Effect of summer season on correlation coefficient in bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) progenies

The study pertaining to the effect of summer season on correlation analysis in bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) was carried out among forty progenies. The results of correlation analysis for twelve parameters (plant height, stem girth, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves per plant, number of suckers/m 2 , flower stalk length, flower stalk girth, spath length, no. of bracts, vase life and no. of flowers/ m 2 ) at genotypic and phenotypic levels revealed that number of flowers per m 2 of progenies during summer, 2011 showed positive and significant correlations with plant height (0.357 and 0.237) and number of suckers/ m2 (0.880 and 0.899). Whereas, it showed positive and significant correlation with stem girth (0.203), leaf width (0.202) and flower stalk girth (0.265) at genotypic level only. While during summer 2012, number of flowers per m 2 showed positive correlations with plant height (0.265 and 0.242), stem girth (0.232 and 0.215), number of suckers/ m 2 (0.913 and 0.900) and flower stalk length (0.268 and 0.249) at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Hence, the selection of these characters would be effective in improving yield in bird of paradise crop

Enhancement of Aging Rat Laryngeal Muscles with Endogenous Growth Factor Treatment

Clinical evidence suggests that laryngeal muscle dysfunction is associated with human aging. Studies in animal models have reported morphological changes consistent with denervation in laryngeal muscles with age. Life‐long laryngeal muscle activity relies on cytoskeletal integrity and nerve–muscle communication at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). It is thought that neurotrophins enhance neuromuscular transmission by increasing neurotransmitter release. We hypothesized that treatment with neurotrophin 4 (NTF4) would modify the morphology and functional innervation of aging rat laryngeal muscles. Fifty‐six Fischer 344xBrown Norway rats (6‐ and 30‐mo age groups) were used to evaluate to determine if NTF4, given systemically (n = 32) or directly (n = 24), would improve the morphology and functional innervation of aging rat thyroarytenoid muscles. Results demonstrate the ability of rat laryngeal muscles to remodel in response to neurotrophin application. Changes were demonstrated in fiber size, glycolytic capacity, mitochondrial, tyrosine kinase receptors (Trk), NMJ content, and denervation in aging rat thyroarytenoid muscles. This study suggests that growth factors may have therapeutic potential to ameliorate aging‐related laryngeal muscle dysfunction

State-of-the-Art Instrumentation Package to Support Model Organism Research in Space

Hardware was developed for the Ames student Fruit-Fly Experiment (AFEx) to support fly growth and analysis during spaceflight. The hardware consists of a 1.5U vented aluminum box that houses an acrylic habitat, video camera, LED lighting, and environmental sensors. Power is provided via two USB connectors, one of which also supports data downlink. While the hardware was designed for use with fruit flies, it will house plants on an upcoming mission and could be adapted for use with other systems

Electrical Conductivity Studies on Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) Complexes of Azines

Abstract: 1-Phenyl-4-(2'-hydroxyphenyl-1-yl)di-imino azine, {1P-4-(2' HPDA)} 1, 4(2'-hydroxyphenyl-1-yl)di-imino azine, {1, 4-(2' HPDA)} are derived from benzophenone hydrozone with different aldehydes in presence of few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid in alcoholic medium. Metal(II) complexes have been prepared by salts of CoCl 2 , CuCl 2 , NiCl 2 and CdCl 2 reacting with azine ligands dissolved in alcohol in the molar ratio of (1:2). The prepared complexes were characterized by using various physical methods viz. elemental, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, IR, NMR, XRD and UV-Visible. Conductivity of the powder samples were measured by two probe method. Measured electrical conductivities of Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) complexes of azines are reported in this paper. It is found that at room temperature these complexes show insulator behavior. At higher temperature conductivity increases linearly, showing semi conducting behavior

Association of Climatic Factors on Population Dynamics of Leaf Roller, Diaphania pulverulentalis

The production of quality mulberry leaf and subsequent production of quality silk is hampered due to the incidence of various insect pests. The present study analyses the population dynamics of Diaphania pulverulentalis (leaf roller), a serious pest of mulberry in a sericulture seed farm. The results indicated that maximum population buildup of the pest was recorded during rainy season. High humidity coinciding with low temperature because of southwest and northeast monsoon was conducive for breeding and multiplication of the pest. Correlation studies revealed that there was a significant negative correlation between increase in temperature and pest infestation. All other weather factors recorded from the study location have a positive correlation with incidence of the pest. The regression model developed also supported the relationship between the pest population buildup and weather factors

Comparison of constant load exercise intensity for verification of maximal oxygen uptake following a graded exercise test in older adults

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) declines with advancing age and is a predictor of morbidity and mortality risk. The purpose here was to assess the utility of constant load tests performed either above or below peak work rate obtained from a graded exercise test for verification of VO2max in older adults. Twenty-two healthy older adults (9M, 13F, 67 ± 6 years, BMI: 26.3 ± 5.1 kg·m−2) participated in the study. Participants were asked to complete two experimental trials in a randomized, counterbalanced cross-over design. Both trials (cycle ergometer) consisted of (1) an identical graded exercise test (ramp) and (2) a constant load test at either 85% (CL85; n = 22) or 110% (CL110; n = 20) of the peak work rate achieved during the associated ramp (performed 10-min post ramp). No significant differences were observed for peak VO2 (L·min−1) between CL85 (1.86 ± 0.72; p = 0.679) or CL110 (1.79 ± 0.73; p = 0.200) and the associated ramp (Ramp85, 1.85 ± 0.73; Ramp110, 1.85 ± 0.57). Using the study participant\u27s mean coefficient of variation in peak VO2 between the two identical ramp tests (2.9%) to compare individual differences between constant load tests and the associated ramp revealed 19/22 (86%) of participants achieved a peak VO2 during CL85 that was similar or higher versus the ramp, while only 13/20 (65%) of participants achieved a peak VO2 during CL110 that was similar or higher versus the ramp. These data indicate that if a verification of VO2max is warranted when testing older adults, a constant load effort at 85% of ramp peak power may be more likely to verify VO2max as compared to an effort at 110% of ramp peak power

Mixed state properties of superconducting MgB2 single crystals

We report on measurements of the magnetic moment in superconducting MgB2 single crystals. We find \mu_0H_{c2}^c(0) = 3.2 T, \mu_0H_{c2}^{ab}(0) = 14.5 T, \gamma = 4.6, \mu_0H_c(0) = 0.28 T, and \kappa(T_c) = 4.7. The standard Ginzburg-Landau and London model relations lead to a consistent data set and indicate that MgB2 is a clean limit superconductor of intermediate coupling strength with very pronounced anisotropy effects

Pinning-induced transition to disordered vortex phase in layered superconductors

Destruction of the vortex lattice by random point pinning is considered as a mechanism of the ``second peak'' transition observed experimentally in weakly coupled layered high temperature superconductors. The transition field separating the topologically ordered quasilattice from the amorphous vortex configuration is strongly influenced by the layered structure and by the nonlocal nature of the vortex tilt energy due to the magnetic interlayer coupling. We found three different regimes of transition depending on the relative strength of the Josephson and magnetic couplings. The regimes can be distinguished by the dependence of the transition fieldComment: 8 pages, 3 Postscript figures. Accepted to Phys. Rev.B. (regular article

Thermal Properties of Graphene, Carbon Nanotubes and Nanostructured Carbon Materials

Recent years witnessed a rapid growth of interest of scientific and engineering communities to thermal properties of materials. Carbon allotropes and derivatives occupy a unique place in terms of their ability to conduct heat. The room-temperature thermal conductivity of carbon materials span an extraordinary large range - of over five orders of magnitude - from the lowest in amorphous carbons to the highest in graphene and carbon nanotubes. I review thermal and thermoelectric properties of carbon materials focusing on recent results for graphene, carbon nanotubes and nanostructured carbon materials with different degrees of disorder. A special attention is given to the unusual size dependence of heat conduction in two-dimensional crystals and, specifically, in graphene. I also describe prospects of applications of graphene and carbon materials for thermal management of electronics.Comment: Review Paper; 37 manuscript pages; 4 figures and 2 boxe