Humid periods in southern Arabia: windows of opportunity for modern human dispersal.

Arabia is a key area for the dispersal of anatomically modern humans (AMH, Homo sapiens) out of Africa. Given its modern hostile environment, the question of the timing of dispersal is also a question of climatic conditions. Fresh water and food were crucial factors facilitating AMH expansions into Arabia. By dating relict lake deposits, four periods of lake formation were identified: one during the early Holocene and three during the late Pleistocene centered ca. 80, ca. 100, and ca. 125 ka. Favorable environmental conditions during these periods allowed AMH to migrate across southern Arabia. Between ca. 75 and 10.5 ka, arid conditions prevailed and turned southern Arabia into a natural barrier for human dispersal. Thus, expansion of AMH through the southern corridor into Asia must have taken place before 75 ka, possibly in multiple dispersals.

The short- and long-term fitness consequences of natal dispersal in a wild bird population

Dispersal is a key process in population and evolutionary ecology. Individual decisions are affected by fitness consequences of dispersal, but these are difficult to measure in wild populations. A long-term dataset on a geographically closed bird population, the Mauritius kestrel, offers a rare opportunity to explore fitness consequences. Females dispersed further when the availability of local breeding sites was limited, whereas male dispersal correlated with phenotypic traits. Female but not male fitness was lower when they dispersed longer distances compared to settling close to home. These results suggest a cost of dispersal in females. We found evidence of both short- and long-term fitness consequences of natal dispersal in females, including reduced fecundity in early life and more rapid aging in later life. Taken together, our results indicate that dispersal in early life might shape life history strategies in wild populations.

Anion-directed template synthesis and hydrolysis of mono-condensed Schiff base of 1,3-pentanediamine ando-hydroxyacetophenone in NiII and CuII Complexes

Bis(o-hydroxyacetophenone)nickel(II) dihydrate, on reaction with 1,3-pentanediamine, yields a bis-chelate complex [NiL2]·2H2O (1) of mono-condensed tridentate Schiff baseligand HL {2-[1-(3-aminopentylimino)ethyl]phenol}. The Schiff base has been freed from the complex by precipitating the NiII as a dimethylglyoximato complex. HL reacts smoothly with Ni(SCN)2·4H2O furnishing the complex [NiL(NCS)] (2) and with CuCl2·2H2O in the presence of NaN3 or NH4SCN producing [CuL(N3)]2 (3) or [CuL(NCS)] (4). On the other hand, upon reaction with Cu(ClO4)2·6H2O and Cu(NO3)2·3H2O, the Schiff base undergoes hydrolysis to yield ternary complexes [Cu(hap)(pn)(H2O)]ClO4 (5) and [Cu(hap)(pn)(H2O)]NO3 (6), respectively (Hhap = o-hydroxyacetophenone and pn = 1,3-pentanediamine). The ligand HL undergoes hydrolysis also on reaction with Ni(ClO4)2·6H2O or Ni(NO3)2·6H2O to yield [Ni(hap)2] (7). The structures of the complexes 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. In complex 2, NiII possesses square-planar geometry, being coordinated by the tridentate mono-negative Schiff base, L and the isothiocyanate group. The coordination environment around CuII in complex 3 is very similar to that in complex 2 but here two units are joined together by end-on, axial-equatorial azide bridges to result in a dimer in which the geometry around CuII is square pyramidal. In both 5 and 6, the CuII atoms display the square-pyramidal environment; the equatorial sites being coordinated by the two amine groups of 1,3-pentanediamine and two oxygen atoms of o-hydroxyacetophenone. The axial site is coordinated by a water molecule. Complex 7 is a square-planar complex with the Ni atom bonded to four oxygen atoms from two hap moieties. The mononuclear units of 2 and dinuclear units of 3 are linked by strong hydrogen bonds to form a one-dimensional network. The mononuclear units of 5 and 6 are joined together to form a dimer by very strong hydrogen bonds through the coordinated water molecule. These dimers are further involved in hydrogen bonding with the respective counteranions to form 2-D net-like open frameworks.

Dispersal of soil-dwelling clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) larvae in mixed plant communities

Insect pests that have a root-feeding larval stage often cause the most sustained damage to plants because their attrition remains largely unseen, preventing early diagnosis and treatment. Characterising movement and dispersal patterns of subterranean insects is inherently difficult due to the difficulty in observing their behaviour. Our understanding of dispersal and movement patterns of soil-dwelling insects is therefore limited compared to above ground insect pests and tends to focus on vertical movements within the soil profile or assessments of coarse movement patterns taken from soil core measurements in the field. The objective of this study was to assess how the dispersal behaviour of the clover root weevil (CRW), Sitona lepidus larvae was affected by differing proportions of host (clover) and non-host (grass) plants under different soil water contents (SWC). This was undertaken in experimental mini-swards that allowed us to control plant community structure and soil water content. CRW larval survival was not affected either by white clover content or planting pattern or SWC in either experiment; however, lower clover composition in the sward resulted in CRW larvae dispersing further from where they hatched. Because survival was the same regardless of clover density, the proportion of infested plants was highest in sward boxes with the fewest clover plants (i.e. the low host plant density). Thus, there is potential for clover plants over a larger area to be colonised when the clover content of the sward is low.

Heliospheric Observations of STEREO-Directed Coronal Mass Ejections in 2008 – 2010: Lessons for Future Observations of Earth-Directed CMEs

We present a study of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) which impacted one of the STEREO spacecraft between January 2008 and early 2010. We focus our study on 20 CMEs which were observed remotely by the Heliospheric Imagers (HIs) onboard the other STEREO spacecraft up to large heliocentric distances. We compare the predictions of the Fixed-Φ and Harmonic Mean (HM) fitting methods, which only differ by the assumed geometry of the CME. It is possible to use these techniques to determine from remote-sensing observations the CME direction of propagation, arrival time and final speed which are compared to in-situ measurements. We find evidence that for large viewing angles, the HM fitting method predicts the CME direction better. However, this may be due to the fact that only wide CMEs can be successfully observed when the CME propagates more than 100∘ from the observing spacecraft. Overall eight CMEs, originating from behind the limb as seen by one of the STEREO spacecraft can be tracked and their arrival time at the other STEREO spacecraft can be successfully predicted. This includes CMEs, such as the events on 4 December 2009 and 9 April 2010, which were viewed 130∘ away from their direction of propagation. Therefore, we predict that some Earth-directed CMEs will be observed by the HIs until early 2013, when the separation between Earth and one of the STEREO spacecraft will be similar to the separation of the two STEREO spacecraft in 2009 – 2010.

Aspects of in vitro and in vivo research approaches directed towards identifying probiotics and prebiotics for human use

The microbiota of the human gastrointestinal tract plays a key role in nutrition and health. Through the process of fermentation, gut bacteria metabolize various substrates (principally dietary components) to end products such as short-chain fatty acids and gases. This anaerobic metabolism is thought to contribute positively toward host daily energy requirements. However, under certain circumstances, the fermentative process may produce undesirable metabolites. This may cause the onset of gut disorders that can be manifest through both acute and chronic conditions. Moreover, the gut flora may become contaminated by transient pathogens that serve further to upset the normal community structure. There has been a recent increase in the use of dietary components that help to maintain, or even improve, the gut microflora "balance." Probiotics are live microbial feed supplements added to appropriate food vehicles (usually fermented milks), whereas prebiotics are dietary carbohydrates that have a selective metabolism in the colon and serve to increase numbers of bacteria seen as desirable. Because of their purported health-promoting properties, lactic acid-producing bacteria, including bifidobacteria, are the usual target organisms. The market value and biological potential of both approaches are enormous. This article will summarize how efficacious types can be identified.

'The Mistress'(or 'Miss Maliczewska') by Gabriela Zapolska. Translated, designed and directed by Teresa Murjas

'The Mistress (or 'Miss Maliczewska') by Gabriela Zapolska Translated, designed and directed by Teresa Murjas Performed at University of Reading (5 - 8 December 2008, 5 public performances) Polish Theatre (POSK), London (25 - 27 January 2009, 4 public performances)

'The Morality of Mrs Dulska' by Gabriela Zapolska. Translated and directed by Teresa Murjas.

The Morality of Mrs. Dulska by Gabriela Zapolska. Translated and directed by Teresa Murjas. Performed at University of Reading (3 - 6 December 2003, 5 public performances) Polish Theatre (POSK), London (17 - 19 January 2004, 4 public performances)

'Four of Them' by Gabriela Zapolska. Translated and directed by Teresa Murjas.

