Spectroscopy Analysis Research Articles

Aqueous redox batteries including novel copper-ligand complex determined through optimization of ligand

Copper (Cu) is attractive active material for aqueous redox batteries (ARBs) due to its abundance and cheap price, although this is rarely used for this purpose previously. In this study, new water-soluble Cu-ligand complexes are synthesized based on ligand M (N,N-dimethylethylenediamine) and ligand J (N1,N1-dimethyl-N2-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine), and they are used as active material for ARBs. They are then identified by using spectroscopic analyses, such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV–Vis, and ESI-Mass and are stabilized in Cu ion to ligand ratio of 1 to 2 (Cu-M2) and 1 to 1 (Cu-J). More specifically, difference in potential for two Cu ion redox reactions (Cu2+ + e− ↔ Cu+ (RR1) and Cu+ + e− ↔ Cu0 (RR2)) is larger in Cu-J complex (0.33 V) than in Cu-M2 complex (0.1 V), meaning that the two reactions in Cu-J complex are easily controlled to avoid undesirable metallization of Cu ions occurring by RR2. This corroborates that Cu-J complex is more stable than Cu-M2 complex for ARBs in pH 9.25. When performance of ARBs using Cu-J and ferrocyanide is measured, they show outstanding columbic efficiency of 99 %, preserving excellent stability over 200 cycles with low capacity decay rate of 0.001 Ah L−1 cyc−1.

Five new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa

Five undescribed eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes, remophilanetriols E-I (1–5), along with seven known compounds (6–12) were isolated from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. Their structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic data analysis and their absolute configurations were determined by comparing their calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and experimental ECD spectra. The anti-pulmonary fibrosis activities of all compounds were evaluated in vitro by MTT methods, and compounds 2, 8, 10, and 12 exhibited excellent anti-pulmonary fibrosis activities. In addition, compound 2 can reduce the levels of ROS and apoptosis in TGF-β1-induced BEAS-2B cells.

Boosting peroxymonosulfate activation with a composite of highly dispersed FeS2 nanoparticles anchored on N-doped biochar for efficient tetracycline degradation

The rational design of inexpensive peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activators with high efficiencies is still in high demand. Herein, a composite with highly dispersed FeS2 anchored on nitrogen-doped biochar (FeS2@NBC) was prepared via a hydrothermal process and used for PMS activation to degrade the pollutant tetracycline (TC). Benefiting from in situ growth of FeS2 on the NBC surface, FeS2@NBC alleviated the side effects caused by FeS2 agglomeration, and the synergistic catalytic effect of the FeS2 nanoparticles and N-doped biochar resulted in excellent performance. The optimal FeS2@NBC/PMS system could degrade 87.6% of TC within 10min, and it exhibited adaptability to pH changes and the presence of common inorganic anions. A comprehensive study involving radical scavenging experiments, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, electrochemical tests and XPS analyses revealed that the singlet oxygen (1O2) and hydroxyl radical (•OH) were the dominant reactive oxygen species (ROS), the sulfate radical (SO4•−) and electron transfer were involved in the TC degradation process. Moreover, three degradation pathways were indicated by LC−MS detection, and the toxicities of the degradation intermediates were predicted and evaluated. Finally, FeS2@NBC showed excellent reusability and stability after five cycles of TC degradation. This work provides a reference for designing efficient catalysts that can be combined with metal sulfides and biochar for efficient PMS activation.

Detection and quantification of corn starch and wheat flour as adulterants in milk powder by near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometric routines

Adulterating foods, such as milk powder (MP), is a common practice in countries with no rigid policy on food quality control. This study employs Fourier transform near-infrared and mid-infrared (FT-NIR, FT-MIR) spectroscopy and chemometric analysis to detect milk powder adulteration with corn starch (CS) and wheat flour (WF) from 0.00 to 30.00% w/w concentrations. Partial least square regression (PLSR) models were developed, optimized, and compared to quantify corn starch and wheat flour adulterations. According to the results, the root mean square error prediction (RMSEP) for FT-NIR and FT-MIR in corn starch was 0.74 and 1.69% w/w and 0.82 and 2.63% w/w for wheat flour, respectively. FT-NIR spectroscopy, rather than FT-MIR coupled with the appropriate chemometrics models represents a more valuable tool for simple, rapid, and nondestructive detection of adulterants in milk powder. The recent availability of portable instruments, combined with suitable chemometric tools, makes it possible to discriminate adulterated food samples in situ.

Synthesis and characterization of TiNbZrMo medium-entropy bio-composites: Microstructure, mechanical properties, and in vitro degradation.

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite (HA)-based bio-composites reinforced with varying amounts (by weight, 1-15 wt.%) of bio-medium entropy alloy (BioMEA) for load-bearing implant applications. BioMEA powders consisting of Ti, Nb, Zr, and Mo were mechanically alloyed for 100 h and subsequently added to HA using powder metallurgy techniques. To show the effect of BioMEA, the microstructure, density, and mechanical tests have been conducted and the synthesized BioMEA was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. In addition, in vitro degradation behavior and bioactivity analyses of bio-composites have been conducted. XRD analysis revealed the formation of BioMEA after 20 h of mechanical alloying. The highest density value of 2.47 g/cm3 was found in 15 wt.% BioMEA-reinforced bio-composite. The addition of BioMEA reinforcement led to a significant increase in hardness and tensile strength values, with the highest values observed at 15 wt.% reinforcement. Compression tests demonstrated a significant increase in compressive strength and deformation capability of the bio-composites with the highest values observed at 15 wt.% BioMEA addition. The highest toughness of 7.68 kJ/m2 was measured in 10 wt.% MEA-reinforced bio-composites. The produced bio-composite materials have an elastic modulus between 3.5-5.5 GPa, which may provide a solution to the stress shielding problems caused by the high elastic modulus of metallic implant materials. The most severe degradation occurred in 15 wt.% MEA-reinforced bio-composites, and the effect of degradation caused a decrease in Ca and an increase in Ti-Ni-Zr-Mo in all bio-composites. These findings suggest that HA/BioMEA bio-composites have the potential to be developed as advanced biomaterials with moderate mechanical and biological properties for load-bearing implant applications.

A review of the antimicrobial benefits of naturally extracted nanomaterials

Nanotechnology finds immense potential due to the unique characteristics of nanomaterials. Though noble metal nanoparticles, particularly gold and silver nanoparticles possess advanced properties their conventional production methods pose environmental hazards. This paper explores the eco-friendly approaches using natural sources for synthesizing gold and silver nanoparticles. Rose and pomegranate extracts were used to synthesize gold nanoparticles. Evaluation using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy confirmed the nanoparticle formation, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis recognized the presence of plant-derived compounds for stabilizing these particles. In-depth observations of their size and form were provided using electron microscopy, and these findings were aligned with the inferences made from the UV-Vis data. Silver nanoparticles were produced using Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract (OGE), exhibiting dose-dependent antimicrobial effects against bacterial strains. A comparative analysis demonstrated the distinct antibacterial characteristics of silver and gold nanoparticles against several bacterial strains. These nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced inhibitory effects when employed in combination with antibiotics, suggesting the possibility of dealing with antibiotic resistance. The study presents opportunities for producing nanomaterials with minimal impact on the environment and for addressing antibiotic resistance. Further research can enhance the process and find more useful applications as this green synthesis approach can bring about significant improvements in many areas.

Five new meroterpenes from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia and their diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity

Five new meroterpenes (1−5), have been isolated and elucidated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia together with four known bakuchiol analogues (6−9). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (NMR, HRESIMS and CD). Among them, compounds 1–9 were found to exhibit selective inhibitory activity on DGAT1 with IC50 values ranging from 54.4 ± 1.3 to 98.2 ± 1.1 μM.

