Saving the Other Amazon: Changing Understandings of Nature andWilderness among Indigenous Leaders in the Ecuadorian Amazon

This article examines a new set of policies embraced by indigenous leaders in the Upper Napo region of the Ecuadorian Amazon, driven, in part, by a growing appreciation for “wilderness” —large areas where humans exercise a very light touch. In the past few years, leaders have pursued wilderness conservation initiatives while simultaneously promoting petroleum extraction in their own backyards. Both political positions run counter to those pursued in previous decades, when opposition to both oil development and strict forms of conservation within their territory was strong. To address this reversal, I trace some of the development interventions and North-South collaborations that have contributed to the emergence of “nature” as a meaningful imaginary for Amazonian indigenous leaders and for a new generation of young people, drawing connections to William Cronon’s critical analysis of how wilderness conservation became a priority in the United States. I conclude that more than two decades of conservationist interventions in the Upper Napo region have led to some largely unintended consequences, as Amazonian leaders increasingly subscribe to Northern environmentalists’ romanticization of “the Amazon” as a wild place, one that therefore must be distant from the places where they work and live

Psychophysiological correlates of peritraumatic dissociative responses in survivors of life-threatening cardiac events

The psychophysiological startle response pattern associated with peritraumatic dissociation (DISS) was studied in 103 survivors of a life-threatening cardiac event (mean age 61.0 years, SD 13.95). Mean time period since the cardiac event was 37 (79 IQD) months. All patients underwent a psychodiagnostic evaluation (including the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire) and a psychophysiological startle experience which comprised the delivery of 15 acoustic startle trials. Magnitude and habituation to trials were measured by means of electromyogram (EMG) and skin conductance responses (SCR). Thirty-two (31%) subjects were indexed as patients with a clinically significant level of DISS symptoms. High-level DISS was associated with a higher magnitude of SCR (ANOVA for repeated measures p = 0.017) and EMG (p = 0.055) and an impaired habituation (SCR slope p = 0.064; EMG slope p = 0.005) in comparison to subjects with no or low DISS. In a subgroup analysis, high-level DISS patients with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; n = 11) in comparison to high-level DISS patients without subsequent PTSD (n = 19) exhibited higher EMG amplitudes during all trials (repeated measures analysis of variance IF = 5.511, p = 0.026). The results demonstrate exaggerated startle responses in SCR and EMG measures - an abnormal defensive response to high-intensity stimuli which indicates a steady state of increased arousal. DISS patients without PTSD exhibited balanced autonomic responses to the startle trials. DISS may, therefore, unfold malignant properties only in combination with persistent physiological hyperarousability. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Caracterización Molecular de la Diversidad Fúngica de los Bosques Llucud y Palictahua: Potencialidades en Control Biológico/Molecular Characterization of Diversity Fungic of the Llucud and Palictahua Forests: Potential in Biological Control

