Uppsala University

About: Uppsala University is a education organization based out in Uppsala, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gene. The organization has 36485 authors who have published 107509 publications receiving 4220668 citations. The organization is also known as: Uppsala universitet & uu.se.

Comparison of genetic differentiation at marker loci and quantitative traits

Abstract: The comparison of the degree of differentiation in neutral marker loci and genes coding quantitative traits with standardized and equivalent measures of genetic differentiation (FST and QST, respectively) can provide insights into two important but seldom explored questions in evolutionary genetics: (i) what is the relative importance of random genetic drift and directional natural selection as causes of population differentiation in quantitative traits, and (ii) does the degree of divergence in neutral marker loci predict the degree of divergence in genes coding quantitative traits? Examination of data from 18 independent studies of plants and animals using both standard statistical and meta-analytical methods revealed a number of interesting points. First, the degree of differentiation in quantitative traits (QST) typically exceeds that observed in neutral marker genes (FST), suggesting a prominent role for natural selection in accounting for patterns of quantitative trait differentiation among contemporary populations. Second, the FST – QST difference is more pronounced for allozyme markers and morphological traits, than for other kinds of molecular markers and life-history traits. Third, very few studies reveal situations were QST < FST, suggesting that selection pressures, and hence optimal phenotypes, in different populations of the same species are unlikely to be often similar. Fourth, there is a strong correlation between QST and FST indices across the different studies for allozyme (r=0.81), microsatellite (r=0.87) and combined (r=0.75) marker data, suggesting that the degree of genetic differentiation in neutral marker loci is closely predictive of the degree of differentiation in loci coding quantitative traits. However, these interpretations are subject to a number of assumptions about the data and methods used to derive the estimates of population differentiation in the two sets of traits.

Three-dimensional array of highly oriented crystalline ZnO microtubes

Abstract: The ability to generate homogeneous particulate thin films of highly oriented and highly porous microparticles of a post transition metal oxide onto polycrystalline and single-crystalline substrates, at low cost, by a template-free, aqueous low-temperature coating process is demonstrated by the fabrication of a large three-dimensional array of perpendicularly oriented hexagonal microtubes of crystalline zincite ZnO from an aqueous solution of zinc nitrate and methenamine.

Spectroscopy Made Easy: A New Tool for Fitting Observations with Synthetic Spectra

Abstract: We describe a new software package that may be used to determine stellar and atomic parameters by matching observed spectra with synthetic spectra generated from parameterized atmospheres. A nonlinear least squares algorithm is used to solve for any subset of allowed parameters, which include atomic data (loggf and van der Waals damping constants), model atmosphere specications (Te ,l og g), elemental abundances, and radial, turbulent, and rotational velocities. LTE synthesis software handles discontiguous spectral intervals and complex atomic blends. As a demonstration, we t 26 Fe I lines in the NSO Solar Atlas (Kurucz et al. 1984), determining various solar and atomic parameters.

Mercury in the Swedish environment — Recent research on causes, consequences and corrective methods

Abstract: During the last decade a new pattern of Hg pollution has been discerned, mostly in Scandinavia and North America. Fish from low productive lakes, even in remote areas, have been found to have a high Hg content. This pollution problem cannot be connected to single Hg discharges but is due to more widespread air pollution and long-range transport of pollutants. A large number of waters are affected and the problem is of a regional character. The national limits for Hg in fish are exceeded in a large number of lakes. In Sweden alone, it has been estimated that the total number of lakes exceeding the blacklisting limit of 1 mg Hg kg-1 in 1-kg pike is about 10 000.