Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Plotting the Plantationocene with The History of Mary Prince
No full textIn this essay, I consider how The History of Mary Prince, A West Indian Slave, Related by Herself (1831) extends vital affordances for assembling a literary history of ecological rupture, settler colonialism, and transatlantic slavery. These insights arise from my experiences teaching Prince in “Plotting the Plantationocene in Early Atlantic Literature” (Fall 2021), a course which took up what it means to orient to historical formations of climate change as co-emergent with plantation systems. I argue that my students explored how figures like Prince open politically vibrant pathways for being in the world otherwise to plantation modernity.Englis
Serine protease networks mediate immune responses in two model insects, Manduca sexta and Drosophila melanogaster
Get PDFMelanization and Toll pathway activation are essential innate immune mechanisms in insects, which result in the generation of reactive compounds and antimicrobial peptides, respectively, to kill microbes. These two processes are mediated by phenoloxidase (PO) and Spätzle (Spz) through an extracellular network of serine proteases.
While the melanization and Toll pathways have been investigated mostly in adult and larval insects, their regulation in insect eggs remains unclear. Here, we present evidence from transcriptome and proteome analyses that extra-embryonic tissues of early-stage M. sexta eggs are immune competent, with expression of immune effector genes including prophenoloxidase (proPO) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). We identified gene products of the melanization and Toll pathways in M. sexta eggs. Through in vitro reconstitution experiments, we demonstrated that constitutive and infection-induced serine protease cascade modules that stimulate immune responses exist in extra-embryonic tissues of M. sexta eggs. The constitutive module (HP14b-SP144-GP6) may promote rapid early immune signaling by forming a cascade activating the cytokine Spz and regulating melanization by activating proPO. The inducible module (HP14a-HP21-HP5) may trigger enhanced activation of Spz and proPO at a later phase of infection. Crosstalk between the two modules may occur in transition from the constitutive to the induced response in eggs inoculated with bacteria. Examination of data from two other well-studied insect species, Tribolium castaneum and D. melanogaster supports a role for a serosa-dependent constitutive protease cascade in protecting early embryos against invading pathogens.
Although certain proteases involved in regulating melanization and Toll pathway activation have been identified in genetic studies on D. melanogaster, the exact order of proteolytic activation events remains controversial. Here, we reconstituted the serine protease framework in Drosophila by biochemical methods. This system comprises ten proteases, i.e. ModSP, cSP48, Grass, Psh, Hayan-PA, Hayan-PB, Sp7, MP1, SPE and Ser7, which form cascade pathways that recognize microbial molecular patterns and pathogen virulence factors, and generate PO1, PO2, and Spz from their precursors. Furthermore, the serpin Necrotic negatively regulates the immune response progression by inhibiting ModSP and Grass. The biochemical approach, when combined with genetic analysis, is useful for addressing problems that long stand in this important research field
Structural and functional study of human SAMD9, rabbit SAMD9, myxoma virus protein M62/M63, and SARS-CoV-2-N protein
Get PDFAs a defense strategy against viruses or competitors, some microbes use anticodon nucleases (ACNases) to deplete essential tRNAs, effectively halting global protein synthesis. However, this mechanism has not been observed in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we report that human SAMD9 is an ACNase that specifically cleaves phenylalanine tRNA (tRNAᴾʰᵉ), resulting in codon-specific ribosomal pausing and stress signaling.
While SAMD9 ACNase activity is normally latent in cells, it can be activated by poxvirus infection or rendered constitutively active by SAMD9 mutations associated with various human disorders, revealing tRNAᴾʰᵉ depletion as an antiviral mechanism and a pathogenic condition in SAMD9 disorders. We identified the N-terminal effector domain of SAMD9 as the ACNase, with substrate specificity primarily determined by a eukaryotic tRNAᴾʰᵉ–specific 2’-O-methylation at the wobble position, making virtually all eukaryotic tRNAᴾʰᵉ susceptible to SAMD9 cleavage. Notably, the structure and substrate specificity of SAMD9 ACNase differ from known microbial ACNases, suggesting convergent evolution of a common immune defense strategy targeting tRNAs
Host pathogen interactions in the tan spot pathosystem
No full textTan spot, which is a significant foliar disease of wheat causing severe yield loss in many wheat-growing areas worldwide, is caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (PTR). The pathogenicity of PTR mainly depends upon the production of host selective toxins (HSTs). Consequently, phenotypic race identification and production of HSTs were assessed using 42 PTR isolates on five wheat differentials. PTR race identification revealed the presence of Race 1 (86%) and Race 3 (14%) in Oklahoma. Ptr ToxA is a major necrosis-inducing HST found in almost all PTR isolates in Oklahoma. Therefore, two PTR isolates, possessing (+) and lacking (-) the ToxA gene, were transformed to express fluorescent proteins to examine the infection and colonization process on susceptible and resistant wheat differentials. Results showed that fungal penetration and growth for ToxA+ and toxa- isolates started at 3DPI. On susceptible cultivars, ToxA+ isolates produced necrosis at 5DPI and 7DPI, consistent with the formation of secondary hyphae growing directly into epidermal and mesophyll cells, however on resistant cultivars, intracellular hyphae remain restricted, producing reduced infection sites with intense auto-fluorescent borders, which was also seen in susceptible and resistant wheat cultivars, when inoculated with toxa- isolates. Additionally, spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) were evaluated to reduce disease development by silencing the ToxA gene. Co-incubation of the fungal spores with Cy3-labeled dsRNA control demonstrated that PTR could take up exogenous dsRNA. However, SIGS appears unsuitable against PTR since all our attempts to silence multiple genes resulted in a lack of gene silencing. However, gene silencing was achieved using BMV: VIGS vectors targeting five regions of the ToxA gene. RT-qPCR revealed a significant reduction in the ToxA transcripts after the infection with the pC13/F3CP5 vector with all the ToxA inserts, compared to the control, infiltration buffer, and empty vector. Overall, more than 50% reduction of the target mRNA was detected in all the BMV: VIGS vectors. Additionally, a negative correlation between fragment size and silencing efficiency was determined. These results will provide insight for developing and improving management methods to reduce disease infection of PTR
Bridging two worlds: Action toward a healing-centered curriculum in dual credit spaces
No full textThe purpose of this study was to understand the unique mental health challenges of dual credit high school students, examine my contributions to these challenges, and explore possibilities for a curriculum to address those unique challenges to foster growth and healing in response to the escalating mental health crisis affecting high achieving students. In 2019, the National Academies of Science and Math released a report labeling high achieving youth an at-risk group for significant mental health events, placing them at the same level of risk as kids living in poverty and foster care, recent immigrants, and those with incarcerated parents. This combined teacher action research and autoethnographic study used writing prompts, past student essays, and focus groups, along with my own memory work and reflection to reveal the possibilities for healing and growth in future dual credit spaces.The eight participants in this study shared their past mental health struggles, their experiences in the dual credit program, and their perspectives on healing centered interventions. Additionally, I remembered and reflected on my own teaching and parenting experiences working with high achieving youth. The findings revealed that the heart of any compassionate landscape in education will be largely dependent on teacher relationality and relational caring. High achieving students in the dual credit program I studied, like all students, have unique and diverse needs that cannot always be addressed by a one-size-fits-all model of education. Instead, they require a caring teacher to be fully attuned to their individual circumstances. During our time together, the participants agreed on many shared challenges among dual credit students as well as general characteristics of a healing-centered environment; but ultimately, it was revealed that it will only be through relationality and individualized attention that the expressed and inferred needs of each unique learner can begin to be met
Use of behavioural change taxonomies in systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding obesity management
No full textAims: We investigated the prevalence of behavioral change taxonomies in systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to obesity management. In addition, we analyzed the funding sources, author conflicts of interest statements, risk of bias, and favorability of the results in such studies to determine if there was a relationship between methodological quality and taxonomy use.Methods: We searched several databases including MEDLINE, Epistemonikos, Cochrane EDSR, Pubmed, and Embase for systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding the behavioral treatment of obesity. Screening and data extraction was performed in a masked, duplicate fashion. We performed statistical analyses to determine any significant association between use of taxonomy and study characteristics.Results: Fifteen (of 186; 8.06%) systematic reviews used a taxonomy—9 used the BCTTv1, 3 used OXFAB, 2 used the CALO-RE, and 1 used “Taxonomy of choice architecture techniques.” Most interventions that referenced a taxonomy were self-mediated (6/60, 10%). Behavioral change taxonomies were mentioned in 10 (of 87, 11.49%) studies with a public funding source. Of the studies with favorable results, 14 studies (of 181, 7.73%) referred to a taxonomy. We found no statistically significant relationships between use of taxonomy and study characteristics.Conclusions: We found that systematic reviews regarding the management of obesity rarely mention a behavioral change taxonomy. Given the global burden of obesity, it is crucial that behavioral change techniques are reproducible and translatable. We recommend that researchers look further into how taxonomies affect the quality and reproducibility of behavioral interventions in an effort to improve patient outcomes
When is the party over? Examining the success of liberal ballot measures in conservative states
No full textParty ID continues to be a dominant force in American politics and generally is one of the most reliable predictors of voter behavior up and down the ballot. Some recent electoral results have challenged this narrative, namely the success of liberal ballot measures such as Medicaid expansion and minimum wage increases in conservative states. Why are conservative voters breaking from the party on some ballot measures? To answer this question, this paper will utilize a logistic regression model to investigate the success of liberal ballot measures in conservative states. I argue that self-interest, namely in the form of economic self-interest, causes some Republican voters to indicate support for policies that are not in line with their party’s position. I find support for this hypothesis, demonstrating a positive effect between self-interest and Republicans support for Medicaid expansion and raising the minimum wage. This paper makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the limitations of party ID and with the insights gained , will hopefully inform strategies to overcome polarization in other instances in order to craft more representative policy
