Research Progress on Germplasm Resources of Common Bean

The origin, classification, utilization and evaluation of germplasm resources, and breeding methods were introduced. The researches of biotic or/and abiotic stress, exploration of genomics and proteomics in common bean in recent years were reviewed in this paper, in order to provide theoretical reference for utilization and innovation of germplasm resources in common bean.

The nucleolus: reviewing oldies to have new understandings

The nucleolus is the most prominent compartment in the nucleus and known as the site for ribosome biogenesis in eucaryotes. In contrast, there is no such equivalent structure for ribosome synthesis in procaryotes. This raises two concerns that how does the nucleolus evolve and that whether the nucleolus remains playing a single role in ribosome biogenesis along the evolution. Increasing data support new nucleolus functions, including signal recognition particle assembly, small RNA modification, telomerase maturation, cell-cycle and aging control, and cell stress sensor. Multiple functions of the nucleolus possibly result from the plurifunctionality of nucleolar proteins, such as nucleolin and Nopp 140. Proteomic analyses of human and Arabidopsis nucleolus lead a remarkable progress in understanding the evolution and new functions of nucleoli. In this review, we present a brief history of nucleolus research and new concepts and unresolved questions. Also, we introduce hepatitis D virus for studying the communication between the nucleolus and other subnuclear compartments, and Caenorhabditis elegans for the role of nucleolus in the development and the epistatic control of nucleologenesis.

Method and Progress of the Research on Virus Affinity Peptide

With the continuous progress on affinity peptide research, it has become more and more popular in pharmacology and medicine. lt is promising to study these viruses affinity peptide to treat infectious diseases. And the analysis on the virus affinity peptide with high selectivity and high sensitivity could provide valuable means for disease detection, treatment as wel as the study on the molecular mechanism of virus affinity peptide. Therefore, we reviewed the bioinformatics pre-diction technologies of computer simulation, molecular docking and homology model-ing, as wel as the research method on analyzing and screening virus affinity pep-tide, such as Phage display technology.

Biogeography of the leafhopper subfamily Stegelytrinae(Hemiptera:Cicadellidae),based on a cluster analysis of geographical distribution in areas of endemism combined with phylogeny of the subfamily

Biogeography of the leaflaopper subfamily Stegelytrinae Baker is studied based on an analysis of geographical distribution of this subfamily worldwide using a cluster analysis of the zoological distribution of areas of endemism as well as the phylogeny of representatives of this subfamily. Results show that the Stegelytrinae mainly occur in the Oriental Region and in the Mediterranean area of the Palaearctic Region, and this extends to the east side of both Wallaee＇s and Weber＇s lines. Eleven areas of endemism of this subfamily are recognized. The proportions of endemic taxa in different areas of endemism are generally very high in comparison with other leaflaopper groups, but distinct differences could be found among the different areas of endemism of Stegelytrinae. This subfamily is most intensively diversified in the Indochina Peninsula （INCN）. This is the stegelytrine distribution center, having the highest biodiversity at both genetic and species levels. The dendrogram of endemic areas of Stegelytrinae constructed using cluster analysis of the zoological distribution of Stegelytrinae at generic level shows the endemic areas of Stegelytrinae can be divided into 4 large groups. Relationships among different endemic areas of Stegelytrinae correspond largely to the geologic history of related areas, which indicates that the evolution and vicariance of this subfamily have been closely related to the history of continental drift and climate changes. It is deduced that the presumed monophyletic Stegelytrinae originated in the Oriental Region after North America had separated from Eurasia; this is the case in the monophyletic genera group which is supported by the lateral frontal sutures extending dorsally well beyond the corresponding ocellus. In addition, two expanding traces of the Stegelytrinae are presumed, which remain plausible explanations for the dispersal of Stegelytrinae： （1） New Guinea （and probably （＋ Australia）） - Kalimantan - Sumatra - Malay Peninsula - Indochina Peninsula - Central and Southern China - （Southwestern China ＋ Nepal ＋ Northeastern India） - （Northwestern India ＋ Eastern Afghanistan）; and （2） Indochina Peninsula- Central and Southern China- （Western Asia ＋ Mediterranean Sea coastal area）.

