Seed Production Affects Maternal Growth and Senescence in Arabidopsis

Correlative control (influence of one organ over another organ) of seeds over maternal growth is one of the most obvious phenotypic expressions of the trade-off between growth and reproduction. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we characterize the physiological and molecular effects of correlative inhibition by seeds on Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) inflorescences, i.e. global proliferative arrest (GPA) during which all maternal growth ceases upon the production of a given number of seeds. We observed transcriptional responses to growth- and branching-inhibitory hormones, and low mitotic activity in meristems upon GPA, but found that meristems retain their identity and proliferative potential. In shoot tissues, we detected the induction of stress- and senescence-related gene expression upon fruit production and GPA, and a drop in chlorophyll levels, suggestive of altered source-sink relationships between vegetative shoot and reproductive tissues. Levels of shoot reactive oxygen species, however, strongly decreased upon GPA, a phenomenon that is associated with bud dormancy in some perennials. Indeed, gene expression changes in arrested apical inflorescences after fruit removal resembled changes observed in axillary buds following release from apical dominance. This suggests that GPA represents a form of bud dormancy, and that dominance is gradually transferred from growing inflorescences to maturing seeds, allowing offspring control over maternal resources, simultaneously restricting offspring number. This would provide a mechanistic explanation for the constraint between offspring quality and quantity

Soil Moisture Data for the Validation of Permafrost Models Using Direct and Indirect Measurement Approaches at Three Alpine Sites

To date, there has been no comprehensive review of the epidemiology, risk factors, species distribution, and outcomes of candidemia in Iran. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all reported candidemia cases in Iran until December 2015. The review process occurred in three steps, namely a literature search, data extraction and statistical analyses. After a comprehensive literature search, we identified 55 cases. The mean age of patients was 46.80±24.30 years (range 1–81 years). The main risk factors for candidemia were surgery and burns (23.6%), followed by malignancies (20%), use of broad-spectrum antibiotics (18.2%), and diabetes (7.3%). Candida parapsilosis (n=17, 30.8%) was the leading agent, followed by Candida albicans (n=15, 27.3%), Candida glabrata (n=10, 18.2%), and Candida tropicalis (n=8, 14.5%). The frequencies of candidemia cases due to C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. albicans were significantly higher among patients aged>60, 21–40, and 41–60 years, respectively. Comparison of risk factors for candidemia by multiple logistic regression showed that one of the most important risk factors was surgery (OR: 4.245; 95% CI: 1.141–15.789; P=0.031). The outcome was recorded in only 19 cases and 13 of those patients (68.4%) expired. This study confirms that knowledge of the local epidemiology is important when conducting surveillance studies to prevent and control candidemia and will be of interest for antifungal stewardship

Decolonizing the contact hypothesis: A critical interpretation of settler youths’ experiences of immersion in Indigenous communities in Canada

This case study explores non-Indigenous youths’ experiences of cultural immersion in Indigenous communities in Canada. This research acknowledges and situates itself in the socio-political context of Aboriginal-Settler relations, drawing upon historical and recent impediments to these relations, with an emphasis on continued colonial injustices to Indigenous communities. As such, a critical post-colonial emancipatory paradigm is adopted in understanding the theoretical framework of the contact hypothesis. In this study, two groups of youth composed of undergraduate university students participated in a series of focus groups and interviews, while keeping journals about their experiences in an Indigenous community-immersion program. Participants’ experiences of immersion benefitted their relationship to Indigenous community through the personal connections they formed with the community and the heightened awareness they developed related to diversity among Indigenous communities and the challenges facing their hosts. Findings suggest potential areas of social intervention that could ameliorate relations and foster intercultural understanding, while also highlighting critical considerations for intercontact theory. Furthermore, it is proposed that the contact hypothesis can, ironically enough, be used to decolonize Canadian youth

