Basidiolichens are generally poorly researched because of the very small number of species and their restriction to special niches. Lichenomphalia basidiolichens grow in considerable quantities in arctic and alpine habitats but they are inadequately studied in these habitats in Mediterranean areas. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we identified the different symbionts of L. meridionalis, collected in localities in Spain at altitudes ranging from 533 to 2200 m above sea level. The present study provides the first molecular data available for L. meridionalis. We found that a microindel of six bp within the nrITS2 could help to discriminate L. meridionalis from other species of the genus. Molecular analyses revealed the existence of two different green algal strains, both belonging to Coccomyxa subellipsoidea, a species shared with other Lichenomphalia lichens. Notably, the two chlorobiont strains associated with L. meridionalis were differentially distributed according to altitude, and samples having one of the two strains consistently also included cyanobacteria.

There is a long history of exploitation of the South American river turtle Podocnemis expansa. Conservation efforts for this species started in the 1960s but best practices were not established, and population trends and the number of nesting females protected remained unknown. In 2014 we formed a working group to discuss conservation strategies and to compile population data across the species’ range. We analysed the spatial pattern of its abundance in relation to human and natural factors using multiple regression analyses. We found that > 85 conservation programmes are protecting 147,000 nesting females, primarily in Brazil. The top six sites harbour > 100,000 females and should be prioritized for conservation action. Abundance declines with latitude and we found no evidence of human pressure on current turtle abundance patterns. It is presently not possible to estimate the global population trend because the species is not monitored continuously across the Amazon basin. The number of females is increasing at some localities and decreasing at others. However, the current size of the protected population is well below the historical population size estimated from past levels of human consumption, which demonstrates the need for concerted global conservation action. The data and management recommendations compiled here provide the basis for a regional monitoring programme among South American countries.

In situ temperature-resolved Near-edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) measurements were performed on thermo-active ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) – multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites 12 months following synthesis, and compared with spectra acquired shortly after synthesis to examine aging effects on non-covalent interactions. Room temperature spectra revealed no difference between unstrained and strained composites, suggesting relaxation. Further, energy shifts in π* C=C resonances indicated a change in π–π interactions between MWCNT walls and chemical dispersant, supported also by AFM phase imaging. Temperature-resolved NEXAFS analysis showed a lack of interaction between nanotubes and polymeric chains, suggesting the chemical dispersant unlatched from MWCNT walls. The extent of this effect is finally quantified through a comparative study of spectral trends.

Arrangement and conformational interactions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and matrix upon electrospinning have been examined by surface-sensitive helium ion microscopy (He-IM). The enhanced surficial information is mostly a consequence of convoluted topographic sensitivity and reduced electrostatic charging, resulting from He ion–matter interactions. In addition, we have explored the correlation of findings by He-IM imaging with secondary electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and near edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy; the latter encouraged by similar sampling depth profiles in both techniques. This study provides further evidence of strong conformational relations between filler and matrix (which we have reported recently) and of the presence of a tightly bound polymeric phase interaction between the CNT and the bulk matrix. We conclude that both the absence of electrostatic charging and enhanced surface sensitivity in He-IM offer a remarkable opportunity to study electrospinning dynamics in nanocomposites.

Monochromatic CL imaging, CL spectra, WDS spectra, and EDS spectra and imaging demonstrate that electron beam bombardment of LEO-GaN causes decrease of near band edge cathodoluminescence intensity that cannot be attributed to absorption in a growing carbon contamination layer. An alternative explanation is needed, such as generation of defects, or charge injection and buildup of internal electric fields, caused by electron beam bombardment.

We have found that near-band-edge cathodoluminescence (CL) emission decreases with time for some nominally undoped GaN samples. The rate of intensity decrease depends on the incident beam current. It also depends on the size of the area being scanned, which is determined by the magnification used, although the electron beam voltage and current are held constant and similar regions of GaN are being examined. Faster decrease with time occurs with higher beam currents and higher magnifications. The reduced luminescence efficiency persists over at least 24 hour beam-off periods. The dependence of CL intensity on beam current and on scanned area may be a result of different levels of local charging, and structural modifications caused by this charging, for different beam current and magnification settings.