Gastroesophageal tube of the Iguana iguana (Iguanidae): histological description, histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of 5-HT and SS cells

The work aims were to describe the histological and histochemical structure of the gastroesophageal tube of Iguana iguana and verify the occurrence and distribution of immunoreactive serotonin (5-HT) and somatostatin (SS) cells. Fragments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of five iguanas were which underwent standard histological and immunohistochemistry technique. Immunoreactive cells for 5-HT and SS were quantified using the STEPanizer. The oesophagus has ciliated columnar pseudostratified epithelium with staining Alcian blue (AB) + and goblet cells highly reactive to periodic acid Schiff (PAS). In the cervical oesophagus, the numerical density of 5-HT cells per unit area (QA [5-HT cells]/µm2) was 4.6x10-2 ± 2.0 and celomatic oesophagus presented QA = 4.0x10-2 ± 1.0. The epithelium of the stomach is simple columnar, PAS and AB +. The cranial and middle regions of the stomach presented (QA [5-HT cells]/µm2) = 6.18x10-2 ± 3.2 and the caudal region, QA = 0.6x10-2 ± 0.2. The SS cells were only observed in the caudal stomach, with numerical density (QA [SS cells]/µm2) = 1.4x10-2 ± 0.9 In I. iguana, variation was observed in terms of the distribution of mucus secretions and the pattern of occurrence of serotonin and somatostatin-secreting enteroendocrine cells in the TGI, which possibly will result in an interspecific adaptive response.

Light-Intercepting Characteristics and Growth of Tomatoes Cultivated in a Greenhouse Using a Movable Bench System

The objective of this study was to investigate the growth and light-intercepting characteristics of tomatoes when movable benches are used in their cultivation. We cultivated tomatoes in a greenhouse (168 m2) during summer (9 July–9 September 2018) under different furrow distances (F1.0 = 1.0 m and F1.6 = 1.6 m) and movable benches (M indicates that the furrow distance = 0.4–0.8 m). Compared to the other treatments, when the movable bench was used to the change furrow distance depending on the plant growth stage (M treatment), the percentage of canopy light interception increased to ~90% at the early stage of plant growth (~20 days after transplanting). The percentage of canopy light interception for different treatments increased in the order of M > F1.0 > F1.6, and it increased towards the end of cultivation. In addition, the yield per unit area exhibited the same trend. Therefore, the solar radiation inside a greenhouse can be efficiently intercepted by plants when movable benches are used. This indicated that it was possible to increase plant yield per unit area using movable benches in plant cultivation.

Pea Grain Protein Content Across Italian Environments: Genetic Relationship With Grain Yield, and Opportunities for Genome-Enabled Selection for Protein Yield

Wider pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation has great interest for European agriculture, owing to its favorable environmental impact and provision of high-protein feedstuff. This work aimed to investigate the extent of genotype × environment interaction (GEI), genetically based trade-offs and polygenic control for crude protein content and grain yield of pea targeted to Italian environments, and to assess the efficiency of genomic selection (GS) as an alternative to phenotypic selection (PS) to increase protein yield per unit area. Some 306 genotypes belonging to three connected recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations derived from paired crosses between elite cultivars were genotyped through genotyping-by-sequencing and phenotyped for grain yield and protein content on a dry matter basis in three autumn-sown environments of northern or central Italy. Line variation for mean protein content ranged from 21.7 to 26.6%. Purely genetic effects, compared with GEI effects, were over two-fold larger for protein content, and over 2-fold smaller for grain and protein yield per unit area. Grain yield and protein content exhibited no inverse genetic correlation. A genome-wide association study revealed a definite polygenic control not only for grain yield but also for protein content, with small amounts of trait variation accounted for by individual loci. On average, the GS predictive ability for individual RIL populations based on the rrBLUP model (which was selected out of four tested models) using by turns two environments for selection and one for validation was moderately high for protein content (0.53) and moderate for grain yield (0.40) and protein yield (0.41). These values were about halved for inter-environment, inter-population predictions using one RIL population for model construction to predict data of the other populations. The comparison between GS and PS for protein yield based on predicted gains per unit time and similar evaluation costs indicated an advantage of GS for model construction including the target RIL population and, in case of multi-year PS, even for model training based on data of a non-target population. In conclusion, protein content is less challenging than grain yield for phenotypic or genome-enabled improvement, and GS is promising for the simultaneous improvement of both traits.

Integrated Crop Management Practices of Wheat through Frontline Demonstrationin Bundelkhand Region

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Datia, Madhya Pradesh conducted 365 demonstrations on wheatvarieties GW-366 and RVW-4106 during 2017-18 to 2020-21 at farmers’ field in Datiadistrict to find out the worth of the improved technology. The parameters like technologicalimpact, economical impact and extension gap were analyzed and the feasibility ofdemonstrated technologies at grass root levels was assessed. The results of four years ofstudies revealed that the yield under demonstration plots was 4684 kg/ha as compared to3875 kg/ha in traditional farmer practices plots. This additional yield of 809 kg/ha and theincrease in average wheat productivity by 21.43 per cent may contribute to the presentwheat requirement on national basis. The average technology gap, extension gap andtechnology index were found to be 376.50 kg/ha, 807.75 kg/ha and 7.40 per cent respectively.An additional investment of Rs. 1470 per ha coupled with scientific monitoring ofdemonstrations and non-monetary factors resulted in an additional net return of Rs. 13531per ha. Fluctuation in the sale price of wheat during different years influenced the economicreturns per unit area. On four years overall average basis incremental benefit cost ratiowas found as 3.41. The results indicate the positive effects of FLDs over the existingpractices.

К вопросу о влиянии неоднородного диэлектрического покрытия на характеристики металлической поверхности

Within the framework of the quantum-statistical functional and the Ritz method, the the problem of finding the surface energy per unit area and work function electrons of a metal flat surface with a inhomogeneous dielectric coating, taken into account in the approximation of a continuous medium. For a uniform coating, the calculated values are insensitive to the selection one-parameter functions for an electronic profile, but sensitive to the gradient series of kinetic energy non-interacting electrons. Calculations are performed for Al, Na and the comparison with the calculations by the Kohn-Shem method is made. Analytically the connection between the theory of the Ritz method for inhomogeneous coatings and calculations by the Kohn-Shem method work function of electrons for metal-dielectric nanosandwiches. As it turned out, the influence inhomogeneous coating on the characteristics of the metal surface can be scaled down to a uniform coverage case. The possibility of using the obtained results in various experimental situations are discussed.

Innovative Study on Microstructural Change in Duplex Stainless Steel in Corrosive Media

Duplex Stainless Steel was developed long back in 1930 and gradually finds its wide application because of its high strength, good weldability, good toughness and resistance to stress corrosion cracking. This alloy finds its application in pressure vessels, bridges, process plants and also in typically down to minus 50 degree centigrade applications. However, because of its high alloy content thermal conductivities of duplex stainless steel are low. Casting this alloy is difficult and can be industrially used after proper heat treatment. In this present study corrosion rates were measured for CD4MCu in terms of weight loss/unit area/hour and microstructures were observed in different corrosive medium with time as variable.

Rooting and development parameters of softwood cuttings of kiwifruit plant in different planting schemes

This article reveals the results of experiments conducted to study the influence of the planting scheme on the viability of the varieties of kiwifruit plant introduced to our republic in their reproduction from softwood cuttings. The experiments were conducted on a special substrate in a microclimate-controlled facility. Hayward variety of the kiwifruit plant served as the object of study. Softwood cuttings of kiwifruit varieties were studied by planting in eight different schemes. The results of the study showed that the rooting of kiwifruit varieties from softwood cuttings was higher as the distance between them decreased. However, in terms of seedling yield per unit area, the planting schemes 10×20 and 15×15 cm were recommended in the production.

