Population Structure of the Chenchu and Other South Indian Tribal Groups: Relationships between Genetic, Anthropometric, Dermatoglyphic, Geographic, and Linguistic Distances

This is the published version. Copyright 1994 Wayne State University Press.We describe the genetic structure and interrelationships of nine south Indian tribal groups (seven from Andhra Pradesh and two from the adjoining states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala) using seven polymorphic loci (ABO, MN, RH, PGM, ACP, PGD, and LDH). R matrix analysis indicates that the Andhra Pradesh tribes are clustered and that the Kadar and Irula are genetically isolated from them. This dispersion of populations has been explained by the combination of relatively high frequencies of the alleles RH D and MN M in the Kadar and the relatively high proportions of the allele PGM*2 in the Irula. The Mahaboobnagar Chenchu subgroup is isolated from other Telugu-speaking groups because of high frequencies of the PGM*1 and ACP*A alleles. The regression of mean per locus heterozygosity (//) on distance from the gene frequency centroid (r„) reveals considerable levels of external gene flow among the Lam-badi, the Yerukula, and the two Chenchu subgroups and more homogeneity in the Kolam, Koya, Yanadi, Irula, and Kadar. Mantel statistics were used to assess the relative effects of nonbiological processes (i.e., language and geography) on the morphological and genetic patterns of these subdivided populations. The significance of correlations was determined between different data sets (genetic, dermatoglyphic, anthropometric, geographic, and linguistic) at three levels involving nine, six, and five populations. Although multiple correlation analysis reveals significant combined effects of geography and language on genetics, anthropometrics, and dermato-glyphics, highly significant partial correlations suggest strong effects of geography on both anthropometry and genetics. Our analysis indicates that geographic factors have an overwhelming effect on the genetic differentiation of the south Indian tribal groups

Friction Stir Processing of SSM356 Aluminium Alloy

AbstractThe aim of this experiment was to improve the mechanical properties of SSM 356 aluminum alloys by friction stir processing, a solid-state technique for microstructural modification using the heat from a friction and stirring. The parameters of friction stir processing for SSM 356 aluminum alloys were studied at three different travelling speeds: 80, 120 and 160mm/min under three different rotation speeds 1320, 1480 and 1750rpm. The hardness and tensile strength properties were increased by friction stir processing. The hardness of friction stir processing was 64.55 HV which was higher than the base metal (40.58 HV). The tensile strengths of friction stir processing were increased about 11.8% compared to the base metal. The optimal processing parameter was rotation speed at 1750rpm with the travelling speed at 160mm/min. Consequently, the application of the friction stir processing is a very effective method for the mechanical improvement of semi-solid metal aluminum alloys

Genetic Structure of Mongolic-Speaking Kalmyks

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol73/iss6/4.Genetic polymorphisms of blood groups ABO and RH D, serum proteins HP, TF, and GC, and red cell enzymes ACP1, PGM1, ESD, GLO1, and SOD-A have been reported for three tribes (Torguts, Derbets, and Buzavs) of the Volga’s Kalmyk-Oyrats. The Kalmyks exhibit genetic markers that are characteristic of Central Asian populations, namely, high allelic frequencies for ABO*B, TF*C2, GC*1F, ESD*2, and GLO1*2, and the rare incidence of individuals with the RH-negative phenotype. Genetic distance measures reveal that close genetic affinities exist between the Derbets and Buzavs, but both populations differ significantly from the Torguts. Collectively as an ethnic group, the Kalmyks genetically resemble the contemporary Buryats of the Baikal region of southeastern Siberia and the Mongols of Mongolia. The transplantation of the Kalmyk-Oyrats from their homeland near Lake Baikal to their current residence (4500 km) near the Caspian Sea and their subsequent isolation for more than 300 years have not appreciably altered the gene frequencies from the parental populations for frequencies of standard genetic markers

Towards a Strategy for Improving Agricultural Inputs Markets in Africa

Agribusiness, Downloads July 2008-July 2009: 19,

Rearing and handling injuries in broiler chickens and risk factors for wing injuries during loading

Some injuries to broilers occur during rearing, but most injuries occur during handling before slaughter. Records provided by a processing plant for loads transported over a 19 mo period during 2009 and 2010 were examined. The median percentage of wing injuries per load was 5.7%, whereas injuries to the legs, breast, or shoulders were all less than 1% per load. Risk factors for wing injuries were examined by considering the data from each load by handling event (i.e., loads originating from the same producer on the same date). A multilevel model with three levels, producer (n = 86), handling event (n = 1694), and load (n = 4219), was fitted. The final model included weight, sex, season, catching team, time of day at which loading began, speed of loading, and an interaction between speed of loading and time of day. Factors that reduced the risk of wing injuries were loading lighter birds, loads containing only cockerels, and loading in the fall. The predicted percentage of wing injuries was relatively constant for slower loading speeds, but it was increased significantly when faster loading speeds were adopted during daytime (0700–1700). Identification of these risk factors can be used to adjust loading practices

Immunoglobulin Allotypes in Several North American Eskimo Populations

This is the published version. Copyright 1990 Wayne State University Press.Genetic data consisting of immunoglobulin testing (GM and KM) from 631 Eskimos from 5 populations are reported. These populations are Savoonga, Gambell (St. Lawrence Island), Wales, King Island, and Mckenzie Delta, Baffin Island. The GM and KM haplotypes are analyzed and compared to those occurring in Greenland, Canadian, Alaskan, and Siberian Eskimos and to other Siberian indigenous populations. These analyses suggest that during the peopling of the New World, four separate migrant groups crossed Beringia at various times

The Importance of Scaling for Detecting Community Patterns: Success and Failure in Assemblages of Introduced Species

Community saturation can help to explain why biological invasions fail. However, previous research has documented inconsistent relationships between failed invasions (i.e., an invasive species colonizes but goes extinct) and the number of species present in the invaded community. We use data from bird communities of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, which supports a community of 38 successfully established introduced birds and where 37 species were introduced but went extinct (failed invasions). We develop a modified approach to evaluate the effects of community saturation on invasion failure. Our method accounts (1) for the number of species present (NSP) when the species goes extinct rather than during its introduction; and (2) scaling patterns in bird body mass distributions that accounts for the hierarchical organization of ecosystems and the fact that interaction strength amongst species varies with scale. We found that when using NSP at the time of extinction, NSP was higher for failed introductions as compared to successful introductions, supporting the idea that increasing species richness and putative community saturation mediate invasion resistance. Accounting for scale-specific patterns in body size distributions further improved the relationship between NSP and introduction failure. Results show that a better understanding of invasion outcomes can be obtained when scale-specific community structure is accounted for in the analysis

Geographical access to GPs and modes of cancer diagnosis in England: a cross-sectional study

Background: Poor geographical access to health services and routes to a cancer diagnosis such as emergency presentations have previously been associated with worse cancer outcomes. However, the extent to which access to GPs determines the route that patients take to obtain a cancer diagnosis is unknown. Methods: We used a linked dataset of cancer registry and hospital records of patients with a cancer diagnosis between 2006 and 2010 across eight different cancer sites. Primary outcomes were defined as 'desirable routes to diagnosis' [screen-detected and 2-week wait (TWW) referrals] and 'less desirable routes' [emergency presentations and death certificate only (DCO)]. All other routes (GP referral, inpatient elective and other outpatient) were specified as the reference category. Geographical access was measured as travel time in minutes from patients to their GP, and multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate relative risk ratios (RRR). Results: Longer travel was associated with increased risk of diagnosis via emergency and DCO, but decreased risk of diagnosis via screening and TWW. Patients travelling over 30 minutes had the highest risk of a DCO diagnosis, which was statistically significant for breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, stomach and ovarian cancers (compared with patients with travel times ≤10 minutes: RRR 5.89, 7.02, 2.30, 4.75, 10.41; P < 0.01 and 3.51, P < 0.05). Discussion: Poor access to GPs may discourage early engagement with health services, decreasing the likelihood of screening uptake and increasing the likelihood of emergency presentations. Extra effort is needed to promote early diagnosis in more distant patients

Immunoglobulin Haplotypes – Markers of Reproductive Success

Immunoglobulin haplotypes are highly polymorphic and are useful for analyses of both macro- and microdifferentiation of populations. The origins of this diversity are not known, but recent reports suggest strong selection at this locus. Increased rates of first-trimester spontaneous abortions have been reported when parents share GM phenotypes. Reduced fertility has been observed in mixed European descent white and Hutterite populations when both parents share immunoglobulin haplotypes. Population samples with completed family information and GM haplotype data are rare; the objective here is to provide this information on another sample. A sample of 242 Mennonite couples with mothers older than 40 years was divided into 3 groups of matings based on how many haplotypes were shared: 0, 1, or 2. The distribution of mean completed family sizes for the three groups were 3.35 ± 1.85 ( n = 23), 3.47 ± 1.69 ( n = 128), and 3.37 ± 1.60 ( n = 91), respectively; these values were not significantly different (F = 0.145, p = 0.865). The log-rank test was used to compare the time-to-next-birth curves. The intervals between first and later births (2-4 births) were not significantly different for the three subgroups either. There is also only limited evidence for segregation distortion in another sample of 923 offspring (in which at least one parent is heterozygous)