Contrasting patterns of selection between MHC I and II across populations of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins

Indexación: Web of ScienceThe evolutionary and adaptive potential of populations or species facing an emerging infectious disease depends on their genetic diversity in genes, such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). In birds, MHC class I deals predominantly with intracellular infections (e.g., viruses) and MHC class II with extracellular infections (e.g., bacteria). Therefore, patterns of MHC I and II diversity may differ between species and across populations of species depending on the relative effect of local and global environmental selective pressures, genetic drift, and gene flow. We hypothesize that high gene flow among populations of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins limits local adaptation in MHC I and MHC II, and signatures of selection differ between markers, locations, and species. We evaluated the MHC I and II diversity using 454 next-generation sequencing of 100 Humboldt and 75 Magellanic penguins from seven different breeding colonies. Higher genetic diversity was observed in MHC I than MHC II for both species, explained by more than one MHC I loci identified. Large population sizes, high gene flow, and/or similar selection pressures maintain diversity but limit local adaptation in MHC I. A pattern of isolation by distance was observed for MHC II for Humboldt penguin suggesting local adaptation, mainly on the northernmost studied locality. Furthermore, trans species alleles were found due to a recent speciation for the genus or convergent evolution. High MHC I and MHC II gene diversity described is extremely advantageous for the long term survival of the species.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.2502/epd

Linguistic politeness across Austria and Italy: Backing out of an invitation with an instant message

The study compares how native speakers of German from the area of Innsbruck (Austria) and native speakers of Italian from the area of Rome (Italy) perceive the communicative act of backing out of an invitation for dinner at the last minute, in a situation of low social distance. The purpose of the study is twofold: to shed light on the orientation of Austrian German and Italian languages/cultures in terms of linguistic politeness, and to expand empirical cross-cultural research to a less-commonly investigated speech act. Data collected by means of a discourse completion task (DCT) are triangulated with responses to an assessment question and metapragmatic comments, and analyzed following a quantitative approach. The analysis of the DCT findings shows some cross-group differences in the choice of speech act realization strategies and internal modifiers. However, the overall results reveal more similarities than differences between the two populations regarding the informants’ perception of face threat in last-minute cancellations. This seems to disprove the idea that the two groups belong to different cultural frameworks in terms of politeness orientation, at least as far as it concerns the specific speech act under investigation

Effet de la matrice de l'eau sur l'élimination des micropolluants organiques par ozonation. Partie 1. Consommation spécifique de l'ozone dans un réacteur

