On the accuracy of some mark-recapture estimators

Summary The behaviour of the mark-recapture estimators of Petersen, Bailey (triple catch) and Jolly and Seber are examined theoretically and empirically by means of simulation techniques. The correlation between the parameter and its associated variance is shown to be significant for all the estimators. This correlation makes the estimated variance an insensitive measure of the accuracy of the estimate except at very high sampling intensities. Such sampling intensities are rarely achieved in experimental work and so the method of mark-recapture must be considered of very limited use. At the sampling intensities necessary to give a coefficient of variation of less than 0.05 it does not seem likely that the correlation between and its variance will produce serious underestimation but the minimum confidence limits are recommended.     

The effect of short-term fasting and a single meal on protein synthesis and oxygen consumption in cod,Gadus morhua

Summary Rates of protein synthesis and oxygen consumption ( O₂) in cod were compared in both fasted and refed animals. During a 14-day fast both protein synthesis and respiration rates fell to stable values after 6 days. When a meal of whole sandeel at 6% body weight was fed to fish fasted for 6 days, protein synthesis and ( O₂) increased to a maximum at between 12 and 18 h after feeding. Peak ( O₂) was about twice the pre-feeding values, while whole animal protein synthesis increased four-fold. There were differences between tissues in the timing of maximum protein synthesis; the liver and stomach responded faster than the remainder of the body. Maximum protein synthesis rates in the liver and stomach occurred at 6 h after feeding, at which time their calculated contribution to total ( O₂) was 11%. Similar calculations suggested that the integrated increment in whole animal protein synthesis contributed between 23% and 44% of the post-prandial increase in ( O₂). It was concluded that protein synthesis is an important contributor to increased ( O₂) after feeding in cod.Abbreviations A _s absolute rate of protein synthesis - ASDA apparent specific dynamic action - ATP adenosine triphosphate - k _s fractional rate of protein synthesis - k _s/RNA amount of protein synthesized per unit RNA - ( O₂) oxygen consumption - PCA perchloric acid - RNA ribonucleic acid     

Dependency as a measure to estimate the order and the values of Markov processes

To evaluate the order and the values of Markov properties of the time series of events, we have proposed a statistical measure dependency:D _m = (H ₀ –H _m )/H ₀ , whereH ₀ andH _m are Shannon's entropy and them-th order conditional entropy, respectively. It is indicated that is a better point estimator ofD _m, giving a total value of them-th order Markov process. Here and are the estimate ofD _m and the arithmetic mean of when them-th order shuffling is made many times for a given observed series, respectively. The value represents Markov value of the orderm. Under the assumption that the series has continuous variables and the normal distribution, simplified dependency is defined by, where |S _m | is the determinant of serial correlation coefficients. It is shown that is practically useful for the estimation of the order and the values of Markov processes with small sample size. It is also indicated that analysis is basically equivalent to the least mean-square analysis of autoregressive models.     

Linkage analysis using multiple DNA polymorphic markers in normal families and in families with fragile X syndrome

Summary Linkage data, using the polymorphic markers 52A (DXS51), F9, 4D-8(DXS98), and St14(DXS52), are presented from 14 fragile X pedigrees and from 7 normal pedigrees derived from the collection of the Centre d'Étude du Polymorphisme Humaine. A multipoint linkage analysis indicates that the most probable order of these four loci in normal families is DXS51-F9-DXS98-DXS52. Recombination frequencies ( ) corresponding to maximum LOD scores ( ) were obtained by two-point linkage analysis for a nuber of linkage groups, including: DXS51-F9 ( =5.94, =0.03), F9-DXS98 ( =0.51, =0.26), F9-DXS52 ( =0.84, =0.27), and DXS98-DXS52 ( =0.32, =0.20). A multipoint linkage analysis of these loci, including the fragile X locus, was also performed for the fragile X population and the data support the relative order (DSX51, F9, DXS98)-FRAXA-DXS52. Recombination frequencies and maximum LOD scores, which again were derived from two-point linkage analyses, were obtained for the linkage groups DXS51-F9 ( =9.96, =0) and F9-DXS52 ( =0.07, =0.45), as well as for the groups DXS51-FRAXA ( =2.42, =0.15), F9-FRAXA ( =1.30, =0.18), DXS98-FRAXA ( =0.05 =0.36), and DXS52-FRAXA ( =2.42 =0.15). The linkage data was further tested for the presence of genetic heterogeneity both within and between the fragile X and normal families for the intervals DXS51-F9, F9-DXS52, F9-FRAXA, and DXS52-FRAXA using a modification of the A test. Except for the interval F9-FRAXA (P<0.10) there was no evidence of genetic heterogeneity for each of the various linkage groups examined. The heterogeneity detected for the interval F9-FRAXA, however, was most likely due to one family (Fx-28) that displayed very tight linkage between these two loci.     

Growth and product formation of actinomycetes cultivated at increased total pressure and oxygen partial pressure

Summary Influence of pressure (P) and oxygen partial pressure ( ) on cultivation of various Streptomyces spp. and Micromonospora purpurea was examined in pressurized air-lift and stirred tank fermenters. The maximum was 2100 mbar. Growth and product formation of all cultures tested were markedly influenced by higher than 1000 mbar. There is evidence that wild strains are more oxygen tolerant than production strains. At a certain the metabolic activities of all cultures were inhibited. However, results obtained with S. aureofaciens and S. rimosus indicated an increase in specific product formation rate at elevated pressure. With increase in oxygen tension incorporation of oxygen into tetracycline molecules was enhanced. Since elevated oxygen tension can either show inhibiting effects or may be used for regulation of product formation and selectivity, the influence of should be determined in an appropriate experimental set-up for each process.Offprint requests to: U. Onken     

Carbon dioxide desorption from fermentation broth by use of oxygen vectors

The ability of oxygen vector to extract produced carbon dioxide has been tested in an anaerobic fermentation. During the continuous culture of Clostridium acetobutylicum at pH 4.6 and at a dilution rate of 0.124 h^–1, a feed composed of an emulsion of 18.5% by volume of Forane F66E was able to extract about 9% of the total CO₂ produced under CO₂ partial pressure equal to 0.42 atm. A theoretical evaluation of the extracted amount, based on the hypothesis of total saturation of the vector by carbon dioxide, has lead to very good agreement.List of Symbols [AA] g/l acetic acid concentration - [BA] g/l butyric acid concentration - D 1/h Q _w /V dilution rate - [ETH] g/l ethanol concentration - H _w Henry constant of CO₂ for water at 37°C (=23.91 mmol/(l atm)) - H _F Henry constant of CO₂ for Forane at 37°C (=83.4 mmol/(l atm)) - H _i g/mol molar mass of componenti - P _i atm partial pressure of gasi - W _w l/h aqueous flow - Q_f 1/h Forane flow - mmol/(lh) dissolved CO₂ flow in aqueous effluent - mmol/(lh) CO₂ gas flow - mmol/(lh) CO₂ gas flow without Forane - mmol/(lh) CO₂ gas flow with Forane - mmol/(lh) total CO₂ production - r _X g/(lh) biomass production rate - r _G mmol/(lh) total gas flow - mmol/(lh) hydrogen production - mmol/(lh) nitrogen flow - r _S mmol/(lh) glucose input - V 1 fermentor volume     

Aerobic metabolism of the lizardVaranus exanthematicus: Effects of activity, temperature, and size

Summary Oxygen consumption was measured at rest and during spontaneous activity at body temperatures of 25 and 35°C in 14 fasting Savanna monitor lizards,Varanus exanthematicus ranging in weight from 172 to 7500 g. The allometric relationship between metabolic rate at 25°C and body weight (W) is given by: (ml O₂ STPD·g^–1·hr^–1)=0.88W ^–0.43 (Fig. 2). Although statistical comparisons are equivocal, this intraspecific size dependence exceeds that reported for interspecific comparisons among reptiles and other vertebrate groups (Fig 3). A reproducible diurnal pattern of activity was observed in undisturbed animals with minimum values of between 2400 and 0800 h (Fig. 1). Spontaneous activity and generally reached peak values between 1200 and 2000 hrs. The average ratio of active aerobic metabolic rate (AMR) to minimum (standard) aerobic metabolic rate (SMR) was 8.2. This voluntary AMR/SMR inVaranus exceeds the AMR/SMR for most reptiles stimulated to exhaustion. The high aerobic capacity is consistent with other evidence for efficient exchange and transport of respiratory gases inV. exanthematicus; e.g., low or absent intracardiac shunt flow resulting in high arterial saturation and low ventilation and perfusion requirements.     

