Tomato Response to Fusarium spp. Infection under Field Conditions: Study of Potential Genes Involved

Tomato is one of the most important horticultural crops in the world and is severely affected by Fusarium diseases. To successfully manage these diseases, new insights on the expression of plant– pathogen interaction genes involved in immunity responses to Fusarium spp. infection are required. The aim of this study was to assess the level of infection of Fusarium spp. in field tomato samples and to evaluate the differential expression of target genes involved in plant–pathogen interactions in groups presenting different infection levels. Our study was able to detect Fusarium spp. in 16 from a total of 20 samples, proving the effectiveness of the primer set designed in the ITS region for its detection, and allowed the identification of two main different species complexes: Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti. Results demonstrated that the level of infection positively influenced the expression of the transcription factor WRKY41 and the CBEF (calcium-binding EF hand family protein) genes, involved in plant innate resistance to pathogens. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the expression of tomato defense-related gene expression is studied in response to Fusarium infection under natural field conditions. We highlight the importance of these studies for the identification of candidate genes to incorporate new sources of resistance in tomato and achieve sustainable plant disease management.This research was supported by projects “Development of a new virus-based vector to control TSWV in tomato plants” with the references ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-028266 and PTDC/ASP-PLA/28266/2017, and “Control of olive anthracnose through gene silencing and gene ex- pression using a plant virus vector” with the references ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-028263 and PTDC/ASP- PLA/28263/2017, both projects co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, under the ALENTEJO 2020 (Regional Operational Program of the Alentejo), ALGARVE 2020 (Regional Operational Program of the Algarve) and through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), in its national component. M.P. was supported by Portuguese National Funds through FCT/MCTES, under the PhD scholarship SFRH/BD/145321/2019, co-financed by the European Social Fund through the Regional Operational Program of the Alentejo. J.A.R. was supported by Portuguese National Funds through Project ALT20-03-0246-FEDER-000056, “BIOPRO- TOMATE: Bioproteção do tomateiro contra a fusariose—impacto das práticas agronómicas”, under scholarship BI_MESTRE_Uevora_CER_BIOPROTOMATE, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through Regional Operational Program Alentejo 2020

Defense Strategies: The Role of Transcription Factors in Tomato–Pathogen Interaction

Tomato, one of the most cultivated and economically important vegetable crops throughout the world, is affected by a panoply of different pathogens that reduce yield and affect product quality. The study of tomato–pathogen system arises as an ideal system for better understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying disease resistance, offering an opportunity of improving yield and quality of the products. Among several genes already identified in tomato response to pathogens, we highlight those encoding the transcription factors (TFs). TFs act as transcriptional activators or repressors of gene expression and are involved in large-scale biological phenomena. They are key regulators of central components of plant innate immune system and basal defense in diverse biological processes, including defense responses to pathogens. Here, we present an overview of recent studies of tomato TFs regarding defense responses to biotic stresses. Hence, we focus on different families of TFs, selected for their abundance, importance, and availability of functionally well-characterized members in response to pathogen attack. Tomato TFs’ roles and possibilities related to their use for engineering pathogen resistance in tomato are presented. With this review, we intend to provide new insights into the regulation of tomato defense mechanisms against invading pathogens in view of plant breeding.This work was funded by the projects “Development of a new virus-based vector to control TSWV in tomato plants” with the references ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-028266 and PTDC/ASP-PLA/28266/2017, and “Control of olive anthracnose through gene silencing and gene expression using a plant virus vector” with the references ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-028263 and PTDC/ASP-PLA/28263/2017, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, under the ALENTEJO 2020 (Regional Operational Program of the Alentejo), ALGARVE 2020 (Regional Operational Program of the Algarve) and through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), in its national component. M.P. was supported by Portuguese National Funds through FCT/MCTES, under the PhD scholarship SFRH/BD/145321/2019, co-financed by the European Social Fund through the Regional Operational Program of the Alentejo. This work was also supported by National Funds through FCT under the Project UIDB/05183/2020

