•Accurate NIR calibration models were obtained for main quality indexes of apples.•Total phenolics and antioxidant activity of apples could be predicted by NIR-based models.•Classification models ...were able to discriminate apple lots on the basis of storage time.
Apples can be stored for long time under controlled temperature and atmosphere conditions, and therefore, non-destructive and rapid tools are required to assess fruit quality and to monitor changes during the postharvest period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of NIR spectroscopy to optimize postharvest apple management and to follow changes in fruit quality during storage. An FT-NIR system operating in diffuse reflectance in the range 12,500–3600cm−1 was used to evaluate the physico-chemical (dry matter, soluble solids, colour and firmness) and some nutraceutical characteristics (total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity) of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples, which were stored for about six months at 1°C in controlled atmosphere, over two subsequent years. Spectral data were elaborated by PLS regression and LDA classification techniques. Good correlation models between spectral data and chemical and physical parameters were obtained for soluble solids, a* colour coordinate and firmness (0.81<R2<0.90 in calibration and 0.79<R2<0.89 in cross validation). Even higher correlation values (0.89<R2<0.95 in calibration and 0.86<R2<0.92 in cross validation) were obtained for indexes correlated to the antioxidant capacity of apples. The classification technique Linear Discriminant Analysis was applied to spectral data, in order to discriminate apples on the basis of storage time. Average correct classification was higher than 93% in validation and close to 100% in calibration, indicating high potential of NIR spectroscopy for the estimation of storage time of apple lots.
Driving is not only a physical task, but is also a mental task. Visual inputs are indispensable in scanning the road, communicating with other road users and monitoring in-vehicle devices. The ...probability to detect an object while driving (conspicuity) is very important for assessment of driving effectiveness, and correct choice of information relevant to the safety of driving determines the efficiency of a driver. Accordingly, eye fixation and eye movements are essential for attention and choice in decision making. Saccades are the most used and effective means of maintaining a correct fixation while driving. In order to identify the features of the most predisposed subjects at high driving performances and those of the high-level sportsmen, we used a special tool called Visual Exploration Training System. We evaluated by saccade and attentional tests various groups of ordinary drivers, past professional racing drivers, professional truck drivers and professional athletes. Males have faster reaction time compared to females and an age below 30 seems to guarantee better precision of performance and accuracy in achieving all visual targets. The effect on physical activity and sports is confirmed. The performances of the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) selected students who were significantly better than those of a group of aspiring students and amateur racing drivers probably thanks to individual predisposition, training and so-called ‘
neural efficiency
’.
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments on subnanoliter (sub-nL) volumes are hindered by the limited sensitivity of the detector and the difficulties in positioning and holding such small ...samples in proximity of the detector. In this work, we report on NMR experiments on liquid and biological entities immersed in liquids having volumes down to 100 pL. These measurements are enabled by the fabrication of high spatial resolution 3D printed microfluidic structures, specifically conceived to guide and confine sub-nL samples in the sub-nL most sensitive volume of a single-chip integrated NMR probe. The microfluidic structures are fabricated using a two-photon polymerization 3D printing technique having a resolution better than 1 μm3. The high spatial resolution 3D printing approach adopted here allows to rapidly fabricate complex microfluidic structures tailored to position, hold, and feed biological samples, with a design that maximizes the NMR signals amplitude and minimizes the static magnetic field inhomogeneities. The layer separating the sample from the microcoil, crucial to exploit the volume of maximum sensitivity of the detector, has a thickness of 10 μm. To demonstrate the potential of this approach, we report NMR experiments on sub-nL intact biological entities in liquid media, specifically ova of the tardigrade Richtersius coronifer and sections of Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes. We show a sensitivity of 2.5x1013 spins/Hz1/2 on 1H nuclei at 7 T, sufficient to detect 6 pmol of 1H nuclei of endogenous compounds in active volumes down to 100 pL and in a measurement time of 3 hours. Spectral resolutions of 0.01 ppm in liquid samples and of 0.1 ppm in the investigated biological entities are also demonstrated. The obtained results may indicate a route for NMR studies at the single unit level of important biological entities having sub-nL volumes, such as living microscopic organisms and eggs of several mammalians, humans included.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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•Proven homoplasy for morphological characters used in the descriptions of species of the genus Milnesium (Milnesiidae, Apochela).•Provide evidence of long-distance dispersal (LDD) in ...tardigrades.•Evaluate evolutionary processes influencing tardigrade genetic diversity and structure.•Different biogeographic pattenrs (i.e. wide vs local scale distribution) characterize tardigrade popolations/species.
Microorganisms (sensu lato, i.e., including micrometazoans) are thought to have cosmopolitan geographic distributions due to their theoretically unlimited dispersal capabilities, a consequence of their tiny size, population dynamics, and resistant forms. However, several molecular studies of microorganisms have identified biogeographic patterns indicating cryptic speciation and/or weak species definitions. Using a multi-locus approach with the genus Milnesium (Tardigrada), we aimed to determine the genetic structure of populations worldwide and the effects of long distance dispersal (LDD) on genetic connectivity and relationships across the six continents. Our results on this micrometazoan’s genetic structure and LDD at global and micro-local scales indicate contrasting patterns not easily explained by a unique or simple phenomenon. Overall, we report three key findings: (i) confirmation of long distance dispersal for tardigrades, (ii) populations with globally-shared or endemic micro-local haplotypes, and (iii) a supported genetic structure instead of the homogeneous genetic distribution hypothesized for microorganisms with LDD capabilities. Moreover, incongruences between our morphological and molecular results suggest that species delimitation within the genus Milnesium could be problematic due to homoplasy. Duality found for Milnesium populations at the global scale, namely, a molecular phylogenetic structure mixed with widely distributed haplotypes (but without any apparent biogeographic structure), is similar to patterns observed for some unicellular, prokaryotic and eukaryotic, microorganisms. Factors influencing these patterns are discussed within an evolutionary framework.
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•Non-destructive diagnostic tool was proposed for olive ripening monitoring.•Image analysis, vis/NIR and NIR spectroscopy, and chemometrics were used.•Replacing of traditional ...subjective method in a view of fully automated application.•Comparison of modelling performance of benchtop FT-NIR and portable vis/NIR devices.•Selection of 12 (1.5 nm wide) vis/NIR bands to improve classification models.
A diagnostic visible/near infrared tool calibrated by means of image analysis,was proposed to evaluate the maturation degree of oil olives in order to replace traditional subjective methods in a view of future fully automated applications.
Thirteen varieties of Olea europaea deriving from four regions of the south of Italy were analyzed. In order to objectify the ripening stage assessment, the RGB image was acquired. Spectroscopic analyses were performed using a benchtop FT-NIR and a portable vis/NIR instrument. The benchtop device was equipped with an optical fiber probe and the spectra were collected over the 800–2500 nm range, nominal resolution of 1.6 nm; the portable spectrophotometer cover the range of 400–1000 nm, nominal resolution 0.3 nm. The olive spectral data were modelled using Partial Least Squares - Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). The prediction capability reached by the global model (13 varieties were used) obtained from data acquired with both the devices results promising. The PLS-DA models calculated on the olives from Calabria, Sardinia and Abruzzo revealed high prediction capabilities, i.e. sensitivity, specificity and accuracy higher than 83%. The prediction capability of Apulia samples could be improved increasing the variability of the samples since for this region only 3 sampling times were considered. To compare the modelling performance between the benchtop FT-NIR and the portable vis/NIR device, a McNemar’s test was performed resulting no significant difference between the PLS-DA global models. Finally, considering the good performance of the vis/NIR model, a variable selection using the interval PLS (iPLS) algorithm was applied. To reduce the complexity keeping the performance of the model built using the whole vis/NIR spectra (1647 variables), 12 bands (1.5 nm wide) were selected. The new model showed an improvement in terms of model stability and complexity (Sensitivity 86%; Specificity 87%; Accuracy 87%) than the two global models built with the whole vis/NIR and NIR range.
The classification performance provided the groundwork for the development of (i) simplified systems for a direct olives ripening determination on the olive tree, and (ii) automated systems to be applied both in field and at the mill for olives sorting according to the ripening degree.
Species within the eutardigrade superfamily Macrobiotoidea are usually differentiated through their eggshell morphology. However, this trait can show very high intraspecific variability and, as ...consequence, species delimitation is challenging without molecular support. Although eggshell variability usually consists of small details, cases of species with very different egg morphotypes are known. Paramacrobiotus bifrons sp. nov. here described with an integrative approach, represents one of the species with extreme variability in eggshell morphology and it belongs to the areolatus group. The production by this gonochoric species of both areolatus-type and csotiensis-type eggs, the latter being rare in the group but most abundant in this species, was assessed by DNA barcoding, culturing, and inter-morphotype crosses. The reason underlying the production of two different eggshells resulted not related to tested culturing conditions, seasonality, or male’s influence. Confocal (with and without staining), Light, and Scanning Electron Microscopies analyses of the two egg morphotypes laid by P. bifrons sp. nov. allowed to redescribe the csotiensis-type egg, shed light on its composition (excluding chitin as a component), and to find shared details supporting the belonging of the two egg morphotypes to the same species.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E9519638-2CE9-414D-B96B-0F403845D4CAhttp://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:82DDACA5-F539-4A80-8418-8AF4A370B631
Background and Aims. The composition of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) at harvest is a key factor that determines the future quality of wine. The work aimed to evaluate and compare the environmental ...impact of the most evaluated technological parameters using three approaches: the wet-chem method, the optical method using benchtop devices, and the optical method using a prototype smart and cost-effective device (Technology Readiness Level: 5). Methods and Results. The life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was used to identify the most environmentally sustainable solution in a “from-cradle-to-grave” approach. The functional unit was identified by the execution of the analyses necessary to measure the three technological parameters: TSS, pH, and TA. The findings show that the optical analysis carried out with the prototype is the most suitable and green solution (i.e., with the lowest environmental impact in all the impact categories analysed); in fact, the same technology has proved to be 3.2 times more sustainable than the wet-chem method for the best average environmental performance. Conclusions. The research demonstrated the environmental impact advantages of the optical analyses for assessment of grape composition. Significance of the Study. Innovations in agriculture and the development of smart solutions represent advantages for managing and monitoring the composition of agri-food products that are a green solution for the industry.
