Showing papers by "Romanian Academy published in 2017"

Deep Multitask Architecture for Integrated 2D and 3D Human Sensing

Abstract: We propose a deep multitask architecture for fully automatic 2d and 3d human sensing (DMHS), including recognition and reconstruction, in monocular images. The system computes the figure-ground segmentation, semantically identifies the human body parts at pixel level, and estimates the 2d and 3d pose of the person. The model supports the joint training of all components by means of multi-task losses where early processing stages recursively feed into advanced ones for increasingly complex calculations, accuracy and robustness. The design allows us to tie a complete training protocol, by taking advantage of multiple datasets that would otherwise restrictively cover only some of the model components: complex 2d image data with no body part labeling and without associated 3d ground truth, or complex 3d data with limited 2d background variability. In detailed experiments based on several challenging 2d and 3d datasets (LSP, HumanEva, Human3.6M), we evaluate the sub-structures of the model, the effect of various types of training data in the multitask loss, and demonstrate that state-of-the-art results can be achieved at all processing levels. We also show that in the wild our monocular RGB architecture is perceptually competitive to a state-of-the art (commercial) Kinect system based on RGB-D data.

The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project

Abstract: The PREDICTS project—Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)—has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.

Spiking Neural P Systems with Communication on Request.

Abstract: Spiking Neural [Formula: see text] Systems are Neural System models characterized by the fact that each neuron mimics a biological cell and the communication between neurons is based on spikes. In the Spiking Neural [Formula: see text] systems investigated so far, the application of evolution rules depends on the contents of a neuron (checked by means of a regular expression). In these [Formula: see text] systems, a specified number of spikes are consumed and a specified number of spikes are produced, and then sent to each of the neurons linked by a synapse to the evolving neuron. [Formula: see text]In the present work, a novel communication strategy among neurons of Spiking Neural [Formula: see text] Systems is proposed. In the resulting models, called Spiking Neural [Formula: see text] Systems with Communication on Request, the spikes are requested from neighboring neurons, depending on the contents of the neuron (still checked by means of a regular expression). Unlike the traditional Spiking Neural [Formula: see text] systems, no spikes are consumed or created: the spikes are only moved along synapses and replicated (when two or more neurons request the contents of the same neuron). [Formula: see text]The Spiking Neural [Formula: see text] Systems with Communication on Request are proved to be computationally universal, that is, equivalent with Turing machines as long as two types of spikes are used. Following this work, further research questions are listed to be open problems.

The Genomic History Of Southeastern Europe

Abstract: Farming was first introduced to southeastern Europe in the mid-7th millennium BCE - brought by migrants from Anatolia who settled in the region before spreading throughout Europe. However, the dynamics of the interaction between the first farmers and the indigenous hunter-gatherers remain poorly understood because of the near absence of ancient DNA from the region. We report new genome-wide ancient DNA data from 204 individuals-65 Paleolithic and Mesolithic, 93 Neolithic, and 46 Copper, Bronze and Iron Age-who lived in southeastern Europe and surrounding regions between about 12,000 and 500 BCE. We document that the hunter-gatherer populations of southeastern Europe, the Baltic, and the North Pontic Steppe were distinctive from those of western Europe, with a West-East cline of ancestry. We show that the people who brought farming to Europe were not part of a single population, as early farmers from southern Greece are not descended from the Neolithic population of northwestern Anatolia that was ancestral to all other European farmers. The ancestors of the first farmers of northern and western Europe passed through southeastern Europe with limited admixture with local hunter-gatherers, but we show that some groups that remained in the region mixed extensively with local hunter-gatherers, with relatively sex-balanced admixture compared to the male-biased hunter-gatherer admixture that we show prevailed later in the North and West. After the spread of farming, southeastern Europe continued to be a nexus between East and West, with intermittent steppe ancestry, including in individuals from the Varna I cemetery and associated with the Cucuteni-Trypillian archaeological complex, up to 2,000 years before the Steppe migration that replaced much of northern Europe9s population.

Apolipoprotein E - A Multifunctional Protein with Implications in Various Pathologies as a Result of Its Structural Features

Abstract: Apolipoprotein E (apoE), a 34 kDa glycoprotein, mediates hepatic and extrahepatic uptake of plasma lipoproteins and cholesterol efflux from lipid-laden macrophages. In humans, three structural different apoE isoforms occur, with subsequent functional changes and pathological consequences. Here, we review data supporting the involvement of apoE structural domains and isoforms in normal and altered lipid metabolism, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as stress-related pathological states. Studies using truncated apoE forms provided valuable information regarding the regions and residues responsible for its properties. ApoE3 renders protection against cardiovascular diseases by maintaining lipid homeostasis, while apoE2 is associated with dysbetalipoproteinemia. ApoE4 is a recognized risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, although the exact mechanism of the disease initiation and progression is not entirely elucidated. ApoE is also implicated in infections with herpes simplex type-1, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses. Interacting with both viral and host molecules, apoE isoforms differently interfere with the viral life cycle. ApoE exerts anti-inflammatory effects, switching macrophage phenotype from the proinflammatory M1 to the anti-inflammatory M2, suppressing CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, and reducing IL-2 production. The anti-oxidative properties of apoE are isoform-dependent, modulating the levels of various molecules (Nrf2 target genes, metallothioneins, paraoxonase). Mimetic peptides were designed to exploit apoE beneficial properties. The “structure correctors” which convert apoE4 into apoE3-like molecules have pharmacological potential. Despite no successful strategy is yet available for apoE-related disorders, several promising candidates deserve further improvement and exploitation.

A radiation transfer model for the Milky Way: I. Radiation fields and application to high-energy astrophysics

Abstract: We present a solution for the ultraviolet (UV) - submillimeter (submm) interstellar radiation fields (ISRFs) of the Milky Way, derived from modelling COBE, IRAS and Planck maps of the all-sky emission in the near-, mid-, far-infrared and submm The analysis uses the axisymmetric radiative transfer (RT) model that we have previously implemented to model the panchromatic spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of star forming galaxies in the nearby universe, but with a new methodology allowing for optimisation of the radial and vertical geometry of stellar emissivity and dust opacity, as deduced from the highly resolved emission seen from the vantage point of the Sun As such, this is the first self-consistent model of the broad-band continuum emission from the Milky Way In this paper, we present model predictions for the spatially integrated SED of the Milky Way as seen from the Sun, showing good agreement with the data, and give a detailed description of the solutions for the distribution of ISRFs, as well as their physical origin, throughout the volume of the galaxy We explore how the spatial and spectral distribution of our new predictions for the ISRF in the Milky Way affects the amplitude and spectral distribution of the gamma-rays produced via Inverse Compton scattering for cosmic ray electrons situated at different positions in the galaxy, as well as the attenuation of the gamma-rays due to interactions of the gamma-ray photons with photons of the ISRF We also compare and contrast our solutions for the ISRF with those incorporated in the GALPROP package used for modelling the high energy emission from cosmic rays in the Milky Way

Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA): Exploring the WISE Web in G12

Abstract: We present an analysis of the mid-infrared WISE sources seen within the equatorial GAMA G12 field, located in the North Galactic Cap. Our motivation is to study and characterize the behavior of WISE source populations in anticipation of the deep multi-wavelength surveys that will define the next decade, with the principal science goal of mapping the 3D large scale structures and determining the global physical attributes of the host galaxies. In combination with cosmological redshifts, we identify galaxies from their WISE W1 (3.4μm) resolved emission, and by performing a star-galaxy separation using apparent magnitude, colors and statistical modeling of star-counts. The resultant galaxy catalog has ≃590,000 sources in 60 deg², reaching a W1 5-σ depth of 31 μJy. At the faint end, where redshifts are not available, we employ a luminosity function analysis to show that approximately 27% of all WISE extragalactic sources to a limit of 17.5 mag (31 uJy) are at high redshift, z > 1. The spatial distribution is investigated using two-point correlation functions and a 3D source density characterization at 5 Mpc and 20 Mpc scales. For angular distributions, we find brighter and more massive sources are strongly clustered relative to fainter and lower mass source; likewise, based on WISE colors, spheroidal galaxies have the strongest clustering, while late-type disk galaxies have the lowest clustering amplitudes. Along the radial direction, the strongest clustering is in the largest redshift shell, while the weakest is in the nearest redshift shell, consistent with the stellar mass and morphological type dependency results. In three dimensions, we find a number of distinct groupings, often bridged by filaments and super-structures. Using special visualization tools, we map these structures, exploring how clustering may play a role with stellar mass and galaxy type.

