Computer simulations on the sympatric speciation modes for the Midas cichlid species complex

Cichlid fishes are one of the best model system for the study of evolution of the species. Inspired by them, in this paper we simulated the splitting of a single species into two separate ones via random mutations, with both populations living together in sympatry, sharing the same habitat. We study the ecological, mating and genetic conditions needed to reproduce the polychromatism and polymorphism of three species of the Midas Cichlid species complex. Our results show two scenarios for the A. Citrinellus speciation process, one with and the other without disruptive natural selection. 
In the first scenario, the ecological and genetic conditions are sufficient to create two new species, while in the second the mating and genetic conditions must be synchronized in order to control the velocity of genetic drift

Public-Private Partnership\u27s Contract in Malaysia: Some Areas of Concern in a Land Swap Arrangement

This paper seeks to explore the public-private partnership initiative and salient provisions of government contracts in Malaysia. This paper further examines some areas of concern emphasising on a land swap type of contract. There are still many other provisions that need to be addressed for example on obligations, design and constructions, choosing the right type of contracts, operations and maintenance, sub-contracts, relief events, liability and damages, performance security, default and termination and dispute resolutions which is not dealt in this paper

Morphological and Histological Structures of Gonad of Coconut Crab (Birgus Latro)

The study was aimed to investigate the secondary morphological and histological structures of gonad of coconut crab (Birgus latro). Morphologically, male and female gonads were described based on size, surface condition, colour and ocupied stage in abdomen. Histologically, male gonad was described based on appearance of spermatocyte, spematid and spermatophore using PAS-Hematoksilin method, while female gonad was described on oocyte development, nucleus condition, and deposit of oocyte using Hematoksilin-Eosin methods. Morphologically, testes are smooths, white-brownish, and occupied about 9-40% abdoment, while ovarium surface are smooth-granule, whitish, grey-dark, red, and occupied about 25-80% abdoment. Histologically, the testes showed spermatocyte, spermatid, and spermatozoa in spermatophore, while the ovarium showed oocyte at premature-mature conditions

The Impact of Surroundings on the Characters in Thomas Hardy's Novels

The THE IMPACT OF SURROUNDINGS ON THE CHARACTERS IN THOMAS HARDY'S NOVELS” is to apply the writers' knowledge on literature and to show their interest in reading novels. The writers transfered not only their limited knowledge in analysing novels as literary works but also building the awareness of the importance of reading habit to their students of Unswagati because all of them take the subject of Introduction to English Literature. Reading and analyzing novel is really beneficial for students that both can improve the students reading skill but also their English ability, moreover, they will have the ability in criticizing the novel from different views. In brief, it will also improve their critical thinking. Afterwards, by describing the characters and their attitudes toward each other and how the surroundings influence them, we also learn about their culture. The theory that is used in analysing those novels is from Harvey, Murphy, Klarer, and Lodge. The method that is applied in analysing the characters and the surroundings is descriptive qualiative in which the writers take the data by reading the three novels, explain in details about the characters and the surroundings involved in the story and some other elements supported the completeness of the story. Key words: surroundings, impact, literar

Health-related quality of life of general practitioners - family physicians in South-eastern Europe

Introduction An insight into the health-related quality of life (HRQL) provides information on the extent of activities and everyday functioning restriction by deteriorated health. Objective The purpose of the paper was to analyze the HRQL of general practitioners-family physicians of the Southeastern Europe and compare it with HRQL of controls, the subjects of the same educational background, geographical area, sex and age, but different working activities. Method The study "Health-related quality of life of general practitioners-family physicians in the South-eastern Europe" (HERQUL study) was performed in Serbia, Republic of Srpska, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bulgaria during February- September 2004. Study instrument was a standardized generic questionnaire for the measurement of HRQL SF-36, which subject's health status assesses across eight different domains. Results The study included 1141 doctors (337 male and 804 female) and the same number of controls. The deteriorated physical health affected HRQL of controls, but more significantly of physicians. The deteriorated mental health affected HRQL of both physicians and controls regardless of age and sex. The lowest HRQL scores of physicians due to lowered vitality was reported in all studied countries, excluding subjects from Montenegro. Better social functioning HRQL domain was recorded in males regardless of profession. The deteriorated physical and mental health as well as social functioning mostly influenced HRQL of physicians aged 55-59, and in controls this applied to those older than 60, regardless of sex. Emotional health HRQL domain scores were better in the control group than in physicians, regardless of sex. Conclusion Studies of physicians' HRQL, particularly doctors of general practitioners-family physicians, are scarce. The results of the HERQUL study could be the impetus to obtain support for the improvement of HRQL of this important group of health professionals from the relevant government institutions

