SSR MARKERS REVEALED GENETIC DIVERGENCE OF RICE BROWN PLANTHOPPER POPULATIONS MAINTAINED ON TWO SETS OF DIFFERENTIAL HOST VARIETIES

<p>Resistance screening of promising rice lines in Indonesia requires the use of brown planthopper (BPH) biotypes 1, 2, and 3. Three BPH populations have been raised as biotypes 1, 2, and 3 on differential rice host of improved varieties Pelita I-1 (no <em>Bph </em>gene), IR26 (<em>Bph1</em>), and IR42 (<em>bph2</em>), respectively. Three alternative populations have also been developed on the respective traditional varieties TN1 (no <em>Bph </em>gene), Mudgo (<em>Bph1</em>), and ASD7 (<em>bph2</em>). Although these populations displayed two virulent patterns other than biotype 1 to 3 phenotypes, they were expected to be discriminated into two virulence groups by SSR analysis. The study aimed to investigate the level of genetic variation among the six BPH populations using SSR markers and to relate it with the observed virulence patterns. Genotyping of 30 females with 29 polymorphic SSR markers revealed higher genetic parameter values in populations reared on improved varieties than those on traditional varieties. This difference was marked as two population clusters in PCoA plots corresponding to the host variety type, in contrast to the previous assumption that clustering would be based on virulence patterns. The presence of individuals with unwanted virulence allele, either resulting from contamination during the long period of rearing or lack of host adaptation period, is suspected. The result of this study indicates that the six populations are not suitable for resistance screening. Virulence selection must be performed until they attain biotype 1 to 3 phenotypes which can be genetically separated by DNA markers.</p>

Investigation into the Presence of Symbiodiniaceae in Antipatharians (Black Corals)

Here, we report a new broad approach to investigating the presence and density of Symbiodiniaceae cells in corals of the order Antipatharia subclass Hexacorallia, commonly known as black corals. Antipatharians are understudied ecosystem engineers of shallow (<30 m depth), mesophotic (30–150 m) and deep-sea (>200 m) reefs. They provide habitat to numerous organisms, enhancing and supporting coral reef biodiversity globally. Nonetheless, little biological and ecological information exists on antipatharians, including the extent to which global change disturbances are threatening their health. The previous assumption that they were exempted from threats related to the phenomenon known as bleaching was challenged by the recent findings of high densities of dinoflagellates within three antipatharian colonies. Further studies were thus necessary to investigate the broader uniformity of these findings. Here we report results of an integrated methodology combining microscopy and molecular techniques to investigate the presence and estimate the density of Symbiodiniaceae cells within two antipatharians species—Cupressopathes abies and Stichopathes maldivensis—from both shallow and mesophotic reefs of SW Madagascar. We found that Symbiodiniaceae-like cells were present within samples of both species collected from both shallow and mesophotic reefs, although the overall cell density was very low (0–4 cell mm−3). These findings suggest that presence or high abundance of Symbiodiniaceae is not characteristic of all antipatharians, which is relevant considering the bleaching phenomenon affecting other corals. However, the possibility of higher densities of dinoflagellates in other antipatharians or in colonies exposed to higher light irradiance deserves further investigation.

Constraining the Swiss-Cheese IR-Fixed Point Cosmology with Cosmic Expansion

A recent work proposed that the recent cosmic passage to a cosmic acceleration era is the result of the existence of small anti-gravity sources in each galaxy and clusters of galaxies. In particular, a Swiss-cheese cosmology model, which relativistically integrates the contribution of all these anti-gravity sources on a galactic scale has been constructed assuming the presence of an infrared fixed point for a scale dependent cosmological constant. The derived cosmological expansion provides an explanation for both the fine tuning and the coincidence problem. The present work relaxes the previous assumption on the running of the cosmological constant and allows for a generic scaling around the infrared fixed point. Our analysis reveals that, in order to produce a cosmic evolution consistent with the best ΛCDM model, the IR-running of the cosmological constant is consistent with the presence of an IR-fixed point.

Market reactions to football match results: The effect of venues and competition types

This study seeks to investigate the stock market reaction to football match results in different venues and competition types, especially for three major football clubs: Manchester United, Juventus FC, and Borussia Dortmund. We use a parametric paired sample t-test. The findings show that investors take not only match results but also venues and competition types into consideration when making investment decisions. This study indicates the stock markets of football clubs are semi-strong efficient markets. Different market reaction to match results for each football club studied implies the importance of understanding the specific characteristics of those clubs in making investment decisions. The findings suggest the football club investors need to consider their clubs' competitive performance in different venues and competition types when making portfolio investment decisions. This study complemented the previous assumption on the importance of venues, and competition types match results in making investment decisions.

