scholarly journals Next-generation technologies applied to age-old challenges in Madagascar

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 785-793
Author(s):  
Marina B. Blanco ◽  
Lydia K. Greene ◽  
Fidisoa Rasambainarivo ◽  
Elizabeth Toomey ◽  
Rachel C. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Mouse Lemur ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
The Status ◽  
Thermal Cycler ◽  
Training Opportunities

Abstract Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot that is facing rapid rates of deforestation, habitat destruction, and poverty. Urgent action is required to document the status of biodiversity to facilitate efficacious conservation plans. With the recent advent of portable and affordable genetic technologies, it is now possible to take genomic approaches out of the lab and into the field. Mobile genetics labs can produce scientifically reproducible data under field conditions, dramatically minimizing the time between sample collection and data analysis. Here, we show “proof of concept” by deploying miniPCR bio’s miniaturized thermal cycler alongside Oxford Nanopore’s MinION DNA sequencer in Madagascar. Specifically, we deployed this technology at Anjajavy, northwestern Madagascar for rapid biodiversity assessment. We successfully extracted mouse lemur DNA, amplified and sequenced a phylogenetically informative mitochondrial gene (cytochrome-b; cytb), and thereby confirmed the presence of Danfoss’ mouse lemur (M. danfossi) within the Anjajavy Reserve. We show that a mobile genetics lab can provide expeditious results, and allow scientists to conduct genetic analyses, potentially allowing for rapid interventions under emergency conditions in situ. Additionally, mobile labs offer powerful training opportunities for in-country scientists for whom training opportunities were previously confined to ex-situ locations. By bringing genomic technologies to Madagascar and other economically challenged and biodiverse regions of the world, the next generation of scientists and conservationists can more fully implement their leadership roles. Local laboratory and training facilities are changing the polarity of research programs in Madagascar and empowering national researchers to take charge of environmental stewardship.

scholarly journals Next-generation in situ conservation and educational outreach in Madagascar using a mobile genetics lab

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina B. Blanco ◽  
Lydia K. Greene ◽  
Rachel C. Williams ◽  
Lanto Andrianandrasana ◽  
Anne D. Yoder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Educational Outreach ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Genetic Sequencing ◽  
Academic Publications ◽  
Thermal Cycler

AbstractMadagascar is a biodiversity hotspot that is facing rapid rates of deforestation, habitat destruction and poverty. Urgent action is required to document the status of biodiversity to facilitate efficacious conservation plans. Within country, new generations of Malagasy scientists and conservationists are taking on leadership roles, although many lack access to modern genetic sequencing and are underrepresented in academic publications, when compared to international counterparts.With the recent advent of portable and affordable genetic technologies, it is now possible to tackle logistical considerations. Mobile genetics labs, with the capacity for in situ DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing, can produce scientifically reproducible data under field conditions, minimizing the time between sample collection and data analysis. Additionally, mobile labs offer powerful training opportunities for in-country scientists that enable local students and researchers to actively participate and contribute fully to the research enterprise, and that further empower these communities to contribute to the conservation dialog.Here, we show “proof of concept” by deploying a miniaturized thermal cycler alongside the Oxford Nanopore MinION DNA sequencer in Madagascar, including in the newly established Anjajavy Protected Area in northwestern Madagascar. We successfully extracted DNA from tissue samples collected using minimally-invasive techniques, amplified and sequenced a phylogenetically informative mitochondrial gene (cytochrome-b; cytb), and thereby confirmed the presence of Danfoss’ mouse lemur (M. danfossi) within the Anjajavy Reserve.To demonstrate the reproducibility of our methods, we successfully performed our established molecular and analytical pipeline at two additional locations in Madagascar, where we also conducted two-day workshops at local higher-education Institutions to demonstrate the process from tissue samples to DNA sequencing. Ultimately, we show that a mobile genetics lab can provide reliable and expeditious results, become a powerful educational tool, and allow scientists to conduct genetic analyses, potentially allowing for rapid interventions under emergency conditions in situ.

PERUBAHAN NILAI BUDAYA MINANGKABAU DALAM NOVEL TENGGELAMNYA KAPAL VAN DER WIJCK KARYA HAMKA DAN NOVEL BULAN SUSUT KARYA ISMET FANANY (KAJIAN PERBANDINGAN)

Jurnal KATA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Yulia Pebriani
Keyword(s):  
Modern Society ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
The Status ◽  
Symbolic Leadership ◽  
Cultural Shifts ◽  
Time Lead

<em>Local culture is very diverse Indonesia became an honor and challenge to maintain and inherited to the next generation. Local Indonesian culture is very proud because it has a very varied diversity and unique. As time, lead to changes in lifestyle a more modern society. As a result, people will prefer the new culture that may be considered more practical than the local culture. Views on kinship, treasures, and wander in the novel Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck Hamka works and novels Bulan Susut works Ismet Fanany changes and cultural shifts. Kinship, treasures, and wander in the novel Sinking Ship Van Der Wijck Hamka's work is described explicitly, whereas kinship, treasures, and wander in the novel Month Losses Ismet work Fanany described implicitly. Changes in people's lives has implications for social Minangkabau culture in Minangkabau society. A leadership that is both functional mamak transformed into symbolic leadership. Mamak originally as straps tribesmen, has changed the status and intrinsic meaning.</em>

scholarly journals Status of the Ex Situ and In Situ Conservation of Brazilian Crop Wild Relatives of Rice, Potato, Sweet Potato, and Finger Millet: Filling the Gaps of Germplasm Collections

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 638
Author(s):  
Marcelo B. Medeiros ◽  
José F. M. Valls ◽  
Aluana G. Abreu ◽  
Gustavo Heiden ◽  
Suelma Ribeiro-Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finger Millet ◽  
Ex Situ Conservation ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Germplasm Collection ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
The Status

This study presents the status of ex situ and in situ conservation for the crop wild relatives of rice, potato, sweet potato, and finger millet in Brazil, and the subsequent germplasm collection expeditions. This research is part of a global initiative entitled “Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: Collecting, Protecting, and Preparing Crop Wild Relatives” supported by the Global Crop Diversity Trust. Species of the primary, secondary, and tertiary gene pools with occurrences reported in Brazil were included: Oryza alta Swallen, O. grandiglumis (Döll) Prod., O. latifolia Desv., O. glumaepatula Steud., Eleusine tristachya (Lam.) Lam., E. indica (L.) Gaertn., Solanum commersonii Dunal, S. chacoense Bitter, Ipomoea grandifolia (Dammer) O’Donell, I. ramosissima (Poir.) Choisy, I. tiliacea (Willd.) Choisy, I. triloba L., and I. cynanchifolia Meisn. The status of the ex situ and in situ conservation of each taxon was assessed using the gap analysis methodology, and the results were used to plan 16 germplasm collection expeditions. Seeds of the collected material were evaluated for viability, and the protocols for seed germination and cryopreservation were tested. The final conservation score, resulting from the gap analysis and including the average of the ex situ and in situ scores, resulted in a classification of medium priority of conservation for all the species, with the exception of I. grandifolia (high priority). The total accessions collected (174) almost doubled the total accessions of these crop wild relatives incorporated in Embrapa’s ex situ conservation system prior to 2015. In addition, accessions for practically absent species were collected for the ex situ conservation system, such as Ipomoea species, Eleusine indica, and Solanum chacoense. The methods used for dormancy breaking and low temperature conservation for the Oryza, Eleusine, and Ipomoea species were promising for the incorporation of accessions in the respective gene banks. The results show the importance of efforts to collect and conserve ex situ crop wild relatives in Brazil based on previous gap analysis. The complementarity with the in situ strategy also appears to be very promising in the country.

scholarly journals CAEP 2015 Academic Symposium: Leadership within the emergency medicine academic community and beyond

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S1-S9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Sinclair ◽  
James R. Worthington ◽  
Gary Joubert ◽  
Brian R. Holroyd ◽  
James Stempien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Academic Leadership ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Academic Leaders ◽  
Gender Balance ◽  
And Gender

AbstractObjectivesA panel of emergency medicine (EM) leaders endeavoured to define the key elements of leadership and its models, as well as to formulate consensus recommendations to build and strengthen academic leadership in the Canadian EM community in the areas of mentorship, education, and resources.MethodsThe expert panel comprised EM leaders from across Canada and met regularly by teleconference over the course of 9 months. From the breadth of backgrounds and experience, as well as a literature review and the development of a leadership video series, broad themes for recommendations around the building and strengthening of EM leadership were presented at the CAEP 2015 Academic Symposium held in Edmonton, Alberta. Feedback from the attendees (about 80 emergency physicians interested in leadership) was sought. Subsequently, draft recommendations were developed by the panel through attendee feedback, further review of the leadership video series, and expert opinion. The recommendations were distributed to the CAEP Academic Section for further feedback and updated by consensus of the expert panel.ResultsThe methods informed the panel who framed recommendations around four themes: 1) leadership preparation and training, 2) self-reflection/emotional intelligence, 3) academic leadership skills, and 4) gender balance in academic EM leadership. The recommendations aimed to support and nurture the next generation of academic EM leaders in Canada and included leadership mentors, availability of formal educational courses/programs in leadership, self-directed education of aspiring leaders, creation of a Canadian subgroup with the AACEM/SAEM Chair Development Program, and gender balance in leadership roles.ConclusionsThese recommendations serve as a roadmap for all EM leaders (and aspiring leaders) to build on their success, inspire their colleagues, and foster the next generation of Canadian EM academic leaders.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD FOR DIRECT MASS SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES USING POROUS SAMPLERS

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-103
Author(s):  
R.E. Levin ◽  
◽  
M.A. Shamraeva ◽  
I.M. Larina ◽  
D.S. Bormotov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Samples ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Spectrometric Analysis ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Mucous Membranes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Direct Mass Spectrometry ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Blood Spot

The paper presents a method for rapid multi-omics investigation of biological samples using polypropylene bulk porous samplers. The use of porous samplers makes it easy to collect samples from the surface of the skin, mucous membranes, and biological fluids even in a field, and the surfaces of wounds and injuries. Collected samples do not require special storage conditions, and the samplers are lightweight and very compact. They can be used to monitor the condition of cosmonauts before, during, and after the spaceflight with the same sample collection method. The analysis of biomaterial applied to the sampler is performed using direct mass spectrometry methods, similar to the dried blood spot technique that is already used in clinical practice. However, bulk porous samplers allow expanding the range of analytes ionization conditions, which increases the stability and reliability of the ionization process, which expands the variety of analyzed molecules. The proposed method can be used to study compounds of various classes, including proteins, lipids, and metabolites, to systematically monitor the status of people in extreme conditions (athletes, astronauts), or to study the condition of patients in the clinic.

scholarly journals The ‘building paradox’: research on building-related environmental effects requires global visibility and attention

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Francesco Pomponi ◽  
Robert Crawford ◽  
André Stephan ◽  
Jim Hart ◽  
Bernardino D'Amico
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Environmental Discourse ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Greenhouse Gases Emissions ◽  
Global Environmental ◽  
The Status

The construction and operation of buildings is a major contributor to global energy demand, greenhouse gases emissions, resource depletion, waste generation, and associated environmental effects, such as climate change, pollution and habitat destruction. Despite its wide relevance, research on building-related environmental effects often fails to achieve global visibility and attention, particularly in premiere interdisciplinary journals – thus representing a major gap in the research these journals offer. In this article we review and reflect on the factors that are likely causing this lack of visibility for such a prominent research topic and emphasise the need to reconcile the construction and operational phases into the physical unity of a building, to contribute to the global environmental discourse using a lifecycle-based approach. This article also aims to act as a call for action and to raise awareness of this important gap. The evidence contained in the article can support institutional policies to improve the status quo and provide a practical help to researchers in the field to bring their work to wide interdisciplinary audiences.

Species relationships in the dasyurid marsupial genus Pseudantechinus (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae): a re-examination of the taxonomic status of Pseudantechinus roryi

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 240 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. S. Umbrello ◽  
P. A. Woolley ◽  
M. Westerman
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Species Relationships ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
The Status

The status of Pseudantechinus roryi relative to its congeners has been determined from DNA sequences obtained from both nuclear and mitochondrial gene loci. Although all other recognised species of Pseudantechinus form reciprocally monophyletic lineages in phylogenetic analyses, individuals identified in museum collections as Ps. roryi (including type specimens) were indistinguishable from those identified as Ps. macdonnellensis. Ps. roryi is thus considered to be a synonym of Ps. macdonnellensis. Neighbour-joining network analyses failed to reveal any clear biogeographic differences between populations of Ps. macdonnellensis other than some evidence of isolation by distance.

scholarly journals Leaning Out in higher education: A structural, postcolonial perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Popular Culture ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Economic Sphere ◽  
The Status

A new kind of gender equality ideology is rising in popularity in Western societies. While emphasising gender equality for the next generation, this new ideology sees feminism in a pragmatic and simplistic way, as nonthreatening to the status quo, in politics, popular culture, and economy. In the economic sphere, Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” has become well known for aiming to guide women to succeed alongside men in the workplace by changing their behaviours and attitudes. Its recommendations for women have impacted perspectives in the non- rofit and start-up worlds, arts, and more. However, there are some limitations to the kind of feminist thinking exemplified by Lean In. This article critically examines Lean In as a discourse or ideology in relation to higher education within and outside Western societies. I argue first that such ideology employs a deficiency model of gender equality that makes women accountable for sexism by focusing on internal rather than external change. Second, I argue that such discourses essentialize gender. Third, I argue that it is not easy to translate the advice given to women across international contexts, as Lean In reflects cultural conceptions of the workplace.

Mentoring, Sponsorship, and Gender

2020 ◽  
pp. 198-207
Author(s):  
Karen P. Burke ◽  
Lori E. Ciccomascolo
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Women In Leadership ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
College And University ◽  
Education Careers ◽  
The Status ◽  
And Gender

The lack of women in leadership roles is a systemic problem in the United States and is not unique to the field of education; however, it is important to continue to challenge the status quo and provide a path for women to achieve equality and equity in the workplace. The following chapter will identify and discuss the importance of mentoring and sponsorship so that women pursuing education careers, novice women teachers, and women college, and university faculty and staff can actively and better position themselves to move into leadership positions and/or ensure a “seat at the table” in situations where decisions are made that affect their personal and professional lives.

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