Determination of calf circumference cut-off values for Malaysian elderly and its predictive value in assessing risk of malnutrition

Introduction: Malnutrition is a growing problem but quite often under-recognised in elderly people. Calf circumference (CC) is a simple measurement that can be used to identify elderly people who are at high risk of malnutrition; however, a population-specific cut-off point must be developed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine suitable cut-off points and evaluate the predictive value of the CC cut-off point for elderly Malaysians. Methods: A total of 820 persons comprising 433 men and 387 women were recruited as subjects. The mean age was 69.0 ± 6.8 and ranged between 60 to 97 years. Data were collected from Sabak Bernam, Selangor Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan; Pasir Mas, Kelantan, and Kodiang, Kedah. A linear regression analysis with the z-score procedure by gender was used to derive the CC prediction equations. Results: The CC cut-off points for men and women at risk of malnutrition were 30.1 cm and 27.3 cm, respectively. The final predictive CC equations for men was CC (cm) = 3.69 (z score) + 33.81, R2 = 1 and CC (cm) = 0.7103 (BMI) + 18.54, R2 = 1; and for women, CC (cm) = 4.31 (z score) + 31.63, R2 = 1 and CC (cm) = 0.6698(BMI) + 16.847, R2 = 1. Based on these equations, using the z-score equal to negative 1 for men (BMI 16.30 kg/m2) and women (BMI 15.64 kg/m2), the mean of the predictive value of the CC cut-off point was 32.0 ± 4.2 cm in men and 30.5 ± 4.6 cm in women. Conclusion: It is suggested that these cut-off points be used to screen elderly individuals who are at risk of malnutrition. Further studies should be undertaken to further verify the application of the findings of this study

Tropical cyclone activity affected by volcanically induced ITCZ shifts

Volcanic eruptions can inject a large amount of aerosol particles, which interact with solar radiation and consequently can affect the climate worldwide, hence the intensity and frequency of extreme events for a few years following the eruption. However, only a handful of studies have investigated the impacts of volcanic eruptions on tropical cyclone activity. Through a set of sensitivity modeling experiments, our study demonstrates that volcanic eruptions by shifting the Intertropical convergence zone can impact tropical cyclone activity up to 4 years following the eruption. These results will prove valuable to society, allowing us to better prepare for the consequences of changes in tropical cyclone activity following large volcanic eruptions

Re-defining the Golgi complex in Plasmodium falciparum using the novel Golgi marker PfGRASP

Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, relies on a sophisticated protein secretion system for host cell invasion and transformation. Although the parasite displays a secretory pathway similar to those of all eukaryotic organisms, a classical Golgi apparatus has never been described. We identified and characterised the putative Golgi matrix protein PfGRASP, a homologue of the Golgi re-assembly stacking protein (GRASP) family. We show that PfGRASP is expressed as a 70 kDa protein throughout the asexual life cycle of the parasite. We generated PfGRASP-GFP-expressing transgenic parasites and showed that this protein is localised to a single, juxtanuclear compartment in ring-stage parasites. The PfGRASP compartment is distinct from the ER, restricted within the boundaries of the parasite and colocalises with the cis-Golgi marker ERD2. Correct subcellular localisation of this Golgi matrix protein depends on a cross-species conserved functional myristoylation motif and is insensitive to Brefeldin A. Taken together our results define the Golgi apparatus in Plasmodium and depict the morphological organisation of the organelle throughout the asexual life cycle of the parasite