Characterization of six Arabidopsis AROGENATE DEHYDRATASE promoters

Phenylalanine is an important aromatic amino acid synthesized by higher plants, and is a major component of numerous specialized metabolites including structural components, pigments, and defense compounds. The last step in the synthesis of phenylalanine is catalyzed by an enzyme called AROGENATE DEHYDRATASE, of which there are six different isoenzymes encoded by the Arabidopsis genome. All six have specialized roles within the plant, and are differentially expressed during development and under stressful conditions. To deduce the specialized role of each ADT, unique patterns of regulatory motifs were identified for all six ADT promoters, as well as corresponding transcription factors with similar expression profiles to each enzyme. Seven stable transgenic Arabidopsis lines were also generated using ADT promoter-eGFP/GUS constructs to test expression in all tissues during development, and under stressful conditions

Co-extinction in a host-parasite network: Identifying key hosts for network stability

Parasites comprise a substantial portion of total biodiversity. Ultimately, this means that host extinction could result in many secondary extinctions of obligate parasites and potentially alter host-parasite network structure. Here, we examined a highly resolved fish-parasite network to determine key hosts responsible for maintaining parasite diversity and network structure (quantified here as nestedness and modularity). We evaluated four possible host extinction orders and compared the resulting co-extinction dynamics to random extinction simulations; including host removal based on estimated extinction risk, parasite species richness and host level contributions to nestedness and modularity. We found that all extinction orders, except the one based on realistic extinction risk, resulted in faster declines in parasite diversity and network structure relative to random biodiversity loss. Further, we determined species-level contributions to network structure were best predicted by parasite species richness and host family. Taken together, we demonstrate that a small proportion of hosts contribute substantially to network structure and that removal of these hosts results in rapid declines in parasite diversity and network structure. As network stability can potentially be inferred through measures of network structure, our findings may provide insight into species traits that confer stability

\u3ci\u3eBacillus\u3c/i\u3e bacteriophage Q11 may have a 5\u27 covalently attached protein

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that specifically parasitize on bacteria and are found almost everywhere. Phages Phi 29 and Q11 are both small phages found in soil that attack Bacillus hosts. Previous Phi 29 studies verified a covalently bonded protein at the 5’ end of its double-stranded linear DNA. Q11 may have a similar 5’ terminal protein, which blocks complete sequencing of that DNA region. Because Q11 and phi29 are both small short-tailed phages that infect similar hosts, it could be possible the proteins are structurally similar. In previous work, I have attempted to use restriction endonuclease and exonuclease enzyme digests to isolate the fragment of DNA containing a terminal protein. More recently, I have turned to PCR amplification, mass spectroscopy (MS) data, and comparing the amino acid sequence of the proteins to identify similarities and differences between phi29 and Q11’s respective terminal proteins. I was not able to successfully amplify and express Q11’s suspected terminal protein. However, through MS data and comparing amino acid sequences, it can be assumed they are not the same protein

Era uma vez… a arte de contar uma história

A contação de histórias é considerada uma forma de arte e consiste em um processo, que envolve a escolha da narrativa por parte do contador, a preparação da sua performance e os recursos utilizados por ele. O presente trabalho, baseado em uma pesquisa qualitativa, tem como objetivo investigar como a contação de histórias está inserida no contexto da Educação Infantil. Para tal, tomou-se como referência o levantamento bibliográfico e o levantamento de dados, obtidos por meio da observação de contações de histórias e da análise de um questionário sobre a inserção dessas narrativas nas práticas escolares. Participaram da pesquisa professoras atuantes em uma escola da rede privada, desde o berçário até a préescola. A bibliografia utilizada e a análise da pesquisa revelaram que as educadoras compreendem a contação de histórias como um processo, que depende do conhecimento prévio da narrativa a ser contada, da utilização de materiais e recursos e de outros fatores, que despertem o interesse dos alunos, possibilitando que eles perpassem uma aventura imaginária diante da performance do educador.The storytelling is considered an art form and is a process that involves choosing the narrative by the teller, the preparation of his performance and the resources used by him. The present study is based on a qualitative research, and the purpose of it is to investigate as the storytelling is inserted in the context of Children Education. To this end, it was used as reference the bibliographic research and data search obtained through storytelling observation and analysis of a questionnaire on the inclusion of these narratives in school practices. The participants were teachers of a private school, since nursery to preschool. The bibliography used and the analysis of the survey revealed that educators understand the storytelling as a process, which depends on prior knowledge of the story to be told, use of materials and resources and other factors that arouse students' interest, enabling them to cut across an imaginary adventure on the educator's performance

No common pesticides detected in snow buntings utilizing a farmland landscape in eastern Québec

Many species of migratory birds are declining worldwide, including throughout North America. Some of the most cited causes of decline are linked to climate change, urbanization, and growth in agriculture. Across eastern Canada, a number of insecticides and herbicides are commonly sprayed before and during the grain growing season to control pests and foliage competitors. During wintering and migration, a declining Arctic-breeding songbird, the snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), utilizes open farmlands of southern Canada; therefore, this could be a period when the species is most exposed to these pesticides. We tested snow bunting tissues (blood and liver) for the 4 pesticides most commonly used in grain agriculture in Canada: atrazine, chlothianidin, imidacloprid, and glyphosate, as well as a glyphosate derivative (aminomethylphosphic acid, AMPA). Although this species is thought to forage in grain fields during autumn through spring, we found no detectable traces of any of the five substances. Wintering buntings may either not be exposed to these pesticides during their presence in agriculture fields or, given the rapid turnover of these pesticides in the blood and tissues, be exposed to doses below detection level in samples

Multichannel Imaging to Quantify Four Classes of Pharmacokinetic Distribution in Tumors

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108598/1/jps24086.pd

Assessing Energy Level as a Marker of Aerobic Exercise Readiness: A Pilot Investigation

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(1): 62-75, 2017. Energy ratings have been used as a marker of exercise readiness (i.e. pre-exercise physical/mental state indicating ability to perform) within flexible nonlinear periodization (FNLP)-based resistance training interventions. However, empirical data is lacking regarding the utility of this approach for aerobic exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of pre-exercise energy level to predict affective and behavioral responses to prescribed aerobic exercise. Participants consisted of 19 women and 8 men (N=27, age=20±4 years, estimated maximal oxygen uptake=37±6). Participants performed two 30-min bouts of treadmill exercise under an imposed moderate intensity (70-75% of age-predicted maximal heart rate; %HRmax) condition and a self-selected intensity condition. Pre-exercise energy level was assessed using the Energy Index (EI) score derived from the Profile of Mood States. Feeling Scale (FS) was the dependent variable in the imposed bout and average intensity (%HRmax) was the dependent variable during the self-selected bout. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine if EI predicted mean FS and %HRmax. After controlling for potential confounders, EI significantly predicted mean FS (β=.499, p=.037) during imposed exercise. No significant relationship existed between EI and overall intensity (β =-121, p=.554) during self-selected exercise. While EI predicted in-task core affect it was unrelated to self-selected intensity. It is premature to suggest EI as an optimal predictor of exercise readiness in regards to aerobic exercise for aerobically untrained young adults. More research is needed to determine an evidence-based marker of readiness that can be used for aerobic exercise prescribed within the context of FNLP

Assessing Energy Level as a Marker of Aerobic Exercise Readiness: A Pilot Investigation

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(1): 62-75, 2017. Energy ratings have been used as a marker of exercise readiness (i.e. pre-exercise physical/mental state indicating ability to perform) within flexible nonlinear periodization (FNLP)-based resistance training interventions. However, empirical data is lacking regarding the utility of this approach for aerobic exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of pre-exercise energy level to predict affective and behavioral responses to prescribed aerobic exercise. Participants consisted of 19 women and 8 men (N=27, age=20±4 years, estimated maximal oxygen uptake=37±6). Participants performed two 30-min bouts of treadmill exercise under an imposed moderate intensity (70-75% of age-predicted maximal heart rate; %HRmax) condition and a self-selected intensity condition. Pre-exercise energy level was assessed using the Energy Index (EI) score derived from the Profile of Mood States. Feeling Scale (FS) was the dependent variable in the imposed bout and average intensity (%HRmax) was the dependent variable during the self-selected bout. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine if EI predicted mean FS and %HRmax. After controlling for potential confounders, EI significantly predicted mean FS (β=.499, p=.037) during imposed exercise. No significant relationship existed between EI and overall intensity (β =-121, p=.554) during self-selected exercise. While EI predicted in-task core affect it was unrelated to self-selected intensity. It is premature to suggest EI as an optimal predictor of exercise readiness in regards to aerobic exercise for aerobically untrained young adults. More research is needed to determine an evidence-based marker of readiness that can be used for aerobic exercise prescribed within the context of FNLP

Chickadees Faced with Unpredictable Food Increase Fat Reserves but Certain Components of Their Immune Function Decline

In winter, temperate resident birds are often faced with periodic low natural food availability. This reduction or unpredictability in resource availability might then have a negative impact on immune function, given that immune system support is highly resource dependent. We investigated the balance between energetic and immune management in captive black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapilus) by manipulating the predictability of resources. The control group received food ad lib. every day, while the experimental group received a reduced amount of food on random days and food ad lib. on all other days. We measured two key metrics of energetic management (body and fat mass) as well as a suite of immune system components. Compared with control birds, experimental birds maintained significantly higher total body and fat mass, had lower acute phase protein concentrations, and had decreased body temperature and lost more body mass during the fever response following injection with lipopolysaccharides. Interestingly, birds in both groups had similar levels of complement lysis, delayed-type hypersensitivity response (phytohemagglutinin), and primary antibody production (keyhole limpet hemocyanin). This experiment demonstrates that black-capped chickadees strategically increase their fat mass in response to decreased food availability and that this might allow the birds to maintain most of the immune system unaltered, except some of the most costly immune components