Well-known Trait Research Articles

Rapid function analysis of OsiWAK1 using a Dual-Luciferase assay in rice

In the past decade, the exploration of genetic resources in rice has significantly enhanced the efficacy of rice breeding. However, the exploration of genetic resources is hindered by the identification of candidate genes. To expedite the identification of candidate genes, this study examined tapetum programmed cell death-related genes OsiWAK1, OsPDT1, EAT1, TDR, and TIP2 to assess the efficacy of the Dual-Luciferase (Dual-LUC) assay in rapidly determining gene relationships. The study found that, in the Dual-LUC assay, OsiWAK1 and its various recombinant proteins exhibit comparable activation abilities on the EAT1 promoter, potentially indicating a false positive. However, the Dual-LUC assay can reveal that OsiWAK1 impacts both the function of its upstream regulatory factor OsPDT1 and the TDR/TIP2 transcription complex. By rapidly studying the relationship between diverse candidate genes and regulatory genes in a well-known trait via the Dual-LUC assay, this study provides a novel approach to expedite the determination of candidate genes such as genome-wide association study.

An NJL model analysis of a magnetised nonextensive QCD medium

We investigate the effect of a background magnetic field when applied to a nonextensive QCD medium in a 2+1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$2+1$$\\end{document} flavour Nambu— Jona-Lasinio model. The effect of a constant as well as an eB-dependent coupling is considered. For the constant coupling, the well-known magnetic catalysis effect is observed with reduced strength in both the condensates and the transition temperatures compared to the standard extensive medium. In the case of a field-dependent coupling, we observe a competition between the nonextensive parameter, q and eB. With sufficiently high q-values, the phenomenon of inverse magnetic catalysis —, a well-known trait in effective models featuring eB-dependent coupling, appears to be eliminated within the range of magnetic fields examined in our present study.

Sharing the Agrarian Knowledge with Archaeology: First Evidence of the Dimorphism of Vitis Pollen from the Middle Bronze Age of N Italy (Terramara Santa Rosa di Poviglio)

The recovery of inaperturate pollen from functionally female flowers in archaeological layers opens the question of a possible pollen-based discrimination between wild and domesticated Vitis vinifera in prehistoric times. Pollen analysis applied to archaeology has not routinely considered the existence of pollen dimorphism in Vitis, a well-known trait in the field of agrarian studies. Therefore, the inaperturate shape of grapevine pollen is ignored by studies on the archaeobotanical history of viticulture. In this paper we investigate pollen morphology of the domesticated and wild subspecies of V. vinifera, and report the first evidence of inaperturate Vitis pollen from an archaeological site. We studied exemplar cases of plants with hermaphroditic flowers, belonging to the subspecies vinifera with fully developed male and female organs, cases of dioecious plants with male or female flowers, belonging to the wild subspecies sylvestris and cases of V. vinifera subsp. vinifera with morphologically hermaphroditic but functionally female flowers. The pollen produced by hermaphroditic and male flowers is usually trizonocolporate; the pollen produced by female flowers is inaperturate. This paper reports on the inaperturate pollen of Vitis found in an archeological site of the Po Plain, Northern Italy. The site dated to the Bronze Age, which is known to have been a critical age for the use of this plant with a transition from wild to domesticated Vitis in central Mediterranean. Can the inaperturate Vitis pollen be a marker of wild Vitis vinifera in prehistoric times? Palynology suggests a possible new investigation strategy on the ancient history of the wild and cultivated grapevine. The pollen dimorphism also implies a different production and dispersal of pollen of the wild and the domesticated subspecies. Grapevine plants are palynologically different from the other Mediterranean “cultural trees”. In fact, Olea, Juglans and Castanea, which are included in the OJC index, have the same pollen morphology and the same pollen dispersal, in wild and domesticated plants. In contrast, the signal of Vitis pollen in past records may be different depending on the hermaphroditic or dioecious subspecies.

Aggressiveness, Mating Behaviour and Lifespan of Group Housed Rabbit Does.

