Exploration of Genes Controlling Grain Yield Heterosis in Hybrid Wheat (\u3ci\u3eTriticum aestivum\u3c/i\u3e L.) Utilizing 3ʹ RNA Sequencing

The implementation and future success of hybrid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is impacted by breeders’ inability to create consistent high yielding, high heterosis hybrids. This research addresses this problem by conducting an exploration of transcriptomes from hybrids and parent lines to determine what genes are active in heterotic or non-heterotic hybrids and how their level of expression can explain the phenotype of grain yield heterosis. Using hybrids that showed positive mid-parent heterosis (MPH), classified as heterotic in our study, and negative or no difference MPH hybrids, classified as non-heterotic, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) potentially related to heterosis and hybrid yield response can be identified. Differential gene expression analysis found that more genes are differentially expressed in the non-heterotic hybrid to parent comparisons than in the heterotic hybrid to parent comparisons. Another important aspect of conducting a transcriptome study is adequately preserving the RNA for extraction and sequencing. Previous work has used liquid nitrogen to preserve samples taken out in the field, but this is dangerous and cumbersome. RNAlater® has been used as an alternative to liquid nitrogen but is not as consistent at preservation compared to liquid nitrogen. Another study to investigate this problem was conducted by sampling leaf and immature kernels from wheat, storing the samples at two temperatures for up to six months, extracting the RNA, and testing the quality parameters associated with using RNA for sequencing. The results showed that the lower storage temperature had a negative impact on the parameters while storage time only negatively affected the purity. Both studies can be applied to research conducted on the transcriptome of wheat and allow for differences to be detected to explain heterosis. Advisor: P. Stephen Baenzige

An Occupational Therapy Guide for Teaching Handwriting Skills to Adults

Handwriting is a skill utilized widely by adults; however, there is a lack of guidelines, information, or literature on the subject as it relates to adults. The purpose of this project was to develop guidelines for occupational therapists to use when providing handwriting interventions with adults. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, DynaMed, and professional journals to further understand the topic of handwriting with adults and its relation to occupational therapy. Currently, there is limited research and information regarding handwriting with adults and no programs or guidelines were found to assist occupational therapists in developing treatment interventions to remediate adult patients\u27 handwriting. The guidelines developed for occupational therapists consist of a review of the anatomy and musculature involved with handwriting, grasp patterns, ergonomic factors relating to handwriting, visual control, proprioception and kinesthesia, spatial analysis, bilateral integration, and age-appropriate activities/intervention ideas for use with occupational therapists\u27 adult clients. The development of these guidelines was grounded in constructivist learning theory to enhance the meaning of the treatment for the client. These guidelines are intended to provide occupational therapists with a basic foundation of knowledge and treatment strategies to maximize their clients\u27 remediation of handwriting dysfunction. The authors of this scholarly project recommend more research be completed on handwriting practices with adults. It is also recommended that an assessment be developed that specifically addresses adult handwriting skills

Solution-Processed, Solid-State Solar Cells based on Environmentally Friendly AgBiS2 Nanocrystals

Solution-processed inorganic solar cells are a promising low-cost alternative to firstgeneration solar cells.1,2 Solution processing at low temperatures and the use of nontoxic and abundant elements can help minimize cost and facilitate regulatory acceptance. However, until now there has been no material that exhibits all of these features while demonstrating promising efficiencies. Many of the most promising solution-processed inorganic solar cells contain toxic elements such as lead or cadmium (perovskites,2,3 PbS,4 CdTe,5,6 CdS(Se)7,8) or scarce elements like tellurium or indium (CdTe, CIGS(Se)/CIS9,10). Others require high-temperature processes such as selenization or sintering or rely on vacuum deposition techniques ((Sb2S(Se)3,11–13 SnS,14,15 CZTS(Se)16). Here, we present AgBiS2 nanocrystals as a novel nontoxic,17 earth-abundant18 material for highperformance, solution-processed solar cells fabricated in ambient conditions at low temperatures (≤100°C). The AgBiS2 nanocrystals have favorable properties for solar-cell applications including a near-ideal bandgap and strong, broad absorption. We demonstrate a Newport certified power conversion efficiency of 6.3% with no hysteresis and a remarkably high short-circuit current density of about 22 mA·cm-2 for an active layer thickness of only ~35 nm.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype-1: A Review of Disease Distribution, Clinical Symptoms, and Laboratory Diagnostics

Avian paramyxovirus serotype-1 (APMV-1) is capable of infecting a wide range of avian species leading to a broad range of clinical symptoms. Ease of transmission has allowed the virus to spread worldwide with varying degrees of virulence depending on the virus strain and host species. Classification systems have been designed to group isolates based on their genetic composition. The genetic composition of the fusion gene cleavage site plays an important role in virulence. Presence of multiple basic amino acids at the cleavage site allows enzymatic cleavage of the fusion protein enabling virulent viruses to spread systemically. Diagnostic tests, including virus isolation, real-time reverse-transcription PCR, and sequencing, are used to characterize the virus and identify virulent strains. Genetic diversity within APMV-1 demonstrates the need for continual monitoring for changes that may arise requiring modifications to the molecular assays to maintain their usefulness for diagnostic testing

