Thèses sur le sujet « Peste Nera »

La surdité est l'un des déficits sensoriels les plus fréquents dans nos sociétés industrialisées. Parmi les pathologies de l'audition, les surdités de perception ou neurosensorielles sont les plus répandues. Les surdités de perception sont dues à un dysfonctionnement de la cochlée impliquant l'homéostasie ionique, la perte des cellules sensorielles et des neurones ganglionnaires. Alors qu'une altération de l'homéostasie ou que la perte de cellules sensorielles entraine immanquablement la survenue d'une surdité, l'impact de la perte de neurones ganglionnaires est mal connu.L'objet de cette thèse était d'évaluer l'impact des pertes neuronales sur l'audition. Pour ce faire, nous avons développé un outil pharmacologique capable de créer une perte sélective de neurones auditifs primaires, sans endommager les structures pré-synaptiques telles que les cellules sensorielles et la strie vasculaire. Pour ce faire, nous avons appliqué des doses croissantes de ouabaïne sur la membrane de la fenêtre ronde chez la gerbille. Les tests électrophysiologiques (produits de distorsions acoustiques, potentiel endocochléaire et potentiel d'action composite du nerf auditif) ont été réalisés avant et 6 jours après l'application de ouabaïne. A la fin des explorations fonctionnelles, les cochlées étaient prélevées et préparées pour réaliser des évaluations morphologiques en microscopie confocale et en microscopie électronique à transmission.Jusqu'à 80 µM, la ouabaïne n'entrainait aucun changement significatif des produits de distorsions acoustiques ce qui reflétait le bon fonctionnement des cellules ciliées externes, ni du potentiel endocochléaire témoin du fonctionnement normal de la strie vasculaire. En revanche, les mêmes concentrations de ouabaïne provoquaient une diminution dose-dépendante de l'amplitude du potentiel d'action composite du nerf auditif, étroitement associée à une perte de neurones ganglionnaires et de synapses afférentes. Si l'amplitude du potentiel d'action composite du nerf auditif constitue un bon indicateur du nombre et de l'état fonctionnel des neurones ganglionnaires et des synapses afférentes, ce n'est donc pas le cas pour les seuils audiométriques. En effet, ce n'était qu'avec une perte de 75 % des synapses afférentes et supérieure à 55 % des neurones ganglionnaires, qu'une élévation des seuils audiométriques était observée, après une perfusion de 80 µM de ouabaïne. A 100 µM de ouabaïne, l'élévation des seuils auditifs résultait de la perte cumulée des cellules sensorielles et de l'altération de la strie vasculaire, se surajoutant aux dommages neuronaux et synaptiques.L'ensemble de nos résultats montrait que l'application de ouabaïne sur la membrane de la fenêtre ronde chez la gerbille constitue un excellent modèle pour étudier l'impact de la perte sélective des neurones ganglionnaires sur la fonction auditive. Il apparaît aussi nécessaire de développer des outils d'investigation plus précis que le simple audiogramme pour évaluer les pertes neuronales chez l'homme
Deafness is one of the most frequent sensory deficits in our industrialized societies. Among the auditory pathologies, sensorineural deafness is the most wide-spread. Sensorineural deafness is due to a dysfunction of the cochlea involving the ionic homeostasis, loss of sensory cells and spiral ganglion neurons. While an alteration of the homeostasis or the loss of sensory cells induce inevitably the appearance of deafness, the impact of spiral ganglion neuron loss is unknown.The object of this thesis was to estimate the impact of spiral ganglion neuron losses on the auditory function. We developed a pharmacological tool capable of creating a selective loss of spiral ganglion neurons, without damaging the presynaptic structures such as the sensory cells and the stria vascularis. To do this, we applied increasing doses of ouabain to the round window membrane in the gerbil. Electrophysiological evaluations such as the distortion product otoacoustic emissions, the endocochlear potential and the compound action potentials of the cochlear nerve were recorded before and 6 days after application of ouabain. At the end of the functional evaluations, the cochlea were removed and prepared for morphological evaluations using confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.Our results showed that up to a concentration of 80 µM, ouabain did not induce any significant change of the amplitude of the distortion product otoacoustic emissions, which indicated a normal functional state of the outer hair cells, nor of the endocochlear potential which reflected an intact stria vascularis. On the other hand, the same concentrations of ouabain led to a dose-dependent decrease of the amplitude of the compound action potentials, which was strictly associated with a loss of spiral ganglion neurons and afferent synapses, as assessed by morpho-anatomical analyses. If the amplitude of the compound action potentials constitutes a good indicator of the number and the functional state of the spiral ganglion neurons and the afferent synapses, it is not the case for the audiometric thresholds. Indeed, a loss of 75 % of afferent synapses and more than 55 % loss of the ganglion neurons was necessary before an elevation of the audiometric thresholds was observed in the cochleae perfused with 80 µM ouabain. At 100 µM ouabain, the elevation of the auditory thresholds may result from the accumulated loss of sensory cells, damage to the stria vascularis, in addition to the loss of the spiral ganglion neurons and afferent synapses. All these results indicate that the application of ouabain onto the round window membrane in the gerbil is an excellent model to study the impact of the selective loss of the spiral ganglion neurons on hearing function. More generally, this study points towards the necessity of developing more precise tools, beyond the simple audiogram, for the investigation of auditory neuron loss in humans

Cotton pesticide application histories in the Gila Basin were followed from 27 April through 20 September. The main interest was the effect of early season applications to control pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella, and other pests on subsequent whitefly applications. Categories explored include, transgenic and non transgenic cotton, planting dates, and location within the valley. Regression analysis shows a significant effect due to the early season control for either P. gossypiella, or other pests (P > 0.009) but lower for them together (P > 0.026). Early applications for either PBW or other pest resulted in increased application for whitefly.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Brazil is the world s largest orange producer. As of the 1980s Brazil also became the top orange juice producer. Citrus growing faces a series of agricultural problems, especially in the form of pests and diseases, placing citrus among the crops with the highest losses due to insects, mites and pathogens. Currently, the citrus blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi) is one of the main pests, causing a reduction of fruit production as high as 80% and fruit losses of 20-80%. This study evaluates the effectiveness of insecticidal plant extracts (aqueous and organic), both native and exotic, in the control of Aleurocanthus woglumi, in laboratory conditions (29,10±0,15°C; 68,44±0,75% RH). We screened for the most promissing plants, selected the best extractor from those plants, conducted bioassays of translaminar, systemic, and topical action, and conducted chemical analyses of the most promissing extracts. The extracts or fractions were applied using an aerógrafo specific to second stage nymphs or eggs of A. woglumi. After seven or eight days of extract applications, we examined nymph mortality and egg viability. Initially, we determined CL50 with the use of aqueous almond (Azadirachta indica) extracts; subsequently we screened 14 plant species containing possible insecticides with different structures. We selected the three most promissing plant species and from these the best extractors (hexane, dichloromethane and methanol) and fractions (methanol extraction of hexane extract, liquid-liquid extraction and chromatographic fractioning); also bioassays based on mode of action (translaminar, systemic, or topical) and pretests of ovicidal and nymphicidal activity. Extracts were analyzed with joint gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Bioassay results were analyzed with ANOVA or its non-parametric equivalent, Kruskal-Wallis. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. Among the aqueous extracts tested, the most promissing in the control of the citrus blackfly came from roots of ecotype C of the plant timbó (Derris floribunda), followed by almond A. indica extract and leaf extracts from Melia azedarach. In comparisons among solvents of different polarities, greatest bioactivity for the three plant species cited was obtained using the most apolar solvent (hexane). Among timbós (D. floribunda), ecotype C presented elevated toxicity to the blackfly, as much with aqueous extraction as with extraction solvents with successively increasing polarity, especially in the hexane-soluble partition. HPLC indicated that in isolation the rotenoids in timbó extracts do not cause high mortality in A. woglumi, suggesting that the toxic effect may be related to the presence of other secondary metabolites or the synergy among them. GC-MS analyses detected the presence of fatty acids, which are important in bioactivity, but whose mechanism with respect to the blackfly is not clear. Methanol-based extracts of nuts of A. indica, those of roots of D. floribunda and of leaves of M. azedarach, although lacking both translaminar and systemic action, present topical action on A. woglumi.
O Brasil é o maior produtor mundial de laranja. A partir da década de 1980 consolidouse também como o maior produtor mundial de suco dessa fruta. A citricultura é afetada por inúmeros problemas fitossanitários, representados pelas pragas e doenças, estando entre os cultivos com mais perdas em vista do ataque de insetos, ácaros e patógenos. Atualmente, a mosca-negra-dos-citros é uma das principais pragas dessa cultura e pode levar à redução da frutificação em até 80% e perdas de 20 a 80% na produção. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de extratos (aquosos e orgânicos) de plantas inseticidas, nativas e exóticas, no controle da mosca-negra-dos-citros, Aleurocanthus woglumi, em condições de laboratório (29,10±0,15°C; 68,44±0,75%UR). Para isso, buscou selecionar as plantas inseticidas mais promissoras (screening); selecionar o melhor extrator dentro de cada planta promissora; realizar bioensaios de ação translaminar, sistêmica e tópica e realizar a análise química dos extratos promissores. Os extratos ou frações foram aplicados com auxílio de um aerógrafo de precisão sobre ninfas de segundo estádio ou ovos de A. woglumi. Após sete ou oito dias da aplicação do extrato, foram avaliadas as mortalidades ninfais e inviabilidade dos ovos, respectivamente. Inicialmente, foi determinada a CL50 com o uso de extratos aquosos de amêndoas de Azadirachta indica, em seguida foi realizado um screening com quatorze espécies de plantas com potencial inseticida, incluindo diferentes estruturas. Foram selecionadas as três espécies de plantas inseticidas mais promissoras. Dessas espécies foram selecionados os melhores extratores (hexano, diclorometano e metanol) e frações (extração com metanol do extrato hexano, extração líquido-líquido e fracionamento cromatográfico); além de bioensaios referentes aos modos de ação (traslaminar, sistêmico e tópico) e pré-testes de atividade ovicida e ninficida. Foram realizadas análises químicas dos extratos em Cromatografia Gasosa de Alta Resolução Acoplada a Espectrômetro de Massa (CGAR-EM) e Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência Acoplada a Detector de Arranjo de Diodos CLAE/DAD. Os dados dos bioensaios foram submetidos à ANOVA ou seu equivalente não-paramétrico Kruskal-Wallis. As diferenças foram consideradas significativas ao nível de probabilidade p < 0,05. Entre os extratos aquosos testados, o mais promissor no controle da mosca-negra-dos-citros foi o obtido a partir das raízes do ecótipo C do timbó Derris floribunda seguindo-se os extratos de amêndoas de A. indica e de folhas de Melia azedarach. Na comparação entre os solventes hexano, diclorometano e metanol, de diferentes polaridades, a maior bioatividade para as três espécies de plantas citadas é obtida com o uso do solvente mais apolar (hexano). Entre os timbós, em especial, o ecótipo C (D. floribunda) apresenta elevada toxicidade sobre a mosca-negra tanto com o uso de extratos aquosos quanto com o extrato obtido por meio de extrações sucessivas com solventes em ordem crescente de polaridade, e principalmente na partição hexano solúvel. As análises em CLAE-DAD indicam que, isoladamente, as substâncias da classe dos rotenoides nos extratos dos timbós, não provocam elevada mortalidade de A. woglumi, sugerindo que o efeito tóxico pode estar relacionado à presença de outros metabólitos secundários, além do sinergismo entre eles. As análises por CGAR-EM registram a presença de ácidos graxos, que são importantes no mecanismo da bioatividade, porém, o mecanismo de ação sobre a mosca-negra não está elucidado. Os extratos em metanol de amêndoas de A. indica, de raízes do ecótipo C do timbó D. floribunda e de folhas de M. azedarach embora não tenham ação translaminar e nem sistêmica, apresentam ação tópica sobre A.

Doutoramento em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia
The host-parasitoid relationships of Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci were investigated, including host selection behavior, host defenses, host suitability and parasitoid functional response in relation to five mealybug species with different phylogenetic relationships and geographical origins: i) a Mediterranean native species, Planococcus ficus, with a long co-evolutionary history with the parasitoid; ii) three alien species, Planococcus citri, Pseudococcus calceolariae and Pseudococcus viburni, with a more recent co-evolutionary history; and iii) a fourth alien species, Phenacoccus peruvianus, with no previous common history with the parasitoid. The parasitoid recognized as potential hosts and complete development in all five mealybug species, but showed a clear preference for Planococcus spp. Host suitability of the studied mealybugs seems to fit a phylogenetic/biogeographic trend, showing the highest level in Pl. ficus and its closely related congener Pl. citri, followed by the Australasian Ps. calcelolariae, and the Neotropical Ps. viburni and Ph. peruvianus. The functional response of the parasitoid varied between host species, with a type II and type III responses observed for Ps. calceolariae and Pl. ficus, respectively. The results suggest that A. sp. nr. pseudococci has a broader host range and a more generalist behavior in comparison with other Anagyrus species.

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Black Sigatoka, caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis, is one of the most detrimental diseases for banana plantations in Brazil and worldwide. Although its occurrence in the state of Minas Gerais (MG) was first reported in 2004, the fears of economic disaster to banana growers never materialized along the past ten years. There is a clear paradox in this case, for a disease known to be devastating to this crop. Here this paradox is examined in detail and a narrative of the events that preceded and followed the first reports of the disease in MG. The initiatives taken by federal and state agencies to control the spread of the disease are discussed as well as the reasons and body of legislation behind the decisions that were taken along the years. A visit was made to the Zona da Mata region in Minas Gerais in areas regarded as being "positive" for the occurrence of the disease was performed. Interviews with banana growers in this region as well as extension workers, scientists and other professionals involved with the issue since 2004 were made. In addition, we analyzed data from surveys carried out by different groups at different occasions after the supposed outbreak in 2004. Evidence shows that the disease did not progress to new areas, and in 2007 it was not found in the areas in municipalities that are still strangely considered as "positive for the occurrence of disease". All reports from such studies (published or not) mention the contradiction between the predictions of a disastrous expansion of the disease and the observed continuation of the status quo for banana plantations for all areas in MG. Although awkward, the more acceptable hypothesis is that mistakes in identification of the pathogen have been originally committed. The final elucidation of the paradox is discussed and suggestions for modifying the federal and state legislation and regulations in order to repair the present situation and prevent the emergence of similar situations in the future are presented.
A Sigatoka-negra, causada por Mycosphaerella fijiensis, é uma das doenças mais prejudiciais à cultura da bananeira no Brasil e no mundo. Embora sua ocorrência tenha sido relatada pela primeira vez em 2004 no Estado de Minas Gerais, o temido desastre econômico esperado para os bananicultores do estado, passados dez anos, não se confirmou. Há um claro paradoxo neste caso, para uma doença sabidamente devastadora para a cultura. Realizou-se aqui um estudo deste paradoxo, pretendendo-se construir uma narrativa dos eventos que antecederam e se seguiram a esta ocorrência em MG, avaliando-se como as iniciativas para o controle da disseminação da doença foram conduzidas pelos órgãos de defesa agropecuária federal e estadual e como foram embasadas suas decisões, bem como discutindo o impasse gerado pelas imperfeições da legislação em vigor a cada tempo. Uma visita à região da Zona da Mata mineira em , em que foram feitas entrevistas com bananicultores desta região, assim como técnicos e profissionais envolvidos com o tema e que participaram de forma efetiva dos trabalhos conduzidos a partir de 2004. Além disso, analisaram-se os dados de levantamentos e monitoramentos realizados no período subsequente a 2004, mostrando que a doença não avançou para novas áreas, e que a partir de 2007 ela não foi encontrada nas áreas que ainda Todos os estudos posteriores a 2004 (publicados ou não) citam a contradição entre as previsões sobre um avanço do fungo e a observada continuação do status quo para a bananicultura mineira. A hipótese mais aceitável, embora embaraçosa, é a de que equívocos na identificação do patógeno tenham sido cometidos. A resolução final da situação paradoxal que se vive nesta questão em Minas Gerais é discutida e sugestões para a modificação da legislação e normas federais e estaduais de modo a corrigir este problema e problemas futuros são apresentadas.

Les travaux de thèse sont axés sur le développement de nouvelles techniques de caractérisation basées sur la variation de la réponse d’un résonateur, réponse modifiée par les propriétés diélectriques ou métalliques d’un matériau sous test. La première méthode utilise la microscopie microonde en champ proche pour la caractérisation résonante et non destructive de matériaux diélectriques dans la bande ISM (2,45 GHz).Celle-ci permet de déterminer les propriétés électromagnétiques (permittivité relative, tangente de pertes) des échantillons diélectriques solides de faible volumepar rapport à la longueur d’onde de mesure, et cela sans aucun traitement préalable. La connaissance de ces paramètres est essentielle pour fournir des informations critiques nécessaires pour la conception, la modélisation et la fabrication de circuits microondes. Une deuxième approche vise l’étude et le développement d’un nouveau capteur à base de céramique, économique, sensible, et pouvant s’intégrer dans un système sans fil pour la détection et la caractérisation du degré de corrosion. Ces nouveaux capteurs fournissent des informations sur l'état de l'équipement opérationnel d’une structure cible afin d'assurer la sécurité de cette dernière et par conséquent celle de leurs utilisateurs. Pour ces deux axes d’études, des simulations sur des logiciels de calcul électromagnétique ont été effectuées puis validées par des mesures expérimentales
This Ph. D thesis focuses on the development of new characterization techniques of dielectric and metallic materials in the ISM band (2.45 GHz). The first proposed method is based on non-destructive near field microave microscopy. This technique allows the determination of the electromagnetic properties (permittivity, loss tangent) of solid dielectric samples of small volume without prior treatment. The knowledge of these parameters is essential to provide critical information needed for accurately designing, modeling and manufacturing microwave circuits. A second study focuses on the development of a new, ceramic based, sensitive and economic sensor that can be integrated in a wireless system for the detection and characterization of the corrosion evolution. These new sensors provide information about the state of the operational equipment of the target structure in order to ensure the safety of these structures and therefore that of their users. In these two studies, simulations on electromagnetic calculation software have been performed and validated by experimental measurements

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
The citrus blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi) an important pest of the citrus of Asian origin, was detected in Brazil in 2001. The aim of this research was to evaluate the biology and infestation levels of A. woglumi in three host plants (orange Pêra, C. sinensis, acid lime Tahiti, Citrus latifolia and mango, M. indica) and biometry evaluations. For this, experiments were assembled in the period of January to June of 2006 at laboratory conditions. It was verified that acid lime Tahiti had been shown as the most suitable host for A. woglumi. Orange Pêra and mango are similar, being the citrus genus the most favorable to the complete development of A. woglumi. Mango is an appropriate host for A. woglumi. The duration of embrionary development was 15 days on average for the three hosts. The fourth nymph stadium was the longest when compared to the other stages of evolutive cycle. The higher viabilities were on third nymph stages, eggs and second nymph stages. The duration of egg-adult cycle was 70 days on average (2 months and 10 days) for the three hosts evaluated.
A mosca-negra-dos-citros (Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby) uma importante praga dos citros de origem asiática, foi detectada no Brasil em 2001. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a biologia e os níveis de infestação de A. woglumi em três plantas hospedeiras (laranja Pêra, C. sinensis; lima ácida Tahiti, Citrus latifolia e manga, M. indica) e avaliações de biometria. Para isto, foram montados experimentos no período de janeiro a junho de 2006 em condições de laboratório. Foi verificado que lima ácida Tahiti se mostrou o hospedeiro mais favorável para A. woglumi. Laranja Pêra e manga assemelham-se; sendo que o gênero Citrus se mostrou mais favorável ao desenvolvimento completo de A. woglumi. Manga é um hospedeiro adequado para A. woglumi. A duração do desenvolvimento embrionário foi de 15 dias em média para os três hospedeiros. O estádio de ninfa 4 (pupário) foi o mais longo quando comparado com as outras fases do período desenvolvimento. As maiores viabilidades foram nas fases de ninfa 3, ovos e ninfa 2. A duração do ciclo ovo-adulto foi de 70 dias em média (2 meses e 10 dias) para os três hospedeiros avaliados.

La presente tesi dottorale si pone all’incrocio fra due recenti filoni storiografici della medievistica italiana ed europea: da una parte, la storia della mobilità sociale nel Tardo Medioevo, in relazione al ruolo assunto dalle competenze tecniche e professionali come canale di ascesa sociale; dall’altra, gli studi sul notariato e sui professionisti della scrittura al servizio degli enti ecclesiastici e religiosi. Obiettivo della ricerca è stata la delineazione e l’analisi della carriera professionale e dell’ascesa sociale del notaio toscano ser Lando di Fortino dalla Cicogna (1345 - †1376) e dei suoi discendenti, caso di studio emblematico circa i fenomeni di rimodulazione socio-professionale innescati dai cicli endemici di epidemia della seconda metà del XIV secolo. Professionista della scrittura originario di un piccolo castello del Valdarno Superiore, ser Lando di Fortino, proveniente da una famiglia ascrivibile alla cosiddetta ‘borghesia di contado’, tra il 1345 e il 1348 fu attivo come notaio itinerante al servizio di privati, comunità rurali, parrocchie, confraternite e ospedali del Valdarno di Sopra. Dal 1348 ser Lando divenne notaio e scriba dell’abate generale di Vallombrosa, sul vicino Pratomagno, assunzione strettamente legata alle necessità di riassestamento dell’ordine monastico gualbertiano in seguito alla crisi di mortalità e agli sconvolgimenti conseguenti all’epidemia di Peste Nera che si abbatté su Firenze e il suo contado nella primavera-estate del 1348. Assieme ad altri notai di area fiorentina e valdarnese attivi in prevalenza per la badia di Vallombrosa, ser Lando ebbe un ruolo di rilievo nel consolidamento delle pratiche di produzione e gestione documentaria dell’ordine, in parallelo all’operato di alcuni intraprendenti abati generali. Inurbatosi a Firenze nei primi anni ’50 del Trecento e divenuto un professionista di riferimento all’interno degli ambienti della Chiesa fiorentina, anche in virtù della sua attività per i vallombrosani, a partire dal 1363 ser Lando divenne notaio e scriba del vescovo e della curia vescovile di Firenze, assunzione legata, da una parte, ai rapporti sociali instaurati con importanti consorterie familiari cittadine e del contado; dall’altra, alla rinnovata crisi di mortalità dovuta al coevo ritorno della peste in città e alle necessità di riassestamento dell’episcopio e della curia vescovile. La ricerca ha inteso far luce anche sulle funzioni attribuite ai notai attivi per gli enti ecclesiastici e religiosi e sull’attività da essi svolta per le varie istituzioni con le quali erano in contatto; sui rapporti da essi intrattenuti con le famiglie e i ceti che ruotavano attorno alle istituzioni della Chiesa; sulle persone e sulle famiglie di questi notai, per alcuni dei quali la storiografia ha già delineato una mobilità e un livello sociale medio-alto. L’ascesa socio-professionale di ser Lando di Fortino, testimoniata e comprovata dalla ricchissima documentazione superstite da lui prodotta e a lui riferita, costituì infatti una solida base per i discendenti, in particolare i figli ser Benedetto (1350 ca.-1406) e ser Paolo Fortini (1370 ca.-1433), che ricoprirono incarichi di alto livello presso i pubblici uffici, divenendo cancellieri della Repubblica di Firenze al fianco di Coluccio Salutati e Leonardo Bruni. Si sarebbe inoltre legato agli ambienti dell’Umanesimo civile fiorentino il nipote Bartolomeo di ser Benedetto Fortini (1402-1470 ca.), mercante e letterato nella Firenze di età medicea.

The eldana stalk borer (Eldana saccharina Walker) is the most serious pest of the Southern African sugarcane industry, and it is imperative that effective control measures are available to minimize economic damage. Because conventional control methods have had limited success, cultivar resistance is seen as the most viable method of controlling infestation. However, due to the space- and time-consuming nature of the present screening methods, only small numbers of cultivars can be tested relatively late in the Plant Breeding selection programme. Increased resistance in breeding and selection populations is therefore slow. Buds are a preferred entry point of eldana larvae as they are softer than the rind that is present on the rest of the stalk surface. Preliminary results by other workers suggested that near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) could provide a rapid screening method for the chemical profile in bud scales, the outer coating of buds and therefore the first contact point of an invading larva. If feasible, analysis of samples using this method could be done in the South African Sugar Experiment Station's (SASEX) stage two selection trials, providing an early indication of eldana resistance on large numbers of cultivars, without the necessity of separate trials. However, knowledge of how environments, position of bud scales on the stalk and age affect NIRS is required in order to determine the feasibility of the method. Planting of a trial with an identical set of genotypes across a range of environments, sampled at a number of ages, would provide the necessary information on environmental effects, whilst simultaneously providing the necessary range of samples to develop a calibration between bud scale chemical profiles and eldana resistance ratings. Inheritance patterns of the characteristics being measured is also required if they are to be used in a breeding programme. The original work by Rutherford (1993) was carried out on only five calibration sets (a set of standard clones with relatively well-known eldana resistance ratings), and different sets were not comparable due to what was assumed to be environmental differences between calibration sets. One aspect of the current experiment was to examine more closely the effect of genotype x environment interaction (G x E) on the performance of the NIRS technique under a range of conditions. Two sites were chosen to represent the conditions encountered in trials carried out by SASEX. The crops were sampled at three ages, representing the range of ages at which sugarcane is harvested in South Africa. Two locations on the stalk were also examined, top and bottom, for removal of bud scales, based on the assumption that aging of bud scales may affect chemical composition. A new NIRSystems 6500 instrument was acquired during the course of this study. Data from the new instrument indicated that there were no longer differences between the different calibration sets, and therefore no longer differences between environments. Spectra for different samples were very close, the differences being of the same scale as those recorded with repeated measures of the same samples, or between the readings for the standard solvent solution. This led to the conclusion that the differences observed on the original NIRSystems 5000 instrument were due to instrument error, not environmental differences. More importantly, the different calibration sets were not comparable despite being similar to each other. Prediction from one calibration set to another was low. These observations led to the conclusion that NIRS was not a suitable method for determining chemical compounds associated with tolerance of sugarcane genotypes to eldana borer. The original NIRS instrument was subject to error, and the small number of calibration sets included in the study led to the erroneous conclusion that NIRS was suitable for the prediction of varietal tolerance to eldana. With the acquisition of the new instrument, the errors generated by the old instrument became apparent. With the increase in number of calibration sets included in the study, it also became apparent that a global calibration covering all environments was not possible. An analysis of the heritability of the chemical compounds associated with eldana resistance was also included in this study. A biparental progeny design of 24 crosses with 33 unselected offspring per cross was used. This trial would have been analysed once the calibration had been developed using the environmental trial, and it would have provided knowledge of the breeding behaviour of the chemical compounds associated with tolerance to eldana. Because the NIRS technique proved to be unsuitable for detection of chemical compounds associated with eldana resistance, the heritability of these chemical compounds could not be studied. As the NIRS study did not produce data, the G x E interaction analysis and determination of heritability was applied to the bud scale mass data set. This study showed a relatively low positive correlation between bud scale mass and resistance to eldana. The broad sense heritability estimate for bud scale mass from the G x E interaction analysis was 0.45, and the narrow sense heritability estimate from parent-offspring regression analysis was approximately 0.27, suggesting a low degree of genetic determination in bud scale mass. The G x E interaction analyses gave varying results depending on the method used. The ANOVA analysis suggested that ages, sites and years had an effect on bud scale mass, while deviation from maximum plot showed no significance for G x E interactions. The number and choice of genotypes selected as unstable also varied with the method used to determine the stability of individual genotypes. Regression analysis and rank order analysis revealed a number of unstable genotypes, whilst stability variance and ecovalence, which produced similar results, detected only two unstable genotypes. In the rank order analysis correction of data to remove genotype effect, reduced the number of unstable genotypes, suggesting that the G x E interaction effect was partially confounded with the bud scale mass of the genotypes. This was a more reliable method than the uncorrected rank order analysis, and would be the preferred analysis type of all those tried.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Relatório da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada, Ensino de História e Geografia no 3.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e no Ensino Secundário, Universidade de Lisboa, 2013
O relatório/tese apresenta-se como uma proposta didáctica do Módulo 2 – O Dinamismo Civilizacional da Europa Ocidental nos Séculos XIII-XIV – Espaços, Poderes e Vivências – A Fragilidade do Equilíbrio Demográfico, ao mesmo tempo científica, formadora e inovadora, realizada com alunos do 10.º ano de escolaridade do Ensino Secundário, numa escola situada na Penha de França, em Lisboa. No séc. XIII, a Europa, acabada de sair de um período de acalmia das guerras, da descoberta de novas técnicas de tratamento das terras, do uso do ferro nos utensílios agrários, da criação dos grandes arroteamentos, começa a produzir excedentes que conduzem a uma população menos subnutrida e mais capaz de resistir às maleitas. Esses excedentes vão dar origem à dinamização de mercados locais que se vão expandindo, dando origem ao aparecimento de feiras internacionais e ao estabelecimento de rotas comerciais. A partir de cerca de 1315, o quadro de prosperidade que se vivera até então, começa a sofrer constrangimentos que se fazem sentir um pouco por toda a Europa. As más colheitas, fruto de condições climatéricas adversas, o sobrepovoamento, a falta de alimentos, esgotamento dos solos, a promiscuidade habitacional, a inflação dos preços, conduz a alguma conflitualidade, susceptível de conduzir a guerras. A fragilidade em que se encontra grande parte da população europeia faz com que a bactéria Yersinia Pestis encontre condições ideais de propagação, levando à morte milhões de pessoas, vítimas do seu modo de vida, da sua concepção de higiene, da promiscuidade e da ausência de noções de saúde pública. As dimensões do espaço e do tempo encontram aqui acolhimento, quer analisando a relação da propagação da peste bubónica entre os campos e as cidades como estabelecendo paralelos entre outras pandemias actuais. Pretendemos demonstrar que a leccionação de unidades didácticas com temas de grande impacto, aliados a um suporte audiovisual moderno, estimulante e adequado, poderá conduzir a níveis de consecução superiores sem que impliquem um esforço acrescido por parte dos alunos. Entendemos que a interdisciplinaridade dará um contributo positivo, no reforço da aprendizagem dos alunos, tornando a experiência significativa duradoura.
The report/thesis is presented as a proposal for teaching Module 2 – The Civilizing Dynamism of Western Europe in XIII-XIV centuries – Spaces, Powers and Experiences – The Fragility of Demographic Balance, while scientific and innovative trainer, held with students of the 10th grade of Secondary School, a school in Penha de França, in Lisbon. In the century XIII, Europe, fresh from a quiet period of the wars, the discovery of new techniques for the treatment of the land, the use of iron tools in the land, the creation of large land clearance, begins to produce surpluses that lead to a population less undernourished and more able to resist ailments. These surpluses will lead to the promotion of local markets that will expand, giving rise to the emergence of international fairs and the establishment of trade routes. From about 1315, the picture of prosperity that had lived until then begins to suffer constraints that are felt almost everywhere in Europe. Bad harvests, the result of adverse weather conditions, overcrowding, lack of food, soil depletion, promiscuity housing price inflation, leads to some conflict, likely to lead to wars. The weakness in which a large part of the European population makes the bacterium Yersinia Pestis find ideal conditions to spread, leading to the deaths of millions of people, victims of their way of life from conception of hygiene, overcrowding and lack of notions of public health. The dimensions of space and time are welcome here, whether analyzing the relationship of the spread of bubonic plague among the fields and cities as establishing parallels between other current pandemics. We want to show that the teaching of didactic units with issues of great impact, combined with a modern audiovisual support, stimulating and appropriate, may lead to higher levels of achievement without entailing an increased effort by the students. We understand that interdisciplinarity will make a positive contribution in enhancing student learning, making the experience meaningful lasting.

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.
Every year oak forests become infected by populations of the splendor beetle (Agrilus bigutattus). The detection and monitoring of infected trees is important, because of economic and ecological reasons. Traditional approach to detect the pest infestation level of each tree is performed by using ground-based observation method. It is long and ineffective method because of limitations, such as: poor visibility of the highest trees and impenetrability of some forest plots. The main goal is to identify infected oaks trees by splendor beetle at the 2 study areas. Pest-infested oak trees by splendor beetle are characterized by high level of defoliation and different reflection signatures. These features can be detected by using very high resolution color infrared (CIR) images. In August 2013 it was performed flight campaign by using unmanned aerial systems (UAS). CIR images were covering 2 test sites in rural area, near city Soest (Germany). Study areas represents small, privately owned oaks forest plots. In this research was used a small quadrocopter (Microdrone MD4-200) with vertical takeoff and landing capability (VTOL). Microdrone is carried a digital camera (Canon PowerShot SD 780 IS). Additionally, camera was modified to capture not just a visible spectrum, but also NIR spectrum (400 to 1100 nm) of infected oaks. The proposed workflow includes the CIR image acquisition, image stitching, radiometric correction, georeferencing, modified vegetation indices calculation, pixel based and object-based image classification and accuracy assessment. Images were classified using 5 classes (healthy, low infected, high infected, died trees and canopy gaps). Finally, the results can be integrated with existing WMS service. Applying of UAV make possible to obtain multitemporal data, which facilitates monitoring and detection of infected trees. The work was performed in close cooperation with the Forestry Department of Soest (Germany).

Shuk-man Chow.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-186).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
Thesis committee --- p.i
Statement --- p.ii
Abstract --- p.iii
Acknowledgement --- p.viii
General abbreviations --- p.x
Abbreviations of chemicals --- p.xi
List of figures --- p.xii
List of Tables --- p.xiii
Table of contents --- p.xv
Chapter 1. --- Literature review
Chapter 1.1. --- General introduction to rice disease --- p.1
Chapter 1.1.1. --- Pathogenesis of Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) --- p.1
Chapter 1.1.2. --- Pathogenesis of rice blast --- p.2
Chapter 1.1.3. --- Control of rice diseases --- p.3
Chapter 1.2. --- Plant defense mechanisms --- p.4
Chapter 1.2.1. --- Basal resistance in plants --- p.4
Chapter 1.2.2. --- Wound induced defense response --- p.5
Chapter 1.2.3. --- Pathogen induced host defense response --- p.6
Chapter 1.3. --- Structure of R gene products --- p.7
Chapter 1.4. --- Recognition between R and Avr proteins in rice --- p.8
Chapter 1.5 --- Current knowledge on Xa resistance and AvrXa avirulence protein --- p.9
Chapter 1.6 --- Current knowledge on Pi resistance and AvrPi avirulence protein --- p.10
Chapter 1.7 --- Pathogen induced signal transduction cascade --- p.12
Chapter 1.7.1. --- R gene mediated signal transduction cascade --- p.12
Chapter 1.7.2. --- Signal events of G-protein activation --- p.12
Chapter 1.7.3. --- Signaling events for the accumulation of Ca2+ in cytosol --- p.13
Chapter 1.7.4. --- Signaling events for oxidative burst --- p.14
Chapter 1.7.5. --- MAPK cascade in defense signaling --- p.15
Chapter 1.7.6. --- Transcriptional regulation of disease resistance related genes --- p.16
Chapter 1.7.7. --- Translational regulation of disease resistance related genes --- p.17
Chapter 1.8. --- Defense responses and defense related genes --- p.19
Chapter 1.8.1. --- Pathogenesis related (PR) proteins --- p.20
Chapter 1.8.2. --- Phytoalexins --- p.21
Chapter 1.9. --- Disease resistance related genes common between rice blast and BLB resistance --- p.22
Chapter 1.10. --- SA induced signal transduction pathway in rice --- p.23
Chapter 1.11. --- Important tools facilitating the identification of disease resistance related genes from BLB resistant rice lines --- p.24
Chapter 1.12. --- Hypothesis --- p.26
Chapter 1.13. --- Project objective --- p.26
Chapter 2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.27
Chapter 2.1. --- Plant Materials --- p.27
Chapter 2.2. --- Pathogen Inoculation --- p.27
Chapter 2.3. --- RNA extraction --- p.29
Chapter 2.4. --- Denaturing gel electrophoresis --- p.29
Chapter 2.5. --- Subtraction libraries construction --- p.30
Chapter 2.5.1. --- Cloning of disease resistance related genes --- p.32
Chapter 2.5.1.1. --- pBluescript II KS (+) T-vector preparation --- p.32
Chapter 2.5.1.2. --- Ligation --- p.32
Chapter 2.5.1.3. --- Transformation --- p.32
Chapter 2.5.1.4. --- Colony picking --- p.33
Chapter 2.5.1.5. --- PCR amplification of DNA inserts --- p.33
Chapter 2.5.1.6. --- Purification of PCR products --- p.34
Chapter 2.6. --- Gene chips printing --- p.34
Chapter 2.7. --- Probes synthesis and gene chips hybridization --- p.35
Chapter 2.8. --- Standard-RNAs synthesis --- p.35
Chapter 2.9. --- Data collection and analysis --- p.36
Chapter 2.10. --- Sequencing --- p.36
Chapter 2.11. --- cDNA synthesis --- p.37
Chapter 2.12. --- RT-PCR --- p.38
Chapter 2.13. --- DNA gel electrophoresis --- p.39
Chapter 3. --- Results --- p.58
Chapter 3.1. --- Construction of BLB gene chips --- p.58
Chapter 3.1.1. --- Preparation of cDNA clones for gene chips construction --- p.58
Chapter 3.1.2. --- Purification of PCR products on microtiter plate --- p.59
Chapter 3.1.3. --- Gene chips construction --- p.59
Chapter 3.1.4. --- DNA immobilization --- p.62
Chapter 3.1.5. --- Probe synthesis --- p.62
Chapter 3.1.6. --- Gene chip analysis --- p.65
Chapter 3.1.6.1. --- Scanning --- p.65
Chapter 3.1.6.2. --- Data analysis --- p.65
Chapter 3.2. --- "Identification of disease resistance related genes commonly regulated by Xa2, Xal2 and Xal4 BLB resistance loci" --- p.70
Chapter 3.2.1. --- "Signal perception, transduction and regulatory elements" --- p.71
Chapter 3.2.1.1. --- Proteins involved in reversible phosphorylation cascade --- p.71
Chapter 3.2.1.2. --- Proteins potentiate signal transduction through specific protein-protein interaction --- p.72
Chapter 3.2.1.3. --- Other signal transduction components --- p.73
Chapter 3.2.2. --- Transcriptional and translational regulatory elements --- p.74
Chapter 3.2.2.1. --- Proteins involved in transcriptional regulation --- p.74
Chapter 3.2.2.2. --- Proteins involved in post-transcriptional regulation --- p.75
Chapter 3.2.2.3. --- Proteins involved in translational regulation --- p.76
Chapter 3.2.3. --- "Oxidative burst, stress, apoptotic related genes" --- p.77
Chapter 3.2.3.1. --- Stress related proteins --- p.77
Chapter 3.2.3.2. --- Proteins involved in induction of oxidative burst --- p.78
Chapter 3.2.3.3. --- PR proteins --- p.79
Chapter 3.2.3.4. --- Proteolysis related proteins --- p.79
Chapter 3.2.4. --- Cell maintenance and metabolic genes --- p.80
Chapter 3.2.4.1. --- Antioxidant --- p.80
Chapter 3.2.4.2. --- Metabolic genes --- p.81
Chapter 3.2.4.3. --- Molecular chaperone --- p.82
Chapter 3.2.4.4. --- Cell cycle regulators --- p.82
Chapter 3.2.4.5. --- Cell wall maintenance --- p.83
Chapter 3.2.4.6. --- Proteins involved in protein transport --- p.83
Chapter 3.2.5. --- Unclassified/others --- p.84
Chapter 3.3. --- Expression analysis of disease resistance related genes --- p.88
Chapter 4. --- Discussion --- p.141
Chapter 4.1. --- Differential expression of disease resistance candidates --- p.141
Chapter 4.2. --- Disease resistance signal transduction components --- p.143
Chapter 4.2.1. --- Reversible phosphorylation cascade --- p.143
Chapter 4.2.2. --- Signal transduction potentiated by protein-protein interaction --- p.144
Chapter 4.3. --- Other signaling molecules --- p.145
Chapter 4.3.1. --- PRL1-interacting factor G --- p.145
Chapter 4.3.2. --- Vacuolar-type H+-ATPasen subunit G --- p.146
Chapter 4.4. --- Regulation of expression of disease resistance candidates --- p.146
Chapter 4.4.1. --- Transcriptional regulation of disease resistance related genes --- p.146
Chapter 4.4.1.1. --- G-box binding protein --- p.147
Chapter 4.4.1.2. --- MYB TF --- p.147
Chapter 4.4.2. --- Post-transcriptional modification of disease resistance candidates --- p.148
Chapter 4.4.2.1. --- RNA splicing factor --- p.148
Chapter 4.4.2.2. --- Glycine rich RNA binding proteins --- p.149
Chapter 4.4.3. --- Translational regulation of disease resistance related genes --- p.149
Chapter 4.5. --- Induction of oxidative burst --- p.150
Chapter 4.6. --- PR proteins --- p.151
Chapter 4.7. --- Cell maintenance --- p.152
Chapter 4.7.1. --- Protein folding --- p.152
Chapter 4.7.2. --- Protein degradation --- p.153
Chapter 4.7.3. --- ROS scavenging --- p.154
Chapter 4.7.4. --- Regulation of cell cycle --- p.154
Chapter 4.8. --- "Confirmation and profiling of disease resistance related candidates commonly regulated in Xa2, Xal2 and Xal4 BLB resistance NILs at different time points" --- p.155
Chapter 4.8.1. --- Basal resistance related genes --- p.156
Chapter 4.8.2. --- General disease resistance related genes --- p.161
Chapter 4.8.3. --- Pathogen responsive genes --- p.164
Chapter 4.8.4. --- Prediction of novel genes functions --- p.168
Chapter 4.9. --- Future prospect --- p.169
Chapter 4.10. --- Conclusion --- p.169
References --- p.171
Appendix --- p.187

Western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis (Freeman)) is a native defoliator of the Interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Mirb.) Franco) forests of British Columbia, Canada. This thesis used dendrochronology and the software program OUTBREAK to reconstruct a defoliation history of Douglas-fir for nineteen forest sites near Kamloops in central British Columbia. By comparing the radial growth response of non-host ponderosa pine trees to Douglas-fir trees growing in nearby but separate stands, seven western spruce budworm outbreaks were distinguished over the past 300 years. Although there is considerable variation in the timing and duration of these western spruce budworm events at the stand level, synchronous outbreaks have occurred at approximately 43-year intervals. Climate variation appears to have been important to budworm outbreaks in the 20th century. Notable outbreaks tended to occur during years of early springs with average air temperature, following winters with lower than average precipitation. Based on this finding, it is proposed that with high overwintering survival, increased population growth rates, and a longer growing season, the extent of future outbreaks will shift northward and may increase in size.