Introduction into natural environments shifts the gut microbiome of captivity-raised filter-feeding bivalves.

The gut microbiome is influenced by host species and the environment, but how the environment influences the microbiome of animals introduced into a new ecosystem has rarely been investigated. Freshwater mussels are aquatic fauna, with some threatened or endangered species propagated in hatcheries and introduced into natural systems as part of conservation efforts. The effects of the environment on the freshwater mussel gut microbiome were assessed for two hatchery-propagated species (, ) introduced into rivers within their natural range.

Evaluation of stiffness-matched, 3D-printed, NiTi mandibular graft fixation in an ovine model.

Background: Manually bent, standard-of-care, Ti-6Al-4V, mandibular graft fixation devices are associated with a significant post-operative failure rate. These failures require the patient to endure stressful and expensive re-operation. The approach recommended in this report demonstrates the optimization of graft fixation device mechanical properties via "stiffness-matching" by varying the fixation device's location, shape, and material composition through simulation of the device's post-operative performance.

Examining the Effects of Environment, Geography, and Elevation on Patterns of DNA Methylation Across Populations of Two Widespread Bumble Bee Species.

Understanding the myriad avenues through which spatial and environmental factors shape evolution is a major focus in biological research. From a molecular perspective, much work has been focused on genomic sequence variation; however, recently there has been increased interest in how epigenetic variation may be shaped by different variables across the landscape. DNA methylation has been of particular interest given that it is dynamic and can alter gene expression, potentially offering a path for a rapid response to environmental change.

Chromosome-scale genome assembly of the hunt bumble bee, Bombus huntii Greene, 1860, a species of agricultural interest.

The Hunt bumble bee, Bombus huntii, is a widely distributed pollinator in western North America. The species produces large colony sizes in captive rearing conditions, experiences low parasite and pathogen loads, and has been demonstrated to be an effective pollinator of tomatoes grown in controlled environment agriculture systems. These desirable traits have galvanized producer efforts to develop commercial Bombus huntii colonies for growers to deliver pollination services to crops.