MAPPING QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERNARIA LEAF BLIGHT RESISTANCE AND ELEMENTAL SULFUR TOLERANCE IN MELON

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) production is significantly affected by Alternaria leaf blight, caused by Alternaria cucumerina. Fungicide application is the primary control method; however, this could be mitigated through the increased use of resistant varieties. USDA-ARS breeding line MR-1 has been shown to have a high level of resistance to Alternaria cucumerina. However, molecular markers linked MR-1 Alternaria resistance have yet to be identified. In order in identify QTL associated with Alternaria resistance MR-1 x Ananas Yokneum (AY) derived recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were phenotyped using a modified wounded-leaf assay. Elemental sulfur is an effective fungicide for several foliar pathogens in many crops and species, but severe phytotoxicity prohibits its use on many melon lines. Sulfur tolerance is a heritable trait and QTL have been identified. MR-1 is highly susceptible to sulfur and AY is completely resistant. In order to identify sulfur tolerance QTL, MR-1 x AY RILs were rated for tolerance using vaporized sulfur. A genetic map of MR-1 x AY RILs was constructed using 198 dominant markers (1 SCAR, 24 HFO-TAG, 25 ISSR, and 152 RAPD). This linkage map contains 23 linkage groups and spans 400cM with a maximum marker interval of 10cM and an average marker interval of 2cM. Quantitative trait analysis of 56 RILs for Alternaria resistance and 57 RILs for sulfur tolerance detected three QTL: one Alternaria resistance QTL, ac.1, and two sulfur tolerance QTL, st.1 and st.2. Ac.1 represents the MR-1 resistance allele, is located on linkage group 11, and explains 25% of the variance. St.1 and st.2 were located on linkage groups 1 and 12 and explain 30% and 18% of the variance, respectively. MR-1 allele, st.1, increased susceptibility while the MR-1 allele, st.2, increased tolerance. QTL for these important traits will be beneficial for MAS and genetic studies

Adherence therapy for people with Parkinson's disease

Introduction: Medication non-adherence is prevalent in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, factors associated with non-adherence are unknown. Despite interventions to improve medication adherence being investigated in long-term conditions, few studies have focused on PD. Adherence Therapy (AT) is a novel, patient-centred approach to maximising adherence that has shown benefit in other chronic conditions. Aim: To investigate the efficacy of AT for improving medication adherence and quality of Life (QoL) in people with PD. Methods: To achieve the above aim I conducted a systematic review to identify factors associated with medication non-adherence, followed by a Cochrane systematic review on interventions for improving medication adherence in PD. I then tested the efficacy of AT in PD in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Semistructured interviews were used to explore patients’ experiences of receiving AT. Results: Mood disorders, cognition, poor symptom control/QoL, younger age/longer disease duration, regimen complexity/polypharmacy, risk taking behaviours, poor knowledge of PD/education, lack of spouse/partner, low income, desire to maintain employment and gender were identified as factors associated with non-adherence in PD. Only one study previously investigated an intervention (didactic educational material) for improving medication adherence in PD, according to my Cochrane systematic review. Seventy-six patients and 46 spouse/carers completed the RCT (CAAT-PARK). At week-12 follow-up the active treatment group significantly improved in adherence and QoL compared to the treatment as usual group. Thematic analysis of interviews from 10 patients and 3 spouse/carers suggested that positive effects and attributes of AT may be important for the success of AT. Furthermore, the findings suggested that the mechanism of AT may be bi-directional and associated with improved confidence and self-efficacy. Conclusions: Adherence Therapy improved medication adherence and QoL in PD. A larger pragmatic trial to test the efficacy and cost effectiveness of Adherence Therapy with a control group placebo intervention is required. ISRCTN0783095

Alien Registration- Daley, James H. (Augusta, Kennebec County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/18319/thumbnail.jp

Development of a heavy-duty vehicle chassis dynamometer test route

A heavy duty vehicle chassis dynamometer driving route, titled City-Suburban Heavy Vehicle Route (CSHVR) was developed. Data for designing the CSHVR were collected using a Campbell Scientific 21x. Procedures were developed to reduce statistically the speed and time data into representative speed vs. time cycles. Criteria for producing the speed vs. time cycles included average vehicle speed, standard deviation of vehicle speed and total cruise time. The speed vs. time cycle was converted into a speed vs. distance route with free acceleration ramps. Using this method, the CSHVR was developed. Testing of the CSHVR was completed using the West Virginia University transportable heavy duty vehicle emissions testing laboratory. CSHVR results showed that average emissions values in grams/mile were at levels of 23.3 (NOX), 2563 (CO2), 1.98 (HC), 0.78 (PM) and 6.03 (CO) while driving the CSHVR

Self-Perceived Leadership Behaviors Of Collegiate Athletic Trainers And Strength And Conditioning Coaches: A Case Study

The purpose of the case study was to examine the self-perceived leadership characteristics, behaviors, and communication styles of professionals within the pillars of the high-performance sport model, specifically athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning coaches, to gain perspective on their ability to influence student-athletes and colleagues at the NCAA DIII level. A qualitative case study format allowed the researcher to engage with a small sample of participants and explore the differences and similarities between the participant groups. Participants were selected based on their primary job title and setting at over 80 institutions of higher education that participate in NCAA Division III institutions within the extended New England region. A total of 331 individuals were sent an electronic survey by email. Twelve participants (six athletic trainers, six strength and conditioning coaches) agreed to and completed a semi-structured, follow-up interview to gain perspective on their ability to influence student-athletes through their own displayed leadership. Interview audio was transcribed and analyzed through three levels of coding. Six themes were developed from the data analysis (caring/relationship, educate/teaching, culture, leadership, communication, conflict). The data revealed very few differences in the leadership perspective of the certified athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches that participated. Participants exhibited a lack of knowledge and experience when it came to leadership theory and leadership training in their professional careers while still aspiring to fulfill their professional obligations of mentoring younger and less experienced staff members. Further research should be conducted to establish a standard for leadership education, development, and implementation within the pillars of high-performance sport, specifically athletic training and strength and conditioning

A descriptive and evaluative bibliography of films in secondary school literature

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston UniversitySTATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.-- This thesis was written to compile a descriptive and evaluative bibliography of films which might supplement instruction in literature from grades seven through twelve. JUSTIFICATION.-- Such a study, to the best of the writers' knowledge, is non-existent. In order to conserve unnecessary expenditure of time and effort by teachers in search of films appropriate to their units of instruction, such a listing must be devised. Commercial catalogs often list such important data as: title, running time, producer, and cost; but they rarely give an objective description of the content of the film as related to the objectives of teaching literature as stated in the publication of The National Council of Teachers of English. PROCEDURE.-- The writers considered themselves a basic evaluation committee formed to appraise a large number of educational films related to teaching literature. In order to substantiate their appraisals, they invited large numbers of teachers to attend the twice-weekly preview showings. A check-list comprised of thirteen items to analyze the films from a pedagogical point of view was devised and circulated among the evaluators attending. Forty-seven films were obtained from Boston University School of Public Relations, The Boston Public Library, The University of New Hampshire, and leading producers of such films who offered full cooperation to the writers throughout the nine-week period of the showings [TRUNCATED]

Design and Development of an Equipotential Voltage Reference (Grounding) System for a Low-Cost Rapid-Development Modular Spacecraft Architecture

This work describes the design and development effort to adapt rapid-development space hardware by creating a ground system using solutions of low complexity, mass, & cost. The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft is based on the modular common spacecraft bus architecture developed at NASA Ames Research Center. The challenge was building upon the existing modular common bus design and development work and improving the LADEE spacecraft design by adding an Equipotential Voltage Reference (EVeR) system, commonly referred to as a ground system. This would aid LADEE in meeting Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) requirements, thereby making the spacecraft more compatible with itself and its space environment. The methods used to adapt existing hardware are presented, including provisions which may be used on future spacecraft