Johnsonian gleanings.

Bibliographical footnotes.

Identification of dopamine receptors across the extant avian family tree and analysis with other clades uncovers a polyploid expansion among vertebrates.

Dopamine is an important central nervous system transmitter that functions through two classes of receptors (D1 and D2) to influence a diverse range of biological processes in vertebrates. With roles in regulating neural activity, behavior, and gene expression, there has been great interest in understanding the function and evolution dopamine and its receptors. In this study, we use a combination of sequence analyses, microsynteny analyses, and phylogenetic relationships to identify and characterize both the D1 (DRD1A, DRD1B, DRD1C, and DRD1E) and D2 (DRD2, DRD3, and DRD4) dopamine receptor gene families in 43 recently sequenced bird genomes representing the major ordinal lineages across the avian family tree. We show that the common ancestor of all birds possessed at least seven D1 and D2 receptors, followed by subsequent independent losses in some lineages of modern birds. Through comparisons with other vertebrate and invertebrate species we show that two of the D1 receptors, DRD1A and DRD1B, and two of the D2 receptors, DRD2 and DRD3, originated from a whole genome duplication event early in the vertebrate lineage, providing the first conclusive evidence of the origin of these highly conserved receptors. Our findings provide insight into the evolutionary development of an important modulatory component of the central nervous system in vertebrates, and will help further unravel the complex evolutionary and functional relationships among dopamine receptors.

Woodruff Family fonds, 1784 – 1983, (non-inclusive)

The Woodruff Family Collection: From the time the Woodruff Family came to Canada from the United States in 1795, they took an active role in the forming of their communities both in a civic and social manner. This is evident through the documents contained in this collection. The Woodruffs played an active role in the battles fought in Upper Canada and they were an integral part of the Village of St. Davids. They were educated, business-minded and socially engaged. They accumulated much of their fortune through land dealings. Much of this collection focuses on Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff who was principally a businessman. His dedication to his work is shown through his numerous undertakings. He made his mark on the Niagara Peninsula through his work on the railways, roads, marsh land revisions, canals and the paper industry. He was also involved with the founding of the Long Point Company and he took control of building DeVeaux Hall down to the last detail. His offspring inherited his work ethic and his business acumen. The people who married into the Woodruff Family also possessed key social, political and business ties. Anne and Margaret Clement were from a staunch Loyalist background. Samuel Zimmerman was instrumental to the founding of Niagara Falls and Judge Samuel DeVeaux left behind a legacy for poor and homeless boys in Niagara Falls, New York. The Woodruff Family undoubtedly left a mark on the Niagara Peninsula. This collection brings to light many endeavours of the family and their varied contributions.

Letters from William Tudor to his family,

Four letters written from St. Pierre, Martinique, Basseterre, Guadalupe, and St. Barts. In one letter written over a number of days, he describes extensively his travels in Antigua, and the various people he met, including Captain William Jarvis. He also details his meeting with Ralph Payne, 1st Baron Lavington, the governor of the Leeward Islands, regarding the prospects of importing ice.

Letters from William Tudor to his mother, Delia Jarvis Tudor,

Three letters written to his mother about items of clothing he wishes to have and an electrical shock machine his father had sent the family from England. Two letters written while he was apparently visiting Robert Hallowell Gardiner before his marriage to Tudor’s sister, Emma.

Letters from William Tudor to his mother, Delia Jarvis Tudor,

Four letters written from London and Bordeaux in which Tudor relays his impressions of the London weather, and seeds and plants he will send home to Rockwood, as well as details about his capture by a French privateer.

Letters from William Tudor to his mother, Delia Jarvis Tudor,

Four letters written from Paris, in which he describes his capture by a French privateer and discusses virtues and vices of French society and culture. He also relays details about social visits, including a meeting with the Marquis de Lafayette. Included is an undated list of packages and trunks he was sending home. Content is obscured in some places from loss, and dates are missing from two of the letters, but presumably they were sent in the summer of 1800.

Letters from Delia Jarvis Tudor to her son, William Tudor,

Three letters addressed to Tudor at Oaklands. Mrs. Tudor recounts social gatherings and various conversations in detail, local gossip, and the activities of family members.

Letters from William Tudor to his mother, Delia Jarvis Tudor,

Four letters written to his mother while she was traveling in Europe with sister Delia. He provides updates on the well being and activities of his siblings and father, including a coal mining venture undertaken by brother Frederic at Gay Head, Martha’s Vineyard. He also reports on the "miserable" state of the family’s finances and suggests marrying sister Delia to an Englishman with a fortune.

Letters from William Tudor to his mother, Delia Jarvis Tudor,

Two letters in which Tudor describes a visit he made to a church, and relays the news that his father had lost his office of secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Letters from Delia Jarvis Tudor to her son, William Tudor,

Three letters containing details about Mrs. Tudor’s travels to the Hudson Valley estates of Governor Morgan Lewis and former New York Chancellor Robert Livingston, and New Haven, Connecticut, as well as gossip and news about family friends.

Letters from William Tudor to his mother, Delia Jarvis Tudor,

Two letters written from Birmingham, England, in which Tudor describes the town and his lodgings: "My establishment consists of a woman cook well recommended, [and] a housemaid....I am looking out for a cat, and have already a Newfoundland dog of Herculean dimensions." He also writes of his plans to leave England for New York.

Letters from Delia Jarvis Tudor to her son, William Tudor,

Four letters written from Gardiner, Maine. In one she expresses her grief following the death of her husband, and other letters offer her recollections of his role in the American Revolution.

Letters from Delia Jarvis Tudor to her son, William Tudor,

Four letters written from Gardiner, Maine, describing the activities of the family and comings and goings of the Tudor siblings. Several allude to the financial difficulties of Tudor’s sister, Delia, while her husband was at sea. One letter includes a missive from Robert Hallowell Gardiner.