Introduction to fractional linear systems. Part 1 : continuous-time case

IEE Proceedings - Vision, Image, and Signal Processing, Vol. 147, nº 1In the paper, the class of continuous-time linear systems is enlarged with the inclusion of fractional linear systems. These are systems described by fractional differential equations. It is shown how to compute the impulse, step, and frequency responses from the transfer function. The theory is supported by definitions of fractional derivative and integral, generalisations of the usual. An introduction to fractal signals as outputs of fractional differintegrators is presented. It is shown how to define a stationary fractal

Craniotomia Orbitozigomática Em Três Peças: Dicas E Truques

Objective: Didactically describe the orbitozygomatic craniotomy made in three pieces. Method: This approach was performed, from 2002 to 2011, in 49 patients admitted at Beneficência Portuguesa of São Paulo Hospital. Results: Twenty-seven patients had vascular lesions and twenty-two suffered for intracranial skull base tumors. The vascular lesions varied from cavernous angiomas inside the mesencephalum, high bifurcation basilar tip aneurysms, superior cerebellar arteries aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations in the interpeduncular cistern. Skull base tumors as meningiomas, interpeduncular hamartomas and third ventricle floor gliomas were among the neoplastic lesions approached. We had no permanent injuries and minimal transient complications had occurred. Conclusion: It is a descriptive text, organized in the sequence of the main stages in which such a craniotomy is performed, describing in details the technique in which this group of evolutionarily authors came to accomplish the task. © 2016, Associacao Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria. All rights reserved.74322823

Daucus carota L. – An old model for cell reprogramming gains new importance through a novel expansion pattern of alternative oxidase (AOX) genes

The paper highlights Daucus carota L. as an ideal model to complement plant stress research on Arabidopsis thaliana L. Recently, alternative oxidase (AOX) is discussed as functional marker candidate for cell reprogramming upon stress. Carrot is the most studied species for cell reprogramming and our current research reveals that it is the only one that has expanded both AOX sub-family genes. We point to recently published, but not discussed results on conserved differences in the vicinity of the most active functional site of AOX1 and AOX2, which indicate the importance of studying AOX sequence polymorphism, structure and functionality. Thus, stress-inducible experimental systems of D. carota are especially appropriate to bring research on stress tolerance a significant step forward

Characterization and modeling of lithium-polymer commercial batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are key for the modern society as they are present in many energy storage devices and have promising future perspectives in the field of electric cars and energy accumulators from renewable sources. Herein, we present results from charge and discharge cycles on batteries with controlled conditions. The cyclability of commercial lithium-polymer “pouch” batteries, has been studied under different charge/discharge rate and temperatures. The relationship between the state of charge and the cell voltage has been obtained, and the degradation of the cell energy capacity after a number of cycles has been measured. Furthermore, the experimental results have been compared with simulations based on Newman’s model for Lithium Ion Batteries, carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The results show the correlation between temperature, C-rate and degradation in lithium ion batteries. It is especially remarkable the decrease of the apparent capacity of batteries at low temperatures, and the increase of the degradation at higher temperatures. These results are essential for the design of control mechanisms that can prevent battery failure.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Málaga, Proyecto Puente B.5, código: PPIT.UMA.B5.2018/1

On quantum teleportation with beam-splitter-generated entanglement

Following the lead of Cochrane, Milburn, and Munro [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 62}, 062307 (2000)], we investigate theoretically quantum teleportation by means of the number-sum and phase-difference variables. We study Fock-state entanglement generated by a beam splitter and show that two-mode Fock-state inputs can be entangled by a beam splitter into close approximations of maximally entangled eigenstates of the phase difference and the photon-number sum (Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen -- EPR -- states). Such states could be experimentally feasible with on-demand single-photon sources. We show that the teleportation fidelity can reach near unity when such ``quasi-EPR'' states are used as the quantum channel.Comment: 7 pages (two-column), 7 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. A. Text unmodified, postscript error correcte

