Molecular evidence to suggest the origin of a colonization: Drosophila subobscura in America

Abstract The recent colonization of America by Drosophila subobscura represents a great opportunity for evolutionary biology studies. Knowledge of the populations from which the colonization started would provide an understanding of how genetic composition changed during adaptation to the new environment. Thus, a 793 nucleotide fragment of the Odh (Octanol dehydrogenase) gene was sequenced in 66 chromosomal lines from Barcelona (western Mediterranean) and in 66 from Mt. Parnes (Greece, eastern Mediterranean). No sequence of Odh fragment in Barcelona or Mt. Parnes was identical to any of those previously detected in America. However, an Odh sequence from Barcelona differed in only one nucleotide from another found in American populations. In both cases, the chromosomal lines presented the same inversion: O7, and the Odh gene was located within this inversion. This evidence suggests a possible western Mediterranean origin for the colonization. Finally, the molecular and inversion data indicate that the colonization was not characterized by multiple reintroductions.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Red Light Running Camera Enforcement in Cedar Rapids and Developing Guidelines for Selection and Use of Red Light Running Countermeasures Final Report, November 2011

Red light running (RLR) is a problem in the US that has resulted in 165,000 injuries and 907 fatalities annually. In Iowa, RLR-related crashes make up 24.5 percent of all crashes and account for 31.7 percent of fatal and major injury crashes at signalized intersections. RLR crashes are a safety concern due to the increased likelihood of injury compared to other types of crashes. One tool used to combat red light running is automated enforcement in the form of RLR cameras. Automated enforcement, while effective, is often controversial. Cedar Rapids, Iowa installed RLR and speeding cameras at seven intersections across the city. The intersections were chosen based on crash rates and whether cameras could feasibly be placed at the intersection approaches. The cameras were placed starting in February 2010 with the last one becoming operational in December 2010. An analysis of the effect of the cameras on safety at these intersections was determined prudent in helping to justify the installation and effectiveness of the cameras. The objective of this research was to assess the safety effectiveness of the RLR program that has been implemented in Cedar Rapids. This was accomplished by analyzing data to determine changes in the following metrics:  Reductions in red light violation rates based on overall changes, time of day changes, and changes by lane  Effectiveness of the cameras over time  Time in which those running the red light enter the intersection  Changes in the average headway between vehicles entering the intersection

A Three-Dimensional Framework to Analyse the Governance of Population Registers

In June 2006, the Swiss Parliament made two important decisions with regards to public registers' governance and individuals' identification. It adopted a new law on the harmonisation of population registers in order to simplify statistical data collection and data exchange from around 4'000 decentralized registers, and it also approved the introduction of a Unique Person Identifier (UPI). The law is rather vague about the implementation of this harmonisation and even though many projects are currently being undertaken in this domain, most of them are quite technical. We believe there is a need for analysis tools and therefore we propose a conceptual framework based on three pillars (Privacy, Identity and Governance) to analyse the requirements in terms of data management for population registers.

New Genetic and Linguistic Analyses Show Ancient Human Influence on Baobab Evolution and Distribution in Australia

This study investigates the role of human agency in the gene flow and geographical distribution of the Australian baobab, Adansonia gregorii. The genus Adansonia is a charismatic tree endemic to Africa, Madagascar, and northwest Australia that has long been valued by humans for its multiple uses. The distribution of genetic variation in baobabs in Africa has been partially attributed to human-mediated dispersal over millennia, but this relationship has never been investigated for the Australian species. We combined genetic and linguistic data to analyse geographic patterns of gene flow and movement of word-forms for A. gregorii in the Aboriginal languages of northwest Australia. Comprehensive assessment of genetic diversity showed weak geographic structure and high gene flow. Of potential dispersal vectors, humans were identified as most likely to have enabled gene flow across biogeographic barriers in northwest Australia. Genetic-linguistic analysis demonstrated congruence of gene flow patterns and directional movement of Aboriginal loanwords for A. gregorii. These findings, along with previous archaeobotanical evidence from the Late Pleistocene and Holocene, suggest that ancient humans significantly influenced the geographic distribution of Adansonia in northwest Australia.

Modeling storm events to investigate the influence of the stream¿catchment interface zone on stream biogeochemistry

We formulate a new mixing model to explore hydrological and chemical conditions under which the interface between the stream and catchment interface (SCI) influences the release of reactive solutes into stream water during storms. Physically, the SCI corresponds to the hyporheic/riparian sediments. In the new model this interface is coupled through a bidirectional water exchange to the conventional two components mixing model. Simulations show that the influence of the SCI on stream solute dynamics during storms is detectable when the runoff event is dominated by the infiltrated groundwater component that flows through the SCI before entering the stream and when the flux of solutes released from SCI sediments is similar to, or higher than, the solute flux carried by the groundwater. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate data from two small Mediterranean streams obtained during storms are compared to results from simulations using the new model to discern the circumstances under which the SCI is likely to control the dynamics of reactive solutes in streams. The simulations and the comparisons with empirical data suggest that the new mixing model may be especially appropriate for streams in which the periodic, or persistent, abrupt changes in the level of riparian groundwater exert hydrologic control on flux of biologically reactive fluxes between the riparian/hyporheic compartment and the stream water.

A new method to estimate the infilling of alluvial sediment of glacial valleys using a sloping local base level

A new method is used to estimate the volumes of sediments of glacial valleys. This method is based on the concept of sloping local base level and requires only a digital terrain model and the limits of the alluvial valleys as input data. The bedrock surface of the glacial valley is estimated by a progressive excavation of the digital elevation model (DEM) of the filled valley area. This is performed using an iterative routine that replaces the altitude of a point of the DEM by the mean value of its neighbors minus a fixed value. The result is a curved surface, quadratic in 2D. The bedrock surface of the Rhone Valley in Switzerland was estimated by this method using the free digital terrain model Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) (~92 m resolution). The results obtained are in good agreement with the previous estimations based on seismic profiles and gravimetric modeling, with the exceptions of some particular locations. The results from the present method and those from the seismic interpretation are slightly different from the results of the gravimetric data. This discrepancy may result from the presence of large buried landslides in the bottom of the Rhone Valley.

Contribution to the conservation biology of the wood ant Formica lugubris (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Switzerland

Summary Among ants, wood ants are probably the most fascinating and studied species in temperate European forests. Unfortunately, due to several threats they are nowadays registered in red lists. Recent studies made in the Swiss Jura Mountains ended up in the description of a new sympatric sibling species of Formica lugubris (i.e. Formica paralugubris Seifert 1996). Because of this confusion the biology of F. lugubris is incomplete. Due to the extreme difficulties to distinguish morphologically F. lugubris from F. paralugubris we studied their cuticular hydrocarbons profiles. Irrespective of their geographic origin, we observed quantitative discrimination between species within each caste (workers, males and gynes =young alate female). Moreover, using a behavioural taxonomic approach (i.e. the pupa-carrying test) we showed that ants preferred conspecific worker pupae to those of the sibling species. These first results allowed us to consider the two species as two separate taxonomic units. To understand their coexistence, habitat distribution models were fitted with GIS predictors and factors known to influence wood ant distribution. In the Jura Mountains, although the two species share very similar habitats, they are spatially segregated. F. lugubris occurs more frequently at woodland borders than in forest interiors. We demonstrated with genetic and field data that Formica lugubris displays two different social forms in close proximity in alpine zone (e.g. unmanaged forests of the Swiss National Park). We discovered populations mostly monogynous to weakly polygynous (i.e. one to a few egg laying queens per colony) and monodomous (i.e. one nest per colony), and polygynous/polydomous populations (new nests being founded by colony budding). It is generally admitted that monogyne species disperse well in order to find suitable habitat to found new colonies whereas polygyne species have restricted dispersal and local mating within the nest. In order to compare reproductive strategies of F. lugubris and F. paralugubris (i.e. matings and dealation process) we conducted experiments with sexuals. F, lugubris gynes from monogynous/monodomous populations do not show a local strategy like the obligately polygynous F. paralugubris (i.e. early dealation even without mating, insemination without flight activity and low fat reserve). They always keep their wings, do not mate when not able to fly and have high amount of fat content revealing high survival capacities. On the other side, F, lugubris gynes from polygynous/polydomous populations have lower lipid reserves and displayed a reproductive behaviour close to the F. para lugubris one. After dispersal, wood ant gynes can either start new societies by temporary social parasitism of another species (i.e. subgenus Serviformica) or be adopted intraspecifically in an existing nest. In F. lugubris, we demonstrated that gynes from monogynous/monodomous colonies showed a high success for temporary social parasitism compare to the lower success of gynes from polygynous/polydomous colonies. However, physiological analyses suggested that only gynes from monogynous/ monodomous populations can efficiently disperse and found new nest by temporary social parasitism. Intraspecifically, gynes were accepted to a high degree in polygynous nest and in monogynous nests as long as these nests contained sexuals. In conclusion, Formica lugubris displays a social and dispersal polymorphism (mixed mating and founding system) representing a behavioural plasticity in relation to environmental and ecological conditions. Therefore, conservation measures directed toward this species should try to maintain a maximum of diversity at the habitat level. Résumé Les fourmis des bois sont probablement parmi les espèces de fourmis les plus fascinantes et les plus étudiées des forêts tempérées Européennes. Actuellement, du fait de différentes menaces, elles figurent malheureusement sur listes rouges. Plusieurs études menées au sein du Jura Suisse ont abouti à la description d'une nouvelle espèce jumelle et sympatrique de Formica lugubris (F. para- lugubris Seifert 1996). A cause de cette confusion la biologie de F lugubris est lacunaire. La distinction morphologique de F. lugubris et de F. para lugubris est si difficile que nous avons étudié leurs hydrocarbures cuticulaires. Indépendamment de l'origine géographique, nous avons observé une discrimination quantitative entre les espèces au sein de chaque caste (ouvrières, mâles et jeunes femelles ailées). De plus, à l'aide d'une approche taxonomique comportementale (le test de transport de cocons) nous avons montré que les fourmis préfèrent des cocons d'ouvrières conspécifiques à ceux de l'espèce jumelle. Ces premiers résultats nous permettent de considérer ces deux espèces comme deux unités taxonomiques distinctes et valables. Afin de comprendre leur coexistence, des modèles mathématiques ont été développés avec des données SIG et des facteurs écologiques influençant la répartition des fournis des bois. Dans le Jura, même si elles partagent des habitats fortement similaires, les deux espèces n'occupent pas les mêmes secteurs. F. lugubris est plus fréquente en lisière forestière plutôt qu'en pleine forêt. Nous avons démontré grâce à des données génétiques et de terrain que F. lugubris présente deux formes sociales au sein de la zone alpine (forêts protégées du Parc National Suisse). D'autre part, nous avons découvert des populations monogynes à faiblement polygynes (une à quelques reines pondeuses par colonie) et monodomes (colonies composées d'une seule fourmilière), et des populations polygynes/polydomes (les nouveaux nids étant produit par bourgeonnement). Généralement, les espèces monogynes dispersent sur de grandes distances et peuvent coloniser des habitats favorables à la fondation de nouvelles colonies alors que les espèces polygynes possèdent une dispersion limitée avec des accouplements à l'intérieur des nids. Afin de comparer les stratégies de reproduction de F. lugubris et de F. paralugubris (accouplements et perte des ailes) nous avons mené des expériences avec les sexués. Les jeunes femelles ailées de F. lugubris issues de populations monogynes/monodomes ne présentent pas de stratégie locale comparée à l'espèce obligatoirement polygyne F paralugubris (perte des ailes précoce même si il n'y a pas eu accouplement, insémination possible sans avoir volé activement et faibles réserves de graisse). Elles conservent toujours leurs ailes, ne s'accouplent pas lorsqu'elles sont empêchées de voler et possèdent de grandes quantités de graisse révélant de fortes capacités de survie. D'autre part, les jeunes femelles ailées de F. lugubris provenant de populations polygynes/polydomes ont peu de réserves lipidiques et ont un comportement de reproduction proche de celles de F. paralugubris. Après leur dispersion, les jeunes sexués femelles de fourmis des bois peuvent soit fonder une nouvelle société par parasitisme social temporaire d'un nid d'une autre espèce (sous-genre Serviformica) soit être adoptées dans un nid déjà existant de leur propre espèce. Chez F. lugubris, nous avons pu démontrer que les jeunes sexués femelles de colonies monogynes/monodomes présentent un succès élevé au parasitisme sociale temporaire en comparaison au plus faible succès obtenu avec des sexués provenant de colonies polygynes/polydomes. Cependant, les données physiologiques suggèrent que seules les jeunes sexués femelles de populations mono-gynes/monodomes peuvent disperser efficacement et fonder un nouveau nid par parasitisme social temporaire. Au niveau intraspécifique, les jeunes femelles sont acceptées à un taux élevé dans les nids polygynes mais aussi dans les nids monogynes tant que ces nids possèdent encore de jeunes sexués. En conclusion, F. lugubris est caractérisée par un polymorphisme dans ses structures sociales et ses stratégies de dispersion (système mixte d'accouplement et de fondation) ce qui représente une forte plasticité comportementale en relation avec les conditions environnementales et écologiques. Par conséquent, les mesures de conservation de cette espèce devraient s'attacher à maintenir un maximum de diversité au niveau des habitats.

Randomized double-blind controlled Phase I/IIa trial to assess the efficacy of malaria vaccine PfCS102 to protect against challenge with P. falciparum.

The aim of this Phase I/IIa double-blind controlled trial was to test the efficacy of the sporozoite-based malaria vaccine PfCS 282-383 (PfCS102) to protect against Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia. 16 volunteers were randomized to receive twice 30 μg of PfCS102 formulated in Montanide ISA 720 or ISA 720 alone (control). Two weeks after 2nd immunization, volunteers were challenged using 5 infected mosquitoes. All vaccinees developed antibodies against PfCS102 versus none control. 8/8 vaccinees and 6/6 controls challenged developed malaria parasitaemia. The duration from infection to onset of patent parasitaemia was similar in both groups (214 h in vaccinees and 216 in controls). PfCS102 is safe and immunogenic but provides no protection against artificial challenge in its current formulation.

Pavement Profiling by Milling, Addendum to HR-283, 1988

Iowa DOT research in 1986, demonstrated that carbide tooth milling can produce an acceptable surface texture. Based upon that research, specifications were developed for "Pavement Surface Repair (Milling)". This specification was applied to reprofile a nine-mile section of badly faulted portland cement concrete (pcc) pavement on route 163 just east of Des Moines. The Profile Index (measured with a 25-foot California Profilograph) was improved from an average of 55.2 inches per mile prior to milling to 10.6 inches per mile after milling. The bid price was $0.75 per square yard for pcc containing limestone coarse aggregate and $1.21 for pcc containing gravel coarse aggregate. Carbide tooth milling should be considered as an acceptable alternate method of reprofiling even though there is some spalling of joints.

Addendum to Perception and Interpretation of Advance Warning Signs on County Roads, HR-256, 1985

This contract extension was granted to analyze data obtained in the original contract period at a level of detail not called for in the original contract nor permitted by the time constraints of the original contract schedule. These further analyses focused on two primary questions: I. What sources of variation can be isolated within the overall pattern of driver recognition errors reported previously for the 16 signs tested in Project HR-256? 2. Were there systematic relations among data on the placement of signs in a simulated signing exercise and data on the respondents' ability to detect the presence of a sign in a visual field or their ability to recognize quickly and correctly a sign shown them or the speed with which these same persons can respond to a sign for a driver decision?

Arbuscular mycorrhiza: the challenge to understand the genetics of the fungal partner.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses occur between fungi and the majority of plant species. They are important for plant nutrition, plant growth, protection from pathogens, plant diversity, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem processes. A key goal in research is to understand the molecular basis of the establishment, regulation, and functioning of the symbiosis. However, lack of knowledge on the genetics of the fungal side of this association has hindered progress. Here, we show how several key, recently discovered processes concerning the genetics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi could be essential for ultimately understanding the molecular genetics of this important symbiosis with plants.

Use of a dynamic foot pressure index to monitor the effects of treatment for equinus gait in children with cerebral palsy.

The purpose of this study is to introduce and describe a newly developed index using foot pressure analysis to quantify the degree of equinus gait in children with cerebral palsy before and after injection with botulinum toxin. Data were captured preinjection and 12 weeks postinjection. Ten children aged 2(1/2) to 6(1/2) years took part (5 boys and 5 girls). Three of them had a diagnosis of spastic diplegia and 7 of congenital hemiplegia. In total, 13 limbs were analyzed. After orientation and segmentation of raw pedobarographic data, we determined a dynamic foot pressure index graded 0 to 100 that quantified the relative degree of heel and forefoot contact during stance. These data were correlated (Pearson correlation) with clinical measurements of dorsiflexion at the ankle (on a slow and fast stretch) and video observation (using the Observational Gait Scale). Pedobarograph data were strongly correlated with both the Observational Gait Scale scores (R = 0.79, P < 0.005) and clinical measurements of dorsiflexion on a fast stretch, which is reflective of spasticity (R = 0.70, P < 0.005). We demonstrated the index's sensitivity in detecting changes in spasticity and good correlation with video observations seems to indicate this technique's potential validity. When manipulated and segmented appropriately, and with the development of a simple ordinal index, we found that foot pressure data provided a useful tool in tracking changes in patients with spastic equinus.

Reconfigurable Architecture To Estimate The Motion Of An Underwater Vehicle

This work proposes a parallel architecture for a motion estimation algorithm. It is well known that image processing requires a huge amount of computation, mainly at low level processing where the algorithms are dealing with a great numbers of data-pixel. One of the solutions to estimate motions involves detection of the correspondences between two images. Due to its regular processing scheme, parallel implementation of correspondence problem can be an adequate approach to reduce the computation time. This work introduces parallel and real-time implementation of such low-level tasks to be carried out from the moment that the current image is acquired by the camera until the pairs of point-matchings are detected

Biomedical risk assessment as an aid for smoking cessation.

BACKGROUND: A possible strategy for increasing smoking cessation rates could be to provide smokers who have contact with healthcare systems with feedback on the biomedical or potential future effects of smoking, e.g. measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), lung function, or genetic susceptibility to lung cancer. We reviewed systematically data on smoking cessation rates from controlled trials that used biomedical risk assessment and feedback. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of biomedical risk assessment provided in addition to various levels of counselling, as a contributing aid to smoking cessation. SEARCH STRATEGY: We systematically searched he Cochrane Collaboration Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (1966 to 2004), and EMBASE (1980 to 2004). We combined methodological terms with terms related to smoking cessation counselling and biomedical measurements. SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria were: a randomized controlled trial design; subjects participating in smoking cessation interventions; interventions based on a biomedical test to increase motivation to quit; control groups receiving all other components of intervention; an outcome of smoking cessation rate at least six months after the start of the intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two assessors independently conducted data extraction on each paper, with disagreements resolved by consensus. MAIN RESULTS: From 4049 retrieved references, we selected 170 for full text assessment. We retained eight trials for data extraction and analysis. One of the eight used CO alone and CO + Genetic Susceptibility as two different intervention groups, giving rise to three possible comparisons. Three of the trials isolated the effect of exhaled CO on smoking cessation rates resulting in the following odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 0.73 (0.38 to 1.39), 0.93 (0.62 to 1.41), and 1.18 (0.84 to 1.64). Combining CO measurement with genetic susceptibility gave an OR of 0.58 (0.29 to 1.19). Exhaled CO measurement and spirometry were used together in three trials, resulting in the following ORs (95% CI): 0.6 (0.25 to 1.46), 2.45 (0.73 to 8.25), and 3.50 (0.88 to 13.92). Spirometry results alone were used in one other trial with an OR of 1.21 (0.60 to 2.42).Two trials used other motivational feedback measures, with an OR of 0.80 (0.39 to 1.65) for genetic susceptibility to lung cancer alone, and 3.15 (1.06 to 9.31) for ultrasonography of carotid and femoral arteries performed in light smokers (average 10 to 12 cigarettes a day). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Due to the scarcity of evidence of sufficient quality, we can make no definitive statements about the effectiveness of biomedical risk assessment as an aid for smoking cessation. Current evidence of lower quality does not however support the hypothesis that biomedical risk assessment increases smoking cessation in comparison with standard treatment. Only two studies were similar enough in term of recruitment, setting, and intervention to allow pooling of data and meta-analysis.