Miami University

About: Miami University is a education organization based out in Oxford, Ohio, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 9949 authors who have published 19598 publications receiving 568410 citations. The organization is also known as: Miami of Ohio & Miami-Ohio.

Genome level analysis of rice mRNA 3′-end processing signals and alternative polyadenylation

Abstract: The position of a poly(A) site of eukaryotic mRNA is determined by sequence signals in pre-mRNA and a group of polyadenylation factors. To reveal rice poly(A) signals at a genome level, we constructed a dataset of 55 742 authenticated poly(A) sites and characterized the poly(A) signals. This resulted in identifying the typical tripartite cis-elements, including FUE, NUE and CE, as previously observed in Arabidopsis. The average size of the 3'-UTR was 289 nucleotides. When mapped to the genome, however, 15% of these poly(A) sites were found to be located in the currently annotated intergenic regions. Moreover, an extensive alternative polyadenylation profile was evident where 50% of the genes analyzed had more than one unique poly(A) site (excluding microheterogeneity sites), and 13% had four or more poly(A) sites. About 4% of the analyzed genes possessed alternative poly(A) sites at their introns, 5'-UTRs, or protein coding regions. The authenticity of these alternative poly(A) sites was partially confirmed using MPSS data. Analysis of nucleotide profile and signal patterns indicated that there may be a different set of poly(A) signals for those poly(A) sites found in the coding regions. Based on the features of rice poly(A) signals, an updated algorithm termed PASS-Rice was designed to predict poly(A) sites.

Differential effects of ethanol on motor coordination in adolescent and adult rats.

Abstract: Recent evidence suggests that adolescence represents a unique period of sensitivity to the effects of ethanol. Adolescent animals are more sensitive than adults to many of the effects of ethanol, including ethanol-induced learning and memory impairments, while being less sensitive to others, including ethanol-induced sedation. It is well known that ethanol produces dramatic impairments in balance and motor coordination. While previous research suggests that adolescents and adults do not differ in their sensitivity to the effects of relatively low doses of ethanol on motor coordination, it is not known whether differences in performance would emerge at higher doses. The present study compared the impact of a range of ethanol doses (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g/kg) on motor coordination in adolescent [postnatal day (PD) 35-40] and adult (PD 70-75) rats. Motor coordination was assessed using the tilting plane test before ethanol administration (baseline) and at 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after ethanol administration. Performance was not affected by 1.0 g/kg ethanol in either age group. However, adults were more impaired than adolescents at nearly every time point following administration of both 2.0 and 3.0 g/kg ethanol. The results provide further evidence that adolescents and adults are differentially sensitive to the behavioral effects of ethanol. Given the critical role of motor coordination in the ability to operate motor vehicles and the central role of balance and coordination in field sobriety tests, these data could have important implications if extended to human subjects.

Laterality of hand use pays off in foraging success for wild chimpanzees

Abstract: The aim of this study was to see if behavioral lateralization in hand use benefits a lateralized organism in nature. We recorded wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Gombe, Tanzania, fishing for termites (Macrotermes spp.), an extractive foraging task using elementary technology. We compared individual apes who were completely lateralized, using only one hand or the other for the task, versus those who were incompletely lateralized, using either hand. Exclusively lateralized individuals were more efficient, that is, gathered more prey per unit effort, but were no different in success or error rate from incompletely lateralized apes. This is the first demonstration of a payoff to laterality of behavioral function in primates in conditions of ecological validity.

Emotional intelligence and individual performance: evidence of direct and moderated effects

Abstract: We examined the direct and moderated effects of an ability-based measure of emotional intelligence (MSCEIT© V2.0) on individual performance in a sample of business undergraduates. Controlling for general mental ability and personality, emotional intelligence explained unique incremental variance in performance ratings on only one of two measures of interpersonal effectiveness (public speaking effectiveness). However, the interaction of emotional intelligence with conscientiousness explained unique incremental variance both in public speaking and group behavior effectiveness, as well as academic performance (cumulative GPA). We conclude that the effects of emotional intelligence on performance are more indirect than direct in nature. Individuals must not only have emotional intelligence, but also must be motivated to use it. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.