Specific leaf mass, fresh: dry weight ratio, sugar and protein contents in species of Lamiaceae from different light environments

Samples from eleven species of Lamiaceae were collected from different light environments in Venezuela for laboratory analysis. The studied species were: Plectranthus scutellarioides (Ps), Scutellaria purpurascens (Sp), Hyptis pectinata (Hp)), H. sinuata (Hs). Leonorus japonicus (Lj), Plecthranthus amboinicus (Pa) Ocimum hasilicum (Ocb), O. campechianum (Occ) Origanum majorana (Orm), Rosmarinus officinali, (Ro) and Salvia officinalis (So). Protein and soluble sugar contents per unit of area were measured, Specific Leaf Mass (SLM) and fresh:dry weight (FW/DW) ratios were calculated. The higher values for soluble sugars contents were present in sun species: Lj, Pa, Ocb, Occ, Orm, Ro and So; the lower values were obtained in low light species: Ps, Sp, Hp, Hs. The values of protein content do not show any clear trend or difference between sun and shade environments. The lowest values for the fresh weight: dry weight ratio are observed in sun species with the exception of Lj and Pa, while the highest value is observed in Pa, a succulent plant. The higher values of specific leaf mass (SLM) (Kg DMm(-2)) are observed in sun plants. The two way ANOVA revealed that there were significant differences among species and between sun and low light environments for sugar content and FW:DW ratio. while SLM was significant for environments but no significant for species, and not significant for protein for both species and environments. The soluble sugar content, FW:DW ratio and SLM values obtained in this work, show a clear separation between sun and shade plants. The sugar content and FW:DW ratio are distinctive within the species, and the light environment affected sugar content. FW:DW ratio and SLM. These species may he shade-tolerant and able to survive in sunny environments. Perhaps these species originated in shaded environments and have been adapting to sunny habitats.     

Variability in leaf optical properties among 26 species from a broad range of habitats

Leaves from 26 species with growth forms from annual herbs to trees were collected from open, intermediate, and shaded understory habitats in Mississippi and Kansas, USA. Leaf optical properties including reflectance, transmittance, and absorptance in visible and near infrared (NIR) wavelengths were measured along with leaf thickness and specific leaf mass (SLM). These leaf properties and internal light scattering have been reported to vary with light availability in studies that have focused on a limited number of species. Our objective was to determine whether these patterns in leaf optics and light availability were consistent when a greater number of species were evaluated. Leaf thickness and SLM varied by tenfold among species sampled, but within-habitat variance was high. Although there was a strong trend toward thicker leaves in open habitats, only SLM was significantly greater in open vs. understory habitats. In contrast, leaf optical properties were strikingly similar among habitats. Reflectance and reflectance/transmittance in the NIR were used to estimate internal light scattering and there were strong relationships (r1 > 0.65) between these optical properties and leaf thickness. We concluded that leaf thickness, which did not vary consistently among habitats, was the best predictor of NIR reflectance and internal light scattering. However, because carbon allocation to leaves was lower in understory species (low SLM) yet gross optical properties were similar among all habitats, the energy investment by shade leaves required to achieve optical equivalence with sun leaves was lower. Differences in leaf longevity and growth form within a habitat may help explain the lack of consistent patterns in leaf optics as the number of species sampled increases.     

Surface Properties and Corrosion Behavior of Co–Cr Alloy Fabricated with Selective Laser Melting Technique

We sought to study the corrosion behavior and surface properties of a commercial cobalt–chromium (Co–Cr) alloy which was fabricated with selective laser melting (SLM) technique. For this purpose, specimens were fabricated using different techniques, such as SLM system and casting methods. Surface hardness testing, microstructure observation, surface analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical corrosion test were carried out to evaluate the corrosion properties and surface properties of the specimens. We found that microstructure of SLM specimens was more homogeneous than that of cast specimens. The mean surface hardness values of SLM and cast specimens were 458.3 and 384.8, respectively; SLM specimens showed higher values than cast ones in hardness. Both specimens exhibited no differences in their electrochemical corrosion properties in the artificial saliva through potentiodynamic curves and EIS, and no significant difference via XPS. Therefore, we concluded that within the scope of this study, SLM-fabricated restorations revealed good surface properties, such as proper hardness, homogeneous microstructure, and also showed sufficient corrosion resistance which could meet the needs of dental clinics.     

