Level Of Stress Tolerance Research Articles

Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles preference of nursery tree species for attacks and colonization under water stress.

The role of flood and drought stress on Xylosandrus ambrosia beetle attacks and colonization in nursery trees with varying levels of water stress tolerance has not yet been studied. This study aimed to examine ambrosia beetle preference for tree species varying in their tolerance to water stress. Container-grown dogwoods, redbuds, and red maples were exposed to flood, drought, or sufficient water treatments for 28 d and beetle attacks were counted every third day. Stem tissues were collected at 7 and 14 d after imposing water stress to measure ethanol content using SPME-GC-MS. Trees were dissected to record gallery formation, fungal colonization, presence of eggs, larvae, and adults within the gallery. Additionally, gallery depth was measured. Under flood stress, beetle attacks were found exclusively in dogwood and redbud, with no attacks in red maple. There was a higher number of attacks in dogwood compared to redbud. Gallery formation and depth, fungal colonization, and presence of eggs, larvae, and adults in galleries were higher in dogwood than redbud. About 85% of the adults recovered from galleries were X. crassiusculus and the rest were X. germanus. Among the trees subjected to drought stress, only one dogwood tree had attacks, while the redbuds and red maples had no beetle attack. Tree species assigned to sufficient water were not attacked. Higher ethanol content was detected in dogwood and redbud subjected to flood stress compared to flooded red maples and tree species assigned to drought and sufficient water. This understanding can help growers and landscapers in making informed management decisions.

Tandemly duplicated Rubisco activase genes of cereals show differential evolution and response to heat stress.

Heat stress affects various components of photosynthetic machinery of which Rubisco activation inhibition due to heat sensitive Rubisco activase (RCA) is the most prominent. Detailed comparison of RCA coding genes identified a tandem duplication event in the grass family lineage where the duplicated genes showed very different evolutionary pattern. One of the two genes showed high level of sequence conservation whereas the second copy, although present only 1.5 kb away, was highly variable among various plant species because of loss of introns, alternative splicing and loss of the last exon coding redox regulated C-terminal extension domain. Gene specific expression analysis, both at the transcription as well as the protein level, showed very different expression pattern of the two RCA copies. Expression of the highly conserved copy was higher under normal plant growing conditions that decreased many folds under heat stress with substantial genotypic variation, but the variable copy showed much higher expression under heat stress conditions across all grass species. The cultivated rice has only one functional gene as the second copy became nonfunctional due to multiple deletions but Oryza brachyantha and Oryza australiensis still have two functional Rca genes. Detailed analysis of the promoter region of the two copies among various plant species showed insertion of several transposable elements harboring heat responsive elements in the heat inducible copy of the gene. The conserved RCA copy of wheat didn't have any transposable insertions whereas in that of maize has one heat shock element and sorghum had two. It would be interesting to study if the higher level of heat stress tolerance observed in sorghum and maize is associated with the differences observed for RCA. Key message This manuscript is reporting a grass family-specific tandem duplication event in RCA genes of cereals. The duplicated copies underwent neo-functionalization to evolve novel function to deal with heat stress. One copy of the tandem duplication maintained a high level of conservation whereas the second copy showed tremendous divergence to evolve species specific function of the gene. Specific function to respond to heat stress likely evolved via the insertion of various heat responsive elements carried by transposable elements.

The Relationship Between Stress Tolerance, Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Temperament Types: Pre-Service Teachers Example

The current study employing the mixed design to qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the relationship between pre-service physical education teachers’ temperament types, cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and stress tolerance level aims to contribute to the features loaded onto the “quality teacher” concept. In determining the participants, a convenience sampling method, one of the non-random sampling methods was used. The study's sampling is comprised of 92 females and 167 males, a total of 259, pre-service physical education teachers. The participants were administered a questionnaire made up of the scales of the Stress Tolerance Test in the Vienna Test System (DT-test), Cognitive Emotion Regulation, and the Nine Temperaments Model (DTMM). The qualitative data were collected by recording the participating pre-service teachers’ responses to the semi-structured open-ended questions. While quantitative data were analyzed with the SPSS 24 package program, qualitative data were written down, defined according to certain phenomena, and interpreted with the analysis in the depth and richness of the data. The temperament types of the students were found to lead to significant differences in the sub-dimensions of cognitive emotion regulation and the stress tolerance correct reaction time median values. The qualitative findings of the current study support the quantitative findings.

Polyamine Seed Priming: A Way to Enhance Stress Tolerance in Plants.

