Cuticular wax coverage and its transpiration barrier properties in Quercus coccifera L. leaves: does the environment matter?

Plants prevent uncontrolled water loss by synthesizing, depositing and maintaining a hydrophobic layer over their primary aerial organs-the plant cuticle. Quercus coccifera L. can plastically respond to environmental conditions at the cuticular level. When exposed to hot summer conditions with high vapour-pressure deficit (VPD) and intense solar radiation (Mediterranean atmospheric conditions; MED), this plant species accumulates leaf cuticular waxes even over the stomata, thereby decreasing transpirational water loss. However, under mild summer conditions with moderate VPD and regular solar radiation (temperate atmospheric conditions; TEM), this effect is sharply reduced. Despite the ecophysiological importance of the cuticular waxes of Q. coccifera, the wax composition and its contribution to avoiding uncontrolled dehydration remain unknown. Thus, we determined several leaf traits for plants exposed to both MED and TEM conditions. Further, we qualitatively and quantitatively investigated the cuticular lipid composition by gas chromatography. Finally, we measured the minimum leaf conductance (gmin) as an indicator of the efficacy of the cuticular transpiration barrier. The MED leaves were smaller, stiffer and contained a higher load of cuticular lipids than TEM leaves. The amounts of leaf cutin and cuticular waxes of MED plants were 1.4 times and 2.6 times higher than that found for TEM plants, respectively. In detail, MED plants produced higher amounts of all compound classes of cuticular waxes, except for the equivalence of alkanoic acids. Although MED leaves contained higher cutin and cuticular wax loads, the gmin was not different between the two habitats. Our findings suggest that the qualitative accumulation of equivalent cuticular waxes might compensate for the higher wax amount of MED plants, thereby contributing equally to the efficacy of the cuticular transpirational barrier of Q. coccifera. In conclusion, we showed that atmospheric conditions profoundly affect the cuticular lipid composition of Q. coccifera leaves, but do not alter its transpiration barrier properties

Cuticular wax coverage and its transpiration barrier properties in Quercus coccifera L. leaves: does the environment matter?

Plants prevent uncontrolled water loss by synthesizing, depositing and maintaining a hydrophobic layer over their primary aerial organs-the plant cuticle. Quercus coccifera L. can plastically respond to environmental conditions at the cuticular level. When exposed to hot summer conditions with high vapour-pressure deficit (VPD) and intense solar radiation (Mediterranean atmospheric conditions; MED), this plant species accumulates leaf cuticular waxes even over the stomata, thereby decreasing transpirational water loss. However, under mild summer conditions with moderate VPD and regular solar radiation (temperate atmospheric conditions; TEM), this effect is sharply reduced. Despite the ecophysiological importance of the cuticular waxes of Q. coccifera, the wax composition and its contribution to avoiding uncontrolled dehydration remain unknown. Thus, we determined several leaf traits for plants exposed to both MED and TEM conditions. Further, we qualitatively and quantitatively investigated the cuticular lipid composition by gas chromatography. Finally, we measured the minimum leaf conductance (gmin) as an indicator of the efficacy of the cuticular transpiration barrier. The MED leaves were smaller, stiffer and contained a higher load of cuticular lipids than TEM leaves. The amounts of leaf cutin and cuticular waxes of MED plants were 1.4 times and 2.6 times higher than that found for TEM plants, respectively. In detail, MED plants produced higher amounts of all compound classes of cuticular waxes, except for the equivalence of alkanoic acids. Although MED leaves contained higher cutin and cuticular wax loads, the gmin was not different between the two habitats. Our findings suggest that the qualitative accumulation of equivalent cuticular waxes might compensate for the higher wax amount of MED plants, thereby contributing equally to the efficacy of the cuticular transpirational barrier of Q. coccifera. In conclusion, we showed that atmospheric conditions profoundly affect the cuticular lipid composition of Q. coccifera leaves, but do not alter its transpiration barrier properties

Peridynamic modelling of cracking in TRISO particles for high temperature reactors

A linear-elastic computer simulation (model) for a single particle of TRISO fuel has been built using a bond-based peridynamic technique implemented in the finite element code ‘Abaqus’. The model is able to consider the elastic and thermal strains in each layer of the particle and to simulate potential fracture both within and between layers. The 2D cylindrical model makes use of a plane stress approximation perpendicular to the plane modelled. The choice of plane stress was made by comparison of 2D and 3D finite element models. During an idealised ramp to normal operating power for a kernel of 0.267 W and a bulk fuel temperature of 1305 K, cracks initiate in the buffer near to the kernel-buffer interface and propagate towards the buffer-iPyC coating interface, but do not penetrate the iPyC and containment of the fission products is maintained. In extreme accident conditions, at around 600% (1.60 W) power during a power ramp at 100% power (0.267 W) per second, cracks were predicted to form on the kernel side of the kernel-buffer interface, opposite existing cracks in the buffer. These were predicted to then only grow further with further increases in power. The SiC coating was predicted to subsequently fail at a power of 940% (2.51 W), with cracks formed rapidly at the iPyC-SiC interface and propagating in both directions. These would overcome the containment to fission gas release offered by the SiC ‘pressure vessel’. The extremely high power at which failure was predicted indicates the potential safety benefits of the proposed high temperature reactor design based on TRISO fuel

Peridynamic modelling of cracking in TRISO particles for high temperature reactors

A linear-elastic computer simulation (model) for a single particle of TRISO fuel has been built using a bond-based peridynamic technique implemented in the finite element code ‘Abaqus’. The model is able to consider the elastic and thermal strains in each layer of the particle and to simulate potential fracture both within and between layers. The 2D cylindrical model makes use of a plane stress approximation perpendicular to the plane modelled. The choice of plane stress was made by comparison of 2D and 3D finite element models. During an idealised ramp to normal operating power for a kernel of 0.267 W and a bulk fuel temperature of 1305 K, cracks initiate in the buffer near to the kernel-buffer interface and propagate towards the buffer-iPyC coating interface, but do not penetrate the iPyC and containment of the fission products is maintained. In extreme accident conditions, at around 600% (1.60 W) power during a power ramp at 100% power (0.267 W) per second, cracks were predicted to form on the kernel side of the kernel-buffer interface, opposite existing cracks in the buffer. These were predicted to then only grow further with further increases in power. The SiC coating was predicted to subsequently fail at a power of 940% (2.51 W), with cracks formed rapidly at the iPyC-SiC interface and propagating in both directions. These would overcome the containment to fission gas release offered by the SiC ‘pressure vessel’. The extremely high power at which failure was predicted indicates the potential safety benefits of the proposed high temperature reactor design based on TRISO fuel

Potential plasma markers of type 1 and type 2 leprosy reactions: a preliminary report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The clinical management of leprosy Type 1 (T1R) and Type 2 (T2R) reactions pose challenges mainly because they can cause severe nerve injury and disability. No laboratory test or marker is available for the diagnosis or prognosis of leprosy reactions. This study simultaneously screened plasma factors to identify circulating biomarkers associated with leprosy T1R and T2R among patients recruited in Goiania, Central Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A nested case-control study evaluated T1R (n = 10) and TR2 (n = 10) compared to leprosy patients without reactions (n = 29), matched by sex and age-group (+/- 5 years) and histopathological classification. Multiplex bead based technique provided profiles of 27 plasma factors including 16 pro inflammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)- IL12p70, IL2, IL17, IL1 β, IL6, IL15, IL5, IL8, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha (MIP1α), 1 beta (MIP1β), regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemoattractrant protein 1 (MCP1), CC-chemokine 11 (CCL11/Eotaxin), CXC-chemokine 10 (CXCL10/IP10); 4 anti inflammatory interleukins: IL4, IL10, IL13, IL1Rα and 7 growth factors: IL7, IL9, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF BB), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Elevations of plasma CXCL10 (P = 0.004) and IL6 (p = 0.013) were observed in T1R patients compared to controls without reaction. IL6 (p = 0.05), IL7 (p = 0.039), and PDGF-BB (p = 0.041) were elevated in T2R. RANTES and GMCSF were excluded due to values above and below detection limit respectively in all samples.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Potential biomarkers of T1R identified were CXCL10 and IL6 whereas IL7, PDGF-BB and IL6, may be laboratory markers of TR2. Additional studies on these biomarkers may help understand the immunopathologic mechanisms of leprosy reactions and indicate their usefulness for the diagnosis and for the clinical management of these events.</p

