Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the Guillotine, and Modern Ontological Anxiety

Lacefield’s interdisciplinary analysis analyzes motifs of decapitation/dismemberment in Frankenstein and then moves into a discussion of the novel’s exploration of the ontological categories specified above. For example, Frankenstein’s Creature, as a kind of cyborg, exists on the contested theoretical “slice” within a number of antinomies: nature/tech, human/inhuman (alive/dead), matter/spirit, etc. These are interesting juxtapositions that point to tensions within each set of categories, and Lacefield discusses the relevance of such dichotomies for questions of modernity posed by materialist theory and technological innovation. Additionally, she incorporates a discussion of films that fuse Shelley’s themes with appeals to twentieth-century and post-millennium audiences

Recruiting a Microtubule-Binding Complex to DNA Directs Chromosome Segregation in Budding Yeast

Accurate chromosome segregation depends on the kinetochore, the complex of proteins that link microtubules to centromeric DNA1. The budding yeast kinetochore consists of more than 80 proteins assembled on a 125bp region of DNA1. We studied the assembly and function of kinetochore components by fusing individual kinetochore proteins to the lactose repressor (LacI) and testing their ability to improve the segregation of a plasmid carrying tandem repeats of the lactose operator (LacO). Targeting Ask1, a member of the Dam1/DASH microtubule-binding complex, creates a synthetic kinetochore that performs many functions of a natural kinetochore: it can replace an endogenous kinetochore on a chromosome, biorient sister kinetochores at metaphase of mitosis, segregate sister chromatids, and repair errors in chromosome attachment. We show the synthetic kinetochore’s functions do not depend on the DNA-binding components of the natural kinetochore but do require other kinetochore proteins. We conclude that tethering a single kinetochore protein to DNA triggers the assembly of the complex structure that directs mitotic chromosome segregation.Molecular and Cellular Biolog

Balancing Agronomics and Economics of Alfalfa Hay Production

Alfalfa has high-yielding, high-quality, persistent, and profitable potential if given adequate management and a balance of several agronomic and economic considerations. How can we account for the differences among producers who have the average alfalfa yields of 3.0 tons/A with the top hay producers who average approximately 5.0 tons/acre and the producer who has achieved the record yield of 10.13 tons/acre? Is the answer “luck”, better soils, moisture and growing conditions? The answer may certainly be yes, but. Yes, the factors above are important and can explain some differences; however, we believe the overall difference is the management of research-based farmer-proven “agronomic and economic practices.

Non-erotic Cognitive Distractions During Sexual Activity In Heterosexual And Gay College Students

The present study examined 100 gay and lesbian (LG) college students and 100 heterosexual students to determine whether group differences existed in frequency of and anxiety related to non-erotic cognitive distractions during sexual activity. Non-erotic cognitive distractions is a descriptive term to include both self-evaluative behaviors related to physical performance and body image concerns, as well as additional cognitive distractions (e.g., contracting an STI or emotional concerns) during sexual activity. Participants, matched on gender (96 males and 104 females), age, and ethnicity, completed questionnaires assessing frequency and associated anxiety related to non-erotic cognitive distractions during sexual activity, as well as measures of additional variables (e.g., religiosity and self-esteem). Results indicated that LG participants experience significantly more cognitive distractions and concomitant anxiety related to body image, physical performance, and contracting a disease or illness during sexual activity. With regard to gender differences, men reported more distractions related to contracting a disease or illness than women. An interaction effect was observed between sexual orientation and gender for body image-, disease-, and external/emotional-based distractions. It also was found that gay men, lesbians, and heterosexual women reported significantly more body image concerns than straight men. Implications of these findings are discusse

Why Should I Improve My Grazing Program?

Grazing represents the cheapest way to feed ruminants on a cost per pound of nutrient basis. Stored feed is usually the single largest item in livestock budgets and cost or amount of stored feed is usually the best prediction of potential profitability in most beef cattle operations

Forage Legumes vs. Fertilizer Nitrogen

A few weeks after I started to work as a Forage Extension Specialist at the University of Kentucky, I heard my mentor and forage idol, Mr. Warren Thompson, speak on forage legumes. Warren, along with Dr’s. Tim Taylor and W.C. Templeton had pioneered the “Pasture Renovation Program” in Kentucky. In addition, Mr. Ed Smith had joined the team and collectively they developed the “Power-til Pasture Renovator.” Warren began his presentation by talking about Kentucky Forages pointing out we were so fortunate to have a good grass base and the opportunity to grow lots of legumes. He also talked about all the good things legumes could do once established into grass dominant pasture and hay fields. He stated “Pasture renovation is the most important pasture improvement practice in Kentucky”. At that time, corn was under $2.00 per bushel, gas was 69 cents/gal, and nitrogen was readily available as ammonia nitrate and less than twenty cents per pound. Since that time, a lot of things have changed, especially corn, nitrogen and fuel prices; however, Warren’s statement about the important of legumes is still valid. In fact, considering the merits of forage legumes and change in nitrogen and other input costs, forage legumes are more important today than ever

Grazing: More Important Now Than Ever

Benefits of grazing has been a major focus of the Kentucky Grazing Conference over the past decade. It has also been emphasized at thirteen Heart of America Grazing Conferences and three National Grazing Conferences. With all that emphasis, Why do I bring this up again and even have the nerve to say “More Important Now than Ever”? Well, the short answer is “things are different now!

Art and Science of Haymaking

In 2007, Kentucky was chosen as one of three states to participate in the making of a movie on Quality Haymaking. Case IH Agriculture in an effort to better serve their customer base and the forage industry invested resources to produce, edit and distribute a DVD on Quality Haymaking. A national project coordinator was hired who in turn contracted with a film company. When we were contacted and learned it was not going to be a commercial for any one brand or product, we agreed to participate

Forages: Back to Basics

Over the past fifteen years, we have covered many forage-related topics ranging from the species we grow through marketing our final products. Through all of these themes, we have attempted to address the “basics” in a practical way. We will continue that theme today as we deal with some very important-practical topics

No-Till Alfalfa Establishment

The topic \u27\u27No-till Alfalfa was discussed at the V Annual Alfalfa Conference this past February in Elizabethtown. At that conference, we reported results of demonstrations that had been conducted along with preliminary results of some of the research underway. In the presentation today, I would like to review some of the opportunities for no-till alfalfa and discuss some additional research results