Symbolic Sequences and Tsallis Entropy

We address this work to investigate symbolic sequences with long-range correlations by using computational simulation. We analyze sequences with two, three and four symbols that could be repeated $l$ times, with the probability distribution $p(l)\propto 1/ l^{\mu}$. For these sequences, we verified that the usual entropy increases more slowly when the symbols are correlated and the Tsallis entropy exhibits, for a suitable choice of $q$, a linear behavior. We also study the chain as a random walk-like process and observe a nonusual diffusive behavior depending on the values of the parameter $\mu$.Comment: Published in the Brazilian Journal of Physic

The compact group--fossil group connection: observations of a massive compact group at z=0.22

It has been suggested that fossil groups could be the cannibalized remains of compact groups, that lost energy through tidal friction. However, in the nearby universe, compact groups which are close to the merging phase and display a wealth of interacting features (such as HCG 31 and HCG 79) have very low velocity dispersions and poor neighborhoods, unlike the massive, cluster-like fossil groups studied to date. In fact, known z=0 compact groups are very seldom embedded in massive enough structures which may have resembled the intergalactic medium of fossil groups. In this paper we study the dynamical properties of CG6, a massive compact group at z=0.220 that has several properties in common with known fossil groups. We report on new g' and i' imaging and multi-slit spectroscopic performed with GMOS on Gemini South. The system has 20 members, within a radius of 1 h_70^-1 Mpc, a velocity dispersion of 700 km/s and has a mass of 1.8 x 10^14 h_70^-1 Msun, similar to that of the most massive fossil groups known. The merging of the four central galaxies in this group would form a galaxy with magnitude M_r' ~ -23.4, typical for first-ranked galaxies of fossil groups. Although nearby compact groups with similar properties to CG 6 are rare, we speculate that such systems occurred more frequently in the past and they may have been the precursors of fossil groups.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures (one color, low resolution), uses emulateapj.sty. Accepted for publication in ApJ Lette

Rhizosphere microbial community composition of common beans with different levels of resistance to Fusarium oxysporum.

Microbial communities in the rhizosphere make significant contributions to plant health, growth and protection against soil pathogens. Plants can take advantage of their rhizosphere microbiomes to fend off pathogens, avoiding microbial infections. Here, we aimed to identify potential microbial groups and functional traits correlated to the suppression of the soil borne Microbial diversity and functioning in the soil ecosystem 145 pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. Through shotgun metagenomics we investigated the rhizosphere microbial communities of four common bean cultivars with different levels of resistance to the fungus, ranging from susceptible to resistant. Plants were grown in mesocosms experiments with two contrasting soils, i.e. Amazon Dark Earth (ADE) and an agricultural soil (AS). The soils presented clear differences in chemical properties, and ADE hosts higher microbial diversity than AS. Chemical analysis indicated a significant increase of pH, Ca, Fe, sum of bases and base saturation, and decrease of K, Mg, exchangeable Al, and Mn in rhizosphere of both soil types. Quantitative PCR showed an increase of 16S rRNA copy number with the increase resistance to the fungus in ADE soil. The rhizosphere of the four bean cultivars is dominated by the same bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi, albeit in different relative abundance between soil types. The community structure of rhizosphere was different from the bulk soil, revealing the selection process in this environment. In ADE soil, the most resistant cultivar presented higher taxonomic diversity when compared to other cultivars; in contrast, the functional diversity was lower. Comparing the resistant to the susceptible cultivars there was an increase of Nitrospirae, Solibacteres, Spirochaeta and Chryosiogenetes bacterial classes in the resistant. Also, resistant cultivar presented high number of sequences affiliated to the family Pseudomonadaceae and to the genera Bacillus and Solibacter. Interestingly, the resistant and moderately resistant cultivars, presented high proportion of sequences related to bacteriocin, a narrow spectrum antibiotic, which suggests its role on pathogen suppression. Preliminary analysis showed that the selection of the microbial communities inhabiting the common bean rhizosphere is cultivar and soil type dependent. Further analysis will search for bacterial groups potentially related to the fungal antagonism. FAPESP 2014/03217-3

Analysis of the rhizosphere microbial communities of common beans resistant and susceptible to Fusarium oxysporum.

The rhizosphere is the narrow zone of soil around the living plant roots that is influenced by the activity of the plants. Many beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere provide plants with mineral nutrients, phytohormones, and also help to protect the plant against soil-borne pathogens. Microbiological studies are addressed to understand how rhizosphere microorganisms are recruited from soil and either benefit or harm plant growth, nutrition and health. Here, we aimed to identify potential microbial groups and functional traits correlated to the suppression of the soil borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum, the causal agent of Fusarium wilt on common beans. We used shotgun metagenomics to investigate the rhizosphere microbiome of two common bean cultivars classified as resistant (Milênio) and susceptible (Alvorada). Plants were grown in mesocosms experiments in Amazon Dark Earth, a soil with high microbial diversity. Chemical analysis indicated a significant increase of pH, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn, B, nitrate, cation exchange capacity, sum of bases and base saturation in rhizosphere of both common bean types. The microbial community structure of rhizosphere was different from the bulk soil in a deeper taxonomic classification (genera), revealing the selection process in this environment. Quantitative PCR showed an increase of 16S rRNA copy number with the increase resistance to the fungus in ADE soil. The resistant cultivar presented higher taxonomic diversity but lower functional diversity. The most abundant phyla in rhizosphere were Proteobacteria (41%), Actinobacteria (31%), Firmicutes (5%), Acidobacteria (3%) and Chloroflexi (3%). The resistant cultivar presented more abundance of the phyla Chlamydiae, Spirochaetes, Deinococcus-Thermus and Chrysiogenetes in comparison to the susceptible one and bulk soil. Comparing the resistant to the susceptible cultivar in a finer taxonomic level, 24 genera presented higher abundance in the resistant one, highlighting Bacillus and Pseudomonas. Preliminary analysis showed that there is a specific selection of the microbial communities inhabiting the rhizosphere of a resistant common bean cultivar. Further analysis will combine 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metatranscriptome for a deep taxonomical and functional analysis