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyridines via Nitrogen-doped Graphene Catalyzed One-Pot Multicomponent Reaction under Solvent-Free Conditions

Abstract: Polysubstituted pyridine derivatives were produced with high to excellent yields in the presence of nitrogen-doped graphene (NDG) as a dual acid-based catalyst. NDG efficiently catalyzes the multicomponent reaction between arylaldehydes, diethyl-acetylene dicarboxylates, malononitrile, and ammonium acetate under solvent-free conditions at 80°C to afford the polysubstituted pyridines in short reaction times. The structures of the synthesized pyridines were established by Ft-IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis. The advantages of this method include the in-situ oxidation of prepared 1,4-dihydropyridines, one-pot procedure, solventless system, operational simplicity, and no column chromatography. Additionally, neither toxic solvents nor catalysts are needed, and the procedure can be very reliable among the reported methodologies. The yields and reaction times in the presence of four times recycled catalyst are in comparable to the fresh catalyst.

Corrections to “Spectroscopic Analysis of Candida Species, Viability, and Antifungal Drug Effects with a Microwave Flow Cytometer”

Corrections to “Spectroscopic Analysis of Candida Species, Viability, and Antifungal Drug Effects with a Microwave Flow Cytometer”

Sesquiterpene coumarins with anti-vitiligo and cytotoxic activities from Ferula samarkandica

Two undescribed sesquiterpene coumarins (1–2) and eight known analogues (3–10) were isolated from the roots of Ferula samarkandica Korovin, growing in Uzbekistan. Their structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including NMR, HRESIMS, UV and IR data. The absolute configurations were determined based on ECD calculations and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Six compounds carrying 7′-carbonyl, 3′-carbonyl and 3′-acetoxy (4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10) demonstrated anti-vitiligo potentials, in addition to five (4, 7, 8, 9, 10) with cytotoxic effects. Evaluation of anti-vitiligo activity in B16 cells revealed that compounds 4–7 and 9 exhibited promotion effects on melanin synthesis in B16 cells more potent than the positive control 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), while 5, 7, 9 and 10 could also stimulate the tyrosinase activity superior to 8-MOP. Besides, compounds 4 and 7–10 also presented certain cytotoxic activities against HeLa, HT-29 and A549 cell lines, wherein 8 displayed a significant cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells with an IC50 value of 8.33 ± 0.34 μM.

Four new diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br.

Four new undescribed halimane- and labdane-type diterpenoids, named zeylleucapenoids E–H (1–4), along with four known analogues (5–8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br. Their structures were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and computational calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 are the highly modified halimane diterpenoids featuring a 6/6/6-fused tricyclic system with an unusual six-membered 6,11-ether ring. Compound 8 exhibits nontoxic effects for zebrafish embryo, while it displays efficient reduction against NO production in a dose-dependent manner and strongly suppresses the secretion of LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages. In addition, marked reductions of iNOS and COX-2 expression were observed. Molecular docking analysis indicated that 8 has high affinities with the target amino acid residues on protein-binding sites, which may be a possible mechanism contributing to the anti-inflammatory potential of this molecule.

Preparation and characterization of expanded dickite/decanoic acid phase-change materials

The leakage of phase-change materials presents a significant challenge that impedes their application. Loading porous materials onto phase-change materials is an effective approach to addressing this issue. In this study, porous expanded dickite as a carrier was utilized to load decanoic acid and create a composite phase-change material. The loading content of decanoic acid was varied to obtain different composite phase-change materials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of hydrogen bonds between the expanded dickite carrier and decanoic acid. Scanning electron microscopy images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping results demonstrated that decanoic acid was evenly dispersed on the expanded dickite carrier without any agglomeration. The expanded dickite carrier effectively immobilized decanoic acid through hydrogen bonding, thereby preventing leakage, as long as the loading content of decanoic acid did not exceed 60%. The higher thermal conductivity of the expanded dickite carrier promoted the thermal conductivity of the expanded dickite/decanoic acid composite phase-change materials, enhancing the responsiveness of the composite phase-change materials to ambient temperature. The composite phase-change material containing 60 wt% decanoic acid exhibited excellent endothermic/exothermic cycle stability, and after six cycles, its latent heat remained stable.

Exploring trends and developments in cholesteatoma research: a bibliometric analysis.

Examination of the scientific literature on cholesteatoma from past to present using bibliometric methods. A total of 2353 articles on cholesteatoma between 1980 and 2023 were obtained from the Web of Science database and statistically analysed using bibliometric techniques. The journals with the highest number of contributions to the literature were Otology & Neurotology (n = 192), Acta Oto-Laryngologica (156) and Laryngoscope (149). The most impactful journals based on h-index and total citation (TC) counts were Laryngoscope (h:36, TC: 4241), Otology & Neurotology (29, 3141), and American Journal of Otology (26, 2071) respectively. The most prolific author was Kojima H. (n = 49). According to the findings of the Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS) analysis, there has been a significant increase in academic interest in Cholesteatoma since its first description in 1959, particularly following the expansion of its definition in 1977. Subsequently, the trend of increased interest has risen rapidly in later years, with notable peaks in research intensity observed in 1989, 2006, and 2011. The highest academic trend occurred in 2006. In recent years, trending topics have included innovative approaches such as diagnostic and imaging methods particularly alongside technological developments, endoscopic surgery, recurrence and complications, prognosis and quality of life, artificial intelligence, and obliteration. In conclusion, the evolution of cholesteatoma and its research priorities reveal temporal shifts and emerging areas of interest over time. Primarily, diagnosis, treatment, and surgical approaches remain central. Additionally, research has expanded to encompass developments in surgical techniques, imaging modalities, cellular biology, pathology, and molecular mechanisms.

Phenylacetic acid, an anti-vaginitis metabolite produced by the vaginal symbiotic bacterium Chryseobacterium gleum

The human microbiome contains genetic information that regulates metabolic processes in response to host health and disease. While acidic vaginal pH is maintained in normal conditions, the pH level increases in infectious vaginitis. We propose that this change in the vaginal environment triggers the biosynthesis of anti-vaginitis metabolites. Gene expression levels of Chryseobacterium gleum, a vaginal symbiotic bacterium, were found to be affected by pH changes. The distinctive difference in the metabolic profiles between two C. gleum cultures incubated under acidic and neutral pH conditions was suggested to be an anti-vaginitis molecule, which was identified as phenylacetic acid (PAA) by spectroscopic data analysis. The antimicrobial activity of PAA was evaluated in vitro, showing greater toxicity toward Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans, two major vaginal pathogens, relative to commensal Lactobacillus spp. The activation of myeloperoxidase, prostaglandin E2, and nuclear factor-κB, and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 were reduced by an intravaginal administration of PAA in the vaginitis mouse model. In addition, PAA displayed the downregulation of mast cell activation. Therefore, PAA was suggested to be a messenger molecule that mediates interactions between the human microbiome and vaginal health.

In situ generation of azo dyes on silk fibroin through three-step chemical modification

To enhance the efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of silk dyeing, this study introduces a novel method that synthesizes azo dyes directly on silk fibroin (SF) using a three-step chemical modification at room temperature. Initially, SF undergoes modification with isatoic anhydride to yield aromatic primary amino-modified silk fibroin (SF–NH2). Subsequently, SF-NH2 is treated with nitrous acid to produce diazotized silk fibroin (SF–N2+). In the final step, SF-N2+ is combined with coupling components to directly form azo chromophores on the SF, culminating in the creation of coloured silk fibroin (SF–NN-CC). The efficacy of the three-step dyeing method was validated using infrared spectroscopy and colour development analysis. The modification sites on SF-NH2 were identified as the hydroxyl and amino groups of amino acid residues, confirmed through simulated reactions. SF-N2+ demonstrated excellent storage and thermal stability under dry conditions; however, its stability decreased in wet environments. Various coupling components were then reacted with SF-N2+ to synthesize in situ yellow, red, crimson, and green azo dyes on SF. The formation of covalent bonds between the dyes and SF was verified using DMF stripping methods. The dyed SF-NN-CC fabrics underwent testing for fastness, revealing wet fastness rating above grade 4. These findings demonstrate that the three-step modification process represents an innovative, energy-efficient, and fast-reacting dyeing method for SF.

Highly Selective Ratiometric Sensors for Pb2+ Based on Luminescent Zn(II)-Coordination Polymers with Thiophenedicarboxylate. Crystal Structures and Spectroscopic Studies.

The development of luminescent coordination polymers for the selective sensing of Pb2+ in water constitutes an active area of research that impacts analytical, environmental, and inorganic chemistry. Herein, two novel water-stable 2D Zn-coordination polymers {[Zn2(H2O)2(tdc)2(bpy)]·(H2O)}n 1 and [Zn(tdc)(tmb)]n 2 (tdc = thiophenedicarboxylate; bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine and tmb = 4,4'-trimethylenebipyridine) were synthesized, structurally determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and studied in-depth as luminescent sensors for a series of cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ Cd2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+) in 20% aqueous ethanol. These Zn-polymers possess photostability in 20% aqueous ethanol with a strong emission at 410 upon excitation at 330nm and quantum yields of around Φ = 0.09. Under these conditions, Pb+2 can be efficiently sensed with polymer 2 through a fluorescent ratiometric response with selectivity over common interfering metal ions such as Cu2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ in the micromolar concentration range (detection limit = 1.78 ± 10μM). Such selectivity/affinity of Pb2+ over Hg2+ for luminescent chemosensors is still rare. On the basis of spectroscopic tools (1H NMR, far ATR-IR, PXRD), the X-ray crystal structure of 2, and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopic analysis, the ratiometric fluorescent response is proposed via an efficient metal-ion exchange driven through interactions between thiophenedicarboxylate rings and Pb2+ ions. The use of flexible luminescent Zn-coordination polymers as sensors for selective and direct detection of Pb2+ in aqueous media has been unexplored until now.

Red-Emitting CsPbI3/ZnSe Colloidal Nanoheterostructures with Enhanced Optical Properties and Stability.

Producing heterostructures of cesium lead halide perovskites and metal-chalcogenides in the form of colloidal nanocrystals can improve their optical features and stability, and also govern the recombination of charge carriers. Herein, the synthesis of red-emitting CsPbI3/ZnSe nanoheterostructures is reported via an insitu hot injection method, which provides the crystallization conditions for both components, subsequently leading to heteroepitaxial growth. Steady-state absorption and photoluminescence studies alongside X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy analysis evidence on a type-I band alignment for CsPbI3/ZnSe nanoheterostructures, which exhibit photoluminescence quantum yield of 96% due to the effective passivation of surface defects, and an enhancement in carrier lifetime. Furthermore, the heterostructure growth of ZnSe domains leads to significant improvement in the stability of the CsPbI3 nanocrystals under ambient conditions and against thermal and UV irradiation stress.

Plasma Engineering toward Improving the Microwave-Absorbing/Shielding Feature of a Biomass-Derived Material.

During the past decade, ever-increasing electromagnetic pollution has excited a global concern. A sustainable resource, facile experimental scenario, fascinating reflection loss (RL), and broad efficient bandwidth are the substantial factors that intrigue researchers. This research led to the achievement of a brilliant microwave-absorbing material by treating pampas as biomass. The carbon-based microfibers attained by biowaste were treated by plasma under diverse environments to amplify their microwave-absorbing features. Moreover, a pyrolysis scenario was performed to compare the results. The reductive processes were performed by H2 plasma and carbonization. However, the CO2 plasma was performed to regulate the heteroatoms and defects. Interestingly, polystyrene (PS) was applied as a microwave-absorbing matrix. The aromatic rings existing in the absorbing medium establish electrostatic interactions, elevating interfacial polarization, and physical characteristics of PS augment the practical applications of the final product. The manipulated biomasses were characterized by Raman, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and diffuse reflection spectroscopy analyses. Eventually, the microwave-absorbing features were estimated by a vector network analyzer. The plasma-treated pampas under H2/Ar blended with PS gained a maximum RL of -90.65 dB at 8.79 GHz and an efficient bandwidth (RL ≤ -10 dB) of 4.24 GHz with a thickness of 3.20 mm; meanwhile, plasma treatment under CO2 led to a maximum RL of 97.99 dB at 14.92 GHz and an efficient bandwidth of 7.74 GHz with a 2.05 mm thickness. Particularly, the biomass plasmolyzed under Ar covered the entire X and Ku bands with a thickness of 2.10 mm. Notably, total shielding efficiencies of the treated bioinspired materials were up to ≈99%, desirable for practical applications.

Microstructural Evolution and Phase Transformation on Sn–Ag Solder Alloys under High‐Temperature Conditions Focusing on Ag3Sn Phase

This study investigates the microstructural and phase transformations in Sn–Ag solder alloys under high‐temperature conditions, utilizing X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analyses. Analytical techniques are employed pre‐ and postcontrolled thermal cycling from 30 to 180 °C, aimed at emulating solder reflow processes. The analysis at room temperature demonstrates pronounced crystalline peaks, suggesting a preferred orientation within the crystal structure. Upon heating, peak broadening suggests grain growth and the onset of recrystallization. SEM and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy analyses corroborate these findings, displaying a fine‐grained, well‐distributed microstructure with a homogenous composition of Sn and Ag elements. EBSD provides insights into the orientation and texture of grains, revealing a weak‐to‐moderate texture across the phases. Postexperiment data indicate a dominant presence of larger grains and significant variation in grain size, with an area‐weighted mean grain size of 68.47 μm and a standard deviation of 8.68 μm; this suggests significant grain growth and coarsening of the Ag3Sn intermetallic compounds. These structural evolutions have crucial implications for the mechanical properties and reliability of the solder alloy in electronic assemblies, underscoring the need for further exploration of lead‐free solder materials in the electronics industry.

Qualea grandiflora Mart. (Vochysiaceae) seed reserves and aluminum: Usage and mobilization during germination and seedling development

AbstractQualea grandiflora Mart. is an aluminum (Al)‐accumulating Cerrado species with a metabolic dependency on Al. This study aimed to determine the presence and concentration of Al and other reserve components in Q. grandiflora seeds, as well as their respective distribution patterns, mobilization, and usage during germination and seedling growth. Thus, the concentration of Al and other minerals in seeds, seedlings, and soils was measured. Also, histochemical and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were performed to observe the distribution of Al, proteins, and lipids in Q. grandiflora seeds and seedlings. Additionally, the concentration of proteins and lipids was assessed as well. Hence, even in soils with low exchangeable Al3+, Q. grandiflora seeds accumulated about 6.43 g of Al/kg of dry matter (DM) together with considerable concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. Exogenous Al had no effect on the germination properties of Q. grandiflora seeds. Furthermore, approximately 60% of the seed Al was translocated to seedling leaves. Proteins and lipids were the main organic reserves in Q. grandiflora seeds. The histochemical analysis revealed that the bulk of Al in seeds was in the cotyledons, which were also the location sites of proteins and lipids. Proteins and lipids were the primary source of energy and carbon for seedling growth. Therefore, fatty acids, proteins, and Al could play a central role during seed germination and seedling establishment, which could help to explain why this species is one of the most widespread plants in the Cerrado.