Experimental assessment of a phosphor model for estimating the relative extrinsic efficiency in radioluminescent detectors

Optimising phosphor screens in dose detectors or imaging sensor designs is a cumbersome and time- consuming work normally involving specialised measuring equipment and advanced modelling. It is known that crucial optical parameters of the same phosphor may vary within a wide range of values. The aim of this work was to experimentally assess a simple previously published model where the case specific optical parameters (scattering and absorption) are instead represented by a fixed, single parameter, the light extinction factor, ξ. The term extrinsic efficiency, N, of a phosphor is also introduced, differing from the common denotation “absolute efficiency”, after noting that unknown factors (such as temperature dependence) can have an influence during efficiency estimations and hence difficult to claim absoluteness. N is expressed as the ratio of light energy emitted per unit area at the phosphor surface to incident x-ray energy fluence. By focusing on ratios and relative changes in this study, readily available instruments in a Medical Physics Department (i.e. a photometer) could be used.The varying relative extrinsic efficiency for an extended range of particle sizes (7.5 and 25 µm) and layer thicknesses (220 to 830 µm) were calculated in the model from the input parameters: the mean particle size of the phosphor, the layer thickness, the light extinction factor and the calculated energy imparted to the layer. In-house manufactured screens (Gd₂O₂S:Tb) were used for better control of design parameters. The model provided good qualitative agreement to experiment with quantitative deviations in relative extrinsic efficiency within approximately 2%.     

Combined control of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) and Ephestia elutella (Hbn.) in a tobacco processing facility by attracticide method

Results on application of attracticide method in the combined control of cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne and tobacco moth, Ephestia elutella, infesting a tobacco processing facility are reported. Experimental devices with cross-panel stripes treated with microencapsulated permethrin at 6% (a.i.) and baited at same time with (4,6-dimethyl-7-hydroxynonan-3-one) serricornin and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1 ol acetate (TDA) were used for 2 years (2017 and 2018) in an Italian tobacco processing facility. The experiment demonstrated that the presence of both serricornin and TDA dispensers on cross-panel striped devices had no affect on the numbers of L. serricorne and E. elutella male adults caught. After 2 years, the densities of adult males were clearly suppressed in room treated with attracticide compared to control room. Thus, the 2017–2018 experiment suggests that attracticide devices with two pheromone lures and microencapsulated permethrin at 6% (a.i.) can be effective suppression tools for managing combined pest populations of L. serricorne and E. elutella in tobacco facilities. The reduction of male infestation by L. serricorne ranged from 36% to 87%, and in E. elutella, the reduction of infestation ranged from 63% to 91%.     

黑线仓鼠断乳后能量代谢和脂肪累积的适应性调节

小型哺乳动物能量代谢和脂肪累积的适应性调节是其应对自然环境变化的主要能量学策略,但在不同的生活史阶段,脂肪组织适应性调节的特征和能量机理尚不清楚。为探讨不同繁殖阶段能量代谢和脂肪累积的变化及其内分泌机理,本文测定了黑线仓鼠哺乳期和断乳后摄食量、脂肪重量,以及血清瘦素水平、下丘脑瘦素受体（Ob-Rb）和相关神经肽的基因表达。结果显示,哺乳高峰期黑线仓鼠的脂肪重量几乎降低至零,断乳后显著增加;与非繁殖对照组相比,皮下脂肪、肾周脂肪与腹腔脂肪重量分别增长了1.5倍、37.1倍和1.9倍。断乳后摄食量、血清瘦素水平显著高于非繁殖对照组,Ob-Rb基因表达显著下调,而促食与抑食神经肽的基因表达均未发生显著变化。哺育不同胎仔数的黑线仓鼠在断乳后能量摄入、静止代谢率、身体组分未出现显著差异。研究表明,在不同的繁殖阶段脂肪累积呈现显 著的适应性调节,瘦素抵抗是断乳后脂肪累积补偿性增长的重要内分泌机制之一。这对迅速恢复脂肪累积,以应对将来的能量需求增加或者食物资源短缺的环境,进而提高自身的适合度具有重要意义。     

