Genomic regions associated with common root rot resistance in the barley variety Delta

Common root rot (CRR) caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is a serious disease constraint in the dry temperate cereal growing regions of the world. Currently little is known about the genetic control of resistance to CRR in cereals. In this study based on a Delta/Lindwall barley population we have undertaken a bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and whole genome mapping approach utilising Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) to identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with CRR expression. One QTL each was identified on chromosomes 4HL and 5HL explaining 12 and 11% of the phenotypic variance, respectively

An efficient and rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of 1-acetyl-1H-indol-3-YL acetates

An efficient and rapid synthesis of 1-acetyl-1H-indol-3-yl acetate 1 and its derivatives 7 via the microwave-assisted cyclisation and decarboxylation of 2-[(carboxymethyl)amino]benzoic acids 5 is described. The latter were left to react with acetic anhydride using triethylamine as the base and were subjected to microwave irradiation for 1 minute, at 80 °C with initial power of 300 W. The target 1-acetyl-1H-indol-3-yl acetate 1 and derivatives 7 were isolated in 34-71% yield. In particular, synthesis of 1-acetyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl acetate 7f and 1-acetyl-3-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl acetate 7h is reported for the first time

Synthesis and biological analysis of novel glycoside derivatives of L-AEP, as targeted antibacterial agents

To develop targeted methods for treating bacterial infections, the feasibility of using glycoside derivatives of the antibacterial compound L-R-aminoethylphosphonic acid (L-AEP) has been investigated. These derivatives are hypothesized to be taken up by bacterial cells via carbohydrate uptake mechanisms, and then hydrolysed in situ by bacterial borne glycosidase enzymes, to selectively afford L-AEP. Therefore the synthesis and analysis of ten glycoside derivatives of L-AEP, for selective targeting of specific bacteria, is reported. The ability of these derivatives to inhibit the growth of a panel of Gram-negative bacteria in two different media is discussed. β-Glycosides (12a) and (12b) that contained L-AEP linked to glucose or galactose via a carbamate linkage inhibited growth of a range of organisms with the best MICs being <0.75 mg/ml; for most species the inhibition was closely related to the hydrolysis of the equivalent chromogenic glycosides. This suggests that for (12a) and (12b), release of L-AEP was indeed dependent upon the presence of the respective glycosidase enzyme

Synthesis and antibacterial profiles of targeted triclosan derivatives

There is an ongoing urgent need for new targeted antibacterial com pounds with novel mechanisms of action for the treatment of infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to currently available materials. Since the expression of glycosidase enzymes within bacteria is unequally distributed, glycoside derivatives of antibacterial agents offer potential as targeted prodrugs for bacterial infections. Herein we report the synthesis and characterisation of four α-D-glycopyranosides and three β-D-glycopyranosides of the broad antibacterial agent triclosan, in generally good synthetic yields, and with excellent purities. Each glycoside was analysed to determine its ability to inhibit the growth of a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms, including many of clinical significance. All of the triclosan glycosides that were synthesized demonstrated antibacterial activity against many of the organisms that were examined. For example, β-galactoside (3a) and α-arabinoside (3c) had MIC values of 0.5 μg/ ml for several strains of S. aureus and S. haemolyticus. The triclosan glycosides were also generally found to be more water soluble and much more selective than the underivatized triclosan, making them ideal both for the targeted inhibition of bacterial growth and as agents for the selective recovery of bacteria from mixed cultures. In the latter case, two Bacillus strains could be identified from various strains of Bacillus and Staphylococcus after inoculation onto Nutri ent Agar No. 2 with 0.25 μg/ ml tri closan-α-D-glucopyranoside (3e). This glucoside may, therefore, be of use for the isolation and identification of the foodpoisoing organism Bacillus cereus

Devouring the Milky Way Satellites: Modeling Dwarf Galaxies with Galacticus

Dwarf galaxies are ubiquitous throughout the universe and are extremely sensitive to various forms of internal and external feedback. Over the last two decades, the census of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group and beyond has increased markedly. While hydrodynamic simulations (e.g., FIRE II, Mint Justice League) have reproduced the observed dwarf properties down to the ultrafaints, such simulations require extensive computational resources to run. In this work, we constrain the standard physical implementations in the semianalytic model Galacticus to reproduce the observed properties of the Milky Way satellites down to the ultrafaint dwarfs found in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We run Galacticus on merger trees from our high-resolution N-body simulation of a Milky Way analog. We determine the best-fit parameters by matching the cumulative luminosity function and luminosity-metallicity relation from both observations and hydrodynamic simulations. With the correct parameters, the standard physics in Galacticus can reproduce the observed luminosity function and luminosity-metallicity relation of the Milky Way dwarfs. In addition, we find a multidimensional match with half-light radii, velocity dispersions, and mass to light ratios at z = 0 down to M V ≤ −6 (L ≥ 104 L ⊙). In addition to successfully reproducing the properties of the z = 0 Milky Way satellite population, our modeled dwarfs have star formation histories that are consistent with those of the Local Group dwarfs

Student participation in the design of learning and teaching: Disentangling the terminology and approaches

Background: Students are ever more involved in the design of educational practices, which is reflected in the growing body of literature about approaches to student participation. Similarities and differences between these approaches often remain vague since the terms are used interchangeably. This confusing and fragmented body of literature hampers our understanding the process and outcomes of student participation and choosing the most suitable approach for it. Method: We identified the three most frequently used terms related to the design of learning and teaching–design-based research (DBR), participatory design (PD), and co-creation–and disentangled the terminology by focusing on relevant definitions, aims, involvement of students, outcomes, and related terminology. Results: Differences between the approaches to student participation can be found in the degree to which students are the central actors and the degree to which the design is informed by educational theory. Conclusion: It is important to align the level of student participation with the purpose of the approach

Engaging and empowering first-year students through curriculum design: perspectives from the literature

There is an increasing value being placed on engaging and empowering first-year students and first-year curriculum design is a key driver and opportunity to ensure early enculturation into successful learning at university. This paper summarises the literature on first-year curriculum design linked to student engagement and empowerment. We present conceptualisations of ‘curriculum’ and examples from first-year curriculum design. We also note the limited literature where students have been involved in designing first-year curricula. The results of the literature review suggest that key characteristics of engaging first-year curricula include active learning, timely feedback, relevance and challenge. The literature also points to the importance of identifying students' abilities on entry to university as well as being clear about desired graduate attributes and developmental goals. Acknowledging realities and constraints, we present a framework for the first-year curriculum design process based on the literature

Designing an implementation intervention with the Behaviour Change Wheel for health provider smoking cessation care for Australian Indigenous pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Indigenous smoking rates are up to 80% among pregnant women: prevalence among pregnant Australian Indigenous women was 45% in 2014, contributing significantly to the health gap for Indigenous Australians. We aimed to develop an implementation intervention to improve smoking cessation care (SCC) for pregnant Indigenous smokers, an outcome to be achieved by training health providers at Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) in a culturally competent approach, developed collaboratively with AMS. METHOD: The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW), incorporating the COM-B model (capability, opportunity and motivation for behavioural interventions), provided a framework for the development of the Indigenous Counselling and Nicotine (ICAN) QUIT in Pregnancy implementation intervention at provider and patient levels. We identified evidence-practice gaps through (i) systematic literature reviews, (ii) a national survey of clinicians and (iii) a qualitative study of smoking and quitting with Aboriginal mothers. We followed the three stages recommended in Michie et al.'s "Behaviour Change Wheel" guide. RESULTS: Targets identified for health provider behaviour change included the following: capability (psychological capability, knowledge and skills) by training clinicians in pharmacotherapy to assist women to quit; motivation (optimism) by presenting evidence of effectiveness, and positive testimonials from patients and clinicians; and opportunity (environmental context and resources) by promoting a whole-of-service approach and structuring consultations using a flipchart and prompts. Education and training were selected as the main intervention functions. For health providers, the delivery mode was webinar, to accommodate time and location constraints, bringing the training to the services; for patients, face-to-face consultations were supported by a booklet embedded with videos to improve patients' capability, opportunity and motivation. CONCLUSIONS: The ICAN QUIT in Pregnancy was an intervention to train health providers at Aboriginal Medical Services in how to implement culturally competent evidence-based practice including counselling and nicotine replacement therapy for pregnant patients who smoke. The BCW aided in scientifically and systematically informing this targeted implementation intervention based on the identified gaps in SCC by health providers. Multiple factors impact at systemic, provider, community and individual levels. This process was therefore important for defining the design and intervention components, prior to a conducting a pilot feasibility trial, then leading on to a full clinical trial