Dark septate endophytes (DSE) are a form-group of root endophytic fungi with elusive functions. Here, the genomes of two common DSE of semiarid areas, Cadophora sp. and Periconia macrospinosa were ...sequenced and analyzed with another 32 ascomycetes of different lifestyles. Cadophora sp. (Helotiales) and P. macrospinosa (Pleosporales) have genomes of 70.46 Mb and 54.99 Mb with 22,766 and 18,750 gene models, respectively. The majority of DSE-specific protein clusters lack functional annotation with no similarity to characterized proteins, implying that they have evolved unique genetic innovations. Both DSE possess an expanded number of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes), including plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs). Those were similar in three other DSE, and contributed a signal for the separation of root endophytes in principal component analyses of CAZymes, indicating shared genomic traits of DSE fungi. Number of secreted proteases and lipases, aquaporins, and genes linked to melanin synthesis were also relatively high in our fungi. In spite of certain similarities between our two DSE, we observed low levels of convergence in their gene family evolution. This suggests that, despite originating from the same habitat, these two fungi evolved along different evolutionary trajectories and display considerable functional differences within the endophytic lifestyle.
A defining characteristic of nearly all catalytically functional MOFs is uniform, molecular-scale porosity. MOF pores, linkers and nodes that define them, help regulate reactant and product ...transport, catalyst siting, catalyst accessibility, catalyst stability, catalyst activity, co-catalyst proximity, composition of the chemical environment at and beyond the catalytic active site, chemical intermediate and transition-state conformations, thermodynamic affinity of molecular guests for MOF interior sites, framework charge and density of charge-compensating ions, pore hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, pore and channel rigidity
flexibility, and other features and properties. Collectively and individually, these properties help define overall catalyst functional behaviour. This review focuses on how porous, catalyst-containing MOFs capitalize on molecular-scale confinement, containment, isolation, environment modulation, energy delivery, and mobility to accomplish desired chemical transformations with potentially superior selectivity or other efficacy, especially in comparison to catalysts in homogeneous solution environments.
Dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi represent a frequent root-colonizing fungal group common in environments with strong abiotic stress, such as (semi)arid ecosystems. This work aimed to study the ...DSE fungi colonizing the plants of semiarid sandy grasslands with wood steppe patches on the Great Hungarian Plain. As we may assume that fungi colonizing both invasive and native species are generalists, root associated fungi (RAF) were isolated from eight native and three invasive plant species. The nrDNA sequences of the isolates were used for identification. To confirm that the fungi were endophytes an artificial inoculation system was used to test the isolates: we considered a fungus as DSE if it colonized the roots without causing a negative effect on the plant and formed microsclerotia in the roots. According to the analyses of the ITS sequence of nrDNA the 296 isolates clustered into 41 groups. We found that 14 of these 41 groups were DSE, representing approximately 60% of the isolates. The main DSE groups were generalist and showed no specificity to area or season and colonized both native and invasive species, demonstrating that exotic plants are capable of using the root endophytic fungi of the invaded areas. The DSE community of the region shows high similarity to those found in arid grasslands of North America. Taking into account a previous hypothesis about the common root colonizers of those grasslands and our results reported here, we hypothesize that plants of (semi)arid grasslands share common dominant members of the DSE fungal community on a global scale.
Here we present the New York University Value-Added Galaxy Catalog (NYU-VAGC), a catalog of local galaxies (mostly below z 0.3) based on a set of publicly released surveys matched to the Sloan ...Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 2. The photometric catalog consists of 693,319 galaxies, QSOs, and stars; 343,568 of these have redshift determinations, mostly from the SDSS. Excluding areas masked by bright stars, the photometric sample covers 3514 deg2, and the spectroscopic sample covers 2627 deg2 (with about 85% completeness). Earlier, proprietary versions of this catalog have formed the basis of many SDSS investigations of the power spectrum, correlation function, and luminosity function of galaxies. Future releases will follow future public releases of the SDSS. The catalog includes matches to the Two Micron All Sky Survey Point Source Catalog and Extended Source Catalog, the IRAS Point Source Catalog Redshift Survey, the Two-Degree Field Galaxy Redshift Survey, the Third Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies, and the Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty cm survey. We calculate and compile derived quantities from the images and spectra of the galaxies in the catalogs (for example, K-corrections and structural parameters for the galaxies). The SDSS catalog presented here is photometrically calibrated in a more consistent way than that distributed by the SDSS Data Release 2 Archive Servers and is thus more appropriate for large-scale structure statistics, reducing systematic calibration errors across the sky from ~2% to ~1%. We include an explicit description of the geometry of the catalog, including all imaging and targeting information as a function of sky position. Finally, we have performed eyeball quality checks on a large number of objects in the catalog in order to flag errors (such as errors in deblending). This catalog is complementary to the SDSS Archive Servers in that NYU-VAGC's calibration, geometric description, and conveniently small size are specifically designed for studying galaxy properties and large-scale structure statistics using the SDSS spectroscopic catalog.
Although dark septate endophytes (DSE) represent a worldwide dispersed form group of root-colonizing endophytic fungi, our knowledge on their role in ecosystem functioning is far limited. In this ...study, we aimed to test if functional diversity exists among DSE fungi representing different lineages of root endophytic fungal community of semiarid sandy grasslands. To address this question and to gain general information on function of DSE fungi, we adopted api-ZYM and BioLog FF assays to study those non-sporulating filamentous fungi and characterized the metabolic activity of 15 different DSE species. Although there were striking differences among the species, all of the substrates tested were utilized by the DSE fungi. When endophytes characteristic to grasses and non-grass host plants were separately considered, we found that the whole substrate repertoire was used by both groups. This might illustrate the complementary functional diversity of the communities root endophytic plant-associated fungi. The broad spectra of substrates utilized by these root endophytes illustrate the functional importance of their diversity, which can play role not only in nutrient mobilization and uptake of plants from with nutrient poor soils, but also in general plant performance and ecosystem functioning.
Interspecific functional diversity of dark septate endophytes was revealed by tests of their substrate utilization and enzymatic capability.
•We develop & test a mechanistic model of multi-track wire arc additive manufacturing•3D transient model considers mass addition, heat transfer, fluid flow & free surface•Computational speed is ...significantly enhanced by using an adaptive meshing•Arc pressure and fluid flow are dominant factors in determining deposit geometry•Important model predictions for H13 steel and Ti-6Al-4V are validated with data
Wire-arc additive manufacturing provides the fastest metal printing rate among all printing processes. Heat transfer and fluid flow models offer a usable connection between process variables and the parameters that affect the structure and properties of parts. Here we develop a computationally efficient, three-dimensional, transient, heat transfer and fluid flow model to calculate temperature and velocity fields, deposit geometry, cooling rates, and solidification parameters that affect the microstructure, properties, and defect formation. Calculations are done for multi-track depositions of a tool steel H13 and a titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V and the computed results are tested using experimental data for different processing conditions. It is found that convective flow and arc pressure are the two most important factors that govern the width and depth of penetration, respectively. An adaptive grid technique proposed here enhances the computational speed by as much as by 50% without affecting the accuracy of the computed results. For the same processing conditions, Ti-6Al-4V exhibits a larger fusion zone than that for H13 steel attributed to the lower density of Ti-6Al-4V. In addition, Ti-6Al-4V exhibits faster cooling rates during solidification than H13 steel because of the lower difference between the liquidus and solidus temperatures for Ti-6Al-4V. A smaller hatch spacing results in a larger pool and slower cooling rates during the solidification of both alloys.
The quest to achieve a sustainable supply of both energy and chemicals is one of the great challenges of this century. 5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF), the long-known dehydration product of hexose ...carbohydrates, has become an important nexus for access to both liquid fuels and chemicals. One such biofuel is 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which is a product of HMF hydrogenolysis and contains an energy density 40% greater than that of ethanol. In recent years, much work has been done to effect the chemical conversion of fructose, glucose, cellulose, and even lignocellulosic biomass into HMF in high yield. Here, we provide an overview of methods to access HMF from carbohydrates with the highest potential to reach an industrial scale, along with a discussion of unmet technological needs necessary for commercialization.
Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is gaining wide acceptance in diverse industries for the manufacturing of metallic components. The microstructure and properties of the ...components vary widely depending on printing process and process parameters, and prediction of causative variables that affect structure, properties and defects is helpful for their control. Since models are most useful when they can correctly predict experimental observations, we focus on the available mechanistic models of AM that have been adequately validated. Specifically, the applications of transport phenomena models in the studies of solidification, residual stresses, distortion, formation of defects and the evolution of microstructure and properties are critically reviewed. The functionality of AM models in understanding of the printability of commonly used AM alloys and the fabrication of functionally graded alloys are also assessed. Opportunities for future research are identified considering the gaps in knowledge in modeling. The uniqueness of this review includes substantive discussions of the rapid certification of the AM components aided by scale models, bidirectional models, cloud based big data, machine learning and digital twins of AM hardware.
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In this study a premixed strontium-containing calcium phosphate bone cement for the application in osteoporotic bone defects has been developed and characterised regarding its ...material and in vitro properties as well as minimally invasive applicability in balloon kyphoplasty. Strontium was introduced into the cement by substitution of one precursor component, CaCO3, with its strontium analogue, SrCO3. Using a biocompatible oil phase as carrier liquid, a cement paste that only set upon contact with aqueous environment was obtained. Strontium modification resulted in an increased strength of set cements and radiographic contrast; and the cements released biologically relevant doses of Sr2+-ions that were shown to enhance osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Finally, applicability of strontium-containing cement pastes in balloon kyphoplasty was demonstrated in a human cadaver spine procedure. The cement developed in this study may therefore be well suited for minimally invasive, osteoporosis-related bone defect treatment.
Strontium-releasing calcium phosphate bone cements are promising materials for the clinical regeneration of osteoporosis-related bone defects since they have been shown to stimulate bone formation and at the same time limit osteoclastic bone resorption. Today clinical practice favours minimally invasive surgical techniques, e.g. for vertebral fracture treatment, posing special demands on such cements. We have therefore developed a premixed, strontium-releasing bone cement with enhanced mechanical properties and high radiographic visibility that releases biologically relevant strontium concentrations and thus stimulates cells of the osteogenic lineage. In a pilot experiment we also exemplify its excellent suitability for minimally invasive balloon kyphoplasty procedures.
Abstract Alternaria , a cosmopolitan fungal genus is a dominant member of the grapevine ( Vitis vinifera ) microbiome. Several Alternaria species are known to produce a variety of secondary ...metabolites, which are particularly relevant to plant protection and food safety in field crops. According to previous findings, the majority of Alternaria species inhabiting grapevine belong to Alternaria sect. Alternaria . However, the phylogenetic diversity and secondary metabolite production of the distinct Alternaria species has remained unclear. In this study, our aim was to examine the genetic and metabolic diversity of endophytic Alternaria isolates associated with the above-ground tissues of the grapevine. Altogether, 270 Alternaria isolates were collected from asymptomatic leaves and grape clusters of different grapevine varieties in the Eger wine region of Hungary. After analyses of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and RNA polymerase second largest subunit ( rpb2 ) sequences, 170 isolates were chosen for further analyses. Sequences of the Alternaria major allergen gene ( Alt a 1 ), endopolygalacturonase ( endoPG ), OPA10-2, and KOG1058 were also included in the phylogenetic analyses. Identification of secondary metabolites and metabolite profiling of the isolates were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HR-MS/MS). The multilocus phylogeny results revealed two distinct groups in grapevine, namely A . alternata and the A . arborescens species complex (AASC). Eight main metabolites were identified in all collected Alternaria isolates, regardless of their affiliation to the species and lineages. Multivariate analyses of untargeted metabolites found no clear separations; however, a partial least squares-discriminant analysis model was able to successfully discriminate between the metabolic datasets from isolates belonging to the AASC and A. alternata . By conducting univariate analysis based on the discriminant ability of the metabolites, we also identified several features exhibiting large and significant variation between A. alternata and the AASC. The separation of these groups may suggest functional differences, which may also play a role in the functioning of the plant microbiome.
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