Fusarium graminearum Infection Strategy in Wheat Involves a Highly Conserved Genetic Program That Controls the Expression of a Core Effectome

Fusarium graminearum, the main causal agent of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), is one of the most damaging pathogens in wheat. Because of the complex organization of wheat resistance to FHB, this pathosystem represents a relevant model to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying plant susceptibility and to identify their main drivers, the pathogen’s effectors. Although the F. graminearum catalog of effectors has been well characterized at the genome scale, in planta studies are needed to confirm their effective accumulation in host tissues and to identify their role during the infection process. Taking advantage of the genetic variability from both species, a RNAseq-based profiling of gene expression was performed during an infection time course using an aggressive F. graminearum strain facing five wheat cultivars of contrasting susceptibility as well as using three strains of contrasting aggressiveness infecting a single susceptible host. Genes coding for secreted proteins and exhibiting significant expression changes along infection progress were selected to identify the effector gene candidates. During its interaction with the five wheat cultivars, 476 effector genes were expressed by the aggressive strain, among which 91% were found in all the infected hosts. Considering three different strains infecting a single susceptible host, 761 effector genes were identified, among which 90% were systematically expressed in the three strains. We revealed a robust F. graminearum core effectome of 357 genes expressed in all the hosts and by all the strains that exhibited conserved expression patterns over time. Several wheat compartments were predicted to be targeted by these putative effectors including apoplast, nucleus, chloroplast and mitochondria. Taken together, our results shed light on a highly conserved parasite strategy. They led to the identification of reliable key fungal genes putatively involved in wheat susceptibility to F. graminearum, and provided valuable information about their putative targets.     

Field Performance of High Oleic Soybeans with Mutant FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B Genes in Tennessee

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] oil with high oleic acid (>75%) has increased oxidative stability and health benefits that are valuable for food, fuel, and industrial products. It has been determined that two naturally occurring mutations in genes FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B can combine to produce high oleic soybeans. The objective of this study was to test the effect of these mutant alleles on seed yield and oil and protein concentration. Molecular markers assisted in the creation of a population of 48 BC₃F_2:4 lines (93.75% expected genome commonality). Each line was classified into one of four genotypic groups where both FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B genes were either homozygous wild type or mutant, respectively. Twelve lines for each genotypic group were evaluated in three replications at six locations across Tennessee. There was no seed yield difference between the high oleic genotypic group and the other groups (P < 0.05). On the other hand, there were differences in fatty acid profiles and oil and protein concentrations. In combination, the mutant FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B alleles produced a mean of 803.1 g kg⁻¹ oleic acid. This is, on average, approximately 500 g kg⁻¹ more oleic acid compared to soybean lines with only one mutant FAD2-1 allele. The high oleic double mutant group had more total oil (228.0 g kg⁻¹) and protein (401.0 g kg⁻¹) compared to all other genotypic groups (P < 0.05). Overall, this specific combination of mutant FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B alleles appears to generate conventional high oleic soybeans without a yield drag.     

Processing of High‐Density Magnesia Spinel Electro‐Conducting Ceramic Composite and its Oxidation at 1400°C

Dense conductive ceramic composites of MgAl₂O₄ and MoSi₂ were processed using combustion synthesis under‐load methodology. The starting reactants were blends of MoO₃, SiO₂, MgO, and Al powders. The study revealed that to obtain dense composite with homogeneous microstructure, 30 wt. % of MoSi₂, 18.5 μm Al average particle size, and 175 MPa load are required. The produced dense composite was found to have a low apparent porosity (<1.0 vol. %), moderate density 4.61 g/cm³, and low electrical resistivity 0.3 Ωcm. The dense composite exhibited excellent thermodynamic stability between its phases at 1400°C in open atmosphere.     

Performance of insulated FRP-strengthened concrete flexural members under fire conditions

This paper presents the results of fire resistance tests on carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strengthened concrete flexural members, i.e., T-beams and slabs. The strengthened members were protected with fire insulation and tested under the combined effects of thermal and structural loading. The variables considered in the tests include the applied load level, extent of strengthening, and thickness of the fire insulation applied to the beams and slabs. Furthermore, a previously developed numerical model was validated against the data generated from the fire tests; subsequently, it was utilized to undertake a case study. Results from fire tests and numerical studies indicate that owing to the protection provided by the fire insulation, the insulated CFRP-strengthened beams and slabs can withstand four and three hours of standard fire exposure, respectively, under service load conditions. The insulation layer impedes the temperature rise in the member; therefore, the CFRP–concrete composite action remains active for a longer duration and the steel reinforcement temperature remains below 400°C, which in turn enhances the capacity of the beams and slabs.     

Selection of the optimum decomposition level using the discrete wavelet transform for automobile suspension system

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - This paper discusses the determination of the optimum decomposition level by using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) method for an automobile...     

Effect of an electric field on the transport of Th(IV) in the presence of Eu(III) and U(VI) through supported liquid membrane containing di‐2‐ethylhexylphosphoric acid

This paper investigates the transport of Th(IV) ions in nitric acid media through a supported liquid membrane (SLM) impregnated with di‐2‐ethylhexylphosphoric acid (HDEHP) in kerosene using an electric field. The transport was carried out in a three compartment cell fitted with microporous cellulose nitrate (SLM) and cation exchange membrane (Nafion). The effect of different parameters including nitric acid concentration in the feed solution, HDEHP concentration in the membrane, and HCl concentration were studied. The optimal conditions for Th(IV) transport were 0.1 mol dm^?3 HDEHP, 10^?3 mol dm^?3 HNO₃ in the feed solution, 1 mol dm^?3 HCl in compartment 2 and 1 mol dm^?3 HCl in compartment 3 at 25 °C. Under the optimal conditions of Th(IV) transport the recovery factor after 90 min was 0.25 without applying an electrostatic field, compared with 0.9 when the electric field was applied. The effect of electric current on the flux of Th(IV) through the membrane was also studied. The flux increased as the current density increased from 10 to 30 mA cm^?2 to reach a maximum value at 30 mA cm^?2 (8 × 10^?9 g eq cm^?2 s^?1). The transport percentages of 0.3 g dm^?3 Th(IV) in the presence of 0.1 g dm^?3 Eu(III) and 1 g dm^?3 U(VI) were 66, 84 and 15%, respectively. The determined selectivities of U(VI)–Th(IV) and Th(IV)–Eu(III) were 0.12 and 0.3, respectively, after 90 min. Therefore, the order of selectivity of this system is Eu(III) > Th(IV) > U(VI). © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comments on solid state hydrogen storage systems design for fuel cell vehicles

In recent years, significant research and development efforts were spent on hydrogen storage technologies with the goal of realizing a breakthrough for fuel cell vehicle applications. This article scrutinizes design targets and material screening criteria for solid state hydrogen storage. Adopting an automotive engineering point of view, four important, but often neglected, issues are discussed: 1) volumetric storage capacity, 2) heat transfer for desorption, 3) recharging at low temperatures and 4) cold start of the vehicle. The article shall help to understand the requirements and support the research community when screening new materials.     

Effect of cooking and germination on phenolic composition and biological properties of dark beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Legumes are the base´s diet in several countries. They hold a high nutritional value, but other properties related to human health are nowadays being studied. The aim of this work was to study the influence of processes (boiling or germination) on the phenolic composition of dark beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. c.v. Tolosana) and their effect on their antioxidant, neuroprotective and anticancer ability. Phenolic composition of raw and processed dark beans was analysed by HPLC-PAD and HPLC–ESI/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by ORAC. Astrocytes cultures (U-373) have been used to test their neuroprotective effect. Anticancer activities were evaluated on three different cell lines (renal adenocarcinoma (TK-10), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and melanoma (UACC-62)) by sulphorhodamine B method. Qualitative and quantitative differences in phenolic composition have been observed between raw and processed dark beans that influence the antioxidant activity, mainly for germinated samples which show a decrease of antioxidant capacity. Although every assayed extracts decreased reactive oxygen species release and exhibited cytotoxicity activities on cancer cell lines, raw beans proved to be the most active in neuroprotective and antitumoral effects; this sample is especially rich in phenolic compounds, mainly anthocyanins. This study further demonstrated that phenolic composition of dark beans is related with cooking process and so with their neuroprotective and anticancer activity; cooking of dark beans improves their digestion and absorption at intestinal level, while maintaining its protective ability on oxidative process at cellular level.