Beneficial plant-fungal interactions play an important role in the ability of plants to survive changing environmental conditions. In contrast, phytopathogenic fungi fall at the opposite end of the symbiotic spectrum, causing reduced host growth or even death. In order to exploit beneficial interactions and prevent pathogenic ones, it is essential to understand the molecular differences underlying these alternative states. The association between the endophyte Epichloë festucae and Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) is an excellent system for studying these molecular patterns due to the existence of several fungal mutants that have an antagonistic rather than a mutualistic interaction with the host plant. By comparing gene expression in a wild-type beneficial association with three mutant antagonistic associations disrupted in key signaling genes, we identified a core set of 182 genes that show common differential expression patterns between these two states. These gene expression changes are indicative of a nutrient-starvation response, as supported by the upregulation of genes encoding degradative enzymes, transporters, and primary metabolism, and downregulation of genes encoding putative small-secreted proteins and secondary metabolism. These results suggest that disruption of a mutualistic symbiotic interaction may lead to an elevated uptake and degradation of host-derived nutrients and cell-wall components, reminiscent of phytopathogenic interactions.
Cycling can offer health benefits, and these benefits are relevant for disabled people. Few disabled people cycle, and disability is under-researched in cycling studies. This paper (i) reviews current research into disabled cycling, and provides a critique of inclusive cycle design guidance; and (ii) reports on a recent study which highlights some of the significant issues faced by disabled cyclists in accessing cycle infrastructure and using designated cycle networks. A semi-structured focus group was conducted with eight inclusive cycle scheme users, seven care providers supporting the majority of the cyclists, and the scheme organiser. We conclude that the needs of disabled cyclists are increasingly being taken into consideration in infrastructure design guidance, but there are many issues to be resolved before cycling is accessible to and usable by disabled people. There is little research on understanding the experiences of disabled cyclists, and hence there is a knowledge gap concerning the efficacy of current design guidance. The data presented in this paper provide a useful first insight into the experiences of a group of disabled cyclists, but these data are limited to the specific context of that group. Further research is needed.
This paper reflects on business travel as a contemporary form of mobility and how it relates to family life. Through qualitative research with business travellers, insights are gained into the role digital technology plays in enabling connections to home and family. The paper argues that technology affords a 'business tourist gaze', characterised by a focus on 'home' rather than 'away' as might be the case for leisure tourists. The paper discusses how, through the business tourist gaze, the boundaries between the everyday and the exotic are dissolved and the business traveller is disconnected from the destination, simultaneously absent whilst present both at the destination and at home. Theoretical understandings of the business tourist experience are offered. 1. INTRODUCTION Sheller and Urry (2006) proclaimed that 'all the world seems to be on the move' (p207). This appears true in almost all facets of contemporary life as witnessed through unprecedented patterns of travel across the globe, at least for those empowered to move. Embodied in the notion of a new mobilities paradigm, this phenomenon has been studied with increased interest, notably with a focus on how such mobilities shape spatial and social relationships. Despite mobility being at the heart of tourism, in 2005 Hall stated that the concept of mobility had not found much application in tourism studies. However, more recent literature does attest to various lines of enquiry, such as how technology enables the maintenance of social relationships 'on the move' (Molz, 2012), the relationship between different tourist mobilities and sustainable tourism (Lund-Durlacher & Dimanche, 2013; Moscardo, 2013; Williams, 2013) and importantly for the context of this paper, the distinctions between different forms of mobilities. This points out that travel can be mundane as well as exciting, challenging the binaries of 'everyday' and 'exotic', traditionally offered to describe the differences between everyday life 2 and touristic experiences (Binnie et al, 2007; Edensor, 2007; Janta et al, 2014). This is important when considering business travel where experiences may differ markedly from those of the leisure traveller. The mobilities paradigm thus lends an important perspective to investigating how business travel is experienced and how it 'resonates with people's lives, their identities, their ways of knowing and being in the world' (Coles, 2015, p63). Central to these discussions is the role played by digital technology in facilitating business travel and enabling work on the move, and in negotiating and maintaining social relationships where co-presence is not possible. Despite the proliferation of technologies which in could reduce the amount of business travel required, a 'compulsion to proximity' (Boden & Molotch, 1994) means that face to face meetings are still often preferred for the trust and deeper relationships they engender between contacts (Bergstrom, 2010; Jones, 2013). As networks are increasingly stretched across space, so business travel continues ...
This paper examines the role of information communication technology in enabling connections to home for work-related travellers. Although digital connectivity for work-related tasks are well researched, the use of digital technology for home communication is under-researched. The study draws on a qualitative study of UK-based organisations and business travellers to explore how these travellers use ICTs for personal use while 'on the move'. The findings reveal that organisations are supportive of work-life balance for employees, but fail to consider specific needs of those whose work takes them away from home. For business travellers, insights are gained into practices around connecting to home and the value of this virtual presence for relationships with family while absent and work-life balance. The study identifies and discusses practice occurring around three activities; checking in, maintaining relationships with home and sharing experiences.
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