Experimental alterations of morphological traits during development can reveal life history tactics and resource allocation patterns. I examined effects of amputation of a structure directly involved with mating compared to one that is less associated with fitness. I amputated one of the paired external copulatory organs (palps) of juvenile male black widow spiders Latrodectus hesperus), and compared changes in life history traits and fitness to males with amputated legs and controls. I show that palps are more likely to be regenerated than legs, smaller juveniles are more likely to regenerate, and mating success is adversely affected in all adults that suffered early amputation. The pre-existing relationship between juvenile size and development was a critical determinant of regeneration, however no life history costs of regeneration were evident. I conclude that plasticity in life history facilitates regeneration, and that this may mask trade-offs involved in compensatory effects at the population level.

Experimental alterations of morphological traits during development can reveal life history tactics and resource allocation patterns. I examined effects of amputation of a structure directly involved with mating compared to one that is less associated with fitness. I amputated one of the paired external copulatory organs (palps) of juvenile male black widow spiders Latrodectus hesperus), and compared changes in life history traits and fitness to males with amputated legs and controls. I show that palps are more likely to be regenerated than legs, smaller juveniles are more likely to regenerate, and mating success is adversely affected in all adults that suffered early amputation. The pre-existing relationship between juvenile size and development was a critical determinant of regeneration, however no life history costs of regeneration were evident. I conclude that plasticity in life history facilitates regeneration, and that this may mask trade-offs involved in compensatory effects at the population level.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wyoming, 2005. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Feb. 22, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-87).

The aim of this thesis was to investigate views on the the traditional Levirate custom in modern society specifically regarding repercussions on the freedom of widows in the traditional Luo community. Qualitative research has been used this thesis, using both primary and secondary sources. Phenomenology as a principle of science has been adopted. Though much research has been done on this subject matter, this study hopes to provide a new approach by addressing the issues mentioned above. The findings of this study have shown that the Levirate custom seems to infringe on the freedom of the widows in the traditional Luo community. Evidence of male dominance due to values attached to the traditional Levirate custom has been observed.

The study was undertaken as a response to the need existing within the church. The author’s observation of how one widow was going to board a taxi on a very cold day to attend the church service triggered the desire to research the care of the clergy widows within the Pentecostal Church. The research is undertaken as follows: <ul><li> Chapter one: This Chapter introduces the study and serves as a window into the research by providing a bird’s eye view on what is fully entailed. It introduces the subject matter in the most probing and illuminating terms into the broader study which unfolds as alluded in the following subsequent chapters. </li></ul> <ul><li> Chapter two: The Chapter provides the significant meaning of what is entailed in the concept of caring as an envisaged theological tool towards addressing the needs of the clergy widows in general and the said Pentecostal clergy widow in particular, hence submitting the theology of caring. Various theologies such as the theology of brokenness, the theology of comfort and the theology of anointing the wounded are discussed in minute detail. Widows constituting various categories are presented as widows caused by God, caused by others and those caused by self. </li></ul> <ul><li> Chapter three: The methodology of caring is introduced with emphasis on how such a methodology can be practically employed as a way and means of averting the plight of the Pentecostal widows in particular. Gerkin’s Shepherding methodology is discussed in a scholastic dialogue with Wimberly, who introduces the notion of privileging conversations with God. These two authorities are presented in a discourse with Pollard who diagnoses a theology which he calls positive deconstruction. </li></ul> <ul><li> Chapter four: Three clergy widows were drawn from the Pentecostal Church and two from the Mainline Church as samples of narrated stories. Their stories managed to open a new well of information which surfaced both in their story-telling as well as in their responses to the questionnaires. The data collected both through the questionnaires as well as the stories they shared was analyzed intensely. </li></ul> <ul><li> Chapter five: The integration of the methodology of caring amongst other subjects unfolded matters related to the required healing of the surviving widow, dying patient’s problems come to an end, family problems go on and the submission of a considerable theology for the care of widows. The Chapter is aimed at creating an integration of the methodology of pastoral caring. </li></ul> <ul><li> Chapter six: The following theologies were submitted as proposals in developing the caring theology for the Pentecostal clergy widows: 1. The theology of social responsibility. 2. The theology of power. 3. The theology of proclamation. 4. The theology of tending the flock</li></ul> <ul><li> Chapter seven: This last chapter provided findings and recommendations established throughout the entire research process. Findings discussed were as such informed by tradition, observation, literature and interviews. Recommendations were provided as a foundational layer of the new tool for the care of clergy widows, and the Pentecostal widows in particular, hence the creation of a caring model. </li></ul> / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Widowhood is the process of continuing to live after loosing one's spouse. The process does pose its own special and unique challenges to the surviving spouse. Guided by a true story of a rural-based Swazi widow this study explored the „lived experiences" of Swazi widows in one community in the Manzini region in the Kingdom of Swaziland. The study sought to propose a model for empowering widows with knowledge to assist them how to deal especially with challenges they faced in the hands of their in-laws. To explore their personal realities during the mourning period a qualitative approach was selected. A purposive sample was utilized to conduct interviews with participants. Face-to-face individual interviews that were guided by a semi-structured interview guide were used. Data were also obtained from two key informants, a High Court Judge and a traditional authority. Data were analyzed thematically and themes were generated. The themes reflected challenging times experienced by Swazi widows as they interacted with their in-laws who took advantage of the demise of their sons and deliberately interpreted the Swazi traditional customs to their advantage. Thus the widows became disinherited their rightful share of the estate. These findings have implications for educating Swazi widows in assisting them to know and stand up for their rights and also equipping Ministers of the Gospel with pastoral care skills. Legal experts need to be involved in educating both Swazi widows and Ministers of the Gospel. / Dissertation (MA (Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Practical Theology / MA (Theology) / Unrestricted

Abstract This dissertation uses archival and interpretive methods to examine the life and contributions of Mary Smith McCrory Jones in Texas. Specifically, this project investigates the ways in which Mary Jones emerged into the public sphere, utilized myth and memory, and managed her life as a widow. Each of these larger areas is examined in relation to historiographicaly accepted patterns and in the larger context of women in Texas, the South, and the nation during this period. Mary Jones, 1819-1907, experienced many of the key early periods in Anglo Texas history. The research traces her family’s immigration to Austin’s Colony and their early years under Mexican sovereignty. The Texas Revolution resulted in her move to Houston and her first brief marriage. Following the death of her husband she met and married Anson Jones, a physician who served in public posts throughout the period of the Texas Republic. Over time Anson was politically and personally rejected to the point that he committed suicide. This dissertation studies the effects this death had upon Mary’s personal goals, her use of a widow’s status to achieve her objectives, and her eventual emergence as a “Professional Widow.” Mary Jones’s attempts to rehabilitate her husband’s public image provided her with opportunities which in turn led her into a larger public sphere, enabled her to maintain her social-economic status as a widow, and to shape the public image of both her husband and parts of the Texas image. Mary Jones attempted to publish Anson’s papers, rehabilitate his memory, and preserve papers and artifacts from the period of the Republic. Directly and indirectly this led to the preservation of the San Jacinto battlefield, the reburial of her husband, the discovery of a copy of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the founding of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and her key role as steward of the Alamo. The research uses archival and interpretive methods to examine Women’s organizations and clubs as they emerged during her lifetime and her role as member or leader. Hundreds of Mary and her family’s personal letters survive in various Texas archives. Additionally, Anson’s journals and personal memoirs provide invaluable insight into Mary’s family life, character, and relationships. This research will include a review and comparison of her efforts with other women who in the process of protecting and reconstructing their husband’s images moved into a larger public sphere. Mary Jones served as president of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for seventeen years. This provided her with the platform she needed to promote Anson’s image, focus memory and money upon the Texas Republic era, and move into a public sphere for herself. This dissertation contends that the work that Mary Jones did in her efforts to construct a positive public image for her husband eventually drew her into state-wide leadership roles, aided her to successfully reach social-economic goals even though widowed, and to effect the preservation and role of the Alamo in public memory.

The purpose of this paper was to attempt to identify variables which may enhance the ability of older widowed persons to adjust to viii bereavement. Depression and perceptions of physical health were the two aspects of adjustment selected for study. Several variables which current literature suggests may mediate grief adjustment were examined for their potential relationship to bereavement outcome. These were gender, level of grief, anticipatory grief and social network. The possible relationship between depression and perceptions of physical health was also examined for. Subjects were 75 men and women, age 55 and over, who were recently widowed, and 29 non-bereaved men and women who served as controls. All subjects were caucasian, Mormon, and lived in small rural communities. To gather data on the variables in question, these instruments were used: the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Texas Inventory of Grief. Information on anticipatory grief, social network, and self-ratings of physical health was obtained using a structured interview developed at the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California. Data was gathered at two times. The initial interview was held within two months of the death of each bereaved subject's spouse, and again six months later. Control subjects were interviewed twice, six to eight months apart. Multiple regression equations with foreward inclusion were computed to identify those variables which accounted for most of the cvariance in depression scores and self-ratings of physical health. Gender and bereavement status (whether a subject was bereaved or control) were not found to be significantly related to depression or self-ratings of physical health. Social network variables were found to facilitate lower depression scores and higher ratings of physical health, although the aspects of social network which were significant varied over time (initially family, then later non-family relationships were most important.) Depression and self-ratings of physical health were closely related. High level of grief was closely associated with high depression scores, but not with self-ratings of physical health. Expectation of the spouse's death was associated with lower self-ratings of physical health.

Although numerous spider fibroins have been reported, no known silk coating peptides have been discovered. We provide the first biochemical evidence for a spider coating peptide, called SCP-2, found on gumfooted lines, scaffolding joints and egg cases. The presence of this spider coating peptide on the fibers is supported by MS/MS analysis. Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, we also demonstrate that SCP-2 has a flagelliform-restricted mRNA pattern of expression. Molecular modeling of the SCP-2 amino acid sequence predicts it adopts an alpha-helical structure that is amphipathic in nature. SCP-2, which can be extracted from fibers using water, is hypothesized to influence the mechanical properties of the silk fibers as well as serve a protective function for the threads. Based upon the restricted pattern of expression of SCP-2, our findings reveal novel insight regarding the glandular function of the flagelliform gland in . cob weaving spiders, suggesting it produces aqueous coating materials that are deposited on a wide range of different silk types. In addition, in an attempt to advance our understanding regarding silk gene transcription, our lab has developed the first antibody against the bHLH factor SGSF. SGSF has been implicated as a potential transcriptional regulator of silk gene transcription in spiders. Development of the anti-SGSF antibody was accomplished via the overexpression and purification of a fusion protein in bacteria, which consisted of the C-terminal region of SGSF fused to thioredoxin. Purified SGSF fusion proteins were injected into rabbits and the polyclonal antiserum was collected and tested by western blot analysis to determine the specificity of the immunological reagent. Western blot analyses revealed the anti-SGSF antiserum was capable of recognizing bacterially expressed SGSF in an efficient manner. Collectively, these studies lay the groundwork for future investigations involving the use of the antibody to determine the role of SGSF in silk transcription.