Effect of allele combinations at Ppd-1 loci on durum wheat grain filling at contrasting latitudes

Flowering time is the most critical developmental stage in wheat, as it determines environmental conditions during grain filling. Thirty-five spring durum genotypes carrying all known allele variants at Ppd-1 loci were evaluated in fully irrigated field experiments for three years at latitudes of 41°N (Spain), 27°N (northern Mexico) and 19°N (southern Mexico). Relationships between weight of central grains of main spikes (W) and thermal time from flowering to maturity were described by a logistic equation. Differences in flowering time between the allele combination causing the earliest (GS100/Ppd-B1a) and the latest (Ppd-A1b/Ppd-B1a) flowering were 7, 20 and 18 days in Spain, northern Mexico and southern Mexico, respectively. Flowering delay drastically reduced the mean grain filling rate (R) and W at all sites. At autumn-sowing sites, an increase of 1°C in mean temperature during the first half of the grain filling period decreased W by 5.2 mg per grain. At these sites, W was strongly dependent on R. At the spring-sowing site (southern Mexico), W depended on both R and grain filling duration. Our results suggest that incorporating the allele combinations GS100/Ppd-B1a and GS105/Ppd-B1a (alleles conferring photoperiod insensitivity) in newly released varieties can reduce the negative effects of climate change on grain filling at the studied latitudes.     

A comparative study of mangrove ? oras in China and India

Species compositions in the mangrove habitats of China and India, especially on Hainan Island (China) and on the Sundarbans and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (India), are of interest, showing several similarities and differences. The total mangrove areas of India cover about 6419 km 2 with 43 species (23 major and 20 minor species), while the mangrove areas of China cover about 150 km 2 with 26 speices (19 major and 7 minor speices). We carried out a comparison of mangrove floras in the Indian Sundarbans, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and in Hainan Island. The mangrove areas of the Indian Sundarbans comprise about 66.5% of the total Indian mangroves, presently covering an area of 4267 km 2 with 35 species from 22 genera and 16 families. There are 34 species from 17 genera and 13 families in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Hainan Island is considered a distribution center of mangroves; it has the largest number of mangrove species in China, i.e., 25 species from 15 genera and 12 families, accounting for about 96% of the total number of mangrove species in China. The mangroves of Hainan Island and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands belong to island types, while those of Sundarbans belong to inter-tidal deltaic types. Differences in soil type, rainfall, temperature, tidal fluctuation and other climatic features possibly cause variations in floristic composition of these regions.     

Results of molecular analysis of an archaeological hemp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cannabis sativa</Emphasis> L.) DNA sample from North West China

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivation and utilization is an ancient practice to human civilization. There are some controversies on the origin and subsequent spread of this species. Ancient plant DNA has proven to be a powerful tool to solve phylogenetic problems. In this study, ancient DNA was extracted from an archaeological specimen of Cannabis sativa associated with archaeological human remains from China. Ribosomal and Cannabis specific chloroplast DNA regions were PCR amplified. Sequencing of a species-specific region and subsequent comparison with published sequences were performed. Successful amplification, sequencing and sequence comparison with published data suggested the presence of hemp specific DNA in the archeological specimen. The role of Humulus japonicus Sieb. et Zucc. in the evolution of Cannabis is also indicated. The identification of ancient DNA of 2500 years old C. sativa sample showed that C. sativa races might have been introduced into China from the European–Siberian center of diversity.     

Deconfined quantum critical points

The theory of second-order phase transitions is one of the foundations of modern statistical mechanics and condensed-matter theory. A central concept is the observable order parameter, whose nonzero average value characterizes one or more phases. At large distances and long times, fluctuations of the order parameter(s) are described by a continuum field theory, and these dominate the physics near such phase transitions. We show that near second-order quantum phase transitions, subtle quantum interference effects can invalidate this paradigm, and we present a theory of quantum critical points in a variety of experimentally relevant two-dimensional antiferromagnets. The critical points separate phases characterized by conventional "confining" order parameters. Nevertheless, the critical theory contains an emergent gauge field and "deconfined" degrees of freedom associated with fractionalization of the order parameters. We propose that this paradigm for quantum criticality may be the key to resolving a number of experimental puzzles in correlated electron systems and offer a new perspective on the properties of complex materials.     

