Sufficiency inference in anankastic conditionals

The minimal sufficiency reading of anankastic conditionals, discussed in connection with Heim's (2001) ambiguities in comparative constructions and von Fintel & Iatridou's (2007) 'Prejacent Problem' in the sufficiency modal construction, is argued to stem from the kind of ordering associated with anankastic modals

Crossing experiments reveal gamete contribution into appearance of di-and triploid hybrid frogs in Pelophylax esculentus population systems

Speciation through hybridization is connected with appearance of interspecies hybrids which can survive and reproduce owing to changes in their gametogenesis. In animals, these changes lead to appearance of clonal animals, which for successful reproduction usually depend on parental species and lack of recombination during gamete formation. Polyploidization can resolve these problems and may lead to emergence of new species. Pelophylax esculentus complex (complex of European water frogs) represents one of the appropriate models for studying interspecies hybridization and processes of polyploidization. Hybrid nature of the P. esculentus (RL genotype, 2n=26) was confirmed after crossings of two parental species P. ridibundus (RR genotype, 2n=26) and P. lessonae (LL genotype, 2n=26). Nevertheless absence of one parental species (P. lessonae) and abundance of triploid hybrid frogs (RRL and LLR genotypes, 3n=39) in population systems at the East of Ukraine challenged us to understand how di- and triploid hybrids can appear and prosper in population systems where hybrids exist only with P. ridibundus (R-E type population system). To answer this question we performed cytogenetic analysis of tadpoles appeared after artificial crossing experiments of diploid and triploid hybrids. Moreover, we identified karyotypes transmitted in growing oocytes of females participated in the crossings. Genome composition of mature frogs and tadpoles was established using FISH revealing interstitial (TTAGGG)n repeat sites that differed in two parental species. After crossings of six triploid hybrid females with RRL genotype and one female with LLR genotype with diploid hybrid males and triploid hybrid males with RRL genotype, tadpoles with karyotypes corresponding to P. ridibundus karyotypeappeared.Lampbrushchromosomesobtainedfrom oocytes of all triploid females participated in the crossings were represented by 13 bivalents corresponding to P. ridibundus chromosomes. Analysis of lampbrush chromosomes from oocytes of additional 11 hybrid females with RRL genome composition also revealed oocytes with 13 bivalents corresponding to P. ridibundus chromosomes. We suppose that such oocytes can overcome meiosis and form haploid gametes withP. ridibundusgenome. After crossings oftwo pairs of diploid hybrids we obtained triploid tadpoles with RRL andLLRkaryotypes.Oocytesfromdiploidhybrid females participated in the crossing and four additional diploid hybrid females contained 26 bivalents corresponding to P. ridibundus and P. lessonae chromosomes.Suchoocytespresumablycanformdiploidgametes after meiotic division. One diploid female after crossing with P. ridibundus male produced both P. ridibundus and diploid P. esculentus tadpoles and had oocytes with 26 bivalents corresponding to P. ridibundus and P. lessonae chromosomes. Other six diploid hybrid females had oocytes with 13 bivalents corresponding to P. ridibundus chromosomes. Crossings of seven diploid males with P. ridibundus females or triploid females with RRL genome composition resulted in appearance of tadpoles with karyotypes corresponding to P. ridibundus karyotype. Thus diploid males most probably produced haploid gametes with P. ridibundus genome. We suggest that triploid hybrid frogs cannot reproduce independently from diploid hybrids. In studied population systems, diploid hybrid females are likely to be responsible for appearance of triploid hybrids as well as new diploid hybrids

Mutual maintenance of di- and triploid Pelophylax esculentus hybrids in R-E systems: results fro

Background: Interspecies animal hybrids can employ clonal or hemiclonal reproduction modes where one or all parental genomes are transmitted to the progeny without recombination. Nevertheless, some interspecies hybrids retain strong connection with the parental species needed for successful reproduction. Appearance of polyploid hybrid animals may play an important role in the substitution of parental species and in the speciation process. Results: To establish the mechanisms that enable parental species, diploid and polyploid hybrids coexist we have performed artificial crossing experiments of water frogs of Pelophylax esculentus complex. We identified tadpole karyotypes and oocyte genome composition in all females involved in the crossings. The majority of diploid and triploid hybrid frogs produced oocytes with 13 bivalents leading to haploid gametes with the same genome as parental species hybrids usually coexist with. After fertilization of such gametes only diploid animals appeared. Oocytes with 26 bivalents produced by some diploid hybrid frogs lead to diploid gametes, which give rise to triploid hybrids after fertilization. In gonads of all diploid and triploid hybrid tadpoles we found DAPI-positive micronuclei (nucleus-like bodies) involved in selective genome elimination. Hybrid male and female individuals produced tadpoles with variable karyotype and ploidy even in one crossing owing to gametes with various genome composition. Conclusions: We propose a model of diploid and triploid hybrid frog reproduction in R-E population systems. Triploid Pelophylax esculentus hybrids can transmit genome of parental species they coexist with by producing haploid gametes with the same genome composition. Triploid hybrids cannot produce triploid individuals after crossings with each other and depend on diploid hybrid females producing diploid eggs. In contrast to other population systems, the majority of diploid and triploid hybrid females unexpectedly produced gametes with the same genome as parental species hybrids coexist with

An Application of Kadets-Pełczyński Sets to Narrow Operators

A known analogue of the Pitt compactness theorem for function spaces asserts that if 1 ≤ p < 2 and p < r < ∞, then every operator T : Lp → Lr is narrow. Using a technique developed by M.I. Kadets and A. Pełczyński, we prove a similar result. More precisely, if 1 ≤ p ≤ 2 and F is a Köthe {Banach space on [0; 1] with an absolutely continuous norm containing no isomorph of Lp such that F is subset of Lp, then every regular operator T : Lp → F is narrow.Известный аналог теоремы Питта о компактности для функциональных пространств утверждает, что если 1 ≤ p < 2 и p < r < ∞, то каждый оператор Lp → Lr узкий. Используя технику, разработанную М.И. Кадецем и А. Пелчинским, мы доказываем похожий результат. Именно, если 1 ≤ p ≤ 2 и F - банахово пространство Кете на [0; 1] с абсолютно непрерывной нормой, не содержащее подпространств, изоморфных Lp, причем F является подмножеством Lp, то каждый регулярный оператор T : Lp → F узкий

Розширення функціональних можливостей РНР для перевірки отриманих від користувача даних

Incompatibilities between parental genomes decrease viability of interspecific hybrids; however, deviations from canonical gametogenesis such as genome endoreplication and elimination can rescue hybrid organisms. To evaluate frequency and regularity of genome elimination and endoreplication during gametogenesis in hybrid animals with different ploidy, we examined genome composition in oocytes of di- and triploid hybrid frogs of the Pelophylax esculentus complex. Obtained results allowed us to suggest that during oogenesis the endoreplication involves all genomes occurring before the selective genome elimination. We accepted the hypothesis that only elimination of one copied genome occurs premeiotically in most of triploid hybrid females. At the same time, we rejected the hypothesis stating that the genome of parental species hybrid frogs co-exist with is always eliminated during oogenesis in diploid hybrids. Diploid hybrid frogs demonstrate an enlarged frequency of deviations in oogenesis comparatively to triploid hybrids. Typical for hybrid frogs deviations in gametogenesis increase variability of produced gametes and provide a mechanism for appearance of different forms of hybrids

Metahouse: noise-insulating chamber based on periodic structures

Noise pollution remains a challenging problem requiring the development of novel systems for noise insulation. Extensive work in the field of acoustic metamaterials has led to occurrence of various ventilated structures which, however, are usually demonstrated for rather narrow regions of the audible spectrum. In this work, we further extend the idea of metamaterial-based systems developing a concept of a metahouse chamber representing a ventilated structure for broadband noise insulation. Broad stop bands originate from strong coupling between pairs of Helmholtz resonators constituting the structure. We demonstrate numerically and experimentally the averaged transmission -43 dB within the spectral range from 1500 to 16500 Hz. The sparseness of the structure together with the possibility to use optically transparent materials suggest that the chamber may be also characterized by partial optical transparency depending on the mutual position of structural elements. The obtained results are promising for development of novel noise-insulating structures advancing urban science

The Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness Program Evaluation. Report #4: Evaluation of Resilience Training and Mental and Behavioral Health Outcomes

The purpose of this evaluation is to examine the effectiveness of Master Resilience Training, which is a pillar of the Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2) program. The report evaluates the relationship between resilience training and diagnoses for mental health or substance abuse problems and whether this relationship was mediated by Soldiers’ self-reported resilience/ psychological health (R/PH). In other words, we tested whether Soldiers with MRT trainers in their units experienced increases in self-reported R/PH, and whether increases in self-reported R/PH were associated with reduced odds of Soldiers receiving diagnoses for mental health or substance abuse problems. The results revealed that exposure to resilience training increased various aspects of Soldier R/PH, which, in turn, appeared to be associated with a reduced likelihood of receiving a diagnosis for a mental health problem (i.e., anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]). Thus, this finding suggested that the reduced odds of receiving a diagnosis for a mental health problem was partly due to increases in indicators of R/PH that were likely associated with exposure to resilience training. Moreover, the findings provided evidence that Soldiers exposed to the training were diagnosed with substance abuse problems at a significantly lower rate than Soldiers who were not exposed to the training. Importantly, the results of this evaluation bolster findings from previous evaluations by employing more sophisticated and stringent statistical techniques to demonstrate that resilience training can improve the R/PH of Soldiers. Additionally, the analyses included in this evaluation accounted for the potential effects of Soldier deployment; these considerations were not made in previous evaluations of the program. Therefore, the current evaluation provides further evidence that resilience training may improve the self-reported R/PH of Soldiers, even when controlling for a wider range of factors that might be expected to impact the R/PH of Soldiers. The findings of this evaluation have a number of implications. First, this evaluation provides some evidence that resilience training may be related to improvements on objective measures of mental and behavioral outcomes (i.e., diagnoses for mental health and substance abuse problems). Second, when considered at the organizational level, the effects of resilience training may reach beyond improving the health of individual Soldiers by improving the aggregate health and effectiveness of the Army as an organization. Given that diagnoses for mental health disorders are a leading cause for hospitalization in the Armed Forces (Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, 2012b), the findings provide evidence that interventions such as those offered by CSF2 may help relieve the stress that is currently being placed on medical services in the Army. In sum, it appears that the improvement of R/PH through resilience training efforts can protect against problems that undermine the effectiveness and efficiency of the Army. As with any large-scale evaluation of this type, there are a number of limitations to be acknowledged. First, the timing of deployment cycles of Soldiers in the eight Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) that were examined introduced potential confounds with regard to the timing of resilience training and data collection efforts for use in this report. Specifically, it appeared that the timing of deployments was such that Soldiers with MRTs in their units were more likely to have been deployed to combat than were those who had no MRT trainers in their units. This means that Soldiers who received resilience training were also more likely to have experienced combat which likely increased the probability of subsequently experiencing the adverse outcomes examined in this study. While this fact posed a potential confound, statistical controls were put in place that allowed for a meaningful test of the resilience training program’s effect on R/PH and diagnoses for mental health and substance abuse problems. Other limitations of this evaluation effort have been described elsewhere (Lester, Harms, Herian, Krasikova & Beal, 2011c) and are expanded upon later in this report. In light of these limitations, it is important that readers recognize two points when reviewing this report. First, this report builds on previous evaluations of the CSF2 program. Specifically, the analyses used here were more stringent given the nature of the data. It is important to note that, given the more rigorous testing methods, the results of this and previous evaluations are fairly consistent. Second, it is critical to recognize that the findings presented in this report represent the latest effort in an ongoing evaluation of the resilience training program. Future analyses may also be conducted that empirically explore the relationship between resilience training and other objective outcomes. If such analyses are undertaken, it is possible that the results may differ from those presented here and in previous evaluations due to the amount of time that has passed since implementation of the training program. In the end, however, the effectiveness of CSF2 cannot be judged solely on the results of any single evaluation, but instead must be considered in light of the entire body of work done to date

Amphibian and Avian Karyotype Evolution: Insights from Lampbrush Chromosome Studies

Amphibian and bird karyotypes typically have a complex organization, which makes them difficult for standard cytogenetic analysis. That is, amphibian chromosomes are generally large, enriched with repetitive elements, and characterized by the absence of informative banding patterns. The majority of avian karyotypes comprise a small number of relatively large macrochromosomes and numerous tiny morphologically undistinguishable microchromosomes. A good progress in investigation of amphibian and avian chromosome evolution became possible with the usage of giant lampbrush chromosomes typical for growing oocytes. Due to the giant size, peculiarities of organization and enrichment with cytological markers, lampbrush chromosomes can serve as an opportune model for comprehensive high-resolution cytogenetic and cytological investigations. Here, we review the main findings on chromosome evolution in amphibians and birds that were obtained using lampbrush chromosomes. In particular, we discuss the data on evolutionary chromosomal rearrangements, accumulation of polymorphisms, evolution of sex chromosomes as well as chromosomal changes during clonal reproduction of interspecies hybrids

Expression profiles of long and short RNA s in the cytoplasm and nuclei of growing chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) oocytes

Maternal RNAs accumulated during oocyte maturation are required not only for zygote formation but also for supporting the first embryonic cell divisions until embryo genome activation. Essential stages of transcriptome analysis include adaptation of RNA extraction procedures and characterization of the RNA expression profile. Ovaries of domestic birds represent an adequate model for exploration of RNA accumulation during oogenesis. In the present study, we optimized methods of RNA extraction from chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) oocyte cytoplasm and nucleoplasm and characterized changes in profiles of long and short RNAs during oocyte growth. Cytoplasmic RNA fractions contained 28S and 18S ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), small RNAs, and long RNAs heterogeneous in size. The profiles of total RNA from growing oocyte nuclei were dominated by low molecular weight RNAs corresponding in size to transport RNAs, small nuclear RNAs, and short regulatory RNAs. Importantly, oocyte nuclei from chicken egglaying females demonstrated trace amounts or absence of 28S and 18S rRNA, which was due to inactivation of the only nucleolar organizer. Three groups of short RNAs differing in size (from 20 to 40 nucleotides) were recognized in chicken oocytes. They might correspond to short regulatory RNA classes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that short RNAs were accumulated in the cytoplasm during oocyte growth. We suggest that short RNAs accumulated in avian oocyte cytoplasm are involved in the regulation of genome functions at early embryogenesis stages