Reply to the comment by Dalby and Elliott on "Predator classification by the sea pen Ptilosarcus gurneyi (Cnidaria): role of waterborne chemical cues and physical contact with predatory sea stars"

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-561
Author(s):  
Janice O Weightman ◽  
David J Arsenault

The comment of Dalby and Elliott was triggered by a statement we made in a research note to the effect that our study provided the first experimental evidence of predator-classification abilities in cnidarians. Based on an extensive literature search and the appreciation of our manuscript by the reviewers, at the time of publication we believed that this statement was correct. After reviewing the research articles highlighted by Dalby and Elliott, we concur that the statement is incorrect. We discuss some possible reasons why the articles cited by the authors were not found during our literature search, including the use of technical "jargon". In formulating their comment, the authors make several incorrect assumptions, including (i) that our literature search was limited to a single broad review paper and (ii) that we overlooked key information in at least two of the papers we cited. Also, the authors appear to confound predator recognition and predator classification, as some of the articles they cite do not examine predator-classification abilities. Finally, they give the impression that predator-classification abilities are ubiquitous in cnidarians. This appears to be an overstatement, since a number of published studies clearly indicate high variability in the ability of cnidarians to (i) recognize predators and (ii) respond "correctly" according to the relative threat they represent.

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 556-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E Dalby Jr ◽  
Joel K Elliott

In their study of behavioural responses of pennatulaceans to physical contact with asteroids in 2002, Weightman and Arsenault claim to be the first to demonstrate that cnidarians have the ability to distinguish predators from nonpredators. In fact, it has been known since at least the 1960s that cnidarians are capable of predator recognition. We briefly describe some of the abundant literature on this topic, especially studies on anthozoans.


1979 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 594-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Patwardhan ◽  
A. H. Soni ◽  
J. A. Sullivan

The present paper examines the role of theoretical kinematics of rigid body motion in solving some of the basic research problems in the study of intervertebral motion in human spine. The paper presents an extensive literature search in the bio-kinematics of human spine and discusses the opportunities for technology transfer in theoretical kinematics to study the mechanics of human spine.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (04) ◽  
pp. 610-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Fay Low ◽  
Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom ◽  
Safura Anita Baharin

ABSTRACTThe application of magnification devices in endodontics is mainly meant for visual enhancement and improved ergonomics. This is crucial especially when long hours are spent in a narrow operating space to treat obscure microanatomy. Nevertheless, application of magnification in endodontics has yet to be introduced into the mainstream practice due to various influences in behavioral patterns. By conducting an extensive literature search in the PubMed database, this narrative review paper depicts the present state of magnification devices, their applications within the endodontic practice, factors that influence their usage, the advantages, and shortcomings, as well as the significances of magnification in the field of endodontics. This review paper will encourage clinicians to employ magnification in their practice for improved outcome.


2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice O Weightman ◽  
David J Arsenault

Using laboratory and field experiments we examined the defensive behaviour of the sea pen Ptilosarcus gurneyi (Gray) towards three species of sea stars representing three levels of predatory threat. In the laboratory we first quantified the behaviour of P. gurneyi following physical contact with the sea stars Dermasterias imbricata (specialist predator), Pycnopodia helianthoides (generalist predator), and Pisaster ochraceus (nonpredator). Whereas the majority (73%) of the sea pens rapidly burrowed into the sediment following contact with D. imbricata, their response to P. helianthoides was highly variable and only 23% exhibited burrowing. In contrast, the response of P. gurneyi to P. ochraceus was weak and similar to that elicited by contact with a glass rod (control). Also, whereas the majority of sea pens displayed colony-wide bioluminescent flashes towards D. imbricata and P. helianthoides, their responses to P. ochraceus and the control were weaker and more localized. We subsequently examined whether waterborne predator chemical cues alone could trigger the defensive responses of P. gurneyi to D. imbricata and P. helianthoides, using laboratory bioassays of varying stimulus intensity. Interestingly, although exposure to chemical cues from predatory sea stars did not elicit any defensive response in P. gurneyi, subsequent physical contact with these predators triggered complete burrowing. Field bioassays using SCUBA yielded similar results, as P. gurneyi did not respond to the proximity of predators but rather delayed its response until physical contact occurred. Our study thus provides the first experimental evidence of predator-classification abilities in cnidarians and suggests that physical contact with predatory sea stars is required to trigger defensive behaviours in P. gurneyi.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 1760020
Author(s):  
Henrique Linares ◽  
Carlos Frajuca ◽  
Fabio S. Bortoli ◽  
Givanildo A. Santos ◽  
Francisco Y. Nakamoto

