Digital Commons Network^™

Lessons Learned From A 20-Year Collaborative Study On American Black Bears, Jon P. Beckmann, Carl W. Lackey

Human–Wildlife Interactions

In the 1980s, black bears (Ursus americanus) began expanding into historic habitats in northwestern Nevada, USA. Over a period of >30 years, black bears recolonized areas where human populations have also increased. Our research represents one of, if not the longest-running and earliest comparative studies of a black bear population at wildland–urban interface and wildland areas in North America. As the population increased, we observed: 1) increasing human–bear conflicts in areas where several generations of people had lived in almost total absence of bears (70–80+ years); 2) changes in attitudes by the public toward bears and in the …

Black Bears Recolonizing Historic Ranges: Indiana Human–Bear Interactions, Bradford J. Westrich, Emily B. Mccallen, Geriann Albers

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Over a century after extirpation from Indiana, USA, 2 American black bears (Ursus americanus) were confirmed in the state during the summers of 2015 and 2016. The first bear encountered a public and management agency unaccustomed to living with large carnivores, which resulted in intentional and unintentional feedings, habituation, and ultimately its euthanasia. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) attempted to learn from this encounter and began preparing for the next transient black bear. Education materials were created to help minimize human–bear interactions, promote living safely with bears, and inform about what to do when encountering a …

Species Composition And Temporal Patterns Of Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions In Southwest Virginia, Usa, James A. Vance, Walter H. Smith, Gabrielle L. Smith

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Mitigating wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs) is becoming a major wildlife conservation focus, particularly in areas characterized by increased anthropogenic development. Concomitantly, wildlife managers and transportation planners need better information regarding spatiotemporal patterns of WVCs to develop measures that mitigate negative impacts on wildlife. To address this need, in 2015 we conducted a yearlong WVC study in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, USA to determine the species composition of WVCs across mammals, birds, and herpetofauna. In addition, we compared patterns of WVC road mortalities across 2 adjacent routes with different vehicle traffic volumes and evaluated the relationships between temporal variations in WVC …

Motivations And Satisfaction Of North Dakota Deer Hunters During A Temporal Decline In Deer Populations, Kristen E. Black, William F. Jensen, Robert Newman, Jason R. Boulanger

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Achieving state wildlife agency biological goals for deer (Odocoileus spp.) management may often conflict with hunter desires. Concomitantly, better information is needed to optimize agency deer herd management goals with hunters’ social goals. In 2016, we surveyed 3,000 North Dakota, USA, resident deer hunters using a self-administered mail survey to gain a better understanding of motivations, satisfaction, and hunter demographics that may be used to inform hunter recruitment and retention (HRR) efforts during a period of reduced statewide deer populations. With deer-gun license availability strictly limited, we explored the possibility that some gun hunters may have been engaging …

Lead Concentrations In White-Tailed Deer Tissue Due To Retained Bullets, Meghan C. Zimmer, Tod L. Osier

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Mobilization of lead from retained bullets may lead to elevated lead levels in game tissue with consequences for consumers. We investigated lead mobilization in 2 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) carrying retained lead ammunition from previous gunshot wounds. Lead concentrations in muscle tissue of deer with retained lead bullets were in the same range as control deer. In contrast, 1 deer had higher bone lead levels than controls, suggesting mobilization occurred. Our results suggest that lead mobilization to meat from retained lead bullets does not appear to pose a consumption risk for those consuming meat that is physically distant from lead …

A Call For Proactive Human–Bear Conflict Mitigation, Annabella R. Helman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

This commentary serves as a call to action for the creation of proactive mitigation efforts to lessen human–bear conflict based on comprehensive predictive data models.

Developing Technology For Environmental Response To Harmful Algal Blooms (Habs), Ammon Balle, Jason Eldredge, Michael Flores, Kyle Hillman, Ammon Hooper, Jeffrey Jarman, Bethany Jensen, Tyler Lewis

Biological Engineering

• Toxic to humans, domestic animals, fish, and other wildlife

• Immediate symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and skin rash

• Carcinogen

• Liver Toxin

• Withstands high temperatures, changes in pH, photolysis, and hydrolysis

• A main toxin of concern in Utah HABs

The Role Of Climate In The Dynamics Of Annual Plants In A Chihuahuan Desert Ecosystem, Danielle D. Ignace, Nancy Huntly, Peter Chesson

Biology Faculty Publications

Question: What is the role of temporal climate fluctuations in the dynamics of desert winter annual plants in the Portal Bajada, and in the sustained irruption of the non-native annual plant species, Erodium cicutarium?

Field site: Portal Bajada, San Simon Valley, Arizona, USA.

Methods: We counted plants at flowering over a 21-yeaer period on twelve permanent plots and related these numbers to weather data collected at an on-site weather station, supplemented by observations from the National Climate Data Center. Specific summary climate variables considered most relevant to annual plant biology were developed as candidate predictors of plant response variables. …

Synthetic Snake Venom: The Novel Creation Of Crotalid Phospholipase A2 Using Genetic Engineering, Taylor Anderson, Emily Jesgarz, Richard Klein, Andrew Merkley, Alaric Siddoway

Biological Engineering

Antivenin is listed as one of the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines¹, and as such, it is integral to a modern health care system. Antivenin is currently developed through a process of milking venomous animals, in this case, snakes, concentrating the venom, inoculating animals, and isolating antibodies found in their plasma. The aim of this project is to genetically engineer an organism to overexpress common proteins found in snake venom, thereby lowering the cost of antivenin.

Elucidation Of The Molecular Mechanism Through Which Estradiol And Trenbolone Acetate Improve Skeletal Muscle Growth In Beef Cattle, Kara Thornton-Kurth

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Simultaneous Metabolic Quantification To Improve Mechanistic Understanding Of Nutrient Function And Efficacy, Clara E. Cho

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Differential Relations Between Delay Discounting And Distress Tolerance As A Function Of Opportunity Cost And Alcohol Use, Jillian M. Rung, Patrick S. Johnson, Gregory J. Madden

Psychology Faculty Publications

Delay discounting refers to one process by which an individual devalues delayed outcomes. Typical discounting tasks provide no information about events during delays to larger-later rewards. Imposing opportunity costs during the delay increases how steeply delayed rewards are discounted (P. S. Johnson, Herrmann, & Johnson, 2015). The present research evaluated whether distress tolerance (i.e., one's ability to tolerate distressing emotions and events) is related to discounting rates when opportunity costs are low, high, or unspecified. In a sample of predominantly female college students, we partially replicated that delay discounting was related to distress tolerance when opportunity costs were unspecified (significant …

Change & Maintaining Change In School Cafeterias: Economic And Behavioral-Economic Approaches To Increasing Fruit And Vegetable Consumption, Gregory J. Madden, Joseph Price, Heidi Wengreen

Psychology Faculty Publications

Developing a daily habit of consuming fruits and vegetables (FV) in children is an important public-health goal. Eating habits acquired in childhood are predictive of adolescent and adult dietary patterns. Thus, healthy eating patterns developed early in life can protect the individual against a number of costly health deficits and may reduce the prevalence of obesity. At present, children in the United States (US) under-consume FV despite having access to them through the National School Lunch Program. Because access is an obstacle to developing healthy eating habits, particularly in low-income households, targeting children’s FV consumption in schools has the advantage …

Create Myplate Youth Curriculum, Gaelynn Peterson, Sharmi Crowther, Suzanne Prevedel

All Current Publications

This curriculum is divided into two sections: kindergarten through second grade and third grade through sixth grade. This curriculum was adopted by Utah’s Food $ense Program as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and was introduced and delivered to all Nutrition Education assistants and Extension agents in Utah.

Caring For Horses In Cold Weather, Karl Hoopes

All Current Publications

This fact sheet gives tips for providing a suitable environment for horses to live outside in the winter and remain comfortable and healthy,

Pave It Or Plant It, 7th - 12th Grade Curriculum, Nancy Mesner, John Sanders, Tim Beach, Summer Hansen, Mckenna Drew, Gade Andrus, Ellen Bailey, Hannah Jacobson, Cole Patton

All Current Publications

Students will use simple watershed models to measure runoff from natural and urbanized areas. They will graph the data to create and compare the hydrographs of these two different types of watersheds. Students will also map different areas in their neighborhood, calculate the amount of impervious surface in the area, and determine how this affects the volume of stormwater runoff expected from a typical rainstorm. Finally, students will list different types of pollutants that enter the streams from urban areas and learn about possible impacts to the stream. They will also learn about possible methods of reducing these impacts through …

Large Birds Of Prey, Policies That Alter Food Availability And Air Traffic: A Risky Mix For Human Safety, Rubén Moreno-Opo, Antoni Margalida

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Raptors are considered to pose one of the greatest aviation bird strike risk. We investigated raptor bird strikes reported at the largest Spanish airport (Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas; AS-MB) from 2009 to 2016 to determine the factors contributing to the increased incidences and develop recommendations to mitigate the risks. We hypothesized that increased raptor bird strikes resulted from changes in foraging and dispersal patterns of Iberian Peninsula vultures (Aegypius spp. and Gyps spp.) after 2004-2005. We used information on raptor bird strikes obtained from official databases and published studies, reported incidences of raptor bird strikes and their characteristics (i.e., …

Confessions Of A Collaborator: Shoesole And Stewardship Alliance Of Northeast Elko County, Nevada, Robin Boies

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Abstract – The Shoesole Management Team (Shoesole) and the Stewardship Alliance of Northeastern Elko (SANE) are place-based, landowner-organized, natural and human resource conservation initiatives. The Shoesole was organized in 2002 to take a more holistic approach to grazing management issues on two federal livestock grazing allotments. This effort provided the foundation for SANE, which was organized in 2012 by representatives of eight ranches in northeastern Nevada in response to the potential listing of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse). Shoesole and SANE came together voluntarily, as a rancher organized initiative, with a common goal of creating a better …

