Introduction The life cycle of most marine species is characterized by high fecundity, dispersal during a planktonic larval phase and a sessile or sedentary adult phase with large census population size （Figure 1 ）....Introduction The life cycle of most marine species is characterized by high fecundity, dispersal during a planktonic larval phase and a sessile or sedentary adult phase with large census population size （Figure 1 ）. Many articles on marine population genetics start by recalling these main characteristics and ensuing expectations,展开更多
Highly fecund marine species with dispersive life-history stages often display large population sizes and wide geographic distribution ranges. Consequently, they are expected to experience reduced genetic drift, effic...Highly fecund marine species with dispersive life-history stages often display large population sizes and wide geographic distribution ranges. Consequently, they are expected to experience reduced genetic drift, efficient selection fueled by frequent adaptive mutations, and high migration loads. This has important consequences for understanding how local adaptation proceeds in the sea. A key issue in this regard, relates to the genetic architecture underlying fitness traits. Theory predicts that adaptation may involve many genes but with a high variance in effect size. Therefore, the effect of selection on allele frequencies may be substantial for the largest effect size loci, but insignificant for small effect genes. In such a context, the performance of population genomic methods to unravel the genetic basis of adaptation depends on the fraction of adaptive genetic variance explained by the cumulative effect of outlier loci. Here, we address some methodological challenges associated with the detection of local adaptation using molecular approaches. We provide an overview of genome scan methods to detect selection, including those assuming complex demographic models that better describe spatial population structure. We then focus on quantitative genetics approaches that search for genotype-phenotype associations at different genomic scales, including genome-wide methods evaluating the cumulative effect of variants. We argue that the limited power of single locus tests can be alleviated by the use of polygenic scores to estimate the joint contribution of candidate variants to phenotypic variation.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the treatment of pediatric functional chronic intestinal constipation (FCIC) with a probiotic goat yogurt. METHODS: A crossover double-blind formula-controlled trial was carried out on 59 students (ag...AIM: To evaluate the treatment of pediatric functional chronic intestinal constipation (FCIC) with a probiotic goat yogurt. METHODS: A crossover double-blind formula-controlled trial was carried out on 59 students (age range: 5-15 years) of a public school in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, presenting a FCIC diagnostic, according to Roma Ⅲ criteria. The students were randomized in two groups to receive a goat yogurt supplemented with 109 colony forming unit/mL Bifidobacterium longum (B.longum) (probiotic) daily or only the yogurt for a period of 5 wk (formula). Afterwards, the groups were intercrossed for another 5 wk. Defecation frequency, stool consistency and abdominal and defecation pain were assessed.RESULTS: Both treatment groups demonstrated improvement in defecation frequency compared to baseline. However, the group treated with probiotic showed most signif icant improvement in the f irst phase of the study. An inversion was observed after crossing over, resulting in a reduction in stool frequency when this group was treated by formula. Probiotic and formula improved stool consistency in the f irst phase of treatment, but the improvement obtained with probiotic was significantly higher (P = 0.03). In the second phase of treatment, the group initially treated with probiotic showed worseningstool consistency when using formula. However, the difference was not signif icant. A signif icant improvement in abdominal pain and defecation pain was observed with both probiotic and formula in the first phase of treatment, but again the improvement was more signif icant for the group treated with B. longum during phase I (P < 0.05). When all data of the crossover study were analyzed, significant differences were observed between probiotic yogurt and yogurt only for defecation frequency (P = 0.012), defecation pain (P = 0.046) and abdominal pain (P = 0.015).展开更多
Small-scale crop production in many parts of Tanzania is constrained by many problems among which soil fertility degradation is a major problem. Over 80% of cassava (Manihot esculenta) production in Tanzania is done b...Small-scale crop production in many parts of Tanzania is constrained by many problems among which soil fertility degradation is a major problem. Over 80% of cassava (Manihot esculenta) production in Tanzania is done by the small-scale farmers who continuously cultivate their fields, but use limited inputs to restore depleted plant nutrients. The objective of this study was to examine the best legume species that could be incorporated in cassava (Manihot esculenta) production systems under farmers’ conditions and result in increase in soil fertility and crop yields. Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis were either incorporated with cassava (Manihot esculenta) or planted as sole crop in rotation with cassava. Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis were found to produce almost similar amount of biomass. The two legumes, however, produced higher biomass in rotation than intercropping system. The amount of biomass produced by Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis in rotation system was 6.28 t·ha-1 and 5.31 t·ha-1, respectively. The Mucuna use represents an input of nitrogen into the soil which simulates a saving cost of 181.42 and 141.96 US$ ha-1. In the first year, cassava root yields were significantly increased (p < 0.05) over control (continuous sole cassava) (1.44 t·ha-1) by the use of intercropping of cassava (Manihot esculenta) with Mucuna pruriens (2.41 t·ha-1) and or Canavalia ensiformis (2.25 t·ha-1). Intercropping and rotation of cassava with legumes increase cassava yield and represent a sustainable alternative to reduce the farms’ dependence on external inputs and to enhance inherent soil fertility.展开更多
The biomass sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], is an interesting crop considering the necessity to invest in alternative sources to generate renewable energy. The objective of this experiment was to identify sorgh...The biomass sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], is an interesting crop considering the necessity to invest in alternative sources to generate renewable energy. The objective of this experiment was to identify sorghum biomass genotypes with greatest agronomic and energetic potential, and verify if there is phenotypic association between agronomic and technological properties in the hybrids. The study was conducted in three cities of the Minas Gerais State, Brazil (Lavras, Uberlandia and Sete Lagoas). It was evaluated 16 genotypes of sorghum biomass, being 14 of them sensitive hybrids to photoperiod and two cultivars, as control, insensitive to photoperiod. The experimental design was a triple lattice 4 × 4, with plots formed by four linear rows of 5.0 m. The morphoagronomic characteristics evaluated for the three environments were: days to flowering (FLOW), plant height (PH), number of stems (NS) and green matter production (GMP). In the experiment conducted in Lavras, also it was evaluated the agronomic traits: stem diameter (SD) and dry matter production (DMP) besides the technological traits: higher heating value (HHV), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). The genotype × environment interaction was significant for all traits. The hybrids had superior performance compared to the control genotypes. Biomass sorghum hybrids, sensitive to photoperiod, when compared with commercial hybrids of forage sorghum, insensitive to photoperiod, had an average production of 34 t ha-1 dry matter with 62% humidity and higher heating value of 4.400 Kcal/Kg. There was no phenotypic correlation between agronomic and technological characters evaluated.展开更多
