Status of the Mountain Lion in Arkansas

Two authenticated kill records of the mountain lion, Felis concolor, in Arkansas are reported as well as numerous reliable sight records spanning an approximately 30-year period. Distribution of sightings in the state is discussed in relation to an expanding deer population. The cougar probably never was exterminated in Arkansas but it still may be considered endangered

Status of the Mountain Lion in Arkansas

Two authenticated kill records of the mountain lion, Felis concolor, in Arkansas are reported as well as numerous reliable sight records spanning an approximately 30-year period. Distribution of sightings in the state is discussed in relation to an expanding deer population. The cougar probably never was exterminated in Arkansas but it still may be considered endangered

Central Performance Testing: Purpose, Benefits, Impacts, and Trends

Abstract The premise of the central performance test is that differences in performance of young animals raised in a common environment are largely attributed to genetics; however, this can be confounded by differences in pre-test environments. It is assumed top-ranking individual’s genetic advantage is a permanent change transferable to the next generation. The popularity of the central performance tests has waxed and waned over the past decades. A strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats analysis indicates factors influencing producer participation can include cost, time, geographical coverage, alignment with industry, association support, and relevancy. A second generation of central performance tests with innovative, targeted approaches is needed to face the challenges of the goat industry. Genomics has the potential to impact all aspects of the livestock industry, including central performance testing. However, the building of a reference population large enough to yield meaningful genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) takes time. The future of central performance test remains unknown. Keywords: Central Performance Test, Genetics, Selection, Evaluation, Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threat

Predicting Graduation and College GPA: A Multilevel Analysis Investigating the Contextual Effect of College Major

Despite the overwhelming evidence that higher education data are nested at various levels, single-level techniques such as regression and analysis of variance are commonly used to investigate student outcomes. This is problematic as a mismatch in methodology and research questions can lead to biased parameter estimates. The purpose of this study was to predict cumulative grade point average (GPA) and the likelihood of four-year and six-year graduation while simultaneously accounting for select pre-college characteristics, during-college experiences, and the interrelationship between student-level and major-level predictors. To achieve the desired outcomes, the study applied multilevel modeling techniques to secondary data for new undergraduate students first enrolling at one research institution in the Midwestern United States during Fall 2010 and Fall 2011. Results suggest that approximately 30% of the variation in cumulative GPA, 32% of the variation in four-year graduation, and 48% of the variation in six-year graduation can be attributed to differences in academic majors. Results also indicate that the strength of the student-level predictors of high school GPA, changing one’s major, first-year GPA, and student organization involvement vary across academic majors. Collectively, the study contributes to the application of quantitative research methodology in higher education by demonstrating a more accurate predictive model of academic success for undergraduate students

History of the U.S. Goat Industry

Abstract Goats were first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent and then spread throughout the world. Goats were brought to North America into the southwestern U.S. in the 17th century by early Spanish explorers and clergy. These goats are the ancestors of the Spanish goat of Texas and the Lamancha breed of California. English and other European settlers also brought their goats as they moved into the eastern U.S in the 18th century. Angora goats were first imported in the U.S. in the mid-19th century and the earliest importation of officially recognized dairy goat breeds occurred in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Most recently the Boer and Kiko goats were imported into the United States in the late 20th century. The numbers of goats have fluctuated over the years but generally, have increased. However, Angora numbers have plummeted precipitously after the repeal of a production incentive program. Keywords: History, Goats, Goat Industry, Domesticatio

A Quantitative Exploration of the Effects of Employment on High-Achieving African American College Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between employment status and student involvement for academically high-achieving African American students (HAAASs) attending one master’s-granting, large, predominantly White institution in the Midwestern United States. Findings from this study contribute to and expand upon existing literature by suggesting that employment does not influence the amount of time HAAASs study or participate within student organizations. Implications for future research are also explored

A Case Study in Revitalizing a State Library Association and Keeping It Vital during COVID

The Kentucky Medical Library Association (KMLA) is an organization dedicated to building a networking community and providing resources to the health sciences and medical librarians of Kentucky. Medical and health science libraries within the state of Kentucky are encouraged to become annual members of KMLA. Organization membership exists on two levels: (1) individual and (2) institutional. Individual membership includes access to three KMLA business meetings a year, voting rights at business meetings, any conferences KMLA holds, an opportunity for continuing education (CE) reimbursement, and access to any CEs presented by KMLA. Institutional memberships are unique in that they provide interlibrary loan reciprocity among member institutions. Over the previous four years, KMLA has experienced diminishing membership, a lack of interest from members in serving on the KMLA Executive Committee, insufficient documentation on association practices, and a centric involvement that surrounded Louisville institutions. Kentucky has endured several hospital closures and restructurings over the last five years. That change has also brought about several medical library closures; despite that, Kentucky health sciences and medical libraries have seen a recent growth in new health sciences and medical librarians. In turn, KMLA’s Executive Committee (President, Secretary, and Treasurer) has noticed a change in overall KMLA membership, attendance, and interest

Friendships and Retention at a Historically Black University: A Quantitative Case Study

The retention and graduation rates of underrepresented minority, first-generation and low-income college students persist as problems in U.S. higher education. While researchers have documented the ways in which minority-serving institutions have been successful in serving these students, little is known about how friendships influence retention at these institutions. This study examines retention factors of first-year students who began college with close friends at a historically Black university. The researchers used exploratory factor analysis and binary logistic regressions to determine the factors and significance. In addition, the researchers used linear structural relations to estimate hypothesized causal models. Results of the study indicate students who started college with close friends were less academically prepared and persisted at comparable rates. In addition, social expectations and social confidence were determined as beneficial factors when comparing students who started with close friends to students who started without close friends

Intersectional Value? A Pilot Study Exploring Educational Outcomes for African American Women in Historically Black Sororities versus Non-Historically Black Sororities.

The purpose of this pilot study was to initially explore if there is value added in terms of educational outcomes for Black women involved in historically Black sororities by comparing them to Black women involved in non-historically Black sororities, given the racial-gender support historically Black sororities offer. Main findings suggest Black women involved in historically Black sororities were more socially involved than Black women involved in non-historically Black sororities. The article closes with implications for practice and future research

Composite Weak Bosons: a Lattice Analysis

We present a lattice analysis of a confining Yang-Mills theory without Goldstone boson. We have analytically investigated the model by a strong coupling expansion and by an intensive lattice Monte Carlo simulation using standard lattice QCD methods. We show that this theory is an interesting candidate for describing weak bosons as composite particles.Comment: Late