Digital Commons Network^™

Giant African Snail, Achatina Fulica, As A Snail Predator, Wallace Meyer, Kenneth Hayes, Amanda Meyer

Department of Biology Faculty Publications

Individuals of Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) were observed preying on veronicellid slugs at two sites on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. As such, the presence of A. fulica may pose a greater threat to terrestrial mollusc conservation than previously imagined. It is our hope that this note provides some impetus for other researchers to explore the possible predation impacts of introduced populations of A. fulica and to consider the possibility that other introduced snails and slugs may be having as yet unforeseen or unnoticed impacts.

The Connection, Volume 6, Issue 02, Spring 2008, Sally Davis, Linda P, Linda Beltran, Elverna Bennett

Newsletters

The Connection is published by the Prevention Research Center (PRC), Prevention & Population Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. The purpose of The Connection is to provide reports and updates on programs of the PRC and those of its Community Advisory Council and other partners.

The Genome Of Laccaria Bicolor Provides Insights Into Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, F. Martin, A. Aerts, D. Ahren, A. Brun, E. G. J. Danchin, F. Duchaussoy, J. Gibon, A. Kohler, E. Lindquist, V. Pereda, A. Salamov, H. J. Shapiro, J. Wuyts, D. Blaudez, M. Buee, P. Brokstein, B. Canback, D. Cohen, P. E. Courty, P. M. Coutinho, C. Delaruelle, J. C. Detter, A. Deveau, S. Difazio, S. Duplessis, L. Fraissinet-Tachet, E. Lucic, P. Frey-Klett, C. Fourrey, I. Feussner, G. Gay, J. Grimwood, P. J. Hoegger, P. Jain, S. Kilaru, J. Labbe, Y. C. Lin, V. Legue, F. Le Tacon, R. Marmeisse, D. Melayah, B. Montanini, M. Muratet, U. Nehls, H. Niculita-Hirzel, M. P. Oudot-Le Secq, M. Peter, H. Quesneville, B. Rajashekar, M. Reich, N. Rouhier, J. Schmutz, T. Yin, M. Chalot, B. Henrissat, U. Kues, S. Lucas, Y. Van De Peer, G. K. Podila, A. Polle, P. J. Pukkila, P. M. Richardson, P. Rouze, I. R. Sanders, J. E. Stajich, A. Tunlid, G. Tuskan, I. V. Grigoriev

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Mycorrhizal symbioses—the union of roots and soil fungi—are universal in terrestrial ecosystems and may have been fundamental to land colonization by plants. Boreal, temperate and montane forests all depend on ectomycorrhizae. Identification of the primary factors that regulate symbiotic development and metabolic activity will therefore open the door to understanding the role of ectomycorrhizae in plant development and physiology, allowing the full ecological significance of this symbiosis to be explored. Here we report the genome sequence of the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Laccaria bicolor (Fig. 1) and highlight gene sets involved in rhizosphere colonization and symbiosis. This 65-megabase genome assembly contains ~20,000 …

Diet Of The Striped Dolphin, Stenella Coeruleoalba, In The Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, William F. Perrin, Kelly M. Robertson, William A. Walker

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Knowledge of the trophic ecology of pelagic dolphins is important to understanding the ecosystem of the eastern tropical Pacific. Mesopelagic species predominated in the diet of 131 striped dolphins; the myctophid Lampanyctus parvicauda, a melamphaeid Melamphaes sp., and the enoploteuthid squid Abraliopsis affinis were the most numerous and most prevalent. Composition varied among four regions; fish predominated in three southerly regions, and fish and cephalopods occurred in about equal numbers in a region close to the northern tropical convergence. Prey for which length could be estimated ranged from about 2 to 17 cm in length. Most feeding occurred at …

The Leading Object: March 2008

Leading Object

Content:
Perspectives by John C. Owens
Nine faculty positions opened in IANR
Holling Family Award recipients announced
UNL prepared Robinson for varying career roles
Two receive Exemplary Service Awards
KUDO Award goes to Applegarth
Four UNL faculty members relish role in Nobel-winning report
Weatherfest and symposium event expects to attract about 4,000

Winona Currents Magazine, University Advancement - Winona State University

Winona Currents

This magazine published by Winona State University’s University Advancement was intended to inform WSU Alumni, students, faculty, staff and the greater community about Alumni and the university.Title Town: Warriors bring Basketball Championship back to Winona.

Nebline, March 2008

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Eat Smart: How to Fill Up, Not Out!
Foods Which Help You Feel Full
Portion Control Tips
East Campus Walking Tour
All-America Selections for 2008
Easter Lily Care
Colony Collapse Disorder: Recent Loss of Hives a Mystery
Beginning Beekeeping 2-Day Workshop
Drain Flies
Voles
Rental Arrangements Changing with the Times Part 1 — Traditional Leases
Biosolids Improves Soil and Cuts Production Costs: Workshop March 3
Chemigation Training and Testing, March 6
Pioneer Farm Family Award Applications Due May 1
So You’re Considering an Orchard
Establishing a Commercial Vineyard
Plant Propagation: Grafting
Tiny Bites Total Big Calories!
Easy Deviled Eggs Recipe …

An Overview Of Recent Legal Developments In South Africa With Regard To The Position Of Lesbigay Parents And Children With Specific Reference To The Adoption Of Children, J. A. Robinson

Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law

No abstract provided.

The Endurance Of Biological Connection: Heteronormativity, Same-Sex Parenting And The Lessons Of Adoption, Annette R. Appell

Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law

No abstract provided.

Graduate Catalog. 2008, Spring., University Of Mississippi. Graduate School

Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between The Excited State Relaxation Paths Of Rhodopsin And Isorhodopsin, Angela Strambi, Pedro B. Coto, Luis Manuel Frutos, Nicolas Ferre, Massimo Olivucci

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The pigment Isorhodopsin, an analogue of the visual pigment Rhodopsin, is investigated via quantum-mechanics/molecular-mechanics computations based on an ab initio multiconfigurational quantum chemical, treatment. The limited <5 kcal mol(-1) error found for the spectral parameters allows for a nearly quantitative analysis of the excited-state structure and reactivity of its 9-cis-retinal chromophore. We demonstrate that, similar to Rhodopsin, Isorhodopsin features a shallow photoisomerization path. However, the structure of the reaction coordinate appears to be reversed. In fact, while the coordinate still corresponds to an asynchronous crankshaft motion, the dominant isomerization component involves a counterclockwise, rather than clockwise, twisting of the 9-cis bond. Similarly, the minor component involves a clockwise, rather than counterclockwise, twisting of the 11-trans bond. Ultimately, these results indicate that Rhodopsin and Isorhodopsin relax along a common excited-state potential energy valley starting from opposite ends. The fact that the central and lowest energy region of such valley runs along a segment of the intersection space between the ground and excited states of the protein explains why the pigments decay at distinctive conical intersection structures.

Department Of Chemistry News For Alumni And Friends, March 2008, Illinois State University, Department Of Chemistry

Chem Letter

Newsletter of the Illinois State University Department of Chemistry

Secondary Engineering Competencies: A Delphi Study Of Engineering Faculty, Kara S. Harris, George E. Rogers

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

No abstract provided.

The Death Penalty And The Society We Want, Stephen B. Bright

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

[Excerpt] “At the local level, we can tell a lot about a community by how it treats a homeless person suffering from schizophrenia who is begging on the street. One possibility is to look upon that person with the thought that there but for grace go I, that this person is desperately in need of help, and that we—individually and as a community—must respond by giving a helping hand and making sure that the person receives food, shelter, clothing, and care for such a debilitating mental illness. Another possibility is to simply ignore the person, to step around him or …

Sleep And Affect In Older Adults: Using Multilevel Modeling To Examine Daily Associations, Christina S. Mccrae, Joseph P. H. Mcnamara, Meredeth Rowe, Joseph M. Dzierzewski, Judith Dirk, Michael Marsiske, Jason G. Craggs

Nursing Faculty Publications

The main objective of the present study was to examine daily associations (intraindividual variability or IIV) between sleep and affect in older adults. Greater understanding of these associations is important, because both sleep and affect represent modifiable behaviors that can have a major influence on older adults’ health and well-being. We collected sleep diaries, actigraphy, and affect data concurrently for 14 days in 103 community-dwelling older adults. Multilevel modeling was used to assess the sleep–affect relationship at both the group (between-persons) and individual (within-person or IIV) levels. We hypothesized that nights characterized by better sleep would be associated with days …

How To Identify Rare And Endangered Ferns And Fern Allies, A. Benniamin, V. Irudayaraj, V. S. Manickam

Ethnobotanical Leaflets

Identification of rare and endangered plant species is the first requirement for any conservation programme. The IUCN guideline is the only available method to identify the rare and endangered species and it requires vast data on the wild population of the target species. None of the biological characters, which are playing main role in the survival and distribution of several species, is used in IUCN guideline. In the meantime there are several difficulties in following IUCN guideline, particularly the non availability of complete field data. Moreover, the same guideline can not be used for all the groups of species in …

Striga Gesnerioides (Willd.) Vatke: A New Record For The Kalakad –Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India, Muthiah Maridass

Ethnobotanical Leaflets

Striga gesnerioides (Willd.) Vatke, a plant of the Scrophulariaceae that is often reported to be parasitic on the roots of crop plants, has been reported for the first time from the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve forest, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India. The specimen was collected from the Kakachi forest range.

Knowledge And Practice Of Radiation Safety Among Invasive Cardiologists, Nasir Rahman, Sajid H. Dhakam, Azam Shafqut, Sadia Qadir, Fateh Ali Tipoo

Section of Cardiology

OBJECTIVE: To assess the availability, practices and knowledge of radiation safety measures among invasive cardiologists in a tertiary care hospital.

METHOD: A cross sectional survey of invasive cardiologists working in academic institutions was conducted using a questionnaire.

RESULTS: A total of 28 cardiologists completed the questionnaire with a mean working experience of 10.5 + 7.6 years. All were of the opinion that radiation safety is extremely important and 93% always used lead aprons. Less than half of them used other radiation protective measures including thyroid collar, lead eyeglasses and lead shields. Only 7% regularly utilized a radiation dose badge to …

The 2003 Slovenian Alcohol Policy: Background, Supporters, And Opponents, Aleksandra J. Snowden, William Alex Pridemore

Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

High levels of wine, beer, and spirits consumption have historically characterized Slovenian drinking culture. The geographical location of the country provides an ideal environment for wine production, historical ties with the Austro-Hungarian Empire contribute to the tradition of beer drinking, and the custom of home distilling has resulted in a considerable level of spirits consumption. This combination of factors contributes to the high level and cultural acceptance of alcohol consumption in Slovenia. Alcohol-related harm in Slovenia was recognized as a problem as early as 1834, and since then Slovenian public health experts have implemented various programs and policies in an …

Transcription Factor Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription 5 Promotes Growth Of Human Prostate Cancer Cells In Vivo, Ayush Dagbadorj, Robert A. Kirken, Benjamin Leiby, James Karras, Marja T. Nevalainen

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Purpose: Stat5a/b is the key mediator of prolactin (Prl) effects in prostate cancer cells via activation of Jak2. Prl is locally produced growth factor in human prostate cancer. Prl protein expression and constitutive activation of Stat5a/b are associated with high histological grade of clinical prostate cancer. Moreover, activation of Stat5a/b in primary prostate cancer predicts early disease recurrence. Here, we inhibited Stat5a/b by several different methodological approaches. Our goal was to establish a proof-of-principle that Stat5a/b is critical for prostate cancer cell viability in vitro and for prostate tumor growth in vivo.

Experimental Design: We inhibited Stat5a/b protein expression by …

Admission Criteria And Subsequent Academic Performance Of General Nursing Diploma Students, Parveen Azam Ali

School of Nursing & Midwifery

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between admission criteria used to select students and their subsequent academic performance in general nursing diploma Programme in the province of Sindh.

METHODS: Using a descriptive co-relational study design, data was collected retrospectively from records of the entire nursing student population of the batch of 2004. Using multiple linear regression analysis method, three regression models were developed to identify the group of variables that could predict academic performance of the students in the three-year general nursing diploma programme.

RESULTS: Results identified a significant relationship between admission criteria and subsequent academic performance of the students in …

University Wind Symphony, Chapman University Wind Symphony

Printed Performance Programs (PDF Format)

No abstract provided.

West Nile Virus Antibodies In Breeding North Dakota Icterids, Jennifer L. Newbrey, Wendy L. Reed

The Prairie Naturalist

Exotic infectious diseases can have devastating effects on the distribution and abundance ofnaYve wildlife species (Friend et al. 2001). West Nile Virus (WNV) is an exotic disease that was introduced into North America in 1999 and has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of birds (Marra et al. 2004). The natural cycle of WNV involves Culex spp. mosquitoes as principle vectors and birds as principle hosts, although humans, horses, and other mammals can become incidental hosts (Lanciotti et al. 2000). Because the virus can be fatal, outbreaks have become a national health concern for the human population, an …

Review Of Basic Texas Birds: A Field Guide By Mark W. Lockwood, Thomas M. Langschied

The Prairie Naturalist

Texas has an incredible diversity of birds. This diversity is a result of its geographic location, size, and diversity of habitats. Given this wealth of birds, there is a wonderful opportunity in Texas for both residents and visitors alike to learn and appreciate the birdlife found there. Basic Texas Birds has been written to provide a foundation for anyone who is either new to bird-watching or has been bird-watching casually for several years. The book covers 161 commonly occurring birds in Texas and includes an additional 23 species that are considered Texas specialty birds, those that occur regularly in Texas …

The Prairie Naturalist. Volume 40, No. 112 March/June 2008, The Great Plains Natural Science Society

The Prairie Naturalist

LOW REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF MALLARDS IN A GRASSLAND-DOMINATED LANDSCAPE IN THE SANDHILLS OF NEBRASKA. J. A. Walker, Z. J. Cunningham, M. P. Vrtiska, S. E. Stephens, and L. A. Powell

USE OF PASSIVE INTEGRATED TRANSPONDERS IN HATCHLING TEXAS HORNED LIZARDS. S. E. Henke

INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND DISCHARGE ON REPRODUCTIVE TIMING OF COMMON CARP IN A NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS RIVER. T. Resseguie and S. Kelsch

RAPTOR USE OF ARTIFICIAL PERCHES AT NATURAL AREAS, CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO. G. Witmer, M. Pipas, P. Burke, D. Rouse, D. Dees, and K. Manci

WEST NILE VIRUS ANTIBODIES IN BREEDING NORTH DAKOTA ICTERIDS. …

Review Of Oology And Ralph's Talking Eggs By Carrol L. Henderson, Kristin R. Johnson

The Prairie Naturalist

Ralph Handsaker was an Iowan farmer whose "ravenous curiosity" (page 4) about the natural world inspired him to become an oologist, or egg collector. This book tells the story of Handsaker's eggs, contained in two large cabinets that remained hidden in the living room of his boarded-up house after his death in 1969, until they were rediscovered in 2003 and shown to the author, wildlife conservationist, and photographer, Carrol Henderson. Ralph's eggs can "talk" by virtue of Henderson's chronicle-using the eggs as guides-of not only Ralph's own passion for natural history and egg collecting, but also the history of conservation …

Influence Of Temperature And Discharge On Reproductive Timing Of Common Carp In A Northern Great Plains River, Tim Resseguie, Steve Kelsch

The Prairie Naturalist

Reproductive timing of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was examined in the Red River of the North and compared with environmental factors that might have triggered spawning during 1999 and 2000. We estimated spawn dates for individual common carp larvae collected in the drift by back-calculating from datc of capture and by accounting for developmental stage at capture and water temperature during the period of egg incubation. Reproductive timing was compared with discharge and water temperature to determine which of these likely might be a synchronizing cue for spawning of common carp in the Red River basin. In both years of …

Lipid Extract Of Nostoc Commune Var. Sphaeroides Kützing, A Blue-Green Alga, Inhibits The Activation Of Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins In Hepg2 Cells, Heather E. Rasmussen, Kara R. Blobaum, Young-Ki Park, Sarah J. Ehlers, Fan Lu, Ji-Young Lee

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Nostoc commune var. sphaeroides Kützing (N. commune), a blue-green alga, has been used as both a food ingredient and in medicine for centuries. To determine the effect of N. commune on cholesterol metabolism, N. commune lipid extract was incubated at increasing concentrations (25–100 mg/L) with HepG2 cells, a human hepatoma cell line. The addition of N. commune lipid extract markedly reduced mRNA abundance of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) and LDL receptor (LDLR) (P < 0.05), with a concomitant decrease in their protein expression (P < 0.001). Reduced HMGR activity by 90% with N. commune lipid extract confirmed the inhibitory role of N. commune in cholesterol synthesis (P < 0.006). To elucidate a molecular mechanism underlying the repression of HMGR and LDLR by N. commune lipid extract, expression of sterol regulatory …

John E. James Distinguished Lecture: Environment On The Edge, Crispin Tickell

Mercer Law Review

The Seventh Annual John E. James Distinguished Lecture

Walter F. George School of Law Mercer University Macon, Georgia September 18, 2007

Given the title of my lecture this evening, you may wonder how our environment could be on the edge. On the edge of what? I suppose the answer I shall give is: the edge of radical change. In doing so, I shall dwell on the vulnerability of the Earth and the still greater vulnerability of our species and the society we have created for ourselves.

Current alarms over the prospects for climate change have made more people aware of …

The Rothermel Fire-Spread Model: Still Running Like A Champ, Gail Wells

Joint Fire Science Program Digests

In 1972, aeronautical engineer Richard C. Rothermel, of the USDA Fire Sciences Lab at Missoula, Montana, developed a method for modeling the spread of wildfire. The model became widely used, and although the ensuing years have brought many technological innovations, it is still the engine of the predictive tools used by fire behavior officers today. The Joint Science Fire Program (JFSP) is pleased to offer Dick Rothermel’s story as a tribute to a significant accomplishment, and also to showcase some of the current work at the Fire Sciences Lab.