基于Ecopath模型的千岛湖生态系统结构和功能分析

为探索千岛湖生态系统现状及其历史变化, 根据2016年千岛湖的渔业资源与生态环境调查数据, 构建了千岛湖生态系统的 Ecopath 模型, 综合分析系统的能量流动过程、营养级结构和生态系统总体特征。2016年千岛湖 Ecopath 模型由18个功能组组成, 有效营养级范围为1—3.41, 牧食食物链的能量流动占系统总能量的56%。系统杂食指数(SOI)、联结指数(CI)、Finn循环指数分别为0.13, 0.26和5.15%。千岛湖与其他湖泊和水库比较, 其生态系统的各功能组的聚合度较高, 联结程度较为紧密, 物质再循环比例较高, 系统较为成熟。但千岛湖的系统总流量较低为24698.27 t/(km2·a), 总初级生产量与总呼吸量的比值为6.51, 表明系统总体规模较小且仍处于发展阶段。根据千岛湖生态系统历年变化趋势分析: 千岛湖生态系统的总体规模有变大趋势, 稳定性和复杂性有所增强, 但营养交互关系变弱, 系统抵抗外界干扰的能力仍较低。同时, 千岛湖生态系统的初级生产者转化效率较低, 食物网趋于简单, 应采取适当的管理措施, 以保障千岛湖生态系统的健康发展。     

Metabolic dynamics across prolonged diapause development in larvae of the sawfly,Cephalcia chuxiongica (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae)

Nutrient metabolism is crucial for the survival of insects through the diapause. However, little is known about the metabolic mechanism of prolonged diapause. The sawfly, Cephalcia chuxiongica (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), is a notorious defoliator of pine trees in southwest China. One of the distinguishing biological characteristics of this pest is the prolonged diapause of about 1.5 years. In this study, the body lipid, carbohydrate (total body sugar, glycogen, trehalose, and glucose), protein, and glycerol contents were measured in diapausing larvae of C. chuxiongica. The results showed that the changes of biochemical composition in C. chuxiongica are associated with the diapause initiation, maintenance, and termination phases. During the initiation phase, trehalose, glucose, and glycerol increased significantly, but glycogen decreased sharply. In general, the lipid, carbohydrate, and glycerol levels decreased gradually across the maintenance phase. At termination phase, the contents of glycogen and lipid persistently decreased, while an increase of trehalose, glucose, and glycerol contents were detected. The protein level was significantly higher at maintenance phase than at initiation and termination phases. It was also found that elevation of trehalose, glucose, and glycerol contents occurred in winter. These implies that the metabolites with altered levels in diapausing larvae of C. chuxiongica are responsible for maintaining a prolonged development and overwintering.     

Influence of sowing windows and genotypes on growth,radiation interception,conversion efficiency and yield of guar

Crop growth largely depends on radiation. Radiation is the main impetus for photosynthesis and movement of photosynthates from source to sink. Therefore, identification of the optimum sowing windows and suitable cultivars for efficient utilization of radiation is of prime importance. A field study was conducted in red clay soil during 2014 and 2015 Kharif season and the treatments consisted of three genotypes and three sowing windows by using randomized complete block design with three replications. The effect of genotypes and sowing windows was found significant with respect to number of trifoliate leaves, leaf area ratio, dry matter production, grain numbers, pod length, test weight, grain yield, and stover yield of guar during 2014 as compared to 2015 sown crop. Statistically significant plant height, number of trifoliate leaves, number of branches, leaf area ratio, absolute growth rate, leaf area index, dry matter, grain number, pod length, grain yield, stover yield and a higher cumulative radiation interception were recorded with 15th August sown crop as compared to other sowing windows. The plant height, number of trifoliate leaves, number of branches, leaf area ratio, absolute growth rate, leaf area index, dry matter, grain number, pod length, grain yield, stover yield and maximum cumulative interception of radiation were significant with RGC-1003 as compared to RGC-936 and HG-365. It is observed that the incident PAR to dry matter accumulation conversion efficiency was varied with cultivars and different sowing windows which ranges from 0.74 g MJ⁻¹ to 0.79 g MJ⁻¹.     

ReviewA Review of the Role of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species in Alcohol-induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of alcohol-induced liver disease has increased substantially in recent years. Specifically, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species have been identified as key components in initiating and possibly sustaining the pathogenic pathways responsible for the progression from alcohol-induced fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Ethanol has been demonstrated to increase the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and decrease several antioxidant mechanisms in liver. However, the relative contribution of the proposed sites of ethanol-induced reactive species production within the liver is still not clear. It has been proposed that chronic ethanol-elicited alterations in mitochondria structure and function might result in increased production of reactive species at the level of the mitochondrion in liver from ethanol consumers. This in turn might result in oxidative modification and inactivation of mitochondrial macromolecules, thereby contributing further to mitochondrial dysfunction and a loss in hepatic energy conservation. Moreover, ethanol-related increases in reactive species may shift the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic factors such that there is activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition, which would lead to increased cell death in the liver after chronic alcohol consumption. This article will examine the critical role of these reactive species in ethanol-induced liver injury with specific emphasis on how chronic ethanol-associated alterations to mitochondria influence the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and how their production may disrupt hepatic energy conservation in the chronic alcohol abuser.     

Biochemical and cytogenetic biomarkers of pollutant exposure in marine fish (Aldrichetta forsteri Valenciennes and Sillago schomburgkii Peters) near industrial and metropolitan centres in South Australia

This project aimed to measure biochemical and cytogenetic biomarkers in marine fish (Aldrichetta forsteri and Sillago schomburgkii) associated with industrial and urban centres in South Australia. These sites were Port Pirie (affected by metal-contaminated outflows), Barker Inlet (adjacent to Metropolitan Adelaide), and Wills Creek (reference site). The biochemical biomarkers included sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) in serum, adenylate levels (ATP, ADP and AMP) and adenylate energy charge (AEC) in gill and liver, and sodium/potassium ATPase (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase) in gill. Erythrocyte micronucleus frequency was a marker of cytogenetic effect. Serum enzyme levels were generally higher in fish from Port Pirie and Barker Inlet than in those from Wills Creek, with SDH demonstrating the clearest site-associated differences. Tissue adenylates were consistently lower at Port Pirie than elsewhere, suggesting a greater metabolic strain in fish at this site. AEC in gill and liver were consistently lower at Port Pirie than at Wills Creek, with Barker Inlet generally between these two. The reversed rank order was observed with erythrocyte micronucleus frequencies. Seasonal variations in the biomarkers may be attributed either to seasonal physiological changes in fish or changes in pollutant input levels or compositions. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase did not differ between sites nor seasons in this study. This work shows that biochemical and cytogenetic differences occur in marine fish at specific locations in South Australia. It also shows that of these tests, serum SDH and erythrocyte micronuclei are potentially the most sensitive and reliable biomarkers of pollutants effects on marine fish. The results also suggest that these data may be used as a baseline against which future changes in marine water quality, and their consequent biological effects, can be compared.     

Comparative analysis of inner cavities and ligand migration in non-symbiotic AHb1 and AHb2

This study reports a comparative analysis of the topological properties of inner cavities and the intrinsic dynamics of non-symbiotic hemoglobins AHb1 and AHb2 from Arabidopsis thaliana. The two proteins belong to the 3/3 globin fold and have a sequence identity of about 60%. However, it is widely assumed that they have distinct physiological roles. In order to investigate the structure–function relationships in these proteins, we have examined the bis-histidyl and ligand-bound hexacoordinated states by atomistic simulations using in silico structural models. The results allow us to identify two main pathways to the distal cavity in the bis-histidyl hexacoordinated proteins. Nevertheless, a larger accessibility to small gaseous molecules is found in AHb2. This effect can be attributed to three factors: the mutation Leu35(AHb1) → Phe32(AHb2), the enhanced flexibility of helix B, and the more favorable energetic profile for ligand migration to the distal cavity. The net effect of these factors would be to facilitate the access of ligands, thus compensating the preference for the fully hexacoordination of AHb2, in contrast to the equilibrium between hexa- and pentacoordinated species in AHb1. On the other hand, binding of the exogenous ligand introduces distinct structural changes in the two proteins. A well-defined tunnel is formed in AHb1, which might be relevant to accomplish the proposed NO detoxification reaction. In contrast, no similar tunnel is found in AHb2, which can be ascribed to the reduced flexibility of helix E imposed by the larger number of salt bridges compared to AHb1. This feature would thus support the storage and transport functions proposed for AHb2. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins.