Rapid response of Orthoptera to restoration of montane heathland

Understanding how to restore threatened ecosystems is of special relevance for nature conservation. The aim of this study was to use Orthoptera as ecological indicators for the effects of montane heathland restoration in Central Europe. We analysed the three following treatments: (i) montane heathlands (MONHEATH) (N = 7), (ii) restoration sites (RESSITE) (N = 3) and (iii) clear-cuts of spruce forests as unprocessed and ungrazed control sites (CONTROL) (N = 3). Vegetation structure and microclimate differed considerably between MONHEATH on the one hand and RESSITE and CONTROL on the other hand. Orthoptera species richness and density did so too. MONHEATH was characterised by a high-growing dense dwarf-shrub and moss layer having a cool microclimate and high soil moisture. In contrast, RESSITE and CONTROL had sparse vegetation and a warm microclimate; Orthoptera species richness and density was highest on these sites. Our study clearly showed that heathland Orthoptera responded rapidly to restoration measures, while Ericaceae dwarf shrubs slowly established. The vast majority of Orthoptera species found on the restoration sites are early and mid-successional species. The colonization of the sites by late-successional Orthoptera species in the future will depend on the further development of the heathland vegetation; that is, if Ericaceae will expand to the sites. We conclude that the realised restoration measures are suitable to promote heathland Orthoptera of early and mid-successional stages. However, the current management of montane heathlands is insufficient and needs to be intensified in order to provide structurally diverse habitats with their characteristic orthopteran assemblages.     

Preference for Cute Infants Does Not Depend on Their Ethnicity or Species: Evidence from Hypothetical Adoption and Donation Paradigms

Results of previous work suggest a preference of adult observers for cute compared to less cute infants. In Study 1 we investigated whether the preference for cute infants depends on the ethnicity and species of the infant. We simultaneously presented two faces (one cute and one less cute) and asked Caucasian participants to choose the infant to whom they would rather give a toy (Task 1) and which infant they would rather adopt (Task 2). The infants were Caucasian or African human babies or dog puppies. For all face categories and in both tasks we found a strong preference for cute infants. A possible reason for preferring cute infants may be that cute infants look healthier than less cute infants. To investigate whether cuteness is associated with the assessment of health we conducted Study 2. Faces of Caucasian and African infants and dog puppies were rated for cuteness and health. The findings revealed a significant relationship between health and cuteness evaluation across all stimuli. We suggest that one reason why cute infants are preferred might be because they are perceived as being healthier.     

Redistribution Spurs Growth by Using a Portfolio Effect on Risky Human Capital

We demonstrate by mathematical analysis and systematic computer simulations that redistribution can lead to sustainable growth in a society. In accordance with economic models of risky human capital, we assume that dynamics of human capital is modeled as a multiplicative stochastic process which, in the long run, leads to the destruction of individual human capital. When agents are linked by fully redistributive taxation the situation might turn to individual growth in the long run. We consider that a government collects a proportion of income and reduces it by a fraction as costs for administration (efficiency losses). The remaining public good is equally redistributed to all agents. Sustainable growth is induced by redistribution despite the losses from the random growth process and despite administrative costs. Growth results from a portfolio effect. The findings are verified for three different tax schemes: proportional tax, taking proportionally more from the rich, and proportionally more from the poor. We discuss which of these tax schemes performs better with respect to maximize growth under a fixed rate of administrative costs, and the governmental income. This leads us to general conclusions about governmental decisions, the relation to public good games with free riding, and the function of taxation in a risk-taking society.     

Balamuthia and Acanthamoeba-binding antibodies in West African human sera

Little is known about the prevalence of Balamuthia mandrillaris amoebae and Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis in Africa. As an approach, relative concentrations of amoebae-binding serum antibodies (Ab) were assessed by flow cytometry using formaldehyde-fixed B. mandrillaris, Acanthamoeba lenticulata 72-2 and Acanthamoeba castellanii 1BU amoebae for specific Ab capture (B.m.-Ab, A.l.-Ab, A.c.-Ab). One hundred and ninety-two sera from West African (Côte d’Ivoire) donors aged 11-95 years (mean 38 a; 51% males), and living in villages surrounded by rainforest near the Liberian border, were tested and related to reference sera from Berlin. While B.m.-Ab tended to increase with donor age, A.l.-Ab and A.c.-Ab did not. Accordingly, B.m.-Ab correlated only weakly with A.l.-Ab or A.c.-Ab. Of the nine individuals with the highest B.m.-Ab concentrations, most were elderly (mean 58 a), male (78%), and professed intensive outdoor activity (hunting, farming). Only three of these sera also showed elevated A.l.-Ab, and none elevated A.c.-Ab.     

Cooperative recruitment of HMGB1 during V(D)J recombination through interactions with RAG1 and DNA

During V(D)J recombination, recombination activating gene (RAG)1 and RAG2 bind and cleave recombination signal sequences (RSSs), aided by the ubiquitous DNA-binding/-bending proteins high-mobility group box protein (HMGB)1 or HMGB2. HMGB1/2 play a critical, although poorly understood, role in vitro in the assembly of functional RAG–RSS complexes, into which HMGB1/2 stably incorporate. The mechanism of HMGB1/2 recruitment is unknown, although an interaction with RAG1 has been suggested. Here, we report data demonstrating only a weak HMGB1–RAG1 interaction in the absence of DNA in several assays, including fluorescence anisotropy experiments using a novel Alexa488-labeled HMGB1 protein. Addition of DNA to RAG1 and HMGB1 in fluorescence anisotropy experiments, however, results in a substantial increase in complex formation, indicating a synergistic binding effect. Pulldown experiments confirmed these results, as HMGB1 was recruited to a RAG1–DNA complex in a RAG1 concentration-dependent manner and, interestingly, without strict RSS sequence specificity. Our finding that HMGB1 binds more tightly to a RAG1–DNA complex over RAG1 or DNA alone provides an explanation for the stable integration of this typically transient architectural protein in the V(D)J recombinase complex throughout recombination. These findings also have implications for the order of events during RAG–DNA complex assembly and for the stabilization of sequence-specific and non-specific RAG1–DNA interactions.     

Two genes in a pathogenicity gene cluster encoding secreted proteins are required for appressorial penetration and infection of the maize anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum graminicola

To avoid pathogen-associated molecular pattern recognition, the hemibiotrophic maize pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola secretes proteins mediating the establishment of biotrophy. Targeted deletion of 26 individual candidate genes and seven gene clusters comprising 32 genes of C. graminicola identified a pathogenicity cluster (CLU5) of five co-linear genes, all of which, with the exception of CLU5b, encode secreted proteins. Targeted deletion of all genes of CLU5 revealed that CLU5a and CLU5d are required for full appressorial penetration competence, with virulence deficiencies independent of the host genotype and organ inoculated. Cytorrhysis experiments and microscopy showed that Δclu5a mutants form pressurized appressoria, but they are hampered in forming penetration pores and fail to differentiate a penetration peg. Whereas Δclu5d mutants elicited WT-like papillae, albeit at increased frequencies, papillae induced by Δclu5a mutants were much smaller than those elicited by the WT. Synteny of CLU5 is not only conserved in Colletotrichum spp. but also in additional species of Sordariomycetes including insect pathogens and saprophytes suggesting importance of CLU5 for fungal biology. Since CLU5a and CLU5d also occur in non-pathogenic fungi and since they are expressed prior to plant invasion and even in vegetative hyphae, the encoded proteins probably do not act primarily as effectors.     

Chronobiologische Untersuchungen zur Raum-Zeit-Nutzung bei einem Orang-Utan-Paar im Zoo Osnabrück

Research about influences of natural and artificial environmental influences to animal behaviour is essential for the improvement of animal welfare in zoos and can be of importance for the conservation of free living animal populations. In literature on Orang-Utans (Pongo spec.), the biggest and heaviest of arboreal mammals, a connection between solar altitude and circadian rhythm was found. Activity during the waking hours was additionally influenced by weather, food supply, intra- and interspecific influences. Sunset marked the end of daily activity and the animals showed their anticipation among other things in the daily construction of tree nests.An examination of artificial influences, Orang-Utans in everyday zoo life are exposed to, is starting point for the present study. Further intentions were to record the activity patterns of two adult Zoo-Orang-Utans from evening to morning and gather information about nest building and the dominance situation between the two animals. During six weeks the Orang-Utan couple Buschi and Astrid (1.1) in the Zoo of Osnabrück was observed in the indoor enclosures every day from evening to morning via a video surveillance system (hours of observation: 623.5 h (Buschi, male); 236.5 h (Astrid, female)).The activity profiles of Buschi and Astrid fit into the results of field studies concerning chronobiological organisation and activity pattern. In the afternoon both animals were quite active and fed, afterwards they constructed their nests and laid down on them. The present observation leads to the conclusion that both, sunlight as well as the artificial lights, are able to influence their behaviour as so-called zeitgebers. Every night Buschi's sleep was interrupted several times by short active phases, in which he scratched himself extensively and adjusted his nest. Until this observation no comparable data concerning comfort activity by night in field and zoo situations was available.Nest building behaviour similar to free living Orang-Utans has been shown by Buschi and Astrid as well, changes being dependant on available material and the lack of necessity for safety and stability. The behaviour of Buschi taking nest parts from Astrid, suggests dominance between the mates and the nest as a reason for competition.