Seasonal Variation in Thyroid Gland Activity in Pheasants

Author Institution: Department of Zoology, Ohio University, Athens, OhioThyroid glands from 167 pheasants (Korean-Phasianus colchicus karpowi, Persian- Phasianus colchicus persicus, green-Phasianus versicolor, and Reeves-Syrmaticus reevesii) were examined to determine if there were a seasonal or sexual variation in (1) the weight of the thyroid gland and (2) thyroid activity as determined by histological techniques. A Thyroid Activity Index, which histologically rates thyroid activity from 1 to 5 (inactive to very active), was employed to evaluate the functional state of the gland. Five males and five females each of the pheasant groups were sacrificed in January, April, July, and October. Generally, the thyroid glands were most active in January and April and least active in July and October. An inverse relationship seemed to exist: the lighter the gland, the more active it is, and the heavier the gland, the less active it is

The Effects of an Isometric Quarter Squat on Countermovement Jump Performance

The purpose of the study was to determine if an isometric quarter squat was sufficient to elicit postactivation potentiation (PAP) in a countermovement jump (CMJ) for recreationally trained individuals (n = 22). The isometric quarter squat conditioning stimulus consisted of three sets of six second maximal voluntary contractions against a custom made apparatus. The conditioning stimulus was designed to acutely enhance CMJ performance by stimulating PAP, in turn improving indicators of CMJ performance which included eccentric rate of force development (ERFD), mean rate of force development (MRFD), peak rate of force development (PRFD), reactive strength index (RSI), and peak power (PP). CMJ performance was tested at one, five, ten, and fifteen minutes post-conditioning stimulus to identify the optimal recovery time for optimal performance. Statistical analysis was carried out using a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and no significant or meaningful change was found in ERFD, MRFD, PRFD, RSI, or PP. The overall power was small for all variables suggesting that the ability of the current study to observe an effect that might have existed was very unlikely. Effect size was also small in all variables suggesting that the change pre to post-testing was not meaningful. Some critical factors that may have contributed to the results included the individual’s ability to potentiate, body positioning during conditioning stimulus, and level of conditioning of subjects

Book reviews

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45471/1/11089_2005_Article_BF02230996.pd

Seeing the Lexus for the Olive Trees? Public Opinion, Economic Interdependence, and Interstate Conflict

Many scholars argue that economic interdependence and more extensive economic ties between countries decreases the risk of violent conflict between them. However, despite considerable research on the “capitalist peace” at the macro or dyadic level, there has been less attention to its possible individual-level microfoundations or underpinnings. We argue that public perceptions about economic ties with other states and the costs of conflict should influence the expected constraints on the use of force for leaders. Actual high interdependence and potential economic costs may not suffice to create political constraints on the use of force if people are unaware of the degree of interdependence or fail to understand the benefits of trade and the likely economic costs of disruptive conflict. We examine the linkages between individual perceptions about economic interdependence and their views on conflict and peace through a survey experiment, where we ask respondents in Japan about approval for belligerent actions in a territorial dispute with China and varying information about economic ties. Our findings indicate that greater knowledge and information about economic interdependence affects attitudes about territorial disputes and increases support for peaceful solutions with China

Mast cells are activated by Streptococcus pneumoniae In Vitro but Dispensable for the host Defense against Pneumococcal central nervous system infection In Vivo

Mast cells reside on and near the cerebral vasculature, the predominant site of pneumococcal entry into the central nervous system (CNS). Although mast cells have been reported to be crucial in protecting from systemic bacterial infections, their role in bacterial infections of the CNS remained elusive. Here, we assessed the role of mast cells in pneumococcal infection in vitro and in vivo. In introductory experiments using mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC), we found that (i) BMMC degranulate and release selected cytokines upon exposure to Streptococcus pneumoniae, (ii) the response of BMMC varies between different pneumococcal serotypes and (iii) is dependent on pneumolysin. Intriguingly though, apart from a slight enhancement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis, neither two different mast cell-deficient Kit mutant mouse strains (WBB6F1-KitW/Wv and C57BL/6 KitW-sh/W-sh mice) nor pharmacologic mast cell stabilization with cromoglycate had any significant impact on the disease phenotype of experimental pneumococcal meningitis. The incomplete reversal of the enhanced CSF pleocytosis by local mast cell engraftment suggests that this phenomenon is caused by other c-Kit mutation-related mechanisms than mast cell deficiency. In conclusion, our study suggests that mast cells can be activated by S. pneumoniae in vitro. However, mast cells do not play a significant role as sentinels of pneumococcal CSF invasion and initiators of innate immunity in vivo

Unit cohesion and the Navy: does cohesion affect performance?

This study was undertaken to discover whether unit cohesion is systematically related to unit effectiveness in a Navy context. To this end, correlation analysis was conducted on personnel turnover rates and several measure of effectiveness (MOE) variables from various tests and inspections on ships in the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The MOE variables included retention rates, Supply Management Assessment scores, Maintenance and Material Management (3M) Inspection scores, Training Readiness Evaluations, and Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) scores. The results showed few statistically significant relationships between the turnover and MOE variables. Recommendations are offered for further study on unit cohesion and its possible relationship to unit effectiveness.http://archive.org/details/unitcohesionnavy00dropLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

The histogenesis and mode of growth of the choroid plexuses of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

The patterns of cell proliferation in the choroid plexuses of embryonic and post-natal hamsters were studied by means of auto-radiography (H³-thymidine). In addition, the PAS technique was used to determine the times of first appearance, relative amounts, location, and times of disappearance of glycogen free the plexuses. Many mitotic figures and nuclei labeled with H³-thymidine are present in the epithelium and stroma of all three plexuses during embryonic and early poet-natal life. A very low level of DNA synthesis also occurs in both of these tissues in the adult animal. Growth and extension of the choroidal epithelium appears to occur in the stalk regions of the telencephalic and myelencephalic plexuses and the basal halves of the folds of the diencephalic and myelencephalic plexuses. Some growth, but at a much slower pace, also occurs in the distal portions of the plexuses. Labeled connective tissue cells were scattered throughout the stroma of the plexuses. A comparison of the mitotic indices of the stromal cells with those of the epithelial cells in the distal portions of the plexuses suggests that the actively dividing stromal cells may be pushing the relatively less active epithelium into the brain ventricles, and during this process the epithelial cells in these regions become stretched and consequently flattened

ENGL 2110: World Literature Curated Resources

This adoption of various open and no-cost resources was made possible through a Round 14 Textbook Transformation Grant. The linked syllabus and final report are available to download in order to provide instructors with a blueprint for this adoption, including the structure, the process, the outcomes, and lessons learned