Sowing depth and light intensity in the emergence and development of monocotyledonous weeds

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different sowing depths and light intensities on the emergence and development of the monocot weed species, Urochloa decumbens and Cenchrus echinatus, under field conditions. Each species constituted an experiment, and the experimental design was completely randomized with four replicates. The treatments were arranged in a 6 x 4 factorial scheme, with six sowing depths (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, and 12.0 cm) associated with four solar radiation intensities (100%, 70%, 50%, and 30%) obtained through the use of shading screens. Seedling emergence capacity was evaluated daily to obtain the emergence percentage and speed index. Plant height, floral induction time, and plant dry matter at flowering were measured. Even when subjected to different solar radiation intensities, U. decumbens and C. echinatus seedlings emerged at all the sowing depths. Sowing between 2.0- and 4.0-cm depths favored the emergence of seedlings of U. decumbens and C. echinatus. However, sowing at 12-cm depth reduced the emergence of both species regardless of the solar radiation intensity. Urichloa decumbens plants grown under conditions of greater shading showed the lowest values of height and dry matter accumulation during flowering. High levels of shading facilitated only the etiolation of C. echinatus plants. Increased shading flowering time in both species compared to full sunlight.

A two-in-one Janus NIR-II AIEgen with balanced absorption and emission for image-guided precision surgery.

Fluorescence imaging in the near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) region opens up new avenues for biological systems due to suppressed scattering and low autofluorescence at longer-wavelength photons. Nonetheless, the development of organic NIR-II fluorophores is still limited mainly due to the shortage of efficient molecular design strategy. Herein, we propose an approach of designing Janus NIR-II fluorophores by introducing electronic donors with distinct properties into one molecule. As a proof-of-concept, fluorescent dye 2 TT-m, oC6B with both twisted and planar electronic donors displayed balanced absorption and emission which were absent in its parent compound. The key design strategy for Janus molecule is that it combines the merits of intense absorption from planar architecture and high fluorescence quantum yield from twisted motif. The resulting 2 TT-m, oC6B nanoparticles exhibit a high molar absorptivity of 1.12 ⨯104 M-1 cm-1 at 808 nm and a NIR-II quantum yield of 3.7%, displaying a typical aggregation-induced emission (AIE) attribute. The highly bright and stable 2 TT-m, oC6B nanoparticles assured NIR-II image-guided cancer surgery to resect submillimeter tumor nodules. The present study may inspire further development of molecular design philosophy for highly bright NIR-II fluorophores for biomedical applications.

A power law study of the edge influence on the perceived filling-in brightness magnitude.

BACKGROUND: Edge plays a special role in spatial perception and as well as in determining the brightness of a surface within borders. The aim of our study was to measure threshold brightness in different levels of edges thickness. METHODS: Steven's power law for circles modulating in luminance was estimated for 30 subjects (mean age 24 years, SD 3.3, 13 female). Stimuli were presented on the iMac display using the 11-bit graphic board and consisted of two circles of 3° of visual angle, separated by 10°. We tested 7 levels of Michelson contrast: 7, 8, 10, 15, 26, 50, and 100. Three edges filtering were tested (0.3, 0.8, and 1.5° of smoothing). The subjects' task was to judge the brightness of the edge filtered circle compared with the circle of the hard edge which was considered the modulus and received an arbitrary level of 50, representing the amount of brightness perception. In each trial, the same contrast level was presented in both circles. Five judgments were performed for each contrast level in edge filtering. RESULTS: We found an increase in the power law exponent as the increase of the edge filtering (for sigma of 0.3 = 0.43, sigma of 0.8 = 0.73, and sigma 1.5 = 0.97). All power function fitting had high correlation coefficients (r2 = .94, r2 = .95, r2 = .97, respectively to sigma 0.3, 0.8, and 1.5) passing to the model's adhesion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: There was a progressive distortion on the figure brightness perception as increasing the edge filtering suggesting the control of edges on the polarity of the overall brightness. Also, perceived brightness was increasingly veridical with increased filtering, approaching 1:1 correspondence at 1.5 sigmas.

