Adaptation Trials Research Articles

Global Adaptation of Spring Bread and Durum Wheat Lines Near‐Isogenic for Major Reduced Height Genes

The effect of major dwarfing genes, Rht‐B1 and Rht‐D1, in bread (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) wheats varies with environment. Six reduced‐height near‐isogenic spring wheat lines, included in the International Adaptation Trial (IAT), were grown in 81 trials around the world. of the 56 IAT trials yielding >3 Mg ha−1, the mean yield of semidwarfs was significantly greater than talls in 54% of trials; in the 27 trials yielding <3 Mg ha−1, semidwarfs were superior in only 24%. Sixteen pairs of semidwarf–tall near‐isolines were grown in six managed drought environment trials (DETs) in northwestern Mexico. In these trials, semidwarfs outyielded talls in all but the most droughted environment (2.5 Mg ha−1). The effect of the height alleles varied with genetic background and environment. For both yield and height, variance components for allele and environment by allele interaction were larger than those for genetic background and genetic background by environment. Pattern analysis showed that tall and semidwarf lines had similar adaptation to stressed environments (<2.8 Mg ha−1, low rainfall), while semidwarfs yielded more in less stressed environments (>4.3 Mg ha−1, high rainfall). The best adapted near‐isogenic pair had a Kauz background, where the tall was only 16% taller than the dwarf. In the Kauz‐derived pair, the semidwarf outyielded the tall in only 13% of trials with no differences in low yielding trials. This supports the idea that “short talls” may be useful in marginal environments (yield <3 Mg ha−1).

SOMACLONAL VARIATION: A TOOL FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF CAVENDISH BANANA CULTIVARS

SOMACLONAL VARIATION: A TOOL FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF CAVENDISH BANANA CULTIVARS

Dynamic Postural Stability in Blind Athletes Using The Biodex Stability System

Three systems affect the upright standing posture in humans - visual, vestibular, and somatosensory. It is well known that the visually impaired individuals have bad postural balance. On the other hand, it is a well documented fact that some sports can improve postural balance. Therefore, it is aimed in this study to evaluate the dynamic postural stability in goal-ball athletes. Twenty blind goal-ball players, 20 sighted and 20 sedentary blind controls were evaluated using the Biodex Stability System. Three adaptation trials and three test evaluations (a 20-second balance test at a platform stability of 8) were applied to the blind people, and to the sighted with eyes open and closed. Dynamic postural stability was measured on the basis of three indices: overall, anteroposterior, and mediolateral. Means of each test score were calculated. The tests results were compared for the blind athletes, sighted (with eyes open and closed) subjects, and sedentary blind people. There were significant differences between the results of the blind people and the sighted subjects with regards to all of the three indices. Although the stability of goal-ball players was better than sedentary blinds', only ML index values were statistically different (4.47 +/- 1.24 in the goal-ball players; 6.46 +/- 3.42 in the sedentary blind, p = 0.04). Dynamic postural stability was demonstrated to be affected by vision; and it was found that blind people playing goal-ball 1 - 2 days per week have higher ML stability than the sedentary sighted people.

