CURLY LEAF is required for the auxin-dependent regulation of 3-dimensional growth specification in Physcomitrium patens

The no gametophores 4 (nog4-R) mutant cannot make the transition from 2-dimensional (2D) to 3-dimensional (3D) growth in Physcomitrium patens and forms side branch initials that are largely fated to become sporophyte-like structures. We describe the three different developmental trajectories adopted by the nog4-R mutant, all of which result in indeterminate growth and defects in cell division plane orientation. A candidate gene approach confirmed that the causative mutation resided in the CURLY LEAF gene, and we highlight a previously uncharacterized role for CURLY LEAF in maintaining auxin homeostasis in P. patens

Physical and Chemical Properties of Runoff Effluent from Beef Feedlots in Iowa

Beef feedlot runoff is a potential environmental contaminant. As such, it should be managed properly to preserve water quality. Primary treatment of feedlot runoff often relies on sedimentation techniques; thus, accurate knowledge of feedlot runoff physical properties is required. This study characterized the physical and chemical properties of runoff effluent from earthen and concrete beef feedlots in Iowa with the objective of providing the necessary information to improve solid settling basin design and performance. Results, although not statistically significant (p = 0.11), indicated that solids in runoff from concrete lots tended to settle more slowly than solids from earthen lots. Particle size distribution and particle density measurements indicated that the poorer settleability of concrete lot runoff was primarily caused by lower particle densities: 1.47 ±0.17 g cm-3 (average ± SD) for concrete lots as compared to 1.89 ±0.11 g cm-3 for earthen lots. Runoff composition was analyzed before and after settling to relate nutrient reduction to solids removal. Results indicated an average of 41 g total Kjeldahl nitrogen per kg total solids and 16 g total phosphorus per kg total solids were removed during settling

Physical and Chemical Properties of Runoff from Beef Feedlots in Iowa

Beef feedlot runoff is a potential environmental contaminant. As such, its proper management is required to preserve water quality. Primary treatment of feedlot runoff often relies on sedimentation techniques, thus accurate knowledge of feedlot runoff physical properties is required. This study characterized the physical and chemical properties of runoff effluent from earthen and concrete beef feedlots in Iowa with the objective of providing the necessary information to improve solid settling basin design and performance. Study results indicated there was a difference between the settleability of runoff from earthen and concrete lots. Particle size distribution and particle density measurements indicated that the poorer settleability of concrete lot runoff was primarily caused by lower particle densities, 1.47±0.17 g/cm3 for concrete lots as compared to 1.89 ± 0.11 g/cm3 for earthen lots. Runoff composition was analyzed before and after settling to relate nutrient reduction to solids removal. Results indicate an average of 41 g-TKN/kg-TS and 16 g-TP/kg-TS removed by settling

The Effects of Grace Interventions in Church Communities

Grace remains little studied though several recent studies have developed promising ways to measure grace. Here we report two studies involving grace interventions as part of an ongoing investigation of positive psychology in the context of Christian church communities, Study One used a crossover design in which two congregations were measured on grace and other variables at the outset, and again after phases one and two. One congregation received a grace intervention during phase one and the second during phase two. Results showed increased scores on grace but not an expected increase in marital satisfaction among married participants. Study Two used a similar design with two additional congregations to assess effects of a grace intervention on selfforgiveness. As expected, congregants receiving the grace intervention showed increases in trait self-forgiveness when compared to those in the wait-list

Nuevo materialismo, etnografía, y Práctica social comprometida: pliegues espacio-tiempo y la agencia de la materia

This article is an investigation of the agency of matter and an exposition of the new materialist methods I have been developing as part of a muti-sited trans-national ethnography that features socially engaged arts practices alongside more traditional ethnographic and qualitative techniques. I think through the agency of matter and consider the temporality of matter as part of its agency, understanding these agents as constitutive features of the research assemblage. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork from the United Kingdom, I examine how matter’s space-time can impact processes of making the social. I develop theoretical resources for moving the field forward. sEste artículo es una investigación sobre la agencia de la materia y una exposición de los nuevos métodos materialistas que he venido desarrollando como parte de una etnografía multisituada y transnacional que se distingue por las prácticas de arte socialmente comprometidas entre técnicas etnográficas más tradicionales y cualitativas. Creo que, a través de la agencia de la materia, y considerando la temporalidad de la materia como parte de su agencia, se pueden comprender sus agentes como características constitutivas de la investigación de recopilación. Recurriendo al trabajo de campo etnográfico en el Reino Unido, investigo cómo la materia del espacio-tiempo puede impactar sobre los procesos del hacer social. Desarrollo recursos teóricos para hacer avanzar al campo. 

