Abstract Background: Habitat fragmentation and degradation processes affect biodiversity by reducing habitat quantity and quality, with differential effects on the resident species. However, their consequences are not always noticeable as some ecological processes affected involve idiosyncratic responses among different animal groups. The Valdivian temperate rainforests of southern Chile are experiencing a rapid fragmentation and degradation process despite being a biodiversity hotspot. Deforestation is one of the main threats to these forests. There inhabits the arboreal marsupial Dromiciops gliroides , an iconic species from the Valdivian rainforest, it is the only extant representative of the ancient Microbiotheria order, and it is currently threatened by habitat loss. Here we tested the effects of habitat configuration on D. gliroides occurrence and abundance along 12 landscapes of southern Chile with different disturbance levels. Methods: We estimated D. gliroides occurrence and abundance using camera traps and related those metrics with landscape configuration indices obtained from FRAGSTATS (i.e., forest %, connectivity, patch number, contiguity, and distance to the nearest patch) using Bayesian linear mixed models. Results: We found that D. gliroides occurrence was not influenced by landscape configuration, while its abundance was positively influenced by forest contiguity. Conclusions: Although this arboreal marsupial is present in disturbed forests, its restricted movement capabilities and high dependency on the forest three-dimensional structure may affect its long-term persistence. We urge to rethink native forest conservation and management policies to improve habitat connectivity with possible positive consequences for native fauna.

Electrochemical methods are considered useful tools for simulations of biological redox reactions. The activities of quinones depend on their bioreduction. Biologically active pterocarpanquinones LQB-149 (nitroderivative), 150 and 151 (bromo and chloroderivatives, respectively) were electrochemically investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and in situ UV-Vis spectroelectrochemistry, in aprotic media (N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) + tetra-N-butylammonium (TBAPF6)). The data obtained regarding their reduction mechanisms, positive reactivity with oxygen and analysis of the electrogenerated intermediates were useful in explaining their biological outcomes. The appearance of bands at 397 and 480 nm, for the halogenated compounds, suggests the generation of transient quinonemethides (QM), electrophilic intermediates related to their activity. As an additional proof for the intermediacy of QM, in the redox processes, chemical reduction of LQB-150, in the presence of hexanethiol was performed and led to a thioalkylated quinone. For the nitroderivative, a broad band appeared at 432 nm, corresponding to the generation of the nitroradical anion, giving rise to a dianion diradical, after reduction at the second wave potential. Computational data correlate well with electrochemical experiments. Homogeneous electron transfer to oxygen, yielding reactive oxygen species, the generation of electrophilic species and the radical reactivity, explain partially the mechanism of biological action.

ABSTRACT This research was carried out in Recife, PE, Brazil, and aimed to assess the variation of the surface temperature of trays and substrate in the production of lettuce seedlings and its influence on the final product. Trays consisted of expanded polystyrene, conventional polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl chloride painted white, and polyvinyl chloride painted gray. Two cultivars (Solaris and Vanda) were used to register crop biometric variables from seedling stage to the final product (46 days). Tray and substrate temperatures were recorded by means of an infrared thermal imager. The experimental design was a completely randomized design in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme with three replications. The conventional polyvinyl chloride tray presented the highest surface temperature. The substrate temperature in the styrofoam tray was higher when compared to the others. The white tray showed the lowest values of substrate temperature, providing a better seedling development. Seedling quality and the most important agronomic characteristics for commercialization were obtained in the white tray, being the best alternative for lettuce cultivation.

ABSTRACT Transitions between tasks arise in many different scheduling problems. Sometimes transitions are undesired because they incur costs; sometimes they are undesired because they require setup time, and sometimes both. In one way or the other, frequently, transitions need to be identified and penalized in order for their frequency to be minimized. The present work is concerned with the study of alternative optimization formulations to address transitions with the blending and distribution scheduling of oil derivatives. Our study starts by revisiting a model proposed in the literature that was built considering a very short time horizon (24 h). Next, improvements concerning the transition constraints are evaluated and a new approach is proposed with the purpose of extending model applicability to cases where longer time horizons are of interest. The new proposed mechanism of evaluating transitions relies on aggregating the detailed discrete time scale (hours) to a higher and less detailed level (days). Transitions are then evaluated on the lower level of aggregation with the benefit of reducing the number of required constraints. It must also be emphasized that the proposed model is built on the basis of a set of heuristics that have direct impact on solution and solution time. Results attained for a four-day time horizon demonstrate cost savings on the order of 32% when compared with four sequenced schedules of a one-day time horizon each. Savings are mainly obtained as a consequence of the reduction of the predicted number of transitions.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a suscetibilidade de genótipos de videira à drosófila-da-asa- manchada, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), em bagas de uva intactas e em bagas infestadas após a ocorrência de puncturas, causadas pela oviposição da mosca-das-frutas sul-americana [Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae)] ou por danos mecânicos (alfinetes). Os experimentos foram realizados em laboratório, a 22±1°C, umidade relativa de 65±10% e fotófase de 12 horas. A suscetibilidade foi avaliada para 18 genótipos de videira, em bagas intactas submetidas às fêmeas de D. suzukii. O potencial de interação foi verificado em bagas de uva 'Italia', cuja epiderme foi danificada por puncturas de A. fraterculus ou por alfinete, em comparação a frutos de morango 'Albion'. As cultivares de Vitis labrusca 'Niagara Rosada' e 'Concord' não foram infestadas por D. suzukii, e cinco dos oito genótipos que foram infestados são cultivares melhoradas. A infestação de D. suzukii em bagas de uva 'Italia' com danos mecânicos, feitos com um alfinete ou pela oviposição de A. fraterculus, foi semelhante à de bagas íntegras. Há baixa adequação hospedeira de videiras a D. suzukii, mesmo com a presença de danos. As cultivares 'Benitaka', 'BRS Vitória' e 'BRS Morena' são as mais suscetíveis a D. suzukii.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the susceptibility of vine genotypes to the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), on uninjured grapes and on infested grapes after the occurrence of puncture sites, caused either by the oviposition of South American fruit fly [Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae)] or by mechanical damage (pins). The experiments were carried out in laboratory at 22±1°C, 65±10% relative humidity, and 12-hour photophase. Susceptibility was evaluated on intact grapes of 18 genotypes subjected to D. suzukii females. The interaction potential was assessed on 'Italia' grapes, whose epidermis was damaged either by punctures caused by A. fraterculus or by pins, in comparison to 'Albion' strawberries. The 'Niagara Rosada' and 'Concord' Vitis labrusca cultivars were not infested by D. suzukii, and five out of the eight infested genotypes are improved varieties. Infestation of D. suzukii on 'Italia' grapes, with mechanical damage made by a pin or by A. fraterculus oviposition, was similar to that on undamaged grapes. There is a low suitability of host vines to D. suzukii, even with the presence of previous injuries. The 'Benitaka', 'BRS Vitória', and 'BRS Morena' vine cultivars are the most susceptible genotypes to D. suzukii.

The control of black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) of banana (Musa acuminate Colla AAA) and (Musa balbisiana Colla AAB) requires numerous applications of fungicides, mainly of the triazoles group that impose high selection pressure in populations of this pathogen. The aim of the this study was to determine the response of strains of Mycosphaerella fijiensis isolated from banana plantations of Tabasco and Chiapas, México, to propiconazol and tridemorph. The bioassays were carried out in potato dextrose agar (PDA®) culture medium added with different concentrations of these fungicides. The media were inoculated with 100 µL of a conidial suspension and mycelia fragments of the fungus, and incubated in darkness at 26 °C for 7 d. The effective concentration 50 (EC50) and 95 % (EC95) was estimated through Probit analysis of the percentage of inhibition of the relative growth of the pathogen. The EC50 values in propiconazol varied from 0.0001 to 0.95 mg L-1 and those of EC95 from 0.006 to 12.51 mg L-1. The resistance ratio at the level of EC95 was higher than 2085x, for the isolate MF-RmC2 of the Remedios plantation from Teapa, Tabasco. The values for EC50 in tridemorph varied from 0.00001 to 0.002 mg L-1 and those of EC95 from 0.03 to 0.85 mg L-1. The resistance ratio to level EC95 between the sensitive isolate of reference and the least susceptible (MF-RcC5 of the Recreo plantation, Tabasco) was higher than 28.3x. The positive correlation between the number of applications and the values of EC50 and of EC95 are indicative that the selection pressure exerted in this plantation generated resistance to the propiconazol.

El control de Sigatoka negra (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet) del banano (Musa acuminata Colla AAA) y plátano (Musa balbisiana Colla AAB) requiere de numerosas aplicaciones de fungicidas, principalmente de los grupos triazoles que inducen alta presión de selección en poblaciones del patógeno. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la respuesta de cepas de M. fijiensis aisladas de plantaciones de banano de Tabasco y Chiapas, México, al propiconazol y tridemorf. Los bioensayos se realizaron en medio de cultivo Papa Dextrosa Agar (PDA®) adicionados con diferentes concentraciones del fungicida. Los medios se inocularon con 100 µL de una suspensión conidial y fragmentos miceliares del hongo, y se incubaron en oscuridad a 26 °C por 7 d. La concentración efectiva 50 (CE50) y 95 % (CE95) para cada aislamiento se estimó mediante análisis Probit del porcentaje de inhibición del crecimiento relativo del patógeno. Los valores CE50 en propiconazol variaron de 0.0001 a 0.95 mg L-1; y los de CE95 de 0.006 a 12.51 mg L-1. La proporción de resistencia en el nivel CE95 fue superior a 2085x, para el aislamiento MF-RmC2 de la finca Remedios en Teapa, Tabasco. Los valores para CE50 en tridemorf variaron de 0.00001 a 0.002 mg L-1 y los de CE95 de 0.03 a 0.85 mg L-1. La proporción de resistencia a nivel CE95 entre el aislamiento sensible de referencia y el menos susceptible (MF-RcC5 de la finca el Recreo, Tabasco) fue superior a 28.3x. La correlación positiva entre el número de aplicaciones y los valores de CE50 y de CE95 son indicativos de que la presión de selección ejercida en esta plantación generó resistencia al propiconazol.

