Search results for "dance"

Varying Definitions of Abundance and Incomplete Assemblages Challenge the Generality of the Interspecific Abundance—Distribution Relationships

2011

Empirical evidence does not fully support the universal nature of the positive interspecific abundance—distribution relationship. We have earlier documented a negative relationship for butterfly species in Finland, but recently our view was again challenged using a small subset of Finnish butterflies as apparent evidence. Here we scrutinize the critique and identify some general conceptual challenges in analyses of interspecific abundance—distribution relationships. We identify the common problem that the abundance—distribution studies include only a small subset of species, and thus reveal only sample characteristics, not overall patterns in complete assemblages. Small subsets of species a…

Consequences of 3,4-dichloroaniline to guppy populations (Poecilia reticulata): computer simulation and experimental validation

1993

Abstract In order to evaluate the effects of 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA), which were detected in a life-cycle test with guppies, on the population level, laboratory guppy populations were examined with regard to regulative parameters. Among the endpoints investigated in life-cycle tests, fecundity was shown to be a sensitive parameter. In laboratory guppy populations, however, intraspecific predation on newborn was the main regulator. Based on these data, a computer simulation programme was used to predict the consequences of 3,4-DCA to guppy populations. A population exposure experiment was conducted to validate the simulation results. The effects detected in the life-cycle test (LOEC: 2…

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Smoking Behaviours among Physicians Specializing in Public Health: A Multicentre Study

2014

Background. Healthcare professionals have an important role to play both as advisers—influencing smoking cessation—and as role models. However, many of them continue to smoke. The aims of this study were to examine smoking prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours among four cohorts physicians specializing in public health, according to the Global Health Profession Students Survey (GHPSS) approach.Materials and Methods. A multicentre cross-sectional study was carried out in 24 Italian schools of public health. The survey was conducted between January and April 2012 and it was carried out a census of students in the selected schools for each years of course (from first to fourth year …

Lurasidone in the Treatment of Bipolar Depression: Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

2017

Introduction. A burgeoning number of systematic reviews considering lurasidone in the treatment of bipolar depression have occurred since its Food and Drug Administration extended approval in 2013. While a paucity of available quantitative evidence still precludes preliminary meta-analysis on the matter, the present quality assessment of systematic review of systematic reviews, nonetheless, aims at highlighting current essential information on the topic. Methods. Both published and unpublished systematic reviews about lurasidone mono- or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of bipolar depression were searched by two independent authors inquiring PubMed/Cochrane/Embase/Scopus from inception u…

Functional annotation of genes overlapping copy number variants in autistic patients: focus on axon pathfinding.

2010

We have used Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analyses to uncover the common functions associated to the genes overlapping Copy Number Variants (CNVs) in autistic patients. Our source of data were four published studies [1- 4]. We first applied a two-step enrichment strategy for autism-specific genes. We fished out from the four mentioned studies a list of 2928 genes overall overlapping 328 CNVs in patients and we first selected a sub-group of 2044 genes after excluding those ones that are also involved in CNVs reported in the Database of Genomic Variants (enrichment step 1). We then selected from the step 1-enriched list a sub-group of 514 genes each of which was found to be deleted or dupli…

Genetics in restless legs syndrome

2004

Several studies on Restless leas syndrome (RLS) have suggested a substantial genetic contribution in the etiology of this sleep disorder. Clinical surveys of idiopathic RLS patients have shown that up to 60% report a positive family history. Investigations of single families with RLS have suggested an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with variable expressivity, and some families show possible anticipation. At present, only one twin study is available, showing a high concordance rate (83.3%) between identical twins. Despite several reports suggesting a genetic contribution to the etiology of idiopathic RLS, few molecular genetic studies have been carried out attempting to identify gene…

Similar Performance of Diploid and Haploid Males in an Ant Species without Inbreeding Avoidance

2013

AbstractUnder haplodiploidy, a characteristic trait of all Hymenoptera, femalesdevelop from fertilised eggs, and males from unfertilised ones. Males aretherefore typically haploid. Yet, inbreeding can lead to the production ofdiploid males that often fail in development, are sterile or are of lowerfertility. In most Hymenoptera, inbreeding is avoided by dispersal flightsof one or both sexes, leading to low diploid male loads. We investigatedcauses for the production of diploid males and their performance in ahighly inbred social Hymenopteran species. In the ant Hypoponera opacior,inbreeding occurs between wingless sexuals, which mate within themother nest, whereas winged sexuals outbreed dur…

2004

Background Genetic variability in viral populations is usually estimated by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods in which the relative abundance of each amplicon is assumed to be proportional to the frequency of the corresponding template in the initial sample. Although bias in template-to-product ratios has been described before, its relevance in describing viral genetic variability at the intrapatient level has not been fully assessed yet.

Schoolyard affordances for physical activity: a pilot study in 6 Nordic–Baltic countries

2021

Environmental settings influence children’s and adolescents’ physical activity (PA) in neighborhoods and schoolyards. This study aimed to explore the main characteristics of schoolyards in six Nordic–Baltic countries, to document how those facilities provide affordances for PA in 7–18 year–old schoolchildren, and how the schoolyard meets children’s preferences. One schoolyard was studied in each included country: Iceland, Norway, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The affordances, facilities, and equipment for PA in schoolyards were identified through orthophoto maps and standard registration forms. Children’s preferences were collected through group interviews at each participating s…

Inter-annual variation in macroinvertebrate communities in a shallow forest lake in eastern Finland during 1990–2001

2003

As a part of the Integrated Monitoring (IM) Programme of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems, the macroinvertebrate community of a pristine forest lake was monitored from 1990 up to the present. Lake Iso Hietajarvi is a small and shallow, weakly stratified oligotrophic headwater lake situated in Patvinsuo National Park, eastern Finland. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled annually, once in autumn at depths of 3 - 4 m (sublittoral zone) and at 7 m (profundal zone). The water quality of the lake and meteorological characteristics in the area were monitored during the same period. The inter-annual variation in macroinvertebrate abundance and taxonomic composition in the lake unaffected by …