Why do avian responses to change in Arctic green-up vary?

Global climate change has altered the timing of seasonal events (i.e., phenology) for a diverse range of biota. Within and among species, however, the degree to which alterations in phenology match climate variability differ substantially. To better understand factors driving these differences, we evaluated variation in timing of nesting of eight Arctic-breeding shorebird species at 18 sites over a 23-year period. We used the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index as a proxy to determine the start of spring (SOS) growing season and quantified relationships between SOS and nest initiation dates as a measure of phenological responsiveness. Among species, we tested four life history traits (migration distance, seasonal timing of breeding, female body mass, expected female reproductive effort) as species-level predictors of responsiveness. For one species (Semipalmated Sandpiper), we also evaluated whether responsiveness varied across sites. Although no species in our study completely tracked annual variation in SOS, phenological responses were strongest for Western Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, and Red Phalaropes. Migration distance was the strongest additional predictor of responsiveness, with longer-distance migrant species generally tracking variation in SOS more closely than species that migrate shorter distances. Semipalmated Sandpipers are a widely distributed species, but adjustments in timing of nesting relative to variability in SOS did not vary across sites, suggesting that different breeding populations of this species were equally responsive to climate cues despite differing migration strategies. Our results unexpectedly show that long-distance migrants are more sensitive to local environmental conditions, which may help them to adapt to ongoing changes in climate.

Maize and heat stress: Physiological, genetic, and molecular insights

Global mean temperature is increasing at a rapid pace due to the rapid emission of greenhouse gases majorly from anthropogenic practices and predicted to rise up to 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level by the year 2050. The warming climate is affecting global crop production by altering biochemical, physiological, and metabolic processes resulting in poor growth, development, and reduced yield. Maize is susceptible to heat stress, particularly at the reproductive and early grain filling stages. Interestingly, heat stress impact on crops is closely regulated by associated environmental covariables such as humidity, vapor pressure deficit, soil moisture content, and solar radiation. Therefore, heat stress tolerance is considered as a complex trait, which requires multiple levels of regulations in plants. Exploring genetic diversity from landraces and wild accessions of maize is a promising approach to identify novel donors, traits, quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and genes, which can be introgressed into the elite cultivars. Indeed, genome wide association studies (GWAS) for mining of potential QTL(s) and dominant gene(s) is a major route of crop improvement. Conversely, mutation breeding is being utilized for generating variation in existing populations with narrow genetic background. Besides breeding approaches, augmented production of heat shock factors (HSFs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been reported in transgenic maize to provide heat stress tolerance. Recent advancements in molecular techniques including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) would expedite the process for developing thermotolerant maize genotypes.

Differentiating spillover: an examination of cross-habitat movement in ecology spillover in ecology

Organisms that immigrate into a recipient habitat generate a movement pattern that affects local population dynamics and the environment. Spillover is the pattern of unidirectional movement from a donor habitat to a different, adjacent recipient habitat. However, ecological definitions are often generalized to include any cross-habitat movement, which limits within- and cross-discipline collaboration. To assess spillover nomenclature, we reviewed 337 studies within the agriculture, disease, fisheries and habitat fragmentation disciplines. Each study's definition of spillover and the methods used were analysed. We identified four descriptors (movement, habitat type and arrangement, and effect) used that differentiate spillover from other cross-habitat movement patterns (dispersal, foray loops and edge movement). Studies often define spillover as movement (45%) but rarely measure it as such (4%), particularly in disease and habitat fragmentation disciplines. Consequently, 98% of studies could not distinguish linear from returning movement out of a donor habitat, which can overestimate movement distance. Overall, few studies (12%) included methods that matched their own definition, revealing a distinct mismatch. Because theory shows that long-term impacts of the different movement patterns can vary, differentiating spillover from other movement patterns is necessary for effective long-term and inter-disciplinary management of organisms that use heterogeneous landscapes.

Identification of CryAB as a target of NUAK kinase activity in Drosophila muscle tissue

Phosphorylation reactions performed by protein kinases are one of the most studied post-translational modifications within cells. Much is understood about conserved residues within protein kinase domains that perform catalysis of the phosphotransfer reaction, yet the identity of the target substrates and downstream biological effects vary widely among cells, tissues, and organisms. Here, we characterize key residues essential for NUAK kinase activity in Drosophila melanogaster myogenesis and homeostasis. Creation of a NUAK kinase-dead mutation using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 results in lethality at the embryo to larval transition, while loss of NUAK catalytic function later in development produces aggregation of the chaperone protein αB-crystallin/CryAB in muscle tissue. Yeast 2-hybrid assays demonstrate a physical interaction between NUAK and CryAB. We further show that a phospho-mimetic version of NUAK promotes the phosphorylation of CryAB and this post-translational modification occurs at 2 previously unidentified phosphosites that are conserved in the primary sequence of human CryAB. Mutation of these serine residues in D. melanogaster NUAK abolishes CryAB phosphorylation, thus, proving their necessity at the biochemical level. These studies together highlight the importance of kinase activity regulation and provide a platform to further explore muscle tissue proteostasis.

Haplotypic analysis of cox1 from Toxocara canis demonstrates five distinct clades that are not geographically defined

BACKGROUND

Toxocara canis is a cosmopolitan parasite of dogs that is transmitted transplacentally to puppies resulting in widespread shedding of eggs in the environment. However, it is not clear if there are dominant parasite genotypes that are more common, pathogenic, or likely to be zoonotic.

METHODS/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS

Sequences of mitochondrial cox1 gene from adult worms were used to compare parasites from the United States with submitted sequences from parasites isolated from dogs in different countries. Our analysis revealed at least 55 haplotypes. While we expected the North American worms to form a distinct cluster, we found haplotypes of T. canis reported elsewhere existing in this population. Interestingly, combining the sequence data from our study with the available GenBank data, analysis of cox1 sequences results in five distinct clades that are not geographically defined.

CONCLUSIONS

The five clades of T. canis revealed in this study potentially have unique life histories, traits, or host preferences. Additional investigation is needed to see if these distinct clades represent cryptic species with clinically useful attributes or genotypes with taxonomic value. Evaluation of common mitochondrial genes may reveal distinct populations of zoonotic T. canis.

Relationship satisfaction in Black heterosexual couples: The role of self-compassion and openness

The study examined how Black heterosexual couples cope with the impact of racial discrimination on their relationship. The Vulnerability Stress Adaptation (VSA) model was utilized to examine the role of self-compassion in mitigating negative interaction in the relationship and how racial discrimination might disrupt this protective process. Further, the influence of open communication on the relationship between negative interaction and overall relationship satisfaction was explored. Participants included 210 Black married heterosexual couples. A common-fate moderated mediation model was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that first, higher levels of self-compassion in both spouses were associated with lower negative interaction within the couple's relationship. Second, among wives, the relationship between self-compassion and negative interaction changed in response to higher levels of racial discrimination. Third, couples' negative interaction suppressed the positive effects of self-compassion on overall relationship satisfaction. Fourth, for wives, the level of open communication played a role in the relationship between negative interaction and relationship satisfaction. Fifth, specifically for wives, the extent to which self-compassion was related to relationship satisfaction through negative interaction depended on the level of discrimination perceived by wives and the degree of open communication in their relationships. The findings have implications for clinical work and further research.

Prevalence of Reproductive Health Issues among US Female Law Enforcement Officers

Reproductive health is a considerable concern among US female law enforcement officers (LEOs). Miscarriage and preterm birth rates are significantly higher in women firefighters than published US averages. Since law enforcement and firefighting share occupational conditions and practices, adverse birth outcomes were hypothesized to be greater in female law enforcement officers (LEOs) than the US averages. Occupational hazards may place pregnant LEOs at a higher risk for complicated pregnancies and adverse birth outcomes. This study quantified pregnancy outcomes in female LEOs using a cross-sectional survey and compared them to US averages and large prospective studies. The participants (N = 162, 72.2% aged 31-49, 85.2% Caucasian) averaged 2.5 ± 1.4 pregnancies. Stress (59.1%) and shiftwork (59.8%) were the most common reported exposures. Miscarriage and preterm birth rates were 19.1% and 16.4%, respectively. Miscarriages were significantly greater among participants compared to prospective studies [χ2 (1, N = 911,971) = 20.51, p < 0.001]. Female LEOs of childbearing age should receive education about potential reproductive health hazards and take precautions against them. Moreover, policymakers, human resources, and healthcare providers should understand how law enforcement work might affect maternal health.

Extrachromosomal circular DNA-mediated spread of herbicide resistance in interspecific hybrids of pigweed

Extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are found in many eukaryotic organisms. EccDNA-powered copy number variation plays diverse roles, from oncogenesis in humans to herbicide resistance in crop weeds. Here, we report interspecific eccDNA flow and its dynamic behavior in soma cells of natural populations and F1 hybrids of Amaranthus sp. The glyphosate-resistance (GR) trait is controlled by eccDNA-based amplification harboring the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene (eccDNA replicon), the molecular target of glyphosate. We documented pollen-mediated transfer of eccDNA in experimental hybrids between glyphosate-susceptible Amaranthus tuberculatus and GR Amaranthus palmeri. Experimental hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed that the eccDNA replicon in Amaranthus spinosus derived from GR A. palmeri by natural hybridization. FISH analysis also revealed random chromosome anchoring and massive eccDNA replicon copy number variation in soma cells of weedy hybrids. The results suggest that eccDNAs are inheritable across compatible species, contributing to genome plasticity and rapid adaptive evolution.

A Mixed-Methods Study of Women's Empowerment through Physical Activities: Relationships with Self-Efficacy and Physical Activity Levels

Participation in empowering physical activities may increase self-efficacy and facilitate long-term engagement. This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examined the relationship between physical activity empowerment, exercise self-efficacy, and engagement. Midwestern women (N = 147) aged 18-65, 90% white, completed an online cross-sectional survey that captured exercise engagement and self-efficacy for exercise. Participants entered up to five types of physical activities and ranked them from most to least empowering. Physical activities were coded by training type for statistical comparisons using independent t-tests. After survey completion, seventeen women completed a 30 min, 8-question semi-structured interview. Women ranked resistance training as the most empowering physical activity type (38%), followed by running (14%). Total and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and self-efficacy for exercise scores did not vary between women empowered by cardiorespiratory or resistance training (i.e., total physical activity t(136) = 1.13, p = 0.11; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity t(136) = 2.42, p = 0.06; and self-efficacy for exercise t(136) = 0.66, p = 0.07). Themes identified from the interviews included: (1) women's physical activity participation barriers are gender-centric, (2) physical activity participation benefits extend beyond physical health, (3) some exercise types are more empowering than others, and (4) empowerment and enjoyment are closely related. Exploring empowerment in exercise may reveal mechanisms to facilitate exercise self-efficacy and engagement in physical activity.

Effector-mediated subversion of proteasome activator (PA)28αβ enhances host defense against Legionella pneumophila under inflammatory and oxidative stress conditions

Legionella pneumophila is a natural pathogen of amoebae that causes Legionnaires' Disease in immunocompromised individuals via replication within macrophages. L. pneumophila virulence and intracellular replication hinges on hundreds of Dot/Icm-translocated effector proteins, which are essential for biogenesis of the replication-permissive Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV). However, effector activity can also enhance mammalian host defense via effector-triggered immunity. The L. pneumophila effector LegC4 is important for virulence in amoebae but enhances host defense against L. pneumophila in the mouse lung and, uniquely, within macrophages activated with either tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or interferon (IFN)-γ. The mechanism by which LegC4 potentiates cytokine-mediated host defense in macrophages is unknown. Here, we found that LegC4 enhances cytokine-mediated phagolysosomal fusion with Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) and binds host proteasome activator (PA)28α, which forms a heterooligomer with PA28β to facilitate ubiquitin-independent proteasomal degradation of oxidant-damaged (carbonylated) proteins. We found that oxidative stress was sustained in the presence of LegC4 and that the LegC4 restriction phenotype was relieved in PA28αβ-deficient macrophages and in the lungs of mice in vivo. Our data also show that oxidative stress is sufficient for LegC4-mediated restriction in macrophages producing PA28αβ. PA28αβ has been traditionally associated with antigen presentation; however, our data support a novel mechanism whereby effector-mediated subversion of PA28αβ enhances cell-autonomous host defense against L. pneumophila under inflammatory and oxidative stress conditions. This work provides a solid foundation to evaluate induced proteasome regulators as mediators of innate immunity.

Investigating the Electromechanical Properties of Carbon Black-Based Conductive Polymer Composites via Stochastic Modeling

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) have shown potential for structural health monitoring applications based on repeated findings of irreversible transducer electromechanical property change due to fatigue. In this research, a high-fidelity stochastic modeling framework is explored for predicting the electromechanical properties of spherical element-based CPC materials at bulk scales. CPC dogbone specimens are manufactured via casting and their electromechanical properties are characterized via uniaxial tensile testing. Model parameter tuning, demonstrated in previous works, is deployed for improved simulation fidelity. Modeled predictions are found in agreement with experimental results and compared to predictions from a popular analytical model in the literature.

Blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of bupivacaine liposomal suspension using static bodyweight distribution and subjective pain scoring in dogs after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery

OBJECTIVE

To compare the analgesic effect of surgical wound infiltration with liposomal bupivacaine (LB) to saline placebo in dogs after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

STUDY DESIGN

Blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical prospective study.

ANIMALS

Fifteen client-owned dogs receiving LB and 17 dogs receiving an equivalent volume of saline placebo, all with confirmed unilateral cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency.

METHODS

Preoperatively and up to 48 h after surgery, Glasgow Composite Measure Short Form (CMPS-SF) pain scores were assigned and using a weight distribution platform, static bodyweight distribution (%BW_dist ) to the operated limb was measured. Postoperatively, dogs also received carprofen 2.2 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 h. Rescue analgesia was provided. Treatment success was defined as not requiring rescue analgesia over the 48-h postoperative period.

RESULTS

There was no difference between treatment success, postoperative opioid consumption, CMPS-SF pain scores, or %BW_dist in dogs that received surgical wound infiltration with LB compared with those receiving saline placebo, following TPLO. There was no linear correlation between CMPS-SF pain scores and %BW_dist .

CONCLUSION

For the population of dogs that underwent TPLO and received postoperative carprofen at our institution, LB did not provide an analgesic effect discernable by success/failure analysis, CMPS-SF pain scores, or %BW_dist measurement using a weight distribution platform, compared with saline placebo.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

LB may not provide detectable analgesia during the first 48 h for dogs recovering from TPLO and receiving only postoperative carprofen.

Gamma-ray burst data strongly favour the three-parameter fundamental plane (Dainotti) correlation over the two-parameter one

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), observed to redshift z = 9.4, are potential probes of the largely unexplored z ∼ 2.7-9.4 part of the early Universe. Thus, finding relevant relations among GRB physical properties is crucial. We find that the Platinum GRB data compilation, with 50 long GRBs (with relatively flat plateaus and no flares) in the redshift range 0.553 ≤ z ≤ 5.0, and the LGRB95 data compilation, with 95 long GRBs in 0.297 ≤ z ≤ 9.4, as well as the 145 GRB combination of the two, strongly favour the 3D Fundamental Plane (Dainotti) correlation (between the peak prompt luminosity, the luminosity at the end of the plateau emission, and its rest-frame duration) over the 2D one (between the luminosity at the end of the plateau emission and its duration). The 3D Dainotti correlations in the three data sets are standardizable. We find that while LGRB95 data have ∼50 per cent larger intrinsic scatter parameter values than the better-quality Platinum data, they provide somewhat tighter constraints on cosmological-model and GRB-correlation parameters, perhaps solely due to the larger number of data points, 95 versus 50. This suggests that when compiling GRB data for the purpose of constraining cosmological parameters, given the quality of current GRB data, intrinsic scatter parameter reduction must be balanced against reduced sample size.

Lipidomic Analysis of Arabidopsis T-DNA Insertion Lines Leads to Identification and Characterization of C-Terminal Alterations in FATTY ACID DESATURASE 6

Mass-spectrometry-based screening of lipid extracts of wounded and unwounded leaves from a collection of 364 Arabidopsis thaliana T-DNA insertion lines produced lipid profiles that were scored on the number and significance of their differences from the leaf lipid profiles of wild-type plants. The analysis identified Salk_109175C, which displayed alterations in leaf chloroplast glycerolipid composition, including a decreased ratio between two monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) molecular species, MGDG(18:3/16:3) and MGDG(18:3/18:3). Salk_109175C has a confirmed insertion in the At5g64790 locus; the insertion did not co-segregate with the recessive lipid phenotype in the F2 generation of a wild-type (Columbia-0) × Salk_109175C cross. The altered lipid compositional phenotype mapped to the At4g30950 locus, which encodes the plastidial ω-6 desaturase FATTY ACID DESATURASE 6 (FAD6). Sequencing revealed a splice-site mutation, leading to the in-frame deletion of 13 amino acids near the C-terminal end of the 448 amino acid protein. Heterologous expression in yeast showed that this deletion eliminates desaturase activity and reduces protein stability. Sequence comparison across species revealed that several amino acids within the deletion are conserved in plants and cyanobacteria. Individual point mutations in four conserved residues resulted in 77-97% reductions in desaturase activity, while a construct with all four alanine substitutions lacked activity. The data suggest that the deleted region of FAD6, which is on the C-terminal side of the four putative transmembrane segments and the histidine boxes putatively involved in catalysis, is critical for FAD6 function.

