The Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Brown Midrib 30 Gene Encodes a Chalcone Isomerase Required for Cell Wall Lignification

In sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and other C4 grasses, brown midrib (bmr) mutants have long been associated with plants impaired in their ability to synthesize lignin. The brown midrib 30 (Bmr30) gene, identified using a bulk segregant analysis and next-generation sequencing, was determined to encode a chalcone isomerase (CHI). Two independent mutations within this gene confirmed that loss of its function was responsible for the brown leaf midrib phenotype and reduced lignin concentration. Loss of the Bmr30 gene function, as shown by histochemical staining of leaf midrib and stalk sections, resulted in altered cell wall composition. In the bmr30 mutants, CHI activity was drastically reduced, and the accumulation of total flavonoids and total anthocyanins was impaired, which is consistent with its function in flavonoid biosynthesis. The level of the flavone lignin monomer tricin was reduced 20-fold in the stem relative to wild type, and to undetectable levels in the leaf tissue of the mutants. The bmr30 mutant, therefore, harbors a mutation in a phenylpropanoid biosynthetic gene that is key to the interconnection between flavonoids and monolignols, both of which are utilized for lignin synthesis in the grasses.

Revealing Failure Modes and Effect of Catalyst Layer Properties for PEM Fuel Cell Cold Start using an Agglomerate Model

We propose a dynamic proton exchange membrane fuel cell model for cold start simulation in account for reactant transport, water phase-transfer and electrochemical reactions within catalyst agglomerates. The competition between in-agglomerate concentration loss and coverage of active electrocatalytic surface is shown to create different failure modes for low and high start-up currents. The critical ice fraction of failure was studied for different catalyst layer (CL) thickness and ionomer to carbon ratios (I/C) at 0.4 A cm-2. Thicker cathode CLs allow cold start to proceed with higher ice fractions. In contrast, larger cathode I/Cs causes cold-start failure at lower ice fractions because of reduction of the CL porosity and agglomerate pore sizes that significantly increases the oxygen transport resistance. By utilizing the electro-osmotic drag effect, slightly thick anode CL could act as effective heat sources during cold start at high currents with minimal impact on the nominal cell performance.

Influence of Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum on Phosphorus Loss from a Horticultural Growth Medium

In response to agriculture’s contribution to surface water quality, considerable effort is being made to develop best management practices to reduce nutrient loss. To evaluate the efficacy of gypsum as a horticultural media amendment for controlling phosphorus (P) leaching, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum was added to a standard horticultural growth medium at 0, 2.5, 5, 10 or 15% (v/v). FGD gypsum was either mixed with the growing medium or placed at the bottom of the containers. A fast-release or a control-release fertilizer was top-dressed to containers. The greatest P leaching occurred with the fertilizer-only treatments (no gypsum). Dissolved reactive P (DRP) losses were highest on the initial day of measurement for the fast-release fertilizer and then decreased rapidly. There was a delayed release of DRP from the controlled-release fertilizer. Increasing rates of FGD gypsum addition resulted in decreasing DRP leaching concentration loss and load. The FGD gypsum decreased leachate DRP concentration loss by a maximum of 75%, with an average decrease of 46%. Mixing the FGD gypsum with the medium (an easier/less expensive means of incorporation) was most effective with the fast-release fertilizer. These preliminary results indicate that less gypsum may be needed to reduce P loss from fast-released fertilizer as opposed to control-release fertilizer. FGD gypsum remained effective in reducing DRP loss throughout the experiment.

Modeling of Micro-Tubular Flame-Assisted Fuel Cells

Direct flame fuel cells were developed in 2004 and there have been many iterations of them ever since. One of the latest iterations are the micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cells. Even though there has been significant experimental research characterizing the performance and polarization losses of flame-assisted fuel cells, there is no model that describes their polarization losses. A model is thus developed and presented in this paper to assess the polarization losses and performance of flame-assisted fuel cells. Voltage and power density variation with current density are the main parameters that are analyzed in this paper. A model for calculating activation, ohmic and polarization losses is developed. Experimental parameters from previously published work like dimensions of the fuel cell layers, the fuel and oxidizer flow rates, the charge transfer coefficient and the exchange current density are used to optimize the model. The FFC is assumed to be a lumped system and a zero dimensional model is thus developed. The model was able to achieve an accuracy up to 95%, which adds to its credibility. The fuel-rich combustion exhaust composition is predicted using chemical equilibrium analysis for the equivalence ratios of 1.25 to 1.4 with intervals of 0.5 at 800°C. The model predicts that the open circuit voltage decreases from 0.94 to 0.89 for the equivalence ratios of 1.4 to 1.25, respectively, which matches experimental results. The model also predicts that the maximum power density decreases with decrease in equivalence ratio. Negligible activation loss was observed in the results while the ohmic loss didn‘t vary significantly with equivalence ratio. The concentration loss increased with decrease in equivalence ratio, which also matches with experimental results.

Pengaruh Pemberian Edukasi Gizi dan Kapsul Serbuk Daun Kelor (Moringa oleifera L.) terhadap Kenaikan Kadar Hemoglobin Remaja Putri di Universitas Pakuan

Anemia is a condition where the hemoglobin (Hb) level is lower than 12 g/dL. Teenagers are the most susceptible group experiencing a decrease in hemoglobin, especially teenage girls because they get menstruate so that they lose a lot of iron every month. It causes them become easily tired, drowsiness, dizziness, rapid concentration loss, then clearly inhibits the learning process and achievement. Natural ingredients as an alternative to increase Hb which is easily obtained and cultivated are Moringa oleifera L. leaves since they contain protein, vitamin C, and iron. This study aims to evaluate an increase of hemoglobin levels and the knowledge of anemia after giving education and capsules of moringa leaves powder. This is true experimental study with pre and posttest design. The respondents were female students with anemia which were divided to the intervention groups (getting education and kelor) and control groups (getting education and placebo). It was carried out for 30 days. The results showed that education and Moringa leaf powder capsules significantly increased hemoglobin levels by 1.76 ±0.80 g/dL, while the increase in the education group was 0.72 ± 0.97 g/dL. It can be concluded that the education and Moringa leaf powder capsules can significantly increase the knowledge of anemia and Hb levels.

Effect of vibration and stirring on 90% and 98% hydrogen peroxide

The influence of vibration and stirring of 90% and 98% hydrogen peroxide (high test peroxide – HTP) of two different purity levels in accordance with MIL-PRF-16005F, was determined. Testing was conducted in order to evaluate safety of use of highly concentrated solutions of hydrogen peroxide. The influence of vibration on HTP was tested at different frequencies up to 100 Hz. Further testing investigated the influence of stirring HTP, at three different speed values: 2000 rpm, 4000 rpm and 6000 rpm. During both tests, decomposition was determined by measuring concentration loss using density assay. Liquid during the tests was visually inspected for visible signs of decomposition such as: foaming, gas emission, turbidity.

Újdonságok, aktualitások a polycythaemia vera diagnosztikájában és kezelésében

Polycythaemia vera (PV), a condition characterized by blood hyperviscosity due to the expansion of the erythrocyte mass is the most common entity among all Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. Arterial and venous thrombotic events are leading determinants of morbidity and mortality but impairment of quality of life due to vasomotor symptoms (erythromelalgia, pruritus) and disease-associated symptoms (tiredness, fatigue, pruritus, night sweats, vision problems, headache, concentration loss, abdominal discomfort, early satiety, fever, weight loss) are also present. The review of polycythaemia vera is actual as the updated WHO 2016 classification of myeloid neoplasms has changed the diagnostic criteria and a new second-line treatment option – JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib – has been approved for patients who had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea, which represents a breakthrough in the treatment of this patient population. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(44), 1743–1751.