“Sensory Switching” in Elbow Reconstruction

In the treatment of the soft tissue defect of the elbow, flap reconstruction is necessitated in many cases because of thinness of soft tissue at this region. In addition, reacquirement of tactile sensation is desirable because of the anatomical and specific functions of the elbow. Of three cases treated for elbow defects, one was reconstructed with a pedicled island forearm flap containing the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm, another was reconstructed with a venoneuro-accompanying artery fasciocutaneous flap (VNAF flap) containing the basilic vein, and the third with the VNAF flap containing the cephalic vein. The three cases demonstrated a sudden change of sensory territory 4 to 6 months after surgery, which was confirmed by touching the reconstructed region with patients'' eye-closed: from its original territory to the elbow in a “switching”-like action. Here we describe and discuss the concept of “sensory switching.”     

Organization of the sensory system of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris (Annelida,Clitellata) visualized by DiI

The anatomical organization of the peripheral and central sensory structures of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris was investigated applying a fluorescent carbocyanine dye (DiI) as a neuronal tracer. Using whole‐mount preparations and confocal laser scanning microscopy, the pattern of primary sensory cells and pathways of their processes were traced and reconstructed in three‐dimensions. Our study shows that a ventral nerve cord ganglion receives sensory fibers from at least two adjacent segments suggesting that the peripheral nervous system is not segmental in its arrangement and the receptive‐fields of the body wall overlap in earthworms. Furthermore, our result suggests an integrative function of the basiepidermal plexus consists of sensory and motor fibers. J. Morphol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Food perception with age and its relationship to pleasantness

Differences between elderly subjects (n = 46, 61-86 years) and young subjects (n = 36, 18-25 years) in food perception and food liking were investigated. Intensity and liking ratings were assessed for custard dessert, in which flavor enrichment, textural change, and irritant addition were incorporated as strategies to compensate for sensory losses with increasing age. The sensory acuity (taste, olfaction, irritation, chewing efficiency) of both young and elderly subjects was measured with the help of different sensitivity tests. The elderly perceived the custards differently from the young, mainly as less intense in flavor (cherry/vanilla) and less intense in creaminess/swallowing effort. Several of the observed interaction effects were different for the elderly and the young. The majority of these differences manifested as lower intensity slopes for the elderly. Losses in sensitivity to taste and to olfactory and trigeminal stimuli as well as a reduced chewing efficiency were observed on average for the elderly compared with the young. Furthermore, subgroups of the elderly were observed in which the compensatory strategies flavor enrichment, textural change, and irritant addition led to an increase in food liking. However, these subgroups did not differ in their sensory acuity. The present study does not support the assumption that age-associated changes in food perception-caused by losses in sensory acuity-inevitably reduce the food liking of the elderly.     

Genetic and environmental variation in the visual properties of bluefin killifish, Lucania goodei

Animals use their sensory systems to detect information about the external environment in order to find mates, locate food and habitat and avoid predators. Yet, there is little understanding of the relative amounts of genetic and/or environmental variation in sensory system properties. In this paper, we demonstrate genetic and environmental variation in opsin expression in a population of bluefin killifish. We measured expression of five opsins (which correlates with relative frequency of corresponding cones) using quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction for offspring from a breeding study where offspring were raised under different lighting conditions. Sire (i.e. genetic) effects were present for opsin found in yellow photopigment. Dam effects were present for opsins that create violet, blue and red photopigment. Lighting conditions affected expression of all opsins except SWS2A and mimicked the pattern found among populations. These results highlight the fact that sensory systems are both plastic and yet readily evolvable traits.     

Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) Use Posture to Assess Level of Threat From Snakes

Once prey animals have detected predators, they must make decisions about how to respond based on a cost‐benefit analysis of their risk level. The threat sensitivity hypothesis predicts that prey animals match their response to the level of risk, with high‐risk predator encounters eliciting stronger evasive responses than low‐risk encounters. Primates are known prey of snakes, yet they vary their responses toward snakes. We predicted that primates match their response to the threat level from snakes by assessing posture, with striking postures indicating greater risk than coiled postures and coiled postures indicating greater risk than extended sinusoidal postures. We tested this prediction in a series of experimental trials in which captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were exposed to snake models in those postures. Results supported the predictions: macaques responded more strongly to a snake model in a striking posture than in a coiled posture and more to a snake model in a coiled posture than to an extended sinusoidal snake model. We also examined responses of macaques to a partially exposed snake model to mimic the condition of incomplete information, as snakes are often occluded by vegetation. The occluded snake model evoked a response comparable to that of the striking snake. These findings support the threat sensitivity hypothesis. Rhesus macaques use the posture of snakes as a cue in threat assessment, responding more intensely as threat increases, and they also behave as if risk is elevated when their information about snakes is incomplete.     

Sensory ecology and perceptual allocation: new prospects for neural networks

Sensory ecology provides a conceptual framework for considering how animals ought to design sensory systems to capture meaningful information from their environments. The framework has been particularly successful at describing how one should allocate sensory receptors to maximize performance on a given task. Neural networks, in contrast, have made unique contributions to understanding how 'hidden preferences' can emerge as a by-product of sensory design. The two frameworks comprise complementary techniques for understanding the design and the evolution of sensation. This article reviews empirical literature from multiple modalities and levels of sensory processing, considering vision, audition and touch from the viewpoints of sensory ecology and neuroethology. In the process, it presents modifications of extant neural network algorithms that would allow a more effective integration of these diverse approaches. Together, the reviewed literature suggests important advances that can be made by explicitly formulating neural network models in terms of sensory ecology, by incorporating neural costs into models of perceptual evolution and by exploring how such demands interact with historical forces.     

Triage: How do we prioritize health care for landscapes?

Summary We explore the potential use of health care as a metaphor for landscape-scale conservation. In human health-care provision, a range of care options is generally available to cover the various levels of treatment required and the degree of urgency of that treatment. The concept of triage is frequently used in emergency situations where many people may be injured and decisions have to be made on the relative urgency of treatment for different individuals versus the relative likelihood of the success of that treatment. Indeed, the need to decide on level and type of care extends throughout health-care provision, and the array of health-care options available can be displayed on a grid that considers relative level of need or threat and the probability of recovery. A similar grid can be constructed for landscape management, which considers level of threat and the probability of system persistence or recovery. The grid differentiates between a variety of scenarios ranging from the need for prompt management action to protect or restore important habitat through to preventative threat minimization. We suggest that the broad concept of triage goes beyond the simple allocation of patients, landscapes or species into urgent, not urgent, and terminal categories and, instead, offers a rational basis for considering allocation of appropriate levels of management to different situations. We also suggest that the practice of restoration has much to learn from health care, where decisions are made daily on the allocation of appropriate levels of care.     

Food and feeding ecology of the rock fowl Picatthartes oreas in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

The rock fowl is an endangered species and its food and feeding ecology was studied in the forest zone of Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. The methods used were direct observation, and fragmentation analysis of faecal and crop content of samples collected during both the wet and dry seasons. The results showed that rock fowl feed on a wide range of species of insects, fruits and flower buds. In the wet season, animal resources represented 54 and 62% of the adult and chick diet, respectively, whereas in the dry season, animal food resources represented about 60% of both adult and the chick diets. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the food composition of the birds between the dry and wet seasons. There was also a significant (P < 0.05) difference in food preference between adults and chicks. Food sharing was not common, although it was observed between rock fowl cockerels and hens. Food search and selection indices were directly related to season and food availability. It was concluded that food scarcity may not be a serious contributory factor in the threat to the rock fowl.     

海南淡水龟类贸易现状与管理建议

2002–2004年,对海南野生淡水龟类贸易进行了调查。调查发现海南所有市县都存在野生龟类贸易,有野生龟类贸易的农贸市场22个,占调查农贸市场总数的19.6%;有野生龟类贸易的乡镇64个,占调查乡镇总数的65.3%;野生龟类收购点103个,野生淡水龟共489只。野生龟贸易所涉及的淡水龟类共10种,占海南淡水龟分布总种数的90%以上,其中3种是国家二级重点保护动物,6种是列入《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》附录II的物种。按照《中国濒危动物红皮书(两栖类和爬行类)》,1种为极危物种,8种为濒危物种,1种为易危物种。在个体数量方面,以锯缘摄龟(Pyxideamouhotii)、黄额盒龟(Cuoragalbinifrons)、四眼斑水龟(Sacaliaquadriocellata)和中华花龟(Ocadiasinensis)较多,平胸龟(Platysternonmegacephalum)、地龟(Geoemydaspengleri)、中华鳖(Pelodiscussinensis)较少,三线闭壳龟(Cuoratrifasciata)、黄喉拟水龟(Mauremysmutica)和山瑞鳖(Paleasteindachneri)极其稀少。龟类市场价格差异很大,从2002年到2004年,各种龟的价格都有不同幅度的上涨。分析表明:淡水龟类非法捕猎与贸易在海南普遍存在,过度捕猎对海南淡水龟类构成了严重威胁,而野生龟贸易则是导致过度捕猎的主要原因。本文在分析和探讨海南野生淡水龟类贸易的现状、原     

Apical antennal sensilla in nymphs of Libellula depressa (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Abstract. In an ultrastructural study of the apical antenna of the last nymphal stages of Libellula depressa (Odonata: Libellulidae), we found long sensilla trichodea, 2 sensory pegs, and a coeloconic sensillum on the last article of the flagellum (the distal part of the antenna). The long sensilla trichodea are mechanoreceptors, almost identical to the long filiform hairs of some terrestrial insects and the first sensilla of this kind to be described in aquatic insects. Particular attention was given to the complex coeloconic sensillum, a compound sensillum innervated by 2 groups of 3 neurons wrapped in a dendritic sheath. A cuticular sleeve envelops the distal portion of the outer dendritic segment. The cuticle of the coeloconic sensillum shows wide channels and is contiguous to the underlying granular and fibrillar layer. Similar structures on the antennae of the adults of other dragonflies were identified as chemoreceptors in previous studies. We hypothesize that this larval coeloconic sensillum might likewise have a chemosensory function, responding to molecules that diffuse through the cuticle and the underlying granular and fibrillar layer, as no clear pore or pore-tubule system is visible. Alternative functions are also explored on the basis of morphological details.     

Interactive and cumulative effects of multiple human stressors in marine systems

Humans impact natural systems in a multitude of ways, yet the cumulative effect of multiple stressors on ecological communities remains largely unknown. Here we synthesized 171 studies that manipulated two or more stressors in marine and coastal systems and found that cumulative effects in individual studies were additive (26%), synergistic (36%), and antagonistic (38%). The overall interaction effect across all studies was synergistic, but interaction type varied by response level (community: antagonistic, population: synergistic), trophic level (autotrophs: antagonistic, heterotrophs: synergistic), and specific stressor pair (seven pairs additive, three pairs each synergistic and antagonistic). Addition of a third stressor changed interaction effects significantly in two‐thirds of all cases and doubled the number of synergistic interactions. Given that most studies were performed in laboratories where stressor effects can be carefully isolated, these three‐stressor results suggest that synergies may be quite common in nature where more than two stressors almost always coexist. While significant gaps exist in multiple stressor research, our results suggest an immediate need to account for stressor interactions in ecological studies and conservation planning.     

Sensory Features as Diagnostic Criteria for Autism: Sensory Features in Autism

In this study, we examined the frequency of sensory-related issues as reported by parents in a large sample of school-age adolescents and adults with autism/autism spectrum disorder (ASD) [1] as compared to a group of individuals receiving similar clinical evaluations for developmental/behavioral difficulties but whose final diagnoses were not on the autism spectrum. In no comparison were the features examined predictive of autism or autism spectrum in comparison to the non-ASD sample. Only failure to respond to noises had sensitivity above .75 in the comparison of the broader autism spectrum group, but specificity was poor. While sensory issues are relatively common in autism/ASD, they are also frequent in other disorders. These results question the rationale for including sensory items as a diagnostic criterion for autism.     

Ogre-Faced,Net-Casting Spiders Use Auditory Cues to Detect Airborne Prey

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Calculating the ESS level of information transfer in aggressive communication

Summary We present a model of aggressive communication that demonstrates the use of evolutionarily stable ambiguous threat displays. We use stochastic dynamic programming to solve a game in which two contestants of differing fighting ability communicate using cost-free threats. These contestants use communication strategies that supply information of varying reliability to the opponent. The results demonstrate that communication does not need to be either costly or unambiguous to be evolutionarily stable.     

First record of the siricid Urocerus albicornis,an invasive alien pest,in the Czech Republic

One male of the horntail wasp Urocerus albicornis was found in the Czech Republic in 2018. The male probably emerged from imported timber, although it may have originated from an established population because it was collected during the flight period.     

The relationship between video game play and threat simulation dreams.

Revonsuo proposes an evolutionary theory of dreaming in which dreams allow an individual to prepare for real world threats in the safety of the virtual setting of the dream world. Based upon previous work examining the dreams of video game players, it was hypothesized that high-end gamers would experience fewer threat simulation dreams because of frequent threat resolution rehearsal during game play. Subjects were asked to report a night before dream and fill out surveys regarding their gaming history, media use, and dream experiences. Using a factor analysis, support for the main hypothesis was found. Individuals with a history of game play experienced fewer threat severity variables in their dreams. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Surveillance of antibiotic resistance

Surveillance involves the collection and analysis of data for the detection and monitoring of threats to public health. Surveillance should also inform as to the epidemiology of the threat and its burden in the population. A further key component of surveillance is the timely feedback of data to stakeholders with a view to generating action aimed at reducing or preventing the public health threat being monitored. Surveillance of antibiotic resistance involves the collection of antibiotic susceptibility test results undertaken by microbiology laboratories on bacteria isolated from clinical samples sent for investigation. Correlation of these data with demographic and clinical data for the patient populations from whom the pathogens were isolated gives insight into the underlying epidemiology and facilitates the formulation of rational interventions aimed at reducing the burden of resistance. This article describes a range of surveillance activities that have been undertaken in the UK over a number of years, together with current interventions being implemented. These activities are not only of national importance but form part of the international response to the global threat posed by antibiotic resistance.     

The function of agonistic display behaviours in Gnathonemus petersii

In pairs of interacting Gnathonemus petersii , a mormyrid electric fish, dominant individuals were larger (longer body). Pairs of interacting fish of similar body size emitted more parallel displays at the onset of an interaction. Over the course of 10 min interactions, head butting increased and parallel display decreased. This decrease occurred primarily in pairs that contained a prior resident and intruder, as compared with two intruders. The patterns of electric organ discharge during parallel display, and the possible sensory modalities mediating this behaviour are discussed.     

Situation exploitation: higher male mating success when female resistance is reduced by feeding

Optimal male and female mating rates rarely coincide. Males often shift the rate in their favor by either increased signaling and by overcoming female resistance to copulation. The concept of sensory exploitation posits that males produce signals that mimic naturally selected benefits and so deceitfully attract females. However, males also have to overcome female resistance to actual copulation. Males may do so by copulating during situations when the female's ability to resist is decreased because of competing naturally selected demands. Males of the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius , an obligate blood feeder, mate at a rate, and in a manner that is harmful to females. Females have to feed regularly to produce eggs, and during feeding female body volume increases by 300%. Choice trials using unfed and either fed or experimentally enlarged but unfed females showed that the increased postfeeding body volume of females attracted more male mating attempts, strongly reduced female resistance to male mating attempts and resulted in a net increase in female mating rate. Our results, therefore, suggest that males have increased mating success in a situation that females cannot avoid because it is naturally selected. Such "situation exploitation" of low resistance may be a common phenomenon.