Individual Variation in Testosterone Levels and Parental Care in Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia Sialis): Interactions with Reproductive Success and Offspring Traits

Hormones are important regulators of behavior and fitness. We have learned much about the direct effects of hormones on behavior and reproductive success from studies that experimentally manipulate hormone levels. To complement these studies, we also need to assess natural individual variation in hormones at multiple time points in relation to behavior and fitness as this practice can help to inform us about how hormonal profiles evolve. Testosterone has been implicated in fitness-related traits, and is predicted to interact with important behaviors, such as parental care. The level of parental care provided to young is critical in shaping the rearing environment. I conducted research on eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) to explore individual variation in testosterone levels in relation to parental care and fitness, and performed an experiment to alter parental behavior and measured subsequent effects on offspring. In Chapter II of my dissertation, I reported the findings of a study in which I injected birds with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to stimulate testosterone secretion within parental and aggressive contexts. I measured testosterone levels before GnRH was injected (initial testosterone levels) and thirty minutes after GnRH was injected (GnRH-induced levels), as well as the difference between these values (testosterone production). None of these testosterone measurements were related to nest visit rates or aggressive response to an intruder. However, there was significant variation among individuals in initial testosterone levels. Individuals also differed in their responsiveness to GnRH. In Chapter III, I showed that reproductive success was not related to initial testosterone levels or GnRH-induced testosterone levels. In the study conducted for Chapter IV, I manipulated brood sizes of bluebirds to create enlarged and reduced broods, keeping some broods unmanipulated as controls. Surprisingly, adults raising enlarged broods compensated for the increased number of young. As a result, the nestlings did not incur many costs overall, but nestling feather coloration was impacted. My findings emphasize the importance of studying individual variation in hormone levels, and identifying situations in which parents would be more likely to incur costs than offspring.Zoolog

Women\u27s Envy in the Workplace: Contexts and Consequences

There is a paucity of literature on women\u27s subjective experience of being envious or being envied in the contemporary workplace. Yet envy, wanting what another possesses, is believed to thrive in a competitive interpersonal milieu, much like the modern workplace, where employees vie for limited organizational resources and rewards. Accordingly, there is a need to better understand envy\u27s role in the workplace and move from an abstract, context-free conceptualization of workplace envy to one that is more differentiated and context-bound. Eighteen women were interviewed for this qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews. Results were analyzed using both psychoanalytic and social psychological theory and research. Findings revealed that professional women did experience envy at work as characterized by both Kleinian theory and social comparison research. Two contexts, referred to as \u27withholding\u27 and \u27destructive differentiation\u27 in this study, elicited envy in participants. Envy in the context of \u27withholding\u27 was evoked when one wanted: (1) a specific \u27organizational good\u27 such as a promotion or special assignment was given to another, (2) interpersonal rewards such as praise and recognition that another received, and (3) mentoring that another colleague acquired. Envy in the context of \u27destructive differentiation\u27 was felt (1) when a colleague with whom they identified achieved more success, (2) when a colleague possessed talents or skills of special value and importance to their type of work. Four themes were also identified regarding the consequences of envy in the workplace. The four themes fell on a continuum, spanning from more to less destructive consequences: (1) envious attacks aimed at damaging the envied other, (2) withdrawing from a relationship of potential value, (3) devaluing oneself, and (4) improvements in motivation. The fording that participants\u27 experiences fell on a continuum from negative to positive has important implications. If a continuum of experiences of envy exists, envy be a normative experience in the workplace and may have functional and adaptive purposes in the workplace rather than solely pathological ones. This study demonstrated the need for greater recognition of envy\u27s role and impact on achievement, performance and productivity in the workplace

A review on environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding markers for wildlife monitoring research

Environmental DNA or eDNA utilizes traceable genetic materials in the environment for monitoring the presence of organisms in a given area and it is now gaining popularity as an alternative for traditional monitoring methods. Thus, the selection of genetic markers is crucial for identification of species in wildlife monitoring. This paper aims to review several DNA markers which are appropriate and reliable for detection of organisms from the environmental samples. We performed systematic literature search from SCOPUS database to review all molecular markers of eDNA. This study focuses on the importance of markers selection which can be utilized by next-generation sequencing (NGS) for biodiversity monitoring. Cytochrome C oxidase Subunit I (COI) are noted as the most widely used marker in metabarcoding research for detection of targeted species

