Measuring the Structure of a Technology System for Directing Technological Transition.

Technological advancements have generated a "techno-sphere" within which all humans live. However, the capacity to direct technology development lags far behind technology development itself. This study deciphers the structural characteristics of a technology system using three pairs of features: systemicity and complexity (scalar), centrality and diversity (structural), and adaptability and inertia (structural); and at micro-, meso-, and macrolevels.

Using a process-based model to understand dynamics of Chinese agricultural and water technology development from 8000 BC to 1911 AD.

Advancements in technology are inextricably bound to our society and the natural environment. However, how the development process of a technology system interacts with both remains unclear. We propose a process model to understand the complex dynamics among technology, society, and the environment via seven interactive elements: technologies, actors, receiving bodies, natural contexts, social contexts, temporal-spatial contexts, and outcomes.

Point mutations in a Drosophila P element abolish both P element-dependent silencing (PDS) of a transgene and repressor functions.

The P elements of Drosophila melanogaster are well-studied transposons with both mobilizing and repressor functions. P elements can also variably silence the expression of certain other transgenes through a phenomenon known as P element-dependent silencing (PDS). To examine the role of the P repressor in PDS, we have induced, isolated, and characterized 22 point mutations in an archetype P element called P[SalI]89D.

Drosophila Activin- and the Activin-like product Dawdle function redundantly to regulate proliferation in the larval brain.

The Drosophila Activin-like ligands Activin-beta and Dawdle control several aspects of neuronal morphogenesis, including mushroom body remodeling, dorsal neuron morphogenesis and motoneuron axon guidance. Here we show that the same two ligands act redundantly through the Activin receptor Babo and its transcriptional mediator Smad2 (Smox), to regulate neuroblast numbers and proliferation rates in the developing larval brain. Blocking this pathway results in the development of larvae with small brains and aberrant photoreceptor axon targeting, and restoring babo function in neuroblasts rescued these mutant phenotypes.

Mutation analysis of Drosophila dikar/CG32394, homologue of the chromatin-remodelling gene CECR2.

The mammalian CECR2 protein contains a highly conserved bromodomain and forms a chromatin-remodelling complex with the ISWI homologue SNF2L. Mutation of the mouse CECR2 homologue results in a neural tube defect. Here we describe the characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster homologue of CECR2.

Quantitative assessment of the tetracycline resistance gene pool in cheese samples by real-time TaqMan PCR.

A TaqMan real-time PCR assay was developed to quantify the tetS gene pool present in retail cheeses. This protocol offers a rapid, specific, sensitive, and culture-independent method for assessing antibiotic resistance genes in food samples rich in fats and proteins.

Assessment of environmental factors on Listeria monocytogenes Scott A inlA gene expression by relative quantitative Taqman real-time reverse transcriptase PCR.

Several virulence factors are involved in Listeria monocytogenes pathogenicity. L. monocytogenes internalins, particularly internalin A, are required for bacterial adhesion to and invasion of human intestinal epithelial cells.