auxins/citokinine 0.4:1.2 mg/l. Keywords: Acer platanoides‚Globosum, Acer platanoides ‚Crimson King', maple, in vitro culture, explants Cuvinte cheie: Acer platanoides ‚Globosum', Acer platanoides ‚Crimson King', arţar, cultură in vitro, explante

A inflamação é uma resposta vascular, celular e humoral, responsável pelo processo de defesa dos organismos vivos ante agentes agressores. Essa resposta fisiológica é resultante da ação coordenada entre o sistema imunológico e o tecido no... more

A inflamação é uma resposta vascular, celular e humoral, responsável pelo processo de defesa dos organismos vivos ante agentes agressores. Essa resposta fisiológica é resultante da ação coordenada entre o sistema imunológico e o tecido no qual ocorreu a lesão. Por incorporar vários mecanismos biológicos, como a formação de edema, fagocitose, angiogênese, fibroplasia, liberação de mediadores químicos, além de outros fatores, a inflamação passou a ser entendida como um processo, proveniente de uma soma de eventos, que, de acordo com o tempo de evolução e as características patológicas envolvidas, pode ser classificada em inflamação aguda ou crônica (KUMAR, 2010).

Ruby N. Gutiérrez 5.1-Medios de Sabouraud y Mycosel-El agar Mycosel contiene cicloheximida y cloranfenicol (antibióticos) que inhiben el crecimiento de casi todas las especies saprofitas de hongos, mientras que el agar Littman contiene... more

Ruby N. Gutiérrez 5.1-Medios de Sabouraud y Mycosel-El agar Mycosel contiene cicloheximida y cloranfenicol (antibióticos) que inhiben el crecimiento de casi todas las especies saprofitas de hongos, mientras que el agar Littman contiene estreptomicina y que impide que se rieguen las colonias de las especies saprófitas.-Dematiáceos: se pueden obtener abriendo los platos de medios de cultivo, la semana anterior a la práctica por 15 minutos, exponiéndolos al ambiente y luego incubándolos a temperatura ambiente.-Colonias = contaminantes que pudieran esperarse de un exudado, o cualquier lesión que estuviera en contacto con el aire.-Algunas colonias son de color gris o negro-verdoso. Estas representan la familia Dermatiaceae y suelen constituir alrededor del 50%, o más de los hongos transmitidos por el aire. Las colonias de levaduras que son blandas y pastosas no deben ser numerosas.-Colonias con tinte color verde = Aspergillus o Penicillium.-Características: o Carencia de clorofila. Se alimentan de materia orgánica = Quimioorganótrofos (Heterótrofos) o Eucariotas o Pared celular rígida de polisacáridos, polipéptidos y quitina o Absorben nutrientes mediante enzimas extracelulares o Levaduras  estructuras unicelulares que se reproducen por gemación o Presentan talo o micelio, constituidos por hifas (unidad básica) o Talo o micelio  Vegetativo (desarrollo, nutrición y fijación)  Reproductor (se forman los órganos de reproducción)  hifas, levaduras y pseudohifas o Levaduras: talo disociado produce colonias de crec rápido, suave, aspecto similar a bacterias. o Mohos: talo filamentoso aéreo entremezclado más o menos largo o agrupado de manera compacta, de crecimiento lento salvo en los hongos oportunistas. o Dimórficos: hongos que tienen una fase parasitaria levaduriforme (37ºC) y una saprofítica micelial (20-25ºC)-Espora: forma de reproducción asexual en los hongos-Hifas: filamento que forma el tallo o cuerpo de un hongo-Micelio: conjunto de hifas entrelazadas y ramificadas-Conidias: estructura de reproducción asexual en fase micelial de los hongos. Son esporas producidas por hifas especializadas (llamadas conidióforos) mediante "estrangulamientos" sucesivos en el punto de unión.-Conidióforo: estructura en los extremos de las hifas vegetativas. Dan origen a las conidias. Rhizopus Colonia de rápido crecimiento, de aspecto típicamente algodonoso, de color blanco o blanco ceniza o negruzco dado por los órganos reproductores (hifas). Micelio vegetativo formado por hifas sin septos (cenocíticas) hialinas o ligeramente coloreadas a partir de las cuales se diferencian los conidióforos (esporangioforos) sobre un rizoide típico que le da una apariencia al hongo de los tallos estoloníferos de la "fresa". Estos esporangioforos terminan en vesículas (esporangiosporas) variadas en forma; coloreadas o hialinas. Especies de amplia distribución, en todos los ambientes; saprófitas en su mayoría. * Mucor es igual a Rhizopus, sólo que el primero no tiene raicillas*

The objective of the study was to determine if low intensity, high frequency vibration training impacted the musculoskeletal system in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, relative to healthy mice. Three-week old wildtype (n =... more

The objective of the study was to determine if low intensity, high frequency vibration training impacted the musculoskeletal system in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, relative to healthy mice. Three-week old wildtype (n = 26) and mdx mice (n = 22) were randomized to non-vibrated or vibrated (45 Hz and 0.6 g, 15 min/d, 5 d/wk) groups. In vivo and ex vivo contractile function of the anterior crural and extensor digitorum longus muscles, respectively, were assessed following 8 wks of vibration. Mdx mice were injected 5 and 1 days prior to sacrifice with Calcein and Xylenol, respectively. Muscles were prepared for histological and triglyceride analyses and subcutaneous and visceral fat pads were excised and weighed. Tibial bones were dissected and analyzed by micro-computed tomography for trabecular morphometry at the metaphysis, and cortical geometry and density at the mid-diaphysis. Three-point bending tests were used to assess cortical bone mechanical properties and a subset of tibiae was processed for dynamic histomorphometry. Vibration training for 8 wks did not alter trabecular morphometry, dynamic histomorphometry, cortical geometry, or mechanical properties (P$ 0.34). Vibration did not alter any measure of muscle contractile function (P$0.12); however the preservation of muscle function and morphology in mdx mice indicates vibration is not deleterious to muscle lacking dystrophin. Vibrated mice had smaller subcutaneous fat pads (P = 0.03) and higher intramuscular triglyceride concentrations (P = 0.03). These data suggest that vibration training at 45 Hz and 0.6 g did not significantly impact the tibial bone and the surrounding musculature, but may influence fat distribution in mice.

Carcharhinus sorrah (Mülle and Henle, 1839) is a coastal pelagic shark of the tropical and subtropical Indo–West Pacific, reaching 1.6 m total length. The species is widely harvested in line, net, and trawl fisheries over tropical... more

Carcharhinus sorrah (Mülle and Henle, 1839) is a coastal pelagic shark of the tropical and subtropical Indo–West Pacific, reaching 1.6 m total length. The species is widely harvested in line, net, and trawl fisheries over tropical continental shelves. We investigated mtDNA genetic differentiation in C. sorrah across the majority of the species' range, and examined the importance of six major historical and contemporary biogeographic features in shaping population genetic structure in this species. The present study includes dense sampling for a shark species across the Indo–West Pacific, with 349 specimens sampled from 21 collection locations from the northwestern Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, New Caledonia, and to southerly distribution limits in Australia. Based on 469 base pairs of the control region, we found extensive genetic population structure, with allopatric lineages confined to Australia, New Caledonia, and the remaining surveyed area. Significant genetic subdivisions...

Background: We introduce several forest-based and network-based methods for exploring microbial evolution, and apply them to the study of thousands of genes from 30 strains of E. coli. This case study illustrates how additional analyses... more

Background: We introduce several forest-based and network-based methods for exploring microbial evolution, and apply them to the study of thousands of genes from 30 strains of E. coli. This case study illustrates how additional analyses could offer fast heuristic alternatives to standard tree of life (TOL) approaches. We use gene networks to identify genes with atypical modes of evolution, and genome networks to characterize the evolution of genetic partnerships between E. coli and mobile genetic elements. We develop a novel polychromatic quartet method to capture patterns of recombination within E. coli, to update the clanistic toolkit, and to search for the impact of lateral gene transfer and of pathogenicity on gene evolution in two large forests of trees bearing E. coli. We unravel high rates of lateral gene transfer involving E. coli (about 40% of the trees under study), and show that both core genes and shell genes of E. coli are affected by non-tree-like evolutionary processes. We show that pathogenic lifestyle impacted the structure of 30% of the gene trees, and that pathogenic strains are more likely to transfer genes with one another than with non-pathogenic strains. In addition, we propose five groups of genes as candidate mobile modules of pathogenicity. We also present strong evidence for recent lateral gene transfer between E. coli and mobile genetic elements. Conclusions: Depending on which evolutionary questions biologists want to address (i.e. the identification of modules, genetic partnerships, recombination, lateral gene transfer, or genes with atypical evolutionary modes, etc.), forest-based and network-based methods are preferable to the reconstruction of a single tree, because they provide insights and produce hypotheses about the dynamics of genome evolution, rather than the relative branching order of species and lineages. Such a methodological pluralism -the use of woods and webs -is to be encouraged to analyse the evolutionary processes at play in microbial evolution.

