Ant-like Traits in Wingless Parasitoids Repel Attack from Wolf Spiders

A recent study showed that a wingless parasitoid, Gelis agilis, exhibits a suite of ant-like traits that repels attack from wolf spiders. When agitated, G. agilis secreted 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone), which a small number of ant species produce as an alarm/panic pheromone. Here, we tested four Gelis parasitoid species, occurring in the same food chain and microhabitats, for the presence of sulcatone and conducted two-species choice bioassays with wolf spiders to determine their degree of susceptibility to attack. All four Gelis species, including both winged and wingless species, produced sulcatone, whereas a closely related species, Acrolyta nens, and the more distantly related Cotesia glomerata, did not. In two-choice bioassays, spiders overwhelmingly rejected the wingless Gelis species, preferring A. nens and C. glomerata. However, spiders exhibited no preference for either A. nens or G. areator, both of which are winged. Wingless gelines exhibited several ant-like traits, perhaps accounting for the reluctance of spiders to attack them. On the other hand, despite producing sulcatone, the winged G. areator more closely resembles other winged cryptines like A. nens, making it harder for spiders to distinguish between these two species. C. glomerata was also preferred by spiders over A. nens, suggesting that other non-sulcatone producing cryptines nevertheless possess traits that make them less attractive as prey. Phylogenetic reconstruction of the Cryptinae reveals that G. hortensis and G. proximus are ‘sister’species, with G. agilis, and G.areator in particular evolving along more distant trajectories. We discuss the possibility that wingless Gelis species have evolved a suite of ant-like traits as a form, of mimicry to repel predators on the ground.     

Microplate methods for determination of serum cholesterol,high density lipoprotein cholesterol,triglyceride and apolipoproteins

Microtiter plate methods were developed for the enzymatic determination of serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG), and for the turbidometric determination of apolipoproteins. The micromethods resulted in accurate, precise values that were in good agreement with the conventional spectrophotometric assays. The coefficient of variation for TC determinations was 4.5% or less and bias was 5% or less. The lipid micromethod assays are sensitive to 10 mg/dL or less, and the apolipoprotein assay to 1 mg/dL. Less than 100 μL of serum suffices for TC, TG and apoprotein assays; HDL-C requires an additional 100 μL of serum. Advantages of the micromethods include reductions in assay time and in the amount of reagents required.     

Conflict and Conflict Management in Innovation Processes in the Life Sciences

Research on social conflicts in innovation processes has been rare, leaving an important research gap, as conflicts often arise in innovation processes and are even part of a researcher's everyday life. This study examines innovation and the variables of innovation success in the life sciences; it tests a conflict management model and examines the impact of both conflict type and conflict management style on innovation performance. This study surveyed 152 basic and applied researchers on their conflict management style through a multi‐method approach incorporating both survey and qualitative methods. The substantive aspects and relational effectiveness of conflict management styles were compared, considering their number of publications and patents, problem solution quality, project newness, conflict de‐escalation and communication. Applied researchers showed significantly more domination than did basic researchers, and a dominating conflict management style was significantly related to project newness. Moreover, problem solving was not always the most successful conflict management style. These findings have important practical implications for conflict management training and can help managers and researchers strengthen their co‐operation and improve productivity.     

"Effects of hostility on ambulatory blood pressure and mood during daily living in healthy adults": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by K. R?ikk?nen et al (Health Psychology, 1999[Jan], Vol 18[1], 44–53). On page 49, in Table 4, column headings and p-value are corrected. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1998-03081-007.) This study (a) tested the effects of hostile attributes on ambulatory blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and mood monitored repeatedly over 3 days in 100 healthy men and women and (b) determined whether the cardiovascular effects of trait hostility were moderated by mood. Multilevel random-coefficients regression analyses showed that hostile individuals exhibited higher systolic and diastolic BP and rated their current moods as more negative and less positive throughout the monitoring. Individuals low in hostility exhibited high BP only during the few occasions when they experienced negative mood. However, these patterns were true only when participants were classified by Potential for Hostility ratings from the Structured Interview (R. H. Rosenman, 1978), not by the Cynical Hostile Attitudes score derived from the Cook-Medley scale. Results provide convergent and ecological validity of interview rating of hostility… (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An evaluation of the potential of the use of wasted hydroelectric capacity to produce hydrogen to be used in fuel cells in order to decrease CO2 emissions in Brazil

The use of water wasted in hydroelectric plants as normalization dam excess, which constitute a hydrodynamic potential useful to generate electric energy which can be subsequently used to produce hydrogen and its subsequent consumption in fuel cells, has been considered as an alternative for hydraulic energy-rich countries like Brazil. The case is examined in which all the water wasted in the hydroelectric plants, spilled by dam gates to maintain acceptable water levels, from the 101 largest Brazilian hydroelectric plants was used to produce hydrogen. During the year of 2008, the electric energy produced from this utilisation would have been equivalent to 106.2 TWh, an amount that corresponds to an increase of ca. 30% of the total electric energy produced in the country. Furthermore, if this amount of hydrogen was used in the replacement of internal combustion vehicles by fuel cells, this would have prevented the production of 2,000,000 tons of CO₂ emissions per day. The economic balance (cost of electricity produced using the wasted water minus cost of gasoline consumed) indicates a savings of ca. 200 million US$. This plan would also significantly decrease production and release of greenhouse gases.     

Analysis of Human TAAR8 and Murine Taar8b Mediated Signaling Pathways and Expression Profile

The thyroid hormone derivative 3-iodothyronamine (3-T₁AM) exerts metabolic effects in vivo that contradict known effects of thyroid hormones. 3-T₁AM acts as a trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonist and activates G_s signaling in vitro. Interestingly, 3-T₁AM-meditated in vivo effects persist in Taar1 knockout-mice indicating that further targets of 3-T₁AM might exist. Here, we investigated another member of the TAAR family, the only scarcely studied mouse and human trace-amine-associated receptor 8 (Taar8b, TAAR8). By RT-qPCR and locked-nucleic-acid (LNA) in situ hybridization, Taar8b expression in different mouse tissues was analyzed. Functionally, we characterized TAAR8 and Taar8b with regard to cell surface expression and signaling via different G-protein-mediated pathways. Cell surface expression was verified by ELISA, and cAMP accumulation was quantified by AlphaScreen for detection of G_s and/or G_i/o signaling. Activation of G-proteins G_q/11 and G_12/13 was analyzed by reporter gene assays. Expression analyses revealed at most marginal Taar8b expression and no gender differences for almost all analyzed tissues. In heart, LNA-in situ hybridization demonstrated the absence of Taar8b expression. We could not identify 3-T₁AM as a ligand for TAAR8 and Taar8b, but both receptors were characterized by a basal G_i/o signaling activity, a so far unknown signaling pathway for TAARs.     

Quality of couples' relationship and adjustment to metastatic breast cancer.

This study examined mood disturbance among women with metastatic breast cancer in relationship to partnership status, relationship quality, and partner's coping and mood disturbance. These associations were examined within a total sample of 125 metastatic breast cancer patients and a subsample of 48 of these patients and their partners. Partnered and single women were indistinguishable in mood disturbance when household income was statistically controlled. Results also showed that patients were less distressed when they rated the relationship higher in Cohesion-Expression and in Conflict and when their partners reported lower mood disturbance. One possible implication of these results is that in relationships in which a woman has metastatic cancer, she may benefit from open engagement of difficulties and conflict. Furthermore, alleviating her distress may be better achieved by focus on the couple relationship rather than her individual coping. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)