Digital Commons Network^™

Bats Of Barbados, Hugh H. Genoways, Roxanne J. Larsen, Scott C. Pedersen, Gary G. Kwiecinski, Peter A. Larsen

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The chiropteran fauna of Barbados includes representatives of four families — Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae — including 1 piscivore (Noctilio leporinus), 1 omnivore (Brachyphylla cavernarum), 1 pollenivore/nectarivore (Monophyllus plethodon), 1 frugivore (Artibeus jamaicensis), and 2 insectivorous species (Myotis nyctor and Molossus molossus). Despite an early report, we believe that preponderance of the evidence available at this time is that E. fuscus is not part of the fauna of Barbados. The Barbadian chiropteran fauna of 6 species is much smaller than those on the four neighboring Lesser Antillean islands to …

Examination Of Annual Variation In The Adult Sex Ratio Of Pronghorn (Antilocapra Americana), Justin D. Hoffman, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The adult sex ratio (ASR) is an important component of a population’s demographics and can be used as an indicator of a population’s status. However, the causes of annual variation in ASRs are unknown for many species. Fluctuations in ASR can arise through demographic stochasticity and intense selective harvesting. In this study we investigate the longterm patterns of variation in the ASRs (bucks: 100 does) for four populations of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in western Nebraska. We used multiple variables in a model selection process to predict annual fluctuation of pronghorn ASRs. We found that the number of bucks: 100 does …

Down-Regulation Of Fecal Mir-143 And Mir-145 As Potential Markers For Colorectal Cancer, Jin-Ming Li, Rong-Hua Zhao, Shao-Tang Li, Cai-Xia Xie, Hong-Hua Jiang, Wen-Jun Ding, Peng Du, Wei Chen, Ming Yang, Long Cui

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To detect 4 MicroRNA (miRNA) in the stool samples of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients to determine whether these miRNAs could be biomarkers in CRC screening or treatment. METHODS: A retrospective comparison study was carried out in the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China from September 2009 to March 2011. We detected 4 miRNAs (miR-143, miR-145, miR-21, and miR-106a) in the stool samples of 38 CRC patients and 13 healthy individuals. Total RNA from the stool samples was extracted using the EZNA TM stool RNA kit R6828-01. The miRNA quantification was carried …

Post-Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage. Monopolar Microdissection Needle Versus Cold Dissection, Ali S. Al-Qahtani

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rate, severity, need for intervention, and blood transfusion requirement in post-tonsillectomy bleeding following the use of either cold dissection or the monopolar microdissection needle method. METHODS: A prospective randomized study conducted at Abha Private Hospital, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on patients undergoing tonsillectomy between June 2006 and December 2010. Patients were allocated randomly by using cold dissection or monopolar microdissection techniques. Collected information included demographic data, method, duration of surgery, and estimated blood loss. Timing of bleeding and management were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1419 patients underwent tonsillectomy, 634 male and 785 female with …

Venous Thromboembolism In A Medical Intensive Care Unit. The Effect Of Implementing Clinical Practice Guidelines, Hadil A. Al-Otair, Syed M. Khurshid, Abdulaziz H. Alzeer

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of VTE in medical patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) following the implementation of a standard deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis protocol using unfractionated heparin (UFH), and to identify risk factors for DVT in these patients. METHODS: We prospectively studied 123 consecutive patients admitted to the Medical ICU of King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We excluded patients on anticoagulation or with contraindications for heparin. Patients who were negative for DVT by screening Doppler Ultrasound (U/S) were started on UFH twice a day. The Doppler U/S was repeated twice weekly for 6 …

Histopathological Pattern Of Ovarian Neoplasms And Their Age Distribution In The Western Region Of Saudi Arabia, Layla S. Abdullah, Nabeel S. Bondagji

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To identify the different histopathological types of ovarian neoplasms and their age distribution. METHODS: This is a retrospective study were ovarian neoplasms received by the Pathology Department of King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between January 1995 and December 2010 were reviewed and their frequencies in different age groups were calculated. RESULTS: Out of 618 ovarian specimens studied, 382 (61.8%) were ovarian neoplasms while 38.2% were non-neoplastic functional cysts. Benign neoplasms (n=278; 72.8%) were more common than borderline (n=20; 5.2%) and malignant ones (n=84; 22%) in all age groups. Surface epithelial neoplasms were the most common (61%) followed by …

A Call For Screening For Benign Neutropenia In Arab Populations, Mahmood D. Al-Mendalawi, Srdjan Denic, Gary M. Nicholls

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Lung Functions In Poorly Controlled Type 1 Saudi Diabetic Children And Adolescents, Mahmood D. Al-Mendalawi, Muslim M. Al-Saadi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Seniors And Information Technology: A Mis-Fit?, Mark E. Mcmurtrey, James P. Downey, Steven M. Zeltmann, Ronald E. Mcgaughey

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

The “digital divide” between the haves and have-nots in society continues to draw attention in traditional media outlets as well as academic research. Those yearning to join the computer revolution comprise several groups defined by wealth, ethnicity, country (even regions of countries), and age. While there has been research into the digital divide in all of these areas, the focus of this paper is Information Technology (IT) use by the elderly, or our senior citizens. Our interest in this group stems from the dynamic interaction of two forces: 1) senior populations are growing in percentage and sheer number both in …

Teaching Web Information Retrieval And Network Communications Undergraduate Courses In It Curriculum, Song Xing, Xiannong Meng, Wei Wang

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This paper provided the results of an investigation on the teaching of computer networks courses and web information retrieval courses in undergraduate Information Technology (IT) curriculum. The paper consists of two parts. First part of the paper surveys the undergraduate courses in two curriculum areas, computer networks and web information retrieval. The content of the survey includes the topics covered, the textbooks used, and major projects in these courses. The second part of the paper describes the authors’ experiences in teaching such courses to undergraduate students in various discipline areas including computer science majors, IT majors, and non-technical majors.

A Kinematic Description Of The Temporal Characteristics Of Jaw Motion For Early Chewing: Preliminary Findings, Erin M. Wilson, Jordan R. Green, Gary Weismer

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to describe age- and consistency-related changes in the temporal characteristics of chewing in typically developing children between the ages of 4 and 35 months and adults using high-resolution optically based motion capture technology.

Method: Data were collected from 60 participants (48 children, 12 adults) across 5 age ranges (beginners, 7 months, 12 months, 35 months, and adults); each age group included 12 participants. Three different food consistencies were trialed as appropriate. The data were analyzed to assess changes in chewing rate, chewing sequence duration, and estimated number of chewing cycles.

Results: The results …

Simulating School Closure Policies For Cost Effective Pandemic Decision Making, Ozgur M. Araz, Paul Damien, David A. Paltiel, Sean Burke, Bryce Van De Geijn, Alison Galvani, Lauren Ancel Meyers

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

Background: Around the globe, school closures were used sporadically to mitigate the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. However, such closures can detrimentally impact economic and social life.

Methods: Here, we couple a decision analytic approach with a mathematical model of influenza transmission to estimate the impact of school closures in terms of epidemiological and cost effectiveness. Our method assumes that the transmissibility and the severity of the disease are uncertain, and evaluates several closure and reopening strategies that cover a range of thresholds in school-aged prevalence (SAP) and closure durations.

Results: Assuming a willingness to pay per quality adjusted life-year (QALY) …

Mixed-Methods Research Methodologies, Steven R. Terrell

The Qualitative Report

Mixed-Method studies have emerged from the paradigm wars between qualitative and quantitative research approaches to become a widely used mode of inquiry. Depending on choices made across four dimensions, mixed-methods can provide an investigator with many design choices which involve a range of sequential and concurrent strategies. Defining features of these designs are reported along with quality control methods, and ethical concerns. Useful resources and exemplary study references are shared.