Shift of large-scale atmospheric systems over Europe during late MIS 3 and implications for Modern Human dispersal

Abstract: Understanding the past dynamics of large-scale atmospheric systems is crucial for our knowledge of the palaeoclimate conditions in Europe. Southeastern Europe currently lies at the border between Atlantic, Mediterranean, and continental climate zones. Past changes in the relative influence of associated atmospheric systems must have been recorded in the region’s palaeoarchives. By comparing high-resolution grain-size, environmental magnetic and geochemical data from two loess-palaeosol sequences in the Lower Danube Basin with other Eurasian palaeorecords, we reconstructed past climatic patterns over Southeastern Europe and the related interaction of the prevailing large-scale circulation modes over Europe, especially during late Marine Isotope Stage 3 (40,000–27,000 years ago). We demonstrate that during this time interval, the intensification of the Siberian High had a crucial influence on European climate causing the more continental conditions over major parts of Europe, and a southwards shift of the Westerlies. Such a climatic and environmental change, combined with the Campanian Ignimbrite/Y-5 volcanic eruption, may have driven the Anatomically Modern Human dispersal towards Central and Western Europe, pointing to a corridor over the Eastern European Plain as an important pathway in their dispersal.

Holocene winter climate variability in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract: Among abundant reconstructions of Holocene climate in Europe, only a handful has addressed winter conditions, and most of these are restricted in length and/or resolution. Here we present a record of late autumn through early winter air temperature and moisture source changes in East-Central Europe for the Holocene, based on stable isotopic analysis of an ice core recovered from a cave in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains. During the past 10,000 years, reconstructed temperature changes followed insolation, with a minimum in the early Holocene, followed by gradual and continuous increase towards the mid-to-late-Holocene peak (between 4-2 kcal BP), and finally by a decrease after 0.8 kcal BP towards a minimum during the Little Ice Age (AD 1300–1850). Reconstructed early Holocene atmospheric circulation patterns were similar to those characteristics of the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), while in the late Holocene they resembled those prevailing in the positive NAO phase. The transition between the two regimes occurred abruptly at around 4.7 kcal BP. Remarkably, the widespread cooling at 8.2 kcal BP is not seen very well as a temperature change, but as a shift in moisture source, suggesting weaker westerlies and increased Mediterranean cyclones penetrating northward at this time.

Propagation indices of methane-air explosions in closed vessels

Abstract: The peak explosion pressure, the maximum rate of pressure rise and the time necessary to reach the peak explosion pressure are important flammability indices of fuel–air combustion in closed vessels, characteristic for the laminar propagation stage of the process. In the present paper, these indices were examined using methane of various concentrations within the flammability limits, at variable initial pressure between 50 and 200 kPa and ambient initial temperature. For each composition, the experimental explosion pressures were compared with the adiabatic explosion pressures, computed under the assumption that chemical equilibrium is reached in the flame. The experimental explosion pressures and the rates of pressure rise are examined in comparison with literature data, the fluctuations being attributed to differences of heat lost by the flammable gas to the explosion vessel, during flame propagation. Using the differences between the adiabatic and experimental explosion pressures, the amount of heat lost to the walls during the explosion propagation in a closed vessel and the fraction of the transferred heat from the total released heat have been determined.

PLATO as it is: a legacy mission for Galactic archaeology

Abstract: Deciphering the assembly history of the Milky Way is a formidable task, which becomes possible only if one can produce high-resolution chrono-chemo-kinematical maps of the Galaxy. Data from large-scale astrometric and spectroscopic surveys will soon provide us with a well-defined view of the current chemo-kinematical structure of the Milky Way, but will only enable a blurred view on the temporal sequence that led to the present-day Galaxy. As demonstrated by the (ongoing) exploitation of data from the pioneering photometric missions CoRoT, Kepler, and K2, asteroseismology provides the way forward: solar-like oscillating giants are excellent evolutionary clocks thanks to the availability of seismic constraints on their mass and to the tight age-initial-mass relation they adhere to. In this paper we identify five key outstanding questions relating to the formation and evolution of the Milky Way that will need precise and accurate ages for large samples of stars to be addressed, and we identify the requirements in terms of number of targets and the precision on the stellar properties that are needed to tackle such questions. By quantifying the asteroseismic yields expected from PLATO for red-giant stars, we demonstrate that these requirements are within the capabilities of the current instrument design, provided that observations are sufficiently long to identify the evolutionary state and allow robust and precise determination of acoustic-mode frequencies. This will allow us to harvest data of sufficient quality to reach a 10% precision in age. This is a fundamental pre-requisite to then reach the more ambitious goal of a similar level of accuracy, which will only be possible if we have to hand a careful appraisal of systematic uncertainties on age deriving from our limited understanding of stellar physics, a goal which conveniently falls within the main aims of PLATO's core science.

