Direct and Indirect Effects of Recent Gizzard Shad Introductions in Four South Dakota Small Impoundments

Managing fisheries requires balancing predators and prey. Prey stockings are often used when food sources may be limiting to support fish communities with multiple predators. Stocking of prey often results in increased predator size and could potentially lead to the consumption of nuisance species such as Black Bullheads Ameiurus melas. Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum are an often-stocked prey species and have been recently stocked into several small impoundments across South Dakota. One of the focuses of this study was to document the contribution of age-0 Gizzard Shad to predator fish food habits and growth. Gizzard Shad consumption varied between impoundments and predators, with shad primarily being consumed in western impoundments. Gizzard Shad made up to 50% of Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides and Walleye Sander vitreus. The absence of Gizzard Shad from several predator food habits resulted in either a reduced growth or little to no effect during bioenergetic simulations. Though Gizzard Shad were important to several predator food habits, the presence or absence does not seem to impact the growth of predators. Even with little impact on predator growth Black Bullheads were vulnerable to predation by these predators. However, relatively few bullheads were consumed by predators. The introduction of Gizzard Shad into impoundments seems to have limited impacts on both predator species and in turn no effect on the biological control of Black Bullheads. There is potential that future introductions will have similar results and that predator fish may not be enhanced and that there will be no biological control of Black Bullheads. There is still unknown information about the effects of Gizzard Shad introductions within these small impoundments and future research should focus on how other species are impacted. Additionally, future research should examine under what conditions Black Bullheads are selected for as prey

An Analysis of the Redox Properties and Stability of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Cytochrome F, Cytochrome C6, and Mutants thereof

This body of work presents mutagenesis studies conducted on two c-type cytochromes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Cytochrome f, a unique c-type cytochrome, is investigated in regards to its redox potential, the dependence of the redox potential, and the thermal stability of the protein. The mutations made were Y1F, Y9F, Y160F, Y160L, R156L, and R156K. The residues that were mutated surround the heme. It was found that, relative to the wild-type, only the Y160L and R156 mutants showed any difference in midpoint potential at pH 7. Wild-type and mutants both had a midpoint potential that was dependent upon pH indicating that none of the investigated residues are responsible for the alkaline transition seen in cytochrome f. The stability of each of the mutants also did not vary from that of the wild-type protein. The arginine mutants were unsuitable to be investigated by current methods in regards to the pH dependence of the midpoint potential and stability. Cytochrome c6, a typical class I, c-type cytochrome, and the mutants K29I and K57I were investigated in the same manner as was cytochrome f along with CD spectral studies. The K29 and K57 residues are found in the vicinity of the heme. In regards to the midpoint potential of the mutants at pH 7, they were found to be lower than that for the wild-type protein. The midpoint potential for both the wild-type and mutants was found to be independent of pH as far as pH 10. The melting temperature of the mutants, when examined, was also lower than that of the wild-type indicating a lower relative stability of the mutants when compared to the wild-type. CD spectroscopy was done to investigate if an aromatic residue in the vicinity of the heme is responsible for the negative Cotton effect seen in the oxidized spectrum. The residue in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cytochrome c6 is a tryptophan that is not co-facially oriented with respect to the heme. The absence of the Cotton effect provides further evidence that for the presence of a negative Cotton effect there must be an aromatic residue in the vicinity and it must be co-facially oriented with respect to the heme

Implementing Pharmacy Informatics in College Curricula: The AACP Technology in Pharmacy Education and Learning Special Interest Group

Many professional organizations have initiatives to increase the awareness and use of informatics in the practice of pharmacy. Within education we must respond to these initiatives and make technology integral to all aspects of the curriculum, inculcating in students the importance of technology in practice. This document proposes 5 central domains for organizing planning related to informatics and technology within pharmacy education. The document is intended to encourage discussion of informatics within pharmacy education and the implications of informatics in future pharmacy practice, and to guide colleges of pharmacy in identifying and analyzing informatics topics to be taught and methods of instruction to be used within the doctor of pharmacy curriculum

An exploration into “do-it-yourself” (DIY) e-liquid mixing: Users' motivations, practices and product laboratory analysis

Background: E-liquids are commercially available and manufactured, however some users of e-cigarettes prefer to prepare them at home (Do-it-Yourself; DIY) using individual ingredients. To date there is a paucity of research on how and why users make their own e-liquids. Methods: Forty-one European and US based exclusive users of e-cigarettes (ex-smokers) were individually in- terviewed. Structured interviews focused on motivations for home-mixing, practices, buying habits and broader themes around reasons for long-term vaping. We also measured nicotine and solvent concentrations and ana- lysed 33 DIY e-liquids collected from 16 participants for nicotine, solvents, flavourings, and potentially harmful chemicals. Results: There were four main reasons for DIY: 1) economical (financial savings), 2) self-control over manu- facturing process, 3) novelty, fun and 4) higher nicotine concentrations. Twelve out of 16 participants achieved nicotine concentration within 20% of their intended limit. Samples from five participants were above the EU Tobacco Products Directive's (TPD) 20 mg/ml nicotine concentration upper limit. Most samples contained more vegetable glycerine (VG) than propylene glycol (PG) and the most commonly used flavourings were dessert, e.g., vanilla and caramel. Chemical analysis also revealed presence of several potentially harmful chemicals and respiratory irritants, including cinnamaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and acetoin. Conclusion: DIY may offer users of e-cigarettes a long-term affordable practical method of vaping. Recommended safety advice needs to reflect actual and fast moving user behaviour

Blastomycosis in Man after Kinkajou Bite

We report transmission of Blastomyces dermatitidis fungal infection from a pet kinkajou to a man. When treating a patient with a recalcitrant infection and a history of an animal bite, early and complete animal necropsy and consideration of nonbacterial etiologies are needed

A regression analysis : the effect of gender on student athletes' strength gains

What role does gender play in possible strength gains among high school student athletes? This question was the driving force behind this paper. This thesis utilized regression analysis to quantify the differences that can be expected in strength gains based on many variables, including gender. The data from 545 high school athletes was recorded over the course of 10 years. Various regression models were included and explained in this paperThesis (B.?.)Honors Colleg

COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract not availabl