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Juniperus drupacea Labill. is a relict, dioecious tree/shrub found in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Israel, while in Europe it is native only in Greece (on Mt. Parnon and in a restricted area of Mt. Taygetos). According to the IUCN Red List criteria, J. drupacea has been assessed as endangered (EN) for Europe, with major threats being grazing of saplings, overexploitation of its wood and climate change. For the first time to our knowledge, the structure of the diverse stands of J. drupacea across its entire population range on Mt. Parnon is being studied. Thirteen monitoring plots (20 × 25 m) have been selected and established to cover fully both the species' geographic distribution on Mt. Parnon as well as the heterogeneity of its habitats. The morphometric traits (gender, canopy height, canopy base height, diameter at breast height and number of trunks) for each individual within the plots were recorded during the monitoring periods of 2020 and 2021. The Female / Male individual ratios, in both the northern and the southern area of the species' range deviate significantly from the expected ratio 1:1 of the evolutionary stable strategy, it should be noted that from the 729 individuals recorded 254 were juveniles. Canopy height may reach 11.5 m with a DBH up to 132 cm whereas individuals are usually multi-trunked (1-9 trunks were recorded). The average tree density was 1121.5 ± 139.8 individuals per hectare for the entire mountainous population range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease (AD) as it has positive effects on the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons whose degeneration correlates with the cognitive decline in AD. We have previously described an encapsulated cell biodelivery device, NsG0202, capable of local delivery of NGF by a genetically modified human cell line, NGC-0295. The NsG0202 devices have shown promising safety and therapeutic results in a small phase 1b clinical study. However, results also show that the NGF dose could advantageously be increased. We have used the sleeping beauty transposon expression technology to establish a new clinical grade cell line, NGC0211, with at least 10 times higher NGF production than that of NGC-0295. To test whether encapsulation of this cell line provides a relevant dose escalation step in delivering NGF for treatment of the cognitive decline in AD patients, we have validated the bioactivity of devices with NGC0211 and NGC-0295 cells in normal rat striatum as well as in the quinolinic acid striatal lesion model. These preclinical animal studies show that implantation of devices with NGC0211 cells lead to significantly higher NGF output, which in both cases correlate with highly improved potency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which examined whether heat sum during seed development influences physical, physiological and biochemical seed traits in Aesculus hippocastanum. Characteristics of Aesculus hippocastanum seeds; Seed germination and dormancy; Size and moisture content of the seeds.

The frequency and temperature dependence of the real (ε′) and imaginary (ε″) parts of the dielectric constant of the polycrystalline complexes (α-CD) 2 ·BaI 2 ·I 2 ·8H 2 O and (α-CD) 2 ·KI 3 ·I 2 ·8H 2 O (α-CD = α-cyclodetrin) have been investigated over the frequency and temperature ranges 0-100 kHz and 120-300 K, respectively. The temperature dependences of ε ′, ε ″ and the phase shift ϕ show two steps, two peaks and two minima, respectively, revealing the existence of two kinds of water molecule, the tightly bound and the easily movable water molecules, in both complexes. The first peak of ε ″( T ) or the first minimum of ϕ ( T ) presents the transformation of flip-flop hydrogen bonds to the normal state. The second ε ″ ( T ) peak or ϕ ( T ) minimum corresponds to the easily movable water molecules or to a partial transformation of tightly bound to easily movable water molecules. For T > 270 K both samples show semiconductive behaviour with energy gaps of 1.84 eV for the (α-CD) 2 ·BaI 2 ·I 2 ·8H 2 O complex and 1.36 eV for the (α-CD) 2 ·KI 3 ·I 2 ·8H 2 O complex. The conductivity at room temperature decreases in the order: (α-CD) 2 ·BaI 2 ·I 2 ·8H 2 O > (α-CD) 2 ·LiI 3 ·I 2 ·8H 2 O > (α-CD) 2 ·KI 3 ·I 2 ·8H 2 O > (αCD) 2 ·Cd 0.5 ·I 5 ·26H 2 O. The relaxation time varies in a Λ-like curve (from 120 to 250 K) and rises rapidly for temperatures greater than 250 K, indicating the process of ionic movements. The activation energies around the transition temperature 0.98-1.09 k B T trans for (α-CD) 2 ·BaI 2 ·I 2 ·8H 2 O and 1.06-1.55 k B T trans for (α-CD) 2 ·KI 3 ·I 2 ·8H 2 O reveal the greater stability of the α-K complex against that of the α-Ba complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HEK cells were transfected with the GFP gene using various vectors: naked DNA, lipofectamine, and both PLGA and P(FASA) plasmid-loaded nanospheres. All methods were assessed alone and with the use of chloroquine, a lysosomal enzyme inhibitor. Transfection efficiencies were determined