A Gene Expression Screen Identifies \u3cem\u3eEARLI1\u3c/em\u3e as a Novel Vernalization-Responsive Gene in \u3cem\u3eArabidopsis Thaliana\u3c/em\u3e

Vernalization promotes early flowering in late ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana. The mechanisms of vernalization are poorly understood. A subtractive hybridization approach was used to isolate vernalization-responsive genes from a late-flowering ecotype of Arabidopsis thaliana based on the premise that transcript levels of such genes would increase with cold treatment and remain high even after removal of the vernalization stimulus. EARLI1 is the first Arabidopsis gene shown to be stably activated by vernalization. The abundance of its RNA is progressively elevated by vernalization and remains high for at least 20 days at room temperature. The basal level of EARLI1 RNA is higher in early-flowering ecotypes, but is increased also after vernalization. Vernalization and subsequent growth in long-day photoperiods have an additive or synergistic effect on EARLI1 activation. EARLI1 RNA levels are also transiently induced by brief exposures to cold, but not to abscisic acid. EARLI1 is thus a novel vernalization-responsive gene in Arabidopsis thaliana that can be used to investigate vernalization-specific transcriptional regulation

ReMo3D – an open-source Python package for 2D and 3D simulation of normal and lateral resistivity logs

An open-source Python package is presented, ReMo3D, which allows the generation of synthetic normal and lateral resistivity logs for 2D and 3D models. The package is built around a finite element mesh generator Gmsh and a high-performance multiphysics finite element software Netgen/NGSolve and supports distributed-memory parallel computation. The examples included in the paper show that the developed software can accurately simulate the measurement process and produce detailed synthetic normal and lateral resistivity logs. In addition, basic information about normal and lateral tools such as tool configurations, measurement principles, nomenclature and a brief history of utilization is included in the paper

Effectiveness and Feasibility of In-office versus Smartphone Text-delivered Nutrition Education in the College Setting: A Mixed-methods Pilot Study

Often, being away from home for the first time, coupled with limited knowledge regarding healthy eating behaviors, leads to poor food choices and an increased risk of obesity among college-aged young adults. These college students are prone to high-calorie diets and limited physical activity, putting them at risk for obesity, a physiologically, psychologically, and financially costly epidemic in the United States. College students use their cellular phones over eight and a half hours a day and cell phones are their primary means of information consumption outside of the classroom, suggesting that the phones would be a useful tool to provide nutrition education to this at-risk population. This mixed-methods randomized-controlled trial took place over eight weeks, between 9/15/15 and 12/2/15. The primary aims of this study were to assess the effectiveness and feasibility between an educational nutrition intervention delivered via smartphone texts and a traditional in-office setting for 18-22-year-old, overweight college students at the Sonoma State University Student Health Center. Using simple randomization, participants were assigned to one of two groups: text, or in-office. Participants in the in-office group received one-on-one nutrition counseling framed within the social cognitive theory by a registered nurse at the study onset, week two, and week four. Participants in the text group received the same information, broken up into weekly text messages with links to websites, YouTube, and explanations of content. Participant characteristics, including weight, height, and health behaviors (hours of sleep a night, number of fruits and vegetables per day), were assessed at the study onset (T1) and again at week two (T2), week four (T3), and week eight (T4). All participants were invited to take part in an in-depth, qualitative, face-to-face interview at the end of the study (T4). Nine participants completed both the trial and interviews. Two-thirds (66.7%, n=6) were in the text group, 66.7% (n=6) were female, 33.3% (n=3) were minorities, 66.7% lived on- campus, and 44.4% (n=4) took part in the university’s on-campus meal plan. No statistically significant differences were noted in participant characteristics, or health behaviors between the two groups throughout the study. Although no statistical significance was noted between the two groups with regard to weight change, the text group’s mean weight decreased from 188.25(sd=25.03) pounds to 184.58(sd=24.67) pounds while the in-office group’s mean weight increased from 254.00(sd=90.15) to 257.00(sd=94.14) pounds. Weight loss in the text group should be further evaluated as it may hold clinical significance for effectiveness of the intervention. Through qualitative interviews exploring participants’ experiences, four major themes emerged. All participants in the text group (n=6) stated that they felt there was a need for their method of education, they felt their method was effective, they would recommend their method, and their health behaviors changed positively. For the in-office group, all participants (n=3) said there was a need for their method of education, 67% (n=2) said it was effective, all would recommend it, and 67% stated that they changed their behaviors. Both the quantitative and qualitative findings of this study hold clinical significance as to the effectiveness and feasibility of text messages as a means of providing nutrition education in the college setting. Future research with larger sample sizes and a longer-term study are recommended for more statistical power and to determine the long-term benefits of these methods of nutrition education

Load Flow Computations in Different Coordinate Systems for a Power System with UPFC

This paper deals with the Newton-Raphson load flow solution for a power system with embedded UPFC, when this device is modeled with the use of so-called Voltage Source Model. The aim of the paper is to present results of the original investigation of the mentioned load flow solution from the numerical point of view. The carried out investigation give the base for the statement that performing the load flow computations in the rectangular coordinate system is much more beneficial than in the polar coordinate system, which is most often used in the existing papers

A Two-Stage Method of Localization of Sources of Harmonics in Current in a Power System

The paper deals with localization of sources of harmonics in a power system. At the beginning, the reasons for undertaking investigations are outlined. Then, the theoretical background of the presented method is presented. The method uses examination of the so-called voltage rate to localize the dominant harmonic source. During this examination it is assumed that (i) the voltage and current at the point of common coupling are measured, (ii) at the first stage internal impedances of equivalent sources representing the customer and utility sides are known, (iii) at the second stage only approximate knowledge of the mentioned impedances is possessed. After the principle of the method is described, features of the method are analyzed. At the end, the attention is paid to the main advantages of the method

Linking the landscape: legal and policy tools to promote connected habitats in fragmented landscapes

We have entered a sixth mass extinction period, and habitat loss due to human land uses has been named as one of its leading causes. By converting land to urban and agricultural land uses, humans have fragmented millions of acres of once-contiguous habitat. Fragmentation alters the spatial configuration and ecological processes of the remnant habitat fragments. These ecological changes impact plant and animal species, leading to population declines and, for some, local or total extinction. The impacts of fragmentation are projected to become more pronounced as the climate changes, hindering many species from adapting to novel climate conditions by shifting to a range with more hospitable climate conditions. Corridors can improve species viability in heavily-fragmented landscapes as well as in a changing climate by facilitating movement between separate habitat patches. Establishing broad linkages is logically feasible in areas with large reserves of habitat, primarily in the north-western region of the United States. The rest of the nation, however, lacks large habitat reserves and is dominated by private landownership. How do we establish corridors in landscapes like those in central Illinois or the sprawling metro-Chicago suburbs? Implementing linkages in these landscapes will require a coordinated, inter-governmental effort on landscape and regional scales. Legally, we must integrate stewardship into private landowner duties, update the common law meaning of ???harm??? to encompass ecological harm, and enhance government ability to curb harmful land uses. To achieve real conservation gains, however, we must move socially and culturally toward an ethic of stewardship within the private landscape

Factors associated with self-competence and quality of life in Chinese-American children

The goal of this study was to examine factors associated with self-competence and quality of life in Chinese-American children. A cross-sectional design was used to examine factors associated with Chinese-American children’s self-competence (perception of their own competence) and quality of life. Body mass index was used to measure children’s relative weight. Children completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children, the Pediatric Quality of Life self-report, and the Children's Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist. Parents provided demographic information and reported their level of acculturation. Sixty-five 8- and 10-year-old Chinese-American children (49% boys, 51% girls) and their parents participated in the study. Boys reported higher levels of competence in athletics than girls reported. Multivariate regression models reveal that an increased level of sedentary activity in Chinese American children contributes to low competence levels with respect to physical appearance and decreased quality of life in the social health domain. Increased BMI is related to decreased selfcompetence in physical appearance. Low levels of sedentary activity have a great influence on selfcompetence and quality of life in Chinese American children. The development of culturally appropriate programs that decrease sedentary activity and improve quality of life is critical for health promotion among Chinese Americans

Inactivation of aldehyde dehydrogenase by disulfiram in the presence and absence of lipoic acid or dihydrolipoic acid : an in vitro study

The inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) by disulfiram (DSF) in vitro can be prevented and/or reversed by dithiothreitol (DTT), which is a well-known low molecular weight non-physiological redox reagent commonly used in laboratory experiments. These observations inspired us to ask the question whether the inhibition of ALDH by DSF can be preserved or abolished also by dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), which is the only currently known low molecular weight physiological dithiol in the body of humans and other animals. It can even be metaphorized that DHLA is an "endogenous DTT". Lipoic acid (LA) is the oxidized form of DHLA. We investigated the inactivation of ALDH derived from yeast and rat liver by DSF in the presence or absence of LA or DHLA. The results clearly show that DHLA is able both to restore and protect ALDH activity blocked by DSF. The proposed mechanism is discussed

Molecular spectroscopic markers of DNA damage

Every cell in a living organism is constantly exposed to physical and chemical factors which damage the molecular structure of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Cellular DNA lesions are the most dangerous because the genetic information, critical for the identity and function of each eukaryotic cell, is stored in the DNA. In this review, we describe spectroscopic markers of DNA damage, which can be detected by infrared, Raman, surface-enhanced Raman, and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopies, using data acquired from DNA solutions and mammalian cells. Various physical and chemical DNA damaging factors are taken into consideration, including ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, chemicals, and chemotherapeutic compounds. All major spectral markers of DNA damage are presented in several tables, to give the reader a possibility of fast identification of the spectral signature related to a particular type of DNA damage

Przepowiadanie słowa w kontekście przemian religijności młodych Niemców i Polaków

Studies on the life conditions and religiousness of German and Polish youth indicate the progressive changes that occur in the area of the religious life among the modern generation of young Germans and Poles.Generally they can be divided in two groups: 1) referring to both Polish and German youth; 2) treating each of the youth groups individually.The multi aspects and diversity of the religious transformation of young Germans and Poles requires a proper response from the Catholic Church of both countries. This response should take into account suggestions of such evangelical methods that respond to the mentality and spiritual needs of the young generation. First of all it is necessary to change the approach of speech, not only taking care about merits but also new forms and contexts.Badania nad warunkami życia i religijnością młodzieży niemieckiej i polskiej wskazują na postępujące przemiany, jakie w obszarze życia religijnego dokonują się wśród współczesnego pokolenia młodych Niemców i Polaków. Zasadniczo można je uporządkować w dwóch grupach: 1) odnoszące się jednocześnie do młodzieży polskiej i niemieckiej, 2) traktujące osobno każdą z grup młodzieży.W obliczu przemian zachodzących w religijności młodych Polaków i młodych Niemców należy uwzględniać propozycje takich form ewangelizacyjnych, które odpowiadają mentalności i duchowym potrzebom młodej generacji. Przede wszystkim należy zmienić podejście do sposobu przepowiadania, a mianowicie nie tylko dbać o merytorczną stronę przekazu ale także uwzględnić nowe formy i konteksty głoszenia