Social learning in mixed-species troops of Saguinus fuscicollis and Saguinus labiatus: tests of foraging benefit hypotheses in captivity

The selective costs and benefits affecting the evolution of group living have long interested behavioural ecologists because knowledge of these selective forces can enhance our understanding not only of why organisms live in groups, but also why species exhibit particular patterns of social organisation. Tamarins form stable and permanent mixed-species troops providing an excellent model for examining the costs and benefits hypothesised for group living. However, testing hypotheses in the wild is difficult, not least because participating species are rarely found out of association. In contrast, in captivity it is possible to compare matched single- and mixed-species troops and also to study the same individuals in single and mixed-species troops to see what effect the presence of a congener has on behaviour. In this way, captive work can help us confirm, reject, or refine the hypotheses, and aids in the generation of new ones, for relating back to the wild. The utility of this approach is demonstrated in this thesis which explored some of the foraging benefit hypotheses and, in particular, the underlying notion that individuals in tamarind mixed-species troops can increase their foraging efficiency through social earning. Single and mixed-species troops of Saguinus fuscicollis and S. labiatus were studied at Belfast Zoological Gardens. It was found that social interaction with conspecifics and congeners facilitated learning by individuals of various types of food-related information (food palatability, location, and method of access). However, although social learning operated in mixed-species troops, it did so under the shadow of inter-specific dominance. The results were used, in conjunction with field observations in Bolivia, to make inferences about the adaptive function of social learning in the wild. These findings strengthen the hypotheses which suggest that increased opportunity for social learning, through an increase in troop size and as a result of species divergence in behaviour, is an adaptive advantage of mixed-species troop formation in tamarins

Exploring the Cognitive Nature of Boards of Directors and Its Implication for Board Effectiveness

In this paper we propose a theoretical framework that emphasizes the development of a shared mental model (SMM) of a board of directors and its impact on board effectiveness and suggest that the accuracy and scope of the SMM in a board will moderate the relationship between a board’s SMM and board effectiveness. Also, we examine the impact of task and relationship conflict on the development of a SMM. Finally, we examine three board attributes (board size, CEO duality, and the proportion of outside directors on a board) as antecedents to the development of conflict among board members.Boards of directors, corporate governance, shared mental models

The use of phenyl-Sepharose for the affinity purification of proteinases

Phenyl-Sepharose is most often used as an adsorbent for hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). We report on its effective use for the affinity purification of some extracellular thermostable proteinases from bacterial sources. Proteinases belonging to the serine, aspartate and metallo mechanistic classes were effective retained by the media. Purification factors in the range of 2.9–60 and enzyme activity yields in excess of 88% were obtained. In some cases homogeneous enzyme was obtained from culture supernatants in a single step. A number of other proteinases from mammalian sources were also retained. The specificity of the enzyme/support interaction was studied. Proteinases complexed with peptide inhibitors (pepstatin and chymostatin) showed reduced binding to phenyl Sepharose indicating with the active site cleft whereas modification with low molecular weight active site directed inactivators such as PMSF and DAN did not, indicating that binding may not be dependent on the catalytic site. Pepsinogen and the pro-enzyme form of the serine proteinase from the thermophilic Bacillus sp. strain Ak.1 were not retained by the media and could be resolved in an efficient manner from their active counterparts

Establishing an Iowa Microenterprise Foundation

An Iowa group was formed to offer funding and advice to small business entrepreneurs with a focus on local food enterprises

A BIOASSAY OF MONTANA GRASSLAND PLANT RESISTANCE TO CATECHIN: AN EXUDATE OF SPOTTED KNAPWEED, CENTAUREA MACULOSA

Centaurea maculosa, or Spotted knapweed, is considered an invasive species in the Western United States, including Montana. It has established sizeable populations and displaced native plant communities through what is believed to be a result of the plant’s exudate, catechin. Catechin is an allelochemical documented to have phytotoxic, antimicrobial, and chelating properties. Current methods of remediation (biological, mechanical, and chemical) have demonstrated limited degrees of success. It is hypothesized that the degree of resistance to catechin of neighboring plant species determines the degree of knapweed invasiveness. The goal of this research is to test Montana native grassland species for resistance to catechin. Assembling a bioassay on agar plates, Montana grassland seeds will be grown in the presence and absence of catechin.  The degree of resistance for each respective grassland species will be assessed through percent germination, root length, and shoot length. In identifying a Montana native grassland species with catechin resistance, the species could provide potential means of remediation and prevention