The species of the genus Ramazzottius (Ramazzottiidae, Eutardigrada) are among the most common and widespread tardigrade species in the world. Most of the 28 Ramazzottius species have been described ...only with morphological characters which were most of the time represented only with drawings. The discovery of a new species of this genus in the Black Forest (Germany) provided the opportunity to compare this species with the type specimens of ten Ramazzottius species, to propose the status of species dubia for Ramazzottius edmondabouti, and through new photographs to elucidate the anatomy of animals and eggs (in particular of the head sensory regions, eye spots, buccal tube, ornamentations of the dorsal posterior cuticle, and morphology of egg processes). These thorough observations led to a better understanding of the diversity and evolution, not only of this cosmopolitan genus, but also of other eutardigrade genera. The new species Ramazzottius kretschmanni is described with an integrative approach integrating morphological (light and electron microscopy observations and morphometric data) and molecular (cox1 and ITS2 genes) data. The PTP and ASAP analyses confirmed the validity of the new species from a molecular point of view. The new species is morphologically similar to Ramazzottius oberhaeuseri, but is distinguishable by the smooth cuticle, the presence of a "cheek-like" area on the head, and the size of egg processes as well as different sequences of the molecular markers.
Anhydrobiosis is a highly stable state of suspended animation in an organism due to its desiccation, which is followed by recovery after rehydration. Changes occurring during drying could damage ...molecules, including DNA. Using the anhydrobiotic tardigrade Paramacrobiotus richtersi as a model organism, we have evaluated the effects of environmental factors, such as temperature and air humidity level (RH), on the survival of desiccated animals and on the degradation of their DNA. Tardigrades naturally desiccated in leaf litter and tardigrades experimentally desiccated on blotting paper were considered. Replicates were kept at 37 degrees C and at different levels of RH for 21 days. RH values and temperature, as well as time of exposure to these environmental factors, have a negative effect on tardigrade survival and on the time required by animals to recover active life after desiccation. DNA damages (revealed as single strand breaks) occurred only in desiccated tardigrades kept for a long time at high RH values. These results indicate that during the anhydrobiotic state, damages take place and accumulate with time. Two hypotheses can be formulated to explain the results: (i) oxidative damages occur in desiccated specimens of P. richtersi, and (ii) high temperatures and high RH values change the state of the disaccharide trehalose, reducing its protective role.
Up to few years ago, the phylogenies of tardigrade taxa have been investigated using morphological data, but relationships within and between many taxa are still unresolved. Our aim has been to ...verify those relationships adding molecular analysis to morphological analysis, using nearly complete 18S ribosomal DNA gene sequences (five new) of 19 species, as well as cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (15 new) from 20 species, from a total of seven families. The 18S rDNA tree was calculated by minimum evolution, maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses. DNA sequences coding for COI were translated to amino acid sequences and a tree was also calculated by neighbour-joining, MP and ML analyses. For both trees (18S rDNA and COI) posterior probabilities were calculated by MrBayes. Prominent findings are as follows: the molecular data on Echiniscidae (Heterotardigrada) are in line with the phylogenetic relationships identifiable by morphological analysis. Among Eutardigrada, orders Apochela and Parachela are confirmed as sister groups. Ramazzottius (Hypsibiidae) results more related to Macrobiotidae than to the genera here considered of Hypsibiidae. Macrobiotidae and Macrobiotus result not monophyletic and confirm morphological data on the presence of at least two large groups within Macrobiotus. Using 18S rDNA and COI mtDNA genes, a new phylogenetic line has been identified within Macrobiotus, corresponding to the 'richtersi-areolatus group'. Moreover, cryptic species have been identified within the Macrobiotus'richtersi group' and within Richtersius. Some evolutionary lines of tardigrades are confirmed, but others suggest taxonomic revision. In particular, the new genus Paramacrobiotus gen. n. has been identified, corresponding to the phylogenetic line represented by the 'richtersi-areolatus group'.
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