IMPROVING STEM RUST RESISTANCE AND MALT QUALITY IN THE WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY BARLEY BREEDING PROGRAM

In 2019, a population of wheat stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, Pgt) was collected from barley in eastern Washington. It was observed that 99% of the 100 isolates collected from the PNW were virulent on the cultivar Morex, which contains the resistance gene Rpg1. Furthermore, 10% of the isolates were virulent on Q21861, which contains both resistance genes Rpg1 and rpg4/5. When stacked together, Rpg1 and rpg4/5 provided exceptional resistance to all known races and isolates of Pgt collected from around the globe, including the African Pgt race TTKSK (AKA Ug99) and its lineage. Thus, this remarkable virulence is the first documentation of Pgt virulence on the Rpg1 and Rpg4/5 gene combination worldwide. This research aims to identify novel sources of seedling resistance against the virulent PNW population of Pgt. Screening of 487 accessions from the World Barley Core Collection (WBCC), representing global genetic diversity, was conducted to identify novel seedling resistance sources. A malt barley cultivar, Elliot (PI 592661), was identified to have seedling resistance to the most virulent PNW isolate, Lsp21. A biparental recombinant inbred line mapping population was developed between Elliot (resistant) and Palmer (susceptible). Utilizing QTL analysis resistance contributed by Elliot was identified as two significant QTL on chromosomes 4H and 5H. A second comprehensive screen was done on the Wild Barley Diversity Collection (WBDC). Furthermore, the WBDC was utilized for GWAS to identify 12 novel loci on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 3H, 5H, 6H, and 7H associated with resistance to Pgt isolate Lsp21. Two lines (WBDC-94 and WBDC-238) were identified to have high levels of resistance against Pgt isolate Lsp21. Both lines contain the R-gene Rpg7. Here, we genetically characterize, fine-map, and identify Rpg7 candidate genes utilizing a Morex × WBDC-94 biparental population. We successfully used high-resolution mapping to delimit Rpg7 to a 51 kb region containing two candidate genes on chromosome 3H. We hypothesize that both candidate genes, a RIN4-like protein and a RPM1-like protein are required for resistance. The resistances are currently being integrated into elite malting barley backgrounds to enhance resistance to the virulent PNW Pgt population. Lastly, a diverse panel of 550 experimental malt lines from the WSU malt barley breeding program were for association mapping to identify loci contributing to malt quality. A total of 44 marker trait associations were identified representing loci across all seven barley chromosomes. These markers will be used for marker-assisted selection to improve malt quality in the WSU breeding program. These quality traits will lead to the expedited development of American Malting Barley Association (AMBA) recommended varieties that can open new markets for WSU malt barley varieties. By developing malt barley varieties that have higher yields than current feed barley varieties, have resistance to stem rust, and AMBA quality standards, growers will have more incentive to grow barley due to increased profit margins

City Goers: An Exploration Into Creating Seemingly Intelligent A.I. Systems

Artificial Intelligence systems have come a long way over the years. One particular application of A.I. is its incorporation in video games. A key goal of creating an A.I. system in a video game is to convey a level of intellect to the player. During playtests for Halo: Combat Evolved, the developers at Bungie noticed that players deemed tougher enemies as more intelligent than weaker ones, despite the fact that there were no differences in behavior in the enemies. The tougher enemies provided a greater illusion of intelligence to the players. Inspired by this, I set out to create a project that captures the essence of this idea. An A.I. system was designed in the Unity game engine using the graph algorithm Dijkstra’s Single-Source Shortest Path that would direct a car around a small city-like area. More cars were then added to the level in order to set up the possibility for collisions. The measure of the cars’ intelligence is their ability to avoid these collisions. New systems and techniques were developed that would help the cars avoid collisions without making major changes to their fundamental behaviors, thus increasing their measure of intelligence

The genetic and functional basis of three inherited cutaneous and gastrointestinal diseases in humans

This thesis describes investigations into the genetic basis and pathophysiology of three distinct inherited diseases in humans, two of which are strongly associated to the function of the ectodomain sheddase enzyme ADAM17. The first of these is a novel inherited syndrome of neonatal onset inflammatory skin and bowel disease, which is associated in a consanguineous family with homozygous loss-offunction mutations in ADAM17. This thesis describes investigations of the expression and function of ADAM17 – and downstream proteins it regulates – in an individual affected by this disease. This is accompanied by genetic investigations into other individuals suspected of suffering from the same syndrome. The second investigated disease is Tylosis with Oesophageal Cancer (TOC), an inherited cutaneous disease which represents the only known syndrome of familial oesophageal cancer susceptibility. This disease was associated to dominantly inherited mutations in the Rhomboid protein iRHOM2. This work describes investigations of immortalised keratinocyte cell lines and tissues derived from TOC-affected individuals, and illustrates that the pathogenesis of TOC is characterised by increased iRHOM2-dependent activation and activity of ADAM17, and upregulation of the shedding of ADAM17 substrates, particularly in the EGFR ligand family, accompanied by increased desmosome turnover and transglutaminase 1 activity. This pattern of upregulation results in attendant increases in growth factor signalling, proliferation and motility in TOC keratinocytes, dependent on ADAM17. The third focus of this thesis is a life-threatening inherited gastrointestinal disease (accompanied by severe extraintestinal complications) whose symptoms correspond to Cryptogenic Multifocal Ulcerative Stenosing Enteritis. This work describes the identification of mutations in cytosolic phospholipase A2-α (cPLA2α) – an enzyme responsible for arachidonic acid production, the first step in the eicosanoid synthesis pathway – as associated with this condition in a single affected family. The expression and function of cPLA2α in this disease was investigated, using platelet aggregation stimulated by a downstream product of cPLA2α (Thromboxane A2) as a mode

Strategic Silence, Insider Selling and Litigation Risk

Prior work finds that managers beneficially time their purchases, but not sales, prior to forecasts. Focusing on if (as opposed to when) a forecast is given, we link insider selling to silence in advance of earnings disappointments. This raises the question of whether the absence of incriminating trading drives reductions in litigation risk potentially attributed to warnings. We find that the absence of a warning combined with the presence of selling exacerbates the consequences associated with the individual behaviors. Yet, selling prior to a warning typically does not offset all of the warning׳s benefit. In so doing, we supply the first robust evidence of a litigation benefit associated with warning

Roger Taney Promissory Note, signed by Matthew Flume, October 4, 1818.

In this item Matthew Flume promises to pay Roger B. Taney $100 as soon as a land deed is obtained transferring 41 and 3/4 acres from Henry Peakly to Flume. Witnessed by Singleton Duval and signed by Matthew Flume. Dated October 4, 1818.https://digitalcommons.wofford.edu/littlejohnmss/1239/thumbnail.jp

A Compact Gamma Ray and X-Ray Detector for Cube Satellites

Cosmic radiation continues to be a constant threat to any prolonged space mission. Harboring biological or non-biological payloads aboard a spacecraft traveling in space, cosmic radiation showers ionizing particles such as gamma and x-ray particles from our neighboring stars in our solar system and galaxy clusters. These ionizing particles create extensive issues for extended space missions such as traveling to Mars due to their degrading radiation effects on the human body and spacecraft electronics. Although precise instruments give more accurate results, they are presented as expensive, bulky, and heavy for space missions. This paper presents the background, capabilities, and opportunity of a small, low-cost particle detector aimed to (1) measure directional originating sources of the formation of cosmic radiation (2) narrow and establish a gamma and x-ray radiation shielding material used to protect spacecraft electronics, and (3) offer an open-source economical and educational solution used to inform and educate the populace on cosmic radiation activities. This paper is intended for the use and operation in small cube satellites operating within the PC-104 form factor architecture; but can be rearranged for specific intended use

Effectiveness of Case Management with Problem-Solving Therapy for Rural Older Adults with Depression

Objective To evaluate the effect of case management with problem solving therapy (CM-PST) on depression and disability among rural older adults and compare its effect with outcomes derived from a previous, but similar study among 84 urban older adults. Methods This study examined the comparative effectiveness of a CM-PST intervention for older adults with depression and unmet needs across rural and urban settings. Participants received 12 one-hour sessions of CM-PST with a master's-level clinician. A total of 56 rural and 84 urban adults aged 60 and older experiencing mild to moderate depression received services in their homes. Results The rural CM-PST intervention resulted in significantly reduced depression (reduction of 13.9 points, 95% CI 12.2 to 15.7, t(422)= 15.35, p<0.0001) and disability by week 12 (reduction of 6.7 points, 95% CI 4.8 to 8.5, t(425)= 7.01, p<0.0001). Reductions in depression and disability were sustained through week 24. The reductions in depression (F=3.98 df=4,388. p=0.0035) and disability (F=2.71, df=4,381, p=0.03) found in the rural sample were comparable to, or better than, those found in the urban sample. Improvements in unmet need and resilience predicted lower depression scores at 12 weeks, while improvements in unmet need and hopelessness predicted improvements in disability. No moderators of depression were identified, but baseline values of self-efficacy, resilience, and hopelessness moderated disability. Conclusions CM-PST was as effective at reducing depression and disability among rural older adults as it was for urban older adults. Home-delivered CM-PST can be successfully adapted to meet the specific needs of rural seniors using resources often available in rural communities.publishedVersio

2022 Nebraska Water Leaders Academy Final Report

Fifteen participants completed the 2022 Water Leaders Academy bringing the total number of graduates to 168 since the inception of the program in 2011. Assessments of participants’ transformational leadership skills, champion of innovation skills, water knowledge, engagement with water issues, civic capacity, entrepreneurial leadership behaviors, and boundary spanning skills increased significantly over the course of the year, according to both the participants and their raters. Feedback from the participants was highly positive and constructive. Academy planners are addressing participant concerns. Results of the program assessment indicate that the curriculum is meeting Academy objectives. Therefore, only minor changes are planned for the 2023 Academy curriculum. The emergence of Academy alumni as leaders worldwide attests to its ongoing success