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The role of phenotypic plasticity during colonization remains unclear due to the shifting importance of plasticity across timescales. In the early stages of colonization, plasticity can facilitate persistence in a novel environment; but over evolutionary time, processes such as genetic assimilation may reduce variation in plastic traits such that species with a longer evolutionary history in an environment can show lower levels of plasticity than recent invaders. Therefore, comparing species in the early stages of colonization to long‐established species provides a powerful approach for uncovering the role of phenotypic plasticity during different stages of colonization. We compared gene expression between low‐dissolved oxygen (DO) and high‐DO populations of two cyprinid fish: Enteromius apleurogramma, a species that has undergone a recent range expansion, and E. neumayeri, a long‐established native species in the same region. We sampled tissue either immediately after capture from the field or after a 2‐week acclimation under high‐DO conditions, allowing us to test for both evolved and plastic differences in low‐DO vs high‐DO populations of each species. We found that most genes showing candidate‐evolved differences in gene expression did not overlap with those showing plastic differences in gene expression. However, in the genes that did overlap, there was counter‐gradient variation such that plastic and evolved gene expression responses were in opposite directions in both species. Additionally, E. apleurogramma had higher levels of plasticity and evolved divergence in gene expression between field populations. We suggest that the higher level of plasticity and counter‐gradient variation may have allowed rapid genetic adaptation in E. apleurogramma and facilitated colonization. This study shows how counter‐gradient variation may impact the colonization of divergent oxygen environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During research conducted in 2019 regarding pelvic shape in population groups and its effects on successful delivery, one of the individuals studied was a Late Dynastic/Coptic Egyptian female mummy approximately 14–17 years old (USNM catalogue number 258601). She had an associated fetus that was wrapped and placed between her legs during mummification (USNM 258602). In 1908, the mother and child were excavated and autopsied for analysis. Field notes from 1908 said she had died from obstetric complications. For our 2019 study, the mummy was CT scanned to acquire the measurements of her pelvis and determine if cephalopelvic disproportion played a role in her death. While examining the CT images, elements of what was believed to be the fetus were identified in the mother. However, there were repetitions of elements, and a second fetus was discovered in the chest cavity of the mummy. The mother was carrying twins. For this study, re‐scanning by CT and plain film radiography of the torso were performed on the mother as well as plain film radiography on the external fetus. Additionally, records and photographs from the 1908 expedition were reviewed to gather additional information on the mummy. Results note this mummy was pregnant with twins and in the middle of the birthing process at the time of her death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored how range expansion of freshwater fishes coincident with climate warming is affected by, and then in turn affects, responses to a second environmental gradient; dissolved oxygen. Traits related to hypoxia tolerance, specifically various metrics of gill size and geometric morphometric proxies of gill size were quantified for a range-expanding cyprinid fish (Enteromius apleurogramma) in both its historical and novel ranges in the Mpanga River drainage of Uganda, East Africa. We found that E. apleurogramma followed patterns previously established in the congener E. neumayeri. Gill filament length and some other metrics were strongly divergent in long-established populations of both E. apleurogramma and E. neumayeri , with larger gills in hypoxic populations compared to normoxic ones. Range-expanding populations were intermediate to the two long-established populations, but divergent between themselves. Other gill traits such as filament number were weakly or not divergent. Furthermore, we show that grosser morphological traits such as opercular area can be successfully used as a proxy for gill size, both by direct measurement as well as using geometric morphometric techniques. Finally, we show that both parapatric conspecific populations and sympatric heterospecific populations can be used as reference points to approximate the 'target' of adaptation to hypoxic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor mental health is a global concern and is exacerbated by recent challenges concerning COVID-19 and the climate emergency, with significant consequences to individuals and to society. Increasing evidence demonstrates that nature-based approaches (NBAs) have numerous benefits to mental health services and the people they support with mental health needs. Despite these benefits, understanding how to integrate these approaches into practice is challenging. In this paper, we report our findings from a recent qualitative study with staff from a CAMHS inpatient unit who had recently undergone NatureWell Facilitator training. This is a particular approach to working with people in nature developed by The Natural Academy. Participants identified the importance of implementation of discreet, novel NBAs, as well as integrating nature into current practice, the benefits when fostering psychologically safe and therapeutic relationships with staff, and the clinical and operational factors when carrying out NBAs in these settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Extended Parallel Process Model posits that fear-appeal messages are processed only when message recipients perceive a critical level of threat. The more recent Terror Management Health Model suggests that, in addition to level of perceived threat, the nature of the threat also influences how target audiences process fear appeals. Specifically, fear appeals that utilize the threat of death as a consequence trigger both conscious and nonconscious responses that influence message recipients' health-related decisions. Accounting for the influence of consciousness of death helps explain maladaptive responses that extant theory has been unable to explain. Results from an experiment indicate that, when the level of perceived fear was the same across participants, the Extended Parallel Process Model successfully predicted persuasive outcomes for fear appeals that utilized the threat of arrest or serious injury as a consequence of noncompliance. However, for fear appeals that utilized the threat of death as a consequence of noncompliance, as predicted by the Terror Management Health Model, ego involvement in the health-related behavior predicted persuasive outcomes more accurately than the dual fear control and danger control processes. These findings suggest that incorporating consciousness of death and ego involvement can avoid conceptual problems with the level-of-fear construct, provide a meaningful way to predict fear-appeal responses across target audiences, and explain maladaptive responses that have eluded the explanations of extant fear-appeal theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a quantitative literature review of genetic diversity (GD) within and among populations in relation to categorical population size and isolation (together referred to as "insularity"). Using populations from within the same studies, we were able to control for between‐study variation in methodology, as well as demographic and life histories of focal species. Contrary to typical expectations, insularity had relatively minor effects on GD within and among populations, which points to the more important role of other factors in shaping evolutionary processes. Such effects of insularity were sometimes seen—particularly in study systems where GD was already high overall. That is, insularity influenced GD in a study system when GD was high even in non‐insular populations of the same study system—suggesting an important role for the "scope" of influences on GD. These conclusions were more robust for within population GD versus among population GD, although several biases might underlie this difference. Overall, our findings indicate that population‐level genetic assumptions need to be tested rather than assumed in nature, particularly for topics underlying current conservation management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the combined macroscopic and statistical evaluation of 427 identified pre‐antibiotic era skeletons from the Terry Collection (Washington, DC, USA) revealed that there is a positive association between tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and four endocranial alteration types, namely, granular impressions (GIs), abnormal blood vessel impressions (ABVIs), periosteal appositions (PAs), and abnormally pronounced digital impressions (APDIs). Although all the four lesion types can be used as diagnostic criteria for TBM in the paleopathological practice, they do not have the same diagnostic value. The first aim of the current paper is to further highlight the diagnostic value of GIs, ABVIs, PAs, and APDIs by calculating and discussing their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity estimate values, as well as their association with each other from the 427 identified pre‐antibiotic era skeletons of the Terry Collection. The second aim is to demonstrate three example cases from the Terry Collection, who exhibit bony changes on the inner skull surface that are representative of the macromorphological appearance and co‐occurrence of GIs, ABVIs, PAs, and APDIs (in different combinations). Based on the generated sensitivity and specificity estimate values, GIs are sufficient enough on their own to make a definitive diagnosis of TBM, whereas ABVIs, PAs, and APDIs are not specific to the disease but can be of tuberculous origin. The χ2 test results regarding the association of ABVIs, PAs, and APDIs revealed that their co‐occurrence with each other (in any possible combination) is significantly more common in individuals who died of TB than in those who died of non‐TB causes—it implies that the chance of them being tuberculous in origin is higher when they simultaneously occur with each other. The three cases demonstrated in detail in the paper provide paleopathologists with a stronger basis for identifying TBM in ancient human remains that reveal endocranial alterations resembling that of the presented cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light activation of the classical light-sensing retinal neurons, the photoreceptors, results in a graded change in membrane potential that ultimately leads to a reduction in neurotransmitter release to the post-synaptic retinal neurons. Photoreceptors show striking powers of adaptation, and for visual processing to function optimally, they must adjust their gain to remain responsive to different levels of ambient light intensity. The presence of a tightly controlled balance of inward and outward currents modulated by several different types of ion channels is what gives photoreceptors their remarkably dynamic operating range. Part of the resetting and modulation of this operating range is controlled by potassium and calcium voltage-gated channels, which are involved in setting the dark resting potential and synapse signal processing, respectively. Their essential contribution to visual processing is further confirmed in patients suffering from cone dystrophy with supernormal rod response (CDSRR) and congenital stationary night blindness type 2 (CSNB2), both conditions that lead to irreversible vision loss. This review will discuss these two types of voltage-gated ion channels present in photoreceptors, focussing on their structure and physiology, and their role in visual processing. It will also discuss the use and benefits of knockout mouse models to further study the function of these channels and what routes to potential treatments could be applied for CDSRR and CSNB2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron carbide (B4C) as finely powdered solid functions has been found to function as an efficient, green, non-toxic, and easily recoverable heterogeneous catalyst system for the Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormally pronounced digital impressions (APDIs) on the endocranial surface develop secondary to a prolonged rise in the intracranial pressure. This can result from a number of pathological conditions, including hydrocephalus due to tuberculous meningitis (TBM). APDIs have been described with relation to TBM not only in the modern medical literature but also in several paleopathological studies. However, APDIs are not pathognomonic for TBM and their