Los desafíos del futuro: crecimiento poblacional y desarrollo

Sobre una poblacion actual de 7.300 millones de personas, las previsiones estiman un incremento de alrededor de 4.000 millones mas hacia 2100, que sera desigual y se localizara mayormente en Africa. Dicho panorama poblacional no necesariamente se refleja en la proyeccion economica y relevancia a nivel internacional de los paises dado que, por ejemplo, los paises BRIC, al tiempo que son economias que se proyectan como de alto perfil en este siglo, estan entre los paises mas poblados, mientras que, por otro lado, Canada es un actor economico de importancia y sin embargo no posee una poblacion de gran volumen. En ese marco, considerando el planteo de una "era urbana", de la denominada "tercera revolucion urbana" (Ascher, 2007) y atendiendo a los desafios inmediatos que tal situacion de poblacion plantea, se consideran los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS), que suceden a los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio. Entre tales objetivos, el Objetivo 11 establece el logro de que las ciudades y asentamientos humanos sean inclusivos y seguros, tanto como sostenibles y resilientes. Se concluye que el aporte de los paises de altos ingresos debiera aumentar para lograr hacer una diferencia real en las condiciones de todas las ciudades, ayudando asi a evitar desequilibrios que impacten en cualquier clase de dano posible (por ejemplo, la contaminacion) y al mismo tiempo reafirmando el sustrato etico de estas consideraciones

Transitions between Stationary States and the Measurement Problem

Accounting for projections during measurements is the traditional measurement problem. Transitions between stationary states require measurements, posing a different measurement problem. Both are compared. Several interpretations of quantum mechanics attempting to solve the traditional measurement problem are summarized. A highly desirable aim is to account for both problems. Not every interpretation of quantum mechanics achieves this goal

Surface polysaccharide biosynthesis and function, and regulation by DmxA and c-di-GMP in Myxococcus xanthus

Bacteria possess surface polysaccharides that fulfill different functions, e.g. mediate host/pathogen interactions and protect cells from desiccatio stress, predation or immunological reactions. Myxococcus xanthus is a Gram-negative deltaproteobacterium with a complex and nutrient-dependent life cycle. In the presence of nutrients, cells grow, divide and form coordinately spreading colonies on a solid surface. Upon starvation, cells initiate a developmental program that culminates in the formation of spore-filled fruiting bodies. Both parts of the lifecycle involve extensive cell-cell interactions. So far, three different surface polysaccharides have been identified in M. xanthus: lipopolysaccharide (LPS), exopolysaccharide (EPS) and spore coat polysaccharide. However little is known about their biosynthetic machineries, regulation and composition. To understand how these polysaccharides are synthesized in M. xanthus, we identified homologs of proteins involved in surface polysaccharide biosynthesis (i.e. proteins of Wzx/Wzy or ABCtransporter dependent pathways). Bioinformatics, genetic analyses, heterologous expression, and biochemical experiments, in combination with detection of LPS, EPS or spore coat polysaccharide biosynthesis, allowed us to elucidate the biosynthetic pathways for LPS Oantigen and EPS. Moreover, we identified the missing components of the spore coat polysaccharide biosynthesis machinery. While synthesis of LPS O-antigen depends on an ABCtransporter-dependent pathway, synthesis of EPS and spore coat polysaccharide involves Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathways. Each individual pathway is dedicated to the biosynthesis of one polysaccharide. We also identified a polysaccharide biosynthesis locus of unknown function encoding homologs of a Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathway. Using selected mutants exclusively blocked in the synthesis of one of these sugars, we reevaluated the role of these surface glycans. We show that O-antigen is essential for development and gliding motility, but conditionally important for type IV pili (T4P)-dependent motility. By contrast, EPS is important for agglutination, T4P-dependent motility and T4P formation, and is conditionally important for development. The nucleotide-based second messenger c-di-GMP has critical functions in M. xanthus. During growth, the diguanylate cyclase (DGC) DmxA is important for motility. We show that DGC activity of DmxA is important for motility and that DmxA is involved in regulation of the polarity of the two motility systems. Because DmxA-mVenus localizes to mid-cell and this localization depends on FtsZ, and DmxA does not contribute to the overall c-di-GMP pool, we suggest that DmxA function may be restricted to a local pool

