scholarly journals ASSESSING THE CANOPY INTEGRITY USING CANOPY DIGITAL IMAGES IN SEMIDECIDUOUS FOREST FRAGMENT IN SÃO CARLOS - SP- BRAZIL1

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Yamada ◽  
Emerson Carlos Pedrino ◽  
João Juares Soares ◽  
Maria do Carmo Nicoletti

ABSTRACT It is well-known that conducting experimental research aiming the characterization of canopy structure of forests can be a difficult and costly task and, generally, requires an expert to extract, in loco, relevant information. Aiming at easing studies related to canopy structures, several techniques have been proposed in the literature and, among them, various are based on canopy digital image analysis. The research work described in this paper empirically compares two techniques that measure the integrity of the canopy structure of a forest fragment; one of them is based on central parts of canopy cover images and, the other, on canopy closure images. For the experiments, 22 central parts of canopy cover images and 22 canopy closure images were used. The images were captured along two transects: T1 (located in the conserved area) and T2 (located in the naturally disturbance area). The canopy digital images were computationally processed and analyzed using the MATLAB platform for the canopy cover images and the Gap Light Analyzer (GLA), for the canopy closure images. The results obtained using these two techniques showed that canopy cover images and, among the employed algorithms, the Jseg, characterize the canopy integrity best. It is worth mentioning that part of the analysis can be automatically conducted, as a quick and precise process, with low material costs involved.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Lehmann ◽  
R. E. Leube ◽  
R. Windoffer

AbstractIntermediate filament polypeptides (IFPs) are prominent components of cytoplasmic aggregates, which are pathognomonic for multiple diseases. Recent observations in cultured cells suggest that they are dynamic and subject to regulated turnover. The emerging concept is that multiple factors contribute to motility and turnover of IFP-containing aggregates. To understand their relative contribution, quantitative tools are needed. The current study addresses this need using epithelial cells producing mutant keratin IFPs that have been identified as the cause of the hereditary blister-forming skin disease epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Digital image analysis of individual granules allowed mapping of their complete life cycle, with information on multiple characteristics at any given time-point. The deduced signet features revealed rapid granule fusion and directed transport from the periphery towards the cell centre, and a limited, ~ 30 min lifetime with a slow, continuous growth phase followed by fast disassembly. As paradigmatic proof-of-principle, we demonstrate that inhibition of myosin II selectively reduces granule movement, linking keratin granule motility to retrograde cortical acto-myosin flow. The newly developed methods and established parameters will help in the characterization of known and the identification of novel regulators of IFP-containing aggregates.


2021 ◽  
pp. 009524432110061
Author(s):  
Bo Yang ◽  
Balakrishnan Nagarajan ◽  
Pierre Mertiny

Polymers may absorb fluids from their surroundings via the natural phenomenon of swelling. Dimensional changes due to swelling can affect the function of polymer components, such as in the case of seals, microfluidic components and electromechanical sensors. An understanding of the swelling behavior of polymers and means for controlling it can improve the design of polymer components, for example, for the previously mentioned applications. Carbon-based fillers have risen in popularity to be used for the property enhancement of resulting polymer composites. The present investigation focuses on the effects of three carbon-based nano-fillers (graphene nano-platelets, carbon black, and graphene nano-scrolls) on the dimensional changes of polydimethylsiloxane composites due to swelling when immersed in certain organic solvents. For this study, a facile and expedient methodology comprised of optical measurements in conjunction with digital image analysis was developed as the primary experimental technique to quantify swelling dimensional changes of the prepared composites. Other experimental techniques assessed polymer cross-linking densities and elastic mechanical properties of the various materials. The study revealed that the addition of certain carbon-based nano-fillers increased the overall swelling of the composites. The extent of swelling further depended on the organic solvent in which the composites were immersed in. Experimental findings are contrasted with published models for swelling prediction, and the role of filler morphology on swelling behavior is discussed.


2020 ◽  
pp. 004051752092551
Author(s):  
Javeed A Awan ◽  
Saif Ur Rehman ◽  
Muhammad Kashif Bangash ◽  
Fiaz Hussain ◽  
Jean-Noël Jaubert

Curcumin is a naturally occurring hydrophobic polyphenol compound. It exhibits a wide range of biological activities such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antifungal, anti-HIV, and antimicrobial activity. In this research work, antimicrobial curcumin nanofibrous membranes are produce by an electrospinning technique using the Eudragit RS 100 (C19H34ClNO6) polymer solution enriched with curcumin. The morphology and chemistry of the membrane are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Kirby Bauer disk diffusion tests are carried out to examine the antibacterial effectiveness of the membrane. Experimental results show that the nanofibers produced are of uniform thickness morphology and curcumin is successfully incorporated into the nanofibrous mat, while no chemical bonding was observed between curcumin and the polymer. The antimicrobial curcumin nanofibrous membranes can be effectively applied as antimicrobial barrier in a wide variety of medical applications such as wound healing, scaffolds, and tissue engineering.


2015 ◽  
Vol 787 ◽  
pp. 803-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Deepanraj ◽  
S. Vijayalakshmi ◽  
J. Ranjitha

The present research paper describes about the anaerobic digestion of vegetable (Banana, Cauliflower, potato, and sweet potato) and flower wastes (Rose, sambangi, gulmohar, marigold, golden shower tree, silk tree mimosa) in a 1L capacity of anaerobic digestor using pig manure as an inoculums. The digester was operated in the ratio of 1:1 of substrate to inoculums at RT. The substrate concentrations are varied such as 5%, 7%, and 10% was used and amount of gas produced was analysed using digital pressure gauge. The results obtained showed that, marigold flower had given higher yield of biogas than vegetable wastes and the digestion period was less. The average biogas production potential of withered flowers was observed as 14.36 g/kg in 5 days, where in case of vegetable wastes it was 10.0234 g/kg in 6 days. The study showed that flowers which are available in abundant in India is thrown away within a day, in the environment. These feedstocks are good feed stock for the production of biogas. The generation of biogas from flowers and vegetable waste upholds the concept of waste to wealth in enhancing sustainability of development. The future research work is mainly focused on the characterization of the main component present in the bio-gas using sophisticated instruments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
Ashwani Yadav ◽  
Anubhuti Sharma ◽  
Ashwani Kumar ◽  
Renu Yadav ◽  
Rajendra Kumar

The experiment was conducted to assess the available genetic variability amongst Indian Basmati rice and identify co-dominant and reproducible robust simple sequence repeat markers for drought resistance and their utilization in marker assisted selection for developing drought resistant / tolerant aromatic rice cultivars in various parts of India as well as in world. DNA was isolated from fresh and young leaf tissues of 35 cultivars of basmati rice using the CTAB procedure of Doyle and Doyle with slightly modifications. The DNA was further quantified by spectrophotometer at 260 nm and 280 nm. The quality and quantity of DNA were checked by agarose gel electrophoresis. Out of 60 SSR markers, 18 were found to be polymorphic and the rest 42 primers were monomorphic. One of the main purposes of SSR markers in genomic study is the characterization of genetic resources to help gene bank management. The informative (18) SSR markers were capable to discriminate the entire cultivars of basmati rice used in this research work. A total of 52 alleles at 18 loci could be scored. The allelic richness per locus diversified from 2 to 5 with an average of 2.89 alleles per locus. The amplitude of Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value is 0.066 (RM 1068) to 0.730 (RM 1059) with an average of 0.505. The Jaccard’s similarity coefficient ranged from 0.79 to 0.95. Polymorphic finding content showed a positive correlation (r =0.69) with number of alleles at the SSR locus. However it is recommended that SSR markers can be efficiently utilized for this purpose. The maximum similarity coefficient was observed between Jeerakasab and Kalanamak with a coefficient value of 95% and the minimum similarity was found between Jeerakasab and Pusa basmati-1 with a coefficient value of 79%.


2018 ◽  
Vol 778 ◽  
pp. 181-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tayyaba Malik ◽  
Shayan Naveed ◽  
Muhammad Muneer ◽  
Mohammad Ali Mohammad

Recently, supercapacitors have attracted a tremendous amount of attention as energy-storage devices due to their high-power density, fast charge–discharge ability, excellent reversibility, and long cycling life. In this research work, we demonstrate a laser scribed super capacitor based on polyimide (PI) substrate for the storage of electrical energy. PI substrate of thickness 200μm and area 1cm × 1cm was reduced by a laser engraver with a 450 nm wavelength in the form of stackable supercapacitor electrodes. Although, PI itself exhibits non-conductive behavior; however, by laser irradiation we change the surface properties of PI and reduce its resistance. The chemical property of irradiated PI was characterized with XRD where the carbon peak was observed at 2*theta = 25.44, which confirms the reduction of PI material in to a graphene-like substance. The electrical conductivity was analyzed with a probe station and observed to be 1.6mS. Two conductive regions were assembled into a capacitor device by sandwiching a PVA/H3PO4 electrolyte in between. During the charging and discharging characterization of the capacitor device, current density was observed to be 1.5mA/cm2. Capacitance versus voltage analysis was carried out and the device showed 75mF/cm2 against a voltage sweep of ±2V. The galvanostatic charging and discharging curve shows a symmetric behavior with respect to time exhibiting the stability and durability of the device.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Momin ◽  
MA Islam ◽  
MM Khatun ◽  
MM Rahman ◽  
MA Islam

The present research work was undertaken for the characterization of the bacterial pathogens responsible for pneumonia in black Bengal goats. Nasal swab samples (n = 50) were collected from the pneumonic black Bengal goats in Mymensingh and Sirajgonj districts. Samples were inoculated onto nutrient agar, eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar, MacConkey agar, and blood agar media for isolation of bacteria. Identification of bacteria was performed by the Gram's staining method, cultural properties and biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial isolates was performed against 11 antimicrobial agents. Pasteurella spp were isolated from 25 cases, and Staphylococcus spp from 13 cases. Mixed infection caused by the Pasteurella spp and Staphylococcus spp. were recorded in 12 cases. Pasteurella spp produced whitish, opaque circular and translucent colonies on nutrient agar, smooth, convex, glistening colonies on EMB agar and no hemolysis on blood agar. Staphylococcus spp have shown gray white or golden yellowish colonies on  nutrient agar. Golden yellow colonies without hemolysis or whitish colonies with hemolysis were also produced by Staphylococcus spp. on the blood agar media. Pasteurella spp were indole positive, MR-VP negative and ferment dextrose, sucrose and mannitol with the production of acid. The Staphylococcus spp were positive to MR-VP, coagulase and catalase reactions, negative to indole test and fermented five basic sugars with acid production. Results of cultural and biochemical tests supported that these two isolates belonged to P. multocida and S. aureus. P. multocida were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin and resistant to penicillin. S. aureus found to be highly sensitive to erythromycin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin, and norfloxacin and less sensitive to amoxicillin. DOI = http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v9i1.11215Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2011). 9(1): 67-71 


Author(s):  
G. Dayana Jeyaleela ◽  
S. Irudaya Monisha ◽  
J. Rosaline Vimala ◽  
A. Anitha Immaculate

Objective: Natural products from medicinal plants, either as isolated compounds or as standardized plant extracts exhibit promising source of medicinal activity against various diseases. The aim of the present work was to make an attempt of isolation of bioactive principle and characterization of the isolated compound, from the medicinal plant Melia dubaiMethods: The extraction was done by a cold percolation method and the compound was separated and isolated by chromatography technique such as a thin layer chromatography (TLC), column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The isolated compound was crystallized and the structural characterization of the isolated compound was made using UV-Visible, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, GC-MS and MS techniques which confirmed the structure of the isolated compound.Results: The separated and isolated compound was characterized by both physical and spectral methods like Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Visible), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-NMR), Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and Mass spectrometry(MS). Based on the studies, organizational characteristics of one bioactive principle were deciphered. The results revealed that the isolated species is 2-chlorobenzimidazole and it agreed well with the reported value and spectra for 2-chlorobenzimidazole.Conclusion: The above results obtained in this research work clearly indicated the promising occurrence of 2-chlorobenzimidazole in Media dubia plant leaves. The future scope of these studies may guide us to view the biological activity of the isolated compound.


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