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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

The Effect Of Lactate Buildup As An Energy Substrate During A Short-Duration, High-Intensity Run Of 400-M And A Medium Run Of 800-M On Uta Kinesiology Students, Davor Krnjajic May 2011

The Effect Of Lactate Buildup As An Energy Substrate During A Short-Duration, High-Intensity Run Of 400-M And A Medium Run Of 800-M On Uta Kinesiology Students, Davor Krnjajic

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Lactic acid is a metabolic byproduct of the anaerobic glycolysis energy system present in blood and muscle. Some research indicates that lactic acid is a marker of fatigue during short duration exercise due to its dissociation into lactate and the H+ ion, whose accumulation in tissues and blood can lead to a subsequent decrement in muscle and plasma pH causing an inhibition of coupling mechanisms and enzymatic processes necessary for maintenance of muscular force production. Other studies have not implicated lactate to be the sole contributor of fatigue, as different types of exercise produce multifaceted fatigue factors, depending on muscle …

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What Does It Take To Be A National Cheerleading Champion?, Rolando J. Aviles May 2011

What Does It Take To Be A National Cheerleading Champion?, Rolando J. Aviles

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Cheerleading involves the performance of skills requiring a high degree of muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and determination. Despite the trend of cheerleaders performing increasingly difficult and athletic skills, very little is known about their physiological fitness levels.

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Comparing Limit Of Stability And Sensory Organization Test Scores As A Predictor Of Fall Risk In Men And Women, Ampa Pantages May 2011

Comparing Limit Of Stability And Sensory Organization Test Scores As A Predictor Of Fall Risk In Men And Women, Ampa Pantages

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Falls in older patients often occur when several tasks are performed simultaneously and have become the leading cause of injuries such as bone fractures. Factors such as reaction time, flexibility, and directional control can help determine the fall risk in older individuals.

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The Evaluation Of Hand Strength In An Aging Population, Linzi Ball May 2011

The Evaluation Of Hand Strength In An Aging Population, Linzi Ball

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Muscular deterioration is a well known effect that aging has on individuals. As a person gets older, their muscles naturally become worn down and more atrophied as compared to their younger counterparts. The ability of an individual to perform their activities of daily living may be compromised by low muscular strength even in healthy older individuals. There is mounting evidence to show not only endurance capacity but also strength is a predictor of health, especially in elderly people. Many studies have shown a correlation between muscular strength and future morbidity, disability, and mortality in these individuals and many of them …

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The Effects Of Reading Distraction During Steady-State Exercise On Exercise Intensity, Megan Holt, Megan Tracy, Mitchel Samels May 2011

The Effects Of Reading Distraction During Steady-State Exercise On Exercise Intensity, Megan Holt, Megan Tracy, Mitchel Samels

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

The consequence of reading during exercise on the cardiovascular response to exercise (e.g., heart rate response) and the intensity of the performed exercise remains incompletely understood through existing publications. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of reading during exercise on heart rate responses to exercise and exercise intensity performance.

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Reliance On Trial And Error Signal Derivation By Portia Africana, An Araneophagic Jumping Spider From East Africa, Robert R. Jackson, Ximena J. Nelson May 2011

Reliance On Trial And Error Signal Derivation By Portia Africana, An Araneophagic Jumping Spider From East Africa, Robert R. Jackson, Ximena J. Nelson

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

All species from the jumping spider (Salticidae) genus Portia appear to be predators that specialize at preying on other spiders by invading webs and, through aggressive mimicry, gaining dynamic fine control over the resident spider's behavior. From previous research, there is evidence that P. fimbriata, P. labiata and P. schultzi derive signals by trial and error. Here, we demonstrate that P. africana is another species that uses a trial and error, or generate and test, algorithm when deriving the aggressive-mimicry signals that will be appropriate in different predator-prey encounters. We discuss the implications of these new findings and the findings …

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Duration Analysis Of Technology Adoption Effects Of Dissemination Pathways: A Case Of 'Push-Pull' Technology For Control Of Striga Weeds And Stemborers In Western Kenya, A. W. Murage, G. Obare, J. Chianu, D. M. Amudavi, J. Pickett, Z. R. Khan May 2011

Duration Analysis Of Technology Adoption Effects Of Dissemination Pathways: A Case Of 'Push-Pull' Technology For Control Of Striga Weeds And Stemborers In Western Kenya, A. W. Murage, G. Obare, J. Chianu, D. M. Amudavi, J. Pickett, Z. R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Since its introduction, the 'push-pull' technology (PPT) has been promoted as an innovative approach for addressing yield losses caused by Striga weeds and stemborer infestations on farmers' maize fields in western Kenya. The technology has been disseminated through different pathways each of which might have different uptake enhancement capabilities. This study was concerned with how different dissemination pathways impacted on farmers' time to adoption while controlling the effects of selected socio-economic and regional factors. This assessment was necessary in order to recommend which dissemination pathway or combination of pathways that could provide an effective dissemination strategy that speed up adoption, …

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Effects Of Prey-Spider Odour On Intraspecific Interactions Of Araneophagic Jumping Spiders, Fiona R. Cross, Robert R. Jackson May 2011

Effects Of Prey-Spider Odour On Intraspecific Interactions Of Araneophagic Jumping Spiders, Fiona R. Cross, Robert R. Jackson

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

An important prediction from game theory is that the value of a resource will influence the level to which an animal is willing to escalate during conflict with conspecific rivals. Here we use this prediction as the rationale for experiments aimed at determining whether escalation decisions made by predators are influenced by the presence of preferred prey. The predators we use are adult individuals of Portia fimbriata, a jumping-spider (Salticidae) species from Queensland (Australia). P. fimbriata is known to prefer other salticid species as prey and can detect the odour of Jacksonoides queenslandicus, this being an especially common salticid species …

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A Longitudinal Study On Anopheles Mosquito Larval Abundance In Distinct Geographical And Environmental Settings In Western Kenya, Susan S. Imbahale, Krijn P. Paaijmans, Wolfgang R. Mukabana, Ron Van Lammeren, Andrew K. Githeko, Willem Takken Apr 2011

A Longitudinal Study On Anopheles Mosquito Larval Abundance In Distinct Geographical And Environmental Settings In Western Kenya, Susan S. Imbahale, Krijn P. Paaijmans, Wolfgang R. Mukabana, Ron Van Lammeren, Andrew K. Githeko, Willem Takken

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: As the ecology of mosquito larvae can be complex there is need to develop a rational framework for undertaking larval ecological studies. Local environmental characteristics, such as altitude, climate and land use, can significantly impact on phenology and population dynamics of mosquito larvae, and indirectly affect the dynamics of mosquito-borne diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of implementing an integrated approach to larval source management under the distinct ecological settings. Methods. The study was conducted in two highland villages and one village, at a lower altitude, in the Lake Victoria basin, where malaria is …

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Examining Trends In Taste Preferences, Market Demand, And Annual Catch In An Indigenous Marine Turtle Fishery In Southwest Madagascar, Kristin Jones Apr 2011

Examining Trends In Taste Preferences, Market Demand, And Annual Catch In An Indigenous Marine Turtle Fishery In Southwest Madagascar, Kristin Jones

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The worldwide exploitation of marine turtles has been common throughout human history, turtle products including carapaces for decoration and use, skin for leather, and eggs and meat for consumption. The hunting of marine turtles has long established economic importance among Madagascar's coastal inhabitants and is an activity traditionally associated with integral cultural and spiritual values. Due to overexploitation and a combination of relatively newer threats such as pollution, habitat loss, and incidental fisheries take, however, all marine turtle species in the Indian Ocean are considered to be endangered or critically endangered. Although Madagascar's marine turtles have been legally protected from …

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Tracking The Feeding Patterns Of Tsetse Flies (Glossina Genus) By Analysis Of Bloodmeals Using Mitochondrial Cytochromes Genes, Catherine N. Muturi, Johnson O. Ouma, Imna I. Malele, Raphael M. Ngure, Jane J. Rutto, Klaus M. Mithöfer, John Enyaru, Daniel K. Masiga Mar 2011

Tracking The Feeding Patterns Of Tsetse Flies (Glossina Genus) By Analysis Of Bloodmeals Using Mitochondrial Cytochromes Genes, Catherine N. Muturi, Johnson O. Ouma, Imna I. Malele, Raphael M. Ngure, Jane J. Rutto, Klaus M. Mithöfer, John Enyaru, Daniel K. Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Tsetse flies are notoriously difficult to observe in nature, particularly when populations densities are low. It is therefore difficult to observe them on their hosts in nature; hence their vertebrate species can very often only be determined indirectly by analysis of their gut contents. This knowledge is a critical component of the information on which control tactics can be developed. The objective of this study was to determine the sources of tsetse bloodmeals, hence investigate their feeding preferences. We used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) gene sequences for identification of tsetse fly blood meals, in …

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Dry Season Ecology Of Anopheles Gambiae Complex Mosquitoes At Larval Habitats In Two Traditionally Semi-Arid Villages In Baringo, Kenya, Albert O. Mala, Lucy W. Irungu, Josephat I. Shililu, Ephantus J. Muturi, Charles C. Mbogo, Joseph K. Njagi, John I. Githure Mar 2011

Dry Season Ecology Of Anopheles Gambiae Complex Mosquitoes At Larval Habitats In Two Traditionally Semi-Arid Villages In Baringo, Kenya, Albert O. Mala, Lucy W. Irungu, Josephat I. Shililu, Ephantus J. Muturi, Charles C. Mbogo, Joseph K. Njagi, John I. Githure

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Pre-adult stages of malaria vectors in semi-arid areas are confronted with highly variable and challenging climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to determine which larval habitat types are most productive in terms of larval densities in the dry and wet seasons within semi-arid environments, and how vector species productivity is partitioned over time. Methods: Larval habitats were mapped and larvae sampled longitudinally using standard dipping techniques. Larvae were identified to species level morphologically using taxonomic keys and to sub-species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Physical characteristics of larval habitats, including water depth, turbidity, and presence of …

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Crystallization Behavior Of Anhydrous Milk Fat-Sunflower Oil Wax Blends, Rebekah M. Kerr, Xenia Tombokan, Supriyo Ghosh, Silvana Martini Feb 2011

Crystallization Behavior Of Anhydrous Milk Fat-Sunflower Oil Wax Blends, Rebekah M. Kerr, Xenia Tombokan, Supriyo Ghosh, Silvana Martini

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

This research evaluates the effect of sunflower oil wax (SFOw) addition on the crystallization behavior and functional properties of anhydrous milk fat (AMF). Induction times of nucleation, melting behavior, microstructure of crystals, and hardness were evaluated for samples of pure AMF and AMF with 0.1 and 0.25% SFOw. Results from this research show that the addition of waxes induced the onset of crystallization of AMF by inducing its nucleation, as evidenced by decreased induction times of nucleation and the formation of smaller crystals. Crystal growth after tempering was also promoted by waxes, and significantly harder lipid networks were obtained. Results …

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Improvement Of A Synthetic Lure For Anopheles Gambiae Using Compounds Produced By Human Skin Microbiota, Niels O. Verhulst, Phoebe A. Mbadi, Gabriella Bukovinszkiné Kiss, Wolfgang R. Mukabana, Joop J.A. Van Loon, Willem Takken, Renate C. Smallegange Feb 2011

Improvement Of A Synthetic Lure For Anopheles Gambiae Using Compounds Produced By Human Skin Microbiota, Niels O. Verhulst, Phoebe A. Mbadi, Gabriella Bukovinszkiné Kiss, Wolfgang R. Mukabana, Joop J.A. Van Loon, Willem Takken, Renate C. Smallegange

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background. Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto is considered to be highly anthropophilic and volatiles of human origin provide essential cues during its host-seeking behaviour. A synthetic blend of three human-derived volatiles, ammonia, lactic acid and tetradecanoic acid, attracts A. gambiae. In addition, volatiles produced by human skin bacteria are attractive to this mosquito species. The purpose of the current study was to test the effect of ten compounds present in the headspace of human bacteria on the host-seeking process of A. gambiae. The effect of each of the ten compounds on the attractiveness of a basic blend of ammonia, lactic and …

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Detection Of Phytoplasma By Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Of Dna (Lamp), E. Obura, D. Masiga, F. Wachira, B. Gurja, Z. R. Khan Feb 2011

Detection Of Phytoplasma By Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Of Dna (Lamp), E. Obura, D. Masiga, F. Wachira, B. Gurja, Z. R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Napier stunt phytoplasma (16SrXI and 16SrIII) in eastern Africa is a serious threat to the expansion of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) farming in the region, where it is widely cultivated as fodder in zero grazing livestock systems. The grass has high potential for bio-fuel production, and has been adopted by farmers as a countermeasure to cereal stem borer Lepidoptera, since it attracts and traps the insect. Diagnosis of stunt phytoplasma have been largely by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) targeting the 16S rRNA gene. However, the method is laborious, costly and technically demanding. This investigation has developed a simpler but …

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Effect Of Infection By Metarhizium Anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) On The Feeding And Oviposition Of The Pea Leafminer Liriomyza Huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) On Different Host Plants, L. N. Migiro, N. K. Maniania, A. Chabi-Olaye, A. Wanjoya, J. Vandenberg Feb 2011

Effect Of Infection By Metarhizium Anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) On The Feeding And Oviposition Of The Pea Leafminer Liriomyza Huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) On Different Host Plants, L. N. Migiro, N. K. Maniania, A. Chabi-Olaye, A. Wanjoya, J. Vandenberg

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The effect of fungal infection by Metarhizium anisopliae on feeding and oviposition of adult Liriomyza huidobrensis was examined on three host plants, faba bean (Vicia faba), French bean (Phaseolus vuklgaris) and snow pea (Pisum sativum) in the laboratory. Flies were contaminated with dry conidia and allowed to feed and oviposit on the different host plants. Mortality in L. huidobrensis varied between 14% and 20% in the controls and between 77% and 100% in fungal treatments 120h post-infection for the three host plants. L. huidobrensis made more punctures (47.3-52.6cm-2) in the control than in the fungal treatments (23.1-26.9cm-2) for the three …

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Diversity Of Agromyzidae And Associated Hymenopteran Parasitoid Species In The Afrotropical Region: Implications For Biological Control, Robert Musundire, Adenirin Chabi-Olaye, Bernhard Löhr, Kerstin Krüger Feb 2011

Diversity Of Agromyzidae And Associated Hymenopteran Parasitoid Species In The Afrotropical Region: Implications For Biological Control, Robert Musundire, Adenirin Chabi-Olaye, Bernhard Löhr, Kerstin Krüger

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Agromyzidae (Diptera) is a family with many species of economic importance on agricultural plants. However, many species are attacked by hymenopteran parasitoids which are known to be habitat rather than species specific. In the Afrotropical region, information about agromyzid and parasitoid diversity in different habitats is scattered in literature. Our aim was to assemble this dispersed information and discuss future needs of biological control efforts against invasive agromyzids in the Afrotropics. From published information, 581 agromyzid records comprising 302 species from 20 genera were recorded from 48 plant families. Parasitoids (90 records) were associated only with 20 agromyzid species belonging …

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Seedlings 2011, Sean M. Goins, Joseph Braner, Amy L. Myers, Charlie Jackson, Julia I. Chapman, Ryan W. Mcewan Jan 2011

Seedlings 2011, Sean M. Goins, Joseph Braner, Amy L. Myers, Charlie Jackson, Julia I. Chapman, Ryan W. Mcewan

Data Files: Drew Woods Permanent Plots

Seedling data (woody species up to 50 centimeters in height) collected in 2011 at Drew Woods State Nature Preserve in Darke County, OH. Data key is provided in a supplemental file.

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European Red Mite Panonychus Ulmi, Diane G. Alston, Michael E. Reding Jan 2011

European Red Mite Panonychus Ulmi, Diane G. Alston, Michael E. Reding

All Archived Publications

No abstract provided.

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Population Growth And Movements Of Canada Geese In New Haven, Connecticut During A 25-Year History, Michael R. Conover Jan 2011

Population Growth And Movements Of Canada Geese In New Haven, Connecticut During A 25-Year History, Michael R. Conover

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

In the last few decades, Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) have become established in metropolitan areas throughout North America. From 1984 through 2009, Canada Geese in New Haven County, Connecticut, were banded as goslings (HY geese) and adults (AHY), and their movements and recruitment into the local breeding population were documented. During this period, the number of Canada Geese increased several fold in Connecticut. Geese were non-migratory; most recoveries (85%) of banded Canada Geese came from Connecticut, and 76% came from New Haven County. Dispersal rates outside of Connecticut peaked during 1990–1994 when 23% of all reported geese were shot outside …

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Addressing Prey Selection And Predator Fitness: Ingestion By, And Growth Of Ochromonas Danica On Multiple Bacterial Prey, Briony L. Foster Jan 2011

Addressing Prey Selection And Predator Fitness: Ingestion By, And Growth Of Ochromonas Danica On Multiple Bacterial Prey, Briony L. Foster

Biology Theses - Archive

Nanoflagellates provide an important link in aquatic food webs by consuming bacterial biomass and subsequently providing nutrients to higher trophic levels by becoming prey themselves and regenerating nutrients consumed in excess of metabolic needs. Nanoflagellate predation has typically been addressed by examining one or two aspects of a seemingly complex prey identification process, and rarely has the subsequent fitness of the predator been quantified. In this work we examine how bacterial prey size, growth state, growth rate, nutritional composition, and phylogenetic class effect ingestion rate by, and growth rate of, the mixotrophic flagellate Ochromonas danica. A phylogenetically diverse group of …

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Molecular Systematics Of The Coffee Snakes, Genus Ninia (Colubridae: Dipsadinae), Matthew John Ingrasci Jan 2011

Molecular Systematics Of The Coffee Snakes, Genus Ninia (Colubridae: Dipsadinae), Matthew John Ingrasci

Biology Theses - Archive

Although previous studies have addressed issues relating to the systematics and taxonomy in the snake genus Ninia, the evolutionary history of the group remains largely unknown. Preliminary morphological studies have been unable to resolve many of the relationships within the genus and have not thoroughly tested the relationship between Ninia and other dipsadine snakes. To address these gaps in our knowledge of Ninia, I used molecular techniques to infer phylogenetic relationships. I obtained tissue samples for all species of Ninia and sequenced two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and one nuclear DNA (nucDNA) locus. In total, this dataset included 2453 base pairs …

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A Counterbalanced Cross-Over Study Of The Effects Of Visual, Auditory And No Feedback On Performance Measures In A Simulated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Carolyn Cason, Cynthia Trowbridge, Susan M. Baxley, Mark D. Ricard Jan 2011

A Counterbalanced Cross-Over Study Of The Effects Of Visual, Auditory And No Feedback On Performance Measures In A Simulated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Carolyn Cason, Cynthia Trowbridge, Susan M. Baxley, Mark D. Ricard

Kinesiology Faculty Publications & Presentations - Archive

Background: Previous research has demonstrated that trained rescuers have difficulties achieving and maintaining the correct depth and rate of chest compressions during both in and out of hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Feedback on rate and depth mitigate decline in performance quality but not completely with the residual performance decline attributed to rescuer fatigue. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of feedback (none, auditory only and visual only) on the quality of CPR and rescuer fatigue. Methods: Fifteen female volunteers performed 10 minutes of 30:2 CPR in each of three feedback conditions: none, auditory only, and visual …

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The Effects Of A 15 Week Exercise Intervention On Fitness And Postural Control In Older Adults, Forest Melton Jan 2011

The Effects Of A 15 Week Exercise Intervention On Fitness And Postural Control In Older Adults, Forest Melton

Kinesiology Theses - Archive

Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in older adults, and often lead to adverse changes in confidence and lifestyle that trigger further declines in postural control. Decreased fitness is associated with poor performance on postural control assessments, especially those that increase task difficulty. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of a traditional Group Fitness class and a Wii Fitness exercise program on individual's ability to maintain postural control, with an environmental distracter. 87 community dwelling seniors were randomized into 1 of 3 groups (Control, Wii Fitness, Group Fitness). Interventions were delivered 3 times per …

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Effect Of Delivery Modes On Physical Activity Levels: Face-To-Face Vs. Online, Chelsea Foster Jan 2011

Effect Of Delivery Modes On Physical Activity Levels: Face-To-Face Vs. Online, Chelsea Foster

Kinesiology Theses - Archive

The purpose of this study was to determine physical activity levels in students enrolled in a walk/jog class that was delivered online and in a traditional face to face environment. Differences in voluntary exercise intensity and duration between the two delivery modes were examined as they specifically related to fulfilling the course requirements. Overall activity levels were determined for a 7 day period. Forty-three college students [mean (±SD) age: 24.7 ± 8.2 years; height: 65.7 ± 3.5 in; weight: 73.5 ± 17 kg] enrolled in a walk for fitness or walk for fitness class at the university level volunteered for …

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Intra-Specific Variation Across A Small Temperature Difference In The Spider Rabidosa Rabida (Araneae: Lycosidae) From The Mountains In Arkansas, Ryan Joseph Stork Jan 2011

Intra-Specific Variation Across A Small Temperature Difference In The Spider Rabidosa Rabida (Araneae: Lycosidae) From The Mountains In Arkansas, Ryan Joseph Stork

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Temperature affects all levels of biological organization and ultimately affects multiple aspects of ecological performance and fitness. Generalist arthropod predators are ectothermic and are strongly affected by temperature in ways that are not fully understood. Descriptions of thermal ecology of important generalist arthropod predators are, therefore, essential pieces of information for studying ecology in changing thermal environments. Rabidosa rabida is a wolf spider that inhabits much of the eastern United States and plays an important role as a generalist predator of large herbivorous arthropods. This study makes the first description of the thermal ecology of R. rabida. A description of …

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Targeting Of Site-Specific Non-Ltr Retrotransposons: Role Of Amino-Terminal Domains, Haridha Shivram Jan 2011

Targeting Of Site-Specific Non-Ltr Retrotransposons: Role Of Amino-Terminal Domains, Haridha Shivram

Biology Theses - Archive

Restriction-like endonuclease (RLE) bearing non-LTR retrotransposons are site-specificelements that integrate into the genome through target primed reverse transcription (TPRT). RLE-bearing elements have been used as a model system for investigating non-LTR retrotransposon integration. R2 elements target a specific site in the 28S rDNA gene. We previously demonstrated that the two major sub-classes of R2 (R2-A and R2-D) target the R2 insertion site in an opposing manner with regard to the pairing of known DNA binding domains and bound sequences―indicating that the A- and D-clades represent independently derived modes of targeting that site. Elements have been discovered that group phylogenetically with …

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A Biochemical Approach To Determine The Target Site Recognition Mechanism Of The R2 Retrotransposable Elements, Blaine K. Thompson Jan 2011

A Biochemical Approach To Determine The Target Site Recognition Mechanism Of The R2 Retrotransposable Elements, Blaine K. Thompson

Biology Theses - Archive

Non-LTR Retrotransposons (NLRs) are selfish mobile genetic elements which parasitize the genomes of many organisms including humans. These elements transpose through an RNA intermediate and integrate directly into their genomic site using reverse transcription, a process called Target Primed Reverse Transcription (TPRT). Members of this family of transposons are abundant in the genomes of many eukaryotes including mammals, reptiles, fish, and insects. Several NLR family members such as R2 and NeSL-1 avoid causing deleterious mutations by specifically targeting repetitive genomic loci such as the 28S ribosomal DNA gene and the Spliced leader-1 exon respectively. This literature review focuses on the …

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Bioinformatic Identification Of Small Rna (And Their Targets) In The Testis Of Clawed Frogs (Xenopus And Silurana): Implications For Male Fertility, M.J. Madison-Villar Jan 2011

Bioinformatic Identification Of Small Rna (And Their Targets) In The Testis Of Clawed Frogs (Xenopus And Silurana): Implications For Male Fertility, M.J. Madison-Villar

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Chapter one sets the stage for this project, which lies somewhere near the intersection of speciation, genome, and reproductive biology. Chapter two identifies miRNA with shared expression profiles (Silurana and Xenopus). These miRNA are pulled from a subset that has retained testis expression despite a hybridization induced WGD event early in the Xenopus lineage (~21-41 MYA). Allopolyploidization is a revolutionary mechanism of genome evolution, and this event should have afforded an opportunity for diversification and changes in the expression of what are generally highly conserved transcript regulators. It is inferred that the miRNA identified in this study retained testis expression …

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Spider Cognition, Robert R. Jackson, Fiona R. Cross Jan 2011

Spider Cognition, Robert R. Jackson, Fiona R. Cross

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Spiders, having minute brains, were once considered simple, instinct-driven automatons, but research on spider biology is revealing increasing evidence of their cognitive abilities. In this review, we discuss the complex, flexible behaviour of spiders, especially salticids, and highlight how sometimes the cognitive character of spider behaviour closely parallels that of much bigger animals. This includes the use of selective attention (both visual and olfactory) and the use of planned detours. The implications of these findings, and how they relate to bigger issues traditionally associated with big-brain animals, such as 'representation' and 'mind', are discussed. Also discussed are issues relating to …

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