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ABSTRACT.--Large-scale land-use change driven by residential development has degraded native ecosystems and altered the composition of species communities. Concern over the loss of habitat for human-sensitive species has led to [...]

Purpose: The developmental trajectory of English /s/ was investigated to determine the extent to which children's speech productions are acoustically fine-grained. Given the hypothesis that young children have adultlike phonetic knowledge of /s/, the following were examined: (a) whether this knowledge manifests itself in acoustic spectra that match the gender-specific patterns of adults, (b) whether vowel context affects the spectra of /s/ in adults and children similarly, and (c) whether children adopt compensatory production strategies to match adult acoustic targets. Method: Several acoustic variables were measured from word-initial /s/ (and /t/) and the following vowel in the productions of children aged 2 to 5 years and adult controls using 2 sets of corpora from the Paidologos database. Results: Gender-specific patterns in the spectral distribution of /s/ were found. Acoustically, more canonical /s/ was produced before vowels with higher [F.sub.1] (i.e., lower vowels) in children, a context where lingual articulation is challenging. Measures of breathiness and vowel intrinsic [F.sub.0] provide evidence that children use a compensatory aerodynamic mechanism to achieve their acoustic targets in articulatorily challenging contexts. Conclusion: Together, these results provide evidence that children's phonetic knowledge is acoustically detailed and gender specified and that speech production goals are acoustically oriented at early stages of speech development., Along tradition of developmental studies assume (implicitly or explicitly) that what is heard by adult transcribers accurately reflects children's production targets; in other words, what adults transcribe represents what children [...]

In the original performances of Roman comedy, actors sang to the accompaniment of the two-piped tibia Although complete reconstruction of this practice on the modern stage is impractical, participants in the 2012 NEH Summer Institute on Roman Comedy in Performance demonstrated several ways of incorporating music into modern performances, including hip hop-style performance; spoken dialogue with incidental music; a cappella singing to rhythms suggested by Plautus' and Terence's meters; accompanied singing of stichic meters to a repeated melody; and accompanied singing of a poly metric scene. Each of these approaches can be reproduced in the classroom to great pedagogical benefit., Roman comedy is one of the most musical genres of ancient literature. In the times of Plautus' and Terence's comedies, actors sang extensive portions of each play--generally between 50% and [...]

Plautus marks the title character of Epidicus as a special, over-the-top instance of the seruus callidus stock type by associating him throughout the play with various religious roles of increasing importance. Through claims made by both the character himself and others, Epidicus is progressively figured as sacrificial victim, sacrificer, embalmer, auspex, Agamemnon, and son of Vulcan. This 'program of sacralization' is original to Plautus and unique to this play, and offers a much more developed extension of the kinds of religious imagery that characterize other powerful Plautine serai callidi. It exemplifies how Plautus uses ritual imagery and religious associations to reflect power relations between characters and the theatrical authority shown by the dominance of the seruus callidus over the play as a whole, and it emphasizes the significant and unparalleled extent of Epidicus role in reuniting the play's long-separated citizen family., The title character of Epidicus could be considered an epitome of the stock seruus callidus. Slater calls Epidicus 'one of the best and most straightforward examples of the stock clever [...]

Producers in the southern Great Plains usually dedicate fields of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to a grain-only (GO) management system or one that incorporates grazing preceding grain harvest (dual-purpose or DP system). We hypothesized that a grazing system may be applied as a selection tool during the early inbreeding generations to shift gene frequencies in favor of improved grazing tolerance and grain yielding ability. Grain yield and other key traits were compared among F5 bulk progenies of 24 populations exposed in the [F.sub.2] to [F.sub.4 ]generations to either system, including a Base set of [F.sub.3] progenies and three cultivars. From GO and DP experiments conducted for 3 yr near Marshall, OK, the grain yield loss from GO to DP systems was 11% for '2174' and 'Custer' and 24% for 'Jagger'. Yields of DP selections exceeded the GO selections when tested in the DP system (220 kg [ha.sup.-1] differential, P < 0.01) and in the GO system (80 kg [ha.sup.-1], P = 0.01), with neutral effects on grain volume weight and protein concentration. Vegetative growth habit of DP and GO selections were visibly differentiated. When targeting a DP management system, derivation of bulk populations for line selection should utilize the DP system as a selection environment during the early inbreeding generations. This approach should not carry a universal yield penalty for GO environments when the breeding target includes both DP and GO systems. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2009.05.0234

