Interdependent interactions between TFIIB, TATA binding protein, and DNA.

Temperature-sensitive mutants of TFIIB that are defective for essential interactions were isolated. One mutation (G204D) results in disruption of a protein-protein contact between TFIIB and TATA binding protein (TBP), while the other (K272I) disrupts an interaction between TFIIB and DNA. The TBP gene was mutagenized, and alleles that suppress the slow-growth phenotypes of the TFIIB mutants were isolated. TFIIB with the G204D mutation [TFIIB(G204D)] was suppressed by hydrophobic substitutions at lysine 239 of TBP. These changes led to increased affinity between TBP and TFIIB. TFIIB(K272I) was weakly suppressed by TBP mutants in which K239 was changed to hydrophobic residues. However, this mutant TFIIB was strongly suppressed by conservative substitutions in the DNA binding surface of TBP. Biochemical characterization showed that these TBP mutants had increased affinity for a TATA element. The TBPs with increased affinity could not suppress TFIIB(G204D), leading us to propose a two-step model for the interaction between TFIIB and the TBP-DNA complex

Concussion History and Behavioural Problems in Child and Adolescent Athletes

Sport-related concussion has become a “hot-button” topic in the media and in science. Increasingly, researchers are beginning to understand the association between concussion history and psychosocial adjustment in adults. But little research has been conducted examining this relation in children, and studies done have yielded discrepant results. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate this relation by using current internalizing and externalizing behaviour to predict past history of concussion among child athletes. Forty-eight (77.1% female) elite community athletes aged 11 to 14 years old (M age = 12.95) completed baseline assessments at the University of Windsor as part of a larger concussion management protocol. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the parent-report version of the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3; Internalizing and Externalizing scales only), and previous concussion history was assessed via a demographics questionnaire. A binary logistic regression analysis using the BASC-3 scales as predictors and concussion history (0 vs. ≥1 previous concussion) as the dichotomous outcome variable indicated that the predictors were unable to differentiate between athletes with and without a prior history of concussion. Moreover, neither predictor significantly contributed to the model. These findings suggest that there is no relation between concussion history and current behavioural functioning in this population. Implications of these findings are discussed given the methodological and statistical limitations of the study. Future research should seek to replicate this methodology with more diverse samples to ensure greater generalizability of results

Adolescents’ conceptualisations of kindness and its links with well-being: a focus group study

There has been a recent surge of interest from researchers, policymakers, and the general public in how kindness can promote well-being. Even though adolescence is a key period for the development of relevant value systems and mental health, little is known about adolescents’ understanding of kindness. Six focus groups were conducted with 11- to 15-year-olds, exploring their conceptualisations of kindness. Thematic analysis revealed a multifaceted understanding, identifying ten different categories of kind behaviour that are influenced by situational antecedents as well as specific self- and other-focused goals. Crucially, participants also identified a number of moderators, including contextual and dispositional factors (e.g., features of social relationships, levels of empathy) that support and extend current theoretical frameworks. Responses from participants reinforced the idea that kindness contributes to well-being for the recipient and the giver. These findings have implications for the future design and efficacy of kindness-based well-being interventions for adolescents

A key role of TRPC channels in the regulation of electromechanical activity of the developing heart

Aims It is well established that dysfunction of voltage-dependent ion channels results in arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in the foetal and adult heart. However, the involvement of voltage-insensitive cationic TRPC (transient receptor potential canonical) channels remains unclear. We assessed the hypothesis that TRPC channels play a crucial role in the spontaneous activity of the developing heart. Methods and results TRPC isoforms were investigated in isolated hearts obtained from 4-day-old chick embryos. Using RT-PCR, western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation, we report for the first time that TRPC1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 isoforms are expressed at the mRNA and protein levels and that they can form a macromolecular complex with the α1C subunit of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (Cav1.2) in atria and ventricle. Using ex vivo electrocardiograms, electrograms of isolated atria and ventricle and ventricular mechanograms, we found that inhibition of TRPC channels by SKF-96365 leads to negative chrono-, dromo-, and inotropic effects, prolongs the QT interval, and provokes first- and second-degree atrioventricular blocks. Pyr3, a specific antagonist of TRPC3, affected essentially atrioventricular conduction. On the other hand, specific blockade of the L-type calcium channel with nifedipine rapidly stopped ventricular contractile activity without affecting rhythmic electrical activity. Conclusions These results give new insights into the key role that TRPC channels, via interaction with the Cav1.2 channel, play in regulation of cardiac pacemaking, conduction, ventricular activity, and contractility during cardiogenesi

Using citizen science to understand and map habitat suitability for a synurbic mammal in an urban landscape: the hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus

Urban environments are important for west European hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus. The species has been recorded in 73% of large urban areas throughout its geographic range. However, the environmental relationships determining hedgehog distribution within these landscapes are not well understood. Taking a city-wide perspective, this study identifies hedgehogs’ habitat relationships with urban environmental characteristics and predicts habitat suitability in a major urban centre, Greater London, UK. We use a collated citizen science dataset of 3012 hedgehog occurrence records from Greater London, and pseudoabsences inferred from other mammal taxa, to construct a multiscale generalised linear model identifying the influence of 10 variables representing urban greenspace, built infrastructure, and the presence of the European badger Meles meles (as a predator or competitor) on hedgehog distribution. We find a positive association of hedgehog presence with availability of gardens, parks, allotments, percentage of terraced housing, traffic, and intermediate impervious cover (roads and buildings, peaking at 31%). High impervious cover, woodland, water, human densities (above 2262 people km−2), and badger presence were negatively related to hedgehog presence. Predicted habitat suitability was high across much of Greater London but declined towards the centre and in some locations around the outskirts of the study region. Our results emphasise the importance of public and private greenspaces for urban hedgehogs, and suggest that loss of garden, park, and allotment habitats and disturbance associated with high human densities may restrict hedgehog distribution. Despite the inherent complexity of urban environments, this study shows that citizen science is useful for developing an understanding of large-scale species–habitat relationships in diverse urban landscapes

Blueprint for a high-performance biomaterial: full-length spider dragline silk genes.

Spider dragline (major ampullate) silk outperforms virtually all other natural and manmade materials in terms of tensile strength and toughness. For this reason, the mass-production of artificial spider silks through transgenic technologies has been a major goal of biomimetics research. Although all known arthropod silk proteins are extremely large (>200 kiloDaltons), recombinant spider silks have been designed from short and incomplete cDNAs, the only available sequences. Here we describe the first full-length spider silk gene sequences and their flanking regions. These genes encode the MaSp1 and MaSp2 proteins that compose the black widow's high-performance dragline silk. Each gene includes a single enormous exon (>9000 base pairs) that translates into a highly repetitive polypeptide. Patterns of variation among sequence repeats at the amino acid and nucleotide levels indicate that the interaction of selection, intergenic recombination, and intragenic recombination governs the evolution of these highly unusual, modular proteins. Phylogenetic footprinting revealed putative regulatory elements in non-coding flanking sequences. Conservation of both upstream and downstream flanking sequences was especially striking between the two paralogous black widow major ampullate silk genes. Because these genes are co-expressed within the same silk gland, there may have been selection for similarity in regulatory regions. Our new data provide complete templates for synthesis of recombinant silk proteins that significantly improve the degree to which artificial silks mimic natural spider dragline fibers

Self-assessment resource for EAL pre-service and in-service teachers and EAL K-16 educators in the MENA region

The purpose of this session is to describe and share sample items of a contextually relevant resource developed specifically for English as an Additional Language (EAL) student-teachers and EAL teachers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Fifteen EAL and teacher/education academics created, reviewed and piloted the 300 multiple-choice-item resource. The resource supports teachers\u27 lifelong learning and measures their progress in applying strategies, methods, and theories in EAL teaching/learning in the five TESOL International domains: language foundations, culture, instruction, assessment and professionalism (2010). The resource supports EAL outcomes-based curricula and reinforces independent learning and self-assessment to improve EAL professional content knowledge, professional pedagogical skills and professional disposition. If used effectively, the self-assessment resource can be a powerful learning tool. This resource allows EAL student teachers and EAL teachers to engage in self assessing i..

Expressed Emotion, Mental Health, and Functioning in Families of Children with and without Asthma

Introduction: Expressed emotion (EE), the affective attitudes and behaviors of one toward another, can affect caregivers’ behaviors toward their child. Research examining associations between EE and child/family outcomes is mixed; these associations may be affected by other influences such as the presence of a chronic disease or parent mental health. In this study of families living in an urban area, we examined associations between EE and child outcomes (anxiety/depressive symptoms) and family functioning, with parent anxiety as a covariate. We evaluated child asthma status as a moderator in these associations as the presence of a chronic illness may strengthen the association between EE and child/family outcomes. Methods: 96 children (mean±SD age=8.83±2.03 years, 48.9% female, 92.6% African American; 47 with asthma) and their parents (81.3% annual household income\u3c$25,000) completed an observational study including interviews and questionnaires. Measures included the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC), Children’s Depressive Symptoms Inventory (CDI), Self-Report Family Inventory (SFI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) coded for EE. To examine study aims, regression analyses were conducted using PROCESS macro version 3.1. Asthma status (yes/no) was examined as a moderator. Results: EE was associated with child anxiety symptoms, child depressive symptoms, and family functioning, controlling for parent anxiety symptoms (F(1,70) =6.74, p=.011; F(1,69) =7.803, p=.007; F(1,68) =8.637, p=.004). Asthma status did not moderate any of the associations. Conclusions: Results suggested that high levels of caregiver EE were associated with child mental health symptoms and family functioning, but asthma status did not moderate associations. It is possible that regardless of additional family demands related to asthma, EE is associated with child mental health and family functioning. Further examination into other systemic stressors that may moderate these associations is warranted, as well as the impact that minimizing parent anxiety might have on overall EE.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1075/thumbnail.jp

Improving Predictive Capabilities of Environmental Change with GLOBE Data

This dissertation addresses two applications of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) essential for predicting environmental changes. The first study focuses on whether NDVI can improve model simulations of evapotranspiration for temperate Northern (> 35) regions. The second study focuses on whether NDVI can detect phenological changes in start of season (SOS) for high Northern (> 60) environments. The overall objectives of this research were to (1) develop a methodology for utilizing GLOBE data in NDVI research; and (2) provide a critical analysis of NDVI as a long-term monitoring tool for environmental change. GLOBE is an international partnership network of K-12 students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment. The first study utilized data collected by one GLOBE school in Greenville, Pennsylvania and the second utilized phenology observations made by GLOBE students in Alaska. Results from the first study showed NDVI could predict transpiration periods for environments like Greenville, Pennsylvania. In phenological terms, these environments have three distinct periods (QI, QII, and QIII). QI reflects onset of the growing season (mid March - mid May) when vegetation is greening up (NDVI < 0.60) and transpiration is less than 2mm/day. QII reflects end of the growing season (mid September - October) when vegetation is greening down and transpiration is decreasing. QIII reflects height of the growing season (mid May - mid September) when transpiration rates average between 2 and 5 mm per day and NDVI is at its maximum (>0.60). Results from the second study showed that a climate threshold of 153 ± 22 growing degree days was a better predictor of SOS for Fairbanks than a NDVI threshold applied to temporal AVHRR and MODIS datasets. Accumulated growing degree days captured the inter-annual variability of SOS better than the NDVI threshold and most closely resembled actual SOS observations made by GLOBE students. Overall, biweekly composites and effects of clouds, snow, and conifers limit the ability of NDVI to monitor phenological changes in Alaska. Both studies did show that GLOBE data provides an important source of input and validation information for NDVI research