The dynamics of single spike-evoked adenosine release in the cerebellum

The purine adenosine is a potent neuromodulator in the brain, with roles in a number of diverse physiological and pathological processes. Modulators such as adenosine are difficult to study as once released they have a diffuse action (which can affect many neurones) and, unlike classical neurotransmitters, have no inotropic receptors. Thus rapid postsynaptic currents (PSCs) mediated by adenosine (equivalent to mPSCs) are not available for study. As a result the mechanisms and properties of adenosine release still remain relatively unclear. We have studied adenosine release evoked by stimulating the parallel fibres in the cerebellum. Using adenosine biosensors combined with deconvolution analysis and mathematical modelling, we have characterised the release dynamics and diffusion of adenosine in unprecedented detail. By partially blocking K+ channels, we were able to release adenosine in response to a single stimulus rather than a train of stimuli. This allowed reliable sub-second release of reproducible quantities of adenosine with stereotypic concentration waveforms that agreed well with predictions of a mathematical model of purine diffusion. We found no evidence for ATP release and thus suggest that adenosine is directly released in response to parallel fibre firing and does not arise from extracellular ATP metabolism. Adenosine release events showed novel short-term dynamics, including facilitated release with paired stimuli at millisecond stimulation intervals but depletion-recovery dynamics with paired stimuli delivered over minute time scales. These results demonstrate rich dynamics for adenosine release that are placed, for the first time, on a quantitative footing and show strong similarity with vesicular exocytosis

Communicating bioenergy: A growing challenge

Bioenergy is rapidly growing in many parts of the world. But continued investments in bioenergy do not depend entirely on technological advances, feedstock availability, and economic conditions. The social acceptance of bioenergy by the general public appears to be essential to the political legitimacy of the bioenergy industry, and the willingness of policy-makers to introduce or maintain supportive policy schemes for bioenergy. In the context of Europe, this perspective argues that communication strategies will become increasingly important for the bioenergy industry as it continues to expand. In short, this perspective discusses four main questions, including: What is the current social acceptance of bioenergy among citizens in Europe? What are the key lessons from experiences with communication on bioenergy? What are the emerging 'hot' topics for the bioenergy industry? What international efforts are underway to inform the general public about bioenergy? Overall, this perspective aims to provide insights into the linkages between the social acceptance and the political legitimacy of bioenergy, and the role of communication strategies. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Lt

An Initial Assessment of an Interactive Web-Based Extension Curriculum to Engage and Prepare Teens as Volunteer Teachers

The North Carolina 4-H Teens Reaching Youth through Innovative Teams (TRY-IT!) program utilizes Web-based modules to strengthen and expand teen volunteerism. The research described here investigated teens\u27 assessments of two initial TRY-IT! modules. The researchers developed a written questionnaire based upon eight criteria for evaluating Web-based training and collected data from a convenience sample of 67 teen 4-H members. Participants evaluated each component as above average. Based upon the pilot study findings, TRY-IT! promises to be very effective in engaging current and potential teens in volunteerism and community service through the use of Web-based curricula

Evaluation of Population Indices and Estimators for Scaled Quail in the Rolling Plains of Texas

Accurate and precise population indices and estimators are important to gain reliable knowledge and make appropriate management decisions. Indices and estimators for scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), however, have not been evaluated thoroughly. Our objectives are to compare relationships among 8 years of roadside counts, spring call counts, and mark-recapture data obtained from the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch in Fisher County, TX, USA. Furthermore, we assess the efficacy of distance-based helicopter surveys as a method for scaled quail density estimates as compared to mark-recapture estimates for 2016–2017

Payload holddown and release mechanism

A payload holddown and release mechanism, designated the Model 1172, was designed and built at G&H Technology during the winter of 1992/1993. The mechanism is able to restrain and release a 45-pound payload with minimal tipoff. The payload is held in place by a stainless steel band and released using electrically triggered non-explosive actuators. These actuators provide reliable operation with negligible shock and no special handling requirements. The performance of the mechanism was demonstrated in two flight tests. Data showed pitch and yaw tipoff rates of less than 0.07 radian (4 degree) per second. The Model 1172 design is an efficient replacement for conventional payload deployment devices, especially where low transmitted shock is required

Data (Mis) Visualization and its Impact on Academic Advancement and Public Understanding

