Griffing's Methods Comparison for General and Specific Combining Ability in Cucumber

A comparison among two forms of half-diallel analysis was made. The different half-diallel techniques used were Griffing's model I, method 2 and 4. These methods of diallel analysis were found to be interrelated. However, as Griffing's model I, method 4 partitioned heterosis into different components as well as gave information about combining ability and this method had certainly some advantages over the other. The results further indicated using parental generations in the second Griffing method may cause biased estimate of the GCA and SCA variances. Thus, using the fourth Griffing method is more suitable than the other methods in providing time, cost, and facilities, and it is recommended as an applicable method

Relationships between hybrid performance and genetic distance revealed by morphological and AFLP marker in cucumber

This study investigated the relationship of morphological and molecular genetic distance with hybrid performance and heterosis in cucumber in an attempt to make use of genetic distance in predicting hybrid performance. The results of this study showed that GD, in general, correlated poorly with heterosis and SCA. Results showed that the mean values of the hybrids were significantly larger or smaller for many traits when compared with the mean of parental lines, indicating that heterosis was present for these traits. In next step we compare inter group hybrids versus intra group hybrids. This test showed that intra group hybridization although increased the yield and yield component but decrease some fruit quality such as fruit color and shape

Beyond 8 THz Displacement-field Nano-switches for 5G and 6G Communications

The rapid progress in high capacity communication systems is reaching extremely high data rates of 100 Gb s−1, which demands electronic switches with cut-off frequencies well above 1 THz. The excellent electron transport properties of III-V heterojunctions could potentially enable terahertz devices, however, the high parasitic capacitances and contact resistances in traditional ultra-scaled electronic devices, such as transistors and diodes, hinder their potential. Here we demonstrate that the fast switching of displacement fields strongly confined in a few-nanometers-thin crystal between a textured metal and an electron sheet, so called displacement-field nano-switch, can provide cut-off frequencies above 8 THz, enabling an efficient switching of terahertz signals. The device offers extremely low ON state resistances approaching 100 Ω μm, low parasitic capacitances in range of 100 aF μm−1, excellent impedance matching capability, and fast switching times down to 10 ps. We demonstrate the application of these devices for high data rate modulation and mixing. The outstanding performance and integration capability of displacement-field nano-switches pave the way towards mm-wave and terahertz integrated circuits with applications in 5G and 6G communications, among others

The osteoinductivity of silicate-substituted calcium phosphate

BACKGROUND: The osteoinductivity of silicate-substituted calcium phosphate and stoichiometric calcium phosphate was investigated with use of ectopic implantation. Implants with a macroporosity of 80% and a strut porosity of 30% were inserted into sites located in the left and right paraspinal muscles of six female sheep. METHODS: After twelve weeks in vivo, a longitudinal thin section was prepared through the center of each implant. Bone formation within the implant, bone formation in contact with the implant surface, and implant resorption were quantified with use of a line intersection method. The specimens were also analyzed with use of backscattered scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis. RESULTS: Silicate substitution had a significant effect on the formation of bone both within the implant and on the implant surface during the twelve-week period. Bone area within the implant was greater in the silicate-substituted calcium phosphate group (mean, 7.65% ± 3.2%) than in the stoichiometric calcium phosphate group (0.99% ± 0.9%, p = 0.01). The amount of bone formed at the surface of the implant was also significantly greater in the silicate-substituted calcium phosphate group (mean, 26.00% ± 7.8%) than in the stoichiometric calcium phosphate group (2.2% ± 2.0%, p = 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated bone formation within pores that were <5 μm in size, and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis confirmed the presence of silicon within the new bone in the silicate-substituted calcium phosphate group. CONCLUSIONS: The formation of bone within muscle during the twelve-week period showed both silicate-substituted calcium phosphate and stoichiometric calcium phosphate to be osteoinductive in an ovine model. Silicate substitution significantly increased the amount of bone that formed and the amount of bone attached to the implant surface. New bone formation occurred through an intramembranous process within the implant structure

Are andropause symptoms related to depression?

Background: Andropause is a middle-age condition in which men experience changes in their physical, spiritual and emotional health. The association between andropause and psychological symptoms such as depression are not very clear yet. Aims: The objective of this study was therefore to determine the association between the �Aging Males Symptoms Scale� (AMS) and depression. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 521 old men. To collect data, the AMS and the Patient Health Questionnaires 2 and 9 were used to screen depression, in addition to questions on background and fertility. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between andropause symptoms and depression. Results: Based on our results and the AMS score, 51.5 of the study population had clinical symptoms of androgen disorder, 3.7 of which had severe symptoms. There was a strong correlation between the AMS score and depression. Depression, diabetes, cigarette smoking and spousal age retained their significant associations even after entering the relevant demographic, anthropometric, smoking and disease variables in the multivariable model. As a positive predictive factor, depression had the strongest association with AMS. Conclusions: Based on our results, there is a direct association between andropause symptoms and depression, where the increasing AMS score corresponds with the severity of depression. Discussion: Our results show the need of screening for depression when evaluating andropause symptoms. © 2015, Springer International Publishing Switzerland