Evolutionarily stable range limits set by interspecific competition.

A combination of abiotic and biotic factors probably restricts the range of many species. Recent evolutionary models and tests of those models have asked how a gradual change in environmental conditions can set the range limit, with a prominent idea being that gene flow disrupts local adaptation. We investigate how biotic factors, explicitly competition for limited resources, result in evolutionarily stable range limits even in the absence of the disruptive effect of gene flow.

Cerebral blood volume measurements by perfusion-weighted MR imaging in gliomas: ready for prime time in predicting short-term outcome and recurrent disease?

Background And Purpose: Current classification and grading of primary brain tumors has significant limitations. Our aim was to determine whether the relative cerebral volume (rCBV) measurements in gliomas may serve as an adjunct to histopathologic grading, with a hypothesis that rCBV values are more accurate in predicting 1-year survival and recurrence.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four patients with gliomas (WHO grade I-IV, 27 astrocytomas, 7 tumors with oligodendroglial components) underwent contrast-enhanced MR rCBV measurements before treatment.

Methamphetamine self-administration by humans subjected to abrupt shift and sleep schedule changes.

Rationale: Methamphetamine attenuates disruptions that occur after changes in work shifts. The reinforcing effects of the drug during shift work have yet to be characterized.

Objectives: This study examined methamphetamine-related mood, performance, and reinforcing effects during simulated shift work.

Pharmacist-implemented pharmaceutical manufacturers' assistance programs: effects on health outcomes for seniors.

In the environment of rapidly mounting medication costs, pharmaceutical manufacturers' assistance programs (PMAPs) have become increasingly important in supplying medications to financially vulnerable patients. At Shenandoah Valley Compassionate Pharmacy, Winchester, Virginia, a nonprofit facility serving low-income seniors, a pharmacist and a patient advocate implement PMAPs by helping to enroll patients, dispensing medications, and providing patient counseling. To examine the effects of the program, we compared patients' clinical indicators before and after a 42-month intervention.

The impact of Meth A fibrosarcoma derived EMAP II on dendritic cell migration.

Studies have suggested that tumors are capable of modulating dendritic cell (DC) phenotype. A soluble protein produced by certain tumors, endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP II) has been suggested as an anti-tumor agent based on its anti-angiogenic activity. However, this factor has not been evaluated for effects on DC.

Perils of parsimony: properties of reduced-rank estimates of genetic covariance matrices.

Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of covariance matrices are important statistics for multivariate problems in many applications, including quantitative genetics. Estimates of these quantities are subject to different types of bias. This article reviews and extends the existing theory on these biases, considering a balanced one-way classification and restricted maximum-likelihood estimation.

Speciation by natural and sexual selection: models and experiments.

A large number of mathematical models have been developed that show how natural and sexual selection can cause prezygotic isolation to evolve. This article attempts to unify this literature by identifying five major elements that determine the outcome of speciation caused by selection: a form of disruptive selection, a form of isolating mechanism (assortment or a mating preference), a way to transmit the force of disruptive selection to the isolating mechanism (direct selection or indirect selection), a genetic basis for increased isolation (a one- or two-allele mechanism), and an initial condition (high or low initial divergence). We show that the geographical context of speciation (allopatry vs.

Patterns of quantitative genetic variation in multiple dimensions.

A fundamental question for both evolutionary biologists and breeders is the extent to which genetic correlations limit the ability of populations to respond to selection. Here I view this topic from three perspectives. First, I propose several nondimensional statistics to quantify the genetic variation present in a suite of traits and to describe the extent to which correlations limit their selection response.

A review of narrative pedagogy strategies to transform traditional nursing education.

Traditional nursing pedagogies using teacher-centered learning approaches have produced efficient, knowledgeable nursing graduates for many years. However, 21st century learners will require and demand new educational approaches. The information age of computers has challenged all facets of education to keep pace.

A model for the evolution of assortative mating.

Abstract: Many animals and plants show a correlation between the traits of the individuals in the mating pair, implying assortative mating. Given the ubiquity of assortative mating in nature, why and how it has evolved remain open questions. Here we attempt to answer these questions in those cases where the trait under assortment is the same in males and females.

Effects of the [PSI+] prion on rates of adaptation in yeast.

The [PSI(+)] prion in yeast has been shown to improve short-term growth in some environments, but its effects on rates of adaptation have not been assessed before now. We adapted three yeast genotypes to three novel environments in the presence and the absence of the prion. There were significant differences in adaptation rates between lines with different combinations of genotype, environment, and prion status.

Residual effects of intranasal methamphetamine on sleep, mood, and performance.

