bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional origins of the vertebrate cerebellum from a sensory processing antecedent
Authors: Montgomery John , Bodznick David
Published: September 2019

The structure of the cerebellar cortex is remarkably similar across vertebrate phylogeny. It is well developed in basal jawed fishes, such as sharks and rays with many of the same cell types and organizational features found in other vertebrate groups, including mammals. In particular, the lattice-like organization of cerebellar cortex (with a molecular layer of parallel fibres, interneurons, spiny Purkinje cell dendrites, and climbing fires) is a common defining characteristic. In addition to the cerebellar cortex, fishes and aquatic amphibians have a variety of cerebellum-like structures in the dorso-lateral wall of the hindbrain. These structures are adjacent to, and in part, contiguous with, the cerebellum. They derive their cerebellum-like name from the presence of a molecular layer of parallel fibers and inhibitory interneurons, which has striking organizational similarities to the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex. However, these structures also have characteristics which differ from the cerebellum. For example, cerebellum-like structures do not have climbing fibres, and they are clearly sensory. They receive direct afferent input from peripheral sensory receptors and relay their outputs to midbrain sensory areas. As a consequence of this close sensory association, and the ability to characterise their signal processing in a behaviourally relevant context, good progress has been made in determining the fundamental processing algorithm in cerebellar-like structures. In particular, we have come to understand the contribution to signal processing made by the molecular layer, which provides an adaptive filter to cancel self-generated noise in electrosensory and lateral line systems. Given the fundamental similarities of the molecular layer across these structures, coupled with evidence that cerebellum-like structures may have been the evolutionary antecedent of the cerebellum, we address the question: do both share the same functional algorithm?
Predator perception of detritus and eggsac decorations spun by orb-web spiders Cyclosa octotuberculata: Do they function to camouflage the spiders?
Authors: GAN Wenjin , Liu Fengxiang , Zhang Zengtao , LI Daiqin
Published: September 2019

Camouflage is one of the most widespread and powerful strategies that animals use to make detection/recognition more difficult. Many orb-web spiders of the genus Cyclosa add prey remains, plant debris, moults, and/or eggsacs to their webs called web decorations. Web decorations resembling spider body colour pattern have been considered to camouflage the spider from predators. While this camouflage is obvious from a human's perspective, it has rarely been investigated from a predator's perspective. In this study, we tested the visibility of web decorations by calculating chromatic and achromatic contrasts of detritus and eggsac decorations built by Cyclosa octotuberculata, against four different backgrounds viewed by both bird (e.g., blue tits) and hymenopteran (e.g. wasps) predators. We showed that both juvenile and adult spiders on webs with detritus or egg-sac decorations were undetectable by both hymenopteran and bird predators over short and long distances. Our results thus suggest that decorating webs with detritus or eggsacs by C. octotuberculata may camouflage the spiders from both hymenopteran and bird predators in their common habitats.
Behavioral interactions between a coexisting rodent Micaelamys namaquensis and macroscelid Elephantulus myurus
Authors: Lancaster Jennifer , Pillay Neville
Published: September 2019

A number of mechanisms are known to influence coexistence in small mammal communities. However, the role of behavioral interactions in promoting species coexistence is under-represented in the literature. We studied the behavioral interactions of two coexisting small mammals, the Namaqua rock mouse Micaelamys namaquensis (Rodentia) and the Rock sengi Elephantulus myurus (Macroscelidae), which have high dietary and microhabitat overlap. Using wild-caught individuals, intra- and interspecific dyadic encounters were staged in tanks on a neutral rocky outcrop. Interspecific dyads displayed significantly more active avoidance behavior. There was no support for the prediction that the larger, more specialist species, E. myurus, is behaviorally dominant over M. namaquensis. Intraspecific encounters of E. myurus showed significantly more passive avoidance and amicable behavior, whereas the behavior of M. namaquensis did not differ between intra- and inter-specific encounters, both of which were characterized by low levels of aggression and amicability. Thus, due to the lack of aggression, direct competition appears weak and instead mutual avoidance may reduce or minimize interspecific interactions, potentially promoting coexistence.
Dietary analysis of Homonota darwini (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in Northern Patagonia
Authors: Kun Marcelo E. , Piantoni Carla , Krenz John D. , Ibargüengoytía Nora R.
Published: September 2019

Our study investigated the diet of the southernmost gecko in the world, Homonota darwini. Fifty-three specimens were captured during spring and summer in four locations in Patagonia, Argentina. The stomach contents of the specimens were identified, and we found that prey consisted of six main groups: Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Homoptera and Araneae, and the adults and larvae of moth Lepidoptera. Lepidoptera was the major dietary component. The presence of ants and moths as common prey suggests an ambush feeding strategy. In spring, females consumed more ants than males although no other dietary differences between males and females were evident. We found nine geckos with empty stomachs and six parasitized by nematodes. Presence of empty stomachs corroborates previous observations of other nocturnal geckos and non-gecko lizards. Reduced foraging success of nocturnal lizards could be due to difficulty in prey detection due to dim light, reduced or erratic activity of insect prey at night, or shorter activity times of geckos relative to diurnal success. Sex and season were not associated with the incidence of empty stomachs. Principal component analysis showed that four food alternatives correlated with season. The constraint of nocturnality, coupled with low night-time temperatures restricting feeding to only a few hours after sunset, appear to have caused a generality of diet which may limit energy acquisition. We conclude that H. darwini is an arthropod generalist and likely an ambush forager, as are many other nocturnal gekkonids.
Vertical stratification of bat assemblages in flooded and unflooded Amazonian forests
Authors: Pereira Maria João Ramos , Marques João Tiago , Palmeirim Jorge M.
Published: September 2019

Tropical rainforests usually have multiple strata that results in a vertical stratification of ecological opportunities for animals. We investigated if this stratification influences the way bats use the vertical space in flooded and unflooded forests of the Central Amazon. Using mist-nets set in the canopy (17 to 35 m high) and in the understorey (0 to 3 m high) we sampled four sites in upland unflooded forests (terra firme), three in forests seasonally flooded by nutrient-rich water (várzea), and three in forests seasonally flooded by nutrient-poor water (igapó). Using rarefaction curves we found that species richness in the understorey and canopy were very similar. An ordination analysis clearly separated the bat assemblages of the canopy from those of the understorey in both flooded and unflooded habitats. Gleaning carnivores were clearly associated with the understorey, whereas frugivores were abundant in both strata. Of the frugivores, Carollinae and some Stenodermatinae were understorey specialists, but several Stenodermatinae mostly used the canopy. The first group mainly includes species that, in general, feed on fruits of understorey shrubs, whereas the second group feed on figs and other canopy fruits. We conclude that vertical stratification in bat communities occurs even within forests with lower canopy heights, such as Amazonian seasonally flooded forests, and that the vertical distribution of bat species is closely related to their diet and foraging behaviour.
Foraging areas of Rousettus leschenaulti on the Hainan Island of China
Authors: Tang Zhanhui , Chen Zhong , Ma Jie , Zhu Guangjian , Ma Xunfeng , Sheng Lianxi , Li Yuchun
Published: September 2019

We investigated the foraging area of three individuals (1 female and 2 males) of Rousettus leschenaulti (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) in suburban Haikou City, Hainan Province, South China from November 2005 to January 2006 using radio telemetry. These animals left the daytime roosting sites about 90 min after sunset with no significant difference in departure time between the male and female bats. The average active times were 391.8 min for males and 533.7 min for the female, respectively. By reconstructing 93 radio-telemetry recording positions, we found that the long axis of foraging area of the bats ranged from 7.45 to 11.70 km. The foraging area of the female (3867 ha) was larger than that of the males (1138 ha), and there was overlap between the foraging areas of different individuals. These bats usually kept the same flight routes across a few successive days from the daytime roosting site to the foraging areas. Our findings suggested that female R. leschenaulti may explore a larger foraging area than males. No obvious territorial behaviors were observed in our studied area.
Leaf choice in black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus bieti is related to the physical and chemical properties of leaves
Authors: Huang Zhipang , Huo Sheng , Yang Shuguo , Cui Liangwei , Xiao Wen
Published: September 2019

To understand the effects of the chemical and physical properties of plant leaves on food choice in Rhinopithecus bieti, we collected mature leaves of nine food and five non-food plant species at the southernmost part of the species's range. Chemical properties such as fat, ash, crude protein (CP), total phenolics (TP), and fiber content including neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, celluloses and hemicelluloses, and physical toughness were measured. R. bieti tended to choose leaves with lower fiber content, higher ash, a higher ratio of CP/ADF, and lower toughness. No difference was found for fat, crude protein, total phenolics, hemicelluloses and lignin between food and non-food leaves. Even though the ratio of CP/ADF is generally regarded as a good indicator for colobine food choice, the difference in the ratio of CP/ADF between food and non-food leaves was only the result of differences in ADF. Since positive correlations were found between ADF and toughness from all leaves (both food and non-food species), and toughness of leaves was likely easier for R. bieti to sense than fiber content via mastication, the toughness of leaves may function as a predictor of food choice in this species.
Demography and dynamics of mountain nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Authors: Mamo Yosef , Pinard Michelle A. , Bekele Afework
Published: September 2019

