Life Sciences Commons^™

Christmas Bird Counts For North Dakota 2005, Robert N. Randall

The Prairie Naturalist

Twenty areas were included in the North Dakota Christmas Bird Counts. One area that had been included during the previous four years was canceJled due to extreme icy conditions and could not be rescheduled.

There were 216 observers in the field and 41 additional participants counting the birds, which visited their feeders. The field observers were out for about 522.25 hours, 109.75 on foot and 412.5 in cars. Feeder watchers added 97.5 hours to the total. The field observers covered 121.2 miles on foot and 5,648.7 miles in vehicles. Some additional effort was spent in six of the areas where …

Book Reviews: Raptors In Your Pocket: A Guide To Great Plains Birds Of Prey; Dakota Flora: A Seasonal Sampler; The National Grasslands, Paul M. Konrad, Bonnie Heidel, F. L. Knopf

The Prairie Naturalist

Reviews of:

Raptors in Your Pocket: A Guide to Great Plains Birds of Prey, Dana Gardner, 2006, University of Iowa Press, 16 pages (laminated).

Dakota Flora: A Seasonal Sampler, David J. Ode, 2006, South Dakota State Historical Society Press, Pierre, South Dakota, 260 pages.

The National Grasslands, Francis Moul, 2006, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska, 153 pages.

Population Biology Of Pumpkinseed In Enemy Swim Lake, South Dakota, Eric J. Weimer, Michael L. Brown

The Prairie Naturalist

Little information is available regarding the biology and population characteristics of pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), especially in South Dakota, a state at the western edge of the species native range. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks summer trap net survey data, collected 1998 to 2003, suggests the Enemy Swim Lake population has low abundance (0.4-2.9 per trap net night) and moderately high size structure (proportional stock density [PSD] ranges between 71 and 91). To further examine the biological characteristics of the Enemy Swim Lake population, pumpkinseed was collected from Indian Bay with trap nets during May 2003. …

First Record Of Hairy Woodrush From South Dakota, Katherine A. Zacharkevics

The Prairie Naturalist

Hairy woodrush (Luzula acuminata (Juncaceae)), a native perennial graminoid, has recently been recorded for the first time from South Dakota.

Brood Break-Up And Juvenile Dispersal Of Lesser Prairie-Chicken In Kansas, James C. Pitman, Brent E. Jamison, Christian A. Hagen, Robert J. Robel, Roger D. Applegate

The Prairie Naturalist

Natal dispersal is critical for genetic interchange between subpopulations of birds and little is known about the timing and extent of lesser prairiechicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) dispersal movements. We monitored movements of 51 transmitter-equipped female lesser prairie-chicken known to have hatched a nest. Average minimum daily brood movements differed (t = -2.94, df = 829, P < 0.01) between the early (273 m; 0 to 14 days post-hatch) and late (312 m; 15 to 60 days post-hatch) brood rearing periods. We captured 71 juvenile lesser prairie-chicken from 10 broods at 3 to 11 days post-hatch and marked them with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. We subsequently captured 41 chicks from 20 different broods and fitted them with necklace-style transmitters. Transmitter- equipped brood hens and individual chicks were monitored daily and the average date of brood break-up was September 13 (85 to 128 days post-hatch). Both males and females exhibited bimodal dispersal movements in the fall and spring. Autumn dispersal movements peaked between late October and early November for both sexes. Spring dispersal movement of males peaked during late February. Female dispersal movements in the spring peaked in late March and were much more extensive than fall dispersal movements. Natal dispersal distance for all marked males averaged 1.4 km (SE= 0.2, n = 9). The approximate dispersal distances of three transmitter-equipped females ranged from 1.5 to 26.3 km. Because of greater dispersal distances, females will contribute more to genetic exchanges between fragmented subpopulations. To ensure genetic connectivity, we recommend that a distance of less …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 18, No. 3, June 2006

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents:
Congratulations
Welcome
Farewell
Faculty News
Student News
From the Office
Grants
Publications
Travel
Meet a Distance Student
Fond Farewell
This & That
Hexapod Herald Archives

Greenland Conservation And Land Stewardship Plan, Ellen J. Snyder

PREP Reports & Publications

The New Hampshire Estuaries Project (NHEP) Technical Assistance Program provides financial assistance to communities for land conservation planning and protection, wetlands protection, and stormwater management in coastal New Hampshire. The Greenland Planning Board applied for and received support to develop stewardship plans for town-owned lands (see proposal in Appendix A). The Town is working on a Master Plan update, as well as considering the expenditure of a $2 million bond for land acquisition. This project enables the Town to assess existing town lands for natural resource values and stewardship needs and identify other areas within Town as conservation priorities. The …

The Effects Of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation On Indirect Indicators Of Muscle Damage And Performance, Beau K. Greer

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine whether branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation attenuates indirect indicators of muscle damage, lowers ratings of perceived exertion, and improves aerobic performance as compared to an isocaloric, carbohydrate (CHO) beverage or a non-caloric placebo beverage. Nine, untrained males (VO2 max 36.26 2.23 ml/kg/min) performed three 90-minute cycling bouts at 55% VO2 max followed by a 15-minute time trial. Metabolic data was collected every 15 minutes during the steady-state ride, and indirect muscle damage markers were assessed pre, post, 4-hours, 24-hours, and 48-hours post-exercise. Pre and post-exercise concentrations of the BCAA and glucose were …

Be Creative When Controlling Invasive Plant Species, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

We are often told that every cloud has a silver lining, but when it comes to invasive exotic species, it seems that the proverbial silver lining is vanishingly thin. Invasives like kudzu, Japanese honeysuckle, tree-of-heaven, and oh-so-many others, seem ubiquitous, crowding out native plants and altering all manner of ecological interactions. Like a rock tossed in a placid pond, the negative impact of an exotic species can ripple throughout the entire ecological community. Further, populations of invasive plants can be so large and so extensive across the countryside that complete eradication is simply out of the question. The genie is …

Functional Characterization Of Aspergillus Nidulans Homologues Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Spa2 And Bud6, Aleksandra Virag, Steven D. Harris

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

The importance of polarized growth for fungi has elicited significant effort directed at better understanding underlying mechanisms of polarization, with a focus on yeast systems. At sites of tip growth, multiple protein complexes assemble and coordinate to ensure that incoming building material reaches the appropriate destination sites, and polarized growth is maintained. One of these complexes is the polarisome that consists of Spa2, Bud6, Pea2, and Bni1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Filamentous hyphae differ in their development and life style from yeasts and likely regulate polarized growth in a different way. This is expected to reflect on the composition and …

Morphologic And Ontogenetic Patterns In Elasmosaur Neck Length, With Comments On The Taxonomic Utility Of Neck Length Variables, F. Robin O’Keefe, Norton Hiller

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

Elasmosaur cervical vertebrae are common fossils, but their taxonomic utility is limited due to a lack of understanding concerning their shape within and among taxa. In this paper, we analyze data from complete elasmosaur necks in an attempt to quantify and understand the variation in centrum dimensions. In accord with previous studies, variation in cervical centrum shape is found to stem from at least three sources: ontogeny, intracolumn variation, and intercolumn or taxonomic variation. Ontogenetic variability seems reminiscent of that seen in Cryptoclidus, with an overall positive allometry in the length of all centra that is accentuated in the mid-cervical …

Book Review: Agriculture As A Producer And Consumer Of Energy, Wally Wilhelm

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

As the title of this book suggests, agriculture resides on both sides of the nation’s energy balance equation. Throughout history, agriculture has used and produced energy. Early agriculture relied on human and animal traction; much of the produce was consumed to power the enterprise. From the end of World War II through the present, a unique period in agricultural production has existed. Energy used on farms has come from sources beyond the farm gate—oil wells in the Middle East and Alaska’s North Slope, coal mines in Wyoming, and natural gas fields in Gulf States and the Gulf of Mexico. As …

Effect Of Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry3bb1 Protein On The Feeding Behavior And Longevity Of Adult Western Corn Rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Timothy M. Nowatski, Xugou Zhou, Lance J. Meinke, Ty Vaughn, Blair Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The first transgenic corn hybrids expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry3Bb1 protein to control corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.) larvae were registered for commercial use in 2003. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Cry3Bb1 protein in combination with a cucurbitacin bait on adult feeding and longevity of both organophosphate-resistant and -susceptible western corn rootworms, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In choice and no-choice tests, possible repellency to the Bt protein was quantified by comparing beetle consumption of cellulose disks treated with three concentrations of Bt in combination with a feeding stimulant (Invite EC) to disks treated …

A Preliminary Biological Assessment Of Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex, North Dakota, Murray K. Laubhan, Robert A. Gleason, Gregory A. Knutsen, Rachel A. Laubhan, N. H. Euliss Jr.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

This report represents an initial biological assessment of wetland conditions on Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Slade NWR, and Florence Lake NWR that was conducted as part of the pre-planning phase for development of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). According to the 1997 National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (NWRSIA), decisions guiding NWR management should be based on the best available scientific information. Therefore, this report attempts to integrate relevant information from many different scientific disciplines (e.g., geology, hydrology, biology) to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in identifying ecological constraints and opportunities imposed by the land …

Quality Of Cornmeal Stored Long-Term In A Low Oxygen Atmosphere, Megan L. Bingham, Heather F. Pahulu, Lynn V. Ogden, Oscar A. Pike

Faculty Publications

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends food be included in efforts to be prepared for natural disasters and other emergencies. Cornmeal packaged in No. 10 cans with a low oxygen atmosphere has been available in the retail market for decades, but the effect of long-term storage on quality is unknown. This study assessed the quality of cornmeal stored up to 33 years at ambient temperatures in a low oxygen atmosphere. Sixteen samples of cornmeal packaged in No. 10 cans ranging in age from < 1 to 33 years were obtained from donors. The cornmeal and products made from the cornmeal (cornbread and cornmeal hot cereal) were evaluated by a 50-member consumer panel using a 9-point hedonic scale for attributes including appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability. Acceptance for everyday use and emergency situations was also determined. Additional measurements included can headspace oxygen, can seam integrity, color, and water activity. There was no significant decrease over storage time in aroma, texture, flavor, and overall acceptability in cornmeal, cornbread or cornmeal cereal. Hedonic scores for cornmeal aroma and appearance ranged from 5.2 to 6.3 and 5.6 to 7.0, respectively. Hedonic scores for overall acceptability of cornmeal cereal and corn bread varied from 4.5 to 6.0 and 6.0 to 7.1, respectively. Acceptance of the cornmeal in a regular diet ranged from 44 to 76 % and emergency acceptance ranged from 90 to 99 %. Headspace oxygen ranged from 0.309 to 20.4%. CIE L*a*b* color values ranged from 82.0-86.6, 3.2-10.1, and 26.3-50.8, respectively. Cornmeal appearance hedonic scores correlated with CIE b* color values (r2=0.75). Water activity ranged from .28 to .58. Cornmeal, especially as an ingredient in a recipe, is capable of retaining a high percentage of consumer acceptance over long periods of time and can be included in long-term food storage efforts.

A Metamodel And Uml Profile For Rule-Extended Owl Dl Ontologies, Saartje Brockmans, Peter Haase, Pascal Hitzler, Rudi Studer

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper we present a MOF compliant metamodel and UML profile for the Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL) that integrates with our previous work on a metamodel and UML profile for OWL DL. Based on this metamodel and profile, UML tools can be used for visual modeling of rule-extended ontologies.

Avian Affairs: A Study Of The Occurrence And Benefits Of Extra-Pair Breeding Behavior In Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus Tyrannus), Amy Catherine Dolan

Dissertations and Theses

Over three consecutive breeding seasons I examined the breeding system of Eastern Kingbirds in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in SE, Oregon. To assess genetic paternity, I optimized seven microsatellite markers and determined that extra pair paternity was common. Extra-pair young were present in approximately 60% of nests, representing 47% of young. I examined implications of extra-pair paternity from three perspectives.