Standardizing Platinum Dainotti-correlated gamma-ray bursts, and using them with standardized Amati-correlated gamma-ray bursts to constrain cosmological model parameters

We show that the Platinum gamma-ray burst (GRB) data compilation, probing the redshift range 0.553 ≤ z ≤ 5.0, obeys a cosmological-model-independent three-parameter Fundamental Plane (Dainotti) correlation and so is standardizable. While they probe the largely unexplored z ∼ 2.3-5 part of cosmological redshift space, the GRB cosmological parameter constraints are consistent with, but less precise than, those from a combination of baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) and Hubble parameter [H(z)] data. In order to increase the precision of GRB-only cosmological constraints, we exclude common GRBs from the larger Amati-correlated A118 data set composed of 118 GRBs and jointly analyse the remaining 101 Amati-correlated GRBs with the 50 Platinum GRBs. This joint 151 GRB data set probes the largely unexplored z ∼ 2.3-8.2 region; the resulting GRB-only cosmological constraints are more restrictive, and consistent with, but less precise than, those from H(z)  + BAO data.

Indocyanine-type Infrared-820 Encapsulated Polymeric Nanoparticle-Assisted Photothermal Therapy of Cancer

Organic small-molecule photosensitizers are well-characterized and known for the light-responsive treatment modality including photodynamic therapy. Compared with ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) light used in conventional photodynamic therapy with organic photosensitizers, near-infrared (NIR) light from 700 to 900 nm is less absorbed and scattered by biological tissue such as hemoglobin, lipids, and water, and thus, the use of NIR excitation can greatly increase the penetration depth and emission. Additionally, NIR light has lower energy than UV-vis that can be beneficial due to less activation of fluorophores present in tissues upon NIR irradiation. However, the low water stability, nonspecific distribution, and short circulation half-life of the organic photosensitizers limit its broad biological application. NIR responsive small-molecule fluorescent agents are the focus of extensive research for combined molecular imaging and hyperthermia. Recently a new class of NIR dye, IR-820 with excitation and emission wavelengths of 710 and 820 nm, has been developed and explored as an alternative platform to overcome some of the limitations of the most commonly used gold nanoparticles for photothermal therapy of cancer. Herein, we synthesized a core-shell biocompatible nanocarrier envelope made up of a phospholipid conjugated with poly(ethylene glycol) as a shell, while poly(lactic glycolic acid) (PLGA) was used as a core to encapsulate IR-820 dye. The IR-820-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation and characterized for their physicochemical properties and photothermal efficiency. These nanoparticles were monodispersed and highly stable in physiological pH with the hydrodynamic size of 103 ± 8 nm and polydispersity index of 0.163 ± 0.031. The IR-820-loaded nanocarrier showed excellent biocompatibility in the dark, whereas remarkable phototoxicity was observed with breast cancer cells (MCF-7) upon NIR laser excitation. Therefore, the IR-820-loaded phospholipid mimicking biodegradable lipid-polymer composite nanoparticles could have great potential for cancer theranostics.

Microbial Dispersal, Including Bison Dung Vectored Dispersal, Increases Soil Microbial Diversity in a Grassland Ecosystem

Microbial communities display biogeographical patterns that are driven by local environmental conditions and dispersal limitation, but the relative importance of underlying dispersal mechanisms and their consequences on community structure are not well described. High dispersal rates can cause soil microbial communities to become more homogenous across space and therefore it is important to identify factors that promote dispersal. This study experimentally manipulated microbial dispersal within different land management treatments at a native tallgrass prairie site, by changing the relative openness of soil to dispersal and by simulating vector dispersal via bison dung addition. We deployed experimental soil bags with mesh open or closed to dispersal, and placed bison dung over a subset of these bags, to areas with three different land managements: active bison grazing and annual fire, annual fire but no bison grazing, and no bison grazing with infrequent fire. We expected microbial dispersal to be highest in grazed and burned environments, and that the addition of dung would consistently increase overall microbial richness and lead to homogenization of communities over time. Results show that dispersal rates, as the accumulation of taxa over the course of the 3-month experiment, increase taxonomic richness similarly in all land management treatments. Additionally, bison dung seems to be serving as a dispersal and homogenization vector, based on the consistently higher taxon richness and increased community similarity across contrasting grazing and fire treatments when dung is added. This finding also points to microbial dispersal as an important function that herbivores perform in grassland ecosystems, and in turn, as a function that was lost at a continental scale following bison extermination across the Great Plains of North America in the nineteenth century. This study is the first to detect that dispersal and vector dispersal by grazing mammals promote grassland soil microbial diversity and affect microbial community composition.

Deep learning based high-throughput phenotyping of chalkiness in rice exposed to high night temperature

BACKGROUND

Rice is a major staple food crop for more than half the world's population. As the global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, increasing the production of high-quality rice is needed to meet the anticipated increased demand. However, global environmental changes, especially increasing temperatures, can affect grain yield and quality. Heat stress is one of the major causes of an increased proportion of chalkiness in rice, which compromises quality and reduces the market value. Researchers have identified 140 quantitative trait loci linked to chalkiness mapped across 12 chromosomes of the rice genome. However, the available genetic information acquired by employing advances in genetics has not been adequately exploited due to a lack of a reliable, rapid and high-throughput phenotyping tool to capture chalkiness. To derive extensive benefit from the genetic progress achieved, tools that facilitate high-throughput phenotyping of rice chalkiness are needed.

RESULTS

We use a fully automated approach based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) to detect chalkiness in rice grain images. Specifically, we train a CNN model to distinguish between chalky and non-chalky grains and subsequently use Grad-CAM to identify the area of a grain that is indicative of the chalky class. The area identified by the Grad-CAM approach takes the form of a smooth heatmap that can be used to quantify the degree of chalkiness. Experimental results on both polished and unpolished rice grains using standard instance classification and segmentation metrics have shown that Grad-CAM can accurately identify chalky grains and detect the chalkiness area.

CONCLUSIONS

We have successfully demonstrated the application of a Grad-CAM based tool to accurately capture high night temperature induced chalkiness in rice. The models trained will be made publicly available. They are easy-to-use, scalable and can be readily incorporated into ongoing rice breeding programs, without rice researchers requiring computer science or machine learning expertise.

Effective Use of Water in Crop Plants in Dryland Agriculture: Implications of Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidative System

Under dryland conditions, annual and perennial food crops are exposed to dry spells, severely affecting crop productivity by limiting available soil moisture at critical and sensitive growth stages. Climate variability continues to be the primary cause of uncertainty, often making timing rather than quantity of precipitation the foremost concern. Therefore, mitigation and management of stress experienced by plants due to limited soil moisture are crucial for sustaining crop productivity under current and future harsher environments. Hence, the information generated so far through multiple investigations on mechanisms inducing drought tolerance in plants needs to be translated into tools and techniques for stress management. Scope to accomplish this exists in the inherent capacity of plants to manage stress at the cellular level through various mechanisms. One of the most extensively studied but not conclusive physiological phenomena is the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and scavenging them through an antioxidative system (AOS), which determines a wide range of damage to the cell, organ, and the plant. In this context, this review aims to examine the possible roles of the ROS-AOS balance in enhancing the effective use of water (EUW) by crops under water-limited dryland conditions. We refer to EUW as biomass produced by plants with available water under soil moisture stress rather than per unit of water (WUE). We hypothesize that EUW can be enhanced by an appropriate balance between water-saving and growth promotion at the whole-plant level during stress and post-stress recovery periods. The ROS-AOS interactions play a crucial role in water-saving mechanisms and biomass accumulation, resulting from growth processes that include cell division, cell expansion, photosynthesis, and translocation of assimilates. Hence, appropriate strategies for manipulating these processes through genetic improvement and/or application of exogenous compounds can provide practical solutions for improving EUW through the optimized ROS-AOS balance under water-limited dryland conditions. This review deals with the role of ROS-AOS in two major EUW determining processes, namely water use and plant growth. It describes implications of the ROS level or content, ROS-producing, and ROS-scavenging enzymes based on plant water status, which ultimately affects photosynthetic efficiency and growth of plants.

Geogenic and anthropogenic sources identification and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the urban soil of Yazd, central Iran

Urban soil pollution with heavy metals is one of the environmental problems in recent years, especially in industrial cities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of geogenic and anthropogenic sources in the urban soil pollution in Yazd, Iran. For this purpose, 30 top-soil (0-10 cm) samples from Yazd within an area of 136.37 Km2 and population of nearly 656 thousand are collected, and the concentration of heavy elements is measured. To evaluate factors affecting the concentration of heavy elements in urban soils and determine their possible sources, Multivariate statistical analysis, including correlation coefficient, principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) are performed. Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and Modified potential ecological Risk Index (MRI) are used to assess the level and extension of contamination. Results of this study suggest that As, Cd, Pb and Zn are affected by anthropogenic source, while the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu and Cs have come from mostly natural geologic sources. As, Cd and Pb are considerably enriched in the area, provided moderately enriched for the elements Mn, Zn and Cu. However, the other heavy elements show minimal enrichment. Igeo reveal that Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Ni with negative values are unpolluted, Pb posed unpolluted to moderately polluted, and As and Cd represent high polluted. Based on the results of the ecological risk factor, the heavy metals of Mn, Ni, Cr, Zn and Cu have a low ecological risk level. More specifically, we find that Pb shows a moderated ecological risk in 39% of the urban soil in the studied area. As and Cd with respectively 100 and 72% contribution have considerable and very high ecological risk. According to the results of MRI, the area is in a very high ecological risk level, and appropriate management practice is essential to reduce the pollution of heavy elements in this area.

Effect of hay type on cecal and fecal microbiome and fermentation parameters in horses

The effect of hay type on the microbiome of the equine gastrointestinal tract is relatively unexplored. Our objective was to characterize the cecal and fecal microbiome of mature horses consuming alfalfa or Smooth Bromegrass (brome) hay. Six cecally cannulated horses were used in a split-plot design run as a crossover in two periods. The whole plot treatment was ad libitum access to brome or alfalfa hay fed over two 21-d acclimation periods with subplots of sampling location (cecum and rectum) and sampling hour. Each acclimation period was followed by a 24-h collection period where cecal and fecal samples were collected every 3 h for analysis of pH and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Fecal and cecal samples were pooled and sent to a commercial lab (MR DNA, Shallowater, TX) for the amplification of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and sequenced using Illumina HiSeq. The main effects of hay on VFA, pH, and taxonomic abundances were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 with fixed effects of hay, hour, location, period, and all possible interactions and random effect of horse. Alpha and beta diversities were analyzed using the R Dame package. Horses fed alfalfa had greater fecal than cecal pH (P ≤ 0.05), whereas horses fed brome had greater cecal than fecal pH (P ≤ 0.05). Regardless of hay type, total VFA concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the cecum than in feces, and alfalfa resulted in greater (P ≤ 0.05) VFA concentrations than brome in both sampling locations. Alpha diversity was greater (P ≤ 0.05) in fecal compared with cecal samples. Microbial community structure within each sampling location and hay type differed from one another (P ≤ 0.05). Bacteroidetes were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the cecum compared with the rectum, regardless of hay type. Firmicutes and Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the feces compared with cecal samples of alfalfa-fed horses. In all, fermentation parameters and bacterial abundances were impacted by hay type and sampling location in the hindgut.

Gcn2 eIF2α kinase mediates combinatorial translational regulation through nucleotide motifs and uORFs in target mRNAs

The protein kinase Gcn2 is a central transducer of nutritional stress signaling important for stress adaptation by normal cells and the survival of cancer cells. In response to nutrient deprivation, Gcn2 phosphorylates eIF2α, thereby repressing general translation while enhancing translation of specific mRNAs with upstream ORFs (uORFs) situated in their 5'-leader regions. Here we performed genome-wide measurements of mRNA translation during histidine starvation in fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Polysome analyses were combined with microarray measurements to identify gene transcripts whose translation was up-regulated in response to the stress in a Gcn2-dependent manner. We determined that translation is reprogrammed to enhance RNA metabolism and chromatin regulation and repress ribosome synthesis. Interestingly, translation of intron-containing mRNAs was up-regulated. The products of the regulated genes include additional eIF2α kinase Hri2 amplifying the stress signaling and Gcn5 histone acetyl transferase and transcription factors, together altering genome-wide transcription. Unique dipeptide-coding uORFs and nucleotide motifs, such as '5'-UGA(C/G)GG-3', are found in 5' leader regions of regulated genes and shown to be responsible for translational control.

A detailed lipidomic study of human pathogenic fungi Candida auris

The present study is an attempt to determine the lipid composition of Candida auris and to highlight if the changes in lipids can be correlated to high drug resistance encountered in C. auris. For this, the comparative lipidomics landscape between drug-susceptible (CBS10913T) and a resistant hospital isolate (NCCPF_470033) of C. auris was determined by employing high throughput mass spectrometry. All major groups of phosphoglycerides (PGL), sphingolipids, sterols, diacylglycerols (DAG) and triacylglycerols (TAG), were quantitated along with their molecular lipid species. Our analyses highlighted several key changes where the NCCPF_470033 showed an increase in PGL content, specifically phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylethanolamine; odd chain containing lipids and accumulation of 16:1-DAG and 16:0-DAG; depletion of 18:1-TAG and 18:0-TAG. The landscape of molecular species displayed a distinct imprint between isolates. For example, the levels of unsaturated PGLs, contributed by both odd and even-chain fatty acyls were higher in resistant NCCPF_470033 isolate, resulting in a higher unsaturation index. Notwithstanding, several commonalities of lipid compositional changes between resistant C. auris and other Candida spp., the study could also identify distinguishable changes in specific lipid species in C. auris. Together, the data highlights the modulation of membrane lipid homeostasis associated with drug-resistant phenotype of C. auris.

Coiled-Coils: the Molecular Zippers that Self-Assemble Protein Nanostructures

Coiled-coils, the bundles of intertwined helical protein motifs, have drawn much attention as versatile molecular toolkits. Because of programmable interaction specificity and affinity as well as well-established sequence-to-structure relationships, coiled-coils have been used as subunits that self-assemble various molecular complexes in a range of fields. In this review, I describe recent advances in the field of protein nanotechnology, with a focus on programming assembly of protein nanostructures using coiled-coil modules. Modular design approaches to converting the helical motifs into self-assembling building blocks are described, followed by a discussion on the molecular basis and principles underlying the modular designs. This review also provides a summary of recently developed nanostructures with a variety of structural features, which are in categories of unbounded nanostructures, discrete nanoparticles, and well-defined origami nanostructures. Challenges existing in current design strategies, as well as desired improvements for controls over material properties and functionalities for applications, are also provided.

Nutritional evaluation of different varieties of sorghum and the effects on nursery pig growth performance

Five experiments were conducted to determine the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P, digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in three sorghum varieties compared with corn and to determine the effects of sorghum varieties on nursery pig growth. In exp. 1, 48 barrows (initially 18.6 kg) were housed individually in metabolism crates. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial evaluating two levels of microbial phytase (0 or 500 units/kg) and four grain sources (corn, high-lysine, red, or white sorghum). Added phytase improved (P < 0.05) STTD of P in all ingredients, but was not different among the grains. In exp. 2, the DE and ME in the three sorghum varieties were not different from corn. In exp. 3, 10 growing barrows (initially 25.9 kg) with a T-cannula in the terminal ileum were used. Standardized ileal digestible Lys, Met, Thr, and Val were greater (P < 0.05) in corn than in the sorghum-based diets with no differences among the sorghum varieties. In exp. 4, 160 pigs (initially 6.3 kg) were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments with five pigs per pen and eight replicate pens per treatment in a 20-d experiment. Dietary treatments included corn or the three sorghum varieties, where the varieties of sorghum replaced corn on an SID Lys basis. No differences among treatments were observed in any growth performance parameters. In exp. 5, treatments consisted of a corn-based diet, a diet based on conventional sorghum (a mixture of red and white sorghum), and four diets with high-lysine sorghum containing increasing amounts of feed-grade AA, replacing soybean meal. Overall, pigs fed the high-lysine sorghum diet with the greatest amount of added feed-grade AA had the poorest gain:feed ratio (G:F; P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed all the other experimental diets. Within those fed the high-lysine sorghum and feed-grade AA, average daily gain, final body weight (linear, P < 0.10), and G:F (linear, P < 0.01) decreased as feed-grade AA increased. In summary, no differences in STTD of P or in DE and ME were observed among the grain sources. The SID AA values for the three sorghum varieties were not different; however, they were all lower than for corn. These results indicate that these varieties of sorghum can successfully replace corn in nursery pig diets if diets are formulated to account for differences in AA digestibility.

Generation of swine movement network and analysis of efficient mitigation strategies for African swine fever virus

Animal movement networks are essential in understanding and containing the spread of infectious diseases in farming industries. Due to its confidential nature, movement data for the US swine farming population is not readily available. Hence, we propose a method to generate such networks from limited data available in the public domain. As a potentially devastating candidate, we simulate the spread of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in our generated network and analyze how the network structure affects the disease spread. We find that high in-degree farm operations (i.e., markets) play critical roles in the disease spread. We also find that high in-degree based targeted isolation and hypothetical vaccinations are more effective for disease control compared to other centrality-based mitigation strategies. The generated networks can be made more robust by validation with more data whenever more movement data will be available.

