Digital Commons Network^™

Scavenging By Vertebrates: Behavioral, Ecological, And Evolutionary Perspectives On An Important Energy Transfer Pathway In Terrestrial Ecosystems, Travis L. Devault, Olin E. Rhodes Jr., John A. Shivik

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Carrion use by terrestrial vertebrates is much more prevalent than conventional theory implies, and, rather than a curiosity of animal behavior, is a key ecological process that must be accounted for. Human aversion to rotted substances and difficulties associated with identifying scavenged material in studies of food habits have contributed to the relative lack of information concerning scavenging behavior in vertebrates. Several lines of evidence, however, suggest that carrion resources are more extensively used by vertebrates than has been widely assumed: 1) a substantial number of animals die from causes other than predation and become available to scavengers, 2) a …

Parasite Remains In Archaeological Sites, Françoise Bouchet, Niéde Guidon, Katharina Dittmar, Stephanie Harter, Luiz F. Ferreira, Sérgio A.M. Chaves, Karl J. Reinhard, Adauto Araújo

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Organic remains can be found in many different environments. They are the most significant source for paleoparasitological studies as well as for other paleoecological reconstruction. Preserved paleoparasitological remains are found from the driest to the moistest conditions. They help us to understand past and present diseases and therefore contribute to understanding the evolution of present human sociality, biology, and behavior. In this paper, the scope of the surviving evidence will be briefly surveyed, and the great variety of ways it has been preserved in different environments will be discussed. This is done to develop to the most appropriated techniques to …

Estimates Of Genetic Parameters And Genetic Change For Reproduction, Weight, And Wool Characteristics Of Targhee Sheep, Kathryn J. Hanford, L. Dale Van Vleck, G. D. Snowder

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Genetic parameters from both single-trait and bivariate analyses for prolificacy, weight, and wool traits were estimated using REML with animal models for Targhee sheep from data collected from 1950 to 1998 at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID. Breeding values from both single-trait and seven-trait analyses calculated with the parameters estimated from the single-trait and bivariate analyses were compared across years of birth with respect to genetic trends. The numbers of observations were 38,625 for litter size at birth and litter size at weaning, 33,994 for birth weight, 32,715 for weaning weight, 36,807 for fleece weight and fleece grade, …

Predator Odours As Reproductive Inhibitors For Norway Rats, Vera V. Voznessenskaya, Sergey V. Naidenko, Natalia Yu. Feoktistova, Georgy J. Krivomazov, Lowell A. Miller, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We examined the influence of predator odor on reproductive output of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus). Naive laboratory rats responded to predator chemical cues with reduced litter sire and skewed sex ratio. We found that exposure to predator urine had its greatest effect on implantation and maintenance of implantation when predator urine was applied to the bedding of rats during the first third of gestation. Based on the physical appearance of corpora lutea and uterine implantation scars, we found that the reduction in litter sire was due to resolution of the embryos during the early part of gestation. Subsequently, …

Gray Whales Off Sakhalin Island, Russia: June – September 2001: A Joint U.S. – Russia Scientific Investigation, David W. Weller, Alexander M. Burdin, Amanda L. Bradford, Grigory A. Tsidulko, Yulia V. Ivashchenko, Robert L. Brownell Jr.

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Numerous species of marine mammals inhabit the Sea of Okhotsk. Two of the most endangered populations of large whales in the world; the Okhotsk Sea bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) and the western North Pacific (Okhotsk-Korean) gray whale are known to occur in this sea (Brownell et al., 1997; Clapham et al., 1999). Concerns regarding the status of these whale populations have been intensified by the onset of offshore oil and gas development programs in Okhotsk waters. Anthropogenic activities related to oil and gas exploration off the northeastern Sakhalin Island shelf include geophysical seismic surveying, drilling and production operations, …

Unopa Notes, Volume 41, Issue 6, February 2003

UNOPA: Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Ard News February 2003

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:
Comments from the Dean
Endeavors
116th ARD Annual Report
Priority Program William G. Whitmore Student Travel Endowment
How to State the Value of Your Research
New or Revised Projects
Grants and Contracts Received
Proposals Submitted for Federal Grants
2002 Graduate Student Survey

A Comprehensive Review Of The Ecological And Human Social Effects Of Artificial Feeding And Baiting Of Wildlife, L. Dunkley, M.R.L. Cattet

Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre: Newsletters and Publications

In recent years, events within Canada and the United States have drawn attention to potential negative consequences of feeding and baiting wild animals, especially enhanced transmission of infectious diseases such as bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease. This report was prepared to gather available science-based information on the ecological and human social effects of artificial feeding and baiting of wildlife into one readily accessible document. The contracting agencies, Parks Canada and Saskatchewan Environment, recognize that an objective review of existing literature may help to answer questions and concerns within and outside the agencies, and help to guide subsequent decision-making concerning …

University Of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Connect, February 2003

Connect (University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension)

Inside this issue:

pg. 3 Group food safety
pg. 4 Drought education
pg. 7 Life skills focus

Nebline, February 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Access Extension’s Extensive Resources On the Information Highway
An Inside Look at lancaster.unl.edu
2003 All-America Rose Selections
Garden Guide
Hints for Starting Transplants
Azalea Plant Care
Check for Vole Damage
Hunting Workshop: Spring Turkey
Protect Your Well Water
Natural Insecticides Aren.t Always So Safe
Chemigation Training Feb. 18
Computerized Financial Record Keeping Workshops
Unwanted Pesticide Collection March 17
Workshop Dates and Locations
Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map
Selling Horticulture Produce
Selecting and Using Hardwood Firewood
Cleaning the Kitchen Cupboard: Can This Food Be Saved?
Healthy Eating: Enjoy Nebraska Foods
Making the Five Food Groups “Come Alive” for Pathways Families
Web …

Temporal Genetic Variation In A Coyote (Canis Latrans) Population Experiencing High Turnover, Christen Lenney William, Karen Blejwas, John J. Johnston, Michael M. Jaeger

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are mobile, adaptable canids found in a wide range of habitats across North America, with range extensions into previously unoccupied areas in the western and eastern United States. Although long-distance dispersal capabilities in both sexes (Harrison 1992) and relatively large proportions of transient coyotes that do not exhibit fidelity to a single territory (typically 13–34% of a population— Andelt 1985; Windberg and Knowlton 1988) suggest that coyotes exist as a panmictic population, other aspects of coyote behavior may increase the likelihood of local population structure.

Mapping The Fas Locus Controlling Stearic Acid Content In Soybean, M. M. Spencer, V. R. Pantalone, E. J. Meyer, D. Landau-Ellis, D. L. Hyten Jr.

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Increasing the stearic acid content to improve soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr] oil quality is a desirable breeding objective for food-processing applications. Although a saturated fatty acid, stearic acid has been shown to reduce total levels of blood cholesterol and offers the potential for the production of solid fat products (such as margarine) without hydrogenation. This would result in the reduction of the level of trans fat in food products and alleviate some current health concerns. A segregating F₂ population was developed from the cross between Dare, a normal stearic acid content cultivar, and FAM94-41, a high stearic …

Self-Study Report Of The Department Of Agricultural Leadership, Education And Communication

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Materials and History

Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (AgLEC) is a department in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The department was established as a result of a 1992 merger between the departments of Agricultural Education and Agricultural Communication. The mission of the department is to foster human capacity in leadership, education and communication through innovative teaching, research, and outreach. The AgLEC faculty reports to a department head, and are accountable to the respective deans of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), the Agricultural Research Division (ARD), and the Cooperative Extension Division (CED), depending …

Aglec Graduate Academic Program

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Materials and History

From a PowerPoint Presentation (27 slides)

Recent Significant Events
Student Credit Hours (Fall Only)
800 Level Student Credit Hours (Fall Only) 1996-2004
900 Level Student Credit Hours (Fall Only) 1996-2004
Graduate Student Credit Hours (Fall Only) 1996-2004
Total Graduate Student Credit Hours (Fall Only)
Master’s Degree Changes
Class Registration/Credit Hours (Fall Semesters) 1998-2004
Current MS, PhD Advisees
Master Degrees Awarded
Doctoral Degrees Awarded
Areas Of Graduate Excellence
Areas Requiring Improvement
Teaching-Learning Task Force

Models With Cytoplasmic Effects For Birth, Weaning, And Fleece Weights, And Litter Size At Birth For A Population Of Targhee Sheep, L. Dale Van Vleck, G. D. Snowder, Kathryn J. Hanford

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Fifteen models were compared for the birth weight of 33,994 lambs recorded at the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station (1950 to 1998). The initial intent was to estimate fractions of variance due to cytoplasmic line (c²; n = 892) and sire by cytoplasmic line interaction (sc²; n = 17,557). The basic model included direct genetic (fractional variance, a²; n = 35,684), maternal genetic (m2, with correlation r-am), and maternal permanent environmental (p²; n = 8,418) effects. The model with sc² was significantly better than the basic model with and without c2. When …

Wattle Size Is Correlated With Male Territorial Rank In Juvenile Ring-Necked Pheasants, Anna Papeschi, John P. Carroll, Francesco Dessi-Fulgheri

