Great Diversity Research Articles

Analysis of Qualitative Indicators of Norway Spruce and Silver Fir Seed Stands in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The research aims to determine the quantity and quality of Norway spruce and silver fir seed stands in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to recommend measures for their improvement to produce the highest quality reproduction material and achieve genetic gain in newly planted forests. For this research, four measured and 19 observed phenotypic traits were analyzed in 11 Norway spruce and 14 silver fir seed stands. The average age of the trees in Norway spruce seed stands was 70 years, and in silver fir stands 85 years. The average diameter of trees in Norway spruce seed stands was 49 cm, and 46 cm for silver fir. The average height of trees for both species was 26 m. In all seed stands of both species, there was a sufficient number of favorably shaped and straight trees. There was a small incidence of forkness and a high incidence of thin and medium-thick branches. The number of branches in the whorl was high in the seed stands of both species. There was a large number of trees growing poorly and trees with poor trunk clearance from dead branches. A small number of damaged trees in seed stands were also registered, and a low percentage of trees with moderate twisting. The appearance of mistletoe was registered in silver fir seed stands. Some of the analyzed seed stands have shown very good quality, and individual selection should be made in them. In some of the analyzed stands, activities of arrangement and removal of part of the trees are necessary. Considering the great ecological-vegetation diversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with four ecological-vegetation regions, 14 areas and 20 districts, most of which are also represented in the Federation of BiH, a higher number of seed stands is needed. When selecting new seed stands for spruce and fir, the focus should be on small stands that grow in extreme conditions.

The role of language and culture in conceptualization of climate change

Climate change communication often occurs in multicultural settings using certain common lingua francas to reach the wide diversity of the linguistic groups that inhabit the globe. The effectiveness of these languages is subject to the diverse cultural contexts of those involved. Different cultural contexts could give rise to various conceptualisations of climate change-related phenomena and, hence, different responses to this pressing global issue. This could have implications for the success of the efforts to grapple with the problems arising from climate change. The paper ponders the question: How do culturally situated meanings of climate factors affect the supposed common understanding of climate change concerns? It reviews literature on culture and communication and samples adages from six languages spoken in Africa and the West. The paper applies insights from the Neo-Whorfian hypothesis to examine the communication barriers in cross-cultural communication. The analysis of the sayings reveals multiple opposing culture-based values on climate issues. This leads to the conclusion that the great diversity of the cultural groups involved, as well as their unique viewpoints on climate causes, pose a substantial obstacle to communication about climate change. This militates against the development of a common understanding of the climate change problem and the quest for solutions. It recommends that culture-specific values and intercultural training be taken into account if a truly common understanding of the climate change phenomenon and its solutions is to be developed.

Ethnopharmacological Insights into the Use of Chenopodium ambrosioides for Cough Treatment among Togolese Traditional Healers

Togo has an ethnobotanical potential with a great diversity of medicinal plants widely used to treat human diseases. Cough associated with respiratory diseases is one of the pathologies traditionally treated with medicinal plants in Togo. Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.) is a species used in the traditional treatment of cough in Togo. The aim of this study was to document the ethnopharmacological uses of Chenopodium ambrosioides in Togolese traditional medicine for treatment of cough. An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted using the semi-structured interview method among Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) from six health districts spread across four health regions. The ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical data collected were analyzed using the User Value (UV) and Frequency of Citation (FC) of medicinal plants associated with the species. A total of 127 TMPs participated in this study and 96 (76%) of them were male and 31 (34%) were female. 73% of the informants claimed usually use Chenopodium ambrosioides in the cough treatment compared to 27% who claimed to not use it to treat cough. Chenopodium ambrosioides was used in combination with fifty-two (52) other botanical species in the treatment of cough and in the study area, Abrus precatorius Linn. (13.59%) followed by Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (11.58%), Zingiber officinale Rosc. Trans. Linn. (9.73%), Mangifera indica Linn. (6.21%), Eucalyptus citriodora Hooker (4.87%), Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. (4.36%) and Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb. (4.19%) were the most popular plants used for cough treatment among the plants recorded. Sixteen (16) other pathologies including pulmonary infections are also treated by Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.). Abscesses, intestinal parasitic diseases, incurable wounds, stomach aches and headaches are the most pathologies commonly treated by this plant. The whole plant (72%) and leaves (22%) are the primary parts utilized for medicinal purposes. Decoction (77.50%) is the main preparation method, with oral (80.83%) and cutaneous (10.83%) routes being the most common modes of administration. The findings from this study provide a solid ethnopharmacological foundation for future pharmacological and toxicological investigations into Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.).

