Resumen Introducción. El girasol silvestre o polocote (Helianthus annuus L.) es la principal maleza anual en el cultivo de sorgo y maíz en el norte de Tamaulipas, México. Existe escasa información sobre esta especie para realizar bioensayos con herbicidas. Objetivo. Establecer una metodología para la obtención de plántulas de polocote para bioensayos con herbicidas, desde la semilla hasta la multiplicación en vivero. Materiales y métodos. La semilla de polocote se recolectó en enero del año 2023, en el Campo Experimental del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), en Río Bravo, Tamaulipas. Después, se ejecutó la prueba de germinación inicial sobre papel filtro y viabilidad con tetrazolio. Se comprobó latencia por baja germinación (12 %) y alta viabilidad (86 %). Se usaron doce tratamientos para romper la latencia, mediante etanol (70 %) y agua (75, 25). Como control se utilizó solamente agua. Los tratamientos se aplicaron a temperaturas de 5 °C y 20 °C, sobre papel filtro, algodón y peat moss, en cajas Petri durante siete días. Posteriormente, se mantuvieron a una temperatura de ±25 °C. Con los resultados anteriores, se estableció la fase de vivero con cuatro esquemas con trasplante de semilla pregerminada y dos con siembra directa. Resultados. El mejor tratamiento para romper latencia fue inmersión en agua a 5 °C por siete días sobre algodón, con una germinación del 73 %. Los mejores métodos para obtener plantas fueron charolas con plántulas y trasplante en macetas negras con 75 % y 50 % de supervivencia, respectivamente. La sombra inhibió el crecimiento de las plantas. La siembra directa, con o sin prehidratación de la semilla, fue desfavorable para la germinación y emergencia. Conclusión. La obtención de plántulas de girasol silvestre fue superior cuando la semilla se sometió a pretratamiento hídrico y trasplante posterior a charolas o a bolsas.

Abstract Introduction. The wild sunflower or polocote (Helianthus annuus L.) is the main annual weed in the cultivation of sorghum and corn in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico. To date, there is little information about this species to carry out bioassays with herbicides. Objective. Establish a methodology for obtaining polocote seedlings for bioassays with herbicides, from seed to multiplication in the nursery. Materials and methods. The polocote seed was collected in January 2023, within the National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP) Experimental Field, in Río Bravo, Tamaulipas. Afterwards, the initial germination test was carried out on filter paper and viability with tetrazolium. Latency was confirmed due to low germination (12 %) and high viability (86 %). Twelve treatments were used to break dormancy using ethanol (70 %) and water (75, 25). As a control only water were used. The treatments were applied at temperatures of 5 °C and 20 °C, on filter paper, cotton, and peat moss in Petri dishes for seven days. Subsequently, they were kept at a temperature of ±25 °C. With the previous results, the nursery phase was established with four schemes with pre-germinated seed transplantation and two with direct sowing. Results. The best treatment to break dormancy was immersion in water at 5 °C for seven days on cotton, with 73 % germination. The best methods to obtain plants were trays with seedlings and transplanting into black open-air pots, with 75 % and 50 % survival, respectively. Shade inhibited plant growth. Direct sowing, with or without seed prehydration, was unfavorable for germination and emergence. Conclusion. Obtaining wild sunflower seedlings was higher when the seed was subjected to water pre-treatment and subsequent transplanting into trays or open-air bags.

ABSTRACT Introduced fish can threaten aquatic biodiversity. Peru is a megadiverse country; its northern coast (Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, and La Libertad) exhibits greater fish diversity than its central and southern regions. In this area, introduced species exist; however, no research has been found that consolidates data on them. The aim of this research was to prepare a systematic review of introduced and potentially invasive fish in the northern coast of Peru. Following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) from 2020, 2,665 documents were obtained from Scopus, WoS, ScienceDirect, SciELO, PubMed, and Google Scholar. After removing duplicate documents and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, six documents were selected. Eight additional documents were obtained from other sources. A total of 12 introduced species were reported: common carp (Cyprinus carpio), gambusia (Gambusia affinis), guppy (Poecilia reticulata), swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii), tilapia (Coptodon rendalli), blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), wami tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis), cobia (Rachycentron canadum), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and hypostomus (Hypostomus sp.). Of these, five species were cichlids and three were poeciliids; eleven species were found in freshwater, five in mangroves, and two in the sea. Tumbes recorded the highest number of waterbodies with introduced species, Piura recorded the highest number of species (eight), while Lambayeque reported only one species in a waterbody. Seven species (common carp, gambusia, guppy, tilapias - blue, Mozambique, and Nile - and rainbow trout) have a high invasive potential, as they are among the 100 worst invasive species in Europe or worldwide. The evaluated documents have only reported the presence of introduced species without delving into their impact on ecosystems; therefore, further research in this direction would be advisable.

RESUMEN Los peces introducidos pueden amenazar a la biodiversidad acuática. Perú es un país megadiverso; su costa norte (Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque y La Libertad) presenta una mayor diversidad íctica que su centro y sur. En esta región existen especies introducidas; pero, no se ha encontrado una investigación que consolide los datos sobre las mismas. La investigación tuvo como objetivo preparar una revisión sistemática sobre peces introducidos y potencialmente invasores en la costa norte peruana. Siguiendo las pautas de Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) del 2020, se obtuvieron 2665 documentos de Scopus, WoS, ScienceDirect, SciELO, Pubmed y Google Académico, Tras eliminar documentos duplicados y aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron seis documentos. Se añadieron ocho documentos obtenidos de otras fuentes. Se reportaron 12 especies introducidas: carpa (Cyprinus carpio), gambusia (Gambusia affinis), guppy (Poecilia reticulata), pez cola de espada (Xiphophorus hellerii), mojarra (Coptodon rendalli), tilapia azul (Oreochromis aureus), tilapia mosámbica (Oreochromis mossambicus), tilapia nilótica (Oreochromis niloticus), wami tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis), cobia (Rachycentron canadum), trucha arcoíris (Oncorhynchus mykiss) y carachama (Hypostomus sp.). De estas, cinco especies fueron cíclidos y tres poecílidos; once especies se encontraron en agua dulce, cinco en manglares y dos en el mar. Tumbes registró el mayor número de cuerpos de agua con especies introducidas, Piura registró la mayor cantidad de especies (ocho), mientras que en Lambayeque se reportó solo una especie en un cuerpo de agua. Siete especies: carpa, gambusia, guppy, tilapias (azul, mosámbica y nilótica) y trucha arcoíris tienen alto potencial invasor, pues se encuentran entre las 100 peores especies invasoras de Europa o del mundo. Los documentos evaluados solo han reportado la presencia de especies introducidas, sin profundizar en el impacto que han tenido en los ecosistemas; por lo que, sería recomendable realizar investigaciones en esa dirección.

Abstract Monkey mortality in Costa Rica is due, in most cases, to anthropogenic factors, such as deforestation, forest fragmentation, lack of tree connectivity, and tourism development in most coastal areas. The latter factor has caused the death of at least 450 monkeys per year due to electrocution, as a result of the increase in electrical wiring that has arisen in the different regions with urban development. Faced with this threat, proposals have been developed to avoid the danger, such as the construction of appropriate passage infrastructure for monkeys, the placement of insulated wiring, and the protection of electrical transformers. Using the morphometric measurements of the four species of monkeys native to Costa Rica (Alouatta palliata, Ateles geoffroyi, Saimiri oerstedii, and Cebus imitator), a model of safe and functional aerial passages or bridges for them was designed, the foundations of which are discussed in this article.

Resumen La mortalidad de los monos en Costa Rica se debe, en la mayoría de los casos, a factores antropogénicos, como la deforestación, la fragmentación de los bosques, la falta de conectividad arbórea y el desarrollo turístico en la mayoría de las zonas costeras. Este último factor ha provocado la muerte de al menos 450 monos por año debido a la electrocución, a raíz del aumento del cableado eléctrico que ha surgido en las diferentes regiones con desarrollo urbanístico. Ante esta amenaza se han elaborado propuestas para evitar el peligro, como la construcción de infraestructura de paso apropiada para los monos, la colocación de cableado aislado y la protección de los transformadores eléctricos. Utilizando las medidas morfométricas de las cuatro especies de monos nativas de Costa Rica (Alouatta palliata, Ateles geoffroyi, Saimiri oerstedii y Cebus imitator), se diseñó un modelo de pasos aéreos o puentes seguros y funcionales para ellos, cuyos fundamentos se discuten en el presente artículo.

ABSTRACT Cacti are plants native to the Americas, characterized for their numerous nutritional and functional values, their multiple uses, and their unique morphology and physiology, which allow them to grow and thrive under dry environments with extreme temperatures and in poor soils. Climate Change is imposing great challenges on research and development in agriculture to maintain productivity using sustainable production systems to cope with human population increases. Several strategies are currently being developed to cope with this problem, being domesticating of new species one strategy, particularly if one uses native cacti species. Chile is particularly rich in endemic cacti species. After studying fruit and ethnobotanical characteristics six species were selected for further studies: Corryocactus brevistylus vernacular named “rumba”; Leucostele atacamensis “pasacana”; Airampoa ayrampo “ayrampo”; Browningia candelaris “sabaya”; Eulychnia iquiquensis, “copao de Iquique”; and Haageocereus chilensis “tunilla” which are native cactus species distributed mainly, but not exclusively, in Northern Chile. Their fruits are edible with functional properties or can be used as natural food colorants, characteristics that makes them suitable for domestication. Fruits of C. brevistylus, H. chilensis and L. atacamensis can be consumed fresh, with L. atacamensis having a very high antioxidant capacity. Airampoa ayrampo, on the other hand, has potential as a natural red-purple food colorant. This work shows specific analytical data related to the proportion of pulp in the fruit of these species, and the presence of functional compounds with antioxidant capacity, such as vitamin C and phenolics compounds.

ABSTRACT Medicinal plants (MP) are used in various forms (teas, tinctures, creams, food supplements, etc.), with a single purpose, that of improving the quality of human life from birth to senescence. The choice of the species Cassia angustifolia Vahl, to be introduced into culture and for the development of mechanized cultivation technology is argued by the high demand for ecological raw material, correlated with climate changes. Establishing the optimal planting distance is very important in crop management to improve plant growth and yield. In this study, the effects of planting density on the growth and yield of C. angustifolia plants were evaluated in the edaphoclimatic conditions of Brasov, Romania. The experiment included three factors: Factor A - experimental year: 5 April 2016 (A1), 11 April 2017 (A2), 4 April 2018 (A3). Factor B - Distance row by row (RR): 25 (B1), 50 (B2), and 70 cm (B3). Factor C - Distance plant by plant (PP): Continuous row (C1), 15 cm (C2), and 25 cm (C3). Three years’ data indicated that plant density of 25 (RR) × continuous row (PP) resulted in obtaining the highest yield of fresh (48.33 t ha-1) and dry (7.93 t ha-1) biomass. Increasing planting density increased individual plant development (height, number of branches and weight), but reduced yield of biomass.

ABSTRACT: The success of endodontic treatments is related to the neutralization of bacteria and their toxins, inside and outside the root canal system of a tooth. Usually this is achieved, under ideal conditions, by means of a chemical-mechanical action (endodontic files and irrigation with appropriate solutions). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are well-known for their antibacterial properties, and, for this reason, the aim of this work was to modify the surface of Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) endodontic files with AgNPs, to confer them antimicrobial ability and avoid infections. For this purpose, the preparation and characterization of stable colloids of AgNPs were carried out. Ten NiTi files for endodontics (brand K3 XF, Sybron-Endo Keer) were divided into 2 groups; 5 for group 1 (control, files as received) and 5 for group 2 (files previously coated with AgNPs). Both groups were subjected to biofilm formation using a culture composed of Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis, in an anaerobic environment. Endodontic files were successfully modified with silver nanoparticles, and, after exposure under anaerobic conditions to the selected microorganisms. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the proliferation of microorganisms on the surface of the control files. In contrast, the modified and coated files showed no biofilm formation, and the bacteria exhibited changes in cell wall morphology, likely associated with wall rupture and subsequent cell death. The coating of silver nanoparticles on the surface of the files shows to change the morphology of the bacterial wall, causing death and thus inhibition in formation of microbiological biofilms. Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) are unlikely to be present under the anaerobic conditions used, the microbicidal effect of the nanoparticles indicates that ROS-promoted oxidative stress is not an important mechanism of action, and inactivation of thiol-containing proteins could be a more important mechanism.

RESUMEN: El éxito de los tratamientos de endodoncia está relacionado con la neutralización de las bacterias y sus toxinas, dentro y fuera del sistema de conductos radiculares de un diente. Habitualmente esto se consigue, en condiciones ideales, mediante una acción químico-mecánica (limas endodónticas e irrigación con soluciones adecuadas). Las nanopartículas de plata (AgNPs) son conocidas por sus propiedades antibacterianas, por lo que el objetivo de este trabajo fue modificar la superficie de limas endodónticas de Níquel-Titanio (NiTi) con AgNPs, para conferirles capacidad antimicrobiana y evitar infecciones. Se realizó la preparación y caracterización de coloides estables de AgNPs. Diez limas NiTi para endodoncia (marca K3 XF, Sybron-Endo Keer) se dividieron en dos grupos; 5 para el grupo 1 (control, limas tal como se recibieron) y 5 para el grupo 2 (limas previamente recubiertas con AgNP). Ambos grupos fueron sometidos a la formación de biopelículas utilizando un cultivo compuesto por Candida albicans y Enterococcus faecalis, en un ambiente anaeróbico. Las limas endodónticas se modificaron exitosamente con nanopartículas de plata y, después de la exposición en condiciones anaeróbicas a los microorganismos seleccionados. El análisis mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido reveló proliferación de microorganismos en la superficie de las limas de control. En contraste, las limas modificadas y recubiertas no presentaron formación de biopelículas, y las bacterias evidenciaron cambios en la morfología de su pared celular, posiblemente asociados a la ruptura de esta y a la consecuente muerte celular. El recubrimiento de nanopartículas de plata en la superficie de las limas cambia la morfología de la pared bacteriana, provocando la muerte y por lo tanto la inhibición en la formación de biopelículas microbiológicas. Dado que es poco probable que estén presentes especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) en las condiciones anaeróbicas utilizadas, el efecto microbicida de las nanopartículas indica que el estrés oxidativo promovido por ROS no es un mecanismo de acción importante, y la inactivación de proteínas que contienen tioles podría ser un mecanismo más importante.

