YIELD STUDIES IN OATS

Here we present a concept that considers organism aging as an additional facultative function promoting evolution, but counterproductive for an individual. We hypothesize that aging can be inhibited or even arrested when full mobilization of all resources is needed for the survival of an individual. We believe that the organism makes such a decision based on the analysis of signals of special receptors that monitor a number of parameters of the internal and external environment. The amount of available food is one of these parameters. Food restriction is perceived by the organism as a signal of coming starvation; in response to it, the organism inhibits its counterproductive programs, in particular, aging. We hypothesize that the level of protein obtained with food is estimated based on blood concentration of one of the essential amino acids (methionine), of carbohydrates- via glucose level, and fats- based on the level of one of the free fatty acids. When the amount of available food is sufficient, these receptors transmit the signal allowing aging. In case of lack of food, this signal is cancelled, and as a result aging is inhibited, i.e. age-related weakening of physiological functions is inhibited, and lifespan increases (the well-known geroprotective effect of partial food restriction). In Caenorhabditis elegans, lowering of the ambient temperature has a similar effect. This geroprotective effect is removed by the knockout of one of the cold receptors, and replacement of the C. elegans receptor by a similar human receptor restores the ability of low temperature to increase the lifespan of the nematode. A chain of events linking the receptor with the aging mechanism has been discovered in mice - for one of the pain receptors in neurons, the nerve endings of which entwine pancreas β-cells. Age-related activation of these receptors inhibits the work of insulin genes in β-cells. Problems with insulin secretion lead to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and type II diabetes, which can be regarded as one of the forms of senile phenoptosis. In conclusion, we consider the role of some psychological factors in the regulation of the aging program.

Estimating the strength of cement-stabilized clay (CSC) is crucial for efficient and reliable design of ground improvement. However, current strength models of CSC are inadequate for soft clay soils at high water contents. This paper proposes a new strength model of CSC based on a set of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) data. The experimental data indicate that the water–cement ratio alone cannot account for the strength variation effectively, and the initial water content of CSC should also be given more consideration. A power function of liquidity index was incorporated into Abrams’ equation to consider both cementation strength and clay fabric. The proposed model was shown to outperform existing models. For other clays in the literature, the power exponents of the proposed model vary over a narrow range, but the parameter q1(28d) varies significantly from 8,054 to 25,194 kPa. The values of q1(28d) were found to correlate well with clay activity and clay content. Hence, a multiple regression equation was established for q1(28d) using clay activity and clay content. Using the multiregression equation for q1(28d) and the mean values of power exponents, the proposed model can provide mean UCS estimates without the need for calibration tests. In addition, the mean UCS can be used to determine the characteristic UCS for preliminary design purposes, as specified in Eurocodes.

Somatic embryos are characterised by the absence of any protection, a very low reserve level and a high water content. The effects on the respiration and the radicular elongation of somatic embryos of a non toxic and easy to use hydrogel, such as alginate, have been studied. Respiration or germination rates decreased with an increase in alginate concentration. When the encapsulated somatic embryos were placed in a liquid medium, there was very little difference between the germination rates observed at different alginate concentrations, either with or without an additional PEI layer. The effect of capsule concentration on germination rate was significatively different when the artificial seeds were growing on solid media. Besides the anoxic treatment upon encapsulated somatic embryos, storage for one month also decreased the germination rate.

Since 2001 to 2005, cocoa bean price is high, this condition accelerates farmers to plant and enlarger their cocoa areas. The impact of this euphoria is the possibility that the planting area will be more marginal, i.e. high water table or soil with continuously high water content. This study was to evaluate cocoa planting materials tolerant to those condition. The experiment was conducted in glass house of Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute using RCBD, replicated 3 times. The treatments were factorial 10 x 4. The propelegitimate seedlings of 10 clones were the first factor, i.e. KW 165, KW 162, DR 2, DRC 16, GC 7, ICS 13, ICS 60, KW 163, Sca 12, and TSH 858. The second factor were soil water content, that were 100% (field capacity = control), 125%, 150%, and 175%. Watering method was gravimetric, once a month the volume was corrected by wet weight of the seedlings. The study was terminated after 5 month old. The result showed that growth of stem diameter, root dry weight and leaf number still normal until soil water content 25% above field capacity. At that condition, seedling dry weight dropped 13% below control, whereas at 175% treatment the decreasing of seedling dry weight was 34% below control. According to seedling and root dry weights, and chlorophyll content, by using cluster analysis it could be obtained a group of seedlings tolerant to high soil water content, i.e. DRC 16, GC 7, and ICS 60. Meanwhile, a group of seedlings susceptible to high water content, i.e. KW 165, KW 163, and DR 2. Stem diameter and chlorophyl content was good indicator for water logging tolerance reaction for cocoa seedling, its correlation to seedling dry weight were positive and tight. Key words: Theobroma cacao, seedlings, waterlogging, growth, chlorophyll.

Response of five types of soil to simulated compaction in the form of confined uniaxial compression tests

Researching the thermal characteristic parameters of alfalfa is of fundamental importance for accurately measuring heat transfer and distribution during the compression process. Therefore, the thermal characteristic parameters were measured using the transient plane heat source method. Additionally, the study examined the impact of moisture content and particle size on the thermal characteristic parameters of alfalfa. The experimental results indicated that the thermal conductivity of alfalfa increased with higher moisture content, and it decreased with the increase of particle size. Similarly, the specific heat capacity increased with higher water content, while the particle size had little effect on specific heat capacity. The thermal diffusion coefficient initially decreased and then stabilized with higher water content. Moreover, the influence of particle size on thermal diffusion coefficient was not significant. The obtained thermal characteristic parameters are valuable for investigating temperature changes during the densification process of alfalfa.

Dredged materials (DMs) with high initial water content are often generated during construction projects of ports and waterways, as well as during the dredging of rivers and lakes in China. The cement mixing method is commonly introduced to render these waste materials sustainable earthwork resources. In this study, phosphogypsum is used as a water reducing agent together with cement to stabilize the DMs at high water content. An unconfined compressive strength test, a scanning electron microscopy test (SEM), and a mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) test were used in combination to investigate the strength properties and microstructural characteristics of the stabilized dredged material (SDM). It is found that there exists an optimal phosphogypsum content when it is used to stabilize the DMs together with cement. SEM results showed that the strength of the SDM originates from the cementitious bonding and pore-filling of hydration products. MIP results further clarified that total pore volume, average entrance pore diameter, and Dp50 were suppressed with an increase in cementing material content and curing period. The strength properties and microstructural characteristics show a high consistency.

Hot air-assisted radio frequency heating effects on wheat and corn seeds: Quality change and fungi inhibition

