Abiotic Stress Response of Near-Isogenic Spring Durum Wheat Lines under Different Sowing Densities

A detailed study was made of changes in the plant development, morphology, physiology and yield biology of near-isogenic lines of spring durum wheat sown in the field with different plant densities in two consecutive years (2013–2014). An analysis was made of the drought tolerance of isogenic lines selected for yield QTLs (QYld.idw-2B and QYld.idw-3B), and the presence of QTL effects was examined in spring sowings. Comparisons were made of the traits of the isogenic pairs QYld.idw-3B++ and QYld.idw-3B−− both within and between the pairs. Changes in the polyamine content, antioxidant enzyme activity, chlorophyll content of the flag leaf and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of the plot were monitored in response to drought stress, and the relationship between these components and the yield was analyzed. In the case of moderate stress, differences between the NIL++ and NIL−− pairs appeared in the early dough stage, indicating that the QYld.idw-3B++ QTL region was able to maintain photosynthetic activity for a longer period, resulting in greater grain number and grain weight at the end of the growing period. The chlorophyll content of the flag leaf in phenophases Z77 and Z83 was significantly correlated with the grain number and grain weight of the main spike. The grain yield was greatly influenced by the treatment, while the genotype had a significant effect on the thousand-kernel weight and on the grain number and grain weight of the main spike. When the lines were compared in the non-irrigated treatment, significantly more grains and significantly higher grain weight were observed in the main spike in NIL++ lines, confirming the theory that the higher yields of the QYld.idw-3B++ lines when sown in spring and exposed to drought stress could be attributed to the positive effect of the “Kofa” QTL on chromosome 3B.     

Factors influencing the scientific performance of Momentum grant holders: an evaluation of the first 117 research groups

Scientometrics - The Momentum program launched in 2009 provides funding of up to 1 million Euro to establish new, independent research groups at Hungarian academic institutions. Here, our aim was...     

MORE – a multimodal observation and analysis system for social interaction research

The MORE system is designed for observation and machine-aided analysis of social interaction in real life situations, such as classroom teaching scenarios and business meetings. The system utilizes a multichannel approach to collect data whereby multiple streams of data in a number of different modalities are obtained from each situation. Typically the system collects a 360-degree video and audio feed from multiple microphones set up in the space. The system includes an advanced server backend component that is capable of performing video processing, feature extraction and archiving operations on behalf of the user. The feature extraction services form a key part of the system and rely on advanced signal analysis techniques, such as speech processing, motion activity detection and facial expression recognition in order to speed up the analysis of large data sets. The provided web interface weaves the multiple streams of information together, utilizes the extracted features as metadata on the audio and video data and lets the user dive into analyzing the recorded events. The objective of the system is to facilitate easy navigation of multimodal data and enable the analysis of the recorded situations for the purposes of, for example, behavioral studies, teacher training and business development. A further unique feature of the system is its low setup overhead and high portability as the lightest MORE setup only requires a laptop computer and the selected set of sensors on site.     

Bakery products enriched with phytosterols, α-tocopherol and β-carotene. Sensory evaluation and chemical comparison with market products

A sensory evaluation of croissants and magdalenas (Spanish muffins) has been carried out to compare them with the same products with phytosterol esters, α-tocopherol and β-carotene added. The subjects were habitual consumers and no differences were detected between the two types of product. Furthermore, the chemical composition (53 parameters) of croissants (n = 9) and muffins (n = 8) marketed in Spain, has been analysed and a nutritional evaluation performed on these products with regard to their suitability as carriers of the functional ingredients mentioned above. The chemical compositions are not similar and the main difference is related to fatty acids. Croissants are characterized by a high percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (44.0 ± 3.8%), and the presence of trans fatty acids (TFA) (4.29 ± 1.48%). This contrasted with the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (62.1 ± 1.5%) in the muffins and the near absence of TFA (0.16 ± 0.23%). Furthermore, the large differences between the compositions of the commercial croissants and muffins (magdalenas) and, therefore, between their nutritional values, makes the use of phytosterols recommendable in muffins and, in general, in all bakery products in which the SFA + TFA represent ?20% of the fatty acid fraction.     

