Academic literature on the topic 'Activist cinema'

From September 2017 to June 2020 the University of the Balearic Islands organised a monthly film workshop called Aules Sense Armaris: Cinema LGBTIQ+ a la UIB focused on giving visibility to affective and sexual diversity through film analysis in a university context. Each film was introduced with an interview with a queer activist or cultural expert related to the particular topics the film addressed, and after the screening a cinematographic and critical discussion was held in which the students contributed either with their own reflections or asking questions to the guests. This article exposes the necessity of approaching and celebrating sexual diversity from the university classroom as a form of activism. It also describes the as well as describing the criteria that were followed when choosing the films, how the monthly workshops took place and the most interesting conclusions from the post-film debates between activists, university students and spectators.

Hooligan Sparrow breaks with many taboos in Chinese cinema. It is the first internationally acclaimed documentary by a Chinese female director to centre upon investigating the activities of Ye Haiyan, a Chinese sex and women’s rights activist, as well as to address the politically sensitive topic of sexual assault in China. This is the first study to examine the cinematic contributions of Wang Nanfu and Ye Haiyan’s activism and feminist writings posted on Ye’s online social media accounts on Sina Weibo and Twitter. I unpack the power dynamics in this documentary as well as the interplay between the filmmaker’s subjectivity and the female rights activist’s subjectivity. This study also investigates how masculine aesthetic representations of sexual assault in Chinese cinema have blurred the issue of consent and shows how the subjectivities of female directors like Wang Nanfu and Vivian Qu bring more impactful representations of sexual violence in Chinese cinema.

Mostly known as one of the leading actresses in 1960s-1970s French cinema, Delphine Seyrig was also a media and a feminist activist working collaboratively within the framework of the women’s liberation movement. This article proposes to tackle Seyrig’s involvement in feminist video production the 1970s and explores the continuum she inhabited, from the auteur cinema in which she was actress and muse, to the disobedient practices in which she was video maker, actress and activist. Seyrig’s meditation on her work as an actress, as well as on the patriarchal structures sustaining the film industry, strongly resonates with recent debates prompted by the #metoo movement.

James Baldwin was a vocal critic of Hollywood, but he was also a cinephile, and his critique of film was not so much of the medium itself, but of the uses to which it was put. Baldwin saw in film the chance to transform both politics and art—if only film could be transformed itself. This essay blends readings of archival materials, literature, film, and print culture to examine three distinct modes in Baldwin’s ongoing quest to revolutionize film. First, I argue, literature served as a key site to practice being a filmmaker, as Baldwin adapted cinematic grammars in his fiction and frequently penned scenes of filmgoing in which he could, in effect, direct his own movies. Secondly, I show that starting in the 1960s, Baldwin took a more direct route to making movies, as he composed screenplays, formed several production companies, and attempted to work in both Hollywood and the independent film scene in Europe. Finally, I explore how Baldwin sought to change cinema as a performer himself, in particular during his collaboration on Dick Fontaine and Pat Hartley’s documentary I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1982). This little-known film follows Baldwin as he revisits key sites from the civil rights movement and reconnects with activist friends as he endeavors to construct a revisionist history of race in America and to develop a media practice capable of honoring Black communities.

The article addresses some of the challenges and possibilities of taking slowness as a tool to theorize and practice a way of being an activist anthropologist in the contemporary (neoliberal) university. The activism discussed here intervenes in the university itself. To articulate slowing down as mode of resistance to the unbearably fast and exclusionary rhythms of academic life, the article puts into dialogue documentary cinema and critiques of contemporary academia. Turning to the film Inland Sea as an instance of a mode of attention/attending to the world otherwise, the article concludes on the political potential of slowness to become a collective strategy of resistance to the increased culture of quantification, competition, and financialization in the university, and a tactic for an engaged anthropology to come.

The formation of a Peoples' Assembly and occupation of the city of Oaxaca (Mexico) in 2006 has been widely considered a rebirth of the Commune and was also one of the first widely video-recorded uprisings of the 21st century. As media practice, activist videos approximate an identity of creative art/work and socio-political change but also warrant consideration of their formal aspects. How do stylistic choices help or hinder reflecting on the not-quite-here-yet of prefigurative politics? In contrast with video art, graffiti, and performance protest, activist videos overwhelmingly adhere to evidentiary forms. Carefully edited, they invite viewers to view crowdsourced footage as indexical traces of what “really” occurred in front of the lens but draw little attention to contingency or to the artifice of cinema. Activist videos' politics of truth and reliance on interviews underscore lingering, more hierarchical visions of revolution and risk inscribing what is there to the detriment of equality and potentiality. Even so, some activist videos playfully invoke a future already arrived.

Abstract This article discusses several documentary films since the 2010s that portray the place and the landscape related to Korea's social reality or a personal or collective memory of its past, classifying their common trope as the “audiovisual turn.” The trope refers to the uses of the poetic and aesthetic techniques to highlight the visual and auditory qualities of the images that mediate the landscape or the place. This article argues that the films’ experiments with these techniques mark formal and epistemological breaks with the expository and participatory modes of the traditional Korean activist documentary, as they create an array of Deleuzian time-images in which a social place or natural landscape is reconfigured as the cinematic space liberated from a linear time and layered with the imbrication of the present and the past. The images, however, are read as updating the activist documentary's commitment to politics and history, as they renew the viewer's sensory and affective awareness of the place and the landscape and thereby render them ruins.

The advocacy for gayism and lesbianism in Nigeria is informed by transnational cultural processes, transculturalism, interculturalism, multiculturalism and globalisation. Although critical dimensions on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) are becoming recurrent subjects in Nigerian scholarship, scholarly works on LGBT, sexual identity and Nigerian cinema remain scarce. Perhaps, this is because of indigenous Nigerian cultural processes. While Chimamanda Adichie, a Nigerian novelist cum socio-political activist, campaigns against marginalisation and subjugation of gays and lesbians and for their integration into the Nigerian cultural system, numerous African socio-cultural and political activists hold a view that is dialectical to Adichie’s. The position of the members of the anti-gay group was further strengthened with the institution of stringent laws against gay practice in Nigeria by the President Goodluck Jonathan led government in 2014. In recent times, the gay, bisexual, transgender and lesbian cultures have been a source of raw material for filmmakers. Some of the thematic preoccupations of films have bordered on questions such as: what does it mean to be gay? Why are gays marginalised? Are gays socially constructed? What is the future of the advocacy for gay and lesbian liberation in Nigeria? Although most Nigerian film narratives are destructive critiques of the gay culture, the purpose of this research is not to cast aspersion on the moral dimension of LGBT. Rather, I argue that films on LGBT create spaces and maps for a critical exploration of the gay question. While the paper investigates the politics of gay culture in Nigerian cinema, I also posit that gays and lesbians are socio-culturally rather than biologically constructed. This research adopts literary and content analysis methods to engage Moses Ebere’s Men in Love with reference to other home videos on the gay and lesbian motifs.

This thesis proposes that the female social activist is a new genre in American cinema. The four films chosen in this paper: Norma Rae, Erin Brockovich, Silkwood, and North Country are argued to be representative, and form the narrative construct of this genre. The argument uses Stanley Cavell?s theory of genre composition as presented in Pursuits of Happiness: The Hollywood Comedy of Remarriage and Contesting Tears: The Hollywood Melodrama of the Unknown Woman. There is growing recognition in the American film industry that a series of films portraying women as activists addressing social concerns is forming the basis of an emerging new genre. The social concerns addressed in the above films are: environmental pollution and its toxic health effects, sexual harassment of women in traditional male work places, radioactive contamination of nuclear plant workers, and unionization of textile workers. In this genre women are presented in a new social role. Future directions of this work suggest that the female social activist genre can encompass effectively all areas of social concerns as gender is demonstratively not a barrier.

