Genetic diversity among varieties and wild species accessions of pea (Pisum sativum L.) based on SSR markers

To assess the genetic relations inPisum genus and to examine putative duplicate accessions, 20 pea varieties (Pisum sativum L.) with 57 accessions from wild Pisum species fulvum, subspecies (subsp.) asiaticum, elatius, thebaicum, abyssinicum, transcaucasicum and arvense were analyzed using 10 out of 20 microsatellite primer pairs. We genotyped all accessions. In total, 59 alleles were identified in whole collection. The maximum number of alleles (8 alleles) was obtained from the PEACPLHPP, AF004843, and AA43090 loci. The maximum number of private alleles (4) in the wild collection was detected in AF004843 locus but in the cultivar collection, it was detected in AA430902 and PSBLOX13.2 loci. Cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis located accessions in 3 groups and cultivated varieties were obviously separated from the wild accessions. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the intergroups component of variance (29%) is lower than the intragroups component of variance (71%). The lowest value of genetic differentiation ( Pisum genus and to examine putative duplicate accessions, 20 pea varieties (Pisum sativum L.) with 57 accessions from wild Pisum species fulvum, subspecies (subsp.) asiaticum, elatius, thebaicum, abyssinicum, transcaucasicum and arvense were analyzed using 10 out of 20 microsatellite primer pairs. We genotyped all accessions. In total, 59 alleles were identified in whole collection. The maximum number of alleles (8 alleles) was obtained from the PEACPLHPP, AF004843, and AA43090 loci. The maximum number of private alleles (4) in the wild collection was detected in AF004843 locus but in the cultivar collection, it was detected in AA430902 and PSBLOX13.2 loci. Cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis located accessions in 3 groups and cultivated varieties were obviously separated from the wild accessions. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the intergroups component of variance (29%) is lower than the intragroups component of variance (71%). The lowest value of genetic differentiation (Pisum genus and to examine putative duplicate accessions, 20 pea varieties (Pisum sativum L.) with 57 accessions from wild Pisum species fulvum, subspecies (subsp.) asiaticum, elatius, thebaicum, abyssinicum, transcaucasicum and arvense were analyzed using 10 out of 20 microsatellite primer pairs. We genotyped all accessions. In total, 59 alleles were identified in whole collection. The maximum number of alleles (8 alleles) was obtained from the PEACPLHPP, AF004843, and AA43090 loci. The maximum number of private alleles (4) in the wild collection was detected in AF004843 locus but in the cultivar collection, it was detected in AA430902 and PSBLOX13.2 loci. Cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis located accessions in 3 groups and cultivated varieties were obviously separated from the wild accessions. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the intergroups component of variance (29%) is lower than the intragroups component of variance (71%). The lowest value of genetic differentiation (PT = 0.27) of pair wise collections between wild and variety collections, was detected in ssp. elatius. Assignment test on the basis of log-likelihood to estimate the likelihood that an individual belongs to a given group, showed that 96% of accessions being assigned correctly to their groups. This study showed that genetic probability profiles of accessions can corroborate clustering analyses while providing additional information as a powerful tool for assigning accessions into their related groups

Constraints on scalar-tensor theories from observations

We study the dynamical description of scalar-tensor gravity by performing the best-fit analysis for two cases of exponential and power-law form of the potential and scalar field function coupled to the curvature. The models are then tested against observational data. The results show that in both scenarios the Universe undergoes an acceleration expansion period and the geometrical equivalent of dark energy is associated with a time-dependent equation of state.Comment: 16 pages, 32 figure

Variation in ecosystem service values in response to land use changes in Zhifanggou watershed of Loess plateau: a comparative study

Background: Anthropological activities could lead to various land use changes. This subsequently exerts impacts on the Ecological status as the land is the carrier of Ecosystems and their services. Ecosystem Services Values (ESVs) are monetary assessment of ecosystems services. The choice of ecosystem services valuation methods highly depends on the type and conditions of the ecological environment. Results: In this paper, Zhifangou watershed, a watershed with fragile environments in Loess Plateau, is analyzed in terms of the historical changes of land uses and their impact on Ecosystem Services Values (ESVs). The analysis presents that the watershed had seen a large cover of forest (689.8 hectare) and grassland (97.08 hectare) until 1938, which were substituted with a cropland of 663.56 hectare in the following years, and then a gradual recovery of natural land from 1978. During these years, the human activities have ranged from little disruption, to excessive cultivation, and finally to an integrated management of the watershed. The ESVs were highest at $121.77 × 104 in 1938, lowest at$43.75 × 104 in 1958, and then rebounded to $113.44 × 104 in 1999. Conclusions: The analysis reveals that the values of soil formation and retention, biodiversity protection, and climate regulation have been associated with the largest share of the total ESVs. Among them, soil formation and retention was recognized as the most impacted service by land use changes

Urban water reuse: A triple bottom line assessment framework and review

Water reuse networks have been emerging globally for the last 50 years. This article reviews the economic, social and environmental issues related to implementing water reuse networks in cities. This is reflecting the fact that globally many cities are categorised as water scarce areas, where there is growing imbalance between water demand and availability. In this sense, there is a need for sustainable water supply solutions in the imminent future to provide and maintain service reliability, particularly in the face of climate change. To demonstrate the sustainability implications of water reuse practices, we review a case study in London, UK

Validity and Reliability of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, Nursing Student Version R in a Sample of Iranian Oncology Nurses

Background: Empathy is essential in the process of nurse-patient relationships in oncology wards. The lack of a rigorous tool to measure empathy in oncology nurses makes the research difficult. Objectives: Modifying a Persian translation of the Jefferson scale of empathy to create an Iranian version of the Jefferson scale of empathy-nursing student version R (JSE-NS version R), and to determine its validity and reliability in oncology nurses of Tehran Universities of Medical Sciences. Methods: This is a methodological study with cross-sectional design, conducted in 2015. The translation and modification process was conducted according to the World Health Organization guidelines and an Iranian version of the scale was created. Different types of validity, including face and content validity together with construct and convergent validity were assessed. Construct validity was evaluated in a convenience sample of oncology nurses (n = 181) through confirmatory (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). By correlation assessment between the total score of the JSE-NS version R and the subscales of the interpersonal reactivity index (IRI), convergent validity was tested. Reliability was ascertained by assessing the internal consistency and stability of the scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS-13 and LISREL 8.8. Results: Face and content validity of the scale was confirmed by an expert panel. The initial CFA did not show a three-factor structure of empathy, thus an EFA was run and a four-factor model with a grand factor was extracted. Subsequently, the results of the final CFA confirmed acceptable goodness of fit indices for the four-factor structure of empathy, and the scale explained 63% of variances in the data. Convergent validity showed a significant correlation between the total score of the scale and most subscales of the IRI (P < 0.001). Cronbach’s alpha value (0.86) and the ICC level (0.90) showed satisfactory results in oncology nurses. Conclusions: The Iranian version of the Jefferson scale of empathy-NS version R is a psychometrically sound instrument, implying that it is suitable for measurement of empathy in oncology nurses

Allele and genotype frequencies of -lactoglobulin gene in Iranian Najdi cattle and buffalo populations using PCR-RFLP

In modern programmes of animal breeding, the polymorphism of the milk proteins can be used as marker systems.  -Lactoglobulin is the major milk whey protein in the ruminants. Studies have indicated that this protein is polymorphic in the many breeds of cattle. This is the result of a single base pair substitution in the -lactoglobulin gene that also give rise to the Hae III restriction fragment length polymorphism. The aim of this work was to analyze the genotype distribution of -lactoglobulin in Iranian Najdi cattle and buffalo. Blood samples were supplied from 80 Najdi cattle and 80 buffalo from different cities of Khouzestan province. Polymerase chain reaction was applied to amplification of a 247 bp fragment of exon and intron IV of bovine -lactoglobulin gene. The Hae III enzyme was used for restriction of the PCR products. The digested products were separated by electrophoresis on 2.5% agarose gel. The allele B of -Lactoglobulin occurred at a higher frequency than the allele A in both Najdi cattle and buffalo. The genotype frequencies of AA, AB, and BB in Najdi cattle and buffalo were 0, 0.175, 0.825 and 0.04, 0.3, 0.66 respectively. Frequencies of A and B alleles were 0.0875 and 0.9125, and 0.1875 and 0.8125 in Najdi cattle and buffalo, respectively. The deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was not detected in any of those animals. Detection of heterozygosity indicator evidence on low level of heterozygosity and genetic variability in both population

Identification of novel bacterial species capable of degrading dalapon using 16S rRNA sequencing

2,2-dichloropropionic acid (2,2DCP) is used as herbicide in agricultural industry and it is one of the halogenated organic compounds distributed widely in the world causing contamination. In this study, a bacterial strain isolated from contaminated soil where halogenated pesticides applied in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and it was named “JHA1”. Bacterium JHA1 was able to utilize 2,2 dichloropropionate 2,2-DCP or (Dalapon) as a source of carbon and energy. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, the isolate showed 87% identity to Terrabacter terrae strain PPLB. The identity score was lower than 98% so that it was suggested to be new organisms that worth for further investigations if it will be proven that this is novel. Therefore, current isolate was designated as Terrabacter terrae JHA1. The isolate grew in the minimal media containing 10 mM, 15 mM, 20 mM and 25 mM of 2,2- DCP as the sole energy and carbon source and the best growth rate was in 20 mM as the optimum concentration of 2,2-DCP while bacterial growth was inhibited in medium with 30 mM 2,2-DCP

A Case of Acute Liver Failure Due to Artemisinin-Derived Herbal Supplements

A 49-year-old female presented with malaise, nausea, vomiting, and discolored urine. She was found to have an acute liver failure with labs significant for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of 2164, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of 2425, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of 106, total bilirubin of 3.6, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of 2269. The international normalized ratio (INR) was also elevated at 1.9. All workup for acute liver failure was negative and it was found that she had started taking a new supplement called Gut Health , which contained artemisinin, for weight loss and menopausal symptoms. After discontinuing the supplements and symptomatically treating her for acute liver failure, her transaminitis resolved