Impact of Gold Nanoparticles on Testosterone Metabolism in Human Liver Microsomes

Gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-protein corona complexes can alter cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated testosterone (TST) metabolism by altering their physicochemical properties. We investigated the impact of NP size, surface chemistry, and protein corona in TST metabolism in pooled human liver microsomes (pHLM) employing 40 and 80 nm AuNP functionalized with branched polyethylenimine (BPEI), lipoic acid (LA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as well as human plasma protein corona (PC). Individual variation in AuNP-mediated TST metabolism was also characterized among single donor HLM that contained different levels of CYP activities. Inhibitory effects of 40 nm AuNP and to a lesser degree of 80 nm AuNP occurred for the production of a total of five hydroxylated metabolites of TST in pHLM but PC alleviated them. Meanwhile, naked AuNP increased androstenedione production. Interindividual variation in TST metabolism occurred within single donor HLM. In most cases, 40 and 80 nm naked and PC AuNP essentially suppressed TST metabolism at non-inhibitory concentration but PC PEG-AuNP increased androstenedione. These studies contribute to a better understanding of the role of AuNP as TST disruptor by altering TST metabolism and could be utilized to screen other NP as potential endocrine disruptor.

Modeling Behavioral Response to Vaccination Using Public Goods Game

Epidemics of infectious disease can be traced back to the early days of mankind. Only in the last two centuries vaccination has become a viable strategy to prevent such epidemics. In addition to the clinical efficacy of this strategy, the behavior and public attitudes affect the success of vaccines. This paper describes modeling the efficacy of vaccination considering the cost and benefit of vaccination to individual players. The model is based on the public goods game and is presented as a spatial game on a lattice. Using this model, individuals can contribute to the public health by paying the cost of vaccination or choose to be protected by the public who is vaccinated rather than pay the cost and share the risk of vaccination. Thus, in this model individuals can choose to stay susceptible, can become infected, or choose to vaccinate once in each episode. This paper presents the behavioral changes of the population and the cost to the society as a function of the cost of vaccines, cost of being infected, and the "fear factor" created by the public media.

Micro-CT study of male genitalia and reproductive system of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1908 (Insecta: Hemiptera, Liviidae)

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, is a major vector of the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus and C.L. americanus, which cause Huanglongbing disease (HLB) (aka Citrus greening disease), considered the most serious bacterial disease of citrus trees. As part of a multidisciplinary project on psyllid biology (www.citrusgreening.org), the results presented here concern a detailed anatomical study of the male reproductive system (testes, seminal vesicles, accessory glands, sperm pump, connecting ducts, and aedeagus) using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The study summarizes current knowledge on psyllids male reproductive system and represents significant advances in the knowledge of ACP anatomy.

Does dietary intake change during an intervention to reduce sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease risk? A randomized comparative effectiveness trial

BACKGROUND

Evidence from physical activity interventions suggests that women, in particular, may overcompensate for exercise energy expenditure by increasing caloric intake. Sedentary behavior and poor dietary quality are independent risk factors for many major chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether insufficiently active women, accumulating less than 60 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, alter caloric intake or dietary quality when participating in an 8-week intervention to reduce sedentary behavior and CVD risk. A secondary aim was to determine whether the two treatment groups differed from one another in dietary intake while participating in the intervention.

METHODS

Insufficiently active women (n = 49) working full-time sedentary jobs were randomized to one of two treatment groups to reduce sedentary behavior during the workweek: short-break (1-2 min breaks from sitting every half hour, SB), or long-break (15 min breaks from sitting twice daily, LB). Three-day food records were collected at baseline, week 4 and week 8. Dietary quality was assessed using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010). Risk factors for CVD were assessed at baseline and week 8.

RESULTS

For all participants, average caloric intake decreased significantly from baseline to week 8 by approximately 12% (∆ = - 216.0 kcals, p = 0.003). Average caloric intake decreased significantly over time for the SB group (∆ = - 369.6 kcals, p = 0.004), but not the LB group (∆ = - 179.5 kcals, p = 0.17). There was no significant difference between SB and LB groups with regard to calories from baseline to week 8 (F = 0.51, p = 0.48). Total AHEI-2010 scores did not decrease significantly for all participants (∆ = - 4.0, p = 0.14), SB (∆ = - 5.2, p = 0.16), or LB groups (∆ = - 4.5, p = 0.67).

CONCLUSIONS

Following an 8-week intervention to reduce sedentary time, insufficiently active women decreased caloric intake over time, however there were no differences between SB and LB groups. In all participants, dietary quality was not altered over time. Future studies should explore sedentary reduction interventions compared to physical activity interventions as a means to create negative energy balance, as frequent sedentary breaks may be effective for improving health outcomes in women.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT02609438, retrospectively registered November 20, 2015.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli heat-stable toxin and heat-labile toxin toxoid fusion 3xSTaN12S-dmLT induces neutralizing anti-STa antibodies in subcutaneously immunized mice

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) bacteria producing heat-stable toxin (STa) and/or heat-labile toxin (LT) are among top causes of children's diarrhea and travelers' diarrhea. Currently no vaccines are available for ETEC associated diarrhea. A major challenge in developing ETEC vaccines is the inability to stimulate protective antibodies against the key STa toxin that is potently toxic and also poorly immunogenic. A recent study suggested toxoid fusion 3xSTaN12S-dmLT, which consists of a monomer LT toxoid (LTR192G/L211A) and three copies of STa toxoid STaN12S, may represent an optimal immunogen inducing neutralizing antibodies against STa toxin [IAI 2014, 82(5):1823-32]. In this study, we immunized mice with this fusion protein following a different parenteral route and using different adjuvants to further characterize immunogenicity of this toxoid fusion. Data from this study showed that 3xSTaN12S-dmLT toxoid fusion induced neutralizing anti-STa antibodies in the mice following subcutaneous immunization, as effectively as in the mice under intraperitoneal route. Data also indicated that double mutant LT (dmLT) can be an effective adjuvant for this toxoid fusion in mice subcutaneous immunization. Results from this study affirmed that toxoid fusion 3xSTaN12S-dmLT induces neutralizing antibodies against STa toxin, suggesting this toxoid fusion is potentially a promising immunogen for ETEC vaccine development.

The impact of item-writing flaws and item complexity on examination item difficulty and discrimination value

BACKGROUND

Failure to adhere to standard item-writing guidelines may render examination questions easier or more difficult than intended. Item complexity describes the cognitive skill level required to obtain a correct answer. Higher cognitive examination items promote critical thinking and are recommended to prepare students for clinical training. This study evaluated faculty-authored examinations to determine the impact of item-writing flaws and item complexity on the difficulty and discrimination value of examination items used to assess third year veterinary students.

METHODS

The impact of item-writing flaws and item complexity (cognitive level I-V) on examination item difficulty and discrimination value was evaluated on 1925 examination items prepared by clinical faculty for third year veterinary students.

RESULTS

The mean (± SE) percent correct (83.3 % ± 17.5) was consistent with target values in professional education, and the mean discrimination index (0.18 ± 0.17) was slightly lower than recommended (0.20). More than one item-writing flaw was identified in 37.3 % of questions. The most common item-writing flaws were awkward stem structure, implausible distractors, longest response is correct, and responses are series of true-false statements. Higher cognitive skills (complexity level III-IV) were required to correctly answer 38.4 % of examination items. As item complexity increased, item difficulty and discrimination values increased. The probability of writing discriminating, difficult examination items decreased when implausible distractors and all of the above were used, and increased if the distractors were comprised of a series of true/false statements. Items with four distractors were not more difficult or discriminating than items with three distractors.

CONCLUSION

Preparation of examination questions targeting higher cognitive levels will increase the likelihood of constructing discriminating items. Use of implausible distractors to complete a five-option multiple choice question does not strengthen the discrimination value.

The effectiveness of nutrition education for overweight/obese mothers with stunted children (NEO-MOM) in reducing the double burden of malnutrition in Indonesia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Nutrition transition in developing countries were induced by rapid changes in food patterns and nutrient intake when populations adopt modern lifestyles during economic and social development, urbanization and acculturation. Consequently, these countries suffer from the double burden of malnutrition, consisting of unresolved undernutrition and the rise of overweight/obesity. The prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition tends to be highest for moderate levels (third quintile) of socioeconomic status. Evidence suggests that modifiable factors such as intra-household food distribution and dietary diversity are associated with the double burden of malnutrition, given household food security. This article describes the study protocol of a behaviorally based nutrition education intervention for overweight/obese mothers with stunted children (NEO-MOM) in reducing the double burden of malnutrition.

METHODS

NEO-MOM is a randomized controlled trial with a three-month behavioral intervention for households involving pairs of 72 stunted children aged 2-5 years old and overweight/obese mothers (SCOWT) in urban Indonesia. The SCOWT pairs were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or to a comparison group that received usual care plus printed educational materials. The intervention consisted of six classroom sessions on nutrition education and home visits performed by trained community health workers using a motivational interviewing approach. The primary outcomes of this study are the prevalence of double burden of malnutrition as measured in SCOWT, child's height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and maternal body mass index (BMI).

DISCUSSION

Because previous studies are mainly observational in nature, this study advances understanding of the double burden of malnutrition through a fully powered randomized controlled trial. The intervention assists participants in self-administered goal setting to improve diet and child feeding behaviors by improving self-efficacy. Maternal self-efficacy may be enhanced through vicarious and active mastery of experiences gained during six sessions of nutrition education and verbal persuasion during home visits.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The Universal Trial Number (UTN) for this study is U1111-1175-5834. This trial was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) and is allocated the registration number: ACTRN12615001243505 on 12 November 2015.

Effects of geolocators on hatching success, return rates, breeding movements, and change in body mass in 16 species of Arctic-breeding shorebirds

BACKGROUND

Geolocators are useful for tracking movements of long-distance migrants, but potential negative effects on birds have not been well studied. We tested for effects of geolocators (0.8-2.0 g total, representing 0.1-3.9 % of mean body mass) on 16 species of migratory shorebirds, including five species with 2-4 subspecies each for a total of 23 study taxa. Study species spanned a range of body sizes (26-1091 g) and eight genera, and were tagged at 23 breeding and eight nonbreeding sites. We compared breeding performance and return rates of birds with geolocators to control groups while controlling for potential confounding variables.

RESULTS

We detected negative effects of tags for three small-bodied species. Geolocators reduced annual return rates for two of 23 taxa: by 63 % for semipalmated sandpipers and by 43 % for the arcticola subspecies of dunlin. High resighting effort for geolocator birds could have masked additional negative effects. Geolocators were more likely to negatively affect return rates if the total mass of geolocators and color markers was 2.5-5.8 % of body mass than if tags were 0.3-2.3 % of body mass. Carrying a geolocator reduced nest success by 42 % for semipalmated sandpipers and tripled the probability of partial clutch failure in semipalmated and western sandpipers. Geolocators mounted perpendicular to the leg on a flag had stronger negative effects on nest success than geolocators mounted parallel to the leg on a band. However, parallel-band geolocators were more likely to reduce return rates and cause injuries to the leg. No effects of geolocators were found on breeding movements or changes in body mass. Among-site variation in geolocator effect size was high, suggesting that local factors were important.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative effects of geolocators occurred only for three of the smallest species in our dataset, but were substantial when present. Future studies could mitigate impacts of tags by reducing protruding parts and minimizing use of additional markers. Investigators could maximize recovery of tags by strategically deploying geolocators on males, previously marked individuals, and successful breeders, though targeting subsets of a population could bias the resulting migratory movement data in some species.