Distinct Tomato Cultivars Are Characterized by a Differential Pattern of Biochemical Responses to Drought Stress

Future climate scenarios suggest that crop plants will experience environmental changes capable of affecting their productivity. Among the most harmful environmental stresses is drought, defined as a total or partial lack of water availability. It is essential to study and understand both the damage caused by drought on crop plants and the mechanisms implemented to tolerate the stress. In this study, we focused on four cultivars of tomato, an economically important crop in the Mediterranean basin. We investigated the biochemical mechanisms of plant defense against drought by focusing on proteins specifically involved in this stress, such as osmotin, dehydrin, and aquaporin, and on proteins involved in the general stress response, such as HSP70 and cyclophilins. Since sugars are also known to act as osmoprotectants in plant cells, proteins involved in sugar metabolism (such as RuBisCO and sucrose synthase) were also analyzed. The results show crucial differences in biochemical behavior among the selected cultivars and highlight that the most tolerant tomato cultivars adopt quite specific biochemical strategies such as different accumulations of aquaporins and osmotins. The data set also suggests that RuBisCO isoforms and aquaporins can be used as markers of tolerance/susceptibility to drought stress and be used to select tomato cultivars within breeding programs.     

Predictors of societal and professional impact of orthodontic research. A multivariate,scientometric approach

Scientometrics - The aim of this study was to identify the factors that predict societal and professional impact of orthodontic research and determine the orthodontic research articles that...     

Human Primary Dermal Fibroblasts Interacting with 3-Dimensional Matrices for Surgical Application Show Specific Growth and Gene Expression Programs

Several types of 3-dimensional (3D) biological matrices are employed for clinical and surgical applications, but few indications are available to guide surgeons in the choice among these materials. Here we compare the in vitro growth of human primary fibroblasts on different biological matrices commonly used for clinical and surgical applications and the activation of specific molecular pathways over 30 days of growth. Morphological analyses by Scanning Electron Microscopy and proliferation curves showed that fibroblasts have different ability to attach and proliferate on the different biological matrices. They activated similar gene expression programs, reducing the expression of collagen genes and myofibroblast differentiation markers compared to fibroblasts grown in 2D. However, differences among 3D matrices were observed in the expression of specific metalloproteinases and interleukin-6. Indeed, cell proliferation and expression of matrix degrading enzymes occur in the initial steps of interaction between fibroblast and the investigated meshes, whereas collagen and interleukin-6 expression appear to start later. The data reported here highlight features of fibroblasts grown on different 3D biological matrices and warrant further studies to understand how these findings may be used to help the clinicians choose the correct material for specific applications.     

Characterization of the Resistance to Powdery Mildew and Leaf Rust Carried by the Bread Wheat Cultivar Victo

Leaf rust and powdery mildew are two important foliar diseases in wheat. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, obtained by crossing two bread wheat cultivars (‘Victo’ and ‘Spada’), was evaluated for resistance to the two pathogens at seedling stage. Upon developing a genetic map of 8726 SNP loci, linkage analysis identified three resistance Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs), with ‘Victo’ contributing the resistant alleles to all loci. One major QTL (QPm.gb-7A) was detected in response to Blumeria graminis on chromosome 7A, which explained 90% of phenotypic variation (PV). The co-positional relationship with known powdery mildew (Pm) resistance loci suggested that a new source of resistance was identified in T. aestivum. Two QTLs were detected in response to Puccinia triticina: a major gene on chromosome 5D (QLr.gb-5D), explaining a total PV of about 59%, and a minor QTL on chromosome 2B (QLr.gb-2B). A positional relationship was observed between the QLr.gb-5D with the known Lr1 gene, but polymorphisms were found between the cloned Lr1 and the corresponding ‘Victo’ allele, suggesting that QLr.gb-5D could represent a new functional Lr1 allele. Lastly, upon anchoring the QTL on the T. aestivum reference genome, candidate genes were hypothesized on the basis of gene annotation and in silico gene expression analysis.     

Real-Time Decision Support for Emergency Management: An Integration of Advanced Computer and Communications Technology

Responses to emergencies are typically based on contingency plans. However, unexpected events can occur during the operation that affect safety and/or effectiveness of the activated response plan. Latest advances in communications and information technology can collect and transfer a large amount of data to the on-scene commander in real-time. The commander can then assess the potential impact of such events and decide if and how to revise the planned course of action to maintain safety and efficiency of the operation. This paper proposes a new paradigm for real-time decision support for emergency response - operational risk management. Emergency response is modelled as a large-scale operational system, including a human-machine real-time controller. The decision model is based on a topological graph structure, where the nodes are decisions and the arcs the activities. The attributes of the activities are expressed as ordinal preference values. The optimal course of action is the sequence of activities with the highest preference for resolving the emergency situation. The implementation of the decision model into a prototype decision support system is discussed.     

Bounding set calculation for neural network-based output feedback adaptive control systems

Evaluating the bounding set of dynamic systems subject to direct neural-adaptive control is a critical issue in applications where the control system must undergo a rigorous verification process in order to comply with certification standards. In this paper, the boundedness problem is addressed for a comprehensive class of uncertain dynamic systems. Several common but unnecessary approximations that are typically performed to simplify the Lyapunov analysis have been avoided in this effort. This leads to a more accurate and general formulation of the bounding set for the overall closed loop system. The conditions under which boundedness can be guaranteed are carefully analyzed; additionally, the interactions between the control design parameters, the ‘Strictly Positive Realness’ condition, and the shape and dimensions of the bounding set are discussed. Finally, an example is presented in which the bounding set is calculated for the neuro-adaptive control of an F/A-18 aircraft, along with a numerical study to evaluate the effect of several design parameters.     

A Group Technology Based Classification and Coding System for Reinforced Concrete Structures

Abstract: This paper presents an application of Group Technology, a technique used in the manifacturing industry, to code and classifv the components of a reinforced concrete building structure. Given this classification scheme, a designer can search the database for design components that are similar and standardize them, retrieve previous similar design solutions and minimize the constructed cost of the structure. This paper reviews current construction classification schemes, provides an overview of group technology, and develops a classification and coding scheme for mid rise reinforced concrete building structural components. The scheme is implemented on software and a case study illustrates the utility of such a system to the industry.     

A Geometrical Analysis of the Layout of Acaya, Italy

The analysis of the urban fabric contained within the city walls of the town of Acaya, made possible by a new integrated survey involving manual, topographical, photogrammetric and 3D laserscan techniques, has cast doubts on the conventional attribution of the city layout to Gian Giacomo dell??Acaya. A rectangular layout consisting of six blocks divided by six longitudinal streets and three lateral streets is indicative of a medieval date. The geometrical analysis shows how the site of the ancient town of Salappya was transformed by Charles I d??Anjou in 1273, renaming it Segine, and how, in about 1500, Alfonso dell??Acaya enlarged the city and its walls according to the same proportional criteria. In 1536 Gian Giacomo dell??Acaya succeeded his father as Baron, redesigning the city walls in order to make them suitable lines of defense against firearms, renaming the city Acaya.     

Biofunctional Silk/Neuron Interfaces

Silk fibroin (SF) is a biocompatible and slowly biodegradable material with excellent mechanical properties and huge potential for use as biofunctional interface in electronic devices that aim to stimulate and control neural network activity and peripheral nerve repair. It is shown that SF films act as material interfaces that support the adherence and neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and preserve neuronal functions. Silk films preserve the capability of neuronal cells to fire and DRG neurons on silk films retain the intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) response to capsaicin, a typical noxious stimulus for this neuronal culture model. It is also demonstrated that nerve growth factor (NGF)‐functionalized silk films promote neurite outgrowth and modulate functional properties of DRG neurons. The results show that silk preserves DRG neuronal physiology and is a promising biomaterial platform for the future development of devices with goals including functional recovery of injured neurons, neurite functional outgrowth in vitro, or functional electrostimulation in vivo.