Developing the first regional IPM training manual for wildlife control operators in the Northeast

The American public places a high value on wildlife, yet at the same time, “nuisance” wildlife may cause formidable and expensive problems. They may damage property, threaten human health and safety, or endanger native species and habitats. National estimates of the cost of wildlife damage to agriculture range up to $1.5 billion dollars annually, with equal costs associated with accidents caused by collisions between wildlife and cars or planes. Wildlife can spread diseases to people, livestock, or pets. Nearly all segments of society are vulnerable to wildlife damage. Traditionally, government agencies handled many of these conflicts. Public demand for wildlife control services has increased but government support for on-site assistance has not kept pace. Consequently, the commercial pest control industry is filling this need. Several state wildlife agencies are facing increasing public pressure to strengthen their oversight of this rapidly expanding industry. More than three-quarters of the Northeastern states lack training programs for wildlife control operators (WCOs), while half either lack regulations or are in the process of developing regulations for this industry. The goal of this project was to develop and distribute a comprehensive, scientifically based training manual (based on the New York curriculum) that could serve as the foundation for educational and regulatory programs throughout the region, while also enhancing professionalism within the industry. The New York State manual was reviewed for suitability for use throughout the region by state wildlife agencies and wildlife control associations. It is currently under revision and has been accepted for publication by NRAES, the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, a publishing consortium of Northeastern universities. After another technical review conducted by the publisher, the manual will be published in 2005

DePaul University Transfer Students and the Library

In this year-long study, the Instruction Working Group investigated DePaul’s transfer student population and their past and current experiences with libraries and research. In addition to a literature review, we gathered information from campus partners who support transfer students, surveyed community college librarians from our top feeder schools, and conducted focus groups with current DePaul transfer students. Based on our findings, we developed a multi-step plan to work towards ensuring that all DePaul students, both native and transfer, graduate with comparable levels of information competency

Developing a Curriculum for the Nuisance Wildlife Control Industry in New York

The nuisance wildlife control industry continues to expand in New York State. Each year during the past 5 years, approximately 1,200-1 ,400 private Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs) were given authority to handle wildlife conflicts by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). These NWCOs were required to complete a trapper education course, and a personal interview or exam prior to obtaining a permit. The education and experience requirements for NWCOs varied by region in New York. The goals of this project were to: (1) develop a core curriculum for individuals who desired to handle nuisance wildlife and charge a fee for service, (2) standardize license requirements across the state, (3) enhance professionalism and training of individuals involved in the NWCO industry, and (4) develop a test bank of questions for administration of an examination. Existing educational programs from throughout the United States were reviewed for content and suitability in New York State. A core educational manual was developed by staff with Cornell University and a DEC review team. The curriculum will be piloted during 2003 in conjunction with legislative changes that mandate training for NWCOs in New York State

Distinct Differences on Neointima Formation in Immunodeficient and Humanized Mice after Carotid or Femoral Arterial Injury

Percutaneous coronary intervention is widely adopted to treat patients with coronary artery disease. However, restenosis remains an unsolved clinical problem after vascular interventions. The role of the systemic and local immune response in the development of restenosis is not fully understood. Hence, the aim of the current study was to investigate the role of the human immune system on subsequent neointima formation elicited by vascular injury in a humanized mouse model. Immunodeficient NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIL2rgtm1Wjl(NSG) mice were reconstituted with human (h)PBMCs immediately after both carotid wire and femoral cuff injury were induced in order to identify how differences in the severity of injury influenced endothelial regeneration, neointima formation, and homing of human inflammatory and progenitor cells. In contrast to non-reconstituted mice, hPBMC reconstitution reduced neointima formation after femoral cuff injury whereas hPBMCs promoted neointima formation after carotid wire injury 4 weeks after induction of injury. Neointimal endothelium and smooth muscle cells in the injured arteries were of mouse origin. Our results indicate that the immune system may differentially respond to arterial injury depending on the severity of injury, which may also be influenced by the intrinsic properties of the arteries themselves, resulting in either minimal or aggravated neointima formation

Selection of a core set of RILs from Forrest × Williams 82 to develop a framework map in soybean

Soybean BAC-based physical maps provide a useful platform for gene and QTL map-based cloning, EST mapping, marker development, genome sequencing, and comparative genomic research. Soybean physical maps for “Forrest” and “Williams 82” representing the southern and northern US soybean germplasm base, respectively, have been constructed with different fingerprinting methods. These physical maps are complementary for coverage of gaps on the 20 soybean linkage groups. More than 5,000 genetic markers have been anchored onto the Williams 82 physical map, but only a limited number of markers have been anchored to the Forrest physical map. A mapping population of Forrest × Williams 82 made up of 1,025 F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was used to construct a reference genetic map. A framework map with almost 1,000 genetic markers was constructed using a core set of these RILs. The core set of the population was evaluated with the theoretical population using equality, symmetry and representativeness tests. A high-resolution genetic map will allow integration and utilization of the physical maps to target QTL regions of interest, and to place a larger number of markers into a map in a more efficient way using a core set of RILs

α Cell Function and Gene Expression Are Compromised in Type 1 Diabetes.

Many patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have residual β cells producing small amounts of C-peptide long after disease onset but develop an inadequate glucagon response to hypoglycemia following T1D diagnosis. The features of these residual β cells and α cells in the islet endocrine compartment are largely unknown, due to the difficulty of comprehensive investigation. By studying the T1D pancreas and isolated islets, we show that remnant β cells appeared to maintain several aspects of regulated insulin secretion. However, the function of T1D α cells was markedly reduced, and these cells had alterations in transcription factors constituting α and β cell identity. In the native pancreas and after placing the T1D islets into a non-autoimmune, normoglycemic in vivo environment, there was no evidence of α-to-β cell conversion. These results suggest an explanation for the disordered T1D counterregulatory glucagon response to hypoglycemia. Cell Rep 2018 Mar 6; 22(10):2667-2676

Misinformation and knowledge gaps related to diabetes in medical rehabilitation paitients

Knowledge assessment test scores combined with information from follow-up debriefs were used to evaluate the education needs related to diabetes among 60 medical rehabilitation patients

Enhancing Private Sector Wildlife Damage Management with a Comprehensive Curriculum

Wildlife agencies face the complex, often difficult, challenge of managing nuisance wildlife complaints. State agencies are under increasing pressure to provide better training for individuals in the private sector who provide such services. In July 2002, New York State (NYS) passed a law that mandated both training and documented proficiency for all nuisance wildlife control operators (NWCOs) who charge a fee for service. A team of NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) staff was organized to produce a curriculum and certification exams. The goals were to enhance the skills and professionalism of both current NWCOs and new license applicants, while maintaining a diverse array of operators that could provide the many levels of service required by various publics. Additionally, the training manual was designed to be a reference for DEC and CCE staff and others who are interested in nuisance wildlife control. The central philosophy of the manual was integrated wildlife damage management (IWDM), referred to as “best practices” in the manual. A best practice was defined as an effective method for solving a nuisance wildlife problem that minimizes risks to the environment and promotes human safety and well-being. Development of the curriculum (both hard copy and electronic versions) and the associated electronic test bank involved extensive and comprehensive research, reviews, and pilot testing. The curriculum and licensing examinations have been implemented in NYS, and the curriculum has won three different awards from state wildlife, extension, and stakeholder associations. Currently, a NWCO curriculum for the eastern United States is being developed, and it will provide a comprehensive, science-based, peer-reviewed training that satisfies stakeholder-identified needs. This regional curriculum fills an important gap that would otherwise likely be addressed by each state individually. The credibility of the training manual and certification exam will likely prove beneficial to NWCOs as the public becomes aware of this new process. The emphasis on best practices and the responsible treatment of wildlife will also resonate with the public