Birth Site Research Articles

Exterior Companions to Hot Jupiters Orbiting Cool Stars Are Coplanar

Abstract The existence of hot Jupiters has challenged theories of planetary formation since the first extrasolar planets were detected. Giant planets are generally believed to form far from their host stars, where volatile materials like water exist in their solid phase, making it easier for giant planet cores to accumulate. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how giant planets can migrate inward from their birth sites to short-period orbits. One such mechanism, called Kozai–Lidov migration, requires the presence of distant companions in orbits inclined by more than ∼40° with respect to the plane of the hot Jupiter’s orbit. The high occurrence rate of wide companions in hot-Jupiter systems lends support to this theory for migration. However, the exact orbital inclinations of these detected planetary and stellar companions is not known, so it is not clear whether the mutual inclination of these companions is large enough for the Kozai–Lidov process to operate. This paper shows that in systems orbiting cool stars with convective outer layers, the orbits of most wide planetary companions to hot Jupiters must be well aligned with the orbits of the hot Jupiters and the spins of the host stars. For a variety of possible distributions for the inclination of the companion, the width of the distribution must be less than ∼20° to recreate the observations with good fidelity. As a result, the companion orbits are likely well aligned with those of the hot Jupiters, and the Kozai–Lidov mechanism does not enforce migration in these systems.

Once Upon a Toxic Sanctuary: Partnering to Restore and Reclaim a Dakota Sacred Site

In this article, we examine the role of partnerships as they relate to the destruction and reconstruction of Wakaŋ Tipi and Indian Mounds Park as a Dakota sacred feminine, origin, birth site through a theoretical lens of critical Indigenous pedagogy of place (Trinidad, 2016) and partnership studies (Eisler, 2005). We discuss the deep historical, social, psychological, and cultural relationship the Dakota have to this sacred site and the challenge of partnering with non-Dakota entities to restore Wakaŋ Tipi/Indian Mounds Park from a toxic waste dump to a spiritual sanctuary.

Assessment of impacts and potential mitigation for icebreaking vessels transiting pupping areas of an ice-breeding seal

Icebreaker operations in the Arctic and other areas are increasing rapidly to support new industrial activities and shipping routes, but the impact on pinnipeds in these habitats is poorly explored. We present the first quantitative study of icebreakers transiting ice-breeding habitat of a phocid seal and recommendations for mitigation. Impacts were recorded from the vessel bridge during seven ice seasons 2006–2013, for Caspian seals (Pusa caspica) breeding on the winter ice-field of the Caspian Sea. Impacts included displacement and separation of mothers and pups, breakage of birth or nursery sites and vessel-seal collisions. The flight distance of mothers with pups ahead was <100m, but measurable disturbance occurred at distances exceeding 200m. Separation distances of pups from mothers were greatest for seals <10m to the side of the vessel, and declined with increasing distance from the vessel. The relative risk of separation by ≥20m was greatest for distances <50m from the vessel path. Seals on flat ice were more likely to be separated or displaced by ≥20m than seals in an ice rubble field. The relative risk of vessel collisions with mothers or pups was significantly greater at night when breaking new channels (12.6 times), with vessel speeds ≥4kn (7.8 times). A mitigation hierarchy is recommended for the Caspian Sea which could be applied to Arctic pinnipeds, including reducing icebreaker transits during critical periods, and using data from aerial surveys to plan routes to minimise encounters with seals. Where pre-emptive avoidance is not possible, recommendations include maintaining a safe separation from breeding seals at least 50m beyond the distance at which measurable disturbance occurs, speed limits, use of thermal imaging at night, dedicated on-board Seal Observers, and training of vessel officers to take effective reactive measures.

Outcomes of childbearing Medicaid beneficiaries engaged in care at Strong Start birth center sites between 2012 and 2014.

BackgroundVariations in care for pregnant women have been reported to affect pregnancy outcomes.MethodsThis study examined data for all 3136 Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled at American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Strong Start sites who gave birth between 2012 and 2014. Using the AABC Perinatal Data Registry, descriptive statistics were used to evaluate socio‐behavioral and medical risks, and core perinatal quality outcomes. Next, the 2082 patients coded as low medical risk on admission in labor were analyzed for effective care and preference sensitive care variations. Finally, using binary logistic regression, the associations between selected care processes and cesarean delivery were explored.ResultsMedicaid beneficiaries enrolled at AABC sites had diverse socio‐behavioral and medical risk profiles and exceeded quality benchmarks for induction, episiotomy, cesarean, and breastfeeding. Among medically low‐risk women, the model demonstrated effective care variations including 82% attendance at prenatal education classes, 99% receiving midwifery‐led prenatal care, and 84% with midwifery‐ attended birth. Patient preferences were adhered to with 83% of women achieving birth at their preferred site of birth, and 95% of women using their preferred infant feeding method. Elective hospitalization in labor was associated with a 4‐times greater risk of cesarean birth among medically low‐risk childbearing Medicaid beneficiaries.ConclusionsThe birth center model demonstrates the capability to achieve the triple aims of improved population health, patient experience, and value.

Growth and mortality of sympatric white‐tailed and mule deer fawns

ABSTRACTPopulation growth rates of cervids are sensitive to changes in adult female survival, but fawn recruitment tends to be the population vital rate most susceptible to density‐dependent population‐level influences. We conducted a study of fawn survival rates and related biology in northwest Crockett County, Texas, USA, during 2004–2007 in an area where white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (O. hemionus eremicus) existed sympatrically. Our fawn study was justified by the need to explain annual variation in female‐to‐fawn ratios apparent during field surveys. Using vaginal implant transmitters in radio‐marked adult females to locate birth sites, we captured, weighed, and radio‐collared fawns on 4 privately owned ranches. We monitored collared fawns daily and investigated mortalities within 24 hours of receiving a mortality signal to determine cause of death. When possible, we collected thymus glands to assess body condition. We captured 170 fawns (64 white‐tailed deer; 106 mule deer), of which 145 were of known‐age from collared females, and found that relatively heavy adult females birthed relatively heavy fawns. We also noted that mass gain of fawns and mass of fawns’ thymus glands were very low compared to other studies of fawns. We documented mortalities: 47 by predation, 47 by sickness‐starvation, 1 by conspecific trauma, and 3 undeterminable. Bobcats (Lynx rufus) were responsible for nearly all fawn predation; thymus gland and fawn mass data indicated that bobcats did not select weaker fawns. We used proportional hazards regression to assess factors influencing fawn survival and competing risks of mortality and made comparisons between the species when possible. We censored 6 fawns from our analyses and found that half of mortalities occurred within 15 days postpartum, and 12 of the 139 known‐age fawns (9%) died within 25 m of the birth site. Fawn survival was 78% at 6 days old, which was the median estimated age‐at‐capture of fawns from unknown adults. Annual fawn survival rate ranged from 50% for fawns born in 2004 to 17% for fawns born in 2006, with no overall effect of species. Fawn survival was greatest in 2004 when rain during the May–August late‐gestation and lactation period was greatest. Mule deer fawns succumbed more to sickness‐starvation than did white‐tailed deer fawns. Rates of sickness‐starvation and predation increased with deviance from mean annual birth dates and with reduced rain during the late‐gestation and lactation period. Early fawn survival increased with relative fawn mass, and sex became important at about 30 days postpartum, after which males were at greater risk of sickness‐starvation. Lunn‐McNeil competing‐risks models suggested some interaction between sickness‐starvation and predation. Fawn mortality, mass gain, thymus mass, and weaning data indicated that the populations of both deer species were chronically stressed near a carrying capacity that fluctuated annually with rain and that adult females invested little energy in rearing fawns relative to captive females. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

Disparities in cancer stage at diagnosis and survival of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal South Australians

