Orthodenticle Is Required for the Expression of Principal Recognition Molecules That Control Axon Targeting in the Drosophila Retina

Parallel processing of neuronal inputs relies on assembling neural circuits into distinct synaptic-columns and layers. This is orchestrated by matching recognition molecules between afferent growth cones and target areas. Controlling the expression of these molecules during development is crucial but not well understood. The developing Drosophila visual system is a powerful genetic model for addressing this question. In this model system, the achromatic R1-6 photoreceptors project their axons in the lamina while the R7 and R8 photoreceptors, which are involved in colour detection, project their axons to two distinct synaptic-layers in the medulla. Here we show that the conserved homeodomain transcription factor Orthodenticle (Otd), which in the eye is a main regulator of rhodopsin expression, is also required for R1-6 photoreceptor synaptic-column specific innervation of the lamina. Our data indicate that otd function in these photoreceptors is largely mediated by the recognition molecules flamingo (fmi) and golden goal (gogo). In addition, we find that otd regulates synaptic-layer targeting of R8. We demonstrate that during this process, otd and the R8-specific transcription factor senseless/Gfi1 (sens) function as independent transcriptional inputs that are required for the expression of fmi, gogo and the adhesion molecule capricious (caps), which govern R8 synaptic-layer targeting. Our work therefore demonstrates that otd is a main component of the gene regulatory network that regulates synaptic-column and layer targeting in the fly visual system

Oil accumulation in intact olive fruits measured by near infrared spectroscopy-acousto-optically tunable filter

A field experiment was conducted to test the reliability of the near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) method to measure mesocarp oil content in vivo against nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) determinations using three different olive cultivars at different stages of ripening. RESULTS: In PLS model carried out for the cultivar Arbequina the R2c (coefficients of determination in calibration) obtained was of 0.991, while the R2cv (coefficients of determination in cross-validation) of 0.979; for the cultivar Frantoio the indexes were respectively of 0.982 and 0.971, for the cultivar Leccino of 0.977 for R2c and 0.965 for R2cv. Finally, for the combined model (sum of the three varieties) those indexes were respectively equal to 0.921 and 0.903. The RPD ratio was insufficient for predictive model of cultivar Leccino only (1.98), whereas in other cases RPD ratios were completely sufficient, within the estimation range over 2.5 - 3 (2.61 in global model, and 4.23 in cultivar Frantoio), or describing a great capacity with values greater than 5 as in the case of the cultivar Arbequina (9.58). CONCLUSION: The NIR proved a novel, rapid, reliable method to monitor the oil accumulation process in intact olive fruits in the field. The innovative approach of coupling NIR and NMR technologies opens new scenarios for determining the optimal time for harvesting olive trees to obtain maximum oil production

Physical parameters kinetics during the drying process of quarters and halves cut tomatoes

Received: January 27th, 2023 ; Accepted: May 8th, 2023 ; Published: May 19th, 2023 ; Correspondence: [email protected] drying is a time-consuming industrial process. Moreover, the prolonged use of high temperatures decreases the quality of tomatoes and increases the environmental footprint of the process. In most cases, drying is performed on halved tomatoes. Alternatively, the use of quarter tomatoes could guarantee a drying times reduction without compromising the final product quality. This work aimed at modelling changes in physical characteristics of half and quarter tomatoes. The drying tests were conducted at 50 and 60 °C. The kinetics of weight loss, colour change, and volume reduction were determined. Colour change was monitored through image analysis, while volume reduction using RGB-D reconstructions. Based on the results, an increase in the drying temperature and the use of quartered tomatoes allow a significant reduction in drying times. The loss of water kinetic allowed the determination of critical moisture. Between initial and critical moisture, loss of water occurred at constant rate (zero-order kinetic), while after that the rate decreased exponentially (first-order kinetic). The colour kinetics showed an initial constant rate followed by a linear increase for brown pixels. The variation of red pixels did not have a clear trend. Increasing the temperature there was no significant reduction in colour quality while quarter tomatoes showed a greater loss of redness than halved tomatoes. Furthermore, the temperature increase does not affect the volume reduction of the tomatoes. Increasing the temperature and the use of quartered tomatoes are simple solutions to reduce drying times. However, quartered tomatoes are less visually appreciable than halved tomatoes

Extending ballistic graphene FET lumped element models to diffusive devices

In this work, a modified, lumped element graphene field effect device model is presented. The model is based on the "Top-of-the-barrier" approach which is usually valid only for ballistic graphene nanotransistors. Proper modifications are introduced to extend the model's validity so that it accurately describes both ballistic and diffusive graphene devices. The model is compared to data already presented in the literature. It is shown that a good agreement is obtained for both nano-sized and large area graphene based channels. Accurate prediction of drain current and transconductance for both cases is obtained

EFFECT OF POLOXAMER 407 ON THE STABILITY AND ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF YEAST ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE.

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Novelty of Italian Grape Ale (IGA) beer: Influence of the addition of Gamay macerated grape must or dehydrated Aleatico grape pomace on the aromatic profile

: A new category of fruit style beer resulting from the addition of grape matrices is named Italian Grape Ale (IGA). In this paper, we report data on an experimental work to produce IGA beers, adding macerated (CO2 or N2) red Gamay grape must or Aleatico grape pomace resulting from a grape dehydration process. Our hypothesis, that these wine processes can produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to characterize these IGA beers which was confirmed by chemical, sensory and aromatic results. IGA beers especially the one with gas-macerated grape musts (IGA-C and IGA-N) showed higher alcohol content than ALE beer (Control) and a higher polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. As regards VOCS, IGA beers increased the concentration of some classes (i.e., alcohols, esters, norisoprenoids) and IGA-N was better characterized by specific compounds such as isobutyric acid, phenylacetate, tyrosol, ethyl hydrogen succinate. Finally, E-nose and sensory evaluation discriminated significantly all the IGA beers

Free and glycosylated green leaf volatiles, lipoxygenase and alcohol dehydrogenase in defoliated Nebbiolo grapes during postharvest dehydration

none7noBackground and Aims: Nebbiolo grapes are used to produce Sfursat wine, following partial dehydration. This research aimed to clarify the influence of fruit exposure to light and postharvest water loss on the concentration of green leaf volatiles (GLVs) and lipoxygenase (LOX) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity of grapes. Methods and Results: Nebbiolo grapes from Control vines (no defoliation) (ND) and from vines defoliated at fruitset (DFS) or defoliated post-veraison (DPV) were harvested at about 23°Brix and dehydrated at 10 and 20°C, 60% RH and air flow of 1.5 m/s. Berries were sampled at 10 and 20% mass loss (ML). Significant differences in crop yield, bunch mass and berry mass were observed. As expected, the higher the dehydration temperature, the faster the dehydration process: 20% ML at 20°C occurred between 18 and 25 days, the shortest time corresponding to ND and the longest to DFS; at 10°C, the dehydration lasted between 27 and 32 days. At 10°C, the ADH activity was almost double that at 20°C, and in DFS was much higher than in other samples. At harvest, LOX did not show any difference among the samples, while at 10°C and 10% ML, the enzyme activity increased significantly and then declined at 20% ML, especially in defoliated samples. At harvest, the total free GLVs associated with the metabolism of lipid oxidation were 9434, 7212 and 11 656 μg/kg dry weight (DW) in ND, DFS and DPV samples, respectively; the total bound GLVs lipid-derived were 7599, 18 486 and 15 409 μg/kg DW in ND, DFS and DPV samples, respectively. During dehydration at 10°C, the ML induced ADH + LOX activity, especially in defoliated samples, but the bound GLVs, produced by defoliation, greatly decreased. Conclusions: Defoliation affected the response of Nebbiolo grapes to dehydration temperature: postharvest cold stress (10°C) and ML induced glycosylation of GLVs, alcohol formation (via ADH) and membrane oxidation (via LOX); a further stress effect was observed with leaf removal, regardless of the time of application. Significance of the Study: The timing of defoliation and postharvest dehydration temperature are significant factors to mitigate the postharvest stress response of Nebbiolo grapes.openPiombino P.; Genovese A.; Rustioni L.; Moio L.; Failla O.; Bellincontro A.; Mencarelli F.Piombino, P.; Genovese, A.; Rustioni, L.; Moio, L.; Failla, O.; Bellincontro, A.; Mencarelli, F

Rubbing effects on the structural and optical properties of poly(3­hexylthiophene) films

International audienc

D2 or non D2-lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer

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