Economic Contributions of Winter Sports in a Changing Climate

In mountain towns across the United States that rely on winter tourism, snow is currency. For snow lovers and the winter sports industry, predictions of a future with warmer winters, reduced snowfall, and shorter snow seasons is inspiring them to innovate, increase their own efforts to address emissions, and speak publicly on the urgent need for action. This report examines the economic contribution of winter snow sports tourism to U.S. national and state-level economies. In a 2012 analysis, Protect Our Winters and the Natural Resources Defense Council found that the winter sports tourism industry generates $12.2 billion and 23 million Americans participate in winter sports annually. That study found that changes in the winter season driven by climate change were costing the downhill ski resort industry approximately$1.07 billion in aggregated revenue over high and low snow years over the last decade

Using IMPLAN to Evaluate the Economic Contribution of 4-H to Colorado and Individual Counties

Current economic conditions have made it essential for Extension programs such as 4-H to justify continued public investments. Past studies have examined the positive youth development aspects of 4-H, but do not look at the economic contributions of the program. Using individual record book data for the state of Colorado, the study reported here analyzes the contribution of 4-H to both the state economy and individual counties. We find that Colorado 4-H contributes over $45 million dollars and 242 employees to the state economy

Role of an Adenylyl Cyclase Isoform in Alcohol\u27s Effect on Cyclic AMP Regulated Gene Expression in Mammalian Cells

Research suggests that the cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway including CREB-CRE regulated expression of various genes is implicated in the predisposition to and development of alcoholism in humans. Alcohol also induces changes in inflammatory and immune responses; these changes increase the incidence of pneumonias and other infections, which can negatively affect recovery from infections. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is known for its immunosuppressive effects and is also required for proper development of the immune system. Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that ethanol enhances the activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) in an isoform-specific manner; type 7 AC (AC7) is most enhanced by ethanol. Therefore, we hypothesize that the AC isoform expressed in the cells will play a role in ethanol’s effects on cAMP regulated gene expression. We further hypothesize that alcohol modulates cAMP signaling in immune cells by enhancing the activity of AC7; thus, AC7 may play a role in ethanol’s effects on immune function. Our objectives include: 1) evaluate the AC isoform specific effects of ethanol on cAMP regulated gene in NIH 3T3 cells by overexpressing two AC isoforms: AC3 and AC7; 2) employ immune cell lines endogenously expressing AC7, RAW 264.7 and BV-2, to further elucidate the role of AC7 in the effect of ethanol on cAMP regulated gene expression. To examine these objectives, time-lapse fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) and cAMP accumulation assays were used to monitor cAMP levels within the cells. A reporter gene (luciferase) driven by an artificial promoter inducible with cAMP was utilized to evaluate the effect of ethanol on cAMP regulated gene expression. CREB phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of transducers of regulated CREB (TORCs) were examined by western blotting. Stimulation of AC activity by the addition of dopamine caused an increase in the reporter gene activity. Ethanol potentiated the increase of reporter gene activity in NIH 3T3 cells expressing AC7, while cells expressing AC3 did not respond to ethanol. Cyclic AMP pathway activation via stimulation with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) showed an increase in cAMP and reporter gene expression in RAW 264.7 and BV-2 cells. The effect observed was potentiated in the presence of ethanol. Cyclic AMP analog, 8-Bromo-cAMP, induced luciferase activity was not significantly affected by ethanol. The level of CREB phosphorylation did not change by cAMP stimulation or in the presence of ethanol. However, there were significant changes in the TORC3 amount in nuclei depending on stimulation conditions. The results suggest that nuclear translocation of TORC3 may play a more critical role than CREB phosphorylation in the observed changes in the cAMP driven reporter gene activity. Furthermore, the ethanol effect on cAMP regulated reporter gene expression is due to a change in the amount of cAMP, which most likely results from the enhancement of AC7 activity by ethanol

Send in the clowns!

