Optimal Split-plot Designs for a Mixed Model

Exact tests are given, for the usual hypotheses on split-plot models with random blocks and fixed treatment effects, considering different numbers of blocks for each level of whole-plot treatment and assuming normally distributed observations. U- and D-optimal designs are considered with respect to the tests of main effects and interactions as well as to estimation of parameters.     

Gradients in maize roots: local elongation and pH

The elongation rate, the gradient of the local elongation rate and the surface pH of maize roots were measured over 12 h. A data bank was constituted by storing these values. By sorting these results on the basis of different elongation rates, different classes of root were obtained. Two classes were chosen: the low-growth roots and the high-growth roots. The mean growth of these two root classes was stable with time and differed significantly from one another. The surface pH of the elongation zone was the same for the roots of these two classes, but the roots selected for their higher growth rate had a larger acid efflux in this zone.     

Development of the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Neurotransmitter System in the Rat Cerebral Cortex During Repeated Administration of the GABA-Transaminase Inhibitor Ethanolamine O-Sulphate

Ethanolamine O-sulphate (400 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to rat pups at 9 days of age and on alternate days up to 17 days of age. At 18 days of age, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration was increased (three- to fourfold), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity reduced to 55% of control, and the number of GABAA and GABAB binding sites increased in the cerebral cortex. This is the same pattern of change as seen previously with oral administration of ethanolamine O-sulphate to the adult rat but the changes occur more rapidly in the developing rat. A lower dose of ethanolamine O-sulphate (100 mg/kg, i.p.), administered according to the same schedule, caused a twofold increase in cortical GABA at 18 days of age whereas GAD activity and GABAA binding were not significantly altered.     

DasFestuca vivipara-Problem in den Alpen

The differences betweenFestuca vivipara (tetraploid) andF. ovina subsp.supina (diploid), two often confused taxa, are demonstrated in regard to morphology, leaf anatomy, ecology and distribution. New maps illustrate the distribution ofF. vivipara in the Alps and the Northern Hemisphere. The development of different polyploidy levels withinF. vivipara as a consequence of occasional sexual processes is discussed. (English Summary on p. 39.)

     

Cyclic Nucleotides and the Release of Vasopressin from the Rat Posterior Pituitary Gland

Abstract: The effect of ATP, Mg²⁺, or MgATP on the release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) from hypothalamic granules was examined under in vitro conditions. Granules, isolated from adult male hypothalami, were incubated at 37°C in a buffered (pH 7.8) medium containing 0.15 m -KCl. The addition of ATP to the incubation mixture did not stimulate the release of LH-RH. In contrast, the addition of MgATP stimulated the release of LH-RH, the release being 62% greater than control. The addition of Mg²⁺ to the incubated granules also stimulated the release of LH-RH. However, the magnitude of this Mg²⁺-stimulated release of LH–RH was significantly ( P < 0.01) lower than that of the MgATP-stimulated release, indicating that ATP stimulates LH-RH release in a Mg²⁺-dependent manner. As both MgATP and Mg²⁺ alone stimulated LH-RH release, we characterized further these two release processes by incubating the granules under one of the following conditions: incubation at 4°C in a buffered medium containing 0.15 m -KCl or incubation at 37°C in a medium that does not contain KCl. Under these two incubation conditions, the MgATP-stimulated release of LH-RH was not manifested, whereas the Mg²⁺-stimulated release of LH-RH was manifested. On the basis of these differences, we propose that two different processes can lead to the release of LH-RH from isolated hypothalamic granules: one process involves ATP and Mg²⁺ (MgATP) and another process involves Mg²⁺ alone.     

Identification of significant regions of transcription factor DP-1 (TFDP-1) involved in stability/instability of the protein

We previously reported the identification of DP-1 isoforms (α and β), which are structurally C-terminus-deleted ones, and revealed the low-level expression of these isoforms. It is known that wild-type DP-1 is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, but few details are known about the domains concerned with the protein stability/instability for the proteolysis of these DP-1 isoforms. Here we identified the domains responsible for the stability/instability of DP-1. Especially, the DP-1 “Stabilon” domain was a C-terminal acidic motif and was quite important for DP-1 stability. Moreover, we propose that this DP-1 Stabilon may be useful for the stability of other nuclear proteins when fused to them.     

Construction of Partially Balanced Incomplete Block Designs with Nested Rows and Columns

A number of methods of construction of partially balanced incomplete block designs with nested rows and columns are developed and new balanced incomplete block designs with nested rows and columns are obtained as a by-product.     

Species novae generisEremostachys (Labiatae)

Five new species are described:Eremostachys codonocalyx from NE. Iran (related toE. subspicata),E. stenocalycina from NE. Afghanistan (related toE. alberti andE. hissarica),E. salangensis from NE. Afghanistan (close toE. bamianica),E. freitagii from E. Afghanistan (similar but not closely related toE. vulnerans), andE. andersii from E. Afghanistan (similar but not closely related toE. vulnerans), andE. andersii from NE. Afghanistan of isolated systematic position.

Florae Iranicae praecursores 5–9.