REPRODUCTION AND POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBITS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

We evaluated the reproductive biology of314 white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii) in 44 counties throughout South Dakota from June 2004 to September 2005. We classified jackrabbits as juveniles or adults based on the closure of the proximal epiphysis of the humerus using X-ray analysis. We determined annual reproductive activity through fluctuations in measured weights of reproductive organs for both sexes. The 2005 breeding season started in late February and proceeded until mid-July, approximately 142 days, allowing for females to potentially produce 3.3 litters. We found four distinct breeding periods by the overlap of estimated conception and parturition dates. Mean litter size was 4.6 per female (range 1-8). Prenatal mortality from preimplantation and postimplantation loss was highest (32%) in the first littering period in 2005

The BlueBox Practicum: Integrating Technology, Culture, and Academic Service-Learning

Advancing education in marginalized communities has been more difficult compared to more privileged communities due to the lack of infrastructure, which in part results in an absence of educational materials. The BlueBox Project was created to minimize this divide by bringing a wealth of information to these communities. Using a small digital computer, faculty, staff, and students across many disciplines built the BlueBox, a stand-alone digital library which hosts an array of books, articles, educational games, and videos to inspire learning in a variety of subjects including science, technology, math, music, and literature. The BlueBox is powered by solar energy, battery, or power outlets and is accessible without the need for Internet access. An academic service-learning practicum course was developed as part of The BlueBox Project to enhance students’ discipline-specific knowledge and create a dialogue surrounding development, poverty, culture, social injustice, and service. This innovative course has led to many partnerships and technological enhancements that will improve the project and ultimately change the lives of people around the world

HEALTH AND FERTILITY IMPLICATIONS RELATED TO SEASONAL CHANGES IN KIDNEY FAT INDEX OF WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBITS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

White-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) populations in the Northern Plains have been in a general decline for the past decade or longer. A suggested reason for this population decline was reduced body condition of individual jackrabbits due to habitat changes. In order to evaluate body condition, we determined the kidney fat index of 314 white-tailed jackrabbits harvested in 44 counties throughout South Dakota. We removed and weighed kidneys and all perirenal fat associated with the kidneys from collected jackrabbits. We measured kidney weight to determine times of high metabolic activity as indicated by an increase in mass. Body condition was assessed by measuring the amount of kidney fat within each collected jackrabbit. Seasonal fluctuations were evident in average kidney weight and kidney fat for both sexes of white-tailed jackrabbits. The kidney fat index in both male and female peaked in winter and was near 0% in summer. We believe that changes in body condition as indicated by the kidney fat index were related to the onset of breeding season rather than availability of food resources

HEALTH AND FERTILITY IMPLICATIONS RELATED TO SEASONAL CHANGES IN KIDNEY FAT INDEX OF WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBITS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

White-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) populations in the Northern Plains have been in a general decline for the past decade or longer. A suggested reason for this population decline was reduced body condition of individual jackrabbits due to habitat changes. In order to evaluate body condition, we determined the kidney fat index of 314 white-tailed jackrabbits harvested in 44 counties throughout South Dakota. We removed and weighed kidneys and all perirenal fat associated with the kidneys from collected jackrabbits. We measured kidney weight to determine times of high metabolic activity as indicated by an increase in mass. Body condition was assessed by measuring the amount of kidney fat within each collected jackrabbit. Seasonal fluctuations were evident in average kidney weight and kidney fat for both sexes of white-tailed jackrabbits. The kidney fat index in both male and female peaked in winter and was near 0% in summer. We believe that changes in body condition as indicated by the kidney fat index were related to the onset of breeding season rather than availability of food resources

Classifying transcription factor targets and discovering relevant biological features

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An important goal in post-genomic research is discovering the network of interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and the genes they regulate. We have previously reported the development of a supervised-learning approach to TF target identification, and used it to predict targets of 104 transcription factors in yeast. We now include a new sequence conservation measure, expand our predictions to include 59 new TFs, introduce a web-server, and implement an improved ranking method to reveal the biological features contributing to regulation. The classifiers combine 8 genomic datasets covering a broad range of measurements including sequence conservation, sequence overrepresentation, gene expression, and DNA structural properties.</p> <p>Principal Findings</p> <p>(1) Application of the method yields an amplification of information about yeast regulators. The ratio of total targets to previously known targets is greater than 2 for 11 TFs, with several having larger gains: Ash1(4), Ino2(2.6), Yaf1(2.4), and Yap6(2.4).</p> <p>(2) Many predicted targets for TFs match well with the known biology of their regulators. As a case study we discuss the regulator Swi6, presenting evidence that it may be important in the DNA damage response, and that the previously uncharacterized gene YMR279C plays a role in DNA damage response and perhaps in cell-cycle progression.</p> <p>(3) A procedure based on recursive-feature-elimination is able to uncover from the large initial data sets those features that best distinguish targets for any TF, providing clues relevant to its biology. An analysis of Swi6 suggests a possible role in lipid metabolism, and more specifically in metabolism of ceramide, a bioactive lipid currently being investigated for anti-cancer properties.</p> <p>(4) An analysis of global network properties highlights the transcriptional network hubs; the factors which control the most genes and the genes which are bound by the largest set of regulators. Cell-cycle and growth related regulators dominate the former; genes involved in carbon metabolism and energy generation dominate the latter.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Postprocessing of regulatory-classifier results can provide high quality predictions, and feature ranking strategies can deliver insight into the regulatory functions of TFs. Predictions are available at an online web-server, including the full transcriptional network, which can be analyzed using VisAnt network analysis suite.</p> <p>Reviewers</p> <p>This article was reviewed by Igor Jouline, Todd Mockler(nominated by Valerian Dolja), and Sandor Pongor.</p

AN ANALYSIS OF THE MARINE CORPS AVIATION TRAINING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS LIFE CYCLE

This capstone applied project examines the suitability of the current requirements life cycle for Marine Corps aviation training systems, including new programs and upgrades. Methodology includes a comprehensive review of existing policies and processes as well as interviews with key stakeholders. Analysis has identified weaknesses in the areas of training-focused requirements generation as well as portfolio management across Marine Corps training system programs. Recommendations include integrating modeling and simulation (M&S) expertise into the Training Management Process (TMP) and full implementation of Training Systems Certification (TSC) and Systematic Team Assessment of Readiness Training (START) tools to improve requirement relevancy to training needs as well as improved portfolio management for Marine Corps training systems led by Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM). This capstone applied project concludes with recommendations for further study related to these matters.Major, United States Marine CorpsMajor, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

In silico regulatory analysis for exploring human disease progression

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