Structural characterization of the DRF1 gene of Aegilops speltoides and comparison of its sequence with those of B and other Triticeae genomes

AbstractThe genus Aegilops L. has been intensively investigated due to its close relationship with wheat (Triticum L.) as contributor of B and D subgenomes. Because of their vast genetic diversity, Aegilops species represent a rich source of alleles of agronomic interest, which could be used to widen the wheat gene pool and improve tolerance to diseases, pests, drought, cold and other environmental stresses. We report the isolation and characterization of the Dehydration Responsive Factor 1 (DRF1) gene in three accessions of Ae. speltoides coming from different regions of the Fertile Crescent. The DRF1 gene belongs to the DREB gene family and encodes transcription factors which play a key role in plant response to water stress. As in other cereals, the DRF1 gene in Aegilops speltoides consists of four exons and three introns and undergoes alternative splicing. A processed pseudogene was also identified and compared with the sequence of an actual mRNA transcript, breaking new ground in the understanding of the complex regulation mechanism of this gene. The genetic diversity was evaluated by comparison of inter- and intra-species variation among some Aegilops and Triticeae, by considering both the whole gene and exon 4 sequences. The phylogenetic analyses were able to cluster the sequences in well-supported clades attributable to the genomes analysed. The overall results suggest that there is a high similarity between the B and S genome copies of the DRF1 gene but also features indicating that the two genomes have evolved independently

Virtual reality application to explore indoor soundscape and physiological responses to audio-visual biophilic design interventions: An experimental study in an office environment

Among the major sources of disturbance in offices, noise and poor acoustics consistently rank at the top. Moreover, the positive impact which connecting with nature has on individuals is well-documented, yet still not investigated in-depth in terms of office soundscapes. In the present study, a methodology using Virtual Reality (VR) technology is employed to analyse the benefits of Biophilic Design interventions in office spaces. Notably, the study investigates the independent and interaction effects of audio-visual connection with nature on 1) office soundscape, and 2) physiological parameters, and 3) explores potential correlations between physiological and soundscape response. Three different visual scenarios (Indoor Green, Outdoor Green and Non-Biophilic) and three sound environments (Office − O, Office + Traffic − O + T and Office + Nature − O + N) for a virtual office environment were combined in a between-subjects design experiment. During their exposure to each acoustical scenario, 198 participants’ responses on perceived affective quality of soundscapes (ISO/TS 12913-2) and physiological reactions (Electro-Dermal Activity - EDA, Pulse Rate - PR, Skin Temperature -ST) were collected. The results show a major effect of the sound factor on soundscape assessment, with the O + N scenario resulting in increased pleasantness and eventfulness compared to the O scenario, i.e. a more vibrant office soundscape. Moreover, an interaction between sound and visual stimuli on pleasantness was detected, with IG being more effective in O + N, while OG being more beneficial in the O + T scenario. Significant positive physiological responses were more elicited in the presence of an acoustical connection with nature than a visual one: pleasant soundscapes of nature were associated with lowered EDA and PR with an additional improvement in EDA in the presence of indoor greenery. Moreover, a more pleasant sound (O + N) tended to decrease skin temperature in the presence of indoor greenery, while a more unpleasant and eventful acoustical scenario (O + T) gave the largest PR increase in the absence of nature-related elements indoors. This research provides first insights for the biophilic design of office spaces through nature-related audio-visual stimuli

Virtual reality application to explore indoor soundscape and physiological responses to audio-visual biophilic design interventions: An experimental study in an office environment

Among the major sources of disturbance in offices, noise and poor acoustics consistently rank at the top. Moreover, the positive impact which connecting with nature has on individuals is well-documented, yet still not investigated in-depth in terms of office soundscapes. In the present study, a methodology using Virtual Reality (VR) technology is employed to analyse the benefits of Biophilic Design interventions in office spaces. Notably, the study investigates the independent and interaction effects of audio-visual connection with nature on 1) office soundscape, and 2) physiological parameters, and 3) explores potential correlations between physiological and soundscape response. Three different visual scenarios (Indoor Green, Outdoor Green and Non-Biophilic) and three sound environments (Office − O, Office + Traffic − O + T and Office + Nature − O + N) for a virtual office environment were combined in a between-subjects design experiment. During their exposure to each acoustical scenario, 198 participants’ responses on perceived affective quality of soundscapes (ISO/TS 12913-2) and physiological reactions (Electro-Dermal Activity - EDA, Pulse Rate - PR, Skin Temperature -ST) were collected. The results show a major effect of the sound factor on soundscape assessment, with the O + N scenario resulting in increased pleasantness and eventfulness compared to the O scenario, i.e. a more vibrant office soundscape. Moreover, an interaction between sound and visual stimuli on pleasantness was detected, with IG being more effective in O + N, while OG being more beneficial in the O + T scenario. Significant positive physiological responses were more elicited in the presence of an acoustical connection with nature than a visual one: pleasant soundscapes of nature were associated with lowered EDA and PR with an additional improvement in EDA in the presence of indoor greenery. Moreover, a more pleasant sound (O + N) tended to decrease skin temperature in the presence of indoor greenery, while a more unpleasant and eventful acoustical scenario (O + T) gave the largest PR increase in the absence of nature-related elements indoors. This research provides first insights for the biophilic design of office spaces through nature-related audio-visual stimuli

Effects of Biophilic Design interventions on university students' cognitive performance: An audio-visual experimental study in an immersive Virtual office Environment

The human-nature connection should be a key component in the design of supportive and comfortable indoor environments. An interest in introducing Nature Based Solutions indoor via Biophilic Design (BD) intervention recently emerged. Related benefits for work efficiency have been identified in lab-studies without the possibility to perform preliminary design assessments. Recently, VR has been adopted thanks to its advantages for data collection in highly realistic environments. To date, most of the research on BD has been focused on the visual connection with nature even if people experience multiple senses simultaneously. In this paper, a new design approach for preliminary assessment of BD intervention in VR is presented. A 3x3 between-subjects design study is presented, comparing three office layouts (Indoor Green, Outdoor Green and Non-Biophilic) and three acoustic scenarios (Office, Office + Traffic and Office + Nature). 198 participants performed one test session completing three cognitive tasks for each acoustic condition, and survey. The results of the sense of presence and immersivity (visual), the sensory congruency (acoustic) and cybersickness disorders suggested that VR is an effective tool to preliminary evaluate the potential of BD interventions (ecological validity). The findings of the cognitive tests revealed that audio-visual connection with nature can positively influence working memory, inhibition and task-switching performance. The acoustic factor exhibited a higher improvement effect compared to the visual factor, between 23 % and 71 % against 12 %–39 %. Moreover, the Natural sound in the Indoor Green condition was the most supportive visual*acoustic condition while Traffic in the Non-Biophilic environment was the most disruptive one

Identifying Strategies for Energy Consumption Reduction and Energy Efficiency Improvement in Fruit and Vegetable Producing Cooperatives: A Case Study in the Frame of TESLA Project☆

Abstract TESLA (Transfering Energy Save Laid on Agroindustry) is a EU project pointing to the reduction of energy consumption and the improvement of energy efficiency in key agro-food sectors' cooperatives, as those processing fruit and vegetables. After a general analysis of energy consumptions during the first phase of the project, the processes responsible for the higher energy consumptions in these fruit and vegetable industries, as cold storage, have been identified. In the second phase of the project, a few case studies aimed at proposing customized solutions for reducing energy wastage and for improving energy efficiency in specific selected cooperatives have been performed. In this manuscript we report preliminary results of a case study carried out in an Italian horticulture cooperative having several production lines for fresh (1 st range) and minimally processed (4 th range) fruit and vegetable products. In this cooperative, an in-depth energy audit has been performed, and additionally a process simulation software has been applied to model, evaluate and improve the operations in this processing centre and in the supply chain from the primary production sites. Such case study may be used as an example for similar cooperatives of the fruit and vegetables sector, thus contributing in making this sector more economically and energetically sustainable

A supplement with ribes nigrum, boswellia serrata, bromelain and vitamin D to stop local inflammation in chronic sinusitis: a case-control study

Although chronic sinusitis widely affects the adult population, the treatments currently used did not always satisfactorily solve the symptoms. Traditional therapy with steroids and antibiotics presents risks and benefits and the new drugs, i.e., monoclonal antibody, are valid solutions despite being quite expensive. Natural molecules could be a valid treatment that combines good efficacy and low price. We conducted a case -control study to evaluate the benefit of an oral supplement with Ribes nigrum, Boswellia serrata, Bromelain and Vitamin D on chronic sinusitis symptoms. 60 patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: control using nasal steroids only, treatment 1 using nasal steroid and 1 dose of the oral supplement for 30 days and treatment 2 in which patients used nasal steroid and two oral supplement doses daily for 15 days. Conditions of the nasal mucosa and a blood sample (WBC, IgE and CRP) were analyzed at T0, T1 (15 days after treatment) and T2 (30 days after treatment. Patients treated with the supplement improved their nasal findings (hyperemia of mucosa and rhinorrhea) with statistically significant differences from the control. Our preliminary data suggest that the addition of supplement containing Ribes nigrum, Boswellia serrata, Vitamin D and Bromelain to the traditional local therapy (nasal spray with cortisone) can be a supporting therapy to modulate the local inflammation in the nose in patients affected by chronic sinusitis