Dentro de los microorganismos más abundantes que se pueden encontrar en formaciones ecosistémicas naturales como los bosques andinos del Ecuador se encuentran los hongos microscópicos, los cuales desempeñan funciones cruciales en dichos ecosistemas. Por lo cual el objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar molecularmente la diversidad de hongos presentes en los bosques nativos Llucud y Palictahua, estableciendo sus potencialidades de uso en el control biológico de plagas y enfermedades que afectan a los cultivos agrícolas y cuyo control en su mayoría se lo realiza con plaguicidas químicos. Mediante secuenciación de próxima generación (NGS por sus siglas en inglés) de las muestras compuestas de suelo tomadas del horizonte “A” (rizósfera) de cada bosque, se identificaron 56 especies de hongos en Palictahua y 38 en Llucud, presentándose en ambos bosques un total de 6 hongos con importantes potencialidades para su uso en el control biológico, dentro de las cuales se encontraron: Brachyphoris oviparasitica (nematófago), Simplicillium (entomopatógeno y micoparásito), Hamamotoa lignophila (levadura con actividad Killer) en Llucud, y Metarhizium robertsii (entomopatógeno), Brachyphoris oviparasitica (nematófago) y Paraphaeosphaeria parmeliae (micoparásito) en Palictahua. El Bosque Palictahua presentó mayor diversidad de hongos que el bosque Llucud, sin embargo es importante cuidar ambos bosques, pues poseen una gran riqueza microbiana con un sinnúmero de posibilidades de uso en la medicina, industria, biotecnología y otros campos. Among the most abundant microorganisms that can be found in natural ecosystem formations such as the Andean forests of Ecuador are microscopic fungi, which play crucial roles in these ecosystems. So that the objective of this research was to molecularly characterize the diversity of fungi present in the native forests Llucud and Palictahua, establishing their potential for use in the biological control of pests and diseases that affect agricultural crops and whose control is mostly carried out with chemical pesticides. Through next-generation sequencing (NGS for its acronym in English) of compound samples of soil took from “A” horizon (rhizosphere). 56 species of fungi were identified in Palictahua and 38 in Llucud, presenting in both forests a total of 6 fungi with significant potential for use in biological control, among which were found: Brachyphoris oviparasitica (nematophagous), Simplicillium sp. (entomopathogen and mycoparasite), Hamamotoa lignophila (yeast with Killer activity) in Llucud, and Metarhizium robertsii (entomopathogen), Brachyphoris oviparasitica (nematophagous) and Paraphaeosphaeria parmeliae (mycoparasite) in Palictahua. The Palictahua forest presented greater diversity of fungi than the Llucud forest, however it is important to take care of both forests, since they have a great microbial richness with a myriad of possibilities of use in medicine, industry, biotechnology and other fields. Palabras clave: Biodiversidad, Microbiota, Plaguicidas. Keywords: Biodiversity, Microbiota, Pesticides

The Value of a River

The Skokomish river was once the most productive salmon river in Puget Sound, but since 1926 the North Fork Skokomish has been diverted for hydropower. The Skokomish tribe has fought unsuccessfully to restore natural flows. At issue is the “non-market value” of the river’s biological productivity. The value of the river as “natural capital” for the tribe is analyzed from an historical, ethnographic, and ecological perspective. Keywords: non-market values, natural capital, salmon, Pacific Northwest, Skokomish, riverine ecology, ecosystem management

Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Weevil of the Andes (Premnotrypes vorax Hustache) of the Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Chimborazo Province, Ecuador

From thirty native isolates of entomopathogenic fungi, which were obtained from corpses of larvae and adults of Andean weevil (Premnotrypes vorax Hustache); two fungi with entomopathogenic characteristics were selected through laboratory tests, which will be used in a program of integrated management of this pest in the Ecuadorian inter-Andean region. The pathogenicity of the 30 isolates was determined by the mortality that they caused in larvae and adults and it was expressed in percentage; for this, a complete randomized design (CRD) was used. The LC50 and TL50 were determined by Probit analysis. The two selected isolates corresponded to: Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff 1879) Sorokin 1883 (A13) and  Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. 1912 (A21), which proved to be the best, because they caused the highest mortality in larvae of the fourth instar and adults of P. vorax. The Probit analysis showed that LC50 for A21 isolate (B. bassiana) in fourth instar larvae was obtained with a concentration of 1,75x109 spores/ml and 1,08x109 spores/ml for adults. Instead for A13 isolate (M. anisopliae), the LC50 was obtained with a concentration of 1,65x109 spores/ml for larvae and 2,42x109 spores/ml for adults. The LT50 for the selected isolates at the indicated concentrations, was 4,84 and 4,32 days for larvae with A13 and A21 isolates respectively, while, for adults, the shortest time was obtained with A21 isolate in 4.36 days, compared with A13 isolate, that delayed 20,70 days. The larval stage of P. vorax was the most susceptible to A13 isolate, on the other hand, larvae and adults were equally susceptible to A21 isolate at the indicated concentrations. According to the results obtained, the two selected isolates can be used as an alternative to the use of conventional agrochemicals, which will contribute to a more ecological production

IMECE2008-66225 ATOMIZATION CHARACTERISTICS, GLOBAL EMISSIONS, AND TEMPERATURE IN BIOFUEL AND PETROLEUM FUEL SPRAY FLAMES

ABSTRACT Spray flame characteristics of canola methyl ester biofuel (CME) and petroleum fuel (No. 2D) are described. An enclosed spray flame in a heated co-flow air environment at ambient pressure was studied. A single nozzle, swirl-type, air-blast atomizer with a nozzle diameter of 300 microns was used to create the spray. The spray droplet size and velocity distributions were measured using a two-component phase Doppler particle analyzer. In-flame temperature profiles were measured using a type-R thermocouple. Global emission indices of NO and CO were derived from concentration measurements in the combustion products. The overall equivalence ratio was kept at 0.75 to simulate lean burning conditions. The changes in atomization air flow rate produced similar changes in atomization characteristics of both fuels. Emission indices of NO and CO for petroleum fuel were higher than those of the CME fuel. In-flame temperature levels were lower for the CME fuel than for the petroleum fuel at corresponding flame locations. NOMENCLATURE CME-Canola methyl ester D 32 -Sauter mean diameter NDIR-Nondispersive infrared PDPA-Phase Doppler particle analyzer T cf = Air co-flow temperature V f = Volumetric flow rate of fuel V aa = Volumetric flow rate of atomization air V cf = Volumetric flow rate of air co-flo

Gênero x escolaridade dos agricultores da região do lago Janauacá, Careiro (AM).

O presente estudo realizado na região do lago Janauacá, município de Careiro - AM, utilizou a pesquisa exploratória com a finalidade de alcançar ?maior interação com o problema, com vistas a torná-lo mais explícito ou constituir hipóteses?, além de contribuir para aprimorar idéias (GIL, 2002, p.41). Esta opção utiliza como técnicas a coleta de informação (dados), revisão bibliográfica, leitura de livros, artigos e documentos e os dados secundários com base para compreensão do objeto em estudo. Buscamos com esta pesquisa construir e caracterizar uma relação entre o gênero e a escolaridade dos agricultores da região do lago Janauacá, Careiro (AM)

Evaluación de tres dosis de potasio en la producción de lechuga (Lactuca sativa L. var. Crispa) bajo el sistema hidropónico recirculante NTF bajo invernadero

Three doses of potassium were evaluated in the production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Crispa), under the recirculable NFT hydroponic system in the greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture of the ESPOCH. A completely randomized block design was used with three treatments and three replications. The doses evaluated were: low dose (LD) with 224,33 ppm, medium dose (MD) with 470,00 ppm, and high dose (HD) with 716,67 ppm. Evaluated parameters were: potassium content in leaves and root, fresh weights of the aerial part and root, yield per net plot and hectare. The economic analysis was carried out according to the relation benefit/cost. The best results for most of the parameters evaluated were obtained with the low dose (LD), obtaining fresh weights of the aerial part and root of 193,01 and 36,65 g respectively. It has a yield per net plot of 2,04 kilograms and per hectare of 15338,75 kilograms, and the highest cost benefit with 4,63 dollars equivalent to 362,75%. On the other hand, the highest content of potassium in leaves and root up to 40 days after transplant (DAT) was obtained with the medium dose (MD) with 5,13 and 6,00% of total potassium, respectively. In all treatments, maintaining turgor in the plants throughout the cycle is very important. From the agronomic and economic point of view, the use a nutritive solution containing 224,33 ppm of potassium was recommended

Supervivencia global en pacientes con cáncer gástrico avanzado o metastásico en los últimos 10 años en el Centro Médico Nacional «20 de noviembre del ISSSTE»

