A gene encoding maize caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase confers quantitative resistance to multiple pathogens

Alleles that confer multiple disease resistance (MDR) are valuable in crop improvement, although the molecular mechanisms underlying their functions remain largely unknown. A quantitative trait locus, qMdr 9.02, associated with resistance to three important foliar maize diseases - southern leaf blight, gray leaf spot and northern leaf blight - has been identified on maize chromosome 9. Through fine-mapping, association analysis, expression analysis, insertional mutagenesis and transgenic validation, we demonstrate that ZmCCoAOMT2, which encodes a caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase associated with the phenylpropanoid pathway and lignin production, is the gene within qMdr 9.02 conferring quantitative resistance to both southern leaf blight and gray leaf spot. We suggest that resistance might be caused by allelic variation at the level of both gene expression and amino acid sequence, thus resulting in differences in levels of lignin and other metabolites of the phenylpropanoid pathway and regulation of programmed cell death

School-based prevention for adolescent Internet addiction: prevention is the key. A systematic literature review

Adolescents’ media use represents a normative need for information, communication, recreation and functionality, yet problematic Internet use has increased. Given the arguably alarming prevalence rates worldwide and the increasingly problematic use of gaming and social media, the need for an integration of prevention efforts appears to be timely. The aim of this systematic literature review is (i) to identify school-based prevention programmes or protocols for Internet Addiction targeting adolescents within the school context and to examine the programmes’ effectiveness, and (ii) to highlight strengths, limitations, and best practices to inform the design of new initiatives, by capitalizing on these studies’ recommendations. The findings of the reviewed studies to date presented mixed outcomes and are in need of further empirical evidence. The current review identified the following needs to be addressed in future designs to: (i) define the clinical status of Internet Addiction more precisely, (ii) use more current psychometrically robust assessment tools for the measurement of effectiveness (based on the most recent empirical developments), (iii) reconsider the main outcome of Internet time reduction as it appears to be problematic, (iv) build methodologically sound evidence-based prevention programmes, (v) focus on skill enhancement and the use of protective and harm-reducing factors, and (vi) include IA as one of the risk behaviours in multi-risk behaviour interventions. These appear to be crucial factors in addressing future research designs and the formulation of new prevention initiatives. Validated findings could then inform promising strategies for IA and gaming prevention in public policy and education

A História da Alimentação: balizas historiográficas

Os M. pretenderam traçar um quadro da História da Alimentação, não como um novo ramo epistemológico da disciplina, mas como um campo em desenvolvimento de práticas e atividades especializadas, incluindo pesquisa, formação, publicações, associações, encontros acadêmicos, etc. Um breve relato das condições em que tal campo se assentou faz-se preceder de um panorama dos estudos de alimentação e temas correia tos, em geral, segundo cinco abardagens Ia biológica, a econômica, a social, a cultural e a filosófica!, assim como da identificação das contribuições mais relevantes da Antropologia, Arqueologia, Sociologia e Geografia. A fim de comentar a multiforme e volumosa bibliografia histórica, foi ela organizada segundo critérios morfológicos. A seguir, alguns tópicos importantes mereceram tratamento à parte: a fome, o alimento e o domínio religioso, as descobertas européias e a difusão mundial de alimentos, gosto e gastronomia. O artigo se encerra com um rápido balanço crítico da historiografia brasileira sobre o tema

Quasimonochromatic x-ray source using photoabsorption-edge transition radiation

By designing transition radiators to emit x-rays at the foil material's K-, L-, or M-shell photoabsorption edge, the x-ray spectrum is narrowed. The source is quasimonochromatic, directional, and intense and uses an electron beam whose energy is considerably lower than that needed for synchrotron sources. Depending on the selection of foil material, the radiation can be produced wherever there is a photoabsorption edge. In this paper we report the results of the measurement of the x-ray spectrum from a transition radiator composed of 10 foils of 2-um titanium and exposed to low-current, 90.2-MeV electrons, The measured band of emission was from 3.2 5o 5 keV. In addition, a measurement was performed of the total power from a transition radiator composed of 18 foils of 2.o-um copper exposed to a high-average-current electron beam of 40 uA and at energies of 135, 172, and 200 MeV. The maximum measured power was 4.0 mW. The calculated band of emission was from 4 to 9 keV.National Science Foundation of the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program, Grant no. PHY-8460914; Department of Energy SBIR program, Grant No. DE-FG03-90ER80872; Canadian Natural Science and Engineering Research Council and the Naval Postgraduate SchoolThis investigation was supported by a Special Research Opportunity Grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research, Department of the Navy and by the Foundation Research Program of the Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, Ca.)Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Zirconium-methacrylate oxoclusters as new hybrid materials for the modification of epoxy systems

International audienceOxozirconium clusters bearing methacrylate moiety (ZrMe) were synthesized by sol-gel process and used in epoxy networks to develop epoxy-based nanocomposites with potential application as encapsulant for light-emitting diode. Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A-based epoxy resin was previously functionalized with acrylic acid to introduce some vinyl groups in the matrix and improve its interaction with the oxocluster. The ZrMe particles were previously dispersed in the epoxy matrix or in the 4-methyl-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride used as hardener, and the systems were cured with anhydride or with a combination of anhydride and benzoyl peroxide. The last compound promotes the covalent bond between the epoxy matrix and the ZrMe through free radical reactions between the vinyl groups. The dispersion of ZrMe into the epoxy matrix resulted in a significant increase in viscosity, mainly for systems dispersed with a combination of high shear mechanical mixing and ultrasonification. The dispersion of ZrMe into the anhydride resulted in nanocomposites with higher transparency, better dispersion of the oxocluster into the matrix bulk, as observed by transmission electron microscopy, and higher thermal conductivity, mainly for systems cured with anhydride and peroxide. The use of anhydride in combination with BPO also resulted in significant increase in glass transition temperature

Electroexcitation of Be9 levels in the 14-18-MeV region

The form factors for electroexcitation of the lowest T=32 levels in Be9 (14.39 MeV, 32-; 16.97 MeV, 1/2-) have been measured for momentum transfers between 0.5 and 1.1 fm-1. Results are also presented for levels of unknown TJπ at 16.63 and 17.48 MeV excitation. Radiative widths have been extracted. The form factor of the 16.63-MeV state is compared with simple-spherical and deformed shell-model form factors. The ground-state rms radius and quadrupole moment have been deduced from the elastic scattering data. © 1973 The American Physical Society.Articl