Digital Commons Network^™

Wow! Dna In My Food?: The Anatomy Of A Smoothie, Mike Zeller

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

While many students are able to speak at length about DNA, their fundamental understanding of the pervasiveness of DNA may still be unchanged. This activity is ideal for helping student link their classroom learning to their own daily experience and observations about DNA. Students also mentally engage by critically thinking about the physical and chemical properties of DNA. This article promotes National Science Education Standards A and C and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Weaving The Web Of Inquiry: An Activity Introducing Students To Marine Food Webs, Jena Kline, Ryan Dickinson

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This activity engages students in a biological investigation focusing on marine life. Students receive pictures of several marine organisms, make observations, and propose a possible food web which includes each of the organisms. Students also explain to the class their rationale behind the construction of their food web. This activity promotes increased familiarity with food webs, ecosystems, and energy flow. While this activity focuses on marine life, the activities and strategies could be used with most any ecosystem of interest. This activity promotes National Science Education Standards A, C, F and G, and Iowa Teaching Standards 2, 3, 4, and …

Fusion, 2009, George Washington University, William H. Beaumont Medical Research Honor Society

Fusion

No abstract provided.

Oxygen And Hydrogen Isotope Fractionation In Serpentine–Water And Talc–Water Systems From 250 To 450°C Mpa, Peter Saccocia, J. S. Seewald, W. C. Shanks Iii

Geological Sciences Faculty Publications

Oxygen and hydrogen isotope fractionation factors in the talc–water and serpentine–water systems have been determined by laboratory experiment from 250 to 450 °C at 50 MPa using the partial exchange technique. Talc was synthesized from brucite + quartz, resulting in nearly 100% exchange during reaction at 350 and 450 °C. For serpentine, D–H exchange was much more rapid than ¹⁸O–¹⁶O exchange when natural chrysotile fibers were employed in the initial charge. In experiments with lizardite as the starting charge, recrystallization to chrysotile enhanced the rate of ¹⁸O–¹⁶O exchange with the coexisting aqueous phase. Oxygen …

Evaluation Of Forest Snow Processes Models (Snowmip2), N. Rutter, R. Essery, J. Pomeroy, N. Altimir, K. Andreadis, I. Baker, A. Barr, P. Bartlett, A. Boone, H. Deng, H. Douville, E. Dutra, K. Elder, C. Ellis, X. Feng, A. Gelfan, A. Goodbody, Y. Gusev, D. Gustafsson, Robert Hellström, Y. Hirabayashi, T. Hirota, T. Jonas, V. Koren, A. Kuragina, D. Lettenmaier, W. P. Li, C. Luce, E. Martin, O. Nasonova, J. Pumpanen, R. D. Pyles, P. Samuelsson, M. Sandells, G. Schadler, A. Shmakin, T. G. Smirnova, M. Stahli, R. Stockli, U. Strasser, H. Su, K. Suzuki, K. Takata, K. Tanaka, E. Thompson, T. Vesala, P. Viterbo, A. Wiltshire, K. Xia, Y. Xue

Geography Faculty Publications

Thirty-three snowpack models of varying complexity and purpose were evaluated across a wide range of hydrometeorological and forest canopy conditions at five Northern Hemisphere locations, for up to two winter snow seasons. Modeled estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE) or depth were compared to observations at forest and open sites at each location. Precipitation phase and duration of above-freezing air temperatures are shown to be major influences on divergence and convergence of modeled estimates of the subcanopy snowpack. When models are considered collectively at all locations, comparisons with observations show that it is harder to model SWE at forested sites …

A Cross-Cultural, Comparative Analysis Of The Domestic Violence Policies Of Nicaragua And Russia, Jo-Ann Della Giustina

Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

This is a cross-cultural comparative analysis of the domestic violence policies of Nicaragua and Russia. While these two countries have striking differences, they both had socialist revolutions that established workers and farmers governments. The Soviet Union was the main economic and political support for Nicaragua following the 1979 Frente Sandinista Para Liberacion Nacional (FSLN--Sandinista Front for National Liberation) revolution.

This article examines the domestic violence policies of post-Soviet Russia and Nicaragua. While both countries have serious domestic violence problems, only Nicaragua is taking an aggressive stance to eradicate the problem. The Russian government barely even acknowledges that there is a …

Abstract Papers

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

The Evolution Of Food Preferences In Coccinellidae, José Adriano Giorgi, Natalia J. Vandenberg, Joseph V. Mchugh, Juanita A. Forrester, S. Adam Ślipiński, Kelly B. Miller, Lori R. Shapiro, Michael F. Whiting

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Despite the familiarity and economic significance of Coccinellidae, the family has thus far escaped analysis by rigorous phylogenetic methods. As a result, the internal classification remains unstable and there is no framework with which to interpret evolutionary events within the family. Coccinellids exhibit a wide range of preferred food types spanning kingdoms, and trophic levels. To provide an evolutionary perspective on coccinellid feeding preferences, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of 62 taxa based on the ribosomal nuclear genes 18S and 28S. The entire dataset consists of 3957 aligned nucleotide sites, 787 of which are parsimony informative. Bayesian and parsimony analyses …

Redescription Of Anovia Circumclusa (Gorham) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Noviini), With First Description Of The Egg, Larva, And Pupa, And Notes On Adult Intraspecific Elytral Pattern Variation, Juanita A. Forrester, Natalia J. Vandenberg, Joseph V. Mchugh

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Anovia circumclusa (Gorham), a neotropical lady beetle, recently was recorded in North America for the first time. Previously, only the adult form of this beneficial predator had been described. This paper provides a redescription of the adult and the first descriptions of the egg, larva, and pupa. Diagnostic characters for the genus and species are given, and intraspecific color variation in Anovia adults is discussed.

Redescription And Immature Stages Of Promalactis Suzukiella (Matsumura) (Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae), A New Introduction Into The United States, David Adamski, Gary F. Hevel, Alan Pultyniewicz

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Promalactis suzukiella (Matsumura) was discovered independently several times over the past 5 years throughout the northeastern United States by private collectors and biophotographers. These discoveries represent the first records of this species in the United States and validate its approximate distributional range. Color photographs and a redescription of the adult, including the male and female genitalia, are provided. The larva and pupa of Promalactis are described in detail for the first time, with scanning electron micrographs and chaetotaxal maps. A lectotype for Borkhausenia suzukiella Matsumura, 1931, is designated herein. The importance of ‘‘backyard collecting’’ and amateur biophotography is emphasized, and …

A Revision Of Anacharoides Cameron, 1904 (Hymenoptera, Figitidae) With A Description Of A New Species, Matthew L. Buffington, Simon Van Noort

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Anacharoides Cameron is revised and six species are recognized: A. nicknacki Buffington & van Noort, sp. n., A. pallida Quinlan, A. paragi Benoit, A. quadrus Quinlan, A. striaticeps Cameron and A. stygius Benoit. A key to species is provided. Anacharoides striaticeps was determined to be a variable species, and consequently a number of names have been proposed for this species. Here we clarify the identity of A. striaticeps and provide evidence for the following new synonymies of A. striaticeps: Anacharoides elongaticornis Benoit, syn. n., Anacharoides eurytergis Benoit, syn. n., Anacharoides decellius Quinlan, syn. n., Anacharoides sanitas …

Service Learning As An Instructional Strategy For The Preparation Of Teachers, Alisa J. Bates, Dina Drits, Cathi Allen, Peggy Mccandless

CUP Faculty Research

This paper addresses the strengths and challenges of university-based service learning projects, using preservice elementary teachers in an undergraduate social studies methods course as a model for implementing service learning in university courses. The goal of the project was to provide future teachers with the motivation and experience in facilitating service learning projects as a means of promoting student equity, social responsibility, and social justice. The carryover of this attitude and response to the first year of the teaching career is considered. Three cases of teachers are presented to share findings that focus on issues of context, teacher characteristics, understanding …