The last 20,000 years of climate change in the Iberian Peninsula characterized by the small-mammal assemblages

Climate and environments have undergone significant changes throughout the Earth's history, which are reflected in the faunal record. In that sense, small mammals provide valuable palaeoecological insights due to their close relationship with their associated environments. Our research investigates the dynamics of small mammal communities in the Iberian Peninsula from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene, comparing regional environmental variations as well as anthropogenic impacts. Our review of the small mammal assemblages from 26 archaeological sites across the Iberian Peninsula revealed a differential response of the small mammal communities between the northern and southern areas. The colder climatic conditions which characterized the Late Pleistocene favoured the presence of mid-European species (e.g., Alexandromys (Oecomicrotus) oeconomus, Chionomys (Chionomys) nivalis) in northern regions until the Mid Holocene, while other taxa today restricted to northern Iberia (e.g., Arvicola amphibius, Microtus gr. (Euarvicola) arvalis, Sorex araneus-coronatus) reached southern regions during the Last Glacial Maximum but disappeared at the beginning of the Holocene period. Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions indicate predominantly open landscapes and colder climates in the Late Pleistocene, with increased forest cover during the Early-Mid Holocene in northern areas. In contrast, the southern regions exhibited more stable environments compared to the northern ones. Our results underscore how the great environmental diversity and interactions between natural and anthropogenic factors affected the composition of Iberian small mammal communities during the last 20,000 years. Most specifically, during the Late Holocene, biogeographical patterns of the small mammals are mostly affected by anthropic activities, with changes in the distribution of some species (Microtus (Iberomys) cabrerae), and the entrance of new ones (synanthropic species).

Application of otolith morphometrics in delineating population structure of Aphaniops stoliczkanus (Teleostei: Aphaniidae) in southern Iranian waters

AbstractWidely distributed Species in different geological and ecological environments often exhibit great intraspecific diversity. Aphaniops stoliczkanus (Day, 1872) is an endemic species of Middle East occurring over a vast geographic range in different basins. This species has been observed in freshwater, brackish water and hot sulphur springs; therefore, its populations are known to exhibit considerable morphological variation. In the present study, we have investigated the poorly studied populations of A. stoliczkanus of the Hormuz and Makran basins of Iran in terms of otolith morphology and morphometrics. According to the results, these populations can be divided into two distinct groups including east and west of the Strait of Hormuz. Our results also provide evidence that there is a relationship between otolith morphology and the environment, serving as environmental factors that may influence the formation of specific regions in the otolith shape. Despite the remarkable morphological similarities among otoliths in geographically close populations of Charak and Chiruyeh, our data purposed that geographically these populations have different dorsal tip shapes in their otolith. In comparison to the data from other studies, the otoliths of Qeshm Island appear to resemble the overall shape of otolith found in Oman very closely. However, it is believed that Qeshm Island population was separated from the Hormuz basin populations during the Holocene Sea level rise. Also, the outcomes of this study provide insights into the potential role of environmental factors in shaping intraspecific diversity and the migration patterns of this species within the Persian Gulf.