We studied the population dynamics of endangered mountain nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni between 2003-2005 in the Bale Mountains National Park. Line-transect sampling and total count methods were used to gather data on demographics and movement patterns. The population's age-group composition was 58% adults, 25% sub-adults, 9% juveniles, 5% calves and 3% unidentified with a female-male sex ratio of 2:1. Population density was found to be significantly different between the two sub-populations (Dinsho Sanctuary and Gaysay/Adelay). A significant difference was found for age-group composition across the two sub-populations except adult females, sub-adult males and calves. The Dinsho sub-population was an isolated group. Separation and containment of the mountain nyala population could have negatively affected their ability to search for habitat requirements and mates from distant areas. The population varied between 830-908 individuals (95% CI), a reduction of 45% from earlier reports. However, the mean population density increased due to contraction of the species' habitat range. We observed a population decrease of 2%-5% per year over the course of our study. Many of the assessed demographic parameters did not significantly change over the three years. This suggests that the decrease in nyala population was not due to random variations in reproduction. Anthropogenic factors such as competition with livestock for forage, habitat encroachment and poaching by the local people might have been partly responsible for the depleted population in our study areas.
Spatial and temporal variation of fish assemblages in a subtropical small stream of the Huangshan Mountain
Authors: Yan Yunzhi , He Shan , Chu Ling , Xiang Xiuying , Jia Yanju , Tao Juan , Chen Yifeng
Published: September 2019

Spatial and temporal variation of fish assemblages were investigated seasonally from May 2007 to February 2008 across 11 study sites in a subtropical small stream, the Puxi Stream, of the Huangshan Mountain. Along the longitudinal gradient from headwater to downstream, fish species richness and abundance increased gradually, but then decreased significantly at the lower reaches. The highest species richness and abundance were observed in August and the lowest in February. Based on analysis of similarities (ANOSIM), fish assemblages were significantly different in spatial variation but not in temporal variation. Although differences were observed both among sites and among stream orders, the lower R value in order-variation suggested stream order was not the optimal factor explaining the spatial variation of fish assemblages. In addition, dam construction did not significantly alter fish assemblages in the sites adjacent to and immediately downstream to dams. Using cluster analysis and non-metric Multi Dimensional Scaling analysis (NMS), assemblages were separated into three groups at a Bray-Curtis similarity value of 42%: the upper, middle and lower groups. Following analysis of similarity percentages of species contributions (SIMPER), shifts in occurrence or abundance of S. curriculus, Z. platypus, R. bitterling and A. fasciatus contributed most to the differences amongst the three groups. Standard Deviation Redundancy Analysis (RDA) suggested that habitat structure (such as elevation, substrate, and flow velocity) contributed to the spatial and temporal pattern of fish assemblages in the Puxi Stream. In conclusion, the fish assemblages in Puxi Stream presented significant spatial but not temporal variation. Human disturbance has perhaps induced the decrease in species diversity in the lower reaches. However, no significant change was observed for fish assemblages in sites far from and immediately downstream from low-head dams.
Redox physiology in animal function: The struggle of living in an oxidant environment
Authors: Costantini David
Published: September 2019

A strong focus of ecological research for several decades has been to understand the factors underlying the variation in animal life-histories. In recent times, ecological studies have begun to show that oxidative stress may represent another important modulator of competitive trade-offs among fitness traits or of positively integrated patterns of traits. Therefore, incorporating mechanisms underlying oxidative physiology into evolutionary ecology has the potential to help understand variation in life-history strategies. In this review, I provide a general overview of oxidative stress physiology, and subsequently focus on topics that have been neglected in previous ecological reviews on oxidative stress. Specifically, I introduce and discuss the adaptations that animals have evolved to cope with oxidative stress; the environmental stressors that can generate changes in oxidative balance; the role of reactive species in transduction of environmental stimuli and cell signaling; and the range of hormetic responses to oxidative stress.
Understanding the basic biology underlying the flavor world of children
Authors: Mennella Julie A. , Ventura Alison K.
Published: September 2019

Health organizations worldwide recommend that adults and children minimize intakes of excess energy and salty, sweet, and fatty foods (all of which are highly preferred tastes) and eat diets richer in whole grains, low- and non- fat dairy products, legumes, fish, lean meat, fruits, and vegetables (many of which taste bitter). Despite such recommendations and the well-established benefits of these foods to human health, adults are not complying, nor are their children. A primary reason for this difficulty is the remarkably potent rewarding properties of the tastes and flavors of foods high in sweetness, saltiness, and fatness. While we cannot easily change children's basic ingrained biology of liking sweets and avoiding bitterness, we can modulate their flavor preferences by providing early exposure, starting in utero, to a wide variety of flavors within healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Because the flavors of foods mothers eat during pregnancy and lactation also flavor amniotic fluid and breast milk and become preferred by infants, pregnant and lactating women should widen their food choices to include as many flavorful and healthy foods as possible. These experiences, combined with repeated exposure to nutritious foods and flavor variety during the weaning period and beyond, should maximize the chances that children will select and enjoy a healthier diet.
How can we monitor the impact of national health information systems? Results from a scoping review
Authors: Delnord Marie , Tille F , Abboud L A , Ivankovic D , Van Oyen H
Published: September 2019

Background

National health information (HI) systems provide data on population health, the determinants of health and health system performance within countries. The evaluation of these systems has traditionally focused on statistical practices and procedures, and not on data use or reuse for policy and practice. This limits the capacity to assess the impact of HI systems on healthcare provision, management and policy-making. On the other hand, the field of Knowledge Translation (KT) has developed frameworks to guide evidence into practice.

