Model‐based integration of observed and expert‐based information for assessing the geographic and environmental distribution of freshwater species

Freshwater ecosystems harbor specialized and vulnerable biodiversity, and the prediction of potential impacts of freshwater biodiversity to environmental change requires knowledge of the geographic and environmental distribution of taxa. To date, however, such quantitative information about freshwater species distributions remains limited. Major impediments include heterogeneity in available species occurrence data, varying detectability of species in their aquatic environment, scarcity of contiguous freshwater‐specific predictors, and methods that support addressing these issues in a single framework. Here we demonstrate the use of a hierarchical Bayesian modeling (HBM) framework that combines disparate species occurrence information with newly‐developed 1 km freshwater‐specific predictors, to account for imperfect species detection and make fine‐grain (1 km) estimates of distributions in freshwater organisms. The approach integrates a Bernoulli suitability and a Binomial observability process into a hierarchical zero‐inflated Binomial model. The suitability process includes point presence observations, records of site visits, 1 km environmental predictors and expert‐derived species range maps integrated with a distance‐decay function along the within‐stream distance as covariates. The observability process uses repeated observations to estimate a probability of observation given that the species was present. The HBM accounts for the spatial autocorrelation in species habitat suitability projections using an intrinsic Gaussian conditional autoregressive model. We used this framework for three fish species native to different regions and habitats in North America. Model comparison shows that HBMs significantly outperformed non‐spatial GLMs in terms of AUC and TSS scores, and that expert information when appropriately included in the model can provide an important refinement. Such ancillary species information and an integrative, hierarchical Bayesian modeling framework can therefore be used to advance fine‐grain habitat suitability predictions and range size estimates in the freshwater realm. Our approach is extendable in terms of data availability and generality and can be used on other freshwater organisms and regions.     

Perception of Graphical Virtual Environments by Blind Users via Sensory Substitution

Graphical virtual environments are currently far from accessible to blind users as their content is mostly visual. This is especially unfortunate as these environments hold great potential for this population for purposes such as safe orientation, education, and entertainment. Previous tools have increased accessibility but there is still a long way to go. Visual-to-audio Sensory-Substitution-Devices (SSDs) can increase accessibility generically by sonifying on-screen content regardless of the specific environment and offer increased accessibility without the use of expensive dedicated peripherals like electrode/vibrator arrays. Using SSDs virtually utilizes similar skills as when using them in the real world, enabling both training on the device and training on environments virtually before real-world visits. This could enable more complex, standardized and autonomous SSD training and new insights into multisensory interaction and the visually-deprived brain. However, whether congenitally blind users, who have never experienced virtual environments, will be able to use this information for successful perception and interaction within them is currently unclear.We tested this using the EyeMusic SSD, which conveys whole-scene visual information, to perform virtual tasks otherwise impossible without vision. Congenitally blind users had to navigate virtual environments and find doors, differentiate between them based on their features (Experiment1:task1) and surroundings (Experiment1:task2) and walk through them; these tasks were accomplished with a 95% and 97% success rate, respectively. We further explored the reactions of congenitally blind users during their first interaction with a more complex virtual environment than in the previous tasks–walking down a virtual street, recognizing different features of houses and trees, navigating to cross-walks, etc. Users reacted enthusiastically and reported feeling immersed within the environment. They highlighted the potential usefulness of such environments for understanding what visual scenes are supposed to look like and their potential for complex training and suggested many future environments they wished to experience.     

Analysis of CD95 and CCR7 expression on circulating CD4+ lymphocytes revealed disparate immunoregulatory potentials in systemic lupus erythematosus

Emerging data have implicated a critical role for CD4 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was designed to delineate the contribution of CD4⁺ T cells in the pathogenesis of SLE disease. Forty-four patients (3 male: 41 female) and 20 healthy volunteers (4 male: 16 female) were included in the study. CD4⁺ lymphocytes analysis was done using three-color flow cytometry with antibodies against human-CD95, a prototype cell death receptor, and the chemokine receptor-7 (CCR7) after gating for lymphocytes based on the forward and side scatter. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-α and IL-10 cytokines were assayed using ELISA. Disease activity was assessed using the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Based on the expression of CCR7 and CD95, CD4⁺ lymphocytes were subdivided into three particular subsets; CD4⁺CD95⁺CCR7⁺ cells, CD4⁺CD95⁻CCR7⁺ cells and CD4⁺CD95⁺CCR7⁻ cells. Percentage of CD4⁺CD95⁺CCR7⁺ cell subset was significantly higher in patients with SLE with active disease (SLEDAI > 6) and inactive (SLEDAI < 6) as compared with controls (P = 0.005), and it showed a significant positive correlation with ANA titer (P = 0.01), and a negative correlation with WBCs count (P = 0.001). CD4⁺CD95⁺CCR7⁻ cell subset was significantly higher in active SLE patients in comparison to patients with inactive disease and controls (P = 0.05, P = 0.005 respectively), and it correlates positively with SLEDAI, IL-6 and IL-17 levels (P = 0.001, 0.05, 0.01 respectively), and negatively with blood WBCs counts (P = 0.001). The third CD4⁺CD95⁻CCR7⁺cell subset was found significantly lower in SLE patients compared with controls, and it was found negatively correlated with IL-10, IL-6, and IL-17. The results show that CD4⁺CD95⁺subset lacking expression of CCR7 is associated with cell mediated inflammatory response as manifested by its correlation with signs of inflammation, inflammatory cytokines and disease activity index. Whereas, CD4⁺CD95⁺CCR7⁺ correlate more with antibody immune responses as manifested by association with serum ANA. These data suggest disparate roles of these cell subsets in the pathophysiology of SLE. A better understanding of the characteristics of CD4 cell subsets may shed light on the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, particularly SLE.     

Surgical and Molecular Evaluation of Pediatric Hydatid Cyst Cases in Eastern Turkey

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus is a major public health problem worldwide, including Turkey. The aim of the current study was to identify the strains and to estimate the potential risk factors of E. granulosus in operated pediatric cases in eastern Turkey. Ten pediatric patients (7 boys and 3 girls) living in rural areas, with ages ranging from 3 to 15 years old and various clinical histories, were included in this study. Eight patients had only liver hydatid cyst, while 1 patient had liver and lung hydatid cyst and the other liver, lung, and spleen, together. There were 2 ruptured liver cysts. After surgery, during follow-up, no increase was observed in hemagglutination levels, there were no mortalities, and there was no evidence of recurrence at 2 years post operation in all patients. Molecular analysis was performed on hydatid cyst samples obtained from the 10 pediatric cases. According to mt-12S rRNA PCR results, all cases were found to be G1/G3 cluster of E. granulosus sensu stricto.     

Dysregulation of autophagy by HIV-1 Nef in human astrocytes

Viruses often exploit autophagy, a common cellular process of degradation of damaged proteins, organelles, and pathogens, to avoid destruction. HIV-1 dysregulates this process in several cell types by means of Nef protein. Nef is a small HIV-1 protein which is expressed abundantly in astrocytes of HIV-1-infected brains and has been suggested to have a role in the pathogenesis of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND). In order to explore its effect in the CNS with respect to autophagy, HIV-1 Nef was expressed in primary human fetal astrocytes (PHFA) using an adenovirus vector (Ad-Nef). We observed that Nef expression triggered the accumulation of autophagy markers, ATG8/LC3 and p62 (SQSMT1). Similar results were obtained with Bafilomycin A1, an autophagy inhibitor which blocks the fusion of autophagosome to lysosome. Furthermore co-expression of tandem LC3 vector (mRFP-EGFP-LC3) and Ad-Nef in these cells produced mainly yellow puncta (mRFP+, EGFP+) strongly suggesting that autophagosome fusion to lysosome is blocked in PHFA cells in the presence of Nef. Together these data indicate that HIV-1 Nef mimics Bafilomycin A1 and blocks the last step of autophagy thereby helping HIV-1 virus to avoid autophagic degradation in human astrocytes.     

Implications of biofuel policy‐driven land cover change for rainfall erosivity and soil erosion in the United States

Large‐scale conversion of traditional agricultural cropping systems to biofuel cropping systems is predicted to have significant impact on the hydrologic cycle. Changes in the hydrologic cycle lead to changes in rainfall and its erosive power, and consequently soil erosion that will have onsite impacts on soil quality and crop productivity, and offsite impacts on water quality and quantity. We examine regional change in rainfall erosivity and soil erosion resulting from biofuel policy‐induced land use/land cover (LULC) change. Regional climate is simulated under current and biofuel LULC scenarios for the period 1979–2004 using the Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model coupled to the NOAH land surface model. The magnitude of change in rainfall erosivity under the biofuel scenario is 1.5–3 times higher than the change in total annual rainfall. Over most of the conterminous United States (~56%), the magnitude of the change in erosivity is between ?2.5% and +2.5%. A decrease in erosivity of magnitude 2.5–10% is predicted over 23% of the area, whereas an increase of the same magnitude is predicted over 14% of the area. Corresponding to the changes in rainfall erosivity and crop cover, a decrease in soil loss is predicted over 60% of the area under the biofuel scenario. In Kansas and Oklahoma, the states in which a large fraction of land area is planted with switchgrass under the biofuel scenario, soil loss is estimated to decrease 12% relative to the baseline. This reduction in soil loss is due more to changes in the crop cover factor than changes in rainfall or rainfall erosivity. This indicates that the changes in LULC, due to future cellulosic biofuel feedstock production, can have significant implications for regional soil and water resources in the United States and we recommend detailed investigation of the trade‐offs between land use and management options.     

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Crude Extracts and Essential Oils of Syzygium cumini Leaves

This research highlights the chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oils and various crude extracts (using methanol and methylene chloride) from Syzygium cumini leaves. Essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).The abundant constituents of the oils were: α-pinene (32.32%), β-pinene (12.44%), trans-caryophyllene (11.19%), 1, 3, 6-octatriene (8.41%), delta-3-carene (5.55%), α-caryophyllene (4.36%), and α-limonene (3.42%).The antioxidant activities of all extracts were examined using two complementary methods, namely diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing power (FRAP). In both methods, the methanol extract exhibited a higher activity than methylene chloride and essential oil extracts. A higher content of both total phenolics and flavonoids were found in the methanolic extract compared with other extracts. Furthermore, the methanol extract had higher antibacterial activity compared to methylene chloride and the essential oil extracts. Due to their antioxidant and antibacterial properties, the leaf extracts from S. cumini may be used as natural preservative ingredients in food and/or pharmaceutical industries.     

Project DyAdd: Fatty acids in adult dyslexia, ADHD, and their comorbid combination

In project DyAdd, we compared the fatty acid (FA) profiles of serum phospholipids in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n=26), dyslexia (n=36), their comorbid combination (n=9), and healthy controls (n=36). FA proportions were analyzed in a 2×2 design with Bonferroni corrected post hoc comparisons. A questionnaire was used to assess dietary fat quality and use of supplements. Results showed that ADHD and dyslexia were not associated with total saturated FAs, monounsaturated FAs, or n-3 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs). However, those with ADHD had elevated proportions of total n-6 PUFAs (including γ-linolenic and adrenic acids) as compared to those without ADHD. Dyslexia was related to a higher proportion of monounsaturated nervonic acid and a higher ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs. Among females none of the associations were significant. However in males, all the original associations observed in all subjects remained and ADHD was associated with elevated nervonic acid and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio like dyslexia. Controlling for poorly diagnosed reading difficulties, education, dietary fat quality, or use of FA supplements did not generally remove the originally observed associations.     

The good bad wolf—wolf evaluation reveals the roots of the Finnish wolf conflict

This article focuses on the roots of the Finnish wolf conflict by using stakeholder evaluations of the wolf as a tool. The recent growth of the wolf population has highlighted stakeholders’ contradictory objectives and revealed a conflict between the two main stakeholders, conservationists and hunters, in wolf management. The question of hunting emerges as the core of the conflict. The negative evaluation of the wolf by hunters reflects a competitive situation, which is typical of the historical development of wolf management in Finland. In areas with the most abundant wolf populations, hunters view the wolf most negatively. This study clearly demonstrates that the Finnish wolf conflict is rooted in the values of modern society and carries a long historical, practical and ecological background in which humans and wolves compete over resources, mainly the moose. The conflict between hunters and conservationists in wolf management is connected to the appreciation of moose as game and stems from competition between humans and wolves over their prey and the historical presence or absence of the wolf.