Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit during development

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Synthesis of Fine-Tuning Highly Magnetic Fe@FexOy Nanoparticles through Continuous Injection and a Study of Magnetic Hyperthermia

Core@shell Fe@FexOy nanoparticles (NPs) have the potential to be promising tools for many applications, thanks to their combination of an iron core, with a high magnetic moment and an iron oxide shell which could protect the core from oxidation. However, the deterioration of NPs structure can lead to the shrinking of the core and the hollowing of the structure, diminishing the magnetic properties. The ability to retain the iron core under biomedically compatible conditions is desirable for many applications. In this paper, we have developed a synthetic method to produce core@shell α-Fe@FexOy NPs with tunable sizes and evaluated the retention of the stable magnetic α-Fe core upon exposure to air and after ligand exchange and its resulting effect on the magnetic hyperthermia. In particular, using a continuous injection of the precursor, we were able to finely tune the final size of the core@shell NPs producing four samples with average sizes of 12, 15, 18, and 20 nm. The structural properties of the particles were studied, and while the size increases, the chemical stability of the iron core is enhanced, and the magnetic properties improved accordingly. Particles larger than 20 nm were shown to be prone to aggregation, resulting in an abrupt increase of the particle size distribution. Two samples with high magnetization saturation value and low polydispersity, 15 and 18 nm, were transferred in water using a dopamine-functionalized poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) polymer, resulting in colloidal stability over a wide range of pH and ionic strength comparable to physiological conditions. We found that the 18 nm particles retain their chemical properties over 2 months, with less oxidation of the Fe core; this results in a specific absorption rate (SAR) value of 660 W g−1 and intrinsic loss power (ILP) of 3.6 nHm2 kg−1 , while the 15 nm NPs resulted in the reduction of their properties due to oxidation of the core

Environmental STEM Study of the Oxidation Mechanism for Iron and Iron Carbide Nanoparticles

The oxidation of solution-synthesized iron (Fe) and iron carbide (Fe2C) nanoparticles was studied in an environmental scanning transmission electron microscope (ESTEM) at elevated temperatures under oxygen gas. The nanoparticles studied had a native oxide shell present, that formed after synthesis, an ~3 nm iron oxide (FexOy) shell for the Fe nanoparticles and ~2 nm for the Fe2C nanoparticles, with small void areas seen in several places between the core and shell for the Fe and an ~0.8 nm space between the core and shell for the Fe2C. The iron nanoparticles oxidized asymmetrically, with voids on the borders between the Fe core and FexOy shell increasing in size until the void coalesced, and finally the Fe core disappeared. In comparison, the oxidation of the Fe2C progressed symmetrically, with the core shrinking in the center and the outer oxide shell growing until the iron carbide had fully disappeared. Small bridges of iron oxide formed during oxidation, indicating that the Fe transitioned to the oxide shell surface across the channels, while leaving the carbon behind in the hollow core. The carbon in the carbide is hypothesized to suppress the formation of larger crystallites of iron oxide during oxidation, and alter the diffusion rates of the Fe and O during the reaction, which explains the lower sensitivity to oxidation of the Fe2C nanoparticles

Mechanical harvesting of oil olives by trunk shaker with a reversed umbrella interceptor

Trunk shakers are primarily used for the mechanical harvesting of oil olives in intensive orchards. The objective of this trial was to determine the efficiency of mechanical harvesting of olives with a self-propelled trunk shaker with a reversed umbrella interceptor (model F3, SICMA, Catanzaro, Italy), from adult trees of two autochthonous cultivars, ‘Ortice’ and ‘Ortolana’, growing in southern Italy with 6 × 6 m spacing and trained to the vase system. The main characteristics of the trunk shaker were: an engine power of 77 Kw (105 CV), a very-high-frequency vibrating head (1800-2000 vibrations/min), a self-braking system and a 6-meter diameter umbrella opening. The worksite consisted of two workers, one for maneuvering the harvesting machine, and the other for handling the olives. Mechanical harvesting was carried on 30 November 2006 when the fruits of ‘Ortice’ and ‘Ortolana’ had a weight and detachment force around 2.8 g and 3.1 N and 3.8 g and 4.6 N, respectively, and the fruit drop was around 14% and 10%, respectively. Both cultivars had a good production (26.06 and 21.18 kg/tree). The mechanical harvesting yield (percentage of mechanically harvested olives) was very high, reaching values around 97% in both cultivars. Moreover, the low number of workers, the reduced time for the operation (2.5 min/tree), the good yield/tree and the high quantity of harvested fruit allowed a very high work productivity to be obtained: around 302 kg/h/worker for ‘Ortice’ and 246 kg/h/worker for ‘Ortolana’. The quality of the oils extracted from the harvested olives met the requirements set by European law for extra virgin olive oils. The results indicate that the use of a trunk shaker with a reversed umbrella can be an efficient solution for mechanical harvesting of the ‘Ortice’ and ‘Ortolana’ cultivars in southern Italy

Shape controlled iron oxide nanoparticles: inducing branching and controlling particle crystallinity

