Effect of stem age on the response of stem diameter variations to plant water status in tomato

Plant water status plays a major role in glasshouse cultivation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). New climate control technologies alter the glasshouse climate and make it less dependent on solar radiation. However, irrigation strategies are still often based on solar radiation sums. In order to maintain a good plant water status, it is interesting to use plant-based methods such as monitoring sap flow (F) or stem diameter variations (SDV). Though SDV give important information about plant water status, an unambiguous interpretation might be difficult because other factors such as stem age, fruit load and sugar content of the stem also affect SDV. In this study, an analysis of the effect of stem age on the response of SDV to water status was performed by calibration of a mechanistic flow and storage model. This allowed us to determine how parameter values changed across the growing season. Tissue extensibility decreased over the growing season resulting in a lower growth rate potential, whereas daily cycles of shrinking and swelling of the stem became more pronounced towards the end of the growing season. Parameters were then adapted to time-dependent variables and implemented in the model, allowing long term simulation and interpretation of SDV. Sensitivity analysis showed that model predictions were very sensitive to initial sucrose content of the phloem tissue and the parameters related to plastic growth

DETERMINATION OF THE LEAD CONTENT IN SPINACH BY UTILIZATION OF THE POTENTIOMETRIC STRIPPING ANALYSIS (PSA)

Absorption of elements by plants is regulated with a series of factors that depend on the plant in issue and conditions of living environment. The main factor that controls the mineral content in plants is a genetic potential for sustenance with different minerals. It is being exhibited with unequal sensitivity and ability for accumulation of specific elements. Particularity of species and genotypes with regard the mineral sustenance originates from their adjustment to specific ecological conditions, particularity related to metabolism, morphological and anatomic structure. A plant’s ability to absorb microelements depends on morphology of its root, which has three major functions: connecting the plant to its surface, absorption and transport of substance and water, synthesis of phytohormones and other organic compounds. In addition to its role in inclusion of elements from the ground, the root doubles as a fairly good filter. Essential elements pass through the root barrier easily, straightforwardly advancing to the upper parts of a plant while still being mobile, whereas toxic elements are withheld, unless their presence is in ample concentrations. It is known that the root epidermis represents a barrier for lead absorption. Zinc has a distinctively large mobility through the plant and minor accretion in the root. While toxic and physiologically unnecessary for any plant, cadmium advances rapidly towards the upper parts. Since lead has the worst mobility towards the upper parts of the plant, taking into consideration its high toxicity levels if it becomes the food chain constituent, this report elaborates determination of the lead content in spinach leaves. This determination of the lead content was conducted by utilization of the Potentiometric Stripping Analysis (PSA).The Potentiometric Stripping Analysis (PSA) is an electroanalytic highly sensitive method for determining the content of many heavy metals. Examining of sensitivity threshold and linearity range was conducted prior to this measurement.&nbsp

Thinking Green: Analyzing EFL Textbooks in Light of Ecological Education Themes

The present study aimed at examining English as a Foreign Language (from now on as EFL) textbooks on ecological education key global themes in language teaching, since EFL teaching should not only be restricted to the development of learners’ language proficiency but also to empower them to improve thinking skills that can be worthwhile in ecological sustainability. The study followed a conceptual content analysis design where EFL materials were read recursively to match global themes. Themes were assessed against a developed content analysis checklist. For the purpose of analysis, data were gathered distinctly from 10th grade textbooks in the academic year 2013/2014. The examination of data was completed through descriptive and critical analysis. The study reported that only more than one third (34.57%; 33.33% respectively) of EFL textbook content involved types on sensitivity to ecological problems as well as ecological skills development. About 19.75% of the content reflected ecological knowledge. Another 12.35% of the content echoed ecological contribution themes. The study, however, came to a conclusion that entails that as given EFL textbook scarcity of global ecological themes, more responsibility of language teachers was emphasized in relation to raising students' awareness towards ecological themes by means of developing their language skills in meaningful theme-based communication. Keywords: Communicative competence, Ecological Education, EFL textbook, Jordan.

Examination of the effects of STEM education integrated as a part of science, technology, society and environment courses

This study was carried out to determine the view of prospective teachers with regard to STEM education given in Science, Technology, Society and Environment course and the effects of STEM education on prospective teachers’ attitudes towards renewable energy sources and awareness of environment problems. The study was carried out in 2014-2015 academic year with 76 prospective science teachers. In the study, mixed method research design, which employs qualitative and quantitative research methods together, has been used. As a data collection tool “Sensitivity to Environment Problems Scale”, “Attitude Scale for Renewable Energy Resources” and “Semi-structured Interview Form” developed by the researcher were used. Data obtained as a result of content analysis were coded. As a result of analysis of the study, it was determined that prospective teachers’ attitudes towards renewable energy resources were positively affected but there was no change in their level of awareness of environmental problems

Thermal liquid biopsy (TLB) focused on benign and premalignant pancreatic cyst diagnosis

Background: Current efforts in the identification of new biomarkers are directed towards an accurate differentiation between benign and premalignant cysts. Thermal Liquid Biopsy (TLB) has been previously applied to inflammatory and tumor diseases and could offer an interesting point of view in this type of pathology. Methods: In this work, twenty patients (12 males and 8 females, average ages 62) diagnosed with a pancreatic cyst benign (10) and premalignant (10) cyst lesions were recruited, and biological samples were obtained during the endoscopic ultrasonography procedure. Results: Proteomic content of cyst liquid samples was studied and several common proteins in the different groups were identified. TLB cyst liquid profiles reflected protein content. Also, TLB serum score was able to discriminate between healthy and cysts patients (71% sensitivity and 98% specificity) and between benign and premalignant cysts (75% sensitivity and 67% specificity). Conclusions: TLB analysis of plasmatic serum sample, a quick, simple and non-invasive technique that can be easily implemented, reports valuable information on the observed pancreatic lesion. These preliminary results set the basis for a larger study to refine TLB serum score and move closer to the clinical application of TLB providing useful information to the gastroenterologist during patient diagnosis

Local sensitivity analysis for compositional data with application to soil texture in hydrologic modelling

Compositional data, such as soil texture, are hard to deal with in the geosciences as standard statistical methods are often inappropriate to analyse this type of data. Especially in sensitivity analysis, the closed character of the data is often ignored. To that end, we developed a method to assess the local sensitivity of a model output with resect to a compositional model input. We adapted the finite difference technique such that the different parts of the input are perturbed simultaneously while the closed character of the data is preserved. This method was applied to a hydrologic model and the sensitivity of the simulated soil moisture content to local changes in soil texture was assessed. Based on a high number of model runs, in which the soil texture was varied across the entire texture triangle, we identified zones of high sensitivity in the texture triangle. In such zones, the model output uncertainty induced by the discrepancy between the scale of measurement and the scale of model application, is advised to be reduced through additional data collection. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis provided more insight into the hydrologic model behaviour as it revealed how the model sensitivity is related to the shape of the soil moisture retention curve

A reinforcement sensitivity perspective on adolescents' susceptibility to the influence of soap opera viewing on alcohol attitudes

Previous research found support for an association between exposure to alcohol-related media content and alcohol attitudes, intentions and behavior. Nevertheless, research on what makes young people susceptible to the occurrence of this relationship is scarce. The current study examined the behavioral activation (BAS) and inhibition system (BIS) as moderators of the relationship between soap opera viewing and alcohol attitudes. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among a sample of 922 adolescents (M-age=14.96years, SD=.85, 56% girls). Regression analyses showed no association between total television viewing and alcohol attitudes, but did confirm that soap opera viewing is associated with positive attitudes towards alcohol use. Moderation analyses indicated that BAS did not moderate this relationship, while BIS did; the relationship between soap opera viewing and positive attitudes toward alcohol was only significant for adolescents with a low BIS-profile. These results provide support for the premise that an elevated BIS protects adolescents from the effect of soap opera viewing frequency on their alcohol attitudes