Essential Traits Research Articles

SSR-BASED ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC DIVERSITY IN TOMATO CULTIVARS AND LINES GROWN IN KAZAKHSTAN

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a versatile crop known for its nutritional value and health benefits, thriving in diverse climates worldwide. Nevertheless, regional variations persist in tomato yield, with Kazakhstan serving as an example of lower productivity in contrast to global averages. Closing this disparity requires comprehensive genetic studies and breeding efforts. This study is focused on the genetic diversity of 49 tomato cultivars and hybrids sourced from Kazakh Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing (Almaty), employing 10 SSR markers associated with important agronomic traits. SSR genotyping unveiled polymorphisms across 6 markers with variable allele numbers. Genetic diversity metrics highlighted significant genetic diversity within both outdoor and greenhouse tomato cultivars and lines. Bayesian clustering, Neighbor-joining (NJ) clustering, and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) delineated genetic differentiation between outdoor and greenhouse tomatoes with small admixture, indicating distinct breeding directions for these two types. Highly polymorphic SSRs (PIC > 0.5) associated with essential fruit traits emerge as promising targets for marker-assisted selection (MAS) that can be used to enhance tomato breeding efficiency in Kazakhstan. According to 8 SSRs, 22 out of 30 outdoor accessions and 8 greenhouse tomato accessions were genetically uniform. This study offers comprehensive insights into the genetic diversity and population structure of tomato cultivars and lines in Kazakhstan, laying the foundation for informed breeding endeavors aimed at bolstering yield and resilience in tomato crops.

Caring for people with disability and human growth: evolutionary perspectives and contribution to psychological wellbeing.

From an evolutionary point of view, organisms with mutations resulting in maladaptation are an unavoidable result of genetic variability, and they do not usually survive natural selection. Thus, they do not produce benefits for the species. I contend that this is different in humans at two levels. First, the existence of people with disability has been essential for human growth as a species. Human ancestors' evolving cognitive and social abilities were boosted by caring for vulnerable members of the species, including premature offspring and people with disability. Therefore, caregiving was an essential trait of the evolution of humans, intertwined with the development of bipedalism, the hand, face, vocal apparatus, and brain. Second, caring for disability is also a source of growth at a personal level. Even though most scientific literature focuses on the stress and burden caused by caring for people with disability, there is solid evidence to accept caregiving as a source of happiness and flourishing for human beings. Hence, disability still has an essential role in improving human life nowadays. Contrary to this evidence, influential utilitarian bioethicists promote the elimination of disability from modern societies. Following the arguments presented here, this will lead to the withering of society. In conclusion, disability should be acknowledged as an essential source of growth for the human species.

High quality factor and unity circular dichroism enabled by dielectric-Weyl semimetal-dielectric stack

A mid-infrared (mid-IR) chiral absorber based on multilayer films of silicon (Si)/Weyl semimetal (WSM)/Si is proposed and numerically studied. The proposal exhibits high quality factor circular dichroism (CD) with different absorptance properties for right-hand circular polarization (RCP) and left-hand circular polarization (LCP) light. The absorption characteristics have been explored with the generalized 4 × 4 transfer matrix algorithm, and the effects of structural parameters on the circularly polarized (CP) absorptance are systematically investigated. The circular polarization efficiency (η) and CD are defined as crucial parameters for quantifying the chirality response. The results prove that the chiral absorber exhibits extraordinary efficiencies of 1 and 0 for LCP and RCP light at a wavelength of 11.5 μm, respectively. Thus a maximum CD in absorption of unity with a resonant quality factor (Q-factor) of 295 can be obtained. The performance of dual-band chiral responses can be engineered via the thickness of each layer. Moreover, it is identified that the design results in angle-independent performance, which is essential trait for an efficient chiral absorber.

Perceived Challenges and the Role of Dispositional Factors in Achieving Professional Development among Successful Entrepreneurs

Aim of the Study: The purpose of this study is to identify the key personality traits and competencies that enable entrepreneurs to succeed despite the numerous challenges they encounter. In the context of Pakistan, where entrepreneurship is still developing, the country faces ongoing economic difficulties, which simultaneously heighten the need for increased productivity. Entrepreneurs are crucial to Pakistan's overall economic growth in such circumstances. Methodology: This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological exploratory approach to investigate the professional development of successful Pakistani entrepreneurs. Using a purposive sampling technique, 25 successful entrepreneurs (18 men and 7 women, aged 40 to 60) from Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi were selected. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their experiences. The collected data was transcribed following Kuckartz's (2014) simple transcription method and focused only on relevant factors and characteristics. Thematic analysis was then manually performed to identify descriptive, organizing, and global themes, following Clarke et al.'s (2015) framework. Three major themes emerged from the data analysis: Perceived Challenges, Personality Characteristics, and Competencies. Findings: These findings offer valuable insights for youth, aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, and educational institutions, highlighting the essential traits and skills needed for professional development. Conclusion: The study suggests designing new educational programs to foster entrepreneurial qualities and professional growth among the youth, contributing to the country's economic progress. The study acknowledges its limitations and proposes directions for future research. Overall, the findings align with existing literature and make indigenous contributions to the field of entrepreneurial psychology.

