SEASONAL AND VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOIL FAUNA IN A THINNED AND UREA-FERTILIZED DOUGLAS FIR FOREST

1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. G. MARSHALL
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fauna ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Urea Treatment ◽  
Function Test ◽  
The One ◽  
Fertilizer Rates ◽  
Seasonal Population ◽  
Urea Fertilization

Ecological studies on soil nematodes, enchytraeids, collembolans and mites in a 1948 Pseudotsuga menziesii plantation at Shawnigan, British Columbia were made from March 1971 to March 1972. The plantation was thinned to 1,900 stems/ha and urea was applied at 0, 224 and 448 kg N/ha just before faunal sampling. Monthly samples were extracted in high-gradient apparatus, Murphy split funnels and simple wet funnels. Fifty-two and 53% of collembolans and mites, respectively, occurred in the top 5.3 cm of the 17.5-cm soil profile studied. The Pearson and Hartley power function test indicated that for intramonth sampling to show statistical significance of treatment, at least 10 samples per treatment would be required for any of the groups under experimental conditions similar to the one reported here. Collembolans and mites exhibited significant downward seasonal distribution, and urea treatment accentuated this phenomenon for all four groups, suggesting that sampling below 6 cm would be required to observe the full impact of urea fertilization on the soil fauna. Except for enchytraeids, seasonal population fluctuation contrasted with the generally observed pattern in temperate regions of spring and fall peaks and showed increases through the spring, culminating in summer and autumn maxima. Urea fertilization increased annual mean population of nematodes by 1.41 and 2.51 times the control for 224 and 448 kg N/ha, respectively, and decreased enchytraeids by 0.52 and 0.28 times the control for the same two fertilizer rates; collembolans and mites were not significantly affected.

THE RELATION BETWEEN THE HYPOTHALAMIC NEUROSECRETION AND THE CORTICOTROPHIN RELEASE IN EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

1960 ◽  
Vol XXXIV (I) ◽  
pp. 8-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Kivalo ◽  
U. K. Rinne
Keyword(s):  
Paraventricular Nucleus ◽  
Median Eminence ◽  
Supraoptic Nucleus ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Neurosecretory Material ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Hypothalamic Cells ◽  
The One ◽  
Hypophysial Portal ◽  
Acth Release

ABSTRACT Acute stress, chronic stress plus hydration, cortisone treatment, cortisone treatment plus dehydration were used as methods of investigation and the relation between the neurosecretory activity of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus and the neurosecretory material around the hypophysial portal vessels of the median eminence on the one hand and the corticotrophin release on the other hand, has been studied in the rat. Whereas stress stimulates both the activity of the above mentioned cells of the hypothalamus and the ACTH release, stress plus hydration causes a depression of these hypothalamic cells but nevertheless causes a marked ACTH release. Cortisone inhibits the activity of the cells in the supraoptic nucleus and the paraventricular nucleus as well as the ACTH release whereas cortisone plus dehydration causes stimulation but inhibits the ACTH release. In some stress and cortisone treatment groups the variations of the neurosecretory material around the hypophysial portal vessels and of the ACTH release were found to show a correlation. It is concluded that the activity of the cells of the supraoptic nucleus and the paraventricular nucleus and the ACTH release do not seem to have any definite connection, whereas some observations indicate that the neurosecretory material in the region of the median eminence around the hypophysial portal vessels may have some significance in ACTH release.

scholarly journals Alpha EEG Frontal Asymmetries during Audiovisual Perception in Cochlear Implant Users

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (06) ◽  
pp. 500-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Maglione ◽  
A. Scorpecci ◽  
P. Malerba ◽  
P. Marsella ◽  
S. Giannantonio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Alpha Rhythm ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Audiovisual Perception ◽  
Audiovisual Stimuli ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Eeg Alpha ◽  
The One ◽  
Hearing Children

SummaryObjectives: The aim of the present study is to investigate the variations of the electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha rhythm in order to measure the appreciation of bilateral and unilateral young cochlear implant users during the observation of a musical cartoon. The cartoon has been modified for the generation of three experimental conditions: one with the original audio, another one with a distorted sound and, finally, a mute version.Methods: The EEG data have been recorded during the observation of the cartoons in the three experimental conditions. The frontal alpha EEG imbalance has been calculated as a measure of motivation and pleasantness to be compared across experimental populations and conditions.Results: The EEG frontal imbalance of the alpha rhythm showed significant variations during the perception of the different cartoons. In particular, the pattern of activation of normal-hearing children is very similar to the one elicited by the bilateral implanted patients. On the other hand, results related to the unilateral subjects do not present significant variations of the imbalance index across the three cartoons.Conclusion: The presented results suggest that the unilateral patients could not appreciate the difference in the audio format as well as bilaterally implanted and normal hearing subjects. The frontal alpha EEG imbalance is a useful tool to detect the differences in the appreciation of audiovisual stimuli in cochlear implant patients.