Resumo Introdução: A OMS aponta que infecções por enteroparasitos podem afetar ~3,5 bilhões de pessoas globalmente. Pacientes em hemodiálise (HD) podem ser mais suscetíveis a infecções por patógenos oportunistas devido à função imunológica prejudicada. Avaliamos a infecção por enteroparasitos em pacientes em HD de dois centros de diálise e um grupo controle Métodos: Amostras fecais foram processadas pelas técnicas de Hoffmann, Pons&Janner, Ritchie, Willis e Rugai. Incluímos pacientes com insuficiência renal, de dois centros de diálise, em HD por mais de três meses. O grupo controle consistiu em familiares dos pacientes sem DRC evidente. PCR TaqMan e PCR Multiplex em tempo real foram realizadas para detecção de Cryptosporidium spp. e C. parvum e para diferenciar o complexo Entamoeba (E.) histolytica/E. dispar, respectivamente Resultados: 97 pacientes em HD e 42 controles foram incluídos no estudo. Cinquenta (51,5%) amostras fecais do grupo HD foram positivas para enteroparasitos, assim como 26 (61,9%) do grupo controle (P = 0,260). S. stercoralis foi o único helminto detectado, presente apenas nos pacientes em HD. A coproscopia detectou sete amostras positivas para o complexo E. histolytica/E. dispar, três de pacientes em HD e quatro controles: através da PCR, todas as amostras foram positivas para E. dispar não patogênica. As lâminas de esfregaço fecal coradas com safranina foram todas negativas para Cryptosporidium spp. Entretanto, através da PCR, observou-se amplificação para Crypstosporidium spp. em seis amostras, todas de pacientes em HD. Duas das espécies foram classificadas como C. hominis por PCR-RFLP Conclusões: A infecção por enteroparasitos, detectada por técnicas tradicionais, não foi mais prevalente em pacientes em HD, mas o S. stercoralis foi encontrado exclusivamente entre eles. Vale ressaltar que a infecção por Cryptosporidium spp., que também afetou somente pacientes em HD, pôde ser detectada somente por técnicas de biologia molecular. Introdução 35 3 5 ~3, globalmente (HD prejudicada Métodos Hoffmann PonsJanner Pons Janner Pons&Janner Ritchie Rugai renal meses evidente spp C E (E. histolyticaE histolytica histolytica/E Resultados 9 4 estudo 51,5% 515 51 (51,5% 2 61,9% 619 61 (61,9% P 0,260. 0260 0,260 . 0 260 0,260) S detectado patogênica Entretanto observouse observou se PCRRFLP RFLP Conclusões tradicionais eles molecular ~3 (E 51,5 (51,5 61,9 6 (61,9 026 0,26 ~ 51, (51, 61, (61, 02 0,2 (51 (61 0, (5 (6 (

Abstract Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that infection by enteroparasites can affect ~3.5 billion people around the world. Hemodialysis (HD) patients may be more susceptible to infections by opportunistic pathogens due to impaired immune function. We evaluated enteroparasite infection in a sample of HD-patients from two dialysis centers and in a control group. Methods: Fecal samples were processed using the Hoffmann-Pons-Janner, Ritchie, Willis, and Rugai techniques. Patients with kidney failure from two dialysis centers undergoing HD for more than 3 months were included. The control group consisted of relatives of the patients without overt CKD. The TaqMan PCR and multiplex real-time PCR were carried out for detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and C. parvum and to differentiate the Entamoeba (E.) histolytica/E. dispar complex, respectively Results: A total of 97 HD patients and 42 controls were enrolled in the study. Fifty (51.5%) fecal samples from the HD group were positive for enteroparasites, as were 26 (61.9%) from the control group (P = 0.260). S. stercoralis was the single helminth detected and was only present in HD-patients. Coproscopy detected seven positive samples for the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex, three from HD patients and four from controls: by PCR, all samples were positive for the non-pathogenic E. dispar. Safranin-stained fecal smear slides were all negative for Cryptosporidium spp. However, by PCR, amplification for Crypstosporidium spp. was seen in six samples, all from the HD patients. Two of the species were classified as C. hominis by PCR-RFLP Conclusions: Enteroparasite infection as detected by traditional techniques were not more prevalent in HD patients, but S. stercoralis was only found in these patients. It is noteworthy that Cryptosporidium spp. infection, also affecting only HD patients, could only be detected by molecular biology techniques. Introduction WHO (WHO 35 5 ~3. world (HD function HDpatients Methods HoffmannPonsJanner, HoffmannPonsJanner Hoffmann Pons Janner, Janner Hoffmann-Pons-Janner Ritchie Willis included CKD realtime real time spp C E (E. histolyticaE histolytica histolytica/E complex Results 9 4 study 51.5% 515 51 (51.5% 2 61.9% 619 61 (61.9% P 0.260. 0260 0.260 . 0 260 0.260) S HDpatients. nonpathogenic non pathogenic Safraninstained Safranin stained However PCRRFLP RFLP Conclusions ~3 (E 51.5 (51.5 61.9 6 (61.9 026 0.26 ~ 51. (51. 61. (61. 02 0.2 (51 (61 0. (5 (6 (

