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A mathematical model is presented for magnetohydrodynamic viscous incompressible flow of an electrically conducting Newtonian polymeric fluid from a moving permeable horizontal stretching sheet with variable magnetic field, momentum and thermal slip boundary conditions. The emerging nonlinear ordinary differential boundary value problem is solved numerically by the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg fourth-fifth order numerical method in Maple symbolic software. The effects of the governing parameters on the dimensionless stream function, dimensionless flow velocity and the dimensionless temperature have been investigated, displayed graphically and discussed. It is found that greater momentum slip and magnetic field parameters reduce the dimensionless velocity. It is further observed that higher values of Prandtl number, thermal slip, and conductionradiation parameter (weaker radiation contribution) reduce the dimensionless temperature whilst stronger magnetic field increases the temperature due to the supplementary work expended in dragging the polymer against the action of the magnetic field which is dissipated as heat. Comparisons of numerical results with previous published results show an excellent agreement. The study finds applications in electro-conductive polymer (ECP) processing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptostroma corticale is the causal agent of sooty bark disease, which was first described in the middle of the last century and has developed in recent years to a relevant threat for Acer spp. trees in Central Europe. Triggered by extreme heat and drought, this tree disease is becoming more and more important in the course of climate change. Acer pseudoplatanus is a particularly affected tree species, but the disease has also been observed on other Acer spp., and there is some indication that there are suitable hosts outside the Acer genus. In literature, Aesculus hippocastanum was mentioned twice to be a host, however, without any proof or details. With this study, we verify the assumption that A. hippocastanum is a host of C. corticale by morphological and phylogenetic analyses based on a case in Germany. Furthermore, we provide microscope pictures of microtome sections of the specimens, showing the spore production of C. corticale on A. hippocastanum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To construct the microemulsion delivery system (ME) loading ATSO and NA and study their physicochemical characteristics to enhance their stability and water solubility. By plotting ternary phase diagrams, the composition and proportions of the MEs were determined. The physicochemical characteristics and stability of MEs were evaluated by mean diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), pH, electrical conductivity, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), rheological behaviour measurement, and phase inversion temperature (PIT). The MEs was composed with EL-40 as a surfactant and specifically with the addition of ethanol as a cosurfactant in NA-loaded ME. The mean diameters of ATSO-loaded ME and NA-loaded ME were 39.65 ± 0.24 nm and 32.90 ± 2.65 nm, and PDI were 0.49 ± 0.01 and 0.28 ± 0.14, respectively. The TEM confirmed the spherical and smooth morphology of MEs. The rheological results indicated that MEs are dilatant fluids with the advantages of low viscosity, high fluidity, and tolerance to temperature fluctuations. The mean diameter and PDI of MEs showed no significant change after storage at 25 °C for 28 days and centrifugation. The prepared microemulsions could expand the application prospects of ATSO and NA products in cosmetics, medicine, foods and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acer is a taxonomically intractable and speciose genus that contains over 150 species. It is challenging to distinguish Acer species only by morphological method due to their abundant variations. Plastome and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) sequences are recommended as powerful next-generation DNA barcodes for species discrimination. However, their efficacies were still poorly studied. The current study will evaluate the application of plastome and nrDNA in species identification and perform phylogenetic analyses for Acer. Result: Based on a collection of 83 individuals representing 55 species (c. 55% of Chinese species) from 13 sections, our barcoding analyses demonstrated that plastomes exhibited the highest (90.47%) species discriminatory power among all plastid DNA markers, such as the standard plastid barcodes matK + rbcL + trnH-psbA (61.90%) and ycf1 (76.19%). And the nrDNA (80.95%) revealed higher species resolution than ITS (71.43%). Acer plastomes show abundant interspecific variations, however, species identification failure may be due to the incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and chloroplast capture resulting from hybridization. We found that the usage of nrDNA contributed to identifying those species that were unidentified by plastomes, implying its capability to some extent to mitigate the impact of hybridization and ILS on species discrimination. However, combining plastome and nrDNA is not recommended given the cytonuclear conflict caused by potential hybridization. Our phylogenetic analysis covering 19 sections (95% sections of Acer) and 128 species (over 80% species of this genus) revealed pervasive inter- and intra-section cytonuclear discordances, hinting that hybridization has played an important role in the evolution of Acer. Conclusion: Plastomes and nrDNA can significantly improve the species resolution in Acer. Our phylogenetic analysis uncovered the scope and depth of cytonuclear conflict in Acer, providing important insights into its evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glued laminated timber made from hardwood is a sustainable structural product that is currently gaining momentum due to climatic changes and afforestation policy. Diversities in hardwood species have led to a lack of a complete standard for the production of glued laminated timber from hardwood in Europe. This paper addresses hardwood species available in Croatian forests, namely Carpinus Betulus L. (European hornbeam), Quercus Cerris L. (Turkey oak), and Acer Campestre L. (Maple), in terms of their suitability for the production of glued laminated timber. The suitability is assessed by a multi‐criteria analysis with seven criteria. Visual and physical properties include density, the occurrence of knots, and grain deviation in lamellas. Mechanical properties include the bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and shear strength of glue lines. In order to obtain physical and mechanical properties, corresponding experimental research has been carried out. Production costs have been evaluated in collaboration with the manufacturer. Results indicate a very high potential of European hornbeam and Turkey oak for the production of glued laminated timber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated shoot nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations, stem wound closure, and radial growth of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) trees in a novel ice storm experiment in which five storm treatments (0, 6.4, 12.7, and 19.1 mm of radial ice accretion in 1 year and 12.7 mm of ice in two consecutive years) were applied within a mature northern hardwood forest. We tested for changes in physiology at two levels: (1) associated with plot-level ice treatments and (2) with crown damage classes of individual trees. Few differences in NSC or wound closure associated with treatment were found. Growth decreased for red maple in the medium and high treatments and sugar maple in the high treatment but no other treatments. Changes in physiology were more evident when assessed using crown damage classes. Two NSC components were elevated in sugar and red maples with high (≥50%) crown damage. Wound closure was less for red maples with high damage, and separation among damage classes was even greater for sugar maple. Red maples with moderate (<50%) and high crown damage showed gradually declining growth, whereas sugar maples with high damage showed ∼80% reduction in growth the first year after injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sap exudation is the process whereby trees such as sugar (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) generate unusually high positive stem pressure in response to repeated cycles of freeze and thaw. This elevated xylem pressure permits the sap to be harvested over a period of several weeks and hence is a major factor in the viability of the maple syrup industry. The extensive literature on sap exudation documents competing hypotheses regarding the physical and biological mechanisms that drive positive pressure generation in maple, but to date, relatively little effort has been expended on devising mathematical models for the exudation process. In this paper, we utilize an existing model of Graf et al. (J Roy Soc Interface 12:20150665, 2015) that describes heat and mass transport within the multiphase gas–liquid–ice mixture in the porous xylem tissue. The model captures the inherent multiscale nature of xylem transport by including phase change and osmotic transport in wood cells on the microscale, which is coupled to heat transport through the tree stem on the macroscale. A parametric study based on simulations with synthetic temperature data identifies the model parameters that have greatest impact on stem pressure build-up. Measured daily temperature fluctuations are then used as model inputs and the resulting simulated pressures are compared directly with experimental measurements taken from mature red and sugar maple stems during the sap harvest season. The results demonstrate that our multiscale freeze–thaw model reproduces realistic exudation behavior, thereby providing novel insights into the specific physical mechanisms that dominate positive pressure generation in maple trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation is critical to the regulation of transposable elements and gene expression and can play an important role in the adaptation of stress response mechanisms in plants. Traditional methods of methylation quantification rely on bisulfite conversion that can compromise accuracy. Recent advances in long‐read sequencing technologies allow for methylation detection in real time. The associated algorithms that interpret these modifications have evolved from strictly statistical approaches to Hidden Markov Models and, recently, deep learning approaches. Much of the existing software focuses on methylation in the CG context, but methylation in other contexts is important to quantify, as it is extensively leveraged in plants. Here, we present methylation profiles for two maple species across the full range of 5mC sequence contexts using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long‐reads. Hybrid and reference‐guided assemblies were generated for two new Acer accessions: Acer negundo (box elder; 65x ONT and 111X Illumina) and Acer saccharum (sugar maple; 93x ONT and 148X Illumina). The ONT reads generated for these assemblies were re‐basecalled, and methylation detection was conducted in a custom pipeline with the published Acer references (PacBio assemblies) and hybrid assemblies reported herein to generate four epigenomes. Examination of the transposable element landscape revealed the dominance of LTR Copia elements and patterns of methylation associated with different classes of TEs. Methylation distributions were examined at high resolution across gene and repeat density and described within the broader angiosperm context, and more narrowly in the context of gene family dynamics and candidate nutrient stress genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant fiber‐supported palladium nanocatalysts (Pdx/FAL) with high catalytic activity and good stability were synthesized by one‐pot method using Na2PdCl4 as palladium source, Acer L. leaves as reducing agent, stabilizer, and carrier without adding chemical reducing agents or stabilizers. The as‐prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, and so forth. During the preparation process, the extraction of organic matter from Acer L. leaves, the reduction and stabilization of Pd2+, and the loading of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were carried out simultaneously, which greatly simplified the preparation steps and reduced the cost. Oxygen‐ and nitrogen‐containing groups in the Acer L. leaf extract preferentially formed complexes with Pd2+, and then, the polyphenols reduced Pd2+ to Pd0, which ensured that PdNPs with small particle sizes were formed and embedded in porous plant fibers (extraction residue of Acer L. leaves) with oxygen‐containing groups, thereby improving the catalytic activity and stability of the catalyst. The characterization results showed that the prepared PdNPs with a face‐centered cubic structure were uniformly distributed on the support, and the average particle size was 3.08 nm. The Suzuki coupling reaction of 4‐bromonitrobenzene and phenylboronic acid by the prepared catalysts at 40°C showed that the reaction yield could reach 97.72%, and the TOF could reach 3,240.6 h−1, exhibiting high catalytic performance. The reaction of 4‐bromotoluene with phenylboronic acid gave a yield of 98.58%, which remained above 90% after seven repetitions. This article provided a simple, high‐performance, and eco‐friendly synthesis idea for nanopalladium catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to analyze the influence of coating treatments on sound propagation speeds in thin boards, along the longitudinal and radial directions of resonance wood. The samples studied were thin boards made of spruce and maple wood with dimensions of 240 mm × 80 mm × 4 mm (length × width × thickness) subjected to different coating treatments (oil-based varnish and alcohol varnish) as well as unvarnished samples, exposed to radiation UV, and specimens treated in the saline fog. The test method consisted of evaluating the propagation speeds of Lamb waves applied to thin plates, according to a semicircular test model, so that the results highlighted both the acoustic response in the longitudinal and radial directions as well as the variation in the anisotropy of the samples with the change in the sound propagation direction relative to wood fibers. Based on the statistical analysis, sound propagation speed profiles were obtained in each of the 38 directions analyzed for all wood samples. The results highlighted that the oil-based varnish led to a decrease in the speed of propagation in the radial direction, compared to the alcoholic varnish, whose major effect was in the longitudinal direction, on the spruce wood. On maple wood, increasing the number of varnish layers, regardless of the type of varnish, led to a decrease in the anisotropy ratio between the longitudinal and radial directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extreme summer heat events in which temperatures exceed 40 °C are expected to increase in duration and intensity worldwide. Consequently, selecting heat-tolerant trees for future predicted climatic conditions will be one of the significant challenges for urban landscape managers. Method: The effect of heat stress (44 °C for 4 hours) on chlorophyll variable: maximum fluorescence (Fv/Fm) ratios and Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values as measures of damage to the leaf photosynthetic system and leaf chlorophyll content was quantified in 8 Acer genotypes (Acer pseudoplatanus 'Negenia', A. pseudoplatanus 'Spaethii', A. platanoides 'Royal Red', A. platanoides 'Princeton Gold', A. platanoides 'Emerald Queen', A. platanoides 'Drummondii', A. campestre, A. campestre 'Louisa Red Shine'). Results: Fv/Fm ratios proved to be a sensitive indicator of heat damage and positively identified marked differences in tolerance to and recovery from heat damage between the 8 Acer genotypes. Estimated leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) was not sufficiently sensitive to distinguish differences in tolerance and recovery between genotypes. Conclusions: Chlorophyll fluorescence Fv/Fm ratios, but not estimated leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), offers a rapid screening technique for assessing the tolerance to and recovery from heat stress in leaf tissue of trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winged, autorotating seeds from the genus Acer, have been the subject of study for botanists and aerodynamicists for decades. Despite this attention and the relative simplicity of these winged seeds, there are still considerable gaps in our understanding of how samara dynamics are informed by morphological features. Additionally, questions remain regarding the robustness of their dynamics to morphological alterations such as mass change by moisture or area change by damage. We here challenge the conventional approach of using wing-loading correlations and instead demonstrate the superiority of a classical aerodynamic model. Using allometry, we determine why some species deviate from interspecific aerodynamic behavior. We alter samara mass and wing area and measure corresponding changes to descent velocity, rotation rate, and coning angle, thereby demonstrating their remarkable ability to autorotate despite significant morphological alteration. Samaras endure mass changes greater than 100% while maintaining descent velocity changes of less than 15%, and are thus robust to changes in mass by moisture or damage. Additionally, samaras withstand up to a 40% reduction in wing area before losing their ability to autorotate, with the largest wings more robust to ablation. Thus, samaras are also robust to wing damage in their environment, a fact children joyfully exploit. Winged, autorotating seeds from the genus Acer can autorotate despite significant morphological alteration, enduring mass changes >% while maintaining descent velocity changes of <%. A classical aerodynamic model well predicts descent velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural maple seeds can fall into stable autorotation when descending. Their excellent aerodynamic performance can be applied to biomimetic aircraft design. Wing loading plays an important role in flight performance. To make clear the effects of wing loading on the aerodynamic characteristics of autorotating maple seeds, experiments integrated with numerical simulation were performed. In the experiment, the free fall test and the wind tunnel test were conducted on maple seeds with variable wing loadings. During the free fall process, four typical stages can be divided for the maple seed according to different kinematic characteristics. In the numerical simulation, the Moving Reference Frame method was used to simulate the fluid of autorotating maple seeds. Both experiment and simulation results show that descending velocities and spinning rates rise almost linearly with the increase in wing loadings, and descending velocity is closely related to spinning rate. Obvious leading-edge vortexes were observed on seed wing, which are the flow mechanism of high lift. The pressure differences between the top and lower surfaces of seeds grow with increasing wing loadings. Larger wing loadings lead to more serious separation of leading-edge vortex. The parameter influence analysis demonstrates that smaller conning angles or larger spinning rates are beneficial for high-lift flight. The spinning rate has a more significant effect on the autorotating maple seeds. However, when the spinning rate is larger than 200 rad/s, the lift does not increase anymore. The spinning rate should be controlled smaller than 200 rad/s when applied to biomimetic aircraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acer negundo L. is a wind-pollinated, dioecious tree that occasionally produces flowers with rudiments of the opposite sex. Both the male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers possess only two whorls: sepals and stamens or carpels, the arrangement of which is disputed. Here we present data on inflorescence and floral development, pollen fertility in staminodes and the diversity of male and female flowers. We found that the merism of male flowers is unstable, and the numbers of stamens and sepals vary independently. The different floral groundplans always occur within the inflorescences of the same generative shoot. The development of a flower begins with the initiation of sepals, but in female flowers, sepals are initiated sequentially and remain of different sizes, whereas in male flowers, sepals are initiated almost simultaneously and are equal. After the appearance of stamen primordia or carpel primordia, a part of the undifferentiated meristem remains. This unused meristem can be involved in producing staminodes or pistillodia. Both unisexual and (partly) bisexual flowers are found in the same inflorescence. Staminodes are either completely sterile or produce some amount of viable pollen. These features indicate the possibility of functional bisexuality in A. negundo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: One of the challenges encountered in the design of guided projectiles is their prohibitive cost. To diminish it, an appropriate avenue many researchers have explored is the use of the non-actuator method for guiding the projectile to the target. In this method, biologically inspired by the flying concept of the single-winged seed, for instance, that of maple and ash trees, the projectile undergoes a helical motion to scan the region and meet the target in the descent phase. Indeed, the projectile is a decelerator device based on the autorotation flight while it attempts to resemble the seed's motion using two wings of different spans. There exists a wealth of studies on the stability of the decelerators (e.g. the mono-wing, samara and pararotor), but all of them have assumed the body (exclusive of the wing) to be symmetric and paid no particular attention to the scanning quality of the region. In practice, however, the non-actuator-guided projectiles are asymmetric owing to the presence of detection sensors. This paper aims to present an analytical solution for stability analysis of asymmetric decelerators and apprise the effects of design parameters to improve the scanning quality. Design/methodology/approach: The approach of this study is to develop a theoretical model consisting of Euler equations and apply a set of non-dimensionalized equations to reduce the number of involved parameters. The obtained governing equations are readily applicable to other decelerator devices, such as the mono-wing, samara and pararotor. Findings: The results show that the stability of the body can be preserved under certain conditions. Moreover, pertinent conclusions are outlined on the sensitivity of flight behavior to the variation of design parameters. Originality/value: The analytical solution and sensitivity analysis presented here can efficiently reduce the design cost of the asymmetric decelerator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To modulate the bioactivity and boost the therapeutic outcome of implantable metallic devices, biodegradable coatings based on polylactide (PLA) and graphene oxide nanosheets (nGOs) loaded with Zinforo™ (Zin) have been proposed in this study as innovative alternatives for the local management of biofilm-associated periprosthetic infections. Using a modified Hummers protocol, high-purity and ultra-thin nGOs have been obtained, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. The matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique has been successfully employed to obtain the PLA-nGO-Zin coatings. The stoichiometric and uniform transfer was revealed by infrared microscopy (IRM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. In vitro evaluation, performed on fresh blood samples, has shown the excellent hemocompatibility of PLA-nGO-Zin-coated samples (with a hemolytic index of 1.15%), together with their anti-inflammatory ability. Moreover, the PLA-nGO-Zin coatings significantly inhibited the development of mature bacterial biofilms, inducing important anti-biofilm efficiency in the as-coated samples. The herein-reported results evidence the promising potential of PLA-nGO-Zin coatings to be used for the biocompatible and antimicrobial surface modification of metallic implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have revealed that Acer truncatum seed oil has a high nutritional value. However, the constituents of seed oil may vary depending on the extraction and separation techniques employed. Here, we aimed to explore the effect of three extraction methods on A. truncatum seed oil. After comparing the extraction rate, acid value (AV), moisture content (MC), fatty acid composition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy characteristic, and antioxidation activities of three A. truncatum seed oil samples extracted by refluxed with petroleum ether (S1), petroleum ether extraction combining ultrasonic power (S2) and solvent lixiviation at room temperature (S3). The results showed that S3 had a higher extraction rate than the others, but lower unsaturated fatty acid content and DPPH scavenging rate. The DPPH scavenging rate and nervonic acid (NA) concentration of S2 sample were higher than the others, but with larger MC and lower extraction rate. As for S1, the unsaturated fatty acid content was higher than the others; but the extraction rate was lower, and the acid value was higher. Therefore, the results demonstrated that extraction methods should be selected according to the actual application target, as different methods presented different advantages and disadvantages. However, further studies on some other properties (such as antioxidant activity) of the extracted A. truncatum seed oil are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, pyrolysis kinetics and thermodynamic behavior of pseudo components (PCs) of raw and torrefied maple wood (MW) were studied. The MW torrefaction experiments were conducted at 240°C and the pyrolysis process was performed under three distinct heating rates. Through the deconvolution procedure, three PCs, i.e. pseudo-hemicellulose (PC-HC), pseudo-cellulose (PC-CL), and pseudo-lignin (PC-LG), were identified. The activation energy (Eα) of PCs were evaluated using the Starink method, and the pyrolysis reaction mechanisms were analyzed using the Criado’s master plot method. Furthermore, three thermodynamic parameters were also calculated and discussed. Results showed that after torrefaction, the PC-HC content dropped from 47.30% to 7.90%, while the PC-CL and PC-LG contents increased from 33.67% to 55.72% and from 19.03% to 36.38%, respectively. The average Eα of raw MW PC-HC, PC-CL and PC-LG were 114.56, 117.12 and 116.02 kJ/mol, respectively, whereas they were 92.86, 103.82 and 159.26 kJ/ mol for torrefied PCs, respectively. The master plot results suggested that the pyrolysis of MW PCs involved different order-based models. In addition, the thermodynamic analysis revealed that the torrefied PC-HC required slightly less heat energy during pyrolysis. All these observations can be conducive to better understand the pyrolysis mechanisms of raw and torrefied MW PCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin film technology shows great promise in fabricating electronic devices such as gas sensors. Here, we report the fabrication of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors based on thin films of (1 − x) Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3−x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BCTZ50, x = 50) and Polyethylenimine (PEI). The layers were deposited by two laser-based techniques, namely pulsed laser deposition (PLD) for the lead-free material and matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) for the sensitive polymer. In order to assay the impact of the thickness, the number of laser pulses was varied, leading to thicknesses between 50 and 350 nm. The influence of BCTZ film's crystallographic features on the characteristics and performance of the SAW device was studied by employing substrates with different crystal structures, more precisely cubic Strontium Titanate (SrTiO3) and orthorhombic Gadolinium Scandium Oxide (GdScO3). The SAW sensors were further integrated into a testing system to evaluate the response of the BCTZ thin films with PEI, and then subjected to tests for N2, CO2 and O2 gases. The influence of the MAPLE's deposited PEI layer on the overall performance was demonstrated. For the SAW sensors based on BCTZ/GdScO3 thin films with a PEI polymer, a maximum frequency shift of 39.5 kHz has been obtained for CO2; eight times higher compared to the sensor without the polymeric layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the secondary metabolites found in the leaves and twigs of Acer pseudosieboldianum, also known as the Korean maple. The study identifies and characterizes several compounds, such as gallic acid and chlorogenic acid, that have not been previously reported in the Aceraceae family. The research contributes to our understanding of the plant's chemical composition and potential medicinal properties. The document provides detailed information on the molecular formula, physical properties, and NMR data for each compound. The research was supported by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and received English language editing assistance. [Extracted from the article]

In the present study, we investigated the structure of stomata in seven native species of Hyrcanian forests (Acer hyrcanum, A. velutinum Boiss., A. campestre, A. platanoides L., A. cappadocicum, A. monspessulanum, A. amazandaranicum), as well as non-native species that have fully adapted (A. negundo, A. negundo variegatum, and A. palmatum). We used light and electron microscopy to determine the form and position of the stomata in relation to the leaf epidermal cells. The length, width, shape, area, perimeter, and stomatal density were all measured. Our findings revealed that the stomata type of A. negundo varengiayum, A. campestre, A. hyrcanum, A. mazandaranicum and A. monsspesulanum is anomocytic, A. platanoides and A. cappadocicum have anomocytic stomata with wavy subsidiary cells, while A. palmatum has anisocytic stomata and A. velutinum has parasitic stomata. A. negundo has actinocytic stomata. Regarding the location of stomata relative to adjacent epidermal cells, we identified three types. In the first type, the stomata were flush with adjacent epidermal cells (A. cappadocicum, A. negundo, A. platanoides). In the second type, the stomata were higher (A. negundo variegatum), and in the third type, the stomata were lower (A. velutinum, A. monspesulanom, A. campestre, A. mazandaranicum, A. hyrcanum). The principal component analysis was used to determine the essential stomatal traits in differentiating between species. We also investigated the distribution of trees in the coordinate axis space based on two main components and performed cluster analysis based on stomatal characteristics. A. platanoides, A. negundo, A. negundo variegatum were in one cluster, while the other species were in separate clusters. The calculation of dissimilarity among the studied species revealed the lowest similarity between A. negundo and A. hyrcanum and the highest similarity between A. campestre and A. mazandaranicum. The results of the discriminant analysis identified stomatal density as the essential factor in differentiation between the studied species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a maple code is presented to do many operations on interval valued neutrosophic matrices including entering the elements of the matrix, checking whether a given matrix is an interval valued neutrosophic matrix or not, finding complement of an interval valued neutrosophic matrix, finding score, accuracy, and certainty measures, union and intersection of two interval valued neutrosophic matrices, sum and product of two interval valued neutrosophic matrices and finding the transpose of a given interval valued of neutrosophic matrix. What distinguishes this code is its simplicity to understand and to call the functions. Many examples are presented and solved successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rooting and root development in Acer rubrum have important effects on overall growth. A. rubrum does not take root easily in natural conditions. In this study, the mechanisms of the miR396b- GRF1 module underlying rooting regulation in A. rubrum were studied. The subcellular localization and transcriptional activation of miR396b and its target gene growth regulating factor 1 (GRF1) were investigated. These experiments showed that GRF1 was localized in the nucleus and had transcriptional activation activity. Functional validation experiments in transgenic plants demonstrated that overexpression of Ar- miR396b inhibited adventitious root growth, whereas overexpression of ArGRF1 increased adventitious root growth. These results help clarify the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying adventitious root growth in A. rubrum and provide some new insights into the rooting rate in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the natural range of Acer pseudoplatanus and the future directions of its spread is not clear. Modern technological achievements, including tools related to remote sensing, provide new opportunities to assess the degree of spread and adaptation of species to a changing climate. The aim of the work was to demonstrate the possibility of using NDVI to assess the habitat conditions of sycamore in Poland and the possibility of its natural expansion. The data analysis was divided into 2 parts. The first covered the characteristics of all sycamore stands occurring in Poland. In the second part, the analysis of sycamore stands using NDVI was made. The results of the study show that the highest average NDVI values are found in sycamore stands in the northern part of Poland, which has so far been considered less favorable for sycamore. This may suggest the potential for an increase in the share of sycamore towards the north. The results also confirm the forecasts given in the literature regarding the spread of sycamore towards Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The results also point to Denmark and the western part of the British Isles as potentially favorable habitats for sycamore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new synthetic methods is paramount for the versatile production of complex multicomponent electrodes for supercapacitors with enhanced performance. The reactive inverse matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (RIMAPLE) technique shows promise for the deposition of complex functional nanocomposites in a facile way. In this work, hybrid supercapacitor electrodes constituted by reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated with a myriad of cerium and manganese oxide nanoparticles were obtained by using GO sheets, CNTs, CeO 2 nanoparticles and, for the first time, the (NH 4) 2 [Mn 2 (C 6 H 5 O 7) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] coordination compound as precursors in the RIMAPLE targets. Compositional and structural characterizations revealed that post-annealing treatments at mild conditions (150-250 °C) induce a further reduction of the rGO and CNTs, besides an oxidation of the Ce oxide phases (Ce3+ to Ce4+) and a reduction of the Mn oxides (Mn3+ to Mn2+). The substantial change of the carbon and metal oxide nanostructures causes an up to 8-fold increase of the capacitance of the electrodes (63 F/cm3 @ 10 mV/s). Finally, the generation of a high quantity of edge defects at 250 °C and long dwell time leads to the drop of the electrode's capacitance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) at high-altitudes leads to neonatal mortality and long-term neurological complications without effective treatment. Acer truncatum Bunge Seed extract (ASO) is reported to have effect on cognitive improvement, but its molecular mechanisms on HIE are unclear. In this study, ASO administration contributed to reduced neuronal cell edema and improved motor ability in HIE rats at a simulated 4500-meter altitude. Transcriptomics and WGCNA analysis showed genes associated with lipid biosynthesis, redox homeostasis, neuronal growth, and synaptic plasticity regulated in the ASO group. Targeted and untargeted-lipidomics revealed decreased free fatty acids and increased phospholipids with favorable ω-3/ω-6/ω-9 fatty acid ratios, as well as reduced oxidized glycerophospholipids (OxGPs) in the ASO group. Combining multi-omics analysis demonstrated FA to FA-CoA, phospholipids metabolism, and lipid peroxidation were regulated by ASO treatment. Our results illuminated preliminary metabolism mechanism of ASO ingesting in rats, implying ASO administration as potential intervention strategy for HIE under high-altitude. Acer truncatum Bunge Seed extract (ASO) can potentially alleviate brain injuries in neonates affected by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy exposed to high-altitude conditions by protecting the nervous system and improving motor and cognitive abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation of green leaves in autumn after their photosynthetic activities is associated with decreases in chlorophylls and increases in anthocyanins. However, the sequential orders of these processes are not well understood because of a lack of continuous monitoring of leaves in the same positions. Therefore, the senescence processes of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) leaves were followed daily in the same positions for approximately 60 days using visible spectroscopy with an original handheld visible–near-infrared spectrometer. The obtained reflection spectra were converted to absorption spectra and band areas of chlorophyll a and anthocyanins were determined. Decreases in the chlorophyll a band area with time show two-step exponential decreases corresponding to slow and fast first-order decrease rates. A rapid decrease in chlorophyll a started after an increase in anthocyanin. Therefore, the leaf senescence started through a slow decrease in chlorophyll a (20–30 days), followed by a rapid increase in anthocyanins (~20 days), followed by a rapid decrease in chlorophyll a (10–20 days). The formation of anthocyanins has been proposed to protect leaf cells from losing chlorophylls through solar radiation damage. The obtained sequential changes of pigments support this light screen hypothesis. (199 words < 200 words) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the effort of isolating novel microbial species, the strain PL0132T was isolated from a fallen leaf under fresh water at a stream, which glided when grown on a tap water medium (without nutrients). The strain was determined to be Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, and rod-shaped, which grew optimally at 25 °C, pH 6–7, and the strain tolerates 1% (w/v) NaCl concentration. The complete genome of strain PL0132T comprises one contig with a sequencing depth of 76×, consisting of 8,853,064 base pairs and the genomic DNA G + C content was 46.7% (genome). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain PL0132T represents a member of the phylum Bacteroidetes and is affiliated with the genus Spirosoma. Based on genomic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the strain PL0132T represents a novel species of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma foliorum sp. nov. is proposed (= KCTC 72228 T = InaCC B1447T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Douglas maple (Acer glabrum Torr. var. Douglasii (Hook.) Dippel [Aceraceae]) has potential for habitat development in urban landscapes. Efficacious micropropagation methodology would enhance the value of this seed recalcitrant species. Three light intensities—6.6, 16.8, and 36.6 μmols•m-2•s-1 (0.65, 1.58, and 3.44 μmols•ft-2•s-1, respectively) PPFD—were tested for their effect on Douglas maple chlorophyll content, shoot length, number of nodes, and mean dry weight. Visually, plants appeared darker green under lower light intensity. However, mean dry weight of cultured microcuttings was significantly higher at higher light intensity. We tested in vitro and ex vitro rooting procedures for their ability to produce healthy roots on established microcuttings. IBA concentration (0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 μΜ) and the length of the initial microcutting propagule (2.0 to 3.0 cm [0.79–1.18 in]) or 3.5 to 4.5 cm [1.38–1.77 in]) were evaluated for enhancing in vitro rooting. Initial microcutting length as a covariate and concentrations of IBA (0.1% and 0.3%) in a talcum powder formulation were evaluated for enhancement of ex vitro rooting. Rooting treatments were assessed by measuring overall survival rate of plantlets after rooting and acclimatization. Greatest survival (92%) occurred with ex vitro rooting with a 0.1% IBA talcum powder treatment. In comparison, the best in vitro rooting treatment (1 μΜ IBA regardless of microcutting length) yielded just 75% survival after rooting and acclimatization. We verified efficacy of the ex vitro rooting protocol (100% rooting and acclimatization) using a second Douglas maple genotype (treated with 0.1% IBA talcum powder). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Douglas maple (Acer glabrum Torr. var. douglasii (Hook.) Dippel [Aceraceae]) is a potentially valuable landscape plant that lacks efficacious asexual propagation protocols. We conducted a series of developmental experiments to evaluate basal salts, supplemental minerals, and cytokinins to optimize culture medium formulations. Three commercial formulations of basal salts were evaluated, Driver and Kuniyaki Walnut (DKW), Murashige and Skoog (MS), and Woody Plant Medium (WPM). The DKW medium was superior to the other commercially available nutrient formulations for promoting shoot growth and enhancing node production. Iron supplementation (addition of 45 mg/l) resolved issues of chlorosis associated with reduced microcutting growth and multiplication rates. Supplementation of 12.0 mg/l boric acid resolved shoot tip necrosis problems. Cytokinin optimization with respect to shoot length was evaluated in 3 experiments, in which, BA, kinetin, MT, TDZ, and zeatin were all tested at various concentrations. Autoclaved zeatin at 4 µM or MT at 2 µM were the best 2 cytokinins and concentrations for promoting shoot growth. Two zeatin sterilization methods were tested, autoclaving following addition to medium, and filter sterilizing prior to adding to post-autoclaved medium. Autoclaving media that included zeatin proved to be effective methodology, thus avoiding filter sterilization, which commonly introduces microbial contaminants into media. Overall, Douglas maple growth and development during micropropagation were optimized on DKW medium, supplemented with iron (45 mg/l) and boron (12.0 mg/l) and either 4 µM autoclaved zeatin, or with 2 µM MT. Economic efficiency is improved by using MT, rather than the much more expensive zeatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest host a variety of epiphytes on their branches and stem. Given the common and often large epiphytic biomass associated with Acer macrophyllum (Pursh) in this region, we evaluated how seasonal weather changes and urbanization (metal and nitrogen deposition), affect canopy epiphytic N2 fixation in the Hoh Rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula and in urban parks and forests in Seattle. Methods: We collected Isothecium stoloniferum (Brid.) samples from both the Hoh Rainforest and Seattle at four periods from April 2016 through January 2017. Moss-associated N2 fixation rates were measured in the laboratory using the acetylene reduction assay and trace metal concentrations in the moss were analyzed using NO3 + H2O2 digestion. Results: We found levels of N2 fixation were highest during the spring sampling period. Elevated levels of heavy metals were observed in I. stoloniferum samples collected in the urban canopies in Seattle where N2 fixation rates were low, suggesting N2 fixation is sensitive to the bioaccumulation of heavy metals. In A. macrophyllum canopies, I. stoloniferum was found to yield 0.1130 g N m−2 yr−1 in canopy branches within the Hoh Rainforest and only 0.0009 g N m−2 yr−1 on branches in Seattle. Conclusions: These results highlight a rarely explored source of biological N2-fixation in temperate rainforests and suggest that epiphytic N2-fixation may contribute bio-available nitrogen in A. macrophyllum stands. N2-fixation in canopy bryophytes was found to be highly sensitive to urban pollution, possibly due to bioaccumulation of heavy metals in bryophyte tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The braconid genus Dyscritulus Hincks is a small member of the subfamily Aphidiinae, distributed in Europe and Central Asia. All its species are highly specialized parasitoids of aphids of the genera Drepanosiphum Koch and, probably, Periphyllus van der Hoeven which are mostly associated with maple and sycamore trees (genus Acer). Upon examination of specimens from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, we unexpectedly noted unusual variability in morphological characters compared to other known Dyscritulus species. Further inspection of other material previously identified as Dyscritulus planiceps Marshall, 1896 revealed additional specimens with the same morphological variability. Here we describe a new species of the genus, Dyscritulus europaeus sp. nov., associated with Drepanosiphum aphids on Acer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the influence of dark and light exposure on the colour change of a transparent two-component polyurethane surface finish. The surface finish with polyacrylic and aldehyde resin was applied to the surfaces of untreated and hydrothermally treated European beech, alder, Norway maple, and Paper birch wood. The test specimens were deposited indoors for 60 days. The colour values (lightness L*, redness + a*, yellowness + b*, chroma C*, hue angle h°) were expressed in the CIELAB system. The results showed that the colour difference of the finish surfaces of all hydrothermally treated wood species was 27–50% lower after the dark than when exposed to light. In the case of finished untreated wood, the colour difference was 51–73% lower after the dark than light exposure. Only the finished untreated and hydrothermally treated Norway maple wood surfaces showed similar and significant changes after both dark and light exposure. The lower value of the colour difference of the finished hydrothermally treated wood was due to the fact that steaming wood with saturated water steam has a positive effect on the overall colour stability of the finish and partial resistance to the initiation of photolytic reactions caused by light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cuttage rooting method for Acer species is difficult to achieve a good efficacy as trees maintain good characteristics at the rejuvenation stage, thus improving the rooting of Acer species. The addition of exogenous hormones and rejuvenation can improve the rooting effect of cuttings; however, the specific regulatory mechanism is still unclear. Here, Acer mono Maxim rejuvenation and non-rejuvenation cuttings were used as test subjects, to investigate the effects of exogenous hormones on the activities of endogenous hormones and antioxidant enzymes in the rooting process of young cuttings. The results showed that exogenous growth-regulating substances significantly improved the rooting rate of A. mono. Exogenous hormones naphthylacetic acid (NAA) + indolebutyric acid (IBA) increased the initial levels of the endogenous hormones, indoleacetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA), and the enzyme activities of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Rejuvenation treatment prolonged the time of increase in ABA content and indoleacetic acid oxidase (IAAO) activity at the root primordium induction stage, while increasing trans-zeatin riboside (ZR) content and decreasing POD enzyme activity in cuttings. These results demonstrate that A. mono cuttings can achieve the purpose of improving the rooting rate by adding the exogenous hormone (NAA + IBA), which is closely related to the changes of endogenous hormone content and enzyme activity, and these changes of A. mono rejuvenation cuttings are different from non-rejuvenation cuttings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disassembly and degradation of the photosynthetic protein complexes during autumn senescence, a vital step to ensure efficient nutrient relocalization for winter storage, is poorly understood. Concomitantly with the degradation, anthocyanins are often synthesized. However, as to why leaves accumulate red pigments, no consensus exists. One possibility is that anthocyanins protect senescing leaves from excess light. In this study, we investigated the pigment composition, photosynthetic performance, radical production, and degradation of the photosynthetic protein complexes in Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and in its highly pigmented, purple‐colored variety (Faassen's black) during autumn senescence, to dissect the possible roles of anthocyanins in photoprotection. Our findings show that senescing Faassen's black was indeed more resistant to Photosystem II (PSII) photoinhibition, presumably due to its high anthocyanin content, than the green maple. However, senescing Faassen's black exhibited low photosynthetic performance, probably due to a poor capacity to repair PSII. Furthermore, an analysis of photosynthetic protein complexes demonstrated that in both maple varieties, the supercomplexes consisting of PSII and its antenna were disassembled first, followed by the degradation of the PSII core, Photosystem I, Cytochrome b6f, and ATP synthase. Strikingly, the degradation process appeared to proceed faster in Faassen's black, possibly explaining its poor PSII repair capacity. The results suggest that tolerance against PSII photoinhibition may not necessarily translate to a better fitness. Finally, thylakoids isolated from senescing and non‐senescing leaves of both maple varieties accumulated very little carbon‐centered radicals, suggesting that thylakoids may not be a major source of reactive oxygen species in senescing leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Declining tree health status due to pollutant impacts and nutrient imbalance is widespread in urban forests; however, chemical fertilizer use is increasingly avoided to reduce eutrophication impacts. Biochar (pyrolyzed organic waste) has been advocated as an alternative soil amendment, but biochar alone generally reduces plant N availability. The combination of biochar and either organic forms of N or Plant Growth Promoting Microbes (PGPMs) as biofertilizers may address these challenges. We examined the effects of two wood biochar types with Bacillus velezensis and an inactivated yeast (IY) biofertilizer in a three-month factorial greenhouse experiment with Acer saccharinum L. (silver maple) saplings grown in a representative urban soil. All treatments combining biochars with biofertilizers significantly increased sapling growth, with up to a 91% increase in biomass relative to controls. Growth and physiological responses were closely related to nutrient uptake patterns, with nutrient vector analyses indicating that combined biochar and biofertilizer treatments effectively addressed nutrient limitations of both macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg, Ca), and micronutrients (B, Fe, Mn, Mo, Na, S, and Zn). Biochar-biofertilizer treatments also reduced foliar concentrations of Cu, suggesting potential to mitigate toxic metal impacts common in urban forestry. We conclude that selected combinations of biochar and biofertilizers have substantial promise to address common soil limitations to tree performance in urban settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a comparative in vitro study of selective cytotoxicity against MCF7 tumor cells and normal VERO cells tested on silver-based nanocoatings synthesized by the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were loaded with five representative cytostatic drugs (i.e., doxorubicin, fludarabine, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and carboplatin) and with five essential oils (EOs) (i.e., oregano, rosemary, ginger, basil, and thyme). The as-obtained coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry coupled with differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy, IR mapping, and scanning electron microscopy. A screening of the impact of the prepared nanocoatings on the MCF7 tumor and normal VERO cell lines was achieved by means of cell viability MTT and cytotoxicity LDH assays. While all nanocoatings loaded with antitumor drugs exhibited powerful cytotoxic activity against both the tumor and the normal cells, those embedded with AgNPs loaded with rosemary and thyme EOs showed remarkable and statistically significant selective cytotoxicity against the tested cancercells. The EO-loaded nanocoatings were tested for antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. For all studied pathogens, the cell viability, assessed by counting the colony-forming units after 2 and 24 h, was significantly decreased by all EO-based nanocoatings, while the best antibiofilm activity was evidenced by the nanocoatings containing ginger and thyme EOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed CNC routing quality on maple and oak samples, using 90º V-Grooving router bits at various milling angles as function of grain orientation: 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, and feed speeds of 3 and 6 m/min at spindle speed of 15,000 rpm. The routing quality was evaluated by roughness parameters for the V flank surfaces and by visual examination for the flanks’ edges. The change in the feed speed had no significant effect for the flanks surface quality of both species, but roughness values were considerable higher for maple samples at 90º and u=3 m/min (Rk = 23.7 µm compared to along the grain, Rk=9.83 µm for u=6 m/min) due to possible processing vibrations. The milling angle as function of grain orientation was significant in the case of oak, as the processing roughness increased with the cutting angle from 0° (Rk=11 to 13 µm) to 60°(Rk =28 to 30 µm). Fuzziness around the earlywood pores of oak was higher for the 6 m/min feed speed. A substantial increase in waviness coinciding with the annual growth areas was measured for crosscut oak samples (Wa = 34.0 µm, compared with Wa =7 .39 µm along the grain). The surface waviness of maple was not sensitive to the variation in the cutting angle or feed speed (Wa was around 3 to 4 µm). For the flank edges, the best visual option was found for cutting along the wood grain and the worst was for 60º, which caused biggest ruptures and especially for the 3 m/min feed speed, for both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canopy soils occur on tree branches throughout the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest Coast and are recognized as a defining characteristic of these ecosystems. Certain tree species extend adventitious roots into these canopy soil environments. Yet, research on adventitious root-associated fungi remains limited. Our study used microscopy to compare fungal colonization intensity between canopy and forest floor roots of old-growth bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) trees. Subsequently, two high-throughput sequencing platforms were used to explore the spatial and seasonal variation of root-associated fungi between the two soil environments over one year. We found that canopy and forest floor roots had similar colonization intensity and were associating with a diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and other potential symbionts, many of which were resolved to species level. Soil environment and seasonality affected root-associated fungal community composition, and several fungal species were indicative of the canopy soil environment. In Washington State's (USA) temperate old-growth rainforests, these canopy soil environments host a unique suite of root-associated fungi. The presence of arbuscular mycorrhizae provides further evidence that adventitious roots form fungal associations to exploit canopy soils for resources, and there may be novel relationships forming with other fungi. These soils may be providing a redundancy compartment (i.e., "nutrient reserve"), imparting a resiliency to disturbances for certain old-growth trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: A practical and efficient model is crucial for applying conservation actions to threatened species. Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations (PSESP) is a new concept raised jointly by government and scientists from China, targeted toward funding the urgent rescue of threatened plants. With the cooperation of decision‐making departments, scientists, local departments, nongovernment organizations, and local people, we present a case of how the tree species Acer yangbiense was studied and finally rescued. The pipeline and experience in this case will promote the development of the PSESP conservation methods. Summary: With only five individuals known for years, the Critically Endangered species Acer yangbiense was listed under the conservation category Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations (PSESP), a concept developed 10 years ago in China, aimed at channeling limited resources to conserve the most threatened plant species.Integrated conservation methods and research were applied to A. yangbiense and introduced in two‐time phases upon the discovery of new populations.Being considered one of the most successfully rescued species, A. yangbiense was removed from the second PSESP list issued in 2021 by Yunnan Province, China. The conservation case has become a model, with replicable pipelines, standards, cooperation, and studies to future PSESP conservation actions.Herein, we discuss the significance of work on A. yangbiense for future conservation actions regarding PSESP and other endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of Acer palmatum imported from the United Kingdom (UK) as: (a) 1‐ to 2‐year‐old bare root plants for planting and (b) 1‐ to 7‐year‐old plants in pots, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the UK. All pests associated with the commodity were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion. Six EU quarantine pests and four pests not regulated in the EU fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For these pests, the risk mitigation measures implemented in the technical dossier from the UK were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For the selected pests an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with Meloidogyne mali or M. fallax being the pest most frequently expected on the imported plants. The expert knowledge elicitation indicated with 95% certainty that 9,792 or more plants in pots per 10,000 will be free from Meloidogyne mali or M. fallax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of Acer pseudoplatanus imported from the United Kingdom (UK) as: (a) 1‐ to 7‐year‐old bare root plants for planting, (b) 1‐ to 7‐year‐old plants in pots and (c) bundles of 1‐ to 2‐year‐old whips and seedlings, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the UK. All pests associated with the commodity were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion. Six EU quarantine pests and four pests not regulated in the EU fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For these pests, the risk mitigation measures implemented in the technical dossier from the UK were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For the selected pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with Meloidogyne mali or M. fallax being the pest most frequently expected on the imported plants. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated with 95% certainty that 9,792 or more plants in pots per 10,000 will be free from Meloidogyne mali or M. fallax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of Acer campestre imported from the UK as: (a) 1‐ to 7‐year‐old bare root plants for planting, (b) 1‐ to 15‐year‐old plants in pots and (c) bundles of 1‐ to 2‐year‐old whips and seedlings, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the UK. All pests associated with the commodity were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion. Six EU quarantine pests and four pests not regulated in the EU fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For the selected pests, the risk mitigation measures implemented in the technical dossier from the UK were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For these pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. In the assessment of risk, the age of the plants was considered, reasoning that older trees are more likely to be infested mainly due to longer exposure time and larger size. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with Phytophthora ramorum being the pest most frequently expected on the imported plants. The expert knowledge elicitation indicated with 95% certainty that 9,757 or more 1‐ to 15‐year‐old plants in pots per 10,000 will be free from P. ramorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of Acer platanoides imported from the United Kingdom (UK) as: (a) 1‐ to 7‐year‐old bare root plants for planting, (b) 1‐ to 7‐year‐old plants in pots and (c) bundles of 1‐ to 2‐year‐old whips and seedlings, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the UK. All pests associated with the commodity were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion. Six EU quarantine pests and four pests not regulated in the EU fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For the selected pests, the risk mitigation measures implemented in the technical dossier from the UK were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For these pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with Meloidogyne mali or M. fallax being the pest most frequently expected on the imported plants. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated with 95% certainty that 9,792 or more plants in pots per 10,000 will be free from Meloidogyne mali or M. fallax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, most advanced algorithms for face anti-spoofing use stacked convolutions and residual structure to obtain complex characteristics of deep networks, and then distinguish liveness and deception. These methods ignore the shallow features that contain more detailed information. As a result, the model lacks sufficient fine-grained information, which affects the accuracy and robustness of the algorithm. In this paper, we use the simple features of the shallow network to increase the fine-grained information of the model, so as to improve the performance of the algorithm. First of all, the shallow features are spliced to the middle layer by "shortcut" structure to reserve more details for the middle layer features and improve their detail representation ability. Secondly, the network is initialized with the best pre-trained model parameters under unbalanced samples, and then trained on the balanced samples to improve the classification ability of the model. Finally, RS Block based on depthwise separable convolution is used to replace res module, and model parameters and floating point operations are reduced from 18G and 61 M to 1.9 M and 347 M. The algorithm is simulated on CASIA-SURF dataset, and the results show that the average classification error rate (ACER) is only 0.0008, TPR@FPR = 10E−4 reaches 0.9990, which is better than the previous face anti deception methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Menominee have long tapped into and cocreated energy flows within ecosystems, particularly with maple trees. The United States, however, seized nearly all Menominee land, transforming ecosystems into industrial systems, including for maple sugar. Moreover, thermodynamic ideas of energy rendered more-than-human beings into "the ability to do work." Many Menominees, however, have understood "energy" in the more-than-human world from a grounded, relational perspective, guided by an ethical system of reciprocity and an intellectual tradition of interconnectedness. Energy studies has critically examined how societies and cultures are entangled with energy systems, particularly fossil fuels. More research, however, on settler colonialism's impacts on ecological energies from perspectives beyond thermodynamics would greatly strengthen the field. We therefore make three major arguments. First, American settler colonialism is an act of environmental injustice that violently appropriated vast stores of energy, or wealth, embodied in the Menominee's ancestral lands. Second, the Menominee consistently adapted to and resisted colonization by utilizing their ancestral knowledge systems and interspecies ethical frameworks while appropriating dominant science and technology to further their goals. Finally, sugar maple trees provide a material example from which to incorporate an Indigenous energy theory into the study of settler colonialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acer rubrum is difficult to root during cutting propagation. Auxin/indole-acetic acids (Aux/IAA) proteins, which are encoded by the early response genes of auxin, are transcriptional repressors that play important roles in auxin-mediated root growth and development. In this study, ArAux/IAA13 and ArAux/IAA16, which were significantly differentially expressed after 300 mg/L indole butyric acid treatment, were cloned. Heatmap analysis revealed that they might be associated with the process of adventitious root (AR) growth and development mediated by auxin. Subcellular localization analysis showed that they performed their function in the nucleus. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays revealed the interactions between them and two auxin response factor (ARF) proteins, ArARF10 and ArARF18, confirming their relevance to AR growth and development. Overexpression of transgenic plants confirmed that the overexpression of ArAux/IAA13 and ArAux/IAA16 inhibited AR development. These results help elucidate the mechanisms of auxin-mediated AR growth and development during the propagation of A. rubrum and provide a molecular basis for the rooting of cuttings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is focused on the fabrication of thin films of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and ethyl cellulose (EC) polymer blends impregnated with captopril via matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) for the design of transdermal patches. The laser engineered polymer blend: captopril films are evaluated for physicochemical characteristics such as film morphology, chemistry of the films surface, drug content, and in vivo animal irritancy and skin sensitivity studies. The morphological investigation of the MAPLE fabricated coatings, i.e., by atomic force microscopy reveals that the morphology and topography of the polymer: drug films may be tuned by adjusting the HPMC: EC ratio in the MAPLE target. In addition, by tuning the HPMC: EC ratio in the as-deposited MAPLE films, it is possible to adjust the drug release profile. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy investigation showed no interaction between captopril and the polymers (HPMC: EC) used. The skin irritation studies carried out on rabbits, showed no noticeable skin reactions, thus pointing out the compatibility of captopril with both the polymer blend and with the skin. In addition, no skin sensitization was noted among the guinea pigs that were challenged with the MAPLE fabricated transdermal patches. To sum up, the application of matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation for the fabrication of hydrophilic: hydrophobic polymer blends shows that there is great potential for the development of transdermal drug delivery system of captopril. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]