Digital transformation—life cycle assessment of digital services,multifunctional devices and cloud computing

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment -     

A Surface-Induced Asymmetric Program Promotes Tissue Colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

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The use of MapPop1.0 for choosing a QTL mapping sample from an advanced backcross population

QTL detection is a good way to assess the genetic basis of quantitative traits such as the plant response to its environment, but requires large mapping populations. Experimental constraints, however, may require a restriction of the population size, risking a decrease in the quality level of QTL mapping. The purpose of this paper was to test if an advanced backcross population sample chosen by MapPop 1.0 could limit the effect of size restriction and improve the QTL detection when compared to random samples. We used the genotypic and phenotypic data obtained for 280 genotypes, considered as the reference population. The “MapPop sample” of 100 genotypes was first compared to the reference population, and genetic maps, genotypic and phenotypic data and QTL results were analysed. Despite the increase in donor allele frequency in the MapPop sample, this did not lead to an increase of the genetic map length or a biased phenotypic distribution. Three QTL among the 10 QTL found in the reference population were also detected in the MapPop sample. Next, the MapPop sample results were compared to those from 500 random samples of the same size. The main conclusion was that the MapPop software avoided the selection of biased samples and the detection of false QTL and appears particularly interesting to select a sample from an unbalanced population.     

Dissipation of excess energy triggered by blue light in cyanobacteria with CP43′ (isiA)

The chlorophyll-protein CP43′ (isiA gene) induced by stress conditions in cyanobacteria is shown to serve as an antenna for Photosystem II (PSII), in addition to its known role as an antenna for Photosystem I (PSI). At high light intensity, this antenna is converted to an efficient trap for chlorophyll excitations that protects system II from photo-inhibition. In contrast to the ‘energy-dependent non-photochemical quenching’ (NPQ) in chloroplasts, this photoprotective energy dissipation in cyanobacteria is triggered by blue light. The induction is proportional to light intensity. Induction and decay of the quenching exhibit the same large temperature-dependence.     

Reinstatement of Grateloupia subpectinata (Rhodophyta, Halymeniaceae) based on morphology and rbcL sequences

Morphological observations and molecular analyses of the north‐western Pacific species of the red algal genus Grateloupia (Halymeniaceae) indicate the presence of an entity, which is somewhat similar in gross morphology to G. asiatica Kawaguchi et Wang but is distinguished from the latter species by some morphological features. These include: (i) a somewhat fleshy texture; (ii) wider and much thicker (4.5–10 mm wide and up to 1300 μm thick) axes, of which an inner cortex consists of more (6–9) cells; (iii) generally longer (up to 17 cm), marginal and surface proliferations that are clearly constricted (terete) at bases; and (iv) much elongated, oblong auxiliary cells. Phylogenetic analysis using the ribulose‐l,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase (rbcL) gene of G. asiatica and the alga in question shows them to be distantly related and strongly supports the differentiation of these two entities at the species level. Judging from the literature, this entity is actually Grateloupia subpectinata Holmes, which has been placed into synonymy under G. asiatica [as G. filicina (Lamouroux) C. Agardh] or G. prolongata J. Agardh in previous reports, and therefore the Holmes name is reinstated.     

Mitotic remodeling of the replicon and chromosome structure

Animal cloning by nuclear-transfer experiments frequently fails due to the inability of transplanted nuclei to support normal embryonic development. We show here that the formation of mitotic chromosomes in the egg context is crucial for adapting differentiated nuclei for early development. Differentiated erythrocyte nuclei replicate inefficiently in Xenopus eggs but do so as rapidly as sperm nuclei if a prior single mitosis is permitted. This mitotic remodeling involves a topoisomerase II-dependent shortening of chromatin loop domains and an increased recruitment of replication initiation factors onto chromatin, leading to a short interorigin spacing characteristic of early developmental stages. It also occurs within each early embryonic cell cycle and dominantly regulates initiation of DNA replication for the subsequent S phase. These results indicate that mitotic conditioning is crucial to reset the chromatin structure of differentiated adult donor cells for embryonic DNA replication and suggest that it is an important step in nuclear cloning.     

Mitochondrial acyl carrier proteins in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> are predominantly soluble matrix proteins and none can be confirmed as subunits of respiratory Complex I

Arabidopsis mitochondria are predicted to contain three acyl carrier proteins (ACPs). These small proteins are involved in fatty acid and lipoic acid synthesis in other organisms and have been previously reported to be subunits of respiratory Complex I in mitochondria in mammals, fungi and plants. Recently, the mammalian mitochondrial ACP (mtACP) has been shown to be largely a soluble matrix protein but also to be minimally associated with Complex I (Cronan et al. 2005), consistent with its involvement in synthesis of lipoic acid for TCA cycle decarboxylating dehydrogenases in the matrix but contrary to earlier claims it was primarily a Complex I subunit. We have investigated the localization of the ACPs in Arabidopsis mitochondria. Evidence is presented that mtACP1 and mtACP2 dominate the ACP composition in Arabidopsis mitochondria, and both are present in the mitochondrial matrix rather than in the membrane. No significant amounts of mtACPs were detected in Complex I isolated by blue native gel electrophoresis, rather mtACPs were detected at low molecular mass in the soluble fraction, showing that in A. thaliana mtACPs are predominately free soluble matrix proteins.