Polyamines (PAs), such as putrescine, spermine, and spermidine, are bioactive molecules that play a vital role in plant responses to stresses. Although they are frequently applied to achieve higher levels of stress tolerance in plants, their function in seed biology is still not fully understood. PAs have been described in only a limited number of studies as seed priming agents, but most of the data report only the physiological and biochemical PA effects, and only a few reports concern the molecular mechanisms. In this review, we summarized PA seed priming effects on germination, seedling establishment, and young plant response to abiotic stresses, and tried to draw a general scheme of PA action during early developmental plant stages.

Investigating the Relationship between Emotion Regulation Strategies and Anxiety Caused by COVID-19 in Employees of Rehabilitation Centers

Background and Objectives: In the current situation, it is essential to determine the level of anxiety in medical and non-medical employees due to the pandemic. Therefore, this research aims to assess the relationship between corona anxiety, emotion regulation strategies, and stress tolerance among the staff of rehabilitation centers in Tehran Province, Iran. Methods: This study was descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational. The statistical population of the present study included the entire staff of rehabilitation centers served by the Welfare Organization of Tehran Province in 2022. Using simple random sampling, 10 rehabilitation centers were selected as study centers. Subsequently, 200 employees of these centers were selected and tested using Morgan’s sampling table (the male age of the participants was 31.5 years). The data collection instruments included the corona disease anxiety scale, the emotional distress tolerance questionnaire (2005), and the March emotional self-regulation strategies scale (2007). Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 26. Results: The results showed that the mean of corona anxiety was 18.94 out of a maximum of 54 and the proportion of psychological symptoms of corona anxiety was higher than physical symptoms. The highest score from the participant’s point of view from dimensions of distress tolerance was assigned to the subjective assessment of distress. The mean score for distress tolerance was 52.68 out of a maximum of 75 points and the mean score for employees’ emotion regulation strategies was 134.37 points, which shows that the use of emotional self-regulation strategies is strong. The results of the current research showed that corona anxiety decreases significantly by increasing distress tolerance, absorption of negative emotions, regulation of efforts to relieve distress and distress tolerance, and corona anxiety also decreases significantly. Also, with the increase in the level of emotion regulation strategies, the anxiety of corona decreases significantly. Distress tolerance showed a negative correlation with corona anxiety, and with the improvement of distress tolerance, corona anxiety decreased (P=0.014). Conclusion: Based on the results, increasing and improving distress tolerance and emotional regulation strategies significantly reduced corona anxiety. Also, the experiences and work of experts with more work experience alongside the younger and less experienced forces and their cooperation prepared the ground to reduce the effects of corona anxiety, as well as to improve the level of stress tolerance and emotion regulation strategies of employees.

The role of genotype and viral agents in the formation of tomato tolerance to high temperatures

Research results are presented to determine the sources of variation that cause microgametophyte variability in the progeny of plants reinfected with viruses (Tobacco Mosaic Virus/TMV or Tomato Aspermy Virus/TAV) under high temperatures. The heat treatment of pollen grains contributed to the modifications of the functional characteristics, which in most cases were manifested by inhibitory effects. The factors that cause the variation of genotype characteristics at the diploid and haploid levels have been established. It was demonstrated that the reaction of the analyzed genotypes to the heat treatment at the seed germination stage was controlled by the genotype as major influence, and heat factor, which enhances the efficient identification of tolerant forms. Genotypes that showed high reproductive potential under high temperatures were highlighted. It was established that the descendants of the infected plants at the male gametophyte and sporophyte stages exceeded the control values according to the level of heat stress tolerance, which is due to the elimination of the pollen grains with reduced viability from the host plant in the previous generation. Thus, the application of gametic selection methods in breeding programs is of major importance for reducing the negative action of high temperatures, both in healthy and virus-infected/reinfected plants and their progeny.

STRESS TOLERANCE OF PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT AGES IN THE CONTEXT OF THEIR FINANCIAL LITERACY

The work is devoted to the analysis of the concept of “stress tolerance” in the context of personal financial literacy. An important aspect of this research is the study of age-related characteristics of people’s exposure to stress, hardiness, and constructive coping behaviour in situations of financial uncertainty. The results of the empirical study are presented and conclusions are drawn regarding the relationship between the level of financial literacy and stress tolerance of representatives of different age groups. The data presented in the article can form a basis for further research in this direction and substantiate the importance of developing financial literacy among people of different age categories.

Oxidative stress tolerance and salicylic acid levels in early-flowering populations derived from two cultivars of annual flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Oxidative stress tolerance and salicylic acid levels in early-flowering populations derived from two cultivars of annual flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

INDEX ASSESSMENT OF THE PERIODONTAL TISSUE CONDITION IN MILITARY PERSONNEL OF THE UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES WITH INFLAMMATORY AND DYSTROPHIC-INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF PERIODONTAL TISSUES DEPENDING ON THEIR STRESS RESISTANCE AND LEVEL OF REACTIVE ANXIETY

War has a negative impact not only on human mental health, but also manifests itself in an increase in the frequency and prevalence of pathology of organs and body systems, including the dentofacial system. One of the factors influencing the progressive growth of periodontal diseases is a high level of psychoemotional stress. Despite the large number of studies on stress, its role in the genesis of dental diseases has not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the study of the relationship between psychoemotional state and periodontal diseases in military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a timely and relevant subject of research. The aim of the study – To evaluate the state of periodontal tissues in military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with inflammatory and dystrophic-inflammatory diseases depending on their stress resistance and level of reactive anxiety. Materials and methods. Dental examination of military personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was conducted on the basis of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry of I. Gorbachevsky TNMU. On the basis of periodontal indices (PMA, PBI, PI, PSR) the state of periodontal tissues was evaluated in 22 military personnel with chronic catarrhal gingivitis, 42 military personnel with generalized periodontitis of the initial – I degree and 36 military personnel with GP of the II degree (main group), which were divided into 4 groups according to their stress resistance and level of reactive anxiety: Group I very high stress tolerance with low level of reactive anxiety; Group II high level of stress tolerance with low level of reactive anxiety; Group III threshold level of stress tolerance with moderate level of reactive anxiety; Group IV low level of stress tolerance with high level of reactive anxiety. The obtained results were compared with the data of 37 patients of civilian specialties with periodontal diseases (comparison group). Results and discussion. As a result of the studies, it was found that in military personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (main group), with an increase in psychoemotional stress, the values of periodontal indices increased, which, on average, were higher in CCG: PMA – 1,6 times, PBI – 2,0 times, PSR – 1,5 times, p<0.01; in initially I degree GP: PMA – by 1,4 times, PBI – by 2,1 times, PI – by 1,7 times, PSR – by 1,8 times; in grade II GP: PMA – by 1,5 times, PBI – by 1,4 times, PI – by 1,6 times, PSR – by 1,3 times, p<0.01, compared to similar values in the comparison group. Conclusions. Thus, as a result of the research it was found that in military patients of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with increasing psychoemotional stress the state of periodontal tissues significantly deteriorated, which was confirmed by an increase in periodontal indices, indicating the need for comprehensive treatment of the initial II degree of GP.

Biologically Active Micropatterns of Biomolecules and Living Matter Using Microbubble Lithography.

In situ patterning of biomolecules and living organisms while retaining their biological activity is extremely challenging, primarily because such patterning typically involves thermal stresses that could be substantially higher than the physiological thermal or stress tolerance level. Top-down patterning approaches are especially prone to these issues, while bottom-up approaches suffer from a lack of control in developing defined structures and the time required for patterning. A microbubble generated and manipulated by optical tweezers (microbubble lithography) is used to self-assemble and pattern living organisms in continuous microscopic structures in real-time, where the material thus patterned remains biologically active due to their ability to withstand elevated temperatures for short exposures. Successful patterns of microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Lactococcus. lactis and the Type A influenza virus) are demonstrated, as well as reporter proteins such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) on functionalized substrates with high signal-to-noise ratio and selectivity. Together, the data presented herein may open up fascinating possibilities in rapid in situ parallelized diagnostics of multiple pathogens andbioelectronics.

The Impact of College Students' Academic Stress on Student Satisfaction from a Typological Perspective: A Latent Profile Analysis Based on Academic Self-Efficacy and Positive Coping Strategies for Stress.

This investigation employs Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to analyze data from 1298 Chinese university students, aiming to clarify the mechanisms through which individual psychological resources, primarily academic self-efficacy and positive coping strategies, affect student satisfaction in the context of academic stress. Four distinct profiles emerged based on levels of academic self-efficacy and positive coping strategies: Low-Spirited, General Copers, Capable but Passive, and Optimistic and Confident. These profiles demonstrate significant variances in the sources of academic stress, student engagement, and student satisfaction, with a ranking order from most to least satisfied as follows: Optimistic and Confident, Capable but Passive, General Copers, and Low-spirited. While academic stress uniformly augments engagement across all profiles, its effect on student satisfaction diverges-negatively for Low-spirited and General Copers, and positively for Capable but Passive and Optimistic and Confident. The analysis reveals varying levels of academic stress-tolerance among profiles, highlighting the critical role of academic self-efficacy and indicating a possible nonlinear relationship between student engagement and satisfaction. These findings enhance our comprehension of student satisfaction's intricate dynamics and suggest strategies to alleviate academic stress and improve psychological well-being.

IoT based technological support for moisture stress experimental study on plants with stress prediction using deep learning

BACKGROUND: The increased depletion of ground water resources poses the risk of higher moisture stress environment for agriculture crops. The rapid increase in the moisture stress situation imposes the need of efficient agricultural research on determining the impact of moisture stress on variety of crops. OBJECTIVE: The prime objective of the proposed work is building an IoT based Plant Phenotyping Device for moisture stress experimental study on variety of crops with deep learning model for stress response detection. METHODS: In this work, IoT technology is used for building a proposed system for conducting the moisture stress experiments on plants and adopting the image processing and convolution neural network based model for stress prediction. RESULTS: The accuracy of the proposed system was experimentally evaluated and empirical results were satisfactory in maintaining the desired level of moisture stress. Performance analysis of LeNet, AlexNet, customized AlexNet and GoogLeNet CNN models were carried out with hyper-parameters variations on the leaf images. GoogLeNet achieved a better validation accuracy of 96% among other models. The trained GoogLeNet model is used for predicting the moisture stress response and predicted results were matched with manual observation of stress response. SIGNIFICANCE: The affirmative results of proposed system would increases its adoption for in-house precision agriculture and also for conducting various moisture stress experiments on variety of crops. The confirmative detection of moisture stress tolerance level of plant provides knowledge on minimum level of water requirement for plant growth, which in-turn save the water by avoiding excess watering to plants.

Effect of water stress on the accumulation of dehydrins in callus culture cells from Pinus sylvestris L.

Intraspecific differences in the level of stress tolerance in woody plants remain understudied, even though this characteristic is important for tree breeding. Dehydrins are intracellular defense proteins that protect other proteins, as well as membranes, from damage caused by intracellular dehydration under water stress. The present paper aims to examine the possibility of detecting dehydrins produced in response to water stress, as well as interindividual differences in dehydrin accumulation in Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) under in vitro conditions. In this work, callus culture derived from the branch and bud tissues of two Scots pine trees (T3 and T4) was used; for these trees, quantitative and qualitative differences in the composition of dehydrins were found. Interindividual differences in callus cultures were expressed as variations in the frequency of callus formation events and callus culture growth index. With the addition of 5 or 8% polyethylene glycol to the culture medium, the effect of water stress on the callus culture was expressed in a dose-dependent decrease of water content in callus cells, as well as the accumulation of shock protein Hsp70 and dehydrins having masses of 47, 42, and 27 kDa. The composition of dehydrins and the level of their accumulation differed between calluses derived from T3 and T4, suggesting different levels of water stress tolerance in the cells of these callus cultures. The existence of such differences may provide a basis for detecting dehydrins in Scots pine produced in response to water stress.

Features of the Application of the Method of Socio-Psychological Training in the Formation of Students' Stress Resistance

The paper deals with such concepts as «social-psychological training» and «stress resistance»; the features of the application of this method in the formation of students' stress resistance are studied.One of the primary tasks of modern society in working with youth is the formation of a high level of sociopsychological adaptation. Currently, an active search and development of new forms and methods of both individual and group work with students is underway. In the diverse arsenal of methodological tools, a special place is given to socio-psychological training.The purpose of this psychological study was to study the features of the use of socio-psychological training as a means of forming students' stress resistance. During the primary diagnosis, two groups of students (control and experimental) were identified with a low level of stress resistance and a high level of stress.As part of the formative experiment, we developed and implemented a program of psychological support for students. Classes were held in the experimental group once a week for two months. After the formative experiment, the control stage of the study was carried out. At the control stage, the changes in the level of stress and stress tolerance of those who took (experimental group) and those who did not take part (control group) in the program were compared, thus, the effectiveness of the program of psychological support of students developed by us was tested. For re-diagnosis, the same methods were used as in the primary diagnosis at the ascertaining stage of the study.The methodological basis of the work was the theoretical provisions on the development of the group in the process of joint activity (L.G. Pochebut, G.M. Andreeva, E.S. Kuzmin, R.S. Nemov, etc.); ideas about the sociopsychological characteristics of the group (M.I. Bobneva, V.S. Ageev, P.K. Anokhin, etc.); conceptual foundations of personality development in the course of a specially organized psychological impact (A. Bandura, S.I. Makshanov, K. Levin, etc.); understanding and implementation of the methodology and methodology of socio-psychological training (L.A. Petrovskaya, Yu.N. Emelyanov, S.I. Makshanov).The research methods were theoretical analysis of scientific research; organizational methods; empirical methods: observation, psychodiagnostic methods, methods of statistical data processing.Comparative analysis of changes in the experimental and control groups (increase in stress resistance, reduction of stress and tension levels according to the corresponding coping strategies) allowed us to draw conclusions about the potential of applying the method of socio-psychological training in the formation of students' stress resistance.

Impact of Students-Teachers-Peers’ Emotional Intelligence (EI) on Students’ Academic Achievement (AA): A Conceptual Framework

Social-emotional knowledge illustrates many abilities and attributes that are essential for today’s students who intend to work globally. Students who are emotionally intelligent have higher levels of creativity, work performance, stress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. However, studies on the impact of students-teachers-peers’ EI on academic achievement of students are limited. The main purpose of this study to propose a framework in order to investigate the impact of students-teachers-peers’ EI on students’ academic achievement. The objectives were three-fold; First, to investigate whether the impact of teacher’s emotional intelligence on students’ academic achievement is different for male and female students studying dissimilar disciplines across New Zealand’s educational institutes; Second, to determine the impact of near-seated peers’ EI on students’ academic achievement; Third, to investigate the moderating impact of teachers and peers’ EI on the relationship between students’ EI and academic achievement. This study contributes to existing literature by proposing a framework of the impact of Students-Teachers-Peers’ Emotional Intelligence on Students’ Academic Achievement (AA) that has neither been empirically explored nor conceptually presented.

Features and challenges of the modern labor market

In recent decades, there has been a dynamic transformation of the socio-economic eco-system, in general and its components in particular. Cardinal changes in the values and motives of economic decisions, the compression of the time continuum of the life cycle of products and enterprises are reflected in the financial and resource market derived from the commodity market. The employer-employee relationship is changing, there are more disagreements, since the requirements of the organization and the expectations of the applicant often differ significantly. Modern employers do not have enough professional competencies of employees, it is important to combine a range of knowledge, skills and personal qualities. The author of this article presents the features of the modern labor market, the results of employers’ research on the demand for specialists. The work methodology is based on scientific research methods of cognition, such as statistical and comparative analyzes, questionnaires and the method of expert assessments, a systematic approach. The study reveals the indispensability of such employees’ qualities as scale and critical thinking, a high level of stress tolerance, the ability to combine the roles of a leader and a team member depending on the task, skills for evaluating large information arrays and digital competencies. The conclusion is formulated about the need for applicants to strengthen not only hard skills, but also to constantly develop soft skills to compete against the challenges of the labor market.

Root responses to abiotic stress: a comparative look at root system architecture in maize and sorghum.

Under all environments, roots are important for plant anchorage and acquiring water and nutrients. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding how root architecture contributes to stress tolerance in a changing climate. Two closely related plant species, maize and sorghum, have distinct root system architectures and different levels of stress tolerance, making comparative analysis between these two species an ideal approach to resolve this knowledge gap. However, current research has focused on shared aspects of the root system that are advantageous under abiotic stress conditions rather than on differences. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge comparing the root system architecture relative to plant performance under water deficit, salt stress, and low phosphorus in maize and sorghum. Under water deficit, steeper root angles and deeper root systems are proposed to be advantageous for both species. In saline soils, a reduction in root length and root number has been described as advantageous, but this work is limited. Under low phosphorus, root systems that are shallow and wider are beneficial for topsoil foraging. Future work investigating the differences between these species will be critical for understanding the role of root system architecture in optimizing plant production for a changing global climate.

