DETERMINATION AND TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF MICROCYSTINS IN TROPICAL RESERVOIRS.

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

A novel signaling pathway required for Arabidopsis endodermal root organization shapes the Rhizosphere microbiome

The Casparian strip (CS) constitutes a physical diffusion barrier to water and nutrients in plant roots, which is formed by the polar deposition of lignin polymer in the endodermis tissue. The precise pattern of lignin deposition is determined by the scaffolding activity of membrane-bound Casparian Strip domain proteins (CASPs), but little is known of the mechanism(s) directing this process. Here, we demonstrate that Endodermis-specific Receptor-like Kinase 1 (ERK1) and, to a lesser extent, ROP Binding Kinase1 (RBK1) are also involved in regulating CS formation, with the former playing an essential role in lignin deposition as well as in the localization of CASP1. We show that ERK1 is localized to the cytoplasm and nucleus of the endodermis and that together with the circadian clock regulator, Time for Coffee (TIC), forms part of a novel signaling pathway necessary for correct CS organization and suberization of the endodermis, with their single or combined loss of function resulting in altered root microbiome composition. In addition, we found that other mutants displaying defects in suberin deposition at the CS also display altered root exudates and microbiome composition. Thus, our work reveals a complex network of signaling factors operating within the root endodermis that establish both the CS diffusion barrier and influence the microbial composition of the rhizosphere

Metabolomics for Evaluating Flavor-Associated Metabolites in Plant-Based Products

Plant-based diets (PBDs) are associated with environmental benefits, human health promotion and animal welfare. There is a worldwide shift towards PBDs, evident from the increased global demand for fresh plant-based products (PBPs). Such shifts in dietary preferences accompanied by evolving food palates, create opportunities to leverage technological advancements and strict quality controls in developing PBPs that can drive consumer acceptance. Flavor, color and texture are important sensory attributes of a food product and, have the largest influence on consumer appeal and acceptance. Among these, flavor is considered the most dominating quality attribute that significantly affects overall eating experience. Current state-of-art technologies rely on physicochemical estimations and sensory-based tests to assess flavor-related attributes in fresh PBPs. However, these methodologies often do not provide any indication about the metabolic features associated with unique flavor profiles and, consequently, can be used in a limited way to define the quality attributes of PBPs. To this end, a systematic understanding of metabolites that contribute to the flavor profiles of PBPs is warranted to complement the existing methodologies. This review will discuss the use of metabolomics for evaluating flavor-associated metabolites in fresh PBPs at post-harvest stage, alongside its applications for quality assessment and grading. We will summarize the current research in this area, discuss technical challenges and considerations pertaining to sampling and analytical techniques, as well as s provide future perspectives and directions for government organizations, industries and other stakeholders associated with the quality assessment of fresh PBPs

Metabolomics for evaluating flavor-associated metabolites in plant-based products

10.3390/metabo10050197Metabolites10519

Toxicological evaluation of microcystins in aquatic fish species: Current knowledge and future directions

Aquatic Toxicology142-1431-16AQTO

A Bibliometric Review of characterization of outdoor solar PV panel for shading and validation by PV emulator

Many researchers and experts have begun to work in Renewable Energy (RE) Research and Development (R&D) as an interdisciplinary area ineluctable solution to lower the use of conventional power generation or non-renewable resources. Solar photovoltaic energy has gained a lot of recognition as one of the best green alternatives. However, its firm reliance on environmental and climatic conditions makes it difficult for researchers to conduct experiments at the operational temperature (T) and Solar insolation level (G). These solar PV panels with a controllable light source are inefficient, unreliable, and unsuitable for testing PV algorithms such as Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), microgrids, and energy storage mechanisms. PV array emulators have been developed to address these issues and effectively replace actual solar PV modules in laboratory tests by generating identical PV characteristics and simulating the electrical behavior of PV sources such as maximum power point monitoring (MPPT). Simulating PV arrays under partial shading conditions and PV modules under various climatic conditions has become a significant study area, primarily to validate PV emulator

Inhibition of corrosion of mild steel in 1 N HCl solutions by Schiff base derived from non-traditional oils

301-3082-alkyl-N-benzylidenehydrazinecarbothioamide of fatty acid hydrazides from nontraditional oils (neem, rice bran and karanja) have been synthesized and evaluated as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel (MS) in hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution by weight loss method. Adsorption of all Schiff bases on MS surface in acid solution obeyed Temkin’s adsorption isotherm. Inhibition efficiency of these compounds increases with increase in concentration of the compound, and vary with solution temperature, immersion time and concentration of acid solution. Various thermodynamic parameters are also calculated to investigate the mechanism of corrosion inhibition

Application of ionic-liquid supported cloud point extraction for the determination of microcystin-leucine-arginine in natural waters

10.1016/j.aca.2010.11.039Analytica Chimica Acta6861-287-92ACAC

Corrigendum to "Uptake of Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles by zebrafish embryos in the presence of other contaminants in the aquatic environment" [Water Res. 55, 280-291]

10.1016/j.watres.2014.03.055Water Research56366-WATR

Digitally competent health workforce: a scoping review of educational frameworks

Background: Digital health technologies can be key to improving health outcomes, provided health workers are adequately trained to utilize these technologies. There have been efforts to identify digital competencies for different health worker groups, however, an overview of these efforts has yet to be consolidated and analysed. Objective: The objective of this review is to identify and study the existing digital health competency frameworks for health workers and provide recommendations for future digital health training initiatives and framework development. Methods: A literature search was performed to collate digital health competency frameworks published from year 2000. Six databases, including grey literature sources such as OpenGrey, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Google, and websites of relevant associations were searched in November 2019. Screening and data extraction were performed in parallel by reviewers. The included evidence is narratively described in terms of characteristics, evolution, and structural composition of frameworks. A thematic analysis was also performed to identify common themes across the included frameworks. Findings: Thirty frameworks were included in this review, a majority of which aimed at nurses, originated from high-income countries, published since 2016 and developed via literature reviews, followed by expert consultations. The thematic analysis uncovered 28 digital health competency domains across the included frameworks. The most prevalent domains were pertaining to basic IT literacy, health information management, digital communication, ethical/legal/regulatory requirements, and data privacy/security. The HITCOMP framework was found to be the most comprehensive framework, as it presented 21 out of the 28 identified domains, had the highest number of competencies, and targeted a wide variety of health workers. Conclusions: Digital health training initiatives should focus on competencies relevant to a particular health worker group, role, level of seniority and setting. The findings from this review can inform and guide digital health training initiatives. The most prevalent competency domains identified represent essential interprofessional competencies to be incorporated into health workers’ training. Digital health frameworks should be regularly updated with novel digital health technologies, applicable to low- and middle-income countries, and include overlooked health worker groups such as allied health professionals