Eastern Race Research Articles

Cytomegaloviral Infections in Recipients of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy: An Observational Study With Focus on Oncologic Outcomes.

Patients with B-cell lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who receive chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy may experience clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection (CS-CMVi). However, risk factors for CS-CMVi are not well defined. The aims of our study were to identify risk factors for CS-CMVi and the association between CS-CMVi and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) in lymphoma and ALL patients after CAR-T therapy. We performed a retrospective single-center cohort analysis of CAR-T recipients between January 2018 and February 2021 for treatment of lymphoma and ALL. We collected data on demographics, oncologic history, CAR-T therapy-related complications, and infectious complications within 1 year of therapy. Of 230 patients identified, 22 (10%) had CS-CMVi. At 1 year following CAR-T therapy, 75 patients (33%) developed relapsed disease and 95 (41%) died; NRM at 1 year was 37%. On Cox regression analysis, Asian or Middle Eastern race (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 13.71 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 5.41-34.74]), treatment of cytokine release syndrome/immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome with steroids (aHR, 6.25 [95% CI, 1.82-21.47]), lactate dehydrogenase at time of CAR-T therapy (aHR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.02-1.16]), and CMV surveillance (aHR, 6.91 [95% CI, 2.77-17.25]) were independently associated with CS-CMVi. CS-CMVi was independently associated with NRM at 1 year after CAR-T therapy (odds ratio, 2.49 [95% CI, 1.29-4.82]). Further studies of immunologic correlatives and clinical trials to determine the efficacy of prophylactic strategies are needed to understand the role of CS-CMVi and post-CAR-T mortality.

Reducing the Alar Base While Minimizing Visible Sequalae: A Review of Three Alar Base Reduction Techniques over 35 Years.

Importance: Although classically described and routinely performed, alar base reduction remains nuanced without consensus as to the gold standard. Objective: To compare the measurement of alar base reduction among three techniques and the incidence of postoperative dermabrasion in rhinoplasties performed for 35 years. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent rhinoplasty with alar base reduction between 1983 and 2020 by one surgeon. Dermabrasion rates for visible incisions were evaluated based on patient demographics and surgical technique. Results: Of 312 patients, 82% (258) were women. The mean age was 33 years (SD 11.9). Patients self-identified as White (54.5%), Hispanic (22.4%), African American (8.3%), Middle Eastern, (5.2%), Asian (4.8%), Indian (2.2%), Mediterranean (1.3%), or unspecified (1.3%). Alar flare reduction was used alone in 202 (64.7%) patients. Eighty-two (26.3%) patients underwent postoperative dermabrasion to visible incisions. Patients self-reporting Middle Eastern race were offered dermabrasion at a rate 3.7 × higher than other race groups (OR = 3.73, CI 1.23-11.194, p = 0.02). Conclusion and Relevance: Alar flare reduction, sill reduction, and V-to-Y advancement are techniques that can be used to narrow the alar base. Visible incisions are the most common downside but can be addressed with postoperative interventions including dermabrasion.

A broadly sampled 3-loci plastid phylogeny of Atraphaxis (Polygoneae, Polygonoideae, Polygonaceae) reveals new taxa: III. A. kuvaevii and сryptic species in A. pungens from Southern Siberia and Northern Mongolia

Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian analyses (BI) applied for combined plastid matrix (cpDNA trnL(UAA) intron, trnL–trnF IGS, and rpl32–trnL(UAG) IGS regions) of 124 accessions of 36 species of the genus Atraphaxis have shown new species from southern Siberia. The analysis of 112 accessions of 36 species of nrDNA ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 regions showed less clear topology. A new species A. kuvaevii endemic for Yenisey Valley in Tuva was revealed with molecular and morphological data. The plants attributed previously to A. pungens split into three cryptic species with different plastid regions. A. pungens grows in the south of Krasnoyarskii Krai, Khakassia, Tuva and Mongolia. A. ledebourii is distributed in Altai Mts, Tuva and Mongolia. It combines a functional ITS ribotype and a psedogenized ribotype, what agrees with high chromosome numbers. The third pseudogenized ribotype shared with A. ariana was found in a single sample from SE Tuva. A. ×uyukensis is a species of hybrid origin from the Uyuk ridge with the ITS ribotype of A. pungens, which probably captured cpDNA of unknown species related to A. selengensis and A. davurica by maternal lineage. Despite the differences in plastid regions, these cryptic species have no clear morphoplogical distinctions. The hybrid A. pungens × A. ledebourii from Tuva and the hybrid A. ledebourii × A. pungens from Hangay Mts in Mongolia do not differ from the parents. The eastern race of A. frutescens s.l. sub A. decipiens from Tuva and Altai Republics differs from the western race of A. frutescens with a single nucleotide substitution in cpDNA trnL–trnF IGS, a distinct ITS ribotype, a short perianth tube equal to outer tepals, herbaceous tubular ochreolas and linear-lanceolate leaf blades. The hybrids A. pungens × A. decipiens and A. decipiens × A. pungens were detected in three locations in Tuva. Cryptic hybrids A. ledebourii × A. decipiens, A. ledebourii × A. frutescens, and A. decipiens × A. ledebourii were detected in Altai and Tuva Republics. Two hybrids A. decipiens × A. ledebourii have shown the capture of cpDNA of A. decipiens. Atraphaxis laetevirens is limited by the territory of Kazakhstan, Altai Republic and Dzungaria and does not grow in Tuva and Khakassia.

