A tribute to José María ("Chema") Cantú

José María ("Chema") Cantú (1938-2007), nacido en México, fue un líder pionero, amado y respetado en genética médica y humana y bioética en América Latina. Se graduó como médico en México y luego se formó en genética médica y humana en Francia y los Estados Unidos. Fue instrumental en el desarrollo de un programa de investigación, capacitación y genética de primera categoría en genética médica y humana en Guadalajara, en el noroeste de México. Actuó enérgicamente a nivel nacional, regional e internacional para promover el desarrollo científico a través de la colaboración y la educación en ciencias y humanidades, al mismo tiempo que se esforzaba por la justicia, la paz, el amor y los derechos humanos. Él alcanzó algunos de los honores más altos que un científico y un humanista podían aspirar así como el reconocimiento de las comunidades que él sirvió. Cientos de discípulos de América Latina y del mundo se han inspirado en su visión de un mundo mejor a través de la conjunción de la ciencia, el respeto a la humanidad, la ética y el amor.José María (“Chema”) Cantú (1938-2007), born in Mexico, was a pioneering, loved and respected leader in medical and human genetics and bioethics in Latin America. He graduated as a physician in Mexico and then trained in medical and human genetics in France and the United States. He was instrumental in developing a first-rate research, training and genetic services program in medical and human genetics in Guadalajara, in northwestern Mexico. He acted forcefully at national, regional and international levels to promote scientific development through collaboration and education in science and humanities, while he simultaneously strived for justice, peace, love and human rights. He attained some of the highest honors a scientist and humanist could aspire to as well as the recognition of the communities he served. Hundreds of disciples throughout Latin America and the world have been inspired by his vision of a better world through the conjunction of science, respect for humankind, ethics and love

Coefficient shifts in geographical ecology: an empirical evaluation of spatial and non-spatial regression

Copyright © 2009 The Authors. Copyright © ECOGRAPHY 2009.A major focus of geographical ecology and macro ecology is to understand the causes of spatially structured ecological patterns. However, achieving this understanding can be complicated when using multiple regressions, because the relative importance of explanatory variables, as measured by regression coefficients, can shift depending on whether spatially explicit or non-spatial modelling is used. However, the extent to which coefficients may shift and why shifts occur are unclear. Here, we analyze the relationship between environmental predictors and the geographical distribution of species richness, body size, range size and abundance in 97 multi-factorial data sets. Our goal was to compare standardized partial regression coefficients of non-spatial ordinary least squares regressions (i.e. models fitted using ordinary least squares without taking autocorrelation into account; “OLS models” hereafter) and eight spatial methods to evaluate the frequency of coefficient shifts and identify characteristics of data that might predict when shifts are likely. We generated three metrics of coefficient shifts and eight characteristics of the data sets as predictors of shifts. Typical of ecological data, spatial autocorrelation in the residuals of OLS models was found in most data sets. The spatial models varied in the extent to which they minimized residual spatial autocorrelation. Patterns of coefficient shifts also varied among methods and datasets, although the magnitudes of shifts tended to be small in all cases. We were unable to identify strong predictors of shifts, including the levels of autocorrelation in either explanatory variables or model residuals. Thus, changes in coefficients between spatial and non-spatial methods depend on the method used and are largely idiosyncratic, making it difficult to predict when or why shifts occur. We conclude that the ecological importance of regression coefficients cannot be evaluated with confidence irrespective of whether spatially explicit modelling is used or not. Researchers may have little choice but to be more explicit about the uncertainty of models and more cautious in their interpretation

Historical Legacies in World Amphibian Diversity Revealed by the Turnover and Nestedness Components of Beta Diversity

Historic processes are expected to influence present diversity patterns in combination with contemporary environmental factors. We hypothesise that the joint use of beta diversity partitioning methods and a threshold-based approach may help reveal the effect of large-scale historic processes on present biodiversity. We partitioned intra-regional beta diversity into its turnover (differences in composition caused by species replacements) and nestedness-resultant (differences in species composition caused by species losses) components. We used piecewise regressions to show that, for amphibian beta diversity, two different world regions can be distinguished. Below parallel 37, beta diversity is dominated by turnover, while above parallel 37, beta diversity is dominated by nestedness. Notably, these regions are revealed when the piecewise regression method is applied to the relationship between latitude and the difference between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the present temperature but not when present energy-water factors are analysed. When this threshold effect of historic climatic change is partialled out, current energy-water variables become more relevant to the nestedness-resultant dissimilarity patterns, while mountainous areas are associated with higher spatial turnover. This result suggests that nested patterns are caused by species losses that are determined by physiological constraints, whereas turnover is associated with speciation and/or Pleistocene refugia. Thus, the new threshold-based view may help reveal the role of historic factors in shaping present amphibian beta diversity patterns

Consultoría en sus etapas de diagnóstico y primeras implementaciones para una empresa dedicada a la construcción

El Proyecto de Aplicación Profesional (PAP) de Consultoría para la Competitividad para la empresa fue el resultado de una colaboración entre un equipo multidisciplinar de consultores junior, un consultor senior y los directores generales de la empresa. La empresa tiene dos unidades de negocio: el primero corresponde a productos y servicios relacionados con la construcción, mientras que el segundo está relacionado con proyectos de ingeniería para la captación y gestión de aguas pluviales. El objetivo del PAP durante el periodo Otoño 2022 fue realizar un ejercicio de diagnóstico de la empresa y diseñar un plan estratégico de crecimiento con herramientas de ayuda a la gestión de la empresa. Como resultado del proyecto y del diagnóstico, se identificaron las capacidades a desarrollar, en Áreas Claves de Desempeño (ACD) que son: -Institucionalización y formalización de la empresa -Estructuración de información financiera -Posicionamiento de la marca “La empresa” -Gestión operativa y de calidad Para potencializar estas ACD, se arrancaron como primeras implementaciones un manual de RH, un manual para el aseguramiento de calidad de actividades operativas, una herramienta de evaluación de prospectos de proyectos, una herramienta de análisis financiero para los proyectos de la empresa, el organigrama presente y futuro (4 años) de la empresa, y un formato para el perfil y descripciones de puestos. Finalizamos este proyecto con sugerencias a futuro para dar uso y seguimiento a estas herramientas, y dar continuidad al ejercicio de consultoría el siguiente periodo correspondiente a Primavera 2023.ITESO, A.C

Evaluation of sorghum and pearl millet for acid-soil tolerance in the Oriental Llanos of Colombia

Grandes extensiones de tierra en los países de Latino América (comúnmente llamadas Sabanas, Llanos o Cerrados), que tradicionalmente son usados para la producción ganadera, poseen un gran potencial agrícola. Sorgo y millo perla representan una alta contribución dentro de los programas de diversificación de dichos sistemas. Gran cantidad de materiales de sorgo granífero (materiales andro-estéríles, restauradores de fertilidad) y materiales forrajeros de sorgo y millo perla fueron introducidos en Colombia. Durante cuatro ciclos consecutivos los materiales fueron evaluados en diferentes porcentajes de saturación de Al3+ intercambiable del suelo. Sorgos andro-esteriles y restauradores de fertilidad de alta producción de grano y líneas forrajeras de sorgo y millo perla fueron seleccionados por su tolerancia a suelos ácídos, y sus producciones de grano/forraje se compararon con variedades liberadas por INTSORMIL (para grano) y maíz Sikuani (para forraje). Las líneas finalmente seleccionadas: 20 pares de líneas AIB; 20 líneas restauradoras de fertilidad, 4 materiales de sorgo y 20 de millo perla, son mantenidos dentro de un programa de multiplicación de semilla. Así mismo, se menciona brevemente el desarrollo de híbridos y su selección. Se formaron dos poblaciones de sorgo en dos poblaciones y sus derivados, e inclusive se realizaron ensayos de emasculación, los cuales hacen parte de los materiales mejorados para evaluación y observación de los próximos ciclos de selección para tolerancia a suelos ácidos

Physiological and molecular implications of plant PA metabolism during biotic interactions

