TIR1 AFB Aux IAA auxin perception mediates rapid cell wall acidification and growth of Arabidopsis hypocotyls

Despite being composed of immobile cells, plants reorient along directional stimuli. The hormone auxin is redistributed in stimulated organs leading to differential growth and bending. Auxin application triggers rapid cell wall acidification and elongation of aerial organs of plants, but the molecular players mediating these effects are still controversial. Here we use genetically-encoded pH and auxin signaling sensors, pharmacological and genetic manipulations available for Arabidopsis etiolated hypocotyls to clarify how auxin is perceived and the downstream growth executed. We show that auxin-induced acidification occurs by local activation of H+-ATPases, which in the context of gravity response is restricted to the lower organ side. This auxin-stimulated acidification and growth require TIR1/AFB-Aux/IAA nuclear auxin perception. In addition, auxin-induced gene transcription and specifically SAUR proteins are crucial downstream mediators of this growth. Our study provides strong experimental support for the acid growth theory and clarified the contribution of the upstream auxin perception mechanisms

Pl-x (Roborodentia)

Pl-x is the name of the robot that will be competing in Roborodentia, an annual autonomous robot competition. This year the competition involves moving rings from one end of a course to the opposite end of the course

Geographic and Demographic Suitability of Cycling in North American Cities

With interest in cycling increasing in recent decades, local authorities and planners have been eager to enact policies to expedite a mode shift from driving to more sustainable, equitable and accessible transportation options. However, promoting cycling has encountered many challenges within car- dominated cities in North America. Previous research on the factors that influence cycling have cited geography-related concerns such as weather, elevation changes, and low land-use density as main reasons for not choosing to cycle (Pucher & Buehler, 2021). Similarly, it is understood that a city’s demographics, particularly the age distribution and physical capacity of residents, may influence the likelihood to cycle. This thesis discusses the geographic and demographic analysis of the suitability of cycling in four North American cities of various sizes, densities, geographies, and climate. Vancouver (BC) and Portland (OR), Waterloo (ON) and Madison (WI) are evaluated for their physical and demographic attributes that either promote or limit the propensity to cycle. The research then examines the planning responses in each city aimed at overcoming these challenges. The results of the research reveal both positive and negative attributes. For example, Portland and Vancouver have much more conducive climate, while Waterloo and Madison have demographics (students) that have greater tendency to cycle. While variability exists in the physical and demographic attributes, the results demonstrate that those cities that have addressed their shortcomings have achieved greater cycling mode shares. The approaches and lessons learned from this work present a structure for cities to recognize their strengths, identify their weaknesses, and tailor the policies and investments to make cycling a more comfortable mode of transport for everyone – particularly those for whom physical or other limitations may present limiting factors

Embodied Metaphors and Creative “Acts”

Creativity is a highly sought after skill. To inspire people’s creativity, prescriptive advice in the form of metaphors abound: We are encouraged to think outside the box, to consider the problem on one hand, then on the other hand, and to put two and two together to achieve creative breakthroughs. These metaphors suggest a connection between concrete bodily experiences and creative cognition. Inspired by recent advances on body-mind linkages under the emerging vernacular of embodied cognition, we explored for the first time whether enacting metaphors for creativity enhances creative problem-solving. In five studies, findings revealed that both physically and psychologically embodying creative metaphors promote fluency, flexibility, and/or originality in problem-solving. Going beyond prior research that focused primarily on the kind of embodiment that primes preexisting knowledge, we provide the first evidence that embodiment can also activate cognitive processes conducive for generating previously unknown ideas and connections

Dense and accurate motion and strain estimation in high resolution speckle images using an image-adaptive approach

Digital image processing methods represent a viable and well acknowledged alternative to strain gauges and interferometric techniques for determining full-field displacements and strains in materials under stress. This paper presents an image adaptive technique for dense motion and strain estimation using high-resolution speckle images that show the analyzed material in its original and deformed states. The algorithm starts by dividing the speckle image showing the original state into irregular cells taking into consideration both spatial and gradient image information present. Subsequently the Newton-Raphson digital image correlation technique is applied to calculate the corresponding motion for each cell. Adaptive spatial regularization in the form of the Geman-McClure robust spatial estimator is employed to increase the spatial consistency of the motion components of a cell with respect to the components of neighbouring cells. To obtain the final strain information, local least-squares fitting using a linear displacement model is performed on the horizontal and vertical displacement fields. To evaluate the presented image partitioning and strain estimation techniques two numerical and two real experiments are employed. The numerical experiments simulate the deformation of a specimen with constant strain across the surface as well as small rigid-body rotations present while real experiments consist specimens that undergo uniaxial stress. The results indicate very good accuracy of the recovered strains as well as better rotation insensitivity compared to classical techniques

