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Articles 2011 - 2040 of 2421

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Comparison Of Mosquito Control Programs In Seven Urban Sites In Africa, The Middle East, And The Americas, Daniel E. Impoinvil, Sajjad Ahmad, Adriana Troyo, Joseph Keating, Andrew K. Githeko, Charles M. Mbogo, Lydiah Kibe, John I. Githure, Adel M. Gad, Ali N. Hassan, Laor Orshan, Alon Warburg, Olger Calderón-Arguedas, Victoria M. Sánchez-Loría, Rosanna Velit-Suarez, Dave D. Chadee, Robert J. Novak, John C. Beier Oct 2007

Comparison Of Mosquito Control Programs In Seven Urban Sites In Africa, The Middle East, And The Americas, Daniel E. Impoinvil, Sajjad Ahmad, Adriana Troyo, Joseph Keating, Andrew K. Githeko, Charles M. Mbogo, Lydiah Kibe, John I. Githure, Adel M. Gad, Ali N. Hassan, Laor Orshan, Alon Warburg, Olger Calderón-Arguedas, Victoria M. Sánchez-Loría, Rosanna Velit-Suarez, Dave D. Chadee, Robert J. Novak, John C. Beier

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Mosquito control programs at seven urban sites in Kenya, Egypt, Israel, Costa Rica, and Trinidad are described and compared. Site-specific urban and disease characteristics, organizational diagrams, and strengths, weaknesses, obstacles and threats (SWOT) analysis tools are used to provide a descriptive assessment of each mosquito control program, and provide a comparison of the factors affecting mosquito abatement. The information for SWOT analysis is collected from surveys, focus-group discussions, and personal communication. SWOT analysis identified various issues affecting the efficiency and sustainability of mosquito control operations. The main outcome of our work was the description and comparison of mosquito control operations …

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Identification Of Insect-Selective And Mammal-Selective Toxins From Parabuthus Leiosoma Venom, John B. Ochola, Wilber Lwande, Thuku Thiong'o, Lucie Rogo, Rafael Herrmann, Eric Schepers, Richard Bagine, Paul Mungai, Isaiah O. Ndiege Sep 2007

Identification Of Insect-Selective And Mammal-Selective Toxins From Parabuthus Leiosoma Venom, John B. Ochola, Wilber Lwande, Thuku Thiong'o, Lucie Rogo, Rafael Herrmann, Eric Schepers, Richard Bagine, Paul Mungai, Isaiah O. Ndiege

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Venoms were collected from two scorpion species: Parabuthus leiosoma and Parabuthus pallidus from Kenya. Subcutaneous injection and oral toxicity tests of crude and pure fractions of scorpion venoms were done in Mus musculus (mice), Chilo partellus and Busseola fusca. The highest activity against C. partellus was found in P. leiosoma venom (LC50 0.689 mg/50 mg body weight). Bioassay-guided purification by a combination of cation-exchange (CE) and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) led to the isolation of three toxic peptides. A lepidopteran-selective toxin (P. leiosoma insect toxin, Plit) was isolated, and the partial N-terminal amino acid sequence (-KDGYPVDNANCKYE-) plus the molecular …

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Inheritance Of 'Domestication' Traits In Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L.) Verdc.), Shravani Basu, Sean Mayes, Michael Davey, Jeremy A. Roberts, Sayed N. Azam-Ali, Richard Mithen, Remy S. Pasquet Sep 2007

Inheritance Of 'Domestication' Traits In Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L.) Verdc.), Shravani Basu, Sean Mayes, Michael Davey, Jeremy A. Roberts, Sayed N. Azam-Ali, Richard Mithen, Remy S. Pasquet

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Controlled crosses in bambara groundnut were attempted between a range of thirty-six bambara groundnut landraces (thirty domesticated (V. subterranea var. subterranea) and six wild (V. subterranea var. spontanea)). Ten F1 seed were produced. Of these, eight germinated producing F2 populations. On seed set, four populations could be unambiguously confirmed as true crosses by F3 seed coat colour. A single F2 population, derived from a domesticated landrace from Botswana (DipC; female parent) crossed with a wild accession collected in Cameroon (VSSP11; male parent) was used to study a range of agronomic and domestication traits. These included; days to emergence, days to …

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Genetic Determinants Of Reproductive Isolation In Xenopus, John Malone Aug 2007

Genetic Determinants Of Reproductive Isolation In Xenopus, John Malone

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Haldane's rule states that in F1 interspecific hybrids the heterogametic sex (XY or ZW) suffers the most dysfunctional effects of hybridization. Frogs of the genus Xenopus have ZW sex determination yet hybrid males are completely sterile and hybrid females are fertile, a pattern exactly opposite of Haldane's rule. One of the most compelling hypotheses to explain this pattern is faster male evolution. The faster male evolution hypothesis suggests that hybrid male sterility is more common than hybrid female sterility because of faster divergence of male reproductive genes (due to sexual selection), or inherent sensitivity with the process of spermatogenesis. This …

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Monte Carlo Analysis Of Refuge Site Selection: Statistical Properties And An Empirical Example, Anna Michelle Lawing Aug 2007

Monte Carlo Analysis Of Refuge Site Selection: Statistical Properties And An Empirical Example, Anna Michelle Lawing

Biology Theses - Archive

The Monte Carlo method can be a useful technique providing information on central tendencies and tolerance for selection data. There are many statistical hypothesis tests that are employed in selection studies, but most require the data are normally distributed to adhere to the null hypothesis based on a normal distribution. Monte Carlo methods build a null distribution to test hypotheses based on available conditions and therefore do not require distributions of data to be normal. A Monte Carlo is also an extremely flexible technique and can be designed to test hypotheses for any particular experimental design. I designed a Monte …

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Effects Of Age And Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (Cpr) Techniques On Characteristics Of Muscle Fatigue In Females Trained In Cpr Administration, Jesal N. Parekh Aug 2007

Effects Of Age And Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (Cpr) Techniques On Characteristics Of Muscle Fatigue In Females Trained In Cpr Administration, Jesal N. Parekh

Kinesiology Theses - Archive

Cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a widely popular and recommended assessment and intervention technique for life threatening conditions resulting from cardio-pulmonary disorders. As per the American Heart Association® 2005 revised guidelines for CPR administration, the rescuer is required to perform chest compressions and ventilations in the ratio of 30:2 at a rate of 100 compressions per minute with minimal interruption to chest compressions. In the process of CPR administration, the rescuer is likely to experience fatigue over time with continual compressions and ventilations. Fatigue is expected to manifest through variations in the rescuer's muscle activity, changes in joint kinetics and …

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Rate Of Diversification In Crickets (Orthoptera: Ensifera) And A Possible Role Of F Supergroup Wolbachia In Bush Crickets, Kanchana Panaram Aug 2007

Rate Of Diversification In Crickets (Orthoptera: Ensifera) And A Possible Role Of F Supergroup Wolbachia In Bush Crickets, Kanchana Panaram

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Part I: Rates of speciation can tell us more than how many species have survived over a period of time. They indicate whether there are some characteristics of organisms or biogeography scenarios facilitate or hinder speciation. Many groups of ensiferan insects (e.g. Hawaiian sword-tailed, North American ground and field crickets) have been reported to have rapid speciation rates. To investigate whether the pattern of rapid speciation is common in crickets, we estimated overall diversification rates as a whole and within the clade. Ensifera as a whole does not appear to have particularly rapid diversification rates compared to other insect suborders. …

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Impact Of An Exotic Parasitoid On Plutella Xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) Population Dynamics, Damage And Indigenous Natural Enemies In Kenya, B. Löhr, R. Gathu, C. Kariuki, J. Obiero, G. Gichini Aug 2007

Impact Of An Exotic Parasitoid On Plutella Xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) Population Dynamics, Damage And Indigenous Natural Enemies In Kenya, B. Löhr, R. Gathu, C. Kariuki, J. Obiero, G. Gichini

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Diadegma semiclausum (Hellén) (Hymenoptera: lchneumonidae), an exotic diamondback moth parasitoid, was released in two pilot areas (Werugha in Coast Region and Tharuni in Central Province) in Kenya. Fifteen month before release, observations on the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), and local natural enemy population dynamics and pest damage were initiated in both areas and continued for three years after release. The P. xylostella population was bimodal with higher records during dry seasons. At Werugha, the peak population of P. xylostella was 16.8 per plant (October 2001); at Tharuni it was 12.8 (February 2002). Populations at Werugha declined from three months …

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Composition Of Volatiles From Fermenting Pollen Dough And Attractiveness To The Small Hive Beetle Aethina Tumida, A Parasite Of The Honeybee Apis Mellifera, Baldwyn Torto, Richard T. Arbogast, Hans Alborn, Alonso Suazo, Dennis Van Engelsdorp, Drion Boucias, James H. Tumlinson, Peter E.A. Teal Jul 2007

Composition Of Volatiles From Fermenting Pollen Dough And Attractiveness To The Small Hive Beetle Aethina Tumida, A Parasite Of The Honeybee Apis Mellifera, Baldwyn Torto, Richard T. Arbogast, Hans Alborn, Alonso Suazo, Dennis Van Engelsdorp, Drion Boucias, James H. Tumlinson, Peter E.A. Teal

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The response of the small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida Murray, to volatiles from a pollen-based diet conditioned by the feeding of 100 adult virgin female or male SHBs (4-8 weeks old) for 1, 3, 7 or 14 days is described and compared to that of the same diet inoculated with the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri (NRRL Y-30722), isolated from the beetle. In a wind tunnel, volatiles from pollen dough conditioned by beetles of either sex for 3 or 7 days lured significantly more beetles into traps than volatiles from unconditioned dough. In contrast, trap captures with volatiles from dough conditioned …

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Differential Expression Of The Crv1 Haemocyte Inactivation-Associated Polydnavirus Gene In The African Maize Stem Borer Busseola Fusca (Fuller) Parasitized By Two Biotypes Of The Endoparasitoid Cotesia Sesamiae (Cameron), C. W. Gitau, D. Gundersen-Rindal, M. Pedroni, P. J. Mbugi, S. Dupas Jul 2007

Differential Expression Of The Crv1 Haemocyte Inactivation-Associated Polydnavirus Gene In The African Maize Stem Borer Busseola Fusca (Fuller) Parasitized By Two Biotypes Of The Endoparasitoid Cotesia Sesamiae (Cameron), C. W. Gitau, D. Gundersen-Rindal, M. Pedroni, P. J. Mbugi, S. Dupas

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Polydnaviruses are rarely studied for their natural variation in immune suppressive abilities. The polydnavirus harboring braconid Cotesia sesamiae, a widespread endoparasitoid of Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis in sub-Saharan Africa exists as two biotypes. In Kenya, the western biotype completes development in B. fusca larvae. However, eggs of the coastal C. sesamiae are encapsulated in this host and ultimately, no parasitoids emerge from parasitized B. fusca larvae. Both biotypes develop successfully in S. calamistis larvae. Encapsulation activity by B. fusca larvae towards eggs of the avirulent C. sesamiae was detectable six hours post-parasitization. The differences in encapsulation of virulent and …

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Cross-Modality Effects During Male-Male Interactions Of Jumping Spiders, Fiona R. Cross, Robert R. Jackson, Simon D. Pollard, Mark W. Walker Jul 2007

Cross-Modality Effects During Male-Male Interactions Of Jumping Spiders, Fiona R. Cross, Robert R. Jackson, Simon D. Pollard, Mark W. Walker

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An important prediction from game theory is that the value of a resource influences the level to which male-male conflict escalates. Earlier experimental studies have shown that the seven salticid species we study here (Bavia aericeps, Euryattus sp., Hypoblemum albovittatum, Jacksonoides queenslandicus, Marpissa marina, Portia africana and Simaetha paetula) determine by sight whether a female is a conspecific or a heterospecific and then escalate the intensity with which they interact (i.e., they adopt behaviour that is likely to put them at greater risk of injury after detecting the presence of a conspecific female). Here the earlier studies are extended by …

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Livestock Farmers' Perception And Epidemiology Of Bovine Trypanosomosis In Kwale District, Kenya, S. O. Ohaga, E. D. Kokwaro, I. O. Ndiege, A. Hassanali, R. K. Saini Jun 2007

Livestock Farmers' Perception And Epidemiology Of Bovine Trypanosomosis In Kwale District, Kenya, S. O. Ohaga, E. D. Kokwaro, I. O. Ndiege, A. Hassanali, R. K. Saini

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We did cross-sectional surveys in Kwale District, Kenya to determine the epidemiology of bovine trypanosomosis and livestock owners' perceptions of the disease. The surveys involved relative importance of trypanosomosis, examination of the current disease constraints, current control practices and drug-use patterns. Informal meetings were held with farmers and cattle census undertaken. Tsetse-fly densities and trypanosomosis prevalences in cattle were determined. A total of 132 farmers were interviewed. Trypanosomosis, anaplasmosis, East Coast fever, foot-and-mouth diseases were reported to be the major constraints to livestock production. Trypanosomosis was the most important compared to other diseases. Chemotherapy was the most widely used method …

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Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Do Not Pose Any Deleterious Effect On Cowpea And Detectable Amounts Of Ethylene Are Produced, Olubukola O. Babalola, Abiodun I. Sanni, George D. Odhiambo, Baldwyn Torto Jun 2007

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Do Not Pose Any Deleterious Effect On Cowpea And Detectable Amounts Of Ethylene Are Produced, Olubukola O. Babalola, Abiodun I. Sanni, George D. Odhiambo, Baldwyn Torto

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The use of trap crops such as cowpea could reduce the effects of the root parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica and its subsequent constraints on the growth of cereals. Certain bacteria could augment the trap crop stimulatory effect. We studied the effect of three bacteria introduced to the rhizosphere of three cowpea varieties at planting. Number of days to cowpea flowering was noted and at harvest, data were collected on pod characteristics and biomass. Means of data subjected to ANOVA were compared using Tukey's Studentized Range Test. We analysed bacterial headspace volatiles for ethylene by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. …

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Larval Habitats Of Anopheles Gambiae S.S. (Diptera: Culicidae) Influences Vector Competence To Plasmodium Falciparum Parasites, Bernard A. Okech, Louis C. Gouagna, Guiyun Yan, John I. Githure, John C. Beier May 2007

Larval Habitats Of Anopheles Gambiae S.S. (Diptera: Culicidae) Influences Vector Competence To Plasmodium Falciparum Parasites, Bernard A. Okech, Louis C. Gouagna, Guiyun Yan, John I. Githure, John C. Beier

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Background. The origin of highly competent malaria vectors has been linked to productive larval habitats in the field, but there isn't solid quantitative or qualitative data to support it. To test this, the effect of larval habitat soil substrates on larval development time, pupation rates and vector competence of Anopheles gambiae to Plasmodium falciparum were examined. Methods. Soils were collected from active larval habitats with sandy and clay substrates from field sites and their total organic matter estimated. An. gambiae larvae were reared on these soil substrates and the larval development time and pupation rates monitored. The emerging adult mosquitoes …

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Efficacy Of Selected Natural And Synthetic Novel Organic Compounds In Prevention Of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha) Macrofouling By Byssal Attachment Inhibition, Maj-Britt Angarano May 2007

Efficacy Of Selected Natural And Synthetic Novel Organic Compounds In Prevention Of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha) Macrofouling By Byssal Attachment Inhibition, Maj-Britt Angarano

Biology Dissertations - Archive

The invasive, freshwater, bivalve, Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) was introduced to North America in the Great lakes in 1986 and has since spread throughout the waterway of the eastern and central United States and southeastern Canada. This species has imposed escalating economic burdens through its macrofouling of submerged structures and raw water using systems. Increasing restrictions on the chemical mitigation and control methodologies used to prevent their macrofouling, particularly organometallic or oxidizing chemicals, continue to stimulate research efforts to develop effective yet environmentally benign antifouling agents against this species and other macrofouling organisms. The efficacy in inhibiting zebra mussel byssal …

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The Effects Of Pulsed Shortwave Diathermy And Stretch On The Torque-Angle Relation Of The Calf (Plantar Flexor) Muscles Association With Passive Stretch Both During And After Treatment, Megan J. Schorr May 2007

The Effects Of Pulsed Shortwave Diathermy And Stretch On The Torque-Angle Relation Of The Calf (Plantar Flexor) Muscles Association With Passive Stretch Both During And After Treatment, Megan J. Schorr

Kinesiology Theses - Archive

Our objective was to assess the short-term effects of PSWD and stretch on the torque-angle relation of the calf both during and after PSWD treatment. We used a 3 X 4 and a 2 X 4 (Time X Treatment) crossover repeated measures design. The independent variables were condition (stretching during diathermy, stretching after diathermy, and stretching during and after diathermy treatment) and time (pre, post, 15-minutes post treatment). Sixteen males participated in the study. Dependent variables were energy absorbed, energy returned, peak torque, average stiffness, intramuscular temperature, and average range of motion (ROM). There was a greater increase in tissue …

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Effects Of Concentric And Eccentric Contractions Of The Knee Extensors On Mechanical Work, Lactate Concentration, And Surface Emg, Jeremiah Cedric Campbell May 2007

Effects Of Concentric And Eccentric Contractions Of The Knee Extensors On Mechanical Work, Lactate Concentration, And Surface Emg, Jeremiah Cedric Campbell

Kinesiology Theses - Archive

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of eccentric and concentric muscle contractions on the frequency and amplitude of EMG, torque, blood lactate, and the amount of work done. Ten college-aged males performed either four sets of twenty eccentric or concentric maximal contractions to induce muscle fatigue. Pre- and post-fatigues measurements of torque, EMG, blood lactate and work done were recorded. A 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA was used to test for differences in condition (concentric, eccentric) and time (pre, post) for the following dependent variables: total work done, average torque, change in lactate concentrations VL …

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The Effects Of Bench Height And Step Cadence In Aerobic Step Dance On Force Impact And Metabolic Cost, Dianna H. Putman May 2007

The Effects Of Bench Height And Step Cadence In Aerobic Step Dance On Force Impact And Metabolic Cost, Dianna H. Putman

Kinesiology Theses - Archive

The purpose of this investigation was threefold: to (1) determine the acute metabolic responses of simple bench step aerobics at two cadences (128 and 134 beats per minute) and two bench heights (6 and 10 inches), (2) calculate the average vertical ground reaction force and time to peak with each condition, and (3) attempt to create a regression equation to predict force impact and caloric cost based upon physiological height, weight, step cadence, and bench height. Twelve subjects reported to the exercise physiology lab for maximal treadmill testing and the four testing conditions. There were significant differences between bench height …

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Comparing The Melanin-Concentrating Hormone -1 Receptor Expression In The Brains Of Mice And Rats, Sidney Clayborn Williams May 2007

Comparing The Melanin-Concentrating Hormone -1 Receptor Expression In The Brains Of Mice And Rats, Sidney Clayborn Williams

Biology Theses - Archive

The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) family of neuropeptides is believed to be important in controlling certain feeding behaviors. Recently, the distribution of melanin-concentrating-1 receptor (MCH-1R) in rat brains was published revealing that it is expressed throughout the rat brain. Mice lacking MCH and MCH-1R have been generated and have been found to be leaner and hyperactive. Consequently, MCH-1R has become a possible site for pharmacologically controlling obesity. However, areas expressing MCH-1R in the mouse brain still remain unknown. Therefore, in situ hybridization was performed on both mouse and rat brains to compare the MCH-1R expression between these animals. This comparison study …

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Differentiation Of Gene Expression In Behaviorally Isolated Black And Brown Morphs Of Drosophila Elegans, Daiju Hoshino May 2007

Differentiation Of Gene Expression In Behaviorally Isolated Black And Brown Morphs Of Drosophila Elegans, Daiju Hoshino

Biology Theses - Archive

Pre-zygotic isolation has been recognized as the primary form of incipient speciation, with behavioral isolation as one of its most significant manifestations. In spite of intensive research on behavioral isolation, its molecular mechanism is still poorly understood. We present microarray data from two morphs, black (OH) and brown (HK), of Drosophila elegans. Since only OH females show strong preference to mate with same type of males, these two morphs provide a model system for investigations into the incipient stage of speciation. We analyzed the expression profiles from heads of mated OH females and non-mated females of both morphs. Subsequent analysis …

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Epizootiological Importance Of Glossina Morsitans Submorsitans (Diptera: Glossinidae) (Newstead) In The Ghibe River Valley, Southwest Ethiopia, Merid Negash, Melaku Girma, Emiru Seyoum May 2007

Epizootiological Importance Of Glossina Morsitans Submorsitans (Diptera: Glossinidae) (Newstead) In The Ghibe River Valley, Southwest Ethiopia, Merid Negash, Melaku Girma, Emiru Seyoum

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The epizootiological importance of Glossina morsitans submorsitans in Ghibe River Valley was undertaken from October 2000 to September 2001. The flies were collected using baited monoconical traps. G. m. submorsitans occurred with a mean apparent density of 4.26 ± 0.49 flies/trap/day and the apparent density was characterized by an increase during the wet season and a decrease during the dry season. Among 450 G. m. submorsitans, approximately 5% were found to be infected with trypanosome. Of these infected flies, 76% were female. Nanomonas, Duttonella and Trypanozoon were the three trypanosome subgenera detected and occurred in the proportions of 57.1%, 38.1% …

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Influence Of Population Reduction On Predator Home Range Size And Spatial Overlap, Shandra Nicole Frey, Michael R. Conover Apr 2007

Influence Of Population Reduction On Predator Home Range Size And Spatial Overlap, Shandra Nicole Frey, Michael R. Conover

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

The increasing populations of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in the Intermountain West have contributed to low waterfowl recruitment in recent decades. This effect prompted the need for predator removal at many waterfowl refuges, such as the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (BRMBR) in the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. Our study examined the effects of the removal of predatory mammals at the BRMBR on the home range size and spatial overlap of the remaining populations of red foxes, raccoons, and striped skunks. The removal of predators through traps, snares, and night-shooting created a …

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C-Methylated And C-Prenylated Isoflavonoids From Root Extract Of Desmodium Uncinatum, Salome M. Guchu, Abiy Yenesew, Muniru K. Tsanuo, Nicholas K. Gikonyo, John A. Pickett, Antony M. Hooper, Ahmed Hassanali Mar 2007

C-Methylated And C-Prenylated Isoflavonoids From Root Extract Of Desmodium Uncinatum, Salome M. Guchu, Abiy Yenesew, Muniru K. Tsanuo, Nicholas K. Gikonyo, John A. Pickett, Antony M. Hooper, Ahmed Hassanali

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A pterocarpan, 1,9-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-2-methylpterocarpan (named uncinacarpan) and two isoflavanones, 5,7-dihydroxy-2′,3′,4′-trimethoxy-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)isoflavanone (named uncinanone D) and 5,4′-dihydroxy-7,2′-dimethoxy-6-methylisoflavanone (named uncinanone E), were isolated from the CH2Cl2 root extract of Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) DC and characterised by spectroscopic methods. In addition, a rare pterocarpan edudiol and two known abietane diterpenes, 7-oxo-15-hydroxydehydroabietic acid and 7-hydroxycallitrisic acid were identified. The fraction of the root extract that was analysed induced germination of Striga hermonthica seeds, but none of the isolated compounds showed this activity. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Evaluation Of Various Mulberry Morus Spp. (Moraceae) Cultivars For The Rearing Of The Bivoltine Hybrid Race Shaanshi Bv-333 Of The Silkworm Bombyx Mon (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), V. V. Adolkar, S. K. Raina, D. M. Kimbu Mar 2007

Evaluation Of Various Mulberry Morus Spp. (Moraceae) Cultivars For The Rearing Of The Bivoltine Hybrid Race Shaanshi Bv-333 Of The Silkworm Bombyx Mon (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), V. V. Adolkar, S. K. Raina, D. M. Kimbu

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The performance of the Bombyx mori Linnaeus bivoltine hybrid, Shaanshi BV-333, was evaluated on six mulberry cultivars of Morus spp. based on economic characters in rearing and mulberry leaf quality. The growth rate and morphological characteristics for all the cultivars were studied using several parameters. Specific characters such as disease resistance, survival percentage, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight and single cocoon filament length were recorded during the rearing of silkworm larvae. Tested cultivars significantly differed in all parameters. Cultivars Kanva-2/M5, Thailand, Thika and S-36 exhibited superiority in rearing performance over other tested cultivars. Silkworms fed with cv. Thailand had the …

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Vision-Based Ability Of An Ant-Mimicking Jumping Spider To Discriminate Between Models, Conspecific Individuals And Prey, X. J. Nelson, R. R. Jackson Feb 2007

Vision-Based Ability Of An Ant-Mimicking Jumping Spider To Discriminate Between Models, Conspecific Individuals And Prey, X. J. Nelson, R. R. Jackson

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Myrmarachne assimilis, an ant-like (myrmecomorphic) jumping spider (Araneae, Salticidae) from the Philippines, is a Batesian mimic of Oecophylla smaragdina, the Asian weaver ant. Salticids are well known for their acute eyesight and the elaborate vision-based display behaviour they adopt during encounters with conspecific individuals, but most salticids are not myrmecomorphic. Despite its unusual morphology, M. assimilis adopts display behaviour during intraspecific interactions that is similar to the display behaviour of more typical salticids. The specificity with which M. assimilis deploys display behaviour is investigated and provides insights into this mimic's ability to differentiate, by sight alone, between models, conspecific individuals …

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Surveys For Natural Enemies Of The Tomato Red Spider Mite Tetranychus Evansi (Acari: Tetranychidae) In Northeastern And Southeastern Brazil, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Manoel G.C. Gondim, Gilberto J. De Moraes, Callistus K.P.O. Ogol, Markus Knapp Jan 2007

Surveys For Natural Enemies Of The Tomato Red Spider Mite Tetranychus Evansi (Acari: Tetranychidae) In Northeastern And Southeastern Brazil, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Manoel G.C. Gondim, Gilberto J. De Moraes, Callistus K.P.O. Ogol, Markus Knapp

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Surveys for predators of the tomato red spider mite Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard on solanaceous plants were carried out in north-eastern and south-eastern Brazil to determine prospective species for the control of the pest in Africa. Surveys were carried out in areas identified as climatically similar to regions in Africa where T. evansi has been reported as a pest and where prospective natural enemies may be introduced. A total of 56,445 mites and insects were found in 330 samples collected from 20 different species of solanaceous plants. Tetranychus evansi was found in only three samples, on Solanum americanum Mill. …

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Distribution And Relative Importance Of Lepidopteran Cereal Stemborers And Their Parasitoids In Uganda, T. Matama-Kauma, F. Schulthess, J. A. Ogwang, J. M. Mueke, C. O. Omwega Jan 2007

Distribution And Relative Importance Of Lepidopteran Cereal Stemborers And Their Parasitoids In Uganda, T. Matama-Kauma, F. Schulthess, J. A. Ogwang, J. M. Mueke, C. O. Omwega

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Infestation levels and parasitism of lepidopteran stemborers on maize were assessed in four agroecological zones (AEZ) in Uganda. The indigenous noctuid Busseola fusca Fuller (Noctuidae) and the invasive Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Crambidae) were the most important stemborers recorded. C. partellus represented 77% of the stemborers in the Eastern AEZ while B. fusca was dominant in the other AEZs, accounting for 60-79%. The proportion of infested plants was between 16% and 45% and borer density between 0.2 and 1.0 borers per plant. There was no clear relationship between damage and stem tunneling, which is often used to estimate yield loss. Telenomus …

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Submicroscopic Plasmodium Falciparum Gametocyte Densities Frequently Result In Mosquito Infection, Petra Schneider, J. Teun Bousema, Louis C. Gouagna, Silas Otieno, Marga Van De Vegte-Bolmer, Sabah A. Omar, Robert W. Sauerwein Jan 2007

Submicroscopic Plasmodium Falciparum Gametocyte Densities Frequently Result In Mosquito Infection, Petra Schneider, J. Teun Bousema, Louis C. Gouagna, Silas Otieno, Marga Van De Vegte-Bolmer, Sabah A. Omar, Robert W. Sauerwein

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Submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum gametocytemia (< 5,000 gametocytes/mL) is common and may result in mosquito infection. We assessed the relation between gametocyte density and mosquito infection under experimental and field conditions using real-time quantitative nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (QT-NASBA) for gametocyte quantification. Serial dilutions of NF54 P. falciparum gametocytes showed a positive association between gametocyte density and the proportion of infected mosquitoes (β = 6.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-9.6; P = 0.001). Successful infection became unlikely below an estimated density of 250-300 gametocytes/mL. In the field, blood samples of 100 naturally infected children showed a positive association between gametocyte density and oocyst counts in mosquitoes (β = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.14-0.61; P = 0.002). The relative contribution to malaria transmission was similar for carriers with submicroscopic and microscopic gametocytemia. Our results show that transmission occurs efficiently at submicroscopic gametocyte densities and that carriers harboring submicroscopic gametocytemia constitute a considerable proportion of the human infectious reservoir. Copyright © 2007 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

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Larval Habitat Dynamics And Diversity Of Culex Mosquitoes In Rice Agro-Ecosystem In Mwea, Kenya, Ephantus J. Muturi, Josephat I. Shililu, Weidong Gu, Benjamin G. Jacob, John I. Githure, Robert J. Novak Jan 2007

Larval Habitat Dynamics And Diversity Of Culex Mosquitoes In Rice Agro-Ecosystem In Mwea, Kenya, Ephantus J. Muturi, Josephat I. Shililu, Weidong Gu, Benjamin G. Jacob, John I. Githure, Robert J. Novak

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Introduction of irrigation projects in developing nations has often been blamed for aggravating the problem of mosquito-borne diseases by creating ideal larval habitats for vector mosquitoes. However, whereas several studies have demonstrated the relationship between malaria vectors and irrigation, little work has been done on culicine mosquitoes despite their potential in transmission of filariasis and arboviruses and their significant biting nuisance in these areas. This study examined the diversity of Culex mosquito fauna and their larval habitats at two sites (Murinduko and Kiamachiri) in Mwea, Kenya over a 12-month period. The habitat types present at each site within a 200-meter …

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Antibacterial Activity Of Apis Mellifera L. Propolis Collected In Three Regions Of Kenya, Elliud M. Muli, J. M. Maingi Jan 2007

Antibacterial Activity Of Apis Mellifera L. Propolis Collected In Three Regions Of Kenya, Elliud M. Muli, J. M. Maingi

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The present study aimed at investigating the susceptibility of the microorganisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis to ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) from three regions of Kenya (Taita, Tana and Samburu). Propolis was extracted using four different concentrations of ethanol: pure, 70%, 50%, and 30%. Ethanol (70%) and Streptomycin were used as controls. The agar diffusion method using filter paper disks was employed. Antibacterial activity was determined as an equivalent of the inhibition zones diameters (in millimeters) after incubation at 37°C for 24h. Significant differences in the antibacterial activities of propolis were observed among …

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