Directional selection effects on patterns of phenotypic (co)variation in wild populations.

Phenotypic (co)variation is a prerequisite for evolutionary change, and understanding how (co)variation evolves is of crucial importance to the biological sciences. Theoretical models predict that under directional selection, phenotypic (co)variation should evolve in step with the underlying adaptive landscape, increasing the degree of correlation among co-selected traits as well as the amount of genetic variance in the direction of selection. Whether either of these outcomes occurs in natural populations is an open question and thus an important gap in evolutionary theory. Here, we documented changes in the phenotypic (co)variation structure in two separate natural populations in each of two chipmunk species (Tamias alpinus and T. speciosus) undergoing directional selection. In populations where selection was strongest (those of T. alpinus), we observed changes, at least for one population, in phenotypic (co)variation that matched theoretical expectations, namely an increase of both phenotypic integration and (co)variance in the direction of selection and a re-alignment of the major axis of variation with the selection gradient

Incinerate, recycle, or wash and reuse

What is the best way to minimize the environmental impact of using a product such as paper? Three debating teams were formed within a university class. One team advocated increased recycling of paper. Another team pointed to evidence showing reduced environmental impact and lower net CO2 emissions if the paper is incinerated rather than recycled. A third team advocated the replacement of paper by items such as porcelain plates and video screens, cutting costs and reducing waste by multiple reuse

“RETRO-,” AN EMERGING PREFIX FOR FUTURE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT?

It is proposed that the prefix “retro” can serve as an irreverent, but timely buzzword for the development of new technology to meet human needs. Society has carried out experiments at a very large scale for the last century or so to meet our collective needs though the use of fossil-based fuels and synthetic materials. Those experiments have seemed successful in the short term, feeding more of us and supplying a lot of us with rising standards of living. But the experiments often have failed us in terms of sustainability. A health crisis, global warming, and resource depletion are urgent problems caused by careless use of fossil fuels and related synthetic organic chemicals. The prefix “retro,” as in “retrotechology,” signals a disciplined return to a reliance on nature-based products, as well as a respect for the beauty, but also the fragile character of our natural environment

Sensing the electrokinetic potential of cellulosic fiber surfaces

The charged nature of a cellulosic fiber surface is expected to play major roles in such phenomena as fiber dispersion, flocculation, adhesion, and adsorption of polyelectrolytes. This review focuses on the evaluation of such charges by means of electrokinetic measurements, with emphasis on the fiber-pad streaming potential technique. Results of recent experiments suggest that a continuous network or networks of pores below the outer surface of a kraft fiber can significantly contribute to observed streaming potential data. At present it is not clear whether the main subsurface contributions to the observed electrokinetic effects come from fibrillar layers on the fiber surfaces or from systems of nanopores within the cell walls of fibers. Based on the literature it is possible to suggest two conceptual models to account for the fact that the streaming potential of polymer-treated fibers can change in sign, dependent on the concentration of salt. Additional research is needed to clarify various theoretical and practical points. There may be opportunities to make more effective use of streaming potential tests in the future by carrying out such tests at reduced salt levels

From here to sustainability

Many readers and contributors to BioResources are working to develop sustainable technology. Such research attempts to use products of photosynthesis to meet long-term human needs with a minimum of environmental impact. Archeological and historical studies have concluded that the long-term success or failure of various past civilizations has depended, at least in part, on people’s ability to maintain the quality of the resources upon which they depended. Though it is possible for modern societies to learn from such examples, modern societies are interconnected to an unprecedented degree. It is no longer realistic to expect one region to be immune from the effects of environmental mistakes that may happen elsewhere in the world. Research related to renewable, lignocellulosic resources is urgently needed. But in addition to the research, there also needs to be discussion of hard-hitting questions, helping to minimize the chances of technological failure. The next failed civilization may be our own

Combined School/Public Libraries: Do They Have An Effect On Teens' Use Of Library Materials And Teens Leisure Reading?

This study set out to explore if a relationship exists between library usage for leisure reading by high school students and convenient access to the public library collection at a combined school/public library and also if there is a relationship between such access and the amount of leisure reading by high school students. Library usage was examined in three ways: number of visits, purpose of visits, and number of books borrowed. Leisure reading was examined in terms of where reading material is accessed, hours spent in reading for pleasure and motivations for reading. Students from two high schools in the Wake County Public School System in North Carolina were the subjects in this study. Surveys administered to students at a high school with a combined school/public library were compared with those from students with a stand-alone high school media center. Both library usage and engagement in leisure reading showed a significantly positive relationship to access to public library resources at school. Students at the high school with a combined school/public library made more independent visits to the library during the school day and more visits to a library outside the school day. Visits to the library during the school day to read or check out books both for schoolwork and leisure were greater at the school with a combined school/public library as was the amount of books borrowed during the school year. When sources of leisure reading material were compared, a higher percentage of teens with convenient access to the public library collection at school used library resources for leisure reading, especially magazines, and a lower percentage buy most of the books they read for leisure. Evidence also indicates that teens with convenient access to the public library collection at school engage in more hours of leisure reading with fewer students reporting that they do not engage in reading outside of school assignments. Finally, students at the school with convenient access to the public library collection scored more motivated toward reading on a reading motivation scale. Most results were significant at .05

O profissional de educação física em hospital de alta complexidade

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar as competências e atuação requeridas do Profissional de Educação Física na área da promoção da saúde, bem como sua importância na equipe multidisciplinar, mais especificadamente como profissional atuante dessa equipe na Unidade de Internação Pediátrica (UIP) de um hospital de alta complexidade, o Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, no Rio Grande do Sul. Desta forma, compreendo que o presente trabalho pode contribuir com a formação do Bacharelado no curso de Educação Física, por apresentar informações e reflexões pertinentes do atual cenário de inserção do Profissional de Educação Física (PEF) no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), oferecendo ao bacharelando, um olhar mais próximo da nova realidade do aumento das políticas públicas voltadas para a promoção de saúde, aonde o PEF é cada vez mais requisitado, sendo o profissional capaz e habilitado para mostrar aos pacientes, com base científica, os benefícios e a execução correta dos exercícios físicos. As reflexões e conclusões deste trabalho levam a crer que o PEF em um hospital de alta complexidade da rede pública de saúde é capacitado para trabalhar junto às equipes multidisciplinares de saúde, atuando na prevenção de diversas enfermidades, reduzindo os danos e agravos de doenças através das práticas corporais.The objective of this study is to analyze the competencies and performance required of the Physical Education Professional in the area of health promotion, as well as its importance in the multidisciplinary team, more specifically as a working professional of this team in the Pediatric Internment Unit (UIP) of a hospital of high complexity, the Clinical Hospital of Porto Alegre, in Rio Grande do Sul. In this way, I understand that the present work can contribute to the formation of the Bachelor in Physical Education, for presenting relevant information and reflections of the current scenario of insertion of the Physical Education Professional (PEP) into the Unified Health System (SUS), offering a closer look at the new reality of the increase of public policies aimed at health promotion, where PEF is increasingly required, and the professional is capable and able to show patients, on a scientific basis, the benefits and correct execution of physical exercises. The reflections and conclusions of this work lead to believe that the PEF in a hospital of high complexity of the public health network is able to work with the multidisciplinary health teams, acting in the prevention of various diseases, reducing the damages and diseases through practices

Measuring the magnitude of morphological integration: The effect of differences in morphometric representations and the inclusion of size

The magnitude of morphological integration is a major aspect of multivariate evolution, providing a simple measure of the intensity of association between morphological traits. Studies concerned with morphological integration usually translate phenotypes into morphometric representations to quantify how different morphological elements covary. Geometric and classic morphometric representations translate biological form in different ways, raising the question if magnitudes of morphological integration estimates obtained from different morphometric representations are compatible. Here we sought to answer this question using the relative eigenvalue variance of the covariance matrix obtained for both geometric and classical representations of empirical and simulated datasets. We quantified the magnitude of morphological integration for both shape and form and compared results between representations. Furthermore, we compared integration values between shape and form to evaluate the effect of the inclusion or not of size on the quantification of the magnitude of morphological integration. Results show that the choice of morphological representation has significant impact on the integration magnitude estimate, either for shape or form. Despite this, ordination of the integration values within representations is relatively the same, allowing for similar conclusions to be reached using different methods. However, the inclusion of size in the dataset significantly changes the estimates of magnitude of morphological integration, hindering the comparison of this statistic obtained from different spaces. Morphometricians should be aware of these differences and must consider how biological hypothesis translate into predictions about integration in each particular choice of representation.Fil: de Andrade Machado, Fabio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Hubbe, Alex. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Melo, Diogo. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Porto, Arthur. University of Oslo; NoruegaFil: Marroig, Gabriel. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

The suitability of optical particle counters for covariance estimates of the dry deposition velocity of particulate aerosols

Experimental work at the 1982 Dry Deposition Intercomparison Experiment (DDIEx) involved the use of optical particle counters for covariance estimates of dry deposition velocities of accumulation mode aerosols. Meteorological and particle flux observations are presented. Deposition velocity estimates exhibit scatter about zero. A formulation of the standard error of the deposition velocity estimator is derived and examined. Using this formulation, the observed deposition velocities are shown to be marginally significant. Using a case study, the correlation coefficient is examined and presented as an important statistic to the work. Humidity effects on the measurements are briefly examined. Recommendations are made for improvements in the instrumentation