First, I examined the impact of extra-pair paternity on the opportunity for sexual selection within a socially monogamous system and identified correlates of male reproductive success. Some males were successful at the expense of others, and 24% of males did …

Reducing Pesticide Poisoning Of Bees, Howard Dear, Richard Beard

All Current Publications

Choose insecticides that are non hazardous to bees whenever possible. The more hazardous insecticide active ingredients include many of the organophosphates and the carbamates, and some of the synthetic pyrethroids and neonicotinoids.

Growth, Feeding And Reproduction Of The Catfish Eremophilus Mutisii (Pisces : Trichomycteridae), From Artificial Reservoirs In Colombia, Gabriel Pinilla, Maritza Abril, Esperanza González

Faculty Publications

The catfish, Eremophilus mutisii, was cultured under different densities in artificial rainfall reservoirs at Caldas, Boyaca, Colombia. At capture, the average total length of the animals was 10 cm and the weight ranged between 9 and 10 g. These fish were in initial stages of sexual development. After a year in the reservoirs, they had increased in length and weight as follows (densities in parentheses): 5.22 cm and 27.23 g (0.5 individuals/m(2))); 1.98 cm and 8.79 g (1 individual/m(2)), and 2.45 cm and 0.82 g (2 individuals/m(2)). They were at the early stages of sexual maturity, and their condition …

The Environmental Impact Of Dietary Choice And Agriculture In California, Harold J. Marlow Jr.

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Food demand influences agricultural production. Modern agricultural practices have resulted in polluted soil, air and water, eroded soil, dependence on imported oil, and loss of biodiversity. The goal of this research is to investigate the environmental impact of pesticide and fertilizer application, water consumption, and energy used to produce commodities for a vegetarian and non vegetarian diet in California. The working assumption is that greater number and amount of inputs are associated with greater environmental impact. The literature supports this notion. To accomplish this goal, dietary preferences were quantified using the Adventist Health Study and state agricultural data were collected …

Analysis Of An Sirs Age-Structured Epidemic Model With Vaccination And Vertical Transmission Of Disease, Mohammed El-Doma

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

An SIRS age-structured epidemic model for a vertically as well as horizontally transmitted disease under vaccination is investigated when the fertility, mortality and removal rates depend on age and the force of infection of proportionate mixing assumption type, and vaccination wanes over time. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solution to the model equations, and show that solutions of the model equations depend continuously on the initial age-distributions. Furthermore, we determine the steady states and obtain an explicitly computable threshold condition, in terms of the demographic and epidemiological parameters of the model; we then study the stability of the …

Genetic Factors Leading To Chronic Epstein–Barr Virus Infection And Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma In South East China: Study Design, Methods And Feasibility, Xiu Chan Guo, Kevin Scott, Yan Liu, Michael Dean, Victor David, George W. Nelson, Randall C. Johnson, Holli H. Dilks, J. A. Lautenberger, Bailey Kessing, Janice S. Martenson, Li Guan, Shan Sun, Hong Deng, Yuming Zheng, Guy De The, Jian Liao, Yi Zeng, Stephen J. O'Brien, Cheryl Winkler

Biology Faculty Articles

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a complex disease caused by a combination of Epstein-Barr virus chronic infection, the environment and host genes in a multi-step process of carcinogenesis. The identity of genetic factors involved in the development of chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection and NPC remains elusive, however. Here, we describe a two-phase, population-based, case-control study of Han Chinese from Guangxi province, where the NPC incidence rate rises to a high of 25-50 per 100,000 individuals. Phase I, powered to detect single gene associations, enrolled 984 subjects to determine feasibility, to develop infrastructure and logistics and to determine error rates in sample …

Remarks On The Stability Of Some Size-Structured Population Models I: Changes In Vital Rates Due To Population Only, Mohammed El-Doma

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

We consider a size-structured population model that has been studied in Calsina et al. (2003). We propose a different approach that provides direct stability results, and we correct a stability result given therein. In addition, we obtain global stability results that have not been given in Calsina et al. (2003).

Effects Of Ultraviolet-B Radiation On Leaf Morphology Of Arabidopsis Thaliana (L.) Heynh. (Brassicaceae), Maria Regina Torres Boeger, Mary E. Poulson

Biology Faculty Scholarship

Reduction of the ozone layer results in the increase in ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth's surface, especially the ultraviolet-B (UV-B). The increase of radiation may induce structural and physiological changes in plants, influencing their growth and development. This paper evaluates the effects of ambient UV-B radiation upon to the leaf morphology of Arabidopsis thaliana developed under controlled conditions. The seeds of A. thaliana grown in environmental chamber, with 300 µmol m^-2s^-1 de photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) with and without 6 kJ m^-2 s^-1 of radiation UV-B_be (UV-B_be; UV-B biologically effective). After 21 …

Growing Chinese Cabbage In Western Australia, John Burt, Dennis Phillips, David Gatter

Bulletins 4000 -

Chinese cabbage is a member of the Brassiceae family, which may be called brassicas, crucifers or cole crops. This includes various crops such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, turnips, swedes and weeds such as wild radish.

In general trade, the term Chinese cabbage can loosely be given to both the heading types (Brasssica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis) and to non heading types such as pak-choi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis). This Bulletin deals with the heading type of Chinese cabbage. The Chinese name is Wong Bok, and this name is often used in Australia.

Dietary Supplements And Sports Performance: Herbals, Melvin H. Williams

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

This is the fourth in a series of six articles to discuss the major classes of dietary supplements (vitamins; minerals; amino acids; herbs or botanicals; metabolites, constituents/extracts, or combinations). The major focus is on efficacy of such dietary supplements to enhance exercise or sport performance.

Coexistence Of The Niche And Neutral Perspectives In Community Ecology, Mathew A. Leibold, Mark A. Mcpeek

Dartmouth Scholarship

The neutral theory for community structure and biodiversity is dependent on the assumption that species are equivalent to each other in all important ecological respects. We explore what this concept of equivalence means in ecological communities, how such species may arise evolutionarily, and how the possibility of ecological equivalents relates to previous ideas about niche differentiation. We also show that the co-occurrence of ecologically similar or equivalent species is not incompatible with niche theory as has been supposed, because niche relations can sometimes favor coexistence of similar species. We argue that both evolutionary and ecological processes operate to promote the …

Medial Prefrontal Activity Differentiates Self From Close Others, Todd F. Heatherton, Carrie L. Wyland, C. Neil Macrae, Kathryn E. Demos, Bryan T. Denny, William M. Kelley

Dartmouth Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Abalone (Haliotis Discus Hannai And Haliotis Tuberculata) Shellfish Histology And Pathology Using Microscopic And Molecular Methods, Leanne Harris

Doctoral

The aims of this research project were to study the biology of abalone through a histological characterisation of two species of this shellfish, Haliotis tuberculata and Haliotis discus hannai using both histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques and to develop molecular methods for the detection and quantitation of common shellfish pathogens associated with abalone disease outbreaks. In the first part of this study immunohistochemistry was used to examine cell distribution structural and functional proteins in abalone tissues. Phenotypic antigen expression was analysed in abalone shellfish using an array of antibodies that react with a range of proteins in many different species. In …

Effect Of Jatropha Gossypiifolia Leaf Extracts On Three Lepidoptera Species, J. Arnubio Valencia, Brigitte Frérot, Herve Guénego, Diego F. Múnera, Maria Fátima De Sá Grossi, Paul André Calatayud

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Leaf extracts of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) contain compounds that are toxic to insects. In this study, these extracts were tested against larvae of three lepidopteran species, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Sesamia nonagrioides Lef. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which are important pests of maize in Africa, Europe and Mediterranean countries, respectively. Leaf extracts were shown to be highly toxic to neonate larvae of B. fusca and O. nubilalis quickly after they were ingested. In contrast, no effect was found on fourth instar O. nubilalis and a low level of toxicity was observed on neonates of …