ABSTRACT Crop rotation and straw return are important sustainable agricultural practices. However, their combined impact on the soil microbiota is poorly understood. Here, the effects of crop rotation and straw return on rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity, soil properties and soil microbial community was investigated in a Chinese southern paddy soil. There were six treatments, including rice-fallow (RF), rice-rape (Brassica campestris L.) rotation (RR), rice-edamame (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation (RE), RF with rice straw return (RFS), RR with rice and rape straw return (RRS), and RE with rice and edamame straw return (RES). The results showed that rice yields in RR and RE were increased by 6.28% and 6.93% relative to RF and straw return group increased by 3.03%-8.16% relative to the group without straw return. Rotation increased soil available P (AP) and RRS significantly increased soil organic matter (OM), total N (TN) and available K (AK) in comparison with RR. Rotation impacts soil microbial community in a stronger way than straw return. Rotation increased the bacterial species numbers and fungal Shannon index. Disease-suppressing bacteria were enriched and some fungal pathogen was decreased in rotation treatments. Straw return had no potential risk in increasing the microbial pathogens. Soil fertilities like AK and AP were closely correlated with bacterial alpha-diversity and rice yield. In conclusion, our research demonstrated that combined crop rotation and straw return is an optimum agricultural practice in increasing rice productivity and soil fertility. The impacts of crop rotation and straw return on the microbiota were distinct. These findings help us manage the crops and residues in southern China.

The southern African Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene hominin record is abundant and exhibits a high taxonomic diversity with three genera represented: Australopithecus, Paranthropus and Homo. Hominin fossil diversity and variation are often contextualised within other fossil assemblages or modern/extant counterparts. However, the incompleteness of the fossil record, sample selection bias and taphonomic condition of the specimens themselves constrain interpretations of diversity and variation within and between species. Thus, species identification and the nature of the observed variation are frequently debated. Palaeoproteomics can help improve our understanding of taxonomic variation, as demonstrated by the recently generated proteome of Paranthropus specimens from Swartkrans. Here, we demonstrate protein preservation for an A. africanus specimen from Sterkfontein Member 4, Sts 63, using minimally invasive analysis, and identify it as belonging to a male individual. We then discuss some of the current limitations of palaeoproteomics and how we can potentially overcome them. Although it is still in its infancy for Plio-Pleistocene hominin fossils, palaeoproteomics has the potential to help unravel the causes of observed morphological variation. Lastly, we strongly believe that the involvement of African researchers at all levels of this research, including leadership, is of great importance. SIGNIFICANCE: We have successfully determined the biological sex of an Australopithecus africanus specimen (Sts 63) from Sterkfontein Member 4 with the age range of 3.5 to 2.01 Ma, with a high degree of confidence, and we have assessed the extent of protein preservation. These discoveries hold significant implications for our understanding of sexual dimorphism and intraspecies variation as observed in African Plio-Pleistocene hominins.