The Digest Edition 2009/2 : Talking To Learn: Dialogue In The Classroom, Catherine Scott, Marion Meiers, Pat Knight

Research Digest

This Digest is focused on research studies about using classroom talk for improving learning, and particularly on the use of teaching methods incorporating classroom dialogue. A selection of websites is listed and a full reference list provided. Links to those references for which full-text online access is freely available are also included. Classrooms are full of talk: some commentators have even suggested that schools are ‘saturated’ with it. There are different types of classroom talk for a range of different purposes. An international research study conducted in primary classrooms in five countries (the ‘Five Nations Study’) has demonstrated the powerful …

Developing Graduate Curriculum Faithful To Professional Training And A Christian Worldview, Claudia Grauf-Grounds, Scott Edwards, Don Macdonald, Karen Mui-Teng Quek, Tina Schermer Sellers

SPU Works

Trends in Christian higher education indicate a growing interest in professional training programs that take Christian faith commitments and values seriously. This article explores one professional graduate program with secondary accreditation that attempts to be faithful to a Christian worldview while at the same time honoring the developments within its particular discipline. In a desire to practice what we preach, several key components of an intentionally developed curriculum will be described including isomorphic accountability, self-in-relation exploration and mentoring. Some philosophical and theological foundations and pedagogical examples are offered. Finally, implications for graduate program development emphasize the need to attend to …

Green Roots 2009 Annual Report, Lawrence University

Green Roots

With guiding principles in place, the committee conducted a comprehensive review of university operations in the eight major areas; Water, Food, Buildings, Curriculum, Energy, Waste and Recycling, and Transportation. Within each of these areas the committee worked to identify and prioritize opportunities. What follows is a summary of our findings and future recommendations. Note that the committee does not intend to take credit for all of what follows. Rather, in our efforts to coordinate sustainability efforts and to publicize those, we present all activities of which we are aware in each of the focus areas. In many instances Green Roots …

Ethyl 1-Acetyl-1h-Indole-3-Carboxyl­Ate, Tasneem Siddiquee, Shahid Islam, Dennis Bennett, Matthias Zeller, Mahmun Hossain

Chemistry Faculty Research

The title compound, C₁₃H₁₃NO₃, was synthesized by acetyl­ation of ethyl 1H-indole-3-carboxyl­ate. The aromatic ring system of the mol­ecule is essentially planar, but the saturated ethyl group is also located within this plane and the overall r.m.s. deviation from planarity is only 0.034 Å. Pairs of C-HO inter­actions connect mol­ecules into chains along the diagonal of the unit cell. Mol­ecules also form weakly connected dimers via stacking inter­actions of the indole rings with centroid-centroid separations of 3.571 (1) Å. C-H inter­actions between methyl­ene and methyl groups and the indole and benzene ring complete …

2009 Scholar's Day Program, State University Of New York At Cortland

Transformations

Scholars' Day was established in 1997 and is a day-long conference devoted to showcasing the wide array of scholarship, research and creative activities occurring on campus. In 2012, a new emphasis on student research lead to a name change to Transformations: A Student Research and Creativity Conference. This event focuses on student research, which is defined as an original investigation or creative activity through the primary efforts of a student or group of students. The work should show problem-solving skills and demonstrate new conceptual outcomes.

Co-Localization Of Histamine And Egfp In The Central Nervous System From Phdc-5’-Utr-Egfp Transformants Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Wendi-Jo L. Ervin

McNair Scholars Journal

Histamine is a biogenic amine synthesized by the enzyme histidine decarboxylase (Hdc) and used as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster. We are interested in understanding how tissuespecific expression of Hdc is controlled by examining the function of both the Hdc 5’-UTR (Untranslated region) and 3’-UTR through the regulation of the expression of the reporter gene, eGFP. Initial studies reported here examine the function of the 5’-UTR of the Hdc gene by determining whether eGFP expression can be demonstrated in histaminergic cells of transformant flies containing the pHdc-5’- UTR-eGFP transgene. To determine if all cells expressing …

Assessing The Utility Of Genetic Data As A Monitoring Tool: A Case Study Of Eastern Red Bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Lasiurus Borealis), Anne K. Mcneeley

McNair Scholars Journal

High levels of bat and bird mortalities have been documented at wind energy facilities; particularly hard-hit among bats are the treeroosting migratory species Lasiurus cinereus, L. borealis, and Lasionycteris noctivagans, which together compose approximately 79% of affected bats. Traditional mark-recapture monitoring methods have proven ineffective for these species due to the fact that these bats roost in small numbers, fly very high, and are difficult to catch. Thus it is hard to tell what effect these deaths at wind energy facilities are having on population numbers. Genetic data may provide a means of monitoring populations when demographic methods are unsuitable. …

Reflections Of Whiteness: The Origins, Progression, And Maintenance Of White, Marcus Bell

McNair Scholars Journal

Despite the prevailing national discourse that implicates race as an outdated phenomenon, ongoing social science data identifies race as very predictive in determining life outcomes. Over the last 40 years the emergence of “whiteness studies” has sought to redefine racism from individual actions of bigoted persons to institutional systems of privilege and disadvantage. While there have been a number of studies detailing the failures of reconstruction to embrace an equal citizenry fully, and also a number of studies detailing the eventual assimilation of European immigrants, few studies have sought to connect both into one simultaneous entity. Using historiography and historical …

Supplement

McNair Scholars Journal

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Habitat And Fishing On Reef Fish Assemblages In Cuba, Gaspar Gonzalez-Sanson, Consuelo Aguilar, Ivet Hernandez, Yureidy Cabrera, R. Allen Curry

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The abundance of selected fish species was estimated using the stationary visual census technique in the northwestern region of the Cuban shelf. A total of 26,809 individuals of 32 species were counted in 1,172 stationary point censuses made at 10 reef sites along the coast. We found that the abundance patterns were most probably the consequence of the presence/absence of mangroves and seagrass beds in adjacent lagoon areas. A second factor influencing the spatial variation appeared to be overfishing on an east-west gradient, with lower abundances of commercially targeted species near Havana City in the east.

Abundance And Distribution Of Two Species Of Squilla (Crustacea: Stomatopoda: Squillidae) In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Jennifer L. Wortham

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Stomatopods (mantis shrimps) are predatory benthic crustaceans. Mantis shrimp in the genus Squilla are frequent bycatch animals unintentionally collected in conjunction with the shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Their carcasses are discarded instead of being retained for human consumption, fish meal, or other protein-based food products. The size, depth, salinity, and temperature distributions of these species, as well as their abundance based on gender, were examined to gain biological information that would be necessary if a fishery were to develop in the GOM. I collected samples (n = 2,854) of Squilla empusa and Squilla chydaea in the …

Seagrass Loss In Belize: Studies Of Turtlegrass (Thalassia Testudinum) Habitat Using Remote Sensing And Ground-Truth Data, Gary R. Gaston, Cole Easson, Greg Easson, Justin Janaskie, M.A. Ballas

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Spatial and temporal change in turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) habitat of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR) in Belize were analyzed using satellite images backed up with ground-truth data. We had two pri-mary objectives. First, we wanted to determine areal expanse of seagrass across a large area (~12 km by 3 km) of the SWCMR, and address its change over time. We used paired satellite images taken during 2001 and 2005 to determine coverage by seagrass and measure temporal variables. These analyses recorded an overall seagrass loss of 1.8% (52.3 ha) during the 4 yr period. Secondly, we …

Determining Salinity-Tolerance Of Giant Salvinia Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Patrick D. Biber

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Salvinia molesta Mitchell, a floating invasive aquatic plant, is one of the top 10 worst invasive aquatic weeds in the world. It was discovered in the lower Pascagoula River in 2005 and evidence suggests that this non-native species is spreading along the northern Gulf of Mexico. These plants exhibit rapid growth and nutrient uptake rates, allowing them to out compete other plants in similar habitats. Distributional observations suggest that non-native S. molesta is able to survive in salinities of up to 7 ppt in the lower Pascagoula River. The response of S. molesta to three salinity levels (0, 5, 10 …

First Records Of The Seagrass Parasite Plasmodiophora Diplantherae From The Northcentral Gulf Of Mexico, Allison K. Walker, Jinx Campbell

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Plasmodiophora diplantherae is known to occur throughout the pantropical distribution of its host, the seagrass genus Halodule. However, records in the subtropical region are limited to Tampa Bay, FL where it was detected once during an examination of herbar-ium specimens of H. beaudettei collected in December 1951 (den Hartog 1965) and to Fort Pierce, FL where it was collected once infecting H. wrightii (Braselton and Short 1985). This communication represents the first report of this parasite from Mississippi and Louisiana in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

A Comparison Of Fish Populations In Shallow Coastal Lagoons With Contrasting Shoalgrass (Halodule Wrightii) Cover In The Northcentral Gulf Of Mexico, Just Cebrian, Glenn A. Miller, Jason P. Stutes, Adrienne L. Stutes, Mairi E. Miller, Kate L. Sheehan

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A number of studies have examined the effects of reduced seagrass cover on local fish populations (e.g., Heck et al. 1989, Ferrell and Bell 1991, Hughes et al. 2002 and more), but few of those studies have focused on shoalgrass (e.g., Tolan et al. 1997, Rydene and Matheson 2003). We present a preliminary comparison of fish populations in three shallow coastal lagoons in the northcentral GOM that have varying levels of shoalgrass cover. Namely, we compare (1) abundances of individual species and the entire fish population, (2) fish population diversity, and (3) length-frequency distributions of the most abundant species.

Age Estimates Of Two Large Misty Grouper, Epinephelus Mystacinus (Serranidae) From Bermuda With A Comparison Of The Age Of Tropical Groupers In The Western Atlantic, Brian E. Luckhurst, John M. Dean

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Misty grouper are known to attain at least 54 kg and 115 cm total length (TL) (Heemstra and Randall 1993) although a maximum size of 160 cm TL is reported (Appeldoorn et al. 1987, cited in www.FishBase.com). Recently, two specimens (152 and 157 mm TL) were landed by commercial fisherman from the edge of the Bermuda platform, providing documentation of the maximum size which may be attained by this species. There are no age and growth studies on misty grouper (Heemstra and Randall 1993; www.FishBase.com). Therefore, the age data presented here, although not validated, represent the first estimates of maximum …

Macrofauna Associate With Ungrounded Prop Roots Of Rhizophora Mangle In Veracruz And Quintana Roo, Mexico, Kathryn D. Tunnell, Kim Withers

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The prop roots of the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) provide a solid substrate for diverse assemblages of marine organisms in areas typically characterized by soft bottoms (Bingham 1992, Farnsworth and Ellison 1996). Macrobenthic communities of mangroves have received little attention compared with other components of the ecosystem, largely due to sampling difficulties (Lee 2008). Mangrove root epifauna are likely used by predatory fish, especially juveniles. Thus, these organisms have the potential of being important links between mangroves and adjacent ecosystems. The fauna associated with red mangrove prop roots along Mexican Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and Caribbean shorelines has …

Landscaping On The New Frontier: Waterwise Design For The Intermountain West, Susan E. Meyer, Roger K. Kjelgren, Darrel G. Morrison, William A. Varga

All USU Press Publications

A practical volume for the home or business owner on landscaping with native, drought-tolerant plants in the Rocky Mountain West. Filled with color illustrations, photos, and design sketches, over 100 native species are described, while practical tips on landscape design, water-wise irrigation, and keeping down the weeds are provided. In this book you will learn how to use natural landscapes to inspire your own designed landscape--around your business or home and yard. Included are design principles, practical ideas, and strong examples of what some homeowners have already done to convert traditional "bluegrass" landscapes into ones that are more expressive of …