Durum wheat grain yield and quality as affected by S rate under Mediterranean conditions

The decreased inputs of S from atmospheric acidic deposition, the use of low S-containing fertilisers, and the decrease of organic matter content in soil resulted in S deficiency in many agricultural regions of the world. Sulphur fertilisation significantly affects grain yield and protein composition of cereals, thus altering the technological quality of grain. Field experiments were conducted in central Italy in two subsequent seasons to investigate the effects ofNand S application on five commercial wheat cultivarsknownto differ in yield potential and grain N content. Fertiliser treatments were two levels of N fertiliser (120 kgNha−1 and 180 kgNha−1) and three levels of S fertiliser (not applied, 60 kg S ha−1, and 120 kg S ha−1). Analyzed characters were dry weight and N and S uptake of grain and vegetative plant part, and grain quality characters. Variations in weather pattern – and especially in rainfall – between years significantly influenced grain yield and N and S content of grain, but did not affect quality parameters. Nitrogen and S application also significantly affected grain yield and the quality characteristicsW, P/L, dry gluten and SDS, although no interactive effect between treatments was observed. The highest protein content and W in grain was obtained with the combination of the highest fertiliser rates: 180 kgNha−1 and 120 kg S ha−1. Genotypes differed for yield stability between years, in that grain production was decreased in the driest year only in the varieties Claudio and Creso, but they responded similarly to N and S fertilisation. Genotypes differed also for protein concentration and quality parameters, and, on average, the varieties Duilio, Simeto and Svevo gave better performances. Differences in grain quality parameters were maintained through years, indicating that these traits are under strong genetic control

Transverse Instabilities of the LHC Proton Beam in the SPS

The availability from the injectors of the proton beam required for the LHC era has allowed studying its transverse behaviour in the SPS. Profile and beam oscillation measurements evidenced the existence of strong transverse instabilities developing along the batch and inducing an emittance blow-up of increasing importance from the head to the tail of the batch. An intensity threshold, comparable to that observed for the development of the beam induced electron cloud, has been found for the onset of the above phenomena. The results of the measurements and their possible interpretation are presented

Post-anthesis dry matter and nitrogen dynamics in durum wheat as affected by nitrogen supply and soil water availability.

Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) is commonly grown in dryland conditions, where environmental stress during grain filling can limit productivity and increase the dependency on stored assimilate.We investigated current assimilation and remobilization of dry matter and nitrogen during grain filling in N fertilized and unfertilized durum wheat subjected to different levels of water deficit during grain filling. Two durum wheat varieties, Appio and Creso, were grown in open-air containers with three rates of nitrogen fertilizer (not applied, N0; normal amount, NN; high amount, NH) and four water regimes during grain filling (fully irrigated treatment, FI; low, LWS, moderate, MWS and high water stress, HWS) across 2 years. Grain yield and dry matter and N accumulation and remobilization were positively affected by N availability and negatively by water stress during grain filling. The reduction of grain yield by severe post-anthesis water stress amounted to 27 and 37% for N0 and NN, respectively, and was associated with a decrease in kernel weight. There was also a small negative effect on the number of kernels per spike. Conversely, the duration of grain filling was not modified either by water stress or by nitrogen treatments. Severe water stress also reduced dry matter accumulation and remobilization by 36 and 14% in N0 plants and by 48 and 25% in NH plants. Similarly, N accumulation and N remobilization was reduced by 43% and by 16% in N0 plants and by 51% and by 15% in NH plants. Conversely, low and moderate water stress did not substantially modify the patterns of dry matter and nitrogen deposition in grain. Although remobilization of dry matter and N was less affected by water stress than accumulation, it was not able to counterbalance the reduction of assimilation and consequently it was not able to stabilize grain yield under drought

Electrochemical biosensors based on nanomodified screen-printed electrodes: Recent applications in clinical analysis

This review addresses recent advances in the development of screen-printed electrode based biosensors modified with different nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, metallic nanoparticles as gold, silver and magnetic nanoparticles, and mediator nanoparticles (Prussian Blue, Cobalt Phthalocyanine, etc.), coupled with biological recognition elements such as enzymes, antibodies, DNA and aptamers to obtain probes with improved analytical features. Examples of clinical applications are illustrated, together with examples of paper-based electrochemical devices, of multiple detections using arrays of screen printed electrodes, and of the most recent developments in the field of wearable biosensors. Also the use of smartphones as final detectors is briefly depicted. © 2016 Elsevier B.V