Methods

A scoping review of the KT literature to identify the essential mechanisms and determinants of KT that could help monitor the impact of HI systems.

Results

We examined 79 publications and we identified over 100 different KT frameworks but none of these were focused on HI systems per se. There were specific recommendations on disseminating evidence to stakeholders at the institutional and organizational level, and on sustaining the use of evidence in practice and the broader community setting.

Conclusions

We developed a new model, the HI-Impact framework, in which four domains are essential for mapping the impact of national HI systems: (i) HI Evidence Quality, (ii) HI System Responsiveness, (iii) Stakeholder Engagement and (iv) Knowledge Integration. A comprehensive impact assessment of HI systems requires addressing the use of HI in public health decision-making, health service delivery and in other sectors which might have not been considered previously. Monitoring Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Integration certifies that the use of HI in all policies is an explicit point of assessment.
Seasonal blooms of neutrophilic Betaproteobacterial Fe(II) oxidizers and Chlorobi in iron-rich coal mine drainage sediments
Authors: Blackwell Nia , Perkins William , Palumbo-Roe Barbara , Bearcock Jenny , Lloyd Jonathan R , Edwards Arwyn
Published: September 2019

Waters draining from flooded and abandoned coal mines in the South Wales Coalfield (SWC), are substantial sources of pollution to the environment characterized by circumneutral pH and elevated dissolved iron concentrations (>1 mg L−1). The discharged Fe precipitates to form Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides which sustain microbial communities. However, while several studies have investigated the geochemistry of mine drainage in the SWC, less is known about the microbial ecology of the sites presenting a gap in our understanding of biogeochemical cycling and pollutant turnover. This study investigated the biogeochemistry of the Ynysarwed mine adit in the SWC. Samples were collected from nine locations within sediment at the mine entrance from the upper and lower layers three times over one year for geochemical and bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. During winter, members of the Betaproteobacteria bloomed in relative abundance (>40%) including the microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing genus Gallionella. A concomitant decrease in Chlorobi-associated bacteria occurred, although by summer the community composition resembled that observed in the previous autumn. Here, we provide the first insights into the microbial ecology and seasonal dynamics of bacterial communities of Fe(III)-rich deposits in the SWC and demonstrate that neutrophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria are important and dynamic members of these communities.
Lateral Acquisitions Repeatedly Remodel the Oxygen Detoxification Pathway in Diplomonads and Relatives
Authors: Jiménez-González Alejandro , Xu Feifei , Andersson Jan O
Published: September 2019

Oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important stress factors for cells because they can oxidize many large molecules. Fornicata, a group of flagellated protists that includes diplomonads, have anaerobic metabolism but are still able to tolerate fluctuating levels of oxygen. We identified 25 protein families putatively involved in detoxification of oxygen and ROS in this group using a bioinformatics approach and propose how these interact in an oxygen detoxification pathway. These protein families were divided into a central oxygen detoxification pathway and accessory pathways for the synthesis of nonprotein thiols. We then used a phylogenetic approach to investigate the evolutionary origin of the components of this putative pathway in Diplomonadida and other Fornicata species. Our analyses suggested that the diplomonad ancestor was adapted to low-oxygen levels, was able to reduce O2 to H2O in a manner similar to extant diplomonads, and was able to synthesize glutathione and l-cysteine. Several genes involved in the pathway have complex evolutionary histories and have apparently been repeatedly acquired through lateral gene transfer and subsequently lost. At least seven genes were acquired independently in different Fornicata lineages, leading to evolutionary convergences. It is likely that acquiring these oxygen detoxification proteins helped anaerobic organisms (like the parasitic Giardia intestinalis) adapt to low-oxygen environments (such as the digestive tract of aerobic hosts).
Inequalities in Life Expectancy With Frailty Among Brazilian Older Adults: A Multistate Approach
Authors: Alves Luciana Correia , Andrade Flávia Cristina Drumond , Corona Ligiana Pires , Santos Jair Licio Ferreira , Duarte Yeda Aparecida De Oliveira
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives

Frailty is considered one of the major conditions faced by aging societies. Little has been reported about the effect of becoming frail on life expectancy among older adults in developing countries. The aim was to estimate total life expectancy and life expectancy with or without frailty by age, sex, and education among older adults in Brazil.

Data and Methods:  The study was developed based on information provided by the Health, Well-being, and Aging (SABE) Study. The sample included 1,399 older adults (≥60 years old) followed up from 2006 to 2010. Frailty status was classified according to the Fried criteria. Additional variables include age (in years), gender, and years of education. Estimates of total life expectancy, frailty-free life expectancy, and frailty life expectancy were obtained using the multistate life table method.

