Default is Different: Relations and Representations in Agreement Processing

Theories of agreement processing typically focus on the mechanisms by which comprehenders relate the morphological features of the agreement-controlling NP and those of the verb. However, agreement is fundamentally a syntactic relation. In this paper, I examine the processing of default agreement with clausal subjects ('[CP That the doctors studied hard] was reassuring') vs. the processing of agreement with near-synonymous NPs ('[NP The fact that the doctors studied hard] was reassuring'). In the NP subject case there is a syntactic agreement dependency between the head noun fact and the verb was, but not in the CP case. I show that the agreement processing pro?fie for CP subjects differs from those of NP subjects. This suggests that agreement confi?gurations with similar morphology and semantics may be processed using different strategies when embedded in different syntactic structures.

Not so fast: strike kinematics of the araneoid trap-jaw spider Pararchaea alba (Malkaridae: Pararchaeinae)

To capture prey otherwise unattainable by muscle function alone, some animal lineages have evolved movements that are driven by stored elastic energy, producing movements of remarkable speed and force. One such example that has evolved multiple times is a trap-jaw mechanism, in which the mouthparts of an animal are loaded with energy as they open to a wide gape and then, when triggered to close, produce a terrific force. Within the spiders (Araneae), this type of attack has thus far solely been documented in the palpimanoid family Mecysmaucheniidae but a similar morphology has also been observed in the distantly related araneoid subfamily Pararchaeinae, leading to speculation of a trap-jaw attack in that lineage as well. Here, using high-speed videography, we test whether cheliceral strike power output suggests elastic-driven movements in the pararchaeine Pararchaea alba. The strike speed attained place P. alba as a moderately fast strikers exceeding the slowest mecysmaucheniids, but failing to the reach the most extreme high-speed strikers that have elastic-driven mechanisms. Using micro-Computed-Tomography, we compare the morphology of P. alba chelicerae in the resting and open positions, and their related musculature, and based on results propose a mechanism for cheliceral strike function that includes a torque reversal latching mechanism. Similar to the distantly related trap-jaw mecysmaucheniid spiders, the unusual prosoma morphology in P. alba seemingly allows for highly maneuverable chelicerae with a much wider gape than typical spiders, suggestive that increasingly maneuverable joints coupled with a latching mechanism may serve as a precursor to elastic-driven movements.

Just Seeing Is Not Enough for Believing: Immunolabelling as Indisputable Proof of SARS-CoV-2 Virions in Infected Tissue

Background: There is increasing evidence that identification of SARS-CoV-2 virions by transmission electron microscopy could be misleading due to the similar morphology of virions and ubiquitous cell structures. This study thus aimed to establish methods for indisputable proof of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virions in the observed tissue. Methods: We developed a variant of the correlative microscopy approach for SARS-CoV-2 protein identification using immunohistochemical labelling of SARS-CoV-2 proteins on light and electron microscopy levels. We also performed immunogold labelling of SARS-CoV-2 virions. Results: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid proteins and subsequent correlative microscopy undoubtedly proved the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virions in the analysed human nasopharyngeal tissue. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 virions was also confirmed by immunogold labelling for the first time. Conclusions: Immunoelectron microscopy is the most reliable method for distinguishing intracellular viral particles from normal cell structures of similar morphology and size as virions. Furthermore, we developed a variant of correlative microscopy that allows pathologists to check the results of IHC performed first on routinely used paraffin-embedded samples, followed by semithin, and finally by ultrathin sections. Both methodological approaches indisputably proved the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virions in cells.

Phylogenetic analysis of the grouper family (Serranidae) from various local markets in Indonesian waters using COI (cytochrome oxidase I)

Grouper fish (Serranidae) is a type of fish found in Indonesian waters. However, not many people have conducted further research on phylogenetics based on COI (Cytochrome Oxidase I). This study aims to explain the phylogeny of grouper fish from the Serranidae family based on COI (Cytochrome Oxidase I). This research is a literature study. The research samples were grouper fish from Lombok, Karimunjawa, Lampung, Kendari, Madura, Tanakeke, and Numfor. The research instrument was a grouper-type observation sheet and an observation sheet for the results of the MEGA 7 application test. The data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. The results showed that the level of kinship between the species tested was very close, including Epinephelus areolatus, E. merra, E. fasciatus, E. longispinis, E. coioides, E. ongus, and E. coeruleopunctatus with all genetic distance averages type. 0.02. The conclusion of this study is that in general the species relationships found are several species found in the same location with similar morphology and diet.

Mallomonas loricata sp. nov. (Synurales, Chrysophyceae), a new tropical species from section Planae

A new species, Mallomonas loricata sp. nov., is described from Vietnam based on silica-scale morphology studied using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The species belongs to section Planae and has similar morphology to species from the Mallomonas matvienkoae complex. The new species is characterized by obovoid scales with a thick secondary layer with internal reticulation that covers almost whole surface of the scale. Scales of Mallomonas loricata were found at twenty-four localities of eight provinces in northern, central and southern areas of Vietnam. Scales of this new species have also been previously reported from Singapore and Malaysia. The distribution and habitat conditions of the new species are summarized.

Anatomical Similarities Between Mitral and Tricuspid Valves in Sheep, Ovis aries, Hearts

With the recent rapid growth in transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve interventions, it has become increasingly important to understand detailed anatomy of the valves. In this study, we investigated the similarities, differences, and associations between the dimensions of the atrioventricular valves in a sheep model, as sheep heart valves have a similar morphology to human valves. A systematic dissection of twenty-five sheep hearts was performed, with annular circumference measurement, and sub-valvular anatomy documentation. There was a significant association (r=0.865; p=0.007) between the circumference of the mitral and tricuspid annuli. Authors also identified significantly more chordae tendinea in the subvalvular mitral apparatus compared to the tricuspid valve (15.8±1.2 vs. 13.9±1.5; p<0.001). In conclusion, there is a significant association between the size of mitral and tricuspid valve annuli, and the morphology of leaflets and subvalvular apparatus is different between the two valves. These findings could have important implications in transcatheter device design, sizing, and optimal intervention timing.

Hunting on the coast: An image gallery of Rompecráneos

The Rompecráneo is a special kind of lithic artifact which was, presumably, involved in the capture of pinnipeds carried out along the Patagonian coast of Argentina during prehistoric times. Recent papers had offered some information about their morphology but up to now they are poorly studied. In order to offset this situation in a previous work we addressed their role in hunting technics developed at the archaeological locality of Punta Entrada (Santa Cruz, Argentina). This allowed us to propose that rompecráneos were used in combination with spears when hunting on the coast. With the aim of expanding this information, here we present an image gallery of some rompecráneos recovered there. Two of these pieces share a similar morphology but were made of different lithic raw materials. The other one has the appearance of a bola stone but its weight is higher than other bola stones in Patagonia. That is why it is considered a different kind of artifact. The importance of studying these kinds of artifacts is that they have the potential of providing information about the way people interacted with the different resources (biotic and abiotic) in the past so that a better understanding of human behavior can be developed. Gallery Figure 1. Geographic location of Punta Entrada. Figure 2. Rompecráneo made of andesite. The base can be seen in the lower part of the image. Weight: 593 g. Figure 3. Different view of the rompecráneo shown in Figure 2 Figure 4. Rompecráneo made of coquina. The base can be seen in the lower part of the image. Weight: 421 g. Figure 5. Different view of the rompecráneo shown in Figure 3. Figure 6. Bola stone made of andesite. Weight:1.476 kg. Figure 7. Detail of the groove of the bola stone shown in Figure 6 Figure 8. Context of recovery of bola stone presented in Figure 6.

Unexpected frequency-sweep reverse of subelements in chorus rising tone

&lt;p&gt;Nonlinear resonance between energetic electrons and chorus waves is widely used to explain the frequency sweep of chorus, which predicts that rising tone elements are comprised by multiple subpackets with the frequency gradually increasing. Here we report two events that subelements with their frequencies downward chirping occur in rising tone chorus. The duration of those subelements is comparable with the regular subpackets, and their frequency sweep rates 6-12 kHz/s are consistent with previous theory and observations. Waveform of the subelement shows similar morphology to regular chorus element, consisting several finer structures &quot;hyper-subpackets&quot;. We propose a possible scenario that the falling tone subelements are formed by nonlinear process with much shorter timescale. The starting frequency of each subelement controlled by the linear growth phase increases may because the electron distribution varies fast. This study provides new insight on chorus generation and also brings challenges.&lt;/p&gt;

Assessment and conservation status of an endemic bee in a diversity hotspot (Hymenoptera, Melittidae, Dasypoda)

Wild bees represent a global group of highly diversified insect pollinators, nowadays concerningly well known for their widespread observed patterns of decline. Amongst them is the genus Dasypoda, a widespread Palearctic clade of solitary bees generally poorly represented in entomological collections. Among the 39 accepted species of the genus, 35 are known by both sexes, and a large number of taxa are still known by a low number of specimens. The recently described taxon Dasypoda (Heterodasypoda) michezi Radchenko, 2017 endemic to southern Portugal is just such a case. The species was described from two male specimens, but no female material has been known to date. Here, we provide the first description of the female of D. michezi, collected close to the locus typicus in southern Portugal along with a series of conspecific males. Sex pairing is proposed based on the sympatry of the male and female specimens and on the similar morphology of non-sexual dimorphic traits and on the barcode of a fragment of Cytochrome Oxidase I. We provide high quality imaging of both sexes of D. michezi to help future identification of the species and present a key for all known species of the subgenus Heterodasypoda. We finally propose an IUCN status for D. michezi and discuss the conservation of such geographically restricted species in the current context of global change.

Immobilization of Thermoalkalophilic Esterase Onto Magnetic-Cornstarch Nanoparticle

The immobilization of the biocatalysts onto magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has been extensively applied since the external magnetic field facilitates the enzyme recovery from the reaction mixture. In the present study, glutaraldehyde-modified magnetite-cornstarch nanoparticles (MCNs) were successfully synthesized, elaborately characterized by ZetaSizer and surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS), and used for the immobilization of a thermoalkalophilic esterase from Geobacillus sp. The optimal immobilization conditions were obtained at 65oC, 2:3 molar ratios of Fe2+:Fe3+ and 1 g cornstarch resulted in approximately 90 nm magnetic particles in size. Also, immobilization yield and entrapment efficiency of the esterase were found as 74% and 82%, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed that MCNs were uniform, spherical in shape, and well dispersed and esterase immobilized MCNs displayed similar morphology as free MCNs. The maximum activity of free and immobilized esterase was obtained at 80oC and pH 9. Immobilization onto glutaraldehyde-modified MCNs significantly enhanced the esterase thermostability. Additionally, the immobilized esterase kept its residual activity of 75% after three sequential cycles, suggesting that it has favorable operational stability.