Phylogeny and Classification of the Trapdoor Spider Genus Myrmekiaphila: An Integrative Approach to Evaluating Taxonomic Hypotheses

Background: Revised by Bond and Platnick in 2007, the trapdoor spider genus Myrmekiaphila comprises 11 species. Species delimitation and placement within one of three species groups was based on modifications of the male copulatory device. Because a phylogeny of the group was not available these species groups might not represent monophyletic lineages; species definitions likewise were untested hypotheses. The purpose of this study is to reconstruct the phylogeny of Myrmekiaphila species using molecular data to formally test the delimitation of species and species-groups. We seek to refine a set of established systematic hypotheses by integrating across molecular and morphological data sets. Methods and Findings: Phylogenetic analyses comprising Bayesian searches were conducted for a mtDNA matrix composed of contiguous 12S rRNA, tRNA-val, and 16S rRNA genes and a nuclear DNA matrix comprising the glutamyl and prolyl tRNA synthetase gene each consisting of 1348 and 481 bp, respectively. Separate analyses of the mitochondrial and nuclear genome data and a concatenated data set yield M. torreya and M. millerae paraphyletic with respect to M. coreyi and M. howelli and polyphyletic fluviatilis and foliata species groups. Conclusions: Despite the perception that molecular data present a solution to a crisis in taxonomy, studies like this demonstrate the efficacy of an approach that considers data from multiple sources. A DNA barcoding approach during the species discovery process would fail to recognize at least two species (M. coreyi and M. howelli) whereas a combine

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

When public action undermines public health: A critical examination of antifluoridationist literature

Background: The addition of the chemical fluorine to the water supply, called water fluoridation, reduces dental caries by making teeth more resistant to demineralisation and more likely to remineralise when initially decayed. This process has been implemented in more than 30 countries around the world, is cost-effective and has been shown to be efficacious in preventing decay across a person's lifespan. However, attempts to expand this major public health achievement in line with Australia's National Oral Health Plan 2004–2013 are almost universally met with considerable resistance from opponents of water fluoridation, who engage in coordinated campaigns to portray water fluoridation as ineffective and highly dangerous. Discussion: Water fluoridation opponents employ multiple techniques to try and undermine the scientifically established effectiveness of water fluoridation. The materials they use are often based on Internet resources or published books that present a highly misleading picture of water fluoridation. These materials are used to sway public and political opinion to the detriment of public health. Despite an extensive body of literature, both studies and results within studies are often selectively reported, giving a biased portrayal of water fluoridation effectiveness. Positive findings are downplayed or trivialised and the population implications of these findings misinterpreted. Ecological comparisons are sometimes used to support spurious conclusions. Opponents of water fluoridation frequently repeat that water fluoridation is associated with adverse health effects and studies are selectively picked from the extensive literature to convey only claimed adverse findings related to water fluoridation. Techniques such as "the big lie" and innuendo are used to associate water fluoridation with health and environmental disasters, without factual support. Half-truths are presented, fallacious statements reiterated, and attempts are made to bamboozle the public with a large list of claims and quotes often with little scientific basis. Ultimately, attempts are made to discredit and slander scientists and various health organisations that support water fluoridation. Summary: Water fluoridation is an important public health initiative that has been found to be safe and effective. Nonetheless, the implementation of water fluoridation is still regularly interrupted by a relatively small group of individuals who use misinformation and rhetoric to induce doubts in the minds of the public and government officials. It is important that public health officials are aware of these tactics so that they can better counter their negative effectJason M Armfiel

Modes of address in pictorial art: an eye movement study of Manet’s Bar at the Folies-Bergère

Art historical accounts of the last two hundred years identify developments in the types, or ‘modes’, of address that a picture can present to a viewer, as critical to the experience and evaluation of paintings. Here we focus on ‘anti-theatrical’ theories of pictorial address, and the complex and innovative ‘double relation’ of absorption and acknowledgment introduced by the painter Edouard Manet. We report a case study of Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère investigating expert and novice spectators’ eye movements and utterances in response to the painting to find evidence that viewers seek resolution of the complex ‘double relation’ that the theories describe

Complications, Mortality, and Functional Decline in Patients 80 Years or Older Undergoing Major Head and Neck Ablation and Reconstruction

Importance Data regarding outcomes after major head and neck ablation and reconstruction in the growing geriatric population (specifically ≥80 years of age) are limited. Such information would be extremely valuable in preoperative discussions with elderly patients about their surgical risks and expected functional outcomes. Objectives To identify patient and surgical factors associated with 30-day postoperative complications, 90-day mortality, and 90-day functional decline; to explore whether an association exists between the type of reconstructive procedure and outcome; and to create a preoperative risk stratification system for these outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective, multi-institutional cohort study included patients 80 years or older undergoing pedicle or free-flap reconstruction after an ablative head and neck surgery from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2017, at 17 academic centers. Data were analyzed from February 1 through April 20, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Thirty-day serious complication rate, 90-day mortality, and 90-day decline in functional status. Preoperative comorbidity and frailty were assessed using the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Adult Comorbidity Evaluation–27 score, and Modified Frailty Index. Multivariable clustered logistic regressions were performed. Conjunctive consolidation was used to create a risk stratification system. Results Among 376 patients included in the analysis (253 [67.3%] men), 281 (74.7%) underwent free-flap reconstruction. The median age was 83 years (range, 80-98 years). A total of 193 patients (51.3%) had 30-day serious complications, 30 (8.0%) died within 90 days, and 36 of those not dependent at baseline declined to dependent status (11.0%). Type of flap (free vs pedicle, bone vs no bone) was not associated with these outcomes. Variables associated with worse outcomes were age of at least 85 years (odds ratio [OR] for 90-day mortality, 1.19 [95% CI 1.14-1.26]), moderate or severe comorbidities (OR for 30-day complications, 1.80 [95% CI, 1.34-2.41]; OR for 90-day mortality, 3.33 [95% CI, 1.29-8.60]), body mass index (BMI) of less than 25 (OR for 30-day complications, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.91-0.99]), high frailty (OR for 30-day complications, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.10-2.67]), duration of surgery (OR for 90-day functional decline, 2.94 [95% CI, 1.81-4.79]), flap failure (OR for 90-day mortality, 3.56 [95% CI, 1.47-8.62]), additional operations (OR for 30-day complications, 5.40 [95% CI, 3.09-9.43]; OR for 90-day functional decline, 2.94 [95% CI, 1.81-4.79]), and surgery of the maxilla, oral cavity, or oropharynx (OR for 90-day functional decline, 2.51 [95% CI, 1.30-4.85]). Age, BMI, comorbidity, and frailty were consolidated into a novel 3-tier risk classification system. Conclusions and Relevance Important demographic, clinical, and surgical characteristics were found to be associated with postoperative complications, mortality, and functional decline in patients 80 years or older undergoing major head and neck surgery. Free flap and bony reconstruction were not independently associated with worse outcomes. A novel risk stratification system is presented