During ontogeny, plants interact with a wide variety of microorganisms. The association with mutualistic microbes results in benefits for the plant. By contrast, pathogens may cause a remarkable impairment of plant growth and development. Both types of interactions provoke notable changes in the PA metabolism of the host and/or the microbe, being each interaction a complex and dynamic process. Regarding this, it has been well documented that the levels of PA s, mainly putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, and their conjugated forms suffer profound changes in plant tissues interacting with microorganisms. In general, this is correlated with the induction of biosynthetic as well as catabolic enzymes. Interestingly, some evidences suggest that the relative importance of these metabolic pathways may depend on the nature of the microorganism. This concept stems from the fact that these amines, in particular spermine, mediate the activation of plant defense mechanisms. This effect is not only exerted by the PA itself, but its catabolism has been likewise demonstrated to make a remarkable contribution to defense. Thus, apoplastic H2O2 generated by the activity of PA oxidases induces defense gene expression and elicits plant cell death during the hypersensitive response. In this trend, it was shown that PA oxidation favors the infections originated by necrotrophic microorganisms, which fed from dead matter, but protect plants from biotrophic pathogens colonizing living plant tissues. In turn, a precise coordination of general PA metabolism would also be required to allow mutualistic interactions to occur. In the last years, a great deal of effort has been devoted to profile plant gene expression in response to invading microorganisms. In addition, the phenotypes of transgenic and mutant plants in PA metabolic genes have been assessed. In this review, we integrated the current knowledge on this field and analyze the possible roles of these amines during the interaction of plants with microbes.Fil: Jimenez Bremont, Juan F.. Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica; MéxicoFil: Marina, María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ; ArgentinaFil: Guerrero González, Maria de la Luz. Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica; MéxicoFil: Rossi, Franco R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez Rangel, Diana. Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica; MéxicoFil: Rodríguez Kessler, Margarita. Universidad Autónoma de San Luís de Potosí; MéxicoFil: Ruiz, Oscar Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ; ArgentinaFil: Gárriz, Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ; Argentin

Transcriptomic analysis reveals differential gene expression in response to aluminium in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes

Background and Aims: Aluminium (Al) resistance in common bean is known to be due to exudation of citrate from the root after a lag phase, indicating the induction of gene transcription and protein synthesis. The aims of this study were to identify Al-induced differentially expressed genes and to analyse the expression of candidate genes conferring Al resistance in bean. Methods: The suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method was used to identify differentially expressed genes in an Al-resistant bean genotype ( Quimbaya ) during the induction period. Using quantitative real-time PCR the expression patterns of selected genes were compared between an Al-resistant and an Al-sensitive genotype ( VAX 1 ) treated with Al for up to 24 h. Key Results: Short-term Al treatment resulted in up-regulation of stress-induced genes and down-regulation of genes involved in metabolism. However, the expressions of genes encoding enzymes involved in citrate metabolism were not significantly affected by Al. Al treatment dramatically increased the expression of common bean expressed sequence tags belonging to the citrate transporter gene family MATE (multidrug and toxin extrusion family protein) in both the Al-resistant and -sensitive genotype in close agreement with Al-induced citrate exudation. Conclusions: The expression of a citrate transporter MATE gene is crucial for citrate exudation in common bean. However, although the expression of the citrate transporter is a prerequisite for citrate exudation, genotypic Al resistance in common bean particularly depends on the capacity to sustain the synthesis of citrate for maintaining the cytosolic citrate pool that enables exudation

Movement vectors and deformation mechanisms in kinematic restorations: A case study from the Colombian Eastern Cordillera

We have developed a new method to assess the movement of particles in different steps of a well-calibrated sequential kinematic restoration. Calibration included correct assessment of amounts of overburden, sedimentation, erosion, and thermal behavior through time. Our method allowed a better understanding of the mechanisms of deformation and uplift in different geologic provinces. In our pilot case study in the Colombian Eastern Cordillera, we have used movement vectors in balanced cross sections to document an initial phase of dominant vertical uplift and a final phase of dominant tangential horizontal shortening. Our findings challenged the common assumptions related to folding and deformation mechanisms in fold-and-thrust belts used for cross-section balancing and palinspastic reconstructions. Thus, we found that the movement vectors in cross sections can be used to test and validate a complete procedure to obtain calibrated sequential kinematic restorations and represent a powerful tool to better understand deformation mechanisms in different settings. </jats:p