On the exponential law

A characterization of the exponential law is given using its property that E[(X-a)r|X>a] is constant for all a≧0, r being a positive integer. Then this result is applied to the order statistics and some further characterizations are found. © 1979 Physica-Verlag Rudolf Liebing KG

A characterization using the conditional variance

A class of probability distributions is characterized assuming that the conditional variance of a function h (X), given X>x, is constant. © 1981 Phydica-Verlag

Linkage-dependent gene flow in a house mouse chromosomal hybrid zone

In the alpine valley of Valtellina there are two Robertsonian chromosomal races of house mouse, the Poschiavo (POS: 2n= 24–26) characterized by metacentric 8.12 and acrocentrics 2 and 10 and the Upper Valtellina (UV: 2n= 22–24) characterized by metacentrics 2.8 and 10.12. The races inhabit separate villages in the valley except in Sommacologna and Sondalo, where they both occur together with hybrids. A total of 179 mice from 16 villages were typed at 13 microsatellite loci. Seven of these loci were localized close to the centromeres of chromosomes 10 and 12, with the prediction that these regions on the race-specific chromosomes would be the most likely to experience a barrier to gene flow. The remaining six loci were localized at the telomeres of chromosomes 10 and 12 and at the centromeres of chromosomes that do not differ between the races. Substantial differences in allelic frequencies were found between the villages with POS and UV races at five of the loci at the centromeres of chromosomes 10 and 12 but at none of the other loci. These differences were not found to distinguish the two races in Sommacologna and Sondalo. Therefore, the centromeric regions of race-specific chromosomes do appear to experience a barrier to gene flow, although this can break down under intense interbreeding between the races. These results are considered in the context of Harrison's (1990) concept of the semipermeability of hybrid zones to gene exchange and in relation to parapatric speciation

Cultural Networks and Social Inclusion of Migrants in Europe: Heritage, ICT, and Participatory Governance

The “Digital Heritage: Spotlight on Europe” column examines technological advances internal and external to cultural institutions. The digital shift changed radically how cultural heritage is made, disseminated, distributed, accessed, consumed, and monetized. One of the most important revolutions is that the user's role changed dramatically, shifting from passive observers to active participants and content producers with many new and exciting opportunities for engagement, creative use, and access. The strength of the column is its broad, international focus, and contributors are encouraged to explore issues and recent advances in digital heritage theories, methodologies, standards relevant to the European region, as well as the larger, global audience. This study brings together and critically reflects on the social, policy, and technological contexts within which cultural heritage institutions are addressing current challenges of social inclusion in Europe. It explores the role of cultural networks in helping institutions and their host societies to manage the tensions and realise the opportunities arising from migration. The concept of “migrating heritage” is proposed to tackle this complex interdisciplinary research area