Butterfly wing architectures inspire sensor and energy applications

Natural biological systems are constantly developing efficient mechanisms to counter adverse effects of increasing human population and depleting energy resources. Their intelligent mechanisms are characterized by the ability to detect changes in the environment, store and evaluate information, and respond to external stimuli. Bio-inspired replication into man-made functional materials guarantees enhancement of characteristics and performance. Specifically, butterfly architectures have inspired the fabrication of sensor and energy materials by replicating their unique micro/nanostructures, light-trapping mechanisms and selective responses to external stimuli. These bio-inspired sensor and energy materials have shown improved performance in harnessing renewable energy, environmental remediation and health monitoring. Therefore, this review highlights recent progress reported on the classification of butterfly wing scale architectures and explores several bio-inspired sensor and energy applications.     

Response of seed tocopherols in oilseed rape to nitrogen fertilizer sources and application rates简

Tocopherols (Tocs) are vital scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and important seed oil quality indicators. Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important fertilizers in promoting biomass and grain yield in crop production. However, the effect of different sources and application rates of N on seed Toc contents in oilseed rape is poorly understood. In this study, pot trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of two sources of N fertilizer (urea and ammonium nitrate). Each source was applied to five oilseed rape genotypes (Zheshuang 72, Jiu-Er-1358, Zheshuang 758, Shiralee, and Pakola) at three different application rates (0.41 g/pot (N1), 0.81 g/pot (N2), and 1.20 g/pot (N3)). Results indicated that urea increased α-, γ-, and total Toc (T-Toc) more than did ammonium nitrate. N3 was proven as the most efficient application rate, which yielded high contents of γ-Toc and T-Toc. Highly significant correlations were observed between Toc isomers, T-Toc, and α-/γ-Toc ratio. These results clearly demonstrate that N sources and application rates significantly affect seed Toc contents in oilseed rape.     

Interactions of cadmium and aluminum toxicity in their effect on growth and physiological parameters in soybean

The effect of Al and Cd on the growth, photosynthesis, and accumulation of Al, Cd and plant nutrients in two soybean genotypes were determined using hydroponic culture. There were six treatments: pH 6.5; pH 4.0; pH 6.5 1.0 μmol/L Cd; pH 4.0 1.0 μmol/L Cd; pH 4.0 150 μmol/L Al; pH 4.0 1.0 μmol/L Cd 150 μmol/L Al. The low pH (4.0) and Al treatments caused marked reduction in root length, shoot height, dry weight, chlorophyll content (SPAD value) and photosynthetic rate. Al-sensitive cv. Zhechun 2 accumulated comparatively more Al and Cd in plants than Al-tolerant cv. Liao 1. Compared with pH 6.5, pH 4.0 resulted in significant increase in Cd and Al concentration in plants. Combined application of Cd and Al enhanced their accu-mulation in roots, but caused a reduction in shoots. The concentrations of all 10 nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B), except Mo were also increased when plants were exposed to pH lower than pH 6.5. Al addition caused a reduction in the con-centration of most nutrients in plant roots and shoots; but K, Mn and Zn in roots were increased. Treatments with Cd alone or together with Al reduced the concentrations of all the plant nutrients in plants. Al-sensitive genotype Zhechun 2 has lower nutrient concentration than Al-tolerant genotype Liao 1. The current findings imply that Al and Cd are synergistic in their effect on plant growth, physiological traits and nutrient uptake.     

Socio-cultural Barriers to Attaining Recommended Levels of Physical Activity among Females: A Review of Literature

Females might be more affected by sociocultural barriers to physical activity because of their gender roles. This review was conducted to examine the available evidence on socioculture barriers to attaining recommended levels of physical activity among females. After thorough review, 34 articles were selected. Childcare, household work, cultural beliefs, social isolation, and unsafe neighborhood environment were leading sociocultural barriers preventing females from attaining recommended levels of physical activity. Lack of social support from family, living in extended families, living in rural areas, absence of culturally appropriate facilities, and, in some countries, past experiences of war were the main barriers. Observations of people in the family and in neighborhood performing physical activity were positively associated with physical activity. Females are a disadvantaged group that lacks social support and have poor control over decisions related to their health. Sociocultural factors act as the main barriers to recommended levels of physical activity.     

Phytochemical composition,biological potential and enzyme inhibition activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scandix pecten-veneris</Emphasis> L.

Objective

Scandix pecten-veneris L. is a less studied wild edible herb and is considered an extinct plant species in many parts of the world. This study was designed to evaluate its phytochemical composition and biological potential of S. pecten-veneris L.

Methods

Phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins were determined in extracts of S. pecten-veneris. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), while reducing power was tested by ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial and four fungal strains was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay. Enzymes inhibition study was performed for urease, phosphodiesterase-I, and catalase-II.

Results

S. pecten-veneris showed moderate antiradical activity and reducing potential of hydroxyl radicals to about 20% of the initial value. The antioxidant activity of various extracts of S. pecten-veneris showed a linear correlation with total phenolic contents in the order of water>n-butanol>chloroform>ethyl acetate>methanol extracts. S. pecten-veneris leaves showed the highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus while the highest antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans. The plant extract was most potent against urease enzymes but showed moderate activity against phosphodiestrase-I and carbonic anhydrase-II.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that in addition to its culinary uses, S. pecten-veneris has good medicinal potential and hence could be used for treating some specific health ailments.

     

The Red Blood Cell Acetylcholinesterase Levels of Depressive Patients with Suicidal Behavior in an Agricultural Area

Long-term exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OPs) without acute poisoning can lead to various OPs. Environmental exposure to organophosphate pesticides may be associated with depression and suicide attempts in a population living in a rural agricultural area. Patients (n = 149) suffering from major depressive disorder (with and without attempted suicide) and a control group of healthy individuals (n = 64) who had been living in the same rural district for at least 1 year were selected. Red blood cell acetylcholine esterase (RBC-AChE) activity was examined as the basis of evaluating the degree of chronic environmental exposure to OPs residues. There were negative association between RBC-AChE activity levels and suicide attempts, the number of past suicide attempts and hopelessness levels in the depressive patients. The results of the study may support the idea that environmental exposure to OPs may be associated with mental health in individuals living in agricultural districts who are not farmers or working in occupations with access to OPs.     

Synergistic interaction of NaCl and Cd on growth and photosynthetic parameters in soybean genotypes differing in salinity tolerance

The effects of salinity(50 mmol/L NaCl) and Cd(1 μmol/L CdCl2) as sole and combined on growth and photosyn-thetic parameters were studied using two soybean genotypes,Huachun 18 and NGB.The concentrations of Cd2 ,Zn2 ,Ca2 ,Mg2 ,K and Na were also determined in seeds and pods.Huachun 18 suffered a more serious decrease than NGB in net photosynthetic rate(Pn) in the treatments of salinity stress alone and combined stress(NaCl Cd),showing that it is relatively sensitive to salinity.The decrease in Pn caused by salt stress in Huachun 18 was mainly due to the reduced total chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency(the ratio of variable fluorescence to maximal fluorescence,Fv/Fm),whereas the decease in NGB was mainly related to reduced stomatal conductance(Gs).The combined stress of both Na and Cd did not induce further decrease in photosynthesis and fluorescence in the two genotypes relative to salt or Cd stress alone.Greater change in the pod concentrations of Zn2 ,Ca2 ,Mg2 ,K and Na was detected under salt stress for Huachun 18 than for NGB.The results suggested that the interactive effect of NaCl-Cd on growth and nutrient uptake differs between the two soybean genotypes.     

Learning through observations: the potential of collective worship in primary schools

This article reports the learning achieved by a group of trainee teachers about acts of collective worship (CW) organised in English primary schools. Using data gathered from non-participant observation questionnaires, it describes, from the viewpoint of observers, three main findings related to children and their learning, the position of CW in primary schools and their own learning about it. The findings reveal that children learn, among other things, values, dispositions, morals and issues connected to their self-esteem, reflection, prayer and spirituality. Participants consider these to be attempts to empower children to be active in out-of-school contexts. The data suggest that these trainees think that CW has a place in primary schools as it holds many benefits for the children, school and wider community. In terms of their own learning, the data shows that they learnt about the purpose and value of CW, their professionalism and the practice within their respective schools.