Activity patterns in the Sahara Desert: an interpretation based on cross-sectional geometric properties

The Garamantian civilization flourished in modern Fezzan, Libya, between 900 BC and 500 AD, during which the aridification of the Sahara was well established. Study of the archaeological remains suggests a population successful at coping with a harsh environment of high and fluctuating temperatures and reduced water and food resources. This study explores the activity patterns of the Garamantes by means of cross-sectional geometric properties. Long bone diaphyseal shape and rigidity are compared between the Garamantes and populations from Egypt and Sudan, namely from the sites of Kerma, el-Badari, and Jebel Moya, to determine whether the Garamantian daily activities were more strenuous than those of other North African populations. Moreover, sexual dimorphism and bilateral asymmetry are assessed at an intra- and inter-population level. The inter-population comparisons showed the Garamantes not to be more robust than the comparative populations, suggesting that the daily Garamantian activities necessary for survival in the Sahara Desert did not generally impose greater loads than those of other North African populations. Sexual dimorphism and bilateral asymmetry in almost all geometric properties of the long limbs were comparatively low among the Garamantes. Only the lower limbs were significantly stronger among males than females, possibly due to higher levels of mobility associated with herding. The lack of systematic bilateral asymmetry in cross-sectional geometric properties may relate to the involvement of the population in bilaterally intensive activities or the lack of regular repetition of unilateral activities.     

Changes in skeletal robusticity in an iron age agropastoral group: The samnites from the Alfedena necropolis (Abruzzo,Central Italy)

Cross‐sectional geometrical (CSG) properties of an Iron Age Samnite group from the Alfedena necropolis (Abruzzo, Italy, 2600–2400 B.P.) are compared with a Ligurian Neolithic sample (6000–5500 B.P.). In the period under examination, Samnites were organized in a tribal confederation led by patrilinear aristocracies, indicating incipient social stratification. In comparison, Neolithic society lacked clear signs of social hierarchy. The subsistence of both groups was mainly based on pastoralism and agriculture, but changes in habitual behavior are expected due to the socio‐economic transformations that characterized the Iron Age. The Samnites' warlike ideology suggests that unimanual weapon‐use and training would have become frequent for males. The intensification of agriculture and the adoption of transhumant pastoralism, performed by a smaller subset of the population, likely led to a lower average level of logistic mobility. The strongly genderized ideology of the period suggests a strict sexual division of labor, with women primarily performing sedentary tasks. CSG properties based on periosteal contours were calculated for humeri, femora, and tibiae (N = 61). Results corroborated the expectations: Alfedena males show substantial humeral bilateral asymmetry, indicating prevalent use of one arm, likely due to weapon training. In both sexes lower limb results indicate reduced mobility with respect to the Neolithic group. Sexual dimorphism is significant in both humeral asymmetry and lower limb indicators of mobility. Although both groups could be broadly defined as agropastoral based on archeological and historical evidence, CSG analysis confirmed important differences in habitual behavior. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The effects of long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on bone formation in ovariectomized rats

The effects of long‐term extremely low‐frequency magnetic field (ELF‐MF) exposure on bone formation and biochemical markers were investigated in ovariectomized rats. Sixty mature female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four different groups (n = 15): (i) unexposed control (CTL); (ii) ovariectomized only (OVX); (iii) non‐ovariectomized, exposed (SHAM + ELF‐MF); and (iv) ovariectomized, exposed (OVX + ELF‐MF). The third and fourth groups were exposed to 1.5 mT ELF‐MF for 4 h a day for 6 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using dual energy X‐ray absorption (DEXA) measurements. The formation and resorption of bone were evaluated using bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin, osteoprotogerin, and N‐telopeptide. After 6 months of ELF‐MF therapy, BMD values were significantly lower in the OVX group and higher in the OVX + ELF‐MF and SHAM + ELF‐MF groups than they were before therapy (P < 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in BMD values among the groups before therapy, the BMD values increased significantly after 6 months in the OVX + ELF‐MF and SHAM + ELF‐MF groups and were reduced in the OVX group compared to the CTL group (P < 0.001). The concentrations of BAP, osteocalcin, osteoprotogerin, and N‐telopeptide in the three experimental groups also changed in a significant way compared to the CTL group. The results of the present study suggest that osteoporosis can be inhibited by ELF‐MF stimulation treatments. It was also concluded that ELF‐MF may be useful in the prevention of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Bioelectromagnetics 33:543–549, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

泼尼松灌胃与肌内注射对大鼠骨密度、骨生物力学性能及骨代谢的影响

目的观察泼尼松灌胃与肌内注射两种不同给药方法对大鼠骨密度、骨生物力学及骨代谢的影响。方法将45只SPF级雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组（正常组15只、灌胃组15只、肌内注射组15只）,其中正常组大鼠作为阴性对照,予0.9%生理盐水灌胃2 m L/d;灌胃组大鼠给予泼尼松0.5 mg/（kg·d）灌胃;肌内注射组大鼠给予泼尼松0.5 mg/（kg·d）;12周后测定离体的大鼠椎体骨密度及血清β-CTX、PINP水平变化,采用三点弯曲试验测量股骨皮质骨最大载荷、弹性载荷、断裂载荷等生物力学指标。结果与正常组相比,灌胃组及肌内注射组大鼠椎骨骨密度值均显著性降低（P〈0.05）;与灌胃组相比,肌内注射组大鼠椎骨骨密度显著下降（P〈0.05）;与正常组相比,灌胃组及肌内注射组大鼠股骨的弹性载荷、最大载荷、断裂载荷均显著降低（P〈0.05）,肌内注射组与灌胃组大鼠的弹性载荷、最大载荷、断裂载荷相比差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。与正常组相比,灌胃组及肌内注射组大鼠中血清β-CTX水平均显著升高（P〈0.05）而PINP水平均显著降低（P〈0.05）,与灌胃组相比,肌内注射组大鼠血清β-CTX水平显著升高（P〈0.05）而PINP水平显著降低（P〈0.05）。骨组织切片HE染色显示：肌内注射组大鼠的骨小梁明显纤细疏松,造血组织明显减少,脂肪组织明显增多。结论泼尼松对大鼠的骨密度、骨生物力学及骨代谢指标都有影响,而肌内注射泼尼松比口服对骨密度、骨强度、骨代谢的影响更大,更易造成骨质疏松症。因此,建议临床使用泼尼松时选择口服作为给药方式更安全。     

The cumulative effects of management on the population dynamics of the Double‐crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus in the Great Lakes

Wildlife species have been subject to control efforts throughout human history due to real or alleged human–wildlife conflicts. The Double‐crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus in the interior of North America is no exception, with recent population growth leading to increased conflicts and consequently the development of many control programmes. These control programmes are usually conducted at local scales, often with little or no effort to assess their cumulative effects at the population level. We attempted the first comprehensive assessment of the cumulative effects of control at various spatio‐temporal scales, focusing on 199 colonies of Double‐crested Cormorant monitored during a 29‐year period. Linear models were used to assess the relationship between colony‐specific growth rates and a set of candidate factors using an information‐theoretic approach. Colony‐level density‐dependent effects and local control efforts had the greatest influences on population growth. We detected a cumulative effect of management, whereby (i) the reduction in population growth rate was generally stronger when different control activities such as culling or egg oiling were combined, and (ii) past control operations tended to have a pervasive impact on growth rates, especially egg oiling and nest destruction, which negatively affected local recruitment. However, our results also suggest that catastrophic events and the culling of breeding adults that occurred at least 2 years previously could fuel subsequent recruitment or natural immigration from nearby colonies, for instance if the breeding success of remaining pairs was increased through a diminution of density‐dependent regulatory processes. Density‐dependence at the metapopulation level constituted a third source of regulation, as local growth rates were reduced with increasing number or proximity of active neighbouring colonies. We also found evidence that the culling of Double‐crested Cormorants wintering in the southeastern USA could negatively impact the population growth of individual breeding colonies in the Great Lakes, although further research integrating models of migratory connectivity is needed to reach more definitive conclusions. Finally, despite previous studies emphasizing its importance, the net effect of management‐induced dispersal appeared small at large spatial scales. We show that this can be explained in part by control strategies (e.g. spatially clustered operations). The continuation of Cormorant management efforts will provide an opportunity to refine the present assessment of the relative importance of density‐dependence, breeding vs. non‐breeding season management and dispersal, particularly if population models are coupled with monitoring programmes within an adaptive management framework.     

The effects of temperature and body size on the mating pattern of a gregariously nesting bee, Colletes cunicularius (Hymenoptera: Colletidae)

Abstract. 1. In a 3-year study of the solitary bee Colletes cunicularius L. in Sweden, average body size and population density fluctuated greatly between years.
2. In this protandrous population, females mated just once and the sex ratio was slightly male biased. Males were smaller than females.
3. Size assortative mating (homogamy), associated with an increase in population density during the central days of female emergence and mating, was observed in two out of three years. Homogamy was also observed in pairs with remating males.
4. Most of the mating males had emerged the day they mated, but 42% were older. We found no support for a general large-male mating advantage.
5. Weight of emerging females and mating males were negatively correlated with ground temperature, indicating thermoregulatory influence on the process of sexual selection in this species.