Preservation and interpretation of pollen in hyaena coprolites: taphonomic observations from Spain and southern Africa

Main articleA survey of palynological research on hyaena coprolites from 10 fossil sites in southern Africa and 4 from Spain shows that coprolites from 10 out of the 14 sites contained fossil pollen. Pollen-bearing coprolites are generally richer in pollen than the surrounding sediments. Provisionally it seems that the sites with poor or no pollen in coprolites are relatively old or have been exposed to wet and dry moisture fluctuations, namely Makapansgat, Gran Dolina, Redcliff Cave and Erfkroon. This suggests that conditions during their long histories eventually destroyed pollen through oxidation associated with regular saturation of sediments. The composition of pollen spectra and preservation of pollen grains from coprolites is compared with that in fresh hyaena dung. SEM studies suggest that pollen grains in fresh dung and in fossil coprolites if preserved under suitable cave conditions, are generally well preserved with little damage. The damage traits require further systematic investigation in order to assess their taphonomic significance but selective destruction of pollen through ingestion, if any, seems to be light. Of particular interest to palaeoenvironmental studies is the observation that pollen assemblages preserved in hyaena dung are likely to provide relatively unbiased characterizations of vegetation representative of the wide surroundings in which the hyaenas were active. This implies that where pollen was relatively wellpreserved in coprolites, it can provide palaeoenvironmental information extending beyond the immediate environs of the site in which they were found. Any possible bias introduced through behaviour-related pollen trapping is, however, difficult to exclude.National Research Foundation (GUN 2053236), projects MCyT-DGI(BTE 2000-1309), PI-17/00739/FS/01, BOS 2000-0149 and REN 2003-02499-GL

Phytoplankton-Fluorescence-Lifetime Vertical Profiler

A battery-operated optoelectronic instrument is designed to be lowered into the ocean to measure the intensity and lifetime of fluorescence of chlorophyll A in marine phytoplankton as a function of depth from 0 to 300 m. Fluorescence lifetimes are especially useful as robust measures of photosynthetic productivity of phytoplankton and of physical and chemical mechanisms that affect photosynthesis. The knowledge of photosynthesis in phytoplankton gained by use of this and related instruments is expected to contribute to understanding of global processes that control the time-varying fluxes of carbon and associated biogenic elements in the ocean. The concentration of chlorophyll in the ocean presents a major detection challenge because in order to obtain accurate values of photosynthetic parameters, the intensity of light used to excite fluorescence must be kept very low so as not to disturb the photosynthetic system. Several innovations in fluorometric instrumentation were made in order to make it possible to reach the required low detection limit. These innovations include a highly efficient optical assembly with an integrated flow-through sample interface, and a high-gain, low-noise electronic detection subsystem. The instrument also incorporates means for self-calibration during operation, and electronic hardware and software for control, acquisition and analysis of data, and communications. The electronic circuitry is highly miniaturized and designed to minimize power demand. The instrument is housed in a package that can withstand the water pressure at the maximum depth of 300 m. A light-emitting diode excites fluorescence in the sample flow cell, which is placed at one focal point of an ellipsoidal reflector. A photomultiplier tube is placed at the other focal point. This optical arrangement enables highly efficient collection of fluorescence emitted over all polar directions. Fluorescence lifetime is measured indirectly, by use of a technique based on the same principle as the one described in "Fluorometer for Analysis of Photosynthesis in Phytoplankton" (SSC-00110), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 24, No. 1 (November 2000), page 79. The excitation is modulated at a frequency of 70 MHz, and the phase shift between the excitation light and the emitted fluorescence is measured by a detection method in which the 70 MHz signal is down-converted to a 400 Hz signal. The fluorescence lifetime can be computed from the known relationship among the fluorescence lifetime, phase shift, and modulation frequenc

Les espèces actives de l’oxygène : le yin et le yang de la mitochondrie

Il existe de nombreuses sources d’espèces actives de l’oxygène (EAO) dans la cellule ; malgré l’importance de chacune d’entre elles, la mitochondrie a été choisie comme sujet central de cet article en raison de son rôle primordial dans la bio-énergétique et du fait qu’elle constitue le site majeur de la production cellulaire d’EAO, 80 % de l’anion superoxyde provenant de la chaîne respiratoire. Cette production est indissociable du processus respiratoire et fortement modulée par les conditions environnementales : elle varie notamment selon l’intensité du métabolisme énergétique ou de la pression en oxygène, permettant aux cellules de s’adapter à ces changements environnementaux en activant des voies spécifiques de signalisation. Lorsque cette production d’EAO devient chronique, elle induit des effets délétères, le stress oxydant mitochondrial étant impliqué aussi bien en physiopathologie qu’au cours du vieillissement.Literature on reactive oxygen species (ROS) effects on cell biology and physiopathology is huge and appears to be controversial. This could be explained by the fact that very few studies take into account the real subcellular source of ROS production, their chemical nature and the intensity of their production. In spite of the importance of the other sites of ROS production in the cell, we decided to focus on mitochondrial ROS. Besides their key role in bioenergetics and ATP synthesis, mitochondria are one of the main sites of ROS generation within the cell. 80 % of intracellular superoxide anion is provided by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Mitochondrial ROS production is closely associated with activity of the respiratory chain and is modulated by environmental factors which can induce constraints on respiratory chain components. Nutrient availability as well as oxygen pressure can both modulate mitochondrial ROS production. When moderately produced, ROS specifically regulate intracellular signalling pathways by reversible oxidation of proteins such as transcription factors or proteins kinases. In this way, they can trigger cell adaptation to environmental changes as modifications of energetic metabolism or hypoxia. Indeed, we demonstrated that mitochondrial ROS act as key elements in the control of white adipose tissue development by specific up-regulation of the anti-adipogenic transcription factor CHOP-10/GADD153. However, when they are produced at high level and in a chronic manner, mitochondrial ROS can also have deleterious effects by massive and irreversible oxidation of their principals targets i.e. lipids, DNA and proteins. In these conditions, mitochondrial ROS are involved in aging process and in pathological situations as metabolic disease

A Natural Resource-Systems approach: Targeting the Ecological Transition at the Regional Scale

Chapitre de l’ouvrage collectif Penser une démocratie alimentaire Volume II – Proposition Lascaux entre ressources naturelles et besoins fondamentaux, F. Collart Dutilleul et T. Bréger (dir), Inida, San José, 2014, pp. 143-167.International audienceHuman history can be mirrored in a geo-history of natural resources. Humans, by over-exploiting resources (“forcing”), have produced extensive land use changes and have altered complex food webs, ecosystems, and habitats with as a consequence systematic natural biocapacity erosion, biodiversity loss, energy crises, pollution, climate deregulation. In other terms, a global resources “rush” has led to chronic socio-ecosystemic deficits, thus creating the conditions for local and global state shifts within the biosphere and / or society.Therefore, research must serve to increase human understanding of those resources and how best to use them for the public good

Visible light-driven H2 production over highly dispersed Ruthenia on Rutile TiO2 nanorods

The immobilization of miniscule quantities of RuO2 (~0.1%) onto one-dimensional (1D) TiO2 nanorods (NRs) allows H2 evolution from water under visible light irradiation. Rod-like rutile TiO2 structures, exposing preferentially (110) surfaces, are shown to be critical for the deposition of RuO2 to enable photocatalytic activity in the visible region. The superior performance is rationalized on the basis of fundamental experimental studies and theoretical calculations, demonstrating that RuO2(110) grown as 1D nanowires on rutile TiO2(110), which occurs only at extremely low loads of RuO2, leads to the formation of a heterointerface that efficiently adsorbs visible light. The surface defects, band gap narrowing, visible photoresponse, and favorable upward band bending at the heterointerface drastically facilitate the transfer and separation of photogenerated charge carriers.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Identification and characterization of the Non-race specific Disease Resistance 1 (NDR1) orthologous protein in coffee

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leaf rust, which is caused by the fungus <it>Hemileia vastatrix </it>(Pucciniales), is a devastating disease that affects coffee plants (<it>Coffea arabica </it>L.). Disadvantages that are associated with currently developed phytoprotection approaches have recently led to the search for alternative strategies. These include genetic manipulations that constitutively activate disease resistance signaling pathways. However, molecular actors of such pathways still remain unknown in <it>C. arabica</it>. In this study, we have isolated and characterized the coffee <it>NDR1 </it>gene, whose <it>Arabidopsis </it>ortholog is a well-known master regulator of the hypersensitive response that is dependent on coiled-coil type R-proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two highly homologous cDNAs coding for putative NDR1 proteins were identified and cloned from leaves of coffee plants. One of the candidate coding sequences was then expressed in the <it>Arabidopsis </it>knock-out null mutant <it>ndr1-1</it>. Upon a challenge with a specific strain of the bacterium <it>Pseudomonas syringae </it>(DC3000::<it>AvrRpt2</it>), analysis of both macroscopic symptoms and <it>in planta </it>microbial growth showed that the coffee cDNA was able to restore the resistance phenotype in the mutant genetic background. Thus, the cDNA was dubbed <it>CaNDR1a </it>(standing for <it>Coffea arabica Non-race specific Disease Resistance 1a</it>). Finally, biochemical and microscopy data were obtained that strongly suggest the mechanistic conservation of the <it>NDR1</it>-driven function within coffee and <it>Arabidopsis </it>plants. Using a transient expression system, it was indeed shown that the CaNDR1a protein, like its <it>Arabidopsis </it>counterpart, is localized to the plasma membrane, where it is possibly tethered by means of a GPI anchor.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data provide molecular and genetic evidence for the identification of a novel functional <it>NDR1 </it>homolog in plants. As a key regulator initiating hypersensitive signalling pathways, <it>CaNDR1 </it>gene(s) might be target(s) of choice for manipulating the coffee innate immune system and achieving broad spectrum resistance to pathogens. Given the potential conservation of <it>NDR1</it>-dependent defense mechanisms between <it>Arabidopsis </it>and coffee plants, our work also suggests new ways to isolate the as-yet-unidentified <it>R</it>-gene(s) responsible for resistance to <it>H. vastatrix</it>.</p

