Article
Plant Sciences
J. Liu, L. Yang, Y. Yuan, T. Xue
Summary: Water uptake is essential for seed germination, and the endocarp of pecan seed plays an important role in this process. Various techniques were used to analyze the spatiotemporal pattern of water uptake and the effect of the endocarp on water absorption. Isolated seeds completed water uptake in 8 hours, while whole seeds required 6 days, indicating the significance of cracking the endocarp. The hilum serves as the entry point for water, while the rest of the seed coat acts as a barrier due to the waxy layer. The U-shaped region of the pecan seed has the highest water content, and water gradually diffuses from this region to the entire kernel. A new stage of water absorption was observed between phase II and phase III of the triphasic model of water uptake in pecan seeds. Cracking the endocarp changes water distribution and may trigger further water absorption and radicle elongation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Y. Sanath K. De Silva, Uma Maheswari Rajagopalan, Hirofumi Kadono, Danyang Li
Summary: The widespread use and mishandling of plastics have led to severe environmental issues, impacting seed germination and seedling growth. This study used Biospeckle Optical Coherence Tomography (bOCT) to investigate the effect of polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) on lentil seed germination and seedling growth. The results showed that PEMP presence significantly reduced internal activity during the initial stages of germination.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yakdehige Sanath Kumara De Silva, Uma Maheswari Rajagopalan, Hirofumi Kadono
Summary: In this study, the possible size-defendant effect of alumina nanoparticles on lentil seed germination was monitored using biospeckle Optical Coherence Tomography (bOCT) at an early stage before germination. The results imply that the AlNPs could enhance lentil seed germination and seedling growth compared to control treatments, and the effect is more significant as the particle size decreases.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ruchi Bansal, Ram Swaroop Bana, Harsh K. Dikshit, Harshita Srivastava, Swati Priya, Sunil Kumar, Muraleedhar S. Aski, N. K. Prasanna Kumari, Sanjeev Gupta, Shiv Kumar
Summary: Climate change is the most challenging environmental issue globally, posing significant threats to agricultural productivity and nutritional quality due to extreme and unpredictable climate events. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of water limitation on seed quality in lentil, a cool season legume crop. Results showed that under water stress conditions, seed yield and weight were significantly reduced, along with decreases in seed protein, Fe, Zn, phytate, protein content, and antioxidant properties. However, variation in seed size traits and positive correlations between seed yield and antioxidant activity, seed weight and Zn content were observed. Promising genotypes for seed size, Fe and protein content, as well as yield, Zn, and antioxidant capacity were identified for lentil breeding.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Hussein Khaeim, Zoltan Kende, Marton Jolankai, Gergo Peter Kovacs, Csaba Gyuricza, Akos Tarnawa
Summary: Temperature and water availability are important factors influencing seed germination and seedling development in maize. This study determined the optimal temperature, water supply, and planting density for maize seeds by manipulating factors such as temperature, water levels, and seed size. The results showed that 20 degrees C was the ideal temperature, and water requirements were associated with seed size. Priming seeds with an antifungal solution improved seedling development.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fauzia Mahanaz Shorobi, Govind Dnyandev Vyavahare, Yeong Ju Seok, Jin Hee Park
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) on plant germination, growth, and nutrient uptake. The results showed that PP-MPs did not significantly affect seed germination, but positively affected shoot and root elongation. Microplastics also affected nutrient uptake by plants, with varying effects depending on elements and plant species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takafumi Shimizu, Yuri Kanno, Shunsuke Watanabe, Mitsunori Seo
Summary: Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone that plays crucial roles in seed development and germination. The uptake of ABA into the seed coat via NPF5.1 is found to be important for maintaining ABA homeostasis and regulating seed germination.
PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
D. Moret-Fernandez, J. Tormo, B. Latorre
Summary: A new method for determining the hydraulic properties of a seed is presented and validated in experiments. This methodology can be used in various areas involving seed imbibition and can simulate seed imbibition in different scenarios.
Review
Horticulture
Chenyin Peng, Yu Wu, Fenghou Shi, Yongbao Shen
Summary: Certain substances called germination inhibitors can inhibit the germination of seeds. They can be classified as germination destructors or germination retarders, with the former causing harm to the seed and the latter being closely related to seed dormancy. These inhibitors have important applications in seed preservation and herbicide use.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hasan Teimori, Hamidreza Balouchi, Ali Moradi, Elias Soltani
Summary: This study used various temperatures and water potentials to investigate the germination response of fenugreek seeds, where the segmented model was found to be the most suitable to describe the germination behavior. Predictions for cardinal temperatures and time constants were also determined for both deteriorated and non-deteriorated seeds.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Darshika Pathiraja, Janitha P. D. Wanasundara, Fatma M. Elessawy, Randy W. Purves, Albert Vandenberg, Phyllis J. Shand
Summary: This study investigated the water-soluble phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of lentils with normal-tannin and low-tannin seed coats. The results showed significant variations in total phenolic content among different genotypes, ranging from 1519 to 6502 μg/g. The antioxidant activities were 6-9 times higher in normal-tannin lentils than in low-tannin lentils, indicating the presence of water-extractable natural phenolic compounds with promising antioxidant potential.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji Hye Kim, Shucheng Duan, You Rang Park, Seok Hyun Eom
Summary: Thermal processing has an impact on the beneficial antioxidants in lentil seeds. Germinated seeds tend to have lower levels of total phenolic content, major flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity compared to non-germinated seeds, except for one cultivar without a seed coat. The reduction of antioxidants in the seed coat contributes to the decrease in antioxidant activity in germinated seeds of certain cultivars.
Review
Agronomy
Xiaofei Xue, Shangyi Du, Fuchao Jiao, Menghan Xi, Aiguo Wang, Haicheng Xu, Qiqing Jiao, Xin Zhang, Hao Jiang, Jingtang Chen, Ming Wang
Summary: Seed germination is the process by which an organism grows from a seed, influencing both crop yield and quality, regulated by a complex gene network and influenced by endogenous and exogenous inputs, with knowledge gaps in current research.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Galina Smolikova, Sergei Medvedev
Summary: The transition from seed to seedling is a crucial stage in the life cycle of plants, involving tissue hydration, mobilization of nutrients, and activation of metabolic activity in seeds. This process requires extensive reprogramming of genetic, epigenetic, and hormonal switches, leading to the activation of vegetative growth genes and silencing of seed maturation genes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gaetano Bissoli, Mar Bono, Irene Martinez-Almonacid, Estela Moreno-Peris, Joan Renard, Ana Espinosa, Miguel Angel Naranjo, Lynne Yenush, Ana Fita, Ramon Serrano, Adrian Rodriguez-Burruezo, Eduardo Bueso
Summary: This study found that wild or less domesticated Capsicum species showed higher germination rates after accelerated seed aging treatments compared to more domesticated varieties. Variability was observed in the expression of genes involved in response to seed deterioration, with faster mobilization of seed storage proteins in aging-resistant genotypes. Lignin content in the seed coat was positively correlated with seed viability.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
A. J. Pinto, M. E. Sbampato, J. C. Sagas, P. T. Lacava
Summary: In this study, a reverse vortex flow gliding arc discharge was used to accelerate fuel oxidation. Gas analysis of the exhaust gas was performed to evaluate the role of plasma. The results showed that plasma reduced carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons contents with a low impact on NOx level, and different hydrocarbon emissions had different sensitivities to plasma application.
COMBUSTION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
E. S. P. Prado, F. S. Miranda, A. R. Marquesi, A. Essiptchouk, G. A. Labat Amaral, A. S. da Silva Sobrinho, G. Petraconi, M. R. Baldan
Summary: This study investigates the production of clean fuel gas and carbon black from coal tar pitch (CTP) using a plasma reactor equipped with a direct-current plasma torch. The composition of the gas produced and energy costs were estimated for the CTP pyrolysis and gasification processes using oxygen and water vapor as oxidants. The results show that hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide are the main gaseous compounds obtained in these processes. The CB produced consists of well-defined spherical particles composed primarily of carbon. The thermal plasma system demonstrates high efficiency in converting CTP into valuable products.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
E. S. P. Prado, F. S. Miranda, L. G. de Araujo, G. L. Fernandes, A. L. J. Pereira, M. C. Gomes, A. S. da Silva Sobrinho, M. R. Baldan, G. Petraconi
Summary: This study conducted an experimental investigation on the decolorization efficiency and degradation of organic compounds in textile wastewater using the ozonation process. The results showed that the color of the wastewater changed from black to transparent after ozonation, as indicated by a visual color number indicator. The absorbance values decreased significantly after 5 minutes of treatment, and it was concluded that combining other treatment methods is necessary to enhance the degradation of persistent compounds after ozonation.
