1025 research outputs found
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Conservation Status and Taxonomy of the Eastern Coyote (Canis latrans) of Eastern North America
No full textThe taxonomic status of coyotes (Canis latrans) and related wolf species, gray (Canis lupus), red (Canis rufus), and Eastern Canadian wolves (Canis lycaon), is under debate as to the proper classification of these species and the consequential conservation measurements. Coyotes found in Eastern North America (ENA) are hybrids of western coyotes and wolves, therefore, the line between wolves and coyote species in ENA have blurred. Researchers are unsure if the species found in ENA are to be considered a separate species, subspecies, or hybrids. A criterion to define these taxa is desperately needed, and until used and recognized by most authors, there will not be a clear understanding of the phylogenetic relationships between these taxa. We hope that a thorough compilation on the taxonomic status of coyotes and wolves will aspire to show the varying arguments on classification and phylogeny which will go together with proper conservation and management measures
The Effects of Parental Involvement in Education
No full textThe purpose of this self-study research is to examine the effects of parental involvement in education. Parental involvement can be a key factor in boosting student achievement as well as positive behaviors and dispositions toward school. While student teaching, I have compiled data to create a developmental portfolio where I have collected artifacts and daily reflections regarding interactions with parents. I also reflected on my own experiences with parental involvement when I was a student to identify the ways in which my personal history influences my current practices. The goal of this research is to discover how to interact more effectively with parents. By focusing on my experiences with parental involvement now, I can help avoid mistakes that a novice teacher could make. Adding additional research to the field of education regarding parental involvement will benefit all educators, parents, and students
The “Non-Level Concept” and Its Potential for Curricular Innovation
No full textThis paper reports on an exploratory study of an innovative approach to the teaching of content in a study abroad context using the ‘non-level concept’ (or NOLC) instruction. Based on triangulated data from classroom observations conducted over the course of a semester, instructor interviews, and student interviews and questionnaires, I present a qualitative analysis of the approach in terms of pedagogical practices, student-student interactions, and instructor intervention, as well as insights from instructor and student alike. Through this analysis I aim to provide a possible alternative to current curricular frameworks in the teaching of content courses in North America and beyond. Although certain modifications would be necessitated by a change in context, the implementation of the NOLC approach has the potential to be a viable and effective alternative or addition to current foreign language curricula
Sex and β-Endorphin Influence the Effects of Ethanol on Limbic Gabra2 Expression in a Mouse Binge Drinking Model
Get PDFBinge drinking is a widespread problem linked to increased risk for alcohol-related complications, including development of alcohol use disorders. In the last decade, binge drinking has increased significantly, specifically in women. Clinically, sexually dimorphic effects of alcohol are well-characterized, however, the underlying mechanisms for these dimorphisms in the physiological and behavioral effects of alcohol are poorly understood. Among its many effects, alcohol consumption reduces anxiety via the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, most likely acting upon receptors containing the α-2 subunit (Gabra2). Previous research from our laboratory indicates that female mice lacking the endogenous opioid peptide β-endorphin (βE) have an overactive stress axis and enhanced anxiety-like phenotype, coupled with increased binge-like alcohol consumption. Because βE works via GABA signaling to reduce anxiety, we sought to determine whether sexually dimorphic binge drinking behavior in βE deficient mice is coupled with differences in CNS Gabra2 expression. To test this hypothesis, we used βE knock-out mice in a drinking in the dark model where adult male and female C57BL/6J controls (βE +/+) and βE deficient (βE -/-; B6.129S2-Pomctm1Low/J) mice were provided with one bottle of 20% ethanol (EtOH) and one of water (EtOH drinkers) or two bottles of water (water drinkers) 3 h into the dark cycle for four consecutive days. Following a binge test on day 4, limbic tissue was collected and frozen for subsequent qRT-PCR analysis of Gabra2 mRNA expression. Water-drinking βE +/+ females expressed more Gabra2 in central nucleus of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis than males, but this sex difference was absent in the βE -/- mice. Genotype alone had no effect on alcohol consumption or drug-induced increase in Gabra2 expression. In contrast, βE expression had bi-directional effects in females: in wildtypes, Gabra2 mRNA was reduced by binge EtOH consumption, while EtOH increased expression in βE -/- females to levels commensurate with drug-naïve βE +/+ females. These results support the contention that βE plays a role in sexually dimorphic binge-like EtOH consumption, perhaps through differential expression of GABAA α2 subunits in limbic structures known to play key roles in the regulation of stress and anxiety
Diversity Awareness: How Pre-service Teachers\u27 Notions of Diversity Were Effected After Attending a Multi-cultural Conference
Get PDFPre-service educators need to become aware of how to interact with diverse students and school settings before they enter the classroom. Trainings and multi-cultural awareness opportunities need to be provided to pre-service educators and they need to be researched in order to evaluate relevant impact. This article describes a multicultural conference that provided several workshops and discussions to pre-service teachers about a variety of topics related to diversity. Pre-service teachers who attended the conference provided reflections about their experiences that were analyzed which gave insights into how pre-service teachers notions of diversity were impacted or challenged. Findings were that attending a one day conference on diversity issues made an impact on pre-service teacher’s notions of diversity and provided the pre-service teachers with specific strategies for future classroom instruction. The findings are useful to academicians and educational professionals who are interested in better preparing teacher candidates for the inclusive environment they will face upon graduation
Rivalries as a Determinant of Attendance: An Empirical Analysis
No full textThis empirical study attempts to quantify the effects of specific rivalry matchups, selected using a rivalry points system, on Major League Baseball (MLB) game attendance using a robust multiple regression analysis. This research and its subsequent findings contribute to the body of academic research attempting to better understand and communicate the significance of rivalries in everything from free markets to the professional sports industry. Members of professional sports organizations, company executives, politicians, and everyday sports fans alike have a vested interest in understanding rivalry as a determinant of attendance/consumer participation. This detailed analysis suggests that specific rivalry matchups have a significant effect on MLB game attendance despite a variety of other attendance factors. Conclusions from this research provide insights about profitability, brand awareness, market penetration, and strategic positioning
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Response to Variation in Yearly Fall Discharge of The Upper Main Stem of the Susquehanna River
No full textThe study of benthic macroinvertebrate communities allows researches to analyze the water quality and the habitat health of their home streams. This is the 9th year of a study that uses BMI to assess the health of the upper main stem of the Susquehanna river in Snyder County. Two sites were utilized along the channel to the west of Byers Island, below the river\u27s major confluence. To sample each of the sites, Hester-Dendys, an in-house kick nethod, and rock baskets were used in accordance with EPA guidelines for sampling non-wadable streams. The results were compared with discharge data gathered by the USGS, and, likely due to decreased flow rates over the past four years, Shannon Diversity and Bray-Curtis values dropped, while Hilenshoff Biotic Index values rose. These fluctuations underline the importance of multi-year sampling of higher order streams such as the Susquehanna
The Effect of Drought Stress and Herbivory on VOC Emission in Phaseolus lunatus (Lima Bean): a Qualitative Analysis
No full textHerbivore-induced volatile organic compounds are an inducible plant defense that serves to attract beneficial insects to a plant as a form of protection from herbivory. VOC emission serves to attract beneficial insects, herbivore\u27s enemies, to the plant, thereby minimizing future damage.The levels of VOC emission are affected by both abiotic and biotic stressors, yet little is known about how they influence VOCs in combination with one another. In this research, we examined how VOC emissions of Phaseolus lunatus plants were influenced by drought and simulated herbivory using a fully factoria design. SPME and GCMS were used to analyze the presence of VOCs and their relative abundance in the sample. We conclude that the emission of VOCs as an indirect defense is costly to the plant, and they will invest less in this defense when they are experiencing other and more severe types of environmental stress in combination with herbivore damage
Investigation of the Effects of Gestational Programing of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Expression in the Reward Pathway
No full textAbout 570,000 people die each year in the United States of America due to drug addiction, and an estimated 300,000 Americans die annually from complications related to obesity. Studies have shown low birth weight (LBW) offspring exhibit hyperphagia and increased incidence of addiction. Thus, we hypothesize that LBW offspring have differences in the physiology and functioning of the reward pathways in the brain, which may lead to enhanced self-administration of rewarding substances, including food. To test this hypothesis, examined the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme for dopamine production, the major neurotransmitter in the reward pathway, in LBW offspring. TH positive cells in theventral tregmental area of the reward pathway was significantly difference in LBW compared with control offspring. Understanding the impact of the gestational environment on reward processing in the brain will further the fight against both addiction and obesity
Determining the movement efficiency of terrestrial salamanders across aquatic barriers
No full textLittle is known about the swimming ability of terrestrial salamanders. Studies of movement have shown that some species are capable of crossing streams during long distance travel. However, the efficiency of movement across aquatic barriers is largely unknown. Our study attempts to document the success of terrestrial salamanders to swim or otherwise cross streams. We compared the swimming ability of terrestrial salamanders to that of semi-aquatic salamanders. We collected individual semi-aquatic and terrestrial salamanders from under natural cover objects and placed the individual in an aquatic arena. Through video analysis, we selected a 3-5 second length of burst speed and calculated the velocity of the salamander in that segment. We expected semi-aquatic salamanders to demonstrate a higher swimming velocity. Our calculations show that semi-aquatic individuals have a significantly higher swimming velocity than terrestrial individuals (p = 0.0002)