Analysing functional implications of differences in left ventricular morphology using statistical shape modelling

Functional implications of left ventricular (LV) morphological characterization in congenital heart disease are not widely explored. This study qualitatively and quantitatively assessed LV shape associations with a) LV function and b) thoracic aortic morphology in patients with aortic coarctation (CoA) with/without bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), and healthy controls. A statistical shape modelling framework was employed to analyse three-dimensional (3D) LV shapes from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) data in isolated CoA (n = 25), CoA + BAV (n = 30), isolated BAV (n = 30), and healthy controls (n = 25). Average 3D templates and deformations were computed. Correlations between shape data and CMR-derived morphometric parameters (i.e., sphericity, conicity) or global and apical strain values were assessed to elucidate possible functional implications. The relationship between LV shape features and arch architecture was also explored. The LV template was shorter and more spherical in CoA patients. Sphericity was overall associated with global and apical radial (p = 0.001, R(2) = 0.09; p < 0.0001, R(2) = 0.17) and circumferential strain (p = 0.001, R(2) = 0.10; p = 0.04, R(2) = 0.04), irrespective of the presence of aortic stenosis and/or regurgitation and controlling for age and hypertension status. LV strain was not associated with arch architecture. Differences in LV morphology were observed between CoA and BAV patients. Increasing LV sphericity was associated with reduced strain, independent of aortic arch architecture and functional aortic valve disease

Has ammonia fumigation affected enchytraeid worms at Whim Moss

The Whim Moss experimental site was established in 2002, for the UK Natural Environment Research Council’s GANE programme (Global Atmospheric Nitrogen Enrichment). This site enables the study of in situ enhanced N effects (as NH3, NH4 + and NO3 - - N) on a sensitive semi-natural habitat, where N applications are dependent upon suitable meteorological conditions. 3 years (2002-2005) of NH3-N fumigation along a 60 m transect has resulted in an exponential decline in NH3-N concentrations from the NH3-N source to 60 m. On this transect, Calluna and sensitive moss species are now in decline. Below-ground effects were investigated in a short-term* study that focused on Enchytraeid worms (Oligochaeta): Enchytraeids are the dominant indicator species in wet acidic habitats, with key roles in biogeochemical cycling. Results showed that changes to the peat pH and mineral N correlated (p < 0.05) with the decline of NH3-N concentrations down the transect. It was expected that NH3-N fumigation would increase the N content of the litter layer, the main Enchytraeid food source; an improved litter quality would thus increase the Enchytraeid population on the transect. At Whim, 3 acidophilic Enchytraeid species were identified; however Enchytraeid species and total abundance were not affected by NH3-N concentrations, pH or mineral N. Both Enchytraeid abundance and litter N content were similar on the transect and ambient control. It is proposed that 3 years of ammonia fumigation at Whim is not yet long enough for plant matter with an increased N content to become incorporated into the litter layer. Future long-term monitoring, with more systematic sampling, will confirm any N effect on the Enchytraeids

A Paleogenomic Reconstruction of the Deep Population History of the Andes.

There are many unanswered questions about the population history of the Central and South Central Andes, particularly regarding the impact of large-scale societies, such as the Moche, Wari, Tiwanaku, and Inca. We assembled genome-wide data on 89 individuals dating from ∼9,000-500 years ago (BP), with a particular focus on the period of the rise and fall of state societies. Today's genetic structure began to develop by 5,800 BP, followed by bi-directional gene flow between the North and South Highlands, and between the Highlands and Coast. We detect minimal admixture among neighboring groups between ∼2,000-500 BP, although we do detect cosmopolitanism (people of diverse ancestries living side-by-side) in the heartlands of the Tiwanaku and Inca polities. We also highlight cases of long-range mobility connecting the Andes to Argentina and the Northwest Andes to the Amazon Basin. VIDEO ABSTRACT

Bodyscapes, Biology, and Heteronormativity

ABSTRACT  The term bodyscape encourages thinking about representation of bodies at multiple scales—from different bodies as they move through space to the microlandscape of individual bodily differences. A hegemonic bodyscape's representations tend to idealize and essentialize bodies’ differences to reinforce normative ideas about a society's socioeconomic organization. But, a dominant bodyscape is never absolute. Bodyscapes that depart from or subvert hegemonic representations may simultaneously exist. In Western society, the biomedical bodyscape predominates in scientific understandings of bodily difference. Its representation of sex differences conveys heteronormative notions about gender and sexuality. Because the biomedical bodyscape frames studies of ancient bodies, investigators need recognize how their considerations of labor divisions, familial organization, and reproduction may situate modern (hetero)sexist representations deep within antiquity. To innovate analyses of socioeconomic relations, queer theory allows scholars to interrogate human nature. Doing so produces alternative bodyscapes that represent the diversity of past peoples’ social and sexual lives. [Keywords: bodyscape, heteronormativity, queer theory, bioarchaeology, paleoanthropology