Genetic Polymorphisms in the Oxytocin Receptor Gene of Beluga Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins

Gene polymorphism refers to genes that have more than one occupying allele within a gene’s locus. One gene polymorphism that has recently gained the interest of scientists are genes associated with the oxytocin receptor. Recent studies in terrestrial species have found that genetic polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor are associated with social behaviors in many species (Arahori et al., 2017). However, there is little information available about the oxytocin receptors in various aquatic species and no information on beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The aim of this research project is to gain a better understanding of the interspecies variation in the oxytocin receptor gene in beluga whales and bottlenose dolphins and to develop tools that could be used to assess intra-species variation in the future. The published sequences of the oxytocin receptor and non-coding regions near this gene in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) were used to find the homologous regions in the beluga whale and bottlenose dolphin genome. Based on these sequences, PCR primers were designed so that these regions could be amplified and sequenced. These primers were then used to amplify the DNA from previously collected samples to ensure that the correct size fragments were amplified. By developing tools to detect genetic differences between individuals within aquatic species, it will be possible in the future to integrate this work with behavioral research to better understand social and maternal behavior, which are important for the conservation and management of marine mammal species

We Do Not Like It: A Likert-Type Scale Survey on the Attitudes of a Young Population towards the Transhumanistic Theory of Education

Transhumanists assume that future education may be purely based on technological stimulation. The question is: Do potential clients of education “like” such vision? In order to check this, we asked over one thousand two hundred young Poles to evaluate their identification with the transhumanistic theory of education. The results are quite surprising: its show that they disagree with the assumptions of this theory, while they rather agree with the postulates of more traditional (and no technology-based) concepts of education

Ionic Liquids as Efficient Extractants for Quercetin from Red Onion (Allium cepa L.)

The solubility of Quercetin in alcohols, esters and in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate, [EMIM][TFA] ionic liquid (IL) using the dynamic method was measured at constant pH in a range of temperature 233-373 K and compare to the literature data. The experimental solubility data have been correlated by means of commonly known GE models,UNIQUAC and NRTL with the assumption that the systems studied here present simple eutectic behaviour. The basic thermal properties of Quercetin, i.e., fusion temperature and the enthalpy of fusion have been measured with differential scanning microcalorimetry technique (DSC).The application of alcohols, esters and ionic liquids (ILs) as alternatives to conventional organic solvents in the liquid-liquid extraction of Quercetin from different medicinal plants, flowers and frozen red onion (Allium cepa L.) was investigated. The parameters affecting the extraction yield using ILs such as chemical structures of the IL cation and anion, the phase volume ratio of extracting solvent, time of extraction and the Quercetin form of sample and concentration were evaluated. Specific Quercetin composition was performed through HPLC measurements. Using the most effective ILs in extraction, the 14.3±0.1g.kg-1 and 5.9±0.1g.kg-1of Quercetin from frozen pure red onion was obtained with N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium tetrafluoroborate, [N2,2,1,2OCH3][BF4] and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate, [EMIM][TFA], respectively

Ionic Liquids as Efficient Extractants for Quercetin from Red Onion (Allium cepa L.)

The solubility of Quercetin in alcohols, esters and in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate, [EMIM][TFA] ionic liquid (IL) using the dynamic method was measured at constant pH in a range of temperature 233-373 K and compare to the literature data. The experimental solubility data have been correlated by means of commonly known GE models,UNIQUAC and NRTL with the assumption that the systems studied here present simple eutectic behaviour. The basic thermal properties of Quercetin, i.e., fusion temperature and the enthalpy of fusion have been measured with differential scanning microcalorimetry technique (DSC).The application of alcohols, esters and ionic liquids (ILs) as alternatives to conventional organic solvents in the liquid-liquid extraction of Quercetin from different medicinal plants, flowers and frozen red onion (Allium cepa L.) was investigated. The parameters affecting the extraction yield using ILs such as chemical structures of the IL cation and anion, the phase volume ratio of extracting solvent, time of extraction and the Quercetin form of sample and concentration were evaluated. Specific Quercetin composition was performed through HPLC measurements. Using the most effective ILs in extraction, the 14.3±0.1g.kg-1 and 5.9±0.1g.kg-1of Quercetin from frozen pure red onion was obtained with N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium tetrafluoroborate, [N2,2,1,2OCH3][BF4] and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate, [EMIM][TFA], respectively

Oddziaływanie użyźniaczy glebowych na cechy jakościowe muraw trawnikowych w różnych porach roku

Background. The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of soil conditioners on grass quality, assessed by determining lawn appearance and grass colour. Material and methods. The field experiment was conducted in Poland between 2013 and 2015. The research was carried out in the split plot design with three replications. The following grass species were used in the experiment (factor B): Lolium perenne cv. Stadion, Festuca rubra cv. Corail, and Poa pratensis cv. Ani. The other experimental factors tested in the research were three soil conditioners (factor A): Humus Active Papka (HAP), Eko-Użyźniacz (EU), UGmax (UG) and one fertilizer Substral (S). In each year of the experiment, among other things, colour and general appearance of the lawn were assessed with a 9-point scale. This assessment was conducted in three seasons (spring, summer, autumn). Results. The results showed that lawn appearance ratings varied throughout the research, both in terms of the season, species of grass, and soil conditioners. Comparing the effects of soil conditioners, grass treated with UGmax had the best colour, but that treated with Substral had the best appearance. Conclusion. The overall appearance of the lawns and the intensity of greenness were largely dependent on the soil conditioner, the species of grass and the season. The turf of kentucky-bluegrass had the best durability of both general appearance and colour during the experiment although, on average, the highest value of the general appearance was scored by perennial ryegrass and the best colour by red fescue.Celem prowadzonych badań była ocena wpływu użyźniaczy glebowych na ogólny wygląd i intensywność zabarwienia muraw trawnikowych. Badania realizowano w oparciu o doświadczenie polowe założone w roku 2012 i prowadzone w latach 2013‒2015. Doświadczenie mikropoletkowe (1 × 1m) założono w trzech powtórzeniach, w układzie split-plot. Analizowane murawy trawnikowe tworzyły jednogatunkowe zasiewy takich traw gazonowych (czynnik B), jak: życica trwała odmiana Stadion, wiechlina łąkowa odmiana Ani i kostrzewa czerwona odmiana Corail. Kolejny czynnik w doświadczeniu stanowił rodzaj zastosowanego preparatu nawozowego (czynnik A): Substrat, Humus Active Papka, Eko-Użyźniacz i UGmax. W każdym roku badań w trzech porach roku (wiosna, lato, jesień) oceniano m.in. kolorystykę oraz aspekt ogólny muraw trawnikowych, stosując 9-stopniową skalę. Wyniki badań pokazały, że ogólny wygląd badanych muraw trawnikowych oraz intensywność zieloności były w dużym stopniu zależne zarówno od rodzaju zastosowanego nawożenia, jak i gatunku trawy czy pory roku w ciągu okresu wegetacyjnego. Spośród stosowanych preparatów nawozowych największy wpływ na aspekt ogólny muraw trawnikowych, zwłaszcza w okresie wiosennym i letnim, miało użycie Substralu, a na kolorystykę użyźniacz UGmax. Z kolei w okresie jesiennym ocena aspektu ogólnego w najwyższym stopniu była determinowana użyciem użyźniacza Humus Active, a kolorystyka Ekoużyźniaczem. Najkorzystniejszą trwałość zarówno aspektu ogólnego, jak i kolorystyki w badanym okresie uzyskały murawy wiechliny łąkowej, chociaż średnio najwyższą wartość aspektu ogólnego uzyskały murawy życicy trwałej, a kolorystyki ‒ kostrzewy czerwonej