scholarly journals Pre-copulatory reproductive behaviours are preserved in Drosophila melanogaster infected with bacteria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saloni Rose ◽  
Esteban J. Beckwith ◽  
Charlotte Burmester ◽  
Robin C. May ◽  
Marc S. Dionne ◽  
...  

AbstractReproduction and immunity are crucial traits that determine an animal’s fitness. Terminal investment hypothesis predicts that reproductive investment should increase in the face of a mortality risk caused by infection. However, due to competitive allocation of energetic resources, individuals fighting infections are expected to decrease reproductive efforts. While there is evidence for both hypotheses, the factors that determine the choice between these strategies are poorly understood. Here, we assess the impact of bacterial infection on pre-copulatory behaviours in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We found that male flies infected with six different bacteria, including pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains, show no significant differences in courtship intensity and mating success. Similarly, bacterial infections did not affect sexual receptivity in female flies. Our data suggest that pre-copulatory reproductive behaviours remain preserved in infected animals, despite the huge metabolic cost of infection.

Author(s):  
Ishanee Jahagirdar

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to be highly toxic to certain organisms and can induce stress in cells. The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to examine the stress response to AgNP exposure on Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) larvae, and secondly, to determine if exposure to AgNPs alters the intestinal bacterial composition. To answer these questions, fruit flies were grown on food mixed with AgNPs. Larvae were monitored for their ability to escape from heat stress and their climbing ability before metamorphosis into pupae. Larval wandering behaviour was examined by devising a test to determine if they could crawl their way back to food. In order to examine the flora in the digestive tract, DNA was isolated from dissected larval intestines, purified and then a relatively conserved portion of the bacterial DNA was amplified. These samples were then sent for pyrosequencing, which is a technique that will allow us to examine the composition of the intestinal microbial population. Preliminary results have been mixed. There has been some suggestion of a stress response, but this has not been very consistent. Therefore, more experiments need to be done. However, the bacterial population of the gut does seem to change after the treatment, indicating that AgNP exposure results in altered microbial composition in D. melanogaster intestines. It is hoped that this research will help elucidate our understanding of the impact NPs have on organisms, which is highly relevant because of the high prevalence of NPs in consumer and medicinal materials.  


2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-277
Author(s):  
Jennifer Broo ◽  
Jessica Mahoney ◽  
Julie Bokor ◽  
Daniel Hahn

Climate change can drive evolution. This connection is clear both historically and in modern times. The three-lesson curriculum described below provides opportunities for students to make connections between climate change and evolution through various modes of inquiry and self-investigation. Students examine how genetic variation may either facilitate or limit the ability for species to survive changing climates through work with the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Students are asked to layer new understanding of the mechanisms of evolution onto their observations of genetic variation in fruit fly thermotolerance, and then synthesize this information to make predictions regarding the survival of species threatened by climate change.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanh M. Pham ◽  
Anna Xu ◽  
Samuel E. Schriner ◽  
Evgueni A. Sevrioukov ◽  
Mahtab Jafari

Cinnamon extract has been reported to have positive effects in fruit fly and mouse models for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, cinnamon contains numerous potential active compounds that have not been individually evaluated. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of cinnamaldehyde, a known putative active compound in cinnamon, on the lifespan and healthspan of Drosophila melanogaster models for Alzheimer’s disease, which overexpress Aβ42 and MAPT (Tau). We found that cinnamaldehyde significantly improved the lifespan of both AD and non-AD flies. Cinnamaldehyde also improved the healthspan of AD flies overexpressing the Tau protein by improving climbing ability, evaluated by rapid iterative negative geotaxis (RING), and improving short-term memory, evaluated by a courtship conditioning assay. Cinnamaldehyde had no positive impact on the healthspan of AD flies overexpressing the Aβ42 protein.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 777-799
Author(s):  
O.I. Shvyreva ◽  
Z.I. Kruglyak ◽  
A.V. Petukh

Subject. This article discusses the issues related to the practice of financial reporting in the face of uncertainties caused by the coronavirus contagion, as well as the specifics of the audit strategy and formation of an audit opinion on this reporting. Objectives. The article aims to identify the quality characteristics of financial reporting prepared in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and justify the key aspects of assurance engagement completion in an extremely uncertain epidemiological and economic situation. Methods. For the study, we used an abstract-logical method, content analysis techniques, systematization, and classification. Results. Analyzing the impact of the extremely uncertain epidemiological and economic situation on financial statements, the article clarifies aspects of disclosure of events after the reporting date and threats to business continuity in the annual reporting of economic entities. The article identifies possible alternative procedures and algorithms to obtain proper evidence when it is insufficient in the face of the inability to meet certain audit standards requirements in a remote audit environment. The article defines the impact of COVID-19 risk disclosure on the structure of the audit report and opinion. Relevance. The results of the study can be used in the practical activities of economic entities that prepare financial statements in the face of significant uncertainty, as well as auditors and audit organizations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1182-1198
Author(s):  
I.V. Vyakina

Subject. This article deals with the issues related to the national economic security of the State in today's conditions. Objectives. The article aims to develop a set of special measures for additional business support to reduce the impact of restrictions imposed against the background of quarantine and the pandemic spread, and which would help prevent collapse of business entities. Methods. For the study, I used the methods of theoretical, systems, logical, and comparative analyses, and tabular and graphical visualization techniques. Results. The article proposes possible measures to support business aimed at reducing the costs of business entities due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, that complement and explain the activities proposed by the President and Government of the Russian Federation, taking into account the regional and municipal levels. Conclusions. The uncertain current situation requires constant adjustment and adaptation of public policy in accordance with specific circumstances. Ensuring the country's economic security and sustainability associates with creation of a business organization system that connects public administration tools and business support and development opportunities under the changed environment.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-84
Author(s):  
Wadhah Amer Hatem ◽  
Samiaah M. Hassen Al-Tmeemy

