scholarly journals Brain size in birds is related to traffic accidents

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 161040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Pape Møller ◽  
Johannes Erritzøe
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Moving Objects ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Lung Mass ◽  
Liver Mass ◽  
Speed Limits ◽  
Brain Mass ◽  
The World ◽  
Heart Mass

Estimates suggest that perhaps a quarter of a billion birds are killed by traffic annually across the world. This is surprising because birds have been shown to learn speed limits. Birds have also been shown to adapt to the direction of traffic and lane use, and this apparently results in reduced risks of fatal traffic accidents. Such behavioural differences suggest that individual birds that are not killed in traffic should have larger brains for their body size. We analysed the link between being killed by traffic and relative brain mass in 3521 birds belonging to 251 species brought to a taxidermist. Birds that were killed in traffic indeed had relatively smaller brains, while there was no similar difference for liver mass, heart mass or lung mass. These findings suggest that birds learn the behaviour of car drivers, and that they use their brains to adjust behaviour in an attempt to avoid mortality caused by rapidly and predictably moving objects.

scholarly journals Do Different Methods Yield Equivalent Estimations of Brain Size in Birds?

2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-122
Author(s):  
Diego Ocampo ◽  
César Sánchez ◽  
Gilbert Barrantes
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Brain Mass ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Evolutionary Studies ◽  
Relative Brain Size ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Endocranial Volume ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Size Estimates

The ratio of brain size to body size (relative brain size) is often used as a measure of relative investment in the brain in ecological and evolutionary studies on a wide range of animal groups. In birds, a variety of methods have been used to measure the brain size part of this ratio, including endocranial volume, fixed brain mass, and fresh brain mass. It is still unclear, however, whether these methods yield the same results. Using data obtained from fresh corpses and from published sources, this study shows that endocranial volume, mass of fixed brain tissue, and fresh mass provide equivalent estimations of brain size for 48 bird families, in 19 orders. We found, however, that the various methods yield significantly different brain size estimates for hummingbirds (Trochilidae). For hummingbirds, fixed brain mass tends to underestimate brain size due to reduced tissue density, whereas endocranial volume overestimates brain size because it includes a larger volume than that occupied by the brain.

scholarly journals Comparison of Dolphins' Body and Brain Measurements with Four Other Groups of Cetaceans Reveals Great Diversity

2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 235-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam H. Ridgway ◽  
Kevin P. Carlin ◽  
Kaitlin R. Van Alstyne ◽  
Alicia C. Hanson ◽  
Raymond J. Tarpley
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Brain Volume ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
The Other ◽  
Vascular Networks ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Brain Mass ◽  
Endocranial Volume

We compared mature dolphins with 4 other groupings of mature cetaceans. With a large data set, we found great brain diversity among 5 different taxonomic groupings. The dolphins in our data set ranged in body mass from about 40 to 6,750 kg and in brain mass from 0.4 to 9.3 kg. Dolphin body length ranged from 1.3 to 7.6 m. In our combined data set from the 4 other groups of cetaceans, body mass ranged from about 20 to 120,000 kg and brain mass from about 0.2 to 9.2 kg, while body length varied from 1.21 to 26.8 m. Not all cetaceans have large brains relative to their body size. A few dolphins near human body size have human-sized brains. On the other hand, the absolute brain mass of some other cetaceans is only one-sixth as large. We found that brain volume relative to body mass decreases from Delphinidae to a group of Phocoenidae and Monodontidae, to a group of other odontocetes, to Balaenopteroidea, and finally to Balaenidae. We also found the same general trend when we compared brain volume relative to body length, except that the Delphinidae and Phocoenidae-Monodontidae groups do not differ significantly. The Balaenidae have the smallest relative brain mass and the lowest cerebral cortex surface area. Brain parts also vary. Relative to body mass and to body length, dolphins also have the largest cerebellums. Cortex surface area is isometric with brain size when we exclude the Balaenidae. Our data show that the brains of Balaenidae are less convoluted than those of the other cetaceans measured. Large vascular networks inside the cranial vault may help to maintain brain temperature, and these nonbrain tissues increase in volume with body mass and with body length ranging from 8 to 65% of the endocranial volume. Because endocranial vascular networks and other adnexa, such as the tentorium cerebelli, vary so much in different species, brain size measures from endocasts of some extinct cetaceans may be overestimates. Our regression of body length on endocranial adnexa might be used for better estimates of brain volume from endocasts or from endocranial volume of living species or extinct cetaceans.