Simple SummaryAggressiveness is a well-known trait in different animal species, including the European wild and domesticated rabbit. It is one of the main problems in group housing of rabbit does. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the frequency of aggressiveness and mating behaviour as well as the lifespan of does depending on their rank order. Dominance hierarchy developed during aggressive behaviour, i.e., fighting. In most cases the primary position in the rank order was clear. Mating activity was very high after assembling the groups. In addition to male–female mating, some female-female and female-male mounting was also observed, which could lead to pseudo-pregnancy. A second small peak of sexual activity was observed at the end of the hypothetical pseudo-pregnancy. Based on the results it can be concluded that aggressive behaviour is frequent in group housing systems which is contrary to animal welfare. Natural mating is not effective in group-housing systems.Aggressiveness is one of the main problems in group housing of rabbit does. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the frequency of aggressiveness and mating behaviour as well as the lifespan of does depending on group composition. The female and male rabbits were housed in one of the 7.7 m2 pens (four females and one male per pen). Based on the ages of female rabbits two homogenous groups (HOM) were formed containing four 17-week-old females and two heterogeneous groups (HET) containing three 17-week-old and one 1-year-old female. Twenty-four-hour video recordings were taken during the first month after assembling the groups, and the aggressive actions (fights) and matings were counted. The lifespan was examined over a 200-day experimental period. On the day after assembling the groups the number of fights among does was high in HET group. The same aggressive behaviour only started a week later in HOM group, and some fights between females and the male were also observed. The daily peaks of aggressiveness were in the morning (after the light on) and in the evening (before and after the lights off). The primary position of females in the hierarchy was clear but sometimes no differences were detected among the subordinate females. The mortality of does was connected with their rank order. The number of matings was very high on the day of assembling the groups and a second small peak was observed at the end of the hypothetical pseudo-pregnancy. In addition to mating between male and females, female–female and female–male mounting was also observed. Despite of the small sample size it seems that aggressive behaviour is frequent in group housing systems, which is contrary to animal welfare. Natural mating is not effective in group-housing system.

Diachronic adjustments of functional traits scaling relationships to track environmental changes: revisiting Cistus species leaf cohort classification

Leaf functional traits and their relationships can differ between leaf flushes, particularly for species characterized by an extended growing season such as Mediterranean ones. Among them, Cistus spp. are generally reported to display two different leaf cohorts (i.e. summer and winter leaves) during the same growing season. We tested the generality of such leaf cohort classification by analyzing the diachronic adjustments of relationships between different leaf functional traits in 3 Cistus spp. Traits included were: leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf thickness (LT), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and net photosynthesis on a mass basis (Am). The slopes of the relationships between morphological traits were then regressed against climate variables. The slopes were also regressed against leaf production rate (LPR) and the scores of the positioning as Competitors (%C), Stress tolerators (%S) and Ruderals (%R) in the tertiary CSR scheme.The different leaf flushes reshaped the well-known trait covariation patterns thus reflecting shifts in leaf-level resource-acquisition and -use strategies. This was achieved through an opposite response of the relationships LMA–LT and LMA–LDMC to temperature changes. In fact, the relationship LMA–LT was better modulated in leaves produced at different temperatures, while the LMA–LDMC one was possibly constrained due to the tighter negative relationship LDMC–Am (i.e. higher costs in terms of carbon assimilation). Accordingly, changes in LMA–LDMC coordination were significantly related to %C.Our results provide an evidence that while Cistus spp. leaf cohort classification generally holds, it does not necessarily capture the entire seasonal spectrum of traits covariation. We propose to move forward from the generally accepted winter–summer leaf classification shown in literature providing a new framework that can better describe Cistus species potential response to environmental changes.

Comparative genomics of the nonlegume Parasponia reveals insights into evolution of nitrogen-fixing rhizobium symbioses

Nodules harboring nitrogen-fixing rhizobia are a well-known trait of legumes, but nodules also occur in other plant lineages, with rhizobia or the actinomycete Frankia as microsymbiont. It is generally assumed that nodulation evolved independently multiple times. However, molecular-genetic support for this hypothesis is lacking, as the genetic changes underlying nodule evolution remain elusive. We conducted genetic and comparative genomics studies by using Parasponia species (Cannabaceae), the only nonlegumes that can establish nitrogen-fixing nodules with rhizobium. Intergeneric crosses between Parasponia andersonii and its nonnodulating relative Trema tomentosa demonstrated that nodule organogenesis, but not intracellular infection, is a dominant genetic trait. Comparative transcriptomics of P. andersonii and the legume Medicago truncatula revealed utilization of at least 290 orthologous symbiosis genes in nodules. Among these are key genes that, in legumes, are essential for nodulation, including NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) and RHIZOBIUM-DIRECTED POLAR GROWTH (RPG). Comparative analysis of genomes from three Parasponia species and related nonnodulating plant species show evidence of parallel loss in nonnodulating species of putative orthologs of NIN, RPG, and NOD FACTOR PERCEPTION Parallel loss of these symbiosis genes indicates that these nonnodulating lineages lost the potential to nodulate. Taken together, our results challenge the view that nodulation evolved in parallel and raises the possibility that nodulation originated ∼100 Mya in a common ancestor of all nodulating plant species, but was subsequently lost in many descendant lineages. This will have profound implications for translational approaches aimed at engineering nitrogen-fixing nodules in crop plants.

Stroke in Ancient Mesopotamia.

Introduction: More than 6000 years ago, the cradle of civilization, Mesopotamia, grew-up in what is known today as Iraq. The history of cerebrovascular diseases in Mesopotamia is insufficient to supply scholar needs. Therefore, the goal of this review is to highlight some remarkable points in the history of what we may coin as “stroke medicine” during the ancient Mesopotamian eras and to explore the knowledge and expertise of ancient healers. The neo-Sumerian period (2112-2004 BCE) documented, through clay tablets, many medical records about two kinds of medical specialists; the āšipu (exorcists) and the ašu (physician-priests). Methods and findings: The information herein was gathered through literature review using online resources, such as NCBI, Google Scholar, PubMed, UCLA, and HİNARİ. Initially, most of the knowledge we have got was acquired mainly from two well-known transliterated cuneiform texts. Both tablets had clearly addressed stroke. One tablet, part of the “diagnostic” series is currently in the Louvre Museum in Paris, while the other one is in the British Museum in London and is part of the “therapeutic” series. The Mesopotamians had noticed and documented vascular disorders of the brain and some pertinent diseases. The ašu and the āšipu demonstrated an observational knowledge of anatomy and but no knowledge of the nervous system, the concept of pathology, or physiology as we call them today. Not all paralysis cases were viewed as a curse or an impact incurred by a supernatural deity. Physical treatment was mentioned to the patients. The familial occurrence of stroke was a well-known trait in that ancient period. Conclusion: This descriptive review tells us that the history of stroke in the medical practice was well-encountered in the first half of the second millennium BCE and that physicians were keen observers to describe stroke presentation and prognosis.

Human exploitation assisting a threatened species? The case of muttonbirders and Buller's albatross.

Albatrosses are flexible and adaptable predators, relying on live prey as well as carrion. Use of predictable food sources and reliance on human-produced resources are well-known trait in long-range feeders like albatrosses and petrels. Breeding Buller’s albatrosses studied at Solander I. (Hautere), New Zealand fed their chicks the remains of sooty shearwater juveniles (tītī in Māori), which are harvested from nearby muttonbirding sites. Evidence of this food type was found at over 10% of nests examined, and 17–40% birds that were fitted with GPS loggers visited muttonbirding sites in this and previous studies. Muttonbirding is a traditional practice that has continued for centuries, with up to 120 tonnes of offal discharged to the sea annually during the present day harvest. It coincides with the energetically-demanding early chick period for the albatrosses. Our finding suggests that the offal may be an important, but overlooked element in the albatross diet. As an important supplementary food for the albatrosses it is likely to have contributed to the 3% per annum growth of their populations since the first comprehensive population surveys in 1969.

Trait Anticipatory Pleasure Predicts Effort Expenditure for Reward.

Research in motivation and emotion has been increasingly influenced by the perspective that processes underpinning the motivated approach of rewarding goals are distinct from those underpinning enjoyment during reward consummation. This distinction recently inspired the construction of the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS), a self-report measure that distinguishes trait anticipatory pleasure (pre-reward feelings of desire) from consummatory pleasure (feelings of enjoyment and gratification upon reward attainment). In a university community sample (N = 97), we examined the TEPS subscales as predictors of (1) the willingness to expend effort for monetary rewards, and (2) affective responses to a pleasant mood induction procedure. Results showed that both anticipatory pleasure and a well-known trait measure of reward motivation predicted effort-expenditure for rewards when the probability of being rewarded was relatively low. Against expectations, consummatory pleasure was unrelated to induced pleasant affect. Taken together, our findings provide support for the validity of the TEPS anticipatory pleasure scale, but not the consummatory pleasure scale.

Experimental evolution, behavior and genetics: Associative learning as a case study

Abstract The evolutionary dynamics of behavioral traits reflect phenotypic and genetic changes. Methodological difficulties in analyzing the genetic dynamics of complex traits have left open questions on the mechanisms that have shaped complex behaviors and cognitive abilities. A strategy to investigate the change of behavior across generations is to assume that genetic constraints have a negligible role in evolution (the phenotypic gambit) and focus on the phenotype as a proxy for genetic evolution. Empirical evidence and technologic advances in genomics question the choice of neglecting the genetic underlying the dynamics of behavioral evolution. I first discuss the relevance of genetic factors – e.g. genetic variability, genetic linkage, gene interactions – in shaping evolution, showing the importance of taking genetic factors into account when dealing with evolutionary dynamics. I subsequently describe the recent advancements in genetics and genomics that make the investigation of the ongoing evolutionary process of behavioral traits finally attainable. In particular, by applying genomic resequencing to experimental evolution – a method called Evolve & Resequence – it is possible to monitor at the same time phenotypic and genomic changes in populations exposed to controlled selective pressures. Experimental evolution of associative learning, a well-known trait that promptly responds to selection, is a convenient model to illustrate this approach applied to behavior and cognition. Taking into account the recent achievements of the field, I discuss how to design and conduct an effective Evolve & Resequence study on associative learning in Drosophila. By integrating phenotypic and genomic data in the investigation of evolutionary dynamics, new insights can be gained on longstanding questions such as the modularity of mind and its evolution.

SY18-1 * ETHNIC DIFFERENCES OF DISULFIRAM PHARMACOGENETIC EFFECT IN ASIAN POPULATION

Introduction. The development of alcoholism results from multiple risk factors involving complex gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Alcohol sensitivity is a well-known trait marker predisposing toward alcoholism via regulating the reinforcing and certain intoxicating effects of ethanol. The compound promoting acute ethanol intoxicating effect could contribute to the alcoholism treatment. The ethnic variations of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), the principal enzyme for acetaldehyde elimination in alcohol metabolism, will provide an opportunity to clarify the pharmacogenetic effect of disulfiram for the Asian population. Method. In preclinical animal studies, the male C57BL/6J mice were adapted to assess the effect of disulfiram on ethanol sensitivity by using a battery of three behavioral assays: Rotarod for ethanol-induced ataxia, hypothermia and sedation. Clinically, we recruited alcoholic patients with ALDH2\*1/\*1 and ALDH2\*1/\*2 genotypes identified by PCR-RFLP and confirmed by direct nucleotide sequencing. Before and after disulfiram treatment in one-week interval, the participants received an oral dose of ethanol (0.2 g/kg). The blood ethanol and acetaldehyde, cardiovascular hemodynamic parameters were measured following ethanol ingestion. Result. The disulfiram increased ethanol-induced hypothermia and sedation in C57BL/6J mice.In human study, no acetaldehyde accumulation in ALDH2\*1/\*1 alcoholic subjects and mild elevation (∼40 uM) in ALDH2\*1/\*2 alcoholics following low dose ethanol ingestion. After the disulfiram treatment, there were significantly higher levels of blood acetaldehyde (peak concentration ∼200 uM in ALDH2\*1/\*1 group and ∼500 uM in ALDH2\*1/\*2 group). Consistently, the cardiovascular hemodynamic parameters showed marked alterations (∼50% increase of heart rate) after disulfiram treatment. Conclusion. The disulfiram-alcohol reaction is sufficiently potent to make alcoholics stop alcohol drinking, but should reduce treatment dose for subjects with variant ALDH2*2 and be aware of the potential hazard consequences for uncontrollable alcohol drinking in the treatment course.

H 2 O 2 Production in Species of the Lactobacillus acidophilus Group: a Central Role for a Novel NADH-Dependent Flavin Reductase

Hydrogen peroxide production is a well-known trait of many bacterial species associated with the human body. In the presence of oxygen, the probiotic lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC 533 excretes up to 1 mM H(2)O(2), inducing growth stagnation and cell death. Disruption of genes commonly assumed to be involved in H(2)O(2) production (e.g., pyruvate oxidase, NADH oxidase, and lactate oxidase) did not affect this. Here we describe the purification of a novel NADH-dependent flavin reductase encoded by two highly similar genes (LJ_0548 and LJ_0549) that are conserved in lactobacilli belonging to the Lactobacillus acidophilus group. The genes are predicted to encode two 20-kDa proteins containing flavin mononucleotide (FMN) reductase conserved domains. Reductase activity requires FMN, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), or riboflavin and is specific for NADH and not NADPH. The Km for FMN is 30 ± 8 μM, in accordance with its proposed in vivo role in H(2)O(2) production. Deletion of the encoding genes in L. johnsonii led to a 40-fold reduction of hydrogen peroxide formation. H(2)O(2) production in this mutant could only be restored by in trans complementation of both genes. Our work identifies a novel, conserved NADH-dependent flavin reductase that is prominently involved in H(2)O(2) production in L. johnsonii.

The lack of female dominance in golden‐brown mouse lemurs suggests alternative routes in lemur social evolution

Female dominance is a well-known trait of lemurs, although it has not been reported from all species and is still often unexplored, especially in the nocturnal species. We examined the intersexual dominance relationships in Microcebus ravelobensis, a congener of M. murinus who is well known for its female dominance. Given the many similarities in biology, it was predicted that M. ravelobensis should also possess female dominance. Seventeen unfamiliar male-female pairs were formed with animals captured in northwestern Madagascar and kept in a two-cage setting (one cage for each animal) for up to 1 week. Four encounter experiments were conducted with each pair. In contrast to the expectations, females were not consistently dominant over their male partners. Only 3 of 17 dyads developed a clear agonistic asymmetry, among which were two cases of male dominance and only one case of female dominance. Because body mass differences did not explain the findings, various other possible explanations are discussed. It is suggested that food may not be the driving factor of female dominance in mouse lemurs. Instead, it is hypothesized that species-specific differences in the quality of sleeping sites (i.e., tree holes) and in social grouping patterns may better explain why some mouse lemur species have female dominance, whereas others like the golden-brown mouse lemur do not. It is concluded thatthese arguments and hypotheses may even hold true for other solitary foragers and may thereby lead to a better understanding of the variable social evolution in lemurs and primates in general.

Crop Tree Quality in Young Piedmont Oak Stands of Sprout Origin

Abstract Oak crop trees were evaluated for their biological potential in 18 even-aged upland hardwood stands of sprout origin on good sites (oak S.I. 75 or better) in the upper Piedmont of South Carolina. These were unthinned stands, aged 20 to 40 years since clearcutting. Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea Meunchh.) was the largest and most common acceptable crop tree, with straight boles generally free of epicormic branches, but was infrequently classed as desirable due to the poor natural pruning of its sizable and persistant dead branches. Southern red oak (Q. falcata Michx.), although smallest in diameter, was the most desirable crop tree of the oak species, due to its small branches that prune cleanly in these well-stocked stands. White oak (Q. alba L.) generally rated desirable except for many trees with epicormic branches, a well-known trait of this species. Black oak (Q. velutina Lam.) crop trees, although fewer in number, had good bole form with good pruning and few epicormic branches. Most crop trees were free of swollen butts and any sign of butt rot, and many were free of multiple dead or suppressed ancillary sterns. Overall, 56% of all oak crop trees were classified as desirable or better with excellent potential to develop into mature sawtimber.

X-linkage of human -galactosidase.

A deficiency in α-galactosidase (α-Gal) activity–as measured aspecifically with the use of artificial substrates–is a regular feature in leucocytes and fibroblasts of patients affected by angiokeratoma corporis diffusum or Fabry's disease, a well-known X-linked trait in man1–4. Fibroblast clones derived from mothers of affected males exhibit either normal or deficient activity of α-galactosidase. This demonstrates that the deficiency of α-galactosidase is caused by an X-linked mutation, but does not necessarily prove that the structural locus for this enzyme is itself located on the X-chromosome.

Administrative Rules Governing Foreign Trade in the German Federal Republic

Frenchby Yves Chapel.This account of the administrative structure governing foreign trade is too closely packed with cold facts and legal provisions to permit of a summary. Some general conclusions, however, emerge from the description and are clearly indicated by the author:The Western German set-up is extremely complicated. This may be due to a well-known trait of German psychology, but was unavoidable in view of the prevailing situation. It should be borne in mind that (a) the transfer of authority from the military occupying forces to the Joint Export and Import Agency and thence to the German authorities was a gradual one, that its course was never clearly defined and that it perforce was based on initially empirical provisions; (b) the Federal Government and legal authorities had to build up a new tradition of administration with the least possible reference to pre-war practice. As a result, the provisions now extant govern everything down to the minutest details.On the other hand, the German administrative structure in these matters is characterised by a wide dispersion of competence and responsibilities, and by the fact that official powers are delegated to private bodies « accepted » for the purpose.Finally, emphasis is laid on the extremely important part played by the « Bank deutscher Länder » and its affiliates in matters of currency allocations. In most cases, import licences are granted on the basis, not of the amount of goods, but of the sum of money to be paid.In a most interesting conclusion, Mr. Chapel points out that the present system admirably lends itself to strict State control, but that the actual tendency is towards a far-reaching liberalisation of foreign trade.

James I and His Literary Assistants

A WELL-KNOWN trait of James I was his fondness for learned lXconversation, especially at the dinner table. As a boy in Scotland he was accustomed to the reading and discussion of the Scriptures during his meals; and later in England he loved to gather round him at table his favorite divines and a few selected laymen whose learning and dispositions were such as he could appreciate. It was the custom of King James, wrote Francis Osborne, ... to discourse during meals with the chaplain that said grace or other divines concerning some point of controversy in philosophy. That King's table was a trial of wits, wrote Hacket. The reading of some books before him was very frequent while he was at his repast. Otherwise he collected knowledge by variety of questions which he carved out to the capacity of [those about him].... He was ever in chase after some disputable doubts which he would wind and turn about with the most stabbing objections that ever I heard. And was as pleasant and fellow-like in all those discourses as with his huntsmen in the field.2 On these occasions, to be sure, James sat enjoying his dinner while those who attended him stood reverently behind his chair without having dined themselves. Doubtless he often paraded his knowledge, as in the famous audience he gave to Sir John Harington. His interest was not in scholarship or in the general field of letters but in a kind of theological lore which justified the position of the Anglican Church