Avenues towards reconciling wild and managed bee proponents.

Bees are crucial for food security and biodiversity. However, managed bees are increasingly considered drivers of wild bee declines, leading to stakeholder conflicts and restrictive policies. We propose avenues to reconcile wild and managed bee proponents and point out knowledge gaps that hinder the development of evidence-based policies.

Postmortem proteolysis and its indicators vary within bovine muscles: Novel insights in muscles that differ in their contractile, metabolic, and connective tissue properties.

This study assessed postmortem proteolysis over 14 d in bovine Masseter (MS), Longissimus thoracis (LT), and Cutaneous trunci (CT) muscles. First, the metabolic, contractile, and connective tissue properties were characterized to establish their intrinsic differences. The MS contained the highest levels of oxidative markers and myosin heavy chain-I (MyHC-I), whereas the CT possessed the greatest glycolytic capacity, MyHC-IIx, and connective tissue proteins (P < 0.

Monitoring alpha-cypermethrin susceptibility of Phlebotomus argentipes, the vector of visceral leishmaniasis in India, using the CDC bottle bioassay.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), known as Kala-azar on the Indian subcontinent, is a parasitic disease caused by the flagellated protozoa Leishmania donovani and can be fatal if left untreated. The sand fly Phlebotomus argentipes is the only proven vector of VL in the Southeast Asia region, and VL control in this region has relied on the use of synthetic insecticides for indoor residual spraying (IRS). The use of DDT in VL control programmes has led to the development of resistance to this insecticide in sand flies, resulting in DDT being replaced with the insecticide alpha-cypermethrin.

Co-occurrence of direct and indirect extracellular electron transfer mechanisms during electroactive respiration in a dissimilatory sulfate reducing bacterium.

Understanding the extracellular electron transfer mechanisms of electroactive bacteria could help determine their potential in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and their microbial syntrophy with redox-active minerals in natural environments. However, the mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer to electrodes by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) remain underexplored. Here, we utilized double-chamber MFCs with carbon cloth electrodes to investigate the extracellular electron transfer mechanisms of Hildenborough (H), a model SRB, under varying lactate and sulfate concentrations using different H mutants.

Greenspace Morphology and Preterm Birth: A State-Wide Study in Georgia, United States (2001-2016).

Background: Residential greenness is linked to birth outcomes. However, the role of greenspace morphology remains poorly understood. Additionally, evidence is lacking regarding whether these relationships vary by subpopulation.

Development of Broad-Spectrum β-Cyclodextrins-Based Nanomaterials Against Influenza Viruses.

In recent decades, epidemics and pandemics have multiplied throughout the world, with viruses generally being the primary responsible agents. Among these, influenza viruses play a key role, as they potentially cause severe respiratory distress, representing a major threat to public health. Our study aims to develop new broad-spectrum antivirals against influenza to improve the response to viral disease outbreaks.

Engineered Recombinant Hagfish Intermediate Filament Proteins: Unraveling Domain Roles in Synthetic Fiber Formation and Mechanics.

Hagfish intermediate filament (HIF) proteins, consisting of α and γ subunits, have been previously recombinantly expressed, purified, and utilized to form dry fibers with impressive mechanical properties. HIFα and HIFγ consist of three protein domains (N-termini, C-termini, and central rod domain). To begin to understand the structure-function relationship between the protein domains in fiber formation and properties in a synthetic fiber spinning system, we designed recombinant protein constructs with varying combinations of the N-terminus, central rod domain (CRD), and C-terminus for both the α and γ proteins.

Phylogenomics of Paragymnopteris (Cheilanthoideae, Pteridaceae): Insights from plastome, mitochondrial, and nuclear datasets.

Previous studies have shown that at least six genera of the Cheilanthoideae, a subfamily of the fern family Pteridaceae, may not be monophyletic. In these non-monophyletic genera, the Old-World genus Paragymnopteris including approximately five species have long been controversial. In this study, with an extensive taxon sampling of Paragymnopteris, we assembled 19 complete plastomes of all recognized Paragymnopteris species, plastomes of Pellaea (3 species) and Argyrochosma (1 species), as well as transcriptomes from Paragymnopteris (6 species) and Argyrochosma (1 species).

FePc Coupled with FeNi/WxC Embeded in Leaf like Multistage Pore Carbon as Highly Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Long Life Zinc-air Battery.