Unraveling The Structural Complexity In A Single-Stranded Rna Tail: Implications For Efficient Ligand Binding In The Prequeuosine Riboswitch, Catherine D. Eichhorn, Jun Feng, Krishna C. Suddala, Nils G. Walter, Charles L. Brooks Iii, Hashim M. Al-Hashimi

Department of Chemistry: Faculty Publications

Single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs) are ubiquitous RNA elements that serve diverse functional roles. Much of our understanding of ssRNA conformational behavior is limited to structures in which ssRNA directly engages in tertiary interactions or is recognized by proteins. Little is known about the structural and dynamic behavior of free ssRNAs at atomic resolution. Here, we report the collaborative application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) simulations to characterize the 12 nt ssRNA tail derived from the prequeuosine riboswitch. NMR carbon spin relaxation data and residual dipolar coupling measurements reveal a flexible yet stacked core adopting an …

Energy Issues Affecting Corn/Soybean Systems: Challenges For Sustainable Production, Douglas L. Karlen, David Archer, Adam Liska, Seth Meyer

Adam Liska Papers

Quantifying energy issues associated with agricultural systems, even for a two-crop corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) rotation, is not a simple task. It becomes even more complicated if the goal is to include all aspects of sustainability (i.e., economic, environmental, and social). This Issue Paper examines energy issues associated with and affecting corn/soybean rotations by first defining the size of the system from both a U.S. and global perspective and then establishing boundaries based on the Farm Bill definition of sustainability. This structured approach is essential to help quantify energy issues within corn/soybean …

Pyridine Is An Organocatalyst For The Reductive Ozonolysis Of Alkenes, Rachel Willand-Charnley, Thomas J. Fisher, Bradley M. Johnson, Patrick Dussault

Patrick Dussault Publications

Whereas the cleavage of alkenes by ozone typically generates peroxide intermediates that must be decomposed in an accompanying step, ozonolysis in the presence of pyridine directly generates ketones or aldehydes through a process that neither consumes pyridine nor generates any detectable peroxides. The reaction is hypothesized to involve nucleophile-promoted fragmentation of carbonyl oxides via formation of zwitterionic peroxyacetals.

Mononuclear Phagocyte Intercellular Crosstalk Facilitates Transmission Of Cell-Targeted Nanoformulated Antiretroviral Drugs To Human Brain Endothelial Cells, Georgette D. Kanmogne, Sangya Singh, Upal Roy, Xinming Liu, Joellyn Mcmillan, Santhi Gorantla, Shantanu Balkundi, Nathan Smith, Yazen Alnouti, Nagsen Gautam, You Zhou, Larisa Poluektova, Alexander Kabanov, Tatiana Bronich, Howard Gendelman

Nebraska Center for Biotechnology: Faculty and Staff Publications

Despite the successes of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders remain prevalent in infected people. This is due, in part, to incomplete ART penetration across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and lymph nodes and to the establishment of viral sanctuaries within the central nervous system. In efforts to improve ART delivery, our laboratories developed a macrophage-carriage system for nanoformulated crystalline ART (nanoART) (atazanavir, ritonavir, indinavir, and efavirenz). We demonstrate that nanoART transfer from mononuclear phagocytes (MP) to human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) can be realized through cell-to-cell contacts, which can facilitate drug passage across the BBB. Coculturing of donor MP …

Pricing Mortality Securities With Correlated Mortality Indexes, Yijia Lin, Sheen Liu, Jifeng Yu

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

This article proposes a stochastic model, which captures mortality correlations across countries and common mortality shocks, for analyzing catastrophe mortality contingent claims. To estimate our model, we apply particle filtering, a general technique that has wide applications in non-Gaussian and multivariate jump-diffusion models and models with nonanalytic observation equations. In addition, we illustrate how to price mortality securities with normalized multivariate exponential titling based on the estimated mortality correlations and jump parameters. Our results show the significance of modeling mortality correlations and transient jumps in mortality security pricing.

Are Ascaris Lumbricoides And Ascaris Suum A Single Species?, Daniela Leles, Scott L. Gardner, Karl Reinhard, Alena Iñiguez, Adauto Araujo

Karl Reinhard Publications

Since the original description and naming of Ascaris lumbricoides from humans by Linnaeus in 1758 and later of Ascaris suum from pigs by Goeze 1782, these species have been considered to be valid. Four hypotheses relative to the conspecificity or lack thereof (and thus origin of these species) are possible: 1) Ascaris lumbricoides (usually infecting humans) and Ascaris suum (recorded mostly from pigs) are both valid species, with the two species originating via a speciation event from a common ancestor sometime before the domestication of pigs by humans, or 2) Ascaris lumbricoides in humans is derived directly from the species …

Synthesizing Parasitology With Archaeology In Paleopathology, Karl Reinhard, Adauto Araujo

Karl Reinhard Publications

Parasitology is the study of organisms that are symbiotic with other organisms. In this form of symbiosis, the parasite species by definition benefits from the interaction while the host is harmed to some degree. In actuality, some parasites benefit their hosts. The animals traditionally studied by parasitologists range from protozoa to arthropods, and include all types of internal and external worms. Ticks, fleas, lice, and a variety of insects that transmit parasites are also studied by parasitologists. Recently, a more holistic view of parasitism appeared, including bacteria and viruses. In essence, parasitology is the study of a certain kind of …

The Relationship Between Male Moth Density And Female Mating Success In Invading Populations Of Lymantria Dispar, Patrick C. Tobin, Ksenia S. Onufrieva, Kevin W. Thorpe

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The successful establishment of non-native species in new areas can be affected by many factors including the initial size of the founder population. Populations comprised of fewer individuals tend to be subject to stochastic forces and Allee effects (positive-density dependence), which can challenge the ability of small founder populations to establish in a new area. Although the conceptual relationship between initial colony size and establishment success has been previously documented, it is not trivial to estimate precisely the colony size needed to ensure colony persistence. Over the last 40 years, there have been many studies on the probability of mating …

Tree And Impervious Cover In The United States, David J. Nowak, Eric J. Greenfield

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Using aerial photograph interpretation of circa 2005 imagery, percent tree canopy and impervious surface cover in the conterminous United States are estimated at 34.2% (standard error (SE) = 0.2%) and 2.4% (SE = 0.1%), respectively. Within urban/community areas, percent tree cover (35.1%, SE = 0.4%) is similar to the national value, but percent impervious cover is significantly higher (17.5%, SE = 0.3%). Tree cover per capita in urban areas averaged 377 m²/person, while impervious cover per capita averaged 274 m²/person. Percent tree cover in urban/community areas tends to be significantly higher than in rural areas in …

A Synoptic Review Of U.S. Rangelands A Technical Document Supporting The Forest Service 2010 Rpa Assessment, Matthew Clark Reeves, John E. Mitchell

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 requires the USDA Forest Service to conduct assessments of resource conditions. This report fulfills that need and focuses on quantifying extent, productivity, and health of U.S. rangelands. Since 1982, the area of U.S. rangelands has decreased at an average rate of 350,000 acres per year owed mostly to conversion to agricultural and residential land uses. Nationally, rangeland productivity has been steady over the last decade, but the Rocky Mountain Assessment Region appears to have moderately increased productivity since 2000. The forage situation is positive and, from a national perspective, U.S. rangelands can probably …

Fish And Other Aquatic Resource Trends In The United States A Technical Document Supporting The Forest Service 2010 Rpa Assessment, Andrew J. Loftus, Curtis H. Flather

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974 requires periodic assessments of the status and trends in the Nation’s renewable natural resources including fish and other aquatic species and their habitats. Data from a number of sources are used to document trends in habitat quality, populations, resource use, and patterns of imperilment among aquatic fauna. Freshwater habitat quality varied widely across the United States. Nationwide, more than half of monitored lakes were ranked in good condition, but the percentage ranged from a high of 91 percent in the upper Midwest to a low of 1 percent in …

Profitable Farms And Woodlands: A Practical Guide In Agroforestry For Landowners, Farmers And Ranchers, J. O. Idassi

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This handbook is part of an interdisciplinary, interinstitutional and comprehensive effort to develop a practical guide to assist underserved and limited resource small farmers and woodland owners to adopt best management technologies in agroforestry. Funding for this effort was provided through the USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) from the US Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under cooperative agreement number 68-7482-7-361 with Tennessee State University, Cooperative Extension Program and the 1890/1862 Agroforestry Team.

