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We examined the effect of high pressure on the sol–gel phase transition of a resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF) aqueous solution to a RF hydrogel, which was hold under a certain pressure varied in the range from the ambient pressure to 400 MPa. By employing the dynamic light scattering method, we analyzed the scattered intensity of a He–Ne laser which was irradiated to the RF solution to determine the hydrodynamic diameter of the structure formed during the phase transition. Before the completion of the phase transition, we measured the transient change in the size of colloidal particles, i.e. the unit of the porous structure formed in the RF hydrogel. It was revealed that the size of the colloidal particles increased with the increase in the pressure added to the RF solution. After the completion of the phase transition, we prepared a RF cryogel by removing solvent from a RF hydrogel by freeze-drying. The specific surface area of the RF cryogel was found to decrease with the increase in the added pressure, as a result of the increase in the size of the unit of the porous structure.

Seeds respond to multiple different environmental stimuli that regulate germination. Nitrate stimulates germination in many plants but how it does so remains unclear. Here we show that the Arabidopsis NIN-like protein 8 (NLP8) is essential for nitrate-promoted seed germination. Seed germination in nlp8 loss-of-function mutants does not respond to nitrate. NLP8 functions even in a nitrate reductase-deficient mutant background, and the requirement for NLP8 is conserved among Arabidopsis accessions. NLP8 reduces abscisic acid levels in a nitrate-dependent manner and directly binds to the promoter of CYP707A2, encoding an abscisic acid catabolic enzyme. Genetic analysis shows that NLP8-mediated promotion of seed germination by nitrate requires CYP707A2. Finally, we show that NLP8 localizes to nuclei and unlike NLP7, does not appear to be activated by nitrate-dependent nuclear retention of NLP7, suggesting that seeds have a unique mechanism for nitrate signalling.

Icosahedral quasicrystals (i-QCs) are long-range ordered solids that show non-crystallographic symmetries such as five-fold rotations. Their detailed atomic structures are still far from completely understood, because most stable i-QCs form as ternary alloys suffering from chemical disorder. Here, we present the first detailed structure solution of i-YbCd 5.7 , one of the very few stable binary i-QCs, by means of X-ray structure determination. Three building units with unique atomic decorations arrange quasiperiodically and fill the space. These also serve as building units in the periodic approximant crystals. The structure is not only chemically feasible, but also provides a seamless structural understanding of the i-YbCd 5.7 phase and its series of related i-QCs and approximant crystals, revealing hierarchic features that are of considerable physical interest.

Protecting vineyards from cryptogamic diseases such as downy mildew, caused by , generally requires a massive use of phytochemicals. However, the issues on unintentional secondary effects on environment and human health, and the occurrence of resistant strains, are leading to the development of alternative strategies, such as the use of biocontrol products. In this paper, we evidenced the ability of a plant extract to protect grapevine from . Further experiments carried out both on cell suspensions and on plants revealed that plant extract activates typical defense-related responses such as the production of H O , the up-regulation of genes encoding pathogenesis-related proteins and stilbene synthase, as well as the accumulation of resveratrol or its derivative piceid. We also brought to light a strong direct effect of PE on the release and motility of zoospores. Furthermore, we found out that PE application left dried residues on leaf surface, impairing zoospores to reach stomata. Altogether, our results highlight the different modes of action of a new biocontrol product able to protect grapevine against downy mildew.

For the first time, the low-pressure cold spray (LPCS) process was used to manufacture gallium nitride (GaN) films to enhance its photocatalytic properties and decrease its manufacturing cost. The deposition behavior of the GaN powder on stainless steel substrates was investigated. Several specimens, with sparsely deposited agglomerated GaN particles, were prepared under different spray conditions. Quantitative analysis of the evolution of the coverage area, deposited particle count, and average sectional area shows that, upon impact, agglomerated GaN particles disintegrate, leading to large deposition of small particles. By analyzing the cross-sectional area of the deposited particle, no discernible permanent deformation of the substrate was observed. In addition, x-ray diffraction analysis of the coatings and powder indicated that no phase transformation occurred during the process. Based on Williamson–Hall analysis, the broader peaks of the coatings were mainly attributed to the distortions in the GaN lattice rather than changes in the crystallite size. At 400°C and 0.6 MPa, the deposition efficiency reached 5.3%, and the photocatalytic activities of the coating were about 33% (+9% compared to the powder). It is attributed to the higher specific surface area and roughness that the coatings exhibit after the breakage of the particles during the cold spray.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology is now one of the best ways to generate new biomaterial for potential biomedical applications. Significant progress in this field since two decades ago has pointed the way toward use of natural biopolymers such as polysaccharides. Generally, these biopolymers such as alginate possess specific reactive groups such as carboxylate able to be chemically or enzymatically functionalized to generate very interesting hydrogel structures with biomedical applications in cell generation. This present review gives an overview of the main natural anionic polysaccharides and focuses on the description of the 3D bioprinting concept with the recent development of bioprinting processes using alginate as polysaccharide.

This paper reports on the state of the art in the experimental and numerical investigations of cutting and machining processes. The contributions on the above-mentioned processes and published on the Proceedings of the European Scientific Association for material FORMing (ESAFORM) Conferences are highlighted. In particular, this literature review is an update of a previous one conducted in the 2007, after ten years of the ESAFORM activities, and it confirms the crucial role played by the minisymposium on Machining and Cutting in this field. In fact, the research has been quite active even in these last fifteen years, as demonstrated by the number of contributions and their relevant scientific contents. As overall, this review shows as the minisymposium on Machining and Cutting, that has been organized since 2001 with no interruptions, has contributed to the scientific progress on the study of the material removal processes.

Background Omega-5 gliadins are a group of highly repetitive gluten proteins in wheat flour encoded on the 1B chromosome of hexaploid wheat. These proteins are the major sensitizing allergens in a severe form of food allergy called wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). The elimination of omega-5 gliadins from wheat flour through biotechnology or breeding approaches could reduce the immunogenic potential and adverse health effects of the flour. Results A mutant line missing low-molecular weight glutenin subunits encoded at the Glu-B3 locus was selected previously from a doubled haploid population generated from two Korean wheat cultivars. Analysis of flour from the mutant line by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with tandem mass spectrometry revealed that the omega-5 gliadins and several gamma gliadins encoded by the closely linked Gli-B1 locus were also missing as a result of a deletion of at least 5.8 Mb of chromosome 1B. Two-dimensional immunoblot analysis of flour proteins using sera from WDEIA patients showed reduced IgE reactivity in the mutant relative to the parental lines due to the absence of the major omega-5 gliadins. However, two minor proteins showed strong reactivity to patient sera in both the parental and the mutant lines and also reacted with a monoclonal antibody against omega-5 gliadin. Analysis of the two minor reactive proteins by mass spectrometry revealed that both proteins correspond to omega-5 gliadin genes encoded on chromosome 1D that were thought previously to be pseudogenes. Conclusions While breeding approaches can be used to reduce the levels of the highly immunogenic omega-5 gliadins in wheat flour, these approaches are complicated by the genetic linkage of different classes of gluten protein genes and the finding that omega-5 gliadins may be encoded on more than one chromosome. The work illustrates the importance of detailed knowledge about the genomic regions harboring the major gluten protein genes in individual wheat cultivars for future efforts aimed at reducing the immunogenic potential of wheat flour.

The synthesis feasibility of silicon–tin nanocrystals by discharges in liquid nitrogen is studied using a Si–10 at % Sn sintered electrode. Time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy shows that silicon and tin melt almost simultaneously. The presence of both vapours does not lead to the synthesis of alloyed nanocrystals but to the synthesis of separate nanocrystals of silicon and tin with average sizes of 10 nm. These nanocrystals are transformed into amorphous silicon oxide (am–SiO 2 ) and β–SnO 2 by air oxidation, after evaporation of the liquid nitrogen. The synthesis of an am-Si 0.95 Sn 0.05 phase around large silicon crystals (~500 nm) decorated by β–Sn spheroids is achieved if the current flowing through electrodes is high enough. When the sintered electrode is hit by powerful discharges, some grains are heated and tin diffuses in the large silicon crystals. Next, these grains are shelled and fall into the dielectric liquid.