Currency value moderates equity preference among young children

Cooperative behavior depends in part on a preference for equitable outcomes. Recent research in behavioral economics assesses variables that influence adult concerns for equity, but few studies to date investigate the emergence of equitable behavior in children using similar economic games. We tested 288 3- to 6-year olds in an anonymous Dictator Game to assess how the value of the currency used affects equity preferences in children. To manipulate value, children played the game with their most or least favorite stickers. At all ages, we found a strong value effect with children donating more of their least favorite stickers than their favorite stickers. We also found a dramatic increase with age in the percentage of children who were prosocial (i.e. donated at least one sticker). However, children who were prosocial tended to give the same proportion of stickers at all ages – about half of their least favorite stickers and 40% of their favorite stickers. These findings highlight the influence of resource value on children's preference for equity, and provide evidence for two different processes underlying altruistic giving: the decision to donate at all and the decision about how much to donate.     

Discovery of dihydrothieno- and dihydrofuropyrimidines as potent pan Akt inhibitors

Herein we report the discovery and synthesis of a novel series of dihydrothieno- and dihydrofuropyrimidines (2 and 3) as potent pan Akt inhibitors. Utilizing previous SAR and analysis of the amino acid sequences in the binding site we have designed inhibitors displaying increased PKA and general kinase selectivity with improved tolerability compared to the progenitor pyrrolopyrimidine (1). A representative dihydrothieno compound (34) was advanced into a PC3-NCI prostate mouse tumor model in which it demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in tumor growth and stasis when dosed orally daily at 200 mg/kg.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a new series of Neuropeptide S receptor antagonists

Administration of Neuropeptide S (NPS) has been shown to produce arousal, that is, independent of novelty and to induce wakefulness by suppressing all stages of sleep, as demonstrated by EEG recordings in rat. Medicinal chemistry efforts have identified a quinolinone class of potent NPSR antagonists that readily cross the blood–brain barrier. We detail here optimization efforts resulting in the identification of a potent NPSR antagonist which dose-dependently and specifically inhibited ¹²⁵I-NPS binding in the CNS when administered to rats.     

Using genetic and morphological analysis to distinguish endangered taxa from their hybrids with the cultivated exotic pest plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lantana strigocamara</Emphasis> (syn: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lantana camara</Emphasis>)

Because highly invasive species can rapidly assimilate rare taxa, we questioned whether two Florida endangered Lantana depressa varieties existed 21 years after Sanders documented their widespread hybridization with exotic Lantana strigocamara, and whether morphological traits could accurately discriminate genetic individuals. Stepwise discriminant analysis of morphological characters discriminated the three taxa, correctly classifying 98, 91, 89% of L. strigocamara, L. depressa var. depressa, and var. floridana. Hybrids blurred taxonomic distinctions of varieties and reduced classification accuracy by 7–17%. Species-specific Random Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) confirmed hybridization has occurred. Intersimple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) fingerprints analyzed with STRUCTURE identified three groups indicating introgression. Morphological traits significantly, but weakly correlated with q ratios (P = 0.0001; r ² = 0.45). Although L. strigocamara introgression is widespread and ongoing, wild populations contain individuals that are predominantly L. depressa genome, supporting actions to remove adventive L. strigocamara, prevent its sale, and promote sales of genetically confirmed natives.     

Major histocompatibility complex variation and evolution at a single, expressed DQA locus in two genera of elephants

Genes of the vertebrate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are crucial to defense against infectious disease, provide an important measure of functional genetic diversity, and have been implicated in mate choice and kin recognition. As a result, MHC loci have been characterized for a number of vertebrate species, especially mammals; however, elephants are a notable exception. Our study is the first to characterize patterns of genetic diversity and natural selection in the elephant MHC. We did so using DNA sequences from a single, expressed DQA locus in elephants. We characterized six alleles in 30 African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and four alleles in three Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). In addition, for two of the African alleles and three of the Asian alleles, we characterized complete coding sequences (exons 1–5) and nearly complete non-coding sequences (introns 2–4) for the class II DQA loci. Compared to DQA in other wild mammals, we found moderate polymorphism and allelic diversity and similar patterns of selection; patterns of non-synonymous and synonymous substitutions were consistent with balancing selection acting on the peptides involved in antigen binding in the second exon. In addition, balancing selection has led to strong trans-species allelism that has maintained multiple allelic lineages across both genera of extant elephants for at least 6 million years. We discuss our results in the context of MHC diversity in other mammals and patterns of evolution in elephants.     

Linear dynamic range for signal detection in fluorescent differential display

We have determined the linear dynamic range in signal detection by Fluorescent Differential Display (FDD) using conditionally induced mRNA expression of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene as a control. By serial spiking of p53-induced RNA into that of non-induced RNA, we were able to quantitatively measure up to 100-fold change in p53 mRNA expression level. The linear dynamic range of signal detection per mRNA message was determined to be from 1000 up to 20,000 in fluorescence signal, in which the signals for the majority of mRNAs reside. Thus, FDD can be used to accurately quantify differences in mRNA expression among eukaryotic cells.     

Development and validation of a FACS-based lipoprotein localization screen in the Lyme disease spirochete <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia burgdorferi</Emphasis>

Background  

In our previous studies on lipoprotein secretion in the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, we used monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fused to specifically mutated outer surface protein A (OspA) N-terminal lipopeptides to gather first insights into lipoprotein sorting determinants. OspA:mRFP1 fusions could be detected by epifluorescence microscopy both in the periplasm and on the bacterial surface. To build on these findings and to complement the prior targeted mutagenesis approach, we set out to develop a screen to probe a random mutagenesis expression library for mutants expressing differentially localized lipoproteins.     

Identification of genes involved in the mutualistic colonization of the nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heterorhabditis bacteriophora</Emphasis> by the bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Photorhabdus luminescens</Emphasis>

Background  

Photorhabdus are Gram negative entomopathogenic bacteria that also have a mutualistic association with nematodes from the family Heterorhabditis. An essential part of this symbiosis is the ability of the bacterium to colonize the gut of the freeliving form of the nematode called the infective juvenile (IJ). Although the colonization process (also called transmission) has been described phenomonologically very little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Therefore, in this study, we were interested in identifying genes in Photorhabdus that are important for IJ colonization.