Social Perception of the Residents of Olón, Montañita, and Valdivia as a Conditioning Factor in the Satisfaction of Tourists

This research aims to understand the social perception of the communities of Olón, Montañita, and Valdivia in the sociocultural, socio-territorial, and socio-cognitive dimensions, as a determining factor in the satisfaction of national and foreign tourists in terms of destination, service, and infrastructure. The design is nonexperimental, with a correlational scope and a mixed approach. Data collection techniques used were a semi-structured interview with 24 residents and a survey of 396 residents and 396 tourists. STATIS Dual and MPLS (multiway partial least squares) were the software used for the treatment of quantitative information. It was determined that the social perception in the three communes was relatively similar, the sociocultural dimension being the best scored for being linked to the tourist development of Olón and Montañita. Whereas a significant difference was observed between the communes in terms of tourist satisfaction, placing Montañita as the leader in all dimensions of the variable, followed by Olón and Valdivia. With an adjustment of 69%, the MPLS model was directly related to the variables, implying that any change in the perception of the residents affects the satisfaction of tourists. Keywords: tourist satisfaction, social perception, spondylus route. Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer la percepción social de las comunidades de Olón, Montañita y Valdivia en las dimensiones socio cultural, socio territorial y socio cognitivo, como condicionante en la satisfacción de los turistas nacionales y extranjeros en cuanto al destino, servicio e infraestructura. El diseño es no experimental, de alcance correlacional y enfoque mixto; como técnicas de recolección de datos se utilizaron: entrevista semi estructurada a 24 residentes y, encuesta a 396 residentes y 396 turistas. Para el tratamiento de la información cuantitativa se utilizaron software STATIS Dual y MPLS (Multiway partial least squares). Se determinó que la percepción social en las tres comunas es relativamente similar, siendo la dimensión socio cultural la mejor puntuada por encontrarse ligada al desarrollo turístico de Olón y Montañita; mientras que, existe diferencia significativa entre las comunas en cuanto a satisfacción de los turistas, colocando a Montañita como líder en todas las dimensiones de la variable, seguida de Olón y Valdivia. Con un ajuste de 69%, el modelo MPLS relacionó directamente las variables, implicando que cualquier cambio en la percepción de los residentes incide sobre la satisfacción de los turistas. Palabras Clave: satisfacción del turista, percepción social, ruta spondylus

Detección de compuestos producidos por dos cepas de Bacillus amyloliquefaciens relacionados con su capacidad bioestimulante y antimicrobiana

Algunos miembros del género Bacillus presentan ciertas características que los convierten en potenciales agentes de biocontrol de enfermedades de plantas. Entre estas ventajas destaca la producción de compuestos antimicrobianos e insecticidas, así como la promoción del crecimiento de la planta y la inducción de las respuestas de defensa de la planta hospedadora. En trabajos previos de nuestro grupo hemos demostrado que las cepas de Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 8237 (UMAF6639) y CECT 8238 (UMAF6614) poseen estas propiedades, las cuales contribuyen a la protección de la planta frente a patógenos fúngicos y bacterianos. Con el fin de identificar los factores bacterianos implicados en esta acción beneficiosa se secuenciaron los genomas de ambas cepas y se llevó a cabo un intenso análisis del contenido génico utilizando una gama de herramientas bioinformáticas. Por un lado, encontramos toda la colección de factores previamente descritos en otras cepas de Bacillus y cuya funcionalidad había sido demostrada en la actividad de biocontrol: i) Genes de biosíntesis de metabolitos secundarios. Junto a los lipopéptidos, detectados en estudios previos, demostramos la producción de seis compuestos adicionales, que podrían contribuir a la inhibición del crecimiento de patógenos. ii) Identificamos los genes de síntesis y analizamos la producción de 2,3-butanodiol y acetoína, dos compuestos volátiles implicados en la inducción de los mecanismos de defensa de la planta. Por otro lado, se localizaron singularidades genéticas en ambos genomas que podrían contribuir al potencial de biocontrol de B. amyloliquefaciens CECT 8237 y CECT 8238. Entre ellas destacamos dos regiones genómicas que hipotéticamente estarían implicadas en la producción de metabolitos secundarios no descritos hasta la fecha. El estudio de estas nuevas regiones genómicas contribuirá a conocer mejor los mecanismos de acción mediante los cuales estas cepas desarrollan su potencial de biocontrol, para así poder mejorar su contribución beneficiosa a la salud de las plantas.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Previous fire occurrence, but not fire recurrence, modulates the effect of charcoal and ash on soil C and N dynamics in Pinus pinaster Aiton forests

Understanding the effects of fire history on soil processes is key to characterise their resistance and resilience under future fire events. Wildfires produce pyrogenic carbonaceous material (PCM) that is incorporated into the soil, playing a critical role in the global carbon (C) cycle, but its interactions with soil processes are poorly un derstood. We evaluated if the previous occurrence of wildfires modulates the dynamic of soil C and nitrogen (N) and microbial community by soil ester linked fatty acids, after a new simulated low-medium intensity fire. Soils with a different fire history (none, one, two or three fires) were heat-shocked and amended with charcoal and/or ash derived from Pinus pinaster. Soil C and N mineralization rates were measured under controlled condi tions, with burned soils showing lower values than unburned (without fire for more than sixty years). In general, no effects of fire recurrence were observed for any of the studied variables. Microbial biomass was lower in burned, with a clear dominance of Gram-positive bacteria in these soils. PCM amendments increased cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) production only in previously burned soils, especially when ash was added. This contrasted response to PCM between burned and unburned soils in CO2 production could be related to the effect of the previous wildfire history on soil microorganisms. In burned soils some microorganisms might have been adapted to the resulting conditions after a new fire event. Burned soils showed a significant positive priming effect after PCM amendment, mainly ash, probably due to an increased pH and phosphorous availability. Our results reveal the role of different PCMs as drivers of C and N mineralization processes in burned soils when a new fire occurs. This is relevant for improving models that evaluate the net impact of fire in C cycling and to reduce uncertainties under future changing fire regimes scenarios

Paleo-landscapes of the Northern Patagonian Massif, Argentina

Fil: Aguilera, Emilia Yolanda. Instituto de Geomorfología y Suelos (IGS). Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Rabassa, Jorge. Laboratorio de Geomorfología y Cuaternario. CADIC. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaFil: Aragón, Eugenio. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas (CIG). Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentin

Th1 and Th17 hypercytokinemia as early host response signature in severe pandemic influenza

Abstract Introduction Human host immune response following infection with the new variant of A/H1N1 pandemic influenza virus (nvH1N1) is poorly understood. We utilize here systemic cytokine and antibody levels in evaluating differences in early immune response in both mild and severe patients infected with nvH1N1. Methods We profiled 29 cytokines and chemokines and evaluated the haemagglutination inhibition activity as quantitative and qualitative measurements of host immune responses in serum obtained during the first five days after symptoms onset, in two cohorts of nvH1N1 infected patients. Severe patients required hospitalization (n = 20), due to respiratory insufficiency (10 of them were admitted to the intensive care unit), while mild patients had exclusively flu-like symptoms (n = 15). A group of healthy donors was included as control (n = 15). Differences in levels of mediators between groups were assessed by using the non parametric U-Mann Whitney test. Association between variables was determined by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient. Viral load was performed in serum by using real-time PCR targeting the neuraminidase gene. Results Increased levels of innate-immunity mediators (IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1β), and the absence of anti-nvH1N1 antibodies, characterized the early response to nvH1N1 infection in both hospitalized and mild patients. High systemic levels of type-II interferon (IFN-γ) and also of a group of mediators involved in the development of T-helper 17 (IL-8, IL-9, IL-17, IL-6) and T-helper 1 (TNF-α, IL-15, IL-12p70) responses were exclusively found in hospitalized patients. IL-15, IL-12p70, IL-6 constituted a hallmark of critical illness in our study. A significant inverse association was found between IL-6, IL-8 and PaO2 in critical patients. Conclusions While infection with the nvH1N1 induces a typical innate response in both mild and severe patients, severe disease with respiratory involvement is characterized by early secretion of Th17 and Th1 cytokines usually associated with cell mediated immunity but also commonly linked to the pathogenesis of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. The exact role of Th1 and Th17 mediators in the evolution of nvH1N1 mild and severe disease merits further investigation as to the detrimental or beneficial role these cytokines play in severe illness

Effectiveness and Safety of the Sequential Use of a Second and Third Anti-TNF Agent in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results from the Eneida Registry

