Learning to hunt Crocodiles: social organization in the process of knowledge generation and the emergence of management practices among Mayan of Mexico

Background New kinds of knowledge, usage patterns and management strategies of natural resources emerge in local communities as a way of coping with uncertainty in a changing world.Studying how human groups adapt and create new livelihoods strategies are important research topics for creating policies in natural resources management. Here, we study the adoption and development of lagartos (Crocodylus moreletii) commercial hunting by Mayan people from a communal land in Quintana Roo state. Two questions guided our work: how did the Mayan learn to hunt lagartos? And how, and in what context, did knowledge and management practices emerge? We believe that social structures, knowledge and preexisting skills facilitate the hunting learning process, but lagarto ecological knowledge and organizational practice were developed in a learning by doing process. Methods We conducted free, semi-structured and in-depth interviews over 17 prestigious lagartos hunters who reconstructed the activity through oral history. Then, we analyzed the sources of information and routes of learning and investigated the role of previous knowledge and social organization in the development of this novel activity. Finally, we discussed the emergence of hunting in relation to the characteristic of natural resource and the tenure system. Results Lagarto hunting for skin selling was a short-term activity, which represented an alternative source of money for some Mayans known as lagarteros. They acquired different types of knowledge and skills through various sources of experience (individual practice, or from foreign hunters and other Mayan hunters). The developed management system involved a set of local knowledge about lagartos ecology and a social organization structure that was then articulated in the formation of ?working groups? with particular hunting locations (rumbos and trabajaderos), rotation strategies and collaboration among them. Access rules and regulations identified were in an incipient state of development and were little documented. Conclusions In agreement to the hypothesis proposed, the Mayan used multiple learning paths to develop a new activity: the lagarto hunting. On the one hand, they used their traditional social organization structure as well as their culturally inherited knowledge. On the other hand, they acquired new ecological knowledge of the species in a learning-by-doing process, together with the use of other sources of external information. The formation of working groups, the exchange of information and the administration of hunting locations are similar to other productive activities and livelihood practiced by these Mayan. Skills such as preparing skins and lagartos ecological knowledge were acquired by foreign hunters and during hunting practice, respectively. We detected a feedback between local ecological knowledge and social organization, which in turn promoted the emergence of Mayan hunting management practices.Fil: Zamudio, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Forestales. Instituto de Biologia Subtropical - Sede Puerto Iguazu; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bello, Baltazar Eduardo. El Colegio de la Frontera del Sur; MéxicoFil: Estrada Lugo, Erin I. J.. El Colegio de la Frontera del Sur; Méxic

Mieles y plantas en la medicina criolla del norte de Misiones, Argentina

Se analizan los usos medicinales de los productos obtenidos de colonias de abejas silvestres, en cuanto al uso diferencial de estos recursos según las especies de abejas y el consenso de usos de mezclas que involucran mieles. Se reportaron 412 usos correspondientes a 9 taxones de abejas. Entre los productos de los nidos de estos insectos, la miel es el más utilizado como remedio, principalmente para el sistema respiratorio y como alimento funcional. La misma se emplea en diversas formas de preparación y están presentes en 61 preparados mixtos donde se combinan con plantas (39 especies), productos manufacturados (6) y de origen animal (5). Se halló consenso en el uso de algunos productos, no así en las combinaciones en las que intervienen. Las mieles de Tetragonisca fiebrigi y de Apis mellifera se destacan por su importancia y versatilidad de uso. Éstas pueden ser consideradas recursos medicinales complementarios y a priori no intercambiables. Sin embargo, las especificidades deben ser entendidas como alternativas no categóricas, cuyo uso es moldeado por otros factores como disponibilidad y acces

CKS Proteins Promote Checkpoint Recovery by Stimulating Phosphorylation of Treslin

CKS proteins are small (9-kDa) polypeptides that bind to a subset of the cyclin-dependent kinases. The two paralogs expressed in mammals, Cks1 and Cks2, share an overlapping function that is essential for early development. However, both proteins are frequently overexpressed in human malignancy. It has been shown that CKS protein overexpression overrides the replication stress checkpoint, promoting continued origin firing. This finding has led to the proposal that CKS protein-dependent checkpoint override allows premalignant cells to evade oncogene stress barriers, providing a causal link to oncogenesis. Here, we provide mechanistic insight into how overexpression of CKS proteins promotes override of the replication stress checkpoint. We show that CKS proteins greatly enhance the ability of Cdk2 to phosphorylate the key replication initiation protein treslin in vitro. Furthermore, stimulation of treslin phosphorylation does not occur by the canonical adapter mechanism demonstrated for other substrates, as cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) binding-defective mutants are capable of stimulating treslin phosphorylation. This effect is recapitulated in vivo, where silencing of Cks1 and Cks2 decreases treslin phosphorylation, and overexpression of wild-type or CDK binding-defective Cks2 prevents checkpoint-dependent dephosphorylation of treslin. Finally, we provide evidence that the role of CKS protein-dependent checkpoint override involves recovery from checkpoint-mediated arrest of DNA replication

Dos nuevas especies de Salvia (Lamiaceae) del centro occidente de México

En este trabajo se describen e ilustran como especies nuevas Salvia mcvaughii y Salvia purepecha. La primera es conocida de los estados de Guerrero y Morelos, la segunda proviene de Michoacán. S. mcvauhgii se caracteriza por presentar brácteas lanceoladas tempranamente caducas, cáliz puberulento con los dientes caudados y por la presencia de dos a cuatro papilas en el interior del tubo de la corola, así como por una marcada extensión del nudo en donde se articula el peciolo. S. purepecha presenta brácteas subpersistentes, ovadas a ampliamente ovadas, caudadas, cáliz densamente tomentoso con dientes caudados, carece de papilas en el interior del tubo de la corola y también se aprecia la extensión del nudo donde se articula el peciolo. De acuerdo con la clasificación del subgénero Calosphace de Epling, ambas se ubican provisionalmente en la sección Polystachyae y son afines a S. polystachya. Sin embargo, su ubicación definitiva queda pendiente hasta que se haga una reevaluación de la circunscripción de las secciones de Epling para lograr una clasificación natural

Multi-dimensionality and variability in folk classification of stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini)

Background: Not long ago Eugene Hunn suggested using a combination of cognitive, linguistic, ecological and evolutionary theories in order to account for the dynamic character of ethnoecology in the study of folk classification systems. In this way he intended to question certain homogeneity in folk classifications models and deepen in the analysis and interpretation of variability in folk classifications. This paper studies how a rural culturally mixed population of the Atlantic Forest of Misiones (Argentina) classified honey-producing stingless bees according to the linguistic, cognitive and ecological dimensions of folk classification. We also analyze the socio-ecological meaning of binomialization in naming and the meaning of general local variability in the appointment of stingless bees. Methods: We used three different approaches: the classical approach developed by Brent Berlin which relies heavily on linguistic criteria, the approach developed by Eleonor Rosch which relies on psychological (cognitive) principles of categorization and finally we have captured the ecological dimension of folk classification in local narratives. For the second approximation, we developed ways of measuring the degree of prototypicality based on a total of 107 comparisons of the type "X is similar to Y" identified in personal narratives. Results: Various logical and grouping strategies coexist and were identified as: graded of lateral linkage, hierarchical and functional. Similarity judgments among folk taxa resulted in an implicit logic of classification graded according to taxa's prototypicality. While there is a high agreement on naming stingless bees with monomial names, a considerable number of underrepresented binomial names and lack of names were observed. Two possible explanations about reported local naming variability are presented. Conclusions: We support the multidimensionality of folk classification systems. This confirms the specificity of local classification systems but also reflects the use of grouping strategies and mechanisms commonly observed in other cultural groups, such as the use of similarity judgments between more or less prototypical organisms. Also we support the idea that alternative naming results from a process of fragmentation of knowledge or incomplete transmission of knowledge. These processes lean on the facts that culturally based knowledge, on the one hand, and biologic knowledge of nature on the other, can be acquired through different learning pathways.Fil: Zamudio, Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); ArgentinaFil: Hilgert, Norma Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientiâ­ficas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Nordeste. Instituto de Biologia Subtropical. Instituto de Biologia Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazu; Argentin

Mechanisms of mitochondrial promoter recognition in humans and other mammalian species

Recognition of mammalian mitochondrial promoters requires the concerted action of mitochondrial RNA polymerase (mtRNAP) and transcription initiation factors TFAM and TFB2M. In this work, we found that transcript slippage results in heterogeneity of the human mitochondrial transcripts in vivo and in vitro. This allowed us to correctly interpret the RNAseq data, identify the bona fide transcription start sites (TSS), and assign mitochondrial promoters for \u3e 50% of mammalian species and some other vertebrates. The divergent structure of the mammalian promoters reveals previously unappreciated aspects of mtDNA evolution. The correct assignment of TSS also enabled us to establish the precise register of the DNA in the initiation complex and permitted investigation of the sequence-specific protein-DNA interactions. We determined the molecular basis of promoter recognition by mtRNAP and TFB2M, which cooperatively recognize bases near TSS in a species-specific manner. Our findings reveal a role of mitochondrial transcription machinery in mitonuclear coevolution and speciation

Survival analysis of orange tree varieties in Spain

The fundamental basis of Spanish citriculture is its varietal composition, which contributes to the existence of a marketing calendar that extends to almost the entire year. As time goes by, the supply of varieties is continuously renewed, requiring significant investments by growers. The guarantee of a quality supply to the markets, on one hand, and the optimal result of the investments made, on the other, require that, in managing the sector, the characteristics determining the survival of the varieties be taken into account. The main purpose of this study was therefore to assess the influence of the attributes affecting the longevity of orange plantations from a technical and commercial point of view. The duration analysis technique applied to the different varieties has been used. The main attributes determining the elimination of a variety were the presence of seeds in the fruit and the tendency towards a decrease in surface size. Permanence- or survival-friendly attributes included the calibre (large size of the variety, within its group) and the price received by farmers. Precocity, frost resistance, commercial quality and resistance to fruit fly did not have the expected level of significance

SOBREPESO EN EL LACTANTE DEL ÁREA METROPOLITANA DE MONTERREY, N.L., MEXICO

La etapa Lactante es una alternativa de abordaje en la lucha contra la obesidad. Se ha demostrado que existe una relación entre el exceso de peso en ésta etapa, con las principales problemas de salud pública; con base en lo anterior, es necesario buscar factores modificables en el comportamiento de los encargados del cuidado del infante y del equipo de salud para crear conductas que propicien el adecuado desarrollo del individuo. El objetivo de éste estudio es determinar la prevalencia del exceso de peso en lactantes del área metropolitana de Monterrey, a partir de usuarios del programa de atención del niño sano del IMSS, provenientes de seis unidades de medicina familiar. Se estudiaron 400 lactantes a través de la medición de peso y talla, para clasificarlos mediante las tablas diagnósticas nutricionales de la NCHS-CDC/OMS. Se obtuvo una prevalencia del exceso de peso de los lactantes estudiados equivalente al 43.23%. Mostrando que el exceso de peso representa un problema de salud pública creciente en México, el cual requiere el replanteamiento de los programas preventivos en éste sector demográfico, buscando aquellos niños que están adquiriendo patrones patológicos de comportamiento en su ingesta alimentaria. AbstractThe infant stage is an alternative in boarding the struggle against obesity. There has been demonstrated that a relation exists between overweight in this period with the current issues of public health. Due to this, it is necessary to search for adjustable factors in the carers and health team, in order to create appropriate behaviour that propitiates suiable development of the individual. The objective in this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight in Monterrey’s metropolitan area infants who assist the healthy child program from six primary health care units of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. There were studied 400 children under a year of age, to whom they there was realized measurement of weight and height, qualifying by means of the diagnostic nutritional tables of the NCHS-CDC/OMS. The results of this study show that the prevalence rates of excess body weight in infants under a year old in Monterrey’s Metropolitan area are 43.23%. There is a clear that excess body weight represents a problem of public health in México, which needs the rethinking of the preventive programs in this one population sector, in search of those children that are acquiring pathological bosses of behavior in food ingestionPalabras Clave: Lactante, prevalencia, exceso de peso, sobrepeso, obesidad, niños menores de un año