Exploring the compositional space of a metal–organic framework with ionic liquids to develop porous ionic conductors for enhanced signal and selectivity in VOC capacitive sensors

The monitoring of atmospheric pollutants, especially non-methane-based volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), is an important paradigm towards secure air quality surroundings. However, existing gas sensing technologies face challenges in selectively and sensitively detecting individual NMVOCs due to their low concentration in comparison to the main atmospheric components. In this research, the compositional space between a Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) and Ionic Liquids (ILs) is explored to fine tune the signal and selectivity of a capacitive gas sensing layer. Firstly, by tuning the weight ratio of the MOF : IL components, ionic conductive materials ranging from solid porous to partially porous inks are produced. Secondly, by combining the sensitivity arising from the IL's dielectric characteristics with the selectivity endowed by the MOF's porosity, varied capacitive responses are obtained. Finally, the sensing responses of thirteen sensors towards the detection of water vapor, ethanol, acetone and isopropanol demonstrate that the hybridization of the MOF/IL offers a suitable avenue to balance the porosity, magnitude of response, and partial selectivity. In addition, when the responses of multiple MOF/IL sensors are evaluated, cross-selectivity detection of individual NMVOCs is reached. This approach contributes to fine-tuning the MOF/IL sensor performance not just by expanding the MOF/IL combinations, but optimizing sensor processing by advanced printing and electronics design.Financial support for this work has been secured through Grants PID2020-114506GB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033; TED2021-129457B-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, EVOLMOF PID2021-122940OB-C31 (AEI/FEDER, UE) (including FEDER financial support), ENZYMOF (TED2021-130621B-C42). This study forms part of the Advanced Materials Programme and was supported by MCIN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1). We acknowledge the continued support received from the IKUR Strategy under the collaboration agreement between Ikerbasque Foundation and the Materials Physics Center and BCMaterials on behalf of the Department of Education of the Basque Government. Basque Government Industry and Education Departments under the ELKARTEK and PIBA (PIBA-2022-1-0032) programs are also acknowledged. The MSCA-RISE-2017 (No. 778412) INDESMOF, which received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, is also acknowledged. Finally we acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through projects UID/QUI/00686/2020, UIDB/50006/2020, UIDP/50006/2020, LA/P/0008/2020, and 2022.05932.PTDC and an investigator FCT Contract 2020.02915.CEECIND (D. M. C.).Peer reviewe

Biokinetics and dosimetry of commonly used radiopharmaceuticals in diagnostic nuclear medicine – a review

Purpose The impact on patients’ health of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine diagnostics has not until now been evaluated systematically in a European context. Therefore, as part of the EU-funded Project PEDDOSE. NET (www.peddose.net), we review and summarize the current knowledge on biokinetics and dosimetry of commonly used diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals. Methods A detailed literature search on published biokinetic and dosimetric data was performed mostly via PubMed (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). In principle the criteria for inclusion of data followed the EANM Dosimetry Committee guidance document on good clinical reporting. Results Data on dosimetry and biokinetics can be difficult to find, are scattered in various journals and, especially in paediatric nuclear medicine, are very scarce. The data collection and calculation methods vary with respect to the time-points, bladder voiding, dose assessment after the last data point and the way the effective dose was calculated. In many studies the number of subjects included for obtaining biokinetic and dosimetry data was fewer than ten, and some of the biokinetic data were acquired more than 20 years ago. Conclusion It would be of interest to generate new data on biokinetics and dosimetry in diagnostic nuclear medicine using state-of-the-art equipment and more uniform dosimetry protocols. For easier public access to dosimetry data for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, a database containing these data should be created and maintained