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“Albertania” and “Egbenema”, EXPANDING BIODIVERSITY IN THE OCULATELLACEAE (CYANOBACTERIA).
Get PDFTo conduct molecular studies of cyanobacteria of Lagos, Nigeria, a total of eight soil/subaerial samples were collected in Lagos State, Nigeria, and used to isolate cyanobacterial cultures that were characterized microscopically, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. Within the resulting set of cultures, a number of Synechococcales were observed, particularly belonging to Oculatellaceae. “Egbenema” and two new putative species of the recently described genus Albertania were found. Both genera belong to a supported clade within the Oculatellaceae that includes Trichotorquatus and Komarkovaea. The two new putative species of Albertania, “A. egbensis” and “A. latericola”, were from the same sample, but phylogenetically were separate based on 16S rRNA gene phylogenies, percent identity below the 98.7% threshold, and ITS percent dissimilarity \u3e7.0%. “Egbenema aeruginosa” was phylogenetically separated from Trichotorquatus and Albertania but was in a clade with other strains belonging to “Egbenema”. Two of these “Egbenema” strains will also be named in order to provide a more complete taxonomy of the genus, “Egbenema epilithica” from Puerto Rico and “Egbenema gypsiphila” from biological soil crusts in New Mexico. Our results support the hypothesis that further species discoveries of tropical cyanobacteria will likely be made as West African aquatic and subaerial habitats are sampled and studied
Migrant network effect and economic development
No full textWe compare the development effect of information cost reduction with that of migration cost reduction in a two-sector, macro-dynamic framework that incorporates a migrant network effect. Numerical analyses show that although the reduction in information cost can stimulate inflows of FDI that benefit the traded sector, the loss of labor due to migration cost reduction hampers the expansion of the sector, leading to a long-run macroeconomic contraction for the developing country
Profiles of circumscribed interests in autistic youth
Get PDFCircumscribed interests (CI) encompass a range of different interests and related behaviors that can be characterized by either a high intensity but otherwise usual topic [referred to as restricted interests (RI)] or by a focus on topics that are not salient outside of autism [referred to as unusual interests (UI)]. Previous research has suggested that there is pronounced variability across individuals in terms of the endorsement of different interests, however, this variability has not been quantified using formal subtyping approaches. Therefore, using Latent Profile Analysis in a sample of 1,892 autistic youth (Mage = 10.82, SDage = 4.14; 420 females), this study aimed to identify subgroups based on the RU and UI profiles. Three profiles of autistic individuals were identified. They were characterized as Low CI, Predominantly RI, and Predominantly UI. Importantly, profiles differed on several key demographic and clinical variables, including age, sex composition, IQ, language level, social and communication abilities, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Although replication across other samples is needed, the profiles identified in this study are potentially promising for future research given their distinct profiles of RI and UI and unique patterns of associations with key cognitive and clinical variables. Therefore, this study represents an important initial step towards more individualized assessment and support for diverse presentations of CI in autistic youth
Beyond Numbers: Interrogating the Equity and Inclusivity of Writing Center Recruiting, Hiring, and Training Practices
No full textWriting Center scholarship has not paid enough attention to the commonplace administrative practices of recruiting, hiring, and training writing center consultants and how these practices are “reproducing and generating systems of privilege” (García, 2017, p. 32). This article begins to address the gap by sharing results from our ongoing examination of how to improve the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) of our recruiting, hiring, and training practices at a small midwestern liberal arts university. This article showcases a heuristic we developed that will assist writing center administrators to navigate similar interrogation processes. Drawing from Romeo García (2017) we began with listening. We listened to the existing literature, we listened to our colleagues at our university; and we listened to our colleagues within the writing center community. Our heuristic represents the recursive process of this interrogation. For each step in the process, we provide explanations, examples, and recommendations. We conclude by presenting three of our key findings from this ongoing process: 1) the Writing Center community needs to more critically question the equity, and potential exploitativeness, of three-credit hour tutor education courses, particularly when these courses are a requirement of employment; 2) if we want to create an inclusive, equitable environment where students with non-majority identities can feel like they too belong, then we need to integrate DEIB into all aspects of our work; 3) our interrogation of the equity and inclusion of recruiting, hiring, and training practices needs to be an ongoing, recursive, learning process. In short, we hope this article will serve as a call to action for other writing center administrators to interrogate and improve the equity of their recruiting, hiring, and training practices, as well as act as a catalyst for much needed research in this area
MATE RECOGNITION IN GENETICALLY DISTINCT POPULATIONS OF THE EASTERN RED-BACKED SALAMANDER (PLETHODON CINEREUS)
Get PDFLineages that have undergone genetic divergence and subsequently experience secondary contact present fascinating situations related to the potential for reproductive isolation. Within species hybrid zones provide unique opportunities to test the strength of reproductive barriers through behavioral experiments when genetic relatedness between groups is established. Among the complex interactions that operate to maintain species boundaries, mate recognition and mate choice are two behaviors that serve to promote evolutionary independence across diverse taxonomic lineages. I explored mate recognition in genetically distinct populations of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, a small, abundant, terrestrial salamander with a widespread distribution throughout northeastern United States and in southeastern Canada. Earlier studies identified distinct mitochondrial and nuclear clades in northern Ohio, despite some populations of different clades existing in close geographic proximity. To investigate whether female P. cinereus showed a preference for male odors based on clade membership, individuals of two clades were collected and mate recognition trials were performed in the laboratory. One experiment tested the level of interest of females of both clades by quantifying the number of nose taps directed at male odors and a second experiment assessed association by females with male odor via time in proximity to odors. Females did not discriminate between male odors of either cluster based on number of nose taps and the results of the association experiment yielded mixed results. The results of these behavioral experiments corroborate recent studies suggesting that the sex-specific pheromones of P. cinereus in the two clades studied are not yet different enough to result in reproductive isolation between the two genetic lineages. Other explanations for female response to male odors include avoidance behavior and asymmetric mate recognition, among other possibilities. I compare my results with similar studies on mate recognition and discuss future research directions concerning this ecologically valuable salamander species
