scholarly journals The Evolutionary History of Common Genetic Variants Influencing Human Cortical Surface Area

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda K. Tilot ◽  
Ekaterina A. Khramtsova ◽  
Katrina Grasby ◽  
Neda Jahanshad ◽  
Jodie Painter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Genetic Screens ◽  
Molecular Variants ◽  
Common Genetic Variants ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cortical Regions ◽  
Key Aspects

AbstractStructural brain changes along the lineage that led to modern Homo sapiens have contributed to our unique cognitive and social abilities. However, the evolutionarily relevant molecular variants impacting key aspects of neuroanatomy are largely unknown. Here, we integrate evolutionary annotations of the genome at diverse timescales with common variant associations from large-scale neuroimaging genetic screens in living humans, to reveal how selective pressures have shaped neocortical surface area. We show that variation within human gained enhancers active in the developing brain is associated with global surface area as well as that of specific regions. Moreover, we find evidence of recent polygenic selection over the past 2,000 years influencing surface area of multiple cortical regions, including those involved in spoken language and visual processing.

scholarly journals The Evolutionary History of Common Genetic Variants Influencing Human Cortical Surface Area

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda K Tilot ◽  
Ekaterina A Khramtsova ◽  
Dan Liang ◽  
Katrina L Grasby ◽  
Neda Jahanshad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Common Genetic Variants

Abstract Structural brain changes along the lineage leading to modern Homo sapiens contributed to our distinctive cognitive and social abilities. However, the evolutionarily relevant molecular variants impacting key aspects of neuroanatomy are largely unknown. Here, we integrate evolutionary annotations of the genome at diverse timescales with common variant associations from large-scale neuroimaging genetic screens. We find that alleles with evidence of recent positive polygenic selection over the past 2000–3000 years are associated with increased surface area (SA) of the entire cortex, as well as specific regions, including those involved in spoken language and visual processing. Therefore, polygenic selective pressures impact the structure of specific cortical areas even over relatively recent timescales. Moreover, common sequence variation within human gained enhancers active in the prenatal cortex is associated with postnatal global SA. We show that such variation modulates the function of a regulatory element of the developmentally relevant transcription factor HEY2 in human neural progenitor cells and is associated with structural changes in the inferior frontal cortex. These results indicate that non-coding genomic regions active during prenatal cortical development are involved in the evolution of human brain structure and identify novel regulatory elements and genes impacting modern human brain structure.

scholarly journals Altered structural brain asymmetry in autism spectrum disorder: large-scale analysis via the ENIGMA Consortium

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merel C. Postema ◽  
Daan van Rooij ◽  
Evdokia Anagnostou ◽  
Celso Arango ◽  
Guillaume Auzias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Brain Asymmetry ◽  
Scale Analysis ◽  
Large Scale Analysis ◽  
Cortical Regions ◽  
Structural Brain

AbstractBackgroundLeft-right asymmetry is an important organizing feature of the healthy brain. Various studies have reported altered structural brain asymmetry in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, findings have been inconsistent, likely due to limited sample sizes and low statistical power.MethodsWe investigated 1,774 subjects with ASD and 1,809 controls, from 54 datasets, for differences in the asymmetry of thickness and surface area of 34 cerebral cortical regions. We also examined global hemispheric measures of cortical thickness and area asymmetry, and volumetric asymmetries of subcortical structures. Data were obtained via the ASD Working Group of the ENIGMA (Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) consortium. T1-weighted MRI data were processed with a single protocol using FreeSurfer and the Desikan-Killiany atlas.ResultsASD was significantly associated with reduced leftward asymmetry of total hemispheric average cortical thickness, compared to controls. Eight regional thickness asymmetries, distributed over the cortex, also showed significant associations with diagnosis after correction for multiple comparisons, for which asymmetry was again generally lower in ASD versus controls. In addition, the medial orbitofrontal surface area was less rightward asymmetric in ASD than controls, and the putamen volume was more leftward asymmetric in ASD than controls. The largest effect size had Cohen’sd= 0.15. Most effects did not depend on age, sex, IQ, or disorder severity.ConclusionAltered lateralized neurodevelopment is suggested in ASD, affecting widespread cortical regions with diverse functions. Large-scale analysis was necessary to reliably detect, and accurately describe, subtle alterations of structural brain asymmetry in this disorder.

scholarly journals The language of journalism - The language of agenda setting effects

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
Maxwell McCombs
Keyword(s):  
Agenda Setting ◽  
Scientific Method ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
The Past ◽  
Intermedia Agenda Setting ◽  
History Of ◽  
Need For Orientation ◽  
Key Aspects

The evolution of agenda setting over the past 50 years is an in-depth, large-scale case study of the scientific method. This oscillating history of theoretical explication and extensive empirical investigation has identified major aspects of the language of journalism that have significant impact on the formation of public opinion. The theory of agenda setting now includes three levels of agenda setting effects, intermedia agenda setting and the concept of compelling arguments that identify key aspects of the language of journalism. Other theoretical concepts, need for orientation, and most recently civic osmosis and agendamelding explicate the process of agenda setting. All of these are intellectual tools for dealing with the contemporary problem of fake news.

Commemorative Medal for the Centenary of the Imperial St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences in 1826

2018 ◽  
pp. 1244-1253
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Yu. Basargina ◽  
◽  
Olga A. Kirikova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Military Power ◽  
Historical Source ◽  
New Era ◽  
Significant Events ◽  
History Of ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Imperial Family ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Made In

The article studies the commemorative medal for the centenary of the Imperial St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences as a part of the Academy’s jubilee. Preserving memory of significant events is one of key aspects of culture. Jubilees and jubilee-related artifacts, i.e. commemorative medals, have their place among so called commemorative practices. Scientific community uses such practices make appeals to the authorities, to enhance its prestige, and to consolidate itself. The 1826 commemorative medal appeared to be a part of the jubilee events. The large-scale celebrations seemed to be a landmark in the history of the Academy of Sciences. Its President, Sergey Uvarov, used the opportunity to appeal to the Emperor and to show the Academy in all its glory. Medallionist Fyodor Tolstoy created for the occasion a jubilee commemorative medal, which was presented to the members of the Imperial family and other notable guests. That event was the climax of the celebration. The medal was authorized by the Emperor. Its creation therefore proved that the authorities recognized the import of the Academy of Sciences, the worth of science for state, its military power and its political reputation. The 1826 commemorative medal symbolized Imperial favor towards the Academy of Sciences; it bears the names of three monarchs: Peter I, its founder, Alexander I, its protector at the close of its first hundred years, and Nicholas I, its hope for the new era. Several drafts of the medal prove that academician experts in numismatics participated in its creation. The authors consider the commemorative medal an important historical source and a set of symbols to be explained. The article analyses art media and studies the evolution of medal inscriptions (they were first made in Latin, but later re-written in Russian on the Emperor’s orders).

scholarly journals Imagining a new ‘abnormal’ amidst COVID-19: Seeking guidance from evolutionary anthropology and theology

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernice Serfontein
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Evolutionary Anthropology ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
Just Society ◽  
Evolutionary Story

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is responsible for the large-scale devastation experienced all over the world. This ‘invisible stranger’ interrupting our daily lives is highlighting in a new and acute way the vulnerability of the human race. Life as we knew it is being changed forever. COVID-19 also exposed the injustices embedded in social structures all over the world. What will life with and after COVID-19 look like in South Africa? The pandemic reveals that South Africa is not the fair and just society we hoped for since the transition to a democratic country in 1994. In light of this, we should be preparing ourselves for the new ‘abnormal’ as what seemed normal was problematic and therefore, truly abnormal. Seeking guidance from evolutionary anthropology, this article will explore whether the evolutionary story of Homo sapiens might offer us insights on how to successfully navigate the multiple challenges COVID-19 unmasks and also brings forth. A discussion on the evolutionary history of homo sapiens within the context of niche construction theory reveals that our unique capacity for imagination and creative collaboration made us successful as a species. It is these capacities for imagination and cooperation that might facilitate us in successfully imagining and thereafter living the new ‘abnormal’. In this article, the question of imaging the new ‘abnormal’ will be explored.Contribution: By creatively integrating the perspectives evident in this research, this article explores whether the Prophets of Israel might offer a feasible paradigm to determine coordinates for the imagined new ‘abnormal’ to be a more fair and just society.

