Pre-breeding in alfalfa germplasm develops highly differentiated populations, as revealed by genome-wide microhaplotype markers.

Plant genebanks contain large numbers of germplasm accessions that likely harbor useful alleles or genes absent in commercial plant breeding programs. Broadening the genetic base of commercial alfalfa germplasm with these valuable genetic variations can be achieved by screening the extensive genetic diversity in germplasm collections and enabling maximal recombination among selected genotypes. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity and differentiation of germplasm pools selected in northern U.

Genetic Mapping of Tolerance to Bacterial Stem Blight Caused by pv. in Alfalfa ( L.).

The bacterial stem blight of alfalfa ( L.), first reported in the United States in 1904, has emerged recently as a serious disease problem in the western states. The causal agent, pv.

The Influence of Recycled Cement, Fly Ash, and Magnesium Oxide on the Mechanical Performance of Sustainable Cementitious Materials.

In the construction industry, cement is the most widely used material. So, to achieve greater sustainability in this industry, it is imperative to improve the sustainability of this material. One way to reduce the ecological footprint of cement is to replace it, even if partially, with other more sustainable materials that can act as binders.

Systematics and diversification of the Ichthyomyini (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) revisited: evidence from molecular, morphological, and combined approaches.

Ichthyomyini, a morphologically distinctive group of Neotropical cricetid rodents, lacks an integrative study of its systematics and biogeography. Since this tribe is a crucial element of the Sigmodontinae, the most speciose subfamily of the Cricetidae, we conducted a study that includes most of its recognized diversity (five genera and 19 species distributed from southern Mexico to northern Bolivia). For this report we analyzed a combined matrix composed of four molecular markers (, , , ) and 56 morphological traits, the latter including 15 external, 14 cranial, 19 dental, five soft-anatomical and three postcranial features.

Role of the Spore Coat Proteins and , and the Spore Surface Protein CDIF630_02480, on the Surface Distribution of Exosporium Proteins in 630 Spores.

is Gram-positive spore-former bacterium and the leading cause of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea. During disease, forms metabolically dormant spores that persist in the host and contribute to recurrence of the disease. The outermost surface of spores, termed the exosporium, plays an essential role in interactions with host surfaces and the immune system.

Andean non-volant small mammals: A dataset of community assemblages of non-volant small mammals from the high Andes.

Information from diversity inventories was used to study patterns of biodiversity and species distribution, to identify potential priority areas for conservation, and to guide future sampling efforts. In this context, we compiled information on non-volant small mammal communities from the high Andes (>2000 m). Here, we present an open source dataset containing information on diversity (species composition, number of individuals captured), inventory design (type of traps, sampling efforts), and environment (habitat) for both unpublished and published information.

Vocal changes in a zebra finch model of Parkinson's disease characterized by alpha-synuclein overexpression in the song-dedicated anterior forebrain pathway.

Deterioration in the quality of a person's voice and speech is an early marker of Parkinson's disease (PD). In humans, the neural circuit that supports vocal motor control consists of a cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortico loop. The basal ganglia regions, striatum and globus pallidus, in this loop play a role in modulating the acoustic features of vocal behavior such as loudness, pitch, and articulatory rate.

Secondary influenza challenge triggers resident memory B cell migration and rapid relocation to boost antibody secretion at infected sites.

Resident memory B (BRM) cells develop and persist in the lungs of influenza-infected mice and humans; however, their contribution to recall responses has not been defined. Here, we used two-photon microscopy to visualize BRM cells within the lungs of influenza -virus immune and reinfected mice. Prior to re-exposure, BRM cells were sparsely scattered throughout the tissue, displaying limited motility.

Strategies to Increase Prediction Accuracy in Genomic Selection of Complex Traits in Alfalfa ( L.).

Agronomic traits such as biomass yield and abiotic stress tolerance are genetically complex and challenging to improve through conventional breeding approaches. Genomic selection (GS) is an alternative approach in which genome-wide markers are used to determine the genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) of individuals in a population. In alfalfa ( L.

Pan-transcriptome identifying master genes and regulation network in response to drought and salt stresses in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).

Alfalfa is an important legume forage grown worldwide and its productivity is affected by environmental stresses such as drought and high salinity. In this work, three alfalfa germplasms with contrasting tolerances to drought and high salinity were used for unraveling the transcriptomic responses to drought and salt stresses. Twenty-one different RNA samples from different germplasm, stress conditions or tissue sources (leaf, stem and root) were extracted and sequenced using the PacBio (Iso-Seq) and the Illumina platforms to obtain full-length transcriptomic profiles.

Genome-Wide Association Studies Identifying Multiple Loci Associated With Alfalfa Forage Quality.

