Transient effect of weak electromagnetic fields on calcium ion concentration in Arabidopsis thaliana

Background: Weak magnetic and electromagnetic fields can influence physiological processes in animals, plants and microorganisms, but the underlying way of perception is poorly understood. The ion cyclotron resonance is one of the discussed mechanisms, predicting biological effects for definite frequencies and intensities of electromagnetic fields possibly by affecting the physiological availability of small ions. Above all an influence on Calcium, which is crucial for many life processes, is in the focus of interest. We show that in Arabidopsis thaliana, changes in Ca(2+)-concentrations can be induced by combinations of magnetic and electromagnetic fields that match Ca(2+)-ion cyclotron resonance conditions. Results: An aequorin expressing Arabidopsis thaliana mutant (Col0-1 Aeq Cy+) was subjected to a magnetic field around 65 microtesla (0.65 Gauss) and an electromagnetic field with the corresponding Ca(2+) cyclotron frequency of 50 Hz. The resulting changes in free Ca(2+) were monitored by aequorin bioluminescence, using a high sensitive photomultiplier unit. The experiments were referenced by the additional use of wild type plants. Transient increases of cytosolic Ca(2+) were observed both after switching the electromagnetic field on and off, with the latter effect decreasing with increasing duration of the electromagnetic impact. Compared with this the uninfluenced long-term loss of bioluminescence activity without any exogenic impact was negligible. The magnetic field effect rapidly decreased if ion cyclotron resonance conditions were mismatched by varying the magnetic fieldstrength, also a dependence on the amplitude of the electromagnetic component was seen. Conclusion: Considering the various functions of Ca(2+) as a second messenger in plants, this mechanism may be relevant for perception of these combined fields. The applicability of recently hypothesized mechanisms for the ion cyclotron resonance effect in biological systems is discussed considering it's operating at magnetic field strengths weak enough, to occur occasionally in our all day environment

Growth of etiolated barley plants in weak static and 50 Hz electromagnetic fields tuned to calcium ion cyclotron resonance

BACKGROUND: The effects of weak magnetic and electromagnetic fields in biology have been intensively studied on animals, microorganisms and humans, but comparably less on plants. Perception mechanisms were attributed originally to ferrimagnetism, but later discoveries required additional explanations like the "radical pair mechanism" and the "Ion cyclotron resonance" (ICR), primarily considered by Liboff. The latter predicts effects by small ions involved in biological processes, that occur in definite frequency- and intensity ranges ("windows") of simultaneously impacting magnetic and electromagnetic fields related by a linear equation, which meanwhile is proven by a number of in vivo and in vitro experiments. METHODS: Barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare, L. var. Steffi) were grown in the dark for 5 and 6 days under static magnetic and 50 Hz electromagnetic fields matching the ICR conditions of Ca(2+). Control cultures were grown under normal geomagnetic conditions, not matching this ICR. Morphology, pigmentation and long-term development of the adult plants were subsequently investigated. RESULTS: The shoots of plants exposed to Ca(2+)-ICR exposed grew 15–20% shorter compared to the controls, the plant weight was 10–12% lower, and they had longer coleoptiles that were adhering stronger to the primary leaf tissue. The total pigment contents of protochlorophyllide (PChlide) and carotenoids were significantly decreased. The rate of PChlide regeneration after light irradiation was reduced for the Ca(2+)-ICR exposed plants, also the Shibata shift was slightly delayed. Even a longer subsequent natural growing phase without any additional fields could only partially eliminate these effects: the plants initially exposed to Ca(2+)-ICR were still significantly shorter and had a lower chlorophyll (a+b) content compared to the controls. A continued cultivation and observation of the adult plants under natural conditions without any artificial electromagnetic fields showed a retardation of the originally Ca(2+)-ICR exposed plants compared to control cultures lasting several weeks, with an increased tendency for dehydration. CONCLUSION: A direct influence of the applied MF and EMF is discussed affecting Ca(2+ )levels via the ICR mechanism. It influences the available Ca(2+ )and thereby regulatory processes. Theoretical considerations on molecular level focus on ionic interactions with water related to models using quantum electrodynamics

IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF AGRONOMIC SERVICES AND INCREASE ITS MOTIVATION

The most important condition to improve the quality of governance at all levels is-is competent selection, placement, training and education of personnel. Availability of skilled workers, owning modern methods of management, able to form a team and inspire him to achieve this goal is a major source of increasing efficiency in the use of scarce resources, stabilization, and then the growth of agricultural production on the background of the recession and the decline in commodity agriculture. We used correlation and regression analysis to select the parameters that affect the performance of the chief agronomist and therefore requiring consideration in payroll chief agronomist

ИЗОБРЕТЕНИЕ НЕЖНОСТИ

Today’s culture manifests a global trend to widely use images of domestic felines in various communications. The author asks herself how culturology can help to explain the phenomenon. By comparing the modern images with those created by classical visual arts and literature, we can see how the cultural contexts related to feline images have transformed through history. The phenomenon is studied through semiotics of culture along with conceptual tools developed by psychology of culture (cf. D. Winnicott, E. Erikson), sociology of civilizing process (cf. N. Elias), existential phenomenology of embodiment (cf. J.-P. Sartre, J.-L. Marion).Глобальной чертой современной культуры является широкое использование образов домашних котов и кошек в различных сферах коммуникации. Автор статьи задаётся вопросом о культурологических причинах данного явления. Сопоставление с образами классической живописи и литературы позволяет нам увидеть историческую трансформацию культурных контекстов, связанных с кошачьими образами. Наряду с семиотикой культуры, для исследования рассматриваемых феноменов привлекается концептуальный инструментарий психологии культуры (в трактовке Д. Винникотта, Э. Эриксона), социологии цивилизационного процесса (в рамках теории Н. Элиаса), экзистенциальной феноменологии телесного опыта (в терминах Ж.-П. Сартра, Ж.-Л. Мариона)

IMPROVING VETERINARY SERVICES AND ENHANCING ITS MOTIVATION

In the agricultural economics literature evaluation of employees of veterinary services at various levels is rare, at the same time the importance of this issue is beyond doubt. The article provides one way of payroll employees of veterinary services with the performance of their work

IMPROVING VETERINARY SERVICES AND ENHANCING ITS MOTIVATION

In the agricultural economics literature evaluation of employees of veterinary services at various levels is rare, at the same time the importance of this issue is beyond doubt. The article provides one way of payroll employees of veterinary services with the performance of their work

Кто придёт в библиотеку? Требования работодателей и парадоксы профессионального образования

The issues of training librarians for modern libraries are discussed. Main problems of continuing professional education are defined, the need for secondary professional education further development and the interaction within the education system are proved. The author argues that librarians’ social status has to be increased.Рассмотрены вопросы подготовки библиотечных кадров в соответствии с требованиями современной библиотеки. Определены основные проблемы системы непрерывного профессионального образования, обоснована необходимость сохранения и развития среднего библиотечного образования, взаимодействия всех звеньев системы в условиях оптимизации. Затронуты вопросы повышения социального статуса библиотечной профессии

IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF AGRONOMIC SERVICES AND INCREASE ITS MOTIVATION

The most important condition to improve the quality of governance at all levels is-is competent selection, placement, training and education of personnel. Availability of skilled workers, owning modern methods of management, able to form a team and inspire him to achieve this goal is a major source of increasing efficiency in the use of scarce resources, stabilization, and then the growth of agricultural production on the background of the recession and the decline in commodity agriculture. We used correlation and regression analysis to select the parameters that affect the performance of the chief agronomist and therefore requiring consideration in payroll chief agronomist

Сквозная функция профессиональной ориентации в системе непрерывного библиотечного образования

The paper explains the importance for professional guidance in the light of contemporary demographic situation. The specifics of continuous training system and necessity of vocational guidance at all levels are considered in the paperВ статье обосновывается необходимость профессиональной ориентации с учетом современной демографической ситуации. Рассматривается специфика системы непрерывного библиотечного образования, аргументируется необходимость профориентационной работы на всех его ступенях