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The green synthesis of highly conductive polyaniline by using two biological macromolecules, i.e laccase as biocatalyst, and DNA as template/dopant, was achieved in this work. Trametes versicolor laccase B (TvB) was found effective in oxidizing both aniline and its less toxic/mutagenic dimer N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DANI) to conductive polyaniline. Reaction conditions for synthesis of conductive polyanilines were set-up, and structural and electrochemical properties of the two polymers were extensively investigated. When the less toxic aniline dimer was used as substrate, the polymerization reaction was faster and gave less-branched polymer. DNA was proven to work as hard template for both enzymatically synthesized polymers, conferring them a semi-ordered morphology. Moreover, DNA also acts as dopant leading to polymers with extraordinary conductive properties (∼6 S/cm). It can be envisaged that polymer properties are magnified by the concomitant action of DNA as template and dopant. Herein, the developed combination of laccase and DNA represents a breakthrough in the green synthesis of conductive materials.

International audience; This article focuses on a new method for the inference of a parametric random ellipsoid from the observations of its 2D orthogonal projections. Such a stereological problem is well-know from the literature when the random projections comes from only one ellipsoid. Nevertheless, when the ellipsoid is random itself, the estimation of its distribution is not straightforward. From a theoretical viewpoint, we show that the semi-axes of the ellipsoid and the ones of the projected ellipses are linked through a random polynomial of degree two. Assuming that the ellipsoid is actually a spheroid, it is shown that the random polynomial admits two random real positive roots. The likelihood can then be formulated in terms of the coefficients of the random polynomial. As these coefficients are non-linear functions of the semi-axes of the spheroid itself, the likelihood is not tractable in general. Therefore, an approximation of the posterior distribution is here proposed which is based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo version of the Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) method. The numerical results highlight that this technique leads to low errors (less than 10%) for the estimation of the first and second order moments of the semi-axes of the spheroid. Moreover, the required number of observations does not need necessarily to be important: around 500 observed projected ellipses turns out to achieve low errors. The proposed method enables to recover some 3D morphological characteristics of a population of independent and identically distributed spheroids thanks to the only observations of its projected ellipses.

Olive (Olea europaea L.) resources in Algeria are very little investigated. In fact, a total of 60 denominations have been the subject of characterization studies and they are cited in the bibliography but only 36 varieties are described and listed in the catalog of Algerian varieties of olive tree. In this work, a study on the diversity by mean of a field survey followed by morphological characterization, an estimate of the Shannon diversity index of a set of denominations collected in central and eastern of Algeria were carried out. The survey allowed us to note the existence of 33 denominations never mentioned in the bibliography. Morphological characterization based on the characteristics of tree, fruit and endocarp allowed us to a morphological description of 23 denominations. The Principal Component Analysis, Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Ascending Hierarchical Classification analysis allowed us to classify them into a few groups. The value of the relative diversity of all denominations is slightly below the average (0.42). The results obtained in this work provide very useful information on certain morphological characteristics of the studied denominations and indicate the critical conditions in which several denominations are found, which constitutes a great risk of genetic erosion.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an economically important food legume grown in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Chickpea cultivated mainly in rainfed condition in the residual moisture and restricted irrigation condition. The crop is prone to drought stress which results in retardation of flowering and major yield loss in many parts of the world. The present study provides a comparative study of a candidate gene, molecular marker, and physiological traits for screening drought tolerance in chickpea. Abiotic stress-responsive gene Dehydrin (DHN) also identified in some of the chickpea genotypes based on the sequence similarity approach. Based on morphological data analysed for drought stress including relative water content and Membrane stability index and yield in comparison to normal condition the genotypes According to the study, analysis of variance, there were significant effects of drought stress on RWC, MSI, plant height, and yield traits. The Pusa1103 and Pusa362 well-known donor along with ICC4958 were found most promising genotypes for drought tolerance as they maintained the higher value of RWC, MSI, plant height, and yield traits. The results were further supported by, sequence similarity approach when analysed for the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels. Homozygous indels and SNPs were found after the sequencing in some tolerant genotypes

Peppers of the Capsicum annuum species are the most suitable for use in ornamentation, for having characters that confer aesthetic value, for being easy to cultivate and for good adaptability in pot. Despite the great variability that exists, in Brazil few commercial varieties are used for this purpose. It is of interest to the plant breeder, an ideotype that contains all the characteristics of interest for commercialization. The aim of the present study is to evaluate and select C. annuum genotypes, with potential for ornamentation that most closely resemble the proposed ideotype. 14 quantitative traits and seven qualitative traits were evaluated in 29 C. annuum genotypes, in a completely randomized design with five replications. The cultivar Calypso was used as an ideotype for presenting desirable characters to the ornamental pepper market. Nine genotypes were selected as the most similar to the Calypso ideotype (ideotype), with the potential to be used in future crossings between them and / or with the ideotype. Los pimientos de la especie Capsicum annuum son los más indicados para su uso en ornamentación, por tener caracteres que le confieren valor estético, por ser fáciles de cultivar y por su buena adaptabilidad en maceta. A pesar de la gran variabilidad que existe, en Brasil se utilizan pocas variedades comerciales para este propósito. Es de interés para el obtentor, un ideotipo que contiene todas las características de interés para la comercialización. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar y seleccionar genotipos de C. annuum, con potencial de ornamentación que se asemeje más al ideotipo propuesto. Se evaluaron 14 rasgos cuantitativos y siete rasgos cualitativos en 29 genotipos de C. annuum, en un diseño completamente al azar con cinco repeticiones. El cultivar Calypso se utilizó como ideotipo para presentar caracteres deseables al mercado de pimientos ornamentales. Se seleccionaron nueve genotipos como los más similares al ideotipo Calypso (ideotipo), con potencial para ser utilizados en futuros cruces entre ellos y / o con el ideotipo. Pimenteiras da espécie Capsicum annuum são as mais indicadas para uso na ornamentação, por apresentarem caracteres que conferem valor estético, por serem de fácil cultivo e pela boa adaptabilidade em vaso. Apesar da grande variabilidade existente, no Brasil poucas variedades comerciais são destinadas a esse fim. É de interesse do melhorista de plantas, um ideótipo que contenha todas as características de interesse para comercialização. O objetivo do presente estudo avaliar e selecionar genótipos de C. annuum, com potencial para ornamentação que mais se assemelham ao ideótipo proposto. Foram avaliadas 14 características quantitativas e sete características qualitativas em 29 genótipos de C. annuum, no delineamento inteiramente casualisado com cinco repetições. A cultivar Calypso foi utilizada como ideótipo por apresentar caracteres desejáveis ao mercado de pimenteiras ornamentais. Nove genótipos foram selecionados como os mais semelhantes ao ideótipo Calypso (ideótipo), com potencial para serem utilizados em futuros cruzamentos entre eles e/ou com o ideótipo.

Coatings have a fundamental role in covering the external surface of yachts by acting both as protective and aesthetic layers. In particular, fillers represent the essential layer from the point of view of mechanical properties and consist of a polymeric matrix, different extenders and additives, and dispersing agents, with the latter having the role to provide good extender-matrix compatibility. In the present work, the effects of dispersing agents with an ionic or steric action on the interactions between hollow glass microspheres and an epoxy-polyamide resin are evaluated. Un-crosslinked filler materials are studied via rheological tests, whereas the mechanical and morphological properties of the crosslinked samples are assessed. The results clearly indicate that steric dispersing agents provide a much greater compatibility effect compared to ionic ones, owing to their steric hindrance capability, thus leading to better-performing filler materials with a less-marked Payne effect, which is here proved to be an efficient tool to provide information concerning the extent of component interactions in nautical fillers. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first attempt to deeply understand the role of dispersing agents, which are until now empirically used in the preparation of fillers.

The genus Passiflora is the most diversified of the Passifloraceae, and its palynology presents wide morphological variability. The objective of the study was to evaluate the pollen morphology of 18 Passiflora species in order to identify informative pollinic characteristics to contribute to the taxonomic classification of the genus. The morphology of the pollen grains and the exine structure were investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Differences in the pollen morphology were found in the studied species, mainly in terms of shape, pollen aperture and ornamentation pattern of the exine. Most of the species belonging to the subgenus Passiflora presented ornamented 6-syncolpate pollen grains with an oblate-spheroidal shape and an exine with large lumens. In the subgenus Decaloba the pollen grains were 6-colporate, 12-colpate and 12-colporate, with subprolate to prolate-spheroidal shape, as well as an exine with smaller lumen size and few ornamented. The pollen morphology of the species of the subgenera Passiflora and Decaloba has shown palynological characteristics that have specific diagnostic value, thus allowing a better understanding of the taxonomy of the genus Passiflora.

RESUMO O Registro Nacional de Cultivares (RNC) e o Servico Nacional de Protecao de Cultivares (SNPC)foram instituidospelo Ministerio da Agricultura, Pecuaria e Abastecimento (MAPA) em 1997. O registro de uma cultivar no RNC permite a producao, o beneficiamento e a comercializacao de sementes no pais. A protecao de uma cultivar no SNPC, por sua vez, assegura o direito de exploracao comercial de uso aos obtentores de uma nova cultivar, possibilitando o aporte de recursos para programas de melhoramento genetico de empresas publicas e privadas e o subsequente lancamento de novas cultivares.A experiencia dos autores com o tema e a relevância do mesmo para os setores publico e privado forneceram o estimulo para que este artigo fosse escrito compartilhando, assim, os elementos julgados relevantes no processo de estabelecimento de descritores, registro e protecao de cultivares, usando a berinjela como o foco do estudo de caso.Devido a inexistencia de diretrizes para protecao de cultivares de Solanum melongena no Brasil,foram avaliados 43 descritores de berinjela do International Union for theProtectionof New VarietiesofPlants – UPOV. Para o estabelecimento dos descritores, registro e protecao de cultivares foram relevantes o conhecimento da variabilidade genetica de uma colecao de germoplasma e da morfologia da planta; experiencia na caracterizacao morfologica, aplicacao dos descritores e com a cultura em distintos ambientes climaticos; a tropicalizacao dos descritores; o tempo necessario para o estabelecimento dos descritores, sua aprovacao e adocao pelo MAPA; o conhecimento e cumprimento das exigencias burocraticas para a efetivacao dos processos; a mobilizacao de talentos interdisciplinares e o apoio da pesquisa publica para auxiliar o MAPA na validacao dos descritores. Palavras chaves: Solanummelongena, propriedade intelectual, sementes, caracterizacao morfologica,melhoramento genetico

Waste and Biomass Valorization, Vol. 0, iss. 0 (2018) (online first), This paper presents the results of the study on chemical and the physical properties of waste phosphogypsum (PG) of apatite origin from the former chemical plant Wizow, Poland which are important for further processing and economic use. The research was carried out to verify whether the waste might be useful as a raw material for rare earth elements (REE) recovery and the manufacture of building materials. The following methods were chosen: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive X-ray detector, atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry, and gamma spectrometry with natural radioactive contamination analyzer. It has been proven that the chemical physical properties of phosphogypsum provide an opportunity to utilize this waste material as a source of REE and raw material for building purposes. PG contains an overall amount of REE in the interval of 0.343–0.637% by mass and does not show radioactivity level which would exclude it from construction purposes. The presented results serve as the basis for currently available technological directions in the management of apatite PG for useful trade products, which creates a chance for the elimination of its storage necessity by further processing.

In this study, nanostructured Mn3O4 (manganese oxide) thin films were successfully obtained by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method on the soda lime glass substrates using Manganese Nitrate (Mn(NO3)2) and Ammonium hydroxide (NH4(OH)) as cationic and anionic precursors respectively. Structural and morphological characterizations of the Mn3O4 films obtained at different cycles were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The crystal structure of the thin films were also confirmed by RAMAN spectroscopy. Optical properties such as absorption, transmission, reflection, extinction coefficient and optical band gap of nanostructured Mn3O4 thin films were determined by UV–Vis spectroscopy. SEM images showed that the manganese oxide nanosheets formed uniformly on substrate surface. As the deposition cycles increased, nano-sheets structure deteriorated. The optical band gap of Mn3O4 thin films varied from 2.12 to 2.59 eV, depending on the increase in number of cycles. From contact angle measurements of thin films, it was determined that thin films had hydrophilic character. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Highlights • S. obtusiusculus AT-UAM and CCAP 276/25 had different biochemical profiles. • ITS2 secondary structures confirmed S. obtusiusculus AT-UAM identity. • S. obtusiusculus AT-UAM has potential for biofuels production. • The maximum lipid content and productivity were obtained at 613 μmol m−2 s−1. • Lipids and carbohydrates accumulation indoors and outdoors were similar., Scenedesmus obtusiusculus AT-UAM, isolated from Cuatro Ciénegas wetlands in Mexico was taxonomically, molecularly and biochemically compared to S. obtusiusculus CCAP 276/25 (Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, Scotland, UK). Analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) secondary structures confirmed that the mexican strain belongs to S. obtusiusculus with one change in the ITS2 nucleotide sequence. However, both strains exhibited different biochemical and fatty acid profiles and therefore biotechnological potential, emphasizing the need for deeper studies among strains of the same species. Furthermore, the biochemical variations of S. obtusiusculus AT-UAM under nitrogen starvation and different levels of irradiance were evaluated. The maximum lipid production (1730 mg L−1) was obtained at 613 μmol m−2 s−1 while the highest carbohydrate content (49%) was achieved at 896 μmol m−2 s−1. Additionally, this strain was capable of storing lipids (∼52%) and carbohydrates (∼40%) under outdoor condition depending on the light availability in the cultivation broth.

RESUMEN El maiz es un cereal de importancia mundial por sus diferentes usos industriales y valor nutritivo; sin embargo los efectos ocasionados por la presencia de nematodos en el maiz pueden ser muy perjudiciales. Por ello se planteo el presente trabajo con el objetivo principal de reconocer e identificar los nematodos fitoparasitos asociados a este cultivo en las regiones de Puno y Cusco; para el efecto se recolectaron 131 muestras de suelo durante la campana 2015-2016 en la Region Puno, (distritos de Chupa, Sandia, San Juan del Oro, Cuyocuyo, Ayapata, Ollachea, San Gaban); y 30 muestras en la Region Cusco, (distritos de Pisac y Urubamba). Las muestras de suelo fueron procesadas por el metodo de fluctuacion centrifuga en solucion sacarosa. Una vez analizadas las muestras, los resultados determinan la presencia de los siguientes generos de nematodos: Helicotylenchus spp., Mesocriconema spp., Globodera spp., Xiphinema spp., Rotylenchus spp. Dorylaimus spp. y nematodos de Vida libre. Reportar la presencia de seis generos asociados con el cultivo de maiz es de interes cientifico, porque permitira continuar con investigaciones tecnicas aplicadas. Palabras claves: Nematodos fitoparasitos, caracterizacion morfologica. ABSTRACT Corn is a cereal of global importance for its different industrial uses and nutritional value; however, the effects caused by the presence of nematodes in the corn can be very harmful. For this reason, the present work was proposed with the main objective of recognizing and identifying the parasitic plants nematodes associated with this crop in the regions of Puno and Cusco; For this purpose, 131 soil samples were collected during the 2015-2016 campaign in the Puno Region (districts of Chupa, Sandia, San Juan del Oro, Cuyocuyo, Ayapata, Ollachea, and San Gaban); and 30 samples in the Cusco Region, (districts of Pisac and Urubamba). The soil samples were processed by the centrifugal fluctuation method in sucrose solution. After analyzing the samples, the results determine the presence of the following genera of nematodes: Helicotylenchus spp., Mesocriconema spp., Globodera spp., Xiphinema spp., Rotylenchus spp. Dorylaimus spp. and free-living nematodes. Reporting the presence of six genera associated with the cultivation of corn is of scientific interest, because it will allow continuing applied technical research. Key words: plant parasitic nematodes. Morphological characterization.

Interfacial nanobubbles (NBs) and nanodroplets (NDs) have been attracting increasing attention due to their potential for numerous applications. As a result, the automated segmentation and morphological characterization of NBs and NDs in atomic force microscope (AFM) images is highly awaited. The current segmentation methods suffer from the uneven background in AFM images due to thermal drift and hysteresis of AFM scanners. In this study, a two-step approach was proposed to segment NBs and NDs in AFM images in an automated manner. The spherical Hough transform (SHT) and a boundary optimization operation were combined to achieve robust segmentation. The SHT was first used to preliminarily detect NBs and NDs. After that, the so-called contour expansion operation was applied to achieve optimized boundaries. The principle and the detailed procedure of the proposed method were presented, followed by the demonstration of the automated segmentation and morphological characterization. The result shows that the proposed method gives an improved segmentation result compared with the thresholding and circle Hough transform method. Moreover, the proposed method shows strong robustness of segmentation in AFM images with an uneven background.

Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum Linn.) is widely cultivated and is economically beneficial. Tomato cultivars were obtained from traditional agriculture systems, and their morphological characters were evaluated. The cultivars included Pepper tomato [ ED/CH/01] , Edo local [ ED/CH/02] , Golden tomato [ ED/CH/03] and Derica tomato [ ED/CH/04] . Results of the principal component analyses of 27 morphological characters indicated that two characters accounted for 94.65 % of the observed variations. Scatter plots suggested good tendency of grouping for the four accessions. In the dendrogram, two clusters were formed with ED/CH/01, ED/CH/02 and ED/CH/03 grouped together whereas ED/CH/04 clustered separately. The clustering pattern implicated a common origin and/or gene pool for the cultivars. Cultivars ED/CH/01, ED/CH/03 and ED/CH/04 showed determinate growth type, while ED/CH/02 showed a semi-determinate growth pattern. Further, in terms of plant size, ED/CH/01 and ED/CH/02 were intermediate, while ED/CH/0 3 and ED/CH/0 4 were large. The characteristics of the flower and fruits exhibited diversity in terms of the corolla color, style, shape, fruit size at maturity, exterior color of the mature fruit, fruit shoulder, fruit cross-sectional shape, and fruit blossom end shape. These cultivars collectively possess characteristics that can be used by plant breeders. We recommend that further characterization using molecular techniques as well as conservation attention for these local germplasms should be conducted

Trichoderma species are potential fungal bio-control agents used against a wide range of soil borne plant pathogens. In the present study a total of 20 Trichoderma isolates viz., AT1, AT2, AT3, AT4, AT5, AT6, AT7, BT1, BT2, BT3, BT4, BT5, BT6, BT7, BT8, BT9, BT10, BT11, BT12, BT13 were isolated from vegetable fields of Kashmir valley and their efficacy was tested by using various biochemical tests. Thirteen isolates of Trichoderma viz., AT1, AT2, AT3, AT4, AT5, AT6, AT7, BT1, BT7, BT8, BT10, BT11 and BT12 were found to be positive for ammonia production. Similarly twelve isolates viz., AT2, AT3, AT7, BT1, BT3, BT4, BT7, BT8, BT10, BT11, BT12 and BT13 were found to be positive as far as the chitinase activity is concerned. In the IAA production assay maximum IAA was produced by isolate BT9 (6.605 µg mL-1) followed by BT6 (5.278 µg mL-1), while minimum IAA was produced by isolate AT1 (1.538 ìg mL-1). Only five isolates viz., AT1, AT2, AT3, AT4 and AT5 metabolized lactose and sucrose while seven isolates viz., AT1, AT2, AT3, AT4, AT5, AT6 and AT7 were found to metabolize maltose. Hydrocyanic acid (HCN) was observed to be produced by only three isolates of Trichoderma viz., AT3, AT5 and AT7. Trichoderma isolate AT3 qualifying most of the biochemical tests were morphological characterized as Trichoderma harzianum.

Polymeric dielectrics are employed extensively in the power transmission industry, thanks to their excellent properties, however, under normal operating conditions these materials tend to degrade and fail. In this study, samples of low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluorethylene were subjected to corona discharges under nitrogen and air atmospheres. The discharges introduced structural modifications over the polymer surface. From a chemical perspective, the alterations are analogous among the non-fluorinated polymers (i.e., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)). A simulation of the corona discharge allowed the identification of highly reactive species in the proximity of the surface. The results are consistent with the degradation of insulating polymers in high-voltage applications due to internal partial discharges that ultimately lead to the breakdown of the material.

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is a West African forest tree that is used for example against malaria and sickle cell anemia in Burkina Faso. The goal of this study was to analyze the genetic and morphological diversity of the species within wild populations in Burkina Faso, where it is potentially under threat due to the uncontrolled harvesting of its roots. Seventy-two trees from three different sites in Southwestern Burkina Faso were analyzed. Each tree was characterized by 12 traits specifying the period of flowering and maturity as well as morphological characteristics of the stem, leaves, and seeds. The molecular analysis was performed using two plastid DNA regions (psbA-trnH and trnL-trnF) and two nuclear regions (GBSSI and ITS) to identify the genetic diversity of the species for further development of a management plan for ex situ reproduction and in situ conservation. We found variability in morphological traits correlating with the geographic distance of the study sites. The molecular analysis, in contrast, revealed hardly any genetic variability among the tested trees and no population structure. Whether the differences in morphological traits are caused by different environmental conditions or by genetic variability in genes linked to morphological traits needs further testing. The apparent lack of genetic differentiation suggests that germplasm throughout the study region is suitable for planting in conservation actions. Efficient conservation management should involve local communities, especially those interested in traditional medicine.

Considering the major role played by sandwich structures in many fields where high stiffness-to-weight ratio is required, the selection of a suitable core material is of paramount importance. In order to face the environmental problems related to waste disposal, the selection of an eco-friendly core material is now included in the design criteria of sandwich structures. Agglomerated cork is recognized as a good solution that combines satisfactory mechanical performances and eco-sustainability. Many research studies individually addressed cork&rsquo, s morphological, thermal, and mechanical features without providing a comprehensive overview of the relationships that exist between them. In this work, the investigation of the peculiar cork morphology allowed learning more about its good insulation capacity and its impressive recovery capability. The use of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) clarified the influence of temperature on both flexural and compressive performances. The effect of testing parameters such as temperature and speed on agglomerated cork properties was validated through statistical analysis. Moreover, to highlight agglomerated cork advantages and drawbacks, the work provides also a comparison with more traditional polyvinylchloride (PVC) foams commonly used in industrial applications.

International audience; The systematic position of three yeast strains isolated from a plant cell culture, a piece of termite nest, or as a foliar endophyte of Coffea arabica, respectively, is evaluated using morphological, physiological, and phylogenetical characteristics. In culture, all three isolates produced white, pale orange to pink colored colonies of cylindrical cells with monopolar budding and pseudohyphae. Standard phenotypic, biochemical, physiological characterization, and phylogenetic analyses of the combined 26S rRNA gene (D1/D2 domains) and ITS region sequences showed the conspecificity of these isolates and suggest their placement within the Exobasidiales (Ustilaginomycotina) as a sister lineage of the sampled and sequenced Graphiola species. Here, we describe this species as Graphiola fimbriata sp. nov. MycoBank MB 825077 (holotype: PC1T; ex-type cultures: IBRC-M 30158T = CBS 13945T = DSM 104832T). This is the first species described in the genus Graphiola for which only the asexual, saprobic developmental phase is known. The description of the genus Graphiola is therefore emended to allow species known only from a saprobic state.

Two inter-subspecific F1 hybrids have been obtained by crossing olive cultivars (‘Frantoio’ and ‘Coratina’) with pollen donors from olive subspecies (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata) to enrich the germplasm of cultivated olive in southern China. This study aimed to investigate the characterization of morphological traits and molecular markers in the two hybrids and their parents of crosses. The morphological study showed a significant difference between genotypes according to the main discriminative parameters on qualitative and quantitative traits of leaf, fruit, and endocarp. A set of six co-dominant polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used for molecular identification, and SSR analysis confirmed that two progenies were the offspring of their cited parents based on the presence of parental specific SSR alleles. Three single-copy nuclear loci (SCNL) primer pairs were used for amplification of single-copy genes in the two progenies and their parents and after then PCR products were sequenced. Sequence alignment analysis on the effective data showed a total of 15 different base sites between two progenies, which were confirmed as true inter-specific hybrids between olive cultivars and subsp. cuspidata.

The Nanfengmiju (Citrus reticulata cv. Nanfengmiju), a high-quality local variety of mandarin, is one of the major fruit crops in Jiangxi Province, China. Citrus melanose and stem-end rot, two common fungal diseases of Nanfengmiju, are both caused by Diaporthe spp. (syn. Phomopsis spp.). Identification of the Diaporthe species is essential for epidemiological studies, quarantine measures, and management of diseases caused by these fungi. Melanose disease was observed on Nanfengmiju fruit in Jiangxi Province of China in 2016. Based on morphological characterization and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, three out of 39 isolates from diseased samples were identified as D. passifloricola. Since these three isolates did not cause melanose on citrus fruit in the pathogenicity tests, they were presumed to be endophytic fungi present in the diseased tissues. However, our results indicate that D. passifloricola may persist as a symptom-less endophyte in the peel of citrus fruit, yet it may cause stem-end if it invades the stem end during fruit storage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of D. passifloricola as the causal agent of the stem-end rot disease in Citrus reticulata cv. Nanfengmiju.

In this work, results are reported concerning the effect of the deposition parameters on the structural properties of Cu 2 ZnSnSe 4 (CZTSe) thin films, grown through a chemical reaction of the metallic precursors by co-evaporation in a two-stage process. XRD measurements revealed that the samples deposited by selenization of Cu and Sn grow in the kesterite phase (CZTSe), respectively. Effect of the deposition temperature and mass ratio Cu/ZnSe on the transport properties of CZTSe films were analyzed. It was also found that the electrical conductivity of the thin films is affected by the transport of free carriers in extended states of the conduction band as well as for variable range hopping transport mechanisms, each one predominating in a different temperature range. The molecular and morphological effect on the compound through Raman and AFM measurements was studied. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:26:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-10-15 Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul This work aims to investigate the corrosion resistance of AZ31 magnesium alloy protected by hybrid films based on tetraethylorthosilane (TEOS) and (3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) with the addition of different amounts of SiO2 nanoparticles. The electrochemical techniques used to evaluate the corrosion resistance in 0.1 mol ll− 1 NaCl electrolyte were open circuit potential (EOC) measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which diagrams were fitted using equivalent electrical circuits (EEC). Surface and cross-section analyses of the bare and coated samples were performed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) before and after electrochemical studies. The results showed that the coatings protected the Mg alloy against corrosion, and that the addition of the nanoparticles improves the corrosion resistance. The morphological characterization showed, for the coated systems, the presence of corrosion products adhered to the metal surface, a process that seems to be hindered in the presence of the SiO2 nanoparticles. The results demonstrate that an optimum amount of nanoparticles must be added to the coating in order to optimize the anticorrosion protection and that only early stages protection can be achieved. Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados — Itahum, km 12, P.O. Box 364 CQE Instituto Superior Técnico Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais Departamento de Eng. Metalúrgica e de Materiais Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello Moraes n. 2463 Departamento Físico-Química Instituto de Química Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP, P.O 355 Departamento Físico-Química Instituto de Química Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP, P.O 355 Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul: 23/200.693/2012

Preliminary evaluation of 5 apple genotypes produced by seed selection in the germplasm of seed rootstocks in Sweida- Syria was carried out between 2005 and 2012, to study date of full flowering, maturity time, morphological characters of tree, shoots, leaves, flowers, and fruits, including chemical analysis. On the other hand, yield efficiency, fruit storability and the susceptibility to pests and physiological disorders were evaluated. Molecular characterization was achieved by using 8 pairs of SSR primers for the 5th genotypes in comparison with the two main commercial cultivars "Golden Delicious" and "Starking Delicious" to determine the genetic relationship between the studied genotypes and cultivars. The results divided the studied genotypes depending on the time of ripening into three groups: early, intermediate and late genotypes. All studied genotypes gave efficient and regular yield, and showed fixable fruit shape and size with variable storability due to maturity time. Molecular characterization reveled the ability of SSR technique to determine the genetic variation between the studied genotypes, the 8 primer pairs produced 22 alleles, 21 of them were polymorphic (95.45%). Cluster analysis divided the studied genotypes into 2 clusters, the first cluster included the two commercial cultivars Starking delicious and Golden delicious with one genotypes, while the second cluster contained the four remaining genotypes. Finally, the studied genotypes revealed high desired quantitative and qualitative traits, which assess to distribute these genotypes as new cultivars, and SSR technique was able to identify and revealed the genetic distance between the studied genotypes and commercial cultivars.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTVolume-5, Issue-2, March-May 2016, page: 98-109

Lemna minuta Kunth and Lemna minor L. are two small aquatic floating plants easily mistakable for similar morphology. The need to distinguish with certainty these two species is a relevant issue, not only from a floristic viewpoint, but also for establishing management plans in wetlands where L. minuta is an invasive alien species as in Europe. The vein number and frond length are considered by most authors as the main morphological characters discriminating the two species. However, in this study the use of these two characters has not been effective for the determination of 43 specimens out of 248 living specimens of Lemna collected from 15 different wetlands of the Central Italy. Statistical analyses of the dataset made it possible to better define the variability of the morphological characters of these two species and to identify additional diagnostic characters to use for improving the morphological discrimination between them. Among these characters, width, apex and shape of the frond, were the most helpful. Decision Trees were elaborated for differentiating L. minor from L. minuta with greater efficiency both in the laboratory and in the field. The increase in percentage of correct determination of Lemna specimens through measurement and parallel utilization of the emerged morphological characters will facilitate the botanists’ activities, but also will have practical implications, such as the ability to contribute better to the decision-making system in drawing up plans for plant biodiversity protection and/or eradication of the alien species.

This study aimed to characterize, based on the morphology and on the use of carbon sources, rhizobial isolates obtained from nodules of wild common bean genotypes cultivated on soil samples from the states of Goias, Minas Gerais and Parana. Based on morphological and carbon source use, similarity matrixes were generated to perform clustering analysis based on the Jaccard index. A total of 523 isolates were obtained with the predominance of isolates that acidify the culture medium and showed fast growth. Isolates from the soils of Araucaria and Prudentopolis produced a greater amount of mucus than those from Jussara, Nova Veneza, Uberlândia and Unai soils. The rhizobia isolates obtained from soils of Goias and Minas Gerais showed greater phenotypic diversity than those from the soils of Parana. Analysis based on the use of different carbon sources revealed that rhizobia isolates obtained from soils of Goias have higher metabolic diversity. Overall, the most part of isolates grouped with the reference strains, especially with the Rhizobium tropici and R. freirei strains used as inoculants for the common bean.

