A networked voting rule for democratic representation

We introduce a general framework for exploring the problem of selecting a committee of representatives with the aim of studying a networked voting rule based on a decentralized large-scale platform, which can assure a strong accountability of the elected. The results of our simulations suggest that this algorithm-based approach is able to obtain a high representativeness for relatively small committees, performing even better than a classical voting rule based on a closed list of candidates. We show that a general relation between committee size and representatives exists in the form of an inverse square root law and that the normalized committee size approximately scales with the inverse of the community size, allowing the scalability to very large populations. These findings are not strongly influenced by the different networks used to describe the individuals interactions, except for the presence of few individuals with very high connectivity which can have a marginally negative effect in the committee selection process.Comment: Submitted for publicatio

Robustness of cultural communities in an open-ended Axelrod's model

We consider an open-ended set of cultural features in the Axelrod's model of cultural dissemination. By replacing the features in which a high degree of consensus is achieved by new ones, we address here an essential ingredient of societies: the evolution of topics as a result of social dynamics and debate. Our results show that, once cultural clusters have been formed, the introduction of new topics into the social debate has little effect on them, but it does have a significant influence on the cultural overlap. Along with the Monte-Carlo simulations, we derive and numerically solve an equation for the stationary cultural overlap based on a mean-field approach. Although the mean-field analysis reproduces qualitatively the characteristic phase transition of the Axelrod's model, it underestimates the cultural overlap, highlighting the role of the local interactions in the Axelrod's dynamics, as well as the correlations between the different cultural features.Comment: 6 pages and 5 figure

Analysis of a networked social algorithm for collective selection of a committee of representatives

A recent work by Hern\'andez et al. introduced a networked voting rule supported by a trust-based social network, where indications of possible representatives were based on individuals opinions. Individual contributions went beyond a simple vote-counting and were based on proxy voting. These mechanisms generated a high level of representativeness of the selected committee, weakening the possibility of relations of patronage. By incorporating the integrity of individuals and its perception, here we address the question of the trustability of the resulting committee. Our results show that this voting rule provides high representativeness for small committees with a high level of integrity. Furthermore, the voting system displays robustness to a strategic and untruthful application of the voting algorithm.Comment: 7 pages and 8 figures. Submitted for publication. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1801.0539

Bacteremic Pneumococcal Pneumonia: a Longitudinal Study in 279 Adult Patients from a Single Center

Background: Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (BPP) is the most common clinical presentation of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Although it has been extensively studied, there is little knowledge in our region in relation to burden of disease, demographic and outcome features. Methods: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal, observational study from 1989 to 2015 in adult patients with BPP, in order to deepen our knowledge of the characteristics of this disease in our community hospital in Tandil, Argentina. Results: 279 patients were included. The mean incidence was 2.8/1000 admissions with a sharp decrease in the last two years, reaching 0.8/1000 admissions. Mean patient age was 60 years. Comorbidities were found in 65% of the cases. Non-respiratory symptoms occurred in 50% of cases. Infiltrates on chest x ray were predominantly unilateral (75%) and lobar (57%). Regarding severity, a low PSI score I-II-II was found in 178 patients (64%), 60 (22%) were admitted to ICU, 40 (14%) required mechanical ventilation, and 21 (8%) developed empyema. Penicillin resistance was not found. Mortality was 18% (49/279), and by a multivariate analysis it was associated with confusion (OR= 5.44), age\u3e80 years (OR =5.72), leukopenia (OR =5.73) and dyspnea (OR=7.87). Conclusions: In this study of 279 bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia we reinforce previous knowledge on this disease regarding incidence and clinical features and confirm a considerable an early mortality associated to age and severity of disease at onset. Recent changes in incidence of BPP in adults could be secondary to herd effect of PVC 13 a vaccine that is mandatory in children in our community since 2012

Bacteremic Pneumococcal Pneumonia: a Longitudinal Study in 279 Adult Patients from a Single Center

Background: Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (BPP) is the most common clinical presentation of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Although it has been extensively studied, there is little knowledge in our region in relation to burden of disease, demographic and outcome features.Methods: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal, observational study from 1989 to 2015 in adult patients with BPP, in order to deepen our knowledge of the characteristics of this disease in our community hospital in Tandil, Argentina.Results: 279 patients were included. The mean incidence was 2.8/1000 admissions with a sharp decrease in the last two years, reaching 0.8/1000 admissions. Mean patient age was 60 years. Comorbidities were found in 65% of the cases. Non-respiratory symptoms occurred in 50% of cases.Infiltrates on chest x ray were predominantly unilateral (75%) and lobar (57%). Regarding severity, a low PSI score I-II-II was found in 178 patients (64%), 60 (22%) were admitted to ICU, 40 (14%) required mechanical ventilation, and 21 (8%) developed empyema. Penicillin resistance was not found. Mortality was 18% (49/279), and by a multivariate analysis it was associated with confusion(OR= 5.44), age>80 years (OR =5.72), leukopenia (OR =5.73) and dyspnea (OR=7.87).Conclusions: In this study of 279 bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia we reinforce previous knowledge on this disease regarding incidence and clinical features and confirm a considerable an early mortality associated to age and severity of disease at onset. Recent changes in incidence of BPP in adults could be secondary to herd effect of PVC 13 a vaccine that is mandatory in children in our community since 2012.Fil: Gentile, Jorge. Hospital Ramon Santamarina de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Hernandez, Claudia. Hospital Ramon Santamarina de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Sparo, Mónica Delfina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Edgardo Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Ceriani, Maria Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Bruggesser, Alicia Florencia. Hospital Ramon Santamarina de Tandil; Argentin

