Maturation Time Research Articles

Efficiency of Algal oil as a Feed Ingredient for the Development of Maturation Diet for the Spent Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) Spawners

This study designed to understand the effect of Algal oil as feed ingredients to attain reproductive success in the spent spawners of P. monodon. Five diets prepared were D1, D2, and D3 with 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% algal oil respectively, reference diet with fish oil and negative control diet without fish oil. The results showed that the maturation diet increased the moulting frequency and shortened the time of full maturation of the ovary. In D2 fed spawners, the duration of spawnings was minimized and the fecundity was also increased and the Gonado Somatic Index was also high. Compared with control diet, the abortive spawning and gaped ovary formed was also less in algal oil based diet (D2). D2 fed spawners also enhanced the percentage of the formed eggs, fertilized eggs and their hatching and also showed maximum prophenoloxidase activity. Though the reference diet had influenced in all reproductive parameters, the success was inferior to the experimental algal diet. The algal oil (5%) based diet was found to be very efficient in the reproductive success of spent spawners and therefore this diet can be used for the recycling of spent spawners.

Measuring differential fitness costs and interactions between genetic cassettes using fluorescent spectrophotometry.

In this article, we present a method for designing, executing, and analyzing data from a microbial competition experiment. We use fluorescent reporters to label different competing strains and resolve individual growth curves using a fluorescent spectrophotometer. Our comprehensive data analysis pipeline integrates multiple experiments to simultaneously infer sources of variation, extract selection coefficients, and estimate the genetic contributions to fitness for various synthetic genetic cassettes (SGCs). To demonstrate the method, we employ a synthetic biological system based on Escherichia coli. Strains carry 1 of 10 different plasmids and one of three genomically integrated fluorescent markers. All strains are co-cultured to obtain real-time measurements of optical density (total population density) and fluorescence (sub-population densities). We identify challenges in calibrating between fluorescence and density and of fluorescent proteins maturing at different rates. To resolve these issues, we compare two methods of fluorescence calibration and correct for maturation by measuring in vivo maturation times. We provide evidence of genetic interactions occurring between our SGCs and further show how to use our statistical model to test some hypotheses about microbial growth and the costs of protein expression.IMPORTANCEFluorescently labeled co-cultures are becoming increasingly popular. The approach proposed here offers a high standard for experimental design and data analysis to measure selection coefficients and growth rates in competition. Measuring competitive differences is useful in many laboratory studies, allowing for fitness cost-correction of growth rates and ecological interactions and testing hypotheses in synthetic biology. Using time-resolved growth curves, rather than endpoint measurements, for competition assays allows us to construct a detailed scientific model that can be used to ask questions about fine-grained phenomena, such as bacterial growth dynamics, as well as higher-level phenomena, such as the interactions between synthetic cassette expression.

An epigenetic barrier sets the timing of human neuronal maturation

The pace of human brain development is highly protracted compared with most other species1–7. The maturation of cortical neurons is particularly slow, taking months to years to develop adult functions3–5. Remarkably, such protracted timing is retained in cortical neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) during in vitro differentiation or upon transplantation into the mouse brain4,8,9. Those findings suggest the presence of a cell-intrinsic clock setting the pace of neuronal maturation, although the molecular nature of this clock remains unknown. Here we identify an epigenetic developmental programme that sets the timing of human neuronal maturation. First, we developed a hPSC-based approach to synchronize the birth of cortical neurons in vitro which enabled us to define an atlas of morphological, functional and molecular maturation. We observed a slow unfolding of maturation programmes, limited by the retention of specific epigenetic factors. Loss of function of several of those factors in cortical neurons enables precocious maturation. Transient inhibition of EZH2, EHMT1 and EHMT2 or DOT1L, at progenitor stage primes newly born neurons to rapidly acquire mature properties upon differentiation. Thus our findings reveal that the rate at which human neurons mature is set well before neurogenesis through the establishment of an epigenetic barrier in progenitor cells. Mechanistically, this barrier holds transcriptional maturation programmes in a poised state that is gradually released to ensure the prolonged timeline of human cortical neuron maturation.

Geographical location influence ‘Cabernet Franc’ fruit quality in Shandong province

Grape quality is a key factor in determining wine quality, and it depends not only on management skills, but also on the geographic location of the producing area. In China, Shandong is the province with the largest wine production, and ‘Cabernet Franc’ is widely planted. This study evaluated the ‘Cabernet Franc’ fruit quality in relation to geographical conditions in five ‘Cabernet Franc’ producing districts of Shandong province, China, including Dezhou Aodeman Winery (DZ), Tai’an Zhongqingsongshi Winery (TA), Penglai Longhu Winery (PL), Rushan Taiyihu Winery (RS), and Rizhao Taiyangcheng Winery (RZ). At the time of veraison and maturity, fruit was harvested from five areas, and compared for cosmetic and internal fruit quality. The soluble sugar content in the Rizhao area was rich, and the weight and volume of single fruit were relatively large. The titratable acid of the berries in Tai'an area was high. RNA-seq analysis showed that the number of genes in the véraison stage was 19,571–20,750, and the number of genes in the mature stage was 19,176–20,735. The analysis found that areas with multiple high-quality characteristics tended to have more DEGs (differential expressed genes). And the DEGs in different areas were mainly distributed on chromosome 7, and at least on chromosome 15. DEGs in 5 areas were enriched on 855 GO terms and 116 KEGG pathways during berries development. Among them, it was found that the up/down-regulation of DEGs was related to the formation of berry quality, which helps to explain the impact of environment on grape quality components. In summary, this study is helpful to understand the influence of cultivation location on the quality of 'Cabernet Franc' in different production areas in Shandong province, and further provide a reference for the production of high-quality wine grapes and winemaking.

Using digestive physiology to develop larval culture protocols for the Blackbanded Sunfish, a threatened centrarchid native to the United States

AbstractObjectiveThe Blackbanded Sunfish Enneacanthus chaetodon is a small centrarchid that is endemic to slow‐moving waters from New Jersey to central Florida, United States. The distribution of this species has been increasingly fragmented, primarily due to habitat degradation. The development of larval culture protocols is essential to produce this species for the aquarium trade and for potential restoration efforts. To streamline the production process, larvae should be transitioned from live feeds to inert diets as early as possible without sacrificing larval growth or survival.MethodsA developmental trial was conducted to determine the timing of digestive tract maturation, which indicates the ability of larvae to better digest inert microdiets (MDs). Blackbanded Sunfish larvae were sampled 12 times from 2 days posthatch (dph; notochord length [mean ± SD] = 4.38 ± 0.22 mm) to 50 dph (total length [TL] = 9.89 ± 1.64 mm) for subsequent analysis of digestive enzyme activity (via microplate assays) and digestive system morphology (via histology). A dietetics trial was conducted to determine the most appropriate commercial MD for this species at early life stages by testing the efficacy of three different MDs against a reference diet of brine shrimp Artemia nauplii. Lastly, a weaning trial was conducted to determine the earliest time point at which MDs should be introduced during the larval period.ResultBlackbanded Sunfish larvae transitioned from agastric to gastric digestion at approximately 40 dph (7.95 ± 0.86 mm TL), as determined by the presence of gastric glands and pepsin activity. In the dietetics trial, certain MDs yielded higher survival than others; however, all diets performed equally when considering the TL of the larvae. In the weaning trial, the highest survival was found when larvae were fed Artemia nauplii exclusively or when an MD was introduced at 48 dph (10.62 ± 1.88 mm TL).ConclusionLarval Blackbanded Sunfish may require up to 48 days of live feeds before introducing MDs but can be successfully transitioned to MDs after 48 dph without significantly affecting survival or growth.

