Biological-Chemistry

Bsc Biotechnology student, graduating in 2015. This web log is for content relating to my degree and personal interests. Example topics such as biotechnology, molecular biology, genetically modified food debate, business and politics.

[biological-chemistry]

Leticia Bode：社交媒介上的伪信息矫正_哔哩哔哩_bilibili

What happens when people correct on social media? Who sees it, and how are they affected? This talk will overview a forthcoming book on the

The academic seminar discussed the relationship between observed correction and misinformation. The seminar was presented by Leticia Bode, a professor at Georgetown University. As a fan of Carroll Quigley, I hold Georgetown University with high esteem. This thought distracted me from the lecture topic. This detail made me consider how my thesis can could build on Quigley's work in some way. Especially thinking about focusing on his work. Overall I needed to set aside these thoughts and focus on the seminar's content. Bode defined observed correction and the conditions required for it to be effective. Observed correction requires a direct rebuttal, accurate information and witnesses to conform to the definition she is using. Given these requirements it was easy to image that observing this in the wild can be quite difficult. I thought this definition was clear and highlighted a specific phenomenon to pursue further understanding. However, Bode did not include a definition of misinformation. In a subjective sense, there are a great deal of unknowns. In many cases knowledge initially rejected by mainstream media become accepted. So I think the premise that healthy debate on issues that may be subjective is very incomplete without a definition for misinformation on case-by-case basis. This made me think about agenda setting and how labeling certain perspectives as misinformation may be unethical. I see this commonly under YouTube videos or Reddit posts and have never thought to question how they might be effecting my thoughts and opinions. I will consider this in the future when I am reading comments on social media and consider why I find each source persuasive. Bode discussed the relationship between professional communicators and correction behaviours. Communications companies seldom apply observed correction, reasons include poor information about the effectiveness of observed correction, avoiding public retaliation and limited resources. Personally, I think it's obvious professional services public or private have their own motivations for participating on social media. Many public a companies are not transparent about their funding, who their private affiliations are and whom they serve. Sadly they don't face more criticism. I think lack of awareness about the superstructures of global society is the cause of this public scepticism. I think professional communicators should offer more transparency about their financial incentives towards healthier public dialogues including social media. I should read more about this topic. Bode discussed the relationship between netizens and correction behaviours. Although individuals have an unrealistic perception of the frequency they correct misinformation they are also dissuaded to enact corrective measures for similar reasons to professional communicators. In addition, they're motivated to undertake corrective measures privately. Researchers often investigate publically visible content on social media in isolation, despite this being only a small part of internet discourse. Maybe it is immoral to attempt to persuade users towards 'corrective' actions against perceived misinformation as Bode suggested the phrase 'virtue signaling' comes to mind. Bode concluded by discussing the potential applications, limitations, and implications of observed correction in combating misinformation. In summary, the lecture made me consider my desired thesis ideas, my views on agenda setting professional communicators, question what misinformation actually is, my own experiences using social media and how I perceive others behaviour on the internet.

[biological-chemistry]

【北大健康传播-讲座回顾】陈萱婷：消费性新闻信息策展是优是劣：前因、后果与分类_哔哩哔哩_bilibili

【北大健康传播-讲座回顾】陈萱婷：消费性新闻信息策展是优是劣：前因、后果与分类, 视频播放量 289、弹幕量 0、点赞数 9、投硬币枚数 2、收藏人数 17、转发人数 4, 视频作者 PKU健康传播, 作者简介 北京大学健康传播协会官方账号，相关视频：【北大健康传播-讲座回顾】蒋

The academic seminar discussed the relationship between observed correction and misinformation. The seminar was  presented by Leticia Bode, a professor at Georgetown University. As a fan of Carroll Quigley, I hold Georgetown University with high esteem. This thought distracted me from the lecture topic. This detail made me consider how my thesis can could build on Quigley's work in some way. Especially thinking about focusing on his work. Overall I needed to set aside these thoughts and focus on the seminar's content.

Bode defined observed correction and the conditions required for it to be effective. Observed correction requires a direct rebuttal, accurate information and witnesses to conform to the definition she is using. Given these requirements it was easy to image that observing this in the wild can be quite difficult. I thought this definition was clear and highlighted a specific phenomenon to pursue further understanding. However, Bode  did not include a definition of misinformation. In a subjective sense, there are a great deal of unknowns. In many cases knowledge initially rejected by mainstream media become accepted. So I think the premise that healthy debate on issues that may be subjective is very incomplete without a definition for misinformation on case-by-case basis. This made me think about agenda setting and how labeling certain perspectives as misinformation may be unethical. I see this commonly under YouTube videos or Reddit posts and have never thought to question how they might be effecting my thoughts and opinions. I will consider this in the future when I am reading comments on social media and consider why I find each source persuasive.

Bode discussed the relationship between professional communicators and correction behaviours. Communications companies seldom apply observed correction, reasons include  poor information about the effectiveness of observed correction, avoiding public retaliation and limited resources. Personally, I think it's obvious professional services public or private have their own motivations for participating on social media. Many public a companies are not transparent about their funding, who their private affiliations are and whom they serve. Sadly they don't face more critisism. I think lack of awareness about the superstructres of global society is the cause of this public scepticism. I think professional communicators should offer more transparency about their financial insentives towards healthier public dialogues including social media. I should read more about this topic.

Bode discussed the relationship between netizens and correction behaviours. Although individuals have an unrealistic perception of the frequency they correct misinformation they are also dissuaded to enact corrective messures for similar reasions to professional communicators. In addition, they're motivated to undertake corrective measures privately. Researchers often investigate publically visible content on social media in isolation, despite this being only a small part of internet discourse. Maybe it is immoral to attempt to suade users towards 'corrective' actions against perceived misinformation as Bode suggestedn the phrase 'virtue signaling' comes to mind.

Bode concluded by discussing the potential applications, limitations, and implications of observed correction in combating misinformation. In summary, the lecture made me consider my desired thesis ideas, my views on agenda setting professional communicators, question what misinformation actually is, my own experiences using social media and how I perceive others behaviour on the internet.

[biological-chemistry]

【英文讲座】马修·根茨科教授：社交媒体与极化_哔哩哔哩_bilibili

来源：2022年6月8日 China Econ Lab Master Lecture Series主讲人：Matthew Gentzkow,Landau Professor of Technology and the Economy,Standford University,

Part 2/2

Gentzkow explains the research on polarization in congress. The historical data on how congress votes has been recorded for a long time. Party speaches have also changed a lot in the language that they use. The polarization in voting behaviours has increased and excellerated in recent years. I know from my own experience observing American news this often leaves congress at a grid lock and unable to execute bills in a timely matter on key issues. However the data also shows patten that a cyclic and recurring.

Gentzkow describes the role of social media on polarization. Only 20% of people report getting the majority of their news from social media. The majority of people still get thier news from television and increasingly from non-social digital sources. Similarly, polarization is not observed in higher levels in young demographics that use social media most. One conclusion we could make is that elderly people are more susceptible to social media's influence, however exposure can be ruled out as a root cause. Comparing trends in polarization in different countries shows that America is an extreme case, other countries like the United Kingdom and Japan have maintained a similar level of polarization whereas Norway, Sweden and Germany observed a decrease.

Gentzkow describes two experimental designs, one completed and another in process. The first experiment, paid test group participants to stop Facebook for one month during an election. The control group had no restrictions. When people stop using social media, the activities that substitute the time previously spent using social media is most impactful. In general, we dont see people substituting the time formerly allocated to Facebook with other social media or non-social digital sources. As a result people are less informed and as a cosequence. A significant effect on polarization was observed between control and experimental groups. The second experimental design proposes to manipulate the experimental Facebook algorhythm to see how that might effect polarization.

In conclusion, in America polarization is increasing in terms on the affect of voters towards one another. Digital media is unlikely to be the main cause, however experiments do show social media to exasperate the polarization. In my opinion this presentation was well organised, much of the key information needed to understand the experiments was included in the theoretical background. I will apply this in my future presentations for brevity and clarity.

[biological-chemistry]

【英文讲座】马修·根茨科教授：社交媒体与极化_哔哩哔哩_bilibili

来源：2022年6月8日 China Econ Lab Master Lecture Series主讲人：Matthew Gentzkow,Landau Professor of Technology and the Economy,Standford University,

Part 1/2

This seminar, titled Social Media and Polarization, was delivered by Mathew Gentzkow of Stanford University about the about the causes of polarization (he also said he would offer solutions however they did not manifest). Gentzkowposes two key questions, 1) 'is the United States of America more polarized than ever before?', in short yes, dependent on the measurements used, and; 2) is social media to blame, he leads with the assumption that people generally believe this to be so. Building on this, he demonstrates past literature suggesting polarization to a social myth as recently as 2008. Personally, I never had the assertion the USA was more polarized than ever before. I feel Gentzkow assumed something of an international audience that might not translate. He might be referencing a media narrative that I am not privy to. I think considering one's audience's frame of reference is important while giving seminars, therefore in future presentations, I will consider which assumptions I present that are culturally based to foresee how they could be confusing to a foreign audience and try to explain them better.

Genntzkow leads the argument by examening the three areas whereedon't see increasing divisions. I found this to be a very honest way to lead the discussion, as it focuses on the limitations and scope of the evidence he will later produce. These areas are as follows: people's self-described ideologies, they dont self identify on the extremes of left or right; party identification, ergo the polticians similarly do not identify as far-left or far-right; and, views on some individiual issues, we dont see people taking more extreme policy views. These self-reporting results are likely to be biased, I am aware that the terms far-left and far-right have strong negative connotations therefore it makes sense the majority of people would llike to avoid being labeled thus. However, the fact people do not have more polerized policy views demonstrated the polarization in an objective sense does not come from public opinion. It is more likely a trend in mainstream media. I seems the Genztkow is activley avoiding the questioning cui bono.

Gentzkow, introduces us to the observations that show correlational evidence for increasing divisions in American voters, these are as follows: among issue views, party votes, and hostility/negative feelings about the opposite party. First, he uses a bar chart to illustrate the temperament of parties towards one another in 1960 and 2008. The results indicate people perceive the opposite party to be more selfish and of lesser intelligence in 2008 than they did in 1960. The comparison continues in showing that people in 2008 express more displeasure towards their children marrying someone of the opposite party, overtaking race which was a far more divisive issue in 1960. Although this is interesting, I don't find a comparison with just two dates strongly persuasive. Gentzkow's own work can be shown on a basic line graph, data from the 1970s to 2020s plot the divergence of affect towards ones own and the opposite parties. Over time people have become more critical of the opposite party and more loyal to their own.

[biological-chemistry]

Describe the molecular process of how vernalisation acts to induce floral initiation. Why is this not essential to induce flowering in plants?

 In biannual and winter the first growing season is blocked. Only after an extended period of cold do these plants flower, this process is called vernalisation. FLOERING LOCUS C (FLC) encodes a MAD-S Box transcription factor which is a repressor of floral initiation genes FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), TWINSISTER OF FT (TSF) and SOC1. FT is a floral activator a consists of Zinc Finger binding B-Box which binds CCT sequences and a RING and coiled-coil domain which mediated protein-protein interactions. FLC expression is mitotically stable before vernalisation. FLC:GUS chimeric proteins can be used to visualize FLC expression before and after vernalisation (above).

 FLC is regulated by a number of gens. FRIGDA (FRI) increases FLC expression before vernalisation. In summer flowing plants the FRI locus is weak or absent. VERNILIZATION1 genes VR1 expression increases during cold periods and encourages flowering by down regulating VRN2 which represses flowering upstream of FT. However these genes are not essential for flowering. VERNILIZATION INTENSIVE 3 (VIN3) (vin3-1, vin3-2 and vin3-3) genes are essential for establishing FLC function by histone deacetylation. They are ~600 amino acids in length and contain 4 exons encoding two nuclear localization domains. Plant homeodomain (PHD) is associated with chromatin remodelling and fibronectin type III (FNIII) mediate protein-protein interactions. VIN3 mutants do not forego vernalisation. They are expressed after extended cold periods however after 3 days of warm weather their expression is finished. This can be observed in VRN2:GUS biomarker assays.

 Control of flora initiators is concerned with repression of the associated genes thus flowering is the basal sate in flowing plants which is being repressed to prevent precocious flowering. EMBRYONIC FLOWER1 (EMF1) mutants to not enter vegetative growth, instead the shoot develops into a meristem like dome. Floral initiation can be induced ectopically using tissue grafts, these may be interspecies or from long day (LD) to short day (SD) plants.  The compounds for floral initiation are known to be synthesised in the leaf and are associated with nutrient diversion to the floral meristem. Floral initiation is a polyallelic function; no single-gene loss-of-function mutant fails to forego floral development. Contributors to flowering other than vernalisation may endogenous or exogenous ergo hormonal triggers, light, temperature and age contribute to floral development. Once the vegetative plant has received the appropriate triggers the meristem and leaves are committed to floral initiator expression ergo LD to SD tissue grafts accelerate floral initiation.

 Phytochrome c is the plants primary photoreceptor, the photoperiod pathway is the means by which light trigger floral development. During LD, ~16 hours of day light, flowing is hastened. In seasons of SD length, ~8 hours flowering can take up to 8 weeks to begin. Photoperiodism is vital for synchronous floral development. High altitude plants are at particularly high risk. This is activated by FT-FLOWERING LOCUS D (FD) reaching the floral meristem and initiating meristem competence henceforth SOC1 expression promotes floral development. Upstream regulators of the photoperiod pathway are circadian genes GI and LHY which regulate CONTANS (CO). An increase in CO mRNA is found just before flowering. Constitutive CO expression under a 35S promotor hastens floral development however abnormal gene promotion was observed in Arabidopsis expressing this construct by microarray. In co mutants floral development is delayed. CYCLING DOF FACTOR 1 (CDF1) encodes a motif binding repressor which inhibits CO. By constitutive transexpression of CDF1 under a 35S promotor a late flowing phenotype is induced. Silencing CDF1 by RNAi creates a weak early phenotype. FKF1 is an ubiquitin ligase of CDF1 leading to protostome 26S degradation, GI increases GI transcription. FKF1-GI complex reduces CO protein but increases CO mRNA. By constitutive transexpression of CO:GFP under a 35S promotor CO can be seen being expressed in the nucleolus during light exposure and being degraded during dark exposure.  

 Throughout the day various regulators act upon CO expression. PHYB regulate CO degradation in the early day. CRY1, CRY2 and PHYA stabilize CO expression midday. SPA1, SPA3 and SPA4 degrade CO in the night during dark exposure, loss of function mutants spa1 and co supresses early flowing. During SD CO expression peaks just before night and is then cut off whereas during LD CO expression peaks in the late day. Here CO expression peaks activating FT mRNA expression in the leaf companion cells of the distal minor veins. Co expression stimulates flowering at expression peak and is degraded by the protestome in the dark. The activity of CO is not fully known however its domains include those attributes to protein-protein interactions and TF motifs. Using yeast 2 hybridisation it is unclear if CO binds DNA facilitated by a companion protein or it bind another DNA binding protein via protein-protein interactions.  The photoperiod pathway is not dissimilar form the external coincidence model which it superseded, which involves a circadian substrate which is degraded or inactivated by the dark. The fate of CO mRNA is analogous to that of the circadian substrate in the external coincidence model.

[biological-chemistry]

Crop plants of the future may make the crops of today appear antiquated for their poor efficiency compared to tomorrows cultivars.   

[biological-chemistry]

Awareness of Mycorrizas dates back to 1885. Ecomycorrhizas, form a Hartig net; Arbutoid Ericaceos Mycorrhizas, form sheath and coils; Arubuscular Mycorrhizas, don't from sheaths and do from arbuscules and external spores, and; Orchid Mycorrizas form coils.  

[biological-chemistry]

The Curiosity rover has given us greater insights to organic chemistry ongoing upon the surface of Mars.

[biological-chemistry]

So this info graphic is non-bioscience related however recently I have started becoming more interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. This shocking images helps one realise the sorry state of research in Russia. Perhaps this is an opportunity in its self? 

[biological-chemistry]

How is gene editing different from GM? 

[biological-chemistry]

The roles, structures and differential presence of flavonoids in plant tissues.

[biological-chemistry]

The internal structure of pollen surface. 

[biological-chemistry]

some images from US 8697359 B1

[biological-chemistry]

Once in contact with suitable host the basidiospore can grow. The swelling basidiospore beings forming a hyphae filament called the germ tube (Wynn and Staples, 1981) which navigates the surface to find a stomatal pore. The germ tube is like a burglar and the stomata is a window which needs to be broken. The germ tube forms a bulbous head called an aspersorium which penetrates the stomata by forcing a penetration peg into the spongey interior of the leaf. A substomatal vesicle forms within the leaf and infectious hyphae stem from the substomatal vesicle spread throughout the leaf (Kolmer et al., 2014).

[biological-chemistry]

Rust is a plant pathogen that has afflicted agriculturalists historically though to modern day. There are 7000 species and their agricultural impact and complex life cycles make their study a scientific priority. The haustorium is an organ vital to rust survival. The haustorium allows rust to feed upon, suppress the defence mechanisms and partly dictate their specificity to their host plant.

[biological-chemistry]

[biological-chemistry]

Methylation could be ruining PCR for every one!