An evaluation of motor-based preconscious detection in a numerical target search task

Traditional information processing theories allow little room for unconscious mental activity. However, a large and growing body of research has been performed in the area of information processing without awareness. Research investigating target detection tasks reveals that perception of targets in a high-load task is a multi-stage, or feature integration process. A multi-stage process indicates that some processing may occur before conscious awareness. Research directed at motor indicants of preconscious processing indicates subjects may indeed process information in a visual target search task prior to consciously discovering the target. Experiments which have looked at rythmic motor responses, such as key tapping, during visual search tasks have discovered subtle differences in the motor response between target-present and target-absent conditions. The underlying mechanism for how preconscious processing can interfere with a motor response may be found in the theory of motor programming. Essentially, the execution of one motor program can be hindered by the partial execution of a second motor program under conditions of uncertainty as in a target search task. The present research examined the use of a key tapping response while subjects searched for numerical targets in a high-load visual target search task. None of the direct measures of on-times and off-times showed a significant difference between target-present and target-absent conditions. However, the distribution of differences of rank-ordered measures of on-times and of off-times showed significant asymmetry between target-present and target-absent conditions. Possible explanations for this result are given within the context of motor programming theory. Weaknesses of the current study and suggestions for future research are discussed

Habitat site selection, crop damage and oviposition preference by Contesta ( = Haimbachia) ignefusalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Studies were conducted during 1986–1988 to investigate habitat site selection, evaluate damage, and study the oviposition preference of Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson) on natural and artificial substrates to improve rearing and management techniques. Millet grain weight was negatively correlated with numbers of stem‐borer larval exit and entrance holes. Numbers of diapausing larvae and borer larval holes were positively correlated with the location of internodes on millet stems. Survival of C. ignefusalisin dry millet stems is significant when stems were stacked as practised by farmers. C. ignefusalistemaie oviposition occurred mostly within leaf sheaths of green millet plants, rarely on green or dry leaves, and seldom on dry millet stems. Paper substrates rarely received eggs when offered to females in association with green millet stems with attached leaf sheath. The implications of our findings for IPM of C. ignefusalis are discussed

Life-fertility tables of Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared on Heliocheilus albipunctella de Joannis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Life-fertility tables were described for Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) developing on the millet head caterpillar (MHC), Heliocheilus albipunctella de Joannis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Mated B. hebetor females lived an average of 24.7 days, oviposited ca. 22 days, and produced, 173.7 adult progeny with a 1:1 sex ratio. The estimated innate capacity of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R0) were 0.26 and 86.5, respectively. The mean generation time was 1 days

Population dynamics and parasitism of Coniesta(= Haimbachia) ignefusalis, Sesamia calamistis, and Heliocheilus albipunctella in millet monoculture

Studies were conducted in Niger in 1986 and 1987 on the population dynamics and parasitism of the millet stem borer, Coniesta (=Haimbachia) ignefusalis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae), Sesamia calamistis Hampson, and the millet head caterpillar, Heliocheilus albipunctella de Joannis (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae). Planting dates were assessed for effects on population densities of C. ignefusalis and H. albipunctella. Population densities of C. ignefusalis were not reduced by adjusting millet planting dates, but were affected by millet growth stage. Platytelenomus sp. (Hymenoptera:Scelionidae) was the most common parasite of C. ignefusalis on millet. Parasitism of C. ignefusalis larvae and pupae was rare. Sesamia calamistis was a minor pest of millet in Niger, and was rarely parasitized. Population densities of H. albipunctella were reduced by delaying millet planting dates. Bracon hebetor (Hymenoptera:Braconidae) was the most common parasite of H. albipunctella

Population Reproductive Statistics of Millet Head Miner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Reared in a Laboratory in Niger

Net reproductive rates and cohort generation times are tabulated for pearl millet head miner (Heliocheilus albipunctella) reared on 4 diets (Bio-Serv® 9782 and 3 pearl millet-based diets) at 24, 26, 28 or 30°C. The highest R0 values of 5.84 and 4.33 females per female were estimated when the head miners were fed Bio-Serv® at 30° and early exserted millet at 24°, respectively. Tc tended to be shortest at 26 and 28°

Field Evaluation of Fecundity, Longevity, and Oviposition Period of Millet Head Miner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Niger

The factors regulating Heliocheilus albipunctella development and abundance on pearl millet were investigated in field experiments in Niger. H. albipunctella in exclusion cages survived between 2 and 6 days and the oviposition period lasted 1-4 days. The mean number of eggs oviposited per female was 29.6. In experiments in 1997, the number of eggs oviposited varied with the pearl millet sowing date and was greatest on millet sown on 4 July (21.6 eggs oviposited per day). These data will contribute to the greater understanding of H. albipunctella biology necessary for its control

Cultural value orientations, internalized homophobia, and accommodation in romantic relationships

In the present study, we examined the impact of cultural value orientations (i.e., the personally oriented value of individualism, and the socially oriented values of collectivism, familism, romanticism, and spiritualism) on accommodation (i.e., voice and loyalty, rather than exit and neglect, responses to partners' anger or criticism) in heterosexual and gay relationships; and we examined the impact of internalized homophobia (i.e., attitudes toward self, other, and disclosure) on accommodation specifically in gay relationships. A total of 262 heterosexuals (102 men and 162 women) and 857 gays (474 men and 383 women) participated in the present study. Consistent with hypotheses, among heterosexuals and gays, socially oriented values were significantly and positively related to accommodation (whereas the personally oriented value of individualism was unrelated to accommodation); and among gays in particular, internalized homophobia was significantly and negatively related to accommodation. Implications for the study of heterosexual and gay relationships are discussed. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved

Intrauterine Growth Restriction Is a Direct Consequence of Localized Maternal Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Cystitis

Despite the continually increasing rates of adverse perinatal outcomes across the globe, the molecular mechanisms that underlie adverse perinatal outcomes are not completely understood. Clinical studies report that 10% of pregnant women will experience a urinary tract infection (UTI) and there is an association of UTIs with adverse perinatal outcomes. We introduced bacterial cystitis into successfully outbred female mice at gestational day 14 to follow pregnancy outcomes and immunological responses to determine the mechanisms that underlie UTI-mediated adverse outcomes. Outbred fetuses from mothers experiencing localized cystitis displayed intrauterine growth restriction (20–80%) as early as 48 hours post-infection and throughout the remainder of normal gestation. Robust infiltration of cellular innate immune effectors was observed in the uteroplacental tissue following introduction of UTI despite absence of viable bacteria. The magnitude of serum proinflammatory cytokines is elevated in the maternal serum during UTI. This study demonstrates that a localized infection can dramatically impact the immunological status as well as the function of non-infected distal organs and tissues. This model can be used as a platform to determine the mechanism(s) by which proinflammatory changes occur between non-contiguous genitourinary organ