INTRODUCTION In Triatominae, reproductive efficiency is an important factor influencing population dynamics, and a useful parameter in measuring a species' epidemiological significance as a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909). The reproductive efficiency of triatomines is affected by food availability; hence, we measured and compared the effects of feeding frequency on the reproductive p...

Clustered mutations are copies of a mutant allele that enter a population's gene pool together due to replication from a premeiotic germline mutation and distribution to multiple successful gametes of an individual. Although the phenomenon has been studied in Drosophila and noted in a few other species, the topic has received scant attention despite claims of being of major importance to popula...

In this paper we study the dynamics of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection under administration of a vaccine and treatment, where the disease is transmitted directly from the parents to the offspring  and also through contact with infective individuals. Stability of the disease-free steady state is investigated. The basic reproductive rate, $R_0$, is derived. The results show that the dynamics of...

Aggregate, or explosive, breeding is widespread among vertebrates and likely increases the probability of multiple paternity. We assessed paternity in seven field-collected clutches of the explosively breeding spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) using 10 microsatellite loci to determine the frequency of multiple paternity and the number of males contributing to a female's clutch. Using the...

Background In recent years, concerns have been raised about human reproductive disorders. Caffeine consumption is increasing by the world’s population and there is a relationship between caffeine intake and adverse reproductive outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine on implantation sites, number of live births, birth weight, crown-rump length (CRL) and abnormali...

BACKGROUND Research on reproductive health in developing countries focuses mostly on the role of economic development on various components of reproductive health. Cross-sectional and empirical research studies in particular on the effects of non-economic factors such as reproductive rights remain few and far between. OBJECTIVE This study investigates the influence of two components of an emp...

OBJECTIVE To determine trends in female reproductive surgery volume. DESIGN Database analysis using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project databases from 1988, 1992, 1998, and 2002. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENT(S) All patients who underwent reproductive surgeries using United States community hospital discharge data and inpatient and outpatient data for New Jersey (NJ) an...