ResumenAntecedentesLa introducción de nuevos fármacos para el tratamiento de los pacientes con cáncer gástrico irresecable, recurrente o metastásico ha reportado un modesto incremento en la supervivencia libre de progresión (SLP) y la supervivencia global (SG).ObjetivoDeterminar el impacto de la aplicación de los nuevos esquemas de quimioterapia paliativa en la SG de los pacientes con cáncer gástrico del Centro Médico Nacional 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE.Material y métodosEstudio retrospectivo, descriptivo. Analizamos expedientes de pacientes con cáncer gástrico irresecable o metastásico, tratados con quimioterapia paliativa de enero de 2002 a diciembre de 2012 en el Centro Médico Nacional 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE. Se evaluó la SG, SLP y los esquemas de quimioterapia más frecuentemente utilizados. Se asignaron los casos a 2 cohortes de acuerdo a la fecha de inicio de la quimioterapia, conformando la cohorte A los pacientes tratados de enero de 2002 hasta diciembre de 2006 y la cohorte B de enero de 2007 a diciembre de 2012. Se estableció estos periodos dado que representaba el cambio en los esquemas de tratamiento utilizados; es decir; la introducción de esquemas que incluyen antraciclinas, oxaliplatino, capecitabina y docetaxel.ResultadosRevisamos los expedientes de 291 pacientes con cáncer gástrico; excluimos a 221 pacientes por estar en etapas tempranas (i, ii o iii) resecables, recibir tratamiento con quimioterapia fuera de la unidad o no ser candidatos a quimioterapia. Finalmente incluimos 70 casos con tratamiento de primera línea. La mediana de SG para pacientes de la cohorte A fue de 11.2 vs. 10.5 meses para los pacientes de la cohorte B. La mediana de SLP en primera línea de tratamiento fue 8.5 vs. 5.2 meses respectivamente. Ambos resultados sin diferencia estadísticamente significativa.ConclusiónEn nuestro centro, no hay impacto de los nuevos esquemas de tratamiento en SLP o SG. Un tamaño de muestra pequeño y el hecho de que pacientes con pobre estado funcional recibieran quimioterapia podrían ser factores que influyeron en los resultados del estudio, en el cual se observó una tendencia a favor de los nuevos esquemas de quimioterapia, pero sin demostrar significación estadística.AbstractBackgroundThe introduction of new drugs for the treatment of patients with advanced, recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer has resulted in a small benefit in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS).ObjectiveTo determine the impact of new chemotherapy schedules on the OS of patients with advanced or metastic gastric cancer treated at the Centro Medico Nacional 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE.Material and methodologyRetrolective, descriptive study, the clinical files of patients with advanced, recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer treated with chemotherapy at the Centro Medico Nacional 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE, from january 2002 to december 2012, were analyzed. Chemotherapy schedules, OS and PFS were evaluated. Patients were assigned to two cohorts: those treated from january 2002 to december 2006 were included in cohort A and those treated from january 2007 to december 2012 in cohort B. These time periods were determined based on the years when newer chemotherapy agents (anthracyclines, oxaliplatin, capecitabine and docetaxel) were introduced in our institution.Results291 clinical files were analyzed; 221 patients were excluded for they had clinical stage I, II or resectable III disease, started first line chemotherapy as outpatients of our institution or were not candidates for chemotherapy. 70 cases treated with first line chemotherapy were included. OS for patients in cohort A was 11.2 months vs 10.5 months for patients in cohort B. PFS was 8.5 months vs 5.2, respectively. There was no statistical difference in either comparison.ConclusionThere was no impact of the introduction of newer chemotherapy agents in OS or PFS in patients treated in our institution. A small sample size and the fact that patients with poor performance status received chemotherapy could have had influenced the results of our study, in which tendency towards a better outcome for patients treated with newer chemotherapy schemes was observed, although a statistically significant benefit was not proven