Trajectory Tracking Control of a Timed Event Graph with Specifications Defined by a P-time Event Graph

The aim of this paper is a trajectory tracking control of Timed Event Graphs with specifications defined by a P-time Event Graph. Two problems are solved on a fixed horizon knowing the current state: The optimal control for favorable past evolution; The prediction of the earliest future evolution of the process. These two parts make up an on-line control which is used on a sliding horizon. Completely defined in (max, +) algebra, the proposed approach is a Model Predictive Control using the componentwise order relation

Ecosystem service maps in agriculture

Peer Revie

Panati and Webpanati - information systems for SNPS.

This paper describes two softwares: Panati and webPanati

Positron emission tomography PET/CT harmonisation study of different clinical PET/CT scanners using commercially available software

Objectives: Harmonisation is the process whereby standardised uptake values from different scanners can be made comparable. This PET/CT pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of harmonisation of a modern scanner with image reconstruction incorporating resolution recovery (RR) with another vendor older scanner operated in two-dimensional (2D) mode, and for both against a European standard (EARL). The vendor-proprietary software EQ•PET was used, which achieves harmonisation with a Gaussian smoothing. A substudy investigated effect of RR on harmonisation. Methods: Phantom studies on each scanner were performed to optimise the smoothing parameters required to achieve successful harmonisation. 80 patients were retrospectively selected; half were imaged on each scanner. As proof of principle, a cohort of 10 patients was selected from the modern scanner subjects to study the effects of RR on harmonisation. Results: Before harmonisation, the modern scanner without RR adhered to EARL specification. Using the phantom data, filters were derived for optimal harmonisation between scanners and with and without RR as applicable, to the EARL standard. The 80-patient cohort did not reveal any statistically significant differences. In the 10-patient cohort SUVmax for RR > no RR irrespective of harmonisation but differences lacked statistical significance (one-way ANOVA F(3.36) = 0.37, p = 0.78). Bland-Altman analysis showed that harmonisation reduced the SUVmax ratio between RR and no RR to 1.07 (95% CI 0.96–1.18) with no outliers. Conclusions: EQ•PET successfully enabled harmonisation between modern and older scanners and against the EARL standard. Harmonisation reduces SUVmax and dependence on the use of RR in the modern scanner. Advances in knowledge: EQ•PET is feasible to harmonise different PET/CT scanners and reduces the effect of RR on SUVmax

Direct transfer of zinc between plants is channelled by common mycorrhizal network of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and evidenced by changes in expression of zinc transporter genes in fungus and plant

The role that common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) play in plant-to-plant transfer of zinc (Zn) has not yet been investigated, despite the proved functions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in crop Zn acquisition. Here, two autotrophic Medicago truncatula plants were linked by a CMN formed by Rhizophagus irregularis. Plants were grown in vitro in physically separated compartments (Donor-C and Receiver-C) and their connection ensured only by CMN. A symbiosis-defective mutant of M. truncatula was used as control in Receiver-C. Plants in both compartments were grown on Zn-free medium, and only the leaves of the donor plants were Zn fertilized. A direct transfer of Zn was demonstrated from donor leaves to receiver shoots mediated by CMN. Direct transfer of Zn was supported by changes in the expression of fungal genes, RiZRT1 and RiZnT1, and plant gene MtZIP2 in roots and MtNAS1 in roots and shoots of the receiver plants. Moreover, Zn transfer was supported by the change in expression of MtZIP14 gene in AM fungal colonized roots. This work is the first evidence of a direct Zn transfer from a donor to a receiver plant via CMN, and of a triggering of transcriptional regulation of fungal-plant genes involved in Zn transport-related processes

Foundation of a component-based flexible registry for language resources and technology

Within the CLARIN e-science infrastructure project it is foreseen to develop a component-based registry for metadata for Language Resources and Language Technology. With this registry it is hoped to overcome the problems of the current available systems with respect to inflexible fixed schema, unsuitable terminology and interoperability problems. The registry will address interoperability needs by refering to a shared vocabulary registered in data category registries as they are suggested by ISO

Transcriptome analysis of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal soybean plantlets upon infection with Fusarium virguliforme, one causal agent of sudden death syndrome

Soilborne pathogens represent a threat to agriculture causing important yield losses. Sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean is a severe disease caused by a complex of Fusarium species. This pathosystem has been widely investigated and several strategies have been proposed to manage SDS. Although a decrease in symptoms and in the level of root tissue infection, particularly by F. virguliforme, was observed in the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), biological control based on AMF has received less attention. Here, the results are reported of transcriptional analysis of mycorrhizal versus nonmycorrhizal soybean plantlets infected by F. virguliforme, grown under strict in vitro culture experimental conditions. Important transcriptional reprogramming was detected following infection by the pathogen. Results revealed 1768 and 967 differentially expressed genes in the AMF-colonized (+AMF+Fv) and noncolonized (−AMF+Fv) plants, respectively. Major transcriptional changes corresponded to defence response-related genes belonging to secondary metabolism, stress and signalling categories. The +AMF+Fv treatment showed the largest number of up-regulated genes related to defence, such as those encoding disease resistance proteins, WRKY transcription factors, auxins, receptors kinases and proteases. Only a few genes had primed expression in the +AMF+Fv treatment, such as those encoding a thaumatin-like protein (TLP) and a pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) protein. Moreover, +AMF+Fv showed a significantly greater number of down-regulated genes related to cell wall modification and peroxidases than the –AMF+Fv treatment. This detailed investigation increases knowledge of transcriptional changes and potential metabolic pathways involved in the enhanced resistance or tolerance of mycorrhizal plants to infection by F. virguliforme.Fil: Marquez, Nathalie. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Unidad de Fitopatologia y Modelizacion Agricola. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Unidad de Fitopatologia y Modelizacion Agricola.; ArgentinaFil: Giachero, María Lorena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Fitopatología y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gallou, A.. Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Biológico; MéxicoFil: Debat, Humberto Julio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Fitopatología y Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Declerck, S,. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ducasse, Daniel Adrián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentin

Gravel pits support waterbird diversity in an urban landscape

We assessed the benefit of 11 gravel pits for the settlement of waterbird communities in an urbanized area lacking natural wetlands. Gravel pits captured 57% of the regional species pool of aquatic birds. We identified 39 species, among which five were regionally rare. We used the Self Organizing Map algorithm to calculate the probabilities of presence of species, and to bring out habitat conditions that predict assemblage patterns. The age of the pits did not correlate with assemblage composition and species richness. There was a positive influence of macrophyte cover on waterbird species richness. Larger pits did not support more species, but species richness increased with connectivity. As alternative wetland habitats, gravel pits are attractive to waterbirds, when they act as stepping stones that ensure connectivity between larger natural and/or artificial wetlands separated in space

Pathways to sustainable land-use and food systems: 2019 Report of the FABLE Consortium

This first report by the FABLE Consortium presents preliminary pathways towards sustainable land-use and food systems prepared by the 18 country teams from developed and developing countries, including the European Union. The aim of these pathways is to determine and demonstrate the technical feasibility of making land-use and food systems sustainable in each country. They can also inform mid-century low-emission development strategies under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. FABLE country teams have aimed for consistency with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement objectives. At this early stage, not all target dimensions have been considered. The report does not discuss policy options for transforming these systems, their implementation, or associated costs and economic benefits. These critical issues will be addressed in the global report by the Food and Land-Use Coalition, which will be published in September 2019 ahead of the Climate Summit convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres