Tomato transcriptome and mutant analyses suggest a role for plant stress hormones in the interaction between fruit and Botrytis cinerea.

Fruit-pathogen interactions are a valuable biological system to study the role of plant development in the transition from resistance to susceptibility. In general, unripe fruit are resistant to pathogen infection but become increasingly more susceptible as they ripen. During ripening, fruit undergo significant physiological and biochemical changes that are coordinated by complex regulatory and hormonal signaling networks. The interplay between multiple plant stress hormones in the interaction between plant vegetative tissues and microbial pathogens has been documented extensively, but the relevance of these hormones during infections of fruit is unclear. In this work, we analyzed a transcriptome study of tomato fruit infected with Botrytis cinerea in order to profile the expression of genes for the biosynthesis, modification and signal transduction of ethylene (ET), salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abscisic acid (ABA), hormones that may be not only involved in ripening, but also in fruit interactions with pathogens. The changes in relative expression of key genes during infection and assays of susceptibility of fruit with impaired synthesis or perception of these hormones were used to formulate hypotheses regarding the involvement of these regulators in the outcome of the tomato fruit-B. cinerea interaction

The Pandemic and the Pre-School to Prison Pipeline: A Public-School Teacher\u27s Perspective

We simply do not have access to best practices for leading, teaching, and learning during a pandemic, as this experience is new. Quarantining, social distancing, teaching remotely, and learning from home have taught us so much about the endless possibilities of education. In this commentary, I share my perspective, as a public school teacher, on the connection between learning strategies implemented during the pandemic and the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Draft Genome Sequence of Botrytis cinerea BcDW1, Inoculum for Noble Rot of Grape Berries.

Botrytized wines are produced from grape berries infected by Botrytis cinerea under specific environmental conditions. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of B. cinerea BcDW1, a strain isolated from Sémillon grapes in Napa Valley in 1992 that is used with the intent to induce noble rot for botrytized wine production

An Investigation of Posttraumatic Growth Experienced By Parents After a Miscarriage

This quantitative study examined relationships between demographic and pregnancy loss related predictors and scores on the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996). Participants included 355 women and men who had experienced at least one miscarriage before January 1, 2018. Data were collected through an online survey that consisted of the 21-item PTGI and a demographic and pregnancy loss related factors information sheet. Demographic information collected included gender, age, ethnicity, race, annual household income, and relationship status. Pregnancy loss related factors collected included number of pregnancies, number of miscarriages, length of gestation, assistance with conceiving, and whether the participant sought formal mental health support after the loss. Data analysis included descriptive statistics related to demographics and pregnancy loss related factors, correlations, validity and reliability analyses, and multiple regression analyses. Findings indicate several relationships between factors and PTGI scores, as well as predictions made through multiple regression analyses. Finally, limitations and implications for future research are discussed

Inflation and Taxable Capacity: Some Recent Evidence

Colin Clark\u27s theory of inflation has had a profound effect on present-day economic theory concerning taxation policy. While his belief that inflation occurred when all tax revenues exceeded 25 percent of national income was rejected by his contemporaries in the 1940\u27s, supply-side economists incorporate Clark\u27s theory into their proposals for curing the unemployment and inflation of the 1970\u27s and 1980\u27s. These proposals gained popular support and resulted in the election of President Ronald Reagan who implemented such proposals. The purpose of this study is to determine the veracity of Clark\u27s theory. Clark\u27s theory was tested in this study with the use of regression analysis. The dependent variable, inflation, was measured as the percent change in the consumer price index. The consumer price index was chosen because it is a broad-based index that is representative of commodity and service prices and excludes labor costs. Measurement error was minimized by the use of annual CPI data. The independent variable is the ratio of total tax receipts as a percent of the officially reported national income. The preliminary run of the test was performed on the United States from 1941-1981 using ordinary least squares contained in the Econometric Software Package. Autocorrelation appeared in the regression and attempts to correct this failed. The modified test model used the rate of inflation acceleration (percent change in the inflation rate) as the dependent variable. This dependent variable exaggerates the magnitude of price changes, making the relationship more likely. The independent variable represented the elasticity coefficient of total tax receipts to national income (percent change in taxes divided by percent change in national income, expressed as a percentage). This independent variable is far more descriptive of the interaction between tax revenues and national income. The model was used to test Clark\u27s theory in Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States from 1963-1981. The regression results show that there is no relationship between the rate of inflation acceleration and the elasticity of total tax receipts and national income. On the basis of the regression analysis and the country by country statistical analysis, this study finds little evidence to support Clark\u27s theory of inflation. For this reason, the study recommends a re-examination of all policies that have been implemented on the basis of Clark\u27s theory or other similar theories of inflation

Institutional analysis of standard setting in the United States : a preliminary exploration

This paper, one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance, discusses standards and the standard setting process in the United States. Standards, and the manner in which standards are established, can play a significant role in facilitating or impeding the acceptance of solar technologies. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of standards for those concerned with ensuring the timely and appropriate acceptance of needed new energy sources in diverse economic and geographic sectors. The paper has three sections. The first provides a conceptual framework for understanding standards. The second section discusses a number of approaches for categorizing standards. Finally, the third section identifies the processes employed and the persons and organizations involved in the standards development process in the US.Prepared under Dept. of Energy Contract no. EX-76-A-01-2295, Task order no. 37

GIBAGADINAMAAGOOM: AN OJIBWE DIGITAL ARCHIVE

Gibagadinamaagoom, (To Bring to Life, to Sanction, to Give Permission), will bring together a diverse array of partners to discuss how state-of-the-art digital technology can be employed to translate ancient and sophisticated systems of traditional Ojibwe knowledge. Discussions will address the challenging, vitally important questions concerning how to design a digital archive that can be accessed using multiple interfaces. Partners include educational (including tribal colleges) and cultural institutions, native Ojibwe scholars, digital media experts, and a distinguished advisory board. These collaborative partners are well positioned to develop one of the most culturally sensitive Native American archives ever built. This project will contribute significantly to how digital technology can be used to revise academic, museum, and library protocols regarding cultural sensitivity, and enhance teaching and learning with a commitment to honor the cultural sovereignty of the Ojibwe

Researching cultures in science, engineering and technology: an analysis of current and past literature. Research Report Series for UKRC No.7

This report is a literature review of published research on the cultures of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) and the impact they have on women professionals employed in the sector. The report focuses primarily on the UK perspective, with reference to other Western countries where relevant

Using Clickers in Large College Psychology Classes: Academic Achievement and Perceptions

This research study explored the effects of the use of clicker technology as a means of formative assessment in large, college introductory psychology courses. Academic achievement, as measured by performance on tests of knowledge, was compared between students who used clickers and students that did not use clickers. There was a significant difference between the two groups, although a small effect was noted. Students using the clickers responded to survey items created to solicit information regarding student perceptions of increased understanding, ability to self-identify content deficits, fun, and financial value of clickers. Data from the survey indicated that the majority of students perceived the usage of clickers increased their understanding of and ability to self-identify concept areas. All of the students reported that using clickers was fun, although approximately only one third of those same students reported that purchasing a clicker was worthwhile. Implications for administrators are discussed and alternative technologies are explored

Developmental Parameters of a Southern Mountain Pine Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Population Reveal Potential Source of Latitudinal Differences in Generation Time

Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae, Hopkins) is a major disturbance agent in pine ecosystems of western North America. Adaptation to local climates has resulted in primarily univoltine generation time across a thermally diverse latitudinal gradient. We hypothesized that voltinism patterns have been shaped by selection for slower developmental rates in southern populations inhabiting warmer climates. To investigate traits responsible for latitudinal differences we measured lifestage-specific development of southern mountain pine beetle eggs, larvae and pupae across a range of temperatures. Developmental rate curves were fit using maximum posterior likelihood estimation with a Bayesian prior to improve fit stability. When compared to previously published data for a northern population (Régnière et al. 2012), optimal development of southern individuals occurred at higher temperatures, with higher development thresholds, as compared with northern individuals. Observed developmental rates of the southern and northern populations were similar across studied lifestages at 20 °C, and southern lifestages were generally faster at temperature extremes (10, 27 °C). At 25 °C southern fourth instars were significantly slower than northern fourth instars. Our results suggest that evolved traits in the fourth instar and remaining unstudied lifestage, teneral (i.e., pre-emergent) adult, likely influence latitudinal differences in mountain pine beetle generation time