Two-substrates packed-bed bioreactors: inhibition of enzyme and competitive binding of substrate and product to a ligand

An analytical model is developed to describe the performance of a packed-bed immobilized enzyme reactor in which parallel processes take place. In particular, two-substrate reaction, inhibition of the enzyme by one of the reaction products, and binding of one substrate and/or one product to an added ligand are taken into account. In addition, substrates and product diffusion into the porous catalyst are also considered. Using this model, numerical simulations were performed. The results point to the fact that, when all the above processes occur concomitantly, a variety of performance characteristics can be obtained, depending on the particular values of the related parameters. Moreover, under certain conditions, the reactor performance can be improved by controlled addition of ligand.List of Symbols A total concentration of ligand - C _1,i concentration of Substrate-1 in the pores of stage i - C _2,i concentration of Substrate-2 in its free form in the pores of stage i - _2,i concentration of the Substrate-2-Ligand Complex in the pores of stage i - total concentration of Substrate-2 in the pores of stage i - _i concentration of the Product-Ligand Complex in the pores of stage i - concentration of the free Product in the pores of stage i - total concentration of the Product in the pores of stage i - internal (pore) diffusion coefficient for the Substrate-Ligand Complex - D ₁ internal (pore) diffusion coefficient of Substrate-1 - D ₂ internal (pore) diffusion coefficient of Substrate-2 - effective (pore) diffusion coefficient for Substrate-2 - internal (pore) diffusion coefficient for the Product - internal (pore) diffusion coefficient for the Product-Ligand Complex - effective (pore) diffusion coefficient for the Product - K thermodynamic equilibrium constant for binding Substrate-2 to Ligand - K _m,1,K _m,2 Michaelis constants for Substrates-1 and 2, respectively - effective Michaelis constant for Substrate-2 - K _p thermodynamic equilibrium constant for binding the reaction Product to Ligand - effective equilibrium constant for binding Substrate-2 to Ligand - effective equilibrium constant for binding the reaction Product to Ligand. - K _b inhibition constant - K _q inhibition constant - effective inhibition constant - effective inhibition constant - k _a, k _d association and dissociation rate constants for Substrate-2 — Ligand complex - association and dissociation constants for Product —Ligand complex - n total number of elementary stages in the reactor - Q volumetric flow rate throughout the reactor - R _j,i reaction rate of Substrate-j in stage i, in terms of volumetric units - S _1,0 concentration of Substrate-1 in the reactor feed - total concentration of Substrate-2 in the reactor feed - S _1,i–1,S _1,i concentration of Substrate-1 in the bulk phase leaving stages i–1 and i, respectively - S _2,i concentration of Substrate-2 in its free form, in the bulk phase leaving stage i - _2,i–1, _2,i concentration of Substrate-2 in the bulk phase leaving stage i–1 and i, respectively - total concentration of Substrate-2 in the bulk phase leaving stages i–1 and i, respectively - _i concentration of the Product-Ligand Complex in the bulk phase of stage i - concentration of free Product in the bulk phase of stage i - total concentration of Product in the bulk phase of stage i - V total volume of the reactor - V _m maximal reaction rate in terms of volumetric units - y axial coordinate of the pores - y ₀ depth of the pores Greek Symbols ₁ dimensionless parameter - dimensionless parameter - dimensionless parameter - ₁ dimensionless parameter - dimensionless parameter - _1,i dimensionless concentration of Substrate-1 in pores of stage i - dimensionless total concentration of Substrate-2 (in both free and bound form) in pores of stage i - dimensionless total concentration of the reaction product in the pores of stage i - ₁ dimensionless parameter - dimensionless parameter - dimensionless parameter - dimensionless parameter - dimensionless parameter - dimensionless position along the pore - volumetric packing density of catalytic particles (dimensionless) - porosity of the catalytic particles (dimensionless) - _1,i dimensionless concentration of Substrate-1 in the bulk phase of stage i - dimensionless total concentration of Substrate-2 (in both free and bound form) in the bulk phase of stage i     

Aerobic and anaerobic contribution to Wingate test performance in sprint and middle-distance runners

We investigated the aerobic and anaerobic contributions to performance during the Wingate test in sprint and middle-distance runners and whether they were related to the peak aerobic and anaerobic performances determined by two commonly used tests: the force-velocity test and an incremental aerobic exercise test. A group of 14 male competitive runners participated: 7 sprinters, aged 20.7 (SEM 1.3) years, competing in 50, 100 and 200-m events and 7 middle-distance runners, aged 20.0 (SEM 1.0) years, competing in 800, 1,000 and 1,500 m-events. The oxygen uptake ( ) was recorded breath-by-breath during the test (30 s) and during the first 20 s of recovery. Blood samples for venous plasma lactate concentrations were drawn at rest before the start of the test and during the 20-min recovery period. During the Wingate test mean power ( ) was determined and three values of mechanical efficiency, one individual and two arbitrary, 16% and 25%, were used to calculate the contributions of work by aerobic ( _{aer,ind,16%,25%}) and anaerobic ( _{an,ind,16%,25%}) processes. Peak anaerobic power ( _an,peak) was estimated by the force-velocity test and maximal aerobic energy expenditure ( _aer,peak) was determined during an incremental aerobic exercise test. During the Wingate test, the middle-distance runners had a significantly greater than the sprinters (P < 0.001), who had significantly greater venous plasma lactate concentrations (P < 0.001). Moreover, _{aer,ind,16%,25%} were also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the middle-distance runners [ _aer,ind 45 (SEM 4) % vs 28 (SEM 2) %; _aer,16% 30 (SEM 3) % vs 19 (SEM 2) %; _aer,25% 46 (SEM 3) % vs 29 (SEM 2)%]; _{an,ind,16%,25%} in the sprint runners (P < 0.05) [ _an,ind 72 (SEM 3) % vs 55 (SEM 4) %; _an,16% 81 (SEM 2) % vs 70 (SEM 3) %; _an,25% 71 (SEM 2) % vs 54 (SEM 3) %]. The _aer,ind/ _aer,peak and × _an,ind/ _an,peak ratios, however, were not significantly different between the two groups of athletes. These results would indicate that the sprinters and middle-distance runners used preferentially a metabolic system according to their speciality. Nevertheless, under the conditions of its experiment, they seemed to rely on the same percentage of both peak anaerobic and peak aerobic performance for a given exercise task.     

Estimating the Recombination frequency for the PTC-Kell linkage

Summary Two data sets are analyzed for linkage between the PTC and Kell blood group loci. The original report of close linkage for these loci was that of Conneally et al. (1976), where the maximum likelihood estimate of was 0.05. These two new data sets give a combined maximum likelihood estimate of _m=f =0.28. Estimating the recombination frequency for the sexes separately gave _m =0.29, _f =0.23. The combined maximum likelihood estimate over all published data sets including this report is _m=f =0.14, _max=8.94. There is statistically significant evidence of heterogeneity among the published studies.     