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

We used morphological measurements and behavioral observations to investigate the relationship between male ornaments and male social rank during the breeding season in a free-ranging population of one-year-old Ring-necked Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). The sample was of birds of the same age class to avoid the confounding effect of age differences. Tail length, used by females in mate choice, and tarsal spur length, used by males as a weapon in fights, were not correlated with male rank, whereas the size of the wattle was the most important trait. This combined with recent studies showing that wattle size reliably indicates …

G03-1514 Use Of Feed Contaminated With Fungal (Mold) Toxins (Mycotoxins), Michael P. Carlson, Steve M. Ensley

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Mycotoxins are chemicals produced by fungi (molds) under certain conditions. They are not essential for fungal growth or reproduction, and they are toxic to animals or humans. They are naturally occurring chemicals found in grains, food and feed consumed by humans and animals and cannot be completely avoided. Accordingly, we try to control the amount of such chemicals ingested by humans and animals.

The purpose of this NebGuide is to provide guidelines on use of mycotoxin-contaminated feeds.

A Protein Kinase From Colletotrichum Trifolii Is Induced By Plant Cutin And Is Required For Appressorium Formation, M. B. Dickman, Y.-S. Ha, Z. Yang, B. J. Adams, C. Huang

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

When certain phytopathogenic fungi contact plant surfaces, specialized infection structures (appressoria) are produced that facilitate penetration of the plant external barrier; the cuticle. Recognition of this hydrophobic host surface must be sensed by the fungus, initiating the appropriate signaling pathway or pathways for pathogenic development. Using polymerase chain reaction and primers designed from mammalian protein kinase C sequences (PKC), we have isolated, cloned, and characterized a protein kinase from Colletotrichum trifolii, causal agent of alfalfa anthracnose. Though sequence analysis indicated conserved sequences in mammalian PKC genes, we were unable to induce activity of the fungal protein using known activators …

Restoration Of The Red Wolf, Michael K. Phillips, V. Gary Henry, Brian T. Kelly

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

"WOLFERS" IN NORTHEASTERN North Carolina were busy on February 5, 1768. Records from the Tyrrell County courthouse read:

Giles Long and Thomas Wilkinson awarded one pound for a certified wolf scalp; Jeremiah Norman awarded two pounds for certified wolf and wild-cat scalps; Davenport Smithwick awarded one pound for a certified wolf-scalp.

Such was the nature of the war on the wolf: people killed them for money. The belief of the time held that the war was necessary because it was humankind's manifest destiny to tame the wilderness. And for the wilderness to be tame, the wolf had to be exterminated. …

Wolf-Prey Relations, L. David Mech, Rolf O. Peterson

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

AS 1 (L. o. MECH) watched from a small ski plane while fifteen wolves surrounded a moose on snowy Isle Royale, I had no idea this encounter would typify observations I would make during 40 more years of studying wolf-prey interactions.

My usual routine while observing wolves hunting was to have my pilot keep circling broadly over the scene so I could watch the wolves' attacks without disturbing any of the animals. Only this time there was no attack. The moose held the wolves at bay for about 5 minutes (fig. p), and then the pack left.

From this observation …

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Does Not Improve Insulin Tolerance In Mice, Kimberly M Hargrave, Michael J. Azain, Stephen D. Kachman, Jess Miner

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

Objective: To determine if the addition or removal of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) would alter insulin tolerances in mice from two genetic lines.

Research Methods and Procedures: High metabolic rate (MH) and low metabolic rate (ML) mice were assigned to consume 1) a control diet ad libitum, 2) a control diet at a restricted intake, or 3) a diet containing 1% CLA ad libitum. After 9 weeks, an insulin tolerance test was conducted, and a portion of the mice were killed. All remaining mice consumed the control diet ad libitum. Insulin tolerance tests were conducted 11 and 32 days …

Teaching Circles: Making Inquiry Safe For Faculty, Laurel Black, Mary Ann Cessna

Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education: Archives

How can I improve my teaching? Pressured by a need for high student ratings and administrative demands for excellence in teaching, faculty find a haven and room to learn in teaching circles.

Ecophysiology Of Seedlings Of Three Mediterranean Pine Species In Contrasting Light Regimes, Tala Awada, Kalliopi Radoglou, Mariangela N. Fotelli, Helen I. A. Constantinidou

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Seasonal dynamics of net photosynthesis (A_net) in 2-year-old seedlings of Pinus brutia Ten., Pinus pinea L. and Pinus pinaster Ait. were investigated. Seedlings were grown in the field in two light regimes: sun (ambient light) and shade (25% of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)). Repeated measures analyses over a 12-month period showed that A_net varied significantly among species and from season to season. Maximum A_net in sun-acclimated seedlings was low in winter (yet remained positive) and peaked during summer. Maximum A_net was observed in June in P. pinea (12 μmol m^–2 s^–1), …

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter Newsletter, Issue #26 [#27], August 2003

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter: Newsletters

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Terrance P. Riordan, President, Gamma Sigma Delta

IN MEMORIAM

RECOMMENDED BYLAWS CHANGE

GAMMA SIGMA DELTA MEMBERSHIP REPORT (PRELIMINARY)-2003

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION! LIFE HISTORY FORM ENCLOSED

GAMMA SIGMA DELTA SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNITION RECEPTION

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP TO GAMMA SIGMA DELTA August 2003

Merit Award Nomination

Teaching Award Nomination

Research Award Nomination

Extension Award Nomination

Ballot for Gamma Sigma Delta Treasurer

GAMMA SIGMA DELTA COMMITTEES, 2003

Future Directions In Marine Mammal Research: Report Of The Marine Mammal Commission Consultation

United States Marine Mammal Commission

Future Directions in Marine Mammal Research: Report of the Marine Mammal Commission Consultation

Intsormil 2003 Annual Report, John M. Yohe, Thomas Crawford Jr., Kimberly Christiansen, Joan Frederick

INTSORMIL Impacts and Bulletins

From 1980 to 1999, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the number of food-insecure people in developing countries fell from 920 million to about 800 million, yet in 2003, the International Food Policy Research Institute declared that "without significant changes in policies, public investments, and institutions, we simply will not achieve the 1996 World Food Summit goal-reaffirmed at the 2000 Millennium Summit and again last year at the World Food Summit: five years later of reducing the number of our fellow human beings who are food insecure by at least half by no later …

Nf03-580 Upper Safe Levels Of Intake For Adults: Vitamins, Macrominerals, And Trace Minerals, Judy A. Driskell

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Our bodies need vitamins and essential minerals; however, if taken in large amounts, they can adversely affect our health. In fact, large amounts of many of the vitamins and minerals can be toxic.

This NebFact discusses the nutritional status, dietary reference intakes, nutrient toxicity, and tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) of vitamins and essential macro- and trace minerals for adults.

G03-1504 Lime Use For Soil Acidity Management, Martha Mamo, Charles S. Wortmann, Charles A. Shapiro

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Soil acidity can reduce crop production by directly affecting roots and changing the availability of essential nutrients and toxic elements. Liming can neutralize soil acidity, but several factors can affect the economic benefits of liming. With continuous cropping, soil pH can decrease (i.e., increase in acidity) because of various factors, including crop removal and leaching of basic cations, application of ammoniabased nitrogen fertilizers, and organic matter decomposition. Adding lime or other materials can raise soil pH to the ideal range for crop production, create an environment for a healthy function of microbes, and increase the levels of calcium or magnesium …

History Of Food Acceptance Research In The Us Army, Herbert L. Meiselman, Howard G. Schutz

United States Army: Publications

The history of food acceptance research by the US Army in Chicago and Natick is reviewed. The review covers the staff of the two research centers, the research programs, and the significant accomplishments of the Army laboratories from the 1940s to the present. Accomplishments begin with the development of the nine-point hedonic scale, and the development of the first Food Acceptance Laboratory. Further accomplishments include studies of sensory psychophysics, food preferences, food choice and food intake. The laboratories designed methods and conducted research on the role of consumer variables in the acceptance of food products and food service systems. Recent …

Impact 2003, David R. Smith, Gary Rupp, Azzeddine M. Azzam, David Baltensperger, Delynn Hay, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Keith Glewen, James R. Rosowski, Donald A. Wilhite, Steven R. Melvin, John C. Allen, Steve Taylor, Ken Wurdeman, Mike Brumm, Alex Martin, Chris R. Calkins, Robert G. Wilson Jr., Chuck Hibberd, Don C. Adams, Richard T. Clark, Brent Plugge

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources: News Releases

Index

Competitive Agricultural Systems in a Global Economy

Biosecurity Education .................................................. 1

Calf Scours Prevention System .................................................. 2

Center for Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization .................................................. 3

Chickpeas as an Alternative Crop .................................................. 5

.................................................. 6

Dry Ethanol Byproducts for Farms and Ranches .................................................. 7

Indoor Prawn Production .................................................. 8

National Drought Mitigation Center .................................................. 9

Republican River Basin Irrigation Management Project .................................................. 11

Small Farm and Ranch Profitability Project .................................................. 12

Sorting and Mixing Pigs .................................................. 14

WeedSOFT Aids Weed Management Decisions ....................................15

New Beef Products Add Value* ....................................16

Panhandle Chicory Production* ....................................18

Ranch Practicum* .................................... 19

Turf Grass …