Showing papers by "University of Jyväskylä published in 2008"
TL;DR: A unified view of principles that underlie the stability of particles protected by thiolate or phosphine and halide ligands is provided and is best described by a “noble-gas superatom” analogy.
Abstract: Synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of self-assembled, ligand-stabilized gold nanoparticles are long-standing issues in the chemistry of nanomaterials. Factors driving the thermodynamic stability of well documented discrete sizes are largely unknown. Herein, we provide a unified view of principles that underlie the stability of particles protected by thiolate (SR) or phosphine and halide (PR3, X) ligands. The picture has emerged from analysis of large-scale density functional theory calculations of structurally characterized compounds, namely Au102(SR)44, Au39(PR3)14X6−, Au11(PR3)7X3, and Au13(PR3)10X23+, where X is either a halogen or a thiolate. Attributable to a compact, symmetric core and complete steric protection, each compound has a filled spherical electronic shell and a major energy gap to unoccupied states. Consequently, the exceptional stability is best described by a “noble-gas superatom” analogy. The explanatory power of this concept is shown by its application to many monomeric and oligomeric compounds of precisely known composition and structure, and its predictive power is indicated through suggestions offered for a series of anomalously stable cluster compositions which are still awaiting a precise structure determination.
1,398 citations
TL;DR: The Large Ion Collider Experiment (ALICE) as discussed by the authors is a general-purpose, heavy-ion detector at the CERN LHC which focuses on QCD, the strong-interaction sector of the Standard Model.
Abstract: ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is a general-purpose, heavy-ion detector at the CERN LHC which focuses on QCD, the strong-interaction sector of the Standard Model. It is designed to address the physics of strongly interacting matter and the quark-gluon plasma at extreme values of energy density and temperature in nucleus-nucleus collisions. Besides running with Pb ions, the physics programme includes collisions with lighter ions, lower energy running and dedicated proton-nucleus runs. ALICE will also take data with proton beams at the top LHC energy to collect reference data for the heavy-ion programme and to address several QCD topics for which ALICE is complementary to the other LHC detectors. The ALICE detector has been built by a collaboration including currently over 1000 physicists and engineers from 105 Institutes in 30 countries. Its overall dimensions are 161626 m3 with a total weight of approximately 10 000 t. The experiment consists of 18 different detector systems each with its own specific technology choice and design constraints, driven both by the physics requirements and the experimental conditions expected at LHC. The most stringent design constraint is to cope with the extreme particle multiplicity anticipated in central Pb-Pb collisions. The different subsystems were optimized to provide high-momentum resolution as well as excellent Particle Identification (PID) over a broad range in momentum, up to the highest multiplicities predicted for LHC. This will allow for comprehensive studies of hadrons, electrons, muons, and photons produced in the collision of heavy nuclei. Most detector systems are scheduled to be installed and ready for data taking by mid-2008 when the LHC is scheduled to start operation, with the exception of parts of the Photon Spectrometer (PHOS), Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) and Electro Magnetic Calorimeter (EMCal). These detectors will be completed for the high-luminosity ion run expected in 2010. This paper describes in detail the detector components as installed for the first data taking in the summer of 2008.
1,218 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a thematic review of the recent research on workplace learning, which is divided into two main sections: the first section asks what we know about learning at work, and states four propositions: (1) the nature of workplace learning is both different from and similar to school learning; (2) learning in the workplace can be described at different levels, ranging from the individual to the network and region; (3) workplace learning are both informal and formal; and (4) workplaces differ a lot in how they support learning.
981 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that the risk of adverse outcomes, such as functional limitation and mortality, is better estimated by considering jointly obesity and muscle strength rather than Obesity and muscle mass and the term ‘sarcopenic obesity’ should be revisited.
Abstract: Purpose of the review
Older obese persons with decreased muscle mass or strength are at special risk for adverse outcomes. We discuss potential pathways to muscle impairment in obese individuals and the consequences that joint obesity and muscle impairment may have on health and disability. Tantamount to this discussion is whether low muscle mass or, rather, muscle weakness should be used for the definition.
899 citations
TL;DR: The latest examination of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study was performed in 2001, when the participants were young adults, aged 24–39 years, and the 27-year follow-up field studies are being conducted, and will be completed in the beginning of 2008.
Abstract: In Finland, coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence was very high in the 1960s and 1970s. In line with this high incidence, the Seven Countries Study showed that the level of serum cholesterol in Finns was also the highest among the investigated countries in the 1960s. Because several studies indicated that the atherosclerotic process starts early in life, and in accord with the World Health Organization Recommendation of 1978 which stated that studies assessing atherosclerosis precursors in children should be initiated, a program was launched in Finland in the late 1970s to study cardiovascular risk in the youth. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study was designed as a collaborative effort between five university departments of medical schools (i.e. in Helsinki, Kuopio, Oulu, Tampere and Turku) and several other institutions in Finland. The aim was to study the levels of CHD risk factors and their determinants in children and adolescents of various ages in different parts of the country. Two pilot studies were carried out in 1978 (N1⁄4 264, age 8 years) and in 1979 (N1⁄4 634, aged 3, 12 and 17 years). The first main cross-sectional (baseline) study was performed in 1980. The baseline study included 3596 children and adolescents aged 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 years. Between 1980 and 1992, these cohorts were followed up at 3-year intervals. The latest examination of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study was performed in 2001, when the participants were young adults, aged 24–39 years. At the time of writing, the 27-year (i.e. 27 years since the start of the study when the participants are aged 30–45 years) follow-up field studies are being conducted, and will be completed in the beginning of 2008.
735 citations
TL;DR: Density functional theory is used to explore the structure of Au25(RS)18 and the enhanced stability of the structure as an anion is found to originate from closure of an eight-electron shell for delocalized Au(6s) electrons.
Abstract: Density functional theory is used to explore the structure of Au25(RS)18. The preferred structure consists of an icosahedral Au13 core protected by 6 RS-Au-RS-Au-RS units. The enhanced stability of the structure as an anion is found to originate from closure of an eight-electron shell for delocalized Au(6s) electrons. The evaluated XRD pattern and optical spectra are in good agreement with experimental data.
680 citations
TL;DR: It was unexpectedly found that the zigzag edge is metastable and a planar reconstruction spontaneously takes place at room temperature.
Abstract: Planar reconstruction patterns at the zigzag and armchair edges of graphene were investigated with density-functional theory It was unexpectedly found that the zigzag edge is metastable and a planar reconstruction spontaneously takes place at room temperature The reconstruction changes electronic structure and self-passivates the edge with respect to adsorption of atomic hydrogen from a molecular atmosphere
632 citations
TL;DR: This tutorial review attempts to describe the development in understanding the structures of bare and ligand-protected gold clusters over the past decade, based on selected density-functional-theory calculations.
Abstract: Atomic structure and electronic structure are intimately interrelated properties of nanoclusters and nanoparticles, defining their stability, electronic, optical and chemical properties, in other words, their usability as potential components for nanoscale devices. This tutorial review attempts to describe the development in understanding the structures of bare and ligand-protected gold clusters over the past decade, based on selected density-functional-theory calculations. This review should be of interest both to newcomers in the field and to an interdisciplinary community of researchers working in synthesis, characterization and utilization of ligand-protected gold clusters.
594 citations
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: MIRToolbox, an integrated set of functions written in Matlab, dedicated to the extraction from audio files of musical features related, among others, to timbre, tonality, rhythm or form, is presented.
Abstract: We present MIRToolbox, an integrated set of functions written in Matlab, dedicated to the extraction from audio files of musical features related, among others, to timbre, tonality, rhythm or form. The objective is to offer a state of the art of computational approaches in the area of Music Information Retrieval (MIR). The design is based on a modular framework: the different algorithms are decomposed into stages, formalized using a minimal set of elementary mechanisms, and integrating different variants proposed by alternative approaches — including new strategies we have developed —, that users can select and parametrize. These functions can adapt to a large area of objects as input.
387 citations
TL;DR: In spite of some controversy of the true nature of the interaction between polarized halogen atoms and neutral or charged Lewis bases, termed "halogen bonding" as a primary interaction, it is a very useful new tool/way to construct supramolecular complexes and networks as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In spite of some controversy of the true nature of the interaction between polarized halogen atoms and neutral or charged Lewis bases, termed “halogen bonding”, as a primary interaction, it is a very useful new tool/way to construct supramolecular complexes and networks. This is especially true in solid state supramolecular chemistry where utilization of weak intermolecular interactions such as halogen bonding opens up new insights to materials design and supramolecular synthesis.
379 citations
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that a vicious circle may arise between decreasing PA and weight gain from adolescence to early adulthood and physical activity begins to decline in adolescence with a concomitant increase in weight.
Abstract: Objective
Physical activity (PA) begins to decline in adolescence with concomitant increase in weight. We hypothesized that a vicious circle may arise between decreasing physical activity and weight gain from adolescence to early adulthood.
TL;DR: New proposed resolutions to the lek paradox aim to unravel mechanisms that contribute to the persistence of genetic variance in traits under directional female mate choice.
Abstract: Directional female mate choice is expected to deplete additive genetic variation in male traits. This should preclude such trait-based choice from resulting in genetic benefits to offspring, and yet genetic benefits are the explanation for the choice. This evolutionary conundrum is known as the lek paradox. Newly proposed resolutions to this paradox aim to unravel mechanisms that contribute to the persistence of genetic variance in traits under directional female mate choice.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review recent theoretical and experimental activities in the field and demonstrate dramatic progress in understanding of the phenomenon of superconductivity in quasi-one-dimensional nanostructures.
TL;DR: This study demonstrates that parenting is an important mediator of the association between parental and adolescent drinking practices, and how adolescents can avoid alcohol-related problems despite being reared within a risk laden parenting environment and/or having parents who drink frequently.
Abstract: Background: Adolescence has been identified as a critical period with regard to the initiation and early escalation of alcohol use. Moreover, research on familial risk and protective processes provides independent support for multiple domains of parental influence on adolescent drinking; including parents' own drinking behaviors, as well as the practices they employ to socialize their children. Despite this prevalence of findings, whether and how these distinct associations are related to one another is still not entirely clear. Methods: The present study used data from 4,731 adolescents and their parents to test the nature of associations between (a) parents' frequencies of alcohol use and intoxication, and lifetime alcohol-related problems, (b) adolescents' perceptions of the parenting that they receive, and (c) adolescents' prevalence of alcohol use and intoxication at 14 and 17(1/2) years of age. As such, multiple mediation modeling was used to assess whether parental alcohol use behaviors influence adolescent alcohol use directly, or if they operate through indirect associations with various aspects of parenting that subsequently influence adolescent use. Results: Examination of simple associations demonstrated that maternal and paternal alcohol use behaviors were positively linked with adolescent use behaviors at 14 and 17(1/2) years of age. Likewise, several parenting behaviors were independently associated with both parental and adolescent drinking. Examined collectively, multivariate path analyses indicated that associations between parents' and adolescents' alcohol-related behaviors were mediated, in part, by adolescents' perceptions of the parenting that they received, especially at 14 years of age. Furthermore, perceived parental monitoring and discipline had unique mediating capabilities, net the effects of all other parenting behaviors. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that parenting is an important mediator of the association between parental and adolescent drinking practices. An important area for future research will be to study how adolescents can avoid alcohol-related problems despite being reared within a risk laden parenting environment and/or having parents who drink frequently. Language: en
TL;DR: Force platform balance tests provide valid information of postural control that can be used to predict fall risk even among older people without apparent balance problems or fall history, when the force platform is not available.
Abstract: Background. Inability to maintain balance while standing increases risk of falls in older people. The present study assessed whether center of pressure (COP) movement measured with force platform technology predicts risk for falls among older people with no manifest deficiency in standing balance. Methods. Participants were 434 community-dwelling women, aged 63-76 years. COP was measured in six stances on a force platform. Following balance tests, participants reported their falls with 12 monthly calendars. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed from negative binomial regression models. For the analysis, those with>/=1 fall indoors were coded"indoor fallers,"those with>/=1 fall outdoors, but no indoor falls, were coded"outdoor fallers."Outcome in the models was number of falls. Analyses were repeated including only participants without fall history prior to follow-up. Results. Among 198 fallers, there were 57 indoor and 132 outdoor fallers. The participants in the highest COP movement tertile, irrespective of the balance test, had a two- to fourfold risk for indoor falls compared to participants in the lowest COP tertile of the test. Inability to complete the tandem stance was also a significant predictor of the fall risk. The trend for increased risk for indoor falls was found also for participants in the highest COP movement tertile and without fall history. The COP movement in balance tests was not associated with outdoor falls. Conclusion. Force platform balance tests provide valid information of postural control that can be used to predict fall risk even among older people without apparent balance problems or fall history. When the force platform is not available, tandem stance provides a screening tool to show increased fall risk in community-dwelling older people. Language: en
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider a complete metric measure space with µ Borel and doubling that admits a (1,p)-Poincare inequality for every q > p - e, quantitatively.
Abstract: Let p > 1 and let (X,d,µ) be a complete metric measure space with µ Borel and doubling that admits a (1,p)-Poincare inequality. Then there exists e > 0 such that (X,d,µ) admits a (1,q)-Poincare inequality for every q > p - e, quantitatively.
TL;DR: This study evaluated to what extent dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and two types of bioimpedance analysis (BIA) yield similar results for body fat mass in men and women with different levels of obesity and physical activity.
Abstract: Objective: This study evaluated to what extent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and two types of bioimpedance analysis (BIA) yield similar results for body fat mass (FM) in men and women with different levels of obesity and physical activity (PA). Methods and Procedures: The study population consisted of 37–81-year-old Finnish people (82 men and 86 women). FM% was estimated using DXA (GE Lunar Prodigy) and two BIA devices (InBody (720) and Tanita BC 418 MA). Subjects were divided into normal, overweight, and obese groups on the basis of clinical cutoff points of BMI, and into low PA (LPA) and high PA (HPA) groups. Agreement between the devices was calculated by using the Bland–Altman analysis. Results: Compared to DXA, both BIA devices provided on average 2–6% lower values for FM% in normal BMI men, in women in all BMI categories, and in both genders in both HPA and LPA groups. In obese men, the differences were smaller. The two BIA devices provided similar means for groups. Differences between the two BIA devices with increasing FM% were a result of the InBody (720) not including age in their algorithm for estimating body composition. Discussion: BIA methods provided systematically lower values for FM than DXA. However, the differences depend on gender and body weight status pointing out the importance of considering these when identifying people with excess FM.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyse the roles higher education is expected to play with regard to various knowledge society discourses, and reflect on current challenges and expectations generated within these discourses for higher education and the implications these expectations have for research in higher education research.
Abstract: The growing importance of knowledge, research and innovation are changing the social role of universities in the globalized world One of the most popular concepts used to approach these changes in post-industrial and post-modern societies is the concept of ‘Knowledge Society’ In this paper, we will analyse the roles higher education is expected to play with regard to various knowledge society discourses We will begin with analyzing the uses of knowledge society as an intellectual device and continue by reflecting on how changes in higher education are related to knowledge society discourses in national, regional and global levels In the final section we will reflect on current challenges and expectations generated within these discourses for higher education and the implications these expectations have for higher education research
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review recent theoretical and experimental activities in the field and demonstrate dramatic progress in understanding of the phenomenon of superconductivity in quasi-one-dimensional nanostructures.
Abstract: Superconducting properties of metallic nanowires can be entirely different from those of bulk superconductors because of the dominating role played by thermal and quantum fluctuations of the order parameter. For superconducting wires with diameters below $ \sim 50$ nm quantum phase slippage is an important process which can yield a non-vanishing wire resistance down to very low temperatures. Further decrease of the wire diameter, for typical material parameters down to $\sim 10$ nm, results in proliferation of quantum phase slips causing a sharp crossover from superconducting to normal behavior even at T=0. A number of interesting phenomena associated both with quantum phase slips and with the parity effect occur in superconducting nanorings. We review recent theoretical and experimental activities in the field and demonstrate dramatic progress in understanding of the phenomenon of superconductivity in quasi-one-dimensional nanostructures.
TL;DR: The authors examined whether students with different achievement goal orientation profiles differ in terms of subjective well-being (i.e., self-esteem, depressive symptoms, school-related burnout, and educational goal appraisals).
