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A metagenomic library consisting of 15,000 clones was constructed from the mangrove sediment. An antimicrobially active clone from the metagenomic library PS49 was identified by function- based screening. This paper presents the results of the biochemical characterization and metagenomic library screening of the marine-derived antibiotic, 8-demethoxy-10-deoxysteffimycin. Plasmid libraries were constructed, and clones were produced using a metagenomic approach. Out of 15,000 clones, 81 clones were screened for antimicrobial activity, and five potential clones were selected. The activity of one clone was characterized and named as PS49. The bioactive compounds from the selected clone were checked for antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. The clone PS49 was tested against various pathogens including bacteria and fungi and it showed inhibitory effects against all the tested pathogens. The antimicrobially active fractions were then crystallized and subjected to spectroscopic analysis such as FTIR, NMR and LC–MS analysis. The substance from clone PS49 has finally been recognized, and the compound from clone PS49 has been identified as 8-demethoxy-10-deoxysteffimycin. The substances isolated from the PS49 clone exhibited strong anticancer activity against skin cancer-cell lines SK-MEL2. The compounds showed a reduction in cell viability with an increase in the compound concentration. The compounds obtained from clone PS49 showed an IC50 value of 85 µg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clones of operations of arity ω (referred to as ω -operations) have been employed by Neumann to represent varieties of infinitary algebras defined by operations of at most arity ω . More recently, clone algebras have been introduced to study clones of functions, including ω -operations, within the framework of one-sorted universal algebra. Additionally, polymorphisms of arity ω , which are ω -operations preserving the relations of a given first-order structure, have recently been used to establish model theory results with applications in the field of complexity of CSP problems. In this paper, we undertake a topological and algebraic study of polymorphisms of arity ω and their corresponding invariant relations. Given a Boolean ideal X on the set A ω , we endow the set of ω -operations on A with a topology, which we refer to as X-topology. Notably, the topology of pointwise convergence can be retrieved as a special case of this approach. Polymorphisms and invariant relations are then defined parametrically with respect to the X-topology. We characterise the X-closed clones of ω -operations in terms of Pol ω - Inv ω and present a method to relate Inv ω - Pol ω to the classical (finitary) Inv - Pol . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular covers which originate in homotopy theory are considered here for a very special class: divisible uniserial modules over valuation domains. This is a continuation of the study of cellular covers of divisible objects, but in order to obtain more substantial results, we are restricting our attention further to specific covers or to specific kernels. In particular, for h-divisible uniserial modules, we deal first with covers limited to divisible torsion-free modules (Section 3), and continue with the restriction to torsion standard uniserials (Sections 4–5). For divisible non-standard uniserial modules, only those cellular covers are investigated whose kernels are also divisible non-standard uniserials (Section 6). The results are specific enough to enable us to describe more accurately how to find all cellular covers obeying the chosen restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Across the tree of life, many organisms are able to reproduce clonally, via vegetative spread, budding or parthenogenesis. In population genetic analyses of clonally reproducing organisms, it is common practice to retain only a single representative per multilocus genotype. Though this practice of clone correction is widespread, the theoretical justification behind it has been very little studied. Here, I use individual‐based simulations to study the effect of clone correction on the estimation of the genetic summary statistics HO, HS, FIS, FST, F′′ST and Dest. The simulations follow the standard finite island model, consisting of a set of populations connected by gene flow, but with a variable rate of sexual versus asexual reproduction. The results of the simulations show that by itself, the inclusion of replicated genotypes does not lead to a deviation in the values of the summary statistics, except when the rate of sexual reproduction is less than about one in thousand. However, clone correction can introduce a strong deviation in the values of most of the statistics, when compared to a scenario of full sexual reproduction. For HS and FIS, this deviation can be informative about the process of asexual reproduction, but for FST, F′′ST and Dest, clone correction can lead to incorrect conclusions. I therefore argue that clone correction is not strictly necessary, but can in some cases be insightful. However, when clone correction is applied, it is imperative that results for both the corrected and uncorrected data are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting suitable tree species, cultivars or clones in agroforestry is essential for maximizing volume growth and reducing mortality. While most studies have investigated the performance of understory crops, more information is needed about the performance of trees in agroforestry systems. In the last decades, the forest industry in the Southeast has produced high-yielding loblolly pine varieties that can be propagated by cloning. We evaluated the performance of two forest industry-rated loblolly pine clones (Pinus taeda L.) that we planted in an agroforestry and a plantation setting at a northern Alabama site. Specifically, we assessed and compared the survival and growth of two genetically improved pine clones: clone 1 (CF Q3802-43) and clone 2 (CF L3519-41). Clone 1 had a significantly higher overall survival rate than clone 2 (86% vs. 83%). However, clone 2 demonstrated a superior performance growth compared to clone 1. Tree basal area, live crown ratio, height and total tree volume inside-bark of clone 2 averaged 0.027 m2, 70%, 10.7 m and 0.11 m3, respectively, and all were significantly higher than those of clone 1 (0.024 m2, 63%, 9.8 m, and 0.09 m3). Therefore, clone 1 is preferred over clone 2 for our region and in similar site conditions if survival is considered a selection criterion and clone 2 is preferred from the wood production viewpoint. However, it will be more advantageous to use clone 2 overall since its higher average tree volume (0.11 m3 vs. 0.09 m3 of clone 1) can easily offset the lower survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clonal materials of Tectona grandis L. f. in fast-growing plantations exhibit faster growth than the seminal materials. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the differences in wood drying to ensure the quality and yield of the final product. This study evaluated the outdoor drying behavior of three genotypes of teak lumber. Two clonal genotypes (G1 and G2) and one of seminal origin (G3) were assessed. Boards measuring 30 × 150 × 1000 mm (thickness × width × length) were produced from the basal logs. The average moisture content (79.3, 64.9, and 60,1%), final moisture content (10.8, 9.8, and 11.6%), and mean drying rate (1.2, 0.97, and 0.85%.day-1) were observed in the wood from genotypes G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The clonal material crooked and bowed below 5 mm.m-1, which is considered the tolerance limit for both warpings. The seminal material had a greater incidence of splitting. The clonal genotypes G1 and G2 had similar qualities and presented higher drying rates, final moisture contents below 11% and a lower incidence of defects, especially splitting, compared to the naturally seeded material.

