Looking-backward probabilities for Gibbs-type exchangeable random partitions

Gibbs-type random probability measures and the exchangeable random partitions they induce represent the subject of a rich and active literature. They provide a probabilistic framework for a wide range of theoretical and applied problems that are typically referred to as species sampling problems. In this paper, we consider the class of looking-backward species sampling problems introduced in Lijoi et al. (Ann. Appl. Probab. 18 (2008) 1519-1547) in Bayesian nonparametrics. Specifically, given some information on the random partition induced by an initial sample from a Gibbs-type random probability measure, we study the conditional distributions of statistics related to the old species, namely those species detected in the initial sample and possibly re-observed in an additional sample. The proposed results contribute to the analysis of conditional properties of Gibbs-type exchangeable random partitions, so far focused mainly on statistics related to those species generated by the additional sample and not already detected in the initial sample.Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.3150/13-BEJ559 in the Bernoulli (http://isi.cbs.nl/bernoulli/) by the International Statistical Institute/Bernoulli Society (http://isi.cbs.nl/BS/bshome.htm

Genome sequence of Rhizobium sullae HCNT1 isolated from Hedysarum coronarium nodules and featuring peculiar denitrification phenotypes

The genome sequence of Rhizobium sullae strain HCNT1, isolated from root nodules of the legume Hedysarum coronarium growing in wild stands in Tuscany, Italy, is described here. Unlike other R. sullae strains, this isolate features a truncated denitrification pathway lacking NO/N2O reductase activity and displaying high sensitivity to nitrite under anaerobic conditions

Sufficientness postulates for Gibbs-type priors and hierarchical generalizations

A fundamental problem in Bayesian nonparametrics consists of selecting a prior distribution by assuming that the corresponding predictive probabilities obey certain properties. An early discussion of such a problem, although in a parametric framework, dates back to the seminal work by English philosopher W. E. Johnson, who introduced a noteworthy characterization for the predictive probabilities of the symmetric Dirichlet prior distribution. This is typically referred to as Johnson’s “sufficientness” postulate. In this paper we review some nonparametric generalizations of Johnson’s postulate for a class of nonparametric priors known as species sampling models. In particular we revisit and discuss the “sufficientness” postulate for the two parameter Poisson-Dirichlet prior within the more general framework of Gibbs-type priors and their hierarchical generalizations.. Stefano Favaro is supported by the European Research Council through StG N-BNP 306406. Marco Battiston’s research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) ERC grant agreement number 617071

Pós-colheita de frutos de macaúba em ambiente com temperatura controlada: efeito sobre a água na polpa.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a perda de massa, a atividade de água e a estabilidade oxidativa em frutos de macaúba armazenados a 20 ºC

Diel rhythm of volatile emissions from males and females of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae using PTR-ToF and GC–MS

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae, is the major key pest of olive groves worldwide. As an odor-driven species, its intraspecific communication has been thoroughly investigated, yielding a combination of spiroacetals, esters and hydrocarbons. However, its management with pheromone is still restricted to olean, the major pheromone component. Given the crucial role of circadian rhythm and pheromone blends in mediating flies reproductive behavior compared to single compounds, B. oleae headspace chemical profile was carefully examined, through the combination of Proton Transfer Reaction Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF) and Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). This novel approach aimed at continuously investigating the temporal scale of volatilome profile of B. oleae individuals, as well as the determination of new candidate sexborne compounds (particularly those emitted in traces or having low molecular weight), that may be relevant to the fly’s chemical communication and were unreported due to limitations of frequently used analytical techniques. Our results describe the dynamics and diversity of B. oleae chemical profile, highlighting the emission of 90 compounds, with clear diel rhythm of release, of known pheromone components of B. oleae (e.g., olean, alphapinene and muscalure) and new candidates. In contrast to ammonia, acetaldehyde and muscalure, which were highly emitted during the afternoon by males and mixed groups, olean was mostly released by mature females and mixed groups, with a peak of emission during early-morning and afternoon. This emission of olean around dawn is reported for the first time, suggesting early-morning mating activity in B. oleae. Furthermore, esters, such as methyl tetradecanoate, which had been earlier identified as a pheromone for B. oleae, did not exhibit any discernible release patterns. These findings are the first to demonstrate the emission of chemicals, which are only produced when males and females are close to one another, with an emission peak during the afternoon (mating period), and that may have aphrodisiac properties for B. oleae males. These results emphasize the relevance of compounds with distinct diel rhythm and address their potential function as intraspecific messengers, according to their source and timing of releas