Major recent and independent changes in levels and patterns of expression have occurred at the b gene, a regulatory locus in maize

The b locus encodes a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes that produce purple anthocyanin pigment. Different b alleles are expressed in distinct tissues, causing tissue-specific anthocyanin production. Understanding how phenotypic diversity is produced and maintained at the b locus should provide models for how other regulatory genes, including those that influence morphological traits and development, evolve. We have investigated how different levels and patterns of pigmentation have evolved by determining the phenotypic and evolutionary relationships between 18 alleles that represent the diversity of b alleles in Zea mays. Although most of these alleles have few phenotypic differences, five alleles have very distinct tissue-specific patterns of pigmentation. Superimposing the phenotypes on the molecular phylogeny reveals that the alleles with strong and distinctive patterns of expression are closely related to alleles with weak expression, implying that the distinctive patterns have arisen recently. We have identified apparent insertions in three of the five phenotypically distinct alleles, and the fourth has unique upstream restriction fragment length polymorphisms relative to closely related alleles. The insertion in B-Peru has been shown to be responsible for its unique expression and, in the other two alleles, the presence of the insertion correlates with the phenotype. These results suggest that major changes in gene expression are probably the result of large-scale changes in DNA sequence and/or structure most likely mediated by transposable elements.

Ecological intensification of cereal production systems: Yield potential, soil quality, and precision agriculture

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and maize (Zea mays L.) provide about two-thirds of all energy in human diets, and four major cropping systems in which these cereals are grown represent the foundation of human food supply. Yield per unit time and land has increased markedly during the past 30 years in these systems, a result of intensified crop management involving improved germplasm, greater inputs of fertilizer, production of two or more crops per year on the same piece of land, and irrigation. Meeting future food demand while minimizing expansion of cultivated area primarily will depend on continued intensification of these same four systems. The manner in which further intensification is achieved, however, will differ markedly from the past because the exploitable gap between average farm yields and genetic yield potential is closing. At present, the rate of increase in yield potential is much less than the expected increase in demand. Hence, average farm yields must reach 70–80% of the yield potential ceiling within 30 years in each of these major cereal systems. Achieving consistent production at these high levels without causing environmental damage requires improvements in soil quality and precise management of all production factors in time and space. The scope of the scientific challenge related to these objectives is discussed. It is concluded that major scientific breakthroughs must occur in basic plant physiology, ecophysiology, agroecology, and soil science to achieve the ecological intensification that is needed to meet the expected increase in food demand.

A defective signal peptide in the maize high-lysine mutant floury 2.

The maize floury 2 (fl2) mutation enhances the lysine content of the grain, but the soft texture of the endosperm makes it unsuitable for commercial production. The mutant phenotype is linked with the appearance of a 24-kDa alpha-zein protein and increased synthesis of binding protein, both of which are associated with irregularly shaped protein bodies. We have cloned the gene encoding the 24-kDa protein and show that it is expressed as a 22-kDa alpha-zein with an uncleaved signal peptide. Comparison of the deduced N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 24-kDa alpha-zein protein with other alpha-zeins revealed an alanine to valine substitution at the C-terminal position of the signal peptide, a histidine insertion within the seventh alpha-helical repeat, and an alanine to threonine substitution with the same alpha-helical repeat of the protein. Structural defects associated with this alpha-zein explain many of the phenotypic effects of the fl2 mutation.

Skill formation in Britain and Germany: Recent developments in the context of traditional differences. CES Germany & Europe Working Papers, No.06.1, 2006

This paper proposes a comparison of skill formation in Germany and Britain over the last decades. Taking historical trends into account, the two cases can be regarded as representing different types of skill production regimes. Institu-tional features include a relatively low degree of standardization of training and a larger amount of on-the-job training in Britain. In Germany, post-compulsory training has been conducted predominantly within the dual system of vocational training, underlining the vocational specificity of a large part of the labor market. As a consequence, international differences in individual skill investments, transitions from school to work and other life-course patterns can be observed. At least in Britain, however, the situation seems to have changed considerably during the 1990s. The paper argues that the divergence in more recent developments can still be understood as an expression of historical path-dependency given the traditional connections between the post-compulsory training system and the broader societal context in which it is embedded. These concern, in particular, links with the system of general and academic education as the basis for – and also a possible competitor with – vocational training; links with the labor market as they are indicated by specific skill requirements and returns to qualifications; and, links with the order of social stratification in the form of the selective acquisition and the social consequences of these qualifications. The links manifest themselves as typical individual-level consequences and decisions. Founded on the basis of these distinctions, the aim of this paper is to investigate the preceding conditions for recent developments in the qualification systems of Britain and Germany, which have adapted to specific challenges during the last decades.

A question of segregation: ‘ GM - free’ maize bread in Portugal

We describe the maize supply chain in Portugal for maize bread, a traditional bread type. As this bread is not labelled as ‘contains genetically modified organisms’ it should not contain more than 0.9 per cent genetically modified ingredients. On the basis of interviews we identify a general lack of documentation of the presence or absence of genetically modified ingredients along the complete supply chain (farmers, traders, mills and bakeries). Part of this deficiency is probably driven by a lack of awareness of the labelling rules at the end of the supply chain.

Impaired renal endothelial nitric oxide synthase and reticulocyte production as modulators of hypertension induced by recombinant human erythropoietin in the rat

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Hypertension is a common side effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy; however, the exact pathways remain to be elucidated. The discovery of non-hematopoietic actions of rHuEPO increased the number of patients that could putatively benefit from this therapy; however, to achieve those effects higher doses are usually needed, which increase the risk and incidence of adverse events. Our aim was to study the effect of a broad range of rHuEPO doses on hematological and biochemical parameters, blood pressure and renal function and damage in the rat, focusing on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided in 5 groups receiving different doses of rHuEPO (100, 200, 400 and 600 IU/kg body weight (BW)/week) and saline solution (control), during 3 weeks. Blood and 24h urine were collected to perform hematological and biochemical analysis. Blood pressure (BP) was measured by the tail-cuff method. The kidney tissue was collected to mRNA and protein expression assays and to characterize renal lesions. RESULTS: A dose-dependent increase in red blood cells count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels was found with rHuEPO therapy, in rHuEPO200, rHuEPO400 and rHuEPO600 groups. Increased reticulocyte count was found in the rHuEPO400 and rHuEPO600 groups. BP raised in all groups receiving rHuEPO. The rHuEPO200 and rHuEPO600 groups presented increased kidney protein levels of HIF2α and a reduction in kidney protein levels of eNOS, along with the highest grade of vascular and tubular renal lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that rHuEPO-induced hypertension might involve indirect (hematological) and direct (renal) effects which varies according to the dose used. Thus, rHuEPO therapy should be performed rationally and under adequate surveillance, as hypertension develops even with lower doses. Especial caution with higher doses should be taken, as rHuEPO-induced hypertension leads to early renal damage without alterations in traditional markers of renal function, thus masking the serious adverse effects and risks.

Utilização do pato de Pequim no controlo de infestantes em milho biológico

Resumo A presente dissertação visou avaliar o efeito da utilização do pato de Pequim no controlo de infestantes em milho biológico em comparação com o método clássico da sacha e da sacha/amontoa, avaliando a percentagem de cobertura das infestantes no solo e a produtividade do milho. Para além disso, pretendeu-se, ainda, perceber em que estádio vegetativo do milho os patos já não provocavam danos consideráveis na cultura. A investigação decorreu entre maio e outubro de 2015, em Coimbra, na superfície agrícola da ESAC, em 0,2 ha da área certificada em Agricultura Biológica, utilizando milho da variedade regional Pigarro. Os patos foram adquiridos com 4 semanas e abatidos às 12 semanas, tendo-se avaliado o seu crescimento nesse período. O pastoreio com patos, em diferentes estados vegetativos da cultura (Ve, V3 e V5 - germinação e emergência, três e cinco folhas completamente desenvolvidas, respetivamente), não permitiu afirmar com rigor qual o estádio vegetativo em que os animais já não provocavam danos. Analisando e comparando o pastoreio com patos após a 1ª sacha, após a sacha/amontoa e o método clássico, concluiu-se que tanto a cobertura do solo pelas infestantes quanto a produção de milho Pigarro (kg/ha) não variaram significativamente, para α = 0,05, após realização de análise de variância de fator único. Os resultados obtidos, embora preliminares e carecendo de continuidade de estudos, permitem, no entanto, indiciar que as opções ensaiadas podem vir a substituir o método clássico e serem alternativas válidas no combate às infestantes em milho biológico. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Pato de Pequim; Milho biológico; Infestantes; Cobertura; Pastoreio. iii Abstract This dissertation aimed to evaluate the effect of using the Peking duck for weed control in organic corn compared to the classical method of hoeing and weeding / earthing up, assessing the percentage of coverage of weeds in soil and corn yield. Furthermore, it was also intended to realize in what corn's vegetative stage, ducks no longer caused considerable damage to the crop. The research took place between May and October 2015, in Coimbra, in the ESAC's agricultural area of 0.2 ha certified in organic farming, using corn's regional variety, Throat clearing. The ducks were purchased at 4 weeks old and slaughtered at the 12th week, while their growth in this period was estimated. The grazing with ducks in different vegetative states of culture (Ve, V3 and V5 - germination and emergence, three and five fully developed leaves, respectively), didn't allow us to say with accuracy in what vegetative stage the animals no longer caused damage. Analyzing and comparing grazing with ducks after 1st weeding, after weeding / ridging and the classical method, it was concluded that both the soil cover by weeds as the Throat clearing corn production (kg / ha) did not vary significantly, for α = 0.05, after performing single- factor analysis of variance. The results, although preliminary and lacking continuity studies allow, however, to indicate that the tested options may come to replace the traditional method and be valid alternatives to combat weeds in biological maize. KEY-WORDS: Peking Duck; organic corn; weeds; Roof; Pasturing.