diagnostic value for identifying TBM in past human populations has not been evaluated in identified pre-antibiotic era skeletons. To assess the diagnostic value of APDIs for the first time, a macroscopic investigation was performed on skeletons from the Terry Collection (Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA). Our material consisted of 234 skeletons with tuberculosis (TB) as the cause of death (TB group) and 193 skeletons with non-tuberculous (NTB) causes of death (NTB group). The macroscopic examination focused on the stage of the prominence and frequency of APDIs in the TB group and NTB group. To determine the significance of difference (if any) in the frequency of APDIs between the two groups, χ2 testing of our data was conducted. We found that APDIs were twice as common in the TB group than in the NTB group. The χ2 comparison of the frequencies of APDIs revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. In addition, APDIs with more pronounced stages were recorded more frequently in the TB group. Our results indicate that APDIs can be considered as diagnostic criteria for TBM in the paleopathological practice. With suitable circumspection, their utilization provides paleopathologists with a stronger basis for identifying TB and consequently, with a more sensitive means of assessing TB frequency in past human populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measures of vascular tortuosity—how curved and twisted a vessel is—are associated with a variety of vascular diseases. Consequently, measurements of vessel tortuosity that are accurate and comparable across modality, resolution, and size are greatly needed. Yet in practice, precise and consistent measurements are problematic—mismeasurements, inability to calculate, or contradictory and inconsistent measurements occur within and across studies. Here, we present a new method of measuring vessel tortuosity that ensures improved accuracy. Our method relies on numerical integration of the Frenet-Serret equations. By reconstructing the three-dimensional vessel coordinates from tortuosity measurements, we explain how to identify and use a minimally-sufficient sampling rate based on vessel radius while avoiding errors associated with oversampling and overfitting. Our work identifies a key failing in current practices of filtering asymptotic measurements and highlights inconsistencies and redundancies between existing tortuosity metrics. We demonstrate our method by applying it to manually constructed vessel phantoms with known measures of tortuousity, and 9,000 vessels from medical image data spanning human cerebral, coronary, and pulmonary vascular trees, and the carotid, abdominal, renal, and iliac arteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammatory skin disorders are frequently associated with impaired skin barrier function. Selective phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibition constitutes an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. We now report the pharmacological anti-inflammatory profile of DRM02, a novel pyrazolylbenzothiazole derivative with selective in vitro inhibitory activity toward PDE4 isoforms A, B and D. DRM02 treatment of cultured primary human and mouse epidermal keratinocytes interfered with pro-inflammatory cytokine production elicited by interleukin-1α and tumor necrosis factor-α. Similarly, DRM02 inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells ex vivo and cultured THP-1 monocyte-like cells, with IC50 values of 0.6–14 µM. These anti-inflammatory properties of DRM02 were associated with dose-dependent repression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity. In skin inflammation in vivo mouse models, topically applied DRM02 inhibited the acute response to phorbol ester and induced Th2-type contact hypersensitivity reactivity. Further, DRM02 also decreased cutaneous clinical changes and expression of Th17 immune pathway cytokines in a mouse model of psoriasis evoked by repeated topical imiquimod application. Thus, the overall pharmacological profiling of the PDE4 inhibitor DRM02 has revealed its potential as a topical therapy for inflammatory skin disorders and restoration of skin homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calamity of amphibian population declines has preoccupied the thoughts of many amphibian biologists for the past 30 yr. Because amphibians provide multiple essential ecosystem services at all life stages, the threats associated with their decline are likely also to be multiple and interconnected. No single cause has yet explained all amphibian declines; one potential threat after another has been investigated in isolation and found to explain only a piece of a larger puzzle. A more holistic, synergistic approach is needed to understand how, and when, normally tolerated environmental influences might exceed the capacities of amphibian populations to cope either phenotypically or evolutionarily. Ultimately, the factors generally implicated in amphibian declines are all secondary to habitat loss and degradation caused by human activity. Because the roots of this problem are cultural and economic, the solutions do not lie solely within the realm of science but instead require political and societal action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleopathological diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) essentially relies on the identification of macroscopic lesions in the skeleton that can be related to different manifestations of TB. Among these alterations, granular impressions (GIs) on the inner skull surface have been considered as pathognomonic features of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). GIs may be established by pressure atrophy of the tubercles formed on the outermost meningeal layer during later stages of TBM. Although GIs were used as diagnostic criteria for TBM in the paleopathological practice since the late 20th century, their diagnostic value has been questioned. To contribute to strengthening the diagnostic value of GIs, a macroscopic investigation–focusing on the macromorphological characteristics and frequency of GIs–was performed on skeletons of known cause of death from the Terry Collection. The χ2 analysis of our data revealed that GIs were significantly more common in individuals who died of TB than in individuals who died of non-TB causes. Furthermore, GIs were localized on the inner surface of the skull base and of the lower lateral skull vault. The localization pattern and distribution of GIs on the endocranial surface resemble that of the tubercles observed in the affected meninges during the pathogenesis of TBM. Our results strengthen the tuberculous origin of GIs and imply that they can be considered as specific signs of TBM. Therefore, GIs can be used as diagnostic criteria for TBM in the paleopathological practice, and the diagnosis of TBM can be established with a high certainty when GIs are present in ancient human bone remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstruction of white matter connectivity in the fetal brain from in utero diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) faces many challenges, including subject motion, small anatomical scale, and limited image resolution and signal. These issues are compounded by the need to track significant changes in structural connectivity throughout development. We present an automated method for improved reliability and completeness of tract extraction across a wide range of gestational ages, based on the geometry of coherent patterns in streamline tractography, and apply it to the reconstruction of the corpus callosum. This method, focused specifically at addressing the challenges of fetal brain imaging, avoids depending on a tractography atlas, and handles variations in size, shape, and tissue properties of developing brains, both between subjects and across ages. Although tractography from in utero MRI generally suffers from a significant number of misleading and missing pathways, we demonstrate the feasibility of extracting the coherent bundle of the corpus callosum while avoiding inappropriate diversions into other tracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents some of the more commonly encountered non-metric traits and minor anatomical variants in the adult human skeleton that can mimic or be mistaken for trauma. Distinguishing non-metric traits is contingent upon both a knowledge of potential non-metric traits as well as the normal developmental timing, location, and anatomy of maturational markers in the human skeleton. Distinguishing non-metric traits from trauma in dry bone is an essential component in establishing an accurate and thorough forensic analysis of human remains, especially as it deals with antemortem and perimortem trauma, and postmortem damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To develop a rodent model of persistent non‐inflammatory bladder pain and to test macrophage migration inhibitory factor and high mobility box group 1 as mediators of bladder pain. Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice received intravesical instillations of protease activated receptor 4 (100 μmol/L, for 1 h) three times every other day and abdominal mechanical hypersensitivity (50% mechanical threshold) was tested on day 0 (baseline), and at days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 after the first protease‐activated receptor 4 injection. At the end of the experiment, micturition changes were measured and bladders were examined for histological changes. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor antagonist (MIF098; 40 mg/kg i.p. b.i.d.) or high mobility group box 1 inhibitor (glycyrrhizin; 50 mg/kg i.p. daily) was administered from day 2 until day 8. Results: There was a significant and persistent decrease in abdominal mechanical threshold starting from day 3 in the protease‐activated receptor 4‐treated group that persisted until day 9 (5 days post‐last instillation), but not in the control group. Glycyrrhizin fully reversed while MIF098 partially reversed abdominal mechanical hypersensitivity in protease‐activated receptor 4‐treated mice. The changes started on day 3 after the first protease‐activated receptor 4 instillation, and analgesic effects lasted throughout the rest of the testing period. None of the groups had significant micturition changes or overt bladder histological changes. Conclusions: Repeated intravesical protease activated receptor 4 instillations produce persistent bladder pain without inflammation. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and high mobility group box 1 are possible effective target molecules for bladder pain alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The depth of research regarding the connections between social media, individual wellbeing, and relationship conduct is growing with each passing year. As a new medium that provides connection with others and offers the ability to represent oneself, social media can provide simple, easily digested modes of understanding to individuals and groups. However, both Internet “trolls” and extremist groups have successfully spread fear, anger, and misinformation among those who seek answers online. They do so by creating content that looks trustworthy and is easily shared, encouraging emotional tumult, and in some cases, advocating for violence. Counselors need to add their voices and knowledge to the broader discussion of these dynamics and how they impact the clients they encounter in their communities. In this article, the authors aggregate research from various fields in order to promote counselor attention to these matters, encourage social action and advocacy among counselors, and provide early recommendations which counselors can incorporate into their practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: early career researchers; next generation scientists; plant biology; plant science; plant science career Early career researchers, next generation scientists, plant biology, plant science, plant science career. [Extracted from the article]

Eye movements are impaired by Parkinson’s disease (PD) although limited research has explored if PD affects the relevance of visual fixations when walking. Visual fixations may provide crucial contextual information for safe navigation and important insights into fall risk. This study aimed to: investigate visual fixations made while walking under a range of conditions in PD; identify their task relevance; and explore their relationship with clinical features. Thirty-eight people with mild-moderate PD and forty age-matched control participants completed a straight walk with (i) no additional stimuli and (ii) with additional stimuli (visual cues or a high contrast obstacle), whilst wearing a mobile eye-tracker. Fixations were extracted and classified by location and relevance. PD participants made proportionally fewer task-relevant fixations (floor, walls and additional stimuli ahead), caused by significantly more task-irrelevant fixations (floor, walls and ceiling away from waking path) during normal walking ( p  = 0.014). These group differences were not apparent with visual cues ( p  = 0.359). During obstacle crossing trials, PD made significantly more task-relevant fixations than controls ( p  = 0.007). Reduced bilateral visual acuity was associated with fewer fixations in PD. Our findings suggest that people with PD visually explore complex environments less efficiently likely owing to underlying PD pathology. Visual exploration improved with the addition of salient stimuli (for example visual cues or an obstacle) and thus developing and optimising visual interventions could prove critical to improving locomotor safety and reducing falls risk in home environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the molecular phylogeny of the proteins underlying the activation steps of vertebrate phototransduction, for both agnathan and jawed vertebrate taxa. We expand the number of taxa analysed and we update the alignment and tree building methodology from a previous analysis. For each of the four primary components (the G-protein transducin alpha subunit, Gα T , the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, PDE6, and the alpha and beta subunits of the cGMP-gated ion channel, CNGC), the phylogenies appear consistent with expansion from an ancestral proto-vertebrate cascade during two rounds of whole-genome duplication followed by divergence of the agnathan and jawed vertebrate lineages. In each case, we consider possible scenarios for the underlying gene duplications and losses, and we apply relevant constraints to the tree construction. From tests of the topology of the resulting trees, we obtain a scenario for the expansion of each component during 2R that accurately fits the observations. Similar analysis of the visual opsins indicates that the only expansion to have occurred during 2R was the formation of Rh1 and Rh2. Finally, we propose a hypothetical scenario for the conversion of an ancestral chordate cascade into the proto-vertebrate phototransduction cascade, prior to whole-genome duplication. Together, our models provide a plausible account for the origin and expansion of the vertebrate phototransduction cascade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioenergetic resources and states have been found to influence visual perception, with greater expected energy expenditure being associated with perceptions of greater distances and steeper slopes. Here we tested whether resting metabolic rate (RMR), which can serve as a proxy for the bioenergetic costs of completing physical activity, is positively correlated with perceived distance. We also tested whether temporarily depleting bioenergetic resources through exercise would result in greater perceived distance. Eighty-two members of the public were recruited at a beach in Weston-super-Mare, UK. Half completed moderate exercise and half acted as controls. They then estimated distance to a set point. Results showed that RMR (computed using a recognized equation) was positively correlated with distance perception, meaning that participants requiring greater energy to traverse a set distance perceived the set point as farther away. In addition, those participants who had their bioenergetic resources temporarily depleted through exercise perceived the set distance as greater, compared to controls. There was no interaction effect between RMR and exercise. To our knowledge, these results are the first to show a relationship between metabolic rate and distance perception, and they contribute to the literature on embodied perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mounting evidence indicates that animals, including humans, have evolved a behavioral disease-avoidance system designed to facilitate the detection and avoidance of sources of pathogens, and that this system interacts with physiological defenses. The skin acts as an important anatomical barrier, yet little research has investigated the role of tactile sensitivity in disease avoidance. Increased tactile sensitivity in the presence of potential sources of pathogens may facilitate prophylactic behaviors such as self-grooming. Across multiple studies, we tested the hypothesis that the induction of disgust—the key emotion underlying disease avoidance—may lead to greater tactile sensitivity compared to control conditions. A nonsignificant trend was found in a pilot study, which was replicated (and found to be significant) in Studies 1 and 2. To our knowledge, these results are the first to demonstrate disgust-induced changes in tactile sensitivity, and they contribute to the growing literature on the integrated evolved defenses against infectious disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain gauges were attached to both faces of 10 mm thick Poplar wood panels before applying a traditional gesso-based ground layer and varnish on only one face. The application and setting of the ground layer left high strains on both faces of the wood panels. Later measurements, followed by geometrical calculations, showed that for step-humidity changes the strains in the outer surface of the gesso ground layers were small. These results were followed by numerical calculations to indicate the behaviour of thicker panels and with different stiffnesses. These indicated that the strain levels in the ground layer are strongly dependent on the ratio of the thicknesses of the ground layer to the wood, and also weakly dependent on their stiffness ratios. Further calculations showed that the prevention of cupping by mechanical restraint can increase by many times the strains in the ground layer surface, but this also is dependent on the panel thickness. In this paper, the authors have tried to provide some background information about the strains that can result either from moisture changes or from external restraints; to help the conservators make a decision in any specific case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern models that derive allometric relationships between metabolic rate and body mass are based on the architectural design of the cardiovascular system and presume sibling vessels are symmetric in terms of radius, length, flow rate, and pressure. Here, we study the cardiovascular structure of the human head and torso and of a mouse lung based on three-dimensional images processed via our software Angicart. In contrast to modern allometric theories, we find systematic patterns of asymmetry in vascular branching, potentially explaining previously documented mismatches between predictions (power-law or concave curvature) and observed empirical data (convex curvature) for the allometric scaling of metabolic rate. To examine why these systematic asymmetries in vascular branching might arise, we construct a mathematical framework to derive predictions based on local, junction-level optimality principles that have been proposed to be favored in the course of natural selection and development. The two most commonly used principles are material-cost optimizations (construction materials or blood volume) and optimization of efficient flow via minimization of power loss. We show that material-cost optimization solutions match with distributions for asymmetric branching across the whole network but do not match well for individual junctions. Consequently, we also explore random branching that is constrained at scales that range from local (junction-level) to global (whole network). We find that material-cost optimizations are the strongest predictor of vascular branching in the human head and torso, whereas locally or intermediately constrained random branching is comparable to material-cost optimizations for the mouse lung. These differences could be attributable to developmentally-programmed local branching for larger vessels and constrained random branching for smaller vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Mekong Delta province of My Tho, village populations paid attention to print and electronic media controlled by the Government of Vietnam in Saigon and by the National Liberation Front during the early 1960s. They also relied for news on rumours and on information circulating on the grapevine. At first, NLF militants benefited from their dialogue with an ascendant rural public. But after 1965 mounting violence complicated Front efforts to stay in touch with its mass base, and the grapevine assumed an even greater importance for people in the countryside. On the eve of the Tet Offensive of 1968, the choices made by rural dwellers helped to determine the course of the Second Indochina War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study compares humeral diaphyseal robusticity and asymmetry between Late Holocene hunter‐gatherers from Alaska with the goal of reconstructing habitual activity in relation to culture and environment. Materials and Methods: Ancestral remains from four geographic regions of Alaska were divided into five site groups defined by subsistence strategies and technology: Aleutian Islands, Coastal Bay, Far North Coastal, Inland/Riverine, and Tikeraq. Mid‐distal humeral diaphyseal robusticity was quantified using cross‐sectional geometric properties standardized by estimated body mass and bone length. Results: Humeral strength and bilateral asymmetry were greatest in Aleutian Island males, moderate in Far North Coastal and Tikeraq males, and reduced in Inland/Riverine males. Left‐biased directional asymmetry and reduced humeral strength were found in Coastal Bay males. Aleutian Island males had relatively mediolaterally strengthened humeri compared with other groups. Aleutian Island females had elevated humeral strength, while humeral asymmetry among females was moderate and did not vary between groups. Humeri were relatively round among Aleutian Island and Tikeraq females and anteroposteriorly (A‐P) strengthened among Coastal Bay, Far North Coastal, and Inland/Riverine females. Conclusions: These results suggest elevated humeral strength and asymmetry in males that engaged in rowing and unimanual projectile hunting, while reduced humeral strength and asymmetry may reflect bow‐and‐arrow or ensnarement technologies. Left‐biased humeral asymmetry may be associated with net‐fishing. Humeral strength and asymmetry are consistent with select instances of unimanual projectile hunting in females, while differences in humeral A‐P/mediolateral strength may reflect variation in butchery and processing of prey versus rowing and throwing behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of N-alkyl-N′-CBZ amino acid amides under microwave conditions in water and in the presence of an acid catalyst results in the formation of N-substituted imidazolidine-2,4-diones in good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical approaches to stigmatization have highlighted distinct psychological mechanisms underlying distinct instances of stigmatization. Some stigmas are based on inferences of substandard psychological character (e.g., individuals deemed untrustworthy), whereas others are based on perceptions of substandard physical appearance (e.g., individuals with physical deformities). These inferences and perceptions are associated with specific cognitive and motivational processes, which have implications for understanding specific instances of stigmatization. Recent theoretical approaches and empirical findings suggest that obesity stigma involves both inferences of substandard psychological character and perceptions of substandard physical appearance. We provide a review of the relevant evidence and discuss directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional information on Rhigonema brevicollum, the type of the genus Rhigonema, and on Heth juli, the type of the genus Heth, is presented based on original, hitherto unpublished, descriptions held in the Cobb Archive at the USDA, Beltsville, MD, USA. Both species were originally published as small annotated illustrations in a general work, although the promised full descriptions were never published by Cobb. The genus Rhigonema is shown to be based on a species lacking a vaginal diverticulum in the female genital system, but having a long, Type 2, ovejector. The genus Dudekemia, originally differentiated from Rhigonema on an assumed (and erroneous) difference in female genital tract form, is confirmed as a junior synonym of Rhigonema. A full description of both sexes of Heth juli is also provided, again based on Cobb's original notes, thereby defining the type species with greater precision than was previously possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are classically known as coincidence detectors for the induction of long-term synaptic plasticity and have been implicated in hippocampal CA3 cell-dependent spatial memory functions that likely rely on dynamic cellular ensemble encoding of space. The unique functional properties of both NMDARs and mossy fiber projections to CA3 pyramidal cells place mossy fiber NMDARs in a prime position to influence