The temperature-dependent predatory strike of Odonata larvae

The larvae of Odonata are limnic predators capable of catching their prey using a highly modified mouthpart - the labium. Driven by a unique dual catapult mechanism, the apparatus can reach peak accelerations of up to 114.5m/s2. Yet little is known about the kinematics of the predatory strike in an ecological context. Here we show how different ambient temperatures affect the predatory strike and the avoidance reaction of prey items of Odonata larvae. We found that the extension velocity of the labial mask decreases significantly with the ambient temperature both in dragonflies and damselflies. However, temperature has lesser impact on the predatory strike itself than on directly muscle driven movements in both the predator and prey items. This contradicts the previous assumption that catapult mechanisms in insects are unaffected by temperature. Our results indicate that the prehensile labial mask is driven by a series-elastic catapult; a mechanism similar to the temperature dependent jump of frogs, where muscle and spring action are tightly linked. Our study provides novel insights into the predatory strike of Odonata larvae and offers a new ecological perspective on catapult mechanisms in arthropods in general.

Environmental impact of Bansagar Dam on displaced families

Bansagar Dam is an inter-state multipurpose large river basin project constructed at a place called Devalond in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh state. The dam is built on the Son River (Sonbhadrashila) in Madhya Pradesh. Devalond is located on the Rewa-Shahdol road, about 56 km from Rewa. The height of this dam is 67 meters. We have surveyed the villages which are partially or completely affected by the Bansagar dam, as any development program, as we know, has two stages of construction. There are positive as well as negative effects, so we survey the affected area to compare the pre and post position of the submerged area according to the hypothesis or previous assumption.

Influence of Loosely Bound Water on Compressibility of Compacted Fine-Grained Soils

This study aimed to investigate the influence of loosely bound water (LBW) on the compressibility of compacted fine-grained soils and accurately determine the soil’s compression index. Four fine-grained soils (i.e., heavy clay, heavy silt, lean clay, and lean silt) and a coarse-grained soil were examined. The volumetric flask method was used to measure the LBW contents of the five soils. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was then performed to test the mineral compositions and help explain the reason why the LBW content varied between different soils. A concept of modified void ratio was proposed by assuming that LBW is a part of the solid phase in soil. Subsequently, consolidation tests and permeability tests were conducted on saturated compacted specimens. The results show that the compression indexes or permeability coefficients tend to be the same for the soils with identical initial modified void ratios. Consolidation tests were also carried out on the unsaturated compacted heavy silt of four different dry densities prepared at a water content higher than the optimum. They show that the compression of unsaturated soil occurs if pore air is discharged when the water content is less than the LBW content. This confirms the previous assumption that LBW can be regarded as a part of the soil solid phase. A modified compression index was deduced and implemented to predict the settlement of a road embankment. The result suggests that the modified compression index is capable of calculating the compression of fine-grained soils, whose water contents are higher than their LBW contents.

Parameters decision for an assembly under mechanical structure deformation via probabilistic optimization

In regard to the parameter and tolerance design of an assembly, a previous assumption has been that the structure of an assembly is not subject to any geometrical deformation under application. However, the realized deformation of the structure may well have an impact on the appropriate performance of the assembly. The impact may become even greater when the geometric magnitudes are distributed over an uncertain range. The magnitudes of structure geometry can be represented by the associated parameter and tolerance values. In this regard, this study aims to have the optimal parameter and tolerance design determined all together under the impact of structure deformation through a probabilistic method and mathematical programming formulation. An example of an assembly with mechanical loading for uncertain magnitudes of geometry is chosen for demonstrating the proposed approach.

Intaljo s rta Ploče u svjetlu novih saznanja

During the archaeological excavations in Cape Ploča conducted from 1996 to 1998, numerous personal items were found besides the ceramics, including eight engraved gems. One of them, worked in the intaglio technique, is made of carnelian and oval shaped, and for the lack of analogies hitherto interpreted as a “highly stylized chimera”. The article brings new insights that are primarily based on stylistic analysis and iconographic reinterpretation. The intaglio’s origin has been redefined: instead of the previous assumption about its Egyptian provenance, the author has identified it as stemming from central Italy. Moreover, a new date of origin has been proposed, namely the 2nd century BC, which complements the hypothesis on Greek seafarers as the visitors of Diomedes’ shrine and, more precisely, the inhabitants of Greater Greece as its potential users.

Does the Optimal Dietary Methionine to Cysteine Ratio in Diets for Growing Chickens Respond to High Inclusion Rates of Insect Meal from Hermetia illucens?

The dietary methionine:cysteine (Met:Cys) ratio (MCR) is an important factor influencing the optimal growth of chickens. Therefore, this study aimed to contribute to the assessment of the optimal dietary MCR in diets with the complete replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by a partly defatted larvae meal of Hermetia illucens (HM). A growth study with 240 male meat-type chickens (Ross 308) was conducted, also assessing the body nutrient deposition both at the end of the starter (day 21) and the grower (day 35) period. Birds were fed experimental diets based on wheat, maize, and insect meal (23%/21% HM in starter/grower diets). Sulfur amino acids were created as the limiting AA in diets with graded MCR (40:60; 45:55; 50:50; 55:45; 60:40). The control diet contained SBM instead of HM with a MCR of 50:50. The current results based on growth parameters, dietary protein quality, and Met efficiency data gave support to the previous assumption of an ideal MCR of 50:50, which was also valid in diets with a high proportion of insect meal. The lowest MCR of 40:60 led to significantly impaired feed intake and growth of the birds, while the response to the highest MCR (60:40) was moderate.