Functional Characterization of an Amaranth Natterin-4-Like-1 Gene in Arabidopsis thaliana

The functional characterization of an Amaranthus hypochondriacus Natterin-4-Like-1 gene (AhN4L-1) coding for an unknown function protein characterized by the presence of an aerolysin-like pore-forming domain in addition to two amaranthin-like agglutinin domains is herewith described. Natterin and nattering-like proteins have been amply described in the animal kingdom. However, the role of nattering-like proteins in plants is practically unknown. The results described in this study, obtained from gene expression data in grain amaranth and from AhN4L-1-overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana plants indicated that this gene was strongly induced by several biotic and abiotic conditions in grain amaranth, whereas data obtained from the overexpressing Arabidopsis plants further supported the defensive function of this gene, mostly against bacterial and fungal plant pathogens. GUS and GFP AhN4L-1 localization in roots tips, leaf stomata, stamens and pistils also suggested a defensive function in these organs, although its participation in flowering processes, such as self-incompatibility and abscission, is also possible. However, contrary to expectations, the overexpression of this gene negatively affected the vegetative and reproductive growth of the transgenic plants, which also showed no increased tolerance to salinity and water-deficit stress. The latter despite the maintenance of significantly higher chlorophyll levels and photosynthetic parameters under intense salinity stress. These results are discussed in the context of the physiological roles known to be played by related lectins and AB proteins in plants.

DEVELOPMENT OF A METHODOLOGY FOR STABILITY MONITORING OF A DEFENSE EMBANKMENT LOADED WITH FREQUENT TRAFFIC: THE EXAMPLE OF THE KOVIN MINE

In the present paper, the authors develop a methodology for stability monitoring of the hydrotechnicaldefensive embankment that is exposed to heavy frequent traffic. The proposed methodology envisages several phases of observation, work and monitoring: (1) macroscopic observations, (2) geophysicalgeoelectric tests, (3) group of exploration works, (4) model formation, (5) establishment of a monitoring system, (6) acquisition data processing and modeling. Four of the six proposed phases are illustrated by the example of the left-bank Danube embankment used by the Kovin coal mine for the needs of coal truck haulage. The results of the performed research indicate that there are no deformations that endanger the defensive function of the embankment. In order to ensure safe coal truck haulage and preserve the function of the embankment, it is proposed to establish a system for geophysical, hydrogeological and geotechnical monitoring, to form a model for simulating the behavior of the embankment for different hydrometeorological conditions (consequently, for different consistency states and material compaction), and for different load conditions.

Beetle bombing always deters praying mantises

Some animals have evolved chemical weapons to deter predators. Bombardier beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) can eject toxic chemicals at temperatures of 100 °C from the tips of their abdomens, ‘bombing’ the attackers. Although some bombardier beetles can reportedly deter predators, few studies have tested whether bombing is essential for successful defence. Praying mantises (Mantodea) are ambush predators that attack various arthropods. However, it is unclear whether bombardier beetles deter mantises. To test the defensive function of bombing against praying mantises, I observed three mantis species, Tenodera sinensis, Tenodera angustipennis, and Hierodula patellifera (Mantidae), attacking the bombardier beetle Pheropsophus jessoensis (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) under laboratory conditions. All mantises easily caught the beetles using their raptorial forelegs, but released them immediately after being bombed. All of the counterattacked mantises were observed to groom the body parts sprayed with hot chemicals after releasing the beetles. When treated P. jessoensis that were unable to eject hot chemicals were provided, all mantises successfully caught and devoured the treated beetles. Therefore, bombing is essential for the successful defence of P. jessoensis against praying mantises. Consequently, P. jessoensis can always deter mantises.

Vanity, Narcissism, Timidity, and Fatalism

This chapter provides account of four character traits in the intellectual domain: vanity and narcissism; timidity and self-fatalism. It argues that vanity and narcissism are vices of superiority while timidity and self-fatalism are vices of inferiority. They are characterized as opposed to acceptance of limitations and proper concern to be esteemed by others. Vanity is typical of those who show an excessive concern for being held in high esteem by other people. Timidity is instead exemplified by those whose fear to be exposed as intellectually inadequate is so extreme that they shun being noticed by other epistemic agents. Consequently, they exhibit insufficient concern for being held in esteem by their epistemic community. Narcissism is related to intellectual vanity. It involves a failure to accept one’s intellectual limitations due to an infatuation with one’s own intellectual abilities. Fatalism is a strengthening of timidity that consists in a disposition to resign oneself to the alleged intractability of one’s own intellectual limitations. The chapter also defends the view that vanity and narcissism are based on attitudes whose function is social-adjustive, while timidity and self-fatalism have attitudes serving an ego-defensive function as their causal bases.

Cretophengodidae, a new Cretaceous beetle family, sheds light on the evolution of bioluminescence

Bioluminescent beetles of the superfamily Elateroidea (fireflies, fire beetles, glow-worms) are the most speciose group of terrestrial light-producing animals. The evolution of bioluminescence in elateroids is associated with unusual morphological modifications, such as soft-bodiedness and neoteny, but the fragmentary nature of the fossil record discloses little about the origin of these adaptations. We report the discovery of a new bioluminescent elateroid beetle family from the mid-Cretaceous of northern Myanmar ( ca 99 Ma), Cretophengodidae fam. nov. Cretophengodes azari gen. et sp. nov. belongs to the bioluminescent lampyroid clade, and would appear to represent a transitional fossil linking the soft-bodied Phengodidae + Rhagophthalmidae clade and hard-bodied elateroids. The fossil male possesses a light organ on the abdomen which presumably served a defensive function, documenting a Cretaceous radiation of bioluminescent beetles coinciding with the diversification of major insectivore groups such as frogs and stem-group birds. The discovery adds a key branch to the elateroid tree of life and sheds light on the evolution of soft-bodiedness and the historical biogeography of elateroid beetles.

ŽMOGUS PRIEŠ GAMTĄ: RELJEFO TRANSFORMAVIMAS ĮRENGIANT XIII–XIV A. KERNAVĖS PILĮ IR JO SUKELTI EROZINIAI PROCESAI

Hillfort fortifications served not only a defensive function but were also an expression of social status. Therefore their scale and the work involved in their creation could be an important feature in attempting to distinguish the centres of power in a settlement system. Pursuant to this point-of-view, the article analyses the fortifications and the relief modification work carried out in creating of 13th–14th-century Kernavė Castle, which consists of four separate hillforts. This analysis made use of a 2018–2019 survey, which was conducted especially for this purpose and included boreholes, GPR profiles, and test pits, and also made use of previous excavations. Stratigraphical data collected in a wide territory allowed to the reconstruct the palaeorelief, which existed prior to the creation of the hillforts, and the modifications made to it. Moreover, it also revealed the connection between the relief transformation works and the natural geodynamic processes. The investigation showed that the creation of the hillforts caused largescale erosional processes, which critically influenced the development of both the castle and the town founded around it. The article raises the hypothesis that the loss of the administrative significance of Kernavė Castle and Town in the late 14th century could have been caused by precisely these erosional processes brought about by human activities. Keywords: geoarchaeology, geophysics, hillforts, palaeorelief, erosional processes.

Le projet de restauration de Bordj Istanbul, à Alger

Restoration of the Bordj Istanbul fort in Algiers Throughout history, Algerian coastal towns have been subject to various threats by sea, which has resulted in different types of fortification works. Their variety depended on their period of construction, the materials used and the genius of the place. In Algiers, these structures of fortifications vary between fortified castle, ramparts, watchtowers, etc. However, this historical legacy is, day after day, threatened with disappearance for lack of support. The Bordj Istanbul, or Turkish fort, is one of the most important, in Algiers. Before the launch of its restoration, the monument was in a state of advanced degradation caused by abandonment, vandalism and the aggression of the sea. In 2012, the operation was started by sorting the dislocated stone blocks of the building and consolidating its structure. The project has been reflected in a scientific approach that pays particular attention to the aesthetic integrity of the monument. The absence of archival documents has been surpassed by using comparative readings of the same type of forts and the stratigraphic study of the monument. His defensive function being over, it was necessary to think about his conversion. The character of the place, the architectural aspect of the building and some alterations of its material has aroused the idea of the development of the monument in a gastronomic restaurant by the sea within a private beach. Today, works have been closed and the opening of the restaurant is planned for the next summer season.

Dominant Vibrio cholerae phage exhibits lysis inhibition sensitive to disruption by a defensive phage satellite

Bacteria, bacteriophages that prey upon them, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) compete in dynamic environments, evolving strategies to sense the milieu. The first discovered environmental sensing by phages, lysis inhibition, has only been characterized and studied in the limited context of T-even coliphages. Here, we discover lysis inhibition in the etiological agent of the diarrheal disease cholera, Vibrio cholerae, infected by ICP1, a phage ubiquitous in clinical samples. This work identifies the ICP1-encoded holin, teaA, and antiholin, arrA, that mediate lysis inhibition. Further, we show that an MGE, the defensive phage satellite PLE, collapses lysis inhibition. Through lysis inhibition disruption a conserved PLE protein, LidI, is sufficient to limit the phage produced from infection, bottlenecking ICP1. These studies link a novel incarnation of the classic lysis inhibition phenomenon with conserved defensive function of a phage satellite in a disease context, highlighting the importance of lysis timing during infection and parasitization.