Light-regulated plant growth and development.

Plants are sessile and photo-autotrophic; their entire life cycle is thus strongly influenced by the ever-changing light environment. In order to sense and respond to those fluctuating conditions higher plants possess several families of photoreceptors that can monitor light from UV-B to the near infrared (far-red). The molecular nature of UV-B sensors remains unknown, red (R) and far-red (FR) light is sensed by the phytochromes (phyA-phyE in Arabidopsis) while three classes of UV-A/blue photoreceptors have been identified: cryptochromes, phototropins, and members of the Zeitlupe family (cry1, cry2, phot1, phot2, ZTL, FKF1, and LKP2 in Arabidopsis). Functional specialization within photoreceptor families gave rise to members optimized for a wide range of light intensities. Genetic and photobiological studies performed in Arabidopsis have shown that these light sensors mediate numerous adaptive responses (e.g., phototropism and shade avoidance) and developmental transitions (e.g., germination and flowering). Some physiological responses are specifically triggered by a single photoreceptor but in many cases multiple light sensors ensure a coordinated response. Recent studies also provide examples of crosstalk between the responses of Arabidopsis to different external factors, in particular among light, temperature, and pathogens. Although the different photoreceptors are unrelated in structure, in many cases they trigger similar signaling mechanisms including light-regulated protein-protein interactions or light-regulated stability of several transcription factors. The breath and complexity of this topic forced us to concentrate on specific aspects of photomorphogenesis and we point the readers to recent reviews for some aspects of light-mediated signaling (e.g., transition to flowering)

Deflectable beam linear strip cesium contact ion thruster system

Deflectable dual beam, linear strip cesium contact, ion thruster system design and performance testin

Florida reef health from 2012 to 2017 : major indicators of ocean index fluctuation

Between 2012 and 2017, the health and resilience of the third largest barrier reef in the world, lining Florida's coastline, has deteriorated significantly. The Ocean Health Index (OHI) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) have observed and communicated these trends. The United States OHI value for the previous six years has averaged 68 out of 100, ranking 109 of the 221 countries analyzed. Additionally, NOAA climate data suggests three subfactors directly relating to oceans (temperature, ocean heat, and sea level) have been steadily rising each of the preceding six years. In order to capture how Florida residents perceive these threats to the reef, I traveled to southeastern Florida to interview community members on their experience with the reefs and what changes they have noticed in recent reef health. I chose to interview individuals with scuba diving backgrounds, as they have direct access to the ocean's environments and are familiar with regular fluctuations in populations, coral cover, and recreational behaviors. Interview results suggest in the context of recreation, while oceanic activities are valuable economically, uninformed participants can exercise behaviors that have a negative impact on marine life. Alternatively, in the context of climate change, interview results suggested that beyond bleaching events, natural disaster intensity has a detrimental effect on corals even if it stirs up lower temperatures in the water. To combat these challenges, stewards of Florida's reefs suggest to further educate the community and visitors on reef impacts of recreational activities and to participate in restoration efforts following a storm or bleaching event. To actively participate in this conversation, I invested in one of the efforts, community and visitor education, by developing a website where the results of my preliminary research and interviews surrounding Florida's reef health are outlined in a user-friendly interface.Honors CollegeThesis (B.?

Deletion of the trpc4 gene and its role in simple and complex strategic learning

The TRPC4 ion channel is expressed extensively in corticolimbic and a subpopulation of midbrain dopamine neurons. While TRPC4 knockout (KO) rats exhibit reduced sociability and social exploration, little is known about the role of TRPC4 in motivation and learning. To identify a function for TRPC4 channels in learning processes  we tested TRPC4 KO and normal wild type (WT) rats. TRPC4 KO and WT rats exhibited no differences in Y-­maze learning or simple discrimination learning. Furthermore, on a more complex serial reversal shift task designed  to assess strategic learning where the reward and non-­reward cues were repeatedly reversed between training sessions both TRPC4 KO and WT rats   performed equally well. Finally, we found no   performance differences when using a conditional reversal shift task where a tone signals the reversal of reward and non-reward cues within sessions. These data suggest that although TRPC4 channels may play a role in social interaction/anxiety  they exert a minimal role in simple and complex strategic learning

Nuclear phytochrome a signaling promotes phototropism in Arabidopsis.

Phototropin photoreceptors (phot1 and phot2 in Arabidopsis thaliana) enable responses to directional light cues (e.g., positive phototropism in the hypocotyl). In Arabidopsis, phot1 is essential for phototropism in response to low light, a response that is also modulated by phytochrome A (phyA), representing a classical example of photoreceptor coaction. The molecular mechanisms underlying promotion of phototropism by phyA remain unclear. Most phyA responses require nuclear accumulation of the photoreceptor, but interestingly, it has been proposed that cytosolic phyA promotes phototropism. By comparing the kinetics of phototropism in seedlings with different subcellular localizations of phyA, we show that nuclear phyA accelerates the phototropic response, whereas in the fhy1 fhl mutant, in which phyA remains in the cytosol, phototropic bending is slower than in the wild type. Consistent with this data, we find that transcription factors needed for full phyA responses are needed for normal phototropism. Moreover, we show that phyA is the primary photoreceptor promoting the expression of phototropism regulators in low light (e.g., PHYTOCHROME KINASE SUBSTRATE1 [PKS1] and ROOT PHOTO TROPISM2 [RPT2]). Although phyA remains cytosolic in fhy1 fhl, induction of PKS1 and RPT2 expression still occurs in fhy1 fhl, indicating that a low level of nuclear phyA signaling is still present in fhy1 fhl

Analisis Dan Optimasi Simpang Bersinyal Semi Koordinasi Dengan Menggunakan Synchro 7.0

The change of used areas in Siliwangi road, from settlement to be the centre of business – service, industrials and office, will appear traffic movement in Krapyak and Tol Krapyak – Jatingaleh intersection. Moreover there will be some problem on traffic phenomena as traffic jam, time of delay, air pollution that increase, accident and other traffic problem that will cause lose time, fuel use, and cost. This study aims to analyzed the performance of Krapyak intersection and Tol Krapyak – Jatingaleh intersection, it should be changed the traffic management and geometric research to minimized the traffic jam and air pollution on both intersection. The pattern of the movement of the road beside both intersection can be obtained by using origin – destination matrix (ODM). The advantage of this method in which the vehicle volume and the value of obstacle in each intersection, the pattern traffic movement can be gained. Of course it will minimized the cost, time, human resources. The performance of the intersection will be measure and analyzed using Synchro 7.0 from America. The advantage of this program is able to stimulate planning yield and easy to operate as well. The alternated solution from this study is to broaden road lines of 3,5 meter on each intersection and the alternated road for vehicle to public transportation in the value of 40%. The result of this analyzed in existing condition is measured by DS value on Krapyak intersection 1,29; emission of CO 2089 gram and in Tol Krapyak – Jatingaleh is of 1,41; emission CO 1903 gram. The broaden of road line (3,5 meter) the value DS Krapyak intersection 0,73 (decrease 43,3%); emission CO 2293 gram (increase 8,89%) in Tol Krapyak – Jatingaleh intersection the value DS 0,74 (decrease 47,5%); emission CO 1899 gram (decrease 0,21%). The assumption of the change of private to public transportation of 40% the value DS in Krapyak intersection 0,71% (decrease 44,9%); emission CO 1353 gram (decrease 35,2%) in Tol Krapyak – Jatingaleh intersection the value DS 0,62% (decrease 56%); emission CO 1120 gram (decrease 41,1%). The result of analysis can be concluded, assumption transfer of private car to public transportation equal to 40% is solution able to be optimal of performance service of intersection. Where result of DS equal to 0,71 and 0,62 which have fulfilled conditions of intersection performance ≤ 0,75, and also emission of CO 1,353 ppm and 1,120 ppm have fulfilled conditions of value float pollution boundary that is, ranging from 0 - 50 ppm where, entering in good category (there no effect to environment and health). Hence can be recommended, for related government utilize to repair the pre requirement and suitable requirement public transportations, and improve security, service of consumer of public transportation. In research hereinafter, enabled to use ODM method and program of Synchro 7.0

Let’s Take A Walk: Exploring the Impact of an Inclusive Walking Program on the Physical and Mental Health of Adults with Intellectual Disability

Background: People with intellectual disabilities experience health disparities and poorer health outcomes than people without disabilities. Increased physical activity has been found to reduce the impact of chronic health conditions among people with intellectual disabilities. Method: The current study explored the impact of an inclusive walking program on the physical and mental health of adults with intellectual disabilities. Let’s Take A Walk paired adults with intellectual disabilities, hereafter referred to as Community Walkers (n = 27), with college students to walk around a college campus twice a week for 45 minutes across 10 weeks. Data on mental health outcomes, specifically depression and anxiety, were collected from 24 Community Walkers across four-time points (pre-, mid-, post-, and 3-months following intervention), and data on physical health outcomes were collected across two-time points (pre- and post-intervention). Results: Community Walkers reported significant decreases in both depression and anxiety from pre to post-implementation. Particularly promising was clinically significant decreases in anxiety symptoms over the 10-week program. No differences were noted on Community Walkers’ measures of physical health. Conclusion: Inclusive walking programs are a valuable and promising mechanism for building social connections and inclusion and improving mental health for adults with intellectual disabilities

Developing clinical decision tools to implement chronic disease prevention and screening in primary care: the BETTER 2 program (building on existing tools to improve chronic disease prevention and screening in primary care).

BackgroundThe Building on Existing Tools to Improve Chronic Disease Prevention and Screening in Family Practice (BETTER) trial demonstrated the effectiveness of an approach to chronic disease prevention and screening (CDPS) through a new skilled role of a 'prevention practitioner'(PP). The PP has appointments with patients 40-65 years of age that focus on primary prevention activities and screening of cancer (breast, colorectal, cervical), diabetes and cardiovascular disease and associated lifestyle factors. There are numerous and occasionally conflicting evidence-based guidelines for CDPS, and the majority of these guidelines are focused on specific diseases or conditions; however, primary care providers often attend to patients with multiple conditions. To ensure that high-level evidence guidelines were used, existing clinical practice guidelines and tools were reviewed and integrated into blended BETTER tool kits. Building on the results of the BETTER trial, the BETTER tools were updated for implementation of the BETTER 2 program into participating urban, rural and remote communities across Canada.MethodsA clinical working group consisting of PPs, clinicians and researchers with support from the Centre for Effective Practice reviewed the literature to update, revise and adapt the integrated evidence algorithms and tool kits used in the BETTER trial. These resources are nuanced, based on individual patient risk, values and preferences and are designed to facilitate decision-making between providers across the target diseases and lifestyle factors included in the BETTER 2 program. Using the updated BETTER 2 toolkit, clinicians 1) determine which CDPS actions patients are eligible to receive and 2) develop individualized 'prevention prescriptions' with patients through shared decision-making and motivational interviewing.ResultsThe tools identify the patients' risks and eligible primary CDPS activities: the patient survey captures the patient's health history; the prevention visit form and integrated CDPS care map identify eligible CDPS activities and facilitate decisions when certain conditions are met; and the 'bubble diagram' and 'prevention prescription' promote shared decision-making.ConclusionThe integrated clinical decision-making tools of BETTER 2 provide resources for clinicians and policymakers that address patients' complex care needs beyond single disease approaches and can be adapted to facilitate CDPS in the urban, rural and remote clinical setting.Trial registrationThe registration number of the original RCT BETTER trial was ISRCTN07170460