Algorithm for identifying and separating beats from arterial pulse records

BACKGROUND: This project was designed as an epidemiological aid-selecting tool for a small country health center with the general objective of screening out possible coronary patients. Peripheral artery function can be non-invasively evaluated by impedance plethysmography. Changes in these vessels appear as good predictors of future coronary behavior. Impedance plethysmography detects volume variations after simple occlusive maneuvers that may show indicative modifications in arterial/venous responses. Averaging of a series of pulses is needed and this, in turn, requires proper determination of the beginning and end of each beat. Thus, the objective here is to describe an algorithm to identify and separate out beats from a plethysmographic record. A secondary objective was to compare the output given by human operators against the algorithm. METHODS: The identification algorithm detected the beat's onset and end on the basis of the maximum rising phase, the choice of possible ventricular systolic starting points considering cardiac frequency, and the adjustment of some tolerance values to optimize the behavior. Out of 800 patients in the study, 40 occlusive records (supradiastolic- subsystolic) were randomly selected without any preliminary diagnosis. Radial impedance plethysmographic pulse and standard ECG were recorded digitizing and storing the data. Cardiac frequency was estimated with the Power Density Function and, thereafter, the signal was derived twice, followed by binarization of the first derivative and rectification of the second derivative. The product of the two latter results led to a weighing signal from which the cycles' onsets and ends were established. Weighed and frequency filters are needed along with the pre-establishment of their respective tolerances. Out of the 40 records, 30 seconds strands were randomly chosen to be analyzed by the algorithm and by two operators. Sensitivity and accuracy were calculated by means of the true/false and positive/negative criteria. Synchronization ability was measured through the coefficient of variation and the median value of correlation for each patient. These parameters were assessed by means of Friedman's ANOVA and Kendall Concordance test. RESULTS: Sensitivity was 97% and 91% for the two operators, respectively, while accuracy was cero for both of them. The synchronism variability analysis was significant (p < 0.01) for the two statistics, showing that the algorithm produced the best result. CONCLUSION: The proposed algorithm showed good performance as expressed by its high sensitivity. The correlation analysis demonstrated that, from the synchronism point of view, the algorithm performed the best detection. Patients with marked arrhythmic processes are not good candidates for this kind of analysis. At most, they would be singled out by the algorithm and, thereafter, to be checked by an operator

Use of an electromagnetic colonoscope to assess maneuvers associated with cecal intubation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Safe and effective colonoscopy is aided by the use of endoscopic techniques and maneuvers (ETM) during the examination including patient repositioning, stiffening of the endoscope and abdominal pressure.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>To better understand the use and value of ETM during colonoscopy by using a device that allows real-time imaging of the colonoscope insertion shaft.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The use of ETM during colonoscopy and their success was recorded. Experienced colonoscopists and endoscopy assistants used a commercially available electromagnetic (EM) transmitter and a special adult variable stiffness instrument with 12 embedded sensors to examine 46 patients. In 5 of these a special EM probe passed through the instrument channel of a standard pediatric variable stiffness colonoscope was used instead of the EM colonoscope.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty-nine men and 7 women with a mean age of 64 years (range 33–90) were studied. The cecum was intubated in 93.5% (43/46). The mean time to reach the cecum was 10.6 minutes (range 3–25). ETM were used a total of 174 times in 41 of the patients to assist with cecal intubation. When ETM were required to reach the cecum, and the cecum was intubated, an average of 3.82 ETM/patient was used. While ETM were used most often when the tip of the colonoscope was in the left side of the colon (rectum 5.0%, sigmoid colon 20.7%, descending colon 5.0%, and splenic flexure 11.6%), when the instrument was in the transverse colon (14.8%), hepatic flexure (20.7%) and ascending colon (19.8%) the use of ETM was also required. When the colonoscope tip was in the transverse colon, hepatic flexure and ascending colon, ETM success rates were less (61.1%, 52.0%, and 41.7% respectively) compared to the left colon success rates (rectum 83.3%, sigmoid colon 84.0%, descending colon 100%, and splenic flexure 85.7%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The EM colonoscope allows imaging of the insertion shaft without fluoroscopy and is a useful device for evaluating the efficacy of ETM. ETM are important tools of the colonoscopist and are used most often in the left colon where they are most effective.</p

Semiexclusive pionic double charge exchange on 4 He

The semiexclusive reaction {}^{4}\mathrm{He}({\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+},{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}pp)pp has been studied at pion kinetic energies of 105 MeV and 115 MeV. Signatures from the production of the hypothetical \ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{NN} resonance {d}^{\ensuremath{'}} have been searched for in the invariant mass {M}_{\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{pp}} spectra. No hint for a dominant {d}^{\ensuremath{'}} production, as anticipated from double charge exchange excitation functions on nuclei, has been found. The data are satisfactorily described by sequential single charge exchange

Formulations of Plant Growth-Promoting Microbes for Field Applications

Development of a plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbe needs several steps starting with isolation of a pure culture, screening of its PGP or antagonistic traits by means of different efficacy bioassays performed in vitro, in vivo or in trials under greenhouse and/or field conditions. In order to maximize the potential of an efficient PGP microbe, it is essential to optimize mass multiplication protocols that promote product quality and quantity and a product formulation that enhances bioactivity, preserves shelf life and aids product delivery. Selection of formulation is very crucial as it can determine the success or failure of a PGP microbe. A good carrier material should be able to deliver the right number of viable cells in good physiological conditions, easy to use and economically affordable by the farmers. Several carrier materials have been used in formulation that include peat, talc, charcoal, cellulose powder, farm yard manure, vermicompost and compost, lignite, bagasse and press mud. Each formulation has its advantages and disadvantages but the peat based carrier material is widely used in different part of the world. This chapter gives a comprehensive analysis of different formulations and the quality of inoculants available in the market, with a case study conducted in five-states of India

Biomedical Engineering Course Development for Health Care Delivery

A new program of courses in biomedical engineering has been initiated at Michigan Technological University, both at the graduate and undergraduate level. The rationale for the development of these courses stems from the rapid growth in technology which has permeated almost all areas of health care delivery. The major goals of each course are described in terms of 1) establishing a required level of technical competence and literacy in the field, 2) developing those communication skills that will typically be required of the students after graduation, and 3) developing a sense of challenge which will last the students beyond their formative years. The philosophy underlying the choice of topical content, course organization, and student evaluation are all considered within the broader framework of establishing a modern foundation which the student, as well as the industrial and clinical community, can readily appreciate and identify with. Copyright © 1983 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc