The entorhinal cortex (EC) in the medial temporal lobe plays a critical role in memory formation and is implicated in several neurological diseases including temporal lobe epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. Despite the known importance of this brain region, little is known about the normal bioelectrical activity patterns of the EC in awake, behaving primates. In order to develop effective therapies for diseases affecting the EC, we must first understand its normal properties. To contribute to our understanding of the EC, I monitored the activity of individual neurons and populations of neurons in the EC of rhesus macaque monkeys during free-viewing of photographs using electrophysiological techniques. The results of these experiments help to explain how primates can form memories of, and navigate through, the visual world. These experiments revealed neurons in the EC that represent visual space with triangular grid receptive fields and other neurons that prefer to fire near image borders. These properties are similar to those previously described in the rodent EC, but here the neuronal responses relate to viewing of remote space as opposed to representing the physical location of the animal. The representation of visual space may be aided by another EC neuron type that was discovered, free-viewing saccade direction cells, neurons that signaled the direction of upcoming saccades. Such a signal could be used by other cells to prepare to fire according to the future gaze location. Many of these spatially-responsive neurons also represented memory for images, suggesting that they may be useful for associating items with their locations. I also examined the neuronal circuitry of recognition memory for visual stimuli in the EC, and I found that population synchronization within the gamma-band (30-140 Hz) in superficial layers of the EC was modulated by stimulus novelty, while the strength of memory formation modulated gamma-band synchronization in the deep layers and in layer III. Furthermore, the strength of connectivity in the gamma-band between different layers was correlated with the strength of memory formation, with deep to superficial power transfer being correlated with stronger memory formation and superficial to deep transfer correlated with weaker memory formation. These findings support several previous investigations of hippocampal-entorhinal connectivity in the rodent and advance our understanding of the functional circuitry of the medial temporal lobe memory system. Finally, I explored the design of a device that could be used to investigate properties of brain tissue in vitro, potentially aiding in the development of treatments for disorders of the EC and other brain structures. We designed, fabricated, and validated a novel device for long-term maintenance of thick brain slices and 3-dimensional dissociated cell cultures on a perforated multi-electrode array. To date, most electrical recordings of thick tissue preparations have been performed by manually inserting electrode arrays. This work demonstrates a simple and effective solution to this problem by building a culture perfusion chamber around a planar perforated multi-electrode array. By making use of interstitial perfusion, the device maintained the thickness of tissue constructs and improved cellular survival as demonstrated by increased firing rates of perfused slices and 3-D cultures, compared to unperfused controls. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first thick tissue culture device to combine forced interstitial perfusion for long-term tissue maintenance and an integrated multi-electrode array for electrical recording and stimulation.

No description available.

Today’s massive usage of smartphones has put a high demand on all application developers in the matter of security. For us to be able to keep using all existing and new applications, a process that removes significant security vulnerabilities is essential. To remove these vulnerabilities, the applications have to be tested. In this thesis, we identify six methods for functional and security testing of client-server applications running Android and Python Flask. Regarding functional testing, we implement Espresso testing and RESTful API testing. In regards to the security testing of the system, we do not only implement fuzz testing, sniffing, reverse engineering and SQL injection testing on a system developed by a student group in a parallel project, but also discover a significant security vulnerability that directly affects the integrity and reliability of this system. Out of the six identified testing techniques, reverse engineering exposed the vulnerability. In conjunction with this, we verified that the system’s functionality works as it is supposed to.

The movements of two vervet monkey troops were studied to determine whether they optimize their rate of food intake in relation to seasonal energy availability. The effect of variation in habitat structure on the troops’ foraging strategies while utilizing temporally and spatially distributed resources was determined. Troop home range boundaries were delineated, the various plant communities and species utilised by the troops identified and classified, and variations in home range and vegetation structure were reported. The diets of the troops were determined and compared. Effects of coexistence on competition were assessed. Vervet food trees were randomly selected, marked and seasonal phenological data collected. Samples of food items constituting the two troops diets were collected for energy analysis. Using geostatistical interpolation techniques, monthly energy values were extrapolated onto home range grids for the two vervet monkey troops. Grids were stored as database files that were interrogated through GIS simulation models. Using the stochastic processes inherent in Markov chain theory, a series of non-returning random walks were simulated for comparison to original routes taken by the two troops. Results from comparisons of home range energy, day range lengths and areas, shortest route energy to actual route energy, time spent in high energy areas, and energy utilisation from actual and randomly generated routes indicated that the two troops optimize resource energy available to them by adopting flexible foraging strategies. In environments where temporal and spatial variations in habitat structure affect the distribution of resources, it is essential that animals develop optimal foraging strategies to survive. For the two troops investigated, foraging strategies fluctuate between being time minimizers in more heterogeneous environments where resources are abundant, and energy maximisers in homogeneous environments where resources are constrained by low diversity and seasonality. / Environmental Sciences (Department) / D.Litt et Phil (Environmental Management)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:07:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Denizard Andre de Abreu Delfino.pdf: 922702 bytes, checksum: f27146bc0b024ae0d79c5f4cfec679f6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-30 / The objective of this study was to carry out and analyze the actions taken to control the yellow fever epizootic in non-human primates, recorded in November 2007 to March 2010 in Aparecida de Goiania, Goias Brazil. The primary epidemiological information on the disease was obtained from the Municipal Health Secretariat, by the local Center for Zoonosis Control. Data were analyzed from the outbreak reports. In A descriptive study, the control actions, such as blocking vaccine against yellow fever by the municipal health department and the evaluation of physical barriers to contain the virus, were verified. The inspection of 58 dead nonhuman primates, representing 100% of the animals found in the period previously mentioned, was used. From these, 34.48% (20/58) were able to have samples collected, according to the specifications of the Epizooty Handbook Of this amount (58), 27.59% (16/58) of monkeys were collected and3.45% (2/58) presented positivity for yellow fever virus. By evaluating the actions that contributed to the epidemiological assessment at the city, it is emphasized the occurrence of three deaths among genera and species of nonhuman primates, Alouatta caraya, Cebus apella and Callithrix spp, with the circulation of yellow fever virus in two cities with epidemiological distinct characteristics. The areas which showed the highest incidence of deaths of monkeys had also the greatest degree of urban growth, characterized by recent environmental changes and residual maintenance of natural areas. / O presente estudo constituiu na condução e análises de ações desenvolvidas no controle da epizootia de febre amarela em primatas não-humanos, registrada nos meses de novembro 2007 a março de 2010 em Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás. As informações epidemiológicas primárias relativas à enfermidade foram obtidas junto à Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses local. A partir das fichas de notificação para epizootia os dados foram analisados. Foi realizado estudo descritivo, que estudou as ações de controle, como bloqueio vacinal contra a FA pela secretaria municipal de saúde do município e a avaliação das barreiras físicas na contenção do vírus amarílico. Foi utilizada a inspeção de 58 primatas não-humanos mortos, que representaram 100% dos animais encontrados no período acima citado, sendo que destes 34,48% (20/58) estavam aptos para colheita de amostras, segundo as especificações do com o Manual de Epizootia. Deste montante, foram coletados 27,59% (16/58) de macacos, com uma positividade para o vírus amarílico de 3,45% (2/58). Avaliando as ações que contribuíram para realização da investigação epidemiológica no município, destaca-se que ocorreram mortes entre três gêneros e espécies de primatas não-humanos, Alouatta caraya, Cebus spp. e Callithrix spp., com a circulação do vírus da FA em duas localidades com características epidemiológicas distintas. As áreas de maior ocorrência de mortes de macacos foram aquelas com maior grau de antropização, caracterizadas por alterações ambientais recentes e manutenção residual de áreas naturais.

