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Dos Santos PG, Dos Santos EG, de Carvalho Guimarães I, Cardoso CAL, Lima-Junior SE, Antonialli-Junior WF. Hydrocarbons in Formicidae: influence of chemical footprints on ant behavioral strategies. Naturwissenschaften 2024; 111:24. [PMID: 38634907 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01908-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
When an insect walks, it leaves chemical cues that derive from the arolium, a tarsal structure. These cues may contain important information about other species that occur in their community and can then mediate interactions of competition, predation, and information about resources with ants from their own colony. The compounds of these cues are released into the substrate in the form of chemical footprints. There are still few species studied, and little is known about the behavior of ants regarding these signals and how they use them in their interactions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the behavioral strategy of different ant species when confronted with chemical footprints left by other ants, as well as identify their compounds and their relationship with the cuticular hydrocarbon profile. The experiments were performed using a Y-maze, where in one of the arms, there were chemical footprints of their own species or of other species, and the other Y arm was footprint-free. The chemical compounds of footprints and cuticle were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results show that foragers of all species detect and respond to the presence of chemical cues in the form of footprints left by other ants. Foragers of all species followed footprints of individuals of the same species both nestmates and non-nestmates; however, Neoponera villosa avoided the footprints of Cephalotes borgmeieri, and C. borgmeieri avoided the footprints of the other two species. The chemical compositions of the cuticle and footprints are related to each other and are specific to each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poliana Galvão Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso Do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil.
- Centro de Estudos Em Recursos Naturais, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso Do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil.
| | - Elane Galvão Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Ciência E Tecnologia Ambiental, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil
| | - Ingrid de Carvalho Guimarães
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso Do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil
- Centro de Estudos Em Recursos Naturais, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso Do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil
| | - Claudia Andrea Lima Cardoso
- Centro de Estudos Em Recursos Naturais, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso Do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil
| | - Sidnei Eduardo Lima-Junior
- Centro de Estudos Em Recursos Naturais, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso Do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil
| | - William Fernando Antonialli-Junior
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso Do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil
- Centro de Estudos Em Recursos Naturais, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso Do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 79804-970, Brazil
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Calábková G, Madzia D, Nosek V, Ivanov M. Tracking 'transitional' diadectomorphs in the earliest Permian of equatorial Pangea. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16603. [PMID: 38077424 PMCID: PMC10710172 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Diadectomorpha was a clade of large-bodied stem-amniotes or possibly early-diverging synapsids that established a successful dynasty of late Carboniferous to late Permian high-fiber herbivores. Aside from their fairly rich record of body fossils, diadectomorphs are also well-known from widely distributed tracks and trackways referred to as Ichniotherium. Here, we provide detailed description of a diadectomorph trackway and a manus-pes couple originating from two different horizons in the Asselian (lowermost Permian) of the Boskovice Basin in the Czech Republic. The specimens represent two distinct ichnotaxa of Ichniotherium, I. cottae and I. sphaerodactylum. Intriguingly, the I. cottae trackway described herein illustrates a 'transitional' stage in the posture evolution of diadectomorphs, showing track morphologies possibly attributable to a Diadectes-like taxon combined with distances between the successive manus and pes imprints similar to those observable in earlier-diverging diadectomorphs, such as Orobates. In addition, this trackway is composed of 14 tracks, including six well-preserved manus-pes couples, and thus represents the most complete record of Ichniotherium cottae described to date from the Asselian strata. In turn, the manus-pes couple, attributed here to I. sphaerodactylum, represents only the second record of this ichnotaxon from the European part of Pangea. Our study adds to the diversity of the ichnological record of Permian tetrapods in the Boskovice Basin which had been essentially unexplored until very recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Calábková
- Department of Geology and Paleontology, Moravian Museum, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Madzia
- Department of Evolutionary Paleobiology, Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Vojtěch Nosek
- Department of Archaeology and Museology, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Ivanov
- Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Chen S, Chen J, Wang X, Li J, Dong B, Xu Z. Footprints of total coliforms, faecal coliforms and E. coli in a wastewater treatment plant and the probabilistic assessment and reduction of E. coli infection risks. Sci Total Environ 2023; 900:165845. [PMID: 37506894 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater contains various pathogenic microorganisms, and the disease of workers caused by exposure to wastewater at the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a growing concern. The footprints of total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in a conventional activated sludge WWTP during 12 consecutive months were clarified. It was found that TC, FC and E.coli in influent were significantly removed (log 4.71, log 4.43 and log 4.62, respectively) by WWTP with sand filtration playing a key role, and excess sludge was a major potential pathway for them flowing to the environment. Through quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), hand-to-mouth ingestion of untreated wastewater and wastewater in secondary/efficient sedimentation tanks, as well as accidental ingestion of sludge in dewatering workshop presented the highest infection risks of pathogenic E.coli in the WWTP, considerably exceeded the U.S. EPA benchmark (≤1 × 10-4 pppy). PPE application and E.coli concentration reduction in wastewater or sludge were recommended to reduce the infection risks at these stages. Further, partial ozonation and dissolved ozone flotation thickening were investigated able to reduce the infection risks at the stages of secondary and tertiary treatment of wastewater or sludge treatment by 90- 98 %. The findings of this study would assist in selecting appropriate processes for the further sanitation of WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China; School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China
| | - Jiangfeng Chen
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Xiankai Wang
- YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, China Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, PR China
| | - Ji Li
- School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China
| | - Bin Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China; YANGTZE Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, China Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, PR China.
