Identification of genes related to germination in aged maize seed by screening natural variability

Ageing reduces vigour and viability in maize inbred lines due to non-heritable degenerative changes. Besides non-heritable genetic changes due to chromosome aberrations and damage in the DNA sequence, heritable changes during maize conservation have been reported. Genetic variability among aged seeds of inbred lines could be used for association studies with seed germination. The objective of this study was to identify genes related to germination in aged seeds. The sweet corn inbred line P39 and the field corn inbred line EP44 were used as plant material. Bulks of living and dead seeds after 20 and 22 years of storage were compared by using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and, when the bulks differed for a marker, the individual grains were genotyped. Differences between dead and living seeds could be explained by residual variability, spontaneous mutation, or ageing. Variability was larger for chromosome 7 than for other chromosomes, and for distal than for proximal markers, suggesting some relationships between position in the genome and viability in aged seed. Polymorphic SSRs between living and dead seeds were found in six known genes, including pathogenesis-related protein 2, superoxide dismutase 4, catalase 3, opaque endosperm 2, and metallothionein1 that were related to germination, along with golden plant 2. In addition, five novel candidate genes have been identified; three of them could be involved in resistance to diseases, one in detoxification of electrophillic compounds, and another in transcription regulation. Therefore, genetic variability among aged seeds of inbreds was useful for preliminary association analysis to identify candidate genes

Perceptions of pre-service chemistry teachers on the utilization of productive lesson study as a framework for teaching and learning

The present study determined the perceptions of pre-service teachers on utilizing productive lesson study as a framework in teaching high school chemistry. Participants of the study were thirty (30) junior pre-service chemistry teachers from a state-funded teacher education institution in Manila, Philippines. Participants were exposed to a training-workshop on lesson study and productive pedagogy prior to getting their perception. Lesson study is a form of collaborative lesson planning while productive pedagogy is a framework for evaluating effectiveness of a teaching strategy based on intellectual quality, connectedness, recognition of difference and supportive classroom environment. Results of the study indicated that although most of the participants agreed to utilize the framework, most of them did not grasp the essential process of productive lesson study. On the other hand, all of them agreed that the framework will help improve the teaching skills of teachers and will therefore result to a greater achievement in chemistry among students. Disadvantages that they foresee in the framework include time element and exclusivity. The productive lesson study process will take much of their time and that formulated research lessons might be exclusive only to a group of students and may not be applicable to all

Association mapping for maize stover yield and saccharification efficiency using a multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population

Cellulosic ethanol derived from fast growing C4 grasses could become an alternative to finite fossil fuels. With the potential to generate a major source of lignocellulosic biomass, maize has gained importance as an outstanding model plant for studying the complex cell wall network and also to optimize crop breeding strategies in bioenergy grasses. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using a subset of 408 Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) from a Multi-Parent Advanced Generation Intercross (MAGIC) Population in order to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with yield and saccharification efficiency of maize stover. We identified 13 SNPs significantly associated with increased stover yield that corresponded to 13 QTL, and 2 SNPs significantly associated with improved saccharification efficiency, that could be clustered into 2 QTL. We have pointed out the most interesting SNPs to be implemented in breeding programs based on results from analyses of averaged and yearly data. Association mapping in this MAGIC population highlight genomic regions directly linked to traits that influence the final use of maize. Markers linked to these QTL could be used in genomic or marker-assisted selection programs to improve biomass quality for ethanol production. This study opens a possible optimisation path for improving the viability of second-generation biofuelsPlan Estatal de Ciencia y Tecnología de España | Ref. RTI2018–096776-B-C21Plan Estatal de Ciencia y Tecnología de España | Ref. RTI2018–096776-B-C2

Fungal planet description sheets : 371–399

Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from Australia: Neoseptorioides eucalypti gen. & sp. nov. from Eucalyptus radiata leaves, Phytophthora gondwanensis from soil, Diaporthe tulliensis from rotted stem ends of Theobroma cacao fruit, Diaporthe vawdreyi from fruit rot of Psidium guajava, Magnaporthiopsis agrostidis from rotted roots of Agrostis stolonifera and Semifissispora natalis from Eucalyptus leaf litter. Furthermore, Neopestalotiopsis egyptiaca is described from Mangifera indica leaves (Egypt), Roussoella mexicana from Coffea arabica leaves (Mexico), Calonectria monticola from soil (Thailand), Hygrocybe jackmanii from littoral sand dunes (Canada), Lindgomyces madisonensis from submerged decorticated wood (USA), Neofabraea brasiliensis from Malus domestica (Brazil), Geastrum diosiae from litter (Argentina), Ganoderma wiiroense on angiosperms (Ghana), Arthrinium gutiae from the gut of a grasshopper (India), Pyrenochaeta telephoni from the screen of a mobile phone (India) and Xenoleptographium phialoconidium gen. & sp. nov. on exposed xylem tissues of Gmelina arborea (Indonesia). Several novelties are introduced from Spain, namely Psathyrella complutensis on loamy soil, Chlorophyllum lusitanicum on nitrified grasslands (incl. Chlorophyllum arizonicum comb. nov.), Aspergillus citocrescens from cave sediment and Lotinia verna gen. & sp. nov. from muddy soil. Novel foliicolous taxa from South Africa include Phyllosticta carissicola from Carissa macrocarpa, Pseudopyricularia hagahagae from Cyperaceae and Zeloasperisporium searsiae from Searsia chirindensis. Furthermore, Neophaeococcomyces is introduced as a novel genus, with two new combinations, N. aloes and N. catenatus. Several foliicolous novelties are recorded from La Réunion, France, namely Ochroconis pandanicola from Pandanus utilis, Neosulcatispora agaves gen. & sp. nov. from Agave vera-cruz, Pilidium eucalyptorum from Eucalyptus robusta, Strelitziana syzygii from Syzygium jambos (incl. Strelitzianaceae fam. nov.) and Pseudobeltrania ocoteae from Ocotea obtusata (Beltraniaceae emend.). Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS DNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/pimjam2016Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)Microbiology and Plant Patholog

