Conservation Education: Using Birds to Connect Communities to their Natural Environment

The theme of my portfolio is conservation education, using birds as an example of how to connect people of all ages to their natural environment. Birds were chosen as an example because of a personal curiosity for the animal, and because they are an accessible and tangible element of nature for all people, urban and rural. The first component is a Curriculum Development Guide created for the Wings Over Water program of the Montana Natural History Center. It synthesizes scientific research on Ospreys, relates central themes of the literature to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and provides inventive activity ideas that could be implemented in middle school lesson plans. The second component is a self-guided tour box created for the PEAS Farm that includes information on various bird species I found on the farm during self-conducted bird surveys. The third component is a proposal for the University Center to install bird friendly technology to mitigate wildlife-human conflict and, through the ASUM Sustainability Center, to educate the campus community on the importance of that technology.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/grad_portfolios/1011/thumbnail.jp

NEBRASKA REVISED STATUTES: SELECTED PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO CHILD WELFARE, JUVENILE JUSTICE, AND VULNERABLE ADULTS. 2018 Edition

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Duty and Power of DHHS Regarding the Protection of Children 1 (Sections 43-707 and 43-708) II. General Social Services Provisions 2 (Sections 68-1202 through 68-1212 and 85-2501) III. Family Policy and Family Finding 7 (Sections 43-532 through 43-534; and Sections 43-2201 through 43-2209) IV. Child Protection and Family Safety Act (includes Alternative Response provisions) 11 (Sections 28-710 through 28-727 and 81-3136) A. Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting Provisions 11 (Sections 28-710 through 28-717) B. Central Registry of Child Protection Cases 16 (Sections 28-718 through 28-727, and 81-3136) V. Child Abuse and Neglect Investigation and Treatment Teams 21 and Child Advocacy Centers (Sections 28-728 through 28-731) VI. Access to Information and Records and Disclosure of 25 Child Abuse and Neglect Information by HHS (Sections 43-3001 and 81-3126) VII. Nebraska Juvenile Code 27 (Sections 43-245 through 43-2,129) VIII. Foster Care 84 (Sections 43-1301 through 43-1322) IX. Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act 100 (Sections 43-1501 through 43-1517) X. The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children 110 (Section 43-1103) XI. The Interstate Compact for Juveniles 128 (Sections 43-1005 and 43-1011) XII. Court Appointed Special Advocates 141 (Sections 43-3701 to 43-3720) XIII. Nebraska Strengthening Families Act 146 (Sections 43-4701 through 43-4714) XIV. Juvenile Services Provisions: 152 A. Office of Juvenile Services 152 [Health and Human Services, Office of Juvenile Services Act] (Sections 43-401 through 43-425) B. Juvenile Services Act 165 (Sections 43-2401 to 43-2413) C. Nebraska County Juvenile Services Plan Act 174 (Sections 43-3501 to 43-3507) D. Nebraska Juvenile Service Delivery Project (Section 43-4101 and 43-4102) 176 XV. Assistance and Services for Delinquent, Dependent, and Medically 177 Handicapped Children (Sections 43-501 through 43-536) XVI. Miscellaneous Provisions Regarding Children Committed to DHHS 191 and the Placement of Children (Sections 43-701 through 43-709, 43-901 through 43-908, and 81-603) XVII. Early Intervention Act 195 (Sections 43-2501 through 43-2516) XVIII. Child Support and Paternity 202 (Sections 43-1401 through 43-1418) XIX. Grandparent Visitation 208 (Sections 43-1801 through 43-1803) XX. Guardianship of Minors 210 (Sections 30-2605 through 30-2616) XXI. Adoption of Children 214 (Sections 43-101 through 43-154) XXII. Adoption-related Provisions: 242 A. Exchange of Information Contracts 242 (Sections 43-155 through 43-160) B. Communication or Contact Agreements 243 (Sections 43-162 through 43-166) XXIII. Foreign National Minors 246 (Sections 43-3801 through 43-3812) XXIV. Compulsory Education 249 (Sections 79-201 through 79-210) XXV. Children’s Behavioral Health Task Force 254 (Sections 43-4001 through 43-4003) XXVI. Nebraska Children’s Commission 256 (Sections 43-4201 through 43-4218) XXVII. Office of the Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare Act 267 (Sections 43-4301 through 43-4332) XXVIII. Child Welfare System Reporting and Evaluation Requirements of DHHS 277 (Sections 43-4401 through 43-4409) XXIX. Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act 283 (Sections 43-4501 through 43-4514) XXX. Adult Protective Services Act [Vulnerable Adults] 292 (Sections 28-348 through 28-387) XXXI. Selected Criminal and Miscellaneous Provisions: 301 A. False Imprisonment and Unlawful Intrusion 301 (Sections 28-314 and 28-311.08) B. Criminal Sexual Assault 302 (Sections 28-317 through 28-320.02) C. Methamphetamine 305 (Section 28-457) D. Criminal Offenses Involving the Family Relation 305 (Sections 28-703 through 28-709) E. Classification of Criminal Penalties 308 (Sections 28-105 through 28-106) F. “Safe Haven” Provision 310 (Section 29-121) G. Statute of Limitations for Criminal Offenses 311 (Section 29-110) H. Justifiable Use of Force 312 (Section 28-1413) I. Definition of Detention Facilities 313 (Section 83-4,125) J. Request for Transfer of Criminal Case to Juvenile Court 314 (Section 29-1816) K. Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Juvenile Offender 315 (Section 28-1204.05

Novel Models of Streptococcus canis Colonization and Disease Reveal Modest Contributions of M-Like (SCM) Protein

Streptococcus canis is a common colonizing bacterium of the urogenital tract of cats and dogs that can also cause invasive disease in these animal populations and in humans. Although the virulence mechanisms of S. canis are not well-characterized, an M-like protein, SCM, has recently identified been as a potential virulence factor. SCM is a surface-associated protein that binds to host plasminogen and IgGs suggesting its possible importance in host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we developed in vitro and ex vivo blood component models and murine models of S. canis vaginal colonization, systemic infection, and dermal infection to compare the virulence potential of the zoonotic S. canis vaginal isolate G361 and its isogenic SCM-deficient mutant (G361∆scm). We found that while S. canis establishes vaginal colonization and causes invasive disease in vivo, the contribution of the SCM protein to virulence phenotypes in these models is modest. We conclude that SCM is dispensable for invasive disease in murine models and for resistance to human blood components ex vivo, but may contribute to mucosal persistence, highlighting a potential contribution to the recently appreciated genetic diversity of SCM across strains and hosts

Effectiveness of the International Phytosanitary Standard ISPM No. 15 on Reducing Wood Borer Infestation Rates in Wood Packaging Material Entering the United States

Numerous bark- and wood-infesting insects have been introduced to new countries by international trade where some have caused severe environmental and economic damage. Wood packaging material (WPM), such as pallets, is one of the high risk pathways for the introduction of wood pests. International recognition of this risk resulted in adoption of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM15) in 2002, which provides treatment standards for WPM used in international trade. ISPM15 was originally developed by members of the International Plant Protection Convention to “practically eliminate” the risk of international transport of most bark and wood pests via WPM. The United States (US) implemented ISPM15 in three phases during 2005–2006. We compared pest interception rates of WPM inspected at US ports before and after US implementation of ISPM15 using the US Department of Agriculture AQIM (Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Monitoring) database. Analyses of records from 2003–2009 indicated that WPM infestation rates declined 36–52% following ISPM15 implementation, with results varying in statistical significance depending on the selected starting parameters. Power analyses of the AQIM data indicated there was at least a 95% chance of detecting a statistically significant reduction in infestation rates if they dropped by 90% post-ISPM15, but the probability fell as the impact of ISPM15 lessened. We discuss several factors that could have reduced the apparent impact of ISPM15 on lowering WPM infestation levels, and suggest ways that ISPM15 could be improved. The paucity of international interception data impeded our ability to conduct more thorough analyses of the impact of ISPM15, and demonstrates the need for well-planned sampling programs before and after implementation of major phytosanitary policies so that their effectiveness can be assessed. We also present summary data for bark- and wood-boring insects intercepted on WPM at US ports during 1984–2008

Joint Effects: A Pilot Investigation of the Impact of Bipolar Disorder and Marijuana Use on Cognitive Function and Mood

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit substance in those diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. However, there is conflicting evidence as to whether marijuana may alleviate or exacerbate mood symptomatology. As bipolar disorder and marijuana use are individually associated with cognitive impairment, it also remains unclear whether there is an additive effect on cognition when bipolar patients use marijuana. The current study aimed to determine the impact of marijuana on mood in bipolar patients and to examine whether marijuana confers an additional negative impact on cognitive function. Twelve patients with bipolar disorder who smoke marijuana (MJBP), 18 bipolar patients who do not smoke (BP), 23 marijuana smokers without other Axis 1 pathology (MJ), and 21 healthy controls (HC) completed a neuropsychological battery. Further, using ecological momentary assessment, participants rated their mood three times daily as well as after each instance of marijuana use over a four-week period. Results revealed that although the MJ, BP, and MJBP groups each exhibited some degree of cognitive impairment relative to HCs, no significant differences between the BP and MJBP groups were apparent, providing no evidence of an additive negative impact of BPD and MJ use on cognition. Additionally, ecological momentary assessment analyses indicated alleviation of mood symptoms in the MJBP group after marijuana use; MJBP participants experienced a substantial decrease in a composite measure of mood symptoms. Findings suggest that for some bipolar patients, marijuana may result in partial alleviation of clinical symptoms. Moreover, this improvement is not at the expense of additional cognitive impairment

