Samples were taken from two southeast Wyoming streams to determine if values of selected benthic macroinvertebrate metrics derived from using a D-net could be related to values derived from using a Surber sampler. Conditions under which samples were collected were variable, ranging from severely polluted to non-polluted over two seasons. Metrics evaluated were the Shannon-Weiner index and the random runs value plus four measures of richness; Ephemeroptera taxa richness, Ephemeroptera/Plecoptera/Trichoptera taxa richness, total taxa richness, and Plecoptera taxa richness. Regression analysis indicated that linear relations existed between average metric values estimated through use of the D-net and Surber sampler. These results indicated that average D-net values for these six metrics can be expressed as average Surber sampler values, and vice versa, in these two streams when using either the D-net or Surber sampler in the manner described. This study presented two ways (i.e., the F test or the model validation technique) to test for transportability of functions (i.e., regression models), which were used to convert the results from one sampling method to results from another, and vice versa.

A survey of the adult dragonfly and damselfly (Odonata) fauna of streams in the upper Rockcastle River system, Kentucky, was conducted during 2002–2003. Twenty-seven species were collected, resulting in 31 new county records for Jackson, Laurel, and Rockcastle counties and the extension of the Kentucky flight season for six species. The 27 species collected during this study represent 18 percent of the odonate species currently known from Kentucky.

Sweet corn was grown in 9.3 m² replicated plots following National Organic Program Standards. Plots were baited with Benallure® beneficial insect lures containing 2-phenylethanol or were left as non baited controls. Beneficial insects were sampled weekly during silking using 232 cm² yellow sticky traps placed at ear height directly in the plot center and 0.9 m from plot center in each cardinal direction. Pink lady beetles [Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer)], multicolored Asian lady beetles [Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)], and green lacewings [Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens)], were the predatory insects collected on the traps. The pink lady beetle was the most abundant predator caught. Multicolored Asian lady beetles and green lacewings were caught in low numbers during both years of the study. However, multicolored Asian lady beetles were more abundant in Benallure baited plots than non baited plots early during anthesis in 2006. Benallure lures did not attract pink lady beetles or green lacewings during either year of the study.

Data were collected via a survey of patrons of farmers' markets in Kentucky to determine consumer perceptions of chicken products. A conjoint experiment was included in the survey that elicited respondent preferences for different chicken product attributes. Results showed that a majority of consumers were willing to buy chickens in farmers' markets, with strong preference towards chicken breast quarters and whole-dressed birds. Certified organic chickens were more popular among Caucasian consumers. Conjoint analysis results indicated that product price and form were more important to consumers than the product's origin or whether or not the chickens were organic.

Fifteen American woodcock (Scolopax minor) nests were located in central Kentucky between February 1998 and April 1999. Twelve habitat variables were measured within a 0.04 ha circular plot centered at each nest site and at randomly located no-nest (control) sites. Mean angular canopy cover at the nest, and mean number of shrubs and trees in the 2.5–15.2 cm DBH range within the nest plot were found to be significantly different (P < 0.05) from control sites. The habitat variables of note associated with woodcock nest sites in Kentucky mirror the general trend reported elsewhere, i.e., the importance of mid-story and horizontal plant cover.

CD4 CD25 regulatory cells control the development of autoimmunity, including type 1 diabetes, and the transcription factor Foxp3 is crucial for the development and function of these cells. The decreased effectiveness of regulatory T cell function in diabetes-prone NOD mice is due to the failure of NOD APC to activate regulatory T cells properly. In the present study, we examined the parameters that modulate Foxp3 expression in CD4 CD25 regulatory cells. We found that CD4 CD25 cells from congenic diabetes-resistant NOD mice exhibited intermediate levels of Foxp3 compared with regulatory cells from B6 mice and Sick NOD mice. Using an in vitro Foxp3 induction system, we found that APC from diabetes-resistant congenic NOD mice also exhibited an intermediate ability to maintain expression of Foxp3 in CD4 CD25 cells. Finally, NOD APC pre-treated with a microbial component, lipoteichoic acid, regained their ability to maintain Foxp3 expression in CD4 CD25 cells in vitro. APC from CFA-treated NOD mice that were transferred into recipient NOD mice could induce Foxp3 expression in CD4 CD25 cells in vivo. Altogether, these data suggest that Foxp3 expression in CD4 CD25 cells from NOD mice can be modulated by optimal stimulation by APC.

We used inorganic fertilizer in three ponds at the Minor Clark Fish Hatchery and compared results with three ponds treated with a traditional combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer. Organic augmentation resulted in significantly higher water concentrations of chlorophyll a (16 vs. 7 µg L⁻¹), total P (167 vs. 89 µg L⁻¹), SRP (9.3 vs. 6.6 µg L⁻¹), and inorganic nitrogen (230 vs. 184 µg L⁻¹). Secchi depth and DO (7.9 vs. 11.2 mg L⁻¹) were lower in the organically fertilized ponds. No filamentous algal blooms occurred in any ponds. Rotifers were the predominant zooplankton in all ponds; but traditionally fertilized ponds had greater copepod biomass. Fish survival (37%) and yield (36 kg ha⁻¹) in inorganically fertilized ponds were much lower than previously found at Minor Clark Hatchery (about 90% survival). Although use of inorganic fertilization alone may reduce fertilizer and supplemental aeration costs in some hatcheries, it did not offset lost fish production in this study.