An Independent Locus Upstream of ASIP Controls Variation in the Shade of the Bay Coat Colour in Horses

Novel coat colour phenotypes often emerge during domestication, and there is strong evidence of genetic selection for the two main genes that control base coat colour in horses—ASIP and MC1R. These genes direct the type of pigment produced, red pheomelanin (MC1R) or black eumelanin (ASIP), as well as the relative concentration and the temporal–spatial distribution of melanin pigment deposits in the skin and hair coat. Here, we describe a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify novel genic regions involved in the determination of the shade of bay. In total, 126 horses from five different breeds were ranked according to the extent of the distribution of eumelanin: spanning variation in phenotype from black colour restricted only to the extremities to the presence of some black pigment across nearly all the body surface. We identified a single region associated with the shade of bay ranking spanning approximately 0.5 MB on ECA22, just upstream of the ASIP gene (p = 9.76 × 10−15). This candidate region encompasses the distal 5′ end of the ASIP transcript (as predicted from other species) as well as the RALY gene. Both loci are viable candidates based on the presence of similar alleles in other species. These results contribute to the growing understanding of coat colour genetics in the horse and to the mapping of genetic determinants of pigmentation on a molecular level. Given pleiotropic phenotypes in behaviour and obesity for ASIP alleles, especially those in the 5′ regulatory region, improved understanding of this new Shade allele may have implications for health management in the horse.

Transmission of X-linked Ovarian Cancer: Characterization and Implications

We recently reported evidence that a strong, BRCA-independent locus on the X-chromosome may contribute to ovarian cancer predisposition in families ascertained from the Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry (Buffalo, NY, USA). While it has been estimated that approximately 20% of all ovarian cancer cases are hereditary, it is possible that a significant proportion of cases previously believed to be sporadic may, in fact, be X-linked. Such X-linked disease has a distinct pattern; it implies that a father will necessarily pass a risk allele to each of his daughters, increasing the prevalence of cancers clustered within a family. X-chromosome inactivation further influences the expression of X-linked alleles and may represent a novel target for screening and therapy. Herein, we review the current literature regarding X-linked ovarian cancer and interpret allele transmission-based models to characterize X-linked ovarian cancer and develop a framework for clinical and epidemiological familial ascertainment to inform the design of future studies.

Ancient BED-domain-containing immune receptor from wild barley confers widely effective resistance to leaf rust

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia hordei is a devastating fungal disease affecting barley (Hordeum vulgare subsp. vulgare) production globally. Race-specific resistance (R) genes have been deployed widely; however, their durability is often compromised due to the rapid emergence of virulent P. hordei races, prompting the search for new sources of broad-spectrum resistance. Here we report on the cloning of Rph15, a broadly effective resistance gene derived from the wild progenitor Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum. We demonstrate using introgression mapping, mutation and complementation that Rph15 encodes a coiled-coil nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) protein with an integrated Zinc-finger BED (ZF-BED) domain. The allelic variation at the Rph15 locus was assessed using barley exome capture data that traced its origin to the western region of the Fertile Crescent bordering Jordan and Israel. To unravel the genetic relationship of two other leaf rust resistance genes (Rph14 and Rph16) mapped at similar locus on chromosome 2H, we re-sequenced the Rph15 gene from the near-isogenic line for Rph15 (Bowman+Rph15) and the two donor accessions of Rph14 (PI 584760) and Rph16, (PI 405292, Hs 680). Both whole genome and Sanger sequencing confirmed that Hs 680 carried Rph15, while Rph14 in PI 584760 was an independent locus. A perfect diagnostic KASP marker was developed and validated to permit efficient introduction of Rph15 into cultivated barley.

Border as Refuge: Demarcating Safe Spaces in Times of Conflict

Borders have become one of the most controversial topics of our times. Identifiable borders, be they physical barriers, markings or the physical delimiters of socially constructed entities, are essential to how we designate living spaces, land allocations, territorial ownership and jurisdiction and, in a more abstract sense, how we analyze and study natural and social realities as such. Throughout the war in Syria during the past few years we have seen a mass migration within and out of Syria in search of safety. Some of the internally displaced persons (IDP) sought refuge along the border with Israel, Syria’s seven-decade-long mortal enemy. This choice might seem odd in light of the fact that these refugees show no intention of crossing the border into Israeli controlled areas. The article focuses on the “border area” as a space in itself, an unplanned, independent locus that because of unanticipated, anomalous circumstances became a haven from danger for Syrian refugees. These “internal refugees” effectively exploited the proximity of Israeli military forces to shield and protect themselves from their current feared assailants. Syrian IDP flee to areas where personal safety and protection were considered inconceivable in the past. The border areas adapted by Syrian displaced persons to their need for safe refuge are products of the interaction between desperate but resourceful people and the reality of displacement, insecurity and lack of shelter. The habitable spaces they created derive their distinctive character not from recognized theories of planning or regulatory oversight, but from the logic, ingenuity and inspiration of the mother of invention: necessity or, in more prosaic terms, from the exigencies of “informal planning.”

NIAT MAHASISWA UNTUK BERWIRUSAHA PADA PERGURUAN TINGGI SWASTA DAN NEGERI DI MANOKWARI

This study aims to analyzethe factors that affect a student's intention to entrepreneurship. Sample size were 276 respondents. Respondents this study were students who have taken entrepreneurship courses. The method of analysis used in the study were factor analysis and multiple linear regression. Based on the analysis, this study concluded that student achievement motivation was most influence to entrepreneurship. Then based onthe results ofmultiple linear regression analysis concluded tha tthe factor influencing student intention to entrepreneurship was the locus of control for UNIPA respondents, where as self-efficacy factor was for STIE Mah-Eisa and ISTI Manokwari respondents. Keywords: Achievement motivation, Risk taker, Desire for independent, Locus of control, Self efficacy, Innovation, intention.

UNOBTRUSIVE USER MODELING FOR ADAPTIVE HYPERMEDIA

We propose a technique for user modeling in Adaptive Hypermedia (AH) that is unobtrusive at both the level of observable behavior and that of cognition. Unobtrusive user modeling is complementary to transparent user modeling. Unobtrusive user modeling induces user models appropriate for Educational AH (EAH) based on metaphors characterized by a shared locus of control over learning, such as small group learning. Transparent user modeling, on the other hand, induces user models appropriate for EAH based on metaphors characterized by an independent locus of control, such as social navigation. We extend an existing decomposition model of adaptation in AH to incorporate summative evaluation of unobtrusive user modeling. Summative evaluation examines the effects or outcomes of a system, while formative evaluation is used to improve a system under development. We also introduce a separate, two-stage model for formative evaluation of unobtrusive user modeling. We then present results from a field study for the first of the two developmental stages and describe the current field study of the second developmental stage. Finally, we compare unobtrusive and transparent user modeling, and explain the role of each.