Effects of the Oral Administration of K<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>SeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> on Ca,Mg, Mn,Fe, Cu,and Zn Contents in the Heart,Liver, Spleen,and Kidney of Chickens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of selenium on the ion profiles in the heart, liver, spleen, and kidney through the oral administration of hexavalent chromium. Approximately 22.14 mg/kg b.w. K₂Cr₂O₇ was added to water to establish a chronic poisoning model. Different selenium levels (0.00, 0.31, 0.63, 1.25, 2.50, and 5.00 mg Na₂SeO₃/kg b.w.) around the safe dose were administered to the experimental group model. Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn were detected in the organs through flame atomic absorption spectrometry after these organs were exposed to K₂Cr₂O₇ and Na₂SeO₃ for 14, 28, and 42 days. Results showed that these elements exhibited various changes. Ca contents declined in the heart, liver, and spleen. Ca contents also decreased on the 28th day and increased on the 42nd day in the kidney. Mn contents declined in the heart and spleen but increased in the kidney. Mn contents also decreased on the 28th day and increased on the 42nd day in the liver. Cu contents declined in the heart and spleen. Cu contents increased on the 28th day and decreased on the 42nd day in the liver and kidney. Zn contents declined in the heart and spleen. Zn contents increased on the 28th day and decreased on the 42nd day in the liver and kidney. Fe contents decreased in the heart and liver. Fe contents increased on the 28th day and decreased on the 42nd day in the spleen and kidney. Mg contents did not significantly change in these organs. Appropriate selenium contents enhanced Mn and Zn contents, which were declined by chromium. Conversely, appropriate selenium contents reduced Ca, Fe, and Cu contents, which were increased by chromium. In conclusion, the exposure of chickens to K₂Cr₂O₇ induced changes in different trace elements, and Na₂SeO₃ supplementation could alleviate this condition.     

Asymmetries,heterosis, and phenotypic profiles of red junglefowl,White Plymouth Rocks,and F<Subscript>1</Subscript> and F<Subscript>2</Subscript> reciprocal crosses

During the domestication of farm animals, humans have manipulated genetic variation for growth and reproduction through artificial selection. Here, data are presented for growth, reproductive, and behavior traits for the red junglefowl, a line of White Plymouth Rock chickens, and their F₁ and F₂ reciprocal crosses. Intra- and intergenerational comparisons for growth related traits reflected considerable additive genetic variation. In contrast, those traits associated with reproduction exhibited heterosis. The role of sexual selection was seen in the evolution of prominent secondary sexual ornaments that lend to female choice and male-male competition. The large differences between parental lines in fearfulness to humans were only mitigated slightly in the intercross generations. Whereas, overall F₁ generation heterosis was not transferred to the F₂, there was developmental stability in the F₂, as measured by relative asymmetry of bilateral traits. Through multigenerational analyses between the red junglefowl and the domestic White Plymouth Rocks, we observed plasticity and considerable residual genetic variation. These factors likely facilitated the adaptability of the chicken to a broad range of husbandry practices throughout the world.     

Nuclease Digestion of Chromatin from the Eukaryotic Algae Olisthodiscus luteus,Peridinium balticum,and Crypthecodinium cohnii 1, 2

Chromatin from a uninucleate dinoflagellate, Crypthecodinium cohnii, a binucleate dinoflagellate, Peridinium balticum, and a chromophyte, Olisthodiscus luteus, was examined by nuclease digestion and the results were compared to those from vertebrates. Gel analysis of the products of staphylococcal (micrococcal) nuclease digestion revealed a DNA repeat unit of 220(±5) base pairs for O. luteus and 215(±5) for P. balticum. Limit digestion gave a core particle of 140 base pairs, revealing that these longer repeat sizes are due to longer linker regions. No repeating subunit structure was found upon electrophoresis of digests of C. cohnii nuclei. Examination of the DNA fragments produced by DNAse I digestion of nuclei isolated from P. balticum and O. luteus showed the same ladder of ten base multiples as seen in chromatin from other eukaryotes. Examination of the kinetics of digestion by DNAse II of Peridinium chromatin revealed less susceptibility when compared to DNAse I digestions while 70% of Olisthodiscus chromatin and 35% of C. cohnii chromatin was sensitive to DNAse II. These data, taken together with previous results from Euglena, indicate that while algal chromatin is similar to that of higher eukaryotes in regard to DNAse I and II action, it differs in that the linker DNA is longer. In addition, the Hl-like histone from O. luteus and P. balticum is located in the linker DNA as in higher eukaryotes.     

Blood‐Capillary‐Inspired,Free‐Standing,Flexible, and Low‐Cost Super‐Hydrophobic N‐CNTs@SS Cathodes for High‐Capacity,High‐Rate,and Stable Li‐Air Batteries

With the rising demand for flexible and wearable electronic devices, flexible power sources with high energy densities are required to provide a sustainable energy supply. Theoretically, rechargeable, flexible Li‐O₂/air batteries can provide extremely high specific energy densities; however, the high costs, complex synthetic methods, and inferior mechanical properties of the available flexible cathodes severely limit their practical applications. Herein, inspired by the structure of human blood capillary tissue, this study demonstrates for the first time the in situ growth of interpenetrative hierarchical N‐doped carbon nanotubes on the surface of stainless‐steel mesh (N‐CNTs@SS) for the fabrication of a self‐supporting, flexible electrode with excellent physicochemical properties via a facile and scalable one‐step strategy. Benefitting from the synergistic effects of the high electronic conductivity and stable 3D interconnected conductive network structure, the Li‐O₂ batteries obtained with the N‐CNTs@SS cathode exhibit superior electrochemical performance, including a high specific capacity (9299 mA h g^?1 at 500 mA g^?1), an excellent rate capability, and an exceptional cycle stability (up to 232 cycles). Furthermore, as‐fabricated flexible Li‐air batteries containing the as‐prepared flexible super‐hydrophobic cathode show excellent mechanical properties, stable electrochemical performance, and superior H₂O resistibility, which enhance their potential to power flexible and wearable electronic devices.     

Effects of Levetiracetam,Carbamazepine, Phenytoin,Valproate, Lamotrigine,Oxcarbazepine, Topiramate,Vinpocetine and Sertraline on Presynaptic Hippocampal Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Channels Permeability

Ion channels are targets of various antiepileptic drugs. In cerebral presynaptic nerve endings Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ channels are particularly abundant, as they control neurotransmitter release, including the release of glutamate (Glu), the most concentrated excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter in the brain. Several pre-synaptic channels are implicated in the mechanism of action of the pro-convulsive agent, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). In the present study the effects of levetiracetam and other established and newer (vinpocetine) anti-epileptic drugs, as well as of the anti-depressant, sertraline on the increase in Ca²⁺ induced by 4-AP in hippocampal isolated nerve endings were investigated. Also the effects of some of the anti-seizure drugs on the selective increase in Ca²⁺ induced by high K⁺, or on the selective increase in Na⁺ induced by veratridine were tested. Sertraline and vinpocetine effectively inhibited the rise in Ca²⁺ induced by 4-AP, which was dependent on the out-in Na⁺ gradient and tetrodotoxin sensitive. Carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine and oxcarbazepine inhibited the rise in Ca²⁺ induced by 4-AP too, but at higher concentrations than sertraline and vinpocetine, whereas levetiracetam, valproic acid and topiramate did not. The three latter antiepileptic drugs also failed in modifying other responses mediated by the activation of brain presynaptic Na⁺ or Ca²⁺ channels, including Glu release. This indicates that levetiracetam, valproic acid and topiramate mechanisms of action are unrelated with a decrease in presynaptic Na⁺ or Ca²⁺ channels permeability. It is concluded that depolarized cerebral isolated nerve endings represent a useful tool to unmask potential antiepileptic drugs targeting presynaptic Na⁺ and/or Ca²⁺ channels in the brain; such as vinpocetine or the anti-depressant sertraline, which high effectiveness to control seizures in the animal in vivo has been demonstrated.     

Les ostracodes des « Couches Rouges » du synclinal d’Aït Attab, Haut Atlas Central, Maroc : systématique, biostratigraphie, paléoécologie, paléobiogéographie

Ostracode assemblages, collected in the continental “Red Beds” of the Central High Atlas, Morocco, consist of 35 species, belonging to 17 genera, four of which are new and described herein. They allow to assign the lower member of the Iouaridène formation to the Upper Jurassic (?)-Upper Hauterivian and the Jbel Sidal formation to the Upper Hauterivian-Lower Aptian. Ostracode assemblages characterize lacustrine (freshwater) and lagoonal (oligo to mesohaline) environments. On the basis of limnic and lagoonal species, faunal connections are proposed for the Barremian-Aptian between Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula.     

Synthesis,characterization, and photoluminescence property of Nd–TUD‐1

Here, five different samples of neodymium (Nd) incorporated 3D‐mesoporous siliceous materials were fabricated using a single‐step hydrothermal technique. Typically, all samples were subjected to several qualitative elemental and quantitative analyses such as X‐ray diffraction, N₂‐adsorption/desorption, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray, mapping, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance ultraviolet–visible, and Raman spectroscopy. The characterization results showed that at small loading of Nd (i.e. Si/Nd < 20), only isolated centres of trivalent neodymium ions were tetrahedrally coordinated in the TUD‐1 matrix. However, with increasing neodymium loading, additional nanoparticles of neodymium oxide with size 10–20 nm were embedded into silica host pores. Detailed photoluminescence (PL) analysis of all samples was carried out by recording the emission profiles at two diverse excitation wavelengths, 333 and 343 nm, to understand the effect of the Nd³⁺ environment on the PL emission spectra with special attention to the area between 400 and 600 nm. Most importantly, different peaks of the emission spectrum of each sample exhibited a distinct shape based on the Nd³⁺ environment. This performance was superior evidence that PL can be applied as a simple and efficient characterization tool to understand the nature of Nd³⁺ ion linkage with a silica matrix.     

Cloning,Expression, Purification,and Characterization of a Novel Esterase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis>

Lactobacillus plantarum is an important lactic acid bacterium, usually found as natural inhabitant of food, such as fermented vegetables and meat products. However, little information about lactic acid bacteria, especially concerning L. plantarum, as a source of useful enzymes has been reported. The aim of this study was to clone, express in Escherichia coli, purify, and characterize an esterase from L. plantarum ATCC 8014. The esterase gene (1014 bp) was amplified and cloned in pET14b expression vector to express a His₆-tagged protein in E. coli. Recombinant L. plantarum esterase was purified by Ni-NTA resin, presenting an apparent molecular mass of about 38 kDa. It presented highest activity at pH 6.0 and 40°C. Also, it presented preference for p-nitrophenyl butyrate, but hydrolyzed more efficiently p-nitrophenyl acetate. Besides, this study shows, for the first time, CD data about secondary structure of an esterase from L. plantarum.     

Influence of a dominant macrophyte, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juncus effusus</Emphasis>, on wetland plant species richness,diversity, and community composition

Few studies have experimentally investigated the influence of competition for light on structure and composition of wetland vascular plant communities, despite the well-documented high productivity in such systems. Influences of the dominant emergent wetland plant Juncus effusus on the surrounding macrophyte community were evaluated in a shallow freshwater wetland through two consecutive growing seasons. Permanent transects were constructed along diagonals of randomly oriented 1 m² plots centered around isolated, colonizing J. effusus tussocks. Percent areal cover was measured for each species or identifiable taxon group in 400 cm² sub-plots centered 10, 20, 30, and 40 cm from the tussock edge, to evaluate species richness, diversity, and dominance indices. Observational studies during the first growing season indicated that plots having larger, more heavily shading tussocks yielded significantly lower cover and species richness in the surrounding plant community than less shaded plots. Shading by J. effusus was reduced experimentally during the second growing season by holding culms in a vertical position in half of the J. effusus-occupied study plots in order to assess directly the influence of shading by J. effusus. Manipulated plots became more diverse and species-rich and developed higher total percent areal cover. Within shaded reference plots, reductions in cover, richness, and diversity were correlated with intensity of shading; each of these measures was lowest in sub-plots centered 10 cm from the tussock, where measured light reduction was highest. Neighborhood analyses of biomass, species composition, and light reduction indicated that individual species biomass varied with distance from J. effusus tussocks and shading intensity, an indication of the potential for shifts in community composition as populations of this dominant macrophyte expand to fill a wetland area. A mathematical model is presented to illustrate shading effects of J. effusus as a population grows from isolated, colonizing tussocks to an interacting system of tussocks in an established population of this dominant macrophyte.     

Immunohistochemical Localization of G Protein β1, β2, β3, β4, β5, and γ3 Subunits in the Adult Rat Brain

Abstract: The regional distributions of the G protein β subunits (Gβ1–β5) and of the Gγ3 subunit were examined by immunohistochemical methods in the adult rat brain. In general, the Gβ and Gγ3 subunits were widely distributed throughout the brain, with most regions containing several Gβ subunits within their neuronal networks. The olfactory bulb, neocortex, hippocampus, striatum, thalamus, cerebellum, and brainstem exhibited light to intense Gβ immunostaining. Negative immunostaining was observed in cortical layer I for Gβ1 and layer IV for Gβ4. The hippocampal dentate granular and CA1–CA3 pyramidal cells displayed little or no positive immunostaining for Gβ2 or Gβ4. No anti-Gβ4 immunostaining was observed in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra or in the cerebellar granule cell layer and Purkinje cells. Immunoreactivity for Gβ1 was absent from the cerebellar molecular layer, and Gβ2 was not detected in the Purkinje cells. No positive Gγ3 immunoreactivity was observed in the lateral habenula, lateral septal nucleus, or Purkinje cells. Double-fluorescence immunostaining with anti-Gγ3 antibody and individual anti-Gβ1–β5 antibodies displayed regional selectivity with Gβ1 (cortical layers V–VI) and Gβ2 (cortical layer I). In conclusion, despite the widespread overlapping distributions of Gβ1–β5 with Gγ3, specific dimeric associations in situ were observed within discrete brain regions.     

Microcosm studies on the degradation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o,p</Emphasis>′- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p,p</Emphasis>′-DDT,DDE, and DDD in a muck soil

The muck soils of the north shore of Lake Apopka, near Orlando, Florida, USA are high in organic matter, inorganic nutrients, and water content. Ideally suited for agriculture, these soils have been exposed to a wide variety of agrochemicals. Some of the more recalcitrant organochlorine pesticides, such as DDT and its degradation products DDD and DDE, have persisted in the soil for over 30 years. Using the extracellular enzymes from wood rot fungi, it was demonstrated that it is possible to substantially reduce the amount of the o,p′ and p,p′ isomers of DDT, DDD, and DDE in this soil by more than 60% in 3 weeks. A fungal species with 99% DNA homology to Nectria mariannaeae was isolated from this muck soil and identified by nucleotide sequencing. When grown under nitrogen-limited conditions, this Nectria sp. has been shown to be comparable to Phanerochaete chrysosporium (ATCC 24725) in producing extracellular factors (or agents) that are capable of degrading these recalcitrant chlorinated chemicals.     

Morphology,Physiology, and Virulence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bipolaris sorokiniana</Emphasis> Isolates

Bipolaris sorokiniana is a phytopathogenic fungus that causes diseases in cereal crops. The high morphological, physiological, and genetic variability makes the control of this fungus a difficult task. The aim of this work was to study the virulence, morphological, and physiological variability of B. sorokiniana isolates. For this, 35 B. sorokiniana isolates from different geographic regions in Brazil and other countries were used. The isolates were evaluated for their morphological variability, considering mycelium color, sector formation, and growth rate. Based on these morphological characteristics, the isolates were grouped in five different morphological groups. Extracellular enzymes activity in solid medium, virulence in wheat seeds and seedlings, and analysis of total proteins by SDS-PAGE were evaluated for all isolates. Variations among the isolates were found for enzymatic activity, and esterase was the enzyme that showed the highest activity indices. The results obtained from infection of seeds and seedlings showed that isolates from the same geographical region and morphological group had different degrees of virulence. The total protein profile shown by the isolates varied in the number of bands and intensity, where some of them may be used to characterize the specie.     

Bisindole‐oxadiazole hybrids,T3P®‐mediated synthesis,and appraisal of their apoptotic,antimetastatic, and computational Bcl‐2 binding potential

In the pursuit of novel anticancer leads, new bisindole‐oxadiazoles were synthesized using propyl phosphonic anhydride as a mild and efficient reagent. The molecule, 3‐[5‐(1H‐indol‐3‐ylmethyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐1H‐indole ( 3a ) exhibited selective cytotoxicity to MCF‐7 cells with a cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. The mechanism of cytotoxicity of 3a involved caspase‐2‐dependent apoptotic pathway with characteristic apoptotic morphological alterations as observed in acridine orange/ethidium bromide and Hoechst staining. The wound healing migratory assay exhibited an intense impairment in the motility of MCF‐7 cells on incubation with 3a . Docking simulations with anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2, which is also involved in cancer metastasis displayed good affinity and high binding energy of 3a into the well characterized BH3 binding site. The positive correlation between the Bcl‐2 binding studies and the results of in vitro investigations exemplifies compound 3a as a lead molecule exhibiting MCF‐7 differential cytotoxicity via apoptotic mode of cell death in addition to its anti‐metastatic activity.     

Predator–prey naïveté, antipredator behavior,and the ecology of predator invasions

We present a framework for explaining variation in predator invasion success and predator impacts on native prey that integrates information about predator–prey naïveté, predator and prey behavioral responses to each other, consumptive and non‐consumptive effects of predators on prey, and interacting effects of multiple species interactions. We begin with the ‘naïve prey’ hypothesis that posits that naïve, native prey that lack evolutionary history with non‐native predators suffer heavy predation because they exhibit ineffective antipredator responses to novel predators. Not all naïve prey, however, show ineffective antipredator responses to novel predators. To explain variation in prey response to novel predators, we focus on the interaction between prey use of general versus specific cues and responses, and the functional similarity of non‐native and native predators. Effective antipredator responses reduce predation rates (reduce consumptive effects of predators, CEs), but often also carry costs that result in non‐consumptive effects (NCEs) of predators. We contrast expected CEs versus NCEs for non‐native versus native predators, and discuss how differences in the relative magnitudes of CEs and NCEs might influence invasion dynamics. Going beyond the effects of naïve prey, we discuss how the ‘naïve prey’, ‘enemy release’ and ‘evolution of increased competitive ability’ (EICA) hypotheses are inter‐related, and how the importance of all three might be mediated by prey and predator naïveté. These ideas hinge on the notion that non‐native predators enjoy a ‘novelty advantage’ associated with the naïveté of native prey and top predators. However, non‐native predators could instead suffer from a novelty disadvantage because they are also naïve to their new prey and potential predators. We hypothesize that patterns of community similarity and evolution might explain the variation in novelty advantage that can underlie variation in invasion outcomes. Finally, we discuss management implications of our framework, including suggestions for managing invasive predators, predator reintroductions and biological control.     

Propagation,growth, and carbohydrates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrobium</Emphasis> Second Love (Orchidaceae) <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> as affected by sucrose,light, and dark

In general, plant material grown in vitro has low photosynthetic ability to achieve positive carbon balances. Therefore, a continuous supply of carbohydrates from the culture medium is required, and sucrose has been the most commonly used carbon source. In this paper, we investigate the effects of different sucrose concentrations and the presence and absence of light on the endogenous levels of soluble carbohydrates and starch as well as on the proliferation and growth of Dendrobium Second Love (Orchidaceae) in vitro. The possibility of using etiolated stem segments as a means for micropropagating this hybrid was also verified. The results obtained indicated that the presence and absence of light and the sucrose concentrations used influenced the amounts of soluble carbohydrates and starch and the proliferation of D. Second Love shoots and roots. An increase in sucrose concentration caused a progressive increase in the amounts of total carbohydrates and starch. Under both light conditions, sucrose was the main sugar found in the shoots followed by glucose and fructose. The addition of sucrose to the culture medium up to 2% and 4% was advantageous to the number of shoots produced per explant and the root longitudinal growth in the presence and absence of light, respectively. Shoot and root dry matter and the number of roots formed per explant increased as sucrose concentration was raised up to 6% in both light treatments. The use of dark-grown shoot segments proved to be a useful and reliable alternative for the micropropagation of this hybrid.     

<i>DWARF</i> and <i>SMALL SEED1</i>, a Novel Allele of <i>OsDWARF</i>, Controls Rice Plant Architecture,Seed Size,and Chlorophyll Biosynthesis

Plant architecture is a vital agronomic trait to control yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). A dwarf and small seed 1 (dss1) mutant were obtained from the ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenized progeny of a Guizhou glutinous landrace cultivar, Lipingzabianhe. The dss1 mutant displayed phenotypes similar to those of brassinosteroid (BR) deficient mutants, such as dwarfing, dark green and rugose erect leaves, small seeds, and loner neck internode panicles with primary branching. In our previous study, the underlying DSS1 gene was isolated, a novel allele of OsDWARF (OsBR6ox) that encodes a cytochrome P450 protein involved in the BR biosynthetic pathway by MutMap technology. In this work, we confirmed that a Thr335Ile amino acid substitution residing in DSS1/OsDWARF was responsible for the dwarf, panicle architecture, and small seed phenotypes in the dss1 mutants by genetic transformation experiments. The overexpression of OsDWARF in the dss1 mutant background could not only recover dss1 to the normal plant height and panicle architecture but also rescued normal leaf angles, seed size, and leaf color. Thus, the specific mutation in DSS1/OsDWARF influenced plant architecture, seed size, and chlorophyll biosynthesis.     

Report of the 5<Superscript>th</Superscript> International Symposium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae</Emphasis>, Smolenice,Slovakia, June 25–29, 2007

The International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V was held at the Congress Centre of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Smolenice, Slovakia, June 25–29, 2007. The symposium was attended by 61 phycologists from 19 countries of Europe (17), Asia (2) and America (4). Thirty-three lectures were given and 28 poster presentations exhibited and discussed. The scientific programme dealt with the taxonomy, ecology, physiology and genetics of green algae. One mid-symposium excursion to the Záhorie region (city of Skalica) was organized.     

Fungi,Aflatoxins, Fumonisin B<Subscript>l</Subscript> and Zearalenone Contaminating Sorghum-based Traditional Malt,Wort and Beer in Botswana

Brewing and consumption of traditional beer have social–economic significance in most African countries including Botswana. Traditional sorghum malt, wort, and beer samples were collected from three villages around Gaborone, Botswana. Forty-six malt samples were analyzed for fungi on three different media and developing colonies were subcultured for identification. Rhizopus, Fusarium, Mucor, and Aspergillus were the most common genera isolated. Out of the 46 malt samples, 72% contained Rhizopus stolonifer, 63% Fusarium verticillioides (syn. Fusarium moniliforme), and 37% Aspergillus flavus. Although Aspergillus flavus was isolated from malt samples, aflatoxins (B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂) were not detected in any of the samples analyzed. When the malt, wort, and beer samples were analyzed for fumonisin B_l and zearalenone, fumonisin B₁ was detected in 3 malt samples, with concentrations ranging from 47 to 1316 μg/kg, while zearalenone was detected in 56%, 48% and 48% of the malt, wort and beer samples, respectively. Zearalenone concentration in samples ranged from 102 to 2213 μg/kg in malt, 26 to 285 μg/l in wort and 20 to 201 μg/l, in beer. Zearalenone carry-over from wort to beer ranged from 23 to 403%. Therefore, although aflatoxins and fumonisin B₁ do not appear to be major contaminants, zearalenone is common and could pose a potential problem in traditional beer in Botswana.     

Morphology and comparative ecology of the fairy ring fungi, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vascellum curtisii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bovista dermoxantha</Emphasis>, on turf of bentgrass,bluegrass, and Zoysiagrass

We identified the causal fungi of fairy rings as Vascellum curtisii and Bovista dermoxantha on the turf of bentgrass, bluegrass, and Zoysiagrass. Observing the fairy rings developed in the turfgrass study site in Chiba City for 5 years from 1998, V. curtisii, producing sporophores during June and November except midsummer, formed darker-green rings than the adjacent turf and withered the three kinds of turf. B. dermoxantha produced sporophores exclusively in midsummer. The fungus formed dark green rings on the three kinds of turf but withered only bentgrass and bluegrass. The optimum mycelial growth temperature of V. curtisii was 30°C. Whereas that of B. dermoxantha ranged between 35° and 40°C. The infection test of the fungi to the seedlings revealed that V. curtisii damaged Zoysiagrass more severely than bentgrass and that B. dermoxantha was more injurious to bentgrass than Zoysiagrass.     

Structures and electron affinities of triatomic molecules consisting of Al, P and X (X = B, Al, Ga; C, Si, Ge; N, P, As; O, S and Se)

The structures and electronic properties of the triatomic molecules containing Al, P, X atoms (X = B, Al, Ga; C, Si, Ge; N, P, As; O, S and Se) and their anions are investigated at the B3LYP/cc-PVTZ and the B3LYP/aug-cc-PVTZ levels. The results show that the most stable structures of the anions are AlXP⁻ (X = B, C, N) and PAlX⁻ (X = S, Se), while for the neutral molecules, the most stable structures are PXAl (X = C, N and O). The order of the VDEs of the anions molecules and the AEAs of the neutral species are C < N < O < Si ≈ Ge < P ≈ As < Al = Ga < B < S ≈ Se and C < O < N < Si ≈ Ge < P ≈ As < B < Al ≈ Ga < S ≈ Se, respectively.