Biological and Health-promoting Activity of Vinification Byproducts Produced in Spanish Vineyards

Several by-products are produced in the Spanish agricultural system. Among them, fresh and vinifiedgrape skins represent an abundant source of phenols with a potential nutraceutical value. Fresh grape skinextracts (FGSE) and vinification of grape skin extracts (VGSE) obtained by a microwave-assisted methodhave been chemically and biologically characterised. Their role in the maintenance of genetic stabilitywas stated by in vivo genotoxic and antigenotoxic evaluations (Drosophilla melanogaster wing spot test), aswell as by their potential chemopreventive effect (in an HL60 in vitro model). Total phenolic, anthocyaninand resveratrol contents were chemically characterised in the two extracts, showing some qualitativedifferences. Both extracts and resveratrol were not mutagenic in the Drosophila somatic mutation andrecombination tests, and exerted antigenotoxic activities against hydrogen peroxide. They also showedcytotoxic activity to HL60 leukaemia cells, with an IC50 of 4.5μL/mL, 4.6μL/mL and 98μM respectively andinduced apoptotic internucleosomic fragmentation in the HL60 cell line

Metagenomic Assessment Unravels Fungal Microbiota Associated to Grapevine Trunk Diseases

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are among the most important problems that affect the longevity and productivity of vineyards in all the major growing regions of the world. They are slow-progression diseases caused by several wood-inhabiting fungi with similar life cycles and epidemiology. The simultaneous presence of multiple trunk pathogens in a single plant together with the inconsistent GTDs symptoms expression, their isolation in asymptomatic plants, and the absence of effective treatments make these diseases extremely complex to identify and eradicate. Aiming to gain a better knowledge of GTDs and search sustainable alternatives to limit their development, the present work studied the fungal community structure associated with GTDs symptomatic and asymptomatic grapevines, following a metagenomic approach. Two important cultivars from the Alentejo region with different levels of susceptibility to GTDs were selected, namely, ‘Alicante Bouschet’ and ‘Trincadeira’. Deep sequencing of fungal-directed ITS1 amplicon led to the detection of 258 taxa, including 10 fungi previously described as responsible for GTDs. Symptomatic plants exhibited a lower abundance of GTDs-associated fungi, although with significantly higher diversity of those pathogens. Our results demonstrated that trunk diseases symptoms are intensified by a set of multiple GTDs-associated fungi on the same plant. The composition of fungal endophytic communities was significantly different according to the symptomatology and it was not affected by the cultivar. This study opens new perspectives in the study of GTDs-associated fungi and their relation to the symptomatology in grapevines.This research was supported by Portuguese National Funds through FCT- MCTES under the PhD scholarship SFRH/BD/145321/2019, attributed to M.P., co-financed by the European Social Fund through the Regional Operational Program of the Alentejo. It was also supported by the project “Control of olive anthracnose through gene silencing and gene expression using a plant virus vector” (ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-028263 and PTDC/ASP-PLA/28263/2017) and by the project “Development of a new virus-based vector to control TSWV in tomato plants” (ALT20-03- 0145-FEDER-028266 and PTDC/ASP-PLA/28266/2017), both projects co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, under the Alentejo 2020, Algarve 2020 and through the FCT, in its national component

Entanglement transformation at absorbing and amplifying four-port devices

Dielectric four-port devices play an important role in optical quantum information processing. Since for causality reasons the permittivity is a complex function of frequency, dielectrics are typical examples of noisy quantum channels, which cannot preserve quantum coherence. To study the effects of quantum decoherence, we start from the quantized electromagnetic field in an arbitrary Kramers--Kronig dielectric of given complex permittivity and construct the transformation relating the output quantum state to the input quantum state, without placing restrictions on the frequency. We apply the formalism to some typical examples in quantum communication. In particular we show that for entangled qubits the Bell-basis states $|\Psi^\pm>$ are more robust against decoherence than the states $|\Phi^\pm>$.Comment: 12 pages, revtex, 10 eps figures, minor corrections in Appendi