Life Sciences Commons^™

Fhf-Independent Conduction Of Action Potentials Along The Leak-Resistant Cerebellar Granule Cell Axon, Katarzyna Dover, Christopher Marra, Sergio Solinas, Marko Popovic, Sathyaa Subramaniyam, Dejan Zecevic, Egidio D'Angelo, Mitchell Goldfarb

Publications and Research

Neurons in vertebrate central nervous systems initiate and conduct sodium action potentials in distinct subcellular compartments that differ architecturally and electrically. Here, we report several unanticipated passive and active properties of the cerebellar granule cell’s unmyelinated axon. Whereas spike initiation at the axon initial segment relies on sodium channel (Nav)-associated fibroblast growth factor homologous factor (FHF) proteins to delay Nav inactivation, distal axonal Navs show little FHF association or FHF requirement for high-frequency transmission, velocity and waveforms of conducting action potentials. In addition, leak conductance density along the distal axon is estimated as o1% that of somatodendritic membrane. The faster …

Description Of New Ceratitis Species (Diptera: Tephritidae) From Africa, Or How Morphological And Dna Data Are Complementary In Discovering Unknown Species And Matching Sexes, Marc De Meyer, Maulid Mwatawala, Robert S. Copeland, Massimiliano Virgilio

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This paper describes five new Ceratitis species from the eastern and southern parts of the Afrotropical Region: C. (Pterandrus) quilicii De Meyer, Mwatawala & Virgilio sp. nov.; C. (Ceratalaspis) pallidula De Meyer, Mwatawala & Virgilio sp. nov.; C. (Ceratalaspis) taitaensis De Meyer & Copeland sp. nov.; C. (Ceratalaspis) sawahilensis De Meyer & Virgilio sp. nov.; and C. (Ceratalaspis) flavipennata De Meyer & Virgilio sp. nov. Their relationships with closely allied species within their respective subgenera are discussed where appropriate, and diagnostic characters are given. DNA barcodes are provided for all new species. In addition, the hitherto unknown male of C. …

Different Roads Lead To Rome: Integrative Taxonomic Approaches Lead To The Discovery Of Two New Lizard Lineages In The Liolaemus Montanus Group (Squamata: Liolaemidae), Cesar Aguilar, Perry L. Wood Jr., Mark C. Belk, Mike H. Duff, Jack W. Sites Jr.

Faculty Publications

Integrative taxonomy (IT) is becoming a preferred approach to delimiting species boundaries by including different empirical criteria. IT methods can be divided into two types of procedures both of which use multiple kinds of evidence: step-by-step approaches test hypotheses by sequential evaluation in a hypothetic-deductive framework, while model-based procedures delimit groups based on statistical information criteria. In this study we used a step-by-step approach and a Gaussian clustering (GC) method to test species boundaries in the northernmost species of the Liolaemus montanus group. We used different methods based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data, morphological measures and niche envelope …

Structural Dichotomy Of The Mind; The Role Of Sexual Neuromodulators, Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The mind (mental function) and sexuality represent two distinct environmental functions, but which are supported within the brain by a common (somatic-autonomic) neurobiological substrate. As a consequence, mental function takes on autonomic characteristics from the sexual-autonomic system (like autonomy, duality), while sexual function takes on features from mental functioning (such as lateralization). In this paper we discuss the lateralized action of two classes of sexual neuromodulators: hormones and pheromones. This process of lateralization is assimilated with the structural dichotomy of the mind.

A relatively similar process but related to informational dichotomy of the mind will be presented in a forthcoming …

Presence Of A Prophage Determines Temperature-Dependent Capsule Production In Streptococcus Pyogenes., Leslie Brown, Jeong-Ho Kim, Kyu Hong Cho

Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine Faculty Publications

A hyaluronic acid capsule is a major virulence factor in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus pyogenes. It acts as an anti-phagocytic agent and adhesin to keratinocytes. The expression of the capsule is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level by the two-component regulatory system CovRS, in which CovR acts as a transcriptional repressor. The covRS genes are frequently mutated in many invasive strains, and a subset of the invasive CovRS mutants does not produce a detectable level of the capsule at 37 °C, but produces a significant amount of the capsule at sub-body temperatures. Here, we report that a prophage has a …

Numbat Media: A Case Study In The Challenges Of Starting An Outreach Project, Matt Wilkins

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Why do scientists do outreach?

Familiar Outreach Trajectory

Outreach Fatigue

Problem: We’re asking too much of scientists

How do we get our hard-won science resources out to more people?

Numbat Media: Connect scientists (including myself) to the general public

What do we do?

This project needs more hands. Let’s collaborate!

