Teaching Convergence in 21st Century Undergraduate Agricultural Communication: A Pilot Study of Backpack Multimedia Kits in a Blended, Project-Based Learning Course

Twenty-first century agricultural communication students are expected to have an increasingly diverse set of skills when they graduate.Expertise is expected in: writing, editing, design, marketing, media relations, event planning, interpersonal communication, digital development, e-publications, online video, mobile applications, podcasting, and social media.This expansion of needed skills is due in no small part to the proliferation of communication channels and convergence of media platforms today. In order to continue preparing students for professions in agricultural communication, it is imperative that the curricula reflect current industry needs and available technology. In this article, one approach for expanding curricula to incorporate these newer technologies by implementing backpack multimedia journalism kits for science communication is discussed. The kits were developed to address these criteria: 1) students needed opportunities to gain a variety of broad technological skills, 2) the technology had to be mobile and cost effective, and 3) the technology needed to be able to produce a variety of content across a variety of platforms. The mobile multimedia kits included iPad-minis and video accessories. Through an agricultural communication blended-learning, project-based undergraduate course, the authors tested the effectiveness of the kits, as well as researched students’ perceptions and experiences with the course design and mobile communication technologies. The results of the study showed students valued the selected technology and gained targeted video production skills. Although students’ liked the course design, they experienced challenges with course requirements, time management, and using the technological audio recording components

Evaluation of Garlic Landraces from Foggia Province (Puglia Region; Italy)

Interest in local landraces has unfortunately decreased over, the last decades, in which they have been continuously subjected to a high genetic erosion in favour of new modern varieties. Within the Puglia region (S-E Italy), Foggia province was found to be the richest in vegetable landraces. In the present study, six garlic landraces collected from this area have been assessed for their chemical composition (minerals, organic acids, free sugars, volatile, and phenolic compounds) along with their main morpho-biometrical traits. A commercial genotype was also considered as a reference standard. The landraces show a large variability, but in general high morphological standards, high levels of cations and phenols, and low levels of volatile-(S)-compounds in comparison with the commercial genotype and the literature values. 'Aglio di Peschici' and 'Aglio Rosso di Monteleone di Puglia' are very rich in minerals and phenols (mainly ferulic acid and iso-rhamnetin). This increase in knowledge on the chemical properties of these garlic landraces could represent a tool for encouraging the consumption of a food product. At the same time, the consumption of these landraces would stimulate their cultivation and could highly contribute to protection against the risk of erosion of agro-biodiversity by their in situ/on-farm conservation

A three dimensional representation of the fracture network of a CO2 reservoir analogue (Latera Caldera, Central Italy)

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Extracts of different polarity of Daphne laureola L. as valuable source of antioxidant and neuroprotective compounds

In this study, Daphne laureola L., an European-Mediterranean species, was investigated for its antioxidant properties using different in vitro bioassays, namely 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Activity Power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching assays. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity using the Ellman’s method was also examined. The aerial parts of D. laureola were subjected to exhaustive and subsequent macerations with solvents at different polarity, such as methanol, dichloromethane, and n-hexane. Dichloromethane extract was the most promising in DPPH and FRAP tests with IC50 values of 32.2 μg/mL and 71.5 μM Fe(II)/g, respectively. Methanol extract showed the most promising inhibition of lipid peroxidation evaluated by β-carotene bleaching test with an IC50 value of 6.6 μg/mL after 30 min of incubation. This extract was the most active against AChE (IC50 value of 56.9 μg/mL). An interesting result was obtained against BChE by the n-hexane extract, with an IC50 value of 49.7 μg/mL. In conclusion, the results suggest that D. laureola may provide a substantial source of phytochemicals, which act as natural antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and may be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer disease

In vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Salsola oppositifolia Desf. (Amaranthaceae) in a Panel of Tumour Cell Lines

The aim of the present study was to evaluate for the first time the in vitro cytotoxic activity of fractions and isolated flavonols from Salsola oppositifolia Desf. (Amaranthaceae). The nhexane fraction demonstrated an effective cytotoxic activity on the large lung carcinoma and amelanotic melanoma cell lines with IC50 values of 19.1 μg/ml and 24.4 μg/ml, respectively. Also the dichloromethane fraction exhibited cytotoxic activity against COR-L23 (IC50 30.4 μg/ml) and C32 (IC50 33.2 μg/ml) cells, while the EtOAc fraction demonstrated a selective cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells (IC50 67.9 μg/ml). The major active constituents of this fraction were isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside (1) and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (2), which showed an interesting activity against the cell line MCF-7 with IC50 values of 18.2 and 25.2 μg/ml, respectively. Compound 2 exhibited a strong activity against the hormonedependent prostate carcinoma LNCaP cell line with an IC50 of 20.5 μg/ml. Constituents of S. oppositifolia were identified by GC-MS and NMR analyses

Protective effect of Hypericum calabricum Sprengel on oxidative damage and its inhibition of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

The present study shows for the fi rst time the phenolic composition and the in vitro properties (antioxidant and inhibition of nitric oxide production) of Hypericum calabricum Sprengel collected in Italy. The content of hypericins (hypericin and pseudohypericin), hyperforin, fl avonoids (rutin, hyperoside, isoquercetrin, quercitrin, quercetin and biapigenin) and chlorogenic acid of H. calabricum, have been determined. The ethyl acetate fraction from the aerial parts of H. calabricum exhibited activity against the radical 1,1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with IC 50 value of 1.6 μg/ml. The test for inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production was performed using the murine monocytic macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. The ethyl acetate fraction had signifi cant activity with an IC 50 value of 102 μg/ml and this might indicate that it would have an anti-infl ammatory effect in vivo

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) leaves and flowers: Bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and hypoglycaemic potential

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) leaves and flowers from Italian wild and cultivated populations were herein investigated for their content of carotenoids and tocopherols using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with the photodiode array and fluorimeter detectors to assess their functional value. Moreover, aqueous extracts were prepared to explore in vitro bioactivities never tested in this halophyte herb. Thus, chlorogenic acid-enriched sea fennel extracts were evaluated for their major bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, pancreatic lipase, and carbohydrate hydrolase inhibitors. Neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and α- and γ-tocopherols were identified. C. maritimum can be considered a high source of lutein, vitamin A, and vitamin E up to 19.1, 1.85 and 52.81 mg/100 g of dried leaves, respectively. Despite a low TPC content, a promising ABTS+. radical scavenging activity (CON-L-WT, IC50 value of 3.83 μg/mL) and the highest FRAP value were observed in the wild leaves extract of Conero Park of Marche Region. The water extract from the wild Sicilian leaves was the most active against pancreatic lipase. The evidence herein suggests that sea fennel extract might be potentially used in the formulation of nutraceuticals for the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress and hyperglycemic conditions

Is coffee powder extract a possible functional ingredient useful in food and nutraceutical industries?

The present study aimed to assess the phytochemical content and in vitro bioactivity of ethanolic extracts of Arabica (A) and/or Robusta (R) coffee powder having different geographical origins. For this purpose, total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) content as well as a- and b-tocopherol were quantified. The antioxidant activity was assessed by using a multi-target approach in which the radical scavenging potential, the protection from lipid peroxidation, and the involvement of the iron-reducing mechanism were applied. The carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes’ (a-amylase and a-glucosidase) inhibitory activities were also assessed. Arabica coffee sample (C2-A) showed the highest TPC, TFC, and a-tocopherol content with values of 63.1 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents (CAE)/g dry powder, 16.2 mg of quercetin (QE) equivalents/g dry powder, and 5.6 mg/100 g dry powder, respectively. Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index (RACI), used to statistically integrate results from 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing ability power (FRAP), and protection of lipid peroxidation assays, evidenced that sample C4-R derived from Robusta from Guatemala showed the highest antioxidant potential with a value of –0.61. Arabica from Puerto Rico was the most active against a-amylase, whereas the blend Arabica/Robusta sample (C5-A60R40) showed the highest inhibitory activity against a-glucosidase with IC50 values of 120.2 and 134.6 mg/mL, respectively. The results show how the qualitative-quantitative composition of the extracts is strongly associated not only with the variety but also with the geographical origin of the samples

Fluidic haptic interface for mechano-tactile feedback

Notable advancements have been achieved in providing amputees with sensation through invasive and non-invasive haptic feedback systems such as mechano-, vibro-, electrotactile and hybrid systems. Purely mechanical-driven feedback approaches, however, have been little explored. In this paper, we now created a haptic feedback system that does not require any external power source (such as batteries) or other electronic components. The system is low-cost, lightweight, adaptable and robust against external impact (such as water). Hence, it will be sustainable in many aspects. We have made use of latest multimaterial 3D printing technology (Stratasys Objet500 Connex3) being able to fabricate a soft sensor and a mechano-tactile feedback actuator made of a rubber (TangoBlack Plus) and plastic (VeroClear) material. When forces are applied to the fingertip sensor, fluidic pressure inside the system acts on the membrane of the feedback actuator resulting in mechano-tactile sensation. We present the design, fabrication and validation of the proposed haptic feedback system. Our ∅7 mm feedback actuator is able to transmit a force range between 0.2 N (the median touch threshold) and 2.1 N (the maximum force transmitted by the feedback actuator at a 3 mm indentation) corresponding to force range exerted to the fingertip sensor of 1.2 − 18.49 N

Industrial upcycling of almond skin through production of novel brioches

The global sustainability policy emphasizes reusing of agri-food waste and by-products to enhance food bioactive properties. Thus, brioches were processed incorporating almond skin powder (ASP): control (CTR), without ASP addition; 5-ASP, with 5% (w/w) ASP; and 10-ASP, with 10% (w/w) ASP. Seven different brioches shapes were obtained for each recipe. Flavonoids were mainly detected in Tuono almond skin by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMSMS), in particular, flavan-3-ol monomers. The ethanolic extract of Tuono almond skins contained polar lipids (oxylipins and phospholipids). Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) identified six major fatty acids, mainly oleic acid (48.01%). Photothermal degradation impact on bioactive compounds was evaluated using a first-order kinetic model. Antioxidant activity was studied using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and β-carotene bleaching test. α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase inhibitory effect were also tested. The acidification of the doughs was consistent across all trials. Lactic acid bacteria and yeast levels increased. Importantly, the final products were free from undesirable microorganisms. The addition of ASP led to reduced weight loss and specific volume for all seven brioche types. Furthermore, the firmness, crumb structure, and sensory profile of the final products were noticeably influenced. Tasters clearly favoured the Treccina brioches. The production of sweet leavened baked goods was carried out in triplicate in two independent experiments. The statistical model applied to the data considered the effects of brioche shape and the addition of ASP. Kinetic data revealed that the half-life extension for both total phenol and flavonoid content was observed in the 10-ASP sample (18.00382). 10-ASP sample exhibited promising ABTS radical scavenging activity, with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) values of 18.64 mg/mL after 9 days of photothermal degradation. Moreover, when testing 10-ASP Treccina against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, the IC50 values were 198.16 and 190.23 μg/mL, respectively, even after 9 days