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Gene flow and the geographic structure of natural populations.

There is abundant geographic variation in both morphology and gene frequency in most species. The extent of geographic variation results from a balance of forces tending to produce local genetic differentiation and forces tending to produce genetic homogeneity. Mutation, genetic drift due to finite population size, and natural selection favoring adaptations to local environmental conditions will all lead to the genetic differentiation of local populations, and the movement of gametes, individuals, and even entire populations--collectively called gene flow--will oppose that differentiation. Gene flow may either constrain evolution by preventing adaptation to local conditions or promote evolution by spreading new genes and combinations of genes throughout a species' range. Several methods are available for estimating the amount of gene flow. Direct methods monitor ongoing gene flow, and indirect methods use spatial distributions of gene frequencies to infer past gene flow. Applications of these methods show that species differ widely in the gene flow that they experience. Of particular interest are those species for which direct methods indicate little current gene flow but indirect methods indicate much higher levels of gene flow in the recent past. Such species probably have undergone large-scale demographic changes relatively frequently.

Animals↗

Facilitating the use of evidence in practice: evaluating and adapting clinical practice guidelines for local use by health care organizations.

This article describes a framework for evaluating and adapting existing practice guidelines for local use by health care organizations and groups. The framework presents the major issues related to guideline adaptation and breaks them down into manageable steps. Many steps of the framework are illustrated using the process used by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario to develop best practice guidelines for breastfeeding.

Benchmarking↗

Edge-preserving image denoising and estimation of discontinuous surfaces.

In this paper, we are interested in the problem of estimating a discontinuous surface from noisy data. A novel procedure for this problem is proposed based on local linear kernel smoothing, in which local neighborhoods are adapted to the local smoothness of the surface measured by the observed data. The procedure can therefore remove noise correctly in continuity regions of the surface and preserve discontinuities at the same time. Since an image can be regarded as a surface of the image intensity function and such a surface has discontinuities at the outlines of objects, this procedure can be applied directly to image denoising. Numerical studies show that it works well in applications, compared to some existing procedures.

Algorithms↗

Diversity and divergence in Cistus salvifolius (L.) populations from contrasting habitats.

Cistus salvifolius L. is a widespread Mediterranean shrub, occurring over a wide range of environments. Given the degree of habitat differentiation, and geographic isolation of some populations, adaptation to local conditions and hence population divergence might be expected to have occurred. To test this hypothesis morphology and allozyme diversity was measured in 13 populations collected from contrasting habitats around the Mediterranean. Leaf morphology (length, width and petiole length) and internode length varied widely between populations. Leaf width and internode length were negatively correlated with longitude, and leaf length was negatively correlated with mean rainfall. All populations were polymorphic at all allozyme loci studied, and no populations showed significant difference between levels of expected and observed heterozygotes. Allelic diversity (Hs) within populations was high, and populations from the more extreme sites showed no decrease in diversity or predominance of rare genotypes, suggesting there is little selection for characters favouring survival in local conditions. Some populations from highly contrasting habitats, in terms of rainfall, appeared to be genetically similar. However, there were differences between some populations, in areas less than 1 km apart, which have similar geography and climate. Results suggest that the C. salvifolius populations examined may not be as adapted to local environmental conditions as expected. Periodic fires, gene flow, and environmental heterogeneity may all help maintain genetic diversity and hinder adaptation.

Alleles↗

Adaptive calibration for object localization in turbid media with interfering diffuse photon density waves.

The amplitude cancellation method that uses dual out-of-phase sources (a phased array system) can sensitively detect and locate small objects in turbid media. The balance of these two sources is crucial to the system's detection sensitivity and accuracy. We describe a convenient method with which to adaptively calibrate the amplitudes of the two sources at each scanning position by use of low-frequency modulation of the intensity of the in-phase and the antiphase sources. We achieve accurate localization ability of the phased array system by accounting for the influence of asymmetrical boundaries and the heterogeneous background absorption. Experimental data on human breast phantoms demonstrate that localization accuracy within several millimeters has been accomplished through this method.

Calibration↗

The mechanisms for detecting compressively sampled gratings.

Contrast thresholds for sine-wave gratings are raised when the gratings are compressively sampled into a set of narrow bright bars on a dark background, even though this method of sampling preserves the mean luminance and contrast of the grating. Burr et al. [(1985). Vision Research, 25, 717-727] suggested threshold elevation was due to localized luminance adaptation to the sample bars, whose average peak luminance necessarily increased when fewer bars per cycle were present. Previously, we reported results using decrement-bar compressively sampled gratings (CSGs), which consist of dark sample bars on a bright background, which favoured the local luminance adaptation hypothesis (Kingdom & Rainville, 1995). Here we report experiments that suggest that this hypothesis is untenable. Using increment-bar CSGs (bright sample bars on a dark background) we found that raising background luminance while holding sample bar luminance constant reduced thresholds by as much as a factor of ten. This suggests that it is the contrast of the bars, rather than their luminance, which determines thresholds. Further experiments showed that CSG detection was facilitated by unsampled grating pedestals, and thresholds were elevated when the fundamental was physically cancelled. This implied that CSGs were detected by the same mechanisms as the unsampled gratings from which they are derived. Finally, we provide evidence for the involvement of a dynamic gain control component for increment-bar CSG detection.

Contrast Sensitivity↗

Local convergence theorems for adaptive stochastic approximation schemes.

For the regression model y = M(x) + epsilon, adaptive stochastic approximation schemes of the form x(n+1) = x(n) - y(n)/(nb(n)) for choosing the levels x(1),x(2),... at which y(1),y(2),... are observed converge with probability 1 to the unknown root theta of the regression function M(x). Certain local convergence theorems that relate the convergence rate of x(n) - theta to the limiting behavior of the random variables b(n) are established.

Journal Article↗

Decline of isometric force and fatigue resistance in skeletal muscles from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Skeletal muscles from 6- to 7-month-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats showed a decrease in functional capacity compared with muscles from age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. Predominantly slow-twitch, oxidative soleus muscles developed less force (normalized to muscle wet weight) and were less resistant to fatigue. Heterogeneous, but largely fast-twitch, oxidative-glycolytic medial gastrocnemius muscles generated less force, were smaller in size (normalized to body weight), and did not demonstrate the same degree of stimulation-associated potentiation (staircase effect) as did the medial gastrocnemius of the normotensive rats. The reduced endurance of the soleus of hypertensive rats was not associated with either fiber redifferentiation or capillary "rarification," and the majority of the decline in force with time could not be attributed to impaired neuromuscular transmission. The decrease in muscle capacity in the spontaneously hypertensive rat, thus, appears to be the result of adaptive changes localized in the muscle cells themselves. The adaptive changes, regardless of site, have a pronounced negative effect on muscle function, and could significantly influence motor performance and antihypertensive therapy.

Action Potentials↗

Community-based school feeding during Indonesia's economic crisis: implementation, benefits, and sustainability.

The Indonesian Government initiated a community-based national school-feeding program in 1996. Implementation was decentralized and involved multiple participants. In 1998 we evaluated the implementation of the program and the perceived benefits for community stakeholders using a survey of principals in 143 randomly selected schools and follow-up with in-depth interviews and observations in a subsample of 16 communities. The evaluation covered the period of the 1998 Asian economic crisis, affording the opportunity to assess its impact on the program. The program was implemented in all targeted schools, with excellent community participation. Feeding was sustained through the crisis, in spite of a dramatic escalation in food costs. The families of schoolchildren, farmers, and those who prepared food received economic benefits. The snacks replaced those sold at schools and were of better nutritional value. The children benefited because the snacks compensated for losses in the home diet resulting from the economic crisis. Characteristics of the program that may be important in explaining its success include the involvement of a range of community stakeholders, engagement with existing village administrative structures, scope for local community adaptation and innovation, and the use of local foods that dispersed benefits and ensured sustained implementation during the crisis.

Adolescent↗

[Atherosclerosis--the role of nitric oxide].

ATHEROSCLEROSIS: Currently regarded as a multifactorial disease, atherosclerosis involves several factor including: oxidized LDL, endothelial cells, macrophages, immune cells, vascular smooth muscle cells. The endothelium appears to play a key role through the production of vasomotor, antiaggregate and leukocyte antiadhesion molecules. NITRIC OXIDE: NO is one of the most important mediators of endothelial antiatherothrombotic functions. Loss of endothelial production, called "endothelial dysfunction", i.e. loss of endothelial vasorelaxing, antiaggregate and leukocyte antiadhesion properties, could lead to increased fatty streak formation and acute arterial events (thrombus formation, vascular spasm). ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS: Although animal models strongly suggest a major role for NO in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, human studies with nitrates have been disappointing to date. The local effect of NO is probably closely adapted to local conditions. Therefore, massive delivery of NO as is achieved with nitrates could not repair endothelial dysfunction.

Animals↗

Adapting to supernormal auditory localization cues. I. Bias and resolution.

Head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) were used to create spatialized stimuli for presentation through earphones. Subjects performed forced-choice, identification tests during which allowed response directions were indicated visually. In each experimental session, subjects were first presented with auditory stimuli in which the stimulus HRTFs corresponded to the allowed response directions. The correspondence between the HRTFs used to generate the stimuli and the directions was then changed so that response directions no longer corresponded to the HRTFs in the natural way. Feedback was used to train subjects as to which spatial cues corresponded to which of the allowed responses. Finally, the normal correspondence between direction and HRTFs was reinstated. This basic experimental paradigm was used to explore the effects of the type of feedback provided, the complexity of the stimulated acoustic scene, the number of allowed response positions, and the magnitude of the HRTF transformation subjects had to learn. Data showed that (1) although subjects may not adapt completely to a new relationship between physical stimuli and direction, response bias decreases substantially with training, and (2) the ability to resolve different HRTFs depends both on the stimuli presented and on the state of adaptation of the subject.

Adolescent↗

Genomic analysis of xerophyte Salweenia species provides insights into the alpine dry-warm valleys divergence and survival history.

Salweenia species are evergreen shrubs capable of preventing desertification and maintaining the health of alpine dry-warm ecosystems in the Hengduan Mountains. However, both the narrowly distributed S. bouffordiana and its more widespread close relative S. wardii are endemic and endangered. Furthermore, their small population sizes render each of these species at risk of extinction. To infer how past climate changes have shaped the evolutionary history of these species, we developed a chromosome-level S. bouffordiana genome (788 Mb) and compared the two species' evolutionary histories, genetic loads and the genomic adaptions to local environmental conditions using whole-genome resequencing data. Our findings reveal a sharp population decline from the Pliocene to the Quaternary. However, populations of S. bouffordiana then started to recover before declining further, while S. wardii populations continued to decline until recently. Abundant homozygous-derived variants accumulated in the two species, particularly in S. bouffordiana, while the species with the most heterozygous variants was S. wardii. Accumulated extensive inbreeding effects but possessed few LOF mutations and few highly deleterious variants in the S. bouffordiana that have experienced the most severe demographic bottlenecks, most likely because of purging effects. This accelerating decline cascade will likely be detrimental to the consequences for the species' future viability and adaptive potential. Overall, this study improves our understanding of the evolutionary history of Salweenia shrubs tolerant to extreme environments and offers a genetic resource for future breeding and conservation efforts.

Genome, Plant↗

Fatigue and endurance of lower extremity muscles in relation to running velocity at OBLA in male orienteers.

At three occasions during a year, the ratio of contractional work (output)/integrated electromyographic activity (input), that is, CW/iEMG, was measured during repetitive maximum isokinetic manoeuvres for m. quadriceps and m. triceps surae in male elite orienteers. Running velocity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (VOBLA), which was considered as a measure of running performance, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were analysed at each test. Type and amount of training were continuously registered. For m. quadriceps there was a decline in CW/iEMG during the first 30 manoeuvres, followed by an unchanged plateau level. In contrast, m. triceps surae showed a plateau level of virtually unaltered CW/iEMG ratio from the start to the end of the experiment. The differences might be explained by structural causes, but also by local muscle adaptation to training. The plateau level of CW/iEMG of m. quadriceps was positively correlated to VO2max. An increase in the plateau level of CW/iEMG was found for both tested muscle groups after the winter training period (mainly low intensity road running) when both VOBLA and VO2OBLA increased. During the competition period (mainly high intensity forest running), the whole group increased while some orienteers lowered their VOBLA. During this period, no changes in the plateau level of CW/iEMG of any muscle group or in VO2OBLA occurred. The changes in the plateau level of CW/iEMG might express local muscle adaptations to changes in running technique and aerobic/anaerobic demands during low intensity road running versus high intensity forest running.

Adult↗

Adapting human postural reflexes following localized cerebrovascular lesion: analysis of bilateral long latency responses.

The symmetry and adaptability of long latency stretch responses was studied in a group of 4 adult hemiplegics and 5 normals of similar age. Subjects stood on a moveable platform which directly rotated the ankles unexpectedly during a series of horizontal anterioposterior (AP) translations. When the platform was rotated toes-up, long latency discharge of gastrocnemius and hamstring muscles enhanced loss of balance by pulling the body backwards. Toes-down platform rotation elicited a reflex response from tibialis anterior and quadriceps which inappropriately pulled the body forward. Attenuation of these long latency responses was necessary to minimize functional destabilization. Normal and stroke subjects demonstrated appropriate suppression of long latency responses, but the magnitude of attenuation was not uniform in hemiplegics. Adaptation was decreased in the proximal synergists compared to normal. Latency of muscle activation in the paretic limb was prolonged, and a preference for initial non-paretic limb activation was evident. Both lower extremities in hemiplegics showed a disruption of timing between distal and proximal synergists. These results suggest that stroke victims retain or recover the ability to modulate stretch reflex activity for balance. Temporal and spatial response asymmetries surface as critical factors underlying disequilibrium associated with localized cerebrovascular lesion.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

An adaptive way for improving noise reduction using local geometric projection.

We propose an adaptive way to improve noise reduction by local geometric projection. From the neighborhood of each candidate point in phase space, we identify the best subspace that the point will be orthogonally projected to. The signal subspace is formed by the most significant eigendirections of the neighborhood, while the less significant ones define the noise subspace. We provide a simple criterion to separate the most significant eigendirections from the less significant ones. This criterion is based on the maximum logarithmic difference between the neighborhood eigendirection lengths, and the assumption that there is at least one eigendirection that corresponds to the noise subspace. In this way, we take into account the special characteristics of each neighborhood and introduce a more successful noise reduction technique. Results are presented for a chaotic time series of the Henon map and Ikeda map, as well as on the Nasdaq Composite index.

Algorithms↗

Irrelevance of local position information in visual adaptation to random arrays of small geometric elements.

Experiments were carried out to test whether spatial relationships between local pattern features are important in the production of pattern-specific visual adaptation effects. Evidence was found for sensitivity to the shape of local pattern features, but not to their relative positions. These findings are contrasted with recent results for texture discrminination where the visual system can make use of local position information.

Adaptation, Ocular↗