EFFECT OF ALUMINIUM STRESS ON GERMINATION, GROWTH AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS OF Amaranthus hybridus

<p align="justify"><em>Amaranthus hybridus </em>is widely distributed and used as a food plant in many parts of the world. Aluminium toxicity in the soil is one environmental stress that limits crop growth and production in acid soils. However, the level of aluminium stress tolerance depends on the plant species or genotype. A study was conducted at Maseno University, Kenya on the effects of aluminium stress on germination, growth and leaf photosynthetic pigments of <em>Amaranthus hybridus </em>seedlings. Ten uniform seeds of <em>Amaranthus hybridus </em>weretreated in sodium hypochlorite solution and were placed on dried petri dishes lined with Whatsman No. 1 filter papers. Filter papers were then moistened with 5ml of nutrient solution containing either 0 mM (distilled water) or (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mM) (Al toxicity) AlCl<sub>3</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O replicated three times. The germination was assessed for five days to ascertain the number of seeds that germinated over time. Five litre pots were filled with top soil from Maseno University’s garden. Five seeds of <em>Amaranthus hybridus </em>were sown in each of the pots and were irrigated every day with 250 ml of tap water per pot for two weeks. After two weeks the seedlings were thinned to 2 plants per pot and treatments initiated. Seedlings were irrigated daily with nutrient solution containing 0 mM (control – tap water) or (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mM) (Al toxicity) AlCl<sub>3</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O in triplicates arranged in a completely randomized design in a green house. Data on shoot height, leaf area and number of leaves, shoot and root fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll <em>a</em>, chlrophyl <em>b</em>, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were determined at the end of the experiment. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and treatment means separated and compared using Least Significance Difference (LSD). Germination percentage of <em>Amaranthus hybridus</em> was significantly reduced by the aluminiumsolution stress as compared to control treatment. Growth and photosynthetic pigments parameters were significantly reduced by the aluminium stress.The results of this study have clearly shown that <em>Amaranthus hybridus </em>speciesis very sensitive to aluminium toxicity.</p>

The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Distress Tolerance in a Mindfulness-Based Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

"Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the intermediary role of distress tolerance in Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) with respect to self-perceived stress reduction. Method: One hundred and twenty-nine adults with a high level of emotional distress were randomized into MBI groups or a waiting-list group. Levels of mindfulness skills, self-perceived stress, and distress tolerance (tolerance, appraisal, absorption, and regulation) were measured four times: pre-test, week 3, week 6, and post-test. Results: The developmental trajectories modeled by the univariate latent growth curve showed that the factor intervention significantly predicted the slope of observing, non-reactivity, overall mindfulness, and distress appraisal during first six weeks. Bivariate latent growth curve models demonstrated a significant association between increases in the growth rate of distress appraisal and non-reactivity in participants receiving mindfulness training. Such an association was not observed among those who did not receive an MBI. Longitudinal mediation analyses further revealed that the effect of MBI on non-reactivity and self-perceived stress at week 6 was fully mediated by distress appraisal at week 3, respectively."

TOR Signaling Tightly Regulated Vegetative Growth, Conidiation, Oxidative Stress Tolerance and Entomopathogenicity in the Fungus Beauveria bassiana.

Beauveria bassiana degenerates after repeated subcultures, demonstrating declined conidiation and insect virulence. The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase conserved among eukaryotes is the master regulator of cellular physiology and is likely involved in culture degeneration. Indeed, the levels of TOR-associated proteins increase over successive subcultures. Here, CRISPR/Cas9 locus engineering introduced the inducible Tet-On promoter upstream of the TOR kinase 2 gene tor2 in B. bassiana. The mutant PTet-Ontor2 'T41' was verified for the Tet-On integration via PCR analyses and provided a model for evaluating the fungal phenotypes according to the tor2 expression levels, induced by doxycycline (Dox) concentrations. At 0 µg·mL-1 of Dox, T41 had 68% of the wild type's (WT) tor2 expression level, hampered radial growth and relatively lower levels of oxidative stress tolerance, conidiation and virulence against Spodoptera exigua, compared to those under the presence of Dox. A low dose of Dox at 0.1-1 µg·mL-1 induced tor2 upregulation in T41 by up to 91% compared to 0 µg·mL-1 of Dox, resulting in significant increases in radial growth by 8-10% and conidiation by 8-27%. At 20 µg·mL-1 of Dox, which is 132% higher than T41's tor2 expression level at 0 µg·mL-1 of Dox, T41 showed an increased oxidative stress tolerance and a decrease in growth inhibition under iron replete by 62%, but its conidiation significantly dropped by 47% compared to 0 µg·mL-1 of Dox. T41 at 20 µg·mL-1 of Dox had a strikingly increased virulence (1.2 day lower LT50) against S. exigua. The results reflect the crucial roles of TOR kinase in the vegetative growth, conidiation, pathogenicity and oxidative stress tolerance in B. bassiana. Since TOR upregulation is correlated with culture degeneration in multiple subcultures, our data suggest that TOR signaling at relatively low levels plays an important role in growth and development, but at moderate to high levels could contribute to some degenerated phenotypes, e.g., those found in successive subcultures.