Diazotrophic bacteria applied as a seed inoculant can improve the grain yield of several crops including maize. The current study aimed to test the agronomic efficiency and contribution of biological nitrogen fixation...Diazotrophic bacteria applied as a seed inoculant can improve the grain yield of several crops including maize. The current study aimed to test the agronomic efficiency and contribution of biological nitrogen fixation(BNF) of the endophytic diazotroph Herbaspirillum seropedicae strain ZAE94 to maize under field conditions. Eighteen field assays were conducted in four different locations during consecutive years on two hybrids and two varieties of maize in a random block design with four replicates using a peat-based inoculant. The inoculant containing the ZAE94 strain was applied without nitrogen(N)fertilization or with 40 kg N ha^(-1) and was compared to the application of 40 and 80 kg N ha^(-1) without inoculation. Crop productivity and N accumulation in the grain were evaluated in addition to ^(15)N natural abundance(δ^(15)N) to evaluate BNF in the treatments without N fertilization. Fertilization at 40 kg N ha^(-1) plus bacterial inoculation produced crop yields similar to the treatment with 80 kg N ha^(-1) and increased grain N content, especially in the off-season with 40 kg N ha^(-1). The inoculation treatments showed lower δ^(15)N values than the non-inoculated treatments, which was most evident in the off-season. The BNF contributed about 30% of N accumulated in plants inoculated with ZAE94. On average, 64% of the N fertilized plots showed an increase of the parameters evaluated in the inoculated treatments, compared with the control. Inoculation also increased root length, root volume, and leaf area, and these parameters were positively correlated with plant weight using a hydroponic assay. This study revealed that the application of H. seropedicae inoculant increased the amount of N in plants owing to BNF, and there is a better chance of yield response to inoculation under low N fertilizer application in the off-season.展开更多
Color polymorphisms are widely studied to identify the mechanisms responsible for the origin and maintenance of phenotypic variability in nature.Two of the mechanisms of balancing selection currently thought to explai...Color polymorphisms are widely studied to identify the mechanisms responsible for the origin and maintenance of phenotypic variability in nature.Two of the mechanisms of balancing selection currently thought to explain the long-term persistence of polymorphisms are the evolution of alternative phenotypic optima through correlational selection on suites of traits including color and heterosis.Both of these mechanisms can generate differences in offspring viability and fitness arising from different morph combinations.Here,we examined the effect of parental morph combination on fertilization success,embryonic viability,newborn quality,antipredator,and foraging behavior,as well as inter-annual survival by conducting controlled matings in a polymorphic lacertid Podarcis muralis,where color morphs are frequently assumed to reflect alternative phenotypic optima(e.g.,alternative reproductive strategies).Juveniles were kept in outdoor tubs for a year in order to study inter-annual growth,survival,and morph inheritance.In agreement with a previous genome-wide association analysis,morph frequencies in the year-old juveniles matched the frequencies expected if orange and yellow expressions depended on recessive homozygosity at 2 separate loci.Our findings also agree with previous literature reporting higher reproductive output of heavy females and the higher overall viability of heavy newborn lizards,but we found no evidence for the existence of alternative breeding investment strategies in female morphs,or morphcombination effects on offspring viability and behavior.We conclude that inter-morph breeding remains entirely viable and genetic incompatibilities are of little significance for the maintenance of discrete color morphs in P.muralis from the Pyrenees.展开更多
Water pollution caused by heavy metals ions has been gaining attention in recent years,increasing the interest in the development of methodologies for their efficient removal focusing on the adsorption process for the...Water pollution caused by heavy metals ions has been gaining attention in recent years,increasing the interest in the development of methodologies for their efficient removal focusing on the adsorption process for these purposes.The current challenge faced by adsorption processes is the adequate adsorbent immobilization for removal and reuse.Thus,the present work aimed at producing a faujasite zeolite nanocomposite decorated with cobalt ferrite nanoparticles for Pb^2+ions adsorption in an aqueous medium improving magnetic removal and reuse.As a result,a high surface area(434.4 m^2·g^-1)for the nanocomposite and an 18.93 emu·g^-1 saturation magnetization value were obtained,indicating magnetic removal in a promising material for adsorption process.The nanocomposite regeneration capacity evaluated by magnetic recovery after 24 h suspension presented a high Pb^2+ion adsorptive capacity(98.4%)in the first cycle.Around 98%of the Pb^2+ions were adsorbed in the second cycle.In this way,the synthesized faujasite:cobalt ferrite nanocomposite reveals itself as a promising alternative in adsorption processes,aiming at a synergic effect of FAU zeolite high adsorptive activity and the cobalt ferrite nanoparticles magnetic activity,allowing for adsorbent recovery from the aqueous medium via magnetic force and successive adsorptive cycles.展开更多
Alternative strategies of management of sorghum diseases were implemented using field experiments conducted in Embrapa Maize and Sorghum Research Center,Brazil in 2001 until 2003 to evaluate the efficacy of lineage mi...Alternative strategies of management of sorghum diseases were implemented using field experiments conducted in Embrapa Maize and Sorghum Research Center,Brazil in 2001 until 2003 to evaluate the efficacy of lineage mixtures of Sorghum bicolor for the control of anthracnose(caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum).The calculated values for disease severity considered the area under the disease progress curve(AUDPC)observed for the nine susceptible and resistant elite strains of sorghum planted in 30 stands randomly.Each stand was drawn in mixtures of three genotypes each,in the same proportions per plant.This design was compared with the severity of the disease measured in AUDPC calculated for each of the same nine strains of sorghum in pure stands.In most of the cases,the disease severity on the susceptible cultivars was decreased;and in some cases,reached 85%of disease reduction compared with disease progress in pure stand of correspondent plant.The implication and effect of these sorghum mixtures on the populations of C.sublineolum on each treatment were evaluated and revealed that there was an increase of frequency of complex races in most of these mixtures and a highest phenotypic diversity for virulence to pathogen populations from pure stands,than the characterized on populations collected from the mixtures,despite of the effectiveness on decrease of the anthracnose severity.展开更多