НАГРУЗКА КУСТОВ БЕССЕМЯННЫХ СОРТОВ ВИНОГРАДА ПОБЕГАМИ И ГРОЗДЯМИ: ОБЗОР

The article considers the issue of loading bushes of seedless grape varieties with shoots and bunches in the world practice. The analysis is presented on the timing and length of pruning shoots, the load of bush by shoots, the load of bushes by bunches and methods for regulating the compactness of bunches of seedless grape varieties. The timing of pruning regulates the growth strength of shoots and the maturation time of early seedless grape varieties. Experiments on the timing of pruning often combined with subsequent treatment with growth regulators to increase yields. The length of the pruning of shoots affects the condition and death of the buds, the timing of the passage of phenological phases, productivity and quality of seedless varieties. Variety specificity and pruning dependence are noted: some varieties prefer short pruning (Perlett in India, White Seedless and Red Seedless in Iran), some – long (Beauty Seedless in India, Kishmish Batir in Uzbekistan, etc.). With an increase in the number of shoots per bush, yield capacity increase, however, the quality of grapes decreases, which also happens when the load of bunches increases. For the Jumba Seedless variety, despite the high performance with a low load of bushes with bunches, a higher one is recommended for an optimal ratio of productivity and quality. Thinning of bunches is also a common technique for regulating yield and quality, however, it is necessary to take into account the timing of thinning – too early removal of part of the inflorescences can lead to the formation of an excessively loose bunch, as in the BRS Vitoria variety in Brazil. Studies of the load of bushes of seedless grape varieties with shoots and bunches are relevant, especially in view of modern climate changes and increasing demand for high-quality products. Such studies are few in number in Russia, which requires closer study for the development of table seedless viticulture.

Ecotoxicological Effects of Potassium Dichromate on the Tadpole Shrimp Triops longicaudatus

The tadpole shrimp Triops longicaudatus is a freshwater crustacean with fast embryonic and larval development, short life cycle, and high fecundity. They are very active swimmers of a reasonable size, easy to spot and record. Such characteristics make it a promising candidate as an experimental model in ecotoxicology to evaluate the effects of aquatic pollutants, particularly using its locomotor behavior as an endpoint. To evaluate the sensitivity of T. longicaudatus and develop endpoints of interest, we conducted exposure experiments with lethal and sub-lethal concentrations of potassium dichromate, a compound known for its ecotoxicological importance and as a hexavalent chromium source. The endpoints evaluated were mortality, growth, sexual maturation, reproductive output, cholinesterase activity and locomotor/swimming behavior. The 96 h median lethal concentration was found to be 65 µg/L. Furthermore, exposure to potassium dichromate at higher concentrations had a significant negative impact on the growth rate of T. longicaudatus in terms of both body mass and length. The time for maturation was also delayed at higher concentrations. In addition, locomotor behavior allowed for the discrimination of all tested chromium concentrations and the control group and from each other, proving to be the most sensitive endpoint. Overall, the data support the potential of T. longicaudatus as a model for ecotoxicity testing, using apical endpoints with impact at the population level; in particular, results suggest that behavior assessments in this species might be useful for detecting hazardous compounds in environmental monitoring of freshwater ecosystems.

Genome-wide association study reveals GmFulb as candidate gene for maturity time and reproductive length in soybeans (Glycine max).

The ability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] to adapt to different latitudes is attributed to genetic variation in major E genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) determining flowering time (R1), maturity (R8), and reproductive length (RL). Fully revealing the genetic basis of R1, R8, and RL in soybeans is necessary to enhance genetic gains in soybean yield improvement. Here, we performed a genome-wide association analysis (GWA) with 31,689 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to detect novel loci for R1, R8, and RL using a soybean panel of 329 accessions with the same genotype for three major E genes (e1-as/E2/E3). The studied accessions were grown in nine environments and observed for R1, R8 and RL in all environments. This study identified two stable peaks on Chr 4, simultaneously controlling R8 and RL. In addition, we identified a third peak on Chr 10 controlling R1. Association peaks overlap with previously reported QTLs for R1, R8, and RL. Considering the alternative alleles, significant SNPs caused RL to be two days shorter, R1 two days later and R8 two days earlier, respectively. We identified association peaks acting independently over R1 and R8, suggesting that trait-specific minor effect loci are also involved in controlling R1 and R8. From the 111 genes highly associated with the three peaks detected in this study, we selected six candidate genes as the most likely cause of R1, R8, and RL variation. High correspondence was observed between a modifying variant SNP at position 04:39294836 in GmFulb and an association peak on Chr 4. Further studies using map-based cloning and fine mapping are necessary to elucidate the role of the candidates we identified for soybean maturity and adaptation to different latitudes and to be effectively used in the marker-assisted breeding of cultivars with optimal yield-related traits.

Host genotype, soil composition, and geo-climatic factors shape the fonio seed microbiome

BackgroundFonio (Digitaria exilis), an orphan millet crop, is the oldest indigenous crop in West Africa. Although the yield is low due to pre-domestication characteristics, the quick maturation time, drought tolerance, and the ability to thrive on poor soils make fonio a climate-smart crop. Being holobionts, plants evolve in close interaction with microbial partners, which is crucial for plant phenology and fitness. As seeds are the bottleneck of vertically transmitting plant microbiota, we proposed to unravel the seed microbiome of the under-domesticated and resilient crop fonio. Our study investigated the bacterial seed endophyte diversity across 126 sequenced fonio accessions from distinct locations in West Africa. We conducted a correlation study of the structures and functions of the seed-associated microbiomes with the native geo-climate and soil structure data. We also performed Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify genetic loci associated with seed endophyte diversity.ResultWe report that fonio millet has diverse heritable seed endophytic taxa. We analyzed the seed microbiomes of 126 fonio accessions and showed that despite the diversity of microbiomes from distinct geographical locations, all fonio genetic groups share a core microbiome. In addition, we observed that native soil composition, geo-climatic factors, and host genotype correlate with the seed microbiomes. GWAS analysis of genetic loci associated with endophyte seed bacterial diversity identified fonio SNPs associated with genes functioning in embryo development and stress/defense response.ConclusionAnalysis of the seed endophyte of the climate-smart crop fonio indicated that despite possessing a heritable core microbiome, native conditions may shape the overall fonio seed microbiomes in different populations. These distinct microbiomes could play important roles in the adaptation of fonio to different environmental conditions. Our study identified the seed microbiome as a potential target for enhancing crop resilience to climate stress in a sustainable way.2rD2XEnkfTqrY_JSYv-2oiVideo

Mapping Respiratory Health Digital Interventions in South and Southeast Asia: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

The last 2 decades have been a time of exponential growth and maturation for digital health, while the global burden of respiratory disease continues to grow worldwide. Leveraging digital health interventions (DHIs) to manage and mitigate respiratory disease and its adverse health effects presents itself as an obvious path forward. We aimed to understand the current digital landscape and enabling environment around respiratory health to reduce costs, avoid duplication, and understand the comprehensiveness of DHIs. This study will follow a scoping review methodology as outlined by Arksey and O'Malley, the Joanna Briggs Institute, and the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PakiMedNet, and MyMedR databases will be searched along with key websites, repositories, and gray literature databases. The terms "respiratory health," "digital health," "South Asia," and "Southeast Asia," as well as related terms will be searched. The results will be screened for duplicates and then against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. For the studies included, data will be extracted, collated, and analyzed. The scoping review was started in July 2023 and will be finalized by February 2024. Results will be presented following the World Health Organization's classification of DHIs to categorize interventions in a standardized format and the mobile health evidence reporting and assessment checklist to report on the effectiveness of interventions. Further exposition of the evidence extracted will be presented through narrative synthesis. As DHIs continue to proliferate, the need to understand the current landscape becomes more pertinent. In this scoping review, we will seek to more clearly understand what digital health tools and technologies are being used in the current landscape of digital health in South and Southeast Asia for respiratory health and to what extent they are addressing the respiratory health needs of the region. The results will inform recommendations on digital health tools for respiratory health in South and Southeast Asia will help funders and implementers of DHIs leverage existing technologies and accelerate innovations that address documented gaps in the studied countries. DERR1-10.2196/52517.

