Impacts of climate‐related stressors on social group cohesion and individual sociability in fish

Funding: Natural Environment Research Council. Grant Number: NE/T008334/1.Group‐living in animals comes with a number of benefits associated with predator avoidance, foraging, and reproduction. A large proportion of fish species display grouping behaviour. Fish may also be particularly vulnerable to climate‐related stressors including thermal variation, hypoxia, and acidification. As climate‐related stressors are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency, any effects on fish behaviour may be increased and affect the ability of fish species to cope with changing conditions. Here we conduct a systematic review of the effects of temperature, hypoxia, and acidification on individual sociability and group cohesion in shoaling and schooling fishes. Searches of the published and grey literature were carried out, and studies were included or excluded based on selection criteria. Data from studies were then included in a meta‐analysis to examine broad patterns of effects of climate‐related stressors in the literature. Evidence was found for a reduction in group cohesion at low oxygen levels, which was stronger in smaller groups. While several studies reported effects of temperature and acidification, there was no consistent effect of either stressor on sociability or cohesion. There was some evidence that marine fishes are more strongly negatively affected by acidification compared with freshwater species, but results are similarly inconsistent and more studies are required. Additional studies of two or more stressors in combination are also needed, although one study found reduced sociability following exposure to acidification and high temperatures. Overall, there is some evidence that hypoxia, and potentially other climate‐related environmental changes, impact sociability and group cohesion in fishes. This may reduce survival and adaptability in shoaling and schooling species and have further ecological implications for aquatic systems. However, this synthesis mainly highlights the need for more empirical studies examining the effects of climate‐related factors on social behaviour in fishes.Peer reviewe

Impacts of anthropogenic pollutants on social group cohesion and individual sociability in fish: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Anthropogenic pollutants are near-ubiquitous in aquatic systems. Aquatic animals such as fishes are subject to physiological stress induced by pollution present in aquatic systems, which can translate to changes in behaviour. Key adaptive behaviours such as shoaling and schooling may be subject to change as a result of physiological or metabolic stress or neurosensory impacts of pollution. This can result in fitness and ecological impacts such as increased predation risk and reduced foraging success. Here, we conducted a systematic metanalysis of the existing literature, comprising 165 studies, on the effects of anthropogenic pollution on sociability and group cohesion in fish species. Both organic (number of studies = 92, posterior mean (PM) = -0.483, p < 0.001) and inorganic (n = 24, PM = -0.697, p < 0.05) chemical pollutants, as well as light exposure (n = 21, PM = -3.176, p < 0.01) were found to reduce sociability. These pollutants did not reduce group cohesion, indicating that effects may be masked in group settings, though fewer studies were carried out on group cohesion and this is a key area for future research. Mixtures of chemical pollutants (n = 16) were found to reduce cohesion (PM = -45.42, p < 0.01), but increase sociability (PM = 46.00, p < 0.01). Evidence was found that fish may behaviourally acclimate to two forms of pollutant, namely mixed chemical pollutants (PM = -0.693, p < 0.05) and noise exposure (n = 22, PM = -4.059, p < 0.05). While aquatic systems are often subject to pollution from multiple sources and of multiple types, very few studies investigated the effects of multiple stressors concurrently. This review identifies trends in the existing literature, and highlights areas where further research is required in order to understand the behavioural and ecological impacts of anthropogenic pollutants in aquatic systems

Estimating Zika Virus Seroprevalence in a Dengue Virus–Endemic Population:The Use of Blood Donors and Multiplex Serology to Monitor Arbovirus Outbreaks in the Dutch Caribbean

Background. The geographic range of flaviviruses is expanding, as evidenced by the increase in dengue virus (DENV) cases and the recent emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas. Studying seroprevalence of flaviviruses in (hyper)endemic regions is challenging due to extensive antibody cross-reactivity. Over the past decade, Aruba and Curaçao have experienced DENV and ZIKV outbreaks, of which the magnitude and impact remain unclear due to the challenges of disentangling DENV from ZIKV (past) infection. Methods. Here, we study the potential utility of blood donors for monitoring the extent of circulation, on 2 Caribbean islands. We report a longitudinal cross-sectional study using randomly selected blood donor sera (n = 715) during the ZIKV outbreaks on Aruba and Curaçao (January 2016–July 2017). Flavivirus seroprevalence was estimated using a validated multiplex protein microarray containing NS1 proteins for 11 flaviviruses, in combination with confirmation virus neutralization tests on a selection of sera. Results. It was possible to disentangle ZIKV exposure from exposure to other flaviviruses. In Curaçao, the seroprevalence of ZIKV antibodies was 25% and significantly higher than the prevalence of antibodies attributable to ZIKV exposure in Aruba (8%). Flavivirus immunoglobulin G antibody (IgG) titers increased with age (P &lt; .05), Conclusions. This methodology allows estimation of ZIKV seroprevalence during and after the ZIKV outbreaks. This study shows the importance of including age in the interpretation of serology data. Furthermore, it gives insights into the complex antibody (background) patterns of flaviviruses over time, and highlights the utility of an existing voluntary blood donor program to monitor and respond to (flavivirus) outbreaks.</p

Impacts of climate-related stressors on social group cohesion and individual sociability in fish

Group-living in animals comes with a number of benefits associated with predator avoidance, foraging, and reproduction. A large proportion of fish species display grouping behaviour. Fish may also be particularly vulnerable to climate-related stressors including thermal variation, hypoxia, and acidification. As climate-related stressors are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency, any effects on fish behaviour may be increased and affect the ability of fish species to cope with changing conditions. Here we conduct a systematic review of the effects of temperature, hypoxia, and acidification on individual sociability and group cohesion in shoaling and schooling fishes. Searches of the published and grey literature were carried out, and studies were included or excluded based on selection criteria. Data from studies were then included in a meta-analysis to examine broad patterns of effects of climate-related stressors in the literature. Evidence was found for a reduction in group cohesion at low oxygen levels, which was stronger in smaller groups. While several studies reported effects of temperature and acidification, there was no consistent effect of either stressor on sociability or cohesion. There was some evidence that marine fishes are more strongly negatively affected by acidification compared with freshwater species, but results are similarly inconsistent and more studies are required. Additional studies of two or more stressors in combination are also needed, although one study found reduced sociability following exposure to acidification and high temperatures. Overall, there is some evidence that hypoxia, and potentially other climate-related environmental changes, impact sociability and group cohesion in fishes. This may reduce survival and adaptability in shoaling and schooling species and have further ecological implications for aquatic systems. However, this synthesis mainly highlights the need for more empirical studies examining the effects of climate-related factors on social behaviour in fishes

Computational approaches identify a transcriptomic fingerprint of drug-induced structural cardiotoxicity

Structural cardiotoxicity (SCT) presents a high-impact risk that is poorly tolerated in drug discovery unless significant benefit is anticipated. Therefore, we aimed to improve the mechanistic understanding of SCT. First, we combined machine learning methods with a modified calcium transient assay in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to identify nine parameters that could predict SCT. Next, we applied transcriptomic profiling to human cardiac microtissues exposed to structural and non-structural cardiotoxins. Fifty-two genes expressed across the three main cell types in the heart (cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts) were prioritised in differential expression and network clustering analyses and could be linked to known mechanisms of SCT. This transcriptomic fingerprint may prove useful for generating strategies to mitigate SCT risk in early drug discovery

Computational approaches identify a transcriptomic fingerprint of drug-induced structural cardiotoxicity

Structural cardiotoxicity (SCT) presents a high-impact risk that is poorly tolerated in drug discovery unless significant benefit is anticipated. Therefore, we aimed to improve the mechanistic understanding of SCT. First, we combined machine learning methods with a modified calcium transient assay in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to identify nine parameters that could predict SCT. Next, we applied transcriptomic profiling to human cardiac microtissues exposed to structural and non-structural cardiotoxins. Fifty-two genes expressed across the three main cell types in the heart (cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts) were prioritised in differential expression and network clustering analyses and could be linked to known mechanisms of SCT. This transcriptomic fingerprint may prove useful for generating strategies to mitigate SCT risk in early drug discovery

Reduced adult survival estimated in areas of decline of harbour seal populations in Scotland

Funding: NatureScot; Scottish Government. Grant Numbers: MMSS/002/15, MMSS/003/20; Highlands and Islands Enterprise; Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Ltd; Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Ltd; Crown Estate; Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd.Understanding the demographic drivers behind observed changes in wild populations is key to inferring intrinsic and extrinsic causes behind such changes. In Scotland, harbour seal populations have undergone regional declines since the early 2000s. Here we apply mark-recapture models to photo-identification data collected during the breeding season at haulout sites representative of three areas with contrasting population trajectories to estimate sex-specific apparent adult survival and fecundity rates. Apparent adult survival rates were lower at the declining site of Burray, located within the North Coast and Orkney Seal Monitoring Unit (SMU), which has declined by 85% since the mid-1990s: female survival = 0.844 (95%CI 0.803-0.878), male survival = 0.826 (95%CI 0.751-0.883) (photo-ID data collected in 2016-2022). At stable or increasing sites, estimated apparent adult survival rates were higher: at Dunvegan, located in the West Coast SMU, a region that has been generally increasing since monitoring started in the mid-1990s: female survival = 0.878 (95%CI 0.810-0.924), male survival = 0.842 (95%CI 0.756-0.902) (photo-ID data collected in 2016-2022); at Loch Fleet, located in the Moray Firth SMU which has shown no trend since 2003: female survival = 0.941 (95%CI 0.922-0.956), male survival = 0.919 (95%CI 0.888-0.942) (photo-ID data collected 2006-2021). Mark-recapture fecundity rates were generally high at all sites (0.809 to 0.883), with the lowest estimated fecundity at the declining site of Burray. The results indicate that the causes of the decline are likely acting on adult survival, while evidence that a decrease in fecundity is driving the observed declines had less support. The estimated vital rates inform current research into potential causes of the declines and can be incorporated into stage-structured population dynamics models to investigate whether the hypothesized mechanisms for decline are supported by the data.Peer reviewe

Development of a flip book: A resource to develop organization skills for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Abstract onlyThe purpose of this study was to develop a flip book as a resource material to improve the organization skills of individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The developmental approach, more specifically the Input Process Output (IPO) Model, was the research design used to attain the objectives. An online semi-structured Key-Informant-Interview (Kll) was conducted through Google Meet, Zoom, and other available platforms for the participants. The interview was recorded through mobile device or laptop to encode the information easily. Thematic analysis was utilized in analyzing the data collected. Findings revealed three major themes that emerged from the participants’ narratives; namely: difficulties of individuals with ADHD in terms of organizational skills, experiences of SPED teachers in teaching organizational skills among individuals with ADHD, and experiences of parents in terms of instilling organizational skills among their children with ADHD. Hence, the developed flip book was designed based on the findings extracted from the gathered data. Consequently, this was evaluated and validated by three expert Special Education teachers using the researchers-made 4-point Likert scale. The evaluators strongly agreed that the flip book that the researchers developed is highly acceptable and can be used as a resource to develop the organizational skills for individuals with ADHD.Includes bibliographical referencesBachelor of Special Needs Educatio

The most luminous, merger-free AGN show only marginal correlation with bar presence

The role of large-scale bars in the fuelling of active galactic nuclei (AGN) is still debated, even as evidence mounts that black hole growth in the absence of galaxy mergers cumulatively dominated and may substantially influence disc (i.e., merger-free) galaxy evolution. We investigate whether large-scale galactic bars are a good candidate for merger-free AGN fuelling. Specifically, we combine slit spectroscopy and Hubble Space Telescope imagery to characterise star formation rates (SFRs) and stellar masses of the unambiguously disc-dominated host galaxies of a sample of luminous, Type-1 AGN with 0.02 < z 0.024. After carefully correcting for AGN signal, we find no clear difference in SFR between AGN hosts and a stellar mass-matched sample of galaxies lacking an AGN (0.013 < z < 0.19), although this could be due to a small sample size (n_AGN = 34). We correct for SFR and stellar mass to minimise selection biases, and compare the bar fraction in the two samples. We find that AGN are marginally (1.7$\sigma$) more likely to host a bar than inactive galaxies, with AGN hosts having a bar fraction, fbar = 0.59^{+0.08}_{-0.09} and inactive galaxies having a bar fraction fbar = 0.44^{+0.08}_{-0.09}. However, we find no further differences between SFR- and mass-matched AGN and inactive samples. While bars could potentially trigger AGN activity, they appear to have no further, unique effect on a galaxy's stellar mass or SFR.Comment: 15 pages (9 figures). Accepted for publication in MNRA

Galaxy Zoo DESI: large-scale bars as a secular mechanism for triggering AGN

Despite the evidence that supermassive black holes (SMBHs) co-evolve with their host galaxy, and that most of the growth of these SMBHs occurs via merger-free processes, the underlying mechanisms which drive this secular co-evolution are poorly understood. We investigate the role that both strong and weak large-scale galactic bars play in mediating this relationship. Using 72,940 disc galaxies in a volume-limited sample from Galaxy Zoo DESI, we analyse the active galactic nucleus (AGN) fraction in strongly barred, weakly barred, and unbarred galaxies up to z = 0.1 over a range of stellar masses and colours. After controlling for stellar mass and colour, we find that the optically selected AGN fraction is 31.6 +/- 0.9 per cent in strongly barred galaxies, 23.3 +/- 0.8 per cent in weakly barred galaxies, and 14.2 +/- 0.6 per cent in unbarred disc galaxies. These are highly statistically robust results, strengthening the tantalising results in earlier works. Strongly barred galaxies have a higher fraction of AGNs than weakly barred galaxies, which in turn have a higher fraction than unbarred galaxies. Thus, while bars are not required in order to grow a SMBH in a disc galaxy, large-scale galactic bars appear to facilitate AGN fuelling, and the presence of a strong bar makes a disc galaxy more than twice as likely to host an AGN than an unbarred galaxy at all galaxy stellar masses and colours.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA