TY - JOUR. T1 - Large-scale mRNA expression profiling in the common ice plant, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, performing C3 photosynthesis and Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). AU - Cushman, John C.. AU - Tillett, Richard L.. AU - Wood, Joshua. AU - Branco, Joshua M.. AU - Schlauch, Karen A.. PY - 2008/5/1. Y1 - 2008/5/1. N2 - The common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) has emerged as a useful model for molecular genetic studies of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) because CAM can be induced in this species by water deficit or salinity stress. Non-redundant sequence information from expressed sequence tag data was used to fabricate a custom oligonucleotide microarray to compare large-scale mRNA expression patterns in M. crystallinum plants conducting C3 photosynthesis versus CAM. Samples were collected every 4 h over a 24 h time period at the start of the subjective second day from plants grown under constant light and temperature conditions in order to capture variation in mRNA ...

The halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (common or crystalline ice plant) is a useful model for studying molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance. The morphology, physiology, metabolism, and gene expression of ice plant have been studied and large-scale analyses of gene expression profiling have drawn an outline of salt tolerance in ice plant. A rapid root growth to a sudden increase in salinity was observed in ice plant seedlings. Using a fluorescent dye to detect Na+, we found that ice plant roots respond to an increased flux of Na+ by either secreting or storing Na+ in specialized cells. High-throughput sequencing was used to identify small RNA profiles in three-day-old seedlings treated with or without 200 mM NaCl. In total, 135 conserved miRNAs belonging to 21 families were found. The hairpin precursor of 19 conserved mcr-miRNAs and 12 novel mcr-miRNAs were identified. After 6 h of salt stress, the expression of most mcr-miRNAs showed decreased relative abundance, whereas the expression of their

To study vacuolar chloride (Cl(-)) transport in the halophilic plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L., Cl(-) uptake into isolated tonoplast vesicles was measured using the Cl(-)-sensitive fluorescent dye lucigenin (N,N-dimethyl-9,9-bisacridinium dinitrate). Lucigenin was used at excitation and emission wavelengths of 433 nm and 506 nm, respectively, and showed a high sensitivity towards Cl(-), with a Stern-Volmer constant of 173 m(-1) in standard assay buffer. While lucigenin fluorescence was strongly quenched by all halides, it was only weakly quenched, if at all, by other anions. However, the fluorescence intensity and Cl(-)-sensitivity of lucigenin was shown to be strongly affected by alkaline pH and was dependent on the conjugate base used as the buffering ion. Chloride transport into tonoplast vesicles of M. crystallinum loaded with 10 mm lucigenin showed saturation-type kinetics with an apparent K(m) of 17.2 mm and a V(max) of 4.8 mm min(-1). Vacuolar Cl(-) transport was not affected by sulfate,

Ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) is a model plant for studying salt-tolerant mechanisms in higher plants. Many salt stress-responsive ice plant genes have been identified with molecular and biochemical approaches. However, no further functional characterization of these genes in host plant due to lack of easy and effective transformation protocols. To establish efficient transformation system of ice plants, three types of ice plant materials, hypocotyl-derived callus, aseptically-grown seedlings and pot-grown juvenile plants, were used to develop Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocols. The highest transient transformation efficiency was with 5-day-old ice plant callus co-incubated with an Agrobacterium tumefaciens at 2.5 × 109 cells mL−1 for 48 h. The 3-day-old ice plant seedlings with root tip removed were successfully infected with A. tumefaciens or A. rhizogenes, and obtained 85% and 33-100% transient transformation rates, respectively. The transient transformation assays in

Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) is wild, edible and nutritious food. Identify ice plant via its pictures, habitat, height, flowers and leaves.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that convey salt tolerance in plants is a crucial issue for increasing crop yield. The ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) is a halophyte that is capable of growing under high salt conditions. For example, the roots of ice plant seedlings continue to grow in 140 mM NaCl, a salt concentration that completely inhibits Arabidopsis thaliana root growth. Identifying the molecular mechanisms responsible for this high level of salt tolerance in a halophyte has the potential of revealing tolerance mechanisms that have been evolutionarily successful. In the present study, deep sequencing (RNAseq) was used to examine gene expression in ice plant roots treated with various concentrations of NaCl. Sequencing resulted in the identification of 53,516 contigs, 10,818 of which were orthologs of Arabidopsis genes. In addition to the expression analysis, a web-based ice plant database was constructed that allows broad public access to the data. The results obtained ...

Publications. Roy K, Bloom AJ, Söll D (1971) tRNA separations using benzolated DEAE-cellulose. In: Cantoni G, Davies D (eds) Procedures in Nucleic Acid Research. Harper and Row, New York, pp 524-541. Kuelske S, Bloom AJ (1973) Testing an area source model through application to an isolated area source and simultaneous concentration measurements. VDI Berlin 200:189-198. Chapin FS, III, Bloom AJ (1976) Phosphate absorption: adaptation of tundra graminoids to a low temperature, low phosphorus environment. Oikos 26:111-121. Zeiger E, Bloom AJ, Hepler PK (1978) Ion transport in stomatal guard cells: a chemiosmotic hypothesis. Whats New in Plant Physiology 9:29-32. Bloom AJ (1979) Salt requirement for Crassulacean Acid Metabolism in the annual succulent, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. Plant Physiol 63:749-753. Bloom AJ (1979) Diurnal ion fluctuations in the mesophyll tissue of the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism plant, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. Plant Physiol 64:919-923. Bloom AJ, Troughton JH ...

In the halophytic species Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) may be induced by a range of abiotic factors including drought, salinity, high light intensity, low temperature, and anoxia. A key biotic consequence of all these environmental changes is the generation of reactive oxygen species in planta that can elicit potentially damaging oxidative reactions and/or act as signals for engaging mechanisms that alleviate oxidative stress. However, induction of CAM per se also has the potential for increasing the oxidative burden via the enhanced internal O2 concentrations that develop behind closed stomata during daytime decarboxylation. The aim of this paper was to test two hypotheses. The first one, that reactive oxygen species are key signals for up-regulating the major genes and proteins required for the operation of CAM as part of an integrated strategy for alleviating oxidative burden, was tested using gaseous ozone to increase the oxidative burden at a cellular ...

The goal is to establish the common or crystalline ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) as a DOE Plant Flagship Genome species. The ice plant was the first reported halophytic, facultative crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) species, meaning that the plant can be induced to switch from C3 photosynthesis to CAM following water-deficit or salinity stress treatment. CAM is an alternative mode of photosynthetic carbon uptake and CO2 concentrating mechanism that is present in approximately 6.5% of vascular plant species. CAM improves the water-use efficiency (WUE) in these plant species by temporally shifting all or part of net atmospheric CO2 fixation to the nighttime when evapotranspirational water losses are reduced relative to the daytime.. Proposer: John Cushman, University of Nevada. ...

Abscisic acid (ABA) has been implicated as a key component in water-deficit-induced responses, including those triggered by drought, NaCl, and low- temperature stress. In this study a role for ABA in mediating the NaCl-stress-induced increases in tonoplast H1-translocating ATPase (V-ATPase) and Na1/H1 antiport activity in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, leading to vacuolar Na1 sequestration, were investigated. NaCl or ABA treatment of adult M. crystallinum plants induced V-ATPase H1 transport activity, and when applied in combination, an additive effect on V-ATPase stimulation was observed. In contrast, treatment of juvenile plants with ABA did not induce V-ATPase activity, whereas NaCl treatment resulted in a similar response to that observed in adult plants. Na1/H1 antiport activity was induced in both juvenile and adult plants by NaCl, but ABA had no effect at either developmental stage. Results indicate that ABA-induced changes in V-ATPase activity are dependent on the plant reaching its adult phase,

Imagine a quintessential scene from a Golden State vacation: standing on the bluffs off Highway One, taking in a view of the beach below and a Pacific sunset on the horizon. Its classic California. Only whats beneath your feet on that cliff is not Californian at all. The succulent highway iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), a native of South Africa, was first introduced to California in the early 1900s and has since spread up and down the coast, competing with native plants for resources and suppressing the growth of native seedlings. And its not just California. Invasive species cause serious environmental disturbances all over the world: introduced pythons threaten native wildlife in the Everglades, invasive plants have changed regions of South Africa from grassland to scrub, foreign barnacles displace mussels and oysters on Europes northwestern coasts. In the U.S. alone, invasive species cause billions of dollars of damage each year and contribute to the threat faced by hundreds of ...

Ice plant wildflowers make an excellent addition for the patio, rock garden, or containers! Visit Everwilde Farms to buy our non-GMO ice plant seeds online.

Ice plant wildflowers make an excellent addition for the patio, rock garden, or containers! Visit Everwilde Farms to buy our non-GMO ice plant seeds online.

Ice Plants are a drought resistant annual flower variety that are easy to grow & care for. Learn how to grow ice plant flowers from gardening experts at Burpee. Burpee

I originally started this blog to share our experience as we journeyed through th world of raw feeding. Unfortunately raw did not work out for one of our dogs and so we no longer feed raw. =( However, I want to make clear, please do not look at our failed experience and assume raw is bad. Riley did exceptionally well on it. Henry however, did not. We believe this is due to his fragile condition and suppressed immune system. I believe also about kibble, that the best most expensive kibble just may not be the best one for your dog. Dogs are unique, and there is no one size fits all in how to feed your dog. I still continue to believe raw to be one of the best ways to feed your dog, *if* your dog does well on it ...

Marlothistella stenophylla Also called Mesembryanthemum stenophyllum or Ruschia stenophylla It is not very common. It should at some point grow a caudex. A caudex of a plant is a stem, but the term is also used to mean a rootstock and particularly a basal stem structure from which new growth arises. You might already be able to feel one forming at the base.. ...

Looking for online definition of slender ice plant in the Medical Dictionary? slender ice plant explanation free. What is slender ice plant? Meaning of slender ice plant medical term. What does slender ice plant mean?

Detailed Project Reports & Profiles on Cold Storage With Ice Plant - Detailed Project Report, Profile, Business Plan, Trends, Market Research, Survey, Feasibility Study, Investment Opportunities, Cost And Revenue, Plant Economics, Working Capital Requirement, Plant Layout, Cost Of Project

Ice Plant is the bright-flowered groundcover so common and loved on the West Coast, but hardly known at all in the east. Its a succulent, a lot like a short Sedum, but the flowers are the big thing--look at those sizzling hot pink daisies. Everybody loves them, and the plant spreads rapidly with trailing runners.

Manufacturer & Supplier of Ice Block Making machine, Ice Factory All over India Ammonia Ice plant Machine Freon Ice Block Making Machine.

Instructions for use KSDN 5061/A Bauknecht AG, Industriestrasse 36, 5600 Lenzburg, www.bauknecht.ch Verkauf Kundendienst Ersatzteile Telefon 0848 801 002 Telefon 0848 801 001 Telefon 0848 801 005 Fax 0848 801 017 Fax 0848 801 003 Fax 0848 801 004 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] . 4gb33015.fm Page 25 Wednesday, March 10, 2004 4:02 PM Instructions for use Description of the appliance Before using the refrigerator Installation How to operate the refrigerator/freezer Freezing Use of the ice and water dispenser (on some models) Use of the dispenser light and dispenser lock (on some models) Automatic ice maker Common ice maker problems Maintenance and cleaning Vacation Troubleshooting guide/after-sales service Water Filtration and Monitoring System (on some models) Disposal of your old refrigerator Electrical connection 25 4gb33015.fm Page 26 Wednesday, March 10, 2004 4:02 PM Description of the appliance Freezer Compartment S. Automatic ice maker T. Grids U. ...

Physiological adaptation of certain succulent plants, in which CO2 can be fixed (non photosynthetically) at night into malic and other acids. During the day the CO2 is regenerated and then fixed photosynthetically into the Calvin Benson cycle.…

In this concluding chapter, we review some of the major findings discussed in this book and their implications for our understanding of the CAM pathway. In particular, we highlight areas of...

A number of plants disperse their seeds in a rather artistic way: the seed capsules of the ice plant |em|Delosperma nakurense|/em|, for instance, unfold lids over the seed compartments in the manner of a movable origami when they are moistened by rain. This is the finding of researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam and the Technische Universität Dresden in a precise investigation of the opening mechanism. The lids open up because cells on the inside of them absorb water and change their structure. The plant, which grows in very arid regions, thereby ensures that its seeds have a good chance of opening. The researchers are keen to use this model to develop materials that move when they become wet or when their temperature changes.

Dads younger brother was Wilford William Caldwell. Will was a slightly shorter than Dad, a little meatier and had short kinky reddish hair. Will, sometimes known as Bill, had been absent for the time period of World War II, probably 1941-1945, so I didnt know him - only of him, most notably because his car, a 1940 Plymouth business coupe sat on the street in front of Grandpa Caldwells house on Legion Drive in Kenmore for the entire time he was gone. It was fun to ride with him cause you could lay in the package tray immediately behind the front seat. Will worked for his Dad at the ice plant and then made the jump into air-conditioning, whether residential or commercial, I dont know. I think that he did quite well at it. Uncle Will was a bachelor and so for the first 8 or 9 years after the war, he spent more time with our family than youd expect. He and Dad were good beer drinking and hunting buddies. We shot a lot of clay targets and woodchucks together. At some time, perhaps when I was ...

Monrovias Eye Candy Ice Plant details and information. Learn more about Monrovia plants and best practices for best possible plant performance.

The contention that nocturnal malic-acid accumulation in the vacuoles of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants is an energy-dependent process was confirmed by experiments on excised phyllodia of Kalanchoë tubiflora with the inhibitors 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), m-chlorocarbonylcyanide phenylhydrazone (CCCP) and diethylstilbestrol (DES). Levels of ATP, ADP and Pi were also measured in bulk-tissue extracts of phyllodia during the normal CAM rhythm. ATP levels increased during the dark period and decreased during the light period, whereas ADP and Pi levels did not show any significant changes. In some plants the ATP levels started to decrease before the end of the dark period. It is suggested that the changes in ATP levels are a reflection of the changing flux through glycolysis towards malate in the dark period. The results were used to estimate the free energy available from ATP hydrolysis (ΔGATP), which was compared with the H+-electrochemical potential difference (ΔμH+) across the tonoplast. This

This perspective paper explores the utilization of abiotic stress-responsive transcription factors (TFs) from crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants to improve abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants. CAM is a specialized type of photosynthetic adaptation that enhances water-use efficiency (WUE) by shifting CO2 uptake to all or part of the nighttime when evaporative water losses are minimal. Recent studies have shown that TF-based genetic engineering could be a useful approach for improving plant abiotic stress tolerance because of the role of TFs as master regulators of clusters of stress-responsive genes. Here, we explore the use of abiotic stress-responsive TFs from CAM plants to improve abiotic stress tolerance and WUE in crops by controlling the expression of gene cohorts that mediate drought-responsive adaptations. Recent research has revealed several TF families including AP2/ERF, MYB, WRKY, NAC, NF-Y, and bZIP that might regulate water-deficit stress responses and CAM in the inducible ...

Received its first patients in 1903. The state budgeted $150,000 to build the hospital itself and in 1901, an additional $120,000 went for new buildings and equipment. Five cottages were built for patients and from 1901 to 1902 a dining room, kitchen, power house, barns, laundry, ice plant, the folk building (set aside for nurses, attendants and recreation), an administration building, the Hall building, the superintendents residences and the Harrison Building, a receiving building and acute care hospital, were constructed. Dr. William Hall admitted the first three patients in 1903 and by 1904, the population stood at 332. By 1907, 795 patients were housed at the hospital. By 1922, the hospital was so crowded the superintendents home was converted to housing for women patients. In 1925, the Hyde Building was built and the Folk Building was converted to house female patients. Another milestone was marked in 1925 when Dr. Emmett Hoctor took over as superintendent of Farmington State Hospital, then known

Fredericksburg.com is reporting that a Fredericksburg City property owner is developing plans to use his property as micro-brewery or brewery co-op. The current owner former Reddy Ice plant has had conceptual drawings made to show how the property is suited to housing a brewery; with existing loading docks, electrical connections, natural gas and cold-box. Interestingly, owner Alex Long doesnt want to build the brewery himself. Instead he is offering the property, and idea, for sale to interested parties ...

The first ever hydrogen-powered car has recently lapped the famous German track, the Nurburgring, as the carmaker is getting ready to enter the H2-powered hybrid in the 24-Hour race this month. The Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S is the first ever hydrogen-powered car to take a lap around the […]

The potential for Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) was investigated in the sandstone outcrop succulent Talinum calycinum in central Kansas. Field studies revealed CAM-Iike diurnal acid fluctuations in these plants. These fluctuations persisted under all moisture and temperature regimes in the laboratory. Despite this CAM-Iike acid metabolism, simultaneous gravimetric determinations of day- and nighttime transpiration rates indicated the presence of a d gas exchange pattern. Subsequent analyses of diurnal CO; and H2O exchange patterns under wellwatered conditions and after 3, 5, and 7 days of drought confirmed these findings, though low rates of nocturnal CO, uptake were observed on the fifth night after continuous drought. Finally, the 6 I 3 C / C value of this succulent, - 27.8%c, emphasizes the insignificance of any nocturnal CO.. uptake in the lifelong accumulation of carbon in this species. Thus, it is proposed that T. calycinum is a ( \ plant with some C AM characteristics, including the ...

Several species of the stem succulent Caralluma (Apocynaceae) are abundant perennials in arid regions of the Arabian Peninsula. These arid regions have a short wet season with erratic rainfall and are characterized by harsh climatic conditions of high temp...

Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) is the most economically valuable crop possessing crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), a photosynthetic carbon assimilation pathway with high water-use efficiency, and the second most important tropical fruit. We sequenced the genomes of pineapple varieties F153 and MD2 and a wild pineapple relative, Ananas bracteatus accession CB5. The pineapple genome has one fewer ancient whole-genome duplication event than sequenced grass genomes and a conserved karyotype with seven chromosomes from before the ρ duplication event. The pineapple lineage has transitioned from C3 photosynthesis to CAM, with CAM-related genes exhibiting a diel expression pattern in photosynthetic tissues. CAM pathway genes were enriched with cis-regulatory elements associated with the regulation of circadian clock genes, providing the first cis-regulatory link between CAM and circadian clock regulation. Pineapple CAM photosynthesis evolved by the reconfiguration of pathways in C3 plants, ...

The faimily Aizoaceae or Ficoidaceae (fig-marigold faimily or ice plant faimily) is a taxon o dicotyledonous flouerin plants containin 135 genera an aboot 1900 species. Thay are commonly kent as stone plants or carpet weeds. Species that resemble stones or pebbles are sometimes cried mesembs. Several species are kent as ice plants. ...

cerastium, hardy ice plant, snow-in-summer, delosperma, gaillardia, blanket flower, laurentia, blue star creeper, belamcanda, blackberry lily

Recent reviews include Amy Allison, Bill Kirchen, Spanic Boys, Johnny Cash At San Quentin, Waylon Jennings Nashville Rebel DVD, Big John Hamilton, the compilation A Fine Time! The South Side of Soul Street, Eilen Jewell, Angela Desveaux, The Yayhoos, and Ray Mason Band.. Cold as a witchs you know what here in Southern Rhode Island. The aim of the Barndance this evening to make folks forget about the ice plant outside. We kicked off with a cut from Waylon Jennings in remembrance of his passing five years ago. Featured cuts from some of the artists appearing at the annual Mardi Gras Ball in Cranston on Saturday night. Closed things out with some fife & drum music and country blues from Mississippi and Memphis. In between the usual odds and ends. Stuff making the Barndance hit parade for the first time included new releases from The Silos, Southern Culture on the Skids, Steak (reissue of 1999 release), Lucinda WIlliams, and the Holmes Brothers. Buttshaker of the night???? From 1952, a 17-year-old ...

cerastium, hardy ice plant, snow-in-summer, delosperma, gaillardia, blanket flower, laurentia, blue star creeper, belamcanda, blackberry lily