Background Currently,many simulator systems for medical procedures are under development.These systems can provide new solutions for training,planning,and testing medical practices,improve performance,and optimize the...Background Currently,many simulator systems for medical procedures are under development.These systems can provide new solutions for training,planning,and testing medical practices,improve performance,and optimize the time of the exams.However,to achieve the best results,certain premises must be followed and applied to the model under development,such as usability,control,graphics realism,and interactive and dynamic gami-fication.Methods This study presents a system for simulating a medical examination procedure in the nasal cavity for training and research purposes,using a patient′s accurate computed tomography(CT)as a reference.The pathologies that are used as a guide for the development of the system are highlighted.Furthermore,an overview of current studies covering bench medical mannequins,3D printing,animals,hardware,software,and software that use hardware to boost user interaction,is given.Finally,a comparison with similar state-of-the-art studies is made.Results The main result of this work is interactive gamification techniques to propose an experience of simulation of an immersive exam by identifying pathologies present in the nasal cavity such as hypertrophy of turbinates,septal deviation adenoid hypertrophy,nasal polyposis,and tumor.展开更多
The herbicide diuron is widely used in agricultural areas in Brazil, whereas it has high potential for subsurface water contamination due to its physicochemical characteristics. Recent studies have demonstrated the po...The herbicide diuron is widely used in agricultural areas in Brazil, whereas it has high potential for subsurface water contamination due to its physicochemical characteristics. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of biochar as a sorbent and possible pesticide leaching mitigation. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of biochar application on the kinetics of sorption and desorption of diuron in a Cerrado Haplic Plinthosol. Samples were collected in an experiment conducted in the field in a randomized block design consisting of the combination of two levels of fertilizer application (0 and 300 kg ha −1 of 5-25-15 formula of NPK fertilizers) and three doses of biochar (0, 16, and 32 Mg ha −1 ). The Freundlich isotherm accurately described the sorption of diuron in all treatments. Biochar application increased the sorption and reduced the desorption of diuron. This effect was attributed to the contribution of biochar to total organic carbon (C) and C in the humin fraction and to the increase in the reactivity of the humic acid and humin fractions, which was significantly highly correlated with the sorption coefficient ( K f ). A positive correlation between the partition coefficient of organic C and K f confirmed the importance of the soil organic compartment for the sorption of diuron. The higher diuron sorption and lower diuron desorption capacities of sandy soils after biochar application could reduce the potential risk of diuron leaching and contamination of subsurface water.展开更多
Although the high diversity of plant species in the rupestrian fields has been primarily attributed to the existence of a set of distinct habitats, few studies support this assertion. The present study aimed to furthe...Although the high diversity of plant species in the rupestrian fields has been primarily attributed to the existence of a set of distinct habitats, few studies support this assertion. The present study aimed to further investigate the relationship between physical and chemical attributes of soils with the diversity of plant species in this unique ecosystem. The rupestrian field is a unique vegetation formation that covers some of the southeastern Brazilian mountains in the transition of the Atlantic rain forest and the Cerrado(savanna). Different habitats occur according to soil characteristics(e.g., presence of rocks, sand, fertility, hydrology, etc.). These attributes ultimately influence the vegetation that is highly adapted to the harsh edaphic and climatic mountain conditions. Five distinct habitats were studied by us: rocky outcrops, peat bogs, sandy bogs, quartz gravel fields, and "cerrado"(savanna). A floristic survey indicated that four families are found at greater frequency: Poaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, and Leguminosae. The greatest diversity of plant species was found in the rocky outcrops habitat, followed by cerrado, peat bog, quartz gravel grassland, and sandy bogs, respectively. The main difference in the floristic composition among these habitats was related to the dominant species. Trachypogon spicatus(Poaceae) was the most dominant species in the rocky outcrops, Axonopus siccus(Poaceae) in the peat bogs, Lagenocarpus rigidus(Cyperaceae) in the sandy bogs, Schizachyrium tenerum(Poaceae) in the cerrado, while Vellozia sp. 8(Velloziaceae) dominated the vegetation in the quartz gravel grassland. This study demonstrated that physical and chemical soil properties strongly related the diversity of plant species occurring in the different habitats of rupestrian fields.展开更多
The dynamics of forest growth are related to the succession stage, the quality of the environment and the degree of anthropism. The growth of a forest is given by the activity of live trees, mortality, and trees that ...The dynamics of forest growth are related to the succession stage, the quality of the environment and the degree of anthropism. The growth of a forest is given by the activity of live trees, mortality, and trees that are cut or recruited during the growing period. A way of representing the growth dynamics of a forest is by the Transition Matrix, with the divisibility of the population in states, with probabilities of movement from one state to another, over time. Forest dynamics studies are carried out by means of a continuous forest inventory, allowing the calculation of gains and losses in basal area, mortality rates and ingrowth. In this study, the measurements were performed with a 5-year interval, on 27 plots distributed in 12 sites. The methodology correlated parameters of the forest dynamics with canopy, soil, relief and hydrographic parameters. An indicator of forest growth dynamics was proposed and it was tested. It was confirmed that the density factor interferes in growth dynamics of the forest.展开更多
Understanding the ecological dynamics of weed populations in no-tillage systems is important to establish strategies for integrated weed control capable of increasing agroecosystem sustainability. This study sought to...Understanding the ecological dynamics of weed populations in no-tillage systems is important to establish strategies for integrated weed control capable of increasing agroecosystem sustainability. This study sought to evaluate the effect of succession systems on the seed bank in a no-tillage system. The effects of fifteen succession systems, composed of seven grasses, seven Leguminosae, and a fallow condition, were evaluated on the seed bank at two soil depths (0 to 10 and 10 to 20 cm). The species found in the seed bank were quantified and identified by species and family. The precision of sampling, density, dominance, the indices of diversity of Simpson and Shannon-Weiner;index of sustainability;analysis of groupings of dissimilarities;and the value of importance of each species were calculated. High weed diversity was observed;29 species were counted, including members of 12 different families. The highest expression of weeds was observed at soil depths of 0 to 10 cm. The Simpson and Shannon-Weiner coefficients indicated high diversity in both systems of succession. The index of sustainability did not indicate significant alterations in the different systems of succession. The coefficients of confenetic correlation were 0.74% and 0.82% for the 0 - 10 and the 10 - 20 cm soil depths respectively. It is concluded that there is a high diversity of weeds in the agroecosystems of Amazonia, and different cover crops promote modifications in the community and expression of the weeds’ seed bank.展开更多