Näkymätön tulee esiin -kohti uutta informaatiolle, kontekstiriippuvuudelle ja vuorovaikutukselle rakentuvaa maailmankuvaa 2 Abstract Invisible becoming visible towards a new world view based on information, context-dependence and... more

Näkymätön tulee esiin -kohti uutta informaatiolle, kontekstiriippuvuudelle ja vuorovaikutukselle rakentuvaa maailmankuvaa 2 Abstract Invisible becoming visible towards a new world view based on information, context-dependence and interaction Keywords: boundary conditions, context, inner and outer information, world view Every world view, be it a world view of an individual or of a culture, is in principle invisible. It represents the way things are thought to be without questioning. To make it visible one should see both reality and the framework through which one sees reality. Usually there is no need for this as long as the framework functions satisfactorily. This study is guided by the idea that our scientific world view, whose basic features were adopted at the turn of the modern era, is in a state of change. One of the key questions concerns the relation between physical laws and boundary conditions. Physical laws are universal laws, independent of contextual features. Boundary conditions are needed to harness these universal laws. This problem already arises in quantum physics, in connection with quantum measurement, and also, as one tries to find out what is the meaning of the basic concept of quantum mechanics, the wave function.

M obile genetic elements in bacteria are enriched in genes participating in social behaviors, suggesting an evolutionary link between gene mobility and social evolution. Cooperative behaviors, like the production of secreted public good... more

M obile genetic elements in bacteria are enriched in genes participating in social behaviors, suggesting an evolutionary link between gene mobility and social evolution. Cooperative behaviors, like the production of secreted public good molecules, are susceptible to the invasion of non-cooperative individuals, and their evolutionary maintenance requires mechanisms ensuring that benefits are directed preferentially to cooperators. In order to investigate the reasons for the mobility of public good genes, we designed a synthetic bacterial system where we control and quantify the transfer of public good production genes. In our recent study, we have experimentally shown that horizontal transfer helps maintain public good production in the face of both non-producer organisms and non-producer plasmids. Transfer spreads genes to neighboring cells, thus increasing relatedness and directing a higher proportion of public good benefits to producers. The effect is the strongest when public good genes undergo epidemics dynamics, making horizontal transfer especially relevant for pathogenic bacteria that repeatedly infect new hosts and base their virulence on costly public goods. The promotion of cooperation may be a general consequence of horizontal gene transfer in prokaryotes. Our work has an intriguing parallel, cultural transmission, where horizontal transfer, such as teaching, may preferentially promote cooperative behaviors.

Immature development times of the blow fly Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) were studied in the laboratory at five different constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 8C). The minimal duration of development from... more

Immature development times of the blow fly Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) were studied in the laboratory at five different constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 8C). The minimal duration of development from oviposition to adult emergence was inversely related to temperature, ranging from 9:19 AE 0:3 days at 35 8C to 37:78 AE 2:96 days at 15 8C. From linear regression of development rates at the five studied constant temperature regimes, it followed that the minimum development threshold (t L ) for total immature development is 8.95 8C ($9 8C) and the overall thermal constant (K) for P. terraenovae is 240:2 AE 9:3 day-degrees (DD) above the threshold. Linear regression of developmental rates from oviposition to pupariation resulted in a minimum development threshold of 9.8 8C. However, it is possible that developmental time from oviposition to adult eclosion might be different in various regions of the world, and that the thermal constant of a holarctic species like P. terraenovae is not same everywhere. Additionally, as the present paper shows, studies characterizing variation in these parameters between geographically distinct populations of the same species would be of great value for future forensic entomological casework. #

Extrusion-based bioprinting (EBB) is a rapidly growing technology that has made substantial progress during the last decade. It has great versatility in printing various biologics, including cells, tissues, tissue constructs, organ... more

Extrusion-based bioprinting (EBB) is a rapidly growing technology that has made substantial progress during the last decade. It has great versatility in printing various biologics, including cells, tissues, tissue constructs, organ modules and microfluidic devices, in applications from basic research and pharmaceutics to clinics. Despite the great benefits and flexibility in printing a wide range of bioinks, including tissue spheroids, tissue strands, cell pellets, decellularized matrix components, micro-carriers and cellladen hydrogels, the technology currently faces several limitations and challenges. These include impediments to organ fabrication, the limited resolution of printed features, the need for advanced bioprinting solutions to transition the technology bench to bedside, the necessity of new bioink development for rapid, safe and sustainable delivery of cells in a biomimetically organized microenvironment, and regulatory concerns to transform the technology into a product. This paper, presenting a first-time comprehensive review of EBB, discusses the current advancements in EBB technology and highlights future directions to transform the technology to generate viable end products for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

"The expression “mental illness” arises historically in the course of conversations about our human relational living, in an attempt to visualize some regularities that occurred in it, thinking that if we could grasp them we would be able... more

"The expression “mental illness” arises historically in the course of conversations about our human relational living, in an attempt to visualize some regularities that occurred in it, thinking that if we could grasp them we would be able to solve some difficulties that we were encountering in our living together, thinking that we could do so through formalizing them with some adequate theory that we would invent. However, to do that, we have to abstract those regularities in our living together first; we must respect ourselves accepting that naming is not a trivial aspect of what we do in our living: names have arisen in our history of living together as operational elements of coordination of our doings, and reveal regularities in that living."

Galictis cuja é encontrada em uma ampla variedade de ambientes, ocorrendo em densidades variadas. Sua população total não apresenta indício de declínio, a despeito do desconhecimento das causas das aparentes flutuações populacionais, do... more

Galictis cuja é encontrada em uma ampla variedade de ambientes, ocorrendo em densidades variadas. Sua população total não apresenta indício de declínio, a despeito do desconhecimento das causas das aparentes flutuações populacionais, do efeito do alto índice de atropelamentos a que está submetida e de sua sensibilidade a doenças oriundas de animais domésticos. Salienta-se a importância de pesquisas voltadas à sua dinâmica populacional e conservação. Há conectividade com as populações dos países vizinhos, porém não existem informações sobre a dinâmica fontesumidouro. Dessa forma, a espécie foi classificada como Menos preocupante (LC). Notas taxonômicas Atualmente são reconhecidas duas espécies do gênero Galictis: o furão pequeno (G. cuja, Molina, 1782) e o furão grande (G. vittata, Schreber, 1776) (Wozencraft 2005). Esses animais ocorrem em toda a região Neotropical, ou seja, da metade sul do México até a patagônia chilena e Argentina. A história taxonômica desses carnívoros é longa e complexa, mas a taxonomia moderna,

Medical ethics is an interdisciplinary knowledge which deals with the ethical and value aspects of medical profession and medical sciences. Although medical ethics has a history of 2500 years, it has been formally included in medical... more

Medical ethics is an interdisciplinary knowledge which deals with the ethical and value aspects of medical profession and medical sciences. Although medical ethics has a history of 2500 years, it has been formally included in medical training courses in most of medical sciences universities of the world since 30 years ago and quickly became a common part of curriculum for medical students. In fact, extensive advances in medical care and medical knowledge and also recent social changes have caused ethics to be raised as an essential part of today’s medical education. Despite extensive research on the curriculum of medical ethics and several useful reviews and revisions, still many questions about the nature, objectives, and results of these courses have remained unanswered. This has led to the negligence of many of the qualities, skills, and abilities that should be included in the curriculum of medical ethics. Studies have shown that some of the courses offered as medical ethics in the curriculum have not managed to help physicians to improve their ethical skills.

The history of the Jewish Diaspora dates back to the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests in the Levant, followed by complex demographic and migratory trajectories over the ensuing millennia which pose a serious challenge to unraveling... more