The development of oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) bifunctional electrocatalysts with excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability is critical for Zinc-air batteries (ZABs), but remains challenging. Herein, NiFe-WNC with abundant multistage pore structure was prepared by chemical bath deposition and pyrolysis. FePc@NiFe-WNC bifunctional electrocatalyst was obtained by coupling dispersed FePc on it at room temperature.

Laboratory Experiments Suggest a Limited Impact of Increased Nitrogen Deposition on Snow Algae Blooms.

Snow algal blooms decrease snow albedo and increase local melt rates. However, the causes behind the size and frequency of these blooms are still not well understood. One factor likely contributing is nutrient availability, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus.

Effects of infant massage on infant attachment security in a randomized controlled trial.

Benefits of attachment security have been demonstrated in multiple realms of development, and an extensive body of research has identified some of the antecedents associated with the development of secure attachments. While previous research has indicated that infant massage may support the development of mothers' attachment to their babies, no published research exists that investigated infants' attachment security after mothers learn infant massage strokes. This study tested the impact of an infant massage intervention on mothers' massage frequency and attachment security in infants.

Interactions Between [PdX] (X=Cl, Br) Dianions in Presence of Counterions.

The interaction between two square palladium (II) dianions PdX (X=Cl, Br) is evaluated by crystal study and analyzed by quantum chemical means. The arrangement within the crystal between each pair of PdX neighbors is suggestive of a Pd⋅⋅⋅X noncovalent bond, which is verified by a battery of computational protocols. While the potential between these two bare dianions is computed to be highly repulsive, the introduction of even just two counterions makes this interaction attractive, as does the presence of a constellation of point charges.

Differential Hepatic Expression of miRNA in Response to Aflatoxin B1 Challenge in Domestic and Wild Turkeys.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB) is a major foodborne mycotoxin that poses a significant economic risk to poultry due to a greater degree of susceptibility compared to other agricultural species. Domesticated turkeys () are especially sensitive to AFB; however, wild turkeys () are more resistant. A lack of functional isoforms of hepatic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), an enzyme that plays a role in the detoxification of aflatoxin, is suspected as the reason for the increased sensitivity.

Chasing a Little-Known Fairy Bee () in a Dynamic Desert Landscape.

It is widely understood that bees play an important role in many different ecosystems, due to the services they provide as pollinators [...

Practitioners' Needs for Addressing the Challenges of Sea-Level Rise-A Qualitative Assessment.

Practitioners at the local and regional scale are under increased pressure to reduce risks to people and property posed by the threats of sea-level rise (SLR) and associated impacts. To achieve this, a dialog between practitioners and scientists is imperative. Current research documents impacts of SLR, evaluates local SLR adaptation activities, identifies barriers to action, and works to assess local adaptive capacity.

Convergent Evolution Associated with the Loss of Developmental Diapause May Promote Extended Lifespan in Bees.

Diapause has long been proposed to play a significant role in the evolution of eusociality in Hymenoptera. Recent studies have shown that shifts in the diapause stage precede social evolution in wasps and bees; however, the genomic basis remains unknown. Given the overlap in molecular pathways that regulate diapause and lifespan, we hypothesized that the evolutionary loss of developmental diapause may lead to extended lifespan among adults, which is a prerequisite for the evolution of eusociality.

In vitro proteolysis mirrors intact muscle maturation in beef carcasses.

An in vitro assay was developed to study protease activity during the maturation of beef postmortem. Myofibrils were purified from the semitendinosus and used as a sentinel for assessing the activity of endogenous proteases in longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and the extensor carpi radialis (ER) over time postmortem in beef carcasses. Samples were collected from each muscle at 0, 1, 2, 7, and 14 d of aging and snap frozen.

Applying low levels of strain to model nascent phenomenon of retinal pathologies.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in aging populations. A better understanding of the mechanisms of the disease, especially at early stages, could elucidate new treatment targets. One characteristic of AMD is strain on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a crucial layer of the retina.

EXOSOMES FROM CYCLIC MICE MODULATE LIVER TRANSCRIPTOME IN ESTROUPAUSE MICE INDEPENDENT OF AGE.

Background: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by cells that contain microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs can induce changes in gene expression and function of recipient cells. In different cells exosome content can change with age and physiological state affecting tissues function and health.

Thermal CO Release Reactivity of a π-Extended Flavonol Anion.

The π-extended flavonol Flav-1 () undergoes reaction with KOH or KO to form , which reacts with O at ambient temperature, resulting in CO release and depside formation. Mechanistic and DFT studies support a reaction pathway involving reaction of with O on the triplet energy surface in the rate-determining step. Formation of a cyclic peroxide leads to CO extrusion.