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of supplemental energy and extruded-expelled cottonseed meal (ECSM; 30.6% CP; 44% NDF, 10.2% fat; DM basis) as a protein supplement (SUP) to spring-calving beef cows (n = 96; 535 kg initial BW; 5.4 initial BCS) consuming low-quality forage during late gestation and early lactation. Supplementation of ECSM was compared with 2 traditional cottonseed meal-based SUP. For all experiments, SUP provided equal CP. On a DM basis, SUP included 1) a blend of 76% wheat middlings and 18% solvent-extracted cottonseed meal (WMCSM); 2) solvent-extracted cottonseed meal (CSM); and 3) delinted, extruded-expelled cottonseed meal (ECSM). In Exp. 1, cows were individually fed SUP 3 d/wk until calving and 4 d/ wk during lactation; total SUP period was 95 d. Tall-grass prairie hay (4.4% CP; 74% NDF; DM basis) was provided during the SUP period. Changes in cow BW during gestation (P = 0.23), over the SUP period (P = 0.27), and over the 301-d experiment (P = 0.56) were similar. Changes in BCS were similar during gestation (P = 0.78), over the SUP period (P = 0.95) and over the 301-d experiment (P = 0.37). Calf birth weights (P = 0.21) and BW at weaning (P = 0.76) were not differ ent. Percentage of cows exhibiting luteal activity at the beginning of breeding season (P = 0.59), AI conception rate (P = 0.71), and pregnancy rate at weaning (P = 0.88) were not different. In Exp. 2, 18 cows in early lactation from Exp. 1 were used to determine the effect of SUP on hay intake and digestion. Hay intake tended (P = 0.10) to be greater for CSM than ECSM. Intake of OM and DM was greater for WMCSM (P [less than or equal to] 0.02) compared with CSM and ECSM; likewise, digested DMI and OM intake were greater (P [less than or equal to] 0.02) for WMCSM. Apparent total tract digestibility of crude fat was greater for ECSM than CSM (P = 0.03). In Exp. 3, cows (n = 20/treatment) of similar days postpartum were machine-milked to determine SUP effect on milk production and composition. Butterfat, protein, lactose, and milk urea N were not different (P > 0.10). Similarly, 24-h milk production was not different (P = 0.25). Neither greater energy intake of cows consuming WMCSM nor greater fat intake of cows consuming ECSM influenced cow performance measures or calf weaning weight. Cow response to SUP with ECSM compared with traditional cottonseed meal-based SUP indicates that ECSM is a viable source of supplemental protein for beef cows consuming low-quality forage. Key words: beef cow, energy, extruded-expelled cottonseed meal, supplementation

Myostatin is a secreted protein that normally functions as a negative regulator of muscle growth. Agents capable of blocking the myostatin signaling pathway could have important applications for treating human muscle degenerative diseases as well as for enhancing livestock production. Here we describe a potent myostatin inhibitor, a soluble form of the activin type IIB receptor (ACVR2B), which can cause dramatic increases in muscle mass (up to 60% in 2 weeks) when injected into wild-type mice. Furthermore, we show that the effect of the soluble receptor is attenuated but not eliminated in [Mstn.sup.-/-] mice, suggesting that at least one other ligand in addition to myostatin normally functions to limit muscle growth. Finally, we provide genetic evidence that these ligands signal through both activin type II receptors, ACVR2 and ACVR2B, to regulate muscle growth in vivo. myostatin | TGF-[beta]

Author(s): N. Gehrels (corresponding author) [1]; C. L. Sarazin [2]; P. T. O'Brien [3]; B. Zhang [4]; L. Barbier [1]; S. D. Barthelmy [1]; A. Blustin [5]; D. N. Burrows [...]

Author(s): G. Tagliaferri (corresponding author) [1]; M. Goad [2]; G. Chincarini [1, 3]; A. Moretti [1]; S. Campana [1]; D. N. Burrows [4]; M. Perri [5]; S. D. Barthelmy [6]; [...]

The c-Jun N[H.sub.2]-terminal kinase (JNK) group of mitogen-activated protein kinases is activated in response to a wide array of cellular stresses and proinflammatory cytokines. Roles for JNK in the developing nervous system and T-cell-mediated immunity have been established by detailed studies of mice with compound mutations in the Jnk genes. However, little is known concerning the roles of JNK in other mammalian tissues. Mice lacking both of the ubiquitously expressed isoforms (JNK1 and -2) die during midgestation with neural tube closure defects and brain abnormalities. Here we show that JNK-deficient mice exhibit delayed epithelial development in the epidermis, intestines, and lungs. In addition, JNK-deficient mice exhibit an eyelid closure defect associated with markedly reduced epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor function, and loss of expression of the ligand EGF. We further demonstrate that adult mice lacking either JNK1 or -2 display striking differences in epidermal proliferation and differentiation, indicative of distinct roles for these kinases in the skin. We conclude that JNK is necessary for epithelial morphogenesis and is an essential regulator of signal transduction by the EGF receptor in the epidermis.

