Optimizing Growth Conditions for the Study of Plant Gravity Perception on the ISS

Developmental plasticity is a hallmark of plant growth, and gravity provides a pervasive cue that influences plant form. Plants perceive gravity in part through the sedimentation of starch-filled plastids found in gravity sensing cells. Upon displacement from vertical, primary roots respond to gravity stimulation at a rate that varies depending on the angle of stimulation. Roots that lack sedimenting plastids show reduced gravitropic response and rates of differential growth that do not depend on the angle of stimulation. These results suggest an alternate mechanism of gravity perception not involving plastid sedimentation. We are planning to characterize this alternate mechanism by applying fractional g treatments to Arabidopsis thaliana wild type and starchless (pgm-1) mutants using centrifugation in the EMCS facility aboard the ISS. As part of Flight Definition, we are investigating a number of parameters in order to optimize seedling growth in flight hardware. All of our previous work on root gravitropism has been carried out with primary roots between 4 and 5 d old growing on agar-based nutrient media containing 1% sucrose. Agar-based substrates differ significantly from the growth environment in the Seed Cassettes designed for the EMCS, in which seedlings grow along the surface of a membrane. One objective here is to compare development over the period 72 h to 120 h after hydration to determine an optimal developmental stage at which to begin variable g treatments. Results thus far suggest that roots elongate at a sufficient rate as early as 72 h following hydration on the membrane. A second objective is to determine whether seedlings of the pgm-1 mutant require sucrose in the media in order to achieve optimal growth rates, given that the nature of this mutation affects multiple processes involved in carbon metabolism. Our preliminary data indicate that root elongation is minimally impacted by varying sucrose concentration. Finally, we will present data on the growth of pgm-1 and wild type roots at elevated carbon dioxide concentrations, like those on the ISS, to test for negative impacts on the growth of the mutant. Supported by NASA grant NNX15AG55G

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Determinants of Acceptance among Healthcare Workers, Academics and Tertiary Students in Nigeria

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of human deaths, prompting the rapid development and regulatory approval of several vaccines. Although Nigeria implemented a COVID-19 vaccination program on 15 March 2021, low vaccine acceptance remains a major chal-lenge. To provide insight on factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH), we conducted a national survey among healthcare workers, academics, and tertiary students, between 1 September 2021 and 31 December 2021. We fitted a logistic regression model to the data and exam-ined factors associated with VH to support targeted health awareness campaigns to address public

The Persistence of Scientific Racism in Azouz Begag\u27s Béni ou le Paradis Privé

For nearly as long as humans have inhabited the Earth, the practice of migration has been in existence. In recent times, the issue of immigration has become a divisive issue, one whose merits and consequences are being constantly debated. France, in particular has been experiencing a surge in the number of immigrant populations since the early 19th century and many of these populations originate from its former colonies in Africa. Upon arrival in their “terre d’accueil”, African immigrants are usually subject to a hostile reception from the native population. Unlike European immigrants however, the African immigrants are seen as “other” owing to their ethnic and racial differences, and this leads to issues of racial discrimination. It has been the case, from the early beginnings of African immigration to Europe, that “science” and “scientific arguments” are used by members of the native population to justify racial discrimination towards the immigrants. This project will examine the use of science as a means to justify racial discrimination towards North African immigrants in France through analyses of Azouz Begag’s “Béni ou le paradis privé”, in order to investigate and highlight this phenomenon from the perspective of the African immigrant

Literature to Film: Madame Bovary

Madame Bovary is a realist novel written by Flaubert in the 19th century, which has seen numerous adaptations of varying fidelity. We find that many all fallen short in terms of creativity and interpretive strength. For the creative side of this project, we are attempting to make a modern adaptation that addresses the essence of the novel rather that the exact narrative. One way we are accomplishing this goal is by focusing on scenes that are profoundly not cinematic, and accounting for Flaubert’s unique writing style, for example, his use of the imperfect tense to convey subtle changes in the mood and meaning in the intentions of the characters. For the analytical side of the project, we will use adaption theory to analyze our adaptation, the creative side of the project. As an example of resource, Thomas Leitch’s “Twelve Fallacies in Contemporary Adaption Theory” will provide a framework in which to evaluate the originality of our project. Though this work, we hope to gain a larger understanding of the issues faced when adapting this particular text, as well as to gain an appreciation of the work that goes into adaptation

Association of combustible and non-combustible tobacco use with clinically diagnosed adverse oral health outcomes among US adults, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2014)

Introduction: There is an established link between tobacco use and adverse oral health outcomes. However, there is a paucity of research exploring the effect of various tobacco products on clinically diagnosed adverse oral health outcomes. Methods: Data were pooled from three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 2009-2010; 2011-2012; and 2013-2014 (n = 11,453). Multivariable logistic regressions examined the associations between periodontitis and dental caries with the type of tobacco product used (combustible, non-combustible or both). Results: Overall, 42.3% of the study sample had any periodontitis, 7.8% had severe periodontitis and 21.7% had dental caries. There was a higher prevalence of periodontitis and caries among combustible tobacco users than non-combustible tobacco use; 62.1% of combustible tobacco smokers had any periodontitis, 17.1% had severe periodontitis, while 39.4% of adults with dental caries were dual users. Compared to non-smokers, combustible tobacco use increased the odds of any periodontitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.28, 3.45) and severe periodontitis (aOR 2.62, 95% CI 1.90, 3.61). Compared to non-smokers, both combustible tobacco (aOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.61, 2.76) and non-combustible tobacco use (aOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.19, 3.66) increased the odds of dental caries. Discussion and conclusions: In this study of US adults, combustible tobacco use was associated with periodontitis and dental caries, while non-combustible tobacco use was associated with dental caries. In addition to conducting extensive oral health screening among all smokers, oral health-care providers should counsel smokers on the need for smoking cessation

Indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant goats for meat in Enugu, Nigeria: Causes, prevalence, implications and ways-out.

BackgroundThe indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant goats (SPGs) undermines meat production and food security especially in developing countries. It also connotes animal cruelty, depletion of goat population and may enhance the spread of zoonotic pathogens inhabiting the female reproductive tract during carcass processing. Consequently, this study determined the causes and prevalence of slaughtering pregnant goats for meat in Enugu, Nigeria. The study also estimated the economic losses associated with SPGs, discussed the negative public health consequences and suggested the ways-out.MethodsStructured, validated and pilot-tested questionnaire was used to ascertain the reasons for SPGs for meat among 78 willing and randomly selected respondents. The questionnaire survey was conducted in the form of interview. Pregnancy statuses of the goats slaughtered were ascertained by visual inspection and palpation of the eviscerated and longitudinally incised uteri and the horns for macroscopic evidence of pregnancy. Ages of the dams were estimated by dentition method. Estimation of the gestational age was performed by crown-rump length method. The study lasted for six months, comprised of three months (December to March) during the dry/hot season and another three months (May to August) during the wet/rainy season. Economic loss estimation was based on the current monetary values of a matured (30 kilogram) goat and one kilogram of chevon in Enugu, Nigeria; which was determined through market survey. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to determine whether there were significant (PResultsMajor reasons adduced for SPGs were: economic hardship (41%), ignorance of the goat's pregnancy status (21%), increased demand for chevon (13%) and feed scarcity during drought (11%). Of the 1,658 does examined during the six months study, 589 (35.5%) were pregnant. The majority (876/1658, 52.8%) of the female goats slaughtered were in their active reproductive age of ≤ 4 years, while 782 (47.2%) were aged > 4 years. Similarly, majority (1007/1658, 60.7%) of the does/nannies were slaughtered during the dry/hot season. A total of 907 foetuses at first (n = 332, 36.6%), second (n = 486, 53.6%) and third (n = 89, 9.8%) trimesters of gestation were recovered from the 589 PGs. Singleton, twin and triplet pregnancies were observed in 312 (53%), 236 (40%) and 41 (7%) PGs, respectively. About ₦34.44 million ($83,390) would have been earned if the foetuses were born alive and raised to maturity. Additionally, 19,136 kg of chevon, valued at ₦47,841, 000 ($115,838), which would have accrued from the wasted foetuses was also lost.ConclusionConsidering the economic, zoonotic and livestock production implications of this work, frantic efforts to reduce SPGs in Enugu, Nigeria is imperative. This could be achieved through advocacy, goat farmers' enlightenment, ante-mortem pregnancy diagnosis, provision of subsidized feed materials during the dry season and strict enforcement of the Nigerian Meat Edict law, which proscribes unapproved slaughter of gravid animals. These measures may improve food safety and security, improve goat reproduction and production, reduce protein malnutrition, limit dissemination of zoonotic pathogens during carcass processing and hence protect public health in Nigeria

Reasons advanced for sale or slaughter of pregnant goats for meat in Enugu, Nigeria.

Reasons advanced for sale or slaughter of pregnant goats for meat in Enugu, Nigeria.</p

Major methods of disposal of caprine foetuses or gravid uterine content among slaughterhouse workers (n = 78) in Enugu, Nigeria.

Major methods of disposal of caprine foetuses or gravid uterine content among slaughterhouse workers (n = 78) in Enugu, Nigeria.</p

Gestational age distributions of pregnant goats slaughtered and the corresponding number of foetuses recovered at Akwata and Artisan slaughterhouses in Enugu, Nigeria.

Gestational age distributions of pregnant goats slaughtered and the corresponding number of foetuses recovered at Akwata and Artisan slaughterhouses in Enugu, Nigeria.</p