In macroevolutionary studies, different approaches are commonly used to measure phylogenetic signal--the tendency of related taxa to resemble one another--including the K statistic and the Mantel test. The latter was recently criticized for lacking statistical power. Using new simulations, we show that the power of the Mantel test depends on the metrics used to define trait distances and phylog...

OBJECTIVE To define the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children resident in mountain areas, rural areas and urban areas. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS The sample (n = 12832; 50.7% boys) included 9- and 11-year-old children of the Veneto Region of north-east Italy. Overweight and obesity status were determined using the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points for...

Abstract An oasis is a unique natural landscape in arid and semi-arid areas, significant for regulating regional microclimates hydrological processes deserts. However, little known regarding the response of plants communities to various environmental factors. Nineteen sample plots (50 m × 50 m) were selected Daliyabuyi Oasis Taklimakan Desert hinterland based on location groundwater monitoring ...

Dr A. Bener and colleagues have reported socio-demographic risk factors associated with low birthweight in United Arab Emirates by conducting a case-control study. In a case-control study, individuals selected as controls should not only be free of the study disease, but should also be similar to the cases in regard to past potential for exposure during the time period of risk under considerati...

AIM To analyze genetic alterations of p53 gene in Slovenian gastric cancer patients and to compare these alterations with clinicopathological parameters in order to assess the value of p53 as a prognostic factor. METHODS We analyzed the samples from 230 Slovenian patients with gastric cancer, collected between 1983 and 2001. p53 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically with DO-7 monoclo...

Mantel tests of matrix correspondence have been widely used in population genetics to examine microevolutionary processes, such as isolation-by-distance (IBD). We used partial and multiple Mantel tests to simultaneously test long-term historical effects and current divergence and equilibrium processes, such as IBD. We used these procedures to calculate genetic divergence among Eugenia dysenteri...