About half of all ice-skating injuries are caused by overuse and repetitive stress, and are preventable. Here are some of the most common ice skating injuries:. 1. Knee pain: Often, landing on your knee when you fall has no worse consequences than a bruise. But in some rare cases, the bulk of abuse that your knees will absorb can cause a misalignment of the kneecap. This will lead to chronic knee pain and the knee cartilage may eventually wear down. Kneepads can help reduce the risk of knee injury when you take a fall on the ice.. 2. Weak ankles: Ankle sprains are one of the more common sports injures. The weight of your entire body is supported by your ankles, which makes them very likely targets for pain and injuries. A good way to help prevent ankle injury is to make sure that your skates are a good fit. Ensure the laces are tight enough so that your foot is snug and secure in the skates.. ...

High quality 9T/H Sea Water Desalination Reverse Osmosis Equipment In Ice Plant from China, Chinas leading 9T/H Reverse Osmosis Equipment product, with strict quality control 40.0KW Reverse Osmosis Equipment factories, producing high quality 40.0KW Reverse Osmosis Equipment products.

Many studies have been conducted on the mechanical behaviour of regular cellular materials (e.g. [20-24]). These models estimate the macroscopic continuum mechanical properties of a regular cellular material from microscopic parameters like nodal connectivity, cell shape, relative density and mechanical properties of the cell wall material [21,25-27]. Moreover, the influence of cell-size distribution, irregularity and point defects on the elastic and failure properties of honeycombs and foams has also been extensively studied [28-30]. In these studies, the mechanical properties of the cellular material are discussed by simulating simple boundary value problems (uniaxial, biaxial or pure shearing loading). Despite the large amount of work being done on the mechanics of honeycombs, surprisingly, no systematic study has been conducted on internal loading conditions like hydrostatic pressurization on the honeycomb inner surface, relevant to understanding the actuation of the ice plants. One ...

Geocaching is a treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to hide and seek containers with other participants in the activity. Geocaching.com is the listing service for geocaches around the world.

LAURENZO, MARÍA NINFA RODRÍGUEZ (1924-2001). María Ninfa Rodríguez Laurenzo, founder of Ninfas Restaurants, daughter of Esteban Rodríguez and Maura Chapa Rodríguez, was born in Harlingen, Texas, on May 11, 1924. Her father, a political refugee, arrived in South Texas in 1911 and opened one of the earliest ice plants in the Rio Grande Valley as well as a hotel. He became a plumbing contractor and owned a small farm. Ninfa had six brothers and five sisters, including a twin, Pilar.. She graduated from Henrietta High School in Kingsville and Durhan Business School in Harlingen in the 1940s. While visiting her newly-married twin Pilar in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1945, she met Domenic Thomas Laurenzo (Tommy), a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate of Italian descent. The two married in September 1946 and had their first child, Roland, in 1947. The following year the family moved to Houston after flipping a coin to choose between the Bayou City and Los Angeles. In 1949 the ...

A five-year, multi-institutional $14.3 million United States Department of Energy grant to explore the genetic mechanisms of crassulacean acid metabolism and drought tolerance in desert-adapted plants was awarded to a team of researchers including John Cushman, a biochemistry professor at the University of Nevada, Reno; Xiaohan Yang at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); James Hartwell at the University of Liverpool, UK; and Anne Borland at Newcastle University, UK and ORNL. They aim to apply this knowledge to biofuel crops.

Supervising Faculty: Xiaohan Yang. Roberts research background is in phycology with his Masters thesis focusing on algal identification, use of diatoms as bioindicators, and algal ecology. During graduate school, he also worked with an algal biotech company in testing and optimizing growing procedures of different algal strains for use in biofuel, bioplastics, and other products in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical areas. He also assisted in diatom identification workshops for the U.S. EPA and Georgia EPD. Post-graduate school, Robert was a primary instructor in Environmental Science and Biodiversity courses for one year while also mentoring undergraduate students in algal research.. As a part of the DOE funded CAM Biodesign Project, Roberts research now focuses on understanding crassulacean acid metabolism, also known as CAM photosynthesis. His focus is on the dynamics of transcription in plants with CAM photosynthesis. He plans to use systems and synthetic biology methods to uncover the ...

