D13.2 Techniques and performance analysis on energy- and bandwidth-efficient communications and networking

Deliverable D13.2 del projecte europeu NEWCOM#The report presents the status of the research work of the various Joint Research Activities (JRA) in WP1.3 and the results that were developed up to the second year of the project. For each activity there is a description, an illustration of the adherence to and relevance with the identified fundamental open issues, a short presentation of the main results, and a roadmap for the future joint research. In the Annex, for each JRA, the main technical details on specific scientific activities are described in detail.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Biochronostratigraphy and paleoenvironment analysis of Neogene deposits from the Pelotas Basin (well 2-TG-96-RS), Southernmost Brazil

This paper presents the integration of micropaleontological (palynology and foraminifera) and isotopic (87Sr/86Sr) analysis of a selected interval from the well 2-TG-96-RS, drilled on the onshore portion of the Pelotas Basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A total of eight samples of the section between 140.20 and 73.50 m in depth was selected for palynological analysis, revealing diversified and abundant palynomorph associations. Species of spores, pollen grains and dinoflagellate cysts are the most common palynomorphs found. Planktic and benthic calcareous foraminifera were recovered from the lowest two levels of the section (140.20 and 134.30 m). Based on the stratigraphic range of the species of dinoflagellate cysts and sporomorphs, a span age from Late Miocene to Early Pliocene is assigned. The relative age obtained from the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in shells of calcareous foraminifers indicates a Late Miocene (Messinian) correspondence, corroborating the biostratigraphic positioning performed with palynomorphs. Paleoenvironmental interpretations based on the quantitative distribution of organic components (palynomorphs, phytoclasts and amorphous organic matter) throughout the section and on foraminiferal associations indicate a shallow marine depositional environment for the section. Two palynologicals intervals were recognized based on palynofacies analysis, related to middle to outer shelf (140.20 to 128.90 m) and inner shelf (115.75 to 73.50 m) conditions

Limits to reproduction and seed size-number trade-offs that shape forest dominance and future recovery

International audienceThe relationships that control seed production in trees are fundamental to understanding the evolution of forest species and their capacity to recover from increasing losses to drought, fire, and harvest. A synthesis of fecundity data from 714 species worldwide allowed us to examine hypotheses that are central to quantifying reproduction, a foundation for assessing fitness in forest trees. Four major findings emerged. First, seed production is not constrained by a strict trade-off between seed size and numbers. Instead, seed numbers vary over ten orders of magnitude, with species that invest in large seeds producing more seeds than expected from the 1:1 trade-off. Second, gymnosperms have lower seed production than angiosperms, potentially due to their extra investments in protective woody cones. Third, nutrient-demanding species, indicated by high foliar phosphorus concentrations, have low seed production. Finally, sensitivity of individual species to soil fertility varies widely, limiting the response of community seed production to fertility gradients. In combination, these findings can inform models of forest response that need to incorporate reproductive potential

Limits to reproduction and seed size-number tradeoffs that shape forest dominance and future recovery

The relationships that control seed production in trees are fundamental to understanding the evolution of forest species and their capacity to recover from increasing losses to drought, fire, and harvest. A synthesis of fecundity data from 714 species worldwide allowed us to examine hypotheses that are central to quantifying reproduction, a foundation for assessing fitness in forest trees. Four major findings emerged. First, seed production is not constrained by a strict trade-off between seed size and numbers. Instead, seed numbers vary over ten orders of magnitude, with species that invest in large seeds producing more seeds than expected from the 1:1 trade-off. Second, gymnosperms have lower seed production than angiosperms, potentially due to their extra investments in protective woody cones. Third, nutrient-demanding species, indicated by high foliar phosphorus concentrations, have low seed production. Finally, sensitivity of individual species to soil fertility varies widely, limiting the response of community seed production to fertility gradients. In combination, these findings can inform models of forest response that need to incorporate reproductive potential

Araucaria araucana and the Austral parakeet: pre-dispersal seed predation on a masting species El pehuén y la cachaña: depredación predispersión de una especie "masting"

Pre-dispersal seed predation by Austral parakeets, Enicognathus ferrugineus, on pehuén, Araucaria araucana, was studied to assess the relationship between predation and seed production. We collected falling seeds in four araucaria forests of southwestern Neuquén Province, Argentina during four years that included both mast and intermast years. Predation rates were negatively correlated with seed production. When seed production was high, predation rates ranged from 0.6 to 3.3 %; when it was low, predation rates ranged from 13.0 to 20.6 %. Years differed in the pattern of monthly seed fall with peak seed fall in March 2002 and April 2003. Predation rates were lower and more uniform in the year of higher seed production, but did not differ between sites. In an intermast year, predation rates increased during the season, reaching their highest rates after peak seed fall. Parakeets handled seeds differently in mast and intermast years, dropping fewer slightly-damaged seeds when production was low. We discuss these results in the context of the predator satiation hypothesis.Se estudió la depredación predispersión de semillas del Pehuén, Araucaria araucana, por la cachaña, Enicognathus ferrugineus, para evaluar la relación entre depredación y producción de semillas. Durante cuatro años, incluyendo años de alta ("semillazón") y baja producción de semillas, se colectaron semillas caídas de los árboles en bosques del sudoeste de la Provincia del Neuquén, Argentina. Se detectó una correlación negativa entre depredación y producción de semillas. En los años de alta y baja producción de semillas, las tasas de depredación variaron entre 0,6 y 3,3 % y entre 13,0 y 20,6 %, respectivamente. Entre años existe una variación en el patrón temporal de caída de semillas, con picos de caída en marzo y abril para 2002 y 2003, respectivamente. La tasa de depredación de semillas fue más baja y uniforme en el año de alta producción de conos pero no fue diferente entre sitios. En el año de baja producción de conos, la depredación aumentó durante la temporada, observándose la máxima depredación luego del pico de caída de semillas. La cachaña manipula las semillas con diferente eficiencia en años de alta y baja producción de conos, dejando caer menos semillas parcialmente dañadas en años de baja producción. Se discuten estos resultados en el contexto de la hipótesis sobre saciedad de predadores

Candidemia Candida albicans clusters have higher tendency to form biofilms than singleton genotypes\u2020

The capacity of Candida spp. to form biofilms allows them to attach either to living or inert surfaces, promoting their persistence in hospital environments. In a previous study, we reported strain-to-strain variations in Candida spp. biofilm development, suggesting that some genotypes may be greater biofilm formers than others. In this study, we hypothesize that isolates pertaining to clusters may be found more frequently in the environment due to their ability to form biofilms compared to singleton genotypes. Two hundred and thirty-nine Candida spp. isolates (78 clusters) from candidemia patients admitted to 16 hospitals located in different cities and countries-and the same number of singleton genotypes used as controls-were tested in terms of biofilm formation using the crystal violet and the XTT reduction assays. Candida albicans clusters showed higher biofilm formation in comparison to singleton genotypes (P < .01). The biofilms formed by intra-hospital C. albicans clusters showed higher metabolic activity (P < .05). Furthermore, marked variability was found among species and type of cluster. We observed that the higher the number of isolates, the higher the variability of biofilm production by isolates within the cluster, suggesting that the production of biofilm by isolates of the same genotype is quite diverse and does not depend on the type of cluster studied. In conclusion, candidemia Candida spp. clusters-particularly in the case of C. albicans-show significantly more biomass production and metabolic activity than singleton genotypes