157 research outputs found
EFFECT OF SEAM ON DRAPE OF SELECTED LIGHTWEIGHT WOVEN FABRICS
No full textD r a p e is a u n i q u e p r o p e r t y t l i a t a l l o w s a f a b r i c t o b e b e n t i n m o r e t h a n o n e d i r e c t i o n w i t h
d o u b l e c u r v a t u r e . F o r m a n y y e a r s , t e x t i l e r e s e a r c h e r s s t u d i e d t h i s a t t r i b u t e i n o r d e r to
e v a l u a t e t h e d r a p e q u a l i t y a n d i m p r o v e t h e d r a p e a p p e a r a n c e o f g a r m e n t s . H o w e v e r , f a b r ic
d r a p e can be m o r e r e a l i s t i c a l l y i n v e s t i g a t e d b y c o n s i d e r i n g s e a m s . W h e n v a r i o u s c u t p a n e ls
are s t i t c h e d t o g e t h e r , t h i s w i l l l e a d t o s i g n i f i c a n t v a r i a t i o n s i n f a b r i c d r a p e p e r f o r m a n c e.
T h u s i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f t h e i m p a c t o f a s e a m o n f a b r i c d r a p e p e r f o r m a n c e can h e l p to
u n d e r s t a n d , e v a l u a t e , a n d a s s u r e t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e final g a r m e n
Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Antiobesity Potential of Selected Traditional Medicinal Plants
No full textThis study evaluated potential antidiabetic and antiobesity properties in vitro of selected medicinal plants. The hot water (WE) and ethanol extracts (EE) of sweet gale (Myrica gale L.), roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosa L.), stinging nettles (Utrica dioica L.) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) were tested for total antioxidant capacity using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH• scavenging capacity assays, followed by α-amylase, α-glucosidase and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) inhibition assays in vitro. Myrica gale EE had the highest total phenolic content (12.4 mmol GAE/L), FRAP value (17.4 mmol TE/L) and DPPH• scavenging activity (IC50 = 3.28 mg/L). Similarly, Myrica gale also exhibited significantly lower IC50 values for the percentage inhibition of α-amylase (IC50 = 62.65 mg/L) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 27.20 mg/L) compared to acarbose (IC50 = 91.71 mg/L; IC50 = 89.50 mg/L, respectively) (p ≤ 0.05). The 3T3-L1 preadipocyte study also revealed that Myrica gale EE (54.8%) and stinging nettles (62.2% EE; 63.2% WE) significantly inhibited the adipogenesis in adipocytes in vitro (p ≤ 0.05). Polyphenols present in these medicinal plants have the potential to use in managing type 2 diabetes and obesity
Discovery of novel neutral glycosphingolipids in cereal crops: rapid profiling using reversed-phased HPLC–ESI–QqTOF with parallel reaction monitoring
No full textAbstract This study explores the sphingolipid class of oligohexosylceramides (OHCs), a rarely studied group, in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) through a new lipidomics approach. Profiling identified 45 OHCs in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), elucidating their fatty acid (FA), long-chain base (LCB) and sugar residue compositions; and was accomplished by monophasic extraction followed by reverse-phased high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–QqTOF–MS/MS) employing parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). Results revealed unknown ceramide species and highlighted distinctive FA and LCB compositions when compared to other sphingolipid classes. Structurally, the OHCs featured predominantly trihydroxy LCBs associated with hydroxylated FAs and oligohexosyl residues consisting of two–five glucose units in a linear 1 → 4 linkage. A survey found OHCs in tissues of major cereal crops while noting their absence in conventional dicot model plants. This study found salinity stress had only minor effects on the OHC profile in barley roots, leaving questions about their precise functions in plant biology unanswered
Sodium doping and trapped ion mobility spectrometry improve lipid detection for novel MALDI-MSI analysis of oats
No full textOat (Avena sativa L.) is an important cereal grain with a unique nutritional profile including a high proportion of lipids. Understanding lipid composition and distribution in oats is valuable for plant, food and nutritional research, and can be achieved using MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). However, this approach presents several challenges for sample preparation (hardness of grains) and analysis (isobaric and isomeric properties of lipids). Here, oat sections were successfully mounted onto gelatin-coated indium tin oxide slides with minimal tearing. Poor detection of triacylglycerols was resolved by applying sodium chloride during mounting, increasing signal intensity. In combination with trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS), lipid identification significantly improved, and we report the separation of several isobaric and isomeric lipids with visualisation of their “true” spatial distributions. This study describes a novel MALDI-TIMS-MSI analytical technique for oat lipids, which may be used to improve the discovery of biomarkers for grain quality.Wai C.D. Lau, Leigh Donnellan, Matthew Briggs, Thusitha Rupasinghe, John C. Harris, Julie E. Hayes, Peter Hoffman
Trustworthy provenance framework for document workflow provenance
No full textDocument workflows, which plays a major role in enterprise business process automation, are dynamic and prone to be changed over time. Assuring the provenance of these workflows is important when comes to quality, long term preservation, forensics and regulatory compliance. This research introduces a Provenance Framework for collecting workflow provenance data, storing them in documents as metadata securely and querying stored provenance data. The author uses the concept of making data objects independent and consider provenance data as intrinsic property of the data object, to support long term preservation of documents with provenance and to maintain the link between the data object and its provenance in cloud over time. Provenance data modeling and representation is done according to the W3C PROV Model. XMP framework is used to store and query provenance data as metadata in documents. Document signatures and metadata encryption is used to ensure security of provenance data
Identification of most spectrally distinguishable phenological stage of invasive Phramites australis in Lake Erie wetlands (Canada) for accurate mapping using multispectral satellite imagery
No full textPhragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel subspecies australis is one of the worst plant invaders in wetlands of North America. Remote sensing is the most cost-effective method to track its spread given its widespread distribution and rapid colonization rate. We hypothesize that the morphological and/or physiological features associated with different phenological states of Phragmites can influence their reflectance signal and thus affect mapping accuracies. We tested this hypothesis by comparing classification accuracies of cloud-free images acquired by Landsat 7, Landsat 8, and Sentinel 2 at roughly monthly intervals over a calendar year for two wetlands in southern Ontario. We used the Support Vector Machines classification and employed field observations and image acquired from unmanned aerial vehicle (8 cm) to perform accuracy assessments. The highest Phragmites producer’s, user’s, and overall accuracy (96.00, 91.11, and 88.56% respectively) were provided by images acquired in late summer and fall period. During this period, green, Near Infrared, and Short-Wave Infrared bands generated more unique reflectance signals for Phragmites. Both Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Normalized Difference Water Index showed significant difference between Phragmites and the most confused classes (cattail; Typha latifolia L., and meadow marsh) during the late summer and fall period. Since meadow marsh separated out best from Phragmites and cattail in the February image, we used it to mask the meadow marsh in the July image to reduce confusion. The unique reflectance signal of Phragmites in late summer and fall is likely due to prolonged greenness of Phragmites when compared to other wetland vegetation, large, distinct inflorescence, and the water content of Phragmites during this period
Characterization of Plum Procyanidins by Thiolytic Depolymerization
No full textThe phenolic compounds of ?Green Gage? (GG) plums (Prunus domestica L.), ?Rainha Cla?udia Verde?, from a ?protected designation of origin? (PDO), in Portugal, were quantified in both flesh and skin tissues of plums collected in two different orchards (GG-V and GG-C). Analyzes of phenolic compounds were also performed on another GG European plum obtained in France (GG-F) and two other French plums, ?Mirabelle? (M) and ?Golden Japan? (GJ). Thiolysis was used for the first time in the analysis of plum phenolic compounds. This methodology showed that the flesh and skin contain a large proportion of flavan-3-ols, which account, respectively, for 92 and 85% in GJ, 61 and 44% in GG-V, 62 and 48% in GG-C, 54 and 27% in M, and 45 and 37% in GG-F. Terminal units of procyanidins observed in plums are mainly (+)-catechin (54?77% of all terminal units in flesh and 57?81% in skin). The GJ plums showed a phenolic composition different from all of the others, with a lower content of chlorogenic acid isomers and the presence of A-type procyanidins as dimers and terminal residues of polymerized forms. The average degree of polymerization (DPn) of plum procyanidins was higher in the flesh (5?9 units) than in the skin (4?6 units). Procyanidin B7 was observed in the flesh of all GG plums and in the skin of the Portuguese ones. Principal component analysis of the phenolic composition of the flesh and skin of these plums obtained after thiolysis allowed their distinction according to the variety and origin, opening the possibility of the use of phenolic composition for variety/origin identification
Curcumin and Its Carbocyclic Analogs: Structure-Activity in Relation to Antioxidant and Selected Biological Properties
No full textCurcumin is the major phenolic compound present in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Curcumin and 15 novel analogs were investigated for their antioxidant and selected biological activities. Strong relationships between the structure and evaluated activity revealed that the compounds with specific functional groups and carbon skeleton had specific biological profiles. Among the compounds tested, the derivatives (E)-2-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-5-((E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acryloyl)cyclopentanone (3e), and (E)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-5-((E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acryloyl)-cyclopentanone (3d) and the parent compound curcumin exhibited the strongest free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity. Concerning the other biological activities studied the compound (E)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-5-((E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-acryloyl)cyclopentanone (3d) was the most potent angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, while the derivatives (E)-2-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-6-((E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acryloyl)cyclohexanone (2b), (E)-2-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-6-((E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acryloyl)cyclohexanone (2e) and (E)-2-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-5-((E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acryloyl)cyclopentanone (3e) exhibited strong tyrosinase inhibition. Moreover, (E)-2-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-6-((E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-acryloyl)cyclohexanone (2e) was also found to be the strongest human HIV-1 protease inhibitor in vitro among the tested compounds. Cytotoxicity studies using normal human lung cells revealed that the novel curcumin as well as its carbocyclic analogs are not toxic
Evaluation of In vitro Antidiabetic Potential of Thymus schimperi R. and Thymus vulgaris L.
No full textDiabetes has become the most common metabolic disease worldwide. In particular, type 2 diabetes is the most commonly encountered type of diabetes, which is characterized by impaired insulin secretion and/or action. One of the effective methods to control diabetes is to inhibit the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes which are responsible for the breakdown of starch to more simple sugars, using plant products. This study evaluated the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), and antidiabetic potential of Thymus schimperi and Thymus vulgaris via in vitro inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, using the hot water and aqueous: methanol (20:80, v/v) extracts. The α-amylase inhibitory potentials of the extracts were investigated through reducing sugars analysis using 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid color reagent (DNSA) using starch solution as substrate. The α-glucosidase inhibition was determined by pre-incubating α-glucosidase with different concentrations of the extracts followed by the addition of p-nitrophenylglucopyranoside (pNPG). Aqueous: methanol (20:80, v/v) extract of T. schimperi contained highest TPC (46.01 ± 4.54 mg GAE/g dw) and TFC (14.72 ± 1.14 mg QE/g dw) also showed stronger α-amylase inhibition activity (IC50 = 0.33 ± 0.05 mg/mL) and the hot water extract exhibited stronger α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 = 0.05 ± 0.01 mg/mL) capacity than that of T. vulgaris. The TPC and TFC were positively related (p < 0.05) with α-amylase inhibition activity but negatively correlated (p > 0.05) with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. These results indicated that the inhibition of these enzymes can lead to lower postprandial blood glucose. Keywords: α-Amylase, Antidiabetic, Diabetes mellitus, α-Glucosidase, Thymus, Total phenolics DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/69-02 Publication date: December 31st 201
Silicon uptake ability of different rice genotypes and their tolerance to salt stress with silicon fertilization
No full textSilicon (Si) has a wide range of beneficial impacts on rice (Oryza sativa L.) including mitigating salt stress. Planting of existing rice genotypes with Si fertilization is of great importance among the salt mitigation techniques. A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the Si uptake ability of popular indica type rice genotypes, Bw 367, At 362, Bg 359, Bg 360, Bg 94-1, and MR 297 and to explore their tolerance to salt stress with the provision of Si. Genotypic variation was observed in tissue Si concentration (μg/100 mg) ranging from 104.0 (Bg 94-1) to 151.0 (Bw 367) in the experiment conducted in nutrient solution using a split plot design. Silicon concentration of 2 mM was found as the adequate level for the highest Si accumulation and to improve plant growth. The different Si rates were tested with genotype Bw 367 in a pot experiment conducted in randomized complete block design. Basal application of Si at the rate of 100 kg SiO2/ha recorded the highest tissue Si concentration of 395.3 μg/100 mg and the highest uptake (mg/pot) of 1912.5, 291.7 and 424.6 for K, Mg and P, respectively resulting in the maximum yield of 104.6 g/pot. The estimated Si rate for optimum yield was 115 kg SiO2/ha. Two Si transporter genes, OsLsi2 and OsLsi6 were found in all the tested genotypes. The highest relative expression of OsLsi2 gene was observed in genotype Bw 367 (0.85) and the lowest in Bg 360 (0.38) which was similar to Bg 94-1(0.39). Consequently, Si content (μg/100 mg) in plant tissue followed the same trend with Bw 367 (153.07) and Bg 94-1 (105.05). Rice genotypes were tested in a split-split plot design with Si application revealed that Bw 367 and Bg 94-1 were tolerant and Bg 359, At 362, and MR 297 were moderately tolerant in the highest salinity level of 12 dS/m in solution culture. Accumulation of Si was comparatively higher in stressed plants (salinity level 12 dS/m), as indicated by genotypes Bw 367 and Bg 94-1 accumulating similar Si contents (about 228.00 μg/100 mg), where 3 and 16.4% reductions were observed in their shoot growth, respectively in contrast to the non-saline condition. Applied Si reduced the electrolyte leakage by 53% in Bg 94-1 and Na+/K+ ratio by 82% in Bw 367 even at a salinity level of 12 dS/m. Further, proline content and catalase activity were increased by 77 and 106%, respectively in Bw 367, which was statistically similar to Bg 94-1. Similar relative water content was observed in Si treated Bw 367, Bg 94-1 plants, and salinity resistant Pokkali plants which were about 70%. In conclusion, Si fertilization had promising effects on the amelioration of salt stress in indica rice genotypes which could accumulate more Si in saline conditions. Except for Bg 360, with Si fertilization, all tested genotypes could successfully be cultivated on marginal lands in saline or salinity-prone areas to keep sustainable rice production
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