This study aimed to morphologically characterize and determine the aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates. Forty isolates of A. flavus were obtained from sweet corn kernels and soil samples collected from Kampong Raja, Rose Valley, Kea, and Klebang farms in Malaysia. They were cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA), dichloran rose-bengal chloramphenicol (DRBC), Aspergillusflavus and Aspergillus parasiticus agar (AFPA), and coconut cream agar (CCA). Macromorphological characteristics were determined by observing the colony color and texture, while the micromorphological characteristics were determined by examining the spore color, size, structure, conidiophore structure, and vesicle shape. The production of aflatoxin was determined by direct visualization of the UV fluorescence of A. flavus colonies on CCA. Aflatoxin was qualitatively detected in 18 (45%) isolates of A. flavus using UV fluorescence screening while the remaining 22 (55%) isolates did not exhibit any aflatoxin production. The highest incidence of A. flavus (30%) and aflatoxin production (15%) was recorded in samples from Kampong Raja. On the other hand, isolates from Rose Valley (17%) and Kea (12%) were non-aflatoxigenic. Klebang recorded a 25% incidence of A. flavus in which 15% were aflatoxigenic while 10% were non-aflatoxigenic. The occurrence of aflatoxin-producing A. flavus emphasizes the need for the measure to eradicate their presence in food crops. A biological control treatment utilizing the non-aflatoxigenic strains to compete with the aflatoxigenic ones is underway. Validation of aflatoxin production through high performance liquid chromatography is also ongoing.

Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) are versatile imaging devices for the micro- and nanoscale that find application in various disciplines such as the characterization of biological, mineral or mechanical specimen. Even though the specimen&rsquo, s two-dimensional (2D) properties are provided by the acquired images, detailed morphological characterizations require knowledge about the three-dimensional (3D) surface structure. To overcome this limitation, a reconstruction routine is presented that allows the quantitative depth reconstruction from SEM image sequences. Based on the SEM&rsquo, s imaging properties that can be well described by an affine camera, the proposed algorithms rely on the use of affine epipolar geometry, self-calibration via factorization and triangulation from dense correspondences. To yield the highest robustness and accuracy, different sub-models of the affine camera are applied to the SEM images and the obtained results are directly compared to confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) measurements to identify the ideal parametrization and underlying algorithms. To solve the rectification problem for stereo-pair images of an affine camera so that dense matching algorithms can be applied, existing approaches are adapted and extended to further enhance the yielded results. The evaluations of this study allow to specify the applicability of the affine camera models to SEM images and what accuracies can be expected for reconstruction routines based on self-calibration and dense matching algorithms.

International audience; The development of natural fibres in engineering applications requires the reliable and accurate assessment of their dimensional characteristics and mechanical properties. Fibre cross-sectional area (CSA) obtained from lateral dimensional measurements should consider the specific cross-sectional shape of natural fibres and its wide lengthwise morphometric variations. In this study, a detailed dimensional analysis was conducted on a selected panel of natural fibres with contrasted morphometric characteristics belonging to various phylogenetic plant species with dissimilar functions in planta. An automated laser scanning technique was used, and geometrical models and filtering data method were developed for calculation of reliable CSAs adapted to each plant fibre species. Results show that CSAs of palm and sisal fibre bundles can be satisfactorily assessed by a circular model with minimal data processing, whereas hemp, flax and nettle fibre bundles require specific data filtering due to partial splicing, and can be better assessed by an elliptic model.

Bu araştırma, Ordu il ve ilçelerinden toplanan 156 yerel mısır genotipi kullanılarak, Ordu ekolojik koşullarında 2013 yılında yürütülmüştür. Deneme Augmented deneme desenine göre 2 sıralı olarak yürütülmüştür. Araştırmada bitki boyu, tepe ve koçan püskülü gösterme süreleri, ilk koçan yüksekliği, sap çapı, bitkide yaprak sayısı, koçan boyu, koçan çapı, koçandaki sıra sayısı, sıradaki dane sayısı, koçandaki tane ağırlığı, bintane ağırlığı ve tek bitki verimi incelenmiştir. Araştırmadan elde edilen minimum ve maksimum verilere göre; bitki boyu 33.9-301.2 cm, ilk koçan yüksekliği 12-195 cm, tepe püskülü gösterme süresi 68-80 gün, koçan püskülü gösterme süresi 76-88 gün, yaprak sayısı 7.0-12.33 adet, koçan boyu 5.8-20.2 cm, koçan çapı 13.2-41.4 mm, koçandaki sıra sayısı 7.2-14.3 adet, sıradaki dane sayısı 7.2-36.6 adet arasında değişim göstermişken, bintane ağırlığı 138.43-423.5 g ve tek bitki verimi ise 7.22-188.0 g arasında değişmiştir. Tek bitki verimi dikkate alındığında; 156 genotipten ortalamanın üzerindeki 77 genotipin ki bu da genotiplerin %49’u ileriki ıslah çalışmalarında materyal olarak incelenen özellikler bakımından değerlendirilebileceği sonucuna varılmıştır.

El maiz ( Zea mays L.) es un cereal de importancia mundial por sus diferentes usos industriales y valor nutritivo. Al igual que otros cultivos, se ve afectado por plagas, entre ellos los nematodos, cuya presencia en el cultivo de maiz ocasiona disminucion en los rendimientos, por ello se plantea el presente trabajo. Con la finalidad de determinar la densidad poblacional de nematodos asociados al cultivo de maiz en las regiones de Puno y Cusco; para lo cual se recolecto 121 muestras de suelo durante la campana 2015-2016 en la Region Puno, en los distritos de Chupa, Sandia, San Juan del Oro, Cuyocuyo, Ayapata, Ollachea, San Gaban; y 30 muestras de la Region Cusco, en los distritos de Pisac y Urubamba. Fueron identificados y verificados las incidencias los generos de Helicotylenchus spp. (32-100%), Mesocriconema spp. (33.3-63.8%), Globodera spp. (96-100%), Xiphinema spp. (11-36.6%), Rotylenchus spp. (20-77.2%) y Dorylaimus spp. (7.7%). Fue observado tambien la presencia de nematodos de vida libre (Saprofitas y predadores) (96-100%). Los nematodos mas predominantes en todas areas fueron Helicotylenchus, Mesocriconema y los nematdos de vida libre. Palabras claves: Nematodos fitoparasitos, caracterizacion morfologica. ABSTRACT Corn ( Zea mays L.) is a cereal of global importance for its different industrial uses and nutritive value. Like other crops, it is affected by pests, including nematodes, whose presence in the maize crop causes a decrease in yields, so the present work is presented. In order to determine the population density of nematodes associated with maize cultivation in the regions of Puno and Cusco; For which 121 soil samples were collected during the 2015-2016 campaign in the Puno Region, in the districts of Chupa, Sandia, San Juan del Oro, Cuyocuyo, Ayapata, Ollachea and San Gaban; And 30 samples from the Cusco Region, in the districts of Pisac and Urubamba. Were identified the genera genera Helicotylenchus spp. and verified. (32-100%), Mesocriconema spp. (33.3-63.8%), Globodera spp. (96-100%), Xiphinema spp. (11-36.6%), Rotylenchus spp. (20-77.2%) and Dorylaimus spp. (7.7%). It was also observed the presence of free-living nematodes (Saprophytes and predators) (96-100%). The most prevalent nematodes in all areas were Helicotylenchus , Mesocriconema and free-living nematodes. Key words: plant parasitic nematodes. Morphological characterization.

