Effect of environment and genotype on bread-making quality of spring-sown spring wheat cultivars in China

Improvement of end-use quality in bread wheat depends on a thorough understanding of current wheat quality and the influences of genotype (G), environment (E), and genotype by environment interaction (G x E) on quality traits. Thirty-nine spring-sown spring wheat (SSSW) cultivars and advanced lines from China were grown in four agro-ecological zones comprising seven locations during the 1998 and 1999 cropping seasons. Data on 12 major bread-making quality traits were used to investigate the effect of G, E, and G x E on these traits. Wide range variability for protein quantity and quality, starch quality parameters and milling quality in Chinese SSSW was observed. Genotype and environment were found to significantly influence all quality parameters as major effects. Kernel hardness, flour yield, Zeleny sedimentation value and mixograph properties were mainly influenced by the genetic variance components, while thousand kernel weight, test weight, and falling number were mostly influenced by the environmental variance components. Genotype, environment, and their interaction had important effects on test weight, mixing development time and RVA parameters. Cultivars originating from Zone VI (northeast) generally expressed high kernel hardness, good starch quality, but poor milling and medium to weak mixograph performance; those from Zone VII (north) medium to good gluten and starch quality, but low milling quality; those from Zone VIII (central northwest) medium milling and starch quality, and medium to strong mixograph performance; those from Zone IX (western/southwestern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau) medium milling quality, but poor gluten strength and starch parameters; and those from Zone X (northwest) high milling quality, strong mixograph properties, but low protein content. Samples from Harbin are characterized by good gluten and starch quality, but medium to poor milling quality; those from Hongxinglong by strong mixograph properties, medium to high milling quality, but medium to poor starch quality and medium to low protein content; those from Hohhot by good gluten but poor milling quality; those from Linhe by weak gluten quality, medium to poor milling quality; those from Lanzhou by poor bread-making and starch quality; those from Yongning by acceptable bread-making and starch quality and good milling quality; and those from Urumqi by good milling quality, medium gluten quality and good starch pasting parameters. Our findings suggest that Chinese SSSW quality could be greatly enhanced through genetic improvement for targeted well-characterized production environments.

Determination of the effect of lipophilicity on the in vitro permeability and tissue reservoir characteristics of topically applied solutes in human skin layers

In order to establish the relationship between solute lipophilicity and skin penetration (including flux and concentration behavior), we examined the in vitro penetration and membrane concentration of a series of homologous alcohols (C2-C10) applied topically in aqueous solutions to human epidermal, full-thickness, and dermal membranes. The partitioning/distribution of each alcohol between the donor solution, stratum corneum, viable epidermis, dermis, and receptor phase compartments was determined during the penetration process and separately to isolated samples of each tissue type. Maximum flux and permeability coefficients are compared for each membrane and estimates of alcohol diffusivity are made based on flux/concentration data and also the related tissue resistance (the reciprocal of permeability coefficient) for each membrane type. The permeability coefficient increased with increasing lipophilicity to alcohol C8 (octanol) with no further increase for C10 (decanol). Log vehicle:stratum corneum partition coefficients were related to logP , and the concentration of alcohols in each of the tissue layers appeared to increase with lipophilicity. No difference was measured in the diffusivity of smaller more polar alcohols in the three membranes; however, the larger more lipophilic solutes showed slower diffusivity values. The study showed that the dermis may be a much more lipophilic environment than originally believed and that distribution of smaller nonionized solutes into local tissues below a site of topical application may be estimated based on knowledge of their lipophilicity alone.

The effect of temperature on the size and population density of dinoflagellates in larvae of the reef coral Porites astreoides

Pre-settlement events play an important role in determining larval success in marine invertebrates with bentho-pelagic life histories, yet the consequences of these events typically are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the pre-settlement impacts of different seawater temperatures on the size and population density of dinoflagellate symbionts in brooded larvae of the Caribbean coral Porites astreoides. Larvae were collected from P. astreoides at 14-20 m depth on Conch Reef (Florida) in June 2002, and incubated for 24 h at 15 temperatures spanning the range 25.1 degrees-30.0 degrees C in mean increments of 0.4 +/- 0.1 degrees C (+/- SD). The most striking feature of the larval responses was the magnitude of change in both parameters across this 5 degrees C temperature range within 24 h. In general, larvae were largest and had the highest population densities of Symbiodinium sp. between 26.4 degrees-27.7 degrees C, and were smallest and had the lowest population densities at 25.8 degrees C and 28.8 degrees C. Larval size and symbiont population density were elevated slightly (relative to the minimal values) at the temperature extremes of 25.1 degrees C and 30 degrees C. These data demonstrate that coral larvae are highly sensitive to seawater temperature during their pelagic phase, and respond through changes in size and the population densities of Symbiodinium sp. to ecologically relevant temperature signals within 24 h. The extent to which these changes are biologically meaningful will depend on the duration and frequency of exposure of coral larvae to spatio-temporal variability in seawater temperature, and whether the responses have cascading effects on larval success and their entry to the post-settlement and recruitment phase.

Effect of pH on Na induced Ca deficiency

Although it is well known that high Na concentrations induce Ca deficiency in acidic conditions, the effect of high pH on this competitive mechanism is not so well understood. The effect of Ca activity ratio (CAR) and pH on the Ca uptake of mungbeans (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek cv. Emerald) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana cv. Pioneer) in Na dominated solution cultures and in soil was investigated. Changes in pH in the alkaline range were shown not to affect the critical CAR of 0.024 (corresponding to 90 % relative root length) for mungbeans grown in solution culture. Results from soil grown mungbeans confirmed those from solution culture, with a critical CAR of 0.025. A critical CAR of 0.034 was also established for soil grown Rhodes grass. The similarity of critical values established for mungbeans and Rhodes grass in solution culture and soil justifies the use of both solution culture and soil solution measurement as techniques for studying plant growth and limitations across plant species.

An investigation of the effect of powder on the impact characteristics between a ball and a plate using free falling experiments

The study of the mechanisms of mechanical alloying requires knowledge of the impact characteristics between the ball and vial in the presence of milling powders. In this paper, foe falling experiments have br cn used to investigate the characteristics of impact events involved in mechanical milling. The effects of milling conditions, including impact velocity, ball size and powder thickness. on the coefficient of restitution and impact force are studied. It is found that the powder has a significant influence on the impact process due to its porous structure. This effect can be demonstrated using a modified Kelvin model. This study also confirms that the impact force is a relevant parameter for characterising the impact event due to its sensitivity to the milling conditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.

Effect of estrogen on vascular smooth muscle cells is dependent upon cellular phenotype

To investigate the growth-regulating action of estrogen on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), effects of beta-17-estradiol (beta-E-2) on phenotypic modulation and proliferation of rabbit aortic SMC were observed in vitro. At 10(-8) M, beta-E-2 significantly slowed the decrease in volume fraction of myofilaments (V(v)myo) of freshly dispersed SMCs in primary culture, indicating an inhibitory effect of beta-E-2 On spontaneous phenotypic modulation of SMC from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. Freshly dispersed SMCs treated with beta-E-2 also had a relatively longer quiescent phase than control cells before intense proliferation occurred. This was in contrast to SMCs in passage 2-3 (synthetic state), where beta-E-2-treated cells replicated significantly faster than untreated cells. beta-E-2 also markedly enhanced the serum-induced DNA synthesis of synthetic SMCs in a concentration-dependent manner within physiological range (10(-10) to 10-8 M). These findings indicate that the growth-regulating effect of estrogen on vascular SMC is dependent on the cell's phenotypic stare. It delays the cell cycle re-entry of the contractile SMCs by retarding their phenotypic modulation however, once cells have modulated to the synthetic phenotype, it promotes their replication. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of temperature on the gamma-radiolysis of poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoromethyl vinyl ether)

The effect of irradiation temperature on the polymer properties was investigated for the fluoroelastomer poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoromethylvinyl ether) (TFE/PMVE). TFE/PMVE samples were gamma-irradiated to 150 kGy at temperatures ranging from 77 K to 373 K. Analysis of the sol/gel behaviour, tensile properties, and glass transition temperatures indicated that crosslinking commenced in the temperature range 195 to 263 K, for a dose of 150 kGy. The latter temperature was 13 K below the glass transition temperature. Crosslinking remained relatively constant to higher temperatures. Chain scission reactions were found to occur well below the glass transition temperature and increased at higher temperatures. The optimum temperature for the radiation crosslinking of TFE/PMVE, for the temperatures investigated, was 263 K. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of disorder on quantum phase transitions in anisotropic XY spin chains in a transverse field

We present some exact results for the effect of disorder on the critical properties of an anisotropic XY spin chain in a transverse held. The continuum limit of the corresponding fermion model is taken and in various cases results in a Dirac equation with a random mass. Exact analytic techniques can then be used to evaluate the density of states and the localization length. In the presence of disorder the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic or Ising transition of the model is in the same universality class as the random transverse field Ising model solved by Fisher using a real-space renormalization-group decimation technique (RSRGDT). If there is only randomness in the anisotropy of the magnetic exchange then the anisotropy transition (from a ferromagnet in the x direction to a ferromagnet in the y direction) is also in this universality class. However, if there is randomness in the isotropic part of the exchange or in the transverse held then in a nonzero transverse field the anisotropy transition is destroyed by the disorder. We show that in the Griffiths' phase near the Ising transition that the ground-state energy has an essential singularity. The results obtained for the dynamical critical exponent, typical correlation length, and for the temperature dependence of the specific heat near the Ising transition agree with the results of the RSRODT and numerical work. [S0163-1829(99)07125-8].

The effect of Al2O3 on liquidus temperatures of fayalite slags

The effect of alumina on the liquidus temperatures of fayalite slags at iron saturation has been investigated experimentally. Equilibrated synthetic slags were quenched, and the samples were subsequently examined using optical microscopy and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The isotherms in the fayalite primary field and boundary lines were determined, and the results were presented in the form of pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of FeO-CaO-SiO2 with 0, 2, 4, and 6 wt pet Al2O3 in the slag. The experimental results show that the alumina addition expands the fayalite primary phase field and decreases the liquidus temperatures in the fayalite primary phase field.

Effect of additives on gelatinization, rheological properties and biodegradability of thermoplastic starch

Effect of additives on the starch gelatinization was governed by the processing conditions. The order-disorder transition of starch in water can occur in more than one way and the effect of polar additives on gelatinization can also be in more than one way. The additives appear to be plasticising thermoplastic starches, resulting in improving rheological properties. The thermoplastic starches with the additives are all biodegradable although the rates of biodegradability are slightly different.

Effect of density on spatial distribution, pit formation and pit diameter of Myrmeleon acer Walker, (Neuroptera : Myrmeleontidae): patterns and processes

The effect of increasing population density on the formation of pits, their size and spatial distribution, and on levels of mortality was examined in the antlion Myrmeleon acer Walker. Antlions were kept at densities ranging from 0.4 to 12.8 individuals per 100 cm(2). The distribution of pits was regular or uniform across all densities, but antlions constructed proportionally fewer and smaller pits as density increased. Mortality through cannibalism was very low and only occurred at densities greater than five individuals per 100 cm(2). Antlions in artificially crowded situations frequently relocated their pits and when more space became available, individuals became more dispersed with time. Redistribution of this species results from active avoidance of other antlions and sand throwing associated with pit construction and maintenance, rather than any attempt to optimise prey capture per se.

Suppressing the negative effect of devaluation on group identification: The role of intergroup differentiation and intragroup respect

We examined (N = 76) how social creativity strategies such as intergroup differentiation and intragroup respect suppress the negative impact of threat to an ingroup's value on group identification. Threat was manipulated through false feedback concerning how other groups perceived an ingroup. Both intergroup differentiation and intragroup respect were higher when participants learned that the ingroup was devalued compared to when it was valued. Mediational analyses demonstrated that these factors suppressed the direct negative relationship between value threat and group identification. Discussion focused on the consequences of these social creativity strategies for group identification and collective action. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.