Expansion of a localized population of the introduced Stratiotes aloides (Hydrocharitaceae) in Lough Derg, Ireland

An expansion of an introduced female clone of Stratiotes aloides L. (Water-soldier) was located in a delta region on the western side of Lough Derg, Co Galway (v.c.H15), Ireland in 2007. This population was followed over a thirteen-year period. It was initially located at three adjacent sheltered localities, within sweepback bays on either side of an emerging river and within an adjacent canal. The study involved surface observations later supplemented with aerial images. The shallow water conditions, shelter and the presence of Phragmites australis appear to have supported the early establishment by retaining small S. aloides clusters amongst its stems. These clusters later merged to produce a mainly surface expanding monoculture. This enlarged from less than 1 ha to approximately 3.3 ha to occupy much of the sheltered Rossmore Bay area during this study. Flowers were first noticed in 2008, and during subsequent visits, producing infertile seed-pods. Expansion took place with the production of daughter plants. A small nearby population, 1 km to the east, within an unused harbour, did not produce an emergent phase. A small group in a shallow cut, between the two locations, disappeared during the study. Aerial images from different sources were useful to identify the expansion of the emergent stage due to the distinctive bright green coloration of surface leaves. It is unclear how this plant arrived in Lough Derg, but might have been a garden plant release. Small drifting plants, seen during wintertime, may yet colonize other regions within this lake.

An Efficient Method of Pennisetum x Advena ‘Rubrum’ Seedlings Production Using Temporary Immersion Bioreactor and Agar Cultures

The aim of this study was to propose an efficient method of Pennisetum x advena ‘Rubrum’ micropropagation. Agar cultures with MS medium supplemented with BAP in various concentrations (0.5 mg/L-2 mg/L) and a temporary immersion bioreactor system (TIS) with liquid medium MS with an addition of 1 mg/L BAP were used. For rooting ½ MS medium with different auxin combinations (IBA, NAA) and activated charcoal was utilized. The most efficient method turned out to be TIS which produced 36.9 new plants in four weeks. The seedlings were slender in shape, bright green in colour with no signs of hyperhydricity. The most suitable agar medium produced 19.5 new plants in an eight week period. Rooting should be carried on ½ MS supplemented with 0.5 mg/L IBA and 0.5 mg/L NAA with an 84% rooting rate. The addition of activated charcoal inhibited rooting.

In Situ Synthesis of β-Na1.5Y1.5F6: Er3+ Crystals in Oxyfluoride Silicate Glass for Temperature Sensors and Their Spectral Conversion and Optical Thermometry Analysis

Transparent oxyfluoride glass-ceramics (GCs) with embedded β-Na1.5Y1.5F6 crystals doped with Er3+ ions were fabricated by a melt-quenching method with subsequent heat-treatment. The structural characterizations and spectroscopic techniques were performed to verify the precipitation of β-Na1.5Y1.5F6 crystals and partition of the Er3+ dopant into the crystals. Bright green up-conversion (UC) emission was achieved in Er3+-doped glass-ceramic (Er-GC). Furthermore, the temperature-dependent visible UC behavior based on thermally coupled energy levels (TCLs) and non-thermally coupled energy levels (NTCLs) was also examined in the temperature range 298 k to 823 K with maximum relative sensitivity (Sr) of 1.1% K−1 at 298 K for TCLs in Er-G and Er-GC samples.

Assessment of microstructural changes in processed products from green peas

A demand for canned vegetables and fruit depend, first of all, on their consumer characteristics. These products should correspond to high requirements regarding their nutritional and biological value, as well as sensory properties. The aim of the work was to study the microstructural changes in the cells of green peas in the products of their processing. Fresh, frozen and canned peas made from fresh and rehydrated raw materials were used as objects of the research. Components such as chlorophyll and starch were characterized in the cells of the hypodermis and parenchyma, respectively, using light microscopy. It was found that plastids with chlorophyll stained in the bright green color were present only in cells of the hypodermis of frozen peas. Moreover, the same color of the pigment was also recorded in the samples of fresh peas. Appearance of brown hues in these cells was observed in the canned product from fresh peas, which was associated with transformation of chlorophylls into pheophytins and pyrophephytins. The hypodermis in the samples of canned peas from rehydrated raw materials was represented by almost colorless cells. When analyzing the preparations of the parenchymal cells of the indicated processed products stained with iodine, it was shown that starch grains in the samples of frozen and canned green peas from fresh raw materials maintained their concentric shape, while swelling of starch grains was observed in the stained preparations of the parenchyma of canned peas from rehydrated raw materials. The comparative microstructural analysis of processed products from green peas showed that maximum quality had the frozen product from fresh raw materials as the studied indicators (chlorophyll and starch grains) showed.

124 The Microsurgical Learning Curve: Can We Make the First Steps Faster and Safer; A Cadaveric Study with A Novel Principle of Learning

Aim Learning anew surgical technique can be a daunting experience for both the teacher and learner. Raising free flaps is a complex process, and our aim is to find out whether using Hi-fidelity simulation on cadavers can make the learning faster and safer. Method We used fresh frozen cadavers according to our local protocols. In the first stage of the study, we used 4 upper limbs in the first instance using different dye techniques. We use these in an international course and obtain feedback from the trainees. Results To a novel learner, we found that using a bright green dye was the important factor in making the first steps of learning easier and faster. This is perhaps due to the confounding information when raising the flap. We found that it made understanding the concept of free flap raising much faster when clarified with colour. It also made anticipating the steps easier when identifying the perforators. To an experienced trainee/consultant: We found teaching the concept of perforators easier, the ease of finding the perforators would raise confidence of the novel trainees. They will be able to conceptualize the principles of flap raising much faster. They believed it would also make them quicker at anticipating steps of the procedure. Conclusions Learning is an incredible process that we still have to better control and understand. Using simple tricks such as colour changes can make initial learning faster, which means cheaper and safer