Cassava is an important culture in Brazil and in the North of the country, and soft root rot has affected root production. The aim of this work was to identify root morphoanatomic and histochemical characters associated with root rot resistance. In areas with no occurrence of the disease, nine cassava genotypes were tested, four of which were resistant, and five were susceptible to root rot. Root harvest was carried out twelve months after sowing, and thickness of suber, suber and cortex, and secondary xylem were measured. Moreover, texture, suber cell layers, lignin content, and lignin monomers content of the portion suber and cortex were analyzed. Also, histochemical tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses of the roots were performed. Results were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were compared by the Scott-Knott test (p ≤0.05). The characters thickness of suber and cortex at proximal and medium portions, thickness of secondary xylem at medium and apical portions, number of cell layers of suber, thickness of suber, and root texture showed differences among genotypes; however, the characters could not be associated with resistance or susceptibility. There were no differences for: vessel elements, lignin and lignin monomers, and for the histochemical tests with Sudan IV and Lugol. Images of SEM showed differences among genotypes, which could not be associated with resistance or susceptibility. Thus, the characters evaluated cannot be used in selection for cassava resistance to soft root rot in genetic breeding programs. RESUMO A mandioca é uma cultura importante no Brasil e no Norte do país, e a podridão mole da raiz tem afetado a produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar caracteres morfoanatômicos e histoquímicos da raiz associados à resistência à podridão da raiz. Em áreas sem ocorrência da doença, nove genótipos de mandioca foram testados, quatro resistentes e cinco suscetíveis. A colheita da raiz foi realizada doze meses após o plantio e medidas de espessura do súber, súber e cortex e xilema secundário foram realizadas. Além disso, foram analisados a textura, as camadas de célula do súber, o conteúdo de lignina e os monômeros de lignina da porção súber e cortex. Ainda, testes histoquímicos e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) das raízes foram realizados. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Scott-Knott (p≤0.05). Os caracteres: espessura de súber e córtex nas porções mediana e proximal, espessura do xilema secundário nas porções mediana e apical, número de camadas de células do súber, espessura do súber e textura da raiz apresentaram diferenças entre os genótipos, mas não associadas à resistência ou suscetibilidade. Não houve diferenças para: elementos de vaso, lignina e monômeros de lignina para os testes histoquímicos com Sudan IV e Lugol. Imagens de MEV apresentaram diferenças entre os genótipos, mas não associadas à resistência ou suscetibilidade. Assim, os caracteres avaliados não podem ser usados na seleção de mandioca com resistência à podridão mole da raiz em programa de melhoramento genético.

European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), cultivated in several areas of the world including Europe, Anatolia, and the USA, is an economically important nut crop due to its high mineral, oleic acid, amino acid, and phenolic compound content and pleasant flavor. This study examined molecular genetic diversity and population structure of 54 wild accessions and 48 cultivars from the Slovenian national hazelnut collection using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Eleven AFLP primer combinations and 49 SSR markers yielded 532 and 504 polymorphic fragments, respectively. As expected for a wind-pollinated, self-incompatible species, levels of genetic diversity were high with cultivars and wild accessions having mean dissimilarity values of 0.50 and 0.60, respectively. In general, cultivars and wild accessions clustered separately in dendrogram, principal coordinate, and population structure analyses with regional clustering of the wild material. The accessions were also characterized for ten nut and seven kernel traits and some wild accessions were shown to have breeding potential. Morphological principal component analysis showed distinct clustering of cultivars and wild accessions. An association mapping panel composed of 64 hazelnut cultivars and wild accessions had considerable variation for the nut and kernel quality traits. Morphological and molecular data were associated to identify markers controlling the traits. In all, 49 SSR markers were significantly associated with nut and kernel traits [P < 0.0001 and LD value (r2) = 0.15–0.50]. This work is the first use of association mapping in hazelnut and has identified molecular markers associated with important quality parameters in this important nut crop., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK 212T201)

6 Figuras.-- 2 Tablas, Asparagus maritimus is a species distributed in sandy soils along the Mediterranean coast. It has been reported as salt tolerant and resistant to rust. The wild asparagus species are a very important genetic resources for asparagus breeding because the current commercial cultivars have a narrow genetic base. Until recently, the only population of A. maritimus catalogued in Spain was a small population, which is at high extinction risk, located around the coastal lagoon “Mar Menor” in the region of Murcia. Different studies carried out in the current work support the recent description of this population as a new species named Asparagus macrorrhizus. Plants from three populations of A. maritimus were used to carry out studies of characterization and the results were compared with plants of A. macrorrhizus. The morphological studies showed clear differences between the populations of A. maritimus and A. macrorrhizus. One of the differences found between these populations was at the ploidy level. The plants of A. maritimus were hexaploid (2n = 6x = 60), while the plants of A. macrorrhizus were dodecaploid (2n = 12x = 120). Also, the flavonoid composition showed that A. maritimus contains six different flavonoids while in A. macrorrhizus 90 % of the flavonoid content corresponds to only one flavonoid (Nicotiflorin) followed by minor quantities of other two. Another difference between these populations was supported by the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) using data from 4 EST-SSRs markers amplified in plants of A. maritimus and A. macrorrhizus, and clearly separates the two species. The differences found in this work highlight the importance of A. macrorrhizus as a possible genetic resource for asparagus breeding. The distribution of A. macrorrhizus is limited to the area surrounding the “Mar Menor” lagoon. The prospections carried out in the last years indicated the high risk of extinction of this species due to the urbanization of this natural habitat. Therefore, we have included A. macrorrhizus in our germplasm bank in vivo and in vitro as well as in the breeding programs., Authors would like to thank the kindness and help of the environmental agents and biologists from the Directorate General for the Environment of the Region of Murcia (Spain). We are also grateful to Mr. Ruben Vives Lopez, naturalist of “Ecologistas en Acción” of Murcia, for providing valuable information, plant material and technical support during the plant prospecting and data recovery of Asparagus macrorrhizus in the surrounding areas of “Mar Menor” coastal lagoon. This study was funded by “Junta de Andalucía” (Project of Excellence AGR3648).

[EN] The variability of 62 Spanish landraces (and two hybrids used as reference) was described by analysing 39 morphological traits and eight SSR makers. Results showed that 81% of the examined genetic pool belonged to the inodorus type. Spanish traditional melons presented fruits from flattened and globular shapes to elliptical. Rind colour varied from pale green, almost white and yellow to dark green and almost black. Rind texture varied from smooth to intensely wrinkled. Spanish landraces also had larger fruits (average fruit weight 2.6 kg) and longer vegetative cycles (117 days to maturity) compared to landraces from other geographical origins. Farmers seem to have focused on selection towards large fruits, which usually requires the longest production cycles. Fruit colour, size and shape seemed to have been determinant in varietal selection. Hierarchical clustering resulted in two main groups (climacteric and non-climacteric). The largest group was composed of 60 accessions of non-climacteric types, which includes the most demanded by national markets, 'Piel de Sapo', which fruits were characterized by an ovate or elliptical shape, a green rind, big spots and stains distributed over the whole fruit, a rounded blossom end shape and a very pointed stem end shape. The study demonstrates that the Spanish genetic pool is much more diverse. Wide variability was found in a geographical area with vast historical importance in melon farming. These evaluations has allowed the identification of several uniform groups of non-climacteric cultivars ('Piel de Sapo', 'Mochuelo', 'Tendral', Yellow/White, Winter and Black groups) and a set of highly variable climacteric ones. However, many accessions with singular properties remain unclassified, demonstrating the morphological variability of the studied collection. Melons in Spain have wide variability together with a vast historical importance on farms. Some fruit types, or at least some morphological characters reflected by painters during centuries, have reached the present. The present study confirmed the need to preserve these irreplaceable genetic resources and continue their study and evaluation for valuable traits which could enhance farmer's opportunities for entering new markets., The authors would like to thank Maria Jose Diez, the curator of the COMAV's Genebank for providing some of the melon varieties included in this study. Financial support was received from the Genome-Spain Foundation through the Project MELONOMICS (http://www.gen-es.org/es/melanomics.cfm). This study was partially supported by the Project AGL2014-53398-C2-R (funded by the Spanish Economy and Competitiveness Department, and the European Regional Development Fund).

The synthesis, spectroscopic, and optical properties of the water-soluble phosphorus complex of a 2-sulfonato-10-(4-sulfonatophenyl)-5,15-dimesitylcorrole have been investigated. The compound was prepared by adopting a novel strategy for the corrole sulfonation, leading to the regioselective isomer in an almost quantitative yield. The phosphorus coordination has a key role in determining the corrole substitution pattern, limiting the formation of poly-substituted species, which affected the reaction of the corrole free base. The resulting complex shows excellent optical properties in terms of emission quantum yield, also in polar protic solvents, including water. 31P NMR spectroscopy in CD3OD indicates that the P sulfonate complex has been isolated in a hexacoordinated geometry with two different ligands (L1=-OH, L2=-OCH3), and it is prone to axial ligand exchange with methanol, with no evidence of intermediate pentacoordinated species. The morphological characterization of thin layers of the P corrole deposited onto an Au(111) surface showed that the addition of an intermediate layer of reduced graphene oxide allows for a better control of corrole aggregation, inducing also transformation of the Au(111) reconstructed surface. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

International audience; Glycodendrimers based on aromatic cores have an amphiphilic character and have been reported to generate supramolecuar assemblies in water. A new group of glycodendrimers with an aromatic rod-like core were recently described as potent antagonists of DC-SIGN-mediated viral infections. A full characterization of the aggregation properties of these materials is presented here. The results show that these compounds exist mostly as monomers in water solution, in dynamic equilibrium with small aggregates (dimers or trimers). Larger aggregates observed by dynamic light scattering and transmission Electron Microscopy for some of the dendrimers are found to be portions of materials not fully solubilized and can be removed either by optimizing the dissolution protocol or by centrifugation of the samples.

43 Pags.- 5 Tabls.- 3 Figs. The definitive version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03044238, Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most valuable vegetables in the world. Over the last decades, highly performing cultivars have progressively replaced the diversified and heterogeneous landraces worldwide, causing wide genetic erosion in this crop. The recovery of these ancient landraces, which might preserve alleles of agricultural interest and local adaptations, results of pivotal importance for the development of new varieties and the maintenance of a sustainable agriculture. In the present work, a collection of twenty-six landrace-derived inbred lines and three landraces from North-West Spain were evaluated for their agronomic performance and genetic diversity based on a set of twenty-seven morphological descriptors and twenty microsatellite markers. The collection featured phenotypic variability for all the studied traits, which were influenced by the location, except for the yield. The principal component analysis divided the landraces in well-defined groups, with only Arnoia, Punxin and Blanco Rosal showing some degree of overlapping. The greater part of the variance was accounted for traits such as fruit weight, pericarp thickness and fruit shape and color. The molecular analyses suggested a high level of genetic diversity within the collection and the presence of specific alleles, which were not previously detected in other Spanish pepper landraces. Multivariate and Bayesian clustering showed that landraces were primarily grouped according to their geographical origin and secondarily in agreement with the characteristics of their fruits. Six groups of landraces, with a great genetic differentiation, were clearly identified. Only the landraces Mougan and Arnoia possessed an allele associated to the pungency character., This work was supported by Xunta de Galicia (Project EM2014/048) and by the Spanish Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (Project RTA2011–00118–C02–02).

Nowadays, although there are several studies based on peach phenotypic diversity and adaptability, there is no current research regarding associations among characters using multivariate statistical methods which provide more trustable conclusions than bivariate analysis. For this reason, we evaluated not only the adaptability of the accessions but also the relationships among qualitative and quantitative traits applying Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Factor Analysis, respectively. The study was carried out on seventy-seven nectarine and one hundred and thirty-two peach accessions grown in Argentina that were characterized with 35 fruit quality, agronomic and phenological traits during 3 seasons. Multiple Correspondence Analysis revealed that freestone trait would be associated with strong anthocyanin coloration of the flesh around the brown dark stone while semi-freestone trait would be related to weak or no anthocyanin coloration of the flesh around the light brown stone. Then, Factor Analysis enabled us to identify positive relationships between blooming and sprouting date; harvesting period and yield and among fruit development period, harvesting date, fruit weight and soluble solid content. In addition, 'phenology traits', 'productivity' and 'fruit quality and reaping time' would be unrelated to each other. Furthermore, the agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the accessions in accordance to their similarities and allowed the identification of the most adapted cultivars. We have demonstrated that this approach is a powerful tool that should be considered for further studies on peach germplasm and it has also the possibility to be applied for other fruit species. Finally, the results of this study provide valuable information for germplasm characterization and for breeding practices aiming to develop accessions adapted to the climatic conditions of the northern of Buenos Aires province. Fil: Maulión, Evangelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; Argentina Fil: Arroyo, Luis Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; Argentina Fil: Daorden, María Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; Argentina Fil: Valentini, Gabriel Hugo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; Argentina Fil: Cervigni, Gerardo Domingo Lucio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; Argentina

In spite of considerable research effort on the “immortal jellyfish” Turritopsis dohrnii (Weismann, 1883), a comprehensive account including the ontogenetic stages throughout its normal life cycle is still missing. Here, we report the development of the medusa morph, with description of four consecutive stages distinguished by the morphology of the umbrellar apex and the number of marginal tentacles. Medusae reared at two different temperatures (14 and 25°C) showed identical morphological features, but with shorter developmental time at higher temperature. Additional information on the morphology of the polyp stage is also provided. The implications for an easy morphological identification of T. dohrnii medusae from other congeneric species are discussed.

In this work, we report on self-limiting growth of InN thin films at substrate temperatures as low as 200 degrees C by hollow-cathode plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition (HCPA-ALD). The precursors used in growth experiments were trimethylindium (TMI) and N-2 plasma. Process parameters including TMI pulse time, N-2 plasma exposure time, purge time, and deposition temperature have been optimized for self-limiting growth of InN with in ALD window. With the increase in exposure time of N-2 plasma from 40 s to 100 s at 200 degrees C, growth rate showed a significant decrease from 1.60 to 0.64 angstrom/cycle. At 200 degrees C, growth rate saturated as 0.64 angstrom/cycle for TMI dose starting from 0.07 s. Structural, optical, and morphological characterization of InN were carried out in detail. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed the hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure of the grown InN films. Refractive index of the InN film deposited at 200 degrees C was found to be 2.66 at 650 nm. 48 nm-thick InN films exhibited relatively smooth surfaces with Rms surface roughness values of 0.98 nm, while the film density was extracted as 6.30 g/cm(3). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements depicted the peaks of indium, nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen on the film surface and quantitative information revealed that films are nearly stoichiometric with rather low impurity content. In3d and N1s high-resolution scans confirmed the presence of InN with peaks located at 443.5 and 396.8 eV, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) further confirmed the polycrystalline structure of InN thin films and elemental mapping revealed uniform distribution of indium and nitrogen along the scanned area of the InN film. Spectral absorption measurements exhibited an optical band edge around 1.9 eV. Our findings demonstrate that HCPA-ALD might be a promising technique to grow crystalline wurtzite InN thin films at low substrate temperatures. (C) 2016 Author(s).

International audience; Root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) are predominant polyphagous pests of crops in the Central Valley of Chile. Twenty RKN populations from this region were collected from diverse crops and subsequently identified with both sequence-characterized amplified region and isoenzyme markers. Populations included three RKN species: Meloidogyne ethiopica (75%), M. javanica (15%), and M. arenaria (10%). This is the first report of the high prevalence and wide host range of M. ethiopica in Chile. The host status of three Prunus rootstocks for isolates obtained from the Chilean RKN populations was then evaluated. Rootstocks assessed included the peach rootstock Nemaguard and the plum rootstock Marianna 2624, both previously considered resistant, and the peach rootstock Pomona as a susceptible accession. In the first experiment, rootstocks were inoculated individually in pots with 10,000 second-stage, juveniles and eggs of each isolate, and reproduction and galling were evaluated 5 months after inoculation. In the second experiment, the six most aggressive RKN isolates were used in a mixture to evaluate the host response of the same three rootstocks. No RKN were detected on Marianna 2624 in both experiments, which confirmed its immune host status to M. arenaria and M. javanica; this is the first report of immunity to M. ethiopica. Even though Pomona was classified overall as susceptible, the response of this rootstock to the RKN isolates was highly variable and ranged from susceptible to resistant, depending on the RKN isolates. Nemaguard ranged from resistant (to each of the most aggressive isolates and to their mixture) to highly resistant (to M. arenaria isolates). Our results illustrate that Prunus rootstocks express different levels of resistance to RKN species. RKN resistance may be active either at the isolate level (as in Pomona), at the species level (as in Nemaguard toward M. javanica and M. arenaria), or at the genus level (as in Marianna 2624).

