Generational and Time Period Differences in American Adolescents’ Religious Orientation, 1966–2014

In four large, nationally representative surveys (N = 11.2 million), American adolescents and emerging adults in the 2010s (Millennials) were significantly less religious than previous generations (Boomers, Generation X) at the same age. The data are from the Monitoring the Future studies of 12^th graders (1976–2013), 8^th and 10^th graders (1991–2013), and the American Freshman survey of entering college students (1966–2014). Although the majority of adolescents and emerging adults are still religiously involved, twice as many 12^th graders and college students, and 20%–40% more 8^th and 10^th graders, never attend religious services. Twice as many 12^th graders and entering college students in the 2010s (vs. the 1960s–70s) give their religious affiliation as “none,” as do 40%–50% more 8^th and 10^th graders. Recent birth cohorts report less approval of religious organizations, are less likely to say that religion is important in their lives, report being less spiritual, and spend less time praying or meditating. Thus, declines in religious orientation reach beyond affiliation to religious participation and religiosity, suggesting a movement toward secularism among a growing minority. The declines are larger among girls, Whites, lower-SES individuals, and in the Northeastern U.S., very small among Blacks, and non-existent among political conservatives. Religious affiliation is lower in years with more income inequality, higher median family income, higher materialism, more positive self-views, and lower social support. Overall, these results suggest that the lower religious orientation of Millennials is due to time period or generation, and not to age.     

松果梢斑螟对虫害诱导寄主防御的抑制作用

以松果梢斑螟（Dioryctria pryeri）-油松（Pinus tabuleaformis）（2年生球果和新梢）为研究对象,探讨梢斑螟幼虫对油松球果小卷蛾（Gravitarmata margarotana）先期虫害诱导寄主防御的抑制作用,以及虫害诱导的负防御机制。结果表明,双萜松脂酸作为油松球果和新梢的主要组成和诱导性防御物质,梢斑螟虫害后球果双萜松脂酸极显著增加,10 d后降低到正常水平;而新梢虫害后,松脂酸显著增加,后随新梢基础含量而增加,10 d后虫害新梢松脂酸显著高于球果。梢斑螟幼虫以小卷蛾虫害球果、健康球果和新梢等部位为食料,均为梢斑螟5龄幼虫下唇腺葡萄糖氧化酶（Glucose oxidase,GOX）活性最高,极显著高于4龄和3龄幼虫;且同一龄期,小卷蛾虫害球果中的梢斑螟幼虫GOX活性最高,显著高于新梢和健康球果中幼虫酶活性。研究发现,虫害后萜类防御物质随幼虫GOX活性升高呈下降趋势。梢斑螟幼虫RNA和P含量比较发现,取食小卷蛾虫害球果、健康球果和新梢3种食料,均为梢斑螟3龄幼虫最高,5龄幼虫最小,差异极显著;但同一龄期,3种食料发育的幼虫,其RNA和P含量间无显著差异。这些结果说明,小卷蛾幼虫的先期危害,诱导了寄主防御,但后来的梢斑螟幼虫通过下唇腺GOX抑制了寄主的诱导防御,使其生长率与健康球果和新梢中的幼虫基本一致。     

Duodenum Clamping Trauma Induces Significant Postoperative Intraperitoneal Adhesions on a Rat Model

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the histological and morphological changes in the first two postoperative weeks on a rat intraperitoneal adhesion model induced by duodenum clamping trauma.

Method

The rat model of postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions was established in 48 male Wistar rats by laparotomy, followed by the duodenum clamping trauma. Rats were sacrificed respectively on 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th and 14^th day after the operation. The control rats were sacrificed immediately after the operation (0 day). Then the intraperitoneal adhesions were assessed macroscopically. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the fibrosis, inflammatory responses, neovascularization, and cells infiltration in adhesion tissues. In addition, the changes of the mesothelium covering the surgical sites were examined by scanning electron microscopy.

Results

Our study revealed that duodenum clamping trauma induced by mosquito hemostat can result in significant postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions formation. The extent and tenacity of intraperitoneal adhesions reached their peaks on 3^rd and 5^th days, respectively. Histopathological examination showed that all rats developed inflammatory responses at the clamped sites of duodenum, which was most prominent on 1^st day; the scores of fibrosis and vascular proliferation increased slowly from 3^rd to 5^th day. Myofibroblasts proliferated significantly in the adhesion tissues from 3^rd day, which were examined by immunohistochemical method. And the mesothelium covering the surgical sites and the adhesion tissues healed on 7^th day.

Conclusion

This study suggests that clamping trauma to the duodenum can result in significant postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions formation, which represents an ideal rat model for intraperitoneal adhesions research and prevention. And myofibroblasts may play an important role in the forming process of intraperitoneal adhesions.     

Correlation of urinary inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in very low birth weight infants with subsequent development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Abstract

Currently, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) occurs almost exclusively in pre-term infants. In addition to prematurity, other factors like oxygen toxicity and inflammation can contribute to the pathogenesis. This study aimed to compare urinary inflammatory and oxidative stress markers between the no/mild BPD group and moderate/severe BPD group and between BPD cases with significant early lung disease like respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (‘classic’ BPD) and with minimal early lung disease (‘atypical’ BPD). A total of 60 patients who were a gestational age < 30 weeks or a birth weight < 1250 g were included. Urine samples were obtained on the 1^st, 3^rd and 7^th day of life and measured the levels of leukotriene E₄ (LTE₄) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The 8-OHdG values on the 3^rd day showed significant correlation to duration of mechanical ventilation. The 8-OHdG levels on the 7^th day were the independent risk factor for developing moderate/severe BPD. In ‘classic’ BPD, the 8-OHdG values on the 3^rd day were higher than those of ‘atypical’ BPD. In ‘atypical’ BPD, the LTE₄ values on the 7^th day were higher than the values in ‘classic’ BPD. These results suggest that oxidative DNA damage could be the crucial mechanism in the pathogenesis of current BPD and the ongoing inflammatory process could be an important mechanism in ‘atypical’ BPD.     

Factors influencing the priority of access to food and their effects on the carcass traits for Japanese Black (Wagyu) cattle

The factors influencing the priority of access to food and the effects of the priority of access to food on their carcass traits were analyzed for Japanese Black (Wagyu) cattle in a semi-intensive fattening production system. The records of 96 clinically healthy steers and heifers were analyzed. The calves at ∼3 to 4 months of age were allocated to pens with four animals per pen; all four animals in the same pen were of the same sex and of similar body size. The ranking of the animals’ priority of access to food (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th), which was determined by the farm manager, was used as an indicator of social dominance in the present study. Four models including sire line, maternal grandsire line and the difference in the animals’ birth dates as fixed effects were used to analyze factors influencing the priority of access to food. Ranking was represented by ordinal scores (highest=4, lowest=1) in Model 1, and the binary scores were assigned in Model 2 (highest=1; 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th=0), Model 3 (1^st and 2^nd=1; 3^rd and 4^th=0) and Model 4 (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd=1; lowest=0). The results showed that the difference in the animals’ birth dates had a significant effect on the establishment of the priority of access to food in Model 3 (P<0.05), suggesting that animals born earlier may become more dominant in the pen. The maternal grandsire line tended to affect the social rank score in Models 2 and 3 (P<0.10). Our results indicated that the maternal grandsire line may affect the temperament of calves through their mothers’ genetic performance and thereby more aggressive calves may be more dominant and have higher priority of access to food. On the other hand, there was a significant effect of the priority of access to food on beef marbling score (BMS; P<0.05), and the priority of access to food also tended to influence the carcass weight (P=0.09). The highest BMS was observed for animals with the first rank of the priority of access to food (P<0.05), and the higher-ranking animals had the tendency to be heavier carcass than the lower-ranking animals. Our findings emphasized the importance of information about the priority of access to food determined by farmers’ own observation on implementing best management practices in small-scaled semi-intensive beef cattle production systems.     