Although intranasal methamphetamine abuse has increased, there are no published data investigating the residual effects of the drug under controlled conditions. Thus, the current study examined the residual effects of single-dose intranasal methamphetamine administration on a broad range of behavioral and physiological measures. Non-treatment seeking methamphetamine abusers (n=11) completed this two-week, in patient, within-participant, double-blind study.

Effects of intranasal methamphetamine on metacognition of agency.

Background: Although methamphetamine abuse has been associated with cognitive deficits, few studies have investigated the acute effects of the drug on complex cognitive performance. This study evaluated the acute effects of intranasal methamphetamine on a computerized task measuring metacognition of agency.

Procedure: Ten nontreatment seeking methamphetamine abusers (2F, 8M) completed this four-session, within-participant, double-blind laboratory study; during each session, participants received one of four doses (0, 12, 25, or 50 mg/70 kg) and completed the metacognition of agency task.

Turnover of sex chromosomes induced by sexual conflict.

Sex-determination genes are among the most fluid features of the genome in many groups of animals. In some taxa the master sex-determining gene moves frequently between chromosomes, whereas in other taxa different genes have been recruited to determine the sex of the zygotes. There is a well developed theory for the origin of stable and highly dimorphic sex chromosomes seen in groups such as the eutherian mammals.

Acute physiological and behavioral effects of intranasal methamphetamine in humans.

Intranasal methamphetamine abuse has increased dramatically in the past decade, yet only one published study has investigated its acute effects under controlled laboratory conditions. Thus, the current study examined the effects of single-dose intranasal methamphetamine administration on a broad range of behavioral and physiological measures. Eleven nontreatment-seeking methamphetamine abusers (two females, nine males) completed this four-session, in-patient, within-participant, double-blind study.

The intersexual genetic correlation for lifetime fitness in the wild and its implications for sexual selection.

Background: The genetic benefits of mate choice are limited by the degree to which male and female fitness are genetically correlated. If the intersexual correlation for fitness is small or negative, choosing a highly fit mate does not necessarily result in high fitness offspring.

Methodology/principal Finding: Using an animal-model approach on data from a pedigreed population of over 7,000 collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis), we estimate the intersexual genetic correlation in Lifetime Reproductive Success (LRS) in a natural population to be negative in sign (-0.

Paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (previously familial rectal pain syndrome).

Objective: To describe the clinical phenotype of paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (previously called familial rectal pain syndrome), an autosomal dominant condition recently shown to be a sodium channelopathy involving SCN9A.

Methods: An international consortium of clinicians, scientists, and affected families was formed. Clinical details of all accessible families worldwide were collected, including age at onset, features of attacks, problems between attacks, investigational results, treatments tried, and evolution over time.

The ovarian cancer journey of families the first postdiagnostic year.

Ovarian cancer care has shifted from hospitals to families and has resulted in an unanticipated cancer journey as survivability for women so diagnosed has increased. This research investigated the impact of this responsibility on selected aspects of family functioning. Eighteen families participated in 5 family research visitations over the first postdiagnostic year.

A national survey of the prevalence, incidence, primary care burden and treatment of atrial fibrillation in Scotland.

Objective: To examine the epidemiology, primary care burden and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Design: Cross-sectional data from primary care practices participating in the Scottish Continuous Morbidity Recording scheme between April 2001 and March 2002.

Setting: 55 primary care practices (362 155 patients).

Combining olfaction and cognition measures to screen for mild cognitive impairment.

Purpose: This exploratory study examined the relationship between performance on the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE) to identify a possible association between olfaction and mild cognitive impairment(MCI).

Design And Methods: 54 community-dwelling older (ages 49-91) volunteers were given the UPSIT and ACE.

Results: The ACE identified 7 subjects (13%) who had probable MCI.

Reinforcement and sex linkage.

We present a general model for the effect of sex linkage on the evolution of reinforcement of mating preferences on an island. We find that the level of reinforcement can vary up to 80% depending on the mode of inheritance of the female preference and male trait. When reinforcement is driven mainly by selection in the male trait and intrinsic hybrid incompatibilities are weak, sex-linked preferences and autosomal male traits are the most conducive to reinforcement, whereas autosomal preferences and X-linked traits are the least.

Leadership development in geriatric care through the Intergeneration Make a Difference Project.

The Intergeneration Make a Difference Project (MADP) is designed to develop leadership skills in geriatric nursing for seniors in a baccalaureate nursing program. This service-learning project with octogenarians and older individuals is based on theoretical constructs of caring. Stories and journaling are of great importance in the project.

Migration and the genetic covariance between habitat preference and performance.

Studies of the genetic covariance between habitat preference and performance have reported conflicting outcomes ranging from no covariance to strong covariance. The causes of this variability remain unclear. Here we show that variation in the magnitude of genetic covariance can result from variability in migration regimes.