Molecular characterization of the MuRF gene family: Potential role in rainbow trout muscle degradation

As United States and world seafood demand increases, aquaculture production becomes more important. Limited knowledge of molecular regulation of muscle growth and flesh quality hinders genetic improvement of these important traits in fish. Our goal is to enhance muscle growth and fillet quantity in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Muscle growth is determined primarily by rate of protein turnover. Unlike mammals, rapidly growing fish have reduced protein degradation rather than increased protein synthesis. Studies in mammals showed that muscle atrophy results from increased protein breakdown, and is associated with activation of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway including induction of the muscle-specific ubiquitin protein ligase, MuRF-1. Animals lacking MuRF-1 are resistant to muscle atrophy. In fish, little is known about the role of proteasome/MuRF pathway in muscle degradation. The objectives of this study were to: (1) clone and characterize MuRF genes in rainbow trout, and (2) determine expression of MuRF genes in association with starvation- and spawning-induced muscle atrophy in rainbow trout. We have identified full-length cDNA sequences for three MuRF genes (MuRF-1, MuRF-2, and MuRF-3). These genes encode proteins with typical MuRF structural domains, including a RING-finger, a B-box and a Leucine-rich coiled-coil domain. RT-PCR analysis showed that all three genes are predominantly expressed in muscle and heart tissues. Real time PCR analysis revealed that the expression of all MuRF genes is up-regulated in starvation- and spawning-induced muscle atrophy in rainbow trout. These results suggest an important role for the MuRF genes in fish muscle protein degradation. Further studies are warranted to assess the potential use of MURF genes as tools to monitor fish muscle growth and degradation

Toward Understanding International Students: A Study Conducted at Middle Tennessee State University

The number of international students in American universities has increased over the years and has drawn great attention from librarians, library staff, and researchers. In order to serve this particular patron group more effectively, a number of studies have been conducted to understand their difficulties in using American library systems. In consequence, different approaches have been taken to try to help them. As each university or college may have its own library instruction system, and as the composition and features of international students at different universities may vary, it is difficult to apply available strategies without a thorough understanding of a particular university’s student information search behaviors and information needs. This study is designed to understand the current level of information competency skills of international students at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). The study focuses on their information needs from the perspective of user services, while determining if a new set of reference and library instruction strategies is needed

Introduction to GenAI: A Hands-on Teaching Workshop

Generative AI (GenAI) experienced a boom in 2022 with highlights such as the releases of Stable Diffusion for image generation and ChatGPT for conversational text generation. Since then, GenAI has continued to evolve and expand at a rapid pace, resulting in additional models capable of producing impressive highquality outputs, such as Large Language Models (LLMs) including Llama 2, Claude, Bard, and Falcon, and Diffusion Models including ControlNet, and Stable Diffusion XL. GenAI technologies and systems have revolutionized various business sectors, leading to the need for education to adapt and prepare the future workforce. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of LLMs and Diffusion Models using ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion