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The existence of consistent individual differences in behavior has been shown in a number of species, and several studies have found observable sex differences in these behaviors, yet their evolutionary implications remain unclear. Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of behavioral traits requires knowledge of their genetic architectures and whether this architecture differs between the sexes. We conducted a quantitative genetic study in a sexually size-dimorphic spider, Larinioides sclopetarius, which exhibits sex differences in adult lifestyles. We observed pedigreed spiders for aggression, activity, exploration, and boldness and used animal models to disentangle genetic and environmental influences on these behaviors. We detected trends toward (i) higher additive genetic variances in aggression, activity, and exploration in males than females, and (ii) difference in variances due to common environment/maternal effects, permanent environment and residual variance in aggression and activity with the first two variances being higher in males for both behaviors. We found no sex differences in the amount of genetic and environmental variance in boldness. The mean heritability estimates of aggression, activity, exploration, and boldness range from 0.039 to 0.222 with no sizeable differences between females and males. We note that the credible intervals of the estimates are large, implying a high degree of uncertainty, which disallow a robust conclusion of sex differences in the quantitative genetic estimates. However, the observed estimates suggest that sex differences in the quantitative genetic architecture of the behaviors cannot be ruled out. Notably, the present study suggests that genetic underpinnings of behaviors may differ between sexes and it thus underscores the importance of taking sex differences into account in quantitative genetic studies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged professors and students of all disciplines to adjust quickly to remote online teaching and education platforms. In this new era of remote teaching, a greater challenge has been presented in the field of equine science; how to effectively share knowledge that is most often demonstrated by providing students access to live, in-person animal examples. Historically, students and teachers believed skill sets, which are vital for future careers in the industry (e.g., veterinarian) must be learned through hands-on experience. However, in-person methods were not available, so students were taught through the Zoom platform. Students enrolled in various levels of equine science classes were invited to complete a short voluntary questionnaire measuring their response and perception to equine courses taught in an entirely online remote setting by the same professor. One group was comprised of undergraduates majoring in the field (n = 44) in upper level equine science courses, Advanced Equine Reproduction Physiology and/or Equine Enterprise. These students, 41 females and 3 males, ranged in age from 20 to 25 yr, were provided a voluntary questionnaire seeking responses related to the perceived effectiveness and individual preferences of in-class lectures and in-person labs vs. remote online teaching practices. A similar questionnaire was offered on a volunteer basis to precollege students (n = 17). These students, female, high-school students from freshman to senior status (14-18 yr of age), were interested in equine science as a major at UC Davis in the future. This questionnaire evaluated their response to a 2-week remote synchronous online equine science course, which included multiple teaching methods, including lectures, mini labs, and full labs. Responses from both populations suggested that equine courses were perceived as effective when offered as online, remote courses. Live (synchronous) classes and labs offered on Zoom increased engagement and interaction, but students also appreciated the opportunity to access recorded materials. Students responded positively to online remote teaching and found courses to be effective for increasing their knowledge about equine science in an engaging manner, despite their continued preference for in-person instruction.

Sex differences in the genetic architecture of behavioral traits can offer critical insight into the processes of sex-specific selection and sexual conflict dynamics. Here, we assess genetic variances and cross-sex genetic correlations of two personality traits, aggression and activity, in a sexually size-dimorphic spider, Nuctenea umbratica. Using a quantitative genetic approach, we show that both traits are heritable. Males have higher heritability estimates for aggressiveness compared to females, whereas the coefficient of additive genetic variation and evolvability did not differ between the sexes. Furthermore, we found sex differences in the coefficient of residual variance in aggressiveness with females exhibiting higher estimates. In contrast, the quantitative genetic estimates for activity suggest no significant differentiation between males and females. We interpret these results with caution as the estimates of additive genetic variances may be inflated by nonadditive genetic effects. The mean cross-sex genetic correlations for aggression and activity were 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. Nonetheless, credible intervals of both estimates were broad, implying high uncertainty for these estimates. Future work using larger sample sizes would be needed to draw firmer conclusions on how sexual selection shapes sex differences in the genetic architecture of behavioral traits.

To assess the hypothesis that gap junctions (GJs) participate on leukocyte-endothelium interactions in the inflammatory response, we compared leukocyte adhesion and transmigration elicited by cytokine stimulation in the presence or absence of GJ blockers in the hamster cheek pouch and also in the cremaster muscle of wild-type (WT) and endothelium-specific connexin 43 (Cx43) null mice ([Cx43e.sup.-/-]). In the cheek pouch, topical tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] (TNF-[alpha]; 150 ng/ml, 15 min) caused a sustained increment in the number of leukocytes adhered to venular endothelium (LAV) and located at perivenular regions (LPV). Superfusion with the GJ blockers 18-[alpha]-glycyrrhetinic acid (AGA; 75 [micro]M) or 18-[beta]-glycyrrhetinic acid (50 [micro]M) abolished the TNF-[alpha]-induced increase in LAV and LPV; carbenoxolone (75 [micro]M) or oleamide (100 [micro]M) reduced LAV by 50 and 75%, respectively, and LPV to a lesser extent. None of these GJ blockers modified venular diameter, blood flow, or leukocyte rolling. In contrast, glycyrrhizin (75 [micro]M), a non-GJ blocker analog of AGA, was devoid of effect. Interestingly, when AGA was removed 90 min after TNF-[alpha] stimulation, LAV started to rise at a similar rate as in control. Conversely, application of AGA 90 rain after TNF-[alpha] reduced the number of previously adhered cells. In WT mice, intrascrotal injection of TNF-[alpha] (0.5 [micro]g/0.3 ml) increased LAV (fourfold) and LPV (threefold) compared with saline-injected controls. In contrast to the observations in WT animals, TNF-[alpha] stimulation did not increase LAV or LPV in [Cx43e.sup.-/-] mice. These results demonstrate an important role for GJ communication in leukocyte adhesion and transmigration during acute inflammation in vivo and further suggest that endothelial Cx43 is key in these processes. inflammation; tumor necrosis factor-[alpha]; endothelial-connexin 43 knockout mice; gap junction blockers

A study of fertilization in dung beetle Onthophagus reveals that greater fertilization success was achieved by males with shorter sperm. This supports the theory that sperm competition favors evolution of large numbers of tiny sperm.

