Genetics of multiple disease resistance in a doubled-haploid population of barley

The barley accession Q21861 possesses resistance to the stem-rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici), leaf-rust (P. hordei), and powdery-mildew (Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei) pathogens. An anther-culture-derived doubled-haploid population was produced from F₁ plants from a cross of this accession and the susceptible breeding line SM89010 as a means of rapidly and efficiently determining the genetics of multiple disease resistance. The doubled-haploid population segregated 1:1 (resistant:susceptible) for resistance to the stem rust pathotype QCC indicating the involvement of a single resistance gene, rpg4. Two-gene (3:1) and one-gene (1:1) segregation ratios were observed for resistance to the stem-rust pathotype MCC at low (23–25°c) and high (27–29°C) temperature, respectively. These different segregation patterns were due to a pathotype × temperature interaction exhibited by rpg4 and Rpg1. another stem-rust-resistance gene present in Q21861. One-gene and two-gene segregation ratios were observed in reaction to the leaf rust and powdery mildew pathogens. These data demonstrate the utility of doubled haploid populations for determining the genetics of multiple disease resistance in barley.     

Rheological properties of concentrated skim milk: influence of heat treatment and genetic variants on the changes in viscosity during storage

Heat treatment during manufacturing of milk powder is one of the most important tools for manipulation of its functional properties, and it is the basis of the classification of these proteins into low-, medium-, and high-heat types. Slight differences in the sequences of the major proteins in milk (genetic variants) seem to have also a significant effect in milk powder processing (U.S. patent). Therefore, the effects of high-temperature storage and heat treatment on skim milk of defined genetic variants of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) were measured. The samples had 45% total solids, the temperature of aging was 50 degrees C, and the heat treatment was 90 degrees C for 10 min prior to evaporation. Measurements on shear rate and on apparent viscosity were determined for each sample. During storage of the concentrated milk, the apparent viscosity and yield values increased markedly, and the age-dependent increase in viscosity in heat-treated concentrated skim milks was much more pronounced than in those prepared from unheated skim milks. The increase in apparent viscosity and yield value with storage time was notably different for milks containing different genetic variants. Unheated concentrated milks containing the B variant of beta-LG showed the most rapid increase in apparent viscosity with storage time, whereas the viscosity increase was slowest in the concentrate containing the A variant. In contrast, heat-treated concentrated milks containing the A variant of beta-LG showed the most rapid increase in viscosity with storage time, whereas the viscosity increase was slowest in the concentrate containing the AB variant. The changes in apparent viscosity of concentrated milk were largely reversible under high shear during the early stages of storage, but samples stored for a long time showed irreversible changes in apparent viscosity. Particle size analysis confirmed irreversible aggregation and fusion of casein particles during storage.     

Impact of land-use changes and sedimentation on the Muhammad Nur Reservoir, South Kalimantan, Indonesia

The Muhammad Nur Reservoir (MNR) is a major multipurpose reservoir located on the Riam Kanan River in the Indonesian Province of South Kalimantan. The MNR has a high sediment trap efficiency and there is concern that accelerated erosion in the catchment, resulting from inappropriate land use, poses a significant threat to the storage capacity and effective life span of the reservoir. Furthermore, on-going deforestation of large parts of the catchment may have changed the inflow pattern to the reservoir. This paper uses data from fieldwork and published information from different sources to examine the extent of erosion and sedimentation in the catchment and the sediment delivery to the reservoir. Water level variations in the reservoir over a 22-year period are examined for changes that might indicate an alteration of the hydrologic balance in the catchment.     

Development of vaccination strategies for the management of rabies in African wild dogs

The standard objective of a vaccination strategy is to reduce the reproductive ratio, R₀, defined as the number of secondary host infections arising directly from introduction of a single infected individual into an otherwise fully susceptible population, to below 1. This ensures that only very small outbreaks are likely to arise. However, this objective usually requires a high level of vaccination coverage that is often expensive and logistically difficult to achieve. For the purposes of conserving rare species that are threatened by outbreaks of infectious disease, population persistence may be assured by a vaccination strategy designed to suppress only the largest outbreaks of disease that reduce the population to below a minimum viable population size. Such strategies targeting only a viable minimal ‘core’ of the population are likely to be logistically less demanding. Here we explore how these core vaccination strategies might be designed for African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), an endangered canid species whose remaining populations are threatened by rabies outbreaks. We develop and analyse a population viability model with an explicit epidemiological model embedded within it. The model predicts that core vaccination campaigns, using vaccines that provide two years of immunity, and targets 30-40% of individuals within a population every 1-2 years would be successful in ensuring persistence of small populations, and required coverage levels can be even lower in larger populations. This strategy appears robust to synchronized introduction of rabies into packs, possible Allee effects, and the use of vaccines providing only one year of immunity.     

Olive fruit cell wall: degradation of pectic polysaccharides during ripening

Olive fruits at three stages of ripening (green, cherry, and black) have been studied. After cell wall isolation, the compositions of the cell wall and that of the phosphate-soluble polysaccharides were determined. In cell walls, decreases in arabinose, xylose, glucose, and uronic acid levels were observed, together with a slight increase in mannose on ripening. At the beginning of ripening, fragments of pectic polymers were the major constituents of the phosphate-soluble fraction, with the hemicellulosic ones increasing toward the end of the process. The molecular weight of the fragments solubilized was approximately 6 kDa. After cell wall fractionation, the pectic polysaccharides soluble in imidazole and sodium carbonate were also studied. In both fractions, between the green and cherry stages of ripening, a significant loss of homogalacturonans took place. Between the cherry and black stages of ripening, rhamnogalacturonan side chains were also released in addition to homogalacturonans. In any of the pectic fractions, changes in apparent molecular weight were quantified.     

Oxidation of the flavonol quercetin by polyphenol oxidase

Because direct oxidation of flavonols by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) has not previously been reported and, given the importance of flavonols, the ability of broad bean seed PPO to oxidize the flavonol quercetin was studied. The reaction was followed by recording spectral changes with time. Maximal spectral changes were observed at 291 nm (increase) and at 372 nm (decrease). The presence of two isosbectic points (at 272 and 342 nm) suggested the formation of only one absorbent product. These spectral changes were not observed in the absence of PPO. The oxidation rate, which varied with pH, was highest at pH 5.0. The following kinetic parameters were also determined: V(m) = 11 microM/min, K(m) = 646 microM, V(m)/K(m) = 17 x 10(-)(2) min(-)(1). Flavonol oxidation was efficiently inhibited (K(I) = 3.5 microM) by specific PPO inhibitors such as 4-hexylresorcinol. The results obtained showed that quercetin oxidation was strictly dependent on the presence of PPO.     

Free galactose concentrations in fresh and stored apples (Malus domestica) and processed apple products

Gas chromatography was used to quantitate free galactose in Braeburn, Fuji, Red Delicious, and Spartan apples during cold storage, after thermal processing of apple slices and in juice produced using clarification and/or liquifaction enzymes. Spartan had significantly higher galactose levels as compared to Red Delicious apples, but changes in galactose in all varieties during 9 months of cold storage were insignificant. Blanching and canning decreased galactose levels, but doubling the thermal processing during canning increased the free galactose concentration detected in plant tissue. An enzymatic liquefaction aid used to prepare apple juice dramatically increased the free galactose content while a clarification aid caused only a slight increase due to its selective action on soluble pectin. These findings provide useful information for dietitians to base diet recommendations for galactosemic patients.     

Investigation into the population growth and its implications for primary schooling in Timor‐Leste by 2020

The nation‐building process of Timor‐Leste, the newest nation in Asia, faces significant demographic challenges due to its high population growth, which is the fastest in Asia. The major contributor for this unprecedented growth is the extremely high total fertility rate of Timor‐Leste, among the highest in the world. It is of great concern that if the current fertility rate and its implied population growth continue the population of Timor‐Leste will double in 17 years. The analysis in this paper clearly shows that the current extremely high dependency ratio will decline only marginally in the next 10 years and this will put tremendous pressure on the government to constantly keep up with the increasing number of children entering school every year. However, as the intrinsic value of human resource development feeds back into the overall society and economy, an adequate public investment in knowledge‐producing services at the earliest stages of life and throughout that life has the potential to change the demographic concern of Timor‐Leste into a future demographic dividend.     

水稻整米率稳定性的估计

本文提出了测定水稻品种对环境稳定性的一个新参数,采用这一参数对美国加利福尼亚州多年多点的水稻品种整米率进行稳定性分析的结果表明,稳定性与熟期类型在统计上有一定的相关性,即整米率稳定性依晚熟品种、早熟品种、特早熟品种而顺序降低,回归分析说明整米率的稳定性有随整米率的提高而增加的趋向,本文还讨论了稳定性系数的优点和局限性。