143 research outputs found
Fig. 5 in A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Dirt Ants, Basiceros (Formicidae: Myrmicinae): Inferring Life Histories Through Morphological Convergence
No full textFig. 5. Phylogeny of Basiceros ants, analysis with the pruned1 dataset. See Supp Tables S1 and S2 (online only) for taxon codes and further specimen information.Topology presented was obtained from MrBayes and GARLI analyses. Branch length follows MrBayes output, scale bar indicates estimated number of nucleotide substitutions per site. Bayesian posterior probability (PP, obtained with MrBayes) or maximum likelihood bootstrap support (MLBS, obtained with GARLI) values are indicated in most nodes, except for those recovered with high support (>0.95/95%) for both analyses.Published as part of Probst, Rodolfo S., Wray, Brian D., Moreau, Corrie S. & Brandão, Carlos R.F., 2019, A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Dirt Ants, Basiceros (Formicidae: Myrmicinae): Inferring Life Histories Through Morphological Convergence, pp. 1-12 in Insect Systematics and Diversity (AIFB) 3 (4) on page 8, DOI: 10.1093/isd/ixz013, http://zenodo.org/record/716845
Basiceros browni Probst & Brandao 2022, sp. nov.
No full textBasiceros browni Probst & Brandão sp. nov. (Figs 2C, 3, 4, 30) Type material. Holotype worker: ECUADOR: Los Ríos (spelled as “ Pichincha ”): 47km N from Quevedo, Rio Palenque Research Station, 29.vii.1978, G.J. Umphrey col., N. GJU # 0860 [MCZ]. Paratype workers: Same locality, date, and collector as holotype [MCZ, one gold coated worker; GUPC, one worker]; same locality and collector, 30.vii.1978 [NMH, one worker (NHM1014338/ CASENT0900941)]; Pichincha: Otongachi, 0°18’49” S 78°57’15” W, 850m, 04.ix.2009, G. Ramón col., KT-1419/LL8-W15 [MZSP, one worker]. Diagnosis (only known from workers). Comparatively medium to large (TL 6.55–7.59 mm); color light brown to dark brown; densely sculptured, rugose to areolar-rugose, procoxae and gaster foveate; petiole tubuliform, without projected node; mandibles triangular, long and pedunculate with twelve teeth on each masticatory margin; clypeomandibular space ample; labrum cuneiform, bilobed apically, lobes separated by a narrow cleft; pilosity consisting of a basal layer of flat and spatulate to subplumose decumbent curved hairs for most of their length, and another layer of long erect and clavate hairs. Description. Worker (n=4, range includes holotype measurements). HL 1.25–1.41, HL2 1.29–1.45, HW1 1.16– 1.33, MdL 0.8–0.9, SL1 0.93–1.13, SL2 0.90–1.15, PDL 4.5–6, A3L 0.04–0.05, AFL 0.38–0.45, FuL 1.04–1.21, EL 0.15–0.18, EW 0.14–0.16, ML 1.7–2.0, MfL 1.40–1.68, MtL 1.08–1.25, PH 0.32–0.35, PL 0.87–0.97, PW 0.32–0.38, PPL 0.45–0.52, PPW 0.47–0.55, GL 1.47–1.77, GW 1.06–1.16, TL 6.55–7.59, CI 93–95, CS 1.21–1.37, MCI 62–64.00, SI 76–86, ESI 15–16, SAI2 240–255, EI1 0.24–0.25, MFI 77–85, PTI 266–291. Size comparatively large compared to other Basiceros species. Light brown to dark brown, with lighter appendages, yellowish-brown to brown, respectively. Body predominantly covered by two types of hair. White to light brown semi-erect to erect hairs, long and filiform and slightly clavate, present on head dorsum near eye height and extending to occipital region, sparsely present on ventral region of head; on the anterolateral corner and dorsum of pronotum; a pair present on the anterodorsal margin of propodeum; on sides and petiolar dorsum; on the dorsum of postpetiole, two pairs on the anterior margin of postpetiolar sternite; on the dorsal and ventral gastral margins, more abundant dorsally. Length of these hairs varying according to position, notably longer on the dorsal surface of entire body. White to yellowish decumbent hairs, flattened, short and curved, apically spatulate or subplumose, present on the head dorsum, pronotum and propodeum, more densely on the latter. One pair of spatulate hairs on the basal portion of lateroventral region of mandibles and another on the base of stipes, relatively close to the hypostomal margin. Setae sparse, from simple and short to apically spatulate, at the base of mandibles. Long and erect spatulate hairs on the anterior margin of antennal scapes, scape dorsa covered by short spatulate hairs, filiform setae on the inner face of the antennal basal lobe, hair on the scape elbow (anterior region of lobe) with the same morphology as the special hairs present on the rest of the body. Clypeal disc with