An analysis of some physical factors affecting the local distribution of the shorttail shrew (Blarina brevicauda) in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56324/1/MP079.pd

Microclimates and local distribution of small mammals on the George Reserve, Michigan

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56353/1/MP109.pd

Validity and Reliability of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Working Alliance Self-Efficacy Scales

In this paper, the authors report on the development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Working Alliance Self-Efficacy Scales (LGB-WASES) with data collected from two studies and 534 counseling trainees. Exploratory factor analysis results yielded a 32-item scale with a three-factor model (a) Emotional Bond, (b) Establishing Tasks, and (c) Setting Goals. LGB-WASES scores were internally consistent and remained stable over a 3-week period. Construct validity evidence suggests the LGB-WASES scores were (a) positively related to general perceptions of counseling self-efficacy and multicultural counseling competency, (b) negatively related to attitudes toward lesbians and gay men, and (d) unrelated to social desirability. Recommendations for future research are also discussed

Mechano-transduction: from molecules to tissues.

External forces play complex roles in cell organization, fate, and homeostasis. Changes in these forces, or how cells respond to them, can result in abnormal embryonic development and diseases in adults. How cells sense and respond to these mechanical stimuli requires an understanding of the biophysical principles that underlie changes in protein conformation and result in alterations in the organization and function of cells and tissues. Here, we discuss mechano-transduction as it applies to protein conformation, cellular organization, and multi-cell (tissue) function

On the positive eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a non-negative matrix

The paper develops the general theory for the items in the title, assuming that the matrix is countable and cofinal.Comment: Version 2 allows the matrix to have zero row(s) and rows with infinitely many non-zero entries. In addition the introduction has been rewritte

Increasing β-catenin/Wnt3A activity levels drive mechanical strain-induced cell cycle progression through mitosis.

Mechanical force and Wnt signaling activate β-catenin-mediated transcription to promote proliferation and tissue expansion. However, it is unknown whether mechanical force and Wnt signaling act independently or synergize to activate β-catenin signaling and cell division. We show that mechanical strain induced Src-dependent phosphorylation of Y654 β-catenin and increased β-catenin-mediated transcription in mammalian MDCK epithelial cells. Under these conditions, cells accumulated in S/G2 (independent of DNA damage) but did not divide. Activating β-catenin through Casein Kinase I inhibition or Wnt3A addition increased β-catenin-mediated transcription and strain-induced accumulation of cells in S/G2. Significantly, only the combination of mechanical strain and Wnt/β-catenin activation triggered cells in S/G2 to divide. These results indicate that strain-induced Src phosphorylation of β-catenin and Wnt-dependent β-catenin stabilization synergize to increase β-catenin-mediated transcription to levels required for mitosis. Thus, local Wnt signaling may fine-tune the effects of global mechanical strain to restrict cell divisions during tissue development and homeostasis

Some Structural and Thermal Characteristics of Snow Shelters

Reports investigations of dome-shaped shelters constructed in Alaska during winter 1955-56, some of loose, unconsolidated snow at the Arctic Aeromedical Laboratory, near Fairbanks, others of snow blocks on sea ice at Barter Island (70 08 N, 143 40 W). Pneumatic forms such as inflated weather balloons were useful, but not indispensable, in the loose snow type. Due to compaction, the density of the snow increased during construction from 0.22 gm/cu cm to 0.28 gm/cu cm and the hardness range from 8-80 gm/sq cm to 200-850 gm/sq cm Air temperatures in and outside both occupied and unoccupied shelters of this type (tabulated) demonstrate the efficacy of snow as an insulator and thermal advantages derived from ground heat. Inside temperature close to that at the ground surface, remained nearly constant (15-20 F) while outside temperatures ranged from -12 to -40 F Shelters were warmer during occupancy. In the snow-block shelters built on bare sea ice and on an 18 in deep drift, temperatures varied from 10-19 F at the top, 7-20 F in the center, and 7-18 F at the floor, while outside temperatures ranged from -2 to -5 F; thus subnivean warmth on sea ice can also be utilized. The temperature in a 2.5 ft deep trench in a drift, covered with a roof of horizontal snow blocks, was 20-24 F at the sleeping level 6 in above the floor

Pasture Weaning and Forage Barley to Extend the Grazing Season for Replacement Heifers

In a two-year study at the SDSU Cow/Calf Teaching and Research Unit, Brookings, SD, heifer calves were allotted to two weaning management treatments in early October at an average age of 202 days. The pasture-weaned group was separated from their dams and grazed grass pasture across the fence from their dams for two weeks. Then, until early December, they grazed “Robust” barley (forage type) that had been no-till planted into oat stubble in early August. The drylot-weaned group was fed a traditional weaning diet of grass hay, corn, and protein supplement from weaning until early December. The effect of management on heifer weight gain depended on year. In the first year, pasture-weaned heifers gained more than the drylot group during the first two weeks after weaning. Due to less than ideal pasture conditions in the second year, the drylot group gained more than the pasture weaned group for two and four weeks after weaning. In both years, gains from weaning to the end of the grazing period in December and to the following April were similar between management systems. Pasture weaning appeared to cause less stress for both cows and calves, but no differences in disease symptoms were observed. Antibody titers for IBR, BVD type 1 and BVD type 2 were determined at weaning and two and four weeks after weaning to measure the development of immunity from vaccinations administered two months prior to and at weaning. At two weeks after weaning in the second year of the study, antibody titer for BVD type 1 was greater for the drylot group than the pasture-weaned group. By four weeks after weaning the pasture-weaned heifers had antibody titers similar to the drylot group. The results of this study indicate that pasture weaning combined with small grain pasture to extend the grazing system can be an effective alternative for managing replacement heifers compared to a traditional drylot weaning system

Acoustic backscattering from a wind-driven water surface

This paper reports an attempt to measure the asymmetry of wind-generated water waves by using acoustical methods. A 40-foot wind-tunnel water flume provided a controlled water surface that was insonified from above at 162 kHz with pulses 30 µsec in duration (5 cycles). The scattered-pressure amplitude pulses were analyzed statistically as a function of the shear stress produced at the water surface by the wind...