Estimation of a reliable evapotranspiration model and crop coefficient in red gram ( Cajanus cajan L .) for semi-arid environments in India

The study aims to compute the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) by six standard methods such as Penman Monteith, Modified Penman, Hargreaves, Radiation Balance, Blaney Criddle and Pan Evaporation by using the meteorological data of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Water Management at Rahuri, India (long. 74° 18′, lat. 19° 45′). These methods were compared with lysimeter crop evapotranspiration (ETc) by statistical tools. The results revealed that the total lysimeter ETc of red gram in 132 days' growing period (sowing to harvest) was 494?mm and the ETo in the above-mentioned models were 485.2, 486.9, 544.6, 547.6, 563.9 and 485.2?mm, respectively. Out of six models, ETo of Modified Penman and Pan Evaporation methods were very much close to lysimeter ETc, but the coefficient of variation was very high, i.e., 43.05% and 23.91%, respectively. But in the Hargreaves and Blaney Criddle methods, the coefficient of variation was low, i.e., 15.97% and 12.6%, respectively. Besides low coefficient of variation, these two methods require limited meteorological parameters such as minimum and maximum temperature, radiation. For generating these parameters even at regional level, minimum expenditure is involved. The crop coefficient (Kc) estimated by Hargreaves (Kc 0.90) and the Blaney Criddle (0.87) model for the entire growing season was very much close to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) 56 model, and this can be used for estimating the irrigation requirement of red gram.     

Single-grain 40Ar-39Ar ages of glauconies: implications for the geologic time scale and global sea level variations

The mineral series glaucony supplies 40% of the absolute-age database for the geologic time scale of the last 250 million years. However, glauconies have long been suspected of giving young potassium-argon ages on bulk samples. Laser-probe argon-argon dating shows that glaucony populations comprise grains with a wide range of ages, suggesting a period of genesis several times longer ( approximately 5 million years) than previously thought. An estimate of the age of their enclosing sediments (and therefore of time scale boundaries) is given by the oldest nonrelict grains in the glaucony populations, whereas the formation times of the younger grains appear to be modulated by global sea level.     

Ultrasonographic characteristics of soft tissue tumours in dogs

Objective   To identify and describe the ultrasonographic features of soft tissue tumours in dogs.
Procedure   Superficial soft tissue tumours of various histological types, including mast cell tumours (MCTs) and soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), were evaluated. Ultrasound was used to visualise internal characteristics of the tumour, including vascularity. Tumours were categorised according to size, shape, margin definition, tissue plane mobility, echogenicity, echotexture, acoustic shadowing or enhancement and vessel distribution. Objective measurements of intratumoural blood flow included velocities and maximal perfused cross-sectional area (fractional area). Logistic regression models incorporating a variety of data were used in an attempt to predict the histopathological type of tumours.
Results   The logistic regression model defined by the parameters echotexture, margin definition and presence of subcapsular vessels was highly predictive of MCTs (> 73%; P = 0.024). Several other trends, including a larger size for STSs and less vascularity for both MCTs and STSs, were observed, but did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusion   This preliminary study has shown the potential diagnostic value of ultrasound in differentiating soft tissue tumours. However, at present, ultrasound cannot replace biopsy and histopathological evaluation for tumour diagnosis.     

Quantity of IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐10, INF‐γ, TNF‐α and KC‐Like Cytokines in Serum of Bitches With Pyometra in Different Stages of Oestrous Cycle and Pregnancy

The occurrence of the pyometra is most common in the first half of the dioestrus when there is decreased cellular immunity associated with increased serum concentration of progesterone in females. The aim of this study was to determine the immunological profile of bitches with pyometra, studying serum levels of IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐10, IFN‐γ, KC‐like and TNF‐α and comparing them with those of healthy bitches in anoestrus, dioestrus and pregnant. Forty females were divided into four experimental groups: group 1 (G1): with pyometra (n = 10); group 2 (G2): bitches in the second week of gestation (n = 10); group 3 (G3): in anoestrus (n = 10); and group 4 (G4): in dioestrus (n = 10). The serum levels for IL‐2, KC‐like, INF‐γ and TNF‐α were similar for all experimental groups. The values obtained for IL‐10 were found increased (p < 0.001) in animals in dioestrus and pyometra compared with females in anoestrus and pregnant, and the levels of IL‐4 observed were significantly greater (p < 0.001) in bitches with pyometra when compared with others. The cytokine profile in animals with pyometra is similar to bitches in dioestrus for IL‐10 and had increase in IL‐4 for bitches with pyometra, which represents an anti‐inflammatory these cases. This suggests the presence of an immunosuppressive state in both cases, which may explain the propensity of bitches in dioestrus to be affected by pyometra and the severity of the disease on these animals.     

