Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 1998. / "December 1998" Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (l. 140-148). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2004. / "July 2004" Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (l. 123-133). Also issued on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2005. / Embargoed. Vita. Bibliography: 81-88.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2006. / Embargoed. Vita. Bibliography: 191-192.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fruit size and the integrity of the rind are key components that determine the value of a citrus fruit. The application of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) to reduce splitting, a physiological disorder which entails cracking of the rind as well as to increase fruit size was conducted on three different split-susceptible mandarin and two split-susceptible orange cultivars. Treatments were applied directly after the physiological fruit drop period, as well as in January and February at 10 mg·L-1, alone or in combination with calcium (Ca), potassium (K) or gibberellic acid (GA3). Application of 2,4-D directly after physiological fruit drop, either alone or in a tank-mix with K, consistently reduced the number of split mandarin fruit, with later applications in January and February generally being ineffective. Post physiological fruit drop application of 10 mg·L-1 2,4-D significantly increased growth rate (mm.day-1) of all the mandarin cultivars, resulting in increased fruit size. Differences in sensitivity of cultivars to 2,4-D were evident, with the January application reducing the splitting in ‘Midknight’ Valencia. However, all the 2,4-D treatments reduced the fruit growth rate of the orange cultivars. The 2,4-D treatments, in terms of splitting, increased rind thickness, -strength and -coarseness of ‘Marisol’ Clementine, throughout fruit development. In addition fruit diameter and –length increased to such an extent that the fruit shape was altered (reduced d/l-ratio), reducing the potential of the rind to crack and the fruit to split, however rind coarseness of treated fruit was also increased. There were no major negative side effects on internal and external fruit quality, except for a possible reduction in juice content (%). Therefore, 10 mg·L-1 2,4-D can be applied directly after physiological fruit drop on ‘Marisol’ Clementine and ‘Mor’ mandarin to reduce fruit splitting. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vruggrootte asook die integriteit van die skil is belangrike aspekte in die bepaling van ʼn sitrusvrug se waarde. Die toediening van 2,4-dichlorofenoksie asynsuur (2,4-D) om vrugsplit, 'n fisiologiese defek wat tot die kraak van die sitrusskil lei, te verminder is getoets op drie mandaryn- en twee lemoenkultivars. Hiermee saam is die potensiaal van 2,4-D om vruggrootte te verbeter ook geëvalueer. Die 2,4-D behandelings is direk na die fisiologiese vrugval periode toegedien, asook in Januarie en Februarie, teen 10 mg·L-1, alleen of in kombinasie met kalsium (Ca), kalium (K) of gibberelliensuur (GS3). Al die mandarynkultivars het ʼn vermindering in die totale aantal gesplete vrugte getoon indien die 2,4-D (enkel of in kombinasie met K) toegedien was direk na fisiologiese vrugval. Suksesvolle behandelings het ook 'n toename in vruggrootte tot gevolg gehad. Toediening van behandelings in Januarie en Februarie was oor die algemeen oneffektief. Verskille in kultivar sensitiwiteit teenoor 2,4-D is gevind, met vrugsplit in ‘Midknight’ Valencia wat verminder was deur die Januarie toediening van 2,4-D. Al die 2,4-D behandelings het vruggrootte van die lemoenkultivars verlaag. Daar is bevind dat die 10 mg.L-1 2,4-D, enkel of in kombinasie met K, ‘n toename in beide skildikte en –sterkte van ‘Marisol’ Clementine teweeg bring asook ʼn growwer skil. Behandelings met 2,4-D het vrugdeursnee en –lengte laat toeneem, wat ʼn verandering in vrugvorm tot gevolg gehad het, tot so ʼn mate dat vrugte minder geneig was om gesplete te wees. Behalwe vir ʼn moontlike verlaging in die sapinhoud (%) van vrugte, was daar geen noemenswaardige negatiewe effekte op interne en eksterne vrugkwaliteit nie. Die toediening van 10 mg.L-1 2,4-D direk na fisiologiese vrugval kan dus aanbeveel word op mandaryn kultivars wat geneig is tot vrugsplit. / The Citrus Academy

Orientador: Enes Furlani Júnior / Banca: Orivaldo Arf / Banca: Luiz Henrique Carvalho / Resumo: A diminuição dos custos de produção e aumento de produtividade, o sistemas adensado surgiu como uma alternativa para os produtores de algodão. Objetivou-se avaliar o desenvolvimento das plantas, qualidade da fibra e a produtividade do algodoeiro cultivado em semeadura tardia após a soja, nos diferentes espaçamentos entrelinhas, densidades de plantas e manejo de regulador de crescimento. Para tanto, foi conduzido o experimento, durante o ano agrícola de 2009/2010 na Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão, da Faculdade de Engenharia - Unesp, Campus de Ilha Solteira, em condições de cerrado sem irrigação. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 4x4x2, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram compostos pela combinação de quatro espaçamentos entrelinha (0,34; 0,45; 0,70 e 0,90 m), quatro densidades de semeadura (6, 8, 10 e 12 plantas por metro) e dois manejo de regulador de crescimento (aplicação única e parcelamento em quatro aplicações). Constatou-se que o adensamento das plantas e aplicação parcelas de cloreto de mepiquat são eficientes no controle do crescimento vegetativo excessivo do algodoeiro. A maior produtividade foi alcançada espaçamento de 0,34 m entrelinhas, com 12 plantas por metro linear e com aplicações parceladas de cloreto de mepiquat. A qualidade da fibra não foi prejudicada com a redução dos espaçamentos entrelinhas / Abstract: The decrease in production costs and increased productivity, high density systems emerged as an alternative to cotton producers. The objective was to evaluate the development of plants, fiber quality and yield of cotton grown in late sowing after soybean in different row spacings, plant densities and management of growth regulator. For this, the experiment was conducted during the growing season 2009/2010 in the Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão, da Faculdade de Engenharia , Campus de Ilha Solteira - UNESP, in savanna conditions without irrigation. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial 4x4x2, with four replications. The treatments consisted of combinations of four row spacing (0.34, 0.45, 0.70 and 0.90 m) and four seeding rates (6, 8, 10 and 12 plants per meter) and two regulatory management growth (a single application and split in four applications). It was found that the density of plants and application portions of mepiquat chloride are effective in controlling excessive vegetative growth in cotton. The highest yield was achieved by 0.34 m spacing between rows, with 12 plants per meter, with applications in installments mepiquat chloride. The quality of the fiber was not affected by reducing the spacing / Mestre

Orientador: Enes Furlani Junior / Resumo: O algodão é a principal fibra têxtil produzida mundialmente, ocupando uma posição expressiva na economia do agronegócio sendo caracterizada como uma das culturas com maior tecnificação no mundo. Por realizar fotossíntese C3, e ser altamente sensível a fatores bióticos e abióticos, faz-se necessário o bom uso de práticas de manejo com o intuito de melhorar a produtividade da cultura. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se avaliar parâmetros de crescimento e metabolismo do algodoeiro tratado com doses de nitrogênio, doses de níquel e dose hormética de 2,4-D de modo a fornecer informações do comportamento da planta sob as condições avaliadas. Para tanto aplicaram-se via solo aos 55 dias após a emergência, doses de nitrogênio (0, 40, 80 e 120) kg ha-1 e doses de níquel (0, 300, 450 e 600) g ha-1 assim como empregou-se, ou não, 2,4-D em dose hormética (1,8 g e. a ha-1) em um esquema fatorial 4x4x2, para avaliar, indicadores de crescimento (altura, diâmetro, número de ramos e produtividade) e metabolismo (índice Spad, teor de nitrogênio, aminoácidos, amônia, nitrato e pigmentos fotossintéticos em tecidos foliares) por meio de ajustes de regressão (1% e 5%) e teste de comparação de médias. O aumento na dose de níquel até 600 g ha-1 juntamente com a adubação nitrogenada em doses crescentes, associadas com o uso do 2,4-D em dose hormética, aparentemente afetam o padrão fonte-dreno das plantas de algodoeiro favorecendo o pegamento de estruturas reprodutivas, pois ainda que há diminuição em altur... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Cotton is the main textile fiber produced worldwide, occupying a significant position in the agribusiness economy being characterized as one of the most technologically advanced crops in the world. By carrying out C3 photosynthesis, and being highly sensitive to biotic and abiotic factors, for that it is necessary to the good use of management practices in order to improve crop yield. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate growth and metabolism parameters of cotton treated with nitrogen doses, nickel doses and hermetic doses of 2,4-D to provide information of the plant behavior under the conditions evaluated. For this purpose it was applied to the soil at 55 days after emergence, nitrogen doses (0, 40, 80 e 120) kg ha-1 and nickel doses (0, 300, 450 e 600) g ha-1 and, if applied, or not, 2,4-D in hormetic doses (1,8 g a.e ha-1) in a factorial arrangement 4x4x2, to assess growth indicators (height, diameter, number of branches and yield) and metabolism (Spad index, nitrogen content, amino acids, ammonia, nitrate and photosynthetic pigments in leaf tissues) by means of regression adjustments (1% e 5%) and averages comparison test. The increase in nickel dose up to the 600 g ha-1 coupled with increasing nitrogen fertilization associated with the use of 2, 4-D in a hormetic dose apparently affect the source-sink pattern of cotton plants favoring the fixation of reproductive structures, although there is a decrease in height, the data obtained for the param... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Fernando Mendes Pereira / Banca: João Alexio Scarpare Filho / Banca: Sérgio Ruffo Roberto / Banca: Antonio Baldo Geraldo Martins / Banca: Aparecida Conceição Boliani / Resumo: Para a produção de uva na entressafra (setembro-outubro), é necessário que a poda seja realizada em período de provável ocorrência de baixas temperaturas, o que prejudica a emissão e desenvolvimento de brotos. Embasado em trabalho anterior, objetivou-se desenvolver uma técnica para viabilizar a emissão e desenvolvimento das brotações do cv. Niagara Rosada, mesmo em condições desfavoráveis com temperaturas abaixo de 10 ºC. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em vinhedos comerciais, na região de Jales-SP. Foram testadas quatro concentrações de ethephon (0; 720; 1.440 e 2.160 mg.L-1), aplicado de maio a junho, via foliar antes da poda de produção, em seis distintos experimentos, sendo três em 2001 e três em 2002. Verificou-se que a aplicação de ethephon promoveu o desfolhamento das videiras, principalmente nas concentrações de 1.440 e 2.160 mg.L-1. A aplicação em plantas pouco enfolhadas e/ou em período sem ocorrência de baixas temperaturas,não produziu resultados estatisticamente significativos na produção. Porém, observou-se um aumento na emissão e no desenvolvimento dos brotos nas concentrações mais elevadas. A aplicação de ethephon na concentração de 2.160 mg.L-1 em videiras com enfolhamento superior a 70% e temperaturas abaixo de 10 ºC, propiciou resultados excelentes no que se refere ao maior número de gemas brotadas, ao maior desenvolvimento dos ramos (comprimento e diâmetro) e a maior produção. O uso de ethephon não alterou o período da poda à floração, os teores de sólidos solúveis totais e a acidez total titulável mas, proporcionou aumento no comprimento e peso dos cachos e das bagas, na largura dos cachos e no diâmetro das bagas, melhorando a qualidade da uva. / Abstract: For off-season grape production (September-October), pruning it is necessary in period of probable occurrence of low temperatures, what damages the emission and development of sprouts. Based in previous work, it was developed a technique to make possible the emission and development the sprout of the grape 'Niagara Rosada', even though unfavorable conditions of climate. These studies were carried out at commercial vineyards, in region of Jales, SP, Brazil. Four levels of ethephon (0; 720; 1,440 and 2,160 mg.L-1), applied from May to June, on leaves before the frutification pruning, in six experiments, on 2001 and three on 2002. It was observed that application of ethephon promoted defoliation of the grapevines, mainly in levels of 1,440 and 2,160 mg.L-1. The application in plants with less leaves and/or period without occurrence of low temperatures, did not produce significant results in the production. However, a trend of increase in emission and development of sprouts when higher levels of ethephon was observed. The application of ethephon (2,160 mg.L-1) on grapevines with more that 70% of leaves, in period of occurrence of lower temperatures (smaller 10 ºC), propitiated excellent results regarding the number of sprouted buds, shoot growth (length and diameter) and production. The use of ethephon did not modify the duration of the period from pruning to flowering, the total soluble solids and titrabre concentration acidity, but increased the length, diameter, the width and mass of the clusters and berries, improving the grape quality. / Doutor

L’opéron métabolique frz code les sous-unités d’un transporteur PTS de la sous-famille du fructose, un activateur transcriptionnel des systèmes PTS de la famille MgA (FrzR), deux cétoses-1,6-bisphosphate aldolases de type II, une kinase spécifique des sucres (famille ROK) et une protéine de la superfamille des cupines. Il est fortement associé aux souches d’Escherichia coli à virulence extra-intestinale. Nous avons montré qu’il procure un avantage aux bactéries lors de conditions de stress (peu d’oxygène, phase stationnaire de croissance, croissance dans le sérum et l’intestin) et qu’il est impliqué dans l’adhérence et l’internalisation de la bactérie dans diverses cellules eucaryotes, en régulant l’expression des fimbriae de type 1. L’activateur (FrzR) est impliqué dans ces phénotypes. A l’aide de microarrays, une série de gènes sous la dépendance du système Frz ont été identifiés. Nos données suggèrent que frz code un senseur de l’environnement permettant à E. coli de s’adapter à un environnement fluctuant en régulant notamment certains gènes de virulence et d’adaptation à l’hôte. Un modèle de régulation est présenté. / The metabolic frz operon codes for three subunits of a PTS transporter of the fructose sub-family, for a transcriptional activator of PTS systems of the MgA family (FrzR), for two type II ketose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolases, for a sugar specific kinase (ROK family) and for a protein of the cupin superfamily. It is highly associated with Extra-intestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. We proved that frz promotes bacterial fitness under stressful conditions, (such as oxygen restriction, late stationary phase of growth or growth in serum or in the intestinal tract). Furthermore, we showed that frz is involved in adherence to and internalization of E. coli in several eukaryotic cells by regulating the expression of type 1 fimbriae. The FrzR activator is involved in these phenotypes. Microarrays, experiments allowed the identification of several genes under the dependence of the frz system. Our data suggest that frz codes for a sensor of the environment allowing E. coli to adapt to a fluctuating environment by regulating some virulence and host adaptation genes. A regulation model is presented.

Salmonella enterica is an important cause of food poisoning and is responsible for approximately a billion human infections each year. Disease manifestation in humans varies from severe systemic enteric (typhoid) fever to self-limiting gastroenteritis depending upon the infecting S. enterica serovar. S. Typhimurium is responsible for acute gastroenteritis in humans but causes a typhoid-like disease in mice and thus serves as an important model for studying the pathogenesis of systemic salmonellosis. Following ingestion, S. Typhimurium employs a variety of virulence mechanisms to survive within its host and establishes infection in the intestinal tract by invading the epithelial cells. Recent studies have revealed the importance of sulfur compounds in the intestine, such as tetrathionate and thiosulfate for the disease progression. S. Typhimurium is capable of utilising these sulfur compounds as terminal electron acceptors for its anaerobic respiration and thus gains a growth advantage over host microbiota during infection. However, the regulation of sulfur availability within S. Typhimurium and the mechanisms involved in mitigating cellular sulfide toxicity are not well-defined. During this study, we have identified the sstRA operon in S. Typhimurium encoding a deduced SmtB/ArsR family of transcriptional regulatory protein (SstR) and a deduced rhodanese-family sulfurtransferase (SstA) and demonstrated a role in mitigating the effects of cellular sulfide toxicity. SstR has been confirmed to act as a transcriptional repressor from the sstRA operator-promoter and the SstR-dependent repression is alleviated by low pH and sulfide stress (sodium thiosulfate), consistent with a role for SstR in sensing sulfide stress to trigger gene expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirm binding of purified SstR to the sstRA operator-promoter region. Furthermore, a conserved pair of cysteine residues within SstR was identified to be crucial for alleviating SstR-mediated repression, with the substitution of either cysteine causing constitutive repression. This is consistent with SstR inducer-responsiveness involving a thiol-based redox switch. Importantly, S. Typhimurium mutants lacking the sstRA operon have reduced tolerance to sulfide stress, consistent with the sstRA operon having a role in cellular sulfide detoxification. Work is continuing to further characterise the roles of sstR and sstA in S. Typhimurium on their contributions to infections.