Data retrieval system provides unlimited hardware design information

Data is input to magnetic tape on a single format card that specifies the system, location, and component, the test point identification number, the operators initial, the date, a data code, and the data itself. This method is efficient for large volume data storage and retrieval, and permits output variations without continuous program modifications

CAREER: Physiological Genetics of the Dwarf Surf Clam, Mulinia lateralis

Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, is a condition where more heterozygous individuals physiologically outperform more homozygous individuals. Although heterosis has often been reported for marine bivalves, as well as other taxa, the physiological and genetic bases of heterosis are still poorly understood. The proposed research will use a combination of quantitative and molecular genetic approaches to examine the physiological and genetic underpinnings of heterosis in the dwarf surf clam, Mulinia lateralis. The specific goals of this work are: 1) to determine the genetic and physiological basis of growth rate variation, 2) to estimate the degree to which the physiological components of growth are genetically correlated, 3) to determine whether levels of heterozygosity are significantly associated with physiological performance under both stressful and non-stressful conditions, and 4) to determine the importance of inbreeding to any association between heterozygosity and physiological performance in M. lateralis. Three separate educational activities will be integrated with these research goals. First, M. lateralis will be used as a teaching model for a laboratory section to accompany the graduate level course in quantitative genetics currently taught at the University of Maine. Second, an internship will be established that will enable high school teachers and students to directly participate in the proposed research and gain hands-on training in molecular biology, bivalve husbandry, and quantitative genetics. Third, a summer content institute in genetics for secondary science teachers will be developed. This institute is intended to help teachers keep pace with the rapid advances in genetic research and effectively communicate these advances to their students. Along with the summer genetics institute, a series of pilot projects will be established in local schools exploring the most effective way to use M. lateralis as a model for demonstrating bivalve physiology, ecology, and genetics in a manner consistent with state and national standards

Implementing Care Aims in an integrated team

Care Aims is increasingly being used as a model of care within NHS services, particularly by allied health professionals. This article reports the findings of a pilot study exploring the impact of implementing Care Aims in an integrated community health team. It describes the main findings, and discusses the factors that appeared to impact on the implementation and use of the Care Aims approach in these teams. The model has been traditionally used in uni-professional teams rather than integrated teams. This case study suggests Care Aims has potential to support integrated team working. In this study, clinicians perceived Care Aims was a model that could improve care for patients, support professionals working together and support self-management. However, it is unclear whether it was Care Aims itself or the training and discussion that took place that enabled this team to develop and agree more consistent working practices. Similar to previous studies, this study has shown how team and professional culture can influence how team members work together and provide care in an integrated way. Team and professional cultures are also shown to influence how team members approach and embrace that change. As such, Care Aims may be more challenging to some staff groups to implement

Atresia of the Anus and Rectum and Recto-vaginal Fistula in a Calf

On June 22, 1942, a purebred Holstein heifer calf was presented at the Stange Memorial Clinic. The calf was one day old and she had been straining and bawling since birth. She showed symptoms of abdominal pain, uneasiness, and no feces had been passed

Collaborative Research: Extreme Discordance between Allozyme and Non-allozyme Introgression in Baltic Mussels. Selection on Allozymes?

A major challenge for evolutionary biologists is to determine the degree to which natural selection shapes genetic variation in natural populations. Hybridization is common between two species of blue mussel found in the North and Baltic Seas. The differential exchange of genes between the two mussel species, particularly genes encoding enzymes involved in central metabolic pathways, suggests those genes may be under selection and involved in adaptation to low salinity conditions in the Baltic Sea. Tests for selection will be conducted by comparing levels of genetic exchange for these metabolic genes against nonmetabolic and presumably neutral (i.e., not under selection) genes and by looking for signals of selection at the DNA sequence level. This project will further the understanding of how natural selection operates at multiple genes, especially at the boundaries between hybridizing species. It will also enhance educational opportunities in population biology and evolutionary ecology for women and minorities and contribute to the development of K-12 educational outreach materials in these fields

Development of molecular markers for zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovarian follicle growth assessment following in-vitro culture in cryopreservation studies.

Development of in vitro culture protocol for early stage ovarian follicles of zebrafish is important since cryopreserved early stage ovarian follicles would need to be matured in vitro following cryopreservation before they can be fertilised. Development of molecular markers for zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovarian follicle growth assessment following in vitro culture of early stage zebrafish ovarian follicles in ovarian tissue fragments is reported here for the first time although some work has been reported for in vitro culture of isolated early stage zebrafish ovarian follicles. The main aim of the present study was to develop molecular markers in an optimised in vitro culture protocol for stage I and stage II zebrafish ovarian follicles in ovarian tissue fragments. The effect of concentration of the hormones human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle stimulating hormones, and additives such as Foetal Bovine Serum and Bovine Serum Albumin were studied. The results showed that early stage zebrafish ovarian fragments containing stage I and stage II follicles which are cultured in vitro for 24 h in 20% FBS and 100mIU/ml FSH in 90% L-15 medium at 28 °C can grow to the size of stage II and stage III ovarian follicles respectively. More importantly the follicle growth from stage I to stage II and from stage II to stage III were confirmed using molecular markers such as cyp19a1a (also known as P450aromA) and vtg1 genes respectively. However, no follicle growth was observed following cryopreservation and in vitro culture

Impact of targeted chemistries on maraging steel precipitation evolution observed using SANS and APT

Building on a previous study of the novel aerospace maraging steel known as F1E, SANS and atom probe tomography (APT) have been used to study three variant chemistries designed to impact the growth and development of either laves or β-phase precipitates. One chemistry reduced the available laves forming elements, Mo and W, resulting in a reduction in both austenitization and aging laves populations. A second chemistry reduced the β-phase forming element, Al, causing a reduction in the nucleating laves but not β-phase precipitates. Mechanical properties such as tensile, creep and hardness are examined with respect to the precipitate populations

Mud Blister Worms and Oyster Aquaculture

The mud blister worm, Polydora websteri Hartman (Loosanoff and Engle 1943), burrows into the shells of bivalve mollusks, including Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). This report is for oyster producers interested in controlling mud blister worms, which when present in large numbers can reduce the value of oysters sold to the half-shell market. Although other species of blister-causing worms occur in several genera including Polydora, Pseudopolydora, and Boccardia, this report focuses specifically on Polydora websteri