4,268 research outputs found
Insights into the Musa genome: Syntenic relationships to rice and between Musa species
No full textAbstract Background Musa species (Zingiberaceae, Zingiberales) including bananas and plantains are collectively the fourth most important crop in developing countries. Knowledge concerning Musa genome structure and the origin of distinct cultivars has greatly increased over the last few years. Until now, however, no large-scale analyses of Musa genomic sequence have been conducted. This study compares genomic sequence in two Musa species with orthologous regions in the rice genome. Results We produced 1.4 Mb of Musa sequence from 13 BAC clones, annotated and analyzed them along with 4 previously sequenced BACs. The 443 predicted genes revealed that Zingiberales genes share GC content and distribution characteristics with eudicot and Poaceae genomes. Comparison with rice revealed microsynteny regions that have persisted since the divergence of the Commelinid orders Poales and Zingiberales at least 117 Mya. The previously hypothesized large-scale duplication event in the common ancestor of major cereal lineages within the Poaceae was verified. The divergence time distributions for Musa-Zingiber (Zingiberaceae, Zingiberales) orthologs and paralogs provide strong evidence for a large-scale duplication event in the Musa lineage after its divergence from the Zingiberaceae approximately 61 Mya. Comparisons of genomic regions from M. acuminata and M. balbisiana revealed highly conserved genome structure, and indicated that these genomes diverged circa 4.6 Mya. Conclusion These results point to the utility of comparative analyses between distantly-related monocot species such as rice and Musa for improving our understanding of monocot genome evolution. Sequencing the genome of M. acuminata would provide a strong foundation for comparative genomics in the monocots. In addition a genome sequence would aid genomic and genetic analyses of cultivated Musa polyploid genotypes in research aimed at localizing and cloning genes controlling important agronomic traits for breeding purposes.</p
Analysis of non-TIR NBS-LRR resistance gene analogs in <it>Musa acuminata </it>Colla: Isolation, RFLP marker development, and physical mapping
No full textAbstract Background Many commercial banana varieties lack sources of resistance to pests and diseases, as a consequence of sterility and narrow genetic background. Fertile wild relatives, by contrast, possess greater variability and represent potential sources of disease resistance genes (R-genes). The largest known family of plant R-genes encode proteins with nucleotide-binding site (NBS) and C-terminal leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains. Conserved motifs in such genes in diverse plant species offer a means for isolation of candidate genes in banana which may be involved in plant defence. Results A computational strategy was developed for unbiased conserved motif discovery in NBS and LRR domains in R-genes and homologues in monocotyledonous plant species. Degenerate PCR primers targeting conserved motifs were tested on the wild cultivar Musa acuminata subsp. burmannicoides, var. Calcutta 4, which is resistant to a number of fungal pathogens and nematodes. One hundred and seventy four resistance gene analogs (RGAs) were amplified and assembled into 52 contiguous sequences. Motifs present were typical of the non-TIR NBS-LRR RGA subfamily. A phylogenetic analysis of deduced amino-acid sequences for 33 RGAs with contiguous open reading frames (ORFs), together with RGAs from Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, grouped most Musa RGAs within monocotyledon-specific clades. RFLP-RGA markers were developed, with 12 displaying distinct polymorphisms in parentals and F1 progeny of a diploid M. acuminata mapping population. Eighty eight BAC clones were identified in M. acuminata Calcutta 4, M. acuminata Grande Naine, and M. balbisiana Pisang Klutuk Wulung BAC libraries when hybridized to two RGA probes. Multiple copy RGAs were common within BAC clones, potentially representing variation reservoirs for evolution of new R-gene specificities. Conclusion This is the first large scale analysis of NBS-LRR RGAs in M. acuminata Calcutta 4. Contig sequences were deposited in GenBank and assigned numbers ER935972 – ER936023. RGA sequences and isolated BACs are a valuable resource for R-gene discovery, and in future applications will provide insight into the organization and evolution of NBS-LRR R-genes in the Musa A and B genome. The developed RFLP-RGA markers are applicable for genetic map development and marker assisted selection for defined traits such as pest and disease resistance.</p
Evaluation of the Bioenergy Potential of Temer Musa: An Invasive Tree from the African Desert
No full textTemer musa (Prosopis chilensis) is an invasive wild tree found in the desert of many countries, e.g., Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, India, South Africa, and the USA. The thermochemical properties of this invasive tree were analyzed as a potential biomass feedstock for energy generation. The calorific value measurement of the temer musa wood was found to be 19.83 MJ/kg. Thermogravimetric analysis and derivative weight profiles displayed that the decomposition happened in four stages representing moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash formation. The proximate parameters are in good range with other known biomasses and are found suitable for the thermochemical energy conversion. The gasification process confirmed the existence of several gases that are usually observed in invasive biomasses. All gasification gases were in the acceptable range, and no hydrogen sulfide gas was observed, which makes the conversion as environment friendly. The obtained results show that the energy conversion of temer musa is suitable for real-time implementation
The dynamic influence of the DRB1*1101 allele on the resistance of sheep to experimental Teladorsagia circumcincta infection
No full textSuffolk sheep carrying the DRB1*1101 (previously referred to as-DRB1*0203 or G2) allele have been reported to show increased resistance to natural Teladorsagia circumcincta infection compared to non-carriers. The objective of this study was to compare the biochemical and physiological responses of DRB1*1101 carrier and non-carrier twin lambs to an experimental infection with 3 x 10 [superscript 4] L3 Teladorsagia circumcincta. The variables studied included worm burden, faecal egg count, abomasal mast cells, IgA, IgE, IgG1 plus IgG2 and haematological parameters at 0, 3, 7, 21 and 35 days post infection (dpi), and duodenal smooth muscle contractility at 0 and 35 dpi. DRB1*1101 carrier lambs had significantly lower worm burden, higher mast cell and plasma platelet counts than the DRB1*1101 non-carriers (P < 0.05). Before infection, the non-carrier lambs exhibited significantly higher mucosal levels of all antibody isotypes measured compared to the carriers; these levels remained relatively stable over the course of infection in the non-carriers while there was a slow build up of these antibodies in the carriers up to day 21 post infection (pi). The DRB1*1101 non-carrier lambs had a significantly higher plasma lymphocyte count, and produced greater duodenal contractile force relative to the carrier lambs (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between genotypes in the level of plasma eosinophils, monocytes, neutrophils or FEC. This evidence suggests that resistance conferred by DRB1*1101 is acquired rather than innate, depends on worm expulsion rather than fecundity and is dependent on mucosal mast cell proliferation, platelet activation, and IgA and IgE antibody responses.Teagasc (Organization). Walsh Fellowshi
Aprovechamiento del pseudotallo de plátano (musa paradisiaca) como alternativa para la elaboración de biocombustible sólido
No full textEl trabajo de investigación tiene la finalidad de aprovechar el pseudotallo de plátano (Musa paradisiaca) como biomasa, debido a la gran cantidad de plantaciones de Plátano en el Ecuador, que en su tiempo de cosecha es considerado un residuo, como nueva alternativa energética desarrollando biocombustibles sólidos en forma de pellet y briquetas. El estudio inició con la recolección de los pseudotallos, troceado, secado inicial, molienda, tamizado, mezclado y secado final, después se realizó un análisis proximal de la biomasa molida dando los resultados: 23,9% Lignina, 13,7% de celulosa, 12,9% Hemicelulosa, 4,24% de Humedad, 6,761% de ceniza y 14,447 MJ/Kg. Posteriormente, se ejecutó el proceso de peletizado y de briquetado utilizando como aglutinante resina epoxi, para luego realizar los respectivos análisis fisicoquímicos. Se concluyó que el biocombustible sólido con mayor poder calorífico fue la composición 50-50 de briqueta con 22,680 MJ/Kg y la proporción 55-45% de pellet con 22,657 MJ/
Self-compression of 4.9 µm pulses to sub-40 fs with 2 mJ energy in Zinc Sulfide
No full textNonlinear self-compression of few-cycle multi-mJ pulses at 4.9 µm in ZnS is presented. 80 fs input pulses are compressed to 37 fs with 2.1 mJ energy at a 1 kHz repetition rate. © 2024 The Author(s
Análisis del poder calorífico de pellets y briquetas en el aprovechamiento del pseudotallo de Plátano (Musa paradisiaca.
No full textSolid biofuels belong to the second generation according to the type of biomass obtained from agricultural, forestry, and industrial wastes, such as banana pseudostem, which is a lignocellulosic biomass that can be used as an alternative for the generation of renewable energy in the form of pellets and briquettes due to its energetic properties. The study aims to determine the calorific value efficiency of solid biofuels based on Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) pseudostem. The study methodology was divided into three parts: (1) obtaining and conditioning of biomass, (2) elaboration of solid biofuels, and (3) physical, proximal, and energy potential analysis of biomass and the respective ANOVA of pellets and briquettes. A high calorific value was found for the compositions 55-45% in pellet with 22,657 MJ/kg and 50-50% in briquette with 22,680 MJ/kg, complying with the parameters established in the ENplus and NTC 2060 standards, respectively.Los biocombustibles sólidos pertenecen a la segunda generación de acuerdo con el tipo de biomasa, obteniéndose de desechos agrícolas, forestales e industriales como el pseudotallo de plátano que es una biomasa lignocelulósica la cual se puede emplear como una alternativa para la generación de energía renovable en forma de pellets y briquetas debido a sus propiedades energéticas. El objetivo de estudio es determinar la eficiencia del poder calorífico de los biocombustibles sólidos en base al pseudotallo de Plátano (Musa paradisiaca). La metodología de estudio se dividió 3 partes: (1) Obtención y acondicionamiento de la biomasa, (2) elaboración de Biocombustibles Sólidos y (3) el análisis físico, proximal, potencial energético de la biomasa y el ANOVA respectivo de pellet y briqueta. Encontrándose un alto poder calorífico para las composiciones 55-45% en pellet con 22,657 MJ/Kg y 50-50% en briqueta con 22,680 MJ/kg, cumpliendo con los parámetros establecidos en las normas ENplus y NTC 2060 respectivamente
Correction to: Chamoun et al., Bacterial pathogenesis and interleukin-17: interconnecting mechanisms of immune regulation, host genetics, and microbial virulence that influence severity of infection
No full textChamoun MN, Blumenthal A, Sullivan MJ, Schembri MA, Ulett GC. 2018. Bacterial pathogenesis and interleukin-17: interconnecting mechanisms of immune regulation, host genetics, and microbial virulence that influence severity of infection. Critical Reviews in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1040841X.2018.1426556.
When the above article was first published online, the below three corrections were missed.
The author ‘Antje Blumenthal’ was wrongly affiliated to the affiliation “cSchool of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia”. Now this affiliation has been removed for this author.
The affiliation ‘bTranslational Research Institute, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia’ of the author ‘Antje Blumenthal’ should read ‘bThe University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia’.
In Table 3, the sentence ‘Benefit of manipulating IL-17 levels to improve immunization strategies M. tuberculosis’ should read “Benefit of manipulating IL-17 levels to improve immunization strategies against M. tuberculosis”.No Full Tex
Generation of 22-mJ, 2.0-ps Pulses from a 1-kHz Ho:YLF Regenerative Chirped Pulse Amplifier
No full textWe report a CW-pumped Ho:YLF regenerative amplifier (RA) delivering pulses with 22.5-mJ energy and 2.0-ps duration at 1 kHz. The RA emitting at 2051 nm is broadband-seeded and implemented in a chirped pulse amplification system. © 2024 The Author(s
Modeling plantain (Musa AAB Simmonds) potential yield
No full textPlantain is a basic food for more than 400 million people of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Crop modeling has become a useful agricultural tool whose outputs not only facilitate the scientific study of crop physiological processes, but also the adaptation of farmers' crop management decisions. By using physiological and climatic data from two experiments on variety Dominico-Harton (Musa AAB Simmonds), a plantain potential production model was developed. Based on the results, Light Extinction Coefficient (k) and Light Use Efficiency (LUE) were respectively estimated as 0.2817 and 1.63 g MJ-1. Likewise, aerial dry matter results allowed estimating partition coefficients for both the vegetative and the reproductive stage. Leaf, stem and corm dry matter were observed to increase in equal proportions during the vegetative stage. During the reproductive stage, only the stem was observed to increase its dry matter content (although not as much as in the vegetative stage), while leaves and corm were found to decrease it. A sensitivity analysis established LUE as the most sensitive parameter. In consequence, research efforts should be aimed at improving this conversion of radiant energy into dry matter
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