542 research outputs found
The inverse relationship between solar-induced fluorescence yield and photosynthetic capacity: Benefits for field phenotyping
Improving photosynthesis is considered a promising way to increase crop yield to feed a growing population. Realizing this goal requires non-destructive techniques to quantify photosynthetic variation among crop cultivars. Despite existing remote sensing-based approaches, it remains a question whether solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) can facilitate screening crop cultivars of improved photosynthetic capacity in plant breeding trials. Here we tested a hypothesis that SIF yield rather than SIF had a better relationship with the maximum electron transport rate (Jmax). Time-synchronized hyperspectral images and irradiance spectra of sunlight under clear-sky conditions were combined to estimate SIF and SIF yield, which were then correlated with ground-truth Vcmax and Jmax. With observations binned over time (i.e. group 1: 6, 7, and 12 July 2017; group 2: 31 July and 18 August 2017; and group 3: 24 and 25 July 2018), SIF yield showed a stronger negative relationship, compared with SIF, with photosynthetic variables. Using SIF yield for Jmax (Vcmax) predictions, the regression analysis exhibited an R2 of 0.62 (0.71) and root mean square error (RMSE) of 11.88 (46.86) ÎĽmol m-2 s-1 for group 1, an R2 of 0.85 (0.72) and RMSE of 13.51 (49.32) ÎĽmol m-2 s-1 for group 2, and an R2 of 0.92 (0.87) and RMSE of 15.23 (30.29) ÎĽmol m-2 s-1 for group 3. The combined use of hyperspectral images and irradiance measurements provides an alternative yet promising approach to characterization of photosynthetic parameters at plot level
The development of a natural plankton population in an outdoor tank with nutrient-poor sea water. II. Changes in dissolved carbohydrates and amino acids
terrelations between plankton communities and dissolved carbohydrates and amino acids were investigated under near-natural conditions in sea water enclosed in plastic tanks. In summer 1972 the development of a natural plankton population was followed in a 3-m3 plastic tank for 28 d. In the course of this experiment, concentrations of dissolved neutral carbohydrates and free amino acids were determined. Results are in the range of published data for the open sea with respect to concentrations (0.2-2.5 pnoles dm-3 total sugar; 0.2-3.1 pnoles dm3 total amino acids) and qualitative composition. A plankton succession was observed during the experiment; this was accompanied by distinct alterations in the concentrations of dissolved amino acids and carbohydrates. Glucose and lysine occurred in highest concentrations. Maximum rate of increase was 29 nmoles dm3 h-' for glucose, and 25 nmoles dm3 h-' for lysine. The rates of decrease are in the same range as bacterial uptake rates determined by various authors employing tracer methods. Numerous positive, highly significant correlations suggest heteropoly- saccharides as one source of individual carbohydrates. Relations between certain species within the plankton succession and occurrence of dissolved organic substances were observed. Significant positive correlations existed between glucose and diatoms as well as between glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose and ribose and phytoplankton biomass. There were also several significant positive correlations of amino acids, especially of valine, leucine and isoleucine with other biological parameters
Emerging approaches to measure photosynthesis from the leaf to the ecosystem
Measuring photosynthesis is critical for quantifying and modeling leaf to regional scale productivity of managed and natural ecosystems. This review explores existing and novel advances in photosynthesis measurements that are certain to provide innovative directions in plant science research. First, we address gas exchange approaches from leaf to ecosystem scales. Leaf level gas exchange is a mature method but recent improvements to the user interface and environmental controls of commercial systems have resulted in faster and higher quality data collection. Canopy chamber and micrometeorological methods have also become more standardized tools and have an advanced understanding of ecosystem functioning under a changing environment and through long time series data coupled with community data sharing. Second, we review proximal and remote sensing approaches to measure photosynthesis, including hyperspectral reflectance- A nd fluorescence-based techniques. These techniques have long been used with aircraft and orbiting satellites, but lower-cost sensors and improved statistical analyses are allowing these techniques to become applicable at smaller scales to quantify changes in the underlying biochemistry of photosynthesis. Within the past decade measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence from earth-orbiting satellites have measured Solar Induced Fluorescence (SIF) enabling estimates of global ecosystem productivity. Finally, we highlight that stronger interactions of scientists across disciplines will benefit our capacity to accurately estimate productivity at regional and global scales. Applying the multiple techniques outlined in this review at scales from the leaf to the globe are likely to advance understanding of plant functioning from the organelle to the ecosystem
European follow-up of incorrect biomarker results for colorectal cancer demonstrates the importance of quality improvement projects
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Advances in field-based high-throughput photosynthetic phenotyping
Gas exchange techniques revolutionized plant research and advanced understanding, including associated fluxes and efficiencies, of photosynthesis, photorespiration, and respiration of plants from cellular to ecosystem scales. These techniques remain the gold standard for inferring photosynthetic rates and underlying physiology/biochemistry, although their utility for high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) of photosynthesis is limited both by the number of gas exchange systems available and the number of personnel available to operate the equipment. Remote sensing techniques have long been used to assess ecosystem productivity at coarse spatial and temporal resolutions, and advances in sensor technology coupled with advanced statistical techniques are expanding remote sensing tools to finer spatial scales and increasing the number and complexity of phenotypes that can be extracted. In this review, we outline the photosynthetic phenotypes of interest to the plant science community and describe the advances in high-throughput techniques to characterize photosynthesis at spatial scales useful to infer treatment or genotypic variation in field-based experiments or breeding trials. We will accomplish this objective by presenting six lessons learned thus far through the development and application of proximal/remote sensing-based measurements and the accompanying statistical analyses. We will conclude by outlining what we perceive as the current limitations, bottlenecks, and opportunities facing HTP of photosynthesis
Needle lift profile influence on the vapor phase penetration for a prototype diesel direct acting piezoelectric injector
In this study, Schlieren visualization tests have been performed for a prototype diesel common rail direct-acting piezoelectric injector, to understand the influence of fuel injection rate shaping on the vapor spray development under evaporative and non-reacting conditions. This state of the art injector presents a particular feature that permits full needle lift control through a parameter referred to as piezo stack charge level, enabling various fuel injection rate typologies. A fast camera and a two pass Schlieren visualization setup have been utilized to record high speed images of the injection event and later analyze, through the vapor phase, the transient evolution of the spray. The tests have been performed employing a novel continuous flow test vessel that provides an accurate control of ambient temperature and pressure up to 1000 K and 15 MPa respectively. The effect of ambient temperature, injection pressure, needle lift and needle lift profile were studied. Data obtained is correlated to previous liquid length and injection rate measurements of the same injector. Results show, as expected for all cases, that instant vapor penetration rate is closely related to instant injection rate. This is confirmed by the injection pressure test results, along with those obtained for the three different piezo stack charge levels, both affecting the vapor penetration in a similar way. Nevertheless, results obtained for the three different charge levels show that the influence of the charge level and the injection pressure differ in the very beginning of the injection event, where the spray development is largely determined by needle lift and not injection pressure. Ambient temperature alone seems not to have and important effect on vapor penetration. Finally, the effects of the needle lift profile in the instant injection rate and vapor penetration are presented, confirming the strong relation between these three parameters, and confirming also that the needle lift plays a determinant role in the spray development, especially at the early stages of the injection process. Both boot and ramp shaped injections proved the ability to strongly influence the vapor penetration rate. In comparison to the square shaped injection, the effect of the ramp shaped injection delays the vapor penetration right from the start of injection while the effect of the boot shaped injection takes considerably longer to become noticeable. From the results, the needle lift control feature has proven to be a very versatile tool for engine designers to control the injection process as desired, opening a new path with a plenty of room for improvement.he authors would like to thank general motors company for their financial support and its cooperation during the project and José Enrique del Rey* and Michele Bardi* for their collaboration in the experimental measurements and setup.
(*) From CMT-Motores TĂ©rmicos. Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Payri, R.; Gimeno, J.; Viera, JP.; Plazas Torres, AH. (2013). Needle lift profile influence on the vapor phase penetration for a prototype diesel direct acting piezoelectric injector. Fuel. 113:257-265. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2013.05.057S25726511
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