Augustana College (Illinois)

About: Augustana College (Illinois) is a education organization based out in Rock Island, Illinois, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Higher education & Population. The organization has 491 authors who have published 763 publications receiving 14274 citations. The organization is also known as: Augustana College and Theological Seminary.

Evidence for urea-induced hypometabolism in isolated organs of dormant ectotherms.

Abstract: Many organisms endure extended periods of dormancy by depressing their metabolism, which effectively prolongs the use of their endogenous energy stores. Though the mechanisms of hypometabolism are varied and incompletely understood, recent work suggests that urea accumulation in autumn and early winter contributes to reduced metabolism of hibernating wood frogs (Rana sylvatica). Urea accumulation during dormancy is a widespread phenomenon, and it has long been presumed that numerous species from diverse taxa benefit from its hypometabolic effect. To investigate the phylogenetic prevalence of urea-induced hypometabolism, we studied four species of urea accumulators from the clades Amphibia (Spea bombifrons and Ambystoma tigrinum), Reptilia (Malaclemys terrapin), and Gastropoda (Anguispira alternata), and one amphibian species (R. pipiens) that does not accumulate urea during dormancy. We measured rates of oxygen consumption (VO2) of excised organ samples from dormant animals in the presence or absence of physiological concentrations of urea. Three of the four urea-accumulating species had at least one organ whose VO2 was significantly decreased by urea treatment. However, VO2 of organs from R. pipiens, the one species tested that does not accumulate urea during dormancy, was not affected by urea treatment. Our results support the hypothesis that urea accumulation can reduce metabolic rate of dormant animals and provide a base for further investigation into the evolution of urea-induced hypometabolism. J. Exp. Zool. 313A:28–34, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Community control as a relationship between a place-based population and institution: The case of a community land trust:

Abstract: Community control is a concept used to identify and promote efforts at collective resource ownership as a response to heightened inequality and capital mobility. The term has been used widely in po...

Reactions of professors to retirement: A comparison of retired faculty from three types of institutions

Abstract: Dorfman et al. (1982) compared the professional activities of retired professors from liberal arts colleges, a comprehensive university, and a major research university. This companion piece based on the same survey compares the professors' reactions to retirement. Results show that a majority of faculty from all types of institutions plan for retirement, are positive about retirement, and give suggestions for institutional retirement policy. The retired professors recommend the following: (1) help in planning, (2) more information about retirement, (3) support for continued work, (4) gradual retirement. Major differences among institutions are the following: (1) comprehensive university faculty plan for retirement more than do faculty from the other institutions, (2) faculty from both universities begin financial planning at a younger age than do faculty from the liberal arts colleges, (3) research university faculty miss work and like having time to spend on professional activities more than do faculty from the other institutions.

International Studies Become Pilgrimages: Geography in a Multidiscipline Overseas Program

Abstract: One of the goals of international education is to help students learn about different regions of the world. Such education is inherently multidisciplinary, including geographical and historical perspectives to put the places and regions in spatial, ecological, and temporal context. A wide variety of systematic disciplines also can be involved in such study. Recognizing this reality, Augustana College initiated in 1974 an overseas fall term program in East Asia and has continued the program on a triennial rotation with similar programs in Europe and Latin America. Teaching courses that normally would be offered on campus, the faculty adapt the classes to the countries and particular places being visited through use of guest lecturers, field experiences, special events, and the neighborhoods in which the accommodations are located. When each program is completed, students have a good multidisciplinary understanding of the region and of the importance of a geographic perspective for such understandi...