Search results for "Pearl"

Characterization of Emergence of the Coulomb Blockade in a Pearl-Like DNA-AuNP Assembly

2023

Due to its superior self-assembly properties and vast functionalization pos-sibilities DNA has long been one of the most promising candidates forfabrication of nanoscale electrical components using molecular buildingblocks. There exist already many demonstrations on optical devices based onorganizing metallic nanoparticles (NP) via DNA self-assembly, but despite thepromises only few DNA based electrical devices or studies have been realizedso far. Here we study the gold NP conjugated and metallized DNA TX-tile-structure, which we recently showed to exhibit the room temperature Coulombblockade, the pre-requisition for a single electron transistor. The properties ofthe obtained Coulomb blocka…

Analysis of the relationship between start of the rainy season and farmer's sowing strategy in the Niamey area and its impacts on the pearl millet yi…

2009

International audience; Relationship between start of the rainy season and farmer's planting date have been analysed at local scale through in situ daily rainfall records and agronomical measurement provided by on-farm survey at plot scale for 10 villages network located on the mesoscale AMMA-CATCH Niger site during the 2004-2007 rainy seasons. Many classical empirical methods of monsoon onset dectection (e.g. Benoit, Kowal, Sivakumar, Ati, Marteau, Balme, Sultan) and numerical methods based on crop model SARRAH have been compared to the observed farmer's sowing date. Results show that SARRAH and Balme mean onset date are close to sowing date. But spatial and temporal variability of the sow…

Glochidial infection by the endangered Margaritifera margaritifera (Mollusca) increased survival of salmonid host (Pisces) during experimental Flavob…

2021

AbstractCo-infections are common in host-parasite interactions, but studies about their impact on the virulence of parasites/diseases are still scarce. The present study compared mortality induced by a fatal bacterial pathogen, Flavobacterium columnare between brown trout infected with glochidia from the endangered freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera, and uninfected control fish during the parasitic period and after the parasitic period (i.e. glochidia detached) in a laboratory experiment. We hypothesised that glochidial infection would increase host susceptibility to and/or pathogenicity of the bacterial infection. We found that the highly virulent strain of F. columnare c…

Effect of pH, iron and aluminum on survival of early life history stages of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera

2011

Glochidium larvae and juveniles of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera may be sensitive to low pH and metal exposure, but to our knowledge, no tolerance tests have been performed. Therefore, we exposed glochidia, fish-attached glochidia, and juveniles of the pearl mussel to low pH and increased iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) by using realistic pH (6.0–4.5), Fe (0.5–2.0 mg L−1), and Al (0.25–1.0 mg L−1) levels periodically observed in this study site. Survival of glochidia decreased with decreasing pH, increasing Fe, and increasing Al, as well as with increasing Fe + Al concentration in a 72 h exposure. All glochidia died within 24 h in pH 4.5 and Fe 2.0 mg L−1. W…

Severe Pollution in China Amplified by Atmospheric Moisture

2017

AbstractIn recent years, severe haze events often occurred in China, causing serious environmental problems. The mechanisms responsible for the haze formation, however, are still not well understood, hindering the forecast and mitigation of haze pollution. Our study of the 2012–13 winter haze events in Beijing shows that atmospheric water vapour plays a critical role in enhancing the heavy haze events. Under weak solar radiation and stagnant moist meteorological conditions in winter, air pollutants and water vapour accumulate in a shallow planetary boundary layer (PBL). A positive feedback cycle is triggered resulting in the formation of heavy haze: (1) the dispersal of water vapour is cons…

STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PLLA/PEARL POWDER SCAFFOLDS

2013

In order to improve the mechanical properties of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, the present study aims to bring calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with signaling molecules, namely pearl powder, into poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA). PLLA/aragonite and PLLA/vaterite scaffolds were successfully fabricated by the freeze-drying method. Both composite scaffolds had a similar porous structure but a different saturated content of pearl powders. For both scaffolds, the porosity decreases and yield strength increases as pearl powder content increases. Introducing pearl powders into PLLA can improve the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. The porous structure plays a crucial role in the yield strength …

A Pearl Identification Challenge

2019

A Look Inside a Remarkably Large Beaded South Sea Cultured Pearl

2014

Pmarg-pearlin is a matrix protein involved in nacre framework formation in the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera.

2011

11 pages; International audience; The shell of pearl oysters is organized in multiple layers of CaCO(3) crystallites packed together in an organic matrix. Relationships between the components of the organic matrix and mechanisms of nacre formation currently constitute the main focus of research into biomineralization. In this study, we characterized the pearlin protein from the oyster Pinctada margaritifera (Pmarg); this shares structural features with other members of a matrix protein family, N14/N16/pearlin. Pmarg pearlin exhibits calcium- and chitin-binding properties. Pmarg pearlin transcripts are distinctively localized in the mineralizing tissue responsible for nacre formation. More s…

Observations on ant-plant interactions in Pachycentria and other genera of the Dissochaeteae (Melastomataceae) in Sabah and Sarawak

1998

Summary In Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia) ant-plant interactions of Dissochaeteae were studied in the field. Whereas some species of Dissochaeteae show only loose and fortuitous interactions with ants as the result of the provision of pearl bodies and nesting places which are used by ants facultatively, Pachycentria constricta and P. glauca show a complex relationship with ants mediated by other ant plants. Both species provide pearl bodies and potential nesting space or shelter for ants in dried out and hollow root swellings. The main characteristic which differentiates them from all other Melastomataceae interacting with ants are their particular seeds which are attractive to ants and carri…