La présente thèse doctorale étude le cinéma homosexuel subversif en Espagne au cours des années soixante-dix et quatre-vingt, envisageant ainsi une catégorie cinématographique inédite jusqu'à présent dans l'historiographie espagnole spécialisée. Ce cinéma est constitué des films de thématique gay et lesbienne qui transmettent des messages dont l'objectif est de transgresser l'hétéronormativité via différentes façons d'extérioriser l'homosexualité, de présenter des identités sexuelles et de genre alternatives ou d'exposer des discours qui remettent en question les tabous sociaux, culturels et politiques relatifs à la sexualité. Pour toutes ces raisons, afin d'étudier cette nouvelle catégorie cinématographique il a été indispensable aussi d'analyser les contextes politiques et culturels dans desquels s'est déroulée l'histoire de l'homosexualité au cours de ces mêmes décennies
This Thesis proposes the study of Subversive Homosexual Films in Spain during the decades of the Seventies and Eighties. Thus raising a new conematographic category within specialized Spanish historiography. This type of cinema is composed of gay and lesbian themed films which transmit discourses aimed to transgress heteronormativity using different ways of externalizing homosexuality; presenting alternatives gender and sexual identities or by raising messages that challenge social, cultural and politicians taboos towards sexuality. Therefore, for the study of this new filmic categoryin depth; it is essential to analyze the political and cultural contexts in which the history of homosexuality was developed during these decades

Using practice-led research methodologies, ten transgender men, who were at various stages of transition from female to male, were included in this study. The central research output is a feature-length documentary film called It's Not Just Me. The film project seeks to share the extraordinary and the mundane with specific focus on four individuals who were undertaking testosterone treatment. The aim of this research was to contribute to a wider understanding of the intricacies of gender transition for the individual, and their relationship to their surroundings and to document their agency in a space of perpetual transition. This research project was prompted by my interest in the way in which transgender men are shaped by, through and disrupt their psychological and physiological being within their established environments. Relationships between self and identity formation framed my primary research and it focuses on the notion of change as it relates to the transgender man’s experience of undergoing gender transition. Issues of individual self-identification/perception and social hetero-normativity as a performative statement were explored. There were four groups of participants. Ten transgender men were interviewed in the overall study and four of these featured in the documentary film. There were 24 supplementary participants, for example family and friends, who also appeared in the documentary film. In addition, one psychiatrist was interviewed. Thirteen filmmaking technical collaborators also assisted in the making of the documentary artefact. Methods of enquiry into and through (Frayling, 1993, p. 2) the art practice explored gender and identity formation. The research reviews the practice of filmmaking including investigating various techniques of documentary filmmaking from directing, writing, image capture and post-production. Main filmmaking theorists include Nichols and Aufderheide. The two main findings of my research are that: first, masculinity is a multi-layered and transitional pursuit and is not a fixed concept for all men, but specifically transgender men, and secondly, film can serve as a vessel in which to understand trans-masculinity from a space of agency and ethical engagement. This project adds to the extensive body of scholarship locating identity with emphasis to understanding masculinity and gender. It argues that human shifts are a constant process, with specific regard to understanding the transgender male’s transition experience in Perth, Western Australia where all transgender participants reside. The significance of the film and its meanings to the transgender community was profound. This in terms of visibility and the ability to share their personal journeys with an audience was an act of agency in action. This film as an outcome potentially changes the face and visibility of the transgender man and brings their humanness and experiences to the fore in a positive and collective way. The indirect impact of this work is where its power lies. The film provides a voice to marginalised communities and is fundamentally activist cinema.

O presente trabalho tem como proposta estudar o uso de estruturas documentais no cinema ficcional de horror, tipo de narrativa que ficou conhecida popularmente como found footage. Esses filmes fazem uso de uma linguagem propositalmente híbrida, associando a forma do documentário ao conteúdo da ficção e, hoje, encontram-se tão em voga que já possuem até mesmo clichês e estereótipos. A intenção é entender de que forma o gênero do horror se apropria douso de uma estética associada a registros documentais para favorecer as reações de medo no espectador. Para tanto, privilegiamos recortes na história do cinema e conceitos que possam contribuir para o desenvolvimento de nosso estudo, tanto no que diz respeito ao cinema documental, quanto no que diz respeito ao gênero de horror. Como objeto de análise mais detalhada, trazemos a trilogia inicial de da franquia Atividade Paranormal
This paper aims to study the use of documentary structures in the fictional horror movies, kind of narrative that became known popularly as found footage. These films make use of a purposely hybrid language, linking the form of documentary to fictional content and, today, are so fashionable that already have clichés and stereotypes connected to them.The intention is to understand how the horror genre appropriates the use of an aesthetic associated with documentary records to favor fear responses in the viewer. Hence, we privileged cuts in film history and concepts that can contribute to the development of our study, both with regard to documentary cinema, as with regard to the horror genre. As more detailed analysis of the object, we bring the original trilogy of the franchise "Paranormal Activity"

This dissertation describes the emergence and expansion of U.S. government motion picture work over the first four decades of the twentieth century. It situates the early history of federal filmmaking within the long progressive drive to reshape representative government into a more active proponent of the welfare of its citizenry and argues that despite reigning critiques to the contrary, institutional sponsorship actually gave social meaning and efficacy to this mode of social documentary. Indeed, I argue that U.S. government film production can be understood as a kind of social activism that was simultaneously propelled and limited by the contours of the federal bureaucracy. Envisioning government film work as “bureaucratic activism”—with all the power as well as the inefficiencies, entrenched rigidities, red tape, politics and establishment loyalties implied by the term “bureaucratic”—is useful here. It helps capture the contradictory nature of a pragmatic enterprise that actively and optimistically sought social change from within the confines of the status quo.

Federal films are examined in this history as spaces of complex negotiation— as points of contact between the structure(s) of the American democratic state and the imaginings of progressive bureaucrats about both their relationship to that state and its relationship to its citizens. Relying largely on original research in little-mined federal collections, I argue that the interpretations of social problems and solutions attempted in and by these film texts represent more than attempts to bolster institutional authority and reinforce the status quo (though, of course, they were such attempts). These aims were mediated by a will—evident both within the film texts and in the extemporaneous correspondence of their administrators and producers—to explain or justify such authority claims by literally and figuratively visualizing them as not arbitrary but rather in the interest of nurturing or protecting the common good. Federal films, seen in this way, don’t automatically obviate social change but instead represent attempts to relate social change to the ideal of democratic government. Viewed in the context of the specific change initiatives they were produced to aid, federal films were reflections of and on democratic governance itself.

Este trabalho de pesquisa pretende desenvolver uma análise de cinco documentários realizados pelo cineasta Renato Tapajós, entre 1977 e 1982, em parceria com o Sindicato dos Metalúrgicos de São Bernardo do Campo e Diadema: \"Acidente de Trabalho\" (1977), \"Trabalhadoras Metalúrgicas\" (1978), \"Greve de Março\" (1979), \"A luta do Povo\" (1980) e o longa-metragem \"Linha de Montagem\" (1981). O objetivo é refletir sobre essa experiência de produção de filmes militantes, destinada à educação sindical, durante a Ditadura Militar no Brasil. Para isso, procuraremos identificar como se configura o ponto de vista dos documentários. Partiremos da análise da relação entre as temáticas apresentadas e as diferentes locuções que os filmes articulam, para investigar como o aspecto político e ideológico da representação da afirmação da identidade sindical, de contestação social e de rearticulação do movimento sindical no ABC durante o regime militar é elaborado e organizado. Finalmente iremos relacionar algumas das referidas obras de Renato Tapajós com outros modos de representação do operariado paulista presentes na produção cinematográfica brasileira no fim da década de 70.
This research aims to develop an analysis of five documentaries made by filmmaker Renato Tapajós, between 1977 and 1982, in partnership with the Sindicato dos Metalúrgicos de São Bernardo do Campo e Diadema (Metalworkers Union): \"Acidente de Trabalho\" (Labour Accident) (1977), \"Trabalhadoras Metalúrgicas\" (Women Metalworkers) (1978), \"Greve de Março\" (Strike in March) (1979), \"A luta do Povo\" (The struggle of the People) (1980) and the feature film \"Linha de Montagem\" (Assembly line) (1981). For this, we will identify how the point of view configures itself on those documentaries. Based on the analysis of the relationship between the issues presented and the different voices that the films articulate, we intent to investigate how the political and ideological representation of the union identity statement, social contestation and the rearticulation of the union activity on ABC during the military regime was prepared and organized. Finally, we will relate some of these films of Renato Tapajós with other modes of representation from the metalworkers present in São Paulo Brazilian films in the late 70\'s.