The Systematics and Phylogeny of Myxomycetes: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

Abstract-Myxomycetes are amoeboid fungus-like organisms (Amoebozoa) with a unique life cycle characterized by a great morphological diversity of fruiting bodies. Due to the similarity of these structures to the fruiting bodies of some representatives of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, myxomycetes have been classified as fungi since the first known scientific description in 1654. Only in the 19th century, when their life cycle was studied, did the difference of this group from fungi become clear. During the same period, microscopic structures of fruiting bodies, as well as ornamentation of the spore surface, began to be considered as diagnostic features. Due to this, in the period from the end of the 19th to the middle of the 20th century, a rather stable system was formed. However, as further studies have shown, both macro- and micromorphological characters are often quite variable, depend on environmental conditions, and often result from convergent evolution, which causes difficulties in defining species and taxonomic units of higher ranks. Since the first decade of the 21st century, due to the development of molecular genetic methods and the accumulation of data on nucleotide sequences of marker genes together with the improvement of microscopic studies, it has been possible to obtain data on the evolutionary relationships of different groups of myxomycetes. A milestone in this process was the publication of the first phylogenetic system of myxomycetes in 2019. This work was the starting point for a number of studies on the relationships between different groups of myxomycetes at a lower taxonomic level. Thus, there has been a surge in the number of studies that bring us closer to constructing a natural system.

The myoarchitecture of the vertebrate cardiac ventricles: evolution and classification.

The ventricle of the vertebrate heart is the main segment of the cardiac outflow region. Compared with other cardiac components, it shows remarkable histomorphological variation among different animal groups. This variation is especially apparent in the myocardium, which is generally classified into three main types: trabeculated, compact and mixed. The trabeculated or 'spongy' myocardium is characterized by the existence of trabeculae and deep recesses or intertrabecular spaces, lined by the endocardium. The compact type is composed of condensed myocardial fibers, with almost no trabeculated layer. The mixed type consists of an outer compact layer and an inner trabeculated layer. Among vertebrates, fishes show a great diversity of myocardial types. On this basis, the ventricular myoarchitecture has been categorized into four groups of varying complexity. This classification is made according to (i) the proportion of the two types of myocardium, trabeculated versus compact, and (ii) the vascularization of the heart wall. Here, we review the morphogenetic mechanisms that give rise to the different ventricular myoarchitecture in gnathostomes (i.e. jawed vertebrates) with special emphasis on the diversity of the ventricular myocardium throughout the phylogeny of ancient actinopterygians and teleosts. Finally, we propose that the classification of the ventricular myoarchitecture should be reconsidered, given that the degrees of myocardial compactness on which the current classification system is based do not constitute discrete states, but an anatomical continuum.

Preserving Tradition and Promoting Innovation: “Quesillo,” Artisanal Cheese from Oaxaca, Mexico

The quesillo is a traditional food originally produced in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, is fresh, spun paste or strands, made with raw milk and has unique sensory attributes due to its extensive native microbiota, mainly lactic acid bacteria, which are fermenting microorganisms, safe, are used in the fermentation and preservation of food helping to improve flavor, aroma, and texture. They are part of the natural microbiota of raw milk and its derivatives, mainly traditional cheeses, where the greatest diversity and heterogeneity is found. The objective of this study was to microbiologically identify lactic acid bacteria (LABs) present in the traditional quesillo of Oaxaca, Mexico. Quesillo samples were collected in three municipalities in Oaxaca, Mexico. Serial dilutions were prepared from 10 g of sample, then seeded in a Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) selective medium. Subsequently, they were incubated at 30 °C for 24 to 48 h. The strains were identified macroscopically and microscopically, catalase and oxidase tests were performed as confirmation tests for LAB. From the three traditional quesillo samples, 86 colonies with BAL macroscopic morphology were identified, strains with yeast morphology, coccobacillary, catalase and oxidase positive were discarded, and finally 56 strains were identified with macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of LAB type, gram positive, bacillary and coccobacillary morphology, catalase and oxidase negative. In conclusion, quesillo is a traditional product that presents lactic acid bacteria as important microorganisms, which, in addition to improving sensory attributes and food preservation, can present probiotic properties that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host.

Taxonomic diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in west-central Mexico: Conservation from a multi-taxa perspective.

