New Pleistocene cave faunas of the Andes of central Peru : radiocarbon ages and the survival of low latitude pleistocene DNA

Peruvian citizens have led our team to their discoveries of Pleistocene cave faunas in the central Andes of Per. These caves (Jatun Uchco, Departamento de Huanuco; Cueva Rosello, Departamento de Junin; and Trigo Jirka, Departamento de Huanuco) preserve numerous carnivorans (Puma, a sabercat [Smilodon populator], an unnamed large extinct felid, fox [Lycalopex sp.], hognose skunk [Conepatus sp.]), deer (cf. Pudu and cf. Hippocamelus), vicuna, an extinct horse (dagger Onohippidium devillei), a chinchillid rodent (cf. Lagidium), bats (Anoura, Desmodus, and Platalina), and sloths (dagger Megatherium, dagger Scelidodon, and, dagger Diabolotherium). Bats were found only in the lowest cave (Jatun Uchco, 2,150 m), and ungulates were found only at Cueva Rosello-the only cave studied in a region of flat terrain. Trigo Jirka preserved ancient feces of a large animal and the keratin claw of dagger Diabolotherium. Collagen for radiocarbon dating and DNA for phylogenetic studies have been isolated from bone from Cueva Rosello (3,875 m) and Trigo Jirka (2,700 m). Conventional radiometric ages from Cueva Rosello are 23,340 +/- 120 and 22,220 +/- 130 years before present and that of Trigo Jirka is 29,140 +/- 260. Ancient DNA (aDNA) from dagger Onohippidium of Cueva Rosello (12 degrees South latitude) and dagger Diabolotherium of Trigo Jirka (10 degrees South) is being used in phylogenetic studies. The successful recovery of aDNA suggests that the cool temperatures, low humidity, and the shield from UV radiation of caves at high elevation can permit aDNA studies at low latitudes. Previously, such studies have been limited to latitudes greater than 35 degrees for Pleistocene samples

Some notes to extend the study on random non-autonomous second order linear differential equations appearing in Mathematical Modeling

The objective of this paper is to complete certain issues from our recent contribution [J. Calatayud, J.-C. Cort\'es, M. Jornet, L. Villafuerte, Random non-autonomous second order linear differential equations: mean square analytic solutions and their statistical properties, Advances in Difference Equations, 2018:392, 1--29 (2018)]. We restate the main theorem therein that deals with the homogeneous case, so that the hypotheses are clearer and also easier to check in applications. Another novelty is that we tackle the non-homogeneous equation with a theorem of existence of mean square analytic solution and a numerical example. We also prove the uniqueness of mean square solution via an habitual Lipschitz condition that extends the classical Picard Theorem to mean square calculus. In this manner, the study on general random non-autonomous second order linear differential equations with analytic data processes is completely resolved. Finally, we relate our exposition based on random power series with polynomial chaos expansions and the random differential transform method, being the latter a reformulation of our random Fr\"obenius method.Comment: 15 pages, 0 figures, 2 table

Can GNSS reflectometry detect precipitation over oceans?

For the first time, a rain signature in Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS‐R) observations is demonstrated. Based on the argument that the forward quasi‐specular scattering relies upon surface gravity waves with lengths larger than several wavelengths of the reflected signal, a commonly made conclusion is that the scatterometric GNSS‐R measurements are not sensitive to the surface small‐scale roughness generated by raindrops impinging on the ocean surface. On the contrary, this study presents an evidence that the bistatic radar cross section σ0 derived from TechDemoSat‐1 data is reduced due to rain at weak winds, lower than ≈ 6 m/s. The decrease is as large as ≈ 0.7 dB at the wind speed of 3 m/s due to a precipitation of 0–2 mm/hr. The simulations based on the recently published scattering theory provide a plausible explanation for this phenomenon which potentially enables the GNSS‐R technique to detect precipitation over oceans at low winds

Jacques Derrida's philosophy of hospitality

In the latest of our occasional series on theorists of hospitality, Kevin O'Gorman explores how the controversial philosopher Jacques Derrida (1930-2004) contributes to our understanding of hospitality. Derrida's meditation on the contradictions within the language of hospitality are identified, along with his attempts to illuminate a variety of contemporary hospitality scenarios

The hospitality phenomenon: philosophical enlightenment?

The emergent paradigm of hospitality studies does not have a coherent philosophical foundation. In seeking to identify a philosophy of hospitality this paper explores Derrida's contribution, along with other writers in philosophy and postcolonial theory, who are either writing in the field or have developed his works. Derrida and others are often cited within the context of the emerging paradigm of hospitality studies. In order to examine and critically evaluate the possibility of the construct of a philosophy of the phenomenon of hospitality, the review of the philosophical concepts is set within three perspectives: individual moral philosophy; hospitality and the nation states, and hospitality and language. Although examining the writings of Derrida and others provides an insight into the phenomenon of hospitality, a coherent philosophy of hospitality seems to be an enigma; possibly because hospitality is not a matter of objective knowledge

Ischemic preconditioning attenuates portal venous plasma concentrations of purines following warm liver ischemia in man

Background/Aims: Degradation of adenine nucleotides to adenosine has been suggested to play a critical role in ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Thus, we questioned in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy whether (i) IPC will increase plasma purine catabolites and whether (ii) formation of purines in response to vascular clamping (Pringle maneuver) can be attenuated by prior IPC. Methods: 75 patients were randomly assigned to three groups: group I underwent hepatectomy without vascular clamping; group II was subjected to the Pringle maneuver during resection, and group III was preconditioned (10 min ischemia and 10 min reperfusion) prior to the Pringle maneuver for resection. Central, portal venous and arterial plasma concentrations of adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine and xanthine were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Duration of the Pringle maneuver did not differ between patients with or without IPC. Surgery without vascular clamping had only a minor effect on plasma purine transiently increased. After the Pringle maneuver alone, purine plasma concentrations were most increased. This strong rise in plasma purines caused by the Pringle maneuver, however, was significantly attenuated by IPC. When portal venous minus arterial concentration difference was calculated for inosine or hypoxanthine, the respective differences became positive in patients subjected to the Pringle maneuver and were completely prevented by preconditioning. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that (i) IPC increases formation of adenosine, and that (ii) the unwanted degradation of adenine nucleotides to purines caused by the Pringle maneuver can be attenuated by IPC. Because IPC also induces a decrease of portal venous minus arterial purine plasma concentration differences, IPC might possibly decrease disturbances in the energy metabolism in the intestine as well. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

In vitro antagonistic activity of Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium sudanense causing seedling Blight and seed rot on wheat

[EN] Fusarium sudanense is a novel fungus recently isolated from asymptomatic samples of wheat grains in Argentina. The fungus caused symptoms of seedling blight and seed rot on wheat after artificial inoculations. It is known that the production of mycotoxins by pathogens belonging to the Fusarium genus is harmful to human and animal health. Moreover, the warm and humid conditions that are favorable for growth and mycotoxin production of these species put the Argentinian wheat production area at a high risk of mycotoxin contamination with this novel pathogen. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antagonistic effect of Trichoderma harzianum against F. sudanense under in vitro tests at different environmental conditions. Fungi were screened in dual culture at different water activities (alpha(w)) (0.995, 0.98, 0.95, and 0.90) and temperatures (25 and 15 degrees C). The growth rate of the fungi, interaction types, and dominance index were evaluated. Also, the interaction between T. harzianum and F. sudanense was examined by light and cryo-scanning microscopy. T. harzianum suppressed the growth of F. sudanense at 0.995, 0.98, and 0.95 alpha(w) at 25 degrees C and 0.995 and 0.98 alpha(w) at 15 degrees C. Macroscopic study revealed different interaction types between F. sudanense and T. harzianum on dual culture. Dominance on contact where the colonies of T. harzianum overgrew the pathogen was the most common interaction type determined. The competitive capacity of T. harzianum was diminished by decreasing the temperature and alpha(w). At 0.95 alpha(w) and 15 degrees C, both fungi grew slowly, and interaction type "A" was assigned. Microscopic analysis from the interaction zone of dual cultures revealed an attachment of T. harzianum to the F. sudanense hyphae, penetration with or without formation of appressorium-like structures, coiling, plasmolysis, and a veil formation. According to our results, T. harzianum demonstrated capability to antagonize F. sudanense and could be a promising biocontrol agent.This work was supported by the Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieria Agronomica y del Medio Natural (ETSIANM), UPV, Spain, and by Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales of the Universidad Nacional de La Plata (grant no. 11A 296), Argentina.Larran, S.; Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Rosello Caselles, J.; Simón, MR.; Perelló, A. (2020). In vitro antagonistic activity of Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium sudanense causing seedling Blight and seed rot on wheat. ACS Omega. 5(36):23276-23283. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c03090S2327623283536Arnold, A. E. (2007). Understanding the diversity of foliar endophytic fungi: progress, challenges, and frontiers. Fungal Biology Reviews, 21(2-3), 51-66. doi:10.1016/j.fbr.2007.05.003Porras-Alfaro, A., & Bayman, P. (2011). Hidden Fungi, Emergent Properties: Endophytes and Microbiomes. Annual Review of Phytopathology, 49(1), 291-315. doi:10.1146/annurev-phyto-080508-081831Keswani, C., Singh, H. B., Hermosa, R., García-Estrada, C., Caradus, J., He, Y.-W., … Sansinenea, E. (2019). Antimicrobial secondary metabolites from agriculturally important fungi as next biocontrol agents. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 103(23-24), 9287-9303. doi:10.1007/s00253-019-10209-2Mesa Vanegas, A. M., Calle Osorno, J., & Marín Pavas, D. A. (2020). Metabolitos secundarios en Trichoderma spp. y sus aplicaciones biotecnológicas agrícolas. Actualidades Biológicas, 41(111). doi:10.17533/udea.acbi.v41n111a02Moussa, T. A. A., Al-Zahrani, H. S., Kadasa, N. M. S., Ahmed, S. A., de Hoog, G. S., & Al-Hatmi, A. M. S. (2017). Two new species of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex isolated from the natural environment. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 110(6), 819-832. doi:10.1007/s10482-017-0855-1Larran, S., Santamarina Siurana, M. P., Roselló Caselles, J., Simón, M. R., & Perelló, A. (2020). Fusarium sudanense, endophytic fungus causing typical symptoms of seedling blight and seed rot on wheat. Journal of King Saud University - Science, 32(1), 468-474. doi:10.1016/j.jksus.2018.07.005Larran, S. Estudio de la micobiota endofítica asociada al trigo y soja y su significancia en la interacción con patógenos fúngicos; Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. 2016 http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/54499.Shi, W., Tan, Y., Wang, S., Gardiner, D., De Saeger, S., Liao, Y., … Wu, A. (2016). Mycotoxigenic Potentials of Fusarium Species in Various Culture Matrices Revealed by Mycotoxin Profiling. Toxins, 9(1), 6. doi:10.3390/toxins9010006Bockus, W. W., Bowden, R. L., Hunger, R. M., Morrill, W. L., Murray, T. D., & Smiley, R. W. (Eds.). (2010). Compendium of Wheat Diseases and Pests, Third Edition. doi:10.1094/9780890546604Leslie, J. F., & Summerell, B. A. (Eds.). (2006). The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. doi:10.1002/9780470278376Perincherry, L., Lalak-Kańczugowska, J., & Stępień, Ł. (2019). Fusarium-Produced Mycotoxins in Plant-Pathogen Interactions. Toxins, 11(11), 664. doi:10.3390/toxins11110664Edwards, J., Auer, D., de Alwis, S.-K., Summerell, B., Aoki, T., Proctor, R. H., … O’Donnell, K. (2016). Fusarium agapanthi sp. nov., a novel bikaverin and fusarubin-producing leaf and stem spot pathogen of Agapanthus praecox (African lily) from Australia and Italy. Mycologia, 108(5), 981-992. doi:10.3852/15-333Andrade, J. F., & Satorre, E. H. (2015). Single and double crop systems in the Argentine Pampas: Environmental determinants of annual grain yield. Field Crops Research, 177, 137-147. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2015.03.008Ortega, L. M., Dinolfo, M. I., Astoreca, A. L., Alberione, E. J., Stenglein, S. A., & Alconada, T. M. (2015). Molecular and mycotoxin characterization of Fusarium graminearum isolates obtained from wheat at a single field in Argentina. Mycological Progress, 15(1). doi:10.1007/s11557-015-1147-7Perelló, A. E., & Dal Bello, G. M. (2011). Suppression of tan spot and plant growth promotion of wheat by synthetic and biological inducers under field conditions. Annals of Applied Biology, 158(3), 267-274. doi:10.1111/j.1744-7348.2011.00460.xHarman, G. E., Petzoldt, R., Comis, A., & Chen, J. (2004). Interactions Between Trichoderma harzianum Strain T22 and Maize Inbred Line Mo17 and Effects of These Interactions on Diseases Caused by Pythium ultimum and Colletotrichum graminicola. Phytopathology®, 94(2), 147-153. doi:10.1094/phyto.2004.94.2.147Perelló, A., Lampugnani, G., Abramoff, C., Slusarenko, A., & Bello, G. D. (2016). Suppression of seed-borneAlternaria arborescensand growth enhancement of wheat with biorational fungicides. International Journal of Pest Management, 63(2), 157-165. doi:10.1080/09670874.2016.1252478Sempere, F., & Santamarina, M. P. (2009). Antagonistic interactions between fungal rice pathogenFusarium Verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg andTrichoderma harzianum Rifai. Annals of Microbiology, 59(2), 259-266. doi:10.1007/bf03178326SAMAPUNDO, S., DEVLIEHGERE, F., DE MEULENAER, B., & DEBEVERE, J. (2005). Effect of Water Activity and Temperature on Growth and the Relationship between Fumonisin Production and the Radial Growth of Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum on Corn. Journal of Food Protection, 68(5), 1054-1059. doi:10.4315/0362-028x-68.5.1054Sempere Ferre, F., & Santamarina, M. P. (2010). Efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum in suppression of Fusarium culmorum. Annals of Microbiology, 60(2), 335-340. doi:10.1007/s13213-010-0047-yLlorens, A., Mateo, R., Hinojo, M. J., Valle-Algarra, F. M., & Jiménez, M. (2004). Influence of environmental factors on the biosynthesis of type B trichothecenes by isolates of Fusarium spp. from Spanish crops. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 94(1), 43-54. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2003.12.017Magan, N., & Medina, A. (2016). Integrating gene expression, ecology and mycotoxin production by Fusarium and Aspergillus species in relation to interacting environmental factors. World Mycotoxin Journal, 9(5), 673-684. doi:10.3920/wmj2016.2076Pilar Santamarina, M., & Roselló, J. (2006). Influence of temperature and water activity on the antagonism of Trichoderma harzianum to Verticillium and Rhizoctonia. Crop Protection, 25(10), 1130-1134. doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2006.02.006Prasad, R. D., Rangeshwaran, R., Hegde, S. V., & Anuroop, C. P. (2002). Effect of soil and seed application of Trichoderma harzianum on pigeonpea wilt caused by Fusarium udum under field conditions. Crop Protection, 21(4), 293-297. doi:10.1016/s0261-2194(01)00100-4Perello, A. E., Monaco, C. I., Moreno, M. V., Cordo, C. A., & Simon, M. R. (2006). The effect ofTrichoderma harzianumandT. koningiion the control of tan spot(Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) and leaf blotch (Mycosphaerella graminicola) of wheat under field conditions in Argentina. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 16(8), 803-813. doi:10.1080/09583150600700099Larran, S., Simón, M. R., Moreno, M. V., Siurana, M. P. S., & Perelló, A. (2016). Endophytes from wheat as biocontrol agents against tan spot disease. Biological Control, 92, 17-23. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2015.09.002Nakkeeran, S., Renukadevi, P., & Aiyanathan, K. E. A. (2016). Exploring the Potential of Trichoderma for the Management of Seed and Soil-Borne Diseases of Crops. Integrated Pest Management of Tropical Vegetable Crops, 77-130. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-0924-6_4Magan, N., & Lacey, J. (1984). Effect of water activity, temperature and substrate on interactions between field and storage fungi. Transactions of the British Mycological Society, 82(1), 83-93. doi:10.1016/s0007-1536(84)80214-4Sinclair, J. B. (1991). Latent Infection of Soybean Plants and Seeds by Fungi. Plant Disease, 75(3), 220. doi:10.1094/pd-75-0220Verhoeff, K. (1974). Latent Infections by Fungi. Annual Review of Phytopathology, 12(1), 99-110. doi:10.1146/annurev.py.12.090174.000531Sempere, F., & Santamarina, M. P. (2011). Cryo-scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy for the study of fungi interactions. Microscopy Research and Technique, 74(3), 207-211. doi:10.1002/jemt.2089

Refugia of marine fish in the northeast Atlantic during the last glacial maximum: concordant assessment from archaeozoology and palaeotemperature reconstructions

Archaeozoological finds of the remains of marine and amphihaline fish from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) ca. 21 ka ago show evidence of very different species ranges compared to the present. We have shown how an ecological niche model (ENM) based on palaeoclimatic reconstructions of sea surface temperature and bathymetry can be used to effectively predict the spatial range of marine fish during the LGM. The results indicate that the ranges of marine fish species now in northwestern Europe were displaced significantly southwards from the modern distribution, challenging an existing paradigm of marine glacial refugia. The model presents strong evidence that there was an invasion of important fish through the Straits of Gibraltar in glacial times, where they were exploited by Palaeolithic human populations around the western Mediterranean Sea. The ENM results are important for ongoing studies of molecular ecology that aim to assess marine glacial refugia from the genetic structure of living populations, and they pose questions about the genetic identity of vanished marine populations during the LGM. Economically, the approach may be used to understand how the ranges of exploited fish species may be displaced with the future climate warming. The research presents a challenge for future archaeozoological work to delimit the glacial refugia and to verify palaeoclimatic reconstructions based on deep-sea core record

On fuzzy-qualitative descriptions and entropy

This paper models the assessments of a group of experts when evaluating different magnitudes, features or objects by using linguistic descriptions. A new general representation of linguistic descriptions is provided by unifying ordinal and fuzzy perspectives. Fuzzy qualitative labels are proposed as a generalization of the concept of qualitative labels over a well-ordered set. A lattice structure is established in the set of fuzzy-qualitative labels to enable the introduction of fuzzy-qualitative descriptions as L-fuzzy sets. A theorem is given that characterizes finite fuzzy partitions using fuzzy-qualitative labels, the cores and supports of which are qualitative labels. This theorem leads to a mathematical justification for commonly-used fuzzy partitions of real intervals via trapezoidal fuzzy sets. The information of a fuzzy-qualitative label is defined using a measure of specificity, in order to introduce the entropy of fuzzy-qualitative descriptions. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Development of a locus-specific, co-dominant SCAR marker for assisted-selection of the Sw-5 (Tospovirus resistance) gene cluster in a wide range of tomato accessions

The best levels of broad-spectrum Tospovirus resistance reported in tomatoes thus far are conferred by the Sw-5 locus. This locus contains at least five paralogues (denoted Sw-5a through Sw-5e), of which Sw-5b represents the actual resistance gene. Here we evaluated a panel of seven PCR primer pairs matching different sequences within a genomic region spanning the Sw-5a and Sw-5b gene cluster. Primer efficiency evaluation was done employing tomato isolines with and without the Sw-5 locus. One primer pair produced a single and co-dominant polymorphism between susceptible and resistant isolines. Sequence analysis of these amplicons indicated that they were specific for the Sw-5 locus and their differences were due to insertions/deletions. The polymorphic SCAR amplicon encompass a conserved sequence of the promoter region of the functional Sw-5b gene, being located in the position -31 from its open reading frame. This primer pair was also evaluated in field assays and with a collection of accessions known to be either susceptible or resistant to tospoviruses. An almost complete correlation was found between resistance under greenhouse/field conditions and the presence of the marker. Therefore, this primer pair is a very useful tool in marker-assisted selection systems in a large range of tomato accessions