Life Sciences Commons^™

The Behavioral And Pharmacological Actions Of Nmda Receptor Antagonism Are Conserved In Zebrafish Larvae, John Chen, Roshni Patel, Theodore Friedman, Kevin Jones

Department of Biology Faculty Publications

Dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) is one of several NMDA receptor antagonists that is widely used to pharmacologically model the symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia in animals. MK-801 elicits behaviors in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) that are phenotypically consistent with behaviors observed in humans and rodents exposed to tbhe drug. However, the molecular and cellular processes that mediate the psychotomimetic, cognitive and locomotive behaviors of MK-801 are unclear. We exposed zebrafish larvae to MK-801 to assess their merit as a model organism to elucidate the behavioral effects of NMDA receptor blockade. Zebrafish larvae were acutely immersed in MK-801 to assess the effect …

Applications Of Natural Products In The Control Of Mosquito-Transmitted Diseases, Jesse Hardin, Fatimah Linda Collier Jackson

Department of Biology Faculty Publications

Mosquito-transmitted diseases remain one of the most significant causes of mortality in the African continent, despite successes in controlling these diseases in other regions of the world. The disproportionate impact in areas of poverty suggests a need for control that is efficient and does not require complex technological control strategies. Focusing on the vectors of disease, the mosquito, there are many alternatives to synthetic, chemical pesticides that await discovery and development. Although some natural products have been described, there is still a need for continuing research that incorporates endogenous knowledge in the selection process for potential vector control candidates. Recent …

Biological Observations And A New State Record Of Paracotalpa Granicollis Haldeman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) In New Mexico, Paul Kaufman, Mary Liz Jameson

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

Specimens of Paracotalpa granicollis Haldeman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) collected in northwestern New Mexico represent a new state record for the species. Individuals (males only) were observed in association with Juniperus osteosperma Torr. Little (Juniper; Cupressaceae). We provide an overview of the biology of species in the genus Paracotalpa Ohaus and discuss biological observations of P. granicollis.

Dna, Red Tide And The Sea: A New Exhibit At Mystic Aquarium & Ife, Margaret (Peg) A. Van_Patten

Wrack Lines

DNA, Red Tide and the Sea is a new exhibit at Mystic Aquarium & IFE. It was developed by UConn Marine Sciences Professor Senjie Lin, and Mystic Aquarium. Children can extract DNA from fruit and learn about genetic codes and red tides in the ocean.

Robots For Weed Control In Eden?, Stephen L. Young

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

In the Biblical account, weeds were the result of the curse for Adam’s sin. In the 21st century, we are still toiling by the sweat of our brow to control weeds. What Adam and the rest of mankind have endured for thousands of years, may soon be controlled by a robot, similar to the ones that vacuum your floor, protect your car and entertain your kids.

Spatio-Temporal Relationship Between Water Depletion And Root Distribution Patterns Of Centaurea Solstitialis And Two Native Perennials, Stephen L. Young, Guy B. Kyser, Jacob N. Barney, Victor P. Claassen, Joseph M. Ditomaso

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

In a 2-year field study, we quantified lateral root growth patterns and soil water depletion dynamics in the invasive annual Centaurea solstitialis and two native perennials, Elymus glaucus and Grindelia camporum. Centaurea solstitialis produced lateral roots most actively from early April to mid-June, during the late rosette to spiny seedhead stage while both root growth and water depletion were completed before flowering. In the wet year, roots were evenly distributed throughout the soil profile to 180 cm deep. Lack of deep soil moisture recharge in the second year restricted root distribution to shallow soil depths (< 60 cm). In contrast to C. solstitialis, …

Animal Science Alumni Newsletter: Winter 2009/Spring 2010

Department of Animal Science: Departmental News

From the Department Head’s Desk -- Larry Berger
Current Faculty -- Donald G. Levis will retire on January 31, 2010
UNL-developed Idea Introduced into Animal Science Class: 3D Teaching
Emeriti Faculty -- Dr. Ernest “Ernie” R. Peo Jr., 84, died Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
Faculty Awards -- Kathy Anderson, Charles Adams, Rick Rasby, Ivan Rush
Student Activities: Block and Bridle Club, SEECA: Students for the Education of Exotic and Companion Animals, Livestock Judging Team, Meats Judging Team, Equestrian Teams
Alumni News
Tom Hansen Agricultural Ties Important in His Legislative Service
Scott Brady Retires
Deaths: Jack E. Eberspacher, Brian Brandt
History …

Temperature Compensation Of Auxin Dependent Developmental Patterning, Nicholas J. Kaplinsky

