Microsatellite analysis of raccoon (Procyon lotor) population structure across an extensive metropolitan landscape

Understanding population structure can lend insight into the spread of animal-borne disease, and the effects of anthropogenic land use on habitat. Raccoons are highly adaptive to human land development and can persist in a wide range of habitat types, making them ideal subjects for investigating the level of population structure in a highly fragmented area. A total of 323 raccoons were livetrapped from 7 locations encompassing 3 distinct habitat types (agriculture, urban forest preserves, and residential) across the Chicago metropolitan region (maximum distance between 2 sites was 128 km). Genetic analyses of 14 microsatellite loci indicate that although raccoon populations across the region share up to 50% of the allelic diversity, they segregated into at least 2 distinct subpopulations, dividing the Chicago metropolitan region into northern and southern groups with further structure occurring within these larger groups. Incorporating sample sites between the identified north- south groups may provide greater resolution as to where this split occurs. Although there is evidence of population structure between all sample sites, migrant analysis suggests there is enough gene flow to preserve genetic diversity throughout the populatio

Pseudo-conforming polynomial finite elements on quadrilaterals

International audienceThe aim of this paper is to present a new class of finite elements on quadrilaterals where the approximation is polynomial on each element K. In the case of Lagrange finite elements, the degrees of freedom are the values at the vertices and in the case of mixed finite elements the degrees of freedom are the mean values of the fluxes on each side. The degres of freedom are the same as those of classical finite elements. However, in general, with this kind of finite elements,the resolution of second order elliptic problems leads to non conforming approximations. In the particular case when the finite elements are parallelograms, we can notice that our method is conform and coincides with the classical finite elements on structured meshes. First, a motivation for the study of the Pseudo-conforming polynomial finite elements method is given, and the convergence of the method established. Then, numerical results that confirm the error estimates, predicted by the theory, are presented

Pseudo-conforming Hdiv polynomial finite elements on quadrilaterals and hexahedra

The aim of this paper is to present a new class of mixed finite elements on quadrilaterals and hexahedra where the approximation is polynomial on each element K. The degrees of freedom are the same as those of classical mixed finite elements. However, in general, with this kind of finite elements, the resolution of second order elliptic problems leads to non conforming approximations. In the particular case when the finite elements are parallelograms or parallelepipeds, we can notice that our method is conform and coincides with the classical mixed finite elements on structured meshes. First, a motivation for the study of the Pseudo-conforming polynomial mixed finite elements method is given, and the convergence of the method established. Then, numerical results that confirm the error estimates, predicted by the theory, are presented.Le but de ce travail est de présenter une nouvelle classe d'éléments finis mixtes pour des maillages en quadrilatères et en hexaèdres pour lesquels l'approximation est polynômiale sur chaque élément K. Les degrés de liberté sont les même que ceux des éléments finis mixtes classiques. Cependant, avec ce nouveau type d'élément fini, la résolution de problèmes elliptiques du second ordre ne fournit pas, en général,une approximation conforme. Mais dans le cas particulier où les éléments sont des parallélogrammes ou des parallélépipèdes, on peut remarquer que notre méthode est conforme est coincide avec les éléments finis mixtes classiques sur des maillages structurés. Dans une première section on présente les motivations de cette étude. Dans la section suivante, on présente et étudie des 'eléments finis mixtes pseudo-conforme. Et dans la derni`re section on présente quelques tests numériques confirmant les résultats théoriques annoncés

Pseudo-Conforming Polynomial Lagrange Finite Elements on Quadrilaterals and Hexahedra

The aim of this paper is to develop a new class of finite elements on quadrilaterals and hexahedra. The degrees of freedom are the values at the vertices and the approximation is polynomial on each element K. In general, with this kind of finite elements, the resolution of second order elliptic problems leads to non-conform approximations. Degrees of freedom are the same than those of isoparametric finite elements. And, in the particular case when the finite elements are parallelotopes, our method is conform and coincides with the classical finite elements on structured meshes. The convergence of the method is analysed and the theory is confirmed by some numerical results

Effects of Genetic Captive-Breeding Protocols on Sperm Quality and Fertility in the White-Footed Mouse

P. 540–548Mice (Peromyscus leucopus noveboracensis) from a captive-breeding program were used to test the effects of three genetic breeding protocols (minimizing mean kinship [MK], random breeding, and selection for docility [DOC]) and inbreeding levels on sperm traits and fertility. Earlier, in generation 8, one DOC replicate went extinct because of poor reproductive success. By generation 10, spermatozoa from DOC mice had more acrosome and midpiece abnormalities, which were shown to be strong determinants of fertility, as well as lower sperm production and resistance to osmotic stress. In addition, determinants of fertility, including male and female components, were assessed in a comprehensive manner. Results showed that the probability (P) of siring litters is determined by sperm number, sperm viability, and midpiece and acrosome abnormalities; that the P of siring one versus two litters is determined by tail abnormalities; and that the total number of offspring is influenced by female size and proportion of normal sperm, showing the relative importance of different sperm traits on fertility. On average, males with 20% normal sperm sired one pup per litter, and males with 70% normal sperm sired eight pups per litter. Interestingly, the proportion of normal sperm was affected by docility but not by relatively low inbreeding. However, inbreeding depression in sperm motility was detected. In the MK group, inbreeding depression not only affected sperm motility but also fertility: An increase in the coefficient of inbreeding (f) of 0.03 reduced sperm motility by 30% and translated into an offspring reduction of three pups in second litters. A genetic load of 48 fecundity equivalents was calculated.S

Evidence for gene flow differs from observed dispersal patterns in the Humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti

The Humboldt penguin, once common throughout its range, is today listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Mark-recapture and telemetry studies indicate that adult Humboldt penguins are sedentary, suggesting strong genetic differentiation between colonies. We developed genotypes for 336 individuals at 12 microsatellite loci sampled at four different localities spanning the entire range of this species. Results show that long-term gene flow has occurred but appears to be affected by geographic distance as pairwise F ST comparisons involving the colony at Punta San Juan (Peru) and the two colonies at Algarrobo (central Chile) and Puñihuil (southern Chile) are significant. Bayesian estimates of recent migration rates indicate substantial dispersal among all colonies. Despite the dramatic decline in numbers, we did not observe a bottleneck in any population. Furthermore, we did not detect a founder effect in the recently discovered colony at Puñihuil. As our indirect estimates signal strong gene flow between populations, we suggest that Humboldt penguin colonies need to be managed as a metapopulation rather than as discrete management unit

Reduced costs with bisoprolol treatment for heart failure - An economic analysis of the second Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study (CIBIS-II)

Background Beta-blockers, used as an adjunctive to diuretics, digoxin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, improve survival in chronic heart failure. We report a prospectively planned economic analysis of the cost of adjunctive beta-blocker therapy in the second Cardiac Insufficiency BIsoprolol Study (CIBIS II). Methods Resource utilization data (drug therapy, number of hospital admissions, length of hospital stay, ward type) were collected prospectively in all patients in CIBIS . These data were used to determine the additional direct costs incurred, and savings made, with bisoprolol therapy. As well as the cost of the drug, additional costs related to bisoprolol therapy were added to cover the supervision of treatment initiation and titration (four outpatient clinic/office visits). Per them (hospital bed day) costings were carried out for France, Germany and the U.K. Diagnosis related group costings were performed for France and the U.K. Our analyses took the perspective of a third party payer in France and Germany and the National Health Service in the U.K. Results Overall, fewer patients were hospitalized in the bisoprolol group, there were fewer hospital admissions perpatient hospitalized, fewer hospital admissions overall, fewer days spent in hospital and fewer days spent in the most expensive type of ward. As a consequence the cost of care in the bisoprolol group was 5-10% less in all three countries, in the per them analysis, even taking into account the cost of bisoprolol and the extra initiation/up-titration visits. The cost per patient treated in the placebo and bisoprolol groups was FF35 009 vs FF31 762 in France, DM11 563 vs DM10 784 in Germany and pound 4987 vs pound 4722 in the U.K. The diagnosis related group analysis gave similar results. Interpretation Not only did bisoprolol increase survival and reduce hospital admissions in CIBIS II, it also cut the cost of care in so doing. This `win-win' situation of positive health benefits associated with cost savings is Favourable from the point of view of both the patient and health care systems. These findings add further support for the use of beta-blockers in chronic heart failure

Natural Selection Drives Altitudinal Divergence at the Albumin Locus in Deer Mice, \u3ci\u3ePeromyscus Maniculatus\u3c/i\u3e

In populations that are distributed across steep environmental gradients, the potential for local adaptation is largely determined by the spatial scale of fitness variation relative to dispersal distance. Since altitudinal gradients are generally characterized by dramatic ecological transitions over relatively short linear distances, adaptive divergence across such gradients will typically require especially strong selection to counterbalance the homogenizing effect of gene flow. Here we report the results of a study that was designed to test for evidence of adaptive divergence across an altitudinal gradient in a natural population of deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus. We conducted a multilocus survey of allozyme variation across a steep altitudinal gradient in the southern Rocky Mountains that spanned several distinct biomes, from prairie grassland to alpine tundra. As a control for the effects of altitude, we also surveyed the same loci in mice sampled along a latitudinal transect through the prairie grassland that ran perpendicular to the east-west altitudinal transect. We used a coalescent-based simulation model to identify loci that deviated from neutral expectations, and we then assessed whether locus-specific patterns of variation were nonrandom with respect to altitude. Results indicated that the albumin locus (Alb) reflects a history of diversifying selection across the altitudinal gradient. This conclusion is supported by two main lines of evidence: (1) Alb was characterized by levels of divergence across the altitudinal transect that exceeded neutral expectations in two consecutive years of sampling (in contrast to the spatial pattern of variation across the latitudinal transect), and (2) levels of divergence at the Alb locus exhibited a positive association with altitudinal distance in both years (in contrast to the pattern observed at unlinked loci). We conclude that clinal variation at the Alb locus reflects a balance between gene flow and diversifying selection that results from elevational changes in fitness rankings among alternative genotypes

Pseudo Conforming Finite Elements on Quadrilaterals

International audienc