Inquiry-Based Science Communication Using Plant And Animal Systems, Tiffany Heng-Moss

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Programs:

Our Zoo to YOU: Unique partnership: Nebraska Schools, science educators, scientists, and the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. To provide elementary and middle school educators with a unique opportunity to teach inquiry-based science with live animals. Focus on both teachers and students

Soybeans in the Classroom Research Experience for Teachers--Transformative model of education and professional development focused on: • Systems-approach • Science as inquiry • Integration of agricultural systems as vehicles for science education

Science as Inquiry

Tusker Power: Informal Science Education At The State Museum, Sarah Feit

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Museum Mission:

Research Divisions – University of Nebraska

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park

Trailside Museum of Natural History

Morrill Hall

Mueller Planetarium in Morrill Hall

Accreditation and Affiliation

Sunday with a Scientist

Investigate: Second Saturday Science Lab

Science Café

Museum NU – Virtual Field Trips

Portal to the Public Network

Stem : Afterschool Style: Supporting Stem Education Through Afterschool Learning Opportunities, Kathie Phillips

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Successful Students…Engaged Families…Strong Neighborhoods

Successful Students

Robotics Clubs

Audubon Spring Creek Prairie

Coding Academies

Makerspace !

Community Partnerships

Project-based Learning

Multi-Generational Clubs

Garage Science !

Achieving the Vision

What Is K-State Doing With Science Communication?, Tom Hallaq

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

NSF believes science is important and essential—and that communicating it is crucial…You can show them why they should care about your science and the scientific perspective, helping lead to greater public understanding of the value of NSF‐funded research.

Today’s journalists are required to do it all… Jack-of-all media trades. Scientists need to learn similar skills. Communicate your own science to nonexperts.

K-State Collaborations

Results for Journalists

Contact your Public Information Officer (PIO) or NSF Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA).

When to contact NSF

Worldwide Distribution Via Your Local Repository, Paul Royster

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

We operate the UNL Digital Commons institutional repository (IR) 87,130 Total Papers, 37,790,242 Total Downloads (since 2005), 6,746,500 Downloads in the past year.

We are the university’s most visited subdomain. Our content ranks above Elsevier’s in Google search results. Sometimes we even beat Wikipedia.

Schematic diagram

Our site looks like this >

Downloads for Dr. Hebets (68 papers). Downloading institutions-- Top 50 schools (of 627) for Eileen Hebets articles. Countries (105) for Eileen Hebets articles. We sent copies of your articles to users in these places.

So free scientific research gets lots of exposure, but ... Free educational resources get even …

Simple Techniques For Behavior Change, Lisa Pennisi

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Myths: •People just need to know the facts •People just need to be aware of the issues & consequences •People just need to see the $$ •Attitudes lead to behavior

Does knowledge lead to behavior?
•Knowledge correlates with behavior True
•Education increases knowledge True
•Increasing knowledge leads to behavior change False

What motivates behavior?

•Awareness campaigns can produce the opposite of goal –they use norms describing undesired behavior •boomerang effects –can cause the opposite effect as some conform with perceived social norms

The problem is WE are the evaluator of potential success based on what works for us. But we …

Help Me Help You: Working With Public Information Officers, Scott Schrage

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Why work with public information officers? Should I reach out to a PIO? Tips for working with a PIO. Multimedia. Draw in lay readers. Illustrate concepts. The interview. When the PIO sends you the first draft… Be prepared to speak with external media.

Networking With Researchers And Farmers To Tackle Herbicide-Resistant Weeds, Melinda K. Yerka

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Outline •Crop breeding technology •Regulation of crop technologies •Issues related to crop-to-weed gene flow •Need for landscape-level studies

GMO •Genetically Modified Organism •Most commercial traits facilitate crop production –Insect resistance (Btcorn) –Herbicide resistance (Roundup) •General scientific consensus that they are safe •Public concerns persist

GM…..Oh? •GMOs are regulated substances by USDA-APHIS –$80 to $150 million per genotype to get to market •USDA-APHIS: Which biotech traits do we regulate? •Commodity groups: Will we be regulated???

The special case of sorghum: Massive international development as a biofuel •Better drought tolerance than corn •Needs herbicide resistance to compete
Evolution of herbicide resistance in …

Why We Need To Help Youth Develop A Stem Identity, Saundra Frerichs

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Favorite Toys

Developing Identity

Click 2 Science http://click2sciencepd.org

click2sciencepd.org

[email protected]

@Click2Science

Training Undergraduates To Sell It: #Scicomm In An Ecology Course, Teresa Bilinski

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Stop. Being. Boring.

Science: Soft Skill? No.

Essential Transferable Skill: “Students would be better served by an education that is integrated with the job market they will encounter post-graduation, and one that provides not only technical skills but also the soft skills that are most in demand by employers such as communication…”

#SciCommin a senior Ecology course: Course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE). Ecosystem services at the wildland-urban interface: involving undergraduates in ecological investigations

Pre- assignment “Summarize the Results of an ecological research project related to the effects of urbanization on ecosystems. The research summaries will be presented orally to the …

The Engineering Ambassadors Network: Engaging Undergraduate Engineers In P-12 Outreach, Sally Wei

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

In the next few minutes I want to focus your attention on the T and E of STEM. Take a few seconds and think about what in this room is either not engineering and tech itself or does not have any interface with engineering and tech.

So engineering is ubiquitous, how do we teach this across society particularly P12 and how do we create the pipeline?

The Engineering Ambassadors Network is a nationwide network of colleges and universities designed to change the conversation on engineering.

EAN’s mission is two‐fold: to develop engineering leaders as well as impact P‐12 engineering education. …

How To Be A Biologist?, Fernando Mateos-González

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

http://bioblogia.net

http://www.bioblogia.net/p/consejosjovenesbiologos.html

Tips for young biologists-- •How and why study Biology •How to get experience, contacts, and jobs as a biologist •My own troubles/experiences

What do they ask about?

My own goals for SciComm2016…

Science Communication Strategies In The K-12 Classroom, Andrew Ising

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

@ItsIsing

andrewising@gmail

KABT.org #SciComm2016

bit.ly/isingnsc

Why is science literacy important to you? Why is science literacy important to me?

Situation #1: Peer Review -- Scientists talking to other Scientists; Making Science Research More Accessible: Poster Sessions [KABT Miniposters]

Situation #2: Informal Science -- Scientists telling science stories Common sources: Blogs, science magazines, newspapers, etc. Documentaries Social Media Why students like this: Narrative… Drama… Fewer long latin words

Situation #3: Community Outreach -- Scientists talking as experts to an audience “A scientist seen is a scientist trusted” Be/Become someone’s “BROADER IMPACTS”! Citizen Science Projects (Scistarter, YourWildLife, IMP, Great KS Tardigrade Hunt, …

Eight-Legged Encounters: Using Organismal Biology To Bring Science Education To Families & Communities, Eileen A. Hebets

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Path of the Predators: A Journey Through the Living Arachnids. Illustrations by Pawl Tisdale

WHAT IS AN ARTHROPOD?

CREATE A CHELICERATE

ASSEMBLE AN ARACHNID

TISSUE PAPER FLOWER

MICROSCOPE MADNESS

Eight-Legged Encounters Impact

Change in interest in learning about scientific discoveries among adult respondents (n = 63).

Youth’s interest in science activities (n = 42). Respondents were 50% female, 50% male and ranged in age from 4 – 14 with a mean of 7.7.

Building Educator Capacity To Address Animal Agriculture In A Changing Climate, Crystal Powers

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Multi-Regional Approach.

Project Support.

Project Objectives • Equip Educators –ability & motivation • Provide science-based information • Coordinate state, regional and national levels.

Online Course. Outcomes -ability. Outcomes -motivation.

Understand worldviews. Meet people where they are. Start with local history.

Framing: Focus on audience’s values & concerns. Present new information so it can be heard

Science in Action: • Public wants to know how the science applies to their life. • We can point back to the basic science

SciComm Lessons Learned

Engineering Empowerment: Science Literacy Through Engineering Design, Jennifer R. Keshwani

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Outcome A scientifically literate society capable of making effective decisions grounded in STEMinformed analyses of complex, real‐world challenges associated with food, fuel, water, landscape, and people issues.

Finding Solutions for Life on a Small Planet

Produce future STEM professionals

Develop a science and technology literate society

K-12 Engineering: Exposure to Engineering Design; K‐12 Engineering Design Curricula; Undergrad Teaching Experience; K‐12 Educator Professional Development

The Role Of Design Thinking In Scientific Research & Communication, Colleen Syron

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Design thnking: Research: • Interviews with designers • Observations and case studies • Experimental studies • Simulation • Reflection and theorizing

Designing is not a search for the optimum solution to the given problem, but that it is an exploratory process. The creative designer interprets the design brief not as a specification for a solution, but as a starting point for a journey of exploration,…

“Deduction proves that something must be; Induction shows that something actually is operative; Abduction suggests that something may be.” Charles Pierce

The main point of difference is that of timing. Both artists and scientists operate …

Public Perceptions Of Drones Used For Weather-Related Purposes, Lisa M. Pytlikzillig, Janell C. Walther, Carrick Detweiler, Adam L. Houston

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

The CLOUDMAP Team -- Collaboration Leading Operational UAS Development for Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics. An EPSCOR grant funded by NSF

Responsible Innovation & Trust

Public Perception Studies to Date

Some Major Findings • You can call a drone whatever you want without changing people’s support • Purpose matters • Trust matters…

And More Findings • Sensemaking through pop culture, lack of knowledge, questioning, and purpose. • Hopes for societal benefits such as research technology and improved public safety (reduced risk, better forecasting). • Concerns for privacy, public & airspace safety, and pollution. • Recommendations for collaborative regulation creation for safety …

You Kan: A Graduate Student Perspective On K-12 Outreach In Ks, Nicole Green

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Science gets interesting at interfaces.

K-12 Outreach in Kansas:
NSF GK-12 EIDROP Fellow (2014-2015) #0841414 Partnership with USD 475 ‘Resident Scientist’, AP Biology
EXCITE! Summer Workshop Series (2015, 2016) KAWSE Office ‘Drosophi-what? Using Fruit Flies as a Biological Model Organism’, 9th-12th grades
4-H SPecial INterest (SPIN) Fall 2015-Spring 2016 After school programming with USD 383, 2nd-5thgrades
Camp R.O.A.R. (Real Observation ARoundUs), Lincoln Elementary School, K-5th grades, funded by ASCB COMPASS Outreach grant

Engaging in outreach is a unique graduate training experience. Successful outreach programs meet students where they are.

If you walk into the classroom with good intentions and a …

The Spatial Distribution And Density Of The Emerald Ash Borer Infestation In Rock Island And Moline, Il, Kendall Smith, Victoria Lason, Tierney Brosius, Michael Reisner

Celebration of Learning

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Copleoptera: Buprestidae) is a destructive colonizer of ash trees that arrived in the United States in 2002. Since then, EAB has been detected in 22 states and two Canadian provinces, and has proven to be a complicated management issue for many cities including Rock Island. The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial distribution and density of the EAB infestation in Rock Island, Ill and to identify potential correlations between host larval densities and visual symptoms. A continuation of spatial distribution was determined through a tree survey examining specific species …

Traversing Swanton Road, 23rd Ed., James A. West

Academic, Government & Associated Organizational Research Resources

Situated at the northwest end of Santa Cruz County and occupying circa 30 square miles of sharply contrasted terrain, the Scott Creek Watershed concentrates within its geomorphological boundaries, at least 10-12% of California's flora, both native and introduced. Incorporated within this botanical overview but technically not part of the watershed sensustrictu, are the adjacent environs, ranging from the coastal strand up through the Western Terrace to the ocean draining ridge tops..... with the Arroyo de las Trancas/Last Chance Ridge defining the western/northwestern boundary and the Molino Creek divide, the southern demarcation. Paradoxically, the use/abuse that the watershed has sustained over …

The Transcriptional Repressor Icer Binds To Multiple Loci Throughout The Genome, Carlos A. Molina, Luis C. Muñiz

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The events culminating in ovulation are controlled by the cyclical actions of hormones such as Follical Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The secondary messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP) conveys the intracellular activity of these hormones. It is well established that a family of transcription factors facilitate cAMP mediated gene expression, yet it remains unknown how these factors directly affect ovulation. One of these factors, Inducible cAMP Early Repressor (ICER) has been implicated in the transcriptional regulation of cAMP inducible genes during folliculogenesis and ovulation. In order to better determine the role of ICER in ovarian function we have identified …

Sperm Morphometrics, Spermatogenesis, And Testicular Cycle Of The Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys Aestivus), John Douglas Konvalina

Student Theses and Dissertations

Spermatogenesis in ophidians is understudied, with little information on the rough greensnake, Opheodrys aestivus available. A cell wheel showing the chronological development of germ cell stages for this species was constructed. Sperm morphometrics were completed and compared with those of Nerodia rhombifer, the diamondback watersnake. Both species had similar sperm head length, while Opheodrys aestivus had significantly longer total sperm length. Total sperm length was positively correlated (r = 0.997, p < 0.001) with sperm tail length. Seminiferous tubule diameter and seminiferous tubule epithelial height were measured from Arkansas (AR) specimens and compared with those of Alabama (AL) specimens and AR measurements were found to be significantly greater in length. Future studies of O. aestivus need to investigate the testicular cycle in other parts of its geographic distribution to see if the monthly pattern is consistent and sperm morphometrics should be examined for other species within the family Colubridae.

Myatt, Jerry (Fa 895), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Collection 895. Project titled: “Farm Tools.” Includes survey sheets with brief descriptions of non-mechanized farm implements in Monroe County, Kentucky. Sheets include a brief description, terms, informant’s name, and a photo of the tool.