인삼(Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) 신품종 고풍의 육성경과 및 생육특성

KT&G 중앙연구원 원료연구소에서 육성한 신품종 고풍에 대해서 육성경과, 생산력 검정 및 지역 적응시험을 수행하였다. 1968년에 선발하여 20년 이상 육성된 고풍은 줄기, 잎자루, 꽃대 및 잎맥부위까지도 진한 자색을 띤다. 열매송이 모양은 역삼각형이며 진한 붉은 색으로 재래혼계종인 자경종이나 기개발된 천풍 및 연풍과 지상부 표현형에서의 차이를 나타내었 다. 1981-1984년에 실시한 생산력 검정시험이나 1985-1990년에 실시한 지역적응력시험에서 대비구인 재래혼계종인 자경종과의 지상부 생육 제반 특성에서는 차이가 없었으나 유전적 특성의 발현 재현성이 있었다. 지하부 형질에서는 고풍의 생존율이 대비구인 자경종보다 2.6% 높았고, 고풍의 칸당 수량은 2.3 kg으로 자경종 2.2 kg보다 0.1 kg이 높았으며, 고급홍삼인 천지삼율은 고풍은 16.6%로 대비구인 자경종 9.4%보다 7.2%가 더 높았다. 따라서 고풍은 고급 홍삼제조용 원료삼 품종으로 가능성이 매우 높은 것으로 판단되었다. To develop a new ginseng variety with good quality and high yielding, a lot of individual ginseng plant were selected in the farmers'fields in 1968. Among them, a promising line,680-83-4, has been developed through comparative cultivation of several lines selected with pure line separation from local races in KT&C Central Research Institute, preliminary and advanced yield trials were performed fir 8 years.680-83-4 was designated as KG103, which was then registered as a new variety “Gopoong” with the regional yield and adaptation trials for 10 years (1981-1990) on December 27,2000 in Korea. Gopoong has different phenotype of a dark violet stem and dark red fruit and inverted triangle shape of berries cluster as compared with other varieties. Taproot of Gopoong was longer than local race Jakyungjong, and root yield was 4.5% higher than local race Jakyungjong. In red ginseng quality, the rates of Chun-Jeesam grade(Chun and Jee means 1 st and 2nd grade, respectively) were 16.6% and 9.4% for Gopoong and Jakyungjong, respectively. In these results, it was that Gopoong was superior ginseng line with good quality far manufacture of red ginseng.

Proposta de classificação dos coeficientes de variação em relação à produtividade e altura da planta de soja

O objetivo deste trabalho foi definir classificações de coeficientes de variação para produtividade e altura da planta de soja. Os dados foram obtidos de ensaios intermediários e finais realizados nos estados do Paraná e do Mato Grosso. Foram realizadas classificações distintas para cada localização e ciclo reprodutivo. Considerando-se a média e o desvio-padrão dos coeficientes de variação obtidos das análises de variância dos ensaios, os coeficientes foram classificados como baixo, médio, alto e muito alto. Uma classificação adicional foi feita utilizando a mediana e o pseudo-sigma, em substituição à média e ao desvio-padrão, respectivamente. A classificação dos coeficientes de variação dependeu do caráter e da localização, mas não variou muito em razão do ciclo reprodutivo. Os critérios adotados (média e desvio-padrão ou mediana e pseudo-sigma) foram semelhantes (independentemente da distribuição dos coeficientes de variação) e satisfatórios para determinar a precisão experimental. O limite máximo de coeficiente de variação aceitável para produtividade é de 16% e para altura da planta é de 12%.

Relative stability, performance, and superiority of crop genotypes across environments

Assessments of the stability as well as the performance of plant genotypes across diverse environmental conditions are important to plant breeders and agronomists as tools for selecting superior cultivars for the target environments. In this study, the shortcomings of fitted response as an indicator of relative stability are discussed and use of a genotypeenvironment correlation coefficient, rge, as a measure of relative stability is proposed. Two other relevant indices are introduced: performance index, pi, and superiority index, si. The latter is a compound index for stability and performance that provides a simple method for selecting superior genotypes for relevant environments. In application, a distinction is made between specific stability (over space and microclimate) and general stability (over space and time) depending on the format of the specified environmental index. A statistical significance test for relative stability is considered and three datasets are used to demonstrate the application of derived indices under varying environment combinations. Appraisal of the method and some currently appealing procedures applied to the same dataset reveal a general concordance under similar conditions. The introduced parameters prove to be simple, convenient tools for examining data from plant adaptation trials in the presence of genotype x environment interaction.

Retraining reaching in chronic stroke with real-time auditory feedback

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. The aim of the present study was to enhance the motor recovery of patients in the chronic stroke period by means of upper extremity trajectory modification through real-time auditory feedback. A system of hardware, software, and feedback algorithms was developed. Two groups of patients in the chronic stroke period were trained on the system, one with practice and feedback and one with practice alone. Twenty reach parameters were defined and analyzed for differences between the first and last training sessions, between adaptation and learning trials, and among three targets. This study demonstrated that modification of the reach trajectory can be accomplished during the chronic stroke period either with practice alone or through practice accompanied by auditory feedback. However, improved path performance requires auditory feedback training, and cannot be achieved by practice alone.

Adaptation Trials of Atriplex and Maireana Species and Their Response to Saline Waterlogged Conditions in Pakistan

Utilization of salt affected wasteland by growing forage shrubs has enormous economic and environmental implication for developing countries like Pakistan, where approximately 6.3 million ha of the land is salt affected. Considering the importance of Atriplex and Maireana species, research has been conducted using their different species on the salt affected soils of Faisalabad. Most of Atriplex and Maireana species survived under the environmental conditions of Faisalabad and gave the good yield in the form of forage. Some of these species are woody and can be used for fuel purposes. Sixteen genotypes of Atriplex and Maireana were tested for their tolerance to waterlogging in order to identify halophytic fodder shrubs suitable for growth on secondary salt-affected and waterlogged farmland. The physiological and morphological responses of the species tested were typical of species with a generally poor tolerance to waterlogging. Despite this, some species (eg A. Amnicola) were surprisingly resistant, surviving up to five months of waterlogging at moderate salinity and high evapotranspirational demand. The most resistant species, A amnicola maintained higher transpiration rates, leaf water potentials and shoot extension rates than most other species during five weeks of waterlogging, and a return to control levels more quickly than other species after plots were drained. Although little morphological adaptation to waterlogged conditions was detected, a shallow and extensive lateral root system and the formation of many short aerenchymatous adventitious roots from procumbent branches appeared to advantage A. Amnicola in an environment highly heterogeneous in salinity and low in oxygen concentration. Shallow fibrous rooted species were quickly killed by waterlogging, although the procumbent branches of some individuals survived as clones if they developed adventitious roots.

Market Prospects

Limits of stability (LOS) have extensive clinical and rehabilitational value yet no standard consensus on measuring LOS exists. LOS measured using a leaning or a circling protocol is commonly used in research and clinical settings, however differences in protocols and reliability problems exist.This study measured LOS using a four-way-leaning test and a circular-leaning test to test which showed larger LOS measurements. Furthermore, number of adaptation trials needed for consistent results was assessed.Limits of stability were measured using a force plate (Metitur Good Balance System®) sampling at 50 Hz. Thirty healthy subjects completed 30 trials assessing LOS alternating between four-way-leaning test and circular-leaning test.A main effect of methods (ANOVA:F(1,28) = 45.86, P < 0.01) with the four-way-leaning test showing larger values than the circular-leaning test (NK, P < 0.01). An interaction between method × directions was found (ANOVA:F(3, 84) = 24.87, P < 0.01). The four-way-leaning test showed larger LOS in anterior (NK, P < 0.05), right (NK, P < 0.01) and left direction (NK, P < 0.01). Analysis of LOS for the four-way-leaning test showed a difference between trials (ANOVA:F(14,392) = 7.81, P < 0.01). Differences were found between trial 1 and 7 (NK, P < 0.03), trial 6 and 8 (NK, P < 0.02) and trial 7 and 15 (NK, P < 0.02). Four-way-leaning test showed high correlation (ICC > 0.87) between first and second trial for all directions.Four-way-leaning test yields larger LOS in anterior, right and left direction making it more reliable when measuring LOS. A learning effect was found up to the 8th trial, which suggests using 8 adaptation trials before reliable LOS is measured.

HIV-1 drug resistance genotyping. A review of clinical and economic issues.

The development of mutations associated with resistance to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been shown to be a major cause of treatment failure in patients infected with HIV-1. These resistance mutations can be assessed by a genotyping test that probes for specific mutations within the HIV genome or sequences specific genes, at a cost $US500/test (2000 prices). The stated goal of HIV-1 genotyping is to target HIV therapy effectively. This, as shown in the preliminary research, should result in better clinical outcomes and a lower incidence of virological failure and may be associated with lower costs of treatment. Failure of ART may result in an increase in costs of at least $US250 per patient per month, as assessed in 1 study, with costs rising further as patients experience multiple virological failures. Therefore, there is an economic as well as a therapeutic premium on the prevention of ART failure. The actual economic cost of genotyping has been preliminarily explored in the context of the antiretroVIRal ADAPTation (VIRADAPT) trial, which found no significant difference in the 1-year treatment cost of patients with and without genotyping. There is some evidence of cost neutrality or savings with genotypic testing but it needs to be further explored within the context of carefully framed prospective trials.

