Prediction of genetic gains by selection indices using mixed models in elephant grass for energy purposes.

Genetically improved cultivars of elephant grass need to be adapted to different ecosystems with a faster growth speed and lower seasonality of biomass production over the year. This study aimed to use selection indices using mixed models (REML/BLUP) for selecting families and progenies within full-sib families of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) for biomass production. One hundred and twenty full-sib progenies were assessed from 2014 to 2015 in a randomized block design with three replications. During this period, the traits dry matter production, the number of tillers, plant height, stem diameter, and neutral detergent fiber were assessed. Families 3 and 1were the best classified, being the most indicated for selection effect. Progenies 40, 45, 46, and 49 got the first positions in the three indices assessed in the first cut. The gain for individual 40 was 161.76% using Mulamba and Mock index. The use of selection indices using mixed models is advantageous in elephant grass since they provide high gains with the selection, which are distributed among all the assessed traits in the most appropriate situation to breeding programs

Condicionantes agroclimáticas e riscos tecnológicos para a cultura do maracujazeiro em Rondônia.

O objetivo desse comunicado técnico é apresentar uma sinopse das potencialidades, principais problemas técnicos e estruturais do cultivo do maracujazeiro em Rondônia, e, simultaneamente, alertar acerca das possíveis contribuições do ZARC, para o incremento da produtividade, produção e a melhoria qualitativa da exploração do maracujazeiro no estado.bitstream/item/111215/1/cot372-maracujazeiro.pd

Condicionantes agroclimáticas e riscos tecnológicos para cultura do mamoeiro em Rondônia.

Essa publicação apresenta uma síntese dos principais problemas técnicos e estruturais do cultivo do mamoeiro em Rondônia. Alerta acerca das possíveis contribuições do ZARC, para o incremento da produtividade, produção e a melhoria qualitativa do cultivo do mamoeiro no estado de Rondônia.bitstream/item/123220/1/cot371-mamoeiro.pd

The 2009 multiwavelength campaign on Mrk 421: Variability and correlation studies

We performed a 4.5-month multi-instrument campaign (from radio to VHE gamma rays) on Mrk421 between January 2009 and June 2009, which included VLBA, F-GAMMA, GASP-WEBT, Swift, RXTE, Fermi-LAT, MAGIC, and Whipple, among other instruments and collaborations. Mrk421 was found in its typical (non-flaring) activity state, with a VHE flux of about half that of the Crab Nebula, yet the light curves show significant variability at all wavelengths, the highest variability being in the X-rays. We determined the power spectral densities (PSD) at most wavelengths and found that all PSDs can be described by power-laws without a break, and with indices consistent with pink/red-noise behavior. We observed a harder-when-brighter behavior in the X-ray spectra and measured a positive correlation between VHE and X-ray fluxes with zero time lag. Such characteristics have been reported many times during flaring activity, but here they are reported for the first time in the non-flaring state. We also observed an overall anti-correlation between optical/UV and X-rays extending over the duration of the campaign. The harder-when-brighter behavior in the X-ray spectra and the measured positive X-ray/VHE correlation during the 2009 multi-wavelength campaign suggests that the physical processes dominating the emission during non-flaring states have similarities with those occurring during flaring activity. In particular, this observation supports leptonic scenarios as being responsible for the emission of Mrk421 during non-flaring activity. Such a temporally extended X-ray/VHE correlation is not driven by any single flaring event, and hence is difficult to explain within the standard hadronic scenarios. The highest variability is observed in the X-ray band, which, within the one-zone synchrotron self-Compton scenario, indicates that the electron energy distribution is most variable at the highest energies.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 18 pages, 14 figures (v2 has a small modification in the acknowledgments, and also corrects a typo in the field "author" in the metadata

Putative genes involved in muscle functioning are differentially expressed in Nelore steers divergent for sodium and potassium concentration.

Editores: Luiz Lehmann Coutinho, ESALQ/USP; Luciana Correia de Almeida Regitano, Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste; Gerson Barreto Mourão, ESALQ/USP; Aline Silva Mello Cesar, ESALQ/USP; Bárbara Silva Vignato, FZEA/USP; Mirele Daiana Poleti, ESALQ/USP; Wellison Jarles da Silva Diniz, UFSCar

The relevance of fungi in astrobiology research – Astromycology

Since the very first steps of space exploration, fungi have been recorded as contaminants, hitchhikers, or as part of missions’ crews and payloads. Because fungi can cause human disease and are highly active decomposers, their presence in a space-linked context has been a source of major concern given their possible detrimental effects on crews and space structures. However, fungi can also be beneficial and be used for many space applications. The exact effects on fungi are not always clear as they possess high adaptability and plasticity, and their phenotypes and genotypes can undergo several changes under the extreme conditions found in space, thus leading to different results than those we would have on Earth. Understanding and analysing these aspects is the subject of astromycology, a research field within astrobiology. The impending situation of a resurgent space race is expected to boost astromycology’s visibility and importance. However, researchers lack both a framework and a solid base of knowledge from which to contextualise their work. This critical review addresses this gap by conceptualising the field of astromycology, covering key research and current questions pertaining to the field, and providing a relevant research instrument for future work