scholarly journals The Effects of Moderate and Severe Salinity on Composition and Physiology in the Biomass Crop Miscanthus × giganteus

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1266
Author(s):  
Evangelia Stavridou ◽  
Richard J. Webster ◽  
Paul R. H. Robson

Saline land represents a growing resource that could be utilised for growing biomass crops, such as Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deu.), for eliminating competition with staple food crops. However, the response mechanisms to different salinity regimes, in relation to the impact on quality of the harvested biomass and the combustion properties are largely unknown. Herein, the focus was on the salt-induced compositional changes of ion flux and compartmentalization in the rhizome, stems, and leaves in relation to their impact on salinity tolerance and the combustion quality through investigating the photophysiological, morphophysiological, and biochemical responses of M. × giganteus to moderate and a severe salinity. Severe salinity induced an immediate and sustained adverse response with a reduction in biomass yield, photoinhibition, and metabolic limitations in photosynthesis. Moderate salinity resulted in a slower cumulative response with low biomass losses. Biomass composition, variations in ion compartmentalisation and induction of proline were dependent on the severity and duration of salinity. Ash behaviour indices, including the base percentage and base-to-acid ratio, indicated lower corrosion potential and lower risk of slagging under salinity. Understanding the impact of salinity on the potential for growth on saline land may identify new targets for breeding salinity-tolerant bioenergy crops.

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 369-376
Author(s):  
Marta Kupryś-Caruk ◽  
Sławomir Podlaski

The aim of the research was to determine the impact of double-cut harvest system on yield, as well as on suitability of Miscanthus × giganteus biomass for ensiling and biogas production. Biomass was harvested at the end of June (harvest I) and at the beginning of October (harvest II, regrowth). A single-cut regime at the end of October was also conducted. Biomass from harvests I and II was ensiled and subjected to anaerobic fermentation. The total dry matter (DM) yield from double-cut harvest system was similar to the DM yield from one-cut harvest, but two harvests per year had a positive effect on chemical composition of the biomass. C/N ratio and lignin content in the biomass from harvest I was lower compared to the single-cut biomass. Double harvest biomass was susceptible to ensiling, however, the biomass from harvest I characterized by low dry matter and water soluble sugars content resulted in poorer quality of the obtained silage (butyric acid was present). There were no significant differences between the methane yields obtained from ensiled biomass from harvests I and II.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 297
Author(s):  
K. Telahigue ◽  
I. Rabeh ◽  
I. Chetoui ◽  
S. Bejaoui ◽  
M. El Cafsi ◽  
...  

The copepod Lernaeosera lusci is a common ectoparasite of the hake Merluccius merluccius, which constitutes its definitive host. The present study is the first to investigate the impact of L. lusci and its infection intensity on the fatty acid (FA) composition and oil quality of its host. The results revealed a substantial decrease in the total FA content, which dropped by 50, 70 and 83% when fish was infected by one (L1), two (L2) and three (L3) parasites, respectively. The lipid profile showed a tendency for a significant decrease in the saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels in all parasitized groups and in a parasite load dependant manner (p < 0.05). The same tendency was observed for the most commonly analysed FA and in particular for essential FA, such as e arachidonic (ARA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, which showed smaller amounts associated with L. lusci co-infection. From a nutritional standpoint, our findings revealed that L. lusci is able to cause severe deterioration in the nutritional quality of its host oil. In addition to the increase in the thrombogenicity index (IT) and the high atherogenicity index (IA) values, the low hypocholesterolemic / hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio (H/H) and the modest amount of DHA+EPA (20 and 10 mg/100g) recorded at heavy infection levels make the parasitized fish inadequate sources of these PUFA and unsuitable for consumers with special dietary needs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 2097-2108
Author(s):  
Robyn L. Croft ◽  
Courtney T. Byrd

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 162-168
Author(s):  
Pippa Hales ◽  
Corinne Mossey-Gaston

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers across Northern America and Europe. Treatment options offered are dependent on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor, the staging, and the overall health of the person. When surgery for lung cancer is offered, difficulty swallowing is a potential complication that can have several influencing factors. Surgical interaction with the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can lead to unilateral vocal cord palsy, altering swallow function and safety. Understanding whether the RLN has been preserved, damaged, or sacrificed is integral to understanding the effect on the swallow and the subsequent treatment options available. There is also the risk of post-surgical reduction of physiological reserve, which can reduce the strength and function of the swallow in addition to any surgery specific complications. As lung cancer has a limited prognosis, the clinician must also factor in the palliative phase, as this can further increase the burden of an already compromised swallow. By understanding the surgery and the implications this may have for the swallow, there is the potential to reduce the impact of post-surgical complications and so improve quality of life (QOL) for people with lung cancer.


2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Fabritius ◽  
Lisa S. Doane ◽  
Aileen M. Echiverri ◽  
Shoshana Y. Kahana ◽  
Joshua D. McDavid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Cully ◽  
L. L. Phillips ◽  
M. E. Kunik ◽  
M. A. Stanley ◽  
A. Deswal

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