This work aims to design a magnetic suspension for an experiment to measure gravitys velocity. Such device must rotate two objects symmetrically with the greatest mass and largest radius as possible, at the speed of [Formula: see text], which means this device falls into the high-speed machines category. The guidelines and solutions proposed in this paper constitute a contribution to this class of engineering problems and were based on an extensive literature search, contacts with experts, the tutors and author’s experience, as well as on experimental results. The main solution proposed is a hybrid bearing that combines a radial passive magnetic bearing with an axial sliding bearing, here called MPS (Magnetic Passive and Sliding) bearing.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-41
Author(s):  
JACOB KOOPMAN ◽  
TARON ALEKSANYAN ◽  
ALLA ALEKSANYAN ◽  
GEORGE FAYVUSH ◽  
MARINA OGANESIAN ◽  
...  

In this paper we present an updated checklist, key and maps for all the currently known Carex taxa present in Armenia. The present work is based on the revision of the vouchers in herbaria ERE, W and MW, extensive literature search, and field research carried out in 2015–2019. As a result, 71 species of Carex are known from Armenia. Besides, the first Carex hybrid in Armenia has been found and provided here with a binomial name.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 587-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Widrig ◽  
Brigitte Tag

Objectives: Legal analysis can highlight important issues that are relevant when deciding whether a medical technology should be implemented or reimbursed. Literature and studies show that even though the law is an acknowledged part of health technology assessment (HTA), legal issues are rarely considered in practice. One reason for this may be the lack of knowledge about the diversity of legal issues that are relevant for HTA. Therefore, this contribution aims primarily to identify and then explain the relevant legal issues in HTA. This study offers a framework for identifying the legal issues in HTAs in different jurisdictions and provides a basis for further research.Methods: After extensive literature search, the authors review Swiss health law to identify legal issues that are relevant to HTA. The authors then categorize these legal issues using a framework with an inside and outside perspective. Finally, they explain a selection of these legal issues with several examples.Results: This study reveals numerous legal issues that are relevant for HTA and underlines the necessity of incorporating legal analysis in HTAs. The suggested perspectival framework in this study provides a basis to structure the legal analysis. The identified legal issues are relevant in other countries and the perspectival framework is transferable to other jurisdictions.Conclusions: The article underlines the importance of in-depth discussion about the role of law in HTA. It provides a structured overview of the legal issues in HTA and suggests a development of more concrete instruments toward a standardized legal technology assessment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 232470961982840
Author(s):  
Fatai Oluyadi ◽  
Preethi Ramachandran ◽  
Vladmir Gotlieb

Female urethral diverticular cancer is a very rare entity with only around 100 cases reported so far in literature and accounts for <1% of all malignancies. In this article, we present a 47-year-old African American female with repeated hospital visits for urinary retention, hematuria, and urinary tract infections. Initial computed tomography imaging and cystoscopy was unremarkable except for a distended urinary bladder. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging and corresponding cystoscopy eventually indicated the presence of a urethral diverticulum. She underwent urethral diverticulectomy and was found to have a mass arising from urethral diverticulum extending to vaginal walls. Her biopsy was suggestive of invasive adenocarcinoma in advanced stages, for which she subsequently underwent a total pelvic exenteration. Next-generation sequencing of the tumor showed CDKN2A/B loss, MSI-stable, and low TMB, thereby ruling out the options for targeted therapies. Extensive literature search and expert opinions were sought for her case since no consensus exists regarding the optimal therapeutic approach due to the rarity of this tumor. A final decision was made to treat her with platinum-based chemotherapy. Different treatment approaches including neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery, surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, and surgery followed by chemoradiation have been tried. Platinum-based chemotherapy has generally been preferred based on an extensive literature search. Multimodality treatment approach seems to be the current approach to management for advanced stages for better overall survival. This case illustrates the challenges faced in making diagnosis and treatment decisions due to the rarity of this type of tumor and lack of consensus in the treatment approach.


Paleobiology ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Culver ◽  
Martin A. Buzas ◽  
Laurel S. Collins

Species duration data for living benthic foraminifera derived from an extensive literature search have been compiled and analyzed to investigate rates and patterns of species origination. The same data subjected to taxonomic standardization through examination of many specimens lodged in museum collections indicate strikingly different, and more realistic, rates and patterns.Evolutionary generalizations based on data generated from the literature only are often unreliable and may be directly in opposition to reality. Extensive attempts at taxonomic standardization should be the norm in paleobiological investigations.


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