Minority cytotypes in European populations of the Gymnadenia conopsea complex (Orchidaceae) greatly increase intraspecific and intrapopulation diversity

Background and Aims Patterns of ploidy variation among and within populations can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary mechanisms shaping the dynamics of plant systems showing ploidy diversity. Whereas data on majority ploidies are, by definition, often sufficiently extensive, much less is known about the incidence and evolutionary role of minority cytotypes. Methods Ploidy and proportions of endoreplicated genome were determined using DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) flow cytometry in 6150 Gymnadenia plants (fragrant orchids) collected from 141 populations in 17 European countries. All widely recognized European species, and several taxa of less certain taxonomic status were sampled within Gymnadenia conopsea sensu lato. Key Results Most Gymnadenia populations were taxonomically and/or ploidy heterogeneous. Two majority (2x and 4x) and three minority (3x, 5x and 6x) cytotypes were identified. Evolution largely proceeded at the diploid level, whereas tetraploids were much more geographically and taxonomically restricted. Although minority ploidies constituted <2 % of the individuals sampled, they were found in 35 % of populations across the entire area investigated. The amount of nuclear DNA, together with the level of progressively partial endoreplication, separated all Gymnadenia species currently widely recognized in Europe. Conclusions Despite their low frequency, minority cytotypes substantially increase intraspecific and intrapopulation ploidy diversity estimates for fragrant orchids. The cytogenetic structure of Gymnadenia populations is remarkably dynamic and shaped by multiple evolutionary mechanisms, including both the ongoing production of unreduced gametes and heteroploid hybridization. Overall, it is likely that the level of ploidy heterogeneity experienced by most plant species/populations is currently underestimated; intensive sampling is necessary to obtain a holistic pictur

Rate of suicide analysis in Czech Republic

Suicidiality is still commonplace in modern time and very disputable topic in global world. Rate of suicide become one of mental and physic health index of society. It is possible to take some arrangements to restrict this phenomenon. This arrangement can be make on the basis of analysis of suicidiality trends and its partial factors in Czech Republic and base on estimation of future trends. This thesis is focuses on fixing tendencies in this trend and on estimation of future trends by means of Box-Jenkins methodology. Main effort is in identification possible factors which affect suicidiality and make out this feedback good

Domestic violence against children, focusing on the analysis of the system of care for vulnerable children

The diploma thesis, named "Domestic violence against children, focusing on the analysis of the system of care for vulnerable children" identifies different types and forms of violence against children, their implications and consequences. The work is focused on child abuse and neglect syndrom and children who witness domestic violence between partners or parents. The work is focused on concepts such as the endangered child, the best interest of the child and last but not least, the rights of children, which are an important concept for the whole issue. In the first part of the analysis describes the complex system that takes care of the Czech Republic for children at risk. This section discussed the possibility of loss of family background, such as prevention and rehabilitation of their families. Following the analysis of the Czech system of care for vulnerable children, describes the inevitable transformation of the system, which would it be to streamline and focus primarily on the best interest of the child. The focus of the next part is players who are involved in child protection, such as doctors, social workers and non-profit organizations. Actors are divided into two groups in the works. The first group consists of players who come into contact with children at risk as a first (doctor, police, etc.)...

Data from: Ecological differentiation, lack of hybrids involving diploids, and asymmetric gene flow between polyploids in narrow contact zones of Senecio carniolicus (syn. Jacobaea carniolica, Asteraceae)

Areas of immediate contact of different cytotypes offer a unique opportunity to study evolutionary dynamics within heteroploid species and to assess isolation mechanisms governing coexistence of cytotypes of different ploidy. The degree of reproductive isolation of cytotypes, i.e., the frequency of heteroploid crosses and subsequent formation of viable and (partly) fertile hybrids, plays a crucial role for the long-term integrity of lineages in contact zones. Here, we assessed fine-scale distribution, spatial clustering and ecological niches as well as patterns of gene-flow in parental and hybrid cytotypes in zones of immediate contact of di-, tetra- and hexaploid Senecio carniolicus (Asteraceae) in the Eastern Alps. Cytotypes were spatially separated also at the investigated micro-scale; the strongest spatial separation was observed for the fully interfertile tetra- and hexaploids. The three main cytotypes showed highly significant niche differences, which were, however, weaker than across their entire distribution ranges in the Eastern Alps. Individuals with intermediate ploidy levels were found neither in the diploid/tetraploid nor in the diploid/hexaploid contact zones indicating strong reproductive barriers. In contrast, pentaploid individuals were frequent in the tetraploid/hexaploid contact zone, albeit limited to a narrow strip in the immediate contact zone of their parental cytotypes. AFLP fingerprinting data revealed introgressive gene flow mediated by pentaploid hybrids from tetra- to hexaploid individuals, but not vice versa. The ecological niche of pentaploids differed significantly from that of tetraploids but not from hexaploids

Data from: Ecological differentiation, lack of hybrids involving diploids, and asymmetric gene flow between polyploids in narrow contact zones of Senecio carniolicus (syn. Jacobaea carniolica, Asteraceae)

Areas of immediate contact of different cytotypes offer a unique opportunity to study evolutionary dynamics within heteroploid species and to assess isolation mechanisms governing coexistence of cytotypes of different ploidy. The degree of reproductive isolation of cytotypes, i.e., the frequency of heteroploid crosses and subsequent formation of viable and (partly) fertile hybrids, plays a crucial role for the long-term integrity of lineages in contact zones. Here, we assessed fine-scale distribution, spatial clustering and ecological niches as well as patterns of gene-flow in parental and hybrid cytotypes in zones of immediate contact of di-, tetra- and hexaploid Senecio carniolicus (Asteraceae) in the Eastern Alps. Cytotypes were spatially separated also at the investigated micro-scale; the strongest spatial separation was observed for the fully interfertile tetra- and hexaploids. The three main cytotypes showed highly significant niche differences, which were, however, weaker than across their entire distribution ranges in the Eastern Alps. Individuals with intermediate ploidy levels were found neither in the diploid/tetraploid nor in the diploid/hexaploid contact zones indicating strong reproductive barriers. In contrast, pentaploid individuals were frequent in the tetraploid/hexaploid contact zone, albeit limited to a narrow strip in the immediate contact zone of their parental cytotypes. AFLP fingerprinting data revealed introgressive gene flow mediated by pentaploid hybrids from tetra- to hexaploid individuals, but not vice versa. The ecological niche of pentaploids differed significantly from that of tetraploids but not from hexaploids

Controlled biodegradability of functionalized thermoplastic starch based materials

The present work focuses on the preparation and characterization of biodegradable materials based on plasticized and chemically modified starch. During the experiments, the morphology, properties and biodegradability of the starch materials were influenced by the functionalization (acetylation, propionation) of the starch, different processing procedures and the use of plasticizers. The starch materials were prepared by either solution casting or melt mixing or by the combination of the two procedures, which strongly affected the degree of the material plasticization, its homogeneity, and the final morphology. FTIR spectroscopy qualitatively proved the esterification of starch by the intensity of signals associated with esters groups. The thermogravimetric analysis confirmed a gradual reduction in the water content proportional to the acetylation of starches, as well as noticeable changes in their thermal properties at the higher degree of substitution (DS). Signal intensities and weight losses derived from FTIR and TGA, respectively, were well correlated with DS. The morphological changes of the polysaccharide materials were visualized by microscopy techniques. The biodegradation rate of prepared materials was expressed as the percentage of carbon mineralization and was significantly retarded as a function of the starch acetylation. A remarkable effect of the material processing, the presence of plasticizers, and the propionation of the starch on biodegradation has been found. © 2019 Elsevier LtdTechnology Agency of the Czech Republic [TE01020118]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic within the National Sustainability Program I [LO1507]; UTB internal grant [IGA/FT/2017/003

Variation in holoploid genome sizes (sorted according to increasing 2C-values) in (A) the <i>A</i>. <i>aristatum/ovatum</i> complex (total variation 64.8%); (B) 4x <i>A</i>. <i>odoratum</i> (total variation 14.4%); (C) ‘Mediterranean diploid’ (total variation 9.9%); and (D) 2x <i>A</i>. <i>alpinum</i> (total variation 6.2%).

<p>Individuals with determined numbers of somatic chromosomes are indicated by solid circles. See <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0133748#pone.0133748.s003" target="_blank">S1 Table</a> for population details.</p

Summary of recognized <i>Anthoxanthum</i> species, their ploidy levels, genome sizes (both 2C-values and 1Cx-values given in DNA picograms), intraspecific/intraploidy genome size variation and numbers of somatic chromosomes.

<p>* Different letters indicate groups of taxa that are significantly different at α = 0.05 in Tukey HSD test.</p><p>() Mean 1Cx-value for the <i>A</i>. <i>aristatum/ovatum</i> complex was calculated from 25 diploid individuals with known chromosomes number (2n = 10).</p><p>** Mean Cx-value in the highly polyploid <i>A</i>. <i>amarum</i> could not be reliably determined due to the lack of exact chromosome counts.</p><p>Summary of recognized <i>Anthoxanthum</i> species, their ploidy levels, genome sizes (both 2C-values and 1Cx-values given in DNA picograms), intraspecific/intraploidy genome size variation and numbers of somatic chromosomes.</p

Box-and-whisker plots showing holoploid genome sizes (2C-values) for eight groups representing different species and cytotypes of <i>Anthoxanthum</i>.

<p>(A) (ploidy categories are marked as “2x”–diploids, “4x”–tetraploids and “poly”–high polyploid). (B) Box-and-whisker plots showing monoploid genome sizes (1Cx-values) for six groups representing different species and cytotypes of <i>Anthoxanthum</i> (Cx-values in the high-polyploid <i>A</i>. <i>amarum</i> and the <i>A</i>. <i>aristatum/ovatum</i> complex could not be calculated due to uncertain ploidy levels).</p