Group Music Training and Children's Prosocial Skills

We investigated if group music training in childhood is associated with prosocial skills. Children in 3^rd or 4^th grade who attended 10 months of music lessons taught in groups were compared to a control group of children matched for socio-economic status. All children were administered tests of prosocial skills near the beginning and end of the 10-month period. Compared to the control group, children in the music group had larger increases in sympathy and prosocial behavior, but this effect was limited to children who had poor prosocial skills before the lessons began. The effect was evident even when the lessons were compulsory, which minimized the role of self-selection. The results suggest that group music training facilitates the development of prosocial skills.     

Comparative analysis of proteome maps of silkworm hemolymph during different developmental stages

Background  

The silkworm Bombyx mori is a lepidopteran insect with four developmental stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. The hemolymph of the silkworm is in an open system that circulates among all organs, and functions in nutrient and hormone transport, injury, and immunity. To understand the intricate developmental mechanisms of metamorphosis, silkworm hemolymph from different developmental stages, including the 3^rd day of fifth instar, the 6^th day of fifth instar, the 3^rd day of pupation, the 8^th day of pupal stage and the first day of the moth stage, was investigated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.     

Plasmalemma fluidity in parenchyma cells from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) tubers during the break of dormancy

Plasmalemma-enriched fractions were isolated from Jerusalem artichoke tubers along the time course of dormancy break produced by cold treatment. A decrease of membrane fluidity was noted from the 3^rd to the 8^th week of this treatment, as well as a decrease of plasmalemma NADH dehydrogenase activity from the 5^th to the 8^th week. The plasmalemma lipid extracts studied revealed two major phospholipidic components: phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Their respective quantities decreased until the 12^th week, where the phosphatidylcholine level is lower than the phosphatidylethanolamine one. The observed changes are discused in relation to dormant and non-dormant states of tubers and the breaking of dormancy.     

The effect of host age ofLymantria dispar larvae [Lep.: Lymantriidae] on the development ofGlyptapanteles liparidis [Hym.: Braconidae]

The endoparasitic development ofG. liparidis was examined in 3 different host stages of gypsy moth larvae. Hatching ofG. liparidis-larvae occurred 3 to 5 days after oviposition in hosts parasitized during their premoulting period, and after 5 to 7 days in those parasitized in the 3^rd midinstar state. The parasites generally moulted to the 2^nd larval instar between the 11^th and 13^th day in the first group, and between the 13^th and 15^th day in the latter, when they had reached a volume of 0.04–0.05 mm³. The positive correlation between host ecdysis and the ecdysis of 1^st stadium larvae to L₂ suggested that host moulting influenced the development of the parasitoid larvae. Emergence from the host larvae occurred at 20°C after 27 days on average, and coincided with the parasites moulting to the 3^rd instar. Five to 7 days after spinning their cocoons near the developmentally arrested host larva, the male, and 1 to 2 days later the female wasps eclosed. Due to the variation in the number of parasites per host, no difference was observed between the hosts parasitized at various stages; however, a tendency for later parasitized hosts to contain more parasite larvae was evident. The nutritional conditions of the moth parental generation influenced both host and parasite development. On the other hand no influence of host age was observed on emergence dates of larvae and wasps.      

Predation by three hemipterans:Tropiconabis nigrolineatus,Oechalia schellenbergii andCermatulus nasalis,onHeliothis punctiger larvae in two types of searching arenas

