Seed macro and micro morphology of the selected <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigella</Emphasis> (Ranunculaceae) taxa from Turkey and their systematic significance

Macro and micromorphological properties of intact and mature seeds of 12 taxa (species and varieties) belonging to Nigella L. (Ranunculaceae) was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Material studied covers 11 species of 15 Turkish Nigella. Studied taxa were divided into two types. Type I has ovate to orbicular seeds that includes four species. Type II has triquedrous seeds and includes seven species. Type II was subdivided into two. Type IIa has triquedrous to subpyramidal seeds (five species) and Type IIb has triquedrous to subglobose seeds (two species). Further segregation was performed micromorphologically and an identification key of studied Nigella taxa was given. Studied Nigella taxa have a diverse macro and micromorphological characters that utilize to separate them from each other to assess the systematics of Nigella.     

Properties and Application of the Location-Test V (n,k)

The present paper is concerned with the properties of a test statistic V(n, k) to test location differences in the one-sample case with known hypothetical distribution G(x). The test is similar to the WILCOXON two-sample statistic after replacement of the second sample by quantiles of the hypothetical distribution. A comparison with the exact distribution of V(n, k) shows that an approximation by means of the normal distribution provides good results even for small sample sizes. The V-test is unbiased against one-tailed alternatives and it is consistent with a restriction which is hardly relevant in practical applications. With regard to the application we are interested especially in the power and robustness against extreme observations for small sample size n. It is shown that in a normal distribution with known standard deviation V(n, k) is more powerful than STUDENT's t for small n and more robust in the sense considered here. The test statistic is based on grouping of the observations into classes of equal expected frequency. A generalization to arbitrary classes provides an essential extension of applicability such as to discrete distributions and to situations where only relative frequencies of G(x) in fixed classes are known.     

山西省三级甲等综合医院重点疾病重返情况分析

目的 通过分析山西省三级甲等综合医院2014年上半年重点疾病患者出院当天、2～15天内、16～31天内的重返情况,探索发生的根本原因,为医院医疗服务质量的评价与改善、政策的制定提供科学的管理依据。方法 采用Microsoft Excel数据库和SPSS22.0 for Windows软件对各医院重点疾病的三种重返情况进行分析,并对各医院18种重点疾病的重返率进行了排序。结果 重返现象的发生主要集中在出院2～31天内,而各医院18种重点疾病中出院2～31天内重返率最高的前3位疾病中均有“恶性肿瘤术后化疗、恶性肿瘤维持性化学治疗”。结论 恶性肿瘤术后化疗与维持性化学治疗此种较高的重返现象发生在三级甲等综合医院,不利于优质医疗资源的合理应用。     

Rank Tests for Complete Block Designs

In this article a general univariate K-sample rank test for complete block designs with proportional cell frequencies is derived. It is shown that the test statistic has under H₀ and for arbitrary scores asymptotically a X²-distribution with K — 1 degrees of freedom. Special cases of this test are the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Friedman test. The test is compared with the Benard-van-Elteren test, the Mack-Skillings test and a test proposed by Downton. Finally the application of the test is illustrated by two examples.     

Production and optimization of carotenoid-enriched dried distiller’s grains with solubles by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaffia rhodozyma</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporobolomyces roseus</Emphasis> fermentation of whole stillage

Whole stillage—a co-product of grain-based ethanol—is used as an animal feed in the form of dried distiller’s grain with solubles (DDGS). Since animals cannot synthesize carotenoids and animal feed is generally poor in carotenoids, about 30–120 ppm of total carotenoids are added to animal feed to improve animal health, enhance meat color and quality, and increase vitamin A levels in milk and meat. The main objective of this study was to produce carotenoid (astaxanthin and β-carotene)-enriched DDGS by submerged fermentation of whole stillage. Mono- and mixed cultures of red yeasts, Phaffia rhodozyma (ATCC 24202) and Sporobolomyces roseus (ATCC 28988), were used to produce astaxanthin and β-carotene. Media optimization was carried out in shake flasks using response surface methodology (RSM). Macro ingredients, namely whole stillage, corn steep liquor and glycerol, were fitted to a second-degree polynomial in RSM. Under optimized conditions, astaxanthin and β-carotene yields in mixed culture and P. rhodozyma monoculture were 5 and 278, 97, and 275 μg/g, respectively, while S. roseus produced 278 μg/g of β-carotene. Since the carotenoid yields are almost twice the quantity used in animal feed, the carotenoid-enriched DDGS has potential application as “value-added animal feed or feed blends.”     

Signed-Rank Tests in the Presence of Ties (with extended tables)

We begin with a review of the areas of application of the signed-rank tests (SRTs) and we conclude that the results are exact only if no ties of non-null differences exist. In order to apply the SRTs according to WILCOXON and according to PRATT also in the presence of ties, by assigning midranks, we derive their null distributions. As special cases the null distributions for the problem without ties are obtained. In order to save the practising statistician the time-consuming calculations of the distribution functions, we compute tables of critical values (for reasons of volume they will be published as part of the reprints only). For N₀ = 0 (1) 5 null differences and M = = 1(1) 10 non-null differences the critical values of all distributions with all possible tie vectors are calculated. Instructions are provided and an example serves to illustrate the use of the table. The extension of the tables are obtained by means of counting formulas given in the text. Approximations are provided in order to make the application of tests possible for larger samples as well. It is shown that the approximation of the null distribution in the presence of ties by the null distributions under the assumption of no ties in some cases overstates and sometimes understates the exact rejection probability. For N₀ = 0 (1) 10 and M = 1 (1) 10 all distributions with all possible tie vectors for the SRTs with WILCOXON and PRATT ranking are examined with respect to the lattice type of the test statistic. The result is given in table 6. It is evident that the portion of PRATT -distributions with lattice character decreases as the number of null differences increases. Continuity corrections are obtained for the asymptotic normal distribution which take into account the lattice character of the distribution of the test statistic.     

Morphological and phylogenetic evidences unveil a novel species of Gyroporus (Gyroporaceae,Boletales) from Indian Himalaya

Repeated macrofungal forays to the east district of Sikkim followed by morphological and phylogenetic studies of collected wild mushrooms revealed an undescribed species, proposed here as Gyroporus paramjitii. This species is characterized by hemispheric to plane dark brown to brownish orange pileus, concolorous or darker stipe, snow white to pale yellow pore surface which is immutable when bruised, 2‐ to 4‐spored basidia, reniform to elliptic basidiospores, presence of pleurocystidia and cheilocystidia, absence of caulocystidia, trichoderm pattern of pileipellis and stipitipellis with encrusted erect hyphal elements and occurrence under Castanopsis sp. Macro‐ and micro‐morphological details coupled with molecular phylogenetic analyses (based on nrITS and nrLSU data) are presented for this taxon.     

Seed and trichome morphology of the Egyptian Fagonia (Zygophyllaceae) with emphasis on their systematic implications

Seed and trichome morphology of 13 taxa representing the genus Fagonia in Egypt have been studied using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Macro‐ and micro‐morphological characters, including seed shape, seed size, seed coat sculpture, trichome density and structure were studied to evaluate their systematic significance. Seed shape and trichome density were found to have only minor taxonomic value, but seed coat sculpturing and trichome structure proved to be valuable characters. These characters offer evidence to combine certain species, e.g. Fagonia kassasii and F. schimperi in F. bruguieri, Fagonia microphylla in F. scabra and Fagonia thebaica in F. arabica. However, F. sinaica, F. tristis, F. boveana and F. isotricha should be maintained as separate species. Generally, the different patterns of seed and trichome morphology are useful in delimitation of species within the genus Fagonia, but they could not be used to characterize groups of related species.     

A New Nonparametric Approach to the Comparison of K Independent Samples of Response Curves

Two simultaneous distribution free test procedures to test the homogeneity of K samples of response curves measured at T points of time each are proposed which react upon the shape of the response curve. One procedure is based on the comparison of K T-tupels of FRIEDMAN-rank sums, the other on the comparison of K T × T-incidence tables, which first were introduced by KANNEMANN (1976). The application of the two procedures is illustrated by a numerical example. In the discussion the tests are compared with each other and with concurring tests.     

Micromorphology of fruits and seeds of Iranian Geranium (Geraniaceae), and its systematic significance

The fruit and seed micromorphology of 22 species of Geranium, representing the eight sections of the genus represented in Iran (G. sectt. Dissecta, Geranium, and Tuberosa of subgen. Geranium; sectt. Batrachioidea, Divaricata, Lucida, Ruberta and Trilopha of subgen. Robertium), have been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Macro‐ and micromorphological characters, including fruit and seed shape, size, color, hair type and density, mericarp ornamentations, hilum position, seed coat pattern, epidermal cell shape, and anticlinal and periclinal cell walls, are presented. Two microsculpturing patterns are recognized on the mericarp surface: reticulate and pusticulate. The micromorphology of the seed coat showed four distinctive cell patterns. The seed epidermis is constructed either of polygonal, elongated polygonal, or square to rectangular cells. The polygonal type is the most common among the studied species, but the variation in testa cell characters, their size and shape, may provide further information and useful diagnostic characters at specific and infraspecific rank. The shape and color of the seeds are, however, of little systematic value. Fruit characters were found to be important for separating taxa at infrageneric rank and our results show that the species can be separated into subgenera and sections based on fruit morphology.     

应用数据包络分析方法评价医院临床科室相对效率的探讨

目的 利用数据包络分析方法评价厦门市某三级综合性医院临床科室的配置效率，为医院管理者提供有益的决策信息。方法 在Excel的规划求解模块上进行数据包络分析计算，得出各临床科室的相对效率得分。结果 数据包络分析有效单元为15个，其余单元不同程度存在产出不足的现象。结论 大型综合性医院在自身的生存和发展中，应注重以资源调整和优化配置为主的内涵式发展。     

Estimation and adjustment of microsatellite null alleles in nonequilibrium populations

Nonamplified (null) alleles are a common feature of microsatellite genotyping and can bias estimates of allele and genotype frequencies, thereby hindering population genetic analyses. The frequency of microsatellite null alleles in diploid populations can be estimated for populations that are in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. However, many microsatellite data sets are from nonequilibrium populations, often with known inbreeding coefficients (F) or fixation indices (F_IS or F_ST). Here, we propose a novel null allele estimator that can be used to estimate the null allele frequency and adjust visible allele frequencies in populations for which independent estimates of F, F_IS or F_ST are available. The algorithm is currently available as an Excel macro that can be downloaded at no cost from http://www.microchecker.hull.ac.uk/ and will be incorporated into the software micro ‐checker .     

Development and evaluation of different normalization strategies for gene expression studies in Candida albicans biofilms by real-time PCR

Background  

Candida albicans biofilms are commonly found on indwelling medical devices. However, the molecular basis of biofilm formation and development is not completely understood. Expression analysis of genes potentially involved in these processes, such as the ALS (Agglutinine Like Sequence) gene family can be performed using quantitative PCR (qPCR). In the present study, we investigated the expression stability of eight housekeeping genes potentially useful as reference genes to study gene expression in Candida albicans (C. albicans) biofilms, using the geNorm Visual Basic Application (VBA) for Microsoft Excel. To validate our normalization strategies we determined differences in ALS1 and ALS3 expression levels between C. albicans biofilm cells and their planktonic counterparts.     

A Multivariate Goodness-of-Fit Test for Stochastically Ordered Distributions

There are a number of nonparametric procedures known for testing goodness-of-fit in the univariate case. Similar procedures can be derived for testing goodness-of-fit in the multivariate case through an application of the theory of statistically equivalent blocks (SEB). The SEB transforms the data into coverages which are distributed as spacings from a uniform distribution on [0,1], under the null hypothesis. In this paper, we present a multivariate nonparametric test of goodness-of-fit based on the SEB when the multivariate distributions under the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis are “weakly” ordered. Empirical results are given on the performance of the proposed test in an application to the problem of assessing the reliability of a p-component system.     

A New Nonparametric Approach to the Comparison of K Independent Samples of Response Curves II: A K Sample Generalization of the FRIEDMAN Test

A K sample generalization of the FRIEDMAN test (1937) is introduced which can be used as a nonparametric procedure for testing the homogeneity of the profiles of K independent samples of response curves measured at T identical points of time. While a similar procedure in LEHMACHER & WALL (1978), section 3, is based on T combined tests, each of them at level a/T, here a finite and asymptotic test is presented which is based on a single test statistic. The application of the new multivariate test is illustrated by the same numerical example as in LEHMACHER & WALL (1978). The properties of this test are discussed and compared with the combined test mentioned above.     

Assemblage structure of stream fishes in the Western Ghats (India)

Macro and microhabitat analyses were applied to characterise the fish assemblage structure in 10 streams of the Western Ghat mountains of Peninsular India. Macrohabitat features, such as channel gradient, stream depth, stream width, riparian cover, instream cover, habitat types and substrates, were used. Microhabitat requirements of the abundant cyprinids (35 species) were also analysed. Macrohabitat assessment indicated that a high habitat diversity was associated with a high species diversity, and that habitat volume was a major determining factor for species diversity and abundance. In all streams, cyprinids were the dominant group in the assemblage and almost all cyprinids were confined to pools with a varied habitat diversity. Riffle dwelling species included ancient forms such as Glyptothorax madraspatnum, G. trewasae and Homaloptera santhamparaiensis. Suitable microhabitats for dominant cyprinid species were pools and riffle edges. Big-sized barbs and mahseers such as Hypselobarbus dobsoni, H. curmuca, H. dubius, Labeo calbasu, Puntius sarana, Tor khudree and Tor khudree malabaricus were confined to deep pools with a large area. Smaller Puntius species like P. fasciatus, P. melanampyx, P. narayani, P. sophore, P. ticto and P. vittatus lived in shallow backwater pools and pools with low flow. Species like P. arulius tambiraparniei, P. amphibius, P. bimaculatus and P. filamentosus were found towards shallow pools with moderate flow. Surface-dwelling species such as Danio aequipinnatus, Rasbora daniconius, Salmostoma spp. and Barilius spp. preferred deepwater habitats with high flow. Habitat-based multivariate analysis revealed four guilds: surface dwellers, column dwellers, generalized bottom dwellers and specialized bottom dwellers.     

Analysis of hybridization between Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieber ex Spreng. and E. radiata Sieber ex DC. (Myrtaceae)

Eucalyptus is a large genus in which hybridization may produce populations which present taxonomic difficulties. A small group of plants, apparently morphologically intermediate between Eucalyptus pauciflora and E. radiata, was studied in an attempt to determine whether hybridization was occurring, and to investigate the use of different techniques of analysis (morphological, chemical and numerical). Taken as a whole, the data from adult and seedling morphology, flavonoid composition, and volatile oil composition of the plants studied prove that they are indeed hybrids between the two species of Eucalyptus; however, these data also indicate some interesting problems in the application of some of these techniques to this particular situation.     

Marginal land bioethanol yield potential of four crassulacean acid metabolism candidates (Agave fourcroydes,Agave salmiana,Agave tequilana and Opuntia ficus‐indica) in Australia

The Nobel environmental productivity index (EPI) was used as a framework for the development of a predictive geospatial model to estimate the bioethanol yield potential of four crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) candidates in Australia (Agave fourcroydes, Agave salmiana, Agave tequilana, and Opuntia ficus‐indica). GIS software was used to integrate climate datasets with titratable acidity responses to changes in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), temperature, and water availability. Additional refinements to Nobel's approach were made to accommodate spatial and temporal fluctuations in soil water potential (ψs) as a function of soil particle size distribution and precipitation, and CO₂ uptake response to a range of day and night temperatures. A scalar factor for CO₂ persistence during periods of drought was also introduced to model the capacity of succulent species of Agave to buffer against fluctuations in ψs. Macro‐scale criteria were applied to estimate environmentally responsible (ER) bioethanol yield potential on lands that are not suitable for food production. Consideration was given to indigenous vascular plant species richness and endemism scores at ER sites of interest. The highest mean ER bioethanol yield was achieved by A. fourcroydes (μ: 3.89, max. 7.17 kL ha^‐1 yr^‐1) while the highest maximum yield was achieved by A. tequilana (μ: 3.78, max. 7.63 kL ha^‐1 yr^‐1). This research indicated the CAM pathway may produce significant yields (≥≥ 5 kL ha^‐1 yr^‐1) at ER sites totalling 57,700 km² (0.7% land area of Australia).     

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF ONION ROOTS INFECTED WITH PYRENOCHAETA TERRESTRIS,A FUNGUS PARASITE

Onion roots of varieties ‘951’ and ‘Excel’ were infected under artificial conditions by a virulent isolate of the onion pink-root fungus, Pyrenochaeta terrestris. Roots of variety ‘951’ were penetrated initially at the tip while roots of variety ‘Excel’ were penetrated initially 2 cm or more back from the tip. Ultrastructural observations of infected roots of both varieties indicated that the fungus penetrated primarily or entirely by dissolution of host cell walls, rather than by pressure of fungal cells. In both varieties the fungus caused cell disruption one to several cells in advance of the fungus. In addition, the same isolate of the pink-root fungus was grown on paper consisting primarily of gymnosperm cells. The remnants of cell walls were dissolved by the fungus with no evidence of physical pressure by the fungus.     

The Matched Pairs Problem with Exponential Variates

Two classes of tests for the hypothesis of bivariate symmetry are studied. For paired exponential survival times (t_1j, t_2j), the classes of tests are those based on t_1j-t_2j and those based on log t_1j–log t_2j. For each class the sign, signed ranks, t and likelihood ratio tests are compared via Pitman's criterion of asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE). For tests based on t_1j — t_2j, it is found that: (1) the efficacy of the paired t depends on the coefficient of variation (CV) of the pair means, (2) the signed rank test has the same ARE to the sign test as for the usual location problem. For tests based on log t_1j — log t_2j, the ARE comparisons reduce to the well-known results for the one-sample location problem for samples from a logistic density. Hence, the signed rank test is asymptotically efficient. Furthermore, analyses based on log t_1j — log t_2j are not complicated by the underlying pairing mechanism.