Formalized classification of European fen vegetation at the alliance level

Abstract: Phytosociological classification of fen vegetation (Scheuchzerio palustris-Caricetea fuscae class) differs among European countries. Here we propose a unified vegetation classification of European fens at the alliance level, provide unequivocal assignment rules for individual vegetation plots, identify diagnostic species of fen alliances, and map their distribution. 29 049 vegetation-plot records of fenswere selected fromdatabases using a list of specialist fen species. Formal definitions of alliances were created using the presence, absence and abundance of Cocktail-based species groups and indicator species. DCA visualized the similarities among the alliances in an ordination space. The ISOPAM classification algorithm was applied to regional subsets with homogeneous plot size to check whether the classification based on formal definitions matches the results of unsupervised classifications. The following alliances were defined: Caricion viridulo-trinervis (sub-halophytic Atlantic dune-slack fens), Caricion davallianae (temperate calcareous fens), Caricion atrofusco-saxatilis (arcto-alpine calcareous fens), Stygio-Caricion limosae (boreal topogenic brown-moss fens), Sphagno warnstorfii-Tomentypnion nitentis (Sphagnumbrown-moss rich fens), Saxifrago-Tomentypnion (continental to boreo-continental nitrogen-limited brown-moss rich fens), Narthecion scardici (alpine fens with Balkan endemics), Caricion stantis (arctic brown-moss rich fens), Anagallido tenellae-Juncion bulbosi (Ibero-Atlantic moderately rich fens), Drepanocladion exannulati (arcto-borealalpine non-calcareous fens), Caricion fuscae (temperate moderately rich fens), Sphagno-Caricion canescentis (poor fens) and Scheuchzerion palustris (dystrophic hollows). The main variation in the species composition of European fens reflected site chemistry (pH, mineral richness) and sorted the plots from calcareous and extremely rich fens, through rich andmoderately rich fens, to poor fens and dystrophic hollows.

Plasticized poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) with improved melt processing and balanced properties

Abstract: The widespread application of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) in the food packaging and biomedical fields has been hindered by its high brittleness, slow crystallization, poor thermal stability, and narrow processing window. To overcome these limitations, a mixture of biodegradable and biocompatible plasticizers was used to modify PHB. Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), acetyl tributyl citrate, poly(ethylene glycol) 4000 (PEG4000), and poly(ethylene glycol) 6000 (PEG6000) were tested to improve PHB melt processing and to achieve balanced thermal and mechanical properties. These plasticizers increased the flexibility and decreased the melt viscosity, improving the processability. The tensile strength was maintained within the limit of experimental error for ESO and decreased slightly (6–7%) for the other plasticizers. PEG6000 and ESO delayed the decomposition process of PHB. The plasticizers did not hinder the crystallization, and poly(ethylene glycol)s increased the crystallinity. The change in the interplanar distance and crystallite size, correlated with lamellar stack dimensions, gave more information on the plasticizers' effects in PHB. The blend with 5 wt % ESO was considered suitable for the fabrication of marketable PHB films. This study showed that it is possible to tailor the rheological, thermal, and mechanical behavior of a commercial PHB through the addition of a second plasticizer. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44810.

Molecular codes for cell type specification in Brn3 retinal ganglion cells.

Abstract: Visual information is conveyed from the eye to the brain by distinct types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). It is largely unknown how RGCs acquire their defining morphological and physiological features and connect to upstream and downstream synaptic partners. The three Brn3/Pou4f transcription factors (TFs) participate in a combinatorial code for RGC type specification, but their exact molecular roles are still unclear. We use deep sequencing to define (i) transcriptomes of Brn3a- and/or Brn3b-positive RGCs, (ii) Brn3a- and/or Brn3b-dependent RGC transcripts, and (iii) transcriptomes of retinorecipient areas of the brain at developmental stages relevant for axon guidance, dendrite formation, and synaptogenesis. We reveal a combinatorial code of TFs, cell surface molecules, and determinants of neuronal morphology that is differentially expressed in specific RGC populations and selectively regulated by Brn3a and/or Brn3b. This comprehensive molecular code provides a basis for understanding neuronal cell type specification in RGCs.

