Cryptic female choice via sperm dumping favours male copulatory courtship in a spider

Males of many animals perform 'copulatory courtship' during copulation, but the possible reproductive significance of this behaviour has seldom been investigated. In some animals, including the spider Physocyclus globosus (Pholcidae), the female discards sperm during or immediately following some copulations. In this study, we determined which of several variables associated with copulation correlated with paternity success in P. globosus when two males mate with a single female. Then, by determining which of these variables also correlated with sperm dumping, we inferred which variables may affect paternity via the mechanism of sperm dumping. Male abdomen vibration (a copulatory courtship behaviour) and male genitalic squeezing both correlated with both paternity and sperm dumping; so, these traits may be favoured by biased sperm dumping. Biased sperm dumping may also be the mechanism by which possible cryptic female choice favours another male trait that was the subject of a previous study, responsiveness to female stridulation. © 2009 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.Fil: Peretti, Alfredo Vicente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Eberhard, W. G.. Universidad de Costa Rica; Costa Ric

Sulle tracce dei pastori-allevatori pre-protostorici nel Carso (e altrove): esempi di uso integrato di indicatori diversi

The Classical Karst is a plateau of low rounded hills and low mountains ranging from 100-200 m to 800-900 m above sea level, that covers the eastern most part of northern Italy and the southwestern part of Slovenia. The outcropping rocks are chiefly limestones, crossed by two flysch (marl and sandstone) belts, a dozen kilometres wide. The area is not suitable for agriculture, and since historical times pastoralism / herding of sheep and goats has been one of the main economic activities. Its importance also in prehistoric times – hinted at already at the end of the 19th century by Marchesetti – was confirmed in the late 1990s, when sedimentological and soil micro-morphological analyses of some cave deposits indicated that these sites, at least in the investigated areas, had been used by prehistoric shepherds for stabling their flocks. The re-examination of the archaeological materials found in the same caves suggested that the pastoral use presumably started in the Neolithic and continued till the Bronze or Iron Age. In the course of millennia the agents and the ways of using the caves would have clearly changed: on the grounds of the available data, and still referring to the models proposed by Brochier c. 20 years ago, at present the hypothesis that most of the Karst caves were basically used as “grottes-bergeries” – i.e. as stables almost without a contemporaneous human presence –, rather than “habitats-bergeries”, is likely, though not beyond doubt. Our interpretation combines direct and indirect indicators from different scientific fields: besides sedimentology, soil micromorphology and archaeology, at the basis of the renewed interest in pastoralism, archaeometry, geomorphology, archaeozoology, ethnohistory and ethnography. To test the potentiality of the use of data derived in particular from the last two fields, we have recently extended our research to other geographical areas, close to the Karst, immediately to the north, in the northeastern part of the region Friuli Venezia Giulia, and far away, in Sardinia

Characterization methodology for re-using marble slurry in industrial applications

Nowadays calcium carbonate has a great importance in different industrial fields and currently there is the opportunity of appreciate the potential value of marble waste and convert it into marketable products. Marble slurry samples, collected from different dimension stone treatment plants in Orosei marble district (Sardinia - Italy), were chemically, physically, mineralogically, and morphologically analyzed and the obtained data were evaluated for compatibility with the marketable micronized CaCO3 specifications required by some industrial sectors, estimating the prospects of recovered CaCO3 utilization. Besides the economic benefits, transforming a waste into an important economic resource involves environmental advantages, due to reduced marble waste landfills, and sustainability promotion

Genetics in orthopaedic practice

DNA holds genetic information in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells; and has three different functions: replication, storage of hereditary information, and regulation of cell division. Most studies described the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) to common orthopaedics diseases and the susceptibility to develop musculoskeletal injuries. Several mutations are associated with osteoporosis, musculoskeletal ailments and other musculoskeletal deformity and conditions. Several strategies, including gene therapy and tissue engineering with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), have been proposed to enhance healing of musculoskeletal tissues. Furthermore, a recent technique has revolutionized gene editing: clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) technology is characterized by simplicity in target design, affordability, versatility, and high efficiency, but needs more studies to become the preferred platform for genome editing. Predictive genomics DNA profiling allows to understand which genetic advantage, if any, may be exploited, and why a given rehabilitation protocol can be more effective in some individual than others. In conclusion, a better understanding of the genetic influence on the function of the musculoskeletal system and healing of its ailments is needed to plan and develop patient specific management strategies

Treatment of simple bone cyst with bone marrow concentrate and equine-derived demineralized bone matrix injection versus methylprednisolone acetate injections: A retrospective comparative study

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of intra-lesional autologous bone marrow concentrate (BMC) and equine derived demineralized bone matrix (EDDBM) injections with methylprednisolone acetate injections in patients with simple bone cyst. Methods: Clinical records and radiographs of 53 consecutive patients (37 females, and 16 males; mean age: 10.61 +/- 1.53 years) treated between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Healing was assessed by an independent radiologist according to Neer scoring system. Functional outcome was assessed with the Activity Scale for Kids (ASK). Thirty-four cysts were in the humerus, 13 in the femur and 6 in other locations. Twenty-nine patients were included in Steroid Group and treated with 3 cycles of injections of methylprednisolone acetate, while 24 patients were treated with injection of autologous bone marrow concentrate and equine derived demineralized bone matrix (BMC + EDDBM Group). The two groups were homogenous for the mean age, sex distribution, cysts location and their clinical presentation. Results: At a minimum follow-up of 24 months, success rate (Neer/Cole score 3 and 4) was higher in EDDBM+BMC group (83.3% vs 58.6%; p=0.047). Female patients had higher healing rates in both groups (p=0.002). No association was found between healing and age (p=0.839), cyst activity (p=0.599), cyst localization (p=0.099) and clinical presentation (p=0.207). BMC+EDDBM group showed higher ASK score (p=0.0007). Conclusion: Treatment with BMC+EDDBM injections may provide better results with a single procedure than 3 methylprednisolone acetate injections and represent an interesting alternative for the treatment of unicameral bone cysts

Narrow Band Imaging and High Definition Television in endoscopic evaluation of upper aero-digestive tract cancer.

