Force predictions relating to tremor and other consequences of a ‘distributed’ model of skeletal muscle

In this brief report, a ‘distributed’ computer model of skeletal muscle is described, and its predictions regarding muscle force and EMG are presented. The force and myo-electric signals are produced as the sum of the contributions of independently activated motor units possessing a distribution of properties. The results of the simulation as well as theoretical study show that: (a) asynchronous activity of motor units can be responsible for the fairly regular oscillations observed in muscle tremor; (b) the use, in the case of muscle, of the limit theorem for the superposition of independent point processes leads to erroneous conclusions with respect to the frequency characteristics of the muscle force waveform, and possibly, with regard to those of the EMG.     

A texture-processing model of the ‘visual sense of number’

It has been suggested that numerosity is an elementary quality of perception, similar to colour. If so (and despite considerable investigation), its mechanism remains unknown. Here, we show that observers require on average a massive difference of approximately 40% to detect a change in the number of objects that vary irrelevantly in blur, contrast and spatial separation, and that some naive observers require even more than this. We suggest that relative numerosity is a type of texture discrimination and that a simple model computing the contrast energy at fine spatial scales in the image can perform at least as well as human observers. Like some human observers, this mechanism finds it harder to discriminate relative numerosity in two patterns with different degrees of blur, but it still outpaces the human. We propose energy discrimination as a benchmark model against which more complex models and new data can be tested.     

A symbiotic relationship of energy metabolism between a ‘non-glycolytic’ mammalian red cell and the liver

The red cell of newborn pig loses the ability to carry out glycolysis within a month after birth. The metabolic energy source for this ‘non-glycolytic’ mammalian red cell is unknown. Hepatectomy of an adult pig results in the loss of red cell ATP with a characteristic half-time of 7–8 h which is identical to the rate with which ATP disappears in the pig cells under in vitro substrate-free incubation. Exposure of pig red cells with either normal or depleted levels of ATP to isolated hepatocytes causes a net synthesis of red cell ATP during a 12 h incubation. These findings suggest that a symbiotic relationship of energy metabolism may exist between the red cell and the liver of the pig.     

Kinetics of degradation of ‘short-’ and ‘long-lived’ proteins in cultured mammalian cells

Two distinct classes of protein referred to as short- and long-lived (Poole and Wibo, 1973) were found in pulse-chased HeLa S-3 and BHK 21/C13 cells. From experiments with pulse times ranging from 1 min to 20 h, a clear inverse correlation emerged between the pulse length and the percentage of protein which was hydrolysed intracellularly in the first h of chase. Using a 5 min pulse labelling with ³H-leucine, cells were either harvested immediately or after a 2 h chase. Approximately 35% of the label incorporated by cells was lost in a 2h chase; however, electrophoretic separation of cytosol and residual cytoplasmic fractions revealed no significant alteration in their protein profiles. The technique of selectively labelling ‘short’ and ‘long-lived’ proteins, which implies qualitative differences between them, is more readily interpreted as an artificial polarisation of a declining statistical probability curve of proteolysis with time which is similar for all nascent proteins.     

Darwin without borders? Looking at ‘generalised Darwinism’ through the prism of the ‘hourglass model’

This article critically analyzes the arguments of the ‘generalized Darwinism’ recently proposed for the analysis of social-economical systems. We argue that ‘generalized Darwinism’ is both restrictive and empty. It is restrictive because it excludes alternative (non-selectionist) evolutionary mechanisms such as orthogenesis, saltationism and mutationism without any examination of their suitability for modeling socio-economic processes and ignoring their important roles in the development of contemporary evolutionary theory. It is empty, because it reduces Darwinism to an abstract triple-principle scheme (variation, selection and inheritance) thus ignoring the actual structure of Darwinism as a complex and dynamic theoretical structure inseparable from a very detailed system of theoretical constraints. Arguing against ‘generalised Darwinism’ we present our vision of the history of evolutionary biology with the help of the ‘hourglass model’ reflecting the internal dynamic of competing theories of evolution.     

The ‘fluid mosaic model’ and the ‘lattice model’ as two nonequilibrium states of the same membrane and the significance for biochemical control

Summary Biochemical control involves steep and hysteretic response. But the law of mass action does not allow for cooperativity. Therefore resort is classically made to concerted conformational change of protomers. This explanation of steepness and hysteresis by cooperativity is supported by regular surface patterns often observed by electron microscopy. But at other times the lattice appearance which gave rise to the lattice model is not observed. By contrast, a random appearance is observed and the fluid mosaic model of the membrane is assumed. So we are faced with the choice between the fluid mosaic model and the lattice model. Recently the fluid mosaic model is favoured but unlike the lattice model it does not explain the steep hyteretic response.It is suggested that the lattice model and the fluid mosaic model are in fact expression of two states of the very same membrane. The random state corresponds to a resting state. The lattice state corresponds to an active or inhibited state. Thus the transition from random distribution to hexagonal distribution provides simultaneously for triggering and hysteretic cycle with respect to both chemical production and transport across the membrane. This is a universal mechanism for rapid responsiveness and cyclic activity which is largely independent of the chemical mechanism assumed. It is based on the law of mass action supplemented by lateral diffusion. Conformational change and cooperativity are not invoked at all.     

Wave form decomposition of ‘giant SEP’ and its computer model for scalp topography

By using the decomposition technique developed by ourselves to investigate the scalp topography of evoked potentials, a computer model for the scalp topography of giant SEPs was computed from 5 patients with progressive myoclonic epilepsy and was compated with those obtained from 6 normal subjects. Components of giant SEPs were similar to those of normal SEPs with respect to various parameters, although the former were much larger than the latter. An experimental enlargement of some of the early cortical components of the normal SEP model gave rise to a wave from closely resembling that of the giant SEP. These findings support our previous conclusion, derived from study of the scalp topography of the original SEP wave form, that the giant SEP results from a pathological enhancement of certain early cortical components of the normal SEP. The underlying neuronal hyperexcitability seems to involve more than one subunit of the sensorimotor cortex.     

Is current climatic equilibrium a guarantee for the transferability of distribution model predictions? A case study of the spotted hyena

Aim The transferability of species distribution models requires that species show climatic equilibrium throughout their entire distribution area. We test this assumption for the case of the spotted hyena, Crocuta crocuta, a large carnivore that has shifted its distribution over the last 100,000 years from a widespread Eurasian and African range to its current geographical distribution, restricted to the Sub‐Saharan areas of the African continent. Location Western Eurasia and Africa. Methods The current realized distribution of C. crocuta was estimated using presences and reliable absences as well as climatic, land‐cover and anthropic variables as predictors. The potential distribution was estimated using presences and a set of pseudo‐absences selected from localities outside climatically suitable localities, with only climatic variables serving as predictors. The current potential distribution was transferred to the Last Interglacial period (126,000 yr bp ) using the palaeoclimatic data yielded by the GENESIS 2 general circulation model, and validated with European fossil data. Generalized linear models were used on all occasions. Results Climatic variables are able to predict the current distribution of the species with high accuracy. The geographical projection of this model indicates that the species is distributed over almost all of its potential suitable area, which allows us to suppose that the current distribution of this species is in climatic equilibrium. However, the time transference of model predictions for the western Eurasian region reveals almost no suitable conditions for hyenas, despite the widespread presence of C. crocuta fossil remains on this continent during the Last Interglacial period. Main conclusions Our results indicate that, even when model results suggest a climatic equilibrium for a species distribution, the time transferability of such models does not necessarily provide realistic results. This occurs because the current geographical range does not allow estimations of all of the environmental requirements of a species. Therefore, any model trained with current data risks underestimating the potential suitable environmental and geographical range for species in a new area or time period.     

