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The study aimed to address the optimal plant population density in maize that maximizes phenotypic expression and differentiation, and lessens environmental effects on genotypic expression in terms of the response to selection. A set of seven short-season hybrids (Rom set) was tested under rainfed conditions (2006, 2007) in Romania, and a set of seven long-season hybrids (Gr set) was tested with irrigation (2007) in Greece. Experimentation was conducted under ultra-low (ULD), low (LD), middle (MD), and high (HD) densities (0.74, 2.51, 4.20, 8.40 plants/m 2 for the Rom set, and 0.74, 3.13, 6.25, 8.33 plants/m 2 for the Gr set). Phenotypic expression and differentiation for grain yield were highest at the ULD. Coefficient of variation (CV) for grain yield, ear length and kernel row number decreased as density decreased. Environmental conditions and hybrid plant-yield potential (i.e., maximum yield per plant) were crucial for the optimal density that achieved the lowest environmental variance. For the Rom set the lowest CV for grain yield was obtained at the LD in the unfavourable season and at the ULD in the favourable season. The less acquired variance was achieved at the ULD for the highest yielding hybrids and at the LD for the lowest yielding hybrids, revealing a negative association between plant-yield potential and optimal density. Concluding, a density proximal to the ULD approximates absence of competition in maize, and optimizes three determinant parameters for successful selection: selection intensity, heritability and phenotypic differentiation.

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The genomes of the two plant organelles encode for a relatively small number of proteins. Thus, nuclear genes encode the vast majority of their proteome. Organelle-to-nucleus communication takes place through retrograde signaling (RS) pathways. Signals relayed through RS pathways have an impact on nuclear gene expression but their target-genes remain elusive in a normal state of the cell (considering that only mutants and stress have been used so far). Here, we use maize cytolines as an alternative. The nucleus of a donor line was transferred into two other cytoplasmic environments through at least nine back-crosses, in a time-span of > 10 years. The transcriptomes of the resulting cytolines were sequenced and compared. There are 96 differentially regulated nuclear genes in two cytoplasm-donor lines when compared with their nucleus-donor. They are expressed throughout plant development, in various tissues and organs. One-third of the 96 proteins have a human homolog, stressing their potential role in mitochondrial RS. We also identified syntenic orthologous genes in four other grasses and homologous genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. These findings contribute to the paradigm we use to describe the RS in plants. The 96 nuclear genes identified here are not differentially regulated as a result of mutation, or any kind of stress. They are rather key players of the organelle-to-nucleus communication in a normal state of the cell.

Classical hypotheses and the theoretical basis of Michelson's interferometer experiment are reanalyzed in this paper. Initially, the reanalysis in the paper of the illustrative model of the interferometer, represented by a boat traversing a river reveals that the correct transversal trajectory is not an isosceles triangle as classically thought. The transversal light path in the interferometer, taking into account the supposed ether presence, the correct reflection angles, and considering the Huygens-Fresnel theory of light, was found to be different from the isosceles triangle supposed by Michelson. A correct alternative light path, as a rectangular triangle, which necessitates a zero or negligible time difference, compared to that expected theoretically by Michelson, was found. But such small time differences were reported in some experiments including Michelson's own experiments. This means that in a movable media as the ether, the light's double travel time does not depend on the direction of its displacement. Previously, the same result was found to be correct for the boat as well. The above findings may also be applicable to other similar experiments. Consequently, Michelson's interferometer experiment should not be considered negative concerning the presence of ether and the special theory of relativity must be reconsidered. In fact, the correct interpretation of Michelson's experiment does not confirm the relativity of the light speed ͑the independence of the movement direction͒ for a double travel, and it is not applicable to a simple travel.Résumé: Dans cet article on fait une nouvelle analyze des hypothèses classiques et de la base théorique de l'expérience avec l'interféromètre de Michelson. Initialement, l'analyze du model illustratif de l'interféromètre représenté par un bateau traversant une rivière, a révélé que la trajectoire transversale correcte n'était pas un triangle isocèle comme on considérait de manière classique. En considérant la présence supposée de l'éther, tenant compte de la théorie du Huygens-Fresnel concernant la lumière, et des angles corrects de réflexion, le chemin transversal de la lumière dans l'interféromètre a résulté être différent de celui admis par Michelson. On a trouvé un chemin alternatif correct de la lumière, comme un triangle rectangulaire, qui nécessite une différence de temps nulle ou négligeable, en comparaison avec celle obtenu théoriquement par Michelson. Mais ces petites différences de temps ont été signalées dans certaines expériences y compris les expériences de Michelson. Ça signifie que le temps dans un double parcours de la lumière, ne dépende pas de la direction du déplacement dans un milieu en mouvement comme l'éther. Le même résultat on a trouvé initialement être correct aussi pour le bateau. Les précédents résultats sont possibles de les appliquer aux autres expériences similaires. Il résulte que l'expérimente avec l'interféromètre de Michelson ne doit pas être envisagée comme un résultat négatif sur la présence de l'éther et qu'il faut reconsidérer l...

