Inheritance and physiological basis for 2,4-D resistance in prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.)

Experiments were conducted to determine the inheritance and physiological basis for resistance to the synthetic auxinic herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) in a prickly lettuce biotype. Inheritance of 2,4-D resistance in prickly lettuce is governed by a single codominant gene. Absorption and translocation were conducted using (14)C-2,4-D applied to 2,4-D-resistant and -susceptible biotypes. At 96 h after treatment (HAT), the resistant biotype absorbed less applied 2,4-D and retained more 2,4-D in the treated portion of the leaf compared to the susceptible biotype. The resistant biotype translocated less applied 2,4-D to leaves above the treated leaf and crown at 96 HAT compared to the susceptible biotype. No difference in the rate of metabolism of 2,4-D was observed between the two biotypes. Resistance to 2,4-D appears to originate from a reduced growth deregulatory and overstimulation response compared to the susceptible biotype, resulting in lower translocation of 2,4-D in the resistant prickly lettuce biotype.     

Comparison of Swiss red wheat grain and fractions for their antioxidant properties

Swiss red wheat grain, bran, aleurone, and micronized aleurone were examined and compared for their free radical scavenging properties against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH*), radical cation ABTS*+ and peroxide radical anion O(2)*-, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), chelating capacity, total phenolic content (TPC), and phenolic acid composition. The results showed that micronized aleurone, aleurone, bran, and grain may significantly differ in their antioxidant properties, TPC, and phenolic acid composition. Micronized aleurone had the greatest antioxidant activities, TPC, and concentrations of all identified phenolic acids, suggesting the potential of postharvesting treatment on antioxidant activities and availability of TPC and phenolic acids. Ferulic acid was the predominant phenolic acid in Swiss red wheat and accounted for approximately 57-77% of total phenolic acids on a weight basis. Ferulic acid concentration was well correlated with scavenging activities against radical cation and superoxide anion, TPC, and other phenolic acid concentrations, suggesting the potential use of ferulic acid as a marker of wheat antioxidants. In addition, 50% acetone and ethanol were compared for their effects on wheat ORAC values. The ORAC value of 50% acetone extracts was 3-20-fold greater than that of the ethanol extracts, indicating that 50% acetone may be a better solvent system for monitoring antioxidant properties of wheat. These data suggest the possibility to improve the antioxidant release from wheat-based food ingredients through postharvesting treatment or processing.     

Calculating nitrogen deposition in Europe

Nitrogen deposition calculations for Europe were performed by separate models describing the long-range transport of ammonia and oxidized N. A linearized version of a non-linear atmospheric chemistry model was used for calculating oxidized N. Model computations were found to be consistent with the observed spatial pattern of wet nitrate deposition in Europe. Interannual meteorological variability was estimated to cause a typical year-to-year variation in annual oxidized N deposition of about 6 to 10%. Nitrogen deposition was computed for several NO _x emissions reduction scenarios. These scenarios were derived from an OECD study and applied to the 27 largest countries in Europe. Most reduction scenarios affected the deposition pattern of oxidized N, but the most extreme NO _x emission reduction scenario did not change very much the overall pattern of total (oxidized N plus ammonia N) N deposition. Depending on the desired level of environmental protection, it may be necessary to reduce ammonia emissions in addition to NO _x emissions in order to reduce N deposition in Europe.     

Preparation of soybean oil-based greases: effect of composition and structure on physical properties

Vegetable oils have significant potential as a base fluid and a substitute for mineral oil in grease formulation. Preparation of soybean oil-based lithium greases using a variety of fatty acids in the soap structure is discussed in this paper. Soy greases with lithium-fatty acid soap having C12-C18 chain lengths and different metal to fatty acid ratios were synthesized. Grease hardness was determined using a standard test method, and their oxidative stabilities were measured using pressurized differential scanning calorimetry. Results indicate that lithium soap composition, fatty acid types, and base oil content significantly affect grease hardness and oxidative stability. Lithium soaps prepared with short-chain fatty acids resulted in softer grease. Oxidative stability and other performance properties will deteriorate if oil is released from the grease matrix due to overloading of soap with base oil. Performance characteristics are largely dependent on the hardness and oxidative stability of grease used as industrial and automotive lubricant. Therefore, this paper discusses the preparation methods, optimization of soap components, and antioxidant additive for making soy-based grease.     

Investigation of sorbate-induced plasticization of Pahokee peat by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Purpose

Sorbate-induced swelling and plasticization of sorbent have been linked to sorption hysteresis of organic compounds in the natural organic matter of isolated humic acids, soils, and coals. The above processes, which have important implications for the fate and bioavailability of organic and inorganic contaminants, are mostly based on macroscopic changes and require molecular-level confirmation. This study aimed to investigate the presence or absence of sorbate-induced plasticization of Pahokee peat soil as a function of different sorbates.

Materials and methods

The plasticization of Pahokee peat soil was studied upon sorption of different proton-free solutes including C₆D₆, CDCl₃, CCl₄, C₂Cl₄, CBr₄, C₆D₅Cl, and C₅D₅N, covering apolar and polar aromatic and aliphatic compounds. The swelling and plasticization of Pahokee peat soil were verified at the molecular level by ¹H wideline and two-dimensional wideline separation (2D WISE) NMR. The use of ¹H wideline shapes is the traditional technique for studying molecular dynamics but hampered by the lack of spectral resolution, with one dimension displaying ¹³C chemical shifts and the second showing ¹H wideline shapes, is capable of providing information on molecular dynamics of specific functional groups.

Results and discussion

Our results showed that the segments of Pahokee peat soil sorbed with C₆D₆, C₂Cl₄, and C₅D₅N became more mobile, but the changes due to the plasticization were small. Both C₆D₆ and C₅D₅N selectively increased the mobility of specific components, C₆D₆ of the nonpolar alkyl domains, and C₅D₅N of both the nonpolar alkyl domains and aromatic components.

Conclusions

Some liquid solutes at high concentrations (2–5 wt%) are capable of slightly “softening” natural organic matter of a soil, and this provides support for the hypothesis that natural organic matter in Pahokee peat soil is in a glassy state that is subject to plasticization.

     

Beating crystallization in glass-forming metals by millisecond heating and processing

The development of metal alloys that form glasses at modest cooling rates has stimulated broad scientific and technological interest. However, intervening crystallization of the liquid in even the most robust bulk metallic glass-formers is orders of magnitude faster than in many common polymers and silicate glass-forming liquids. Crystallization limits experimental studies of the undercooled liquid and hampers efforts to plastically process metallic glasses. We have developed a method to rapidly and uniformly heat a metallic glass at rates of 10(6) kelvin per second to temperatures spanning the undercooled liquid region. Liquid properties are subsequently measured on millisecond time scales at previously inaccessible temperatures under near-adiabatic conditions. Rapid thermoplastic forming of the undercooled liquid into complex net shapes is implemented under rheological conditions typically used in molding of plastics. By operating in the millisecond regime, we are able to "beat" the intervening crystallization and successfully process even marginal glass-forming alloys with very limited stability against crystallization that are not processable by conventional heating.     

Molecular mimicry regulates ABA signaling by SnRK2 kinases and PP2C phosphatases

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an essential hormone for plants to survive environmental stresses. At the center of the ABA signaling network is a subfamily of type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), which form exclusive interactions with ABA receptors and subfamily 2 Snfl-related kinase (SnRK2s). Here, we report a SnRK2-PP2C complex structure, which reveals marked similarity in PP2C recognition by SnRK2 and ABA receptors. In the complex, the kinase activation loop docks into the active site of PP2C, while the conserved ABA-sensing tryptophan of PP2C inserts into the kinase catalytic cleft, thus mimicking receptor-PP2C interactions. These structural results provide a simple mechanism that directly couples ABA binding to SnRK2 kinase activation and highlight a new paradigm of kinase-phosphatase regulation through mutual packing of their catalytic sites.