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Duplais, C., & Estevez, Y. (2017). Tandem Biocatalysis Unlocks the Challenging de Novo Production of Plant Natural Products. ChemBioChem, 18(22), 2192–2195.
Abstract: Intimate partnership: Knowledge of the biocatalytic cascades in different cellular compartments is limited, but deciphering these systems in nature can be used to inspire synthetic strategies. Two studies report new insights into the biosynthesis of alkaloids and sesterterpenoids in plants. This highlight presents these novel biotransformations to illustrate how tandem biocatalysis can impact the future of natural product production.
Keywords: alkaloids; biosynthesis; enzyme catalysis; protein engineering; terpenes
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Valverde-Barrantes, O. J., Authier, L., Schimann, H., & Baraloto, C. (2021). Root anatomy helps to reconcile observed root trait syndromes in tropical tree species. American Journal of Botany, 108(5), 744–755.
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Mahoui, S., Moulay, M. S., & Omrane, A. (2020). Finite element approach to linear parabolic pointwise control problems of incomplete data. International Journal of Systems Science, 51(14), 2597–2609.
Abstract: In this paper we give a priori error estimates for finite element approximations of linear parabolicproblems with pointwise control and incomplete data. We discretise the optimal control problemby using piecewise linear and continuous finite elements for the space discretisation of the state,and we use the backward Euler scheme for time discretisation. We prove a priori error estimates forthe state, the adjoint-state as well as for the low-regret pointwise optimal control.
Keywords: Optimal control problem ; low-regret control ; pointwise control ; finite element method ; a priori error estimates
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Paine, C. E. T., Stahl, C., Courtois, E. A., Patino, S., Sarmiento, C., & Baraloto, C. (2010). Functional explanations for variation in bark thickness in tropical rain forest trees. Funct. Ecol., 24(6), 1202–1210.
Abstract: P>1. The complex structure of tree bark reflects its many functions, which include structural support as well as defence against fire, pests and pathogens. Thick bark, however, might limit respiration by the living tissues of the trunk. Nevertheless, little research has addressed community-level variation in bark thickness, and to the best of our knowledge, no one has tested multiple hypotheses to explain variation in bark thickness. 2. We conducted an extensive survey of bark thickness within and among species of trees in the tropical rain forests of French Guiana. Trunk bark thickness increased by 1 center dot 2 mm per 10 cm increase in stem diameter, and varied widely at all taxonomic levels. Mean trunk bark thickness was 4 center dot 5 mm (range: 0 center dot 5-29 mm), which was less that found in two Amazonian rain forests in previous studies. This survey of bark thickness should be of use for forest management since tree survival through fire is strongly predicted by bark thickness. 3. We combined the survey data with multiple datasets to test several functional hypotheses proposed to explain variation in bark thickness. We found bark to provide an average of 10% of the flexural rigidity of tree stems, which was substantially less than that found in the only other study of bark stiffness. Bark thickness was uncorrelated with species' association with fire-prone habitats, suggesting that the influence of fire on bark thickness does not extend into moist Forests. There was also little evidence that bark thickness is affected by its function as a defence against herbivory. Nor was there evidence that thick bark limits trunk respiration. 4. A re-analysis of previously collected anatomical data indicated that variation in rhytidome (non-conducting outer bark) thickness explains much of the variation in overall bark thickness. As rhytidome is primarily involved in protecting the living tissues of the trunk, we suggest that bark thickness is driven mostly by its defensive function. 5. Functional explanations for the variation in bark thickness were not clear-cut. Nevertheless, this study provides a foundation for further investigation of the functional bases of bark in tropical trees.
Keywords: bark thickness; fire ecology; flexural rigidity; herbivore defence; periderm; rhytidome; trunk respiration
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Wagner, F., Rutishauser, E., Blanc, L., & Herault, B. (2010). Effects of Plot Size and Census Interval on Descriptors of Forest Structure and Dynamics. Biotropica, 42(6), 664–671.
Abstract: This study was designed to explicitly formulate the effect of census interval and plot size on the variability of descriptors of tropical forest structure (stand density, basal area, aboveground biomass [AGB]) and dynamic (tree growth, mortality and recruitment rates, biomass fluxes). A unique dataset from a broad plot network (37.5 ha) surveyed every 2 yr over a 16-yr period was used to develop and parameterize a new statistical model predicting the coefficients of variation for each forest descriptor. More than 90 percent of the inherent variability of these coefficients was predicted using a simple model including plot size and census interval in a Bayesian modeling framework. All descriptors of forest structure varied by <10 percent for plot sizes 42 ha. Among the descriptors of forest dynamics, AGB loss was the most variable. The number of 6.25 ha plots required to estimate its mean, over a 16-yr period, within a 20 percent error of the mean remains above four. This contrasts with a relative constant flux of biomass entering the plot through tree growth and tree recruitment. Tree growth was remarkably well estimated with <15 percent variability for a 2-yr census in a plot of 2 ha. This study provides an easy method to assess dataset limitations in efforts to estimate descriptors of forest structure and dynamic, which is of primary importance to decipher any clear consequences of global change in tropical forests.
Keywords: Amazonia; biomass fluxes; coefficient of variation; forest permanent plots; turnover rates; WinBUGS
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Orivel, J., Corbara, B., & Dejean, A. (2010). Constraints and adaptation in the arboreal life of ants. Biofutur, 315, 34–37.
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Leroy, C., Cereghino, R., Camas, J. F., Pelozuelo, L., Dejean, A., & Corbara, B. (2010). Several aspects of the life of vascular epiphytes. Biofutur, 315, 38–41.
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Male, P. J. G., Loiseau, A., Estoup, A., Quilichini, A., & Orivel, J. (2010). Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the neotropical plant-ant Allomerus decemarticulatus (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) and multiplexing with other microsatellites from the ant subfamily Myrmicinae. Eur. J. Entomol., 107(4), 673–675.
Abstract: Five polymorphic microsatellite loci of the arboreal ant Allomerus decemarticulatus (Myrmicinae) were isolated and characterized. The amplification and polymorphism of seven additional microsatellite loci, previously developed for the ant species A. octoarticulatus and Wasmannia auropunctata, were also tested and the amplification conditions necessary for genotyping the complete set of 12 multiplexed markers in A. decemarticulatus determined. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 15 and observed heterozygosity varied front 0.09 to 0.95. Cross-species amplification of these loci was also successfully achieved in additional species of the same ant subfamily, Myrmicinae. This set of microsatellite markers will be used in studies on the mating system and population genetic structure of Myrmicinae in general and A. decemarticulatus in particular.
Keywords: Hymenoptera; Formicidae; Myrmicinae; Allomerus; ant-plant mutualism; microsatellites; plant-ant
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Lebrini, M., Robert, F., & Roos, C. (2010). Inhibition Effect of Alkaloids Extract from Annona Squamosa Plant on the Corrosion of C38 Steel in Normal Hydrochloric Acid Medium. Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 5(11), 1698–1712.
Abstract: In this work, an alkaloids extract from Annona squamosa plant have been studied as possible corrosion inhibitor for C38 steel in molar hydrochloric acid (1 M HCl). Potentiodynamic polarization and AC impedance methods have been used. The corrosion inhibition efficiency increases on increasing plant extract concentration. Polarisation studies showed that Annona squamosa extract was mixed-type inhibitor in 1 M HCl. The inhibition efficiency of Annona squamosa extract was temperature-dependent and its addition led to an increase of the activation corrosion energy revealing a physical adsorption between the extract and the metal surface. The adsorption of the Annona squamosa extract followed Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. The inhibitive effect of Annona squamosa is ascribed to the presence of organic compounds in the extract. The examined extract is considered as non-cytotoxic substance.
Keywords: Plant extract; corrosion inhibitors; C38 steel; acidic media; adsorption
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Scotti, I. (2010). Adaptive potential in forest tree populations: what is it, and how can we measure it? Ann. For. Sci., 67(8), 801.
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