Mayan Traditional Knowledge on Weather Forecasting: Who Contributes to Whom in Coping With Climate Change?

Despite international commitments to integrate indigenous peoples and their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in actions combating climate change, their inclusion remains limited. Integrating TEK with scientific knowledge has become particularly important in sectors such as agriculture, which both contributes to and is affected by climate change. While there is a general recognition that integrating TEK will contribute to climate change adaptation, agricultural interventions have made little progress in achieving this due to the assumption of a clear divide between TEK and scientific knowledge. This paper considers that knowledge integration is already occurring, but in contexts of economic, sociocultural, and political inequalities. We elaborate on the case of traditional weather forecasting methods used by Mayan indigenous farmers in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to propose a social justice perspective for knowledge integration in climate change interventions. Using information from three studies conducted between 2016 and 2019, we first explain the importance of weather and traditional weather forecast methods for indigenous Mayan farmers. Later we describe in detail both these methods and their links with Mayan cosmology. Findings show how weather phenomena such as drought and hurricanes are main concerns for milpa farming. They illustrate the diversity of traditional short, medium, and long-term weather forecast methods based on observations from nature and the sky. Farmers also perform rituals that are related to their Mayan gods and goddess. As TEK not only defines agricultural calendars but also reproduces Mayan culture, we discuss what is needed for its integration into actions combating climate change. We use a rights-based approach that considers the economic, cultural, and political scales of justice to equally allocate resources and benefits for traditional knowledge systems, recognize indigenous values and worldviews avoiding cultural harms, and accomplish indigenous self-determination through equal representation. As a result, we hope to incentivize development actors engaged in agricultural interventions on climate change to critically reflect and examine power dynamics and relations when working with indigenous communities

Genetic diversity and selection signatures in maize landraces compared across 50 years of in situ and ex situ conservation

Genomics-based, longitudinal comparisons between ex situ and in situ agrobiodiversity conservation strategies can contribute to a better understanding of their underlying effects. However, landrace designations, ambiguous common names, and gaps in sampling information complicate the identification of matching ex situ and in situ seed lots. Here we report a 50- year longitudinal comparison of the genetic diversity of a set of 13 accessions from the state of Morelos, Mexico, conserved ex situ since 1967 and retrieved in situ from the same donor families in 2017. We interviewed farmer families who donated in situ landraces to understand their germplasm selection criteria. Samples were genotyped by sequencing, producing 74,739 SNPs. Comparing the two sample groups, we show that ex situ and in situ genome-wide diversity was similar. In situ samples had 3.1% fewer SNPs and lower pairwise genetic distances (Fst 0.008–0.113) than ex situ samples (Fst 0.031–0.128), but displayed the same heterozygosity. Despite genome-wide similarities across samples, we could identify several loci under selection when comparing in situ and ex situ seed lots, suggesting ongoing evolution in farmer fields. Eight loci in chromosomes 3, 5, 6, and 10 showed evidence of selection in situ that could be related with farmers’ selection criteria surveyed with focus groups and interviews at the sampling site in 2017, including wider kernels and larger ear size. Our results have implications for ex situ collection resampling strategies and the in situ conservation of threatened landraces

Robotics and autonomous systems for net-zero agriculture

Purpose of ReviewThe paper discusses how robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) are being deployed to decarbonise agricultural production. The climate emergency cannot be ameliorated without dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emis-sions across the agri-food sector. This review outlines the transformational role for robotics in the agri-food system and considers where research and focus might be prioritised.Recent FindingsAgri-robotic systems provide multiple emerging opportunities that facilitate the transition towards net zero agriculture. Five focus themes were identified where robotics could impact sustainable food production systems to (1) increase nitrogen use efficiency, (2) accelerate plant breeding, (3) deliver regenerative agriculture, (4) electrify robotic vehicles, (5) reduce food waste.SummaryRAS technologies create opportunities to (i) optimise the use of inputs such as fertiliser, seeds, and fuel/energy; (ii) reduce the environmental impact on soil and other natural resources; (iii) improve the efficiency and precision of agri-cultural processes and equipment; (iv) enhance farmers’ decisions to improve crop care and reduce farm waste. Further and scaled research and technology development are needed to exploit these opportunities

One CGIAR and the Integrated Agri-food Systems Initiative: From short-termism to transformation of the world’s food systems

Agri-food systems are besieged by malnutrition, yield gaps, and climate vulnerability, but integrated, research-based responses in public policy, agricultural, value chains, and finance are constrained by short-termism and zero sum thinking. As they respond to current and emerging agri-food system challenges, decision makers need new tools that steer toward multi-sector, evidence-based collaboration. To support national agri-food system policy processes, the Integrated Agri-food System Initiative (IASI) methodology was devel oped and validated through case studies in Mexico and Colombia. This holistic, multi-sector methodology builds on diverse existing data resources and leverages situation analysis, modeled predictions, and scenarios to synchronize public and private action at the national level toward sustainable, equitable, and inclusive agri-food systems. Culminating in collec tively agreed strategies and multi-partner tactical plans, the IASI methodology enabled a multi-level systems approach by mobilizing design thinking to foster mindset shifts and stakeholder consensus on sustainable and scalable innovations that respond to real-time dynamics in complex agri-food systems. To build capacity for these types of integrated, con text-specific approaches, greater investment is needed in supportive international institu tions that function as trusted in-region ‘innovation brokers.’ This paper calls for a structured global network to advance adaptation and evolution of essential tools like the IASI methodol ogy in support of the One CGIAR mandate and in service of positive agri-food systems transformation

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Interaction management in rural innovation processes

Innovation, production and marketing of a product results from the interaction between a variety of actors. Thus, the Hub extension model of the governmental program MasAgro seeks to be a space in which maize farmers, extensionists, suppliers of inputs, government, teaching and research institutions, among others, interact with each other to generate individual and collective well-being through innovation. The objective of this work was to analyze the relational structures within the Hubs. To this effect, direct interviews were applied to 457 actors from 10 agroecological regions that make up the Hubs of the maize system in Mexico. The indicators of density, closeness, transitivity and diversity of relationships were measured in two moments of analysis: baseline and final line, through the methodology of analysis of social networks. A "t" test of related samples revealed that for the first three indicators there is a statistically significant difference between moments analyzed (p <0.05), which indicates that the interaction between the actors has been managed in the Hub, placing it as a space in which local structure has been generated and relational capital has been maintained, bases of social capital necessary for the development of innovation processes in the rural sector. These findings may serve program managers and policy makers as a complementary tool for evaluating intervention strategies in the sector

Gestión de la interacción en procesos de innovación rural

Innovation, production and marketing of a product results from the interaction between a variety of actors. Thus, the Hub extension model of the governmental program MasAgro seeks to be a space in which maize farmers, extensionists, suppliers of inputs, government, teaching and research institutions, among others, interact with each other to generate individual and collective well-being through innovation. The objective of this work was to analyze the relational structures within the Hubs. To this effect, direct interviews were applied to 457 actors from 10 agroecological regions that make up the Hubs of the maize system in Mexico. The indicators of density, closeness, transitivity and diversity of relationships were measured in two moments of analysis: baseline and final line, through the methodology of analysis of social networks. A "t" test of related samples revealed that for the first three indicators there is a statistically significant difference between moments analyzed (p <0.05), which indicates that the interaction between the actors has been managed in the Hub, placing it as a space in which local structure has been generated and relational capital has been maintained, bases of social capital necessary for the development of innovation processes in the rural sector. These findings may serve program managers and policy makers as a complementary tool for evaluating intervention strategies in the sector.La innovación, producción y comercialización de un producto resulta de la interacción entre una diversidad de actores. Así, el modelo de extensión Hub del programa gubernamental MasAgro busca ser un espacio en el que agricultores, extensionistas, proveedores de insumos, instituciones gubernamentales y de enseñanza e investigación, entre otros, interactúen entre sí con el fin de generar bienestar individual y colectivo a través de la innovación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las estructuras relacionales dentro de los Hubs. Para tal efecto, se aplicaron entrevistas directas a 457 actores de 10 regiones agroecológicas que conforman los Hubs del sistema maíz en México. Se midieron los indicadores de densidad, cercanía, transitividad y diversidad de relaciones en dos momentos de análisis: línea base y línea final, mediante la metodología de análisis de redes sociales. Una prueba “t” de muestras relacionadas reveló que para los tres primeros indicadores existe diferencia estadística significativa entre momentos analizados (p<0,05), lo que indican que en el Hub se ha gestionado la interacción entre los actores, ubicándolo como un espacio en el que se ha generado estructura local y se ha mantenido el capital relacional, bases del capital social necesario para el desarrollo de procesos de innovación en el sector rural. Estos hallazgos pueden servir a responsables de programas y diseñadores de políticas como una herramienta complementaria de evaluación de estrategias de intervención en el sector

Modelos de intermediación en la extensión agrícola

El servicio de extensión agrícola es uno de los principales vínculos entre la producción y el uso del conocimiento para la agricultura de los países en desarrollo. En la literatura, se han identificado agentes que actúan como intermediarios para vincular a dos o más actores que no se encuentran conectados. Sin embargo, pocos estudios abordan los mecanismos que éstos utilizan para intervenir y menos aún, una tipología que los caracterice e integre. Aplicando el concepto de intermediarios de la innovación, el propósito de este artículo fue develar los mecanismos que utiliza el extensionismo agrícola para articular la oferta y demanda de conocimiento e innovación. Para ello, se analizaron cuatro estudios de caso que emplearon diferentes estrategias de extensión. Los resultados indican que una caracterización de intermediarios se realiza por el nivel de participación en la toma de decisiones de los agricultores, la estrategia que utiliza el intermediario para orquestar el proceso de gestión de innovación, el contexto del sistema de producción en que se interviene y si el intermediario se orienta hacia la oferta, demanda o juega un papel neutral en ese proceso. A partir de ello, los intermediarios se clasificaron como gestores, mediadores, moderadores e implementadores, concluyendo que cada uno de ellos requiere recursos, soporte y evaluación de resultados de forma diferenciada en los procesos de extensión.Agricultural extension service is one of the main links between production and use of knowledge for agriculture in developing countries. In literature, have been identified agents that act as intermediaries to link two or more players who are not connected. However, few studies address the mechanisms that this uses to intervene and even less, a tipology that characterizes and integrates them. Applying the concept of innovation intermediaries, the purpose of this article was to unravel the mechanisms used by agricultural extension to articulate offer and demand for knowledge and innovation. For this, four case studies that used different extension strategies were analyzed. The results indicate that a characterization of intermediates is performed by the level of participation in decisionmaking of farmers, the strategy that intermediaries use to orchestrate the process of managing innovation, the production system context in which intervene and if the intermediary is oriented toward offer, demand or play a neutral role in this process. From this, intermediaries were classified as managers, mediators, facilitators and implementers, concluding that each of them require resources, support and evaluation of results separately in the process of extension

Le antichita' d'Aquileja profane e sacre, per la maggior parte finora inedite, raccolte, disegnate, ed illustrate da Giandomenico Bertoli de' signori di Bribir, canonico d'Aquileja

In Venezia : presso Giambatista Albrizzi, 1739 Marca tip. calcogr. sul front. dis. dal Piazzetta Front. in rosso e nero Antip. incisa da Francesco Zucchi Finalini silogr. e calcogr Segn.: [a]-b4 c2 A-3H4 3I6 §-3§4 4§6 Var B.: [16], 444, [36] p., [1] c. di tav. : ill. ; segn.: [a]4(-a1) b4 c1 A-3H4 3I6 §-3§4 4§6 (la c. c1 contiene l'Errata)