Results

At the baseline, the proportion of individuals with frailty was 13.7% and participants had, on average, 4.0 years of education. Men had more years of education than women (4.6 vs. 3.7, p < .001). Older adults with higher education live fewer years with frailty. Compared with older adults with no education, those with 6 years of education have higher frailty-free life expectancy. At age 70, men with no education expect to live 9.1 years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.8, 10.4) without frailty compared with 10.6 years (95% CI = 9.4, 11.8) among those with 6 years of education. Among women age 70, frailty-free life expectancy reaches 11.7 years (95% CI = 10.6, 12.8) among those with no education, but 13.9 years (95% CI = 12.5, 15.3) among those with 6 years.

Implications

Given the recent changes in educational achievement in Brazil, we believe that educational policies are powerful ways in addressing inequalities in healthy life expectancy. Public health policies aimed at avoiding the development of frailty among elderly at risk should be encouraged.
Gentle Physical Activity Intervention Led by Caregivers in a Medicaid Home Care Program: Do Outcomes Differ Between Family and Nonfamily Caregiving Dyads?
Authors: Muramatsu Naoko , Yin Lijuan
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives

Caregiving dyads are fertile contexts for health promotion such as physical activity. However, previous physical activity interventions in caregiving dyads paid limited attention to care recipients’ outcomes and rarely involved paid caregivers. Home care aides (HCAs) provide nonmedical care for older family members or nonfamily clients in publicly funded home care programs in the United States. This study examined whether family and nonfamily HCA–client dyads differed in the outcomes of a 4-month gentle physical activity pilot program led by HCAs in a Medicaid home care program.

Design and Methods

A single-group prepost design was used to assess changes in clients’ function (self-reported and performance-based) and process outcomes (exercise-related social support provided by HCAs) in 18 family and 32 nonfamily HCA–client dyads. Repeated measures analysis controlled for clients’ demographic and health characteristics. Clients’ and HCAs’ motivation to continue the program beyond the intervention period was examined using quantitative and qualitative data.

Results

Client outcomes and exercise-related social support provided by HCAs improved, especially in nonfamily dyads. Both family and nonfamily dyads had high levels of motivation to continue the program, supporting the program’s sustainability for both clients and HCAs.

Discussion and Implications

Empowering HCAs to engage in health promoting activities with their clients is a promising strategy to improve the lives of caregiving dyads.
ragp: Pipeline for mining of plant hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins with implementation in R
Authors: Dragićević Milan B , Paunović Danijela M , Bogdanović Milica D , .Todorović Sladjana I , Simonović Ana D
Published: September 2019

Hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) are one of the most complex families of macromolecules found in plants, due to the diversity of glycans decorating the protein backbone, as well as the heterogeneity of the protein backbones. While this diversity is responsible for a wide array of physiological functions associated with HRGPs, it hinders attempts for homology-based identification. Current approaches, based on identifying sequences with characteristic motifs and biased amino acid composition, are limited to prototypical sequences. Ragp is an R package for mining and analysis of HRGPs, with emphasis on arabinogalactan proteins. The ragp filtering pipeline exploits one of the HRGPs key features, the presence of hydroxyprolines which represent glycosylation sites. Main package features include prediction of proline hydroxylation sites, amino acid motif and bias analyses, efficient communication with web servers for prediction of N-terminal signal peptides, glycosylphosphatidylinositol modification sites and disordered regions and the ability to annotate sequences through hmmscan and subsequent GO enrichment, based on predicted Pfam domains. As such, ragp extends R’s rich ecosystem for high-throughput sequence data analyses. The ragp R package is available under the MIT Open Source license and is freely available to download from GitHub at: https://github.com/missuse/ragp.
Molecular mechanism for the multiple sclerosis risk variant rs17594362
Authors: Kim Dongkyeong , Park Yungki
Published: September 2019

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. However, its cause remains elusive. Given previous studies suggesting that dysfunctional oligodendrocytes (OLs) may trigger MS, we tested whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with MS affect OL enhancers, potentially increasing MS risk by dysregulating gene expression of OL lineage cells. We found that two closely spaced OL enhancers, which are 3 Kb apart on chromosome 13, overlap two MS SNPs in linkage disequilibrium—rs17594362 and rs12429256. Our data revealed that the two MS SNPs significantly up-regulate the associated OL enhancers, which we have named as Rgcc-E1 and Rgcc-E2. Analysis of Hi-C data and epigenome editing experiments shows that Rgcc is the primary target of Rgcc-E1 and Rgcc-E2. Collectively, these data indicate that the molecular mechanism of rs17594362 and rs12429256 is to induce Rgcc overexpression by potentiating the enhancer activity of Rgcc-E1 and Rgcc-E2. Importantly, the dosage of the rs17594362/rs12429256 risk allele is positively correlated with the expression level of Rgcc in the human population, confirming our molecular mechanism. Our study also suggests that Rgcc overexpression in OL lineage cells may be a key cellular mechanism of rs17594362 and rs12429256 for MS.
Energy Flow in Multibody Limb Models: A Case Study in Frogs
Authors: Richards Christopher T
Published: September 2019