Souvenaid in the Management of Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Expert Consensus Opinion

Background Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among an aging global population is a growing challenge for healthcare providers and payers. In many cases, MCI is an ominous portent for dementia. Early and accurate diagnosis of MCI provides a window of opportunity to improve the outcomes using a personalized care plan including lifestyle modifications to reduce the impact of modifiable risk factors (for example, blood pressure control and increased physical activity), cognitive training, dietary advice, and nutritional support. Souvenaid is a once-daily drink containing a mixture of precursors and cofactors (long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, uridine, choline, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium), which was developed to support the formation and function of neuronal membranes and synapses. Healthcare providers, patients, and carers require expert advice about the use of Souvenaid. Methods An international panel of experts was convened to review the evidence and to make recommendations about the diagnosis and management of MCI, identification of candidates for Souvenaid, and use of Souvenaid in real-world practice. This article provides a summary of the expert opinions and makes recommendations for clinical practice and future research. Summary of opinion Early diagnosis of MCI requires the use of suitable neuropsychological tests combined with a careful clinical history. A multimodal approach is recommended; dietary and nutritional interventions should be considered alongside individualized lifestyle modifications. Although single-agent nutritional supplements have failed to produce cognitive benefits for patients with MCI, a broader nutritional approach warrants consideration. Evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests that Souvenaid should be considered as an option for some patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including those with MCI due to AD (prodromal AD). Conclusion Early and accurate diagnosis of MCI provides a window of opportunity to improve the outcomes using a multimodal management approach including lifestyle risk factor modification and consideration of the multinutrient Souvenaid

Session 1 Presentation - Use of Offshore Energy Facilities as Deepwater Ocean Observing Platforms

Wave measurement is one of the major components for any ocean observation program, however, it is also the most challenging one due to its complexity. For Oil & Gas community, wave data is often used for platform stability calculation, operational decision making, structure fatigue analysis, and engineering design criteria

Augmentation of Staphylococcal α-Toxin Signaling by the Epidermal Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor

Staphylococcal α-toxin is a cytolytic toxin secreted by many strains of Staphylococcus aureus that has proinflammatory and cytotoxic effects on human keratinocytes. α-toxin exerts its effects by forming a transmembrane pore that behaves like an ionophore for ions such as calcium. Because cellular membrane disruption with resultant intracellular calcium mobilization is a potent stimulus for the synthesis for the lipid mediator platelet-activating factor, the ability of α-toxin to induce platelet-activating factor production was assessed, and whether the epidermal platelet-activating factor receptor could augment toxin-induced signaling in epithelial cells examined. Treatment of the human keratinocyte-derived cell line HaCaT with α-toxin resulted in significant levels of platelet-activating factor, which were approximately 50% of the levels induced by calcium ionophore A23187. α-toxin also stimulated arachidonic acid release in HaCaT keratinocytes. Pretreatment of HaCaT cells with platelet-activating factor receptor antagonists, or overexpression of the platelet-activating factor metabolizing enzyme acetylhydrolase II blunted α-toxin-induced arachidonic acid release by approximately one-third, suggesting a role for toxin-produced platelet-activating factor in this process. Finally, retroviral-mediated expression of the platelet-activating factor receptor into the platelet-activating factor receptor-negative epithelial cell line KB resulted in an augmentation of α-toxin-mediated intracellular calcium mobilization and arachidonic acid release. These studies suggest that α-toxin-mediated signaling can be augmented via the epidermal platelet-activating factor receptor

Assessing alternate sparger configurations to mitigate supply chain risks in single-use bioreactors

Consumable shortages throughout the pandemic introduced unanticipated challenges for continued manufacture of commercial biologics. With single-use systems, the bioreactors themselves are consumables that were impacted by these supply chain shortages. To ensure patient supply of necessary biologics, risk mitigation planning and determining suitable alternatives was required. In this presentation, we detail work performed to allow for continued manufacturing, while facing stock-out risks for single-use bioreactor bags used at both the seed and production stages. Specifically, this work focused on alternate sparger configurations, as the standard configuration used in the production bioreactor stage was unavailable. Additional options for added flexibility at the seed bioreactor stages were evaluated to address stock-out risks, and are discussed. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract