Characterization of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Roots Versus Root Pulling Resistance as Selection Indices for Draught Tolerance

A technique described as Root Pulling Resistance (RPR) was used to evaluate genotypic differences in root growth and development of 50 rice germplasm accessions and cultivars. Several root characteristics in rice are associated with drought tolerance and avoidance capability of plants. The RPR measurements showed a significant positive correlation with maximum root length (r=0.69), root thickness (r=0.75), branching number (r=0.75), and root dry weight (r= 0.82). Rice genotypes that had a high RPR value were identified as having longer, thicker, and denser root systems. The data indicated that high RPR measurements are strongly correlated with greater root penetration. Munji Sufaid Pak, IR52 (IR5853-1 18-5) and Saunfia or Mabla Pak 329 had a significantly greater root length, root thickness, root number, root branching and dry weight as compared to IR 36. Also, there was no correlation between plant height and RPR. Furthermore, the data demonstrated that the RPR technique is ideal for selecting superior root systems and potential drought tolerant rice germplasm and cultivars

The Regge-plus-resonance model for kaon production on the proton and the neutron

The Regge-plus-resonance (RPR) framework for kaon photoproduction on the proton and the neutron is an economical single-channel model with very few parameters. Not only does the RPR model allow one to extract resonance information from the data, it has predictive power. As an example we show that the RPR model makes fair predictions for the $p(e,e'K^{+})\Lambda$ and the $n(\gamma,K^{+})\Sigma ^{-}$ observables starting from amplitudes optimized for the reaction $p(\gamma, K ^{+})\Lambda$ and $p(\gamma,K^{+})\Sigma ^{0}$ respectively

Cost utility analysis of diagnostic method of syphilis

Presently, the diagnosis of syphilis is dependent mainly on serological tests. The most widely used screening tests for syphilis are the VDRL and the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and for confirmation, the fluorescent treponemal antibody (FTA) and the treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) tests. The four alternative modes for diagnosis of syphilis can be a) VDRL + FTA, b) VDRL + TPHA, c) RPR + FTA and d) RPR + TPHA. Here the author reports an evaluation of cost utility of these tests in medical practice. It is shown that the cost per accurate diagnosis with VDRL + TPH is the least expensive choice. Therefore, this alternative is the best method for serological diagnosis for syphilis, based on medical laboratory economics principles

Electroproduction of kaons from the proton in a Regge-plus-resonance approach

We present a Regge-plus-resonance (RPR) description of the p(e,e'K^+)Y processes (Y=\Lambda,\Sigma^0) in the resonance region. The background contributions to the RPR amplitude are constrained by the high-energy p(\gamma, K^+)Y data. As a result, the number of free model parameters in the resonance region is considerably reduced compared to typical effective-Lagrangian approaches. We compare a selection of RPR model variants, originally constructed to describe $KY$ photoproduction, with the world electroproduction database. The electromagnetic form factors of the intermediate N^*s and $\Delta^*s are computed in the Bonn constituent-quark model. With this input, we find a reasonable description of the p(e,e'K^+)Y data without adding or readjusting any parameters. It is demonstrated that the electroproduction response functions are extremely useful for fine-tuning both the background and resonant contributions to the reaction dynamics.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures; added discussion on double counting in the RPR model; accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

A Method to Assess Neurological Effectiveness of a Spinal Adjustment for an Individual Patient: A Descriptive Study

Introduction: A hallmark in health care research is comparison, typically done by comparing groups of patients, e.g., intervention group versus no intervention group. The clinician may be interested in bringing these research methods to the level of the individual patient in practice. Such is done in the present study, where the neurological indicator of resting pulse rate (RPR) is compared pre versus post spinal adjustment, and also compared to instances of no adjustment – for one individual patient. Research indicates that a lower RPR is healthier than a higher RPR.Methods: Neurological disturbance was operationally defined in the present study as at least two increases in RPR on consecutive visits. Based on this criterion, the patient, over hundreds of RPR measures observed over approximately 2 years, had 16 instances of neurological disturbance; in one of these instances a chiropractic spinal adjustment was given. The 15 other instances were used to estimate a predicted post RPR, which was compared to the observed post-adjustment RPR.Results: Post-adjustment RPR was 67.5 beats per minute (BPM) which was only slightly lower than the average predicted post RPR of 68.1 BPM.Conclusion: The method described may help clinicians determine if their intervention was neurologically effective. The method also provides normative RPR data for future comparisons of adjustment versus no adjustment. In the present case, the chiropractic adjustment post RPR was better (lower) than the predicted post RPR, but only slightly so

An Algorithm for Computing Cusp Points in the Joint Space of 3-RPR Parallel Manipulators

This paper presents an algorithm for detecting and computing the cusp points in the joint space of 3-RPR planar parallel manipulators. In manipulator kinematics, cusp points are special points, which appear on the singular curves of the manipulators. The nonsingular change of assembly mode of 3-RPR parallel manipulators was shown to be associated with the existence of cusp points. At each of these points, three direct kinematic solutions coincide. In the literature, a condition for the existence of three coincident direct kinematic solutions was established, but has never been exploited, because the algebra involved was too complicated to be solved. The algorithm presented in this paper solves this equation and detects all the cusp points in the joint space of these manipulators

Self-Motions of General 3-RPR Planar Parallel Robots

This paper studies the kinematic geometry of general 3-RPR planar parallel robots with actuated base joints. These robots, while largely overlooked, have simple direct kinematics and large singularity-free workspace. Furthermore, their kinematic geometry is the same as that of a newly developed parallel robot with SCARA-type motions. Starting from the direct and inverse kinematic model, the expressions for the singularity loci of 3-RPR planar parallel robots are determined. Then, the global behaviour at all singularities is geometrically described by studying the degeneracy of the direct kinematic model. Special cases of self-motions are then examined and the degree of freedom gained in such special configurations is kinematically interpreted. Finally, a practical example is discussed and experimental validations performed on an actual robot prototype are presented

Differential effects of Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chishao) on cytokine and chemokine expression inducible by mycobacteria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Upon initial infection with mycobacteria, macrophages secrete multiple cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), to mediate host immune responses against the pathogen. Mycobacteria also induce the production of IL-10 <it>via </it>PKR activation in primary human monocytes and macrophages. As an anti-inflammatory cytokine, over-expression of IL-10 may contribute to mycobacterial evasion of the host immunity. <it>Radix Paeoniae Rubra </it>(RPR, <it>Chishao</it>), a Chinese medicinal herb with potentials of anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects, is used to treat tuberculosis. This study investigates the immunoregulatory effects of RPR on primary human blood macrophages (PBMac) during mycobacterial infection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The interaction of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) with PBMac was used as an experimental model. A series of procedures involving solvent extraction and fractionation were used to isolate bioactive constituents in RPR. RPR-EA-S1, a fraction with potent immunoregulatory effects was obtained with a bioactivity guided fractionation scheme. PBMac were treated with crude RPR extracts or RPR-EA-S1 before BCG stimulation. The expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α were measured by qPCR and ELISA. Western blotting was used to determine the effects of RPR-EA-S1 on signaling kinases and transcriptional factors in the BCG-activated PBMac.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In BCG-stimulated macrophages, crude RPR extracts and fraction RPR-EA-S1 specifically inhibited IL-10 production while enhanced IL-8 expression at both mRNA and protein levels without affecting the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α. Inhibition of BCG-induced IL-10 expression by RPR-EA-S1 occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner. RPR-EA-S1 did not affect the phosphorylation of cellular protein kinases including MAPK, Akt and GSK3β. Instead, it suppressed the degradation of IκBα in the cytoplasm and inhibited the translocation of transcription factor NF-κB1 p50 to the nucleus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>RPR crude extracts and its fraction RPR-EA-S1 inhibited anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and enhanced pro-inflammatory chemokine IL-8 expression in BCG-activated PBMac. The inhibitory effects of RPR-EA-S1 on IL-10 expression in BCG-activated PBMac may be due to the reduced nuclear translocation of NF-κB1 p50.</p

Electromagnetic KY production from the proton in a Regge-plus-resonance approach

A Regge-plus-resonance (RPR) description of the p(\gamma,K)Y and p(e,e'K)Y processes (Y = \Lambda, \Sigma^{0,+}) is presented. The proposed reaction amplitude consists of Regge-trajectory exchanges in the t channel, supplemented with a limited selection of s-channel resonance diagrams. The RPR framework contains a considerably smaller number of free parameters than a typical effective-Lagrangian model. Nevertheless, it provides an acceptable overall description of the photo- and electroproduction observables over an extensive photon energy range. It is shown that the electroproduction response functions and polarization observables are particularly useful for fine-tuning both the background and resonance parameters.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings for IX International Conference on Hypernuclear and Strange Particle Physics (HYP2006), October 10-14 2006, Main