A novel Arabidopsis pathosystem reveals cooperation of multiple hormonal response-pathways in host resistance against the global crop destroyer Macrophomina phaseolina.

Dubbed as a "global destroyer of crops", the soil-borne fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Mp) infects more than 500 plant species including many economically important cash crops. Host defenses against infection by this pathogen are poorly understood. We established interactions between Mp and Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) as a model system to quantitatively assess host factors affecting the outcome of Mp infections. Using agar plate-based infection assays with different Arabidopsis genotypes, we found signaling mechanisms dependent on the plant hormones ethylene, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid to control host defense against this pathogen. By profiling host transcripts in Mp-infected roots of the wild-type Arabidopsis accession Col-0 and ein2/jar1, an ethylene/jasmonic acid-signaling deficient mutant that exhibits enhanced susceptibility to this pathogen, we identified hundreds of genes potentially contributing to a diverse array of defense responses, which seem coordinated by complex interplay between multiple hormonal response-pathways. Our results establish Mp/Arabidopsis interactions as a useful model pathosystem, allowing for application of the vast genomics-related resources of this versatile model plant to the systematic investigation of previously understudied host defenses against a major crop plant pathogen

Reconstructing Native American Population History

The peopling of the Americas has been the subject of extensive genetic, archaeological and linguistic research; however, central questions remain unresolved1–5. One contentious issue is whether the settlement occurred via a single6–8 or multiple streams of migration from Siberia9–15. The pattern of dispersals within the Americas is also poorly understood. To address these questions at higher resolution than was previously possible, we assembled data from 52 Native American and 17 Siberian groups genotyped at 364,470 single nucleotide polymorphisms. We show that Native Americans descend from at least three streams of Asian gene flow. Most descend entirely from a single ancestral population that we call “First American”. However, speakers of Eskimo-Aleut languages from the Arctic inherit almost half their ancestry from a second stream of Asian gene flow, and the Na-Dene-speaking Chipewyan from Canada inherit roughly one-tenth of their ancestry from a third stream. We show that the initial peopling followed a southward expansion facilitated by the coast, with sequential population splits and little gene flow after divergence, especially in South America. A major exception is in Chibchan-speakers on both sides of the Panama Isthmus, who have ancestry from both North and South America

Neuropsychosocial profiles of current and future adolescent alcohol misusers

A comprehensive account of the causes of alcohol misuse must accommodate individual differences in biology, psychology and environment, and must disentangle cause and effect. Animal models1 can demonstrate the effects of neurotoxic substances; however, they provide limited insight into the psycho-social and higher cognitive factors involved in the initiation of substance use and progression to misuse. One can search for pre-existing risk factors by testing for endophenotypic biomarkers2 in non-using relatives; however, these relatives may have personality or neural resilience factors that protect them from developing dependence3. A longitudinal study has potential to identify predictors of adolescent substance misuse, particularly if it can incorporate a wide range of potential causal factors, both proximal and distal, and their influence on numerous social, psychological and biological mechanisms4. Here we apply machine learning to a wide range of data from a large sample of adolescents (n = 692) to generate models of current and future adolescent alcohol misuse that incorporate brain structure and function, individual personality and cognitive differences, environmental factors (including gestational cigarette and alcohol exposure), life experiences, and candidate genes. These models were accurate and generalized to novel data, and point to life experiences, neurobiological differences and personality as important antecedents of binge drinking. By identifying the vulnerability factors underlying individual differences in alcohol misuse, these models shed light on the aetiology of alcohol misuse and suggest targets for prevention

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Bradyrhizobium japonicum IRAT FA3 promotes salt tolerance through jasmonic acid priming in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract Background Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), such as Bradyrhizobium japonicum IRAT FA3, are able to improve seed germination and plant growth under various biotic and abiotic stress conditions, including high salinity stress. PGPR can affect plants’ responses to stress via multiple pathways which are often interconnected but were previously thought to be distinct. Although the overall impacts of PGPR on plant growth and stress tolerance have been well documented, the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. This work contributes to understanding how PGPR promote abiotic stress by revealing major plant pathways triggered by B. japonicum under salt stress. Results The plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) strain Bradyrhizobium japonicum IRAT FA3 reduced the levels of sodium in Arabidopsis thaliana by 37.7%. B. japonicum primed plants as it stimulated an increase in jasmonates (JA) and modulated hydrogen peroxide production shortly after inoculation. B. japonicum-primed plants displayed enhanced shoot biomass, reduced lipid peroxidation and limited sodium accumulation under salt stress conditions. Q(RT)-PCR analysis of JA and abiotic stress-related gene expression in Arabidopsis plants pretreated with B. japonicum and followed by six hours of salt stress revealed differential gene expression compared to non-inoculated plants. Response to Desiccation (RD) gene RD20 and reactive oxygen species scavenging genes CAT3 and MDAR2 were up-regulated in shoots while CAT3 and RD22 were increased in roots by B. japonicum, suggesting roles for these genes in B. japonicum-mediated salt tolerance. B. japonicum also influenced reductions of RD22, MSD1, DHAR and MYC2 in shoots and DHAR, ADC2, RD20, RD29B, GTR1, ANAC055, VSP1 and VSP2 gene expression in roots under salt stress. Conclusion Our data showed that MYC2 and JAR1 are required for B. japonicum-induced shoot growth in both salt stressed and non-stressed plants. The observed microbially influenced reactions to salinity stress in inoculated plants underscore the complexity of the B. japonicum jasmonic acid-mediated plant response salt tolerance

Neue Loesungen mit Stahl beim Automobil-Leichtbau Abschlussbericht

The objective of the project was to investigate the weight-saving potential of steel for selected autobody components while maintaining cost levels and ensuring that there would be no lowering of current safety and comfort standards. To this end, the emphasis was placed on higher strength microalloyed, phosphorous alloyed and IF steels as well as bake hardening and dual phase steels with prescribed minimum yield points between 180 and 340 N/mm"2 used in conformity with material properties and processability. The components selected as being representative of the various requirement profiles were: the door structure of a two-door Volkswagen (VW) Polo, the front subframe of the AUDI A 4, the shock tower of the VW Polo and mounting bracket control arm of the Mercedes-Benz, C-class. The high-strength steels deemed appropriate for these components were provided in sheet thicknesses of 0.65 to 2,0 mm. The participating steel companies performed all necessary material tests on the specimen materials. Tensile tests at -40 C, room temperature and +80 C provided the characterizing mechanical property values required by the automotive industry. Notched tension and hole expansion tests, bulge tests, plotting of forming limit curves, cupping and cupping index tests afforded a good appraisal of formability. In addition, the surface chemistry and topography, roughness and friction characteristics were investigated. Fatigue strength tests as well as the determination of the dynamic characteristics (crash data) provided supplementary material data. The use of laser-welded tailored blanks for the door component proved most promising. The appropriate blanks were fabricated and the laser welding seams assessed as being very well suited to the task. (orig.)Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes wurde umfangreiches neues Datenmaterial ueber mechanische und technologische Eigenschaften der untersuchten Stahlsorten erarbeitet. Fuer die durchgefuehrten Konstruktionsarbeiten an den Bauteilen und Werkzeugen sowie fuer die Durchfuehrung und Planung von Abpressversuchen hat sich die Umformsimulation als sinnvolles und kostensparendes Werkzeug erwiesen. In Verbindung mit lasergeschweissten Tailored Blanks und alternativen Fuegeverfahren zum Widerstandspunktschweissen wurde fuer folgende Bauteile eine neue Konzeption und Konstruktion erarbeitet: Tuerrohbau des zweituerigen VW-Polo, Federbeinaufnahme des VW-Polo, Hilfsrahmen vorn des Audi A 4 und Konsole Querlenkerlager des Mercedes-Benz, C Klasse. Die mit entsprechend eingestellten Werkzeugen abgepressten Bauteile wurden im Praxistest auf ihre Verwendbarkeit geprueft. Es wurde gezeigt, dass eine werkstoffgerechte Bauteiloptimierung neben einer Gewichtsminderung zu einer Teilreduktion und damit zu kostenguenstigen Loesungen fuehrt. Mit dem Einsatz moderner, hoeherfester Staehle gelang unter den vorgegebenen Bedingungen der jeweils in der Serienfertigung befindlichen Fahrzeutgteile eine Gewichtsreduzierung in Hoehe 11 bis 15%. Bei voelliger Neukonstruktion ist mit Sicherheit eine weitere Gewichtsminderung umsetzbar. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RR 7808(244) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekEuropean Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), Brussels (Belgium)DEGerman