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Adaptation to abiotic stress is critical for the survival of perennial tree species. Salinity affects plant growth and productivity by interfering with major biosynthetic processes. Detrimental effects of salinity may vary between different plant tissues and cell types. However, spatial molecular mechanisms controlling plant responses to salinity stress are not yet thoroughly understood in perennial trees. We used laser capture microdissection in clones of Populus tremula x alba to isolate palisade and vascular cells of intermediary leaf from plants exposed to 150 mM NaCl for 10 days, followed by a recovery period. Cell‐specific changes in proteins and metabolites were determined. Salinity induced a vascular‐specific accumulation of proteins associated with photorespiration, and the accumulation of serine, 3‐phosphoglycerate and NH4+ suggesting changes in N metabolism. Accumulation of the GLUTAMINE SYNTHETASE 2 protein, and increased GS1.1 gene expression, indicated that NH4+ produced in photorespiration was assimilated to glutamine, the main amino acid translocated in Populus trees. Further analysis of total soluble proteins in stems and roots showed the accumulation of bark storage proteins induced by the salinity treatments. Collectively, our results suggest that the salt‐induced photorespiration in vascular cells mediates N‐reallocation in Populus, an essential process for the adaptation of trees to adverse conditions. Summary statement: In Populus, salinity‐induced photorespiration in the leaf vascular tissue is associated with N reallocation processes triggered by the stress‐induced reduction in C assimilation and growth at the whole plant level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTLeaf traits can be used to elucidate vegetation functional responses to global climate change. Pigments, water and leaf mass per area are the most used traits. However, detailed anatomical traits such as leaf thickness, the thickness of palisade and spongy parenchyma are often neglected, although they affect leaf physiological function and optical properties. Our aim was to produce partial least squares regression (PLSR) models for estimating leaf traits using biconical reflectance factor (BCRF). We established that estimation of leaf anatomical properties differs when using BCRF obtained from the upper and lower surface of the leaf. PLSR explained that 90% of the variability was based on total chlorophyll content (R2 = 0.95), spongy parenchyma to leaf thickness ratio (R2 = 0.94), equivalent water thickness (R2 = 0.93) and leaf mass per area (R2 = 0.91) or leaf thickness (R2 = 0.90). We conclude that internal asymmetry in leaf structure affects significantly leaf optical properties and should not be neglected in radiative transfer modelling at the leaf level and when upscaling leaf properties to the canopy.

Abstract Background Leaf variegation is an intriguing phenomenon observed in many plant species. However, questions remain on its mechanisms causing patterns of different colours. In this study, we describe a tomato plant detected in an M2 population of EMS mutagenised seeds, showing variegated leaves with sectors of dark green (DG), medium green (MG), light green (LG) hues, and white (WH). Cells and tissues of these classes, along with wild-type tomato plants, were studied by light, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. We also measured chlorophyll a/b and carotene and quantified the variegation patterns with a machine-learning image analysis tool. We compared the genomes of pooled plants with wild-type-like and mutant phenotypes in a segregating F2 population to reveal candidate genes responsible for the variegation. Results A genetic test demonstrated a recessive nuclear mutation caused the variegated phenotype. Cross-sections displayed distinct anatomy of four-leaf phenotypes, suggesting a stepwise mesophyll degradation. DG sectors showed large spongy layers, MG presented intercellular spaces in palisade layers, and LG displayed deformed palisade cells. Electron photomicrographs of those mesophyll cells demonstrated a gradual breakdown of the chloroplasts. Chlorophyll a/b and carotene were proportionally reduced in the sectors with reduced green pigments, whereas white sectors have hardly any of these pigments. The colour segmentation system based on machine-learning image analysis was able to convert leaf variegation patterns into binary images for quantitative measurements. The bulk segregant analysis of pooled wild-type-like and variegated progeny enabled the identification of SNP and InDels via bioinformatic analysis. The mutation mapping bioinformatic pipeline revealed a region with three candidate genes in chromosome 4, of which the FtsH-like protein precursor (LOC100037730) carries an SNP that we consider the causal variegated phenotype mutation. Phylogenetic analysis shows the candidate is evolutionary closest to the Arabidopsis VAR1. The synonymous mutation created by the SNP generated a miRNA binding site, potentially disrupting the photoprotection mechanism and thylakoid development, resulting in leaf variegation. Conclusion We described the histology, anatomy, physiology, and image analysis of four classes of cell layers and chloroplast degradation in a tomato plant with a variegated phenotype. The genomics and bioinformatics pipeline revealed a VAR1-related FtsH mutant, the first of its kind in tomato variegation phenotypes. The miRNA binding site of the mutated SNP opens the way to future studies on its epigenetic mechanism underlying the variegation.

ABSTRACT: The eggshell is the outermost covering of an egg that provides physical and chemical protection. It is a major source of calcium and minerals for the growing embryo during incubation. The egg industry suffers from a considerable economic loss due to poor eggshell quality. Therefore, developing an accurate and precise method of determining eggshell quality is crucial in improving eggshells in subsequent generations of breeding stock. Hence, this study aimed to develop a method to accurately and precisely determine 1) eggshell thickness using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and 2) eggshell mineral components using an SEM-Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) system. Four types of table eggs (N = 48; 12 eggs/group): Cage-Free Organic from the US Mainland (CFO-M) and Hawaii (CFO-H), Caged Non-Organic from the US Mainland (CNO-M), and Hawaii (CNO-H) were sourced from the grocery store. Approximately 0.5 mm2 pieces of eggshells from the equator region of the egg were taken and processed for visualization under the SEM. Three distinct layers of eggshell were identified under SEM: the outermost cuticle, the middle palisade, and the innermost mammillary region. The results showed that CFO-H eggs have a greater eggshell thickness (380.43 ± 2.69 µm) and effective thickness (306.28 ± 4.15 µm). Similarly, the mammillary knob count was denser in CNO-H eggs (186 ± 23.02 knobs/0.5 mm2). Calcium (97.36 ± 0.17%) was the highest among minerals in lower palisades (LP). The magnesium concentration was lowest in the LP region, whereas the phosphorus concentration was highest in the upper palisades. Our study established a scientific method to assess the eggshell quality and biochemical characteristics of eggs through SEM and EDS. This method can be used as a marker for selecting superior parent stock to improve eggshell quality in subsequent generations of breeding stock.

The HiLands Project (2018-2022) brought the opportunity to investigate several main communication corridors within the Curvature Carpathians. At the northern end of Rucăr-Bran Pass we had a great surprise, finding in the woods three strongholds, just one kilometre west of Bran Castle. Several trips on the mountain and two short digging sessions uncovered two hillforts made by the Teutonic Order, and a third one, shortly after they left. Hidden in dense forests, they have been deserted and forgotten, not being recorded in any historical accounts. The two western strongholds are enclosed by a common outer palisade, as they were built and used together. They are rather small, each with two rows of palisades, separated by a large ditch. The eastern one firstly served as a chalk quarry for the above-mentioned buildings, but two or three generations later was turned into a fortification. The northern long side is made up by a bare cliff, almost vertical, the southern side is closed by a large palisade, with no ditch (as it was not necessary due to the strong slopes). The downside of our research is the almost complete lack of artefacts from the 13th century, the proposed chronology being based exclusively on C14 AMS technology. Such a situation fuelled the question whether the western complex could be one of the five attested Teutonic fortresses. Its position is outstanding, offering perfect visibility up to the Bran Pass (10 km southward) or down to the Râşnov fortress (12 km northward).

Background and objectives: Pharmacognostic evaluations have paved the way for compilation of African Pharmacopeia. This study reports the pharmacognostic profile of Maesobotrya dusenii (Pax) Pax and Maesobotrya barteri (Baill.) Hutch. Method: The two plants were collected from the Etche Area of Rivers State. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of the stomata number and palisade numbers were done. Phytochemical screening was conducted using standard methods and physicochemical parameters were evaluated to determine moisture content, extractive values and ash content. The flavonoid content of M. barteri was also evaluated using quercetin equivalent. Results: Maesobotrya dusenii revealed anomocytic type of stomata while M. barteri showed a mixed type of stomata involving anomocytic and anisocytic. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of triterpenoids, saponins and carbohydrates in M. dusenii, while in M. barteri flavonoid, cardiac glycosides, saponin, triterpenoids and alkaloids were present. Maesobotrya dusenii and M. barteri showed the highest extractive value by chloroform. Conclusion: The study revealed distinctive features between M. dusenii and M. barteri that can be used in their identification, authentication and preparation of monograph for the plants.

Homomorphic encryption (HE) is a promising solution for handling sensitive data in semi-trusted third-party computing environments, as it enables processing of encrypted data. However, applying sophisticated techniques such as machine learning, statistics, and image processing to encrypted data remains a challenge. The computational complexity of some encrypted operations can significantly increase processing time. In this paper, we focus on the analysis of two state-of-the-art HE matrix multiplication algorithms with the best time and space complexities. We show how their performance depends on the libraries and the execution context, considering the standard Cheon–Kim–Kim–Song (CKKS) HE scheme with fixed-point numbers based on the Microsoft SEAL and PALISADE libraries. We show that Windows OS for the SEAL library and Linux OS for the PALISADE library are the best options. In general, PALISADE-Linux outperforms PALISADE-Windows, SEAL-Linux, and SEAL-Windows by 1.28, 1.59, and 1.67 times on average for different matrix sizes, respectively. We derive high-precision extrapolation formulas to estimate the processing time of HE multiplication of larger matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wooded landscapes on the last northern slopes of the mountain Cer, a very well-preserved palisade ditch enclosure of small dimensions and a regular circular shape was discovered (site of Šančina, Desić village). Over the last few years, archaeological excavations at this site have focused on the inner space, bordered by a massive ring-shaped earthen rampart. An unusually wide and deep ditch surrounds a high earthen embankment of flattened conical shape, bordered on the inside by a palisade ditch, with traces of densely packed and deeply buried wooden posts. The excavations so far have not revealed any interruption in the circular palisade ditch, which could confirm the existence of an entrance, i.e., a passage, clearly bordered by an earthen rampart. In the central part of the circular fortification a deep shaft/well was discovered, which has been explored to the level of underground water. Apart from traces of smaller hearths on the inside of the palisade ditch and several deeply buried conical pits, with traces of charred, vertically placed posts, there are no other architectural remains inside the circular fortification. Traces of a catastrophic fire have been discovered inside the entire fortification and are especially visible above the palisade ditch. According to numerous sherds of secondarily burned ceramic vessels, the circular enclosure in Desić belongs to the post-Vinča culture of the Early Copper Age. According to the shape and basic elements of architecture, we assume that the earthen fortification in Desić belongs to a special form of smaller prehistoric enclosures, characteristic of circular palisade fortifications in the area of the Upper Tisza region, in the north-eastern parts of the Great Hungarian Plain.

Identification of leaf anatomical and morphological characters for selection of whitefly-resistant chili was needed to produce resistant varieties. This study aimed to determine the preferences of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci on various genotypes of chili, to identify leaf anatomical (trichome, epidermis, palisade) and morphological (leaf color, leaf thickness) characters related to selection of resistance to whitefly, to see the correlation between whitefly responses (the number of eggs and the number of early instar nymphs per plant) and leaf anatomy (trichome, epidermis, palisade) and morphology (leaf thickness). This research was conducted from August to October 2018. The chilies (Capsicum annuum L.) used were C00265, CM334, C12, Bara, Ayesha, Ungara, Kastilo, Laris, Cilibangi-2, Landung, and Yuni. The 4 WAP plants were used. The whitefly was taken from eggplant plants in Kersana District, Brebes, Central Java and propagated on tobacco and eggplant plants. The whiteflies used were non-viruliferous. The experimental design used was a completely randomized group design with genotype as the treatment. Each genotype consisted of two plants and three replicates. The result showed that there was a significant positive correlation between number of eggs and number of early instar nymphs per plant with number of trichomes, while epidermis was not correlated. Length and density of palisade were significantly negatively correlated with number of eggs and number of early instar nymphs. Leaf thickness was significantly negatively correlated with the number of early instar nymphs of the plant. Leaf color could affect whitefly attraction on chili. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germania Inferior and Germania Superior , along the Rhine, and neighbouring Raetia were provinces inherited by Hadrian which lacked major external threats and had the potential to become flourishing parts of the Roman Empire. Relying on his personal knowledge of the regional situation he strengthened civilian self-government by gradually reducing the role of the military. Apart from the legions, all other units were stationed in a small defined cordon at the edge of Roman territory. Together with the now well-dated building of the palisade as a continuous running barrier, Hadrian's initiatives might be seen as an imperial gift to the provincials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pointe de Gatseau, in the south of the island of Oléron (in the region of Charente-Maritime), is formed on its western coastline by wooded dunes that cannot be dissociated from the urbanisation of the east coast and the development of tourism. Its rapid transformation makes it ideal for studying the history of a coastal landscape. The topsoil was shaped by the fixation of the sand dune by means of palisades and forest planting in the 19th century intended to protect the houses. At the end of the 20th century, coastal erosion led to a retreat of the coastline and the disappearance of this recent topsoil, establishing a new relationship with the dunes and forest areas. The analysis of archive documents shows the movements of materials in each period, their management, the development objectives and how all of this translated into coastal landscapes. By so doing, the article explains the notional frameworks behind the shaping of these topsoils and landscapes which have alternated between seeking to control the elements and accepting the impermanence of the landscape.

The article examines the architecture of the first wooden fortress in the Amur region, which became a kind of outpost on the border with Manchuria. The author analyzes the planning structure of the fortress and its design features associated with the change of the first fort with palisades to a fortress with log walls, and then a timber-earth fortress surrounded by an earthen rampart. The article was written on the basis of a study of literature, archival materials and a field study conducted by the author at the site of the Albazin fort in 2009.

This article is devoted to the urban space of Pontic Olbia – to the growth of its territory, and the emergence of its early defensive system consisting of earthworks with moats, which had surrounded the city as early as the Late Archaic period. Conclusions are drawn about the role of the settlement structure in the western part of the city, which had earlier been interpreted as Herodotus' proasteion , but which – in the light of discoveries made by a Ukrainian-German research project – has been recognised as an integral part of the city. The chronology of the mud-brick and stone fortifications erected no later than in the middle of the 4th century BC, before Olbia was besieged by Zopyrion in 331 BC, has been amended. This work has made it possible to propose a new diagram for Olbia's spatial development in the Late Archaic and Classical periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homomorphic encryption (HE) is a promising solution for handling sensitive data in semi-trusted third-party computing environments, as it enables processing of encrypted data. However, applying sophisticated techniques such as machine learning, statistics, and image processing to encrypted data remains a challenge. The computational complexity of some encrypted operations can significantly increase processing time. In this paper, we focus on the analysis of two state-of-the-art HE matrix multiplication algorithms with the best time and space complexities. We show how their performance depends on the libraries and the execution context, considering the standard Cheon–Kim–Kim–Song (CKKS) HE scheme with fixed-point numbers based on the Microsoft SEAL and PALISADE libraries. We show that Windows OS for the SEAL library and Linux OS for the PALISADE library are the best options. In general, PALISADE-Linux outperforms PALISADE-Windows, SEAL-Linux, and SEAL-Windows by 1.28, 1.59, and 1.67 times on average for different matrix sizes, respectively. We derive high-precision extrapolation formulas to estimate the processing time of HE multiplication of larger matrices.

This paper presents the problem of excavation protection in an ‘infill’ construction environment surrounded by neighbouring buildings. It presents a method of protecting deep excavation within a palisade of CFA reinforced piles in casing pipes. The 3D model was built using the ZSoil program, in which the neighbouring buildings were taken into account in modelling. The HSs model of the ground base was adopted. Based on the ITB instruction [1], an analysis was performed on the impact of building expansion on neighbouring buildings; this analysis provides guidelines for the first two phases, i.e. the phase of shoring construction and the phase of actual excavation. The study also takes into account the phase of building serviceability. After including the results of numerical analysis in the estimation of the displacements of neighbouring structures, the results were compared with indicative displacement limit values of displacement building structures.

Ultra high pressure (UHP) metamorphism observed in continental terranes implies that continental crust can subduct to ~40 kbar before exhuming to the surface. This process is one of the least understood and widely debated parts of the orogenic cycle. The dominantly felsic composition of UHP continental terranes means that many petrology‐based techniques for determining peak pressures and temperatures are often not possible. In such cases, the detection of UHP conditions depends on the preservation of coesite, a rarely preserved mineral in exhumed UHP terranes as it rapidly transforms to quartz on decompression. Consequently, the qualitative identification of palisade quartz microstructures that form during the retrograde transformation of coesite to quartz is often used to identify UHP terranes. In this study, we conduct electron backscatter diffraction and misorientation analysis of palisade quartz inclusions in the coesite‐bearing pyrope quartzite from the Dora Maira massif in the Alps, and matrix‐scale palisade quartz in the Polokongka La granite from Tso Morari in the Ladakh Himalaya, in order to quantitatively define crystallographic characteristics of quartz after coesite. The repeatability of our observations in two unrelated occurrences of UHP rocks supports our interpretation that the following features provide a systematic and predictable set of criteria to identify the coesite to quartz transition: (1) Quartz crystallographic orientations define spatially and texturally distinct subdomains of palisade quartz grains with 'single crystal' orientations defined by distinct c‐axis point maxima. (2) Adjacent subdomains are misorientated with respect to each other by a misorientation angle/axis of 90°/. (3) Within each subdomain, palisade quartz grain boundaries commonly have intra‐ and inter‐granular misorientations of 60°/[0001], consistent with the dauphiné twin law. Our observations imply that the coesite‐quartz transformation is crystallographically controlled by the epitaxial nucleation of palisade quartz on the former coesite grain, specifically on potential coesite twin planes such as (1‐01) and (021). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morpho-anatomical characteristics of Lindernia diffusa var. diffusa-in E. & P., L. oliveriana (Benth.) Wettst. and L. crustacea (L.) F. Muell.) were investigated with a view of providing additional line of evidence in the delimitation of the species in Nigeria. The specimens were subjected to microtomy. The anatomy, fruit morphology, leaf shape, number of fruits per node and, flower colour differed among the species. The species have two trichome types (glandular and non-glandular) with varying number of gland head and basal cells. The glandular trichomes have 4-7 gland heads and 4-8 basal cells while the non-glandular type-1 and 2 trichomes with 5-10 basal cells. Type-1 non-glandular trichome occurred in L. crustacean and L. diffusa var. diffusa while type-2 occurred in L. oliveriana. The palisade and spongy mesophylls are 1-layer and 3-5 layers respectively in L. diffusa var. diffusa, 1-2 layers and 4-6 layers in L. oliveriana and 2-3 layers and3 layers in L. crustacea. The palisade and spongy mesophylls are poorly differentiated. Two to five vascular bundles at the basal and distal ends of the petioles were observed in the Lindernia species with the main vascular bundle forming circular-united or fussed vascular bundles in L. diffusa var. diffusa and L. crustacea and arced or horizontally elongated vascular bundle separated by parenchymatous rays in L. oliveriana. In L. diffusa var. diffusa, the pith covered 55.99% of the stem, 24.27% in L. crustacea and 72.74% in L. oliveriana. These characters could be used to delimit the species studied.

Leaves of thirty cultivars of Mangifera indica L. were investigated to compare their anatomical variations and identify the characteristic features which are potential markers for the identification of the cultivars. Variations were noted in the thickness of cuticle, length of epidermal cells in the abaxial and adaxial surfaces, length of palisade and spongy tissue. The length of epidermal cell varied from 10 µm in ‘Goto’ to 25 µm in ‘Desi’ cultivars on adaxial side, while on the abaxial side it varied from 15.5 µm in ‘Alphonso’ to 6.9 µm in ‘Sopari’. The palisade tissue length was maximum in ‘Jahangir’ (111.36 µm), while it was lowest in ‘Fazli’ (24.13 µm). Spongy tissue length was the highest in ‘Jamadar’ (199.92 µm) and lowest in ‘Fazli’ (90.55 µm). Two layers of palisade tissue were seen in ‘Sindoria’, ‘Jhumakhiya 2’, ‘Aambadi’, ‘Neelam’, ‘Rajapuri’, ‘Fazli’, ‘Jahangir’, ‘Kaju’, and ‘Aamir pasand’, while three layers were seen in ‘Alphonso’, ‘Jamadar’, ‘Ladvo’, ‘Sopari’ and ‘Dudhpendo’. Such parameters can be used for distinctly differentiating varieties among them and thus have an exact identification when morphological features are indistinguishable.

The leaf morpho-anatomical studies were performed to assess the genetic divergence in mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) germplasm and for obtaining a strong descriptor (s) to help in easy identification among closely related genotypes during the year 2017–18. Morphological traits of mature leaves of mandarin accessions were observed on basis of citrus descriptors. Leaf chlorophyll content was determined with a SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter under field conditions. Morpho-anatomical attributes were analysed by optical and scanning electron microscopes.In our study, mandarin genotypes exhibited variation with respect to leaf anatomy and photosynthetic traits despite having same pedigree. PAU Kinnow-1, a mutant of Kinnow was clustered away from its parent probably due to multiple variations arising in the parent as PAU Kinnow-1 was developed through gamma irradiation treatment. Therefore, it is suggested from our findings that leaf characters may vary among apparently close genotype such as Kinnow and PAU Kinnow-1. Likewise, genotypes Kara and King exhibited disparate leaf morpho-anatomy characters though King is a parent of Kara. Similarly, the genotypes like Kara, King, Wilking, and Willow Leaf could be differentiated based on their leaf traits. Genotypes namely Fair Child and Sunburst formed clear distinct clusters on basis of the diverse morpho-anatomical attributes. The dendrogram clearly differentiated the genotypes irrespective of their pedigree and geographical area of origin. In FCA plot, mandarin genotypic differentiation was the main structural component defining the first axis (57.11% of total diversity) whereas the inertia for the second axis was 17.54 per cent. The higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations were associated with higher heritability for petiole wing width, the number of open stomata and palisade parenchyma tissue length traits that may be more effective during selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morpho-anatomical characteristics of Lindernia diffusa var. diffus a An E. & P., L. oliveriana (Benth.) Wettst. and L. Crustacea (L.) F. Muell.) were investigated with a view of providing additional line of evidence in the delimitation of the species in Nigeria. The specimens were subjected to microtomy. The anatomy, fruit morphology, leaf shape, number of fruits per node and, flower colour differed among the species. The species have two trichome types (glandular and non-glandular) with varying number of gland head and basal cells. The glandular trichomes have 4-7 gland heads and 4-8 basal cells while the non-glandular type-1 and 2 trichomes with 5-10 basal cells. Type-1 non-glandular trichome occurred in L. crustacean and L. diffusa var. diffusa while type-2 occurred in L. oliveriana. The palisade and spongy mesophylls are 1-layer and 3-5 layers respectively in L. diffusa var. diffusa, 1-2 layers and 4-6 layers in L. oliveriana and 2-3 layers and3 layers in L. Crustacea. The palisade and spongy mesophylls are poorly differentiated. Two to five vascular bundles at the basal and distal ends of the petioles were observed in the Lindernia species with the main vascular bundle forming circular-united or fussed vascular bundles in L. diffusa var. diffusa and L. Crustacea and arced or horizontally elongated vascular bundle separated by parenchymatous rays in L. oliveriana. In L. diffusa var. diffusa, the pith covered 55.99% of the stem, 24.27% in L. Crustacea and 72.74% in L. oliveriana. These characters could be used to delimit the species studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eggshell is the outermost covering of an egg that provides physical and chemical protection. It is a major source of calcium and minerals for the growing embryo during incubation. The egg industry suffers from a considerable economic loss due to poor eggshell quality. Therefore, developing an accurate and precise method of determining eggshell quality is crucial in improving eggshells in subsequent generations of breeding stock. Hence, this study aimed to develop a method to accurately and precisely determine 1) eggshell thickness using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and 2) eggshell mineral components using an SEM-Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) system. Four types of table eggs (N = 48; 12 eggs/group): Cage-Free Organic from the US Mainland (CFO-M) and Hawaii (CFO-H), Caged Non-Organic from the US Mainland (CNO-M), and Hawaii (CNO-H) were sourced from the grocery store. Approximately 0.5 mm2 pieces of eggshells from the equator region of the egg were taken and processed for visualization under the SEM. Three distinct layers of eggshell were identified under SEM: the outermost cuticle, the middle palisade, and the innermost mammillary region. The results showed that CFO-H eggs have a greater eggshell thickness (380.43 ± 2.69 µm) and effective thickness (306.28 ± 4.15 µm). Similarly, the mammillary knob count was denser in CNO-H eggs (186 ± 23.02 knobs/0.5 mm2). Calcium (97.36 ± 0.17%) was the highest among minerals in lower palisades (LP). The magnesium concentration was lowest in the LP region, whereas the phosphorus concentration was highest in the upper palisades. Our study established a scientific method to assess the eggshell quality and biochemical characteristics of eggs through SEM and EDS. This method can be used as a marker for selecting superior parent stock to improve eggshell quality in subsequent generations of breeding stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Tympanoplasty is a common procedure performed by Otolaryngologists. Many types of autologous grafts have been used with variations of techniques with varying results. This is the first systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis with the aim to evaluate the effectiveness of one of the techniques which is gaining popularity, the palisade cartilage tympanoplasty. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for "palisade", “cartilage”, “tympanoplasty”, "perforation" and their synonyms. Main body of abstract In total, 199 articles reporting results of palisade cartilage tympanoplasty were identified. Five articles satisfied the following inclusion criteria: adult patients, minimum 6 months follow-up, hearing and surgical outcomes reported. Studies with patients undergoing combined mastoidectomy, ossicular chain reconstruction, and/or other middle ear surgery were excluded. Perforation closure, rate of complications, and post-operative pure-tone average change were extracted for pooled analysis. Study failure and complication proportions that were used to generate odds ratios were pooled. Fixed effects and random effects weightings were generated. The resulting pooled odds ratios are reported. Palisade cartilage tympanoplasty has an overall take rate of 96% at beyond 6 months and has similar odds of complications compared to temporalis fascia (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.62, 1.30). The air-bone gap closure is statistically similar to reported results from temporalis fascia tympanoplasty. Conclusions Cartilage palisade tympanoplasty offers excellent graft take rates and good postoperative hearing outcomes for perforations of various sizes and for both primary and revision cases. This technique has predictable, long-term results with low complication rates, similar to temporalis fascia tympanoplasty.

The results of the excavation carried out at the site of Jacquins West in Neulise, in the Loire county, allowed us to fill a persistent archaeological gap in that town. The remains combine to reveal a continuous occupation of the site from the Augustan period to the end of the IIIrd cent.-beginning of the IVth cent. AD. Two rural settlements succeed one another between the Ist and the IIIrd cent., prior to the implementation of a parcel boundary. Changes in the land’s status of the parcel are clearly evidenced three to four times. The first phase corresponds to the settlement and evolution of a large traditional Gallic building, enclosed in palisades and plantation trees. The second phase is materialized by the remains of a large masonry construction, equipped with a craft workshop complex that could be identified as a winery outhouse with a wine press. The last phase corresponds to the implementation of a parcel ditch, supplemented by a second ditch of similar orientation in a second phase. These ditches only border plantation pits observed along the limits of the parcel. The site is then abandoned until the Modern period when a series of vineyard plantations and associated drains are evidenced.

The seeds of most Australian acacias have pronounced physical dormancy (PY). While fire and hot water (HW) treatments cause the lens to 'pop' almost instantaneously, for many Acacia species the increase in germination percentage can be gradual. If PY is broken instantly by HW treatment, why is germination often an extended process? Control and HW treatments were performed on seeds of 48 species of Acacia. Seeds were placed on a moist substrate and imbibition was assessed by frequently weighing individual seeds. In the two soft-seeded species all control seeds were fully imbibed within 6–24 h, while in hard-seeded species very few control seeds imbibed over several weeks. In 10 species over 50% of the HW-treated seeds imbibed within 30 h, but mostly the percentage of imbibed seeds gradually increased over several weeks. Some seeds in a replicate would imbibe early, while others would remain unimbibed for many days or weeks then, remarkably, become fully imbibed in less than 24 h. While HW treatment broke PY almost instantaneously, it appeared that in many Acacia species some other part of the testa slowed water from reaching the embryo. This process of having staggered imbibition may be a way of ensuring not all seeds in a population germinate after small rain events. Thus it appears the lens acts as a 'fire gauge' while some other part of the seed coat acts as a 'rain gauge'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study will only deal with the Neolithic period which we distinguish from the Eneolithic one in the sense that in this period man only used tools made of stone and later on, in Eneolithic (Chalcolithic), he started using copper. In its first period, the Neolithic has new characteristics as a result of the progress of human communities; thus, as opposed to the Palaeolithic, man starts a new period with changed “clothes”. Firstly, man now starts to create and appreciate beauty as the Palaeolithic art did not have aesthetic purposes. But an important transformation regards the habitat, Neolithic settlements and buildings reflecting the increasing stability of communities, thus taking a step forward from Palaeolithic and their evolution to the higher levels of the future society, the Eneolithic one.

Leaves of thirty cultivars of Mangifera indica L. were investigated to compare their anatomical variations and identify the characteristic features which are potential markers for the identification of the cultivars. Variations were noted in the thickness of cuticle, length of epidermal cells in the abaxial and adaxial surfaces, length of palisade and spongy tissue. The length of epidermal cell varied from 10 µm in 'Goto' to 25 µm in 'Desi' cultivars on adaxial side, while on the abaxial side it varied from 15.5 µm in 'Alphonso' to 6.9 µm in 'Sopari'. The palisade tissue length was maximum in 'Jahangir' (111.36 µm), while it was lowest in 'Fazli' (24.13 µm). Spongy tissue length was the highest in 'Jamadar' (199.92 µm) and lowest in 'Fazli' (90.55 µm). Two layers of palisade tissue were seen in 'Sindoria', 'Jhumakhiya 2', 'Aambadi', 'Neelam', 'Rajapuri', 'Fazli', 'Jahangir', 'Kaju', and 'Aamir pasand', while three layers were seen in 'Alphonso', 'Jamadar', 'Ladvo', 'Sopari' and 'Dudhpendo'. Such parameters can be used for distinctly differentiating varieties among them and thus have an exact identification when morphological features are indistinguishable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Tympanoplasty is a common procedure performed by Otolaryngologists. Many types of autologous grafts have been used with variations of techniques with varying results. This is the first systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis with the aim to evaluate the effectiveness of one of the techniques which is gaining popularity, the palisade cartilage tympanoplasty. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for "palisade", "cartilage", "tympanoplasty", "perforation" and their synonyms. Main body of abstract: In total, 199 articles reporting results of palisade cartilage tympanoplasty were identified. Five articles satisfied the following inclusion criteria: adult patients, minimum 6 months follow-up, hearing and surgical outcomes reported. Studies with patients undergoing combined mastoidectomy, ossicular chain reconstruction, and/or other middle ear surgery were excluded. Perforation closure, rate of complications, and post-operative pure-tone average change were extracted for pooled analysis. Study failure and complication proportions that were used to generate odds ratios were pooled. Fixed effects and random effects weightings were generated. The resulting pooled odds ratios are reported. Palisade cartilage tympanoplasty has an overall take rate of 96% at beyond 6 months and has similar odds of complications compared to temporalis fascia (OR 0. 89, 95% CI 0.62, 1.30). The air-bone gap closure is statistically similar to reported results from temporalis fascia tympanoplasty. Conclusions: Cartilage palisade tympanoplasty offers excellent graft take rates and good postoperative hearing outcomes for perforations of various sizes and for both primary and revision cases. This technique has predictable, long-term results with low complication rates, similar to temporalis fascia tympanoplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare the graft success rates and audiological outcomes of bilaterally performed type 1 tympanoplasty using cartilage palisades or temporal fascia in children. MATERIALS and METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty at Medical Park Hospital between May 2007 and February 2013. 27 patients (54 ears) were enrolled in the study: 15 (30 ears) in the palisade cartilage group and 12 (24 ears) in the fascia group. RESULTS: The graft success rate for the fascia group was 79.2%, and that for the cartilage group was 96.7%. The difference was statistically insignificant (p=0.078). Audiological improvements were seen in both groups, and the difference was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: The use of temporalis fascia grafting has similar outcomes to palisade cartilage tympanoplasty for both success rate and audiological values in children who have bilateral disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the results of the archaeological excavation on Sergent Constantin Muşat Street, targeting the outer fortification line of the Turkish fortress of Timişoara, in the area of the Azig Pasha Bastion. This line was built according to the ditch-palisade system. Combining the historical sources with the archaeological observations, it is clear that this line (having in fact the function of a counterguard) was built in the years 1705-1708. After the conquest of Timişoara by the troops led by Eugene of Savoy in 1716, the Turkish fortress was gradually dismantled. The outer fortification line sector approached by the archaeological research was removed, most probably in the years 1732-1737. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt tolerance mechanism of an extreme halophyte Salvadora persica was assessed by analysing growth, nutrient uptake, anatomical modifications and alterations in levels of some organic metabolites in seedlings imposed to various levels of salinity (0, 250, 500 and 750 mM NaCl) under hydroponic culture condition. After 21 days of salt treatment, plant height, leaf area and shoot biomass decreased with increase in salinity whereas the leaf succulence increased significantly with increasing salinity in S. persica. The RWC% of leaf increased progressively in salt-treated seedlings as compared to control. Na+ contents of leaf, stem and root increased in dose-dependent manner whereas there was no significant changes in K+ content. There was significant alterations in leaf, stem and root anatomy by salinity. The thickness of epidermis and spongy parenchyma of leaf increased in salt treated seedlings as compared to control, whereas palisade parenchyma decreased dramatically in extreme salinity (750 mM NaCl). There was a significant reduction in stomatal density and stomatal pore area of leaf with increasing salinity. Anatomical observations of stem showed that the epidermal cells diameter and thickness of cortex decreased by salinity whereas thickness of hypodermal layer, hypodermal cell diameter, pith area and pith cell diameter increased by high salinity. The root anatomy showed an increase in epidermal thickness by salinity whereas diameters of epidermal cells and xylem vessels decreased. Total soluble sugar content remained unchanged at all levels of salinity whereas reducing sugar content increased by 2-fold at high salinity (750 mM NaCl). The starch content of leaf decreased progressively in NaCl treated seedlings as compared to control. Total free amino acid content did not change at low salinity (250 mM), whereas it increased significantly at higher salinity (500 and 750 mM NaCl). The proline content increased in the NaCl treated seedlings as compared to control. There was no significant changes in polyphenol levels in leaf at all levels of salinity. The results from the present study reveal that seedlings imposed with various levels of salinity experience physiological, biochemical and anatomical modifications in order to circumvent under extreme saline environment. The vital mechanisms of salt tolerance in this

