MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON VIRGINIA DAIRY FARMS

Livestock Production/Industries,

Evaluation of experimental design and computational parameter choices affecting analyses of ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data in undomesticated poplar trees.

BackgroundOne of the great advantages of next generation sequencing is the ability to generate large genomic datasets for virtually all species, including non-model organisms. It should be possible, in turn, to apply advanced computational approaches to these datasets to develop models of biological processes. In a practical sense, working with non-model organisms presents unique challenges. In this paper we discuss some of these challenges for ChIP-seq and RNA-seq experiments using the undomesticated tree species of the genus Populus.ResultsWe describe specific challenges associated with experimental design in Populus, including selection of optimal genotypes for different technical approaches and development of antibodies against Populus transcription factors. Execution of the experimental design included the generation and analysis of Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) data for RNA polymerase II and transcription factors involved in wood formation. We discuss criteria for analyzing the resulting datasets, determination of appropriate control sequencing libraries, evaluation of sequencing coverage needs, and optimization of parameters. We also describe the evaluation of ChIP-seq data from Populus, and discuss the comparison between ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data and biological interpretations of these comparisons.ConclusionsThese and other "lessons learned" highlight the challenges but also the potential insights to be gained from extending next generation sequencing-supported network analyses to undomesticated non-model species

Marshall information retrieval and display system (MIRADS)

Program for data management system allows sophisticated inquiries while utilizing simplified language. Online system is composed of several programs. System is written primarily in COBOL with routines in ASSEMBLER and FORTRAN V

Surface roughness variation of thin wall milling, related to modal interactions

High-speed milling operations of thin walls are often limited by the so-called regenerative effect that causes poor surface finish. The aim of this paper is to examine the link between chatter instability and surface roughness evolution for thin wall milling. Firstly, the linear stability lobes theory for the thin wall milling optimisation was used. Then, in order to consider the modal interactions, an explicit numerical model was developed. The resulting nonlinear system of delay differential equations is solved by numerical integration. The model takes into account the coupling mode, the modal shape, the fact that the tool may leave the cut and the ploughing effect. Dedicated experiments are carried out in order to confirm this modelling. This paper presents surface roughness and chatter frequency measurements. The stability lobes are validated by thin wall milling. Finally, the modal behaviour and the mode coupling give a new interpretation of the complex surface finish deterioration often observed during thin wall milling

The essential Mcm7 protein PROLIFERA is localized to the nucleus of dividing cells during the G(1) phase and is required maternally for early Arabidopsis development

PROLIFERA (PRL) encodes a homologue of the DNA replication licensing factor Mcm7, a highly conserved protein found in all eukaryotes. Insertions in the PROLIFERA gene are lethal, resulting in decreased transmission through the female gametophyte, and homozygous embryonic lethality. We show here that PROLIFERA is specifically expressed in populations of dividing cells in sporophytic tissues of the plant body, such as the palisade layer of the leaf and founder cells of initiating flower primordia, Gene fusions with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reveal that the PROLIFERA protein accumulates during the G(1) phase of the cell cycle, and is transiently localized to the nucleus. During mitosis, the fusion protein rapidly disappears, returning to daughter nuclei during G(1), PROLIFERA::GUS fusions are strongly expressed in the central cell nucleus of mature megagametophytes, which have a variety of arrest points reflecting a leaky lethality. Expression is also observed in the endosperm of mutant prl embryo sacs that arrest following fertilization. Crosses with wild-type pollen result in occasional embryonic lethals that also stain for GUS activity, In contrast, embryos resulting from crosses of wild-type carpels with PRL::GUS pollen do not stain and are phenotypically normal. In situ hybridization of GUS fusion RNA indicates transcription is equivalent from maternally and paternally derived alleles, so that accumulation of maternally derived gametophytic protein is likely to be responsible for the 'maternal' effect

Phyllotactic pattern and stem cell fate are determined by the Arabidopsis homeobox gene BELLRINGER

Lateral organs in plants arise from the meristem in a stereotypical pattern known as phyllotaxy. Spiral patterns result from initiation of successive organs at a fixed angle of divergence but variable patterns of physical contact. Such patterns ultimately give rise to individual leaves and flowers at positions related to each other by consecutive terms in the mathematical series first described by Leonardo Fibonacci. We demonstrate that a BELL1 related homeodomain protein in Arabidopsis, BELLRINGER, maintains the spiral phyllotactic pattern. In the absence of BELLRINGER, the regular pattern of organ initiation is disturbed and lateral organs are initiated more frequently. BELLRINGER is also required for maintenance of stem cell fate in the absence of the regulatory genes SHOOT MERISTEMLESS and ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1. We propose a model whereby BELLRINGER coordinates the maintenance of stem cells with differentiation of daughter cells in stem cell lineages

Integrated management strategies for plant-parasitic nematodes on warm-season turfgrass using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, chemical nematicides, and remote sensing technology

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major pathogen of turfgrass throughout the United States, yet management strategies rely almost entirely on a limited number of chemical nematicides. The overall objective of this research was to gain a deeper understanding of how plant-parasitic nematode population dynamics are impacted by seasonal changes in Alabama, and to evaluate multiple strategies for managing these nematodes in turfgrass when population density reaches damaging levels. Management practices evaluated in these studies include evaluating a new chemical nematicide for its ability to reduce nematode population density, using PGPR to suppress nematode population density while also promoting root growth, and combining remote sensing technology with chemical nematicides to help standardize rating assessments of plant-parasitic nematode infested turfgrass. Chapter I is a detailed review of literature related to turfgrass and how plant-parasitic nematodes influence its growth and development. This review gives details on the importance of turfgrass from an economic perspective, as well as provides information on its biology. An in-depth analysis is also provided on the numerous genera of plant-parasitic nematodes that can impact turfgrass, including the differences in turfgrass host range, population density levels, and damage potential. Current and potential management strategies for plant-parasitic nematodes are also discussed. In Chapter II, a survey was conducted of six highly maintained bermudagrass sites in Alabama. Monthly or bimonthly sampling was conducted at each site over 2018 and 2019 to identify which plant-parasitic nematode genera were present, and if there are any seasonal differences in population density. Over both years, seven plant-parasitic nematode genera were identified: Belonolaimus, Helicotylenchus, Hemicycliophora, Hoplolaimus, Meloidogyne, Mesocriconema (sensu lato), and Tylenchorhynchus (sensu lato). Of these seven genera identified, only two were ever found at potentially damaging levels: Belonolaimus and Meloidogyne. Interestingly, highest population density of Belonolaimus was found in April and October, and conversely, highest population density of Meloidogyne was found during midsummer (June through September). These results indicate that nematode genera are influenced by seasonality in turfgrass. This data also reinforces the importance for Alabama turfgrass managers to sample for nematodes throughout the year, and not rely on one sample date for management decisions. In Chapter III, the chemical nematicide reklemel was evaluated for its efficacy as a potential option for plant-parasitic nematode management on turfgrass. This product was screened against B. longicaudatus and M. incognita on bermudagrass in greenhouse, microplot, and field settings. In the greenhouse, reklemel significantly reduced B. longicaudatus population density compared to the untreated control in both evaluation trials, and significantly reduced M. incognita population density in one of the two evaluation trials. In the microplot setting, reklemel was effective at lowering population density against both B. longicaudatus and M. incognita in all trials during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. Reklemel also led to an improvement of visual turfgrass quality and NDVI ratings compared to the untreated plots. A negative correlation was also observed between both visual turfgrass ratings and NDVI with nematode population density at multiple sample dates, showing that as reklemel reduced nematode population density, turfgrass quality improved. In the field setting, the higest rate of reklemel was most effective at lowering the population density of both B. longicaudatus and M. incognita, but no significant differences in visual quality or NDVI ratings were ever observed. Overall, reklemel shows promise as a chemical nematicide for plant-parasitic nematode management on turfgrass. The primary research objective for Chapter IV was to evaluate the ability of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for their nematicidal ability against M. incognita, while potentially also promoting bermudagrass root growth. In this study, 104 PGPR strains were evaluated for their ability to manage M. incognita in vitro. In vitro mortality of M. incognita ranged from 0.9 to 98.9%, and ten individual PGPR strains and one three-strain blend were advanced to greenhouse and microplot screening. In a greenhouse, seven of the eleven PGPR treatments significantly lowered M. incognita population density compared to the untreated control, with a couple strains also promoting root growth. In a microplot evaluation, five of the eleven PGPR treatments significantly reduced M. incognita population density. Between the greenhouse and microplot trials, three PGPR strains significantly reduced M. incognita population density compared to the untreated control. These were Stenotrophomonas rhizophila and two strains of Bacillus aryahbatti. Overall, these results indicate that multiple PGPR strains evaluated have the potential to reduce M. incognita population density on infected turfgrass. Finally, in Chapter V, remote sensing technology was evaluated for the abilty to track the plant health of plant-parasitic nematode infested turfgrass in combination with chemical nematicides. For this study, the chemical nematicides abamectin, fluensulfone, fluopyram, and furfural were evaluated over two years in microplot trials for their ability to reduce both B. longicaudatus and M. incognita on bermudagrass. During these trials, visual turfgrass quality ratings were taken as well as NDVI and NDRE values. In both years of data, visual turfgrass quality, NDVI and NDRE were found to be strongly correlated with plant-parasitic nematode population density: as plant-parasitic nematode population density declined, turfgrass vigor ratings improved. This study was also taken to a golf course infested with multiple genera of plant-parasitic nematodes in 2019. In this study, the nematicides abamectin, fluensulfone, and fluopyram were evaluated for their ability to reduce plant-parasitic nematode density, as well as their ability to impact visual turfgrass quality, NDVI, and NDRE. Similarly to the microplot evaluations, as nematode population density declined, all evaluation parameters improved. These results indicate that using NDVI and NDRE data in conjunction with visual turfgrass quality ratings provides a strong foundation for capturing the ability of currently available chemical nematicides to manage plant-parasitic nematodes on turfgrass

