scholarly journals Adaptation to real 1/6 g moon gravity contributes to plant development and expeditious acclimation to super-freezing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gengxin Xie ◽  
Yuanxun Zhang ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Dengyun Yu ◽  
Maozhi Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Cold Temperature ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Terrestrial Life ◽  
Life Trajectory ◽  
Solar System Exploration ◽  
First Time

Abstract Understanding how terrestrial life responds to planet microgravity is essential for humankind’s ambitious solar system exploration. Using the life-regeneration ecosystem carried by Chang’e 4 probe landed on the Moon, for the first time in human history, we followed the life trajectory of an earth cotton seed germination, development, and final fate after long term exposure to super cold temperature. We compared this life trajectory on the moon to that on earth in a controlled environment with matching parameters, except that the gravity is different. We found that 1/6 g Moon gravity causes no significant interruption to seed germination speed, but slows down seedling growth and contributes to an apparently shortened hypocotyl and thinner cotyledon. Most surprisingly, Moon seedling showed expeditious acclimation to super-freezing under 1/6 g microgravity, remaining erect and green after exposure to long term super cold temperature during the lunar night. We propose plausible mechanisms for the cold resilience based on moon-microgravity induced cellular and molecular responses. These unique findings will extend our understanding of plant adaptive responses to space suboptimal environments.

scholarly journals Multi-Level Challenges in a Long-Term Human Space Program. The Case of Manned Mission to Mars

Studia Humana ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-30
Author(s):  
Konrad Szocik ◽  
Bartłomiej Tkacz
Keyword(s):  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Program ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Human History ◽  
Deep Space ◽  
Space Programs ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
First Time ◽  
Space Settlement

Abstract Yuri Gagarin has started the first time in human history the manned mission in space when his Vostok aircraft successfully achieved Earth orbit in 1961. Since his times, human space programs did not develop too much, and the biggest achievement still remain landing on the Moon. Despite this stagnation, there are serious plans to launch manned mission to Mars including human space settlement. In out paper, we are going to identify and discuss a couple of challenges that – in our opinion – will be a domain of every human deep-space program.

scholarly journals Life in space isn't easy, even if you are green

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Barker ◽  
Simon Gilroy
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Complex Stress ◽  
Protein Profiling ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Terrestrial Life ◽  
First Time ◽  
Growth Analyses

In order for terrestrial life to expand beyond the confines of our earthbound existence to bodies such as the moon or Mars it will have to tackle a barrage of stresses, some that it has encountered and adapted to over millions of years of evolution, but some that it will meet for the very first time. Whether reliable, sustainable biology-based (bio-regenerative) life support systems can be developed for long-duration spaceflight and extraterrestrial colonies has therefore become an important area of research. These systems would almost certainly centre on plants and microbes and so questions of how such organisms respond to reduced gravity and radiation become critical. Current research, using approaches ranging from gene expression and protein profiling to detailed growth analyses, suggests spaceflight triggers complex stress responses in these organisms, but that biology has a remarkable ability to cope with the life of a space alien.

Somatic Embryogenesis and In vitro Plant Regeneration in Vigna trilobata (L.) Verd. - A Potential Pasture Legume

1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
K. Choudhary ◽  
M. Singh ◽  
M. S. Rathore ◽  
N. S. Shekhawat
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Embryogenesis ◽  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Somatic Embryos ◽  
Basal Medium ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Continuous Application ◽  
First Time ◽  
Pasture Legume

This long term study demonstrates for the first time that it is possible to propagate embryogenic Vigna trilobata and to subsequently initiate the differentiation of embryos into complete plantlets. Initiation of callus was possible on 2,4-D. Somatic embryos differentiated on modified MS basal nutrient medium with 1.0 mg/l  of 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l  of Kn. Sustained cell division resulted in globular and heart shape stages of somatic embryos. Transfer of embryos on to a fresh modified MS basal medium with 0.5 mg/l of Kn and 0.5 mg/l of GA3 helped them to attain maturation and germination. However, the propagation of cells, as well as the differentiation of embryos, were inhibited by a continuous application of these growth regulators. For this reason, a long period on medium lacking these growth regulators was necessary before the differentiation of embryos occurred again. The consequences for improving the propagation of embryogenic cultures in Vigna species are discussed. Key words: Pasture  legume, Vigna trilobata, Globular, Heart shape, somatic embryogenesis D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.4990 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 89-99, 2009 (June)

An Evaluation of Provincial Macroeconomic Performance in Vietnam

2017 ◽  
pp. 34-47
Author(s):  
Hoi Le Quoc ◽  
Nam Pham Xuan ◽  
Tuan Nguyen Anh
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Institutional Transformation ◽  
Economic Indicators ◽  
Macroeconomic Performance ◽  
Economic Development Strategy ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Development Objectives ◽  
First Time

The study was targeted at developing a methodology for constructing a macroeconomic performance index at a provincial level for the first time in Vietnam based on 4 groups of measurements: (i) Economic indicators; (ii) oriented economic indicators; (iii) socio-economic indicators; and (iv) economic - social – institutional indicators. Applying the methodology to the 2011 - 2015 empirical data of all provinces in Vietnam, the research shows that the socio-economic development strategy implemented by those provinces did not provide balanced outcomes between growth and social objectives, sustainability and inclusiveness. Many provinces focused on economic growth at the cost of structural change, equality and institutional transformation. In contrast, many provinces were successful in improving equality but not growth. Those facts threaten the long-term development objectives of the provinces.

NEW VARIETIES OF CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRY BREEDING PLANTS

1970 ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
O. D. Golyaeva ◽  
O. V. Kurashev ◽  
S. D. Knyazev ◽  
А. Yu. Bakhotskaya
Keyword(s):  
Powdery Mildew ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Black Currant ◽  
Leaf Spots ◽  
Agricultural Sciences ◽  
Berry Crops ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
First Time ◽  
Red Currant

The main goal of the scientific institution was and remains to improve the assortment of fruit and berry crops for the development of domestic horticulture. Black currant breeding at VNIISPK was started by A.F Tamarova and continued by the doctor of agricultural Sciences T.P.Ogoltsova and doctor of agricultural Sciences S.D. Knyazev. A long-term breeding program has been developed. The main goals of the program are to create black currant cultivars with continuous resistance to diseases, first of all powdery mildew, as wells resistance to pests, i.e. bud mite. As a result of the long-term work, over 40 black currant cultivars have been developed, 14 of them are zoned. Red currant breeding was led by the candidate of agricultural Sciences L.V. Bayanova; since 2001 the work has been continued by the candidate of agricultural Sciences O.D. Golyaeva. ‘Heinemanns Rote Spӓtlese’, the descendant of R. multiflorum Kit., was involved in the red currant breeding for the first time in Russia. On its genetic basis, a series of late maturing cultivars with long and dense racemes was created. At the Institute, in total 21cultivars of red currants have been developed, 13 of them are zoned. At present, red currant cultivars make up 25.5% of the zoned assortment in Russia. The first research on gooseberries was stated by V.P. Semakin and A.F Tamarova; since 1992 the systematic gooseberry breeding has been carried out by the candidate of agricultural Sciences O.V. Kurashev. On the basis of Grossularia robusta, we have created gooseberry forms that are resistant to powdery mildew and leaf spots. These forms are highly productive, weakly thorned, having bush habit suitable for mechanized harvest. The result of breeding activities was the transfer of 6 gooseberry cultivars to State agricultural testing: ‘Solnechny Zaychik’, ‘Nekrasovsky’, ‘Yupiter’, ‘Zemlianichny’, ‘Moryachok’ and ‘Discovery’.

scholarly journals Structure-Properties Correlation of Cross-Linked Penicillin G Acylase Crystals

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
Marta Kubiak ◽  
Janine Mayer ◽  
Ingo Kampen ◽  
Carsten Schilde ◽  
Rebekka Biedendieck
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Bacillus Species ◽  
Diffusion Limitations ◽  
Small Water ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
First Time

In biocatalytic processes, the use of free enzymes is often limited due to the lack of long-term stability and reusability. To counteract this, enzymes can be crystallized and then immobilized, generating cross-linked enzyme crystals (CLECs). As mechanical stability and activity of CLECs are crucial, different penicillin G acylases (PGAs) from Gram-positive organisms have proven to be promising candidates for industrial production of new semisynthetic antibiotics, which can be crystallized and cross-linked to characterize the resulting CLECs regarding their mechanical and catalytic properties. The greatest hardness and Young’s modulus determined by indentation with an atomic force microscope were observed for CLECs of Bacillus species FJAT-PGA CLECs (26 MPa/1450 MPa), followed by BmPGA (Priestia megaterium PGA, 23 MPa/1170 MPa) and BtPGA CLECs (Bacillus thermotolerans PGA, 11 MPa/614 MPa). In addition, FJAT- and BtPGA CLECs showed up to 20-fold higher volumetric activities compared to BmPGA CLECs. Correlation to structural characteristics indicated that a high solvent content and low number of cross-linking residues might lead to reduced stability. Furthermore, activity seems to be restricted by small water channels due to severe diffusion limitations. To the best of our knowledge, we show for the first time in this study that the entire process chain for the characterization of diverse industrially relevant enzymes can be performed at the microliter scale to discover the most important relationships and limitations.

scholarly journals Biosignatures of ancient microbial life are present across the igneous crust of the Fennoscandian shield

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Drake ◽  
Nick M. W. Roberts ◽  
Manuel Reinhardt ◽  
Martin Whitehouse ◽  
Magnus Ivarsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fennoscandian Shield ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Deep Biosphere ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Microbial Life ◽  
Carbon Isotopic ◽  
Terrestrial Life ◽  
Vein Mineral ◽  
Methyl Branched Fatty Acids

