Coalition Formation by Male Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in South Africa

Unrelated male primates frequently cohabit in bisexual groups and, despite being reproductive competitors, have been shown to cooperate in ways that are associated with reproductive success. Such coalitions between males are common in some taxa, where they can serve two primary functions – status management and improved mating opportunities – that subserve long‐ and short‐term objectives. Here, we use observational data to provide information on male coalitions in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), a guenon with a multimale group structure. We recorded a total of 62 coalitions from two troops across a 10‐mo period at Samara Game Reserve, South Africa. We found that males who were more frequently associated spatially and who had groomed one another were more likely to form coalitions and did so against higher‐ranking opponents. This was not linked to any evidence that coalitionary aggression provided either short‐ or long‐term reproductive benefits for the aggressors and coalitions were not restricted to the mating season. There was little evidence that particular individuals were targeted, reciprocation between partners was not observed, and recent immigrant males were not targeted disproportionately. Our data suggest that within‐group coalition formation between vervet males may represent something close to an ancestral state whereby males form ad hoc coalitions opportunistically, joining an ongoing dyadic contest to target an opponent without facing the possible risks of dyadic contest, such as a greater chance of injury.     

Development and validation of a weight-bearing finite element model for total knee replacement

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a successful procedure for osteoarthritis. However, some patients (19%) do have pain after surgery. A finite element model was developed based on boundary conditions of a knee rig. A 3D-model of an anatomical full leg was generated from magnetic resonance image data and a total knee prosthesis was implanted without patella resurfacing. In the finite element model, a restarting procedure was programmed in order to hold the ground reaction force constant with an adapted quadriceps muscle force during a squat from 20° to 105° of flexion. Knee rig experimental data were used to validate the numerical model in the patellofemoral and femorotibial joint. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses of Young’s modulus of the patella cartilage, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) stiffness, and patella tendon origin were performed. Pearson’s correlations for retropatellar contact area, pressure, patella flexion, and femorotibial ap-movement were near to 1. Lowest root mean square error for retropatellar pressure, patella flexion, and femorotibial ap-movement were found for the baseline model setup with Young’s modulus of 5 MPa for patella cartilage, a downscaled PCL stiffness of 25% compared to the literature given value and an anatomical origin of the patella tendon. The results of the conducted finite element model are comparable with the experimental results. Therefore, the finite element model developed in this study can be used for further clinical investigations and will help to better understand the clinical aspects after TKA with an unresurfaced patella.     

基于计算流体力学数值模拟的城市绿地温湿效应及室外热舒适评价研究进展

近年来随着计算机与各学科领域交叉研究的发展,计算流体力学数值模拟方法在城市环境的微气候研究方面得到较多应用,为研究绿地在有限面积内更有效地实现其降温效应提供了新的思路。回顾计算流体力学（CFD）数值模拟方法在不同尺度的城市绿地温湿效应及室外热舒适度评价研究中的应用,在此基础上,总结目前存在的问题及不足,对未来该领域的研究方向提出3点展望,以期为未来城市绿地微气候研究提供参考：1）多平台与尺度扩展研究;2）微气候特征指标的综合交叉分析;3）高适配度模拟模型的及时更新。     

Ecological validity of social interaction tests in rats and mice

Different rat and mouse models are used in studies of social interactions. Simple behavioral measures, which are commonly used in the laboratory, allow to perform relatively short experiments and to use multiple brain manipulation techniques. However, too much focus on the simplest behavioral models generates a serious risk of reducing ecological validity or even studying phenomena which would never happen outside of the laboratory. In this review, we discuss the suitability of mice and rats as model organisms for studying social behaviors, with focus on social transmission of fear paradigms. First, we briefly introduce the concept of domestication and what impact it had on laboratory rodents. Then, we present two aspects of social behaviors, sociability and dominance, which are crucial for social organization in these species. Finally, we present experimental models used for studying how animals transmit information about danger between each other, and how these models may reflect what happens in the natural environment. We discuss the difficulties that arise from our limited knowledge of rat and mouse ecology, especially their social life. We also explore the subject of balancing ecological validity and controllability in rodent models of social behaviors, the latter being particularly important for studying brain activity. Although it is very challenging, an efficient program for social neuroscience research should, in our opinion, aim at bridging the gap between laboratory and field studies.     

Causes and effects of haploinsufficiency

Haploinsufficiency is a form of genetic dominance and is the underlying mechanism of numerous human inherited conditions in which the causal genes are sensitive to altered dosage. This review examines the poorly understood relationships between haploinsufficiency, dosage sensitivity and genetic dominance, whose common theme is the existence of nonlinear relationships between genotype and phenotype. We present an up‐to‐date account of the bases of haploinsufficiency from the perspective of theoretical and experimental models. We also discuss human conditions caused by haploinsufficiency, including developmental syndromes and cancer. Connections between the understanding of these conditions' genetic mechanisms and advances in treatments are also described.     

中国木雅人、尔苏人、八甲人与空格人6项不对称行为的特征

对四川、云南尔苏人、木雅人、空格人、八甲人4个族群进行了6项不对称行为特征(扣手、利手、叠臂、利足、叠腿、起步)的调查,结果显示:1)4个族群中,仅尔苏人、木雅人、八甲人叠臂以L型出现率偏高以外,其余不对称行为特征均为R型出现率较高;2)4个族群6项不对称行为特征均不存在性别间差异,但木雅人、尔苏人与八甲人在扣手这一不对称行为特征上存在族群间差异,木雅人与空格人在叠臂这一不对称行为特征上存在族群间差异;3)统计分析了6项不对称行为特征之间的相关性,仅八甲人多数不对称行为特征之间存在相关性。