A partir des réactions possibles entre l'ozone, les radicaux et les principaux composants d'une eau à potabiliser, des formules théoriques de formations de radicaux et de décomposition de l'ozone sont établies. La matière organique est schématisée par les composés qui réagissent avec l'ozone (Si), les initiateurs, les promoteurs et les inhibiteurs de la réaction radicalaire (SIi, Sp,i, Ss,i). La décomposition de l'ozone est ensuite mesurée pour 56 eaux naturelles caractérisées par les analyses suivantes (pH, Absorbance à 254 nm, COT, Alcalinité). En se basant sur les connaissances acquises et les valeurs expérimentales du taux spécifique de consommation de l'ozone w, l'équation théorique est simplifiée et on obtient:-(d[O3]/dt)=([O3](∑kDlSl,i)(∑klDP,i[SP,i])) / ([HCO3-](k9+k10 10pH-10,25))En prenant le COT comme représentatif des [Sp,i] (attaque radicalaire non sélective) et l'absorbance à 254 nm comme representative de SI,i (attaque directe sur les cycles aromatiques), une analyse multifactorielle permet d'obtenir l'expression:log10w = -3,93 + 0,24pH + 0,75 log10 Absorbance à 254 mm + 1,08 log10 COT - 0,19 log10 alcalinitéL'équation ainsi obtenue peut être utilisée dans tous les modèles prédictifs faisant appel aux bilans massiques sur l'oxydant.From the numerous reactions between ozone and other components of raw water in a drinking water plant, we obtain theoretical equations for hydroxy radical concentrations (1) and for the disappearance of ozone (2). Dissolved organic matter is divided in to four components: substances which react with ozone by a direct mechanism (Si), initiators, promotors, and scavengers ofradical reactions (SI,i, SP,i, SS,i). We also take into account the reactions between hydrogen peii*iâô. orThe, and free radicals to simulate advanced oxidation processes.[OH∘]= ([O3]{2k1∙10pH-14+2k2 10pH-11,6 [H2O2] + ∑kdl,i [Sl,i]}) / (klD[P]+[HCO3-] (k9+k10∙10pH-10,25)+∑klDS,i [Ss,i])   (1)-(d[O3])/(dt) = {kD[P]+∑kD,i[Si]+∑kDl,i[Sl,i]+3k110pH-14+k210pH-11,6H2O2]}[O3]+[OH∘]{k8[O3]+[H2O2](k210pH-11,6+K7)+∑klDP,i[SP,i]   (2)For 56 natural water samples, we measured the disappearence of ozone directly in a completely stirred batch reactor. Water samples were characterized by pH, TOC, 254 nm UV absorbance and alkalinity. Kinetics were first order with respect to ozone(d[O3])/(dt) = -w[O3]with w : specific ozone disappearence rate.Each term of equation 2 is discussed and, based on the experimental values of w, a simplified equation 3 obtained :-(d[O3])/(dt) = ([O3](∑kDISl,i)(∑klDP,i[SP,i))/([HCO3](k9+k10 10pH-10,25))The TOC parameter can represent [SP,i] because radical reactions are non selective, where as the 254 nm UV absorbance can represent [Si] because organic matter (Fulvic and Humic acid) can react directly with ozone via its constituent aromatic rings.Using the data set of 56 w values measured in natual water samples, mathematical correlations can be calculated :log10w = -3,93 + 0,24pH + 0,75 log10 Absorbance à 254 mm + 1,08 log10 COT - 0,19 log10 alcalinityA strong correlation between experimental measurements and predicted w values is obtained

Effet de la matrice de l'eau sur l'élimination des micropolluants organiques par ozonation. Partie 2. Simulation de l'élimination d'un micropolluant dans les réacteurs idéaux

L'équation cinétique qui permet de calculer l'oxydation d'un micropolluant dans les réacteurs d'ozonation s'écrit:-(d[P]/dt)=(KD[O3]L+KID[OH∘])[P]Kd et Kid: constantes de vitesse de l'ozone et des radicaux hydroxyles sur le micropolluant P.Dans la première partie, l'approche théorique de la concentration en radicaux hydroxyles a montré que [OH·] est proportionnel à la concentration en ozone ([OH·] = k'[03]). On a donc:(d[P]/dt)=KG[O3]L[P] with KG=KD+KIDK'Dans un réacteur parfaitement agité, les concentrations en ozone et en micropolluant sont constantes et l'élimination s'écrit: ([P]/[Po])=(1/1+KG[O3]L τ) with τ=(V/Q)Dans un réacteur piston, les concentrations varient tout au long de la colonne et il est habituel de modéliser un tel réacteur comme un grand nombre de R.P.A. en série de volume DeltaV et de hauteur DeltaH (Dans notre approche DeltaH = 0,01 m).Dans les deux cas, la simulation de l'élimination du micropolluant est basée sur la connaissance de la valeur de kG et de la concentration en ozone dans l'eau [03]L[03]L est obtenue de la résolution des bilans massiques dans un volume V ou ~V. ozone à l'entrée + ozone transféré = ozone à la sortie + ozone consomméL'ozone transféré utilise pour son calcul des relations semi-empiriques donnant la constante de Henry et la valeur du kLa.L'ozone consommé est déduit de la relation établie dans la partie 1:(d[O3]L/dt)=w[O3]LLes résultats de la simulation sont comparés aux résultats expérimentaux obtenus avec un pesticide organo-phosphoré, le parathion. Les paramètres variables sont le temps de contact (300 - 600 s), le pH (6,7 - 8,2) et le taux de traitement (1 à 5 g/m3).Une valeur de kG comprise entre 500 et 600 M-¹s-¹ donne une bonne corrélation entre les valeurs expérimentales et calculées. Cependant, on peut noter quelques différences, en particulier dans la partie basse de la colonne, ce qui montre la nécessité de prendre en compte pour des calculs plus précis l'hydrodynamique du réacteur. L'emploi du programme de simulation permet de tracer deux abaques qui montrent l'influence pour n'importe quel micropolluant des facteurs kGteta et w.Micropollutant (P) oxidation in an ideal ozonation reactor uses the kinetic équation:(d[P]/dt)=(KD[O3]L+KID[OH∘])[P]kD and kID : kinetic rate constant of ozone and hydroxy radicals on the micro -pollutant P.In part 1, the theoritical équation shows that [OH°] is proportional to the ozone concentration ([OH°] = k'[O3]) and thus the following equation is obtained :(d[P]/dt)=KG[O3]L[P] with KG=KD+KIDK'In a completely stirred tank reactor, ozone concentration in liquid phase is constant and pesticide elimination is given by the equation :([P]/[Po])=(1/1+KG[O3]L τ) with τ=(V/Q)In a plug flow reactor, ozone concentration in liquid phase varies along the column. To modelize them, we use the model of completely stirred tank reactors in series where the unit volume is ∆V. In our calculations, this volume is obtained by S (reactor cross section area) and ∆h equal to 0,01 m. In this volume ∆V, ozone and micropoliutant concentrations are considerad as a constant.Simulation calculations are based on the knowledge of global kinetic constant kG and ozone concentration.The value of the ozone concentration is obtain from mass balances on the oxklant (on a ∆V or V volume reactor) :ozone inlet + transferred ozone = consumed ozone + ozone outletThe quantifies of transferred ozone are calculated from the Henry law and a semi empirical kLa equation.The quantity of consumed ozone is calculated from the equation in part I(d[O3]L/dt)=w[O3]LExperimental results are obtained with parathion, an organo-phosphorus pesticide on a bubble column pilot plant:Parameters are contact time (300-600 s), pH (6,7-8-2) and ozone treatment rate (1 to 5 g/m3).A kG value of 500 or 600 M-l s-l shows a good correlation between predicted and simulated pesticide concentrations.However, there are noticable differences, especially at the bottom of the column. This shows the necessity to take into account the hydrodynamic properties of the reactor during next works. The use of the simulation program lets to calculate the elimination of pesticide versus the two main parameters : the factor kGteta and the value of w

Visual Assessment of Soil Structure as an Early Indicator of Soil Quality in Response to Intensive Rotational Grazing

Grasslands can play a crucial role in mitigation of global warming by serving as carbon sink. Nevertheless, to achieve the grasslands’ potential, sustainable management is of the utmost importance as it determines system’s productivity and ecosystem services. Due to the increasing demand for animal products in developing countries, grazed areas increase exponentially in the tropics, mainly due to unsustainable management leading to low productivity and soil degradation. We evaluated the impact of intensive rotational grazing management (IRG) on early indicators of soil quality following land-use change based on on-farm observations of visual soil characteristics using two different widely used assessment methods: visual soil assessment-VSA and visual evaluation of soil structure-VESS. Correlation of visual methods were combined with measurements of soil macrofauna abundance and physical properties (e.g. bulk density, soil porosity). The IRG established in two study sites in Colombia was compared with traditional long-term continuous grazing with low stocking rate (1 LU ha-1). The IRG was based on rapid (1 day) cattle grazing in paddocks with high stocking rate (180 LU ha-1) followed by 60 days of recovery. In both study sites, IRG increased considerably total stocking rate to 4 LU ha-1 while improving grassland composition by enabling more valuable species, which contributed to soil quality and increased grassland productivity. Both VSA and VESS discriminated IRG-managed sites in less than one year after IRG adoption. Our results demonstrate that visual soil assessment is a useful mean for evaluation of soil quality and grassland productivity. Furthermore, VSA and VESS seemed to be more suitable in discriminating among management in early stages, when compared to commonly used soil physical properties, and were strongly correlated mainly to the abundance of earthworms. Furthermore, our study confirms the importance of grazing management in soil quality and ecosystem productivity/sustainability