USDA CSREES\u27 Role in Broadening Support for an Aging Nation

The aging of America is of major public concern and has far-reaching implications for the nation and for rural communities. In particular, older Americans in rural areas face a wide array of challenges that negatively affect their health and quality of life. Working with its land-grant university and the Cooperative Extension System partners, USDA CSREES is strategically directed and uniquely positioned to address many of these challenges through effective research, education, and Extension activities

Taking Control of the Zombie Epidemic: Immunizing the Public through Infectious Disease Emergency Preparedness Public Health Entertainment

This paper details a strategic campaign proposal for a national public health campaign. The plan incorporates the use of social and e-marketing techniques, popular entertainment elements, casual gaming, and a mascot. Specifically, the proposal is the use of PopCap Games’ Plants vs. Zombies game and Zombie logo as a public health casual game and mascot. First, the various techniques are analyzed and then the plan of action is laid out. This out‐of‐the‐box strategy could undeniably be a major success for public health.Master of Public Healt

Modellbasierte Quadrokopter-Navigation mit Lasterstützung

Quadrokopter werden häufig in Gebäuden oder in Gebäudenähe eingesetzt, wo die Verfügbarkeit von GPS nicht gewährleistet ist. Um dennoch zuverlässig Position und Lage des Fluggerätes bestimmen zu können, werden in dieser Arbeit Methoden zur modellgestützten Navigation entwickelt und erfolgreich auf Quadrokopter angewendet. Die Nutzung des Bewegungsmodells reduziert das Fehlerwachstum wesentlich. Weitere Verbesserungen werden durch geeignete Integration von Lasermessungen erzielt

Biosynthesis of the phenolic monoterpenes, thymol and carvacrol, by terpene synthases and cytochrome P450s in oregano and thyme

Thymol and carvacrol are highly bioactive compounds often found in the essential oil of the culinary herbs, oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). These two phenolic monoterpenes have a broad range of biological activities acting as antimicrobial compounds, insecticides, anti-oxidants and pharmaceutical agents. Previous studies of terpene biosynthesis in oregano, thyme and marjoram cultivars demonstrated that thymol and carvacrol are derived from γ-terpinene, which in turn is formed by a multi-product monoterpene synthase. However, the oxidation steps have not been previously described, aside from an older proposal that γ-terpinene is oxidized to thymol via the aromatic, cyclohexanoid monoterpene, p-cymene. As an approach to investigting the oxidation steps in thymol and carvacrol formation, eleven cytochrome P450 genes were isolated from oregano, thyme and marjoram (Origanum majorana) which could be assigned to five P450s, CYP71D178 through CYP71D182. The amino acid sequences of these P450s share high sequence identities with two limonene hydroxylases from mint. In addition, the transcript levels of most of the P450 genes are well-correlated with the occurrence of either thymol or carvacrol in various plant lines. Heterologous expression of CYP71D178-182 in yeast resulted in active enzymes which produced small amounts of thymol and carvacrol, but large amounts of p-cymene. However, p-cymene was not converted farther to thymol and carvacrol, suggesting its formation may be an artifact. To better test the role of these enzymes in planta, CYP71D178 and CYP71D180 genes were introduced into Arabidopsis. Feeding of γ-terpenene to transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing these P450s resulted in the formation of thymol and carvacrol in good yield. These results indicate that thymol and carvacrol biosynthesis from γ-terpinene is catalyzed by cytochrome P450s in a two-step oxidation which might involve an allylic alcohol intermediate

Clopyralid applied to winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) contaminates the food products nectar, honey and pollen

Clopyralid is a systemic herbicide used in oilseed rape and other crops. It was found in Danish honey from 2016 in concentrations exceeding the maximum residue level (MRL) of 0.05 mg kg−1. About 50% of the Danish honey is based on nectar from winter oilseed rape. In 2019 and 2020, winter oilseed rape fields were sprayed with clopyralid just before the assigned spraying deadline. At flowering, nectar and pollen samples were collected and the content of clopyralid was measured. Honey and pollen samples were also collected from beehives next to ten conventional winter oilseed rape fields sprayed with clopyralid. Clopyralid was found in nectar and pollen from the experimental fields, and in honey and pollen from beehives next to the conventional fields. For most samples the content in nectar and honey exceeded the MRL. The concentrations found, may not pose any health risk for consumers, as the MRL is based on the original detection limit and not on toxicological tests. However, it can have a significant economical consequence for the beekeepers, who are not allowed to sell the honey if the concentration of clopyralid exceeds 0.1 mg kg−1. Reducing the acceptable applicable rate of clopyralid or implementing an earlier deadline for spraying of clopyralid may reduce the risk of contaminating bee food products. However, if it is not possible to obtain a satisfactory effect of clopyralid on the weed flora under these conditions, spraying with pesticides containing clopyralid should be restricted in winter oilseed rape. Determination of an MRL value based on toxicological tests might result in a higher value and make it acceptable selling the honey containing higher levels of clopyralid.Clopyralid applied to winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) contaminates the food products nectar, honey and pollenpublishedVersio