Draft Genome Sequence of Frankia Strain G2, a Nitrogen-Fixing Actinobacterium Isolated from Casuarina equisetifolia and Able To Nodulate Actinorhizal Plants of the Order Rhamnales

Frankia sp. strain G2 was originally isolated from Casuarina equisetifolia and is characterized by its ability to nodulate actinorhizal plants of the Rhamnales order, but not its original host. It represents one of the largest Frankia genomes so far sequenced (9.5 Mbp)

Effect of feed concentration and residence time on anaerobic fermentation in CSTR and SBR to produce short-chain organic acids

Funding This study was funded by LEVERHULME TRUST. Serena Simonetti, a Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholar, is part of the 15 PhD scholarships of the “Leverhulme Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Production of Chemicals and Materials” at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland, United Kingdom).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

La inaplicación del beneficio premial del proceso de terminación anticipada en el delito de organización criminal, La Libertad - 2021

La investigación tiene como objetivo general: Determinar qué se vulnera con la inaplicación del beneficio premial del proceso de terminación anticipada en el delito de organización criminal, La Libertad - 2021; y, como objetivos específicos: a) Identificar qué principios procesales se vulneran al no aplicar el beneficio premial del proceso de terminación anticipada, b) Explicar la necesidad de la viabilidad de la obtención de beneficios en el delito de organización criminal; y, c) Proponer la modificación del Protocolo de Terminación Anticipada del Proceso y del Art. 471° modificado por la Ley N° 30963 a fin de evitar una calificación jurídica discordante y garantizar un trato igualitario en los procesados integrantes de una organización criminal. En la metodología, el tipo de investigación será básico. Los resultados comprobaron que existe una transgresión de principios, repercutiendo los derechos del imputado, puesto que al no aplicarse el beneficio premial en el proceso de terminación anticipada en el delito de O.C. se limita la posibilidad de acceso al mismo. Concluimos que se determinó la viabilidad de modificación tanto del Artículo 471° del NCPP como del Protocolo de Terminación Anticipada, porque se lograría dar un enfoque no discriminatorio entre los procesados por el delito de O.C

A test of positive suggestions about side effects as a way of enhancing the analgesic response to NSAIDs

Side effects are frequent in pharmacological pain management, potentially preceding analgesia and limiting drug tolerability. Discussing side effects is part of informed consent, yet can favor nocebo effects. This study aimed to test whether a positive suggestion regarding side effects, which could act as reminders of the medication having been absorbed, might favor analgesia in a clinical interaction model. Sixty-six healthy males participated in a study “to validate pupillometry as an objective measure of analgesia”. Participants were unknowingly randomized double-blind to positive vs control information about side effects embedded in a video regarding the study drugs. Sequences of moderately painful heat stimuli applied before and after treatment with diclofenac and atropine served to evaluate analgesia. Atropine was deceptively presented as a co-analgesic, but used to induce side effects. Adverse events (AE) were collected with the General Assessment of Side Effects (GASE) questionnaire prior to the second induced pain sequence. Debriefing fully informed participants regarding the purpose of the study and showed them the two videos.The combination of medication led to significant analgesia, without a between-group difference. Positive information about side effects increased the attribution of AE to the treatment compared to the control information. The total GASE score was correlated with analgesia, i.e., the more AEs reported, the stronger the analgesia. Interestingly, there was a significant between-groups difference on this correlation: the GASE score and analgesia correlated only in the positive information group. This provides evidence for a selective link between AEs and pain relief in the group who received the suggestion that AEs could be taken as a sign “that help was on the way”. During debriefing, 65% of participants said they would prefer to receive the positive message in a clinical context. Although the present results cannot be translated immediately to clinical pain conditions, they do indicate the importance of testing this type of modulation in a clinical context