Metabolic and Chaperone Gene Loss Marks the Origin of Animals: Evidence for Hsp104 and Hsp78 Sharing Mitochondrial Clients

The evolution of animals involved acquisition of an emergent gene repertoire for gastrulation. Whether loss of genes also co-evolved with this developmental reprogramming has not yet been addressed. Here, we identify twenty-four genetic functions that are retained in fungi and choanoflagellates but undetectable in animals. These lost genes encode: (i) sixteen distinct biosynthetic functions; (ii) the two ancestral eukaryotic ClpB disaggregases, Hsp78 and Hsp104, which function in the mitochondria and cytosol, respectively; and (iii) six other assorted functions. We present computational and experimental data that are consistent with a joint function for the differentially localized ClpB disaggregases, and with the possibility of a shared client/chaperone relationship between the mitochondrial Fe/S homoaconitase encoded by the lost LYS4 gene and the two ClpBs. Our analyses lead to the hypothesis that the evolution of gastrulation-based multicellularity in animals led to efficient extraction of nutrients from dietary sources, loss of natural selection for maintenance of energetically expensive biosynthetic pathways, and subsequent loss of their attendant ClpB chaperones.Comment: This is a reformatted version from the recent official publication in PLoS ONE (2015). This version differs substantially from first three arXiV versions. This version uses a fixed-width font for DNA sequences as was done in the earlier arXiv versions but which is missing in the official PLoS ONE publication. The title has also been shortened slightly from the official publicatio

Differences in Food Spending on Groceries and Eating Out Between Two Dietary Groups: The NEW Soul Study

Background: Heart disease is now the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all risk factors for heart disease. Research has shown that increasing consumption of plant-based foods may be effective in reducing risk factors for chronic disease, especially heart disease. A plant-based diet consists of nutrient-dense plant foods and minimizes the consumption of processed animal products. High costs of eating a healthier diet are a commonly cited barrier that prevents individuals from making dietary changes that could potentially decrease their chronic disease risk. Objective: To investigate the differences in spending on groceries and spending on eating out between two groups of participants randomly assigned to a vegan diet group or a low-fat omnivorous diet group. Design: 12-month randomized intervention Methods: A total of 67 African American adults with overweight or obesity were recruited to participate in a 24-month nutrition intervention (The NEW Soul Study) as a part of cohort 1 (analyzed for this study). The participants were randomized to either a vegan diet or a low-fat omnivorous diet in a 2-year dietary intervention. At baseline, 34 participants were in the low-fat omni group and 33 in the vegan group. The intervention consisted of weekly classes for the first six months, bi-weekly for the next six months, and monthly classes for the last 12 months. Data collected from psychosocial questionnaires administered to participants from cohort 1 at baseline and 6-months were analyzed to assess 1) differences in food spending on groceries between the two groups 2) differences in food spending on eating out between the two groups. Overall changes in spending from baseline to 6-months collected from the first cohort (N=67) were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results: The vegan group increased their grocery spending less (+$9.59) than the omni group (+$26.04) from baseline to 6-months. The vegan group decreased their weekly eating out costs (-$18.24) more than the omni group (-$12.54) from baseline to 6-months. Although there were differences in spending between the two groups, none of the results were statistically significant. Conclusion: The hypothesis that both dietary groups would have decreased spending on groceries and eating out from baseline to 6-months, and that the vegan group would have decreased their spending more than the omni group, was not confirmed due to the lack of statistically significant results

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Gateway Building: An Educational and Energetic Assessment

It has been shown that the implementation of renewable energy technologies in the building sector has the potential to achieve long-term energy and cost savings. The combined heat and power system, housed within the newly constructed Gateway Building on the SUNY ESF main campus, is in the position to increase the College’s energy acquisition efficiency by 50%, when compared to the currently utilized system. The system will be constructed and displayed in such a way as to be easily understood by students, faculty and the general public- providing an array of educational prospects. Students at the College will have the opportunity to further understand the CHP system through its integration in offered coursework. The Building will also provide the means through which to expand the research of renewable energy technologies. There are a host of positive externalities associated with the Building, including but not limited to: reductions in fuel price uncertainty and increases in occupant health. Thus we have concluded that the Gateway Building has the potential to not only have a positive impact on the immediate campus community, but also on the Syracuse area as a whole

Composição do Conselho de Administração e desempenho bancário em um pequeno estado insular em desenvolvimento: o caso de Curaçao