Surface-relief gratings and photoinduced birefringence in layer-by-layer films of chitosan and an azopolymer

Layer-by-layer (LBL) films of chitosan alternated with an azopolymer, PS119, have been used for optical storage and fabrication of surface-relief gratings. The optical properties stem from the trans-cis-trans isomerization cycles undergone by the azochromophore, with a kinetics for writing the birefringence pattern that is much slower than in the spin-coated or cast films of azopolymers. The long writing times, of the order of 100 s, are due to the electrostatic interactions between adjacent chitosan and PS119 layers. Such interactions are also responsible for other features in the LBL films, namely the increase in the amount of adsorbed material when the pH of the preparation solution is decreased and the large residual birefringence after the writing laser is switched off. Gratings could be inscribed with s-polarized but not with p-polarized light, indicating a mass transport process associated with photodegradation.     

Quantitative analysis of shape and volume changes in activated thrombocytes in real time by single‐shot spatial light modulator‐based differential interference contrast imaging

We suggest to use a combination of optical tweezers and single‐image quantitative differential interference contrast (DIC) emulated by a spatial light modulator (SLM) to study physiological shape changes in thrombocytes after activation and demonstrate the effectiveness of this system for the given task. A specially designed phase mask displayed at the SLM enables quantitative phase calculation from only a single recording. The optical tweezers stabilize trapped thrombocytes for long‐time monitoring of changes in the optical thickness profile of thrombocytes during activation by adenosine diphosphate (ADP). (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

ARTP诱变对三角帆蚌外套膜细胞生长活性及其生物矿化相关因子的影响

为获取高活力的外套膜细胞,研究通过常压室温等离子体(Atmospheric and room temperature plasma,ARTP)诱变和流式细胞术等技术分析了不同诱变气量组(10、12和15 SLM组)和处理时间对三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis cumingii)体外培养的外套膜细胞的细胞活性及生物矿化相关功...     

Comparative study of growth and carbon uptake inFagus sylvatica L. trees growing under different light conditions

Growth, carbon uptake and carbon utilization in leaves of various growing phase shoots (GPS) on beech trees(Fagus sylvatica L.) growing under different light conditions were compared. The values of photosynthetic capacity (maximum daily net photosynthetic rate, Pn max) were used as comparable parameters. Daily time and irradiance (I, PhAR), when PN max was attained, were investigated similarly. Statistically significant differences were found in growth, Pn max and SLM (specific leaf mass) between different GPS and within the same stand, as well as within the same GPS and different stands. Pn max and SLM increased in the leaves of GPS I (spring - plagiotropic shoots) on trees from a sun stand from May till September. At the end of the growing season, the spring leaves exhibited, in comparison with the summer ones, intensive senescence, but leaves of the GPS II and III (summer -orthotropic shoots) evidently attained higher values of Px max and SLM at higher I (PhAR). The correlation of growth, PN max and SLM in relation to environmental conditions, as well as the importance of transport, distribution and utilization of assimilates for annual carbon gain and biomass production are discussed in detail.     

Effect of spin-labeled maleimide on 14S and 30S dyneins in solution and on demembranated ciliary axonemes.

The effects of N-1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)maleimide(SLM) on the pellet height response and ATPase activity of glycerinated Triton X-100 extracted cilia of Tetrahymena pyriformis have been studied. Preincubation of cilia with SLM caused complete inhibition of the pellet height response and an initial increase in ATPase activity followed upon longer exposure to SLM by inhibition of ATPase. The effect of SLM on extracted 30S dynein was the reverse of that for whole cilia: ATPase activity was increased when 30S dynein was added to a mixture of ATP and SLM and inhibited when the 30S dynein was preincubated with SLM. The activity of 14S dynein was only inhibited by SLM. Electron spin resonance spectra of ciliary axonemes that had reacted with SLM for various times showed that much of the covalently bound SLM was strongly immobilized even after 1 min of reaction, when ATPase activity increased twofold. The proportion of strongly immobilized label increased with longer times of reaction. Addition of ATP to SLM-labeled axonemes caused a small decrease in the height of the spectral peak corresponding to strongly immobilized label as compared with that of weakly immobilized label, indicating an increase in rotational freedom of some covalently bound label. The results suggest that ATP causes a conformation change affecting a sulfhydryl group(s) involved in the mechanochemical system. It was also shown that beta,gamma-methylene ATP(AMP-PCP) is an inhibitor of dynein ATPase. This analogue of ATP is not hydrolyzed by whole cilia or by the extracted dyneins and does not cause a pellet height response. With Mg2+ as divalent cation, AMP-PCP inhibits 30S dynein more than it inhibits 14S dynein; with Ca2+, the inhibition of 30S dynein is reduced, and there is no inhibition of 14S dynein. Under conditions where AMP-PCP inhibited 30S dynein ATPase it was much less effective than ATP in protecting against the loss of ATPase activity by SLM. Although SLM inhibited Mg2+-activated 14S and 30S dyneins in solution, it did not inhibit ciliary ATPase activity. These results support the view that at least 2 SH groups are involved in ciliary motility and that their reactivity to SH reagents depends on whether the dyneins are in situ or have been extracted.     

