Le Lucane cerf-volant Lucanus cervus (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) dans l'art et la mythologie

Lucanus cervus, the largest European beetle, has incessantly captured the imagination and fascination of mankind and has been known in Europe since the antiquity. The first written sources, in which it is mentioned, appear in ancient Greece and the last are very recent paintings of male stag beetles from the 21st century, demonstrating a very impressive span for this charismatic beetle. The stag beetle’s popularity is based not only on the mythological tales, but also on its magical powers. By the time, it slowly rid itself of the once assigned symbolic meaning and took on a descriptive and decorative function, finally becoming the favourite subject of many artists. Thanks to its ability to stimulate people’s imagination and to be transformed into a variety of roles, the stag beetle appears even in satirical illustrations. It is included in the repertory of decorative Art Nouveau, on porcelain, on jewellery, on stamps and on a variety of consumer goods.Connu en Europe depuis l'Antiquité, Lucanus cervus, le plus grand Coléoptère européen, a de tout temps captivé l'imagination et fasciné l'humanité. Les premières sources écrites dans lesquelles il est mentionné remontent à la Grèce ancienne et les dernières sont de très récentes peintures de lucanes mâles du 21e siècle, ce qui démontre une remarquable durée de l'intérêt porté à cet insecte charismatique. La popularité du Lucane repose non seulement sur les légendes mythologiques mais aussi sur ses pouvoirs magiques. Au cours du temps, il s'est lentement débarrassé de la signification symbolique qui lui avait été assignée pour prendre une fonction descriptive et décorative, devenant au final le sujet favori de beaucoup d'artistes. Par son aptitude à stimuler l'imagination populaire et à jouer une variété de rôles, le Lucane apparaît même dans les illustrations satiriques. Il est inscrit au répertoire décoratif de l'Art Nouveau sur les porcelaines, les bijoux, les timbres et une variété de biens de consommation

‘Trust me, we can sort this out’: a theory-testing case study of the role of epistemic trust in fostering relationships

Novel psychological theories are often conceived in a general or heuristic form that can benefit from development and granulation through context-specific theory testing. Here, a theory-testing single case study methodology, adapted from an approach developed in the field of psychoanalysis, is presented. The study exemplifies this methodology though an interrogation of the explanatory value of a relatively new child development theory, the theory of epistemic trust, in the context of the relationship between a foster carer (“John”) and a young person in their care (“Buster”). Using in-depth interview material, the ways and extent to which the theory of epistemic trust could aid understanding of this fostering relationship are examined. We discuss the implications for the development of the theory of epistemic trust and the applications of these findings to social work contexts. The strengths and limitations of this theory-testing case study approach are explored

Käfer (Coleoptera) im Gebiet des Furkapasses, Kantone Uri und Wallis

In einem zusammenfassenden Beitrag zur Käferfauna des Furkapasses (2300–2700 m ü. M.) wurden 111 Arten zusammengetragen. Der Artenreichtum ist hoch im Vergleich mit anderen Studien in ähnlichen Biotopen in den Schweizer Alpen. Die Funde von Psylliodes schwarzi Weise, 1900, Mycetoporus inaris Luze, 1901 und Cratosilis distinguenda (Baudi, 1859) auf der Alpennordseite sind bemerkenswert

Mapping the journey from epistemic mistrust in depressed adolescents receiving psychotherapy

Although the theory of epistemic trust has started informing research in clinical populations and in psychotherapy, no study has yet explored the phenomenon of epistemic trust and mistrust in depressed adolescents receiving psychotherapy. The present study aims to address this gap by creating a typology of depressed adolescents’ experiences regarding their different journeys through the course of psychotherapy in relation to issues of epistemic trust and mistrust over a 2-year period. This study is based on a post-hoc analysis of interview data collected for a broader purpose. A total of 45 semi-structured interviews at 3 time points were conducted with 15 adolescents (80% female; M age = 15.28, SD = 1.79) who entered treatment with indications of epistemic mistrust or hypervigilance. These interviews were qualitatively analysed using Ideal Type Analysis. Three distinct journeys of adolescents’ experiences were identified. Some experienced a shift from epistemic mistrust to epistemic trust which seemed to be associated with the experience of therapy; other adolescents also showed a shift but did not consider it as an outcome of therapy; and finally, some adolescents reported continued mistrust over the 2-year period. An interpersonal component within or beyond therapy may be the key to breaking the vicious cycle of epistemic mistrust and generating epistemic trust; but not all depressed adolescents in therapy achieve this. Particular attention should be drawn to depressed adolescents who have difficulty making use of therapy and/or their broader social environment. Psychological interventions may need to openly address their issues of mistrust in early sessions as epistemic mistrust or hypervigilance may hinder paths to learning both within and beyond therapy. Treatments that intervene at the level of the wider social system are encouraged

No typical care story: How do care-experienced young people and foster carers understand fostering relationships?

Although an understanding of the lived experience of foster care relationships can provide valuable information to guide social work practice and policy, few such studies have been carried out. This article presents findings from a qualitative investigation exploring experiences of relationships between foster carers and the young people in their care. Eight care-experienced young people and nine foster carers participated in interviews and focus groups. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to explore their experiences. The insider’s perspective was further amplified through engaging peer researchers with experience of fostering relationships – one a young person who had been in care, the other a long-term carer. Two overarching themes were identified. Firstly, participants made sense of fostering relationships through comparisons with birth family ones, particularly in relation to the impact of care systems, continuing biological family relationships and foster care language. Secondly, previous experiences created barriers to forming positive fostering relationships, but when these were overcome the experience could be life changing. The implications of these findings for social care policy regarding foster carer support, training and matching guidelines are discussed

The Reflective Fostering Programme fidelity rating scale: development and inter-rater reliability

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the development of the 14-item reflective fostering fidelity rating (RFFR), an observational rating system to evaluate model fidelity of group facilitators in the Reflective Fostering Programme (RFP), a mentalisation-based psychoeducation programme to support foster carers. The authors assess usability, dimensionality, inter-rater reliability and discriminative ability of the RFFR. Design/methodology/approach: Eighty video clip extracts documenting 20 RFP sessions were independently rated by four raters using the RFFR. The dimensionality of the RFFR was assessed using principal components analysis. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient. Findings: The proportion of missing ratings was low at 2.8%. A single principal component summarised over 90% of the variation in ratings for each rater. The inter-rater reliability of individual item ratings was poor-to-moderate, but a summary score had acceptable inter-rater reliability. The authors present evidence that the RFFR can distinguish RFP sessions that differ in treatment fidelity. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first investigation and report of the RFFR’s validity in assessing the programme fidelity of the RFP. The paper concludes that the RFFR is an appropriate rating measure for treatment fidelity of the RFP and useful for the purposes of both quality control and supervision

ESTs and EST-linked polymorphisms for genetic mapping and phylogenetic reconstruction in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The guppy, <it>Poecilia reticulata</it>, is a well-known model organism for studying inheritance and variation of male ornamental traits as well as adaptation to different river habitats. However, genomic resources for studying this important model were not previously widely available.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>With the aim of generating molecular markers for genetic mapping of the guppy, cDNA libraries were constructed from embryos and different adult organs to generate expressed sequence tags (ESTs). About 18,000 ESTs were annotated according to BLASTN and BLASTX results and the sequence information from the 3' UTRs was exploited to generate PCR primers for re-sequencing of genomic DNA from different wild type strains. By comparison of EST-linked genomic sequences from at least four different ecotypes, about 1,700 polymorphisms were identified, representing about 400 distinct genes. Two interconnected MySQL databases were built to organize the ESTs and markers, respectively. A robust phylogeny of the guppy was reconstructed, based on 10 different nuclear genes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our EST and marker databases provide useful tools for genetic mapping and phylogenetic studies of the guppy.</p

Cohesive Properties of the Caulobacter crescentus Holdfast Adhesin Are Regulated by a Novel c-di-GMP Effector Protein

When encountering surfaces, many bacteria produce adhesins to facilitate their initial attachment and to irreversibly glue themselves to the solid substrate. A central molecule regulating the processes of this motile-sessile transition is the second messenger c-di-GMP, which stimulates the production of a variety of exopolysaccharide adhesins in different bacterial model organisms. In Caulobacter crescentus, c-di-GMP regulates the synthesis of the polar holdfast adhesin during the cell cycle, yet the molecular and cellular details of this control are currently unknown. Here we identify HfsK, a member of a versatile N-acetyltransferase family, as a novel c-di-GMP effector involved in holdfast biogenesis. Cells lacking HfsK form highly malleable holdfast structures with reduced adhesive strength that cannot support surface colonization. We present indirect evidence that HfsK modifies the polysaccharide component of holdfast to buttress its cohesive properties. HfsK is a soluble protein but associates with the cell membrane during most of the cell cycle. Coincident with peak c-di-GMP levels during the C. crescentus cell cycle, HfsK relocalizes to the cytosol in a c-di-GMP-dependent manner. Our results indicate that this c-di-GMP-mediated dynamic positioning controls HfsK activity, leading to its inactivation at high c-di-GMP levels. A short C-terminal extension is essential for the membrane association, c-di-GMP binding, and activity of HfsK. We propose a model in which c-di-GMP binding leads to the dispersal and inactivation of HfsK as part of holdfast biogenesis progression.IMPORTANCE Exopolysaccharide (EPS) adhesins are important determinants of bacterial surface colonization and biofilm formation. Biofilms are a major cause of chronic infections and are responsible for biofouling on water-exposed surfaces. To tackle these problems, it is essential to dissect the processes leading to surface colonization at the molecular and cellular levels. Here we describe a novel c-di-GMP effector, HfsK, that contributes to the cohesive properties and stability of the holdfast adhesin in C. crescentus We demonstrate for the first time that c-di-GMP, in addition to its role in the regulation of the rate of EPS production, also modulates the physicochemical properties of bacterial adhesins. By demonstrating how c-di-GMP coordinates the activity and subcellular localization of HfsK, we provide a novel understanding of the cellular processes involved in adhesin biogenesis control. Homologs of HfsK are found in representatives of different bacterial phyla, suggesting that they play important roles in various EPS synthesis systems

The Reflective Fostering Programme—improving the wellbeing of children in care through a group intervention for foster carers: a randomised controlled trial

Background: The needs of children in care are a government priority, yet the evidence base for effective interventions to support the emotional wellbeing of children in care is lacking. Research suggests that supporting the carer-child relationship, by promoting the carer’s reflective parenting, may be an effective approach to improving the wellbeing of these children. Methods: The study comprises a definitive, superiority, two-armed, parallel, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial, with embedded process evaluation and economic evaluation, and an internal pilot, to evaluate the effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, of the Reflective Fostering Programme. Randomisation is at the individual level using a 1:1 allocation ratio. The study is being conducted in local authority sites across England, and is targeted at foster carers (including kinship carers) looking after children aged 4 to 13. Consenting participants are randomly allocated to the Reflective Fostering Programme (intervention arm) in addition to usual support or usual support alone (control arm). The primary outcome is behavioural and emotional wellbeing of the child 12 months post-baseline, and secondary outcomes include the following: foster carer’s level of stress, quality of life, reflective capacity, compassion fatigue and burnout, placement stability, the quality of the child-carer relationship, child’s capacity for emotional regulation, and achievement of personalised goals set by the carer. Discussion: A feasibility study has indicated effectiveness of the Programme in improving the child-carer relationship and emotional and behavioural wellbeing of children in care. This study will test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of implementing the Reflective Fostering Programme as an additional aid to the support already available to local authority foster carers. Trial registration: ISRCTN 70832140

Genetic Variants of the FADS Gene Cluster and ELOVL Gene Family, Colostrums LC-PUFA Levels, Breastfeeding, and Child Cognition

Introduction: Breastfeeding effects on cognition are attributed to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), but controversy persists. Genetic variation in fatty acid desaturase (FADS) and elongase (ELOVL) enzymes has been overlooked when studying the effects of LC-PUFAs supply on cognition. We aimed to: 1) to determine whether maternal genetic variants in the FADS cluster and ELOVL genes contribute to differences in LC-PUFA levels in colostrum; 2) to analyze whether these maternal variants are related to child cognition; and 3) to assess whether children's variants modify breastfeeding effects on cognition. Methods: Data come from two population-based birth cohorts (n = 400 mother-child pairs from INMA-Sabadell; and n = 340 children from INMA-Menorca). LC-PUFAs were measured in 270 colostrum samples from INMA-Sabadell. Tag SNPs were genotyped both in mothers and children (13 in the FADS cluster, 6 in ELOVL2, and 7 in ELOVL5). Child cognition was assessed at 14 mo and 4 y using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the McCarthy Scales of Children"s Abilities, respectively. Results: Children of mothers carrying genetic variants associated with lower FADS1 activity (regulating AA and EPA synthesis), higher FADS2 activity (regulating DHA synthesis), and with higher EPA/AA and DHA/AA ratios in colostrum showed a significant advantage in cognition at 14 mo (3.5 to 5.3 points). Not being breastfed conferred an 8- to 9-point disadvantage in cognition among children GG homozygote for rs174468 (low FADS1 activity) but not among those with the A allele. Moreover, not being breastfed resulted in a disadvantage in cognition (5 to 8 points) among children CC homozygote for rs2397142 (low ELOVL5 activity), but not among those carrying the G allele. Conclusion: Genetically determined maternal supplies of LC-PUFAs during pregnancy and lactation appear to be crucial for child cognition. Breastfeeding effects on cognition are modified by child genetic variation in fatty acid desaturase and elongase enzymes