The observational constraints on the flat ϕ\phiCDM models

Most dark energy models have the $\Lambda$CDM as their limit, and if future observations constrain our universe to be close to $\Lambda$CDM Bayesian arguments about the evidence and the fine-tuning will have to be employed to discriminate between the models. Assuming a baseline $\Lambda$CDM model we investigate a number of quintessence and phantom dark energy models, and we study how they would perform when compared to observational data, such as the expansion rate, the angular distance, and the growth rate measurements, from the upcoming Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey. We sample posterior likelihood surfaces of these dark energy models with Monte Carlo Markov Chains while using central values consistent with the Planck $\Lambda$CDM universe and covariance matrices estimated with Fisher information matrix techniques. We find that for this setup the Bayes factor provides a substantial evidence in favor of the $\Lambda$CDM model over most of the alternatives. We also investigated how well the CPL parametrization approximates various scalar field dark energy models, and identified the location for each dark energy model in the CPL parameter space.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures; 4 tables; published in European Journal of Physics

Biochar-amended potting medium reduces the susceptibility of rice to root-knot nematode infections

Background: Biochar is a solid coproduct of biomass pyrolysis, and soil amended with biochar has been shown to enhance the productivity of various crops and induce systemic plant resistance to fungal pathogens. The aim of this study was to explore the ability of wood biochar to induce resistance to the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne graminicola in rice (Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare) and examine its histochemical and molecular impact on plant defense mechanisms. Results: A 1.2 % concentration of biochar added to the potting medium of rice was found to be the most effective at reducing nematode development in rice roots, whereas direct toxic effects of biochar exudates on nematode viability, infectivity or development were not observed. The increased plant resistance was associated with biochar-primed H2O2 accumulation as well as with the transcriptional enhancement of genes involved in the ethylene (ET) signaling pathway. The increased susceptibility of the Ein2b-RNAi line, which is deficient in ET signaling, further confirmed that biochar-induced priming acts at least partly through ET signaling. Conclusion: These results suggest that biochar amendments protect rice plants challenged by nematodes. This priming effect partially depends on the ET signaling pathway and enhanced H2O2 accumulation

The Role of Processing Fluency in Source Memory and Metamemory

Processing fluency influences various judgements in memory and cognition such as fluency-based familiarity in tests of item recognition memory. However, less is known about the interplay between fluency and source information in recognition memory and metamemory phenomena. The present thesis investigated the relationship between perceptual fluency and the accuracy of source memory decisions (Experiments 1-3b), as well as the contribution of perceptual fluency to the font size effect (i.e., the tendency to rate larger font words as easier to remember than smaller font words, despite font size having no effect on retention performance) in judgements of learning (Experiments 4-6). Fluency was indexed via identification response times (RTs) derived from adapted versions of the continuous identification (CID) task, in which stimuli gradually clarified through progressive demasking. Identification RTs were faster in trials with correct retrieval of source information compared to trials for which source could not be accurately retrieved, and JOLs were indirectly increased by the faster identification RTs associated with a larger font size. These findings suggest that fluency is related both to source memory and metamemory judgements

Health and Nutrition in Vermont Children

Introduction. The AHA (American Heart Association) supports legislation in Ver- mont ensuring that restaurants’ children’s menu meals meet certain nutritional standards. This study investigated Vermont parents’ attitudes towards both dining at restaurants with their children and potential legislation to improve nutritional standards of restaurant food. Methods. An anonymous 21-question survey for parents with children under age 18 was distributed electronically to local organizations via Facebook groups and email, and as paper questionnaires at the Community Health Center of Burlington. Questions probed parents’ overall attitudes surrounding their children’s health, habits pertaining to eating at restaurants, and attitudes towards legislation to ensure healthier options for kids at restaurants. Results were analyzed to look for dominant themes and determine differences between subgroups. Results. 98% of survey participants agreed or strongly agreed that their children’s eating habits are important to them. When asked if they would support legislation to set nutrition standards on children’s menu meals in Vermont, 73% agreed or strongly agreed. Most survey participants eat at a restaurant once per week or less (95%). 53% of survey participants agreed or strongly agreed that there were enough restaurants with healthy kids’ meals in their area. Responses did not differ by county. Conclusion. Vermont parents are concerned about their children’s diets and acknowledge connections between nutrition, obesity, and overall health. Parents favor restaurants providing more nutritional items on children’s menus and support the AHA’s proposed standards. Next steps include investigating any financial impact on restaurants and studying nutritional standards in school cafeterias in Vermont.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1257/thumbnail.jp

Low-Frequency Noise Spectroscopy of Charge-Density-Wave Phase Transitions in Vertical Quasi-2D Devices

We report results regarding the electron transport in vertical quasi-2D layered 1T-TaS2 charge-density-wave devices. The low-frequency noise spectroscopy was used as a tool to study changes in the cross-plane electrical characteristics of the quasi-2D material below room temperature. The noise spectral density revealed strong peaks - changing by more than an order-of-magnitude - at the temperatures closely matching the electrical resistance steps. Some of the noise peaks appeared below the temperature of the commensurate to nearly-commensurate charge-density-wave transition, possibly indicating the presence of the debated "hidden" phase transitions. These results confirm the potential of the noise spectroscopy for investigations of electron transport and phase transitions in novel materials.Comment: 16 pages; 5 figure

Pre-Determining Performance-Based Measures for Managed Lanes

The operational decisions facing managed lanes can be highly politicized and difficult to make quickly. For example, changing the operating parameters such that a user class can no longer access the lanes may require extensive public debate and ignite controversy. This research examined managed lanes across the country and found that none had developed plans on how to deal with such situations as they arise in the future. We found there are significant potential benefits for agencies if they use operational goals for their managed lane facilities to guide decision making prior to the point it becomes critical. In addition, the policies developed act as a performance promise to managed lane users

Modulation of Locomotion and Reproduction by FLP Neuropeptides in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Neuropeptides function in animals to modulate most, if not all, complex behaviors. In invertebrates, neuropeptides can function as the primary neurotransmitter of a neuron, but more generally they co-localize with a small molecule neurotransmitter, as is commonly seen in vertebrates. Because a single neuron can express multiple neuropeptides and because neuropeptides can bind to multiple G protein-coupled receptors, neuropeptide actions increase the complexity by which the neural connectome can be activated or inhibited. Humans are estimated to have 90 plus neuropeptide genes; by contrast, nematodes, a relatively simple organism, have a slightly larger complement of neuropeptide genes. For instance, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has over 100 neuropeptide-encoding genes, of which at least 31 genes encode peptides of the FMRFamide family. To understand the function of this large FMRFamide peptide family, we isolated knockouts of different FMRFamide-encoding genes and generated transgenic animals in which the peptides are overexpressed. We assayed these animals on two basic behaviors: locomotion and reproduction. Modulating levels of different neuropeptides have strong as well as subtle effects on these behaviors. These data suggest that neuropeptides play critical roles in C. elegans to fine tune neural circuits controlling locomotion and reproduction

Regulation of genes affecting body size and innate immunity by the DBL-1/BMP-like pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the conserved transforming growth factor β (TGFβ superfamily, and play many developmental and homeostatic roles. In <it>C. elegans</it>, a BMP-like pathway, the DBL-1 pathway, controls body size and is involved in innate immunity. How these functions are carried out, though, and what most of the downstream targets of this pathway are, remain unknown.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We performed a microarray analysis and compared expression profiles of animals lacking the SMA-6 DBL-1 receptor, which decreases pathway signaling, with animals that overexpress DBL-1 ligand, which increases pathway signaling. Consistent with a role for DBL-1 in control of body size, we find positive regulation by DBL-1 of genes involved in physical structure, protein synthesis and degradation, and metabolism. However, cell cycle genes were mostly absent from our results. We also identified genes in a <it>hedgehog</it>-related pathway, which may comprise a secondary signaling pathway downstream of DBL-1 that controls body size. In addition, DBL-1 signaling up-regulates pro-innate immunity genes. We identified a reporter for DBL-1 signaling, which is normally repressed but is up-regulated when DBL-1 signaling is reduced.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicate that body size in <it>C. elegans </it>is controlled in part by regulation of metabolic processes as well as protein synthesis and degradation. This supports the growing body of evidence that suggests cell size is linked to metabolism. Furthermore, this study discovered a possible role for <it>hedgehog</it>-related pathways in transmitting the BMP-like signal from the hypodermis, where the core DBL-1 pathway components are required, to other tissues in the animal. We also identified the up-regulation of genes involved in innate immunity, clarifying the role of DBL-1 in innate immunity. One of the highly regulated genes is expressed at very low levels in wild-type animals, but is strongly up-regulated in Sma/Mab mutants, making it a useful reporter for DBL-1/BMP-like signaling in <it>C. elegans</it>.</p