Plants may respond to drought by altering biomass allocation to shoots and roots or by changing the metabolic activities in these organs. To determine how drought changes the partitioning of carbon allocated to growth...Plants may respond to drought by altering biomass allocation to shoots and roots or by changing the metabolic activities in these organs. To determine how drought changes the partitioning of carbon allocated to growth and secondary metabolism in maize roots and how it affects photosynthesis(A) and productivity in maize, we evaluated leaf gas exchange, yield componentes, root morphology, and primary and secondary metabolites including total soluble sugars(TSS), starch(S), phenolics(PHE), and lignin(LIG). Data were collected from pot-grown plants of four maize genotypes: BRS 1010 and 2B710(sensitive genotypes) and DKB390 and BRS1055(tolerant genotypes) under two soil water tensions: field capacity(FC,-18 kP a) and water deficit(WD,-138 kP a). WD was applied at the pre-flowering stage for 12 days and then the water supply was restored and maintained at optimum levels until the end of the cycle. For genotype BRS 1055 under FC, the greatest A did not result in greater grain biomass(DGB) because the accumulated photoassimilates had already filled the cells, and thus the excessive TSS synthesized in leaves was allocated to roots in large amounts. However, the sharp decrease in A caused by WD imposition in this genotype did not affect the influx pressure of leaf TSS, which was due largely to conversion of primary metabolites to PHE compounds to increase the length of fine roots. In leaves of DKB390 under WD, both S and TSS were reduced, whereas PHE were increased to prevent excessive water loss and xylem cavitation. Under WD, both BRS1010 and2B710 genotypes displayed reduced allocation of biomass to shoots and roots and LIG content in leaves, as well as lower A and DGB values. In BRS1010 this response was coupled to S decrease in leaves and TSS increase in roots, whereas in 2B710 there was a concomitant S increase in roots.展开更多
The goal of this study is to evaluate the drift of litterfall from forest to adjacent areas, validate a method to estimate the drift with water balance, direction and speed of winds and quantify the nutrients of litte...The goal of this study is to evaluate the drift of litterfall from forest to adjacent areas, validate a method to estimate the drift with water balance, direction and speed of winds and quantify the nutrients of litterfall in nearby area of the forest patch as function of distance. This phenomenon can be considered an ecosystem service to improve soil quality of the agriculture crops around the forests by nutrient input coming from the litterfall. The experiment was installed in adjacent areas of the tropical forest at central region of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The branches, reproductive material and leaves which fell were measured for three years into the forest and adjacents areas. The sampled nets were located on edge and equal distances from the edge. It＇s analyzed and estimated the contribution of the litterfall components to adjacent areas by air. The quantity of litterfall by distance had large variation between adjacent areas. And it was confirmed that model estimated the leaf drift by distance with good precision.展开更多
We consider a General Relativistic generalized RWs metric, and find a field of Universal rotational global centripetal acceleration, numerically coincident with the value of the Pioneers Anomalous one. Related subject...We consider a General Relativistic generalized RWs metric, and find a field of Universal rotational global centripetal acceleration, numerically coincident with the value of the Pioneers Anomalous one. Related subjects are also treated. The rotation defined here is different from older frameworks, because we propose a Gaussian metric, whose tri-space rotates relative to the time orthogonal axis, globally.展开更多
NASA spacecrafts has suffered from three anomalies. The Pioneers spacecrafts were decelerated, and their spin when not disturbed, was declining. On the other hand, fly-bys for gravity assists, appeared with extra spee...NASA spacecrafts has suffered from three anomalies. The Pioneers spacecrafts were decelerated, and their spin when not disturbed, was declining. On the other hand, fly-bys for gravity assists, appeared with extra speeds, relative to infinity. The Pioneers and fly-by anomalies are given now exact general relativistic full general solutions, in a rotating expanding Universe. We cite new evidence on the rotation of the Universe. Our solution seems to be the only one that solves the three anomalies.展开更多
The phytogeographical system for vegetation classification splits the vegetation in first level types： forest and grasslands. The forest type can be recognized in tropical rain forest and seasonal depending on the en...The phytogeographical system for vegetation classification splits the vegetation in first level types： forest and grasslands. The forest type can be recognized in tropical rain forest and seasonal depending on the environmental conditions. This determines the occurrence of deciduous species in big or small quantity. And the grasslands are Savannah in majority. This work proposed probabilistic methods to classify these vegetation types based on priori occurrence of species. The test was carded out with forest inventory data using ten vegetation fragments in farm of Embrapa and Cascata＇s park in Sete Lagoas city, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The distribution of species with occurrence in different types was adapted to set theory and Bayes theorem. In this way, it is possible to calculate belonging of species on vegetation types. The results were compared with usual classification. The main contribution of probabilistic methods was to increase the information to classify tree and shrub vegetation inventoried. It is especially recommended for transition regions between vegetation types.展开更多
文摘Introduction The life cycle of most marine species is characterized by high fecundity, dispersal during a planktonic larval phase and a sessile or sedentary adult phase with large census population size （Figure 1 ）. Many articles on marine population genetics start by recalling these main characteristics and ensuing expectations,
文摘Highly fecund marine species with dispersive life-history stages often display large population sizes and wide geographic distribution ranges. Consequently, they are expected to experience reduced genetic drift, efficient selection fueled by frequent adaptive mutations, and high migration loads. This has important consequences for understanding how local adaptation proceeds in the sea. A key issue in this regard, relates to the genetic architecture underlying fitness traits. Theory predicts that adaptation may involve many genes but with a high variance in effect size. Therefore, the effect of selection on allele frequencies may be substantial for the largest effect size loci, but insignificant for small effect genes. In such a context, the performance of population genomic methods to unravel the genetic basis of adaptation depends on the fraction of adaptive genetic variance explained by the cumulative effect of outlier loci. Here, we address some methodological challenges associated with the detection of local adaptation using molecular approaches. We provide an overview of genome scan methods to detect selection, including those assuming complex demographic models that better describe spatial population structure. We then focus on quantitative genetics approaches that search for genotype-phenotype associations at different genomic scales, including genome-wide methods evaluating the cumulative effect of variants. We argue that the limited power of single locus tests can be alleviated by the use of polygenic scores to estimate the joint contribution of candidate variants to phenotypic variation.
