Preference and performance of the hyperparasitoid Syrphophagus aphidivorus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): fitness consequences of selecting hosts in live aphids or aphid mummies

2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 648-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Buitenhuis ◽  
G. Boivin ◽  
L. E. M. Vet ◽  
J. Brodeur
Keyword(s):  
Fitness Consequences ◽  
And Performance

scholarly journals Fitness consequences of a non-recombining sex-ratio drive chromosome can explain its prevalence in the wild

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1917) ◽  
pp. 20192529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A. Dyer ◽  
David W. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sperm Competition ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Fitness Consequences ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Drive Systems

Understanding the pleiotropic consequences of gene drive systems on host fitness is essential to predict their spread through a host population. Here, we study sex-ratio (SR) X-chromosome drive in the fly Drosophila recens , where SR causes the death of Y-bearing sperm in male carriers. SR males only sire daughters, which all carry SR, thus giving the chromosome a transmission advantage. The prevalence of the SR chromosome appears stable, suggesting pleiotropic costs. It was previously shown that females homozygous for SR are sterile, and here, we test for additional fitness costs of SR. We found that females heterozygous for SR have reduced fecundity and that male SR carriers have reduced fertility in conditions of sperm competition. We then use our fitness estimates to parametrize theoretical models of SR drive and show that the decrease in fecundity and sperm competition performance can account for the observed prevalence of SR in natural populations. In addition, we found that the expected equilibrium frequency of the SR chromosome is particularly sensitive to the degree of multiple mating and performance in sperm competition. Together, our data suggest that the mating system of the organism should be carefully considered during the development of gene drive systems.

scholarly journals Sex Reversal and Performance in Fitness-Related Traits During Early Life in Agile Frogs

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Bókony ◽  
Nikolett Ujhegyi ◽  
Zsanett Mikó ◽  
Réka Erös ◽  
Attila Hettyey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Sex Reversal ◽  
Chemical Pollution ◽  
Secondary Sexual Traits ◽  
Individual Fitness ◽  
Environmental Perturbations ◽  
Fitness Consequences ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Rana Dalmatina

Sex reversal is a mismatch between genetic sex (sex chromosomes) and phenotypic sex (reproductive organs and secondary sexual traits). It can be induced in various ectothermic vertebrates by environmental perturbations, such as extreme temperatures or chemical pollution, experienced during embryonic or larval development. Theoretical studies and recent empirical evidence suggest that sex reversal may be widespread in nature and may impact individual fitness and population dynamics. So far, however, little is known about the performance of sex-reversed individuals in fitness-related traits compared to conspecifics whose phenotypic sex is concordant with their genetic sex. Using a novel molecular marker set for diagnosing genetic sex in agile frogs (Rana dalmatina), we investigated fitness-related traits in larvae and juveniles that underwent spontaneous female-to-male sex reversal in the laboratory. We found only a few differences in early life growth, development, and larval behavior between sex-reversed and sex-concordant individuals, and altogether these differences did not clearly support either higher or lower fitness prospects for sex-reversed individuals. Putting these results together with earlier findings suggesting that sex reversal triggered by heat stress may be associated with low fitness in agile frogs, we propose the hypothesis that the fitness consequences of sex reversal may depend on its etiology.

SPLIT-CLUTCH IVF: A TECHNIQUE TO EXAMINE INDIRECT FITNESS CONSEQUENCES OF MATE PREFERENCES IN STICKLEBACKS

Behaviour ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 137 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1129-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Arnott ◽  
Iain Barber
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Investment ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Mate Preferences ◽  
Good Genes ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Fitness Consequences ◽  
Indirect Fitness ◽  
And Performance

AbstractAlthough laboratory mate choice experiments and field studies often reveal certain traits of male three-spined sticklebacks (as well as other model species) to be attractive to mate searching females, evidence that mating with males possessing such traits improves offspring survival and performance is scarce. In particular, there is a lack of unambiguous data linking preferred male traits with inherited genetic 'viability', which are essential for 'good genes' models of sexual selection. In this paper, we provide a protocol for performing half-sibling crosses in three-spined sticklebacks using a split-clutch in vitro fertilisation (SC-IVF) technique. This approach controls for variable maternal investment and standardises parental care — two confounding variables that frequently distort the relationship between sire trait and offspring performance — allowing the detection of offspring viability characteristics linked to specific sire traits such as sexual coloration, body size or condition.

