<p>This is a genetic study of flowering time in cultivated barley with the aim to identify the alleles contributing to rapid flowering and frost resistance. We have genotyped a collection of 23 historic barley varieties for the crucial genes [<em>VRN-1, VRN-2, VRN-3</em> (<em>HvFT</em>), <em>Ppd-H1, CO</em>, and <em>Vrs1</em>]. We have amplified the polymorphic mutations by PCR-based methods, and sequenced them to identify possible haplotype groups. The row type was not determined of all accessions, but all the Scandinavian varieties were found to carry mutant alleles of <em>Vrs1</em>, that indicates them to be six-row barleys. The deletion of the crucial segment of <em>VRN-1 </em>vernalization contributes dominant spring growth habit. We found haplotype groups 2 and 4 to be dominant in Northern barleys whereas haplotype groups 1 and 5 dominated in south. The presence of dominant allele <em>VRN-2</em> gene is addressed to floral repression until plants get vernalized. Most of the 23 varieties were found to have deleted allele of <em>VRN-2</em>, which is connected with a spring growth habit. The only four of the accessions that have the dominant allele of <em>Ppd-H1</em> that contribute flowering are generally from the south of Europe. <em>HvFT</em> and <em>CO</em> genes <em>CO</em>-interact to influence flowering time. <em>CO</em> haplotype grouping suggest a geographical distribution of different alleles but needs more disseminations. Certain <em>HvFT</em> alleles cause extremely early flowering during apex development in the varieties that have deletion of <em>VRN-2</em> alleles under long days. <em>VRN-3</em> alleles of 14 varieties were identified.</p>

This is a genetic study of flowering time in cultivated barley with the aim to identify the alleles contributing to rapid flowering and frost resistance. We have genotyped a collection of 23 historic barley varieties for the crucial genes [VRN-1, VRN-2, VRN-3 (HvFT), Ppd-H1, CO, and Vrs1]. We have amplified the polymorphic mutations by PCR-based methods, and sequenced them to identify possible haplotype groups. The row type was not determined of all accessions, but all the Scandinavian varieties were found to carry mutant alleles of Vrs1, that indicates them to be six-row barleys. The deletion of the crucial segment of VRN-1 vernalization contributes dominant spring growth habit. We found haplotype groups 2 and 4 to be dominant in Northern barleys whereas haplotype groups 1 and 5 dominated in south. The presence of dominant allele VRN-2 gene is addressed to floral repression until plants get vernalized. Most of the 23 varieties were found to have deleted allele of VRN-2, which is connected with a spring growth habit. The only four of the accessions that have the dominant allele of Ppd-H1 that contribute flowering are generally from the south of Europe. HvFT and CO genes CO-interact to influence flowering time. CO haplotype grouping suggest a geographical distribution of different alleles but needs more disseminations. Certain HvFT alleles cause extremely early flowering during apex development in the varieties that have deletion of VRN-2 alleles under long days. VRN-3 alleles of 14 varieties were identified.

One of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a loss of spatial navigation. In this work, we improved an existing screening test for AD that analyzed a patient’s spatial navigation ability. The existing screening test was made more immersive, and therefore more reliable, by integrating support for a leading-edge consumer-targeted Head-Mounted Display (HMD). This integration brought some technical and usability challenges, that were addressed. Furthermore, we investigated the rehabilitative potential of Virtual Reality Navigational (VRN) activities in two case studies: an Early Stage AD (ESA) participant and a Late Stage AD (LSA) participant. We found that the ESA participant was able to significantly improve his navigation skills, and we observed some qualitative improvements in memory and navigation in his personal life. The LSA participant did not improve noticeably at the VRN tasks, but his mood improved after participating in the treatment sessions. These case studies suggested that VRN treatment may be beneficial for people with AD, especially at the onset stage. / February 2017

Nitrogen run-off from agriculture have been linked to human health problems on a global level. Large-scale conventional producers struggle to redefine themselves as sustainable because reducing nitrogen (N) inputs without justification or validation may lead to severe profit losses. Small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) sensing may allow for decreased N runoff. Failure to address this problem will exacerbate already excessive N runoff into the Mississippi River and beyond. The purpose of this study was to reduce fertilizer N input using sUAS technology to assess crop canopy needs. In 2020 and 2021, variable rate nitrogen (VRN) side-dress N application maps were calculated on early corn and cotton crops sensed with MicaSense® technology. The SCCCI and FENDVI VIs most often were highly related by SEq to early corn and cotton canopy N status. VariRite™ technology was successfully implemented in producer’s fields using VI calibrated imagery captured from sUAS.