In the "pino de las alturas" (Pinus hartwegii Lindl) it has been reported the presence of the bark beetle Dendroctonus adjunctus associated with the genus Ophiostoma spp., which causes the blue-stain of the wood. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the Ophiostoma species associated with the bark beetle D. adjunctus in P. hartwegii. Galleries and insects were collected in the Zoquiapan Experimental Forest Station (ZEFS), of the Universidad Autonoma Chapingo, in Zoquiapan, Puebla. It was isolated from galleries and insects the morphologically identified fungi Graphilbum sp. and Ophiostoma ips, the latter from galleries only. In addition, molecular characterization was developed by the polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR). Molecular analysis confirmed the morphological identification. It was conclude that this fungus corresponds to Ophiostoma ips which is found on both stages, the teleomorph and its anamorph (Graphilbum sp.). This is the first report of O. ips in Mexico associated with P. hartwegii.

En el "pino de las alturas" (Pinus hartwegii Lindl) se ha reportado la presencia del descortezador Dendroctonus adjunctus asociado al género Ophiostoma spp., causante del manchado azul de la madera. El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar y caracterizar la especie de Ophiostoma asociada al descortezador D. adjunctus en P hartwegii. Se colectaron galerías e insectos en la Estación Forestal Experimental Zoquiapan (EFEZ) de la Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, en Zoquiapan, Puebla. Se aisló e identificó morfológicamente a Graphilbum sp. en galerías e insectos y Ophiostoma ips solamente en galerías. Además, se caracterizaron molecularmente mediante la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). El análisis molecular corroboró la identificación morfológica. Se concluye que el hongo corresponde a Ophiostoma ips (teleomorfo) y Graphilbum sp. su anamorfo. Este es el primer reporte en México de O. ips asociado a P hartwegii.

Células dendríticas (CDs) são células apresentadoras de antígenos altamente eficientes para a imunização contra patógenos e antígenos tumorais. A obtenção de CDs maturis tem sido descrita por diferentes métodos. Portanto, a escolha do método mais apropriado para gerar CDs em cultura de sete dias é pré-requisito essencial para as estratégias imunoterápicas. Aqui relatamos um método de obtenção de uma população enriquecida em monócitos de doadores de sangue e comparamos a maturação das CDs sob o estímulo de quatro agentes. Uma população de monócitos, com pureza de 91% ± 5, foi obtida de 15 doadores. A população monocitária foi mantida em cultura por cinco dias com GM- CSF e IL - 4. No 5º dia, após diferentes condições de maturação, foram analisadas as modificações morfológicas e fenotípicas. Nossos estudos demonstram que o TNF-alfa ou o PGE1 por si só podem induzir a expressão de CD1a de 2.4 a 2.7 vezes, respectivamente, mais do que culturas de CDs com ausência dos agentes de maturação. Alternativamente, para com outras moléculas coestimuladoras ou acessórias (CD80, CD86, CD83 e CD 40) o TNF-alfa foi mais potente na expressão do que o PGE1, embora na presença de ambos o efeito seja mais pronunciado. A maturação fenotípica sob TNF-alfa + PGE1 pode ser comparável ao LPS, concluindo que o TNF-alfa + PGE1 pode ser útil para geração ex-vivo de CDs e útil para protocolos de vacinação celular. Avaliação funcional das CDs é recomendável.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that are highly effective to immunize against pathogens and tumor antigens. In order to obtain mature DCs several in vitro methods have been reported. Selecting the most efficient and effective method of generating morphologic and phenotypic DCs within 7 days of culture is an essential prerequisite for success in immunotherapy strategies. Herein, we report a method of obtaining an enriched monocyte population from blood donors and performed a comparison of DC maturation in response to four agents. Monocyte populations with 91% ± 5 of purity were obtained from 15 healthy donors. The resulting monocyte populations were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 during 5 days. At day 5 different maturation conditions were performed and morphological and phenotypical changes were analyzed. Our study demonstrates that TNF-alpha or PGE1 by themselves can induce the expression of CD1a 2.4 and 2.7 times respectively more than DC cultures in the absence of maturing agents. On the other hand, for other costimulatory or accessory molecules (CD80, CD86, CD83 and CD40) TNF-alpha was more potent in the induction of expression than PGE1, although in the presence of TNF-alpha plus PGE1 this effect is more pronounced compared to TNF-alpha alone. Under TNF-alpha plus PGE1 treatment the phenotypical maturation of immature DCs are comparable to LPS and therefore TNF-alpha+ PGE1 might be useful for generating ex-vivo DCs to use in protocols of cell vaccination. Further functional evaluation of these mature DCs is warranted.