21st century learning skills of maritime faculty in the Province of Antique, Philippines

The demands of the 21st century require educators to adapt and empower themselves with essential traits and skills to cope with the changes and bridge the gap, as they play a significant role in shaping the lives and careers of their students. This descriptive-correlational study aimed to determine the 21st century learning skills of maritime faculty in the Province of Antique, Philippines. The data gathering instrument used was a researcher-constructed questionnaire on 21st century skills, adapted from the study of Kelly et al. (2019), which was revised, contextualized to the local setting, and duly validated by a jury composed of five members. The statistical tools were mean, frequency, and percentage for descriptive analysis; the Mann-Whitney U test; and the Kruskal-Wallis H test for inferential analysis. The alpha level was set at 0.05. The study found that, generally, maritime faculty had a high level of 21st century learning skills. A significant difference existed in the maritime faculty’s level of skills in 21st century learning in terms of communication and media fluency when classified as to the length of service as a seafarer. No significant difference existed in the maritime faculty’s level of skills in 21st century learning in terms of collaboration, teamwork, and leadership skills; critical thinking and problem-solving skills; or creativity and innovation skills when grouped according to age, civil status, length of service as faculty, length of service as a seafarer, and educational attainment. Further, in terms of the communication and media skills of maritime faculty, no significant difference was found to exist when they were grouped according to age, civil status, length of service as faculty, and length of service as a seafarer. Highlights 21st-century skills are essential in the modern classroom By participating in capacity-building workshops, maritime faculty can enhance their 21st century skills Young maritime faculty with short seafaring experience must gain more seafaring experience to integrate those experiences into teaching strategies essential to the 21st century classroom To benefit digital natives, old and experienced maritime faculty must embrace change by using modern teaching methods and strategies Lifelong learning must be encouraged among maritime faculty, which is an essential tool for the development of their 21st century skills

Genome-wide identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for seven carcass traits in a four-way intercross porcine population

BackgroundCarcass traits are essential economic traits in the commercial pig industry. However, the genetic mechanism of carcass traits is still unclear. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) based on the specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) to study seven carcass traits on 223 four-way intercross pigs, including dressing percentage (DP), number of ribs (RIB), skin thinkness (ST), carcass straight length (CSL), carcass diagonal length (CDL), loin eye width (LEW), and loin eye thickness (LET).ResultsA total of 227,921 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected to perform GWAS. A total of 30 SNPs were identified for seven carcass traits using the mixed linear model (MLM) (p < 1.0 × 10− 5), of which 9 SNPs were located in previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) by the significant SNPs was from 2.43 to 16.32%. Furthermore, 11 candidate genes (LYPLAL1, EPC1, MATN2, ZFAT, ZBTB10, ZNF704, INHBA, SMYD3, PAK1, SPTBN2, and ACTN3) were found for carcass traits in pigs.ConclusionsThe GWAS results will improve our understanding of the genetic basis of carcass traits. We hypothesized that the candidate genes associated with these discovered SNPs would offer a biological basis for enhancing the carcass quality of pigs in swine breeding.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Empathy-Based Education in Undergraduate Nursing: A Scoping Review.

Empathy is an essential trait in nursing practice that improves the quality of patient care. Nursing curricula that incorporate empathy-based experiential learning (i.e., hands-on educational experiences and reflections designed to foster and develop emotional intelligence) promote students' self-awareness and confidence when providing care to patients. This scoping review examined studies that explored the effects of educational interventions on the development of empathy in undergraduate nursing students. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE using keywords related to nursing education and translated into CINAHL, EMBASE, and ERIC databases. A total of 6,238 studies were identified. After duplicate and unrelated articles were excluded, 18 publications were considered for this review. Sixteen studies concluded empathy interventions were effective, five indicated the need for further research, and two implicated a need for standardization in empathy-evaluation tools. This review endorses the effectiveness of educational interventions and supports their implementation to promote empathy in undergraduate nursing students. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(6):367-371.].

OrangeExpDB: an integrative gene expression database for Citrus spp.

