Differences in Spatial Cognition in Captive Tiger and Bears

Poster presentation abstract

Do Dogs Possess Self-Control?

Each year 6 to 8 million pet dogs enter shelters, and approximately 60% are euthanized. Unfortunately, many dogs are taken to shelters or euthanized due to behavioral problems. Identifying dogs who may have these behaviors allows owners to be informed and prepared for these dogs, reducing the number returned to shelters. One way to identify potential problems may be through measuring self-control in dogs. We have adapted our methods from a similar method used with capuchin monkeys (Bramlett et al., 2012). We constructed a wheel with food that rotated in front of dog subjects. The dog had the choice to eat less-preferred kibble or wait an additional few seconds for a preferred jerky treat. Dogs wait for food, and demonstrate variation in how long they wait. Future studies will explore how long dogs can wait and if variation in self-control predicts behavioral problems

Isolation and Characterization of Novel Mycobacteriophages From the Central Illinois Region

Members of the Illinois Wesleyan General Biology Science Education Alliance (SEA) laboratory isolated and characterized fifteen distinctive phages capable of infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis. Each student collected soil samples from the central Illinois area and used direct plating or enrichment techniques to isolate phages. Streak assays were used to purify single phage populations. Individual phage populations were then characterized and DNA was isolated. Based on the following characteristics; plaque morphology (size and turbidity), life style (temperate or lytic) and DNA restriction patterns, we determined that each student has isolated a unique phage. The DNA from a single Mycobacteriophage, Kazan, was sent to the University of Pittsburgh for genome sequencing. DNA Sequencing determined that Kazan is 52,160 base pairs, including 10 base pair 3\u27 overhang (CGGTCGGTTA), and a member of the A6 subcluster of Mycobacteriophages. Kazan is most closely related to the phages EricB and DaVinci (99% identity). Genome analysis, using the computer programs DNA Master, Glimmer, GeneMark, and Aragorn, determined that the Kazan genome housed 99 genes and 3 tRNAs. The potential protein function for each gene was determined using the computer programs HHPred, BLASTP and Phamerator. All the individual phage data was submitted to the Mycobacteriophage DataBase and the genome annotation, when completed, will be submitted to the DNA database, GenBank

A História da Alimentação: balizas historiográficas

Os M. pretenderam traçar um quadro da História da Alimentação, não como um novo ramo epistemológico da disciplina, mas como um campo em desenvolvimento de práticas e atividades especializadas, incluindo pesquisa, formação, publicações, associações, encontros acadêmicos, etc. Um breve relato das condições em que tal campo se assentou faz-se preceder de um panorama dos estudos de alimentação e temas correia tos, em geral, segundo cinco abardagens Ia biológica, a econômica, a social, a cultural e a filosófica!, assim como da identificação das contribuições mais relevantes da Antropologia, Arqueologia, Sociologia e Geografia. A fim de comentar a multiforme e volumosa bibliografia histórica, foi ela organizada segundo critérios morfológicos. A seguir, alguns tópicos importantes mereceram tratamento à parte: a fome, o alimento e o domínio religioso, as descobertas européias e a difusão mundial de alimentos, gosto e gastronomia. O artigo se encerra com um rápido balanço crítico da historiografia brasileira sobre o tema

Differences in Spatial Cognition in Captive Tigers and Bears

Migrating long distances to find food, mates, and territories requires animals navigate long distances, yet exactly what cognitive mechanisms support such navigation remains unclear. Non-mammalian spatial cognition research suggests animals have an integrated map consisting of bearing (egocentric mechanisms:e.g., dead reckoning) and sketch ( allocentric mechanisms: e.g., landmarks) maps. Do mammals that migrate, tigers and bears, also use these maps? Two Sumatran tigers (one female, one grizzly bear (female), and one polar bear (female) observed a rotating apparatus with two distinct landmarks, one baited with food. The animals chose which side had food using landmarks or rotation as cues. Binomial tests revealed animals found food more than expected by chance, and bears and the female tiger found food more than the male tiger. Thus, mammals can use a sketch map (landmarks or rotation) to find food. Further research should explore whether mammals rely on bearing maps and should further investigate species differences in sketch map use

Clintonville Sustainability Plan : Final Report

This is part of a project submitted to fulfill the requirements of the course "City and Regional Planning 724 : Introduction to Planning for Sustainable Development", completed Fall Quarter of 2007 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio