The learning skills of primates: The rhesus macaque in comparative perspective

Twenty-month-old rhesus monkeys were tested in a modified discrimination-reversal paradigm, which was designed to distinguish abstract learning from stimulus-response associational learning. Previous studies indicate that talapoin monkeys learn associationally and great apes via forming abstract concepts. Adult rhesus monkeys are apparently capable of forming simple abstractions, but learn primarily through associational process. The results of this study show the adolescent rhesus monkeys to be associational learners, with their response patterns indicating more complexity than the talapoins but less than the adult rhesus monkeys. The data suggest that rhesus monkeys develop their low-level capacity of abstract learning with maturation.     

Glucocorticoids inhibit the induction of nitric oxide synthase and the related cell damage in adenocarcinoma cells

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced a time-dependent synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in EMT6 adenocarcinoma cells, assayed by accumulation of NO-derived nitrite in the medium. The induction NO synthesis was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the glucocorticoids dexamethasone (IC₅₀ = 5 nM) and hydrocortisone (IC₅₀ = 20 nM) and this effect was partially antagonized by progesterone and cortexolone. If addition of dexamethasone was delayed 6 h or more, inhibition of nitrite accumulation over 24 h was substantially reduced, indicating a lack of direct effect of glucocorticoids on the NO synthase. Nitrite accumulation was accompanied by cell damage, which was increased by L-arginine and inhibited by $\text{N}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>G</mtext>}}\text{-}\text{monomethyl-}\text{L}\text{-arginine}$ (L-NMMA) and dexamethasone. These data show that NO is a primary cytotoxic mediator and that suppression of its formation by glucocorticoids explains some of their anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects.     

Hydrogen sulfide:A novel component in Arabidopsis peroxisomes which triggers catalase inhibition

Plant peroxisomes have the capacity to generate different reactive oxygen and nitrogen species(ROS and RNS),such as H_2O_2,superoxide radical(O_2~-),nitric oxide and peroxynitrite(ONOO~-).These organelles have an active nitrooxidative metabolism which can be exacerbated by adverse stress conditions.Hydrogen sulfide(H_2S)is a new signaling gasotransmitter which can mediate the posttranslational modification(PTM)persulfidation.We used Arabidopsis thaliana transgenic seedlings expressing cyan fluorescent protein(CFP)fused to a canonical peroxisome targeting signal 1(PTS1)to visualize peroxisomes in living cells,as well as a specific fluorescent probe which showed that peroxisomes contain H_2S.H_2S was also detected in chloroplasts under glyphosate-induced oxidative stress conditions.Peroxisomal enzyme activities,including catalase,photorespiratory H_2O_2-generating glycolate oxidase(GOX)and hydroxypyruvate reductase(HPR),were assayed in vitro with a H_2S donor.In line with the persulfidation of this enzyme,catalase activity declined significantly in the presence of the H_2S donor.To corroborate the inhibitory effect of H_2S on catalase activity,we also assayed pure catalase from bovine liver and pepper fruit-enriched samples,in which catalase activity was inhibited.Taken together,these data provide evidence of the presence of H_2S in plant peroxisomes which appears to regulate catalase activity and,consequently,the peroxisomal H_2O_2 metabolism.     

Microfluidic‐Assisted Blade Coating of Compositional Libraries for Combinatorial Applications: The Case of Organic Photovoltaics

Microfluidic technologies are highly adept at generating controllable compositional gradients in fluids, a feature that has accelerated the understanding of the importance of chemical gradients in biological processes. That said, the development of versatile methods to generate controllable compositional gradients in the solid‐state has been far more elusive. The ability to produce such gradients would provide access to extensive compositional libraries, thus enabling the high‐throughput exploration of the parametric landscape of functional solids and devices in a resource‐, time‐, and cost‐efficient manner. Herein, the synergic integration of microfluidic technologies is reported with blade coating to enable the controlled formation of compositional lateral gradients in solution. Subsequently, the transformation of liquid‐based compositional gradients into solid‐state thin films using this method is demonstrated. To demonstrate efficacy of the approach, microfluidic‐assisted blade coating is used to optimize blending ratios in organic solar cells. Importantly, this novel technology can be easily extended to other solution processable systems that require the formation of solid‐state compositional lateral gradients.     

Restoration and management for cliff‐nesting birds in Mediterranean mining sites: the Sand Martin case study

Habitat enhancement for birds is frequently implemented during mine site restoration. Cliff‐nesting birds often colonize anthropogenic environments such as mining areas (aggregate sites and quarries for aggregate and cement production). Mining activity can compromise breeding success, causing cliff‐nesting birds to depend on the management and restoration of mining areas. The objective of our study is to assess the importance of mine site habitats for Sand Martin conservation and reconcile mining activity with breeding success in Mediterranean environments. We studied Sand Martin breeding habitat preferences in mining areas at three spatial scales. At the mining site scale, we compared 10 mining sites with Sand Martin burrows with 19 mining sites without burrows. At the colony scale (vertical structures with colonies), we evaluated the relationships between the number of breeding pairs, number of burrows, and colony characteristics within 30 distinct Sand Martin colonies. At the burrow scale, we compared the characteristics of the available vertical structure with the areas used by Sand Martins. At the mining site scale, Sand Martins preferred more surface of water bodies, shorter distances to flowing water, older sites, and mining sites which produce aggregates instead of cement. At the colony scale, Sand Martins preferred southwest orientations and stockpiles to vertical extraction faces. At the burrow scale, birds preferred the most vertical areas of the face. Our results support the need for effective habitat restoration and improved management for more effective Sand Martin conservation within mining areas. Simple interventions can enhance habitat quality and conservation of cliff‐nesting birds.     

A standardized assessment of forest mammal communities reveals consistent functional composition and vulnerability across the tropics

The understanding of global diversity patterns has benefitted from a focus on functional traits and how they relate to variation in environmental conditions among assemblages. Distant communities in similar environments often share characteristics, and for tropical forest mammals, this functional trait convergence has been demonstrated at coarse scales (110–200 km resolution), but less is known about how these patterns manifest at fine scales, where local processes (e.g. habitat features and anthropogenic activities) and biotic interactions occur. Here, we used standardized camera trapping data and a novel analytical method that accounts for imperfect detection to assess how the functional composition of terrestrial mammal communities for two traits – trophic guild and body mass – varies across 16 protected areas in tropical forests and three continents, in relation to the extent of protected habitat and anthropogenic pressures. We found that despite their taxonomic differences, communities generally have a consistent trophic guild composition, and respond similarly to these factors. Insectivores were found to be sensitive to the size of protected habitat and surrounding human population density. Body mass distribution varied little among communities both in terms of central tendency and spread, and interestingly, community average body mass declined with proximity to human settlements. Results indicate predicted trait convergence among assemblages at the coarse scale reflects consistent functional composition among communities at the local scale, suggesting that broadly similar habitats and selective pressures shaped communities with similar trophic strategies and responses to drivers of change. These similarities provide a foundation for assessing assemblages under anthropogenic threats and sharing conservation measures.     

<i>In vitro</i> Antibacterial Activity of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Ethanolic Extract against Tomato Phytopathogenic Bacteria

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the world’s most important vegetable crops. Still, phytopathogenic bacteria affect the yield and quality of tomato cultivation, like Agrobacterium tumefeciens (At), Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst), Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs), and Xanthomonas axonopodis (Xa). Synthetic chemical products are used mostly on disease plant control, but overuse generates resistance to bacterial control. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves against At, Cmm, Pst, Rs, and Xa, as well as information about this plant species’ chemical composition. Antibacterial activity against pathogens observed by microplate technique, phytochemical screening, and FTIR analysis revealed different bio-active compounds on ethanolic extracts with antibacterial activity. The growth inhibition rate ranged between 0.08% and 99.94%. The inhibitory concentration, IC50, required to inhibit 50% of At, Cmm, Pst, Rs, and Xa bacterial growth, was 276.67, 350.48, 277.85, 351.49, and 283.22 mg/L, respectively. Inhibition of phytopathogen bacteria’s growth increased as the concentrations of the extract also increased. Moringa oleifera extract can be recommended as a potent bio-bactericide.     

Analysis of Growth and Productivity of Green Chickpea Using Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization

Chickpea contains high levels of protein, vitamins and minerals. Acceptable chickpea yield is the result of meeting nitrogen and phosphorus requirements. The effect of appropriately meeting such requirements reflects on growth and can easily be evaluated using growth analysis. This research determined: (a) The effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on phenology, net assimilation rate, number of green leaves, leaf area, leaf area index and leaf area duration; (b) Green chickpea yield and number of pods due to fertilization; and (c) The combination of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization that yields the most net revenue. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization was evaluated; each at the doses of 0, 75 and 150 kg ha^–1 (N0, N75, N150; P0, P75 and P150, respectively). The combination of the levels of both nutrients generated nine combinations of treatments which were distributed in the field in a randomized complete block design in an arrangement of divided plots with four repetitions. Timing of phenological phases were similar among treatments. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization increased number of leaves, leaf area index, and leaf area duration that translated into increased green chickpea yield (GCY). Combinations N150-P75 and N150-P150 produced the highest GCY. The highest net revenue and revenue per peso invested was obtained with N150-P75.     

Biogeographical and bioclimatic outline of Antarctica

Abstract

This study proposes a bioclimatic characterization and a new biogeographic division for the Antarctic territories up to the province level following the criteria and models of Rivas-Martínez et al. The Antarctic Kingdom comprises the continent of Antarctica, the surrounding ice-covered Antarctic islands, and the associated cold oceanic islands and archipelagos. It has two biogeographic regions: the Antarctic Region and the Subantarctic Insular Region. The Antarctic Region includes the entire pergelid Antarctic continent and the surrounding islands and archipelagos, and is characterized by upper suprapolar hyperoceanic and oceanic or Polar pergelid bioclimates on the coasts. The region has been divided into three pr6ovinces: Maritime Antarctica, West Antarctica and East Antarctica. The Subantarctic Insular Region comprises the circumantarctic islands and archipelagos that are widespread at the southern tip of the planet’s most important oceans, mostly in the subtemperate latitudinal zone inside or not far from the Antarctic Convergence. Bioclimatically, all insular subantarctic territories (excluding the South-American Tierra de Fuego, Terra Magellanica and large islands) are characterized by thermo-suprapolar and semipolar antarctic hyperoceanic bioclimates on the coasts. Four provinces – Falklandian-South Georgian, Kerguelenian, Macquarian and Aucklandian-Campbellian – have been recognized in this region. All these units are characterized by floristic bioindicators.