New insights on the role of HCN in root hair elongation through single cell proteomics

Root hairs are specialized structures involved in water and nutrient uptake by plants. They elongate from epidermal cells following a complex developmental program. β-cyanoalanine synthase (CAS), which is mainly involved in hydrogen cyanide (HCN) detoxification in Arabidopsis thaliana, plays a role in root hair elongation, as evidenced by the fact that cas-c1 mutants show a severe defect in root hair shape. In addition to root hairs, CAS C1 is expressed in the quiescent center and meristem. However, the cas-c1 mutation has no visible effect on either tissue, in both control and nutrient-deprivation conditions. To identify its role in root hair formation, we conducted single cell proteomics analysis by isolating root hair cells using Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) from wild type and cas-c1 mutants. We also analyzed the presence of S-cyanylation, a protein post-translational modification (PTM) mediated by HCN and affecting cysteine residues and protein activity, in proteins of wild type and cas-c1 mutants. We found that several proteins involved in root hair development, related to the receptor kinase FERONIA signaling and to DNA methylation, are modified by this new post-translational modification.

Background to the Monolithicity Factors for the Assessment of Jacketed Reinforced Concrete Columns

The paper presents the background to the expressions adopted in the new Eurocode 8—3 for jacketed reinforced concrete columns. These are based on the commonly adopted concept of monolithicity factors (ratios of resistance of the jacketed section to that of an identical monolithic one). These factors are derived here in two ways: (i) by fitting experimental results for jacketed columns and (ii) by an extended parametric study of substandard reinforced concrete (R/C) members that were retrofitted by adding R/C jackets, analysed using a model developed by the authors that takes into account slip at the interface. Apart from the cross-section geometry and the thickness of the jacket, parameters of the investigation were the material properties of the core cross-section and the jacket, as well as the percentage of longitudinal reinforcement of the jacket and the percentage of dowels placed to connect the existing member to the jacket. It was found that the parameter that had the most visible effect on these factors was the normalised axial load (ν). The finally adopted factors are either simple functions of ν or constant values.

In Vitro and In Silico Kinetic Studies of Patented 1,7-diEthyl and 1,7-diMethyl Aminoalkanol Derivatives as New Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase

Two aminoalkanol derivatives of 1,7-diEthyl-8,9-diphenyl-4azatricyclo (5.2.1.02,6) dec-8-ene-3,5,10-trione and two derivatives of 1,7-diMethyl-8,9-diphenyl-4-azatricyclo (5.2.1.02.6) dec-8-ene-3,5,10-trione were evaluated in vitro for their inhibition efficacy of acetylcholinesterase. The Km, Vmax, slope angles of Lineweaver–Burk plots, Ki and IC50 values showed that all four aminoalkanol derivatives are competitive inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase whose inhibitory potency depends, to a varying extent, on the nature of the four different substituents present in the main compound structure. Studies have shown that the most potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are derivatives containing isopropylamine and/or methyl substituents in their structure. In contrast, dimethylamine and/or ethyl substituents seem to have a weaker, albeit visible, effect on the inhibitory potency of acetylcholinesterase. Additionally, docking studies suggest that studied compounds binds with the peripheral anionic site and not enter into the catalytic pocket due to the presence of the sterically extended substituent.

Investigation of Opto-Electronic Properties and Stability of Mixed-Cation Mixed-Halide Perovskite Materials with Machine-Learning Implementation

The feasibility of mixed-cation mixed-halogen perovskites of formula AxA’1−xPbXyX’zX”3−y−z is analyzed from the perspective of structural stability, opto-electronic properties and possible degradation mechanisms. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations aided by machine-learning (ML) methods, the structurally stable compositions are further evaluated for the highest absorption and optimal stability. Here, the role of the halogen mixtures is demonstrated in tuning the contrasting trends of optical absorption and stability. Similarly, binary organic cation mixtures are found to significantly influence the degradation, while they have a lesser, but still visible effect on the opto-electronic properties. The combined framework of high-throughput calculations and ML techniques such as the linear regression methods, random forests and artificial neural networks offers the necessary grounds for an efficient exploration of multi-dimensional compositional spaces.

Effects of Electrical Pulse Stimulation on Behaviour and Survival of Marine Benthic Invertebrates

Electrical pulse trawling is an alternative to conventional beam trawling for common sole (Solea solea), with the potential for higher revenues and less impact on the marine ecosystem. Concerns exist, however, that benthic invertebrates might be seriously affected by pulse fishing. Even if direct injuries and mortality were limited, changes in behaviour might compromise their survival, with potentially large impacts on food webs. Here, we investigate effects of electrical pulses on locomotion behaviour and 14-days survival of six invertebrate species from four phyla that may encounter pulse fishing gears. Electrical stimulation consisted of a Pulsed Bipolar Current at 200 V m–1, 30 Hz, 0.33 ms pulse width, and 3 s duration. We quantified species-specific behaviours before, during, and after electrical stimulation and compared these to a non-exposed control group. Responses during stimulation varied from no visible effect (echinoderms) to squirming (sea mouse) and retractions (whelk and crustaceans). Within 30 s after stimulation, all animals resumed normal behavioural patterns, without signs of lasting immobilisation. Starfish, serpent star, whelk and sea mouse showed no change in movement patterns after stimulation, whereas flying crab and hermit crab showed significant changes in activity that were indicative of increased shelter behaviour. For none of the species, survival at 14-days after stimulation was negatively affected. These findings suggest that changes in locomotion behaviour due to electrical stimulation as used in pulse trawling are unlikely to substantially compromise survival of the investigated species.

