Regional species richness,hydrological characteristics and the local species richness of assemblages of North American stream fishes

1. Local assemblage structure, from a deterministic perspective, is presumably dictated by the regional species pool as well as regulated by local factors. We examined the relationships of the regional species pool and local hydrological characteristics to local species richness of North American freshwater fishes using data sets collected during the National Water Quality Assessment program conducted by the United States Geological Survey. 2. We predicted that local species richness is ultimately constrained by the composition of the regional species pool and further associated with local hydrological factors. Moreover, we predicted that variation in local species richness within major families can be explained by different combinations of hydrological characteristics that represent lineage‐specific responses to the environment. 3. Daily discharge and regional and local species richness data were assembled from 41 stream localities across the United States. Multiple stepwise regressions were conducted to predict local species richness, based on regional species richness, mean discharge and hydrological characteristics quantified by nine variables characterising flow variability. Species richness at each site was calculated for the entire assemblage as well as within the four most species‐rich families in the data set (Catostomidae, Centrarchidae, Cyprinidae and Percidae). 4. Local species richness was best predicted by a combination of regional species richness and discharge magnitude when all species were considered. Regional species richness was a significant explanatory variable of local species richness for three of four families (Catostomidae, Centrarchidae, Cyprinidae), but not for Percidae. Local richness in Centrarchidae and Cyprinidae was positively correlated with temporal flow variability as well as high and low flow duration, respectively, while richness in Catostomidae and Percidae tended to be associated with discharge volume. In addition, local species richness for three of the four major families was positively correlated with species richness of the other families in the assemblage, potentially suggesting the influence of local habitat quality and heterogeneity. 5. Results suggest the importance of the combined influences of the regional species pool and local hydrological characteristics on local richness in freshwater fishes, with variation in richness within each family predicted by different characteristics of flow regimes.     

Evaluation of Fermentation Efficiency of Yeast Strains and their Effect on Quality of Young Wines

The yeast has important role in fermentation of wine grapes and wine quality. The fermentation of wine grapes affect by efficiency of particular yeast strain, sugar content, pH, available temperature, etc. To evaluate the efficiency of yeast strains (Premier Cuvee, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3 and natural), present study was conducted on two wine grape varieties viz.; Sauvignon Blanc (White) and Cabernet Sauvignon (Red). Efficiency of yeast strains was evaluated in terms of conversion rate of sugar into alcohol. As per recorded data, strain RS-3 (Pichia kudriavzevii) was found more efficient than other strains in fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon with efficiency of 84.4 per cent but in case of Sauvignon Blanc, the commercial culture Premier Cuevee was found superior over RS-3. The quality parameters of young wines of both the varieties were also affected by the used strains. Considering the efficiency and impact on various parameters of wines, local strain, i.e., RS-3 was found at par with commercial culture (Premier Cuvee). The RS-3 strain has potential to produce quality wines. However, studies on effects of RS-3 strain on some specific quality parameters of wines like varietal aroma compounds, flavours etc. are needed.     

Sperm cryopreservation affects postthaw motility, but not embryogenesis or larval growth in the Brazilian fish Brycon insignis (Characiformes)

Sperm cryopreservation is an important method for preserving genetic information and facilitating artificial reproduction. The objective was to investigate whether the cryopreservation process affects postthaw sperm motility, embryogenesis, and larval growth in the fish Brycon insignis. Sperm was diluted in methyl glycol and Beltsville Thawing solution, frozen in a nitrogen vapor vessel (dry shipper) and stored in liquid nitrogen. Half of the samples were evaluated both subjectively (% of motile sperm and motility quality score—arbitrary grading system from 0 [no movement] to 5 [rapidly swimming sperm]) and in a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA; percentage of motile sperm and velocity). The other half was used for fertilization and the evaluation of embryogenesis (cleavage and gastrula stages), hatching rate, percentage of larvae with normal development and larval growth up to 112 days posthatching (dph). Fresh sperm was analyzed subjectively (percentage of motile sperm and motility quality score) and used as the control. In the subjective analysis, sperm motility significantly decreased from 100% motile sperm and quality score of 5 in fresh sperm to 54% motile sperm and quality score of 3 after thawing. Under computer-assisted sperm analyzer evaluation, postthaw sperm had 67% motile sperm, 122 μm/sec of curvilinear velocity, 87 μm/sec of straight-line velocity and 103 μm/sec of average path velocity. There were no significant differences between progenies (pooled data) for the percentage of viable embryos in cleavage (62%) or gastrula stages (24%) or in the hatching rate (24%), percentage of normal hatched larvae (93%), larval body weight (39.8 g), or standard length (12.7 cm) at 112 days posthatching. Based on these findings, cryopreserved sperm can be used as a tool to restore the population of endangered species, such as B. insignis, as well as for aquaculture purposes, without any concern regarding quality of the offspring.     

Reproductive performance of partial gonadectomized male African catfish, Clarias gariepinus broodstocks

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of partial gonadectomy on reproductive performance of male Clarias gariepinus broodstock. Testes from C. gariepinus broodstock were surgically removed; 25% of the testes (Treatment 1), 50% of the testes (Treatment 2), 75% of the testes (Treatment 3), and removal of the sperm from the testes sac using syringe after the abdominal cavity had been cut open (Treatment 4) {control}. The incisions were sutured and the fish kept inside separate concrete tanks for 4 mo. The incisions closed up within 8 to 9 wk of surgery. The postsurgical survival of C. gariepinus was 100%, indicating the efficiency of the surgical procedure. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in sperm production, percentage fertilization, hatchability and survival of the larvae using sperm derived from regenerated testes of the partially gonadectomized C. gariepinus and nongonadectomized C. gariepinus. It also reveals that partial gonadectomy could not alter the quality of sperm production of C. gariepinus. Sperm derived from regenerated testes performed effectively for fertilization of eggs. Based on the results of this study, the removal of 75% of testes during partial gonadectomy proved to be the best as the total number of spermatozoa was more than that of other methods and the sperm was able to fertilize more eggs. Hence the removal of 75% of testis during partial gonadectomy of C. gariepinus is recommended based on the results of this study.     

Evaluation of ram semen quality using polyacrylamide gel instead of cervical mucus in the sperm penetration test

Fertility is a very complex biological function that depends on several properties of the spermatozoa, including sperm motility. Two objectives are analyzed in this study: (1) Replace the cervical mucus by a synthetic medium in a sperm penetration test, and (2) evaluating the results of this test objectively analyzing the sperm number that migrates. In experiment 1, we have tested eight concentrations of acrylamide (1%-2%). Rheological properties of media were analyzed. The plastic straws, loaded with acrylamide, were placed vertically on the semen sample tube for 15 min at 39 °C. After, the acrylamides were placed, by segments of 5 mm, into wells of a 24-well plate, dyed with Hoechst 33342 and the number of spermatozoa were calculated by automated microscopy analysis. The 1.55% and 1.6% acrylamide gel showed a number of spermatozoa emigrating closer to that seen with natural mucus. In experiment 2, we applied the sperm penetration in acrylamide 1.6% and 1.55% using fresh semen and cooled semen at 15 °C and 5 °C. The spermatozoa counts were performed for each segment of 10 mm. Semen chilled at 15 °C presented intermediate values of sperm counts in comparison with fresh semen (higher) and 5 °C chilled semen. The sperm counts do not differ between acrylamides but the rheological properties of acrylamide 1.6% were more similar to those of the natural cervical mucus. In experiment 3, we have observed significant correlations between the number of spermatozoa and several sperm quality parameters (positive: progressive motility and velocity according to the straight path; negative: damaged acrosomes and apoptotic cells) in 1.6% acrylamide media. We conclude that the size of the cell subpopulation, objectively calculated, that migrate beyond 20 mm in 0.5-mL straws filled with acrylamide is a useful parameter in ram sperm quality assessment and further studies are needed to evaluate its relationship with field fertility.     

The effect of strobilurins on leaf gas exchange, water use efficiency and ABA content in grapevine under field conditions

Strobilurins are one of the most important classes of agricultural fungicides. In addition to their anti-fungal effect, strobilurins have been reported to produce simultaneous effects in plant physiology. This study investigated whether the use of strobilurin fungicide improved water use efficiency in leaves of grapevines grown under field conditions in a Mediterranean climate in southern Spain. Fungicide was applied three times in the vineyard and measurements of leaf gas exchange, plant water status, abscisic acid concentration in sap ([ABA]), and carbon isotope composition in leaves were performed before and after applications. No clear effect on stomatal conductance, leaf water potential and intrinsic water use efficiency was found after three fungicide applications. ABA concentration was observed to increase after fungicide application on the first day, vanishing three days later. Despite this transient effect, evolution of [ABA] matched well with the evolution of leaf carbon isotope ratio, which can be used as a surrogate for plant water use efficiency. Morning stomatal conductance was negatively correlated to [ABA]. Yield was enhanced in strobilurin treated plants, whereas fruit quality remained unaltered.     

