On a genetic assessment of the adaptedness of forest reproductive material.

Assessment of the adaptedness of forest tree populations and the reproductive material derived from them is largely based on historical records and observations on extant distributions of phenotypic traits. Genetic criteria are, if at all, usually considered only in the form of heuristic reasoning. A main reason for this situation lies in the lack of operational concepts that clearly distinguish between viability selection and adaptation. The present paper makes an attempt towards this aim by showing that the adaptational optimization of viability selection processes rests on three constituent features which allow minimization of the implied overall mortality at each relevant selection stage and across all of these stages. Indices are developed that measure the degree of adaptational optimization of viability selection. The concept and its indices are applied to an analysis of isozyme data obtained for an approved beech seed stand and reproductive material derived from this stand. An approved seed stand is required to be adapted, and this property is expected to be preserved in the derived reproductive material. Our observations revealed substantial degrees of overall reductions and suboptimal selection during the production process. Suboptimality is unevenly distributed over the stages of the production process, and stages of strongest suboptimality vary among gene loci. A preliminary explanation is given for a conspicuous effect on selective optimality that is consistently observable at the stage of seedling development across all loci.

The role of the school psychologist in the examination of complex language disorders.

In this article we shall first attempt to show in a summary fashion how the concept of language has changed over the last 20 to 40 years. This will serve as a background and aid to understanding the current view that language disturbances are of such a complex nature that they can only be understood, analysed and treated by means of an interdisciplinary approach. A look at the recent developments in the sciences that touch upon the comprehension of language disturbances elucidates our current view of them. It can help to clarify the role of the psychologist, especially the school psychologist who works with children and adolescents in the diagnosis, counseling, in some cases in the treatment and often in cooperation with other professionals of lingual disturbances. Conclusions can also be drawn as to the specific professional qualifications required and as to the methodology of the psychological examination.

Dose-response study with a new LH-RH analogue, D-Ser (TBU)6 LH-RH 1-9 (EA)10 during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

D-Ser (TBU)6 LH-RH 1-9 (EA)10 (HOE 766) a highly active LH-RH analogue, was studied with regard to its effects on the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and oestradiol-17beta (Oe2) during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Forty-two regularly menstruating women were allowed to five different treatment groups with different doses (1.25 microgram; 2.5 microgram; 5.0 microgram; 10.0 microgram; 20.0 microgram) of HOE 766 given as intravenous bolus injections and the plasma concentrations of FSH, LH and Oe2 were measured up to 24 h after injection using specific radioimmunoassays. In the majority of cases, peak values of both FSH and LH occurred 4 h after injection being significantly different from pre-injection levels (P less than 0.02 in the 1.25 microgram treatment group, P less than 0.005 for the other treatment groups). Statistical analysis of maximum values as well as the absolute and relative increase in the different treatment groups revealed a dose-dependent effect of HOE 766. Maximum values of Oe2 occurred 8 h after injection and were found to be significantly different from pre-injection levels (P less than 0.005). However, no dose dependent effect was observed. It was concluded that HOE 766 is a potent and long-acting stimulator of FSH, LH and OE2 release in women. The effect of HOE 766 is dose dependent for FSH and LH but not for Oe2.