scholarly journals Unique allometry of group size and collective brain mass in humans and primates relative to other mammals

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus J. Hamilton ◽  
Robert S. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Brain Mass ◽  
Trade Offs

AbstractGroup living is common in mammals, particularly in primates and humans. Across species, groups are social networks where co-residing members exchange information and balance trade-offs between competition and cooperation for space, resources, and reproductive opportunities. From a macroecological perspective, species-specific group sizes are ultimately constrained by body size, population density, and the environmental supply rate of home ranges. Here, we derive an allometric null model for group size in mammals based on individual energy demands and ecological constraints. Using Bayesian phylogenetic mixed models we show that primates exhibit unique allometries relative to other mammals. Moreover, as large-bodied primates, human hunter-gatherers have among the largest social groups of any mammal. We then explore the consequences of this unique social allometry by considering how mammalian brain size scales up in social groups that differ in size across mammals. We show similarly unique allometries in what we term the collective brain mass of social groups in primates relative to all other mammals. These results show that for a given body size primates have both larger brains and larger social networks than other mammals. Consequently, proportionally larger primate brains interact in proportionally larger social networks with important consequences for group cognition. We suggest that the size, scale, and complexity of human social networks in the 21st century have deep evolutionary roots in primate ecology and mammalian brain allometry.

scholarly journals The domesticated brain: genetics of brain mass and brain structure in an avian species

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Henriksen ◽  
M. Johnsson ◽  
L. Andersson ◽  
P. Jensen ◽  
D. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Wild Progenitor ◽  
Brain Mass ◽  
Evolutionary Studies ◽  
Selection For

ABSTRACTAs brain size usually increases with body size it has been assumed that the two are tightly constrained and evolutionary studies have therefore often been based on relative brain size (i.e. brain size proportional to body size) instead of absolute brain size. The process of domestication offers an excellent opportunity to disentangle the linkage between body and brain mass due to the extreme selection for increased body mass that has occurred. By breeding an intercross between domestic chicken and their wild progenitor, we address this relationship by simultaneously mapping the genes that control inter-population variation in brain mass and body mass. Loci controlling variation in brain mass and body mass have separate genetic architectures and are therefore not directly constrained. Genetic mapping of brain regions in the intercross indicates that domestication has led to a larger body mass and to a lesser extent a larger absolute brain mass in chickens, mainly due to enlargement of the cerebellum. Domestication has traditionally been linked to brain mass regression, based on measurements of relative brain mass, which confounds the large body mass augmentation due to domestication. Our results refute this concept in chicken and confirm recent studies that show that different genetic architectures underlie these traits.

Positive Aspects of COVID 19 Pandemic: A Blessing in Disguis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 187-191
Author(s):  
Anjankar Ashish P ◽  
Anjankar Vaibhav P ◽  
Anjankar Anil J ◽  
Kanyal Lata
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Heart Attack ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Crime Rates ◽  
Road Traffic Accidents ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
The World

COVID 19 is undeniably one of the deadliest diseases that humanity has ever seen. It continues to affect the lives and livelihood of people appallingly across the world. Maximum discussions focus towards the apprehension of catching the infection, dwelling in homes, overpopulated nursing homes and shut down of all kinds. But, here let’s discuss the positive side of COVID 19 pandemic.As COVID 19 has spread its influence all over the world, affected countries have either announced lockdown or have implemented severe restrictions in their respective countries. Because of this, everyone dwells in their homes. Thus, exercising social distancing and functioning from home. All of the above is directed at restricting the transmission of coronavirus and expectantly ostracising the fatality from COVID 19. These transformations have also brought about some unanticipated emanations; some good things have come out of the pandemic as well. Positive effects of COVID 19 are seen on reduced road traffic, and road traffic accidents lowered levels of air pollution which has to lead to lowered heart attack rates and rejuvenating environment. Crime rates have fallen, and expenses are reduced in most places. Community action, communication amongst families, behaviour, sanitation, hygiene, online and distance education has positively impacted by COVID 19 pandemic. COVID 19 despite a bane for humans, can be thought of a boon for living beings. The habitats and elements have been purified with the stringent use of petrochemical products. To breathe fresh air and to consume purified water is a boon by itself. Now, it is time for humans to lead a caring life to every bounty bestowed on them by Nature. This thoughtful and considerate life will give hope for a healthy, stress-free life.

scholarly journals A Farewell to the Encephalization Quotient: A New Brain Size Measure for Comparative Primate Cognition

