bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desertification Risk and Rural Development in Southern Europe: Permanent Assessment and Implications for Sustainable Land Management and Mitigation Policies
Authors: Salvia Rosanna , Egidi Gianluca , Vinci Sabato , Salvati Luca
Published: December 2019

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification defines ‘land degradation’ as a reduction or loss of the biological and economic productivity resulting from land-use mismanagement, or a combination of processes, such as soil erosion, deterioration of soil properties, and loss of natural vegetation and biodiversity. Land degradation is hence an interactive process involving multiple factors, among which climate, land-use, economic dynamics and socio-demographic forces play a key role. Especially in the Mediterranean basin, joint biophysical and socioeconomic factors shape the intrinsic level of vulnerability of both natural and agricultural land to degradation. The interplay between biophysical and socioeconomic factors may become extremely complex over time and space, resulting in specific patterns of landscape deterioration. This paper summarizes theoretical expectations and empirical knowledge in the field of soil and landscape degradation in Mediterranean Europe, evidencing the intimate relationship between agriculture and socio-demographic factors of growth (or decline) of rural areas. Understanding spatio-temporal trends of each factor underlying land degradation and the related background context is a key tool in the assessment of the spatial distribution of vulnerable and critical land to degradation. Empirical results of a permanent monitoring of land degradation contributes to delineate more effective conservation policies through identification of target areas requiring specific actions for biodiversity and landscape protection. With increasing human pressure on rural environments, a diachronic evaluation of patterns and processes of land degradation reveals particularly appropriate in a both positive and normative perspective, prefiguring new actions for soil conservation and landscape valorization under global change.
Research-Based Design Approaches in Historic Garden Renovation
Authors: Fekete Albert , Kollányi László
Published: December 2019

The renewal of historic gardens, landscapes, and sites has grown to be a current issue in Central and Eastern Europe. Based on scientific research, the Department of Garden Art of the Szent István University, Faculty of Landscape Architecture and Urbanism has been dealing with landscape renewal since 1963 on regional, settlement, and garden scales, too. More than 50 years of experience has already proved the advantage of such a research-based design approach in garden and landscape renewal processes, Landscape Architecture has developed from a very practical basis. The purpose of this paper is to show the most significant conclusions of our historic garden research of castle gardens from the Carpathian Basin, focusing on the importance of visual connections designed initially on the sites. Using case studies, the paper intends to explore how proper landscape design in historic environments is achieved. The historical value cannot be simplified or understood as the notion of “old”, the heritage being represented by the all-time valuable garden features and elements, independent from their formation in time. In addition to the historical authenticity of the actual use, the social needs and sustainability are important aspects, which must be integrated into heritage protection and reclamation.
Effect of Mg Content on Microstructure and Properties of Al–Mg Alloy Produced by the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Method
Authors: Ren Lingling , Gu Huimin , Wang Wei , Wang Shuai , Li Chengde , Wang Zhenbiao , Zhai Yuchun , Ma Peihua
Published: December 2019

In this study, an Al–Mg alloy was fabricated by wire arc additive manufacture (WAAM), and the effect of Mg content on the microstructure and properties of Al–Mg alloy deposits was investigated. The effects on the deposition surface oxidation, geometry, burn out rate of Mg, pores, microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms were investigated. The results show that, when the Mg content increased, the surface oxidation degree increased; a “wave”-shaped deposition layer occurred when the Mg content reached 8%. When the Mg content was more than 6%, the burning loss rate of the Mg element increased significantly. With the increase of Mg content, the number of pores first decreased and then increased, and the size first decreased and then increased. When the Mg content reached 7% or above, obvious crystallization hot cracks appeared in the deposit bodies. When the Mg content increased, the precipitated phase (FeMn)Al6 and β(Mg2Al3) increased, and the grain size increased. When the Mg content was 6%, the comprehensive mechanical properties were best. The horizontal tensile strength, yield strength and elongation were 310 MPa, 225 MPa and 17%, respectively. The vertical tensile strength, yield strength and elongation were 300 MPa, 215 MPa and 15%, respectively. The fracture morphology was a ductile fracture.
Study on Strength and Stiffness of WC-Co-NiCr Graded Samples
Authors: Czechowski Leszek
Published: December 2019

This work deals with the investigation of the strength and the stiffness of samples built of step-variable functionally graded material (FGM). The considered FGM samples consist of two main components: WC and NiCr with some content of Co as a conjunction of structure. The samples were fabricated on the basis of the detonation gun layer deposition method which is regarded as a novelty in the case of FGM production. The analyzed samples possess a finite number of layers with different varying fractions of each constituent across the wall. The basic tests of bending were conducted to assess the influence of used components in adequate proportions on the stiffness and the total strength in bending. In addition, to validate the numerical approach, simulations of samples under similar loads with truly reflected material distributions were carried out. The material properties of components were determined due to micro-nano-hardness by instrumental indentation techniques. The numerical calculations were performed with the use of the material characteristics for each material and with a consideration of large deflections. Furthermore, by means of an electron microscope, the composition of materials and distribution of chemical elements across the thickness of samples were examined. This paper reveals the experimental results of FGM samples manufactured by detonation gun layer deposition which allows the creation of layer by layer moderately thin-walled structures. It was shown that the indentation method of a determination of Young’s modulus gave higher values in comparison to values attained in the bending test. Moreover, it was stated that a modelling of FGM still requires the study of each layer separately to clearly predict the strength of the whole FGM structure.
A Clustering System for Dynamic Data Streams Based on Metaheuristic Optimisation
Authors: Yeoh Jia Ming , Caraffini Fabio , Homapour Elmina , Santucci Valentino , Milani Alfredo
Published: December 2019

This article presents the Optimised Stream clustering algorithm (OpStream), a novel approach to cluster dynamic data streams. The proposed system displays desirable features, such as a low number of parameters and good scalability capabilities to both high-dimensional data and numbers of clusters in the dataset, and it is based on a hybrid structure using deterministic clustering methods and stochastic optimisation approaches to optimally centre the clusters. Similar to other state-of-the-art methods available in the literature, it uses “microclusters” and other established techniques, such as density based clustering. Unlike other methods, it makes use of metaheuristic optimisation to maximise performances during the initialisation phase, which precedes the classic online phase. Experimental results show that OpStream outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in several cases, and it is always competitive against other comparison algorithms regardless of the chosen optimisation method. Three variants of OpStream, each coming with a different optimisation algorithm, are presented in this study. A thorough sensitive analysis is performed by using the best variant to point out OpStream’s robustness to noise and resiliency to parameter changes.
Study of Inconel 718 Welded by Bead-On-Plate Laser Welding under High-Frequency Micro-Vibration Condition
Authors: Bai Yongzhen , Lu Qinghua , Ren Xinhuai , Yan Hua , Zhang Peilei
Published: December 2019

Inconel 718 alloy laser-welded joints have poor mechanical properties due to the presence of Laves phases and liquation cracks. This paper intends to solve the above problems by high-frequency micro-vibration-coupled bead-on-plate laser welding. According to the shape of the weld beam, the upper part of the weld is defined as the nail head, and the lower part is the nail body. The results showed that high-frequency micro-vibration can achieve grain refinement. The micro-vibration could break the primary dendrite arm to form secondary dendrite and reduce epitaxial growth of the cellular crystal region. Micro-vibration exacerbated the flow of Niobium (Nb) elements surrounded by dendrites and reduced dendritic segregation, which decreased the formation of Laves phases. The combination of interdendritic Nickel (Ni), Titanium (Ti), and Nb and the precipitation of strengthening phases γ′ and γ″ were promoted. When the vibration acceleration was 50.10 m/s2, it could inhibit the formation of Laves phases among dendrites and the size of the bulk Laves phase was effectively reduced. The cracks generated in the Inconel 718 alloy were distributed at three locations including the nail-head, the nail-body, and the junction of nail-head and nail-body. When the vibration frequency was 919 Hz, the length of the liquation crack reduced from 180 to 110 μm. While under 1331 Hz, the expansion of the liquation crack was extended, with the length of 200 μm.
Investigation of AlCrN-Coated Inserts on Cryogenic Turning of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy
Authors: Selvam Lakshmanan , Murugesan Pradeep Kumar , Mani Dhananchezian , Natarajan Yuvaraj
Published: December 2019

Over the past decade, the focus of the metal cutting industry has been on the improvement of tool life for achieving higher productivity and better finish. Researchers are attempting to reduce tool failure in several ways such as modified coating characteristics of a cutting tool, conventional coolant, cryogenic coolant, and cryogenic treated insert. In this study, a single layer coating was made on cutting carbide inserts with newly determined thickness. Coating thickness, presence of coating materials, and coated insert hardness were observed. This investigation also dealt with the effect of machining parameters on the cutting force, surface finish, and tool wear when turning Ti-6Al-4V alloy without coating and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)-AlCrN coated carbide cutting inserts under cryogenic conditions. The experimental results showed that AlCrN-based coated tools with cryogenic conditions developed reduced tool wear and surface roughness on the machined surface, and cutting force reductions were observed when a comparison was made with the uncoated carbide insert. The best optimal parameters of a cutting speed (Vc) of 215 m/min, feed rate (f) of 0.102 mm/rev, and depth of cut (doc) of 0.5 mm are recommended for turning titanium alloy using the multi-response TOPSIS technique.
Phytochemical Profiling and Fingerprint Analysis of Chinese Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) Leaves of 66 Cultivars from Xinjiang Province
Authors: Song Lijun , Zheng Jie , Zhang Li , Yan Shijuan , Huang Wenjie , He Jun , Liu Pengzhan
Published: December 2019

