We investigate the evolution of a multigene family incorporating the forces of drift, mutation, gene conversion, unequal crossing over and selection. The use of simulation studies is required due to the complexity of the model. Selection is modeled in two modes: positive selection as a function of the number of different beneficial alleles and negative selection against deleterious alleles. We ...

Recent studies have suggested that the proximal part of the swallow (Hirundo rustica) tail streamer appears to aid turning flight, as expected if streamers evolved initially purely through natural selection for enhanced manoeuvrability. However, the evolution of slender aerodynamically advantageous streamers is also predicted by an alternative hypothesis, which suggests that such a trait could ...

Little data are available in the literature regarding freezability of boar sperm or its relationship with other traits. Existing data suggest the trait would respond favourably to selection, and information is available from other species suggesting components that might have changed. Genetic parameters are estimated for boar sperm freezability including heritability and correlations with other...

CONTEXT Qualitative studies assessing the impact of the household delivery of family planning services on women's social status have yielded contradictory findings. Given the resumption of these services in Bangladesh in 2003, it is important to reevaluate the social impact of the doorstep program using quantitative techniques. METHODS Longitudinal and cross-sectional data from 3,783 women us...