Background/AimThis study tested the utility of retrospectively staging cancer registry data for comparing stage and stage-specific survivals of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Differences by area level factors were also explored. MethodsThis test dataset comprised 950 Aboriginal cases and all other cases recorded on the South Australian cancer registry with a 1977–2010 diagnosis. A sub-set of 777 Aboriginal cases diagnosed in 1990–2010 were matched with randomly selected non-Aboriginal cases by year of birth, diagnostic year, sex, and primary site of cancer. Competing risk regression summarised associations of Aboriginal status, stage, and geographic attributes with risk of cancer death. ResultsAboriginal cases were 10 years younger at diagnosis, more likely to present in recent diagnostic years, to be resident of remote areas, and have primary cancer sites of head & neck, lung, liver and cervix. Risk of cancer death was associated in the matched analysis with more advanced stage at diagnosis. More Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal cases had distant metastases at diagnosis (31.3% vs 22.0, p<0.001). After adjusting for stage, remote-living Aboriginal residents had higher risks of cancer death than Aboriginal residents of metropolitan areas. Non-Aboriginal cases had the lowest risk of cancer death. ConclusionRetrospective staging proved to be feasible using registry data. Results indicated more advanced stages for Aboriginal than matched non-Aboriginal cases. Aboriginal people had higher risks of cancer death, which persisted after adjusting for stage, and applied irrespective of remoteness of residence, with highest risk of death occurring among Aboriginal people from remote areas.

The Hierarchical Distribution of the Young Stellar Clusters in Six Local Star-forming Galaxies

Abstract We present a study of the hierarchical clustering of the young stellar clusters in six local (3–15 Mpc) star-forming galaxies using Hubble Space Telescope broadband WFC3/UVIS UV and optical images from the Treasury Program LEGUS (Legacy ExtraGalactic UV Survey). We identified 3685 likely clusters and associations, each visually classified by their morphology, and we use the angular two-point correlation function to study the clustering of these stellar systems. We find that the spatial distribution of the young clusters and associations are clustered with respect to each other, forming large, unbound hierarchical star-forming complexes that are in general very young. The strength of the clustering decreases with increasing age of the star clusters and stellar associations, becoming more homogeneously distributed after ∼40–60 Myr and on scales larger than a few hundred parsecs. In all galaxies, the associations exhibit a global behavior that is distinct and more strongly correlated from compact clusters. Thus, populations of clusters are more evolved than associations in terms of their spatial distribution, traveling significantly from their birth site within a few tens of Myr, whereas associations show evidence of disruption occurring very quickly after their formation. The clustering of the stellar systems resembles that of a turbulent interstellar medium that drives the star formation process, correlating the components in unbound star-forming complexes in a hierarchical manner, dispersing shortly after formation, suggestive of a single, continuous mode of star formation across all galaxies.

A Historical Perspective on the Transport of Premature Infants

A premature newborn was first transported via helicopter from place of birth to a specialty nursery 50 years ago. Since that time, the care of high-risk and premature newborns has evolved, but specialized services are not always available at the birth site. As a result, the demand for newborn transfer continues to grow. Today, neonates are transported to tertiary centers via ground ambulances, helicopters, and airplanes by highly trained personnel using sophisticated incubators and equipment.

Adult Neurogenesis in Injury-Induced Self-Repair: Use It or Lose It.

One of the most hotly pursued topics in neuroscience and therapeutic medicine is the use of stem cells in the adult brain. Growing in parallel to this emerging field is the recognition that the adult brain is indeed capable of generating new cells. While neurogenesis was understood to be restricted to a few areas, recent studies suggest that damage to the adult brain can trigger neurogenesis even in regions outside of these specific areas. This finding raises the possibility that neurons born in response to perturbation in the brain may be involved in the recovery of function in the damaged adult brain. The key is understanding how to cultivate these newborn cells, because they do not remain viable if they are not accepted into the damaged network of interconnected neurons which support specific functions. From a birth site, undifferentiated precursor cells or neurons undergo migration and differentiation. Many factors influence the safe journey of migrating cells and their survival after maturation at their destination.This review will present evidence from ring dove studies that an activity-dependent mechanism underlies the survival of adult newborn neurons and establishment of their functionality. This evidence includes: [1] unique electrophysiological properties or specific connectivity associated with various type of neurons involved in ring dove coo behavior and reproductive function, [2] emergence of electrophysiological properties and specific projection neurons emanating from newborn neurons after hypothalamic lesion, and finally [3] collective behavioral analyses of social stimulations suggesting that sensorimotor events contribute to the integration of new neurons and reinstatement of function.

