Search

Minimizing food waste is critical to future global food security. This study aimed to assess the potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with machine learning to monitor the stability of tomato fruit during storage. Freshly harvested U.K.-grown tomatoes (n = 135) were divided into five equally sized groups, each stored in different conditions. Absorbance spectra were obtained from both the tomato exocarp and locular gel using a portable NIR spectrometer, capable of connecting to a mobile phone, before subsequent chemometric analysis. Results show that support vector machines can predict the storage conditions and time-after-harvest of tomatoes. Molecular biomarkers highlighting key wavelength and molecular changes due to time and storage conditions were also identified. This method shows potential for the development of this approach for use in the field to help mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of food waste.

Background: Japanese knotweed (R. japonica var japonica) is one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species, causing crop losses, damage to infrastructure, and erosion of ecosystem services. In the UK, this species is an all-female clone, which spreads by vegetative reproduction. Despite this genetic continuity, Japanese knotweed can colonise a wide variety of environmental habitats. However, little is known about the phenotypic plasticity responsible for the ability of Japanese knotweed to invade and thrive in such diverse habitats. We have used attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, in which the spectral fingerprint generated allows subtle differences in composition to be clearly visualized, to examine regional differences in clonal Japanese knotweed. Results: We have shown distinct differences in the spectral fingerprint region (1800–900 cm− 1) of Japanese knot-weed from three different regions in the UK that were sufficient to successfully identify plants from different geo-graphical regions with high accuracy using support vector machine (SVM) chemometrics. Conclusions: These differences were not correlated with environmental variations between regions, raising the possibility that epigenetic modifications may contribute to the phenotypic plasticity responsible for the ability of R. japonica to invade and thrive in such diverse habitats.

Plants have evolved complex signalling networks in order to respond to the plethora of environmental and developmental stimuli to which they are exposed. Within these networks, a diverse range of signals are integrated, allowing the plant to formulate an appropriate response to the prevailing conditions. An important feature of signalling pathways into networks is the potential for pathways to interact with each other, thereby influencing the responses observed. This is known as crosstalk. Signalling networks act through a hub and spoke model where the hub is a key determinant of the pathways that will crosstalk with one another. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an example of such a signalling hub that play an intrinsic role in crosstalk within plant stress signalling networks. ROS are of particular interest due to their ability to have positive or negative effects, depending on their abundance within the cell.

Photoactivation of photosensitisers can be utilised to elicit the production of ROS, for potential therapeutic applications, including the destruction of diseased tissues and tumours. A novel class of photosensitiser, exemplified by DC324, has been designed possessing a modular, low molecular weight and ‘drug-like’ structure which is bioavailable and can be photoactivated by UV-A/405 nm or corresponding two-photon absorption of near-IR (800 nm) light, resulting in powerful cytotoxic activity, ostensibly through the production of ROS in a cellular environment. A variety of in vitro cellular assays confirmed ROS formation and in vivo cytotoxic activity was exemplified via irradiation and subsequent targeted destruction of specific areas of a zebrafish embryo.

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), an invasive plant species, causes negative environmental and socio-economic impacts. A female clone in the United Kingdom, its extensive rhizome system enables rapid vegetative spread. Plasticity permits this species to occupy a broad geographic range and survive harsh abiotic conditions. It is notoriously difficult to control with traditional management strategies, which include repetitive herbicide application and costly carbon-intensive rhizome excavation. This problem is complicated by crossbreeding with the closely related species, Giant knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis), to give the more vigorous hybrid, Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia x Bohemica) which produces viable seed. These species, hybrids, and backcrosses form a morphologically similar complex known as Japanese knotweed ‘sensu lato’ and are often misidentified. The research herein explores the opportunities offered by advances in the application of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy-linked chemometrics within plant sciences, for the identification and control of knotweed, to enhance our understanding of knotweed biology, and the potential of this technique. ATR-FTIR spectral profiles of Japanese knotweed leaf material and xylem sap samples, which include important biological absorptions due to lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, were used to: identify plants from different growing regions highlighting the plasticity of this clonal species; differentiate between related species and hybrids; and predict key physiological characteristics such as hormone concentrations and root water potential. Technical advances were made for the application of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to plant science, including definition of the environmental factors that exert the most significant influence on spectral profiles, evaluation of sample preparation techniques, and identification of key wavenumbers for prediction of hormone conc

This seminar explores whether or not current historically informed performances of early 19th-century repertoire are historically faithful. It then examines where things are currently wrong, what those things are, and what factors contribute to the current shortcomings. The second part of the seminar considers to what extent period performance is a 20th/21st century product where historical fidelity is irrelevant, what the aims of period instrument ensembles are and should be, why 19th-century style causes particular challenges for the HIP movement and how things could be improved going forward.

This seminar explores whether or not current historically informed performances of early 19th-century repertoire are historically faithful. It then examines where things are currently wrong, what those things are, and what factors contribute to the current shortcomings. The second part of the seminar considers to what extent period performance is a 20th/21st century product where historical fidelity is irrelevant, what the aims of period instrument ensembles are and should be, why 19th-century style causes particular challenges for the HIP movement and how things could be improved going forward.

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), an invasive plant species, causes negative environmental and socio-economic impacts. A female clone in the United Kingdom, its extensive rhizome system enables rapid vegetative spread. Plasticity permits this species to occupy a broad geographic range and survive harsh abiotic conditions. It is notoriously difficult to control with traditional management strategies, which include repetitive herbicide application and costly carbon-intensive rhizome excavation. This problem is complicated by crossbreeding with the closely related species, Giant knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis), to give the more vigorous hybrid, Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia x Bohemica) which produces viable seed. These species, hybrids, and backcrosses form a morphologically similar complex known as Japanese knotweed ‘sensu lato’ and are often misidentified. The research herein explores the opportunities offered by advances in the application of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy-linked chemometrics within plant sciences, for the identification and control of knotweed, to enhance our understanding of knotweed biology, and the potential of this technique. ATR-FTIR spectral profiles of Japanese knotweed leaf material and xylem sap samples, which include important biological absorptions due to lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, were used to: identify plants from different growing regions highlighting the plasticity of this clonal species; differentiate between related species and hybrids; and predict key physiological characteristics such as hormone concentrations and root water potential. Technical advances were made for the application of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to plant science, including definition of the environmental factors that exert the most significant influence on spectral profiles, evaluation of sample preparation techniques, and identification of key wavenumbers for prediction of hormone conc