Vulnerability to shocks in the global seafood trade network

Trade can allow countries to overcome local or regional losses (shocks) to their food supply, but reliance on international food trade also exposes countries to risks from external perturbations. Countries that are nutritionally or economically dependent on international trade of a commodity may be adversely affected by such shocks. While exposure to shocks has been studied in financial markets, communication networks, and some infrastructure systems, it has received less attention in food-trade networks. Here, we develop a forward shock-propagation model to quantify how trade flows are redistributed under a range of shock scenarios and assess the food-security outcomes by comparing changes in national fish supplies to indices of each country’s nutritional fish dependency. Shock propagation and distribution among regions are modeled on a network of historical bilateral seafood trade data from UN Comtrade using 205 reporting territories grouped into 18 regions. In our model exposure to shocks increases with total imports and the number of import partners. We find that Central and West Africa are the most vulnerable to shocks, with their vulnerability increasing when a willingness-to-pay proxy is included. These findings suggest that countries can reduce their overall vulnerability to shocks by reducing reliance on imports and diversifying food sources. As international seafood trade grows, identifying these types of potential risks and vulnerabilities is important to build a more resilient food system

Histo-blood group gene polymorphisms as potential genetic modifiers of infection and cystic fibrosis lung disease severity

Background: The pulmonary phenotype in cystic fibrosis (CF) is variable; thus, environmental and genetic factors likely contribute to clinical heterogeneity. We hypothesized that genetically determined ABO histo-blood group antigen (ABH) differences in glycosylation may lead to differences in microbial binding by airway mucus, and thus predispose to early lung infection and more severe lung disease in a subset of patients with CF. Methods and Principal Findings: Clinical information and DNA was collected on >800 patients with the ΔF508/ΔF508 genotype. Patients in the most severe and mildest quartiles for lung phenotype were enrolled. Blood samples underwent lymphocyte transformation and DNA extraction using standard methods. PCR and sequencing were performed using standard techniques to identify the 9 SNPs required to determine ABO blood type, and to identify the four SNPs that account for 90-95% of Lewis status in Caucasians. Allele identification of the one nonsynonymous SNP in FUT2 that accounts for >95% of the incidence of nonsecretor phenotype in Caucasians was completed using an ABI Taqman assay. The overall prevalence of ABO types, and of FUT2 (secretor) and FUT 3 (Lewis) alleles was consistent with that found in the Caucasian population. There was no difference in distribution of ABH type in the severe versus mild patients, or the age of onset of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in the severe or mild groups. Multivariate analyses of other clinical phenotypes, including gender, asthma, and meconium ileus demonstrated no differences between groups based on ABH type. Conclusions and Significance: Polymorphisms in the genes encoding ABO blood type, secretor or Lewis genotypes were not shown to associate with severity of CF lung disease, or age of onset of P. aeruginosa infection, nor was there any association with other clinical phenotypes in a group of 808 patients homozygous for the ΔF508 mutation

Novel variation at chr11p13 associated with cystic fibrosis lung disease severity

Published genome-wide association studies (GWASs) identified an intergenic region with regulatory features on chr11p13 associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease severity. Targeted resequencing in n=377, followed by imputation to n=6,365 CF subjects, was used to identify unrecognized genetic variants (including indels and microsatellite repeats) associated with phenotype. Highly significant associations were in strong linkage disequilibrium and were seen only in Phe508del homozygous CF subjects, indicating a CFTR genotype-specific mechanism

The Seascape of Demersal Fish Nursery Areas in the North Mediterranean Sea, a First Step Towards the Implementation of Spatial Planning for Trawl Fisheries

The identification of nursery grounds and other essential fish habitats of exploited stocks is a key requirement for the development of spatial conservation planning aimed at reducing the adverse impact of fishing on the exploited populations and ecosystems. The reduction in juvenile mortality is particularly relevant in the Mediterranean and is considered as one of the main prerequisites for the future sustainability of trawl fisheries. The distribution of nursery areas of 11 important commercial species of demersal fish and shellfish was analysed in the European Union Mediterranean waters using time series of bottom trawl survey data with the aim of identifying the most persistent recruitment areas. A high interspecific spatial overlap between nursery areas was mainly found along the shelf break of many different sectors of the Northern Mediterranean indicating a high potential for the implementation of conservation measures. Overlap of the nursery grounds with existing spatial fisheries management measures and trawl fisheries restricted areas was also investigated. Spatial analyses revealed considerable variation depending on species and associated habitat/depth preferences with increased protection seen in coastal nurseries and minimal protection seen for deeper nurseries (e.g. Parapenaeus longirostris 6%). This is partly attributed to existing environmental policy instruments (e.g. Habitats Directive and Mediterranean Regulation EC 1967/2006) aiming at minimising impacts on coastal priority habitats such as seagrass, coralligenous and maerl beds. The new knowledge on the distribution and persistence of demersal nurseries provided in this study can support the application of spatial conservation measures, such as the designation of no-take Marine Protected Areas in EU Mediterranean waters and their inclusion in a conservation network. The establishment of no-take zones will be consistent with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy applying the ecosystem approach to fisheries management and with the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to maintain or achieve seafloor integrity and good environmental status.Versión del editor4,411

Genetic modifiers of lung disease in cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms in genes other than the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene may modify the severity of pulmonary disease in patients with cystic fibrosis. METHODS: We performed two studies with different patient samples. We first tested 808 patients who were homozygous for the ΔF508 mutation and were classified as having either severe or mild lung disease, as defined by the lowest or highest quartile of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1), respectively, for age. We genotyped 16 polymorphisms in 10 genes reported by others as modifiers of disease severity in cystic fibrosis and tested for an association in patients with severe disease (263 patients) or mild disease (545). In the replication (second) study, we tested 498 patients, with various CFTR genotypes and a range of FEV 1 values, for an association of the TGFβ1 codon 10 CC genotype with low FEV 1. RESULTS: In the initial study, significant allelic and genotypic associations with phenotype were seen only for TGFβ1 (the gene encoding transforming growth factor β1), particularly the -509 and codon 10 polymorphisms (with P values obtained with the use of Fisher's exact test and logistic regression ranging from 0.006 to 0.0002). The odds ratio was about 2.2 for the highest-risk TGFβ1 genotype (codon 10 CC) in association with the phenotype for severe lung disease. The replication study confirmed the association of the TGFβ1 codon 10 CC genotype with more severe lung disease in comparisons with the use of dichotomized FEV 1 for severity status (P=0.0002) and FEV 1 values directly (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variation in the 5′ end of TGFβ1 or a nearby upstream region modifies disease severity in cystic fibrosis

Seagrass beds distribution along the Mediterranean coasts. Mediterranean Sensitive Habitats (MEDISEH) Final Report, DG MARE Specific Contract SI2.600741.

Based on the following Terms of Reference (TOR) of the content of the European Commission DG MARE request Ares (2011)665688: “Compile information supporting the identification and location of nursery areas (juveniles in their first and, if appropriate, second year of life) and spawning aggregations. This information, which is to be collated and archived in formats adequate for GIS rendering, shall refer to all the demersal and small pelagic species in the Mediterranean included in Appendix VII of Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 as well as for the species subject to minimum size (Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006-Annex III). In addition, ecological characterisation of these areas, both in terms of biological community (assemblage) and habitats therein, must be provided.” The technical tender form of the Specific Contract 2 (MEDISEH) defined the following objectives: Review of historical and current data on the locations and the status of seagrass beds, coralligenous and mäerl beds in different GSAs (Geographical Sub-Areas amending amending the Resolution GFCM/31/2007/2) all over the Mediterranean basin. Transform the information into a digitilized format within the framework of a geodatabase Review and map of all existing specific Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean area as well as areas that are under any form of national or international regulation. Identify and map suitable areas for Posidonia, coralligenous and mäerl communities by developing habitat distribution models at different spatial scales. Review and map all existing information on historical and current data of nurseries and spawning grounds of certain small pelagic (i.e., Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardina pilchardus, Scomber spp., Trachurus spp.) and demersal species (i.e., Aristaeomorpha foliacea, Aristeus antennatus, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Mullus surmuletus, Nephrops norvegicus, Parapenaeus longirostris, Pagellus erythrinus, Galeus melastomus, Raja clavata, Illex coindetti, Eledone cirrosa) that are included in the Data Collection Framework for the Mediterranean and subjected to minimum landing size based on Council Regulation No 1967/2006-Annex II. Analyze existing survey data and apply spatial analysis techniques in order to identify locations that are more likely to be density hot spot areas or are being more suitable for fish nurseries and spawning grounds for Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardina pilchardus, Scomber spp., Trachurus trachurus, Aristaeomorpha foliacea, Aristeus antennatus, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Mullus surmuletus, Nephrops norvegicus, Parapenaeus longirostris, Pagellus erythrinus, Galeus melastomus, Raja clavata, Illex coindetti, Eledone cirrosa These areas will also be characterized from an environmental and ecological perspective upon data availability. Integrate and present the aforementioned information through a Web-based GIS viewer with an associated geo-referenced database that will operate as a consulting tool for spatial management and conservation planning. Following the revision of the knowledge base, to identify gaps and suggest future research priorities. In order to meet these objectives, an expert team was composed within the MAREA Consortium from scientists with established expertise in the different topics required, and working in different areas of the Mediterranean basin. The team formed to execute the project includes the main Institutes of EU countries in the Mediterranean, all having solid reputations in the fields covered. The participating Institutes/Entities operate in the Western, Central and Eastern parts of the Mediterranean basin, and this ensures familiarity with the geographical areas that are related to the specific tendering. Moreover, a large number of scientists outside of the MAREA Consortium collaborated on a volunteer basis with data and other input. Details on the list of experts and external collaborators can be found in each Work Package in the present report. For CV details, check the MAREA expert web-site http://www.mareaproject.net

Psychology and aggression

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68264/2/10.1177_002200275900300301.pd

Size Doesn't Matter: Towards a More Inclusive Philosophy of Biology

notes: As the primary author, O’Malley drafted the paper, and gathered and analysed data (scientific papers and talks). Conceptual analysis was conducted by both authors.publication-status: Publishedtypes: ArticlePhilosophers of biology, along with everyone else, generally perceive life to fall into two broad categories, the microbes and macrobes, and then pay most of their attention to the latter. ‘Macrobe’ is the word we propose for larger life forms, and we use it as part of an argument for microbial equality. We suggest that taking more notice of microbes – the dominant life form on the planet, both now and throughout evolutionary history – will transform some of the philosophy of biology’s standard ideas on ontology, evolution, taxonomy and biodiversity. We set out a number of recent developments in microbiology – including biofilm formation, chemotaxis, quorum sensing and gene transfer – that highlight microbial capacities for cooperation and communication and break down conventional thinking that microbes are solely or primarily single-celled organisms. These insights also bring new perspectives to the levels of selection debate, as well as to discussions of the evolution and nature of multicellularity, and to neo-Darwinian understandings of evolutionary mechanisms. We show how these revisions lead to further complications for microbial classification and the philosophies of systematics and biodiversity. Incorporating microbial insights into the philosophy of biology will challenge many of its assumptions, but also give greater scope and depth to its investigations