Evaluating Multiple Arthropod Taxa as Indicators of Invertebrate Diversity in Old Fields

Biodiversity, often quantified by species richness, is commonly used to evaluate and monitor the health of ecosystems and as a tool for conservation planning. The use of one or more focal taxa as surrogates or indicators of larger taxonomic diversity can greatly expedite the process of biodiversity measurement. This is especially true when studying diverse and abundant invertebrate fauna. Before indicator taxa are employed, however, research into their suitability as indicators of greater taxonomic diversity in an area is needed. We sampled invertebrate diversity in old fields in southern Michigan using pitfall trapping and morphospecies designations after identification to order or family. Correlation analysis was used to assess species richness relationships between focal arthropod taxa and general invertebrate diversity. Relationships were assessed at two fine spatial scales: within sampling patches, and locally across four sampling patches. Cumulative richness of all assessed taxa increased proportionately with cumulative invertebrate richness as sampling intensity increased within patches. At the among-patch scale, we tentatively identified Hemiptera and Coleoptera as effective indicator taxa of greater invertebrate richness. Although Hymenoptera, Araneae and Diptera exhibited high species richness, their total richness within patches was not associated with overall invertebrate richness among patches. Increased sampling throughout the active season and across a greater number of habitat patches should be conducted before adopting Hemiptera and Coleoptera as definitive indicators of general invertebrate richness in the Great Lakes region. Multiple sampling techniques, in addition to pitfall trapping, should also be added to overcome capture biases associated with each technique

Consistency of Reported Barriers for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Adults Who Have Never Been Screened

Morbidity and mortality from colorectal cancer can be decreased by addressing patient barriers to colorectal cancer screening; especially among adults who have never been screened. Assessing changes in barriers over time may help practitioners better tailor interventions to address patient barriers. We assessed among adults ages 50 -75 who have never been screened for colorectal cancer (CRC) which barriers predict prospective screening. A sample of 560 adults who had never been screened, recruited from Growth for Knowledge’s online panel, completed a baseline and a six-month follow-up survey. Both surveys assessed screening barriers after an online intervention that involved conveying tailored comparative risk estimates and message framing. Among those who did not get screened, we examined the consistency between reported barriers at baseline and at six-month follow-up. At baseline, participants identified 27 barriers; some reported no barriers. Among those never screened (n = 362), there was a significant increase from baseline to follow-up in five barriers: ‘time/too busy’, ‘no symptoms’, ‘in good health’, ‘no motivation’, and ‘hadn’t thought about it’. Reporting ‘no barriers’ at baseline was a significant predictor of being screened at follow-up (OR = 3.67, 95% CI = 1.44-9.30, p \u3c .007). Among people who have never been screened, interventions should focus on addressing the most consistently reported barriers (i.e., ‘time/too busy’, and on improving knowledge and beliefs about who should be screened and when, as well as attitudes toward screening, to design more efficacious and tailored interventions

Relief of the Dma1-mediated checkpoint requires Dma1 autoubiquitination and dynamic localization

© 2018 Jones, Chen, et al. Chromosome segregation and cell division are coupled to prevent aneuploidy and cell death. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the septation initiation network (SIN) promotes cytokinesis, but upon mitotic checkpoint activation, the SIN is actively inhibited to prevent cytokinesis from occurring before chromosomes have safely segregated. SIN inhibition during the mitotic checkpoint is mediated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Dma1. Dma1 binds to the CK1-phosphorylated SIN scaffold protein Sid4 at the spindle pole body (SPB), and ubiquitinates it. Sid4 ubiquitination antagonizes the SPB localization of the Polo-like kinase Plo1, the major SIN activator, so that SIN signaling is delayed. How this checkpoint is silenced once spindle defects are resolved has not been clear. Here we establish that Dma1 transiently leaves SPBs during anaphase B due to extensive autoubiquitination. The SIN is required for Dma1 to return to SPBs later in anaphase. Blocking Dma1 removal from SPBs by permanently tethering it to Sid4 prevents SIN activation and cytokinesis. Therefore, controlling Dma1’s SPB dynamics in anaphase is an essential step in S. pombe cell division and the silencing of the Dma1-dependent mitotic checkpoint