Materials for the history of the gospel-Baptist movement in Ukraine

1996 ◽  
pp. 4-15
Author(s):  
S. Golovaschenko ◽  
Petro Kosuha
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
Theological Seminary ◽  
National Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Evangelical Christians ◽  
Evangelical Christian ◽  
First Results ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fruitful Cooperation ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

The report is based on the first results of the study "The History of the Evangelical Christians-Baptists in Ukraine", carried out in 1994-1996 by the joint efforts of the Department of Religious Studies at the Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Odessa Theological Seminary of Evangelical Christian Baptists. A large-scale description and research of archival sources on the history of evangelical movements in our country gave the first experience of fruitful cooperation between secular and church researchers.

Information And Map-Made Control With The Functions Of Business Analytics For Urban Management

2019 ◽  
pp. 72-78
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Urban Management ◽  
Business Analytics ◽  
Administrative District ◽  
The North ◽  
Model Of Management ◽  
Complex Development ◽  
Coordination System ◽  
Key Aspects

The key aspects of the process of designing and developing an information and cartographic control tool with business analytics functions for the municipal level of urban management are considered. The review of functionality of the developed tool is given. Examples of its use for the analysis and monitoring of implementation of the program of complex development of territories are given. The importance of application of information support of management and coordination at all levels of management as an integral part of the basic model of management and coordination system of large-scale urban projects of dispersed construction is proved. Information and map-made tool with business intelligence functions was used and was highly appreciated in the preparation of information-analytical and presentation materials of the North-Eastern Administrative District of Moscow. Its use made it possible to significantly optimize the list of activities of the program of integrated development of territories, their priority and timing.

Integration of Ecological and Engineering Aspects in Planning Large Scale Tidal Power Development in the Bay of Fundy, Canada

1984 ◽  
Vol 16 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 281-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Feasibility Studies ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Power Development ◽  
Tidal Power ◽  
History Of ◽  
Scientists And Engineers ◽  
The Many ◽  
University Scientists

Large-scale tidal power development in the Bay of Fundy has been given serious consideration for over 60 years. There has been a long history of productive interaction between environmental scientists and engineers durinn the many feasibility studies undertaken. Up until recently, tidal power proposals were dropped on economic grounds. However, large-scale development in the upper reaches of the Bay of Fundy now appears to be economically viable and a pre-commitment design program is highly likely in the near future. A large number of basic scientific research studies have been and are being conducted by government and university scientists. Likely environmental impacts have been examined by scientists and engineers together in a preliminary fashion on several occasions. A full environmental assessment will be conducted before a final decision is made and the results will definately influence the outcome.

The Property Species

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart J. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Fundamental Principle ◽  
First Century ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Full Account ◽  
Symbolic Thought ◽  
Core Property ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of

What is property, and why does our species happen to have it? The Property Species explores how Homo sapiens acquires, perceives, and knows the custom of property, and why it might be relevant for understanding how property works in the twenty-first century. Arguing from some hard-to-dispute facts that neither the natural sciences nor the humanities—nor the social sciences squarely in the middle—are synthesizing a full account of property, this book offers a cross-disciplinary compromise that is sure to be controversial: All human beings and only human beings have property in things, and at its core, property rests on custom, not rights. Such an alternative to conventional thinking contends that the origins of property lie not in food, mates, territory, or land, but in the very human act of creating, with symbolic thought, something new that did not previously exist. Integrating cognitive linguistics with the philosophy of property and a fresh look at property disputes in the common law, this book makes the case that symbolic-thinking humans locate the meaning of property within a thing. The provocative implications are that property—not property rights—is an inherent fundamental principle of economics, and that legal realists and the bundle-of-sticks metaphor are wrong about the facts regarding property. Written by an economist who marvels at the natural history of humankind, the book is essential reading for experts and any reader who has wondered why people claim things as “Mine!,” and what that means for our humanity.

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