Foliage of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) as a byproduct of agriculture, is a traditional nutraceutical material in China. Previous studies have shown that it is a rich resource of polyphenols. However, information on its complete phenolic profile and the difference between cultivars is still limited. This study investigated and compared phytochemical profiles of leaves of 66 Chinese jujube cultivars. Forty-two compounds, including 22 flavonols, two flavanols, one flavanone, 13 derivatives of phenolic acids, three simple acids, and one unknown hexoside were identified/tentatively identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Eight major flavonols were quantified by HPLC coupled with an ultraviolet (UV) detector. The contents of total flavonoids ranged from 2.6–25.1 mg/g dry weight (DW). Differences between cultivars were analyzed by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). This study presents a systematic study on the phenolic compounds in Chinese jujube leaves of different cultivars.
Building MOF Nanocomposites with Oxidized Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanospheres: The Effect of Framework Geometry on the Structural Heterogeneity
Authors: Giannakoudakis Dimitrios A. , Bandosz Teresa J.
Published: December 2019

Composite of two MOFs, copper-based Cu-BTC (HKUST-1) and zirconium-based Zr-BDC (UiO-66), with oxidized graphitic carbon nitride nanospheres were synthesized. For comparison, pure MOFs were also obtained. The surface features were analyzed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), sorption of nitrogen, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The incorporation of oxidized g-C3N4 to the Cu-BTC framework caused the formation of a heterogeneous material of a hierarchical pores structure, but a decreased surface area when compared to that of the parent MOF. In the case of UiO-66, functionalized nanospheres were acting as seeds around which the crystals grew. Even though the MOF phases were detected in both materials, the porosity analysis indicated that in the case of Cu-BTC, a collapsed MOF/nonporous and amorphous matter was also present and the MOF phase was more defectous than that in the case of UiO-66. The results suggested different roles of oxidized g-C3N4 during the composite synthesis, depending on the MOF geometry. While spherical units of UiO-66 grew undisturbed around oxidized and spherical g-C3N4, octahedral Cu-BTC units experienced geometrical constraints, leading to more defects, a disturbed growth of the MOF phase, and to the formation of mesopores at the contacts between the spheres and MOF units. The differences in the amounts of CO2 adsorbed between the MOFs and the composites confirm the proposed role of oxidized g-C3N4 in the composite formation.
Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds in Normal and Sterically Compressed o-Hydroxy Aromatic Aldehydes. Isotope Effects on Chemical Shifts and Hydrogen Bond Strength
Authors: Hansen Poul Erik , Kamounah Fadhil S. , Saeed Bahjat A. , MacLachlan Mark J. , Spanget-Larsen Jens
Published: December 2019

A number of o-hydroxy aromatic aldehydes have been synthesized to illustrate the effect of steric compression and O···O distances on the intramolecular hydrogen bond and the hydrogen bond energies. Hydrogen bond energies have been calculated using the ‘hb and out’ method using either the MP2 method or the B3LYP functional with the basis set 6-311++G(d,p). However, several compounds cannot be treated this way. Hydrogen bond energies are also determined using electron densities at bond critical points and these results are in good agreement with the results of the ‘hb and out’ model. Two-bond deuterium isotope effects on 13C chemical shifts are suggested as an experimental way to obtain information on hydrogen bond energies as they easily can be measured. Isotope effects on aldehyde proton chemical shifts have also been measured. The former show very good correlation with the hydrogen bond energies and the latter are related to short O···O distances. Short O···O distances can be obtained as the result of short C=C bond lengths, conjugative effects, and steric compression of the aldehyde group. Short O···O distances are in general related to high hydrogen bond energies in these intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded systems of resonance assisted hydrogen bond (RAHB) type.
Antileishmanial Compounds Isolated from Psidium Guajava L. Using a Metabolomic Approach
Authors: Phakeovilay Chiobouaphong , Bourgeade-Delmas Sandra , Perio Pierre , Valentin Alexis , Chassagne François , Deharo Eric , Reybier Karine , Marti Guillaume
Published: December 2019

With an estimated annual incidence of one million cases, leishmaniasis is one of the top five vector-borne diseases. Currently available medical treatments involve side effects, including toxicity, non-specific targeting, and resistance development. Thus, new antileishmanial chemical entities are of the utmost interest to fight against this disease. The aim of this study was to obtain potential antileishmanial natural products from Psidium guajava leaves using a metabolomic workflow. Several crude extracts from P. guajava leaves harvested from different locations in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) were profiled by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry, and subsequently evaluated for their antileishmanial activities. The putative active compounds were highlighted by multivariate correlation analysis between the antileishmanial response and chromatographic profiles of P. guajava mixtures. The results showed that the pooled apolar fractions from P. guajava were the most active (IC50 = 1.96 ± 0.47 µg/mL). Multivariate data analysis of the apolar fractions highlighted a family of triterpenoid compounds, including jacoumaric acid (IC50 = 1.318 ± 0.59 µg/mL) and corosolic acid (IC50 = 1.01 ± 0.06 µg/mL). Our approach allowed the identification of antileishmanial compounds from the crude extracts in only a small number of steps and can be easily adapted for use in the discovery workflows of several other natural products.
Nano-(Q)SAR for Cytotoxicity Prediction of Engineered Nanomaterials
Authors: Buglak Andrey A. , Zherdev Anatoly V. , Dzantiev Boris B.
Published: December 2019