PSICOANÁLISIS E INVESTIGACIÓN

The research of social and clinical phenomena carried out in the psychoanalytic field has its basis in a forceful Freudian idea expressed in one of the texts that he established in the interest of examining the subjective logic of social bonds. According to that idea, there is no substantial difference between the individual and the collective. This formulation is supported by the involvement of the subject in various forms of suffering, even though they are only apparently collective. Any research carried out in the psychoanalytic field implies a clinical dimension although it takes as its object a social, cultural, or philosophical phenomenon

Stakeholders’ environmental influence. An empirical analysis in the Spanish hotel industry

We draw on the insights of stakeholder theory to explore the extent to which environmental management practices are driven by (i) an attempt to enhance a firm’s legitimacy, and (ii) a response to pressures arising from powerful stakeholders. The material for this investigation has been gathered from a sample of 279 Spanish hotels. The hotel industry which is only marginally affected by environmental regulation and is thus a widely neglected setting in this context, could be a particularly interesting subject for investigation, able to throw some light on the extent to which firms produce different responses to the environmental concerns of their stakeholders. Our results reveal that corporate environmental management practices may be a response to genuine environmental concerns, and we then speak of explicit environmental management, or there may also be reasons different from the environmental, in which case we speak of tacit environmental management. Our findings suggest that explicit and tacit environmental management account for a variety of organizational responses to the environmental demands of stakeholders, depending on (i) the stakeholders’ power regarding environmental issues, (ii) the stakeholders’ use of power to protect the environment, and (iii) the perceived economic advantages of environmental management activities.Publicad

La regulación del salario en el Convenio sobre el Trabajo Marítimo: regulación internacional y normativa interna

La mejora de las condiciones de trabajo de la gente de mar ha sido una constante en la actuación de la OIT desde sus inicios, ya que desde 1920 en que tuvo lugar la primera reunión marítima, hasta la adopción del Convenio sobre el Trabajo Marítimo, en 2006, se han celebrado diez reuniones marítimas examinando los diversos aspectos de la vida y del trabajo de la gente del mar, llevando a cabo la adopción de más de sesenta instrumentos jurídicos, todos ellos con la finalidad de poder lograr una mejora en sus condiciones de trabajo. No hemos de olvidar el papel desarrollado por la Comisión Paritaria Marítima, en el ámbito de la elaboración de normas y la mejora del diálogo social, a través de la participación de los representantes de los armadores y de la gente de mar designados por la Conferencia. Su papel ha sido fundamental en la formulación del proyecto, de lo que es ahora el Convenio sobre el Trabajo Marítimo, adoptado en la nonagésima cuarta Conferencia General de la OIT. Se trata de un texto moderno que combina las técnicas de Convenio y Recomendación, con criterios de flexibilidad para aplicarlo, sin olvidarse de asegurar su cumplimiento y el control en la aplicación. En la parte obligatoria, en el Título 2 sobre las condiciones de empleo, trata el salario y el Estado Miembro es el que asume la obligación de exigir que, a todas las personas empleadas en un buque que «enarbolen su pabellón», les sea abonada su remuneración de forma periódica, en periodos que no superen el mes y conforme a lo establecido en el contrato de trabajo o convenios colectivos aplicables. Por lo tanto el Estado Miembro deberá de aplicar y controlar la aplicación, ya sea de la legislación o medidas que haya adoptado, para dar cumplimiento a las obligaciones contraídas con el Convenio, pudiendo establecer sanciones o la adopción de medidas correctoras en caso que se produzcan infracciones en torno a los requisitos del Convenio, sin que olvidemos que tanto los acuerdos de empleo como las horas de trabajo, el pago de los salarios, son requisitos que forman parte de las condiciones de trabajo y de vida de la gente de mar que deben de ser inspeccionadas por el Estado pabellón antes de expedir el certificado de trabajo marítimo y la declaración de conformidad laboral conforme a la norma. Se plantea la necesidad de documentar el pago del salario y de prever las transferencias totales o parciales a los familiares de la remuneración. No establece un tipo de moneda específico, dando un margen de flexibilidad a la norma, dentro de la línea de homogenización del Convenio pero a su vez salvaguardando los derechos de la gente de mar. A través de las Pautas proporciona orientaciones sobre conceptos salariales, el cálculo y pago del salario, los medios de pago así como la fijación del salario mínimo y del salario mínimo del marinero preferente. Al efectuar una aproximación de la normativa española, hemos constatado la falta de desarrollo de la normativa convencional, de ámbito estatal, al quedar circunscrita al ámbito de empresa, contando con el Laudo y el IV Convenio Colectivo del Sector de 1982 en sustitución de la Ordenanza, y que en el caso en que España ratifique el Convenio se evidenciarán carencias, por no contar con una regulación convencional del sector y puede servir para propiciar que la autonomía colectiva asuma la regulación laboral, en la totalidad de un sector que ha ocupado, y ocupa, siempre un lugar importante en la economía del paísImproving the working conditions of seafarers has been an unceasing part of the ILO’s activities since its earliest days, because between 1920, when the first maritime session was held, and the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention in 2006, ten maritime sessions were held to examine the different aspects of seafarers’ life and work. Over that time more than sixty legal instruments were adopted, all aimed at achieving improvements in their working conditions. We must not forget the role played by the Joint Maritime Commission, with regard to the creation of standards and improving social dialogue through the participation of the shipowners' and seafarers’ representatives designated by the Conference. They have played a fundamental role in the development of the project, of what is now the Maritime Labour Convention, adopted at the 94th General Conference of the ILO. It is a modern text that combines the techniques of Convention and Recommendation, with flexible criteria for its application and without forgetting to ensure its fulfilment and control its application. Article 2 of the mandatory part, which refers to employment conditions, deals with wages and stipulates that the Member State shall require that payments resulting from seafarers’ working on ships that “fly its flag” are made on a regular basis at no greater than monthly intervals and in accordance with the provisions set out in the work contract or any applicable collective agreement. The Member State shall therefore apply and control the application of the legislation or steps adopted to ensure that the obligations taken on with the Convention are complied with. This may involve establishing penalties or taking other corrective measures in the event of any infractions committed as regards the requirements of the Convention. It must be remembered, however, that both the work agreements and the working hours, in addition to the payment of wages, are requirements that form part of the working and living conditions of seafarers and must be inspected by the Flag State before issuing the maritime labour certificate and the declaration of maritime labour compliance as stipulated in the standard. It is considered necessary to document the payment of wages and to foresee the total or partial transfers of the remuneration to kin. No particular currency is specified, thereby leaving some leeway in the interpretation of the rules, in line with the Convention’s tendency towards homogenisation, while at the same time safeguarding the seafarers’ rights. Through the Guidelines, it offers orientation on concepts referring to wages, the calculation and payment of wages, means of payment as well as fixing the minimum wage and the minimum wage of an able seafarer. On examining the Spanish regulations, we have observed the lack of development of conventional law, at state level, since it was limited to the scope of enterprises with the Award and the 4th Collective Agreement of the Sector of 1982, which replaced the Ordinance. It has also been noted that Spain’s signing the Convention will bring to light a number of shortcomings, because there is no conventional regulation of the sector, and this may serve to encourage the collective autonomy to take on the responsibility for the regulation of labour in the whole of a sector that has played, and still plays, an important role in the economy of the countr