To promote the selection of new Castanea henryi varieties, the identification of germplasm resources, and the healthy development of the industry, the genetic diversity of 22 excellent clones cultivated in Jian'ou city, Fujian province, were investigated using six pairs of polymorphic EST-SSR primers, and the fingerprints were constructed. Results showed that the average number of alleles per primer pair was 2. 667, average number of effective alleles was 2. 038, average observed heterozygosity was 0. 349, average expected heterozygosity was 0. 447, average Shannon's information index was 0. 721, average number of polymorphic loci was 11. 500, and average polymorphic information content was 0. 434, indicating high genetic diversity. The genetic similarity coefficient varied from 0. 754 to 1. 000, with an average value of 0. 856. At the genetic similarity coefficient of 0. 860, it could be divided into five major classes. Class Ⅰ included only HL19. Class Ⅱ included HL5, HL6, HL8, and HL21. Class Ⅲ included HL17 and HL18. Class Ⅳ included HL12 and HL13. Class Ⅴ included HL1, HL2, HL3, HL4, HL7, HL9, HL10, HL11, HL14, HL15, HL16, HL20, and HL22. Fingerprints of 22 clones were constructed using three pairs of polymorphic primers. It provided a reference for the selection of parents and superior germplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the excitement about genomics, it is easy to lose sight of one of the most important findings from behavioural genetics: At least half of the variance of psychopathology is caused by environmental effects that are not shared by children growing up in the same family, which includes error of measurement. However, a 30‐year search for the systematic causes of nonshared environment in a line‐up of the usual suspects, especially parenting, has not identified the culprits. Method: I briefly review this research, but primarily consider the conceptual framework of the search for 'missing' nonshared environmental effects. Results: The search has focused on exogenous events like parenting, but nonshared environment might not be caused by anything we would call an event. Instead, it might reflect endogenous processes such as noisy biological systems (such as somatic mutations and epigenetics) or, at a psychological level, idiosyncratic subjective perceptions of past and present experiences, which could be called nonshared environmental experience to distinguish it from exogenous events. Although real, nonshared environment might be random in the philosophy of science sense of being unpredictable, even though it can have stable effects that predict subsequent behaviour. Conclusion: I wade into the weeds of randomness and suggest that this so‐called 'gloomy prospect' might not be so gloomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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It is believed that poplar species from the Aigeiros section form root suckers less often than other poplars. Nevertheless, juvenile plants growing from root suckers can be found in natural populations of black poplar. As they are clones only of certain trees, it seems that the emergence of root suckers may be under genetic control. Unfortunately, there are no studies carried out in more controlled conditions to verify this observation. Here we genotyped root suckers in the clone archive of black poplar. Samples were collected from the vicinity of 21 individuals originating from two natural populations located in the Vistula and Warta river valleys in Poland. One individual was also used in a pot experiment under control and drought-stress conditions. Most clones from the clone archive formed root suckers. Their number was positively correlated with the above-ground size of the plants. However, it did not depend on the origin of the trees. In the pot experiment, we observed root suckers only in control plants after their root system had been damaged. The outcomes of our study suggest that black poplar's ability to form root suckers may be controlled by genotype-environment interactions. As shown by the pot experiment results, individuals may not have enough resources to invest in root suckers when environmental conditions are unfavorable. This is probably one of the reasons why only some genets in natural conditions form root suckers. Our findings are discussed in the context of their ecological significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clonal materials of Tectona grandis L. f. in fast-growing plantations exhibit faster growth than the seminal materials. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the differences in wood drying to ensure the quality and yield of the final product. This study evaluated the outdoor drying behavior of three genotypes of teak lumber. Two clonal genotypes (G1 and G2) and one of seminal origin (G3) were assessed. Boards measuring 30 × 150 × 1000 mm (thickness × width × length) were produced from the basal logs. The average moisture content (79.3, 64.9, and 60,1%), final moisture content (10.8, 9.8, and 11.6%), and mean drying rate (1.2, 0.97, and 0.85%.day-1) were observed in the wood from genotypes G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The clonal material crooked and bowed below 5 mm.m-1, which is considered the tolerance limit for both warpings. The seminal material had a greater incidence of splitting. The clonal genotypes G1 and G2 had similar qualities and presented higher drying rates, final moisture contents below 11% and a lower incidence of defects, especially splitting, compared to the naturally seeded material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli has been linked to both life-threatening hospital- and community-acquired infections across the globe. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of ESBL in E. coli isolated from humans, animals, and environments in Bangladesh. Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the current systematic review and meta-analysis was taken into account for studies published between 2010 and 2021 in peer-reviewed journals. The meta-analysis was performed on R version 4.2.2. A total of 36 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis; among them, 22 were human, seven were animal, four were environmental, and three were multidisciplinary studies. The meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli in Bangladesh was 21% (95% CI: 15%-27%). On the sample basis, the pooled prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli in humans, animals, and environments was 17% (95% CI: 11%-23%), 22% (95% CI: 9%-34%), and 39% (95% CI: 16%-62%), respectively. All the pooled prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli showed substantial heterogeneity (I2 > 75%; p

Clonoids are sets of finitary functions from an algebra A to an algebra B that are closed under composition with term functions of A on the domain side and with term functions of B on the codomain side. For A , B (polynomially equivalent to) finite modules we show: If A , B have coprime order and the congruence lattice of A is distributive, then there are only finitely many clonoids from A to B. This is proved by establishing for every natural number k a particular linear equation that all k-ary functions from A to B satisfy. Else if A , B do not have coprime order, then there exist infinite ascending chains of clonoids from A to B ordered by inclusion. Consequently any extension of A by B has countably infinitely many 2-nilpotent expansions up to term equivalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential to maintain immune homeostasis by promoting self-tolerance. Reduced Treg numbers or functionality can lead to a loss of tolerance, increasing the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. An overwhelming variety of human Tregs has been described, based on either specific phenotype, tissue compartment, or pathological condition, yet the bulk of the literature only addresses CD25-positive and CD127-negative cells, coined by naturally occurring Tregs (nTregs), most of which express the transcription factor Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3). While the discovery of FOXP3 was seminal to understanding the origin and biology of nTregs, there is evidence in humans that not all T cells expressing FOXP3 are regulatory, and that not all Tregs express FOXP3. Namely, the activation of human T cells induces the transient expression of FOXP3, irrespective of whether they are regulatory or inflammatory effectors, while some induced T cells that may be broadly defined as Tregs (e.g., Tr1 cells) typically lack demethylation and do not express FOXP3. Furthermore, it is unknown whether and how many nTregs exist without FOXP3 expression. Several other candidate regulatory molecules, such as GITR, Lag-3, GARP, GPA33, Helios, and Neuropilin, have been identified but subsequently discarded as Treg-specific markers. Multiparametric analyses have uncovered a plethora of Treg phenotypes, and neither single markers nor combinations thereof can define all and only Tregs. To date, only the functional capacity to inhibit immune responses defines a Treg and distinguishes Tregs from inflammatory T cells (Teffs) in humans. This review revisits current knowledge of the Treg universe with respect to their heterogeneity in phenotype and function. We propose that it is unavoidable to characterize human Tregs by their phenotype in combination with their function, since phenotype alone does not unambiguously define Tregs. There is an unmet need to align the expression of specific markers or combinations thereof with a particular suppressive function to coin functional Treg entities and categorize Treg diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acacia melanoxylon is highly valued for its commercial applications, with the heartwood exhibiting a range of colors from dark to light among its various clones. The underlying mechanisms contributing to this color variation, however, have not been fully elucidated. In an effort to understand the factors that influence the development of dark heartwood, a comparative analysis was conducted on the microstructure, substance composition, differential gene expression, and metabolite profiles in the sapwood (SW), transition zone (TZ), and heartwood (HW) of two distinct clones, SR14 and SR25. A microscopic examination revealed that heartwood color variations are associated with an increased substance content within the ray parenchyma cells. A substance analysis indicated that the levels of starches, sugars, and lignin were more abundant in SP compared to HW, while the concentrations of phenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids were found to be higher in HW than in SP. Notably, the dark heartwood of the SR25 clone exhibited greater quantities of phenols and flavonoids compared to the SR14 clone, suggesting that these compounds are pivotal to the color distinction of the heartwood. An integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolomics data uncovered a significant accumulation of sinapyl alcohol, sinapoyl aldehyde, hesperetin, 2′, 3, 4, 4′, 6′-peptahydroxychalcone 4′-O-glucoside, homoeriodictyol, and (2S)-liquiritigenin in the heartwood of SR25, which correlates with the up-regulated expression of CCRs (evm.TU.Chr3.1751, evm.TU.Chr4.654_667, evm.TU.Chr4.675, evm.TU.Chr4.699, and evm.TU.Chr4.704), COMTs (evm.TU.Chr13.3082, evm.TU.Chr13.3086, and evm.TU.Chr7.1411), CADs (evm.TU.Chr10.2175, evm.TU.Chr1.3453, and evm.TU.Chr8.1600), and HCTs (evm.TU.Chr4.1122, evm.TU.Chr4.1123, evm.TU.Chr8.1758, and evm.TU.Chr9.2960) in the TZ of A. melanoxylon. Furthermore, a marked differential expression of transcription factors (TFs), including MYBs, AP2/ERFs, bHLHs, bZIPs, C2H2s, and WRKYs, were observed to be closely linked to the phenols and flavonoids metabolites, highlighting the potential role of multiple TFs in regulating the biosynthesis of these metabolites and, consequently, influencing the color variation in the heartwood. This study facilitates molecular breeding for the accumulation of metabolites influencing the heartwood color in A. melanoxylon, and offers new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying heartwood formation in woody plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi-parental hybrids (BPHs) are recommended cocoa planting materials in Ghana and other West African countries. However, the inability to produce enough BPHs to meet farmers' demand makes it almost impossible to avoid open-pollinated families (OPF) in the supply chain. To study the effects of OPF on cocoa production, parentage analysis, vigor, and precocity of seven BPHs generated from a 4 × 2 North Carolina II (NC II) incomplete mating design were compared with eight OPFs. The 15 cocoa progenies together with two checks of Guiana (GU) origin were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications across five contrasting locations for stem diameter increment (SDI) and number of pods per tree (NP). Parentage analyses at 75 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci of leave samples from the 17 progenies revealed that the BPHs were of the appropriate female and male parents, while the OPF had varying number of male parents. The pollination effect (bi-parental vs open-pollinated progenies) was not significantly different for both traits, but the BPH was relatively better and surpassed on average the OPF by 3.5% for SDI and 7.8% for NP. Crosses involving GU 144/ C, T63/967, and T65/238 as females in both the OPF and BPH showed predominantly higher performance than those with PA 7 and T79/501 for both traits. Among the promising female parents, GU 144/C is the only one that is not in the seed gardens and could be added to parental clones currently used in producing cocoa varieties in the seed garden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study clones modulo minor homomorphisms, which are mappings from one clone to another preserving arities of operations and respecting permutation and identification of variables. Minor-equivalent clones satisfy the same sets of identities of the form f (x 1 , ⋯ , x n) ≈ g (y 1 , ⋯ , y m) , also known as minor identities, and therefore share many algebraic properties. Moreover, it was proved that the complexity of the CSP of a finite structure A only depends on the set of minor identities satisfied by the polymorphism clone of A . In this article we consider the poset that arises by considering all clones over a three-element set with the following order: we write C ⪯ m D if there exists a minor homomorphism from C to D . We show that the aforementioned poset has only three submaximal elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poplars (Populus spp.) are of significant ecological and economic importance. Long-term breeding efforts were aimed mainly at obtaining fast-growing and productive plants and less considered resistance to pests. This study aimed to identify patterns of susceptibility or resistance to Saperda carcharias (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) infestation among clones of Populus hybrids and pure species, focusing on the influence of their placement, seasonal development, stem diameter, height increment, and crossing combinations. Among 34 clones of poplar species and hybrids of Ukrainian and foreign selection, in 2019–2023 S. carcharias infested 14 clones every year. Six clones ('Ivantiivska', 'Kytaiska × pyramidalna', 'Volosystoplidna', 'Novoberlinska-3', 'Robusta', and 'Lada') were the most susceptible to the infestation by S. carcharias. The clones of all presented poplar sections and their crossing combinations, except the Tacamahaca and Leucoides cross, were infested. Greater height increment promoted the infestation by S. carcharias. Ambiguous results were obtained regarding the susceptibility of Populus hybrids compared to pure species to S. carcharias infestations. Considering infestation by S. carcharias and plant placement in the site, it can be concluded that the clones 'Sakrau45-51', 'Deltopodibna', 'Rosijska', 'Slava Ukrayiny', 'Lubenska', 'Rohanska', and 'Nocturne' are resistant to this pest. Selecting native species clones or creating mixed clone plantations could enhance the resilience of poplar plantations to pest threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus patula seeds are in high demand for the establishment of plantations in Mexico and around the world because of the fast growth of this species. However, genetically improved germplasm of forest species is scarce in Mexico. For this reason, in 2012, the Mexican government started a program of asexual seed orchards with species of the Pinus genus to meet the germplasm demand. Thus, the objectives of the present research were: to evaluate the height, diameter at breast height, and volume of Pinus patula clones in an asexual seed orchard and to estimate the heritability of these traits. The asexual seed orchard was established in 2012. The diameter at breast height and total height (DBH) were measured and the volume of each ramet was calculated. Subsequently, clonal heritability was estimated for each trait in the four-year-age clones. Differences were found among clones. The average height was 4.38 m, and it varied from 3.39 to 4.80 m for the clones 103 and 28, respectively. The average DBH was 5.46 cm and varied from 3.98 to 6.52 cm for clones 103 and 25, respectively. The average volume was 6.23 dm3 showing a range from 2.62 to 9.53 dm3 for clones 103 and 25, respectively. Clones of Pinus patula had high values of height, DBH, and volume. Heritability values for height, DBH and volume were 0.655, 0.508 and 0.575, respectively. Thus, these traits show high heritability, in other words, they are influenced by genetic component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the