A New Highly Selective Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Chemosensor for Copper (II)

[EN] A new fluorogenic and chromogenic probe (L) for the selective, sensitive and naked-eye detection of Cu2+ is reported. Complexation constant, complex stoichiometry and quantum chemical (DFT) calculation for Cu2+ complex has been determined. Also, detection limits and the selectivity in front of other divalent and trivalent cations have been evaluated.This research was supported by the Agencia Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (ANCyT) of Argentina-PICT 2014 No. 1587 and by the Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.Quindt, MI.; Gutiérrez, LG.; Kneeteman, MN.; Mancini, P.; Parra Alvarez, M.; Gil Grau, S.; Costero, AM. (2018). A New Highly Selective Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Chemosensor for Copper (II). Letters in Organic Chemistry. 15(8):659-664. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570178615666180102155804S65966415

YSOVAR: Six pre-main-sequence eclipsing binaries in the Orion Nebula Cluster

Eclipsing binaries (EBs) provide critical laboratories for empirically testing predictions of theoretical models of stellar structure and evolution. Pre-main-sequence (PMS) EBs are particularly valuable, both due to their rarity and the highly dynamic nature of PMS evolution, such that a dense grid of PMS EBs is required to properly calibrate theoretical PMS models. Analyzing multi-epoch, multi-color light curves for 2400 candidateOrion Nebula Cluster (ONC) members from our Warm Spitzer Exploration Science Program YSOVAR, we have identified 12 stars whose light curves show eclipse features. Four of these 12 EBs are previously known. Supplementing our light curves with follow-up optical and near-infrared spectroscopy, we establish two of the candidates as likely field EBs lying behind the ONC. We confirm the remaining six candidate systems, however, as newly identified ONC PMS EBs. These systems increase the number of known PMS EBs by over 50% and include the highest mass (Theta1 Ori E, for which we provide a complete set of well-determined parameters including component masses of 2.807 and 2.797 solar masses) and longest period (ISOY J053505.71-052354.1, P \sim 20 days) PMS EBs currently known. In two cases (Theta1 Ori E and ISOY J053526.88-044730.7), enough photometric and spectroscopic data exist to attempt an orbit solution and derive the system parameters. For the remaining systems, we combine our data with literature information to provide a preliminary characterization sufficient to guide follow-up investigations of these rare, benchmark systems.Comment: Accepted by Ap

The Distance Scale of Planetary Nebulae

By collecting distances from the literature, a set of 73 planetary nebulae with mean distances of high accuracy is derived. This sample is used for recalibration of the mass-radius relationship, used by many statistical distance methods. An attempt to correct for a statistical peculiarity, where errors in the distances influences the mass--radius relationship by increasing its slope, has been made for the first time. Distances to PNe in the Galactic Bulge, derived by this new method as well as other statistical methods from the last decade, are then used for the evaluation of these methods as distance indicators. In order of achieving a Bulge sample that is free from outliers we derive new criteria for Bulge membership. These criteria are much more stringent than those used hitherto, in the sense that they also discriminate against background objects. By splitting our Bulge sample in two, one with optically thick (small) PNe and one with optically thin (large) PNe, we find that our calibration is of higher accuracy than most other calibrations. Differences between the two subsamples, we believe, are due to the incompleteness of the Bulge sample, as well as the dominance of optical diameters in the ``thin'' sample and radio diameters in the ``thick'' sample. Our final conclusion is that statistical methods give distances that are at least as accurate as the ones obtained from many individual methods. Also, the `long' distance scale of Galactic PNe is confirmed.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Genetic mapping and QTL analysis for peanut smut resistance

Background: Peanut smut is a disease caused by the fungus Thecaphora frezii Carranza & Lindquist to which most commercial cultivars in South America are highly susceptible. It is responsible for severely decreased yield and no effective chemical treatment is available to date. However, smut resistance has been identified in wild Arachis species and further transferred to peanut elite cultivars. To identify the genome regions conferring smut resistance within a tetraploid genetic background, this study evaluated a RIL population {susceptible Arachis hypogaea subsp. hypogaea (JS17304-7-B) × resistant synthetic amphidiploid (JS1806) [A. correntina (K 11905) × A. cardenasii (KSSc 36015)] × A. batizocoi (K 9484)4×} segregating for the trait. Results: A SNP based genetic map arranged into 21 linkage groups belonging to the 20 peanut chromosomes was constructed with 1819 markers, spanning a genetic distance of 2531.81 cM. Two consistent quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified qSmIA08 and qSmIA02/B02, located on chromosome A08 and A02/B02, respectively. The QTL qSmIA08 at 15.20 cM/5.03 Mbp explained 17.53% of the phenotypic variance, while qSmIA02/B02 at 4.0 cM/3.56 Mbp explained 9.06% of the phenotypic variance. The combined genotypic effects of both QTLs reduced smut incidence by 57% and were stable over the 3 years of evaluation. The genome regions containing the QTLs are rich in genes encoding proteins involved in plant defense, providing new insights into the genetic architecture of peanut smut resistance. Conclusions: A major QTL and a minor QTL identified in this study provide new insights into the genetic architecture of peanut smut resistance that may aid in breeding new varieties resistant to peanut smut.Fil: de Blas, Francisco Javier. 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; ArgentinaFil: Bruno, Cecilia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Arias, Renee S.. National Peanut Research Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Ballén Taborda, Carolina. University of Georgia; Estados UnidosFil: Mamaní, Eva Maria Celia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Oddino, Claudio Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; ArgentinaFil: Rosso, Melina. No especifíca;Fil: Costero, Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Bressano, Marina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Soave, Juan H.. No especifíca;Fil: Soave, Sara Josefina. No especifíca;Fil: Buteler, Mario I.. No especifíca;Fil: Seijo, José Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Massa, Alicia N.. National Peanut Research Laboratory; Estados Unido

Thiophene-Fused Tropones as Chemical Warfare Agent-Responsive Building Blocks

We report the synthesis of dithienobenzotropone-based conjugated alternating copolymers by direct arylation polycondensation. Postpolymerization modification by hydride reduction yields cross-conjugated, reactive hydroxyl-containing copolymers that undergo phosphorylation and ionization upon exposure to the chemical warfare agent mimic diethylchlorophosphate (DCP). The resulting conjugated, cationic copolymer is highly colored and facilitates the spectroscopic and colorimetric detection of DCP in both solution and thin-film measurements.United States. Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Chemical and Biological Technologies Department (Grant BA12PHM123

Marcadores SSR y EST-SSR aplicados al análisis del genoma de especies silvestres del genero Arachis, y el anfiploide sintético [(A. Correntina x A. Cardenasii) x A. Batizocoi] 4x

Ponencia presentada en XXVIII Jornada Nacional del Maní. General Cabrera, Córdoba, Argentina, 19 de septiembre de 2013Numerosas especies vegetales cultivadas son, desde el punto de vista genético, poliploides naturales. Esta condición presenta tanto ventajas como desventajas, entre éstas, la ocurrencia del aislamiento reproductivo con respecto a los progenitores lo cual, sumado al proceso de domesticación y selección de genotipos superiores de interés productivo, repercute sobre la variabilidad genética. Tal es el caso de los cultivares de maní (Arachis hypogaea L.), que presentan entre otros problemas, alta susceptibilidad a enfermedades y plagas que afectan al rendimiento del cultivo. La sección Arachis, una de las nueve dentro del género Arachis, incluye al 40% de las especies silvestres, y constituyen un reservorio de genes de resistencia. En esta sección, las especies diploides silvestres (2n=20, x=10 y 2n=18, x=9), presentan genomas diferentes denominados A, B, D, F y K, en tanto que, A. hypogaea y A. montícola son las únicas tetraploides, cultivada y silvestre respectivamente. Esta diferencia en los niveles de ploidía e incompatibilidad genómica, dificulta la transferencia de genes de resistencia al maní cultivado, siendo una estrategia posible, la obtención de un anfiploide sintético con 40 cromosomas, a partir de un híbrido diploide. Mediante trabajos de hibridación y retrocruzas, junto a técnicas biotecnológicas, se pueden obtener variedades de maní con atributos deseables, en menor tiempo y costo. Los marcadores moleculares de tipo microsatélites genómicos ─SSRs─ y de secuencias expresadas ─EST-SSRs─, entre otros, permiten asistir la tarea del mejorador, mediante la caracterización genómica de los materiales sintéticos con respecto a sus progenitores, incrementando así la eficiencia y predictibilidad de los resultados. A partir de librerías genómicas tanto de A. hypogaea (genoma AA-BB) como de otras pertenecientes a tribus o secciones relacionadas a Arachis, se han desarrollado cientos de marcadores basados en la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) que permiten identificar los genomas propuestos para las especies del género. El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar mediante marcadores SSR y EST-SSR, el genoma de especies silvestres de maní y su permanencia en el híbrido [(A. correntina x A. cardenasii) x A. batizocoi] y en el anfiploide derivado [(A. correntina x A. cardenasii) x A. batizocoi]4x.Fil: Torres, Laura Ester. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina.Fil: Costero, Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina.Fil: Teich, Ingrid. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Cátedra de Estadística y Biometría; Argentina.Fil: Teich, Ingrid. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina.Fil: Taborda, Ricardo Jorge. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina.Fil: Cisneros, M. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina.Fil: Franceschini, L. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina.Fil: De Blas, F. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina.Fil: Soave, S. J. Criadero El Carmen; Argentina.Fil: Buteler, M. I. Criadero El Carmen; Argentina.Fil: Faustinelli, P. C. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Faustinelli, P. C. Criadero El Carmen; Argentina

Multisite spectroscopic seismic study of the beta Cep star V2052 Oph: inhibition of mixing by its magnetic field

We used extensive ground-based multisite and archival spectroscopy to derive observational constraints for a seismic modelling of the magnetic beta Cep star V2052 Ophiuchi. The line-profile variability is dominated by a radial mode (f_1=7.14846 d^{-1}) and by rotational modulation (P_rot=3.638833 d). Two non-radial low-amplitude modes (f_2=7.75603 d^{-1} and f_3=6.82308 d^{-1}) are also detected. The four periodicities that we found are the same as the ones discovered from a companion multisite photometric campaign (Handler et al. 2012) and known in the literature. Using the photometric constraints on the degrees l of the pulsation modes, we show that both f_2 and f_3 are prograde modes with (l,m)=(4,2) or (4,3). These results allowed us to deduce ranges for the mass (M \in [8.2,9.6] M_o) and central hydrogen abundance (X_c \in [0.25,0.32]) of V2052 Oph, to identify the radial orders n_1=1, n_2=-3 and n_3=-2, and to derive an equatorial rotation velocity v_eq \in [71,75] km s^{-1}. The model parameters are in full agreement with the effective temperature and surface gravity deduced from spectroscopy. Only models with no or mild core overshooting (alpha_ov \in [0,0.15] local pressure scale heights) can account for the observed properties. Such a low overshooting is opposite to our previous modelling results for the non-magnetic beta Cep star theta Oph having very similar parameters, except for a slower surface rotation rate. We discuss whether this result can be explained by the presence of a magnetic field in V2052 Oph that inhibits mixing in its interior.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures and 5 tables; accepted for publication in MNRAS on 2012 August 1

Emission line gas ionisation in young radio galaxies

This paper is the second in a series in which we present intermediate-resolution spectra for a complete sample of 14 compact radio sources, taken with the aim of investigating the impact of the nuclear activity on the cirumnuclear interstellar medium (ISM) in the early stages of radio source evolution. In the first paper we presented the kinematic results from the line modelling and reported fast outflows in the circumnuclear gas. Here, we use the line fluxes to investigate the physical conditions and dominant ionisation mechanisms of the emission line gas. We find evidence for large electron densities and high reddening in the nuclear regions, particularly in the broader, blueshifted components. These results are consistent with the idea that the young, recently triggered radio sources still reside in dense and dusty cocoons deposited by the recent activity triggering event. In addition, we find that the quiescent nuclear and extended narrow components are consistent with AGN photoionisation. For the nuclear broader and shifted components the results are less clear. Whilst there are suggestions that the broader components may be closer to shock plus precursor models on the diagnostic diagrams (with high electron temperatures and densities), we are unable to unambiguously distinguish the dominant ionisation mechanism using the optical emission line ratios. This is surprising given the strong evidence for jet-cloud interactions (broad emission lines, large outflow velocities and strong radio-optical alignments), which favours the idea that the warm gas has been accelerated in shocks driven by the radio lobes expanding through a dense cocoon of gas deposited during the triggering event.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS - Full paper (including Appendices) available at http://www.astron.nl/~morganti/Papers/Holt_MNRAS2009.p

Empirical Near Infrared colors for low-mass stars and brown dwarfs in the Orion Nebula Cluster

Atmospheric and evolutionary models for low-mass stars rely on approximate assumptions on the physics of the stellar structure and the atmospheric radiative transfer. This leads to biased theoretical predictions on the photospheric Spectral Energy Distributions of Pre-Main Sequence (PMS) stars, and affects the derivation of stellar parameters from photometric data. Our goal is to correct the biases present in the theoretical predictions for the near-IR photometry of low-mass PMS stars. Using empirical intrinsic IR colors, we assess the accuracy of current synthetic spectral libraries and evolutionary models. We consider a sample of ~300 PMS stars in the Orion Nebula Cluster (age 1 Myr) with measured luminosities, temperatures and photospheric JHKs photometry. By analyzing the photospheric colors of our sample of stars, we find that the synthetic JHKs photometry provided by theoretical spectral templates for late spectral types (>K6) are accurate at the level of ~0.2 mag, while colors are accurate at ~0.1 mag. We tabulate the intrinsic photospheric colors, appropriate for the Orion Nebula Cluster, in the range K6-M8.5. They can be conveniently used as templates for the intrinsic colors of other young (age<5 Myr) stellar clusters. An empirical correction of the atmospheric templates can fix the discrepancies between expected and observed colors. Still, other biases in the evolutionary models prevent a more robust comparison between observations and theoretical absolute magnitudes. In particular, PMS evolutionary models seem to consistently underestimate the intrinsic near-infrared flux at the very late spectral types, and this may introduce spurious features in the low-mass end of the photometrically-determined Initial Mass Function of young clusters.Comment: Accepted by A&

Effect of discriminative plant-sugar feeding on the survival and fecundity of Anopheles gambiae

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A previous study showed for <it>Anopheles gambiae s.s</it>. a gradation of feeding preference on common plant species growing in a malaria holoendemic area in western Kenya. The present follow-up study determines whether there is a relationship between the mosquito's preferences and its survival and fecundity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Groups of mosquitoes were separately given <it>ad libitum </it>opportunity to feed on five of the more preferred plant species (<it>Hamelia patens</it>, <it>Parthenium hysterophorus</it>, <it>Ricinus communis</it>, <it>Senna didymobotrya</it>, and <it>Tecoma stans</it>) and one of the less preferred species (<it>Lantana camara</it>). The mosquitoes were monitored daily for survival. Sugar solution (glucose 6%) and water were used as controls. In addition, the fecundity of mosquitoes on each plant after (i) only one blood meal (number of eggs oviposited), and (ii) after three consecutive blood meals (proportion of females ovipositing, number of eggs oviposited and hatchability of eggs), was determined. The composition and concentration of sugar in the fed-on parts of each plant species were determined using gas chromatography. Using SAS statistical package, tests for significant difference of the fitness values between mosquitoes exposed to different plant species were conducted.</p> <p>Results and Conclusion</p> <p><it>Anopheles gambiae </it>that had fed on four of the five more preferred plant species (<it>T. stans</it>, <it>S. didymobotrya</it>, <it>R. communis </it>and <it>H. patens</it>, but not <it>P. hysterophorus</it>) lived longer and laid more eggs after one blood meal, when compared with <it>An. gambiae </it>that had fed on the least preferred plant species <it>L. camara</it>. When given three consecutive blood-meals, the percentage of females that oviposited, but not the number of eggs laid, was significantly higher for mosquitoes that had previously fed on the four more preferred plant species. Total sugar concentration in the preferred plant parts was significantly correlated with survival and with the proportion of females that laid eggs. This effect was associated mainly with three sugar types, namely glucose, fructose, and gulose. Except for <it>P. hysterophorus</it>, the results suggest that feeding by mosquitoes on preferred plant species under natural conditions results in higher fitness-related benefits, and that the sugar content in preferred plant parts is largely responsible for these effects.</p