Capsid structure of dsRNA fungal viruses

Most fungal, double-stranded (ds) RNA viruses lack an extracellular life cycle stage and are transmitted by cytoplasmic interchange. dsRNA mycovirus capsids are based on a 120-subunit T = 1 capsid, with a dimer as the asymmetric unit. These capsids, which remain structurally undisturbed throughout the viral cycle, nevertheless, are dynamic particles involved in the organization of the viral genome and the viral polymerase necessary for RNA synthesis. The atomic structure of the T = 1 capsids of four mycoviruses was resolved: the L-A virus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScV-L-A), Penicillium chrysogenum virus (PcV), Penicillium stoloniferum virus F (PsV-F), and Rosellinia necatrix quadrivirus 1 (RnQV1). These capsids show structural variations of the same framework, with 60 asymmetric or symmetric homodimers for ScV-L-A and PsV-F, respectively, monomers with a duplicated similar domain for PcV, and heterodimers of two different proteins for RnQV1. Mycovirus capsid proteins (CP) share a conserved α-helical domain, although the latter may carry different peptides inserted at preferential hotspots. Insertions in the CP outer surface are likely associated with enzymatic activities. Within the capsid, fungal dsRNA viruses show a low degree of genome compaction compared to reoviruses, and contain one to two copies of the RNA-polymerase complex per virion

H-alpha observations of the gamma-ray-emitting Be/X-ray binary LSI+61303: orbital modulation, disk truncation, and long-term variability

We report 138 spectral observations of the H-alpha emission line of the radio- and gamma-ray-emitting Be/X-ray binary LSI+61303 obtained during the period of September 1998 -- January 2013. From measuring various H-alpha parameters, we found that the orbital modulation of the H-alpha is best visible in the equivalent width ratio EW(B)/EW(R), the equivalent width of the blue hump, and in the radial velocity of the central dip. The periodogram analysis confirmed that the H-alpha emission is modulated with the orbital and superorbital periods. For the past 20 years the radius of the circumstellar disk is similar to the Roche lobe size at the periastron. It is probably truncated by a 6:1 resonance. The orbital maximum of the equivalent width of H-alpha emission peaks after the periastron and coincides on average with the X-ray and gamma-ray maxima. All the spectra are available upon request from the authors and through the CDS.Comment: 11 pages, accepted for publication in A&

Impact assessment of interregional government transfers in Brazil: an input-output approach

Redistributive policies carried out by the central government through interregional government transfers is a relevant feature of the Brazilian federal fiscal system. Regional shares of the central government revenues in the poorer regions have been recurrently smaller than the shares of central government expenditures in those regions. Appeal to core-periphery outcomes could be made, as São Paulo, the wealthiest state in the country, concentrated, in 2005, over 40% of total Federal tax revenue, receiving less than 35% of Federal expenditures. These figures suggest a redistribution of public funds from the spatial economic core of the economy to the peripheral areas. This paper investigates the role interregional transfers play in the redistribution of activities in the country, using an interregional input-output approach. Counterfactual simulations allow us to estimate some costs and benefits, for the core and periphery respectively, from such fiscal mechanisms.Interregional government transfers, input-output analysis, impact analysis, Brazilian economy

Actividad fungicida/fungistática in vitro del fosfito de manganeso contra hongos patógenos habitantes del suelo con soja

Las pudriciones de raíz y tallo (PRYT) en el cultivo de soja causadas por patógenos habitantes del suelo son enfermedades comúnmente encontradas en campos de soja y son una de las causas más importantes de pérdidas económicas. La sensibilidad micelial de Fusarium virguliforme, Fusarium tucumaniae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum y Macrophomina phaseolina fue evaluada en medio de cultivo agar papa glucosa (25 mL) suplementado con diferentes concentraciones (µg mL-1) de fosfito de manganeso (PhiMn) diluido en agua (0; 25; 37.5; 50; 100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 800 y 1000). La sensibilidad del crecimiento micelial fue analizada usando análisis de regresión lineal logarítmico. La concentración de PhiMn necesaria para inhibir el 50% del crecimiento micelial (CI50) fue calculada. Los valores de CI50 fueron desde 105 µg mL-1 (Fusarium spp.) hasta 409 µg mL-1 (M. phaseolina). La formación de esclerocios fue completamente inhibida a 500 µg mL-1. Los resultados del presente estudio representan el primer reporte de la acción fungicida/fungistática in vitro del Phi contra los hongos agentes causales de PRYT en el cultivo de soja.Soybean root and stem rots caused by soil-borne pathogens are diseases commonly found in soybean fields, and one of the most important causes of crop losses. In the present study, the mycelial sensitivity of Fusarium virguliforme, F. tucumaniae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Macrophomina phaseolina was evaluated on potato dextrose agar media (25 mL) supplemented with different concentrations of manganese phosphite (MnPhi) diluted in water (0, 25, 37.5, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 800 and 1000 µg/mL). Mycelial growth sensitivity was analyzed using logarithmic linear regression analysis. The MnPhi concentration needed to inhibit 50% of the mycelial growth (IC50) ranged from 105 µg/mL (Fusarium spp.) to 409 µg/mL (M. phaseolina). Sclerotia were completely inhibited at 500 µg/mL. The results of our study represent the first report on the direct in vitro fungicidal/fungistatic action of MnPhi against fungi that are causal agents of soil-borne diseases.Fil: Carmona, Marcelo Anibal. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Fitopatología; ArgentinaFil: Simonetti, Ester. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Biología Aplicada y Alimentos. Cátedra de Microbiología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Ravotti, M. E.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Fitopatología; ArgentinaFil: Scandiani, María Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Luque, A. G.. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Formento, N. A.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Entre Ríos. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Sautua, Francisco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Fitopatología; Argentin

The Partition Function of Multicomponent Log-Gases

We give an expression for the partition function of a one-dimensional log-gas comprised of particles of (possibly) different integer charge at inverse temperature {\beta} = 1 (restricted to the line in the presence of a neutralizing field) in terms of the Berezin integral of an associated non- homogeneous alternating tensor. This is the analog of the de Bruijn integral identities [3] (for {\beta} = 1 and {\beta} = 4) ensembles extended to multicomponent ensembles.Comment: 14 page

Highest weight Macdonald and Jack Polynomials

Fractional quantum Hall states of particles in the lowest Landau levels are described by multivariate polynomials. The incompressible liquid states when described on a sphere are fully invariant under the rotation group. Excited quasiparticle/quasihole states are member of multiplets under the rotation group and generically there is a nontrivial highest weight member of the multiplet from which all states can be constructed. Some of the trial states proposed in the literature belong to classical families of symmetric polynomials. In this paper we study Macdonald and Jack polynomials that are highest weight states. For Macdonald polynomials it is a (q,t)-deformation of the raising angular momentum operator that defines the highest weight condition. By specialization of the parameters we obtain a classification of the highest weight Jack polynomials. Our results are valid in the case of staircase and rectangular partition indexing the polynomials.Comment: 17 pages, published versio

Development of a three-dimensional bone-like construct in a soft self-assembling Peptide matrix

This work describes the development of a three-dimensional (3D) model of osteogenesis using mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and a soft synthetic matrix made out of self-assembling peptide nanofibers. By adjusting the matrix stiffness to very low values (around 120 Pa), cells were found to migrate within the matrix, interact forming a cell-cell network, and create a contracted and stiffer structure. Interestingly, during this process, cells spontaneously upregulate the expression of bone-related proteins such as collagen type I, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin, indicating that the 3D environment enhances their osteogenic potential. However, unlike MC3T3-E1 cultures in 2D, the addition of dexamethasone is required to acquire a final mature phenotype characterized by features such as matrix mineralization. Moreover, a slight increase in the hydrogel stiffness (threefold) or the addition of a cell contractility inhibitor (Rho kinase inhibitor) abrogates cell elongation, migration, and 3D culture contraction. However, this mechanical inhibition does not seem to noticeably affect the osteogenic process, at least at early culture times. This 3D bone model intends to emphasize cell-cell interactions, which have a critical role during tissue formation, by using a compliant unrestricted synthetic matrix

Disease progression of peach powdery mildew in Catalonia, Spain – Towards a decision support system based on degree-days to initiate fungicide spray programs

The incidence of peach powdery mildew (PPM) on fruit was monitored in commercial peach orchards to i) describe the disease progress in relation to several environmental parameters and ii) establish an operating threshold to initiate a fungicide spray program based on accumulated degree-day (ADD) data. A beta-regression model for disease incidence showed a substantial contribution of the random effects orchard and year, whereas relevant fixed effects corresponded to ADD, wetness duration, and ADD considering vapor pressure deficit and rain. When beta-regression models were fitted for each orchard and year considering only ADD, disease onset was observed at 242 ± 13 ADD and symptoms did not develop further after 484 ± 42 ADD. An operating threshold to initiate fungicide applications was established at 220 ADD, coinciding with a PPM incidence in fruit around 0.05. A validation was further conducted by comparing PPM incidence in i) a standard, calendar-based program, ii) a program with applications initiated at 220 ADD, and iii) a nontreated control. A statistically relevant reduction in disease incidence in fruit was obtained with both fungicide programs, from 0.244 recorded in the control to 0.073 with the 220-ADD alert program, and 0.049 with the standard program. The 220-ADD alert program resulted in 33% reduction in fungicide applications