New method for fast morphological characterization of organic polycrystalline films by polarized optical microscopy

A new method to visualize the large-scale crystal grain morphology of organic polycrystalline films is proposed. First,optical anisotropic transmittance images of polycrystalline zinc phthalocyanine（Zn Pc） films vacuum deposited by weak epitaxial growth（WEG） method were acquired with polarized optical microscopy（POM）. Then morphology properties including crystal grain size, distribution, relative orientation, and crystallinity were derived from these images by fitting with a transition dipole model. At last, atomic force microscopy（AFM） imaging was carried out to confirm the fitting and serve as absolute references. This method can be readily generalized to other organic polycrystalline films, thus providing an efficient way to access the large-scale morphologic properties of organic polycrystalline films, which may prove to be useful in industry as a film quality monitoring method.

A Survey on Morphological Traits of Basset Hound Dogs Raised in Italy

Several biometric measures were taken from 48 adult （mean age 2.78 ±1.71 years） Basset Hound dogs （24 males and 24 females） belonging to four different farms. For each animal, the following biometrical measurements were considered： withers height, chest height, chest depth, trunk length, rump length, ischium width of the rump, ear and nose length, chest and cannon circumference. Results showed that sexual dimorphism was not present; however two morphological groups of Basset Hound with some differences were found. The first group consisted of animals with high and broad chest, while the second one was more compact, with more pronounced nose and ears. Considering breed health, it would be interesting to select the subjects of the first group since showing an anatomical less susceptible to some conformational disorders typical of the breed. On the contrary, focusing our interest on the breed hunting attitude, the second group would have some characteristics more suitable for this purpose.

GC-MS analysis of volatile compounds of Perilla frutescens Britton var. Japonica accessions: morphological and seasonal variability

Objective: To investigate the composition of volatile compounds in the different accessions of Perilla frutescens(P. frutescens) collected from various habitats of China and Japan. Methods: In the present study, the essential oil from the leaves of P. frutescens cultivars from China and Japan was extracted by hydro-distillation and the chemical composition and concentration of the volatile components present in the oils were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry(GC–MS) analysis. Results: Among the volatile components, the major proportion was of perilla ketone, which was followed by elemicin and beta-caryophyllene in the Chinese Perilla cultivars. The main component in the oil extracted from the Japanese accessions was myristicin, which was followed by perilla ketone and beta-caryophyllene. We could distinguish seven chemotypes, namely the perilla ketone(PK) type, perilla ketone, myristicin(PM) type, perilla ketone, unknown(PU) type, perilla ketone, beta-caryophyllene, myristicine(PB) type, perilla ketone, myristicin, unknown(PMU) type, perilla ketone, elemicine, myristicin, beta-caryophyllene(PEMB) type, and the perilla ketone, limonene, betacryophyllene, myristicin(L) type. Most of the accessions possessed higher essential oil content before the flowering time than at the flowering stage. The average plant height, leaf length, leaf width of the Chinese accessions was higher than those of the Japanese accessions. Conclusion:The results revealed that the harvest time and geographical origin caused polymorphisms in the essential oil composition and morphological traits in the Perilla accessions originating from China and Japan. Therefore, these chemotypes with desirable characters might be useful for industrial exploitation and for determining the harvest time.

Morphological and Genetical Variability among Rhizoctonia solani Isolates Causing Sheath Blight Disease of Rice

Eighteen isolates of Rhizoctonia solani collected from infected rice plants in four different locations of Bangladesh were studied by using morphological characters and molecular markers. Anastomosis study with a reference isolate confirmed that all the isolates belonged to R. solani. Significant variation was observed in sclerotial size, shape and distribution. Un-weighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram constructed based on the Gower＇s general similarity coefficient showed that these isolates were grouped into four clusters at the 0.68 similarity coefficent according to morphological characters. Cluster I was a major cluster consisting of 13 isolates, while clusters Ⅱ to Ⅳ consisted of 1 or 2 isolates. Analyses by variable number of tandem repeat and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers showed that the isolates were grouped into five and three clusters at a similarity coefficient of 0.64 and 0.69, respectively. Although most of the variability was found between isolates from different regions as expected, significant variation was observed within the isolates collected from similar agro-ecological regions. Our results suggest the presence of different races of R. solani within the same local geographic regions.