Shelter type and birth number influence the birth and death sites of lambs and ewe movement around lambing time.

A significant number of lambs born each yr in Australia die within 72 h of birth. Periods of high wind, combined with rain and low temperatures, can lead to marked increases in the level of mortality. Under these weather conditions mortality levels may be reduced with the provision of shelter, provided it is utilized by lambs. This study used GPS collars to determine the use of shelter by ewes and lambs, to compare the movement of ewes with twin lambs across 2 types of shelter (hedgerows and shrubs), while also comparing ewes with single and twin lambs in a single shelter type (hedgerows). Additionally, the birth sites of 364 lambs and death sites of 252 lambs were recorded across the 3 shelter type and litter size combinations (Twins in shrubs, Twins in hedgerows, Singles in hedgerows) plus an unsheltered group (Singles in unsheltered). A higher (P < 0.001) than randomly expected percentage of ewes lambed in the areas closest to both shelter types; in the shrub shelter 42% of ewes lambed within 2.5 m of shrub rows compared to an expected 11% based on the proportion of the paddock this area constituted. Despite the higher than expected percentage of ewes lambing close to the shelter rows, ewes in both twin lamb shelter types avoided the areas close to the shelter before and after lambing (Hedgerows-2.5 m; Shrubs- 6.25 m) and single bearing ewes showed no preference for or against these areas. With a high proportion of twin bearing ewes lambing close to the shelter, a design that reduces the potential for ewe and offspring separation while providing good shelter will offer the greatest potential reduction in newborn twin lamb mortality arising from exposure.

Shelter type and birth number influence the birth and death sites of lambs and ewe movement around lambing time

Shelter type and birth number influence the birth and death sites of lambs and ewe movement around lambing time

Twenty years’ monitoring of a population of Italian crested newts Triturus carnifex: strong site fidelity and shifting population structure in response to restoration

Human-induced environmental alterations, e.g. the introduction of alien species and the application of management practices, together with climatic change, represent the main threat to worldwide amphibian conservation. Long-term monitoring programmes are mandatory to monitor the status of amphibian populations in changing landscapes and climatic conditions. In this study, we showed the population dynamic of the Italian crested newts Triturus carnifex living in four artificial ponds in Central Italy over a 20-year period. Adult newts were recognised through a capture-mark-recapture protocol, involving the analysis of belly patterns. The first best population model showed a constant newt survival among years and a complete recapture rate; the second supported model showed a sex-dependent survival, with slightly higher values for males with respect to females, and corroborated a complete recapture rate. A high philopatry occurred: we observed less than 10% of individuals dispersing from a birth site to other ponds. In 20 years of continuous monitoring, the population of Italian crested newt increased. The removal of goldfish Carassius auratus from one of the ponds in 2010 allowed adult newts to overwinter within the pond and to have two reproductive periods, with overwintering larvae after the second spawning.

First genealogy for a wild marine fish population reveals multigenerational philopatry

Natal philopatry, the return of individuals to their natal area for reproduction, has advantages and disadvantages for animal populations. Natal philopatry may generate local genetic adaptation, but it may also increase the probability of inbreeding that can compromise persistence. Although natal philopatry is well documented in anadromous fishes, marine fish may also return to their birth site to spawn. How philopatry shapes wild fish populations is, however, unclear because it requires constructing multigenerational pedigrees that are currently lacking for marine fishes. Here we present the first multigenerational pedigree for a marine fish population by repeatedly genotyping all individuals in a population of the orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula) at Kimbe Island (Papua New Guinea) during a 10-y period. Based on 2927 individuals, our pedigree analysis revealed that longitudinal philopatry was recurrent over five generations. Progeny tended to settle close to their parents, with related individuals often sharing the same colony. However, successful inbreeding was rare, and genetic diversity remained high, suggesting occasional inbreeding does not impair local population persistence. Local reproductive success was dependent on the habitat larvae settled into, rather than the habitat they came from. Our study suggests that longitudinal philopatry can influence both population replenishment and local adaptation of marine fishes. Resolving multigenerational pedigrees during a relatively short period, as we present here, provides a framework for assessing the ability of marine populations to persist and adapt to accelerating climate change.

