Explore the vast range of titles available.

Plants respond to attack by chewing insects through the recognition of herbivore‐associated molecular patterns (HAMPs) that are present in oral secretions (OS) and released at the wound site, leading to appropriate deployment of plant immune responses. Because insect feeding is accompanied by severe wounding of the leaf tissue, the specific contribution of HAMPs to defense is not well characterized. Also, OS contain effectors that interfere with the activation of defenses, but the underlying downregulated genes are poorly studied. Here, we analyzed the transcriptome of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves in response to wounding alone or to wounding and application of OS from Spodoptera littoralis or Pieris brassicae. For both insects, OS amplified wound‐induced responses and specifically promoted the activation of stress and hormonal pathways, as well as pathogen‐related responses. In contrast, OS inhibited the expression of genes involved in the regulation and biosynthesis of aliphatic glucosinolates (GS), and cell wall strengthening. In addition, OS‐mediated suppression of wound‐induced ERF114 and wound healing‐related genes uncovered a novel strategy to impair defenses. In support of these findings, we observed an increased performance of S. littoralis and P. brassicae larvae feeding on OS‐treated Arabidopsis plants. Altogether, we highlight a major contribution of OS components to plant response to herbivory and unveil the potential role of conserved OS‐derived effector(s) in inhibiting defenses.

Initiation of plant immune signaling requires recognition of conserved molecular patterns from microbes and herbivores by plasma membrane-localized pattern recognition receptors. Additionally, plants produce and secrete numerous small peptide hormones, termed phytocytokines, which act as secondary danger signals to modulate immunity. In Arabidopsis, the Brassicae -specific SERINE RICH ENDOGENOUS PEPTIDE (SCOOP) family consists of 14 members that are perceived by the leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase MALE DISCOVERER 1-INTERACTING RECEPTOR LIKE KINASE 2 (MIK2). Recognition of SCOOP peptides elicits generic early signaling responses but knowledge on how and if SCOOPs modulate specific downstream immune defenses is limited. We report here that depletion of MIK2 or the single PROSCOOP12 precursor results in decreased Arabidopsis resistance against the generalist herbivore Spodoptera littoralis but not the specialist Pieris brassicae. Increased performance of S. littoralis on mik2-1 and proscoop12 is accompanied by a diminished accumulation of jasmonic acid, jasmonate-isoleucine and indolic glucosinolates. Additionally, we show transcriptional activation of the PROSCOOP gene family in response to insect herbivory. Our data therefore indicate that perception of endogenous SCOOP peptides by MIK2 modulates the jasmonate pathway and thereby contributes to enhanced defense against a generalist herbivore.

Recently, historical and conservation studies have attached an increasing importance to investigating the materials used in historic documents. In particular, the identification of the animal species from which parchments are made is of high importance and is currently performed by either genetic or proteomic methods. Here, we introduce an innovative, non-invasive optical method for identifying animal species based on light-parchment interaction. The method relies on conservation of light energy through reflection, transmission and absorption from the sample, as well as on statistical processing of the collected optical data. Measurements are performed from ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) spectral ranges by a standard spectrophotometer and data are processed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). PCA data from modern parchments, made of sheep, calf and goat skins, are used as a database for PCA analysis of historical parchments. Using only the first two principal components (PCs), the method confirmed visual diagnostics about parchment appearance and aging, and was able to recognise the origin species of historical parchment of among database clusters. Furthermore, taking into account the whole set of PCs, species identification was achieved, with all results matching perfectly their proteomic counterparts used for method assessment. The validated method compares favourably with genetic and proteomic methods used for the same purpose. In addition to animals’ proteomic and genetic signatures, a unique “optical fingerprint” of the parchments’ origin species is revealed here. This new method is non-invasive, straightforward to implement, potentially cheap and accessible to scholars and conservators, with minimal training. In the context of cultural heritage, the method could help solving questions related to parchment production and, more generally, medieval writing production.

Cervus elaphus populations are spreading and growing in many parts of Europe. This growth can have detrimental effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function. Successful strategies to manage large herbivores require reliable information on density and population trends. This paper presents a methodology to achieve a sustainable distribution of red deer by age and sex classes over time. Instead of traditional algebraic methods, the method consists of a simple iterative process that uses convergence to obtain the dominant eigenvalue and eigenvector of the biological matrix from an initial population. This eigenvalue represents the annual growth rate of the population, and the eigenvector represents the ideal age and sex class distribution of the population. The method has been applied to a fenced preserve in the province of Toledo, Spain. An annual population growth rate of 1.63 (dominant eigenvalue of the biological matrix) was obtained from an initial population and the biological matrix of the deer on the preserve. The convergence of this rate occurred in year 14, but the carrying capacity allows for a population close to the population in year 17 according to the prediction, which is therefore considered to be the year when the ideal population distribution is achieved. This methodology allows managers to numerically justify how to control population growth to preserve biodiversity and sustainability.

Many animals make behavioural changes to cope with winter conditions, being gregariousness a common strategy. Several factors have been invoked to explain why gregariousness may evolve during winter, with individuals coming together and separating as they trade off the different costs and benefits of living in groups. These trade-offs may, however, change over space and time as a response to varying environmental conditions. Despite its importance, little is known about the factors triggering gregarious behaviour during winter and its change in response to variation in weather conditions is poorly documented. Here, we aimed at quantifying large-scale patterns in wintering associations over 23 years of the white-winged snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis nivalis . We found that individuals gather in larger groups at sites with harsh wintering conditions. Individuals at colder sites reunite later and separate earlier in the season than at warmer sites. However, the magnitude and phenology of wintering associations are ruled by changes in weather conditions. When the temperature increased or the levels of precipitation decreased, group size substantially decreased, and individuals stayed united in groups for a shorter time. These results shed light on factors driving gregariousness and points to shifting winter climate as an important factor influencing this behaviour.

A matrix model is presented for the projection in time and maximal profiting that ensures sustainability and stability of diameter distributions of three qualities of Pinus nigra. Considering projection periods of 10 years, trunks were grouped in five diameter classes: 0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40 and >40cm. Transition probabilities were calculated adjusting diameter growth curves by cubic approximations and assuming uniform diameter distributions within each class. A condition is proposed for the sustainable management of the tree mass that permits to reach and maintain in time a stable diameter distribution. The results indicate that, in order to ensure population sustainability/stability, for each projection time interval the maximal extraction rate should be between 17.21 and 40.09%, depending on quality level, for recruitments between 200 and 840 trunks/ha and total sectional areas of 20 to 30m super(2) times ha super(-1). Finally, for each quality level the stable diameter distributions in relation to recruitment for total sectional areas of 20, 25 and 30m super(2) times har super(-1) were obtained.

Esta obra ha sido el resultado de un esfuerzo sincero por compilar, en una parte general, las cuestiones jurídico procesales y terminológicas más relevantes relativas al tipo penal de la estafa piramidal, y, en una parte especial, una recopilación casuística de las principales estafas piramidales mas infames e inicuas de la historia en general y de España en particular, a través de un viaje por la Jurisprudencia más reiterada, destacada y autorizada en la materia. Particularmente atractiva para el lector resultará la parte dedicada a las estafas piramidales y su interacción con las CRIPTODIVISAS (BITCOIN, ETHEREUM O LITECOIN, por citar sólo algunas), donde se efectúa, de un lado, un tratamiento técnico-jurídico de los supuestos en que se utiliza la criptodivisa como medio para cometer estafas piramidades, y, de otro lado, una exposición seria relativa a los conceptos de «criptomoneda», «blockchain», «token», donde se incluyen asimismo una serie de indicaciones acerca de la incidencia fiscal y tributaria de las operaciones efectuadas con criptomonedas, ya sean utilizadas como medio de pago o como instrumento de inversión. Al final de la obra se incluye una relación ordenada de las Sentencias más destacadas en relación con el instituto jurídico de la estafas piramidal, donde se observa sin ambages su trascendencia jurídico-penal. [Texto de la editorial].

Aunque el Patrimonio Cultural es fuente reconocida de bienestar, su sobreexplotación turística genera fuertes impactos negativos, agravados en las grandes ciudades por la concentración de efectos en el espacio. Este trabajo aborda el caso de Madrid, ciudad que cuenta en su periferia metropolitana con activos patrimoniales de primer nivel, cuyo mejor aprovechamiento turístico ayudaría a mitigar el impacto negativo en la capital, a la vez que contribuiría al desarrollo económico y social de la periferia. En la investigación se aplicó un planteamiento metodológico dinámico con cuatro planos de análisis complementarios: documental y de redes, cualitativo, cuantitativo y procesos participativos. Los resultados evidencian la necesidad de adoptar estrategias de gestión cultural y de planificación turística orientadas al reequilibrio de los flujos de visitantes. La activación de los propios vecinos se revela como un recurso especialmente valioso para fortalecer un turismo de proximidad, experiencial y más sostenible. El impacto de la Covid-19, por una parte, y la declaración del Paseo del Prado y el Retiro como Patrimonio de la Humanidad, por otra, han puesto aún más de actualidad esta situación.

Many animals make behavioural changes to cope with winter conditions, being gregariousness a common strategy. Several factors have been invoked to explain why gregariousness may evolve during winter, with individuals coming together and separating as they trade off the different costs and benefits of living in groups. These trade-offs may, however, change over space and time as a response to varying environmental conditions. Despite its importance, little is known about the factors triggering gregarious behaviour during winter and its change in response to variation in weather conditions is poorly documented. Here, we aimed at quantifying largescale patterns in wintering associations over 23 years of the white-winged snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis nivalis. We found that individuals gather in larger groups at sites with harsh wintering conditions. Individuals at colder sites reunite later and separate earlier in the season than at warmer sites. However, the magnitude and phenology of wintering associations are ruled by changes in weather conditions. When the temperature increased or the levels of precipitation decreased, group size substantially decreased, and individuals stayed united in groups for a shorter time. These results shed light on factors driving gregariousness and points to shifting winter climate as an important factor influencing this behaviour.