Anisotropic nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered a great deal of attention for their applications in catalysis, magnetism and biomedicine. However, synthetic strategies to grow such NPs are still limited as their growth mechanisms are poorly understood. This work presents the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) based on the decomposition of iron(III) acetylacetonate in organic solvents to form anisotropic IONPs that are branched or multiply branched. We fully explore their growth parameters to understand the effect of varying amounts of oleylamine (OAm), as well as a nitrogen purge on particle morphology. We show here the synthetic relationship between a wide range of sizes and shapes of IONPs that are both isotropic and anisotropic. Of all the parameters, the amount of oleylamine in the reaction is the key to tune the particle size while the effect of a nitrogen gas purge during synthesis was shown to be crucial for the formation of the branched and multiply branched NPs. Two multiply branched NP systems with only a small difference in the synthetic conditions were shown to have radically different magnetic properties, such as heating in an alternating magnetic field. This was attributed to the defects found in the structure of one and not in the other. By following their development during growth, crystal defects were observed in both systems during the early stages of the reaction. However, for the multiply branched structure that became single crystalline, the aggregation of the nuclei occurred earlier in the reaction, allowing more time for growth and crystallite rearrangement to occur. These results have wide ranging implications for controlling the properties of anisotropic nanomaterials with similar structures, including their magnetic behavior

Recovery, assessment, and molecular characterization of minor olive genotypes in Tunisia

Olive is one of the oldest cultivated species in the Mediterranean Basin, including Tunisia, where it has a wide diversity, with more than 200 cultivars, of both wild and feral forms. Many minor cultivars are still present in marginal areas of Tunisia, where they are maintained by farmers in small local groves, but they are poorly characterized and evaluated. In order to recover this neglected germplasm, surveys were conducted in different areas, and 31 genotypes were collected, molecularly characterized with 12 nuclear microsatellite (simple sequence repeat (SSR)) markers, and compared with 26 reference cultivars present in the Tunisian National Olive collection. The analysis revealed an overall high genetic diversity of this olive’s germplasm, but also discovered the presence of synonymies and homonymies among the commercialized varieties. The structure analysis showed the presence of different gene pools in the analyzed germplasm. In particular, the marginal germplasm from Ras Jbal and Azmour is characterized by gene pools not present in commercial (Nurseries) varieties, pointing out the very narrow genetic base of the commercialized olive material in Tunisia, and the need to broaden it to avoid the risk of genetic erosion of this species in this country

Results from shallow geophysical investigations in the northwestern sector of the island of Malta

We performed geophysical investigations in the northwestern sector of the island of Malta to reconstruct velocity-depth models and provide shear-wave velocity profiles. We have chosen two sites, one located in Rabat (Malta) and another in the Golden Bay area. We used both active (seismic and electrical 2D-tomography, Multichanel Analysis of Surface Waves – MASW) and passive (2D arrays and single-station measurements using ambient noise) geophysical methods. Consistently with previous studies performed in this part of Malta, we have found that both sites are characterised by site resonance in the frequency range 1-2 Hz as an effect of the local lithostratigraphic succession that shows an impedance contrast at about 60-90 m depth. This resonance effect can have important implications on both seismic hazard as well as seismic risk evaluation of the region since the amplified frequency range coincides with the resonance frequencies typical of 5–10 storey buildings which are very diffuse in the Maltese Islands, especially after intense recent urbanization.Published41-484T. Sismologia, geofisica e geologia per l'ingegneria sismicaJCR Journa

Biosynthesis and Cellular Functions of Tartaric Acid in Grapevines

Tartaric acid (TA) is an obscure end point to the catabolism of ascorbic acid (Asc). Here, it is proposed as a “specialized primary metabolite”, originating from carbohydrate metabolism but with restricted distribution within the plant kingdom and lack of known function in primary metabolic pathways. Grapes fall into the list of high TA-accumulators, with biosynthesis occurring in both leaf and berry. Very little is known of the TA biosynthetic pathway enzymes in any plant species, although recently some progress has been made in this space. New technologies in grapevine research such as the development of global co-expression network analysis tools and genome-wide association studies, should enable more rapid progress. There is also a lack of information regarding roles for this organic acid in plant metabolism. Therefore this review aims to briefly summarize current knowledge about the key intermediates and enzymes of TA biosynthesis in grapes and the regulation of its precursor, ascorbate, followed by speculative discussion around the potential roles of TA based on current knowledge of Asc metabolism, TA biosynthetic enzymes and other aspects of fruit metabolism

NERA project - Deliverable D11.4: Array measurements

The aim of this Task is to present the seismological data and some preliminary empirical results related to two deployed specific arrays; (a) the Argostoli seismological array and (b) the Fucino seismological array. Both experiment arrays provided high quality data that along with corresponding geological and geophysical measurements may serve to critical evaluation of site effects and basin effects. In addition, work on modelling of basin effects may be significantly benefited by the observed acquired in both sites. Given that the analyses of the data obtained during the aforementioned experimental arrays will be performed in close link with activity of NERA-JRA3, the following goals are set: To investigate the link between ground motion spatial variability, strains, seismic wavefield and subsurface properties To compare numerical estimates of ground strain with actual measurements To investigate the capability of estimating ground strains from noise correlation studies. In order to organize and accomplish the work according to the initial schedule, several meetings (actual or/and Skype) among the participants took place during the 2nd year of the NERA-JRA1 project. Minutes of these meetings are given in Appendices 1, 2, 3 and 4.Network of European Research Infrastructures for Earthquake Risk Assessment and Mitigation Project, Seventh Framework Programme EC project number: 262330Published4T. Sismologia, geofisica e geologia per l'ingegneria sismic