South Africa is host to the single richest early hominin fossil record worldwide, including many examples of the endemic species Australopithecus africanus fossils. This species was first described by Raymond Dart in 1925 from the deposits near the town of Taung. Later, many more fossils, of different species and genera, were found in the caves of the Sterkfontein and Makapan Valleys. To understand this rich and diverse fossil record, we must understand how the landscape formed (cave formation processes) and changed (mining), when this happened (geochronology), and how the fossils were accumulated and modified (taphonomy). Here we provide a review of these themes to mark the centenary of the Taung Child discovery. We mark this moment in our field by critically reflecting on the role of extractive practices, especially centred around past mining of the Caves and the exclusion of many members of research teams. The South African Fossil Hominid sites provide a unique opportunity to expand our understanding of the intersection between human evolution and changing environmental conditions, as the karstic landscape and remnant cave systems preserve both fossils and sedimentary archives of past environmental change. We offer a perspective on future research areas: more standardised excavation practices and techniques to raise the quality of data collected from the caves and new techniques to date and extract palaeoclimate data from cave deposits themselves, to provide novel insights into the world of the early australopiths. SIGNIFICANCE: This review introduces the reader to the important fossil remains and palaeoclimate archives preserved within South Africa, highlighting the key species Australopithecus africanus and marking the centenary of its first description from the site of Taung. We review the geological and exploration history of the South African hominin fossil sites and discuss how they are intrinsically linked. We explore the impact of past extractive practices on the fossil and palaeoclimatic archives for past, current and future research. We go on to emphasise members of research teams who have been crucial to the discovery and recovery of fossils but have often been excluded and remained unnamed.

This piece reflects on the importance of and focus on heads - especially the collecting of skulls and its impacts - in alpha taxonomy, biological anthropology, and Western science more broadly. We consider how the announcement and overall discovery story of the Taung Child revolutionised our understanding of hominin cranial evolution, but also fit within these skull-collecting objectives and contributed to the palaeoanthropological fixation on the skull. We contextualise this within the history of 'physical' anthropology in light of its initial goals in scientific racism, and consider how this process of skull collecting has become normalised in the discipline as a result of this history. As evidence for this, we quantify the possible effects of skull-collecting by collating available data on the number of skulls versus post-crania curated in a representative South African collection and compare the number of skulls versus post-cranial hominin fossils that form part of species hypodigms. We also explore how the ownership of skulls and ownership of narrative in the discipline have been intertwined throughout its history. Finally, we focus on how this early overemphasis on skulls, and especially brain size/intelligence, may have skewed our understanding of human evolution and contributed to ideas of human exceptionalism. SIGNIFICANCE: • The discipline of palaeoanthropology has a history of skull-focused research rooted in skull collecting and racist research. • Historial skeletal collections and holotypes of fossil hominins are skull-biased. • The Taung Child fossil postcranial remains were not included in the original study, which reflects this skull-centrism. • Palaeoanthropologists need to recognise biases in research choices and the context from which our field developed.

In this novel study, the efficacy of metakaolinite for the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) was evaluated. The optimized parameters included the feedstock dosage and contact time. Experimental results were further explored using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution-focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (HR-FIB/SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Optimum conditions were observed to be 45 min of mixing time, >10 g-L-1 of feedstock dosage, i.e., metakaolinite, and ambient temperature and pH. The metal content (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Al, and Zn) embedded in AMD matrices were partially removed whilst the level of sulphate was significantly reduced. Chemical species removal efficacies were observed to occur in the following sequence; Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb > Mn > Ni > sulphate > Mg > Fe, with the following removal percentages: 100, 91.7, 74.6, 65, 38.8, 37.5, 32.3, 13.8, and 8.3%, respectively. Thus metakaolinite proved to be partially effective in the treatment of AMD emanating from coal-mining processes. Furthermore, to enhance the performance of this technology, a polishing technique needs to be coupled or integrated to further remove residual inorganic contaminants, as well as other forms of modification such as the addition of alkaline agents to synthesize the nanocomposite and increase its alkalinizing capabilities.

Abstract Wetlands worldwide face increasing challenges due to human activities such as water extraction, deforestation, and overfishing. These ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity, water retention, and purification. In Ecuador, the “Abras de Mantequilla” wetland exemplifies these pressures. It serves as a vital site for studying the interactions between soil fertility and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in forest ecosystems. The study focused on the soil fertility, particularly in relation to AMF in "Noah Morán" secondary forest within the Abras de Mantequilla wetland. The key role of AMF in improving soil fertility was highlighted. Soil samples were collected from the root zone of four forest tree species i.e., Guazuma ulmifolia, Albizia guachapele, Eugenia pustulescens, Cecropia peltate. The four investigated soil samples had marginal differences in the soil physicochemical properties. Number of AMF species were found in the four soils in the range of 16 to 39; Number of por Several AMF lowest por the lowest (16) and highest (39) AMF species were found in E. pustulescens and A. guachapele soils, respectively. AMF species ‘Akent’ was the most dominant (abundance #16) AMF species found in the soils of C. peltate. The ranges of Shannon_H and Simpson_1-D values were found to be 1.78-1.9 and 0.79-0.85, respectively. These insights are important to understanding soil-plant-microorganism interactions in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the Abras de Mantequilla wetland.

Abstract The broiler industry supplies quality protein, which is in constant development. It seeks productive strategies that improve production, health, growth, and survival and reduce the poultry industry's diseases, stress, and long-term environmental impact. Broiler chickens are exposed to numerous microorganisms that alter production, and this is an opportunity for yeasts to promote the growth of organisms, stimulate the immune system, improve health, promote changes in intestinal structure, and inhibit pathogens. This review summarizes the current knowledge and effect of active yeast species on raising chickens, nutrition, immunity, digestibility, changes in intestinal structure, and pathogens on those organisms. Due to their nutritional value, active yeasts are used as natural and alternative ingredients in broiler chickens. They are a source of b-glucans, chitin, nucleic acids, mannan-oligosaccharides, b-carotene, and vitamins. Enzymes they produce improve intestinal maturity and digestion. The immune and antioxidant properties of yeasts play an essential role as probiotics and immunostimulants to enhance the resistance of broilers against common viral and bacterial diseases. Bioactive products generated by active yeasts can improve intestinal microbiota and positively alter the immune response, phagocytosis, encapsulation, etc. Different active yeast species and strains have been used and have generated exciting results. They are popular as beneficial candidates for nutrition by maintaining broiler chickens’ health's and well-being conditions. Future studies must understand the functioning and effect of species and strains on broiler chickens in their different processes, the use of new research tools (proteomics, radioisotopes, real-time molecular biology, etc.) can facilitate these studies.

Abstract The genus Pleurotus presents a multivariate species diversity due to its ability to grow in different substrates and environments. Whether wild or cultivated, they are edible mushrooms, as they present a high nutritional value and are medicinal due to their bioactive compounds with positive health effects. The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of the genus Pleurotus, since it is a cosmopolitan mushroom, and its properties can be used in different industrial applications and be a functional alternative for our future. Due to their saprophytic nature, they produce enzymes that act on the substrate in which they grow, degrading lignocellulosic material such as wood, forest and agricultural residues, hardwoods, wood by-products, cereal straw, bagasse, etc., and thanks to this degradative capacity, their enzymes are used in a wide range of biotechnological and environmental applications. In order to increase their production and consumption not only for their nutritional qualities, but also for their nutraceutical and biotechnological qualities, ease of cultivation, low investment cost, etc., new ways are being sought to increase their performance in cultivation. Recently, research has expanded the search for alternative uses of the Pleurotus genus, which has led to an increase in its cultivation, as well as its application in different fields of biotechnology. The cultivation of Pleurotus mushrooms represents an opportunity to generate a sustainable process and incorporate the process into a circular economy, generating environmental, social and economic benefits. The use of agro-industrial substrates and the subsequent reuse of the spent substrate as compost or organic fertilizer reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and minimizes methane production. This allows for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly production model. Therefore, it is necessary to develop strategies for the promotion, marketing and sustainable production of products derived from these fungi.