Introduction: The use of cartilage as a grafting material has been advocated in cases where there is a high risk of graft failure, such as subtotal perforations, adhesive processes, and residual defects after primary tympanoplasties. The purpose of this study was to compare the graft acceptance rates and auditory outcomes of cartilage tympanoplasty operations using a palisade technique with those of primary tympanoplasty using temporalis fascia in a homogenous group of patients. Study Design: Prospective study. Materials and Methods:The study population included 54 patients who were operated on in two groups (palisade technique & temporalis fascia technique) with each group containing 27 patients. Patients with pure subtotal perforations (perforation of >50% of the whole tympanic membrane [TM] area), an intact ossicular chain, at least a one month dry period, and normal middle ear mucosa were included in the study. Grafts acceptance rates and pre- and post-operative audiograms were compared. The follow-up time was six months. Results: Graft acceptance was achieved in all patients (100%) in the palisade cartilage tympanoplasty group and in 25 patients (92.5%) in the temporalis fascia group. This difference was not statistically significant (P= 0.15). Comparison of the increases in mean speech reception threshold, air–bone gap, and pure-tone average scores between both techniques showed no significant changes. Conclusion: Our experience with the palisade cartilage technique demonstrates that subtotal or total perforation at high risk for graft failure can be treated efficiently, and that a durable and resistant reconstruction of the TM with reasonable auditory function can be achieved.

Salt tolerance mechanism of an extreme halophyte Salvadora persica was assessed by analyzing growth, nutrient uptake, anatomical modifications and alterations in levels of some organic metabolites in seedlings imposed to various levels of salinity (0, 250, 500, and 750 mM NaCl) under hydroponic culture condition. After 21 days of salt treatment, plant height, leaf area, and shoot biomass decreased with increase in salinity whereas the leaf succulence increased significantly with increasing salinity in S. persica. The RWC% of leafincreased progressively in salt-treated seedlings as compared to control. NaC contents of leaf, stem and root increased in dose-dependent manner whereas there was no significant changes in KC content. There was significant alterations in leaf, stem, and root anatomy by salinity. The thickness of epidermis and spongy parenchyma of leafincreased in salt treated seedlings as compared to control, whereas palisade parenchyma decreased dramatically in extreme salinity (750 mM NaCl). There was a significant reduction in stomatal density and stomatal pore area of leaf with increasing salinity. Anatomical observations of stem showed that the epidermal cells diameter and thickness of cortex decreased by salinity whereas thickness of hypodermal layer, diameter of hypodermal cell, pith area and pith cell diameter increased by high salinity. The root anatomy showed an increase in epidermal thickness by salinity whereas diameters of epidermal cells and xylem vessels decreased. Total soluble sugar content remained unchanged at all levels of salinity whereas reducing sugar content increased by twofold at high salinity (750 mM NaCl). The starch content of leaf decreased progressively in NaCl treated seedlings as compared to control. Total free amino acid content did not change at low salinity (250 mM), whereas it increased significantly at higher salinity (500 and 750 mM NaCl). The proline content increased in NaCl treated seedlings as compared to control. There was no significant changes in polyphenols level of leaf at all levels of salinity. The results from the present study reveal that seedlings imposed with various levels of salinity experience physiological, biochemical and anatomical modifications in order to circumvent under extreme saline environment. The vital mechanisms of salt tolerance in S. persica are higher accumulation of organic metabolites, increase in leaf succulency, efficient Na+ sequestration in the vacuole, K+ retention in the photosynthetic tissue and increase in WUE by reducing stomatal density. Therefore, S. persica is a potential halophytic species to be cultivated in saline lands to eliminate excess salt and make it favorable for agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]