The GW/WG repeats of Drosophila GW182 function as effector motifs for miRNA-mediated repression

The control of messenger RNA (mRNA) function by micro RNAs (miRNAs) in animal cells requires the GW182 protein. GW182 is recruited to the miRNA repression complex via interaction with Argonaute protein, and functions downstream to repress protein synthesis. Interaction with Argonaute is mediated by GW/WG repeats, which are conserved in many Argonaute-binding proteins involved in RNA interference and miRNA silencing, from fission yeast to mammals. GW182 contains at least three effector domains that function to repress target mRNA. Here, we analyze the functions of the N-terminal GW182 domain in repression and Argonaute1 binding, using tethering and immunoprecipitation assays in Drosophila cultured cells. We demonstrate that its function in repression requires intact GW/WG repeats, but does not involve interaction with the Argonaute1 protein, and is independent of the mRNA polyadenylation status. These results demonstrate a novel role for the GW/WG repeats as effector motifs in miRNA-mediated repressio

Honey bee genotypes and the environment

Although knowledge about honey bee geographic and genetic diversity has increased tremendously in recent decades (Meixner et al., 2013), the adaptation of honey bees to their local environment has not been well studied. The current demand for high economic performance of bee colonies with desirable behavioural characteristics contributes to changing the natural diversity via mass importations and an increasing practice of queen trade and colony movement. At the same time, there is also a growing movement in opposition to this trend, aimed at conserving the natural heritage of local populations, with on-going projects in several countries (Strange et al., 2008; Dall’Olio et al., 2008, De la Rúa et al., 2009)

KORELASI INDEKS ENTOMOLOGI TERHADAP SUSEPTIBILITAS Ae. AEGYPTI PADA ENAM JENIS INSEKTISIDA DI TUJUH PROVINSI WILAYAH SUMATERA

ABSTRACT  Dengue cases are increasingly widespread in all parts of Indonesia, but currently, the priority of control is prevention through fogging focus on endemic DHF areas. The purpose of this study was to determine the entomology indicator of dengue vector mosquitoes about the susceptibility status of the Ae aegypti mosquito. The study design was a cross-sectional study and data analysis using Pearson Correlation statistical tests. This research was conducted in seven provinces in Sumatra, which consisted of three districts with three regions endemic to dengue fever centers in each province. The larvae collection was carried out in 100 houses in each selected Puskesmas. The susceptibility test of adult mosquitoes to six types of insecticide active ingredients was carried out by the WHO Bioassay method while the larval susceptibility test used the Elliot method. The results showed that index of entomology at 7 provinces in Sumatra were; HI and CI the highest in Kota. Pematang Siantar (58,60 % and 64 % ) and the lowest in Kabupaten Prabumulih and Palembang ( 22,70 and 0 % ), the highest of BI in Kabupaten Bangka Barat ( 87,40 % ) and the lowest in the Kota Metro ( 31,10 % ); the highest of ABJ in Kota Palembang ( 77,30 % ) and the lowest in Kota Pematang Siantar ( 41,40 %). Malathion 0.8 % still effective as an mosquito control by the presence of strong and moderate relationship was for CI and HI. Whether there are mosquitoes control using chemical insecticides in several locations in 7 provinces of Sumatra show resistant condition, thus controlling by PSN, 3M plus is still a major strategy to be done to break the chain of transmission of dengue fever. Keywords: DHF, Aedes, Correlation, Suceptibility   ABSTRAK Kasus DBD semakin meluas di seluruh wilayah Indonesia, namun saat ini prioritas pengendaliannya berupa pencegahan melalui fogging focus pada wilayah-wilayah endemis DBD. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui indikator entomologi nyamuk vektor DBD hubungannya dengan status kerentanan nyamuk Ae. aegypti. Desain penelitian adalah studi potong lintang dan analisis data menggunakan uji statistik Pearson Correlation. Penelitian ini dilakukan di tujuh Provinsi yang ada di wilayah Sumatera yang terdiri dari tiga kabupaten dengan masing-masing tiga wilayah Puskesmas endemis DBD di setiap Provinsi. Pengumpulan jentik dilakukan pada 100 rumah di setiap Puskesmas terpilih. Uji kerentanan nyamuk dewasa terhadap enam jenis bahan aktif insektida dilakukan dengan metode Bioassay WHO sedangkan uji kerentanan jentik menggunakan metoda Elliot. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan indeks entomologi di 7 Provinsi di wilayah Sumatera yang diperiksa menunjukkan nilai HI dan CI tertinggi di Kota Pematang Siantar (58,60% dan 64%) dan terendah di Kab. Prabumulih dan Kota Palembang (22,70 % dan 0%), BI tertinggi di Kab. Bangka Barat (87,40%) dan terendah di Kota Metro (31,10%), ABJ tertinggi di Kota Palembang (77,30%) dan terendah di Kota Pematang siantar (41,40%). Pestisida Malathion 0,8 % masih efektif sebagai upaya pengendalian nyamuk dengan adanya hubungan yang kuat dan sedang terhadap Container Indeks (CI) dan House Indeks (HI) di 7 Provinsi di Wilayah Sumatera. Pengendalian jentik dengan menggunakan insektisida kimiawi di beberapa lokasi di 7 Provinsi di wilayah Sumatera menunjukkan kondisi resisten nyamuk vektor DBD dengan demikian pengendalian dengan PSN 3M Plus masih merupakan strategi utama yang harus dilakukan untuk memutus rantai penularan DBD. Kata kunci: DBD, Aedes, Korelasi, Suseptibilita

Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science (Alien-CSI)

There is no sign of saturation in accumulation of alien species (AS) introductions worldwide, additionally the rate of spread for some species has also been shown to be increasing. However, the challenges of gathering information on AS are recognized. Recent developments in citizen science (CS) provide an opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge on AS while ensuring effective and high quality societal engagement with the issue of IAS (Invasive Alien Species). Advances in technology, particularly on-line recording and smartphone apps, along with the development of social media, have revolutionized CS and increased connectivity while new and innovative analysis techniques are emerging to ensure appropriate management, visualization, interpretation and use and sharing of the data. In early July 2018 we launched a European CO-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing CS, advancing scientific understanding of AS dynamics while informing decision-making specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS. It will also support the EU biodiversity goals and embedding science within society. The Action will explore and document approaches to establishing a European-wide CS AS network. It will embrace relevant innovations for data gathering and reporting to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance measures, while ensuring benefits for society and citizens, through an AS CS European network. The Action will, therefore, increase levels of participation and quality of engagement with current CS initiatives, ensuring and evaluating educational value, and improve the value outcomes for potential users including citizens, scientists, alien species managers, policy-makers, local authorities, industry and other stakeholders

STATUS KERENTANAN Aedes aegypti TERHADAP INSEKTISIDA GOLONGAN ORGANOFOSFAT DAN PIRETROID DI INDONESIA

ABSTRACT The long-term use of insecticides causes resistance to targeted insects, so that a study of its resistance in Indonesia is needed. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the resistance status of Aedes aegypti to organophosphates and pyrethroids in 102 districts in 2015 with reference to WHO standard bioassay test. Sampling and testing of Ae. Aegypti  larvae from 100 houses were carried out from three area of each health center. Test results on 0.8% malathion revealed that 84% districts were resistant, 13% districts were tolerant, and 3% districts were vulnerable. The test results for temephos of 0.02% also found that 49% districts were resistant, 29% districts were tolerant and 22% districts were vulnerable. While for 0.05% cypermethrin insecticide test; 98% were resistant, and 1% was tolerant. The test on 0.025% alpha cypermethrin found that 40% were resistant, 51% were tolerant and 9% were vulnerable. Test on 0.025% deltamethrin found that  65% were resistant, 22% districts were tolerant and 14% districts were vulnerable. With the high resistance to organophosphate and pyrethroid groups, it is recommended to rearrange the application  of insecticide types in each region cyclically. Keywords: Insecticides,  resistance, organophosphates, pyrethroid, Aedes aegypti   ABSTRAK Penggunaan insektisida dalam jangka waktu lama menyebabkan resistensi terhadap serangga sasaran, sehingga diperlukan uji status kerentanan Ae.aegypti di Indonesia. Jenis penelitian  adalah deskriptif dengan desain potong lintang.  Pengambilan  sampel uji (jentik Ae. aegypti) dilakukan di 102 Kabupaten/kota di Indonesia pada 100  rumah di setiap tiga wilayah kerja puskesmas. Metode uji kerentanan menggunakan bioassay test standar WHO. Hasil uji terhadap  malathion 0,8% mendapatkan  86 (84%) kabupaten telah resisten,  13 kabupaten (13%) toleran dan 3 (3%) kabupaten  rentan. Hasil uji  terhadap  temephos 0,02% menunjukkan 50 (49%) kabupaten resisten, 30 (29%) kabupaten toleran dan 22 (22%) kabupaten rentan. Hasil uji insektisida sipermetrin 0,05%, sebanyak  100 (98%) kabupaten  resisten,  dan 1 (1%) kabupaten toleran. Hasil uji terhadap alfa sipermetrin 0,025%,  sebanyak 18 kabupaten (40%)   resisten,  23 (51%)  kabupaten toleran dan 4 (9%) kabupaten berstatus rentan. Hasil uji terhadap deltametrin 0,025% sebanyak 66 (65%) kabupaten  resisten, 22 (22%) kabupaten toleran dan 14 (14%) kabupaten rentan. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa telah terjadi resistensi terhadap insektisida golongan organofosfat dan piretroid. Disarankan untuk  mengganti kedua jenis insektisida tersebut di setiap wilayah yang teridentifikasi resitensi tinggi. Kata kunci: Insektisida, resitensi, organofosfat, piretroid, aedes aegypt

Institutionalising CSR in Colombia’s extractive sector: disciplining society, destabilising enforcement?

This article analyses the institutionalisation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the context of resource extraction in Colombia and the use of human rights language in this normative project. We argue that “rights-based” CSR constructs a new “public–private reason of state” that has disciplinary implications for Colombian society and might contribute to destabilising existing regimes of rights enforcement. Rather than reconciling human rights imperatives and market forces, we conclude, CSR institutionalisation might best be conceptualised as the result of powerful groups strategically harnessing the forces of globalisation

Null tests of the cosmological constant using supernovae

The standard concordance model of the Universe is based on the cosmological constant as the driver of accelerating expansion. This concordance model is being subjected to a growing range of inter-locking observations. In addition to using generic observational tests, one can also design tests that target the specific properties of the cosmological constant. These null tests do not rely on parametrizations of observables, but focus on quantities that are constant only if dark energy is a cosmological constant. We use supernova data in null tests that are based on the luminosity distance. In order to extract derivatives of the distance in a model-independent way, we use Gaussian Processes. We find that the concordance model is compatible with the Union 2.1 data, but the error bars are fairly large. Simulated datasets are generated for the DES supernova survey and we show that this survey will allow for a sharper null test of the cosmological constant if we assume the Universe is flat. Allowing for spatial curvature degrades the power of the null test.IS