Investigation of hidden structure and the dipole moment distribution in liquid water and ice
Get PDFWater is a polar molecule that interacts primarily via short-ranged hydrogen bonds. These strong directional hydrogen bonds adopt local tetrahedral geometries about each water molecule, and this leads water to be more ordered than other liquids. In this dissertation, we will discuss our efforts to computationally explore the relative limits of water ordering by crafting and simulating various highly ordered crystalline ice phases and less ordered liquid water systems. To quantify order in these systems in novel ways, we develop and apply an algorithm that simultaneously determines both the local tetrahedrality and the extended interaction geometries as closed rings of hydrogen bonding paths. Finally, we explore how the size and non-covalent interaction profile of a solvated hydrophobe influences water connectivity both locally and at various distances from the solute surface, and this allows us to show how hydrogen bond network connectivity can be a subtle probe of the range of influence that molecules have in seemingly disordered environments. Additionally, the effect of ions is also considered in an aqueous environment for its tendency to interact with highly dynamic hydrogen bond network. Besides investigating water ordering as a function of pressure and temperature, we extend these studies to probe the kinetics and molecular level mechanism of ice crystal growth. The local ordering is also dependent upon the quality of the individual hydrogen bonds, and the nature of these hydrogen bonding interactions will lead to changes in water’s dipole moment. To probe this relationship, a new approach is needed to uncover the variability of water’s dipole moment and build detailed moment distributions. We develop and apply tools that use both classical and quantum mechanical representations of water’s electric field to build these distributions, and the fine detail and variability of these moment distributions highlight the fundamental nature and behavior of water under extreme conditions
Effects of professional guidance on attitudes, self-efficacy, and sense of responsibility regarding transgender and gender expansive clients
No full textTransgender and gender expansive (TGE) individuals encounter bias, discrimination, and harassment in systemic and interpersonal contexts, including healthcare environments. Research indicates that TGE people are more likely to experience mental health concerns, and that gender-affirming mental health services are vitally important to promote resilience and well-being. At the same time, scholarship indicates that mental health professionals feel underprepared to work with TGE clients. Professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association have developed and published guidance to help professionals provide competent, affirming services. The present study utilized a Solomon four-group design with a control group and pre- and post-testing to assess within-group and between-group differences in attitudes toward TGE people, self-efficacy in providing care to TGE clients, and sense of professional responsibility to deliver trans-affirmative care. A sample of 119 psychologists and graduate students in psychology viewed educational materials based on APA’s (2015) Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People and completed the Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale, Counselor Competence Gender Identity Scale, and the Professional Responsibility for Trans-Affirmative Care Survey. A two-way mixed ANOVA revealed that individuals who viewed TGE guidance content reported significantly more positive attitudes, higher self-efficacy, and greater sense of professional responsibility than individuals in the control group. Additionally, participants in the TGE guidance group reported significant increases in positive attitudes and sense of professional responsibility from pre-test to post-test. Results indicate that brief exposure to educational content can influence how psychologists and graduate students think about TGE people and approach trans-affirmative care in their professional roles. Implications and future directions for advocacy, education and training, research, and practice are discussed
Modification of plant architecture by natural variants and editing events in TaTAC1 and TalLAZY1 genes in wheat
No full textThe tiller angle is one of the most critical traits for ideal plant architecture and grain yield, but no gene has been used to optimize the tiller angle in wheat. Here, we report that natural variations in the TaTAC-D1 gene on chromosome 5D and the TaLAZY-B1 gene on chromosome 6B were associated with phenotypic differences in tiller angles that were segregated in the population of doubled haploid (DH) lines generated using two winter wheat cultivars, ‘Duster’ with the erect tiller angle trait that is selected for cattle forage in the dual purpose wheat system and ‘Billings’ with the prostrate tiller angle trait in the grain-only wheat system. We designed two single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) that were conserved for the three homoeologous TaTAC1 genes, located on two exons and separated 255-256 bp away from each other on each homoeologous chromosome. When the single construct containing the two sgRNAs and CRISPR/Cas9 was transformed into a bread wheat cultivar, insertions and deletions occurred on TaTAC-A1, TaTAC-B1, and TaTAC-A1, including insertion of 59 bp and deletions of a range of 18 to 41 bp. We designed two sgRNAs that were conserved for the three homoeologous TaLAZY1 genes located on the same exon and separated 184 bp away from each other. When the single construct was transformed into the same wheat cultivar, a few unusual events occurred on TaLAZY-A1 and TaLAZY-D1, including two complementary reversions with 191 bp and 198 bp between the two sgRNAs and one deletion of 220 bp outside of sgRNAs. The simultaneous and effective editing of TaTAC1 or TaLAZY1 on the homoeologous chromosomes in the same plant ensured that the ideally homozygous edited genes could be directly employed in wheat breeding without any crosses of stacking and pyramiding the gene