short and appressed setae. Filiform and apically curved hairs present on the pygidium and hypopygium. Short and subdecumbent spatulate hairs on trochanters and tibiae and on posterior region of tarsi, becoming thinner on the distal segments. Mandibles smooth over most of its length and shiny, with sparse piligerous punctuations, interdental filiform setae present, surpassing length of the teeth; anterior region striated. Clypeus rugo-reticulate in great part of its central disc; lateral regions predominantly areolar-rugose, anterior region of clypeus laminar, smooth and shiny, with its anteromedial portion weakly covered by longitudinal striate impressions. Head dorsum covered by thick and irregular striae, gaps between them forming foveae of variable size. Internal surface of antennal scrobes. Ventral face of head punctuate-reticulate, changing to rugose near posterior margin and roof of antennal scrobes; extending posteriorly to the vertexal margin, covering this region and the sulcus present near the median region. Vertexal region scrobiculate around the occipital carina. Mesosoma strongly sculptured, dorsum covered with vermicular rugae ranging from strongly irregular in the dorsum of the promesonotum to obliquely longitudinal in the dorsal region of the propodeum; lateral region of the pronotum and central portion of mesopleuron punctate-reticulate; mesopleuron with sinuous lamellar epicnemial carina bordered by sparse scrobiculations; lateral region of propodeum with irregular and transversally vermiculate striae, forming foveae of variable size, varying to punctate-reticulate in its central range and becoming rugose again near the bulla of the metapleural gland; posteropropodeum covered by sparse punctuations, varying to longitudinal rugulae as the sloping face advances to the propodeal lobes. Petiole and postpetiole with oblique to irregular longitudinal rugae. Posterior region of the petiole longitudinally rugulose. First gastral segment densely punctuate-reticulate; punctuations intermediate and distinct, with smooth and shiny space between them; punctuations decreasing near the posterior margin, thinner and more reticulate. Other gastral segments with exposed tergites finely reticulate—same to sternites, but with margins and shinier. Procoxae punctuate-reticulate, meso- and metacoxae punctuate to dotted to irregularly rugulose; legs with inconspicuous rugo-reticulations. Head subtrapezoidal, with posterior margin slightly convex medially; mandibles long and peduncular, masticatory margins with 12 triangular teeth, apex of basal tooth comparatively more rounded and apical tooth wider; clypeomandibular space present, semi-spherical. Labrum cuneiform, bilobed apically; lobes separated by a very narrow or even slightly inconspicuous cleft. Clypeal disc flat, anterior margin lamellar, slightly convex in its median range. Palps hidden. Antennal scrobes shallow, with indistinct posterior limit. Antennal scapes long (SL 0.90–1.15) and slightly tubular; basal lobe short and trapezoidal; anterior margin crenulated and laminar; funicular segments gradually increasing in size, two-segmented apical club present with the apical segment being as long as the sum of the five anterior funicular segments and slightly shorter than half the length of scape (AFL: 0.38–0.40; SL1 0.93–1.00). Compound eyes rounded and convex, located just above the posterior half of the head (in frontal view) and at the limit of the anterior margin of the scrobes (lateral view), with about nine ommatidia in the largest diameter. Vertexal margin slightly concave, with a shallow groove in its median portion; posterolateral edges angulate, not protruding. Occipital carina present, not projected. Lateral profile of mesosoma with promesonotum convex, sloping posteriorly into a broad and deep metanotal suture. Propodeal profile slightly convex posteriorly. In dorsal view, humeral corners projected and rounded; promesonotal suture indistinct to weakly marked; promesonotum slightly wider than twice the propodeum. Sloping face of the propodeum anteriorly delimited by a superior transverse carina that connects to the propodeal spines, those divergent in dorsal view and oriented upwards, presenting a strong carina in the region of convergence with the slope. Propodeal spiracle tubular, opening circular. Metapleural gland bulla prominent; posterolateral region carinate, opening surrounded by cuticular flap. Propodeal lobes short