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Abstract: We study a class of intersecting D-brane models in which fermions localized at different intersections interact via exchange of bulk fields. In some cases these interactions lead to dynamical symmetry breaking and generate a mass for the fermions. We analyze the conditions under which this happens as one varies the dimensions of the branes and of the intersections. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Abstract: We study an intersecting D-brane model which at low energies describes -dimensional chiral fermions localized at defects on a stack of D4-branes. Fermions at different defects interact via exchange of massless -dimensional fields. At weak coupling this interaction gives rise to the Gross–Neveu (GN) model and can be studied using field theoretic techniques. At strong coupling one can describe the system in terms of probe branes propagating in a curved background in string theory. The chiral symmetry is dynamically broken at zero temperature and is restored above a critical temperature which depends on the coupling. The phase transition at is first order at strong coupling and second order at weak coupling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The immunological and developmental effects of bracoviruses (BVs) from three parasitoids in the genus Microplitis (Braconidae: Microgastrinae) were compared in the hosts Pseudoplusia includens and Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Southern blotting experiments indicated that viral DNAs from Microplitis demolitor bracovirus (MdBV) cross-hybridized with viral DNAs from Microplitis croceipes bracovirus (McBV) and Microplitis mediator bracovirus (MmBV) under conditions of high stringency. Injection of calyx fluid plus venom from each parasitoid species dose-dependently delayed development of P. includens and H. virescens. Each virus also inhibited pupation of P. includens but not H. virescens. In situ hybridization experiments indicated that MdBV and McBV persistently infect hemocytes in both hosts while MmBV persistently infects hemocytes in P. includens but not H. virescens. While MdBV infection induced a loss of adhesion by most plasmatocytes, McBV and MmBV infection induced a loss of adhesion in less than 50% of cells. Cross-protection experiments indicated that calyx fluid plus venom from one species usually protected progeny of another species from encapsulation but did not always promote successful development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Koinobiont parasitoids utilize nutrients obtained from hosts that contine to feed and grow after parasitization. However, if the ecdysis of early host instars is prevented, parasitized larvae will fail to grow large enough to support the development of the parasitoid brood and both organisms will perish. When L5 instar larvae (the penultimate stage) of Pseudaletia separata were parasitized by Cotesia kariyai and injected with Euplectrus separatae venom (5PV), the development of these hosts was arrested before molting to the next stage and the caterpillars thus failed to gain weight. These hosts remained at approximately 300mg until parasitoid emergence. In contrast, hosts parasitized as L5 but without the injection of venom (5P) exhibited an increase in weight after molting to the next stage and ultimately grew to approximately 700mg. The inhibition of ecdysis reduced the amount of food resource (e.g. fat body) for the parasitoid larvae. On the other hand, when final (=L6) host instars were parasitized and injected with E. separatae venom (6PV), the maximum weight attained by these larvae was about 710mg, although weight gain was depressed compared to hosts parasitized without the injection of E. separatae venom (6P). The adult weight of C. kariyai that emerged from 5PV hosts was less than conspecifics that emerged from 5P, 6P, and 6PV respectively, although the egg-pupal period of the parasitoid from 5PV hosts was extended. The offspring sex ratio (percentage males) of adult wasps did not vary significantly with treatment. Female parasitoids that eclosed from 5PV hosts laid almost the same number of eggs in day 0–6th host instars as those emerging from 5P, 6P, 6PV hosts. Their egg-pupal period was extended and the cocoon cluster mass and the parasitoid body mass on subsequent generations was lighter than those reared from 5P, 6P, 6PV hosts. The sex ratio of F2 C. kariyai wasps that eclosed from 5PV increased more than in wasps that eclosed from the other host treatments (5P, 6P, 6PV). Our results reveal that a reduction in host quality and offspring fitness in the first generation negatively impacted female fitness in the second generation. An early arrestment of host growth, mediated by the addition of E. separatae venom, has severe implications on parasitoid fitness by reducing host quality, especially in smaller hosts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) underwent eyeblink conditioning. [•] Children with ASD performed normally during trace eyeblink conditioning. [•] Children with ASD showed short-latency conditioned eyeblinks on delay conditioning. [•] Short-latency conditioned eyeblinks may reflect cerebellar cortical dysfunction. [•] ASD may be associated with a deficit in sensorimotor timing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Contemporary receptor theory was developed to account for the existence of constitutive activity, as defined by the presence of receptor signaling in the absence of any ligand. Thus, ligands acting at a constitutively active receptor, can act as agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists. In vitro studies have also revealed the complexity of ligand/receptor interactions including agonist-directed stimulus trafficking, a finding that has led to multi-active state models of receptor function. Studies with a variety of cell types have established that the serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors also demonstrate constitutive activity and inverse agonism. However, until recently, there has been no evidence to suggest that these receptors also demonstrate constitutive activity and hence reveal inverse agonist properties of ligands in vivo. This paper describes our current knowledge of constitutive activity in vitro and then examines the evidence for constitutive activity in vivo. Both the serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors are involved in a number of physiological and behavioral functions and are the targets for treatment of schizophrenia, anxiety, weight control, Parkinsonism, and other disorders. The existence of constitutive activity at these receptors in vivo, along with the possibility of inverse agonism, provides new avenues for drug development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Embedded in longer term warming are extreme climatic events such as heatwaves and droughts that are increasing in frequency, duration and intensity. Changes in climate attributes such as temperature are often measured over larger spatial scales, whereas environmental conditions to which many small ectothermic arthropods are exposed are largely determined by small-scale local conditions. Exposed edges of plant patches often exhibit significant short-term (daily) variation to abiotic factors due to wind exposure and sun radiation. By contrast, within plant patches, abiotic conditions are generally much more stable and thus less variable. Over an eight-week period in the summer of 2020, including an actual heatwave, we measured small-scale (1 m2) temperature variation in patches of forbs in experimental mesocosms. We found that soil surface temperatures at the edge of the mesocosms were more variable than those within mesocosms. Drought treatment two years earlier, amplified this effect but only at the edges of the mesocosms. Within a plant patch both at the soil surface and within the canopy, the temperature was always lower than the ambient air temperature. The temperature of the soil surface at the edge of a patch may exceed the ambient air temperature when ambient air temperatures rise above 23 °C. This effect progressively increased with ambient temperature. We discuss how microscale-variation in temperature may affect small ectotherms such as insects that have limited ability to thermoregulate, in particular under conditions of extreme heat. • In terrestrial habitats, diel temperature can fluctuate considerably. • Temperatures were measured during 8 weeks at the edge and within small plant patches. • Within a plant patch the temperature was always lower than the ambient air temperature. • Soil surface temperature increases fast with rising air temperature at edges of plant patches. • During heatwaves microclimatic temperature levels may strongly impact on insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]