Contribution To Diversity Research Articles

Pollinator identity and behavior affect pollination in kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch.).

Many crop plants rely on insect pollination, particularly insect-pollinated crops which are functionally dioecious. These crops require insects to move pollen between separate plants which are functionally male or female. While honey bees are typically considered the most important crop pollinator species, many other insects are known to visit crops but the pollination contribution of the full diversity of these flower visitors is poorly understood. In this study, we examine the role of diverse insect pollinators for two kiwifruit cultivars as model systems for dioecious crops: Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Hayward’ (a green-fleshed variety) and A. chinensis var. chinensis ‘Zesy002’ (a gold-fleshed variety). In our round-the-clock insect surveys, we identified that psychodid flies and mosquitoes were the second and third most frequent floral visitors after honey bees (Apis mellifera L), but further work is required to investigate their pollination efficiency. Measures of single-visit pollen deposition identified that several insects, including the bees Leioproctus spp. and Bombus spp. and the flies Helophilus hochstetteri and Eristalis tenax, deposited a similar amount of pollen on flowers as honey bees (Apis mellifera). Due to their long foraging period and high pollen deposition, we recommend the development of strategies to boost populations of Bombus spp., Eristalis tenax and other hover flies, and unmanaged bees for use as synergistic pollinators alongside honey bees.

Sociolinguistic context matters: Exploring differences in contextual linguistic diversity in South Africa and England

ABSTRACT Individual reports of language history, use, and proficiency are generally considered sufficient for language profiling. Yet, these variables alone neglect the contribution of contextual linguistic diversity to one’s overall language repertoire. In this study we used the Contextual Linguistic Profile Questionnaire to evaluate whether there is a difference in contextual linguistic diversity between participants across the linguistically dissimilar contexts of South Africa and England. We further assessed whether self-reported lingualism status groups (monolinguals, bilinguals, multilinguals) scored differently on contextual linguistic diversity to evaluate the utility and uniformity of categorical labels across varying contexts, and investigated how codeswitching and socio-economic status contributed to these effects. Our results demonstrated that contextual linguistic diversity differs between nations: South Africans score higher, promotion of multilingualism is dependent on socio-economic status only in England, lingualism status is not contextually comparable when measured categorically, and codeswitching accounts for linguistic features of South Africans.

Multiplexed Strain Phenotyping Defines Consequences of Genetic Diversity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis for Infection and Vaccination Outcomes.

ABSTRACTThere is growing evidence that genetic diversity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, contributes to the outcomes of infection and public health interventions, such as vaccination. Epidemiological studies suggest that among the phylogeographic lineages of M. tuberculosis, strains belonging to a sublineage of Lineage 2 (mL2) are associated with concerning clinical features, including hypervirulence, treatment failure, and vaccine escape. The global expansion and increasing prevalence of this sublineage has been attributed to the selective advantage conferred by these characteristics, yet confounding host and environmental factors make it difficult to identify the bacterial determinants driving these associations in human studies. Here, we developed a molecular barcoding strategy to facilitate high-throughput, experimental phenotyping of M. tuberculosis clinical isolates. This approach allowed us to characterize growth dynamics for a panel of genetically diverse M. tuberculosis strains during infection and after vaccination in the mouse model. We found that mL2 strains exhibit distinct growth dynamics in vivo and are resistant to the immune protection conferred by Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination. The latter finding corroborates epidemiological observations and demonstrates that mycobacterial features contribute to vaccine efficacy. To investigate the genetic and biological basis of mL2 strains’ distinctive phenotypes, we performed variant analysis, transcriptional studies, and genome-wide transposon sequencing. We identified functional genetic changes across multiple stress and host response pathways in a representative mL2 strain that are associated with variants in regulatory genes. These adaptive changes may underlie the distinct clinical characteristics and epidemiological success of this lineage.IMPORTANCE Tuberculosis, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a remarkably heterogeneous disease, a feature that complicates clinical care and public health interventions. The contributions of pathogen genetic diversity to this heterogeneity are uncertain, in part due to the challenges of experimentally manipulating M. tuberculosis, a slow-growing, biosafety level 3 organism. To overcome these challenges, we applied a molecular barcoding strategy to a panel of M. tuberculosis clinical isolates. This novel application of barcoding permitted the high-throughput characterization of M. tuberculosis strain growth dynamics and vaccine resistance in the mouse model of infection. Integrating these results with genomic analyses, we uncover bacterial pathways that contribute to infection outcomes, suggesting targets for improved therapeutics and vaccines.

HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 Alleles, Haplotypes and Genotypes in Emirati Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Underscores the Benefits of Evaluating Understudied Populations.

Background: HLA class II (DR and DQ) alleles and antigens have historically shown strong genetic predisposition to type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study evaluated the association of DRB1 and DQB1 alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes with T1D in United Arab Emirates. Materials and Methods: Study subjects comprised 149 patients with T1D, and 147 normoglycemic control subjects. Cases and controls were Emiratis and were HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 genotyped using sequence-based typing. Statistical analysis was performed using Bridging Immunogenomic Data-Analysis Workflow Gaps R package. Results: In total, 15 DRB1 and 9 DQB1 alleles were identified in the study subjects, of which the association of DRB1*03:01, DRB1*04:02, DRB1*11:01, DRB1*16:02, and DQB1*02:01, DQB1*03:02, DQB1*03:01, and DQB1*06:01 with altered risk of T1D persisted after correcting for multiple comparisons. Two-locus haplotype analysis identified DRB1*03:01∼DQB1*02:01 [0.44 vs. 0.18, OR (95% CI) = 3.44 (2.33–5.1), Pc = 3.48 × 10−10]; DRB1*04:02∼DQB1*03:02 [0.077 vs. 0.014, OR = 6.06 (2.03–24.37), Pc = 2.3 × 10−3] and DRB1*04:05∼DQB1*03:02 [0.060 vs. 0.010, OR = 6.24 (1.79–33.34), Pc = 0.011] as positively associated, and DRB1*16:02∼DQB1*05:02 [0.024 vs. 0.075, OR = 0.3 (0.11–0.74), Pc = 0.041] as negatively associated with T1D, after applying Bonferroni correction. Furthermore, the highest T1D risk was observed for DR3/DR4 [0.104 vs. 0.006, OR = 25.03 (8.23–97.2), Pc = 2.6 × 10−10], followed by DR3/DR3 [0.094 vs. 0.010, OR = 8.72 (3.17–25.32), Pc = 3.18 × 10−8] diplotypes. Conclusion: While DRB1 and DQB1 alleles and haplotypes associated with T1D in Emiratis showed similarities to Caucasian and non-Caucasian populations, several alleles and haplotypes associated with T1D in European, African, and Asian populations, were not observed. This underscores the contribution of ethnic diversity and possible diverse associations between DRB1 and DQB1 and T1D across different populations.

Visibility, Inclusion, and exclusion: three generations of Russian-Israeli women journalists

ABSTRACT This study focuses on Russian-Israeli women journalists who resettled in Israel during the mass wave of immigrations from the Former Soviet Union in the 1990s. More specifically, it examines their experience of intersecting exclusion due to gender, ethnicity, and immigrant status. Based on narrative interviews with 18 Russian-Israeli women journalists, the study conceptualizes how their complex subjectivities emerge in their journalistic work. The findings demonstrate that their work experience is constructed by their positioned identity as it relates to their generation of immigration – the first, second, and 1.5 generations. The conclusions suggest that each generation of women journalists experienced, adopted, and developed distinct mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion deriving from their social visibility. This finding may refine how we understand the challenges and contributions of diversity in journalism and newsrooms.

Comparing cultural diversity perspectives among public service employees in the Netherlands in 2008 and 2018

PurposeThe Netherlands' national government (Rijksoverheid) is an example of a large public organization that strives to recruit and retain employees from different cultural groups, and aims to reap the benefits of workplace diversity. Research has shown that a major predictor of the effectiveness of diversity policy and interventions is the diversity perspective of employees, i.e. which outcomes they associate with cultural diversity in their work environment.Design/methodology/approachThe present study compares public servants' diversity perspectives in two similar independent samples, from 2008 (n = 1,617) and 2018 (n = 2,024), using the Benefits and Threats of Diversity Scale (BTDS; Hofhuis et al., 2015).FindingsResults show that in 2018, employees of the Netherlands' national government perceived more benefits of diversity for gaining insight about and access to different groups within society. Additionally, contributions of cultural diversity to creativity and innovation within teams are reported significantly more often in 2018 than in 2008.Originality/valueThe findings may be of interest to diversity scholars, since data on changes in cultural diversity perspectives across time are rare, and the paper provides a unique comparison of measurements at two time points, one decade apart, within the same organization.

Diversity and biogenesis contribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria in arsenic-contaminated soils from realgar deposits.