Quantification of land degradation sensitivity areas in Southern and Central Southeastern Europe. New results based on improving DISMED methodology with new climate data

Abstract: Land degradation is considered to be a major environmental problem of the European continent, especially in the Mediterranean region. This study aims to deliver new results in terms of the actual land sensitivity to degradation in the southern and central southeastern areas of Europe, by improving the results of the DISMED (Desertification Information System for the Mediterranean) project, initiated by the European Environment Agency (EEA) after 2000. The methodology is based on updating the SDI (Sensitivity Desertification Index), which was obtained in the DISMED project based on three biophysical parameters, i.e. Climate Quality Index (CQI), Soil Quality Index and Vegetation Quality Index. This approach proposes to improve the SDI by replacing the initial CQI with a new one based on revised climate aridity data, superior to what was initially used in terms of spatial, temporal and methodological accuracy. Given the fact that land aridity expansion was found to be 70% greater than previously estimated, results showed there are lands with high and very high sensitivity to degradation that total > 400,000 km2 (~ 25% of the total area of ~ 1.7 mil km2), ~ 75% more (~ 177,000 km2) than the initial DISMED data. Nationally, while Spain is the most severely threatened (~ 240,000 km2 of highly/very highly susceptible lands to degradation, 49% of the total country area) there are also major concerns for Greece (~ 42,000 km2, 34%), Bulgaria (~ 32,000 km2, 29%), Italy (~ 28,000 km2, 10%), Romania (~ 27,000 km2, 11%) and Portugal (~ 24,000 km2, 28%). This situation is alarming due to the magnitude of changes resulting from the replacement of even a single dataset – climate data –, which are however the most dynamic and, as a result, the most important to consider for improving the DISMED model. Against the background of the findings prompted by this update based on the original scheme of DISMED method, we call on the EEA to reconsider the current status of lands that are critically threatened by degradation/desertification in Europe, and to provide updated information to policymakers (like European Commission or United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) in order to prioritize the appropriate policies for combating/mitigating the negative effects of this process.

Phyto-mediated metallic nano-architectures via Melissa officinalis L.: synthesis, characterization and biological properties.

Abstract: The development of methods for obtaining new materials with antimicrobial properties, based on green chemistry principles has been a target of research over the past few years. The present paper describes the phyto-mediated synthesis of metallic nano-architectures (gold and silver) via an ethanolic extract of Melissa officinalis L. (obtained by accelerated solvent extraction). Different analytic methods were applied for the evaluation of the extract composition, as well as for the characterization of the phyto-synthesized materials. The cytogenotoxicity of the synthesized materials was evaluated by Allium cepa assay, while the antimicrobial activity was examined by applying both qualitative and quantitative methods. The results demonstrate the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (average diameter 13 nm) and gold nanoparticles (diameter of ca. 10 nm); the bi-metallic nanoparticles proved to have a core-shell flower-like structure, composed of smaller particles (ca. 8 nm). The Ag nanoparticles were found not active on nuclear DNA damage. The Au nanoparticles appeared nucleoprotective, but were aggressive in generating clastogenic aberrations in A. cepa root meristematic cells. Results of the antimicrobial assays show that silver nanoparticles were active against most of the tested strains, as the lowest MIC value being obtained against B. cereus (approx. 0.0015 mM).

Quantum Hall Effect and Quillen Metric

Abstract: We study the generating functional, the adiabatic curvature and the adiabatic phase for the integer quantum Hall effect (QHE) on a compact Riemann surface. For the generating functional we derive its asymptotic expansion for the large flux of the magnetic field, i.e., for the large degree k of the positive Hermitian line bundle L k . The expansion consists of the anomalous and exact terms. The anomalous terms are the leading terms of the expansion. This part is responsible for the quantization of the adiabatic transport coefficients in QHE. We then identify the non-local (anomalous) part of the expansion with the Quillen metric on the determinant line bundle, and the subleading exact part with the asymptotics of the regularized spectral determinant of the Laplacian for the line bundle L k , at large k. Finally, we show how the generating functional of the integer QHE is related to the gauge and gravitational (2+1)d Chern–Simons functionals. We observe the relation between the Bismut-Gillet-Soule curvature formula for the Quillen metric and the adiabatic curvature for the electromagnetic and geometric adiabatic transport of the integer Quantum Hall state. We then obtain the geometric part of the adiabatic phase in QHE, given by the Chern–Simons functional.

A higher-level classification of the Pannonian and western Pontic steppe grasslands (Central and Eastern Europe).

