ITS Types Research Articles

Tragopogon dubius: Multiple introductions to North America and the formation of the New World tetraploids

AbstractTragopogon (Asteraceae) is an evolutionary model for the study of whole‐genome duplication, with two recently and repeatedly formed allopolyploids, T. mirus and T. miscellus, and many additional polyploid species. Tragopogon mirus and T. miscellus formed in western North America following the introduction of three diploids from Europe: T. dubius, T. porrifolius, and T. pratensis. Of these diploids, T. dubius is a shared parent of both tetraploids and is broadly defined and widely distributed in Eurasia. Because human‐mediated intercontinental introductions may lead to hybridization with local species, and associated polyploidization, the introduction history of T. dubius from Europe to North America provides further opportunity to investigate both the extent and consequences of plant introductions. Using ITS sequence data, we show that the morphologically diverse, broadly defined T. dubius comprises a complex of at least 10 different ITS types in its native range, six of which have been introduced from Europe into North America. Significantly, although the two allotetraploid species have each formed multiple times on geographical scales from local to regional, recurrent formation is the result of repeated hybridization involving only one of these ITS subtypes. These results reinforce earlier data suggesting that not all diploid genotypes can form allopolyploids. Several entities traditionally considered part of T. dubius s.l. are now recognized as distinct species (e.g., T. lainzii), and it is likely that other distinct ITS genotypes identified here may also mark unique lineages that ultimately merit recognition as separate species. However, more intensive phylogenetic analyses involving many more samples from across the geographic range of T. dubius are required, as are detailed assessments of taxonomy, morphology, and cytology.

Depth-Dependent Genetic Structuring of a Depth-Generalist Coral and Its Symbiodiniaceae Algal Communities at Campeche Bank, Mexico

Depth-generalist coral holobionts inhabit shallow (0–30 m) and mesophotic (30–150 m) reef zones but may exhibit genetic specialization as a result of adaptations to environmental shifts and/or due to a lack of dispersal across depth. The level of depth-dependent genetic structuring varies across reef locations which may impact the roles mesophotic populations play in the persistence and recovery of metapopulations. A depth-generalist coral species, Montastraea cavernosa, was sampled across a shallow to mesophotic gradient at 10, 15, 25, and 35 m at Alacranes and Bajos del Norte reefs on Campeche Bank, Mexico. Both 2bRAD and ITS2 sequencing were used to quantify genetic differentiation of the coral hosts and community structure of their algal endosymbionts (Family Symbiodiniaceae) across depth zones and between these reefs. Significant levels of M. cavernosa genetic differentiation were identified across depth at both reefs, especially between the shallow (10, 15, and 25 m) and mesophotic (35 m) zones. While Symbiodiniaceae hosted by these corals were predominantly Cladocopium species, both depth and reef location were significant factors driving ITS2 type profiles found within each population. The magnitude of depth-dependent genetic structuring of both the coral and Symbiodiniaceae was much greater at Alacranes, relative to Bajos del Norte, suggesting that the refugia potential of mesophotic communities at Alacranes is limited. However, relatively high levels of horizontal coral connectivity between the two reefs, and Bajos del Norte’s location at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico suggests that it may play an important role in the maintenance of the coral’s regional metapopulation and should be considered in future assessments of this species’ connectivity dynamics and management.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Expressed Gene Complement and Acute Thermal Stress Response of Acropora digitifera Endosymbionts

Dinoflagellate endosymbionts from the family Symbiodiniaceae form a mutualistic relationship with corals. However, this partnership is vulnerable to temperature stress, which can result in coral bleaching. In this study, we sequenced the metatranscriptome of symbionts (dominated by ITS2 type C3u) associated with the common scleractinian coral, Acropora digitifera, from Bolinao, Pangasinan, northwestern Philippines, to elucidate their genetic complement and stress response mechanisms. The assembled metatranscriptome revealed a rich repertoire of genes for the utilization of nutrients and metabolic exchange with the host, as well as genes that provide protection against cellular damage. Exposure of the algal endosymbionts to 31°C for 12 h induced global changes in the transcriptome profile. While transcripts involved in cell signaling, cytoskeletal organization, and rRNA processing were upregulated, downregulation of transcripts related to translation, proteolysis, lipid storage, and immune response indicate vulnerability to acute thermal stress. Some of these stress responsive transcripts were predicted to be under microRNA (miRNA) regulation. These findings reveal conserved hallmarks of coral-algal symbiosis and provide insights into the genetic potential and acute thermal stress response of a common symbiont of corals in the region.

ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF “PUBLIC COMMUNICATION” & ITS TYPES

ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF “PUBLIC COMMUNICATION” & ITS TYPES

Endosymbiont Communities in Pachyseris speciosa Highlight Geographical and Methodological Variations

Reef-building corals live in symbiosis with the phototrophic dinoflagellate family Symbiodiniaceae, which comprises diverse genera such as Cladocopium and Durusdinium. Pachyseris speciosa, a widely distributed Indo-Pacific coral found in a variety of reef habitats, is known to be associated with these two Symbiodiniaceae genera, but little is known about the biogeographic variability of the endosymbiont communities across the region. In this study, the diversity and dominance patterns of Symbiodiniaceae at the western and eastern areas of the Central Indo-Pacific region were examined. We sampled Pachyseris speciosa colonies at seven and six sites in Singapore and Papua New Guinea, respectively, and genotyped their endosymbionts based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) markers using two distinct methods, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Results showed 92% of all colonies in Singapore exhibiting Cladocopium dominance. There was a higher abundance of Durusdinium compared to Cladocopium in certain colonies from one site, Pulau Hantu (mean Durusdinium abundance of 90%, compared to 0–14% among all other sites). In contrast, variation in the endosymbiont communities was generally higher among sites in Papua New Guinea. Cladocopium expectedly dominated most colonies (75%), although colonies from Kimbe Bay (85%) and Kavieng (65%) showed Durusdinium dominance. Between localities, relative genus abundances based on qPCR were not significantly different, but HTS showed that the ratio of Durusdinium over Cladocopium was significantly higher in Papua New Guinea corals. Notably, 6% of colonies from Singapore and 15% from Papua New Guinea showed endosymbiont dominance patterns that were inconsistent between the two methods, underscoring the need for further validation of symbiotic algal quantification based on HTS. The richness of ITS2 type profiles was clearly lower among colonies from the impacted and turbid reefs of Singapore compared to the less urbanized reefs of Papua New Guinea. These coral intraspecific variations of Symbiodiniaceae communities within and among localities suggest that local conditions are important drivers of endosymbiosis and may ultimately influence corals’ resilience against global stressors such as ocean warming.

Pedagogical support for professional self-determination of high school students in IT professions

Introduction. The formation of professional self-determination of high school students and the associated choice of vocational education is an urgent problem of the modern school. This paper examines the possibility of pedagogical support to solve this problem by the example of the formation of ideas about IT education and IT professions at a level sufficient for their conscious choice in Russia. The tools discussed are the school Computer Science course and, more broadly, teacher-led non-formal education in the field of computing.The aim of this article was to analyse the factors affecting the conscious choice of high school graduates of IT professions and types of professional IT education, and the possibilities of pedagogical support for the formation of this choice by means of informatics education, implemented by means of a modern information and educational environment.Methodology, methods and materials. A systematic approach was applied, i.e. not only school but also subsequent stages of professional development of students were analysed. The leading theoretical methods were the analysis of the knowledge system, generalisation, identification and resolution of contradictions in the process of self-determination of students in the IT profession. Empirical methods for collecting, analysing and interpreting empirical data were also employed. The analysis of academic publications, documents and statistical data was carried out.Results. It is shown that the main reasons for the low level of formation of the professional self-determination of high school students in the IT profession are the following factors: insufficient attention paid in the school Computer Science course to the technological aspects that underlie most of the IT professions; lack of awareness of labour functions in IT professions; lack of awareness of the content of training in various areas of higher IT education and the focus of these areas on specific IT professions; ignorance of the real demand for the country’s economy in various IT professions.The school course in Computer Science can become a system-forming beginning in the formation of professional self-determination of high school students in the IT profession, but in its current state, it does not fully fulfill this function. The reasons are the inability to provide everyone, who wants to study Computer Science in high school at an in-depth level, the neglect in this course of the technological aspects of computing that underlie most of the IT professions, and insufficient use of the information resources of the information and educational environment of modern non-formal education.One of the ways to solve this problem is to supplement the Computer Science course with a special pre-professional training module, which will purposefully acquaint students with IT professions, with information technologies that underlie these professions, as well as the types and the content of the most popular areas of professional IT education and their connections with IT professions. To implement such a module, in addition to traditional forms of education, distance and network learning can be used, including with the involvement of university teachers and employees of leading IT companies.Scientific novelty. For the first time, the problem of pedagogical support for the formation of professional self-determination of senior high school students in the IT profession has been investigated.Practical significance. The obtained results can become the basis for improving school informatics education for the full fulfillment of the task to develop the professional self-determination of students in the IT profession.