A relational database system for potato breeding programs

Using a desktop database management system (DBMS), a relational database system was developed to replace outdated systems for data storage, retrieval and summary in a potato breeding research program. The new system allows for easy and efficient access, storage and interrelation of potato data, and automated reporting functions to support presentation and analysis requirements of the research program. DBMS tools and programmed functions provide summary information pertaining to such areas as potato plant genealogy and progeny performance in early selection, regional adaptation and disease resistance trials. Database structures have been implemented to facilitate the collection and verification of new data, interface to a hand-held data collection computer, and transfer report data and charts to standard word processing and presentation software. The concepts and techniques used in the construction of this database system can be applied to other potato and plant breeding programs.

Effect of bright light on cycling performance.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exposure to three levels of light intensity during cycling on average power output during an all-out 20-min bout of cycle ergometry. Twelve male competitive cyclists, with a mean age of 24.3 +/- 3.2 yr, were tested on four separate occasions. During each test session, participants were instructed to produce the highest possible average power output during a 20-min bout of cycle ergometry. Session 1 served as a adaptation trial and was conducted in normal room lighting (approximately 250 lux). In subsequent sessions each participant exercised while sitting in front of a light box. Light intensity was experimentally manipulated through the use of sunglasses that provided high, medium, and low light filtration. Light condition order was counterbalanced. Measurements of heart rate, muscle pain, local perceived exertion, metabolism, and alertness were made during exercise. Mood was assessed before and following exercise with the POMS-BI. There were no statistically significant differences in the average total power output in the 1,411 lux (274.9 +/- 21.8 W), 2,788 lux (274.4 +/- 20.5 W), and 6,434 lux (270.3 +/- 19.8 W) light conditions. The difference between the average power output in the brightest and least bright condition (4.6 W) was approximately one-fourth of a pooled SD (d = 0.22). There were no significant differences among the conditions in alertness, leg muscle pain, perceived exertion, heart rate, VO2, or mood responses to the exercise. It is concluded that exposure to bright light resulting in estimated retinal exposures ranging from 1,411 to 6,434 lux did not have a large or systematic influence on the performance of 20 min of maximal cycle ergometry.

Seeded versus Containerized Big Sagebrush Plants for Seed-Increase Gardens

Seed production of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) plants established from containerized seedlings was compared to plants established by direct seeding. A garden of 'Hobble Creek' mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle) and a garden of Gordon Creek Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Y the containerized plants did not. Seed-derived plants had a zero death rate for the 4 study years. Death rates for containerized plants were 16% ('Hobble Creek') and 13% (Gordon Creek). To help meet seed demands, growers should establish seed-increase gardens with seed-derived plants. A cautionary note: It is unknown if the use of container-derived plants for adaptation trials might erroneously influence the results of such studies. However, the root development problems described in this study should cast some doubt.

Adaptive modifications of human postsaccadic pursuit eye movements induced by a step-ramp-ramp paradigm.

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate adaptive properties in human smooth-pursuit eye movements generated by a peripheral moving target. In adaptation trials, a target appeared in the peripheral visual field and immediately moved away at a constant speed, and a subject made a saccade and postsaccadic pursuit responses to track it. The target speed was, however, changed to a higher or lower constant speed (step-ramp-ramp target motion) at the termination of the saccade. This adaptation paradigm induced adaptive modifications in postsaccadic pursuit responses and our results revealed the following properties of the pursuit adaptation system. TOPOGRAPHIC MODIFICATION: Modification of the initial pursuit velocity depends on the position of a moving target. PURSUIT GAIN CHANGE: Pursuit velocity is modified not by the addition of a constant bias to the pre-adaptation pursuit velocity, but by a change in the pursuit gain (pursuit velocity/target velocity). LACK OF INFLUENCE ON SACCADE PROPERTIES: Pursuit adaptation does not change the amplitude and latency of saccades either to a moving target or to a stationary target.

Does “Touching Four” on the Worth 4-dot Test Indicate Fusion in Young Children?: A Computer Simulation

"Touching four" dots on the Worth 4-dot test is used sometimes as an indication of fusion in young children. The authors examined the reliability of this test. A computer simulation of the Worth 4-dot test generated images representing fusion, suppression, and alternate fixation. Sixteen children, ranging in age from 32 to 48 months, were examined using this test. None of the children could accurately describe the images verbally. Alternate fixation could not be distinguished from fusion by asking the subjects to touch the dots. Monocular suppression was identified accurately in all subjects. Touching four dots on the Worth 4-dot test does not distinguish fusion from alternate fixation in children with normal ocular alignment. This has important implications regarding the diagnosis of monofixation syndrome and assessment of the response to a prism adaptation trial in young children.

Soybean Pubescence Color Influences Seed Yield in Cool‐Season Climates

AbstractSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] pubescence color (gray or tawny) may influence the microclimate of the canopy and consequently the seed yield. The objectives of this research were to examine the influence of pubescence color on the seed yield of soybean. Yield data were collected from soybean with either gray or tawny pubescence grown in a regional adaptation trial for three years at three locations. Mean yield, yield stability, and general adaptability were examined to determine if pubescence color interacted with the climate to affect yield. In years or locations receiving &gt;2600 corn heat units (CHU), soybean lines with gray pubescence had either significantly higher yield or the same yield as lines with tawny pubescence. In years or locations receiving &lt;2600 CHU, however, tawny soybean had a significantly higher yield than gray soybean. In cool‐season climates, soybean lines with tawny pubescence had greater seed yield stability and higher general adaptability than those with gray pubescence.

Evaluation of alfalfa type as a roughage source in feedlot adaptation and finishing diets containing different corn types

In high grain diets, effects of roughage type or source may depend on diet (adaptation vs. finishing) and grain type fed. In four feedlot trials, alfalfa hay (AH) and alfalfa silage (AS) were compared as roughage types during grain adaptation and finishing phases of production. Roughage types were compared in dry whole corn (DWC), dry rolled corn (DRC), whole high moisture corn (WHMC), and ground high moisture corn (GHMC) diets. Common diets were fed during periods in which direct comparisons of alfalfa or corn types were not made. In adaptation trials, a roughage by corn type interaction ( P < 0.10) was observed for intake when dry corn was fed; steers fed AS with DWC ate more (10.0 kg) than steers fed AS with DRC (9.5 kg), while steers fed AH had similar intakes when fed with DRC (9.7 kg) or DWC (9.6 kg). When high moisture corn diets were fed, greater intakes ( P < 0.05) and gains ( P < 0.10) were observed for steers fed AS than for steers fed AH. Effects of roughage fed in the adaptation period were not carried over into the finishing period, in which high energy diets were fed. In finishing phase trials, effects of roughage type were not observed in steer performance or carcass traits. The data suggest that differences in effects of roughage types are observed only in adaptation diets. Observed performance differences are primarily attributed to differences in quality and/or fiber content between AH and AS.

Sensitivity to Triazolam in the Elderly

GREENBLATT, D. J.; HARMATZ, J. S.; SHAPIRO, L.; ENGELHARDT, N.; GOUTHRO, T. A.; SHADER, R. I. Author Information

Donna: A yellow-fleshed potato cultivar with potential in export seed markets

Donna is a smooth, yellow-skinned, yellow-fleshed potato cultivar of Kennebec maturity. It has significant levels of resistance to Verticillium wilt, PVX, PVY and to the North American pathotype of the potato cyst nematode. Adaptation trials conducted in several countries indicate Donna may have potential in the export seed market.

Effects of light intensity on passive avoidance behavior of male and female wistar rats

Groups of intact male and female Wistar rats were exposed to a standard passive avoidance procedure. The intensity of the light bulb illuminating the platform during adaptation, pre- and post-shock trials was manipulated (5, 25 or 75 W). Entrance latencies during pre-shock trials were longer for males than for females. They decreased for both males and females as light intensity was increased. Entrance latencies increased over trials for males but not for females. On the post-shock trial, more females than males reentered the compartment in which they previously had been shocked, with shorter entrance latencies. Thus, although light intensity functionally affected the behavior of males and females on pre-shock trials, it did not influence the behavioral differences usually observed on the post-shock trial. These data are interpreted as further evidence for the notion that the behavior of male Wistar rats in standard passive avoidance procedures is a function of non-specific effects of shock presentation per se. It is suggested that research aimed at understanding basic (neuronal) differences between males and females is necessary to be able to specify the nature of the variables responsible for the observation of behavioral differences between males and females in this and other experimental paradigms.