One of the traits studied by Mendel in pea (Pisum sativum L.) was the wrinkled-seeded phenotype, and the molecular basis for a mutation underlying this phenotype was discovered in the 1990s. Although the starch-branching enzyme gene mutation identified at the genetic locus r is most likely to be that in seeds available to Mendel in the mid-1800s, it has remained an open question as to whether o...

An electron-microscope study of thin sections and negatively stained preparations of intact cells and isolated cell walls of a bacterium which is moderately resistant to ionizing radiation, Acinetobacter strain 199 A, showed that it is similar to other Gram-negative bacteria except for its mode of division and for the fine structure of some of the surface layers. During division the cells form ...

In order to find a natural alternative to the synthetic fungicides currently used against the devastating rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea, this study explored the antifungal potential of citral and its mechanism of action. It was found that citral not only inhibited hyphal growth of M. grisea, but also caused a series of marked hyphal morphological and structural alterations. Specifically...

The generation of nano-microstructured surfaces is a current challenge in polymer science. The fabrication of such surfaces has been accomplished mainly following two different alternatives i.e., by adapting techniques, such as molding (embossing) or nano/microimprinting, or by developing novel techniques including laser ablation, soft lithography or laser scanning. Surface instabilities have b...

There is an increasing number of space missions in which it is proposed to use high accuracy membrane structures and it is envisaged that some of these membranes will remain partially wrinkled in their operational configuration. Previous studies have focussed only on the stress distribution in wrinkled membranes, but for high accuracy applications the amplitude and wavelength of the wrinkles be...

Habitat connectivity is considered to have an important role on the persistence of populations in the face of habitat fragmentation, in particular, for species with conservation concern. However, it can also impose indirect negative effects on native species through the spread of invasive species. Here, we investigated direct and indirect effects of habitat connectivity on populations of invasi...

BACKGROUND Nutritional factors play a key role in normal dermatologic functioning. However, little is known about the effects of diet on skin-aging appearance. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the associations between nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance. DESIGN Using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined associations between nutrient intakes and skin...

Brown rice of sugary-1 mutants has a wrinkled character because of the presence of phytoglycogen instead of starch in the inner part of the endosperm. Because the wrinkled phenotype was used as a sole selection marker for progeny of the sugary-1 strain, identification of mutant seeds with improved appearance is very difficult. We found that sugary-1 varieties contained not only phytoglycogen bu...

Vibrio fischeri, a marine bacterium and symbiont of the Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes, depends on biofilm formation for successful colonization of the squid's symbiotic light organ. Here, we investigated if culture conditions, such as nutrient and salt availability, affect biofilm formation by V. fischeri by testing the formation of wrinkled colonies on solid media. We found that V. ...