Multi-taxa approaches are increasingly used because they describe complementary aspects of ecosystem dynamics from a community ecology perspective. In west-central Mexico, the complex biogeography and topography have created an environment where temperate and tropical forests converge, resulting in great biological diversity. Within this region, the Sierra de Quila Natural Protected Area (SQPA) offers an important example for understanding ecological community dynamics. We analyze the taxonomic diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in the SQPA by incorporating taxonomic levels associated with species. We evaluated the taxonomic diversity with i) an average taxonomic distinctiveness analysis (alpha diversity) and ii) an analysis of taxonomic dissimilarity and partitioning of turnover and differences in richness components (beta diversity). Tropical forests boast the highest taxonomic diversity of amphibians, reptiles, and birds, while temperate gallery forests exhibit lower values. Our results showed that terrestrial vertebrate alpha and beta diversity patterns respond mainly to contrasting vegetation types (tropical vs. temperate). Regarding beta diversity, the multi-vegetation type analysis showed the highest values for reptiles, followed by amphibians, birds, and mammals. Turnover had the highest contribution to beta diversity, while differences in richness were relevant for amphibians and reptiles, which could be related to their low mobility and sensitivity to environmental conditions. Despite the local scale, the SQPA presented high beta diversity, reflecting historical ecological processes in taxonomic composition derived from contrasting environments and constraints imposed on species. Evaluating taxonomic structure from a multi-taxa perspective is essential for conservation efforts because it allows the spatial recognition of biological assemblages as a first step for local interventions.

Molecular and genetic mechanisms of sex determination in poplar

The study of molecular and genetic mechanisms of sex determination in poplar is of interest not only in the fundamental aspect, but also in the applied aspect. In landscaping of large settlements, it is advisable to use male individuals of Populus genus due to their hypoallergenicity and increased resistance to environmental pollution, stress conditions and pathogens. However, sex determination in poplars is complicated by the complex genetic structure of the sex-determining region of the genome (SDR). In this review, the emergence, evolution, structure and function of the SDR in the genus Populus are discussed. Current insights into the structure and function of the key regulator of sex selection in poplars, the orthologous ARR16/ARR17 gene, and the possible role of other genes differentially expressed between male and female plants, including microRNAs, in this process are discussed in detail. The great diversity of species and the high complexity of SDR organization justify the need for further study of the molecular mechanisms of sex determination in poplars.

Characterization of hAT DNA transposon superfamily in the genome of Neotropical fish Apareiodon sp.

DNA transposons are diverse in fish genomes and have been described to generate genomic evolutionary novelties. hAT transposable element data are scarce in Teleostei genomes, making it challenging to conduct comparative genomic studies to understand their neutrality or function. This study aimed to perform a genomic and molecular characterization of hAT copies to assess the diversity of these elements and associate changes in these sequences to genomic and karyotypic novelties in Apareiodon sp. The data revealed that hAT TEs are highly abundant in the Apareiodon sp. genome, with few possibly autonomous copies. Highly conserved sequences with likely functional transposases were observed in nine hAT elements. A great diversity of hAT subgroups was observed, especially from Ac, Charlie, Blackjack, Tip100, hAT6, and hAT5, and a similar wave of hAT genomic invasion was identified in the genome for these six groups of hAT sequences. The data also revealed a distinct number of microsatellites within degenerated hAT copies. hAT sites were demonstrated to be dispersed in the Apareiodon sp. chromosomes and not involved in W chromosome-specific region differentiation. In conclusion, the genomic analysis revealed a great diversity of hAT elements, possible autonomous copies, and differentiation of degenerated transposable elements into tandem sequences.

Microbial extracellular electron transfer in the human gastrointestinal tract

Microbial extracellular electron transfer in the human gastrointestinal tract Gratian Ting and Arpita Bose from Washington University in St. Louis discuss the fascinating role that extracellular electron transfer plays within the human gut. The human gut microbiome contains around hundreds of trillions of bacteria, and a great diversity of species. In fact, the number of bacteria in the human gut is similar in number to all the cells in the human body, further signifying the heterogeneity and significance of this microbiota. The habitat filtering of the human gut, defined as the non-random survival of microorganisms in relation to characteristics of the surrounding environment, is influenced by two important factors: host and diet. Disruption of normal host gut processes through various means, could cause cell death and dysbiosis, disrupting host-mediated habitat filtering. However, diet plays a far more common role in this process. Different dietary behaviors exist between individuals from cultural, moral, economic, and other means.

OPEN LETTERS IN CLOSED SOCIETIES: THE VALUES OF HISTORIANS UNDER ATTACK

ABSTRACTThis article explores a question of practical ethics: To which values do historians appeal when they come under sustained attack from political power? An important instrument of historians living in closed societies to express their values is the open letter, defined as an unauthorized public statement cast in epistolary form and addressed to either political leaders or fellow historians, but always with the general public as a silent reader in the background. Limited to the post‐1945 period, a search for such open letters yielded 106 examples from 39 countries in closed and open societies. Four types of open letters were identified: those describing repression effects, those rebutting official historical views, those defending basic principles, and those presenting transitional historiography. Nine telling cases from six closed societies were then reviewed in detail and analyzed from a variety of angles (authorship, rhetoric, audience, impact, criticism, regime stage, and regime type). When these cases were examined in light of the initial question, it was found that most letters contained a great diversity of values but focused on how the human rights of historians were threatened. Invariably, their theme was historical writing in its full breadth, including its documentary infrastructure and its ramifications in education and the public sphere. Respect for historical truth was invoked more than any other value. It was a minimalist truth conception, however, understood as the absence of historical lies and falsification. The reason for this emphasis on an integrity‐oriented conception of historical truth may lie in an old and deep‐seated professional fear: the fear that the dictator's corrupted and divisive version of history survives and triumphs as the final verdict.

Acoustic performances of earthen walls, review of modeling approaches and tools

Earth construction benefits of a renewed interest particularly for environmental reasons. However, due to its mainly artisanal construction process, acoustic characterization data of earthen walls are quite rare which can limit their use for projects involving acoustic requirements. Moreover, the great diversity in materials as well as in related construction techniques could result in a large spread in terms of acoustical performances. In this context, acoustic characterizations and modelings are necessary to provide a better understanding on earth materials behaviors. In this study, the results from different modeling approaches are compared to few earth walls sound transmission loss data publicly available. The modeling tools including simplified formulas or more elaborated softwares present different levels of complexities and assumptions sometimes highlighting the specificities of this material. Depending on the construction techniques used (earth blocks, light earth, earth panels etc ...), different assumptions can be appropriate. Extrapolations of performances on several walls for both sound transmission loss and sound absorption provide information regarding tendencies and potentially achievable performances for future earth construction projects. Nevertheless, the comparison between the modeling approaches allows gaining insight on the limits of some approaches and the necessary critical analysis before a possible generalization to other earth walls.

Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolic Content of Underutilized Edible Tree Species of the Philippines

Recently, neglected and underutilized species (NUS) have deservedly come to the forefront of scientific interest because they can contribute to the human nutrition, due to the content of bioactive substances such as antioxidants. Despite the great diversity and rich tradition in the use of Philippine NUS, the nutritional properties of many edible plants remain unexplored. The main objective of this study was to evaluate various parts of eleven NUS fruits and vegetables traditionally consumed in the Philippines, namely Allaeanthus luzonicus, Canarium ovatum, Dillenia philippinensis, Ficus pseudopalma, Flacourtia indica, Flacourtia inermis, Garcinia intermedia, Heliotropium arboreum, Posoqueria latifolia, Stelechocarpus burahol, and Sterculia quadrifida for their total phenolic content (TPC) and in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and ORAC assays). Inflorescence of A. luzonicus (DPPH IC50 = 91.0 μg/mL, ORAC IC50 = 37.9 μg/mL) and fruit of S. burahol (DPPH IC50 = 253.7 μg/mL, ORAC IC50 = 32.2 μg/mL) showed the strongest antioxidant activity in both assays. These two species also had the highest TPC (202.1 and 133.0 µg GAE/mg extract, respectively). For all samples tested, a strong correlation was found between TPC and antioxidant activity. Based on our results, A. luzonicus and S. burahol have promising potential as novel antioxidant rich food.