Effect of Localized Vibration Using Massage Gun at 40hz and 50hz on Blood Flow

Data has shown that whole body vibration can positively affect blood flow, however, there are very few studies on the effect of localized therapeutic vibration on arterial blood flow. Occupational studies looking at localized vibration effects on skin blood flow normally include high frequency settings. In the last few years, massage guns have become popular, but they operate at lower frequencies. Currently, there is no data on the effects of localized vibration from massage guns on arterial blood flow. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of two different frequencies of localized vibration on blood flow in the popliteal artery. METHODS: 12 subjects participated in this study (8 males and 4 females). Mean age was 22.7±1.6 years; mean height was 181.1±11.8 cm; mean weight was 78.2±16.2 kg. Participants wore shorts to give access to the popliteal artery. Participants were hooked to ECG leads to control measurement of artery diameter and then laid on a treatment table in a prone position with a foam roller under their ankles. Once at resting heart rate, baseline blood flow readings were taken using ultrasound, which measured TA Mean and Volume Flow. The participants were then randomly given a 5-minute treatment of control with no vibration or vibration at 40hz or 50hz. Blood flow readings were taken immediately post-treatment and then every minute for 5 minutes after. RESULTS: A two-factor repeated measures analysis was performed. Each subject was measured under all levels of condition (Control 5 min, 40hz 5 min, and 50hz 5 min) and time (baseline, post, post1-5). TA Mean and Volume Flow for both 40hz and 50hz were significantly greater than control (p=0.0020 and p=0.0110 respectively). The effect of time was significant (

Zebulon, Wake County : a community diagnosis including secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection

This document was created to identify and clarify points of interest and concern that are of significance to community members of Zebulon, North Carolina. The document is divided into two main sections. The first is a compilation of secondary data collected for Zebulon, and when possible, for Wake County and the State of North Carolina to use as comparisons. The second section addresses various topics brought to light during interviews with both community members and service providers within the Town. In essence, this document examines the congruence and differences between secondary data and the community’s perceptions concerning various topics of interest. Over the course of the interviewing process, many members of the Zebulon community shared their thoughts, beliefs, and experiences to help illuminate the most salient issues. The subsequent characteristics were identified as some of the most important, and hence, contributed greatly to the completion of this document: Community Characteristics: The small town of Zebulon is known as “The Town of Friendly People” and does a great deal to live up to its name. Many of the Town residents have lived there for a long period of time. Consequently, many residents enjoy familiarity with one another, close family ties, and a sense of history and community in the area. There is widespread community support within the Town from both individuals and community organizations such as churches, civic groups, and service agencies. Although Zebulon is a rural town, it now faces some issues more typical of urban centers. These issues are rapid and expansive growth, ethnic and language diversity within the population, public housing, increased crime and drugs, and growing industry and commercialization. The rapid change and growth that Zebulon has experienced in the last several years brings with it many needs and challenges, many demanding the attention of the Town and County governments. There is significant interest among residents and Town officials in handling the change and growth in Zebulon, especially concerning meeting the needs of the community through the provision, improvement, and assurance of services. Directions and Challenges: Zebulon is in the midst of a period of growth and change that the Town never before experienced. The recent annexation of Wakefield is an example of the community’s expansion, and one that illustrates some of the concerns facing Town Hall. The addition of more people means an increase in need for existing services and perhaps the development of new services. While growth is a welcomed sight for some members of Zebulon, many see it as a movement away from the traditionally held values and familiarity that come from living in a small town. The adjustment period has already started for some individuals in the community, but many steps have yet to be taken to make the Town accessible to everyone who calls it home. Several of the churches and civic organizations have offered their services to help new members to the community feel welcome, namely the growing Hispanic population. In addition, the new police chief has made a commitment to actively involving the police department in the community, thus showing one example of how the Town and its residents can work together to make Zebulon a better place for everyone. As continued growth and change face the Town, community members and service providers are preparing to address the challenges these bring. Many of the people interviewed have strong feelings and opinions about their Town and the direction in which it is moving. The greatest endeavor for Zebulon may focus on communication among Town officials, services providers, and community members to ensure a future that benefits all living and working within Zebulon.Master of Public Healt

A computational framework for generating patient-specific vascular models and assessing uncertainty from medical images

Patient-specific computational modeling is a popular, non-invasive method to answer medical questions. Medical images are used to extract geometric domains necessary to create these models, providing a predictive tool for clinicians. However, in vivo imaging is subject to uncertainty, impacting vessel dimensions essential to the mathematical modeling process. While there are numerous programs available to provide information about vessel length, radii, and position, there is currently no exact way to determine and calibrate these features. This raises the question, if we are building patient-specific models based on uncertain measurements, how accurate are the geometries we extract and how can we best represent a patient's vasculature? In this study, we develop a novel framework to determine vessel dimensions using change points. We explore the impact of uncertainty in the network extraction process on hemodynamics by varying vessel dimensions and segmenting the same images multiple times. Our analyses reveal that image segmentation, network size, and minor changes in radius and length have significant impacts on pressure and flow dynamics in rapidly branching structures and tapering vessels. Accordingly, we conclude that it is critical to understand how uncertainty in network geometry propagates to fluid dynamics, especially in clinical applications.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figure