Background: The effectiveness of the switch to another anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agent is not known. The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness and safety of treatment with a second and third anti-TNF drug after intolerance to or failure of a previous anti-TNF agent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Methods: We included patients diagnosed with IBD from the ENEIDA registry who received another anti-TNF after intolerance to or failure of a prior anti-TNF agent. Results: A total of 1122 patients were included. In the short term, remission was achieved in 55% of the patients with the second anti-TNF. The incidence of loss of response was 19% per patient-year with the second anti-TNF. Combination therapy (hazard ratio [HR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-3; P < 0.0001) and ulcerative colitis vs Crohn''s disease (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1; P = 0.005) were associated with a higher probability of loss of response. Fifteen percent of the patients had adverse events, and 10% had to discontinue the second anti-TNF. Of the 71 patients who received a third anti-TNF, 55% achieved remission. The incidence of loss of response was 22% per patient-year with a third anti-TNF. Adverse events occurred in 7 patients (11%), but only 1 stopped the drug. Conclusions: Approximately half of the patients who received a second anti-TNF achieved remission; nevertheless, a significant proportion of them subsequently lost response. Combination therapy and type of IBD were associated with loss of response. Remission was achieved in almost 50% of patients who received a third anti-TNF; nevertheless, a significant proportion of them subsequently lost response

Evolution after Anti-TNF Discontinuation in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicenter Long-Term Follow-Up Study

OBJECTIVES:The aims of this study were to assess the risk of relapse after discontinuation of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), to identify the factors associated with relapse, and to evaluate the overcome after retreatment with the same anti-TNF in those who relapsed.METHODS:This was a retrospective, observational, multicenter study. IBD patients who had been treated with anti-TNFs and in whom these drugs were discontinued after clinical remission was achieved were included.RESULTS:A total of 1, 055 patients were included. The incidence rate of relapse was 19% and 17% per patient-year in Crohn''s disease and ulcerative colitis patients, respectively. In both Crohn''s disease and ulcerative colitis patients in deep remission, the incidence rate of relapse was 19% per patient-year. The treatment with adalimumab vs. infliximab (hazard ratio (HR)=1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01-1.66), elective discontinuation of anti-TNFs (HR=1.90; 95% CI=1.07-3.37) or discontinuation because of adverse events (HR=2.33; 95% CI=1.27-2.02) vs. a top-down strategy, colonic localization (HR=1.51; 95% CI=1.13-2.02) vs. ileal, and stricturing behavior (HR=1.5; 95% CI=1.09-2.05) vs. inflammatory were associated with a higher risk of relapse in Crohn''s disease patients, whereas treatment with immunomodulators after discontinuation (HR=0.67; 95% CI=0.51-0.87) and age (HR=0.98; 95% CI=0.97-0.99) were protective factors. None of the factors were predictive in ulcerative colitis patients. Retreatment of relapse with the same anti-TNF was effective (80% responded) and safe.CONCLUSIONS:The incidence rate of inflammatory bowel disease relapse after anti-TNF discontinuation is relevant. Some predictive factors of relapse after anti-TNF withdrawal have been identified. Retreatment with the same anti-TNF drug was effective and safe

A Multi-Lab Test of the Facial Feedback Hypothesis by the Many Smiles Collaboration

Following theories of emotional embodiment, the facial feedback hypothesis suggests that individuals’ subjective experiences of emotion are influenced by their facial expressions. However, evidence for this hypothesis has been mixed. We thus formed a global adversarial collaboration and carried out a preregistered, multicentre study designed to specify and test the conditions that should most reliably produce facial feedback effects. Data from n = 3,878 participants spanning 19 countries indicated that a facial mimicry and voluntary facial action task could both amplify and initiate feelings of happiness. However, evidence of facial feedback effects was less conclusive when facial feedback was manipulated unobtrusively via a pen-in-mouth task

A multi-lab test of the facial feedback hypothesis by the Many Smiles Collaboration

Following theories of emotional embodiment, the facial feedback hypothesis suggests that individuals' subjective experiences of emotion are influenced by their facial expressions. However, evidence for this hypothesis has been mixed. We thus formed a global adversarial collaboration and carried out a preregistered, multicentre study designed to specify and test the conditions that should most reliably produce facial feedback effects. Data from n = 3,878 participants spanning 19 countries indicated that a facial mimicry and voluntary facial action task could both amplify and initiate feelings of happiness. However, evidence of facial feedback effects was less conclusive when facial feedback was manipulated unobtrusively via a pen-in-mouth task