Digital Commons Network^™

“Species Pollution” In Florida: A Cross-Section Of Invasive Vertebrate Issues And Management Responses, Richard M. Engeman, Bernice Constantin, Scott Hardin, Henry Smith, Walter Meshaka Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The state of Florida as among the two worst invasive species problems in the USA. Besides the sheer numbers of established exotic species in Florida, many present novel difficulties for management, or have other characteristics making effective management extremely challenging. Moreover, initiation of management action requires more than recognition by experts that a potentially harmful species has become established. It also requires the political will along with concomitant resources and appropriate personnel to develop effective methods and apply them. We illustrate various aspects of the situation in Florida with examples of invasive vertebrates, the problems they pose(d), and management approaches …

Geographic Variation In Killer Whale Attacks On Humpback Whales In The North Pacific: Implications For Predation Pressure, Gretchen H. Steiger, John Calambokidis, Janice M. Straley, Louis M. Herman, Salvatore Cerchio, Dan R. Salden, Jorge Urban-R., Jeff K. Jacobsen, Olga Von Ziegesar, Kenneth C. Balcomb, Christine M. Gabriele, Marilyn E. Dahlheim, Senzo Uchida, John K. B. Ford, Paloma Ladron De Guevara-P., Manami Yamaguchi, Jay Barlow

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

We examined the incidence of rake mark scars from killer whales Orcinus orca on the flukes of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae throughout the North Pacific to assess geo- graphic variation in predation pressure. We used 3650 identification photographs from 16 wintering or feeding areas collected during 1990 to 1993 to determine conservative estimates in the percentage of whales with rake mark scarring. Dramatic differences were seen in the incidence of rake marks among regions, with highest rates on wintering grounds off Mexico (26 vs. 14 % at others) and feeding areas off California (20 vs. 6% at others), 2 areas …

Systems Biology: The Solution To Understanding Alcohol-Induced Disorders?, National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism

United States Public Health Resources

With the decoding of the human genome, researchers gained access to extensive information about the molecules in the body, how they function in the healthy organism, and how they may contribute to certain diseases. However, despite this wealth of information, many questions remain about the ways in which these molecules interact to control more complex phenomena, including the development of many common disorders. Systems biology offers scientists a promising tool with which to deal with such complexities and may revolutionize the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of alcohol use disorders and other multifaceted disorders. These new approaches provide researchers with new …

Amphiod Densities And Indices Of Wetland Quality Across The Upper-Midwest, Usa, Michael J. Anteau, Alan D. Afton

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Nutritional, behavioral, and diet data for lesser scaup (Aythya affinis [Eyton, 1838]) indicates that there has been a decrease in amphipod (Gammarus lacustris [G. O. Sars, 1863] and Hyalella azteca [Saussure, 1858]) density and wetland quality throughout the upper-Midwest, USA. Accordingly, we estimated densities of Gammarus and Hyalella in six eco-physiographic regions of Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota; 356 randomly selected semi-permanent and permanent wetlands were sampled during springs 2004 and 2005. We also examined indices of wetland quality (e.g., turbidity, fish communities, aquatic vegetation) among regions in a random subset of these wetlands (n = 267). Gammarus …

Application Of A Geomorphic And Temporal Perspective To Wetland Management In North America, Loren M. Smith, Ned H. Euliss Jr., Douglas A. Wilcox, Mark M. Brinson

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

The failure of managed wetlands to provide a broad suite of ecosystem services (e.g., carbon storage, wildlife habitat, ground-water recharge, storm-water retention) valuable to society is primarily the result of a lack of consideration of ecosystem processes that maintain productive wetland ecosystems or physical and social forces that restrict a manager’s ability to apply actions that allow those processes to occur. Therefore, we outline a course of action that considers restoration of ecosystem processes in those systems where off-site land use or physical alterations restrict local management. Upon considering a wetland system, or examining a particular management regime, there are …

Genomics: Gtl 2008 Strategic Plan, Sharlene Weatherwax

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Table of Contents:
Mission-Inspired Science
GTL Concept and History
National Academy of Sciences Evaluation of GTL Program
GTL’s Fundamental Research Approach to Its Mission
Hallmarks of the GTL Research Approach
Multiscale Explorations
Office of Biological and Environmental Research User Facilities
Metamethods: Metagenomics and Metaproteomics
Robust Computational Framework for GTL Research
GTL Information and Data Sharing Policy
Elaboration of GTL Science for DOE Missions
Systems Biology for Energy Solutions
Systems Biology for Understanding the Carbon Cycle
Planet-Transforming Microbes
Systems Biology for Understanding Contaminant Transport in the Environment
Microbe-Mineral Interface in Contaminated Environments
DOE Office of Science
DOE Office of Biological and …

Gallbladder Cancer Incidence Among American Indians And Alaska Natives, Us, 1999–2004, Shannon M. Lemrow, David G. Perdue, Sherri L. Stewart, Lisa C. Richardson, Melissa Jim, Helen T. French, Judith Swan, Brenda K. Edwards, Charles Wiggins, Lois Dickie, David K. Espey

United States Public Health Resources

BACKGROUND. Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is rare; however, it disproportionately affects the American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) population. The purpose of the study was to characterize GBC among AI/AN in the US population.

METHODS. Cases of GBC diagnosed between 1999 and 2004 and collected by state-based cancer registries were included. Registry records were linked with Indian Health Service (IHS) administration records to decrease race misclassification of AI/AN. GBC rates and/or percent distributions for AI/AN and non-Hispanic whites (NHW) were calculated by sex, IHS region, age, and stage for all US counties and IHS Contract Health Service Delivery Area …

Biotinyl-Methyl 4-(Amidomethyl)Benzoate Is A Competitive Inhibitor Of Human Biotinidase, Keyna Kobza, Kittichai Chaiseeda, Gautam Sarath, James M. Takacs, Janos Zempleni

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

Posttranslational modification of histones by biotinylation can be catalyzed by both biotinidase (BTD) and holocarboxylase synthetase. Biotinylation of histones is an important epigenetic mechanism to regulate gene expression, DNA repair, and chromatin remodeling. The role of BTD in histone biotinylation is somewhat ambiguous, given that BTD also catalyzes removal of the biotin tag from histones. Here, we sought to develop BTD inhibitors for future studies of the role of BTD in altering chromatin structure. We adopted an existing colorimetric BTD assay for use in a novel 96-well plate format to permit high-throughput screening of potential inhibitors. Biotin analogs were chemically …

Primary Neuron/Astrocyte Co-Culture On Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films: A Template For Studying Astrocyte-Mediated Oxidative Stress In Neurons, Srivatsan Kidambi, Ilsoon Lee, Christina Chan

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

We engineered patterned co-cultures of primary neurons and astrocytes on polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films without the aid of adhesive proteins/ligands to study the oxidative stress mediated by astrocytes on neuronal cells. A number of studies have explored engineering co-culture of neurons and astrocytes predominantly using cell lines rather than primary cells owing to the difficulties involved in attaching primary cells onto synthetic surfaces. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of patterned co-culture of primary neurons and astrocytes for studying neuronal metabolism. In our study, we used synthetic polymers, namely poly(diallyldimethylammoniumchloride) (PDAC) and sulfonated poly(styrene) (SPS) as the polycation …

Cell Adhesion On Surfaces Of Varying Topographies, Ilsoon Lee, Christina Chan, Srivatsan Kidambi

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

Micro-topography of a surface influences cell adhesion and proliferation. To improve adhesion, polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are built on patterned support layers to increase surface wettability, thereby improving attachment and spreading of the cells. Physical parameters, such as pattern size and pitch, in part, regulate cell adhesion and proliferation. Varying the surface topography provides a method to influence cell attachment and proliferation for tissue engineering applications.

Home Range And Movements Of Feral Cats On Mauna Kea, Hawai‘I, Daniel M. Goltz, Steven C. Hess, Kevin W. Brinck, Paul C. Banko, Raymond M. Danner

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

Feral cats Felis catus in dry subalpine woodland of Mauna Kea, Hawai‘i, live in low density and exhibit some of the largest reported home ranges in the literature. While 95% fixed kernel home range estimates for three females averaged 772 ha, four males averaged 1 418 ha, and one male maintained a home range of 2 050 ha. Mean daily movement rates between sexes overlapped widely and did not differ significantly (P = 0.083). Log-transformed 95% kernel home ranges for males were significantly larger than those of females (P = 0.024), but 25% kernel home ranges for females were larger …

Evolutionary And Structural Analyses Of Alpha-Papillomavirus Capsid Proteins Yields Novel Insights Into L2 Structure And Interaction With L1, John Lowe, Debasis Panda, Suzanne Rose, Ty Jensen, Willie Hughes, For Yue Tso, Peter C. Angeletti

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Background: PVs (PV) are small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that have been identified as the primary etiological agent for cervical cancer and their potential for malignant transformation in mucosal tissue has a large impact on public health. The PV family Papillomaviridae is organized into multiple genus based on sequential parsimony, host range, tissue tropism, and histology. We focused this analysis on the late gene products, major (L1) and minor (L2) capsid proteins from the family Papillomaviridae genus Alpha-papillomavirus. Alpha-PVs preferentially infect oral and anogenital mucosa of humans and primates with varied risk of oncogenic transformation. Development of evolutionary associations between …

Linking Ecosystem Processes With Wetland Management Goals: Charting A Course For A Sustainable Future, Ned H. Euliss Jr., Loren M. Smith, Douglas A. Wilcox, Bryant A. Browne

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Wetland management in the United States has never been as challenging as in today’s highly modified landscape. Initially, wetland science and management emerged as professions in response to widespread conversion of wetlands to other uses and concerns over negative impacts on wildlife populations, especially migratory birds. Consequently, wetland management was focused on wildlife, and the initial management technique was simply to protect wetlands. However, extensive conversion of lands for agricultural and urban expansion over the past 60 years has modified ecosystem processes at the landscape scale sufficiently to compromise wetland management activities on adjacent lands dedicated to conservation. Moreover, society …

Lipidomic Analysis Of Glioblastoma Multiforme Using Mass Spectrometry, Soo Jung Ha, Gordon Showalter, Shanbao Cai, Haiyan Wang, Wei Michael Liu, Aaron Cohen-Gadol, Jann N. Sarkaria, Jenna Rickus, John Springer, Jiri Adamec, Karen E. Pollok, Kari L. Clase

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant form of primary brain tumors. It is highly invasive and current treatment options have not improved the survival rate over the past twenty years. Novel approaches and technologies from systems biology have the potential to identify biomarkers that could serve as new therapeutic targets for GBM. This study employed lipid profiling technology to investigate lipid biomarkers in ectopic and orthotopic human GBM xenograft models. Primary patient cell lines, GBM10 and GBM43, were injected into the flank and the right cerebral hemisphere of NOD/SCID mice. Tumors were harvested from the brain and …

A Genome-Scale Approach To Phylogeny Of Ray-Finned Fish (Actinopterygii) And Molecular Systematics Of Clupeiformes, Chenhong Li

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The current trends in molecular phylogenetics are towards assembling large data matrices from many independent loci and employing realistic probabilistic models. Large genome-scale data sets shall reduce the sampling error, whereas complex models accommodating heterogeneity among sites and along the phylogenetic tree can decrease systematic errors. The theme of this dissertation project is using both bioinformatic and experimental approaches to develop genome-scale nuclear gene markers and applying them in studies of phylogeny of ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) and systematics of clupeiforms. Bioinformatic tools and computer programs were developed to search for conserved single-copy nuclear genes with long exons. By comparing within …

The Role Of Early Detection And Rapid Response In Thwarting Amphibian And Reptile Introductions In Floridalorida, Todd S. Campbell

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

Prevention is the best policy for dealing with introduced species. However, biologists often spend an inordinate amount of time studying their spread and impacts rather than focusing on what should be done to thwart their establishment in the first place. Amphibian and reptile introductions are reaching epidemic proportions in Florida, largely due to irresponsible behavior by pet owners and the pet industry, but also due to ineffective preventive policies and actions. Prevention of additional amphibian and reptile introductions in Florida will require a comprehensive approach involving legal restrictions of certain problematic species, a massive public education effort, and a well-funded …

Wildlife Contraception: Targeting The Oocyte, Richard E. Mauldin, Lowell A. Miller

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

The USDA’s National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) has successfully researched and developed a number of chemical and immunologically-based wildlife contraceptives. Diazacon™ interferes with cholesterol metabolism and disrupts steroidogenesis, while nicarbazin (registered as OvoControl-P® and OvoControl-G®) disrupts the structure of the vitelline membrane of bird eggs. Immunologically-based agents act to stimulate targeted antibody production. GonaCon™ causes the host’s immune system to bind gonadotropin releasing hormone, preventing ovulation, while SpayVac™ prevents fertilization of the postovulatory oocyte. This kind of target specificity can be highly advantageous. A number of oocyte-only control contraceptive strategies are currently being researched at the NWRC. 4-Vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) …

Nicarbazin Ovocontrol G Bait Reduces Hatchability Of Eggs Laid By Resident Canada Geese In Oregon, Kimberly Bynum, John D. Eisemann, Gary C. Weaver, Christi A. Yoder, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Lowell A. Miller

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Expanding populations of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are resulting in increased conflicts with humans. Nonlethal and humane means are needed for managing Canada goose flocks at a variety of sites, including golf courses, industrial parks, government sites, and city parks. Decreased egg production and hatching are side effects of nicarbazin, a veterinary drug used to treat coccidiosis in chickens. Capitalizing on these effects, we developed nicarbazin as a reproductive inhibitor for Canada geese and conducted a field efficacy study. We recruited study sites in 2002 and 2003. Following laboratory testing, we conducted a field efficacy trial of …

Bionomic Studies Of Papilio Demoleus Linnaeus, The Citrus Butterfly, (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), From Lower Sindh, Pakistan, Arshad Munir, Nikhat Yasmin Siddiqui, Muhammad A. Rafi, Harry Pavulaan, David Wright

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Biological parameters of Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, the Citrus Butterfly, in Tando Muhammad Khan, lower Sindh, Pakistan are presented. This major agricultural pest was reared on Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Curry Leaf) and ten different varieties of Citrus sp. (Citrus) plants. The length of the adult mating period ranged 5 to 8 hours. Following mating, females laid 27.7 ± 3.3 eggs. Eggs hatched in 1.5 to 7 days. Mean durations of larval instars were 1.8 ± 0.1 (minimum) and 2.9 ± 0.1 (maximum) days respectively. Pupal duration was 5.5 to 20 days. Biotic factors including predators [praying mantis, ants, Common Garden …

American Society Of Parasitologists Newsletter, V. 29, No. 1, Spring 2007, Scott Lyell Gardner

American Society of Parasitologists: Newsletter

An issue of the American Society of Parasitologists' quarterly newsletter, also called the Journal of Parasitology Newsletter.

Synthesis And Antimalarial Activity Of New Isotebuquine Analogues, Olga V. Miroshnikova, Thomas H. Hudson, Lucia Gerena, Dennis E. Kyle, Ai J. Lin

United States Army: Publications

Amodiaquine (AQ) and tebuquine are 4-aminoquinoline antimalarials with Mannich base side chain and are highly effective against chloroquine (CQ)-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Clinical use of AQ has been severely restricted due to hepatoxicity and agranulocytosis side effects associated with its long term use. Lysosomal accumulation and bioactivation to generate reactive quinoneimine metabolite are implicated to be the cause of the observed AQ toxicities. To avoid the quinoneimine formation and thus the toxicity, a series of isotebuquine analogues and their N^ω-oxides with hydroxy group meta to the amino rather than in para position of the aniline moiety …

Wmi Outdoor News Bulletin * January 2007, Volume 61, No. 1

Wildlife Management Institute Outdoor News Bulletin

Contents:

• Aquatic Nuisance Species and Predator-Prey workshops at North American Conference

• Ruffed grouse have a plan

• Cellulose may soon take the starch out of ethanol

• Proposal for year-round drilling on critical big game range gains momentum and contention

• Reports of National Bison Range agreement demise prove to be greatly exaggerated

• 76th (2011) North American Conference slated

• Moguls may preempt habitat for threatened lynx

• WMI launches new Website

• Worth reading: The Golden Spruce

Introducing Journal Of Biological Engineering, Mark R. Riley

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Welcome to Journal of Biological Engineering (JBE), the flagship publication of the Institute of Biological Engineering. Biological Engineering is a new and unique discipline that encompasses a wide range of engineering theory and practice connected to and derived from biology. This emerging science-based engineering discipline and related applications are experiencing rapid growth. Prior to publication of JBE there is no refereed publication that encompasses the breadth and depth of biological engineering as a science- based discipline, rather than a collection of applications. Our goal in publishing JBE is to provide a forum for topics that address the foundational …

Fish And Wildlife Benefits Associated With Wetland Establishment Practices, Charles A. Rewa

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

Efforts to establish wetlands through restoration and creation actions have increased in recent decades in response to regulatory and voluntary incentive programs. This paper summarizes the findings of studies conducted to document fish and wildlife response to these practices. The majority of published studies describe bird response to wetland restoration, with most reporting bird communities in restored wetlands to be similar to those of natural reference wetlands. Studies also indicate that invertebrates and amphibians generally respond quickly to and colonize newly established wetland habitats. Key factors reported as correlated with wildlife species richness include wetland size, availability of nearby wetlands …

