Digital Commons Network^™

Visualization Of The Phylogenetic Content Of Five Genomes Using Dekapentagonal Maps, Olga Zhaxybayeva, Lutz H. Hamel, Jason Raymond, J. Peter Gogarten

Computer Science and Statistics Faculty Publications

The methods presented here summarize phylogenetic relationships of genomes in visually appealing and informative figures. Dekapentagonal maps depict phylogenetic information for orthologous genes present in five genomes, and provide a pre-screen for putatively horizontally transferred genes. If the majority of individual gene phylogenies are unresolved, bipartition histograms provide a means of uncovering and analyzing the plurality consensus. Analyses of genomes representing five photosynthetic bacterial phyla and of the prokaryotic contributions to the eukaryotic cell illustrate the utility of the methods.

Current, February 16, 2004, University Of Missouri-St. Louis

Current (2000s)

No abstract provided.

West Nile Virus: Impact On Crow Populations In The United States, Robert G. Mclean

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Since the introduction of the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (WNV) into New York City (NYC) in 1999, it has expanded westward across the North American continent in an unprecedented fashion, taking in its wake hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of native and exotic birds. Corvid species, particularly the American crow, are particularly susceptible to this virulent strain of virus and have died dramatically during the summer virus transmission season. Experimental studies have shown that the fatality rate from WNV infection in American crows is nearly 100%. This mortality in crows and other corvids was used as a sensitive sentinel …

Operational Field Evaluation Of A Plastic Bulb Reservoir As A Tranquilizer Trap Device For Delivering Propiopromazine Hydrochloride To Feral Dogs, Coyotes, And Gray Wolves, Peter J. Savarie, Daniel S. Vice, Layne Bangerter, Kevin Dustin, William J. Paul, Thomas M. Primus, F. Sherman Blom

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We evaluated a polyethylene bulb reservoir fabricated at the Pocatello Supply Depot, Pocatello, Idaho, as a potential cost savings replacement for the McBride lubber device that is used as a tranquilizer trap device (TTD). The polyethylene devices, also called pipette TTDs, were formulated with 0.6 g of propiopromazine hydrochloride (PPZH) and 0.4 g of ascorbic acid, an antioxidant. The pipette bulb was secured to a 1.6 mm-diameter cable and the cable was attached to the trap jaw. TTD testing was conducted during routine operational control under an Investigational New Animal Drug application (INAD 9528) from the U.S. Food and Drug …

Potential Flotation Devices For Aerial Delivery Of Baits To Brown Treesnakes, Peter J. Savarie, Kenneth L. Tope

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Brown treesnakes are exotic invasive predators that have extirpated native forest birds and caused drastic reductions of lizards on Guam. Operational management control methods to contain the snake on Guam include the use of live traps, hand capture from fences, and canine detection. Live traps are also used to depopulate small forest plots. Toxicants offer an additional means for reducing snake populations on small plots. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe bait stations containing dead neonatal mice (DNM) treated with 80 mg acetaminophen are placed about 1.5 m above the ground in vegetation to reduce exposure to terrestrial scavengers such as …

Daily Eastern News: February 16, 2004, Eastern Illinois University

February

No abstract provided.

The Collegian (2004-02-16), Sonia Mejia

UTB/TSC Archives - The Collegian [Newspaper]

Vol. 56, No. 19

Vol. 26, No. 05 (February 16, 2004)

Indiana Law Annotated

No abstract provided.

February 16, 2004 Reporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Undergraduate Curriculum And Academic Policy Committee Minutes, February 16, 2004

Undergraduate Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee Minutes

Minutes from the Wright State University Faculty Senate Undergraduate Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee meeting held on February 16, 2004.

Evaluation Of Three Contraceptive Approaches For Population Control In Wild Horses, Gary Killian, Lowell A. Miller, Nancy K. Diehl, Jack Rhyan, David Thain

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Overpopulation of feral horses in several western states is an unquestioned problem. Current management strategies of removal and adoption are expensive, logistically challenging, and ineffective as a means of population control. We are testing three long-acting contraceptive approaches on feral Nevada mares. Modified reversible immunocontraceptive vaccines for gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and porcine zona pellucida (F'ZP) (SpayVac), and intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs), are being evaluated to determine: I) their safety and efficacy for preventing pregnancy for multiple years, 2) whether the effects are reversible, and 3) whether there are notable contraindications. Preliminary data after 1 year suggest that IUD- and …

Expression Profiling Of Mammalian Micrornas Uncovers A Subset Of Brain-Expressed Micrornas With Possible Roles In Murine And Human Neuronal Differentiation, Lorenzo F. Sempere, Sarah Freemantle, Ian Pitha-Rowe, Eric Moss, Ethan Dmitrovsky, Victor Ambros

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: The microRNAs (miRNAs) are an extensive class of small noncoding RNAs (18 to 25 nucleotides) with probable roles in the regulation of gene expression. In Caenorhabditis elegans , lin-4 and let-7 miRNAs control the timing of fate specification of neuronal and hypodermal cells during larval development. lin-4 , let-7 and other miRNA genes are conserved in mammals, and their potential functions in mammalian development are under active study. Results: In order to identify mammalian miRNAs that might function in development, we characterized the expression of 119 previously reported miRN As in adult organs from mouse and human using northern …

Weight And Age Of Coyotes Captured In Virginia, John M. Houben, J. Russell Mason

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We recorded the weight and age of 70 coyotes collected during depredation control efforts in western Virginia. Mean masses for adult male and female coyotes were 16.2 and 13.4 kg, respectively. Juvenile male and female coyotes weighed 14.0 and 13.0 kg, respectively. Regardless of sex, mean mass was greatest between November and January and comparable to that reported for coyotes throughout the eastern United States. Cementum aging indicated that 71% of the coyotes captured were greater than 1 year of age. Numerical trends suggest that age and sex may influence vulnerability to capture.

Response Of Roosting Turkey Vultures To A Vulture Effigy, Thomas W. Seamans

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Increasing populations of turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) and black vultures (Coragyps atratus) cause concerns for human health and safety in areas where large roosting concentrations occur. Dead bird effigies are one proposed method of dispersing roosting vultures. In 1999 and 2000, tests were conducted using a supine and hanging turkey vulture effigy (a taxidermy mount) to disperse a vulture roost in a tower in northern Ohio. In all tests, fewer (P ≤ 0.04) vultures were observed in the roost during the treatment period when compared to the pretreatment period. In tests ending in fall migration the …

Keynote Address: Breathing Lessons, J. Russell Mason

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Current issues in wildlife damage management and the protection of human health and safety arise from the successful application of traditional methods by state and federal managers. The paradox is that these same methods are increasingly controversial. Within this constraint, management strategies may be difficult to implement. In California, for example, protecting state-threatened foxes could mean killing federally protected golden eagles. In Utah, restoring Gunnison sage grouse may require the sustained lethal suppression of predator populations unless or until habitat can be restored. The obvious fact is that these are unpopular choices, and special interest groups frequently oppose selective intervention, …

Contraception Of Bison By Gnrh Vaccine: A Possible Means Of Decreasing Transmission Of Brucellosis In Bison, Lowell A. Miller, Jack C. Rhyan, Mark Drew

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Preventing pregnancy in brucellosis-infected bison (Bison bison) provides a potential means of preventing transmission of disease. To determine whether a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine was effective in reducing pregnancy in bison and to study the safety of injecting GnRH in pregnant bison, a study was conducted at the Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Health Laboratory in Caldwell, Idaho (USA). Four pregnant and two non-pregnant female bison were given a single injection of GnRH vaccine, and five pregnant adult females were given a sham injection that contained only adjuvant. Three of the GnRH-vaccinated bison that were pregnant at the …

Fertility Control Of California Ground Squirrels Using Gnrh Immunocontraception, Paul B. Nash, David K. James, Lucia T. Hui, Lowell A. Miller

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Population of wildlife, such as California ground squirrels, can grow to the extent that they come in conflict with humans. Contraception is a method of population management under investigation that may be useful in situations where neither leaving the animals uncontrolled nor lethal control are apropos. In this study, we tested the use of a single-injection gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) immunocontraceptive vaccine in urban California ground squirrels. We monitored the effects of treatment for two breeding seasons. Immunization reduced the proportion of females lactating by 91% the first year and 96% in the second year. Testicular development was inhibited 35% …

Effects Of Forage Nutritional Quality (Energy And Protein) On Deer Acceptance Of Foods Containing Secondary Metabolites, Dale L. Nolte, Bruce A. Kimball, Kelly R. Perry, Juan J. Villalba, Frederick D. Provenza

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Deer foraging on tree seedlings is recognized as the most widespread detriment to reforestation efforts. Non-lethal approaches to reduce deer damage to seedlings are highly desirable. Avoidance of natural secondary metabolites contained in conifers may provide feasible means to develop non-lethal measures. Other studies have demonstrated that sheep and goats fed diets with high protein-to-energy ratios, or allowed to select between concentrates high in either energy or protein, ate much more of a high-terpene diet and of a high-tannin diet than when they were fed diets high in energy-to-protein ratios. Thus, manipulating foraging options for deer may impact their ability …

Bird Depredations In Uruguayan Vineyards, Ethel N. Rodriguez, Guadalupe Tiscornia, Mark E. Tobin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Many species of birds in Uruguay frequent vineyards and damage grapes, both species that are considered crop pests and species that are protected by law because their conservation and protection are desirable. We surveyed 70 farmers in the Department of Canalones, the main grape growing region in Uruguay, to determine their perceptions about the nature and severity of bud depredations and the methods being employed to reduce such damage. Sixty-seven percent of respondents reported receiving damage from birds. Bird depredations were considered a serious problem by 58% of respondents, a moderate problem by 19% of respondents, and a minor problem …

Cervid Disease Research At The National Wildlife Research Center, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Mike Lavelle, Dale L. Nolte, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Jason Gilsdorf

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The realized and perceived threats of cervid diseases have immense implications for federal and state wildlife management agencies, captive cervid ranchers, hunters, and businesses and economies that rely on recreation associated with deer and elk. Therefore, the spread of diseases, primarily chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis, in wild and captive cervids is of great concern. Research is paramount to closing information gaps associated with all aspects of cervid diseases. The Wildlife Disease Research Program of the USDA APHIS WS National Wildlife Research Center is engaged in considerable research on cervid diseases. Efforts focus on disease epidemiology, cervid ecology, and …

In Situ Cardiac Performance Of Pacific Bluefin Tuna Hearts In Response To Acute Temperature Change, Jason M. Blank, Jeffery M. Morrissette, Ana M. Landeira-Fernandez, Susanna B. Blackwell, Thomas D. Williams, Barbara A. Block

Biological Sciences

This study reports the cardiovascular physiology of the Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in an in situ heart preparation. The performance of the Pacific bluefin tuna heart was examined at temperatures from 30°C down to 2°C. Heart rates ranged from 156 beats min^–1 at 30°C to 13 beats min^–1 at 2°C. Maximal stroke volumes were 1.1 ml kg^–1 at 25°C and 1.3 ml kg^–1 at 2°C. Maximal cardiac outputs were 18.1 ml kg^–1 min^–1 at 2°C and 106 ml kg^–1 min^–1 at 25°C. These data indicate that cardiovascular function in …

Spring Dispersal Patterns Of Red-Winged Blackbirds, Agelaius Phoeniceus, Staging In Eastern South Dakota, H.J. Homan, G. M. Linz, Richard M. Engeman, L.B. Penry

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are very abundant summer residents throughout the Prairie Pothole Region of central Norht America. In late summer they assemble in post-breeding flocks that cause significant amounts of agricultural damage, particularly in sunflower fields near natal sites. In April 2001, we aerially color-marked ~370,000 Red-winged Blackbirds near Badger, South Dakota (44°48'N, 97°21'W), to determine if migrants staging here were summer residents in sunflower production areas ~350 km to the northwest. We measured patterns of migratory dispersal by collecting birds in 54 randomly selected blocks in the north central U.S. and the Prairie Provinces of Canada. …

The Portland Spectator, February 2004, Portland State University. Student Publications Board

Portland Spectator

Editor: Shahriyar Smith

Articles in this issue include: Two sides of the same coin: the political motivations behind foreign policy criticism; Fighting for the right to choose: school vouchers and the liberal hypocrisy of choice; and The political problem of Islam.

Biopotentials Of Ulva Fasciata And Hypnea Musciformis Collected From The Peninsular Coast Of India, Joseph Selvin, Aaron Premnath Lipton

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The secondary metabolites of seaweeds Ulva fasciata and Hypnea musciformis, collected form southeast and southwest coast of India, were tested for biotoxicity potential. Both species showed potent activity in antibacterial, brine shrimp cytotoxicity, larvicidal, antifouling and ichthyotoxicity assays. The green alga U. fasciata exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity whereas the red alga H. musciformis showed narrow spectrum antibacterial activity. The brine shrimp cytotoxicity profile indicated that the seaweeds were moderately toxic. The overall activity profile indicated that U. fasciata contained more biological potency than H. musciformis.

Could Blackbird Mortality From Avicide Drc-1339 Contribute To Avian Botulism Outbreaks In North Dakota?, Diana R. Goldberg, Michael D. Samuel, Tonie E. Rocke, Kevin M. Johnson, George M. Linz

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Blackbird (family Icteridae) depredation on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) crops in the prairie states of the United States has motivated the proposed use of an avicide, DRC-1339 (3-chloro-4-methylaniline), to decrease their numbers. The resulting mortality of blackbirds at wetland roosts could increase the potential of avian botulism occurring in affected marshes. To assess this possibility, we seeded (artificially placed) blackbird carcasses in selected wetlands in Stutsman County, North Dakota, during August–September 2000 and July–September 2001 to evaluate their rate of decomposition and role in initiating avian botulism outbreaks. We monitored carcasses to determine their persistence, the frequency and amount …

Gender, Discourse, And Desire In Twentieth-Century Brazilian Women's Literature, Cristina Ferreira-Pinto

Purdue Studies in Romance Literatures

This study by Cristina Ferreira-Pinto explores the poetic and narrative strategies twentieth-century Brazilian women writers use to achieve new forms of representation of the female body, sexuality, and desire. Female writers discussed include: Gilka Machado, Lygia Fagundes Telles, Marcia Denser, and Marina Colasanti. While creating new forms, these writers are also deconstructing cultural myths of femininity and female behavior. In order to understand these myths, the book also presents new readings of some male-authored canonical novels by Jose de Alencar, Machado de Assis, Manuel Antonio de Almeida, and Aluisio Azevedo. The specific focus on female sexuality and desire acknowledges the …

Dispersal Characteristics Of Swift Foxes, J.F. Kamler, Warren B. Ballard, Eric M. Gese, R.L. Harrison, Seija M. Karki

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

From 1997 to 2001, we monitored movements of 109 adult and 114 juvenile swift foxes, Vulpes velox (Say, 1823), at study sites in Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas to determine patterns of dispersal. Significantly more male (93%) than female (58%) juveniles dispersed, and both sexes had similar bimodal dispersal patterns with peaks in September–October and January–February. Adult dispersal occurred more evenly throughout the year, and significantly more male (32%) than female (5%) adults dispersed. Adult males tended to disperse after the death of their mate. Of dispersing foxes with known fates, settlement percentages in new territories were similar between juvenile …

Cheloniidae (Marine Turtle) Nest Predation, John Woolard, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, John Griner

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

On 19 June 2003 at 0217 h, an opossum (Didelphis virginiana) was observed for 10 min while digging into a marine turtle nest and eating 4 eggs on the beach at St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park (SLIPSP) on Jupiter Island, Florida. The predation event was observed using night vision equipment as part of nightly patrols to protect turtle nests from raccoon (Procyon lotor) and armadillo (Dasypus noverncinctus) predation during the nesting season. After verification of an ongoing predation event, the opossum was euthanized and removed. Prior to implementing predator removal on this beach, …

Vulture-Cattle Interactions At A Central Florida Ranch, John S. Humphrey, Eric A. Tillman, Michael L. Avery

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Black vulture depredations to newborn livestock, poultry, and other captive animals have been reported from at least 15 states, and during the 1990s, reports of depredations increased annually by an average of 18%. In response to this issue, we initiated a study at Buck Island Ranch of the MacArthur Agro-Ecology Research Center in central Florida to examine interactions between cattle and vultures. Based on previous reports, we hypothesized that vulture predation selectively targets calves of young, inexperienced cows. To document vulture activity, we conducted point counts of vultures in pastures throughout the ranch from January 2000 to March 2001. During …

Coyote Depredation Management: Current Methods And Research Needs, Brian R. Mitchell, Michael M. Jaegar, Reginald H. Barrett

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

This paper examines the severity of livestock depredation by coyotes (Canis latrans), reviews evidence implicating breeding (or “alpha”) coyotes in the majority of incidents, evaluates currently used depredation control techniques, and suggests directions for future research. Nonlethal control ranges from varied animal husbandry practices to coyote behavioral modification or sterilization. These methods show significant promise but have not been proven effective in controlled experiments. Therefore, many livestock producers rely on lethal control, and most employ nonselective strategies aimed at local population reduction. Sometimes this approach is effective; other times it is not. This strategy can fail because the …