High TR Research Articles

Effects of exogenous melatonin on photosynthesis and physiological characteristics of chry-santhemum seedlings under high temperature stress.

We examined the effects of exogenous melatonin (MT) on the resistance of Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Jinba' to high temperature stress. Chrysanthemum leaves were sprayed with 200 μmol·L-1MT, and then subjected to high temperature stress at 40 ℃ (day)/ 35 ℃ (night). The ultrastructure of chloroplast and thylakoid of chrysanthemum leaves were observed, and the photosynthetic and physiological indices were measured. The results showed that the chloroplast and thyla-koid structures of chrysanthemum were damaged under high temperature stress. The chlorophyll contents and maximum fluorescence (Fm) were significantly reduced, while the OJIP curve changed with the fluorescence of K and J points increased. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr) and stomatal conductance (gs) were significantly decreased, while the internal CO2 concentration (Ci) was significantly increased. The relative conductivity (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), osmotic adjustment substances content and antioxidant enzyme activity all increased significantly. Spraying exogenous MT onto leaves could maintain the integrity of chloroplast and thylakoid structure under high temperature in chrysanthemum and significantly decrease the increment in the K and J points of OJIP curve. Exogenous application of MT alleviated the inhibition of high temperature stress on photosynthesis and fluorescence of chrysanthemum, as indicated by significantly higher Fm, Pn, gs, Tr and photosynthetic pigment contents and lower Ci. Exogenous MT also significantly reduced the REC, MDA and ROS contents of chrysanthemum under high temperature stress, and enhanced the osmotic adjustment substances content and antioxidant enzyme activity in chrysanthemum leaves. It suggested that exogenous MT could protect the integrity of chloroplast structure of chrysanthemum leaves, enhance photosynthesis, inhibit the excessive production of ROS in the plants under high temperature stress, improve the activity of antioxidant enzyme system, reduce the level of membrane peroxidation and keep the integrity of lipid membrane, and thus improve the ability of chrysanthemum plants to resist high temperature stress.

Predictors of Failure after DeVega Repair for Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

Background: Untreated tricuspid regurgitation during mitral valve surgery may progress to severe symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation. Concomitant repair may increase the operative risk; however, re-operative tricuspid valve surgery is a high-risk procedure. This study's objective was to identify the predictors of DeVega repair failure in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation and concomitant mitral valve surgery.
 Methods: This research is a retrospective comparative study that included 140 patients who underwent tricuspid valve repair concomitant with mitral valve replacement. We divided the patients into two groups; the first group (n=106) included patients with no DeVega failure at six-months follow-up (The sustained repair group). The second group included 34 patients who developed moderate or higher TR after the DeVega and was named the failed repair group.
 Results: The demographic data and comorbidities were not statistically different between both groups. The preoperative atrial fibrillation (73 (69%) vs. 30 (88%)’ p= 0.027) pulmonary artery pressure (64.8±3.6 vs. 81±6.5 mmHg; p= 0.02), right ventricular dimension (4.85±0.24 vs. 5.23±0.37 cm; p= 0.03), and time between the indication of surgery and operation (8.3 ± 3.1 vs. 14.7 ± 5.4 months; p = 0.003) were higher in patients with failed DeVega repair. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the mean bypass time, cross-clamp time, ICU and hospital stay, and postoperative complications between both groups. Predictors of failure after six months were preoperative heart failure (OR: 15.4 (95% CI: 3- 92.3); p= 0.003), long time between diagnosis and surgery (OR: 12.3 (95% CI: 2.1- 84.7); p= 0.007), and postoperative severe pulmonary hypertension (OR: 24.7 (95% CI: 3.1- 199.6); p= 0.003).
 Conclusions: DeVega repair is associated with a high failure rate after six months. The study of predictors of failure could change our management plans to reach the best results for repair.

Filtering Strategy of Colloidal Quantum Dots for Improving Performance of Light-Emitting Diodes

Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) show great potential in high-definition displays due to their narrow emission and high color purity. However, the imperfect quantum dots (QDs) with high tr...