A frog jump is both simple and difficult to comprehend. The center-of-mass (COM) follows a two-dimensional (2D) path; it accelerates diagonally upward, then traces a predictable arc in flight. Despite this simplicity, the leg segments trace intricate trajectories to drive the COM both upwards and forwards. Because the frog sits crouched with sprawled legs, segments must pivot, tilt, and twist; they solve a long-recognized problem of converting non-linear 3D motion of the leg segments to linear 2D motion of the COM. I use mathematical approaches borrowed from robotics to address: How do frogs manipulate the flow of kinetic energy through their body to influence jump trajectory? I address (1) transfer of motion through kinematic transmission and (2) transfer of motion through dynamic coupling of segment mass-inertia properties. Using a multi-body simulation, I explore how segment acceleration induces rotations at neighboring segments (even without accounting for bi-articular muscles). During jumps, this inertial coupling mechanism is likely crucial for modulating the direction of travel. The frog case study highlights a useful computational framework for studying how limb joints produce coordinated motion.
Lexicographer’s Lacunas or How to Deal with Missing Representative Dictionary Forms on the Example of Czech
Authors: Kováříková Dominika , Škrabal Michal , Cvrček Václav , Lukešová Lucie , Milička Jiří
Published: September 2019

When compiling a list of headwords, every lexicographer comes across words with an unattested representative dictionary form in the data. This study focuses on how to distinguish between the cases when this form is missing due to a lack of data and when there are some systemic or linguistic reasons. We have formulated lexicographic recommendations for different types of such ‘lacunas’ based on our research carried out on Czech written corpora. As a prerequisite, we calculated a frequency threshold to find words that should have the representative form attested in the data. Based on a manual analysis of 2,700 nouns, adjectives and verbs that do not, we drew up a classification of lacunas. The reasons for a missing dictionary form are often associated with limited collocability and non-preference for the representative grammatical category. Findings on unattested word forms also have significant implications for language potentiality.
Rousettus aegyptiacus Bats Do Not Support Productive Nipah Virus Replication
Authors: Seifert Stephanie N , Letko Michael C , Bushmaker Trenton , Laing Eric D , Saturday Greg , Meade-White Kimberly , van Doremalen Neeltje , Broder Christopher C , Munster Vincent J
Published: September 2019

Nipah virus (NiV) is a bat-borne zoonotic pathogen that can cause severe respiratory distress and encephalitis upon spillover into humans. NiV is capable of infecting a broad range of hosts including humans, pigs, ferrets, dogs, cats, hamsters, and at least 2 genera of bats. Little is known about the biology of NiV in the bat reservoir. In this study, we evaluate the potential for the Egyptian fruit bat (EFB), Rousettus aegyptiacus, to serve as a model organism for studying NiV in bats. Our data suggest that NiV does not efficiently replicate in EFBs in vivo. Furthermore, we show no seroconversion against NiV glycoprotein and a lack of viral replication in primary and immortalized EFB-derived cell lines. Our data show that despite using a conserved target for viral entry, NiV replication is limited in some bat species. We conclude that EFBs are not an appropriate organism to model NiV infection or transmission in bats.
Effect of Feeding Honey Bee (Apis mellifera Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies With Honey, Sugar Solution, Inverted Sugar, and Wheat Starch Syrup on Nosematosis Prevalence and Intensity
Authors: Papežíková Ivana , Palíková Miroslava , Syrová Eva , Zachová Anna , Somerlíková Kristina , Kováčová Veronika , Pecková Lucie
Published: September 2019

Here, we present the results of a 2-year field trial aimed at testing the effect of overwintering on different feeds on the course of Nosema ceranae infection. In August 2015, four experimental bee colony groups were established. After the last honey harvest, each colony was provided with 20 kg of feed, either honey, sugar (3:2 solution in tap water), inverted syrup made of sucrose, or wheat starch syrup. Samples of live bees were collected from each beehive in August (before feeding), November, and May. The following year, feeding and sampling were performed in the same way. Bees were examined microscopically to estimate the percentage of Nosema-infected individuals in the sample and the spore number per bee. Fitness parameters were also measured in all colonies. In all hives, presence of N. ceranae was confirmed through polymerase chain reaction. Nosema apis was not detected in the apiary. Significant differences in nosematosis prevalence and/or intensity were observed between the experimental groups. For most parameters, best results were recorded in the group fed with honey. Worst fitness and highest nosematosis prevalence and intensity were found in colonies fed with wheat starch syrup.
Odorant-Based Detection and Discrimination of Two Economic Pests in Export Apples
Authors: Mas Flore , Horner Rachael , Cazères Sylvie , Alavi Maryam , Suckling David Maxwell
Published: September 2019

Detection of pest infestations in fresh produce traded internationally could offer improved prospects for reducing the movement of unwanted pests. Because immature stages of some pests can be difficult to find visually, other cues such as herbivore-induced volatiles that can potentially be detected at the early stages of infestation are worth investigating. In this study, we artificially infested postharvested apples (Malus × domestica ‘Royal Gala’) with two economic apple pests, the specialist codling moth (CM, Cydia pomonella Linnaeus, Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the generalist Queensland fruit fly (QFF, Bactrocera tryoni, Froggatt, Diptera: Tephritidae) and collected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over time (days 0, 6, and 14–15). In both infestation experiments, we found a strong and significant interaction between time and treatment. Apples infested with the QFF emitted lower total amounts of VOCs than uninfested apples, whereas apples infested with the CM released similar total amounts of VOCs. Apples infested with CM had increases in several hexyl and butyl esters, which were particularly noticeable after 15 d. In contrast, changes in ethyl esters were characteristics of QFF infestation and could be detected from day 6. Our multilevel and multivariate statistical analysis identified specific volatile biomarkers for each species at each sampling time that can be used to design a new tool for remote detection and surveillance of these invasive pests in harvested apples. Nevertheless, other information such as the cultivar as well as the storage condition needs to be taken into consideration to increase accuracy of future odorant-based sensors for pest identification.
Effectiveness of Hot-Water Immersion Against Brevipalpus yothersi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) as a Postharvest Treatment for Lemons
Authors: Revynthi Alexandra M , Peña Jorge E , Moreno Jessica M , Beam Andrea L , Mannion Catharine , Bailey Woodward D , Carrillo Daniel
Published: September 2019

Citrus leprosis is a destructive disease of citrus caused by several viruses (CiLVs) that are quarantine pests in the United States. Brevipalpus yothersi Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) vectors the most virulent strain of CiLV. This mite is present in the United States and could facilitate the spread of the disease if CiLV reaches the country. Postharvest treatments could mitigate B. yothersi on imported commodities from areas where CiLV exists. The current study explores the effectiveness of hot-water immersion as a postharvest treatment against B. yothersi. Lemons were immersed in water at 21, 48, 53, or 63°C for 5, 10, and 15 min. Immersions at 53 and 63°C for all time schedules dislodged over 99% of adult mites. Lemon fruit quality and B. yothersi egg viability after hot-water immersion were also evaluated. Fruit quality significantly decreased in lemons treated at 63°C resulting in decay (grade 3, rejection), while at 53°C there was a quality reduction (grade 2, minimum acceptable market level) compared to lemons immersed at 21°C or nontreated controls (grade 1). None of the eggs hatched when the lemons were immersed in water at 63°C and an average of 1.5% hatched at 53°C for all time schedules. Immersion in water at 53°C for 5 min dislodged 99.71% and 57.14% of adult and immature mites, respectively, and resulted in 98.11% unhatched eggs without significant fruit quality reduction. Hot-water immersion could be a key component in a systems approach to control B. yothersi on imported citrus fruits from countries where citrus leprosis is present.
ASEAN at the Crossroads: Trap and Track between CPTPP and RCEP
Authors: Wu Chien-Huei
Published: September 2019

In the wake of the mega-free trade agreements, all of the 10 member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations are determined to participate in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and to maintain the centrality of the Association of South East Asian Nations whereas Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam have also opted for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. In view of divergent positions of member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations, this paper asks two questions: empirically, what drives individual member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations toward the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership; normatively, do the different positions embraced by member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations weaken the coherence of external relations of the Association of South East Asian Nations and undermine its centrality in Asian regionalism. I argued that Singapore’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership is mainly motivated by its wish to set the rules of free trade agreements in the Asian Pacific. Brunel aims to diversify its domestic economy and to undergo economic reform through international commitments. Vietnam and Malaysia joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership with a view to accessing American market, but Vietnam’s Trans-Pacific Partnership participation should also be understood in the context of its aggressive free trade agreements strategy. This paper argues that solidarity within member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations does not prevent economically advanced member countries from participating in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership for market access; nonetheless, the need of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar should be taken into account through special and differential treatment in Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations.
Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a retrospective, multi-institutional study
Authors: Nitta Masahiro , Kuroda Satoshi , Nagao Kentaro , Higure Taro , Zakoji Hidenori , Miyakita Hideshi , Usui Yukio , Hasegawa Masanori , Kawamura Yoshiaki , Shoji Sunao , Miyajima Akira
Published: September 2019

Objective

We evaluated the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for urothelial bladder cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 140 consecutive patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (clinical stage T2 to T4 and N0) who underwent radical cystectomy with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy at four academic institutions between January 2006 and December 2016. Patients were categorized into the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (those who underwent treatment with any neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen; n = 69) and the non-neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (those who did not receive any neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen; n = 71). The primary outcome measure was overall survival.

Results

The 5-year overall survival rates were 58.0% and 61.8% in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy and non-neoadjuvant chemotherapy groups, respectively (P = 0.320). The 5-year overall survival rates for the neoadjuvant chemotherapy and non-neoadjuvant chemotherapy groups were 64.8% and 68.4%, respectively, among cT2N0 patients (P = 0.688) and 38.6% and 21.6%, respectively, among cT3-4aN0 patients (P = 0.290). When patients with cT3-4aN0 disease in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group were divided into responders (<pT2) and non-responders (pT2-pT4), responders (<pT2) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a better 5-year overall survival rate (83.6%) than non-responders (pT2-pT4; 23.1%; P < 0.05); this was also observed in the non-neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (21.6%; P < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, the pathological T stage (<pT2 vs. ≥pT2) was a significant predictor of overall survival in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group.

Conclusion

Among cT3-4aN0 patients, survival outcomes were significantly better in responders (<pT2) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy than in non-responders (≥pT2) and in patients in the non-neoadjuvant chemotherapy group. Among patients with advanced stage disease (cT3 or 4), responders (<pT2) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a significant survival benefit.
Effectiveness of rapid titration with intravenous administration of oxycodone injection in advanced cancer patients with severe pain
Authors: Nakajima Nobuhisa
Published: September 2019

Some cancer patients suddenly develop severe, excruciating pain that requires rapid management using opioid medication. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of rapid titration using oxycodone injection. Study subjects were advanced cancer patients who experienced severe pain (numeric rating scale ≥7) and needed prompt pain relief. Primary endpoint was (i) time required for the initial sign of significant analgesia to become evident. Secondary endpoints were (ii) pain relief stabilization success rate and (iii) adverse effects. Groups treated with oxycodone (oxycodone group) and morphine (morphine group) were retrospectively compared. The oxycodone group had 33 cases and the morphine group had 32 cases: (i) 15.6 ± 4.3 min in the oxycodone group and 19.3 ± 4.7 min in the morphine group (P = 0.001); (ii) 70 and 63% within 24 hours, and 88 and 84% within 48 hours in the oxycodone group and the morphine group, respectively (P = 0.36, 0.48). Although (iii) adverse effects appeared in both groups in the form of respiratory suppression, etc., the effects were mild. Rapid titration using oxycodone injections may be considered a beneficial choice.
Competition and Federal Contractor Performance
Authors: Brunjes Benjamin M
Published: September 2019

Contracts are increasingly used in government as a way to insert competition into public agencies and policy implementation. Competition among contractors is theorized to drive down costs, encourage innovation, and boost accountability. However, there have been few studies on whether competition actually leads to improved performance among contractors. This analysis examines nearly 25,000 federal contracts to determine how competition is related to performance. Findings indicate that competitively sourced contracts are more likely to suffer from performance problems. However, relationships between contractor and agency correlate with fewer performance problems. This suggests that competition may not be leading to the benefits that many might expect. Instead, relationships and shared experiences, along with other factors, may matter more when seeking to improve contractor performance.
Things Fall Apart, Border Crossing and the Psychology of Exile
Authors: Okolie Mary J. N
Published: September 2019

Bringing Chinua Achebe’s seminal text, Things Fall Apart, into the current global scholarship on refugees provides a consideration of the problem of displacement from a literary perspective. While there is a substantial body of criticism on Things Fall Apart, there has not been tangible concentration on the psychology of Okonkwo’s exile in the text. This article expands upon the literature by locating Achebe’s seminal text and the narrative strand of Okonkwo’s exile in the discourse of refugee studies. By examining Okonkwo’s pre-exilic and post-exilic life as intrinsically connected to his exile, it foregrounds the inevitable psycho-traumatic effect of exile on the refugee’s mind that plays out in the form of violence on the self, and on the victim’s human and material environment.
Primary actinomycosis of the big toe: a case report and literature review
Authors: Almarzouq Sawsan F , Almarghoub Mohammed A , Almeshal Obaid
Published: September 2019

Actinomyces are Gram-positive branching bacteria that are part of the human gastrointestinal microflora. These organisms can cause actinomycosis, which is a slowly progressive suppurative infection involving the cervicofacial region. Primary involvement of extremities is very rare. Here, we present primary actinomycosis of the lower extremity and a review of related literature. A 35-year-old female from Al-Kharj City (agricultural area) presented to our plastic surgery clinic with complaints of a large mass on the left big toe that caused embarrassment and difficulty in wearing footwear. The patient underwent wide local excision and coverage of the big toe defect with Kutler bilateral V-Y advancement flaps. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose actinomycosis in subacute or chronic inflammatory soft tissue lesions. Proper surgical intervention and antimicrobial are essential to treat the disease. We conclude that a high index of suspicion is required to diagnose actinomycosis in subacute or chronic inflammatory soft tissue lesions.