Social complexity in bees is not sufficient to explain lack of reversions to solitary living over long time scales

BackgroundThe major lineages of eusocial insects, the ants, termites, stingless bees, honeybees and vespid wasps, all have ancient origins (> or = 65 mya) with no reversions to solitary behaviour. This has prompted the notion of a 'point of no return' whereby the evolutionary elaboration and integration of behavioural, genetic and morphological traits over a very long period of time leads to a situation where reversion to solitary living is no longer an evolutionary option.ResultsWe show that in another group of social insects, the allodapine bees, there was a single origin of sociality > 40 mya. We also provide data on the biology of a key allodapine species, Halterapis nigrinervis, showing that it is truly social. H. nigrinervis was thought to be the only allodapine that was not social, and our findings therefore indicate that there have been no losses of sociality among extant allodapine clades. Allodapine colony sizes rarely exceed 10 females per nest and all females in virtually all species are capable of nesting and reproducing independently, so these bees clearly do not fit the 'point of no return' concept.ConclusionWe argue that allodapine sociality has been maintained by ecological constraints and the benefits of alloparental care, as opposed to behavioural, genetic or morphological constraints to independent living. Allodapine brood are highly vulnerable to predation because they are progressively reared in an open nest (not in sealed brood cells), which provides potentially large benefits for alloparental care and incentives for reproductives to tolerate potential alloparents. We argue that similar vulnerabilities may also help explain the lack of reversions to solitary living in other taxa with ancient social origins.Luke B. Chenoweth, Simon M. Tierney, Jaclyn A. Smith, Steven J.B. Cooper and Michael P. Schwar

Head Exposure to Acceleration Database in Sport (HEADSport): a kinematic signal processing method to enable instrumented mouthguard (iMG) field-based inter-study comparisons

Objective Instrumented mouthguard (iMG) systems use different signal processing approaches limiting field-based inter-study comparisons, especially when artefacts are present in the signal. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency content and characteristics of head kinematic signals from head impact reconstruction laboratory and field-based environments to develop an artefact attenuation filtering method (HEADSport filter method).Methods Laboratory impacts (n=72) on a test-dummy headform ranging from 25 to 150 g were conducted and 126 rugby union players were equipped with iMGs for 209 player-matches. Power spectral density (PSD) characteristics of the laboratory impacts and on-field head acceleration events (HAEs) (n=5694) such as the 95th percentile cumulative sum PSD frequency were used to develop the HEADSport method. The HEADSport filter method was compared with two other common filtering approaches (Butterworth-200Hz and CFC180 filter) through signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and mixed linear effects models for laboratory and on-field events, respectively.Results The HEADSport filter method produced marginally higher SNR than the Butterworth-200Hz and CFC180 filter and on-field peak linear acceleration (PLA) and peak angular acceleration (PAA) values within the magnitude range tested in the laboratory. Median PLA and PAA (and outlier values) were higher for the CFC180 filter than the Butterworth-200Hz and HEADSport filter method (plt;0.01).Conclusion The HEADSport filter method could enable iMG field-based inter-study comparisons and is openly available at https://github.com/GTBiomech/HEADSport-Filter-Method.Data are available upon reasonable request. Anonymous data are available on reasonable request to the corresponding author

Development and evaluation of a custom bait design based on 469 single-copy protein-coding genes for exon capture of isopods (Philosciidae: Haloniscus)

Transcriptome-based exon capture approaches, along with next-generation sequencing, are allowing for the rapid and cost-effective production of extensive and informative phylogenomic datasets from non-model organisms for phylogenetics and population genetics research. These approaches generally employ a reference genome to infer the intron-exon structure of targeted loci and preferentially select longer exons. However, in the absence of an existing and well-annotated genome, we applied this exon capture method directly, without initially identifying intron-exon boundaries for bait design, to a group of highly diverse Haloniscus (Philosciidae), paraplatyarthrid and armadillid isopods, and examined the performance of our methods and bait design for phylogenetic inference. Here, we identified an isopod-specific set of single-copy protein-coding loci, and a custom bait design to capture targeted regions from 469 genes, and analysed the resulting sequence data with a mapping approach and newly-created post-processing scripts. We effectively recovered a large and informative dataset comprising both short (300 bp) exons, with high uniformity in sequencing depth. We were also able to successfully capture exon data from up to 16-year-old museum specimens along with more distantly related outgroup taxa, and efficiently pool multiple samples prior to capture. Our well-resolved phylogenies highlight the overall utility of this methodological approach and custom bait design, which offer enormous potential for application to future isopod, as well as broader crustacean, molecular studies

Direct Visualization of Antigen-specific CD8+T Cells during the Primary Immune Response to Epstein-Barr Virus In Vivo

