Investigating hyper-vigilance for social threat of lonely children

The hypothesis that lonely children show hypervigilance for social threat was examined in a series of three studies that employed different methods including advanced eye-tracking technology. Hypervigilance for social threat was operationalized as hostility to ambiguously motivated social exclusion in a variation of the hostile attribution paradigm (Study 1), scores on the Children’s Rejection-Sensitivity Questionnaire (Study 2), and visual attention to socially rejecting stimuli (Study 3). The participants were 185 children (11 years-7 months to 12 years-6 months), 248 children (9 years-4 months to 11 years-8 months) and 140 children (8 years-10 months to 12 years-10 months) in the three studies, respectively. Regression analyses showed that, with depressive symptoms covaried, there were quadratic relations between loneliness and these different measures of hypervigilance to social threat. As hypothesized, only children in the upper range of loneliness demonstrated elevated hostility to ambiguously motivated social exclusion, higher scores on the rejection sensitivity questionnaire, and disengagement difficulties when viewing socially rejecting stimuli. We found that very lonely children are hypersensitive to social threat

Approach and Avoidance Tendencies in Spider Fearful Children: The Approach-Avoidance Task

Fear in children is associated with the tendency to avoid situations related to the fear. In this study, the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) was evaluated as a test of automatic behavioral avoidance tendencies in children. A sample of 195 children aged between 9 and 12 years completed an AAT, a Behavioral Assessment Task (BAT), and two spider fear questionnaires. The results indicate that all children showed an automatic avoidance tendency in response to spider pictures, but not pictures of butterflies or neutral pictures. Girls who reported more fear of spiders on the self-reports and behaved more anxiously during the BAT also showed a greater avoidance tendency in the AAT. These relationships were absent in boys

Stereotypic head twirls, but not pacing, are related to a ‘pessimistic’-like judgment bias among captive tufted capuchins (Cebus apella)

Abnormal stereotypic behaviour is widespread among captive non-human primates and is generally associated with jeopardized well-being. However, attributing the same significance to all of these repetitive, unvarying and apparently functionless behaviours may be misleading, as some behaviours may be better indicators of stress than others. Previous studies have demonstrated that the affective state of the individual can be inferred from its bias in appraising neutral stimuli in its environment. Therefore, in the present study, in order to assess the emotional state of stereotyping individuals, 16 captive tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) were tested on a judgment bias paradigm and their faecal corticoid levels were measured in order to assess the intensity of the emotional state. Capuchins with higher levels of stereotypic head twirls exhibited a negative bias while judging ambiguous stimuli and had higher levels of faecal corticoids compared to subjects with lower levels of head twirls. Levels of stereotypic pacing, however, were not correlated with the monkeys’ emotional state. This study is the first to reveal a positive correlation between levels of stereotypic behaviour and a ‘pessimistic’-like judgment bias in a non-human primate by employing a recently developed cognitive approach. Combining cognitive tests that evaluate the animals’ affective valence (positive or negative) with hormonal measurements that provide information on the strength of the emotional state conduces to a better understanding of the animals’ affective state and therefore to their well-being

Influence of insect herbivory, plant competition and plant defense on the invasion success of hoary cress (Lepidium draba L. (brassicaceae)) /Kenneth Patrick Puliafico.

This thesis addressed two goals: to increase knowledge of the basic biological responses of the invasive mustard hoary cress, Lepidium draba, to a variety of biotic stressors, and to study the processes of clonal plant invasions in light of three invasion hypotheses: biotic resistance, enemy release, and evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA).;To test the enemy release hypotheses, I identified four oligophagous insect herbivores from the introduced range to act as surrogates for potential biological control agents to assess the impact of specific feeding niches on the target weed. I applied this novel technique to assess the role of increased generalist herbivory on hoary cress by examining the density-dependent impact of these herbivores individually and in combination. Defoliation by the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella had the strongest, most consistent impact, while the stem-mining weevil Ceutorhynchus americanus had the highest per capita effect. In multiple-species experiments, herbivore impacts were usually additive, and hoary cress tolerated high herbivore densities.;I investigated the competitive ability of hoary cress against ten Festuca and Poa grass species from North America and Europe. In both genera, Eurasian species were more competitive against L. draba than their North American congeners. Regardless of origin, sod-forming Poa species appeared more competitive against L. draba.;I compared vegetative regeneration, herbivore damage, and glucosinolate defense induction of L. draba from European and North American populations in a shared greenhouse EICA experiment. The number of root buds/cm was greater in European populations, potentially allowing better establishment in competitive environments, but no differences were observed between ranges in later stages of plant growth. Feeding rate and survival of P. xylostella also did not differ. Insect herbivory had no effects on the eight identified glucosinolates. Comparing glucosinolate profiles with those previously reported indicated that the plants may have already been in an induced defense state; therefore they were not responsive to herbivory. There were no differences in glucosinolate profiles between ranges.;I conclude that biotic resistance, enemy release, and EICA play a part in the invasion success of L. draba, but that none of these hypotheses completely explain its dominance in North America.Thesis (Ph. D., Entomology)--University of Idaho, August 2008

Ciclos de vida de las efímeras (Ephemeroptera) en un torrente de los Andes bolivianos de altura

The mayflies of the temperate and cold zones have well-synchronized life cycles, distinct cohorts, short emergence and flight periods. In contrast, aquatic insects from the tropical zones are characterized by multivoltine life cycles, “non-discernible cohorts” and extended flight periods throughout the year. This report is the first observation of life cycle patterns made of two species of mayflies on a torrent in the high elevation Bolivian Andes. The samples were taken from four sites and four periods during a hydrological season. The life cycle of each species was examined using size-class frequency analysis and a monthly modal progression model (von Bertalanffy's model) to infer the life cycle synchrony type. These first observations showed a moderately synchronized univoltine life cycle for Andesiops peruvianus (Ulmer, 1920), whereas Meridialaris tintinnabula Pescador and Peters (1987), had an unsynchronized multivoltine life cycle. These results showed that the generalization of all aquatic insects as unsynchronized multivoltine species in the Andean region may not be entirely accurate since there is still a need to further clarify the life cycle patterns of the wide variety of aquatic insects living in this high elevation tropical environment.Los efemerópteros en las zonas templadas y frías, tienen ciclos de vida bien sincronizados, cohortes claras, períodos cortos de emergencia y vuelo. Por el contrario, los insectos aquáticos de las zonas tropicales se caracterizan por ciclos de vida multivoltino, "cohortes no claras" y periodos extendidos de vuelo durante el año. Estas son las primeras observaciones de los patrones del ciclo de vida realizados en dos poblaciones de efemeropteros en un torrente de tierras altas en los Andes de Bolivia. Las muestras se tomaron en cuatro sitios y cuatro periodos durante una temporada hidrológica. El ciclo de vida fue analizado por frecuencia de clases de tallas, y por progresión modal mensual (modelo de von Bertalanffy), con el fin de inferir el tipo de sincronía del ciclo de vida. Estas primeras observaciones mostraron un ciclo de vida univoltino y moderadamente sincronizado para Andesiops peruvianus, mientras que para Meridialaris tintinnabula fue multivoltino desincronizado. Estos resultados muestran que la generalización de todos los insectos acuáticos como especies multivoltina y no sincronizadas en la región andina no puede ser completamente exacta, ya que todavía hay una necesidad de aclarar la definición de los patrones del ciclo de vida de muchos insectos acuáticos que viven en este ambiente tropical de elevada altura

Keanekaragaman Serangga Fitofag pada Sengon Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W. Grimes dari Jawa dan Hawaii di Persemaian di Bogor

Albizia (Falcataria moluccana) cultivated in Indonesia for timber plantations can increase the farmer’s income, even though albizia became an invasive alien species that can cause the economic and ecological losses. The controlling of invasive species using biological control is an effective method. The purpose of this study was to determine the phytophagous insects on albizia from Java and Hawaii in seedling in Bogor. The experiment was conducted in Carangpulang, Dramaga, Bogor. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design using seed origin as a treatment (albizia Java and Hawaii) with 4 replicates. Total number of tree sample was 160 trees. Observations were conducted every 2 weeks until 32 weeks after planting. Identification of insects was conducted in the Laboratory of Insect Biosystematics, IPB. A total of 67 phytophagous insects were collected, 57 species in albizia from Java and 54 species in albizia from Hawaii. There was no difference in abundance and diversity of phytophagous insects on albizia from Java and Hawaii. Larvae of Eurema blanda (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) became an important pest causes leaf defoliation. Furthermore, Hulodes caranea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Margarodes sp. (Hemiptera: Margarodidae), Choristoneura sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and Adoxophyes sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) identified as important pests that have not been reported in the other research.   Keywords: albizia, defoliator insect, Fabaceae, important pests, invasive alien specie

Elderly Assist Robot

This project aimed to create a robot capable of assisting elderly people with tasks in their everyday lives. The project focused on the design, simulation, and the implementation of a mobile robotic base with an attached robotic arm. The project culminated in a prototype robot capable of performing basic chassis and arm control which can be used as a platform for future development

Economic Development Through Asset Transfer

This project examined the concept of asset transfer, and its applications to Ms. Joanna Benson's request for a building to house her charity shop in the borough of Merton. Emphasis was placed on formulating a business plan, which was identified as a key component of an asset transfer proposal. Data collected through research and interviews allowed the group to provide the sponsor with a nearly complete business plan, as well as recommendations for how to create a successful asset transfer proposal

Development of a multi-component intervention to promote participation of Black and Latinx individuals in biomedical research

Introduction: Barriers to research participation by racial and ethnic minority group members are multi-factorial, stem from historical social injustices and occur at participant, research team, and research process levels. The informed consent procedure is a key component of the research process and represents an opportunity to address these barriers. This manuscript describes the development of the Strengthening Translational Research in Diverse Enrollment (STRIDE) intervention, which aims to improve research participation by individuals from underrepresented groups. Methods: We used a community-engaged approach to develop an integrated, culturally, and literacy-sensitive, multi-component intervention that addresses barriers to research participation during the informed consent process. This approach involved having Community Investigators participate in intervention development activities and using community engagement studios and other methods to get feedback from community members on intervention components. Results: The STRIDE intervention has three components: a simulation-based training program directed toward clinical study research assistants that emphasizes cultural competency and communication skills for assisting in the informed consent process, an electronic consent (eConsent) framework designed to improve health-related research material comprehension and relevance, and a storytelling intervention in which prior research participants from diverse backgrounds share their experiences delivered via video vignettes during the consent process. Conclusions: The community engaged development approach resulted in a multi-component intervention that addresses known barriers to research participation and can be integrated into the consent process of research studies. Results of an ongoing study will determine its effectiveness at increasing diversity among research participants