Synthesis, Physical Properties and Applications of Bisanthene-based Near Infrared Dyes and Semiconductors

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Life History of Lepidostoma hirtum in an Iberian Stream and its Role in Organic Matter Processing

Abstract The goal of this research was to determine the role of Lepidostoma hirtum Fabricius 1775 in the fragmentation of allochtonous organic material, in a segment of a mountain river in central Portugal. For this purpose, we measured leaf fragmentation and growth rates at four temperatures (9, 12, 15 and 18 C) and four leaf types (alder, Alnus glutinosa L.; oak, Quercus andegavensis Hy; poplar, Populus canadensis Moench; and chestnut, Castanea sativa Mill.). Growth rates ranged from 0.012 to 0.049 mg AFDW day-1 with no significant effect of temperature and leaf type. Fragmentation/consumption rates were significantly higher for alder (1.62 mg animal-1 day-1) than for other leaf types, and significantly lower at 9 C (0.70 mg animal-1 day-1) than at any other temperature (1.12 mg animal-1 day-1). In the studied stream, L. hirtum larvae had a univoltine life history, with an asynchronous development. Secondary production of L. hirtum ranged from 53.95 mg m-2 year-1 (pools) to 63.12 mg m-2 year-1 (riffles). Annual P/B ratios differ between habitats: they were 4.01 year-1 for pools and 4.49 year-1 for riffles. Considering the average density of this species in the study river and their consumption rates, this species has the potential to fragment 8.6 times the mean annual standing stock of organic matter, in the study location

Identification of host-specific effectors mediating pathogenicity of the vascular wilt pathogen Verticillium dahliae

In order to establish disease, many plant pathogens secrete so-called effector molecules to support host colonization, frequently through the modulation of host physiology. Accordingly, many effector molecules have been shown to be pivotal for microbial pathogenesis. Upon infection of its hosts, vascular wilt fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae secretes effectors to enable host colonization. The aim of the research described in this thesis is to gain more insight into molecular mechanisms of V. dahliae pathogenesis, with a specific focus on the discovery of novel effectors that contribute to the establishment of V. dahliae infections on diverse host plants. Interestingly, we found that pathogenicity of V. dahliae on various plant hosts depends on relatively few effectors, and for some host species even on a single one. Such knowledge is essential for designing and developing novel and effective Verticillium wilt disease management strategies.</p

3-Carboxy­methyl-1,3-benzimidazolium-1-acetate monohydrate

The title compound, C11H10N2O4·H2O, has a zwitterionic structure, in which the benzimidazole ring system is planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.007 (3) Å. The carbox­yl/carboxyl­ate groups adopt a trans configuration. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the hydr­oxy/oxide O atoms link the mol­ecules into a one-dimensional chain. These chains are further linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the water mol­ecules into a two-dimensional network. π–π contacts between the benzimidazole rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.5716 (4) Å] lead to the formation of a three-dimensional supra­molecular structure