Taxonomical review of Prosymnaangolensis Boulenger, 1915 (Elapoidea, Prosymnidae) with the description of two new species.

African Shovel-snout snakes (Prosymna Gray, 1849) are small, semi-fossorial snakes with a unique compressed and beak-like snout. Prosymna occur mainly in the savanna of sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 16 currently recognised species, four occur in Angola: Prosymnaambigua Bocage, 1873, P.angolensis Boulenger, 1915, P.frontalis (Peters, 1867), and P.visseri FitzSimons, 1959. The taxonomical status and evolutionary relationships of P.angolensis have never been assessed due to the lack of genetic material. This species is known to occur from western Angola southwards to Namibia, and eastwards to Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The species shows considerable variation in dorsal colouration across its range, and with the lower ventral scales count, an 'eastern race' was suggested. In recent years, Prosymna material from different parts of Angola has been collected, and with phylogenetic analysis and High Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography, the taxonomic status of these populations can be reviewed. Strong phylogenetic evidence was found to include the angolensis subgroup as part of the larger sundevalli group, and the existence of three phylogenetic lineages within the angolensis subgroup were identified, which each exhibit clear morphological and colouration differences. One of these lineages is assigned to the nominotypical P.angolensis and the other two described as new species, one of which corroborates the distinct eastern population previously detected. These results reinforce that a considerable part of Angolan herpetological diversity is still to be described and the need for further studies.

Cultural competence and decision-making of nurse leaders in a university hospital in Saudi Arabia: A descriptive correlational study.

The aim of this study is to determine the quality of decision-making and cultural competence in terms of cultural competence behaviour and cultural awareness and sensitivity of nurse leaders. Furthermore, this study explores the relationships between selected demographic profiles, cultural awareness and sensitivity, cultural competence behaviour and quality of decision-making. Diversity contributes to varying beliefs and practices in the workplace. Leaders with cultural competence, awareness and sensitivity can evaluate alternatives for the decision-making process and develop effective strategies to implement decisions. A descriptive correlational design was utilized. The respondents (n = 122) completed the Cultural Competence Assessment instrument and Decision Making Quality Scale questionnaire. Cultural awareness and sensitivity are significantly related to the Middle Eastern race. Furthermore, cultural competence behaviour is significantly related to years of experience in Saudi Arabia and leadership positions. Quality of decision-making is significantly related to years of experience in Saudi Arabia. Cultural awareness, sensitivity and cultural competence behaviour are significantly related to the quality of decision-making. Culturally aware, sensitive and competent nurse leaders are more likely to adhere to the quality decision-making criteria. Promoting training and continuing education for nurse leaders are crucial to ensure they possess the right cultural knowledge and skills.

Correlation of racial effect with severity of disease and in-hospital outcome in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19.