Influence of air masses on microphone vibration sensitivity

A study is presented of the primary design parameters that influence the vibration sensitivity of a microphone. The sensitivity to vibration is generally determined by the mass of the pressure-sensing diaphragm along with the mass of air that moves with it. The sound-sensing performance is improved as the pressure-sensing diaphragm is made thinner, but for a thin enough diaphragm, the moving air mass is not negligible relative to that of the diaphragm itself. In the present study, we develop a simple duct-acoustic model to account for the effect of the co-vibrating air. It is shown that an idealized massless, thin microphone diaphragm will still produce unwanted vibration signal due to acceleration of the air masses within the microphone. For a small microphone, the predicted pressure related acceleration sensitivity is found to be a simple function of the mass per unit area of the air inside of the microphone package. The acceleration sensitivity predicted using a finite element model of a one micrometer thick clamped flexible silicon diaphragm agrees with that predicted by the simple duct model. Measured and predicted acceleration sensitivities are compared for several MEMS and sub-miniature electret microphones of different back volume lengths . It is found that the primary design parameter determining vibration sensitivity for these microphones is the effective length of the column of air inside the microphone’s packaging. Microphones that have longer air-filled volumes had greater pressure related acceleration sensitivity.

Statistical Indices of Land Use Changes and Nutrients Balance of Tomatoes and Peppers Production in Jordan Valley and Highlands (1999-2019)

Climate change has caused pressure on water resources in Jordan. This was accompanied by the Syrian refugee crisis during the period 2009 to 2019. This descriptive study was conducted in the University of Debrecen, during the years 2020 and 2021 within the course of sustainable land use by collecting official statistical data from reliable sources in Jordan on the production of tomato, pepper, and paprika during five years 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019 to compare the change in land use, crop sown structure, country production, unit area average yield and estimation of unit area pollution with major nutrients. The study showed an increased land used for the production of vegetables by (+ 37.84%) during the period from 2004 to 2014, high productivity per hectare for three crops from 2014 to 2019. Jordan had the highest tomato and paprika crop yields in 2014. The reason is due to the increase in the local and global demand for these crops along with other reasons, which have promoted the use of mass production agricultural techniques, the most important of which is chemical fertilization. Which caused the accumulation of phosphorus and potassium in soils.

Morphofunctional transformations during the morphogenesis of the thyroid gland of the offspring of Wistar rats after intrauterine exposure to dexamethasone

Background. In recent years, the prevalence of thyroid pathologies of various origins among children in the world has reached a significantly high level. The use of glucocorticoids during pregnancy remains a debatable issue in obstetrics today, as they can both positively and negatively affect the processes of organ morphogenesis and be the cause of pathological conditions in the postnatal period. Objective: to establish the features of morphofunctional transformations during the morphogenesis of the thyroid gland of the offspring of rats at an early age in normal and after intrauterine action of dexamethasone. Methods. 108 thyroid glands of rats of 3 experimental groups were microscopically examined using histological and immunohistochemical methods, followed by statistical processing of the obtained results. Results. Against the background of high levels of total follicular thyrocytes per 1 day of life in animals that received prenatal dexamethasone, cytoplasmic expression of TgAb was expressed, which correlated with the indicators of nuclear and cytoplasmic Fox-1 expression. From the 7th to the 11th day, a decrease in the total number of thyrocytes per unit area was observed due to the accumulation of colloid in the follicles, an increase in Fox-1 cytoplasmic expression and a decrease in nuclear expression, against the background of increased proliferative activity. By day 21, Fox-1 cytoplasmic and nuclear expression were almost identical. There was a decrease in the intensity of TgAb expression in the cytoplasm of thyrocytes and its expression in the colloid, a decrease in the number of Ki-67 positive thyrocytes per conditional unit area compared with the previous observation period. Conclusion. It was found that prenatal exposure of dexamethasone causes the offspring accelerate the development of morphological structures of the thyroid gland, but functionally they are in a state of stress of both the synthesizing apparatus and the process of hormone excretion, which is expressed in the imbalance of immunohistochemical expression of Fox-1 and TgAb. Such thyrocytes with signs of disturbances in synthetic activity desquamate into the lumen of the follicles, while on the 11th day we compensatory increase in the proliferative activity of the thyroid epithelium.