Effect of antibacterial drugs on hydrolytic degradation of aliphatic polyesters

Supercritical fluid encapsulation of gentamicin, levofloxacin and tetracycline into bioresorbable polylacto-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds at 20 wt. % was performed by PLGA plasticization in supercritical carbon dioxide with its subsequent foaming. The effect of incorporated antibiotics on the rate of PLGA hydrolytic degradation, determined by weekly measurements of the polymer molecular weight and gravitational masses decrease during 6 weeks scaffolds incubation in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution, has been studied. Measurements of pH of PBS containing scaffolds were carried out accordingly. The rate constants of PLGA hydrolysis for different scaffolds comprising various drugs were determined. It was shown that tetracycline significantly reduces the rate of PLGA degradation compared to the rate of control (pure polymer) scaffolds degradation. At the same time, the presence of gentamicin and levofloxacin in the scaffolds had no visible effect on their degradation. These results enhancing the predicting potential for considered antibiotics release kinetics from bioresorbable polymer carriers into bioactive media, what is necessary for the development of highly efficient sustained-release dosage forms.

The effect of induced training on selected equine blood plasma indicators on treadmill trained horses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of induced training on the horses’ metabolism during an experiment lasting nine weeks where we continually scaled up the load on the horses by three defined stages. Blood was obtained from eighteen horses – two stallions, eight mares and eight geldings. In the experiment, we focused on the biochemical analysis of the blood plasma on multiple mineral profile indicators – Ca, P, Mg, K, Cl and Na, and some other variables (energy, nitrogen, AST, ALT, glucose, urea, creatinine kinase, total proteins). The result showed significant changes between the groups in most indicators. A significant increase in the potassium, phosphorus and calcium and a decrease in the concentrations of magnesium over the course of the experiment were found. For the other indicators, a significant increase in the activities of the AST and ALT out of the other indicators and the fluctuating values in the total proteins were noticed. Summarised, significant changes of multiple indicators were observed in different stages of the experiment. These changes had no visible effect on the horses’ organisms throughout entire duration of the experiment and were most probably caused by the muscular work and possible muscular damage during training.

Development and test of a highly sensitive and selective hydrogen sensor system

A miniaturized field-applicable sensor system was developed for the measurement of hydrogen (H2) in air in the concentration range 0.2–200 ppmv. The sensor system is based on the application of an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) solid electrolyte cell (SEC) as a coulometric detector with gas chromatographic (GC) pre-separation. The main system components for injection, chromatographic separation, and the oxygen pumping cell were significantly miniaturized and tested separately to characterize important measurement properties like selectivity, lower limit of detection, repeatability, and signal-to-noise ratio. Measurements were conducted under varying GC parameters and detector operating conditions. While changing the detector temperature influences the hydrogen peak significantly due to diffusion processes at the electrode–electrolyte interface; different oxygen-partial pressures at the measuring electrode have no visible effect. The combination of two packed columns with 1 m length, one filled with a molecular sieve (13X) and the other one with silica gel, enabled highly reproducible and selective H2 measurements with more than 90 % analyte turnover compared to Faraday's law. The resulting insights were used to define appropriate system parameters, construction guidelines, and material properties for the final test prototype.

Proposal of the Coupled Thermomechanical Model of a Crank Mechanism

The aim of the paper is to propose analytical coupled thermomechanical model of the crankshaft system, which includes the mutual interaction between thermodynamic and mechanical phenomena occurring in engines. The most relevant dynamic effects observable in the crank system are connected with its kinematics. When the mechanism operates there are also additional effects corresponding with stress, strain and thermal fields. Elastic properties of the system parts and changeable stiffness of the fuel-air mixture cause different dynamics of the entire device. The authors assumed that rigid motion of the crank mechanism, parts deformation and thermodynamic effects and their mutual dependencies will be included in the modelling process. Elasticity of the crankshaft system components is the reason for the difference between a rigid ’ideal’ motion and the real movement of crankshaft elements. In most cases, it is enough to assume linear elastic material features based on the relatively high stiffness of the system preventing big deformations. This ensures small displacements and the correctness of the applied model. The performed investigations have shown an influence of the crank system flexibility on the overall device response. Moreover, the parameters that change due to thermodynamic and mechanical properties of the working medium were taken into account. The authors have applied simple engine cycles (Otto, Diesel or combined model) for determining engine load including the connection between mechanical and thermodynamic state variables. This caused another decrease of the total system stiffness. Further numerical testing proved a visible effect of the applied approach in the global system response. The main discrepancies are observable in natural frequencies and vibration modes. It can also be stated that the utilization of different engine cycles results in different engine features. The paper is concluded with an analysis of the existing systems and mutual reactions from the assumed phenomena. The authors have shown the necessity to take a transdisciplinary approach into account in order to model complex systems.