Estudio de las propiedades en columna y superficie del aerosol atmosférico en la zona centro-norte de la Península Ibérica: énfasis en aerosol desértico

El impacto de los efectos directos e indirectos de los aerosoles atmosféricos en el balance radiativo del sistema Tierra-Atmósfera genera una enorme problemática de aspectos climáticos con consecuencias tanto en el campo científico como social que hace necesaria su monitorización y análisis global a largo plazo. Los diferentes trabajos que componen esta tesis doctoral se basan, fundamentalmente, en las siguientes magnitudes: Espesor Óptico de Aerosoles (AOD) y Exponente de Ångström (AE) proporcionadas por la red AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) que ofrecen información sobre toda la columna atmosférica, y las diversas fracciones de Materia Particulada (PMx, x=10 o 2.5 µm) obtenidas de la red EMEP (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme) que dan información de lo que ocurre a nivel de superficie. Las magnitudes AOD y PM10 dan cuenta de la carga de aerosol mientras que AE y la fracción PM2.5/PM10 (PM ratio) indican el tamaño de las partículas. Además, aplicando un algoritmo de inversión a los datos de radiancia de cielo y AOD de la red AERONET se genera una serie de parámetros como la distribución de tamaños, el radio efectivo, el volumen de concentración, la esfericidad, el albedo de dispersión simple o el factor de asimetría, que representan las propiedades microfísicas y ópticas de los aerosoles. Todas estas magnitudes han sido analizadas en este trabajo de tesis doctoral a fin de obtener su completa caracterización en la zona de estudio.Departamento de Física Teórica, Atómica y ÓpticaDoctorado en Físic