Tactical Voting in Plurality Elections

How often will elections end in landslides? What is the probability for a head-to-head race? Analyzing ballot results from several large countries rather anomalous and yet unexplained distributions have been observed. We identify tactical voting as the driving ingredient for the anomalies and introduce a model to study its effect on plurality elections, characterized by the relative strength of the feedback from polls and the pairwise interaction between individuals in the society. With this model it becomes possible to explain the polarization of votes between two candidates, understand the small margin of victories frequently observed for different elections, and analyze the polls'' impact in American, Canadian, and Brazilian ballots. Moreover, the model reproduces, quantitatively, the distribution of votes obtained in the Brazilian mayor elections with two, three, and four candidates.     

Characterization of Viticultural Terroirs using a Simple Field Model Based on Soil Depth – II. Validation of the Grape Yield and Berry Quality in the Anjou Vineyard (France)

Soil and climate are major constituents of the French notion of Terroir. This concept implies that there is a strong relationship between the composition of the grape, the characteristics of the wine and the territory of production. To study this link, a new method of characterization of the Terroir, including geological and pedological factors, was investigated. It uses a field model based on depth and clay content of soil, together with the degree of weathering of the parent rock. Consequently, for every type of parent rock belonging to a given geologic stage, there are a series of soils that show different stages of pedological evolution. According to the model, three kinds of soils are distinguished with regards to the weathering intensity of the parent rock, that are named weakly weathered rock (WWR), moderately weathered rock (MWR) and strongly weathered rock (SWR). By hypothesis, each soil type is considered as a homogeneous unit for vine production from the viewpoint of ecophysiological factors. Each terroir unit defined by this method is called a Basic Terroir Unit (BTU). To validate this hypothesis, experimental plots planted with Chenin and Cabernet Franc vines were studied over three consecutive seasons (2000–2002), in the Anjou vineyard (Loire Valley – France). The major BTUs developed on the two most important geological systems of Anjou (Brioverian and Ordovician–Devonian), were studied. Results showed that the berries of vines cultivated in WWR were significantly smaller, richer in sugars and anthocyanins and had a Total Phenolic Index higher than those of the vines cultivated in SWR. They also had a lower titratable acidity. Cabernet Franc vines cultivated in MWR had berries with sugar and anthocyanin contents but also total phenolics very close to those of WWR. With Chenin vines there was a good relationship between the global pool of free aromas of berries and the BTU type. The study showed significant relationships between the quality of grapes and the measured values of several ecophysiological variables such as the water supply regime or the timing of budburst.     

Instaneous changes in the radial artery blood flow under different physiological conditions

Using a Doppler pulse flowmeter we measured the blood flow in the radial artery at rest and during physical exercise and various other stimuli (arithmetical calculations, electrical stimulation, deep inspiration). The mean resting flow in the radial artery was 0.66 ml/s. Every stimulus was instantaneously followed by a drop in the blood flow to a minimum value; there was no significant differences between these values. The results demonstrate that the new, non-invasive apparatus can be used to study quick changes in the blood flow not detected by routine non-invasive methods.     

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana) as a commercial crop in Brazilian Amazonia

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana) is a woody vine or sprawling shrub native to the central Amazon Basin. The seeds are commercially produced on some 6,000 ha in the state of Amazonas near Manaus. The principal article of commerce is an amber-colored, carbonated soft drink. It is also widely used as a high caffeine stimulant and in local medicines. The plant is monoecious and is damaged by a number of diseases, the most severe being anthracnose. Prospects are excellent for greatly expanded international markets.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 2-(aminoalkyl)-2,3,3a,8-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f]isoxazolo[2,3-a]azepine derivatives: a novel series of 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonists. Part 2.

Following the programme started at Janssen Research Foundation searching for 5-HT(2A/2C) antagonists, we now report on the synthesis of a series of substituted 2-(Dimethylaminomethyl)-2,3,3a,8-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f]isoxazolo[2,3-a]azepine derivatives. The 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C) and H(1) receptor affinities as well as the mCPP antagonistic activity of the compounds synthesised is described.     

Changes in fish condition and mercury vary by region,not Bythotrephes invasion: a result of climate change?

We compared changes in body condition (relative weight) and mercury concentrations ([Hg]) in two species of coregonid fish (lake herring Coregonus artedi, lake whitefish C. clupeaformis) among discrete populations in Ontario between 1967 and 2006. Temporal comparisons among populations were made to determine whether 1) the establishment of Bythotrephes longimanus had affected coregonid populations, or 2) if changes in body condition or [Hg] were related to regional differences in the degree of climate change during the time period investigated. Climate data from northwestern, northeastern and southern Ontario showed a general warming trend in all regions over the period of study. However, greater temporal changes in climate were observed in the northwest where growing degree days >5°C (GDD) increased and precipitation declined over the study period compared with relatively little change in southern or northeastern Ontario. Correspondingly, northwestern Ontario coregonid populations demonstrated significantly greater declines in body condition relative to those from northeastern or southern Ontario. Declines in [Hg] of both species were also greater among northwestern populations compared with those from northeastern or southern Ontario but only significantly so for lake herring. These declines were independent of the invasion of non‐native Bythotrephes, and declines in [Hg] were opposite predictions based on the hypothesis that Bythotrephes invasion lengthened aquatic food chains. Based on our findings and further evidence from the literature, we propose that warming regional climates are capable of contributing to declines in both condition and [Hg] of fishes. Because fish condition affects both reproductive success and overwinter survival, observed condition declines of the magnitude reported here could have profound implications for the structure of future aquatic ecosystems in a warming climate.     

Effects of lateral amygdala lesions on the responses to novelty in mice

Bilateral electrolytic lesions restricted to the lateral, basolateral and basomedial amygdaloid nuclei in mice produced a lack of avoidance responses towards novel stimuli. While controls showed avoidance and burying reactions to a novel object introduced into their familiar environment, lesioned mice displayed a high number of approach responses and a low level of burying reactions. Furthermore, when given the opportunity to move around freely in simultaneously presented novel and familiar places, control mice at first exhibited avoidance reactions to the novel environment before showing novelty preference. There were no avoidance reactions in lesioned mice. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that amygdala plays a specific role in the regulation of defensive reactions.     

Capillary filtration during postischaemic hyperaemia in human limbs.

The rate of capillary filtration after 5 minutes' ischaemia of the lower limbs was studied in man by the venous occlusive plethysmography method. The measured values were 3 times lower on an average than the control values. Comparison of the plethysmographic curves with isotope recordings after the intravenous administration of In-113m shows that volume changes induced by venous occlusion during reactive hyperaemia take place mainly intravascularly and do not allow any conclusions to be drawn on changes in blood-tissue fluid shifts.     

Metazoan parasites of Engraulis ringens as tools for stock discrimination along the Chilean coast

The value of the metazoan parasites of the anchoveta Engraulis ringens as biological tags for stock discrimination is assessed. Three hundred and fifty-nine specimens, obtained from six landing ports in northern and central Chile (Arica, Antofagasta, Caldera, Coquimbo, Valparaiso and Talcahuano) covering a latitudinal gradient of c . 18°, were analysed. Six metazoan parasite species (three ectoparasites and three endoparasites) were obtained. A correspondence analysis suggested that anchoveta from northern and central Chile are comprised of two stocks. Identification of stocks was largely based on qualitative differences (absence in southern localities of the monogenean Pseudanthocotyloides heterocotyle , a parasite proper of engraulids, and the copepod Caligus sp.) and quantitative differences in the prevalence of infection for the remaining species. Inertia and mass value for the correspondence analysis supported the hypothesis of two stocks.