The Economic Feasibility of Producing Pasture Poultry for Limited Resource Farmers in Southeastern North Carolina

This study examines the economic feasibility of two pasture poultry production operations (pasture pen and net range) by limited resource farmers (LRFs) using the Net Present Value (NPV) method of analysis. Results of the NPV method illustrated unacceptable investments for both production operations.Alternative Enterprises, Agricultural Prosperity, Pasture Poultry Production, Limited Resource Farming, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use,

Potential effects of climate change on Plethodon shermani

Climate change is a global factor that has been implicated in many behavioral alterations across various species. We speculate and observe the potential responses to the Plethodon shermani mating system induced from temperature changes, which may affect the ability of P. shermani to rely on external cues for mating season. The courtship rituals of P. shermani have been well-documented; deviations from the expected patterning of behavior was measured via both initiation of and length of time spent in the “tail straddle walk” in addition to insemination success rate. It has been determined that an increase in temperature has implications in more inseminations, while the reverse is apparent for decreased temperature; indicating that climatic changes may lead to an earlier breeding season with warmer temperatures. The effects on our sampling may translate either directly or indirectly to the population, community, and other amphibian-containing ecosystems. We suggest further research that may aid our ability to predict the capacity for amphibians to adjust to climatic changes

The Economic Feasibility of Producing Pasture Poultry for Limited Resource Farmers in Southeastern North Carolina

This study examines the economic feasibility of two pasture poultry production operations (pasture pen and net range) by limited resource farmers (LRFs) using the Net Present Value (NPV) method of analysis. Results of the NPV method illustrated unacceptable investments for both production operations

Pharmacologic Targeting of S6K1 in PTEN-Deficient Neoplasia

Summary: Genetic S6K1 inactivation can induce apoptosis in PTEN-deficient cells. We analyzed the therapeutic potential of S6K1 inhibitors in PTEN-deficient T cell leukemia and glioblastoma. Results revealed that the S6K1 inhibitor LY-2779964 was relatively ineffective as a single agent, while S6K1-targeting AD80 induced cytotoxicity selectively in PTEN-deficient cells. In vivo, AD80 rescued 50% of mice transplanted with PTEN-deficient leukemia cells. Cells surviving LY-2779964 treatment exhibited inhibitor-induced S6K1 phosphorylation due to increased mTOR-S6K1 co-association, which primed the rapid recovery of S6K1 signaling. In contrast, AD80 avoided S6K1 phosphorylation and mTOR co-association, resulting in durable suppression of S6K1-induced signaling and protein synthesis. Kinome analysis revealed that AD80 coordinately inhibits S6K1 together with the TAM family tyrosine kinase AXL. TAM suppression by BMS-777607 or genetic knockdown potentiated cytotoxic responses to LY-2779964 in PTEN-deficient glioblastoma cells. These results reveal that combination targeting of S6K1 and TAMs is a potential strategy for treatment of PTEN-deficient malignancy. : Liu et al. find that the S6K1 inhibitor, AD80, is selectively cytotoxic for PTEN-deficient cancer cells, while LY-2779964 is ineffective as a single agent. AD80 avoids S6K1 priming and co-targets TAM tyrosine kinases. Combining LY-2779964 with the TAM kinase inhibitor BMS-777607 is selectively cytotoxic for PTEN-deficient cells. Keywords: S6K1, leukemia, LY-2779964, PF4708671, AD80, Pten, BMS-777607, AXL, TAM, glioblastom