A comparison of selection and breeding strategies for incorporating wood properties into a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) elite population breeding program

The heritability of microfibril angle (MFA) in loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., and its genetic relationships with height, diameter, volume and specific gravity were examined in two progeny tests with known pedigrees. Significant general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and SCA x block effects indicated that there are both additive and non-additive genetic influences on MFA. Individual-tree narrow-sense heritability estimates were variable, ranging from 0.17 for earlywood (ring) 4 MFA to 0.51 for earlywood (ring) 20 MFA. Genetic correlations between MFA, specific gravity and the growth traits were non-significant due to large estimated standard errors. Multiple-trait selection and breeding in a mainline and elite population tree improvement program were simulated using Excel and Simetar (Richardson 2001). The effects of four selection indices were examined in the mainline population and the effects of seven selection indices and four breeding strategies were examined in the elite population. In the mainline population, selection for increased growth caused decreased wood quality over time. However, it was possible to maintain the overall population mean MFA and mean specific gravity at levels present in the base population by implementing restricted selection indices. Likewise, selection for improved wood quality in the elite population resulted in decreased growth unless restricted selection indices or pulp indices derived from those of Lowe et al. (1999) were used. Correlated phenotypic responses to selection on indices using economic weights and heritabilities were dependent on breeding strategy. When a circular mating system (with parents randomly assigned to controlled-crosses) was used, the index trait with a higher economic weight was more influential in determining correlated responses in non-index traits than the index trait with a lower economic weight. However, when positive assortative mating was used, the index trait with a greater variance was more influential in determining correlated responses in non-index traits than the index trait with a lower variance regardless of economic weight

Stay Fit, Stay Safe: Sports Safety for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Purpose: With the growing older adult population, defined as 65 years and older, the importance of safety in activities, such as sports, is becoming more important. It is vital to address the needs of this population through increasing education to prevent or address injuries related to physical activity. The overall purpose of this project was to determine the impact of providing sports safety education at the Holmen Area Community Center (HACC). Moreover, we sought to explore and educate the clients at HACC on ways to prevent such injuries and what to do if an injury does occur. Many older adults come to the HACC walking path in the gymnasium, participate in yoga, and exercise classes. Other participation opportunities include line dancing and playing pickleball. Participation in several of these sports activities may lead to injuries. Older adult community members at HACC shared stories about their experiences participating in sports activities which included reflecting on previous sports-related injuries and potential knowledge gaps. The members desired more education on how to prevent falls and what to do if a fall occurred. A literature review was completed focusing on injury prevention, intervention, and subsequent follow-up to ensure proper healing of injuries among older adults. Methods and Results: Findings from the review of literature were synthesized into five themes: warm-up, daily immersion, fall prevention, ability awareness, and post-fall treatment. The information gained from this project supported the creation of an educational resource for community dwelling older adults. The literature shows that warming up before activities can reduce injuries over time. Additionally, incorporating exercise into older adults\u27 daily lives reduces the risk of falls and injuries by improving physical and cognitive function. While these older adults may have more physical and mental ability gained through exercise, falls may still occur. Studies revealed how to safely fall if one were to occur. Many older adults try to prevent an impending fall, which may result in a more serious injury. Education on post-fall treatment is vital for a successful recovery. Conclusion: The resource developed from this project will educate older adults within the community on proper ways to prevent injuries. Such ways include how to fall safely, and what to do when a fall does occur. This information will be presented at a community education event in April to bring awareness to sports safety among older adults in the community. Fall prevention for older adults participating in sports is important to consider for nursing as falls can lead to deteriorating health outcomes and impact overall well-being

Spectral Feature Extraction and Analysis in Human Electroencephalogram (EEG) Signals

Ongoing research is being conducted in the field of Brain-Computer Interfaces for use in technology for the rehabilitation of disabled individuals. These interfaces typically use electroencephalography as it allows individuals with spinal cord injury to control mechanisms despite a lack of muscle tone and control through the use of potential produced by brain activity. This study explores various methods for extracting spectral features from EEG data as electroencephalography has a very poor signal-to-noise ratio which necessitates the use of signal processing methods such as the Fast Fourier Transform and Discrete Wavelet Transform to extract usable and identifiable features, which are then used to train various machine learning algorithms to more quickly identify features and classify the data in the future. This study used various feature extraction methods based on the Fast Fourier Transform and Discrete Wavelet Transform to identify muscular flexion in a healthy adult male patient and assessed the most successful and viable methods. Some methods used were able to achieve accuracy percentages above 75%, with the most accurate (Fast Fourier Transform without summation) reaching 88.2% accuracy in differentiating muscle flexion from a relaxed state. This is a significant finding due to the difficulty of interpreting and classifying a non-linear and non-stationary signal such as those found in electroencephalography, as well as its applicability to the development of systems for assisting in the rehabilitation of the disabled. Additionally, this study explored the use of the Discrete Wavelet Transform in order to identify spectral features in muscle flexion which is a novel method for this specific application of identification that allows for the process of feature extraction and analysis to be completed using less processing power and time, allowing for more robust brain-computer interfaces. The methods explored in this study could allow for notable advances in prosthetics and rehabilitation technology

On roots of the automorphism group of a circular domain in Cnℂ^n

We study the properties of the group Aut(D) of all biholomorphic transformations of a bounded circular domain D in $ℂ^n$ containing the origin. We characterize the set of all possible roots for the Lie algebra of Aut(D). There exists an n-element set P such that any root is of the form α or -α or α-β for suitable α,β ∈ P

Variation in the Root Bark Phenolics/Sugar Ratio of Douglas-fir Grown in Two Plantations in Northern Idaho

Several studies have linked high phenolics/sugar ratios in the inner root bark tissue of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) to decreased susceptibility to Armillaria spp. While these studies have identified environmental factors that influence root chemistry, none have examined whether the phenolics/sugar ratio is genetically controlled. In this study, we investigated the effects of genetics and environment on the root bark chemistry of 20 families of 15-year-old Douglas-fir planted in two sites in northern Idaho. Only sugar concentrations varied significantly among families, but site was a significant source of variation for phenolics and the phenolics/sugar ratio. Family � site interactions were significant for the concentrations of all measured root bark compounds as well as for the phenolics/sugar ratio. Phenotypic correlations between height and the phenolics/sugar ratio and between height and sugar concentrations were not significant. However, families with superior height growth and below-average sugar concentrations could be found at both sites. Should a high phenolics/sugar ratio prove effective in selecting genotypes for resistance to Armillaria infection, these results suggest that gains could be made more efficiently by selecting for low sugar concentrations

Mineralogical and petrological studies of the serpentinites from Thanh Hóa region, North Vietnam, in the aspect of their genesis and protolith type

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