A Meta-Assessment of an Institution\u27s Administrative Assessment Processes

Many institutions establish assessment teams to assist faculty in developing their knowledge of and confidence in conducting academic program assessment, and some extend these teams to address administrative and student affairs assessment as well. These teams may function as more formal distributed leadership models, as described by Spillane (2006), or they may be less formal groups with little or no leadership roles. Regardless of their level of formality, these teams are often used to implement other resources such as rubrics, peer review, and feedback, but the effectiveness of these resources and processes is not commonly reviewed through an intentionally designed programmatic assessment process. Programmatic assessment allows institutions to look at the impact of multiple resources and processes in place to determine which most positively impact assessment practices at institutions of higher education. This study implemented a programmatic assessment to help one large, public southeastern institution answer questions about the effectiveness of the processes and resources in place in support of administrative and student affairs assessment. Determining the most appropriate processes and resources is especially important in case of institutional consolidation or merger. Study findings corroborate the positive effects of peer review, rubrics, and feedback and provide baseline data for the institution to begin a decision making process and determine, based on evidence collected, which resources and processes should be continued or modified as it proceeds with a consolidation

Successful Recruitment and Retention Strategies of High School Band Directors: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore successful high school band directors’ recruiting strategies. Research questions guiding this study were: 1. What strategic actions have band directors taken to recruit students into their programs? 2. What strategies have increased enrollment? 3. What strategies have not increased enrollment? 4. What collaboration efforts are in place, if any, between high school and middle school directors? I used interviews to examine participants’ experiences in the successful recruitment and retention of students. Participants were public high school band directors selected for their expertise in successfully recruiting students. Twelve participants from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee were selected using the following criteria: the reputation of their program on the marching field and concert stage, tenure in their current building, and the percentage of students enrolled in band classes compared to the overall student body in their building. Semi-structured interviews occurred via Zoom and lasted approximately 30 minutes with each participant. Interview recordings were transcribed and entered into AtlasTi 22 software for analysis. Member checking of interview transcripts and peer review ensured dependability. Findings revealed four major themes: philosophy of the student experience, strategic planning, targeted activities, and building relationships. The encompassing idea was an annual cycle, specifically the cycle of themes interconnecting with each other. This research fills a gap in current literature by documenting effective strategies and philosophies of successful directors, which may inform discussions and contribute to existing research on recruitment and retention strategies