High-density genetic map using whole-genome resequencing for fine mapping and candidate gene discovery for disease resistance in peanut

Whole‐genome resequencing (WGRS) of mapping populations has facilitated development of high‐density genetic maps essential for fine mapping and candidate gene discovery for traits of interest in crop species. Leaf spots, including early leaf spot (ELS) and late leaf spot (LLS), and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) are devastating diseases in peanut causing significant yield loss. We generated WGRS data on a recombinant inbred line population, developed a SNP‐based high‐density genetic map, and conducted fine mapping, candidate gene discovery and marker validation for ELS, LLS and TSWV. The first sequence‐based high‐density map was constructed with 8869 SNPs assigned to 20 linkage groups, representing 20 chromosomes, for the ‘T’ population (Tifrunner × GT‐C20) with a map length of 3120 cM and an average distance of 1.45 cM. The quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using high‐density genetic map and multiple season phenotyping data identified 35 main‐effect QTLs with phenotypic variation explained (PVE) from 6.32% to 47.63%. Among major‐effect QTLs mapped, there were two QTLs for ELS on B05 with 47.42% PVE and B03 with 47.38% PVE, two QTLs for LLS on A05 with 47.63% and B03 with 34.03% PVE and one QTL for TSWV on B09 with 40.71% PVE. The epistasis and environment interaction analyses identified significant environmental effects on these traits. The identified QTL regions had disease resistance genes including R‐genes and transcription factors. KASP markers were developed for major QTLs and validated in the population and are ready for further deployment in genomics‐assisted breeding in peanut

On the Effect of Nb on the Microstructure and Properties of Next Generation Polycrystalline Powder Metallurgy Ni-Based Superalloys

Abstract The effect of Nb on the properties and microstructure of two novel powder metallurgy (P/M) Ni-based superalloys was evaluated, and the results critically compared with the Rolls-Royce alloy RR1000. The Nb-containing alloy was found to exhibit improved tensile and creep properties as well as superior oxidation resistance compared with both RR1000 and the Nb-free variant tested. The beneficial effect of Nb on the tensile and creep properties was due to the microstructures obtained following the post-solution heat treatments, which led to a higher γ′ volume fraction and a finer tertiary γ′ distribution. In addition, an increase in the anti-phase-boundary energy of the γ′ phase is also expected with the addition of Nb, further contributing to the strength of the material. However, these modifications in the γ′ distribution detrimentally affect the dwell fatigue crack-growth behavior of the material, although this behavior can be improved through modified heat treatments. The oxidation resistance of the Nb-containing alloy was also enhanced as Nb is believed to accelerate the formation of a defect-free Cr2O3 scale. Overall, both developmental alloys, with and without the addition of Nb, were found to exhibit superior properties than RR1000.This work was supported by the Rolls-Royce/EPSRC Strategic Partnership under EP/H022309/1, EP/H500375/1 and EP/ M005607/1

Drugs in society: European perspectives

This unique overview of the variation in the ways recreational and other drugs are used across Europe includes critical reflections on current drug policy. Contributions from a wide range of professionals and academics in different countries offer a truly international perspective on the European situation. ‘Provocative. Stimulating. Reflect[s] the diverse and eclectic nature of drug use in Europe and, in doing so, makes for a rich reading experience. This book is about drug use as a dynamic social behaviour where understanding meaning and motivations, and culture and context, are as important as understanding the actions of chemicals on the brain or body. It clearly illustrates the value of social research as a powerful tool for illuminating subjects that are too often overlooked in the discourse on the drug problem, but also reminds us why such a detailed vision is important. If you are feeling jaded and uninspired, and have forgotten why this topic ever interested you in the first place; if you simply want to read something provocative and different that reminds you of why the use of drugs is not only an important policy issue but also a fascinating area for social research - this book is for you - and these seem to me pretty good reasons for recommending a text.’ Paul Griffiths, in the Foreword Contents Perceptions of drugs and drug users in Portugal Danish cannabis policy in practice: the closing of ‘Pusher Street’ and the cannabis market in Copenhagen Characteristics of the cannabis market in Belgium Ephedra for fun, performance and losing weight Khat and the creation of tradition in the Somali diaspora Characteristics of life in exile: vulnerability factors for substance use A cultural approach to understanding the stigma of drug use: the experience of prisoners in England and Wales Diversification endangered The methadone game: control strategies and responses How to camouflage ethical questions in addiction researc

Place, space and time in European drug use, markets and policy

Illegal drug use is common across Europe—and around the world. Drug use is accompanied by drug markets, which emerge and evolve as an inevitable response to demand. Drug policies are enacted in response to these, whether aimed at eliminating use and supply, or minimising the harms related to them. These are the core components of the ‘drug problem’. While the drug problem is a global phenomenon, the way its components manifest themselves vary widely. The prevalence of use of different drugs changes over time and across different places. The characteristics of drug cultures and drug markets differ by geographical, social and cultural context. Drug policies, while broadly governed by global drug treaties, are shaped by local and national politics and designed to respond to local and national concerns. Drug use, drug markets and drug policies are, ultimately, located in specific geographical, cultural and temporal contexts. As the drug problem varies across place, space and time, so understanding drug issues must take account of these dimensions. In this book, we bring together contributors from across Europe, each focussing on different aspects of the drug problem in different countries and different contexts. Each chapter contributes important knowledge about specific aspects and examples of the drug problem. Together, they provide even greater insights into the relationships between drug use, markets and policy, and their situation in place, space and time

Nuts and bolts of timelines in qualitative drug research

Life history interviews are a commonly used method in qualitative drug research, but the use of timelines in these interviews remains limited. This chapter explores and discusses the use, pros and cons of timelines as a method employed in two qualitative studies on substance use trajectories. It shows how, by combining in-depth interviews and timelines, the interview can become an interactive analytical process in the search for relationships between life course/life events and patterns of substance use and non-use, and also the underlying processes of substance use pathways. Timelines can support memory recall for the interviewee, and, particularly in studies of drug use trajectories, they can enhance the researcher's understanding of the relationships between these trajectories and the life course more quickly and more deeply than if an interview alone is used

Tolerance of genetically characterized Folsomia candida strains to phenmedipham exposure

Abstract Background, Aims, and Scope The springtail Folsomia candida is a commonly used model species in ecotoxicological soil testing. The species reproduces parthenogenetically and, thus, laboratories use different clonal lineages. In this study, we investigated if genetic divergence between F. candida strains impacts the reaction to chemical stress and may thus affect the outcome of toxicity tests. Methods In two exposure assays (life-cycle reproduction test and avoidance behaviour test), three laboratory strains of F. candida from Portugal (PTG), Spain (SPN) and Denmark (DNK) were exposed to different concentrations of the reference chemical phenmedipham. Genetic divergence among strains was estimated based on mitochondrial COI sequence data. Results No significant differences between tolerance towards phenmedipham exposure were observed in a reproduction test. In contrast, one strain (SPN) showed a decreased susceptibility to phenmedipham compared to the other strains (PTG and DNK) in the avoidance assay. Discussion A phylogenetic tree based on mitochondrial COI sequences revealed clear genetic differentiation between both ‘reaction types’. Thus, we found a potential lineage dependent stress reaction in avoidance behaviour towards the pesticide. Conclusions Our findings have implications for the comparability of test results among laboratories. Reproduction tests seem to be more robust towards interclonal genetic differentiation than avoidance tests. Recommendations and Perspectives We recommend the use of molecular tools for simple and cost effective genetic characterization of F. candida strains used in chemical avoidance tests. Closer investigations concerning the relation between genetic relatedness and chemical response will provide a more detailed and comprehensive picture on the role of intraspecific genetic differentiation in stress tolerance