Stratigraphy and Structure of the Chamerlain Lake Region, Maine

Guidebook for field trips in the Mount Katahdin Region, Maine: 58th annual meeting September 29, 30, October 1, 1966: Trip B

Foundation system development and analysis of gene expression in abscising leaf and flower bud abscission zones of cotton

Understanding the molecular regulation of stress-induced abscission processes dependent upon plant water relations is critical for meeting the agricultural yield demands of the future. The objective of work presented here is to elucidate genetic mechanisms underlying differential abscission responses of flower buds and leaves to drought stress in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) We developed a functional genomic foundation system that addresses regulation of bud and leaf abscission response processes simultaneously in the same plant system. This system uses plant-available water (PAW) to measure the water available to the plant for transpiration throughout water stress-mediated abscission. During water stress and stress relief by rehydration, we collected abscission zones from flower buds and leaves from which RNA was isolated. We used nylon macroarrays to array clones from a cDNA library that contained genes collected from abscising cotton flower abscission zones. Macroarrays were probed with bud and leaf abscission zone RNAs that had been converted to cDNAs by first-strand synthesis reactions that incorporated radiolabled [Alpha] - ³²P dATP. Autoradiograms of macroarrays showed we could detect genes known to be involved in organ abscission such as expansin, chitinase and cellulase. However, macroarray sensitivity was to low to meet our goal of detecting differential gene expression between leaf and flower bud abscission. That is, many clones arrayed on nylon failed to produce a measurable hybridization signal, even when clones represented ones expected to be expressed in abscission zones. Therefore, semi-quantitative RT-PCR was done using gene-specific primers designed to five transcripts of known sequence identity, detected within the macroarrays. Results indicated these genes are constitutively expressed in abscission zones collected from all treatments. New cDNA libraries were then constructed from leaf and bud abscission zones RNAs that we expect to include organ-specific RNAs. These libraries will be useful in conjunction with libraries made from flanking regions and analysis with sensitive methods including real-time PCR and microarrays

CARBON DIOXIDE SEQUESTRATION: WHEN AND HOWMUCH?

We analyze carbon dioxide (CO sequestration as a strategy to manage future climate change in an optimal economic growth framework. We approach the problem in two ways: first, by using a simple analytical model, and second, by using a numerical optimization model which allows us to explore the problem in a more realistic setting. CO sequestration is not a perfect substitute for avoiding CO2 production because CO2 leaks back to the atmosphere and hence imposes future costs. The “efficiency factor” of CO2 sequestration can be expressed as the ratio of the avoided emissions to the economically equivalent amount of sequestered CO2 emissions. A simple analytical model in terms of a net-present value criterion suggests that short-term sequestration methods such as afforestation can be somewhat ( 60 %) efficient, while long term sequestration (such as deep aquifer or deep ocean sequestration) can be very ( 90%) efficient. A numerical study indicates that CO2 sequestration methods at a cost within the range of present estimates reduce the economically optimal CO2 concentrations and climate related damages. The potential savings associated with CO2 sequestration is equivalent in our utilitarian model to a one-time investment of several percent of present gross world product.

Final Summary Report on Truck Route Access Evaluation

This report summarizes the evaluation of truck route access between the National Highway System and 46 truck generating sites, including intermodal sites, throughout Kentucky (includes 81 routes and 800 miles of highway). Routes were evaluated quantitatively for nine highway features, assigned an overall route rating and recommendations for routine maintenance and re-construction were made. The level and quality of truck access to the NHS varies dramatically throughout the state. Some facilities are between 25 and 50 miles from the NHS. No significant difference in route ratings or other measures was found by geographic location. The different typography throughout the state contributed to differences in grade and curvature quality. Very few non-NHS truck routes have 12-foot lanes along their whole length. The intermodal facility routes in general were found to be of better quality than routes leading to truck only sites. Trucks are not always using the routes they should. Ten of the routes were considered the best and required no improvements at this time. Improvements on other routes varied from routine maintenance to the need for complete reconstruction. Routes were prioritized by length and amount of truck traffic to recommend the most critical routes for improvement

Growth of Literature on Bradford's Law

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes the literature produced on Bradford's Law from 1934 to June 2012. The study compiled 936 documents produced by 1,123 authors, working in sixteen languages to communicate the results of their research, with English the leading language, followed by Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese. The study reveals the fifteen most productive authors, all of which work in English in both academic journals and conference settings. This literature is growing exponentially (R2=0.974), at a rate of 5.4% per year and doubling in size every 13.2 years

Approaches to improve the determination of eligibility for plant variety protection: I evaluation of morphological characteristics

The demonstration of distinctness through comparisons of morphological characteristics is an essential require¬ment in order to obtain Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and registration. Desires for increased international harmoni¬zation and the increasing size of reference collections place increased emphasis on improving the efficiency of the process. Morphological characteristics are notoriously affected by environment and many may be correlated in their expression. We developed an approach using inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) to evaluate characteristics according to their performance for 9 parameters encompassing 3 categories of Variability, Power and Genotype by Environment interaction. These data provide a basis for selecting a reduced core set of characteristics with the goal of retaining discriminational ability while decreasing the time and resources required to obtain and to compare morphologies

Research with real photons at the MAMI 1.6 GeV electron accelerator

The A2-CB Collaboration at Mainz is studying the structure of hadrons by meson photoproduction using unpolarised, linearly polarised and circularly polarised photons with energies up to 1.6 GeV. Photons are energy-tagged using the Glasgow-Mainz tagged photon spectrometer and a new high-energy end-point tagger which allows η’ reactions to be studied. Reaction products are detected in a ~4π detector consisting of the Crystal Ball detector and TAPS forward wall. Transverse or longitudinally polarised proton targets are available and new techniques have been developed to measure the polarisation of recoiling protons. These facilities have allowed an extensive programme of double-polarisation meson-photoproduction experiments to be carried out to search for so-called “missing baryon resonances” on proton and deuteron targets. Searches have also been carried out to investigate narrow resonances in the η-photoproduction channel at invariant masses around 1680 MeV. Coherent π0 production measurements have been used to estimate the neutron skin thickness in 208Pb. This paper presents selected highlights from the A2-CB collaboration research programme at MAMI

Ameloblastin is a cell adhesion molecule required for maintaining the differentiation state of ameloblasts

Tooth morphogenesis results from reciprocal interactions between oral epithelium and ectomesenchyme culminating in the formation of mineralized tissues, enamel, and dentin. During this process, epithelial cells differentiate into enamel-secreting ameloblasts. Ameloblastin, an enamel matrix protein, is expressed by differentiating ameloblasts. Here, we report the creation of ameloblastin-null mice, which developed severe enamel hypoplasia. In mutant tooth, the dental epithelium differentiated into enamel-secreting ameloblasts, but the cells were detached from the matrix and subsequently lost cell polarity, resumed proliferation, and formed multicell layers. Expression of Msx2, p27, and p75 were deregulated in mutant ameloblasts, the phenotypes of which were reversed to undifferentiated epithelium. We found that recombinant ameloblastin adhered specifically to ameloblasts and inhibited cell proliferation. The mutant mice developed an odontogenic tumor of dental epithelium origin. Thus, ameloblastin is a cell adhesion molecule essential for amelogenesis, and it plays a role in maintaining the differentiation state of secretory stage ameloblasts by binding to ameloblasts and inhibiting proliferation

A whole system approach to increasing children’s physical activity in a multi-ethnic UK city:a process evaluation protocol

BACKGROUND: Engaging in regular physical activity requires continued complex decision-making in varied and dynamic individual, social and structural contexts. Widespread shortfalls of physical activity interventions suggests the complex underlying mechanisms of change are not yet fully understood. More insightful process evaluations are needed to design and implement more effective approaches. This paper describes the protocol for a process evaluation of the JU:MP programme, a whole systems approach to increasing physical activity in children and young people aged 5–14 years in North Bradford, UK. METHODS: This process evaluation, underpinned by realist philosophy, aims to understand the development and implementation of the JU:MP programme and the mechanisms by which JU:MP influences physical activity in children and young people. It also aims to explore behaviour change across wider policy, strategy and neighbourhood systems. A mixed method data collection approach will include semi-structured interview, observation, documentary analysis, surveys, and participatory evaluation methods including reflections and ripple effect mapping. DISCUSSION: This protocol offers an innovative approach on the use of process evaluation feeding into an iterative programme intended to generate evidence-based practice and deliver practice-based evidence. This paper advances knowledge regarding the development of process evaluations for evaluating systems interventions, and emphasises the importance of process evaluation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-12255-w

TGF-ß Regulates Enamel Mineralization and Maturation through KLK4 Expression

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling plays an important role in regulating crucial biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Many of these processes are also an integral part of amelogenesis. In order to delineate a precise role of TGF-ß signaling during amelogenesis, we developed a transgenic mouse line that harbors bovine amelogenin promoter-driven Cre recombinase, and bred this line with TGF-ß receptor II floxed mice to generate ameloblast-specific TGF-ß receptor II conditional knockout (cKO) mice. Histological analysis of the teeth at postnatal day 7 (P7) showed altered enamel matrix composition in the cKO mice as compared to the floxed mice that had enamel similar to the wild-type mice. The µCT and SEM analyses revealed decreased mineral content in the cKO enamel concomitant with increased attrition and thinner enamel crystallites. Although the mRNA levels remained unaltered, immunostaining revealed increased amelogenin, ameloblastin, and enamelin localization in the cKO enamel at the maturation stage. Interestingly, KLK4 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the cKO teeth along with a slight increase in MMP-20 levels, suggesting that normal enamel maturation is regulated by TGF-ß signaling through the expression of KLK4. Thus, our study indicates that TGF-ß signaling plays an important role in ameloblast functions and enamel maturation