Investigating patterns of avian ornamental colouration : intraspecific and interspecific approaches : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Research into the evolutionary function of elaborated colouration in birds is continually ongoing. Novel approaches to addressing various aspects of this broad research area may help us consider this topic in a new light. This thesis aimed to consider two different aspects of avian colouration research using novel methods and testing relatively new hypotheses. Firstly, I consider the cost of carotenoid pigmented ornamental colouration - an area of research that is currently under intense debate. Classically carotenoid-based pigmentation has considered carotenoids to function as indicators of sexual quality, with costs being due to carotenoids being diet dependent in birds. Recent research however has argued that carotenoid pigmented colour traits function in agonistic social contexts, and that the cost of using carotenoid pigmentation as an honest indicator of quality is a social one. In this study I test this hypothesis using blackbirds (Turdus merula) and their natural variation in carotenoid-based bill colouration. I replicate a study using model presentations to simulate territory intrusions. Additionally, I examine the feasibility of using three-dimensionally printed models in avian behavioural studies. This study was unsuccessful due to a lack of response rates from territorial males, however it was successful in questioning several differing aspects between my study and the study I replicated. Secondly, I explore the spatial organisation of colouration on the bodies of birds as a way of potentially inferring different functions of elaborate colour traits. In the third chapter I develop a novel method that allows objective analysis of the spatial organisation of colour on the bodies of birds, by removing morphological variation between species. Using this method I present a case study on the spatial organisation of colour elaboration in 2,471 species of passerines. This case study uses a difference in sexual dichromatism as a proxy for colour elaboration and determined where signaling hotspots occur on the bodies of birds. These results demonstrate that conspicuous colouration is most common in the supercilium, chin, and upper breast of passerine birds. In chapter four, I used this method to determine correlations between different life-history traits and different regions of the body. This study aimed to infer the function of different regions of the head in signaling. My results show that the irises in species with tropical life-histories and cooperative breeding strategies are more likely to be elaborately coloured; bills of larger bodied species are more likely to be elaborately coloured than are smaller species; and the spatial organisation of colour effects females more than it does males

Increased Expression of Interleukin-6 Family Members and Receptors in Urinary Bladder with Cyclophosphamide-Induced Bladder Inflammation in Female Rats

Recent studies suggest that janus-activated kinases–signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathways contribute to increased voiding frequency and referred pain of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis in rats. Potential upstream chemical mediator(s) that may be activated by CYP-induced cystitis to stimulate JAK/STAT signaling are not known in detail. In these studies, members of the interleukin (IL)-6 family of cytokines including, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), IL-6, and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and associated receptors, IL-6 receptor (R) α, LIFR, and gp130 were examined in the urinary bladder in control and CYP-treated rats. Cytokine and receptor transcript and protein expression and distribution were determined in urinary bladder after CYP-induced cystitis using quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Acute (4 h; 150 mg/kg; i.p.), intermediate (48 h; 150 mg/kg; i.p.), or chronic (75 mg/kg; i.p., once every 3 days for 10 days) cystitis was induced in adult, female Wistar rats with CYP treatment. Q-PCR analyses revealed significant (p ≤ 0.01) CYP duration- and tissue- (e.g., urothelium, detrusor) dependent increases in LIF, IL-6, IL-6Rα, LIFR, and gp130 mRNA expression. Western blotting demonstrated significant (p ≤ 0.01) increases in IL-6, LIF, and gp130 protein expression in whole urinary bladder with CYP treatment. CYP-induced cystitis significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased LIF-immunoreactivity (IR) in urothelium, detrusor, and suburothelial plexus whereas increased gp130-IR was only observed in urothelium and detrusor. These studies suggest that IL-6 and LIF may be potential upstream chemical mediators that activate JAK/STAT signaling in urinary bladder pathways

The Grizzly, October 3, 1995

Akin to Become Director of Athletics, Davidson to Focus Solely on Chair of ESS • Cracking the Case of the Bomberger Window • Law School Forum a Success • 1995 Pledging Rules and Guidelines • Trash Revisited • A Rainbow is Better • Closed-Mindedness is the Real Problem • The Government is Trying to Starve You! • Berman Museum Receives Grant • Economics Department Rated High in Study • Chemistry Department Receives Research Grant • Where Have All the Glasses Gone? • Silken Rhythm: Ursinus Students Harmonize • Family Day 1995 • Soccer Wins a Pair • Win Streak Stopped At Four • Struggle Continues • Swarthmore Edges Ursinushttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1364/thumbnail.jp

MIAME/Plant – adding value to plant microarrray experiments

Appropriate biological interpretation of microarray data calls for relevant experimental annotation. The widely accepted MIAME guidelines provide a generic, organism-independant standard for minimal information about microarray experiments. In its overall structure, MIAME is very general and specifications cover mostly technical aspects, while relevant organism-specific information useful to understand the underlying experiments is largely missing. If plant biologists want to use results from published microarray experiments, they need detailed information about biological aspects, such as growth conditions, harvesting time or harvested organ(s). Here, we propose MIAME/Plant, a standard describing which biological details to be captured for describing microarray experiments involving plants. We expect that a more detailed and more systematic annotation of microarray experiments will greatly increase the use of transcriptome data sets for the scientific community. The power and value of systematic annotation of microarray data is convincingly demonstrated by data warehouses such as Genevestigator(® )or NASCArrays, and better experimental annotation will make these applications even more powerful

The Grizzly, December 5, 1995

Concerns About Commencement • Bohanak Injured in Accident • Dean Search Committee Appointed • Science: Fact or Fiction? • Lower Prices = Lower Quality • No One is Going to Starve • Religion as a Basis for Morality? • Fun With the Subjunctive • Letters to the Editor • The Beatles Anthology • Messiah a Success • Bears Surprise NYU • Bears Open Conference Play with Two Wins • Ortman Starts Season with a Bang • Teams Begin Season with Winshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1371/thumbnail.jp

Scopes of practice for advanced practice nursing and advanced practice midwifery in Kenya:A gap analysis

BACKGROUND: There is increasing global evidence on the impact of advanced nursing and midwifery practitioners, and Kenya's healthcare system has an excellent opportunity to develop scopes of practice and other regulatory frameworks for the integration of these roles.OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this gap analysis was to explore the existing evidence on opportunities and threats toward the integration of the advanced practice nursing (APN) and advanced practice midwifery (APM) roles in Kenya's healthcare system.METHODS: The study team conducted a structured electronic database search of PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, EBSCOhost Academic Search Complete, and PsycINFO to retrieve articles and credible websites for reports highlighting the opportunities and threats toward the integration of the APN and APM roles in Kenya's healthcare systems. The retrieved articles were screened for relevance and synthesized for reporting using the traditional literature review approach.RESULTS: The Kenya Health Policy Framework 2014-2030, growing population needs, and implementation of universal health coverage provide an opportunity to harness and leverage advanced practice roles in nursing and midwifery. There is also momentum to develop advanced practice because of strategic alliances and global evidence showing the contributions and quality of services offered by advanced practice nurses and advanced practice midwives. However, lack of financial support, structural challenges, and lack of national policies, regulations, and legislation continue to obstruct progress.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Developing scopes of practice for APN and APM in Kenya will benefit the professions, the country's healthcare delivery system, and the population. Achieving universal health coverage depends on a health workforce trained and practicing at optimal levels in tandem with education and training to deliver quality care.</p

Scopes of practice for advanced practice nursing and advanced practice midwifery in Kenya: A gap analysis

Background: There is increasing global evidence on the impact of advanced nursing andmidwifery practitioners, and Kenya’s healthcare system has an excellent opportunity todevelop scopes of practice and other regulatory frameworks for the integration of theseroles. Objective: The primary purpose of this gap analysis was to explore the existing evidenceon opportunities and threats toward the integration of the advanced practice nursing(APN) and advanced practice midwifery (APM) roles in Kenya’s healthcare system. Methods: The study team conducted a structured electronic database search of PubMed,CINAHL, Scopus, EBSCOhost Academic Search Complete, and PsycINFO to retrievearticles and credible websites for reports highlighting the opportunities and threatstoward the integration of the APN and APM roles in Kenya’s healthcare systems. Theretrieved articles were screened for relevance and synthesized for reporting using thetraditional literature review approach. Results: The Kenya Health Policy Framework 2014–2030, growing population needs,and implementation of universal health coverage provide an opportunity to harness andleverage advanced practice roles in nursing and midwifery. There is also momentum todevelop advanced practice because of strategic alliances and global evidence showing thecontributions and quality of services offered by advanced practice nurses and advancedpractice midwives. However, lack of financial support, structural challenges, and lack ofnational policies, regulations, and legislation continue to obstruct progress. Conclusion and implications: for nursing policy:Developing scopes of practice forAPN and APM in Kenya will benefit the professions, the country’s healthcare deliverysystem, and the population. Achieving universal health coverage depends on a healthworkforce trained and practicing at optimal levels in tandem with education and trainingto deliver quality car

The Grizzly, October 24, 1995

The Results Are In: Chi Rho Psi Recruited the Most Donors per Pledge • Mocktails \u27n More • Senior Class Update • Join the Army! • The Pressures Make us Miserable • De-Americanizing America • Infringing on a Conducive Learning Environment? • Why Keep Pushing? • My View on Abortion • The Million Man Exclusion • It is About Respect • In Need of Answers • Our Perspectives on Homosexuality • Homosexuality: Not an Alternative • Morality of Sexual Preference • Homecoming 1995 • Red & Gold Regulations • Mike Green Gives Advice on Drinking • Brendlinger Named Ursinus Assistant • Team Earns First Conference Win • Field Hockey Defeats Temple, Falls to American U. • Cross Country Competes in Allentown Invitational • Everyone is Invited! • Football Snaps Five-Game Skid • Steigerwalt Honoredhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1366/thumbnail.jp

Chromatin targeting of the RNF12/RLIM E3 ubiquitin ligase controls transcriptional responses

Protein ubiquitylation regulates key biological processes including transcription. This is exemplified by the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF12/RLIM, which controls developmental gene expression by ubiquitylating the REX1 transcription factor and is mutated in an X-linked intellectual disability disorder. However, the precise mechanisms by which ubiquitylation drives specific transcriptional responses are not known. Here, we show that RNF12 is recruited to specific genomic locations via a consensus sequence motif, which enables co-localisation with REX1 substrate at gene promoters. Surprisingly, RNF12 chromatin recruitment is achieved via a non-catalytic basic region and comprises a previously unappreciated N-terminal autoinhibitory mechanism. Furthermore, RNF12 chromatin targeting is critical for REX1 ubiquitylation and downstream RNF12-dependent gene regulation. Our results demonstrate a key role for chromatin in regulation of the RNF12-REX1 axis and provide insight into mechanisms by which protein ubiquitylation enables programming of gene expression.</p