The plant immune system must be tightly controlled both positively and negatively to maintain normal plant growth and health. We previously identified SUPPRESSOR OF rps4-RLD1 (SRFR1) as a negative regulator specifically of effector-triggered immunity. SRFR1 is localized in both a cytoplasmic microsomal compartment and in the nucleus. Its TPR domain has sequence similarity to TPR domains of transcriptional repressors in other organisms, suggesting that SRFR1 may negatively regulate effector-triggered immunity via transcriptional control. We show here that excluding SRFR1 from the nucleus prevented complementation of the srfr1 phenotype. To identify transcription factors that interact with SRFR1, we screened an Arabidopsis transcription factor prey library by yeast two-hybrid assay and isolated six class I members of the TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factor family. Specific interactions were verified in planta. Although single or double T-DNA mutant tcp8, tcp14 or tcp15 lines were not more susceptible to bacteria expressing AvrRps4, the triple tcp8 tcp14 tcp15 mutant displayed decreased effector-triggered immunity mediated by the resistance genes RPS2, RPS4, RPS6 and RPM1. In addition, expression of PATHOGENESIS-RELATED PROTEIN2 was attenuated in srfr1-4 tcp8-1 tcp14-5 tcp15-3 plants compared to srfr1-4 plants. To date, TCP transcription factors have been implicated mostly in developmental processes. Our data indicate that one function of a subset of TCP proteins is to regulate defense gene expression in antagonism to SRFR1, and suggest a mechanism for an intimate connection between plant development and immunity.

Student-centered and inquiry-based teaching improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning at all levels. However, reform efforts have been met with limited success due to complex interactions between structural relics of our education systems and the pre-existing beliefs of STEM instructors. Using the Teacher-Centered Systemic Reform model and the construct of agency, we investigated these interactions through three case studies of new undergraduate science instructors after they completed a graduate introductory course: college science teaching. Data included interviews, in-class observations, surveys, and classroom artifacts. Forming a case narrative, data revealed instructors' beliefs, practices, and the barriers that had to be circumnavigated, overcome, or accommodated by instructors. Results demonstrated how different forms of agency mediated the barriers and outcomes that emerged between the personal and contextual factors associated with college science teaching. This study provides insight for supporting new college instructors, fills a gap in the literature, and enhances theoretical understanding of the importance of agency in systemic reform. K E Y W O R D S agency, barriers, college teaching, faculty development Science Education. 2019;103:770-798. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/sce 770 |

SUMMARYPlants have developed diverse mechanisms to fine tune defence responses to different types of enemy. Cross-regulation between signalling pathways may allow the prioritization of one response over another. Previously, we identified SUPPRESSOR OF rps4-RLD1 (SRFR1) as a negative regulator of ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEP-TIBILITY1 (EDS1)-dependent effector-triggered immunity against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 expressing avrRps4. The use of multiple stresses is a powerful tool to further define gene function. Here, we examined whether SRFR1 also impacts resistance to a herbivorous insect in leaves and to a cyst nematode in roots. Interestingly, srfr1-1 plants showed increased resistance to herbivory by the beet army worm Spodoptera exigua and to parasitism by the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii compared with the corresponding wild-type Arabidopsis accession RLD. Using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to measure the transcript levels of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonate/ethylene (JA/ET) pathway genes, we found that enhanced resistance of srfr1-1 plants to S. exigua correlated with specific upregulation of the MYC2 branch of the JA pathway concurrent with suppression of the SA pathway. In contrast, the greater susceptibility of RLD was accompanied by simultaneously increased transcript levels of SA, JA and JA/ET signalling pathway genes. Surprisingly, mutation of either SRFR1 or EDS1 increased resistance to H. schachtii, indicating that the concurrent presence of both wild-type genes promotes susceptibility. This finding suggests a novel form of resistance in Arabidopsis to the biotrophic pathogen H. schachtii or a root-specific regulation of the SA pathway by EDS1, and places SRFR1 at an intersection between multiple defence pathways.

This study examines the factors which affect the capital structure of 608 non-financial firms in Vietnam during the period 2009–2017. Our findings indicate that companies with more tangible assets prefer longer term to shorter term debts while larger companies tend to borrow more to finance their activities. Furthermore, companies with high profit and high growth in Vietnam are able to opt for alternative options for raising capital in addition to borrowing. Overall, we recommend that capital structures in Vietnamese firms can be understood within a framework of the pecking order theory. Interestingly, audit reputation is the single considered determinant that does not appear to impact on the firms’ capital structure.