DIVERSIDAD VEGETAL Y CALIDAD FORRAJERA DE LOS PASTOS SUPRAFORESTALES DEL VALLE DEL MADRIUPERAFITA- CLAROR (PRINCIPADO DE ANDORRA)

Los pastos supraforestales del Valle del Madriu-Perafita-Claror (VMPC) pueden clasificarse en cuatro grandes grupos: de Festuca eskia, de Festuca airoides, de Nardus stricta y pastos calcícolas de Festuca gautieri. Desde hace siglos son utilizados por el ganado sin que se haya producido ningún cambio en su tipo de gestión, por lo que el estado actual es el resultado de una larga interacción entre la comunidad vegetal y el animal. En este trabajo se muestra que el uso continuo ha provocado el mantenimiento de valores bajos de diversidad y altos de calidad forrajera, en comparación con pastos de similares características de otras zonas montañosas de España y Europ

Postoperative Cervical Haematoma Complicated by Ipsilateral Carotid Thrombosis and Aphasia after Anterior Cervical Fusion: A Case Report

Hematoma alone is the most common vascular complication reported after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF). We present this case to report the occurrence of postoperative cervical hematoma complicated by ipsilateral carotid thrombosis and aphasia after an uncomplicated C4–6 ACDF. This is a case of a 65-year-old woman who underwent revision fusions of the C4-5 and C6-7 levels complicated by postoperative cervical hematoma and carotid thrombosis. The patient's history, clinical examination, imaging findings, and treatment are reported. The revision fusions were performed and deemed routine. Approximately eight hours later 200 mL of blood was evacuated from a postoperative cervical hematoma. The patient became unresponsive and disoriented a few hours after evacuating the hematoma. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were normal, but magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated total occlusion of the left carotid artery. Thrombectomy was performed and the patient was discharged without residual deficits. At the latest followup she is fully functional and asymptomatic in her neck. We suggest, after evacuating a cervical hematoma, an evaluation of the carotids be made with MRA or cerebral angiography, as this may demonstrate a clot before the patient develops symptoms

Characterization of the excavation damaged zone by means of geological, geophysical and hydrogeological co-interpretation

Over the years and within different R&D projects, SKB, the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB), has studied various aspects of a possible generated disturbed or damaged zone around a deposition tunnel for spent nuclear fuel. According to international nomenclature EDZ, the Excavation Damaged Zone, is defined as the blast damaged zone around a tunnel where the damage is not reversible. Knowledge about the EDZ and its possible hydraulic connectivity is essential for underground construction design, underground facility layout, work environment issues and analysis of post-closure safety. This paper will focus on strategies and methodology for determine the hydraulic connectivity of the EDZ for a KBS-3 nuclear waste repository. The integrated use of geological and geophysical methods will also be presented. Due to the hard rock conditions SKB has chosen drill and blast method for excavation of the repository of high level nuclear waste at the suggested site, Forsmark. The requirements of the blast design have been based on theoretical studies and follow up of excavation works under controlled conditions. The results of the excavation works must be verified by methods that provide rapid feedback to the contractor as well as its complete documentation. This documentation has the ambition to describe the initial conditions of the nuclear waste repository by conducting a safety assessment analysis that considers the possibility for migration of radionuclides. However, the final verification of the hydraulic properties of the EDZ has to be verified after completion of a deposition tunnel. SKB has conducted a project aiming at defining and developing standards, strategies and methods needed to design, and gather the sufficient specifications to procure underground construction works of the planned repository for spent nuclear fuel. One part of the project has focused on verifying the extension of the EDZ. The sub-project included geometrical, geological, geophysical and hydrogeological investigations and blasting design documentations. The hydraulic properties of water-saturated conditions in the tunnel floor were evaluated by robust and flexible test method approaches. Based on the proposed investigations it is possible to conduct hydraulic modelling that takes into account a more or less developed EDZ