AbstractEarth’s crust contains a substantial proportion of global biomass, hosting microbial life up to several kilometers depth. Yet, knowledge of the evolution and extent of life in this environment remains elusive and patchy. Here we present isotopic, molecular and morphological signatures for deep ancient life in vein mineral specimens from mines distributed across the Precambrian Fennoscandian shield. Stable carbon isotopic signatures of calcite indicate microbial methanogenesis. In addition, sulfur isotope variability in pyrite, supported by stable carbon isotopic signatures of methyl-branched fatty acids, suggest subsequent bacterial sulfate reduction. Carbonate geochronology constrains the timing of these processes to the Cenozoic. We suggest that signatures of an ancient deep biosphere and long-term microbial activity are present throughout this shield. We suggest that microbes may have been active in the continental igneous crust over geological timescales, and that subsurface investigations may be valuable in the search for extra-terrestrial life.

scholarly journals Advancement in long-distance bird migration through individual plasticity in departure

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse R. Conklin ◽  
Simeon Lisovski ◽  
Phil F. Battley
Keyword(s):  
Bird Migration ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Environmental Constraints ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Breeding Resources ◽  
Plastic Responses

AbstractGlobally, bird migration is occurring earlier in the year, consistent with climate-related changes in breeding resources. Although often attributed to phenotypic plasticity, there is no clear demonstration of long-term population advancement in avian migration through individual plasticity. Using direct observations of bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica) departing New Zealand on a 16,000-km journey to Alaska, we show that migration advanced by six days during 2008–2020, and that within-individual advancement was sufficient to explain this population-level change. However, in individuals tracked for the entire migration (50 total tracks of 36 individuals), earlier departure did not lead to earlier arrival or breeding in Alaska, due to prolonged stopovers in Asia. Moreover, changes in breeding-site phenology varied across Alaska, but were not reflected in within-population differences in advancement of migratory departure. We demonstrate that plastic responses can drive population-level changes in timing of long-distance migration, but also that behavioral and environmental constraints en route may yet limit adaptive responses to global change.

scholarly journals Exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol during rat pregnancy leads to impaired cardiac dysfunction in postnatal life

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendrick Lee ◽  
Steven R. Laviolette ◽  
Daniel B. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Cardiac Remodelling ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
First Time ◽  
Impaired Cardiac Function ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Background Cannabis use in pregnancy leads to fetal growth restriction (FGR), but the long-term effects on cardiac function in the offspring are unknown, despite the fact that fetal growth deficits are associated with an increased risk of developing postnatal cardiovascular disease. We hypothesize that maternal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) during pregnancy will impair fetal development, leading to cardiac dysfunction in the offspring. Methods Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly selected and administered 3 mg/kg of Δ9-THC or saline as a vehicle daily via intraperitoneal injection from gestational days 6 to 22, followed by echocardiogram analysis of cardiac function on offspring at postnatal days 1 and 21. Heart tissue was harvested from the offspring at 3 weeks for molecular analysis of cardiac remodelling. Results Exposure to Δ9-THC during pregnancy led to FGR with a significant decrease in heart-to-body weight ratios at birth. By 3 weeks, pups exhibited catch-up growth associated with significantly greater left ventricle anterior wall thickness with a decrease in cardiac output. Moreover, these Δ9-THC-exposed offsprings exhibited increased expression of collagen I and III, decreased matrix metallopeptidase-2 expression, and increased inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β, all associated with cardiac remodelling. Conclusions Collectively, these data suggest that Δ9-THC-exposed FGR offspring undergo postnatal catch-up growth concomitant with cardiac remodelling and impaired cardiac function early in life. Impact To date, the long-term effects of perinatal Δ9-THC (the main psychoactive component) exposure on the cardiac function in the offspring remain unknown. We demonstrated, for the first time, that exposure to Δ9-THC alone during rat pregnancy results in significantly smaller hearts relative to body weight. These Δ9-THC-exposed offsprings exhibited postnatal catch-up growth concomitant with cardiac remodelling and impaired cardiac function. Given the increased popularity of cannabis use in pregnancy along with rising Δ9-THC concentrations, this study, for the first time, identifies the risk of perinatal Δ9-THC exposure on early postnatal cardiovascular health.

Empowering and Directive Leadership: The Cost of Changing Styles

2021 ◽  
pp. 227853372110083
Author(s):  
Smita Mukherjee ◽  
Zubin R. Mulla
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiment ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Team Outcomes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Satisfaction With The Leader ◽  
The Cost ◽  
First Time

We examine the cost of leaders changing between empowering and directive leadership styles on team outcomes. In a laboratory experiment, we collected data from 240 participants in 80 teams. Confederates enacted different leadership styles and led teams of participants in performing a series of tasks. When leaders changed their style from directive to empowering, teams took time to respond in terms of higher satisfaction with leader and affective commitment. However, when leaders changed their style from empowering to directive, the deterioration of satisfaction with leader and reduction in affective commitment were immediate. Moreover, teams of leaders who had been consistently directive showed higher affective commitment as compared to teams of leaders who had a history of being empowering but later shifted to being directive. First time managers can get inputs on how they should enact their leadership style and be aware that switching between styles may impose long-term costs on the team’s affective commitment and satisfaction with the leader.

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