Narrow band imaging and high definition television are recent innovations in upper aero-digestive tract endoscopy. Aim of this prospective, non-randomized, unblinded study was to establish the diagnostic advantage of these procedures in the evaluation of squamous cell cancer arising from various upper aero-digestive tract sites. Between April 2007 and January 2010, 444 patients affected by upper aero-digestive tract squamous cell cancer, or previously treated for it, were evaluated by white light and narrow band imaging ± high definition television endoscopy, both in the pre-/intra-operative setting and during follow-up. Tumour resection was performed taking into account narrow band imaging and high definition television information to obtain histopathologic confirmation of their validity. Endoscopic and pathologic data were subsequently matched to obtain sensitivity, specificity, positive, negative predictive values, and accuracy. Overall, 110 (25%) patients showed adjunctive findings by narrow band imaging ± high definition television when compared to standard white light endoscopy. Of these patients, 98 (89%) received histopatological confirmation. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, negative predictive values, and accuracy for white light-high definition television were 41%, 92%, 87%, 82%, and 67%, for narrow band imaging alone 75%, 87%, 87%, 74%, and 80%, and for narrow band imaging-high definition television 97%, 84%, 88%, 96%, and 92%. The highest diagnostic gain was observed in the oral cavity and oropharynx (25%). Narrow band imaging and high definition television were of value in the definition of superficial tumour extension, and in the detection of synchronous lesions in the pre-/intra-operative settings. These technologies also played an important role during post-treatment surveillance for early detection of persistences, recurrences, and metachronous tumours

Blood management in fast-track orthopedic surgery: An evidence-based narrative review

Background and purpose: Innovations able to maintain patient safety while reducing the amount of transfusion add value to orthopedic procedures. Opportunities for improvement arise especially in elective procedures, as long as room for planning is available. Although many strategies have been proposed, there is no consensus about the most successful combination. The purpose of this investigation is to identify information to support blood management strategies in fast-track total joint arthroplasty (TJA) pathway, to (i) support clinical decision making according to current evidence and best practices, and (ii) identify critical issues which need further research. Methods and materials: We identified conventional blood management strategies in elective orthopedic procedures. We performed an electronic search about blood management strategies in fast-track TJA. We designed tables to match every step of the former with the latter. We submitted the findings to clinicians who operate using fast-track surgery protocols in TJA at our research hospital. Results: Preoperative anemia detection and treatment, blood anticoagulants/aggregants consumption, transfusion trigger, anesthetic technique, local infiltration analgesia, drainage clamping and removals, and postoperative multimodal thromboprophylaxis are the factors which can add best value to a fast-track pathway, since they provide significant room for planning and prediction. Conclusion: The difference between conventional and fast-track pathways does not lie in the contents of blood management, which are related to surgeons/surgeries, materials used and patients, but in the way these contents are integrated into each other, since elective orthopedic procedures offer significant room for planning. Further studies are needed to identify optimal regimens

Strong phenological differences between two populations of a Neotropical funnel-web wolf spider

Comparisons of phenological patterns among populations within a species are uncommon in arachnids. Aglaoctenus lagotis is a wolf spider that lives in funnel-webs across South America. The aim of this study was to describe the phenological patterns of two distant populations of A. lagotis (central Argentina, CA, and southern Uruguay, SU). Individuals of each population were sighted along transects, every month for two years. The CA and SU populations differed in their phenological patterns (Wald χ2 = 966.94, df = 66; p <0.001). The CA population showed a spring–summer unified reproductive season and immature individuals overwintered. SU showed the sexual period during autumn, the maternal period during spring–summer and the females, mostly mated, overwintered. These strong differences imply temporal isolation in mating possibilities between both populations. The differences encountered could be due to phenotypic plasticity or have a phylogenetic basis. Interpopulation studies of other features of A. lagotis would show whether they also vary, suggesting speciation.Fil: González Pérez, María de la Macarena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Cátedra de Diversidad Animal I; Argentina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable"; UruguayFil: Costa, Fernando G.. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable"; UruguayFil: Peretti, Alfredo Vicente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Cátedra de Diversidad Animal I; Argentin

TeV neutrinos and hard X-rays from relativistic reconnection in the corona of NGC 1068

The recent discovery of astrophysical neutrinos from the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 suggests the presence of non-thermal protons within a compact "coronal" region close to the central black hole. The acceleration mechanism of these non-thermal protons remains elusive. We show that a large-scale magnetic reconnection layer, of the order of a few gravitational radii, may provide such a mechanism. In such a scenario, rough energy equipartition between magnetic fields, X-ray photons, and non-thermal protons is established in the reconnection region. Motivated by recent three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of relativistic reconnection, we assume that the spectrum of accelerated protons is a broken power law, with the break energy being constrained by energy conservation (i.e., the energy density of accelerated protons is at most comparable to the magnetic energy density). The proton spectrum is $dn_p/dE_p\propto E_p^{-1}$ below the break, and $dn_p/dE_p\propto E_p^{-s}$ above the break, with IceCube neutrino observations suggesting $s \simeq 3$. Protons above the break lose most of their energy within the reconnection layer via photohadronic collisions with the coronal X-rays, producing a neutrino signal in good agreement with the recent observations. Gamma-rays injected in photohadronic collisions are cascaded to lower energies, sustaining the population of electron-positron pairs that makes the corona moderately Compton thick.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, with Appendice