The COVID-19 pandemic caused many colleges to quickly shift to virtual learning, leading students to rely on technology to complete coursework while also experiencing new situations and stressors. The present study explored students’ technology use in their online course in conjunction with several student outcomes and individual difference measures. Ninety-six undergraduate students were surveyed about devices used and their perceptions of those devices. In addition, the survey measured students’ engagement, motivation, procrastination, perceived stress, and self-efficacy. It also asked students to report their current grade as well as how satisfied and isolated they felt in their course. Relationships emerged in predictable ways between course outcomes and individual difference measures. And though laptops were most used for coursework, more smartphone use related to lower feelings of isolation. Lower feelings of isolation then related to higher grades and less stress. Regression analyses confirmed that smartphone use explained unique variance in feelings of isolation, and further revealed that perceived stress consistently predicted all outcomes. From these results and complementary qualitative survey data, it seems that both laptops and smartphones hold importance for academics in the current context. Educators should further explore the role of device in students’ experience as well as consider this information when designing online courses.

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Placental and fetal development are influenced by paternal genes. Doppler ultrasonography was performed on pregnant ewes to examine the effect of sire on fetal and placental blood flow parameters. Twenty Suffolk ewes were randomly assigned to either a Suffolk ram or a Texel ram. Only ewes carrying twins were used for the study. Ultrasound exams were performed at 60, 90, and 120 (± 3) days post-breeding. Umbilical artery and fetal aorta blood-flow velocities, and aorta vessel diameter were measured. Blood flow velocities were used to calculate the resistance index (RI), which was used for statistical analysis (Glimmix, SAS). Gestational age and weight at birth were recorded. There were 5 Suffolk x Suffolk (SxS) and 6 Suffolk x Texel (SxT) ewes carrying twins to term. For umbilical artery RI, there was no significant (P < 0.05) effect of breed; there was significant effect of time (0.89 ± 0.03a; 0.63 ± 0.03b; 0.59 ± 0.03b LSM ± SE for days 60, 90, and 120 respectively); and there was no interaction. For aorta RI, there was no significant effect of breed; there was significant effect of time (0.73 ± 0.03a; 0.67 ± 0.03ab; 0.63 ± 0.03b for days 60, 90, and 120 respectively); and there was no interaction. For aorta diameter, the effect of breed approached significance (P = 0.054), SxS had a larger average diameter (0.50 ± 0.02 cm) than SxT (0.45 ± 0.01 cm); there was significant effect of time (0.24 ± 0.03a; 0.46 ± 0.02b; 0.72 ± 0.02c cm for days 60; 90; and 120 respectively); and there was no interaction. There were no significant differences between sires for weight or gestational age at birth. The results correspond with the changes in fetal and placental vascular resistance over time; however, further research is needed to expand our knowledge on the effect of sire.