Life History and Ecology of the Black-Footed Ferret in the Wild

Twenty-one black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) were observed at six different locations in southwest South Dakota between April 1966, and September 1967. All observations were made on black-tailed prairie-dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) towns from 15 to 100 acres in size. Because of the proximity of towns inhabited by ferrets, it was possible that individual animals were observed in more than one location. Three litters of ferrets were studied. Young ferrets were most active during early morning and late evening hours. Ferrets remained as a group until early fall when dispersal evidently occurred. Young ferrets accepted live-tethered and dead prairie dogs, mice, cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus), and birds placed near their burrow. A trench-like structure formed by ferrets digging in prairie-dog burrows was a characteristic sign indicating that ferrets were present. Numerous plugged burrows formed by prairie dogs covering holes presently or recently occupied by ferrets may also be a sign. All evidence indicated that prairie dogs were the principal food. Adult ferrets were observed to bring up dead prairie dogs from their burrows and carry them to other burrows. Also, one adult ferret was observed capturing a live prairie dog above ground. A reduction in prairie-dog numbers was noted on towns inhabited by ferrets. Widespread use of sodium monofluoracetate (Compound 1080) presents a threat to ferrets. It has been shown that 1080-poisoned prairie dogs can cause secondary poisoning of domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius). Also, prairie-dog eradication reduces the ferret’s food supply

Reducing Stigma toward the Transgender Community: An Evaluation of a Humanizing and Perspective-Taking Intervention

Transgender (TG) individuals are an understudied group at high risk of experiencing discrimination and associated adverse mental health outcomes (IOM, 2011). Although many studies demonstrate that contact reduces negative attitudes toward out-groups, few studies have examined the link between contact and attitudes toward the TG community (Hill & Willoughby, 2005; Walchet al., 2012). This study represents one of the first attempts to understand how to effectively reduce stigma toward the TG community. Results indicate that education alone is not enough to change attitudes; in fact, there is some evidence that associating transgenderism with psychopathology may heighten stigma. Consistent with prior research on stigma towards the mentally ill, the current study suggests that both exposure to intimate media depictions of the “other” (Reinke et al., 2004) and perspective-taking (Mann & Himelein, 2008) could strengthen educational campaigns designed to combat stigma

Assessments to Enhance the Psycholinguistic Approach for Speech Sound Problems

When clinicians can pin-point exactly where a speech issue is originating in a child’s speech-language system, they can help the child learn more efficiently; this results in a quicker therapy process. Stackhouse, Pascoe, and Gardner (2006), presented an approach to speech therapy intervention which incorporated a three-way method. In their psycholinguistic approach, they gathered information about incoming speech, how the information was stored and processed, and the resulting production of speech by one child with a speech delay. This approach offered a more effective way to plan treatment. The current study’s goal was to explore the relationships among measures that could support the verbal aspect of the psycholinguistic model. Elements of both static and dynamic assessment methods were studied to foster better understanding of speech skills. This method was executed by comparing data from previous testing sessions of children, ages 3-7, specifically those sessions which used a standardized (static) test: the Hodson Assessment of Phonological Processes (HAPP), along with a test that measured the amount of help needed to say a sound (dynamic test): Glaspey Dynamic Assessment of Phonology (GDAP). By comparing the scores of these two tests with each other along with other client variables, the data were used to inform treatment plans for future use. Having enhanced measures that address specific areas in the psycholinguistic approach (input, storing, and output) could allow clinicians to create more appropriate treatment plans. The intention of this study was to discover how much more effectively these two kinds of measures could improve understanding of the verbal component of the approach. In using the HAPP assessment and by guiding treatment with the GDAP, the enhanced results of this “hybrid” psycholinguistic approach will be seen and described in this poster presentation

NONLINEAR MIXED MODELS TO EVALUATE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS, HAIR COAT, AND ANCHOR LENGTH ON BODY TEMPERATURE DURING AFTERNOON MILKING OF HOLSTEIN COWS IN HAWAII

A hot thermal environment is one factor that causes loss of activity, productivity and even death in cows. One reason may be the effect of hair coat (black or white) on body temperature during different activities and environment conditions. In this study, we attempt to characterize the relationship between body temperature over time using activity, physiological and environmental effects with a nonlinear regression model. The fixed and mixed versions of models are examined. We also examine the effect of the measuring device, anchor length (long or short). Environmental effects, such as, air temperature, thermal heat index (THI), relative humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed, For PM Milking activity, differences in hair coat and anchor length tested as treatment effects. We present a detailed approach focusing on the rate of change in animal body temperature using the nonlinear regression model and investigate how the dynamics between the random-effects changes

Autocatalytic Processing of the 223-kDa Protein of Blueberry Scorch Carlavirus by a Papain-like Proteinase

AbstractThe first open reading frame of the blueberry scorch carlavirus (BBScV) genome encodes a putative replication-associated protein of 223 kDa (p223). A pulse-chase analysis of viral RNA translated in vitro in rabbit reticulocyte lysate revealed that p223 was proteolytically processed. Using a full-length ORF 1 cDNA clone in a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction, we confirmed that the ORF 1 gene product of BBScV processes autocatalytically. From sequence alignments with phylogenetically related viruses, including tymoviruses, we predicted that p223 contained a papain-like proteinase domain with a putative catalytic cysteine994 and histidine1075. A second possible proteinase domain, which contained cysteine895 and histidine984 residues with similar spacing but was otherwise less similar to the viral papain-like proteinases, was identified immediately upstream of the predicted catalytic site. The cleavage site of the proteinase was predicted to be between the putative hellcase and the polymerase domains, possibly between or close to glycine1472 and alanine1473. Supporting these predictions, deletion of the 2091 nucleotides encoding the C-terminal region of p223, which contained the putative RNA polymerase domain and the putative cleavage site of the polyprotein, abolished autoproteolysis. Deletion of the 2061 nucleotides encoding the N-terminal region, which contained the putative methyltransferase domain, did not affect autoproteolysis. Alteration of cysteine994, histidine1075, or glycine1472 abolished autoproteolysis in vitro , supporting the involvement of these residues at the catalytic site and cleavage site. Alteration of the upstream cysteine895 and histidine984 residues did not affect processing in vitro. Capped BBScV full-length transcripts containing mutations in the codons for either cysteine994 or histidine1075 were not infectious in the systemic host plants Chenopodium quinoa and C. amaranticolor, whereas alteration of glycine1472 significantly decreased but did not abolish infectivity. Transcripts containing mutations in the codons for either cysteine895 or histidine984 also were infectious, but resulted in delayed symptom expression in plants

The issue is : advocating for universal design in today's home market

Capstone project (O.T.D.)

MODELING THE BODY TEMPERATURE OF HEAT STRESSED HOLSTEIN LYING COWS UNDER TWO DIFFERENT COOLING PROCESSES

Heat stressed cows produce less milk. Thus, a major challenge during hot summer months is to keep the dairy barn at a comfortable temperature. Use of fans is an economical solution but the combination of both spray and fans appears to be an even more effective way to cool cows and improve the milk production than using fans alone. The goal of this study is to recommend an appropriate method for comparing the dynamics of the cooling processes. The first step is to develop a nonlinear model to characterize the thermoregulatory responses of heat stressed dairy cows when they are lying down. The next step is to evaluate methods of comparing treatment effects such as mixed model analysis of the parameter estimates, nonlinear fixed effects analysis, and nonlinear mixed effects analysis. The final step is to illustrate the recommended analysis

The Impact of Exploring Computer Science in Wisconsin: Where Disadvantage is an Advantage

Assessing the impact of regional or statewide interventions in primary and secondary school (K-12) computer science (CS) education is difficult for a variety of reasons. Qualitative survey data provide only a limited view of impacts, but quantitative data can be notoriously difficult to acquire at scale from large numbers of classrooms, schools, or local educational authorities. In this paper, we use several publicly available data sources to glean insights into public high school CS enrollments across an entire U.S. state. Course enrollments with NCES course codes and local descriptors, school-level demographic data, and school geographic attendance boundaries can be combined to highlight where CS offerings persist and thrive, how CS enrollments change over time, and the ultimate quantitative impact of a statewide intervention. We propose a more appropriate level of data aggregation for these types of quantitative studies than has been undertaken in previous work while demonstrating the importance of a contextual aggregation process. The results of our disparate impact analysis for the first time quantify the impact of a statewide Exploring Computer Science (ECS) program rollout on economic groups across the region. Our blueprint for this analysis can serve as a template to guide and assess large-scale K-12 CS interventions wherever detailed project evaluation methods cannot scale to encompass the entire study area, especially in cases where attribute heterogeneity is a significant issue