A power law study of the edge influence on the perceived filling-in brightness magnitude

Abstract: Background: Edge plays a special role in spatial perception and as well as in determining the brightness of a surface within borders. The aim of our study was to measure threshold brightness in different levels of edges thickness. Methods: Steven's power law for circles modulating in luminance was estimated for 30 subjects (mean age 24 years, SD 3.3, 13 female). Stimuli were presented on the iMac display using the 11-bit graphic board and consisted of two circles of 3° of visual angle, separated by 10°. We tested 7 levels of Michelson contrast: 7, 8, 10, 15, 26, 50, and 100. Three edges filtering were tested (0.3, 0.8, and 1.5° of smoothing). The subjects' task was to judge the brightness of the edge filtered circle compared with the circle of the hard edge which was considered the modulus and received an arbitrary level of 50, representing the amount of brightness perception. In each trial, the same contrast level was presented in both circles. Five judgments were performed for each contrast level in edge filtering. Results: We found an increase in the power law exponent as the increase of the edge filtering (for sigma of 0.3 = 0.43, sigma of 0.8 = 0.73, and sigma 1.5 = 0.97). All power function fitting had high correlation coefficients (r2 = .94, r2 = .95, r2 = .97, respectively to sigma 0.3, 0.8, and 1.5) passing to the model's adhesion criteria. Conclusions: There was a progressive distortion on the figure brightness perception as increasing the edge filtering suggesting the control of edges on the polarity of the overall brightness. Also, perceived brightness was increasingly veridical with increased filtering, approaching 1:1 correspondence at 1.5 sigmas. (AU)

Assessment of #TheDress With Traditional Color Vision Tests: Perception Differences Are Associated With Blueness.

Based on known color vision theories, there is no complete explanation for the perceptual dichotomy of #TheDress in which most people see either white-and-gold (WG) or blue-and-black (BK). We determined whether some standard color vision tests (i.e., color naming, color matching, anomaloscope settings, unique white settings, and color preferences), as well as chronotypes, could provide information on the color perceptions of #TheDress. Fifty-two young observers were tested. Fifteen of the observers (29%) reported the colors as BK, 21 (40%) as WG, and 16 (31%) reported a different combination of colors. Observers who perceived WG required significantly more blue in their unique white settings than those who perceived BK. The BK, blue-and-gold, and WG observer groups had significantly different color preferences for the light cyan chip. Moreland equation anomaloscope matching showed a significant difference between WG and BK observers. In addition, #TheDress color perception categories, color preference outcomes, and unique white settings had a common association. For both the bright and dark regions of #TheDress, the color matching chromaticities formed a continuum, approximately following the daylight chromaticity locus. Color matching to the bright region of #TheDress showed two nearly distinct clusters (WG vs. BK) along the daylight chromaticity locus and there was a clear cutoff for reporting WG versus BK. All results showing a significant difference involved blue percepts, possibly due to interpretations of the illuminant interactions with the dress material. This suggests that variations in attributing blueness to the #TheDress image may be significant variables determining color perception of #TheDress.

Altered dynamics of a lipid raft associated protein in a kidney model of Fabry disease.

Accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and other neutral glycosphingolipids with galactosyl residues is the hallmark of Fabry disease, a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (α-gal A). These lipids are incorporated into the plasma membrane and intracellular membranes, with a preference for lipid rafts. Disruption of raft mediated cell processes is implicated in the pathogenesis of several human diseases, but little is known about the effects of the accumulation of glycosphingolipids on raft dynamics in the context of Fabry disease. Using siRNA technology, we have generated a polarized renal epithelial cell model of Fabry disease in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. These cells present increased levels of Gb3 and enlarged lysosomes, and progressively accumulate zebra bodies. The polarized delivery of both raft-associated and raft-independent proteins was unaffected by α-gal A knockdown, suggesting that accumulation of Gb3 does not disrupt biosynthetic trafficking pathways. To assess the effect of α-gal A silencing on lipid raft dynamics, we employed number and brightness (N&B) analysis to measure the oligomeric status and mobility of the model glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein GFP-GPI. We observed a significant increase in the oligomeric size of antibody-induced clusters of GFP-GPI at the plasma membrane of α-gal A silenced cells compared with control cells. Our results suggest that the interaction of GFP-GPI with lipid rafts may be altered in the presence of accumulated Gb3. The implications of our results with respect to the pathogenesis of Fabry disease are discussed.

Functional vision barriers: a new concept analyzed in terms of human visual performance

In this work we introduce a new category of barriers that we call "functional vision barriers." This expression refers to lighting and visual elements that may complicate or hinder functional vision and may make life even more difficult for people with visual defects. These barriers appear as a consequence of certain negative effects caused by the poor design of the visual stimulus or visual environment that surrounds it in which lighting is one of the main factors. We use the term "functional vision" because this expression refers to the ability of the visual system to perform everyday tasks. We analyzed some of our previous results with regard to situations that can be considered "functional vision barriers": (1) stimuli with low luminance contrast information in which the addition of chromatic contrast improves visual performance and (2) tasks that are performed in the presence of a glare source in the visual field, diminishing visual performance and reducing brightness perception...

Functional vision barriers: a new concept analyzed in terms of human visual performance

In this work we introduce a new category of barriers that we call "functional vision barriers." This expression refers to lighting and visual elements that may complicate or hinder functional vision and may make life even more difficult for people with visual defects. These barriers appear as a consequence of certain negative effects caused by the poor design of the visual stimulus or visual environment that surrounds it in which lighting is one of the main factors. We use the term "functional vision" because this expression refers to the ability of the visual system to perform everyday tasks. We analyzed some of our previous results with regard to situations that can be considered "functional vision barriers": (1) stimuli with low luminance contrast information in which the addition of chromatic contrast improves visual performance and (2) tasks that are performed in the presence of a glare source in the visual field, diminishing visual performance and reducing brightness perception.(AU)

Comparison of tooth crown discoloration with Epiphany and AH26 sealer in terms of chroma and value: an in vitro study

Tooth crown discoloration may possess a heavy emotional burden and esthetic concern, especially when the anterior teeth are affected. Residue of sealers within the pulp chamber is a major contributor to the occurrence of tooth discoloration. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of crown discoloration when recently introduced sealer, Epiphany, is used. Methods: Forty human incisors were examined in vitro. Fifteen teeth were sealed with either AH26 or Epiphany sealer as experimental groups and root canals of the remaining 10 teeth with distilled water. Digital photographs of the buccal aspect of teeth were then examined in terms of brightness (value) and saturation (chroma) using Photoshop software at the beginning and consecutive 3, 6 and 9 months. Degree of brightness and saturation changes was defined as follows: less than 5% as slight, 10% to 15% as moderate and 15% to 20% as severe. Results: Fifteen, 14 and 10 teeth entered in Epiphany, AH26 and control groups, respectively. Significant brightness deterioration was noticed by time in both experimental groups [F (2, 8) =29.16, p<0.001], with no differences in Epiphany compared with AH26 (p=0.086). Saturation differed neither by time [F (2, 8) =0.129, p=0.881, nor by sealer type (p=0.136) during 9-month observation. At 9th month, crown segments (incisal, middle and cervical thirds) were not contrasted by the sealer type (p=0.982) or discoloration type (either brightness or saturation) (p=0.50). All changes in the experimental groups were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Epiphany was equal to AH26 sealer in terms of relative long-term crown discoloration. One clinical correlation learned from the results of the present study is that Epiphany may safely be used interchangeably with the traditional AH26 sealer.

Diferentes meios de cultivo e condições de luz no crescimento e massa miceliana de agaricus brasiliensis s. wasser et al

ABSTRACT The cultivation of edible fungi is gaining significance in Brazil, particularly in light of scientific research that has proved their medicinal activities and high nutritional value, coupled with the fact that they have become a source of alternative income for small and medium producers. For this study, two strains of Agaricus brasiliensis (ABL97/11 and ABL97/30) originating from the Module of Mushrooms of FCA/ UNESP, SP were seeded in different cultivation media, consisting of compost and the addition or not of dextrose, and incubated in the presence and absence of light, checking for alterations in the mycelial development. It was observed that the brightness does not influence the mycelium mass, while media with dextrose provided larger mycelium mass for the two strains. Compost agar dextrose medium (CDA) when incubated in the darkness provided larger growth for the two strains, and the strain ABL11/97 presented larger growth than the strain ABL30/97.

RESUMO O cultivo de cogumelos comestíveis vem tomando relevância no Brasil, principalmente depois de descobertas científicas que comprovaram atividades medicinais exercidas por eles e também pelo seu alto valor nutritivo e, ainda por estes tornarem-se uma fonte de renda alternativa para pequenos e médios produtores. Para realização deste trabalho foram utilizadas duas linhagens de Agaricus brasiliensis (ABL97/11 e ABL97/30), provenientes do Módulo de Cogumelos da FCA/ UNESP, SP, as quais foram repicadas para diferentes meios de cultivo, à base de composto e adição ou não de dextrose, e incubadas na presença e ausência de luz, visando alterações no desenvolvimento miceliano. Observou-se que a luminosidade não influencia na massa miceliana, muito embora meios com dextrose proporcionaram maior massa miceliana para as duas linhagens. O meio composto-dextrose-ágar (CDA), quando incubado no escuro, proporcionou maior crescimento para as duas linhagens, sendo que a linhagem ABL11/97 apresentou maior crescimento que a linhagem ABL30/97.