and rounded. Tarsal claws simple. Petiole in lateral view long and tubular; smooth and sloping anterior surface, meeting the dorsal surface obtusely; dorsal face convex, with an anterior portion lower than the median portion; in dorsal view, peduncle long, petiole with anterior face ellipsoid, posterior face slightly narrower and marginally rounded, subpetiolar process composed of an anteroventral oblique and bifid projection, followed by 4–7 spiniform projections of different sizes, the first or second sometimes denticular and the first sometimes protruding from the base of anterior anteroventral process. Postpetiole longer than wide; wider and higher posteriorly; in dorsal view, anterior margin concave. In lateral view, postpetiolar sternite carinate; in ventral view, present a pair of carinae in parallel with the lateral limits of this sclerite. Sting conspicuous. Gyne, male, and larva: unknown. Etymology. named after Dr. William (Bill) Brown Jr., reference for the taxonomy of “basicerotine” ants. Comments. Basiceros browni sp. nov. can be separated from other Basiceros by the combination of a tubuliform petiole, without a projected node; long and pedunculate mandibles with a wide clypeomandibular space; labrum shape (cuneiform, lobes separated by narrow cleft); and general pilosity (long, erect, and clavate hairs). This new taxon was initially recognized from stacked macrophotographs of a worker specimen on AntWeb, deposited at the NHM in London. The label contained a handwritten note indicating it as a paratype (although this species was yet to be formally described) of the species “ Basiceros browni sp. nov. ”. Thanks to the aid of Dr. Brian Fisher (Cal Academy) in identifying the collector origin, the specimen was linked to Dr. Gary J. Umphrey, professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Umphrey kindly traveled to the FMNH in Chicago with some Basiceros specimens. Among the workers of this new taxon that Dr. Umphrey made available for examination, one was coated for SEM and missing the left proleg. For those specimens, considerable variation in size could be noted (in mm: HL 1.25–1.41, ML 1.70 –2.00, GL 1.47–1.77, TL 6.55–7.59). Additionally, specimens presented slight variation in the distal margin of labrum, with the cleft in one specimen practically indistinct. The lighter coloration of one of the workers and the absence of particles covering its integument suggest a recently emerged worker, selected to be the holotype. Distribution. So far, only known from the provinces of Pichincha and Los Ríos in Ecuador from two collection events (1978 and 2009, respectively). The specimens collected at the Río Palenque Research Station have “ Pichincha ” as the province; this reserve is instead located in the Province of Los Ríos. Natural history. Virtually nothing is known about the biology of this species. The first collection resulted in four workers; three workers retrieved on July 29, 1978 from a rotten log at the edge of a trail in the middle of a forest. According to Dr. Umphrey, the nest was not found. The last 1978 specimen was collected the following day while foraging about three meters from the place occupied by that rotten log, suggesting it might have been part of the same colony. The paratype collected in Otongachi came from a Winkler sample.Published as part of Probst, Rodolfo Da Silva & Brandão, Carlos Roberto Ferreira, 2022, A taxonomic revision of the dirt ants, Basiceros Schulz, 1906 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), pp. 1-75 in Zootaxa 5149 (1) on pages 13-16, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5149.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/660596
Fig. 6 in A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Dirt Ants, Basiceros (Formicidae: Myrmicinae): Inferring Life Histories Through Morphological Convergence
No full textFig. 6. Ancestral trait estimation for labrum (general shape and distal margin) and clypeomandibular space of Basiceros ants. Analyses were conducted with the ace function in the APE R package (Paradis et al. 2004) using the pruned1 topology as input (see Material and Methods section). For all traits, each node is graphically represented for the state with the highest probability for the model favored under a likelihood ratio test (see Supp Figs. S2 and S3 and Table S6 [online only]). Graphic size corresponds with likelihood probabilities for a particular node: small graphics represents 0–50% probability, bigger graphics> 50%. Tips present labrum outline for each of the Basiceros species (see Fig. 2). Outcomes for each node for the ER model are shown in more detail in Supp Figs. S3 and S4 (online only).Published as part of Probst, Rodolfo S., Wray, Brian D., Moreau, Corrie S. & Brandão, Carlos R.F., 2019, A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Dirt Ants, Basiceros (Formicidae: Myrmicinae): Inferring Life Histories Through Morphological Convergence, pp. 1-12 in Insect Systematics and Diversity (AIFB) 3 (4) on page 9, DOI: 10.1093/isd/ixz013, http://zenodo.org/record/716845
Multiwavelength observations of N 66 in the SMC: unveiling photodissociation interfaces and star formation
No full textWe present new observations of the major star-forming region N66 in the Small Magellanic Cloud and of its surroundings, which add to those presented in Contursi et al. (2000, Paper I). High-sensitivity CO observations allowed the detection of molecular gas associated with the H II region, for which a high-resolution image in [O III] lambda 5007 is presented. We also present images in the v(1-0) S(1) line of H-2 at 2.12 mu m and in the adjacent continuum. This material reveals an interesting photodissociation region. We show that the molecular gas that has not yet been photodissociated by the UV radiation of the stars is in hot, dense clumps with a very small surface filling factor. We discovered several embedded stars or stellar associations, and suggest that three successive stellar generations have already taken place in less than 3 million years
The role of air pollution in the aetiology of type 2 diabetes
No full textBackground. The public health burden of type 2 diabetes cannot be overestimated. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes is continuously increasing and has caused a great number of deaths and economic losses. Optimal prevention measures for type 2 diabetes entail that more risk factors need to be identified. Air pollution is one of the modifiable environmental risk factors causing health problems, most notably respiratory diseases. Recently there have been indications for a spill-over of its effects into the cardio-metabolic systems. Short-term exposure to air pollution may exert acute or sub-acute inflammatory cardio-metabolic responses which on long-term, sustained exposure could lead to overt cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. However, it is unclear if long-term exposure to pollutants in the air contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes. This work generates evidence to fill knowledge gaps on the impact of air pollutants on the development of type 2 diabetes and on how different susceptibilities in the general population could contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms involved in this relationship.
Methods. First, this work summarized the existing evidence on the possible relationship between long-term exposure to air pollutants and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, in the framework of the first follow-up of SAPALDIA- the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults, this work used indices for long-term exposure air pollution – 10-year mean particulate matter <10μm in diameter [PM10] and nitrogen dioxide [NO2] - assigned to participants’ residences using a combination of Gaussian dispersion and Land-use regression models, participants residential histories and pollutant trends at monitoring stations. It identified diabetes and metabolic syndrome cases in a comprehensive way considering self-reports, blood tests and other physical measures. It additionally identified genetic variants through genotyping on two different arrays – the Human Illumina610quad Bead Chip and the Taqman PCR assay - for 63 type 2 diabetes genetic polymorphisms [towards a diabetes gene score] and a functional polymorphism on the IL6 gene respectively. Based on the above and detailed health socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics including smoking habits, occupational exposures, alcohol, nutrition, physical activity, body measurements and additional data collected in SAPALDIA, it was ideal to investigate the cross-sectional relationships between air pollutants and diabetes and to explore interactions [based on various susceptibilities] to understand mechanisms involved in the relationship between long-term exposure to air pollutants and type 2 diabetes.
