Alternative splicing of the maize Ac transposase transcript in transgenic sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The maize Activator/Dissociation (Ac/Ds) transposable element system was introduced into sugar beet. The autonomous Ac and non-autonomous Ds element excise from the T-DNA vector and integrate at novel positions in the sugar beet genome. Ac and Ds excisions generate footprints in the donor T-DNA that support the hairpin model for transposon excision. Two complete integration events into genomic sugar beet DNA were obtained by IPCR. Integration of Ac leads to an eight bp duplication, while integration of Ds in a homologue of a sugar beet flowering locus gene did not induce a duplication. The molecular structure of the target site indicates Ds integration into a double strand break. Analyses of transposase transcription using RT–PCR revealed low amounts of alternatively spliced mRNAs. The fourth intron of the transposase was found to be partially misspliced. Four different splice products were identified. In addition, the second and third exon were found to harbour two and three novel introns, respectively. These utilize each the same splice donor but several alternative splice acceptor sites. Using the SplicePredictor online tool, one of the two introns within exon two is predicted to be efficiently spliced in maize. Most interestingly, splicing of this intron together with the four major introns of Ac would generate a transposase that lacks the DNA binding domain and two of its three nuclear localization signals, but still harbours the dimerization domain

London Doctoral Academy Postgraduate Research Summer School 2020

‘Interdisciplinarity: the importance of collaboration and agile thinking’ Each year London South Bank University’s (LSBU) postgraduate research students submit research posters for inclusion in a research poster competition and exhibition as part of the Research Summer School. This provides an opportunity for researchers to showcase the important research undertaken across the University. At LSBU our research is highly applied and focuses on real-world challenges

The Meanings of Pain: A Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Children Living with Pain in Northeastern Thailand.

This qualitative paper explores the perception of pain among north-eastern Thai children experiencing illness, aged from 4–18 years. Data was obtained from 17 children living in the community and 32 children admitted to two major hospitals in Isan, totaling 49 children. The qualitative data collection techniques used were observation, drawing, role-playing, story-telling, and “day conferences” (relaxed and informal group discussions). The study was conducted over 1 year and the data were analyzed using Fielding’s method of content analysis. The research found that children described their experience of pain as “disheartening”, “suffering”, and “torturing” and that the expression of pain in Isan families is characterized by avoidance and endurance. The findings suggest a role for a model of pain management in children specific to the sociocultural context of Isan, which focuses on family-centered care and acknowledges cultural diversity

Crescimento e fotossíntese de cana-de-açúcar em função de variáveis biométricas e meteorológicas Growth and photosynthesis of sugarcane based on biometric and meteorological variables

O crescimento da cana-de-açúcar pode ser obtido por modelos biofísicos em que a fotossíntese bruta (FB) é obtida em função da radiação solar. O objetivo do trabalho é avaliar variedades de canas-de-açúcar em regime irrigado em relação à radiação fotossinteticamente ativa interceptada (RFAINT) e a estimativa da FB acumulada. Para isto, conduziu-se um estudo na Universidade Federal de Alagoas, entre 2008 e 2009, com variedades de cana RB. Foram realizadas medidas biométricas, variáveis de produção e dos elementos meteorológicos. A irradiância fotossintética (RFA) interceptada foi obtida pela diferença entre RFA e RFA transmitida (RFAT). A RFAT foi determinada pela Lei de Beer. Na estimativa da FB diária usou-se uma integração numérica, com uma abordagem trapezoidal. As variáveis de produção tiveram correlações com a RFAINT acumulada e com a FB acumulada durante o ciclo. A média da irradiação solar global diária do período chuvoso da região (maio - agosto) foi igual a 14,9 MJ m-2. A variedade RB92579 teve os maiores variáveis de produção, como também maiores RFA interceptada e FB acumuladas no ciclo, devido à sua maior capacidade de rebrotação e conversão de energia em fotoassimilados.<br>Sugarcane growth can be obtained by biophysical models in which gross photosynthesis (GP) is obtained as a function of solar radiation. This work aims to evaluate sugarcane varieties under irrigation in relation to intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (PARint) and the estimated accumulative GP. To achieve that, a study was conducted at the Federal University of Alagoas during 2008 and 2009, with RB sugarcane varieties. Biometric measurements, production variables and meteorological elements were made. The intercepted photosynthetic irradiance (PAR) was obtained by the difference between PAR and transmitted PAR (PART), which was determined by Beer's Law. The daily GP was estimated numerically by the trapezoidal approach. The production variables had correlations with accumulated PARint and accumulated GP during the crop cycle. The average global solar radiation in the region for rainy season (May-August) was 14.9 MJ m-2. The variety RB92579 had the highest production variables as well as higher intercepted PAR and accumulated GP in the cycle due to its greater capacity for regrowth and energy conversion in photoassimilate

Review of Flowering Control in Industrial Hemp

Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) is a dioecious annual that commences its reproductive cycle when photoperiods are shorter than a critical length. Photoperiod-sensitive varieties grown in low latitudes with short-day lengths tend to produce early flowering, short plants affecting the yield and quality of the fiber. The photoperiodic sensitivity of the crop could be controlled by the activation or deactivation of genes triggered by the change in light duration perceived by photoreceptive pigments. The sexual dimorphism of Cannabisis genetically determined by the XY chromosomal mechanismal though sexual morphology is primarily a result of endogenous plant growth regulator levels that fluctuate in response to environmental variables. Occurrence of occasional hermaphroditic flowers and monoecious plants are probably the result of these fluctuations. Understanding the mechanisms of photoperiodicity and sexual inheritance contributes to advances in breeding and crop management that may underpin the expansion of the commercial cultivation of the crop in nontraditional agroecological domains