Cultures across the globe are increasingly visual—whether this be due to the popularity of video streaming, advances in the graphic arts, or the rise of accessible software, apps, and other technologies. In fact, while globalization endures as a prominent force, it seems that the rather universal languages of images and numbers do as well. Visualizations—in particular data visualizations—are valued for their efficiency in communicating messages and their efficacy in spurring emotion and instigating action. This gives such images great power. Although all media consumers must ultimately be accountable for their own ability to interact responsibly with the visual media, educators have a duty to prepare students in higher education for the unique burdens and challenges that accompany their disciplines. However, instructors rarely focus on visual literacy when it comes to the learning outcomes of many programs even when source evaluation and the use of reliable research is prioritized and expected. According to the Association of College and Research Libraries: Visual literacy is a set of abilities that enables an individual to effectively find, interpret, evaluate, use, and create images and visual media. . . . A visually literate individual is both a critical consumer of visual media and a competent contributor to a body of shared knowledge and culture. When visual literacy is covered in the curriculum, there is a tendency to emphasize the state-of-the-art technologies, artistic process, and proper methods that accompany the creation of such imagery. Yet, the skill set of abilities listed in this definition is more heavily weighted toward the consumptive aspects rather than the productive. To better equip our students for both their professional and personal lives after academia, it is imperative that we give them the tools and skills to critically read data visualizations This panel will address questions regarding the implications that various forms of data and information visualization have on the pedagogy, research, culture, and public face of their respective academic fields: Dr. Dale Edwards is the Program Coordinator and a Professor of Journalism & Media Studies at the University of Northern Colorado. The practices of journalism and the mass media have perhaps the furthest public reach and highest influence when it comes to the effects of visual information on the public. Appropriately preparing and balancing the responsibilities of the producers and consumers of this content is a longstanding problem with new dilemmas and complications. Dr. Rob Reinsvold is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the Coordinator for the Biology Secondary Education Program at the University of Northern Colorado. The proliferation of large amounts of data in the sciences has led to concerns of misinformation as seen with the recent climate change skeptics and flat earth theorists. Dr. Reinsvold strives to develop data-literate science educators that will in turn teach others how to effectively access, interpret, and communicate data. Maggie Shawcross is an Assistant Professor and the Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Northern Colorado. Maggie has previously worked as a Consumer Health Librarian and a Public Librarian focusing on health programming and health literacy. She is keenly aware of how imagery affects the work of healthcare professionals and consumers, and she instructs students on how to use reliable and credible resources in the ever-changing environment of health information. Jingying Crystal Zhen is a graduate student studying Digital Media at the University of Northern Colorado and Computer Graphics at Shandong Normal University. Crystal’s work focuses on digital illustration, and she is interested in how data visualization can help data be communicated more clearly. In discussing this topic from the vantage point of their respective disciplines, participants offers specific issues, experiences, and suggestions that help define the current context of visual literacy and illuminate a path forward for responding to this modern state of affairs

Investigation of congestive heart failure in beef cattle in a feedyard at a moderate altitude in western Nebraska

Right-sided congestive heart failure (brisket disease) commonly occurs in cattle raised at elevations \u3e2,500– 3,500 m. We investigated clinical cases resembling brisket disease at a western Nebraska feedyard at a moderate altitude (1,369 m). Over a 15-mo period (2009–2010), we examined 17 cases (16 steers and 1 heifer), all purebred Angus. All animals had clinical right-sided heart failure: brisket and ventral abdominal edema, and severe chronic passive congestion of the liver. Gross examination confirmed right ventricular hypertrophy (left ventricle plus septum: right ventricle weight ratio mean: 1.33 vs. 2.8–4.0 reference interval). Microscopically, all 17 cases had interstitial fibrosis (mean score: 2.4 ± 0.8) and 6 had replacement fibrosis of the right ventricle, whereas 14 had interstitial fibrosis (mean score: 1.2 ± 0.2) and 0 had replacement fibrosis of the left ventricle. Lesions of arteriosclerosis were seen in 9 of 16 cases in 51 of 571 (8.9%) right ventricular coronary arteries, and in 10 of 16 cases in 52 of 366 (14.2%) left ventricular coronary arteries. The probability of coronary arteriosclerosis was greater in papillary ventricular muscle (OR = 11.3; p \u3c 0.0001), left ventricle (OR = 4.8; p \u3c 0.0001), and larger arteries (OR = 1.01; p \u3c 0.0001). Pulmonary arteries and arterioles had lesions compatible with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesize that moderate hypobaric conditions significantly contributed to disease in cattle genetically predisposed to hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Adiposity, coronary arteriosclerosis, and left ventricular fibrosis may have contributed to the condition; however, the cattle died prior to development of advanced obesity

Forage selection preferences of experienced cows and naïve heifers grazing native tallgrass range during winter

Beef Cattle Research, 2011 is known as Cattlemen’s Day, 2011Estimating the nutritive value of a grazing animal’s diet is a significant challenge. Description of the botanical composition of a grazed diet is vital in that regard. Microhistological analysis of fecal material has been used for estimating the botanical composition of wild and domestic ungulate diets since first described by Baumgartner and Martin in 1939. Little research has been conducted on the diet selection preferences of multiparous beef cows compared to primiparous beef cows. We hypothesized that foraging strategies change as cows age. To that end, our objective was to characterize differences in diet selection between experienced multiparous and naïve primiparous beef cows grazing dormant, native tallgrass pastures during winter