Head Formation Research Articles

Functional attributes of the anterior mesendoderm in patterning the anterior neural structures during head formation in the mouse.

Induction of the neural ectoderm and the patterning of embryonic brain are the requisite organizing activity for head formation. Studies of loss-of-function mouse mutants that displayed a head truncation phenotype pointed to a key functional role of the anterior mesendoderm in anterior neural patterning. In this overview, we highlight the learning of the molecular attributes underpinning the formation of the anterior mesendoderm, the acquisition of ectoderm competence in the epiblast and the patterning of the embryonic brain during gastrulation and neurulation.

Investigation of the relation between surfactant head group size and formation of different types of lyotropic structures in two surfactants/dye systems

Lyotropic phase properties of novel mixtures of some dodecylalkylammonium bromide surfactants (DAABr) in the mixtures of 1-dodecanol (DDeOH)/Sunset Yellow dye (SSY)/water were investigated. DAABr surfactants were chosen as dodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDMABr), dodecyldimethylethylamonium bromide (DDMEABr) and dodecyltriethylammonium bromide (DTEABr). In lyotropic mixtures, both surfactants were used in the mixtures, i.e., DDMABr/DDMEABr and DDMEABr/DTEABr to control the average number of the methylene (−CH2) groups in their head groups (navg) at the aggregates’ surfaces. By changing the relative concentrations of each surfactant in the mixtures at constant total surfactant and mixture compositions, lyotropic mixtures presenting lamellar, nematic, and hexagonal phases were obtained. The textures and types of lyotropic phases were analyzed by polarizing optical microscopy (POM), also confirmed by Small-angle X-ray scattering data. Uniaxial-to-biaxial nematic phase transitions were determined from the temperature dependence of the birefringences via laser conoscopy. Temperature-navg partial phase diagrams of the mixtures were constructed by combining the POM and laser conoscopy results. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was performed to determine the structural parameters. The results indicate that there is a close relation between the stabilization of different lyotropic structures and the average size per surfactant head group (a0) and the navg values.

Effects of geometric parameters of screw type blind rivet joints on large blind head formation and pre-load

Effects of geometric parameters of screw type blind rivet joints on large blind head formation and pre-load

Chimera states in pulse-coupled oscillator systems.

Coupled oscillator systems can lead to states in which synchrony and chaos coexist. These states are called "chimera states." The mechanism that explains the occurrence of chimera states is not well understood, especially in pulse-coupled oscillators. We study a variation of a pulse-coupled oscillator model that has been shown to produce chimera states, demonstrate that it reproduces several of the expected chimera properties, like the formation of multiple heads and the ability to control the natural drift that Kuramoto's chimera states experience in a ring, and explain how chimera states emerge. Our contribution is defining the model, analyzing the mechanism leading to chimera states, and comparing it with examples from the field of Kuramoto oscillators.

Influence of different plant growth retardants in Mexican lawn grass (Zoysia matrella) for reducing the mowing frequency and better visual qualities

Mexican lawn grass (Zoysia matrella) is a perennial mat-forming species suited for the landscaping industry due to its versatile adaptability. The pleasing appearance of the lawn grasses can be achieved through mowing at regular intervals to avoid a shabby appearance, which requires skilled persons and ends up with expensive operation. Under these circumstances, the experiment was intended with the commonly available growth regulators for their efficiency in the reduction of the mowing cycle without losing or hampering their visual quality attributes. The application of 1.0% chlormequat chloride (T4) produced a mean grass leaf length of 2.00 cm, which was remarkably lower than that of control (T9), i.e., 4.87 cm. The same pattern of growth was exhibited during the 45th and 90th days after spraying. The mean turf shoot length (7.80 cm) and root length (13.40 cm) were observed in the control plots, while the application of 1.0% chlormequat chloride (T4) produced 3.83 cm and 7.94 cm, respectively, determining its ability to hamper the growth of turf grass. The Z. matrella grass failed to produce flower heads by the application of 1.0% mepiquat chloride (T2), 0.5% chlormequat chloride (T3), 1.0% chlormequat chloride (T4), 0.5% maleic hydrazide (T7) and 1.0% maleic hydrazide (T8). The control plots devoid of growth regulators initiate flower heads after 70 days. From the study, the application of 0.5% chlormequat chloride (T3) and 1.0% chlormequat chloride (T4) exerted a low level of thatch accumulation and no flower head formation was observed with maximal visual scoring, leading to the commercial expeditions for the turf industry.

Evaluation of CO2 storage potential of Carboniferous sandstones in the Maritime Provinces of Canada

The suitability of Carboniferous sandstones in three regions of the Maritime Provinces of Canada for geological carbon storage was evaluated: the Horton Bluff Formation in the Windsor Sub-basin, the lower Cumberland Group sandstones in the Cumberland–Sackville Sub-basin, and the Pennsylvanian sandstones of Prince Edward Island. the properties of potential reservoirs and characteristics of vertical seals and barriers to lateral migration were evaluated using previously collected well logs, sample descriptions, core analyzes and seismic interpretations. Reservoir quality was found to be the limiting factor in all three regions. Sandstones in the upper Hurd Creek Member of the Horton Bluff Formation locally have porosities up to 15% and permeabilities up to 25 milliDarcies at depths up to 1200 m. their aggregate thickness may be suitable for GCS, but individual sandstones are thin and likely of limited lateral extent. the lower Cumberland Group contains sand-dominated successions up to 1 km thick with low porosity (5–7%) where known in the subsurface. Sandstone bodies in the Bradelle, Green Gables, and Cable Head formations beneath Prince Edward Island exceed tens of meters in thickness with porosities averaging up to 10–12% and permeabilities up to 10 milliDarcies. Evaporites in the overlying Windsor Group would provide a suitable seal for the Horton Bluff Formation; in other areas the top seal would be provided by mud-prone heterolithic intervals. the evaluated areas may provide opportunities for small onshore storage projects. Further work is warranted to delineate reservoir trends and verify the integrity of potential top seals and traps.

Study on performance of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L.) under different production systems

Coimbatore is located in the western part of Tamil Nadu and nestled against the foothills of the Western Ghats. This region's cool climate and favourable terrain make it ideal for cultivating hill vegetables. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) is a significant cole crop known for its high nutritional value. Excessive chemical usage in cabbage cultivation leads to residual effects on soil and produce. This study aimed to identify the best production system for cabbage cultivation in the northwestern parts of Tamil Nadu. An experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2023-2024 at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with four treatments and five replications. The organic farming system exhibited the highest values for plant height (21.47 cm), stalk length (8.49 cm), dry matter accumulation (71.34 g per plant), days to head formation (18.75 days), days to harvest (56.25 days), head diameter (17.70 cm), head compactness (33.91), head weight (945.35 g per plant) and cabbage yield (24.92 t ha-1), surpassing both conventional and natural farming systems. A similar pattern was observed in quality parameters, including TSS (6.54 °Brix), shelf life (12.21 days) and ascorbic acid content (44.26 mg per 100 g). This study highlights an efficient cabbage cultivation system in the Coimbatore region, leading to improved yield, soil health and quality.

Selection of parental pairs when obtaining F1 hybrids of white cabbage with resistance to the tip burn of the inner leaves

Relevance. During the formation of cabbage heads, under certain conditions, white cabbage is damaged by a burn of the top of the inner leaves of the head, which abroad received the stable name “tip burn”. This disorder is interpreted as a physiological or non-infectious disease, the cause of which is a violation of calcium intake. The disease manifests itself inside the cabbage head, resulting from the interaction of environmental stress factors and the predisposed genotype. The most effective way to combat this disorder is to develop highly tolerant hybrids. This is especially true for the south of Russia, where the stress load on plants is maximum.Purpose of the study – to develop a principle for selecting parental pairs for developing hybrids that are resistant to the tip burn of the inner leaves of a cabbage head, and to identify promising hybrids. Materials and methods. In 2021-2022 in FSBSI "Federal Scientific Rice Centre", in the department of vegetable growing, 45 hybrid combinations obtained on the basis of 10 inbred lines were assessed under field conditions for the trait "burn damage to the inner leaves of the cabbage head." An analysis of the combining ability of lines according to Griffin, and an analysis of the inheritance of the trait according to Heiman were carried out. In 2023, a competitive test of promising hybrids was carried out.Results. In both years of research, 5 lines had negatively stable TCA for burn damage: Ten4270, Yas25p, Bs1f, Agr 82, 270Hn111. SCA of lines is more subject to changes from year to year. The effects of SCA in hybrids due to dominance, epistasis and overdominance in individual combinations significantly influence the manifestation of the trait in the direction of decrease or increase. The principle of selecting parental pairs to develop stable hybrids is based on a combination of lines with a negative SCA value; in some cases, it is permissible to include one line with an average SCA and low SCA. Analysis of genetic parameters according to Heiman confirms the prevalence of non-additive inheritance of the lesion; in unstable forms, the disorder is controlled by dominant polygenes and is highly heritable.

Exploring the biochemical and productivity implications of incorporating mustard cake in Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull.) cultivation

The study aimed to evaluate the biological efficiency and nutritional composition of Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull.), an edible and medicinal mushroom species often overlooked by Indian farmers. The mushrooms were cultivated on wheat husk as the control substrate from October to February. The substrate was enriched with mustard cake (M) at concentrations of 10 % (M500), 20 % (M1000) and 30 % (M1500) by dry weight to assess the impact on yield. The growth parameters, including the size and weight of fruiting bodies from each type of substrate were recorded. The control substrate, consisting of wheat straw alone, required the shortest period for mycelium growth at 33.125 ± 0.99 days, while wheat straw supplemented with 30 % mustard cake (M1500) took the longest time at 46.6 ± 1.5 days. However, the M1000 substrate (20 % mustard cake) had the shortest time span for pin head formation, taking 46 ± 1.41days and for maturation to fully grown fruiting bodies, requiring 50.25 ± 2.12 days. The M1000 substrate also produced the highest yield of 5533.2 kg with the greatest biological efficiency of 92.2 %, but comparatively least values were obtained in M1500, with a yield of 2088.28 kg and a biological efficiency of 51.28 %. The highest total carbohydrate content was found in M500 (10 % mustard cake), at 71.91 %, along with a fiber content of 13.19 %. The highest protein (38.06 %) and fats (2.73 %) contents were observed in M1500. The results of this study suggest that mustard cake can be used as an effective supplement to enhance the nutritional content, biological efficiency and productivity of Hypsizygus ulmarius.

WDR64, a testis-specific protein, is involved in the manchette and flagellum formation by interacting with ODF1

The WD40 repeat (WDR) domain is present in a wide range of proteins, providing sites for protein‒protein interactions. Recent studies have shown that WDR proteins play indispensable roles in spermatogenesis, such as in spermatocyte division, sperm head formation and flagellar assembly. In this study, we identified a novel testis-specific gene, WDR64, which has the typical characteristics of WD40 proteins with two β-propellers, and is highly conserved in Mammalia. RT-PCR and Western blot results revealed that WDR64 was highly expressed in testis. WDR64 protein was weakly expressed at postnatal Day 7, increased substantially at postnatal Day 28 and maintained at high levels thereafter. Further immunofluorescence demonstrated that WDR64 was localized posterior to the nucleus in steps 8–14 spermatids in line with the dynamic localization of manchette, moved to the flagella in steps 15–16 spermatids, and localized at the midpiece of the flagellum in mature spermatozoa. To explore the function of WDR64, we performed immunoprecipitation‒mass spectrometry (IP‒MS) to screen its interacting proteins and found that WDR64 interacted with ODF1 to form a complex. The WDR64/ODF1 complex is located at the manchette during nucleus shaping and finally at the midpiece of the mature spermatozoa tail, suggesting that it may be involved in the assembly of the manchette and flagella during spermiogenesis. Our findings provide the first understanding of the expression pattern of WDR64 and its potential molecular mechanism in spermiogenesis.

Optimizing Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) Production through Integrated Nutrient Management: Enhancing Yield, Quality, and Sustainability

This study explores the synergistic effects of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the growth, yield, and quality attributes of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). The present study was conducted during the Rabi season of 2022-23 at Lovely Professional University at a vegetable research farm in Punjab, India. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with ten treatments replicated three times. Various combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers, including vermicompost and neem cake were evaluated alongside the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF). Results indicated significant enhancements in most horticultural traits of cabbage across different treatments. Notably, the combination of RDF with vermicompost and neem cake (75% RDF: 5 t/ha: 2 t/ha) exhibited the most promising results, including increased head weight (125%), head formation percentage (22.17%), enhanced head yield (65.33%), improved compactness (98.60%), elevated ascorbic acid content (24.48%), and higher dry matter content (27.56%) than of control. These findings underscore the efficacy of integrated nutrient management strategies in optimizing cabbage production, emphasizing their potential for sustainable and high-quality vegetable cultivation.

Experimental studies of the influence of oriented planting cloves for the formation of garlic heads

Experimental studies of the influence of oriented planting cloves for the formation of garlic heads

The Role of BrKS in Leafy Head Formation Was Confirmed by Two Allelic Mutants of Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis)

Considering that the presence of a leafy head is a key morphological characteristic that determines the yield and quality of Chinese cabbage, identifying the major genes regulating the formation of a leafy head is crucial for variety improvement. A heading-related gene, BrKS, was previously predicted from a non-heading mutant, nhm1, derived from a heading variety, which encodes a key enzyme involved in gibberellin biosynthesis. Here, another mutant, nhm2, was identified from the same EMS-mutagenized population, and the phenotype of nhm2 was consistent with that of nhm1. We crossed mutants nhm1 and nhm2, and their F1 plants exhibited the mutant phenotype, which indicated that their mutant genes were allelic. A single non-synonymous mutation in the fourth exon of BrKS in mutant nhm1 and another single non-synonymous mutation in the tenth exon of BrKS in mutant nhm2. The same gene mutation in mutants nhm1 and nhm2 produced a similar non-heading phenotype, which confirmed the role of BrKS in the leafy head formation of Chinese cabbage. RNA-Seq analysis indicated that a transcription factor gene, BrERF1A, which is associated with leaf development, significantly down-regulated expression in mutant nhm1, and after the mutant was treated with GA3, the expression level of BrERF1A was recovered, which indicated that BrKS might be involved in leafy head formation through regulating the expression level of BrERF1A. Our findings provide important clues for revealing the molecular mechanism of leafy head formation in Chinese cabbage.

ANALYSES OF EUROPEAN TERMINAL AERODROME WEATHER FORECASTS IN 2022 AND 2023

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) are essential components of aviation meteorology, providing critical information for flight safety and operational decision-making. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of TAF for European airports during the years 2022 and 2023, leveraging Python functions accessible via a dedicated GitHub repository. The complexity inherent in TAF, characterized by diverse change groups, header formats, and regional variations, presents challenges for accurate interpretation. The analysis focuses on key parameters within TAF, including the count of corrected messages and the frequency and types of change groups. The count of corrected messages serves as a metric for evaluating the quality of service provided, while the examination of change group utilization reveals distinct patterns and tendencies specific to each airport. The findings underscore the significance of regional regulations, meteorologist decision-making, and adherence to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards in shaping TAF. The GitHub repository and associated Python functions presented in this study provide valuable resources for meteorologists, researchers, and aviation personnel to conduct in-depth analyses and derive insights from TAF. Ultimately, this study identifies local differences and inconsistencies in the publication of TAF, laying the groundwork for enhancing their consistency and uniformity.

The Effect of Different Nitrogen Doses on Growth Attributes of Some Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Cultivars Grown as Second Crop

Objective: The current study investigated the impact of different N doses on growth traits of some sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars grown as second crop. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted according to randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangements and three replications. Three sunflower cultivars (‘Bosfora’, ‘P64LE119’, and ‘LG5582’) and four N doses (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg ha-1 pure N) were included in the study and data relating to different growth traits were recorded. Results: The results revealed that individual effects of cultivars and N doses exerted significant impacts on the studied growth traits, whereas their interactive effects were significant for some of the studied parameters. The earliest emergence duration was recorded under 150 and 200 kg ha-1 N. Similarly, the earliest head formation, flowering initiation and seed filling duration were recorded for ‘Bosfora’ cultivar with 200 kg ha-1 N. Conclusion: The earliest physiological maturity was recorded for ‘P64LE119’ cultivar, whereas the widest head diameter and the highest head weight was noted for ‘LG5582’ cultivar under 200 kg ha-1 N application. Overall, ‘Bosfora’ cultivar under 200 kg ha-1 N application performed better for head formation, flowering initiation, and seed filling duration, whereas cultivar ‘LG5582’ under 200 kg ha-1 N application performed better for head diameter and head weight.It is recommended that cultivars ‘Bosfora’ and ‘LG5582’ should be provided 200 kg ha-1 N for better growth in southeastern Anatolia.

Wireless optimization for sensor networks using IoT-based clustering and routing algorithms.

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are among the most prominent current technologies. Its popularity has skyrocketed because of its capacity to operate in difficult situations. The WSN market encompasses various industries, including building automation, security networks, healthcare systems, logistics, and military operations. Therefore, increasing the energy efficiency of these networks is of utmost importance. Hierarchical topology, which typically uses a clustering methodology, is one of the most well-known methods for WSN energy optimization. To achieve energy efficiency in WSN, hierarchical topology low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) was first introduced, and this served as the foundation. However, conventional LEACH has several limitations, which have led to extensive research into improving LEACH's efficacy in its current form. The use of particular algorithms and strategies to enhance the functionality of the conventional LEACH protocol forms the basis of ongoing efforts. Utilizing this enhanced LEACH, performance in terms of throughput and network life may be enhanced by concentrating on elements such as cluster head formation and transmission energy consumption. The enhanced LEACH algorithm demonstrates significant improvements in both throughput and network lifetime compared with conventional LEACH. Through rigorous experimentation, it was found that the enhanced algorithm increases the throughput by 25% on average, which is attributed to its dynamic clustering and optimized routing strategies. Furthermore, the network lifetime is extended by approximately 30%, primarily because of enhanced energy efficiency through adaptive clustering and transmission power control.

Real-time modeling of the riveting process forces for aircraft panel structures

The riveting of large panels in aircraft manufacturing requires an automatic drilling and riveting machine capable of precise and stable operation. However, the significant nonlinearity and time-varying nature of riveting process forces severely impact the control capacity and operational accuracy of these machines. So, the objective is to provide technical assurance for the precise operation of the machine and ensure high-quality riveting of the panels. Therefore, a real-time modeling method for the automatic riveting process forces on aircraft panels is proposed, which focuses on the rivet die's downward compression displacement as the core variable and accounts for the non-uniform deformation of rivets. This method assumes a constant volume for the rivet rod. It combines power-law hardening and Coulomb's friction theories to establish three sub-models for different riveting stages: the elastic stage, the plastic deformation stage, and the driven head formation stage. Further, considering the continuity of rivet's deformation, rivet rod's cross-section stress, and the driven head dimensions changes with the driven head's downward compression displacement, a novel real-time continuous dynamic load model for the full compression riveting process of a single-rivet is developed. The results indicate that the model is effective, with a maximum deviation of 7.50 % between experimental and predicted values, demonstrating its accuracy and reliability. In conclusion, this research provides a real-time, continuous description of the riveting process force, enabling automatic machines to promptly detect defects and deformations in the riveting.

The Wnt/β-catenin/TCF/Sp5/Zic4 Gene Network That Regulates Head Organizer Activity in Hydra Is Differentially Regulated in Epidermis and Gastrodermis.

Hydra head formation depends on an organizing center in which Wnt/β-catenin signaling, that plays an inductive role, positively regulates Sp5 and Zic4, with Sp5 limiting Wnt3/β-catenin expression and Zic4 triggering tentacle formation. Using transgenic lines in which the HySp5 promoter drives eGFP expression in either the epidermis or gastrodermis, we show that Sp5 promoter activity is differentially regulated in each epithelial layer. In intact animals, epidermal HySp5:GFP activity is strong apically and weak along the body column, while in the gastrodermis, it is maximal in the tentacle ring region and maintained at a high level along the upper body column. During apical regeneration, HySp5:GFP is activated early in the gastrodermis and later in the epidermis. Alsterpaullone treatment induces a shift in apical HySp5:GFP expression towards the body column where it forms transient circular figures in the epidermis. Upon β-catenin(RNAi), HySp5:GFP activity is down-regulated in the epidermis while bud-like structures expressing HySp5:GFP in the gastrodermis develop. Sp5(RNAi) reveals a negative Sp5 autoregulation in the epidermis, but not in the gastrodermis. These differential regulations in the epidermis and gastrodermis highlight the distinct architectures of the Wnt/β-catenin/TCF/Sp5/Zic4 network in the hypostome, tentacle base and body column of intact animals, as well as in the buds and apical and basal regenerating tips.

POT SIZE ON COLE CROPS PRODUCTIVITY IN ROOFTOP GARDENING

The experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2020–21 on rooftop of On-Farm Research Division (OFRD), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Bandarban station, to find out the influence of pot size for cultivating three popular cole crops in Bangladesh (broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage). Four pot sizes (8, 10, 12, and 14 inches) were used as treatments in this experiment, which followed a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The results showed a significant relationship between pot size and crop yield. Among all the pot sizes, the highest marketable yield of broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage was found from 14-inch pots (261.33 g, 925.33 g, and 1105 g), while 8-inch pots yielded the lowest for all three crops (74.67 g, 330.67 g, and 300 g) respectively. Interestingly, the cauliflower plants in the largest pots (14 inches) took the longest time to mature (61.33 days), while delayed curd formation in broccoli (54.67 days) and head formation in cabbage (66.33 days) was found in 8-inch pots. Overall, cole crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage yielded more in larger pots (14-inch) compared to smaller pots.

Morphological abnormalities in Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) treated with eight toxic compounds

Toxicity testing is essential for preventing chemical pollution of the environment. T. castaneum can be used as an alternative model for preliminary toxicity screening, eight chemical compounds having known toxicity were evaluated. For example, mercury (II) chloride is considered toxic at concentrations higher than 0.1 mg/L in drinking water, phenol exposure to concentrations greater than 5 mg/L in drinking water can be dangerous, in the case of toluene exposure to concentrations greater than 200 ppm (parts per million) in the air can be harmful to health, hydrazine can be dangerous at concentrations higher than 1 mg/L in drinking water, and caffeine can cause adverse effects such as nervousness, insomnia, tachycardia, and tremors from exposure to doses higher than 500 - 600 mg in adults. In this case, adult insects were fed a diet of oatmeal supplemented with each separately toxic. The number of offspring insects, size, weight, and observation of abnormalities was evaluated. The eight chemicals assessed compounds only five had a visible effect on insect development, BPA and mercury (II) chloride induced abnormalities in the larval and pupal stages, while the phenol, toluene, and metronidazole, in the pupal stage only. Major anomalies were observed necrosis in larvae appendices, in pupae, papillae for sex differentiation are sclerotic or absent, and abnormality in the formation of head, limbs, wings, and appendages. Mercury (II) chloride was the most toxic due to the affected growth, development and reproduction of the insect.