The history of the Jewish Diaspora dates back to the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests in the Levant, followed by complex demographic and migratory trajectories over the ensuing millennia which pose a serious challenge to unraveling population genetic patterns. Here we ask whether phylogenetic analysis, based on highly resolved mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) phylogenies can discern among maternal ancestries of the Diaspora. Accordingly, 1,142 samples from 14 different non-Ashkenazi Jewish communities were analyzed. A list of complete mtDNA sequences was established for all variants present at high frequency in the communities studied, along with high-resolution genotyping of all samples. Unlike the previously reported pattern observed among Ashkenazi Jews, the numerically major portion of the non-Ashkenazi Jews, currently estimated at 5 million people and comprised of the Moroccan, Iraqi, Iranian and Iberian Exile Jewish communities showed no evidence for a narrow founder effect, which did however characterize the smaller and more remote Belmonte, Indian and the two Caucasus communities. The Indian and Ethiopian Jewish sample sets suggested local female introgression, while mtDNAs in all other communities studied belong to a well-characterized West Eurasian pool of maternal lineages. Absence of sub-Saharan African mtDNA lineages among the North African Jewish communities suggests negligible or low level of admixture with females of the host populations among whom the African haplogroup (Hg) L0-L3 sub-clades variants are common. In contrast, the North African and Iberian Exile Jewish communities show influence of putative Iberian admixture as documented by mtDNA Hg HV0 variants. These findings highlight striking differences in the demographic history of the widespread Jewish Diaspora.

Καθόλη τη διάρκεια της ανθρώπινης ιστορίας, αναρίθμητες επιδημίες και πανδημίες έχουν αφανίσει τον ανθρώπινο πληθυσμό. Αν και στο παρελθόν τεχνολογικοί και επιστημονικοί περιορισμοί μειονεκτούσαν τον άνθρωπο, πρέπει να επισημανθεί πως... more

Καθόλη τη διάρκεια της ανθρώπινης ιστορίας, αναρίθμητες επιδημίες και πανδημίες έχουν αφανίσει τον ανθρώπινο πληθυσμό. Αν και στο παρελθόν τεχνολογικοί και επιστημονικοί περιορισμοί μειονεκτούσαν τον άνθρωπο, πρέπει να επισημανθεί πως πολλές από τις εξάρσεις διάφορων ασθενειών ήταν και είναι αποφευκτές. Το συγκεκριμένο άρθρο θα επιχειρήσει μια ιστορική ανάλυση κάποιων χαρακτηριστικών πανδημιών και θα προτείνει συστάσεις για τον καλύτερο και αποτελεσματικότερο έλεγχο και περιορισμό μελλοντικών πανδημιών.

Since the 1980s, morphological and molecular research has resulted in significant advances in understanding the relationships and origins of the recent terrestrial vertebrate fauna in the New Zealand biogeographic region. This research... more

Since the 1980s, morphological and molecular research has resulted in significant advances in understanding the relationships and origins of the recent terrestrial vertebrate fauna in the New Zealand biogeographic region. This research has led to many taxonomic changes, with a significant increase in the number of bird and reptile species recognised. It has also resulted in the recognition of several more Holocene (<10 000 years ago) bird species extinctions. The conclusion that Holocene extinctions were primarily caused by human- hunting and predation by other introduced mammals (particularly rats and cats) has been supported by new data. Despite many local eradications of introduced pests, the number of introduced species has increased, with the establishment of five more foreign birds and (on Norfolk Island) the house gecko ( Hemidactylus frenatus). Many new, significant New Zealand vertebrate fossils have been reported, including more dinosaurs from the Cretaceous, and the fi...

Background: Arachidonic acid (AA; C20:4 n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6 n-3) are important long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in maintaining pancreatic beta-cell structure and function. Newborns of gestational... more

Background: Arachidonic acid (AA; C20:4 n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6 n-3) are important long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in maintaining pancreatic beta-cell structure and function. Newborns of gestational diabetic mothers are more susceptible to the development of type 2 diabetes in adulthood. It is not known whether low circulating AA or DHA is involved in perinatally ''programming'' this susceptibility. This study aimed to assess whether circulating concentrations of AA, DHA and other fatty acids are associated with fetal insulin sensitivity or beta-cell function, and whether low circulating concentrations of AA or DHA are involved in compromised fetal insulin sensitivity in gestational diabetic pregnancies.

Cannibalism of small numbers of offspring by a parent has been proposed as an adaptive parental strategy, by providing energy to support parental care. However, there are few empirical studies to support this hypothesis. We conducted... more

Cannibalism of small numbers of offspring by a parent has been proposed as an adaptive parental strategy, by providing energy to support parental care. However, there are few empirical studies to support this hypothesis. We conducted field and laboratory experiments to investigate partial filial cannibalism in Stegastes leucostictus, a coral reef fish with paternal care. Partial cannibalism was shown to be common, and males were found to remove developing embryos from throughout a clutch in a random pattern, rather than in the more aggregated pattern seen during embryo predation. Males that received a diet supplement grew faster than control males, but did not engage in less cannibalism. Also, males did not concentrate cannibalism on early embryonic stages with the highest energetic value. Experimental reduction of embryo densities was found to significantly increase embryo development rate and survival from egg deposition to hatching, and experimental reduction of oxygen levels significantly increased rates of partial filial cannibalism by males. Artificial spawning sites with low oxygen levels were avoided by spawning females, and cannibalism rates by males were higher. We propose that partial filial cannibalism serves as an adaptive parental strategy to low oxygen levels in S. leucostictus by increasing the hatching success of embryos.

Behavioural observations in the field of male Mediterranean damselfish Chromis chromis were combined with molecular analyses, using bi-parentally and maternally inherited markers, to investigate reproductive success patterns of... more

Behavioural observations in the field of male Mediterranean damselfish Chromis chromis were combined with molecular analyses, using bi-parentally and maternally inherited markers, to investigate reproductive success patterns of alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) in terms of number of eggs sired and number of females contributing to each nest. Cuckoldry was observed in every nest sampled, with at least two and up to seven sneaker males per nest. The nesting male, however, always significantly fertilized the greater number of eggs (on average 49%) in each clutch, whereas each sneaker fertilized around 7% of the clutch. The average number of females whose eggs were fertilized by nesting males was 6·76 (range 2-13), while each sneaker on average fertilized the eggs of 1·74 (range 1-8) females. Using this sibship reconstruction, some of the factors involved in the regulation of the dynamic equilibrium of reproductive success were investigated between the two ARTs shown by C. chromis...

The techniques used for the capture, marking and habituation of African wild cats (Felis silvestris cafra) in the Kalahari are described and evaluated in this paper. African wild cats were captured, with either baited cage traps or... more

The techniques used for the capture, marking and habituation of African wild cats (Felis silvestris cafra) in the Kalahari are described and evaluated in this paper. African wild cats were captured, with either baited cage traps or chemical immobilisation through darting. Darting proved to be a more efficient and less stressful way of capturing cats. Very high frequency (VHF) radio collars fitted with activity monitors were especially effective in the open habitat of the Kalahari for locating and maintaining contact with cats; they also aided in determining if the cats were active or resting in dense vegetation. The habituation of individual cats to a 4×4 vehicle proved to be time consuming, but it provided a unique opportunity to investigate the feeding ecology and spatial organisation of cats through direct visual observations.

Designed to be used with all majors-level general biology textbooks, the included labs are investigative, using both discovery- and hypothesis-based science methods. Students experimentally investigate topics, observe structure, use... more

Designed to be used with all majors-level general biology textbooks, the included labs are investigative, using both discovery- and hypothesis-based science methods. Students experimentally investigate topics, observe structure, use critical thinking skills to predict and test ideas, and engage in hands-on learning. By emphasizing investigative, quantitative, and comparative approaches to the topics, the authors continually emphasize how the biological sciences are integrative, yet unique.

The decline and disappearance of a range of giant marsupials, reptiles and birds from the Australian landscape during the last Glacial cycle continues to capture the imagination of both researchers and the general public. The events... more

The decline and disappearance of a range of giant marsupials, reptiles and birds from the Australian landscape during the last Glacial cycle continues to capture the imagination of both researchers and the general public. The events hinted at in the Australian fossil sequences appear to be mirrored on other continents through similar time periods, though the exact cause or sequence of extinctions remains largely unresolved. In recent years debate over megafaunal extinctions in Australia has been dominated by reports that humans were the primary drivers, leading some to assert that it is no longer a question of whether humans drove these extinctions, only how. Following the review of Wroe and Field, new reports have been published that claim support for a human-driven extinction (HDE). On closer scrutiny however, the key sites and samples lack firm contextual data and/or clear provenance. These studies fail to prove a key tenet of the HDE e that all, or even most now-extinct species were present at the time of human colonization of the continent. As compared with the easy assertion 5 years ago that this had been established, there are now more faunal species (c. 69% of total known to have become extinct) that cannot be placed within 50e100 ka of human arrival. There are still only two sites that demonstrate a coexistence of humans with some species of megafauna e Nombe Rockshelter in the PNG highlands and Cuddie Springs in the semi-arid southeast of Australia. If there is so little empirical evidence for coexistence or association of megafauna with humans, then support for an HDE through overhunting and ecosystem disruption is seriously compromised. Furthermore, the popularly cited "extinction window", proposed as c. 51e39 ka when the HDE is argued to occur, is still only a theoretical construct. There is no clear evidence indicating that this period was particularly significant in terms of faunal loss. At present, the great majority of 'Pleistocene' sites remain poorly dated and the understanding of faunal turnover through this epoch is almost non-existent. Small datasets, poorly constructed hypotheses and assertive rhetoric are the prominent features of current discussions on a human role in megafaunal extinctions. Importantly, it is yet to be established whether the extinctions are an archaeological problem. The sparse fossil record known from Australia hampers a clear resolution as to how and when the megafauna disappeared, a situation likely to continue into the near future.