BackgroundCitrus is a major fruit crop, and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data can be utilized to investigate its gene functions, heredity, evolution, development, and the detection of genes linked to essential traits or resistance to pathogens. However, it is challenging to use the public RNA-seq datasets for researchers without bioinformatics training, and expertise.ResultsOrangeExpDB is a web-based database that integrates transcriptome data of various Citrus spp., including C. limon (L.) Burm., C. maxima (Burm.) Merr., C. reticulata Blanco, C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck, and Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf., downloaded from the NCBI SRA database. It features a blast tool for browsing and searching, enabling quick download of expression matrices for different transcriptome samples. Expression of genes of interest can be easily generated by searching gene IDs or sequence similarity. Expression data in text format can be downloaded and presented as a heatmap, with additional sample information provided at the bottom of the webpage.ConclusionsResearchers can utilize OrangeExpDB to facilitate functional genomic analysis and identify key candidate genes, leveraging publicly available citrus RNA-seq datasets. OrangeExpDB can be accessed at http://www.orangeexpdb.com/.

Applying geometric morphometrics in megalopa larval stages: relevance for species distribution and biological invasion studies

Abstract Larval morphology in brachyuran crabs is an essential trait defining survival in the planktonic environment. The present study describes the morphology (carapace and chelipeds) of megalopa larvae in three different species (Percnon gibbesi, Cronius ruber, and Achelous hastatus) using geometric morphometric analysis (gma). The study aim was to compare the observed body patterns at interspecific and intraspecific levels. The results showed a marked interspecific distinction of C. ruber larvae based on the rostral region of carapace and cheliped length. We relate these differences to advantages in life performance, as in other animal models, suggesting that larval morphology can be another factor contributing to the invasiveness of C. ruber. At intraspecific level, we found a high morphological similarity between two distant geographical locations, indicating strong genetic connectivity in the populations of P. gibbesi from the Canary Islands. Our findings advance the importance of larval morphology for species performance during the plankton phase that eventually can determine invasiveness in brachyuran crabs. We suggest future studies focusing on the inter-population comparisons of megalopa morphology at larger spatiotemporal scales.

A genome-wide association study uncovers a ZmRap2.7-ZCN9/ZCN10 module to regulate ABA signalling and seed vigour in maize.

Seed vigour, including rapid, uniform germination and robust seedling establishment under various field conditions, is becoming an increasingly essential agronomic trait for achieving high yield in crops. However, little is known about this important seed quality trait. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study to identify a key transcription factor ZmRap2.7, which regulates seed vigour through transcriptionally repressing expressions of three ABA signalling genes ZmPYL3, ZmPP2C and ZmABI5 and two phosphatidylethanolamine-binding genes ZCN9 and ZCN10. In addition, ZCN9 and ZCN10 proteins could interact with ZmPYL3, ZmPP2C and ZmABI5 proteins, and loss-of-function of ZmRap2.7 and overexpression of ZCN9 and ZCN10 reduced ABA sensitivity and seed vigour, suggesting a complex regulatory network for regulation of ABA signalling mediated seed vigour. Finally, we showed that four SNPs in ZmRap2.7 coding region influenced its transcriptionally binding activity to the downstream gene promoters. Together with previously identified functional variants within and surrounding ZmRap2.7, we concluded that the distinct allelic variations of ZmRap2.7 were obtained independently during maize domestication and improvement, and responded separately for the diversities of seed vigour, flowering time and brace root development. These results provide novel genes, a new regulatory network and an evolutional mechanism for understanding the molecular mechanism of seed vigour.

Experimental queen removal stimulates caste flexibility of females in Neotropical social wasps (Vespidae Polistinae Epiponini)

Caste plasticity is an essential trait in social insects, and it facilitates the allocation of individuals in different tasks according to population demands in the colony (e.g. workers can become queens upon loss or death of their “original queen”). The process of caste determination can take place in immature stages (preimaginal) or through adult stages (imaginal). Neotropical social wasp tribe Epiponini has both types of caste determination process and is thus a fascinating group to study caste plasticity. We performed queen removal tests in five Epiponini species with preimaginal and imaginal caste determination to better understand caste plasticity and queen selection processes. Queen absence stimulates the establishment of new reproductive females in Chartergellus and Metapolybia (imaginal), while females in Protopolybia (preimaginal) attempt to lay eggs even in the presence of their “original queen”. Contrary to what has been hypothesized, we found that age is not a predictive factor in the female’s potential to become a queen. Caste flexibility seems to be a crucial trait which aids Epiponini tropical colonies to survive, as it allows the colony to replace lost workers and queens promptly until a new generation of wasps can emerge.

Description of Propotamochoerus hysudricus Fossils from the Siwalik Beds of District Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan

Background. Siwalik Hills, situated in Punjab, Pakistan, are highly fossiliferous and are well-known worldwide for vertebrate fossil excavations. Suids are even-toed ungulates. Their fossils have been reported in large numbers in the Siwalik region of northern Punjab and other parts of these hills. Method. To recover new fossils, a field survey was conducted from different geological formations visible around the Hasnot village of District Jhelum. Results. The recent findings and subsequent documentation of dental remains belonging to Propotamochoerus (Mammalia, Suidae) emerged from the Middle Miocene Siwalik beds in the surroundings of Hasnot. The recovered material consists of an isolated second molar on the right side of the maxilla. The genus Propotamochoerus comprised middle to large-sized suids. It provides significant insights into the essential dental traits of this particular genus. Conclusion. The recovered material has been assigned to the species Propotamochoerus hysudricus based on its morphological assessment. This particular substance can potentially augment the existing understanding of the species documented in the vicinity of the Salt Range of Siwalik Hills

Технологический аспект использования криминалистической техники при производстве следственных действий

elopment and introduction of the technology concept (technology-based approach). The author singles out essential traits of the criminalistic technology of using technical and criminalistic means and methods in investigative activities. The paper emphasizes that the technology-based approach is manifested through interrelation of the technique and tactics of separate investigative actions including the informational and awareness-raising aspect.

Facilitating Institutional Transformation in Namibian Public Higher Education Institutions through Transformational Leadership

Conventional leadership models are insufficient to address modern concerns regarding the institutional transformation of Namibia’s public institutions of higher education. Africa, especially Namibia, aims to utilize the transformational potential of education but encounters obstacles due to a lack of leadership and resources. The main objective of this article is to explore the challenges of institutional transformation at public institutions of higher education and the appropriateness of transformational leadership to drive successful and sustainable institutional transformation within Namibian public higher education institutions. The study employed a mixed-method approach, incorporating descriptive design and theme analysis. The data for the article was gathered via online surveys and semi-structured interviews with management from Namibian public universities. ATLAS.ti aided the thematic analysis, while descriptive statistics was employed for quantitative data analysis with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Ethical issues were rigorously adhered to during the study procedure. Essential leadership traits include respect, honesty, stakeholder involvement, and flexibility.Moreover, a lack of vision, inefficient communication, and an inability to acknowledge team efforts impede institutional transformation. These observations highlight the significance of leadership in enabling effective transformation. The study highlights the crucial importance of transformational leadership because this leadership model features all the qualities needed by a leader to drive a successful institutional transformation in Namibian higher education. The results are consistent with previous research, highlighting the significance of transformational leadership attributes in promoting effective institutional transformation.

CSRTs at the Helm: Unveiling Essential Traits for Successful Change Leadership

CSRTs at the Helm: Unveiling Essential Traits for Successful Change Leadership

Warming effects on lizard gut microbiome depend on habitat connectivity.

Climate warming and landscape fragmentation are both factors well known to threaten biodiversity and to generate species responses and adaptation. However, the impact of warming and fragmentation interplay on organismal responses remains largely under-explored, especially when it comes to gut symbionts, which may play a key role in essential host functions and traits by extending its functional and genetic repertoire. Here, we experimentally examined the combined effects of climate warming and habitat connectivity on the gut bacterial communities of the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) over three years. While the strength of effects varied over the years, we found that a 2°C warmer climate decreases lizard gut microbiome diversity in isolated habitats. However, enabling connectivity among habitats with warmer and cooler climates offset or even reversed warming effects. The warming effects and the association between host dispersal behaviour and microbiome diversity appear to be a potential driver of this interplay. This study suggests that preserving habitat connectivity will play a key role in mitigating climate change impacts, including the diversity of the gut microbiome, and calls for more studies combining multiple anthropogenic stressors when predicting the persistence of species and communities through global changes.

