The evolution and consequences of sex-specific reproductive variance.

Natural selection favors alleles that increase the number of offspring produced by their carriers. But in a world that is inherently uncertain within generations, selection also favors alleles that reduce the variance in the number of offspring produced. If previous studies have established this principle, they have largely ignored fundamental aspects of sexual reproduction and therefore how selection on sex-specific reproductive variance operates. To study the evolution and consequences of sex-specific reproductive variance, we present a population-genetic model of phenotypic evolution in a dioecious population that incorporates previously neglected components of reproductive variance. First, we derive the probability of fixation for mutations that affect male and/or female reproductive phenotypes under sex-specific selection. We find that even in the simplest scenarios, the direction of selection is altered when reproductive variance is taken into account. In particular, previously unaccounted for covariances between the reproductive outputs of different individuals are expected to play a significant role in determining the direction of selection. Then, the probability of fixation is used to develop a stochastic model of joint male and female phenotypic evolution. We find that sex-specific reproductive variance can be responsible for changes in the course of long-term evolution. Finally, the model is applied to an example of parental-care evolution. Overall, our model allows for the evolutionary analysis of social traits in finite and dioecious populations, where interactions can occur within and between sexes under a realistic scenario of reproduction.

Iowa Highway Research Board FY 2013 Annual Report

This report, entitled Iowa Highway Research and Development Activities FY2013 is submitted in compliance with Iowa Code sections 310.36 and 312.3A, which directs the submission of a report of the Secondary Road Research Fund and the Street Research Fund, respectively. It is a report of the status of research and development projects in progress on June 30, 2013. It is also a report on projects completed during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013. Detailed information on each of the research and development projects mentioned in this report is available from the office of Research and Analytics, Performance and Technology Division, Iowa Department of Transportation. All approved reports are also online for viewing at: www.iowadot.gov/operationsresearch/reports.aspx.

Magnetic resonance imaging correlates of first-episode psychosis in young adult male patients: combined analysis of grey and white matter.

Background: Several patterns of grey and white matter changes have been separately described in young adults with first-episode psychosis. Concomitant investigation of grey and white matter densities in patients with first-episode psychosis without other psychiatric comorbidities that include all relevant imaging markers could provide clues to the neurodevelopmental hypothesis in schizophrenia. Methods: We recruited patients with first-episode psychosis diagnosed according to the DSM-IV-TR and matched controls. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis and mean diffusivity voxel-based analysis (VBA) were used for grey matter data. Fractional anisotropy and axial, radial and mean diffusivity were analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) for white matter data. Results: We included 15 patients and 16 controls. The mean diffusivity VBA showed significantly greater mean diffusivity in the first-episode psychosis than in the control group in the lingual gyrus bilaterally, the occipital fusiform gyrus bilaterally, the right lateral occipital gyrus and the right inferior temporal gyrus. Moreover, the TBSS analysis revealed a lower fractional anisotropy in the first-episode psychosis than in the control group in the genu of the corpus callosum, minor forceps, corticospinal tract, right superior longitudinal fasciculus, left middle cerebellar peduncle, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus and the posterior part of the fronto-occipital fasciculus. This analysis also revealed greater radial diffusivity in the first-episode psychosis than in the control group in the right corticospinal tract, right superior longitudinal fasciculus and left middle cerebellar peduncle. Limitations: The modest sample size and the absence of women in our series could limit the impact of our results. Conclusion: Our results highlight the structural vulnerability of grey matter in posterior areas of the brain among young adult male patients with first-episode psychosis. Moreover, the concomitant greater radial diffusivity within several regions already revealed by the fractional anisotropy analysis supports the idea of a late myelination in patients with first-episode psychosis.

Comparison of the site distribution of melanoma in New Zealand and Canada

A comparison of the site distribution of cutaneous malignant melanoma in New Zealand and Canada was performed. This series deals with 41,331 incident cases registered between 1968 and 1990 and is the largest to date to evaluate the influence of age and gender on the site distribution of melanoma. Site-specific, age-standardized rates per unit surface area and relative tumour density were assessed by gender and country and differences compared with statistical techniques adapted to this context. The age-standardized rates for all sites were higher in New Zealand than in Canada, the ratio being 3.2 for men and 3.8 for women. Occurrence of melanoma was denser for chronically than intermittently exposed sites in both New Zealand and Canada. The highest incidence rate per unit area was for the ears in men which was more than 5 times the rate for the entire body in each country. For each gender, melanomas were relatively commoner on the trunk and the face in Canada, and on the lower limbs in New Zealand. The variations in the site distribution were similar in each country and consistent with the effect of differential patterns of sun exposure between genders. Our results show that the levels of risk of melanoma between phenotypically comparable populations exposed to different amount of UV radiation vary in a site-specific manner, especially for intermittently exposed sites. This suggests that both environmental conditions and lifestyle factors influence the site distribution of melanoma in these two populations.

Les quinze joyes de mariage (Nouv. éd.) / nouv. éd., accompagnée de notes et d'un glossaire

[Quinze joies de mariage (français moyen). 1926]

Phenotypic stability and genetic gains in six-year girth growth of Hevea clones

Rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Müell. Arg.] budgrafts of seven clones were evaluated on five contrasting sites in the plateau region of the São Paulo State, Brazil. The objective of this work was to study the phenotypic stability for girth growth. The experimental design was a randomized block design with three replications and seven treatments. Analysis of variance of girth at six-year plant growth indicated a highly significant clone x site interaction. Only linear sites and clone x site components of clone x year interaction were significant, indicating that the performance of clones over sites for this trait could be predicted. The clones GT 1 and PB 235 showed the greatest stability in relation to girth growth, with foreseen responses to change, introduced in the sites. The clones PB 235 and IAN 873 showed significative difference in relation to regression coefficient, representing clones with specific adaptability on favorable and unfavorable sites respectively. The clone GT 1 became the most promissory one in the study of stability and adaptability even showing low girth growth. Expected genetic gains from planting sites, along with estimates of clonal variance and repeatability of clonal means are generally greatest or close to the greatest when selection is done at the same site.

Perusoikeudet - merkittävä haaste oikeuselämälle

Lectio praecursoria Turun yliopistossa 14.12.2002 pidetyssä väitöstilaisuudessa, jossa kirjoittaja puolusti väitöskirjaansa Perusoikeudet ja varallisuussuhteet, Suomalaisen Lakimiesyhdistyksen julkaisuja A-sarja N:o 235, Jyväskylä 2002

Evaluación del Proyecto Epikouros de Inserción Sociolaboral de Inmigrantes

El proyecto Epikouros del Ayuntamiento de Barcelona representa un modelo de servicio específico de orientación para la inserción sociolaboral dirigido a personas procedentes de la inmigración exterior y con situación socioeconómica deficitaria. El proyecto pretendía responder a las necesidad peculiares que estas personas tienen en su proceso de inserción sociolaboral en la ciudad de Barcelona. Su finalidad fue acercar a los colectivos, asociaciones y personas inmigrantes los distintos servicios de inserción sociolaboral normalizados del Ayuntamiento de Barcelona, a la vez que facilitar la coordinación y adaptación de éstos a las necesidades diferenciales que tiene esta población. El proyecto atendió a un total de 235 personas inmigrantes.

Iowa Department of Transportation Major Items - Preliminary Quantity Report, May 20, 2014; With Addendums

Weekly letting report.

Efeito da freqüência de sangria e estimulação no desempenho produtivo e econômico de clones de seringueira

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho produtivo e os aspectos econômicos de dez clones de seringueira [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. Arg.] em diferentes freqüências de sangria e com estimulação à base de ethefon. O experimento foi instalado na Fazenda Indiana, no município de Indiana, SP, sob o delineamento de blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas. Os tratamentos principais foram os clones GT 1, RRIM 701, RRIM 600, PB 235, PR 261, PB 252, Fx 4098, Fx 2261, Fx 3864 e IAN 873, submetidos a três sistemas de sangria: 1/2S d/2 6d/7 (testemunha), 1/2S d/4 6d/7.10m/y. ET 5,0% Ba 10y e 1/2S d/6 6d/7.10m/y. ET 5,0% Ba 10/y. As variáveis estudadas foram: perímetro do caule, produção, secamento do painel e os aspectos econômicos. Os resultados mostraram superioridade no sistema 1/2S d/2 6d/7 na maioria dos clones, exceto o GT 1 e o PB 235, que no sistema 1/2S d/4 ET 5,0% apresentaram ganhos líquidos de 12,0% e 54,0%, respectivamente, acima do obtido no sistema testemunha. Somente os clones Fx 3864 e PB 235 apresentaram ganhos líquidos de 18,0% e 28,0% no sistema 1/2S d/6 ET 5% superiores em relação ao obtido no sistema testemunha. A maior porcentagem de secamento do painel foi observada no clone PB 235 no sistema 1/2S d/4 ET 5,0%.

Thermoplastic Pavement Markings, HR-172, 1975

It is difficult to maintain reflectorized lane markings on high-traffic, multi-lane highways. This is particularly true of sections in urban areas where there are frequent lane changes, such as on the Des Moines Freeway, I-235. In spite of the fact that the lane markings are painted on an average of three times a year, they are frequently absent during a considerable portion of the winter period. In the summer of 1973, the office of Highway Maintenance suggested a research project using a new thermoplastic paint developed by the Prismo Universal Corporation. Because of difficulties in scheduling the work, a definite proposal was not submitted until 1974. Upon the recommendation of the Iowa Highway Research Board, the project was approved by the Iowa State Highway Commission on August 7, 1974.

Influência de porta-enxertos no crescimento de clones de seringueira no Estado de São Paulo

Este trabalho foi instalado na Estação Experimental de Agronomia de Pindorama, SP, com a finalidade de avaliar a interação enxerto vs. porta-enxertos de seringueira, Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Müell. Arg. Os clones utilizados foram IAN 873, RRIM 600, RRIM 701, PB 235, PR 107 e GT 1, enxertados em seis diferentes porta-enxertos provenientes de sementes ilegítimas dos clones IAN 873, RRIM 600, RRIM 701, PB 235, GT 1 e de sementes não selecionadas. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas, tendo os porta-enxertos como tratamentos e os clones (enxertos) como subtratamentos, em quatro repetições. Os resultadosmostram que no período de avaliação o porta-enxerto GT 1 e IAN 873 foram os que produziram os maiores perímetros por planta, sendo 10,20 % maior que o de sementes não selecionadas. Paralelamente, os enxertos em vigor mostraram que os clones PB 235, RRIM 600 e PR 107 apresentaram melhor desempenho, com um perímetro do caule 8,12% maior que o dos clonesRRIM 701 e GT 1,notadamente os de menor vigor. A interação enxerto vs. porta-enxerto não foi significativa.