Energetic costs of raising brood in honey bee colonies are high, but heater bees are cheap

Little is known about the energetic costs to insects of raising young. Honey bees collectively raise young, or brood, through a series of complex behaviors that appear to accelerate and synchronize the timing of brood maturation. These include maintaining the brood nest at warmer and consistent temperatures (33–36 °C) and the exceptional activity of heater bees. Heater bees are a part of the larger group of nurse bees that care for brood by rapidly contracting thoracic muscles to generate high body temperatures, from 42 to 47 °C. Heater bees move among brood cells and display this behavior to regulate the temperatures of individual larvae and pupae. We constructed three sets of experimental hives to explore the energy costs of raising brood in general and the cost of heater bees specifically. One set was designed to estimate the numerical allocation of individuals to the heater bee task. The second set was designed to contain only brood, which eliminated foraging and allowed us to quantify stored honey use when rearing juveniles at 10 and 30 °C. The final set was used to measure the respiration rates and energy expenditure of individual bees displaying resting, walking, heating, and agitated behavior. By integrating honey used by brood-only experimental colonies with whole-colony measurements of honey storage in the literature, we estimated that raising brood costs colonies half of their annual energy budgets stored as honey, or approximately 43.7 ± 0.9 kg·yr−1. We estimated that roughly 2 % of individuals in a colony perform as heater bees. Respiration rates of heater bees (19 mW) were more than those of resting bees (8 mW) but similar to those of walking bees (20 mW) and about half of those that were agitated (46 mW). The energetic cost of heating was more than an order of magnitude lower than the reported values for the energetic cost of flying. By integrating data from our three experimental hives, we estimate that the annual cost of raising brood is relatively high. However, heater bee behavior and physiology may require only about 7 % of the annual honey stored by a colony.

Combined small-molecule treatment accelerates maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons

The maturation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons mimics the protracted timing of human brain development, extending over months to years for reaching adult-like function. Prolonged in vitro maturation presents a major challenge to stem cell-based applications in modeling and treating neurological disease. Therefore, we designed a high-content imaging assay based on morphological and functional readouts in hPSC-derived cortical neurons which identified multiple compounds that drive neuronal maturation including inhibitors of lysine-specific demethylase 1 and disruptor of telomerase-like 1 and activators of calcium-dependent transcription. A cocktail of four factors, GSK2879552, EPZ-5676, N-methyl-d-aspartate and Bay K 8644, collectively termed GENtoniK, triggered maturation across all parameters tested, including synaptic density, electrophysiology and transcriptomics. Maturation effects were further validated in cortical organoids, spinal motoneurons and non-neural lineages including melanocytes and pancreatic β-cells. The effects on maturation observed across a broad range of hPSC-derived cell types indicate that some of the mechanisms controlling the timing of human maturation might be shared across lineages.

Identification of QTLs associated with grain-filling duration and heading date in wheat.

An increase in genetic diversity of bread wheat caused by spring x winter forms leads to an alteration of genetic control of maturity time. Maturity time (MAT) is one of major yield components in wheat, which has two components: the heading date (HD) and grain-filling period (GFP). Using the Illumina Infinium 25k platform we analyzed the genetic control of the HD, GFP and MAT in the F2 and F2:3 populations from a cross between late-ripening spring/winter line 124-1 and spring wheat cultivar Novosibirskaya 31, possessing the same allelic composition of the VRN1 and PPD-D1 genes. The phenotypic evaluation of the populations studied was performed during three years. A total of 17 QTLs were mapped, out of which 4 QTLs for MAT or its components were confirmed over two years. Two common MAT and HD QTLs were identified on the 4A chromosome, and two loci controlling GFP and MAT were found on 6B chromosome. An environmentally stable HD QTL QHd.icg-7B.1 was associated with the FT-B1 gene having a non-synonymous polymorphism [G/C] in its coding region. A novel НD QTL was identified on 7D chromosome. QTL dissection allowed to propose putative genes for QMat.icg4-A and QMat.icg6-B, namely the SPL family gene (TraesCS4A02G359500) and the TCP transcription factor (TraesCS6B02G462100), respectively. The results of this study provide information for further investigation into wheat development.

Narrowing down a major QTL region reveals Phytochrome E (PHYE) as the candidate gene controlling flowering time in mungbean (Vigna radiata).

Flowering time is an important agronomic trait that is highly correlated with plant height, maturity time and yield in mungbean. Up to present, however, molecular basis of flowering time in mungbean is poorly understood. Previous studies demonstrated that flowering time in mungbean is largely controlled by a major QTL on linkage group 2 (LG2). In this study, the QTL on the LG2 in mungbean was investigated using F2 and F2:3 populations derived from a cross between mungbean cultivar Kamphaeng Saen 2 (KPS2) and wild mungbean accession ACC41. The QTL was narrowed down to a genome region of 164.87 Kb containing a phytochrome gene, designated VrPHYE, encoding phytochrome E (phyE), a known photoreceptor modulating flowering time. Compared to VrPHYE of the wild ACC41, VrPHYE of KPS2 contained several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) causing amino acid changes. Those SNPs were also found in other mungbean cultivars. Some amino acid changes were predicted to occur in the regulatory region of phytochromes. Gene expression analysis revealed that VrPHYE in KPS2 was expressed significantly higher than that in ACC41. These results showed that VrPHYE is the candidate gene controlling flowering time in the mungbean.

Reactive multilayer nanofilms: time of scientific and technological maturity

The review presents the results of recent research and the latest developments in the field of reactive multilayer nanofilms (RMNFs), which were first obtained in the mid-1990s and have now formed a special class of energetic materials produced by layer-by-layer deposition. This class includes M/Al systems (M = Ni, Ti, Zr, Pt, Pd), other bimetallic systems (Ni/Ti, etc.), M/Nm systems (M = Ti, Zr, Nm = Si, B, C) and thermite systems (Al/CuO, etc.) and continues to expand. The emergence of RMNFs stimulated the creation of new experimental diagnostic methods and computer models for fast physicochemical processes. It is shown that the reaction in the front of a self-propagating exothermic wave occurs in a time of the order of microseconds, which is determined by the rate of dissolution of a solid reactant in the melt of the second, low-melting reactant (usually Al) and by the rate of liquid-phase diffusion. The unique properties of reaction waves in RMNFs are used in novel technologies for bonding dissimilar materials.<br> The bibliography inncludes 160 references.

The influence of protein from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) on the reproductive functions of roosters

Our research is devoted to studying the possibility of using food from the larvae of black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) (low-fat flour) in the diets of breeding roosters of the Hisex Brown cross. The inclusion of 7.5% low-fat flour in the diet structure of the roosters of the experimental group led to an increase in the quality indicators of the sperm of breeding roosters, activated metabolic processes and antioxidant protection. By the time of full physiological maturation (25 weeks), the roosters of the experimental group had a superiority (P<0.05) over the control in live weight and testes weight by 2.80 and 4.25%. An increase in ejaculate volume was found by 7.55% (P<0.05), sperm concentration by 24.36% (P<0.05), sperm survival time of up to 139 hours, while reducing the number of morphologically abnormal germ cells. A connection has been established between the amino acid and mineral compositions of the experimental feed and rooster sperm. Bioactive substances of insect larvae are able to activate enzymes of the antioxidant defense of birds. In the blood of experimental roosters, the level of glutathione peroxidase increased by 2.51% (P<0.05), superoxide dismutase - by 8.37 (P<0.01), and the amount of reduced glutathione by 12.62% (P<0.01). A decrease in oxidized glutathione by 29.67% (P<0.01) was found. The end product of fat oxidation (malondialdehyde) decreased, relative to the control, by 16.51% (P<0.01). The conducted studies have proven the effectiveness of the experimental feed in the nutrition of breeding roosters.

Enhancement of Sugarcane Maturity using Glyphosate and Bispyribac Sodium as Chemical Ripeners in Wet Climate

Sugarcane is often harvested at non-optimal maturity. Chemical ripeners (CRs) could be a solution, although they risk killing subsequent ratoon plants (SRPs). This research aimed to unravel glyphosate (Gly) and bispyribac sodium (BS) impacts as CRs on sugarcane maturity and SRPs’ growth. The research was conducted in Kebon Agung Sugar Mill, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, from May to July 2022, using the ten-month-old Bululawang variety and was sprayed with a drone. A randomized block design was used with four treatments, i.e., Gly 1,000 mL ha-1, BS 200 mL ha-1, BS 100 mL ha-1, and control. Results showed that BS 200 mL ha-1 led to a greater rise in Cane Content Sugar (CCS) and Sugar Cristal Yield (SCY) than BS 100 mL ha-1 and the control but was still lower than Gly 1 l ha-1. The best harvest time for optimal maturity was six to eight weeks after applying BS 200 mL ha-1. The highest gap was in Gly, i.e., 45% than control and can potentially lower SCY more than other CRs, while the gaps in the 100 and 200 mL ha-1 BS were 7.82% and 11.97%, respectively. The results suggest that low doses of Gly and BS can boost maturity and also avert SRPs’ death.

Heat transfer performance of phase change energy storage building materials and its application in energy efficient buildings

The author proposes a phase change heat storage component combined with the light wall interior to improve the heat storage performance. Numerical modelling of the composite wall was performed using the finite element program COMSOL connected to Multiphysics simulation, and its accuracy was verified. In order to optimize the use of phase change data and the benefit of phase change temperature, the phase change of the heating device was carried out, and the difference in the development efficiency of the thermal storage performance of the two types of light walls was obtained from the ribs in the thermal phase phase exchanger compared. The results show that the long and thin fins adjust the temperature and flow field changes of the paraffin to the corresponding fin gap and improve the heat transfer rate, 44.8 and 26.3, respectively, the aerated concrete combined wall heat storage and heat release time, added short ribs known need, and the connected wall delay time is not affected by external heat. The mature thermal insulation and thermal insulation time of the polystyrene board composite wall were shortened by 20.8 and 52.9, respectively. Ribs are able to improve heating efficiency and retain heat in the broken walls of polystyrene panels. The author?s research can provide a rationale for the design and use of phase change thermal storage.

Technology‑supported Blended Problem-based Learning Model for Problem-Solving and Autonomous Learning

Problem-solving skills and autonomous learning are crucial abilities for 21st-century students. Yet, due to work and family obligations, mature students face time constraints for education. This study developed an online course platform and mind mapping technology-supported blended problem-based learning (Tech Blended PBL) model to investigate how it affects mature students' achievement, problem-solving skills and autonomous learning. A pre-post test design tested the model effect, using 70 students, randomly assigned to similarly sized experimental and control groups. Data analysis, using MANOVA and t-tests, confirmed that there were significant differences in all three aspects: the average scores of the experimental vs control groups for course achievement were 85% vs 74%, for problem-solving abilities were 83% vs 72% and for autonomous learning 86% vs 75% (Sig. < 0.05). Overall, the Tech-Blended PBL model had a positive impact on all three aspects. A questionnaire answered by students in the experimental class showed that they were satisfied with the new model.

Transcriptome Analysis from leaf during non-flowering vegetative growth phase of mango (Mangifera indica L. var Fazli) from Murshidabad district of West Bengal, India.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a major fruit crop in numerous tropical and subtropical countries, facing various problems such as susceptibility to diseases, bi-annual production, low yield and a brief shelf life of the fruit, in cultivation. Traditional breeding methods have limited success in improving the quality of this fruit crop due to prolonged time of maturity, self-incompatibility and high degree of heterozygosity in breeding lines. However, recent studies utilizing genomic analysis have identified key genes responsible for economically important characters, suggesting the possibility of Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) in breeding lines through transgenic or specific genotype selection from seedlings. With the rapid advancements in genome sequencing and bioinformatics, it is now feasible to identify, label, clone, and manipulate numerous genes related to economically important characters. While research on the flowering and fruiting of mango has been extensive, research studies to preliminarily identify the functions of mango genes during the vegetative growth phase is very few. The major findings include few highly active genes viz. WRKY, NAM, MYB, GoGID1 which is channelizing the energy towards vegetative growth and inhibit flowering genes.