Microbial sulfate reduction, a vital mechanism for microorganisms living in anaerobic, sulfate-rich environments, is an essential aspect of the sulfur biogeochemical cycle. However, there has been no detailed investigation of the diversity and biogenesis contribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria in arsenic-contaminated soils from realgar deposits. To elucidate this issue, soil samples from representative abandoned realgar deposits were collected. Microcosm assays illustrated that all three samples (2-1, 2-2, and 2-3) displayed efficient sulfate and As(V)-respiring activities. Furthermore, a total of 28 novel sequence variants of dissimilatory sulfite reductase genes and 2 new families of dsrAB genes were successfully identified. A novel dissimilatory sulfate-reducing bacterium, Desulfotomaculum sp. JL1, was also isolated from soils, and can efficiently respiratory reduce As(V) and sulfate in 4 and 5days, respectively. JL1 can promote the generation of yellow precipitates in the presence of multiple electron acceptors (both contain sulfate and As(V) in the cultures), which indicated the biogenesis contribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria to the realgar mine. Moreover, this area had unique microbial communities; the most abundant populations belonged to the phyla Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteriota, which were attributed to the unique geochemistry characteristics, such as total organic carbon, total As, NO3-, and SO42-. The results of this study provide new insight into the diversity and biogenesis contributions of sulfate-reducing bacteria in arsenic-contaminated soils from realgar deposits.

Genetic parentage reconstruction as a practical tool applied to aquaculture and restoration programs for the European flat oyster,Ostrea edulis

Preserving and maximizing genetic diversity in conservation programs, including for restocking, are of high importance. The threatened European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) is currently the subject of several applied conservation and restocking programs, but concerns have been raised over potential negative side effects of these programs, for example due to our limited knowledge about the genetic effects in natural populations of releasing offspring of hatchery origin. Here, we developed an effective, easily applicable and highly reliable method to assess the genetic diversity and parental contributions in flat oyster hatchery production based on analyses of 17 microsatellite loci. We analysed four broodstocks and their hatchery-reared spat (totaln = 354) and compared diversity to that in wild samples of adults and spat from the broodstock source in the Limfjorden (totaln = 138). Based on four hatchery tank experiments with fully resolved parentage assignments, we found that five swarming events (larval releases) were characterized by a single maternal and multiple paternal contributions, and that the number of contributing parents varied greatly both among individual tanks, and between swarming events within tank. On average, the effective number of breeders was only one third of the actual broodstock size. Although the broodstock exhibited high genetic variation, the high reproductive skew resulted in produced offspring representing only a relatively small subset of this variation. The work demonstrates potential impact of hatchery reared offspring on decreasing genetic diversity in wild populations, but also that genetic monitoring can be integrated in conservation programs to minimize negative effects on restoration and supplementary restocking programs that utilize hatchery reared spats to support natural populations.

Growth and division mode plasticity is dependent on cell density in marine-derived black yeasts.

The diversity and ecological contribution of the fungus kingdom in the marine environment remain understudied. A recent survey in the Atlantic (Woods Hole, MA, USA) brought to light the diversity and unique biological features of marine fungi. The study revealed that black yeast species undergo an unconventional cell division cycle, which has not been documented in conventional model yeast species such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission yeast). The prevalence of this unusual property is unknown. Here, I collected and identified 65marine fungi species across 40genera from the surface ocean water, sediment, and the surface of macroalgae (seaweeds) in the Pacific (Sugashima, Toba, Japan). The Sugashima collection largely did not overlap with the Woods Hole collection and included several unidentifiable species, further illustrating the diversity of marine fungi. Three black yeast species were isolated, two of which were commonly found in Woods Hole (Aureobasidium pullulans and Hortaea werneckii). Surprisingly, their cell division mode was dependent on cell density, and the previously reported unconventional division mode was reproduced only at a certain cell density. For all three black yeast species, cells underwent filamentous growth with septations at low cell density and immediately formed buds at high cell density. At intermediate cell density, two black yeasts (H.werneckii and an unidentifiable species) showed rod cells undergoing septation at the cell equator. In contrast, all eight budding yeast species showed a consistent division pattern regardless of cell density. This study suggests the plastic nature of the growth/division mode of marine-derived black yeast.

Concept analysis of Pancasila student character in the "Merdeka" Student Exchange Program at University of Merdeka Malang

The Minister of Education and Culture Regulation Number 3 and 20 of 2020, students are given the right to study for a maximum of three semesters of study outside the study program and campus through the Merdeka Learning-Independent Campus or “Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka” (MBKM) Program and the Pancasila student profile as the embodiment of Indonesian students. “Merdeka” Student Exchange Program or “Program Pertukaran Mahasiswa” (PMM) to accommodate the MBKM program and the realization of the Pancasila student profile. In the implementation of PMM, there are learning activities that provide experiences of diversity, inspiration, reflection, and national social contribution through the Nusantara Module (MN). The MN provides an opportunity to implement the concept of Pancasila student character in the implementation of PMM at the University of Merdeka Malang. The purpose of this study was to obtain the concept of the character of Pancasila students in higher education. The research method used descriptive qualitative, with the entire population of the PMM participants in the University of Merdeka Malang. Data were obtained through observation, questionnaires, interviews, and FGDs. The result is the concept of Pancasila character in higher education could be supported by the PMM program with the MN activities.

Which factor contributes most to the invasion resistance of native plant communities under the co-invasion of two invasive plant species?

Two invasive plant species (IPS) can co-invade the same plant community. As the number of IPS increases under the co-invasion of two IPS, plant taxonomic and functional diversity, community invasibility, community stability, invasion resistance, and invasion intensity and invasiveness of IPS and their interrelationships may be altered. This study aimed to quantify the contribution of plant taxonomic and functional diversity, community invasibility, community stability, and invasion intensity and invasiveness of IPS to the invasion resistance of native plant communities under the co-invasion of the two IPS Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. and Solidago canadensis L. in eastern China. This study also defined a method to quantify the invasion resistance of native plant communities designated the invasion resistance index. The community-weighted mean trait values of native plants and plant diversity are the factors that are the most critical to determine the invasion resistance of native plant communities. Thus, the invasion resistance of native plant communities primarily depends on the three following factors: the relative abundance of natives, the growth performance of natives, and the diversity of natives. All levels of invasion significantly decrease the invasion resistance of native plant communities. The two IPS antagonistically affect the invasion resistance of native plant communities less under co-invasion compared with their independent invasion.

The success of alien plants in an arid ecosystem: Structural equation modeling reveals hidden effects of soil resources

AbstractThe diversity of a native community is not the sole driving factor determining the success of an invader; abiotic factors can also play a role, making it important to understand their contributions in modifying the expected outcome of biotic and abiotic resistance to invasion. In order to test the contributions of native diversity, relatedness between native and alien plants, and abiotic factors in resisting alien invasion, we used a trait–environment data set of 33 alien‐ and 130 native plants in 166 invaded plots, covering a gradient of soil resources in Saint‐Katherine‐Protectorate, an arid‐protected area in Egypt. We measured the native diversity components as predictors of native biotic resistance. We quantified the success of alien plants based on their abundance and their performance traits. Additionally, we calculated the mean functional and phylogenetic distance between aliens and natives in each plot. We tested all plausible influences of native diversity components, relatedness, and soil resources on alien abundance and performance first using mixed‐effects models and second with a structural equation model (SEM). Mixed‐effect models revealed that, in the resource‐rich environments, alien abundance increased even though native plants were more productive, but alien performance decreased. SEM direct pathways revealed that native communities with high functional dispersion and richness and high mean‐weighted performance traits repelled alien plants by lowering their success. Simultaneously, in line with mixed‐effect models results, the effect of soil resources on alien success was found to be indirect, being mediated by the mean functional and phylogenetic distance between aliens and natives: The success of alien plants increased in resource‐rich environments when they were dissimilar to the natives, while it decreased for aliens similar to natives in resource‐limited environments. Our findings provide new insights on native community resistance to invasion, with resistance being higher in resource‐limited environments and when aliens are functionally and phylogenetically similar to resident natives.

Dietary diversity contributes to microbiome associations in autism

Research exploring the links between the microbiome and autism has inadequately considered the contribution of diet diversity. Recently in Cell, Yap etal. addressed the contribution of restrictive dietary patterns to microbiome diversity in autism and found that decreased dietary diversity shapes the microbiome more than previously appreciated.

Implementation of SDGs in higher education institutions as a key stage in the development of modern education

Modern education requires its stakeholders to understand the present and the immediate future needs. After all, the training of specialists takes place according to the needs of employers and society as a whole. Education has always carried a value basis formed the worldview of those who studied. Since 1992, education has been included in the main directions of global development, and in 2015 it was formulated as goal 4. In addition to declaring equal access to quality learning, it also includes learning other sustainable development goals, and it has a value component. We analyzed approaches to education, on the one hand, in international organizations, on the other hand, in a private educational institution. Here we will show how the design of sustainable development goals at the international level has influenced the awareness of its educational mission in a particular institution of higher education. Education gradually transforms from a classical one, which distances itself from the social situation to an integrated one in social life. Modern education involves business and industry representatives, politicians, and government officials, adapts curricula to business needs, and introduces valuable educational components. All students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development: appropriate lifestyles, protection of human rights, gender equality, promoting a culture of peace and non-violence through global civic education, and recognition of cultural diversity and cultural contribution to sustainable development.

Exploring the agricultural landscape diversity-food security nexus: an analysis in two contrasted parklands of Central Senegal

CONTEXTFostering diversity within agricultural systems can substantially contribute to improved food security among smallholder farmers. Agroforestry parklands are diverse agricultural landscapes where trees can provide an array of ecosystem services. Previous studies analyzing the agricultural landscape diversity-food security nexus in agroforestry parklands have only considered tree cover. OBJECTIVEWe propose an original empirical approach that combines the analysis of spatial data on agricultural landscape diversity with agricultural field monitoring and household surveys. These three sources of data were used to scrutinize the direct and indirect contributions of agricultural landscape diversity to food availability and food access. METHODSMillet yield was used as a proxy for food availability, and household food access was approximated using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) indicator. Two contrasted agroforestry parklands of Central Senegal were chosen as case studies. Firstly, we used a Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) algorithm to disentangle the relative contribution of landscape diversity, biophysical and crop management variables in explaining millet yield variability. Secondly, we investigated the pathways linking agricultural landscape diversity to HFIAS using a Correlation Network Analysis (CNA). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe GBM model explained 77% and 84% of millet yield variability for the two parklands, respectively, with landscape diversity variables accounting for 53% and 47% of relative influence. Among the landscape diversity variables, tree species richness and tree density were the most important ones. Millet yield was positively associated with tree density in the Nioro site until a threshold of 5 trees/ha, and with tree species richness in the two sites. The CNA showed that greater tree cover and larger tree patches were moderately correlated with HFIAS. This suggests that tree species with large crown, as it the case for most fruit bearing tree species in the region, are the main species contributing directly to food access. Agricultural landscape diversity contributed mainly indirectly to household food access through an “agroecological pathway”, i.e. by the provision of ecosystem services regulating and supporting crop production. SIGNIFICANCEUsing an integrated landscape approach relying on up-to-date remote sensing data and recent advances in data analysis methods, our study shows that tree species diversity matters as much as the amount of tree cover for the production of food, and it can contribute to improve food security. We bring a more nuanced picture of the contribution of agricultural landscape diversity to food security suggesting that land management policies supporting food security should consider both tree density and tree species diversity to optimize the co-benefits of trees for the different food security dimensions.

Exploring processes in Spanish, German and UK boards: a measurement framework of board know-how, board diversity and directors’ interactions interrelation

PurposeSeveral empirical attempts have investigated boardroom processes and their impact on the governing team decision-making. Such attempts, however, have derived in inchoate results opening new methodological debates and leaving the underlying patterns of board processes obscure. This paper aims to shed light on these patterns by empirically examining the interrelation among the three central constructs involved in board decision-making: know-how, demographic diversity and directors’ social interactions.Design/methodology/approachA framework of interrelation among know-how, demographic diversity and social interactions was conceptually built and empirically validated with partial least squares structural equation modelling applied to archival data from a sample of 87 boards of directors of Spanish, German and UK listed companies.FindingsResults unmask the intricacies of behavioural processes involved in know-how-demography relation: demographic diversity contribution to know-how is totally and positively mediated by directors’ social interactions. This reveals the power of directors’ socialization frequency in determining processes and predicting know-how.Practical implicationsThe paper offers a new pathway to manage board know-how and to make board diversity effective. It also opens a door to an innovative empirical methodology to make board processes emerge, one that overcomes methodological limitations of previous efforts.Originality/valueThis is so far the only study that examines and measures holistically the structural interrelation among the three central constructs determining board decisions and performance: know-how, diversity and social interactions.

The role of genetic diversity and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in population recovery of the semi-natural grassland plant species Succisa pratensis

BackgroundEcosystem restoration is as a critical tool to counteract the decline of biodiversity and recover vital ecosystem services. Restoration efforts, however, often fall short of meeting their goals. Although functionally important levels of biodiversity can significantly contribute to the outcome of ecosystem restoration, they are often overlooked. One such important facet of biodiversity is within-species genetic diversity, which is fundamental to population fitness and adaptation to environmental change. Also the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), obligate root symbionts that regulate nutrient and carbon cycles, potentially plays a vital role in mediating ecosystem restoration outcome. In this study, we investigated the relative contribution of intraspecific population genetic diversity, AMF diversity, and their interaction, to population recovery of Succisa pratensis, a key species of nutrient poor semi natural grasslands. We genotyped 180 individuals from 12 populations of S. pratensis and characterized AMF composition in their roots, using microsatellite markers and next generation amplicon sequencing, respectively. We also investigated whether the genetic makeup of the host plant species can structure the composition of root-inhabiting AMF communities.ResultsOur analysis revealed that population allelic richness was strongly positively correlated to relative population growth, whereas AMF richness and its interaction with population genetic diversity did not significantly contribute. The variation partitioning analysis showed that, after accounting for soil and spatial variables, the plant genetic makeup explained a small but significant part of the unique variation in AMF communities.ConclusionsOur results confirm that population genetic diversity can contribute to population recovery, highlighting the importance of within-species genetic diversity for the success of restoration. We could not find evidence, however, that population recovery benefits from the presence of more diverse AMF communities. Our analysis also showed that the genetic makeup of the host plant structured root-inhabiting AMF communities, suggesting that the plant genetic makeup may be linked to genes that control symbiosis development.

The Contribution of Microorganisms to Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation under Fertilization Varies among Aggregate Size Classes

Long-term fertilization alters soil microbiological properties and then affects the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. However, the interrelations of SOC with biological drivers and their relative importance are rarely analyzed quantitatively at aggregate scale. We investigated the contribution of soil microbial biomass, diversity, and enzyme activity to C pool in soil aggregate fractions (>5 mm, 2–5 mm, 1–2 mm, 0.25–1 mm, and <0.25 mm) at topsoil (0–15 cm) from a 27-year long-term fertilization regime. Compared to CK (no fertilization management), NP (inorganic fertilization alone) decreased all of the microbial groups’ biomass, while NPS and NPM (inorganic fertilization plus the incorporation of maize straw or composted cow manure) significantly reduced this negative effect of NP on microbial biomass and increased the microbial contribution to C pool. The results show that microbial variables were significantly correlated with SOC content in >0.25 mm aggregates rather than in <0.25 mm aggregates. Fungal variables (fungal, AM biomass, and F/B ratio) and enzyme activities (BXYL and LAP) in >0.25 mm aggregates explained 21% and 2% of C, respectively. Overall, organic matter addition could contribute to higher C storage by boosting fungal community and enzyme activity rather than by changing microbial community diversity in macro-aggregates.

Role of Immune Cell Diversity and Heterogeneity in Corneal Graft Survival: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Corneal transplantation is one of the most successful forms of solid organ transplantation; however, immune rejection is still a major cause of corneal graft failure. Both innate and adaptive immunity play a significant role in allograft tolerance. Therefore, immune cells, cytokines, and signal-transduction pathways are critical therapeutic targets. In this analysis, we aimed to review the current literature on various immunotherapeutic approaches for corneal-allograft rejection using the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Retrievable data for meta-analysis were screened and assessed. The review, which evaluated multiple immunotherapeutic approaches to prevent corneal allograft rejection, showed extensive involvement of innate and adaptive immunity components. Understanding the contribution of this immune diversity to the ocular surface is critical for ensuring corneal allograft survival.

Constructing and Tuning Excitatory Cholinergic Synapses: The Multifaceted Functions of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Drosophila Neural Development and Physiology.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs) are widely distributed within the nervous system across most animal species. Besides their well-established roles in mammalian neuromuscular junctions, studies using invertebrate models have also proven fruitful in revealing the function of nAchRs in the central nervous system. During the earlier years, both in vitro and animal studies had helped clarify the basic molecular features of the members of the Drosophila nAchR gene family and illustrated their utility as targets for insecticides. Later, increasingly sophisticated techniques have illuminated how nAchRs mediate excitatory neurotransmission in the Drosophila brain and play an integral part in neural development and synaptic plasticity, as well as cognitive processes such as learning and memory. This review is intended to provide an updated survey of Drosophila nAchR subunits, focusing on their molecular diversity and unique contributions to physiology and plasticity of the fly neural circuitry. We will also highlight promising new avenues for nAchR research that will likely contribute to better understanding of central cholinergic neurotransmission in both Drosophila and other organisms.