Morphology Characterization and Kinetics Evaluation of Pitting Corrosion of Commercially Pure Aluminium by Digital Image Analysis

The pit morphology and growth kinetics of commercially pure aluminium in naturally aerated NaCl solutions were studied using an image processing method based on reflected light microscopy. In order to distinguish between pits and pre-existing cavities, metallographic examination and statistical analysis were carried out before and after corrosion testing. The results show that the pit shapes and sizes are more dependent on the immersion time than the chloride concentration. Pits are predominantly hemispherical, but they undergo reasonable geometric transitions associated with increased immersion time and occur without significant depth variation. The role of chloride ions is more closely associated with the pit nucleation phenomenon.

Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogels Based on Potato Starch/Poly(vinyl Alcohol)/N,N′-Methylenebisacrylamide

Several hydrogels were synthesized by free-radical polymerization in an aqueous medium based on potato starch(PS),poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA),and N,N′-Methylenebisacrylamide(MBAm),being possible to study these hydrogels as a function of the proportion of components incorporated.In this way,the products generated from the synthesis were characterized by swelling and deswelling kinetics,the first swelling being verified with Schott and statistical models,allowing to contrast the proximity between the experimental and theoretical behavior.Additionally,water retention in soil(R%),spectroscopy(FTIR),morphological(SEM),and thermal(TGA and DSC)analysis allowing to know the intrinsic characteristics of the material,increasing in general terms the knowledge of this type of material.In this context,it was possible to verify the characteristics and effectiveness of the synthesis and crosslinking of the main components.The experimental results obtained show that the synthesized hydrogels present representative swellings consistent with kinetic and statistical models,optimal thermal stability depending on the amount of crosslinker,and excellent water retention in environments such as soil,presenting it as an excellent alternative to be used in agro-industrial applications in an eco-friendly way.

Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Characterization of Soybean-Associated Rhizobia and Effect of Their Liquid Inoculant Formulation on Nodulation of Host Plants in the Cameroon Cotton Fields Zone

The aim of this research was to assess the diversity of the Cameroon cotton zone in soybean associated rhizobia in order to formulate the most efficient elite inoculant to boost both the cotton and soybean production. Therefore, soybean associated rhizobia were isolated and characterized morphologically, physiologically and biochemically on YEMA culture media. For each of the two soybean varieties (Houla1 and TGX1910 14F) used, the trials were laid out in two IRAD-fields of North Cameroon (Sanguere-Paul) and Far-North (Soukoundou) respectively, under a complete randomized complete block design, the isolate formulations representing the treatments. The six isolated strains (IS1, IS2, IS3, IS4, IS5, IS6) from which seven liquid inoculant were formulated were revealed to belong to the same slow growing group of rhizobia, with a high level of tolerance to temperature, pH, and salinity, with optimum growth at respectively 28˚C, pH (7 - 9), salt (1% - 5%). Not surprisingly, root nodules were formed by both inoculated and uninoculated soybean plants. However, the most efficient soybean-rhizobia symbiosis for nodulations were isolate IS6 associated to TGX1910 14F variety, and isolate IS5 associated to Houla1variety at Sanguere-Paul. Whereas isolate M was associated to TGX1910 14F variety, Houla 1 variety had affinity with native rhizobia isolates at Soukoundou. The present results suggest the adaptability of rhizobia isolates to a particular soybean variety at a particular cotton fields zone. These findings should be taken into consideration for commercial inoculant formulation.

Paternity Testing of Selected Abaca （Musa textilis L. Nee） Hybrids Using Morphometric Markers

Investigation into the paternity of four abaca （Musa textilis L, Nee） hybrids was done to ascertain the mode of transmission of selected morpho-agronomic traits and to detect possible heterosis. In situ morphological characterization was undertaken using twenty five qualitative and six quantitative characters. Results revealed that a great majority of the qualitative traits were shared by both parents and their hybrids. For the rest, the qualitative traits were inherited from one or the other parent though some variant phenotypes （i.e. chimerism） were also noted in the hybrids. Cases ofheterosis were also observed and this could be exploited to increase fiber yield in the hybrids. Though inconclusive due to factors such as the heterogenous nature of abaca plants in the field and the susceptibility of morphological traits to environmental fluctuations, this study has provided baseline information on abaca hybridity that can be verified using more robust technologies as molecular markers.

Evaluation Indicators and Extraction Method for Pitting Corrosion of Structural Steel

A set of evaluation indicators based on corrosion ratio in theory for assessing the extent of pitting corrosion and performance reduction are proposed. In order to quantify the morphology of pitting corrosion and extract the evaluation indicators,the 3D profile data obtained by pitting morphology measurement are imported into a special written program to automatically determine the location of each corrosion pit and distill any desired data pertinent to the pitting morphology. The results show that this method seems to be effective to analyze the corroded surface and characterize the pitting morphology.

Multivariate Statistic Analysis of Morphology and Ecology Characters on Some Sheep Populations in China

The sheep populations were studied with Q-type Hierarchical Clustering Method, and characters of the populations were used to construct the principal component, then, the principal component values were analyzed with R-type Hierarchical Clustering Method, which might display the genetic differentiation among populations and conform to the result of the known sheep phylogenetic system in China. Characters of the populations were studied with Q-type Hierarchical Clustering Method. The elevation and average annual rainfall were found to be important characters. The ecology factor is also an important character for the breed classification.

Medicinal and Edible Plant——Physalis alkekengi L.and Its Cultivation Techniques

Botanical morphological characteristics of Physalis alkekengi L.is first introduced,and its medicinal and edible value is elaborated.Cultivation techniques of P.alkekengi L.are mainly introduced.The research aims to provide a certain basis for the better development and application of P.alkekengi L.

The Taxonomic Status of Gymnura bimaculata and G. japonica： Evidence from Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

Japanese butterfly ray Gymnura japonica from twinspot butterfly ray G. bimaculata based on a pair of white spots behind eyes or not, which was not reliable. To clarify the taxonomic status of G. japonica and G. bimaculata, the nucleotide variation between the two butterfly rays was examined using mitochondrial DNA sequence comparisons. Approximately 585 bp of 16S ribosomal RNA （rRNA） and 1,128 bp cytochrome b （cyt b） genes were sequenced from representatives of two butterfly rays species in East China Sea. The results showed that there were the same sequences of 16S rRNA gene between two butterfly rays; six sites were variable among two butterfly rays of cyt b genes, the proportion of polymorphie loci was 0.53%, and two haplotypes were defined which genetic distance was 0.5%. Combined with the morphological character and the analysis of mtDNA sequence indicated that twinspot butterfly ray G. bimaculata was a synonym of Japanese butterfly ray G. japonica.

Establishment of a three-dimensional particle library for graded crushed stone based on a new aggregate morphology characterization method

The morphology of graded crushed stone(GCS)particles has an essential influence on the performance of aggregate mixtures.The impact of particle shape is a comprehensive effect that cannot be considered separately,leading to difficulties in establishing the relationship between the mixture properties and the aggregate morphology by using laboratory methods.The discrete element method(DEM)is an effective way widely adopted to reconstruct the morphology of particles and simulate performance tests of granular materials.However,selecting limited particles characterizing a real particle-assembly for simulation is still a challenge in current research due to the inherent rich variability of particle shapes.In this study,based on the acquisition of three-dimensional(3D)aggregate shapes by using laser scanning,ellipsoid index(EDI)translating the particle shape as a function of surface area,volume,and contour length is proposed to comprehensively evaluate aggregate morphology.Further,a particle library capable of characterizing aggregate morphology distribution is established based on the statistics of the corresponding morphological characteristics of particle samples.The model reliability is validated by carrying out a series of experimental and numerical penetration tests with nine different gradations.The established particle library can be used to model aggregate mixtures and the proposed simulation framework is promising for optimizing the mixture gradation design numerically.

Morphology-controllable synthesis and characterization of CeO_2 nanocrystals

CeO2 nanocrystals with different morphologies were synthesized by adjusting the pH value of the starting solution in water-in-oil microemulsion. The obtained samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）. thermogravimetric analysis and different thermal analysis （TGA/DTA）, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller （BET） surface area measurement, ultraviolet-visible absorption （UV-vis） spectroscopy and photoluminescence （PL） spectroscopy. Results show that the mor- phologies of CeO2 were transformed from granular to spherical and to rod-like while the pH of the starting solution varied from 5 to 8 and to 11. All samples were indexed to the phase of Ce02 and Ce（OH）4, and the molar ratio of Ce02 to Ce（OH）4 was deduced to be about 0.25, The morphologies of CeO2 nanocrystals had but slight influence on their specific surface areas, UV-vis spectra and PL spectra, The band gap energies of different morphological samples were estimated by UV-vis spectroscopic method,

Comprehensive kinetostatic modeling and morphology characterization of cable-driven continuum robots for in-situ aero-engine maintenance

In-situ maintenance is of great significance for improving the efficiency and ensuring the safety of aero-engines.The cable-driven continuum robot(CDCR)with twin-pivot compliant mechanisms,which is enabled with flexible deformation capability and confined space accessibility,has emerged as a novel tool that aims to promote the development of intelligence and efficiency for in-situ aero-engine maintenance.The high-fidelity model that describes the kinematic and morphology of CDCR lays the foundation for the accurate operation and control for in-situ maintenance.However,this model was not well addressed in previous literature.In this study,a general kinetostatic modeling and morphology characterization methodology that comprehensively contains the effects of cable-hole friction,gravity,and payloads is proposed for the CDCR with twin-pivot compliant mechanisms.First,a novel cable-hole friction model with the variable friction coefficient and adaptive friction direction criterion is proposed through structure optimization and kinematic parameter analysis.Second,the cable-hole friction,all-component gravities,deflection-induced center-of-gravity shift of compliant joints,and payloads are all considered to deduce a comprehensive kinetostatic model enabled with the capacity of accurate morphology characterization for CDCR.Finally,a compact continuum robot system is integrated to experimentally validate the proposed kinetostatic model and the concept of in-situ aero-engine maintenance.Results indicate that the proposed model precisely predicts the morphology of CDCR and outperforms conventional models.The compact continuum robot system could be considered a novel solution to perform in-situ maintenance tasks of aero-engines in an invasive manner.

Divergence time calibrations for ancient lineages of Ascomycota classification based on a modern review of estimations

Inaccurate taxonomic placement of fossils can lead to the accumulation of errors in molecular clock studies and their generated evolutionary lineages.There are limited fossil data that can be used in divergence time estimations.Therefore,reliable morphological characterization and taxonomical identification of fossil fungi are extremely important.Most fossils of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes are from the early Cenozoic(66-23 Mya),with fewer from the late Mesozoic(174-145 Mya).However,it is hard to distinguish some fossil descriptions as photographs and illustrations are unclear;thus,the validity of using these fossils in calibrations of molecular clocks is problematic.This study brings scattered paleobiological data on selected fossil Ascomycota,using descriptions,fossil images and illustrations,coupled with recent age estimations,and taxonomic and phylogenetic affinity of extant species.As an integrated approach,this study summarizes a historical fossil outline with a reliable minimum age for 16 calibrating points viz.crown of Aigialus,Anzia,Aspergillus,Asterina,Calicium chlorosporum–C.nobile,Capnodiales,Chaenotheca,Colletotrichum,Diaporthales,Meliola,Ophiocordyceps,Microthyriales,Microthyrium,Muyocopron,Pezizomycotina and Stigmatomyces.A scheme of Ascomycota ancient lineages is also provided in order to improve divergence time estimations.