Although nanotechnology is a new and rapidly growing area of science, the impact of nanomaterials on living organisms is unknown in many aspects. In this regard, it is extremely important to perform toxicological tests, but complete characterization of all varying preparations is extremely laborious. The computational technique called quantitative structure–activity relationship, or QSAR, allows reducing the cost of time- and resource-consuming nanotoxicity tests. In this review, (Q)SAR cytotoxicity studies of the past decade are systematically considered. We regard here five classes of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs): Metal oxides, metal-containing nanoparticles, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and silica nanoparticles. Some studies reveal that QSAR models are better than classification SAR models, while other reports conclude that SAR is more precise than QSAR. The quasi-QSAR method appears to be the most promising tool, as it allows accurately taking experimental conditions into account. However, experimental artifacts are a major concern in this case.
A New Strategy for Effective Succinic Acid Production by Enterobacter sp. LU1 Using a Medium Based on Crude Glycerol and Whey Permeate
Authors: Podleśny Marcin , Wyrostek Jakub , Kucharska Jagoda , Jarocki Piotr , Komoń-Janczara Elwira , Targoński Zdzisław
Published: December 2019

The newly-isolated strain Enterobacter sp. LU1, which has previously been shown to be an effective producer of succinic acid on glycerol with the addition of lactose, was used for further intensive works aimed at improving the production parameters of the said process. The introduction of an initial stage of gentle culture aeration allowed almost 47 g/L of succinic acid to be obtained after 168 h of incubation, which is almost two times faster than the time previously taken to obtain this amount. Furthermore, the replacement of glycerol with crude glycerin and the replacement of lactose with whey permeate allowed the final concentration of succinic acid to be increased to 54 g/L. Considering the high content of yeast extract (YE) in the culture medium, tests were also performed with a reduced YE content via its partial substitution with urea. Although this substitution led to a deterioration of the kinetic parameters of the production process, using the fed-batch strategy, it allowed a succinic acid concentration of 69 g/L to be obtained in the culture medium, the highest concentration ever achieved using this process. Furthermore, the use of microaerophilic conditions meant that the addition of lactose to the medium was not required, with 37 g/L of succinic acid being produced on crude glycerol alone.
Synthesis and Characterization of New Multifunctional Self-Boosted Filters for UV Protection: ZnO Complex with Dihydroxyphenyl Benzimidazole Carboxylic Acid
Authors: Battistin Mattia , Durini Elisa , Dissette Valeria , Bonetto Alessandro , Marcomini Antonio , Casagrande Elisa , Brunetta Andrea , Ziosi Paola , Molesini Sonia , Gavioli Riccardo , Nicoli Francesco , Manfredini Stefano , Vertuani Silvia , Baldisserotto Anna
Published: December 2019

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing both because of climate change and the increase in pollution than people’s incorrect habits of sun exposure. In these regards, sunscreen and photoprotection are essential tools in consenting the benefits induced by safe solar light exposition and skin cancer prevention. In this work, a new class of sunscreen filter was synthesized by chemical combination of a physical filter (ZnO) and Oxisol (dihydroxyphenyl benzimidazole carboxylic acid), an antioxidant molecule with booster effect. In this work, a new class of filters with new properties was achieved by direct functionalization of particles surface. A full characterization of this multifunctional ingredient (ZnO–Ox) was conducted: Compared with the simple mixture, the new filter acts as a multifunctional molecule showing a higher Sun Protection Factor (SPF), a better cytotoxic profile (MTT and NRU assay), and anti-acne activity. A strong reduction of photocatalytic activity of ZnO was observed, also improving the safety profile.
Coagulant Effects and Mechanism of Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin
Authors: Liu Xuqiang , Dong Jing , Liang Qiongxin , Wang Hui-min David , Liu Zhenhua , Xu Ruian , Kang Wenyi
Published: December 2019

Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin, are commonly used in anti-inflammatory, analgesic, traumatic bleeding and hemostasisas. In this paper, the coagulation effect of the ethanol extract (Set), ethyl acetate phase (Sea) and n-butanol phase (Sbu) was evaluated by prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen content (FIB) assays in vitro. Then, Three main lupanine triterpenes (compounds A–C) were isolated and identified from Sea and Sbu by a bioassay-guided method and their structure were identified as 3α-Hydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene-23, 28-dioic acid, betulinic acid 3-O-sulfate and 3α-Hydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene-23, 28-dioic acid 28-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→6))-β-d-glucopyranoside) by spectroscopic data analysis. Among of them, compound B was confirmed to have significant coagulant effect in vitro. Furthermore, the pro-coagulation mechanism of S. heptaphylla extracts and compound B were investigated by measuring whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma viscosity (PV), erythrocyte sedimentetion rate (ESR), pack cell volume (PCV), APTT, PT, TT, and FIB in vivo. Meanwhile, the levels of thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 6-keto prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and (endothelin-1) ET-1 were detected. The bleeding time (BT) was tested by tail bleeding method, which proved the traumatic bleeding and hemostasis activities of S. heptaphylla. The pharmacology experiments showed that the Set, Sea, Sbu and compound B has significant pro-coagulation effect. In addition, compound B might be the main constituent of pro-coagulation in S. heptaphylla These results could support the fact that S. heptaphylla could be used traditionally to cure traumatic bleeding, and the pro-coagulation effects were associated with the regulation of vascular endothelium active substance and hemorheology parameters.
Rational Drug Design of Peptide-Based Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Olubiyi Olujide O. , Olagunju Maryam O. , Strodel Birgit
Published: December 2019

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited disorders affecting red blood cells, which is caused by a single mutation that results in substitution of the amino acid valine for glutamic acid in the sixth position of the β-globin chain of hemoglobin. These mutant hemoglobin molecules, called hemoglobin S, can polymerize upon deoxygenation, causing erythrocytes to adopt a sickled form and to suffer hemolysis and vaso-occlusion. Until recently, only two drug therapies for SCD, which do not even fully address the manifestations of SCD, were approved by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration. A third treatment was newly approved, while a monoclonal antibody preventing vaso-occlusive crises is also now available. The complex nature of SCD manifestations provides multiple critical points where drug discovery efforts can be and have been directed. These notwithstanding, the need for new therapeutic approaches remains high and one of the recent efforts includes developments aimed at inhibiting the polymerization of hemoglobin S. This review focuses on anti-sickling approaches using peptide-based inhibitors, ranging from individual amino acid dipeptides investigated 30–40 years ago up to more promising 12- and 15-mers under consideration in recent years.
Degradation of Tocopherol Molecules and Its Impact on the Polymerization of Triacylglycerols during Heat Treatment of Oil
Authors: Kmiecik Dominik , Fedko Monika , Siger Aleksander , Kulczyński Bartosz
Published: December 2019

The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of the surface area to volume ratio of pressed and refined rapeseed oils on the changes in tocopherol content and polymerization of triacylglycerols during heating. In the study the pressed and refined rapeseed oil was heated at 170 °C, during 6, 12, and 18 h with three different surface area to volume (s/v) ratios (0.378, 0.189, and 0.126 cm−1). During heating, a decrease in tocopherols and increases in dimers, trimers, and oligomers of triacylglycerols were observed. However, the changes were dependent on the surface area to volume ratio used, type of oil and time of heating. The biggest changes were observed in oil with the biggest s/v ratio (0.378 cm−1), and the lowest when the s/v ratio was 0.126 cm−1. The pressed oil was characterized by faster degradation of tocopherols and slower increase of triacylglycerol polymer levels compared to refined oil.
Functional Gene Network of Prenyltransferases in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kopcsayová Diana , Vranová Eva
Published: December 2019

Prenyltransferases (PTs) are enzymes that catalyze prenyl chain elongation. Some are highly similar to each other at the amino acid level. Therefore, it is difficult to assign their function based solely on their sequence homology to functional orthologs. Other experiments, such as in vitro enzymatic assay, mutant analysis, and mutant complementation are necessary to assign their precise function. Moreover, subcellular localization can also influence the functionality of the enzymes within the pathway network, because different isoprenoid end products are synthesized in the cytosol, mitochondria, or plastids from prenyl diphosphate (prenyl-PP) substrates. In addition to in vivo functional experiments, in silico approaches, such as co-expression analysis, can provide information about the topology of PTs within the isoprenoid pathway network. There has been huge progress in the last few years in the characterization of individual Arabidopsis PTs, resulting in better understanding of their function and their topology within the isoprenoid pathway. Here, we summarize these findings and present the updated topological model of PTs in the Arabidopsis thaliana isoprenoid pathway.
Secoiridoids Metabolism Response to Wounding in Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea Rafn) Leaves
Authors: Božunović Jelena , Skorić Marijana , Matekalo Dragana , Živković Suzana , Dragićević Milan , Aničić Neda , Filipović Biljana , Banjanac Tijana , Šiler Branislav , Mišić Danijela
Published: December 2019

Centaurium erythraea Rafn produces and accumulates various biologically active specialized metabolites, including secoiridoid glucosides (SGs), which help plants to cope with unfavorable environmental conditions. Specialized metabolism is commonly modulated in a way to increase the level of protective metabolites, such as SGs. Here, we report the molecular background of the wounding-induced changes in SGs metabolism for the first time. The mechanical wounding of leaves leads to a coordinated up-regulation of SGs biosynthetic genes and corresponding JA-related transcription factors (TFs) after 24 h, which results in the increase of metabolic flux through the biosynthetic pathway and, finally, leads to the elevated accumulation of SGs 96 h upon injury. The most pronounced increase in relative expression was detected for secologanin synthase (CeSLS), highlighting this enzyme as an important point for the regulation of biosynthetic flux through the SG pathway. A similar expression pattern was observed for CeBIS1, imposing itself as the TF that is prominently involved in wound-induced regulation of SGs biosynthesis genes. The high degree of positive correlations between and among the biosynthetic genes and targeted TFs expressions indicate the transcriptional regulation of SGs biosynthesis in response to wounding with a significant role of CeBIS1, which is a known component of the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway.
New Insight into HPts as Hubs in Poplar Cytokinin and Osmosensing Multistep Phosphorelays: Cytokinin Pathway Uses Specific HPts
Authors: Héricourt François , Larcher Mélanie , Chefdor Françoise , Koudounas Konstantinos , Carqueijeiro Inês , Lemos Cruz Pamela , Courdavault Vincent , Tanigawa Mirai , Maeda Tatsuya , Depierreux Christiane , Lamblin Frédéric , Glévarec Gaëlle , Carpin Sabine
Published: December 2019

