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The dynamics of innate and adaptive immunity to infection in infants remain obscure. Here, we used a multi-omics approach to perform a longitudinal analysis of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants and young children in the first weeks and months of life by analyzing blood samples collected before, during, and after infection with Omicron and Non-Omicron variants. Infection stimulated robust antibody titers that, unlike in adults, were stably maintained for >300 days. Antigen-specific memory B cell (MCB) responses were durable for 150 days but waned thereafter. Somatic hypermutation of V-genes in MCB accumulated progressively over 9 months. The innate response was characterized by upregulation of activation markers on blood innate cells, and a plasma cytokine profile distinct from that seen in adults, with no inflammatory cytokines, but an early and transient accumulation of chemokines (CXCL10, IL8, IL-18R1, CSF-1, CX3CL1), and type I IFN. The latter was strongly correlated with viral load, and expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in myeloid cells measured by single-cell transcriptomics. Consistent with this, single-cell ATAC-seq revealed enhanced accessibility of chromatic loci targeted by interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) and reduced accessibility of AP-1 targeted loci, as well as traces of epigenetic imprinting in monocytes, during convalescence. Together, these data provide the first snapshot of immunity to infection during the initial weeks and months of life.

Anserinones A and B are natural products that have been shown to have potential anticancer, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. This work entails the novel synthesis of these natural products.

El presente trabajo de investigación trata la problemática referida a la aplicación de la norma con la que el Estado Peruano grava como rentas de fuente local las ganancias de capital originadas por la enajenación indirecta de acciones, en el marco de los convenios de doble imposición que suscribió con los Estados de Chile y Canadá. Trabajo de investigación

The allelic diversity (AD) project of the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) programme utilized the double haploid (DH) breeding method to expedite development and release of lines derived from 300 exotic maize races. Using 18 races in this study, differential effects on haploid induction rates (HIRs) and doubling rates (DRs) by the recurrent parents PHB47 and PHZ51, the elevation that the race is traditionally grown at, and by the race itself were addressed in this study. Races from the AD project were grouped by elevation of their origin, high, middle or low altitude. Six races per elevation were randomly selected and backcrossed using both recurrent parents to generate 36 populations. Ten replications were randomized in a complete randomized design for two growing seasons. The recurrent parent effect was significant, with PHB47 having a higher HIR than PHZ51. Effect of elevation was significant with higher HIR associated with low-elevation origin, and race also proved to be significant. Effects of elevation, recurrent parent and race were not significant for DR.

This study aimed at developing, characterizing and evaluating two maize phenotypic-selected introgression libraries for a collection of dominant plant height (PHT)-increasing alleles by introgressing donor chromosome segments (DCS) from Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) accessions into elite inbred lines: PHB47 and PHZ51. Different backcross generations (BC1-BC4) were developed and the tallest 23 phenotype-selected introgression families (PIFs) from each introgression library (PHB47 or PHZ51) were selected for single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping to localize DCS underlying PHT. The result shows that most PIFs carrying DCS were significantly (α = 0.01) taller than the respective recurrent parent. In addition, they contained larger donor genome proportions than expected in the absence of selection or random mating across all BC generations. The DCS were distributed over the whole genome, indicating a complex genetic nature underlying PHT. We conclude that our PIFs are enriched for favourable PHT-increasing alleles. These two libraries offer opportunities for future PHT gene isolation and allele characterization and for breeding purposes, such as novel cultivars for biofuel production.