Le but de ce travail est d'analyser les représentations des pirates dans la culture populaire anglophone, représentations qui s'inspirent en premier lieu d'un contexte historique et tendent à montrer les pirates comme des révoltés aux prétentions démocratisantes face aux puissances absolutistes, faisant de l'élection un principe maître qui fait écho à différentes visions de l'implication politique des XXe et XXIe siècles. En parallèle se développe la notion d'une attirance inévitable pour la piraterie due aux liens du sang, un héritage qui mène souvent à diverses formes d'hybridation en mettant sans cesse en question les contenus ainsi transmis. Enfin, que l'on parle d'élection ou d'héritage, ce qui est transmis doit être appris, et les modalités de cet apprentissage sont variables bien que s'inscrivant dans un schéma reconnaissable à travers les artefacts culturels examinés
The purpose of this work is to analyze the representations of pirate in English-speaking popular culture, representations whose foremost source of inspiration for such works is a historical context, and they tend to show pirates as rebels with claims to forms of democracy facing absolutist powers, turning election into a major principle that echoes different visions of political involvement in 20th- and 21st-century America. Along this tendency, the notion of an irresistible attraction towards piracy, due to blood ties, is developed into a form of legacy often leading to diverse forms of hybridization endlessly questioning the contents thus transmitted. Finally, whether election or legacy be dealt with, what is transmitted must be learnt, and the modalities of such learning vary even though they are embedded in a pattern recognizable throughout the cultural artifacts under examination

The thesis examines the extent the means and the degree to which the American and the Vatican's common cultural ideology was expressed in the film industry of post-war Italy (1945-1960). Through a comparative approach of current theories developed on ideology and an analysis of official documents from the Vatican and the United States Department of State, the thesis investigates the decisive role that American production companies played in the development of the Italian film industry and their links to the Vatican. This analysis evaluates how the Italian production and distribution industries satisfied the American political and economic interests. American political and cultural ideology of the post-1945 era, is compared with the Roman Catholic ideology in order to assess how close their cultural propaganda was. This is followed by studies of the roles played by key individuals, such as Giulio Andreotti and institutions such as ANICA and A.G.I.S. involved in formulating the policies and regulations that affected the production and distribution of American and Italian films in the post-1945 era, as well as the involvement of the Roman Catholic Church in this process. The case studies, which make up the remaining part of the dissertation, illustrate the relationship with the theoretical issues raised in its first part and their ramifications in the relationship between the Catholics and Italian and America cinema. The operation of the Centro Cattolico Cinematografico combined with box-office returns allows for the creation of a new analytical technique to be applied, one that has not been utilized in previous studies of Neorealist films and Italian popular cinema. It makes it possible to highlight the cross-currents that existed across different cinematic genres and styles of those American and Italian post-war movies, which were under the Catholic Church's sphere of activity.

Cette thèse est une étude filmique de l'activité de création d'un artiste peintre. Elle vise à expliciter son cheminement intellectuel à travers les techniques et les procèdes mis en oeuvre pour préciser sa vision intérieure et transcrire ses perceptions. Le travail de recherche se présente sous la forme d'une série de cas, qui sont mises en scène organisées par l'artiste autour d'un même thème pictural. Ce thème porte sur l'expression des corps féminins, et s'appuie sur des constats photographiques réalises par le peintre. Pour appréhender le projet de l'artiste et sa manière de signifier, le film montre, d'une part les artifices techniques que le peintre imagine et construit pour mettre en scène son modèle et le photographier, et, d'autre part, la réalisation des esquisses partant de ces constats photographiques. Pour observer plus finement le processus de création, des séquences sont réservées a l'évolution picturale de quelques esquisses suivant les techniques du fondu enchaine et de l'image par image. Cette approche de l'oeuvre en devenir met en relief les hésitations, les choix de l'artiste, informations qui favorisent l'étude des enjeux intellectuels sous-tendus.

AAu cours des cent années qui séparent la naissance du cinéma de son centenaire, le droit a fait preuve, dans une large mesure, de sa capacité d'adaptation aux spécificités de l'art cinématographique. Si l'assimilation par le droit de la dimension artistique de cette technique d'expression mise au point par les frères Lumière a été particulièrement lente, le droit a manifesté, en bien des circonstances, une réelle aptitude à réagir aux diverses évolutions de l'expression cinématographique, tantôt à l'avantage de l'art cinématographique, tantôt à son detriment. De 1895 à 1945, ces relations sont d'abord dominées par l'incompréhension, tant il semble à l'origine difficile pour les juristes d'admettre la dimension artistique de cette activité nouvelle et de l'intégrer dans leur réflexion sur son encadrement juridique. Elles s'affirment ensuite sur le mode de la confrontation, tant il est clair que le droit positif se compose pour l'essentiel de normes de nature à imposer limites et contraintes aux créateurs cinématographiques. De 1946 à 1995, se construit progressivement un nouveau pan du droit du cinéma, résolument protecteur, qui, progressivement, s'attachera à promouvoir la qualiteartistique de la production cinématographique. Mais un certain nombre des protections ainsi instituées par le droit se révèleront n'être à terme que des illusions, tant il est clair que la pérennite du cinéma français est au moins autant, sinon plus, entre les mains des ingénieurs et des cinéastes qu'entre celles des juristes.

The hegemonic meaning of depression as a universal mental illness embodied by an individualized subject is propped up by psychiatry’s clinical gaze. Cinemas of Therapeutic Activism turns to the work of contemporary filmmakers who express a shared concern for mental health under global capitalism to explore how else depression can be perceived. In taking their critical visions as intercessors for thought, Adam Szymanski proposes a thoroughly relational understanding of depression attentive to eventful, collective and contingent qualities of subjectivity. What emerges is a melancholy aesthetics attuned to the existential contours and political stakes of health. Cinemas of Therapeutic Activism adventurously builds affinities across the lines of national, linguistic and cultural difference. The films of Angela Schanelec, Kelly Reichardt, Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Kanakan Balintagos are grouped together for the first time, constituting a polystylistic common front of artist-physicians who live, work, and create on the belief that life can be more liveable.

The NESCoM is a multidisciplinary research center formed by musicians, engineers and computer scientists. The main research interest lies with sonology, audiotacticle musical analysis, ubiquitous music, interactive multimedia installations, and the design of computer music technology in general. Overall, the common ground for the NESCoM projects lies with the human-aspects, both cognitive and motor, behind a musical activity. This can come, for instance, in the shape of an audiotactile analysis of musical interaction applied to a new digital musical interface designed to overcome human physical constraints or the composition of a cinema soundtrack based on perceptual models of the audience. In this paper, it is reported a short description of the ongoing projects of the NESCoM and the future works.

En la asignatura de Fundamentos de Fisioterapia del Grado en Fisioterapia de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Alcorcón, Madrid) se utilizaron metodologías activas de enseñanza-aprendizaje, con el objetivo de facilitar a los alumnos la adquisición de competencias específicas y transversales, tales como la observación analítica, reflexión, trabajo autónomo y colaborativo, o la comunicación oral y escrita. Para conseguir estos objetivos se emplearon actividades de lluvia de ideas, debates, análisis de una noticia, casos clínicos, o análisis de fragmentos fílmicos. Esta última metodología, es la que vamos a comentar a continuación. La utilización del cine fomentó la implicación y participación de los estudiantes y facilitó la adquisición de competencias, tanto específicas como transversales. Los alumnos mostraron un alto grado de satisfacción con la utilización del cine, señalando que era una forma más amena de aprender los conceptos propios de la asignatura.

The researches on evaluation the influence of entomopathogenic fungi of the genuses Beauveria, Isaria and Lecanicillium influence on phytopathogenic microorganisms Alternaria solani, Botrytis ciner-ea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, Phytophtora alni are presented. The antifungal peculiarities of tested strains – a potential basis of complex action biological preparations for plant protection are shown in vitro. The highest level of antagonistic activity has been revealed in strains Beauveria brongniartii МХ, Lecanicillium sp. аph and Isaria fumosorosea 21-2.

The new coronavirus (Covid-19) is one of the main challenges world today has to address. With no large scale availability vaccine yet, and more or less experimental medical treatments for curing the disease, we can safely say that we are still far behind a solution to this problem. This new pandemic is considered the biggest threat to the global economy since the Second World War and there is no aspects of human life have not been affected it, spiritual ones included. Its high contagiousness, as well as novelty, raised all kind of challenges and one of the main ones was our manner to produce answers, in early stages at least, this creating problem on its own and of its design. As well as all the other institutions, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, spaces of socialization and in the same time places of wonder, knowledge and spiritual enrichment the museums were heavily affected by the pandemic crisis, especially those who’s collections are not, but in very small proportion available, to the public through virtual media. Such a case is „Princely Court„ National Museums Ensemble from Targoviste, Dambovita County, Romania. The present paper proposes an overview of the highlights in institution′s activity the past years in comparison with how the pandemic crisis affected its activity in the past months and what were the responses given to keep the museum in the eye of the public. It will also try to summarize how and to what extent the activity went back to „normal” after the emergency state earlier imposed was lifted and how the visitors responded to the new realities.

El presente artículo aborda la obra videográfica de la Israelí Iris Zaki, la cual emplea un singular método de trabajo con el que logra establecer espacios dialógicos en comunidades cerradas. Una particular estrategia en la que destaca el abandono temporal del rol de cineasta para entrar a trabajar en diferentes establecimientos y, una vez dentro, el empleo de un dispositivo mínimo - en la que la directora deja la cámara grabando sola (sin nadie que la controle) - mostrando, prácticamente durante toda la película, el mismo plano. Con esto Zaki centra toda la atención en las conversaciones que mantiene con sujetos de diferentes grupos o comunidades de su entorno, ya sean: judíos ortodoxos en Londres, árabes en Haifa, o colonos Israelís en un asentamiento en Cisjordania, interfiriendo lo menos posible en la escena y consiguiendo que intervengan con una mayor sinceridad y espontaneidad frente a la cámara. En los trabajos de Zaki la parte etnográfica y la autobiográfica se diluyen en una, su historia personal está, irremediablemente, sujeta a las comunidades que filma; comparten el mismo territorio, las mismas circunstancias históricas, etc., pero, además, Zaki aparece en todas sus películas. Ella también responde, pregunta, reflexiona… delante de la cámara, por lo que a la vez que conocemos a esos «otros» lo hacemos también con la misma directora. Entre la práctica artista y el activismo, lo amateur y lo experimental, las piezas de Zaki son un buen ejemplo de las nuevas fórmulas que están renovando el panorama del cine de lo real y que por su condición hacedora, pueden ser especialmente interesantes para nuevos creadores que carezcan de los recursos técnicos ligados a la tradición cinematográfica o para aquellos atraídos por el documental de vanguardia.

Numerical techniques are commonly used during both design and analysis processes, mainly considering separated components. Technological progress asks for advanced approaches that allow to analysing the interaction between the components, especially when considering combustor/turbine interaction. Hot spots and inlet swirl profiles generated by the combustor have been demonstrated to affect high-pressure turbine performances and reliability. This work deals with the investigation of the effects of realistic boundary conditions for the high-pressure turbine vane, also proposing an approach for coupled simulation of the combustor/vane interaction. The method consists in a loosely coupled approach for the data exchange on the combustor/vane interface section. Data from the combustor exit section (stagnation conditions, velocity profile and turbulent quantities) are provided to the vane inlet and vice versa (for the static pressure). The proposed method is applied to a test case consisting of a redesigned combustor and the vane of the MT1 test case from QinetiQ. A preliminary analysis was dedicated to define the combustor geometry and the operating conditions. Then, the MT1 working conditions have been rescaled and coupled with the combustor, maintaining the stage geometry and the experimental non-dimensional parameters. Second order accurate steady simulations were performed for both combustor and high-pressure turbine vane. Calculations with a uniform profile and a theoretical nonuniform inlet profile (deriving from the EU funded TATEF2 project) have been considered as representative of commonly used approaches. The results obtained for the stator in terms of isentropic Mach number and Nusselt number along blades surfaces and inner end-wall are compared with each other and with the available experimental data. Due to the large dimension of computational grids a parallel approach was applied. The activity was carried out using the IBM PLX supercomputer in the frame of the FrUIT project supported by CINECA.

The involvement of glycans in microbial adherence, recognition and signaling is often a critical determinant of pathogenesis. Although the major glycan components of fungal cell walls have been identified there is limited information available on its ‘minor sugar components’ and how these change during different stages of fungal development. Our aim was to define the role of Rhacontaining-glycans in the gray mold disease caused by the necrotrophic fungus B. cinerea. The research was built on the discovery of two genes, Bcdhand bcer, that are involved in formation of UDP-KDG and UDP-Rha, two UDP- sugars that may serve as donors for the synthesis of cell surface glycans. Objectives of the proposed research included: 1) To determine the function of B. cinereaBcDh and BcEr in glycan biosynthesis and in pathogenesis, 2) To determine the expression pattern of BcDH and BcERand cellular localization of their encoded proteins, 3) Characterize the structure and distribution of Rha- containing glycans, 4) Characterization of the UDP-sugar enzymes and potential of GTs involved in glycanrhamnosylation. To address these objectives we generated a series of B. cinereamutants with modifications in the bchdhand bcergenes and the phenotype and sugar metabolism in the resulting strains were characterized. Analysis of sugar metabolites showed that changes in the genes caused changes in primary and secondary sugars, including abolishment of rhamnose, however abolishment of rhamnose synthesis did not cause changes in the fungal phenotype. In contrast, we found that deletion of the second gene, bcer, leads to accumulation of the intermediate sugar – UDP- KDG, and that such mutants suffer from a range of defects including reduced virulence. Further analyses confirmed that UDP-KDG is toxic to the fungus. Studies on mode of action suggested that UDP-KDG might affect integrity of the fungal cell wall, possibly by inhibiting UDP-sugars metabolic enzymes. Our results confirm that bcdhand bcerrepresent a single pathway of rhamnose synthesis in B. cinerea, that rhamnose does not affect in vitro development or virulence of the fungus. We also concluded that UDP-KDG is toxic to B. cinereaand hence UDP-KDG or compounds that inhibit Er enzymes and lead to accumulation of UDP-KDG might have antifungal activity. This toxicity is likely the case with other fungi, this became apparent in a collaborative work with Prof. Bart Thomma of Wageningen University, NETHERLANDS . We have shown the deletion of ER mutant in Verticillium dahlia gave plants resistance to the fungal infection.

The goal of this project is to enhance fungal resistance of carnation and tomato through the ectopic expression of osmotin and other pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. The research objectives were to evaluate in vitro antifungal activity of osmotin and osmotin and other PR protein combinations against phytopathogens (including Fusarium oxysporum, Verticillium dahliae, Botrytus cinerea or Phytophthora infestans), develop protocols for efficient transformation of carnation and tomato, express PR proteins in transgenic carnation and tomato and evaluate fungal resistance of transgenic plants. Protocols for microprojectile bombardment and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of carnation were developed that are applicable for the biotechnology of numerous commercial cultivars. Research established an efficient organogenetic regeneration system, optimized gene delivery and transgene expression and defined parameters requisite to the high frequency recovery of transgenic plants. Additionally, an efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol was developed for tomato that is applicable for use with numerous commercial varieties. Rigorous selection and reducing the cytokinin level in medium immediately after shoot induction resulted in substantially greater frequency of adventitious shoots that developed defined stems suitable for rooting and reconstitution of transgenic plants. Transformation vectors were constructed for co-expression of genes encoding osmotin and tobacco chitinase Ia or PR-1b. Expression of osmotin, PR-1 and/or chitinase in transgenic carnation mediated a high level resistance of cv. White Sim (susceptible variety) to F. oxysporum f. sp. dianthi, race 2 in greenhouse assays. These plants are being evaluated in field tests. Comprehensive analysis (12 to 17 experiments) indicated that germination of B. cinerea conidia was unaffected by PR protein expression but germ tube elongation was reduced substantially. The disease severity was significantly attenuated by PR protein expression. Constitutive expression of osmotin in transgenic tomato increased resistance to B. cinerea, and P. infestans. Grey mold and late blight resistance was stable through the third selfed generation. The research accomplished in this project will have profound effects on the use of biotechnology to improve carnation and tomato. Transformation protocols that are applicable for efficient stable gene transfer to numerous commercial varieties of carnation and tomato are the foundation for the capacity to bioengineer these crops. The research further establishes that PR proteins provide a measure of enhanced disease resistance. However, considerations of PR protein combinations and conditional regulation and targeting are likely required to achieve; sustained level of resistance.

In a previous BARD-supported study, three of the investigators of this research were involved in a study on biological control of postharvest diseases of citrus and deciduous fruits. Several naturally occurring, non-antibiotic producing yeast antagonists were identified. Application of some of these antagonists resulted in very high levels of biocontrol under laboratory conditions but lower efficacy in semi-commercial tests. It was felt that the lack of knowledge on the mode of action of the biocontrol agents was limiting their efficient use. The current study was aimed at narrowing this gap in our knowledge. Two specific objectives were outlined: to study the mechanism by which calcium salts enhance biocontrol activity and to determine the role, if any, of the yeast extracellular materials and/or enzymes which degrade fungal cell walls during the interaction between the antagonists, the pathogen and the host. CaCl2 but not MgCl2, inhibited spore germination, and germ-tube elongation of Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum and P. digitatum in culture. It also inhibited the pectinolytic activity of the pathogens. Biocontrol of apple decay by isolate 182 of Candida oleophila, an effective biocontrol agent, was enhanced by the addition of CaCl2 whereas there was no effect on the biocontrol activity of isolate 247 of this yeast. Similarly, CaCl2 enhanced efficacy of the US-7 isolate of Pichia guilliermondii in reducing infection of P. digitatum in citrus fruit. CaCl2 by itself also reduced the infection of peel wounds and stimulated ethylene production by grapefruit peel. This antagonist exhibited a very high ability to maintain cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis when exposed to high CaCl2 concentrations. It is postulated, therefore, that enhanced biocontrol activity by calcium is the result of direct inhibition of the pathogen by calcium ions on spore germination and metabolism and indirectly due to the ability of the biocontrol agent to maintain normal metabolism in the presence of high levels of calcium. The extracellular materials produced by P. guilliermondii in culture and on the fruit inhibited, at low concentrations, the pathogen in culture and reduced percent infection of the fruit. The direct inhibition of the pathogen by these materials may thus be involved in the mode of action of the antagonist. This study contributed to our knowledge on the action of calcium salts and the yeast antagonist extracellular materials on biocontrol activity and will contribute to a more efficient use of this technology in the control of postharvest diseases of fruits.

Research objectives 1) Analyze the combined effects of hexose phosphorylation and P level in tomato and Arabidopsis plants 2) Analyze the combined effects of hexose phosphorylation and P level in pho1 and pho2 Arabidopsis mutants 3) Clone and analyze the PHO2 gene 4) Select Arabidopsis mutants resistant to high and low P 5) Analyze the Arabidopsis mutants and clone the corresponding genes 6) Survey wild tomato species for growth characteristics at various P levels Background to the topic Hexose phosphorylating enzymes, the first enzymes of sugar metabolism, regulate key processes in plants such as photosynthesis, growth, senescence and vascular transport. We have previously discovered that hexose phosphorylating enzymes might regulate these processes as a function of phosphorous (P) concentration, and might accelerate acquisition of P, one of the most limiting nutrients in the soil. These discoveries have opened new avenues to gain fundamental knowledge about the relationship between P, sugar phosphorylation and plant development. Since both hexose phosphorylating enzymes and P levels affect plant development, their interaction is of major importance for agriculture. Due to the acceleration of senescence caused by the combined effects of hexose phosphorylation and P concentration, traits affecting P uptake may have been lost in the course of cultivation in which fertilization with relatively high P (30 mg/L) are commonly used. We therefore intended to survey wild tomato species for high P-acquisition at low P soil levels. Genetic resources with high P-acquisition will serve not only to generate a segregating population to map the trait and clone the gene, but will also provide a means to follow the trait in classical breeding programs. This approach could potentially be applicable for other crops as well. Major conclusions, solutions, achievements Our results confirm the mutual effect of hexose phosphorylating enzymes and P level on plant development. Two major aspects of this mutual effect arose. One is related to P toxicity in which HXK seems to play a major role, and the second is related to the effect of HXK on P concentration in the plant. Using tomato plants we demonstrated that high HXK activity increased leaf P concentration, and induced P toxicity when leaf P concentration increases above a certain high level. These results further support our prediction that the desired trait of high-P acquisition might have been lost in the course of cultivation and might exist in wild species. Indeed, in a survey of wild species we identified tomato species that acquired P and performed better at low P (in the irrigation water) compared to the cultivated Lycopersicon esculentum species. The connection between hexose phosphorylation and P toxicity has also been shown with the P sensitive species VerticordiaplumosaL . in which P toxicity is manifested by accelerated senescence (Silber et al., 2003). In a previous work we uncovered the phenomenon of sugar induced cell death (SICD) in yeast cells. Subsequently we showed that SICD is dependent on the rate of hexose phosphorylation as determined by Arabidopsis thaliana hexokinase. In this study we have shown that hexokinase dependent SICD has many characteristics of programmed cell death (PCD) (Granot et al., 2003). High hexokinase activity accelerates senescence (a PCD process) of tomato plants, which is further enhanced by high P. Hence, hexokinase mediated PCD might be a general phenomena. Botrytis cinerea is a non-specific, necrotrophic pathogen that attacks many plant species, including tomato. Senescing leaves are particularly susceptible to B. cinerea infection and delaying leaf senescence might reduce this susceptibility. It has been suggested that B. cinerea’s mode of action may be based on induction of precocious senescence. Using tomato plants developed in the course of the preceding BARD grant (IS 2894-97) and characterized throughout this research (Swartzberg et al., 2006), we have shown that B. cinerea indeed induces senescence and is inhibited by autoregulated production of cytokinin (Swartzberg et al., submitted). To further determine how hexokinase mediates sugar effects we have analyzed tomato plants that express Arabidopsis HXK1 (AtHXK1) grown at different P levels in the irrigation water. We found that Arabidopsis hexokinase mediates sugar signalling in tomato plants independently of hexose phosphate (Kandel-Kfir et al., submitted). To study which hexokinase is involved in sugar sensing we searched and identified two additional HXK genes in tomato plants (Kandel-Kfir et al., 2006). Tomato plants have two different hexose phosphorylating enzymes; hexokinases (HXKs) that can phosphorylate either glucose or fructose, and fructokinases (FRKs) that specifically phosphorylate fructose. To complete the search for genes encoding hexose phosphorylating enzymes we identified a forth fructokinase gene (FRK) (German et al., 2004). The intracellular localization of the four tomato HXK and four FRK enzymes has been determined using GFP fusion analysis in tobacco protoplasts (Kandel-Kfir et al., 2006; Hilla-Weissler et al., 2006). One of the HXK isozymes and one of the FRK isozymes are located within plastids. The other three HXK isozymes are associated with the mitochondria while the other three FRK isozymes are dispersed in the cytosol. We concluded that HXK and FRK are spatially separated in plant cytoplasm and accordingly might play different metabolic and perhaps signalling roles. We have started to analyze the role of the various HXK and FRK genes in plant development. So far we found that LeFRK2 is required for xylem development (German et al., 2003). Irrigation with different P levels had no effect on the phenotype of LeFRK2 antisense plants. In the course of this research we developed a rapid method for the analysis of zygosity in transgenic plants (German et al., 2003).

