Complete mitochondrial genome of Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Stolonifera: Clavulariidae)

We report the first complete Stolonifera mitochondrial genome. Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) isolate CLP2_A03 was collected by scuba at 32 m on the USTS Texas Clipper (27° 53.7827′N, 93° 36.2702′W). The complete mitogenome has the ancestral octocoral gene order for its 14 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, and one tRNA gene. It is 18,714 bp (30.7% A, 15.8% C, 18.8% G, and 34.7% T). Of the Alcyonacea mitogenomes published to date, it is most genetically similar (94% uncorrected) to Sinularia ceramensis Verseveldt, 1977 (NC_044122)

Extraction of metazoan meiofauna from muddy deep-sea samples: Operator and taxon effects on efficiency

Deep-sea metazoan meiofaunal specimens are usually extracted from muddy samples by centrifugation in a fluid in which meiofauna tend to float and sediment particles tend to sink. Although the procedure is in common use, its efficiency has seldom been examined. The study reported here showed that well-trained operators extracted metazoan meiofauna with efficiencies that were different enough to be a concern in quantitative studies. Therefore, samples should be assigned to operators in a stratified-random manner. In the course of these studies, both operators also extracted individuals of the common nematode family Desmoscolecidae significantly less efficiently than other nematode families, a bias that could interfere with studies that compared relative abundances of nematode families

Islands in the mud: The South Texas banks provide crucial mesophotic habitat for coral communities

On the continental shelf off the coast of South Texas lie a series of natural hard-bottom structures (rocky outcrops and relic coral-algal reefs) known as the South Texas Banks (STB), which provide critical habitat for benthic organisms and pelagic fish. The depth of the banks, a persistent nepheloid layer, and strong currents have resulted in few studies that provide quantitative biodiversity data on the STB. Using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), video surveys were conducted to quantitatively describe the mesophotic coral communities and assess habitat suitability of five STB: North Hospital, Hospital, Southern, Big Adam, and Mysterious Banks. Each of these STB have significantly different benthic communites, with coral communities composed primarily of antipatharians and octocorals. Big Adam Bank had the lowest biodiversity and the least coral cover. Mysterious Bank had abundant antipatharians, specifically Stichopathes spp., but low biodiversity overall. Hospital Bank had low coral diversity that was offset by high diversity in sponges and other invertebrate species. North Hospital and Southern Banks had abundant and diverse populations of coral species, including scleractinians, and other benthic invertebrates. These data indicate that the STB are crucial islands of biodiversity in an area with few suitable areas for coral reef species. In addition, predictive modelling of habitat suitability provided valuable estimates on the potential distribution of key benthic community members, such as scleractinians and antipatharians, throughout the entire areas of the five banks assessed

Preliminary Multivariate Comparison of Coral Assemblages on Carbonate Banks in the Western Gulf of Mexico

Hermatypic corals flourished on reefs in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) in the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. Today, many of these relict reefs are mesophotic banks that have unique coral assemblages and provide critical habitat; however, the South Texas Banks (STB) lack quantitative surveys. Therefore, we used a remotely operated vehicle to conduct quantitative surveys of 5 banks: Baker, Aransas, Dream, Blackfish Ridge, and Harte. Coral communities, based on estimated coral densities (colonies/m2), significantly differed among banks for terraces, slopes, and overall (combined terrace and slope) communities for most banks examined. Within banks, terrace and slope communities significantly differed for all banks except Harte. Sea whips were the most abundant group on slopes and terraces of most banks and frequently contributed \u3e50% to community similarities and dissimilarities, whereas sea fans and Antipathes frequently contributed \u3e20%. Total coral abundance was twice as high and sea fans were 7 times more abundant on terraces than slopes. Among—bank differences in coral communities were highly correlated to geographic and geomorphic features, especially to bank area, rugosity, longitude, and number of site components. The drivers of these differences, their effects on ecosystem diversity and function, and the connectivity pathways within and among STB and other GOM banks require further investigation. Nevertheless, the observed diversity in community structure within and among banks should be considered in the development of monitoring, conservation, and management plans of these critical habitats

Prospectus, April 17, 1985

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1985/1010/thumbnail.jp

Terminal valuations, growth rates and the implied cost of capital

This article is published with open access at Springerlink.comWe develop a model based on the notion that prices lead earnings, allowing for a simultaneous estimation of the implied growth rate and the cost of equity capital for US industrial sectors. The major difference between our approach and that in prior literature is that ours avoids the necessity to make assumptions about terminal values and consequently about future growth rates. In fact, growth rates are an endogenous variable, which is estimated simultaneously with the implied cost of equity capital. Since we require only 1-year-ahead forecasts of earnings and no assumptions about dividend payouts, our methodology allows us to estimate ex ante aggregate growth and risk premia over a larger sample of firms than has previously been possible. Our estimate of the risk premium being between 3.1 and 3.9 % is at the lower end of recent estimates, reflecting the inclusion of these short-lived companies. Our estimate of the long run growth is from 4.2 to 4.7 %

