Exploring interactions of plant microbiomes

A plethora of microbial cells is present in every gram of soil, and microbes are found extensively in plant and animal tissues. The mechanisms governed by microorganisms in the regulation of physiological processes of their hosts have been extensively studied in the light of recent findings on microbiomes. In plants, the components of these microbiomes may form distinct communities, such as those inhabiting the plant rhizosphere, the endosphere and the phyllosphere. In each of these niches, the "microbial tissue" is established by, and responds to, specific selective pressures. Although there is no clear picture of the overall role of the plant microbiome, there is substantial evidence that these communities are involved in disease control, enhance nutrient acquisition, and affect stress tolerance. In this review, we first summarize features of microbial communities that compose the plant microbiome and further present a series of studies describing the underpinning factors that shape the phylogenetic and functional plant-associated communities. We advocate the idea that understanding the mechanisms by which plants select and interact with their microbiomes may have a direct effect on plant development and health, and further lead to the establishment of novel microbiome-driven strategies, that can cope with the development of a more sustainable agriculture

Sex differences in parental preferences over a child’s mate choice: A daughter’s perspective

Although parental influence over mate choice is important to human mating decisions, it is often overlooked within evolutionary psychology. Based on evolutionary theory, we predict that, while both parents likely influence a child’s mate choice, daughters will perceive having a low quality partner (i.e., traits indicating poor parental investment, a lack of creativity, and physical unattractiveness) would be more unacceptable to their mother when compared with the father. However, daughters will perceive having a partner with traits indicating low social status as more unacceptable to their father when compared with the mother. The results supported the hypotheses

O sarampo entre sociedades indígenas brasileiras e algumas considerações sobre a prática da saúde pública entre estas populações

O presente trabalho reve os principais aspectos ligados à epidemiologia do sarampo entre sociedades indígenas brasileiras. São discutidos os fatores de ordem genética, nutricional e sócio-cultural implicados na dinâmica de transmissão da doença, enfatizando-se o papel da provisão de serviços básicos de saúde na prevenção da elevada prevalência e mortalidade observada durante epidemias. O autor aborda também aspectos referentes à prática da saúde pública entre estas populações, salientando a relevância da constituição de grupos multidisciplinares para atuação tanto a nível de planejamento como prestação de serviços básicos assim como um maior envolvimento das escolas de saúde pública no atendimento destes grupos.<br>The present paper reviews the main aspects related to ¡he epidemiology of measles among Brazilian Indian societies. The role of the genetic, nutritional, and socio-cultural factors in the transmission of the disease are discussed, emphasizing the importance of the provision of basic health services in the prevention of the high prevalence and mortality usually observerd among these populations. The author calls attention to the need of organizing multidisciplinary teams both in the planning and delivering of health services, as well as of a larger involvement of the public health schools in the health care of those groups

Derogation of Competitors

Verbal signals are sometimes used to manipulate the impressions that people form about oneself and others. For the goal of self-enhancement, one can manipulate impressions either by elevating oneself or by derogating others. Five hypotheses about derogation of same-sex competitors were generated from an evolutionary model of human-mate competition. These hypotheses focused on sex differences in the importance that humans attach to external resources, rank, achievements, physical prowess, reproductive value and fidelity. Four studies were conducted to test these hypotheses. In a preliminary study (N = 80), subjects nominated intrasexual derogation tactics they had previously observed. Study 1 (N = 120) examined estimates of the likelihood that men and women would perform each tactic. Study 2 (N = 101) identified the perceived effectiveness of each derogation tactic for men and women. Study 3 (N = 100) used act reports based on self-recording and observer-recording to identify the likelihood of specific persons performing each derogation tactic. Although there were variations across studies and several anomalies, results generally supported the hypotheses based on an evolutionary model of human intrasexual mate competition. Discussion focuses on the importance of discourse and impression manipulation in the evolution of human competition.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69020/2/10.1177_0265407590073006.pd