Original objectives . 1. Test anti-fungal gene products for activity against Uncinula necator, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer and Botrytis cinerea. 2. For Agrobacterium transformation, design appropriate vectors with gene combinations. 3. Use biolistic bombardment and Agrobacterium for transformation of important cultivars. 4. Characterize gene expression in transformants, as well as level of powdery mildew and Botrytis resistance in foliage of transformed plants. Background The production of new grape cultivars by conventional breeding is a complex and time-consuming process. Transferring individual traits via single genes into elite cultivars was proposed as a viable strategy, especially for vegetatively propagated crops such as grapevines. The availability of effective genetic transformation procedures, the existence of genes able to reduce pathogen stress, and improved in vitro culture methods for grapes, were combined to serve the objective of this proposal. Effective deployment of resistance genes would reduce production costs and increase crop quality, and several such genes and combinations were used in this project. Progress The efficacy of two-way combinations of Trichoderma endochitinase (CHIT42), synthetic peptide ESF12 and resveratrol upon the control of growth of Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium digitatum were evaluated in vitro. All pairwise interactions were additive but not synergistic. Per objective 2, suitable vectors with important gene combinations for Agrobacterium transformation were designed. In addition, multiple gene co-transformation by particle bombardment was also tested successfully. In New York, transformation work focused on cultivars Chardonnay and Merlot, while the technology in Israel was extended to 41B, R. 110, Prime, Italia, Gamay, Chardonnay and Velika. Transgenic plant production is summarized in the appendix. Among plants developed in Israel, endochitinase expression was assayed via the MuchT assay using material just 1-5 days after co-cultivation. Plants of cv. Sugraone carrying the gene coding for ESF12, a short anti-fungal lytic peptide under the control of the double 358 promoter, were produced. Leaf extracts of two plants showed inhibition zones that developed within 48 h indicating the inhibitory effect of the leaf extracts on the six species of bacteria. X fastidiosa, the causal organism of Pierce's disease, was very sensitive to leaf extracts from ESF12 transformed plants. Further work is needed to verify the agricultural utility of ESF12 transformants. In New York, some transformants were resistant to powdery mildew and Botrytis fruit rot. Major conclusions, solutions, achievements and implications The following scientific achievements resulted from this cooperative BARD project: 1. Development and improvement of embryogenesis and tissue culture manipulation in grape, while extending these procedures to several agriculturally important cultivars both in Israel and USA. 2. Development and improvement of novel transformation procedures while developing transformation techniques for grape and other recalcitrant species. 3. Production of transgenic grapevines, characterization of transformed vines while studying the expression patterns of a marker gene under the control of different promoter as the 35S CaMV in different part of the plants including flowers and fruits. 4. Expression of anti-fungal genes in grape: establishment of transgenic plants and evaluation of gene expression. Development of techniques to insert multiple genes. 5. Isolation of novel grape specific promoter to control the expression of future antimicrobial genes. It is of great importance to report that significant progress was made in not only the development of transgenic grapevines, but also in the evaluation of their potential for increased resistance to disease as compared with the non engineered cultivar. In several cases, increased disease resistance was observed. More research and development is still needed before a product can be commercialized, yet our project lays a framework for further investigations.

To elucidate the role of ROS in the tri-trophic interactions in postharvest biocontrol systems a detailed molecular and biochemical investigation was undertaken. The application of the yeast biocontrol agent Metschnikowia fructicola, microarray analysis was performed on grapefruit surface wounds using an Affymetrix Citrus GeneChip. the data indicated that 1007 putative unigenes showed significant expression changes following wounding and yeast application relative to wounded controls. The expression of the genes encoding Respiratory burst oxidase (Rbo), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK), G-proteins, chitinase (CHI), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS) and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL). In contrast, three genes, peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were down-regulated in grapefruit peel tissue treated with yeast cells. The yeast antagonists, Metschnikowia fructicola (strain 277) and Candida oleophila (strain 182) generate relatively high levels of super oxide anion (O2−) following its interaction with wounded fruit surface. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy we observed that the application of M. fructicola and C. oleophila into citrus and apple fruit wounds correlated with an increase in H2O2 accumulation in host tissue. The present data, together with our earlier discovery of the importance of H₂O₂ production in the defense response of citrus flavedo to postharvest pathogens, indicate that the yeast-induced oxidative response in fruit exocarp may be associated with the ability of specific yeast species to serve as biocontrol agents for the management of postharvest diseases. Effect of ROS on yeast cells was also studied. Pretreatment of the yeast, Candida oleophila, with 5 mM H₂O₂ for 30 min (sublethal) increased yeast tolerance to subsequent lethal levels of oxidative stress (50 mM H₂O₂), high temperature (40 °C), and low pH (pH 4). Suppression subtractive hybridization analysis was used to identify genes expressed in yeast in response to sublethal oxidative stress. Transcript levels were confirmed using semi quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Seven antioxidant genes were up regulated. Pretreatment of the yeast antagonist Candida oleophila with glycine betaine (GB) increases oxidative stress tolerance in the microenvironment of apple wounds. ROS production is greater when yeast antagonists used as biocontrol agents are applied in the wounds. Compared to untreated control yeast cells, GB-treated cells recovered from the oxidative stress environment of apple wounds exhibited less accumulation of ROS and lower levels of oxidative damage to cellular proteins and lipids. Additionally, GB-treated yeast exhibited greater biocontrol activity against Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea, and faster growth in wounds of apple fruits compared to untreated yeast. The expression of major antioxidant genes, including peroxisomal catalase, peroxiredoxin TSA1, and glutathione peroxidase was elevated in the yeast by GB treatment. A mild heat shock (HS) pretreatment (30 min at 40 1C) improved the tolerance of M. fructicola to subsequent high temperature (45 1C, 20–30 min) and oxidative stress (0.4 mol-¹) hydrogen peroxide, 20–60 min). HS-treated yeast cells showed less accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than non-treated cells in response to both stresses. Additionally, HS-treated yeast exhibited significantly greater (P≥0.0001) biocontrol activity against Penicillium expansum and a significantly faster (Po0.0001) growth rate in wounds of apple fruits stored at 25 1C compared with the performance of untreated yeast cells. Transcription of a trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene (TPS1) was up regulated in response to HS and trehalose content also increased.

The long-term goals of our research are to understand the regulation of sclerotial development and pathogenicity in S. sclerotiorum. The focus in this project is on the elucidation of the signaling events and environmental cues that contribute to broad pathogenic success of S. sclerotiorum. In this proposal, we have taken advantage of the recent conceptual (ROS/PPs signaling) and technical (genome sequence availability and gene inactivation possibilities) developments to address the following questions, as appear in our research goals stated below, specifically concerning the involvement of REDOX signaling and protein dephosphorylation in the regulation of hyphal/sclerotial development and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum. Our stated specific objectives were to progress our understanding of the following questions: (i) Which ROS species affect S. sclerotiorum development and pathogenicity? (ii) In what manner do PPs affect S. sclerotiorum development and pathogenicity? (iii) Are PPs affected by ROS production and does PP activity affect ROS production and SMK1? (iv) How does Sclerotinia modulate the redox environment in both host and pathogen? While addressing these questions, our main findings include the identification and characterization the NADPH oxidase (NOX) family in S. sclerotiorum. Silencing of Ssnox1 indicated a central role for this enzyme in both virulence and pathogenic (sclerotial) development, while inactivation of Ssnox2 resulted in limited sclerotial development but remained fully pathogenic. Interestingly, we found a consistent correlation with Ssnox1(involved with pathogenicity) and oxalate levels. This same observation was also noted with Sssod1. Thus, fungal enzymes involved in oxidative stress tolerance,when inactivated, also exhibit reduced OA levels. We have also shown that protein phosphatases (specifically PP2A and PTP1) are involved in morphogenesis and pathogenesis of S. sclerotiorum, demonstrating the regulatory role of these key proteins in the mentioned processes. While probing the redox environment and host-pathogen interactions we determined that oxalic acid is an elicitor of plant programmed cell death during S. sclerotiorum disease development and that oxalic acid suppresses host defense via manipulation of the host redox environment. During the course of this project we also contributed to the progress of understanding S. sclerotiorum function and the manipulation of this fungus by establishing an efficient gene replacement and direct hyphal transformation protocols in S. sclerotiorum. Lastly, both PIs were involved in thegenomic analysis of this necrotrophic fungal pathogen (along with Botrytis cinerea). Our results have been published in 11 papers (including joint papers and refereed reviews) and have set the basis for a continuum towards a better understanding and eventual control of this important pathogen (with implications to other fungal-host systems as well).

Abstract: The long-term goals of our research are to understand the regulation of sclerotial development and pathogenicity in S. sclerotior11111. The focus in this project was on the elucidation of the signaling events and environmental cues involved in the regulation of these processes, utilizing and continuously developing tools our research groups have established and/or adapted for analysis of S. sclerotiorum, Our stated objectives: To take advantage of the recent conceptual (ROS/PPs signaling) and technical (amenability of S. sclerotiorumto manipulations coupled with chemical genomics and next generation sequencing) developments to address and extend our fundamental and potentially applicable knowledge of the following questions concerning the involvement of REDOX signaling and protein dephosphorylation in the regulation of hyphal/sclerotial development and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum: (i) How do defects in genes involved in ROS signaling affect S. sclerotiorumdevelopment and pathogenicity? (ii) In what manner do phosphotyrosinephosphatases affect S. sclerotiorumdevelopment and pathogenicity and how are they linked with ROS and other signaling pathways? And (iii) What is the nature of activity of newly identified compounds that affect S. sclerotiori,111 growth? What are the fungal targets and do they interfere with ROS signaling? We have met a significant portion of the specific goals set in our research project. Much of our work has been published. Briefly. we can summarize that: (a) Silencing of SsNox1(NADPHoxidase) expression indicated a central role for this enzyme in both virulence and pathogenic development, while inactivation of the SsNox2 gene resulted in limited sclerotial development, but the organism remained fully pathogenic. (b) A catalase gene (Scatl), whose expression was highly induced during host infection is involved in hyphal growth, branching, sclerotia formation and infection. (c) Protein tyrosine phosphatase l (ptpl) is required for sclerotial development and is involved in fungal infection. (d) Deletion of a superoxidedismutase gene (Sssodl) significantly reduced in virulence on both tomato and tobacco plants yet pathogenicity was mostly restored following supplementation with oxalate. (e) We have participated in comparative genome sequence analysis of S. sclerotiorumand B. cinerea. (f) S. sclerotiorumexhibits a potential switch between biotrophic and necrotrophic lifestyles (g) During plant­ microbe interactions cell death can occur in both resistant and susceptible events. Non­ pathogenic fungal mutants S. sclerotior111n also cause a cell death but with opposing results. We investigated PCD in more detail and showed that, although PCD occurs in both circumstances they exhibit distinctly different features. The mutants trigger a restricted cell death phenotype in the host that unexpectedly exhibits markers associated with the plant hypersensitive (resistant) response. Using electron and fluorescence microscopy, chemical effectors and reverse genetics, we have established that this restricted cell death is autophagic. Inhibition of autophagy rescued the non-pathogenic mutant phenotype. These findings indicate that autophagy is a defense response in this interaction Thus the control of cell death, dictated by the plant (autophagy) סr the fungus (apoptosis), is decisive to the outcome of certain plant­ microbe interactions. In addition to the time and efforts invested towards reaching the specific goals mentioned, both Pls have initiated utilizing (as stated as an objective in our proposal) state of the art RNA-seq tools in order to harness this technology for the study of S. sclerotiorum. The Pls have met twice (in Israel and in the US), in order to discuss .נחd coordinate the research efforts. This included a working visit at the US Pls laboratory for performing RNA-seq experiments and data analysis as well as working on a joint publication (now published). The work we have performed expands our understanding of the fundamental biology (developmental and pathogenic) of S. sclerotioז111וז. Furthermore, based on our results we have now reached the conclusion that this fungus is not a bona fide necrotroph, but can also display a biotrophic lifestyle at the early phases of infection. The data obtained can eventually serve .נ basis of rational intervention with the disease cycle of this pathogen.

1.1 Macroeconomic summary Economic recovery has consistently outperformed the technical staff’s expectations following a steep decline in activity in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, total and core inflation rates have fallen and remain at low levels, suggesting that a significant element of the reactivation of Colombia’s economy has been related to recovery in potential GDP. This would support the technical staff’s diagnosis of weak aggregate demand and ample excess capacity. The most recently available data on 2020 growth suggests a contraction in economic activity of 6.8%, lower than estimates from January’s Monetary Policy Report (-7.2%). High-frequency indicators suggest that economic performance was significantly more dynamic than expected in January, despite mobility restrictions and quarantine measures. This has also come amid declines in total and core inflation, the latter of which was below January projections if controlling for certain relative price changes. This suggests that the unexpected strength of recent growth contains elements of demand, and that excess capacity, while significant, could be lower than previously estimated. Nevertheless, uncertainty over the measurement of excess capacity continues to be unusually high and marked both by variations in the way different economic sectors and spending components have been affected by the pandemic, and by uneven price behavior. The size of excess capacity, and in particular the evolution of the pandemic in forthcoming quarters, constitute substantial risks to the macroeconomic forecast presented in this report. Despite the unexpected strength of the recovery, the technical staff continues to project ample excess capacity that is expected to remain on the forecast horizon, alongside core inflation that will likely remain below the target. Domestic demand remains below 2019 levels amid unusually significant uncertainty over the size of excess capacity in the economy. High national unemployment (14.6% for February 2021) reflects a loose labor market, while observed total and core inflation continue to be below 2%. Inflationary pressures from the exchange rate are expected to continue to be low, with relatively little pass-through on inflation. This would be compatible with a negative output gap. Excess productive capacity and the expectation of core inflation below the 3% target on the forecast horizon provide a basis for an expansive monetary policy posture. The technical staff’s assessment of certain shocks and their expected effects on the economy, as well as the presence of several sources of uncertainty and related assumptions about their potential macroeconomic impacts, remain a feature of this report. The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, continues to affect the public health environment, and the reopening of Colombia’s economy remains incomplete. The technical staff’s assessment is that the COVID-19 shock has affected both aggregate demand and supply, but that the impact on demand has been deeper and more persistent. Given this persistence, the central forecast accounts for a gradual tightening of the output gap in the absence of new waves of contagion, and as vaccination campaigns progress. The central forecast continues to include an expected increase of total and core inflation rates in the second quarter of 2021, alongside the lapse of the temporary price relief measures put in place in 2020. Additional COVID-19 outbreaks (of uncertain duration and intensity) represent a significant risk factor that could affect these projections. Additionally, the forecast continues to include an upward trend in sovereign risk premiums, reflected by higher levels of public debt that in the wake of the pandemic are likely to persist on the forecast horizon, even in the context of a fiscal adjustment. At the same time, the projection accounts for the shortterm effects on private domestic demand from a fiscal adjustment along the lines of the one currently being proposed by the national government. This would be compatible with a gradual recovery of private domestic demand in 2022. The size and characteristics of the fiscal adjustment that is ultimately implemented, as well as the corresponding market response, represent another source of forecast uncertainty. Newly available information offers evidence of the potential for significant changes to the macroeconomic scenario, though without altering the general diagnosis described above. The most recent data on inflation, growth, fiscal policy, and international financial conditions suggests a more dynamic economy than previously expected. However, a third wave of the pandemic has delayed the re-opening of Colombia’s economy and brought with it a deceleration in economic activity. Detailed descriptions of these considerations and subsequent changes to the macroeconomic forecast are presented below. The expected annual decline in GDP (-0.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 appears to have been less pronounced than projected in January (-4.8%). Partial closures in January to address a second wave of COVID-19 appear to have had a less significant negative impact on the economy than previously estimated. This is reflected in figures related to mobility, energy demand, industry and retail sales, foreign trade, commercial transactions from selected banks, and the national statistics agency’s (DANE) economic tracking indicator (ISE). Output is now expected to have declined annually in the first quarter by 0.3%. Private consumption likely continued to recover, registering levels somewhat above those from the previous year, while public consumption likely increased significantly. While a recovery in investment in both housing and in other buildings and structures is expected, overall investment levels in this case likely continued to be low, and gross fixed capital formation is expected to continue to show significant annual declines. Imports likely recovered to again outpace exports, though both are expected to register significant annual declines. Economic activity that outpaced projections, an increase in oil prices and other export products, and an expected increase in public spending this year account for the upward revision to the 2021 growth forecast (from 4.6% with a range between 2% and 6% in January, to 6.0% with a range between 3% and 7% in April). As a result, the output gap is expected to be smaller and to tighten more rapidly than projected in the previous report, though it is still expected to remain in negative territory on the forecast horizon. Wide forecast intervals reflect the fact that the future evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant source of uncertainty on these projections. The delay in the recovery of economic activity as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the first quarter appears to have been less significant than projected in the January report. The central forecast scenario expects this improved performance to continue in 2021 alongside increased consumer and business confidence. Low real interest rates and an active credit supply would also support this dynamic, and the overall conditions would be expected to spur a recovery in consumption and investment. Increased growth in public spending and public works based on the national government’s spending plan (Plan Financiero del Gobierno) are other factors to consider. Additionally, an expected recovery in global demand and higher projected prices for oil and coffee would further contribute to improved external revenues and would favor investment, in particular in the oil sector. Given the above, the technical staff’s 2021 growth forecast has been revised upward from 4.6% in January (range from 2% to 6%) to 6.0% in April (range from 3% to 7%). These projections account for the potential for the third wave of COVID-19 to have a larger and more persistent effect on the economy than the previous wave, while also supposing that there will not be any additional significant waves of the pandemic and that mobility restrictions will be relaxed as a result. Economic growth in 2022 is expected to be 3%, with a range between 1% and 5%. This figure would be lower than projected in the January report (3.6% with a range between 2% and 6%), due to a higher base of comparison given the upward revision to expected GDP in 2021. This forecast also takes into account the likely effects on private demand of a fiscal adjustment of the size currently being proposed by the national government, and which would come into effect in 2022. Excess in productive capacity is now expected to be lower than estimated in January but continues to be significant and affected by high levels of uncertainty, as reflected in the wide forecast intervals. The possibility of new waves of the virus (of uncertain intensity and duration) represents a significant downward risk to projected GDP growth, and is signaled by the lower limits of the ranges provided in this report. Inflation (1.51%) and inflation excluding food and regulated items (0.94%) declined in March compared to December, continuing below the 3% target. The decline in inflation in this period was below projections, explained in large part by unanticipated increases in the costs of certain foods (3.92%) and regulated items (1.52%). An increase in international food and shipping prices, increased foreign demand for beef, and specific upward pressures on perishable food supplies appear to explain a lower-than-expected deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) for foods. An unexpected increase in regulated items prices came amid unanticipated increases in international fuel prices, on some utilities rates, and for regulated education prices. The decline in annual inflation excluding food and regulated items between December and March was in line with projections from January, though this included downward pressure from a significant reduction in telecommunications rates due to the imminent entry of a new operator. When controlling for the effects of this relative price change, inflation excluding food and regulated items exceeds levels forecast in the previous report. Within this indicator of core inflation, the CPI for goods (1.05%) accelerated due to a reversion of the effects of the VAT-free day in November, which was largely accounted for in February, and possibly by the transmission of a recent depreciation of the peso on domestic prices for certain items (electric and household appliances). For their part, services prices decelerated and showed the lowest rate of annual growth (0.89%) among the large consumer baskets in the CPI. Within the services basket, the annual change in rental prices continued to decline, while those services that continue to experience the most significant restrictions on returning to normal operations (tourism, cinemas, nightlife, etc.) continued to register significant price declines. As previously mentioned, telephone rates also fell significantly due to increased competition in the market. Total inflation is expected to continue to be affected by ample excesses in productive capacity for the remainder of 2021 and 2022, though less so than projected in January. As a result, convergence to the inflation target is now expected to be somewhat faster than estimated in the previous report, assuming the absence of significant additional outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff’s year-end inflation projections for 2021 and 2022 have increased, suggesting figures around 3% due largely to variation in food and regulated items prices. The projection for inflation excluding food and regulated items also increased, but remains below 3%. Price relief measures on indirect taxes implemented in 2020 are expected to lapse in the second quarter of 2021, generating a one-off effect on prices and temporarily affecting inflation excluding food and regulated items. However, indexation to low levels of past inflation, weak demand, and ample excess productive capacity are expected to keep core inflation below the target, near 2.3% at the end of 2021 (previously 2.1%). The reversion in 2021 of the effects of some price relief measures on utility rates from 2020 should lead to an increase in the CPI for regulated items in the second half of this year. Annual price changes are now expected to be higher than estimated in the January report due to an increased expected path for fuel prices and unanticipated increases in regulated education prices. The projection for the CPI for foods has increased compared to the previous report, taking into account certain factors that were not anticipated in January (a less favorable agricultural cycle, increased pressure from international prices, and transport costs). Given the above, year-end annual inflation for 2021 and 2022 is now expected to be 3% and 2.8%, respectively, which would be above projections from January (2.3% and 2,7%). For its part, expected inflation based on analyst surveys suggests year-end inflation in 2021 and 2022 of 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the inflation forecasts included in this report due to several factors: 1) the evolution of the pandemic; 2) the difficulty in evaluating the size and persistence of excess productive capacity; 3) the timing and manner in which price relief measures will lapse; and 4) the future behavior of food prices. Projected 2021 growth in foreign demand (4.4% to 5.2%) and the supposed average oil price (USD 53 to USD 61 per Brent benchmark barrel) were both revised upward. An increase in long-term international interest rates has been reflected in a depreciation of the peso and could result in relatively tighter external financial conditions for emerging market economies, including Colombia. Average growth among Colombia’s trade partners was greater than expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. This, together with a sizable fiscal stimulus approved in the United States and the onset of a massive global vaccination campaign, largely explains the projected increase in foreign demand growth in 2021. The resilience of the goods market in the face of global crisis and an expected normalization in international trade are additional factors. These considerations and the expected continuation of a gradual reduction of mobility restrictions abroad suggest that Colombia’s trade partners could grow on average by 5.2% in 2021 and around 3.4% in 2022. The improved prospects for global economic growth have led to an increase in current and expected oil prices. Production interruptions due to a heavy winter, reduced inventories, and increased supply restrictions instituted by producing countries have also contributed to the increase. Meanwhile, market forecasts and recent Federal Reserve pronouncements suggest that the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. will remain stable for the next two years. Nevertheless, a significant increase in public spending in the country has fostered expectations for greater growth and inflation, as well as increased uncertainty over the moment in which a normalization of monetary policy might begin. This has been reflected in an increase in long-term interest rates. In this context, emerging market economies in the region, including Colombia, have registered increases in sovereign risk premiums and long-term domestic interest rates, and a depreciation of local currencies against the dollar. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several of these economies; limits on vaccine supply and the slow pace of immunization campaigns in some countries; a significant increase in public debt; and tensions between the United States and China, among other factors, all add to a high level of uncertainty surrounding interest rate spreads, external financing conditions, and the future performance of risk premiums. The impact that this environment could have on the exchange rate and on domestic financing conditions represent risks to the macroeconomic and monetary policy forecasts. Domestic financial conditions continue to favor recovery in economic activity. The transmission of reductions to the policy interest rate on credit rates has been significant. The banking portfolio continues to recover amid circumstances that have affected both the supply and demand for loans, and in which some credit risks have materialized. Preferential and ordinary commercial interest rates have fallen to a similar degree as the benchmark interest rate. As is generally the case, this transmission has come at a slower pace for consumer credit rates, and has been further delayed in the case of mortgage rates. Commercial credit levels stabilized above pre-pandemic levels in March, following an increase resulting from significant liquidity requirements for businesses in the second quarter of 2020. The consumer credit portfolio continued to recover and has now surpassed February 2020 levels, though overall growth in the portfolio remains low. At the same time, portfolio projections and default indicators have increased, and credit establishment earnings have come down. Despite this, credit disbursements continue to recover and solvency indicators remain well above regulatory minimums. 1.2 Monetary policy decision In its meetings in March and April the BDBR left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%.