A review of laser scanning for geological and geotechnical applications in underground mining

Laser scanning can provide timely assessments of mine sites despite adverse challenges in the operational environment. Although there are several published articles on laser scanning, there is a need to review them in the context of underground mining applications. To this end, a holistic review of laser scanning is presented including progress in 3D scanning systems, data capture/processing techniques and primary applications in underground mines. Laser scanning technology has advanced significantly in terms of mobility and mapping, but there are constraints in coherent and consistent data collection at certain mines due to feature deficiency, dynamics, and environmental influences such as dust and water. Studies suggest that laser scanning has matured over the years for change detection, clearance measurements and structure mapping applications. However, there is scope for improvements in lithology identification, surface parameter measurements, logistic tracking and autonomous navigation. Laser scanning has the potential to provide real-time solutions but the lack of infrastructure in underground mines for data transfer, geodetic networking and processing capacity remain limiting factors. Nevertheless, laser scanners are becoming an integral part of mine automation thanks to their affordability, accuracy and mobility, which should support their widespread usage in years to come

Impact of carbohydrate metabolism pathways on bearing habit of mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes

Heterozygosity is the major constraint in perennial fruit crop like mango for regular bearing breeding. Majority of the popular mango varieties have irregular bearing habit. Many external and internal factors affect the bearing habit of perennial fruit crops. Among internal factors, the level of carbohydrate reserves and phytohormones plays a major role on bearing habit of fruit crops like apple, citrus, mango, litchi etc., Therefore, present research work aimed to study the carbohydrate metabolism pathways in regular and irregular mango genotypes of varying origin. A total of 30 primers were designed using in silico mining of four key genes coding for citrate synthase, alcohol dehydrogenase, sucrose phosphate synthase and trehalose phosphate synthase. These genes play important role in sugar and starch metabolism in mango. Of these specific primers, 14 showed polymorphism among the genotypes studied. Gene diversity (GD), average number of alleles per locus (An), polymorphism information content (PIC) and major allele frequency (Maf) observed were 0.45, 2.14, 0.35, 0.59, respectively. Simple sequence repeats markers grouped 63.15% studied mango genotypes of regular bearers together. Further, these markers could be utilized in a greater number of genotypes for regularity

Spoil characterisation using UAV-based optical remote sensing in coal mine dumps

Abstract The structural integrity of mine dumps is crucial for mining operations to avoid adverse impacts on the triple bottom-line. Routine temporal assessments of coal mine dumps are a compliant requirement to ensure design reconciliation as spoil offloading continues over time. Generally, the conventional in-situ coal spoil characterisation is inefficient, laborious, hazardous, and prone to experts' observation biases. To this end, this study explores a novel approach to develop automated coal spoil characterisation using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based optical remote sensing. The textural and spectral properties of the high-resolution UAV images were utilised to derive lithology and geotechnical parameters (i.e., fabric structure and relative density/consistency) in the proposed workflow. The raw images were converted to an orthomosaic using structure from motion aided processing. Then, structural descriptors were computed per pixel to enhance feature modalities of the spoil materials. Finally, machine learning algorithms were employed with ground truth from experts as training and testing data to characterise spoil rapidly with minimal human intervention. The characterisation accuracies achieved from the proposed approach manifest a digital solution to address the limitations in the conventional characterisation approach

The potential of Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook.f. ex Benth against Propionibacterium acnes

Acne vulgaris (AV) or acne is characterised as a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the pilosebaceous unit (sebaceous gland associated with hair follicle) where the causative microorganism Propionibacterium acnes has been identified. The present study was conducted to investigate the potential of 21 southern African plants against P. acnes based on antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Two species, namely, Clausena anisata and Helichryssum kraussii were able to inhibit P. acnes growth with MICs at 31.25 and 62.5 μg/ml, respectively. The antioxidant activity for the 21 extracts ranged from 1.10–109.10 μg/ml. Active antibacterial species C. anisata and H. kraussii also showed good antioxidant activity with IC50 of 34.46 and 4.24 μg/ml, respectively. These two lead extracts were further investigated for their cytotoxicity on human leukaemic monocyte lymphoma (U937) cells. Clausena anisata showed less toxicity with an IC50 of 74.46 μg/ml and a selectivity index of 2.38. Clausena anisata was hence further selected for investigation of anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of action studies on the lipase and hyaluronidase enzyme. The concentration of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) in cells treated with heat-killed P. acnes alone was 840.52 pg/ml. Cells stimulated with P. acnes which were co-treated with 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25 μg/ml of C. anisata extract, showed decreased IL-8 production with concentrations of 322.48 ± 0.07, 365.98 ± 0.24, 383.62 ± 0.08 and 409.52 ± 0.13 pg/ml, respectively. The statistical analysis was done using the Graph Pad Prism 4. These results indicated the potential of C. anisata for a treatment against AV. Lipase activity was inhibited by 21.93% at 500 μg/ml by the C. anisata extract which indicated the potential of this extract to reduce sebum production associated with AV progression. Hyaluronidase activity was inhibited by 49.02% at 500 μg/ml and could potentially deter the spread of P. acnes cells to neighbouring cells during pathogenesis. The compound trans-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-L-proline was isolated for the first time from C. anisata. Anti-acne treatments often require multiple activities to function efficiently. The antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity of C. anisata make it a great candidate for further investigation against AV.The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChi) through the National Research Foundation (NRF) (Grant ID:98334).http://www.elsevier.com/locate/sajb2019-11-01hj2019Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Cytotoxic agents for KB and SiHa cells from <i>n</i>-hexane fraction of <i>Cissampelos pareira</i> and its chemical composition

<div><p>Eleven constituents were characterised by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, and five molecules were isolated using column chromatography. The <i>in vitro</i> study of the extract and isolated molecules against KB and SiHa cell lines revealed oleanolic acid (<b>1</b>) and oleic acid (<b>2</b>) as potent cytotoxic molecules with potential anticancer activity. The IC₅₀ values of <i>n</i>-hexane extract (CPHF), oleanolic acid (<b>1</b>) and oleic acid (<b>2</b>) were >300, 56.08 and 70.7 μg/mL (μM), respectively, against KB cell lines and >300, 47.24 and 80.2 μg/mL (μM), respectively, against SiHa cell lines.</p></div

Scion/Rootstock Interaction Studies for Quality Traits in Mango (<i>Mangifera indica</i> L.) Varieties

To explore the quality rootstocks which impart better quality fruits in mango varieties, we studied the interactive effect of the scion and rootstock using five mango varieties (Mallika, Amrapali, Dashehari, Pusa Arunima, and Pusa Surya) grafted on three rootstocks (Olour, Kurukkan, and K-5). A total of 25 physico-chemical parameters were studied in the five grafted varieties viz., fruit weight, yield efficiency, fruit per plant, pulp percent, total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, physiological loss in weight (PLW), peel thickness, respiration rate, etc., and were found to be altered through scion–rootstock interaction. Among the five mango varieties, Olour rootstock proved best to improve the fruit quality and shelf life using the grafting approach. Physico-chemical-traits-based clustering was unable to precisely group scion varieties according to their grafting rootstock. A total of 35 shelf-life specific markers were designed from ripening genes, such as expansin, polygalactouranase, ethylene insensitive, ethylene sensitive, etc. Of these specific primers, 24 showed polymorphism among the studied genotypes. The gene diversity (GD), allele per locus (An), polymorphism information content (PIC), and major allele frequency (MAF) observed were 0.43, 2.00, 0.34, and 0.63, respectively. Cluster analysis clearly showed that scion grafted on Kurukkan and Olour rootstock, and scion varieties grafted on K-5 rootstock grouped together have more similarity. A total of eight simple sequence repeats loci (SSRs) markers were associated with eight physiological traits. Strong association of SSR loci NMSLC-12 and NMSLC-14 with yield efficiency and fruit weight were observed with a phenotypic variance of 85% and 70%, respectively

Bioactive isoquinoline alkaloids from <i>Cissampelos pareira</i>^†

<p>The phytochemical and biological investigation of <i>Cissampelos pareira</i> leads to the isolation of one new isoquinoline alkaloid (<b>7</b>) along with six known isoquinoline alkaloids, namely, magnoflorine (<b>1</b>), magnocurarine (<b>2</b>), cissamine (<b>3</b>), curine (<b>4</b>), hayatinine (<b>5</b>) and cycleanine (<b>6</b>). Magnoflorine (<b>1</b>) and magnocurarine (<b>2</b>) were isolated for the first time from <i>C. pareira.</i> A new, rapid, simple and sensitive UPLC method was developed for simultaneous quantification of five pure compounds (<b>1</b>–<b>5</b>). Seasonal variation study revealed higher content of these compounds during the rainy season. The chloroform (CPCF) and <i>n</i>-butanol (CPBF) fractions showed cytotoxic efficacy against KB cells. Among pure compounds, hayatinine (<b>5</b>) was found to be most active against KB and A549, while, cycleanine (<b>6</b>) against KB cells.</p

Rootstock-mediated carbohydrate metabolism, nutrient contents, and physiological modifications in regular and alternate mango (Mangifera indica L.) scion varieties.

Most of the popular scion varieties of mango possess alternate/irregular bearing. There are many external and internal factors assigned, among them carbohydrate reserves, and nutrient content plays important roles in the floral induction process in many crop species. In addition to that rootstock can alter the carbohydrate reserve and nutrient acquisition of scion varieties in fruit crops. The present investigation was carried out to understand the effect of rootstocks on the physiochemical traits of leaf, and bud and nutrient content in regular and alternate bearing varieties of mango. The rootstock "Kurukkan" promoted starch content in leaves of both alternate bearing varieties 'Dashehari' (5.62 mg/g) and regular 'Amrapali' (5.49 mg/g) and encouraged higher protein content (6.71 mg/g) and C/N ratio (37.94) in buds of alternate bearing 'Dashehari'. While Olour rootstock upregulated the reducing sugar in leaves of 'Amrapali' (43.56 mg/g) and promoted K (1.34%) and B (78.58 ppm) content in reproductive buds of 'Dashehari'. Stomatal density in 'Dashehari' scion variety was found higher on Olour rootstock (700.40/mm 2), while the rootstock fails to modify stomatal density in the scion variety regular bearer 'Amrapali'. Further, a total of 30 carbohydrate metabolism-specific primers were designed and validated in 15 scion/rootstock combinations. A total of 33 alleles were amplified among carbohydrate metabolism-specific markers, which varied from 2 to 3 alleles with a mean of 2.53 per locus. Maximum and minimum PIC value was found for NMSPS10, and NMTPS9 primers (0.58). Cluster analysis revealed that scion grafted on Kurukkan rootstock clustered together except 'Pusa Arunima' on Olour rootstock. Our analysis revealed that Fe is the key component that is commonly expressed in both leaf and bud. Although Stomatal density (SD) and Intercellular CO2 Concentration (Ci) are more specific to leaf and Fe, B, and total sugar (TS) are abundant in buds. Based on the results it can be inferred that the physiochemical and nutrient responses of mango scion varieties are manipulated by the rootstock, hence, the scion-rootstock combination can be an important consideration in mango for selecting suitable rootstock for alternate/irregular bearer varieties