The factors that influence learner participation at the Johannesburg Department of City Power

ABSTRACT Globalisation and a continuous advancement in technology have necessitated a need for employees to be trained and re-trained. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence learner participation in the Adult Basic Education and Training programmes offered at the Johannesburg Department of City Power (Reuven). These include factors such as motivation, retention and barriers experienced by adult learners that are pertinent to learner participation. Data for the study was collected from ABET level 3 and 4 learners by means of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The following emerged as pertinent factors influencing learner participation at City Power: a) personal development, b) language, c) support structures, d) the standby/shift system and e) remuneration

Regulation of the yeast DNA replication genes through the Mlu I cell cycle box is dependent on SWI6

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, at least 17 DNA replication genes are coordinately expressed at the G_1/S boundary during the cell cycle. All of these genes have the DNA sequence element ACGCGT in their 5' upstream regulatory regions. This sequence has been shown to be essential for periodic expression of the POL1, CDC9, and TMP1 genes. The cyclin (CLN1 and CLN2) and HO genes are another subset of genes that are expressed with the same timing as the DNA replication genes. Their periodic expression requires the participation of two well-characterized transcriptional activators: the SWI4 and SWI6 gene products. In this study, we present evidence that SWI6 contributes to the regulation of DNA replication genes as well. Surprisingly, a preferential requirement for SWI6 over SWI4 is observed in our studies of ACGCGT-dependent reporter gene expression in vivo. This selectivity has not been observed for the other G_1/S genes. Correlating with the in vivo results, protein-DNA complexes formed in vitro on multimeric ACGCGT elements are either abolished or reduced in swi6Δ deletion mutants

Q&A: Epistasis

Molecular and Cellular Biolog

Aboriginal girls circle: enhancing connectedness and promoting resilience for Aboriginal girls

This report presents an evaluation of the Aboriginal Girls’ Circle, an intervention targeted to increase social connection, participation and self-confidence amongst Aboriginal girls attending secondary schools. Overview The Aboriginal Girls’ Circle (AGC) is an intervention targeted to increase social connection, participation and self- confidence amongst Aboriginal girls attending secondary schools. Researchers from the University of Western Sydney (UWS)’s School of Education sought to evaluate the AGC pilot undertaken at Dubbo College and to provide recommendations for the program’s further development. The following specific aims were outlined for this pilot research. 1. To determine the effects of the AGC for participants’ resilience, connectedness, self-concept and cultural identity, 2. To investigate and track the development of culturally appropriate tools and methods for measuring these constructs, and 3. To evaluate the relative effectiveness of various components of the program and implementation processes. Ethical protocols for working with Aboriginal communities were an important aspect of the research design, which was approved by the UWS Human Research Ethics Committee and by the by the NSW Department of Education and Communities. The research was undertaken in two stages, beginning with a consultation process that sought the views of community Elders, the AGC program developers and key school-based personnel. The first stage of the research involved field observations of the AGC in action, together with a series of interviews and focus groups involving participants, group leaders, community Elders and school staff. The second stage used quantitative methods to measure the effects of the program on key variables relating to student connectedness, resilience, cultural identity and self-concept

GSA Launches G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics

We are proud to present the inaugural issue of G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics, an open-access journal published by the Genetics Society of America (GSA). The journal’s team of over 60 associate editors and 4 section editors, all practicing scientists—your peers—have come together to form a new, open-access journal with a unique mission and vision. The Editorial Board of G3 taps the expertise of the community of geneticists in the widest sense, from microbes to humans, from individuals to populations, and from classic “wet lab” experimentation to the most recent innovations in bioinformatics

Genome-wide analysis in human colorectal cancer cells reveals ischemia-mediated expression of motility genes via DNA hypomethylation

DNA hypomethylation is an important epigenetic modification found to occur in many different cancer types, leading to the upregulation of previously silenced genes and loss of genomic stability. We previously demonstrated that hypoxia and hypoglycaemia (ischemia), two common micro-environmental changes in solid tumours, decrease DNA methylation through the downregulation of DNMTs in human colorectal cancer cells. Here, we utilized a genome-wide cross-platform approach to identify genes hypomethylated and upregulated by ischemia. Following exposure to hypoxia or hypoglycaemia, methylated DNA from human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) was immunoprecipitated and analysed with an Affymetrix promoter array. Additionally, RNA was isolated and analysed in parallel with an Affymetrix expression array. Ingenuity pathway analysis software revealed that a significant proportion of the genes hypomethylated and upregulated were involved in cellular movement, including PLAUR and CYR61. A Matrigel invasion assay revealed that indeed HCT116 cells grown in hypoxic or hypoglycaemic conditions have increased mobility capabilities. Confirmation of upregulated expression of cellular movement genes was performed with qPCR. The correlation between ischemia and metastasis is well established in cancer progression, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for this common observation have not been clearly identified. Our novel data suggests that hypoxia and hypoglycaemia may be driving changes in DNA methylation through downregulation of DNMTs. This is the first report to our knowledge that provides an explanation for the increased metastatic potential seen in ischemic cells; i.e. that ischemia could be driving DNA hypomethylation and increasing expression of cellular movement genes. © 2014 Skowronski et al

