Walnut‐Infesting Flies, Rhagoletis suavis , Have Higher Survival When Reared With Host Fruit Husk

Artificial neural network and genetic algorithms for modeling of removal of an azo dye on walnut husk

Variation in environmental conditions during larval life stages can shape development during critical windows and have lasting effects on the adult organism. Changes in larval developmental rates in response to environmental conditions, for example, can trade off with growth to determine body size and condition at metamorphosis, which can affect adult survival and fecundity. However, it is unclear how use of energy and nutrients shape trade-offs across life-stage transitions because no studies have quantified these costs of larval development and metamorphosis. We used an experimental approach to manipulate physiological stress in larval amphibians, along with respirometry and 13C-breath testing to quantify the energetic and nutritional costs of development and metamorphosis. Central to larval developmental responses to environmental conditions is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal (HPA/I) axis, which regulates development, as well as energy homeostasis and stress responses across many taxa. Given these pleiotropic effects of HPA/I activity, manipulation of the HPA/I axis may provide insight into costs of metamorphosis. We measured the energetic and nutritional costs across the entire larval period and metamorphosis in a larval amphibian exposed to exogenous glucocorticoid (GC) hormones - the primary hormone secreted by the HPA/I axis. We measured metabolic rates and dry mass across larval ontogeny, and quantified lipid stores and nutrient oxidation via 13C-breath testing during metamorphosis, under control and GC-exposed conditions. Changes in dry mass match metamorphic states previously reported in the literature, but dynamics of metabolism were influenced by the transition from aquatic to terrestrial respiration. GC-treated larvae had lower dry mass, decreased fat stores and higher oxygen consumption during stages where controls were conserving energy. GC-treated larvae also oxidized greater amounts of 13C-labelled protein stores. These results provide evidence for a proximate cause of the physiological trade-off between larval growth and development, and provide insight into the energetic and nutrient costs that shape fitness trade-offs across life stages.

The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) has a major effect on the quality and yield of walnut fruit. Plant defences respond to insect infestation by activating hormonal signalling and the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. However, little is known about the role of walnut husk hormones and flavonoid biosynthesis in response to C. pomonella infestation. The phytohormone content assay revealed that the contents of salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), jasmonic acid-isoleucine conjugate (JA-ILE), jasmonic acid-valine (JA-Val) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) increased after feeding at different time points (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h) of walnut husk. RNA-seq analysis of walnut husks following C. pomonella feeding revealed a temporal pattern in differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with the number increasing from 3,988 at 12 h to 5,929 at 72 h postfeeding compared with the control at 0 h postfeeding. Walnut husks exhibited significant upregulation of genes involved in various defence pathways, including flavonoid biosynthesis (PAL, CYP73A, 4CL, CHS, CHI, F3H, ANS, and LAR), SA (PAL), ABA (ZEP and ABA2), and JA (AOS, AOC, OPR, JAZ, and MYC2) pathways. Three gene coexpression networks that had a significant positive association with these hormonal changes were constructed based on the basis of weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). We identified several hub transcription factors, including the turquoise module (AIL6, MYB4, PRE6, WRKY71, WRKY31, ERF003, and WRKY75), the green module (bHLH79, PCL1, APRR5, ABI5, and ILR3), and the magenta module (ERF27, bHLH35, bHLH18, TIFY5A, WRKY31, and MYB44). Taken together, these findings provide useful genetic resources for exploring the defence response mediated by phytohormones in walnut husks.

Intense muscle contraction induces high rates of ATP hydrolysis with resulting increases in Pi, H(+), and ADP, factors thought to induce fatigue by interfering with steps in the cross-bridge cycle. Force inhibition is less at physiological temperatures; thus the role of low pH in fatigue has been questioned. Effects of pH 6.2 and collective effects with 30 mM Pi on the pCa-force relationship were assessed in skinned fast and slow rat skeletal muscle fibers at 15 and 30°C. At 30°C, pH 6.2 + 30 mM Pi significantly depressed peak force in all fiber types, with the greatest effect in type IIx fibers. Across fiber types, Ca(2+) sensitivity was depressed by low pH and low pH + high Pi, with the greater effect at 30°C. For type IIx fibers at 30°C, half-maximal activation (pCa50) was 5.36 at pH 6.2 (no added Pi) and 4.98 at pH 6.2 + 30 mM Pi compared with 6.58 in the control condition (pH 7, no added Pi). At 30°C, n2, reflective of thick filament cooperativity, was unchanged by low cell pH but was depressed from 5.02 to 2.46 in type IIx fibers with pH 6.2 + 30 mM Pi. With acidosis, activation thresholds of all fiber types required higher free Ca(2+) at 15 and 30°C. With the exception of type IIx fibers, the Ca(2+) required to reach activation threshold increased further with added Pi. In conclusion, it is clear that fatigue-inducing effects of low cell pH and elevated Pi at near-physiological temperatures are substantial.

