Food Soybean Varieties in Low-Input Conditions Grain Yield and Quality from Three NE Italy Environments

Soybean has been diffusely grown in northern Italy since early 1980s. Indeed, at present the organic area (less than 3 % of the total) and the practical absence of certified non-GM productions are key issues for farmers and food processors. In 2013, four food-grade varieties were tested under organic or low-input conditions in three environments of Friuli, NE Italy. Environments had a large impact on grain yields, genotypes on grain composition. Late planting resulted in lower yields and high-protein seeds. Seed protein levels were associated to visual seed quality

Food Soybean Varieties in Low-Input Conditions Grain Yield and Quality from Three NE Italy Environments

Soybean has been diffusely grown in northern Italy since early 1980s. Indeed, at present the organic area (less than 3 % of the total) and the practical absence of certified non-GM productions are key issues for farmers and food processors. In 2013, four food-grade varieties were tested under organic or low-input conditions in three environments of Friuli, NE Italy. Environments had a large impact on grain yields, genotypes on grain composition. Late planting resulted in lower yields and high-protein seeds. Seed protein levels were associated to visual seed quality

Simulated Performance of 3-DTI Gamma-Ray Telescope Concepts

We present Monte Carlo simulations of two astronomical gamma-ray telescope concepts based on the ThreeDimensional Track Imager (3- DTI) detector. The 3-DTI consists of a time projection chamber with two-dimensional, crossedstrip micro-well detector readout. The full three- dimensional reconstruction of charged-particle tracks in the gas volume is obtained from transient digitizers, which record the time signature of the charge collected in the wells of each strip. Such detectors hold great promise for advanced Compton telescope (ACT) and advanced pair telescope (APT) concepts due to the very precise measurement of charged particle momenta that is possible (Compton recoil electrons and electron-positron pairs, respectively). We have investigated the performance of baseline ACT and APT designs based on the 3-DTI detector using simulation tools based on GEANT3 and GEANT4, respectively. We present the expected imaging, spectroscopy, polarimetry, and background performance of each design

Aortic valve opening and closure: the clover dynamics.

Background: Systolic aortic root expansion is reported to facilitate valve opening, but the precise dynamics remain unknown. A sonometric study with a high data sampling rate (200 to 800 Hz) was conducted in an acute ovine model to better understand the timing, mechanisms, and shape of aortic valve opening and closure. Methods: Eighteen piezoelectric crystals were implanted in 8 sheep at each annular base, commissures, sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, nodulus of Arantius, and ascending aorta (AA). Geometric changes were time related to pressures and flows. Results: The aortic root was hemodynamically divided into left ventricular (LV) and aortic compartments situated, respectively, below and above the leaflets. During isovolumetric contraction (IVC), aortic root expansion started in the LV compartment, most likely due to volume redistribution in the LV outflow tract below the leaflets. This expansion initiated leaflet separation prior to ejection (2.1%±0.5% of total opening area). Aortic compartment expansion was delayed toward the end of IVC, likely related to volume redistribution above the leaflets due to accelerating aortic backflow toward the aortic valve and coronary flow reduction due to myocardial contraction. Maximum valve opening during the first third of ejection acquired a truncated cone shape [leaflet free edge area smaller than annular base area (-41.5%±5.5%)]. The distal orifice became clover shaped because the leaflet free edge area is larger than the commissural area by 16.3%±2.0%. Conclusions: Aortic valve opening is initiated prior to ejection related to delicate balance between LV, aortic root, and coronary dynamics. It is clover shaped at maximum opening in systole. A better understanding of these mechanisms should stimulate more physiological surgical approaches of valve repair and replacement