Applications Of Trace-Element And Stable-Isotope Geochemistry To Wildlife Issues, Yellowstone National Park And Vicinity, Maurice A. Chaffee, Wayne C. Shanks Iii, Robert O. Rye, Charles C. Shwartz, Monique G. Adams, Robert R. Carlson, James G. Crock, Pamela A. Gemery-Hill, Kerry A. Gunther, Cynthia L. Kester, Harley D. King, Shannon R. Podruzny

United States Geological Survey: Publications

Reconnaissance investigations have been conducted to identify how geochemical techniques can be applied to biological studies to assist wildlife management in and near Yellowstone National Park (the Park). Many elements (for example, As, B, Be, Ce, Cl, Cs, F, Hg, K, Li, Mo, Rb, S, Sb, Si, and W) are commonly enriched in (1) thermal waters in the Yellowstone area, (2) rocks altered by these waters, (3) sinter and travertine deposits, and (4) soils and stream sediments derived from these rocks. Some of these elements, such as As, F, Hg, and Mo, may be toxic to wildlife and could be …

Drive-By Netting: A Technique For Capturing Grebes And Other Diving Waterfowl, Joe A. Caudell, Michael R. Conover

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We describe a new method (drive-by netting) for capturing grebes (Podiceps spp.) and other birds that dive under water to escape capture. We used a floating gill net to capture 203 eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis) in 20 days in 1999 on the Great Salt Lake (GSL), 652 eared grebes in 41 days on the GSL in 2000, and 409 grebes in 20 days in 2001. Other species captured during the 2000 and 2001 fi eld seasons included 1 western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis), 9 ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis), and 1 Canada goose (Branta …

Salt And Ph Tunable Resist Patterns On Polyelectrolyte Multilayers, Christina Chan, Ilsoon Lee, Srivatsan Kidambi

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

A method for selectively removing a resist material from the polycationic surface of a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) ?lm, Without disturbing adhering interactions between the cationic ?lm surface and bound biomaterials such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids. The resist material is one that that inhibits or prevents the further deposition of cells or other biomaterial; it thus masks the cationic surface from application of biomaterials. In one embodiment the resist material is a carboxy functional oxyalkylene oligomer. It is removed by exposing the ?lm containing the bound biomaterial and the bound resist material to a pH below 4.5, and/or to …

Cell Adhesion On Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Coated Polydimethylsiloxane Surfaces With Varying Topographies, Srivatsan Kidambi, Natasha Udpa, Stacey A. Schroeder, Robert Findlan, Ilsoon Lee, Christina Chan

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

This article demonstrates that the micro-topography of the surface with respect to the pattern size and pitch influences cell adhesion and proliferation. Extensive research has shown the dependence of cell proliferation on substrate chemistry, but the influence of substrate topography on cell attachment has only recently been appreciated. To evaluate the effect of substrate physical properties (i.e., periodic microstructures) on cell attachment and morphology, we compared the response of several cell types (fibroblasts, HeLa, and primary hepatocytes) cultured on various polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) patterns. PDMS has been used as an artificial construct to mimic biological structures. Although PDMS is widely used …

Androthrips Ramachandrai (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae): An Introduced Thrips In The United States, David W. Boyd, Jr., David W. Held

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

Androthrips ramachandrai Karny is an exotic thrips, assumed to be predacious, and is associated with gall-inducing thrips. It was first reported in the U.S. from FL, and intercepted in CA from Thailand in 2002. We surveyed Ficus spp. with Gynaikothrips-induced galls in AL, CA, FL, HI, LA, MS, and TX, and document that A. ramachandrai is now established in CA, FL, HI, and TX. It probably has been spread by the ornamental horticulture industry. We outline its biology and compare it to a congener A. flavipes, a documented thrips predator. Androthrips ramachandrai has the potential to be a …

Survey Of Phytophagous Insects And Foliar Pathogens In China For A Biocontrol Perspective On Kudzu, Pueraria Montana Var. Lobata (Willd.) Maesen And S. Almeida (Fabaceae), Jiang-Hua Sun, Zhu-Dong Liu, Kerry O. Britton, Ping Cai, David Orr, Judith Hough-Goldstein

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

A three-year survey of kudzu foliage, seed, stems, and roots for associated phytophagous insects was conducted to establish basic information about the insect communities that kudzu harbors in China and to assess the abundance, diversity and damage caused by these insects. Diseases of kudzu were also surveyed in southern China. A total of 116 phytophagous insect species in 31 families and 5 orders were collected from kudzu in China, in six feeding guilds: foliage, sap, stem, terminal, seed and root feeders. The impact of foliage feeders varied from site to site and year to year, and over the course of …