Effect of water extracts of larch on growth of Manchurian walnut seedlings

A study was conducted to detect the effect of water extracts from different parts such as root, bark, branch and leaf, of adult larch, Larix gmelini, trees on growth of Manchurian walnut, Juglans mandshudca, seedlings and the allelopathy between the two tree species. Four concentrations （100 g. kg i, 50 g. kg^-1, 25 g. kg^-1 and 12.5 g. kg^-1） were prepared for each kind of extracts. Result showed that the water extracts with low and moderate concentrations accelerated the growth of collar diameter and increased biomass and root/shoot ratio of walnut seedlings. The water extracts from branches and barks with low and moderate concentrations accelerated the height growth of the seedlings, while those from leaves and roots slightly decreased the height growth of seedlings. The fact that application of water extracts of larch improved the growth of Manchurian walnut attributes possibly to the allelopathy between the two tree species.

Synthetic and biological studies on a cyclopolypeptide of plant origin

Objective:A natural cyclic peptide previously isolated from Citrus medica was synthesized by coupling of tetrapep-tide units Boc-Leu-Pro-Trp-Leu-OMe and Boc-Ile-Ala-Ala-Gly-OMe after proper deprotection at carboxyl and amino terminals followed by cyclization of linear octapeptide segment. Methods:Solution phase technique was adopted for the synthesis of cyclooctapeptide-sarcodactylamide. Required tetrapeptide units were prepared by coupling of Boc-protected dipeptides viz. Boc-Leu-Pro-OH and Boc-Ile-Ala-OH with respective dipeptide methyl esters Trp-Leu-OMe and Ala-Gly-OMe. Cyclization of linear octapeptide unit was done by p-nitrophenyl ester method. The structure of synthesized cyclopolypeptide was elucidated by FTIR,1H NMR,13C NMR,FABMS spectral data and elemental analysis. The newly synthesized peptide was evaluated for dif-ferent pharmacological activities including antimicrobial,anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities. Results:Synthesis of sarcodac-tylamide was accomplished with >78% yield utilizing dicyclohexylcarbodiimide(DCC) as coupling agent. Newly synthesized peptide possessed potent cytotoxic activity against Dalton's lymphoma ascites(DLA) and Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma(EAC) cell lines,in addition to moderate anthelmintic activity against earthworms Megascoplex konkanensis,Pontoscotex corethruses and Eudrilus sp. Moreover,cyclopolypeptide displayed good antimicrobial activity against pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa,in comparison to standard drugs griseofulvin and ciprofloxacin. Conclusion:Solution phase technique employing DCC and triethylamine(TEA) as base proved to be effective for the synthesis of natural cyclooctapeptide. N-methyl morpholine(NMM) was found to be a better base for the cyclization of linear octapeptide unit in comparison to TEA and pyridine.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Community-based Natural Resource Management in Northeast India

Community-based natural resource management in northeast India has a long history. Indigenous knowledge and adaptation are the collective information, with improvement from generation to generation. The expectation is that under community control, local expertise on biodiversity will play a significant role in natural resource management through traditional practices. This paper discusses the characteristics and application of the traditional ecological knowledge of aboriginal peoples in northeast India and its role in natural resource management. Examples are provided in two different eco-cultural landscapes, i.e., Demazong (the Buddhist eco-cultural landscape in Sikkim Himalaya) and the Apatani eco-cultural landscape in Arunachal Pradesh, which illustrate the utility value of traditional ecological knowledge in sustainable natural resource management. Both eco-cultural landscapes are indeed very complex and highly evolved systems with high levels of economic and ecological efficiencies. The paper concludes that traditional ecological knowledge systems and institutions could serve as entry points into the sustainable utilization and management of natural resources. This could be achieved through the exploration of the cultural practices of the local people and integrating useful aspects into the modern natural resource management expertise. With rapidly depleting biodiversity in the developing tropic regions, there is a greater utilization today than ever before of the value of respecting the "Sacred" as a tool towards better conservation of natural resources.

Genome-wide Detection and Analysis of Alternative Splicing for Nucleotide Binding Site-Leucine-Rich Repeats Sequences in Rice

Alternative splicing is a major contributor to genomic complexity and proteome diversity, yet the analysis of alternative splicing for the sequence containing nucleotide binding site and leucine-rich repeats （NBS-LRR） domain has not been explored in rice （Oryza sativa L.）. Hidden Markov model （HMM） searches were performed for NBS-LRR domain. 875 NBS-LRR-encoding sequences were obtained from the Institute for Genomic Research （TIGR）. All of them were used to blast Knowledge-based Oryza Molecular Biological Encyclopaedia （KOME）, TIGR rice gene index （TGI）, and Universal Protein Resource （UniProt） to obtain homologous full-length cDNAs （FL-cDNAs）, tentative consensus sequences, and protein sequences. Alternative splicing events were detected from genomic alignment of FL-cDNAs, tentative consensus sequences, and protein sequences, which provide valuable information on splice variants of genes. These sequences were aligned to the corresponding BAC sequences using the Spidey and Sim4 programs and each of the proteins was aligned by tBLASTn. Of the 875 NBS-LRR sequences, 119 （13.6%） sequences had alternative splicing where multiple FL-cDNAs, TGI sequences and proteins corresponded to the same gene. 71 intron retention events, 20 exon skipping events, 16 alternative termination events, 25 alternative initiation events, 12 alternative 5＇ splicing events, and 16 alternative 3＇ splicing events were identified. Most of these alternative splices were supported by two or more transcripts. The data sets are available at http：//www.bioinfor.org. Furthermore, the bioinformatics analysis of splice boundaries showed that exon skipping and intron retention did not exhibit strong consensus. This implies a different regulation mechanism that guides the expression of splice isoforms. This article also presents the analysis of the effects of intron retention on proteins. The C-terminal regions of alternative proteins turned out to be more variable than the N-terminal regions. Finally, tissue distribution and protein localization of alternative splicing were explored. The largest categories of tissue distributions for alternative splicing were shoot and callus. More than one-thirds of protein localization for splice forms was plasma membrane and cytoplasm. All the NBS-LRR proteins for splice forms may have important function in disease resistance and activate downstream signaling pathways.

The IAP family: endogenous caspase inhibitors with multiple biological activities

IAPs (inhibitors of apoptosis) are a family of proteins containing one or more characteristic BIR domains. These proteins have multiple biological activities that include binding and inhibiting caspases, regulating cell cycle progression, and modulating receptor-mediated signal transduction. Our recent studies found the IAP family members XIAP and c-IAP1 are ubiquitinated and degraded in proteasomes in response to apoptotic stimuli in T cells, and their degradation appears to be important for T cells to commit to death. In addition to three BIR domains, each of these IAPs also contains a RING finger domain.We found this region confers ubiquitin protease ligase (E3) activity to IAPs, and is responsible for the auto-ubiquitination and degradation of IAPs after an apoptotic stimulus. Given the factthat IAPs can bind a variety of proteins, such as caspases and TRAFs, it will be of interest to characterize potential substrates of the E3 activity of IAPs and the effects of ubiquitination byIAPs on signal transduction, cell cycle, and apoptosis.

Age and Some Genetic Characteristics of Vertisols in China

The ages of organic matter of some dark-colored horizons and calcareous concretions in some Vertisols from tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate zones of China were studied using radiocarb on dating method. The relationship between soil age and genesis of Vertisols was also expounded based on the study of their genetic charactens-tics and micromorphological features. The results show that although Vertisols have developed for a relatively long time, their weathering and soil forming process are weak and young with little horizonation. This is closely related to their special geochemical soil forming environment. Low-lying terrain, heavy texture, clay minerals dominated by montmorillonites and alternative drying- wetting climate give rise to the vertic features expressed in intense swelling-shrinking and cracking-closing in soils. As a result, the soil development and soil leaching process are resisted, and the climatic effect on the horizonation is impeded. Moreover, pedoturbation eliminates the horizonation in the upper part of soil profile, and postpones their evolution into zonal soils. So Vertisols show certain pedogenic inertia and stay at relatively young developmental stage. Therefore, Vertisols are intrazonal soils dominated by local soil forming factors such as the relief and parent materials.

A Study on the Perceptions of Students on Renewable Energy at Suleyman Demirel University in Isparta, Turkey

Recent research suggests that public opinion＇s acknowledgment is a major obstacle in the way of renewable energy use. Renewable energy will be more preferred and available through social and individual perception and ing. However, first of all, it is necessary to identify the existing perception and demographical factors affecting it to achieve renewable energy perception. In this regard, perceptions of students studying at different departments of faculties and vocational schools at SiJleyman Demirel University on renewable energy and the factors affecting their perceptions were studied. According to the research results, there was not a significant difference between students＇ hometowns, parents＇ occupations and renewable energy perception. However, there was a significant difference between parents＇ educational background, monthly income and students＇ renewable energy future tendency. Mother＇s educational background was also effective on renewable energy future vision, and there was a significant difference between students＇ faculties and renewable energy perception.