MasteroppgaveSANT350MASV-SAN

2003-2004 Survey of International Law in the Second: Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act

In Abrams v. Societe Nationale des Chemis de Fer Francais, 332 F .3d 173 (2002), plaintiff brought suit this individually and on behalf of other Holocaust victims and such heirs against the French International Railroad, Societe Nationale des Chemis de Fer Francais [hereinafter SNCF] for actions arising out of the operation of trains which transferred thousands of French civilians to Nazi concentration camps. The allegation stated that SNCF violated customary international law by committing crimes against humanity and acts of war crimes

2003-2004 Survey of International Law in the Second : Warsaw Convention

In Magan v. Lufthansa German Airlines, the plaintiff appealed the granting of summary judgment in favor of the defendant, Lufthansa German Airlines [hereinafter Lufthansa]. The complaint arose out of an incident that occurred on an aircraft destined for Sofia, Bulgaria on March 27, 1997.2 Plaintiff claimed that, following the pilot\u27s announcement to be seated, some turbulence caused him to hit his head on an overhang. As a result of the impact, Plaintiff Magan broke his nose and dislodged a dental bridge from his mouth.\u27\u27 Additionally, Magan complained of blurred vision and claimed he blacked out as a result of striking his head. In response to the incident, Magan filed a complaint in district court pursuant to Article 17 of the Warsaw Convention

Capital or the Capitol?: The Hunger Games fandom and Neoliberal Populism

       Abstract: Based on interviews with fans of the Hunger Games books and films, and research of reader reviews and commentary online, this article argues that the widespread agreement among otherwise polarized fans indicate a change in populism in the US toward an anti-statist framing of social inequality defined as "neoliberal populism."The essay connects the Hunger Games to other examples of westerns that allegorize class inequality through rural/metropolitan divisions. It provides examples of three primary reader interpretations of the series as roughly analogous to contemporary American political positioning, with liberals and progressives who read THG as supporting an interracial struggle of the "have-nots" against the wealthy "haves"; by Conservatives and radical white nationalists who read the series as advocating  rural struggle against totalitarian and cosmopolitan "liberal fascism" and by revolutionary third-worldists who see the primary characters anti-colonial rebels against US empire

2003-2004 Survey of International Law in the Second: International Money Laundering Statue

In United States v. Dinero Express, Inc., the Second Circuit Court of Appeals was required to decide whether the remittance scheme, viewed as an entire process, qualifies as transfer under § 1956(a), despite the fact no money was wired from the United States to the Dominican Republic. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court\u27s holding stating that the actions of defendant qualified as a transfer

Evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with fertility and production traits in Holstein and multi-generational Angus females

The objective of this study was to test the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with fertility in two populations consisting of Holstein cows and multi-generational Angus cows. The candidate gene approach was utilized and previously described SNPs were tested for possible associations with fertility. Single nucleotide polymorphisms on three genes were evaluated including leptin receptor LEPR, calpastatin CAST, and DGAT1. Fertility traits were evaluated in conjunction with production traits for Holstein females and growth traits for Angus females. One SNP was significantly associated with birth weight (P \u3c 0.05) in Angus females while a trend (P \u3c 0.10) was observed for two markers influencing birth weight performance and three markers influencing weaning weight performance. An association of two SNP for birth weight and back fat thickness in Angus females was identified.!A trend (P \u3c 0.10) was observed for one marker within LEPR influencing average services to conception, two markers within CAST influencing average days open, two markers within CAST and one marker within DGAT1 influencing average protein production, and one marker within CAST and one marker within DGAT1 influencing average milk production. One SNP within LEPR was significantly associated with average milk production (P \u3c 0.05) in Holstein females. An association of one SNP within CAST and one SNP within DGAT1 for average protein production and average milk production in Holstein females was identified. An association of one SNP within CAST for average days open and average protein production in Holstein females was also identified. The association of these markers indicates that the evaluated quantitative trait loci (QTL) region may harbor causative mutations responsible for the variation observed in fertility and production traits. Further evaluation of SNP in these regions is necessary in order to identify mutations accounting for the largest degree of variation for fertility and production traits

Development of Spiritual Competency in Counseling: A Pilot Research Study of Graduate Students at End of Training

Researchers suggested religious practice and spirituality are multicultural or diversity counseling competencies. Professionals who treat religious and spiritual concerns are sought by a majority of clients. Religious and spiritual training is critical for the ethical treatment of the client, a part of developmental wellness and integrated holistic health theories, and also vital to optimum physical and mental health development. Yet, spiritual and religious competencies are often neglected in graduate studies, leaving counselors fearful and inadequately trained to address spiritual and religious concerns with clients. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) requires training in graduate education that promotes counselor competence in the area of religion and spirituality, but little research exists exploring systematic religious and spiritual training at a graduate level. This correlational study provides information for researchers, counselor educators, supervisors, and CACREP-accredited programs on graduate students’ perceptions regarding having met established religious and spiritual competencies at the end of graduate training. The researcher also explores variables for increased competency including types of curricula, types of institution, and perceived openness of the program to discuss religious and spiritual concepts