Forest landscape restoration in the drylands of Latin America

Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) involves the ecological restoration of degraded forest landscapes, with the aim of benefiting both biodiversity and human well-being. We first identify four fundamental principles of FLR, based on previous definitions. We then critically evaluate the application of these principles in practice, based on the experience gained during an international, collaborative research project conducted in six dry forest landscapes of Latin America. Research highlighted the potential for FLR; tree species of high socioeconomic value were identified in all study areas, and strong dependence of local communities on forest resources was widely encountered, particularly for fuelwood. We demonstrated that FLR can be achieved through both passive and active restoration approaches, and can be cost-effective if the increased provision of ecosystem services is taken into account. These results therefore highlight the potential for FLR, and the positive contribution that it could make to sustainable development. However, we also encountered a number of challenges to FLR implementation, including the difficulty of achieving strong engagement in FLR activities among local stakeholders, lack of capacity for community-led initiatives, and the lack of an appropriate institutional and regulatory environment to support restoration activities. Successful implementation of FLR will require new collaborative alliances among stakeholders, empowerment and capacity building of local communities to enable them to fully engage with restoration activities, and an enabling public policy context to enable local people to be active participants in the decision making process. © 2012 by the author(s). Published here under license by the Resilience Alliance

Use of Heat Transfer Enhancement Techniques in the Design of Heat Exchangers

Heat transfer enhancement refers to application of basic concepts of heat transfer processes to improve the rate of heat removal or deposition on a surface. In the flow of a clean fluid through the tube of a heat exchanger, the boundary layer theorem establishes that a laminar sublayer exists where the fluid velocity is minimal. Heat transfer through this stagnant layer is mainly dominated by thermal conduction, becoming the major resistance to heat transfer. From an engineering point of view, heat transfer can be enhanced if this stagnant layer is partially removed or eliminated. In single-phase heat transfer processes, three options are available to increase the heat transfer rate. One of them is the choice of smaller free flow sectional area for increased fluid velocity bringing about a reduction of the thickness of the laminar sublayer. A second option is the engineering of new surfaces which cause increased local turbulence, and the third option consists in the use of mechanical inserts that promote local turbulence. The application of these alternatives is limited by the pressure drop. This chapter describes the concept of heat transfer enhancement and the ways it is applied to the development of new heat exchanger technology

Characterization of plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases in fecal colonizing patients in the hospital and community setting in Spain

Aim: Active surveillance of plasmid-mediated ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (PMBL-E) in fecal carriers in the hospital and in the community setting in a non-outbreak period of time. Methods: Patients were screened for carriage of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins and PMBL-E were characterized (extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase [ESBL], plasmid-mediated AmpC ß-lactamase [pAmpC], and carbapenemases) by PCR and sequencing. Results: The prevalence of ESBL and pAmpC carriers was 5.06% and 0.59%, respectively. Overall, CTX-M-like enzymes were the ESBL dominate enzymes (96.15%). The group CTX-M-9 was the most prevalent (81, 54%) [CTX-M-14 (74, 91.35%), CTX-M-9 (5, 6.17%), CTX-M-24 (1, 1.23%), and CTX-M-27 (1, 1.23%)] followed by the group CTX-M-1 (64, 42.67%) [CTX-M-15 (42, 65.63%), CTX-M-1 (13, 20.31%), CTX-M-32 (8, 12.5%), and CTX-M-3 (1, 1.56%)]. One CTX-M-10, one CTX-M-59, and three CTX-M-8 were also found. A very small representation of SHV or TEM ESBL enzymes was found (3.2% and 0.64%, respectively). pAmpC characterization revealed a predominance of CMY-2 (81.25%), followed by DHA-1 (18.75%). We did not detect the presence of carbapenemase producers. Conclusions: The prevalence of ESBL-producers from fecal carriers is stable in our area, but colonization by pAmpC producers has emerged recently as we have confirmed. Periodic active surveillance is useful to identify these human reservoirs and control the evolution of PMBL carriage in a community over time

Distribución de metales pesados en sedimentos de las marismas del Odiel (Huelva, España)

Se ha analizado la distribución y contenido total de metales pesados (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni y Pb) en sedimentos de las Marismas del Odiel (SO España). Las concentraciones de estos elementos, obtenidas por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica, fueron muy elevadas para la mayoría de los elementos analizados. Su distribución no es homogénea, ni presenta un patrón geográfico marcadamente definido, pudiéndose encontrar altos niveles repartidos por toda la marisma. Existe cierto gradiente topográfico, con mayores concentraciones en puntos de menor cota. Los puntos de muestreo más aislados de la incidencia mareal y los más expuestos a mar abierto registraron los niveles más bajos.Atomic absorption spectroscopy has permitted the determination of the content of heavy metals and their distribution in sediments of the Odiel Saltmarhes (SWSpain). Avery high metal concentration has been found in most of the samples investigated but their distribution is non-homogeneous and this prevents establishing a geographical pattern. Nevertheless, a certain topographic gradient can be observed: lower levels present the highest concentrations whereas areas unaccessible by tide fluctuations or those exposed to the sea present the lowest index of contamination

Laparoscopic surgery of vesicovaginal fistula: results of a multi institutional experience

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.Introduction: Vesico-vaginal fistula is a rare complication of gynecologic surgery, with a high rate of surgical resolution O'Conor open technique. Aim: To report the results of a multi-institutional experience in laparoscopic repair of vesico-vaginal fistula. Material and Methods: Between January 2006 and June 2011, 21 laparoscopic vesico-vaginal fistula were performed. The surgical technique, demographic variables and results are described. Results: The mean age was 45.6 years. The average time between the diagnosis of the fistula and the laparoscopic repair was 15.23 months. The mean total operative time (bladder and laparoscopic) was 153.12 minutes and the average hospital stay was 2.7 days. The average time of bladder catheter was 9.4 days. There was a minimal recurrence of a fistula, repaired by a vaginal approach. Urethrocystography revealed indemnity of the repair in the other 20 cases. The overall success rate was 95.2% (20 out of 21 patients) Conclusions: The laparoscopic approach follows all principles for repair of a vesico-vaginal fistulas. It look like a good alternative in the hands of experienced surgeons. Key words: Vesicovaginal fistula, hysterectomy, complications, laparoscopy, O'Conor.Introducción: La fístula vesico-vaginal es una complicación infrecuente de la cirugía ginecológica, con alta tasa de resolución quirúrgica con la técnica abierta tradicional de O'Conor. Objetivo: Comunicar los resultados de una experiencia multi-institucional en la reparación laparoscópica de las fístulas vesico-vaginales. Material y Método: Entre enero de 2006 y junio de 2011 se realizaron 21 reparaciones de fístulas vesico-vaginales por vía laparoscópica. Se describe la técnica quirúrgica y se analizan las variables demográficas, quirúrgicas y resultados de la serie. Resultados: La edad media de las pacientes fue de 45,6 años. El tiempo promedio transcurrido entre el diagnóstico de la fistula y su reparación laparoscópica fue de 15,23 meses. El tiempo quirúrgico medio total (vesical y laparoscópico) fue de 153,12 min y el de hospitalización 2,7 días. El tiempo promedio de catéter uretro-vesical fue de 9,4 días. Hubo una mínima recidiva de una fístula, la cual fue reparada por vía vaginal. El control radiológico mediante cistografía reveló indemnidad de la reparación en el resto de los casos. La tasa global de éxito fue de 95,2% (20 de 21 pacientes) Conclusiones: El abordaje laparoscópico permite cumplir con todos los principios para la reparación de las fístulas vesico-vaginales. La reducción de la morbilidad y la eficacia del procedimiento, lo transforman en una excelente alternativa en manos de cirujanos experimentados. Palabras clave: Fístula vesico-vaginal, histerectomía, complicaciones, laparoscopia, O'Conor.http://ref.scielo.org/f3vxt

Antimicrobial resistance, virulence factorsand genetic lineages of hospital-onsetmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates detected in a hospital in Zaragoza

Introduction MRSA population dynamics is undergoing significant changes, and for this reason it is important to know which clones are circulating in our nosocomial environment. Materials and methods A total of 118 MRSA isolates were collected from clinical samples from patients with previous hospital or healthcare contact (named as hospital-onset MRSA (HO-MRSA)) during a one year period. Susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion and microdilution. The presence of resistance genes and virulence factors were tested by PCR. All isolates were typed by SCCmec, spa and agr typing. PFGE and MLST were applied to a selection of them. Results Eighty-three HO-MRSA isolates (70.3%) were resistant to any antibiotic included in the macrolide–lincosamide–streptogramin B group. Among these isolates, the M phenotype was the most frequent (73.5%). One hundred and seven of HO-MRSA isolates (90.7%) showed aminoglycoside resistance. The combination aac(6')-Ie-aph(2")-Ia + ant(4')-Ia genes was the most frequent (22.4%). Tetracycline resistance rates in HO-MRSA isolates were low (3.4%), although a high level of mupirocin resistance was observed (25.4%). Most of the HO-MRSA isolates (approximately 90%) showed SCCmec type IVc and agr type II. Fifteen unrelated pulsotypes were identified. CC5 was the most prevalent (88.1%), followed by CC8 (5.9%), CC22 (2.5%), CC398 (2.5%) and CC1 (0.8%). Conclusion CC5/ST125/t067 lineage was the most frequent. This lineage was related to aminoglycoside resistance, and to a lesser extent, with macrolide resistance. The presence of international clones as EMRSA-15 (CC22/ST22), European clones as CC5/ST228, community clones related to CC1 or CC8 and livestock associated clones, as CC398, were observed in a low percentage

Nemátodos Pharyngodonidae en Liolaemus parvus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) en el Centro-Oeste de Argentina

El conocimiento de nemátodos parásitos en reptiles de Argentina es escaso, conociéndose hasta el momento 26 especies de nemátodos reportados en 40 especies de reptiles. Entre las especies de reptiles estudiadas, el género Liolaemus presenta los mayores registros de nemátodos analizados. Con el objetivo de contribuir al conocimiento parasitario de reptiles de Argentina, mencionamos el primer registro del nemátodo Parapharyngodon sceleratus y un nuevo hospedador para Spauligodon sp. Ambas especies de nemátodos oxiúridos fueron registrados en la lagartija Liolaemus parvus. El nemátodo P. sceleratus presenta como características diagnósticas 9 papilas caudales: 1 ventral par pre-anal, 1 ventral par ad-anal, 1 par lateral ad-anal y 1 papilain par, 1 par en el apéndice caudal, además del labio cloacal liso. Estas características los diferencia de Parapharyngodon riojensis que presenta 7 papilas y con 8 papilas respectivamente. Ambos con labios cloacal equinado y que son especies Parapharyngodon sanjuanensis de nemátodos anteriormente mencionadas para lagartijas de San Juan. El nemátodo Spauligodon sp. exhibe en la hembra dos papilas terminales sésiles en la cola, esta característica que las separa del resto de las especies del género. Parapharyngodon sceleratus en el presente trabajo es la cuarta especie del género mencionada para Argentina. Liolaemus parvuses la tercer especie del género Liolaemus como hospedador de P. sceleratus en Sudamérica, representando una nueva interacción parásito-hospedador

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a review

Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic and painful condition that affects the quality of life of patients. It is usually triggered by a traumatic event of the soft tissues involving the nervous tissue. Although the factors that cause the syndrome are varied and not well known, different etiopathologic concepts have been proposed to explain the presence of this syndrome, such as autonomic dysfunction and changes in CNS plasticity, among others. The patient characteristically presents pain, sensory abnormalities, vasomotor disturbances in the skin, edema, changes in sweating, and motor alterations. The pain is associated with changes in the autonomic nervous system and has a distal predominance. Since there is no definitive diagnostic test, diagnosis is mainly based on a complete medical history and physical examination. Treatment is multidisciplinary and based on pain relief. Although in most cases evolution is favorable, rapid diagnosis and treatment are recommended to avoid dystrophic stage as much as possibl

Relationship between the isometric force of the dominant hand and the Body Mass Index of university students

INTRODUCTION: Strength is the neuromuscular capacity to overcome or counter resistances through muscular activity and is closely linked to all the motor actions that the human being develops, and to his body mass index. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the isometric strength of the dominant hand of university students. METHOD: The strength was evaluated with a TAKEI SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT 5401 dynamometer to 70 university students using a random sampling method using a descriptive transactional design. We obtained data that were processed with a bivariate correlation obtaining the Pearson coefficient. We used SPSS ver. 15. RESULTS: The studied age was 23 ± 1.9 years, with a length of 165.6 cm. ± 7.72 for women and 173.7 cm. ± 7.95 men, as well as a weight in women of 64.1 ± 14.82 kg and men 82.3 ± 14.72 kg, which results in a BMI for women of 25.01 ± 4.405 m2/kg and 25.06 with ± 4.398 m2/kg for men. On the other hand, the female isometry strength was 3.08. ± 0.613 Kg and for men was 3.68 ± 0.839 Kg. In females, there was not correlation between the BMI and isometric strength (Sig = .192). Contrary, in males, there was a significant and negative correlation grade between the BMI and isometric strength (r = -0,452; Sig. = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was observed that as BMI increases, strength does not grow. Therefore, other variables should be evaluated to understand what is related to the overweight or obesity of students

The nuclear and extended infrared emission of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 2992 and the interacting system Arp 245

We present subarcsecond resolution infrared (IR) imaging and mid-IR spectroscopic observations of the Seyfert 1.9 galaxy NGC 2992, obtained with the Gemini North Telescope and the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC). The N-band image reveals faint extended emission out to ~3 kpc, and the PAH features detected in the GTC/CanariCam 7.5-13 micron spectrum indicate that the bulk of this extended emission is dust heated by star formation. We also report arcsecond resolution MIR and far-IR imaging of the interacting system Arp 245, taken with the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Herschel Space Observatory. Using these data, we obtain nuclear fluxes using different methods and find that we can only recover the nuclear fluxes obtained from the subarcsecond data at 20-25 micron, where the AGN emission dominates. We fitted the nuclear IR spectral energy distribution of NGC 2992, including the GTC/CanariCam nuclear spectrum (~50 pc), with clumpy torus models. We then used the best-fitting torus model to decompose the Spitzer/IRS 5-30 spectrum (~630 pc) in AGN and starburst components, using different starburst templates. We find that, whereas at shorter mid-IR wavelengths the starburst component dominates (64% at 6 micron), the AGN component reaches 90% at 20 micron. We finally obtained dust masses, temperatures and star formation rates for the different components of the Arp 245 system and find similar values for NGC 2992 and NGC 2993. These measurements are within those reported for other interacting systems in the first stages of the interaction.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, accepted by MNRA