Physiological Analysis of Yield Variation in Mungbean (Vigna radiata [Roxb.] Wilczek)

Two mungbean varieties, Guj-1 and PIMS-1 differing in their productivity potential, were examined to investigate their photosynthetic system at various stages of growth in relation to yield with two different dates of sowing. Vertical leaves were found to be beneficial. On the other hand, excessive leaf area during the later stages of growth may be detrimental to yield. Lower LAD at seedling stage and overall high NAR values may be reflected in higher grain yield. NAR declined as season progressed and this, in turn, may be related with increase in LAI. The grain yield was considerably more at the first date of sowing as compared to second date of sowing, the effect was being more pronounced in var. PIMS-1 . Various environmental factors recorded at two different dates of sowing and at various stages of growth indicated that these factors may have influenced the yield potential at two different dates of sowing.     

The effect of hypervitaminosis D3 on the bones of the chicken. 2. Electron microscopic studies

In an experiment of 36 days duration 46 one-day-old chicks were divided into 5 groups and fed with different concentrations of vitamin D3. The animals of the group which lacked vitamin D3, showed the typical rachitic lesions. After a 15 days lack of vitamin D3 the chicks of another group were treated with standard food (2000 I.U. vitamin D3/kg food) with the consequence of an approximation of the analyzed parameters to those of the control group within 3 weeks. When fed with 60,000 I.U. of vitamin D3 after a 15 days lack of this vitamin, the animals showed an over-hasty healing process, ending up with signs of intoxication which were even more conspicuous when fed with 120,000 I.U. of vitamin D3. Besides an increasing calcification of osteoblasts and endothelial cell membranes as well as a degeneration of osteoblasts, a clear increase of eosinophilic granulocytes could be noticed. In all groups free erythrocytes within the ground substance were found. There was no evidence of necroses of osteocytes or of bone.     

The Content of β-endorphin-like Immunoreactivity in Porcine Corpus Luteum and the Potential Roles of Progesterone, Oxytocin and Prolactin in the Regulation of β-endorphin Release from Luteal Cells in vitro

The amount of β‐endorphin‐like immunoreactivity (β‐END‐LI) in porcine corpora lutea from several stages of the oestrous cycle and the effects of progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin on β‐END‐LI secretion in vitro by luteal cells were studied. Porcine corpora lutea obtained on days 1–5, 6–10, 11–13, 14–18, and 19–21 of the cycle were used to prepare extracts for β‐END‐LI determination. Additionally, corpora lutea from days 11–13 and 14–18 were enzymatically dissociated and isolated luteal cells were used for further study of β‐endorphin secretion in vitro. Cells were cultured in serum‐free defined M 199 medium (10⁶ cells/ml) at 37°C under 5% CO₂ in air, for 12 h. The influences of the following factors on β‐END‐LI secretion by luteal cells were tested: progesterone (10^–9, 10^–7 and 10^–5M ), oxytocin (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 ng/ml), and prolactin (0.1, 1, 10 and 100 ng/ml). The β‐END‐LI contents in extracts and media were measured by radioimmunoassay. The tissue concentration of β‐END‐LI was lowest on days 1–5 of the cycle (0.35 ± 0.03 ng/g wet tissue). Subsequently, it constantly increased to the highest value on days 14–18 (16.58 ± 0.52 ng/g wet tissue) and on days 19–21 it declined (11.10 ± 0.52 ng/g wet tissue). Progesterone at a low dose (10^–9 M ) resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increases and decreases in β‐END‐LI secretion by luteal cells from days 11–13 and 14–18, respectively. Higher doses of progesterone (10^–7 and 10^–5 M ) had no effect on β‐END‐LI release, compared with the control group. All dose‐levels of oxytocin used decreased β‐END‐LI secretion by luteal cells on days 11–13 and 14–18 of the cycle. Prolactin at doses of 0.1 and 1 ng/ml on days 11–13, and all doses tested on days 14–18 resulted in decreases in β‐END‐LI release from luteal cells. These results document evident changes in β‐END‐LI content in the pig corpus luteum during its development and indicate the potential roles of progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin in luteal cell secretion of β‐END‐LI.     

In situ radiometric mapping of soil erosion and field-moist bulk density on cultivated fields

Abstract. Recent developments in in situγ ray spectrometry offer a new approach to measuring the activity of radionuclides such as ¹³⁷Cs and ⁴⁰K in soils, and thus estimating erosion or deposition rates and field moist bulk density (ρ_m). Such estimates would be rapid and involve minimal site disturbance, especially important where archaeological remains are present. This paper presents the results of a pilot investigation of an eroded field in Scotland in which a portable hyper pure germanium (HPGe) detector was used to measure γ ray spectra in situ. The gamma (γ) photon flux observed at the soil surface is a function of the ¹³⁷Cs inventory, its depth distribution characteristics and ρ_m. A coefficient, Q_Cs, derived from the forward scattering of ¹³⁷Cs γ ray photons within the soil profile relative to the ¹³⁷Cs full energy peak (662 keV), was used to correct the in situ calibration for changes in the ¹³⁷Cs vertical distribution in the ploughed field, a function of tillage, soil accumulation and ρ_m. Based on only 8 measurements, the agreement between in situγ ray spectrometry and soil sample measurements of ¹³⁷Cs inventories improved from a non significant r²=0.05 to a significant r²=0.62 (P<0.05). Erosion and deposition rates calculated from the corrected in situ¹³⁷Cs measurements had a similarly good agreement with those calculated from soil cores. Mean soil bulk density was also calculated using a separate coefficient, Q_K, derived from the forward scattering γ photons from ⁴⁰K within the soil relative to the ⁴⁰K full energy peak (1460 keV). Again there was good agreement with soil core measurements (r²=0.64; P<0.05). The precision of the in situ¹³⁷Cs measurement was limited by the precision with which Q_Cs can be estimated, a function of the low ¹³⁷Cs deposition levels associated with the weapons testing fallout and relatively low detector efficiency (35%). In contrast, the precision of the in situ ρ_m determination was only limited by the spatial variability associated with soil sampling.     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the corneoscleral limbus in a dog.

Squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon tumor of the cornea in dogs. A 12-year-old Shih Tzu with a history of chronic keratoconjunctivitis sicca was diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma of the corneoscleral limbus. The lesion was treated by surgical resection and cryotherapy. One year after surgery, multiple tumors, apparently unrelated to the first tumor, appeared on the same cornea. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca may have predisposed the dog to corneal squamous cell carcinoma development.     

Iron and iron-binding capacity in the serum of clinically healthy horses

Serum iron concentration and iron-binding capacity were determined in 34 respectively 35 clinically healthy horses of different sex, with the age of 3 to 21 years. In the Warm blooded horse, the Half bred, the Haflinger horse, the Heavy horse and the Arabian Haflinger the mean serum iron concentration amounted to 253 +/- 66 micrograms/dl, 202 +/- 87 micrograms/dl, 166 +/- 67 micrograms/dl, 183 micrograms/dl and 366 micrograms/dl, while the iron-binding capacity in the Warm blooded horse, the Half bred, the Haflinger horse, the Thoroughbred, the Heavy horse and the Arabian Haflinger ran up to 427 +/- 55 micrograms/dl, 530 +/- 162 micrograms/dl, 422 +/- 63 micrograms/dl, 447 micrograms/dl, 467 micrograms/dl and 394 micrograms/dl. Regarding serum iron concentration no age or sex differences were ascertained, whereas they were obvious when observing the iron-binding capacity. Diurnal variations in serum iron concentration are pointed out. The quotient of the two examined parameters showed race-related differences. The results are presented in tables.     

Isoleucine requirements of the chicken: the effect of excess leucine and valine on the response to isoleucine.

1. Three experiments were designed to determine the response of broiler chickens to dietary isoleucine, and to quantify the antagonistic effects of excess leucine and valine on this response. 2. A dilution technique was used to measure the responses in growth rate and food intake to a range of diets differing in their isoleucine concentrations. A summit diet was formulated to contain isoleucine at 1.14 times the requirement and with leucine (1.76 times the requirement) and valine (1.87 times the requirement) at the minimum possible concentrations, given the ingredients available. A dilution mixture, devoid of protein, was formulated to correspond in all respects, other than in amino acid content, to the summit diet. These two basal diets were blended in different proportions to give a range of diets of decreasing isoleucine and protein content. 3. In experiment 1 the response was measured to isoleucine with leucine and valine remaining in the same proportion to isoleucine throughout the range of diets fed. In experiments 2 and 3, however, L-leucine and L-valine were added to the diets either singly or in combination to give 6 isoleucine concentrations and 3 ratios of each of leucine and valine to isoleucine. 4. Weight gain decreased as the isoleucine content of the diet was reduced, whereas food intake of broilers fed on the marginally deficient diets increased to a maximum and then decreased. FCE decreased curvilinearly as the isoleucine concentration in the food decreased, reflecting a concomitant change in the fat content of the broilers. 5. It is possible that the amount of dietary isoleucine assumed to be available to the broilers in these experiments was overestimated by hydrolysing the food samples for 72 h, and the doubt thus created makes an estimate of the efficiency of retention of isoleucine suspect. 6. Excess valine had no effect on the response to isoleucine, whereas an increase in the leucine to isoleucine ratio depressed food intake and hence weight gain, but only at the lowest concentrations of isoleucine. 7. If the food content of isoleucine is sufficient to meet the requirements of the broiler, relatively large excesses of leucine, of valine, or of both will not depress growth.     

Efficacy of AHR-13268, an antiallergenic compound, in the management of pruritus caused by atopic disease in dogs.

Twenty-nine pruritic, atopic dogs were entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy of an investigational antiallergenic compound, AHR-13268. Fourteen dogs were evaluated by a veterinary dermatologist (at intervals) and the owner (daily). Fifteen dogs were evaluated only by the owner. The mean (+/- SE) owner scores for pruritus, erythema, and lesions with placebo treatment (higher score = worse signs) were 3.24 (+/- 0.12), 2.73 (+/- 0.12), and 2.61 (+/- 0.09), respectively. With drug treatment, the corresponding scores were 2.89 (+/- 0.12), 2.50 (+/- 0.12), and 2.25 (+/- 0.09). Scores for pruritus and lesions (but not erythema) were significantly better with drug treatment than with placebo treatment. Investigator scores showed similar trends, but the differences were not great enough to be statistically significant. Overall, 11/29 (38%) owners reported their dogs had moderate or better improvement from drug capsules, and 4/29 dogs (14%) improved on placebo capsules. A variety of adverse effects were reported following both drug (9/29 dogs) and placebo (8/29 dogs) capsule administration, but were mild and well tolerated. Results of this study indicate that AHR-13268 has potential for empiric treatment of allergic inhalant dermatitis in some dogs.     

A test for interaction between brown trout (Salmo trutta) and inanga (Galaxias maculatus) in an artificial stream

Abstract –  The interaction between brown trout ( Salmo trutta ; fork length (FL) range 255–390 mm) and inanga ( Galaxias maculatus ; FL range 55–115 mm) was tested during summer through autumn in an artificial stream consisting of a single run-riffle-pool sequence with a natural food supply. Each experimental trial lasted for 15 days, and consisted of two brown trout and 50 inanga collected fresh from a nearby stream, with each species given prior residence in four replicate tests, totalling eight trials in all. In addition, two control trials (each 10 days), with 50 inanga in each, were run. Brown trout almost exclusively occupied the pool, whereas inanga occupied all habitat types, although in different proportions, when tested with and without brown trout. The proportion of inanga in the pool was appreciably lower in the experimental trials with brown trout than in the control trials with no brown trout; prior residence had no significant effect on inanga habitat use. Mortality of inanga attributable to predation by brown trout ranged from 0 to 40% with a mean of 14.5 ± 4.7%. The results suggest that habitat use and survival of inanga populations in small streams can be adversely affected by brown trout.     

The effects of straw disposal and depth of cultivation on the growth, nutrient uptake and yield of winter wheat on a clay and a silt soil

Abstract. Experiments were conducted for one year on two different soil types. On a clay soil straw was either (a) burnt, (b) baled leaving the stubble, or (c) chopped and spread. The soil was tine cultivated to depths of 5, 10 or 15 cm or ploughed to 20 or 30 cm before winter wheat was sown conventionally. In addition, a direct-drilled crop was sown after each straw treatment. On a silt loam soil the direct-drilled, tine cultivated to 15 cm and ploughed to 30 cm treatments following burning or chopping and spreading straw were repeated.
Tine cultivation incorporated less straw than ploughing, decreased plant establishment and early growth but did not decrease yield. Direct-drilling through chopped straw decreased yield on the silt loam but not on the clay soil. Short straw (< 5 cm) was easier to incorporate than longer straw. Ploughing was the most efficient method of straw incorporation because it inverts soil. Early effects on crop growth and nutrient uptake following straw incorporation were transient and associated with large amounts of straw in the seeded layer of soil.