The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of Barley yellow dwarf virus-RMV reveals it to be a new Polerovirus distantly related to other yellow dwarf viruses

The yellow dwarf viruses (YDVs) of the Luteoviridae family represent the most widespread group of cereal viruses worldwide. They include the Barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs) of genus Luteovirus, the Cereal yellow dwarf viruses (CYDVs) and Wheat yellow dwarf virus (WYDV) of genus Polerovirus. All of these viruses are obligately aphid transmitted and phloem-limited. The first described YDVs (initially all called BYDV) were classified by their most efficient vector. One of these viruses, BYDV-RMV, is transmitted most efficiently by the corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis. Here we report the complete 5612 nucleotide sequence of the genomic RNA of a Montana isolate of BYDV-RMV (isolate RMV MTFE87, Genbank accession no. KC921392). The sequence revealed that BYDV-RMV is a polerovirus, but it is quite distantly related to the CYDVs or WYDV, which are very closely related to each other. Nor is BYDV-RMV closely related to any other particular polerovirus. Depending on the gene that is compared, different poleroviruses (none of them a YDV) share the most sequence similarity to BYDV-RMV. Because of its distant relationship to other YDVs, and because it commonly infects maize via its vector, R. maidis, we propose that BYDV-RMV be renamed Maize yellow dwarf virus-RMV (MYDV-RMV)

Solar activity prediction

A statistical study of formulas for predicting the sunspot number several years in advance is reported. By using a data lineup with cycle maxima coinciding, and by using multiple and nonlinear predictors, a new formula which gives better error estimates than former formulas derived from the work of McNish and Lincoln is obtained. A statistical analysis is conducted to determine which of several mathematical expressions best describes the relationship between 10.7 cm solar flux and Zurich sunspot numbers. Attention is given to the autocorrelation of the observations, and confidence intervals for the derived relationships are presented. The accuracy of predicting a value of 10.7 cm solar flux from a predicted sunspot number is dicussed

James J. Kaput (1942–2005) imagineer and futurologist of mathematics education

Jim Kaput lived a full life in mathematics education and we have many reasons to be grateful to him, not only for his vision of the use of technology in mathematics, but also for his fundamental humanity. This paper considers the origins of his ‘big ideas’ as he lived through the most amazing innovations in technology that have changed our lives more in a generation than in many centuries before. His vision continues as is exemplified by the collected papers in this tribute to his life and work

The Effects of Color on Cognitive Performance

Typically, assessments are administered on white pieces of paper. This research experiment was designed to test the effects of colored paper on an individual’s cognitive performance. Researchers have administered an IQ test to approximately 60 male and female undergraduate participants. Participants were recruited through the NERD System and were given partial credit in their individual classes. The IQ tests were printed on four different colors of paper and given out to participants at random. It was hypothesized that utilizing colored paper on an administered test will increase the individual’s cognitive performance. Results will be discussed in terms of increasing cognitive performance in educational and work environments

Association of soybean-based food with the prevalence of anemia among reproductive aged men and women in rural Central Java, Indonesia

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between soybean consumption and anemic status in Central Java, Indonesia. DESIGN: As part of an overarching sanitation improvement intervention in Central Java, Indonesia, we conducted a cross-sectional study in four rural villages. The study consisted of a 24-hour food recall, anthropometric measurements, blood hemoglobin measurement and stool sampling to test for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection status. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to test the association between soybean consumption and anemic status after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, STH infection, dietary diversity and anthropometric status. SETTING: This study took place in four rural villages of Wonosobo regency, Central Java, Indonesia. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were rural villagers aged between 15 and 49 years. RESULTS: A total sample size of 763 was attained, of which 231 were anemic. The prevalence of anemia was 30.2% among men and women of reproductive age, and highest among young males. Consumption of soybean was high (79.8%). After adjusting for covariates, the protective association between soybean consumption and anemia was statistically significant (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.30-0.95, p<0.05). There was a positive association with anemia among underweight (AOR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.13-6.69, p<0.05) and those with high diet diversity (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.00-1.97, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results were consistent with studies from other countries finding a protective association between soybean consumption and anemia. This association appeared stronger for tofu than for tempeh. The prevalence of anemia in rural Central Java is relatively consistent with nationwide statistics indicating that interventions targeting anemia are still largely required

The double burden of malnutrition and dietary patterns in rural Central Java, Indonesia