Screening Montana Native Grass Species for Resitance to Spotted Knapweed Exudate Catechin (Poster)

It has been reported that catechin is an exudate of spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa). Documented to have chelating, antimicrobial and phytotoxic properties, catechin is believed to contribute to spotted knapweed’s ability to displace native plant communities. Originating in Europe, it is considered an invasive species in the Western United States and is recorded to have established populations in all fifty-six counties in Montana. Select plant species in Europe have demonstrated resistance to catechin without community displacement. It is hypothesized that the degree of resistance to catechin of neighboring plant species determines the degree of knapweed invasiveness.  Using agar plates and several Montana grassland species, a bioassay was created to assess the degree of resistance of native grassland seeds to catechin. Assessed through percent germination, root length, and shoot length, the degree of resistance for each species was assessed. Identifying a Montana native grassland species with catechin resistance could provide potential means for knapweed prevention

The multifactorial role of the 3Rs in shifting the harm-benefit analysis in animal models of disease

AbstractEthics on animal use in science in Western society is based on utilitarianism, weighing the harms and benefits to the animals involved against those of the intended human beneficiaries. The 3Rs concept (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) is both a robust framework for minimizing animal use and suffering (addressing the harms to animals) and a means of supporting high quality science and translation (addressing the benefits). The ambiguity of basic research performed early in the research continuum can sometimes make harm-benefit analysis more difficult since anticipated benefit is often an incremental contribution to a field of knowledge. On the other hand, benefit is much more evident in translational research aimed at developing treatments for direct application in humans or animals suffering from disease. Though benefit may be easier to define, it should certainly not be considered automatic. Issues related to model validity seriously compromise experiments and have been implicated as a major impediment in translation, especially in complex disease models where harms to animals can be intensified. Increased investment and activity in the 3Rs is delivering new research models, tools and approaches with reduced reliance on animal use, improved animal welfare, and improved scientific and predictive value

Mammalian retroelements

The eukaryotic genome has undergone a series of epidemics of amplification of mobile elements that have resulted in most eukaryotic genomes containing much more of this \u27junk\u27 DNA than actual coding DNA. The majority of these elements utilize an RNA intermediate and are termed retroelements. Most of these retroelements appear to amplify in evolutionary waves that insert in the genome and then gradually diverge. In humans, almost half of the genome is recognizably derived from retroelements, with the two elements that are currently actively amplifying, L1 and Alu, making up about 25% of the genome and contributing extensively to disease. The mechanisms of this amplification process are beginning to be understood, although there are still more questions than answers. Insertion of new retroelements may directly damage the genome, and the presence of multiple copies of these elements throughout the genome has longer-term influences on recombination events in the genome and more subtle influences on gene expression

Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins

Funding: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.Determining what factors influence the distribution and abundance of wildlife populations is crucial for implementing effective conservation and management actions. Yet, for species with dynamic seasonal, sex-, and age-specific spatial ecology, like the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin; DBT), doing so can be challenging. Moreover, environmental factors that influence the distribution and abundance of DBT in their northernmost range have not been quantitatively characterized. We investigated proximity to nesting habitat as one potential driver of spatiotemporal variation in abundance in a three-step analytical approach. First, we used a scale selection resource selection function (RSF) approach based on landcover data from the National Landcover Database (NLCD) to identify the scale at which DBT are selecting for (or avoiding) landcover types to nest. Next, we used RSF to predict areas of suitable nesting habitat and created an index of nest suitability (NSI). Finally, analyzing visual count data using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), we investigate spatiotemporal drivers of relative abundance, with a specific focus on whether similar factors affect offshore abundance and onshore nest site selection. We found the scale of selection for developed and saltmarsh land use classes to be 550 and 600 m and open water land use classes to be 100. Selection was positive for nesting areas proximal to saltmarsh habitat and negative for developed and open water. Expected relative abundance was best explained by the interaction between NSI and day of season, where expected relative abundance was greater within high NSI areas during the nesting season (2.20 individuals, CI: 1.19–3.93) compared to areas of low NSI (1.84 individuals, CI: 1.10–3.10). Our results provide evidence that inferred spatial patterns of suitable nesting habitats explain spatiotemporal patterns of terrapin movement and abundance.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe