Level shifts in a panel data based unit root test : an application to the rate of unemployment

Several unit root tests in panel data have recently been proposed. The test developed by Harris and Tzavalis (1999 JoE) performs particularly well when the time dimension is moderate in relation to the cross-section dimension. However, in common with the traditional tests designed for the unidimensional case, it was found to perform poorly when there is a structural break in the time series under the alternative. Here we derive the asymptotic distribution of the test allowing for a shift in the mean, and assess the small sample performance. We apply this new test to show how the hypothesis of (perfect) hysteresis in Spanish unemployment is rejected in favour of the alternative of the natural unemployment rate, when the possibility of a change in the latter is considered.

Effect of the environment inside and outside the cage on the activity and behaviour test performance of silver foxes

Selostus: Kasvatushäkin ympäristön vaikutus hopeakettujen käyttäytymiseen

Level shifts in a panel data based unit root test : an application to the rate of unemployment

Several unit root tests in panel data have recently been proposed. The test developed by Harris and Tzavalis (1999 JoE) performs particularly well when the time dimension is moderate in relation to the cross-section dimension. However, in common with the traditional tests designed for the unidimensional case, it was found to perform poorly when there is a structural break in the time series under the alternative. Here we derive the asymptotic distribution of the test allowing for a shift in the mean, and assess the small sample performance. We apply this new test to show how the hypothesis of (perfect) hysteresis in Spanish unemployment is rejected in favour of the alternative of the natural unemployment rate, when the possibility of a change in the latter is considered.

False negative apraclonidine test in two patients with Horner syndrome

BACKGROUND: Because of denervation supersensitivity, a miotic pupil in a sympathetically-denervated eye dilates in response to a dilute or weak alpha-1-agonist drug. A reversal of anisocoria after topical apraclonidine is considered as a positive test result that diagnoses a unilateral Horner syndrome. HISTORY AND SIGNS: Two women aged 34 and 46 years with a cocaine-confirmed oculosympathetic defect (Horner syndrome) were tested with 1 % topical apraclonidine on separate days. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: In one patient, her miotic Horner pupil dilated marginally but not enough to reverse the baseline anisocoria. Additionally, the upper lid on the same side retracted. There was no discernable effect of apraclonidine on the normal, contralateral eye. In the second patient, there was no pupillary response to apraclonidine but there was resolution of her ptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Neither patient demonstrated a reversal of anisocoria, the current criterion for diagnosing a Horner syndrome using apraclonidine. Thus, these two patients with an established oculosympathetic defect were said to have a "negative test" for Horner syndrome. Yet both women showed subtle pupil and/or lid changes in response to apraclonidine that were consistent with sympathetic denervation supersensitivity. Reversal of anisocoria following topical apraclonidine does not occur in all patients with a unilateral oculosympathetic defect and more specific parameters for defining a positive test result might optimize apraclonidine's utility as a diagnostic test for Horner syndrome

Testing Spatial Autocorrelation in Weighted Networks : the Modes Permutation Test

In a weighted spatial network, as specified by an exchange matrix, the variances of the spatial values are inversely proportional to the size of the regions. Spatial values are no more exchangeable under independence, thus weakening the rationale for ordinary permutation and bootstrap tests of spatial autocorrelation. We propose an alternative permutation test for spatial autocorrelation, based upon exchangeable spatial modes, constructed as linear orthogonal combinations of spatial values. The coefficients obtain as eigenvectors of the standardised exchange matrix appearing in spectral clustering, and generalise to the weighted case the concept of spatial filtering for connectivity matrices. Also, two proposals aimed at transforming an acessibility matrix into a exchange matrix with with a priori fixed margins are presented. Two examples (inter-regional migratory flows and binary adjacency networks) illustrate the formalism, rooted in the theory of spectral decomposition for reversible Markov chains.

Pedotransfer functions to estimate proctor test parameters under different tillage systems

The Proctor test is time-consuming and requires sampling of several kilograms of soil. Proctor test parameters were predicted in Mollisols, Entisols and Vertisols of the Pampean region of Argentina under different management systems. They were estimated from a minimum number of readily available soil properties (soil texture, total organic C) and management (training data set; n = 73). The results were used to generate a soil compaction susceptibility model, which was subsequently validated using a second group of independent data (test data set; n = 24). Soil maximum bulk density was estimated as follows: Maximum bulk density (Mg m-3) = 1.4756 - 0.00599 total organic C (g kg-1) + 0.0000275 sand (g kg-1) + 0.0539 management. Management was equal to 0 for uncropped and untilled soils and 1 for conventionally tilled soils. The established models predicted the Proctor test parameters reasonably well, based on readily available soil properties. Tillage systems induced changes in the maximum bulk density regardless of total organic matter content or soil texture. The lower maximum apparent bulk density values under no-tillage require a revision of the relative compaction thresholds for different no-tillage crops.

Portable penetrometer for agricultural soil: sensitivity test to identify critical compaction depth

To express the negative effects of soil compaction, some researchers use critical values for soil mechanical strength that severely impair plant growth. The aim of this study was to identify this critical compaction depth, to test the functionality of a new, portable penetrometer developed from a spring dynamometer, and compare it to an electronic penetrometer traditionally used in compaction studies of agricultural soils. Three soils with distinct texture were conventionally tilled using a disk plow, and cultivated with different plant species. The critical soil resistance defined to establish critical compaction depth was equal to 1.5 MPa. The results of the new equipment were similar to the electronic penetrometer, indicating its viability as a tool for assessing the soil physical conditions for plant growth.

VEGF is a mediator of retinal pigment epithelium permeability leading to photoreceptor cell death in light-induced retinal degeneration : gene therapy strategy to prevent AMD-disorders

ABSTRACTIn normal tissues, a balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors tightly controls angiogenesis. Alterations of this balance may have pathological consequences. For instance, concerning the retina, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent pro-angiogenic factor, and has been identified has a key player during ocular neovascularization implicated in a variety of retinal diseases. In the exudative form (wet-form) of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), neovascularizations occurring from the choroidal vessels are responsible for a quick and dramatic loss of visual acuity. In diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity, sprouting from the retinal vessels leads to vision loss. Furthermore, the aging of the population, the increased- prevalence of diabetes and the better survival rate of premature infants will lead to an increasing rate of these conditions. In this way, anti-VEGF strategy represents an important therapeutic target to treat ocular neovascular disorders.In addition, the administration of Pigmented Epithelial growth factor, a neurotrophic and an anti- angiogenic factor, prevents photoreceptor cell death in a model of retinal degeneration induced by light. Previous results analyzing end point morphology reveal that the light damage (LD) model is used to mimic retinal degenerations arising from environmental insult, as well as aging and genetic disease such as advanced atrophic AMD. Moreover, light has been identified as a co-factor in a number of retinal diseases, speeding up the degeneration process. This protecting effect of PEDF in the LD retina raises the possibility of involvement of the balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors not only for angiogenesis, but also in cell survival and maintenance.The aim of the work presented here was to evaluate the importance of this balance in neurodegenerative processes. To this aim, a model of light-induced retinal degeneration was used and characterized, mainly focusing on factors simultaneously controlling neuron survival and angiogenesis, such as PEDF and VEGF.In most species, prolonged intense light exposure can lead to photoreceptor cell damage that can progress to cell death and vision loss. A protocol previously described to induce retinal degeneration in Balb/c mice was used. Retinas were characterized at different time points after light injury through several methods at the functional and molecular levels. Data obtained confirmed that toxic level of light induce PR cell death. Variations were observed in VEGF pathway players in both the neural retina and the eye-cup containing the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), suggesting a flux of VEGF from the RPE towards the neuroretina. Concomitantly, the integrity of the outer blood-retinal-barrier (BRB) was altered, leading to extravascular albumin leakage from the choroid throughout the photoreceptor layer.To evaluate the importance of VEGF during light-induced retinal degeneration process, a lentiviral vector encoding the cDNA of a single chain antibody directed against all VEGF-A isoforms was developed (LV-V65). The bioactivity of this vector to block VEGF was validated in a mouse model of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization mediated by VEGF upregulation. The vector was then used in the LD model. The administration of the LV-V65 contributed to the maintenance of functional photoreceptors, which was assessed by ERG recording, visual acuity measurement and histological analyses. At the RPE level, the BRB integrity was preserved as shown by the absence of albumin leakage and the maintenance of RPE cell cohesion.These results taken together indicate that the VEGF is a mediator of light induced PR degeneration process and confirm the crucial role of the balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors in the PR cell survival. This work also highlights the prime importance of BRB integrity and functional coupling between RPE and PR cells to maintain the PR survival. VEGF dysregulation was already shown to be involved in wet AMD forms and our study suggests that VEGF dysregulation may also occur at early stages of AMD and could thus be a potential therapeutic target for several RPE related diseases.RESUMEDans les différents tissues de l'organisme, l'angiogenèse est strictement contrôlée par une balance entre les facteurs pro- et anti-angiogéniques. Des modifications survenant dans cette balance peuvent engendrer des conséquences pathologiques. Par exemple, concernant la rétine, le facteur de croissance de l'endothélium vasculaire (VEGF) est un facteur pro-angiogénique important. Ce facteur a été identifié comme un acteur majeur dans les néovascularisations oculaires et les processus pathologiques angiogéniques survenant dans l'oeil et responsables d'une grande variété de maladies rétiniennes. Dans la forme humide de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge (DMLA), la néovascularisation choroïdienne est responsable de la perte rapide et brutale de l'acuité visuelle chez les patients affectés. Dans la rétinopathie diabétique et celle lié à la prématurité, l'émergence de néovaisseaux rétiniens est la cause de la perte de la vision. Les néovascularisations oculaires représentent la principale cause de cécité dans les pays développés. De plus, l'âge croissant de la population, la progression de la prévalence du diabète et la meilleure survie des enfants prématurés mèneront sans doute à l'augmentation de ces pathologies dans les années futures. Dans ces conditions, les thérapies anti- angiogéniques visant à inhiber le VEGF représentent une importante cible thérapeutique pour le traitement de ces pathologies.Plusieurs facteurs anti-angiogéniques ont été identifiés. Parmi eux, le facteur de l'épithélium pigmentaire (PEDF) est à la fois un facteur neuro-trophique et anti-angiogénique, et l'administration de ce facteur au niveau de la rétine dans un modèle de dégénérescence rétinienne induite par la lumière protège les photorécepteurs de la mort cellulaire. Des études antérieures basées sur l'analyse morphologique ont révélé que les modifications survenant lors de la dégénération induite suite à l'exposition à des doses toxiques de lumière représente un remarquable modèle pour l'étude des dégénérations rétiniennes suite à des lésions environnementales, à l'âge ou encore aux maladies génétiques telle que la forme atrophique avancée de la DMLA. De plus, la lumière a été identifiée comme un co-facteur impliqué dans un grand nombre de maladies rétiniennes, accélérant le processus de dégénération. L'effet protecteur du PEDF dans les rétines lésées suite à l'exposition de des doses toxiques de lumière suscite la possibilité que la balance entre les facteurs pro- et anti-angiogéniques soit impliquée non seulement dans les processus angiogéniques, mais également dans le maintient et la survie des cellules.Le but de ce projet consiste donc à évaluer l'implication de cette balance lors des processus neurodégénératifs. Pour cela, un modèle de dégénération induite par la lumière à été utilisé et caractérisé, avec un intérêt particulier pour les facteurs comme le PEDF et le VEGF contrôlant simultanément la survie des neurones et l'angiogenèse.Dans la plupart des espèces, l'exposition prolongée à une lumière intense peut provoquer des dommages au niveau des cellules photoréceptrices de l'oeil, qui peut mener à leur mort, et par conséquent à la perte de la vision. Un protocole préalablement décrit a été utilisé pour induire la dégénération rétinienne dans les souris albinos Balb/c. Les rétines ont été analysées à différents moments après la lésion par différentes techniques, aussi bien au niveau moléculaire que fonctionnel. Les résultats obtenus ont confirmé que des doses toxiques de lumière induisent la mort des photorécepteurs, mais altèrent également la voie de signalisation du VEGF, aussi bien dans la neuro-rétine que dans le reste de l'oeil, contenant l'épithélium pigmentaire (EP), et suggérant un flux de VEGF provenant de ΙΈΡ en direction de la neuro-rétine. Simultanément, il se produit une altération de l'intégrité de la barrière hémato-rétinienne externe, menant à la fuite de protéine telle que l'albumine, provenant de la choroïde et retrouvée dans les compartiments extravasculaires de la rétine, telle que dans la couche des photorécepteurs.Pour déterminer l'importance et le rôle du VEGF, un vecteur lentiviral codant pour un anticorps neutralisant dirigée contre tous les isoformes du VEGF a été développé (LV-V65). La bio-activité de ce vecteur a été testé et validée dans un modèle de laser, connu pour induire des néovascularisations choroïdiennes chez la souris suite à l'augmentation du VEGF. Ce vecteur a ensuite été utilisé dans le modèle de dégénération induite par la lumière. Les résultats des électrorétinogrammes, les mesures de l'acuité visuelle et les analyses histologiques ont montré que l'injection du LV-V65 contribue à la maintenance de photorécepteurs fonctionnels. Au niveau de l'EP, l'absence d'albumine et la maintenance des jonctions cellulaires des cellules de l'EP ont démontré que l'intégrité de la barrière hémato-rétinienne externe est préservée suite au traitement.Par conséquent, tous les résultats obtenus indiquent que le VEGF est un médiateur important impliquée dans le processus de dégénération induit par la lumière et confirme le rôle cruciale de la balance entre les facteurs pro- et anti-angiogéniques dans la survie des photorécepteurs. Cette étude révèle également l'importance de l'intégrité de la barrière hémato-rétinienne et l'importance du lien fonctionnel et structurel entre l'EP et les photorécepteurs, essentiel pour la survie de ces derniers. Par ailleurs, Cette étude suggère que des dérèglements au niveau de l'équilibre du VEGF ne sont pas seulement impliqués dans la forme humide de la DMLA, comme déjà démontré dans des études antérieures, mais pourraient également contribuer et survenir dans des formes précoces de la DMLA, et par conséquent le VEGF représente une cible thérapeutique potentielle pour les maladies associées à des anomalies au niveau de l'EP.

Biofilm formation on bone grafts and bone graft substitutes: comparison of different materials by a standard in vitro test and microcalorimetry.

We analyzed the initial adhesion and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and S. epidermidis RP62A (ATCC 35984) on various bone grafts and bone graft substitutes under standardized in vitro conditions. In parallel, microcalorimetry was evaluated as a real-time microbiological assay in the investigation of biofilm formation and material science research. The materials beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), processed human spongiosa (Tutoplast) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were investigated and compared with polyethylene (PE). Bacterial counts (log(10) cfu per sample) were highest on beta-TCP (S. aureus 7.67 +/- 0.17; S. epidermidis 8.14 +/- 0.05) while bacterial density (log(10) cfu per surface) was highest on PMMA (S. aureus 6.12 +/- 0.2, S. epidermidis 7.65 +/- 0.13). Detection time for S. aureus biofilms was shorter for the porous materials (beta-TCP and processed human spongiosa, p < 0.001) compared to the smooth materials (PMMA and PE), with no differences between beta-TCP and processed human spongiosa (p > 0.05) or PMMA and PE (p > 0.05). In contrast, for S. epidermidis biofilms the detection time was different (p < 0.001) between all materials except between processed human spongiosa and PE (p > 0.05). The quantitative analysis by quantitative culture after washing and sonication of the material demonstrated the importance of monitoring factors like specific surface or porosity of the test materials. Isothermal microcalorimetry proved to be a suitable tool for an accurate, non-invasive and real-time microbiological assay, allowing the detection of bacterial biomass without removing the biofilm from the surface.

Evaluation of Hot Mix Asphalt Moisture Sensitivity Using the Nottingham Asphalt Test Equipment, July 2005

Moisture sensitivity of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) mixtures, generally called stripping, is a major form of distress in asphalt concrete pavement. It is characterized by the loss of adhesive bond between the asphalt binder and the aggregate (a failure of the bonding of the binder to the aggregate) or by a softening of the cohesive bonds within the asphalt binder (a failure within the binder itself), both of which are due to the action of loading under traffic in the presence of moisture. The evaluation of HMA moisture sensitivity has been divided into two categories: visual inspection test and mechanical test. However, most of them have been developed in pre-Superpave mix design. This research was undertaken to develop a protocol for evaluating the moisture sensitivity potential of HMA mixtures using the Nottingham Asphalt Tester (NAT). The mechanisms of HMA moisture sensitivity were reviewed and the test protocols using the NAT were developed. Different types of blends as moisture-sensitive groups and non-moisture-sensitive groups were used to evaluate the potential of the proposed test. The test results were analyzed with three parameters based on performance character: the retained flow number depending on critical permanent deformation failure (RFNP), the retained flow number depending on cohesion failure (RFNC), and energy ratio (ER). Analysis based on energy ratio of elastic strain (EREE ) at flow number of cohesion failure (FNC) has higher potential to evaluate the HMA moisture sensitivity than other parameters. If the measurement error in data-acquisition process is removed, analyses based on RFNP and RFNC would also have high potential to evaluate the HMA moisture sensitivity. The vacuum pressure saturation used in AASHTO T 283 and proposed test has a risk to damage specimen before the load applying.

A test of Jessor's problem behavior theory in a Eurasian and a Western European developmental context.

PURPOSE: The current study tested the applicability of Jessor's problem behavior theory (PBT) in national probability samples from Georgia and Switzerland. Comparisons focused on (1) the applicability of the problem behavior syndrome (PBS) in both developmental contexts, and (2) on the applicability of employing a set of theory-driven risk and protective factors in the prediction of problem behaviors. METHODS: School-based questionnaire data were collected from n = 18,239 adolescents in Georgia (n = 9499) and Switzerland (n = 8740) following the same protocol. Participants rated five measures of problem behaviors (alcohol and drug use, problems because of alcohol and drug use, and deviance), three risk factors (future uncertainty, depression, and stress), and three protective factors (family, peer, and school attachment). Final study samples included n = 9043 Georgian youth (mean age = 15.57; 58.8% females) and n = 8348 Swiss youth (mean age = 17.95; 48.5% females). Data analyses were completed using structural equation modeling, path analyses, and post hoc z-tests for comparisons of regression coefficients. RESULTS: Findings indicated that the PBS replicated in both samples, and that theory-driven risk and protective factors accounted for 13% and 10% in Georgian and Swiss samples, respectively in the PBS, net the effects by demographic variables. Follow-up z-tests provided evidence of some differences in the magnitude, but not direction, in five of six individual paths by country. CONCLUSION: PBT and the PBS find empirical support in these Eurasian and Western European samples; thus, Jessor's theory holds value and promise in understanding the etiology of adolescent problem behaviors outside of the United States.

Population differentiation and its consequences in the white campion "Silene latifolia" (Caryophyllaceae): a functional analysis

Summary In his theory On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859), Darwin describes evolution as a gradual change in population over time and that natural selection is a process that caused evolution. Because quantitative variation in species is partly influenced by several genes and thus heritable, association between levels of genetic variation at neutral markers and at quantitative traits and their partitioning within and among populations are important to study mechanisms that drive evolution in populations. Most studies addressing quantitative variation in plants focused on morphological and life history traits but not in traits affecting reproductive success. The aim of this thesis is to better understand how patterns of variation for neutral molecular markers and phenotypic traits drive the evolution of reproduction and defensive mechanisms in six European populations of Silene latifolia, a dioecious plant species. We found evidence for extremely high within and between population variation at six microsatellite loci and at most quantitative traits studied in plants grown under standardized conditions (morphology, life history and reproductive traits). Interestingly, there was clinal variation between age at first flowering and latitude. This pattern is likely due to natural selection since differentiation of this trait was high, heritable and probably higher than differentiation at neutral markers. Our study focused on sex specific selective pressures: mechanisms of intersexual coadaptation and defence mechanism against the seed predator Hadena bicruris. To address divergence at reproductive traits, we studied male and female population of origin effects and in particular pollen competitive ability on male post-pollination success in the study populations with within and between populations crosses. We crossed the same female plant with pollen from a male within the same population of origin and pollen from two males from two distinct populations, using a fixed tester male as a competitor. Additionally, we conducted control crosses with pollen from each male as a single donor. We analysed paternity success of each competitor with two microsatellite loci, seed set and offspring fitness. Male population of origin showed significant among-population variation for siring success at pollen competition. In vitro pollen germination rate showed heritable variation among populations and was positively correlated to siring success. Local or foreign pollen did not have a consistent advantage. Furthermore, female population of origin affected the outcome of pollen competition in some populations. There was no difference of seed set or offspring fitness in within/ between population crosses. This suggests that reproductive divergence may occur via pollen competition in Silene latifolia. The specialist seed predator Hadena bicruris may also induce divergence between populations. We tested potential constitutive and induced defence mechanisms against the specialist predator Hadena bicruris. Because fruit wall thickness is smaller in the invasive range (Northern America) were the moth is absent, this suggests that a thicker fruit wall is a potentially defensive trait against larval attack, and that relaxed selection in the absence of the seed predator has resulted in an evolutionary loss of this defence in the invasive range. Fruit wall thickness was different among three populations. Experimental exposure to moth eggs increased fruit abortion. Fruits built after attack on exposed plants did not have thicker fruit walls compared to fruits on non-exposed plants. Furthermore, fruits with thicker fruit walls were not less profitable, nor did they require longer handling time when exposed to larvae, suggesting no defensive role of fruit wall thickness. Our results show that there is high molecular and phenotypic variation in Silene latifolia and that traits potentially involved in reproductive success both for intra-specific (between sexes) and inter-specific interactions are heritable. Different selective forces may thus interact and cause differential evolution of geographically separated Silene latifolia populations in Europe, leading to the observed differentiation. Résumé Dans sa théorie de l'évolution, L'origine des espèces, ch. 4 (1859), Darwin décrit l'évolution comme un processus continu au cours du temps à l'intérieur de populations et que la sélection naturelle en est le moteur. La variation quantitative est en partie déterminée par plusieurs gènes, donc transmissible à la descendance. Associer le niveau de variation génétique à des marqueurs neutres au niveau de la variation à des traits quantitatifs, ainsi que la répartition à l'intérieur et entre les populations d'une espèce donnée de cette variation, sont importants dans la compréhension des forces évolutives. La plupart des études scientifiques sur la variation quantitative chez les plantes se sont intéressées à la morphologie et à la phénologie mais pas aux caractères impliqués dans le succès reproducteur. L'objectif de cette thèse est de mieux comprendre comment la répartition de la variation à des marqueurs neutres et des caractères quantitatifs influence l'évolution de la reproduction et des mécanismes de défense dans six populations Européennes de l'espèce dioïque Silene latifolia. Nous avons mis en évidence une grande diversité intra et inter-population à six loci microsatellites ainsi qu'à la plupart des caractères quantitatifs mesurés (morphologie, phénologie et traits reproducteurs) sur des plantes cultivées dans des conditions standardisées. Un résultat intéressant est la présence d'un cline latitudinal pour l'âge à la floraison. Ceci est probablement une conséquence de la sélection naturelle, puisque ce caractère est différencié entre les populations étudiées, héritable et que la différenciation de ce trait est supérieure à la différenciation des marqueurs neutres étudiés. Notre étude a ensuite porté plus précisément sur les pressions de sélection spécifiques aux sexes : la coadaptation entre les sexes et les mécanismes de défense contre l'insecte granivore Hadena bicruris. Afin d'évaluer la divergence sur les traits reproducteurs, nous avons étudié les effets des populations d'origine des mâles et des femelles et en particulier le succès reproducteur des mâles après pollinisation à l'aide de croisements inter et intra-population. Nous avons pollinisé la même femelle avec du pollen provenant d'un mâle de la même population ainsi qu'avec le pollen de deux mâles provenant de deux autres populations en situation de compétition avec un pollen provenant d'une population test. Des croisements contrôle ont été réalisés avec les mêmes mâles en pollinisation pure. Nous avons évalué le succès reproducteur de chaque mâle à l'aide d'analyses de paternité ainsi que la production de graines et la fitness de la descendance. L'origine du mâle avait un effet sur la paternité. Le taux de croissance in vitro du pollen est un caractère héritable et a eu un effet positif sur le succès reproducteur. De plus, l'origine de la femelle avait un effet sur le succès des mâles en compétition dans certaines populations. Nos résultats suggèrent qu'une divergence reproductive chez Silene latifolia pourrait apparaître suite à la compétition pollinique. Nous avons ensuite testé des mécanismes potentiels de défense constitutive et induite contre l'herbivore spécialiste Hadena bicruris, un papillon nocturne qui pourrait aussi jouer un rôle dans la différenciation des populations. L'épaisseur des fruits étant plus faible dans les régions où la plante est invasive (Amérique du Nord) et où l'insecte est absent, ce trait pourrait jouer un rôle défensif. Une pression de sélection plus faible causée par l'absence de l'herbivore aurait abouti à une perte de cette défense dans ces régions. Nous avons montré que l'épaisseur du fruit est variable selon les populations. L'infestation artificielle de fruit par l'insecte induit l'abscission sélective des fruits. Les fruits produits après une infestation n'étaient pas plus épais que les fruits issus de plantes non infestées. De plus, les fruits épais n'étaient pas moins nutritifs et ne causaient pas de perte de temps pour la prédation pour les larves, ce qui suggère que l'épaisseur des fruits ne joue pas un rôle défensif. Nos résultats montrent que plusieurs pressions de sélection interviennent et interagissent dans l'évolution de populations distantes, provoquant la divergence des populations Européennes de l'espèce Silene latifolia.

Estimation of genetic parameters for test-day milk production at different stages of lactation of Finnish Ayrshire heifers

Selostus: Ayrshire-ensikoiden koelypsykohtaisen maidontuotannon perinnölliset tunnusluvut laktaation eri vaiheissa