3,773 research outputs found
Cisgenesis: an important sub-invention for traditional plant breeding companies
No full textModern plant breeding is highly dependent on new technologies to master future problems. More traits have to be combined, frequently originating from wild species. Traditional breeding is connected with linkage drag problems. The crop plant itself and its crossable species represent the traditional breeders gene pool. GM-breeding is a new way of improving existing varieties. Transgenes originate from non-crossable species and are representing a new gene pool. For release of GM-plants into the environment and onto the market in Europe Directive 2001/18/EC has been developed, primarily based on GM-technology and not on gene source. In society, opposition against GM crops is complicating the implementation of GM crops. In this paper, it is shown that not only transgenes, representing a new gene pool but also cisgenes and intragenes are available, representing the breeders gene pool. Cisgenes are natural genes and intragenes are composed of functional parts of natural genes from the crop plant itself or from crossable species. Cisgenesis is the combined use of only cisgenes with marker-free transformation, mimicking linkage drag free introgression breeding in one step. Therefore, cisgenesis is a new sub-invention in the traditional breeding field and indicates the need for reconsideration of GM Directives. Inventions are frequently containing not only hardware elements, but also software and orgware elements. For cisgenesis it is foreseen that the technical (hardware) and bioinformatic (software) elements will develop smoothly, but that implementation in society is highly dependent on acceptance and regulations (orgware). It could be made in a step by step approach by specific crop-gene derogations from the Directive, followed by adding cisgenesis to annex 1b of Directive 2001/18/EC for exemption. At present GM crops can only be introduced by large companies. An open innovation approach for cisgenesis by public private partnership including traditional SMEs has been discussed. Cisgenesis has been exemplified for resistance breeding of potato to Phytophthtora infestans
On the AJ Conjecture for Knots
No full textWe confirm the AJ conjecture [Ga2] that relates the A-polynomial and the colored Jones polynomial for hyperbolic knots satisfying certain conditions. In particular, we show that the conjecture holds true for some classes of two-bridge knots and pretzel knots. This extends the result of the first author in [Le2], who established the AJ conjecture for a large class of two-bridge knots, including all twist knots. Along the way, we explicitly calculate the universal SL₂(C)-character ring of the knot group of the (−2, 3, 2n + 1)-pretzel knot, and show it is reduced for all integers n
Differential inclusions for the Schouten tensor and nonlinear eigenvalue problems in conformal geometry
No full textLet g0 be a smooth Riemannian metric on a closed manifold Mn of dimension n ≥ 3. We study the existence of a smooth metric g conformal to g0 whose Schouten tensor Ag satisfies the differential inclusion λ(g−1Ag) ∈ Γ on Mn, where Γ ⊂ Rn is a cone satisfying standard assumptions. Inclusions
of this type are often assumed in the existence theory for
fully nonlinear elliptic equations in conformal geometry. We
assume the existence of a continuous metric g1 conformal to g0 satisfying λ(g1−1Ag1) ∈ Γ̅' in the viscosity sense on Mn, together with a nondegenerate ellipticity condition, where Γ' = Γ or Γ' is a cone slightly smaller than Γ. In fact, we prove not only the existence of metrics satisfying such differential inclusions, but also existence and uniqueness results for fully nonlinear eigenvalue problems for the Schouten tensor. We also give a number of geometric applications of our results. We show that the sign of a nonlinear eigenvalue for the σ2 operator is a conformal invariant in three dimensions. We also give a
generalisation of a theorem of Aubin & Ehrlick on pinching of the Ricci curvature, and an application in the study of Green’s functions for fully nonlinear Yamabe problems
Site specific ecological risk assessment, research with the TRIAD approach part 2
No full textThis report describes the results of a research programme on the application of the so-called TRIAD approach for site specific ecological risk assessment of soil pollution. The method means to optimise the estimation of actual ecological effects in a specific area or ecosystem, by gathering multiple evidence along various ways. The TRIAD includes three pillars consisting of chemical, toxicological and ecological measurements. Each pillar of the TRIAD can be extended over three tiers, representing low, middle and high levels of sophistication in research methods. In the second phase of the field research, three locations were investigated with emphasis on the selection of a local reference site and ecological measurements. The chemical, toxicological and ecological measurements were integrated into an effect estimation per TRIAD-unit and one overall assessment. Effects were scaled from 0 to 1 and divided into 3 colour-categories to obtain a better overview. Although most bioassays and ecological indicators were able to characterise the samples, they showed much lower effects than predicted from the measured concentrations of pollutants. The (chemical) Toxic Pressure method, based on Species Sensitivity Distributions, seems to give an overestimation of ecological effects. It is also less discriminating