Excited states of bromopyrimidines probed by vuv photoabsorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations

Funding Information: Funding: J.P.‐d.‐S. acknowledges the Portuguese National Funding Agency FCT‐MCTES through PhD grant PD/BD/142768/2018, together with R.R., J.A., M.M. and F.F.d.S. through the researcher grant PTDC/FIS‐AQM/31215/2017 and AIL through the researcher grant PTDC/FIS‐ AQM/31281/2017. This work was also supported by Radiation Biology and Biophysics Doctoral Training Programme (RaBBiT, PD/00193/2012); UIDB/04378/2020 (UCIBIO); and UIDB/00068/2020 (CEFITEC). The research leading to this result has been supported by the project CALIPSOplus under the Grant Agreement 730872 from the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation HORIZON 2020.We report absolute photoabsorption cross sections for gas‐phase 2‐ and 5‐ bromopyrimidine in the 3.7–10.8 eV energy range, in a joint theoretical and experimental study. The measurements were carried out using high‐resolution vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation, with quantum chemical calculations performed through the nuclear ensemble approach in combination with time‐dependent density functional theory, along with additional Franck–Condon Herzberg–Teller calculations for the first absorption band (3.7–4.6 eV). The cross sections of both bromopyrimidines are very similar below 7.3 eV, deviating more substantially from each other at higher energies. In the 7.3–9.0 eV range where the maximum cross‐section is found, a single and broad band is observed for 5‐bromopyrimidine, while more discernible features appear in the case of 2‐bromopyrimidine. Several π* ← π transitions account for the most intense bands, while weaker ones are assigned to transitions involving the nitrogen and bromine lone pairs, the antibonding σ*Br orbital, and the lower‐lying Rydberg states. A detailed comparison with the available photo‐absorption data of bromobenzene is also reported. We have found significant differences regarding the main absorption band, which is more peaked in bromobenzene, becoming broader and shifting to higher energies in both bromopyrimidines. In addition, there is a significant suppression of vibrational structures and of Rydberg states in the pair of isomers, most noticeably for 2‐bromopyrimidine.publishersversionpublishe

Biomassa aérea e estimativa do carbono orgânico em Agrossistema do coqueiro (Cocus nucifera, L.) anão verde irrigado

Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho estimar os quantitativos da biomassa verde e seca da parte aérea do coqueiro e o estoque de carbono acumulados nos respectivos compartimentos. Buscou-se ainda verificar se esta variável pode ser utilizada como indicador consistente de sustentabilidade, de modo a oferecer uma contribuição direta aos estudos nesta área. A avaliação do estoque de carbono imobilizado é importante não apenas porque a cultura do coqueiro irrigado em Sousa/PB é relevante do ponto de vista socioeconômico, mas também por essa cultura ser a opção preferencial de cultivo e apresentar uma tendência à expansão na região. Para obtenção das amostras foram previamente selecionadas três planas representativas da população, as quais foram derrubadas e em seguida determinadas as biomassas frescas totais das diversas partes aéreas e retirados às respectivas amostras para determinar a biomassa seca. Na sequência aplicando-se o fator de conversão 0,48 para palmeiras encontrou-se o teor de carbono imobilizado total de cada árvore e de seus diversos compartimentos. Em seguida, por estimativa, determinou-se a biomassa fresca e seca total e o teor de carbono imobilizado do ecossistema em estudo. Dos resultados conclui-se que o estipe e as folhas verdes concentram a maior quantidade de carbono imobilizado da planta. O cultivo do coqueiro anão verde irrigado constitui-se em um importante mecanismo de imobilizar carbono, propiciando o estoque de 22.648 kg de carbono por hectare, na biomassa aérea

AVALIAÇÃO DOS ATRIBUTOS DO SOLO SUBMETIDOS A DIFERENTES USO E MANEJO DO SOLO NO SEMIÁRIDO PARAIBANO

Studying the dynamics of soil properties is an important process in areas where the soil is subjected to different practices, as it may indicate management alternatives, besides allowing estimates of responses of soil attributes as a function of certain practices performed. The work was carried out in two stages, to conduct the research, the selection of four environments was made, being a Permanent Preservation Area (APP), agroforestry (A), a sheep grazing area (APO) and the Orchard of Goiabeira (PG). After the first stage (selection and characterization), the second stage was conducted, which consisted of dividing the study areas into five equal parts, equivalent to repetitions, within each one three simple samples were collected to form a composite sample collected at depths 0 – 20 cm, and the following chemical attributes were analyzed: pH, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and organic matter, determined in the soil, water and plant laboratory of the Federal Institute of Paraíba - Campus Sousa. The experimental design followed was completely randomized (IHD), for soil collection on chemical attributes, being considered as treatments the four soil use systems such as T1=permanent preservation area (APP), T2= agroforestry (A), T3= sheep grazing area (APO) and T4= guava orchard (PG) with five replications. The best chemical characteristics of the soil were expressed by the systems according to the following order: Pemanente Preservation Area (APP), followed by Agroforestry (A), Guava Orchard (PG) and sheep grazing area (APO).El estudio de la dinámica de las propiedades del suelo es un proceso importante en áreas donde el suelo está sometido a diferentes prácticas, ya que puede indicar alternativas de manejo, además de permitir estimaciones de respuestas de atributos del suelo en función de ciertas prácticas realizadas. El trabajo se realizó en dos etapas, para realizar la investigación, se realizó la selección de cuatro ambientes, siendo un Área de Preservación Permanente (APP), agroforestería (A), un área de pastoreo de ovejas (APO) y el Huerto de Goiabeira (PG). Después de la primera etapa (selección y caracterización), se realizó la segunda etapa, que consistió en dividir las áreas de estudio en cinco partes iguales, equivalentes a repeticiones, dentro de cada una se recolectaron tres muestras simples para formar una muestra compuesta recolectada a profundidades 0 – 20 cm, y se analizaron los siguientes atributos químicos: pH, fósforo, potasio, sodio, calcio, magnesio y materia orgánica, determinados en el laboratorio de suelo, agua y plantas del Instituto Federal de Paraíba - Campus Sousa.  Las mejores características químicas del suelo fueron expresadas por los sistemas de acuerdo con el siguiente orden: Área de Preservación Pemanente (APP), seguida de Agroforestería (A), Huerto de Guayaba (PG) y Área de pastoreo de ovejas (APO).Estudar as dinâmicas das propriedades dos solos é um processo importante em áreas em que o solo é submetido a diferentes práticas, pois pode indicar alternativas de manejo, além de possibilitar estimativas de respostas dos atributos do solo em função de determinadas práticas realizadas. O trabalho foi realizado em duas etapas, para condução da pesquisa se fez a seleção de quatro ambientes, sendo uma Área de Preservação Permanente (APP), a Agrofloresta (A), uma Área pastejo ovino (APO) e o Pomar da Goiabeira (PG). Depois de realizada a  primeira etapa (seleção e caracterização),  foi conduzida a segunda, que consistiu na divisão das áreas de estudos em cinco partes iguais, equivalente às repetições, dentro de cada uma foram coletadas três amostras simples para formar uma amostra composta coletada nas profundidades 0 – 20 cm, sendo analisados os atributos químicos a seguir: pH, fósforo, potássio, sódio, cálcio, magnésio e matéria orgânica, determinadas no laboratório de solo, água e planta do Instituto Federal da Paraíba – Campus Sousa. O delineamento experimental seguido foi o inteiramente casualizado (DIC), para a coleta do solo sobre os atributos químicos, sendo considerados como tratamentos os quatros sistemas de uso do solo como T1=área de preservação permanente (APP), T2= agrofloresta (A), T3= área pastejo ovino (APO) e T4= pomar da goiabeira (PG) com cinco repetições. As melhores características químicas do solo foram expressas pelos sistemas de acordo com as seguinte ordem: Àrea de Preservação Pemanente (APP), seguido por Agrofloresta (A), Pomar de goiabeira (PG) e área pastejo ovino (APO).Estudar as dinâmicas das propriedades dos solos é um processo importante em áreas em que o solo é submetido a diferentes práticas, pois pode indicar alternativas de manejo, além de possibilitar estimativas de respostas dos atributos do solo em função de determinadas práticas realizadas. O trabalho foi realizado em duas etapas, para condução da pesquisa se fez a seleção de quatro ambientes, sendo uma Área de Preservação Permanente (APP), a Agrofloresta (A), uma Área pastejo ovino (APO) e o Pomar da Goiabeira (PG). Depois de realizada a  primeira etapa (seleção e caracterização),  foi conduzida a segunda, que consistiu na divisão das áreas de estudos em cinco partes iguais, equivalente às repetições, dentro de cada uma foram coletadas três amostras simples para formar uma amostra composta coletada nas profundidades 0 – 20 cm, sendo analisados os atributos químicos a seguir: pH, fósforo, potássio, sódio, cálcio, magnésio e matéria orgânica, determinadas no laboratório de solo, água e planta do Instituto Federal da Paraíba – Campus Sousa. O delineamento experimental seguido foi o inteiramente casualizado (DIC), para a coleta do solo sobre os atributos químicos, sendo considerados como tratamentos os quatros sistemas de uso do solo como T1=área de preservação permanente (APP), T2= agrofloresta (A), T3= área pastejo ovino (APO) e T4= pomar da goiabeira (PG) com cinco repetições. As melhores características químicas do solo foram expressas pelos sistemas de acordo com as seguinte ordem: Àrea de Preservação Pemanente (APP), seguido por Agrofloresta (A), Pomar de goiabeira (PG) e área pastejo ovino (APO)