The ‘division of labour’ model of eye evolution

The ‘division of labour’ model of eye evolution is elaborated here. We propose that the evolution of complex, multicellular animal eyes started from a single, multi-functional cell type that existed in metazoan ancestors. This ancient cell type had at least three functions: light detection via a photoreceptive organelle, light shading by means of pigment granules and steering through locomotor cilia. Located around the circumference of swimming ciliated zooplankton larvae, these ancient cells were able to mediate phototaxis in the absence of a nervous system. This precursor then diversified, by cell-type functional segregation, into sister cell types that specialized in different subfunctions, evolving into separate photoreceptor cells, shading pigment cells (SPCs) or ciliated locomotor cells. Photoreceptor sensory cells and ciliated locomotor cells remained interconnected by newly evolving axons, giving rise to an early axonal circuit. In some evolutionary lines, residual functions prevailed in the specialized cell types that mirror the ancient multi-functionality, for instance, SPCs expressing an opsin as well as possessing rhabdomer-like microvilli, vestigial cilia and an axon. Functional segregation of cell types in eye evolution also explains the emergence of more elaborate photosensory–motor axonal circuits, with interneurons relaying the visual information.     

‘Hemiepiphyte’: a confusing term and its history

Background and Scope

Over more than 120 years of scientific study since Schimper''s seminal work, the recognized categories of structurally dependent plants have changed several times. Currently, ignoring parasitic mistletoes, it is usual to distinguish four functional groups: (1) true epiphytes; (2) primary hemiepiphytes; (3) secondary hemiepiphytes; and (4) climbing plants, i.e. lianas and vines. In this Viewpoint, it is argued that the term secondary hemiepiphytes (SHs) is misleading, that its definition is hard to impossible to apply in the field and, possibly causally related to this conceptual problem, that the use of this category in field studies is inconsistent, which now hampers interpretation and generalization.

Conclusions

Categories will frequently fail to capture gradual biological variation, but terms and concepts should be as unambiguous as possible to facilitate productive communication. A detailed analysis of the conceptual problems associated with the term SH and its application in scientific studies clearly shows that this goal is not fulfilled in this case. Consequently, the use of SH should be abandoned. An alternative scheme to categorize structurally dependent flora is suggested.     

Is the nuclear envelope a ‘generator’ of membrane?

Summary Early diplotene oocytes from Necturus maculosus ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 mm in diameter were examined by electron microscopy. In the smallest oocytes of this range, the cytoplasm is largely devoid of membranes, but contains primarily ribosomes and mitochondria. In slightly larger oocytes, smooth-surfaced cytomembranes first appear in the perinuclear cytoplasm. At this time, the outer layer of the germinal vesicle nuclear envelope (GVNE) shows frequent connections with long membranous lamellae that extend for considerable, but variable distances into the juxtanuclear ooplasm. The number of smooth membranous lamellae increases tremendously as the oocytes increase in diameter. In such oocytes as well, frequent continuities are observed between the outer membrane of the GVNE and many of the cytoplasmic membranes. Eventually, as the ooplasm becomes populated with extensive numbers of membranous lamellae, instances of continuity between the membranous lamellae and nuclear envelope now become sparse and eventually non-existent. The frequent connections observed between membranous lamellae and the outer membrane of the GVNE during a circumscribed interval of diplotene strongly implicate the GVNE in the generation of extensive amounts of cytoplasmic membrane. The ooplasm of larger oocytes in the size range indicated contain numerous Golgi complexes and large quantities of annulate lamellae most of which are positioned in the peripheral or subcortical ooplasm, as well as extensive quantities of smooth membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets.     

Convergence of a structured metapopulation model to Levins’s model

We consider a structured metapopulation model describing the dynamics of a single species, whose members are located in separate patches that are linked through migration according to a mean field rule. Our main aim is to find conditions under which its equilibrium distribution is reasonably approximated by that of the unstructured model of Levins (1969). We do this by showing that the (positive) equilibrium distribution converges, as the carrying capacity of each population goes to infinity together with appropriate scalings on the other parameters, to a bimodal distribution, consisting of a point mass at 0, together with a positive part which is closely approximated by a shifted Poisson centred near the carrying capacity. Under this limiting régime, we also give simpler approximate formulae for the equilibrium distribution. We conclude by showing how to compute persistence regions in parameter space for the exact model, and then illustrate all our results with numerical examples. Our proofs are based on Steins method.Supported in part by Schweizer Nationalfonds Projekt Nrs 20–61753.00 and 20–67909.02Supported in part by CNR of Italy under Grant n. 00.0142.ST74     

‘Feeding the Caregiver’: Internal and External Relations in a Matrilineal Life-Cycle Ritual,West Gao

ABSTRACT

Due to the rule of matriclan exogamy, a West Gao father belongs to a different matriclan to that of his wife and children. During a feast known as fangamu taego, children present their father with gifts to acknowledge his care. Acting as a pivot within the sequence of life-cycle rituals in West Gao, fangamu taego provides a ritual space in which two opposed modes of relationality are brought together. During the exchanges that constitute the feast, relationships flowing internally to each matriclan are weighed against external relationships forged between matriclans. The relational interplay elaborated during fangamu taego is predicated upon ancestrally mediated relationships of emplacement with regard to a specific territory. This comes into focus during a further set of transactions instigated by the feast involving use rights in land and its organic products. The ‘matter’ of these exchanges participate in two distinct relational modes simultaneously: they both activate pre-existing internal relationships and figure as ‘terms’ in the temporary construction of external relationships. Ultimately, fangamu taego captures an interplay between the relative permanence and impermanence of different relational configurations in the West Gao lived world.     

An analysis of a ‘community-driven’ reconstruction of the human metabolic network

Following a strategy similar to that used in baker’s yeast (Herrgård et al. Nat Biotechnol 26:1155–1160, 2008). A consensus yeast metabolic network obtained from a community approach to systems biology (Herrgård et al. 2008; Dobson et al. BMC Syst Biol 4:145, 2010). Further developments towards a genome-scale metabolic model of yeast (Dobson et al. 2010; Heavner et al. BMC Syst Biol 6:55, 2012). Yeast 5—an expanded reconstruction of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolic network (Heavner et al. 2012) and in Salmonella typhimurium (Thiele et al. BMC Syst Biol 5:8, 2011). A community effort towards a knowledge-base and mathematical model of the human pathogen Salmonella typhimurium LT2 (Thiele et al. 2011), a recent paper (Thiele et al. Nat Biotechnol 31:419–425, 2013). A community-driven global reconstruction of human metabolism (Thiele et al. 2013) described a much improved ‘community consensus’ reconstruction of the human metabolic network, called Recon 2, and the authors (that include the present ones) have made it freely available via a database at http://humanmetabolism.org/ and in SBML format at Biomodels (http://identifiers.org/biomodels.db/MODEL1109130000). This short analysis summarises the main findings, and suggests some approaches that will be able to exploit the availability of this model to advantage.     

Going with the flow: a brief history of the study of the honeybee’s navigational ‘odometer’

Honeybees navigate to a food source using a sky-based compass to determine their travel direction, and an odometer to register how far they have travelled. The past 20 years have seen a renewed interest in understanding the nature of the odometer. Early work, pioneered by von Frisch and colleagues, hypothesized that travel distance is measured in terms of the energy that is consumed during the journey. More recent studies suggest that visual cues play a role as well. Specifically, bees appear to gauge travel distance by sensing the extent to which the image of the environment moves in the eye during the journey from the hive to the food source. Most of the evidence indicates that travel distance is measured during the outbound journey. Accumulation of odometric errors is restricted by resetting the odometer every time a prominent landmark is passed. When making detours around large obstacles, the odometer registers the total distance of the path that is flown to the destination, and not the “bee-line” distance. Finally, recent studies are revealing that bees can perform odometry in three dimensions.