Misfits of wheat stem rust resistance-­‐ Unusual solutions to a consistent problem

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. December 2016. Major: Plant Pathology. Advisor: Matthew Rouse. 1 computer file (PDF); xii, 118 pages.Rust fungi include some of the most economically damaging pathogens of wheat. They are notorious for their ability to quickly spread in susceptible host populations and greatly reduce grain yield potential and quality when managed improperly. Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), the causal agent of wheat stem rust, can cause yield losses exceeding 50%. Stem rust is controlled in the U.S.A. using several methods including the introduction of genetic resistance, selection for earlier maturing varieties, removal of the alternate host Berberis vulgaris, and the application of fungicides. Subsequently, epidemics of stem rust causing greater than 10% yield losses have not been observed in the U.S.A. since the mid 1950’s. Together, removal of B. vulgaris from wheat growing regions and the introduction of genetic resistance have accounted for much of the control of stem rust. Genetic resistance remains the dominant method of controlling stem rust in regions where removing B. vulgaris is not applicable. In more recent years, races of Pgt have been identified that overcome most widely deployed resistance genes. In 1999 race TTKSK was identified in Uganda that overcame stem rust resistance gene Sr31. Following deployment of Sr24 in Kenya, further selection for virulence resulted in the identification of race TTKST, then TTTSK (Sr36 virulence), and more recently TTKTT and TTKTK (SrTmp virulence). Major resistance genes have continually proven to not provide a durable form of resistance to wheat stem rust. Some resistance genes however have proven the test of time and remain effective to date. These resistance genes include Sr2, Lr34, Lr46, and Lr67. Each gene functions in an additive, minor-effect, and in some cases recessive manner, atypical of standard major genes, and provides and/or enhances resistance to multiple diseases including stem rust, leaf rust, stripe rust, and powdery mildew. Additionally Lr34 and Lr67 do not have the NB-LRR protein domains consistent with major genes. Durable genetic resistance to stem rust may require sources of resistance that deviate from standard mechanisms. This dissertation describes such sources of resistance. SrTm4 is a major gene identified in Triticum monococcum that functions in a recessive manner, is broadly effective, and elicits a mesothetic (intermediate-effect) infection type. The adult plant resistance observed in ‘Morocho Blanco’ was found to have two underlying QTL, Qsr.cdl.2BS.2 and Qsr.cdl.6AS.1. These two loci comprise much of the adult plant resistance in ‘Morocho Blanco’ and exhibit interactions with environment or pathogen race. The Sr12 mutants created in this dissertation were made to characterize the disease reducing capabilities of Sr12: a recessive, race specific major gene that co-locates with adult plant resistance to Sr12 virulent races. Lastly, this dissertation also describes the identification of putative susceptibility genes for rust pathogens in barley, maize, soybean, and Brachypodium distachyon. The putative susceptibility gene in B. distachyon was tested with a T-DNA insertion mutant and exhibits enhanced rust resistance, however, may be linked to changes in overall plant growth and development. Each source of rust resistance defies standard systems of characterization and includes some traits that are less desirable along with their resistance capabilities, for example: unstable expression due to environmental interactions, race specificity, or recessive gene action. However, the benefit of these sources of stem rust resistance may compensate for their less desirable traits

Techniques for targeted Fermi-GBM follow-up of gravitational-wave events

The Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo ground-based gravitational-wave detectors are projected to come online 2015-2016, reaching a final sensitivity sufficient to observe dozens of binary neutron star mergers per year by 2018. We present a fully-automated, targeted search strategy for prompt gamma-ray counterparts in offline Fermi-GBM data. The multi-detector method makes use of a detailed model response of the instrument, and benefits from time and sky location information derived from the gravitational-wave signal.Comment: 2012 Fermi Symposium proceedings - eConf C12102

Planned search for LIGO-GBM coincidence in the first advanced LIGO data run

In the fall of 2015 the first scientific observing run (O1) of the advanced LIGO detectors will be conducted. Based on the recent commissioning progress at the LIGO Hanford and Livingston sites, the gravitational wave detector range for a neutron star binary inspiral is expected to be of order 60 Mpc. We describe here our planning for an O1 search for coincidence between a LIGO gravitational wave detection and a gamma-ray signal from the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor. Such a coincidence would constitute measurement of an electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational wave signal, with significant corresponding scientific benefits, including revealing the central engine powering the gamma-ray burst, enhanced confidence in the event as a genuine astrophysical detection, and a determination of the relative speed of the photon and graviton.Comment: Submitted to Moriond Gravitation Conference Proceedings 201

Establishing cross-discipline consensus on contraception, pregnancy and breast feeding-related educational messages and clinical practices to support women with rheumatoid arthritis: An Australian Delphi study

Objective: Recognising the need for a best-practice and consistent approach in providing care to women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to (1) general health, (2) contraception, (3) conception and pregnancy, (4) breast feeding and (5) early parenting, we sought to achieve cross-discipline, clinical consensus on key messages and clinical practice behaviours in these 5 areas. Design: 3-round eDelphi study. In round 1, panellists provided free-text responses to open-ended questions about care for women with RA across the 5 areas. Subsequently, panellists refined and scored the synthesised responses, presented as metathemes, themes and detailed elements. Where =5% of panellists did not support a theme in a given round, it was removed. Setting: Panel of practicing Australian rheumatologists (n=22), obstetricians/obstetric medicine physicians (n=9) and pharmacists (n=5). Results: 34 (94.4%) panellists participated in all 3 rounds. The panel supported 18 themes across the 5 areas (support/strongly support: 88.2-100%) underpinned by 5 metathemes. Metathemes focused on coordination in information delivery, the mode and timing of information delivery, evidence underpinning information, engagement of the right health professionals at the right time and a non-judgemental approach to infant feeding. Themes included practices for primary prevention of chronic disease and their sequelae, the importance of contraception and planning pregnancy and breast feeding, close monitoring of medications, supporting mental wellbeing, managing disease activity and providing practical support for early parenting. Conclusions: A cross-disciplinary clinical panel highly supported key information and clinical practices in the care for women with RA across the continuum of contraception to early parenting within a whole-person, chronic disease management approach

Localization and Coherence in Nonintegrable Systems

We study the irreversible dynamics of nonlinear, nonintegrable Hamiltonian oscillator chains approaching their statistical asympotic states. In systems constrained by more than one conserved quantity, the partitioning of the conserved quantities leads naturally to localized and coherent structures. If the phase space is compact, the final equilibrium state is governed by entropy maximization and the final coherent structures are stable lumps. In systems where the phase space is not compact, the coherent structures can be collapses represented in phase space by a heteroclinic connection to infinity.Comment: 41 pages, 15 figure

Wheat gene Sr60 encodes a protein with two putative kinase domains that confers resistance to stem rust.

Wheat stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici (Pgt), is a devastating fungal disease threatening global wheat production. The present paper reports the identification of stem rust resistance gene Sr60, a race-specific gene from diploid wheat Triticum monococcum L. that encodes a protein with two putative kinase domains. This gene, designated as WHEAT TANDEM KINASE 2 (WTK2), confers intermediate levels of resistance to Pgt. WTK2 was identified by map-based cloning and validated by transformation of a c.10-kb genomic sequence including WTK2 into susceptible common wheat variety Fielder (Triticum aestivum L.). Transformation of Fielder with WTK2 was sufficient to confer Pgt resistance. Sr60 transcripts were transiently upregulated 1 d post-inoculation with Pgt, but not in mock-inoculated plants. The upregulation of Sr60 was associated with stable upregulation of several pathogenesis-related genes. The Sr60-resistant haplotype found in T. monococcum was not found in polyploid wheat, suggesting an opportunity to introduce a novel resistance gene. Sr60 was successfully introgressed into hexaploid wheat, and we developed a diagnostic molecular marker to accelerate its deployment and pyramiding with other resistance genes. The cloned Sr60 also can be a useful component of transgenic cassettes including other resistance genes with complementary resistance profiles

Real-space grid representation of momentum and kinetic energy operators for electronic structure calculations

We show that the central finite difference formula for the first and the second derivative of a function can be derived, in the context of quantum mechanics, as matrix elements of the momentum and kinetic energy operators using, as a basis set, the discrete coordinate eigenkets $\vert x_n\rangle$ defined on the uniform grid $x_n=na$. Simple closed form expressions of the matrix elements are obtained starting from integrals involving the canonical commutation rule. A detailed analysis of the convergence toward the continuum limit with respect to both the grid spacing and the approximation order is presented. It is shown that the convergence from below of the eigenvalues in electronic structure calculations is an intrinsic feature of the finite difference method

21-cm synthesis observations of VIRGOHI 21 - a possible dark galaxy in the Virgo Cluster

Many observations indicate that dark matter dominates the extra-galactic Universe, yet no totally dark structure of galactic proportions has ever been convincingly identified. Previously we have suggested that VIRGOHI 21, a 21-cm source we found in the Virgo Cluster using Jodrell Bank, was a possible dark galaxy because of its broad line-width (~200 km/s) unaccompanied by any visible gravitational source to account for it. We have now imaged VIRGOHI 21 in the neutral-hydrogen line and find what could be a dark, edge-on, spinning disk with the mass and diameter of a typical spiral galaxy. Moreover, VIRGOHI 21 has unquestionably been involved in an interaction with NGC 4254, a luminous spiral with an odd one-armed morphology, but lacking the massive interactor normally linked with such a feature. Numerical models of NGC 4254 call for a close interaction ~10^8 years ago with a perturber of ~10^11 solar masses. This we take as additional evidence for the massive nature of VIRGOHI 21 as there does not appear to be any other viable candidate. We have also used the Hubble Space Telescope to search for stars associated with the HI and find none down to an I band surface brightness limit of 31.1 +/- 0.2 mag/sq. arcsec.Comment: 8 pages, accepted to ApJ, uses emulateapj.cls. Mpeg animation (Fig. 2) available at ftp://ftp.naic.edu/pub/publications/minchin/video2.mp

The Iowa Homemaker vol.3, no.10

Table of Contents Activities of the Merrill Palmer School by Edna E. Walls, page 1 Specific Helps on Everyday Teaching Problems by Florence E. Busse, page 2 Winter Diets and the Elusive Meal by Lucile Barta, page 2 Modern Women and Floriculture by E. C. Volz, page 3 Historic Costume the Mother of Modern Vogue by Clara Jordan, page 4 Feeding the Multitude by Gertrude E. Murray, page 5 Our Travels in France by Josephine Arnquist, page 6 The Evolution of Home Economics at Iowa State by Ruth Elaine Wilson, page 8 The Power of Music by Oscar Hatch Hawley, page 9 To Judge of a Bargain by Mildred Briggs, page 9 Who is Responsible for the Child? by Louise Crawford, page 1