3D model, Hemiscus guineensis, shovel-nosed frog, lungs

Model produced from diceCT data of specimen California Academy of Sciences specimen CAS:Herpetology:258533. Funding for scan came from overt TCN; NSF DBI-1701714; NSF DBI-1702263 Segmentation, mesh generation, and pdf creation by Riley Pena and George Gurgis (Stony Brook University) using Avizo and funded by Stony Brook University Open Educational Resources funding. CT data available on MorphoSource: https://www.morphosource.org/concern/biological_specimens/000S25029?locale=e

Evaluating Parents and Prediciting Performance of Synthetic Alfalfa Varieties

One hundred random clones from \u27Cherokee\u27 alfalfa (Mediccigo sativa L.) were evaluated by self-(S,), topcross-, and clonal-progeny tests. Clonal progenies were most effective, topcross progenies moderately effective, and S, progenies the least effective in predicting first-cross yield. Forage yield was mostly independent of self-fertility. Nine clones were selected for yielding ability based on the progeny tests. The nine clones, their S, families, the diallel set of single-cross families from the nine clones, and the Syn 1 and Syn 2 generations of 10 synthetic varieties from the nine clones were evaluated. The best single-cross family yielded 150 7c; the best Syn 1 yielded 132 % ; and the best Syn 2 yielded 116% of \u27Cherokee\u27. The predicted yield of the best synthetic possible among the nine clones in the equilibrium generation (Syn 4 and beyond) was 109 \u27I( of \u27Cherokee\u27. The Syn 2 yields were predicted with 94 % , 91 % , and 851/o accuracy (as measured by regression analysis) from formulas based on diallel-cross yields, general-combining-ability yields, and clonal yields, respectively, coupled with S, family yields and coefficients of inbreeding. The coefficients of inbreeding alone could account for more than 80 % of the variation among Syn 2 varieties. The negative effect of inbreeding and gene recombination on advanced generations was apparent. Only a few of the 502 synthetic varieties possible from the 9 selected clones were predicted to outyield \u27Cherokee\u27 in the equilibrium generation. The prediction formulas will allow one to determine with reason-able accuracy (1) the number of clones to include in a synthetic variety, (2) the parents that are likely to produce the best possible variety, and (3) the quantity that the variety will yield in the generation the farmer plants. KEY WORDS: breeding, breeding Medicago sativa L., heterosis, inbreeding depression, Medicago sativa L., plant breeding

3D model, Phaeochroa cuvierii, scaly-breasted hummingbird, lungs

Model produced from diceCT data of specimen Carnegie Museum CM A4126. Funding for scan came from overt TCN; NSF DBI-1701714; NSF DBI-1702263 Segmentation, mesh generation, and pdf creation by Riley Pena and George Gurgis (Stony Brook University) using Avizo and funded by Stony Brook University Open Educational Resources funding. CT data available on MorphoSource: https://www.morphosource.org/concern/biological_specimens/000S25029?locale=e

3D model, Phaeochroa cuvierii, scaly-breasted hummingbird, heart

Model produced from diceCT data of specimen Carnegie Museum CM A4126. Funding for scan came from overt TCN; NSF DBI-1701714; NSF DBI-1702263 Segmentation, mesh generation, and pdf creation by Riley Pena and George Gurgis (Stony Brook University) using Avizo and funded by Stony Brook University Open Educational Resources funding. CT data available on MorphoSource: https://www.morphosource.org/concern/biological_specimens/000S25029?locale=e

3D model, Hemiscus guineensis, shovel-nosed frog, heart

Model produced from diceCT data of specimen California Academy of Sciences specimen CAS:Herpetology:258533. Funding for scan came from overt TCN; NSF DBI-1701714; NSF DBI-1702263 Segmentation, mesh generation, and pdf creation by Riley Pena and George Gurgis (Stony Brook University) using Avizo and funded by Stony Brook University Open Educational Resources funding. CT data available on MorphoSource: https://www.morphosource.org/concern/biological_specimens/000S25029?locale=e

Ecomorphometric Analysis of Diversity in Cranial Shape of Pygopodid Geckos

Pygopodids are elongate, functionally limbless geckos found throughout Australia. The clade presents low taxonomic diversity (∼45 spp.), but a variety of cranial morphologies, habitat use, and locomotor abilities that vary between and within genera. In order to assess potential relationships between cranial morphology and ecology, computed tomography scans of 29 species were used for 3D geometric morphometric analysis. A combination of 24 static landmarks and 20 sliding semi-landmarks were subjected to Generalized Procrustes Alignment. Disparity in cranial shape was visualized through Principal Component Analysis, and a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test for an association between shape, habitat, and diet. A subset of 27 species with well-resolved phylogenetic relationships was used to generate a phylomorphospace and conduct phylogeny-corrected MANOVA. Similar analyses were done solely on Aprasia taxa to explore species-level variation. Most of the variation across pygopodids was described by principal component (PC) 1(54%: Cranial roof width, parabasisphenoid, and occipital length), PC2 (12%: Snout elongation and braincase width), and PC3 (6%: Elongation and shape of the palate and rostrum). Without phylogenetic correction, both habitat and diet were significant influencers of variation in cranial morphology. However, in the phylogeny-corrected MANOVA, habitat remained weakly significant, but not diet, which can be explained by genericlevel differences in ecology rather than among species. Our results demonstrate that at higher levels, phylogeny has a strong effect on morphology, but that influence may be due to small sample size when comparing genera. However, because some closely related taxa occupy distant regions of morphospace, diverging diets, and use of fossorial habitats may contribute to variation seen in these geckos.This work was supported by SUNY Oswego RISE (to G.G.) and the U.S. National Science Foundation (grant number DEB 1655610 to J.C.O and M.R.S.)

Alien Registration- Marsauskis, Gurgis (Mexico, Oxford County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/17645/thumbnail.jp

Targeting the p38 MAPK-MK2 pathway for glioblastoma therapy

Glioblastoma is the most lethal and prevalent form of brain cancer. Its therapy is not only limited in its choices but also in extending life expectancies of patients. Identification of genetic aberrations driving tumour growth and progression have leveraged our understanding of the inherent complexity of this cancer. Cell cycle dysregulation, apoptotic resistance and inflammatory tumour microenvironment have emerged as key processes that surmount glioblastoma therapy success. Due to their vast involvement in hallmark phenotypes of tumour biology, kinases are becoming important drug targets in oncology. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and its downstream MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) regulate a myriad of signalling pathways influencing inflammation, cell death, differentiation and motility that allow cells to respond to external cues. Recent evidence suggests that these kinases could contribute to tumourigenesis and chemotherapy resistance. This thesis aims to investigate whether targeting the p38 MAPK-MK2 pathway is a viable therapeutic approach for glioblastoma therapy and to elucidate the contribution of these kinases to pathophysiology of the disease. Data presented herein describes how MK2 mediates EGFRvIII oncogene-induced inflammation. Opposing roles of p38 MAPK and MK2 in cell cycle progression and survival of glioblastoma cells are revealed for the first time with important implications for temozolomide chemotherapy response. Moreover, we provide evidence that selective targeting of MK2 is a promising strategy to circumvent the pro-tumourigenic contribution of this pathway in glioblastoma. Finally, this thesis discloses in vitro characterisation of commercially available MK2 inhibitor denoted CMPD1 and highlights the importance of target validation for kinase inhibitors before advancing to clinical/research settings. Structural analogues of CMPD1 with potential for glioblastoma therapy have been identified

Alien Registration- Marsauskis, Gurgis (Mexico, Oxford County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/17645/thumbnail.jp