Making the Case for a Null Effects Framework in Environmental Education and K-12 Academic Outcomes: When “Just as Good” Is a Great Thing

As K-12 audiences represent a major proportion of environmental education (EE) audiences, academics should be an outcome of interest in EE research and evaluation. However, research around links between EE and academic outcomes (e.g., grades, test scores) is scant. Reasons for limited research on EE and academic outcomes may include disinterest in academic outcomes, assertion that academic outcomes are poor measures of learning, and normative biases against publishing null or negative effects within academia. We argue for adoption of a null effects framework for linking EE and academic outcomes. We begin by outlining what we mean by a null effects framework and then suggest reasons why the EE community should adopt it. Specifically, a null effects framework embraces and celebrates research demonstrating no difference in traditional academic outcomes associated with EE curricula and more traditional classroom instruction. We describe key aspects of operationalizing a null effects framework, including use of key statistical procedures (e.g., measuring power), and changes in peer review associated with emphasizing measures of evidence beyond hypotheses testing and p-values. We conclude by describing how this approach matches EE objectives, strengthens links to academic outcomes without being bound by them, avoids setting unrealistic expectations for EE, and highlights the myriad of non-academic co-benefits offered by EE. As including EE in schools is the best opportunity for reaching the most learners in terms of numbers and diversity, we offer a null effects framework as an approach that can boost adoption of EE where it is arguably needed most

Acquisition of Relative Interstrand Crosslinker Resistance and PARP Inhibitor Sensitivity in Fanconi Anemia Head and Neck Cancers

PURPOSE: Fanconi anemia is an inherited disorder associated with a constitutional defect in the Fanconi anemia DNA repair machinery that is essential for resolution of DNA interstrand crosslinks. Individuals with Fanconi anemia are predisposed to formation of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) at a young age. Prognosis is poor, partly due to patient intolerance of chemotherapy and radiation requiring dose reduction, which may lead to early recurrence of disease. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Using HNSCC cell lines derived from the tumors of patients with Fanconi anemia, and murine HNSCC cell lines derived from the tumors of wild-type and Fancc(-/-) mice, we sought to define Fanconi anemia-dependent chemosensitivity and DNA repair characteristics. We utilized DNA repair reporter assays to explore the preference of Fanconi anemia HNSCC cells for non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). RESULTS: Surprisingly, interstrand crosslinker (ICL) sensitivity was not necessarily Fanconi anemia-dependent in human or murine cell systems. Our results suggest that the increased Ku-dependent NHEJ that is expected in Fanconi anemia cells did not mediate relative ICL resistance. ICL exposure resulted in increased DNA damage sensing and repair by PARP in Fanconi anemia-deficient cells. Moreover, human and murine Fanconi anemia HNSCC cells were sensitive to PARP inhibition, and sensitivity of human cells was attenuated by Fanconi anemia gene complementation. CONCLUSIONS: The observed reliance upon PARP-mediated mechanisms reveals a means by which Fanconi anemia HNSCCs can acquire relative resistance to the ICL-based chemotherapy that is a foundation of HNSCC treatment, as well as a potential target for overcoming chemoresistance in the chemosensitive individual

The Role of IRE1α in the Degradation of Insulin mRNA in Pancreatic β-Cells

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a cellular compartment for the biosynthesis and folding of newly synthesized secretory proteins such as insulin. Perturbations to ER homeostasis cause ER stress and subsequently activate cell signaling pathways, collectively known as the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). IRE1α is a central component of the UPR. In pancreatic β-cells, IRE1α also functions in the regulation of insulin biosynthesis.Here we report that hyperactivation of IRE1α caused by chronic high glucose treatment or IRE1α overexpression leads to insulin mRNA degradation in pancreatic β-cells. Inhibition of IRE1α signaling using its dominant negative form prevents insulin mRNA degradation. Islets from mice heterozygous for IRE1α retain expression of more insulin mRNA after chronic high glucose treatment than do their wild-type littermates.These results reveal a role of IRE1α in insulin mRNA expression under ER stress conditions caused by chronic high glucose. The rapid degradation of insulin mRNA could provide immediate relief for the ER and free up the translocation machinery. Thus, this mechanism would preserve ER homeostasis and help ensure that the insulin already inside the ER can be properly folded and secreted. This adaptation may be crucial for the maintenance of β-cell homeostasis and may explain why the β-cells of type 2 diabetic patients with chronic hyperglycemia stop producing insulin in the absence of apoptosis. This mechanism may also be involved in suppression of the autoimmune type 1 diabetes by reducing the amount of misfolded insulin, which could be a source of “neo-autoantigens.

Distinct ECM mechanosensing pathways regulate microtubule dynamics to control endothelial cell branching morphogenesis

The compliance and dimensionality of the ECM regulate distinct changes in microtubule growth speed and growth persistence