Assocations between human psychophysiological conditions and duration of stay in high Arctic

The aim of the study was to assess associations between psychophysiological- and physiological state of the human body and the duration of stay in high Arctic. Barentsburg, the Spitsbergen archipelago. Methods. Altogether, 112 people aged 35-43 years from Barentsburg (Spitsbergen or Svalbard) were examined. By duration of stay they were dichotomized into two grous: ≤ 6 months (group 1, n = 60) and > 6 months (group 2, n = 52). Psychoemotional state was studied using Spielberger anxiety scale and the differentiated self-assessment of the functional state (SAN) test. Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed using the «Omega-M» complex. The two groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results. Spectral analysis data in the range of HF, ms2, LF, ms2, and TP, ms2 and in normalized units were below the standard values. In group 1 there was a decrease in well-being (U = 200.5, p = 0.032) and mood (U = 207.0, p = 0.043). In group 2 there was an increase in the level of personal anxiety (U = 245.0, p = 0.002). In the group with a moderate predominance of central regulation an increase in LF, ms2 power spectrum was found in group 1 (U = 9.0, p = 0.006). In group 2 we observed a decrease in RMSSD (U = 27.0, p = 0.001) and SDNN (U = 48.0, p = 0.023) combined with an increase in SI (U = 49.0, p = 0.027) in the group with a pronounced predominance of the central contour of regulation. In a group with a moderate predominance of autonomous regulation we found an increase in SI (U = 226.0, p = 0.029) in group 1 while high TR i, ms2 (U = 218.0, p = 0.020), VLF, ms2 (U = 216.0, p = 0.018) were observed in group 2. Conclusions. Our study demonstrated a complex effect of stay in the High Arctic on the psycho-emotional state and HRV in both newcomers and long-term residents.

Abstract 15230: Sex and Racial Differences in Normative Reference Ranges and Healthy Aging on Diastolic Function in Ethnic Asians: 2016 Ase Guideline Revisited

Introduction: However, the reference ranges for echocardiography might be varying due to ethnicity, gender and age. Therefore, the normal reference ranges obtained from the healthy Asians are important for clinical utility of echocardiography in Asia. Methods: Population-based echocardiography dataset from 6,023 healthy ethnic Asians (47.1±10.9 years, 61.3% men) were divided into 6 age decades: ≤29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and ≥70 years. We explored age- and sex-related structural/functional alterations according to 2016 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) diastolic dysfunction (DD) criteria and their correlates with clinical N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) cut-off for heart failure (HF). Racial comparisons were made using data from London Life Sciences Prospective Population (LOLIPOP) study. Results: Age- and sex-based normative reference ranges (including mean, median, 10% and 90% lower and upper reference values) were extracted from our large healthy population. In fully adjusted models, advanced age (treated as linear) was independently associated with cardiac structural remodeling and worsened diastolic parameters: larger indexed LA volume (LAVi), lower e’, higher E/e’, and higher TR velocity; all p <0.001), and were broadly more prominent in women (P interaction : <0.05). in general, markedly lower e’, higher E/e’ and smaller LAVi were observed in ethnic Asians compared to Whites. DD defined by 2016 ASE criteria, despite at low prevalence (0.42%) in current healthy population, increased drastically with advanced age and performed perfectly in excluding abnormal NT-proBNP (≥125 pg/ml) (Specificity: 99.8%, NPV: 97.6%). Conclusions: This is to date the largest cohort exploring the normative reference values using guideline-centered diastolic parameters from healthy Asians, with senescence process played as central role in diastolic dysfunction. Observed sex and ethnic differences in defining healthy diastolic cut-offs likely impact future clinical definition for DD.

P‐141: Color Washout Improvement of VA mode LCDs

Herein, we have successfully improved color washout of VA mode TFT‐LCDs by a delicate regulation of LCS and ∆nd. Among them, view angle compensation (VAC) algorithm not only remarkably alleviates color washout and but also facilitates to maintain a high Tr% of 5.6% for LCD panels with 8‐domain pixel structure.

The cross-sectional curvature effect of twisted tapes on heat transfer performance

This study reports the cross-sectional curvature effect resulted from a twisted tape fabrication or installation into an annular pipe on the enhancement of heat transfer to pay attention to the use of twisted tapes more efficiently. Six different twisted tapes having two twist ratios (3 and 4) and three curve ratios (1.761, 2.252 and 3.271) in the Reynolds number range from 5840 to 30,900 were numerically analyzed. The analysis method was validated with three different experimental results from loose-fit to tight-fit of a twisted tape. According to polyhedral mesh element analysis of curved cross-sectional twisted tapes, capable of having better compatibility with experimental results, Nusselt numbers increased with increasing curve ratio and decreasing Reynolds number and twist ratio. While the curved twisted tape is more efficient than the smooth tube, losses on heat transfer efficiency are observed compared to the classical twisted tape. Although the losses caused by the curvature on the twisted tape appear to be insignificant at high curve ratios, the effect of low curve ratios increases significantly. For the lowest CR and the highest TR under analysis conditions, it was observed that TT lost 28 % of its normal productivity increase due to this effect.

MRI diagnosis of cortical dysplasia in the immature brain

Introduction.Cortical dysplasias (CDs) encompass a wide variety of disorders that in most cases lead to epilepsy, especially in infants and young children. MRI diagnosis of CDs is a major part of presurgical examination of pediatric patients with resistant focal epilepsy.Aim.To identify MR markers of CD in the immature brain and develop an MRI protocol for early diagnosis of CDs.Materials and methods.Children aged <2 y.o. (total 128) diagnosed with focal epilepsy were examined over 2017-2019. All MRI scans were performed using the GE 3 T system (General Electric, USA) in the standard MR sequences including T2WI FSE, T1 SE, FLAIR, DWI, SWAN, and FSPGR BRAVO supported with anesthesiological assistance. Аll patients were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of brain maturity; of those, 28 patients had MR signs of CD.Results.The rate of detection of small-size cortical malformations, such as nodular heterotopies or focal cortical dysplasias was significantly higher in groups of patients whose brains (according to MR images) were at the infantile or adult phases of myelination. In children with the isointensive phase myelination, only large cortical dysplasias could be identified. In the first phase, the focal malformations had low amplitude signals in T2-weighted images and high amplitude signals in T1, unlike those in adult patients. In the isointensive phase, the quality of visualization was significantly reduced and provided poor diagnostic information.Conclusion.The results confirm the diagnostic significance of early (before age of 5 months) MRI testing in cases with suspected CD-associated focal epilepsy. However, at the period between 5 and 12 months of age, MR imaging was ineffective for CD diagnosing. Later, in the period from 12 to 15 months, the MRI ability to identify the CDs gradually increased. We consider the standard T2 weighted images with high TR values, the most effective MR modality for diagnosing CDs in young children.