Results. In this work, we found a positive relationship between PM2.5 and NO2 and the risk of T2D in the pooled evidence synthesized from electronic databases. In the frame of SAPALDIA biobank, we found a moderate positive association between long-term exposure to PM10 [and NO2] and prevalent diabetes, and demonstrated a sustained effect of PM10 independent of NO2, while NO2 lost its association on accounting for PM10 in multi-pollutant models. Among the measures of cardio-metabolic function, PM10 impacted most on impairment of glucose homeostasis and least on blood lipoproteins and triglycerides. The relationship between PM10 and impaired fasting glycaemia was more apparent among the physically active. Age also appeared to influence the relationship between PM10 and impaired fasting glycaemia. People at higher polygenic risk for type 2 diabetes were more susceptible to PM10. Genetic risk for insulin resistance and obesity appeared to be more relevant than those for beta-cell function in modifying the effects of PM10, especially among those with some background inflammatory conditions. Carriers of the pro-inflammatory major ‘G’ allele of IL6-572GC, with allele frequency of 93%, were also more susceptible to PM10 in relation to diabetes.
Conclusions. This work has greatly contributed to evidence suggesting the possible role of air pollutants in diabetes aetiology. The reported associations were observed at mean concentrations below current air quality guidelines. PM10 may be a good marker for aspects of air pollution [rather than NO2] relevant for the development of diabetes. In particular, PM10 might act through sub-clinical inflammation and resultant impaired insulin sensitivity. Impairment of insulin secretion may be a less relevant pathway for PM10 action. Physical activity, though beneficial, presented another likely pathway for PM10 effects. These findings, if confirmed, call for the strengthening of air quality policies and adaptation of physical activity promotion to environmental contrasts. Future studies should explore the totality of environmental exposures – exposomics –in a life-course fashion. The mediating role of DNA methylation influencing genetic expression should be further explored. For global generalizability, there is a strong need for evidence replication in developing countries where outdoor and indoor air pollution is quite high and mostly unregulated, and the burden of non-communicable diseases is rapidly growing
A Western single-center experience with endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastrointestinal cancers
No full text06/03/14 meb. Accepted author manuscript, OK to add.Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) has gained worldwide acceptance as a treatment for Early Gastrointestinal Cancers (EGICs). However, the management of these tumors in the Western world is still mainly surgical.
Our aim was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ESD in a European center.
Based on the knowledge transferred by one of the most experienced Japanese Institutions, we conducted a pilot study on 25 consecutive patients with EGICs located in the esophagus (n=3), stomach (n=7), duodenum (n=1) and colon (n=14) at our tertiary center over a 2-year-period. Main outcome measurements were complete (R0), as were en bloc resection and management of complications.
R0 and en bloc resection rates were 100% and 84% respectively. There were 3 bleeding and 5 perforation cases. With a median follow-up of 15 months, 2 recurrences were observed.
ESD for early esophageal and gastric cancers is feasible and effective while colonic ESD requires more expertise
Evaluation of a free vascularized medial tibial bone graft in dogs
No full textOBJECTIVE: To develop a free vascularized tibial bone graft based on the periosteal saphenous blood supply. STUDY DESIGN: Preliminary anatomic study of medial tibial blood supply. In vivo comparison of a vascularized and avascular tibial bone graft. ANIMALS: Nine canine cadavers; 14 healthy adult dogs that weighed 25 to 32 kg. METHODS: An anatomic study of the vascular supply of the medial aspect of the tibia was performed using the Spalteholz technique. A bone graft consisting of the medial aspect of the tibia was transferred to a mandibular defect as a vascularized graft in 7 dogs and as an avascular graft in 7 dogs. Bone scans were performed to evaluate graft perfusion. Radiographic evaluation of the mandibles and tibias was performed. The dogs were killed after 60 days, five mandibles from each group were examined histologically, and two from each group were evaluated using the Spalteholz technique. RESULTS: The saphenous vascular pedicle provides vascular perfusion to the medial tibial cortex. Bone scans and radiographic evaluations were consistent with viable bone in the vascularized grafts, and nonviable bone in the avascular grafts. Histological examination revealed live, healing bone in vascular grafts and necrotic bone in avascular grafts. Spalteholz evaluation revealed many small arborizing vessels in the vascular grafts and no organized vasculature in the avascular grafts. CONCLUSIONS: The vascularized medial tibial cortical bone graft survived and proceeded to bony union in the mandibular body defect more readily than the avascular graft in this experimental model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A vascularized medial tibial bone graft is a suitable free graft for use in reconstructing bone defects in dogs.LR: 20061115; PUBM: Print; JID: 8113214; ppublishSource type: Electronic(1
Cross-Cultural Validation of the Short Form of the Physical Self Inventory (PSI-S)
No full textboughattas, wissal/0000-0002-6495-743X; Asci, Hulya/0000-0002-6650-6931The study examined the cross-cultural validity of the short form of the Physical Self-Inventory (PSI-S) among samples of adolescents speaking French, Dutch, Turkish, Italian, and Arab. A total of 4,867 adolescents (1,173 Belgian Flemish, 598 French, 1,222 Italian, 643 Turkish, 646 Kuwaiti, and 585 Tunisian) completed the original PSI-S version, and a revised version including a positively worded reformulation of the 3 negatively worded PSI-S items. The results supported the factor validity and reliability of revised PSI-S version across all cultural groups, and its superiority when compared to the original version. Compared with confirmatory factor analyses, relying on an exploratory structural equation modeling measurement model resulted in superior solution, and in more cleanly differentiated factors. PSI-S responses proved to be fully invariant across cultural groups, and presented no evidence of differential item functioning as a function of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and sport involvement. However, the results revealed meaningful mean level differences as a function of gender, age, sport involvement, and BMI that were mostly consistent with the results from previous studies.Australian Research CouncilAustralian Research Council [DP140101559]Preparation of this article was supported in part by a grant from the Australian Research Council (DP140101559). This article was prepared in part while the first author was a visiting scholar at the Universita degli Studi di Cagliari (Italy). The authors want to thank Samar Feghali for significant help in the development of the Arab version of the PSI-S
Ionization-induced star formation - IV. Triggering in bound clusters
No full textWe present a detailed study of star formation occurring in bound star-forming clouds under the influence of internal ionizing feedback from massive stars across a spectrum of cloud properties. We infer which objects are triggered by comparing our feedback simulations with control simulations in which no feedback was present. We find that feedback always results in a lower star formation efficiency and usually but not always results in a larger number of stars or clusters. Cluster mass functions are not strongly affected by feedback, but stellar mass functions are biased towards lower masses. Ionization also affects the geometrical distribution of stars in ways that are robust against projection effects, but may make the stellar associations more or less subclustered depending on the background cloud environment. We observe a prominent pillar in one simulation which is the remains of an accretion flow feeding the central ionizing cluster of its host cloud and suggest that this may be a general formation mechanism for pillars such as those observed in M16. We find that the association of stars with structures in the gas such as shells or pillars is a good but by no means foolproof indication that those stars have been triggered and we conclude overall that it is very difficult to deduce which objects have been induced to form and which formed spontaneously simply from observing the system at a single time.Peer reviewe
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