Digital Commons Network^™

Use Of A Candidate Gene Array To Delineate Gene Expression Patterns In Cattle Selected For Resistance Or Susceptibility To Intestinal Nematodes, Ricardo N. Araujo, Terezinha Padilha, Dante Zarlenga, Tad Sonstegard, Erin E. Connor, Curt Van Tassel, Walter S. Lima, Evaldo Nascimento, Louis C. Gasbarre

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

In the present study, we use microarray technology to investigate the expression patterns of 381 genes with known association to host immune responses. Hybridization targets were derived from previously characterized bovine cDNAs. A total of 576 reporters (473 sequence-validated cDNAs and 77 controls) were spotted onto glass slides in two sets of four replicates. Two color, comparative hybridizations across both mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and small intestine mucosa (SIM) RNA samples were done between animals with previously demonstrated phenotypic differences based on natural exposure to gastro- intestinal (GI) nematodes over a 6-month exposure period. A total of 138 significant hybridization …

Bovine Coronary Region Keratinocyte Colony Formation Is Supported By Epidermal-Dermal Interactions, J.A. Mills, D.S. Zarlenga, R.M. Dyers

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Delineating the factors that orchestrate keratinocyte growth and differentiation in the claw is pivotal to understanding the quality of hoof horn production in health and disease. The specific objectives of this in- vestigation were to establish an in vitro culture system for bovine coronary region keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, determine the colony-forming capacity of epidermal keratinocytes in the coronary region, and characterize transcriptional changes in specific cy- tokine, growth factor, and receptor genes during colony formation in coculture. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes from the coronary region of the lateral, hind limb claw were collected, and 5.0 × 103 and 7.5 × …

The State Of Information And Communication Technology (Ict) In Nigerian University Libraries: The Experience Of Ibrahim Babangida Library, Federal University Of Technology, Yola, Benki S.H. Womboh, Tukur Abba

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper gives an overview of the state of the ICT in Nigerian university libraries and traces the development and management of ICT facilities in the Federal University of Technology of Technology Yola library. Some problems militating against proper functioning of such facilities are highlighted and suggestion for possible solutions proffered.

Library Education In Bangladesh: Strengths, Problems, And Suggestions, A.I.M. Jakaria Rahman, Momena Khatun, Dr. Mohammed Mezbah-Ul-Islam

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article examines the historical development and current trends of library education system in Bangladesh, identifies educational institutions involved, and determines the strength of current l

December 2008 - Staff Meeting Minutes

ALEC Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Search For Third Generation Scalar Leptoquarks Decaying Into ΤB, V. M. Abazov, Kenneth A. Bloom, Gregory Snow, D0 Collaboration

Kenneth Bloom Publications

We have searched for third generation leptoquarks (LQ₃) using 1.05 fb^-1 of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider operating at √s = 1.96 TeV. We set a 95% C.L. lower limit of 210 GeV on the mass of a scalar LQ₃ state decaying solely to a b quark and a τ lepton.

Measurement Of BS0 Mixing Parameters From The Flavor-Tagged Decay BS0 → J/Ψφ, V. M. Abazov, Kenneth A. Bloom, Gregory Snow, D0 Collaboration

Kenneth Bloom Publications

From an analysis of the flavor-tagged decay B_s⁰ → J/ ψφ we obtain the width difference between the B_s⁰ light and heavy mass eigenstates, ΔΓ_s = 0.19 ± 0.07 (stat)_-0.01^+0.02 (syst) ps^-1, and the CP-violating phase, φ_s = -0.57_-0.30^+0.24(stat)_-0.02^+0.08(syst). The allowed 90% CL intervals of ΔΓ_s and φ_s are 0.06 < ΔΓ_s < 0.30 ps^-1 and -1.20< φ_s < 0.06, respectively. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.8 fb^-1 accumulated with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider.

A High-Oleic-Acid And Low-Palmitic-Acid Soybean: Agronomic Performance And Evaluation As A Feedstock For Biodiesel, George L. Graef, Bradley J. Lavallee, Patrick Tenopir, Mustafa Tat, Bruce Schweiger, Anthony J. Kinney, Jon H. Van Gerpen, Thomas E. Clemente

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Phenotypic characterization of soybean event 335-13, which possesses oil with an increased oleic acid content (> 85%) and reduced palmitic acid content (< 5%), was conducted across multiple environments during 2004 and 2005. Under these conditions, the stability of the novel fatty acid profile of the oil was not influenced by environment. Importantly, the novel soybean event 335-13 was not compromised in yield in both irrigated and non-irrigated production schemes. Moreover, seed characteristics, including total oil and protein, as well as amino acid profile, were not altered as a result of the large shift in the fatty acid profile. The novel oil trait was inherited in a simple Mendelian fashion. The event 335-13 was also evaluated as a feedstock for biodiesel. Extruded oil from event 335-13 produced a biodiesel with improved cold flow and enhanced oxidative stability, two critical fuel parameters that can limit the utility of this renewable transportation fuel.

Reading Recommendations

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

Gems on China often appear in unexpected places, and we were recently alerted to a handful worth looking into at the Literary Review of Canada. These three pieces review recent works in Chinese studies that touch on issues central to current discussions on the China blogosphere. We’ve included short excerpts below, but encourage you to make the leap to the longer versions.

The first is a review by Timothy Cheek, the author of a book on Mao that we flagged in one of our first posts last January, and a regular commentator on contemporary China, as here and here. In …

Sharing Health Records Electronically: The Views Of Nebraskans, Tarik Abdel-Monem, Mitchel Herian

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

In November of 2008, the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center implemented a public input project to gather information from Nebraskans about electronic sharing of medical information. One hundred and sixty eight Nebraskans completed an online or paper copy survey, and 34 of those survey respondents also participated in a deliberative discussion.

Comfortable with Sharing Medical Information Electronically
• Nebraskans have positive views about electronic sharing of medical information.
• Nebraskans understand the benefits of electronic health information exchange.
• Nebraskans have concerns about who should have the authority to access their electronic health information.

Experienced with Information Technology and …

Citation Analysis Of Theses In Library And Information Science Submitted To University Of Pune: A Pilot Study, R.V. Chikate, S.K. Patil

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This is a bibliometric study that used 27 LIS dissertations with a total of 6,257 citations. Most citations are from periodicals (42.2%), mostly from US and Indian journals. Nearly half of the citations recorded are from journal articles: 2,639 (42.2%) Nearly three quarters of the journal articles were from LIS journals, with the remainder from 33 other subject areas. College and Research Libraries is the most cited journal, followed by Scientometrics. Most of the citations are from 55 journals out of the total number.

Charter 08: Five Links

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

The biggest China news story of the moment is the issuance of Charter 08, a declaration that was created to mark the 60th anniversary of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is inspired in part by “Charter 77,” the famous Czech group, and the arrest and detention of some of its signatories. Here are five things to read to help put the document into context, or learn more about those being help because of it.

1) Charter 08 itself, translated into English by Perry Link, can be found here.

2) A sophisticated exploration of the events of 1989 …

New Rural Residents: Insights Into Their Decision To Stay Or Leave, Charlotte Narjes, Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel

Cornhusker Economics

What brought new residents to the Nebraska Panhandle? For many, it was the image of a small town environment, which they described as a family and faith oriented community, safe and free of traffic and congestion and often located closer to family.

This insight was one of many identified through twelve regional focus group interviews conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty as part of a research project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture-National Research Initiative.

While a number of individuals were pleased with the small town atmosphere, others found that their image of the community did not …

From Iron Girls To Oriental Beauties, Hongmei Li

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

In a piece I did for the Huffington Post on women and the Olympics, I provided a brief overview of the history of ideas about feminine beauty in China and their links to concepts of modernity. This post supplements it by looking at the shift in representations of women from celebrating iron girls to extolling Oriental beauties over the course of the still relatively short history of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

During the three decades that followed the 1949 founding of the PRC, one goal promoted in official discourse was that of erasing gender differences and promoting gender …

Increased Survival Of Western Corn Rootworm On Transgenic Corn Within Three Generations Of On-Plant Greenhouse Selection, Lisa N. Meihls, Matthew L. Higdon, Blair D. Siegfried, Nicholas J. Miller, Thomas W. Sappington, Mark R. Ellersieck, Terrence A. Spencer, Bruce E. Hibbard

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

To delay evolution of insect resistance to transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins, nearby ‘‘refuges’’ of host plants not producing Bt toxins are required in many regions. Such refuges are expected to be most effective in slowing resistance when the toxin concentration in Bt crops is high enough to kill all or nearly all insects heterozygous for resistance. However, Bt corn, Zea mays, introduced recently does not meet this ‘‘high-dose’’ criterion for control of western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. A greenhouse method of rearing WCR on transgenic corn expressing the Cry3Bb1 protein was used in …

Cranes Of The World In 2008: A Supplement To Crane Music, Paul A. Johnsgard

Papers in Ornithology

Time proceeds inexorably onward, and it has been 17 years since the first edition of Crane Music was published. During that time more than a billion people have been added to the earth's roles, and global warming has increasingly been recognized as a real tlu:oat to our planet's future. Although during that period a small percentage of Americans have become very rich through advances in technology, expanding markets and globalization, wildlife in general has suffered. Continuing population growth and associated economic and ecological pressures have resulted in greatly increased deforestation, wetland drainage, and destruction of natural habitats. Additionally, global climate …

Louis A. Fuertes And The Zoological Art Of The 1926–1927 Abyssinian Expedition Of The Field Museum Of Natural History, Paul A. Johnsgard

Papers in Ornithology

The year 2009 marked the 110th anniversary of the first colored reproduction of a Fuertes painting; a watercolor of two seaside sparrows published in The Auk, when Fuertes was about 25 years old. Although Fuertes' life spanned little more than a half-century, and most living ornithologists were born after his tragic 1927 death, his influence on natural history art has not lessened. This manuscript is a testimony to his enduring artistic legacy.

I first looked in awe at the original set of Fuertes paintings in the summer of 1995, during a visit to the Field Museum in conjunction with …

Worm-Web Search: A Content-Based Image Retrieval (Cbir) System For The Parasite Image Collection In The Harold W. Manter Laboratory Of Parasitology, University Of Nebraska State Mueum, Ramalingamurthy Meduri, Ashok Samal, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty and Staff Publications

We have developed a prototype web-accessible content-based image retrieval (CBIR) system that allows internet/web-based sharing of biological collections that contain large numbers of images of archived specimens. This system will enable both researchers and educators to access verified, high quality data on biological collections that are available in any museum with digitized holdings. The CBIR system that we are testing can play an important role in understanding global biodiversity because no knowledge of the specific names of specimens need be known before useful information can be extracted from such databases. Our CBIR framework allows users to search image collections using …

A Modified Surface Energy Balance For Modeling Evapotranspiration And Canopy Resistance, Luis O. Lagos

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations and Theses

A modified surface energy balance (SEB) model based on the Shuttleworth-Wallace and Choudhury-Monteith methods was developed to estimate evaporation from soil covered by crop residue, and transpiration from crop canopies. The model describes the energy balance and flux resistances for partially-vegetated and residue-covered surfaces. Physical and biochemical energy storage terms and lateral fluxes are neglected in the model. Net radiation is one of the inputs in the SEB model and provides the energy needed for soil evaporation, crop transpiration and heat transfer through the canopy, soil/residue surfaces and the atmosphere.

A sensitivity analysis of the SEB model parameters showed that …

Dead Man Talking, Zhang Lijia

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

On July 1 this year, a masked man named Yang Jia forced his way into the Zhabei police bureau in Shanghai, armed with a knife. In a killing rampage, he left six policemen dead and four injured. Last Wednesday, the 28-year-old unemployed man from Beijing was executed by lethal injection after the Supreme People’s Court decided to uphold the death sentence.

There was little surprise for the fate of a cop-murderer in a country where more people are thought to be killed by the capital punishment than the rest of the world combined. Yet the accused seems to have become …

A Hand Of Steel In A Velvet Glove: Purpose And Fulfillment Through The Gender Sphere, Sylvie A. Shires

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Modern audiences have come to believe that the nineteenth-century woman was oppressed by a patriarchal society and that until women obtained the vote, they had no voice, and could exert no influence to improve either their lot or that of others. While many scholarly secondary sources, as well as popular culture, strongly support this view, this research challenges it, and posits that this generally accepted interpretation echoes stereotypes that became strong with the second wave of feminism, in the 1960s, but is not representative of nineteenth-century middle-class women in the Anglo-Saxon world.

This research examines the British middle-class woman of …

Global Shanghai News

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

Regular readers of this blog may think it is a bit redundant for me to do a “Self-promotion Saturday” post about Global Shanghai, 1850-2010: A History in Fragments, since I’ve managed to slip references to and images of the cover of my new book onto the site already in recent a piece about the 1980s and one about the Beijing Forum, cell phones, and a Chinese Obama joke.

Still, when you’ve worked on a publication as long as I labored on this one (even though it is a short, it took well over a decade to get from first inspiration …

Epicurean China: A Book Report, Kate Merkel-Hess

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

Browsing the new book shelf of the local public library this week, I noticed not one but a whole selection of books that delve into the regional cuisines of China. Just last summer, Nina and Tim Zagat wrote an op-ed for The New York Times titled, “Eating Beyond Sichuan,” in which they called for greater diversity in the Chinese cuisine dished up around the U.S.—something more akin to the taste bud thrills anyone visiting or living in China experiences on a daily basis. There are intimations of Chinese cuisine diversity to come—such as the much-hailed developments in areas populated by …

Library And Information Support For New Partnership For Africa 'S Development (Nepad), Christopher Nkiko, Felicia O. Yusuf

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) was created in October 2001 as an way of helping Africa extricate itself from the malaise of underdevelopment and exclusion in a globalizing world. Its major objectives include: eradication of poverty, promotion of accelerated growth and sustainable development, halting the marginalization of Africa in the globalizing process, and the empowerment of women. The paper examines preconditions for its success and the specific roles expected of libraries and information centres. Such roles include; popularizing the initiative, providing continental information database, human development, eradication of diseases and poverty through information, information brokerage and environmental scanning, partnering …

Importance Of Information And Communication Technologies (Icts) In Making A Heathy Information Society: A Case Study Of Ethiope East Local Government Area Of Delta State, Nigeria, Monday Obaidjevwe Ogbomo, Esoswo Francisca Ogbomo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

ICTs are crucially important for sustainable development in developing countries. For the past two decades, most developed countries have witnessed significant changes that can be traced to ICTs. These changes have been observed in economics, education, communication, and travel. Many initiatives have been taken at the international level to support Africa's efforts to develop a communication infrastructure and. This study uses a survey that employed a two-part questionnaire that collected data on the personal characteristics of the respondents and their use of ICTs. A sample of 120 respondents was used. The respondents were drawn from the Ethiope East local government …

Early Critics Of Deng Xiaoping—A 1978 Flashback, Jeff Wasserstrom

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

Americans associate bottom-up challenges to Deng Xiaoping with images of the massive 1989 protests. But those demonstrations were not the first acts of dissent Deng had to deal with by any means. More than a decade earlier, right after his Reform era began, came the “Democracy Wall Movement”—named for a Beijing area where critics started putting up posters (some of which warned of Deng becoming a dictator) in 1978. The term “democracy wall” had been used for comparable spaces back in the 1940s (when Chiang Kai-shek’s authoritarianism was being attacked) and again during 1957’s “Hundred Flowers” campaign. The 1957 precedent …

Development Of High Performance Precast/Prestressed Bridge Girders, Amin K. Akhnoukh

Department of Construction Engineering and Management: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Demand continues to increase for bridges with long spans and shallow depths. Due to safety concerns, four-span overpasses are being replaced with two span overpasses to avoid placement of piers near the highway shoulders. In the meantime, the bridge profile is restricted due to existing businesses nearby. Thus, nearly the same superstructure depth must be used for double the span length. This dissertation focuses on topics aiming at providing precast prestressed concrete girders with the shallowest possible depth for a given span. It forms parts of larger projects conducted by the University of Nebraska for the Nebraska Department of Roads …

Observation Of The Doubly Strange B Baryon ΩB-, V. M. Abazov, Kenneth A. Bloom, Gregory Snow, D0 Collaboration

Kenneth Bloom Publications

We report the observation of the doubly strange b baryon Ω_b^- in the decay channel Ω_b^- → J/ψΩ^-, with J/ψ → μ⁺μ^- and Ω^- → ΛK^- → (pπ^-)K^-, in pp collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV. Using approximately 1.3 fb^-1 of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider, we observe 17:8 ± 4.9(stat) ± 0.8(syst) Ω_b^- signal events at a mass of 6.165 ± 0.010(stat) ± 0.013(syst) GeV. The significance of …

Effects Of Shielding Adenoviral Vectors With Polyethylene Glycol On Vector-Specific And Vaccine-Mediated Immune Responses, Eric A. Weaver, Michael A. Barry

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Many individuals have been previously exposed to human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5). This prior immunity has long been known to hinder its use for gene therapy and as a gene-based vaccine. Given these immunogenicity problems, we have tested whether polyethylene glycol (PEG) can blunt immune effects against Ad5 during systemic and mucosal vaccination. Ad5 vectors were covalently modified with 5-, 20-, and 35-kDa linear PEG polymers and evaluated for their ability to produce immune responses against transgene antigen products and the vector itself. We show that shielding Ad5 with different-sized PEGs generally reduces transduction and primary antibody responses by the …

Whose Peoples’ Games?, James Leibold

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

With the self-professed slogans of the Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and the People’s Olympics, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) should have anticipated criticism. It left nothing to chance in hosting the world’s athletes and spectators—gleaming stadia, smiling faces and blue skies: all as ordered. But as many Western observers noted, BOCOG forgot to invite the Chinese people—with security guards, CCTV cameras and robot-like volunteers ensuring little spontaneity or popular emotion at the so-called People’s Games.

In the wake of the unprecedented media coverage of China’s global “coming out party,” few have paused to consider who and …