Memorial University of Newfoundland

About: Memorial University of Newfoundland is a education organization based out in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gadus. The organization has 13818 authors who have published 27785 publications receiving 743594 citations. The organization is also known as: Memorial University & Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Are natural microcosms useful model systems for ecology

Abstract: Several recent, high-impact ecological studies feature natural microcosms as tools for testing effects of fragmentation, metacommunity theory or links between biodiversity and ecosystem processes. These studies combine the microcosm advantages of small size, short generation times, contained structure and hierarchical spatial arrangement with advantages of field studies: natural environmental variance, 'openness' and realistic species combinations with shared evolutionary histories. This enables tests of theory pertaining to spatial and temporal dynamics, for example, the effects of neighboring communities on local diversity, or the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem function. Using examples, we comment on the position of natural microcosms in the roster of ecological research strategies and tools. We conclude that natural microcosms are as versatile as artificial microcosms, but as complex and biologically realistic as other natural systems. Research to date combined with inherent attributes of natural microcosms make them strong candidate model systems for ecology.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Contributes to Recovery of Skilled Reaching After Focal Ischemia in Rats

Abstract: Background and Purpose— Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, and neuroplasticity. Further, exogenous treatment with BDNF or exposing animals to enrichment and exercise regimens, which also increase BDNF, enhances behavioral recovery after brain injury. Thus, the beneficial effects of rehabilitation in promoting recovery after stroke may also depend on BDNF. We tested this hypothesis by evaluating the contribution of BDNF to motor skill relearning after endothelin-1–induced middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. Methods— Antisense BDNF oligonucleotide, which blocks the expression of BDNF (or saline vehicle) was infused into the contralateral lateral ventricle for 28 days after ischemia. Animals received either a graduated rehabilitation program, including running exercise and skilled reaching training, which simulates clinical practice, or no rehabilitation. Functional recovery was assessed with a battery of tests that measu...

The Conceptual Domain of Service Loyalty: How Many Dimensions?

Abstract: Purpose – The majority of research in marketing now represents loyalty as a multi‐dimensional construct; however, agreement on whether it has two or three dimensions is lacking, and measurement of these dimensions has been inconsistent. The purpose of this paper is to utilize theory from the psychology literature on interpersonal relationships to provide theoretical guidance for examining the nature of service loyalty and to uncover its dimensionality.Design/methodology/approach – This paper argues for and tests, using survey data from over 300 service customers, a multi‐dimensional conceptualization of loyalty based on theory from the interpersonal psychology literature.Findings – The findings of this research highlight that service loyalty is similar to loyalty in interpersonal relationships, providing further evidence for the notion that service provider‐consumer relationships can approximate friendships or even romantic partnerships in terms of loyalty‐like responses. It also suggests that to identify...

Purification and characterization of antioxidative peptides from protein hydrolysate of lecithin-free egg yolk

Abstract: The protein extracted from lecithin-free egg yolk, normally discarded by lecithin processing plants, was hydrolyzed with the aid of Alcalase, a commercial enzyme. The hydrolysate was separated through a series of ultrafiltration membranes with molecular weight cutoffs of 10, 5, and 1 kDa; and three types of permeates including 10 K (permeate from 10 kDa), 5 K (permeate from 5 kDa), and 1 K (permeate from 1 kDa) were obtained. The antioxidative efficacy of hydrolysates so obtained was investigated and compared with α-tocopherol. Furthermore, two different peptides showing strong antioxidative activity were isolated from the hydrolysates by using consecutive chromatographic methods including ion exchange chromatography on a SP-Sephadex C-25 column, gel filtration on a Sephadex G-25 column, and high-performance liquid chromatography on an octadecylsilane column. The purity of the peptides was identified using capillary electrophoresis. The isolated peptides were composed of 10 and 15 amino acid residues, and both contained a leucine residue at their N-terminal positions.