A winter grazing/feedlot performance experiment repeated over 2 yr (Exp. 1) and a metabolism experiment (Exp. 2) were conducted to evaluate effects of grazing dormant native range or irrigated winter wheat pasture on subsequent intake, feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, total-tract digestion of nutrients, and ruminal digesta kinetics in beef cattle. In Exp. 1, 30 (yr 1) or 67 (yr 2) English crossbred steers that had previously grazed native range (n = 38) or winter wheat (n = 59) for approximately 180 d were allotted randomly within previous treatment to feedlot pens (yr 1 native range = three pens [seven steers/pen], winter wheat = two pens [eight steers/pen]; yr 2 native range = three pens [eight steers/pen], winter wheat = four pens [10 or 11 steers/pen]). As expected, winter wheat steers had greater (P < 0.01) ADG while grazing than did native range steers. In contrast, feedlot ADG and gain efficiency were greater (P < 0.02) for native range steers than for winter wheat steers. Hot carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, and marbling score were greater (P < 0.01) for winter wheat steers than for native range steers. In contrast, 12th-rib fat depth (P < 0.64) and yield grade (P < 0.77) did not differ among treatments. In Exp. 2, eight ruminally cannulated steers that had previously grazed winter wheat (n = 4; initial BW = 407 [ + or -]12 kg) or native range (n = 4; initial BW = 293 [+ or -]23 kg) were used to determine intake, digesta kinetics, and total-tract digestion while being adapted to a 90% concentrate diet. The adaptation and diets used in Exp. 2 were consistent with those used in Exp. 1 and consisted of 70, 75, 80, and 85% concentrate diets, each fed for 5 d. As was similar for intact steers, restricted growth of cannulated native range steers during the winter grazing phase resulted in greater (P < 0.001) DMI (% of BW) and ADG (P < 0.04) compared with winter wheat steers. In addition, ruminal fill (P < 0.01) and total-tract OM digestibility (P < 0.02) were greater for native range than for winter wheat steers across the adaptation period. Greater digestibility by native range steers early in the finishing period might account for some of the compensatory gain response. Although greater performance was achieved by native range steers in the feedlot, grazing winter wheat before finishing resulted in fewer days on feed, increased hot carcass weight, and improved carcass merit. Key Words: Carcass Quality, Cattle, Digestibility, Range Pastures, Winter Wheat

The creation of a 'reputation index' that would be of broad scope and attempt to capture the key dimensions and evaluate diverse organizational components including corporate strategy, financial strength and viability, organizational culture, ethics and integrity and strategic alliances and business partnering is described.

Transgenic overexpression of [Cu.sub.+2]/[Zn.sub.+2] superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) harboring an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-linked familial genetic mutation (SO[D1.sub.G93A]) in a Sprague-Dawley rat results in ALS-like motor neuron disease. Motor neuron disease in these rats depended on high levels of mutant SOD1 expression, increasing from 8-fold over endogenous SOD1 in the spinal cord of young presymptomatic rats to 16-fold in end-stage animals. Disease onset in these rats was early, [approximately equal to] 115 days, and disease progression was very rapid thereafter with affected rats reaching end stage on average within 11 days. Pathological abnormalities included vacuoles initially in the lumbar spinal cord and subsequently in more cervical areas, along with inclusion bodies that stained for SOD1, Hsp70, neurofilaments, and ubiquitin. Vacuolization and gliosis were evident before clinical onset of disease and before motor neuron death in the spinal cord and brainstem. Focal loss of the EAAT2 glutamate transporter in the ventral horn of the spinal cord coincided with gliosis, but appeared before motor neuron/axon degeneration. At end-stage disease, gliosis increased and EAAT2 loss in the ventral horn exceeded 90%, suggesting a role for this protein in the events leading to cell death in ALS. These transgenic rats provide a valuable resource to pursue experimentation and therapeutic development, currently difficult or impossible to perform with existing ALS transgenic mice.

Although scholars have often settled upon 1686 as the year in which the central elements of Leibniz's philosophy first appear in systematic form, certain of his positions appear to have been firmly in place at least ten years earlier. Papers written in 1676 reveal that Leibniz had already by that time established the fundamental feature of his single-substance metaphysics: the insubstantiality of matter. As he defines it, matter is a mode, but a mode of peculiar status, a sort of 'top mode,' which, together with change, is requisite to the existence of any other modes, or 'things.' Things for Leibniz include all bodies and their qualities, and in some places also appear to include minds, although Leibniz for religious reasons equivocates here, and wants to resist. Nevertheless, Leibniz's desire to move toward a version of the Aristotelian notion of matter as the principle of individuation is clearly in evidence as he works to set out a view which can accommodate mechanistic physics while avoiding the perceived atheistic threat inherent in both Cartesian dualism and Spinozistic monism.

Increasing concerns on lead (Pb) bioavailability and its risks to humans have raised interest on the speciation and immobilization of Pb-bearing phases. Previous research has focused only on the solubility of the mineralogic fraction. A current research study, which aimed at investigating the potential for surface-bound (sorbed) Pb to contribute to the bioavailable fraction, shows that there is low bioaccessibility of Pb in modern aggregate compared to urban Cincinnati soils and street dusts.

A new expansion for the dyadic Green's function of a perfectly conducting wedge is derived. It is expressed in terms of a discrete series of spherical vector wave functions. This expansion converges well, except near a spherical surface which passes through the source point. The convergence is particularly rapid in the paraxial region. This results in the identification of an edge wave which can play an important role in the radiation from sources and scatterers at the edge of the wedge.