CA3 ensemble dynamics. By mimicking presynaptic and postsynaptic activity patterns observed in vivo, we found a burst timing-dependent pattern of activity that triggered bidirectional long-term NMDAR plasticity at mossy fiber-CA3 synapses in rat hippocampal slices. This form of plasticity imparts bimodal control of mossy fiber-driven CA3 burst firing and spike temporal fidelity. Moreover, we found that mossy fiber NMDARs mediate heterosynaptic metaplasticity between mossy fiber and associational-commissural synapses. Thus, bidirectional NMDAR plasticity at mossy fiber-CA3 synapses could substantially contribute to the formation, storage and recall of CA3 cell assembly patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frankfurt cases are purported counterexamples to the Principle of Alternative Possibilities, which implies that we are not morally responsible for unavoidable actions. A major permutation of the counterexample strategy features buffered alternatives; this permutation is designed to overcome an influential defense of the Principle of Alternative Possibilities. Here we defend the buffering strategy against two recent objections, both of which stress the timing of an agent's decision. We argue that attributions of moral responsibility aren't time-sensitive in the way the objectors suppose. We then turn to the crucial question of when an action is relevantly avoidable-when, in the parlance of the literature, an alternative possibility is robust. We call attention to two plausible tests for robustness that merit further consideration, showing that the agents in buffered Frankfurt cases don't pass these tests, despite being morally responsible for their actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay is presented that reviews two books on the First Indochina War that focuses on the relation of the Viet Minh nationalist movement in Vietnam to China and the Soviet Union. The books "Vietnam: un état né de la guerre, 1945-1954," by Christopher Goscha, and "Embers of War: The Fall of an Empire and the Making of America's Vietnam," by Fredrik Logevall, are reviewed.

Linearized Einstein gravity (with possibly non-zero cosmological constant) is quantized in the framework of algebraic quantum field theory by analogy with Dimock's treatment of electromagnetism [Rev. Math. Phys. 4 (1992) 223-233]. To achieve this, the classical theory is developed in a full, rigorous and systematic fashion, with particular attention given to the circumstances under which the symplectic product is weakly non-degenerate and to the related question of whether the space of solutions is separated by the classical observables on which the quantum theory is modeled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The seven age-classes of Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) larvae evaluated in this study as hosts of Campoletis sonorensis indicates that early 2nd larval instar (3–5day-old larvae) of T. ni represents the most suitable host stage for the development of the larval endoparasitoid C. sonorensis. The higher suitability of early 2nd larval instar of T. ni resulted in more parasitised larvae, a higher rate of successful parasitoid emergence, a higher rate of female progeny, and a lower rate of immature parasitoid mortality. The fitness gain of C. sonorensis on late 1st larval instar (2day-old larvae) and late 2nd larval instar –early 3rd instars (6–8day-old larvae) stages of T. ni is negatively affected by the trade-offs between the different physiological and behavioral characteristics influencing their suitability as hosts of C. sonorensis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The fecundity and life table parameters of Campoletis sonorensis females were measured using thirty 4-day-old Trichoplusia ni larvae daily at 24°C, 60% RH and a photoperiod of 12 h L:12 h D. The mean longevity was 34.5±2.8 days, the mean oviposition period was 22.7±1.9 days, and the mean constant oviposition period and the mean post-oviposition period were 15.9±1.3 and 11.9±2.2 days, respectively. The mean realised fecundity and the mean fertility differed significantly at 66.9±7.8 and 60.4±7.8 parasitoids per female, respectively. The mean sex ratio for the mean oviposition period (23 days) was 0.13±0.07, indicating a highly female biased ratio. The life table parameters were: intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m), 0.135 female/day; gross reproductive rate (GRR), 50.30; net reproductive rate (R o), 49.96; finite capacity for increase (λ), 1.14 female/day; mean generation time (T), 28.97 days; doubling time (DT), 5.13; capacity for increase (r c), 0.33; and cohort generation time (T c), 11.69. Campoletis sonorensis may be a suitable candidate for a biocontrol program of T. ni populations mostly because the primary selection criterion, rm , obtained for this parasitoid can be similar to or larger than the rate obtained for T. ni. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Natalizumab reduces relapse frequency, delays onset of disease progression and improves disease outcomes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and is a cost-effective treatment for rapidly evolving severe relapsing-remitting MS. However, it is associated with the development of progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML), a serious opportunistic brain infection caused by a neurotropic strain of the JC virus (JCV). Until May 2011, 83 300 patients had received natalizumab for MS. One hundred and twenty-four patients had developed PML, of whom 23 (19%) died. In order to maximise the benefit-risk ratio of natalizumab for MS patients it is important to develop a strategy for risk profiling and monitoring for PML. Central to this is an understanding of the biology of the JCV and the emerging clinical picture of natalizumab-associated PML. This paper reviews the evidence for managing the risk of PML in natalizumab-treated patients and the authors propose an algorithm for risk profiling and risk management. Key features of this algorithm include risk stratification based on emerging risk factors, heightened clinical vigilance for the clinical features of natalizumab-associated PML and considerations for temporary and permanent cessation of natalizumab dosing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem cells have been demonstrated to ameliorate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of multiple sclerosis, prompting clinical trials in multiple sclerosis which are currently ongoing. An important question is whether this therapeutic effect generalises to other autoimmune neurological diseases. We performed two trials of efficacy of MSCs in experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) in Lewis (LEW/Han MHsd) rats, a model of human autoimmune inflammatory neuropathies. No differences between the groups were found in clinical, histological or electrophysiological outcome measures. This was despite the ability of mesenchymal stem cells to inhibit proliferation of CD4+ T-cells in vitro. Therefore the efficacy of MSCs observed in autoimmune CNS demyelination models do not necessarily generalise to the treatment of other forms of neurological autoimmunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionotropic glutamate receptors principally mediate fast excitatory transmission in the brain. Among the three classes of ionotropic glutamate receptors, kainate receptors (KARs) have a unique brain distribution, which has been historically defined by 3H-radiolabeled kainate binding. Compared with recombinant KARs expressed in heterologous cells, synaptic KARs exhibit characteristically slow rise-time and decay kinetics. However, the mechanisms responsible for these distinct KAR properties remain unclear. We found that both the high-affinity binding pattern in the mouse brain and the channel properties of native KARs are determined by the KAR auxiliary subunit Neto1. Through modulation of agonist binding affinity and off-kinetics of KARs, but not trafficking of KARs, Neto1 determined both the KAR high-affinity binding pattern and the distinctively slow kinetics of postsynaptic KARs. By regulating KAR excitatory postsynaptic current kinetics, Neto1 can control synaptic temporal summation, spike generation and fidelity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 47-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension and asthma, who was admitted to hospital in April 2009 following an episode of transient loss of consciousness and headache. On the diagnosis, it was found that she had a grade I subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). This case shows and suggests that the cause of spontaneous SAH is not restricted to ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Background. We have previously demonstrated an increased rate of progression of aortic stenosis (AS) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (CKD 5D) compared to controls. We sought to follow prospectively a CKD 5D cohort with AS and determine major event-free survival. Follow-up was terminated once all CKD 5D subjects had undergone aortic valve replacement (AVR) or died. Our aim was to determine whether the increased rate of progression resulted in shorter major event-free (AVR or death) survival as compared to controls.Methods. We re-matched our original CKD 5D cohort (n = 27) to a control cohort (n = 27) based on aortic valve area (AVA) at completion of the prior study. This was done as CKD 5D and AVA were the only statistically significant variables with respect to rate of progression.Results. All the CKD 5D patients (100%) underwent surgery or died during the follow-up period. In contrast, 17 (63%) of the controls underwent surgery or died. Of the remaining 10 controls, nine remain alive and free of AVR and one was lost to follow-up.Conclusion. The controls displayed greater major event-free survival (P = 0.001), suggesting a need to consider patients with CKD 5D and AS for early AVR once echocardiographic evidence of moderate to severe AS is present, regardless of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis regarding the misperception in federal class action law and as well as the emerging trends in Texas. It presents the actual numbers of class actions filed in the state and analyzes how those numbers reflect changes in the law and future. It offers tips on how to successfully litigate a class action. Moreover, the definition of consumer class action is also examined.

Counterinsurgency doctrine emerged in the early 1960s as the Kennedy administration sought a politically progressive alternative to "pacification" campaigns waged by the French against the Vietnamese revolution. But its architects could not come up with a substitute for the conventional military reliance on massive firepower, which brought devastation to the Vietnamese people and failed to crush the "Viet Cong." The Americans were again unsuccessful in transferring legitimacy to their allies in Saigon. After the war, the notion of counterinsurgency was kept alive among military writers. Rechristened as "COIN," it has been given the task of providing cover for further "dirty wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maximum length measurement of the tibia has been found to be variable both in description and implementation. Historically, the literature often excludes the intercondylar eminences from the tibia in metric analysis. This paper explores the quantitative effects of inclusion or exclusion of the eminences on the maximum length measure across ancestral population, age and sex in five human adult populations of American Whites and Blacks, two Native American samples, and East Asians. A Tukey’s post hoc comparison was employed to determine the overall effect of inclusion the intercondylar eminences has on metric assessment of the tibia. Results show no significant effect on comparative analysis of the tibia by age or sex. However, the difference between sample means by ancestry is significant ( p < 0.0001). These results pose interesting questions concerning the morphological differences between ancestral groups. This investigation prompts further study of population variation of the human knee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin-derived precursor cells (SKPs) are a novel population of neural crest-related precursor cells that can be isolated from embryonic and adult skin. SKPs are capable of generating neuronal, glial and mesodermal progeny. Fate mapping and microdissection experiments have demonstrated a neural crest origin of SKPs within defined niches in adult skin. The finding that SKP derivatives such as Schwann cells and neuronal cells have in vitro and in vivo function raises the possibility of SKPs being both an experimental and therapeutic resource for disease modelling and regenerative medicine. This review focuses on the increased understanding of the developmental and anatomical origins of SKPs and the biotechnological potential of these cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]