and compared at various times post-incubation using a fluorescence standard curve. Neither naked DNA alone nor naked DNA and chloroquine were capable of transfecting cells. No differences were evident between lipofectamine with chloroquine and lipofectamine alone which transfected cells with a constant increase in efficiency up to 2 weeks. While transfection was not feasible with polymeric nanospheres alone, the addition of chloroquine allowed DNA released from nanospheres within cells to escape endosomal degradation and transfect the cells. The increase in transfection efficiency via nanospheres over time was exponential up to 1 week, as compared to the constant rate seen for the bolus-type administration of lipofectamine, indicating that nanospheres delivered DNA to the cells by a controlled release mechanism. Additionally, the effective dose delivered to cells via nanospheres was approximately 25% that of lipofectamine, indicating that transfection via PLGA and P(FASA) nanospheres might actually be more efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency and temperature dependence of real (ε[sup ′]) and imaginary (ε[sup ′′]) parts of the dielectric constant of polycrystalline complexes (α-CD)[sub 2] · LiI[sub 3] · I[sub 2] · 8H[sub 2]O and (α-CD)[sub 2] · Cd[sub 0.5] · I[sub 5] · 26H[sub 2]O (α-CD=α-cyclodextrin) has been investigated over the frequency and temperature ranges of 0-100 kHz and 120-300 K. The dielectric behaviour is described well by Debye type relaxation (α-dispersion). Both systems exhibit an additional Ω dispersion at low frequencies which is attributed to ionic conductance and is much greater in the case of Li due to the greater mobility of cations Li[sup +]. The temperature dependence of ε′ reveals the existence of two kinds of water molecule in the case of the (α-CD)[sub 2] · Cd[sub 0.5] · I[sub 5] · 26H[sub 2]O complex; these can be classified as tiqhtly bound and easily movable water molecules that cause two steps in ε ′ versus T plots. In the case of the (α-CD)[sub 2 ]· LiI[sub 3] · I[sub 2] · 8H[sub 2]O complex the water molecules are tightly bound and as a result only one step is observed in these graphs. These finding are also confirmed from the ε[sup ′′][sub max] versus T plots, which exhibit the same number of steps with ε[sup ′], and from calorimetric measurements. The order-disorder transition or the transformation of normal hydrogen bonds to flip-flop type has been observed as a peak in ε[sup ′′] versus T plots that is more intense and narrow in the case of Li and less high but more broad in Cd. The relaxation time varies in a ∧-like curve (from 120 K to 240 K) and rises rapidly for temperatures greater than 240 K, indicating the existence of a new process involving the breaking of hydrogen bonds (normal or flip-flop type). The calculated values of activation energy (0.35-0.62 k[sub B]T trans) reveal the greater stability of the Li compared with the Cd complex. The starting value of 8.2-8.4 µs for τ is the same as observed in β-CD complexes with guest 4-t-butylbenzyl alcohol (TERB). However, the activation energies of these are greater (1.1-1.7 k[sub B]T trans), indicating greater stability for β-CD complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

gggSeed germination characteristics were investigated in the most common Cistus species in Greece, namely C. incanus ssp. creticus and C. salvifolius. In addition to the soft seed subpopulation, both species produce a large fraction of hardcoated, water-impermeable seeds which can be softened and, thus, promoted to germinated by mechanical scarification and thermal pretreatment. Temperature and light control of seed germination are unimportant. In the ecological context of the Mediterranean ecosystems, the eventually advantageous, opportunistic strategy of germination is based on: (a) seed heterospermy (which allows the smaller, softcoated fraction to germinate promptly each year while the majority of the seeds, the hard ones, accumulate in the soil); (b) the seed population heterogeneity in relation to coat hardness (so that any heat conditions produced fire induce the softening and germination of a certain seed fraction); (c) the notably low germination rate (which suppresses premature germination); (d) the wide, Mediterrancan-type (relatively cool), temperature range of germination (while higher temperature simply inhibit but do not induce any dormancy); and (c) the apparent lack of photosensitivity (enabling germination under every light regimc). In non-fire years, the temporal distribution of field germination and seedling appearance might be partly determined by the dispersal strategy of the individual Cistus species. Nevertheless, the post-fire regeneration response is manifested in the form of a huge wave of germination (of practically all seeds softened by the fire heat), shortly after the onset of the rainy season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-requiring Grand Rapids lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) achenes develop skotodormancy when imbibed in darkness for 7 days at 25°C. Redried skotodormant achenes maintain this type of dormancy upon subsequent rehydration. At 25°C full germination of skotodormant achenes can be induced by continuous and intermittent red light illumination as well as by several brief red irradiations given daily. One brief (10 min) red light irradiation can partly break skotodormancy at 20°C, while at lower temperatures the same treatment results in full induction of germination. Phytochrome control of the release from skotodormancy is proven by a) the dependence of the germination response on the relative sequence of red and far-red light in cyclic irradiations, and b) the reversion of red action by subsequent far-red irradiation. The time course of germination of skotodormant achenes treated with intermittent red light depends upon the length of dark interval between the light pulses. Germination is considerably delayed compared to that of non-skotodormant ones, induced by a single brief red light treatment. This fact in combination with the requirement, over a long period of time, of Pfr action for full manifestation of germination, indicates that skotodormancy is a deeper form of dormancy. It is concluded that the germination of lettuce achenes may always be subjected to phytochrome control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-dimensional photoelastic model was reproduced from a human skull. The insertions of the superficial and deep portions of the masseter muscle, the temporalis muscle, the medial pterygoid muscle and the temporalis fascia were simulated with leather bonded to the appropriate areas. The following loading conditions were employed: (i) all three muscles were bilaterally loaded without occlusal loads; (ii) all three muscles were bilaterally loaded while occlusal loads were simultaneously applied on the maxillary teeth. The stress freezing technique was used to lock the resulting stress patterns into the model skull. The stress trajectories were observed and photographed in a circular polariscope. The mandibular closing muscles and the occlusal loads produced stresses which progressed through the maxilla, following a nasal, a zygomatic and a pterygoid route, while stress concentrations were seen in the frontonasal, zygomaticomaxillary and the pterygopalatine sutures. In the malar bone area the stresses were seen to branch superiorly to the frontozygomatic suture and posteriorly along the zygomatic arch to the zygomaticotemporal suture and the temporal bones Generally, the stresses were concentrated in those areas of the skull where architectural reinforcement had been demonstrated by other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-dimensional photoelastic model was reproduced from a human skull. The insertions of the superficial and deep portions of the masseter muscle and the temporalis fascia were simulated with leather bonded to the appropriate areas. The following loading conditions were employed: (1) bilateral loading of the masseter muscle; and (2) bilateral loading of the masseter muscle together with a bilateral occlusal load. The stress freezing technique was used to lock the resulting stress patterns into the model skull. The stress trajectories were observed and photographed in a circular polariscope. The results suggest that the major stress trajectories to the zygomatic bone and arch follow an alveolo-maxillary-zygomatic-temporal direction. Stresses were highly concentrated in the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. Generally, the stresses were concentrated in those areas of the bone where architectural reinforcement had been demonstrated by other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the query optimization problem in a distributed database system supporting a complex fragmentation schema, in which different fragments can share the same set of data. The fragmentation and the distribution of data are assumed to be transparent to the user, who queries the database in terms of the global relations. The optimization of queries stated on a single fragmented relation is considered, and a method for its solution is presented. The method is based on an algorithm which calculates a set of virtual fragments that can alternatively be used to answer the query. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Maize caryopses sown in water germinate equally well either in darkness or under any light regime. However, when they are imbibed in mannitol solutions, continuous far-red light proves to be strongly inhibitory on the final germination as compared to darkness. Similar but less pronounced inhibition is also exhibited by continuous red or blue light. Intermittent far-red light can partially substitute for continuous far-red light in inhibiting maize caryopsis germination, and its effect is reversed to the intermittent red light level when red light is given immediately after each far-red illumination. These results are interpreted as a proof of existence and involvement of phytochrome in the germination control of maize caryopses, though its manifestation is realized only under osmotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]