The influence of date of birth and calving season on preweaning growth rate, type score, condition score, and weanling index of beef calves

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of season of birth (numerical day in year calved) upon preweaning gain, weaning type score, condition score and index

The taxonomic and systematic relationships of several salt marsh Fucus taxa (Heterokontophyta, Phaeophyceae) within the Gulf of Maine and Ireland examined using microsatellite markers

The present thesis utilizes microsatellite markers to examine genetic affinities between several salt marsh Fucus ecads in order to ascertain their relationships with attached parental species. Chapter I provides an introduction to the genus Fucus and discusses morphological plasticity, systematic difficulties, and studies of hybridization between different Fucus species. Chapter II describes my development of microsatellite markers for Fucus. Four polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to determine the origin of a dwarf muscoides-like Fucus from the Brave Boat Harbor (ME) salt marsh. Similar forms were originally described in Europe, and appear to be derived from F. vesiculosus L. However, my results indicate that dwarf Fucus populations from Brave Boat Harbor are largely comprised of hybrids between F. vesiculosus and F. spiralis L., and differ from morphologically similar European plants. Chapter III presents the results of a larger Gulf of Maine survey that examined the genetic affinities of several estuarine taxa. My results support the hypothesis that the smallest limicolous muscoides-like forms are generally hybrids of F. vesiculosus and F. spiralis. However, somewhat larger muscoides-like forms that grade into the ecad F. spiralis ecad lutarius (Kutzing) Sauvageau are composed of a mixture of hybrid and \u27pure\u27 genotypes, largely from F. spiralis. The relationships between F. vesiculosus , its variety spiralis Farlow and ecad volubilis (Hudson) Turner are also examined. Chapter IV examines the affinities of the European dwarf taxon Fucus cottonii Wynne et Magne. Samples were collected from Rosmuc, Ireland, near the type location for this species, and genetic relationships were examined between F. cottonii, F. vesiculosus, F. spiralis, and a putative F. vesiculosus x F. spiralis hybrid. My results suggest that F. cottonii from Rosmuc is not of hybrid origin, but is affiliated with F. vesiculosus . In addition, the putative hybrid was genetically indistinguishable from F. vesiculosus, and may be equivalent to F. vesiculosus var. spiralis from the Gulf of Maine or F. vesiculosus var. volubilis (Hudson) Turner from Europe. Taken together, the work described in this thesis helps shed light on the relationships between several problematic groups of algae and resolves some taxonomic confusions that have plagued the genus Fucus

Distribution, morphology, and genetic affinities of dwarf embedded Fucus populations from the Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Dwarf embedded Fucus populations in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean are restricted to the upper intertidal zone in sandy salt marsh environments; they lack holdfasts and are from attached parental populations of F. spiralis or F. spiralis x F. vesiculosus hybrids after breakage and entanglement with halophytic marsh grasses. Dwarf forms are dichotomously branched, flat, and have a mean overall length and width of 20.3 and 1.3 mm, respectively. Thus, they are longer than Irish (mean 9.3 mm) and Alaskan (mean 15.0 mm) populations identified as F cottonii. Reciprocal transplants of different Fucus taxa in a Maine salt marsh confirm that F spiralis can become transformed into dwarf embedded thalli within the high intertidal zone, while the latter can grow into F. s. ecad lutarius within the mid intertidal zone. Thus, vertical transplantation can modify fucoid morphology and result in varying ecads. Microsatellite markers indicate that attached F spiralis and F vesiculosus are genetically distinct, while dwarf forms may arise via hybridization between the two taxa. The ratio of intermediate to species-specific-genotypes decreased with larger thalli. Also, F s. ecad lutarius consists of a mixture of intermediate and pure genotypes, while dwarf thalli show a greater frequency of hybrids

Common eternities

Common Eternities embodies a conglomeration of forms and concepts pooled from my interests as a board game aficionado, a long-time consumer of science fiction, and a student of literary conventions and style. In doing so, Common Eternities, demonstrates the power progressive storytelling can offer. Set in numerous time periods and surroundings, Common Eternities strikes at the purpose of life and how all living objects are connected to one other. Anthelion and the Darkness, the two main godlike characters, find themselves constantly entangled in the span of five chapters as they discover their own identities, their surroundings, and the implications of their actions. Within each section, questions relating to the deity figures are answered while others remain until the ending. Common Eternities-- utilizing the experimental approach in which it asks the reader to consider the chapters in alternate orders--combines a myriad of narratological perspectives, twists on literary conventions, and obtuse imagery showcasing a new way to tell a story

The regulation and function of the striated muscle activator of rho signaling (STARS) protein

Healthy living throughout the lifespan requires continual growth and repair of cardiac, smooth, and skeletal muscle. To effectively maintain these processes muscle cells detect extracellular stress signals and efficiently transmit them to activate appropriate intracellular transcriptional programs. The striated muscle activator of Rho signaling (STARS) protein, also known as Myocyte Stress-1 (MS1) protein and Actin-binding Rho-activating protein (ABRA) is highly enriched in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle. STARS binds actin, co-localizes to the sarcomere and is able to stabilize the actin cytoskeleton. By regulating actin polymerization, STARS also controls an intracellular signaling cascade that stimulates the serum response factor (SRF) transcriptional pathway; a pathway controlling genes involved in muscle cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth. Understanding the activation, transcriptional control and biological roles of STARS in cardiac, smooth, and skeletal muscle, will improve our understanding of physiological and pathophysiological muscle development and function

Lateral mobility of presynaptic L-type calcium channels at photoreceptor ribbon synapses.

At most synapses, presynaptic Ca(2+) channels are positioned near vesicle release sites, and increasing this distance reduces synaptic strength. We examined the lateral membrane mobility of presynaptic L-type Ca(2+) channels at photoreceptor ribbon synapses of the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) retina. Movements of individual Ca(2+) channels were tracked by coupling quantum dots to an antibody against the extracellular α(2)δ(4) Ca(2+) channel subunit. α(2)δ(4) antibodies labeled photoreceptor terminals and colocalized with antibodies to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 and voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel 1.4 (Ca(V)1.4) α(1) subunits. The results show that Ca(2+) channels are dynamic and move within a confined region beneath the synaptic ribbon. The size of this confinement area is regulated by actin and membrane cholesterol. Fusion of nearby synaptic vesicles caused jumps in Ca(2+) channel position, propelling them toward the outer edge of the confinement domain. Channels rebounded rapidly toward the center. Thus, although Ca(V) channels are mobile, molecular scaffolds confine them beneath the ribbon to maintain neurotransmission even at high release rates

A Longitudinal Examination of Mobile App Usage in Medical Students

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine both the usefulness of librarian instruction on mobile apps and student preference for mobile apps during 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations. Methods: An electronic RedCap survey was administered to students for the purpose of gathering baseline information on library-provided mobile apps and instruction. This brief survey was given to 3rd year medical students at the beginning of this school year (2021-2022) with a second follow-up survey scheduled for later in the academic year. (spring 22) The students were asked questions about their mobile app usage and preferences as well as how often they reach out to librarians for assistance. The follow-up survey will assess any changes in preferences for or comfort with apps and will monitor any changes to the number of self-reported interactions with library staff. Results: Results of the initial survey confirmed that students are largely comfortable with the technical aspects of mobile app use both in and outside of the medical sphere; however, they may require more guidance on app content to determine which apps are most useful for researching different topics or different styles of questions. DynaMed was chosen by students as their favorite medical mobile app so far likely due to its wide coverage of topics and content. While the library instruction session increased student confidence with using medical mobile apps, students showed a lack of history of contacting librarians for assistance. Conclusions: This survey confirms librarian suspicions that students may require guidance not on how to use apps, but on which apps are recommended for use in which scenarios. Although students report that library instruction is beneficial for their understanding of app use, they also report that they do not frequently ask librarians for assistance. This may be due to various reasons such as student insecurity, lack of perceived time, or lack of understanding about which questions may be asked or what apps to ask questions about. The follow-up survey will gather information on these topics and will seek to address student knowledge of which apps to use in different clinical scenarios as well as whether contact with librarians has increased or whether faculty recommendations in clinical settings change student app preferences