International audience; The genome of the ectomycorrhizal ascomycete Tuber melanosporum has recently been published and this has given researchers unique opportunities to learn more about the biology of this precious edible fungus. The epigeous ascomycete lives in Mediterranean countries in symbiotic interaction with roots of broad-leaf trees such as oaks and hazel. A most important new finding was the single mating type locus in the genome that occurs with two alleles in natural populations. The life cycle is now confirmed to be heterothallic and the species is outcrossing. Unlike sexual development in the soil, mycorrhization of the roots by homokaryotic haploid mycelia is mating-type-independent. Gene regulation during mycorrhization and fruiting and environmental influences on it is now genome-wide addressed. Genome profiling for functions in specific metabolic pathways is undertaken. Insights in most enthralling features of tubers such as on odor formation are thus gained. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

International audience; In the framework of the Silent Wall ANR project, the CMM and the US2B are associated in order to characterize and to model fibrous media studying 3D images acquired with an X-Ray microtomograph used by the US2B. The device can make 3D images of maximal size 2304 3 voxels with resolutions in the range of 2-15 μm. Using mathematical morphology, measurements on the 3D X-Ray CT images are performed to characterize materials. For example, measuring the covariance on these images of an acoustic insulating material made of wooden fibers highlights the transverse isotropy of the fibers orientations in the xOy planes perpendicular to the compression Oz axis. Moreover, it is possible to extract other morphological properties, such as the size distribution either of the fibers or of the pores by estimating the morphological opening granulometry of the considered medium. Finally the morphological tortuosity of the fibrous and porous networks are estimated from geodesic propagations. The tortuosity is a parameter which can help to link physical, acoustic, and morphological properties of the material. Moreover the effects of the boundary layer, where viscous and thermal damping of the sound take place, are studied from the point of view of the tortuosity.

Ectomycorrhizae (ECM) of Lactarius aff. omphaliformis Romagn., Russula alnijorullensis (Sing.) Sing. and Cortinarius tucumanensis Mos. on Andean alder (Alnus acuminata Kunth) were characterized and identified. The identification of the fungal symbionts was achieved by morpho-anatomical observations of mycorrhizae and by comparison of ITS-RFLP patterns obtained from ECM and fruitbodies. L. aff. omphaliformis ECM differed in some morphological details such as ramification and mantle type from ECM of the same species on A. glutinosa. L. aff. omphaliformis ECM show an orange to ochre mantle containing latex cells, which stain with sulpho-vanillin, emanating hyphae without clamps. R. alnijorullensis ECM represent a typical Russula-type-ECM, light yellow to pinkish, the outer mantle being composed of triangular latex-filled cells staining with sulpho-vanillin, emanating hyphae without clamps. C. tucumanensis ECM exhibit a white (silvery) to yellowish brown mantle covered with soil particles, emanating hyphae with clamps. Fil: Becerra, Alejandra Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Beenken, Ludwig. Ludwig Maximilians Universitat; Alemania Fil: Pritsch, Karin. Technische Universitat Munchen; Alemania Fil: Daniele, Graciela María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Schloter, Michael. National Research Centre for Environment and Health; Alemania Fil: Agerer, Reinhard. Ludwig Maximilians Universitat; Alemania

This study aimed at morphologically identifying Aspergillus flavus in soil and maize and at determining their aflatoxin-producing potentials. Five hundred and fourteen isolates obtained from maize and soil in Kenya were cultivated on Czapeck Dox Agar, Malt Extract Agar, Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, Potato Dextrose Agar, and Rose-Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar. Isolates were identified using macro-morphological characteristics. Micromorphological characteristics were determined using slide cultures. Aflatoxin production was determined by direct visual determination of the UV fluorescence of colonies on Coconut Agar Medium, Yeast Extract Sucrose agar, and Yeast Extract Cyclodextrin Sodium Deoxycholate agar and by Thin Layer Chromatography. Forty-three presumptive A. flavus isolates were identified; aflatoxin was detected in 23% of the isolates by UV fluorescence screening and in 30% by Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC). The aflatoxins produced were: aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), and aflatoxin G1 (AFG1); some isolates produced only AFB1, whereas others produced either AFB1 and AFB2 or AFB1 and AFG1. The highest incidence of A. flavus (63%) and aflatoxin production (28%) was recorded in samples from Makueni District. Isolates from Uasin Gishu (21%) and Nyeri (5%) were non-aflatoxigenic. Bungoma District recorded 11% positive isolates of which 2% were aflatoxin producers. The occurrence of aflatoxin-producing A. flavus emphasises the need for measures to eliminate their presence in food crops.

The electrospinning of nanofibers (NF) from cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (CD-IC) with an antibacterial agent (triclosan) was achieved without using any carrier polymeric matrix. Polymer-free triclosan/CD-IC NF were electrospun from highly concentrated (160% CD, w/w) aqueous triclosan/CD-IC suspension by using two types of chemically modified CD; hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP beta CD) and hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (HP gamma CD). The morphological characterization of the electrospun triclosan/CD-IC NF by SEM elucidated that the triclosan/HP beta CD-IC NF and triclosan/HP gamma CD-IC NF were bead-free having average fiber diameter of 520 +/- 250 nm and 1100 +/- 660 nm, respectively. The presence of triclosan and the formation of triclosan/CD-IC within the fiber structure were confirmed by H-1-NMR, FTIR, XRD, DSC, and TGA studies. The initial 1:1 molar ratio of the triclosan:CD was kept for triclosan/HP beta CD-IC NF after the electrospinning and whereas 0.7:1 molar ratio was observed for triclosan/HP gamma CD-IC NF and some uncomplexed triclosan was detected suggesting that the complexation efficiency of triclosan with HP gamma CD was lower than that of HP beta CD. The antibacterial properties of triclosan/CD-IC NF were tested against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. It was observed that triclosan/HP beta CD-IC NF and triclosan/HP gamma CD-IC NF showed better antibacterial activity against both bacteria compared to uncomplexed pure triclosan. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Secondary carbides precipitated in high chromium cast irons during thermal treatments were characterized by means of different characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron backscattered diffraction and a combination of chemical etching with confocal scanning laser microscopy. This set of techniques provides a full morphological, chemical and crystallographic description of the analysed phases. This work evaluated different methods for optimizing the image acquisition for a further image analysis (IA) based on the threshold binarization. Finally, the carbide size, distribution and morphology were determined after IA of the images acquired by aforementioned characterization techniques. Although the different techniques report some dispersion in the value for the average particle size, the particle inter-spacing and aspect ratio meet within the error value. The proposed characterization methodology provides statistically reliable data for a further evaluation of related physical properties in composites.

Thirty isolates of endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy asymptomatic leaves of tea plant (Camellia sinensis) and identified morphologically based on colony morphology, spore shape and size, growth and sporulation rate. Internal transcribed spacer r-DNA sequence analysis supported for molecular identification of all the isolates. Based on morphological and molecular characteristics the isolates were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Variations on colony morphology which included the production of conidial masses, led to divide the isolates into different groups. Variations on spore size, growth rate and sporulation rate were exhibited by all the isolates. With RAPD molecular markers, genetic variations among the thirty isolates were observed. Genetic variations and relatedness among the thirty isolates were analyzed with UPGMA phylogram using NTSYS program. Two major groups were obtained among the thirty isolates. Group I comprised of 16 isolates which included three sub groups (Ia, Ib and Ic) and Group II constituted fourteen isolates and it also had three sub groups (IIa, IIb and IIc). A partial co-relationship among the isolates was established on the basis of morphological and molecular based clustering.