Altered membrane fluidity in rat hepatocytes during endotoxic shock

Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy measurements of the fluorescent hydrocarbon probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,4-hexatriene (DPH) were carried out in isolated hepatocytes of saline control andSalmonella enteritidis endotoxin (20 mg/kg) injected rats. Statistically significant differences were observed in the fluorescent anisotropy (r_s) and membrane microviscosity ( ) values of control (r_s=0.107±0.004 (SEM), =0.98±0.08, n±6) versus endotoxin injected rat hepatocytes (r_s=0.134±0.005, =1.43±0.08, n=6, p<0.001) at 37°C. Fluidity was similarly lower in the isolated plasma membrane preparations from endotoxin-injected rat livers relative to control livers. When endotoxin-injected rats were treated with the calcium channel-blocker diltiazem, the anisotropy and microviscosity values were comparable to thos eobtained from control rats (r_s=0.152±0.003, =1.00±0.003, n=6). These measurements were made in animals five hours after endotoxin had been injected, and thus represent thein vivo effects of bacterial endotoxins. Temperature scan studies of DPH from 5–40°C revealed that the membrane fluidity of endotoxin-injected rat hepatocytes was significantly lower than control hepatocytes at all temperatures investigated. The data suggest that endotoxin alters the membrane fluidity of hepatocytes, and that calcium-channel blockers can prevent the alteration. Our previous studies have shown that calcium channel blocker prevented endotoxin induced alterations in hepatic cellular regulation of Ca²⁺. Thus, cellular calcium homeostasis may be important in the maintenance of membrane fluidity and other membrane-associated transport functions. (Mol Cell Biochem121: 143–148, 1993)     

A new technique for continuous measurement of the heat of fermentation

Summary A special temperature control system has been developed and applied to continuous measuring of the heat evolved during a fermentation process. In this system, the fermentation broth was overcooled by a given constant cooling water flow. The excess heat removed from the fermentor was then made up by an immersion electrical heater. The action of the temperature controller was precisely monitored as it varied in response to the amount of heat produced by the microbial activities.The technique was used for determining the heat evolution byEscherichia coli grown on glucose. The ratio between quantities of total heat release and total oxygen consumption has been determined to be 0.556 MJ/mol O₂.The newly developed technique can be employed as an online sensor to monitor the microbial activities of either aerobic or anaerobic fermentation systems.Symbols C_c Heat capacity of cooling water (MJ/kg · °C) - C_p Heat capacity (MJ/kg · °C) - I Current of immersion heater (A) - K Constant in Equation (2) (h) - K Constant in Equation (13) (m³ · h · °C/MJ) - Q_c Flow rate of cooling water (m³/h) - Heat of agitation (MJ/m³ · h) - Heat dissipated by the bubbling gas (MJ/m³ · h) - Heat removal by the action of controller (MJ/m³ · h) - Heat of fermentation (MJ/m³ · h) - Heat loss to the surroundings (MJ/m³ · h) - Q_pass Constant average power dissipated by the immersion heater (MJ/m³ · h) - Fluctuating power dissipated by the immersion heater (MJ/m³ · h) - Power dissipated by the immersion heater (MJ/m³ · h) - T Temperature of fermentation broth (°C) - Constant average temperature of fermentation broth (°C) - Fluctuating temperature of fermentation broth (°C) - T_a Temperature of the ambient air (°C) - T_c Inlet temperature of cooling water (°C) - U₁A₁ Specific heat transfer coefficient for determination of heat loss to the surroundings (MJ/m³ · h · °C) - U₂A₂ Specific heat transfer coefficient for cooling surfaces (MJ/m³ · h · °C) - U₃A₃ Constant in Equation (16) (MJ/m³ · h · °C) - V Voltage of immersion heater (V) - V_L Liquid volume (m³) - OUR Oxygen uptake rate (mol O₂/m³ · h) Greek Letters H_fo The ratio between the total heat release and the total oxygen uptake (MJ/mol O₂) - _c Density of cooling water (kg/m³) - Time constant defined in Equation (6) (h) - _iM_iC_pi Heat capacity of system components (fermentation broth + fermentor jar + stainless steel) (MJ/m³ · °C)     

Sulfur isotope values in a forested catchment over four years: Evidence for oxidation and reduction processes

A small catchment on the Swedish West Coast has been studied over four years to determine S dynamics by using S isotope ratios. A Norway spruce dominated forest covers the catchment, and small peat areas occur in the lower parts of the catchment. The runoff values varied both during the year, and from year to year. Over the period from February 1990 to December 1993, the values ranged from — 1%. to +11%. Over the same period, the throughfall values ranged from +1%. to +15%. There was no correlation (r ²= 0.01; Pr(F)=0.57) between values in throughfall and runoff. Since the only input of S to the catchment is atmospheric deposition, the long-term runoff S mass flux is controlled by the deposition. Therefore, processes in the catchment are responsible for the variation in the runoff values. During periods with enriched runoff, bacterial dissimilatory SO ₄ ^2– reduction occurs in the catchment. After very dry periods, oxidation of this reduced S, which is³²S-enriched, can be traced in runoff. Previous studies of the catchment have not been able to distinguish between: 1) oxidation of reduced S and dry deposition, and 2) reduction and adsorption. From the current study, it can be concluded that adsorption and dry deposition cannot cause the observed variation in runoff .     

Changes in skeletal muscle oxygenation during incremental exercise measured with near infrared spectroscopy

To determine the change in muscle oxygenation in response to progressively increasing work rate exercise, muscle oxyhemoglobin + oxymyoglobin saturation was measured transcutaneously with near infrared spectroscopy in the vastus lateralis muscle during cycle ergometry. Studies were done in 11 subjects while gas exchange was measured breath-by-breath. As work rate was increased, tissue oxygenation initially either remained constant near resting levels or, more usually, decreased. Near the work rate and metabolic rate where significant lactic acidosis was detected by excess CO₂ production (lactic acidosis threshold, LAT), muscle oxygenation decreased more steeply. As maximum oxygen uptake ( ) was approached, the rate of desaturation slowed. In 8 of the 11 subjects, tissue O₂ saturation reached a minimum which was sustained for 1–3 min before was reached. The LAT correlated with both the (r = 0.95,P < 0.0001) and the work rate (r = 0.94,P < 0.0001) at which the rate of tissue O₂ desaturation accelerated. These results describe a consistent pattern in the rate of decrease in muscle oxygenation, slowly decreasing over the lower work rate range, decreasing more rapidly in the work rate range of the LAT and then slowing at about 80% of , approaching or reaching a minimum saturation at .     

Ventilation and oxygen consumption in rosy finches and house finches at sea level and high altitude

Summary Rosy finches (Leucosticte arctoa) breed at altitudes above 3500 m in eastern California. House finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) belong to the same subfamily (Carduelinae), but breed at much lower elevations. Oxygen consumption ( ) and ventilatory parameters of these two species were measured over a wide range of ambient temperatures (T _a) at low altitude (LA; 150 m) and at high altitude (HA; 3800 m).Minimal nighttime 's of rosy finches and house finches at LA (T _a=30°C) were close to allometrically predicted values for passerine birds. At both altitudes, increased linearly with decreasingT _a betweenT _a=20 and –10°C. Resting 's were slightly higher at HA than at LA on average.In both species, minute volume ( ) was inversely related toT _a.T _a-correlated increases in resulted from significant increases in both ventilatory frequency (f) and tidal volume (V T) at both altitudes. Oxygen extraction efficiency ( ) was independent ofT _a in rosy finches at LA, but declined significantly with decreasingT _a in rosy finches at HA and in house finches at both altitudes.At a givenT _a, both species had significantly greater (BTPS) at HA than at LA. Altitude-correlated increases in resulted primarly from increases inf with little change inV T. was significantly greater at HA than at LA in both species.In spite of the difference in altitudinal distributions of rosy finches and house finches, there were few conspicuous interspecific differences in metabolic or ventilatory adaptation to altitude or lowT _a over the range of conditions examined.Symbols and abbreviations BMR basal metabolic rate - BTPS at body temperature and pressure, saturated - oxygen extraction efficiency - f ventilation frequency - h mean coefficient of heat transfer - HA high altitude - instantaneous oxygen consumption - LA low altitude - RH relative humidity - SMR standard metabolic rate - STPD standard temperature and pressure, dry - T temperature - a ambient - b body - lc lower critical of thermoneutral zone - minute volume - V T tidal volume     

Activity and oxygen consumption during hypoxic exposure in high altitude and lowland sceloporine lizards

Summary Resting rates of O₂ consumption against , exercise endurance times and during recovery from vigorous exercise were measured inSceloporus occidentalis captured near sea level and inS. graciosus captured above 2850 m. Oxygen consumption against was also measured inS. occidentalis captured above 2850 m. When was recorded continuously, as ambient was slowly reduced from 155 Torr, it became directly dependent upon ambient between 110 and 120 Torr. The critical for the high altitude lizards was lower than that for the lowland lizards, which enabled the former to maintain relatively higher 's when ambient was reduced below 120 Torr. The high altitude lizards also had significantly greater endurance when stimulated to exercise at 1600 m ( 130 Torr). Both the higher under hypoxia and the greater endurance roughly parallel a significantly greater maximum in the high altitude lizards. At a simulated altitude of 3600 m ( 100 Torr), maximum and rate of recovery of the O₂ debt calculated from post active were significantly reduced in the lowland but not the high altitude lizards. The effects of simulated altitude conditions on the lowland but not the mountaine animals indicate adaptations to altitude in these sceloporine lizards. We did not find any consistent relationship between organ/body weight ratios or hematocrit and our measures of endurance or the altitude at which the lizards were captured.     

Variation in outcrossing rate and population genetic structure of Clarkia tembloriensis (Onagraceae)

Summary Outcrossing rate estimates for eight accessions of Clarkia tembloriensis indicate that this annual plant species has a wide interpopulational range of outcrossing rate ( ). Populations' t estimates were significantly correlated with observed heterozygosity and mean number of alleles per locus. Estimated fixation indices, , for most populations were very close to their expected values, F_eq, for a given Nei's gene diversity statistics showed that the group of outcrossing populations have more total genetic variation and less differentiation among populations than does the group of selfing populations. These results indicate that the breeding system of C. tembloriensis has had a strong influence on the amount and distribution of genetic variation within and among its populations.     

Temperature induced peripheral blood flow changes in lizards

Summary The influence of local temperature changes within the posterior portion of the body on dorsal aorta blood flow ( ), femoral arterial pressure (P _a ), peripheral resistance (R), skin blood flow ( ) and skeletal muscle blood flow ( ) was examined in unanesthetized lizards (Iguana iguana andTubinambis nigropunctatus). In response to local heating of the hind legs and tail and increased,P _a was generally unchanged,R decreased and decreased or was unchanged (Fig. 2). It is suggested that the acquisition of heat may be favored by diverting the increase in away from the muscle to the warmer skin. In response to cooling and decreased,P _a was generally unchanged, R increased and increased or was unchanged. Hence, during cooling the retention of heat may be favored by diverting blood away from the skin to the deeper muscle. The muscle-skin shunt is under sympathetic control since following blockade with phenoxybenzamine HCL (Dibenzyline) muscle blood flow changes in response to temperature were qualitatively similar to those of skin (Fig. 4). These changes in peripheral circulatory patterns are independent of changes in heart rate or deep body temperature.Baker and Weathers were predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees, respectively, under USPHS Grant HE-05696. This study was also supported by NSF Grant GB-8523 and Los Angeles County Heart Association Grant 437IG.     

Maximal oxygen uptake, maximal voluntary isometric contraction and physical activity in young Danish adults

In a randomly selected sample of 88 men and 115 women, aged 23–27 years from Denmark, maximal oxygen uptake ( O_2max), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) in four muscle groups and physical activity were studied. The O_2max was 48.0 ml · min^–1 kg^–1 and 39.6 ml · min^–1 · kg^–1 for the men and the women, respectively. The MVC was 10% lower than in a comparable group of Danes of the same age and height studied 35 years ago. Only in men was sports activity directly related to O_2max (ml · min^–1 · kg^–1; r=0.31, P<0.01). The MVC of the knee extensors was related to O_2max in the men (r=0.31, P<0.01), but there was no relationship between the other measurements of MVC and O_2max. In the women O_2max (ml · min^–1 · kg^–1) was only related to body size, i.e. body mass index, percentage body fat and body mass [(r= –0.47, –0.48 (both P<0.001) and –0.34. (P<0.01), respectively)]. There were differences in O_2max in the men, according to education and occupation. Blue collar workers and subjects attending vocational or trade schools in 1983 had lower O_2max and more of them were physically inactive. In the women differences were also found, but there was no clear pattern among the groups. More of the women participated regularly in sports activity, but more of the men were very active compared to the women.