Engineered arrays of NV color centers in diamond based on implantation of CN- molecules through nanoapertures

We report a versatile method to engineer arrays of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in dia- mond at the nanoscale. The defects were produced in parallel by ion implantation through 80 nm diameter apertures patterned using electron beam lithography in a PMMA layer deposited on a diamond surface. The implantation was performed with CN- molecules which increased the NV defect formation yield. This method could enable the realization of a solid-state coupled-spin array and could be used for positioning an optically active NV center on a photonic microstructure.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

Varying Herbivore Population Structure Correlates with Lack of Local Adaptation in a Geographic Variable Plant-Herbivore Interaction

Local adaptation of parasites to their hosts due to coevolution is a central prediction of many theories in evolutionary biology. However, empirical studies looking for parasite local adaptation show great variation in outcomes, and the reasons for such variation are largely unknown. In a previous study, we showed adaptive differentiation in the arctiid moth Utetheisa ornatrix to its host plant, the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-bearing legume Crotalaria pallida, at the continental scale, but found no differentiation at the regional scale. In the present study, we sampled the same sites to investigate factors that may contribute to the lack of differentiation at the regional scale. We performed field observations that show that specialist and non-specialist polyphagous herbivore incidence varies among populations at both scales. With a series of common-garden experiments we show that some plant traits that may affect herbivory (pyrrolizidine alkaloids and extrafloral nectaries) vary at the regional scale, while other traits (trichomes and nitrogen content) just vary at the continental scale. These results, combined with our previous evidence for plant population differentiation based on larval performance on fresh fruits, suggest that U. ornatrix is subjected to divergent selection even at the regional scale. Finally, with a microsatellite study we investigated population structure of U. ornatrix. We found that population structure is not stable over time: we found population differentiation at the regional scale in the first year of sampling, but not in the second year. Unstable population structure of the herbivore is the most likely cause of the lack of regional adaptation

A multisensory approach to study texture and flavour perception in low-fat yogurts

Texture and flavour are crucial for low-fat yogurts acceptance and consumer pleasure. Taking into account the dynamic dimension of perception is essential to understand texture-flavour interactions occurring in complex foods and achieve desirable sensory characteristics for consumers. This work aims to study the impact of texture modifications on the perception of flavour in low-fat set-type yogurts enriched with tailored Whey Protein Aggregates (WPA). Two complementary sensory methods were performed: the reference method for static evaluation (Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA)) and an original approach of dynamic evaluation (Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS)). Low-fat set style yogurts prepared by adding three concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) of extra WPA or whey protein isolate (WPI) were flavoured with a model strawberry flavour. WPA were obtained from WPI through a controlled process. Two trained panels (n=15) evaluated texture and flavour properties of the yogurts using respectively QDA and TDS by sensory modality (texture and flavour) with a multi-intake approach. For the same protein concentration, yogurts enriched with WPI were perceived as firm and brittle whereas yogurts enriched with WPA were perceived as viscous and melting. These differences evidenced by the QDA panel were complemented by the TDS results which provided information about the sequence of attributes that were dominant during consumption. Texture differences impacted aroma perception not only by changing the intensity perceived, but also by modifying the sequence of sensory attributes perceived as dominant throughout consumption. Thanks to the complementarity between QDA and TDS it was evidenced that the use of WPA has an impact on both texture and aroma perception, which was confirmed by instrumental measurements. Combination of static and dynamic methods allows a complete characterization of yogurts which is very useful to improve the texture and/or flavour of yogurts during consumption in order to offer a better food experience for consumers

Développement du système d'évaluation de l'état des eaux. Plans d'eau. Rapport d'avancement

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]QUASARE [TR2_IRSTEA]BELCAPour aider les opérationnels à traiter l'ensemble des informations relatives à la définition de l'état des eaux au sens de la DCE, l'ONEMA développe un projet informatique de grande envergure applicable pour toutes les catégories de masses d'eau. Nous présentons ici les opérations effectuées en appui à l'Onema pour la mise en place de cet outil sur les plans d'eau

The MODIS fire products

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