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Ethiopia is considered to be the center of origin and diversity for sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Knowledge of the genetic structure of the crop is important for its improvement and proper conservation. Therefore, the present study targeted to explore the genetic diversity and population structure of 92 Ethiopian sorghum genotypes representing five populations using 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers. The study resulted in a total of 77 alleles across the entire loci and populations. All the used microsatellite loci were highly polymorphic with PIC ranging from 0.66 to 0.82 with overall mean of 0.76. The analysis confirmed the presence of high within-population diversity with Nei's gene diversity ranging from 0.71 to 0.84 with overall mean of 0.79. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) confirmed high genetic differentiation (FST = 0.29) where 90% of the total genetic variation resides within populations, leaving only 10% among populations. The PCoA, clustering, and population structure did not cluster the studied populations into sharply genetically distinct clusters according to their geographical areas of sampling due to the presence of considerable gene flow (Nm = 2.13). Overall, the used microsatellite loci were highly informative and hence, a useful genetic tool to investigate the genetic structure of sorghum. Among the five studied, populations from North Gondar (Het = 0.75) and South Tigray region (Het = 0.74) showed the highest genetic diversity, and hence these areas could be considered as hot spots for identification of supper-performing genotypes to be used in sorghum breeding program, and also for designing appropriate germplasm conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Taiwan, many hatchery-reared fish are released into wild waters for various reasons. Among those released individuals, few are documented by government agencies and academics, with almost no documentation by religious groups. Religious release data is scarce and the influence of released fish on the environment is not fully understood by the government, academics or religious groups. This study aimed to (1) investigate public cognition surrounding the relationship between the religious release of fish and conservation via questionnaire, (2) conduct two batches of mark and recapture studies fish used for religious release and (3) assess the impact of religious release fish on conservation based on the natural marks of recaptured specimens. Beginning in 2015, two batches of prayer black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegelii), which were marked, released and recaptured were surveyed in cooperation with a Buddhist group. The results for overall respondents surveyed by questionnaire, 45% indicated that they were unsure of the impact of religious release fish on conservation. Based on the values of oxygen stable isotope in the core area of the otoliths discrimination, the hatchery-reared stock is thought to contribute to approximately 61% of the total black porgy population in the northern waters of Taiwan. The length distribution between hatchery-reared stocks and wild stocks was similar, suggesting that the two stocks that survive at sea may not interact with each other. The results of this study can be used as evidence for the impact of a religious release fish on environmental conservation.

The physical and chemical properties of clinoptilolite zeolite can be used to enhance soil nutrient availability for optimum crop use. Amending nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers with clinoptilolite zeolite could create a pool of negative charges to retain and release nutrients timely for crop use. Thus, we used clinoptilolite zeolite to enhance Typic Paleudults sorption (adsorption and desorption) of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and this soil’s pH buffering capacity. The treatments evaluated were: (i) 250 g soil alone, (ii) 20 g clinoptilolite zeolite alone, (iii) 250 g soil + 20 g clinoptilolite zeolite, (iv) 250 g soil + 40 g clinoptilolite zeolite, and (v) 250 g soil + 60 g clinoptilolite zeolite. Clinoptilolite zeolite increased soil nitrogen and potassium adsorption, nitrogen desorption, and soil pH. Moreover, ability of the soil to resist drastic change in pH (pH buffering capacity) was improved. Additionally, phosphorus adsorption and desorption of phosphorus and potassium were reduced. Higher potassium adsorption with lower potassium desorption suggests that the clinoptilolite zeolite sorbs potassium effectively. The clinoptilolite zeolite nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contributed to the reduction in the adsorption these nutrients. The clinoptilolite zeolite improved nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium availability and soil buffering capacity to prevent these nutrients from being fixed or lost through for example, leaching. Therefore, clinoptilolite zeolite application could contribute to improved use of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers to prevent soil, air, and water pollution. Additionally, our intervention could improve nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium use efficiency.

To explore the adaptation of introduced Milu (Elaphurus davidianus), also known as Père David's Deer, to their new environment, this study was designed to track and observe 16 Milu, which were released in the Dongting Lake wetland area from Jiangsu, from April 4 to May 12, 2016, using instantaneous scanning and recorded 486 observations. Nineteen types of behaviour were observed which were classified into nine categories: resting, feeding, moving, excreting, parental behaviour, embellishing, rutting, vigilance and social behaviour. This study analyzed the time-allotment and behavioural rhythms for resting, feeding, moving, and excreting categories. The result showed that before 9:00 and after 18:00 hours, the Milu were almost always resting. Resting behaviour was exhibited and maintained at a high frequency in other periods as well. Fluctuations in feeding frequencies was consistent, peaks occurred after 14:00 hours when the frequency was the highest. Moving behaviour was split into a non-behaviour period, fluctuation period, low-ebb period, and peak period. Vigilant behaviour was influenced by external factors, and peaks appeared suddenly after the disturbance occurred. Resting behaviour occupied most of the daytime hours during the adaptive phase, and the proportion was higher than other behavioural types except two times, resting behaviour decreased after 13:00 hours when activity behaviour increased. The adaptation of Milu was documented to a certain extent, it was found that the animal's behavioural rhythms changed during acclimation to the new habitat. It is likely that resting and feeding behaviours were influenced by temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the ionizing radiation effects in lead–zirconate–titanate (PZT) with varied top electrode material and bias condition during radiation. A technique to characterize the piezoelectric performance of films unclamped from the substrate is described, and used to demonstrate the effects of radiation on the material’s electromechanical behavior. Both platinum and iridium oxide top electrodes were examined, and iridium oxide appears to significantly mitigate radiation-induced damage that is observed in platinum top electrode samples. This mitigation of radiation damage is attributed to the reduced number of oxygen vacancies within the PZT films when an iridium oxide top electrode is used. Devices with applied bias during radiation were compared with devices under applied bias only. Applied bias appears to slightly enhance the electromechanical response in the negative bias polarity for irradiated platinum electrode samples suggesting that the bias can cause defects to orient and therefore improve electromechanical response. Ultimately, iridium oxide top electrodes appear to mitigate radiation damage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Commercial nanocomposite food packaging in the form of nano-silver containers and coated films were tested in real-food matrices to determine the degree of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) incorporation using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Migration testing was conducted on a range of food materials stored using different packaging materials for 10 days at 40 °C. Simulations using water and 3% acetic acid were also performed to identify the factors that affect migration. Silver nanoparticle migration from nano-silver impregnated polymer containers does not appear to be significant in the case of orange juice; displaying levels corresponding to 5.66 ± 0.02 μgL −1 compared to the migration from coated nano-silver films measured at 28.92 ± 0.01 μgL −1 in the same food, versus the concentration of silver recorded in associated control samples corresponding to 0.41 ± 0.02 μgL −1 . Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) attached with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were performed to confirm the presence of particles in the nano-scale range indicative of the amount of silver released in nanoparticle as opposed to the ionic form. No organoleptic changes on the samples were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\"Gr.T.Popa\" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, 16 University Street, 700115, Iasi, Romania; Two types of polyurethanes with concentrations in urethane groups: 1.5 mmoles/g, 2.5 mmoles/g, respectively were prepared. The systems polyurethanes-nystatin was obtained by mixing different amounts of nystatin with polyurethanes and the membrane was prepared by phase inversion method. The structural, thermal and morphological characterization of the obtained systems was performed using ATR-FTIR, DSC and SEM. An in vitro technique to determine the release of the nystatin into model biological media was used. The influence of the concentration in urethane group of the polyurethanes on the release of nystatin was studied. It was shown that the mechanism of drug release was Fickian diffusion. The possibility of application of the drug delivery systems as an antifungal drug was shown by biological test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]