Do Female Elk Select Hiding Cover for Their Calves at Birth Sites?

Abstract. In light of local population declines and poor calf survival, we investigated visual obstruction as potential elk (Cervus elaphus) calf hiding cover at birth sites. We hypothesized that female elk would use hiding cover (i.e., visual obstruction) in order to conceal their calves at the birth site and reduce vulnerability to predation. Selection of hiding cover has been well documented at calf bedding sites subsequent to parturition; however, because of variably reported results from prior studies, it is unclear whether hiding cover is selected at the immediate birth site. We estimated visual obstruction of hiding cover, measured understory vegetation height, and categorized the dominant form of hiding cover at 65 birth sites and 116 random sites within the Black Hills, South Dakota. We found no significant differences in visual obstruction, vegetation height, or selection of dominant hiding cover categories between birth and random sites within forest and grassland systems. We surmise that selec...

COMPLETE ELEMENT ABUNDANCES OF NINE STARS IN THE r-PROCESS GALAXY RETICULUM II*

ABSTRACT We present chemical abundances derived from high-resolution Magellan/Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle spectra of the nine brightest known red giant members of the ultra-faint dwarf galaxy Reticulum II (Ret II). These stars span the full metallicity range of Ret II (−3.5 &lt; [Fe/H] &lt; −2). Seven of the nine stars have extremely high levels of r-process material ([Eu/Fe] ∼ 1.7), in contrast to the extremely low neutron-capture element abundances found in every other ultra-faint dwarf galaxy studied to date. The other two stars are the most metal-poor stars in the system ([Fe/H] &lt; −3), and they have neutron-capture element abundance limits similar to those in other ultra-faint dwarf galaxies. We confirm that the relative abundances of Sr, Y, and Zr in these stars are similar to those found in r-process halo stars, but they are ∼0.5 dex lower than the solar r-process pattern. If the universal r-process pattern extends to those elements, the stars in Ret II display the least contaminated known r-process pattern. The abundances of lighter elements up to the iron peak are otherwise similar to abundances of stars in the halo and in other ultra-faint dwarf galaxies. However, the scatter in abundance ratios is large enough to suggest that inhomogeneous metal mixing is required to explain the chemical evolution of this galaxy. The presence of low amounts of neutron-capture elements in other ultra-faint dwarf galaxies may imply the existence of additional r-process sites besides the source of r-process elements in Ret II. Galaxies like Ret II may be the original birth sites of r-process enhanced stars now found in the halo.

Nuclear geyser model of the origin of life: Driving force to promote the synthesis of building blocks of life

We propose the nuclear geyser model to elucidate an optimal site to bear the first life. Our model overcomes the difficulties that previously proposed models have encountered. Nuclear geyser is a geyser driven by a natural nuclear reactor, which was likely common in the Hadean Earth, because of a much higher abundance of 235U as nuclear fuel. The nuclear geyser supplies the following: (1) high-density ionizing radiation to promote chemical chain reactions that even tar can be used for intermediate material to restart chemical reactions, (2) a system to maintain the circulation of material and energy, which includes cyclic environmental conditions (warm/cool, dry/wet, etc.) to enable to produce complex organic compounds, (3) a lower temperature than 100 °C as not to break down macromolecular organic compounds, (4) a locally reductive environment depending on rock types exposed along the geyser wall, and (5) a container to confine and accumulate volatile chemicals. These five factors are the necessary conditions that the birth place of life must satisfy. Only the nuclear geyser can meet all five, in contrast to the previously proposed birth sites, such as tidal flat, submarine hydrothermal vent, and outer space. The nuclear reactor and associated geyser, which maintain the circulations of material and energy with its surrounding environment, are regarded as the nuclear geyser system that enables numerous kinds of chemical reactions to synthesize complex organic compounds, and where the most primitive metabolism could be generated.

Differential positive TSPOT assay responses to ESAT-6 and CFP-10 in health care workers

BackgroundThe TSPOT.TB (TSPOT) diagnostic test for latent tuberculosis infection is based on a cell-mediated response to the Mycobacteria tuberculosis antigens, ESAT-6 and/or CFP-10, producing an “interferon-gamma footprint”. We investigated the within-sample and within-subject variability of positive TSPOT assays due to the individual assay antigens' reactivity. MethodsPositive TSPOT assay frequencies due to ESAT-6 or CFP-10 among health care workers (HCWs) at 6-month intervals for 18 months were compared. Differences in result interpretation (positive or negative) for ESAT-6 and CFP10 and potential prognostic factors were investigated. ResultsThere were 576 positive results in 8805 TSPOT assays representing 2418 participants. A significant difference was detected in positive TSPOT results due to a positive response to either ESAT-6, CFP-10 or both antigens at baseline through 12 M (p < 0.001), but not for the 18 M follow-up. Gender, ethnicity, occupation, previous positive tuberculin skin test (TST) and study site were significantly associated with specific antigen positivity. ConclusionsAmong our HCW samples with positive TSPOT assays, CFP-10 induced a larger proportion of positive TSPOT results than ESAT-6. Potential causes for this finding include: BCG vaccinated subpopulations, certain jobs, history of positive TST, U.S. birth, and study site. A high proportion of single-positive specimens may reflect false-positives results.

Ancient DNA reveals differences in behaviour and sociality between brown bears and extinct cave bears.

Ancient DNA studies have revolutionized the study of extinct species and populations, providing insights on phylogeny, phylogeography, admixture and demographic history. However, inferences on behaviour and sociality have been far less frequent. Here, we investigate the complete mitochondrial genomes of extinct Late Pleistocene cave bears and middle Holocene brown bears that each inhabited multiple geographically proximate caves in northern Spain. In cave bears, we find that, although most caves were occupied simultaneously, each cave almost exclusively contains a unique lineage of closely related haplotypes. This remarkable pattern suggests extreme fidelity to their birth site in cave bears, best described as homing behaviour, and that cave bears formed stable maternal social groups at least for hibernation. In contrast, brown bears do not show any strong association of mitochondrial lineage and cave, suggesting that these two closely related species differed in aspects of their behaviour and sociality. This difference is likely to have contributed to cave bear extinction, which occurred at a time in which competition for caves between bears and humans was likely intense and the ability to rapidly colonize new hibernation sites would have been crucial for the survival of a species so dependent on caves for hibernation as cave bears. Our study demonstrates the potential of ancient DNA to uncover patterns of behaviour and sociality in ancient species and populations, even those that went extinct many tens of thousands of years ago.

Constraining the Milky Way assembly history with Galactic Archaeology

AbstractThe aim of Galactic Archaeology is to recover the evolutionary history of the Milky Way from its present day kinematical and chemical state. Because stars move away from their birth sites, the current dynamical information alone is not sufficient for this task. The chemical composition of stellar atmospheres, on the other hand, is largely preserved over the stellar lifetime and, together with accurate ages, can be used to recover the birthplaces of stars currently found at the same Galactic radius. In addition to the availability of large stellar samples with accurate 6D kinematics and chemical abundance measurements, this requires detailed modeling with both dynamical and chemical evolution taken into account. An important first step is to understand the variety of dynamical processes that can take place in the Milky Way, including the perturbative effects of both internal (bar and spiral structure) and external (infalling satellites) agents. We discuss here (1) how to constrain the Galactic bar, spiral structure, and merging satellites by their effect on the local and global disc phase‐space, (2) the effect of multiple patterns on the disc dynamics, and (3) the importance of radial migration and merger perturbations for the formation of the Galactic thick disc. Finally, we discuss the construction of Milky Way chemo‐dynamical models and relate to observations. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Effect of antenatal education in small classes versus standard auditorium-based lectures on use of pain relief during labour and of obstetric interventions: results from the randomised NEWBORN trial

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of an antenatal education programme in small classes versus standard auditorium-based lectures.DesignRandomised trial using random-generated web-based 1:1 allocation.SettingThe largest birth site in the Capital Region of...