scholarly journals Two-Segment Foot Model for the Biomechanical Analysis of Squat

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
E. Panero ◽  
L. Gastaldi ◽  
W. Rapp
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Foot Model ◽  
Partial Body ◽  
The One ◽  
Midtarsal Joint

Squat exercise is acquiring interest in many fields, due to its benefits in improving health and its biomechanical similarities to a wide range of sport motions and the recruitment of many body segments in a single maneuver. Several researches had examined considerable biomechanical aspects of lower limbs during squat, but not without limitations. The main goal of this study focuses on the analysis of the foot contribution during a partial body weight squat, using a two-segment foot model that considers separately the forefoot and the hindfoot. The forefoot and hindfoot are articulated by the midtarsal joint. Five subjects performed a series of three trials, and results were averaged. Joint kinematics and dynamics were obtained using motion capture system, two force plates closed together, and inverse dynamics techniques. The midtarsal joint reached a dorsiflexion peak of 4°. Different strategies between subjects revealed 4° supination and 2.5° pronation of the forefoot. Vertical GRF showed 20% of body weight concentrated on the forefoot and 30% on the hindfoot. The percentages varied during motion, with a peak of 40% on the hindfoot and correspondently 10% on the forefoot, while the traditional model depicted the unique constant 50% value. Ankle peak of plantarflexion moment, power absorption, and power generation was consistent with values estimated by the one-segment model, without statistical significance.

scholarly journals MALARIAL PIGMENT (HEMATIN) AS A FACTOR IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE MALARIAL PAROXYSM

1912 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 579-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wade H. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Human Subject ◽  
Toxic Substance ◽  
Malarial Parasite ◽  
Striking Similarity ◽  
Conservative Estimate ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Malarial Infection ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Abundant Evidence ◽  
The One

The paroxysm of hematin intoxication in the rabbit undoubtedly presents many features of striking similarity to the paroxysm of human malaria; still one must hesitate to apply such results unreservedly in an attempt to identify the causative agent of the malarial paroxysm. When, in addition to the character of the paroxysm, we consider the sequence of events in the two instances, the analogy becomes so close that it seems impossible to regard the matter as a mere coincidence. The injection of hematin, especially in fractional doses, is in a measure comparable to the liberation of hematin into the human circulation by the malarial parasite. In these experiments, See PDF for Structure both solution and finely divided suspensions of hematin have been found equally effective in eliciting the phenomena of the paroxysm, and while it seems possible that a portion of the malarial pigment might be dissolved in the alkaline human serum, such an assumption is probably not essential. It might be objected that the toxic action of foreign hematin thus injected into the circulation would probably be greater than that of hematin derived from an animal's own blood, but as far as I have been able to determine, this objection does not seem valid, as rabbit hematin, dog hematin, and ox hematin produce in the rabbit effects that are alike in both character and degree. The dose of hematin remains as the one factor to which it is possible to attach some degree of uncertainty, but even here the author feels that the range of experimental conditions has been kept within the bounds of legitimate analogy with conditions existing in the human subject of malarial infection. Finally, the most conservative estimate of the value of such experiments points strongly to the fact that we have at least a potentially toxic substance in the pigment hematin as liberated by the malarial parasite into the circulation of the human host. There is also abundant evidence to show that the action of hematin is not confined to the paroxysmal phenomena of malaria, but that other features of the disease may find their explanation in the action of this pigment. For the present, however, it seems advisable to confine the discussion to this one phase of the question.

Liver Enzyme Elevation associated with Total Parenteral Nutrition

1980 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 702-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cal Wayne Greenlaw
Keyword(s):  
Liver Function ◽  
Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
Total Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
Liver Function Test ◽  
Abnormal Liver Function ◽  
Amino Acid Solution ◽  
Function Test ◽  
The One ◽  
Enzyme Elevation ◽  
Basal Energy Expenditure

A number of complications associated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) have been identified, and methods of prevention or treatment have been developed. However, abnormal liver function continues to occur with the use of TPN, and little is known about its incidence and etiology. Twenty-three patients, receiving TPN through the TPN program at Holy Cross Hospital from January, 1978 to May, 1978, were studied. All patients received a basic parenteral amino acid solution (Travasol®), with varying amounts of nitrogen per day, depending on nitrogen balance studies. Dextrose was supplied in quantities necessary to provide 120 percent or more of the patient's calculated basal energy expenditure (BEE). Of the 23 patients studied, elevated liver function test values were detected in two patients (8.6 percent). In both cases, the complication developed within six to eight days, and both had received calories in excess of 213 percent of their calculated BEE and had a calorie to nitrogen (kcal: N) ratio greater than 150: 1. Mean calories as a percent of calculated BEE and kcal: N ratio were significantly higher in the patients with elevated liver function test (LFT) values than in those with normal LFT values ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively). Following identification of the elevated LFT values, both patients were immediately placed on cyclic TPN (CyTPN). In the one patient, liver enzymes reverted toward normal after seven days of CyTPN, while the second patient required only five days. Cyclic TPN was deemed effective in the reversal of abnormal liver function in these two patients. It is speculated that the abnormal liver function was a result of fatty liver infiltration. The mechanism by which this infiltration occurs and its treatment are discussed.

scholarly journals Effect of Red Wine Intake on Serum and Salivary Melatonin Levels: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Varoni ◽  
Rita Paroni ◽  
Jacopo Antognetti ◽  
Giovanni Lodi ◽  
Andrea Sardella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Red Wine ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Salivary Melatonin ◽  
The One ◽  
To Receive

Melatonin (MLT) is a recently discovered phytochemical in wine, but its influence on physiological MLT levels is still unknown. This study aimed at evaluating variations, in serum and saliva, of MLT concentrations after the intake of MLT-enriched red wine. Twelve healthy volunteers were recruited to receive 125 mL of red wine naturally lacking of MLT (placebo, PLC), or the same wine enriched with MLT (MLT+). A physiological steady decline of serum MLT was observed from baseline up to 90 min, for both wines. After PLC intake, the decrease was significantly faster than the one occurring after MLT+ wine, which thus delayed the drop down of serum MLT with a plateau at 30–60 min. Salivary MLT levels slightly peaked at 45 min after MLT+ wine intake, without statistical significance. Therefore, the intake of a glass of MLT-enriched red wine changed serum levels of the indoleamine, supporting the role of wine MLT in counteracting the physiological decline of the hormone into the bloodstream.

scholarly journals Mineral fertilizers as a governing factor of the regulation of the number of fungi in soil

2009 ◽  
pp. 201-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marijana Pesakovic ◽  
Dragutin Djukic ◽  
Leka Mandic ◽  
Milan Rakicevic ◽  
Rade Miletic
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fungi ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Nitrogen Rate ◽  
Nutritive Medium ◽  
Governing Factor ◽  
Npk Fertilizer ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The One ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Over 2003-2005 period, a study was performed on the effect of different rates of NPK fertilizer of formulation 8:16:24 + 3% MgO (N1 - 400 kg ha-1; N2 - 600 kg ha-1; N3 - 800 kg ha-1; N4 - 1000 kg ha-1) on development of the soil fungi. The trial was set up in the experimental plum orchard established by Fruit Research Institute Cacak, and the laboratory of Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agronomy Cacak. Unfertilized soil was used as the control soil. Each of the stated variants was carried out in three replications. The size of the basic plot was 68 m2. The effect of the studied mineral fertilizer rates was determined three times over the growing season, the number of fungi being checked by the indirect rarefaction method on Chapek nutritive medium. The results of the study inferred that the application of mineral fertilizers brought about the decrease in the number of fungi. Of all studied variants, the one with the highest nitrogen rate (variant N4) exhibited the strongest effect. The influence of the fertilizer was highest at the third sampling. Furthermore, the effect was highest in season 2003.

scholarly journals ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON NEPENTHES AT BARITO ULU, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Mansur
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Central Kalimantan ◽  
Length Growth ◽  
Small Plot ◽  
Heath Forest ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One

Ecological studies on the Nepenthes species at Barito Ulu, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia were conducted between August 2005 and September 2006. Surveys and two small plot inventories were used to determine the diversity and population of Nepenthes at the study site. We found eight Nepenthes species around the BaritoUlu study area: N. albomarginata, N. ampullaria, N. gracilis, N. hirsuta, N. rafflesiana, N. reinwardtiana, N. stenophylla, and N. hispida. Plot A was dominated by N. rafflesiana with one other species found; whilst in plot B we found five species but it was also dominated by N. rafflesiana. In plot A, the one year stem length growth rate of N. albomarginata was faster than N. rafflesiana (5.0 and 3.5 cm respectively). While in plot B, N. gracilis (21.7 cm) and N. reinwardtiana (13.1 cm) showed faster growth rates than N. albomarginata (5.2 cm), N. rafflesiana (7.0 cm) and N. stenophylla (8.5 cm). Generally, the habitat of Nepenthes in the study site is heath forest.

EXPERIMENTS WITH ARTIFICIAL LIGHT: NECESSITY FOR PROPERLY IDENTIFYING THE SOURCE

1982 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard J. R. Philogène
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Artificial Illumination

The use of artificial illumination in entomological studies is extensive. Incandescent and fluorescent lights are used in mass-rearing insects necessary for physiological and ecological studies, and in photoperiod-controlled as well as in electrophysiological experiments.One of the main problems facing investigators in the interpretation of their results or in comparing these to preceding reports is the plethora of ways in which experimental conditions involving light are reported. Here are some examples: “The ants were kept under fluorescent light from 0800 to 2000 hours; light intensity on the ants was about 400 lux” (McCluskey 1965).

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