Root system architecture (RSA) is becoming recognized as important for water and nutrient acquisition in plants. This study focuses on finding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with seedling RSA traits from 300 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from crosses between Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) accessions and inbred lines PHB47 and PHZ51. These DH lines were genotyped using 62,077 SNP markers, while root and shoot phenotype data were collected from 14-day old seedlings. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted using three models to offset false positives/negatives. Multiple SNPs associated with seedling root traits were detected, some of which were within or linked to gene models that showed expression in seedling roots. Significant trait associations involving the SNP S5_152926936 on Chromosome 5 were detected in all three models, particularly the trait network area. The SNP is within the gene model GRMZM2G021110, which is expressed in roots at seedling stage. SNPs that were significantly associated with seedling root traits, and closely linked to gene models that encode proteins associated with root development were also detected. This study shows that the GEM-DH panel may be a source of allelic diversity for genes controlling seedling root development.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) and Gibberellins (GAs) are two classes of plant hormones affecting plant height (PHT). Thus, manipulation of BR and GA levels or signaling enables optimization of crop grain and biomass yields. We established backcross (BC) families, selected for increased PHT, in two elite maize inbred backgrounds. Various exotic accessions used in the germplasm enhancement in maize project served as donors. BC1-derived doubled haploid lines in the same two elite maize inbred backgrounds established without selection for plant height were included for comparison. We conducted genome-wide association studies to explore the genetic control of PHT by BR and GA. In addition, we used BR and GA inhibitors to compare the relationship between PHT, BR, and GA in inbred lines and heterozygotes from a physiological and biological perspective. A total of 73 genomic loci were discovered to be associated with PHT, with seven co-localized with GA, and two co-localized with BR candidate genes. PHT determined in field trials was significantly correlated with seedling stage BR and GA inhibitor responses. However, this observation was only true for maize heterozygotes, not for inbred lines. Path analysis results suggest that heterozygosity increases GA levels, which in turn promote BR levels. Thus, at least part of heterosis for PHT in maize can be explained by increased GA and BR levels, and seedling stage hormone inhibitor response is promising to predict heterosis for PHT.

Diverse, novel maize ( Zea mays L.) germplasm from the Genetic Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project and aflatoxin-resistant and aflatoxin- susceptible maize lines were used as parents to produce a diallel cross. This manuscript docu - ments the agronomic performance of the prog - eny of the diallel cross. Nine GEM germplasm lines and six known resistant and susceptible lines were selected as parents of a diallel cross that was evaluated over 2 yr at Mississippi State, MS, and 1 yr at College Station, TX. Mp317, Mp494, NEI9008, and GEMN-0130 had positive and significant GCA effects for yield in at least two of the three environments. This is especially useful because prior research suggested that both Mp494 and GEMN-0130 also reduce afla - toxin accumulation. of the GEM lines evaluated, NEI9008 was the best source for enhanced yield with significant and positive GCA values across all three environments. Mp313E ´ GEMN-0157 yielded well across all environments with an addi - tional benefit of relatively low aflatoxin accumula - tion in the Mississippi environments. Because the GEM lines evaluated in this diallel cross have a distinctly different genetic background than the aflatoxin-resistant Mississippi inbreds, NEI9008 and GEMN-0130 (improved yield), GEMS-0002 and GEMS-0074 (earlier maturity by 3 to 4 d), CUBA117, GEMS-0030, GEMN-0071, GEMS- 0100 (reduced plant height 0.1 to 0.2 m), GEMN- 0157, NEI9008, GEMS-0002, and GEMS-0074 (reduced height by 0.3 to 0.4 m) should be useful sources of alleles for pyramiding improved yield, earlier maturity, and shorter plant heights into improved breeding lines.

The caffeic acid 3-O-methytransferase (COMT) gene is a prime candidate for cell wall digestibility improvement based on the characterization of brown midrib-3 mutants. We compared the genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium at this locus between exotic populations sampled within the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project and 70 inbred lines. In total, we investigated 55 exotic COMT alleles and discovered more than 400 polymorphisms in a 2.2 kb region with pairwise nucleotide diversity (π) up to 0.017, much higher than reported π values of various genes in inbred lines. The ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous SNPs was 3:1 in exotic populations, and significantly higher than the 1:1 ratio for inbred lines. Selection tests detected selection signature in this gene in both pools, but with different evolution patterns. The linkage disequilibrium decay in exotic populations was at least four times more rapid than for inbred lines with r2 > 0.1 persisting only up to 100 bp. In conclusion, the alleles sampled in the GEM Project offer a valuable genetic resource to broaden genetic variation for the COMT gene, and likely other genes, in inbred background. Moreover, the low linkage disequilibrium makes this material suitable for high resolution association analyses.