     Suicide attacks, bombings, explosions became the part of daily life in Iraq. Consequently, the threat of terrorism put the Iraqi construction sector in the face of unique and unusual challenges that not seen on other countries. These challenges can have extensive impact on construction projects. This paper seeks to examine the impact of the terrorist attacks on construction industry and determine the extent to which the impact of terrorism on construction projects in terms of cost, schedule, and quality. This study adapted quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect data using questionnaire survey and interviews, as well as historical data. The study focused on projects that have been the target of terrorist strikes in Diyala governorate. A variety of statistical procedures were employed in data analysis. The results revealed the extent to which terrorist attacks impact construction projects in terms of cost, time, and quality. The results of this study will enhance the awareness of all construction parties to the impact of the terrorist attacks against construction projects. Eventually, this can develop a risk management assessment and assist contractors to properly protect projects and buildings to minimize injuries and fatalities in the event of terrorism.


Author(s):  
Kumari Anshu ◽  
Loveleen Gaur ◽  
Arun Solanki

Chatbot has emerged as a significant resolution to the swiftly growing customer caredemands in recent times. Chatbot has emerged as one of the biggest technological disruption. Simply speaking, it is a software agent facilitating interaction between computers and humans in natural language. So basically, it is a simulated, intellectual dialogue agent functional in a range of consumer engagement circumstances. It is the easiest and simplest means enable interaction between the retailers and the customers. </p><p> • Purpose- Most of the research work done in this field is concerned with their technical aspects. The recent research on chatbot pay little attention to the impact it is creating on users’ experience. Through this work, author is making an effort to know the customer-oriented impact that the chatbot bear on the shoppers. The purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a framework that identify the customer oriented attributes of chatbot and impact of these attributes on customers. </p><p> • Objectives- The study intends to bridge the gap between concepts and actual attributes and applications on the subject of Chatbot. The following research objectives can address the various aspects of Chatbot affecting the different characteristics of consumers shopping behaviors: a) Identify the various attributes of chatbot that bears an impression on consumer shopping behavior. b) Evaluate the impact of chatbot on consumer shopping behavior that leads to the development of chatbot usage and adoption among the customer. </p><p> • Design/Methodology/Approach – For the purpose of analysis, author has administered Factor analysis and Multiple regression using SPSS version 23 for identification of various attributes of Chatbot and knowing their impact on shoppers. A self-administered questionnaire from the review of literature is developed. Industry experts in the field of retailing and academician evaluate the questionnaire. Primary information from the respondents is gathered using this questionnaire. The questionnaire comprises of Likert scale on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 stands for strongly disagree and 5 stands for strongly agree. Data is collected from 126 respondents, out of which 111 respondents were finally considered for study and analysis purpose. </p><p> • Findings – The empirical results show that the study identifies various attributes of chatbot like Trust, Usefulness, Satisfaction, Readiness to Use and Accessibility. It is also found that chatbot is really influencing the customers in providing them with shopping experience, which can be very helpful to the businesses for increasing the sales and creating repurchase intention among the customers. </p><p> • Originality/value – The recent research on chatbot pay little attention to the impact it is creating on customers who are actually interacting with it on regular basis. The research paper extends information for understanding and appreciating the customer oriented attributes of artificially intelligent Chatbot. In this regard, the author has developed a model framework and proposed the attributes identified. Through the work, author is also making an effort to test empirically the impact of the identified attributes on the shoppers.


Author(s):  
Lisa Herzog

This chapter asks whether we can hold on to the picture of the morally responsible subject as we knew it in the face of evidence from social psychology about the impact of contexts on human behaviour. Some theorists have taken this to present a major challenge to moral theorizing. However, the chapter argues that, while we should acknowledge the malleability of human behaviour, we should not give up the notion of responsible agency. Rather, we need to broaden our theoretical horizon in order to include individuals’ co-responsibility for the contexts in which they act. This argument is a general one, but it is of particular relevance for organizations: it is our shared responsibility to turn them into contexts in which moral agency is supported rather than undermined.


Author(s):  
Valentin Sencio ◽  
Marina Gomes Machado ◽  
François Trottein

AbstractBacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host’s defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota’s composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota’s composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Paul ◽  
Guillaume Giraud ◽  
Katrin Domsch ◽  
Marilyne Duffraisse ◽  
Frédéric Marmigère ◽  
...  

AbstractFlying insects have invaded all the aerial space on Earth and this astonishing radiation could not have been possible without a remarkable morphological diversification of their flight appendages. Here, we show that characteristic spatial expression profiles and levels of the Hox genes Antennapedia (Antp) and Ultrabithorax (Ubx) underlie the formation of two different flight organs in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We further demonstrate that flight appendage morphology is dependent on specific Hox doses. Interestingly, we find that wing morphology from evolutionary distant four-winged insect species is also associated with a differential expression of Antp and Ubx. We propose that variation in the spatial expression profile and dosage of Hox proteins is a major determinant of flight appendage diversification in Drosophila and possibly in other insect species during evolution.


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