'Word from the street' : when non-electoral representative claims meet electoral representation in the United Kingdom

Taking the specific case of street protests in the UK – the ‘word from the street’– this article examines recent (re)conceptualizations of political representation, most particularly Saward’s notion of ‘representative claim’. The specific example of nonelectoral claims articulated by protestors and demonstrators in the UK is used to illustrate: the processes of making, constituting, evaluating and accepting claims for and by constituencies and audiences; and the continuing distinctiveness of claims based upon electoral representation. Two basic questions structure the analysis: first, why would the political representative claims of elected representatives trump the nonelectoral claims of mass demonstrators and, second, in what ways does the ‘perceived legitimacy’ of the former differ from the latter

Investigating interactions between UK horse owners and prescribers of anthelmintics

Helminths are common pathogens of equids and anthelmintic resistance is a major issue in cyathostomin species and Parascaris equorum. At the heart of mitigating the impact of increasing anthelmintic resistance levels, is the responsible dissemination and use of these medicines following best practice principles. There is a paucity of information on interactions between horse owners and anthelmintic prescribers and how this shapes control. Here, a study was undertaken to determine opinions and experiences of horse owners as they relate to anthelmintics purchase and implementation of best practice control. An online survey was distributed via email and social media to explore owners’ experiences of purchasing anthelmintics from United Kingdom prescribers, these being veterinarians, suitably qualified persons (SQPs) and pharmacists. Owner responses (n = 494) were analysed statistically to compare answers of respondents grouped according to: (i) from whom they bought anthelmintics (Veterinarians n = 60; SQPs n = 256; Pharmacists n = 42; More than one channel n = 136), and (ii) by which route (Face-to-face n = 234; Telephone n = 31; Online n = 226) they purchased. Owners who purchased from veterinarians predominantly did so face-to-face (81.3%), whilst those that bought from SQPs purchased via face-to-face (48.8%) and online (46.0%) interactions. Those who purchased from pharmacists predominantly bought anthelmintics online (76.2%). Participants who bought from veterinarians were more likely to view certain factors (i.e. time to talk to the supplier, supplier knowledge) as more important than those who purchased from other prescribers. Those who purchased from veterinarians were more likely to be recommended faecal egg count (FEC) test analysis; however, there was high uptake of FEC testing across all groups. There was a low uptake of anthelmintic efficacy testing; regardless of the prescriber type from whom anthelmintics were purchased. Those who purchased from veterinarians were more likely to agree that anthelmintics should be sold as veterinary prescription-only medicines. Those who purchased online (regardless of which type of prescriber they bought from) were less likely to consider prescriber advice or knowledge when deciding which product to buy and indicated that sellers were less likely to raise use of anthelmintics for targeting parasites. Across all groups, many owners stated that they were aware of or used non-chemical control measures such as dung removal and diagnostic FEC testing to target treatments. In summary, there were some differences in the type of advice provided at the point of purchase and this was dependent upon whom anthelmintics were purchased from and by which route they were bought

Fatigue predicts quality of life after leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1-antibody encephalitis

Patient-reported quality-of-life (QoL) and carer impacts are not reported after leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1-antibody encephalitis (LGI1-Ab-E). From 60 patients, 85% (51 out of 60) showed one abnormal score across QoL assessments and 11 multimodal validated questionnaires. Compared to the premorbid state, QoL significantly deteriorated (p < 0.001) and, at a median of 41 months, fatigue was its most important predictor (p = 0.025). In total, 51% (26 out of 51) of carers reported significant burden. An abbreviated five-item battery explained most variance in QoL. Wide-ranging impacts post-LGI1-Ab-E include decreased QoL and high caregiver strain. We identify a rapid method to capture QoL in routine clinic or clinical trial settings

Updated protein domain annotation of the PARP protein family sheds new light on biological function

AlphaFold2 and related computational tools have greatly aided studies of structural biology through their ability to accurately predict protein structures. In the present work, we explored AF2 structural models of the 17 canonical members of the human PARP protein family and supplemented this analysis with new experiments and an overview of recent published data. PARP proteins are typically involved in the modification of proteins and nucleic acids through mono or poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, but this function can be modulated by the presence of various auxiliary protein domains. Our analysis provides a comprehensive view of the structured domains and long intrinsically disordered regions within human PARPs, offering a revised basis for understanding the function of these proteins. Among other functional insights, the study provides a model of PARP1 domain dynamics in the DNA-free and DNA-bound states and enhances the connection between ADP-ribosylation and RNA biology and between ADP-ribosylation and ubiquitin-like modifications by predicting putative RNA-binding domains and E2-related RWD domains in certain PARPs. In line with the bioinformatic analysis, we demonstrate for the first time PARP14's RNA-binding capability and RNA ADP-ribosylation activity in vitro. While our insights align with existing experimental data and are probably accurate, they need further validation through experiments