Multivariate QST-FST comparisons: a neutrality test for the evolution of the g matrix in structured populations.

Neutrality tests in quantitative genetics provide a statistical framework for the detection of selection on polygenic traits in wild populations. However, the existing method based on comparisons of divergence at neutral markers and quantitative traits (Q(st)-F(st)) suffers from several limitations that hinder a clear interpretation of the results with typical empirical designs. In this article, we propose a multivariate extension of this neutrality test based on empirical estimates of the among-populations (D) and within-populations (G) covariance matrices by MANOVA. A simple pattern is expected under neutrality: D = 2F(st)/(1 - F(st))G, so that neutrality implies both proportionality of the two matrices and a specific value of the proportionality coefficient. This pattern is tested using Flury's framework for matrix comparison [common principal-component (CPC) analysis], a well-known tool in G matrix evolution studies. We show the importance of using a Bartlett adjustment of the test for the small sample sizes typically found in empirical studies. We propose a dual test: (i) that the proportionality coefficient is not different from its neutral expectation [2F(st)/(1 - F(st))] and (ii) that the MANOVA estimates of mean square matrices between and among populations are proportional. These two tests combined provide a more stringent test for neutrality than the classic Q(st)-F(st) comparison and avoid several statistical problems. Extensive simulations of realistic empirical designs suggest that these tests correctly detect the expected pattern under neutrality and have enough power to efficiently detect mild to strong selection (homogeneous, heterogeneous, or mixed) when it is occurring on a set of traits. This method also provides a rigorous and quantitative framework for disentangling the effects of different selection regimes and of drift on the evolution of the G matrix. We discuss practical requirements for the proper application of our test in empirical studies and potential extensions.

The Standard Biplot

Biplots are graphical displays of data matrices based on the decomposition of a matrix as the product of two matrices. Elements of these two matrices are used as coordinates for the rows and columns of the data matrix, with an interpretation of the joint presentation that relies on the properties of the scalar product. Because the decomposition is not unique, there are several alternative ways to scale the row and column points of the biplot, which can cause confusion amongst users, especially when software packages are not united in their approach to this issue. We propose a new scaling of the solution, called the standard biplot, which applies equally well to a wide variety of analyses such as correspondence analysis, principal component analysis, log-ratio analysis and the graphical results of a discriminant analysis/MANOVA, in fact to any method based on the singular-value decomposition. The standard biplot also handles data matrices with widely different levels of inherent variance. Two concepts taken from correspondence analysis are important to this idea: the weighting of row and column points, and the contributions made by the points to the solution. In the standard biplot one set of points, usually the rows of the data matrix, optimally represent the positions of the cases or sample units, which are weighted and usually standardized in some way unless the matrix contains values that are comparable in their raw form. The other set of points, usually the columns, is represented in accordance with their contributions to the low-dimensional solution. As for any biplot, the projections of the row points onto vectors defined by the column points approximate the centred and (optionally) standardized data. The method is illustrated with several examples to demonstrate how the standard biplot copes in different situations to give a joint map which needs only one common scale on the principal axes, thus avoiding the problem of enlarging or contracting the scale of one set of points to make the biplot readable. The proposal also solves the problem in correspondence analysis of low-frequency categories that are located on the periphery of the map, giving the false impression that they are important.

A Situação EConómica e Social Na União Europeia: Análise De Alguns Indicadores

Numa altura de contínuas transformações e novas exigências económicas e sociais, vários sectores vitais ficaram expostos. Ao nível do mercado de trabalho, o incremento da necessidade de níveis elevados de produtividade e de competitividade fizeram surgir novas exigências, proporcionando o crescente desemprego dos que não se adaptaram e daqueles que investiram na sua formação entrando cada vez mais tarde no mercado de trabalho. As desigualdades acentuaram-se engrossando os números de risco de pobreza. Os cenários demográficos também reflectiram estas mudanças, pautando-se por taxas de fertilidade baixas e por um evidente envelhecimento da população. Esta situação tem-se traduzido num cada vez mais preocupante índice de dependência dos idosos e numa consequente diminuição da proporção de activos face aos beneficiários de pensões, contribuindo para o aumento das despesas em prestações sociais. Esta investigação teve como objectivo a comparação dos 27 estados-membros em relação a alguns indicadores económico-sociais, procurando encontrar grupos de países que se aproximem e que se diferenciem. Para tal, são utilizados os métodos de análise multivariada nomeadamente, a Análise de Componentes Principais permitindo redimensionar as dimensões de análise e a Análise de Clusters definindo dois agrupamentos de países, um com base no Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) e o outro com base nas despesas em prestações sociais. Numa segunda fase utilizou-se a Análise Discriminante, identificando as dimensões que melhor identificam os grupos, e a MANOVA para perceber até que ponto os diferentes grupos de países se aproximam ou distanciam em relação ao impacto da conjuntura económica e social em estudo.

Contribution biplots

In order to interpret the biplot it is necessary to know which points usually variables are the ones that are important contributors to the solution, and this information is available separately as part of the biplot s numerical results. We propose a new scaling of the display, called the contribution biplot, which incorporates this diagnostic directly into the graphical display, showing visually the important contributors and thus facilitating the biplot interpretation and often simplifying the graphical representation considerably. The contribution biplot can be applied to a wide variety of analyses such as correspondence analysis, principal component analysis, log-ratio analysis and the graphical results of a discriminant analysis/MANOVA, in fact to any method based on the singular-value decomposition. In the contribution biplot one set of points, usually the rows of the data matrix, optimally represent the spatial positions of the cases or sample units, according to some distance measure that usually incorporates some form of standardization unless all data are comparable in scale. The other set of points, usually the columns, is represented by vectors that are related to their contributions to the low-dimensional solution. A fringe benefit is that usually only one common scale for row and column points is needed on the principal axes, thus avoiding the problem of enlarging or contracting the scale of one set of points to make the biplot legible. Furthermore, this version of the biplot also solves the problem in correspondence analysis of low-frequency categories that are located on the periphery of the map, giving the false impression that they are important, when they are in fact contributing minimally to the solution.

Agrupamento de curvas de progresso de requeima, em tomateiro originado de cruzamento interespecífico

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar curvas de progresso de requeima, em genótipos de tomateiro, e identificar grupos de genótipos resistentes à doença. Foram avaliados 25 híbridos de tomateiro, originados de cruzamentos entre quatro variedades comerciais, um acesso do Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças (BGH), da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), e cinco linhagens F8 (Solanum lycopersicum x Solanum habrochaites), estas últimas selecionadas como fonte de resistência à requeima. As plantas foram inoculadas com uma mistura de esporângios de Phytophthora infestans e, em seguida, foram realizadas seis avaliações quanto à severidade de requeima, a intervalos de três dias. Ajustou-se o modelo exponencial aos dados de percentagem de severidade de requeima, e as estimativas obtidas quanto à incidência inicial da doença (y o) e taxa de progresso da doença (r) foram submetidas à análise de variância multivariada (Manova). As médias dessas estimativas, para cada genótipo, foram submetidas à análise de agrupamento. Observou-se um número ótimo de oito grupos distintos, o que possibilitou identificar genótipos resistentes e suscetíveis. Os híbridos experimentais Ikram x 73 A, Nemo-Netta x 133 A, Ikram x 163 A e Nemo-Netta x 163 A apresentaram a menor taxa de progresso de requeima e, portanto, maior resistência à doença.

Seleção de acessos de tomateiro resistentes à pinta-preta pela análise de agrupamento das curvas de progresso da doença

O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar acessos resistentes à pinta-preta (Alternaria tomatophila) por meio da análise de agrupamento das curvas de progresso da doença em tomateiro (Solanum lycopersicum). Foram avaliados 134 acessos de tomateiro do Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (BGH-UFV), no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, além das testemunhas suscetíveis 'Débora' e 'Santa Clara'. As plantas foram inoculadas com uma mistura de conídios de diferentes isolados de Alternaria spp. e avaliadas regularmente quanto à severidade da doença a cada três dias após a inoculação, no total de seis avaliações. Ajustou-se o modelo logístico aos dados de severidade da pinta-preta, e as estimativas obtidas para a incidência final da doença (B1) e a taxa de progresso da doença (B3) foram submetidas à análise de variância multivariada (Manova). As médias dessas estimativas, para cada acesso, foram submetidas à análise de agrupamento. Foram formados 24 grupos distintos com base no agrupamento das curvas de progresso da doença, o que possibilitou identificar os acessos BGH-2143, BGH-2235, BGH-2270 e BGH-2118 de tomateiro como potenciais fontes de resistência à pinta-preta.

Caracterización morfológica del M2 de Primates Hominoidea a partir de análisis de Fourier

Los análisis de Fourier permiten caracterizar el contorno del diente a partir de un número determinado de puntos y extraer una serie de parámetros para un posterior análisis multivariante. No obstante, la gran complejidad que presentan algunas conformaciones, obliga a comprobar cuántos puntos son necesarios para una correcta representación de ésta. El objetivo de este trabajo es aplicar y validar los análisis de Fourier (Polar y Elíptico) en el estudio de la forma dental a partir de diferentes puntos de contorno y explorar la variabilidad morfométrica en diferentes géneros. Se obtuvieron fotografías digitales de la superfi cie oclusal en segundos molares inferiores (M2s) de 4 especies de Primates (Hylobates moloch, Gorilla beringei graueri, Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus y Pan troglodytes schweirfurthii) y se defi nió su contorno con 30, 40, 60, 80, 100 y 120 puntos y su representación formal a 10 armónicos. El análisis de la variabilidad morfométrica se realizó mediante la aplicación de Análisis Discriminantes y un NP-MANOVA a partir de matrices de distancias para determinar la variabilidad y porcentajes de clasifi cacióncorrecta, a nivel metodológico y taxonómico. Los resultados indicaron que los análisis de forma con series de Fourier permiten analizar la variabilidad morfométrica de M2s en géneros de Hominoidea, con independencia del número de puntos de contorno (30 a 120). Los porcentajes de clasifi cación son más variables e inferiores con el uso de la serie Polar (≈60-90) que con la Elíptica (75-100%). Un número entre 60-100 puntos de contorno mediante el método elíptico garantiza una descripción correcta de la forma del diente.

Relações da atividade agropecuária com parâmetros físicos químicos da água

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used during summer and winter of 1994 and 1995 in the final section of Onça and Feijão streams, downstream Broa Reservoir (São Carlos/SP) to evaluate agricultural and catlleman effects. In Onça stream water quality was "acceptable" in winter and "inappropriate to conventional treatment" in the summer. In Feijão stream the water had an "excellent" quality in winter and "good" in the summer. A MANOVA (Multivariate Analysis of Variance) has used to discriminate seasons and streams. Correlation (p<0,05) among the variables was tested. Water temperature, turbidity, pH and fecal bacteria are highly correlated and can be one of the factors that cause WQI change by seasons.

Meso e macrofauna de solo cultivado com milho e irrigado com água residuária da suinocultura

RESUMO A utilização da fauna edáfica como bioindicadora de alterações antrópicas e ambientais vem crescendo nos últimos anos. No entanto, ainda são poucos os estudos em longo prazo que relacionam esses organismos com aplicação de resíduos orgânicos no solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, em dois ciclos da cultura do milho, os efeitos da aplicação de diferentes doses e tipos de águas residuárias da suinocultura (ARS) combinadas ou não com adubação mineral sobre a meso e a macrofauna de solo. Quatro doses (0; 100; 200 e 300 m3ha-1) de ARS, tratada em biodigestor no primeiro ano de estudo e bruta no segundo ano, associadas ou não com adubação mineral, foram aplicadas em dois ciclos da cultura de milho, totalizando 24 parcelas experimentais, sendo 12 com utilização de adubação mineral. Armadilhas de queda foram instaladas em cada uma das parcelas para amostrar a fauna edáfica, sendo os resultados encontrados avaliados por técnicas de estatística multivariada (NMS e Per-MANOVA). A adição de ARS, tanto bruta quanto tratada em biodigestor e de adubação mineral, não influenciou a fauna de solo. Os parâmetros químicos do solo diferenciaram a meso e a macrofauna edáfica somente entre os anos.

