Effect of Grazing, Mowing, or Herbicide on Leafy Spurge Control

Leafy spurge (euphorbia esula L.) is an herbaceous perennial which is deep rooted and can reproduce by seeds and rhizomes. First introduced into North America in the 1800’s from Europe, it now covers 25 states in the USA and several provinces in Canada. It is a major concern in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska. Leafy spurge is considered a noxious weed that is extremely competitive, establishing itself in pastureland and roadsides. Bangsund et al. (1997) estimated that by 2005, uncontrolled leafy spurge acres would reach 18.5 million in the Northern Great Plains. The cost of leafy spurge is estimated to be in the 100’s of millions of dollars due to lost grazing through a reduction of available AUM’s (animal unit months) and treatment costs which may not be economically feasible. This is impart due to the fact that cattle avoid eating leafy spurge because of post-ingestive negative feedbacks from plant toxins (Kronberg et al., 1993) and avoid grazing in areas where leafy spurge canopy cover is high, thus reducing grass production and utilization (Hein and Miller, 1992). Do to the high costs of herbicides and their ineffective control in the long-term (Lym and Messersmith, 1985), biological controls such as sheep and goats as well as the flea beetle have become more popular tools in controlling leafy spurge (Bangsund et al., 2000). In a pasture setting sheep and goats readily graze forbs and do not experience the build up of toxins that cattle do, making small ruminants ideal biological controls for leafy spurge. The object of this trial was to measure the effectiveness of various control methods on leafy spurge

An electrocatalytic screen-printed amperometric sensor for the selective measurement of thiamine (Vitamin B1) in food supplements

An electrocatalytic screen-printed sensor has been investigated for the measurement of the biologically important biomolecule vitamin B1 (thiamine) for the first time in food supplements. Under basic conditions, the vitamin was converted to its electrochemically active thiolate anion species. It was shown that an electrocatalytic oxidation reaction occurred with the screen-printed carbon electrode containing the mediator cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPC-SPCE). This had the advantage of producing an analytical response current at an operating potential of 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl compared to +0.34 V obtained with plain SPCEs. This resulted in improved selectivity and limit of detection. Detailed studies on the underlying mechanism occurring with the sensor are reported in this paper. A linear response was obtained between 0.1 and 20 µg mL −1 , which was suitable for the quantification of the vitamin in two commercial products containing vitamin B1. The mean recovery for a multivitamin tablet with a declared content of 5 mg was 101% (coefficient of variation (CV) of 9.6%). A multivitamin drink, which had a much lower concentration of vitamin B1 (0.22 mg/100 mL), gave a mean recovery of 93.3% (CV 7.2%). These results indicate that our sensor holds promise for quality control of food supplements and other food types

Hypothalamic Proopiomelanocortin Neurons Are Glucose Responsive and Express KATP Channels

Hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are critical for controlling homeostatic functions in the mammal. We used a transgenic mouse model in which the POMC neurons were labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein to perform visualized, whole-cell patch recordings from prepubertal female hypothalamic slices. The mouse POMC-enhanced green fluorescent protein neurons expressed the same endogenous conductances (a transient outward K current and a hyperpolarization-activated, cation current) that have been described for guinea pig POMC neurons. In addition, the selective -opioid receptor agonist DAMGO induced an outward current (maximum of 12.8 1.2 pA), which reversed at K equilibrium potential (EK), in the majority (85%) of POMC neurons with an EC50 of 102 nM. This response was blocked by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone with an inhibition constant of 3.1 nM. In addition, the -aminobutyric acidB receptor agonist baclofen (40 M) caused an outward current (21.6 4.0 pA) that reversed at EK in these same neurons. The ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener diazoxide also induced an outward K current (maximum of 18.7 2.2 pA) in the majority (92%) of POMC neurons with an EC50 of 61 M. The response to diazoxide was blocked by the sulfonylurea tolbutamide, indicating that the POMC neurons express both Kir6.2 and sulfonylurea receptor 1 channel subunits, which was verified using single cell RT-PCR. This pharmacological and molecular profile suggested that POMC neurons might be sensitive to metabolic inhibition, and indeed, we found that their firing rate varied with changes in glucose concentrations. Therefore, it appears that POMC neurons may function as an integrator of metabolic cues and synaptic input for controlling homeostasis in the mammal

Applying the Higher Education Academy framework for partnership in learning and teaching in higher education to online partnership learning communities: A case study and an extended model

As internet access and use increase exponentially, pedagogical practice becomes increasingly embedded in online platforms. We report on an online initiative of engaged student learning, the peer-led, staff-assisted e-helpdesk for research methods and statistics, which we evaluated and redeveloped using the lens and guiding principles of the framework for partnership in learning and teaching of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). The aim of the redevelopment was to steer the initiative towards a more integrative and sustainable implementation, as manifest in the applied construct of an online partnership learning community. Our evolving experience of the e-helpdesk highlighted the central role of the facilitator in engineering and maintaining social presence in the online community. We propose an extended model for building an online partnership learning community, whereby partnership encapsulates all the essential elements of student and staff partnership as outlined in the HEA framework, but is also critically defined by similar parameters of partnership between users and facilitators. In this model, the facilitator’s role becomes more involved in instructional teaching as disciplinary expertise increases, but descending levels of disciplinary expertise can foster ascending levels of independent learning and shared discovery for both users and facilitators.  &nbsp

Local molecular and global connectomic contributions to cross-disorder cortical abnormalities

Contains fulltext : 253170.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access

HDL-Associated Estradiol Stimulates Endothelial NO Synthase and Vasodilation in an SR-BI–Dependent Manner

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the United States. Two factors associated with a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease are elevated HDL levels and sex — specifically, a decreased risk is found in premenopausal women. HDL and estrogen stimulate eNOS and the production of nitric oxide, which has numerous protective effects in the vascular system including vasodilation, antiadhesion, and anti-inflammatory effects. We tested the hypothesis that HDL binds to its receptor, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), and delivers estrogen to eNOS, thereby stimulating the enzyme. HDL isolated from women stimulated eNOS, whereas HDL isolated from men had minimal activity. Studies with ovariectomized and ovariectomized/estrogen replacement mouse models demonstrated that HDL-associated estradiol stimulation of eNOS is SR-BI dependent. Furthermore, female HDL, but not male HDL, promoted the relaxation of muscle strips isolated from C57BL/6 mice but not SR-BI null mice. Finally, HDL isolated from premenopausal women or postmenopausal women receiving estradiol replacement therapy stimulated eNOS, whereas HDL isolated from postmenopausal women did not stimulate eNOS. We conclude that HDL-associated estrodial is capable of the stimulating eNOS. These studies establish a new paradigm for examining the cardiovascular effects of HDL and estrogen

Automated data analysis to rapidly derive and communicate ecological insights from satellite-tag data: A case study of reintroduced red kites

Analysis of satellite-telemetry data mostly occurs long after it has been collected, due to the time and effort needed to collate and interpret such material. Such delayed reporting does reduce the usefulness of such data for nature conservation when timely information about animal movements is required. To counter this problem we present a novel approach which combines automated analysis of satellite-telemetry data with rapid communication of insights derived from such data. A relatively simple algorithm (comprising speed of movement and turning angle calculated from fixes), allowed instantaneous detection of excursions away from settlement areas and automated calculation of home ranges on the remaining data Automating the detection of both excursions and home range calculations enabled us to disseminate ecological insights from satellite-tag data instantaneously through a dedicated web portal to inform conservationists and wider audiences. We recommend automated analysis, interpretation and communication of satellite tag and other ecological data to advance nature conservation research and practice

HDL-Associated Estradiol Stimulates Endothelial NO Synthase and Vasodilation in an SR-BI–Dependent Manner

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the United States. Two factors associated with a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease are elevated HDL levels and sex — specifically, a decreased risk is found in premenopausal women. HDL and estrogen stimulate eNOS and the production of nitric oxide, which has numerous protective effects in the vascular system including vasodilation, antiadhesion, and anti-inflammatory effects. We tested the hypothesis that HDL binds to its receptor, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), and delivers estrogen to eNOS, thereby stimulating the enzyme. HDL isolated from women stimulated eNOS, whereas HDL isolated from men had minimal activity. Studies with ovariectomized and ovariectomized/estrogen replacement mouse models demonstrated that HDL-associated estradiol stimulation of eNOS is SR-BI dependent. Furthermore, female HDL, but not male HDL, promoted the relaxation of muscle strips isolated from C57BL/6 mice but not SR-BI null mice. Finally, HDL isolated from premenopausal women or postmenopausal women receiving estradiol replacement therapy stimulated eNOS, whereas HDL isolated from postmenopausal women did not stimulate eNOS. We conclude that HDL-associated estrodial is capable of the stimulating eNOS. These studies establish a new paradigm for examining the cardiovascular effects of HDL and estrogen

STRAD Pseudokinases Regulate Axogenesis and LKB1 Stability

BACKGROUND: Neuronal polarization is an essential step of morphogenesis and connectivity in the developing brain. The serine/threonine kinase LKB1 is a key regulator of cell polarity, metabolism, tumorigenesis, and is required for axon formation. It is allosterically regulated by two related and evolutionarily conserved pseudokinases, STe20-Related ADapters (STRADs) α and β. The roles of STRADα and STRADβ in the developing nervous system are not fully defined, nor is it known whether they serve distinct functions. RESULTS: We find that STRADα is highly spliced and appears to be the primal STRAD paralog. We report that each STRAD is sufficient for axogenesis and promoting cell survival in the developing cortex. We also reveal a reciprocal protein-stabilizing relationship in vivo between LKB1 and STRADα, whereby STRADα specifically maintains LKB1 protein levels via cytoplasmic compartmentalization. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a novel role for STRADβ in axogenesis and also show for the first time in vivo that STRADα, but not STRADβ, is responsible for LKB1 protein stability

What makes you not a Buddhist? : a preliminary mapping of values

This study sets out to establish which Buddhist values contrasted with or were shared by adolescents from a non-Buddhist population. A survey of attitude toward a variety of Buddhist values was fielded in a sample of 352 non-Buddhist schoolchildren aged between 13 and 15 in London. Buddhist values where attitudes were least positive concerned the worth of being a monk/nun or meditating, offering candles & incense on the Buddhist shrine, friendship on Sangha Day, avoiding drinking alcohol, seeing the world as empty or impermanent and Nirvana as the ultimate peace. Buddhist values most closely shared by non-Buddhists concerned the Law of Karma, calming the mind, respecting those deserving of respect, subjectivity of happiness, welfare work, looking after parents in old age and compassion to cuddly animals. Further significant differences of attitude toward Buddhism were found in partial correlations with the independent variables of sex, age and religious affiliation. Correlation patterns paralleled those previously described in theistic religions. Findings are applied to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and for the teaching of religious to pupils of no faith adherence. The study recommends that quantitative psychometrics employed to conceptualize Buddhist values by discriminant validity in this study could be extended usefully to other aspects of the study of Buddhism, particularly in quest of validity in the conceptualization of Buddhist identity within specifically Buddhist populations