Laser-guided direct writing of living cells

To perform their myriad functions, tissues use specific cell-cell interactions that depend on the spatial ordering of multiple cell types. Recapitulating this spatial order in vitro will facilitate our understanding of function and failure in native and engineered tissue. One approach to achieving such high placement precision is to use optical forces to deposit cells directly. Toward this end, recent work with optical forces has shown that a wide range of particulate materials can be guided and deposited on surfaces to form arbitrary spatial patterns. Here we report that, when we use the light from a near-infrared diode laser focused through a low numerical aperture lens, individual embryonic chick spinal cord cells can be guided through culture medium and deposited on a glass surface to form small clusters of cells. In addition, we found that the laser light could be coupled into hollow optical fibers and that the cells could be guided inside the fibers over millimeter distances. The demonstration of fiber-based guidance extends by 2 orders of magnitude the distance over which optical manipulation can be performed with living cells. Cells guided into the fiber remained viable, as evidenced by normal cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth after exposure to the laser light. The results indicate that this particle deposition process, which we call "laser-guided direct writing," can be used to construct patterned arrays of tens to hundreds of cells using arbitrary numbers of cell types placed at arbitrary positions with micrometer-scale precision.     

Silymarin ameliorates the disordered glucose metabolism of mice with diet-induced obesity by activating the hepatic SIRT1 pathway

Obesity-induced insulin resistance is the principal cause of type 2 diabetes worldwide. The use of natural products for the treatment of diabetes is increasingly attracting attention. Silymarin (SLM) is a flavonolignan compound that has been shown to have promise for the treatment of diabetes. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects. C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks and then orally administered SLM (30 mg/kg) daily for 1 month. The effects of SLM were also investigated in HepG2 cells that had been rendered insulin resistant by palmitic acid (PA) treatment. SLM ameliorated the dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance of the HFD-fed mice. HFD-feeding and PA treatment reduced the expression of sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in the livers of the mice and in HepG2 cells, respectively. SLM increased the phosphorylation of AKT and FOXO1, and reduced the level of FOXO1 acetylation in PA-treated cells. However, SIRT1 knockdown by RNA interference reduced these effects of SLM. Moreover, the results of molecular dynamic simulation and in vitro activity assays indicated that SLM may directly bind to SIRT1 and increase its enzymatic activity. These findings suggest that hepatic SIRT1 may be an important pharmacological target of SLM and mediate effects on insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis, which may underlie its anti-diabetic activity.     

Compressed sensing approach for wrist vein biometrics

The work describes features of the compressed sensing (CS) approach utilized for development of a wearable system for wrist vein recognition with single‐pixel detection; we consider this system useful for biometrics authentication purposes. The CS approach implies use of a spatial light modulation (SLM) which, in our case, can be performed differently—with a liquid crystal display or diffusely scattering medium. We show that compressed sensing combined with above‐mentioned means of SLM allows us to avoid using an optical system—a limiting factor for wearable devices. The trade‐off between the 2 different SLM approaches regarding issues of practical implementation of CS approach for wrist vein recognition purposes is discussed. A possible solution of a misalignment problem—a typical issue for imaging systems based upon 2D arrays of photodiodes—is also proposed. Proposed design of the wearable device for wrist vein recognition is based upon single‐pixel detection.      

Expression of the floral B-function gene SLM2 in female flowers of Silene latifolia infected with the smut fungus Microbotryum violaceum

Silene latifolia is a dioecious plant in which sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes. Expression of the B-function gene SLM2, an ortholog of PISTILLATA (PI) in Arabidopsis, was examined by in situ hybridization. SLM2 was not expressed in suppressed stamens of female flowers, but was expressed in developing stamens of smut-infected female flowers. These results indicate that the control of SLM2 is independent of the presence of the Y chromosome. Smut-infected females provide a useful system for clarifying the relationship between the B-function gene and the sex determination factor.     

Responses to Light and Water Availability of Four Invasive Melastomataceae in the Hawaiian Islands

Plant invasion by Neotropical Melastomataceae is prominent in Hawaii. To understand life history traits of four successful invasive Melastomataceae, two shade-intolerant herbs (Arthrostema ciliatum and Tibouchina herbacea) and two shade-tolerant woody species (Clidemia hirta, a shrub, and Miconia calvescens, a tree) were subjected to three light levels and two watering regimes in a greenhouse. Plant height, leaf number and area, biomass allocation, relative growth rate (RGR), carbon assimilation (A), leaf nutrient content, leaf construction costs (CC), specific leaf mass (SLM), and leaf spectral properties were determined at the end of the experimental period. Plant size, total biomass, RGR, A, CC, and SLM decreased, whereas leaf light transmittance and leaf N increased under low light in all species. The effects of water stress were weaker than light-stress effects. Relative growth rate of herbs grown in sun and partial shade (0.046 and 0.033 g g-1 d-1, respectively) was higher than in the woody species (0.027 and 0.020 g g-1 d-1). Woody species allocated more biomass to leaf production than herbs, which allocated more biomass to stem production. Shade increased allocation of biomass to leaves, and water stress increased the root-shoot ratio in all species. Partial shade increased leaf area ratios more in the herbs (140%) than in woody species (68%). Miconia calvescens and C. hirta had higher leaf absorbance (92%) than both herbs (79%). Maximum A under all light treatments was similar in all species, and there was substantial acclimation to the different light levels. Leaf construction cost was higher in the apparently long-lived leaves of the woody species. Relative growth rate, carbon allocation, and SLM showed larger changes to light and water stress than A and related photosynthetic parameters. All species showed responses qualitatively similar to those of other tropical species including the high acclimation potential to light, but the herbs exhibited the largest quantitative responses. When compared with a large group of native species, the four melastomes appear to be better suited to capture and use light, which is consistent with their rapid spread in mesic and disturbed Hawaiian environments.     

SLM2 Is A Novel Cardiac Splicing Factor Involved in Heart Failure due to Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Alternative mRNA splicing is a fundamental process to increase the versatility of the genome.In humans,cardiac mRNA splicing is involved in the pathophysiology of heart failure.Mutations in the splicing factor RNA binding motif protein 20(RBM20) cause severe forms of cardiomyopathy.To identify novel cardiomyopathy-associated splicing factors,RNA-seq and tissue-enrichment analyses were performed,which identified up-regulated expression of Sam68-Like mammalian protein 2(SLM2) in the left ventricle...     

The chemical composition and anatomical structure of leaves of grass species differing in relative growth rate

To arrive at a better understanding of variation in specific leaf mass (SLM, leaf weight per unit leaf area), we investigated the chemical composition and anatomical structure of the leaves of 14 grass species varying in potential relative growth rate. Expressed on a dry weight basis, the fast-growing grass species with low SLM contained relatively more minerals and organic N-compounds, whereas slow-growing species with high SLM contained more (hemi)cellulose and lignin. However, when expressed per unit leaf area, organic N-compounds, (hemi)cellulose, total structural carbohydrates and organic acids increased with increasing SLM. For the 14 grasses, no trend with SLM was found for the leaf volume per unit leaf area. Leaf density was positively correlated with SLM. Variation in density was not caused by variation in the proportion of intercellular spaces. The proportion of the total volume occupied by mesophyll and veins did not differ either. A high SLM was caused, at least partly, by a high proportion of non-veinal sclerenchymatic cells per cross-section. The epidermal cell area was negatively correlated with SLM. We conclude that the differences in SLM and in the relative growth rate (RGR) between fast- and slow-growing grass species are based partly on variation in anatomical differentiation and partly on chemical differences within cell types.     

Preparation and in vivo toxicity study of solid lipid microparticles as carrier for pulmonary administration

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of processing conditions on the characteristics of solid lipid microparticles (SLM) with a potential application as carriers for pulmonary administration. Compritol (5.0% wt/wt) SLM dispersions were prepared by rotor-stator homogenization, at different surfactant concentrations and emulsification times. The SLM were characterized, in terms of morphology and size, after lyophilization and sterilization by autoclaving process. In vivo assessment was carried out in rats by intratracheal instillation of either placebo or SLM dispersion, and by bronchoalveolar lavage for cytological analysis. Mean particle size of 4 to 5 μm was achieved using 0.3% and 0.4% (wt/wt) of emulsifier (Poloxamer 188) and emulsification times of 2 and 5 minutes. The particles showed spherical shape and smooth surface. The morphology of microparticles, the size, and the size distribution were not substantially modified after lyophilization and sterilization. Total cell counts showed no significant differences between placebo and SLM 0.5% or 2.5% groups. Regarding cytology, percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and macrophages did not significantly differ between groups. These results suggest that a single intratracheal administration of the SLMs does not induce a significant inflammatory airway response in rats and that the SLMs might be a potential carrier for encapsulated drug via the pulmonary route.     

用激光共聚焦显微镜鉴别可疑笔迹与印章

本文采用激光共聚焦显微镜鉴别可疑笔迹和印章及其它的文件。法医在鉴别可疑文件时通常都是凭经验和用普通光学显微镜,找出其中的一些物理特征。但还是有许多文件的笔迹顺序无法确定,尤其是墨水写的笔迹,为解决法医的这一问题,我们用激光共聚焦显微镜鉴别了72例不同铅笔和圆珠笔写的肉眼难于鉴别的交叉笔顺和其他的一些文字文件。在激光共激光共聚焦显微镜下大多数笔迹和印章都能发出荧光,因此很容易鉴别其笔顺和印章的特征,必要时还可以进行笔顺的三维图象构建,以帮助鉴别。结论：激光共聚焦显微镜可以更准确地鉴别可疑笔迹和印章。印章和笔迹的交叉也很容易分辨出来。     

Soil–Litter Mixing Accelerates Decomposition in a Chihuahuan Desert Grassland

Decomposition models typically under-predict decomposition relative to observed rates in drylands. This discrepancy indicates a significant gap in our mechanistic understanding of carbon and nutrient cycling in these systems. Recent research suggests that certain drivers of decomposition that are often not explicitly incorporated into models (for example, photodegradation and soil–litter mixing; SLM) may be important in drylands, and their exclusion may, in part, be responsible for model under-predictions. To assess the role of SLM, litterbags were deployed in the Chihuahuan Desert and interrelationships between vegetation structure, SLM, and rates of decomposition were quantified. Vegetation structure was manipulated to simulate losses of grass cover from livestock grazing and shrub encroachment. We hypothesized that reductions in grass cover would promote SLM and accelerate mass loss by improving conditions for microbial decomposition. Litter mass decreased exponentially, with the greatest losses occurring in concert with summer monsoons. There were no differences in decay constants among grass cover treatments. A significant, positive relationship between mass loss and SLM was observed, but contrary to expectations SLM was independent of grass cover. This suggests that processes operating at finer spatial scales than those in our grass removal treatments were influencing SLM. Shifts in litter lipid composition suggest increased bacterial contribution to decomposition through time. SLM, which is seldom included as a variable controlling decomposition in statistical or mechanistic models, was a strong driver of decomposition. Results are discussed in the context of other known drivers of decomposition in drylands (for example, UV radiation and climate) and more mesic systems.     

Photosensitization of leukemic cells and normal bone marrow cells by 514 nm laser light and effects of laser light on migration inhibition and lymphokine response

In a model for ex-vivo purging of bone marrow grafts, leukemic cells and normal bone marrow cells were treated with merocyanine 540 and exposed to 514 nm laser light. With this treatment, 99.9999% of leukemic cells were killed while 55% of the normal bone marrow cells survived. The deleterious effects of laser light alone in the absence of photosensitizer were not observed as determined by cell viability, cell migration, and response of target cells to human migration inhibition factor. These results indicate that laser light induced photodynamic therapy can be useful for ex-vivo autologous bone marrow purging without regard to the deleterious effects of laser light alone.     

Twists of fate: multiracial representation in the US House of Representatives

It is argued that though strategies of equalization are rare, they are an integral element of the split labour market [SLM] dynamics both in the causes that bring higher-priced labour to adopt these strategies and in the factors that often impede their success. Following Bonacich, three types of equalization strategies are identified and studied in the case of mandatory Palestine: 1. Establishing minimum standards as discussed in the Wage Commissions of 1928 and 1943; 2. Inclusion of cheap labour in the labour organizations of the higher-priced labour (the Palestine Labor League [PLL] and the Railroad, Post &; Telegraph Workers' Organization [RPTWO]; 3. Support of the liberation movement to which the group of cheap labour is affiliated (the Palestine Communist Party [PCP]). Finally, the SLM theory is discussed in the light of the historical case and a number of elaborations are suggested.