Detecting the effects of diversity on measures of ecosystem function: experimental design, null models and empirical observations

Here we present a novel experimental approach to examine the relationship between diversity and ecosystem Function. We develop four null predictive models, with which to differentiate between the 'sampling effect' - the chance inclusion of a highly productive species, and 'species complementarity' - the complementary use of resources by species that differ in their niche or resource use. We investigate the effects of manipulating species and functional richness on ecosystem function in marine benthic system and using empirical data from our own experiments we illustrate the application of these models.

Joint complex diversity coding and channel coding over space, time and frequency

This study provides a general diversity analysis for joint complex diversity coding (CDC) and channel coding-based space-time-frequency codeing is provided. The mapping designs from channel coding to CDC are crucial for efficient exploitation of the diversity potential. This study provides and proves a sufficient condition of full diversity construction with joint three-dimensional CDC and channel coding, bit-interleaved coded complex diversity coding and symbol-interleaved coded complex diversity coding. Both non-iterative and iterative detections of joint channel code and CDC transmission are investigated. The proposed minimum mean-square error-based iterative soft decoding achieves the performance of the soft sphere decoding with reduced complexity.

Cognitive Adaptation to the Experience of Social and Cultural Diversity

Diversity is a defining characteristic of modern society, yet there remains considerable debate over the benefits that it brings. The authors argue that positive psychological and behavioral outcomes will be observed only when social and cultural diversity is experienced in a way that challenges stereotypical expectations and that when this precondition is met, the experience has cognitive consequences that resonate across multiple domains. A model, rooted in social categorization theory and research, outlines the preconditions and processes through which people cognitively adapt to the experience of social and cultural diversity and the resulting cross-domain benefits that this brings. Evidence is drawn from a range of literatures to support this model, including work on biculturalism, minority influence, cognitive development, stereotype threat, work group productivity, creativity, and political ideology. The authors bring together a range of differing diversity experiences and explicitly draw parallels between programs of research that have focused on both perceiving others who are multicultural and being multicultural oneself. The findings from this integrative review suggest that experiencing diversity that challenges expectations may not only encourage greater tolerance but also have benefits beyond intergroup relations to varied aspects of psychological functioning.

The Union Flag: Change and Diversity

This is an exhibition of many, though not all, of the Union Jack–type designs which have been displayed in Northern Ireland over the last decade. The flags show the imagination of their designers in re-imagining the Union Flag – often to celebrate specific events such as a royal wedding or jubilee, the end of World War II, or the centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant.

Allelic variation at the A218C tryptophan hydroxylase polymorphism influences agitation and aggression in Alzheimer's disease

The behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are common, distressing to carers, and directly linked to the requirement for institutional care. Symptoms of aggression and agitation are particularly difficult for carers to tolerate. The origin of these features is unclear although genetic and environmental modification of pre-frontal serotonergic circuitry which regulates the control of negative emotions is proposed. Following the suggestion that the A218C intronic polymorphism of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene influences aggression and anger in non-demented individuals, we tested the influence of A218C on symptoms of agitation/aggression in 396 Alzheimer's disease patients using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Overall, 50% of participants experienced agitation/aggression in the month prior to interview. It was observed that male patients with a history of agitation/aggression were more likely to possess C-containing genotypes (P = 0.044, OR = 1.65, CI = 0.98-2.76). We conclude that aggression in male subjects with Alzheimer's disease may be genetically linked to polymorphic variation at the tryptophan hydroxylase gene.