T6SS-associated Rhs toxin-encapsulating shells: Structural and bioinformatical insights into bacterial weaponry and self-protection.

Bacteria use the type VI secretion system (T6SS) to secrete toxins into pro- and eukaryotic cells via machinery consisting of a contractile sheath and a rigid tube. Rearrangement hotspot (Rhs) proteins represent one of the most common T6SS effectors. The Rhs C-terminal toxin domain displays great functional diversity, while the Rhs core is characterized by YD repeats. We elucidate the Rhs core structures of PAAR- and VgrG-linked Rhs proteins from Salmonella bongori and Advenella mimigardefordensis, respectively. The Rhs core forms a large shell of β-sheets with a negatively charged interior and encloses a large volume. The S.bongori Rhs toxin does not lead to ordered density in the Rhs shell, suggesting the toxin is unfolded. Together with bioinformatics analysis showing that Rhs toxins predominantly act intracellularly, this suggests that the Rhs core functions two-fold, as a safety feature for the producer cell and as delivery mechanism for the toxin.

Genomic characterization of MRSA recovered from people with cystic fibrosis during two Spanish multicentre studies (2013 and 2021).

Chronic bronchopulmonary infection due to MRSA in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) has been associated with accelerated decline in lung function, increased hospitalizations and increased mortality. We studied microbiological and genomic characteristics of MRSA isolates recovered from pwCF in two Spanish multicentre studies (2013, 2021). Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed. WGS was carried out to determine population structure [MLST, spa-typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec)], resistome and virulome. Clinical charts of MRSA-infected and MRSA-non-infected pwCF were also reviewed. MRSA infection prevalence decreased between 2013 (29/341, 8.5%) and 2021 (21/326, 6.4%) (P = 0.378). Differences in lung function were observed between infected and non-infected patients (P < 0.005). A higher prevalence of hospital-acquired (HA) clones was found compared with community-acquired (CA) clones (2013: 67% versus 33%; and 2021: 71% versus 29%). Overall, we noted clustering of isolates based on year of sampling, type of acquisition and clonal complex (CC). HA-MRSA population was dominated by CC5, with ST125-MRSA-IVc-t067 the most prevalent lineage (37%). A higher clonal diversity was detected among CA-MRSA. One Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive strain (ST8-MRSA-IV) and three strains of porcine origin (two ST398-MRSA-V-t011, one ST398-MRSA-V-t8567) were found. Additionally, acquired resistance genes (n = 24) were detected, including the cfr gene conferring linezolid resistance. A higher gentamicin resistance was found in 2021 (42%) compared with 2013 (7%) (P = 0.046), associated with the aac(6')-aph(2″) gene. Despite a decrease in MRSA prevalence, we showed its potential impact on CF severity and progression. Moreover, we observed great genotypic and phenotypic diversity in MRSA isolates from pwCF as well as an MDR trait.

Selective oxidation of electron-rich pollutants in peroxymonosulfate-activated electro-Fenton system: the role of microenvironment-regulated cathode

Electro-Fenton technologies driven by peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation have been extensively explored for abatement of organic pollutants from water. Unfortunately, a great diversity of matrix components in contaminated water scenarios inevitably and significantly compromises the efficiency of the generated radicals toward target pollutants. Thus, selective oxidation of the electro-Fenton technologies is urgently desired for cost effective and sustainable water treatment, but challenged by the traditional electron transfer pathway from cathode to PMS to mainly form SO4•− and HO• radicals. In this study, we successfully realized selective generation of 1O2, a non-radical species specific for electron-rich pollutants, by regulating the second-shell coordination environment of single-atom Fe in carbonaceous cathode. The doped electron-accepting B drives directional electron transfer from PMS to electrode and inhibiting the undesirable radical pathways. Besides, the electrochemical reduction of H+ in-situ generated from the dissociation of H-O in PMS is favourable for the formation of 1O2 as high as 163.4 μmol.L−1min−1. Fast and preferential removal of sulfonamides pollutants in different water matrices demonstrated the excellent matrix tolerance of the newly developed electro-Fenton process. A pilot electrochemical device was designed to further selective remove phenols in real-scenario application. No residual phenol was detected (<0.01 mg/L) with TOC removal around 50% (down to 23.9±0.3 mg L−1) during the continuous 24-h operation. This study is also believed to shed new light on how to achieve desirable electrochemical reactions via microenvironmental regulation in response to sustainable water decontamination and beyond.

Diversity Of Physical Grain Quality Traits In Tropical Sorghum Genotypes

The current study envisioned to assess the physical traits of sorghum grain for selected sorghum genotypes. Seed for the genotypes was sourced from the Lupane State University Gene Bank and grown during the 2022/23 agricultural season at Lupane State University Farm experimental plots. At maturity, laboratory tests on kernel/grain hardness, 100 kernel weight, bulk density, kernel diameter, colour and determination of presence of tannins through qualitative tests were done for all the 24 sorghum genotypes. Results from analysis of variance demonstrated highly significant differences (P&lt;0.001) on kernel weight, kernel diameter, kernel hardness and grain hardness showing a great diversity of physical traits among all the 22 genotypes and 2 commercial varieties of sorghum. Mean 100 kernel weight was 2.59g, kernel diameter was 3.49mm, bulk density was 1.23g/cm3 and kernel hardness was 28.9%. Visual assessment was done on grain colour and seed was classified under red, cream, white and brown sorghums, and mixed colours. A chi-square test found a significant relationship between grain colour and presence of tannins. Genotypes NPGRC3124, IS9405 showed moderate levels of tannins while IS13996, IS29925, NPGRC1699, NPGRC1156 and NPGRC1478 had high levels. A highly significant strong positive correlation was shown for sorghum genotype between kernel diameter and kernel weight (r=0.81 at p≤0.05). Highly significant positive correlation was also observed between bulk density and kernel weight (r=0.4173 at p≤0.001). Kernel hardness has a strong positive correlation with bulk density (r=0.6242). Quantification of tannins is recommended to prevent negative effects on human and livestock health.

Service quality in higher education: A literature review

In a time where the student experience increasingly mirrors a customer-centric approach, universities are tasked with fulfilling the role of comprehensive educational service providers. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review on service quality in higher education, focusing on various generic and industry-specific scales. The primary objective of this article is to analyse and compare prominent measurement scales such as SERVQUAL, SERVPERF, HEdPERF, UnivQual, and HiEduQual. Each scale is defined according to its original literature and provides a foundational understanding of their respective constructs and factors. To achieve a nuanced comparison, the paper examines these scales based on the number of factors extracted from studies and their characteristics. The analysis reveals a great diversity and specificity of factors in measuring service quality across different higher education contexts. Beyond that, the paper analyses a database of 45 selected peer-reviewed articles to understand the practical application of service quality scales in empirical research. This examination considers multiple dimensions such as the country of focus, the statistical procedures employed, and the research methods. These dimensions offer a rich comparative insight into the trends in service quality research within higher education. Additionally, the study delves into the number and names of factors identified in each article, mapping them against the established scales to uncover patterns and deviations in empirical findings. A notable aspect of the review is the exploration of gender differences in service quality perceptions, a critical yet often underexplored area. This gender-based analysis provides valuable insights into how male and female students may perceive service quality differently, thereby informing more nuanced and inclusive service quality enhancement strategies. The findings of this paper underscore the multifaceted nature of service quality in higher education and the importance of context-specific scales. By comparing different measurement approaches and analysing a broad spectrum of empirical studies, this review contributes to a deeper understanding of how service quality is conceptualised and measured in higher education. It also offers practical implications for researchers and practitioners aiming to enhance service quality and align it more closely with student expectations and experiences.