Validation of a Low Cost Flow Measurement System for Monitoring Vegetative Treatment System Performance

In 2006, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to six feedlots participating in research on the use of vegetative treatment systems (VTSs) to control beef feedlot runoff. While Iowa State University monitors releases from the research portion of these sites, the producers are required to monitor releases from the non-research portions. Additionally, non-research site producers with VTSs and NPDES permits are required to monitor system releases. They are required to measure release volume and collect a sample for analysis. Automated, research oriented open channel flow measurement systems typically cost $7,500 to employ. Muhlbauer et. al (2007) developed a low cost monitoring system (LMS) designed to measure open channel flow from a VTS with a total cost of$1,600. Testing of the LMS by Muhlbauer et. al. (2007) across flow events ranging from one to six hours indicated a mean accuracy of 90.6% in comparison to a flow meter equipped ISCO 6712 portable sampler using a .46m (18”) fiberglass H-flume. Further cost reduction options for a producer include fabrication of a metal H-flume, reducing total system cost to $850. This paper compares the performance of the LMS for estimating both short and longer duration flow events and performance of the fabricated metal flume. The LMS flow measurements were compared to an ISCO 6712 portable sampler and a Krohne Optiflux 4000 flow meter in twelve field tests lasting one and six hours with an accuracy of 88.5% in comparison to the Krohne. Relative to a commercial fiberglass flume, the three fabricated flumes had a mean percent accuracy of 98%

Visible light mediated oxidation of benzylic sp3 C–H bonds using catalytic 1,4hydroquinone, or its biorenewable glucoside, arbutin, as a pre-oxidant

Benzylic ethers undergo a visible light induced C–H activation and oxygen insertion to give the corresponding benzoate esters in moderate to good yields. The conditions employ substoichiometric amounts of 1,4-hydroquinone with copper(II) chloride dihydrate as an electron-transfer mediator, oxygen as the terminal oxidant and dimethyl carbonate as solvent under visible light irradiation. The naturally occurring glucoside, arbutin, which is commercially available or can be accessed via extraction of the leaves of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) or elephant ears (Bergenia crassifolia) can be used as a biorenewable source of 1,4-hydroquinone. The methodology exploits the increase in oxidizing ability of quinones upon irradiation with visible light, and offers a sustainable alternative for the late stage oxidative functionalization of benzylic C–H bonds. It is applicable to a range of cyclic benzylic ethers such as isochromans and phthalans, and simple benzyl alkyl ethers. It can also be applied in the oxidation of benzylic amines into amides, and of diarylmethanes into the corresponding ketones. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds by Habstraction by the photo-excited triplet benzoquinone to give a benzylic radical that subsequently reacts with molecular oxygen

Pilot Study of Endurance Runners and Brain Responses Associated with Delay Discounting

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(5): 690-701, 2017. High levels of endurance training have been associated with potentially negative health outcomes and addictive-like symptoms such as exercise in the presence of injury and higher levels of impulsivity. This pilot study examined the relationships among self-report measures of addictive symptoms related to exercise and behavioral and neural measures of impulsivity in endurance runners. We hypothesized endurance runners would have increased preference for immediate rewards and greater activation of cognitive control regions when making decisions involving delayed rewards. Twenty endurance runners (at least 20 miles/week) were recruited to undergo measures of self-report exercise addiction symptoms, impulsive decision-making (delay discounting) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During behavioral and fMRI examinations, participants chose between a small hypothetical amount of money given immediately ($0 – 100) compared to a larger hypothetical amount of money ($100) given after a delay (2-12 weeks). On half of the trials participants were instructed that if they chose the delayed reward they would not be able to exercise during the delay period. Eighteen participants were included in the analysis. Results indicated that 94% of endurance runners reported high levels of exercise addiction symptoms, and 44% were “at-risk” for exercise addiction. In addition, endurance runners demonstrated increased preference for immediately available compared to delayed rewards (p \u3c 0.001) and greater recruitment of cognitive control regions (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate) when making decisions involving rewards when exercise was delayed (p \u3c 0.05). Together, these results indicate that endurance runners not only report addictive symptoms related to exercise, but also demonstrate addictive-like behaviors

A directly comparative two-gate case–control diagnostic accuracy study of the pure tone screen and HearCheck screener tests for identifying hearing impairment in school children

Objectives: This study directly compared the accuracy of two audiometry-based tests for screening school children for hearing impairment: the currently used test, pure tone screen and a device newly applied to children, HearCheck Screener. Design: Two-gate case–control diagnostic test accuracy study. Setting and participants: Hearing impaired children (‘intended cases’) aged 4–6 years were recruited between February 2013 and August 2014 from collaborating audiology services. Children with no previously identified impairment (‘intended controls’) were recruited from Foundation and Year 1 of schools between February 2013 and June 2014 in central England. The reference standard was pure tone audiometry. Tests were administered at Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit or, for some intended cases only, in the participant’s home. Main outcome measures: Sensitivity and specificity of the pure tone screen and HearCheck tests based on pure tone audiometry result as reference standard. Results: 315 children (630 ears) were recruited; 75 from audiology services and 240 from schools. Full test and reference standard data were obtained for 600 ears; 155 ears were classified as truly impaired and 445 as truly hearing based on the pure tone audiometry assessment. Sensitivity was estimated to be 94.2% (95% CI 89.0% to 97.0%) for pure tone screen and 89.0% (95% CI 82.9% to 93.1%) for HearCheck (difference=5.2% favouring pure tone screen; 95% CI 0.2% to 10.1%; p=0.02). Estimates for specificity were 82.2% (95% CI 77.7% to 86.0%) for pure tone screen and 86.5% (95% CI 82.5% to 89.8%) for HearCheck (difference=4.3% favouring HearCheck; 95% CI0.4% to 8.2%; p=0.02). Conclusion: Pure tone screen was better than HearCheck with respect to sensitivity but inferior with respect to specificity. As avoiding missed cases is arguably of greater importance for school entry screening, pure tone screen is probably preferable in this context