Quantifying the effect of genetic, environmental and individual demographic stochastic variability for population dynamics in Plantago lanceolata

Simple demographic events, the survival and reproduction of individuals, drive population dynamics. These demographic events are influenced by genetic and environmental parameters, and are the focus of many evolutionary and ecological investigations that aim to predict and understand population change. However, such a focus often neglects the stochastic events that individuals experience throughout their lives. These stochastic events also influence survival and reproduction and thereby evolutionary and ecological dynamics. Here, we illustrate the influence of such non-selective demographic variability on population dynamics using population projection models of an experimental population of Plantago lanceolata. Our analysis shows that the variability in survival and reproduction among individuals is largely due to demographic stochastic variation with only modest effects of differences in environment, genes, and their interaction. Common expectations of population growth, based on expected lifetime reproduction and generation time, can be misleading when demographic stochastic variation is large. Large demographic stochastic variation exhibited within genotypes can lower population growth and slow evolutionary adaptive dynamics. Our results accompany recent investigations that call for more focus on stochastic variation in fitness components, such as survival, reproduction, and functional traits, rather than dismissal of this variation as uninformative noise.

In silico trial of baroreflex activation therapy for the treatment of obesity-induced hypertension

Clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of chronic electrical stimulation of the carotid baroreflex for the treatment of hypertension (HTN) are ongoing. However, the mechanisms by which this device lowers blood pressure (BP) are unclear, and it is uncertain which patients are most likely to receive clinical benefit. Mathematical modeling provides the ability to analyze complicated interrelated effects across multiple physiological systems. Our current model HumMod is a large physiological simulator that has been used previously to investigate mechanisms responsible for BP lowering during baroreflex activation therapy (BAT). First, we used HumMod to create a virtual population in which model parameters (n = 335) were randomly varied, resulting in unique models (n = 6092) that we define as a virtual population. This population was calibrated using data from hypertensive obese dogs (n = 6) subjected to BAT. The resultant calibrated virtual population (n = 60) was based on tuning model parameters to match the experimental population in 3 key variables: BP, glomerular filtration rate, and plasma renin activity, both before and after BAT. In the calibrated population, responses of these 3 key variables to chronic BAT were statistically similar to experimental findings. Moreover, blocking suppression of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and/or increased secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) during BAT markedly blunted the antihypertensive response in the virtual population. These data suggest that in obesity-mediated HTN, RSNA and ANP responses are key factors that contribute to BP lowering during BAT. This modeling approach may be of value in predicting BAT responses in future clinical studies.

A genome-wide epistatic network underlies the molecular architecture of continuous color variation of body extremities: a rabbit model

Deciphering the molecular architecture of coat coloration for a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying pigmentation still remains a challenge. We took advantage of a rabbit French experimental population in which both a pattern and a gradient of coloration from white to brown segregated within the himalayan phenotype. The whole experimental design was genotyped using the high density Affymetrix® AxiomOrcun™ SNP Array and phenotyped into 6 different groups ordered from the lighter to the darker. Genome-wide association analyses pinpointed an oligogenic determinism, under recessive and additive inheritance, involving genes already known in melanogenesis (ASIP, KIT, MC1R, TYR), and likely processed pseudogenes linked to ribosomal function, RPS20 and RPS14. We also identified (i) gene-gene interactions through ASIP:MC1R affecting light cream/beige phenotypes while KIT:RPS responsible of dark chocolate/brown colors and (ii) a genome-wide epistatic network involving several others coloration genes such as POT1 or HPS5. Finally, we determined the recessive inheritance of the English spotting phenotype likely involving a copy number variation affecting at least the end of the coding sequence of the KIT gene. Our analyses of coloration as a continuous trait allowed us to go beyond much of the established knowledge through the detection of additional genes and gene-gene interactions that may contribute to the molecular architecture of the coloration phenotype. Moreover, the characterization of a network including genes that contribute to melanogenesis and pigmentation, two processes affected in various human disorders, shows the potential interest of our rabbit model for transversal studies.

Epidemiology for Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring involves continuous observation to see if plans are on track and evaluation determines the effectiveness of planned health interventions delivered by the health services and programmes. The systems approach uses indicators to measure delivery, access, quality, and coverage of services and programmes and their impact on health status indicators. Efficacy measures the impact of interventions in individual people. Measuring effectiveness in whole communities utilizes quasi-experimental population-based study designs with community controls. The importance of ethical principles and monitoring equity in health planning is presented and emphasised.

The effect of the problem-based learning model by using LKPD based on south sumatera's local superiority to learn outcomes

This study aimed to define the problem-based learning model of problem-based learning using LKPD based on South Sumatra's local benefits for students at SDN 16 Prabumulih learning outcomes. This study used Quasi Experimental Design as the Nonequivalent Control Group Design method of design. The mean pretest score in the experimental group was 82,6 and the mean pretest control score in the experimental group was 67,3. In the experimental population, pretest and posttest data were usually distributed with a value of km -0.71 and 0.80 respectively. The hypotheses were calculated using ttest, which is polled variants, and the result of t obtained was 8,598 at 0,05 relevant level and table 1,987. Therefore, Ho was rejected and Ha was approved because the substantial level showed tobtain> table. The results of this study showed that the impact model of problem-based learning using LKPD based on the local benefits of South Sumatra had a substantial impact on the learning outcomes of studies at SDN 16 Prabumulih.

The ISJ 3D Brace, a Providence Brace Evolution, as a Surgery Prevention Method in Idiopathic Scoliosis

Background: The high incidence of idiopathic scoliosis worldwide as well as the serious health problems it can cause in adulthood, make it necessary to seek effective treatments to prevent the progression of the disease to more aggressive treatments such as surgery and improve patients’ quality of life. The use of night braces, besides a less severe influence on the patient’s quality of life, is effective in stopping the progression of the curve in idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: A longitudinal study was performed with an experimental population of 108 participants who attended orthotic treatment at the University Hospital of Barcelona, with ages between 4 and 15 years old, with a main curvature greater than 25 degrees and a Risser between 0 and 3. The participants received treatment with Providence ISJ-3D night braces until their pubertal change (mean duration of 2.78 years for males and 1.97 years for females). Results: The implementation of night-time orthotic treatment in children with idiopathic scoliosis is effective in slowing the progression of the curve and in the prevention of more aggressive treatments such as surgery, maintaining the patient’s quality of life. Conclusions: The use of night braces is efficacious in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis, although new studies including more sociodemographic data as well as curves from 20 degrees of progression are necessary.

Coordination and agility: How is the correlation in improving soccer dribbling skills?

Investigation that was raised in this study was to improve dribbling skills. One form of training that must be done is coordination training and agility training for the players of the Tunas Muda Medan Football School (SSB TMM). Furthermore, it is expected that discoveries can be made that can improve dribbling skills with other training components for soccer players in soccer schools. This study aims to improve the skills of dribbling SSB TMM players in the city of Medan, North Sumatra Province by using coordination training and agility training. The experimental population was all SSB TMM players with a sample of 22 people. The research method used is descriptive with a correlational process, the analysis system is used to test the hypothesis which is the normality test, linearity test, and correlation test. From the end of the first hypothesis correlation test, a significance value of 0.046 <0.050 is obtained, so there is a significant relationship between coordination on the results of the ability of dribbling ball. The achievement of the second hypothesis test has a significance value of 0.037 <0.05, so there is a significant relationship between agility and the results of the ability to dribble a ball. Based on the multiple regression test, it is known that the significance is 0.037 <0.05, then H0 is not accepted and Ha is accepted. Thus, the two components of coordination and agility simultaneously have a significant relationship with the ability to dribble a ball.

Technological methods of increasing the meat productivity of sheep in late lambing periods

The purpose of the research was to develop a method for increasing the meat productivity of sheep under various housing systems. Methods. All studies were conducted according to generally accepted methods. The experimental population of rams of the control and experimental groups was kept until the age of 3 months together with ewes on the pasture (suckling period) with further weaning at the age of 3 months. Further, the rams were divided according to the technologies of keeping: the control group – pasture (graziery), and the experimental group – indoor maintenance (fattening) up to 4 months of age, followed by control slaughter. Monthly weighing of the experimental young rams livestock was carried out. Results. The research work showed that the use of this technological method significantly contributed in increasing average gain and live weight, respectively, by 6.6 % (20 g) and 5.7 % (2.3 kg) and as a result, slaughter weight – by 9.2 % (1.6 kg) in young rams from the experimental group in comparison with analogues of the control group. Chemical, amino acid and microstructural analyses of samples of the longissimus of the livestock showed that the specimens of the young rams of the experimental group had the best food and market advantages. The efficiency of using this technological method is also confirmed by the calculated economic indicators – the difference in the level of profitability was 7.9 % in favor of the rams of the experimental group. The scientific novelty of the research work is a detailed study of the indicators of meat productivity under the influence of this technological method with the justification of its application and the introduction of both scientific and practical contributions to the development of sheep farming.

Replication of Quasi-Experimental Population Studies: Motivation and Guidance

Most quasi-experimental empirical analyses in accounting involve determining a set of sample selection criteria and then applying these criteria to obtain an exhaustive sample for analysis. By including all available observations, one might reasonably view such analyses as population studies. In this paper, I propose a structure and provide related interpretive guidance for conducting intentional, focused replications of population analyses defined by such sample selection criteria.

Adaptation and validation of the Caregiver Burden Inventory in Eating Disorders

Background Living with people diagnosed with a mental disorder is known to increase the risk of developing high levels of so–called “caregiver burden” in informal caregivers. In–depth analysis of this phenomenon and specific assessment tools for caregivers of patients diagnosed with Eating Disorders are lacking. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Caregiver Burden Inventory scale in a sample of caregivers of Eating Disorder patients (CBI–ED). Methods A cross–sectional study was conducted in the Eating Disorders outpatient unit of an Italian University hospital. Face and content validity were investigated by calculating standard Content Validity Indices (CVI-I and CVI-S) after administering the Inventory to 5 expert nurses with a minimum 5 years’ experience in mental health services assisting people diagnosed with Eating Disorders. Reliability was evaluated with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the overall scale and subscales. An exploratory factor analysis was also performed to assess construct validity. Results CBI-ED was administered to 62 informal caregivers from May 1st to July 31st, 2019. The exploratory factor analysis yielded a 5–factor structure. The CVI-S was 97.2%; the Cronbach α coefficient was 0,90 (> 0.74 in each subscale). The mean overall burden level in the experimental population was 40 [21;54], in a theoretical range from 0 (no burden) to 96 (highest level of burden). Conclusion The Caregiver Burden Inventory appears to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess caregiver burden in individuals diagnosed with Eating Disorders. Further research is needed to evaluate this tool’s efficiency in improving individually tailored interventions on families.