The influence of noise is unavoidable in all living systems. Its impact on a model of a biological clock, normally running in regular oscillating modes, is examined. It is shown that in a specific system in which endogenous rhythmicity is produced by a beat oscillator acting on a feedback coupled metabolic pool system, noise can act coherently to produce unexpected dynamic behaviour, running from regular over pseudo-regular to irregular time-structures. If the biological system consists of a set of identical weakly coupled cells, stochasticity may lead to phase decoupling producing irregular spatio-temporal patterns. Synchronization via phase resetting can be achieved by external short-time temperature pulses. Explicit results are obtained for the well-studied circadian photosynthesis oscillations in plants performing crassulacean acid metabolism. Because of the generic structure of the underlying nonlinear dynamics they can, however, be regarded as a general property of the influence of noise ...

The state of Ohio has had its problems with speed cameras. Back in 2010, the city of New Garfield refunded $100,000 in fines collected in violation of its speed camera policy. The city told the public that drivers would only be ticketed for driving more than eleven mph over the speed limit [... which makes one question the purpose of its speed limits]. Plenty of drivers got dinged for exceeding the speed limit by less than the arbitrary cutoff, resulting in the mass refund. Not that this will necessarily keep anyone from being ticketed, speeding or not. In the same year, an Ohio court ruled that an officers guesstimate of someones speed is just as reliable as radar or speed cameras when it comes to testimony. Given how many speed cameras have ticketed parked cars and brick walls, this is somewhat of a close case when it comes to testimonial accuracy. The Newspaper -- which stays on top of every speed/traffic cam-related development [note: they really HATE traffic cams in France…] -- ...

I am a wicked person! I purchased two hanging baskets of trailing geraniums pink and white - lovely. They made their debut last weekend in glorious sunshine and soon attracted the attentions of bees. Except ............. they are not real! Bought for purely practical reasons you understand - less dead-heading and watering to do - but boy did I feel guilty. So, this weekend, I am going to make amends and create a bee garden. I have compiled a list of plants to attract bees and will get started. In my defence I already have many plants flowering at different times of year which are bee beneficial but I can do much more. Many will help all sorts of other insects too. Bees need us and we certainly need them.. Lets all be an A Team for the Bee Team! Plants that Ive chosen as being attractive to bees and to me: Aquilegia, Allium, Borage, Cornflower, Cosmos, Fuschia, Geranium - hardy (and real!), Hydrangea, Ice Plant, Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Verbena. ...

Hylotelephium spectabile, commonly known as hylotelephium, showy stonecrop, live-forever, ice plant or orpine, is a succulent herbaceous perennial which typically grows in an upright to semi-upright mound on unbranched stems typically rising to 18-24 tall. It features (a) fleshy, flat, coarsely-toothed, elliptic, opposite (sometimes in whorls of 3-4), dull green to blue-green leaves (to 3 long), (b) fleshy stems and (c) tiny, star-like, pink flowers (to 1/2 across) which bloom from late summer to frost (August-October) in dense rounded flower heads (corymbose cymes to 3-4 across). Flower color fades to burgundy brown as the flowers age. Upper leaves are sessile. This plant is native from eastern Europe to China and Japan, but has been introduced in many other parts of the world including areas of the U.S. where it has escaped gardens and naturalized in some eastern and central States including New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin and Louisiana. ...

Plants of Agave spp. perform Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and are highly drought-tolerant, but little is known concerning seed germination under low water availability. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of substrate water potential (ΨW) on seed germination and contrast hydrotime parameters of seven valuable and commercially-important Agave species from different geographical distributions and climatic regions of Mexico. Our hypothesis was that seed germination of Agave species is not affected by low water availability independently of seed biomass and the climate of their distribution area. Seed germination (at 25°C and in the dark) between 85 and 100% for all species occurred within 80-180 h at -0.03 MPa and 250-430 h at -1.0 MPa. Seed germination at -1.5 MPa declined to less than 50% (p | 0.05) for A. asperrima and A. cupreata but did not change significantly for A. americana var. marginata, A. lechuguilla and A. striata, although they showed the lowest mean base water potential (