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Carel P. van Schaik ◽  
Zegni Triki ◽  
Redouan Bshary ◽  
Sandra A. Heldstab
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Estimation Error ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Encephalization Quotient ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Size Measure

Both absolute and relative brain sizes vary greatly among and within the major vertebrate lineages. Scientists have long debated how larger brains in primates and hominins translate into greater cognitive performance, and in particular how to control for the relationship between the noncognitive functions of the brain and body size. One solution to this problem is to establish the slope of cognitive equivalence, i.e., the line connecting organisms with an identical bauplan but different body sizes. The original approach to estimate this slope through intraspecific regressions was abandoned after it became clear that it generated slopes that were too low by an unknown margin due to estimation error. Here, we revisit this method. We control for the error problem by focusing on highly dimorphic primate species with large sample sizes and fitting a line through the mean values for adult females and males. We obtain the best estimate for the slope of circa 0.27, a value much lower than those constructed using all mammal species and close to the value expected based on the genetic correlation between brain size and body size. We also find that the estimate of cognitive brain size based on cognitive equivalence fits empirical cognitive studies better than the encephalization quotient, which should therefore be avoided in future studies on primates and presumably mammals and birds in general. The use of residuals from the line of cognitive equivalence may change conclusions concerning the cognitive abilities of extant and extinct primate species, including hominins.

Sulfonamide-Functionalized Polymeric Nanoparticles For Enhanced In Vivo Colorectal Cancer Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Pires Goulart Guimarães ◽  
Celso Tarso Rodrigues Viana ◽  
Luciana Pereira ◽  
Savio Morato Lacerda Gontijo ◽  
Paula Peixoto Campos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Lung Mass ◽  
Cancer Model ◽  
Liver Mass ◽  
Therapeutic Delivery ◽  
Promising Strategy ◽  
Common Cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a conventional and most effective drug used in the clinic for the treatment of CRC. However, the clinical use of 5-FU is limited due to the acquired resistance and systemic toxicity, such as hepatotoxicity and gastrointesti-nal toxicity. Objective: Recent advances in nanomedicine are being exploited to develop nanoparticle platforms to overcome resistance and therapeutic delivery of active molecules. Here, we develop 5-FU loaded sulfadiazine-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (SUL-PLGA NPs) to be applied in the colorectal cancer model. Methods: We assessed the in vivo efficacy of the SUL-PLGA NPs to enhance the antitumor effect of 5-FU. Results: In vivo treatment with 5-FU-SUL-PLGA NPs significantly reduced tumor growth in a colon cancer xen-ograft model compared to free 5-FU and 5-FU loaded non-targeted NPs. Treatment with 5-FU-SUL-PLGA NPs also increased blood vessel diameters within tumors, which could act in conjunction to enhance antitumor effi-cacy. In addition, 5-FU-SUL-PLGA NPs significantly reduced liver mass and lung mass, which are the most common metastasis sites of CRC, and decreased liver hepatotoxicity compared to free 5-FU drug and 5-FU loaded non-targeted NPs. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the use of 5-FU-SUL-PLGA NPs is a promising strategy to enhance 5-FU efficacy against CRC.

scholarly journals Gravity of injury and analgesia in patients who suffered traffic accidents

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Calil ◽  
Cibele Andrucioli de Mattos Pimenta
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Outer Surface ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
World Health ◽  
Analgesic Drugs ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
The World ◽  
Reference Hospital

OBJECTIVE: Identifying the frequency and gravity of injuries in patients who suffered accidents in traffic and the analgesic drugs utilized. METHODS: Retrospective study, with a sample of 200 medical records of patients admitted to the emergency services of a reference hospital for trauma care. The gravity of the injuries was characterized by anatomic gravity rates and the analgesic therapy was based on the World Health Organization's Analgesic Ladder. RESULTS: The main findings pointed to injuries in limbs, head, face and outer surface as the most frequent, and, in 85% of the cases, gravity was equal or lower than 3; As for analgesia, it was verified that 46;6% of the patients received dipyrone and paracetamol. Among the opioids, meperidine was used in 10.4% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The gravity of most injuries was equal or lower to 3, indicating injuries of light, moderate and serious gravity, located especially in four body regions; regarding analgesia, dipyrone was shown to be the most commonly-used drug and a low use of opioids was verified.

Body size, brain size, and sexual dimorphism in Homo naledi from the Dinaledi Chamber

2017 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 119-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M. Garvin ◽  
Marina C. Elliott ◽  
Lucas K. Delezene ◽  
John Hawks ◽  
Steven E. Churchill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Brain Size
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