'Four of Them' by Gabriela Zapolska. Translated and directed by Teresa Murjas. Performed at University of Reading (6 - 9 December 2006, 5 public performances) Polish Theatre (POSK), London (15 - 17 February 2007, 4 public performances) Łódź International Theatre Festival (17 - 18 April 2007)

The social evolution of dispersal with public goods cooperation

Selection can favour the evolution of individually costly dispersal if this alleviates competition between relatives. However, conditions that favour altruistic dispersal also mediate selection for other social behaviours, such as public goods cooperation, which in turn is likely to mediate dispersal evolution. Here, we investigate – both experimentally (using bacteria) and theoretically – how social habitat heterogeneity (i.e. the distribution of public goods cooperators and cheats) affects the evolution of dispersal. In addition to recovering the well-known theoretical result that the optimal level of dispersal increases with genetic relatedness of patch mates, we find both mathematically and experimentally that dispersal is always favoured when average patch occupancy is low, but when average patch occupancy is high, the presence of public goods cheats greatly alters selection for dispersal. Specifically, when public goods cheats are localized to the home patch, higher dispersal rates are favoured, but when cheats are present throughout available patches, lower dispersal rates are favoured. These results highlight the importance of other social traits in driving dispersal evolution.

Competition and dispersal in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Dispersal plays a crucial role in a range of evolutionary and ecological processes; hence there is strong motivation to understand its evolution. One key prediction is that the relative benefits of dispersal should be greater when dispersing away from close relatives, because in this case dispersal has the additional benefit of alleviating competition with individuals who share the same dispersal alleles. We tested this prediction for the first time using experimental populations of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We measured the fitness of isogenic genotypes that differed only in their dispersal behaviors in both clonal and mixed populations. Consistent with theory, the benefit of dispersal was much higher in clonal populations, and this benefit decreased with increasing growth rate costs associated with dispersal.

Video stimuli reduce object-directed imitation accuracy: a novel two-person motion-tracking approach

Imitation is an important form of social behavior, and research has aimed to discover and explain the neural and kinematic aspects of imitation. However, much of this research has featured single participants imitating in response to pre-recorded video stimuli. This is in spite of findings that show reduced neural activation to video vs. real life movement stimuli, particularly in the motor cortex. We investigated the degree to which video stimuli may affect the imitation process using a novel motion tracking paradigm with high spatial and temporal resolution. We recorded 14 positions on the hands, arms, and heads of two individuals in an imitation experiment. One individual freely moved within given parameters (moving balls across a series of pegs) and a second participant imitated. This task was performed with either simple (one ball) or complex (three balls) movement difficulty, and either face-to-face or via a live video projection. After an exploratory analysis, three dependent variables were chosen for examination: 3D grip position, joint angles in the arm, and grip aperture. A cross-correlation and multivariate analysis revealed that object-directed imitation task accuracy (as represented by grip position) was reduced in video compared to face-to-face feedback, and in complex compared to simple difficulty. This was most prevalent in the left-right and forward-back motions, relevant to the imitator sitting face-to-face with the actor or with a live projected video of the same actor. The results suggest that for tasks which require object-directed imitation, video stimuli may not be an ecologically valid way to present task materials. However, no similar effects were found in the joint angle and grip aperture variables, suggesting that there are limits to the influence of video stimuli on imitation. The implications of these results are discussed with regards to previous findings, and with suggestions for future experimentation.

Marketing the Damaged Self: The Construction of Identity in Advertisements Directed Towards People with HIV/AIDS

This paper explores the identities projected in advertisements directed towards HIV positive individuals and people with AIDS. Fifty such advertisements were collected from three popular American magazines for gay men over a period of seven months. Analysis of the ads reveals a paradoxical presentation of people with HIV/AIDS, which offers simultaneous conflicting images of hope and fear, power and weakness, innocence and guilt. An interactive sociolinguistic model through which this contradictory discourse might be understood is presented, drawing on Goffman’s insights on stigma management and the presentation of the self in social interaction. Advertisements directed towards people with HIV/AIDS, it is suggested, present a contradictory discourse in which the advertisers are positioned as ‘the wise’, offering to mediate the conflicting identities of the stigmatized. The identity values enacted in this contradictory discourse are further measured against American conceptions of communication and the self as observed by Carbaugh and others. The possible consequences of these positionings on the roles made available to people with HIV/AIDS in the wider social context are discussed.