176 research outputs found
Honey bee PTEN--description, developmental knockdown, and tissue-specific expression of splice-variants correlated with alternative social phenotypes.
No full textPhosphatase and TENsin (PTEN) homolog is a negative regulator that takes part in IIS (insulin/insulin-like signaling) and Egfr (epidermal growth factor receptor) activation in Drosophila melanogaster. IIS and Egfr signaling events are also involved in the developmental process of queen and worker differentiation in honey bees (Apis mellifera). Here, we characterized the bee PTEN gene homologue for the first time and begin to explore its potential function during bee development and adult life.Honey bee PTEN is alternatively spliced, resulting in three splice variants. Next, we show that the expression of PTEN can be down-regulated by RNA interference (RNAi) in the larval stage, when female caste fate is determined. Relative to controls, we observed that RNAi efficacy is dependent on the amount of PTEN dsRNA that is delivered to larvae. For larvae fed queen or worker diets containing a high amount of PTEN dsRNA, PTEN knockdown was significant at a whole-body level but lethal. A lower dosage did not result in a significant gene down-regulation. Finally, we compared same-aged adult workers with different behavior: nursing vs. foraging. We show that between nurses and foragers, PTEN isoforms were differentially expressed within brain, ovary and fat body tissues. All isoforms were expressed at higher levels in the brain and ovaries of the foragers. In fat body, isoform B was expressed at higher level in the nurse bees.Our results suggest that PTEN plays a central role during growth and development in queen- and worker-destined honey bees. In adult workers, moreover, tissue-specific patterns of PTEN isoform expression are correlated with differences in complex division of labor between same-aged individuals. Therefore, we propose that knowledge on the roles of IIS and Egfr activity in developmental and behavioral control may increase through studies of how PTEN functions can impact bee social phenotypes
Preliminary results from the Call to Action program
No full textRetreat environments are shown to provide emotional support and the opportunity for previous cancer patients to engage with fellow cancer survivors, experience therapeutic aspects of connecting with nature, and remove feelings of isolation, which are often present when undergoing traditional cancer treatment (Barber, 2012). Knights Cabin Cancer retreats was created in 2014 to improve health behavior post cancer diagnosis (see Lesser et al., 2019 for more information about the program). Preliminary findings of Knights Cabin retreats, which are no-cost retreats for participants and their supporters, show an improvement in mental health related QOL, physical activity, self-esteem, and perceived stress at the 3 and 6 month mark post-retreat. Adherence and motivation are challenging in cancer survivors due to the long-term adverse effects of treatment on psychosocial and physiological health. Thus, the aim of this report was to assess the impact of a behavioral phone intervention after participants attended a Knights Cabin Cancer retreat on health related QOL and physical activity.This poster won an Associate Vice-President, Research, Engagement, and Graduate Studies award (2020). Advisors: and Dr. Iris Lesser, Department of Kinesiology, and Dr. Lisa Belanger
Duality in Mathematical Programming Under Generalized Convexity
No full textphd, SMCAThe work being presented in the present thesis is devoted to the study of duality
results for some mathematical programming problems under generalized convexity
assumptions. The chapterwise summary of the thesis is as follows:
Chapter 1 is introductory and consist of nonlinear and multiobjective programming
problems, definitions, notations and prerequisites of the present work. A brief
account of the related studies made by various authors in the field and a summary of
the thesis are also presented.
In Chapter 2, we have considered Wolfe type second-order multiobjective symmetric
dual programs involving nondifferentiable functions and appropriate duality
theorems are established using the notion of second-order F-convexity assumptions.
Moreover, an example has been given which is second-order F-convex but not convex.
Further, these symmetric dual programs are generalized over arbitrary cones
and usual duality results are obtained under second-order (F, , , d)-convexity assumptions.
A non-trivial example which shows that second-order (F, , , d)-convex
functions are generalization of second-order F-convex functions has also been exemplified.
iii
iv
In Chapter 3, a new pair of second-order multiobjective symmetric dual programs
in which the objective function is optimized with respect to an arbitrary closed
convex cone is formulated and appropriate duality relations are then obtained under
K- -bonvexity assumptions. We identify a function lying exclusively in the class of
K- -bonvex and not in class of invex function already existing in literature. Self
duality for this pair is also obtained by assuming the functions involved to be skewsymmetric.
Further, we have considered a pair of Mond-Weir type nondifferentiable
multiobjective second-order symmetric dual programs over arbitrary cones, where
each of the objective function contains a square root term with positive semidefinite
matrix in Rn×n. Weak, strong and converse duality results are then established under
K- -bonvexity/second-order K-F-convexity assumptions.
In Chapter 4, we have established duality relations for a pair of second-order
mixed symmetric dual programs involving nondifferentiable functions under secondorder
F-convexity/pseudoconvexity assumptions. Next, we have considered a pair of
mixed second-order symmetric dual programs over cones and obtained duality results
under second-order (F, ) convexity/pseudoconvexity assumptions. This mixed formulation
unifies two second-order symmetric dual formulations exist in the literature.
Several known results [39, 55, 57, 70] are obtained as special cases.
In Chapter 5, we have formulated a pair of second-order multiobjective mixed
symmetric dual programs over arbitrary cones and obtained appropriate duality
v
results under second-order invexity/pseudoinvexity assumptions. Further, we construct
a pair of multiobjective second-order mixed nondifferentiable symmetric dual
programs involving the square root of a positive semidefinite quadratic function,
(xTBx)
1
2 . The usual duality results are then established using the notion of secondorder
F-convexity/pseudoconvexity assumptions.
Agarwal et al. [3] extended the results of Chen [43] over arbitrary cones and
proved appropriate duality relations under higher-order K-F-convexity assumptions.
Mond-Weir type duality has been discussed in both the papers. In Chapter 6,
we have studied higher-order Wolfe type multiobjective symmetric dual programs
over arbitrary cones and the duality results are then established under higher-order
(F, , , d)-convexity/pseudo-convexity assumptions. We have also illustrated a nontrivial
example of function lying in the class of higher-order K-(F, , , d)-convex but
not in class of higher-order K-F-convex. Further, we consider the higher-order multiobjective
symmetric nondifferentiable dual programs in which the objective function
is optimized with respect to an arbitrary closed convex cone and proved duality theorems
under higher-order-K-(F, , , d)-convexity assumptions.
In Chapter 7, motivated by Lai et al. [85], Lai and Lee [84] and Antczak [19],
we have discussed sufficient optimality conditions and duality theorems for a nondifferentiable
minimax fractional programming problem with B-(p, r)-invexity. An
example which is B-(1, 1)-invex but not (p, r)-invex is exemplified. We also illustrate
another example which is (−1, 1)-invex but not convex.
vi
In Chapter 8, we have formulated a pair of multiobjective fractional variational
symmetric dual problems for a class of nondifferentiable functions over arbitrary cones
and achieved duality results under generalized (F, , , d)-convexity assumptions. A
self duality theorem is also obtained by assuming the functions involved to be skewsymmetric.
At the last, an Appendix A has been given, in which we establish a strong
duality theorem for a pair of multiobjective second-order symmetric dual programs.
This removes an omission in an earlier result in Yang et al.
Development of an RNA Interference Tool, Characterization of Its Target, and an Ecological Test of Caste Differentiation in the Eusocial Wasp Polistes
No full textRecent advancements in genomics provide new tools for evolutionary ecological research. The paper wasp genus Polistes is a model for social insect evolution and behavioral ecology. We developed RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing to explore proposed connections between expression of hexameric storage proteins and worker vs. gyne (potential future foundress) castes in naturally-founded colonies of P. metricus. We extended four fragments of putative hexamerin-encoding P. metricus transcripts acquired from a previous study and fully sequenced a gene that encodes Hexamerin 2, one of two proposed hexameric storage proteins of P. metricus. MALDI-TOF/TOF, LC-MSMS, deglycosylation, and detection of phosphorylation assays showed that the two putative hexamerins diverge in peptide sequence and biochemistry. We targeted the hexamerin 2 gene in 5th (last)-instar larvae by feeding RNAi-inducing double-stranded hexamerin 2 RNA directly to larvae in naturally-founded colonies in the field. Larval development and adult traits were not significantly altered in hexamerin 2 knockdowns, but there were suggestive trends toward increased developmental time and less developed ovaries, which are gyne characteristics. By demonstrating how data acquisition from 454/Roche pyrosequencing can be combined with biochemical and proteomics assays and how RNAi can be deployed successfully in field experiments on Polistes, our results pave the way for functional genomic research that can contribute significantly to learning the interactions of environment, development, and the roles they play in paper wasp evolution and behavioral ecology
Political Fears: How the fundamental motives of disease avoidance and self protection affect conservatives’ out-group prejudice
No full textPoster presented at the Human Behavior and Evolution Society Meeting (2017), Amsterdam, Netherlands.Not peer reviewe
Rights of the Author: Possible Extensions under Copyright Law in India
No full textInternational audienceCopyright is an intellectual property right and is creation of a statute. In India, the Copyright Act of 1957 forms the basis of protection of the copyright works. The owners of the copyright enjoy variety of rights in the form of economic and moral rights. These rights are transferable and the subsequent owner enjoys certain economic benefits, almost similar to those of the author of the work. Keeping in mind the interest of the authors who transfer their copyright to the producers of the cinematograph films or the sound recordings, some new provisions have been inserted by the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012, which has been drafted in a very impartial manner so as to empathize the authors of the literary or musical works that are included in the cinematograph films or the sound recordings by the producers of such works. For enjoying the fruits of their labor and skill, the authors of the aforesaid works have been embargoed not to assign or waive their right to receive royalties on equal basis with the producers of the respective works. Besides, the authors of the work, independent of their copyright in the work, have also been conferred with the certain special rights
Rights of the Author: Possible Extensions under Copyright Law in India
No full textInternational audienceCopyright is an intellectual property right and is creation of a statute. In India, the Copyright Act of 1957 forms the basis of protection of the copyright works. The owners of the copyright enjoy variety of rights in the form of economic and moral rights. These rights are transferable and the subsequent owner enjoys certain economic benefits, almost similar to those of the author of the work. Keeping in mind the interest of the authors who transfer their copyright to the producers of the cinematograph films or the sound recordings, some new provisions have been inserted by the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012, which has been drafted in a very impartial manner so as to empathize the authors of the literary or musical works that are included in the cinematograph films or the sound recordings by the producers of such works. For enjoying the fruits of their labor and skill, the authors of the aforesaid works have been embargoed not to assign or waive their right to receive royalties on equal basis with the producers of the respective works. Besides, the authors of the work, independent of their copyright in the work, have also been conferred with the certain special rights
Cilia incarnatum externum presenting in an interesting “running-stitch” pattern
No full textTwo females, 25 and 35-year old, presented with complaint of localized bumpy swelling on right upper lid, with intermittent episodes of pain. On examination, both were found to have cilia incarnatum externum in an atypical “running-stitch” pattern, wherein the eyelash emerged out of the skin after a brief subcutaneous course. Epilation was done in both the cases and a tract was identified in one of them, which was removed completely to prevent recurrence
10-YEAR TRENDS IN INVASIVE VERSUS CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF UNSTABLE ANGINA/NON-ST-ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
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