A Generalization of the GMANOVA-Model

It is shown that in some experimental designs the MANOVA- and the GMANOVA-model are too restrictive either to yield all hypothesis tests of interest or to reflect all known features of the design. An extension of these models is derived by relating the response vectors with the unknown model parameters by linear equations which may be completely different for each of the p components of the response vector and for each of the n independent vectors. For situations, in which a Wishart-distributed estimator for the underlying common covariance matrix is attainable, a test for any s-dimensional linear hypothesis on the model parameters is derived.     

Taste receptor activity and feeding behaviour reveal mechanisms of white spruce natural resistance to Eastern spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana

The pattern of feeding of Eastern spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) is compared on foliage from white spruce Picea glauca (Moench) Voss. (Pinaceae) trees previously determined to be susceptible and resistant to defoliation by budworm. No differences are observed in electrophysiological responses from taste sensilla to aqueous extracts of the two foliage types, nor is there a preference for either extract type in a choice test. Acetone extracts from the two foliage types are both preferred to a control sucrose solution, although neither elicits a preference relative to the other. These results suggest that there is no difference in phagostimulatory power of internal leaf contents of the two foliage types. Longer‐term observation of feeding behaviour in a no‐choice situation shows no difference in meal duration, confirming the lack of difference in phagostimulatory power. However, on average, intermeal intervals are twice as long on the resistant foliage, leading to an overall lower food consumption during the assay. This result suggests an anti‐digestive or toxic effect of the resistant foliage that slows behaviour and limits food intake. Previous research has shown that waxes of the resistant foliage deter initiation of feeding by the spruce budworm and that this foliage contains higher levels of tannins and monoterpenes. The data suggest that the resistant foliage contains a post‐ingestive second line of defence against the spruce budworm.     

New Australian butterfly genus Jameela gen. nov. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae: Polyommatini) revealed by morphological, ecological and molecular data

This paper proposes to split the Australian Polyommatini genus Erysichton Fruhstorfer, 1916 into two genera on the basis of molecular, morphological and early stage behavioral attributes. The utility of reflective eye pattern as a taxonomic character is discussed and a neotype of Lycaena lineata Murray, 1874 is designated.     

Analysis of Profiles Based on Ordinal Classification Functions and Rank Tests

In this article a test for the comparison of K groups of independent profiles is suggested. It is based on rank tests, in which the criterion is obtained by using a suitably chosen ordinal classification function. This function represents a specific view on the profiles. The test, which is easy to use, can be regarded as a generalisation of other well known tests and can be applied within a variety of situations. The relationships to other procedures for the analysis of profiles are described. Some properties are discussed.     

Tests for Trends in Incidence Rate Ratios

Breslow (1984) described an efficient score test for trend in incidence density rate ratios for cohort studies under a conditional Poisson or binomial model employing maximum likelihood estimation of the rate parameters. In this communication, an alternative derivation of this statistic that is based on an unconditional approach is provided, along with an examination of associated goodness-of-fit tests and methods of confidence interval estimation. The procedures are illustrated by a cohort study of ischemic heart disease mortality following industrial exposure to carbon disulfide.     

Measuring sexual selection on females in sex‐role‐reversed Mormon crickets (Anabrus simplex,Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Although many studies examine the form of sexual selection in males, studies characterizing this selection in females remain sparse. Sexual selection on females is predicted for sex‐role‐reversed Mormon crickets, Anabrus simplex, where males are choosy of mates and nutrient‐deprived females compete for matings and nutritious nuptial gifts. We used selection analyses to describe the strength and form of sexual selection on female morphology. There was no positive linear sexual selection on the female body size traits predicted to be associated with male preferences and female competition. Instead, we detected selection for decreasing head width and mandible length, with stabilizing selection as the dominant form of nonlinear selection. Additionally, we tested the validity of a commonly used instantaneous measure of mating success by comparing selection results with those determined using cumulative mating rate. The two fitness measures yielded similar patterns of selection, supporting the common sampling method comparing mated and unmated fractions.     

Expression patterns and association analysis of the porcine DHX58 gene

RIG-1 signalling is responsible for the detection of cytoplasmic viral RNA molecules. DEXH (Asp-Glu-X-His) box polypeptide 58 (encoded by DHX58) is a negative regulator of the RIG-1 signalling pathway. In human, the DHX58 gene can be upregulated and can inhibit the RIG-1 signalling pathway during viral infection. In this study, porcine DHX58 gene expression patterns were studied. According to our results, the porcine DHX58 gene was upregulated not only by the stimulation of Poly I:C but also by the stimulation of 1ipopolysaccharides (LPS). One polymorphism (g.4919G>C), detected in the ninth intron, was significantly associated with some blood parameters including the red cell distribution width of 1-day-old pigs and white blood cell counts, lymphocyte absolute counts, and platelet distribution width of 17-day-old pigs (P < 0.05). Moreover, the individuals with the genotype GG have a significantly higher mean white blood cell count than individuals with genotype CC or GC (P < 0.05). Our study indicates that DHX58 is an important gene that is associated with the immune response in swine.     

图形视网膜电图的空间和时间调谐特性——FFT分析

用快速傅里叶转换(FFT)技术分析了图形视网膜电图(PERG)的空间和时间调谐特性。PERG 的二次谐波在较高的空间频率(>0.46周/度)逐渐下降,与 PERG振幅的变化相似,但显示明显的低空间频率衰减。空间和时间调谐特性存在一定的相关。引起最大二次谐波振幅的最佳时间频率,在低空间频率时(<0.23周/度)由低频(≤3.91Hz)移至 7.81Hz。     

Floristic variation,chorological types and diversity: do they correspond at broad and local scales?

Abstract. The relationships between biogeographical patterns and local‐scale patterns based on microscale features, such as topoclimate, are well known in plant biogeography. Here we present a method of determining this correspondence using constrained ordination and correlations. We examined compositional gradients at two different scales, biogeographical chorotypes, and diversity. Compositional data (124 taxa × 113 plots) were sampled at four regularly spaced sites in south‐eastern Spain. Longitude (LONGI) was used as a spatial variable representing an east–west climate gradient, together with a radiation index (RADIN), elevation, and a disturbance indicator. All factors correlated with the compositional gradients, but the local‐topoclimate factor (RADIN) and the broad‐scale factor (LONGI) were most important. These two, spatially independent factors were both correlated with the two first ordination axes, and therefore should relate to the same general trend in species‐turnover. There was a significant Spearman's rank correlation between the species order along these two gradients. This is interpreted as an ecological self‐similar pattern, i.e. coenoclines repeating at different scales. A consistent order of species along local‐ and broad‐scale coenoclines may indicate that similar operational factors act at several scales, here related to moisture and temperature. The distribution of Mediterraneo–Macaronesian, Mediterraneo–Saharo–Arabian and Ibero–Maghribian species confirmed the correspondence between the broad‐ and local‐scale gradients. The former group decreases in number with increasing aridity along both gradients, whereas the two latter groups increase. A discordant pattern was found with south‐eastern Iberian endemics, but this may be explained by several of them being edaphic (saxicolous) specialists. There is a significant decrease in species richness with high radiation, but the expected increase along the longitudinal gradient from west (dry) to east (moist) was not statistically significant. This may be due to the correspondence between high richness and disturbance, both occurring in the middle of the broad‐scale gradient.     

Chromatographic separation of extruded iron-sulfur cores from the apoproteins of Clostridium pasteurianum and spinach ferredoxins in aqueous Triton X-100/urea

Iron-sulfur core extrusions from spinach [( 2Fe-2S]) and Clostridium pasteurianum (2[4Fe-4S]) ferredoxins in aqueous Triton X-100/urea containing excess benzenethiol yield quantitatively [FenSn(SPh)4]2- with n = 2 and n = 4, respectively. The iron-sulfur cluster can be separated from the corresponding apoprotein by rapid passage of the extrusion mixture over a small anaerobic column of Whatman DE-52 anion-exchange cellulose. Essentially quantitative recovery of [FenSn (SPh)4]2- is achieved in the eluate. The apoprotein remaining on the column can be eluted with 0.5 M NaCl. Most of the residual Triton X-100 and benzenethiol can be removed by passage of the apoprotein eluate over a small column of Bio-Beads SM-2, a hydrophobic polystyrene adsorbent. Apoprotein recovery is comparable to that obtained by other chromatographic methods. At least with spinach ferredoxin, the apoprotein prepared in this fashion can be reconstituted. The procedures developed in this work are potentially most applicable to selective removal of [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] centers from a multicenter enzyme without irreversible denaturation.