Horizontally Acquired nrDNAs Persist in Low Amounts in Host Hordeum Genomes and Evolve Independently of Native nrDNA.

Nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) has displayed extraordinary dynamics during the evolution of plant species. However, the patterns and evolutionary significance of nrDNA array expansion or contraction are still relatively unknown. Moreover, only little is known of the fate of minority nrDNA copies acquired between species via horizontal transfer. The barley genus Hordeum (Poaceae) represents a good model for such a study, as species of section Stenostachys acquired nrDNA via horizontal transfer from at least five different panicoid genera, causing long-term co-existence of native (Hordeum-like) and non-native (panicoid) nrDNAs. Using quantitative PCR, we investigated copy number variation (CNV) of nrDNA in the diploid representatives of the genus Hordeum. We estimated the copy number of the foreign, as well as of the native ITS types (ribotypes), and followed the pattern of their CNV in relation to the genus’ phylogeny, species’ genomes size and the number of nrDNA loci. For the native ribotype, we encountered an almost 19-fold variation in the mean copy number among the taxa analysed, ranging from 1689 copies (per 2C content) in H. patagonicum subsp. mustersii to 31342 copies in H. murinum subsp. glaucum. The copy numbers did not correlate with any of the genus’ phylogeny, the species’ genome size or the number of nrDNA loci. The CNV was high within the recognised groups (up to 13.2 × in the American I-genome species) as well as between accessions of the same species (up to 4×). Foreign ribotypes represent only a small fraction of the total number of nrDNA copies. Their copy numbers ranged from single units to tens and rarely hundreds of copies. They amounted, on average, to between 0.1% (Setaria ribotype) and 1.9% (Euclasta ribotype) of total nrDNA. None of the foreign ribotypes showed significant differences with respect to phylogenetic groups recognised within the sect. Stenostachys. Overall, no correlation was found between copy numbers of native and foreign nrDNAs suggesting the sequestration and independent evolution of native and non-native nrDNA arrays. Therefore, foreign nrDNA in Hordeum likely poses a dead-end by-product of horizontal gene transfer events.

Neighboring colonies influence uptake of thermotolerant endosymbionts in threatened Caribbean coral recruits

Intervention strategies to enhance coral resilience include manipulating associations with algal endosymbionts. While hosting thermotolerant Durusdinium trenchii can increase bleaching thresholds in Caribbean coral adults, its effects remain largely unknown during their early life stages. Here, we tested if Orbicella faveolata recruits could establish symbiosis with D. trenchii supplied by nearby “donor” colonies and examined the resulting ecological trade-offs to evaluate early Symbiodiniaceae manipulation as a scalable tool for reef restoration. We exposed aposymbiotic recruits to 29 °C or 31 °C and to fragments of Montastraea cavernosa (containing Cladocopium ITS2 type C3) or Siderastrea siderea (containing D. trenchii). After 60 days, recruits reared with D. trenchii donors hosted nearly three times more D. trenchii than those with Cladocopium donors, suggesting that recruits can acquire Symbiodiniaceae from nearby corals of different species. Temperature did not affect symbiont identity. Next, donor colonies were removed and surviving recruits were maintained for three months at ambient temperatures, after which a subset was exposed to a 60-day heat stress. Recruits previously reared at 31 °C survived twice as long at 34 °C as those reared at 29 °C, suggesting that pre-exposure to heat can prime recruits to withstand future thermal stress. Furthermore, recruits hosting primarily D. trenchii survived twice as long at 34 °C as those hosting little or no D. trenchii. However, the proportion of D. trenchii hosted was negatively correlated with polyp size and symbiont density, indicating a trade-off between growth (of both host and symbiont) and heat tolerance. These findings suggest that, while donor colonies may be effective sources for seeding coral recruits with thermotolerant symbionts, practitioners will need to balance the likely benefits and costs of these approaches when designing restoration strategies.