Antecedentes, situacion actual y perspectivas del DRI en las veredas de Cordoba y Cordobita, municipio de Cienaga, Magdalena

El presente estudio de carácter exploratorio se encarga de evaluar los antecedentes y perspectivas del DRI en las veredas de Córdoba y Cordobita, en el Municipio de Ciénaga, Magdalena. La metodología seguida consistió en un censo preliminar para averiguar el número de usuarios de las veredas, entrevistas con los campesinos, recopilación de información con las instituciones encargadas de la realización del programa, revisión de literatura, elaboración de un cuestionario aplicado a 43 familias entre ellas 19 usuarios DRI, tabulación e interpretación de datos y discusión de los resultados obtenidos. Se comprobó que el DRI no resuelve los problemas de los campesinos y que este programa contribuye a aumentar el endeudamiento externo de la república y del campesinado en particular. Además ayuda a mantener el poder terrateniente en el campo. La mayoría (57,3%) de los usuarios encuestados manifestó no haber aumentado la producción con el DRI y se muestran desconfiados con el crédito. Un 57,37 no lo recomienda a los demás campesinos. Entre los no usuarios la desconfianza con el programa DRI y otras entidades del gobierno no es aún mayor. Problemas como el de la redistribución de la tierra que dan sin resolver porque el 73,77 de los usuarios posee parcelas reducidas, menores de cinco has., que no ayudan al mantenimiento del usuario y difícilmente le permite mejorar su nivel de vida. El problema del agua es de urgencia en algunas fincas, hay un 26% de usuarios que no reciben suficiente agua y un 33 por ciento entre los no usuarios. El mercadeo de los productos lo hacen la mayor parte en la finca por falta de un lugar de mercadeo donde puedan vender sus productos a buen precio o directamente al consumidor. El programa DRI es solo un paliativo para el campesinado de Córdoba y Cordobita que termina endeudándolos y poniendo en peligro la propiedad de sus pequeños al reportar los usuarios solamente el 427., mejoras en su producción. Con ello se fortalece la dominación del capital financiero internacional sobre nuestro país y se apunta a el poder de los grandes propietarios sobre la tierra. Se deduce del estudio que solo una reestructuración de la tenencia de la tierra dentro del marco de una autonomía económica nacional, podrá traer el mejoramiento de las condiciones de vida del campesinado

El camino del grupo Raíces del Sudoeste en la transición agroecológica

Ponencia y posterLa experiencia describe las estrategias de transición agroecológica entre la Estación Experimental Agropecuaria INTA Bordenave (INTA), el Centro Educativo para la Producción Total Nº 30 (CEPT N°30) y el grupo Raíces del Sudoeste. El grupo conformado en el año 2019, lleva delante la producción ganadera junto a sus familias, se ubican en la zona semiárida del Sudoeste bonaerense y el Este pampeano. Se implementa desde un enfoque socio territorial, a través de capacitaciones, reuniones con las familias y recorridas sociotécnicas. Se toma la propuesta de Gliessman S. en los niveles de transición para aproximarse a un sistema alimentario sostenible. El grupo ha logrado reducir el uso de insumos, reemplazarlos por bioinsumos, el rediseño de sus sistemas, preservando el suelo e incrementando la biodiversidad y en la búsqueda de canales de comercialización más justos; fortaleciendo redes e intercambiando saberes. Las propuestas, se fueron adaptando de acuerdo a la realidad de cada productor.EEA BordenaveFil: Mediavilla Hernández, María Clara. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bordenave; Argentina.Fil: González, Edgardo Gabriel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bordenave; Argentina.Fil: Braatz, Cristian. Centro Educativo para la Producción Total Nº 30; Argentina

Nitric oxide produces HLA-G nitration and induces metalloprotease-dependent shedding creating a tolerogenic milieu

Human leucocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a tolerogenic molecule that protects the fetus from maternal immune attack, may favour tumoral immunoescape and is up-regulated in viral and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this work was to discover if nitric oxide (NO) could affect HLA-G expression or function because NO is an important modulator of innate and adaptive immunity. For this purpose HLA-G expression and function were analysed following treatment with a NO donor or a peroxynitrite donor in various cell lines expressing HLA-G either spontaneously or upon transfection. Results showed NO-dependent nitration of both cellular and soluble HLA-G protein, but not all HLA-G moieties underwent nitration. Endogenous biosynthesis of NO by both U-937-HLA-G1 and M8-HLA-G5 stable transfectants also caused HLA-G nitration. The NO decreased total HLA-G cellular protein content and expression on the cell surface, while increasing HLA-G shedding into the culture medium. This effect was post-transcriptional and the result of metalloprotease activity. By contrast, NO pretreatment did not affect HLA-G capability to suppress NK cytotoxicity and lymphocyte proliferation. Our studies show that NO regulates the availability of HLA-G molecules without modifying their biological activities