Primatas da subespécie A. g. clamitans, popular bugio, possuem um dimorfismo sexual evidenciado na fase adulta com machos de cor ruiva e fêmeas de cor castanho com nuanças avermelhadas. Em estudos de cativeiro com esta subespécie descobriu-se uma secreção epidérmica avermelhada, semelhante à cor da pelagem dos MA. A partir desta constatação diferentes hipóteses têm sido levantadas sobre a função e a origem desta secreção. Assim, o presente estudo objetivou: 1- Analisar se esta secreção é responsável pela coloração do pêlo dos animais e se a água é capaz de descolorir os pêlos 2- Verificar se a liberação de secreção sofre influencia das temperaturas corpórea e ambiente; 3- Identificar através de microscopia óptica e eletrônica as características morfológicas das glândulas produtoras de secreção, 4- Mapear as regiões do corpo dos animais que possuem tal glândula, 5- Definir qual sexo e faixa etária possui a glândula; 6- Determinar se a secreção é capaz de corar o pêlo mesmo após estocada a -4C; 7- Avaliar a cor dos campos cromatogênicos, durante um ano em animais adultos, sub adultos e juvenis; 8- Analisar a composição da secreção; 9- Dosar o hormônio testosterona em animais de diferentes sexo e faixas etárias e 10- Verificar uma possível relação entre comportamento social em bugios silvestres e a cor observada. Constatou-se que MA, MSA, MJ , FA e FSA liberam secreção. A liberação em quase todas as regiões do corpo sofre influência da temperatura corpórea, diferindo apenas na região do hióide em MA e da mandíbula em MSA, regiões que a temperatura corpórea possuem maior influência. Verificou-se que pêlos de MSA quando mantidos em estufa, com a secreção fresca liberada por este animal, muda de cor, de escuro para ruivo, igualando a cor do pêlo de MA; uma vez pigmentado a água não muda a cor do pêlo,. A secreção estocada muda apenas à cor da região central do pêlo. Identificou-se a GPP (glândula produtora de secreção colorida), na região do osso hióide e mandíbula, em MA e MSA. Em FA e FSA identificou-se estrutura glandular menos desenvolvida, denominada de GPPi (glândula produtora de pigmento em fase intermediária) nas regiões do hióide, mandíbula, esterno e região inguinal. As GPPi estão também presentes na região inguinal e nuca de MA e MSA. Os animais juvenis e infantes apresentam somente glândulas sudoríparas normais em todas as regiões do corpo. Na secreção colorida não existem carotenóides. As secreções de MA, FA, MAS e MJ possuem diferentes concentrações de ferro. A secreção de MA apresentou maior concentração de ferro quando comparada às secreções dos animais de outro sexo e/ou idade. A microscopia eletrônica confirmou a característica secretora da GPP e evidenciou estruturas cristalinas dentro das células do ácino semelhantes as inclusões de ferro observadas no citoplasma de células de outros organismos. Os animais que sofreram maior variação de cor nos campos cromatogênicos foram os MSA, e foram os animais que tiveram maiores índices de esfregação, sugerindo um mecanismo de espalhamento da secreção Os níveis de testosterona, foram proporcionais ao sexo e idade dos animais, sendo os maiores valores encontrados em MA. O estudo do comportamento social mostrou que os MA ruivos possuem um elevado status hierárquico e desempenham um papel de guardião do grupo. Os resultados indicam que a secreção colorida, liberada na epiderme de A. g. clamitans, são as responsáveis pela coloração do pêlo de MA devido à concentração de ferro. Um cromóforo que contém ferro seria um dos agentes responsáveis pela coloração. A diferença de cor nesta subespécie é uma característica sexual secundária, e parece ocorrer por um mecanismo ativacional do hormônio testosterona, ativando o desenvolvimento das glândulas GPP. O nível de testosterona, a presença de GPP e a coloração ruiva intensa possuem uma forte correlação com o status hierárquico de MA. / Adult brown howler monkeys, Alouatta guariba clamitans, have a clear sexual dimorphism, with red-haired males and chestnut females with red nuances. Captivity studies with this subspecies revealed an epidermic secretion of red coloration, similar to the coat color of adult males. Different hypotheses have been proposed on the function and origin of this secretion. The present work aimed to: 1 analyze if fresh secretion is responsible for hair coloration in this animals and if water is capable to decolorize hair; 2 verify if secretion release is affected by body and atmospheric temperatures; 3 identify by optic and electronic microscopy the morphologic characteristics of the secretion-producing glands; 4 map the areas of the animal body that have such glands; 5 define which sex-age categories have this gland; 6 determine if secretion is able to color hair after stored at -4º C; 7 evaluate during one year the coloration of cromatogenic fields in adult, subadults and juvenile animals; 8 analyze the secretion composition; 9 measure testosterone levels in animals of different sex-age categories; 10 verify the possible relationship between the social behavior of wild animals and the observed coloration. It was found that adult, subadult and juvenile males and adult and subadult females release secretion. The release in almost all body areas is under influence of the corporal temperature that is greater in adult male hyoid and subadult male jaw areas. The hair of subadult males of A. g. clamitans maintained in a stove treated with fresh secretion changes from dark to reddish color, similar to the adult males hair color. The water does not change the color of the hair, once pigmented. The stored secretion changes only the color of the central area of hair. The gland producing colored secretion (GPP) was identified in the area of the hyoid bone and jaw in adult and subadult males. In adult and subadult females a less developed glandular structure was found, denominated GPPi in the hyoid, jaw, breastbone and inguinal areas. GPPi are also present in the inguinal area and nape of adult and subadult males. The juvenile and infant animals presented only normal sweat glands in all body areas. There are no carotenoids in the colored secretion. The secretions of adult, subadult and juvenile males and adult females have different concentrations of iron and adult males presented larger concentration of iron in their secretions when compared to other sex and age categories. The electronic microscopy confirmed the secretory features of GPP and evidenced crystalline structures inside the acinus cells that resemble iron-containing structures evidenced in other cellular structures. Subadult males suffered the greater degree in color variation in cromatogenic fields, and they were also the animals that presented larger rubbing index, suggesting that this would be the mechanism of secretion dispersal. The testosterone levels were proportional to the sex and age categories of the animals, with the largest values found in adult males. The study of the social behavior showed that the reddish adult males have a superior hierarchic status and play the role of group guardians. Our results indicate that the colored secretions, released in the epidermis of A. g. clamitans, are responsible for the hair coloration in adult males due to iron concentration. An iron-containing chromophore would be one of the agents promoting the coloration. The color difference in this subspecies is a secondary sexual trait that seems to occur through a testosterone-activated mechanism, promoting the development of GPP glands. Testosterone levels, the presences of GPP and the intense red-haired coloration have a strong correlation with the hierarchical status of adult males.

Main subject of this work is design of childrens playgroung elements. In this work there is also presented analysis of existent theme. I have designed a few variations, from which I chose the best solution. This solution I worked out in technical, aesthetic and ergonomical aspects. Designed elements match current requirements of safety standards.

This master's thesis deals with the possibilities of using open source 3D game engine Java Monkey Engine (jME) in developing applications for the Android platform. It includes theoretical knowledge for the jMonkey Engine architecture and the Android platform. In the following section, the thesis describes used techniques and external libraries in solving issues of interaction between jME and Android platform and of working with objects in the 3D scene and their way of implementation.

No description available.

<p>My thesis examines how eugenicist and psychologist Robert M. Yerkes’ experimental intelligence research helped to situate the non-human primate as the ideal research subject for human betterment research in the twentieth century U.S. Yerkes believed that the primate was the ideal research subject to address questions of human betterment and social welfare, specifically best to create methods of evaluating the imagined threat of intellectual disability. While Yerkes has been studied extensively in the history of psychology, primatology, and eugenics, rarely have his separate contributions to these fields been placed in conversation with one another. Placing the primate at the center of Yerkes’ work allows for all three fields to engage with one another in a new perspective. By analyzing Yerkes’ publications about the Multiple-Choice Experiment within the context of the American eugenics’ movement, we can see how the primate came to hold a central position in U.S. scientific research, the advancement of human welfare and betterment, and as a means of defining what it means to be human. This story offers a glimpse into this longer process of how the primate came to occupy this position, but even a glimpse offers historians of the American eugenics’ movement new questions. What was the role of the non-human animal in the formulation of American eugenic theories? How have we historically used the natural world in our attempts to separate ourselves from it? And can we truly reconcile a history with eugenics if we continue to ignore the role of animals within it, they who today exist unquestionably within the status of the sub-human?</p>