This guide was prepared by an agroforestry team of research and extension specialists from the 1862 and 1890 Land Grant Universities in collaboration with …

Gender, Gender Roles, And Anxiety: Perceived Confirmability Of Self Report, Behavioral Avoidance, And Physiological Reactivity, Milena Stoyanova, Debra Anne Hope

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Despite the well-documented gender effect in anxiety, less is known about contributing factors to women’s greater risk for anxiety and fears. The present study examined the relationship between gender, gender role orientation (i.e., expressivity/instrumentality) and fear of harmless insects (tarantula), using a multimodal approach of self-report measures, a Behavioral Approach Test (BAT), and physiological reactivity. Participants (144 college students; 67 women, 77 men) completed a questionnaire packet and then were instructed to approach a tarantula. We were unable to replicate Pierce and Kirkpatrick’s (1992) findings that men underreport anxiety. Consistent with the literature, women in the study experienced greater anxiety …

Contextual And Behavioral Control Of Antipsychotic Sensitization Induced By Haloperidol And Olanzapine, Chen Zhang, Ming Li

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Repeated administration of haloperidol (HAL) and olanzapine (OLZ) causes a progressively enhanced disruption of the conditioned avoidance response (CAR) and a progressively enhanced inhibition of phencyclidine (PCP)-induced hyperlocomotion in rats (termed antipsychotic sensitization). Both actions are thought to reflect intrinsic antipsychotic activity. The present study examined the extent to which antipsychotic- induced sensitization in one model (e.g. CAR) can be transferred or maintained in another (e.g. PCP hyperlocomotion) as a means of investigating the contextual and behavioral controls of antipsychotic sensitization. Well-trained male Sprague-Dawley rats were first repeatedly tested in the CAR or the PCP (3.2 mg/kg, subcutaneously) hyperlocomotion model …

Conditioned Response Evoked By Nicotine Conditioned Stimulus Preferentially Induces C-Fos Expression In Medial Regions Of Caudate-Putamen, Sergios Charntikov, Matthew E. Tracy, Changjiu Zhao, Ming Li, Rick A. Bevins

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Nicotine has both unconditioned and conditioned stimulus properties. Conditioned stimulus properties of nicotine may contribute to the tenacity of nicotine addiction. The purpose of this experiment was to use neurohistochemical analysis of rapidly developing c-Fos protein to elucidate neurobiological loci involved in the processing of nicotine as an interoceptive conditioned stimulus (CS). Rats were injected (SC) in an intermixed fashion with saline or nicotine (16 sessions of each) and placed in conditioning chambers where they were given one of the three conditions depending on group assignment: (a) nicotine paired 100% of the time with intermittent access to sucrose (nicotine-CS condition), …

A Review Of Return To Play Issues And Sports-Related Concussion, Amy W. Doolan, Daniel D. Day, Arthur C. Maerlender, Michael Goforth, P. Gunnar Brolinson

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Mild traumatic brain injury in sports has become a significant public health concern which has not only received the general public’s attention through multiple news media stories involving athletic concussions but has also resulted in local, state, and national legislative efforts to improve recogni-tion and management. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature for return to play (RTP) guidelines. State, regional, national, and professional legislation on sport-related concussion RTP management issues will be reviewed. This article will be helpful in developing a generalized systematic approach to concussion management and highlight specific RTP guidelines. The article will …

Endoscopic And Stroboscopic Presentation Of The Larynx In Male-To-Female Transsexual Persons, Derek Palmer, Angela M. Dietsch, Jeff Searl

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Background. Male-to-female transsexual (MFT) persons often attempt to produce a female-sounding voice as part of the transition process. Endoscopic and stroboscopic data about how they accomplish this with an anatomically male larynx are lacking.

Objectives. To describe vocal fold activity in MFT persons producing their feminine voice and identify signs of vocal misuse or hyperfunction in MFT speakers, if any.

Study Design. Prospective, nonrandomized, descriptive study of a convenience sample of MFT persons.

Methods. All MFT persons had endoscopic and stroboscopic procedures completed. Images were rated on a range of parameters by two experienced voice therapists …