Increased Synaptic Strength and mGlu2/3 Receptor Plasticity on Mouse Prefrontal Cortex Intratelencephalic Pyramidal Cells Following Intermittent Access to Ethanol.

The medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) is crucial for regulating craving and alcohol seeking in alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients and alcohol seeking in animal models. Maladaptive changes in volitional ethanol (EtOH) intake have been associated with PFC function, yet synaptic adaptations within PFC have not been consistently detected in voluntary drinking rodent models. At least 80% of the neurons in PFC are glutamatergic pyramidal cells. Pyramidal cells provide the predominant cortical output to several brain regions relevant to AUD, including structures within the telencephalon (IT: e.g., basal ganglia, amygdala, other neocortical regions) and outside the telencephalon (ET: e.g., lateral hypothalamus, midbrain monoaminergic structures, thalamus). In addition to their anatomical distinctions, studies from several laboratories have revealed that prefrontal cortical IT and ET pyramidal cells may be differentiated by specific electrophysiological parameters. These distinguishable parameters make it possible to readily classify pyramidal cells into separable subtypes. Here, we employed and validated the hyperpolarization sag ratio as a diagnostic proxy for separating ET (type A) and IT (type B) neurons. We recorded from deep-layer prelimbic PFC pyramidal cells of mice 1day after 4 to 5weeks of intermittent access (IA) EtOH exposure. Membrane properties were not altered by IA EtOH, but excitatory postsynaptic strength onto IT type B neurons was selectively enhanced in slices from IA EtOH mice. The increased excitatory drive was accompanied by enhanced mGlu2/3 receptor plasticity on IT type B neurons, providing a potential translational approach to mitigate cognitive and motivational changes to PFC function related to binge drinking. Together, these studies provide insight into the specific PFC neurocircuits altered by voluntary drinking. In addition, the findings provide an additional rationale for developing compounds that potentiate mGlu2 and/or mGlu3 receptor function as potential treatments for AUD.

STATEMENT AND ABOUT ITS TYPES.

STATEMENT AND ABOUT ITS TYPES.

ITS1 variation among Stichopathes cf. maldivensis (Hexacorallia: Antipatharia) whip black corals unveils conspecificity and population connectivity at local and global scales across the Indo-Pacific

Due to the dearth of molecular markers variable enough to distinguish species of black corals, species delimitation in Antipatharia is still mainly based on morphological traits. One of the few markers available, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region located in ribosomal DNA, has already been used several times to infer phylogenetic relationships among antipatharians. However, this region was never considered in population-scale studies of shallow-water black corals till now. Here, we sampled two phenotypic variants of 41 specimens of the shallow-water antipatharian Stichopathes cf. maldivensis along the SW of Madagascar. The sampling area represents 200 km of shore and encompasses the runoffs of three rivers. We used direct sequencing to determine the main ITS1 types present in the genomes of the collected specimens and retrieved sequences from GenBank for Indonesian specimens. Then, we constructed a haploweb to visualize possible species boundaries using the criterion of mutual allelic exclusivity. With this method, we confirm that the previously described phenotypic variants belong to a single species that apparently extends from Indonesia to Madagascar. Likewise, the three rivers that pour freshwater in southwestern Madagascar do not appear to act as a barrier for the larval dispersal of this species. This study highlights the usefulness of ITS markers within antipatharians at both species and population levels.

An overview on types of electrical wire and ITS uses

An overview on types of electrical wire and ITS uses

Measurement of Grey Economy and System Ways of Limiting it – Polish Example

Purpose: The aim of this article is to present results of estimating grey economy in Poland and detailed presentation of chosen solutions of legal-organisational and IT type introduced to Polish tax system in order to limit grey economy. Design/Methodology/Approach: The authors presented detailed analyses of empirical material from reports and surveys including those from the Central Statistical Office, the State Fiscal Administration, the Institute of Forecasting and Economic Analyses and the Ministry of Finance moreover they also included results of estimating grey economy by international experts for Europe and the world. In the article a descriptive and analytical-synthetic method was used. The article is a continuation of many years of research in the area of grey economy. Findings: An evaluation of grey economy must take into consideration advantages and disadvantages. Negative points are falsifying economic statistics, decreasing tax incomes to the state budget, faulty construction of macro-economic policy, false allocation of social funds. Functioning of economic entities in grey economy leads to destruction of social-economic life generating pathologies. An advantage of grey economy is an increasing number of working places, particularly for marginal workforce. People employed in this economy while not paying taxes directly, regulate indirect taxes, purchase goods and services taxed. Practical Implications: In order to more efficiently limit grey economy in Poland, it is necessary to constantly and systematically perform actions of a system type and not coercive. An important element is primary tax education and building tax mentality and morality. Originality/Value: The article presents a scope of actions taken and implemented by the government in the area of limiting grey economy in Poland in the last 5 years – economic-legal perspective of a problem. It constituted a basis for further research.

Dual RNA-sequencing analyses of a coral and its native symbiont during the establishment of symbiosis.

Despite the ecological significance of the mutualistic relationship between Symbiodiniaceae and reef-building corals, the molecular interactions during establishment of this relationship are not well understood. This is particularly true of the transcriptional changes that occur in the symbiont. In the current study, a dual RNA-sequencing approach was used to better understand transcriptional changes on both sides of the coral-symbiont interaction during the colonization of Acropora tenuis by a compatible Symbiodiniaceae strain (Cladocopium goreaui; ITS2 type C1). Comparison of transcript levels of the in hospite symbiont 3, 12, 48 and 72hr after exposure to those of the same strain in culture revealed that extensive and generalized down-regulation of symbiont gene expression occurred during the infection process. Included in this "symbiosis-derived transcriptional repression" were a range of stress response and immune-related genes. In contrast, a suite of symbiont genes implicated in metabolism was upregulated in the symbiotic state. The coral data support the hypothesis that immune-suppression and arrest of phagosome maturation play important roles during the establishment of compatible symbioses, and additionally imply the involvement of some SCRiP family members in the colonization process. Consistent with previous ecological studies, the transcriptomic data suggest that active translocation of metabolites to the host may begin early in the colonization process, and thus that the mutualistic relationship can be established at the larval stage. This dual RNA-sequencing study provides insights into the transcriptomic remodelling that occurs in C.goreaui during transition to a symbiotic lifestyle and the novel coral genes implicated in symbiosis.

Loss of symbiont infectivity following thermal stress can be a factor limiting recovery from bleaching in cnidarians

Increases in seawater temperature can cause coral bleaching through loss of symbiotic algae (dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae). Corals can recover from bleaching by recruiting algae into host cells from the residual symbiont population or from the external environment. However, the high coral mortality that often follows mass-bleaching events suggests that recovery is often limited in the wild. Here, we examine the effect of pre-exposure to heat stress on the capacity of symbiotic algae to infect cnidarian hosts using the Aiptasia (sea-anemone)-Symbiodiniaceae model system. We found that the symbiont strain Breviolum sp. CS-164 (ITS2 type B1), both free-living and in symbiosis, loses the capacity to infect the host following exposure to heat stress. This loss of infectivity is reversible, however, a longer exposure to heat stress increases the time taken for reversal. Under the same experimental conditions, the loss of infectivity was not observed in another strain Breviolum psygmophilum CCMP2459 (ITS2 type B2). Our results suggest that recovery from bleaching can be limited by the loss of symbiont infectivity following exposure to heat stress.

Depth Influences Symbiodiniaceae Associations Among Montastraea cavernosa Corals on the Belize Barrier Reef.

In Belize, shallow populations (10 and 16 m) of the coral species Montastraea cavernosa from the back reef and reef crest are genetically differentiated from deeper populations on the fore reef and reef wall (25 and 35 m). Like many species of scleractinian corals, M. cavernosa has an obligate symbiosis with dinoflagellate microalgae from the family Symbiodiniaceae. Here, we describe the Symbiodiniaceae taxa found within previously sampled and genotyped M. cavernosa populations along a depth gradient on the Belize Barrier Reef by implementing high-throughput sequencing of the ITS2 region of Symbiodiniaceae ribosomal DNA and the SymPortal analysis framework. While Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 type profiles across all sampling depths were almost entirely (99.99%) from the genus Cladocopium (formerly Symbiodinium Clade C), shallow (10 and 16 m) populations had a greater diversity of ITS2 type profiles in comparison to deeper (25 and 35 m) populations. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) confirmed significant differences in ITS2 type profiles between shallow and deep sample populations. Overall Symbiodiniaceae communities changed significantly with depth, following patterns similar to the coral host’s population genetic structure. Though physiological differences among species in the cosmopolitan genus Cladocopium are not well-described, our results suggest that although some members of Cladocopium are depth-generalists, shallow M. cavernosa populations in Belize may harbor shallow-specialized Symbiodiniaceae not found in deeper populations.

Insights on the genetic repertoire of the coral Mussismilia braziliensis endosymbiont Symbiodinium

Reef-building corals form a symbiotic association with photosynthetic dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae. This symbiosis is crucial for the maintenance of coral reefs. In this work, we evaluate the effect of light conditions on the transcriptomic response of Symbiodinium CCMR0100 (ITS2 type A4), isolated from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean endemic Mussismilia braziliensis. We obtained a total of 36,224 transcripts (N50 = 1007 bases, mean GC = 55.7%; ~25 Gb of assembled bases). We observed ecologically relevant transcripts encoding i. the complete antioxidant enzymatic system, ii. the recently described algal dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) lyase, and iii. The Mycosporine-like aminoacids (MAA) biosynthesis pathway. Cultures maintained in dark and light conditions yielded different transcriptomic profiles, and 48 transcripts were differentially expressed between these treatments. Expression of cytochrome P450 was inhibited by light, suggesting that endoplasmic reticulum monooxygenase activity might play a role in light-independent coral bleaching. Light conditions also triggered the induction of transcripts associated to chromatin condensation and mitosis, consistent with the light dependent progression of Symbiodiniaceae cell cycle. The repression of transcripts associated to the phosphatidylinositol (PI) signaling pathwaysuggests this pathway shall be related to light-induced morphological changes in Symbiodiniaceae cell.

BORROWING AND ITS TYPES IN POLISH

BORROWING AND ITS TYPES IN POLISH

Ceratocystis wilt on Eucalyptus: first record from South Africa

Wilt and death of an E. grandis × E. urophylla variety was recently observed in the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Symptoms on the dying trees included a streaking pattern of discolouration in the sapwood and cambium of stems and roots. A fungus resembling a Ceratocystis sp. was consistently found sporulating on diseased material and isolated from the symptomatic root and stem tissue. DNA sequence analyses of the Ceratocystis isolates, including multiple gene regions, identified the isolates as C. eucalypticola. Multiple ITS types were identified among the isolates sequenced, similar to those found in other, closely related, Ceratocystis species. Artificial inoculations under field conditions confirmed the pathogenicity of the isolates. This is the first report of a Ceratocystis sp. causing a wilt disease of Eucalyptus in South Africa.

Impact of Information Technologies on HR Effectiveness: A Case of Azerbaijan

In the article, the impact of information technologies’ (IT) implementation into the work of human resource departments for increased effectiveness is explored. Modern relations at the enterprise require the most important network-based enterprise’s unit to be a strategic, flexible, cost-effective and service-oriented division of the organization. Although the influence of IT on Human Resources Management (HRM) has been a focus of scientists’ attention, no empirical research has been conducted in this area in Azerbaijan. The authors use the experience and initiatives of enterprises and national banks to show the current state and results of the implementation of IT in HRM. Obtained data show that IT is not widely used in Azerbaijani organizations to perform HRM functions. The results also show that, although IT should have a certain impact on all sectors in terms of HRM, the types of IT used should vary significantly in recruitment, maintenance, and development tasks.