Predictors of gains in inductive reasoning strategies and everyday functioning: Results from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) Study

ABSTRACT Prior research demonstrates that some cognitive abilities (i.e., memory, speed of processing and reasoning) decline starting in the sixth decade of life. One mechanism underlying training interventions is cognitive strategies which can maintain or enhance abilities and associated everyday functioning. The present study focused on two research questions. First, does participation in reasoning strategy training lead to increased use of the strategies in performing reasoning tasks? Second, does participation in reasoning strategy training influence subsequent changes in indicators of everyday functioning over a five-year period? To address these issues data were analyzed from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study, a large 10-year investigation of the effects of teaching cognitive strategies to a healthy sample of older adults (Jobe et al., 2001). A total of 601 participants from that study who either received the reasoning training or were assigned to a no-treatment control group were included in the analyses. Regarding the first research question, hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the reasoning training was very effective in enhancing the use of strategies by participants. Additional analyses found that the intervention was most effective for participants who were younger, better educated, and White although all groups benefited from training. Regarding the second research question, the results of growth curve modeling analyses indicated receipt of the reasoning strategy training was not related to change in functioning over the five-year period among participants. These results indicate that, although the intervention was effective in enhancing the use of reasoning strategies, these changes did not generalize to everyday functioning among this sample of older adults. Implications of these results for enhancing the cognitive abilities of older adults and improving their functional status are discussed

Identification and characterization of leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum) related genes in domesticated wheat varieties in Mongolia

Wheat is recognized as the major crop among all cereals. For better quality and disease-free production, the current study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of genetic leaf rust resistance and fusarium head blight in nineteen genotypes of wheat, which are commonly grown in Mongolia. For example Khalkhgol-1, Darkhan-131, Darkhan-160, Darkhan-144, Orkhon, Darkhan-34, Darkhan-74, Darkhan-193, Altaiskaya-100, Darkhan-181, Darkhan-141, Buryatskaya osistiya, Darkhan-166, Buryatskaya-79, Buryatskaya-34, Selenge, Altaiskaya-530, Altaiskaya-325 and Altaiskaya jinitsa genotypes. The presence of Lr34 and Fhbt1 genes were evaluated for leaf rust and fusarium head blight respectively. Lr34 gene was reported in the Darkhan-160 and Darkhan-181 genotypes, while fusarium head blight was not reported in any of the genotype

Predicting phenological development in winter wheat

Accurate prediction of phenological development is important in the winter wheat Triticum aestivum agroecosystem. From a practical perspective, applications of pesticides and fertilizers are carried out at specific phenological stages. In crop-simulation modeling, the prediction of yield components (kernel number and kernel weight) and wheat-grain yield relies on accurate prediction of phenology. In this study, a nonlinear multiplicative model by Wang & Engel (WE) for predicting phenological development in differing winter wheat cultivars was evaluated using data from a 3 yr field experiment. In the vegetative phase (emergence to anthesis) the daily development rate (r) was simulated based on the product of a maximum development rate (Rmax) in the vegetative phase, a temperature response function [ƒ(T)], a photoperiod response function [ƒ(P)], and a vernalization response function [ƒ(V)]. ƒ(T) was a nonlinear function of the 3 cardinal temperatures for phenological development (minimum, Tmin, optimum, Topt, and maximum, Tmax). ƒ(P) was an exponential function of the actual and critical photoperiods and a sensitivity parameter unique to each cultivar. ƒ(V) was calculated using ƒ(T) based on the cardinal temperatures for vernalization (Tmin,vn, Topt,vn, and Tmax,vn). In the reproductive phase, r was simulated based on the product of Rmax for the reproductive phase and ƒ(T). Predictions from this nonlinear model were compared to predictions from the phenology submodel of CERES-Wheat V3.0 (CW3). The nonlinear model performed very well for predicting phenological development in the 3 winter wheat cultivars, the mean root mean square error (RMSE) ranged from 2.9 to 4.1 d from booting to maturity. For the CW3 model, the mean RMSE ranged from 4.8 to 5.9 d for the same phenological stages. The WE model predicted double ridge with a mean RMSE of 7.3 d. Both models predicted terminal spikelet with a mean RMSE ranging from 6.2 to 7.1 d. The WE model was generally a better predictor of phenology between booting and maturity than the CW3 model

Ablation of GalNAc-4-sulfotransferase-1 enhances reproduction by altering the carbohydrate structures of luteinizing hormone in mice

Luteinizing hormone (LH), produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary, is a member of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis that is required for production of the sex hormones estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. Perturbations in levels of hormones associated with this axis can result in defects in sexual development and maturity. LH bears unique N-linked carbohydrate units that terminate with a sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine structure (GalNAc-4-SO(4)) that mediates its clearance from the blood. To determine the significance of this terminal structure, we ablated the gene encoding the sulfotransferase responsible for sulfate addition to GalNAc on LH, GalNAc-4-sulfotransferase-1 (GalNAc-4-ST1) in mice. Mice lacking GalNAc-4-ST1 exhibited increased levels of circulating LH. In male mice, this resulted in elevated levels of testosterone and precocious maturation of testis and seminal vesicles. Female mice lacking GalNAc-4-ST1 demonstrated elevated estrogen levels and exhibited precocious sexual maturation and increased fecundity. Female mice remained in estrus for prolonged periods and produced almost 50% more litters per mouse than wild-type mice over the same period of time. Thus, sulfate modification of the terminal glycosylation of LH plays a central role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis in vivo