42 Comparison of different imaging modalities for the quantification of tricuspid valve geometry and regurgitation

Abstract Objectives Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a frequent valvular heart disease with relevant adverse impact on patients´ prognosis. Imaging of tricuspid valve and tricuspid Regurgitation is through anatomical circumstances is challenging. In this study, we aimed to compare the ability of different imaging modalities to visualize and quantify tricuspid valve (TV) function and annular dimensions. Methods and Results We prospectively included 40 consecutive patients (Age: 77.5 ± 7.1 years) with high surgical risk (EuroSCORE II: 8.8 ± 12.1%) and significant TR, who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and multislice computed tomography (MSCT) to evaluate TR, TV function, and dimensions. In general, 2D-TEE showed lower diameters than MSCT with a significant but weak correlation between both imaging modalities for AP diameters (41.4 ± 7.8 mm, 47.2 ± 8.9 mm, r = 0.68, p = 0.05correlation, p = 0.03difference) and for SL diameters (41.6 ± 5.3 mm, 46.6 ± 4.6 mm, r = 0.71correlation, p = 0.05difference, p = 0.03). We found no significant correlation, however significant difference agreement, between MSCT and 2D-TEE on measures for annulus perimeter (117.6 ± 18.9 mm, 130.3 ± 21.5 mm, r = 0.3, p = 0.4correlation, p = 0.03difference) and annulus area (10.1 ± 3.3 cm2, 13.4 ± 4.1 cm2, r = 0.5, p = 0.4correlation, p = 0.04difference). When comparing 3D-TEE with MSCT, we found a strong correlation between both imaging modalities concerning TV annulus areas (12.9 ± 2.6 cm2, 13.4 ± 4.1 cm2, r = 0.94, p = 0.0017correlation, p < 0.001difference), and perimeter (130.1 ± 12.4 mm, 130.3 ± 21.5 mm, r = 0.9, p = 0.002correlation, p = 0.005difference), as well as for AP (43.8 ± 3.2 mm, 47.2 ± 8.9 mm, r = 0.73, p = 0.03correlation, p = 0.008difference) and SL diameters (44.5 ± 3.6 mm, 46.6 ± 4.6 mm, r = 0.86, p = 0.02correlation, p = 0.1difference). MSCT was not useful for TR grading and determination of TV function. In addition to conventional 2D echocardiography, only 3D-TEE allowed for direct measurement of effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), which differed significantly from calculated EROA (p < 0.05). Conclusion 3D-TEE is highly comparable to MSCT and superior to 2D imaging for the determination of TV geometry and diameters. In contrast to MSCT, 3D-TEE allows sufficient grading and functional assessment of TR.

43 Echocardiographical analysis of right ventricular function after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of tricuspid regurgitation

Abstract Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a frequent valvular heart disease associated with increased mortality and morbidity. RV function is mostly assessed using tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), which shows merely systolic RV function and can be influenced by many other pathologies and image quality. Furthermore, the impact of dedicated percutaneous clip treatment of TR on RV global function and clinical outcomes are scarce. We aim to perform detailed echocardiographical global RV function analysis inclusively speckle tracking of RV before and after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of TR (TTVR). We evaluated 50 patients, who underwent between January 2017 to March 2018 TTVR in our center. Apical four chamber images were used to perform strain analysis of RV. The systolic velocity of free RV wall (S´ Vmax) was measured through PW doppler on lateral TV annulus in color tissue Doppler. RV myocardial performance index is a parameter for systolic as well as diastolic ventricle function and can be calculated using ratio between TV closure to opening time and RV ejection time (RVCOT-RVET/RVET), which can be assessed from PW Doppler of lateral TV annulus in color tissue Doppler. We retrospectively included 40 patients (73 ± 5.6 years, 32% female) with symptomatic (65% ascites, 95% edema, 100% NYHA > II) high grade functional TR at surgical high risk (EuroSCORE II: 7.6%). 95% of all interventions were successfully performed (TR reduction at least I grade). Our collective shows normal baseline left ventricle (LV) systolic function (Ejection fraction: 60.8 ± 4.6%) with diastolic LV dysfunction and increased LV end systolic pressure (E/E´ ratio: 17.7 ± 6.5). Baseline RV analysis presented impaired RV systolic function (TAPSE: 1.2 ± 3.2 cm, RV-FAC: 25.6 ± 9.8%, S´ Vmax: 5.6 ± 1.2cm/s) with decreased RV global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS: -8.9 ± 4.3). RV myocardial performance index (RV-MPI) was 0.51 ± 0.4 as a parameter for poor global RV function. Baseline echocardiography showed dilation of both atria (Left atrium: 80.5 ± 14.5ml, right atrium: 26.7 ± 7.8cm2) with pronounced right ventricle congestion (dilated vena cava inferior: 25.5 ± 3.4mm without breath modulation, paradoxical intraventricular septum motion, dilated RV: 57.7 ± 14.5cm2). All TR were high grade (PISA: 0.78 ± 0.3cm, VC width: 0.8 ± 0.2cm, EROA: 0.43 ± 0.1cm2, regurgitant volume: 67.1 ± 10.4ml) and functional with mostly anteroseptal (85%) coaptation defect (coaptation defect diameter: .5.7 ± 3.2mm). The right heart failure symptoms significantly improved three months after the procedure. Patients with severe right heart failure (TAPSE < 1cm) showed more often rehospitalization and limited improvements in symptoms (p = 0.02). RV function should be more comprehensively evaluated before interventional TR therapy. The patients with already preprocedural severe right heart failure should be more critically discussed. RV-GLS and RV-MPI are strongest independent parameter of clinical outcome after TTVR.

Efficacy and safety of cyclosporine a for patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: a meta-analysis

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine efficacy and safety of cyclosporine A (CsA) for patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS).MethodsThe Cochrane Library and PubMed were searched to extract the associated studies on Oct 10, 2018, and the meta-analysis method was used to pool and analyze the applicable investigations included in this study. The P(opulation) I(ntervention) C(omparison) O(utcome) of the study were defined as follows: P: Patients with SRNS; I: treated with CsA, cyclophosphamide (CYC), tacrolimus (TAC) or placebo/not treatment (P/NT); C: CsA vs. placebo/nontreatment (P/NT), CsA vs. CYC, CsA vs. TAC; O: complete remission (CR), total remission (TR; complete or partial remission (PR)), urine erythrocyte number, proteinuria levels, albumin, proteinuria, serum creatinine, and plasma cholesterol, etc. Data were extracted and pooled using RevMan 5.3.ResultsIn the therapeutic regimen of CsA vs. placebo/nontreatment (P/NT), the results indicated that the CsA group had high values of CR, TR, and low values of proteinuria, serum creatinine, and plasma cholesterol when compared with those in the placebo group. In comparing CsA vs. cyclophosphamide (CYC), the results indicated that the CsA group had higher TR than the CYC group. In comparing CsA vs. tacrolimus (TAC), the results revealed insignificant differences in CR, and TR between the CsA and TAC groups. The safety of CsA was also assessed. The incidence of gum hyperplasia in CsA group was higher than that in the P/NT group, with no differences in incidence of infections or hypertension between CsA and P/NT groups. There was no difference in the incidence of hypertension between the CsA and TAC groups.ConclusionsCsA is an effective and safe agent in the therapy of patients with SRNS.

Crack propagation resistance of slide-ring gels

The crack propagation behavior of pre-cut slide-ring (SR) gels with movable cross-links is investigated and compared to that of fixed cross-link (FC) gels under uniaxial stretching at a constant speed. Two fracture stages with 20-fold difference in crack velocity are observed for both SR and FC gels. At the beginning, the crack propagates slowly, and the crack propagation resistance is in good accordance with the evaluation based on tearing modulus Tr, the initial slope of J-integral – crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) curve. Higher Tr and slower crack velocity are observed in SR gels compared to FC gels with similar modulus. Moreover, Tr decreases and crack velocity increases with increasing modulus (cross-linking density) for FC gels, whilst both parameters are modulus-independent for SR gels. This means that the slow mode crack propagation resistance of SR gels is dominated by the sliding movement of cross-links instead of the cross-linking density. However, as the strain energy input exceeds a critical value, crack accelerates abruptly and overtakes the sliding dynamics of the cross-links, thus the fracture behavior of SR gels resembles that of FC gels. Our results have revealed the strong correlation between the cross-link mobility and crack propagation resistance of SR gels.