Three species of hemipteran predators preyed differently upon 1^st instarHeliothis punctiger Wallengren larvae.Cermatulus nasalis consumed more larvae thanOechalia schellenbergii which consumed more larvae thanTropiconabis nigrolineatus. All the species consumed significantly less 1^st instar larvae on plants than what they consumed in Petri-dishes. Fifth instar predators showed significant differences in terms of prey consumption due to sex independent of searching conditions. Only 4^th and 5^th instars ofT. nigrolineatus attacked and captured 2^nd instars ofH. punctiger larvae. The other 2 species however readily attacked and consumed 2^nd instarH. punctiger larvae. Their prey consumption was similar in Petri-dishes and on plants. Only 5^th instars ofT. nigrolineatus could subdue and capture 3^rd instarH. punctiger larvae. Second instar pentatomids captured just one 3^rd instar larva but older instars killed and ate more. Fourth instarH. punctiger larvae were immune to attacks by allT. nigrolineatus and younger pentatomids due to their defense ploys but 5^th instar pentatomids could subdue and capture them. None of the predators captured 5^th instarH. punctiger larvae except few 5^th instar females ofC. naslis andO. schellenbergii.      

基于梯度分析的武汉市生态系统服务价值时空分异特征

以2000年和2010年覆盖武汉市域的6景Landsat TM/ETM+遥感影像为基础数据,运用最大似然分类法提取土地利用类型,结合计算的武汉市单位面积生态系统服务价值,得到栅格尺度的武汉市生态系统服务价值分布图,并引入梯度分析方法,以城市中心为原点设置梯次环及考虑城市发展轴线设置采样条带,选取生态系统服务价值变化量和变化率两项指标进行梯度分析。结果表明,2000—2010武汉市总的生态系统服务价值共减少了2.68亿元;梯次环分析发现,武汉距离城市中心12—30km的北3—5环,以及距离市中心12—24km的南3—4环生态系统服务价值下降最为显著,而北8环及南7环则上升最为明显;条带分析发现,在东西向条带上,生态系统服务价值变化率曲线图呈现出一个对称的"W"形,而在南北方向上,变化率曲线可以按照变化的幅度分成了4个部分,此外与梯次环变化率曲线规律一致的是,北部要比南部变化更为剧烈。     

Insertion Profiles in Stomatal Density and Sizes in Nicotiana Tabacum L. Plantlets

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun) plantlets were cultured in vitro on Murashige-Skoog medium photoautotrophically (without sucrose) or photomixotrophically (with 3 % sucrose) under two irradiances [70 or 230 µmol m^–2 s^–1]. Significant differences in stomatal density and sizes in leaves of different insertion levels (3^rd, 5^th and 7^th leaves from bottom) in photomixotrophic plantlets but not in photoautotrophic ones were found after 35 d of culture. Stomatal density was higher in upper leaves and on abaxial leaf side. Higher irradiance enhanced stomatal density in photoautotrophic plantlets. Stomatal sizes decreased with leaf insertion level but no significant differences between leaf sides were found. Abaxial stomata were more circular than the adaxial ones. In photomixotrophic plantlets stomata tended to be more elongated in the 3^rd and the 5^th leaves, whereas stomatal elongation in photoautotrophic plantlets was similar in all leaves.     

Getting Bigger,Quicker? Gendered Socioeconomic Trajectories in Body Mass Index across the Adult Lifecourse: A Longitudinal Study of 21,403 Australians

Do socioeconomic inequities in body mass index (BMI) widen across the adult lifecourse? BMI data for 29,104 male and 32,454 female person-years aged 15 years and older (21,403 persons in total) were extracted from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia between 2006 and 2012. Multilevel linear regression was used to examine age and gender specific trajectories in BMI by quintiles of neighborhood socioeconomic circumstance. Models were adjusted for probable sources of confounding, including couple status, number of children resident, if somebody in the household had been pregnant in the last 12 months, the highest level of education achieved, the average household gross income, and the percentage of time in the last year spent unemployed. Approximately 9.6% of BMI variation was observed between neighborhoods. High neighborhood disadvantage was associated with 2.09 kg/m² heavier BMI (95%CI 1.82, 2.36). At age 15-24y, socioeconomic inequity in BMI was already evident among men and women especially (22.6 kg/m² among women in the most affluent areas compared with 25.4 kg/m² among the most disadvantaged). Among women only, the socioeconomic gap widened from 2.8 kg/m² at age 15-24y to 3.2 kg/m² by age 35-44y. Geographical factors may contribute to more rapid weight gain among women living in disadvantaged neighborhoods.     