A “Hammer Held Over Their Heads”: Voluntary Conservation Spurred By The Prospect Of Regulatory Enforcement In Oregon, Katherine L. Wollstein, Emily Jane Davis

Human–Wildlife Interactions

When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) did not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2015, the agency recognized a coordinated effort of private landowners, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and state and federal agencies that effectively reduced threats to the species. This effort exemplified an alternative model to species conservation that relies on voluntary conservation of private landowners to preclude government regulation. Through one in-depth case study of private landowners’ voluntary sage-grouse conservation efforts in Lake County, Oregon, we explored features of these voluntary arrangements that motivate participating private …

Learning To Live With Wolves: Community-Based Conservation In The Blackfoot Valley Of Montana, Seth M. Wilson, Elizabeth H. Bradley, Gregory A. Neudecker

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We built on the existing capacity of a nongovernmental organization called the Blackfoot Challenge to proactively address wolf (Canis lupus)-livestock conflicts in the Blackfoot Valley of Montana. Beginning in 2007, wolves started rapidly recolonizing the valley, raising concerns among livestock producers. We built on an existing program to mitigate conflicts associated with an expanding grizzly bear population and worked within the community to build a similar program to reduce wolf conflicts using an integrative, multi-method approach. Efforts to engage the community included one-on-one meetings, workshops, field tours, and regular group meetings as well as opportunities to participate in …

In The News, Jason Matthews, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Mitigating Projected Impacts Of Climate Change And Building Resiliency Through Permaculture: A Community ‘Bee Inspired Gardens’ Movement In The Desert Southwest, Usa, Roslynn Brain, Jeffrey Adams, Jeremy Lynch

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Permaculture, an integrative design process creating resilient and productive landscapes and communities, can serve as a useful mitigation tool for projected climate change impacts. In the United States, the desert southwest town of Moab, Utah, has employed permaculture design in a community initiative called ‘Bee Inspired Gardens.’ This initiative has harnessed social capital to create resilient landscapes demonstrating pollinator health, water conservation, and perennial food and forage systems. Bee Inspired Gardens have been designed at a University, middle school, charter school, Bureau of Land Management property, hotel, public park, environmental education non-profit, and more. Community members are now harvesting fruit …

Small-Animal Models Of Zika Virus, Justin G. Julander, Venkatraman Siddharthan

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can result in serious consequences, including severe congenital manifestations, persistent infection in the testes and neurologic sequelae. After a pandemic emergence, the virus has spread to much of the new world and has been introduced to many countries outside of endemic areas as infected travelers return to their home countries. Rodent models have been important in gaining a better understanding of the wide range of disease etiologies associated with ZIKV infection and for the initial phase of developing countermeasures to prevent or treat viral infections. We discuss herein the advantages and disadvantages of small animal models …

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda, December 11, 2017, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• EPC December Report
• Council on Teacher Education (CTE) Annual Report
• Scholarship Advisory Board Annual Report
• Policy 405.11.4 External Peer Reviews (first reading)

#280characters, Zachary Grant Bess

USU Student Folklore Fieldwork

[The Chicago Bears use the limit to reference a Saturday Night Live Skit, in Humor]

[I use the new limit to share a longer portion of a classic poem, more than I might have previously, as a proud English Major]

[Student uses satire to mock the new limit, playing the part of an annoying internet user who abuses and overuses the limit]

[a reference to both 420, the marijuana celebration, and a classic meme from It’s Always Sunny in Philidelphia, that explains confusing situations]

[user shows the full limit of how bad this change could be]

[TV Show Law And …

Educational Policies Committee Agenda, December 7, 2017, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Course approvals
• Program proposals
• Academic Standards Subcommittee
• General Education Subcommittee

Educational Policies Committee Minutes, December 7, 2017, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Subcommittee Reports
• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Course Approvals
• Program Proposals
• Academic Standards Subcommittee
• General Education Subcommittee

Curriculum Subcommittee Minutes, December 7, 2017, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Program Proposals

• Offering a Minor in Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Offering a Minor in Animal Biotechnology
• Dropping the BA in International Agribusiness and adding emphasis areas to the existing BS in Agribusiness degree
• Offering an Agriculture and Natural Resources Pre-Law Minor
• Restructuring the BS from the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences into three separate BS degrees
• Establishing a Marketing and Strategic Department
• Offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Studies

Semester Course Approval Reviews

Other

• Zero Credit Classes
• R401 Updates
• Syllabus Update

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda, December 7, 2017, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Program Proposals

• Offering a Minor in Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Offering a Minor in Animal Biotechnology
• Dropping the BA in International Agribusiness and add emphasis areas to the existing BS in Agribusiness degree
• Offering an Agriculture and Natural Resources Pre-Law Minor
• Restructuring the BS into three separate BS degrees
• Establishing a Marketing and Strategic Department
• Offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Studies

Semester Course Approval Reviews

Other

• Zero Credit Classes
• R401 Updates
• Syllabus Update

Best Way To Hunt Deer, Thomas Lee

USU Student Folklore Fieldwork

Text: You know what they say, if you wanna be a great dear hunter, just slow the bullet down to 55 mph