TL;DR: This paper investigated the interplay between mathematical word problem skills and reading comprehension and found that performance on word problems was strongly related to reading comprehension, suggesting that both of these skills require overall reasoning abilities.
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the interplay between mathematical word problem skills and reading comprehension. The participants were 225 children aged 9–10 (Grade 4). The children’s text comprehension and mathematical word problem‐solving performance was tested. Technical reading skills were investigated in order to categorise participants as good or poor readers. The results showed that performance on maths word problems was strongly related to performance in reading comprehension. Fluent technical reading abilities increased the aforementioned skills. However, even after controlling for the level of technical reading involved, performance in maths word problems was still related to reading comprehension, suggesting that both of these skills require overall reasoning abilities. There were no gender differences in maths word problem‐solving performance, but the girls were better in technical reading and in reading comprehension. Parental levels of education positively predicted children’s maths word pr...
Néstor Armesto1, Nicolas Borghini2, Sangyong Jeon3, Urs Achim Wiedemann4 +191 more•Institutions (63)
TL;DR: A compilation of predictions for the forthcoming Heavy Ion Program at the Large Hadron Collider, as presented at the CERN Theory Institute 'Heavy Ion Collisions at the LHC - Last Call for Predictions', held from 14th May to 10th June 2007, can be found in this article.
Abstract: This writeup is a compilation of the predictions for the forthcoming Heavy Ion Program at the Large Hadron Collider, as presented at the CERN Theory Institute 'Heavy Ion Collisions at the LHC - Last Call for Predictions', held from 14th May to 10th June 2007.
Proceedings Article•
01 Jan 2008TL;DR: The vision of a middleware for the Internet of Things, which will allow creation of self-managed complex systems, in particular industrial ones, consisting of distributed and heterogeneous components of different nature is described.
Abstract: As ubiquitous systems become increasingly complex, traditional solutions to manage and control them reach their limits and pose a need for self-manageability. Also, heterogeneity of the ubiquitous components, standards, data formats, etc, creates significant obstacles for interoperability in such complex systems. The promising technologies to tackle these problems are the Semantic technologies, for interoperability, and the Agent technologies for management of complex systems. This paper describes our vision of a middleware for the Internet of Things, which will allow creation of self-managed complex systems, in particular industrial ones, consisting of distributed and heterogeneous components of different nature. We also present an analysis of issues to be resolved to realize such a middleware.
TL;DR: Work-family conflict (WFC) is recognized as a major issue affecting both individual employees and their employers as discussed by the authors, and there are theoretical and empirical reasons to expect that by reducing WFC, a family-supportive work environment would enhance employees' satisfaction with their job, family, and life in general.
TL;DR: Although the attenuation of vertical vibration at higher frequencies is fortunate from the aspect of safety, amplitudes >0.5 mm may result in greater peak accelerations than imposed at the platform and thus pose a potential hazard for the fragile musculoskeletal system.
Abstract: According to experimental studies, low-amplitude high-frequency vibration is anabolic to bone tissue, whereas in clinical trials, the bone effects have varied Given the potential of whole body vibration in bone training, this study aimed at exploring the transmission of vertical sinusoidal vibration to the human body over a wide range of applicable amplitudes (from 005 to 3 mm) and frequencies (from 10 to 90 Hz) Vibration-induced accelerations were assessed with skin-mounted triaxial accelerometers at the ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar spine in four males standing on a high-performance vibration platform Peak vertical accelerations of the platform covered a range from 004 to 19 in units of G (Earth's gravitational constant) Substantial amplification of peak acceleration could occur between 10 and 40 Hz for the ankle, 10 and 25 Hz for the knee, 10 and 20 Hz for the hip, and at 10 Hz for the spine Beyond these frequencies, the transmitted vibration power declined to 1/10th-1/1000 th of the power delivered by the platform Transmission of vibration to the body is a complicated phenomenon because of nonlinearities in the human musculoskeletal system These results may assist in estimating how the transmission of vibration-induced accelerations to body segments is modified by amplitude and frequency and how well the sinusoidal waveform is maintained Although the attenuation of vertical vibration at higher frequencies is fortunate from the aspect of safety, amplitudes >05 mm may result in greater peak accelerations than imposed at the platform and thus pose a potential hazard for the fragile musculoskeletal system
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the extent to which schools differ in school-related burnout and background factors and found that negative school climate, positive motivation received from teachers, support from the school, and background variables (i.e., gender, grade-point average, socio-economic status, and family structure) are associated with school burnout at the school level and at the individual level.