Transmission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Analysis with the Siemens ELMISKOP 101

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 450-451
Author(s):  
H. M. Thieringer
Keyword(s):  
Objective Lens ◽  
Transmission Microscopy ◽  
Image Recording ◽  
Mode Of Operation ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Convergent Beam ◽  
Ray Path ◽  
Beam Diffraction

It has repeatedly been show that with conventional electron microscopes very fine electron probes can be produced, therefore allowing various micro-techniques such as micro recording, X-ray microanalysis and convergent beam diffraction. In this paper the function and performance of an SIEMENS ELMISKOP 101 used as a scanning transmission microscope (STEM) is described. This mode of operation has some advantages over the conventional transmission microscopy (CTEM) especially for the observation of thick specimen, in spite of somewhat longer image recording times.Fig.1 shows schematically the ray path and the additional electronics of an ELMISKOP 101 working as a STEM. With a point-cathode, and using condensor I and the objective lens as a demagnifying system, an electron probe with a half-width ob about 25 Å and a typical current of 5.10-11 amp at 100 kV can be obtained in the back focal plane of the objective lens.

Angular Resolved Electron Spectroscopy with Parallel Recording

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 370-371
Author(s):  
Huang Min ◽  
P.S. Flora ◽  
C.J. Harland ◽  
J.A. Venables
Keyword(s):  
Electron Spectroscopy ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Solid Angle ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
Cylindrical Mirror ◽  
Inner Radius ◽  
Channel Plate ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Type Detector

A cylindrical mirror analyser (CMA) has been built with a parallel recording detection system. It is being used for angular resolved electron spectroscopy (ARES) within a SEM. The CMA has been optimised for imaging applications; the inner cylinder contains a magnetically focused and scanned, 30kV, SEM electron-optical column. The CMA has a large inner radius (50.8mm) and a large collection solid angle (Ω > 1sterad). An energy resolution (ΔE/E) of 1-2% has been achieved. The design and performance of the combination SEM/CMA instrument has been described previously and the CMA and detector system has been used for low voltage electron spectroscopy. Here we discuss the use of the CMA for ARES and present some preliminary results.The CMA has been designed for an axis-to-ring focus and uses an annular type detector. This detector consists of a channel-plate/YAG/mirror assembly which is optically coupled to either a photomultiplier for spectroscopy or a TV camera for parallel detection.

Novel epoxy/anhydride alternatives for biological electron microscopy: Physical and performance characteristis of embed 812 and LX 112 in combination with NSA/NMA/DMAE

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 1000-1001
Author(s):  
Joe A. Mascorro ◽  
Gerald S. Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Succinic Anhydride ◽  
Volume Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Volume Flow ◽  
Base Resin ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Acid Anhydrides

Embedding media based upon an epoxy resin of choice and the acid anhydrides dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA), nadic methyl anhydride (NMA), and catalyzed by the tertiary amine 2,4,6-Tri(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol (DMP-30) are widely used in biological electron microscopy. These media possess a viscosity character that can impair tissue infiltration, particularly if original Epon 812 is utilized as the base resin. Other resins that are considerably less viscous than Epon 812 now are available as replacements. Likewise, nonenyl succinic anhydride (NSA) and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) are more fluid than their counterparts DDSA and DMP- 30 commonly used in earlier formulations. This work utilizes novel epoxy and anhydride combinations in order to produce embedding media with desirable flow rate and viscosity parameters that, in turn, would allow the medium to optimally infiltrate tissues. Specifically, embeding media based on EmBed 812 or LX 112 with NSA (in place of DDSA) and DMAE (replacing DMP-30), with NMA remaining constant, are formulated and offered as alternatives for routine biological work.Individual epoxy resins (Table I) or complete embedding media (Tables II-III) were tested for flow rate and viscosity. The novel media were further examined for their ability to infilftrate tissues, polymerize, sectioning and staining character, as well as strength and stability to the electron beam and column vacuum. For physical comparisons, a volume (9 ml) of either resin or media was aspirated into a capillary viscocimeter oriented vertically. The material was then allowed to flow out freely under the influence of gravity and the flow time necessary for the volume to exit was recored (Col B,C; Tables). In addition, the volume flow rate (ml flowing/second; Col D, Tables) was measured. Viscosity (n) could then be determined by using the Hagen-Poiseville relation for laminar flow, n = c.p/Q, where c = a geometric constant from an instrument calibration with water, p = mass density, and Q = volume flow rate. Mass weight and density of the materials were determined as well (Col F,G; Tables). Infiltration schedules utilized were short (1/2 hr 1:1, 3 hrs full resin), intermediate (1/2 hr 1:1, 6 hrs full resin) , or long (1/2 hr 1:1, 6 hrs full resin) in total time. Polymerization schedules ranging from 15 hrs (overnight) through 24, 36, or 48 hrs were tested. Sections demonstrating gold interference colors were collected on unsupported 200- 300 mesh grids and stained sequentially with uranyl acetate and lead citrate.

Trace nanoanalysis

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 940-941
Author(s):  
D. E. Newbury ◽  
R. D. Leapman
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Detection Efficiency ◽  
Volume Element ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Trace Constituents ◽  
Secondary Ion ◽  
Concentration Levels ◽  
Structure Properties

Trace constituents, which can be very loosely defined as those present at concentration levels below 1 percent, often exert influence on structure, properties, and performance far greater than what might be estimated from their proportion alone. Defining the role of trace constituents in the microstructure, or indeed even determining their location, makes great demands on the available array of microanalytical tools. These demands become increasingly more challenging as the dimensions of the volume element to be probed become smaller. For example, a cubic volume element of silicon with an edge dimension of 1 micrometer contains approximately 5×1010 atoms. High performance secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can be used to measure trace constituents to levels of hundreds of parts per billion from such a volume element (e. g., detection of at least 100 atoms to give 10% reproducibility with an overall detection efficiency of 1%, considering ionization, transmission, and counting).

Relationship of stress and performance among first-year dental students

1986 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 264-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
GH Westerman ◽  
TG Grandy ◽  
JV Lupo ◽  
RE Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Dental Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Relationship Of

Linguistic Competence in Aphasia

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
Leonard L. LaPointe
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Linguistic Competence ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
Feral Children ◽  
Performance Factors ◽  
Performance Loss ◽  
Linguistic Rules ◽  
Communication Goals ◽  
Aphasia Treatment ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Loss of implicit linguistic competence assumes a loss of linguistic rules, necessary linguistic computations, or representations. In aphasia, the inherent neurological damage is frequently assumed by some to be a loss of implicit linguistic competence that has damaged or wiped out neural centers or pathways that are necessary for maintenance of the language rules and representations needed to communicate. Not everyone agrees with this view of language use in aphasia. The measurement of implicit language competence, although apparently necessary and satisfying for theoretic linguistics, is complexly interwoven with performance factors. Transience, stimulability, and variability in aphasia language use provide evidence for an access deficit model that supports performance loss. Advances in understanding linguistic competence and performance may be informed by careful study of bilingual language acquisition and loss, the language of savants, the language of feral children, and advances in neuroimaging. Social models of aphasia treatment, coupled with an access deficit view of aphasia, can salve our restless minds and allow pursuit of maximum interactive communication goals even without a comfortable explanation of implicit linguistic competence in aphasia.

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