The effect of DNA structure and restriction enzymes on transformation efficiencies in Neurospora crassa

Addition of the appropriate restriction enzyme to linearized transforming DNA has been shown to increase transformation efficiencies in organisms as diverse as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Schiestl and Petes 1991 Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 88:7585-7589) and Dictyostelium discoideum (Kuspa and Loomis 1992 Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 89:8803- 8807). This process has been described as REMI, for restriction enzyme-mediated integration. We have examined the effect of restriction enzyme addition on transformation efficiencies in Neurospora crassa. The frequency of cotransformation of a qa-2 inl double mutant with two plasmids [one containing the selectable marker qa-2+ (quinate utilization) and the other containing inl+ (inositol)] was also examined, as was the generation of stable versus abortive transformants

Restriction polymorphism maps of Neurospora crassa: 2000 update

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) can be used to determine the approximate map location of any cloned piece of DNA. To establish an RFLP mapping system for N. crassa, R.L. Metzenberg and coworkers crossed strains with multiple sequence differences, an Oak Ridge laboratory strain (designated O ) and a Mauriceville-1c wild-collected strain (designated M ; Metzenberg et al. 1984 Neurospora Newsl. 31:35-39; ibid. 1985 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82:2067-2071; Metzenberg and Grotelueschen 1995 Fungal Genet. Newsl. 42:82-90). Progeny from two separate crosses have been widely distributed and used for mapping. For the first cross, 38 progeny from 18 ordered asci were analyzed. Because nonsister spores from the same half of the ascus were selected, first-division segregation can be distinguished from second-division. For the second cross 18 random ascospore progeny were analyzed. The first cross is preferred for RFLP mapping, for several reasons: resolution is better because more loci have been scored; distance from the centromere can be estimated regardless of which linkage group is involved; double crossovers within intervals can be recognized, as can putative gene conversions or scoring errors.However, updated maps for both crosses are presented here

Neurospora proteome 2000

The filamentous fungus, Neurospora crassa, has an eminent history as a central organism in the elucidation of the tenets of classical and biochemical genetics. Of particular significance are the experiments of George Beadle and Edward Tatum in the 1940s with N. crassa that led to the one gene-one enzyme hypothesis (Beadle and Tatum 1941 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 27:499 506). In six decades, over 1,000 genes have been mapped and characterized (Perkins, Radford and Sachs 2000 The Neurospora Compendium: Chromosomal Loci. Academic Press; Perkins 2000 Fungal Genet. Newsl., this volume), but that leaves perhaps 10,000 or more genes not yet identified by classical genetics. High-throughput, automated partial sequencing of cDNA libraries to generate expressed sequence tags (ESTs) allows for the rapid identification and characterization of preferentially expressed genes in different tissues, as well as the discovery of novel genes (Adams et al. 1991 Science252:1651-1656; Okubo et al. 1992 Nature Genet. 1:173-179)

The effect of a brief, web-based animated video for improving comprehension and implementation feasibility for reducing anterior cruciate ligament injury: A three-arm randomized controlled trial

Neuromuscular injury prevention training (IPT) has been shown to reduce anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk by approximately 50%, but the implementation rate is low. One of the most important modifiable barriers for implementation is coaches’ comprehension of risk and intervention strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a brief, web-based, animated video on ACL injury prevention comprehension and IPT implementation feasibility. Coaches in landing and cutting sports were recruited and randomized into three groups. (1) Intervention: brief multimedia animated video about ACL injury and prevention. (2) Active control: commonly accessed, text-based web resource about ACL injury and prevention. (3) Placebo control: brief multimedia video about concussions. Overall ACL comprehension—composed of basic ACL knowledge, risk knowledge, prevention knowledge, and severity knowledge—as well as implementation feasibility were all measured prior to and immediately following the interventions. Overall ACL comprehension improved the most in the animated video group (Cohen’s d = 0.86) and, to a lesser degree, in the active control web-based article group (Cohen’s d = 0.39). Both video and web-based article groups had greater implementation feasibility compared to the control group (p = 0.01). Overall, these initial results suggest that a brief, web-based, animated video has the potential to be a superior method for informing stakeholders in order to reduce traumatic injuries in sport

