bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pemikiran Fazlur Rahman Mengenai Politik Islam
Authors: Ryzka Dwi Kurnia
Published: December 2021

Fazlur Rahman is a thinker of Islamic neo-modernism who wants to actualize the teachings of Islam in a unified and solid framework, where one aspect and the other are interrelated. Through this approach, he wants the Qur'an to be understood in an integral and total way, so that things that are considered contradictory no longer exist. This effort is his obsession so that humans can capture the messages of the Qur'an holistically. Departing from his concern for the global problems facing Muslims, he offers a solution that is grounded in the differences between normative Islam and historical Islam. From this distinction, Fazlur Rahman conducted a comprehensive reconstruction of Islamic scholarship. The reconstruction he did refers to the original and definite Islam. For this reason, he suggested that the Qur'an as the main source of Islam needs to be interpreted as a whole and not to interpret it fragmentarism (paragraph verses), namely an interpretation that is able to understand the Qur'an as a whole, so that the theological, legal, political aspects and ethics in the teachings of the Qur'an into a unified whole. Fazlur Rahman argues that the purpose of the Qur'an is to establish an ethical and egalitarian society. So, Islamic society is formed because of Islamic ideology. The ideal condition of the Islamic social order is "which calls for good and prevents evil". This is in order to realize the implementation of politics based on Islamic ideology which cannot be separated from the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Ruh Sağlığı, Benlik Saygısı ve Başarı Yöneliminin İncelenmesine Yönelik Bir Araştırma
Authors: Alp Servet , Özer Özlem
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships among mental health, self-esteem, and achievement goals variables in health management students. Another aim of the study is to determine whether self-esteem has a moderating role in the effect of mental health on achievement goals. The universe of the study consists of students studying in the health management department of a university. No sample selection was made in the study and data were obtained from 386 students. As a result of the analysis, the mean score of the answers given by the students to the mental health scale was 2.64; the mean score of their answers to the achievement goals scale was 3.86, and the mean score of their answers to the self-esteem scale was 3.26. According to the results of the regression analysis performed in the study, it has been determined that perceived mental health explains 13.8% of the total variance on achievement goals, perceived self-esteem explains 14.9% of the total variance on achievement goals, and perceived mental health explains 9.3% of the total variance on self-esteem. In addition, the study found that self-esteem has a moderating role in the relationship between mental health and achievement goals.
The Study of Primordial Germ Cell Development as a Tool for Gene Transfer in Chickens
Authors: Petitte James , Eyal-Giladi Hefzibah , Ginsburg Malka
Published: December 2021

The ability to introduce novel genetic material into the genome of commercial poultry has been impeded by a lack of kowledge regarding the origin in the early embryo of the target cell of interest, namely, the germ cell. Hence, this project investigated the emergence of primordial germ cells (PGCs) during the early development of the avian embryo to aid in efforts to produce transgenic poultry on a routine basis. The strategy was to introduce foreign DNA into the area of the unincubated embryo that is destined to give rise to the germ line. The objectives of this project were: 1) to identify and localize a subpopulation of cells in the early embryo which will give rise to PGCs, 2) to determine the best location and stage of development to transfer donor cells for efficient germline chimerism, and 3) to transfect donor cells to produce transgenic/germline chimeric embryos. We show that by using the monoclonal antibody SSEA-1 and by various cell culture techniques that germ cells appear to segregate from the somatic lineages at St. X., a process that is gradual and continues through St. XIV. Using microsurgical transplantation between quail and chick embryos, we demonstrated that the inner 1/3 of the area pellucida between states X-XII gives rise to about 2/3 of the germ cell population at the time of their residence in the germinal crescent. Because of the non-localized emergence of PGCs, attempts to introduce foreign DNA into clonal precursors of germ cells through liposome-mediated transfection yielded unacceptable levels of efficiency. However, through our investigation of germ cell origins, an in vitro model of germ cell differentiation was developed that could offer a means of determining the factors required for the long term culture of avian PGCs thereby providing a convenient means of manipulating the avian genome.
Price Evaluation and Allocation of Water under Alternative Water Rights Systems
Authors: Zilberman David , Hochman Eithan
Published: December 2021

This project developed conceptual and empirical frameworks to analyze the water management politics as water scarcity increases. The analyses showed that increased scarcity will tend to encourage a transition from systems in which water is allocated administratively to water trading. However, transaction costs and political economy considerations placed barriers on the introduction of markets. The recent droughts - both in Israel and California were shown to cause an increase in water use efficiency by adoption of modern technologies and improvement of water conveyance systems. The drought led to institutional innovations and an increased reliance on trading as mechanisms for water allocation. Case studies from both countries demonstrate that reducing barriers to water trading and increasing farmers' flexibility in exchange of water will lead to efficient outcomes and much better uses of existing water resources.
Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Biological Control Agents of Ticks
Authors: Samish Michael , Kocan K.M. , Glazer Itamar
Published: December 2021

This research project was aimed to create a basis for the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae an Heterorhabditidae) for biological control of ticks. The specific objectives were to determinate: 1) Nematode virulence to various. 2) Host-parasite interactions of nametodes and ticks. 3) Effect of environmental factors of tick habitats on nematode activity. 4) To test nematodes (anti tick activity) in defined field trials. Throughout the project 12 nematode strains from five species were tested in laboratory assays against all developmental stages of eight tick species. All tick species were found susceptible to nematode infection. The nematode strains the IS-5 and IS-12 of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora were found to be the most virulent. Engorged adults, particularly females, were the most susceptible stages. Despite the high susceptibility, ticks are not suitable hosts for nematode development and propagation. Entomopathogenic namatodes enter ticks and kill them by releasing the symbiotic bacteria from their foregut. Under favorable conditions, i.e. moist soil, moderate temperature (22-27oC) and sandy soil, nematode efficacy against B. annulatus engorged females was very high (>5% w/w) and high animal manure concentration in soil adversely effect nematode efficacy. In field trails, nematodes were effective when soil moisture was maintained at high levels. The results indicate that under favorable conditions the nematodes show promise as a biological control method for ticks. However, we still face several potential obstacles to the use of nematodes under less favorable conditions.
An In Vitro and In Vivo Investigation of the Diverse Biological Activities of Bovine Placental Lactogen
Authors: Spiers Donald , Gertler Arieh , Johnson Harold , Spain James
Published: December 2021

In order to understand the structure-function relationship of bovine placental lactogen (bPL) and initiate production of material for in vivo testing, 28 different bPL analogues were prepared by either truncation or site-directed mutagenesis. The effect of these mutations was determined by measuring binding capacity, ability to homodimerize extracellular domains (ECDs) of several lactogenic and somatogenic receptors, and by in vitro bioassays. Two analogues were prepared in large amounts for in vivo studies. These studies (a) identified the residues responsible for the somatogenic activity of bPL (K73, G133, T188) and for both lactogenic and somatogenic activity (N-terminus, K185, Y190); (b) allowed preparation of bPL analogues with selectively abolished or reduced somatogenic activity; and (c) provided a tool to understand the kinetic difference between lactogenic and somatogenic receptors. In vivo studies using rodent and dairy models showed that bovine growth hormone (bGH) is superior to bPL in stimulating growth and lactation. Likewise, bGH has greater somatogenic activity in different age groups and thermal environments. Initial studies of bPL analog T188 suggest that its lactogenic potential is superior to bGH. Effective experimental models have now been developed and tested for analysis of new bPL analogs.
Electronic Sensing of Fruit Ripeness Based on Volatile Gas Emissions
Authors: Simon James E. , Peiper Uri M. , Miles Gaines , Hetzroni A. , Mizrach Amos , Charles Denys J.
Published: December 2021

An electronic sensory system for the evaluation of headspace volatiles was developed to determine fruit ripeness and quality. Two prototype systems were designed, constructed, and later modified. The first is an improved version of our original prototype electronic sniffer using a single head sensing unit for use as a single or paired unit placed on an individual fruit surface for applications in the field, lab, or industry. The second electronic sniffer utilizes a matrix of gas sensors, each selected for differential sensitivity to a range of volatile compounds. This system is more sophisticated as it uses multiple gas sensors, but was found to enhance the ability of the sniffer to classify fruit ripeness and quality relative to a single gas sensor. This second sniffer was designed and constructed for the sampling of fresh-cut or whole packs of fruits such as packaged strawberries and blueberries, and can serve as a prototype for research or commercial applications. Results demonstrate that electronic sensing of fruit ripeness based on aromatic volatile gas emissions can be used successfully with fresh frits. Aroma sensing was successful for classifying ripeness in muskmelons, including different cultivars, apples, blueberries, strawberries, and in a complimentary BARD project on tomatoes. This system compared favorably to the physicochemical measurements traditionally employed to assess fruit maturity. This nondestructive sensory system can detect the presence of physically damaged fruits and shows excellent application for use in quality assessment. Electronic sensors of the tin oxide type were evaluated for specificity toward a wide range of volatiles associated with fruit ripeness. Sensors were identified that detected a broad range of alcohols, aldehydes, esters, hydrocarbons, and volatile sulfur compounds, as well as individual volatiles associated with fruit ripening across a wide concentration range. Sensors are not compound specific, thus, the matrix of sensors coupled with discrimination analysis provides a fingerprint to identify the presence of compounds and to assess alterations in fresh products due to alterations in volatile emissions. Engineering developments led to the development of a system to compensate for temperature and relative humidity relative to on-line aroma sensing with melons for ripeness determination and to reduce response time, thus permitting the electronic sniffer to be used for monitoring both fresh and processed food products. The sniffer provides a fast, reliable and nondestructive tool to assess fruit ripeness and quality. We hope that our work will foster the introduction and utilization of this emerging technology into the agricultural and horticultural
Transgenic Endochitinase Producing Grapevine for the Improvement of Resistance to Powdery Mildew (Uncinula necator)
Authors: Perl Avichai , Reisch Bruce I. , Lotan Ofra
Published: December 2021

The original objectives are listed below: 1. Design vectors for constitutive expression of endochitinase from Trichoderma harzianum strain P1. Design vectors with signal peptides to target gene expression. 2. Extend transformation/regeneration technology to other cultivars of importance in the U.S. and Israel. 3. Transform cultivars with the endochitinase constructs developed as part of objective 1. A. Characterize foliar powdery mildew resistance in transgenic plants. Background of the topic Conventional breeding of grapevines is a slow and imprecise process. The long generation cycle, large space requirements and poor understanding of grapevine genetics prevent rapid progress. There remains great need to improve existing important cultivars without the loss of identity that follows from hybridization. Powdery mildew (Uncinula necator) is the most important fungal pathogen of grapevines, causing economic losses around the world. Genetic control of powdery mildew would reduce the requirement for chemical or cultural control of the disease. Yet, since the trait is under polygenic control, it is difficult to manipulate through hybridization and breeding. Also, because grapevines are heterozygous and vegetatively propagated cultivar identity is lost in the breeding process. Therefore, there is great need for techniques to produce transgenic versions of established cultivars with heterologous genes conferring disease resistance. Such a gene is now available for control of powdery mildew of grapevines. The protein coded by the Endochitinase gene, derived from Trichoderma harzianum, is very effective in suppressing U. necator growth. The goal of this proposal is to develop transgenic grapevines with this antifungal gene, and to test the effect of this gene on resistance to powdery mildew. Conclusions, achievements and implications Gene transfer technology for grape was developed using commercial cultivars for both wine and table grapes. It paved the way for a new tool in grapevine genetic studies enabling the alteration of specific important traits while maintaining the essential features of existing elite cultivars. Regeneration and transformation technologies were developed and are currently at an advanced stage for USA wine and Israeli seedless cultivars, representing the cutting edge of grape genetic engineering studies worldwide. Transgenic plants produced are tested for powdery mildew resistance in greenhouse and field experiments at both locations. It is our ultimate goal to develop transgenic grapes which will be more efficient and economical for growers to produce, while also providing consumers with familiar products grown with reduced chemical inputs.
The Importance of the Enzyme Sucrose Synthase for Cell Wall Synthesis in Plants
Authors: Delmer Deborah P. , Chourey Prem S.
Published: December 2021

The goal of this work was to understand the role of the enzyme sucrose synthase (SuSy) in synthesis of cellulose and callose in plants. The work resulting from the this grant leads to a number of conclusions. SuSy clearly plays diverse roles in carbon metabolism. It can associate with the plasma membrane of cells undergoing rapid cellulose deposition, such as cotton fibers, developing maize endosperm, gravistimulated pulvini, and transfer cells of the cotton seed. It is also concentrated at sites of high callose deposition (tapetal cells; cell plates). When SuSy levels are lowered by mutation or by anti-sense technology, cell walls undergo degeneration (maize endosperm) and show reduced levels of cellulose (potato tubers). In sum, our evidence has very much strengthened the concept that SuSy does function in the plasma membrane to channel carbon from sucrose via UDP-glucose to glucan synthase complexes. Soluble SuSy also clearly plays a role in providing carbon for starch synthesis and respiration. Surprisingly, we found that the cotton seed is one unique case where SuSy apparently does not play a role in starch synthesis. Current evidence in sum suggests that no specific SuSy gene encodes the membrane-associated form, although in maize the SS 1 form of SuSy may be most important for cell wall synthesis in the early stages of endosperm development. Work is still in progress to determine what does control membrane localization - and the current evidence we have favors a role for Ca2+, and possibly also protein phosphorylation by differentially regulated protein kinases. Finally, we have discovered for the first time, a major new family of genes that encode the catalytic subunit of the cellulose synthase of plants - a result that has been widely cited and opens many new approaches for the study of this important plant function.
Development of Assay Systems for Bioengineering Proteins that Affect Dough Quality and Wheat Utilization
Authors: Anderson Olin , Galili Gad
Published: December 2021

The quality and utilization of wheat is largely dependent upon the exact physical/chemical properties of the doughs made from flour/water mixtures. Among the wheat seed components most correlated with dough visoelastic parameters are the high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits whose disulfide cross-linked macropolymer is critical for dough functionality. We have used the tools of molecular biology, wheat transformation, heterologous expression of HMW-glutenin subunits in bacteria, and dough micro-mixing experiments to examine some of the molecular basis of HMW-glutenin functionality. In addition, we have developed sets of modified and synthetic gene constructs and transgenic wheat lines that will allow further examination of the role of the HMW-glutenins. Among the results from this work is evidence that the HMW-glutenin repeat domain is directly related to dough properties, the demonstration that interaction between subunits is dependent upon domain presence but not order, a novel understanding of the restrictions on intra-vs inter-chain disulfide bonds, the demonstration that HMW-glutenin genes can be transformed into wheat for simultaneously high expression of the transgene and suppression of the endogenous genes, and the construction of a set of modified HMW-glutenins capable of being epitope tagged for studying polypeptide subcellular processing and the fate of HMW-glutenins in dough mixing experiments.
Yellow Disease of Grapevines: Impact, Pathogen Molecular Detection and Identification, Epidemiology, and Potential for Control
Authors: Davis Robert E. , Tanne Edna , Prince James P. , Klein Meir
Published: December 2021

Grapevine yellows diseases characterized by similar symptoms have been reported in several countries including Israel, the United States, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Australia. These diseases are among the most serious known in grapevine, but precise knowledge of the pathogens' identities and modes of their spread is needed to devise effective control stratgegies. The overall goals of this project were to develop improved molecular diagnostic procedures for detection and identification of the presumed mycoplasmalike organism (MLO) pathogens, now termed phytoplasmas, and to apply these procedures to investigate impact and spread and potential for controlling grapevine yellows diseases. In the course of this research project, increased incidence of grapevine yellows was found in Israel and the United States; the major grapevine yellows phytoplasma in Israel was identified and tis 16S rRNA gene characterized; leafhopper vectors of this grapevine yellows phytoplasma in Israel were identified; a second phytoplasma was discovered in diseased grapevines in Israel; the grapevine yellows disease in the U.S. was found to be distinct from that in Israel; grapevine yellows in Virginia, USA, was found to be caused by two different phytoplasmas; both phytoplasmas in Virginia grapevines were molecularly characterized and classified; commercial grapevines in Europe were discovered to host a phytoplasma associated with aster yellow disease in the USA, but this phytoplasma has not been found in grapevine in the USA; the Australian grapevine yellows phytoplasma was found to be distinct from the grapevine phytoplasmas in Israel, the United States and Europe and was described and named "Candidatus phytoplasma australiense", and weed host plants acting as potential reservoirs of the grapevine phytoplasmas were discovered. These and other findings from the project should aid in the design and development of strategies for managing the grapevine yellows disease problem.
An Inquiry into the Phenomenon of Enhanced Transport of Pesticides Caused by Effluents
Authors: Graber Ellen R. , Lee Linda S. , Borisover M.
Published: December 2021

The objective of this collaborative research project was to determine the factors that may cause enhanced pesticide transport under effluent irrigation. For s-triazines, the potential for enhanced transport through association with effluent dissolved organic matter (OM) was shown to be small in batch and column studies and in numerical simulations. High alkalinity and pH of treated effluents increased soil-solution pH for selected soil-effluent combinations, promoting the dissolution of soil OM and mobilizing otherwise OM-retained pesticides. Evapotranspiration in column studies resulted in increased pore-water concentrations of dissolved OM and some pesticide transport enhancement with the greatest effect observed with OM-poor soils. For ionogenic pesticides, effluent-induced increases in soil-solution pH increased the mobility of pesticides with acid dissociation constants within 2 pH units of the initial soil-solution pH. Effluents high in suspended solids and/or monovalent cations resulted in blockage of soil pores reducing water-flow velocity and/or changing flow paths. Reduced flow resulted in an increase in desorption time of soil sorbed pesticides, increasing the amount available for further transport with the net effect being soil texture dependent. In terms of pesticide degradation in soils, effluents appeared to have only a minor effect for the few pesticides investigated.
Development and Testing of a Method for the Systematic Discovery and Utilization of Novel QTLs in the Production of Improved Crop Varieties: Tomato as a Model System
Authors: Tanksley Steven D. , Zamir Dani
Published: December 2021

Modern cultivated varieties carry only a small fraction of the variation present in the gene pool. The narrow genetic basis of modern crop plants is a result of genetic bottlenecks imposed during early domestication and modern plant breeding. The wild ancestors of most crop plants can still be found in their natural habitats and Germplasm Centers have been established to collect and maintain this material. These wild and unadapted resources can potentially fuel crop plant improvement efforts for many years into the future (Tanksley and McCouch 1997). Unfortunately, scientists have been unable to exploit the majority of the genetic potential warehoused in germplasm repositories. This is especially true as regards to the improvement of quantitative traits like yield and quality. One of the major problems is that much of the wild germplasm is inferior to modern cultivars for many of the quantitative traits that breeders would like to improve. Our research, focusing on the tomato as a model system, has shown that despite their inferior phenotypes, wild species are likely to contain QTLs that can substantially increase the yield and quality of elite cultivars (de Vicente and Tanksley 1992, Eshed and Zamir 1994, Eshed et al. 1996). Using novel population structures of introgression lines (ILs; Eshed and Zamir 1995) and advanced backcross lines (AB; Tanksley et al. 1996) we identified and introduced valuable QTLs from unadapted germplasm into elite processing tomato varieties. Populations involving crosses with five Lycopersicon species (L. pennellii (Eshed and Zamir 1994; Eshed et al. 1996; Eshed and Zamir 1996), L. hirsutum (Bernacchi et al. 1998), L. pimpinellifolium (Tanksley et al. 1996), L. parviflorum (unpub.), L. peruvianum (Fulton et al. 1997) have been field and laboratory tested in a number of locations around the world. QTLs from the wild parent were identified that improve one or more of the key quantitative traits for processing tomatoes (yield, brix, sugar and acid composition and earliness) by as much as 10-30%. Nearly isogenic lines (QTL-NILs) have been generated for a subset of these QTLs. Each QTL-NIL contains the entire genome of the elite cultivated parent except for a segment (5-40 cM) of the wild species genome corresponding to a specific QTL. The genetic material and information that was developed in this program is presently used by American and Israeli seed companies for the breeding of superior varieties. We expect that in the next few years these varieties will make a difference in the marketplace.
The Role of Small Signal Transducing Gtpases in the Regulation of Cell Wall Deposition Patterns in Plants
Authors: Delmer Deborah P. , Johnson Douglas , Levine Alex
Published: December 2021

The combined research of the groups of Delmer, Levine and Johnson has led to a number of interesting findings with respect to the function of the small GTPase Rac in plants and also opened up new leads for future research. The results have shown: 1) The Rac13 protein undergoes geranylgeranlyation and is also translocated to the plasma membrane as found for Rac in mammals; 2) When cotton Rac13 is highly- expressed in yeast, it leads to an aberrant phenotype reminiscent of mutants impaired in actin function, supporting a role for Rac13 in cytoskeletal organization; 3) From our searches, there is no strong evidence that plants contain homologs of the related CDC42 genes found in yeast and mammals; 4) We have identified a rather unique Rac gene in Arabidopsis that has unusual extensions at both the N- and C-terminal portions of the protein; 5) New evidence was obtained that an oxidative burst characterized by substantial and sustained production of H202 occurs coincident with the onset of secondary wall synthesis in cotton fibers. Further work indicates that the H202 produced may be a signal for the onset of this phase of development and also strongly suggests that Rac plays an important role in signaling for event. Since the secondary walls of plants that contain high levels of lignin and cellulose are the major source of biomass on earth, understanding what signals control this process may well in the future have important implications for manipulating the timing and extent of secondary wall deposition. 6) When the cotton Rac13 promoter is fused to the reporter gene GUS, expression patterns in Arabidopsis indicate very strong and specific expression in developing trichomes and in developing xyelm. Since both of these cell types are engaged in secondary wall synthesis, this further supports a role for Rac in signaling for onset of this process. Since cotton fibers are anatomically defined as trichomes, these data may also be quite useful for future studies in which the trichomes of Arabidopsis may serve as a model for cotton fiber development; the Rac promoter can therefore be useful to drive expression of other genes proposed to affect fiber development and study the effects on the process; 7) The Rac promoter has also been shown to be the best so far tested for use in development of a system for transient transformation of developing cotton fibers, a technique that should have many applications in the field of cotton biotechnology; 8) One candidate protein that may interact with Rac13 to be characterized further in the future is a protein kinase that may be analogous to the PAK kinase that is known to interact with Rac in mammals.
Structural Elements and Neuropharmacological Features Involved in the Insecticidal Properties of an Alpha Scorpion Neurotoxin: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Authors: Gurevitz Michael , Adams Michael E. , Shaanan Boaz
Published: December 2021

Integrated pest management in modern crop protection requires the use of chemical or biological insecticides in many instances. Nontheless, the use non-selective chemical insecticides poses risks to the environment and livestock and consequently urgent need exists for safer alternatives, which target insects more specifically. Scorpions produce anti-insect selective polypeptide toxins that are biodegradable and not toxic to wam-blooded animals. Therefore, mobilization of these substances into insect pest targets is of major interest. Moreover, clarification of the molecular basis of this selectivity may provide valuable information pertinent to their receptor sites and to the future design of peptidomimetic anti-insect specific substances. These toxins may also be important for reducing the current overuse of chamical insecticides provided they have a synergistic effect with conventional pesticides. All of these objectives were addressed in this research. A direct approach for plant protection was the mobilization of toxins into target pests using baculoviral vectors. The other approach was to develop a suitable system enabling the elucidation of the toxin bioactive site, which would enable design of insecticidal peptidomimetics. In parallel, the mode of action and synergistic effects of scorpion insecticidal toxins, were studied at the sodium channel receptor site. All the above approaches show great promise and clearly indicate that scorpion insecticidal toxins may provide powerful means in insect pest control.
Morphogenesis and Light Signal Transduction in Plants: The p27 Subunit of the COP9-Complex
Authors: Chamovitz Daniel , Deng Xing-Wang
Published: December 2021

Plants monitor environmental signals and modulate their growth and development in a manner optimal for the prevailing light conditions. The mechanisms by which plants transduce light signals and integrate them with other environmental and developmental signals to regulate plant pattern development are beginning to be unraveled. A large body of knowledge has accumulated regarding the roles of specific photoreceptors in perceiving light signals, and about the downstream developmental responses responding to light (Batschauer, 1999; Chamovitz and Deng, 1996; Deng and Quail, 1999). Still, little is know about the molecular mechanisms connecting the photoreceptors to development, and how these developmental pathways are integrated with additional developmental regulatory pathways to modulate growth. The multi-subunit protein complex COP9 signalosome (previously referred to as the "COP9 complex") has a central role in mediating the light control of plant development, and in general developmental regulation. Arabidopsis mutants that lack this complex develop photomorphogenically even in the absence of light signals (reviewed in Chamovitz and Deng 1996, 1997). Various genetic studies have indicated that the COP9 signalosome acts at the nexus of upstream signals transduced from the individual photoreceptors, and specific downstream signaling pathways. Thus the COP9 signalosome was hypothesized to be a master repressor of photomorphogenesis, and that light acts to abrogate this repression. However, the COP9 signalosome has roles beyond the regulation of photomorphogenesis as all mutants lacking this complex die following early seedling development, and an essentially identical complex has also been detected in animal systems (Chamovitz and Deng, 1995; Seeger et al., 1998; Wei et al., 1998). Our long term objective is to determine the role of the COP9 signalosome in controlling plant development. In this research project we showed that this complex contains at least eight subunits (Karniol et al., 1998; Serino et al., 1999) and that the 27 kD subunit is encoded by the FUS5 locus (Karniol et al., 1999). The FUS5 subunit also has a role extraneous to the COP9 signalosome, and differential kinase activity has been implicated in regulating FUSS and the COP9 signalosome (Karniol et al., 1999). We have also shown that the COP9 signalosome may work together with the translational-regulator eIF3. Our study of the COP9 signalosome is one of the exciting examples of plant science leading the way to discoveries in basic animal science (Chamovitz and Deng, 1995; Karniol and Chamovitz, 2000; Wei and Deng, 1999).
Role of Placental Lactogen in Sheep
Authors: Bazer Fuller W. , Gertler Arieh , Gootwine Elisha
Published: December 2021

Central problems in sheep and dairy cattle production are reproductive failure due to embryonic/fetal mortality and low birth weights, especially in prolific breeds, and reduced milk yields which adversely affect neonatal survival and economy of production. The sheep placenta expresses lactogenic (ovine placental lactogen, oPL) and somatogenic (ovine placental growth hormone, oGH) hormones. Our research has focused on the biological roles of oPL and oGH in function of the uterine endometrium during gestation and the mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation. Major conclusions were that: ( 1 ) immunization of prepubertal ewes against oPL resulted in increased birth weights of their lambs and their milk production during lactation; (2) neither oPL nor oGH had an antiluteolytic effect on uterine endometrium to affect lifespan of the corpus luteum; (3) only sequential exposure of the progesterone stimulated uterus to oIFNt and oPL or oGH increased endometrial gland proliferation and secretory protein gene expression; (4) oPL signals through a homodimer of ovine prolactin receptor (PRL-R) and heterodimer of oPRL-R and growth hormone receptor (GH-R); (5) exogenous recombinant oPL and oGH stimulated mammogenesis and milk yield during lactation; and (6) mutation of oPL and oGH was used to define specific biological effects and a rational basis for design of a specific receptor agonists or antagonists. This project was very productive in elucidating basic biological effects of oPL and oGH on intracellular signal transduction pathways, uterine development and secretory function, as well as mammogenesis and lactogenesis. We determined that immunization of prepubertal ewes against roPL increased birth weights of their lambs, especially those born as twins and triplets, as well as enhanced lactational performance. These studies significantly extended our knowledge of uterine and fetal-placental physiology and provided a foundation for new strategies to enhance reproductive and lactation efficiency. Based on these results, the major achievements were: 1) creation of a practical and cost effective management tool for producers to increase reproductive performance, neonatal survival, and milk yield of ewes in commercial flocks; and 2) define, for the first time, biological effects of oPL on endometrial functions and gene expression by uterine gland epithelium.
Redox Climate in Quiescence and Pathogenicity of Postharvest Fungal Pathogens
Authors: Bostock Richard M. , Prusky Dov , Dickman Martin
Published: December 2021

Monilinia fructicola causes brown rot blossom blight and fruit rot in stone fruits. Immature fruit are highly resistant to brown rot but can become infected. These infections typically remain superficial and quiescent until they become active upon maturation of the fruit. High levels of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and related compounds occur in the peel of immature fruit but these levels decline during ripening. CGA inhibits cutinase expression, a putative virulence factor, with little or no effect on spore germination or hyphal growth. To better understand the regulation of cutinase expression by fruit phenolics, we examined the effect of CGA, caffeic acid (CA) and related compounds on the redox potential of the growth medium and intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels. The presence of CA in the medium initially lowered the electrochemical redox potential of the medium, increased GSH levels and inhibited cutinase expression. Conidia germinated in the presence of CA, CGA, or GSH produced fewer appressoria and had elongated germ tubes compared to the controls. These results suggest that host redox compounds can regulate fungal infectivity.   In order to genetically manipulate this fungus, a transformation system using Agrobacterium was developed. The binary transformation vector, pPTGFPH, was constructed from the plasmid pCT74, carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by the ToxA promoter of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) under control of the trpC promoter of from Aspergillus nidulans, and the binary vector pCB403.2, carrying neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) between the T-DNA borders. Macroconidia of M. fructicola were coincubated with A. tumefaciens strain LBA 4404(pPTGFPH) on media containing acetosyringone for two days. Hygromycin- and G418-resistant M. fructicola transformants were selected while inhibiting A. tumefaciens with cefotaxime. Transformants expressing GFP fluoresced brightly, and were formed with high efficiency and frequency of T-DNA integration frequency. The use of these transformants for in situ studies on stone fruit tissues is discussed.
Characterization of fungal symbiotic lifestyle expression in Colletotrichum and generating non-pathogenic mutants that confer disease resistance, drought tolerance, and growth enhancement to plant hosts
Authors: Rodriguez Russell , Freeman Stanley
Published: December 2021

Fungal plant pathogens are responsible for extensive annual crop and revenue losses throughout the world. To better understand why fungi cause diseases, we performed gene-disruption mutagenesis on several pathogenic Colletotrichum species and demonstrated that pathogenic isolates can be converted to symbionts (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism) expressing non-pathogenic lifestyles. The objectives of this proposal were to: 1- generate crop-specific mutants by gene disruption that express mutualistic lifestyles, 2- assess the ability of the mutualists to confer disease resistance, drought tolerance, and growth enhancement to host plants, 3- compare fslm1 sequences and their genomic locations in the different species, and 4- document the colonization process of each Colletotrichum species.It was demonstrated that wildtype pathogenic Colletotrichum isolates, can be converted by mutation from expressing a pathogenic lifestyle to symbionts expressing non-pathogenic lifestyles. In the US, mutants of Colletotrichum were isolated by homologous gene disruption using a vector containing a disrupted FSlm1 sequence while in Israel, C. acutatum mutants were selected by restriction enzyme mediated integration (REMI) transformation. One group (US) of non-pathogenic mutants conferred disease protection against pathogenic species of Colletotrichum, Fusarium, and Phytophthora; drought tolerance; and growth enhancement to host plants. These mutants were defined as mutualists and disease resistance correlated to a decrease in the time required for hosts to activate defense systems when exposed to virulent fungi. The second group (Israel) of non-pathogenic mutants did not confer disease resistance and were classified as commensals. In addition, we demonstrated that wildtype pathogenic Colletotrichum species can express non-pathogenic lifestyles, including mutualism, on plants they colonize asymptomatically. The expected long term contribution of this research to agriculture in the US and Israel is threefold. Host-specific mutualists will be utilized in the various crops to confer (1) disease resistance to reduce dependence on chemical fungicides; (2) drought tolerance to reduce water consumption for irrigation; (3) growth enhancement to increase yields.
Increasing Starch Accumulation via Genetic Modification of the ADP-glucose Pyrophosphorylase
Authors: Schaffer Arthur , Preiss Jack , Petreikov Marina , Levin Ilan
Published: December 2021

The overall objective of the research project was to utilize biochemical insights together with both classical and molecular genetic strategies to improve tomato starch accumulation. The proposal was based on the observation that the transient starch accumulation in the immature fruit serves as a reservoir for carbohydrate and soluble sugar content in the mature fruit, thereby impacting on fruit quality. The general objectives were to optimize AGPase function and activity in developing fruit in order to increase its transient starch levels. The specific research objectives were to: a) perform directed molecular evolution of the limiting enzyme of starch synthesis, AGPase, focussing on the interaction of its regulatory and catalytic subunits; b) determine the mode of action of the recently identified allelic variant for the regulatory subunit in tomato fruit that leads to increased AGPase activity and hence starch content. During the course of the research project major advances were made in understanding the interaction of the small and large subunits of AGPase, in particular the regulatory roles of the different large subunits, in determining starch synthesis. The research was performed using various experimental systems, including bacteria and Arabidopsis, potato and tomato, allowing for broad and meaningful conclusions to be drawn. A novel discovery was that one of the large subunits of tomato AGPase is functional as a monomer. A dozen publications describing the research were published in leading biochemical and horticultural journals. The research results clearly indicated that increasing AGPase activity temporally in the developing fruit increase the starch reservoir and, subsequently, the fruit sugar content. This was shown by a comparison of the carbohydrate balance in near-isogenic tomato lines differing in a gene encoding for the fruit-specific large subunit (LS1). The research also revealed that the increase in AGPase activity is due to a temporal extension of LS1 gene expression in the developing fruit which in turn stabilizes the limiting heterotetrameric enzyme, leading to sustained starch synthesis. This genetic variation can successfully be utilized in the breeding of high quality tomatoes.
Understanding Cuticle Development in Tomato through the Study of Novel Germplasm with Malformed Cuticles
Authors: Schaffer Arthur A. , Rose Jocelyn
Published: December 2021

Plant cuticle development and metabolism are still poorly understood, partly due to the chemical complexity of the cuticular layer. The overall research objective was to broaden and deepen our understanding of tomato fruit cuticle development by analyzing novel germplasm with cuticular malformations and by studying the transcriptome and proteome of the fruit epidermal tissues, as strategies to overcome the challenges posed by the recalcitrance of the biological system. During the project we succeeded in identifying two genes with major impact on cuticle development. One of these encoded the first cutin synthase to be identified in plants, a metabolic step that had been a black box in cutin synthesis. In addition genes controlling the triterpenoid components of the cuticle were identified and, most interestingly, genetic variability for this component was identified among the wild tomato species germplasm. Additional germplasm was developed based on interspecific crosses that will allow for the future characterization of modifier genes that interact with the microfissuring gene (CWP) to promote or inhibit fruit cracking. One of the major accomplishments of the joint project was the integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of the fruit cuticle and underlying tissues which allows for the identification of the pericarp cell layers responsible for the extracellular, cuticle-localized protein component. The results of the project have expanded our understanding of tomato fruit cuticle development and its genetic control. In addition, germplasm developed will be useful in developing tomato varieties resistant to cracking, on the one hand, and varieties useful for the dehydration industry on the other.
Processo saúde-doença na região Amazônica: fatores ambientais e o surgimento de doenças
Authors: Custódio Wenderson Picanço , Chaves Juliana Vitória Rocha Leite , Pantoja Patrícia Trindade , Cárdenas Anneli Mercedes Celis de , Andrade Rosemary Ferreira de , Dapureza Demilto Yamaguchi , Fecury Amanda Alves
Published: December 2021

Introdução: A Amazônia sempre foi objeto de inúmeros estudos com foco em seu meio ambiente, sociedade e saúde. Questão Norteadora: Quais fatores ambientais contribuem para o surgimento de doenças na região amazônica? Objetivo: Abordar os principais fatores ambientais que contribuem para o surgimento de doenças na região amazônica. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão da literatura nas bases de dados Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (PubMeD), Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ao todo foram utilizados 18 artigos na construção do estudo, todos passando pelos critérios de inclusão e de exclusão estabelecidos com o intuito de filtrar somente periódicos com abordagens da temática. Resultados: Do ponto de vista epidemiológico, o espaço amazônico formado pela interação do sistema socioecológico apresenta características diferentes de outras partes do país. Essa diferença é causada pelo fundamento ecológico natural e suas formas de ocupação e desenvolvimento. Conclusão: Os principais fatores ambientais que contribuem para o surgimento de doenças na região amazônica são o desmatamento, queimadas, poluição dos rios, processo de urbanização e agronegócio.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ОРГАНІЗАЦІЇ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНО-МЕДІЙНОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ У ВІЙСЬКОВІЙ СФЕРІ
Authors: Олієвська Мирослава
Published: December 2021

Досліджено особливості організації інформаційно-медійного забезпечення у військовій сфері. У статті зазначено, що створення та поширення інформації медійними структурами Міністерства оборони України відбувається з дотриманням правил та обмежень, і в рамках нормативно-правового поля. Запропоновано Методику визначення трудомісткості та вартості робіт з розробки медіа контенту як інструмент підвищення ефективності праці авторів (виконавців) мілітаріконтенту. Методика складається з таких етапів: визначення трудомісткості розробки одиниці медіаконтенту; визначення поправочних коефіцієнтів; визначення трудомісткість розробки одиниці медіаконтенту з урахуванням поправочних коефіцієнтів, які оцінюють якість контенту, час його розробки; визначення вартості робіт з розробки медіа контент.
ЄВРОІНТЕГРАЦІЙНІ АСПЕКТИ РОЗВИТКУ РЕПУТАЦІЙНОГО МЕНЕДЖМЕНТУ В УКРАЇНІ ЗА УМОВ ДІДЖИТАЛІЗАЦІЇ
Authors: Микитин Олег
Published: December 2021

Стаття присвячена сутності розвитку репутаційного менеджменту в Україні за умов діджиталізації. Визначено що репутація, діджиталізація є достатньо новими поняттями для економіки нашої країни. Система репутаційного менеджменту покликана залишати підприємство «в тренді», максимізувати його прибуток, мінімізувати витрати тощо. Формувати ефективну систему репутаційного менеджменту сприяє діджиталізація. Досліджено, що вітчизняним керівникам потрібно враховувати, що системи репутаційного менеджменту суттєво відрізняються використанням традиційних методів та цифрових технологій. Запровадження сучасних інфокомунікаційних технологій виступатиме напрямком підвищення рівня репутації підприємств, рівня їх конкурентоспроможності, зростання гнучкості за умов економічної нестабільності, конкурентної боротьби із іноземними підприємствами внаслідок глобалізування (в т.ч. євроінтегрування).
Стан проблеми щодо зонування території навколо АЕС
Authors: Griban K. , Bogorad V. , Nosovsky A. , Slepchenko O.
Published: December 2021

Наведено принципи встановлення санітарно-захисної зони, зони спостереження та зон аварійного планування в різних країнах. На підставі розглянутих вимог і принципів визначення меж санітарно-захисної зони та зони спостереження АЕС показано необхідність підтвердження існуючих або визначення нових розмірів санітарно-захисної зони і зони спостереження відповідно до вимог нормативних документів України. Розглянуто стан проблеми щодо встановлення зон аварійного планування навколо АЕС згідно з рекомендаціями МАГАТЕ.