We have previously identified proteins in poplar which belong to an osmosensing (OS) signaling pathway, called a multistep phosphorelay (MSP). The MSP comprises histidine-aspartate kinases (HK), which act as membrane receptors; histidine phosphotransfer (HPt) proteins, which act as phosphorelay proteins; and response regulators (RR), some of which act as transcription factors. In this study, we identified the HK proteins homologous to the Arabidopsis cytokinin (CK) receptors, which are first partners in the poplar cytokinin MSP, and focused on specificity of these two MSPs (CK and OS), which seem to share the same pool of HPt proteins. Firstly, we isolated five CK HKs from poplar which are homologous to Arabidopsis AHK2, AHK3, and AHK4, namely, HK2, HK3a, HK3b, HK4a, HK4b. These HKs were shown to be functional kinases, as observed in a functional complementation of a yeast HK deleted strain. Moreover, one of these HKs, HK4a, was shown to have kinase activity dependent on the presence of CK. Exhaustive interaction tests between these five CK HKs and the 10 HPts characterized in poplar were performed using two-hybrid and BiFC experiments. The resulting partnership was compared to that previously identified between putative osmosensors HK1a/1b and HPt proteins. Finally, in planta coexpression analysis of genes encoding these potential partners revealed that almost all HPts are coexpressed with CK HKs in four different poplar organs. Overall, these results allowed us to unravel the common and specific partnerships existing between OS and CK MSP in Populus.
Transgressivity in Key Functional Traits Rather Than Phenotypic Plasticity Promotes Stress Tolerance in A Hybrid Cordgrass
Authors: Gallego-Tévar Blanca , Grewell Brenda J. , Drenovsky Rebecca E. , Castillo Jesús M.
Published: December 2019

Hybridization might promote offspring fitness via a greater tolerance to environmental stressors due to heterosis and higher levels of phenotypic plasticity. Thus, analyzing the phenotypic expression of hybrids provides an opportunity to elucidate further plant responses to environmental stress. In the case of coastal salt marshes, sea level rise subjects hybrids, and their parents, to longer tidal submergence and higher salinity. We analyzed the phenotypic expression patterns in the hybrid Spartina densiflora x foliosa relative to its parental species, native S. foliosa, and invasive S. densiflora, from the San Francisco Estuary when exposed to contrasting salinities and inundations in a mesocosm experiment. 37% of the recorded traits displayed no variability among parents and hybrids, 3% showed an additive inheritance, 37% showed mid-parent heterosis, 18% showed best-parent heterosis, and 5% presented worst-parent heterosis. Transgressivity, rather than phenotypic plasticity, in key functional traits of the hybrid, such as tiller height, conveyed greater stress tolerance to the hybrid when compared to the tolerance of its parents. As parental trait variability increased, phenotypic transgressivity of the hybrid increased and it was more important in response to inundation than salinity. Increases in salinity and inundation associated with sea level rise will amplify the superiority of the hybrid over its parental species. These results provide evidence of transgressive traits as an underlying source of adaptive variation that can facilitate plant invasions. The adaptive evolutionary process of hybridization is thought to support an increased invasiveness of plant species and their rapid evolution.
Anthocyanin in the Vacuole of Red Onion Epidermal Cells Quenches Other Fluorescent Molecules
Authors: Collings David A.
Published: December 2019

Peels from the inner epidermis of onion bulbs are a model system in plant cell biology. While the inner epidermis of red onions is characteristically white, small patches of cells sometimes redden, containing vacuolar anthocyanin. This study investigated the spectroscopic properties of these anthocyanic cells. When fluorescent dyes were loaded into the vacuole of onion epidermal cells, the anthocyanic cells showed decreased dye fluorescence. This decrease was observed for fluorescein and carboxyfluorescein that are pumped into the vacuole by anion transporters, for acridine orange which acid loads into the vacuole, and for the fluorescent sugar analogue esculin loaded into the vacuole by sucrose transporters. Similar decreases in carboxyfluorescein fluorescence were observed when dye was loaded into the vacuoles of several other plant species, but decreases were not observed for dyes resident in the tonoplast membrane. As cellular physiology was unaffected in the anthocyanic cells, with cytoplasmic streaming, vacuolar and cytoplasmic pH not being altered, the decreased dye fluorescence from the anthocyanic cells can be attributed to fluorescence quenching. Furthermore, because quenching decreased with increasing temperature. It was concluded, therefore, that vacuolar anthocyanin can statically quench other fluorescent molecules in vivo, an effect previously demonstrated for anthocyanin in vitro.
Phytochemical Analysis of Tephrosia vogelii across East Africa Reveals Three Chemotypes that Influence Its Use as a Pesticidal Plant
Authors: Mkindi Angela G. , Tembo Yolice , Mbega Ernest R. , Medvecky Beth , Kendal-Smith Amy , Farrell Iain W. , Ndakidemi Patrick A. , Belmain Steven R. , Stevenson Philip C.
Published: December 2019