Decimal reduction time (time to inactivate 90% of the population) (D) values of Bacillus anthracis spores in milk ranged from 3.4 to 16.7 h at 72 degree Celsius and from 1.6 to 3.3 s at 112 degree Celsius. The calculated increase of temperature needed to reduce the D value by 90% varied from 8.7 to 11.0 degree Celsius, and the Arrhenius activation energies ranged from 227.4 to 291.3 kJ/mol.

Research has been conducted on the tetradeca-antennated C-6-branched mannopyranosyl and glucopyrannosyl cyclomalto-heptaose derivatives. The inclusion behavior and concanavalin A binding properties of these derivatives have been investigated via the isothermal titration microcalorimetry and enzyme-linked lectin assay and the results are presented.

Synthesis of homogeneous hepta-antennated C-6 branched sialosyl cyclomaltoheptose derivatives were performed in good yields and the compounds were fully characterized. The preparation of such multivalent sialosidea with potential biorecognizable properties contributes to expand the existing array of such glycoforms.

Research demonstrates a selective monoalkylation of the smaller rim of the calixarenes to derive monoalkynyl- and monoallylcalix[n]arene(n = 4,6), which can be used for preparing bis-calix[4]-arenes by oxidative coupling of alkynes and intermolecular methathesis.

A novel method for the synthesis of thiiranes and olefins was developed based on the utilization of the cyclic sulfates of vic-diols as starting materials. The one-pot synthetic process was characterized by the formation of episulfides based on the opening of the cyclic sulfates with potassium thioacetate or potassium thiocyanate in the presence of sodium methoxide. The versatile methodology can also be adopted for the synthesis of a series of 4- and 5-thiosugars via thiirane ring opening with sodium acetate or lithium aluminum hydride.

The effect of acetate on the intracellular pH of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and E. coli K-12 was compared. E. coli O157:H7 produced more D-lactate, obtained a higher glucose consumption rate and accumulated less potassium than K-12. Differences in metabolism and intracellular pH regulation explained the differences in acetate tolerance of 0157:H7. The ability to decrease the intracellular pH and produce large amounts of D-lactate allows E.coli 0157:H7 to decrease changes in pH and to prevent toxic accumulations of intracellular acetate anion.

The synthesis of vinyl sulfone derivatized bifunctional tag single-attachment-point reagents (BTSAP) bearing biotin and a fluorescent tag and their applications in proteins are described for the introduction of multiple labels by using the Michael-type addition of the electrophilic vinyl sulfone group. The implementation of the clickable alkyne vinyl sulfone derivatized tags (AVST) compounds in a CuAAC-based approach has helped in achieving the dual labeling of horseradish peroxidase (HRP).

The synthesis of a variety of calixarene-based cavitands (capped and functional calixarenes) and calix nanotubes is reported. The reaction used click chemistry method via Cu(I)catalyzed ligation of adequate bis-alkyne and bis-azide derivatives.

The click-chemistry method was employed to perform the covalent synthesis of nanosized cage compounds. The reaction involved use of Cu(I)-catalyzed ligation of adequate polyalkyne and polyazide derivatives and [(EtO).sub.3]P.CuI as catalyst.

Several experimental studies are conducted to determine the impact of the experimental removal of the sexual selection in dung beetles on their testes size and competitive fertilization success. The experimental removal of sexual selection is shown to reduce the size of the testes of the beetles.

The impact of the variations observed in the ability of males to influence embryo viability on the inequality existing between the paternity success and fertilization success of different organisms is studied. Sperm competition is shown to lead to the fall in the viability benefits offered by the polyandrous females to their offspring.

A study was conducted to identify combinations and concentrations of biocides that could inactivate Bacillus anthracis spores at temperatures in high-temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization range in less than 1 min. The data obtained could be applied for development of more effective thermal treatment strategies which could be used in HTST milk plants to process contaminated milk for disposal and decontamination.

The Australian sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma is used to explore how sire-dam identities influence fertilization rates, embryo viability (survival to hatching) and metamorphosis. Results reveal that fertilization rates should not be inferred from hatching rates.

Studies done to evaluate the ability of colincinogenic E. coli that produces colicin E7 to reduce the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle are presented. Results suggest that a daily dose of 10 (super 8) CFU of colicin E7-producing E.coli per gram of feed can significantly reduce the fecal shedding of O157:H7 in cattle.

Research has been conducted on sperm precedence pattern. The authors describe the use of amplified fragment length polymorphism markers for the determination of these patterns, for understanding the link between sperm precedence patterns in natural populations and the extent of eggs carried by male golden egg bug.

A study was conducted to examine the synthesis of per-glycosylated beta-cyclodextrins and their specific lectin binding properties. All persubstituted beta-cyclodextrins were found to exhibit good and sometimes excellent inhibitory properties. Turbidimetric assays using a microtiter plate format showed that multivalent beta-cyclodextrin derivatives are very capable of cross-linking their analogous lectins.