Effects on Lettuce Yield Parameters and Toxicological Safety Assessment of a Plant-Derived Formulation Based on Rosemary and Eucalyptus Essential Oils

Essential oils from medicinal and aromatic plants are increasingly recognized as a promising class of green molecules for use in crop production. In many cases, the beneficial aspects of a substance are not supported by sufficient toxicological safety testing, even though recent reports suggest that some compounds may be toxic to terrestrial or aquatic non-target species. It is, therefore, essential to investigate the possibility of adverse effects on non-target animals and humans exposed to these substances through the consumption of fruit and/or vegetables. The present study aims to examine the potential effects on yield and quality parameters and investigate the level of in vitro and in vivo toxicity of an Eco-product (EP) based on rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils, to provide a measure for safe use in the agricultural sector. The product was evaluated in lettuce crop production and indicated that one-time application of the EP formula increases yield, activating various secondary metabolism pathways of the plant to cope with oxidative stress. Cytotoxicity assays and in vivo acute oral and dermal toxicity studies suggest that the tested compound does not pose any significant health hazard, and the dissolved product can be classified in Category 5, according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

Earth Observation in the EMMENA Region: Scoping Review of Current Applications and Knowledge Gaps

Earth observation (EO) techniques have significantly evolved over time, covering a wide range of applications in different domains. The scope of this study is to review the research conducted on EO in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa (EMMENA) region and to identify the main knowledge gaps. We searched through the Web of Science database for papers published between 2018 and 2022 for EO studies in the EMMENA. We categorized the papers in the following thematic areas: atmosphere, water, agriculture, land, disaster risk reduction (DRR), cultural heritage, energy, marine safety and security (MSS), and big Earth data (BED); 6647 papers were found with the highest number of publications in the thematic areas of BED (27%) and land (22%). Most of the EMMENA countries are surrounded by sea, yet there was a very small number of studies on MSS (0.9% of total number of papers). This study detected a gap in fundamental research in the BED thematic area. Other future needs identified by this study are the limited availability of very high-resolution and near-real-time remote sensing data, the lack of harmonized methodologies and the need for further development of models, algorithms, early warning systems, and services

Molecular DNA identity of the mouflon of Cyprus (Ovis orientalis ophion, Bovidae): Near Eastern origin and divergence from Western Mediterranean conspecific populations

The mouflon population of Cyprus (Ovis orientalis ophion) comprises historically preserved feral descendants of sheep domesticated during the Neolithic. We determined genetic identity of this taxon in order to elucidate its systematic placement and enforce its protection. We used 12 loci of microsatellite DNA to infer genetic relationships between the Cypriot mouflon and either long-time isolated (Corsica, Sardinia) or recently introduced (central Italy) European mouflons (O. o. musimon). We also sequenced the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Cytochrome-b gene to infer the origin of the Cypriot mouflon including many National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) entries of European and Near Eastern conspecifics. Microsatellites disclosed net divergence between Western Mediterranean and Cypriot mouflon. The latter was included in the highly heterogeneous Near Eastern O. orientalis mtDNA group, Iran representing the most credited region as the source for its ancient introduction to Cyprus. Both international and national legislation protect the mouflon of Cyprus as a wild taxon (O. o. ophion). However, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and NCBI include the Cypriot mouflon as subspecies of its respective domestic species, the sheep (O. aries). Unfortunately, people charged with crime against protected mouflon may benefit from such taxonomic inconsistency between legislation and databases, as the latter can frustrate molecular DNA forensic outcomes. Until a definitive light can be shed on Near Eastern O. orientalis systematics, we suggest that the Cypriot mouflon should be unvaryingly referred to as O. o. ophion in order not to impair conservation in the country where it resides

Measuring bank efficiency: DEA application

The paper aims to improve the methodology of measuring efficiency of Latvian banks. Efficiency scores were calculated with application of non-parametric frontier technique Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Input-oriented DEA model under Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) assumption was used. Potential model variables were selected based on the intermediation and profitability approach. Fourteen alternative models with different inputs-outputs combinations were developed for the research purposes. To substantiate the variables selection for DEA model the received data was processed, using such methods, as correlation analysis, linear regression analysis, analysis of mean values, and two-samples Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The research results assisted the authors in providing general recommendations about the variables selection for DEA application in the Latvian banking sector. The present research contributes to the existing analytical data on bank performance in Latvia. The empirical findings provide a background for further studies, in particular, the efficiency of Latvian banks could be analysed in the extended time period

Strategic positioning of the ‘ERATOSTHENES Research Centre’ and exploration of new R&D opportunities in the fields of Earth Surveillance and Space-Based of the Environment

The aim of this paper is to present our strategy and vision to upgrade the existing ERATOSTHENES Research Centre (ERC), established within Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), into a sustainable, viable and autonomous Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment (EXCELSIOR), which will provide the highest quality of related services both on the National, European and International levels. The ‘EXCELSIOR’ project is a Horizon 2020 Teaming project, addressing the reduction of substantial disparities in the European Union by supporting research and innovation activities and systems in low performing countries. It also aims at establishing long-term and strategic partnerships between the Teaming partners, thus reducing internal research and innovation disparities within European Research and Innovation landscape. The ERCis already an established player in the local community and has excellent active collaboration with actors from various sectors in (a) the government, (b) industry, (c) local organisations, and (d) society. In order to further engage users and citizens and to become more attractive to international research and education community, the Centre aims to be fully involved in strategic positioning on the national level, but also in Europe, the Middle East region and internationally. Some examples of how space technologies are integrated with other tools or techniques such as UAV, field spectroscopy, micro-sensors, EO space/in-situ sensors etc. for the systematic monitoring of the environment is shown. Indeed such examples fulfills the objectives of the COPERNICUS academy network (in which ERC is a member) for empowering the next generation of researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs with suitable skill sets to use Copernicus data and information services to their full potential. Finally, opportunities for future collaboration and investments with the ERC in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are stated. Five partners have united to upgrade the existing ERC into a CoE, with the common vision to become a world-class innovation, research and education centre, actively contributing to the European Research Area (ERA). More specifically, the Teaming project is a team effort between the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT, acting as the coordinator), the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics Space Applications and Remote Sensing of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), the German Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) and the Cyprus’ Department of Electronic Communications of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works (DEC-MTCW)

The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE) as a digital innovation hub for Earth observation

The "EXCELSIOR" H2020 Widespread Teaming Phase 2 Project: ERATOSTHENES: EXcellence Research Centre for Earth SurveiLlance and Space-Based MonItoring Of the EnviRonment is supported from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 857510 for a 7 year project period to establish a Centre of Excellence in Cyprus. As well, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is providing additional resources to support the establishment of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE) in Cyprus. The ECoE seeks to fill the gap by assisting in the spaceborne Earth Observation activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and become a regional key player in the Earth Observation (EO) sector. There are distinct needs and opportunities that motivate the establishment of an Earth Observation Centre of Excellence in Cyprus, which are primarily related to the geostrategic location of the European Union member state of Cyprus to examine complex scientific problems and address user needs in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and Northern Africa (EMMENA), as well as South-East Europe. An important objective of the ECoE is to be a Digital Innovation Hub and a Research Excellence Centre for EO in the EMMENA region, which will establish an ecosystem where state-of-the-art sensing technology, cutting-edge research, targeted education services, and entrepreneurship come together. It is based on the paradigm of Open Innovation 2.0 (OI2.0), which is founded on the Quadruple Helix Model, where Government, Industry, Academia and Society work together to drive change by taking full advantage of the cross-fertilization of ideas. The ECoE as a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) adopts a two-axis model, where the vertical axis consists of three Thematic Clusters for sustained excellence in research of the ECoE in the domains of Atmosphere and Climate, Resilient Societies and Big Earth Data Management, while the horizontal axis is built around four functional areas, namely: Infrastructure, Research, Education, and Entrepreneurship. The ECoE will focus on five application areas, which include Climate Change Monitoring, Water Resource Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, Access to Energy and Big EO Data Analytics. This structure is expected to leverage the existing regional capacities and advance the excellence by creating new programs and research, thereby establishing the ECoE as a worldclass centre capable of enabling innovation and research competence in Earth Observation, actively participating in Europe, the EMMENA region and the global Earth Observation arena. The partners of the EXCELSIOR consortium include the Cyprus University of Technology as the Coordinator, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) and the Department of Electronic Communications, Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy

Comparative MRI compatibility of 316L stainless steel alloy and nickel-titanium alloy stents

The initial success of coronary stenting is leading to a proliferation in peripheral stenting. A significant portion of the stents used in a clinical setting are made of 316 low carbon stainless steel (SS). Other alloys that have been used for stent manufacture include tantalum, MP35N, and nickel-titanium (NiTi). The ferromagnetic properties of SS cause the production of artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The NiTi alloys, in addition to being known for their shape memory or superelastic properties, have been shown to exhibit reduced interference in MRI. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the comparative MRI compatibility of SS and NiTi stents. Both gradient echo and spinecho images were obtained at 1.5 and 4.1 T field strengths. The imaging of stents of identical geometry but differing compositions permitted the quantification of artifacts produced due to device composition by normalizing the radio frequency shielding effects. These images were analyzed for magnitude and spatial extent of signal loss within the lumen and outside the stent. B 1 mapping was used to quantify the attenuation throughout the image. The SS stent caused significant signal loss and did not allow for visibility of the lumen. However, the NiTi stent caused only minor artifacting and even allowed for visualization of the signal from within the lumen. In addition, adjustments to the flip angle of standard imaging protocols were shown to improve the quality of signal from within the lumen

In-vivo corrosion and local release of metallic ions from vascular stents into surrounding tissue

Objectives. To evaluate retrieved bare metal vascular stents and surrounding tissue. Background. Limited information is available regarding the condition of stent surfaces and their interaction with vascular tissue following implantation. Corrosion of stents presents two main risks: release of metallic ions into tissue and deterioration of the mechanical properties of stents which may contribute to fracture. Release of heavy metal ions could alter the local tissue environment leading to up-regulation of inflammatory mediators and promote in-stent restenosis. Methods. Nineteen cases were collected from autopsy, heart explants for transplant, and vascular surgery (23 vessels containing 33 bare metal stents). A method was developed for optimal tissue dissolution and separation of the stent/tissue components without inducing stent corrosion. When available, chemical analysis was performed to assess metallic content in both the control and dissolved tissue solutions. Electron microscopy and digital optical microscopy imaging were used to evaluate stents. Results. Twelve of the 33 stents showed varying degrees of corrosion. Metallic levels in the tissue surrounding the corroded stents were significantly higher (0.5-3.0 μg/cm 2 stent) than in control solutions (0-0.30 μg/cm 2 stent) and in tissue surrounding stents that did not undergo corrosion (0- 0.20 μg/cm 2 stent). Conclusions. Corrosion of some retrieved stents is described which leads to transfer of heavy metal ions into surrounding tissue. The contribution of this metallic ion release to the mechanisms of in-stent restenosis as well as its effect on the mechanical properties of stents is unknown and requires further investigation

Evaluation of in-stent stenosis by magnetic resonance phase-velocity mapping in nickel-titanium stents

Purpose: To evaluate different grades of in-stent stenosis in a nickel-titanium stent with MRI. Materials and Methods: Magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping (MR-PVM) was used to measure flow velocity through a 9-mm NiTi stent with three different degrees of stenosis in a phantom study. The tested stenotic geometries were 1) axisymmetric 75%. 2) axisymmetric 90%, and 3) asymmetric 50%. The MR-PVM data were subsequently compared with the velocities from computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations of identical conditions. Results: Good quantitative agreement in velocity distribution for the 50% and 75% stenoses was observed. The agreement was poor for the 90% stenosis, most likely due to turbulence and the high-velocity gradients found in the small luminal area relative to the pixel resolution in our imaging settings. Conclusion: The accuracy of the MRI velocities inside the stented area renders MRI a modality that may be used to assess moderate to severe in-stent restenosis (ISR) in medium-sized vascular stents in peripheral vessels, such as the iliac, carotid, and femoral arteries. Advances in MR instrumentation may provide sufficient resolution to obtain adequate velocity information from smaller vessels, such as the coronary arteries, and allow MRI to substitute for invasive and expensive catheterization procedures currently in clinical use