Highly productive polar forests from the Permian of Antarctica

Two stratigraphically closely spaced bedding planes exposed at Lamping Peak in the Upper Buckley Formation, Beardmore Glacier area, Antarctica contain abundant in situ stumps (n=53, n=21) and other plant fossils that allow reconstruction of forest structure and biomass of Glossopteris forests that thrived at ~ 75o S paleolatitude in the Permian. Mean trunk diameter is 14 and 25 cm, corresponding to estimated mean maximum heights of 12 and 19 m. Basal areas are 65 and 80 m2ha- 1. The above ground biomass was calculated using allometric equations for Ginkgo biloba, yielding biomasses of 147 and 178 Mg ha- 1. Biomass estimates based on comparison with biomass of modern forests with equivalent basal areas are higher (225 – 400 Mg ha- 1). The amount of above ground biomass added each year (Annual Net Primary Productivity), based on biomass estimates and growth rings in silicified plant material from the Buckley Formation nearby, is poorly constrained, ranging from ~ 100 – 2000 g m- 2 yr- 1. Compared to modern forests at all latitudes, the Permian forests have high basal areas and high biomass, exceeded in both only by forests of the U.S. Pacific northwest and Sequoia forests. The estimated range of productivity (ANPP) is within that of many very productive modern forests. The Lamping Peak forests’ basal areas and calculated biomass are also larger than younger high paleolatitude fossil forests except for Arctic Cenozoic forests. Presence of these highly productive fossil forests at high paleolatitude is consistent with hothouse conditions during the Late Permian, prior to the eruption of the Siberian flood basalts

Facial Nerve Axotomy in Mice: A Model to Study Motoneuron Response to Injury

The goal of this surgical protocol is to expose the facial nerve, which innervates the facial musculature, at its exit from the stylomastoid foramen and either cut or crush it to induce peripheral nerve injury. Advantages of this surgery are its simplicity, high reproducibility, and the lack of effect on vital functions or mobility from the subsequent facial paralysis, thus resulting in a relatively mild surgical outcome compared to other nerve injury models. A major advantage of using a cranial nerve injury model is that the motoneurons reside in a relatively homogenous population in the facial motor nucleus in the pons, simplifying the study of the motoneuron cell bodies. Because of the symmetrical nature of facial nerve innervation and the lack of crosstalk between the facial motor nuclei, the operation can be performed unilaterally with the unaxotomized side serving as a paired internal control. A variety of analyses can be performed postoperatively to assess the physiologic response, details of which are beyond the scope of this article. For example, recovery of muscle function can serve as a behavioral marker for reinnervation, or the motoneurons can be quantified to measure cell survival. Additionally, the motoneurons can be accurately captured using laser microdissection for molecular analysis. Because the facial nerve axotomy is minimally invasive and well tolerated, it can be utilized on a wide variety of genetically modified mice. Also, this surgery model can be used to analyze the effectiveness of peripheral nerve injury treatments. Facial nerve injury provides a means for investigating not only motoneurons, but also the responses of the central and peripheral glial microenvironment, immune system, and target musculature. The facial nerve injury model is a widely accepted peripheral nerve injury model that serves as a powerful tool for studying nerve injury and regeneration

HRP Increment 41/42 Overview

No abstract availabl

Kdm6a deficiency restricted to mouse hematopoietic cells causes an age- and sex-dependent myelodysplastic syndrome-like phenotype

Kdm6a/Utx, a gene on the X chromosome, encodes a histone H3K27me3 demethylase that has an orthologue on the Y chromosome (Uty) (Zheng et al. 2018). We previously identified inactivating mutations of Kdm6a in approximately 50% of mouse acute promyelocytic leukemia samples; however, somatic mutations of KDM6A are more rare in human AML samples, ranging in frequency from 2-15% in different series of patients, where their role in pathogenesis is not yet clear. In this study, we show that female Kdm6aflox/flox mice (with allele inactivation initiated by Vav1-Cre in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) have a sex-specific phenotype that emerges with aging, with features resembling a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Female Kdm6a-knockout (KO) mice have an age-dependent expansion of their HSPCs with aberrant self-renewal, but they did not differentiate normally into downstream progeny. These mice became mildly anemic and thrombocytopenic, but did not develop overt leukemia, or die from these cytopenias. ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq studies showed only minor changes in H3K27me3, H3K27ac, H3K4me, H3K4me3 and chromatin accessibility between Kdm6a-WT and Kdm6a-KO mice. Utilizing scRNA-seq, Kdm6a loss was linked to the transcriptional repression of genes that mediate hematopoietic cell fate determination. These data demonstrate that Kdm6a plays an important role in normal hematopoiesis, and that its inactivation may contribute to AML pathogenesis