Facial Patterns are a Conventional Signal of Agonistic Ability in Polistes exclamans Paper Wasps

Some animals minimize the high costs of aggressive conflict by using conventional signals of agonistic ability to assess rivals prior to interacting. Conventional signals are more controversial than other signals of agonistic ability because they lack an inherent physical or physiological link with their bearer’s agonistic ability. Here, we test whether the variable brown facial stripes in Polistes exclamans paper wasps function as a conventional signal. Polistes exclamans were given the option of challenging or avoiding a rival with an experimentally altered facial pattern. Our results show that rival assessment is based on the facial patterns of rivals, as well as an individual’s own size, facial patterns, and nesting strategy. Individuals with larger body size and larger brown facial stripes were more likely to challenge rivals than individuals with smaller body size and smaller brown facial stripes. In addition, large individuals were more likely to challenge rivals with large brown facial stripes than small individuals, while an individual’s own body size did not influence whether or not they challenged rivals with small brown stripes. Individuals who previously nested in multiple queen groups approached rivals more rapidly than individuals who previously nested alone, suggesting that social experience also plays a role in rival assessment. Finally, rivals with small facial stripes were challenged more rapidly than those with large facial stripes. These results demonstrate that P. exclamans facial patterns function as a signal used to minimize the cost of conflict. However, individuals do not make simple decisions based on their rival’s signal alone, as an individual’s own social experience and agonistic abilities also influence rival assessment decisions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87088/1/j.1439-0310.2011.01967.x.pd

EVOLUTION OF IDENTITY SIGNALS: FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT BENEFITS OF DISTINCTIVE PHENOTYPES USED FOR INDIVIDUAL RECOGNITION

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74986/1/j.1558-5646.2009.00833.x.pd

How Does Individual Recognition Evolve? Comparing Responses to Identity Information in P olistes Species with and Without Individual Recognition

A wide range of complex social behaviors are facilitated by the recognition of individual conspecifics. Individual recognition requires sufficient phenotypic variation to provide identity information as well as receivers that process and respond to identity information. Understanding how a complex trait such as individual recognition evolves requires that we consider how each component has evolved. Previous comparative studies have examined phenotypic variability in senders and receiver learning abilities, although little work has compared receiver responses to identity information among related species with and without individual recognition. Here, we compare responses to identity information in two Polistes paper wasps: P. fuscatus, which visually recognizes individuals, and P. metricus , which does not normally show evidence of individual recognition. Although the species differ in individual recognition, the results of this study show that receiver responses to experimentally manipulated identity information are surprisingly similar in both species. Receivers direct less aggression toward identifiable individuals than unidentifiable individuals. Therefore, the responses necessary for individual recognition may pre‐date its evolution in the P. fuscatus lineage. Additionally, our data demonstrate the apparent binary differences in a complex behavior between the two species, such as individual recognition, likely involve incremental differences along a number of axes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102093/1/eth12191.pd

Specialized visual learning of facial signals of quality in the paper wasp, P olistes dominula

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109618/1/bij12394.pd

Long-term Impact on Environmental Attitudes and Knowledge Assessed over Three Semesters of an Environmental Engineering Sequence

The pedagogy employed in a three-course environmental engineering sequence is investigated to determine the efficacy of enabling long-term improvement of knowledge and attitudes toward the environment. These three courses incorporate concepts of the five grand challenges released by the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Sciences and increase the breadth of knowledge for T-professionals. Previous studies of lengths from a few weeks to semester long courses evaluated the potential causality among various demographics and environmental knowledge and attitudes. The research presented herein contrasts and compares changes in environmental knowledge based upon a 12-question survey and changes in environmental attitude based upon a seven-question survey administered at the beginning and end of the environmental engineering sequence courses taught to over 200 students from a variety of disciplines. Survey results demonstrate that a positive increase (9.27%) in knowledge occurred from the start to the end of the first course and the elimination of statistical differences among numerous demographics such as sex and race. After 18 months of environmental education, an 8.6% increase in knowledge was retained compared to the initial knowledge where the female and non-white demographics increased the most but retained the least. Results regarding environmental attitudes suggest that a focus on learning about environmental issues decreased positive attitudes toward the environment, whereas focusing on solutions to environmental issues increased positive attitudes toward the environment. Evaluating changes or sustainment of improved environmental attitudes over three semesters demonstrates the potential for an environmental engineering education to have a multi-year impact on the values and environmental ethos of students across many disciplines

Carbon monoxide poisoning: novel magnetic resonance imaging pattern in the acute setting

The presentation of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is non-specific and highly variable. The diagnosis is made when a compatible history and examination occur in a patient with elevated carboxyhaemoglobin levels. The severity of intoxication is difficult to assess accurately based on laboratory markers alone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to have superior sensitivity to computed tomography for the detection of abnormalities post CO poisoning. We report a novel imaging pattern on MRI undertaken in the acute setting in a patient with CO intoxication. We also discuss the management and follow up of patients with CO poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning: Novel magnetic resonance imaging pattern in the acute setting

The presentation of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is non-specific and highly variable. The diagnosis is made when a compatible history and examination occur in a patient with elevated carboxyhaemoglobin levels. The severity of intoxication is difficult to assess accurately based on laboratory markers alone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to have superior sensitivity to computed tomography for the detection of abnormalities post CO poisoning. We report a novel imaging pattern on MRI undertaken in the acute setting in a patient with CO intoxication. We also discuss the management and follow up of patients with CO poisoning

Quantitative basic residue requirements in the cleavage-activation site of the fusion glycoprotein as a determinant of virulence for Newcastle disease virus

Newcastle disease virus exhibits a wide range of pathogenicity and virulence which, as with all paramyxoviruses, is directly related to the cleavability of a precursor (F0) of the fusion glycoprotein by cellular proteases. Sequence analyses of the cleavage site of several virulent and avirulent isolates of the Newcastle disease virus serotype reveal a correlation between virulence or pathogenicity and a high content of basic amino acid residues at the cleavage site. A similar correlation has been seen for other paramyxoviruses

Oxytocin bolus versus oxytocin bolus and infusion for control of blood loss at elective caesarean section: double blind, placebo controlled, randomised trial

Objectives To determine the effects of adding an oxytocin infusion to bolus oxytocin on blood loss at elective caesarean section

The Impact of Cell Phone Texting During Aerobic Exercise on Measures of Cognition

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(5): 646-656, 2019. This study assessed the effect of cell phone texting during a 30-minute bout of cycle ergometer exercise on measures of cognition (i.e., reaction time and accuracy). Twenty-eight college students participated in two conditions (cell phone and no cell phone). Reaction time and accuracy were assessed pre- and post-exercise with the use of the Stroop test. Reaction time was significantly worse (p \u3c 0.001) in the cell phone condition from pre- (1003.75 ± 178.04 ms) to post-exercise (1124.46 ± 238.55 ms). Reaction time was significantly better (p \u3c 0.001) in the no cell phone condition from pre- (1107.71 ± 229.54 ms) to post-exercise (953.86 ± 177.42 ms). Accuracy was significantly worse (p = 0.01) in the cell phone condition from pre- (97.61 ± 2.32) to post-exercise (94.04 ± 7.88). Accuracy was significantly better (p \u3c 0.001) in the no cell phone condition from pre- (94.82 ± 4.42) to post-exercise (97.39 ± 2.42). In conclusion, using your cell phone for texting can interfere with the cognitive benefits associated with reaction time and accuracy that are developed from participating in aerobic exercise