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This paper presents the Subterranean 2.0 cipher suite that can be used for hashing, MAC computation, stream encryption and several types of authenticated encryption schemes. At its core it has a duplex object with a 257-bit state and a lightweight single-round permutation. This makes Subterranean 2.0 very well suited for low-area and low-energy implementations in dedicated hardware., IACR Transactions on Symmetric Cryptology, Volume 2020, Special Issue 1

International audience; Layered Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) lanthanide nickelates, Lnn+1NinO3n+1 (Ln = La, Pr and Nd; n = 1, 2 and 3), are considered potential cathode materials in solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, the thermal evolution of the structure, oxygen nonstoichiometry, electrical conductivity and oxygen transport properties of La2NiO4+δ, Nd2NiO4+δ, La3Ni2O7−δ, La4Ni3O10−δ, Pr4Ni3O10−δ and Nd4Ni3O10−δ are investigated. Phase transitions involving a disruption of the cooperative tilting of the perovskite layers in the low-temperature structure thereby transforming it to a more symmetric structure are observed in several of the materials upon heating in air. Pr4Ni3O10−δ and Nd4Ni3O10−δ show no phase transition from room temperature up to 1000 °C. High density ceramics (>96%) are obtained after sintering at 1300 °C and (for n = 2 and n = 3 members) post-sintering annealing at reduced temperatures. Data for the electrical conductivity measurements on these specimens indicate itinerant behaviour of the charge carriers in the RP nickelates. The increase in p-type conductivity with the order n of the RP phase is interpreted as arising from the concomitant increase in the formal valence of Ni. The observations can be interpreted in terms of a simple energy band scheme, showing that electron holes are formed in the σx2−y2↑ band upon increasing the oxidation state of Ni. Electrical conductivity relaxation measurements reveal remarkable similarities between the surface exchange coefficients (kchem) of the different RP phases despite the differences in the order parameter n and the nature of the lanthanide ion. Calculation of the oxygen self-diffusion coefficients (Ds) from the experimental values of the chemical diffusion coefficients (Dchem), using the corresponding data of oxygen non-stoichiometry from thermogravimetry measurements, shows that these are strongly determined by the order parameter n. The value of Ds decreases almost one order of magnitude on going from the n = 1 members La2NiO4+δ and Nd2NiO4+δ to the n = 2 member La3Ni2O7−δ, and again one order of magnitude on going to the n = 3 members La4Ni3O10−δ, Pr4Ni3O10−δ and Nd4Ni3O10−δ. The results confirm that oxygen-ion transport in the investigated RP nickelates predominantly occurs via an interstitialcy mechanism within the rock-salt layer of the structures.

Optical localization in strongly disordered photonic media is an attractive topic for proposing novel cavity-like structures. Light interference can produce random modes confined within small volumes, whose spatial distribution in the near-field is predicted to show hot spots at the nanoscale. However, these near-field speckles have not yet been experimentally investigated due to the lack of a high spatial resolution imaging techniques. Here, we study a system where the disorder is induced by random drilling air holes in a GaAs suspended membrane with internal InAs quantum dots. We perform deep-subwavelength near-field experiments in the telecom window to directly image the spatial distribution of the electric field intensity of disordered-induced localized optical modes. We retrieve the near-field speckle patterns that extend over few micrometers and show several single speckles of the order of λ/10 size. The results are compared with the numerical calculations and with the recent findings in the literature of disordered media. Notably, the hot spots of random modes are found in proximity of the air holes of the disordered system., This work was supported by the FET project FP7 618025 CARTOON. This work is part of the research programme of the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM), which is financially supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), and it is also supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW, applied science division of NWO, the Technology Program of the Ministry of Economic Affairs under Project No. 10380. F.B. acknowledges funding from the Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research within the Futuro in Ricerca (FIRB) program (project DeLIGHTeD, Protocollo RBFR12RS1W).

International audience; Background: P waves reported in electrocardiology literature uniformly appear smooth. Computer simulation and signal analysis studies have shown much more complex shapes. Objective: We systematically investigated P-wave complexity in normal volunteers using high-fidelity electrocardiographic techniques without filtering. Methods: We recorded 5-min multichannel ECGs in 16 healthy volunteers. Noise and interference were reduced by averaging over 300 beats per recording. In addition, normal P waves were simulated with a realistic model of the human atria. Results: Measured P waves had an average of 4.1 peaks (range 1–10) that were reproducible between recordings. Simulated P waves demonstrated similar complexity, which was related to structural discontinuities in the computer model of the atria. Conclusion: The true shape of the P wave is very irregular and is best seen in ECGs averaged over many beats.

8 págs.; 4 figs., We measure the polarization-resolved angular emission distribution from thin and thick GaAs nanowires (diameters ∼110 and ∼180 nm) with cathodoluminescence polarimetry. The nanowires, which horizontally rest on a thin carbon film, are excited by a 5 keV electron beam and emit band gap luminescence at a central wavelength of 870 nm. The emission can couple to different waveguide modes that propagate along the wire, are dependent on the wire diameter, and determine the directionality and polarization of the emission. Although each measured nanowire can support different modes, the polarized emission is dominated by the TM01 waveguide mode in all cases, independently of wire diameter. When exciting the nanowires close to the end facets, the thin and thick wires exhibit opposite directional emission. The emission from thin nanowires is dominated by a leaky TM01 mode that leads to emission toward the opposite end facet (emission to the right when exciting the left-side edge). For the thick wires, however, the TM01 mode is guided but also lossy due to absorption in the substrate. In such a case, the wires emit toward the excited end facet (to the left when exciting the left-side edge). The emission directionality switches for nanowire diameters in the range of 145-170 nm. We show that the measurements agree well with both a simple 1D current model and numerical simulations. The high spatial resolution of angle- and polarization-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy provides detailed insight into the nanoscale emission and propagation of light in semiconductor nanowires. Copyright © 2016 American Chemical Society, This work is part of the Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie (FOM) as well as the Dutch Technology Foundation STW, which are financially supported by the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. It is also part of NanoNextNL, a nanotechnology program funded by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, part of an industrial partnership program between Philips and FOM, and is supported by the European Research Council (ERC). The Spanish Ministerio de Economıía y Competitividad is also acknowledged for financial support through the grants NANOPLAS+ (FIS2012-31070) and LENSBEAM (FIS2015- 69295-C3-2-P).

International audience; Basidiomycete fungi can degrade a wide range of plant biomass, including living and dead trees, forest litter, crops, and plant matter in soils. Understanding the process of plant biomass decay by basidiomycetes could facilitate their application in various industrial sectors such as food & feed, detergents and biofuels, and also provide new insights into their essential biological role in the global carbon cycle. The fast expansion of basidiomycete genomic and functional genomics data (e.g. transcriptomics, proteomics) has facilitated exploration of key genes and regulatory mechanisms of plant biomass degradation. In this study, we comparatively analyzed 22 transcriptome datasets from basidiomycetes related to plant biomass degradation, and identified 328 commonly induced genes and 318 repressed genes, and defined a core set of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes), which was shared by most of the basidiomycete species. High conservation of these CAZymes in genomes and similar regulation pattern in transcriptomics data from lignocellulosic substrates indicate their key role in plant biomass degradation and need for their further biochemical investigation.

International audience; Relative concentrations of alpha(S1)-casein and alpha(S2)-casein (alpha(S1)-CN and alpha(S2)-CN) phosphorylation isoforms vary considerably among milk of individual cows. We estimated heritabilities for alpha(S2)-CN phosphorylation isoforms, determined by capillary zone electrophoresis from 1,857 morning milk samples, and genetic correlations among alpha(S2)-CN phosphorylation isoforms in Dutch Holstein Friesian. To investigate if phosphorylation of alpha(S1)-CN and alpha(S2)-CN are due to the same genetic mechanism, we also estimated genetic correlations between alpha(S1)-CN and alpha(S2)-CN phosphorylation isoforms as well as the genetic correlations between the phosphorylation degrees (PD) of alpha(S1)-CN and alpha(S2)-CN defined as the proportion of isoforms with higher degrees of phosphorylation in total alpha(S1)-CN and alpha(S2)-CN, respectively. The intra-herd heritabilities for the relative concentrations of alpha(S2)-CN phosphorylation isoforms were high and ranged from 0.54 for alpha(S2)-CN-10P to 0.89 for alpha(S2)-CN-12P. Furthermore, the high intra-herd heritabilities of alpha(S1)-CN PD and alpha(S2)-CN PD imply a strong genetic control of the phosphorylation process, which is independent of casein production. The genetic correlations between alpha(S2)-CN phosphorylation isoforms are positive and moderate to high (0.33-0.90). Furthermore, the strong positive genetic correlation (0.94) between alpha(S1)-CN PD and alpha(S2)-CN PD suggests that the phosphorylation processes of alpha(S1)-CN and alpha(S2)-CN are related. This study shows the possibility of breeding for specific alpha(S1)-CN and alpha(S2)-CN phosphorylation isoforms, and relations between the phosphorylation degrees of alpha(S1)-CN and alpha(S2)-CN and technological properties of milk need to be further investigated to identify potential benefits for the dairy industry.

Article de revue (Article scientifique dans une revue à comité de lecture); International audience; When flower-bearing shoots in cut rose (Rosa ×hybrida) are harvested, a varying number of repressed axillary buds on the shoot remainder start to grow into new shoots (budbreak). Earlier experiments indicated that light reaching the bud affected the number of budbreaks. In all these studies, whole plants were illuminated with different light intensities or light spectra. The aim of this article is to disentangle the effects of light intensity and light spectrum, in this case red:far-red ratio, at the level of the buds on budbreak in a rose crop. Three experiments were conducted in which light intensity and red:far-red ratio at the level of the buds were independently varied, whereas intensity and red:far-red ratio of incident light on the crop were not changed. Light intensity and red:far-red ratio at the position of the buds were quantified and related to budbreak on the shoot remainders. Removal of vertical shoots increased light intensity and red:far-red ratio as well as budbreak (1.9 budbreaks per shoot remainder compared with 0.4 budbreaks when five vertical shoots were present). No vertical shoots and red light-absorbing shading paper over the plant base mimicked the effect of vertical shoots with respect to light intensity and red:far-red ratio, but budbreak (1.0 budbreaks) was intermediate compared with treatments with and without shoots. This suggested that the presence of shoots exerts an inhibiting effect on budbreak through both effects on light at the bud and correlative inhibition. When plants had no vertical shoots and light intensity and red:far-red ratio at bud level were changed by neutral and red light-absorbing shading paper, there was a positive effect of light intensity on budbreak (0.3 more budbreaks per shoot remainder) and no effect of red:far-red ratio. Combinations of high and low light intensity with high and low red:far-red ratio on axillary buds showed that there was a positive effect of light intensity on budbreak (0.5 more budbreaks per shoot remainder) and no effect of red:far-red ratio. Our study reveals that when light intensity and red:far-red ratio received by the plant are similar but differ at bud level, budbreak was affected by light intensity and not by red:far-red ratio.

Elise A. R. Serin and L. B. Snoek have contributed equally to this work.; International audience; High-density genetic maps are essential for high resolution mapping of quantitative traits. Here, we present a new genetic map for an Arabidopsis Bayreuth × Shahdara recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, built on RNA-seq data. RNA-seq analysis on 160 RILs of this population identified 30,049 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering the whole genome. Based on a 100-kbp window SNP binning method, 1059 bin-markers were identified, physically anchored on the genome. The total length of the RNA-seq genetic map spans 471.70 centimorgans (cM) with an average marker distance of 0.45 cM and a maximum marker distance of 4.81 cM. This high resolution genotyping revealed new recombination breakpoints in the population. To highlight the advantages of such high-density map, we compared it to two publicly available genetic maps for the same population, comprising 69 PCR-based markers and 497 gene expression markers derived from microarray data, respectively. In this study, we show that SNP markers can effectively be derived from RNA-seq data. The new RNA-seq map closes many existing gaps in marker coverage, saturating the previously available genetic maps. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for published phenotypes using the available genetic maps showed increased QTL mapping resolution and reduced QTL confidence interval using the RNA-seq map. The new high-density map is a valuable resource that facilitates the identification of candidate genes and map-based cloning approaches.

International audience; The seed expressed gene DELAY OF GERMINATION (DOG) 1 is absolutely required for the induction of dormancy. Next to a non-dormant phenotype, the dog1-1 mutant is also characterized by a reduced seed longevity suggesting that DOG1 may affect additional seed processes as well. This aspect however, has been hardly studied and is poorly understood. To uncover additional roles of DOG1 in seeds we performed a detailed analysis of the dog1 mutant using both transcriptomics and metabolomics to investigate the molecular consequences of a dysfunctional DOG1 gene. Further, we used a genetic approach taking advantage of the weak aba insensitive (abi) 3-1 allele as a sensitized genetic background in a cross with dog1-1. DOG1 affects the expression of hundreds of genes including LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ABUNDANT and HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN genes which are affected by DOG1 partly via control of ABI5 expression. Furthermore, the content of a subset of primary metabolites, which normally accumulate during seed maturation, was found to be affected in the dog1-1 mutant. Surprisingly, the abi3-1 dog1-1 double mutant produced green seeds which are highly ABA insensitive, phenocopying severe abi3 mutants, indicating that dog1-1 acts as an enhancer of the weak abi3-1 allele and thus revealing a genetic interaction between both genes. Analysis of the dog1 and dog1 abi3 mutants revealed additional seed phenotypes and therefore we hypothesize that DOG1 function is not limited to dormancy but that it is required for multiple aspects of seed maturation, in part by interfering with ABA signalling components.

International audience; Large areas of arable land are often confronted with irregular rainfall resulting in limited water availability for part(s) of the growing seasons, which demands research for drought tolerance of plants. Natural variation was observed for biomass accumulation upon controlled moderate drought stress in 324 natural accessions of Arabidopsis. Improved performance under drought stress was correlated with early flowering and lack of vernalization requirement, indicating overlap in the regulatory networks of flowering time and drought response or correlated responses of these traits to natural selection. In addition, plant size was negatively correlated with relative water content (RWC) independent of the absolute water content (WC) indicating a prominent role for soluble compounds. Growth in control and drought conditions was determined over time, and modelled by an exponential function. GWA mapping of temporal plant size data and of model parameters resulted in the detection of six, time-dependent, QTLs strongly associated with drought. Most QTLs would not have been identified if plant size was determined at a single time-point. Analysis of earlier reported gene expression changes upon drought enabled us to identify for each QTL the most likely candidates.

Background : Some dental plaque fluoresces red. The factors involved in this fluorescence are yet unknown. Objective : The aim of this study was to assess systematically the effect of age, thickness, and cariogenicity on the extent of red fluorescence produced by in vitro microcosm biofilms. Design : The effects of biofilm age and thickness on red fluorescence were tested in a constant depth film fermentor (CDFF) by growing biofilms of variable thicknesses that received a constant supply of defined mucin medium (DMM) and eight pulses of sucrose/day. The influence of cariogenicity on red fluorescence was tested by growing biofilm on dentin disks receiving DMM, supplemented with three or eight pulses of sucrose/day. The biofilms were analyzed at different time points after inoculation, up to 24 days. Emission spectra were measured using a fluorescence spectrophotometer (λ exc 405 nm) and the biofilms were photographed with a fluorescence camera. The composition of the biofilms was assessed using 454-pyrosequecing of the 16S rDNA gene. Results : From day 7 onward, the biofilms emitted increasing intensities of red fluorescence as evidenced by the combined red fluorescence peaks. The red fluorescence intensity correlated with biofilm thickness but not in a linear way. Biofilm fluorescence also correlated with the imposed cariogenicity, evidenced by the induced dentin mineral loss. Increasing the biofilm age or increasing the sucrose pulsing frequency led to a shift in the microbial composition. These shifts in composition were accompanied by an increase in red fluorescence. Conclusions : The current study shows that a thicker, older, or more cariogenic biofilm results in a higher intensity of red fluorescence. Keywords: dental plaque; fluorescence; microbiology; biofilms; microbiota; microcosm (Published: 7 April 2016) Citation: Journal of Oral Microbiology 2016, 8: 30346 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jom.v8.30346

Highlight Plant auxin efflux and influx proteins redirect the plant hormone auxin towards the feeding site upon root-knot nematode infection in Arabidopsis thaliana roots., Plant-parasitic root-knot nematodes induce the formation of giant cells within the plant root, and it has been recognized that auxin accumulates in these feeding sites. Here, we studied the role of the auxin transport system governed by AUX1/LAX3 influx proteins and different PIN efflux proteins during feeding site development in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. Data generated via promoter–reporter line and protein localization analyses evoke a model in which auxin is being imported at the basipetal side of the feeding site by the concerted action of the influx proteins AUX1 and LAX3, and the efflux protein PIN3. Mutants in auxin influx proteins AUX1 and LAX3 bear significantly fewer and smaller galls, revealing that auxin import into the feeding sites is needed for their development and expansion. The feeding site development in auxin export (PIN) mutants was only slightly hampered. Expression of some PINs appears to be suppressed in galls, probably to prevent auxin drainage. Nevertheless, a functional PIN4 gene seems to be a prerequisite for proper nematode development and gall expansion, most likely by removing excessive auxin to stabilize the hormone level in the feeding site. Our data also indicate a role of local auxin peaks in nematode attraction towards the root.

In this chapter, a methodology for the optimal management of combined water supply and navigability/sustainability in river systems based on model predictive control (MPC) is proposed. A control-oriented modeling methodology for this type of systems is presented as well. MPC is used to generate flow-control strategies from the sources to both the farmers and urban consumers in order to meet future demands with appropriate flows, optimizing operational goals such as network safety volumes in dams and smooth operations of actuators (valves, gates and pumps). At the same time, the generated flow-control strategies should allow maintaining the appropriate river water levels that, in turn, allows to preserve the ecological flows and the navigability of the downstream part of the river. The case study of the Guadiana river is used to show and verify the proposed optimal management methodology., This research has been partially funded by CDTI (MCyT) project HIDROPTIM IDI-20100722, the Spanish project ECOCIS (DPI-2013-48243-C2-1-R), the DGR of Generalitat de Catalunya (SAC group Ref. 2014 SGR 374), and the Maritime Project “ShipDrive: A Novel Methodology for Integrated Modeling, Control, and Optimization of Hybrid Ship Systems” (project 13276) of the Dutch Technology Foundation STW.

This chapter discusses the characteristics of transport of water, transport over water, and their relations. A framework is proposed aimed at integration of operational control and management approaches related to both fields. Providing this framework enables discussing how solutions presented in the literature related to either one, or both fields, could in the future be merged into a unified control methodology. This methodology will enable balancing the transport of and over water objectives, while respecting operational constraints. The main features of the unified framework are discussed and an overview of the main points that need to be addressed in order to relate ongoing research to this framework is provided. A brief summary of themain topics investigated, problems and methodologies proposed of a survey of 22 research directions related to this framework is subsequently presented, including references to further, more detailed information. As such, this chapter serves as the introduction to the book “Transport of Water Versus Transport over Water: Exploring the Dynamic Interplay Between Transport and Water”., This research has been partially funded by the Transport Institute at Delft University of Technology, – bringing together researchers and students from different backgrounds to identify the solutions that result in safer, cleaner and more efficient transport and improved accessibility. Moreover, this research has been partially funded the Maritime Project “ShipDrive: A Novel Methodology for Integrated Modeling, Control, and Optimization of Hybrid Ship Systems” (project 13276) of the Dutch Technology Foundation STW, and the Spanish project “ECOCIS: Economic Operation of Critical Infrastructure Systems” (reference DPI-2013-48243-C2-1-R).

International audience; Oomycetes form a deep lineage of eukaryotic organisms that includes a large number of plant pathogens which threaten natural and managed ecosystems. We undertook a survey to query the community for their ranking of plant‐pathogenic oomycete species based on scientific and economic importance. In total, we received 263 votes from 62 scientists in 15 countries for a total of 33 species. The Top 10 species and their ranking are: (1) Phytophthora infestans; (2, tied) Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis; (2, tied) Phytophthora ramorum; (4) Phytophthora sojae; (5) Phytophthora capsici; (6) Plasmopara viticola; (7) Phytophthora cinnamomi; (8, tied) Phytophthora parasitica; (8, tied) Pythium ultimum; and (10) Albugo candida. This article provides an introduction to these 10 taxa and a snapshot of current research. We hope that the list will serve as a benchmark for future trends in oomycete research.

Background Agaricus bisporus is commercially grown on compost, in which the available carbon sources consist mainly of plant-derived polysaccharides that are built out of various different constituent monosaccharides. The major constituent monosaccharides of these polysaccharides are glucose, xylose, and arabinose, while smaller amounts of galactose, glucuronic acid, rhamnose and mannose are also present. Results In this study, genes encoding putative enzymes from carbon metabolism were identified and their expression was studied in different growth stages of A. bisporus. We correlated the expression of genes encoding plant and fungal polysaccharide modifying enzymes identified in the A. bisporus genome to the soluble carbohydrates and the composition of mycelium grown compost, casing layer and fruiting bodies. Conclusions The compost grown vegetative mycelium of A. bisporus consumes a wide variety of monosaccharides. However, in fruiting bodies only hexose catabolism occurs, and no accumulation of other sugars was observed. This suggests that only hexoses or their conversion products are transported from the vegetative mycelium to the fruiting body, while the other sugars likely provide energy for growth and maintenance of the vegetative mycelium. Clear correlations were found between expression of the genes and composition of carbohydrates. Genes encoding plant cell wall polysaccharide degrading enzymes were mainly expressed in compost-grown mycelium, and largely absent in fruiting bodies. In contrast, genes encoding fungal cell wall polysaccharide modifying enzymes were expressed in both fruiting bodies and vegetative mycelium, but different gene sets were expressed in these samples.

The clinical outcome of different influenza virus infections ranges from subclinical upper respiratory tract disease to fatal lower respiratory tract disease. An important determinant in the pathogenesis of these diseases is the tissue tropism of the influenza virus. Furthermore, virulence is often correlated with virus replication and is regulated by multiple virus genes. Host defense against virus infection consists of both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, excessive or dysbalanced immune response may result in lung tissue damage, reduced respiratory capacity, and severe disease or even death. By interdisciplinary efforts to better understand the intricate interaction between virus, tissue, and immune response, we may be able to find new ways to improve the outcome of influenza virus infections.

Background: Protein is an indispensable component within the human diet. It is unclear, however, whether behavioral strategies exist to avoid shortages. Objective: The objective was to investigate the effect of a low protein status compared with a high protein status on food intake and food preferences. Design: We used a randomized crossover design that consisted of a 14-d fully controlled dietary intervention involving 37 subjects [mean +/- SD age: 21 +/- 2 y; BMI (in kg/m(2)): 21.9 +/- 1.5] who consumed individualized, isoenergetic diets that were either low in protein [0.5 g protein . kg body weight (BW)(-1) . d(-1)] or high in protein (2.0 g protein . kg BW(-1) . d(-1)). The diets were followed by an ad libitum phase of 2.5 d, during which a large array of food items was available, and protein and energy intakes were measured. Results: We showed that in the ad libitum phase protein intake was 13% higher after the low-protein diet than after the high-protein diet (253 +/- 70 compared with 225 +/- 63 g, P < 0.001), whereas total energy intake was not different. The higher intake of protein was evident throughout the ad libitum phase of 2.5 d. In addition, after the low-protein diet, food preferences for savory high-protein foods were enhanced. Conclusions: After a protein deficit, food intake and food preferences show adaptive changes that suggest that compensatory mechanisms are induced to restore adequate protein status. This indicates that there are human behavioral strategies present to avoid protein shortage and that these involve selection of savory high-protein foods. This trial was registered with the Dutch Trial register at http://www.trialregister.nl as NTR2491. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:32-8.

Article de revue (Article scientifique dans une revue à comité de lecture); International audience; Background and Aims The production system of cut-rose (Rosa × hybrida) involves a complex combination of plant material, management practice and environment. Plant structure is determined by bud break and shoot development while having an effect on local light climate. The aim of the present study is to cover selected aspects of the cut-rose system using functional–structural plant modelling (FSPM), in order to better understand processes contributing to produce quality and quantity.Methods The model describes the production system in three dimensions, including a virtual greenhouse environment with the crop, light sources (diffuse and direct sun light and lamps) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) sensors. The crop model is designed as a multiscaled FSPM with plant organs (axillary buds, leaves, internodes, flowers) as basic units, and local light interception and photosynthesis within each leaf. A Monte-Carlo light model was used to compute the local light climate for leaf photosynthesis, the latter described using a biochemical rate model.Key Results The model was able to reproduce PAR measurements taken at different canopy positions, different times of the day and different light regimes. Simulated incident and absorbed PAR as well as net assimilation rate in upright and bent shoots showed characteristic spatial and diurnal dynamics for different common cultivation scenarios.Conclusions The model of cut-rose presented allowed the creation of a range of initial structures thanks to interactive rules for pruning, cutting and bending. These static structures can be regarded as departure points for the dynamic simulation of production of flower canes. Furthermore, the model was able to predict local (per leaf) light absorption and photosynthesis. It can be used to investigate the physiology of ornamental plants, and provide support for the decisions of growers and consultants. &nbsp

Verticillium spp. are destructive soilborne fungal pathogens that cause vascular wilt diseases in a wide range of plant species. Verticillium wilts are particularly notorious, and genetic resistance in crop plants is the most favorable means of disease control. In a gain-of-function screen using an activation-tagged Arabidopsis mutant collection, we identified four mutants, A1 to A4, which displayed enhanced resistance toward the vascular wilt species Verticillium dahliae, V. albo-atrum and V. longisporum but not to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani. Further testing revealed that mutant A2 displayed enhanced Ralstonia solanacearum resistance, while mutants A1 and A3 were more susceptible toward Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. Identification of the activation tag insertion site in the A1 mutant revealed an insertion in close proximity to the gene encoding AHL19, which was constitutively expressed in the mutant. AHL19 knock-out alleles were found to display enhanced Verticillium susceptibility whereas overexpression of AHL19 resulted in enhanced Verticillium resistance, showing that AHL19 acts as a positive regulator of plant defense.

The Grp1 locus confers broad-spectrum resistance to the potato cyst nematode species Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis and is located in the GP21-GP179 interval on the short arm of chromosome V of potato. A high-resolution map has been developed using the diploid mapping population RHAM026, comprising 1,536 genotypes. The flanking markers GP21 and GP179 have been used to screen the 1,536 genotypes for recombination events. Interval mapping of the resistances to G. pallida Pa2 and G. rostochiensis Ro5 resulted in two nearly identical LOD graphs with the highest LOD score just north of marker TG432. Detailed analysis of the 44 recombinant genotypes showed that G. pallida and G. rostochiensis resistance could not be separated and map to the same location between marker SPUD838 and TG432. It is suggested that the quantitative resistance to both nematode species at the Grp1 locus is mediated by one or more tightly linked R genes that might belong to the NBS-LRR class. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00122-009-1026-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

International audience; Recombinant adenoviruses are frequently used as gene transfer vehicles for therapeutic gene delivery. Strategies to amend their tropism include the incorporation of polypeptides with high affinity for cellular receptors. Single-chain antibodies have a great potential to achieve such cell type specificity. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of incorporation of a single-chain antibody fused with the adenovirus minor capsid protein IX in the capsid of adenovirus type 5 vectors. To this end, the codons for the single-chain antibody fragments (scFv) 13R4 were fused with those encoding of pIX via a 75-Angstrom spacer sequence. The 13R4 is a hyper-stable single-chain antibody directed against beta-galactosidase, which was selected for its capacity to fold correctly in a reducing environment such as the cytoplasm. A lentiviral vector was used to stably express the pIX.flag.75.13R4.MYC.HIS fusion gene in 911 helper cells. Upon propagation of pIX-gene deleted human adenovirus-5 vectors on these cells, the pIX-fusion protein was efficiently incorporated in the capsid. Here, the 13R4 scFv was functional as was evident from its capacity to bind its ligand beta-galactosidase. These data demonstrate that the minor capsid protein IX can be used as an anchor for incorporation of single-chain antibodies in the capsids of adenovirus vectors.

The development and optimization of transient antennas for ground penetrating radar would be difficult without numerical simulations of their performance. To this end the FDTD algorithm should be considered as a useful and powerful tool for transient antenna analysis. As an example of such analysis we describe simulations of the dielectric wedge antenna. Good agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental results was observed. Some of the antenna characteristics (like the radial component of the electric field in the near zone, the radiated waveform and the antenna footprint in different grounds) cannot be measured easily, so the correct theoretical (numerical) model is essential for their determination. The numerical model of the antenna can also be used for optimization of the antenna. As an example of such optimization we present a design of the shield for the dielectrically embedded dipole antenna.

Extracellular vesicles (EV) in breast milk carry immune relevant proteins and could play an important role in the instruction of the neonatal immune system. To further analyze these EV and to elucidate their function it is important that native populations of EV can be recovered from (stored) breast milk samples in a reproducible fashion. However, the impact of isolation and storage procedures on recovery of breast milk EV has remained underexposed. Here, we aimed to define parameters important for EV recovery from fresh and stored breast milk. To compare various protocols across different donors, breast milk was spiked with a well-defined murine EV population. We found that centrifugation of EV down into density gradients largely improved density-based separation and isolation of EV, compared to floatation up into gradients after high-force pelleting of EV. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we identified different subpopulations of human breast milk EV and a not previously described population of lipid tubules. Additionally, the impact of cold storage on breast milk EV was investigated. We determined that storing unprocessed breast milk at −80°C or 4°C caused death of cells present in breast milk, leading to contamination of the breast milk EV population with storage-induced EV. Here, an alternative method is proposed to store breast milk samples for EV analysis at later time points. The proposed adaptations to the breast milk storage and EV isolation procedures can be applied for EV-based biomarker profiling of breast milk and functional analysis of the role of breast milk EV in the development of the neonatal immune system.Keywords: extracellular vesicles; exosomes; breast milk; isolation; characterization; standardization; spike; cryo-electron microscopy; storage(Published: 14 August 2014)Citation: Journal of Extracellular Vesicles 2014, 3: 24215 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jev.v3.24215To access the supplementary material to this article, please see Supplementary files under Article Tools online

7 pags.; 7 figs., The optical activation, excitation, and concentration limits of erbium in crystal Si are studied. Preamorphized surface layers of Czochralski-grown (Cz) Si(100), containing 1.7×1018 O/cm3, were implanted with 250 keV Er at fluences in the range 8×1011-8×10 14 cm-2. After thermal solid-phase epitaxy of the Er-doped amorphous layers at 600°C, Er is trapped in the crystal at concentrations ranging from 3×1016 to 7×1019 Er/cm 3, as measured by secondary-ion-mass spectrometry. Photoluminescence spectra taken at 77 K show the characteristic Er3+ intra-4f luminescence at 1.54 ¿m. Photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy shows that Er is excited through a photocarrier-mediated process. Rapid thermal annealing at 1000°C for 15 s increases the luminescence intensity, mainly due to an increase in minority-carrier lifetime, which enhances the excitation efficiency. Luminescent Er forms clusters with oxygen: the maximum Er concentration that can be optically activated is determined by the O content, and is (3±1)×1017 Er/cm3 in Cz-Si. The internal quantum efficiency for electrical excitation of Er in Cz-Si is larger than 3×10-6. © 1995 American Institute of Physics., This work is part of the research program of the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) and was made possible by financial support from the Dutch Organization for the Advancement of Pure Research @IWO), the Netherlands Technology Foundation (STW), and the IC Technology Program (IOP Electra-Optics) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. R.S. acknowIedges financial support from CSIC, Spain.

4 pags.; 4 figs., Oxygen-doped Si epitaxial films (OXSEF) grown by molecular beam epitaxy and subsequently implanted with Er show room-temperature luminescence around il = 1.54 ,um. The 45-nm-thick films have an oxygen concentration of 10 at. % and were implanted with 7.8 X lOI4 25 keV Er ions/cm’. The luminescence was optically excited with the 514 nm line of an Ar ion laser and is attributed to intra-4f transitions in Er3+. Thermal annealing at 700-800 “C is necessary to optimize the luminescence after implantation. Pure Si implanted and annealed under the same conditions does not show Er-related luminescence at room temperature. The emission from Er in OXSEF is attributed to the high concentration of oxygen in the films, which forms complexes with Er. The excitation of Er3+ is due to a photocarrier mediated mechanism., This work is part of the research program of the Foundation for Fundamental research on Matter (FOM) and was made possible by financial support from the Dutch Organization for the Advancement of Pure Research (NWO) , the Netherlands Technology Foundation (STW), and the IC Technology Program (IOP ElectroOptics) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. R. S. acknowledges financial support from CSIC, Spain.