Plant Genetics as a Tool for Manipulating Crop Microbiomes: Opportunities and Challenges

Growing human population size and the ongoing climate crisis create an urgent need for new tools for sustainable agriculture. Because microbiomes have profound effects on host health, interest in methods of manipulating agricultural microbiomes is growing rapidly. Currently, the most common method of microbiome manipulation is inoculation of beneficial organisms or engineered communities; however, these methods have been met with limited success due to the difficulty of establishment in complex farm environments. Here we propose genetic manipulation of the host plant as another avenue through which microbiomes could be manipulated. We discuss how domestication and modern breeding have shaped crop microbiomes, as well as the potential for improving plant-microbiome interactions through conventional breeding or genetic engineering. We summarize the current state of knowledge on host genetic control of plant microbiomes, as well as the key challenges that remain

A Resource Manual for Occupational Therapists to Use with Parents of Infants Transitioning Home from the NICU

One of the many challenges facing health care professionals practicing in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is providing appropriate care and support for parents throughout the transition process from hospital to home. Because the families are often the ultimate advocates and caregivers for infants it is important that they are well equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to take part in their infant’s care. Therefore, by providing clear and easy to use resources that address parental confidence, skills, knowledge, roles, routines, and the environment, professionals can help alleviate parental stress and uncertainty throughout the transition process. An extensive review of literature was completed in order to determine the unmet needs of parents and their infants’ as they transition home from the NICU. During this review of literature, programs that address this population were reviewed; however, the programs in place only address the unmet needs of the infants. There is a lack of programs that address the unmet needs of parents whose infants are transitioning home from the NICU. We also visited with a local occupational therapist who works with this population in order to find out more about the unmet needs of parents. It was concluded that parents may benefit from the provision of a user friendly resource manual that can be utilized by occupational therapists when working with parents as their infant transitions home. A resource manual was developed to provide occupational therapists with an easy to understand guide to help address the unmet needs of parents. The manual starts out by providing a brochure that can be given to parents to describe the role of occupational therapy. Initial and discharge evaluations are then included for the occupational therapist to measure the parents needs before and after use of the manual. The remainder of the manual is divided into sections and includes information about: developing confidence and self-efficacy, adjusting to new roles and routines, developing caregiving skills and knowledge, as well as tips to address the environment. Each section provides easy to use handouts and worksheets for occupational therapists to use in order to address the unique unmet needs of parents

Leadership Theory and Behavior: America Takes a Selfie

This paper explores the changing nature of the United States, and to some extent the world at large, and identifies major issues likely to influence and impact leadership theory and behavior in the next 50 years. The paper investigates issues related to world security, population shifts, values and morality changes, technology impact, and other social and political issues. The article emphasizes the role of the millennial generation in securing and carrying out the current or new principles defining leadership theory and behavior. The paper is an idea-generating process and connects its content to the field of problem-based learning. No solutions are given, but the article is left open for personal interpretation and thinking about leadership theory and behavior for the future

Pond Culture of Walleye Fingerlings

Walleye, Stitzostedion vitreum, has potential to be an aquaculture species in the North Central Region because: it is native to the region; it maintains optimum growth at temperatures lower than many other current aquaculture species (such as channel catfish); it is a highly-prized sport fish; its flesh is considered a delicacy; and the fillets are high in protein and . low in fat, making walleye an attractive food selection for today’s health conscious consumer

The Role of Northeast Ohio Central Cities in the Regional Economy, 2000-2007

This report examines the four central cities in Northeast Ohio – Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown — in the context of their metropolitan areas. A central city is the largest or most important city of a metropolitan area. A metropolitan area combines a large city with adjacent urbanized areas and peripheral areas that are closely bound to the center with strong ties to commuting, commerce, and a common labor market

The Role of Northeast Ohio Central Cities in the Regional Economy, 2000-2007

This report examines the four central cities in Northeast Ohio – Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown — in the context of their metropolitan areas. A central city is the largest or most important city of a metropolitan area. A metropolitan area combines a large city with adjacent urbanized areas and peripheral areas that are closely bound to the center with strong ties to commuting, commerce, and a common labor market

Gender effect on clinical features of achalasia: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is a well-characterized esophageal motor disorder but the rarity of the disease limits performing large studies on its demographic and clinical features. METHODS: Prospectively, 213 achalasia patients (110 men and 103 women) were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis established by clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic as well as manometry criteria. All patients underwent a pre-designed clinical evaluation before and within 6 months after the treatment. RESULTS: Solid dysphagia was the most common clinical symptom in men and women. Chest pain was the only symptom which was significantly different between two groups and was more complained by women than men (70.9% vs. 54.5% P value= 0.03). Although the occurrence of chest pain significantly reduced after treatment in both groups (P < 0.001), it was still higher among women (32% vs. 20.9% P value= 0.04). In both sexes, chest pain did not relate to the symptom duration, LES pressure and type of treatment patients received. Also no significant relation was found between chest pain and other symptoms expressed by men and women before and after treatment. Chest pain was less frequently reported by patients over 56 yrs of age in comparison to those less than 56 yrs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It seems that chest pain is the distinct symptom of achalasia which is affected by sex as well as age and does not relate to the duration of illness, LESP and the type of treatment achalasia patients receive