Probabilistic Quantitative Temporal Constraints:Representing,Reasoning,and Query Answering

In many applications and domains,temporal constraints between actions, and their probabilities play an important role. We propose the first approach in the literature coping with probabilistic quantitative constraints. To achieve such a challenging goal, we extend the widely used simple temporal problem(STP) framework to consider probabilities.Specifically,we propose i) a formal representation of probabilistic quantitative constraints, ii) an algorithm,based on the operations of intersection and composition,for the propagation of such temporal constraints, and iii) facilities to support query answering on a set of such constraints. As a result, we provide users with the first homogeneous method supporting the treatment(representing,reasoning,and querying) of probabilistic quantitative constraints, as required by many applications and domains.

Fitness Cost Shapes Differential Evolutionary Dynamics of Disease Resistance Genes in Cultivated and Wild Plants

Polyploidy is characterized by the presence of two or more complete sets of chromosomes coming from intraspecies whole-genome duplication(i.e.,autopolyploidy)or from hybridization between distinct but related species(i.e.,allopolyploidy).Poly-ploidization is a driving force in the evolution of higher plants,most of the plant species have experienced ancient or recent genome duplication events that have led to several genome modifications,such as chromosomal reorganization,gene conversion,sub-genome dominance,alteration of gene expression patterns,and expansion/contraction of some gene families.

Fungal diversity notes 603–708: taxonomic and phylogenetic notes on genera and species

This is the sixth in a series of papers where we bring collaborating mycologists together to produce a set of notes of several taxa of fungi.In this study we introduce a new family Fuscostagonosporaceae in Dothideomycetes.We also introduce the new ascomycete genera Acericola,Castellaniomyces,Dictyosporina and Longitudinalis and new species Acericola italica,Alternariaster trigonosporus,Amarenomyces dactylidis,Angustimassarina coryli,Astrocystis bambusicola,Castellaniomyces rosae,Chaetothyrina artocarpi,Chlamydotubeufia krabiensis,Colletotrichum lauri,Collodiscula chiangraiensis,Curvularia palmicola,Cytospora mali-sylvestris,Dictyocheirospora cheirospora,Dictyosporina ferruginea,Dothiora coronillae,Dothiora spartii,Dyfrolomyces phetchaburiensis,Epicoccum cedri,Epicoccum pruni,Fasciatispora calami,Fuscostagonospora cytisi,Grandibotrys hyalinus,Hermatomyces nabanheensis,Hongkongmyces thailandica,Hysterium rhizophorae,Jahnula guttulaspora,Kirschsteiniothelia rostrata,Koorchalomella salmonispora,Longitudinalis nabanheensis,Lophium zalerioides,Magnibotryascoma mali,Meliola clerodendri-infortunati,Microthyrium chinense,Neodidymelliopsis moricola,Neophaeocryptopus spartii,Nigrograna thymi,Ophiocordyceps cossidarum,Ophiocordyceps issidarum,Ophiosimulans plantaginis,Otidea pruinosa,Otidea stipitata,Paucispora kunmingense,Phaeoisaria microspora,Pleurothecium floriforme,Poaceascoma halophila,Periconia aquatica,Periconia submersa,Phaeosphaeria acaciae,Phaeopoacea muriformis,Pseudopithomyces kunmingnensis,Ramgea ozimecii,Sardiniella celtidis,Seimatosporium italicum,Setoseptoria scirpi,Torula gaodangensis and Vamsapriya breviconidiophora.We also provide an amended account of Rhytidhysteron to include apothecial ascomata and a J?hymenium.The type species of Ascotrichella hawksworthii(Xylariales genera incertae sedis),Biciliopsis leptogiicola(Sordariomycetes genera incertae sedis),Brooksia tropicalis(Micropeltidaceae),Bryochiton monascus(Teratosphaeriaceae),Bryomyces scapaniae(Pseudoperisporiaceae),Buelliella minimula(Dothideomycetes genera incertae sedis),Carinispora nypae(Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae),Cocciscia hammeri(Verrucariaceae),Endoxylina astroidea(Diatrypaceae),Exserohilum turcicum(Pleosporaceae),Immotthia hypoxylon(Roussoellaceae),Licopolia franciscana(Vizellaceae),Murispora rubicunda(Amniculicolaceae)and Doratospora guianensis(synonymized under Rizalia guianensis,Trichosphaeriaceae)were reexamined and descriptions,illustrations and discussion on their familial placement are given based on phylogeny and morphological data.New host records or new country reports are provided for Chlamydotubeufia huaikangplaensis,Colletotrichum fioriniae,Diaporthe subclavata,Diatrypella vulgaris,Immersidiscosia eucalypti,Leptoxyphium glochidion,Stemphylium vesicarium,Tetraploa yakushimensis and Xepicula leucotricha.Diaporthe baccae is synonymized under Diaporthe rhusicola.A reference specimen is provided for Periconia minutissima.Updated phylogenetic trees are provided for most families and genera.We introduce the new basidiomycete species Agaricus purpurlesquameus,Agaricus rufusfibrillosus,Lactifluus holophyllus,Lactifluus luteolamellatus,Lactifluus pseudohygrophoroides,Russula benwooii,Russula hypofragilis,Russula obscurozelleri,Russula parapallens,Russula phoenicea,Russula pseudopelargonia,Russula pseudotsugarum,Russula rhodocephala,Russula salishensis,Steccherinum amapaense,Tephrocybella constrictospora,Tyromyces amazonicus and Tyromyces angulatus and provide updated trees to the genera.We also introduce Mortierella formicae in Mortierellales,Mucoromycota and provide an updated phylogenetic tree.

Honey exposure stimulates wound repair of human dermal fibroblasts

Honey is widely used for treating burns, ulcers and wounds, but the mechanisms of action are poorly known and the product is mainlyused as an antimicrobial. We have examined here the wound healing properties of honey on human fi broblasts, using an in vitroscratch wound healing model. Three kinds of widely used monofl oral honeys were used, viz. acacia (Robinia pseudacacia), buckwheat(Fagopyrum sp.), and manuka (Leptospermum scoparium). Data displayed an increased wound healing activity in fi broblasts, butwith diff erent effi ciency and mechanisms of action among honeys. The eff ects of acacia and buckwheat emerged in both scratchwound and chemotaxis assays, while the eff ect of manuka was signifi cant but lower. The use of inhibitors indicated on the wholean essential role of cytosolic calcium, an important role of ERK and p38, and a secondary role of PI3K. Acacia and buckwheat,but not manuka, induced signifi cant increases in the release of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, and IL-8, indicating a correlation betweeninterleukin upregulation and wound closure effi ciency. This is consistent with our previous fi ndings suggesting a higher ability ofacacia and buckwheat to activate keratinocyte reepithelialization, with respect to manuka honey. In conclusion, our data indicatethat acacia and buckwheat honeys are particularly effi cient in facilitating fi broblast wound closure activities, suggesting newtherapeutic possibilities for this natural product.

Propolis:a new frontier for wound healing?

Propolis is a resin produced by honeybees by mixing wax,pollen,salivary secretions,and collected natural resins.The precise composition of propolis varies with the source,and over 300 chemical components belonging to the flavonoids,terpenes,and phenolic acids have been identified in propolis.Moreover,its chemical composition is subjected to the geographical location,botanical origin,and bee species.Propolis and its compounds have been the focus of many works due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity;however,it is now recognized that propolis also possesses regenerative properties.There is an increasing interest in the healing potential of natural products,considering the availability and low cost of these products.Propolis contains a huge number of compounds that explicate some biological effects that speeds up the healing process and is widely used in folk remedies.This review aims to condense the results on the mechanism of activity of propolis and its compounds.