The Federal Rules in State Courts: A Survey of State Court Systems of Civil Procedure

In this article we present a new survey of the civil procedures of the fifty states and the District of Columbia. We seek to identify those jurisdictions that have systematically replicated the Federal Rules as the basis for practice before their civil courts. We also seek to identify states whose civil procedures are more loosely modeled on the Federal Rules, paying special attention to each state\u27s procedural disparity from or conformity to the federal model for the pleading of a civil case

Investigating Life History Differences Between Finetooth Sharks, Carcharhinus isodon, in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and the Western North Atlantic Ocean

The life history of the finetooth shark, Carcharhinus isodon, off South Carolina was studied by determining age, growth, and size and age at maturity. These data were compared to a recent study describing the same parameters for finetooth sharks in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Cervical vertebrae were extracted from 168 specimens (71 males and 97 females), ranging in size from 376 to 1,262 mm fork length (FL), and prepared for age analysis using standard techniques. Sex-specific von Bertalanffy growth models were generated and yielded the following growth equations: Lt = 1,311 mm FL (1 - e-0.19(t - (-2.17))) for females and Lt = 1,151 mm FL (1 - e-0.33(t - (-1.43))) for males. The oldest female and male aged were 12.4 yr and 10.4 yr, respectively. Median length where 50% of the population was mature was 1,021 mm FL for females, corresponding to an age of 6.3 yr and 1,015 mm FL for males, corresponding to an age of 5.0 yr. Finetooth sharks in the western North Atlantic Ocean had higher observed ages and there was a significant difference in size at age between neonate finetooth sharks in the western North Atlantic Ocean and the northern Gulf of Mexico; however, there were no significant differences among von Bertalanffy growth function parameters between regions examined. Results indicate lower amounts of regional variation in life history parameters for finetooth sharks when compared to other small coastal sharks

Antigen depot is not required for alum adjuvanticity

Alum adjuvants have been in continuous clinical use for more than 80 yr. While the prevailing theory has been that depot formation and the associated slow release of antigen and/or inflammation are responsible for alum enhancement of antigen presentation and subsequent T- and B-cell responses, this has never been formally proven. To examine antigen persistence, we used the chimeric fluorescent protein EαGFP, which allows assessment of antigen presentation in situ, using the Y-Ae antibody. We demonstrate that alum and/or CpG adjuvants induced similar uptake of antigen, and in all cases, GFP signal did not persist beyond 24 h in draining lymph node antigen-presenting cells. Antigen presentation was first detectable on B cells within 6–12 h of antigen administration, followed by conventional dendritic cells (DCs) at 12–24 h, then finally plasmacytoid DCs at 48 h or later. Again, alum and/or CpG adjuvants did not have an effect on the magnitude or sequence of this response; furthermore, they induced similar antigen-specific T-cell activation in vivo. Notably, removal of the injection site and associated alum depot, as early as 2 h after administration, had no appreciable effect on antigen-specific T- and B-cell responses. This study clearly rules out a role for depot formation in alum adjuvant activity

Metabolic flexibility as a major predictor of spatial distribution in microbial communities

A better understand the ecology of microbes and their role in the global ecosystem could be achieved if traditional ecological theories can be applied to microbes. In ecology organisms are defined as specialists or generalists according to the breadth of their niche. Spatial distribution is often used as a proxy measure of niche breadth; generalists have broad niches and a wide spatial distribution and specialists a narrow niche and spatial distribution. Previous studies suggest that microbial distribution patterns are contrary to this idea; a microbial generalist genus (Desulfobulbus) has a limited spatial distribution while a specialist genus (Methanosaeta) has a cosmopolitan distribution. Therefore, we hypothesise that this counter-intuitive distribution within generalist and specialist microbial genera is a common microbial characteristic. Using molecular fingerprinting the distribution of four microbial genera, two generalists, Desulfobulbus and the methanogenic archaea Methanosarcina, and two specialists, Methanosaeta and the sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfobacter were analysed in sediment samples from along a UK estuary. Detected genotypes of both generalist genera showed a distinct spatial distribution, significantly correlated with geographic distance between sites. Genotypes of both specialist genera showed no significant differential spatial distribution. These data support the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of specialist and generalist microbes does not match that seen with specialist and generalist large organisms. It may be that generalist microbes, while having a wider potential niche, are constrained, possibly by intrageneric competition, to exploit only a small part of that potential niche while specialists, with far fewer constraints to their niche, are more capable of filling their potential niche more effectively, perhaps by avoiding intrageneric competition. We suggest that these counter-intuitive distribution patterns may be a common feature of microbes in general and represent a distinct microbial principle in ecology, which is a real challenge if we are to develop a truly inclusive ecology

Academic motherhood and fieldwork: Juggling time, emotions and competing demands

The idea and practice of going ‘into the field’ to conduct research and gather data is a deeply rooted aspect of Geography as a discipline. For global North Development Geographers, amongst others, this usually entails travelling to, and spending periods of time in, often far-flung parts of the global South. Forging a successful academic career as a Development Geographer in the UK, is therefore to some extent predicated on mobility. This paper aims to critically engage with the gendered aspects of this expected mobility, focusing on the challenges and time constraints that are apparent when conducting overseas fieldwork as a mother, unaccompanied by her children. The paper emphasises the emotion work that is entailed in balancing the competing demands of overseas fieldwork and mothering, and begins to think through the implications of these challenges in terms of the types of knowledge we produce, as well as in relation to gender equality within the academy

Partial androgen insensitivity syndrome with Müllerian duct derivatives complicated by a testicular seminoma

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a condition that affects sexual development before birth and during puberty and is one of the more common disorders affecting masculinisation of the male genitalia. This rare syndrome (affecting 2–5 per 100,000 genetic males) is classified as complete (CAIS), partial (PAIS) or mild depending upon the extent of residual functional androgen receptors (AR) which in turn influence the phenotype. Mutations of AR have been reported in approximately 95% of persons with CAIS and in 10% with PAIS.1 Genital ambiguity is variable in PAIS with a frequent phenotype of micropenis, posterior hypospadias and cryptorchidism. PAIS has a higher risk of associated malignancy than in CAIS.2 Current evidence recommends the retention of cryptorchid testes through puberty for hormone production benefits, including bone and secondary sexual development.3 Müllerian duct derivatives (such as fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and upper vagina) are usually absent in patients with AIS but the occasional presence in some raise the possibility of either defective production or response to Müllerian inhibitory factor (MIF)

The effects of fire on soil nitrogen associated with patches of the actinorhizal shrub Ceanothus cordulatus

Nitrogen is a limiting resource in many temperate forests and nitrogen-fixing plants are usually limited to the early stages of post-disturbance succession. In fire-dependent Sierra Nevada forests, however, Ceanothus cordulatus is relatively abundant even in old-growth forest conditions which are at least partly maintained by fire.We conducted a field experiment to determine if soil beneath Ceanothus patches represent ‘resource islands’ of available N which persist after fire. Nine plots containing discrete patches of Ceanothus, Arctostaphylos patula (manzanita; chosen as a non N-fixing reference species), and bare forest floor were subjected to either a low-intensity (n = 3) or highintensity (n = 3) bum treatment, or remained unburned as controls (n = 3). Soil temperatures during the bum were monitored by a network of thermocouples placed at the surface of the mineral soil and at ca. 10 cm depths. Soil samples were collected from the organic horizon, 0-10 cm and 15-25 cm depths within each patch type immediately before burning and 2 days, and 6, and 11 months after. Soil moisture, total C and N, and ammonium and nitrate concentrations were determined in the laboratory. Before the burn, Ceanothus patches were significantly enriched in total and inorganic N in the organic horizon relative to the other patch types. A sharp increase in inorganic N was observed in all patch types and depths immediately following burning, but by 6 months after the burn, Ceanothus patches were significantly enriched relative to the surrounding patch types and remained so at months. Resprouting Ceanothus patches will continue to be an important source of a limiting nutrient in this fire-prone ecosystem.Keywords: Frankia, Sierra Nevada, Fire, Ceanothus, Nitroge

Facilitative and competitive effecs of a N-fixing shrub on white fir saplings

In Sierra Nevada forests, shrubs are considered strong soil moisture competitors with regenerating trees, reducing seedling establishment, and slowing growth. Recent studies, however, suggest that in some circumstances shrubs can facilitate tree establishment and growth by modifying harsh microclimate conditions; increasing acquisition of water, carbon, and/or nutrients via shared mycorrhizal connections; or enhancing soil fertility, particularly under nitrogen-fixing shrubs such as Ceanothus spp. We examined the establishment dates and growth rates and patterns of white fir saplings growing in greenleaf manzanita, whitethorn ceanothus, and bare patches to examine whether establishment was correlated with past wet years, whether saplings growing in ceanothus had nitrogen-enriched foliage or faster growth rates than in the other two patches, and whether saplings in shrub patches experienced competition for light. Sapling establishment was not correlated with high precipitation or heavy snowpack years, suggesting shade-tolerant saplings do not need wet years to become established. Soils under ceanothus were nitrogen enriched, but white fir sapling foliage did not have higher nitrogen concentrations and saplings did not grow faster in ceanothus than in the other two patches. Because growth rates of saplings were comparable in all patch types examined despite significantly different edaphic and abiotic conditions, we inferred that the various competitive and facilitative interactions affecting tree growth are in net balance across the patch types examined. However, competition for light is important—a significant percentage of growth release events occurred after saplings emerged above their host shrubs. Where shrubs are present, shade-tolerant species (i.e., white fir) are favored over drought-tolerant (pine) species. Our results may help interpret changes in understory conditions that are contributing to mixed conifer’s compositional shift toward more shade-tolerant species after a century of fire-suppression.Keywords: shade tolerance, soil fertility, forest regeneration, fire suppression, nitrogen fixation, mixed conifer, plant competitio

Facilitative and competive effects of a N-fixing shrub on white fir saplings

In Sierra Nevada forests, shrubs are considered strong soil moisture competitors with regenerating trees, reducing seedling establishment, and slowing growth. Recent studies, however, suggest that in some circumstances shrubs can facilitate tree establishment and growth by modifying harsh microclimate conditions; increasing acquisition of water, carbon, and/or nutrients via shared mycorrhizal connections; or enhancing soil fertility, particularly under nitrogen-fixing shrubs such as Ceanothus spp. We examined the establishment dates and growth rates and patterns of white fir saplings growing in greenleaf manzanita, whitethorn ceanothus, and bare patches to examine whether establishment was correlated with past wet years, whether saplings growing in ceanothus had nitrogen-enriched foliage or faster growth rates than in the other two patches, and whether saplings in shrub patches experienced competition for light. Sapling establishment was not correlated with high precipitation or heavy snowpack years, suggesting shade-tolerant saplings do not need wet years to become established. Soils under ceanothus were nitrogen enriched, but white fir sapling foliage did not have higher nitrogen concentrations and saplings did not grow faster in ceanothus than in the other two patches. Because growth rates of saplings were comparable in all patch types examined despite significantly different edaphic and abiotic conditions, we inferred that the various competitive and facilitative interactions affecting tree growth are in net balance across the patch types examined. However, competition for light is important—a significant percentage of growth release events occurred after saplings emerged above their host shrubs. Where shrubs are present, shade-tolerant species (i.e., white fir) are favored over drought-tolerant (pine) species. Our results may help interpret changes in understory conditions that are contributing to mixed conifer’s compositional shift toward more shade-tolerant species after a century of fire-suppression.Keywords: Nitrogen fixation, Shade tolerance, Forest regeneration, Plant competition, Fire suppression, Soil fertility, Mixed conife

SNAKE: The Plain and Its People

Idaho\u27s longest river curves west through desert landscapes, cutting deep through ancient formations, flowing through space and time. How have humans dealt with the desert? How have we been shaped by the land? SNAKE: The Plain and Its People explores the physical and ecological roots of Idaho civilization through science, social science, photography and art.https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/fac_books/1371/thumbnail.jp