Measurement of the electron cloud properties by means of a multi-strip detector in the CERN SPS

Electron cloud effects presently limit the performances of the CERN SPS with LHC type beams [1] and are of concern for the LHC itself [2]. Electron multipacting in the SPS produces dramatic dynamic pressure increases and strong transverse instabilities [3]. In the LHC the electron cloud is expected to significantly increase the heat load in the cryogenics system. Estimates of these effects are based on computer simulations of the electron cloud build-up and of its spatial distribution in field free regions and in strong magnetic fields. The accuracy of such simulations is therefore a key issue for component design and for the definition of the operating strategies for the LHC. In 2001 a multi-strip detector has been installed in the SPS to study the electron cloud and to provide experimental data to validate the models and to better constrain their input parameters. After a description of the monitor characteristics and of its associated electronics an overview of its performance and of the results of the measurements conducted with different proton beam parameters are presented. The measurements are compared with simulation results. Possible monitor upgrades are also discussed

SUMOylation of nuclear actin

Actin, a major component of the cytoplasm, is also abundant in the nucleus. Nuclear actin is involved in a variety of nuclear processes including transcription, chromatin remodeling, and intranuclear transport. Nevertheless, the regulation of nuclear actin by posttranslational modifications has not been investigated. We now show that nuclear actin is modified by SUMO2 and SUMO3 and that computational modeling and site-directed mutagenesis identified K68 and K284 as critical sites for SUMOylating actin. We also present a model for the actin–SUMO complex and show that SUMOylation is required for the nuclear localization of actin

The UA9 experimental layout

The UA9 experimental equipment was installed in the CERN-SPS in March '09 with the aim of investigating crystal assisted collimation in coasting mode. Its basic layout comprises silicon bent crystals acting as primary collimators mounted inside two vacuum vessels. A movable 60 cm long block of tungsten located downstream at about 90 degrees phase advance intercepts the deflected beam. Scintillators, Gas Electron Multiplier chambers and other beam loss monitors measure nuclear loss rates induced by the interaction of the beam halo in the crystal. Roman pots are installed in the path of the deflected particles and are equipped with a Medipix detector to reconstruct the transverse distribution of the impinging beam. Finally UA9 takes advantage of an LHC-collimator prototype installed close to the Roman pot to help in setting the beam conditions and to analyze the efficiency to deflect the beam. This paper describes in details the hardware installed to study the crystal collimation during 2010.Comment: 15pages, 11 figure, submitted to JINS

Athletic Trainer Emergency Management Skill Assessment via Low Fidelity Simulation

Introduction: Athletic training education requires the inclusion of emergency management (EM) best practices, however the Board of Certification (BOC) does not mandate any continuing education (CE) past Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC). With EM best practices continuing to change there is potential for a large knowledge gap to develop in practicing athletic trainers (ATs) who do not chose to engage in EM CE. The purpose of this study was to identify knowledge gaps in practicing ATs’ EM skills via low fidelity simulation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an educational laboratory setting involving twenty-two ATs (age 36.7±10.8 years; 13 males, 9 females, years of experience 13 + 11) attending a simulation-based CE event. A convenience sample of participants who attended the CE event voluntarily participated in data collection. Upon the completion of an educational review session, participants completed four low fidelity simulations (elbow dislocation, femur fracture, heat stroke and external hemorrhage) based on the 2020 Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) standards. Checklists (completed/not completed) were utilized to grade participants simulation specific skill application. Mean overall, critical action, SAMPLE and vital scores were analyzed. Scores were calculated as percentages in order to compare the low fidelity simulation outcomes. A benchmark of 80% skill application was utilized for a successful pass rate. Results: The only benchmark achieved was the critical action score within the femur fracture simulation (82.89% ±14.56). A success rate of 9.6% (8/83) was calculated across all simulations. The mean total percent scores were as follows; elbow dislocation 65.0 ± 11.0, femur fracture 55.3 ±10.0, heatstroke 67.7 ±17.5 and external hemorrhage 64.0 ±13.0. All means beyond the critical action femur, were below the benchmark of 80%. Conclusions: A knowledge gap exists between practicing clinicians and the 2020 CAATE EM standards. Considering the importance of ATs lifesaving skills, ATs should aim to choose CE to improve their EM skills. While this study only investigates EM, ATs may demonstrate knowledge gaps in other domains and therefore ATs should aim to diversify their CE to stay current with best practices