bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green synthesis of nanocapsules for self-healing anticorrosion coating using ultrasound-assisted approach
Authors: Bagale Uday D. , Sonawane Shirish H. , Bhanvase Bharat A. , Kulkarni Ravindra D. , Gogate Parag R.
Published: March 2018

The present work deals with the production of nanocapsules containing a natural corrosion inhibition component.Azadirachta indica wasencapsulated in urea-formaldehyde polymeric shell using ultrasound-assisted and conventional approaches of in situ polymerization. Subsequently nanocapsules were incorporated into clear epoxy polyamide to develop the green self-healing corrosion inhibition coating. The actual performance of the coating was evaluated based on the studies involving the repair of the crack of high solid surface coating. Corrosion inhibition of the healed area has been evaluated using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and immersion test based on the use of standard epoxy coating. The obtained results confirmed better corrosion protection in terms of the electrochemical impendence spectroscopy data and Tafel plot. It was found that current density decreases from 0.0011 A/cm2(for standard epoxy coating) to 5.22 E−7A/cm2as 4 wt% nanocapsules incorporated in coating.
Green Practices with Renewable Distributed Generation Technology in India
Authors: Kumar Manish , Samuel Cherian
Published: March 2018

In the modern electricity sector, power industries are facing the challenge to meet exponentially growing electricity demand with the constraint of reducing carbon emission. Overcoming these issues, the power sector is getting motivated to use decentralized renewable energy based renewable distributed generation (RDG) technology to meet growing demand and reduce carbon emission to meet the government environmental regulations and social equality. The role of management and small size generating units are playing as the key factor in the adoption of green RDG practices. In this work, authors identified factors influencing power sector to adopt green RDG practices through a survey in Indian power industries. After analysis of survey data, the role of government regulation as the most important factor in choosing environment friendly practices has been identified. A significant relationship has been shown between government regulations and managerial concern for using green RDG practices with apparent stakeholder pressures. Findings show that effect of factors influencing green RDG environmental regulation is significant. This analysis will help in the decision-making process to increase concern over green RDG practices.
Robotic colorectal surgery: more than a fantastic toy?
Authors: Toh James W.T. , Phan Kevin , Kim Seon-Hahn
Published: March 2018

There has been a rapid rise in the number of robotic colorectal procedures worldwide since the da Vinci Surgical System robotic technology was approved for surgical procedures in the year 2000. Several recent meta-analyses and systematic reviews have shown a significant difference in outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. However, these results from pooled data have not been supported by the initial results reported from the Robotic assisted versus laparoscopic assisted resection for rectal cancer trial. In this article, we examine the current evidence for robotic colorectal surgery, assess its features and functionality, evaluate its learning curve and provide our perspective on its future.
Subchronic oral toxicity study of Habb-e-Suranjan in albino Wistar rats
Authors: Ghazanfar Khalid , Dar Showkat A , Nazir Tazeen , Akbar Seema
Published: March 2018

Background

Habb-e-Suranjan (HS) is a Unani pharmacopoeial formulation used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The present study was carried to evaluate the toxic potential of HS in albino Wistar rats.

Methods

The subchronic was carried out at the dose levels of 2440 mg/kg of body weight in both sexes. The rats were observed carefully for any behavioral change for next 24 hours (hr) after the administration of the drug and daily twice thereafter till the completion of experimentation. Water/feed consumption and body weight were recorded on weekly basis. The rats were sacrificed on 91st day after overnight fasting. Blood was collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. The rats were dissected and organs were observed for any morphological changes. Organ samples were collected for histological studies.

Results

There were no incidences of mortality/morbidity found in any of the treated rats. HS caused no significant difference in the body weights as well as relative organs weights of treated groups when compared with the control groups. There were no significant changes found in any biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters that could indicate any signs of toxicity.

Conclusions

The study suggests that HS is safe and did not induce any adverse effect in rats.
Ist eine makroprudenzielle Regulierung des deutschen Hypothekenmarktes geboten?
Authors: Lerbs Oliver , Voigtländer Michael
Published: March 2018

Die Bundesregierung hat neue Instrumente der makroprudenziellen Regulierung für den deutschen Hypothekenmarkt geschaffen. Oliver Lerbs und Michael Voigtländer untersuchen die Notwendigkeit der Anwendung dieser Instrumente vor dem Hintergrund bestehender Finanzierungsgewohnheiten und Regulierungen. Angesichts der im internationalen Vergleich bereits als konservativ anzusehenden Ausgestaltung der Wohnimmobilienfinanzierung erscheint ein Einsatz makroprudenzieller Instrumente auf absehbare Zeit nicht erforderlich. Grundsätzlich sollten Entscheidungen hierüber regelgebunden auf Grundlage belastbarer Einzelkreditdaten erfolgen. Dafür bedarf es insgesamt eines besseren Monitorings des Immobilienfinanzierungsmarktes.
Debate Over the Economic Role of the State in Poland in the Works of the Representatives of the Kraków School, the Leviathan Organization and the First Economic Brigade in the Years 1919–1939
Authors: Jarosz-Nojszewska Anna
Published: March 2018

As Poland regained independence in 1918, it immediately had to deal with the question of how to shape its political and economic system. One important but at the same time controversial issue was the level of the state’s involvement in the economic life of the country and the measures used. In numerous debates among economists, the dominant topics included problems in the industry - in particular issues such as statism, monopolization, policy towards cartels and, in the later period, economic planning. The article presents the course of the discussion on the role of the state in the economy that took place in Poland in the years 1918-1939, as well as a review of arguments put forward by the proponents and opponents of state’s economic interventionism. For the purpose of this article, three groups that were most active in the debate were selected: the Kraków School, the Leviathan organization and the First Economic Brigade.
“In Order to Adapt the Consumption...”. The Creation of a Rationing System for Petrol in the Polish People’s Republic in the 1980s
Authors: Zawistowski Andrzej
Published: March 2018

In post-war Poland, rationing was introduced on three occasions: right after the war in 1945, then in 1951, and at the turn of the 1980s. In 1976, rationing cards for sugar were introduced, in 1981 - for meat, fats, cereal products, cleaning products and many other goods. Fuels were the last product added to this list. This article describes the process of introducing a rationing system for petrol in the Polish People’s Republic. Though the supply system crashed as early as 1981, it took several years to organize a rationing system for petrol. Its evolution did not end until 1984. This delay was caused by the long discussions on how the system should be built. This forced the authorities to introduce a whole range of temporary solutions which limited the demand in the short run, but had no soothing effect whatsoever on the society. To the contrary - the chaos they created intensified negative tendencies (such as speculation), led to market insecurity, and increased mistrust of state regulations.
Consumer Policy in Poland in the Period of Transformation
Authors: Malczyńska-Biały Mira
Published: March 2018

The article is based on an analysis of Polish and international legal acts, government programs and literature, and aims at presenting the concept and the scope of consumer policy in the period of systemic transformation in Poland. The publication features an analysis of the major factors shaping consumer policy in Poland in the years 1989-2004. Selected international legal acts affecting consumer protection in the years 1989-1997 were also analyzed. Elements of consumer policy present in selected governmental economic programs in the period of transformation were synthesized. It was assumed that consumer policy in the period of systemic transformation indirectly resulted from the economic policy of the government. Its shape was primarily affected by the social and economic transformation occurring since 1989 and the birth of free market economy. The process of adjusting the Polish legislation to the European Union standards, which began in 1991, and subsequent accession to the European Union in 2004 also played an important role.
Long-Term Depression Is Independent of GluN2 Subunit Composition
Authors: Wong Jonathan M. , Gray John A.
Published: March 2018

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) mediate both long-term potentiation and long-term depression (LTD) and understanding how a single receptor can initiate both phenomena remains a major question in neuroscience. A prominent hypothesis implicates the NMDAR subunit composition, specifically GluN2A and GluN2B, in dictating the rules of synaptic plasticity. However, studies testing this hypothesis have yielded inconsistent and often contradictory results, especially for LTD. These inconsistent results may be due to challenges in the interpretation of subunit-selective pharmacology and in dissecting out the contributions of differential channel properties versus the interacting proteins unique to GluN2A or GluN2B. In this study, we address the pharmacological and biochemical challenges by using a single-neuron genetic approach to delete NMDAR subunits in conditional knock-out mice. In addition, the recently discovered non-ionotropic nature of NMDAR-dependent LTD allowed the rigorous assessment of unique subunit contributions to NMDAR-dependent LTD while eliminating the variable of differential charge transfer. Here we find that neither the GluN2A nor the GluN2B subunit is strictly necessary for either non-ionotropic or ionotropic LTD.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNMDA receptors are key regulators of bidirectional synaptic plasticity. Understanding the mechanisms regulating bidirectional plasticity will guide development of therapeutic strategies to treat the dysfunctional synaptic plasticity in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. Because of the unique properties of the NMDA receptor GluN2 subunits, they have been postulated to differentially affect synaptic plasticity. However, there has been significant controversy regarding the roles of the GluN2 subunits in synaptic long term depression (LTD). Using single-neuron knock-out of the GluN2 subunits, we show that LTD requires neither GluN2A nor GluN2B.
All in the Family? Missionaries, Marriage, and Universal Kinship in Jane Eyre
Authors: Werner Winter Jade
Published: March 2018

Winter Jade Werner, “All in the Family? Missionaries, Marriage, and Universal Kinship in Jane Eyre” (pp. 452–486)

As a number of critics have shown, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre (1847) has as a central theme the analysis of certain essential contradictions in a constellation of ideas concerning kinship and race. In this essay, I propose that these contradictions—which receive fullest exposition in the missionary St John’s determination to wed his kinswoman Jane—gesture toward the history of these issues as they were enacted in missionary literature. Jane Eyre, this essay contends, roots itself in a fraught phase of the Protestant missionary movement: the brief period of time prior to the 1820s when missionary societies, eager to realize what they termed “universal kinship,” not only permitted but encouraged missionaries to enter into interracial marriages. These marriages, however, proved more reciprocal in influence than missionary societies had anticipated. Ultimately they undermined assumptions of British Christians’ “natural” superiority over “natives”—the very assumptions that underwrote missionary work in the first place. Unnerved by the reciprocity and openness these unions appeared to establish between spouses, missionary societies began discouraging intermarriage and dissociated conceptions of “universal kinship” from actual racial mixing. This period of controversy unifies the novel’s anxious focus on family formation and interracial marriage. In exposing how intermarriages worked to legitimate and problematize evangelical understandings of universal kinship, Jane Eyre ultimately suggests that there exists a crucial link between St John’s proposed endogamous union with his kinswoman and Rochester and Bertha’s intermarriage—the former becomes the conceptual alternative to the latter.
Does Religiosity Improve Tax Compliance? An empirical research based from gender
Authors: Budiarto Dekeng Setyo , Yennisa Yennisa , Widyaningrum Rohmyati
Published: March 2018

Religiosity and love of money plays an important role in determining individual compliance with tax regulations in developing countries. This research examines the influence of love of money and religiosity on tax evasion. In addition, it studies the relationship between love of money, religiosity, and tax evasion based from a gender. The research data were obtained from 8 private universities in Special Region of Yogyakarta with 207 samples and it uses convenience sampling. The number of samples was determined by convenience sampling method. Analysis data uses regression analysis. The results indicate that love of money has significant effect on tax evasion, while religiosity has no significant effect on tax evasion. There is significant difference between love of money and tax evasion from a gender perspective. The conclusion of this research is tax evasion in Indonesia determined by love of money and not given by religiosity. Moreover, sex is not an indicator in tax evasion and love of money.
Segregation of Job Duties and Types of Personalityin Responding the Risks
Authors: Rentor Antonius Bimo , Setiawan Amelia , Lusanjaya Gery
Published: March 2018

This study aims to analyze the implementation of tasks separation associating with analysis of personality. The object in this study consists of organizational structure and job description of employees in a credit department at one of the banks in Indonesia. This research uses a descriptive method that designed to collect data that describes characteristics of an interesting variable in a certain situation. Data collection consists of literature studies and field research and specific techniques that developed from field research including interviews, questionnaire collection, and field observation. The results show that placement of employees related to functions separation at Relationship Banking Officer unit in credit department does not meet management expectations. This unit has too many employees with various personality types and different respond to risks. Meanwhile, the employee placement at Account Officer unit in credit department has met the management expectation as well as the employee placement at Administration Staff Credit unit. It can be concluded that the procedure of function separation in credit department has been done in accordance with the criteria of the management.
Testing of Technology Acceptance Model on Core Banking System: A Perspective on Mandatory Use
Authors: Ambodo Burhan Suryo , Suryanto Rudy , Sofyani Hafiez
Published: March 2018

This study aims to examine the acceptance of Core Banking System (CBS) which is mandatory use software. The objects of this research are teller, customer service, and back office Branch of Bank BPD DIY Wonosari. Data were measured using Likert scale in five range value. A number of 49 data were analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS). The results showed that ease of use had no positive effect on symbolic adoption; attitudes toward usage and perceived conformance has a positive effect on symbolic adoption, ease of use and perceived compatibility has no effect on attitudes towards usage. Usability, satisfaction and compatibility that are felt to positively affect attitude toward usage. In the information technology model that is mandatory use, it is important to note the symbolic adoption of information technology therefore the performance of the user (employee/employee) can remain good. In particular for banking institutions that using CBS, it is important to improve the use of CBS, user satisfaction and CBS conformity with business processes, given the current banking business processes that are constantly expanding, there is no possibility of adjusting CBS to business processes at later.
The Effect of Internal Control Factors on the Accountability of the Auditor at the Inspectirate of Jombang District
Authors: Febriana Ludfa , Wardayati Siti Maria , Prasetyo Whedy
Published: March 2018

Government Regulation Number 60 of 2008 on Government Internal Control System is a manifestation of government commitment in order to improve the performance, transparency and accountability of state finance management and to clarify the role of internal control. This study aims at testing and analyzing the influence of internal control factors to auditors who work in the inspectorate of Jombang District. The population in this study are all auditors working in Jombang inspectorate which amounted to 35 auditors. The research sampling uses census method with unit of analysis as many as 35 auditors at Inspectorate of Jombang District. The type of this research is quantitative research using multivariate statistical analysis by using multiple regression analysis. The tests used are validity, reliability, and hypothesis testing. The result of the research proves that controll environment, management risk assessment, activity control, communication and information, and monitoring affect on auditor accountability in the Inspectorate of Jombang District. Based on the results and discussion of the research, the conclusion that can be taken is the auditor at the Inspectorate of Jombang District should pay attention and keep the compliance of internal control because it will make auditor accountability awake.
Ki67 proliferative index of the neuroendocrine component drives MANEC prognosis
Authors: Milione Massimo , Maisonneuve Patrick , Pellegrinelli Alessio , Grillo Federica , Albarello Luca , Spaggiari Paola , Vanoli Alessandro , Tagliabue Giovanna , Pisa Eleonora , Messerini Luca , Centonze Giovanni , Inzani Frediano , Scarpa Aldo , Papotti Mauro , Volante Marco , Sessa Fausto , Fazio Nicola , Pruneri Giancarlo , Rindi Guido , Solcia Enrico , La Rosa Stefano , Capella Carlo
Published: March 2018

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas (MANECs) are composed of a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and a non-neuroendocrine (non-NEC) neoplastic epithelial component, each representing at least 30% of the tumor. At present, prognostic factors for MANECs remain largely unexplored. We investigated the clinical-pathologic features of a large multicenter series of digestive system MANECs. Surgical specimens of 200 MANEC candidates were centrally reviewed; diagnosis was confirmed in 160 cases. While morphology, proliferation (mitotic count (MC), Ki67 index) and immunophenotype (p53, SSTR2a, beta-Catenin, Bcl-2, p16, Rb1, ALDH, mismatch repair proteins and CD117) were investigated separately in both components, genomic (TP53,KRAS,BRAF) alterations were searched for on the entire tumor. Data were correlated with overall survival (OS). MANEC sites were: 92 colorectal, 44 gastroesophageal and 24 pancreatobiliary. Median OS was 13.2 months. After adjustment for primary site, Ki67 index of the NEC component (but not of the non-NEC component) was the most powerful prognostic marker. At multivariable analysis, patients with Ki67 ≥ 55% had an 8-fold risk of death (hazard ratio (HR) 7.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.17–14.7;P < 0.0001) and a median OS of 12.2 months compared to those with Ki67 < 55% (median OS 40.5 months). MC (HR 1.51; 95% CI 1.03–2.20,P = 0.04) was a weaker prognostic index. Colorectal primary site (HR 1.60; 95% CI 1.11–2.32;P = 0.01) was significantly associated with poorer survival. No single immunomarker, in either component, was statistically significant. This retrospective analysis of a large series of digestive system MANECs, showed that the NEC component, particularly its Ki67 index, was the main prognostic driver.
Vps74 Connects the Golgi Apparatus and Telomeres in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Rodrigues Joana , Banks Peter , Lydall David
Published: March 2018

In mammalian cell culture, the Golgi apparatus fragment upon DNA damage. GOLPH3, a Golgi component, is a phosphorylation target of DNA-PK after DNA damage and contributes to Golgi fragmentation. The function of the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) ortholog of GOLPH3, Vps74, in the DNA damage response has been little studied, although genome-wide screens suggested a role at telomeres. In this study we investigated the role of Vps74 at telomeres and in the DNA damage response. We show that Vps74 decreases the fitness of telomere defective cdc13-1 cells and contributes to the fitness of yku70Δ cells. Importantly, loss of Vps74 in yku70Δ cells exacerbates the temperature dependent growth defects of these cells in a Chk1 and Mec1-dependent manner. Furthermore, Exo1 reduces the fitness of vps74Δ yku70Δ cells suggesting that ssDNA contributes to the fitness defects of vps74Δ yku70Δ cells. Systematic genetic interaction analysis of vps74Δ, yku70Δ and yku70Δ vps74Δ cells suggests that vps74Δ causes a milder but similar defect to that seen in yku70Δ cells. vps74Δ cells have slightly shorter telomeres and loss of VPS74 in yku70Δ or mre11Δ cells further shortens the telomeres of these cells. Interestingly, loss of Vps74 leads to increased levels of Stn1, a partner of Cdc13 in the CST telomere capping complex. Overexpression of Stn1 was previously shown to cause telomere shortening, suppression of cdc13-1 and enhancement of yku70Δ growth defects, suggesting that increased levels of Stn1 may be the route by which Vps74 affects telomere function. These results establish Vps74 as a novel regulator of telomere biology.
Linkage Disequilibrium Estimation in Low Coverage High-Throughput Sequencing Data
Authors: Bilton Timothy P , McEwan John C , Clarke Shannon M , Brauning Rudiger , van Stijn Tracey C , Rowe Suzanne J , Dodds Ken G
Published: March 2018

High-throughput sequencing methods provide a cost-effective approach for genotyping and are commonly used in population genetics studies. A drawback of these methods, however, is that sequencing and genotyping errors can arise...

High-throughput sequencing methods that multiplex a large number of individuals have provided a cost-effective approach for discovering genome-wide genetic variation in large populations. These sequencing methods are increasingly being utilized in population genetic studies across a diverse range of species. Two side-effects of these methods, however, are (1) sequencing errors and (2) heterozygous genotypes called as homozygous due to only one allele at a particular locus being sequenced, which occurs when the sequencing depth is insufficient. Both of these errors have a profound effect on the estimation of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and, if not taken into account, lead to inaccurate estimates. We developed a new likelihood method, GUS-LD, to estimate pairwise linkage disequilibrium using low coverage sequencing data that accounts for undercalled heterozygous genotypes and sequencing errors. Our findings show that accurate estimates were obtained using GUS-LD, whereas underestimation of LD results if no adjustment is made for the errors.
FROM HEAVY DUTY LUBRICANTS TO BIOBASED FLUIDS – LEGACY OF JOSEPH PEREZ
Authors: Asadauskas S. J.
Published: March 2018

Advancement in lubricant technology is driven by technical demands, oil market, innovations from related chemical areas and other conventional factors. Nevertheless, a personal impact of an individual scientist can also be very important. Few individuals can claim to have accelerated lubricant progress more than Dr. Joseph M. Perez, who initiated many new developments in lubricant technology and drove them to large scale implementation. Early in his career at PennState he worked on aerospace lubricants, developing highly efficient additives for supersonic planes. When working at Caterpillar he dealt with hydraulic fluids, gear oils and many heavy duty lubricants. During employment at NIST and upon return to PennState Dr. Perez realized the importance of vegetable oils. He pioneered many research directions for their applications, becoming directly involved in vegetable-based engine oils, hydraulic fluids, greases, biodiesel, elevator fluids and many other areas. His innovative thinking, enthusiasm and initiatives will be sorely missed by lubricant researchers.
On the Occurence in Romania of Potentillo albae-Quercetum petraeae Libbert 1933 Association
Authors: INDREICA Adrian
Published: March 2018

The paper presents a plant community of dry-mesic oak forests that is new to Romania, Potentillo albae-Quercetum petraeae Libbert 1933. This association belongs to Quercion petraeae alliance and its range extends over the subcontinental area of Central Europe. A multivariate analysis (cluster analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination) of a large phytosociological database was used to identify diagnostic species, interspecific associations and the gradient of species composition. Based on species composition and site parameters, a group of relevees in oak forests that correspond to the diagnosis of Potentillo-Quercetum was identified. The Romanian relevees corresponding to this association were previously assigned, pro parte, to Carici montanae-Quercetum Gergely 1962 and Quercetum robori-petraeae Borza 1959. The relations with these and other potentially related two associations, Genisto tinctoriae-Quercetum petraeae Klika 1932 and Quercetum petraeae-cerris Soó 1963, are discussed. The vegetation and site conditions of the Potentillo albae-Quercetum association in Romania are illustrated in a phytosociological table with 25 relevees and a distribution map is provided.
The Analysis of Different Factors Affecting the Red Wines Antioxidant Content
Authors: HOSU Anamaria D. , CIMPOIU Claudia , POP Nastasia , MICLAUS Vasile , BOLBOACĂ Sorana D. , JÄNTSCHI Lorentz
Published: March 2018

The benefits of moderate consumption of wines consist in the protective effects against cardiovascular diseases and anticarcinogenic is associated with their antioxidants content. There are plenty of analytical methods for assessing the antioxidant content of wines but unfortunately, there is not a standardized method. The antioxidant content of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Merlot’ and ‘Pinot Noir’ wines obtained from cultivated grapes varieties from Recas and Minis Romanian vineyard from different harvesting years were investigated. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, using the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine-N-oxyl (Tempol) free stable radical, was used to determine the antioxidant content of wines. Measurements were done in order to analyze the effects of the grape varieties, the harvesting year and the vineyard on the antioxidant content of wines. The obtained results revealed that the antioxidant content of studied red wines depends on the harvesting year of grape, the grape variety and on the vineyard. Using the observed values of the antioxidant content, a relationship was identified between the antioxidant content of wines and the harvesting year of grapes. Furthermore, the designed generalized nonlinear model revealed that the antioxidant content of wine depends on the combined effect of the grape variety and the vineyard, besides the year, the grape variety and the vineyard.
The Effect of Different Factors upon the in vitro Propagation in Quercus robur and Q. frainetto by Somatic Embryogenesis
Authors: TIMOFTE Adrian Ioan , PAMFIL Doru , PALADA-NICOLAU Magdalena , TIMOFTE Claudia Simona
Published: March 2018

The somatic embryogenesis is an advanced method for clonal propagation and a useful tool for ex situ conservation of genetic resources. In this paper, the results of an experiment to investigate the influence of development stage of explants and culture medium on the germination percentage in two oak species (three provenances of Quercus robur and two provenances of Q. frainetto), are presented. A high significant influence of the development stage of explants and a significant influence of the interaction provenance x stage on the germination percentage were recorded for Q. robur explants, whilst no significant differences between the germination percentages against the nutritive media used were fould for both oak species.
Genotype x Environment Interaction and Yield-Stability Analyses of Rice Grown in Tropical Inland Swamp
Authors: NASSIR Adesola L. , ARIYO Omolayo J.
Published: March 2018

Twelve rice varieties were cultivated in inland hydromorphic lowland over a four year-season period in tropical rainforest ecology to study the genotype x environment (GxE) interaction and yield stability and to determine the agronomic and environmental factors responsible for the interaction. Data on yield and agronomic characters and environmental variables were analyzed using the Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI), Genotype and Genotype x Environment Interaction, GGE and the yield stability using the modified rank-sum statistic (YSi). AMMI analysis revealed environmental differences as accounting for 47.6% of the total variation. The genotype and GxE interaction accounted for 28.5% and 24% respectively. The first and second interaction axes captured 57% and 30% of the total variation due to GXE interaction. The analysis identified ‘TOX 3107’ as having a combination of stable and average yield. The GGE captured 85.8%of the total GxE. ‘TOX 3226-53-2-2-2’ and ‘ITA 230’ were high yielding but adjudged unstable by AMMI. These two varieties along with ‘WITA 1’ and ‘TOX 3180-32-2-1-3-5’ were identified with good inland swamp environment, which is essentially moisture based. The two varieties (‘TOX 3226-53-2-2-2’ and ‘ITA 230’), which were equally considered unstable in yield by the stability variance, ?2i, were selected by YSi in addition to ‘TOX 3107’, ‘WITA 1’, ‘IR 8’ and ‘M 55’. The statistic may positively complement AMMI and GGE in selecting varieties suited to specific locations with peculiar fluctuations in environmental indices. Correlation of PC scores with environmental and agronomic variables identified total rainfall up to the reproductive stage, variation in tillering ability and plant height as the most important factors underlying the GxE interaction. Additional information from the models can be positively utilized in varietal development for different ecologies.
QTL Mapping for Days to Flowering under Drought Condition in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genome
Authors: CHAKRABORTY Supriyo , ZENG Zhao Bang
Published: March 2018

QTL for days to flowering in rice under drought condition were mapped using a DH population derived from a cross between a deep-rooted upland adapted japonica genotype CT9993-5-10-1-M and a lowland adapted shallow-rooted moderately drought tolerant indica genotype IR62266-42-6-2. QTL mapping was performed following three different mapping models viz. simple (SIM), composite (CIM) and multiple mapping model (MIM) using WinQTL Cartographer version 2.5.006. SIM located 12 QTL for days to flowering spread over nine chromosomes whereas CIM and MIM each located 5 QTL with a threshold LOD score of 2.5. A comparison of the QTL detected by three different models identified five QTL that were common across at least two models for days to flowering. In MIM analysis, the detected QTL (qHD-1-b) between flanking markers (RG109 – ME1014) located on chromosome 1 recorded positive effect (1.4090) but the remaining four QTL had negative effect. The QTL (qHD-3-a) detected between flanking markers (RG104 – RG409) by both MIM and SIM in the present study was also reported earlier as linked with the marker RG104. The five common QTL detected by at least two models could be considered as stable QTL for days to flowering under drought and might be of practical use in marker assisted selection.
Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid on Chlorophyll, Photosynthesis, Soluble Sugar and Flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba
Authors: XU Feng , CHENG Shuiyuan , ZHU Jun , ZHANG Weiwei , WANG Yan
Published: March 2018

The flavonoid content determines the quality of Ginkgo biloba that can be increased by using of plant growth regulators. The objective of study was to observe the effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a key precursor in the biosynthesis of porphyrins and a new plant growth regulator, on photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll and soluble sugar content, flavonoid accumulation, and flavonoid enzyme activity in G. biloba leaves. The ginkgo seedlings were grown in greenhouse conditions under low levels (10 and 100 mg l-1) of foliar application of ALA. Photosynthetic rates of leaves increased significantly at day 4 in response to both ALA concentrations and remained elevated as compared to control for further 12 days. Chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents were significantly increased by day 4 and continued to increase by day 16; however, Chl a/b ratio remained unchanged. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) activities were increased from day 4 to 16 after ALA treatment. The increase in chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents, and activities of flavonoid enzymes (PAL, CHS and CHI) were likely to be closely associated with improvement of the accumulation of total polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and advance of leaf quality by ALA treatment. Foliar treatment with a low concentration of ALA therefore, might provide a useful means of improving pharmacological properties of G. biloba leaves.
Effect of Microelements and Selenium on Superoxide Dismutase Enzyme, Malondialdehyde Activity and Grain Yield Maize (Zea mays L.) under Water Deficit Stress
Authors: SAJEDI Nourali , MADANI Hamid , NADERI Ahmad
Published: March 2018

This study was carried out to investigate effects of microelements under water deficit stress at different growth stages on antioxidant enzyme alteration, chemical biomarker and grain yield of maize in the years 2007 and 2008. The experiment was conducted in a split plot factorial based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. There were three factors, water deficit stress at different stages of growth as main plot and combinations of selenium (with and without using) and microelements (with and without using) as sub plots. The result indicated that the activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde content under water deficit stress increased, but grain yield was reduced. The highest grain yield was obtained from optimum irrigation, while in the case of with water deficit stress at V8 stage it was non significant. Selenium spray increased activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme, malondialdehyde content of leaves in V8, R2 and R4 stages and also grain yield. Application of microelements increased the leaves superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and malondialdehyde content. Selenium and microelements spray under water deficit stress conditions during vegetative growth and dough stage increased grain yield in comparison to not spraying elements under water stress conditions. The present results also showed that by using selenium and microelements under water stress can obtain acceptable yield compared to not using these elements.
Field Performance of Differentially Deteriorated Seed Lots of Maize (Zea mays) under Different Irrigation Treatments
Authors: GHASSEMI-GOLEZANI Kazem , DALIL Bahareh , MOGHADDAM Mohammad , RAEY Yaeghoob
Published: March 2018

A sub-sample of maize (cv. KSC301) seeds was kept as control or vigorous seed lot and two other sub-samples with about 16% moisture content were artificially deteriorated at 40C for 16 and 18 days. The three seed lots had seed viabilities of 99% (V1), 91% (V2) and 79% (V3). Laboratory tests were carried out as CR design with four replicates. However, the field experiment was conducted as factorial based on RCB design with three replicates to investigate the performance of differentially deteriorated seed lots under four irrigation treatments (irrigation after 70, 90, 110 and 130 mm evaporation from class A pan). Germination and emergence times significantly increased with increasing seed deterioration, but mean viability percentage, seedling dry weight, seedling emergence and protein and grain yields decreased as seed deterioration increased. Even plants from less deteriorated seed lot (V2) with acceptable germination (91%) showed 25.1% reduction in grain yield per unit area. The superiority of V1 to V2 seeds of maize increased as water limitation increased. Protein yield was also decreased as a result of seed deterioration. Seedling dry weight highly correlated with the field emergence and grain and protein yields. Thus, it is necessary to produce and cultivate high vigor seeds of maize, in order to ensure satisfactory yield achievement, particularly under adverse environmental conditions.
Aluminum Affects the Antioxidant Activity of Tobacco Cells and the Expression of Salicylate-Induced Protein Kinase (SIPK)
Authors: PAYEZ Atefeh , GHANATI Faezeh , SEYEDI Seyed Mahdi
Published: March 2018

It has been shown that Aluminum (Al) toxicity results in over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Despite the fact that ROS can induce MAPK activation, no direct genetic evidence has linked ROS-induced MAPK activation with Al toxicity. The effect of Al on the activation of antioxidant systems in connection with the expression of salicylate-induced protein kinase (SIPK), was examined in tobacco cells. Suspension-cultured tobacco cells (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. â€˜Barley 21â€™) were treated with or without 80 Î¼M Al. Certain parameters related to antioxidant activity were measured. A MAPKK inhibitor (PD98059) was also applied together with or without Al treatments and semi quantitative RT-PCR was applied to show the expression level of the SIPK gene. Treatment with Al rapidly increased the radical scavenging capacity of cells, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and expression of the SIPK gene, as compared to the control cells. In the presence of Al + PD98059, a decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities was observed, compared to those cells which were treated only with Al. These results suggested that a short treatment with Al induced the activity of certain antioxidant enzymes in tobacco cells and that this response was mediated by a MAPK signal transduction pathway.
Modelling of the Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) Sprouting Reaction to Temperature in Farm Condition
Authors: AJAM NOROUZI Hosein , VAZIN Farshid
Published: March 2018

The main goal of this study is to developa Faba bean plant sprouting model that includes a cardinal temperature determination and a required biologic day for Faba bean sprouting ( or to determine the Faba bean sprouting reaction to temperature). For this purpose, in a farm test, 4 cultivars of Faba bean plants (Barekat, Saraziri, Eraghi and Gavi) were cultivated on 11 sowing dates (one in each month ) and the required days to their sprouting were recorded. Beta, curve, quadratic and Sawtooth models were used to describe relationship between the sprouting rate and the temperature . To select the best model, it has been used an average root mean square deviation (RMSD), an R square (R2), simple linear regression coefficients (a and b) and a correlation coefficient (r). The results showed that the Faba bean sprouting reaction to temperature was better described by a Piecewise function. The estimation of the cardinal temperature by a Piecewise function indicated that the base temperature varies from 0.98C to 1.61C, and the optimum temperature varies from 24.99C to 28.8C for the different cultivars of Faba bean plants, but the ceiling temperature for all the cultivars was estimated at 35 degree centigrade. Also, the required biologic day estimation for sprouting as determined by the Piecewise model showed a significant difference between the cultivars, as the Gavi cultivars (which are smaller) germinated after 6.65 days (maximum rate is 0.09). For the other cultivars, the required biologic day fell between 8.60 and 9.31 days. The obtained data can be used to predict Faba bean sprouting in different temperature conditions.
Improvement of Root System Architecture in Peach (Prunus persica) Seedlings by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Related to Allocation of Glucose/Sucrose to Root
Authors: WU Qiang-Sheng , LI Guo-Huai , ZOU Ying-Ning
Published: March 2018

Root system architecture (RSA) is used to describe the spatial configuration of a root system in the soil, which substantially determines the capacity of a plant to take up nutrients and water. The present study was to assess if arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Glomus mosseae, G. versiforme, and Paraglomus occultum would alter RSA of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) seedlings, and the alteration due to mycorrhization was related to allocation of glucose/sucrose to root (Aglucose/sucrose). Inoculation with G. mosseae and G. versiforme significantly increased leaf, stem, root and total fresh weights, compared with non-AMF treatment. Mycorrhizal alterations of RSA in peach plants were dependent on AMF species, because only G. mosseae and G. versiforme but not P. occultum markedly increased root length, root projected area, root surface area and root volume. For the distribution of root length classes, AMF mainly increased 0-1 and 3-4 cm root length classes, which is AMF species dependent. Inoculated seedlings with Glomus species recorded significantly higher root sucrose and leaf and root glucose concentrations and lower root sucrose concentrations than un-inoculated control. Compared with the non-AMF treatment, G. mosseae and G. versiforme generally increased the Aglucose and Asucrose, but P. occultum significantly decreased the Aglucose and Asucrose. Asucrose or Aglucose was significantly positive correlated with root length, root projected area and root surface area. The results suggest that AMF modified variables of RSA in peach, which is AMF species dependent and related to Aglucose and Asucrose.
Genetic Comparison of Pinus brutia Ten. Populations from Different Elevations by RAPD Markers
Authors: KURT Yusuf , BILGEN Behiye B. , KAYA Nuray , ISIK Kani
Published: March 2018

Turkish Red Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) is an important forest tree species in Turkey for various economic and ecological reasons. In this study, nine RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) primers were used to determine genetic variation within and among populations of P. brutia located at the Duzlercami common-garden test site. This site was established in 1979 and includes six natural populations of P. brutia from two altitudinal transects extending from the coast to higher elevations in the Antalya region of Turkey. A total of 32 polymorphic RAPD loci were found in the analyzed six populations. The mean proportion of polymorphic loci among population samples equals 100%, mean number of alleles for each locus = 2.0, effective allele number = 1.71, Shannon’s information index = 0.58, and mean Nei (1973)’s gene diversity value = 0.4. According to GST results, a high proportion of genetic diversity (95-99%) is found within populations. A relatively high genetic differentiation was found among altitudinal population pairs in both transect. Also, data on quantitative traits (total height and/or diameter) at different ages (13, 17, 30 years) were compared with molecular data. There are similarities between the results obtained from RAPD markers and those obtained from the quantitative traits. The differentiation in quantitative traits appears to be due to local adaptation of populations. Data suggest that priority should be given to the selection of material based on geographic origin along the altitudinal gradients of P. brutia populations to conserve the genetic resource of species.
Comparative Fingerprint and Extraction Yield of Medicinal Herb Phenolics with Hepatoprotective Potential, as Determined by UV-Vis and FT-MIR Spectroscopy
Authors: ZAVOI Simona , FETEA Florinela , RANGA Floricuta , POP Raluca M. , BACIU Anca , SOCACIU Carmen
Published: March 2018

The present study was aimed to compare the polyphenolic composition of six medicinal herbs, from wild flora of Romania. The plants investigated, Cynara scolimus (artichoke), Taraxacum officinalis (dandelion), Chelidonium majus (celandine), Hypericum perforatum (St. Johnâ€™s wort), Silybum marianum (Mary thistle) and Lycopodium clavatum (Wolfâ€™s claw) are known, to have hepatoprotective action. Using in parallel glycerol-water, ethanol-water and methanol, the solvent-dependence of the extract fingerprint and composition in bioactive molecules was studied by UV-Vis and Infrared (FT-MIR) spectrometry. The extraction yields, calculated as an extraction factor (EF) were superior in acidic methanol comparative to glycerin and ethanol, favorising the increase in phenolic acids against flavonoid derivatives . Based on the differences of polarity between the three solvents used, higher EF values were obtained for dandelion, artichoke, celandine and St. John wort, more rich in phenolic acids than flavonoids. Mary thistle and Wolfâ€™s claw had lower concentrations of phenolics, but higher content of lignans and terpenoids. Based on the FT-MIR peaks from 8 regions, for each plant extract, has been determined the fingerprint region between 900 and 1500 cm-1and identified the specific functional groups. A good, significant correlation was found between the concentration of total phenolics calculated by UV-Vis spectrometry and FTIR methods, after calibration with gallic acid. The value of the MIR signal at 1743 cm-1 may be considered a good indicator of phenolics concentration in such extracts. Combined UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy are recommended as rapid and reliable tools to investigate the fingerprint and to predict the composition of medicinal plants or to evaluate the quality and authenticity of different standardized formulas.
Sustainable Management of Nardus stricta L. Grasslands in Romaniaâ€™s Carpathians
Authors: VINTU Vasile , SAMUIL Costel , SIRBU Culita , POPOVICI Constantin Iulian , STAVARACHE Mihai
Published: March 2018

The grassland area of Romania covers over 4.8 million hectares, of which more than a half are located in upland areas. In the present research it has been studied the influence of organic fertilization on the productivity, vegetal canopy and fodder quality of the intramontane Depression of Vatra Dornei, from the North-Eastern Romanian Carpathians, at rates of 20-50 Mg ha-1, applied either on a yearly basis, or every two years. The purpose of this study is to underline the dynamics of productivity and phytocenosis biodiversity, due to the application of some practical, technical measures meant to improve the production and fodder quality of Nardus stricta L. permanent grasslands, with minimal effects on the environment. The organic fertilizer rates triggered changes in the canopy structure by reducing the percentage of Nardus stricta L species, from 70% to 14-31%, and increasing the percentage of legumes, as well as the productivity and fodder quality 5-30%, respectively.