Evaluating Neural Futures: Good Technoscience and the Challenge of Co-Production

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-06

A simulation model of cereal-legume intercropping systems for semi-arid regions II. Model application

Smallholder farmers in Africa practice traditional cropping techniques such as intercropping. Intercropping is thought to offer higher productivity and resource milisation than sole cropping. In this study, risk associated with maize-bean intercropping was evaluated by quantifying long-term yield in both intercropping and sole cropping in a semi-arid region of South Africa (Bloemfontein, Free State) with reference to rainfall variability. The crop simulation model was run with different cultural practices (planting date and plant density) for 52 summer crop growing seasons (1950/1951-2001/2002). Eighty-one scenarios, consisted of three levels of initial soil water, planting date, maize population, and bean population, were simulated. From the simulation outputs, the total land equivalent ratio (LER) was greater than one. The intercrop (equivalent to sole maize) had greater energy value (EV) than sole beans, and the intercrop (equivalent to sole beans) had greater monetary value (MV) than sole maize. From these results, it can be concluded that maize-bean intercropping is advantageous for this semi-arid region. Soil water at planting was the most important factor of all scenario factors, followed by planting date. Irrigation application at planting, November/December planting and high plant density of maize for EV and beans for MV can be one of the most effective cultural practices in the study region. With regard to rainfall variability, seasonal (October-April) rainfall positively affected EV and MV, but not LER. There was more intercrop production in La Nina years than in El Nino years. Thus, better cultural practices may be selected to maximize maize-bean intercrop yields for specific seasons in the semi-arid region based on the global seasonal outlook. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microbial hyaluronic acid production

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a commercially valuable medical biopolymer increasingly produced through microbial fermentation. Viscosity limits product yield and the focus of research and development has been on improving the key quality parameters, purity and molecular weight. Traditional strain and process optimisation has yielded significant improvements, but appears to have reached a limit. Metabolic engineering is providing new opportunities and HA produced in a heterologous host is about to enter the market. In order to realise the full potential of metabolic engineering, however, greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying chain termination is required.

Effect of nitrogen supply on leaf appearance, leaf growth, leaf nitrogen economy and photosynthetic capacity in maize (Zea mays L.)

Leaf area growth and nitrogen concentration per unit leaf area, N-a (g m(-2) N) are two options plants can use to adapt to nitrogen limitation. Previous work indicated that potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) adapts the size of leaves to maintain Na and photosynthetic capacity per unit leaf area. This paper reports on the effect of N limitation on leaf area production and photosynthetic capacity in maize, a C4 cereal. Maize was grown in two experiments in pots in glasshouses with three (0.84-6.0 g N pot(-1)) and five rates (0.5-6.0 g pot(-1)) of N. Leaf tip and ligule appearance were monitored and final individual leaf area was determined. Changes with leaf age in leaf area, leaf N content and light-saturated photosynthetic capacity, P a,, were measured on two leaves per plant in each experiment. The final area of the largest leaf and total plant leaf area differed by 16 and 29% from the lowest to highest N supply, but leaf appearance rate and the duration of leaf expansion were unaffected. The N concentration of expanding leaves (N-a or %N in dry matter) differed by at least a factor 2 from the lowest to highest N supply. A hyperbolic function described the relation between P-max and N-a. The results confirm the 'maize strategy': leaf N content, photosynthetic capacity, and ultimately radiation use efficiency is more sensitive to nitrogen limitation than are leaf area expansion and light interception. The generality of the findings is discussed and it is suggested that at canopy level species showing the 'potato strategy' can be recognized from little effect of nitrogen supply on radiation use efficiency, while the reverse is true for species showing the 'maize strategy' for adaptation to N limitation. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Production and operations managers and logistics managers: a cross-country comparison

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the contribution of production and operations managers (POMs) and logistics managers (LMs) in improving manufacturing and service operations, comparing experiences in Australia and Britain. Design/methodology/approach – The findings are based on surveys of the two occupations in the two countries. Thus, the focus is on comparing and contrasting two strategically placed occupations within the supply chain and in two traditional manufacturing economies in developed countries, in opposing hemispheres of the world. Findings – The working lives of 254 Australian and 195 British POMs and 303 Australian and 168 British LMs are explored to see how well prepared they are for the business challenges of today, whether they see the need for changes in the ways in which they work and what satisfactions they derive from their worlds of work? Practical implications – Insights are provided for senior management into the deployment and personal and professional development needs of two key occupations within supply chain management. Originality/value – The findings from the research give fresh insights into the ways in which managers in the two areas of responsibilities in the two countries.view their worlds of work.