Autotetraploid alfalfa is a major hay crop planted all over the world due to its adaptation in different environments and high quality for animal feed. However, the genetic basis of alfalfa quality is not fully understood. In this study, a diverse panel of 200 alfalfa accessions were planted in field trials using augmented experimental design at three locations in 2018 and 2019.

Animal chromosome counts reveal a similar range of chromosome numbers but with less polyploidy in animals compared to flowering plants.

Understanding the mechanisms that underlie chromosome evolution could provide insights into the processes underpinning the origin, persistence and evolutionary tempo of lineages. Here, we present the first database of chromosome counts for animals (the Animal Chromosome Count database, ACC) summarizing chromosome numbers for ~15,000 species. We found remarkable a similarity in the distribution of chromosome counts between animals and flowering plants.

Quantitative Comparison of Binary Mix of Agro-Industrial Pozzolanic Additions for Elaborating Ternary Cements: Kinetic Parameters.

In this research work, the quantitative characterization of a binary blend comprised of two pozzolans (sugar cane straw (SCSA)-sugar cane bagasse ashes (SCBA), bamboo leaf ash (BLAsh)-SCBA and paper sludge (PS)-fly ash (FA)) taking into account the calculated values of the kinetic parameters of the reaction in the pozzolan/calcium hydroxide system is shown. The paper shows the most significant and important results obtained by the authors in the quantitative assessment (calculation of kinetic parameters) of the pozzolanic reaction of different mixtures of pozzolanic materials that are residues from agriculture or industrial processes. This allows a direct and rigorous comparison of the pozzolanic activity of the binary combinations of materials.

Validation of UAV-based alfalfa biomass predictability using photogrammetry with fully automatic plot segmentation.

Alfalfa is the most widely cultivated forage legume, with approximately 30 million hectares planted worldwide. Genetic improvements in alfalfa have been highly successful in developing cultivars with exceptional winter hardiness and disease resistance traits. However, genetic improvements have been limited for complex economically important traits such as biomass.

Sulfate Resistance in Cements Bearing Ornamental Granite Industry Sludge.

This study explores the effect on sulfate resistance of the use of ornamental granite industry waste as a supplementary cementitious material (at replacement ratios of 10% and 20%) in cement manufacture. The present paucity of scientific knowledge of the behaviour of these new cements when exposed to an external source of sulfates justifies the need for, and the originality of, this research. After characterising the waste chemically and mineralogically, cement paste specimens were prepared in order to determine the durability of the newly designed eco-cements using Köch-Steinegger corrosion indices.

Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).

Background: Alfalfa has been cultivated in many regions around the world as an important forage crop due to its nutritive value to livestock and ability to adapt to various environments. However, the genetic basis by which plasticity of quality-relevant traits influence alfalfa adaption to different water conditions remain largely unknown.

Results: In the present study, 198 accessions of alfalfa of the core collection for drought tolerance were evaluated for 26 forage quality traits in a field trial under an imposed deficit irrigation gradient.

Genome-Wide Association and Prediction of Traits Related to Salt Tolerance in Autotetraploid Alfalfa ( L.).

Soil salinity is a growing problem in world production agriculture. Continued improvement in crop salt tolerance will require the implementation of innovative breeding strategies such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS). Genetic analyses for yield and vigor traits under salt stress in alfalfa breeding populations with three different phenotypic datasets was assessed.

A new species of small-eared shrew of the genus Cryptotis (Mammalia, Eulipotyphla, Soricidae) from the northernmost Peruvian Andes.

The northernmost Peruvian Andes, a unique biogeographic region characterized by the confluence of multiple distinct ecosystems (i.e. Amazon basin, Pacific rainforest, the Sechura Desert, the northern and central Andes), is the southernmost geographic range limit of the South American shrews representing the genus Cryptotis.

The role of type III effectors from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis in virulence and suppression of plant immunity.

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) causes cassava bacterial blight, the most important bacterial disease of cassava. Xam, like other Xanthomonas species, requires type III effectors (T3Es) for maximal virulence.

Estimation of stature by cephalometric facial dimensions in skeletonized bodies: study from a sample modern Colombians skeletal remains.

Estimation of stature is an important factor in the identification of the deceased from unknown fragmentary and dismembered remains. The skull sometimes is the only remain available for identification. The aim of the present study was to estimate the stature of an individual from cephalo-facial dimensions.

Incentivizing Quality in the Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals: Industry Views on Quality Metrics and Ratings.

Background: An increasing number of industry-wide quality breaches and consequential drug shortages have fueled interest in finding better ways to improve the manufacturing quality of pharmaceuticals. Quality metrics offer a way of focusing FDA inspectional resources by using risk-based paradigms and communicating the quality status of different companies to other stakeholders. This exploratory study investigated industry views related to the use of quality metrics and ratings to help advance these discussions.