Dissection of genotype-phenotype associations in rice grains using metabolome quantitative trait loci analysis

A comprehensive and large‐scale metabolome quantitative trait loci (mQTL) analysis was performed to investigate the genetic backgrounds associated with metabolic phenotypes in rice grains. The metabolome dataset consisted of 759 metabolite signals obtained from the grains of 85 lines of rice (Oryza sativa, Sasanishiki × Habataki back‐crossed inbred lines). Metabolome analysis was performed using four mass spectrometry pipelines to enhance detection of different classes of metabolites. This mQTL analysis of a wide range of metabolites highlighted an uneven distribution of 802 mQTLs on the rice genome, as well as different modes of metabolic trait (m‐trait) control among various types of metabolites. The levels of most metabolites within rice grains were highly sensitive to environmental factors, but only weakly associated with mQTLs. Coordinated control was observed for several groups of metabolites, such as amino acids linked to the mQTL hotspot on chromosome 3. For flavonoids, m‐trait variation among the experimental lines was tightly governed by genetic factors that alter the glycosylation of flavones. Many loci affecting levels of metabolites were detected by QTL analysis, and plausible gene candidates were evaluated by in silico analysis. Several mQTLs profoundly influenced metabolite levels, providing insight into the control of rice metabolism. The genomic region and genes potentially responsible for the biosynthesis of apigenin‐6,8‐di‐C‐α‐l‐ arabinoside are presented as an example of a critical mQTL identified by the analysis.     

Spatial Multiobjective Optimization of Agricultural Conservation Practices using a SWAT Model and an Evolutionary Algorithm

Finding the cost-efficient (i.e., lowest-cost) ways of targeting conservation practice investments for the achievement of specific water quality goals across the landscape is of primary importance in watershed management. Traditional economics methods of finding the lowest-cost solution in the watershed context (e.g.,^5,12,20) assume that off-site impacts can be accurately described as a proportion of on-site pollution generated. Such approaches are unlikely to be representative of the actual pollution process in a watershed, where the impacts of polluting sources are often determined by complex biophysical processes. The use of modern physically-based, spatially distributed hydrologic simulation models allows for a greater degree of realism in terms of process representation but requires a development of a simulation-optimization framework where the model becomes an integral part of optimization.Evolutionary algorithms appear to be a particularly useful optimization tool, able to deal with the combinatorial nature of a watershed simulation-optimization problem and allowing the use of the full water quality model. Evolutionary algorithms treat a particular spatial allocation of conservation practices in a watershed as a candidate solution and utilize sets (populations) of candidate solutions iteratively applying stochastic operators of selection, recombination, and mutation to find improvements with respect to the optimization objectives. The optimization objectives in this case are to minimize nonpoint-source pollution in the watershed, simultaneously minimizing the cost of conservation practices. A recent and expanding set of research is attempting to use similar methods and integrates water quality models with broadly defined evolutionary optimization methods^{3,4,9,10,13-15,17-19,22,23,25}. In this application, we demonstrate a program which follows Rabotyagov et al.''s approach and integrates a modern and commonly used SWAT water quality model⁷ with a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm SPEA2²⁶, and user-specified set of conservation practices and their costs to search for the complete tradeoff frontiers between costs of conservation practices and user-specified water quality objectives. The frontiers quantify the tradeoffs faced by the watershed managers by presenting the full range of costs associated with various water quality improvement goals. The program allows for a selection of watershed configurations achieving specified water quality improvement goals and a production of maps of optimized placement of conservation practices.     

Model-based analysis on the relationship of signal quality to real-time extraction of information in bioprocesses

Quality by design (QbD) is a current structured approach to design processes yielding a quality product. Knowledge and process understanding cannot be achieved without proper experimental data; hence requirements for measurement error and frequency of measurement of bioprocess variables have to be defined. In this contribution, a model-based approach is used to investigate impact factors on calculated rates to predict the obtainable information from real-time measurements (= signal quality). Measurement error, biological activity, and averaging window (= period of observation) were identified as biggest impact factors on signal quality. Moreover, signal quality has been set in context with a quantifiable measure using statistical error testing, which can be used as a benchmark for process analytics and exploitation of data. Results have been validated with data from an E. coli batch process. This approach is useful to get an idea which process dynamics can be observed with a given bioprocess setup and sampling strategy beforehand.     

Cork stoppers industry: defining appropriate mould colonization

AIMS: The main aims of this work were the study of cork slabs moulds colonization and the evaluation of the moulds diversity during cork processing steps, in different cork stoppers factories. Simultaneously, it was envisaged to perform an evaluation of the air quality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Moulds were isolated and identified from cork slabs and cork samples in four cork stoppers factories. The identification was based on morphological characters and microscopic observation of the reproductive structures. Airborne spore dispersion was assessed using a two stage Andersen sampler. It was observed that Chrysonilia sitophila was always present on cork slabs during the maturing period, but mould diversity appeared to be associated to the different factory configurations and processing steps. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial separation of the different steps of the process, including physical separation of the maturation step, is essential to guarantee high air quality and appropriate cork slabs colonization, i.e. C. sitophila dominance. The sorting and cutting of the edges of cork slabs after boiling and before the maturing step is also recommended. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study is very important for the cork stopper industry as it gives clear indications on how to keep high quality manufacturing standards and how to avoid occupational health problems.