| | - Zuxin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
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Huang L, Li X, Dong L, Wang B, Pan L. Profiling of chromatin accessibility identifies transcription factor binding sites across the genome of Aspergillus species. BMC Biol 2021; 19:189. [PMID: 34488759 PMCID: PMC8419926 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01114-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The identification of open chromatin regions and transcription factor binding sites (TFBs) is an important step in understanding the regulation of gene expression in diverse species. ATAC-seq is a technique used for such purpose by providing high-resolution measurements of chromatin accessibility revealed through integration of Tn5 transposase. However, the existence of cell walls in filamentous fungi and associated difficulty in purifying nuclei have precluded the routine application of this technique, leading to a lack of experimentally determined and computationally inferred data on the identity of genome-wide cis-regulatory elements (CREs) and TFBs. In this study, we constructed an ATAC-seq platform suitable for filamentous fungi and generated ATAC-seq libraries of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae grown under a variety of conditions. Results We applied the ATAC-seq assay for filamentous fungi to delineate the syntenic orthologue and differentially changed chromatin accessibility regions among different Aspergillus species, during different culture conditions, and among specific TF-deleted strains. The syntenic orthologues of accessible regions were responsible for the conservative functions across Aspergillus species, while regions differentially changed between culture conditions and TFs mutants drove differential gene expression programs. Importantly, we suggest criteria to determine TFBs through the analysis of unbalanced cleavage of distinct TF-bound DNA strands by Tn5 transposase. Based on this criterion, we constructed data libraries of the in vivo genomic footprint of A. niger under distinct conditions, and generated a database of novel transcription factor binding motifs through comparison of footprints in TF-deleted strains. Furthermore, we validated the novel TFBs in vivo through an artificial synthetic minimal promoter system. Conclusions We characterized the chromatin accessibility regions of filamentous fungi species, and identified a complete TFBs map by ATAC-seq, which provides valuable data for future analyses of transcriptional regulation in filamentous fungi. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01114-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianggang Huang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xuejie Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Liangbo Dong
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bin Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Li Pan
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Li M, Wiedmann T, Fang K, Hadjikakou M. The role of planetary boundaries in assessing absolute environmental sustainability across scales. Environ Int 2021; 152:106475. [PMID: 33725560 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The idea of revisiting the biophysical limits of human life on planet Earth has gained renewed momentum in the Anthropocene. The planetary boundaries (PBs) framework has emerged as a strong guardrail concept, even though its capacity to inform the development of absolute sustainability assessments and realistic policies remains unclear. In this paper, we present a current synthesis of the development of absolute environmental sustainability (AES) indicators and assessments informed by PBs. We firstly explore how PBs have been considered in AES research at different scales. We then present a critique of how consensus could be reached in standardising and harmonising the share of globally and locally allocated safe operating spaces. We argue that PBs must be linked to human consumption as the main socio-economic driver and that planetary concerns can only be addressed through a holistic perspective that encompasses global tele-connections. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for the future design of AES indicators and assessments informed by PBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Li
- School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China; Sustainability Assessment Program (SAP), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Thomas Wiedmann
- Sustainability Assessment Program (SAP), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Kai Fang
- School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Center of Social Welfare and Governance, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Michalis Hadjikakou
- Sustainability Assessment Program (SAP), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
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Jewell ZC, Alibhai S, Law PR, Uiseb K, Lee S. Monitoring rhinoceroses in Namibia's private custodianship properties. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9670. [PMID: 32864211 PMCID: PMC7430304 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Routinely censusing rhinoceros’ populations is central to their conservation and protection from illegal killing. In Namibia, both white (Ceratotherium simum) and black (Diceros bicornis) rhinoceros occur on private land, in the latter case under a custodianship program of the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). Black rhinoceros custodian landowners are responsible for the protection of the rhinoceroses on their land and are required to report regularly to the MET. Monitoring imposes a financial burden on custodians yet many of the techniques used involve expensive monitoring techniques that include the need for aerial support and/or animal instrumentation. During May and June 2018, WildTrack undertook a pilot study to census black and white rhinoceros on three private custodianship properties in Namibia. We tested three footprint identification methods for obtaining estimates of rhinoceros populations in an effort to provide less costly alternative monitoring options to rhinoceros custodians. The first was a full monitoring protocol with two components: (a) tracking each individual animal and matching them to their footprints, (b) identifying those individuals from the heel lines on the prints. The second method used simple visual heel line identification ex-situ, and the third method used just an objective footprint identification technique. These methods offer different options of fieldwork labour and cost and were designed to offer monitoring options to custodians that provided information about rhinoceros movement and location, with minimal disturbance to the rhinoceros, and best matched their human and economic resources. In this study, we describe the three methods and report the results of the pilot study to compare and evaluate their utility for rhinoceros monitoring. The first method successfully matched each trail photographed to a known rhinoceros at each site. When the other two methods disagreed with the first, they did so by failing to match single trails to a known rhinoceros, thereby creating fictitious identities consisting of a single trail. This failure occurred twice in one application, but otherwise at most once. We expect this failure can be eliminated through more stringent criteria for collecting photographs of footprints. We also briefly compare the use of footprint monitoring with other commonly used monitoring techniques. On this basis, landowners hosting rhinoceros can evaluate which method best suits their needs and resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe C Jewell
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America.,JMP Division, SAS, Cary, NC, United States of America.,WildTrack, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Sky Alibhai
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America.,JMP Division, SAS, Cary, NC, United States of America.,WildTrack, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Peter R Law
- African Centre for Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Kenneth Uiseb
- Directorate of Scientific Services, The Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Stephen Lee
- US Army Research Office, Cary, NC, United States of America
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Nirenberg MS, Ansert E, Krishan K, Kanchan T. Two-dimensional metric comparisons between dynamic bare footprints and insole foot impressions-forensic implications. Sci Justice 2020; 60:145-50. [PMID: 32111287 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Footwear may be found at crime scenes as physical evidence. Such footwear often has impression features of the wearer's foot on the insole of the shoe. Scientific research and literature have established that footprints are distinct. This study compares two-dimensional measurements on bare footprints to foot impressions on insoles to determine if significant differences or similarities exist. Dynamic footprints were collected from 51 donors using theIdenticator® Inkless Shoe Print Model LE 25P system. Seven foot length and width measurements were taken based on the Reel linear measurement method. Footprint measurements between bare footprints and foot impressions on the insoles were compared. Only two differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the various bare footprint and insole foot impression measurements on the right and left side for most of the measurements, CALC (p < 0.001) and A1 (p = 0.04). Bare footprint and insole A5 measurements on the left side were also significantly different (p = 0.015). The results of the study have implications in the forensic analysis of foot impression evidence on insoles in footwear in assisting with identifying the wearer of said footwear. Situations may arise in the forensic context when comparing the foot impression on the insole of footwear to a suspect's bare footprint or a footprint from post-mortem remains. This study contributes to the scant literature available on the topic and to understanding the similarities and differences observed in the various linear measurements that may be utilized in the comparison process of footprint impressions on shoe insoles to bare footprints.
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Curran M, Holmes I. A comparison of the length and width of static inked two-dimensional bare footprints found on a hard compared to a soft surface. Sci Justice 2019; 59:448-451. [PMID: 31256817 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In forensic intelligence-gathering it would be useful to evaluate if there are differences between static inked bare footprints captured on hard surfaces compared to soft surfaces. This was undertaken using samples from 30 undergraduate students. Initially a static footprint was taken for each participant on a hard surface and this was followed by a static footprint on a soft surface. On both occasions, the participants stood on an inkless mat and then on reactive paper, creating a two-dimensional print. The Reel method was used to analyse each footprint and the print was measured to see whether a difference existed between length and width (forefoot and rearfoot width) on a hard surface compared to a soft surface. The conclusion from this study was there is a statistically significant increase in length and width of a static bare footprint on a soft surface as opposed to a hard surface. If a forensic footprint examiner compares static bare footprints found on a soft surface and compares them to a static bare footprint of the same foot taken later, then the increase in both length and width of the footprints on a soft surface should be considered in the evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Curran
- The University of Northampton, University Drive, Northampton NN2 5PH, UK.
| | - Isabelle Holmes
- The University of Northampton, University Drive, Northampton NN2 5PH, UK
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Nirenberg MS, Ansert E, Krishan K, Kanchan T. Two-dimensional metric comparison between dynamic bare and sock-clad footprints for its forensic implications - A pilot study. Sci Justice 2019; 59:46-51. [PMID: 30654967 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Footprints may be present at crime scenes as physical evidence. This pilot study compares two-dimensional measurements of bare and sock-clad footprints to determine if significant differences or similarities exist. Dynamic footprints were collected from 30 males and 20 females between the ages of 20 and 61 years old (mean of 28.2 years) using the Identicator Inkless Shoe Print Model LE 25P system. A midgait protocol was employed for obtaining footprints. The fifth and sixth footprint of gait were collected for the right and left foot, respectively, in both sock-clad and barefoot trials. The footprint measurements between sock-clad and bare footprints were compared. The results did not indicate any significant difference (p > .05) between bare and sock-clad foot length measurements for right or left feet. Significant differences were seen for the width measurements between bare and sock-clad footprints. These findings have forensic implications, particularly in criminal cases where it is unclear if a footprint impression is from a sock-clad foot or a bare foot. This study shows that such a determination is generally not necessary when utilizing two-dimensional measurements for length comparison between a bare and sock-clad footprint. However, if width measurements are being evaluated, the distinction between bare and sock-clad footprints should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Nirenberg
- Friendly Foot Care, PC, 50 W. 94th Place, Crown Point, IN 46307, United States.
| | - Elizabeth Ansert
- Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Kewal Krishan
- Department of Anthropology (UGC Centre of Advanced Study), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Tanuj Kanchan
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
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May-Concha IJ, Lobbia PA, Mougabure-Cueto G. Interaction between two aggregation chemical signals in Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). J Insect Physiol 2018; 109:79-84. [PMID: 29986842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The nymphs and adults of Triatoma infestans spend much of their time aggregated among themselves within narrow and dark shelters. The search for a suitable shelter depends in part on the recognition of chemical signals coming from the feces and the cuticle of the other individuals who use the refuge. The aim of this study was determine the possible interaction between the chemical signals associated to the feces and to the cuticle of T. infestans. The results showed that the insects remained significantly more time on the feces that had contact with legs and the feces plus footprints than feces or footprints alone, demonstrating the interaction between evaluated signals. These results demonstrates also that feces extracted a chemical stimulus from the legs. Understanding the interaction feces-legs as an interaction feces-cuticle of legs, the results suggest that the feces could extract some cuticular compound with activity on the behavior of the insects. This is the first report of the interaction between the two aggregation signals recognized in T. infestans and of the increase in the behavioral response of insects exposed to feces that had contact with a cuticular structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irving J May-Concha
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Triatominos (LIT), Centro de Referencia de Vectores (CeReVe), Programa Nacional de Chagas, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Hospital Colonia-Pabellón Rawson calle s/n, Santa María de Punilla, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Patricia A Lobbia
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Triatominos (LIT), Centro de Referencia de Vectores (CeReVe), Programa Nacional de Chagas, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Hospital Colonia-Pabellón Rawson calle s/n, Santa María de Punilla, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Gastón Mougabure-Cueto
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Triatominos (LIT), Centro de Referencia de Vectores (CeReVe), Programa Nacional de Chagas, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Hospital Colonia-Pabellón Rawson calle s/n, Santa María de Punilla, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
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Yadav P, Desireddy S, Kasinathan S, Bessière JM, Borges RM. History Matters: Oviposition Resource Acceptance in an Exploiter of a Nursery Pollination Mutualism. J Chem Ecol 2018; 44:18-28. [PMID: 29250744 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0914-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In the fig-fig wasp nursery pollination system, parasitic wasps, such as gallers and parasitoids that oviposit from the exterior into the fig syconium (globular, enclosed inflorescence) are expected to use a variety of chemical cues for successful location of their hidden hosts. Behavioral assays were performed with freshly eclosed naive galler wasps. Syconia with different oviposition histories, i.e. with or without prior oviposition, were presented to wasps in no-choice assays and the time taken to the first oviposition attempt was recorded. The wasps exhibited a preference for syconia previously exposed to conspecifics for oviposition over unexposed syconia. Additionally, syconia exposed to oviposition by heterospecific wasps were also preferred for oviposition over unexposed syconia indicating that wasps recognise and respond to interspecific cues. Wasps also aggregated for oviposition on syconia previously exposed to oviposition by conspecifics. We investigated chemical cues that wasps may employ in accepting an oviposition resource by analyzing syconial volatile profiles, chemical footprints left by wasps on syconia, and syconial surface hydrocarbons. The volatile profile of a syconium is influenced by the identity of wasps developing within and may be used to identify suitable host syconia at long range whereas close range preference seems to exploit wasp footprints that alter syconium surface hydrocarbon profiles. These cues act as indicators of the oviposition history of the syconium, thereby helping wasps in their oviposition decisions.
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Drouin R, Bastien N, Millau JF, Vigneault F, Paradis I. In Cellulo DNA Analysis: LMPCR Footprinting. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1334:41-84. [PMID: 26404143 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2877-4_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The in cellulo analysis of protein-DNA interactions and chromatin structure is very important to better understand the mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression. The nuclease-hypersensitive sites and sequences bound by transcription factors often correspond to genetic regulatory elements. Using the ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LMPCR) technology, it is possible to precisely analyze these DNA sequences to demonstrate the existence of DNA-protein interactions or unusual DNA structures directly in living cells. Indeed, the ideal chromatin substrate is, of course, found inside intact cells. LMPCR, a genomic sequencing technique that map DNA single-strand breaks at the sequence level of resolution, is the method of choice for in cellulo footprinting and DNA structure studies because it can be used to investigate complex animal genomes, including human. The detailed conventional and automated LMPCR protocols are presented in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Régen Drouin
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. .,Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, J1H 5N4.
| | - Nathalie Bastien
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-François Millau
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Isabelle Paradis
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Macatangay R, Sonkaew T, Velazco V, Gerbig C, Intarat N, Nantajai N, Bagtasa G. Factors influencing surface CO2 variations in LPRU, Thailand and IESM, Philippines. Environ Pollut 2014; 195:282-291. [PMID: 25056588 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Revised: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Surface carbon dioxide concentrations were measured using a non-dispersive infrared carbon dioxide sensor at Lampang Rajabhat University from April to May 2013 and at the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus starting September 2013. Factors influencing the variations in these measurements were determined using multiple linear regression and a Lagrangian transport model. Air temperature and sea level pressure were the dominant meteorological factors that affect the CO2 variations. However, these factors are not enough. Surface CO2 flux and transboundary transport needs to be considered as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Macatangay
- Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
| | | | - Voltaire Velazco
- Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Christoph Gerbig
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knöll-Str.10, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nilubol Intarat
- Science Faculty, Lampang Rajabhat University, Lampang, Thailand
| | | | - Gerry Bagtasa
- Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
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Hemy N, Flavel A, Ishak NI, Franklin D. Sex estimation using anthropometry of feet and footprints in a Western Australian population. Forensic Sci Int 2013; 231:402.e1-6. [PMID: 23806341 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
An important component of forensic investigation is the identification of deceased (and increasingly living) individuals, which is often the role of the forensic anthropologist. One of the most valuable steps towards identification is via a biological profile, developed through the application of population specific standards. In disaster victim identification scenarios, fleshed feet are often recovered in footwear; footprints are another potential source of trace evidence found at crime scenes. In medico-legal investigations, feet and footprints can be useful for extrapolating living height, it is thus expedient to determine whether sex can be estimated from the same anthropometric data. The aim of the present study is to develop accurate sex estimation standards for a contemporary Western Australian population from measurements of the feet and footprints. The sample comprises 200 adults (90 males, 110 females). Three bilateral linear measurements were taken from each foot and seven bilateral measurements were acquired from static footprints obtained using a Podograph. A precision test was first conducted to assess data accuracy and reliability. Measurement data are then analysed using a range of parametric statistical tests. Results show that males were significantly (P<0.001) larger than females for all foot and footprint measurements; cross-validated sex classification accuracies ranged from 71% to 91%. Although in many instances the sex bias was large (>±5%), this study provides viable alternatives for estimating sex in Western Australian individuals with accuracy equivalent to established standards developed from foot bones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Hemy
- Centre for Forensic Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Australia
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