Heterosis for Grain Yield Components in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)

An experiment comprised of six male sterile lines and 10 inbred testers of pearl millet and their 60 hybrids was conducted at Regional Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during July, 2011 for studying the extent of hybrid vigour in F1 for grain yield and its components. None of the hybrids was found significant and negative heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for days to maturity and plant height. The hybrid ICMA 97111 x J 2526 and JMSA 20041 x J 2340 showed higher magnitude of significant and positive heterbeltiosis for total number of tillers and for productive tillers per plant respectively. The highest magnitude of heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis was recorded in the hybrid ICMA 04999 x J 2490 and ICMA 04999 x J 2433, respectively for the trait ear head length. For earhead girth highest and significant positive heterobeltiosis was observed in the hybrid ICMA 04999 x J 2526. Highest significant positive heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for 1000 grain weight was observed in the hybrid ICMA 96222 x J 2526 and ICMA 98444 x AIB 11 respectively. For grain yield highest significant positive heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis was observed in the hybrid ICMA 98444 x J 2526 and ICMA 96222 x AIB-2 respectively. For total biomass per plant and stover yield per plant highest and significant positive heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis was observed in the cross JMSA-20041 x J-2526 and ICMA-97111 x J-2340 respectively. For the trait panicle harvest index, highest significant positive heterobeltiosis was observed in the hybrid ICMA 04999 x J 2340, while for total protein content hybrid JMSA-9904 x J 2340 and JMSA-20041 x J 2507 had significant positive heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis respectively

Lung function, symptoms and inflammation during exacerbations of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: a prospective observational cohort study.

Exacerbations of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis cause significant morbidity but there are few detailed data on their clinical course and associated physiological changes. The biology of an exacerbation has not been previously described

Study of Optimal Perimetric Testing In Children (OPTIC): Normative visual field values in children

Purpose: We sought to define normative visual field (VF) values for children using common clinical test protocols for kinetic and static perimetry. Design: Prospective, observational study. Subjects: We recruited 154 children aged 5 to 15 years without any ophthalmic condition that would affect the VF (controls) from pediatric clinics at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Methods: Children performed perimetric assessments in a randomized order using Goldmann and Octopus kinetic perimetry, and Humphrey static perimetry (Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm [SITA] 24-2 FAST), in a single sitting, using standardized clinical protocols, with assessment by a single examiner. Unreliable results (assessed qualitatively) were excluded from the normative data analysis. Linear, piecewise, and quantile mixed-effects regression models were used. We developed a method to display age-specific normative isopters graphically on a VF plot to aid interpretation. Main Outcome Measures: Summary measures and graphical plots describing normative VF data for 3 common perimetric tests. Results: Visual field area increased with age on testing with Goldmann isopters III4e, I4e, and I2e (linear regression; P < 0.001) and for Octopus isopters III4e and I4e (linear regression; P < 0.005). Visual field development occurs predominately in the infero-temporal field. Humphrey mean deviation (MD) showed an increase of 0.3 decibels (dB; 95% CI, 0.21-0.40) MD per year up to 12 years of age, when adult MD values were reached and thereafter maintained. Conclusions: Visual field size and sensitivity increase with age in patterns that are specific to the perimetric approach used. These developmental changes should be accounted for when interpreting perimetric test results in children, particularly when monitoring change over time

First-principles calculation of the elastic dipole tensor of a point defect: Application to hydrogen in α-zirconium

The elastic dipole tensor is a fundamental quantity relating the elastic field and atomic structure of a point defect. We review three methods in the literature to calculate the dipole tensor and apply them to hydrogen in α -zirconium using density functional theory (DFT). The results are compared with the dipole tensor deduced from earlier experimental measurements of the λ tensor for hydrogen in α -zirconium. There are significant errors with all three methods. We show that calculation of the λ tensor, in combination with experimentally measured elastic constants and lattice parameters, yields dipole tensor components that differ from experimental values by only 10%–20%. There is evidence to suggest that current state-of-the-art DFT calculations underestimate bonding between hydrogen and α -zirconium

Overview of pulsed electric field (pef) preservation on food products

The rise in consumer demand for nutritious food options combined with a desire for a more natural taste has prompted the creation of novel gentle food preservation processes as alternatives to traditional methods like heat treatment. New Methods like high hydrostatic pressure and pulsed electric fields (PEFs), have emerged as no thermal pasteurization methods. These methods aim to effectively reduce microbial content while maintaining the quality of the food product. Pulsed electric field processing is particularly suitable for decontaminating heat-sensitive foods. Furthermore, it presents no environmental risks and has shown no indications of toxicity [1]

Spirulina: nutritional and therapeutic review

The current environmental conditions deteriorations, mental and physical stress, changes in the diet have been serious risk factors for the humans, increased the death rate and civilization diseases. These are the obvious reasons why new progressive trends are being extensively developed in modern medicine, pharmacology and biotechnology and more effective harmless medicaments are being sought for to treat and prevent various diseases. One of the trends in biotechnology is associated with Blue green microalgae Spirulina platensis which have been widely employed as food and feed additives in agriculture, food industry, pharmaceuticals, perfume making, medicine and science [1]

Assessing availability and greenhouse gas emissions of lignocellulosic biomass feedstock supply – case study for a catchment in England

© 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Feedstocks from lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) include crop residues and dedicated per¬ennial biomass crops. The latter are often considered superior in terms of climate change mitigation potential. Uncertainty remains over their availability as feedstocks for biomass provision and the net greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) during crop production. Our objective was to assess the optimal land allocation to wheat and Miscanthus in a specific case study located in England, to increase bio¬mass availability, improve the carbon balance (and reduce the consequent GHG emissions), and mini¬mally constrain grain production losses from wheat. Using soil and climate variables for a catchment in east England, biomass yields and direct nitrogen emissions were simulated with validated process-based models. A ‘Field to up-stream factory gate’ life-cycle assessment was conducted to estimate indirect management-related GHG emissions. Results show that feedstock supply from wheat straw can be supplemented beneficially with LCB from Miscanthus grown on selected low-quality soils. In our study, 8% of the less productive arable land area was dedicated to Miscanthus, increasing total LCB provision by about 150%, with a 52% reduction in GHG emission per ton LCB delivered and only a minor effect on wheat grain production (−3%). In conclusion, even without considering the likely carbon sequestration in impoverished soils, agriculture should embrace the opportunities to provide the bioeconomy with LCB from dedicated, perennial crops.Peer reviewe