Error control schemes for networks: An overview

In this paper, we investigate the issue of error control in wireless communication networks. We review the alternative error control schemes available for providing reliable end-to-end communication in wireless environments. Through case studies, the performance and tradeoffs of these schemes are shown. Based on the application environments and QoS requirements, the design issues of error control are discussed to achieve the best solution. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electrochemical behavior of vanadium in EDTA

The use of chelating agents as cleaning chemicals to remove metal deposits is gaining interest. In this study the Electrochemical behavior of vanadium in EDTA, EA and EAC solutions was studied using AC impedance technique at different immersion time. The results indicate that the values of R_ct for EA solution are higher than that for EDTA and EAC. This may be due to the presence of ascorbic acid as reducing agent. The presence of surface film is confirmed by capacitance measurements. It is shown that the capacitance is time‐dependent. Generally, the capacitance decreases with immersion time and this can be discussed on the basis that the concentration of vanadium ions at the interface increases with immersion time.     

Tailoring structure-function and pharmacokinetic properties of single-chain Fv proteins by site-specific PEGylation

The utility of single-chain Fv proteins as therapeutic agentswould be realized if the circulating lives of these minimalantigen-binding polypeptides could be both prolonged and adjustable.We have developed a general strategy for creating tailored monoPEGylatedsingle-chain antibodies. Free cysteine residues were engineeredin an anti-TNF-     

Sol–gel derived composite from bioactive glass–polyvinyl alcohol

Investigation of novel biomaterials for bone engineering is based on the development of porous scaffolds, which should match the properties of the tissue that is to be replaced. These materials need to be biocompatible, ideally osteoinductive, osteoconductive, and mechanically well-matched. In the present paper, we report the preparation and characterization of hybrid macroporous scaffold of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/bioactive glass through the sol–gel route. Hybrids containing PVA (80, 70 and 60 wt%) and bioactive glass with composition 58SiO₂–33CaO–9P₂O₅ were synthesized by foaming a mixture of polymer solution and bioactive glass via sol–gel precursor solution. PVA with two different degree of hydrolysis (DH), 98.5% (high degree) and 80% (low degree) were also investigated, in order to evaluate the influence of residual acetate group present in polymer chain on the final structure and properties of 3D porous composite produced. The microstructure, morphology and crystallinity of the hybrid porous scaffolds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared Fourier Transform spectrometry (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX) analysis. In addition, specific surface area was assessed by B.E.T. nitrogen adsorption method and mechanical behavior was evaluated by compression tests. Preliminary cytotoxicity and cell viability were also performed by the MTT assay. VERO cell monolayers were grown in 96-well microtiter plates. The results have clearly showed that hybrid foams of polyvinyl alcohol/bioactive glass (PVA/BG) with interconnected macroporous 3D structure were successfully produced. All the tested hybrids of PVA/BG have showed adequate cell viability properties for potential biological applications.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of Diynes with Morita–Baylis–Hillman Adducts: A Stereoselective Entry to Densely Functionalized Cyclohexadiene Scaffolds

A rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of 5,5‐disubstituted cyclohexa‐1,3‐dienes has been achieved by [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions between diynes and Morita–Baylis–Hillman (M‐B‐H) adducts as unsaturated substrates. Products containing two adjacent chiral centres (quaternary and tertiary, respectively) were obtained with complete diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity (84–97%) through a kinetic resolution of the M‐B‐H adduct. Furthermore, these highly substituted cyclohexadienes reacted with dienophiles to afford the corresponding Diels–Alder cycloadducts in good yields.

     

Magnetization transfer imaging of cortical bone in vivo using a zero echo time sequence in mice at 4.7 T: a feasibility study

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of magnetization transfer (MT) imaging in mice in vivo for the assessment of cortical bone.

Materials and methods

MT-zero echo time data were acquired at 4.7 T in six mice using MT preparation pulses with two different flip angles (FAs) and a series of ten different off-resonance frequencies (500–15000 Hz). Regions of interest were drawn at multiple levels of the femoral cortical bone. The MT ratio (MTR) was computed for each combination of FAs and off-resonance frequencies. T1 measurements were used to estimate the direct saturation (DS) using a Bloch equation simulation. Estimation of the absorption line width of cortical bone from T2* measurements was also performed.

Results

MTR values were higher using 3000° FA than 1000° FA. MTR values decreased toward higher off-resonance frequencies. Maximum mean MTR ± standard deviation (SD) of 58.57 ± 5.22 (range 50.44–70.61) was measured with a preparation pulse of 3000° and off-resonance frequency of 500 Hz. Maximum “true” MT effect was estimated at around 2–3 and 5 kHz, respectively, for 1000° and 3000° FA. Mean full width at half maximum ± SD of 577 ± 91 Hz was calculated for the absorption spectral line of the cortical bone.

Conclusion

MT imaging can be used for the assessment of cortical bone in mice in vivo. DS effects are negligible using preparation pulses with off-resonance frequencies greater than 3 kHz.