OZONE-SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Wolfsgruber, Bruno V. M. Rodrigues, Marcia Gabriely da Cruz, Robert H. Bischof, Serhiy Budnyk, Bjorn Beele, Susanna Monti, Giovanni Barcaro, Christian Paulik, Adam Slabon
Summary: Spent sulfite liquor is a carbon source that can be used for bio-based platform chemicals. However, many microorganisms cannot metabolize aldonic acids, which hampers their biotechnological valorization. In this paper, we investigated the electrochemical reduction of gluconic and xylonic acids into glucose and xylose, respectively. Our results show that it is possible to electrochemically reduce aldonic acids into their corresponding aldoses, which is an important step towards side-stream valorization.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Felipe Carneiro da Silva, Marcelo de Matos Macedo, Juan Manuel Costa Miscione, Luis Cesar Fontana, Julio Cesar Sagas, Ronaldo Camara Cozza, Claudio Geraldo Schon
Summary: In this study, homogeneous and functionally graded TiN thin films were produced using the grid-assisted magnetron sputtering technique. The wear resistance of the TiN films was evaluated using ball-cratering micro-abrasive wear test and nanoscratching test. The results showed a 33.3% increase in wear resistance for the functionally graded TiN thin film compared to the homogeneous TiN thin film. This increase was attributed to the higher resistance to crack nucleation and propagation and better adhesion to the substrate demonstrated by the functionally graded TiN thin film in the nanoscratching tests.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Luciana Mendes Ribeiro de Sousa, Moises das Virgens Santana, Bruno Pereira da Silva, Thays Oliveira Marques, Ramon Pena-Garcia, Angel Alberto Hidalgo, Maria Leticia Vega, Bartolomeu Cruz Viana, Thiago Domingues Stocco, Luana Marotta Reis de Vasconcellos, William Chiappim, Rodrigo Savio Pessoa, Fernanda Roberta Marciano, Anderson Oliveira Lobo
Summary: By using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and simulated body fluid method, Ti6Al7Nb alloy was modified with Al2O3 and coated with apatite. Various techniques including X-Ray Fluorescence (FRX), Energy Scattering X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) were used to determine the chemical and crystallographic composition of Ti6Al7Nb before and after surface modifications. The results showed that the surface modifications improved the bioactivity of the titanium alloy by promoting the formation of microporosity and influencing the nucleation of apatite at the nanoscale. These nanofilms were found to be non-cytotoxic, making them promising for tissue engineering applications.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Matheus Ballestero, Anelise C. O. C. Doria, Rodrigo S. Pessoa, Bruno V. M. Rodrigues
Summary: Catheter-associated infections are the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections and pose a significant concern in healthcare. Preventing microbial infections through the development of materials with antimicrobial and/or microbiostatic properties is crucial. In this study, atomic layer deposition (ALD) was used to deposit aluminum oxide (Al2O3) thin films on the surface and lumen of silicone catheters, effectively inhibiting biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans while reducing contamination by 1 Log. This low-temperature ALD approach opens up possibilities for further research on active coatings for biomedical devices with improved microbiostatic properties against various microorganisms.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Abel A. C. Recco, Julio C. Sagas, Paulo C. Rech
Summary: This paper investigates a periodically driven plasma oscillator modeled by a six-parameter nonhomogeneous second-order ordinary differential equation. By varying the amplitude and angular frequency of the driving, the dynamics of the system is analyzed. The (ω, A) parameter plane reveals the occurrence of multistability and the organization of periodic and chaotic attractors. Different types of periodic structures are observed in the chaotic region.
PHYSICS OF PLASMAS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
R. S. de Oliveira, H. A. Folli, I. M. Horta, B. S. Damasceno, J. H. C. Augstrose, W. Miyakawa, A. L. J. Pereira, M. Massi, A. S. da Silva Sobrinho, D. M. G. Leite
Summary: This study investigates GaN films grown on glass substrate at low temperature (400℃) using reactive magnetron sputtering with different RF powers applied to the Ga target. The films were characterized for their structural, morphological, vibrational, and optical properties using X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectrophotometry. The films exhibited wurtzite phase with strong preferential orientation along the c-axis direction. Furthermore, two distinct contributions to the (0002) diffraction peak were observed, indicating the presence of two different morphologies, which were attributed to an intermediate layer between the substrate and the dominant columnar-like microstructured film.
MATERIALS RESEARCH-IBERO-AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Armstrong Godoy-Junior, Andre Pereira, Barbara Damasceno, Isabela Horta, Marcilene Gomes, Douglas Leite, Walter Miyakawa, Mauricio Baldan, Marcos Massi, Rodrigo Pessoa, Argemiro da Silva Sobrinho
Summary: In this study, a radiofrequency plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition system with a hollow cathode geometry was used to hydrogenate anatase TiO2 thin films, aiming to create black TiO2 films with improved light absorption capabilities. The impact of hollow cathode hydrogen plasma treatment duration on the characteristics of the resulting black TiO2 films was specifically investigated. The treatment effectively created in-bandgap states in the TiO2 structure, leading to enhanced light absorption and improved conductivity.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
J. Stryhalski, A. Laur, J. C. Sagas, A. A. Couto, K. Grigorov, L. C. Fontana, M. Massi
Summary: The study investigates the effect of voltage pulse length on the properties of Nb:TiO2 films deposited by HiPIMS. Characteristics such as resistivity, transmittance, crystallinity, and band gap values were examined. Increasing the pulse length changed the deposition from compound to metal mode, resulting in a significant increase in deposition rate and a decrease in resistivity. The films maintained high optical transmittance at around 90% but showed a reduction in heat transmission.
MATERIALS RESEARCH-IBERO-AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lucie Lindenbeck, Bjoern B. Beele, Mohammad Morsali, Serhiy Budnyk, Marcella Frauscher, Jianhong Chen, Mika H. Sipponen, Adam Slabon, Bruno V. M. Rodrigues
Summary: For a long time, lignin has been considered as a low-value waste product, but recently high-value applications have been explored, such as the preparation of hybrid materials with inorganic components. This study presents a novel and green material based on the combination of hydroxymethylated lignin nanoparticles (HLNPs) with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoflowers. The MoS2-HLNPs hybrid showed superior tribological performances compared to HLNPs alone, suggesting a new class of biobased lubricants.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marcia G. A. da Cruz, Joy N. Onwumere, Jianhong Chen, Bjoern Beele, Maksym Yarema, Serhiy Budnyk, Adam Slabon, Bruno V. M. Rodrigues
Summary: Research shows that photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles can be synthesized using carbon-rich lignin as a sustainable carbon source. By depolymerizing lignin in deep eutectic solvent or levulinic acid and combining the resulting monomers with 1,2-Phenylenediamine, photoluminescent CNPs with varied sizes were obtained without the use of solvents.
GREEN CHEMISTRY LETTERS AND REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
J. O. Vitoriano, R. S. Pessoa, A. A. Mendes Filho, J. Amorim Filho, C. Alves-Junior
Summary: This article investigates surface modification of titanium through plasma-assisted thermochemical treatments using H2-N2-O2 mixtures. The study reveals that TiN is stable in an oxygen-free atmosphere, while TiO2 requires a high oxygen flux for stability. The presence of nitrogen in the plasma atmosphere expands the titanium lattice but decreases the solubility of interstitials. These findings highlight the potential for controlled production of solid solutions or titanium oxynitrides.
MATERIALS RESEARCH-IBERO-AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maria Wolfsgruber, Prathamesh Patil, Christian M. Pichler, Robert H. Bischof, Serhiy Budnyk, Christian Paulik, Bruno V. M. Rodrigues, Adam Slabon
Summary: The electrocatalytic conversion of gluconic acid, an aldonic acid, into fermentable carbohydrates using silver as an electrocatalyst is a sustainable strategy for the valorization of spent sulfite liquor. This discovery highlights the potential for merging electrocatalysis and biorefinery concepts to create a bioelectrorefinery for side stream valorization, which is crucial for a bio-circular-green economy.
CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