Primary infection with virus can stimulate a vigorous cytotoxic T cell response. The magnitude of the antigen-specific component versus the bystander component of a primary T cell response remains controversial. In this study, we have used tetrameric major histocompatibility complex–peptide complexes to directly visualize antigen-specific cluster of differentration (CD)8+ T cells during the primary immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in humans. We show that massive expansion of activated, antigen-specific T cells occurs during the primary response to this virus. In one individual, T cells specific for a single EBV epitope comprised 44% of the total CD8+ T cells within peripheral blood. The majority of the antigen-specific cells had an activated/memory phenotype, with expression of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR, CD38, and CD45RO, downregulation of CD62 leukocyte (CD62L), and low levels of expression of CD45RA. After recovery from AIM, the frequency of antigen-specific T cells fell in most donors studied, although populations of antigen-specific cells continued to be easily detectable for at least 3 yr

The consequences of micro-discretions and boundaries in the social prescribing link worker role in England: a realist evaluation

Background: Social prescribing addresses non-medical factors affecting health and well-being. Link workers arekey to its delivery by connecting people to relevant support, often in the voluntary, community and social enterprisesector. Funding from the National Health Service means that link workers are becoming a common part of primarycare in England.Objective: To explore and understand the implementation of link workers in primary care in England.Design: A realist evaluation addressed the question – When implementing link workers in primary care to sustainoutcomes – what works, for whom, why and in what circumstances?Setting: Link workers and staff associated with seven primary care sites across England.Methods: Researchers spent 3 weeks with each link worker, going to meetings with them, watching them interactwith patients, with healthcare staff and with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. In addition,interviews were conducted with 61 patients and 93 professionals (voluntary, community and social enterpriserepresentatives and healthcare staff, including link workers). Follow-up interviews were conducted with 41 patientsand with link workers 9–12 months later. Data were coded and developed into statements to identify how contextaround the link worker triggers mechanisms that lead to intended and unintended outcomes.Results: We found that link workers exercise micro-discretions in their role – actions and advice-giving based onpersonal judgement of a situation, which may not always reflect explicit guidance or protocols. Our analysis highlightedthat micro-discretions engender positive connections (with patients, healthcare staff, the voluntary, community andsocial enterprise sector) and promote buy-in to the link worker role in primary care. Micro-discretions supporteddelivery of person-centred care and enhanced job satisfaction. Data also highlighted that lack of boundaries couldplace link workers at risk of overstepping their remit.Limitations: Our research focused on link workers attached to primary care; findings may not be applicable tothose working in other settings. Data were collected around seven link worker cases, who were selected purposivelyfor variation in terms of geographical spread and how/by whom link workers were employed. However, these linkworkers were predominately white females.Conclusions: Enabling link workers to exercise micro-discretions allows for responsiveness to individual patientneeds but can result in uncertainty and to link workers feeling overstretched

“She’s been a rock”: the function and importance of ‘holding’ by social prescribing link workers in primary care in England: findings from a realist evaluation.

Social prescribing link workers are new roles in English primary care. One of their intended functions is to address the increasing number of patients with conditions influenced by the wider, social determinants of health. Their main purpose is to connect people to community resources to meet their non-medical needs. However, our research reveals that link workers provide not only connections, but also what we have described as ‘holding’ for patients who have complex needs, who lack informal networks of support or who are waiting to access services. We explore the concept of holding, its meaning and significance in this context and its consequences.As part of a realist evaluation, we observed seven link workers in GP practices in England during focussed ethnographies over a three-week period. We took field notes and interviewed 61 patients and 93 healthcare professionals. Nine to twelve months later we carried out follow-up interviews with 41 patients, seven link workers and a link worker manager. We identified four functions of holding: supporting patients waiting for services, sustaining patients as they prepare for change, reducing the emotional burden of primary healthcare professionals, and bearing witness to patients’ distress. Holding appears to be a vital, but often overlooked aspect of social prescribing. Patients benefit from having a reliable and consistent person to support their emotional needs. However, similar to the impact of holding on other primary care professionals, there are unintended consequences: some link workers exceed their capacity, become over-burdened, experience burnout, and leave their job. Recognizing the importance of holding and understanding its role in link workers' primary care responsibilities are critical. If holding work is accepted as a role for link workers, providing training and support for them should be prioritized to ensure successful implementation and positive outcomes for patients, link workers and primary healthcare

Differential transcriptomic responses to heat stress in surface and subterranean diving beetles

Subterranean habitats are generally very stable environments, and as such evolutionary transitions of organisms from surface to subterranean lifestyles may cause considerable shifts in physiology, particularly with respect to thermal tolerance. In this study we compared responses to heat shock at the molecular level in a geographically widespread, surface-dwelling water beetle to a congeneric subterranean species restricted to a single aquifer (Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae). The obligate subterranean beetle Paroster macrosturtensis is known to have a lower thermal tolerance compared to surface lineages (CTmax 38°C cf. 42–46°C), but the genetic basis of this physiological difference has not been characterized. We experimentally manipulated the thermal environment of 24 individuals to demonstrate that both species can mount a heat shock response at high temperatures (35°C), as determined by comparative transcriptomics. However, genes involved in these responses differ between species and a far greater number were differentially expressed in the surface taxon, suggesting it can mount a more robust heat shock response; these data may underpin its higher thermal tolerance compared to subterranean relatives. In contrast, the subterranean species examined not only differentially expressed fewer genes in response to increasing temperatures, but also in the presence of the experimental setup employed here alone. Our results suggest P. macrosturtensis may be comparatively poorly equipped to respond to both thermally induced stress and environmental disturbances more broadly. The molecular findings presented here have conservation implications for P. macrosturtensis and contribute to a growing narrative concerning weakened thermal tolerances in obligate subterranean organisms at the molecular level

Ready for impact? A validity and feasibility study of instrumented mouthguards (iMGs)

Objectives Assess the validity and feasibility of current instrumented mouthguards (iMGs) and associated systems. Methods Phase I; four iMG systems (Biocore-Football Research Inc (FRI), HitIQ, ORB, Prevent) were compared against dummy headform laboratory criterion standards (25, 50, 75, 100 g). Phase II; four iMG systems were evaluated for on-field validity of iMG-triggered events against video-verification to determine true-positives, false-positives and false-negatives (20±9 player matches per iMG). Phase III; four iMG systems were evaluated by 18 rugby players, for perceptions of fit, comfort and function. Phase IV; three iMG systems (Biocore-FRI, HitIQ, Prevent) were evaluated for practical feasibility (System Usability Scale (SUS)) by four practitioners. Results Phase I; total concordance correlation coefficients were 0.986, 0.965, 0.525 and 0.984 for Biocore-FRI, HitIQ, ORB and Prevent. Phase II; different on-field kinematics were observed between iMGs. Positive predictive values were 0.98, 0.90, 0.53 and 0.94 for Biocore-FRI, HitIQ, ORB and Prevent. Sensitivity values were 0.51, 0.40, 0.71 and 0.75 for Biocore-FRI, HitIQ, ORB and Prevent. Phase III; player perceptions of fit, comfort and function were 77%, 6/10, 55% for Biocore-FRI, 88%, 8/10, 61% for HitIQ, 65%, 5/10, 43% for ORB and 85%, 8/10, 67% for Prevent. Phase IV; SUS (preparation-management) was 51.3-50.6/100, 71.3-78.8/100 and 83.8-80.0/100 for Biocore-FRI, HitIQ and Prevent. Conclusion This study shows differences between current iMG systems exist. Sporting organisations can use these findings when evaluating which iMG system is most appropriate to monitor head acceleration events in athletes, supporting player welfare initiatives related to concussion and head acceleration exposure.</p

A public health response to the methamphetamine epidemic: the implementation of contingency management to treat methamphetamine dependence

BACKGROUND: In response to increases in methamphatemine-associated sexually transmitted diseases, the San Francisco Department of Public Health implemented a contingency management (CM) field program called the Positive Reinforcement Opportunity Project (PROP). METHODS: Methamphetamine-using men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Francisco qualified for PROP following expressed interest in the program, provision of an observed urine sample that tested positive for methamphetamine metabolites and self-report of recent methamphetamine use. For 12 weeks, PROP participants provided observed urine samples on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and received vouchers of increasing value for each consecutive sample that tested negative to metabolites of methamphetamine. Vouchers were exchanged for goods and services that promoted a healthy lifestyle. No cash was provided. Primary outcomes included acceptability (number of enrollments/time), impact (clinical response to treatment and cost-effectiveness as cost per patient treated). RESULTS: Enrollment in PROP was brisk indicating its acceptability. During the first 10 months of operation, 143 men sought treatment and of these 77.6% were HIV-infected. Of those screened, 111 began CM treatment and averaged 15 (42%) methamphetamine-free urine samples out of a possible 36 samples during the 12-week treatment period; 60% completed 4 weeks of treatment; 48% 8 weeks and 30% 12 weeks. Across all participants, an average of $159 (SD =$165) in vouchers or 35.1% of the maximum possible ($453) was provided for these participants. The average cost per participant of the 143 treated was$800. CONCLUSION: Clinical responses to CM in PROP were similar to CM delivered in drug treatment programs, supporting the adaptability and effectiveness of CM to non-traditional drug treatment settings. Costs were reasonable and less than or comparable to other methamphetamine outpatient treatment programs. Further expansion of programs like PROP could address the increasing need for acceptable, feasible and cost-effective methamphetamine treatment in this group with exceptionally high rates of HIV-infection

Hematopoietic Fingerprints: An Expression Database of Stem Cells and Their Progeny

SummaryHematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) continuously regenerate the hematologic system, yet few genes regulating this process have been defined. To identify candidate factors involved in differentiation and self-renewal, we have generated an expression database of hematopoietic stem cells and their differentiated progeny, including erythrocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, NK cells, activated and naive T cells, and B cells. Bioinformatic analysis revealed HSCs were more transcriptionally active than their progeny and shared a common activation mechanism with T cells. Each cell type also displayed unique biases in the regulation of particular genetic pathways, with Wnt signaling particularly enhanced in HSCs. We identified ∼100–400 genes uniquely expressed in each cell type, termed lineage “fingerprints.” In overexpression studies, two of these genes, Zfp105 from the NK cell lineage, and Ets2 from the monocyte lineage, were able to significantly influence differentiation toward their respective lineages, demonstrating the utility of the fingerprints for identifying genes that regulate differentiation