Genetic variation of the durum wheat landrace Haurani from different agro-ecological regions

The durum wheat landrace Haurani (Triticum durum Desf.) is grown under contrasting climatic regions of Syria from Deir Ezzor, in the North-East (230 m altitude, 150 mm mean annual rainfall), to Qunaytra, in the South-West (1060 m altitude, 825 mm mean annual rainfall). In order to assess the genetic variation between and within Haurani populations, samples from eight provinces of Syria (Daraa, Damascus, Qunaytra, Deir Ezzor, Hassakeh, Aleppo, Homs and Hama) were analysed by RFLPs and seed storage proteins of glutenin subunits as markers. The analyses showed the presence of genetic polymorphisms in all populations with the highest values in those from Homs and Hassakeh. Moreover, the results point out differences in genetic distances between populations; some populations were further apart, such as Damascus and Aleppo, whereas others were closer to each other, for instance Homs and Hama. Cluster analysis identified two distinct groups of populations, characterized by geographical proximity, with similar rainfall and altitude. It is suggested that the similarity of landraces at locations close to each other might be the result of more frequent seed exchanges between farmers or of gene flow due to 5% estimated outcross rate of Haurani.     

Workers' safety in milking premises

Dairy cattle rearing techniques have evolved, and milking has moved from stalls to specialized premises. A survey was carried out on a representative sample of dairy farms in central Italy to investigate workers' safety in milking premises. Results indicated acceptable sound level and microclimatic conditions, whereas repetitive motion of the upper limbs should be carefully monitored for the possible effects it can induce on the milkers, who were devoid of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). Floor antislipping characteristics represented a major deficiency in the building material, in spite of its strength and durability.     

Generation of leaf shape through early patterns of growth and tissue polarity

A major challenge in biology is to understand how buds comprising a few cells can give rise to complex plant and animal appendages like leaves or limbs. We address this problem through a combination of time-lapse imaging, clonal analysis, and computational modeling. We arrive at a model that shows how leaf shape can arise through feedback between early patterns of oriented growth and tissue deformation. Experimental tests through partial leaf ablation support this model and allow reevaluation of previous experimental studies. Our model allows a range of observed leaf shapes to be generated and predicts observed clone patterns in different species. Thus, our experimentally validated model may underlie the development and evolution of diverse organ shapes.     

Gap disturbances and regeneration patterns in a Bosnian old-growth forest: a multispectral remote sensing and ground-based approach

Objectives

We examined canopy gap structure and regeneration patterns at the landscape scale using a combination of remote sensing and field-based surveys.

Methods

The study was carried out in the forest reserve of Lom, an old-growth Fagus-Abies-Picea forest located within the Dinaric Alps in the north-western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A high-resolution (1-m panchromatic and 4-m multispectral) Kompsat-2 satellite image was orthorectified and classified through an unsupervised pixel-based classification using an artificial neural network method.

Results

This approach allowed the identification of 650 canopy gaps, ranging in size from 32 to 1,776?m². Only 20 intermediate to large gaps (>250?m²) were identified, and they were mainly present near the perimeter of the reserve. The origin of these large openings was associated with past human-caused disturbances or topographic conditions. The species composition of regeneration within large, human-caused gaps differed markedly from small gaps and non-gap sites in the core area of the reserve. Shade-intolerant species dominated the seedling and sapling layers in large openings. The landscape approach employed in this study confirmed the hypothesis that small gaps predominate at Lom, especially within the core area of the reserve.     

Snow gliding and loading under two different forest stands: a case study in the north-western Italian Alps

The presence of a thick snowpack could interfere with forest stability, especially on steep slopes with potential damages for young and old stands. The study of snow gliding in forests is rather comple...     

Kiwellin, a modular protein from green and gold kiwi fruits: evidence of in vivo and in vitro processing and IgE binding

Kiwellin, an allergenic protein formerly isolated from green kiwi fruit, has been identified as the most abundant component of the gold kiwi species. A protein named KiTH, showing a 20 kDa band on reducing SDS-PAGE and 100% identity with the C-terminal region of kiwellin, has been identified in the extract of the ripe green species. In vitro treatment of purified kiwellin with the protease actinidin from green kiwi fruit originated KiTH and kissper, a recently described pore-forming peptide. Primary structure analysis and experimental evidence suggest that kiwellin is a modular protein with two domains. It may undergo in vivo proteolytic processing by actinidin, thus producing KiTH and kissper. When probed with sera recognizing kiwellin from green kiwi fruit, KiTH showed IgE binding, with reactivity levels sometimes different from those of kiwellin. The IgE-binding capacity of kiwellin from gold kiwi fruit appears to be similar to that of the green species.     

Flavonoids of white lupin roots participate in phosphorus mobilization from soil

The impact of flavonoids released by phosphorus-deficient white lupin roots on inorganic P and soil microorganisms is largely unknown. We report that flavonoids isolated from white lupin roots mobilized inorganic phosphorus and decreased soil microbial respiration, citrate mineralization, and soil phosphohydrolase activities, but did not reduce the soil ATP content. The results suggest that white lupin's release of flavonoids into the rhizosphere plays a significant role in its efficient P-acquisition strategy by solubilizing Fe-bound P and by limiting the microbial mineralization of citrate.