After examining ear-colonizing pest resistance, 20 maize lines from the USDA- ARS Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Program were evaluated for whorl-feeding fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) resistance using 4 maize inbred lines as the resistant and susceptible controls. Both FAW injury ratings at 7- and 14-d after infestation, and predator abundance and diversity at whorl stage (V6-V8) were recorded in 2009 and 2010. The survey of the diversity and abundance of predators in each experimental plot were conducted 7 d after the FAW infestation. Of the 20 germplasm lines examined, 3 of them (i.e., entries 9, 15, and 19 that were derived from tropical maize germplasm lines were originated from Uruguay, Cuba, and Thailand, respectively) were identified as the best FAW-resistant germplasm lines using the leaf injury ratings and predator survey data. In addition, the abundance and diversity of the predators were greater in 2010 than in 2009, which might have caused the low level of the FAW injury ratings on all lines examined in 2010. The 2-year data showed that the FAW injury ratings were negatively correlated to the predator abundance and diversity, which is also influence by genotype × environment interactions. The findings suggested that tropical germplasm is an important source of native resistance to the FAW and the corn earworm. At the same time, the maize genotype × environment interaction (e.g., predator attractiveness, and varying weather conditions) should be included in the multiple-year evaluations of insect and disease resistance of maize germplasm lines under field conditions.

The doubled haploid breeding method can produce maize inbred lines faster than traditional methods, but there are challenges associated with it. Sorting haploid from hybrid seed based on visual colour markers is time consuming and can be difficult due to colour inhibitors that obscure pigmentation needed to distinguish between haploid, hybrid and outcrossed seed. In this study, weight was evaluated as a method to sort haploid from hybrid seed. A first experiment utilized two families for analysis in a preliminary study. Eleven haploid and hybrid kernels from both families were weighed for a total of 44 experimental units. A second experiment was carried out using six families, using the same format as the previous, for 132 experimental units. Hybrid seed weighed significantly more than haploid seed in both experiments. However, the interaction between line and kernel type was significant in the second experiment. In conclusion, efficacy of sorting haploid from hybrid kernels based on weight depends on the genotypes involved.

The objective of this study was to understand dosage effects of the Waxy gene on the structures of amylose and amylopectin and on the properties of corn starch. Reciprocal crossing of isogenic normal and waxy corn lines was conducted to develop hybrids with different dosages (0, 1, 2, 3) of Waxy gene in the endosperm. The amylose content of starch and proportions of branch chains of DP 17-30 and extra-long branch chains (DP>100) of amylopectin were positively correlated with the Waxy-gene dosage. Proportions of short (DP

We characterized the genotypic and phenotypic variation in cell wall digestibility (CWD) and other agronomic traits of 50 backcross 1 generation doubled haploid (BC1DH) lines developed from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize project. These lines were generated by introgressing 31 exotic unadapted maize races into PHZ51 and PHB47, temperate inbred lines with expired Plant Variety Protection. The 50 BC1DH lines and five check lines were genotyped with 199 single nucleotide polymorphism markers distributed across the genome. We identified, on average, 11.8% of markers with exotic donor parent alleles. This likely underestimates the proportion of donor introgressions, since we cannot discriminate monomorphic alleles from donor and recurrent parents. The potential roles of natural selection and the doubled haploid process in favouring selection of the recurrent genome are discussed. Although the proportion of donor parent genome was underestimated, donor fragments evaluated across the 50 BC1DH lines covered 92.9% of the recurrent parent genome. The evaluation of BC1DH lines for CWD revealed promising lines with CWD not differing significantly (α = 0.05) from forage quality lines used as checks. The introgression of exotic genome segments, however, was generally associated with higher ears, lodging, and late flowering. Even with limited power, our association analysis revealed quantitative trait polymorphisms associated with CWD, flowering date, and lodging.

With 1 figure and 6 tables Abstract The objective of this work was to determine the potential of germplasm from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) programme for use as a biofuel feedstock, relative to commercial grain and silage hybrids. Eighteen maize genotypes including GEM varieties and commercial checks were evaluated in a 2-year field study for dry matter yield, moisture at harvest and sugar produced by hydrolysis of whole plants and cobs. There were no significant correlations between any of the traits measured, suggesting that it should be possible to improve yield with quality traits using a selection index. A brown midrib variety was in the top significance group for hydrolysis traits, underscoring the impact of this mutation on the digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass. Commercial varieties tended to have superior dry matter yield, while several GEM lines ranked highly for sugar produced by hydrolysis of whole plants. Selection indices that take both sugar produced by hydrolysis and dry matter yield into account produced rankings of the germplasm used in this study that were markedly different than rankings based on either trait alone.

GEMS-0067 maize starch contains up to 32% elongated starch granules, much higher than amyloseextender (ae) single-mutant maize starch (7%) and normal (non-mutant) maize starch (0%). These elongated granules are highly resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis at 95–100 C, which function as resistant starch. The structure and formation of these elongated starch granules, however, were not known. In this study, light, confocal laser-scanning, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy were used to reveal the structure and formation of these elongated starch granules. The transmission electron micrographs showed fusion through amylose interaction between adjacent small granules in the amyloplast at the early stage of granule development. A mechanistic model for the formation of elongated starch granules is proposed.

GEMS-0067 maize ae -line starches developed by the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project consist of 39.4–43.2% resistant starch (RS), which is larger than the existing ae -line starches of H99 ae , OH43 ae , B89 ae , and B84 ae (11.5–19.1%) as reported in part I of the study. The objective of this study was to understand the mechanism of the RS formation in the GEMS-0067 ae -line starch. In the current study, we analyzed the structures and properties of the RS residues that remained after enzymatic hydrolysis of the ae -line starches at 95–100 °C. The RS residues consisted of two major components: large starch molecules of average degrees of polymerization (DP) 840–951 with a few branches and small starch molecules (average DP 59–74) with mostly linear chains. All the RS residues had a semi-crystalline structure with the B-type polymorph and displayed high onset (100.7–107.7 °C), peak (118.6–121.4 °C), and conclusion (139.7–158.8 °C) gelatinization temperatures. After the maize ae -mutant starches were defatted with methanol, the RS contents decreased to 27.8–28.9% for the GEMS-0067 ae -line starches and 9.0–11.0% for the existing ae -line starches. The RS residues were attributed to the presence of long-chain double-helical crystallites derived from amylose and the intermediate component (IC). These crystallites present in native ae -line starches had gelatinization temperatures above 100 °C and maintained the semi-crystalline structures after enzymatic hydrolysis at 95–100 °C.

The Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project is a cooperative effort between the USDA-ARS, private industry and public researchers to broaden and enhance the germplasm base of maize. In this program, selected accessions from the Latin American Maize Project, and seven tropical hybrids donated by DeKalb to the GEM Project, were crossed to elite proprietary inbred lines contributed by commercial plant breeding programs. In most cases, the resulting hybrids were crossed to a second commercial inbred line and the resulting 25% exotic hybrids were used as breeding populations for further development. To identify GEM germplasm with value to protein quality breeding programs, we developed a process for evaluating the content of the essential amino acids methionine, lysine and tryptophan in the grain of GEM germplasm that balances the need for multiple-year evaluations with the constantly changing entry list of this germplasm screening program. This process involves annual field trials with common checks. Weak entries are dropped from the trial each year to make room for new entries, while strong entries are retained. Methionine exhibited the most significant variation, followed by lysine and then tryptophan. A number of GEM lines had methionine or lysine levels that were significantly better than Corn Belt checks and some were competitive with high-amino acid checks.

Endosperm starches were isolated from kernels of seven maize amylose-extender ( ae ) lines: three new ae -lines, derived from a Guatemalan breeding cross with pedigrees of GUAT209:S13 × (OH43 ae × H99 ae ) B-B-4-1-2-1-1, GUAT209:S13 × (OH43 ae × H99 ae ) B-B-4-4-2-1-1, and GUAT209:S13 × (OH43 ae × H99 ae ) B-B-4-4-2-1-2, designated as GSOH1, GSOH2, and GSOH3, respectively, were developed by the USDA-ARS Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project, and four existing inbred lines, H99 ae, OH43 ae , B89 ae , and B84 ae . The resistant starch (RS) contents, measured using AOAC method 991.43 for total dietary fiber, showed that the three new-line starches had larger RS contents (39.4–43.2%) than the four inbred lines (11.5–19.1%). This study was conducted to understand relationship between the RS content and molecular structure of the maize ae-mutant starch. Analytical results showed that the three new-line starches had larger apparent (83.1–85.6%) and absolute amylose-contents (57.4–62.6%) than the starches of the inbred ae -lines (61.7–67.7% and 35.5–44.7%, respectively). The RS content of the ae -mutant starch was positively correlated with both the apparent and absolute amylose-contents of the starch with correlation coefficients of 0.99 and 0.96, respectively. Gel permeation chromatograms revealed that all seven ae starches contained large proportions of intermediate components (IC), 22.4%–52.0%. All seven ae starches displayed similar onset gelatinization temperatures (64.5–65.8 °C), but the three new-line starches displayed higher conclusion temperatures (122.0–130.0 °C) than the four inbred-line starches (100.5–105.3 °C). These results indicated that the crystalline structure of the three new ae- line starches was retained after boiling at ∼100 °C. The crystalline structure was resistant to enzyme hydrolysis and resulted in greater RS contents.