Expectations and Experiences of Substitute Teachers

This article explores the expectations of support for and the experiences of substitute teachers in an urban school division in Saskatchewan. Data were collected in semistructured interviews with seven substitute teachers. The purpose of the study was to explore how substitute teachers frame their professional experiences and construct their roles in complex institutional contexts. The findings indicate that although participants view some of their work as highly positive, there are significant observable tensions in their professional lives. Work satisfactions and dissatisfactions of substitute teachers are discussed. Overall, results indicate a number of issues: substitute teachers are an integral part of the education system; professional teacher associations, although theoretically acknowledging the professional membership of substitute teachers, do not include them in professional activities; school divisions are ultimately responsible for the work of substitute teachers; and the future seems bleak for those who believe they have been condemned to the substitute list.Cet article évoque les expériences d’enseignants suppléants et leurs attentes quant à l’appui dans un district scolaire urbain en Saskatchewan. La cueillette de données s’est effectuée par des entrevues semi-structurées auprès de sept enseignants suppléants. L’objectif de l’étude était de découvrir la façon dont les enseignants suppléants interprètent leurs expériences professionnelles et construisent leurs rôles au sein de contextes institutionnels complexes. Les résultats indiquent que même si les participants perçoivent de façon très positive certains éléments de leur travail, leur vie professionnelle comporte des tensions significatives. De façon générale, les enjeux suivants ressortent des résultat : les enseignants suppléants font partie intégrante du système éducatif; quoique les associations professionnelles d’enseignants reconnaissent, en théorie, l’affiliation professionnelle des enseignants suppléants, elles ne les intègrent pas dans les activités professionnelles; les divisions scolaires sont responsables en dernier ressort du travail des enseignants suppléants; l’avenir ne s’annonce pas très prometteur pour ceux qui croient avoir été relégués à la liste des enseignants suppléants

Hubungan Keadaan Rumah Sehat Dengan Angka Kejadian Balita Bawah Garis Merah (Bgm) Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Harapan Baru

Tujuan studi: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat apakah ada hubungan antara keadaan rumah sehat dengan angka kejadian balita bawah garis merah diwilayah kerja Puskesmas Harapan Baru Kota Samarinda. Metodologi: Metode penelitian ini dengan metode kuantitatif dengan cross sectional. Sampel dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 56 responden dipilih dengan consecutive sampling. Analisa dengan menggunakan Chi-Square  Hasil: Terdapat hubungan antara keadaan rumah sehat  dengan angka kejadian balita bawah garis merah diwilayah kerja Puskesmas Harapan Baru Kota Samarinda, dikarenakan kondisi rumah dan perilaku penghuni rumah berpengaruh terhadap kesehatan balita.. Manfaat: sebagai acuan bagi peneliti selanjutnya dan juga untuk mengetahui gambaran kondisi rumah balita bawah garis merah (BGM)

From Passive Recipient to Community Advocate: Reflections on Peer-Based Resettlement Programs for Arabic-Speaking Refugees in Canada

The current study explores the impacts of peer support programs on recently resettled refugees to Canada. This research uses qualitative data that was collected from service users as part of a broader formative evaluation of a regional mental health initiative; the Promise of Partnership. This initiative arose from a need to proactively address the resettlement issues experienced by refugees in the Region of Waterloo. The analysis focusses specifically on the impacts to refugees involved in Arabic-speaking peer support groups as understood through the theoretical framework of the ecological model. Findings from the analysis locate key benefits to participants across the interpersonal, organizational, and community levels of the model, revealing the interwoven and impactful nature of peer support amongst participants and their broader community. Given the unprecedented influx of Syrian refugees to Canada, we argue for the continued implementation of peer support groups as a source of mental wellness promotion, empowerment, and a broadened sense of community

From Passive Recipient to Community Advocate: Reflections on Peer-Based Resettlement Programs for Arabic-Speaking Refugees in Canada

The current study explores the impacts of peer support programs on recently resettled refugees to Canada. This research uses qualitative data that was collected from service users as part of a broader formative evaluation of a regional mental health initiative; the Promise of Partnership. This initiative arose from a need to proactively address the resettlement issues experienced by refugees in the Region of Waterloo. The analysis focusses specifically on the impacts to refugees involved in Arabic-speaking peer support groups as understood through the theoretical framework of the ecological model. Findings from the analysis locate key benefits to participants across the interpersonal, organizational, and community levels of the model, revealing the interwoven and impactful nature of peer support amongst participants and their broader community. Given the unprecedented influx of Syrian refugees to Canada, we argue for the continued implementation of peer support groups as a source of mental wellness promotion, empowerment, and a broadened sense of community