IntroductionThere are many countries that inhibit diverse populations and hence, studies have been conducted to find the relation between ethnic and racial groups within a society and incidence or mortality because of coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19).ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the racial effect on the severity of disease and in‐hospital outcomes in individuals diagnosed with COVID‐19.Patients and MethodsThis retrospective study is based on records of 804 tested positive COVID‐19 patients presented at Dammam Medical Complex and Braira quarantine from March 2020 to May 2020 was conducted after approval from the ethical board. Patient's records included the routine patient's consent statement about the explanation of all the investigations and procedures before being performed. Data were retrieved and included in the analysis were age, gender, country of origin, racial background (Arab, Caucasian, Asian, Black, Latin and Hispanic), the severity of COVID‐19 and outcome.ResultsOut of total 804 confirmed patients of COVID‐19, there were 647 (80.5%) male patients and 157 (19.5%) female patients (M:F ratio = 4.1:1). Male preponderance was seen in all racial groups and significantly higher amongst the Asians than the Middle Eastern race (91.2% vs. 70.3%, p = .000). The mean age of Asians was significantly higher than the mean age of the Middle Eastern and Black and Caucasian races (42.8 ± 10.0 vs. 39.6 ± 16.3 vs. 37.0 ± 10.3, p = .003). The proportion of deaths was considerably higher amongst Asians (5.4%) compared with Middle Eastern patients (1.2%) (p value = .001).ConclusionSeverity and in‐hospital outcome were varying considerably amongst the racial groups. East and South Asian COVID‐19 patients had more severe symptoms and less recovery rate compared with other groups, late presentation may be a contributory reason. Hence, evaluation of the severity of COVID‐19 in relation to the various racial groups along with demographic characteristics and other risk factors can provide baseline guidance to the clinical care providers to initiate earlier and appropriate treatment.

‘The China Virus’: Invasion, Contagion, and the ‘Yellow Peril’

‘The China Virus’: Invasion, Contagion, and the ‘Yellow Peril’

You Are Because I Am: Toward New Covenants of Equity and Diversity in Teacher Education

Racial disparities in the demographic composition of K-12 students and teachers has led university teacher education programs and school districts to endeavor to prepare all teachers, especially White teachers, to work with diverse students. However, often sidelined in these initiatives are the challenging tasks of preparing, recruiting, and retaining teachers of color as well as the challenging truths about the experiences of aspiring and practicing teachers and teacher educators of African American, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Native American, Middle Eastern, and mixed race heritages. This paper was delivered as a talk at the National Symposium on Teacher Diversity held at Northern Kentucky University in 2017. Dillard posits that in order to address the inequities within schooling and teacher education, we must examine the covenants that lie at the center of educational and public discussions about education in the U.S. through (re)membering narratives of Black and Brown lives and experiences with/in schooling, Dillard marshals the notion of beloved community put forth by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a promising framework for ushering in new covenants in teaching and learning for schools and schools of education that might enhance and support the experiences of aspiring and practicing teachers of color.

The Relationship between Bower Orientation, Platform Choice and Mating Success in the Great Bowerbird Chlamydera nuchalis nuchalis

Bowers are display structures built by male bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchidae) to court females. Avenue bowers consist of two parallel walls of upright sticks. Visiting females enter the avenue between the walls to watch the male displaying on a platform at either end of the bower. According to the Optimal hypothesis, bowers are oriented to optimise the amount of sunlight falling on the displaying male and the decorations on the platform. We studied bower orientation and platform utilisation at bowers of the western race of the Great Bowerbird, Chlamydera nuchalis nuchalis, near Darwin, Northern Territory. Australia. Most bowers were oriented in a NNE-SSW direction, in contrast to the prevailing NNW-SSE pattern observed in the eastern race, C. n. orientalis, in north Queensland. The disparity between these study populations in bower orientation appears to be related to their geographic latitudes and, consequently, azimuth of the sun during the peak morning display period. Males displayed on the platform that received the most sunlight. Moreover, mating success at east-facing bowers was higher than at west-facing bowers. These findings support the Optimal Illumination hypothesis. This is the first report demonstrating that bower orientation influences mating success based on quantitative data in avenue bower building species.

Ants with Attitude: Australian Jack-jumpers of the Myrmecia pilosula species complex, with descriptions of four new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmeciinae).

The six known "Jack-jumper species Myrmecia pilosula Fr. Smith 1858, M. croslandi Taylor 1991, M. banksi, M. haskinsorum, M. imaii and M. impaternata spp.n. are reviewed, illustrated and keyed. Myrmecia imaii is known only from southwest Western Australia, the others variously from southeastern Australia and Tasmania. These taxa were previously confused under the name M. pilosula (for which a lectotype is designated). Previous cytogenetical findings, which contributed importantly to current taxonomic understanding, are summarized for each species. Eastern and Western geographical races of the widespread M. pilosula are recognized. Myrmecia croslandi is one of only two eukaryote animals known to possess a single pair of chromosomes (2n=2 3 or 4). Myrmecia impaternata is evidentially an allodiploid (n=5 or 14, 2n=19) sperm-dependent gynogenetic hybrid between M. banksi and an element of the eastern race of M. pilosula, or their immediate ancestry. The sting-injected venom of these ants can induce sometimes fatal anaphylaxis in sensitive humans.

Squire: a Randomized, Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase III Study of Gemcitabine-Cisplatin (Gc) Chemotherapy Plus Necitumumab (Imc-11F8/Ly3012211) Vs Gc Alone in the First-Line Treatment of Patients (Pts) with Stage Iv Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Sq-Nsclc): Update on Key Subgroups

ABSTRACT Aim: EGFR is detectable in most pts with sq-NSCLC tumors. Efficacy and safety of necitumumab (N), a human IgG1 anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody that inhibits ligand-binding and receptor activation, were evaluated in pts with advanced sq-NSCLC tumors. Methods: Pts with stage IV sq-NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to GC (G = 1250 mg/m2 iv, days 1 and 8; C = 75 mg/m2 iv, day 1) plus N (800 mg iv, days 1 and 8) (GC + N arm), or GC alone (GC arm) every 21 days for up to 6 cycles. GC + N pts with no progression continued on N alone until progressive disease or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Progression-free survival and safety were secondary endpoints. Subgroup analyses, evaluating efficacy by age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), gender, and race, were also performed. Planned sample size was 1080 pts, with 90% power and a 2-sided alpha level of 0.05. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00981058. Results: 1093 pts were randomized. Baseline characteristics, exposure to chemotherapy, and post-progression anticancer therapy were similar between GC + N and GC arms. The table shows key OS results. The addition of N to GC statistically significantly improved OS (HR = 0.84, p = 0.012), and the safety profile of GC + N was acceptable across subgroups. OS Results N mOS, GC + N* N mOS, GC* HR† ITT population 545 11.5 548 9.9 0.84 Subgroups Age, y 520 11.5 529 9.9 0.84 ≥75 25 10.3 19 7.4 0.98 ECOG PS 0 164 13.8 180 12.9 0.82 1 332 10.7 320 9.2 0.85 2 49 9.5 47 6.9 0.78 Gender Female 95 13.0 90 11.4 0.88 Male 450 11.1 458 9.7 0.84 Race Caucasian 457 11.4 456 9.7 0.86 Non-Caucasian 88 12.6 92 11.8 0.78 mOS = median overall survival. *Data = median (months) estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. †HR Conclusions: This study met its primary endpoint. GC + N demonstrated improved OS, with an acceptable safety profile, across all subgroups. Disclosure: M.A. Socinski: Steering Committee; L. Paz-Ares: I have provided scientific advice asn received honararium from Lilly; M. Reck: Member of advisory boards (compensated): Lilly, Hoffmann-La Roche, BMS, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis; K. Park: Advisory Board; Eli Lilly; F.R. Hirsch: Research funding (through University of Colorado) from ImClone - Lilly. Participated in steering committee for the study and advisory borad for Lilly – ImClone; H. Depenbrock: Lilly Employee S. Nanda: I am a lilly employee and I have stock ownership; N. Chouaki: I am a Lilly Employee, I have stock ownership; N. Thatcher: Honoraria :Advsiory Board and Speaker Bureau Member Lilly Imclone. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Wing morphology and plumage characteristics of the eastern form of Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus fuscus in Cyprus

The breeding distribution of Eurasian Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus in the Western Palearctic is highly fragmented and their taxonomy is complex. Eastern Mediterranean populations lie between the ranges of the nominate scirpaceus and the eastern race fuscus. The aim of this study was to use biometrics and plumage criteria to elucidate the racial affinities of Reed Warblers breeding at a site in Cyprus. The population appears to belong to fuscus, but has notably short and rounded wings. Either true emargination or a narrowing of the outer web of the fourth primary was observed in adults. The results are discussed in relation to the wing lengths of passage Reed Warblers in Cyprus.

Reasons and Incentives for Hitler's Foreign Policy

The paper will discuss three aims and objectives of Hitler's foreign policy. Those aims were: to destroy the treaty of Versailles, to implement the New Economic Order and to expand German territory. Furthermore, the paper will focus on the third aim, Hitler's intention to expand eastward towards Russia rather than anywhere else. Four reasons behind this aim will be discussed; looking for Lebensraum (living space), inferiority of the Eastern race, superiority of the Western race and his need for broad territories.

Status of the East Asian population of the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus: the need for urgent conservation action

AbstractThe Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus is a globally threatened species with three distinct populations, the smallest of which is the almost extinct eastern race with an estimated population size of 50 birds breeding in Mongolia and migrating to south-east China during the winter. We analysed recent survey information and published records to construct a picture of the annual life cycle of the Dalmatian Pelican and how it has changed over the years. We were able to obtain a total of 196 records from 82 sites in China and Mongolia dating back to 1862. Seasonal information was available for 168 records. The pelicans breed in western Mongolia and migrate in a south-easterly direction to the Bo Sea and then southwards along the coasts of Shandong and Jiangsu to the wintering area in south-east China. Return migration to the breeding grounds follows the same general path. There is some evidence that part of the population uses an inland migration route linking the wetlands along the Yellow and Huai Rivers and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River; this route was probably more important historically. The pelicans are encountering serious problems at all stages of their annual life cycle: destruction of nesting habitat and hunting in the breeding area, loss of important wetland habitats along the inland migration routes, and land claim, human disturbance and overexploitation of fisheries resources on the coast. It is highly desirable that a simultaneous count be conducted of the key wintering sites so that an accurate population estimate can be obtained. Use of satellite telemetry would provide very useful information on migration strategies and home ranges in the wintering grounds, and assist greatly in identifying key habitats for conservation action at different stages of the annual life cycle.

Characterization of a Contact Zone between Two Subspecies of the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) in Nebraska

Abstract Two subspecies of the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) are reported to occur in Nebraska. The eastern race, E. f. fuscus, is reportedly bigger and darker than its western counterpart E. f. pallidus. Where these 2 subspecies come in contact is the subject of debate. We used external, cranial, and colorimetric data to investigate geographic variation among populations of E. fuscus in Nebraska to determine the location of the zone of contact between E. f. fuscus and E. f. pallidus. We discovered significant variation in external, cranial, and colorimetric data, suggesting that E. fuscus is represented by 2 subspecies in Nebraska. Our results showed that E. f. pallidus is smaller, possesses lighter pelage, and is restricted to the northern and western parts of Nebraska, whereas E. f. fuscus is larger, possesses darker pelage, and occurs in southern and southeastern parts of the state. Populations located between these regions represent intergrades of the 2 subspecies. We suggest that the subspecific ...

Karyotypic evolution and organization of the highly repetitive DNA sequences in the Japanese shrew-moles, Dymecodon pilirostris and Urotrichus talpoides

The karyological relationship and organization of highly repetitive DNA sequences in Japanese shrew-moles were studied by zoo-blot hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). When the genomic DNA of the eastern race of Urotrichus talpoides was digested with PstI, three fragments of highly repetitive DNA sequences, approximately 0.7, 0.9, and 1.4 kb in length, were observed as distinct bands. The results of FISH in the eastern race of U. talpoides using these three fragments separately as probes showed that the 0.7-kb PstI fragment was distributed in the centromeric regions of most chromosomes, and that the 0.9- and 1.4-kb fragments were predominantly located in the C-heterochromatin region of chromosome 13p. Although the western race of U. talpoides also had three PstI fragments, 0.9- and 1.4-kb PstI fragments were more ambiguous than those of the eastern race. The PstI- digested genomic DNA in Dymecodonpilirostris produced only a faint 0.9-kb band, and its signal patterns obtained by zoo-blot hybridization were clearly different from those of U. talpoides. The 0.7-kb fragment of U. talpoides hybridized strongly with the 0.9-kb fragment of D. pilirostris. In a FISH analysis, the 0.9-kb fragment of D. pilirostris hybridized with highly repetitive DNA in the centromeric regions of most chromosomes from both D. pilirostris and U. talpoides. Zoo-blot hybridization and FISH analyses suggest that the 0.9- and 1.4-kb PstI fragments were generated specifically in the genome of U. talpoides after the common ancestor differentiated into two extant shrew-mole species. A difference in the length of the centromeric elements between U. talpoides and D. pilirostris might be observed due to certain modifications of the repeating unit.

Winter Abundance of the American Oystercatcher in South Carolina

Abstract South Carolina winters a large proportion (over 1/3) of the eastern race of the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), a declining species. During December of 1999-2002 ground surveys were conducted to provide baseline data on the abundance, age class partitioning and distribution of wintering American Oystercatchers in South Carolina. The number of oystercatchers in South Carolina was stable during this study (3,536, 95% CI: 3,030, 4,042). A single comprehensive survey can estimate the number of oystercatchers with enough precision to detect changes in the population of 13% and greater, but location of flocks and the range of tidal heights needed to concentrate flocks must be known prior to conducting the survey. About 89% of the birds in 2002 roosted on washed shell rakes and 9% had immature bill coloration. Winter surveys of the proportion of immature oystercatchers may provide an index of regional reproductive success, an important parameter for conservation plans. Because South Carol...

Bleksanger Hippolais pallida – ny for Norges fauna

Norway’s first Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida was recorded on 12th September 2004. An adult of this species was caught in a mist-net at Titran in the island municipality of Frøya, off the coast of Sør-Trøndelag county in Central Norway. Hippolais pallida was previously on the list of birds recorded in Norway, but due to uncertainty about the identification of grey species of Hippolais, the record was changed in 1994 to that of unidentified H. rama/H. pallida. The Titran bird was of the eastern race H. p. elaeica, which occurs regularly in south-eastern Europe and central Asia. It does not breed west of Slovakia, and winters in East Africa, north of Lake Victoria, and on the Arabian Peninsula. Only a few countries in central and northern Europe have records of the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. The majority of these are from Britain, but it has also been observed in Ireland, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, and now in Norway. Though several south-eastern European countries have reported a decrease in their populations, Greece and Turkey still hold populations of 100 000-150 000 and 500 000-5 million breeding pairs respectively. It is therefore natural to assume a large number of records in northern and western Europe resulting from prolonged spring migration or reversed autumn migration. However, the Alps and the Carpathians seem to make an effective barrier, and in Germany only three records have been reported from 1883-2000. Despite the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler breeding in Austria’s neighbouring countries of Slovakia and Hungary, there is only one confirmed record in Austria itself. Britain had 11 records up to 2003, while Ireland had 4 up to 1999. In the Nordic countries a total of eight records have been reported. The two latest records, from autumn 2004, in Norway and Sweden respectively, have not yet been treated by their countries’ rarities committees. However, they were both convincingly documented. The Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is a pale and insignificant warbler with few distinct characters. It is easily confused with other Hippolais species like H. rama, H. opaca and H. caligata. It can even be confused with H. languida and Acrocephalus dumetorum. As shown in the photos, P1 was about 4- 5 mm longer than the secondaries of the Titran bird. The tail was relatively narrow and straight with long outer tail feathers. The edge of the wing was also straight, excluding Acrocephalus dumetorum, and the shape of the bill excluded H. opaca. The bird’s plumage was without olive green, resulting in a rather light grey impression, also from above. A general identification of the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is discussed further in comparison with the possible confusion species mentioned above.

British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee: 28th Report (October 2001)

British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee: 28th Report (October 2001)

Clinal variation at microsatellite loci reveals historical secondary intergradation between glacial races of Coregonus artedi (Teleostei: Coregoninae).

Classical models of the spatial structure of population genetics rely on the assumption of migration-drift equilibrium, which is seldom met in natural populations having only recently colonized their current range (e.g., postglacial). Population structure then depicts historical events, and counfounding effects due to recent secondary contact between recently differentiated lineages can further counfound analyses of association between geographic and genetic distances. Mitochondrial polymorphisms have revealed the existence of two closely related lineages of the lake cisco, Coregonus artedi, whose significantly different but overlaping geographical distributions provided a weak signal of past range fragmentation blurred by putative subsequent extensive secondary contacts. In this study, we analyzed geographical patterns of genetic variation at seven microsatellite loci among 22 populations of lake cisco located along the axis of an area covered by proglacial lakes 12,000-8,000 years ago in North America. The results clearly confirmed the existence of two genetically distinct races characterized by different sets of microsatellite alleles whose frequencies varied clinally across some 3000 km. Equilibrium and nonequilibrium analyses of isolation by distance revealed historical signal of gene flow resulting from the nearly complete admixture of these races following neutral secondary contacts in their historical habitat and indicated that the colonization process occurred by a stepwise expansion of an eastern (Atlantic) race into a previously established Mississippian race. This historical signal of equilibrium contrasted with the current migration-drift disequilibrium within major extant watersheds and was apparently maintained by high effective population sizes and low migration regimes.