Niche Differentiation and Fine-Scale Projections for Argentine Ants Based on Remotely Sensed Data

Modeling ecological niches of species is a promising approach for predicting the geographic potential of invasive species in new environments. Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) rank among the most successful invasive species: native to South America, they have invaded broad areas worldwide. Despite their widespread success, little is known about what makes an area susceptible - or not - to invasion. Here, we use a genetic algorithm approach to ecological niche modeling based on high-resolution remote-sensing data to examine the roles of niche similarity and difference in predicting invasions by this species. Our comparisons support a picture of general conservatism of the species' ecological characteristics, in spite of distinct geographic and community contexts

Projeccions de canvi climatic per a Catalunya (NE Península Ibèrica). Part II: sintetitzant diverses metodologies = Climate change projections for Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula). Part II: Integrating several methodologies

The publication of the fourth IPCC report, as well as the number of research results reported in recent years about the regionalization of climate projections, were the driving forces to justify the update of the report on climate change in Catalonia. Specifically, the new IPCC report contains new climate projections at global and continental scales, while several international projects (especially European projects PRUDENCE and ENSEMBLES) have produced continental-scale climate projections, which allow for distinguishing between European regions. For Spain, some of these results have been included in a document commissioned by the“State Agency of Meteorology”. In addition, initiatives are being developed within Catalonia (in particular, by the Meteorological Service of Catalonia) to downscale climate projections in this area. The present paper synthesizes results of these and other previously published studies, as well as our own analysis of results of the ENSEMBLES project. The aim is to propose scenarios of variation in temperature and rainfall in Catalonia during the 21st Century. Thus, by the middle of this century temperatures could rise up to 2 C compared with that of the late 20th Century. These increases would probably be higher in summer than in winter, generalized across the territory but less pronounced in coastal areas. Rainfall, however, would not change much, but it could slightly decrease. Towards the end of the 21st Century, temperatures could rise to about 5 C above that of the last century, while the average rainfall could decrease by more than 10%. Increases in temperature would be higher in summer and in areas further from the coast. Rainfall would decrease especially during the summer, while it could even increase in winter in mountainous areas such as the Pyrenees.

Horizontal projections of area 17 in Cebus monkeys: metric features, and modular and laminar distribution

Metric features and modular and laminar distributions of intrinsic projections of area 17 were studied in Cebus apella. Anterogradely and retrogradely labeled cell appendages were obtained using both saturated pellets and iontophoretic injections of biocytin into the operculum. Laminar and modular distributions of the labeled processes were analyzed using Nissl counterstaining, and/or cytochrome oxidase and/or NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. We distinguished three labeled cell types: pyramidal, star pyramidal and stellate cells located in supragranular cortical layers (principally in layers IIIa, IIIb a, IIIb ß and IIIc). Three distinct axon terminal morphologies were found, i.e., Ia, Ib and II located in granular and supragranular layers. Both complete and partial segregation of group I axon terminals relative to the limits of the blobs of V1 were found. The results are compatible with recent evidence of incomplete segregation of visual information flow in V1 of Old and New World primates

Experimental myocardial hypertrophy induced by a minimally invasive ascending aorta coarctation

Ascending aorta coarctation was produced by a minimally invasive technique in rabbits. Animal mortality was 5%. Morphometric and hemodynamic parameters were evaluated. A parabiotically isolated heart model was used to assess the hemodynamic parameters. Left ventricular weight/body weight ratio and muscle area showed clear evidence of hypertrophy when compared to control. The hemodynamic changes in the isolated heart model suggested decreased diastolic and systolic function in the coarcted group. The present model produced hypertrophy with low mortality rates as a result of its less invasive nature.

5-HT1A autoreceptor modulation of locomotor activity induced by nitric oxide in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is the origin of ascending serotonergic projections and is considered to be an important component of the brain circuit that mediates anxiety- and depression-related behaviors. A large fraction of DRN serotonin-positive neurons contain nitric oxide (NO). Disruption of NO-mediated neurotransmission in the DRN by NO synthase inhibitors produces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in rats and also induces nonspecific interference with locomotor activity. We investigated the involvement of the 5-HT1A autoreceptor in the locomotor effects induced by NO in the DRN of male Wistar rats (280-310 g, N = 9-10 per group). The NO donor 3-morpholinosylnomine hydrochloride (SIN-1, 150, and 300 nmol) and the NO scavenger S-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycine (carboxy-PTIO, 0.1-3.0 nmol) were injected into the DRN of rats immediately before they were exposed to the open field for 10 min. To evaluate the involvement of the 5-HT1A receptor and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor in the locomotor effects of NO, animals were pretreated with the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 8 nmol), the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist N-(2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl)-N-2-pyridinyl-cyclohexanecarboxamide maleate (WAY-100635, 0.37 nmol), and the NMDA receptor antagonist DL-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (AP7, 1 nmol), followed by microinjection of SIN-1 into the DRN. SIN-1 increased the distance traveled (mean ± SEM) in the open-field test (4431 ± 306.1 cm; F7,63 = 2.44, P = 0.028) and this effect was blocked by previous 8-OH-DPAT (2885 ± 490.4 cm) or AP7 (3335 ± 283.5 cm) administration (P < 0.05, Duncan test). These results indicate that 5-HT1A receptor activation and/or facilitation of glutamate neurotransmission can modulate the locomotor effects induced by NO in the DRN.

Examining current facilitative practices and projections of activity-based physical education degree programs regarding the participation of individuals with disabilties /

Individuals with disabiliiies are increasingly accessing post secondary education opportunities to further develop their educational and career goals. This study examines the current facilitative practices of Canadian university activity-based physical education degree programs on the participation of individuals with disabilities. A critical orientation and descriptive/interpretative approach allows insight into unique stories and experiences of physical education practitioners and special needs professionals as they attempt to provide equitable educational experiences within a least restrictive environment. Leading practitioners are used to triangulate and strengthen the validity of the data while providing direction and advocacy for future development and inclusion of individuals with disabilities. The study concludes with seven recommendations, each providing university activity-based physical education degree programs with viable opportunities for helping create equitable opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Comparaisons de projections des niveaux d'incapacité de la population canadienne de 65 ans et plus en 2031

Le vieillissement de la population canadienne prévisible dans les prochaines années entrainera d’importants changements au point de vue social. L’un d’eux est l’augmentation fulgurante du nombre d’aînés en état d’incapacité. Utilisant le modèle de microsimulation LifePaths, cette recherche compare deux projections, ayant des méthodologies différentes, du nombre d’individus en incapacité de 65 ans et plus vivant en ménage privé en 2031. La première méthode utilise le module d’incapacité de LifePaths pour générer les individus en incapacité tandis que la seconde méthode utilise plutôt une régression logistique ordonnée pour les obtenir. Les projections du nombre d’individus en état d’incapacité des deux méthodes nous permettent une comparaison entre ces résultats. Suite à l’élaboration de tableaux et de graphiques permettant de tracer un portait de la situation, cette recherche essaie de démystifier les sources possibles à l’origine de ces différences. Les résultats montrent d’importantes différences entre les projections, spécifiquement pour les individus en état d’incapacité sévère. De plus, lorsqu’on s’intéresse aux variables d’intérêts, on remarque que les différences de projections d’effectifs sont importantes chez les hommes et les gens mariés. Par contre, lorsque les proportions sont analysées, c’est plutôt le groupe d’âges 80 ans et plus ainsi que les projections pour la province du Québec qui créent problème. Ces différences sont attribuables aux caractéristiques d’un modèle de microsimulation, aux populations de départ ainsi qu’aux paramètres définis. Les résultats démontrés dans cette recherche mettent en garde sur les travaux étudiant le nombre d’individus en incapacité dans le futur. Nos deux méthodes ayant des résultats différents, nous ne pouvons pas conclure avec certitude quelle sera la situation dans le futur.

Projections anatomiques des bulbes olfactifs chez la lamproie

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Parental projections of developmental outcome, quality of life and coping in children who require neonatal intensive care

Aux soins intensifs néonataux, les professionnels et les parents évaluent le pronostic du développement et de la qualité de vie (QdV). Le but de cette thèse est de comprendre comment les parents prédisent la QdV future de leurs enfants. Cette étude qualitative basée sur la théorisation ancrée comprend dix entrevues avec des parents. Les résultats indiquent que le pronostic développemental influence les prédictions parentales de QdV, mais il n’est pas suffisant, car la QdV est multidimensionnelle. Les parents utilisent des mécanismes d’adaptation pour gérer la maladie et l’hospitalisation de leur enfant. Ceux qui pensent qu’ils, et leur enfant, seront capables de s’adapter à un mauvais état développemental, prévoient une QdV réévaluée. Le pronostic neuro-développemental et la QdV future ne sont pas facilement estimés et les professionnels doivent en être conscients. Aider les parents à identifier des mécanismes d’adaptation peut les amener à estimer un meilleur pronostic de la QdV.

Origine des projections sensorimotrices dans des sous-régions du cortex moteur primaire chez le singe capucin.

Certaines études ont démontrés que les connexions entre l’aire prémotrice ventrale (PMv) et la région de la main du cortex moteur primaire (M1) sont distribuées non-uniformément, ciblant des sous-régions spécifiques dans M1. Dans la présente étude nous avons voulu développer ces résultats en étudiant la distribution au sein de M1 des projections corticales issues de PMv, l’aire prémotrice dorsale (PMd), l’aire motrice supplémentaire (SMA) et les aires pariétales 1, 2 et 5. Pour se faire, nous avons combiné des approches électrophysiologiques et anatomiques chez trois singes naïfs du Nouveau Monde (Cebus apella) pour examiner l’organisation et la spécificité topographique des projections corticales dans M1. Nos résultats indiquent que quatre sous-régions à l’intérieur de la région dédiée à la main reçoivent des inputs prédominants de différentes aires sensorimotrices. Ces résultats suggèrent que des sous-régions de M1 puissent avoir des fonctions spécifiques pour le contrôle moteur de la main et des doigts.

Rural community in the Mediterranean Region in 2030 : projections and future scenarios : climate change and social change. ' Comunidades rurales en 2030 : proyecciones y escenarios futuros : cambio climático y cambio social.

Resumen en español