The Relationship between Yield Parameters and Morphological Characters for Barley: Evaluating linear and Non-linear models

The best statistical model (linear or non-linear) for use in the study of the relationship between yield parameters and morphological characters of barley was investigated. It was confirmed that Non-linear model (Exponential regression analysis) is better than linear for studying the relationship between yield parameters and morphological characters, because the determination coefficient for non-linear model was higher than the determination coefficient for linear model. Moreover, the residual distributions for non-linear equation were much better than the residual distributions for linear equation. A relationship between leafiness and yield parameters was not shown by both linear and non-linear models, while analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a positive significant difference in yield according to levels of leafiness. Consequently, yield parameters had been affected by morphological characters. The non-linear model for the study of the relationship is suitable for forecasting yield

An Effective Protocol for the Production of Primary and Secondary Somatic Embryos in Cauliflower (Brassica Oleraceae Var. Botrytis)

An in vitro regeneration protocol based on the use of root-derived embryogenic callus tissue was established. Three different sizes of explants were tested in order to determine the optimal size of explants for somatic embryo production. The best formation of somatic embryos was on explant size 600-1000^m achieved using 90sec duration of blending. Kinetin played an important role in somatic embryo induction, development and maturation. Embryo maturation occurred on the medium with the lowest concentration of kinetin (0.5mg L-1). Normal secondary somatic embryos (SSEs) were induced directly on hypocotyls of primary somatic when cultured on semi solid MS basal medium supplemented with 30g L-1 sucrose in the absence of growth regulators. SSEs completed full development in the same medium. Cyclic secondary somatic embryogenesis was a good source of embryogenic material, which can be used for increasing the efficiency of plantlet regeneration in cauliflower. After 60 days of culture, it was demonstrated that using activated charcoal in the culture medium had no significant effect on SSEs yield and moreover, it had negative impacts on the morphological shape of embryos as most of SSEs were abnormal with split collar cotyledons and were smaller in size. The effective protocol for somatic embryo production designed in this study could have important applications in the field of cauliflower micropropagation and breeding systems

Neutral delay differential equations in the modelling of cell growth

In this contribution, we indicate (and illustrate by example) roles that may be played by neutral delay differential equations in modelling of certain cell growth phenomena that display a time lag in reacting to events. We explore, in this connection, questions involving the sensitivity analysis of models and related mathematical theory; we provide some associated numerical results

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Diospyros villosa Extracts and Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anti-Quorum Sensing Potential.

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Diospyros villosa leaves and stem bark extracts is described. The stem bark AgNPs of D. villosa synthesized at 80 °C (S80) showed good scavenging activity with a lower IC50 value of 8.75 µg·mL-1 compared to ascorbic acid (9.58 µg·mL-1). The total phenol content of the S80 AgNPs was measured and found to be 10.22 ± 0.14 mg.g-1 gallic acid equivalence (GAE). Bacterial growth inhibition (% GI) and violacein inhibition (% VI) of 10.08% and 58.83%, respectively, was observed against C.subtsugae CV017 with leaf AgNPs synthesized at 80 °C (L80) at 80 μg·mL-1. Stem bark AgNPs synthesized at room temperature (SRT) also indicated % GI of 13.83% and % VI of 65.97% against C. subtsugae CV017 at 160 μg·mL-1. Leaf AgNPs of D. villosa synthesized at room temperature (LRT), showed % GI of 29.07% and % VI of 56.53%, respectively, against C. violaceum ATCC 12472 at 320 μg·mL-1. The L80 and SRT at 160 μg·mL-1 and LRT at 320 μg·mL-1 may be considered as potential QS inhibitors following their activity against C. subtsugae CV017 and C. violaceum ATCC 12472, respectively. Therefore, D. villosa represents a potential source of antioxidants as well as an anti-quorum sensing therapeutic candidate for the control of Gram-negative bacterial infections

Micromorphology and Histology of the Secretory Apparatus of Diospyros villosa (L.) de Winter Leaves and Stem Bark.

Diospyros villosa is a perennial species prominently acknowledged for its local medicinal applications. The native utilisation of this species in traditional medicine may be ascribed to the presence of secretory structures and their exudate (comprised of phytochemicals). However, the morphological nature and optical features of the secretory structures in D. villosa remain largely unclear. This study was directed to ascertain the occurrence and adaptive features of structures found within the leaves and stem bark of D. villosa using light and electron microscopy techniques. The current study notes the existence of trichomes, and other secretory structures were noted. SEM indicated the presence of non-glandular hirsute trichomes with bulky stalk on both leaves and stem surfaces. Transverse stem sections revealed the existence of crystal idioblasts. Moreover, the presence of the main phytochemical groups and their localisation within the foliage and stem bark was elucidated through various histochemical tests. The trichomal length and density were also assessed in leaves at different stages of development. The results indicated that the trichomal density at different stages of development of the D. villosa leaves and stem bark was not significantly different from one another, F(3,39) = 1.183, p = 0.3297. The average length of the non-glandular trichomes in the emergent, young and mature leaves, as well as in the stem, was recorded to be 230 ± 30.6 µm, 246 ± 40.32 μm, 193 ± 27.55 µm and 164 ± 18.62 µm, respectively. The perimeter and circumference of the observed trichomes in the developmental stages of D. villosa leaf and the stem bark were not statistically different, F(3,39) = 1.092, p = 0.3615. The results of histochemical tests showed the existence of phenols alkaloids, which are medicinally important and beneficial for treatment of diseases. The findings of this study, being reported for the first time may be considered in establishing microscopic and pharmacognostic measure for future identification and verification of natural herbal plant. Trichomal micromorphology and histological evaluations could be utilised as a tool for appropriate description for the assessment of this species

On some aspects of casual and neutral equations used in mathematical modelling

The problem that motivates the considerations here is the construction of mathematical models of natural phenomena that depend upon past states. The paper divides naturally into two parts: in the first, we expound the inter-connection between ordinary differential equations, delay differential equations, neutral delay-differential equations and integral equations (with emphasis on certain linear cases). As we show, this leads to a natural hierarchy of model complexity when such equations are used in mathematical and computational modelling, and to the possibility of reformulating problems either to facilitate their numerical solution or to provide mathematical insight, or both. Volterra integral equations include as special cases the others we consider. In the second part, we develop some practical and theoretical consequences of results given in the first part. In particular, we consider various approaches to the definition of an adjoint, we establish (notably, in the context of sensitivity analysis for neutral delay-differential equations) roles for well-defined ad-joints and ‘quasi-adjoints’, and we explore relationships between sensitivity analysis, the variation of parameters formulae, the fundamental solution and adjoints

The Effect of Exogenous Applications of Salicylic Acid and Molybdenum on the Tolerance of Drought in Wheat

This study investigated the effect of drought on the growth and yield components of two Iraqi wheat varieties (Tamooz 2 and Adana 99) and the effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid and molybdenum. Drought significantly decreased the growth rate and had a negative impact on the yield components in both varieties and it was confirmed that the yield and growth of Tamooz 2 variety was significantly better than Adana 99. It was demonstrated that salicylic acid and molybdenum improved the performance of both varieties of Iraqi wheat under both well- watered and drought conditions. However, salicylic acid had a better general effect than molybdenum, although the difference was not significant in some of the studied parameters. The application of salicylic acid at a relatively low concentration was shown to have the most positive impact on the physiological, yield and growth parameters. We believe that the current study could have an important practical application in the field of cereal productio