Improved functionalization of oleic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can providemultiple benefits for biomedical applications in aqueous environments such asmagnetic separation or magnetic resonance imaging. To increase the colloidal stability and allow subsequent reactions, the introduction of hydrophilic functional groups onto the particles’ surface is essential. During this process, the original coating is exchanged by preferably covalently bonded ligands such as trialkoxysilanes. The duration of the silane exchange reaction, which commonly takes more than 24 h, is an important drawback for this approach. In this paper, we present a novel method, which introduces ultrasonication as an energy source to dramatically accelerate this process, resulting in high-quality waterdispersible nanoparticles around 10 nmin size. To prove the generic character, different functional groups were introduced on the surface including polyethylene glycol chains, carboxylic acid, amine, and thiol groups. Their colloidal stability in various aqueous buffer solutions as well as human plasma and serum was investigated to allow implementation in biomedical and sensing applications.status: publishe

On the origin of the sweet-smelling Parma violet cultivars (Violaceae) : wide intraspecific hybridization, sterility, and sexual reproduction

A-07-04Parma violets are reputed for their double, fragrant flowers and have been cultivated for centuries in Europe. However, due to a rather atypical morphology their taxonomic affinity has not been clarified. Authors have proposed an origin from three possible species, Viola alba, V. odorata, or V. suavis, or a hybrid origin. Using both ITS sequence variation and allozyme variation in 14 putative loci, we showed that the Parma violet cultivars have their origin within Viola alba and that they are best included in the Mediterranean subsp. dehnhardtii. There is no trace of interspecific hybridization. However, the cultivars appear to have a single origin in a wide hybrid within V. alba, involving parental plants from the eastern and western Mediterranean region; historical literature sources seem to indicate Turkey and Italy, respectively. The Parma violet cultivars possess high levels of allozyme heterozygosity and to some extent also within-individual ITS sequence variation. Losses of heterozygosity and within-individual ITS sequence variation in some of the cultivars indicate subsequent rare events of sexual reproduction, presumably through cleistogamous seed set. We unambiguously identify the closest wild relative of this group of cultivars, allowing growers to develop new selection procedures, and show a peculiar molecular process associated with human selection

Pedagogical innovations in horticulture and landscape training: can we imagine an international network of innovative teachers?

Based on six topics previously selected through a call for papers, a workshop on pedagogical innovations was organized in three parts, each presenting up to three examples, mainly related to plant identification and knowledge. The main conclusions of the workshop were that, first of all, the use of digital tools is interesting to help students learn and self-assess and that the development of these tools can also be a means of collaboration within a teaching team. Even if these tools offer the possibility for being used in the framework of e-learning, they can only be complementary to face-to-face sessions in order to favor exchanges with the teacher and among students. Furthermore, the example of the use of metacognition sciences was discussed using two examples concerning the identification and knowledge of plants. It was felt that it is important to make students aware that there are different learning strategies for the same teaching unit and that each student is likely to be more or less comfortable with one of these strategies, which the student could then use himself for other teaching activities. Finally, the example of the construction of an international master's degree in horticulture highlighted the importance for teachers to share their experiences in order to foster pedagogical innovation. Based on all these conclusions and in view of the current challenges horticulture is facing, the workshop participants discussed the importance of setting up a working group on pedagogical innovations within the ISHS in order to better understand and disseminate present and future pedagogical transformations in horticulture and landscape education