Based on agency theory, this paper contributes to the literature by assessing the effects of Supervisory Board size, gender diversity, and multiple directorship on performance within the banking industry of the small island developing state: Curacao. The research made use of the data drawn from annual reports of locally generated banks and its subsidiaries. Results from linear regressions indicate a positive relationship between multiple directorship and bank performance, and a negative association between bank outcomes and both gender diversity and board size. According to these results, it is concluded that the legislation on corporate governance for credit institutions in Curacao should incorporate a maximum number of members on the board, as well as promote interlocking directorates and quotas by gender.Basado en la teoría de agencias, este documento contribuye a la literatura al evaluar los efectos del tamaño del Consejo de Administración, la diversidad de género y los directorios múltiples en el desempeño de los bancos en Curazao. Se utilizaron datos de informes anuales de bancos locales y sus subsidiarias. Los resultados de las regresiones lineales indican una relación positiva entre los directorios múltiples y el desempeño del banco, y una asociación negativa entre los resultados del banco y la diversidad de género y el tamaño del directorio. Se recomienda que la legislación sobre gobierno corporativo para bancos en Curazao incorpore un número máximo de miembros en el Consejo, así como promueva los directorios múltiples y las cuotas por género.Com base na teoria da agência, este trabalho contribui para a literatura avaliando os efeitos do tamanho do Conselho de Administração, a diversidade de gênero e os múltiplos diretórios sobre o desempenho dos bancos em Curaçao. Foram utilizados dados de relatórios anuais de bancos locais e suas subsidiárias. Os resultados das regressões lineares indicam uma relação positiva entre os diretórios múltiplos e o desempenho do banco, e uma associação negativa entre o desempenho dos bancos e a diversidade de gênero e o tamanho do diretório. É recomendável que a legislação de governança corporativa para bancos em Curaçao incorpore um número máximo de membros no Conselho, assim como promova múltiplos diretórios e cotas por gênero

Empreendedorismo internacional de empresas familiares mexicanas listadas e características do CEO / Conselho de administração

The objective of this research is to analyze the influence on international entrepreneurship of both Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and board of directors’ traits. It takes into account 52 listed family firms in Mexico (2001-2015), an emerging market where ownership concentration is particularly high. Results obtained from a binary probit model show that family involvement reduces the odds of pursuing foreign endeavors. However, when the CEO has a business administration academic background, the probability of having subsidiaries or branches abroad rises considerably. Finally, there is evidence that the presence of women on boards reduces the odds of international entrepreneurship.El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la influencia tanto de características de los Directores Generales (CEO, por su sigla en inglés) como de los consejos de administración, en el emprendimiento internacional. Se contemplan 52 empresas familiares listadas en México (2001-2015), un mercado emergente donde la concentración de la propiedad es particularmente alta. Los resultados obtenidos a partir de un modelo probit binario muestran que la participación de la familia reduce las probabilidades de internacionalización. No obstante, cuando el CEO tiene formación académica en negocios, la probabilidad de tener filiales o sucursales en el extranjero aumenta. Finalmente, hay evidencia que la presencia de mujeres en los consejos reduce las probabilidades de emprendimiento internacional.O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a influência das características dos Gerentes Gerais (CEO) e dos conselhos de administração, no empreendedorismo internacional. Existem 52 empresas familiares listadas no México (2001-2015), um mercado emergente onde a concentração de propriedades é particularmente alta. Os resultados obtidos a partir de um modelo probit binário mostram que a participação da família reduz as chances de internacionalização. No entanto, quando o CEO tem uma formação acadêmica nos negócios, a probabilidade de ter subsidiárias ou filiais no exterior aumenta. Finalmente, há evidências de que a presença de mulheres nos conselhos reduz as chances de empreendedorismo internacional

Decline of a Foundation Tree Species Due to Invasive Insects Will Trigger Net Release of Soil Organic Carbon

Eastern U.S. forests are witnessing an ecologically disruptive decline in one of the region’s distinctive foundation tree species, the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadenis). The exotic insect pests hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae, HWA) and elongate hemlock scale (Fiorinia externa) have greatly altered many forest ecosystems previously dominated by this important evergreen conifer. The consequences for ecosystem processes are far reaching because hemlock is often replaced by deciduous tree species, such as black birch (Betula lenta), which have strongly divergent effects on forest floor microenvironments and nutrient cycling. We took advantage of an accidental experiment initiated by patch-level timber harvesting ~30 yr ago to investigate how the removal of hemlock, and its replacement by deciduous trees, has affected leaf litter characteristics, soil organic layer mass, C:N content, and soil respiration rates. We also contrasted these areas to nearby forest plots where deciduous B. lenta has been dominant for almost a century. The inclusion of healthy, intact hemlock stands in the design, and the close proximity of plots, allowed for a powerful space-for-time approach to detect ecosystem changes that are likely to occur across the broader landscape with HWA-induced hemlock loss in coming years. Three years of data collection from a series of plots in hemlock, young birch, and mature birch stands revealed dramatic differences in soil carbon pools and cycling. Between forests dominated by hemlock vs. mature birch, we saw a significant decrease in soil organic layer mass and in the C:N of the remaining organic material. Although hemlock and young birch stands showed no significant differences in soil respiration rates, mature birch stands had significantly higher soil respiration rates throughout the entire growing season, regardless of wet or dry years. Our results suggest that the carbon pool in the forest floor is likely to mobilize through greater decomposition with a 6.89 decline in soil organic layer C storage as hemlocks are replaced by deciduous trees, leading to a potential net release of ~4.5 tons C per hectare. We conclude that the ramifications of this change for carbon storage could be extensive, but may take decades to manifest