Obesity: Much Silence Makes a Mighty Noise

Within the Zita¤ cuaro^Valle de Bravo (ZVB) region of the central Mexican Volcanic Belt (MVB), three lava series have erupted during the Quaternary: (1) high-K2O basaltic andesites and andesites; (2) medium-K2O basaltic andesites, andesites and dacites; (3) high-TiO2 basalts and basaltic andesites.The dominant feature of the first two groups is the lack of plagioclase accompanying the various ferromagnesian phenocrysts (olivine, orthopyroxene, augite, and hornblende) in all but the dacites. This absence of plagioclase in the phenocryst assemblages of the high-K2O and medium-K2O intermediate lavas is significant because it indicates high water contents during the stage of phenocryst equilibration. In contrast, the high-TiO2 group is characterized by phenocrysts of plagioclase and olivine.The spatial distribution of these three lava series is systematic.The southern section of the ZVB transect, 280^330 km from the Middle AmericaTrench (MAT), is characterized by high-K2Omelts that are relatively enriched in fluidmobile elements and have the highest Sr/Sr ratios. Medium-K2O basaltic andesite and andesite lavas are present throughout the transect, but those closest to theMATareMgO-rich (3 5^9 4 wt%) and have phenocryst assemblages indicative of high magmatic water contents (3 5^6 5 wt % water) and relatively low temperatures (950^10008C). In marked contrast, the northern section of the ZVB transect (380^480 km from the MAT) has high-TiO2, high field strength element (HFSE)-enriched magmas that have comparatively dry (51 5 wt % magmatic water) and hot (1100^12008C) phenocryst equilibration conditions. The central section of the ZVB transect (330^380 km from the MAT) is a transition zone and produces moderately light rare earth element (LREE) and large ion lithophile element (LILE)-enriched, medium-K2O lavas with phenocryst assemblages indicative of intermediate (1 5^3 5 wt %) water contents and temperatures. The high-K2O series compositions are the most enriched in LILE and LREE, with a narrow range of radiogenic Sr/Sr from 0 704245 to 0 704507, Nd/Nd values ranging from 0 512857 to 0 512927 (eNd1⁄4 4 27^5 63), and Pb/Pb values from 38 248 to 38 442, Pb/Pb values from 15 563 to 15 585, and Pb/Pb values from 18 598 to 18 688. The medium-K2O series compositions are only moderately enriched in the LILE and LREE, with a broader range of Sr/Sr, but similar Nd/Nd and Pb/Pb values to those of the high-K2O series. In contrast, the high-TiO2 series compositions have little enrichment in LILE or LREE and instead are enriched in the HFSE and heavy rare earth elements (HREE). The high-TiO2 lavas are isotopically distinct in their lower and narrower range of Nd/Nd. The isotopic variations are believed to reflect the upper mantle magma source regions as the low content of phenocrysts in most lavas precludes significant upper crustal assimilation or magma mixing, other than that represented by the presence of quartz xenocrysts (52 vol. %) with rhyolitic glass inclusions, which are found in many of these lavas.The systematic spatial variation in composition of the three lava series is a reflection of the underlying subduction-modified mantle and its evolution.

Porphyry indicator zircons (PIZs): Application to exploration of porphyry copper deposits

The moisture content of immersion vacuum-cooled sausages with modified casings containing citrus fruit extracts under different storage conditions was studied using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) associated with chemometrics. Different pre-processing combinations were applied to improve the robustness of the model. The partial least squares regression model, employing the full reflectance spectrum with pre-treatment of the standard normal variate, showed calibration coefficients of determination (Rc2) of 0.6160 and a root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) of 2.8130%. For the first time, prediction maps developed via HSI visualized the distribution of moisture content in the immersion vacuum-cooled sausages with unique modified casings in response to fluctuating storage conditions. The prediction maps showed exact parts with high water content, which will help us to monitor and prevent mold growth. The combination of HSI with multivariate analysis not only quantifies changes in moisture content but also visually represents them in response to various casing treatments under different storage conditions, illustrating the significant potential for real-time inspection and early mold detection in sausages within the processed meat industry.

Soil moisture is a known environmental factor influencing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and therefore represents an important variable in predictive models. Establishing relationships between soil CO2 emissions and soil moisture has long focused on the role of soil organic carbon mineralization by aerobic respiration. This approach, which generally yields a bell-shaped relationship establishing maximum CO2 production at moderate soil moisture, ignores anaerobic processes as a potential source of CO2. To decouple the effects of soil moisture and O2, we conducted a factorial batch experiment by incubating soil samples at different imposed moisture contents (30%, 45%, 65%, 80%, and 100% water-filled pore space; WFPS) at 25 °C, under both oxic (normal air) and anoxic (N2 atmosphere) headspace conditions. Gas fluxes measured in the oxic incubations show that CO2 fluxes were maximal (31.2 ± 1.8 nmol cm−3 soil hr-1) at moderate moisture content (65% WFPS), as commonly reported. However, contrary to previous models that predict negligible CO2 fluxes under fully saturated conditions due to O2 limitation, substantial fluxes of CO2 (18.1 ± 2.2 nmol cm−3 soil hr-1) were measured at 100% WFPS. In the anoxic treatments, CO2 fluxes rose sharply when the moisture content exceeded 65% WFPS, with values at 100% saturation (21.8 ± 2.2 nmol cm−3 soil hr-1), close to the corresponding fluxes in the oxic incubations. Methane (CH4) fluxes in the anoxic incubations increased over time, ultimately reaching parity with the CO2 fluxes at 100% WFPS. To reproduce the soil moisture dependence of the CO2 fluxes, we propose a kinetic model representing both aerobic and anaerobic CO2 production. Together, the gas flux measurements, porewater geochemistry data, and modeling results indicated that at soil moisture contents approaching saturation (≥90%), anaerobic processes were the major source of CO2 in the oxic incubations. Overall, we conclude that existing models may underrepresent soil CO2 production at high soil moisture by not considering anaerobic reaction pathways releasing CO2.

Researchers have documented significant skews in the primary sex ratios of avian offspring in relation to a variety of environmental and social cues. Zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata , in particular, adjust offspring sex ratio according to both the quality and quantity of available food, as well as male attractiveness. The mechanisms behind such manipulation of offspring sex remain elusive. Recent studies suggest that females with chronically elevated corticosterone levels (both naturally and artificially) produce significantly female biased offspring sex ratios. We tested the effects of a pharmacological dose of corticosterone or progesterone administered at the time of sex chromosome segregation on the primary sex ratio of zebra finch offspring to determine whether one or both hormones act on offspring sex at this critical period. Females were injected with 20 μg of corticosterone or 20 μg of progesterone five hours prior to the predicted time of ovulation of the 3 rd or 4th ovulating follicle. A third group of females were unmanipulated. The corticosterone treated group produced 72% males while the control group produced 37.5% in the 3rd or 4th ovulation of the sequence. Progesterone injections disrupted ovulation and oviposition in 90% of females. Corticosterone administration did not adversely affect oviposition or ovulation. Females injected with corticosterone had significantly elevated levels of corticosterone 20 min, 1 h and 2.5 h post‐injection and produced significantly more males compared to untreated females. Our results suggest that offspring sex ratios may be influenced at the time of meiotic division by acute exposure to corticosterone and provides evidence for the timing of this effect.

The progress of gametogenesis was studied in oysters Crassostrea gigas having the same origin (Tremblade), but cultured during 1 year in two distinctive French marine areas, the Baie des Veys and Marennes-Oléron. We assessed seasonal changes in the reproduction cycle on the basis of stereological techniques to estimate reproductive investment and measurement of gonad evolution area by quantitative histology. From a qualitative point of view, both oyster groups presented typical reproductive stages, but showed differential timing, in particular during the sequence of spawning and duration of the re-absorption stage. Oysters in Baie des Veys had a single partial spawning in August and a re-absorption stage that extended until winter. Oysters in Merennes-Oléron had a partial spawning in July and massive release of gametes during August. Spawnings in both the areas were related to maximum temperature (19°C). The quantitative analysis showed, on an annual basis, a higher reproductive investment by oysters from Baie des Veys, 86% against 53% in the other group. Larger gonads, higher gamete production, and more intensive spawning were the characteristics of oysters in Baie des Veys. Recently, the reproduction pattern and investment has been related with summer mortalities; therefore, a quantitative understanding of reproductive processes becomes necessary for C. gigas. Environmental conditions at each site may explain differences in the progress and intensity of gametogenesis. While temperature regulated the time and speed of gametogenesis, results suggest that the intensity was influenced by the quantity of available food but may need further research. However, nutrient recycling from unreleased gametes in the gonads of oysters from Baie des Vey is a factor to be considered in the results of this study.