wood chemical and energetic characteristics of Eucalyptus spp. clones planted in three sites in the Midwest of Brazil. Thus, five clones from Eucalyptus spp. were planted in different sites aiming to determine the qualitative characteristics of the wood resulting from the variation in the tree growth environment and the genetic material. The same clones were planted in the three sites to determine the genotype × environment interaction. The trees were then sampled at 5 years after planting for their physical–chemical and energetic characterization. The results showed that the wood characteristics vary in different proportions according to the clone, just as the growth environment of the trees alters the behavior of the clones for the same characteristics. The edaphic variables affected the wood characteristics, inferring that the water content in the soil has more effect on the wood properties than the water content in the air, mainly on wood basic density. The results of this study indicate that using the appropriate genotype related to the environment conditions determines the wood characteristics, since the wood properties are strongly influenced by the edaphoclimatic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In the excitement about genomics, it is easy to lose sight of one of the most important findings from behavioural genetics: At least half of the variance of psychopathology is caused by environmental effects that are not shared by children growing up in the same family, which includes error of measurement. However, a 30‐year search for the systematic causes of nonshared environment in a line‐up of the usual suspects, especially parenting, has not identified the culprits. Method I briefly review this research, but primarily consider the conceptual framework of the search for ‘missing’ nonshared environmental effects. Results The search has focused on exogenous events like parenting, but nonshared environment might not be caused by anything we would call an event. Instead, it might reflect endogenous processes such as noisy biological systems (such as somatic mutations and epigenetics) or, at a psychological level, idiosyncratic subjective perceptions of past and present experiences, which could be called nonshared environmental experience to distinguish it from exogenous events. Although real, nonshared environment might be random in the philosophy of science sense of being unpredictable, even though it can have stable effects that predict subsequent behaviour. Conclusion I wade into the weeds of randomness and suggest that this so‐called ‘gloomy prospect’ might not be so gloomy.

Carnation wilt disease is one of the most serious fungal diseases in the planting process of fresh cut flowers of carnations. It has been reported that this disease is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi. Breeding and rational utilization of resistant varieties is still one of the most effective methods to control carnation Fusarium wilt. Using somaclonal variation and in vitro screening of toxins can cultivate disease-resistant breeding materials of carnations, accelerate the breeding process of disease resistant varieties, and provide new ideas for disease resistant breeding for carnations. To obtain breeding intermediate materials with resistance to wilt disease of carnations, in this study, tissue cultures derived from in vitro plantlets of spray carnation Purple Butterfly, which is susceptible to F. oxysporum f. sp. dianthi, were successfully used for induction of callus tissue and establishment of a suspension culture system through suspension culture. Resistant cell lines were screened by adding crude extract of F. oxysporum toxin after mutagenesis with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). The results showed that the optimal culture medium for inducing callus tissue was Murashig-Skoog medium+ 1.0 mg/L of dicamba, the screened optimal EMS combination was 0.4% and 4.0 hours of treatment. The appropriate selection pressure for screening carnation clones resistant to F. oxysporum was cultivation on 80.0% of crude toxin medium for 10 days. The optimal combination of hormones for induction of regenerated plants of carnations was 0.5 mg/L of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) + 0.1 mg/L of thidiazuron (TDZ) + 0.1 mg/L of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid(NAA). Disease resistance identification by artificial inoculation with F. oxysporum found that the disease index of the disease resistant clone of Purple Butterfly was 45, indicating it was at medium-resistance level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated concentrations of heavy metals result in soil degradation, a reduction in plant yields, and a lower quality of agricultural products, which directly endangers people, animals, and the ecosystem. The potential of three clones of Salix alba (347, NS 73/6, and B-44) and one genotype of S. viminalis for the phytoextraction of heavy metals was investigated, with the aim of identifying the most physiologically suitable willow genotypes for use in soil phytoremediation. The experiment was placed on the contaminated soil substrate collected in Kolubara Mining Basin (Serbia), enriched by high loads of heavy metal salts, and a control medium. Significant differences in the concentrations of heavy metals were recorded between the contaminated and control plant material, especially when it comes to nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), confirming that S. alba and S. viminalis are hyperaccumulator species of heavy metals. Clone 347 shows the greatest uptake of Cd and chromium (Cr), and clone B-44 takes up these metals only to a lesser extent, while clone NS 73/6 shows a less pronounced uptake of Cr. The roots have the greatest ability to accumulate Ni and Pb, Cu is absorbed by all plant organs, while Cd is absorbed by the leaves. The organ that showed the greatest ability to accumulate heavy metals was the root, which means that willows have a limited power to translocate heavy metals to above-ground organs. The studied genotypes of S. alba have a higher potential for the phytostabilization of Cu and Cd, as well as the phytoextraction of Cd, compared with S. viminalis. The results confirm the assumption of differences between different willow genotypes in terms of the ability to phytoextract certain heavy metals from soil, which is important information when selecting genotypes for soil phytoremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When students think of evolution, they might imagine T. rex, or perhaps an abiotic scene of sizzling electrical storms and harsh reducing atmospheres, an Earth that looks like a lunar landscape. Natural selection automatically elicits responses that include "survival of the fittest," and "descent with modification," and with these historical biological catch phrases, one conjures up images of large animals battling it out on the Mesozoic plane. Rarely do teachers or students apply these same ideas to cancer and the evolution of somatic cells, which have accrued mutations and epigenetic imprinting and relentlessly survive and proliferate. Our questions in this paper include the following: Can cancer become an important teaching model for students to explore fundamental hypotheses about evolutionary process? Can the multi- step somatic cancer model encourage visualizations that enable students to revisit and reenter previous primary concepts in general biology such as the cell, mitosis, chromosomes, genetic diversity, ecological diversity, immune function, and of course evolution, continually integrating their biology knowledge into process and pattern knowledge? Can the somatic cancer model expose similar patterns and protagonists, linking Darwinian observations of the natural world to our body? And, can the cancer clone model excite critical thinking and student hypotheses about what cancer is as a biological process? Does this visually simple model assist students in recognizing patterns, connecting their biological curriculum dots into a more coherent learning experience? These biological dynamics and intercepting aptitudes of cells are amplified through the cancer model and can help shape the way biology students begin to appreciate the interrelatedness of all biological systems while they continue to explore pivotal points of biological fuzziness, such as the microbiome, limitations of models, and the complex coordination of genomic networks required for the function of even a single cell and the realization of phenotypes. In this paper we use clonal evolution of cancer as a model experience for students to recreate how a single, non-germline cell appears to shadow the classic pattern of natural selection in body cells that have gone awry. With authentic STEAM activities students can easily crossover and revisit previous biological topics and the ubiquitous nature of natural selection as seen in the example of somatic cells that result in a metastasizing tumor, giving students insight into natural selection's accommodating and tractable patterns throughout the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calculations of SARS-CoV-2 transmission networks at a population level have been limited. Networks that estimate infections between individuals and whether this results in a mutation, can be a way to evaluate fitness of a mutational clone by how much it expands in number as well as determining the likelihood a transmission results in a new variant. Australian Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 sequences were downloaded from GISAID. Transmission networks of infection between individuals were estimated using a novel mathematical method. Many of the sequences were identical, with clone sizes following power law distributions driven by negative binomial probability distributions for both the number of infections per individual and the number of mutations per transmission (median 0.74 nucleotide changes for Delta and 0.71 for Omicron). Using these distributions, an agent-based model was able to replicate the observed clonal network structure, providing a basis for more detailed COVID-19 modelling. Possible recombination events, tracked by insertion/deletion (indel) patterns, were identified for each variant in these outbreaks. This modelling approach reveals key transmission characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and may complement traditional contact tracing. This methodology can also be applied to other diseases as genetic sequencing of viruses becomes more commonplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus capitis has been recognized as a relevant opportunistic pathogen, particularly its persistence in neonatal ICUs around the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of clinical isolates of S. capitis and to characterize the factors involved in the persistence and pathogenesis of these strains isolated from blood cultures collected in a hospital in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 141 S. capitis strains were submitted to detection of the mecA gene and SCCmec typing by multiplex PCR. Genes involved in biofilm production and genes encoding enterotoxins and hemolysins were detected by conventional PCR. Biofilm formation was evaluated by the polystyrene plate adherence test and phenotypic resistance was investigated by the disk diffusion method. Finally, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to analyze the clonal relationship between isolates. The mecA gene was detected in 99 (70.2%) isolates, with this percentage reaching 100% in the neonatal ICU. SCCmec type III was the most prevalent type, detected in 31 (31.3%) isolates and co-occurrence of SCCmec was also observed. In vitro biofilm formation was detected in 46 (32.6%) isolates but was not correlated with the presence of the ica operon genes. Furthermore, biofilm production in ICU isolates was favored by hyperosmotic conditions, which are common in ICUs because of the frequent parenteral nutrition. Analysis of the clonal relationship between the isolates investigated in the present study confirms a homogeneous profile of S. capitis and the persistence of clones that are prevalent in the neonatal ICU and disseminated across the hospital. This study highlights the adaptation of isolates to specific hospital environments and their high clonality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the proportion of heartwood and sapwood, as well as density in pure clones and hybrids of Eucalyptus grandis. It was found that pure clones have more heartwood than hybrids, and that the latter have higher density and homogeneity. The results suggest that hybrid clones could be useful for the production of pulp and sawn timber. The authors of the study are Christian Bulman-Hartkopf, Rosa A. Winck, Diego R. Aquino, Hugo E. Fassola, and Pablo M. Stefani. [Extracted from the article]

During the period 2020-2022, an experiment was conducted in the experimental vineyard of the Agricultural University - Plovdiv, and four clones of the wine variety Syrah, numbered 100, 174, 470 and 524, grafted on the SO4 rootstock were selected as the study object. During the "pea size" phase, the green pruning operation – bunch thinning was applied. The shoots growth starts from the vegetation phase "first leaf appearance" and ends at the "veraison". The average duration is about 100 days, covering the period of May, June and July. It was found that the vine shoots from a clone 470 reached the greatest average length, V3 - 285, 265, 290 cm and V7 - 359, 336, and 380 cm, and those from a clone 100 were distinguished by the weakest growth, V1 - 197, 203 and 205 cm and V5 - 240, 228 and 245 cm. Differences were proven between the variants, both in the non-reduced (V1, V2, V3, and V4) and in those with reduced yields (V5, V6, V7, and V8), as after reducing the number of bunches, the length of the shoots was longer - high in all vines from the used Syrah clones. This study provides information on the relationship between the applied green pruning operation (bunch thinning) during the growing season and its effects on the vegetative growth. Balancing the vines bud load by controlling yield during the growing season is a preferred viticultural practice for increasing the grape quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was conducted in the experimental vineyard of the Agricultural University - Plovdiv, during the period 2020-2022. Two clones of the Syrah variety numbered 174 and 470 grafted onto the SO4 rootstock were used. The green pruning operation 'bunch thinning' was applied, performed manually in the 'pea size' phase. Differences were found in the bunch structure according to the indicators - normal berries (%), bunches (%), milleranded berries (%), raisined berries (%), theoretical yield (%), average bunch mass (g) and average cluster size (cm). The mechanical analysis was obtained from skins (%), seeds (%), mesocarp (%), average weight of 100 berries (g), number of seeds in 100 berries, average seeds weight in 100 berries (g), average berry size (mm). The grape ripening dynamics was monitored, through the quantitative change in the sugar content (%) and titratable acids (g/l). The application of bunch thinning, as a widely known viticultural practice, part of the Canopy management complex of activities involved in, has had a positive impact on accelerating the grapes ripening and increasing its quality in the studied clones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivar Pinot gris is an international variety that has spread world wide and is oneof the most important in Italy, especially in the northern regions where almost half of the world's total is grown. Over a three-year period (2019–2021), a comparative study was conducted on 17 clones to evaluate their agronomic aptitudes, susceptibility of grapes to Botrytis cinerea, fertility of buds, vigour, and oenological characteristics. We aimed to provide local viticulture with agronomic, sanitary status, and oenological indications that help to choose the genotype that best fits and enhances the clone/environment synergy. This is important given climate change, one of the most significant factors affecting viticulture. Hence, productive, qualitative, and health surveys were conducted on grapes during harvest. Vigour and vegetative/productive balance were also evaluated regarding the weight of the pruned wood. The Ravaz index and fertility of buds were studied when the inflorescences were separated and clearly visible (between DOY 131 and DOY 141 each year). The confirmation of the bunch was also evaluated (shape and number of wings) according to the Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV) descriptors. Through the use of digital photogrammetry, some descriptors of the cluster that most correlate with the severity of Botrytis cinerea were identified. In 2020 and 2021, microvinifications were carried out in white and with maceration of skins, respectively, following tested protocols. Sensory analysis of the wines was performed with a trained panel of experts. The study revealed interesting differences between clones concerning grapes' qualitative, productive, and sanitary aspects. Some clones stood out for their sugar accumulation, yield and resistance to Botrytis cinerea, as well as for the oenological olfactory profile. Statistical analysis highlighted that the severity of Botrytis cinerea and bunch rot was not correlated with the vigour of the plant but rather with the hardness of skin, content of soluble solids, soluble solids/total acidity ratio, pH, and total acidity. From the sensory analysis, several clones had a higher score for some descriptors in both study years and were more appreciated than others.

RESUMO O presente trabalho teve por objetivos avaliar a madeira de clones do híbridoEucalyptus grandis xEucalyptus urophylla para a produção de compensados e verificar os efeitos de três fatores desse processo tais como clone (I e II), gramatura de cola (320 e 360 g/m2) e tempo de prensagem (8 e 12 minutos), sobre as propriedades físicas e mecânicas dos painéis produzidos. Os compensados obtidos a partir do clone I revelaram propriedades mecânicas levemente superiores. Não houve efeito significativo das gramaturas de cola avaliadas, sendo a menor gramatura a mais indicada para colagem dos compensados de ambos clones. O menor tempo de prensagem avaliado foi o que resultou em painéis de maior estabilidade dimensional, sendo o mais indicado na prensagem das lâminas dos dois clones. Os resultados mostraram que os clones estudados são de alto potencial para produção de compensados para uso geral. Eventualmente, se colados com resina fenólica, esses compensados tem potencial para utilização estrutural (construção), bem como na fabricação de formas de concreto.

Background. Traditionally, the description of grape varieties is a task of ampelographic studies. However, several different grape cultivars have similar phenotypic traits. Molecular genetic characterization is the most accurate tool for cultivar identification. The development of DNA fingerprinting of varieties is the first step in this direction. An extensive database of DNA profiles of grape genotypes makes it possible to determine the varietal affiliation of unknown forms, confirm or refute the varietal correspondence of planting material. ‘Khatmi’ is an autochthonous grape variety from Dagestan. The profile of ‘Khatmi’ is presented in the VIVC international database of DNA fingerprints for grape varieties. However, an application of DNA analysis methods in grape variety studies has determined that several ancient varieties were cultivated under one name, while for others a certain variability of genotypes was observed. The objectives of the work were to study samples of ‘Khatmi’ plants from different places of growth in Dagestan by standard microsatellite loci used for grape genotyping, to assess the level of genetic similarity of the samples, and to refine the DNA profile of ‘Khatmi’. Materials and methods. Molecular genetic study was carried out on 10 samples from different ‘Khatmi’ populations. The material was picked from the collection sites of Dagestan breeding experimental station of viticulture and vegetable growing and the Dagestan Experiment Station of VIR, as well as from production plantations. DNA was extracted from herbarium specimens of young grape shoot tips by the CTAB method. The samples were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction using a standard set of primers for 9 microsatellite markers VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD25, VVMD27, VVMD28, VVMD32, VrZAG62 and VrZAG79 recommended by the International Organization of Grapes and Wine (OIV) for grapevine DNA fingerprinting. Amplification products were separated, and their sizes were assessed using capillary electrophoresis on an ABI Prism 3130 genetic analyzer. Results. Genotyping was done for 10 samples of grapes growing in Dagestan under the name ‘Khatmi’, including samples from different collections and places of industrial cultivation, as well as clonal variations of this variety and putative clonal variations. The two base pair differences within one of the loci distinguished the DNA profiles of the analyzed samples from that of ‘Khatmi’ presented in the international grape varieties database VIVC. It was determined that the sample under the name ‘Khatmi krupnoyagodnyi’ is closely related to ‘Khatmi’ variety by its genotype, but probably represents a clonal variation of ‘Koz uzyum’, another local variety of Dagestan. Conclusion. The DNA profile of the local Dagestan grape variety ‘Khatmi’ has been refined.

The fight against antibiotic resistance in the animal sector over the last ten years in France (Ecoantibio plans) has largely focused on reducing the veterinary use of antibiotics. However, antibiotic resistance in an animal is not necessarily due to antibiotic therapy, but can also result from the transmission of resistant bacteria or resistance plasmids. Several examples illustrate the importance of this transmission of antibiotic resistance in the animal world, which are detailed in this communication. Like in human medicine, this nosocomial transmission can be observed in veterinary care institutions, as well as in animal husbandry. It also explains the presence of antibiotic resistance on the surface of foodstuffs, which by definition are not treated with antibiotics. At the international level, countries that are very virtuous in their use of veterinary antibiotics can display high levels of antibiotic resistance through the importation of carrier animals. Finally, the presence of antibiotic resistance in wildlife is likewise explained by contamination and not by antibiotic treatment. All these situations demonstrate that, in addition to paying attention to antibiotic prescription, an equally important facet of the fight against antibiotic resistance is to control the transmission routes of resistant bacteria.

An essential stage in the establishment of seed orchards is the formation of an optimal composition, avoiding inbreeding depression in the produced seed material, which develops as a result of crossbreeding between closely related plus trees. The negative effect can be reduced by ensuring the genetic heterogeneity of the seeds. The purpose of this study is to give a relative evaluation of the plus trees of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) as one of the most economically significant tree species on the European continent according to their physiological conditions. The formation and lignification of the xylem of the plus trees were investigated in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia. A histochemical examination was performed using the reaction of phloroglucinol to lignin. Phenotypic differences in the physiological conditions of plus trees appeared on a uniform ecological background that indicates their genotypic determinism. This fact was confirmed by ANOVA. The share of the influence of differences between the proper plus trees was between 25.16±8.91 % and 53.98±5.48 %. According to the results of the factor and cluster analysis, the association of plus trees was generated by the similarity of the multidimensional estimates of the xylem conditions. The objects that were statistically most distant from the others were determined. The hereditary conditionality of the identified differences among plus trees allows us to consider their grouping into clusters as genotypically determined. This information provides a reasonable approach to the formation of an assortment of Scots pine clonal seed orchards. For citation: Besschetnova N.N., Besschetnov V.P., Babich N.A., Bryntsev V.A. Differentiation of Plus Trees of Scots Pine by Xylem Conditions. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 4, pp. 9–25. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-4-9-25

The widespread cultivation of highly productive varieties of agricultural crops often leads to the emergence and spread of new intraspecific forms of insects capable of mass reproduction. The control of these processes is of environmental importance and is possible based on monitoring the variability of the phenol appearance of pest populations. There has been carried out a vegetative and field estimation of phenogenetic variability of such pest of grain crops as the bird cherry-grass aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) under nutrition on 15 spring common wheat varieties. There has been conducted an ecological phenotyping of the adaptability of the intrapopulation composition of aphids under vegetative conditions according to abundance and dispersal ability in the offspring of summer morphs (emigrants and wingless viviparas) in three different clones. There has been identified a differentiated interaction of clones and morphs of aphids with varieties of fodder plants for both indicators. There has been shown that the reproduction rates of emigrants and wingless viviparous aphids within clones (14, S and 85) differed (t14 = 3.9, p =.000; Fs = 8.8, p = 0.000; F85 = 7.9, p = 0.000). Clone S was more successful than others in reproducing emigrants and wingless vivipares (F14 = 17.8, p = 0.000; F85 = 3.4; p = 0.03; F'14 = 2.98, p = 0.05; F'85 = 5.3, p = 0.003, respectively). Favorability of individual varieties for clones did not match. When the aphid population was destabilized, compensatory mechanisms included a discrepancy in the reactivity of individual morphs to unfavorable conditions. There has been shown a correlation (r = 0.53; p = 0.04) between the degree of favorableness of varieties for feeding aphids in vegetation (antibiosis) and field conditions (antibiosis and antixenosis), which has confirmed the similarity of the genetic nature of these types of resistance.

La generación de nuevos materiales genéticos para atender las diversas demandas del mercado de la madera requiere una constante evaluación de sus propiedades tecnológicas. En el presente estudio, se evaluó el contenido relativo de duramen y albura a tres alturas de fuste (0,10 m, 2,80 m y 5,50 m) así como la variación de densidad en dirección axial y radial de clones puros Eucalyptus grandis (rose gum) e híbridos (Eucalyptus grandis (rose gum) x Eucalyptus camaldulensis (red gum) y Eucalyptus grandis (rose gum) x Eucalyptus tereticornis (red irongum)) de 11 años de edad. Los clones puros mostraron un 10 % más de duramen que los híbridos. El material híbrido alcanzó el mayor valor medio de densidades, siendo más homogéneo en el perfil radial y axial. En general, la densidad presentó un patrón creciente en la dirección radial. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la densidad para las alturas estudiadas en los clones híbridos, mientras que los clones puros presentaron valores de densidad significativamente mayores a 0,10 m. La densidad de la albura fue mayor que la del duramen para las tres alturas de fuste en todos los materiales genéticos. El análisis de los resultados indica que los clones híbridos podrían ser aptos para la producción de pulpa de celulosa debido a la menor proporción de duramen, lo cual facilita el proceso de blanqueo, así como para su uso como madera aserrada o contrachapado estructural por su mayor densidad y homogeneidad en altura.

• Summer rejuvenation using 6–9 month of regrowth ensure high honeybush rooting success. • Rooting of cuttings in the vegetative stage are higher than from the flowering stage. • Post-pruning rainfall boosts rooting and increases cutting dry weight and rooting. Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.), a legume endemic to the Fynbos biome of South Africa, has gained popularity as a herbal tea, particularly for its unique honey-like flavour, low tannin content and high antioxidant status. However, extensive wild-harvesting practices are a concern as this continued practice is placing pressure on natural stands. To ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality tea, a switch to clonal cultivation is required. In this study, the rooting potential of cuttings from four clonal types of Cyclopia genistoides was evaluated, following rejuvenation of stock plants over various regrowth periods, with cutting material collected over different seasons and phenological phases. The highest rooting success of >90 % was achieved following either six- or nine months of regrowth in winter and spring. Cutting dry weight positively correlated with rooting percentages in summer and autumn rooted cuttings. Extended periods of regrowth highlighted clonal differences in rooting success whilst no clonal differences occurred in shorter regrowth periods of less than a year. Cuttings (clones 'GK3' and 'GK5') made following regrowth of more than 12 months differed significantly, with 'GK3' rooting percentages that were lower in comparison to 'GK5' cutting material, when harvested in winter (30 %; 82 %) and the following autumn (37 %; 100 %), but were comparable when harvested in the preceding summer, autumn and spring. Stock plant phenology of C. genistoides at harvesting influenced rooting as low rooting percentages consistently coincided when the harvesting of cutting material coincided with the flowering period. The use of terminal cuttings collected from the current season's growth during a vegetative phase, following a six- or nine-month regrowth period, is recommended for C. genistoides stock plants to achieve acceptable to high rooting success in cutting material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to explore the differences in early growth and lateral branch development characteristics of different Chinese fir clones for early screening of superior clones suitable for the cultivation of large-diameter and knotless Chinese fir wood. Twelve 3-year-old Yang series clones from Pushang State-owned Forest Farm of Shunchang, Fujian Province were selected as research objects, and second and third generation seedlings cultivated by Pushang State-owned Forest Farm of Shunchang were used as controls, and growth and lateral branch development characteristics were investigated and analyzed for two consecutive years. The results showed that there were significant differences in growth and lateral branch development characteristics among different Chinese fir clones (P<0.05). Among them, the tree height and ground diameter of Yang 058 and Yang 064 were significantly higher than most of the test clones and control seedlings (P<0.05). Additionally, the internode lengths of lateral branches of Yang 023 and Yang 063 were higher than those of other clones and two controls seedlings. The lateral branch lengths of 3-year-old and 4-year-old Chinese fir clones was minimised by Yang 023 and Yang 053, which were significantly lower than those of other clones and two control seedlings separately(P<0.05). Further, the branch ring width of Yang 054 was significantly lower than those of other clones and two control seedlings(P<0.05). The crown width diameter, crown area, and crown volume of Yang 023 were significantly higher than those of other clones and two control seedlings (P<0.05). There was a certain correlation between growth and lateral branch development characteristics of different Chinese fir clones. Tree height and ground diameter were significantly positively correlated with lateral branch length, base diameter, and angle (P<0.01); positively correlated with crown height, area, and volume. Moreover, lateral branch internode length, branch length, and base diameter were significantly positively correlated with each other (P<0.01). In summary, the excellent growth traits of Yang 058 and Yang 064 enable their use as large-diameter wood breeding clones, while the excellent morphological traits of Yang 023 ensure a suitable parent for knotless wood breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wine is a product obtained through fermentation process, the trans-resveratrol is a polyphenol derived from grapes and a natural antioxidant that passes into wine. The trans-resveratrol is a rare compound with the highest content in the red wine and a positive physiological effect on human organism. The present study was conducted in three years period from 2020 until 2022 at the Agricultural university-Plovdiv experimental vineyard, located near the village of Brestnik. Four Syrah wine variety clones were included and eight experimental wines have been made during the experimental period. In all tested wines, the presence of trans-resveratrol was detected but its amount was higher in clone 524 (V4) with non-reduced yield (3.35, 4.36, 7.02 mg/L), and in clone 100 (V5) with reduced yield (5.24, 3.75, 7.23 mg/L). Reducing the bunch numbers at the “pea size” stage did not significantly influence the content of trans-resveratrol. The wine antioxidant properties were directly affected by the clone and the grape harvest and was under the terroir influence. In today's conditions of overproduction and increased competition, the results of this study provide a valuable economic information and expand the portfolio of wineries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hugo Award-winning Australian science-fiction author Greg Egan's short story, "The Extra" (1990) envisions a transhumanist future in which the use of human clones as organ donors and the transplantation of human brains' into clones' bodies with the aim of extending the human lifespan are made possible. This study aims to present a critical transhumanist analysis of Egan's "The Extra" in order to provide insight into how the transhumanist technologies of cloning and transplantation hold the potential to engender detrimental outcomes for human life both at the individual and societal level. This study will demonstrate that the radical interventions in the interdependence of the body and the mind via transhumanist technologies could disrupt the integrity of human identity by alienating the individual from a unified sense of self. In addition to this, it will also be concluded that a transhumanist society may pose the risk of creating new forms of abuse and discrimination in society by deepening the hierarchical gap between those who have access to enhancement technologies and those who do not and leading to the exploitation of the clones as a new victimized and marginalized group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a Adansonia digitata provenance and clone trials situated in Sadore (Niger) and Samanko (Mali) indicate genetic variation at both provenance level and among clones. There were significant differences among provenances at Sadore in both survival and height by age 10. Differences in survival were very marked, and suggest that provenances ranged from very poorly- to well-adapted to the Samanko site. However, height was weakly and negatively correlated to survival; possibly the trees may have grown slightly taller because of less competition. West African provenances have a tendency towards faster growth than those of East African origin, and the provenances from drier locations tend to be better adapted. While early variation among 4 year-old clones of leaf development, an important production trait, was indicated, future observations at later ages on fruit traits will be required to make valid selection decisions. The reported 10 year-old provenance variation in tree survival and growth suggest valuable gains could be made by selection of the best provenances. Further trials across a wider range of sites, representative of target planting sites are recommended. Both genebanks contain valuable genetic plant materials worth maintaining for further research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetwood is an abnormal phenomenon in growing trees, which adversely affects growth, subsequent wood processing and economic values of wood products. In this study, the influences of factors such as clones, afforestation methods, site conditions and climate conditions on the characteristics of poplar wetwood were studied through field investigations in 27 clones from 48 sample plots in 28 counties. Results showed that the incidences of wetwood were almost 100% in all plots. Ratios of wetwood area among the 48 plots differed from 15.1 to 90.2%. Wetwood area ratios, moisture contents and pH differed significantly between the 27 clones. Wetwood area ratios of the clones ranged from 18.7 to 62.3%. Ratios of wetwood areas were positively correlated with wetwood moisture content and pH, tree age, and negatively correlated with pH of sapwood. The repeatability of wetwood area ratios was 0.52, moderately controlled by genetics. Wetwood moisture content and pH were highly controlled by genetics, indicated by the repeatability of 0.91 and 0.89, respectively. There were significant differences in wetwood area ratios, moisture content and pH between different site conditions, afforestation methods, and geographical regions. Sloping land had the lowest wetwood area ratios and moisture content among four types of sites. Afforestation by direct seeding and rooted cuttings had the lowest wetwood area ratios and moisture content, respectively. In the three geographical regions, the Yellow River Basin had the lowest wetwood values of all three factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaliurang is one of the local taro cultivars in Indonesia, potentially due to its high productivity and delicacy. This study analysed morpho-genetic variation between one diploid and three tetraploid Kaliurang taro clones from in vitro polyploid induction after plantlet acclimatization in the greenhouse for 6 weeks. Plants' morphological characters were analysed using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method based on 50 characters according to the taro descriptor from the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). Furthermore, a morphometric characterization based on the Euclidean distance of 17 digitations from mature leaves, was analysed with the Analysis Phylogenic and Evolution package in R software. DNA band pattern was also performed with ISSR to analyse the clone's genetic variance. The results showed morpho-genetic character diversity in diploid and tetraploid plants. A plant morphological study revealed that 22 out of 50 characters were distinct, with similarity coefficients ranging from 0.35 to 0.78. Leaf geometric morphometric analysis showed changes in five digitations and formed three clusters. Twelve ISSR primers out of twenty amplified the sequence of the Kaliurang taro genome to yield two clusters with a similarity coefficient of 0.71-0.83. Based on these three characterization approaches, tetraploid clones (K2 and K3) consistently differed morphologically from diploid clones (K0).

Seed orchards with high hereditary qualities and the improvement studies used are of great importance. This study was carried out on individuals in a Boyabat grafted black pine seed orchard, Sinop. The morphological and micromorphological measurements of the characteristics were performed on needle samples taken from individuals, and the genetic diversity was determined on a clonal basis. According to the analysis of variance applied to the data obtained from the measurements and the morphological and micromorphological characters of the clones, it was determined that there was a significant difference among the clones at the P

The ring budding technique gave a higher suitability for rejuvenation of cocoa plants compared to side cleft grafting it can be combined with the use of superior clones for optimal production. However, information related to this is still limited. The research aimed to determine the effects of ring budding technique on yield components and yields of three types of superior cocoa clones. The experiment was arranged in a Nested Design. The first factor is the type of vegetative propagation technique, consisting of side cleft grafting and ring budding. The second factor was clones, which consisted of clones KKM 22, RCC 70 and RCC 71. Clones were nested in vegetative propagation. The research was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021 at the Pagilaran Company. Observations were made on several yield component variables. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and continued with the Least Significant Difference Test (LSD) at the 5%. The results showed that the number of pods and the weight of beans per cocoa stand were significantly higher in the ring budding technique than the side cleft grafting. This condition caused the dry bean weight per hectare much higher as well. The three cacao clones, which were rejuvenated by ring budding, gave a good response and high yields. Meanwhile, only KKM 2 gave good response and high yield after treated with side cleft grafting technique, while RCC 70 and RCC 71 clones gave low yields. The KKM 22 clone is the best option in terms of rehabilitation with ring budding and side cleft grafting.