Population genetics and origin of the native North American agricultural weed waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus; Amaranthaceae)

Premise of the study—The evolution of invasiveness has been extensively studied in natural ecosystems; however, far less is known about the evolution of agricultural invasiveness, despite the major economic impact of weeds on crop productivity. Examining the population structure of recently arisen weeds can provide insights into evolutionary avenues to invasion of agroecosystems. Weeds that originate from wild plants are the most common yet least frequently studied type of agricultural invasive. Here we address several questions about the origin of the native North American agricultural weed waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus), which invaded corn and soy fields in the Midwestern U.S. in the 20th century. Methods—We genotyped 38 populations from across the species range with 10 microsatellite markers, and used these data to assess genetic diversity and population structure within and outside the geographical region where waterhemp is agriculturally problematic. Key Results—We found evidence for two ancestral genetic lineages in our data, supporting the hypothesis that A. tuberculatus was diverging into two evolutionary lineages prior to the 20th century. However, we found no support for the hypothesis that agricultural weed populations arose from admixture of these two lineages after secondary contact. Our data suggest that eastward movement of the western genetic lineage, facilitated by changing agricultural practices, is the source of the agricultural invasion of waterhemp. Conclusions—This research demonstrates that agricultural invasion by native, wild plant species can proceed via different evolutionary trajectories from weeds related to domesticated plants, which has implications for evolutionary biology and weed control

Teaching Tools For Data Analysis

Companies rely on business intelligence and business analytics to support organizational decision making.  Application software packages enable data analysis to help companies pursue a competitive advantage.  Learning to use these tools is not trivial, however, and business schools have added assignments and classes to help their students develop rigorous analytical skills.  This paper describes hands-on, data analysis exercises to support strategic decision making used in an Applied Business Research class that is required for MBA students.  The assignment involves analyzing large volumes of data using the tools of Excel, SQL, and SPSS.  We describe the assignment, data, and exercises that the students perform.  They learn the benefit of analyzing a dataset using different tools and methods, and which tools are most appropriate for what type of analysis. &nbsp

S5E11: Why might Maine lose two species of songbirds?

Maine may lose two tidal marsh songbird species in the next few decades. Saltmarsh sparrows face extinction, while Acadian Nelson’s sparrows are threatened with extirpation — localized eradication with the possibility of survival elsewhere. Their populations along the Eastern Seaboard have been declining as sea level rise destroys their habitats and, according to a new University of Maine-led study, mercury exposure inhibits their reproduction. In the final episode of Season 5 of “The Maine Question,” Kate Ruskin, a lecturer in ecology and environmental science at UMaine who spearheaded the recent mercury exposure study, and Brian Olsen, who is now an associate provost at the university, discuss the challenges these songbirds face, and what can be done to prevent their loss. They also describe their fieldwork and the benefits for students who participate in it

IS Programs Responding to Industry Demands for Data Scientists: A Comparison Between 2011-2016

The term data scientist has only been in common use since 2008, but in 2016 it is considered one of the top careers in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to explore the growth of data science content areas such as analytics, business intelligence, and big data in AACSB Information Systems (IS) programs between 2011 and 2016. A secondary purpose is to analyze the effect of IS programs’ adherence to IS 2010 Model Curriculum Guidelines for undergraduate MIS programs, as well as the impact of IS programs offering an advanced database course in 2011 on data science course offerings in 2016. A majority (60%) of AACSB IS programs added data science-related courses between 2011 and 2016. Results indicate dramatic increases in courses offered in big data analytics (583%), visualization (300%), business data analysis (260%), and business intelligence (236%). ANOVA results also find a significant effect of departments offering advanced database courses in 2011 on new analytics course offerings in 2016. A Chi-Square analysis did not find an effect of IS 2010 Model Curriculum adherence on analytics course offerings in 2016. Implications of our findings for an MIS department’s ability to respond to changing needs of the marketplace and its students are discussed

Personal Experiences with MaineCare Services from People Who Use Elder and Adults with Disabilities Waiver and Private Duty Nursing/Personal Care Services.

This report provides the results from a survey and personal interviews that were conducted with MaineCare members who use long term services and supports -- specifically those who are on the Elder and Adults with Disabilities Waiver and those using Private Duty Nursing (PDN) Services. People who are eligible for these services generally need nursing care and assistance with a combination of activities of daily living (e.g. eating, toileting, mobility, transfer) and instrumental activities of daily living (e.g. meal preparation, grocery shopping, housework). People on the Waiver are medically eligible to be in a nursing home. The purpose of the survey and interviews was to provide information on the experience of members and their use of medical services; the coordination between the medical and home care systems; care transition services (e.g. from the hospital to home); home care services; and use of transportation services. The surveys also include information on the satisfaction of members with their workers, their use and need for assistive technology devices, and their access to other community resources

Habitat associations of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) and sympatric demersal fish communities within shallow inshore nursery grounds

Resolving the relationship between demersal fish and sublittoral biotic habitats and substrates is a key element in the protection of important nursery grounds for strengthening fish recruitment. In Norway, coastal Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) is a commercially and culturally important demersal fish for Norwegian coastal communities, and in recent decades the stock has declined to such an extent that a plan to rebuild the stock to biologically safe limits has been implemented. Yet, little is known about the specific biotic and abiotic habitat associations of the early-life stages of coastal cod, which is important for the management and protection of the species. The same shallow, sublittoral zones are inhabited by juveniles and adults of other commercial demersal gadoids and wrasses. This study presents novel findings on associations between juvenile coastal cod and other demersal fish species with seafloor substrates and biological habitats, inferred from five years of extensive fyke net surveys. Newly settled 0-group cod were typically associated with eel grass and red algae biotic habitats on sand and shell sand substrates. However, there was an ontogenic habitat shift amongst one year old (1-group) individuals that became more ubiquitous with their biotic habitat or substrate type choices. The juvenile gadoids saithe (Pollachius virens) and pollack (Pollachius pollachius), were most associated with hard bottom dominated sites with saithe being more abundant at exposed sites, compared to pollack. Goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris) and corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) appeared to favor sugar kelp forests and red algae. Overall, the study identifies the specific sublittoral biotic habitats and substrates important to different early life stages of juvenile coastal cod and other commercially important demersal fish, providing critical information needed for identifying candidate coastal habitats for protection.publishedVersio

Habitat associations of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) and sympatric demersal fish communities within shallow inshore nursery grounds

publishedVersionPaid open acces

Mt. Baker Highway SR 542-East Church Mountain Road realignment

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) proposes to realign State Route 542 away from the North Fork Nooksack River in order to reduce environmental impacts from repetitive roadway maintenance, and to improve fish passage at Chain-up Creek. Work includes: realigning approximately 1,600 linear feet of roadway up to 80 feet away from the North Fork Nooksack River, replacing a 5-foot diameter, 80-foot long culvert with a 30-foot long, 40-foot wide bridge over Chain-up Creek, and installing 5 porous weirs and 2 anchored large woody debris structures in the restored stream channel

The Iowa Homemaker vol.23, no.12

Miniwanca Inspires Winners, Mary Rothacker, page 3 Foreign Foods Vary Service Menus, Gertrud Ortgies, page 4 Home Economists Review Activities, Laurel Fuller, page 5 Vicky Votes for Wool, Josephine Ahern, page 6 Iowa Fish Seek Favor, Anna Olsen, page 7 Business Home Economics, Katherine Goeppinger, page 7 What’s New in Home Economics, Marilyn Mitchell, page 8 Career Grooming, Eugenia Crawford, page 10 Alums in the News, Patricia Maddex, page 11 Meal Planning – Chinese Version, Jean Larson, page 12 Graduate Feeds Fliers, Marian Hoppe, page 1