A provisional UniGene clone set based on ESTs from Neurospora crassa

We have constructed a list of N. crassa cDNA clones for which partial sequences exist, toward the goal of maximizing the number of genes represented while avoiding redundancy. This effort employed GenBank sequences from the combined N. crassa EST projects at the University of New Mexico, the University of Oklahoma and Dartmouth College (27,557 ESTs; Nelson et al. 1997 Fungal Genet. Biol.21:348-363; Zhu et al. 2001 Genetics 157: 1057-1065). The current list, subject to ongoing revision, includes 2842 clones and is available at the web site of the Neurospora Genome Project (NGP) at the University of New Mexico (http://www.unm.edu/~ngp/), along with details of its construction. Each cDNA clone in the list represents a unique gene. We have also assembled a UniGene set of cDNA clones for that portion of the UniGene set that is represented in libraries constructed by the NGP at UNM. This UniGene library is comprised of 1786 clones distributed in 20 96-well dishes, and it is available through the Fungal Genetics Stock Center

The Ursinus Weekly, March 17, 1952

MSGA reveals penalty plan for cheating • Campus presidential election by ballot planned Thursday • Seminar concludes with talk on philosophy of marriage • Sarah Canan named \u27Weekly editor; Richard Richter to be managing editor • Fireside chat planned by Y • Thespians to act in Penn Olympics • Chinese diplomat to speak at Forum Wednesday, April 2 • Courses listed for Summer term by Dean • Phila. Story leaders named • Dr. Carleton Coon tells Forum of cave explorations in Iran • Editorials: Heart of the matter; Some last words; Ike strengthened in N. H. • Letters to the editor • Y delegates attend meeting at U. of P. • Four Ursinus students visit United Nations meeting Friday • Juniors make final plans for variety show, Spring prom • Mr. Wilcox to read translations • Talk postponed • Students visit Vienna art display at museum • Whistler finally locates his trunk • Belles remain undefeated with victory over Temple • Huge crowd expected for intramural night • Swarthmore wins over tank team • Curtain falls over winter sports as wrestling ends • Veterans bolster track prospects • Baseballers begin Spring practice • Badminton team loses game to Swarthmore, 5-0, Thursday • Girls drop first game by one point to Penn • Brodbeck wins intramural title • Tennis team sets up player-ladder • Chemistry students plan conference • Eight men receive alternate bids by campus fraternitieshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1538/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, May 14, 1951

Robert Herber chosen for study abroad • Dramatic fraternity takes in new members • Debating Club elects • Mary MacPherson crowned May Queen before large crowd; Arsenic run registers success • Senior announcements available; Meeting set • Tom Davis elected MSGA president; Feulner is V. P. • Y doggie roast planned • Jay Ely chosen head of musical organizations • Classes vote for officers; Council named • Women\u27s dorms elect new representatives • Editorials: Oaths of loyalty? • Great debate continues • Ye olde cricket game • MSGA history shows how present system developed • Sizzling, simpering sunbathers seek solar solace! • Curtis teams vie for championships • Swarthmore jayvees defeat Ursinus girls\u27 net team, 3-2 • Bearettes trounce weak Beaver ten; Spencer fans 11 • Three records broken, another tied as Swarthmore wins triangular meet • Tennis men extend streak to five; Delaware beaten • Snell\u27s Belles continue undefeated as they roll over Chestnut Hill, 31-2 • LaSalle pounds three U hurlers in 15-4 landslide • Muhlenberg diamond squad scores shutout victory over Ursinus nine • Netmen down Dragon squad • Ursinus Women\u27s Club invited to lecture • Newman Club holds Communion, breakfast • Chi Alpha to electhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1569/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, May 21, 1951

Dr. Allan L. Rice confers with Senator E. Kefauver • Awards given to athletes at WAA banquet • Reading Railroad president to address Newcomen group here • WSGA installs new officers at banquet • Curtain Club elects Roberts • Bowens join honorary debating frat, Tau Kappa • Lantern issue due • Y picnic held • Dean Harry A. Cochran to address senior class • MSGA gives out concessions for 1951-52 year • Ruby to arrive shortly; Seniors plan class gift • Various campus groups hold annual elections, installations • Editorials: Backward glance • World escapism attacked; News awareness asked • Poll reveals students\u27 plans • Seniors review elements in their past, grow maudlin as graduation approaches • Scheduling problems plague students, faculty; Difficulties cause practice teachers to groan • Softball team scores two more victories • Dickinson loses to Ursinus nine • Ursinus girls beat East Stroudsburg squad in tennis • Luckless Bruins lose to Lehigh track team • Garnet team halts Millermen\u27s streak; LaSalle defeated, 5-4, to close season • Curtis I crowned softball champs • Cindermen place sixth in Middle Atlantics • Penn girls defeat Ursinus in tennis • Hal Henning\u27s circuit blast beats Drew; Wild pitch defeats Delaware in eleventh • Zeta Chi takes inter-frat track • Health, welfare council meets at Ursinus; Elect new officers • Note of thankshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1570/thumbnail.jp

Global Rice Atlas: Disaggregated seasonal crop calendar and production

Purpose: Rice is an important staple crop cultivated in more than 163 million ha globally. Although information on the distribution of global rice production is available by country and, at times, at subnational level, information on its distribution within a year is often lacking in different rice growing regions. Knowing when and where rice is planted and harvested and the associated production is crucial to policy and decision making on food security. To examine seasonal and geographic variations in food supply, we developed a detailed rice crop calendar and linked it with disaggregated production data. Approach and methods used: We compiled from various sources detailed data on rice production, and planting and harvesting dates by growing season. To standardize the production data to the same period, we adjusted the production values so that the totals for each country will be the same as those of FAO for 2010-2012. We then linked data on rice production with the corresponding crop calendar information to estimate production at harvest time by month then we calculated totals for each country and region. Key results: The bulk of global annual harvests of rice is from September to November, corresponding with the harvest of the wet season rice in Asia and Africa. Total rough rice production during those peak months exceed 381 million tons, which account for about half of annual global rice output. Production is lowest in January with only 11 million tons in total. Regional production is lowest in Asia in January, Americas in December, Africa in July and rest of the world in May. Synthesis and Applications: A globally complete and spatially detailed rice crop calendar is important to crop growth simulation modelling and assessment of vulnerability of rice areas to biotic and abiotic stresses. Linked to production estimates, it can be used in analyzing spatial and seasonal production trends to better assess and predict price fluctuations , and to mitigate potential significant shortfalls in food production at certain times of the year

A qualitative study of design stakeholders' views of developing and implementing a registry-based learning health system.

BACKGROUND:New opportunities to record, collate, and analyze routine patient data have prompted optimism about the potential of learning health systems. However, real-life examples of such systems remain rare and few have been exposed to study. We aimed to examine the views of design stakeholders on designing and implementing a US-based registry-enabled care and learning system for cystic fibrosis (RCLS-CF). METHODS:We conducted a two-phase qualitative study with stakeholders involved in designing, implementing, and using the RCLS-CF. First, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 program personnels involved in design and delivery of the program. We then undertook 11 follow-up interviews. Analysis of interviews was based on the constant comparative method, supported by NVivo software. RESULTS:The organizing principle for the RCLS-CF was a shift to more partnership-based relationships between patients and clinicians, founded in values of co-production, and facilitated by technology-enabled data sharing. Participants proposed that, for the system to be successful, the data it collects must be both clinically useful and meaningful to patients and clinicians. They suggested that the prerequisites included a technological infrastructure capable of supporting data entry and joint decision-making in an accessible way, and a set of social conditions, including willingness from patients and clinicians alike to work together in new ways that build on the expertise of both parties. Follow-up interviews highlighted some of the obstacles, including technical challenges and practical constraints on refiguring relationships between clinicians and patients. CONCLUSIONS:The values and vision underlying the RCLS-CF were shared and clearly and consistently articulated by design stakeholders. The challenges to realization were often not at the level of principle, but were both practical and social in character. Lessons from this study may be useful to other systems looking to harness the power of "big data" registries, including patient-reported data, for care, research, and quality improvement