Abstract:The paper starts by analyzing the actual justification of the separation existing between electrical and gravitational forces, considering that for neutral bodies the electrical interaction force at long distances r, totally cancels as equal and opposed +/-forces F C , given by Coulomb law. Initially it was demonstrated that the type of the force F D , attraction or repulsion, between two electrical dipoles, having the same orientation, is given by the variation mode of the electrical forces F C with the r distance. In this paper one demonstrates that this electrical dipole force F D may exist at any distance r, by reciprocal orientation of any two dipoles. But such dipole force F D depends on a term in 1/r 4 or greater power, being negligible compared to the gravitational force F N , which in Newton's law depends on 1/r 2 . In order to obtain the principal term in 1/r 2 , for dipole interaction F D , it was necessary and sufficiently to admit a hypothesis which considers a new Coulomb law force F CC , as a series of terms of powers of r, including a new term of the form -ln r. With this corrected Coulomb law force F CC , for dipole interaction new force F DC , an expression having the principal term in 1/r 2 results, as in Newton's law. In order to verify the above hypothesis, numerical checking for the new dipole force F DC with first 4 terms of series was performed, utilizing actual electric permeability, the constant ε 0 corrected, in all the terms. These calculations made for an astronomical distance (10 9 m), showed a good agreement (relative ratio R=F N /F DC ≈ 0.626) between the force F N given by Newton's law and the dipole force F DC obtained with the corrected Coulomb law. On the basis of this gravity theory, some important consequences result, such as the inexistence of the gravitational waves, of the black holes, of the space gravitational curvature, and of the big-bang. This gravity theory with more than 4 terms of series yield all of the four known forces in nature, so unifying them. The new dipolar gravity theory is physically possible only in quantum manifestation of the charges, and admitting the presence of a continuum media (a modern ether) as physical support of electromagnetic interactions.

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of free amino acids from corn inbred lines flour. Amino acids were extracted using 6% trichloroacetic acid. The extracts were purified using an ion-exchange solid phase, derivatized as trifluoroacetic butyl esters, and analyzed. The 15 N-methionine was used as the internal standard. The method was repeatable for most of the amino acids (coefficient of variation was in the order of 20%), and good accuracy and limits of detection were obtained. Among the free amino acids determined, the highest concentrations were obtained for aspartic acid, proline, gamma-aminobutyric acid, lysine, alanine, glutamic acid, and histidine. The study established the variation of the free amino acids within the inbred lines.

Theoretical basis of Michelson interferometer experiment is reanalyzed. Initially we reanalyzed the illustrative model, represented by a boat traversing a river which revealed that the correct transversal trajectory is not an isosceles triangle, but a right triangle. Also in the interferometer, the transversal double light path, considering the ether presence and classical theories of light, we found to be too a right triangle instead isosceles one considered by Michelson. But this new path necessitates zero time difference, for which fringes displacements are not expected, unlike Michelson's analysis. So we found that the light's double travel times don't depend on the interferometer arms directions and so the expected by Michelson fringes displacements, must not appear. The above findings are applicable to other similar experiments with ray double travel, including light, lasers, masers, γ-rays, etc. We demonstrated that Michelson's experiment correct interpretation does not confirm the relativity of the light speed. Consequently, Michelson's experiment should not be considered negative concerning the presence of ether which must remain the bearer of the E-M phenomena. Consequently, the Special Relativity Theory (SRT) must be reconsidered, based on Lorentz electromagnetic theory from 1895 and the quanta entanglement and E-M field can be physically explained by the ether presence.