Endosperm starch and pericarp starch were isolated from maize (B73) kernels at different developmental stages. Starch granules, with small size (2–4 μm diameter), were first observed in the endosperm on 5 days after pollination (DAP). The size of endosperm-starch granules remained similar until 12DAP, but the number increased extensively. A substantial increase in granule size was observed from 14DAP (diameter 4–7 μm) to 30DAP (diameter10–23 μm). The size of starch granules on 30DAP is similar to that of the mature and dried endosperm-starch granules harvested on 45DAP. The starch content of the endosperm was little before 12DAP (less than 2%) and increased rapidly from 10.7% on 14DAP to 88.9% on 30DAP. The amylose content of the endosperm starch increased from 9.2% on 14DAP to 24.2% on 30DAP and 24.4% on 45DAP (mature and dried). The average amylopectin branch chain-length of the endosperm amylopectin increased from DP23.6 on 10DAP to DP26.9 on14DAP and then decreased to DP25.4 on 30DAP and DP24.9 on 45DAP. The onset gelatinization temperature of the endosperm starch increased from 61.3 °C on 8DAP to 69.0 °C on 14DAP and then decreased to 62.8 °C on 45DAP. The results indicated that the structure of endosperm starch was not synthesized consistently through the maturation of kernel. The pericarp starch, however, showed similar granule size, starch content, amylose content, amylopectin structure and thermal properties at different developmental stages of the kernel.

Twenty maize breeding germplasm lines were developed cooperatively by the USDA GEM (Germplasm Enhancement of Maize) project (Reg. no. GP-407 to GP-426, PI 639037 to PI 639056). These lines were developed by selfing and selecting variable F1s from variable source × US inbred crosses in North Carolina under standard nursery conditions, followed by a second selfing-selection season in Homestead, Florida, and a third selfing-selection season in a selection nursery in Raleigh (F2S2). The germplasm lines were selected on the basis of resistance to Fusarium ear rot (Gibberella moniliformis and Fusarium proliferatum) and anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola), resistance to lodging, early flowering, synchrony of silk and pollen production, and reduced plant and ear height. In trials conducted in 2001 and 2002, the germplasm lines recorded grain yields ranging from 11197 to 13596 kg/ha (compared with 11009 kg/ha for the control) and grain moisture content ranging from 185 to 212 g/kg (compared with 190 g/kg for the control).

Objectives of this study were to compare ethanol production between normal and waxy corn using a cold fermentation process and to understand effects of starch structures and properties on ethanol production. Ethanol yields positively correlated (p0.01) with starch contents of kernels of the normal and waxy corn. The average starch-ethanol conversion efficiency of waxy corn (93.0%) was substantially greater than that of normal corn (88.2%). Waxy corn starch consisted of very little amylose and mostly amylopectin that had a shorter average branch chain length than normal corn amylopectin. Regression analyses showed that average amylopectin branch chain lengths and percentage of long branch chains (DP37) of waxy corn starch negatively correlated with the starch hydrolysis rate and the ethanol yield. These results indicated that starch structures and properties of the normal and waxy corn had significant effects on the ethanol yield using a cold fermentation process.

Ear-colonizing insects and diseases that reduce yield and impose health threats by mycotoxin contaminations in the grain, are critical impediments for corn (Zea mays L.) production in the southern United States. Ten germplasm lines from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Program in Ames, IA, and Raleigh, NC, and 10 lines (derived from GEM germplasm) from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Lubbock, TX, were examined in 2007 and 2008 with local resistant and susceptible controls. Four types of insect damage and smut disease (Ustilago maydis) infection, as well as gene X environment (G X E) interaction, was assessed on corn ears under field conditions. Insect damage on corn ears was further separated as cob and kernel damage. Cob penetration rating was used to assess corn earworm [Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)] and fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)] feeding on corn cobs, whereas kernel damage was assessed using three parameters: 1) percentage of kernels discolored by stink bugs (i.e., brown stink bug [Euschistus serous (Say)], southern green stink bug [Nezara viridula (L.)], and green stink bug [Chinavia (Acrosternum) hilare (Say)]; 2) percentage of maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky)-damaged kernels; and 3) percentage of kernels damaged by sap beetle (Carpophilus spp.), "chocolate milkworm" (Moodna spp.), and pink scavenger caterpillar [Pyroderces (Anatrachyntis) rileyi (Walsingham)]. The smut infection rates on ears, tassels, and nodes also were assessed. Ear protection traits (i.e., husk tightness and extension) in relation to insect damage and smut infection also were examined. Significant differences in insect damage, smut infection, and husk protection traits were detected among the germplasm lines. Three of the 20 germplasm lines were identified as being multiple insect and smut resistant. Of the three lines, entries 5 and 7 were derived from DKXL370, which was developed using corn germplasm from Brazil, whereas entry 14 was derived from CUBA117.

The objective of this study was to understand the resistant-starch (RS) formation during kernel development of a high-amylose maize, GEMS-0067 line. The RS content of the starch, determined using AOAC method 991.43 for total dietary fiber, increased with kernel maturation and increase in the amylose/intermediate component (IC) content of the starch. Gelatinization of the native starches showed a major thermal transition with peak temperature at 76.6-81.0 degrees C. An additional peak ( approximately 97.1 degrees C) first appeared 20 days after pollination and then developed into a significant peak on later dates. After removal of lipids from the starch, this peak disappeared, but the conclusion gelatinization temperature remained the same. The proportion of the enthalpy change of the thermal transition above 95 degrees C, calculated from the thermogram of the defatted starch, increased with kernel maturation and was significantly correlated with the RS content of the starch (r = 0.98). These results showed that the increase in crystallites of amylose/IC long-chain double helices in the starch resulted in the increase in the RS content of the starch during kernel development.

Introduction The mission of the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project is to effectively increase the diversity of U.S. maize germplasm utilized by producers, global end-users, and consumers. The mission will be achieved through a collaborative effort between USDA-ARS and both public and private research scientists by utilizing exotic, public, and proprietary maize germplasm. The resulting germplasm and associated knowledge, derived via the identification and incorporation of favorable alleles for prioritized traits from exotic sources, is utilized in private and public breeding programs and ultimately contributes to increased genetic diversity of maize grown by producers and improved product performance. In addition, the GEM project provides opportunities for training plant scientists in the enhancement and utilization of un-adapted germplasm. This contributes to the global sustainability of agricultural production, economic stability, and the nutrition and well-being of society.

The Linfield College support desk was disorganized and inefficient. The number of Integrated Technologies (IT) department personnel had remained static while the staff, faculty, and student populations grew. We could not keep up with the growing demand for service, our work queues grew longer, and we could not stay on top of viruses and malware. Our mission was to reinvent the support desk to meet the growing needs of the campus community but we were technicians, not managers, and this project was outside of our experience.The resources available for our reinvention project were limited. The IT staff was few in number with only a couple of student workers for assistance. Money for IT infrastructure upgrades was scarce. We spent our time in crisis management rather than preventative maintenance.The Fall 2005 Special Interest Group on University and College Computing Services (SIGUCCS) conference presented a variety of new ideas that gave us the direction we needed to make our support desk project succeed. Returning to campus, we had a fresh perspective for our IT support desk. We automated our network security with Cisco Clean Access and developed an assembly line for repair work with increased student worker technicians. TheBrain™ software centralized support desk management and helped us develop an "on demand" phone support. The campus support desk now offers increased network security, a wider range of services and faster repair times.

The objectives of this study were to understand how the composition of corn kernels and starch structure affected the enzyme hydrolysis of starch in dry-grind corn and the ethanol yield from yeast fermentation. Four selected corn inbred lines were used in this study. Starch in uncooked dry-grind corn samples showed greater enzyme digestibility than did the uncooked starch isolated from the same source by wet-milling process. The greater digestibility of starch in uncooked dry-grind corn correlated with a physical damage of starch granules. In contrast, starch in cooked dry-grind corn samples displayed less enzyme digestibility than did the cooked isolated starch. The difference could be attributed to interference caused by non-starch components in the dry-grind corn. The entrapment of starch in protein matrix and the formation of amylose-lipid helical complexes and/or retrograded starch may decrease the enzyme digestibility of starch in cooked dry-grind corn. Lab-scale ethanol production showed that ethanol yield after 72 h fermentation of the four corn inbred lines ranged between 34.3 and 38.0 g ethanol/100 g dry-grind corn. The conversion efficiency at 72 h of fermentation ranged between 86.8 % and 90.3 % of the theoretical ethanol yield. The highest ethanol yield was found in the corn line containing the largest starch content and the smallest amounts of lipid and protein.