Homology modeling and docking studies of IscS from extremophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

The gene iscS-3 from ,4cidithiobacillus ferrooxidans may play a central role in the delivery of sulfur to a variety of metabolic pathways in this organism. For insight into the sulfur metabolic mechanism of the bacteria, an integral three-dimensional （3D） molecular structure of the protein encoded by this gene was built by homology modeling techniques, refined by molecular dynamics simulations, assessed by PROFILE-3D and PROSTAT programs and further used to search bind sites, carry out flexible docking with cofactor pyridoxal 5＇-phosphate（PLP） and substrate cysteine and hereby detect its key residues. Through these procedures, the detail conformations of PLP-IscS（P-I） and cysteine-PLP-IscS（C-P-I） complexes were obtained. In P-I complex, the residues of Lys208, His106, Thr78, Ser205, His207, Asp182 and Gln185 have large interaction energies and/or hydrogen bonds fixation with PLP. In C-P-I complex, the amino group in cysteine is very near His106, Lys208 and PLP, the interaction energies for cysteine with them are very high. The above results are well consistent with those experimental facts of the homologues from other sources. Interestingly, the four residues of Glul05, Glu79, Ser203 and Hisl80 in P-I docking and the residue of Lys213 in C-P-I docking also have great interaction energies, which are fitly conservation in IscSs from all kinds of sources but have not been identified before. From these results, this gene can be confirmed at 3D level to encode the iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein IscS and subsequently play a sulfur traffic role. Furthermore, the substrate cysteine can be presumed to be effectively recruited into the active site. Finally, the above detected key residues can be conjectured to be directly responsible for the bind and/or catalysis of PLP and cysteine.

Integrated site-specific quantification of faecal bacteria and detection of DNA markers in faecal contamination source tracking as a microbial risk tracking tool in urban Lake ecosystems

The presence of feacal-derived pathogens in water is responsible for several infectious diseases and deaths worldwide. As a solution, sources of fecal pollution in waters must be accurately assessed, properly determined and strictly controlled. However, the exercise has remained challenging due to the existing overlapping characteristics by different members of faecal coliform bacteria and the inadequacy of information pertaining to the contribution of seasonality and weather condition on tracking the possible sources of pollution. There are continued ef forts to improve the Faecal Contamination Source Tracking(FCST) techniques such as Microbial Source Tracking(MST). This study aimed to make contribution to MST by evaluating the efficacy of combining site specific quantification of faecal contamination indicator bacteria and detection of DNA markers while accounting for seasonality and weather conditions' eff ects in tracking the major sources of faecal contamination in a freshwater system(Donghu Lake, China). The results showed that the use of cyd gene in addition to lacZ and uidA genes differentiates E. coli from other closely related faecal bacteria. The use of selective media increases the pollution source tracking accuracy. BSA addition boosts PCR detection and increases FCST efficiency. Seasonality and weather variability also influence the detection limit for DNA markers.

Effects of long-term medieval agriculture on soil properties:A case study from the Kislovodsk basin,Northern Caucasus,Russia

The chemical properties and biological activities of soils were studied in the vicinity of the medieval settlement Podkumskoe-3 in the Kislovodsk basin(Northern Caucasus, Russia). Between the 5 th and 8 th centuries this area was ploughed regularly, but it was then abandoned up to the present day. It has been established that past human activity leads to soil undergoing significant transformations in terms of microbial communities and enzyme activity, and that such changes are maintained over long periods. Long-term manuring in the middle of the first millennium AD led to an increase in organic carbon content and the accumulation of nitrate nitrogen. Soils of ancient abandoned fields are associated with increases in microbial biomass, number of saprotrophic bacteria, urease activity, and fungal mycelium biomass. The observed changes in the microbiological and biochemical properties of soil were conditioned by secondary anthropogenically induced succession after the abandonment of arable lands.

Modeling and Simulation of Hydrogen Storage Device for Fuel Cell Plant

The article reviews a brief literature on the modeling of hydrogen storage device for fuel cell. Different dimensional approaches in modeling hydrogen absorption/desorption in a metal hydride reactor for use in fuel cell are summarized. Mathematical modeling equations involved are also stated. The effect of various operating parameters such as temperature, concentration, viscosity, thermal conductivity and time on the gas is also verified. The importance of various simulation software with reference to their major functions is also identified. The review concludes on the opportunities and challenges with the use of hydrogen as an alternative renewable energy.

Depression Among Arab Students in Israel： The Contribution of Religiosity, Happiness, Social Support and Self-control

This study examines the correlation ~mong a number of personal and environmental resources that can recluce u^pz-~on, These are： religiosity, happiness, social support, and self-controL The participants in the study consisted of 219 Arab students from teacher training colleges in the Triangle region in central Israel. The findings indicate that all the resources that were examined contribute to reducing the level of depression; in other words, significant negative correlations were found between the level of religiosity, happiness, social support and self-control on the one hand, and the level of depression on the other hand. These findings are consistent with those of other studies conducted elsewhere in the world on different populations CChristian and lewish, as well as Muslim）. The present study and its findings are, however, the first to address the understanding of depression among the populace in question. The findings were discussed in accordance with a number of different theories.

Communicating About Translation： Task-based Speaking

This study views pedagogical translation as a means of developing language skills, especially oral communication. Contrary to the claim that translation focuses only on reading and writing, this study presents anecdotal evidence showing that a learner-centered approach to translation can help foreign language students improve their speaking skill through group work, problem-solving, and cooperative learning. To this end, the paper presents practical examples of lexical, structural, textual, and cultural issues that students discussed in their process-oriented Arabic-English-Arabic pedagogical translation courses at the university level. The students were divided into groups of three or four to work together at all stages of the translation process. They spent most of the class time comprehending the source text, translating it, and discussing each other＇s target versions. In the remaining class time, the whole class discussed a target text translated by any one of the groups. The students were instructed to use English in their group and whole-class deliberations. They were also instructed to use the appropriate language functions, structures, and expressions to achieve objectivity in their arguments. The study calls for further empirical research to verify the usefulness of the proposed learner-centered translation-based technique of teaching speaking

Supporting Extensive Reading Through Soft Toy Theory and Story Sacks

This paper is based on the author＇s work shop which provides educators with information on how to utilize ＂Soft Toy Theory＂. The workshop is based on a set of theoretical concepts taken from： psychology, play therapy, and literacy theory which have been blended together to form a set of teaching approaches and lesson plan ideas that can be used in Literacy/English classes. The paper will also discuss the value of using ＂Story Sacks＂ to develop and raise levels of comprehension and understanding in extensive reading and reading programs. The application of ＂Soft Toy Theory＂ could also provide a positive social-psychological affect on the students. It is designed to creating bonding between teacher and student and student and student and to raise levels of self-esteem and enable the teachers to be able to access the thoughts and feelings of a child or young adu/t which can often be hard to discern from traditional direct question and answer sessions. ＂Soft Toy Theory＂ is a term that the author has adopted herself for using play, creativity, and art resources and soft toys to create dialogues in the Kindergarten and Elementary classroom： It is even possible to extend the use ＂Soft Toy Theory＂ to middle school, high school, and adult classrooms if the resources and topics and ＂tone＂ and tenor of teaching are appropriately adapted. Soft Toy Theory assumes that soft toys can include： actual soft toys, art resources, and other play resources： such as, sand, water, puppets, masks and clay. Story Sacks employ much of the theory that supports ＂soft toy usage＂ within the classroom. Story Sacks aim to provide inspiring resources whilst encouraging enjoyment and a greater comprehension of ＂real＂ books or ＂graded＂ readers. Additionally, Story Sacks can support extensive reading in the school and at home, and are a useful adjunct to Soft Toy Theory and supporting literacy activities in any classroom.

Visualization of Understanding of Media Characteristics Using Analytic Hierarchy Process

The purpose of this study is to design a tool, adapted to students＇ individual contexts and to enable students to reflect on their understanding of media characteristics. AHP （analytic hierarchy process） is a structured technique for organizing and analyzing complex decisions. Using AHP, students have to define appropriate criteria and priorities for using media. It is expected that students＂ understanding of the characteristics of different types of media will emerge through reflection. Seventy two university students took part in this research. They were asked to prioritize their ways.of obtaining information about current affairs using sets of media such as TV, books, newspapers and web pages, Twitter and Facebook. AHP enables us to visualize a ＂real＂ understanding of media characteristics and students can reflect on that basis. As far as ＂information sources and media＂ is concerned, a few students indicated that it was the information source itself that was important rather than the type of media. Our tool fulfils the role of encouraging this type of reflection.

Wildlife Conservation and Research in China

Wildlife resources are important strategic bioresources in China. This paper analyzes the current threats to China’s wildlife, outlines achievements made by Chinese conservation biologists, and presents suggestions for future developments in this field. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) plays an important role in the conservation of wildlife and provides significant intellectual support for conservation research and sustainable development.