Linear accelerator frequency control system Patent

Linear accelerator frequency control syste

Transcriptomic Insights into the Morphological Variation Present in Bromeliaceae

The Bromeliaceae family utilizes a wide range of adaptations to inhabit a variety of environments including dry ones. Many attribute the large adaptive radiation of Bromeliaceae throughout the Neotropics to three main features: absorptive trichomes, tank reservoirs, and CAM photosynthesis. Based on leaf morphology and arrangement, root type, and nutrient acquisition, Pittendrigh (1948) conservatively separated bromeliads into four main classes. These four main classes are designated Type I bromeliads, Type II bromeliads, Type III bromeliads and Type IV bromeliads. We used RNA-sequencing of leaf mRNA to investigate similarities and differences in gene expression which can be related back to the four distinct leaf morphologies in the Bromeliaceae family. We found several transcripts relating to the presence of a tank and absorptive trichomes. In addition, we found evidence of varying forms of carbohydrate synthesis for carbon storage during CAM photosynthesis. Lastly, transcriptomics differences indicate different drought survival strategies, with the most extreme differences occurring between Aechmea nudicaulis and Tillandsia gardneri. This study identified transcripts related to the morphological gradient and highlighted how each ecological type has a particular set of adaptations and strategies for survive in a particular regime

Comparisons of Genetic Diversity Among Disjunct Populations of Magnolia tripetala

Plant ranges are often made up of core areas where the distribution is continuous and the population density is high with small disjunct populations at the margins of the core. One well-studied type of disjunct population is formed by long distance dispersal as plants migrate away from disjunct Pleistocene refugial populations. The retreat of the Wisconsinan glaciation resulted in the outward dispersal of many plant species from their refugial locations to areas with suitable habitat. Many plants expanded their ranges through rare-long-distance dispersal. This study used microsatellites to compare the genetic diversity, inbreeding levels, and gene flow frequency of disjunct Magnolia tripetala populations to main core M. tripetala populations. In addition, I determined that distance of dispersal is related to genetic diversity and identified source populations for the main core and northern disjunct populations. There was no significant difference between the genetic diversity of disjunct populations and their counterparts. Inbreeding levels were high and gene flow was low among populations. Long-distance dispersal was determined to have a negative correlation with genetic diversity. Gene flow was traced from the refugial populations through the main core and into the northern disjunct populations. Magnolia tripetala has a range made up of fragmented populations through the core with further disjunct populations at the border of the core. M. tripetala was determined to have abundant genetic diversity and disjunct populations are not in immediate danger of genetic deterioration. When conducting a study on disjunct populations, species should be compared based on phylogenetic relationships. Furthermore, disjunct populations should not be generalized as having low genetic diversity. Instead, factors such as species traits and population history of a species should be taken into account in order for a more accurate hypothesis to be made

Tutoring in problem-based learning medical curricula: the influence of tutor background and style on effectiveness

BACKGROUND: Evidence for the superiority of particular characteristics in PBL tutors in medical curricula is generally inconclusive. Most studies have investigated the effectiveness of content experts compared with that of non-experts as measured either by student satisfaction or academic achievement. A few have compared academic staff tutors with student tutors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between students' perception of overall tutor effectiveness, particular tutor behaviours, clinical qualifications and academic appointment. METHOD: A questionnaire designed to evaluate particular aspects of PBL tutoring technique, related either to subject-matter knowledge or to process-facilitation skill, as well as overall effectiveness, was distributed to students in first year of a PBL medical program at the end of each of three tutor terms. A total of 76 tutor terms were included in the study. Data analysis compared clinical with non-clinical tutors, and staff with non-staff tutors. RESULTS: Clinically qualified tutors used their subject-matter knowledge significantly more than non-clinical tutors and were seen as being more empathic with their students. Staff tutors placed more emphasis on assessment than non-staff tutors and were seen as having greater skill in establishing and maintaining an environment of cooperation within their PBL groups than non-staff tutors. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that both subject-matter knowledge and process-facilitation skills are necessary but not individually sufficient characteristics of effective tutors

A prospective randomized trial of content expertise versus process expertise in small group teaching

Article deposited according to agreement with BMC, December 6, 2010.YesFunding provided by the Open Access Authors Fund

Changes in Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 1 following Introduction of PCV10 and PCV13: Findings from the PSERENADE Project

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 (ST1) was an important cause of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) globally before the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) containing ST1 antigen. The Pneumococcal Serotype Replacement and Distribution Estimation (PSERENADE) project gathered ST1 IPD surveillance data from sites globally and aimed to estimate PCV10/13 impact on ST1 IPD incidence. We estimated ST1 IPD incidence rate ratios (IRRs) comparing the pre-PCV10/13 period to each post-PCV10/13 year by site using a Bayesian multi-level, mixed-effects Poisson regression and all-site IRRs using a linear mixed-effects regression (N = 45 sites). Following PCV10/13 introduction, the incidence rate (IR) of ST1 IPD declined among all ages. After six years of PCV10/13 use, the all-site IRR was 0.05 (95% credibility interval 0.04-0.06) for all ages, 0.05 (0.04-0.05) for <5 years of age, 0.08 (0.06-0.09) for 5-17 years, 0.06 (0.05-0.08) for 18-49 years, 0.06 (0.05-0.07) for 50-64 years, and 0.05 (0.04-0.06) for ≥65 years. PCV10/13 use in infant immunization programs was followed by a 95% reduction in ST1 IPD in all ages after approximately 6 years. Limited data availability from the highest ST1 disease burden countries using a 3+0 schedule constrains generalizability and data from these settings are needed

Aberdeen-Angus cattle

Citation: Gilkison, Charles A. Aberdeen-Angus cattle. Senior thesis, Kansas State Agricultural College, 1906.Morse Department of Special CollectionsIntroduction: Little is known of the early history of any of our domestic animals. They all belong to Lthe class Mammalia , order Ruminatia, family Bovidae , genus Bos and all except the zebus or humped cattle to the sub-genus Taurus. They are most likely a cross between the genii Bos Urus and Bos Longifrons, which inhabited the British Isles and northern Europe prior to the dawn of the Christian era. The former was a very fierce animal, nearly as large as an elephant but otherwise much resembling the cattle of later times. The Bos Longifrons was smaller than most of our breeds of cattle today, and not as nearly like them in general conformation as the Urus. The constantly changing surroundings to which they were subject until well along in the seventeenth century, when we have our first meager description of any cattle, would make quite a change in their appearance. As far back as there is any account there have been polled cattle in Scotland, but probably they were once horned and originated from some "sport". Of the four breeds of cattle native to the British Isles, only one, the Ayrshire, had any foreign blood introduced. The two polled breeds, Galloway, and Aberdeen-Angus, are nearer related to each other than to the others. The Galloways are ranker, and coarser in hair, thicker and stiffer in skin, and slower maturing than the Angus. The differences between them and between the West Highlands was due chiefly to climatic conditions, care and food. The Aberdeen-Angus cattle are indigenous to the counties of Aberdeen, Forfar (which contains most of the district formerly called Angus) and the surrounding country in the north-east part of Scotland. Here they reign supreme to the present day. The time of the formation of the breed is unknown, but was before the latter part of the seventeenth century