Sexual dysfunction in obese women is more affected by psychological domains than that of non-obese

Abstract PURPOSE: To compare differences in the occurrence and changed domains of sexual dysfunction in obese and non-obese Brazilian women. METHODS: Female Sexual Function Index, based on six domains, to investigate 31 sexual dysfunction incidence for obese compared to 32 non-obese women, was used. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and MANOVA were performed to compare total scores of Female Sexual Function Index among groups and to identify the differences among domains, Student t -test was used. Statistical significant level was established for all tests for p<0.05. RESULTS: No difference in female sexual dysfunction frequency between obese (25.8%) and non-obese women (22.5%) was found. However, an important distinction in which aspects of sexual life were affected was found. While the obese group was impaired in three domains of sexual life (desire, orgasm, and arousal), in the control group five aspects were dysfunctional (desire, orgasm, arousal, pain and lubrication). Future research exploring psychological outcomes in obese females, such as body image and measures of positive and negative effect, might better characterize the female sexual dysfunction in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity does not appear to be an independent factor for allow quality of female sexual life. However, disturbance associated to obesity indicates a low frequency of disorder in physical domains, suggesting that psychological factors seem to be mainly involved in the sexual dysfunction in obese women.

Defense reaction induced by a metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist microinjected into the dorsal periaqueductal gray of rats

The behavioral effects of trans-(±)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD), a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist, or 0.9% (w/v) saline, injected into the dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG), was investigated. Male Wistar rats showed defense reactions characterized by jumps toward the top edges of the cages (saline = 0 vs t-ACPD = 6.0, medians P<0.05) and gallops (saline = 0 vs t-ACPD = 10.0, medians P<0.05) during the 60-s period after the beginning of the injection. In another experiment animals were placed inside an open arena for 5 min immediately after injection. Their behavior was recorded by a video camera and a computer program analyzed the videotapes. Eleven of fifteen rats injected with t-ACPD showed a short-lasting (about 1 min) flight reaction. No saline-treated animal showed this reaction (P<0.0005, chi-square test). The drug induced an increase in turning behavior (P = 0.002, MANOVA) and a decrease in the number of rearings (P<0.001, MANOVA) and grooming episodes (P<0.001, MANOVA). These results suggest that mGluRs play a role in the control of defense reactions in the DPAG.

Responding to Changing Student Demographics in Finland: A Study of Teachers’ Developing Cultural Competence

The aim of this dissertation was to examine the skills and knowledge that pre-service teachers and teachers have and need about working with multilingual and multicultural students from immigrant backgrounds. The specific goals were to identify pre-service teachers’ and practising teachers’ current knowledge and awareness of culturally and linguistically responsive teaching, identify a profile of their strengths and needs, and devise appropriate professional development support and ways to prepare teachers to become equitable culturally responsive practitioners. To investigate these issues, the dissertation reports on six original empirical studies within two groups of teachers: international pre-service teacher education students from over 25 different countries as well as pre-service and practising Finnish teachers. The international pre-service teacher sample consisted of (n = 38, study I; and n = 45, studies II-IV) and the pre-service and practising Finnish teachers sample encompassed (n = 89, study V; and n = 380, study VI). The data used were multi-source including both qualitative (students’ written work from the course including journals, final reflections, pre- and post-definition of key terms, as well as course evaluation and focus group transcripts) and quantitative (multi-item questionnaires with open-ended options), which enhanced the credibility of the findings resulting in the triangulation of data. Cluster analytic procedures, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and qualitative analyses mostly Constant Comparative Approach were used to understand pre-service teachers’ and practising teachers’ developing cultural understandings. The results revealed that the mainly white / mainstream teacher candidates in teacher education programmes bring limited background experiences, prior socialisation, and skills about diversity. Taking a multicultural education course where identity development was a focus, positively influenced teacher candidates’ knowledge and attitudes toward diversity. The results revealed approaches and strategies that matter most in preparing teachers for culturally responsive teaching, including but not exclusively, small group activities and discussions, critical reflection, and field immersion. This suggests that there are already some tools to address the need for the support needed to teach successfully a diversity of pupils and provide in-service training for those already practising the teaching profession. The results provide insight into aspects of teachers’ knowledge about both the linguistic and cultural needs of their students, as well as what constitutes a repertoire of approaches and strategies to assure students’ academic success. Teachers’ knowledge of diversity can be categorised into sound awareness, average awareness, and low awareness. Knowledge of diversity was important in teachers’ abilities to use students’ language and culture to enhance acquisition of academic content, work effectively with multilingual learners’ parents/guardians, learn about the cultural backgrounds of multilingual learners, link multilingual learners’ prior knowledge and experience to instruction, and modify classroom instruction for multilingual learners. These findings support the development of a competency based model and can be used to frame the studies of pre-service teachers, as well as the professional development of practising teachers in increasingly diverse contexts. The present set of studies take on new significance in the current context of increasing waves of migration to Europe in general and Finland in particular. They suggest that teacher education programmes can equip teachers with the necessary attitudes, skills, and knowledge to enable them work effectively with students from different ethnic and language backgrounds as they enter the teaching profession. The findings also help to refine the tools and approaches to measuring the competencies of teachers teaching in mainstream classrooms and candidates in preparation.

The exercise leader's gender and physique salience : effects on self-presentational concerns in an exercise context

Self-presentation is the process by which individuals attempt to monitor and control how others perceive and evaluate them (Leary, 1992; Leary & Kowalski, 1990). Self-presentational concerns have been shown to influence a number of exercise-related behaviours, cognitions, and affective responses to exercise (e.g., social anxiety). Social anxiety occurs when an individual wants to create a specific impression on others, but is unsure (s)he will be successful (Leary & Kowalski, 1995). Social physique anxiety (SPA) is a specific form of social anxiety related the evaluation of one's body (Hart, Leary, & Rejeski, 1989). Both social anxiety and SPA may act as deterrents to exercise (Lantz, Hardy, & Ainsworth, 1997; Leary, 1992), so it is important to examine factors that may influence social anxiety and SPA; one such factor is self-presentational efficacy (SPE). SPE is one's confidence in successfully making desired impressions on others (Leary & Atherton, 1986) and has been associated with social anxiety and SPA (Leary & Kowalski, 1995; Gammage, Martin Ginis, & Hall, 2004). Several aspects of the exercise environment, such as the presence of mirrors, clothing, and the exercise leader or other participant characteristics, may be manipulated to influence self-presentational concerns (e.g., Gammage, Martin Ginis et aI., 2004; Martin & Fox, 2001; Martin Ginis, Prapavessis, & Haase, 2005). Given that the exercise leader has been recognized as one of the most important influences in the group exercise context (Franklin, 1988), it is important to further examine how the leader may impact self-presentational concerns. The present study examined the impact of the exercise leader's gender and physique salience (i.e., the extent to which the body was emphasized) on SPE, state social anxiety (SSA), and state social physique anxiety (SPA-S) of women in a live exercise class. Eighty-seven college-aged female non- or infrequent exercisers (i.e., exercised 2 or fewer times per week) participated in a group exercise class led by one of four leaders: a female whose physique was salient; a female whose physique was non-salient; a male whose physique was salient; or a male whose physique was non-salient. Participants completed measures of SPE, SSA, and SPA-S prior to and following completion of a 30- minute group exercise class. In addition, a measure of social comparison to the exercise leader and other participants with respect to attractiveness, skill, and fitness was completed by participants following the exercise class. A MANOV A was conducted to examine differences between groups on postexercise variables. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between groups on measures ofSPE, SSA, or SPA-S (allp's > .05). However, when all participants were collapsed into one group, a MANOV A showed a significant time effect (F(3, 81) = 19.45,p < .05, 1')2= .419). Follow-up ANOVAs indicated that post-exercise SPE increased significantly, while SSA and SPA-S decreased significantly (SPE: F(I, 83) = 30.87,p < .001,1')2 = .27; SSA: F(I,83) = 11.09,p < .001, 1')2 = .12; SPA-S: F (1,83) = 42.79,p < .001, 1')2 = .34). Further, results of a MANOVA revealed that participants who believed they were less fit than other group members (i.e., made negative social comparisons) reported significantly more post-exercise SSA and SP A-S than those who believed they were more fit than the other participants (i.e., made positive comparisons; SSA: F(2, 84) = 3.46, p < .05, 1')2 = .08; SPA-S: F(2, 84) = 5.69, p < .05, 1')2 = .12). These results may indicate that successfully completing an exercise class may serve as a source of SPE and lead to reduced social anxiety and SPA-S in this population. Alternatively, characteristics of the exercise leader may be less important than characteristics of the other participants. These results also suggest that the types of social comparisons made may influence self-presentational concerns in this sample. Future research should examine how the type of social comparison (i.e., negative or positive) made to the other group members may either generate or reduce anxiety. Also, factors that contribute to the types of social comparisons made with other exercisers should be examined. Implications for practice and research are discussed.