Background: Indonesia is undergoing a nutrition transition (NT) comprised of rising rates of over- weight/obesity and consumption of high fat food/snacks but is still struck by undernutrition, causing a double burden of malnutrition. Little research pertains to the double burden of malnutrition and its associations with diet in rural Indonesia using primary village level data. Methods: We conducted a 24-hour food recall and food frequency questionnaire and assessed anthropo- metric status of rural villagers from four villages in Central Java, Indonesia. Exploratory principal compo- nent analysis was used to identify dietary patterns and multi-level modeling was performed to identify variables associated with dietary pattern indicative of the NT. Findings: 1,521 participants were included in analysis. Double burden of malnutrition was prevalent whereby 32.3% of children were stunted, 68.8% of women 35-49 years-old were overweight, and 39% of homes were classified as double burden. The NT was evident in a dietary pattern associated with soft drink, snacks, and animal products. There was small but significant correlation between undernutri- tion and stunting status among children (r = −0.139, p < 0.01). The NT was associated with young age (B = 1.696, 95% CI = 1.508-1.885) but not with overweight (B = −0.099, 95% CI = −0.184-−0.013). Interpretation: Our findings suggest that whilst the typical pattern of the double burden of malnutrition (stunted child/overweight adult) exists in rural Central Java, dietary patterns indicative of the NT are predominant among children, not adults. Overweight among adults may not be necessarily due to a diet indicative of the NT, and nutrition interventions in rural Central Java should focus on educating parents of young children about the health-risks of a diet associated with a NT. Funding: Funding was obtained from the UBS-Optimus Foundation and the National Health and Medical Research Council

Transmission of Two Viruses that Cause Barley Yellow Dwarf is Controlled by Different Loci in the Aphid, Schizaphis graminum

Clonal populations of the aphid, Schizaphis graminum, have been separated into biotypes based on host preference and their ability to overcome resistance genes in wheat. Recently, several biotypes were found to differ in their ability to transmit one or more of the viruses that cause barley yellow dwarf disease in grain crops, and vector competence was linked to host preference. The genetics of host preference has been studied in S. graminum, but how this may relate to the transmission of plant viruses is unknown. Sexual morphs of a vector and nonvector S. graminum genotype were induced from parthenogenetic females and reciprocal crosses made. Eighty-nine hybrids were generated and maintained by parthenogenesis. Each hybrid was evaluated for its ability to transmit Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV and Cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV, and for its ability to colonize two wheat genotypes each expressing a different gene that confers resistance to S. graminum. The F1 genotypes were genetically variable for their ability to transmit virus and to colonize the aphid resistant wheat, but these traits were not genetically correlated. Individual F1 genotypes ranged in transmission efficiency from 0–100% for both viruses, although the overall mean transmission efficiency was similar to the transmission competent parent, indicating directional dominance. The direction of the cross did not significantly affect the vector competency for either virus, suggesting that maternally inherited cytoplasmic factors, or bacterial endosymbionts, did not contribute significantly to the inheritance of vector competency in S. graminum. Importantly, there was no genetic correlation between the ability to transmit Barley yellow dwarf virus and Cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV in the F1 genotypes. These results taken together indicate that multiple loci are involved in the circulative transmission, and that the successful transmission of these closely related viruses is regulated by different sets of aphid genes

Model validation for a knowledge and practices survey towards prevention of soil-transmitted helminth infections in rural villages in Indonesia

The rate of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection is estimated to be around 20% in Indonesia. Health promotion and health education are cost-effective strategies to supplement STH prevention and control programs. Existing studies suggest that quantitative tools for knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) are important to monitor effective community-based STH interventions. However, evidence is limited regarding the applicability of such tools. This study aims to identify the socio-demographic predictors for STH-related knowledge and practices and validate the quantitative tools in population use. A cross-sectional study design was conducted among residents of 16 villages in Central Java, Indonesia. Adult and child respondents were interviewed to assess general knowledge and practices in relation to STH. Two mixed effects models identified the significant factors in predicting knowledge and practice scores. The model predicted knowledge and practice scores were compared with the observed scores to validate the quantitative measurements developed in this study. Participants' socio-demographic variables were significant in predicting an individual's STH-related knowledge level and their hand washing and hygiene practices, taking into account household-level variability. Model validation results confirmed that the quantitative measurement tools were suitable for assessing STH associated knowledge and behaviour. The questionnaire developed in this study can be used to support school- and community-based health education interventions to maximize the effect of STH prevention and control programs