Evaluation of the nutritive value of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal, inoculated with fish intestinal bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circulans in formulated diets for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings

Nine isonitrogenous (35% crude protein approximately) and isocaloric (18.37 kJ g^?1) experimental diets (RLL20–BCFL40) were formulated with either raw or treated (inoculated with fish intestinal bacteria) Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal at 20%, 30% and 40% levels replacing other ingredients partially from a fish meal based reference diet (RD). Two specific strains of fish intestinal bacteria, Bacillus subtilis (isolated from Cyprinus carpio) and B. circulans (isolated from Oreochromis mossambicus) having extracellular cellulolytic and amylolytic activities, were used to inoculate Leucaena leaf meal for 15 days at 37°C. The crude fibre, cellulose and hemicellulose contents and the antinutritional factors, tannin, phytic acid and mimosine in the leaf meal decreased due to inoculation. However, free amino acids and fatty acids increased in the treated leaf meal. The response of rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings fed the experimental diets for 80 days was compared with fish fed a RD. Both the inclusion level and type of Leucaena leaf meal in diets significantly affected the growth performance of rohu. Fish fed diets containing inoculated Leucaena leaf meal performed better in comparison with those with the RD. On the basis of growth response, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and apparent net protein utilization, diet formulated with 30%Leucaena leaf meal inoculated with B. circulans resulted in the best performance of rohu fingerlings followed by diet with 40%B. subtilis inoculated Leucaena leaf meal. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) was better in fish fed diets containing B. circulans inoculated leaf meal. An increasing level of raw Leucaena leaf meal was associated with a decrease in the carcass protein content of rohu fingerlings. The activity of α‐amylase increased with the increasing level of treated leaf meal in diets. Cellulase activity increased with increasing level of inclusion of raw leaf meal, and was comparatively lower in fish fed diets with treated leaf meal. Activities of protease and lipase were higher in fish fed the RD. The results showed that it is possible to incorporate Leucaena leaf meal inoculated with enzyme‐producing fish intestinal bacteria in carp diets up to 40% level of inclusion.     

Nutritional evaluation of organically grown fodders in lactating Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

A study was undertaken to evaluate the nutritional response of organically grown diets in buffaloes on nutrients utilization and nutrient efficiency for milk production. For this, ten milch Murrah buffaloes of average body weight (490.72?±?6.65 kg), milk yield (8.13?±?0.33 kg), and lactation stage (85?±?5.28 days) were distributed in inorganic (InDg₎ and organic dietary groups (OrDg) with five animals in each. Buffaloes of InDg and OgDg were fed sorghum hay–berseem fodder-concentrate mixture-based diets grown inorganically and organically, respectively. After 60 days of feeding, a digestion cum metabolism trial was conducted to assess feed intake, nutrient utilization, and N balance, while milk yield and composition were recorded fortnightly. DM, CP, digestible crude protein (DCP), and metabolizable energy (ME) intake (g/Kg w^0.75) were similar in animals of InDg and OrDg. NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose digestibility were (P?<?0.05) higher in animals on OrDg (59.20, 51.55, and 62.67) than InDg diet (54.57, 43.72, and 56.61 %), respectively. Urinary n loss (g/day) was (P?<?0.05) lower in OrDg (67.23) than in InDg (83.55); however, milk N was comparable in animals of both dietary groups (47.36 vs 45.82 g/day). Nitrogen balance was higher in animals of OrDg (39.72) than in InDg (28.08). DCP, TDN, and ME values of both diets were similar. No effect of diet was observed on milk yield and its composition; however, increased lactation length decreased milk yield. Buffaloes on both diets had similar efficiency and conversion ratio of nutrients for milk production. Results revealed that diets (organically vs. inorganically grown) have no effect on milk yield and its composition; however, buffaloes on organic diet have higher fiber digestibility and low urinary N loss which did not affect the dietary nutrients efficiency and conversion ratio for milk production.     

Biological properties of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) gonadotropins in female reproduction

The biological activities of catfish LH-like (semi-purified: s200a and purified Qa) and FSH-like (semi-purified: s200b and purified: Qb) were compared in intact and hypophysectomized female catfish, Clarias batrachus, during preparatory and the pre-spawning periods on vitellogenesis and ovarian maintenance, as well as in vitro final maturation of oocytes, germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). During preparatory period, in intact catfish, semi-purified FSH-like induced complete vitellogenesis through the production of estradiol-17β (E₂) and vitellogenin (Vg) accompanied by the formation of SIII yolky oocytes. On the other hand, semi-purified LH-like had induced the formation of only SII (characterized by the appearance of cortical alveoli in cytoplasm) oocytes, which indicates the initiation of vitellogenesis. In hypophysectomized female catfish, purified LH-like but not FSH-like induced the formation of SII oocytes in the ovaries. Treatment with semi-purified LH- and FSH-like at the dose level of 5 µg/fish/day for 7 days significantly maintained the yolky oocytes in gravid catfish after hypophysectomy with a significant reduction in plasma Vg, but not E₂ levels, indicating some unknown GtH-induced factor doing the job. In in vitro oocytes culture, both LH- and FSH-like induced GVBD, but the response was significantly more with LH-like than FSH-like. All these findings revealed that both LH-like and FSH-like have overlapping physiological functions, but their responses differ depending on the physiological status of the catfish.     