Tephrosia vogelii is a plant species chemically characterized by the presence of entomotoxic rotenoids and used widely across Africa as a botanical pesticide. Phytochemical analysis was conducted to establish the presence and abundance of the bioactive principles in this species across three countries in East Africa: Tanzania, Kenya, and Malawi. Analysis of methanolic extracts of foliar parts of T. vogelii revealed the occurrence of two distinct chemotypes that were separated by the presence of rotenoids in one, and flavanones and flavones that are not bioactive against insects on the other. Specifically, chemotype 1 contained deguelin as the major rotenoid along with tephrosin, and rotenone as a minor component, while these compounds were absent from chemotype 2, which contained previously reported flavanones and flavones including obovatin-3-O-methylether. Chemotype 3 contained a combination of the chemical profiles of both chemotype 1 and 2 suggesting a chemical hybrid. Plant samples identified as chemotype 1 showed chemical consistency across seasons and altitudes, except in the wet season where a significant difference was observed for samples in Tanzania. Since farmers are unable to determine the chemical content of material available care must be taken in promoting this species for pest management without first establishing efficacy. While phytochemical analysis serves as an important tool for quality control of pesticidal plants, where analytical facilities are not available simple bioassays could be developed to enable extension staff and farmers to determine the efficacy of their plants and ensure only effective materials are adopted.
Comparative Evaluation of the Nutritive, Mineral, and Antinutritive Composition of Musa sinensis L. (Banana) and Musa paradisiaca L. (Plantain) Fruit Compartments
Authors: Oyeyinka Barnabas Oluwatomide , Afolayan Anthony Jide
Published: December 2019

Banana and plantain contribute significantly to food security and amelioration of malnutrition, earning their status as staples in several localities of tropical and sub-tropical regions. The distribution of metabolites within the various parts also remains as a key essential to their nutritive and therapeutic potential. This study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional and mineral composition of the flesh, peel, and peel extract components of Musa sinensis L. and Musa paradisiaca L. fruits as well as their nutritional and therapeutic potentials. Proximate and antinutritional analyses were carried out using standard analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), while the mineral constituents were evaluated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Proximate analysis revealed that the flesh and peel of M. sinensis L. and M. paradisiaca L. contain substantial amounts of moisture, fiber, carbohydrates, and low fat content, while minerals K, Mg, Ca, Na, P, and N were substantially concentrated in the peels and peel extracts in particular. The antinutrients alkaloid, oxalate, saponin, and phytate were detected in safe amounts according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The study points out that the peel and its derivative extract, as well as the flesh of M. sinensis L. and M. paradisiaca L. are to be put to more relevant human nutritional and therapeutic use.
Numerical Simulation of a Wall-Flow Particulate Filter Made of Biomorphic Silicon Carbide Able to Fit Different Fuel/Biofuel Inputs
Authors: Orihuela M. Pilar , Haralampous Onoufrios , Chacartegui Ricardo , Torres García Miguel , Martínez-Fernández Julián
Published: December 2019

To meet the increasingly strict emission limits imposed by regulations, internal combustion engines for transport applications require the urgent development of novel emission abatement systems. The introduction of biodiesel or other biofuels in the engine operation is considered to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, these alternative fuels can affect the performance of the post-combustion systems due to the variability they introduce in the exhaust particle distribution and their particular physical properties. Bioceramic materials made from vegetal waste are characterized by having an orthotropic hierarchical microstructure, which can be tailored in some way to optimize the filtration mechanisms as a function of the particle distribution of the combustion gases. Consequently, they can be good candidates to cope with the variability that new biofuel blends introduce in the engine operation. The objective of this work is to predict the filtration performance of a wall-flow particulate filter (DPF) made of biomorphic silicon carbide (bioSiC) with a systematic procedure that allows to eventually fit different fuel inputs. For this purpose; a well-validated DPF model available as commercial software has been chosen and adapted to the specific microstructural features of bioSiC. Fitting the specific filtration and permeability parameters of this biomaterial into the model; the filtration efficiency and pressure drop of the filter are predicted with sufficient accuracy during the loading test. The results obtained through this study show the potential of this novel DPF substrate; the material/microstructural design of which can be adapted through the selection of an optimum precursor.
On Identifying the Systemically Important Tunisian Banks: An Empirical Approach Based on the △CoVaR Measures
Authors: Khiari Wided , Ben Sassi Salim
Published: December 2019

The aim of this work is to assess systemic risk of Tunisian listed banks. The goal is to identify the institutions that contribute the most to systemic risk and that are most exposed to it. We use the CoVaR that considered the systemic risk as the value at risk (VaR) of a financial institution conditioned on the VaR of another institution. Thus, if the CoVaR increases with respect to the VaR, the spillover risk also increases among the institutions. The difference between these measurements is termed △CoVaR, and it allows for estimating the exposure and contribution of each bank to systemic risk. Results allow classifying Tunisian banks in terms of systemic risk involvement. They show that public banks occupy the top places, followed by the two largest private banks in Tunisia. These five banks are the main systemic players in the Tunisian banking sector. It seems that they are the least sensitive to the financial difficulties of existing banks and the most important contributors to the distress of the other banks. This work aims to add a broader perspective to the micro prudential application of regulation, including contagion, proposing a macro prudential vision and strengthening of regulatory policy. Supervisors could impose close supervision for institutions considered as potentially systemic banks. Furthermore, regulations should consider the systemic contribution when defining risk requirements to minimize the consequences of possible herd behavior.
Design of Multiple Wearable Robotic Extra Fingers for Human Hand Augmentation
Authors: Malvezzi Monica , Iqbal Zubair , Valigi Maria Cristina , Pozzi Maria , Prattichizzo Domenico , Salvietti Gionata
Published: December 2019

Augmenting the human hand with robotic extra fingers is a cutting-edge research topic and has many potential applications, in particular as a compensatory and rehabilitation tool for patients with upper limb impairments. Devices composed of two extra fingers are preferred with respect to single finger devices when reliable grasps, resistance to external disturbances, and higher payloads are required. Underactuation and compliance are design choices that can reduce the device complexity and weight, maintaining the adaptability to different grasped objects. When only one motor is adopted to actuate multiple fingers, a differential mechanism is necessary to decouple finger movements and distribute forces. In this paper, the main features of a wearable device composed of two robotic extra fingers are described and analyzed in terms of kinematics, statics, and mechanical resistance. Each finger is composed of modular phalanges and is actuated with a single tendon. Interphalangeal joints include a passive elastic element that allows restoring the initial reference configuration when the tendon is released. The stiffness of each passive element can be customized in the manufacturing process and can be chosen according to a desired closure movement of the fingers. Another key aspect of the device is the differential system connecting the actuator to the fingers.
Downscaling of GRACE-Derived Groundwater Storage Based on the Random Forest Model
Authors: Chen Li , He Qisheng , Liu Kun , Li Jinyang , Jing Chenlin
Published: December 2019

Groundwater is an important part of water storage and one of the important sources of agricultural irrigation, urban living, and industrial water use. The recent launch of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) Satellite has provided a new way for studying large-scale water storage. The application of GRACE in local water resources has been greatly limited because of the coarse spatial resolution, and low temporal resolution. Therefore, it is of great significance to improve the spatial resolution of groundwater storage for regional water management. Based on the method of random forest (RF), this study combined six hydrological variables, including precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, soil moisture, snow water equivalent, and canopy water to conduct downscaling study, aiming at downscaling the resolution of the total water storage and groundwater storage from 1° (110 km) and to 0.25° (approximately 25 km). The results showed that, from the perspective of long time series, the prediction results of the RF model are ideal in the whole research area and the observations wells area. From the perspective of space, the detailed changes of water storage could be captured in greater detail after downscaling. The verification results show that, on the monthly scale and annual scale, the correlation between the downscaling results and the observation wells is 0.78 and 0.94, respectively, and they both reach the confidence level of 0.01. Therefore, the RF downscaling model has great potential for predicting groundwater storage.
Analysis of Stochastic Distances and Wishart Mixture Models Applied on PolSAR Images
Authors: Carvalho Naiallen Carolyne Rodrigues Lima , Sant’Anna Bins Leonardo , Siqueira Sant’Anna Sidnei João
Published: December 2019

This paper address unsupervised classification strategies applied to Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PolSAR) images. We analyze the performance of complex Wishart distribution, which is a widely used model for multi-look PolSAR images, and the robustness of five stochastic distances (Bhattacharyya, Kullback-Leibler, Rényi, Hellinger and Chi-square) between Wishart distributions. Two unsupervised classification strategies were chosen: the Stochastic Clustering (SC) algorithm, which is based on the K-means algorithm but uses stochastic distance as the similarity metric, and the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm for Wishart Mixture Model. With the aim of assessing the performance of all algorithms presented here, we performed a Monte Carlo simulation over a set of simulated PolSAR images. A second experiment was conducted using the study area of Tapajós National Forest and the surrounding area, in Brazilian Amazon Forest. The PolSAR images were obtained by the satellite PALSAR. The results, in both experiments, suggest that the EM algorithm and the SC with Hellinger and the SC with Bhattacharyya distance provide a better classification performance. We also analyze the initialization problem for SC and EM algorithms, and we demonstrate how the initial centroid choice influences the final classification result.