Permutation Tests to Identify Significant Constraint or Promotion Within Biological Scatterplots.

Scatterplots of biological datasets often have no-data zones, which suggest constraint or promotion of dependent variables. Although methods exist to estimate boundary lines-that is, to fit lines to the edges of scatters of data points-there are, to our knowledge, none available to assess the significance of the areal extents of no-data zones. Accordingly, we propose a flexible boundary line definition paired with a permutation test of the magnitude of no-data zones-rather than testing the shape or slope of the line as current methods do.

Soil geochemistry and constraint of tree seedlings immediately after germination on termite mounds in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

termite mounds in the Kruger National Park occupy a significant part of the savanna landscapes, occurring at densities of up to 70 km and often exceeding 10 m in width and 4 m in height. The mounds are usually devoid of trees, but have dense grass cover in wet years. As a result, these mounds form large patches of grassland amongst the wooded savanna.

Early onset X-linked female limited high myopia in three multigenerational families caused by novel mutations in the ARR3 gene.

This study describes the clinical spectrum and genetic background of high myopia caused by mutations in the ARR3 gene. We performed an observational case series of three multigenerational families with high myopia (SER≤-6D), from the departments of Clinical Genetics and Ophthalmology of a tertiary Dutch hospital. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) with a vision-related gene panel was performed, followed by a full open exome sequencing.

Procedure for the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric confirmation of some exogenous growth-promoting compounds in the urine of cattle.

As gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is the most conclusive confirmation technique available today for the detection of ppb levels of anabolics in the urine of cattle, the following procedure was used. The urine is hydrolysed with Helix pomatia intestinal juice, extracted, and the extract cleaned by gel-permeation chromatography or with Extrelut. In one fraction are eluted diethylstilboestrol, dienoestrol, hexoestrol, methyltestosterone, ethinyloestradiol, zeranol and trenbolone.