Effect of supercooling on the microstructural development and optimization of physical properties of melt grown SnSe crystals

The microstructural development of stoichiometric tin monoselenide (SnSe) crystals grown by vertical Bridgman–Stockbarger method using an indigenously fabricated furnace has been investigated under high vacuum (~ 10−6 mbar). The ampoule translation rate (tr) and supercooling, ΔT (= Tm − T, where Tm is the melting point and T is the crystallization temperature) were varied in the range, 12–2 mm/h and 20–100 °C respectively. Enhancement of ΔT and tr led to constitutional supercooling, inducing compositional changes and non-stoichiometry. Low ΔT (20–40 °C) and high tr (12–10 mm/h) resulted in globules, flakes and cavities. When ΔT = 60 °C and tr = 9 to 7 mm/h, mounds were formed with closed contours and ripples, due to atomically rough liquid–solid (l-β) interface. Fine tuning of ΔT (60 °C) and tr (2 mm/h) enabled smooth planar interface, so as to yield good quality crystalline structures with periodic atomic deposition promoting crystal growth, layer-by-layer. Energy dispersive analysis by X-rays and powder X-ray diffraction studies revealed appreciable crystallinity, chemical homogeneity and phase purity. The density of crystals estimated from crystallographic data (6.183 g/cm3) corroborates with that obtained utilizing Archimedes principle. Thermogravimetric and microindentation analyses established thermal and mechanical stability. The low etch pit density (~ 102 cm−2) manifests nearly perfect growth of crystals than their melt counterparts. UV–Vis–NIR and PL spectra reflected direct transition with an energy gap of 1.32 eV, validating immense potential of the grown crystals for photovoltaic applications.

Canopy transpiration and stand water balance between two contrasting hydrological years in three typical shrub communities on the semiarid Loess Plateau of China

AbstractUnderstanding the role of canopy transpiration (Tr) in restoring vegetation's water balance is crucial for sustainable water management in semiarid regions. We examined the influencing factors of Tr and quantified stand water balance of three typical shrub species used for ecological restoration on the Loess Plateau of China in two contrasting hydrological years. This study included two native species, Vitex negundo (VN) and Spiraea pubescens (SP), and one introduced species, Hippophae rhamnoides. The experiment was conducted in two consecutive primary growing seasons in 2015 and 2016, during which the annual precipitation (P) was 41.5% and 102% of the long‐term mean. The results showed that meteorological factors influenced the daily Tr primarily, and monthly Tr was mainly correlated with soil water content (SWC) in both the drier and wetter years. However, SWC's effect on Tr was more significant in the drier year. The sums of Tr and soil evaporation were significant in the three communities and accounted for 45.28–99.46% and 17.70–51.36% of the P in the drier year and wetter year, respectively. The changes in net soil water storage (ΔSW, 0–200 cm) were negative in most months in both years, with the greatest ΔSW decrease in VN in July 2015 and the greatest increase in SP in July 2016. Because of its different physiological characteristics, the introduced species maintained a relatively high Tr even in the drier year. Our results indicate that plant Tr and stand water balance should be considered in water‐limited areas to promote ecologically sustainable management.

Pulsed-grown graphene for flexible transparent conductors.

In the race to find novel transparent conductors for next-generation optoelectronic devices, graphene is supposed to be one of the leading candidates, as it has the potential to satisfy all future requirements. However, the use of graphene as a truly transparent conductor remains a great challenge because its lowest sheet resistance demonstrated so far exceeds that of the commercially available indium tin oxide. The possible cause of low conductivity lies in its intrinsic growth process, which requires further exploration. In this work, I have approached this problem by controlling graphene nucleation during the chemical vapor deposition process as well as by adopting three distinct procedures, including bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide doping, post annealing, and flattening of graphene films. Additionally, van der Waals stacked graphene layers have been prepared to reduce the sheet resistance effectively. I have demonstrated an efficient and flexible transparent conductor with the extremely low sheet resistance of 40 Ω sq−1, high transparency (Tr ∼90%), and high mechanical flexibility, making it suitable for electrode materials in future optoelectronic devices.

Whole plant chamber to examine sensitivity of cereal gas exchange to changes in evaporative demand

BackgroundImproving plant water use efficiency (WUE) is a major target for improving crop yield resilience to adverse climate change. Identifying genetic variation in WUE usually relies on instantaneous measurements of photosynthesis (An) and transpiration (Tr), or integrative measurements of carbon isotope discrimination, at the leaf level. However, leaf gas exchange measurements alone do not adequately represent whole plant responses, especially if evaporative demand around the plant changes.ResultsHere we describe a whole plant gas exchange system that can rapidly alter evaporative demand when measuring An, Tr and intrinsic WUE (iWUE) and identify genetic variation in this response. An was not limited by VPD under steady-state conditions but some wheat cultivars restricted Tr under high evaporative demand, thereby improving iWUE. These changes may be ABA-dependent, since the barley ABA-deficient mutant (Az34) failed to restrict Tr under high evaporative demand. Despite higher Tr, Az34 showed lower An than wild-type (WT) barley because of limitations in Rubisco carboxylation activity. Tr and An of Az34 were more sensitive than WT barley to exogenous spraying with ABA, which restricted photosynthesis via substrate limitation and decreasing Rubisco activation.ConclusionsExamining whole plant gas exchange responses to altered VPD can identify genetic variation in whole plant iWUE, and facilitate an understanding of the underlying mechanism(s).

High-field electrostatic control of ferromagnetic resonance in NiFe/PIN-PMN-PT multiferroic heterostructures

We report electric-field control of ferromagnetic resonance in NiFe film, which was deposited on (011)-cut 0.3Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.4Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 (PIN-PMN-PT) single crystals. An upward frequency shift from 11.69 to 12.53 GHz is achieved in our heterostructures for electric field from 0 to 15 kV/cm as an external magnetic field of 2090 Oe was applied along in-plane [100] direction, and a downward shift from 13.61 to 13.25 GHz is investigated for electric field from 0 to 7 kV/cm, while an external magnetic field of 2723 Oe was applied along [01$$\stackrel{-}{1}$$] direction. The large operational electric field and the high rhombohedral-tetragonal phase transition temperature TR−T (~ 127 °C) of the crystal make NiFe/PIN-PMN-PT composites great candidates for electrically tunable microwave magnetic device applications with broad electric field and temperature range.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) contrasting for the transpiration response to vapour pressure deficit also differ in their dependence on the symplastic and apoplastic water transport pathways.

Genotypic differences in transpiration rate responses to high vapour pressure deficit (VPD) was earlier reported. Here we tested the hypothesis that this limitation could relate to different degrees of dependence on the apoplastic (spaces between cells), and symplastic water transport pathways (through cells via aquaporin-facilitated transport), which are known to have different hydraulic conductivities. The low transpiration rate (Tr) genotype PRLT 2/89/33 either restricted its transpiration under high VPD, or was more sensitive to VPD than H77/833-2, when grown hydroponically or in soil. The slope of the transpiration response to an ascending series of VPD was lower in whole plants than in de-rooted shoots. In addition, the transpiration response of detached leaves to moderately high VPD (2.67kPa), normalised against leaves exposed to constant VPD (1.27kPa), was similar in low and high Tr genotypes. This suggested that roots hydraulics were a substantial limitation to water flow in pearl millet, especially under high VPD. The dependence on the apoplastic and symplastic water transport pathways was investigated by assessing the transpiration response of plants treated with inhibitors specific to the AQP-mediated symplastic pathway (AgNO3 and H2O2) and to the apoplastic pathway (precipitates of Cu(Fe(CN)6) or Cu(CuFe(CN)6)). When CuSO4 alone was used, Cu ions caused an inhibition of transpiration in both genotypes and more so in H77/833-2. The transpiration of high Tr H77/833-2 was decreased more by AQP inhibitors under low VPD (1.8kPa) than in PRLT 2/89/33, whereas under high VPD (4.2kPa), the transpiration of PRLT 2/89/33 was decreased more by AQP inhibitors than in H77/833-2. The transpiration rate of detached leaves from H77/833-2 when treated with AgNO3 decreased more than in PRLT 2/89/33. Although the root hydraulic conductivity of both genotypes was similar, it decreased more upon the application of a symplastic inhibitor in H77/833-2. The transpiration of low Tr PRLT 2/89/33 was decreased more by apoplastic inhibitors under both low and high VPD. Then the hydraulic conductivity decreased more upon the application of an apoplastic inhibitor in PRLT 2/89/33. In conclusion, both pathways contributed to water transport, and their contribution varied with environmental conditions and genotypes. Roots were a main source of hydraulic limitation in these genotypes of pearl millet, although a leaf limitation was not excluded. The similarity between genotypes in root hydraulic conductivity under normal conditions also suggests changes in this conductivity upon changes in the evaporative demand. The low Tr genotype depended more on the apoplastic pathway for water transport, whereas the high Tr genotype depended on both pathway, may be by 'tuning-up' the symplastic pathway under high transpiration demand, very likely via the involvement of aquaporins.

Estimation of the Pesticides Transfer Rate during the Preparation of the Oriental Herbal Drug Materials

Background/Objectives: The residual pesticide problem even in Herbal Medicinal Materials (HDMs) has increasingly brought concerns to the patients (consumers). Methods/Statistical Analysis: For the estimation of pesticides' exposure to consumers via herbal drugs, it must be required that the transfer rates (TRs%) of the residual pesticides from raw to the final herbal drug, occurring via processing steps, be determined. The TRs% of 13 pesticides belonging to 6 groups were investigated from 7 HDMs by employing independent drying and/or decoction steps. Residues were quantitated in dried HDMs and decoctions using GC-ECD. Findings: The fate of the pesticide in the HDM (after drying and decoction) was mainly dependent on the nature of the pesticide, and not on the nature of the HDM. However, among the five HDMs, Daechu showed the most universal holding capability for the all tested pesticides even after drying process. The low cumulative average TR% (up to 0.4%), of drying and decoction, was obtained from mevinphos, chlorpyrifos, p,p'-DDE and diazinon, whereas chlorfenapyr (34.3%), bifenthrin (54.3%) and fenvalerate (56.7%) had high cumulative average TR%. Improvements/Application: This TR% s of residual pesticides shall be used for the establishment of sound and cost-effective HDMs management system in the future.

Neutralino and gravitino dark matter with low reheating temperature

Abstract We examine a scenario in which the reheating temperature T R after inflation is so low that it is comparable to, or lower than, the freeze out temperature of ordinary WIMPs. In this case the relic abundance of dark matter is reduced, thus relaxing the impact of the usually strong constraint coming from the requirement that the universe does not overclose. We first re-examine the dynamics of freezeout during reheating. Next we study the parameter space of the MSSM with ten free parameters, the Constrained MSSM and the singlino-dominated regions of the Next-to-MSSM. In each case we often find dramatic departures from the usually considered regime of high T R , with important implications for direct detection dark matter searches. In particular, in the MSSM we examine WIMP mass range up to about 5 TeV, and we find large regions of bino dark matter over the whole mass range, and of higgsino dark matter with mass over a similar range but starting from the ∼ 1 TeV value of the standard high T R scenario. We show that the prospects for bino detection strongly depend on T R , while the higgsino is for the most part detectable by future one-tonne detectors. The wino, which is excluded in the standard scenario, becomes allowed again if its mass is roughly above 3.5 TeV, and can also be partially detectable. In the CMSSM, the bino and higgsino mass ranges become much more constrained although detection prospects remain roughly similar. In the Next-to-MSSM we show that, at low enough T R wide ranges of singlino-dominated parameter space of the model become again cosmologically allowed, although detection prospects remain nearly hopeless. We also study the non-thermal contribution to the DM relic density from direct and cascade decays of the inflaton. Finally, in the framework of the MSSM we consider the case of a gravitino as dark matter. In this case we find strong bounds from overclosure and from Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, and derive lower limits on T R which depend on the gravitino mass and on the nature of the lightest ordinary superpartner.