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Plant roots integrate environmental signals with development using exquisite spatiotemporal control. This is apparent in the deposition of suberin, an apoplastic diffusion barrier, which regulates flow of water, solutes and gases, and is environmentally plastic. Suberin is considered a hallmark of endodermal differentiation but is absent in the tomato endodermis. Instead, suberin is present in the exodermis, a cell type that is absent in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we demonstrate that the suberin regulatory network has the same parts driving suberin production in the tomato exodermis and the Arabidopsis endodermis. Despite this co-option of network components, the network has undergone rewiring to drive distinct spatial expression and with distinct contributions of specific genes. Functional genetic analyses of the tomato MYB92 transcription factor and ASFT enzyme demonstrate the importance of exodermal suberin for a plant water-deficit response and that the exodermal barrier serves an equivalent function to that of the endodermis and can act in its place.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the challenges of distance learning (DL) teacher education (TE) experienced by decision makers, lecturers, and pedagogical instructors at PE teacher training colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and explore how these challenges were dealt with. In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 participants from five colleges of education in Israel where physical education teacher training is taught. A trifold process characterizes the investigated institutions: Frustration and a sense of helplessness, high self-satisfaction regarding the online instruction, and frustration combined with hope that the era of distance teaching will soon end. Most decisions regarding the changes and transitions were made by the teaching staff. Our findings can help those involved in teacher education in understanding how organizational and pedagogical decisions were made under conditions of uncertainty and crisis, and how these training programs were adapted to the new circumstances. Our findings may also serve as a basis for future discussion on long-distance teacher education.

When making talent-selection decisions in sport, coaches, scouts, program directors, and policymakers typically adopt two approaches: The subjective approach, also known as the coach's eye, where these professionals select or de-select athletes based on their personal observations and impressions; and the objective approach, where they apply a multi-faceted formula for awarding scores to the athletes' motor skills (such as agility and coordination) and psychological capabilities (such as leadership and motivation) – as a mean for predicting their future success. These two approaches are often perceived as complementary in the strive to reach optimal selection decisions in sport. In this conceptualized article, we examine challenges associated with such talent-selection decisions, and address the coach's eye as an example of a subjective assessment approach. We also address the concept of fast and frugal heuristics for making selection decisions in sport, while elaborating on bounded rationality and the human machine paradigm. Finally, in addition to discussing certain ''built-in'' limitations in sport-selection decisions, based on judgment and decision-making models, we provide a rationale for adding the big-data approach, as a mean for enhancing links between the subjective and objective assessments currently used in talent-selection decisions in sport.

Two-step thermochemical fuel production cycles powered using concentrating solar systems offer a route to convert solar energy to chemical fuels. In this work, we offer a critical assessment of the state of the art, a detailed technical analysis of this technology in terms of theoretical limitations and potential performance, and potential paths forward in the development of these processes. The state of the art for demonstrated reactor systems is analyzed using key performance indicators including energy efficiency, feedstock conversion extent, power output, and volumetric power density. The technical analysis first looks into the theoretical limitations on the cycles’ process conditions and the role of the redox material. This is followed by a detailed thermodynamic analysis of the state-of-the-art CeO2-based cycle, based on fixed bed mixed flow reactors, which closely represent the reactor designs used in demonstrations. Finally, a scale-up analysis is performed for the CeO2-based cycle. The results from the theoretical analysis agree well with trends seen in experimental demonstrations of the concept. From the analysis, the low power density of the CeO2-based cycle is highlighted as a critical design limitation that will seriously restrict further scale-up of this technology. We share perspective on this and other issues, and offer some outlook for future development.

Background: Children are encouraged to spend 60 min each day performing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In this study, we assessed the impact of an intervention throughout the school year on physical activity, sports performance, and school climate in fifth–sixth-grade children from schools in a disadvantaged neighborhood. Methods: The intervention group (n = 44) participated in six weekly 45 min physical education classes; an athletic subgroup of these students participated in two additional weekly athletic classes. The control group (n = 73) participated in two standard weekly physical education classes. Pre- and post-intervention Eurofit Physical Fitness Tests were conducted. Results: Significant improvements were seen in the stand-and-reach test among girls in the intervention group [M = −0.47(7.71)–1.26(8.02) cm] compared to the control group [F(1,54) = 14.86, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.22]. No differences were seen between the groups in their daily physical activity, screen time, or school climate (p = 0.13, p = 0.17, and p = 0.35, respectively). Improvements were seen in the shuttle-run beep test, yet only in the athletic subgroup [F(1,93) = 60.38, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.39]. A trend towards significance for the largest improvement was seen in the athletic subgroup, who participated in eight weekly physical activity classes [F(2,93) = 3.75, p = 0.027, η2 = 0.07). Conclusions: Physical education curricula should enhance their focus on athletic performance, while increasing the number of weekly physical education classes in schools, to include daily lessons throughout the school week, each lasting at least 45 min.

The magnetic state of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulator can be read and manipulated in spintronics devices using bilayers of an AFM and a conducting layer, making it useful for spintronics devices. To date, research has focused on single crystals of AFMs, which enables the study of properties related to different crystallographic surfaces. However, combining single-crystal AFMs in spintronics devices may be problematic due to substrate selectivity and deposition conditions. In this work, we study the properties of polycrystalline Fe2O3 coupled with Pt as the conducting layer, asking how the magnetoresistive behavior differs in polycrystalline AFMs. We report on the angle dependent magnetoresistance and transverse magnetoresistance properties as a function of temperature and magnetic fields, comparing Fe2O3/Pt and Fe2O3/Cu/Pt thin films, in addition to magnetometry and structural characterization. The magnetoresistance signals do not depend on the thickness or volume behavior of the Fe2O3 layer, but rather the Fe2O3/Pt interface. Angle dependent magnetoresistance measurements show ferromagnetic-like behavior but with a non-standard effect of field, while transverse measurements show a sign change with temperature. This differs from effects reported for single-crystal Fe2O3 based bilayers. Interestingly, using transverse field measurements, we find that at low temperatures, the Fe2O3/Pt interface spins develop a glass-like relaxation of the magnetic signal, which undergoes freezing as the sample is further cooled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Multiple biophysical mechanisms may generate non-negative extracellular waveforms during action potentials, but the origin and prevalence of positive spikes and biphasic spikes in the intact brain are unknown. Using extracellular recordings from densely-connected cortical networks in freely-moving mice, we find that a tenth of the waveforms are non-negative. Positive phases of non-negative spikes occur in synchrony or just before wider same-unit negative spikes. Narrow positive spikes occur in isolation in the white matter. Isolated biphasic spikes are narrower than negative spikes, occurring right after spikes of verified inhibitory units. In CA1, units with dominant non-negative spikes exhibit place fields, phase precession, and phase-locking to ripples. Thus, near-somatic narrow positive extracellular potentials correspond to return currents, and isolated non-negative spikes correspond to axonal potentials. Identifying non-negative extracellular waveforms that correspond to non-somatic compartments during spikes can enhance the understanding of physiological and pathological neural mechanisms in intact animals.

We present a methodology for a high-throughput screening (HTS) of transcription factor libraries, based on bacterial cells and GFP fluorescence. The method is demonstrated on the Escherichia coli LysR-type transcriptional regulator YhaJ, a key element in 2,4-dinitrotuluene (DNT) detection by bacterial explosives’ sensor strains. Enhancing the performance characteristics of the YhaJ transcription factor is essential for future standoff detection of buried landmines. However, conventional directed evolution methods for modifying YhaJ are limited in scope, due to the vast sequence space and the absence of efficient screening methods to select optimal transcription factor mutants. To overcome this limitation, we have constructed a focused saturation library of ca. 6.4 × 107 yhaJ variants, and have screened over 70 % of its sequence space using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Through this screening process, we have identified YhaJ mutants exhibiting superior fluorescence responses to DNT, which were then effectively transformed into a bioluminescence-based DNT detection system. The best modified DNT reporter strain demonstrated a 7-fold lower DNT detection threshold, a 45-fold increased signal intensity, and a 40 % shorter response time compared to the parental bioreporter. The FACS-based HTS approach presented here may hold a potential for future molecular enhancement of other sensing and catalytic bioreactions.

Abstract Background In-situ tumor ablation provides the immune system with the appropriate antigens to induce anti-tumor immunity. Here, we present an innovative technique for generating anti-tumor immunity by delivering exogenous ultra-high concentration (> 10,000 ppm) gaseous nitric oxide (UHCgNO) intratumorally. Methods The capability of UHCgNO to induce apoptosis was tested in vitro in mouse colon (CT26), breast (4T1) and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC-1) cancer cell lines. In vivo, UHCgNO was studied by treating CT26 tumor-bearing mice in-situ and assessing the immune response using a Challenge assay. Results Exposing CT26, 4T1 and LLC-1 cell lines to UHCgNO for 10 s–2.5 min induced cellular apoptosis 24 h after exposure. Treating CT26 tumors in-situ with UHCgNO followed by surgical resection 14 days later resulted in a significant secondary anti-tumor effect in vivo. 100% of tumor-bearing mice treated with 50,000 ppm UHCgNO and 64% of mice treated with 20,000 ppm UHCgNO rejected a second tumor inoculation, compared to 0% in the naive control for 70 days. Additionally, more dendrocytes infiltrated the tumor 14 days post UHCgNO treatment versus the nitrogen control. Moreover, T-cell penetration into the primary tumor was observed in a dose-dependent manner. Systemic increases in T- and B-cells were seen in UHCgNO-treated mice compared to nitrogen control. Furthermore, polymorphonuclear-myeloid-derived suppressor cells were downregulated in the spleen in the UHCgNO-treated groups. Conclusions Taken together, our data demonstrate that UHCgNO followed by the surgical removal of the primary tumor 14 days later induces a strong and potent anti-tumor response.

Solar thermochemical hydrogen production is a promising pathway for producing sustainable fuels and chemicals. One of the main challenges in the development of these processes is their low steam conversion extent, dictated by its restrictive thermodynamics requiring extremely high temperatures over 1500 °C and low oxygen partial pressure to obtain a steam conversion over 10%. While condensing the unreacted steam is technically simple, the latent heat is thus rendered useless for the process. In many cases, this lost heat can be larger than the higher heating value of the produced hydrogen. We propose a new separation method based on a mechanical vapor recompression cycle, enabling the recovery of the latent heat by compressing the steam–hydrogen mixture prior to the condensation process, thus creating a temperature difference between the hot exhaust and cold inlet streams. We show that this separation method can recover the latent heat and keep its quality in relevant operating conditions while requiring less than 14% of the recovered heat for compression work, resulting in a coefficient of performance over 7. This method increases the viability of solar thermochemical hydrogen production cycles, especially under limited steam conversion conditions. • A new method for hydrogen–steam separation based on mechanical vapor recompression. • Coefficient of performance can achieve value over 10 for low steam conversion cases. • At higher conversion additional heat is needed to complete the boiling of the fresh steam. • Applications in solar thermochemical hydrogen production can increase overall system efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children are encouraged to spend 60 min each day performing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In this study, we assessed the impact of an intervention throughout the school year on physical activity, sports performance, and school climate in fifth–sixth-grade children from schools in a disadvantaged neighborhood. Methods: The intervention group (n = 44) participated in six weekly 45 min physical education classes; an athletic subgroup of these students participated in two additional weekly athletic classes. The control group (n = 73) participated in two standard weekly physical education classes. Pre- and post-intervention Eurofit Physical Fitness Tests were conducted. Results: Significant improvements were seen in the stand-and-reach test among girls in the intervention group [M = −0.47(7.71)–1.26(8.02) cm] compared to the control group [F(1,54) = 14.86, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.22]. No differences were seen between the groups in their daily physical activity, screen time, or school climate (p = 0.13, p = 0.17, and p = 0.35, respectively). Improvements were seen in the shuttle-run beep test, yet only in the athletic subgroup [F(1,93) = 60.38, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.39]. A trend towards significance for the largest improvement was seen in the athletic subgroup, who participated in eight weekly physical activity classes [F(2,93) = 3.75, p = 0.027, η2 = 0.07). Conclusions: Physical education curricula should enhance their focus on athletic performance, while increasing the number of weekly physical education classes in schools, to include daily lessons throughout the school week, each lasting at least 45 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical framework and algorithm are developed that decompose the cross-correlation histogram between two spike trains to determine connectivity between two neurons.

Abstract The purpose of this pre-registered study was to examine whether asking gamers and non-gamers about their video game playing habits before or after they performed computerized cognitive-motor tasks affects their performance of those tasks. We recruited 187 participants from an online participants’ recruitment platform. Out of those participants, 131 matched our criteria as gamers or non-gamers. They were then divided to two subgroups, and performed a choice-RT task, a Simon task, an alternate task-switching task, and a digit span memory task either before or after answering a video-game playing habits questionnaire. The results showed that gamers who completed a video-games questionnaire before performing the tasks had faster reaction times (RTs) in the Simon task compared with gamers who answered the questionnaire after performing the tasks. In contrast, non-gamers who answered the questionnaire before the task had slower RTs in the Simon task and the alternate task-switching task compared with non-gamers who answered the questionnaire after performing the tasks. The results suggest that answering a video-games questionnaire before the start of a study can lead to a response expectancy effect—positive for gamers and negative for non-gamers. This may bias findings of studies examining video games and the performance of cognitive-motor tasks.

Introduction The National School of Rehabilitation, Integration and Recovery in Mental Health was established in 2011 at Ono Academic College. Its operation is supervised and funded by the Department of Rehabilitation in the Mental Health Division of the Israel Ministry of Health. The School offers courses for a broad variety of mental health professionals and others involved in the mental health field (service users and family members) to promote professional competencies, social cohesion, learning from experience, and to advance mental health rehabilitation. In recent years, the School has become increasingly involved in multiculturalism, providing special courses and workshops for both the Palestinian-Arab and ultra-Orthodox Jewish sectors in Israel. The School is based on the belief in the ability of service users to recover, integrate, and live meaningful lives in the community. This belief is consistent with values of the recovery approach (Slade et al., 2017). The School is constantly in dialogue with the community, and provides training for interventions that promote recovery, as well as social cohesion in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation. Objectives To describe the process of foundation, implementation, and outcomes of the unique model of the School; to discuss the multicultural and social opportunities and challenges; to portray major elements of the school methodology and practice. Methods Work model presentation through qualitative analyses of social and academical processes, alongside quantitative descriptive data. Results Every year, 700 students from various helping professions in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation study at the School, as well as service users. The school operates as a bridge between academy and the field and encourages learner and staff diversity, joint learning, and discourse. Over 30 courses are conducted annually including evidence-based intervention courses such as IMR, and training courses such as knowledge by experience, supervision, rehabilitation coordinators, etc. In addition, unique courses are given, such as eating disorders, DBT, and social cognitive intervention training with multicultural adaptations. Lastly, the school offers consultation in implementing interventions within services. Conclusions The working model of the School operates under the framework and values of recovery, social integration and cohesion, and multiculturalism. To this day, the School offers courses, symposiums, conferences, and professional publications, to educate for values of recovery and community inclusion, alongside improving the quality of services. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction The National School for Training in Mental Health Rehabilitation and Recovery at the Ono academic college operates under the auspices of, and is funded by, the Division for Mental Health Rehabilitation of the Israeli Ministry of Health. Intended to hone the quality of services provided, it offers numerous training courses, that target various populations associated with and working in the field of mental health recovery, among them clients and their family members, as well rehabilitation professionals and support personnel. The novel course of trauma and posttraumatic growth (PTG) was developed and aimed at supporting recovery, coping strategies and ultimately PTG through the lenses of both recovery and trauma informed care for psychiatric and support personnel, professionals with lived experience, and family members. It is built of eleven six hours long sessions with lectures, in-vivo assignments, and group supervision. Objectives Portray the development, implementation, and outcomes of the course from psycho-educational, clinical, social, and personal perspectives of students as well as the course’s developers. Methods A case study of the course that will be portrayed through qualitative anonymous testimonials from students’ surveys and assignments, as well as the analyses of processes that the course underwent through the years. Results The course has several dimensions that allow the integration between trauma, recovery, and PTG in psychiatric rehabilitation: the integration between academia and research-based knowledge with experiential knowledge; integration between the perspectives of PTG and recovery; and, integration between social and cultural perspectives and person-centred care. In addition, the course promotes trauma-informed models in psychiatric rehabilitation; offers new perspective and implantation to psychiatric recovery-oriented tools so as to promote PTG; and enhances social support and cohesion within mental health services and personnel. Conclusions The current case study portrays the unique processes of knowledge development, implementation, and training in psychiatric rehabilitation personnel, supported staff and people with lived experience. The course brings a focus on PTG as a promising addition to the trauma-informed approach in psychiatric rehabilitation, which is only scarcely linked to recovery. Disclosure of Interest None Declared