Root biomass fraction as a function of growth degree days in wheat

Root, underground and above-ground biomass were measured on various wheat cultivars from 1986 to 1988 in the south-east of France. The results are expressed as root: total (f _r) or underground: total (f _u) biomass fractions. Observed f _r and f _u values are in good agreement with previous results. f _r and f _u decrease steadily from emergence to maturity, with an exponential tendency. When using cumulative growth degree days since emergence relative to cumulative growth degree days until ear emergence () as time scale, f _r and f _u can be expressed as simple functions of % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGceaqabeaacaWGMb% addaWgaaqaaiaadkhaaeqaamaabmaabaGccqaH4oqCdaahaaWcbeqa% aiaacQcaaaaamiaawIcacaGLPaaakiabg2da9iaaicdacaGGUaGaaG% imaiaaiwdacqGHRaWkcaaIWaGaaiOlaiaaiwdacaaI4aGaamyzamaa% CaaaleqabaGaeyOeI0IaaGymaiaac6cacaaI0aGaaGioaiabeI7aXn% aaCaaameqabaGaaiOkaaaaaaaakeaacaWGMbaddaWgaaqaaiaadwha% aeqaamaabmaabaGccqaH4oqCdaahaaWcbeqaaiaacQcaaaaamiaawI% cacaGLPaaakiabg2da9iaaicdacaGGUaGaaGymaiaaikdacqGHRaWk% caaIWaGaaiOlaiaaiIdacaaI4aGaamyzamaaCaaaleqabaGaeyOeI0% IaaGOmaiaac6cacaaIYaGaaGioaiabeI7aXnaaCaaameqabaGaaiOk% aaaaaaaaaaa!610D!\[\begin{gathered} f_r \left( {\theta ^* } \right) = 0.05 + 0.58e^{ - 1.48\theta ^* } \hfill \\ f_u \left( {\theta ^* } \right) = 0.12 + 0.88e^{ - 2.28\theta ^* } \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \]The incremental root biomass partitioning coefficient, % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaeqySde2aaS% baaSqaaiaadkhaaeqaaOGaeyypa0JaaiikaiaadsgacaWGxbWaaSba% aSqaaiaadkhaaeqaaOGaai4laiaadsgacaWG0bGaaiykaiaac+caca% GGOaGaamizaiaadEfadaWgaaWcbaGaamiDaaqabaGccaGGVaGaamiz% aiaadshacaGGPaaaaa!4834!\[\alpha _r = (dW_r /dt)/(dW_t /dt)\], which describes the net increase in root biomass dW _r over time dt relative to the increase in total biomass (dW _r) over the same time period, has been derived from f and the relative growth rate. Its time course is accurately represented by% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaeqySdegdda% WgaaqaaiaadkhaaeqaamaabmaabaGccqaH4oqCdaahaaWcbeqaaiaa% cQcaaaaamiaawIcacaGLPaaakiabg2da9iabgkHiTiaaicdacaGGUa% GaaGymaiaaiwdacqGHRaWkcaaIWaGaaiOlaiaaiAdacaaIZaGaamyz% amaaCaaaleqabaGaeyOeI0IaaGimaiaac6cacaaI5aGaaGioaiabeI% 7aXnaaCaaameqabaGaaiOkaaaaaaaaaa!4D15!\[\alpha _r \left( {\theta ^* } \right) = - 0.15 + 0.63e^{ - 0.98\theta ^* } \]Under our experimental conditions, with no severe water stresses or nutrient deficiencies, and for our sampling frequency, around 2 weeks, the development scale , is the main factor governing the time courses of f _r, f _u and _r.     

Asymmetrical correlated responses to selection under an infinitesimal genetic model

Summary Asymmetry in correlated responses to selection is expected when more than one cycle of selection is practised due to changes in genetic parameters produced by selection. In large populations, under the infinitesimal model these changes are due to linkage disequilibrium generated by selection and not to gene frequency changes. This study examines the conditions under which asymmetrical correlated responses are to be expected when an infinitesimal model is considered. Asymmetrical correlated responses in two traits in respect to which trait is selected are expected if the two traits have different heritabilities. Predicted asymmetry increases with the absolute value of the genetic correlation between the two traits, the difference between the two heritabilities, the intensity of selection and the number of generations of selection. Linkage disequilibrium generated by selection should be taken into account in explaining asymmetrical correlated responses observed in selection experiments.     

The baboon model under anesthesia for in vivo cerebral blood flow studies using single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) techniques.

Single photon emission computed tomography of the brain can be useful in animal experimentation directed toward cerebral conditions. A well established and understood baboon model, necessarily under anesthesia, could be especially valuable in such investigations. Six normal baboons were studied under various anesthetic agents and their combinations: ketamine, thiopentone, pentobarbitone, and halothane. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) studies were performed with 99mTc-HMPAO. CBF effects from various anesthesia were detected, requiring careful choice of the anesthesia for cerebral investigations.     

Carbon: terrestrial C4 plants

The carbon isotope composition of terrestrial C₄ plants depends on the primary carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and on the diffusion of CO₂ to the carboxylation sites, but is also influenced by the final carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). Several models have been used for reproducing this complex situation. In the present review, a particular model is applied as a means to interpret the effects of environmental and genetically determined factors on carbon isotope discrimination during C₄ photosynthesis. As a new feature, the model considers four types of limitation of the overall CO₂ assimilation rate. Both carboxylation reactions are assumed to be limited by either maximum enzyme activity or maximum substrate regeneration rate. The model is applied to experimental data on the effects of CO₂, irradiance and water stress on short-term discrimination by leaves of several C₄ species measured simultaneously with CO₂ gas exchange characteristics. In particular, different patterns of the influence of low irradiances on carbon isotope discrimination are interpreted as due to variations in that irradiance at which a transition from limitation by PEP regeneration rate and RuBP carboxylase activity to limitation by the regeneration rates of both substrates occurs. After discussing literature data on the effects of environmental conditions on carbon isotope discrimination by C₄ plants seasonal and developmental changes in carbon isotope composition, studies on the systematic and geographic distribution of C₄ plants, evolutionary and genetical aspects, and some ecological implications are reviewed.     

Carbon isotope discrimination in C3-C4 intermediates

Carbon isotope discrimination in C₃–C₄ intermediates is determined by fractionations during diffusion and the biochemical fractionations occurring during CO₂ fixation. These biochemical fractionations in turn depend on the fractionation by Rubisco in the mesophyll, the amount of CO₂ fixation. These biochemical fractionations in turn depend on the fractionation by Rubisco in the mesophyll, the amount of CO₂ fixation occurring in the bundle sheath, the extent of bundle-sheath leakiness and the contribution which C₄-cycle activity makes to the CO₂ pool there. In most instances, carbon isotope discrimination in C₃–C₄ intermediates is C₃-like because only a small fraction of the total carbon fixed is fixed in the bundle sheath. In particular, this must be the case for Flaveria intermediates which initially fix substantial amounts of CO₂ into C₄-acids. In C₃–C₄ intermediates that refix photorespiratory CO₂ alone, it is possible for carbon isotope discrimination to be greater than in C₃-species, particularly at low CO₂ pressures or at high leaf temperatures. Short-term measurements of carbon isotope discrimination and gas exchange of leaves can be used to study the photosynthetic pathways of C₃-C₄ intermediates and their hybrids as has recently been done for C₃ and C₄ species.     

Measurement of bacterial random motility and chemotaxis coefficients: I. Stopped-flow diffusion chamber assay

Bacterial chemotaxis, the directed movement of a cell population in response to a chemical gradient, plays a critical role in the distribution and dynamic interaction of bacterial populations in nonmixed systems. Therefore, in order to make reliable predictions about the migratory behavior of bacteria within the environment, a quantitative characterization of the chemotactic response in terms of intrinsic cell properties is needed.The design of the stopped-flow diffusion chamber (SFDC) provides a well-characterized chemical gradient and reliable method for measuring bacterial migration behavior. During flow through the chamber, a step change in chemical concentration is imposed on a uniform suspension of bacteria. Once flow is stopped, diffusion causes a transient chemical gradient to develop, and bacteria respond by forming a band of high cell density which travels toward higher concentrations of the attractant. Changes in bacterial spatial distributions observed through light scattering are recorded on photomicrographs during a 10-min period. Computer-aided image analysis converts absorbance of the photographic negatives to a digital representation of bacterial density profiles. A mathematical model (part II) is used to quantitatively characterize these observations in terms of intrinsic cell parameters: a chemotactic sensitivity coefficient, mu(0), from the aggregate cell density accumulated in the band and a random motility coefficient, mu, from population dispersion in the absence of a chemical gradient.Using the SFDC assay and an individual-cell-based mathematical model, we successfully determined values for both of these population parameters for Escherichia coli K12 responding to fucose. The values obtained were mu = 1.1 +/- 0. 4 x 10(-5) cm(2)/s and chi(o) = 8 +/- 3 +/- 10(-5) cm(2)/s. We have demonstrated a method capable of determining these parameter values from the now validated mathematical model which will be useful for predicting bacterial migration in application systems.     

Modeling growth and succinoglucan production by Agrobacterium radiobacter NCIB 9042 in batch cultures

Wild-type Agrobacterium radiobacter NCIB 9042 has been cultivated in batch cultures on a synthetic medium which was adapted for growth and succinoglucan production. Experiments were carried out in a 4-L stirred-tank aerated reactor. Glucose, biomass, polysaccharide, protein, and inorganic- and organic-nitrogen concentrations were measured, and oxygen consumption and CO(2) production rates were obtained by a gas-balance technique. Nitrogen balance shows that inorganic nitrogen is entirely recovered into proteins. The carbon balance is satisfied with in +/-5%. Stoichiometric equations for biomass growth and succinoglucan synthesis were established. The biosyntheticpolymer pathways including ATP and cofactor consumption were investigated. From previous studies, a (P/O) value of 1.66 is selected for oxygen sufficient cultures. The actual ATP requirements of 25.4 mmol ATP/g succinoglucan (38.5 mol ATP/mol succinoglucan), determined by a metabolic analysis, is 2.39 times the stoichiometric value. Experimental results were modeled by a system of differential equations. The exponential growth phase was described by a nitrogen-limited Monod equation. Subsequent succinoglucan synthesis followed a slightly modified Luedeking-Piret relation partitioning internal and external polysaccharide. Experimentally determined coefficients are compared with published results for continuous culture of A. radiobacter NCIB 11883.     

A model for light-limited continuous cultures: growth, shading, and maintenance

Light-limited growth in continuous cultures of phototrophic organisms is modeled. It is assumed that light energy up-take rate depends hyperbolically on light intensity and that the maintenance costs are proportional to biomass. Modeling the light distribution caused by shading within the vessel is necessary to explain the existence of steady state in light-limited chemostats. The model fits well to experimental data from literature on light-limited chemostats and turbidostats. Attention is given to the implications of the model for the estimation of the specific maintenance rate constant in light-limited continuous cultures.     

The nuclear matrix: a heuristic model for investigating genomic organization and function in the cell nucleus.

Despite significant advances in deciphering the molecular events underlying genomic function, our understanding of these integrated processes inside the functioning cell nucleus has, until recently, met with only very limited success. A major conundrum has been the "layers of complexity" characteristic of all cell structure and function. To understand how the cell nucleus functions, we must also understand how the cell nucleus is put together and functions as a whole. The value of this neo-holistic approach is demonstrated by the enormous progress made in recent years in identifying a wide variety of nuclear functions associated with the nuclear matrix. In this article we summarize basic properties of in situ nuclear structure, isolated nuclear matrix systems, nuclear matrix-associated functions, and DNA replication in particular. Emphasis is placed on identifying current problems and directions of research in this field and illustrating the intrinsic heuristic value of this global approach to genomic organization and function.