基金Supported by Grants from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvi-mento Cientifico e TecnológicoFundaco de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais
文摘AIM: To evaluate the treatment of pediatric functional chronic intestinal constipation (FCIC) with a probiotic goat yogurt. METHODS: A crossover double-blind formula-controlled trial was carried out on 59 students (age range: 5-15 years) of a public school in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, presenting a FCIC diagnostic, according to Roma Ⅲ criteria. The students were randomized in two groups to receive a goat yogurt supplemented with 109 colony forming unit/mL Bifidobacterium longum (B.longum) (probiotic) daily or only the yogurt for a period of 5 wk (formula). Afterwards, the groups were intercrossed for another 5 wk. Defecation frequency, stool consistency and abdominal and defecation pain were assessed.RESULTS: Both treatment groups demonstrated improvement in defecation frequency compared to baseline. However, the group treated with probiotic showed most signif icant improvement in the f irst phase of the study. An inversion was observed after crossing over, resulting in a reduction in stool frequency when this group was treated by formula. Probiotic and formula improved stool consistency in the f irst phase of treatment, but the improvement obtained with probiotic was significantly higher (P = 0.03). In the second phase of treatment, the group initially treated with probiotic showed worseningstool consistency when using formula. However, the difference was not signif icant. A signif icant improvement in abdominal pain and defecation pain was observed with both probiotic and formula in the first phase of treatment, but again the improvement was more signif icant for the group treated with B. longum during phase I (P < 0.05). When all data of the crossover study were analyzed, significant differences were observed between probiotic yogurt and yogurt only for defecation frequency (P = 0.012), defecation pain (P = 0.046) and abdominal pain (P = 0.015).
文摘Small-scale crop production in many parts of Tanzania is constrained by many problems among which soil fertility degradation is a major problem. Over 80% of cassava (Manihot esculenta) production in Tanzania is done by the small-scale farmers who continuously cultivate their fields, but use limited inputs to restore depleted plant nutrients. The objective of this study was to examine the best legume species that could be incorporated in cassava (Manihot esculenta) production systems under farmers’ conditions and result in increase in soil fertility and crop yields. Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis were either incorporated with cassava (Manihot esculenta) or planted as sole crop in rotation with cassava. Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis were found to produce almost similar amount of biomass. The two legumes, however, produced higher biomass in rotation than intercropping system. The amount of biomass produced by Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis in rotation system was 6.28 t·ha-1 and 5.31 t·ha-1, respectively. The Mucuna use represents an input of nitrogen into the soil which simulates a saving cost of 181.42 and 141.96 US$ ha-1. In the first year, cassava root yields were significantly increased (p < 0.05) over control (continuous sole cassava) (1.44 t·ha-1) by the use of intercropping of cassava (Manihot esculenta) with Mucuna pruriens (2.41 t·ha-1) and or Canavalia ensiformis (2.25 t·ha-1). Intercropping and rotation of cassava with legumes increase cassava yield and represent a sustainable alternative to reduce the farms’ dependence on external inputs and to enhance inherent soil fertility.
文摘The biomass sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], is an interesting crop considering the necessity to invest in alternative sources to generate renewable energy. The objective of this experiment was to identify sorghum biomass genotypes with greatest agronomic and energetic potential, and verify if there is phenotypic association between agronomic and technological properties in the hybrids. The study was conducted in three cities of the Minas Gerais State, Brazil (Lavras, Uberlandia and Sete Lagoas). It was evaluated 16 genotypes of sorghum biomass, being 14 of them sensitive hybrids to photoperiod and two cultivars, as control, insensitive to photoperiod. The experimental design was a triple lattice 4 × 4, with plots formed by four linear rows of 5.0 m. The morphoagronomic characteristics evaluated for the three environments were: days to flowering (FLOW), plant height (PH), number of stems (NS) and green matter production (GMP). In the experiment conducted in Lavras, also it was evaluated the agronomic traits: stem diameter (SD) and dry matter production (DMP) besides the technological traits: higher heating value (HHV), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). The genotype × environment interaction was significant for all traits. The hybrids had superior performance compared to the control genotypes. Biomass sorghum hybrids, sensitive to photoperiod, when compared with commercial hybrids of forage sorghum, insensitive to photoperiod, had an average production of 34 t ha-1 dry matter with 62% humidity and higher heating value of 4.400 Kcal/Kg. There was no phenotypic correlation between agronomic and technological characters evaluated.