The Mediating Relation between Symbolic and Nonsymbolic Foundations of Math Competence

This study investigated the relation between symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude processing abilities with 2 standardized measures of math competence (WRAT Arithmetic and KeyMath Numeration) in 150 3^rd- grade children (mean age 9.01 years). Participants compared sets of dots and pairs of Arabic digits with numerosities 1–9 for relative numerical magnitude. In line with previous studies, performance on both symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude processing was related to math ability. Performance metrics combining reaction and accuracy, as well as weber fractions, were entered into mediation models with standardized math test scores. Results showed that symbolic magnitude processing ability fully mediates the relation between nonsymbolic magnitude processing and math ability, regardless of the performance metric or standardized test.     

Effect of parasitism byAscogaster reticulatus [Hym.: Braconidae] on growth of the host,Adoxophyes sp. [Lep.: Tortricidae]

The developmental interaction between the egg/larval parasitoid,Ascogaster reticulatus Watanabe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its host,Adoxophyes sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) was examined. Prior to the egress of a final-instar parasitoid larva from the 4^th-instar host larva, host weight decreased by 22% from the maximum weight. The final body weight of a host larva was 27% of the maximum weight of a healthy 5^th-instar host. Food consumption was significantly reduced in both 3^rd-and 4^th-instar parasitized larvae compared with healthy ones. In the 4^th instar, a parasitized larva consumed 28% less artificial diet and produced less frass than a healthy larva. The growth rate of the endoparasitoid larvae greatly increased after their host's molt to the 4^th instar. Parasitoid larval volume increased 40 fold in the 4^th-instar host.      

Phenotypic variation in seedlings of a “keystone” tree species (Quercus douglasii): the interactive effects of acorn source and competitive environment

Blue oak (Quercus douglasii) is a deciduous tree species endemic to California that currently exhibits poor seedling survival to sapling age classes. We used common garden techniques to examine how genetic variation at regional and local scales affected phenotypic expression in traits affecting oak seedling growth and survival. Between-population variation was examined for seedlings grown from acorns collected from a northern, mesic population and a southern, xeric population. Within-population variation was examined by comparing seedlings from different maternal families within the mesic population. Acorns were planted into neighborhoods of an annual dicot (Erodium botrys), an annual grass (Bromus diandrus), and a perennial bunchgrass (Nassella pulchra). By varying the species composition of herbaceous neighborhoods into which acorns were planted, the interactive effects of competition and acorn germplasm source on phenotypic expression could also be examined. Potential maternal effects, expressed as variation in acorn size, were assessed by weighing each acorn before planting. Probability of seedling emergence increased significantly with acorn size in the xeric population but not in the mesic population. Similarly, the effect of acorn size on seedling leaf area, stem weight, and root weight was also population-dependent. At a within-population level, acorn size effects on seedling traits varied significantly among maternal families. In addition to acorn size effects, rates of oak seedling emergence were also dependent on an interaction of population source and competitive environment. Interactions between maternal family and competitive environment in the expression of seedling leaf characters suggest the possibility of genetic variation for plasticity in traits such as specific leaf area. Using carbon isotope discrimination () as an index of relative water-use efficiency (WUE), higher water use efficiency was indicated for oak seedlings grown in the annual plant neighborhoods compared to seedlings grown in the bunchgrass neighborhood. This trend may represent an adaptive plastic response because, compared to the bunchgrass neighborhood, soil water depletion was more rapid within annual plant neighborhoods.     

Phenology ofCoccinella septempunctata (Col.: Coccinellidae) in central Greece

Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), field collected from central Greece and reared in cages during 1990–1991 and in vials during 1994–1995 outdoors at Kifissia, Athens, developed 4 complete and a 5^th partial generations per year. In both cases, only adults of the 1st generation reproduced within the year they emerged; 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th generation adults reproduced partly in the year they emerged and partly in the following year; 5^th generation adults did not reproduce at all in 1990, and eggs/larvae produced by 4^th generation females in 1994 died before developing into adults. Adults of the 1 st and 5th generations died before winter; those of the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th generations overwintered successfully. The greatest numbers of eggs were laid by females of the 1^st and 2^nd generations. Visual counts made in the open field at Kopais plain in central Greece (1990–1992) and on the summit of the adjacent Mount Kitheron (1990–1994) indicate that allC. septempunctata instars were abundant in the plain between April and June, becoming scarce from July until the end of the warm period of the year following spring. NoC. septempunctata individuals were found in the plain in winter. On the summit of the mountain,C. septempunctata adults were present all year round, singly and in aggregations, except for the month of May. The most numerous arrivals of adults were noticed on the mountain in June. Emigrations of adults from there were noticed from March until the end of April.     

Kinji Imanishi and 60 years of Japanese primatology

On December 3^rd, 1948, only three years after the Second World War, Kinji Imanishi (1902–1992) went to Koshima island to study the wild Japanese monkeys. Imanishi was flanked by two young students, Jun'ichiro Itani (1926–2002) and Shunzo Kawamura (1924–2003). This year, 2008, is thus the 60^th anniversary of the founding of primatology in Japan.     

Anatomical and Biochemical Changes Associated with In Vitro Rhizogenesis in Dendrocalamus giganteus

Successful micropropagation protocol of a difficult-to-root bamboo species, Dendrocalamus giganteus (10–15 years old) along with the analysis of anatomical and biochemical changes during in vitro rhizogenesis was accomplished. Proliferated axillary shoots from nodal segments of 10–15 years old field culms exhibited shoot necrosis during multiple shoot formation phase and was controlled by subculturing in modified MS liquid medium having 825 mg ^l?1 NH₄NO₃, 3800 mg ^l?1 KNO₃, 740 mg ^l?1 MgSO₄ and 9% coconut water, 26.64 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.46 μM kinetin. These multiple shoots proliferated from field grown culms, failed to root and hence callus was induced on MS solid medium containing 4.44 μM BA, 4.52 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 5.37 μM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Organogenesis from the callus was achieved upon transfer to MS medium with 11.10 μM BA and 2.32 pM kinetin. The callus-derived shoots multiplied on modified MS medium were rooted the best (91%) by culturing 3 days on MS medium having glucose (0.5%), sucrose (2.5%) and 98.41 μM indolebutyric acid (IBA) and subsequently to IBA-free MS medium containing 3% sucrose. Studies on peroxidase and IAA oxidase activity and endogenous free- and bound-IAA content showed that IAA oxidase and peroxidase oxidize endogenous IAA resulting in root initials formation. Anatomical studies confirmed the root primordia formation from 3^rd day of IBA treatment and primordia were visible over the surface on 8^th to 10^th day. However, the shoot necrosis symptoms which started on 6^th day of treatment intensified by 10^th day leading to the death of the whole shoot system by 12^th–15^th day. Nevertheless, on the root formation medium with 9.84 μM IBA, new shoot buds were emerged and showed shoot growth in 60% of the rooted cultures, which were successfully acclimatized in shade-house with 100% survival. The present study establishes rooting of callus-derived shoots as the best way for the successful propagation of the difficult-to-root bamboo, D. giganteus when compared to axillary bud proliferated shoots.     

In-school arts education and academic achievement: A child fixed effects approach

The aim of this study was to estimate the within-child associations of in-school arts education and achievement in reading and mathematics, using four waves of data (kindergarten, 1^st-grade, 3^rd-grade, and 5^th-grade) from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study. Fixed effects techniques were applied to adjust for the confounding effects of all stable child characteristics. Arts education (minutes per week of art and music instruction) positively predicted academic achievement and growth in reading and mathematics from kindergarten to 5^th-grade. Moreover, the positive associations increased in strength as students progressed to later grades.