7 research outputs found
Discriminations of Color and Pattern on Artificial Flowers by Male and Female Bumble Bees, \u3ci\u3eBombus Impatiens\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
This study examined the performance of male bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) in color and pattern discriminations and compared it to that of female bees. Bees were trained to forage from rewarding (S+) and unrewarding (S-) artificial flowers which differed in color (blue vs yellow) or pattern (e.g., concenÂtric vs radial). Learning of the discrimination by the bees was then assessed by examining choice proportions of different flower types while none of the flowers offered reward. Color discriminations were made with 98% accuracy by the males, and the choice proportion was no different for females. Pattern discriminations were very poor or nonexistent for males but significantly better for females, especially in one of three pattern discriminations (radial vs concentric patterns)
New Politics, an Opportunity for Maternal Health Advancement in Eastern Myanmar: An Integrative Review
Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a southeast Asian country, with a long
history of military dictatorship, human rights violations, and poor
health indicators. The health situation is particularly dire among
pregnant women in the ethnic minorities of the eastern provinces
(Kachin, Shan, Mon, Karen and Karenni regions). This integrative review
investigates the current status of maternal mortality in eastern
Myanmar in the context of armed conflict between various separatist
groups and the military regime. The review examines the underlying
factors contributing to high maternal mortality in eastern Myanmar and
assesses gaps in the existing research, suggesting areas for further
research and policy response. Uncovered were a number of underlying
factors uniquely contributing to maternal mortality in eastern Myanmar.
These could be grouped into the following analytical themes: ongoing
conflict, health system deficits, and political and socioeconomic
influences. Abortion was interestingly not identified as an important
contributor to maternal mortality. Recent political liberalization may
provide space to act upon identified roles and opportunities for the
Myanmar Government, the international community, and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) in a manner that positively impacts on maternal
healthcare in the eastern regions of Myanmar. This review makes a
number of recommendations to this effect
Discriminations of Color and Pattern on Artificial Flowers by Male and Female Bumble Bees, \u3ci\u3eBombus Impatiens\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
This study examined the performance of male bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) in color and pattern discriminations and compared it to that of female bees. Bees were trained to forage from rewarding (S+) and unrewarding (S-) artificial flowers which differed in color (blue vs yellow) or pattern (e.g., concenÂtric vs radial). Learning of the discrimination by the bees was then assessed by examining choice proportions of different flower types while none of the flowers offered reward. Color discriminations were made with 98% accuracy by the males, and the choice proportion was no different for females. Pattern discriminations were very poor or nonexistent for males but significantly better for females, especially in one of three pattern discriminations (radial vs concentric patterns)
Variants in ADCY5 and near CCNL1 are associated with fetal growth and birth weight
To identify genetic variants associated with birth weight, we meta-analyzed six genome-wide association (GWA) studies (n = 10,623 Europeans from pregnancy/birth cohorts) and followed up two lead signals in 13 replication studies (n = 27,591). rs900400 near LEKR1 and CCNL1 (P = 2 x 10(-35)) and rs9883204 in ADCY5 (P = 7 x 10(-15)) were robustly associated with birth weight. Correlated SNPs in ADCY5 were recently implicated in regulation of glucose levels and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, providing evidence that the well-described association between lower birth weight and subsequent type 2 diabetes has a genetic component, distinct from the proposed role of programming by maternal nutrition. Using data from both SNPs, we found that the 9% of Europeans carrying four birth weight-lowering alleles were, on average, 113 g (95% CI 89-137 g) lighter at birth than the 24% with zero or one alleles (P(trend) = 7 x 10(-30)). The impact on birth weight is similar to that of a mother smoking 4-5 cigarettes per day in the third trimester of pregnancy.