Close kin influences on fertility behavior

Family members are uniquely situated to influence the decision-making of their kin in nearly every facet of life. We examine the importance of social interactions in fertility outcomes by assessing family members’ scope of influence on their fellow kin’s fertility behavior. With the unique KASS genealogical dataset from eight countries in Europe, we study the effects of family members’ fertility outcomes on individual fertility to assess the presence and the extent of inter-generational transmission of fertility behaviors and siblings’ influences on fertility outcomes. We find only limited evidence of the inter-generational transmission of fertility behaviors, but a relatively important effect of siblings for individual fertility. Rather than parents, siblings’ influences appear to constitute the largest share of familial influences on fertility outcomes. We also find that among siblings, women’s fertility is more subject to the influences of their sisters. These findings indicate the relative importance of close kin influences on individual fertility and demonstrate the consequences of family structure for fertility change.Europe, family demography, family size, fertility, kinship, sisters

A 212-nt long RNA structure in the Tobacco necrosis virus-D RNA genome is resistant to Xrn degradation

Plus-strand RNA viruses can accumulate viral RNA degradation products during infections. Some of these decay intermediates are generated by the cytosolic 5′-to-3′ exoribonuclease Xrn1 (mammals and yeast) or Xrn4 (plants) and are formed when the enzyme stalls on substrate RNAs upon encountering inhibitory RNA structures. Many Xrn-generated RNAs correspond to 3′-terminal segments within the 3′-UTR of viral genomes and perform important functions during infections. Here we have investigated a 3′-terminal small viral RNA (svRNA) generated by Xrn during infections with Tobacco necrosis virus-D (family Tombusviridae). Our results indicate that (i) unlike known stalling RNA structures that are compact and modular, the TNV-D structure encompasses the entire 212 nt of the svRNA and is not functionally transposable, (ii) at least two tertiary interactions within the RNA structure are required for effective Xrn blocking and (iii) most of the svRNA generated in infections is derived from viral polymerase-generated subgenomic mRNA1. In vitro and in vivo analyses allowed for inferences on roles for the svRNA. Our findings provide a new and distinct addition to the growing list of Xrn-resistant viral RNAs and stalling structures found associated with different plant and animal RNA viruses.York University Librarie

Hues and Sickly Saturations: Review of Abby Manock’s ‘Counters’ by Laura White

Review by Laura White of Abby Manock's 'Counters' exhibition at Coleman Burke Gallery, Maine, US

Meta Me on an Ecstatic Walk with Hansel and Gretel: A Reflection of Dispensed, Reclaimed and Reframed Existence

This synthesis revolves around a rendition of Hansel and Gretel, in which I am exiled from innocence through the chaos of life. I recollect my breadcrumb clues in the form of thoughts and beliefs that I have held for as long as I remember. The breadcrumbs lead to open-ended questions about habits of mind for meaning making. My process of self-examination uses an adaptation of Action Research and I connect my current life to where I began using an Intersecting Processes analysis. I observe and document the unfolding of my life while studying it, using self-expression and thinking made visible with movement and Performance Art

Effects of Root Isoflavonoids and Hairy Root Transformation on the Soybean Rhizosphere Bacterial Community Structure

Rhizodeposits play a key role in shaping rhizosphere microbial communities. In soybean, isoflavonoids are a key rhizodeposit component that aid in plant defense and enable symbiotic associations with rhizobia. However, it is uncertain if and how they influence rhizosphere microbial communities. Isoflavonoid biosynthesis was silenced via RNA interference of isoflavone synthase in soybean hairy root composite plants. Successive sonication was implemented to isolate soil fractions from 3 different rhizosphere zones at 1 and 3 weeks post planting. PCR amplicons from 16S rRNA gene variable regions V1- V3 and V3-V5 from these soil fractions were analyzed via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and/or Roche 454 sequencing profiles. Extensive diversity analysis of the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis patterns indicated that, indeed, isoflavonoids significantly influenced soybean rhizosphere bacterial diversity. These results also suggested a temporal gradient effect of rhizodeposit isoflavonoids on the rhizosphere. Roche 454 sequencing data was resolved using MOTHUR and vegan to identify bacterial taxa and evaluate changes in rhizosphere bacterial communities. The soybean rhizosphere was enriched in Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, and had relatively lower levels of Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria compared to bulk soil. Isoflavonoids had a small effect on bacterial community structure, and in particular on the abundance of Xanthomonads and Comamonads. Additionally, isoflavonoids appeared to have a temporal gradient effect on the rhizosphere. The effect of hairy root transformation on rhizosphere bacterial communities was largely similar to untransformed plant roots with ~74% of the bacterial families displaying similar colonization underscoring the suitability of this technique to evaluate the influence of plant roots on rhizosphere bacterial communities. However, hairy root transformation had notable influence on Sphingomonads and Acidobacteria

Perceived Harm Level of Personal Listening Devices and Effects on Task Performance

This study aimed to examine if people know what intensity level of white noise or music will harm hearing with prolonged exposure. Each of the 25 college students were surveyed to find their perceived harm level in white noise and music, then completed a comprehension test while listening to each sound at that intensity level. The participants did not have perceived harm levels above the NIOSH-recommended 85 dB-A and there were no significant differences between the sound conditions. This showed that using personal listening devices while completing daily tasks is highly variable and may not cause harm

AN ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION PRESENTED IN ANIMAL SCIENCE COURSES AND THE IMPACT ON DEVELOPMENT OF COGNITION IN UNDERGRADUATES

To be successful in life, students will need to learn to make good decisions; many of them. Quality decision making is paramount for student success in future employment and their personal lives. To make a quality decision, one must weigh all possible options and understand as many of the implications of that decision as possible. Relating options and outcomes to previous experience is advantageous. The qualities mentioned above are reliant on critical thought processes. It is imperative that graduates seeking employment possess a balanced combination of base knowledge and independent thought combined with critical thinking ability. In order to produce students with this level of cognitive capability, multiple factors must be understood. This study utilized animal science undergraduates at Clemson University and sought to determine what attributes of the students contributed to differences in critical thinking ability, whether evaluation courses developed critical thinking skills to a higher degree than a non-evaluation course over a semester, how instructors were developing critical thinking skills in the classroom through discourse and challenges, and whether participation on a judging team enhanced critical thinking ability. Students who participated on a judging team scored higher when compared to national norms and when compared to their peers at Clemson University. Evaluation courses taught at the highest levels of cognition while non-evaluation courses taught at the lowest levels of cognition, and students in evaluation courses showed a greater change in critical thinking score (P=0.0001) than students not enrolled in an evaluation course. Differences in critical thinking ability were observed for different age levels, GPA categories, and prior animal evaluation training. Animal science programs should continue to offer opportunities to participate on a judging team and require students to take evaluation courses as part of a well rounded program of study, as evaluation course content/activities and judging team participation enhance critical thinking ability, which is a necessity for success in life