On the dimension of Z-sets

We offer a short and elementary proof that, for a Z-set A in a finite-dimensional ANR Y, dimA<dimY. This result is relevant to the study of group boundaries. The original proof by Bestvina and Mess relied on cohomological dimension theory.Comment: 4 pages, no figure

Handbook for Implementing a Comprehensive Work-Based Learning Program According to the Fair Labor Standards Act

This Handbook for Implementing a Comprehensive Work-Based Learning Program According to the Fair Labor Standards Act provides guidance to schools operating WBL programs and encourages the adoption of WBL programs by schools not presently using this approach. By following the information and examples in this handbook, schools can proceed with confidence to operate effective WBL programs consistent with the FLSA

The CFHTLS Deep Catalog of Interacting Galaxies I. Merger Rate Evolution to z=1.2

We present the rest-frame optical galaxy merger fraction between 0.2<z<1.2, as a function of stellar mass and optical luminosity, as observed by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Deep Survey (CFHTLS-Deep). We developed a new classification scheme to identify major galaxy-galaxy mergers based on the presence of tidal tails and bridges. These morphological features are signposts of recent and ongoing merger activity. Through the visual classification of all galaxies, down to i_vega<22.2 (~27,000 galaxies) over 2 square degrees, we have compiled the CFHTLS Deep Catalog of Interacting Galaxies, with ~1600 merging galaxies. We find the merger fraction to be 4.3% +/-0.3% at z~0.3 and 19.0% +/-2.5% at z~1, implying evolution of the merger fraction going as (1+z)^m, with m=2.25 +/-0.24. This result is inconsistent with a mild or non-evolving (m4sigma level of confidence. A mild trend, where massive galaxies with M>10^10.7 M_sun are undergoing fewer mergers than less massive systems M~10^10 M_sun), consistent with the expectations of galaxy assembly downsizing is observed. Our results also show that interacting galaxies have on average SFRs double that found in non-interacting field galaxies. We conclude that (1) the optical galaxy merger fraction does evolve with redshift, (2) the merger fraction depends mildly on stellar mass, with lower mass galaxies having higher merger fractions at z<1, and (3) star formation is triggered at all phases of a merger, with larger enhancements at later stages, consistent with N-body simulations.Comment: e.g.: 17 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Ten years of the horse reference genome: insights into equine biology, domestication and population dynamics in the post-genome era.

The horse reference genome from the Thoroughbred mare Twilight has been available for a decade and, together with advances in genomics technologies, has led to unparalleled developments in equine genomics. At the core of this progress is the continuing improvement of the quality, contiguity and completeness of the reference genome, and its functional annotation. Recent achievements include the release of the next version of the reference genome (EquCab3.0) and generation of a reference sequence for the Y chromosome. Horse satellite-free centromeres provide unique models for mammalian centromere research. Despite extremely low genetic diversity of the Y chromosome, it has been possible to trace patrilines of breeds and pedigrees and show that Y variation was lost in the past approximately 2300 years owing to selective breeding. The high-quality reference genome has led to the development of three different SNP arrays and WGSs of almost 2000 modern individual horses. The collection of WGS of hundreds of ancient horses is unique and not available for any other domestic species. These tools and resources have led to global population studies dissecting the natural history of the species and genetic makeup and ancestry of modern breeds. Most importantly, the available tools and resources, together with the discovery of functional elements, are dissecting molecular causes of a growing number of Mendelian and complex traits. The improved understanding of molecular underpinnings of various traits continues to benefit the health and performance of the horse whereas also serving as a model for complex disease across species

Gonadotropin and kisspeptin gene expression, but not GnRH, are impaired in cFOS deficient mice.

cFOS is a pleiotropic transcription factor, which binds to the AP1 site in the promoter of target genes. In the pituitary gonadotropes, cFOS mediates induction of FSHβ and GnRH receptor genes. Herein, we analyzed reproductive function in the cFOS-deficient mice to determine its role in vivo. In the pituitary cFOS is necessary for gonadotropin subunit expression, while TSHβ is unaffected. Additionally, cFOS null animals have the same sex-steroid levels, although gametogenesis is impeded. In the brain, cFOS is not necessary for GnRH neuronal migration, axon targeting, cell number, or mRNA levels. Conversely, cFOS nulls, particularly females, have decreased Kiss1 neuron numbers and lower Kiss1 mRNA levels. Collectively, our novel findings suggest that cFOS plays a cell-specific role at multiple levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, affecting gonadotropes but not thyrotropes in the pituitary, and kisspeptin neurons but not GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus, thereby contributing to the overall control of reproduction

GnRH Receptor Expression and Reproductive Function Depend on JUN in GnRH Receptor‒Expressing Cells.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus regulates synthesis and secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gonadotropes. LH and FSH are heterodimers composed of a common α-subunit and unique β-subunits, which provide biological specificity and are limiting components of mature hormone synthesis. Gonadotrope cells respond to GnRH via specific expression of the GnRH receptor (Gnrhr). GnRH induces the expression of gonadotropin genes and of the Gnrhr by activation of specific transcription factors. The JUN (c-Jun) transcription factor binds to AP-1 sites in the promoters of target genes and mediates induction of the FSHβ gene and of the Gnrhr in gonadotrope-derived cell lines. To analyze the role of JUN in reproductive function in vivo, we generated a mouse model that lacks JUN specifically in GnRH receptor‒expressing cells (conditional JUN knockout; JUN-cKO). JUN-cKO mice displayed profound reproductive anomalies such as reduced LH levels resulting in lower gonadal steroid levels, longer estrous cycles in females, and diminished sperm numbers in males. Unexpectedly, FSH levels were unchanged in these animals, whereas Gnrhr expression in the pituitary was reduced. Steroidogenic enzyme expression was reduced in the gonads of JUN-cKO mice, likely as a consequence of reduced LH levels. GnRH receptor‒driven Cre activity was detected in the hypothalamus but not in the GnRH neuron. Female, but not male, JUN-cKO mice exhibited reduced GnRH expression. Taken together, our results demonstrate that GnRH receptor‒expression levels depend on JUN and are critical for reproductive function

A comparison of Robert Schumann's and Hugo Wolf's settings of Goethe’s Mignon lieder

This study has provided a comprehensive comparison of Robert Schumann's and Hugo Wolf's musical settings of Goethe's Mignon poetry from Goethe's novel Wilhelm Meister's Lehrjahre to the character descriptions of Mignon found in Eric A. Blackwell and Victor Lange's English translation of Goethe's Wilhelm Meister's Lehrjahre, titled Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship. Comparisons were made in order to ascertain which composer was able to capture the complex character of Mignon as seen in Goethe's novel through their musical settings. The four poems that were used in all assessments include Goethe's Kennst du das Land? Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, Heiss mich nicht reden, and So lasst mich scheinen. While Schumann was able to capture specific elements of Mignon's character as they were portrayed throughout Goethe's novel through his use of unifying musical characteristics, Wolf was not able to capture Mignon's character as seen in the novel due to his reliance on the textual reading of individual poems rather than how they corresponded to the character of Mignon in the context of Goethe's novel.Thesis (M.M.)School of Musi