Empirical modelling of tensile strength of woven fabrics

Aesthetic properties of fabrics have been considered as the most important fabric attribute for years. However, recently there has been a paradigm shift in the domain of textile material applications and consequently more emphasis is now being given on the mechanical and functional properties of fabrics rather than its aesthetic appeal. Moreover, in certain woven fabrics used for technical applications, strength is a decisive quality parameter. In this work, tensile strength of plain woven fabrics has been predicted by using two empirical modelling methods namely artificial neural network (ANN) and linear regression. Warp yarn strength, warp yarn elongation, ends per inch (EPI), picks per inch (PPI) and weft count (Ne) were used as input parameters. Both the models were able to predict the fabric strength with reasonably good precision although ANN model demonstrated higher prediction accuracy and generalization ability than the regression model. The warp yarn strength and EPI were found to be the two most significant factors influencing fabric strength in warp direction.     

Induction of fertilizable eggs by conspecific vitellogenin implantation in captive female walking catfish,Clarias batrachus (Linn.)

The synthesis of vitellogenin (Vg) is induced by conspecific Vg (Vg1 and Vg2) and estradiol‐17β (E₂) as demonstrated by the pattern of ³H‐serine incorporation in the liver and plasma proteins. The incorporation studies indicated that the label was first incorporated into the liver after which it appeared in the blood in both E₂‐ and Vg‐treated male catfish. Since Vg was capable of inducing its own synthesis, experiments were conducted in females during preparatory–prespawning period (March–May) to make them gravid by implanting Vg pellets. Two implantations of 4 mg Vg1 pellets into female catfish with an interval of 15 days, followed by laboratory maintenance for 45 days of initial implantation showed a significant increment in ovarian weight with concomitant formation of yolky oocytes through synthesis and incorporation of Vg, whereas Vg2 implantation was not effective in this regard. Histological observation of yolky oocytes in Vg1‐treated group showed the peripheral migration of germinal vesicle (eccentric germinal vesicle), which indicates the onset of maturation. On 45th day, third implantation with 2 mg Vg pellets was performed and after 15 days, fish were hormonally induced with a single injection of hCG (2,000 IU/kg fish). Six groups were considered such as initial control, BSA‐implanted control, Vg1‐implanted, Vg2‐implanted, catfish collected from the field on the last day of the experiment and catfish collected during spawning period in this experiment with 3–7 fish in each group. Each of the experimental fish was sexually mature and the body weight was between 100 and 125 g. The percentage of ovulation and fertilization in the eggs of Vg1‐implanted group was 91% and 78%, respectively, which was almost similar to that of gravid female catfish collected during breeding period (July). The breeding performance in BSA‐ and Vg2‐treated females was very poor. The fertilized eggs were hatched in the laboratory conditions. Thus, in the female catfish, Vg1 not only induces vitellogenesis but also makes the oocytes viable for fertilization.     

Economic feasibility of high Omega-3 soybean oil in mariculture diets: A sustainable replacement for fish oil

ABSTRACT

The growth of global aquaculture has put intense pressure on sources of fish oil and fishmeal for aquafeeds. The nutraceuticals industry has added further pressure on fish oils with high Omega-3 fatty acids. GM soybeans could provide substitutes in high Omega-3 soybean oil (STA oil), as well as soy protein concentrate (SPC). This article examines the technological and economic feasibility of substituting STA oil for one-half the fish oil in the diet of Seriola rivoliana, a species often destined for sushi markets. Previous studies have shown that the substitution results in no change in flesh quality or consumer acceptance. We find that the two feed technologies result in essentially identical growth pattern and feed consumption. Economic feasibility depends upon the price of STA oil being lower than the price of fish oil. Based on our market analysis, we estimate that STA oil will enter the market at a price about two-thirds of the fish oil price. The estimated cost savings at these prices are small, a 2.8% reduction in feed costs and 0.9% reduction in total costs. However, the potential global market for STA oil could be as much as 252 thousand metric tons annually, which would require soybean production equivalent to that from 1.63% of current U.S. soybean area.