Evaluation of teff (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) lines for agronomic traits in Australia

Teff (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) is a native cereal crop widely grown in Ethiopia as the main grain for local consumption. With the increasing challenge by climate change, there is a need for alternative cereal crops in Australia. However, despite its early introduction in the 1800's, there is limited information on teff production in the country. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 20 teff lines using the seed supplied by The Australian Tropical Germplasm Centre at Biloela Research Station (Queensland). A replicated glass house pot trial was carried out to test performance of agronomic traits related to yield. The teff lines were propagated in the glasshouse and data was collected over one growing season and analysed for days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, peduncle length, internode length, leaf width and number of tillers. In addition, plant biomass, grain yield and 100 seed weight were determined. Results of this study displayed variability in teff traits demonstrating the potential for a future breeding program. Lines that exhibited promising outcomes were identified for further screening under field conditions. Teff lines 302136, 302135, 302131, 302126, 302127 and 302129 demonstrated higher performance in grain yield, tillering, panicle length and vegetative biomass signalling increased opportunity for better yield. Higher grain yield was associated with medium and late maturing lines. Regression analysis showed that vegetative biomass was positively correlated with higher grain yield. Further field evaluation and improvement of teff is required before the crop can be considered as an alternative for growers and provide a source of gluten free product for people with coeliac disease

Rebamipide Does Not Protect Against Naproxen-induced Gastric Damage: A Randomized Double-blind Controlled Trial

Rebamipide is a gastroprotective agent with promising results against gastric damage induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study evaluated if rebamipide protects against naproxen-induced gastric damage in healthy volunteers. Changes in gastric PGE2 tissue concentration were also evaluated. Methods: After a preliminary endoscopy to rule out previous gastric macroscopic damage, twenty-four healthy volunteers of both sexes were divided into 2 groups. One group received sodium naproxen 550 mg b.i.d. plus placebo for 7 days, while the other group received sodium naproxen 550 mg b.i.d. plus rebamipide 100 mg b.i.d. At the end of treatment, a new endoscopy was performed. Gastric macroscopic damage was evaluated by the Cryer score and by the modified Lanza score. The primary outcome measure of the trial was the macroscopic damage observed in each treatment group at the end of treatment. Biopsies were collected at both endoscopies for PGE2 quantification and histopathological analysis (secondary outcomes). Tissue PGE2 was quantified by ELISA. The randomization sequence was generated using 3 blocks of 8 subjects each. Volunteers and endoscopists were blind to whether they were receiving rebamipide or placebo. Results: All recruited volunteers completed the trial. Sodium naproxen induced gastric damage in both groups. At the end of the study, median Cryer score was 4 in both groups (Difference = 0; 95% CI = -1 to 0; p = 0.728). In the placebo group, the mean tissue PGE2 concentration was 1005 +/- 129 pg/mL before treatment and 241 +/- 41 pg/mL after treatment (p < 0.001). In the rebamipide group, the mean tissue PGE2 concentration was 999 +/- 109 pg/mL before treatment, and 168 +/- 13 pg/mL after treatment (p < 0.001). There was no difference in mean tissue PGE2 between the two groups (difference = 5; 95% CI from -334.870 to 345.650; p = 0.975). No significant change was observed at the histopathological evaluation, despite the evident macroscopic damage induced by naproxen. Conclusion: Rebamipide does not protect against naproxen-induced gastric damage in healthy volunteers.1658Biolab Industria Farmaceutica Ltd

Spectrum of the Y=2 Pentaquarks

By assuming a mass formula for the spectrum of the Y=2 pentaquarks, where the chromo-magnetic interaction plays a main role, and identifying the lightest state with the Theta^+(1540), we predict a spectrum in good agreement with the few I=0 and I=1 candidates proposed in the past.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, LaTe

VARIABLE ORIFICE DAMPER IMPLEMENTATION FOR SEISMIC SEMI-ACTIVE CONTROL OF CIVIL STRUCTURES

The existing strategies for improving the dynamic response of structures during seismic events can be categorized into passive, active, and semi-active control. Passive strategies provide a redesign of the structural dynamic parameters without employing any real-time control. Active control strategies are more effective than the previous one, but also more expensive. Furthermore, a relevant amount of energy supply is required during seismic events, which is a quite unrealistic scenario. Semi-active control strategies represent a compromise between the two previously mentioned strategies. These latters provide real-time control, less induced costs, and require less power supply. In this study, the behaviour and effectiveness of a semi-active damper have been analyzed. A single degree of freedom (DOF) system has been implemented in the Matlab Simulink environment equipped with a semi-active fluid viscous damper model. Two main control algorithms of the semi-active device have been considered: a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) and a model predictive control (MPC) controller. The control algorithms were designed by linearizing the device constitutive model and implementing their non-linearity through the characteristic equation of the device. Different levels of approximation of the model were considered, in conjunction with different sampling time rates to examine the delay effect of a possible practical implementation of the proposed system