The s-process branching at 185W

The neutron capture cross section of the unstable nucleus 185W has been derived from experimental photoactivation data of the inverse reaction 186W(gamma,n)185W. The new result of sigma = (687 +- 110) mbarn confirms the theoretically predicted neutron capture cross section of 185W of sigma = 700 mbarn at kT = 30 keV. A neutron density in the classical s-process of n_n = (3.8 +0.9 -0.8} * 1e8 cm-3 is derived from the new data for the 185W branching. In a stellar s-process model one finds a significant overproduction of the residual s-only nucleus 186Os.Comment: ApJ, in pres

Legume tasters: symbiotic rhizobia host preference and smart inoculant formulations

Mutualistic interactions have great importance in ecology, with genetic infor-mation that takes shape through interactions within the symbiotic partners and between the partners and the environment. It is known that variation of the host-associated microbiome contributes to buffer adaptation challenges of the host’s physiology when facing varying environmental conditions. In agriculture, pivotal examples are symbiotic nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, known to contribute greatly to host (legume plants) adaptation and host productivity. A holistic view of increasing crop yield and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses is that of microbiome engineering, the exploitation of a host-associated microbiome through its rationally designed manipulation with synthetic microbial commu-nities. However, several studies highlighted that the expression of the desired phenotype in the host resides in species-specific, even genotype-specific in-teractions between the symbiotic partners. Consequently, there is a need to dissect such an intimate level of interaction, aiming to identify the main ge-netic components in both partners playing a role in symbiotic differences/host preferences. In the present paper, while briefly reviewing the knowledge and the challenges in plant–microbe interaction and rhizobial studies, we aim to promote research on genotype x genotype interaction between rhizobia and host plants for a rational design of synthetic symbiotic nitrogen-fixing microbial communities to be used for sustainably improving leguminous plants yield

Comentario

El artículo es bienvenido por varias razones. Destaca una vez más la importancia de contar con evidencia regional (NOA) y local (en este caso de la puna de Susques, Jujuy) para comprender el desarrollo de los sistemas socioculturales que se sustentaron en la explotación de los camélidos en los Andes centro-sur. Esto constituye un gran avance con respecto al acercamiento que hasta no hace mucho tiempo prevalecía sobre el tema. Se tenía una visión del desarrollo de la domesticación de los camélidos restringida a la evidencia de los Andes Centrales, principalmente limitada a aquélla procedente de Perú. Esto se debió en parte a la ausencia y poca difusión de los estudios realizados en los Andes centro-sur hasta comienzos de los '90, a excepción de los efectuados en el norte de Chile (e.g., Hesse 1982). Conforme a ésto, quiero destacar el aporte de este trabajo y los recientemente realizados en la zona de Antofagasta de la Sierra (puna de Catamarca, Argentina) por Elkin (1995), Olivera (1992) y Olivera y Elkin (1994). Datos adicionales para nuestro país pueden encontrarse en la información publicada sobre el alero Tomayoc, ubicado en Jujuy (Lavalée et al. 1997). (Párrafo extraído del texto a modo de resumen)Sociedad Argentina de Antropologí

Comentario

El artículo es bienvenido por varias razones. Destaca una vez más la importancia de contar con evidencia regional (NOA) y local (en este caso de la puna de Susques, Jujuy) para comprender el desarrollo de los sistemas socioculturales que se sustentaron en la explotación de los camélidos en los Andes centro-sur. Esto constituye un gran avance con respecto al acercamiento que hasta no hace mucho tiempo prevalecía sobre el tema. Se tenía una visión del desarrollo de la domesticación de los camélidos restringida a la evidencia de los Andes Centrales, principalmente limitada a aquélla procedente de Perú. Esto se debió en parte a la ausencia y poca difusión de los estudios realizados en los Andes centro-sur hasta comienzos de los '90, a excepción de los efectuados en el norte de Chile (e.g., Hesse 1982). Conforme a ésto, quiero destacar el aporte de este trabajo y los recientemente realizados en la zona de Antofagasta de la Sierra (puna de Catamarca, Argentina) por Elkin (1995), Olivera (1992) y Olivera y Elkin (1994). Datos adicionales para nuestro país pueden encontrarse en la información publicada sobre el alero Tomayoc, ubicado en Jujuy (Lavalée et al. 1997). (Párrafo extraído del texto a modo de resumen)Sociedad Argentina de Antropologí

Fine-scale spatial genetic structure and dispersal among Italian smooth newt populations in a rural landscape

Amphibians are particularly sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by the intensification and modernization of farming occurring in the second half of the twentieth century in the Mediterranean basin. However, artificial water bodies, associated with traditional husbandry, proved to be important surrogate for amphibian feeding and reproduction. Here, multilocus genotypes were used to investigate the spatial population structure of Lissotriton vulgaris meridionalis and the role of drinking troughs in supporting viable breeding populations within a rural landscape interested by traditional husbandry and agriculture. Our genetic analysis highlighted the conservation value and the potential stepping-stone function of artificial aquatic sites in the dispersal of the species and for the gene flow maintenance. Indeed, populations of drinking troughs show allelic richness and heterozygosity levels comparable to those from natural ponds and there is no great evidence of genetic bottlenecks. A complex system of artificial aquatic sites and few natural wetlands was identified sustaining a well-structured network of demes highly interconnected with themselves and natural aquatic sites. The conservation of the identified genetic clusters may be useful to prevent further population declines and future loss of genetic diversity within the study area characterized by scarce natural wetlands that frequently dried because of agricultural practices and strong seasonality. Site-specific protection measures are needed to contrast the progressive disappearance of drinking troughs observed in the last years in Italy because of the abandonment of traditional farming practices in favour of modern agriculture and intensive farming