Regulation of phagocytosis and [Ca2+]i flux by distinct regions of an Fc receptor.

The binding of multivalent immunoglobulin G complexes to Fc receptors (Fc gamma Rs) on macrophages activates multiple immune functions. A murine macrophage cell line, but not a fibroblast cell line, that was transfected with human Fc gamma RIIA mediated phagocytosis and an intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) flux upon cross-linking of human Fc gamma RIIA. Transfected macrophages that expressed a truncated receptor lacking 17 carboxy-terminal amino acids phagocytosed small antibody complexes. However, only wild-type transfectants phagocytosed labeled erythrocytes and fluxed [Ca2+]i. Thus, the cytoplasmic domain of human Fc gamma RIIA contains distinct functional regions.     

Woodland vegetation and its implications for archaeological survey using LiDAR

Archaeological surveys in woodland have always been problematicand many woodlands contain an unrecorded archaeological resource.For other types of rural landscape, aerial photographs are oftenused to map archaeological features but woodland cover has alwaysimpeded such disclosure. Remote sensing methods are rapidlyevolving and are used both within forestry and archaeologicaldisciplines for a range of applications. This paper considersthe exciting application of the remote sensing technique ofairborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to reveal archaeologicalevidence previously hidden below a woodland canopy. Our researchshows how different types of woodland canopy and understoreyvegetation greatly influence the effectiveness of the LiDARto perform these surveys. A simple, visual vegetation mappingassessment is tested and its ability to predict the potentialof the LiDAR considered. This work highlights the importanceof vegetation awareness when considering both a new LiDAR surveyfor a woodland, and when interpreting the data. Simple estimatesof LiDAR penetration of the woodland canopy and understoreyvegetation can be used to predict the effectiveness of a LiDARsurvey in disclosing archaeological evidence and aid the interpretationof results.     

Follicle Ablation Improves the Ovarian Response and the Number of Collected Embryos in Superovulated Cows During the Early Stages of Lactation

A field study was designed to compare ovarian response and embryo yield in cows during early lactation when gonadotropin administration followed one of four treatments. In group 1A (n = 19) and 1B (n = 9), the estrouses were synchronized by two prostaglandin F2alpha (PG) injections given 11 days apart, and starting from day 9 of the synchronized cycle superovulation was conducted with eight decreasing dose of FSH. In group 1B, ablation of all follicles >3 mm was carried out on day 8. In group 2A and 2B (each n = 9), a progesterone plus oestradiol intravaginal device (PRID) was inserted for 11 days and gonadotropin administration started on day 9, while cows from group 2B had a follicle ablation on day 8. In all groups, two PG injections were given along with the sixth and the seventh dose of FSH, and the cows were twice inseminated 12 and 24 h after estrus detection. Embryos were collected on day 7. In cumulative results from aspirated and non-aspirated cows, follicular ablation significantly improved: the ovarian response (10 +/- 1.23 vs 6.69 +/- 0.60 corpora lutea per donor), the mean collected embryos (6.57 +/- 0.94 vs 2.46 +/- 0.53) and the mean transferable embryos (4.43 +/- 0.89 vs 2.18 +/- 0.47). Group 1B and 2B cows had better ovarian response than 1A (6.44 +/- 0.81, 12.25 +/- 4.11 and 9.44 +/- 0.93, for groups 1A, 1B and 2B, respectively, p < 0.05). Similarly, from groups 1B and 2B more (p < 0.05) embryos were collected in comparison with their respective group, while the mean transferable embryos from group 2B (5.22 +/- 1.13) was greater (p < 0.05) than that of group 1A (1.67 +/- 0.35), and tented to be greater than those of groups 2A (3.44 +/- 1.19, p = 0.062) and 1B (3.00 +/- 1.78, p = 0.066). The highest (p < 0.05) transferable embryo collection rate was recorded in group 2B (55.29%), followed by that of group 1B (41.33%). In summary, early in lactation, an acceptable number of transferable embryos can be collected from high producing dairy cows, when follicle ablation prior to superovulation is combined with progesterone and oestradiol administration.     

Azole fungicides – understanding resistance mechanisms in agricultural fungal pathogens

Plant fungal pathogens can have devastating effects on a wide range of crops, including cereals and fruit (such as wheat and grapes), causing losses in crop yield, which are costly to the agricultural economy and threaten food security. Azole antifungals are the treatment of choice; however, resistance has arisen against these compounds, which could lead to devastating consequences. Therefore, it is important to understand how these fungicides are used and how the resistance arises in order to tackle the problem fully. Here, we give an overview of the problem and discuss the mechanisms that mediate azole resistance in agriculture (point mutations in the CYP51 amino acid sequence, overexpression of the CYP51 enzyme and overexpression of genes encoding efflux pump proteins). © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Growth and Feed Conversion of Juvenile Heterobranchus longifilis Fed Live Oreochromis niloticus with or without Artificial Feed

Growth and feed conversion were monitored in triplicate groups of the African catfish Heterobranchus longifilis (mean weight 11 ± 1.8 g) fed small (2.5–5.54 cm) tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and artificial feeds at various rates (treatments 1, 2, and 3), and tilapia or artificial feed (treatments 4 and 5, respectively). Artificial feed was a 42% crude protein commercial pellet. Live O. niloticus were fed at a rate of 4 g live tilapia/catfish/day. Pelleted feeding rate was 2%, 1%, 0.5%, and 1% of body weight thrice daily in treatments 1, 2, 3, and 5, respectively. After 70 days, mean weight was 180 ± 9.5 g, 157 ± 15.7 g, 147 ± 2.6 g, 77 ± 10.9 g, and 74 ± 10 g, in treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Treatment significantly affected SGR (% day^?1) (P < 0.03) and pelleted feed conversion ratio (P < 0.0003). FCR was 1.09 ± 0.01, 0.63 ± 0.08, 0.42 ± 0.11, and 1.12 ± 0.13 in treatments 1, 2, 3, and 5, respectively. Profit was highest (P < 0.01) in treatment 2. Tilapia consumption seems to improve utilization of artificial feed and may be a way for some catfish farmers to save money.     

Genetic Diversity Based on AIIozyme Alleles of Chinese Cultivated Rice

Genetic diversity was analyzed with 6 632 core rice cultivars selected from 60 282 Chinese rice accessions on the basis of 12 allozyme loci, Pgil, Pgi2, Amp1, Amp2, Amp3, Amp4, Sdhl, Adhl, Estl, Est2, Est5 and Est9, by starch gel electrophoresis. Among the materials examined, 52 alleles at 12 polymorphic loci were identified, which occupied 96.3% of 54 alleles found in cultivated germplasm of O. sativa L. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7 with an average of 4.33. The gene diversity （He） each locus varied considerably from 0.017 for Amp4 to 0.583 for Est2 with an average gene diversity （Ht） 0.271, mid Shannon-Wiener index from 0.055 to 0.946 with an average of 0.468. The degree of polymorphism （DP） was in a range from 0.9 to 46.9% with an average of 21.4%. It was found that the genetic diversity in japonica （Keng） subspecies was lower in terms of allele＇s number, Ht and S-W index, being 91.8, 66.2 and 75.7% of indica （Hsien） one, respectively. Significant genetic differentiation between indica and japonica rice has been appeared in the loci Pgil, Amp2, Pgi2, and Est2, with higher average coefficient of genetic differentiation （Gst） 0.635, 0.626, 0.322 and 0.282, respectively. Except less allele number per locus （3.33） for modern cultivars, being 76.9% of landraces, the Ht and S-W index showed in similar between the modem cultivars and the landraces detected. In terms of allozyme, the rice cultivars in the Southwest Plateau and Central China have richer genetic diversity. The present study reveals again that Chinese cultivated rice germplasm has rich genetic diversity, showed by the allozyme allele variation.