TaEXPB5 is responsible for male fertility in thermo-sensitive male-sterility wheat with Aegilops kotschyi cytoplasm

Thermo-sensitive male sterility is of vital importance to heterosis, or hybrid vigor in crop production and hybrid breeding. Therefore, it is meaningful to study the function of the genes related to pollen development and male sterility, which is still not fully understand currently. Here, we conducted comparative analyses to screen fertility related genes using RNA-seq, iTRAQ, and PRM-based assay. A gene encoding expansin protein in wheat, TaEXPB5, was isolated in KTM3315A, which was in the cell wall and preferentially upregulated expression in the fertility anthers. The silencing of TaEXPB5 displayed pollen abortion, the declination or sterility of fertility. Further, cytological investigation indicated that the silencing of TaEXPB5 induced the early degradation of tapetum and abnormal development of pollen wall. These results revealed that the silencing of TaEXPB5 could eliminate the effects of temperature on male fertility, and resulting in functional loss of fertility conversion, which implied that TaEXPB5 may be essential for anther or pollen development and male fertility of KTM3315A. These findings provide a novel insight into molecular mechanism of fertility conversion for thermo-sensitive cytoplasmic male-sterility wheat, and contribute to the molecular breeding of hybrid wheat in the future.

Improvement in bituminous surface course using waste plastic in acid-rain susceptible area’s

Acid rain as an important environmental issue has negative impact on bitumen performance, thereby shortening the service life of bituminous pavements. Rapid industrial and economic developments causes negative changes in the environment, including acid rain. Acid rain consisting of sulphuric acid and nitric acid has adverse effects on bituminous pavements. Both these acids react with the bitumen and adversely effect’s the properties of the bitumen leading to degradation of pavements at early stage of life. Early degradation of such pavements can be reduced to some extent by using waste plastic in bituminous surface course. Besides acid rain puts an adverse effect on the properties of bitumen, it also percolates deep down in the various down layers of pavements and reduces the serviceability of our pavements & its foundation. Waste plastic such as PET water bottles cannot only prevents the early degradation of pavements but also can prevents entry of acid rain into deep down layers of pavement as it absorbs acid rain water which makes it hydroscopic as because of it acid rain water does not percolate deep down into below pavement layers. In this paper, interaction between constituents of acid rain and bitumen is being investigated by analyzing the effect of sulphuric acid and nitric acid on control mix (mix without plastic content) & 6% WPET mix (mix with 6% waste plastic PET content) by using Marshal stability test. Also, it’s evaluated how improvement in bituminous surface course can be done by using waste plastic on acid rain area’s so that our pavements show good safety & serviceability.

Electropolishing—A Practical Method for Accessing Voids in Metal Films for Analyses

In many applications, voids in metals are observed as early degradation features caused by fatigue. In this publication, electropolishing is presented in the context of a novel sample preparation method that is capable of accessing voids in the interior of metal thin films along their lateral direction by material removal. When performed at optimized process parameters, material removal can be well controlled and the surface becomes smooth at the micro scale, resulting in the voids being well distinguishable from the background in scanning electron microscopy images. Compared to conventional cross-sectional sample preparation (embedded mechanical cross-section or focused ion beam), the accessed surface is not constrained by the thickness of the investigated film and laterally resolved void analyses are possible. For demonstrational purposes of this method, the distribution of degradation voids along the metallization of thermo-mechanically stressed microelectronic chips has been quantified.

Noninvasive quantitative assessment of collagen degradation in parchments by polarization-resolved SHG microscopy

Nondestructive and noninvasive investigation techniques are highly sought-after to establish the degradation state of historical parchments, which is up to now assessed by thermal techniques that are invasive and destructive. We show that advanced nonlinear optical (NLO) microscopy enables quantitative in situ mapping of parchment degradation at the micrometer scale. We introduce two parameters that are sensitive to different degradation stages: the ratio of two-photon excited fluorescence to second harmonic generation (SHG) signals probes severe degradation, while the anisotropy parameter extracted from polarization-resolved SHG measurements is sensitive to early degradation. This approach is first validated by comparing NLO quantitative parameters to thermal measurements on artificially altered contemporary parchments. We then analyze invaluable parchments from the Middle Ages and show that we can map their conservation state and assess the impact of a restoration process. NLO quantitative microscopy should therefore help to identify parchments most at risk and optimize restoration methods.

Evaluation of performance and early degradation of a 180.8 KWP rooftop on a grid-connected photovoltaic system in a Colombian tropical region environment

The use of renewable energy such as photovoltaic is growing. According to IRENA, these systems are one of the most dynamic generation technologies. The global photovoltaic market has grown rapidly between 2000 and 2016 at an annual average compound rate of 44%, from 0.8 GW to 291 GW. In Colombia, regions with high solar irradiation levels have been identified as emerging markets. The Government's plan is to increase the share of non-conventional energies in the energy matrix from 2% to 8% - 10%. However, the uncertainties associated with technology and sites specific degradation rates make it difficult to calculate accurate electricity generation efficiencies and predicting future performance and material degradation rates, and thus business models exhibit considerable deviations related to the real electricity generation rates. This work studies the performance and early degradation of a 180.8 kWp rooftop on grid connected photovoltaic system, installed in Barranquilla, Colombia. Two methods were used: i) estimation of solar conversion efficiency, and ii) visual inspection. The first method includes a cross analysis of climatic conditions, irradiance levels, and the generated energy downstream the inverters. The second method consists of periodical visual inspections of installed modules to check: discoloration, delamination, busbar corrosion, cracking of solar cell, glass breakage, anti-reflection coating, and solder bond.

Highway PC Bridge Inspection by 3.95 MeV X-Ray/Neutron Source

We have developed portable 950 keV/3.95 MeV X-ray/neutron sources and applied them to inspection of PC concrete thicker than 200 mm within reasonable measuring time of seconds - minutes. T-girder-, Box- and slab- bridges are considered. Now we are to start X-ray transmission inspection for highway PC bridge (box) by using 3.95 MeV X-ray sources in Japan in 2020. By obtaining X-ray transmission images of no-grout-filling in PC sheath and thinning of PC wires, we plan to carry out numerical structural analysis to evaluate the degradation of strength. Finally, we are going to propose a technical guideline of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of PC bridges by taking account of both X-ray inspection and structural analysis. Further, we are trying to detect rainwater detection in PC sheath, and asphalt and floor slab by the 3.95 MeV neutron source. This is expected to be an early degradation inspection. We have done preliminary experiments on X-ray transmission imaging of PC wires and on-grout-filling in the same height PCs in 450–750 mm thick concretes. Moreover, neutron back scattering detection of water in PC sheath is also explained.

Growth Factors & Stem Cells Entrapment in Bio Compatible & Biodegradable Nano Particles to Prevent Early Degradation & Facilitate Gradual Release

The use of growth factors and stem cells as the core treating agents is one step into creating a biocompatible Solid Lipid Nano Particles (SLNP) for treatments. Apart from obtaining these growth factors and stem cells from the patients, using the bi-product of the extraction process which is the lipid of the patient for the production of the SLNP assures the final product to be biocompatible and of a unique structure. The use of autologous cells and proteins from the patients makes the entire process medically ethical and more viable for treatment procedures. This article, thus discusses on the experimental process of developing such SLNP and the introduction of the relevant medical contraption designed uniquely for the procedure inclusive of a specified membrane.