Abstract: Questions: What are the main floristic patterns in the Pannonian and western Pontic steppe grasslands? What are the diagnostic species of the major subdivisions of the class Festuco-Brometea (temperate Euro-Siberian dry and semi-dry grasslands)? - Location: Carpathian Basin (E Austria, SE Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, N Croatia and N Serbia), Ukraine, S Poland and the Bryansk region of WRussia. - Methods: We applied a geographically stratified resampling to a large set of releves containing at least one indicator species of steppe grasslands. The resulting data set of 17 993 releves was classified using the TWINSPAN algorithm.We identified groups of clusters that corresponded to the class Festuco-Brometea. After excluding releves not belonging to our target class, we applied a consensus of three fidelity measures, also taking into account external knowledge, to establish the diagnostic species of the orders of the class. The original TWINSPAN divisionswere revised on the basis of these diagnostic species. - Results: The TWINSPAN classification revealed soilmoisture as themost important environmental factor. Eight out of 16 TWINSPAN groups corresponded to Festuco-Brometea. A total of 80, 32 and 58 species were accepted as diagnostic for the orders Brometalia erecti, Festucetalia valesiacae and Stipo-Festucetalia pallentis, respectively. In the further subdivision of the orders, soil conditions, geographic distribution and altitude could be identified as factors driving the major floristic patterns. - Conclusions: We propose the following classification of the Festuco-Brometea in our study area: (1) Brometalia erecti (semi-dry grasslands) with Scabioso ochroleucae-Poion angustifoliae (steppe meadows of the forest zone of E Europe) and Cirsio- Brachypodion pinnati (meadow steppes on deep soils in the forest-steppe zone of E Central and E Europe); (2) Festucetalia valesiacae (grass steppes) with Festucion valesiacae (grass steppes on less developed soils in the forest-steppe zone of E Central and E Europe) and Stipion lessingianae (grass steppes in the steppe zone); (3) Stipo-Festucetalia pallentis (rocky steppes) with Asplenio septentrionalis-Festucion pallentis (rocky steppes on siliceous and intermediate soils), Bromo-Festucion pallentis (thermophilous rocky steppes on calcareous soils), Diantho-Seslerion (dealpine Sesleria caerulea grasslands of the Western Carpathians) and Seslerion rigidae (dealpine Sesleria rigida grasslands of the Romanian Carpathians).

Alternative utilization of algal biomass ( Ulva sp.) loaded with Zn(II) ions for improving of soil quality

Abstract: This study focused on the alternative utilization of marine algal biomass (Ulva sp.), first as biosorbent for the removal of Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution and then as fertilizer for the improvement of soil quality, by its supplementation with Zn(II) as essential microelement. The biosorption experiments performed in batch systems at room temperature (22 ± 0.5 °C) showed that maximum removal efficiency of Zn(II) onto marine algae biomass is obtained in an initial solution with pH of 5.5, 8.0 g L−1 biosorbent dose, and 2 h of contact time. Under these conditions, the biosorption capacity reached 29.63 mg Zn(II) g−1 biomass. The desorption experiments have indicated that Zn(II) can be quantitatively released from loaded biomass using solutions of common inorganic salts and suggests the possibility of using Zn(II)-loaded biomass as fertilizer. This possibility was tested using an aric antrosol sample. After 8 weeks of treatment with Zn(II)-loaded biomass, the Zn(II) content in the soil sample increased over four times. Therefore, the marine algae loaded with Zn(II) can be a viable alternative of fertilizers and can be successfully used to increase soil quality.

New Iminodiacetate–Thiosemicarbazone Hybrids and Their Copper(II) Complexes Are Potential Ribonucleotide Reductase R2 Inhibitors with High Antiproliferative Activity

Abstract: As ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) plays a crucial role in nucleic acid metabolism, it is an important target for anticancer therapy. The thiosemicarbazone Triapine is an efficient R2 inhibitor, which has entered ∼20 clinical trials. Thiosemicarbazones are supposed to exert their biological effects through effectively binding transition-metal ions. In this study, six iminodiacetate–thiosemicarbazones able to form transition-metal complexes, as well as six dicopper(II) complexes, were synthesized and fully characterized by analytical, spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV–vis; 1H and 13C NMR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. The antiproliferative effects were examined in several human cancer and one noncancerous cell lines. Several of the compounds showed high cytotoxicity and marked selectivity for cancer cells. On the basis of this, and on molecular docking calculations one lead dicopper(II) complex and one thiosemicarbazone were chosen for in vitro analysis as potential R2 in...