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Molecular communication between macromolecules dictates extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamics during pathogen recognition and disease development. Extensive research has shed light on how plant immune components are activated, regulated and function in response to pathogen attack. However, two key questions remain largely unresolved: (i) how does ECM dynamics govern susceptibility and disease resistance, (ii) what are the components that underpin these phenomena? Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae adversely affects rice productivity. To understand ECM regulated genotype‐phenotype plasticity in blast disease, we temporally profiled two contrasting rice genotypes in disease and immune state. Morpho‐histological, biochemical and electron microscopy analyses revealed that increased necrotic lesions accompanied by electrolyte leakage governs disease state. Wall carbohydrate quantification showed changes in pectin level was more significant in blast susceptible compared to blast resistant cultivar. Temporally resolved quantitative disease‐ and immune‐responsive ECM proteomes identified 308 and 334 proteins, respectively involved in wall remodelling and integrity, signalling and disease/immune response. Pairwise comparisons between time and treatment, messenger ribonucleic acid expression, diseasome and immunome networks revealed novel blast‐related functional modules. Data demonstrated accumulation of α‐galactosidase and phosphatase were associated with disease state, while reactive oxygen species, induction of Lysin motif proteins, CAZymes and extracellular Ca‐receptor protein govern immune state. Summary statement: 1.Molecular interplay between wall‐associated changes, signalling components and homeostasis machinery dictates rice blast disease.2.Oligosaccharide signals regulated by extracellular calcium signalling is essential for extracellular matrix‐associated events in blast‐resistant and blast‐susceptible rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last U.S. recession in 2007-2009, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) reduced the target federal funds rate by about 5 percentage points, and that target was maintained near [...]

The $1 billion open‐market operation conducted by the Federal Reserve, at the height of the Great Depression, was a successful precedent to the recent Quantitative Easing (QE) programs. The 1932 program entailed large purchases of medium‐ and long‐term securities over a 4‐month period. An event study analysis indicates that the program dramatically lowered medium‐ and long‐term Treasury yields. A segmented markets model is used to analyze the effects of the open‐market purchases on the economy. A significant degree of financial market segmentation is estimated, and partly explains the observed upturn in output growth. Had the Federal Reserve continued its operations and used the announcement strategy used in QE1, the Great Contraction could have been attenuated earlier. Our historical analysis suggests that the Federal Reserve in 2008 had a good predecessor to its actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Humans are accidental hosts in the zoonotic disease Scrub typhus. The disease though widespread in our county, it remains grossly underdiagnosed because of its non-septic clinical manifestations and lack of access to specific laboratory facilities. Aims and Objectives: The objective of present study is to evaluate the clinical presentations of Scrub Typhus among the study group. Furthermore, to assess the various laboratory findings in Scrub Typhus cases among the study group is the other objective of this study. Materials and Methods: The present study is an Institution-based, observational, and cross-sectional study conducted for 18 months with the admitted patients having 14-70 years of age. Data collected regarding patients' demographic profile, symptoms, clinical findings, laboratory, and radiological findings. Data had been summarized as mean and standard deviation for numerical variables and count and percentages for categorical variables. Results: In our study, we found that most of the patients were 14-20 years old and female population was higher. It was found that 34.3% of patients had Eschar, 42.9% of patients had Rash, and 91.4% of patients had Pallor, 8.6% of patients had Ascites, 25.7% had Edema, 8.6% of patients had Jaundice, 11.4% had shock, and 57.1% had pneumonia/pneumonitis. The present study showed that 65.7% of patients had drug response (Doxycycline). Conclusion: Knowledge of geographical distribution, evidence of exposure to vector, clinical features such as fever, rash, eschar, headache, and myalgia along with high index of suspicion are crucial factors for early diagnosis and that helps in timely treatment of the cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the effect of different dimensions of the FOMC's forward guidance on ex ante investor expectations about future changes in US Treasury yields. Options and Futures data for 2- and 10-year Treasuries is used to extract State-Price Densities of investor beliefs, and the corresponding standard deviation, skewness, and excess kurtosis of these densities are computed. Announcements about extension of the zero-lower bound in 2012-13 are found to reduce the expectations about crash risk, but increase the uncertainty about future yields for the 10-year. Policies about long-security purchases lead investors to place greater weight on no change in future yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]