The production, harvest and adsorptive recovery of an infectious herpes simplex virus vaccine

At present there is not a reliable vaccine against herpes virus. Viral protein vaccines as yet have proved unsuccessful to meet the challenge of raising an appropriate immune response. Cantab Pharmaceuticals has produced a virus vaccine that can undergo one round of replication in the recipient in order to produce a more specific immune reaction. This virus is called Disabled Infectious Single Cycle Herpes Simplex Virus (DISC HSV) which has been derived by deleting the essential gH gene from a type 2 herpes virus. This vaccine has been proven to be effective in animal studies. Existing methods for the purification of viruses rely on laboratory techniques and for vaccine production would be on a far too small a scale. There is therefore a need for new virus purification methods to be developed in order to meet these large scale needs. An integrated process for the manufacture of a purified recombinant DISC HSV is described. The process involves culture of complementing Vero (CR2) cells, virus infection and manufacture, virus harvesting and subsequent downstream processing. The identification of suitable growth parameters for the complementing cell line and optimal limes for both infection and harvest are addressed. Various traditional harvest methods were investigated and found not to be suitable for a scaled up process. A method of harvesting, that exploits the elution of cell associated viruses by the competitive binding of exogenous heparin to virus envelope gC proteins, is described and is shown to yield significantly less contaminated process streams than sonication or osmotic approaches that involve cell rupture (with> 10-fold less complementing cell protein). High concentrations of salt (>0.8M NaCl) exhibit the same effect, although the high osmotic strength ruptures cells and increase the contamination of the process stream. This same heparin-gC protein affinity interaction is also shown to provide an efficient adsorptive purification procedure for herpes viruses which avoids the need to pre-treat the harvest material, apart from clarification, prior to chromatography. Subsequent column eluates provide product fractions with a 100-fold increase in virus titre and low levels of complementing cell protein and DNA (0.05 pg protein/pfu and 1.2 x 104 pg DNA/pfu respectively).

Design and construction for traditional house building

This study is concerned with quality and productivity aspects of traditional house building. The research focuses on these issues by concentrating on the services and finishing stages of the building process. These are work stages which have not been fully investigated in previous productivity related studies. The primary objective of the research is to promote an integrated design and construction led approach to traditional house building based on an original concept of 'development cycles'. This process involves the following: site monitoring; the analysis of work operations; implementing design and construction changes founded on unique information collected during site monitoring; and subsequent re-monitoring to measure and assess Ihe effect of change. A volume house building firm has been involved in this applied research and has allowed access to its sites for production monitoring purposes. The firm also assisted in design detailing for a small group of 'experimental' production houses where various design and construction changes were implemented. Results from the collaborative research have shown certain quality and productivity improvements to be possible using this approach, albeit on a limited scale at this early experimental stage. The improvements have been possible because an improved activity sampling technique, developed for, and employed by the study, has been able to describe why many quality and productivity related problems occur during site building work. Experience derived from the research has shown the following attributes to be important: positive attitudes towards innovation; effective communication; careful planning and organisation; and good coordination and control at site level. These are all essential aspects of quality led management and determine to a large extent the overall success of this approach. Future work recommendations must include a more widespread use of innovative practices so that further design and construction modifications can be made. By doing this, productivity can be improved, cost savings made and better quality afforded.

Technical innovation in industrial production

New techniques in manufacturing, popularly referred to as mechanization and automation, have been a preoccupation of social and economic theorists since the industrial revolution. A selection of relevant literature is reviewed, including the neoclassical economic treatment of technical change. This incorporates alterations to the mathematical production function and an associated increase in the efficiency with which the factors of production are converted into output. Other work emphasises the role of research and development and the process of diffusion, whereby new production techniques are propagated throughout industry. Some sociological writings attach importance to the type of production technology and its effect on the organisational structure and social relations within the factory. Nine detailed case studies are undertaken of examples of industrial innovation in the rubber, automobile, vehicle components, confectionery and clothing industries. The old and new techniques are compared for a range of variables, including capital equipment, labour employed, raw materials used, space requirements and energy consumption, which in most cases exhibit significant change with the innovation. The rate of output, labour productivity, product quality, maintenance requirements and other aspects are also examined. The process by which the change in production method was achieved is documented, including the development of new equipment and the strategy of its introduction into the factory, where appropriate. The firm, its environment, and the attitude of different sectors of the workforce are all seen to play a part in determining the motives for and consequences which flow from the innovations. The traditional association of technical progress with its labour-saving aspect, though an accurate enough description of the cases investigated, is clearly seen to afford an inadequate perspective for the proper understanding of this complex phenomenon, which also induces change in a wide range of other social, economic and technical variables.