Soil salinity inhibits plant shade avoidance

Global food production is set to keep increasing despite a predicted decrease in total arable land. To achieve higher production, denser planting will be required on increasingly degraded soils. When grown in dense stands, crops elongate and raise their leaves in an effort to reach sunlight, a process termed shade-avoidance. Shade is perceived by a reduction in the ratio of red (R) to (FR) light and results in the stabilisation of a class of transcription factors known as PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs (PIFs). PIFs activate the expression of auxin biosynthesis genes and enhance auxin sensitivity, which promotes cell wall loosening and drives elongation growth. Despite our molecular understanding of shade-induced growth, little is known about how this developmental programme is integrated with other environmental factors. Here we demonstrate that low levels of NaCl in soil strongly impair the ability of plants to respond to shade. This block is dependent upon abscisic acid (ABA) signalling and the canonical ABA signalling pathway. Low R:FR light enhances the expression of a positive regulator of the brassinosteroid (BR) signalling pathway, BRASSINOSTEROID SIGNALLING KINASE 5 (BSK5). We found that ABA inhibits BSK5 up-regulation and interferes with GSK3-like kinase inactivation by the BR pathway, thus leading to a suppression of PIF function. By demonstrating a link between the ABA and BR-signalling pathways this study provides an important step forward in our understanding of how environmental cues are integrated into plant development

Innovative Solution for Building Integrated Photovoltaics

Among the main challenges of our century, the climate change and the need of diversification of the energy sources are of most importance. Renewable energies undoubtedly have an important role to play, photovoltaic (PV) electricity being especially well suited to face these energy challenges. However, the current integration of PV panels often comes without architectural consideration. In this context, the Archinsolar project [1] aims to develop a new generation of photovoltaic elements based on silicon thin films technologies (amorphous and micromorph), ultra-reliable and manufacturable at a very low cost, allowing a unique architectural integration, respectful of the bui lt environment and overall landscape. Here we will present our new developments on innovative PV elements including colored PV panels and a solar tile using a composite back-structure

History of the International Organization for Biological Control Global Working Group on Mass Rearing and Quality Assurance

The International Organization for Biological Control Global Working Group on Mass Rearing and Quality Assurance (MRQA) was established in 1980 as the Working Group on Quality Control (WGQC) to assure success of insect mass rearing for pest management that was being developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Due mostly to the efforts of WGQC, quality control became institutionalized in several insect mass rearing facilities during the 1980s. After addressing autocidal control programs, the WGQC concentrated on entomophagous insects, especially testing the quality of commercial biological control products. Universal Implementation of Quality Control for Mass-Reared Arthropods was finally achieved in the 1990s, having encompassed all aspects from insect production to field application and evaluation. This increased scope prompted a name change from WGQC to Arthropod Mass Rearing and Quality Control (AMRQC). Subsequently, the scope of the Working Group was expanded again and it was renamed MRQA to include a range of applications for mass-reared beneficial invertebrates. The geographic range of MRQA recently was extended beyond North and South America and Europe to include India. This expansion continued as insects for food and feed, networking and instruction, and legal and ethical issues were added to the most recent workshop held in Mexico. Thus, the MRQA continues to evolve as additional invertebrate organisms are mass produced for both established and novel applications

Increasing Kindergarten Student Engagement through the Use of Social Emotional Learning and Improved Teacher Practice

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a radical change in the way teachers deliver instruction. Educators and parents expressed deep concerns for kindergarten students’ social and emotional learning (SEL) in remote environments. The purpose of this mixed methods Improvement Science study was to apply and learn from SEL practices that improve students’ connections to teachers and each other. The primary drivers for the study were 1) strengthening teacher practice in building and sustaining connections with students through a collaborative critical inquiry group and 2) embedding social emotional learning into daily professional and classroom activities through Yale’s RULER (Recognize, Understand, Label, Express, Regulate) approach, focusing on the Charter and the Mood Meter. Use of RULER’s Charter and Mood Meter increased overall connection and engagement, especially for students learning remotely. In the pre-survey, 14.0% of parents with remote-learning students “never” felt confident about their children’s education and well-being; after the study, 50.0% parents reported “always” feeling confident. Teachers shared daily reflections in their critical inquiry group, encouraging all voices to be heard; they reported that they were better able to learn from each other’s experiences and use those new learnings to build on their own practice. In the pre-survey, teachers felt “not at all prepared” (50.0%) to create connections and engage with their remote learners; after the study, teachers reported feeling “very prepared” (76.0%). These results align closely with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Framework

On the occurrence, ecology and behaviour of Onchidella celtica (Gastropoda, Onchidiacea) in the littoral of Cornwall

A thesis submitted to the Council for National Academic Awards in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Luton College of Higher Education (Sponsoring Establishment) Liverpool Polytechnic (Collaborating Establishment)Onchidella celtica is the only onchidiacean to occur in Britain; it is a littoral pulmonate gastropod of controversial taxonomic placement and an historica1 review of the group is therefore presented. The habitat, spatial dispersion, local distribution and geographical range of O.celtica are each described, with particular reference to Cornish shores. The nature of the substratum, exposure and the adverse affects of low temperatures are suggested as the principal parameters controlling the observed distributions, which are considered in detail. O.celtica lays capsular spawn and examination of these has enabled development times and hatching rates to be assessed. Juvenile growth rates have also been investigated to aid the interpretation of population age-structure in shore-line samples, and the dynamics and longevity of the population are discussed. Reproduction is shown to be inhibited by low temperatures. The various reproductive strategies of the onchidiaceans are discussed. Likely causes of mortality are considered, the likelihood of predation by intertidal carnivores is assessed and defensive strategies, including glandular secretions, rhythms of activity and cryptic habits, are shown to be important in evading predation. Various aspects of the behaviour of O.celtica are investigated quantitatively, including aggregation, crevice selection and foraging, and their importance as strategies in successfully exploiting the exposed littoral environment is discussed. A detailed investigation of homing behaviour shows this to be accomplished without obvious trail-following. and remote olfaction is suggested as the principal mechanism of homing. Ambient temperature has a marked effect on the frequency of individuals foraging, and the role of other environmental variables is considered. The feeding behaviour and diet of O.celtica are described, and the possibility of food selection is considered. A preliminary histochemical examination has elucidated the distribution of certain classes of enzymes in the gut of O.celtica

The importance of handling and environment on translocated beaver (Castor canadensis) dam building

Increasingly land managers use beavers to restore stream function. Through the impacts of dam building beavers increase water storage and aquifer recharge, resulting in improved stream conditions for fish. Restoration projects that translocate nuisance beavers provide an opportunity to improve our understanding of habitat selection and translocation success. Much previous research has been carried out on beaver habitat preferences which can inform site selection suitable for beaver release. However, comparatively little research has been carried out on the impacts of beaver handling methods during translocation on dam building success. Using a 10-year dataset from the Methow Beaver Project on beaver translocations, we evaluated the importance of habitat and handling variables on dam building success. For 126 individual releases across 61 release sites, we collected remotely-sensed and in-situ field data of beaver habitat (stream hydrology, channel morphology and vegetation). We also analysed handling characteristics of the translocation by testing for differences in how beavers were paired up, the age of beavers released, time spent in the holding facility and time of year released. Our findings indicate that handling parameters during translocation can significantly impact success. Pairing beavers up in the holding facility increased likelihood of success (p = 0.003). Maximum time spent in the holding facility also significantly increased chances of establishment (p = 0.043). These findings underline the importance of taking into account release characteristics that can influence the behaviour of the translocated animal. They also justify the increased cost of using holding facilities to pair animals before release, since extra investment in feeding and animal husbandry can be offset by increased habitat restoration and achievement of project objectives. By emphasising the importance of handling in translocation protocols as well as habitat suitability, we hope to improve translocation success rates for habitat restoration and climate change mitigation

To Whom it May Concern:

respoonsible for st policy recommen relatiionship. S.B. 434 directed organnizations, fam experrts, medica

Radiotherapy for the Palliation of Advanced Sarcomas—The Effectiveness of Radiotherapy in Providing Symptomatic Improvement for Advanced Sarcomas in a Single Centre Cohort

Background: Sarcomas are rare and heterogeneous tumours with a large proportion of patients requiring palliative intervention. They are regarded as relatively radioresistant and therefore achieving good palliation with radiation may require larger doses than for more common solid tumour types. Limited data is available regarding appropriate palliative radiotherapy dose fractionation. This case series aims to assess the effectiveness of radiotherapy in providing symptomatic improvement for advanced sarcomas. Method: Data was retrospectively collected for patients treated with palliative radiotherapy between July 2010 and April 2019 at one institution. The primary outcome was documented symptomatic improvement following radiotherapy. Secondary outcome was overall survival. Results: One hundred and five patients had a total of 137 sites treated using 25 different dose fractionation schedules. The median patient age was 54 (range 8–90) years. Treated sites included 114 soft tissue and 23 bone sarcomas. Data on symptomatic improvement was available in 56% and 67% of cases respectively. A total of 70% of soft tissue and 55% of bone sarcoma patients reported symptomatic improvement. Symptomatic response rates appeared to increase to a biological effective dose (BED) of 50Grey4 (Gy4) (alpha beta ratio (α/β) = 4 for tumour) but did not continue to improve with further rises in dose beyond this. Conclusion: Palliative radiotherapy offers symptomatic improvement for sarcoma patients with two-thirds of patients reporting reduction in symptoms. These results are limited by the heterogeneous study population including different sarcoma subtypes each with a probable different radio-sensitivity, treated with different radiotherapy schedules. Further prospective data collection is needed considering sarcoma subtype radio-sensitivity, to determine appropriate palliative dose fractionation schedules