Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:32:54Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_jpn_me_botib.pdf: 1461698 bytes, checksum: f3d2da00e4477125c12042e4a44960b3 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A aquisição da tolerância à dessecação ocorre durante a maturação da semente, após acúmulo de reservas e antes do início do processo natural de secagem, porém, com o avanço da germinação a sensibilidade a dessecação aumenta. Estresses hídricos podem induzir ou restabelecer a tolerância à dessecação em sementes, porém, não se sabe em quais processos ele atua, como na ativação de genes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a aquisição e perda de tolerância à dessecação em sementes de Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (pau-brasil), e a possibilidade de indução deste processo avaliando as modificações nos carboidratos solúveis e de ciclitóis, nos níveis endógenos de ABA e na expressão de aquaporinas. Foram observadas diferenças na aquisição de tolerância em sementes imaturas de mesma idade, produzidas nas mesmas matrizes em 2007 e 2008, com diferentes composições de carboidratos solúveis. Sementes maduras perdem a tolerância à dessecação logo após protrusão da raiz primária, em comprimentos dependentes do grau de deterioração da semente. Sementes imaturas e maduras tolerantes de C. echinata suportaram a desidratação de formas diferentes, utilizando reservas de amido e ciclitóis, com papel da sacarose quando secas. Esses resultados foram comparados com sementes de Caesalpinia peltophoroides Benth (sibipiruna), demonstrando comportamentos fisiológicos distintos, provavelmente relacionados com o tipo de reserva que acumulam / The acquisition of desiccation tolerance occurs during seed maturation, after reserves accumulation and before the natural process of drying, however, with seed germination the desiccation sensitivity increases. Water stress can induce or restore the desiccation tolerance in seeds, but it is unclear what processes it acts, like activation of genes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the acquisition and loss of desiccation tolerance in Caesalpinia echinata Lam (brazil-wood) seeds, and the possibility to induction this process, evaluating the soluble carbohydrates and cyclitols changes, the ABA endogenous levels and expression of aquaporins. Differences were observed in the tolerance acquisition in immature seeds of the same age, produced by the same trees in 2007 and 2008, showing different compositions of soluble carbohydrates. Mature seeds lose desiccation tolerance soon after radicle protrusion in length depending on the degree of seed deterioration lot. Immature and mature tolerant seeds of C. echinata support the dehydration by different ways, using starch reserves and cyclitols, seen sucrose when the seed dry. These results were compared with seeds of Caesalpinia peltophoroides (sibipiruna), showing different physiological parameters, probably related to the type of reserves that they accumulate

Includes bibliographical references / As there is limited information on the mechanisms of vegetative desiccation-tolerance in resurrection plant rhizomes, this work was undertaken to study the mechanisms of desiccation-tolerance in Mohria caffrorum rhizomes. Fronds of this plant have been previously characterized as being desiccation-tolerant in summer and desiccation-sensitive in winter. Since fern rhizomes are perennial organs, it was of interest to establish whether these organs are also perennially desiccation-tolerant and, whether or not the rhizomes regulate desiccation-tolerance in the fronds. Ultra-structural evidence using transmission electron microscopy and viability studies using electrolyte leakage analysis showed that the rhizomes were desiccation-tolerant throughout the seasons. Quantitative proteomics analysis using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification was employed to investigate molecular mechanisms of desiccation-tolerance in the rhizomes of this plant. Using a custom fern rhizome specific peptide sequence database, 236 proteins were identified. Of these, 16 proteins increased in abundance while 14 declined, in the summer collected rhizomes. On the other hand, 16 proteins increased in abundance and 20 declined in the winter form. Western blot analysis confirmed the expression trends of heat shock protein 70-2 and superoxide dismutase-[Cu-Zn], which were among the differentially expressed proteins. Bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed proteins was carried out using network enrichment tools, to identify key molecular processes and pathways involved in the rhizome response to desiccation stress. Results indicate that the rhizomes use different molecular mechanisms to achieve desiccation-tolerance in winter and summer. Potential cross-talks and cross-tolerances were identified in which mechanisms protecting the rhizomes against desiccation-tolerance appeared to also protect them against heat stress, and in winter an apparent cross-talk against desiccation and pathogen stresses was also identified. This study is the first report of evidence that M.caffrorum rhizomes are the 'master-regulator organs' responsible for regulating desiccation-tolerance in the fronds. This role was inferred from the rhizome's predicted up-/down-regulation of biological processes and pathways that relate to leaf senescence, shoot system morphogenesis and gametophyte development, among others.

The distribution of tardigrades within the layers of the cushion moss Grimmia alpicola Hedwig, 1801 was investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the tardigrade species present within the moss layers during both wet and dry periods and to determine if migration occured in response to changing moisture conditions. Samples of the moss were removed from concrete caps on brick fence posts before and after rainfall and separated into two sections (top and bottom). The tardigrades from each layer and moisture condition were identified to species. Data for each species were statistically analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the numbers of individuals present in the top and bottom layers of the moss under both wet and dry conditions. Five tardigrade species were identified, including two species new to science: Macrobiotus sp. n.: Milnesium tardigradum Doyère, 1840: Echiniscus viridissimus Peterfi, 1956; Echiniscus perviridis perviridis Ramazzotti, 1959; and Echiniscus sp. n. The new species will be described in a forthcoming paper. No significant differences were found in the numbers of the individuals of four of the five species in each layer within the moss or for each moisture condition. Only one species, E. viridissimus, was significantly more frequent in the top layer of the moss, regardless of moisture condition. Migration within the moss cushion was not detected in any of these five species as a result of changes in moisture conditions. In xeric moss species, it may not be beneficial for tardigrades to migrate to avoid desiccation. Instead, they apparently undergo anhydrobiosis in both the top and bottom layers of the moss cushion.

No description available.

This work provides a comparative and genetic analysis of the responses to water stress in desiccation-tolerant and desiccation-sensitive nematodes. Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism for the study of development, aging, and cell biology was shown to be a desiccation-sensitive organism that survives relative humidities above 40\% for periods of up to seven days. Transcripts from the desiccation-tolerant species Panagrolaimus rigidus AF36 and sp. PS1579, which were expressed uniquely during separate desiccation and osmotic stresses, as well as during recovery from exposure to the dual stresses, were cloned. These sequences were used to search for similarities in the genome sequence data of C. elegans. Putative anhydrobiotic-related transcripts were identified that potentially encode heat shock protein 70, late embryogenic abundant protein, and trehalose-phosphate synthase. Other putative genes that were identified within eight separate libraries encode proteins involved in transcription (histones), protein biosynthesis (ribosomal proteins, elongation factors), protein degradation (ubiquitin, proteases), and transport and cell structure (actin, collagen). Gene ontology analysis of the cloned transcripts revealed that developmental processes are activated during exposure to the stresses as well as during recovery, which may suggest a "rejuvenation" process as a key to survival in Panagrolaimus nematodes. Genes that were up-regulated during desiccation stress in C. elegans were classified as belonging either to an early response (until 12 hours of stress), or to a late response (after 12 hours of stress). The early response was characterized by the up-regulation of a large number of genes encoding mono-oxygenases, which may suggest onset of oxidation stress during desiccation of C. elegans. The late response was characterized by the appearance of transcripts encoding proteins of the immune system, heat shock proteins (protein denaturation), and superoxide dismutases (oxidation damage). Genes in C. elegans that were down-regulated in response to desiccation stress include those encoding proteases and lysozymes (metabolic shutdown). Genes that encode channel proteins (water homeostasis) were found among the transcripts up-regulated during recovery of C. elegans. The up-regulation of gpdh-1 and hmit-1.1, two transcripts linked to hyperosmotic stress, suggest that osmotic stress is experienced by C. elegans. Comparison of these data with those obtained from exposure of C. elegans to a range of other stresses showing that the nematode C. elegans uses specific transcripts for the desiccation response; transcripts that are not induced in other stresses such as heat, anoxia or starvation. In addition, transcripts regulated during desiccation stress of C. elegans were also regulated during dauer formation, which may indicate common stress tolerant mechanisms. Recent studies in mammalian cells and C. elegans have shown that microRNAs are able to degrade and to sequester mRNA especially during stress in so called stress bodies. In this study, C. elegans microRNA knock-outs showed a significant decrease in desiccation stress survival compared to wild type C. elegans which may suggest the importance of microRNAs for stress survival in C. elegans and other organisms. / Ph. D.

The molecular biology of desiccation tolerance was investigated in the cyanobacteria with emphasis on Nostoc commune. Analysis of DNA from 41 samples of desiccated Nostoc spp. of varied age and global distribution led to the amplification of 43 independent tRNALEU(UAA) group 1 intron sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the entire data set made it possible to define the form species Nostoc commune. The synthase (spsA) and phosphatase (sppA) genes required for the synthesis of sucrose were isolated from cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 and overexpressed in E. coli in two different vector constructions. Transformants had a marked increased capacity for desiccation tolerance. Sucrose synthesis was confirmed through thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of cell extracts from transformants. Long-term stability of DNA in desiccated Nostoc samples was demonstrated by the ability to amplify selected gene loci from samples stored dry for decades. Successful amplification in some samples was possible only after treatment with phenacylthiazolium bromide, a reagent that disrupts covalent cross-links; indicating that the DNA was modified by cross-links that occurred between reducing sugars and the primary amines on the DNA. Abundant superoxide dismutase was released following rehydration of desiccated field material N. commune CHEN after 13 years in the dry state. sodF mRNA was present in the dry material but was turned over within 15 min of rehydration. mRNA levels then rose and appeared to reach steady state levels after 3 hours and remained abundant after 24 hours of rehydration. / Master of Science

No / An increased number of police enquiries involving human remains buried with lime have demonstrated the need for more research into the effect of different types of lime on cadaver decomposition and its micro-environment. This study follows previous studies by the authors who have investigated the effects of lime on the decay of human remains in laboratory conditions and 6 months of field experiments. Six pig carcasses (Sus scrofa), used as human body analogues, were buried without lime with hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2) and quicklime (CaO) in shallow graves in sandy-loam soil in Belgium and recovered after 17 and 42 months of burial. Analysis of the soil, lime and carcasses included entomology, pH, moisture content, microbial activity, histology and lime carbonation. The results of this study demonstrate that despite conflicting evidence in the literature, the extent of decomposition is slowed down by burial with both hydrated lime and quicklime. The more advanced the decay process, the more similar the degree of liquefaction between the limed and unlimed remains. The end result for each mode of burial will ultimately result in skeletonisation. This study has implications for the investigation of clandestine burials, for a better understanding of archaeological plaster burials and potentially for the interpretation of mass graves and management of mass disasters by humanitarian organisation and DVI teams.

South Africa, with its world leadership in the mining sector, and well-developed industrial sector, understandably has many tailings dams of various types. South Africa’s tailings dams are among the largest in the world in terms of delivered tailings tonnages, plan size and height. Obviously tailings disposal from the mining and industrial sectors in South Africa can have a major impact on the environment and the safety of human life if the dam design and tailings deposition process are not properly controlled. In South Africa there is a growing awareness of the importance of the environment and of the safety of the tailings dams. Catastrophes like the Merriespruit Gold Tailings dam failure in February 1994, where 17 people died and widespread devastation and environmental damage was caused, has sparked the renewal of research into tailings dam stability and safety. The rate of rise of tailings dams has an influence on the safety and stability of a tailings dam. If rate at which a tailings dam is built is too high, the dam may become unstable and be at risk of failure. There are many factors that control the rate of rise of tailings dams that are not very well understood. This research deals with sedimentation and desiccation of gold mine tailings. Sedimentation and desiccation are factors that influence the rate of rise. This research looked at how the gold mine tailings behave when sedimentation and desiccation occur. This was achieved through laboratory experiments, which consisted of column settling tests and drying box tests, and field tests. A model that predicts the behaviour of sedimentation and desiccation of tailings was also analysed. It was found that tailings sedimentation occurs very quickly. It was also found that suctions play an important role during the desiccation of the tailings. / Dissertation (MEng (Geotechnical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Civil Engineering / MEng / unrestricted

Orientadores: Claudia Regina Baptista Haddad, Fernando Roberto Martins / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T12:00:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pereira_Luciano_M.pdf: 1574760 bytes, checksum: 86654daaeda73234eef3076e41dd937f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Apesar da alta pluviosidade nas florestas tropicais, há grande variação na disponibilidade hídrica para as plantas. Em escala local, essa disponibilidade pode variar dependendo da localização dos indivíduos em clareiras, sua posição no relevo e a composição do solo. Em escala regional, variações relacionadas ao volume e distribuição das chuvas, aliadas às alterações climáticas sazonais, podem também gerar diferentes condições de déficit hídrico, aumentando as taxas de mortalidade das espécies arbóreas mais sensíveis, em especial no estádio de plântula. Considerando o cenário mundial de mudanças climáticas, torna-se urgente a compreensão dos mecanismos que determinam a ecologia das comunidades das florestas tropicais, principalmente em relação aos padrões de chuvas e secas. Neste trabalho analisamos as diferentes estratégias de resistência à seca de plântulas de espécies arbóreas, com o objetivo de entender como diferentes espécies arbóreas respondem à variação da disponibilidade hídrica, de modo a conhecer como essa variação filtra as espécies e conseqüentemente contribui para organizar a comunidade florestal. No primeiro capítulo apresentamos as principais estratégias de resistência à seca e as possíveis abordagens teóricas, descritas na literatura, para plântulas de espécies arbóreas, demonstrando a importância dessas estratégias na distribuição, abundância e coexistência de espécies nas florestas tropicais. As diferenças entre as florestas tropicais úmidas e secas, pelo baixo compartilhamento de espécies e os diferentes graus de resistência à seca apresentados por espécies arbóreas, indicam uma clara diferenciação de nichos. Espécies mais resistentes à seca ocupam, com maior abundância, locais mais secos, quando comparadas às espécies mais sensíveis, tanto em escala local quanto regional. Estratégias de resistência à seca podem ser de dois tipos: de tolerância à dessecação e de evitação à dessecação. No estádio de plântula, estratégias de tolerância parecem ser mais determinantes para a resistência à seca, principalmente a presença de caracteres que conferem tolerância a baixos potenciais hídricos, como resistência à cavitação. No segundo capítulo investigamos a hipótese de que há uma relação entre a abundância de algumas espécies em locais com diferentes intensidades de sombreamento e/ou sua posição na vertente (com provável gradiente hídrico) da Floresta Estacional Semidecídua e a presença de estratégias fisiológicas de trocas de gases relacionadas à resistência à seca. Avaliamos a troca de gases, dessecação e rebrota de plantas de duas espécies tardias (Esenbeckia leiocarpa e Astronium graveolens) e duas espécies pioneiras (Croton floribundus e Aegiphila selowiana) em um experimento de seca súbita em casa de vegetação. Encontramos maior resistência à seca nas espécies com maior abundância e de estádio sucessional tardio (E. leiocarpa e A. graveolens). A resistência à seca esteve associada às menores taxas de troca de gases, e as espécies com maior aproveitamento fotossintético exibiram menor resistência à seca. Essas espécies ocorrem mais abundantemente nos sítios de ocupação menos sombreados, reforçando a teoria de uma demanda conflitante para espécies que ou investem em resistência à seca ou na capacidade de aproveitamento de luz. A disponibilidade sazonal de água, assim como a diferença de luz entre as diferentes ecounidades, pode explicar a coexistência das espécies na floresta estacional / Abstract: The rainfall is high in tropical forests, but there is great variation in water availability to plants. On a local scale, this availability may vary depending on the location of individuals in gaps, their position in the landscape and soil composition. On a regional scale, variations related to the volume and distribution of rainfall, coupled with seasonal climatic changes, can also generate different water stress conditions, increasing the mortality rates of tree species most sensitive, especially at the seedling stage. Considering the global scenario of climatic changes, it is imperative to understand the mechanisms that determine the ecology of communities of tropical forests, especially in relation to patterns of rainfall and drought. We examined different strategies of drought resistance of seedlings of tree species, to determine the organization of the community and the contribution of water availability to the selection of species in these forests. The first chapter presents a review of the principal studies available on strategies for drought resistance in seedlings of tree species and the possible theoretical approaches, demonstrating the increasing importance of these studies for understanding the processes that determine the distribution, abundance and species coexistence in tropical forests. The differences between wet and dry tropical forests, in view of the low number of species in common and the different degrees of drought resistance presented by the tree species present, show a clear differentiation of niches. Species more resistant to drought present higher abundance in drier sites, compared to more sensitive species, at local and regional levels. Strategies for drought resistance may be of two kinds: desiccation tolerance and avoidance of desiccation. In the seedling stage tolerance strategies seem to be more crucial for resistance to drought, especially the presence of characteristics that confer tolerance to low water potentials, as resistance to cavitation. In the second chapter we investigated the hypothesis that there is a relationship between the existence of abundant species only at certain sites of the semi-deciduous forest and the presence of physiological strategies of gas exchange related to drought resistance. We evaluated the gas exchange process and desiccation and regrowth of plants of four species (Esenbeckia leiocarpa, Astronium graveolens, Croton floribundus and Aegiphila selowiana), during a sudden drought experiment in a greenhouse. E. leiocarpa, A. graveolens are late-successional species and C. floribundus and A. selowiana are pioneers species. We found greater resistance to drought in the most abundant and latesuccessional species. The drought resistance was associated with lower rates of gas exchange. Species with higher photosynthetic efficiency showed lower resistance to drought. These species occur most abundantly on sites less shaded, reinforcing the theory of a trade off between investment in drought resistance and ability to use light. The seasonal availability of water, similarly to differences between light of different eco-units, can explain species coexistence in the tropical seasonal forest / Mestrado / Biologia Vegetal / Mestre em Biologia Vegetal

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