LATEST TOURNAISIAN (EARLY CARBONIFEROUS) CONODONTS FROM THE TABAI LIMESTONE, TIRAH, NORTHWESTERN PAKISTAN

A new stratigraphic unit, the Tabai Limestone of the poorly known Tirah area of northwest Pakistan, is one of several Early Carboniferous carbonate units distributed along the North Gondwana margin, some connected with transgressive interludes. The Tabai Limestone has produced latest Tournaisian (Early Carboniferous) conodonts indicative of the middle of the anchoralis-latus Zone

Characterization of soil organic matter in aggregates and size-density fractions by solid state C-13 CPMAS NMR spectroscopy.

Understanding the changes in soil organic matter (SOM) composition during aggregate formation is crucial to explain the stabilization of SOM in aggregates. The objectives of this study were to investigate (i) the composition of SOM associated with different aggregates and size-density fractions and (ii) the role of selective preservation in determining the composition of organic matter in aggregate and size-density fractions. Surface soil samples were collected from an Alfisol on the Northern Tablelands of NSW, Australia with contrasting land uses native pasture, crop-pasture rotation and woodland. Solid state 13C cross-polarization and magic angle spinning (CPMAS) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to determine the SOM composition in macroaggregates (250-2000 µm), microaggregates (53-250 µm), and <53 µm fraction. The chemical composition of light fraction (LF), coarse particulate organic matter (cPOM), fine particulate organic matter (fPOM) and mineral associated soil organic matter (mSOM) were also determined. The major constituent of SOM of aggregate size fractions was O-alkyl carbon, which represented 44-57% of the total signal acquired, whereas alkyl carbon contributed 16-27%. There was a progressive increase in alkyl carbon content with decrease in aggregate size. Results suggest that SOM associated with <53 µm fraction was at a more advanced stage of decomposition than that of macroaggregates and microaggregates. The LF and cPOM were dominated by O-alkyl carbon while alkyl carbon content was high in fPOM and mSOM. Interestingly, the relative change in O-alkyl, alkyl and aromatic carbon between aggregates and SOM fractions revealed that microbial synthesis and decomposition of organic matter along with selective preservation of alkyl and aromatic carbon plays a significant role in determining the composition of organic matter in aggregates

PENGEMBANGAN PERANGKAT PEMBELAJARAN BERCIRIKAN PENEMUAN TERBIMBING PADA MATERI FUNGSI KUADRAT UNTUK SISWA SMK

This research development aims to produce a learning device characterized by valid guided discoveries. The development of learning tools refers to the Thiagarajan, Semmel, and Semmel (1974) model, which is the development of Four-D, which is modified into Three-D. This development model consists of 3 stages of development, namely define, desig, and develop. Assessment of the quality of learning tools in this study consisted of evaluating validity. Learning tools are said to be valid if according to the judgment of experts and practitioners have content validity and construct validity. From the development results obtained learning tools (learning media, lesson plans, and mastery test material) quadratic function material characterized by guided discoveries, can be categorized valid. Based on the results of the development of learning tools obtained that the learning tools (learning media, lesson plans, and mastery tests of materials) are categorized valid in a row that is 3.05; 3.1; 3.1 and have met the specified criteria.Keywords: development, learning tools, guided discovery, quadratic function

Impact of farmers’ practices and seed systems on the genetic structure of common sorghum varieties in Kenya and Sudan

To understand the effect of different farming systems on the dynamics of diversity of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) crop, genetic structure of widely used landraces and modern varieties collected from two contrasting agroecosystems, in eastern Sudan and western Kenya, were analysed with 16 polymorphic microsatellite markers. A total of 1104 accessions, grouped into 46 samples from individual farmers, were genotyped. Cluster analysis of the samples from the two countries displayed contrasting patterns. Most strikingly, differently named landraces from western Kenya formed widely overlapping clusters, indicating weak genetic differentiation, while those from eastern Sudan formed clearly distinguishable groups. Similarly, samples of the modern variety from Sudan displayed high homogeneity, whereas the most common modern variety from western Kenya was very heterogeneous. The high degree of fragmentation of farmlands of western Kenya, coupled with planting of different sorghum varieties in the same fields, increases the likelihood of inter-variety gene flow. This may explain the low genetic differentiation between the differently named landraces and heterogeneity of the modern variety from western Kenya. This study highlights the important role of farmers in shaping the genetic variation of their crops and provides population parameter estimates allowing forecasting of the fate of ‘modern’ germplasm (conventional or genetically modified) when introduced into subsistence farming systems

Genetic diversity of provitamin-A cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Sierra Leone

Open Access Article; Published online: 04 Mar 2020Understanding the genetic diversity among accessions and germplasm is an important requirement for crop development as it allows for the selection of diverse parental combinations for enhancing genetic gain in varietal selection, advancement and release. The study aimed to characterize 183 provitamin A cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) accessions and five Sierra Leonean varieties using morphological traits, total carotenoid content and SNP markers to develop a collection for conservation and further use in the cassava breeding program. Both morphological parameters and 5634 SNP markers were used to assess the diversity among the provitamin-A cassava accessions and varieties. Significant differences were observed among the accessions for most of the traits measured. The first five PCs together accounted for 70.44% of the total phenotypic variation based on yield and yield components among the 183 provitamin-A cassava accessions and five Sierra Leonean varieties. The present study showed that provitamin-A cassava accessions in Sierra Leone have moderate to high diversity based on morphological and molecular assessment studies. The similarity index among the 187 and 185 cassava accessions grouped them into 6 and 9 distinct clusters based on morphological and molecular analyses, respectively. A significant positive, but low correlation (r = 0.104; p\0.034), was observed between the two dendrograms. The results obtained will serve as a guide and basis of germplasm management and improvement for total carotenoid content, yield and African cassava mosaic disease resistance in Sierra Leone

Robust Tracking Through the Design of High Quality Fiducial Markers: An Optimization Tool for ARToolKit

Fiducial markers are images or landmarks placed in real environment, typically used for pose estimation and camera tracking. Reliable fiducials are strongly desired for many augmented reality (AR) applications, but currently there is no systematic method to design highly reliable fiducials. In this paper, we present fiducial marker optimizer (FMO), a tool to optimize the design attributes of ARToolKit markers, including black to white (B:W) ratio, edge sharpness, and information complexity, and to reduce inter-marker confusion. For these operations, the FMO provides a user friendly interface at the front-end and specialized image processing algorithms at the back-end. We tested manually designed markers and FMO optimized markers in ARToolKit and found that the latter were more robust. The FMO will be used for designing highly reliable fiducials in easy to use fashion. It will improve the application\u27s performance, where it is used

Genetic variability and genotype by environment interaction of two major cassava processed products in multi-environments

Open Access Journal; Published online: 17 Oct 2022Conversion of cassava (Manihot esculenta) roots to processed products such as gari and fufu before consumption is a common practice worldwide by cassava end-user for detoxification, prolonged shelf life or profitability. Fresh root and processed product yield are supposed to be equivalent for each genotype, however, that is not the case. Developing genotypes with high product conversion rate is an important breeding goal in cassava as it drives the adoption rates of new varieties. The objective of this study was to quantify the contribution of genetic and genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) patterns on cassava root conversion rate to gari and fufu. Sixty-seven advanced breeding genotypes from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) were evaluated across eight environments in Nigeria. Root conversion rate means across trials ranges from 14.72 to 22.76% for gari% and 16.96–24.24% for fufu%. Heritability estimates range from 0.17 to 0.74 for trial bases and 0.71 overall environment for gari% and 0.03–0.65 for trial bases and 0.72 overall environment for fufu% which implies that genetic improvement can be made on these traits. Root conversion rate for both gari and fufu% showed a negative but insignificant correlation with fresh root yield and significant positive correlation to Dry Matter content. For all fitted models, environment and interaction had explained more of the phenotypic variation observed among genotypes for both product conversion rates showing the presence of a strong GEI. Wrickle ecovalence (Wi) stability analysis and Geometric Adaptability index (GAI) identified G40 (TMS14F1285P0006) as part of top 5 genotypes for gari% but no overlapping genotype was identified by both stability analysis for fufu%. This genotypic performance across environments suggests that it is possible to have genotype with dual-purpose for high gari and fufu conversion rate

Genome-Wide Association Mapping of Correlated Traits in Cassava: Dry Matter and Total Carotenoid Content

Article purchased; Published online: 3 August 2017Cassava (Manihot esculenta (L.) Crantz) is a starchy root crop cultivated in the tropics for fresh consumption and commercial processing. Dry matter content and micronutrient density, particularly of provitamin A, traits that are negatively correlated, are among the primary selection objectives in cassava breeding. This study aimed at identifying genetic markers associated with these traits and uncovering the potential underlying cause of their negative correlation - whether linkage and/or pleiotropy. A genome-wide association mapping using 672 clones genotyped at 72,279 SNP loci was carried out. Root yellowness was used indirectly to assess variation in carotenoid content. Two major loci for root yellowness was identified on chromosome 1 at positions 24.1 and 30.5 Mbp. A single locus for dry matter content that co-located with the 24.1 Mbp peak for carotenoid content was identified. Haplotypes at these loci explained a large proportion of the phenotypic variability. Evidence of mega-base-scale linkage disequilibrium around the major loci of the two traits and detection of the major dry matter locus in independent analysis for the white- and yellow-root subpopulations suggests that physical linkage rather that pleiotropy is more likely to be the cause of the negative correlation between the target traits. Moreover, candidate genes for carotenoid (phytoene synthase) and starch biosynthesis (UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and sucrose synthase) occurred in the vicinity of the identified locus at 24.1 Mbp. These findings elucidate on the genetic architecture of carotenoids and dry matter in cassava and provides an opportunity to accelerate genetic improvement of these traits

Standard comparison of local mental health care systems in eight European countries

Aims. There is a need of more quantitative standardised data to compare local Mental Health Systems (MHSs) across international jurisdictions. Problems related to terminological variability and commensurability in the evaluation of services hamper like-with-like comparisons and hinder the development of work in this area. This study was aimed to provide standard assessment and comparison of MHS in selected local areas in Europe, contributing to a better understanding of MHS and related allocation of resources at local level and to lessen the scarcity in standard service comparison in Europe. This study is part of the Seventh Framework programme REFINEMENT (Research on Financing Systems’ Effect on the Quality of Mental Health Care in Europe) project. Methods. A total of eight study areas from European countries with different systems of care (Austria, England, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Romania, Spain) were analysed using a standard open-access classification system (Description and Evaluation of Services for Long Term Care in Europe, DESDE-LTC). All publicly funded services universally accessible to adults (≥18 years) with a psychiatric disorder were coded. Care availability, diversity and capacity were compared across these eight local MHS. Results. The comparison of MHS revealed more community-oriented delivery systems in the areas of England (Hampshire) and Southern European countries (Verona – Italy and Girona – Spain). Community-oriented systems with a higher proportion of hospital care were identified in Austria (Industrieviertel) and Scandinavian countries (Sør-Trøndelag in Norway and Helsinki-Uusimaa in Finland), while Loiret (France) was considered as a predominantly hospital-based system. The MHS in Suceava (Romania) was still in transition to community care. Conclusions. There is a significant variation in care availability and capacity across MHS of local areas in Europe. This information is relevant for understanding the process of implementation of community-oriented mental health care in local areas. Standard comparison of care provision in local areas is important for context analysis and policy planning

Genome-wide association study of resistance to cassava green mite pest and related traits in cassava

Published: 26 July 2018Cassava green mite [CGM, Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar)] is a dry-season pest that usually feeds on the underside of young leaves causing leaf chlorosis, stunted growth, and root yield reduction by 80%. Since cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) leaves and roots serve as a primary staple food source, a decline in cassava yield can lead to household food, nutrition, and income insecurity. To evaluate the existence of CGM resistance alleles in the available germplasm, a diversity panel of 845 advanced breeding lines obtained from IITA, CIAT, and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) were evaluated for CGM severity (CGMS), leaf pubescence (LP), leaf retention (LR), stay green, shoot tip compactness, and shoot tip size. A genome-wide association mapping detected 35 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers significantly associated with CGMS, LP, and LR on chromosome 8. Colocalization of the most significant SNP associated with CGMS, LP, and LR on chromosome 8 is possibly an indication of pleiotropy or the presence of closely linked genes that regulate these traits. Seventeen candidate genes were found to be associated to CGM resistance. These candidate genes were subdivided into seven categories according to their protein structure namely, Zn finger, pentatricopeptide, MYB, MADS, homeodomain, trichome birefringence-related protein, and ethylene-responsive transcription factor genes. This study revealed significant loci associated with CGM, not previously reported, which together represent potential sources for the ongoing effort to develop multiple pest- and disease-resistant cassava cultivars