The validity and reliability of an instrument to evaluate the practices of learning organization

The future of students learning, and excellence of schools absolutely depend on the competence, skills, and expertise of its teachers. This study aimed to report on the validity and reliability of the practices of the learning organization instrument. The dimension of the learning organization questionnaire (DLOQ) instrument was used for the validity and reliability practices of learning organization among teachers. A total of 50 teachers who were selected at random from four indigenous primary schools located in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia were the respondents in this survey study. The results showed: i) The item-content validity index (I-CVI) value achieved was between 0.67 to 1.00; ii) The scale-content validity index (S-CVI) value between 0.95 to 1.00; and iii) The modified kappa statistic between 0.57 to 1.00, proved that the DLOQ instrument adapted in this study had a high content validity. Hence, Cronbach’s Alpha values, Cronbach’s alpha if item deleted, inter-item correlation and corrected item-total correlation also explained that this instrument had high reliability. Therefore, the DLOQ instrument was reliable to measure characteristics of learning organization practices in the context of indigenous primary schools, Malaysia. In line with this, the practices of learning organization among teachers in schools especially primary schools need to be fully applied and implemented to produce more broadly skilled teachers, competent, have a high quality of teaching, able to produce students with high marketability, maintaining the sustainability of schools and educational institutions

An optimized design modelling of PV integrated SEPIC-based four-switch inverter for sensorless PMBLDC motor control

The design of PV-based high gain SEPIC converter integrated with four-switch strategy, which has been used to achieve sensorless speed control of Permanent magnet Brushless DC motor (PMBLDC) is analysed in this work. Hence SEPIC converter coupled with Fuzzy Logic, MPPT Algorithm is employed to retain voltage. SEPIC converter is chosen as it has a continuous current operation with high gain; Fuzzy MPPT algorithm is used as it provides accurate results faster while the classical MPPT techniques provide the results with fluctuations in attaining the maximum power. Regarding the sensorless control of PMBLDC motor, the conventional six-switch strategy is replaced by four-switch strategy and the sensors are replaced by back EMF method. Four-switch strategy has the capability of reducing the losses, size, cost and complexity of control. For achieving the nominal speed, a closed-loop control is implemented with PI controller, which is tuned by GWO technique. The proposed methodology is more efficient as the motor speed remains unchanged even under the full load condition. The end result of traditional PI algorithm and PI algorithm, which have been tuned by GWO algorithm, is compared and simulated through MATLAB. This is also implemented and validated in hardware by FPGA Spartan 6E controller

miRVine: a microRNA expression atlas of grapevine based on small RNA sequencing

miRNAs are the most abundant class of small non-coding RNAs, and they are involved in post-transcriptional regulations, playing a crucial role in the refinement of genetic programming during plant development. Here we present a comprehensive picture of miRNA regulation in Vitis vinifera L. plant during its complete life cycle. Furthering our knowledge about the post-transcriptional regulation of plant development is fundamental to understand the biology of such an important crop

Genetic dissection of growth, wood basic density and gene expression in interspecific backcrosses of Eucalyptus grandis and E. urophylla

Sappi through the Forest Molecular Genetics Program and by the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Program (THRIP), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of South Africa.http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2156/13/6

High-density genetic linkage maps with over 2,400 sequence-anchored DArT markers for genetic dissection in an F2 pseudo-backcross of Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla

Traits that differentiate cross-fertile plant species can be dissected by genetic linkage analysis in interspecific hybrids. Such studies have been greatly facilitated in Eucalyptus tree species by the recent development of Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers. DArT is an affordable, high-throughput marker technology for the construction of high-density genetic linkage maps. Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla are commonly used to produce fast-growing, disease tolerant hybrids for clonal eucalypt plantations in tropical and subtropical regions. We analysed 7,680 DArT markers in an F2 pseudo-backcross mapping pedigree based on an F1 hybrid clone of E. grandis and E. urophylla. A total of 2,440 markers (31.7%) were polymorphic and could be placed in linkage maps of the F1 hybrid and two pure-species backcross parents. An integrated genetic linkage map was constructed for the pedigree resulting in 11 linkage groups (n=11) with 2,290 high-confidence (LOD≥3.0) markers and a total map length of 1,107.6 cM. DNA sequence analysis of the mapped DArT marker fragments revealed that 43% were located in protein coding regions and 90% could be placed in the recently completed draft genome assembly of E. grandis. Together with the anchored genomic sequence information, this linkage map will allow detailed genetic dissection of quantitative traits and hybrid fitness characters segregating in the F2 progeny and will facilitate the development of markers for molecular breeding in Eucalyptus.Sappi through the Forest Molecular Genetics Programme and by the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Program (THRIP), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of South Africa.http://www.springerlink.com/content/1614-2942nf201

High-density genetic linkage maps with over 2,400 sequence-anchored DArT markers for genetic dissection in an F2 pseudo-backcross of Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla

Traits that differentiate cross-fertile plant species can be dissected by genetic linkage analysis in interspecific hybrids. Such studies have been greatly facilitated in Eucalyptus tree species by the recent development of Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers. DArT is an affordable, high-throughput marker technology for the construction of high-density genetic linkage maps. Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla are commonly used to produce fast-growing, disease tolerant hybrids for clonal eucalypt plantations in tropical and subtropical regions. We analysed 7,680 DArT markers in an F2 pseudo-backcross mapping pedigree based on an F1 hybrid clone of E. grandis and E. urophylla. A total of 2,440 markers (31.7%) were polymorphic and could be placed in linkage maps of the F1 hybrid and two pure-species backcross parents. An integrated genetic linkage map was constructed for the pedigree resulting in 11 linkage groups (n=11) with 2,290 high-confidence (LOD≥3.0) markers and a total map length of 1,107.6 cM. DNA sequence analysis of the mapped DArT marker fragments revealed that 43% were located in protein coding regions and 90% could be placed in the recently completed draft genome assembly of E. grandis. Together with the anchored genomic sequence information, this linkage map will allow detailed genetic dissection of quantitative traits and hybrid fitness characters segregating in the F2 progeny and will facilitate the development of markers for molecular breeding in Eucalyptus.Sappi through the Forest Molecular Genetics Programme and by the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Program (THRIP), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of South Africa.http://www.springerlink.com/content/1614-2942nf201

A reference linkage map for Eucalyptus

Background: Genetic linkage maps are invaluable resources in plant research. They provide a key tool for many genetic applications including: mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL); comparative mapping; identifying unlinked (i.e. independent) DNA markers for fingerprinting, population genetics and phylogenetics; assisting genome sequence assembly; relating physical and recombination distances along the genome and map-based cloning of genes. Eucalypts are the dominant tree species in most Australian ecosystems and of economic importance globally as plantation trees. The genome sequence of E. grandis has recently been released providing unprecedented opportunities for genetic and genomic research in the genus. A robust reference linkage map containing sequence-based molecular markers is needed to capitalise on this resource. Several high density linkage maps have recently been constructed for the main commercial forestry species in the genus (E. grandis, E. urophylla and E. globulus) using sequenced Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) and microsatellite markers. To provide a single reference linkage map for eucalypts a composite map was produced through the integration of data from seven independent mapping experiments (1950 individuals) using a marker-merging method. Results: The composite map totalled 1107 cM and contained 4101 markers; comprising 3880 DArT, 213 microsatellite and eight candidate genes. Eighty-one DArT markers were mapped to two or more linkage groups, resulting in the 4101 markers being mapped to 4191 map positions. Approximately 13% of DArT markers mapped to identical map positions, thus the composite map contained 3634 unique loci at an average interval of 0.31 cM. Conclusion: The composite map represents the most saturated linkage map yet produced in Eucalyptus. As the majority of DArT markers contained on the map have been sequenced, the map provides a direct link to the E. grandis genome sequence and will serve as an important reference for progressing eucalypt research

The Influence of Genotype and Environment on Small RNA Profiles in Grapevine Berry

Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction between the genetic composition and the environment is crucial for modern viticulture. We approached this issue by focusing on the small RNA transcriptome in grapevine berries of the two varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, growing in adjacent vineyards in three different environments. Four different developmental stages were studied and a total of 48 libraries of small RNAs were produced and sequenced. Using a proximity-based pipeline, we determined the general landscape of small RNAs accumulation in grapevine berries. We also investigated the presence of known and novel miRNAs and analyzed their accumulation profile. The results showed that the distribution of small RNA-producing loci is variable between the two cultivars, and that the level of variation depends on the vineyard. Differently, the profile of miRNA accumulation mainly depends on the developmental stage. The vineyard in Riccione maximizes the differences between the varieties, promoting the production of more than 1000 specific small RNA loci and modulating their expression depending on the cultivar and the maturation stage. In total, 89 known vvi-miRNAs and 33 novel vvi-miRNA candidates were identified in our samples, many of them showing the accumulation profile modulated by at least one of the factors studied. The in silico prediction of miRNA targets suggests their involvement in berry development and in secondary metabolites accumulation such as anthocyanins and polyphenols