Using Bayesian Inference to Investigate the Influence of Environmental Factors on a Phytoplasma Disease

Abstract Background Speed and trajectory of locomotion are the characteristic traits of individual species. Locomotion kinematics may have been shaped during evolution towards increased survival in the habitats of each species. Although kinematics of locomotion is thought to be influenced by habitats, the quantitative relation between the kinematics and environmental factors has not been fully revealed. Here, we performed comparative analyses of larval locomotion in 11 Drosophila species. Results We found that larval locomotion kinematics are divergent among the species. The diversity is not correlated to the body length but is correlated instead to the habitat temperature of the species. Phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference suggest that the evolutionary rate of the kinematics is diverse among phylogenetic tree branches. Conclusions The results of this study imply that the kinematics of larval locomotion has diverged in the evolutionary history of the genus Drosophila and evolved under the effects of the ambient temperature of habitats.

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Tornado Damage Ratings Estimated with Cumulative Logistic Regression

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology ◽

10.1175/jamc-d-19-0178.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 58 (12) ◽

pp. 2733-2741

Author(s):

James B. Elsner ◽

Zoe Schroder

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Bayesian Inference ◽

Probability Distribution ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

The United States ◽

Severe Weather ◽

Proxy Variable ◽

Tornado Damage

AbstractEmpirical studies have led to improvements in evaluating and quantifying the tornado threat. However, more work is needed to put the research onto a solid statistical foundation. Here the authors begin to build this foundation by introducing and then demonstrating a statistical model to estimate damage rating (enhanced Fujita scale) probabilities. A goal is to alert researchers to available statistical technology for improving severe weather warnings. The model is cumulative logistic regression and the parameters are determined using Bayesian inference. The model is demonstrated by estimating damage rating probabilities from values of known environmental factors on days with many tornadoes in the United States. Controlling for distance to nearest town/city, which serves as a proxy variable for damage target density, the model quantifies the chance that a particular tornado will be assigned any damage rating given specific environmental conditions. Under otherwise average conditions, the model estimates a 65% chance that a tornado occurring in a city or town will be rated EF0 when bulk shear (1000–500-hPa layer) is weak (10 m s−1). This probability drops to 38% when the bulk shear is strong (40 m s−1). The model quantifies the corresponding increases in the chance of the same tornado receiving higher damage ratings. Quantifying changes to the probability distribution on the ordered damage rating categories is a natural application of cumulative logistic regression.

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Reductionist thinking and animal models in neuropsychiatric research

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x18001231 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nicole M. Baran

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽

Model Organisms ◽

Developmental Genetic ◽

Term Study ◽

Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽

Mechanisms Of Plasticity

AbstractReductionist thinking in neuroscience is manifest in the widespread use of animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Broader investigations of diverse behaviors in non-model organisms and longer-term study of the mechanisms of plasticity will yield fundamental insights into the neurobiological, developmental, genetic, and environmental factors contributing to the “massively multifactorial system networks” which go awry in mental disorders.

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The dual nature of obesity in metabolic programming: quantity versus quality of adipose tissue

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20201028 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (18) ◽

pp. 2447-2451

Author(s):

Anissa Viveiros ◽

Gavin Y. Oudit

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Maternal Obesity ◽

Metabolic Programming ◽

Dual Nature ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Adipose Tissue Volume ◽

Males And Females ◽

Metabolically Healthy

Abstract The global prevalence of obesity has been rising at an alarming rate, accompanied by an increase in both childhood and maternal obesity. The concept of metabolic programming is highly topical, and in this context, describes a predisposition of offspring of obese mothers to the development of obesity independent of environmental factors. Research published in this issue of Clinical Science conducted by Litzenburger and colleagues (Clin. Sci. (Lond.) (2020) 134, 921–939) have identified sex-dependent differences in metabolic programming and identify putative signaling pathways involved in the differential phenotype of adipose tissue between males and females. Delineating the distinction between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity is a topic of emerging interest, and the precise nature of adipocytes are key to pathogenesis, independent of adipose tissue volume.

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Shared Responsibilities for Full Participation in Society: Planning Further Integration of the ICF Into AAC

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig12.83 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (12) ◽

pp. 83-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mary Blake Huer ◽

Travis T. Threats

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Community Support ◽

World Health ◽

International Classification Of Functioning ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Social Service Agencies ◽

Persons With Disabilities ◽

Full Participation

The World Health Organization's (WHO's) 2001 International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) has as one of its central tenets the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. It acknowledges the need for medical and rehabilitation intervention in its biopscychosocial framework. However, the WHO realizes that society must do its part to facilitate this full participation and empowerment. Persons with complex communication needs (PWCCN) often need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in order to express themselves. However, in order to access and successfully use AAC, PWCCN need access to the necessary AAC devices and services, as well as a willing society to interact with them as full contributing members of society. The factors outside of a person's specific physical and/or cognitive functional limitations are addressed in the ICF via the Personal and Environmental Factors. Personal Factors include the individual's personality traits, lifestyle, experiences, social/educational/professional background, race, gender, and age. Environmental Factors include community support systems, social service agencies, governments, social networks, and those persons that interact with the PWCCN. This article addresses the sociopolitical influences on PWCCN and their functioning from a human rights perspective. The necessary introspective role of speech-language pathologists in this process is explored.

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