Proposal for a Virginia Seed Bank

Climate change is causing the ranges of native species to shift northward at a pace that outstrips the ability of many plant species to migrate and adapt (Walther et al. 2002; Renwick & Rocca 2014). Although assisted migration, the process of relocating individuals or spread of seeds through human intervention, has been used successfully in some cases to preserve species, it comes saddled with potential ecological damage and legal complications arise when these ranges cross state lines. These complications threaten Virginia’s biodiversity, especially among rare plants and those plants from habitat affected most by climate change. In order to preserve the genetic diversity of native species before populations become isolated and inbred, this project proposes that Virginia create a seed bank. Seed banks have been used for a variety of reasons worldwide to preserve the genes of plants species, including for the preservation of crop species and for research purposes (Laliberte1997). For this proposed seed bank, Virginia would use information collected by the state Natural Heritage Program to identify eligible species that face the greatest threat from climate change in order to preserve biodiversity, establish a genetically diverse sample for research, and potentially reestablish these endangered species in the future

The Effects Of Video Self-Modeling On Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Video self-modeling (VSM) is a type of intervention that has been developed to assist students in viewing themselves successfully in a wide variety of domains. Previous research regarding VSM states that it is beneficial to children with autism spectrum disorder and has helped them improve functioning in many settings. Specifically, VSM is useful to children with autism spectrum disorder because it minimizes attentional and hearing requirements, and allows the child to see themselves as they could be rather than as they currently are. Video modeling avoids reliance on social interactions or the presence of a therapist to promote learning. This reduction in the importance of social interactions may be particularly significant for children who struggle in social settings. Finally, motivation for watching television in general might increase interest in watching the video. The present study was designed to analyze the effects of VSM on children with autism spectrum disorder in an academic setting. The present study added to the literature by allowing classroom teachers to choose the area of academic behavior, thereby increasing social relevance. The present study examined the effects of VSM on children with autism spectrum disorder within a functional interrelated classroom. Specifically, the present study examined the effects of the implementation of VSM within the functional interrelated classroom and the potential it has to enable significant positive changes in on-task behavior and appropriate transitions. The study also examined the maintenance of on-task behavior and appropriate transitions within implementation of the VSM research. Also explored were the teachers’ perceptions of on-task behavior and appropriate transitions through surveys that were administered before implementation of VSM and upon completion of VSM. The sample of the current study was comprised of two participants who were enrolled within the functional interrelated classroom and diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The implementation of VSM within an academic setting proved to be successful and showed significant results in increasing on-task behavior with Student 1. Maintenance was also shown with this student. No significance was found with the Student 2 and increasing appropriate transitions; however an anomaly was discovered within one of the days VSM was implemented. With the removal of this anomaly, significance was found with the second student and increasing appropriate transitions. Despite the increase in appropriate transitions, maintenance was not established with the second student. The teachers’ perceptions from the administered survey revealed a significant increase in on-task behavior and appropriate transitions with the implementation of the VSM research. When investigating approaches appropriate for students with ASD, it is important to remember that some progress is significant. Implementation of VSM revealed progress with both students with ASD, at varying levels. It is also important to stress that small change for students with ASD may not occur without some difficulty, due to general resistance to changes in their schedules. Over the course of the seven weeks of implementation, small change was observed and can be considered a success in their academic setting

Characterization of peptides derived from marine organisms

Casey Schmidt studied peptides from marine organisms in a range of different aspects focusing on their potential use as drug leads. She investigated a previously described peptide from the venom of a cone snail and the relationship between its three-dimensional structure and its function. She also discovered and characterized five new peptides from the stony coral Heliofungia actiniformis

Pupillometry

Background: Measuring pupillary light reflex is a standard part of neurological assessment. Changes in pupil reactivity may indicate unfavorable outcomes, such as increased intracranial pressure and brain herniation. Physiologic and pharmacologic agents may affect pupil reactivity. In some instances, pupillary light reflex is the only piece of neurologic assessment readily testable.https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1158/thumbnail.jp

Deciphering and modeling the physicochemical drivers of denitrification rates in bioreactors

AbstractDenitrification bioreactors have served as effective artificial N sinks by stimulating denitrification and remediating excessive nitrate. Predictions on bioreactor performance will be improved by quantifying the relationship between denitrification rates and causal factors which vary by geography (temperature), land-use intensity (NO3 concentration) and media type (carbon quality, quantity, and surface area). Experimental mesocosms filled with different wood media types (oak, pine), particle sizes and wood–sand volume ratios were exposed to flowing high-nitrate groundwater across a range of seasonal groundwater temperatures (8–24°C) to determine the influence of these coarse but utilitarian parameters on bioreactor performance. To increase the transferability and specificity of findings, a multivariate analysis was used to quantify relationships between denitrification rates, microbial biomass, temperature, media surface area to volume ratio and metrics of C quality to guide de novo media selection and performance predictions. There were no strong differences in hydraulic conductivity, media consumption rates, and TKN flux between different treatments although increasing the wood–sand volume ratio alone produced significant increases in denitrification rates and undesirable DOC leaching. Fluxes of DOC and TKN also increased with higher hydraulic loading rates. Denitrification rates were unresponsive to nitrate concentration and most strongly influenced by groundwater temperature (Q10=4.7), although carbon bioavailability and media surface area were uniquely predictive of denitrification rates. Bioreactor performance will therefore be most strongly influenced by geographical variations in temperature, although within a specific location, bioreactor media selection will influence denitrification rates

Coral venom toxins

The phylum Cnidaria contains a wide variety of unique organisms that possess interesting adaptations evolved over many years to help them survive in a competitive environment. One of these adaptations is the presence of venom, which has been of particular interest for studies aimed at identifying novel drug leads and for understanding the mechanisms involved in envenomation. The potency of the venom varies significantly amongst cnidarians, and although corals are often overshadowed by the jellyfish and sea anemone toxins, they also possess a range of interesting bioactive compounds. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the toxins present in corals, highlighting the diverse structures and bioactivities

IN VIVO ANALYSIS OF METAZOAN TRNA INTRON SPLICING

Pre-tRNA processing is an essential step in generating a supply of functional mature tRNAs. In some instances, this processing event includes removal of an intron. Recent work from our lab has shown that these introns are cut out of pre-tRNAs and ligated into circular RNAs, called tricRNAs, in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. To study the mechanism of tricRNA biogenesis in Drosophila, I generated a series of splicing reporters adapted for expression in human and fly cells. Using these reporters, I discovered specific cis-acting elements important for proper spicing, including a conserved base pair found in all metazoan pre-tRNAs to date. I also identified candidate tRNA processing factors in Drosophila via sequence homology to human factors, and verified these candidates using an in vivo cellular splicing assay. My results show that Drosophila use the “direct ligation”-type tRNA ligation pathway also found in archaea and human cells. I also examined Drosophila tRNA processing factors in animals. Using available stocks, I observed striking neurological phenotypes when mutating or depleting these enzymes. These data correlate with a known human disease called Pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH), caused by mutations in human tRNA processing factors. I further found a tissue-specific requirement for the CLP1 ortholog cbc in both viability and locomotion, consistent with previous data from a mouse model. In addition to my cellular and animal work, I also developed a method to express circular RNAs using tRNA splicing. This method utilizes standard molecular biology techniques and can generate circular RNAs for a variety of functions. There are many potential applications to this technology. My work is the first characterization of tricRNA splicing in a metazoan model organism. My analysis of cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors yielded findings that are consistent with previously published data. Furthermore, the method I have developed has a wide range of potential uses, and my analysis of processing factor mutants provides new context to understanding a human neurological disease. Overall, my investigation of tricRNA biogenesis adds a new dimension to an established field.Doctor of Philosoph