in situations of multiple substance pollution exceeding Serious Risk Levels.Dit rapport beschrijft de tweede fase in het praktijkonderzoek naar de bruikbaarheid van de TRIADE-benadering voor locatiespecifieke ecologische risicobeoordeling. In deze tweede fase werd gekozen voor een uitbreiding van de ecologische veldwaarnemingen en werd gestreefd naar een betere locale referenties voor verontreinigde percelen. Het is een volgende stap in de ontwikkeling van een beslissingsondersteunende methodiek, die op termijn de huidige urgentie-systematiek voor bodemverontreiniging zou kunnen aanvullen of vervangen. De verontreinigingsgraad was op twee van de drie locaties (te) hoog door de aanwezigheid van een cocktail aan stoffen. De monsters van de vloeivelden Tilburg voldeden het best aan de doelstelling om een uitgebreide TRIADE-beoordeling uit te voeren langs een gradient van matig verontreinigde gronden. De methodiek gaf ook hier een gradatie in effecten weer. Er zijn een groot aantal bodemecologische metingen uitgeprobeerd. De meeste gaven onderscheid tussen de monsters. De waargenomen effecten waren kleiner dan op grond van het TRIADE-onderdeel chemie verwacht zou worden. De keuze van een goede referentie blijkt een belangrijk en kritisch aspect in de beoordelingsmethodiek
Development of a site-specific Ecological Risk Assessment for contaminated sites: Part I. A multi-criteria based system for the selection of ecotoxicological tests and ecological observations
No full textA two modules Decision Support System (DSS-ERAMANIA) was developed in order to support the site-specific Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) for contaminated sites. Within the first module, the TRIAD and the Weight of Evidence approaches were used to develop a site-specific Ecological Risk Assessment framework including three tires of investigation. Selected ecological observations and ecotoxicological tests were compared according to Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods and expert judgment, and the obtained ranking was used to identify a suitable set of tests, at each investigation tier, to be applied to the examined case study. A simplified application of the proposed methodology, implemented in the Module 1 of the DSS-ERAMANIA, is described and discussed
Discovery of a single faint AGN in a large sample of z > 5 Lyman break galaxies
No full textAs part of a large spectroscopic survey of z > 5 Lyman break galaxies (LBGs), we have identified a single source which is clearly hosting an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Out of a sample of more than 50 spectroscopically confirmed R-band dropout galaxies at z∼ 5 and above, only J104048.6−115550.2 at z= 5.44 shows evidence for a high ionization potential emission line indicating the presence of a hard ionizing continuum from an AGN. Like most objects in our sample the rest-frame-UV spectrum shows the UV continuum breaking across a Lyα line. Uniquely within this sample of LBGs, emission from N V is also detected, a clear signature of AGN photoionization. The object is spatially resolved in Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging. This, and the comparatively high Lyα/N V flux ratio indicates that the majority of the Lyα (and the UV continuum longward of it) originates from stellar photoionization, a product of the ongoing starburst in the LBG. Even without the AGN emission, this object would have been photometrically selected and spectroscopically confirmed as a Lyman break in our survey. The measured optical flux (IAB= 26.1) is therefore an upper limit to that from the AGN and is of order 100 times fainter than the majority of known quasars at these redshifts. The detection of a single object in our survey volume is consistent with the best current models of high redshift AGN luminosity function, providing a substantial fraction of such AGN is found within luminous starbursting galaxies. We discuss the cosmological implications of this discovery
Cisgenesis, a new tool for traditional plant breeding, should be exempted from the regulation on genetically modified organisms in a step by step approach
No full textModern potato breeding requires over 100,000 seedlings per new variety. Main reasons are (1) the increasing number of traits that have to be combined in this tetraploid vegetatively propagated crop, and (2) an increasing number of traits (e.g., resistance to biotic stress) originates from wild species. Pre-breeding by introgression or induced translocation is an expensive way of transferring single traits (such as R-genes, coding for resistance to biotic stress) to the cultivated plant. The most important obstacle is simultaneous transfer of undesired neighbouring alien alleles as linkage drag. Stacking several genes from different wild sources is increasing this linkage drag problem tremendously. Biotechnology has enabled transformation of alien genes into the plant. Initially, transgenes were originating mainly from microorganisms, viruses or non-crossable plant species, or they were chimeric. Moreover, selection markers coding for antibiotic resistance or herbicide resistance were needed. Transgenes are a new gene source for plant breeding and, therefore, additional regulations like the EU Directive 2001/18/EC were developed. Because of a strong opposition against genetic modification of plants in Europe, the application of this Directive is strict, very expensive, hampering the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops and the use of this technology by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Currently, GM crops are almost the exclusive domain of multinationals. Meanwhile, not only transgenes but also natural genes from the plant species itself or from crossable plant species, called cisgenes, are available and the alien selection genes can be avoided in the end product. This opens the way for cisgenic crops without alien genes. The existing EU directive for GM organisms is not designed for this new development. The cisgenes belong to the existing breeders¿ gene pool. The use of this classical gene pool has been regulated already in agreements regarding breeders¿ rights. We are proposing a step by step approach starting with a crop and gene specific derogation and monitoring towards a general exemption of cisgenic plants from the Directive. Two examples, i.e. development of cisgenic potato for resistance to Phytophthora infestans and cisgenic apple for resistance to Venturia inaequalis are discussed shortly for illustration of the importance of cisgenesis as a new tool for traditional plant breeding. Cisgenesis is simplifying introgression and induced translocation breeding tremendously and is highly recommended for SMEs and developing countrie
The author, the text, and the (post)critic: notes on the encounter between postcritique and postcolonial criticism
No full textThe article confronts postcolonial criticism with postcritique, a proposal by Rita Felski for a hermeneutic strategy aiming to overcome the limits of critique. Because of its self-reflexivity, its liaison with poststructuralism, and the societal categories it mobilizes, postcritics often see postcolonial criticism as a quintessential example of critique. However, postcolonial authors share similar concerns as postcritics, particularly when warning against any hasty conflation between intellectual work and political commitment. This article argues that the postcritical understanding of critique eschews the connection between critique and the realm of culture, thereby running the risk of doing away with context altogether. In order to account for the frameworks or contexts in which cultural objects are produced, without falling into some of the pitfalls of critique that postcritique aims to counter, the article proposes to look at the figure of the author as a bridge between the individual and the collective, as Edward Said suggests. The article closes with an analysis of several (critical and postcritical) readings of J. M. Coetzee’s The Childhood of Jesus to provide an example of how authorship can enter the interpretive scene through the figure of ‘late style’
Exploring the roles, effectiveness and impact of health information professionals within evidence based practice
No full textThis is the thesis (critical appraisal) component of a PhD by Published Works. The overall submission was a portfolio of ten published papers supported by a critical appraisal focusing on two key areas: an exploration of the roles that Health Information Professionals (HIPs) can play within evidence based practice (EBP) and an exploration of the effectiveness and impact of the traditional supportive role played by HIPs within EBP. The published papers are listed and referenced within this document but not contained within it. The majority are available elsewhere within the University of Salford Institutional Repository.Drawing on a model developed from the library literature, the thesis highlights a wide range of supportive and active roles that HIPs can potentially play within EBP. This model is informed and illuminated by the studies within the portfolio that demonstrate how the author has fulfilled a wide range of these roles in practice, and identified a new role within systematic reviews in health and social care. This demonstrates that HIPs can transfer their skills outside their traditional library and information practice domain, thus extending theirrole and offering a range of professional opportunities.Using a varied range of research methodologies, the thesis also explores the effectiveness and impact of the contribution made by HIPs when using traditional skills to support EBP. Two models are used to illustrate the outcomes to which HIPs contribute. These include improving search skills and providing evidence which can, over the longer term, contribute to policy making and patient care. At present the weight of the evidence presented tosupport these links is weak. Methodological issues and future research that needs to be addressed to improve the strength of the evidence base are therefore highlighted and discussed
The XMM-Newton long look of NGC 1365: uncovering of the obscured X-ray source
No full textWe present an analysis of the extreme obscuration variability observed during an XMM–Newton 5-d continuous monitoring of the active galactic nuclei (AGN) in NGC 1365. The source was in a reflection-dominated state in the first ∼1.5 d, then a strong increase in the 7–10 keV emission was observed in ∼10 h, followed by a symmetric decrease. The spectral analysis of the different states clearly shows that this variation is due to an uncovering of the X-ray source. From this observation, we estimate a size of the X-ray source DS < 1013 cm, a distance of the obscuring clouds R∼ 1016 cm and a density n∼ 1011 cm−3. These values suggest that the X-ray absorption/reflection originates from the broad-line region clouds. This is also supported by the resolved width of the iron narrow Kα emission line, consistent with the width of the broad Hβ line
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