Minkowski famously introduced the concept of a space-time continuum in 1908, merging the three dimensions of space with an imaginary time dimension $ i c t ,withtheunitimaginaryproducingthecorrectspacetimedistance, with the unit imaginary producing the correct spacetime distance ,withtheunitimaginaryproducingthecorrectspacetimedistance x^2 - c^2... more

Minkowski famously introduced the concept of a space-time continuum in 1908, merging the three dimensions of space with an imaginary time dimension $ i c t ,withtheunitimaginaryproducingthecorrectspacetimedistance, with the unit imaginary producing the correct spacetime distance ,withtheunitimaginaryproducingthecorrectspacetimedistance x^2 - c^2 t^2 ,andtheresultsofEinstein′sthenrecentlydevelopedtheoryofspecialrelativity,thusprovidinganexplanationforEinstein′stheoryintermsofthestructureofspaceandtime.AsanalternativetoaplanarMinkowskispace−timeoftwospacedimensionsandonetimedimension,wereplacetheunitimaginary, and the results of Einstein's then recently developed theory of special relativity, thus providing an explanation for Einstein's theory in terms of the structure of space and time. As an alternative to a planar Minkowski space-time of two space dimensions and one time dimension, we replace the unit imaginary ,andtheresultsofEinstein′sthenrecentlydevelopedtheoryofspecialrelativity,thusprovidinganexplanationforEinstein′stheoryintermsofthestructureofspaceandtime.AsanalternativetoaplanarMinkowskispace−timeoftwospacedimensionsandonetimedimension,wereplacetheunitimaginary i = \sqrt{-1} ,withtheCliffordbivector, with the Clifford bivector ,withtheCliffordbivector \iota = e_1 e_2 $ for the plane that also squares to minus one, but which can be included without the addition of an extra dimension, as it is an integral part of the real Cartesian plane with the orthonormal basis $ e_1 $ and $ e_2 $. We find that with this model of planar spacetime, using a two-dimensional Clifford multivector, the spacetime metric and the Lorentz transformations follow immediately as properties of the algebra. This also leads to momentum and energy being represented as components of a multivector and we give a new efficient derivation of Compton's scattering formula, and a simple formulation of Dirac's and Maxwell's equations. Based on the mathematical structure of the multivector, we produce a semi-classical model of massive particles, which can then be viewed as the origin of the Minkowski spacetime structure and thus a deeper explanation for relativistic effects. We also find a new perspective on the nature of time, which is now given a precise mathematical definition as the bivector of the plane.

Animal kingdom possesses numerous poisonous species that produce venoms (actively delivered) or toxins (passively delivered). Poisonous animals are found in most classes of the Animal Kingdom and in most habitats, both terrestrial and... more

Animal kingdom possesses numerous poisonous species that produce venoms (actively delivered) or toxins (passively delivered). Poisonous animals are found in most classes of the Animal Kingdom and in most habitats, both terrestrial and marine. Poisonous animals have a significant health problem for populations in the world and are neglected environmental diseases of the rural tropics. Poisonous animals include a variety of animal species; sea snakes, stinging fish, jellyfish, corals, cone shells, blueringed octopuses, sea urchins, snakes (elapids, vipers, and rattlesnakes), scorpion, spiders, bee, wasp and ant. Poisonous animal are rich sources of toxins that often target-with high potency and variable specificity. Animal toxins have made a significant contribution to enhancing knowledge in human physiology and pharmacology. Information on the nature and mechanism of action of these toxins has enabled a more scientific approach to the treatment of their intoxications. This paper reviews the knowledge about the various aspects related to the name, habitat, biological and medical importance of poisonous animals of different major animal phyla. In addition, this review will discuss the mechanism of venoms or toxins toxicity and therapeutic uses of particular fractions of venoms or toxins from different sources.