Systematic genetic array analysis links the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SAGA/SLIK and NuA4 component Tra1 to multiple cellular processes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tra1 is an essential 437-kDa component of the <it>Saccharomyces cerevisiae </it>SAGA/SLIK and NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complexes. It is a member of a group of key signaling molecules that share a carboxyl-terminal domain related to phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase but unlike many family members, it lacks kinase activity. To identify genetic interactions for <it>TRA1 </it>and provide insight into its function we have performed a systematic genetic array analysis (SGA) on <it>tra1</it>_{<it>SRR</it>3413}, an allele that is defective in transcriptional regulation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The SGA analysis revealed 114 synthetic slow growth/lethal (SSL) interactions for <it>tra1</it>_{<it>SRR</it>3413}. The interacting genes are involved in a range of cellular processes including gene expression, mitochondrial function, and membrane sorting/protein trafficking. In addition many of the genes have roles in the cellular response to stress. A hierarchal cluster analysis revealed that the pattern of SSL interactions for <it>tra1</it>_{<it>SRR</it>3413}most closely resembles deletions of a group of regulatory GTPases required for membrane sorting/protein trafficking. Consistent with a role for Tra1 in cellular stress, the <it>tra1</it>_{<it>SRR</it>3413}strain was sensitive to rapamycin. In addition, calcofluor white sensitivity of the strain was enhanced by the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine, a phenotype shared with the Ada components of the SAGA/SLIK complex. Through analysis of a GFP-Tra1 fusion we show that Tra1 is principally localized to the nucleus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have demonstrated a genetic association of Tra1 with nuclear, mitochondrial and membrane processes. The identity of the SSL genes also connects Tra1 with cellular stress, a result confirmed by the sensitivity of the <it>tra1</it>_{<it>SRR</it>3413}strain to a variety of stress conditions. Based upon the nuclear localization of GFP-Tra1 and the finding that deletion of the Ada components of the SAGA complex result in similar phenotypes as <it>tra1</it>_{<it>SRR</it>3413}, we suggest that the effects of <it>tra1</it>_{<it>SRR</it>3413}are mediated, at least in part, through its role in the SAGA complex.</p

A genome-wide synthetic dosage lethality screen reveals multiple pathways that require the functioning of ubiquitin-binding proteins Rad23 and Dsk2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ubiquitin regulates a myriad of important cellular processes through covalent attachment to its substrates. A classic role for ubiquitin is to flag proteins for destruction by the proteasome. Recent studies indicate that ubiquitin-binding proteins (e.g. Rad23, Dsk2, Rpn10) play a pivotal role in transferring ubiquitylated proteins to the proteasome. However, the specific role of these ubiquitin receptors remains poorly defined. A key to unraveling the functions of these ubiquitin receptors is to identify their cellular substrates and biological circuits they are involved in. Although many strategies have been developed for substrate isolation, the identification of physiological targets of proteolytic pathways has proven to be quite challenging.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using a genome-wide functional screen, we have identified 11 yeast genes that cause slower growth upon their overexpression in cells lacking two ubiquitin-binding proteins Rad23 and Dsk2. Our results suggest that proper functioning of Rad23 and Dsk2 is required for efficient pheromone response, transcription, amino acid metabolism, and DNA damage response. Two proteins identified by the screen are shown to be proteolytic substrates of Dsk2, validating the large scale synthetic dosage lethality screen as a new strategy for identifying substrates of a specific degradation pathway.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, as proof-of-concept, we show that a synthetic dosage lethality screen, which is based on the toxicity induced by gene overexpression, offers an effective, complementary method to elucidating biological functions of proteolytic pathways.</p

ALMA Observations of the Largest Proto-Planetary Disk in the Orion Nebula, 114-426: A CO Silhouette

We present ALMA observations of the largest protoplanetary disk in the Orion Nebula, 114-426. Detectable 345 GHz (856 micron) dust continuum is produced only in the 350 AU central region of the ~1000 AU diameter silhouette seen against the bright H-alpha background in HST images. Assuming optically thin dust emission at 345 GHz, a gas-to-dust ratio of 100, and a grain temperature of 20 K, the disk gas-mass is estimated to be 3.1 +/- 0.6 Jupiter masses. If most solids and ices have have been incorporated into large grains, however, this value is a lower limit. The disk is not detected in dense-gas tracers such as HCO+ J=4-3, HCN J=4-3, or CS =7-6. These results may indicate that the 114-426 disk is evolved and depleted in some light organic compounds found in molecular clouds. The CO J=3-2 line is seen in absorption against the bright 50 to 80 K background of the Orion A molecular cloud over the full spatial extent and a little beyond the dust continuum emission. The CO absorption reaches a depth of 27 K below the background CO emission at VLSR ~6.7 km/s about 0.52 arcseconds (210 AU) northeast and 12 K below the background CO emission at VLSR ~ 9.7 km/s about 0.34 arcseconds (140 AU) southwest of the suspected location of the central star, implying that the embedded star has a mass less than 1 Solar mass .Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure