Canopy structure and radiation regime in grapevine. 1. Spatial and angular distribution of leaf area in two canopy systems

Grapevine canopies are discontinuous and spatially heterogeneous. Thus, their geometrical structure is difficult to characterize. A method based on a three-dimensional discretion of the volume occupied by foliage elements was used to assess spatial and angular distribution of leaf area. The method was applied to two canopy systems (Open Lyre and Geneva Double Curtain) exhibiting different vigor levels. Leaf area density (LAD, m2·m-3), leaf inclination and leaf azimuth distributions were presented for the canopy systems, as are the distributions of lateral shoot leaves within the canopy. An attempt was made to determine the consequences of the canopy system on the grapevine canopy structure. The canopy structure parameters determined in this study were used in a companion paper as input parameters for a radiation model to describe the grapevine light microclimate

Canopy structure and radiation regime in grapevine. 2. Modeling radiation interception and distribution inside the canopy

A 3D version of the radiation model of SINOQUET and BONHOMME (1992) was used to simulate the light microclimate of grapevine. It was tested against measurements of radiation interception and distribution within two canopy systems (Open Lyre and Geneva Double Curtain) exhibiting different vigor levels. The agreement between the model and the measurements was generally good. Discrepancies may have arisen from incorrect assumptions concerning leaf azimuth distribution and leaf dispersion as well as a lack of accuracy in the description of the distribution of leaf area density inside the canopy. The model also permitted to assess light partitioning between main and lateral shoot leaves which can influence global canopy photosynthesis and berry ripening. As an example of application, the model was used to evaluate the consequences of lateral leaf removing on the interception efficiency of the canopy and the light environment of the fruit zone. The possible use of a geometrical approach to simulate the radiation interception at the canopy scale was also discussed

Driving factors of the potentially toxic and harmful species of Prorocentrum Ehrenberg in a semi-enclosed Mediterranean lagoon (Tunisia, SW Mediterranean)

We analysed the dynamics of the potentially toxic and harmful species of Prorocentrum Ehrenberg in Bizerte lagoon (important aquaculture area, Northern Tunisia), substantiating the possible driving forces (temperature, salinity and nutrients), based on a two years database. We revealed that Prorocentrum spp. blooms of high magnitude (104 - 105 cells l-1) occurred mostly during the period of late winter to early spring. We found five species of Prorocentrum, two of which, P. lima and P. cordatum, the most common during the field, are confirmed agents of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning in various regions of the world ocean. Prorocentrum sp., P. micans, and P. gracile were however present only sporadically but with high cell abundances, exemplifying bloom densities. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that P. minimum and P. lima were much more abundant in eutrophied waters characterized here by high Chl a biomass, while P. gracile species occurred principally in warm waters. Furthermore, Prorocentrum sp. and P. micans seemed more likely to proliferate in saline waters with high concentrations of inorganic nutrients (nitrate, ammonia and phosphate). Our study calls attention to a possible intensification of DSP events in the Bizerte lagoon, given the propensity of Prorocentrum spp. to proliferate in a eutrophied system

HARNESSING THE ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTY OF CERIUM AND YTTRIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES TO ENHANCE MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL PROLIFERATION

Objective: This work was designed to explore if cerium oxide (CeO2) and yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanoparticles as antioxidant agents could potentiate the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human dental pulp (hDPSCs).Methods: Nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, particle size and zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) along with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Furthermore, MSCs were isolated from human dental pulp, propagated and characterized by flow cytometry. Thereafter, the proliferative impact of the suggested nanoparticles on hDPSCs was investigated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay.Results: Different sizes (14.09–26.50 nm and 18.80–31.31 nm) for CeO2 and Y2O3 respectively, morphology, charges, and proliferative efficacy in hDPSCs were recorded for both nanoparticles.Conclusion: Generally speaking, the tested nanoparticles heightened the proliferative response of hDPSCs with the most prominent effect exerted by 15 μg/ml of CeO2 and 5 μg/ml of Y2O3. It is reasonable to assume that the antioxidant property of CeO2 and Y2O3 be involved in strengthening the proliferation process of hDPSCs

Impact of Rehabilitative Ultrasonography Imaging on Core Muscle Function in Patients with Visceral Adiposity: Randomized Controlled Trail

Background: Overweight is an excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Visceral adiposity is one of the common causes of decreased endurance and strength of core stabilizing muscles, lumbar spine dysfunction and respiratory impairment. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the impact of rehabilitative ultrasonography imaging (RUSI) guided core muscle exercise, cavitation lipolysis and their combination on visceral fat thickness, waist circumference (WC), transverse abdominis (TrA) activation ratio, and diaphragmatic excursion in patients with visceral adiposity. Methods: forty-five patients diagnosed as overweight with localized abdominal visceral fat deposits, recruited from clinical nutrition unit, Elminya University Hospital. Patients age ranged from 25 to 45 years, body mass index (BMI) was 25-29.9 kg/m2, WC was more than 102 cm for men and 88 cm for women and patients hadnt received lipolytic medications. They were divided randomly into three equal groups, Group (A) received RUSI guided core muscle exercise, group (B) received cavitation lipolysis and group (C) received RUSI core muscle exercise and cavitation lipolysis. Evaluation was done by ultrasonography imaging and tape measurement at the beginning and after 5 weeks. Result: There was a significant improvement in transverse abdominis activation ratio and diaphragmatic excursion in the three groups (p\u3c0.05) as well as decrease in visceral fat thickness and WC in group B & C (p \u3c 0.05), whereas, there is non-significant difference in group A (p\u3e 0.05). Conclusion: Combination of RUSI guided core muscle exercise and cavitation lipolysis are effective approach in decreasing visceral fat thickness and WC, as well as improving transverse abdominis activation ratio and diaphragmatic excursion in patients with visceral adiposity

National variation in prophylactic antibiotic use for elective primary total joint replacement an analysis of guidelines across hospitals and trusts in the UK

Aims Prophylactic antibiotic regimens for elective primary total hip and knee arthroplasty vary widely across hospitals and trusts in the UK. This study aimed to identify antibiotic prophylaxis regimens currently in use for elective primary arthroplasty across the UK, establish variations in antibiotic prophylaxis regimens and their impact on the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in the first-year post-index procedure, and evaluate adherence to current international consensus guidance. Methods The guidelines for the primary and alternative recommended prophylactic antibiotic regimens in clean orthopaedic surgery (primary arthroplasty) for 109 hospitals and trusts across the UK were sought by searching each trust and hospital’s website (intranet webpages), and by using the MicroGuide app. The mean cost of each antibiotic regimen was calculated using price data from the British National Formulary (BNF). Regimens were then compared to the 2018 Philadelphia Consensus Guidance, to evaluate adherence to international guidance. Results The primary choice and dosing of the prophylactic antimicrobial regimens varied widely. The two most used regimens were combined teicoplanin and gentamicin, and cefuroxime followed by two or three doses of cefuroxime eight-hourly, recommended by 24 centres (22.02%) each. The alternative choice and dosing of the prophylactic antimicrobial regimen also varied widely across the 83 centres with data available. Prophylaxis regimens across some centres fail to cover the likeliest causes of surgical site infection (SSI). Five centres (4.59%) recommend co-amoxiclav, which confers no Staphylococcus coverage, while 33 centres (30.28%) recommend cefuroxime, which confers no Enterococcus coverage. Limited adherence to 2018 Philadelphia Consensus Guidance was observed, with 67 centres (61.50%) not including a cephalosporin in their guidance. Conclusion This analysis of guidance on antimicrobial prophylaxis in primary arthroplasty across 109 hospitals and trusts in the UK has identified widespread variation in primary and alternative antimicrobial regimens currently recommended

Terahertz antenna array based on a hybrid perovskite structure

This paper presents a novel terahertz (THz) antenna array design comprising a layered structure of a perovskite material which enhances the radiation characteristics of an antenna overlaid on a conventional metallic antenna element. The simulated antenna consists of a THz gold patch antenna coated with a hybrid perovskite material, methyl-ammonium lead iodide CH3NH3PbI3 which enables the manipulation of the THz electromagnetic waves. In addition to this, we also present a comparison of the antenna properties of the proposed hybrid perovskite material with antennas made of gold and perovskite only. The proposed antenna operates in the frequency band 0.9 -1.2 THz. The simulated impedance bandwidth of the proposed array antenna ranges from 0.9 THz to 1.2 THz with a reflection coefficient (S11) less than -10 dB. The antenna array has a radiation patterns stability on the whole frequency band. The peak gain obtained is 11.4 dBi with perovskite arrays. The hybrid and perovskite antenna array demonstrate high radiation efficiency. The designs presented here will help in realising future wireless communication systems that require miniaturisation, fast reconfigurability and wearability

Influence of Plant Growth Regulators on Somatic Embryogenesis Induction in Seriphidium herba-album

Seriphidium herba-album (syn. Artemisia herba-alba) is a medicinal, aromatic, greenish-silver herb. It is used widely in folk medicine for treatment of diarrhea, abdominal cramps and in the healing of external wounds. It's also used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, depression and jaundice. In this study we assessed the protocol for callus induction, maturation of somatic embryogenesis, frequency of germination and conversion into plantlets for leaf explants of Seriphidium herba-album using different concentrations of PGRs. Highest induction frequencies of embryogenic calli occurred after 35 days on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L-1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg L-1 BAP. Optimum MS medium for higher frequency of matured somatic embryos was recorded using 5.0 mg L-1 BAP and 0.5 mg L-1 NAA and somatic embryos also induced young in vitro grown plantlets when cultured in the medium containing GA3 and kinetin. Hence, attempts to induce direct somatic embryogenesis have been achieved up to embryo regeneration and maturation

Origin of Amphibole-Biotite-Fluorite-Rich Enclaves from Gabal El-Ineigi Fluorite-Bearing Granite, Central Eastern Desert of Egypt: Insights into Fluoride-Calcium and Silicate Liquid Immiscibility

Gabal El-Ineigi fluorite-bearing rare-metal granite with A-type affinity, located in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt, is distinguished by its abundance of large fluorite-quartz veins and mafic enclaves. Plagioclase (labradorite to oligoclase), Mg-rich biotite, and Mg-rich hornblende are the main components of mafic enclaves, with significant amounts of fluorite as essential phases, and titanite and Fe-Ti oxides (Nb-free rutile and ilmenite-rutile solid solution) as the main accessories. These enclaves are monzodioritic in composition, Si-poor, and highly enriched in Ca, Fe, Mg, and F compared to the host alkali feldspar F-poor Si-rich granites. Given the conflicting evidence for a restitic, xenolithic, magma mixing/mingling, cumulate, or bimodal origin for these enclaves, we propose that the mafic enclaves and felsic host granites are two conjugate liquids, with contrasting compositions, of a single parental melt. This is inferred by the normalized REE patterns that are similar. As a result, liquid immiscibility is proposed as a probable explanation for this mafic–felsic rock association. These enclaves can be interpreted as transient melt phases between pure silicate and calcium-fluoride melts that are preserved from the early stages of separation before evolving into a pure fluoride (Ca-F) melt during magma evolution. Due to element partitioning related to melt unmixing, the enclaves are preferentially enriched in Ca, F, Li, Y, and REE and depleted in HFSE (such as Zr, U, Th, Ta, Nb, Hf, and Ga) in comparison to the host granites. Furthermore, mafic enclaves exhibit W-type tetrad effects, while host granites exhibit M-type tetrad effects, implying that the REE partitioning, caused by liquid immiscibility, is complementary

Development and reproduction of three predatory mites (Acari: Laelapidae and Rhodacaridae) on eggs of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The laelapid mites Cosmolaelaps keni and Laelaspis astronomicus beside the rhodacarid mite Protogamasellopsis denticus are biological control agents and being native predators in Egypt. In order to raise active population of above species, the biology and demographic parameters, of the three tested species were observed under laboratory conditions with eggs of Ephestia kuhniella. All predatory species were developed and reproduced with E. kuhniella eggs. The mean developmental and oviposistion periods of L. astronomicus females were the longest from the other tested species. The mean longevity of C. keni was longer than that of P. denticus. Cosmolaelaps keni consumed more E. kuhniella eggs during the oviposition and adult longevity periods than other species did. Protogamasellopsis denticus fed on E. kuhniella food gave the most rate of oviposition as shown by the maximum fertility, net reproductive rate and gross reproductive rate. Laelaspis astronomicus preying on E. kuhniella eggs gave the longest generation time, lowest rate of fecundity and all life table parameters compared to other tested species; therefore E. kuhniella eggs was appropriate for the oviposition of P. denticus and C. keni rather than L. astronomicus. This study is the first to report that E. kuhniella eggs were an acceptable factitious food for P. denticus, L. astronomicus and C. keni