基金funded by Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation—Embrapa,the National Research Council (CNPq),Brazil (No.465133/2014-2)Newton Fund “Understanding and Exploiting Biological Nitrogen Fixation for Improvement of Brazilian Agriculture” (No.B/N012476/1)+2 种基金the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC),Brazilthe Brazilian National Council for State Funding Agencies (CONFAP)the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES),Brazil (No.001)。
文摘Diazotrophic bacteria applied as a seed inoculant can improve the grain yield of several crops including maize. The current study aimed to test the agronomic efficiency and contribution of biological nitrogen fixation(BNF) of the endophytic diazotroph Herbaspirillum seropedicae strain ZAE94 to maize under field conditions. Eighteen field assays were conducted in four different locations during consecutive years on two hybrids and two varieties of maize in a random block design with four replicates using a peat-based inoculant. The inoculant containing the ZAE94 strain was applied without nitrogen(N)fertilization or with 40 kg N ha^(-1) and was compared to the application of 40 and 80 kg N ha^(-1) without inoculation. Crop productivity and N accumulation in the grain were evaluated in addition to ^(15)N natural abundance(δ^(15)N) to evaluate BNF in the treatments without N fertilization. Fertilization at 40 kg N ha^(-1) plus bacterial inoculation produced crop yields similar to the treatment with 80 kg N ha^(-1) and increased grain N content, especially in the off-season with 40 kg N ha^(-1). The inoculation treatments showed lower δ^(15)N values than the non-inoculated treatments, which was most evident in the off-season. The BNF contributed about 30% of N accumulated in plants inoculated with ZAE94. On average, 64% of the N fertilized plots showed an increase of the parameters evaluated in the inoculated treatments, compared with the control. Inoculation also increased root length, root volume, and leaf area, and these parameters were positively correlated with plant weight using a hydroponic assay. This study revealed that the application of H. seropedicae inoculant increased the amount of N in plants owing to BNF, and there is a better chance of yield response to inoculation under low N fertilizer application in the off-season.
基金The study was supported in part by grant PID2019-104721GB-I00 of the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion to EF and GPL and from the University of Valencia(UV-19-INV-AE19)FEDER through the COMPETE program(ref.008929)+7 种基金the Swedish Research Council(2017-03846)the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation(Wallenberg Academy fellowship to T.U.),Portuguese national funds through the FCT project PTDC/BIA-EVL/30288/2017-NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-30288co-funded by NORTE2020 through Portugal 2020 and FEDER Funds and by National Funds through FCTby the Laboratoire d’Excellence(LABEX)TULIP(ANR-10-LABX-41)and the INTERREG POCTEFA ECTOPYR(EFA031/15)This work has also benefitted from state aid managed by the French national research agency under the Future Investments program bearing the reference ANR-11-INBS-0001AnaEE-ServicesLizards were captured under research permits number 2013095-0001 from the Prefecture des Pyrenees-Orientales,and permit numbers 2016-s-09 and 2017-s-02 from the Prefecture des Pyrenees-Orientales and the Prefecture de l’Ariege(Direction Regionale de l’Environnement,de l’Amenagement,et du Logement,Occitanie)This research complied with the ASAB/ABS Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Research and all applicable local,national,and European legislation.J.A.was supported by a FPU predoctoral fellowship from the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion(FPU15/01388).G.P.L.was supported by post-doctoral grants Juan de la Cierva-Incorporacion,IJC2018-035319-I(from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia,Inovacio n y Universidades)grant SFRH/BPD/94582/2013 by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia under the Programa Operacional Potencial Humano–Quadro de Referencia Estrategico Nacional,funds from the European Social Fund and Portuguese Ministerio da Educac¸~ao e Cieˆncia.
文摘Color polymorphisms are widely studied to identify the mechanisms responsible for the origin and maintenance of phenotypic variability in nature.Two of the mechanisms of balancing selection currently thought to explain the long-term persistence of polymorphisms are the evolution of alternative phenotypic optima through correlational selection on suites of traits including color and heterosis.Both of these mechanisms can generate differences in offspring viability and fitness arising from different morph combinations.Here,we examined the effect of parental morph combination on fertilization success,embryonic viability,newborn quality,antipredator,and foraging behavior,as well as inter-annual survival by conducting controlled matings in a polymorphic lacertid Podarcis muralis,where color morphs are frequently assumed to reflect alternative phenotypic optima(e.g.,alternative reproductive strategies).Juveniles were kept in outdoor tubs for a year in order to study inter-annual growth,survival,and morph inheritance.In agreement with a previous genome-wide association analysis,morph frequencies in the year-old juveniles matched the frequencies expected if orange and yellow expressions depended on recessive homozygosity at 2 separate loci.Our findings also agree with previous literature reporting higher reproductive output of heavy females and the higher overall viability of heavy newborn lizards,but we found no evidence for the existence of alternative breeding investment strategies in female morphs,or morphcombination effects on offspring viability and behavior.We conclude that inter-morph breeding remains entirely viable and genetic incompatibilities are of little significance for the maintenance of discrete color morphs in P.muralis from the Pyrenees.
基金CNPq(grant number 461384/20140)CAPES(Finance Code 001)+1 种基金SISNANO/MCTICAgro Nano network research for their financial support。
文摘Water pollution caused by heavy metals ions has been gaining attention in recent years,increasing the interest in the development of methodologies for their efficient removal focusing on the adsorption process for these purposes.The current challenge faced by adsorption processes is the adequate adsorbent immobilization for removal and reuse.Thus,the present work aimed at producing a faujasite zeolite nanocomposite decorated with cobalt ferrite nanoparticles for Pb^2+ions adsorption in an aqueous medium improving magnetic removal and reuse.As a result,a high surface area(434.4 m^2·g^-1)for the nanocomposite and an 18.93 emu·g^-1 saturation magnetization value were obtained,indicating magnetic removal in a promising material for adsorption process.The nanocomposite regeneration capacity evaluated by magnetic recovery after 24 h suspension presented a high Pb^2+ion adsorptive capacity(98.4%)in the first cycle.Around 98%of the Pb^2+ions were adsorbed in the second cycle.In this way,the synthesized faujasite:cobalt ferrite nanocomposite reveals itself as a promising alternative in adsorption processes,aiming at a synergic effect of FAU zeolite high adsorptive activity and the cobalt ferrite nanoparticles magnetic activity,allowing for adsorbent recovery from the aqueous medium via magnetic force and successive adsorptive cycles.
文摘Alternative strategies of management of sorghum diseases were implemented using field experiments conducted in Embrapa Maize and Sorghum Research Center,Brazil in 2001 until 2003 to evaluate the efficacy of lineage mixtures of Sorghum bicolor for the control of anthracnose(caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum).The calculated values for disease severity considered the area under the disease progress curve(AUDPC)observed for the nine susceptible and resistant elite strains of sorghum planted in 30 stands randomly.Each stand was drawn in mixtures of three genotypes each,in the same proportions per plant.This design was compared with the severity of the disease measured in AUDPC calculated for each of the same nine strains of sorghum in pure stands.In most of the cases,the disease severity on the susceptible cultivars was decreased;and in some cases,reached 85%of disease reduction compared with disease progress in pure stand of correspondent plant.The implication and effect of these sorghum mixtures on the populations of C.sublineolum on each treatment were evaluated and revealed that there was an increase of frequency of complex races in most of these mixtures and a highest phenotypic diversity for virulence to pathogen populations from pure stands,than the characterized on populations collected from the mixtures,despite of the effectiveness on decrease of the anthracnose severity.
文摘Background Currently,many simulator systems for medical procedures are under development.These systems can provide new solutions for training,planning,and testing medical practices,improve performance,and optimize the time of the exams.However,to achieve the best results,certain premises must be followed and applied to the model under development,such as usability,control,graphics realism,and interactive and dynamic gami-fication.Methods This study presents a system for simulating a medical examination procedure in the nasal cavity for training and research purposes,using a patient′s accurate computed tomography(CT)as a reference.The pathologies that are used as a guide for the development of the system are highlighted.Furthermore,an overview of current studies covering bench medical mannequins,3D printing,animals,hardware,software,and software that use hardware to boost user interaction,is given.Finally,a comparison with similar state-of-the-art studies is made.Results The main result of this work is interactive gamification techniques to propose an experience of simulation of an immersive exam by identifying pathologies present in the nasal cavity such as hypertrophy of turbinates,septal deviation adenoid hypertrophy,nasal polyposis,and tumor.
基金the Brazilian Council of Science and Technology(Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnologico-CNPq)for financial support for the Biochar project(No.CNPq 471205220133)
文摘The herbicide diuron is widely used in agricultural areas in Brazil, whereas it has high potential for subsurface water contamination due to its physicochemical characteristics. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of biochar as a sorbent and possible pesticide leaching mitigation. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of biochar application on the kinetics of sorption and desorption of diuron in a Cerrado Haplic Plinthosol. Samples were collected in an experiment conducted in the field in a randomized block design consisting of the combination of two levels of fertilizer application (0 and 300 kg ha −1 of 5-25-15 formula of NPK fertilizers) and three doses of biochar (0, 16, and 32 Mg ha −1 ). The Freundlich isotherm accurately described the sorption of diuron in all treatments. Biochar application increased the sorption and reduced the desorption of diuron. This effect was attributed to the contribution of biochar to total organic carbon (C) and C in the humin fraction and to the increase in the reactivity of the humic acid and humin fractions, which was significantly highly correlated with the sorption coefficient ( K f ). A positive correlation between the partition coefficient of organic C and K f confirmed the importance of the soil organic compartment for the sorption of diuron. The higher diuron sorption and lower diuron desorption capacities of sandy soils after biochar application could reduce the potential risk of diuron leaching and contamination of subsurface water.
文摘Although the high diversity of plant species in the rupestrian fields has been primarily attributed to the existence of a set of distinct habitats, few studies support this assertion. The present study aimed to further investigate the relationship between physical and chemical attributes of soils with the diversity of plant species in this unique ecosystem. The rupestrian field is a unique vegetation formation that covers some of the southeastern Brazilian mountains in the transition of the Atlantic rain forest and the Cerrado(savanna). Different habitats occur according to soil characteristics(e.g., presence of rocks, sand, fertility, hydrology, etc.). These attributes ultimately influence the vegetation that is highly adapted to the harsh edaphic and climatic mountain conditions. Five distinct habitats were studied by us: rocky outcrops, peat bogs, sandy bogs, quartz gravel fields, and "cerrado"(savanna). A floristic survey indicated that four families are found at greater frequency: Poaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, and Leguminosae. The greatest diversity of plant species was found in the rocky outcrops habitat, followed by cerrado, peat bog, quartz gravel grassland, and sandy bogs, respectively. The main difference in the floristic composition among these habitats was related to the dominant species. Trachypogon spicatus(Poaceae) was the most dominant species in the rocky outcrops, Axonopus siccus(Poaceae) in the peat bogs, Lagenocarpus rigidus(Cyperaceae) in the sandy bogs, Schizachyrium tenerum(Poaceae) in the cerrado, while Vellozia sp. 8(Velloziaceae) dominated the vegetation in the quartz gravel grassland. This study demonstrated that physical and chemical soil properties strongly related the diversity of plant species occurring in the different habitats of rupestrian fields.
文摘The dynamics of forest growth are related to the succession stage, the quality of the environment and the degree of anthropism. The growth of a forest is given by the activity of live trees, mortality, and trees that are cut or recruited during the growing period. A way of representing the growth dynamics of a forest is by the Transition Matrix, with the divisibility of the population in states, with probabilities of movement from one state to another, over time. Forest dynamics studies are carried out by means of a continuous forest inventory, allowing the calculation of gains and losses in basal area, mortality rates and ingrowth. In this study, the measurements were performed with a 5-year interval, on 27 plots distributed in 12 sites. The methodology correlated parameters of the forest dynamics with canopy, soil, relief and hydrographic parameters. An indicator of forest growth dynamics was proposed and it was tested. It was confirmed that the density factor interferes in growth dynamics of the forest.
文摘Understanding the ecological dynamics of weed populations in no-tillage systems is important to establish strategies for integrated weed control capable of increasing agroecosystem sustainability. This study sought to evaluate the effect of succession systems on the seed bank in a no-tillage system. The effects of fifteen succession systems, composed of seven grasses, seven Leguminosae, and a fallow condition, were evaluated on the seed bank at two soil depths (0 to 10 and 10 to 20 cm). The species found in the seed bank were quantified and identified by species and family. The precision of sampling, density, dominance, the indices of diversity of Simpson and Shannon-Weiner;index of sustainability;analysis of groupings of dissimilarities;and the value of importance of each species were calculated. High weed diversity was observed;29 species were counted, including members of 12 different families. The highest expression of weeds was observed at soil depths of 0 to 10 cm. The Simpson and Shannon-Weiner coefficients indicated high diversity in both systems of succession. The index of sustainability did not indicate significant alterations in the different systems of succession. The coefficients of confenetic correlation were 0.74% and 0.82% for the 0 - 10 and the 10 - 20 cm soil depths respectively. It is concluded that there is a high diversity of weeds in the agroecosystems of Amazonia, and different cover crops promote modifications in the community and expression of the weeds’ seed bank.
基金supported by the Foundation for Research Assistance of Minas Gerais State,Brazil(FAPEMIG,Grant BPD-00477-13)granted to AOL
文摘Plants may respond to drought by altering biomass allocation to shoots and roots or by changing the metabolic activities in these organs. To determine how drought changes the partitioning of carbon allocated to growth and secondary metabolism in maize roots and how it affects photosynthesis(A) and productivity in maize, we evaluated leaf gas exchange, yield componentes, root morphology, and primary and secondary metabolites including total soluble sugars(TSS), starch(S), phenolics(PHE), and lignin(LIG). Data were collected from pot-grown plants of four maize genotypes: BRS 1010 and 2B710(sensitive genotypes) and DKB390 and BRS1055(tolerant genotypes) under two soil water tensions: field capacity(FC,-18 kP a) and water deficit(WD,-138 kP a). WD was applied at the pre-flowering stage for 12 days and then the water supply was restored and maintained at optimum levels until the end of the cycle. For genotype BRS 1055 under FC, the greatest A did not result in greater grain biomass(DGB) because the accumulated photoassimilates had already filled the cells, and thus the excessive TSS synthesized in leaves was allocated to roots in large amounts. However, the sharp decrease in A caused by WD imposition in this genotype did not affect the influx pressure of leaf TSS, which was due largely to conversion of primary metabolites to PHE compounds to increase the length of fine roots. In leaves of DKB390 under WD, both S and TSS were reduced, whereas PHE were increased to prevent excessive water loss and xylem cavitation. Under WD, both BRS1010 and2B710 genotypes displayed reduced allocation of biomass to shoots and roots and LIG content in leaves, as well as lower A and DGB values. In BRS1010 this response was coupled to S decrease in leaves and TSS increase in roots, whereas in 2B710 there was a concomitant S increase in roots.
文摘The goal of this study is to evaluate the drift of litterfall from forest to adjacent areas, validate a method to estimate the drift with water balance, direction and speed of winds and quantify the nutrients of litterfall in nearby area of the forest patch as function of distance. This phenomenon can be considered an ecosystem service to improve soil quality of the agriculture crops around the forests by nutrient input coming from the litterfall. The experiment was installed in adjacent areas of the tropical forest at central region of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The branches, reproductive material and leaves which fell were measured for three years into the forest and adjacents areas. The sampled nets were located on edge and equal distances from the edge. It＇s analyzed and estimated the contribution of the litterfall components to adjacent areas by air. The quantity of litterfall by distance had large variation between adjacent areas. And it was confirmed that model estimated the leaf drift by distance with good precision.
文摘We consider a General Relativistic generalized RWs metric, and find a field of Universal rotational global centripetal acceleration, numerically coincident with the value of the Pioneers Anomalous one. Related subjects are also treated. The rotation defined here is different from older frameworks, because we propose a Gaussian metric, whose tri-space rotates relative to the time orthogonal axis, globally.
文摘NASA spacecrafts has suffered from three anomalies. The Pioneers spacecrafts were decelerated, and their spin when not disturbed, was declining. On the other hand, fly-bys for gravity assists, appeared with extra speeds, relative to infinity. The Pioneers and fly-by anomalies are given now exact general relativistic full general solutions, in a rotating expanding Universe. We cite new evidence on the rotation of the Universe. Our solution seems to be the only one that solves the three anomalies.
文摘The phytogeographical system for vegetation classification splits the vegetation in first level types： forest and grasslands. The forest type can be recognized in tropical rain forest and seasonal depending on the environmental conditions. This determines the occurrence of deciduous species in big or small quantity. And the grasslands are Savannah in majority. This work proposed probabilistic methods to classify these vegetation types based on priori occurrence of species. The test was carded out with forest inventory data using ten vegetation fragments in farm of Embrapa and Cascata＇s park in Sete Lagoas city, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The distribution of species with occurrence in different types was adapted to set theory and Bayes theorem. In this way, it is possible to calculate belonging of species on vegetation types. The results were compared with usual classification. The main contribution of probabilistic methods was to increase the information to classify tree and shrub vegetation inventoried. It is especially recommended for transition regions between vegetation types.
