Search Results (132)

Mutator-like elements (MULEs) are a major DNA transposon superfamily. The evolutionary profiles of MULE transposons and their impact on arthropod genomes remain largely unexplored. Here, we define the evolutionary landscape—including distribution, diversity, structure, and activity—of MULE transposons across 4268 assembled arthropod genomes. Systematic analysis reveals a divergent evolutionary profile. From the sampled genomes, 222 arthropod species harbor MULE transposons, comprising 322 distinct elements. Phylogenetic analysis divides arthropod MULE transposons into twelve clades. The majority of species (164) carry only one type of MULE transposon, while 51 species contain two or three types, and a few host multiple types (4–9). Copy numbers vary significantly, ranging from 5 to 88 per species. Structural variation is pronounced: full-length MULEs range from 1.4 kb to 10.0 kb, with most falling between 2.5 kb and 5.0 kb. Low Kimura divergence in several species suggests recent MULE activity, noteworthy because most transposons are expected to be inactive. Collectively, our results show that MULEs are widely distributed yet phylogenetically structured across arthropods, with lineage-specific expansions and recent activity in several species. Full article

The FAR-RED IMPAIRED RESPONSE 1 (FAR1) and FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 3 (FHY3) transcription factors, together with other members of the FAR1-RELATED SEQUENCE (FRS) and FRS-RELATED FACTOR (FRF) families, represent a striking example of transposable element domestication in plants. Derived from ancient Mutator-like element (MULE) transposases, these proteins have been repurposed as transcriptional regulators throughout the plant kingdom. FHY3 and FAR1 were first identified in Arabidopsis thaliana as positive regulators of phytochrome A (phyA) signaling. They participate in the coordination of light signaling with the circadian clock, chlorophyll biosynthesis, hormone pathways, stress responses, flowering time, shoot branching, leaf senescence, seed dormancy, and phosphate homeostasis. At the molecular level, FHY3 and FAR1 regulate gene expression mainly by binding to the conserved FHY3/FAR1-binding site, FBS, with the sequence CACGCGC, in the promoters of target genes. They also act through protein interactions with key signaling regulators, including HY5, PIFs, EIN3, TOC1, and SPL transcription factors. In this review, we summarize the molecular basis of FHY3/FAR1 gene family function, discuss the roles and mutant phenotypes of characterized family members, and highlight recent advances from other plant species beyond Arabidopsis. Collectively, this gene family illustrates how domesticated transposase-derived proteins have evolved into key regulators of plant development and environmental adaptation. Full article

Research on mule and donkey muscle composition remains limited despite their global importance as working equids. The objective of this study is to identify Mammoth donkey jacks with higher percentage of fast twitch fibers for racing mule production. A total of 33 animals were biopsied; however, only 12 samples were suitable for analysis, including racing mules (n = 7) and male Mammoth donkeys (n = 5). Animals were sedated with detomidine (10 µg/kg body weight) and butorphanol (20 µg/kg body weight). Middle gluteal muscle biopsies were collected using a 6 mm Bergström biopsy needle at a site located 20 cm dorsocaudal to the tuber coxae at a 45° angle to the base of the tail. Collection depth was 7.5 cm in adult mules and 5 cm in donkeys. Samples were prepared aseptically, anesthetized subcutaneously with lidocaine hydrochloride, and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Histochemical analysis included myosin adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) staining at pH 9.5, 4.6, and 4.3. Fibers were classified as Type I, Type IIA, or Type IIB, and CSA measurements were obtained using NIH ImageJ software. Statistical analysis included group contrasts, summarized as mean ± SD with 95% confidence intervals, while Bayesian ANOVA outputs were presented as exploratory evidence summaries. Type IIA fibers were greater in mules (47.84 ± 7.30%) than donkeys (38.47 ± 4.48%). Results suggest that differences in equid muscle architecture may be associated with variation in Type IIA fiber composition related to work or use. Full article

This paper examines how scam compounds, money mules and crypto-assets operate as interdependent elements of contemporary money-laundering chains. It assesses whether existing anti-money laundering (AML) and crypto-asset regulatory frameworks are capable of disrupting these chains holistically, rather than addressing individual components in isolation, with particular reference to scam-compound activity in Southeast Asia. The study adopts a qualitative comparative case-study methodology grounded in legal and regulatory analysis. Four empirically grounded cases are examined: two Southeast Asian scam-compound enforcement cases (Cambodia and Myanmar) and two European crypto-asset seizure cases (Ireland and Italy). Judicial decisions, enforcement actions and regulatory instruments are analysed through a chain-based analytical framework aligned with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) and the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) framework. The analysis reveals a structural divergence in enforcement strategies: Southeast Asian responses increasingly prioritise network- and infrastructure-level disruption of scam compounds, whereas European approaches remain largely centred on post-offence crypto-asset seizure through traditional proceeds-of-crime mechanisms. Across all jurisdictions, money mules emerge as a critical yet systematically under-regulated intermediary layer enabling the resilience of crypto-laundering operations. The paper advances existing AML typologies by conceptualising scam compounds, money mules and crypto-assets as interconnected components of a single crypto-laundering chain. This chain-based perspective offers a novel analytical and regulatory lens for understanding organised crypto-enabled fraud. The study is based on a qualitative, case-based design and does not aim for statistical generalisation. However, the analytical framework developed is transferable to other jurisdictions experiencing similar scam-compound and crypto-laundering dynamics. The findings suggest that effective AML enforcement requires coordinated intervention across multiple nodes of the laundering chain, including scam compound infrastructure and money mule networks, alongside traditional asset-seizure mechanisms and CASP supervision. By highlighting the structural links between scam compounds, coercive labour and crypto-laundering mechanisms, the paper underscores the broader social harms of crypto-enabled fraud and the need for integrated regulatory responses that address both financial crime and human exploitation. Full article

Digital mining has become a tangible reality in recent years and the digital revolution enables and requires data exchange for autonomous machines and operational flow management. LoRa technology and its underground propagation behavior can make an important contribution to this digitalization. This paper presents a Data Mule approach that enabled progress in digitalization at refueling stations in active underground mining areas of a mine near Werra, Germany, operated by the K+S Group. This demonstration aimed to automate manual data collection at fuel gauges by using a dynamic LoRa network. We used specially developed LoRa Data Mule modules for operations over many square kilometers. LoRa was chosen for its industrial functionality and long-range capabilities, particularly in underground environments. The Data Mule modules used were in-house-designed units with underground mining-rated casing and connectors, as well as commercial LoRa boards and custom communication protocols. Connectivity between all systems was realized at travel speeds of 20 to 40 km/h, with connection data successfully relayed for 180 to 770 m, despite 90° turns and no line of sight. It was shown that the LoRa Data Mule approach can be used in a network of remote but active data generation points. Full article

We report the isolation and coding complete genome sequences of a new CHeRI orbivirus from the spleen of a dead farmed white-tailed deer in Florida whose death was attributed to an infection by mule deerpox virus. Phylogenetic and genetic analyses support this new virus as the fifth strain of the CHeRI orbivirus 3 species, and we designated it CHeRI orbivirus 3–5. While our previous detections and isolations of CHeRI orbiviruses were from deer spleens that also contained epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus-2, or in one case, Hardee County ephemerovirus 1, no deerpox virus was isolated from the spleen of the animal in this report, marking the first time we have isolated a CHeRI orbivirus without a co-infecting agent. Full article

The mule deer population in Mexico declined severely during the early 20th century but recovered due to public policies centered on sport hunting. Sonora is considered the main reference for mule deer management in Mexico; however, the conservation status of the species in the state remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the relative abundance and population structure of mule deer in Sonora. An aerial survey was conducted from 4 to 24 November 2019 using linear transects distributed across 62 sampling quadrants (30 × 30 km each). Over 82 flight hours, a total of 1376 deer were observed, with a male:female:fawn ratio of 24:100:12. The number of sightings and deer observed per quadrant followed a normal distribution, with averages of five sightings and twenty-two deer per sampling unit. The quadrants with the lowest abundance corresponded to areas containing towns and agricultural fields, whereas the areas with the highest deer numbers coincided with those containing a high concentration of Wildlife Conservation Management Units, where habitat improvement actions were implemented. The results falls within the limits of a stable population of desert mule deer; however, the low proportion of fawns suggests that limiting factors may be exerting pressure on the population. These findings highlight the importance of continued habitat management and monitoring to promote population stability and support recruitment in Sonoran mule deer populations. Full article

Baseline plasma ACTH concentrations are frequently utilized as part of the diagnostic evaluation of equids when PPID is suspected. Baseline ACTH can be impacted by many factors including time of year, i.e., ACTH has generally been found to be elevated during late summer through early autumn in the northern hemisphere. An understanding of ACTH concentrations in healthy equids over the course of a year is useful for the proper interpretation of concentrations in PPID-suspect animals. Previous studies assessing ACTH concentrations in healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) and hybrids (E. asinus × E. caballus) are limited, often utilizing very small numbers, equids from specific and limited geographical regions, limited timeframes or unspecified donkey types (miniature, standard, or mammoth). We aimed to characterize the seasonal variation in baseline ACTH concentrations in healthy miniature donkeys, standard donkeys and hybrids in the United States (US) and to compare those concentrations across these groups. Following outlier removal, 19 standard donkeys (from California (CA), Massachusetts (MA), New York (NY)), 14 miniature donkeys (CA and NY), and 28 hybrids (Texas (TX) and NY) were utilized for analysis. Samples were collected from each equid twice per month from June to November 2019 and once per month from December 2019 through May 2020. The mean ACTH concentration of all equids was higher from mid-August through the end of October compared to the rest of the year (being the highest in the second half of September with the mean (standard deviation) values of 109.6 (52.6), 134.6 (67.4), and 100.8 (189.6) in standard donkeys, miniature donkeys, and hybrids, respectively). Additionally, ACTH concentrations in hybrids were 23% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 4–38%) and 51% (95% CI: 36–63%) lower than in standard and miniature donkeys, respectively, from mid-August through October. During the rest of the year, hybrids similarly showed 31% (95% CI: 16–43%) and 30% (95% CI: 15–42%) lower ACTH concentrations compared with standard and miniature donkeys, respectively. Full article

Ruminant herbivores interact dynamically with their food resources, especially in deserts, where plant availability fluctuates sharply across seasons. We evaluated how seasonal food availability and the nutritional traits of preferred plants shape the diet and macronutrient niche of a desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) population in the buffer zone of the Médanos de Samalayuca protected area, northern Mexico. From 2021 to 2022 we quantified seasonal food plant availability and characterized mule deer diet using microhistological fecal analysis and the nutrient content by right-angled mixture triangles. Mule deer diets were consistently low in diversity and dominated by grass, but preferred species shifted seasonally among shrubs, succulents, and grasses. Deer strongly selected some plant species that were scarce in the landscape, particularly during the cold-dry season. Preferred plants generally had high carbohydrate and variable protein contents, with the highest protein proportions in the temperate-dry season. Mixture triangles showed a narrow, carbohydrate-biased macronutrient niche, with the broadest range of nutrient mixtures in the temperate-dry season. Overall, our results support an opportunistic foraging strategy in which mule deer consume what is seasonally available while selectively using key plant species to maintain a relatively constant nutritional balance under limited and variable food resources. Full article

Working equids are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to strenuous labor, repetitive tasks, and harsh environmental conditions. This retrospective study describes the distribution of radiographically detected musculoskeletal findings in working equids presented to four Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) centers in Morocco, based on 498 animals and 1125 radiographs collected between 2015 and 2022. The study population was mainly composed of horses (78.1%), followed by donkeys (15.3%) and mules (6.6%). Most were males (65.7%), and the majority were between 5 and 15 years old (60.4%). The distal limb (foot, pastern, and fetlock) was the most frequently examined region (62.7%). Among the animals reviewed, 381 (76.5%) exhibited at least one radiographically detected abnormality, while 117 (23.5%) showed no visible osseous change. The most frequent findings included foot-related changes (36.2%), defined as non-fracture podiatric abnormalities, fractures (29.7%), and periosteal new bone formation (22%). Less frequent findings were degenerative joint disease (8.1%), joint subluxation or luxation (1.6%), epiphyseal abnormalities (1.6%), and angular deformities (0.8%). These results provide an overview of radiographically detected osseous changes in working equids under field conditions. They highlight the diagnostic value of radiography in low-resource environments and provide a basis for future field-based studies. Full article

Tick-borne diseases (TBD) pose a significant threat to both animal and public health, particularly in tropical regions. In the Colombian Caribbean region, there is limited knowledge of the epidemiology of TBD in domestic animals and their vectors. In this study, conducted in northern Colombia from 2021 to 2022, we analyzed the molecular diversity of Anaplasmataceae in a total of 1156 ticks and blood samples collected from their infested hosts: 56 cattle and 17 equids (horses and mules). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed, using primers to amplify the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene for tick identification and bacterial 16S and 23S rRNA to detect Anaplasmataceae. The amplified products were sequenced and analyzed for molecular characterization of species. Four tick species were identified: Dermacentor nitens (55.6%), Rhipicephalus microplus (43.0%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (0.7%), and Amblyomma patinoi (0.7%). Overall, 9.4% of the pooled tick samples were identified as R. microplus, and 64.4% of the blood samples tested positive for Anaplasmataceae. Molecular analyses identified Anaplasma marginale in cattle and several species in ticks, including an Anaplasma sp. closely related to A. platys-like, Ehrlichia ruminantium, and E. muris and Ehrlichia variants closely related to Candidatus E. rustica, E. canis, and E. minasensis. The results indicate high infection rates and the circulation of both well-known and potentially novel Anaplasmataceae species, suggesting complex transmission dynamics among ticks and hosts. Full article

Steep olive orchards in northwest Syria are experiencing severe land degradation as a result of unsustainable uphill–downhill tillage, which accelerates erosion and reduces productivity. To address this problem, three tillage systems, no-till natural vegetation strips (NVSs), contour tillage, and uphill–downhill tillage, were evaluated at two research sites, Yakhour and Tel-Hadya, NW Syria. The adoption of no-till NVSs significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) at both sites, outperforming uphill–downhill tillage. While contour tillage resulted in lower SOM levels than NVSs, it still performed better than the conventional uphill–downhill practice. Contour soil flux (CSF) was lower in Yakhour, where mule-drawn tillage on steep slopes (31–35%) was practiced, compared to higher CSF values in Tel-Hadya, where tractor tillage was applied on gentler slopes (11–13%), which highlights the influence of slope steepness on soil fluxes. Over four years, net soil flux (NSF) indicated greater soil loss under tractor tillage, confirming that mule-drawn tillage is less disruptive. Olive trees with no-till NVSs benefited from protected root systems, improved soil structure through SOM accumulation, reduced erosion risk, and improved surface runoff buffering, which resulted in increased water infiltration and soil water retention. This study was carried out using a participatory technology development (PTD) framework, which guided the entire research process, from diagnosing problems to co-designing, field testing, and refining soil conservation practices. In Yakhour, farmers actively identified the challenges of degradation. They collaboratively chose no-till natural vegetation strips (NVSs) and contour tillage as key interventions, valuing NVSs for their ability to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and pests, and increase olive productivity. The farmer–scientist co-learning network positioned PTD not only as an outreach tool but also as a core research method, enabling locally relevant and scalable strategies to restore soil functions and combat land degradation in northwest Syria’s hilly olive orchards. Full article

Background: Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a notifiable disease caused by Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV), with major sanitary and economic importance for equids worldwide. There is limited and outdated information on the circulation of EIAV in many European countries. In the present study, we aimed to assess virus exposure in different equid species in Western Europe. Methods: Between 2011 and 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of EIAV in 1676 equids (1444 horses, 106 donkeys and 126 mules/hinnies) from four European regions: Andalusia (Southern Spain; n = 808), Catalonia (Northeastern Spain; n = 437), Southeastern United Kingdom (UK; n = 209), and Ireland (n = 222). Results: None of the analyzed equines tested positive for antibodies against EIAV (0%; 95 %CI: 0.0–0.18), indicating limited virus exposure of the equid populations from these European regions. Conclusions: This finding is consistent with the low EIAV circulation previously reported in Western Europe and the few official EIA outbreaks recorded in the region during the last decade. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this serosurvey represents the first investigation assessing EIAV exposure in equids from Ireland and the UK. Our results not only provide novel epidemiological evidence for the four European regions assessed but also reinforce the effectiveness of surveillance strategies and control measures implemented by European countries, in accordance with national and international regulations, to successfully limit EIAV circulation. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the temporal dynamics of physiological and gut microbial responses in Mule ducks (M-D) during force-feeding (F-F), with the goal of identifying potential regulatory targets to reduce feeding stress. Male M-Ds were subjected to either F-F or ad libitum feeding. We conducted longitudinal analysis at 72, 78, and 84 days of age to assess growth performance, serum biochemical profiles, and intestinal inflammatory markers, while assessing gut microbiota composition through 16S rDNA sequencing. The F-F group exhibited superior growth performance. Initial physiological responses at day 72 included significantly reduced serum corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and jejunal tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF−α). Conversely, F-F induced a persistent and profound alteration in the gut microbiome by day 84, characterized by reduced alpha diversity and a significant enrichment of the genus Limosilactobacillus. Correlation analysis identified Limosilactobacillus as a keystone taxon, strongly associated with intestinal metabolites. Our findings demonstrate that M-Ds undergo time-dependent metabolic and immunological adaptations in response to F-F stress, which correlates with distinct alterations in gut microbiota composition, particularly the enrichment of Limosilactobacillus. These findings provide a theoretical basis for developing microbiota-targeted strategies to alleviate F-F stress in foie gras production. Full article

This study develops an incompressible two-phase flow solver based on the open-source OpenFOAM platform, employing the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method to track the gas–liquid interface and utilizing the MULES algorithm to suppress numerical diffusion. This study provides a comprehensive investigation of the spreading dynamics of droplet pairs near walls, along with the presentation of a corresponding mathematical model. The numerical model is validated through a two-dimensional axisymmetric computational domain, demonstrating grid independence and confirming its reliability by comparing simulation results with experimental data in predicting drConfirmedoplet collision, spreading, and deformation dynamics. The study particularly investigates the influence of surface wettability on droplet impact dynamics, revealing that increased contact angle enhances droplet retraction height, leading to complete rebound on superhydrophobic surfaces. Finally, a mathematical model is presented to describe the relationship between spreading length, contact angle, and Weber number, and the study proves its accuracy. Analysis under logarithmic coordinates reveals that the contact angle exerts a significant influence on spreading length, while a constant contact angle condition yields a slight monotonic increase in spreading length with the Weber number. These findings provide an effective numerical and mathematical tool for analyzing the spreading dynamics of droplet pairs. Full article