We reared Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in soft water (hardness 13 mg/L as CaCO3) at two pH levels, 6.4–6.7 and 4.2–4.7, from February to June, to assess the effect of low pH on survival, growth, and the smolting process under rising (4–8.5 °C) or relatively constant (9.5–10.5 °C) temperature. Survival was lower as a result of low pH (4.2–4.7) under both temperature regimes. Neither group exposed to low pH gained weight whereas both control groups gained weight during the experiment. Parr–smolt transformation, as indicated by salinity tolerance and gill Na+, K+ ATPase activity, was impaired as a result of low pH. The large (17–19 cm) parr used in this study were initially salinity tolerant and those at control pH (6.4–6.7) increased tolerance to 35‰ salinity between March and May; those in low pH became intolerant of high salinity. ATPase levels in salmon reared at low pH were significantly lower than those at normal pH levels under both temperature regimes. ATPase activity was significantly greater in fish reared at pH 6.4–6.7 with rising than with constant temperature. Plasma chloride and sodium levels were low in response to low pH, indicating impaired ionic regulation in freshwater. Plasma calcium levels were higher at low pH in both temperature regimes; higher levels were reached under constant temperature. Moisture content rose less sharply under low than under control pH in both temperature regimes. In the rising temperature regime, lipid levels reached similar, low levels under low and control pH conditions. Thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) levels gave no clear indication of effects of low pH on smolting. Smoltification did not proceed normally in our Atlantic salmon subjected to low pH levels.

Alternating nuclear DNA content in chrysophytes provides evidence of their isomorphic haploid-diploid life cycle

BackgroundBacteria involved in ruminal formation of trans-10 intermediates are unclear. Therefore, this study aimed at identifying rumen bacteria that produce trans-10 intermediates from 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acids.ResultsPure cultures of 28 rumen bacterial species were incubated individually in the presence of 40 μg/mL 18:3n-3, 18:2n-6 or trans-11 18:1 under control or lactate-enriched (200 mM Na lactate) conditions for 24 h. Of the 28 strains, Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) was the only bacterium found to produce trans-10 intermediates from 18:3n-3 and 18:2n-6, irrespective of the growth condition. To further assess the potential importance of this species in the trans-11 to trans-10 shift, different biomass ratios of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens (as a trans-11 producer) and C. acnes were incubated in different growth media (control, low pH and 22:6n-3 enriched media) containing 40 μg/mL 18:2n-6. Under control conditions, a trans-10 shift, defined in the current study as trans-10/trans-11 ≥ 0.9, occurred when the biomass of C. acnes represented between 90 and 98% of the inoculum. A low pH or addition of 22:6n-3 inhibited cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA formation by B. fibrisolvens and C. acnes, respectively, whereby C. acnes seemed to be more tolerant. This resulted in a decreased biomass of C. acnes required at inoculation to induce a trans-10 shift to 50% (low pH) and 90% (22:6n-3 addition).ConclusionsAmong the bacterial species studied,C. acnes was the only bacterium that have the metabolic ability to produce trans-10 intermediates from 18:3n-3 and 18:2n-6. Nevertheless, this experiment revealed that it is unlikely that C. acnes is the only or predominant species involved in the trans-11 to trans-10 shift in vivo.

Physiology and application of sulfur-reducing microorganisms from acidic environments

Estimating the compressive strength of concrete exposed to different environmental conditions is an essential parameter in judging the quality of concrete and proving its ability to perform as planned. There are various destructive (DT) and non-destructive (NDT) methods for estimating compressive strength. Some NDT and DT procedures, such as Schmidt hammer and core testing, have been used for estimating concrete strength for a long time. These methods consider indirect and predicted tests to evaluate concrete strength in existing structures. Various factors influence these tests, so it is difficult to precisely assess the hardened concrete strength. Thus, this research aims to identify a coherent relationship that connects the results of these tests and correlates them with the results of cube compressive strength by assessing data from laboratory tests conducted under control and durability conditions using statistical techniques. To achieve this purpose, three grades of concrete were considered C250, C450, and C600 Kg/cm2. Six concrete cubes of size (15x15x15 cm) and four concrete columns of size (30x15x50 cm) were cast for each grade and tested to assess the cube, Schmidt hammer, and core compressive strength of concrete. Half of the columns and cubes were cured in drinking water (control condition) and the other half of the samples were subjected to durability cycles for 92 days (durability condition). In the durability condition, the samples were exposed to 10% sodium sulfate solution for a day, placed in a water tank for a day, heated to 100°C at a laboratory furnace for a day and then left at average laboratory temperature for a day to finish one cycle. The results were tabulated and graphed to notice any differences between DT, NDT and cube compressive strength tests. The results showed that the cube strength is higher than the core strength for all grades of concrete under control and durability conditions. The cube test indicates a lower compressive strength than the Schmidt hammer test method at grade C250 under control condition and greater compressive strength in the rest of the grades.

Worldwide phosphorus (P) consumption has increased massively over the last century, to overcome soil nutrient constraints, and to feed an increasing population with an increasing level of urbanization. However, current P reserves are limited and are expected to deplete in 50-120 years. Hence, new techniques to source P from alternative resources are essential. Waste streams are the largest alternative resource of P, with much of the organic wastes containing P treated by anaerobic digestion (AD). However, P recovery from the digested waste streams is limited by in-reactor P precipitation, and inaccessibility of soil available P in sludge biosolids. In-reactor P precipitation increases the operational costs of a treatment facility due to scaling and precipitation, there are strong advantages in being able to recover P as a purified mineral product. In such circumstances, keeping high PO4 concentration during AD is vital to enhance its recovery post AD.This thesis aims to assess two different techniques to enhance PO4 concentration during AD from waste activated sludge (WAS): low pH and high pressure (enabling low pH). Low pH single stage AD was tested in both batch and continuous mode. In the batch study, biochemical methane potential tests were conducted for 51 days at a pH range of 5.0 to 7.2 in two separate sets (two different WAS samples collected from municipal WWTP). Low pH (< 5.7) caused a significant loss in the methane potential (B0) of up to 33%, with 3.6 times increase in PO4 concentration compared to the neutral pH (7 – 7.7), but with no major change in methane production rate coefficient (khyd). The loss in methaneyield was mainly due to decrease in hydrolytic capability rather than inhibition of methanogenesis with volatile fatty acids (VFAs) being < 300 mgCOD L-1 and soluble COD < 1300 mgCOD L-1 even at low pH. While pH did not influence the acetoclastic community (Methanosaeta dominated), it was the primary driver for the remaining community, and caused a loss of diversity and shift to Clostridia. To validate the results from batch conditions, continuous low pH AD was performed using similar substrate and pH conditions. The influence of the pH on PO4 concentration was similar in continuous and batch. It was found that the low pH (5.5) caused a significant increase in PO4 concentration up to 79% of the total P, while methane yield was reduced by 50%. VFAs and SCOD concentrations increased from 40 to 504 mg L-1 and 600 to 2017 mg L-1 respectively, as the pH was reduced from 7.0 to 5.5. Higher concentration of propionic acid (370 – 430 mg L-1 ) was recorded at low pH (< 5.5). The reduction in methane yield was associated with a shift in microbial community and decreased destruction of particulate organics. Acidogens dominated at low pH (< 6.0), while methanogens decreased by 88% at pH 5.5 compared to neutral pH. Apart from the loss in methanogenic and hydrolytic capacity, continuous acid dosing to maintain low pH condition was identified as a key limitation with this technology. To assess an alternative method to avoid acid dosing, operation under pressure was assessed (at 1, 2, 4 and 6 bar absolute pressure). The average PO4 concentration increased to 51.2 ± 0.01, 56.4 ± 0.05, 65.4 ± 0.1, and 75.3 ± 0.05% at 1 (control), 2, 4, and 6 bar respectively. The specific methane yield was 66.8 ± 3.6, 47.4 ± 4, and 58.5 ± 3.5 L-CH4 kg-VSfed-1 at 2, 4, and 6 bar respectively (averaging 40% increase compared to 1 bar), but VSD and COD removal was unaffected, indicating better gas capture. Total VFAs concentration were below 15 mg L-1 at all conditions. The CO2 content were 27.6, 19.8, 16.7 and 13.5% at 1 (control), 2, 4, and 6 bar respectively (with the balance being methane). Increased pressure caused a substantial change in Archaeal populations, to novel clades, without substantial change in function. Increased PO4 concentration at high pressure was due to the combined effect of low pH conditions and dissociation of PO4 based precipitants caused by increased ion activity. Overall, auto generative high-pressure AD is a chemical free technique to improve PO4 concentration and methane content in the biogas with the main barrier being increased capital cost. Low pH (up to 5.5) and high pressure (up to 6 bar) AD is recommendable to enhance P recovery, where low pH AD can be integrated without changing current infrastructure, while AD at a pressure up to 6 bar may require specialized reactor design.

Oxidative Stress and Compartment of Gene Expression Determine Proatherosclerotic Effects of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase

The objective of this work was of determining the effect of three environmental conditions of cultivation in the maximum produetivity, in the maximum rate of productivity and in the time at the beginning of production of the mushroom. A. blazei. The tested environmental conditions of cultivation were: rough structure of wood fenced by bamboo sticks; metallic structure close, with plastic canvas (greenhouse); acclimatized dark room with controlled conditions (25o C+- 2; RH of 80% +- 5) and renewal of the internal air. The cultivation substratum colonized with the mushroom was conditioned in plastic boxes, representing the experimental portions. The experimental model of regression logistics and the analysis of variance were used. It was concluded that the cultivation in controlled environmental conditions caused a shorter production cycle and it began the production in smaller time, compared to the cultivation in more rustic structure (bamboo covering). The mushroom A. blazei answers favorably, in production, when cultivated in controlled environmental conditions.

The High-Resolution Architecture and Structural Dynamics of Bacillus Spores

Long-term monitoring data were used to test whether the invasion of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in the Hudson River Estuary in 1991 altered the influence of density dependence and environmental conditions on life-stage transitions, growth, and partial migration in white perch (Morone americana). During the post-invasion period (1992–2013), we estimated standing stocks of white perch eggs, yolk-sac larvae (YSL), post-yolk-sac larvae (PYSL), young-of-the-year (YOY), and adults as well as indices of YOY growth and spatial distribution. A series of linear and nonlinear functions were employed to model life-stage transitions, while the effects of six environmental and density-dependent variables on YOY growth and partial migration were quantified. Comparisons to pre-invasion observations (1974–1991) indicated that egg–YSL, PYSL–YOY, and YOY–yearling transitions changed significantly after the invasion, while PYSL abundance developed a stronger negative effect on YOY growth. The PYSL–YOY transition became more sensitive to density dependence and freshwater flow from 1992 to 2013, which is consistent with diminished abundance and increased environmental sensitivity of the forage base in the Hudson River Estuary reported after the zebra mussel invasion.

This paper presents the results of the laboratory study of gypsy moth development on Q. cerris and Q. robur foliage in controlled and uncontrolled environmental conditions. The survival is higher in controlled conditions than in uncontrolled conditions. In uncontrolled conditions, sex ratio is higher in individuals fed on pedunculate oak foliage (0.55) compared to those fed on Turkey oak foliage (0.39), while in the controlled conditions the situation is the opposite. The increase of in star number is greater in pedunculate oak than in Turkey oak. There is a statistically significant difference between the means of all the study characters (length of development of the first and the second instars, length of premarital development, number of instars and fecundity) in uncontrolled and controlled environmental conditions. Also, there is a statistically significant difference between the means of all the study characters on different oak species, except in fecundity. There is an interaction between environmental conditions and host plant species in the length of development of the first and the second instars, as well as in the number of instars during the development. The study results show that Turkey oak is more favorable for the gypsy moth development than pedunculate oak.