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Safeguarding human–wildlife cooperation

Human–wildlife cooperation occurs when humans and free-living wild animals actively coordinate their behavior to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. These interactions provide important benefits to both the human and wildlife communities involved, have wider impacts on the local ecosystem, and represent a unique intersection of human and animal cultures. The remaining active forms are human–honeyguide and human–dolphin cooperation, but these are at risk of joining several inactive forms (including human–wolf and human–orca cooperation). Human–wildlife cooperation faces a unique set of conservation challenges, as it requires multiple components—a motivated human and wildlife partner, a suitable environment, and compatible interspecies knowledge—which face threats from ecological and cultural changes. To safeguard human–wildlife cooperation, we recommend: (i) establishing ethically sound conservation strategies together with the participating human communities; (ii) conserving opportunities for human and wildlife participation; (iii) protecting suitable environments; (iv) facilitating cultural transmission of traditional knowledge; (v) accessibly archiving Indigenous and scientific knowledge; and (vi) conducting long-term empirical studies to better understand these interactions and identify threats. Tailored safeguarding plans are therefore necessary to protect these diverse and irreplaceable interactions. Broadly, our review highlights that efforts to conserve biological and cultural diversity should carefully consider interactions between human and animal cultures

Towards the design of 3D multiscale instructive tissue engineering constructs: Current approaches and trends

The design of 3D constructs with adequate properties to instruct and guide cells both in vitro and in vivo is one of the major focuses of tissue engineering. Successful tissue regeneration depends on the favorable crosstalk between the supporting structure, the cells and the host tissue so that a balanced matrix production and degradation is achieved. Herein, the major occurring events and players in normal and regenerative tissue are overviewed. These have been inspiring the selection or synthesis of instructive cues to include into the 3D constructs. We further highlight the importance of a multiscale perception of the range of features that can be included on the biomimetic structures. Lastly, we focus on the current and developing tissue-engineering approaches for the preparation of such 3D constructs: top-down, bottom-up and integrative. Bottom-up and integrative approaches present a higher potential for the design of tissue engineering devices with multiscale features and higher biochemichal control than top-down strategies, and are the main focus of this review.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council grant agreement ERC-2012-ADG-20120216-321266 for the project ComplexiTE. Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology is gratefully acknowledged for the fellowship of Sara M. Oliveira (SFRH/BD/70107/2010)

Comparative genomics reveals diversity among xanthomonads infecting tomato and pepper

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bacterial spot of tomato and pepper is caused by four <it>Xanthomonas </it>species and is a major plant disease in warm humid climates. The four species are distinct from each other based on physiological and molecular characteristics. The genome sequence of strain 85-10, a member of one of the species, <it>Xanthomonas euvesicatoria </it>(<it>Xcv</it>) has been previously reported. To determine the relationship of the four species at the genome level and to investigate the molecular basis of their virulence and differing host ranges, draft genomic sequences of members of the other three species were determined and compared to strain 85-10.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We sequenced the genomes of <it>X. vesicatoria </it>(<it>Xv</it>) strain 1111 (ATCC 35937), <it>X. perforans </it>(<it>Xp</it>) strain 91-118 and <it>X. gardneri </it>(<it>Xg</it>) strain 101 (ATCC 19865). The genomes were compared with each other and with the previously sequenced <it>Xcv </it>strain 85-10. In addition, the molecular features were predicted that may be required for pathogenicity including the type III secretion apparatus, type III effectors, other secretion systems, quorum sensing systems, adhesins, extracellular polysaccharide, and lipopolysaccharide determinants. Several novel type III effectors from <it>Xg </it>strain 101 and <it>Xv </it>strain 1111 genomes were computationally identified and their translocation was validated using a reporter gene assay. A homolog to Ax21, the elicitor of XA21-mediated resistance in rice, and a functional Ax21 sulfation system were identified in <it>Xcv</it>. Genes encoding proteins with functions mediated by type II and type IV secretion systems have also been compared, including enzymes involved in cell wall deconstruction, as contributors to pathogenicity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Comparative genomic analyses revealed considerable diversity among bacterial spot pathogens, providing new insights into differences and similarities that may explain the diverse nature of these strains. Genes specific to pepper pathogens, such as the O-antigen of the lipopolysaccharide cluster, and genes unique to individual strains, such as novel type III effectors and bacteriocin genes, have been identified providing new clues for our understanding of pathogen virulence, aggressiveness, and host preference. These analyses will aid in efforts towards breeding for broad and durable resistance in economically important tomato and pepper cultivars.</p