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KASP mapping of QTLs for yield components using a RIL population in Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Get PDFSuper Basmati is an elite variety with extra-long grains and superior quality but its yield is severely affected by water stress. Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from the cross of Super Basmati and IR55419-04 (a coarse grained variety with high yield potential) were used to identify and map yield-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) under normal field conditions. Genotypes for 244 KASP markers were obtained from 188 F9 RILs and a linkage map constructed of 1369.4 cM, with average marker interval of 10.5 cM. Eleven agronomic traits were phenotyped in RILs and parents. Composite interval mapping and inclusive composite interval mapping model identified 21 common QTLs related to nine agronomic traits; of the QTLs identified, twelve mapped at novel positions. LOD scores ranged from 2.51 for number of filled grains (qFG1.1) to 16.8 for plant height (qPH1.1). Four major effect QTLs could explain 20% of variation related for plant height, hundred-grain weight and grain width. Alleles from IR55419-04 improved grain filling, grain weight and grain width, while alleles from Super Basmati contributed to longer grains, panicles and flag leaves. Putative candidate genes were identified for 18 yield-related QTLs. These results validate the use of KASP genotyping for QTL mapping of yield-related traits in a bi-parental segregating population. SNPs in the QTLs identified in this study can be used in marker assisted selection for yield components to improve Basmati rice
A Network-level Test of the Role of the Co-activated Default Mode Network in Episodic Recall and Social Cognition
Get PDFResting-state network research is extremely influential, yet the functions of many networks remain unknown. In part, this is due to typical (e.g., univariate) analyses independently testing the function of individual regions and not examining the full set of regions that form a network whilst co-activated. Connectivity is dynamic and the function of a region may change based on its current connections. Therefore, determining the function of a network requires assessment at this network-level. Yet popular theories implicating the default mode network (DMN) in episodic memory and social cognition, rest principally upon analyses performed at the level of individual brain regions. Here we use independent component analysis to formally test the role of the DMN in episodic and social processing at the network level. As well as an episodic retrieval task, two independent datasets were employed to assess DMN function across the breadth of social cognition; a person knowledge judgement and a theory of mind task. Each task dataset was separated into networks of co-activated regions. In each, the co-activated DMN, was identified through comparison to an a priori template and its relation to the task model assessed. This co-activated DMN did not show greater activity in episodic or social tasks than high-level baseline conditions. Thus, no evidence was found to support hypotheses that the co-activated DMN is involved in explicit episodic or social tasks at a network-level. The networks associated with these processes are described. Implications for prior univariate findings and the functional significance of the co-activated DMN are considered
The Process of Scaling Early Childhood Violence Prevention Programs in Jamaica
Get PDFViolence is a global public health problem, and early childhood interventions are a core component of violence prevention programming. Interventions to support parents and teachers of young children can prevent violence against children by caregivers and prevent the early development of antisocial behavior. However, there is limited guidance on how to scale up these programs in low- and middle-income countries. In this article, we describe how we applied implementation science principles in the design, implementation, evaluation, and initial scaling of 2 complementary early childhood, violence prevention, caregiver training programs in Jamaica: the Irie Classroom Toolbox (a teacher-training program) and the Irie Homes Toolbox (a parenting program). We identified 7 implementation science principles most relevant to our work in scaling the Irie Toolbox programs and describe how these principles were operationalized in the Jamaican context. The principles are: (1) design programs for scale from the outset; (2) use learning cycles for quality improvement; (3) plan strategically for government agency adoption; (4) provide high-quality initial and ongoing training and regular supervision; (5) monitor implementation quality; (6) use flexible delivery modes; and (7) plan for program sustainment. Through applying these principles to scale the Irie Toolbox programs, we aim to promote a consistent approach to reducing violence against children, reducing child behavior problems, and increasing caregiver and child competencies across both home and school contexts at the population level. The principles and processes described in this article are relevant to other behavior change interventions in early childhood development, education, and public health. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2023 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Can arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria facilitate 33P uptake in maize plants under water stress?
Get PDFArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are able to provide key ecosystem services, protecting plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we hypothesized that a combination of AMF (Rhizophagus clarus) and PGPR (Bacillus sp.) could enhance P uptake in maize plants under soil water stress. A microcosm experiment using mesh exclusion and a radiolabeled phosphorus tracer ( P) was installed using three types of inoculation: i) only AMF, ii) only PGPR, and iii) a consortium of AMF and PGPR, alongside a control treatment without inoculation. For all treatments, a gradient of three water-holding capacities (WHC) was considered i) 30% (severe drought), ii) 50% (moderate drought), and iii) 80% (optimal condition, no water stress). In severe drought conditions, AMF root colonization of dual-inoculated plants was significantly lower compared to individual inoculation of the AMF, whilst P uptake by dual-inoculated plants or plants inoculated with bacteria was 2.4-fold greater than the uninoculated treatment. Under moderate drought conditions the use of AMF promoted the highest P uptake by plants, increasing it by 2.1-fold, when compared to the uninoculated treatment. Without drought stress, AMF showed the lowest P uptake and, overall, plant P acquisition was lower for all inoculation types when compared to the severe and moderate drought treatments. The total shoot P content was modulated by the water-holding capacity and inoculation type, with the lowest values observed under severe drought and the highest values under moderate drought. The highest soil electrical conductivity (EC) values were found under severe drought in AMF-inoculated plants and the lowest EC for no drought in single or dual-inoculated plants. Furthermore, water-holding capacity influenced the total soil bacterial and mycorrhizal abundance over time, with the highest abundances being found under severe and moderate drought. This study demonstrates that the positive influence of microbial inoculation on P uptake by plants varied with soil water gradient. Furthermore, under severe stress conditions, AMF invested more in the production of hyphae, vesicles and spore production, indicating a significant carbon drain from the host plant as evidenced by the lack of translation of increased P uptake into biomass. Therefore, under severe drought the use of bacteria or dual-inoculation seems to be more effective than individual AMF inoculation in terms of P uptake by plants, while under moderate drought, the use of AMF stood out. [Abstract copyright: Crown Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Assessing the high concentration of vacancies in refractory high entropy alloys
Get PDFAccurate determination of monovacancy formation enthalpy is vital for work on diffusion, melting point determination of high temperature materials, radiation damage, and thermophysical stability of alloys. These enthalpies take on a single value in pure metals but is made more complex in concentrated solid solutions due to the local chemical environments possible around each vacancy. Herein, using first-principles density functional theory, we report the distributions of vacancy formation enthalpies in 21 equiatomic 5-component solid-solution alloys from the Hf-Mo-Nb-Ta-Ti-W-Zr system. Chemical disorder is treated using the special quasi-random structure method, and the chemical potential of vacant element is treated by approximating it to its total energy in its standard state. We find that the highest vacancy formation enthalpies belong to the MoNbTaTiW alloy (which incidentally is the most reported in literature) and the lowest belongs to HfNbTaTiZr, with other alloys in-between. We use the whole distribution of formation enthalpies to estimate the equilibrium concentration of vacancies as a function of temperature
Fine root dynamics in a tropical integrated crop-livestock-forestry system
Get PDFIntegrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems explore synergistic interactions between soil, plant, and animals, maximizing land-use efficiency and sustainability. However, belowground dynamics under ICLF have not been investigated deeply, particularly the role of incorporating dead root material, a forefront strategy for releasing nutrients and storing carbon. To better understand belowground interactions, we conducted a 21-month assessment of fine-root growth and decomposition in an ICLF system, starting when Eucalyptus urograndis trees were three years old. Eucalyptus rows were spaced 15 m apart and integrated with annual crops and pasture. Distances of 1.9, 4.3, and 7.5 m from the trees were evaluated under two successional periods: (i) annual crop, when corn was interspaced with palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha); and (ii) pasture, when palisade grass was grazed. We used the minirhizotron technique to track fine-root production and decomposition down to a depth of 70 cm, capturing 2400 images. Root longevity was estimated per root diameter class (0-0.5-, 0.5–1.0-, and 1.0–2.0-mm) and phenotypical groups (e.g., grasses [corn + palisade grass] and Eucalyptus). Our data showed that root decomposition rate and necromass inputs into the soil were reduced at the closest distance from the Eucalyptus rows (i.e., 1.9 m). The incorporation of decomposed roots was higher in the topsoil (0–28 cm) and declined with increasing soil depths. The total decomposed root incorporation was 101 m m−2 of soil image for 7.5 and 4.3 m inter-row positions, almost twice as high as the recorded at 1.9 m (54 m m−2) from the trees. Daily root decomposition rates increased during the last rainy season, benefited from numerous dead corn roots, and facilitated by higher soil moisture and temperature. Grasses and Eucalyptus roots at 7.5 m from the tree rows had shorter longevity than those at 1.9 m, remaining 88 and 152 days less, respectively. Root diameter influenced the decomposition rate as thicker roots (diameter between 1.0 and 2.0 mm) of grasses and Eucalyptus stood in the soil for 243 and 261 days longer than the finest roots (diamete
Doing good to be green and live clean! - Linking corporate social responsibility strategy, green innovation, and environmental performance: Evidence from Maldivian and Moroccan small and medium-sized enterprises
Get PDFCorporate social responsibility (CSR) approaches are becoming increasingly widespread as environmental performance (EP) continues to be a significant aspect of developing a firm's socioemotional wealth, such as legitimacy, trustworthiness, and image. We draw on stakeholder and natural-resources-based view theories to investigate how CSR strategies may improve environmental performance via the underlying mechanism of green innovation (GI), especially in developing countries. Useable data was collected from 367 Maldivian and Moroccan service enterprises and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS-SEM) methodology. The findings indicated that external (Environment and Community) and internal (Employees) CSR-related approaches significantly impact environmental performance. Furthermore, the study suggests a mediation effect of GI on the CSR-EP nexus. Finally, this paper opens significant directions, enriches existing theories, and provides fascinating implications for SMEs professionals
The Moderating Effect of Internal Audit Quality on the Relationship between Working Capital Management and Firm Performance: Evidence from the United Arab Emirates
Get PDFThe study investigates the moderating effect of internal audit quality (IAQ) on the relationship between working capital management (WCM) and firm performance and examines the quadratic relationship between WCM and firm performance. Using a sample of 31 large firms listed on the UAE stock exchange from 2007 to 2017, the study finds that days sales outstanding, days inventory outstanding, and cash conversion efficiency have a positive relationship with firm performance while days payment outstanding and cash conversion cycle have a negative relationship with firm performance. The results also reveal that IAQ significantly moderates the observed relationship between WCM and firm performance. Further analysis revealed that the relationship between WCM and firm performance in UAE is quadratic or non-linear. These findings have theoretical and practical implications, as they suggest that policies for improving working capital metrics should also consider internal audit recommendations in response to firm performance. The reason is that a high-IAQ provides insight that will guide WCM decision making. This is in addition to maintaining an optimal level of investment in WCM
The food bank: A safety-net in place of welfare security in times of austerity and the Covid-19 crisis
Get PDFThe food bank has become a charitable safety-net for those who have been failed by the social security system in times of austerity and during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this article we evidence the rise of food banking in the context of declining social security, examining the decade of austerity in the UK and the Covid-19 period. We also contextualise the process of normalisation of food banks as a new safety-net in a reduced welfare state. We argue that the welfare state has failed to address a fundamental ‘Want’ – namely, food security