Abstract: School burnout can be defined as consisting of exhaustion due to school demands, cynical, and detached attitude toward one’s school, and feelings of inadequacy as a student (Kiuru, Aunola, Nurmi, Leskinen, & Salmela-Aro, 2008; Salmela-Aro & Naatanen, 2005; Schaufeli, Martinez, Pinto, Salanova, & Bakker, 2002). The first aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which schools differ in school-related burnout. Moreover, the aim was to examine the extent to which school-related and background factors are associated with school burnout at the school level and at the individual level. The participants were 58,657 students from 431 comprehensive schools and 29,515 students from 228 upper secondary schools who filled in a questionnaire measuring their school burnout, school-related variables (i.e., negative school climate, positive motivation received from teachers, support from the school), and background variables (i.e., gender, grade-point average, socio-economic status, and family structure). The...
TL;DR: Two-phase lattice Boltzmann simulations of a Couette flow over structured surfaces with attached gas bubbles find a decrease of the detected slip with increasing shear rate which is in contrast to some recent experimental results implicating that bubble deformation cannot account for these experiments.
Abstract: On hydrophobic surfaces, roughness may lead to a transition to a superhydrophobic state, where gas bubbles at the surface can have a strong impact on a detected slip. We present two-phase lattice Boltzmann simulations of a Couette flow over structured surfaces with attached gas bubbles. Even though the bubbles add slippery surfaces to the channel, they can cause negative slip to appear due to the increased roughness. The simulation method used allows the bubbles to deform due to viscous stresses. We find a decrease of the detected slip with increasing shear rate which is in contrast to some recent experimental results implicating that bubble deformation cannot account for these experiments. Possible applications of bubble surfaces in microfluidic devices are discussed.
TL;DR: It is shown that upon activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, CtBP1/BARS is required for macropinocytic internalization and infection of echovirus 1, and phosphorylated on a specific serine that is a substrate for p21‐activated kinase, with this phosphorylation being essential for the fission of the macrop inocytic cup.
Abstract: Membrane fission is an essential process in membrane trafficking and other cellular functions While many fissioning and trafficking steps are mediated by the large GTPase dynamin, some fission events are dynamin independent and involve C-terminal-binding protein-1/brefeldinA-ADP ribosylated substrate (CtBP1/BARS) To gain an insight into the molecular mechanisms of CtBP1/BARS in fission, we have studied the role of this protein in macropinocytosis, a dynamin-independent endocytic pathway that can be synchronously activated by growth factors Here, we show that upon activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, CtBP1/BARS is (a) translocated to the macropinocytic cup and its surrounding membrane, (b) required for the fission of the macropinocytic cup and (c) phosphorylated on a specific serine that is a substrate for p21-activated kinase, with this phosphorylation being essential for the fission of the macropinocytic cup Importantly, we also show that CtBP1/BARS is required for macropinocytic internalization and infection of echovirus 1 These results provide an insight into the molecular mechanisms of CtBP1/BARS activation in membrane fissioning, and extend the relevance of CtBP1/BARS-induced fission to human viral infection
TL;DR: Current studies of the role of the maternal transfer of antibodies highlight how research in ecological immunology needs to combine functional and evolutionary approaches while also keeping in mind ecological settings.
Abstract: The transfer of antibodies from mother to offspring has broad potential implications in evolutionary ecology, from the adaptive value of maternal effects to the role of transgenerational plasticity in host-parasite interactions. Recent contributions have addressed key issues such as environmental and genetic factors affecting the amount of antibodies transferred and whether maternal antibodies affect offspring immunity, but little is still known about the implications of the maternal transfer of antibodies in natural populations. By its position at the crossroads between population ecology, animal science, medicine and epidemiology, current studies of the role of the maternal transfer of antibodies highlight how research in ecological immunology needs to combine functional and evolutionary approaches while also keeping in mind ecological settings.