Effective Strategies For Beginners To Enhance Writing Skills

Writing is a fundamental skill that transcends academic, professional, and personal realms. For beginners embarking on their writing journey, the path to mastery may seem daunting, but with the right strategies and tools, it can be an enriching and transformative experience. This article delves into effective approaches for beginners to enhance their writing skills, drawing insights from student surveys and educational resources. One of the key elements in developing writing proficiency is the cultivation of creativity. By tapping into their imagination and exploring different perspectives, beginners can infuse their writing with originality and depth. Brainstorming techniques such as mind mapping, freewriting, and clustering can help generate ideas and structure thoughts, providing a solid foundation for the writing process. These creative exercises not only stimulate the mind but also foster a sense of curiosity and exploration, essential traits for aspiring writers. In addition to individual brainstorming, interactive writing methods can also play a pivotal role in honing writing skills. By engaging in a supportive writing community, beginners can gain valuable insights, encouragement, and motivation to push their creative boundaries. Furthermore, self-expression and storytelling are at the heart of writing, enabling individuals to communicate their thoughts, emotions, and experiences with clarity and resonance. Through the act of writing, individuals not only refine their communication skills but also cultivate empathy, introspection, and self-awareness.

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) improvement: Challenges and prospects—A review

AbstractFinger millet is a climate‐resilient and highly nutritious small grain crop widely grown in the semi‐arid tropics. It has multiple uses, including for food, feed and beverage preparations. However, finger millet is an under‐utilized and under‐researched crop with a mean yield of &lt;1.0 t/ha despite a potential productivity of up to 8 t/ha. The yield gap is attributed to several production constraints, such as biotic and abiotic stresses, a lack of access to improved seeds and production inputs and poor agronomic management practices. There are valuable genetic resources and genetic variability of finger millet in its centres of diversity and global gene banks for variety design, product development and commercialization. The genetic variability can be harnessed further to integrate essential traits into candidate varieties through conventional and modern breeding methods. Breeding and genetic innovations such as genomics‐assisted breeding, mutation breeding and genome editing would accelerate finger millet breeding and new variety design and deployment. The objective of this review was to document the opportunities, challenges and prospects of finger millet improvement as a guide for variety development and deployment with enhanced grain yield and nutritional contents. The first section describes global production status and yield gains, major production and productivity challenges in finger millet. This is followed by an in‐depth presentation on breeding and genetic progress on variety development with improved agronomic and nutritional quality traits, drought and salinity tolerance, and fungal diseases, weeds and insect pest resistance. Further, the review summarized finger millet's genetic and genomic resources, reference genomes, whole genome re‐sequencing and transcriptomics of finger millet technologies, genetic engineering and genome editing and their integration with conventional breeding methods for variety design with desired end‐use traits. The review provides foundational information to expedite the development of new‐generation finger millet cultivars with desirable product profiles, including high grain yield potential, early maturity, desirable seed colour, compact head type, food and feed nutrients quality and high marketability through modern breeding approaches.

The JA-OsJAZ6-DELLA module controls the tillering and drought stress response in rice

Jasmonic acid (JA) plays crucial functions during plant growth and stress response, but its roles and regulatory mechanism in plant branching remain largely unknown. Rice basal branching (tillering) is an essential agronomic trait that affects crop production. Here, we report that OsJAZ6, the repressor of JA signaling, negatively modulates rice tillering and drought stress tolerance. Loss-of-function mutants of OsJAZ6 exhibit a significant increase in tiller number, while OsJAZ6ΔJas-overexpression lines produce fewer tillers than wild-type plants. Further investigations show that function loss of OsJAZ6 promotes the tiller bud growth rather than formation. Mechanistic studies show that OsJAZ6 interacts with rice DELLA/SLR1 (SLENDER RICE 1), a transcription repressor of gibberellin (GA) signaling, and the interaction promotes SLR1 degradation, which further facilitates the degradation of rice tillering regulator MOC1 (MONOCULM 1), thereby inhibiting the tiller bud growth. In agreement, the slr1 mutant exhibits fewer tillers than wild type. Consistently, application of JA promotes the growth of tiller bud and thus increases the tiller number, while GA treatment results in opposite result. Meanwhile, osjaz6 mutants display enhanced drought tolerance, coupled with increased JA sensitivity, while the slr1 mutant shows the reverse behavior. Collectively, our data demonstrate that OsJAZ6 negatively modulates rice tillering as well as drought stress tolerance by destabilizing SLR1 protein. Our data shed light on the regulatory mechanism of controlling the tiller development and drought stress response in rice by the JA-OsJAZ6-SLR1 module.

Expeditionary Surgeons: Essential to Surgical Leadership in World War II and Today.

This presidential address, given during the Annual Symposium of the Excelsior Surgical Society of the American College of Surgeons, explores the origins of the expeditionary surgeon. The essential traits of such a surgeon-leader are defined using examples from history and are then used to examine the leadership of Edward D Churchill during World War II as the prototypical expeditionary surgeon. In the future, identifying key military surgical leaders as expeditionary surgeons would serve our nation's interests well in preserving our fighting force on the battlefield. Consideration should be given to formally training and designating such surgical leaders for the military and other austere settings.