Cell Wall Composition and Structure Define the Developmental Fate of Embryogenic Microspores in Brassica napus

Microspore cultures generate a heterogeneous population of embryogenic structures that can be grouped into highly embryogenic structures [exine-enclosed (EE) and loose bicellular structures (LBS)] and barely embryogenic structures [compact callus (CC) and loose callus (LC) structures]. Little is known about the factors behind these different responses. In this study we performed a comparative analysis of the composition and architecture of the cell walls of each structure by confocal and quantitative electron microscopy. Each structure presented specific cell wall characteristics that defined their developmental fate. EE and LBS structures, which are responsible for most of the viable embryos, showed a specific profile with thin walls rich in arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), highly and low methyl-esterified pectin and callose, and a callose-rich subintinal layer not necessarily thick, but with a remarkably high callose concentration. The different profiles of EE and LBS walls support the development as suspensorless and suspensor-bearing embryos, respectively. Conversely, less viable embryogenic structures (LC) presented the thickest walls and the lowest values for almost all of the studied cell wall components. These cell wall properties would be the less favorable for cell proliferation and embryo progression. High levels of highly methyl-esterified pectin are necessary for wall flexibility and growth of highly embryogenic structures. AGPs seem to play a role in cell wall stiffness, possibly due to their putative role as calcium capacitors, explaining the positive relationship between embryogenic potential and calcium levels.

Dynamic time-history response of concrete rectangular liquid storage tanks

In this study, the finite element method is used to investigate the seismic behaviour of concrete, open top rectangular liquid tanks in two and three-dimensional spaces. This method is capable of considering both impulsive and convective responses of liquid-tank system. The sloshing behaviour is simulated using linear free surface boundary conditions. Two different finite element models corresponding with shallow and tall tank configurations are studied under the effects of all components of earthquake record. The effect of earthquake frequency content on the seismic behaviour of fluid-rectangular tank system is investigated using four different seismic motions including Northridge, El-Centro, San-Fernando and San-Francisco earthquake records. These records are scaled in such a way that all horizontal peak ground accelerations are similar. Fluid-structure interaction effects on the dynamic response of fluid containers are taken into account incorporating wall flexibility. A simple model with viscous boundary is used to include deformable foundation effects as a linear medium. Six different soil types are considered. In addition the application of slat screens and baffles in reducing the sloshing height of liquid tank is investigated by carrying out a parametric study. The results show that the wall flexibility, fluid damping properties, earthquake frequency content and soil-structure interaction have a major effect on seismic behaviour of liquid tanks and should be considered in design criteria of tanks. The effect of vertical acceleration on the dynamic response of the liquid tanks is found to be less significant when horizontal and vertical ground motions are considered together. The results in this study are verified and compared with those obtained by numerical methods and other available methods in the literature.

Dynamic time-history response of concrete rectangular liquid storage tanks

In this study, the finite element method is used to investigate the seismic behaviour of concrete, open top rectangular liquid tanks in two and three-dimensional spaces. This method is capable of considering both impulsive and convective responses of liquid-tank system. The sloshing behaviour is simulated using linear free surface boundary conditions. Two different finite element models corresponding with shallow and tall tank configurations are studied under the effects of all components of earthquake record. The effect of earthquake frequency content on the seismic behaviour of fluid-rectangular tank system is investigated using four different seismic motions including Northridge, El-Centro, San-Fernando and San-Francisco earthquake records. These records are scaled in such a way that all horizontal peak ground accelerations are similar. Fluid-structure interaction effects on the dynamic response of fluid containers are taken into account incorporating wall flexibility. A simple model with viscous boundary is used to include deformable foundation effects as a linear medium. Six different soil types are considered. In addition the application of slat screens and baffles in reducing the sloshing height of liquid tank is investigated by carrying out a parametric study. The results show that the wall flexibility, fluid damping properties, earthquake frequency content and soil-structure interaction have a major effect on seismic behaviour of liquid tanks and should be considered in design criteria of tanks. The effect of vertical acceleration on the dynamic response of the liquid tanks is found to be less significant when horizontal and vertical ground motions are considered together. The results in this study are verified and compared with those obtained by numerical methods and other available methods in the literature.

Seismic Response of Ground Cylindrical and Elevated Conical Reinforced Concrete Tanks

In this study, the seismic performance of concrete ground-supported cylindrical as well as liquid-filled elevated water tanks supported on concrete shaft is evaluated using the finite element method. The effects of a wide spectrum of parameters such as liquid sloshing, tank wall flexibility, vertical ground acceleration, tank aspect ratio, base fixity, and earthquake frequency content on dynamic behaviour of such structures are examined. Furthermore, the adequacy of current practice in seismic analysis and design of liquid containing structures is investigated. A comprehensive parametric study covering a wide range of tank capacities and aspect ratios found in practice today is also carried out on elevated tanks. Two different innovative strategies to reduce the seismic response of elevated tanks are examined, in the first strategy the inclined cone angle of the lower portion of the vessel is increased while in the second strategy the supporting shaft structure is isolated either from the ground or the vessel mounted on top. The results of this study show that capability of the proposed finite element technique. Using this method, the major aspects in the fluid-structure interaction problems including wall flexibility, sloshing motion, damping properties of fluid domain, and the individual effects of impulsive and convective terms can be considered. The effects of tank wall flexibility, vertical ground acceleration, base fixity, and earthquake frequency content are found to be significant on the dynamic behaviour of liquid tanks. The parametric study indicates that the results can be utilized with high level of accuracy in seismic design applications for conical elevated tanks. This study further shows that increasing the cone angle of the vessel can result in a significant reduction in seismically induced forces of the tank, leading to an economical design of the shaft structure and the foundation system. It is also concluded that the application of passive control devices to conical elevated tanks offers a substantial benefit for the earthquake-resistant design of such structures.

Seismic Response of Ground Cylindrical and Elevated Conical Reinforced Concrete Tanks

In this study, the seismic performance of concrete ground-supported cylindrical as well as liquid-filled elevated water tanks supported on concrete shaft is evaluated using the finite element method. The effects of a wide spectrum of parameters such as liquid sloshing, tank wall flexibility, vertical ground acceleration, tank aspect ratio, base fixity, and earthquake frequency content on dynamic behaviour of such structures are examined. Furthermore, the adequacy of current practice in seismic analysis and design of liquid containing structures is investigated. A comprehensive parametric study covering a wide range of tank capacities and aspect ratios found in practice today is also carried out on elevated tanks. Two different innovative strategies to reduce the seismic response of elevated tanks are examined, in the first strategy the inclined cone angle of the lower portion of the vessel is increased while in the second strategy the supporting shaft structure is isolated either from the ground or the vessel mounted on top. The results of this study show that capability of the proposed finite element technique. Using this method, the major aspects in the fluid-structure interaction problems including wall flexibility, sloshing motion, damping properties of fluid domain, and the individual effects of impulsive and convective terms can be considered. The effects of tank wall flexibility, vertical ground acceleration, base fixity, and earthquake frequency content are found to be significant on the dynamic behaviour of liquid tanks. The parametric study indicates that the results can be utilized with high level of accuracy in seismic design applications for conical elevated tanks. This study further shows that increasing the cone angle of the vessel can result in a significant reduction in seismically induced forces of the tank, leading to an economical design of the shaft structure and the foundation system. It is also concluded that the application of passive control devices to conical elevated tanks offers a substantial benefit for the earthquake-resistant design of such structures.

Load-bearing capacity of crane beams with fatigue cracks in the compressed belt zone

The method of determining the critical parameters of stability of the crane beam walls with fatigue cracks in the compressed belt zone is briefly described. The dependences of the bifurcation critical and limit stresses in the wall on the crack length, the crack position in the section, and on the wall flexibility are shown. The results of numerical studies of the effect of cracks on the increase in normal stresses in the compressed belt are presented. A method for assessing the local stability of the beam wall with a crack is proposed.

Amoeboid swimming in a compliant channel

We studied influence of elasticity of surrounding environment on cell motility by numerically investigating effects of wall flexibility and channel confinement on flow dynamics of amoeboid swimming in compliant channel.

Is vacuum bell therapy effective in the correction of pectus excavatum?

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written in accordance to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: ‘In patients with a pectus excavatum deformity, is vacuum bell therapy (VBT) an effective treatment?’ Altogether, 19 papers were found using the reported search of which 7 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical questions. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. Numerous groups have demonstrated the utility of VBT in pectus excavatum; the largest series has followed up patients over 13 years with sternal elevation of >1 cm being demonstrated in 105 patients. Initial age <11, initial chest wall depth <1.5 cm and chest wall flexibility have all been associated with better outcomes. The effects of VBT have been confirmed on computed tomography scanning and intraoperatively to lift the sternum to facilitate retrosternal soft tissue dissection during the Nuss procedure. There was significant heterogeneity in the studies reviewed, in terms of patient age, selection criteria, the VBT protocol, length of follow-up time following completion of VBT and the metrics used to assess success of therapy. VBT is a safe therapy for treating pectus excavatum in a non-surgical conservative manner with few complications reported. However, the success of VBT is largely dependent on patient compliance and motivation. Permanence of correction after completion of VBT needs to be properly assessed through rigorous follow-up, and currently the success of correction, i.e. permanence, remains in the hands of the patient.

Perspectives on Structural, Physiological, Cellular, and Molecular Responses to Desiccation in Resurrection Plants

Resurrection plants possess a unique ability to counteract desiccation stress. Desiccation tolerance (DT) is a very complex multigenic and multifactorial process comprising a combination of physiological, morphological, cellular, genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolic processes. Modification in the sugar composition of the hemicellulosic fraction of the cell wall is detected during dehydration. An important change is a decrease of glucose in the hemicellulosic fraction during dehydration that can reflect a modification of the xyloglucan structure. The expansins might also be involved in cell wall flexibility during drying and disrupt hydrogen bonds between polymers during rehydration of the cell wall. Cleavages by xyloglucan-modifying enzymes release the tightly bound xyloglucan-cellulose network, thus increasing cell wall flexibility required for cell wall folding upon desiccation. Changes in hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) such as arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are also observed during desiccation and rehydration processes. It has also been observed that significant alterations in the process of photosynthesis and photosystem (PS) II activity along with changes in the antioxidant enzyme system also increased the cell wall and membrane fluidity resulting in DT. Similarly, recent data show a major role of ABA, LEA proteins, and small regulatory RNA in regulating DT responses. Current progress in “-omic” technologies has enabled quantitative monitoring of the plethora of biological molecules in a high throughput routine, making it possible to compare their levels between desiccation-sensitive and DT species. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of structural, physiological, cellular, molecular, and global responses involved in desiccation tolerance.