Biology Faculty Works

The establishment of localized auxin gradients plays a central role in developmental patterning in plants. Auxin levels and responses have been shown to increase with temperature although developmental patterning is not affected. This suggests the existence of a homeostatic mechanism that ensures that patterning occurs normally over a range of temperatures. We recently described the cloning and characterization of BOBBER1 (BOB1), an Arabidopsis gene which encodes a small heat shock protein. BOB1 is required for the establishment of auxin gradients and for normal developmental patterning. BOB1 is also required for organismal thermotolerance and localizes to heat shock granules at elevated …

Gene Expression Profile Of Tumor Cell-Fused Or Noni (Morinda Citrifolia)-Treated Dendritic Cells, Melissa O'Connor

All Dissertations

Dendritic cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy employs several ways to engage tumor antigens. We have demonstrated both in pre-clinical animal studies and early clinical trials that dendritomas, highly purified hybrids between dendritic cells and tumor cells, are superior activators of anti-tumor immunity. In the present study, we examined the expression profile of several inflammatory chemokine and chemokine receptors of dendritomas by RNA microarray and real-time RT-PCR. The results indicate that dendritomas made from immature DCs and tumor cells express higher levels of CCL3, CCL5, and CCL22 and lower levels of CCR2 and CCR5, which mimics LPS matured DCs, while dendritomas made from …

Towards Reasoning Pragmatics, Pascal Hitzler

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

The realization of Semantic Web reasoning is central to substantiating the Semantic Web vision. However, current mainstream research on this topic faces serious challenges, which force us to question established lines of research and to rethink the underlying approaches.

Spatial Distribution Of Petroleum Hydrocarbons In Sediment Cores From Blind Pass, St. Pete Beach, Florida, Charles M. Featherstone, John Proni, Thomas P. Carsey, Cheryl J. Brown, Madeleine M. Adler, Patricia Blackwelder, Husain Alsayegh, Teresa A. Hood, Christina Piela, Donald S. Mccorquodale Jr.

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Reports

One hundred and one sediment cores were collected to characterize the spatial distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons within and just outside Blind Pass, St. Pete Beach, Florida. Twenty-five percent of the cores exhibited levels of petroleum hydrocarbons above detection limits of the gas chromatograph/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) (0.01 mg/Kg), but at generally low concentrations. Petroleum hydrocarbon speciation studies of these samples (gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy [GC/MS]) indicate above-detection level (1 μg/Kg) petroleum hydrocarbons are similar to the non-volatile petroleum hydrocarbons found in a Bouchard 155 reference sample collected after the 1993 oil spill in the area, but are in a much degraded …

Extraction And Analysis Of Coral Reef Core Samples From Broward County, Florida., Anastasios Stathakopoulos

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The reefs off Broward County exist as three shore-parallel, sequentially deeper terraces named the "inner", "middle", and "outer" reefs and also a shallower, nearshore ridge complex. These structures span the continental coast of southeast Florida from Palm Beach County to southern Miami-Dade County and were characterized as relict, early Holocene shelf-edge and mid-shelf reefs along with limestone ridges. Presently, the reefs are colonized by a fauna characteristic of West Atlantic/Caribbean reef systems. Scleractinian coral cover is low except for a few dense patches of Acropora cervicornis, while Acropora palmata is absent except for a few individual living colonies.

Coral …

Discovering Metabolic Networks Of Bovine Fertilization, Erin Lynn Young

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

At the time of fertilization, a dramatic change occurs in the oocyte that transforms this cell from a metaphase arrested state into a metabolically active and dynamic state. The view of the flow of biological processes within organisms has recently shifted from that of a linear path to a more complex network. Biological processes are no longer thought of in the simple terms of DNA to RNA, RNA to proteins, and proteins to final activity. It is now known that many biological processes involve interconnected networks and feedback loops in which DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites perform specific roles. We …

The Effect Of Irrigation Diversions On The Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium Williamsoni) Population In The Big Lost River, Patrick Allen Kennedy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Management agencies documented a decline in the mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) population on the Big Lost River, and unscreened diversions were recognized as a potential factor for this decline. Research suggests the Big Lost River mountain whitefish population is genetically unique, and it has been petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species Act. In 2007, a basin-wide synopsis of diversions was conducted to describe relative entrainment and identify diversions that entrained the most mountain whitefish. This larger scaled synopsis facilitated a more precise assessment of entrainment by a subset of diversions in 2008. In 2008, the volume that …

Ecological Effects Of Genotypic Diversity On Community And Ecosystem Function, Megan K. Kanaga

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Genotypic diversity within populations can have important evolutionary consequences, but the ecological effects of intraspecific genetic variation on community and ecosystem function have only been studied in a few systems. I present the results of a three-year study designed to address the ecological impacts of genotypic diversity in quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), using aspen genotypes planted across genotypic diversity levels (monoculture and mixture) and watering treatment levels (well-watered and water-limited). First, I demonstrated that significant variation exists among genotypes for a wide range of growth, morphological and physiological traits, and quantified high heritability and coefficient of genetic variation …

The Effects Of Social Status And Learning On Captive Coyote (Canis Latrans) Behavior, Lynne Barbara Gilbert-Norton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many canids live within hierarchical social systems that could promote differences in learning or in behavior between ranked individuals. Differences in foraging and territorial behavior have been observed between ranked coyotes (Canis latrans), yet effects of learning and social status on coyote behavior are not thoroughly understood. I explored a) coyote response to an artificial scent boundary and whether response differed by status, b) how foraging coyotes tracked temporal resource change, and c) how coyotes find spatially distributed food, and the effect of dominance on foraging behavior. I used male/female pairs of captive coyotes at the National Wildlife Research Center …

Designing An Instrument Based On Native Fluorescence To Determine Soil Microbial Content At A Mars Analog Site, Heather D. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

For this research project we designed an instrument to detect bacteria via biomolecular fluorescence. We introduce the current understanding of astrobiology, our knowledge of life beyond Earth, and the commonality of Earth life as it pertains to the search for life on Mars. We proposed a novel technique for searching for direct evidence of life on the surface of Mars using fluorescence. We use the arid region of the Mojave Desert as an analog of Mars. Results indicate the fluorescence of the biotic component of desert soils is approximately as strong as the fluorescence of the mineral component. Fluorescence laboratory …

42 | Horbat ‘Uza: The 1991 Excavations Volume Ii: The Late Periods, Nimrod Getzov, Dina Avshalom-Gorni, Yael Gorin-Rosen, Edna J. Stern, Danny Syon, Ayelet Tatcher

IAA Reports—Monograph Series of the Israel Antiquities Authority

This is the second of two volumes documenting the IAA excavations at this site in the ‘Akko Plain. This volume deals with the late periods, spanning the time from the Roman to the Mamluk periods, and presents the pottery and glass assemblages, the coins and other small finds. The history of settlement at the site, from the earliest to the latest occupations is summarized.

Clinical Research In Diabetes And Urinary Incontinence: What We Know And Need To Know, Suzanne Phelan, Francine Grodstein, Jeanette S. Brown

Kinesiology and Public Health

Purpose: We discuss epidemiological and clinical trial research in women with urinary incontinence and diabetes, and provide directions for future research.
Materials and Methods: Published epidemiological and clinical trial literature examining diabetes and incontinence is presented.
Results: Multiple studies have now confirmed that the prevalence and incidence of incontinence is increased in women with type 2 diabetes. Emerging evidence also suggests higher incontinence rates in women with type 1 diabetes or prediabetes. Clinical trial research suggests that weight loss can decrease incontinence in women with prediabetes. An ongoing multicenter trial will examine the effects of weight loss on incontinence in …

Fall Field Report, August-November 2009, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This was probably the most "normal" fall season in a while, as measured by the small number of late departure dates among summer residents and migrants, early arrival dates among winter residents and migrants, high counts, and rarities. In other words, very little of significance happened. Indeed, in order to provide a spark, I'll even mention three exotics that were reported: a Swan Goose at Fremont 26 November (JRo), a Common Peafowl in Dodge Co 5 August (JWe), and a White-faced Cockatiel caught in a Dixon Co yard 24 August (JJ). None is likely to be a threat to our …

Index To Volume 77

Nebraska Bird Review

Albright, Andrew 139

Alcock, David 47

Alexander,

George 15

Irene 15

Allison, Scott 22

Alspaugh, Mack 166

American Ornithologists' Union 112, 116, 167

Andrews, R. 111, 158

Anhinga 120, 131

Ani, Groove-billed 124, 132

Armknecht, Henry 48

Avocet, American 28, 55, 72, 100, 122, 145

Patterns Of Bison Hair Use In Nests Of Tallgrass Prairie Birds, Bryan R. Coppedge

The Prairie Naturalist

I examined patterns of bison (Bison bison L.) hair use by passerine birds nesting in the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Osage County, Oklahoma, 2002-2004. I collected and dissected 103 nests of 15 species into their constituent components. Nests were predominately composed of herbaceous material such as grass stems and leaves. Woody material and mud were rarely used. Bison hair was the most prominent zoological material used in nests, with lesser amounts and occurrence of arthropod silk, snake skin, feathers, jack rabbit (Lepus californicus Oray) fur, and man-made materials such as cellophane and string. At least one nest of 13 …

Long Distance Molt Migration By A Giant Canada Goose From Eastern South Dakota, Bobby J. Anderson, Charles D. Dieter

The Prairie Naturalist

To reduce crop damage by resident giant Canada geese (Schaible et al. 2005), the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) initiated a program to reduce goose nesting success in eastern South Dakota. One management tool used by SDGFP personnel was the destruction of giant Canada goose nests. When a giant Canada goose has its nest destroyed, they are known to initiate a molt migration (Mykut 2002, Luukkonen et aI. 2008). We attached Platform Transmitting Terminals (PTT; model ST -19) to document and describe molt migrations of giant Canada geese following nest destruction. We captured 3 adult nesting …

Monitoring Meadows With A Modified Robel Pole In The Northern Black Hills, South Dakota, Daniel W, Uresk, Daryl E. Mergen, Ted A. Benzon

The Prairie Naturalist

We used a modified Robel pole to measure vegetation for a study conducted in the northern Black Hills, South Dakota. Objectives were to determine the relationship between visual obstruction readings and clipped standing herbage, and develop guidelines for monitoring standing herbage. The relationship between visual obstruction readings and standing herbage was linear and regression coefficients were significant (P≤ 0.001). Herbage ranged from 140 to 3313 kg· ha-1 with a mean of 1386 kg· ha^-1 (SE = 320 kg· ha^-1) for 123 transects. Visual obstruction readings (VOR) ranged from 0.6 to 30.4 (number of 1.27 cm bands …

Generic Reassignment Of Species In The Tribe Cephaloleiini Chapuis, 1875 (Coleoptera: Cassidinae), C. L. Staines

Insecta Mundi

Thirty-one species of Cephaloleiini are assigned to new genera, creating new combinations: 19 to Parimatidium Spaeth, 10 to Stilpnaspis Weise, and two to Demotispa Baly. Demotispa peruana membrata Uhmann, 1957 is raised to full species status. As the transfer of Cephaloleia limbatum Pic to Demotispa creates a homonymy, the species is renamed Demotispa pici nomen novum.

The Beetles Of St. Lucia, Lesser Antilles (Insecta: Coleoptera): Diversity And Distributions, Stewart B. Peck

Insecta Mundi

The published beetle fauna of the island of St. Lucia is summarized. It contains 135 genera, and 175 species in 25 families. Four species are accidentally introduced by human activities. Twenty three species are endemic (restricted) to the island. Twenty seven species on St. Lucia are shared only with other islands of the Lesser Antilles, and 22 species are widespread Antilles endemics. The remaining 56.6% of the fauna is otherwise mostly one which is widely distributed in the Antilles and the Neotropics. This suggests that it is mostly an immigrant fauna originating in the continental Neotropics. Undoubtedly, the actual numbers …

A New Country Record For Chrysina Diversa (Ohaus, 1912) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) In Central America, Conrad P. D. T. Gillett

Insecta Mundi

Chrysina diversa (Ohaus, 1912) is recorded for the first time from Belize. Detailed information on its capture in that country is presented.

Chrysina diversa (Ohaus, 1912) est signalée pour la première fois de Belize. Des informations détaillées sur sa capture dans cette pays sont présentées ici.

Nebraska Bird Review (December 2009) 77(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Fall Field Report, August–November 2009 ... 138

The Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) Reaches Nebraska ... 155

2009 (21st) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 160

Fall Field Days at Valentine ... 169

Index to Volume 77 ... 173

Subscription and Organization Information ... 183

A Powerful New Planning Environment For Fuels Managers: The Interagency Fuels Treatment Decision Support System, Gail Wells

Joint Fire Science Program Digests

The Joint Fire Science Program, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Fuels Management Committee, and Sonoma Technology, Inc. are unveiling the prototype of a new planning environment that will help fuels specialists negotiate the confusing array of planning tools. The new framework, dubbed the Interagency Fuels Treatment Decision Support System, or IFT-DSS, organizes fuels-planning software and data into a seamless user environment. IFT-DSS offers users access to powerful modeling software from within a well-designed, intuitive graphical user interface, and it provides a common platform for the further development of fuels-planning software tools. The name may not slide easily off the tongue—you …

Fortuitous Establishment Of Rhyzobius Lophanthae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) And Aphytis Lingnanesis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) In South Texas On The Cycad Aulacaspis Scale, Aulacaspis Yasumatsui (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Daniel Flores, Jason Carlson

Entomology Papers from Other Sources

The cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi, is currently found in China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Florida (Germain and Hodges 2007). It was originally described from specimens collected on a Cycas sp., in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1972 (Takagi 1977). In recent years, finds have also been reported in California, Georgia, and Nevada (IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group 2009). In 2006, severe outbreaks of cycad aulacaspis scale were reported in South Texas where sago palms, Cycas revoluta Thunb., adorn landscapes and are important ornamental plants for commercial nursery growers (Bográn et al. 2006). Of …