Estrategia sistémica para conformar colectivos colaborativos inter-transdisciplinarios: conocimiento al servicio de la sociedad

This text proposes a methodology for re-learning and incubating Inter-Transdisciplinary Collaborative Collectives in higher education institutions that allows addressing the urgent needs in the face of the complex socio-environmental problems of the 21st century. Through the transdisciplinary participatory action-research methodology, the research results of more than six years of collective academic work are reported. As institutions that generate knowledge, the universities are increasingly obliged to influence the restoration of our chaotic humanity and nature in general. Everyday realities present situations (problems and paradoxes) that are more difficult to address with reductionist, linear approaches and individual and disciplinary practices. It becomes relevant and urgent to build actions based on new paradigms, with logics of thought and action capable of generating empathy scenarios based on inter-transdisciplinary approaches. In this sense, what is presented here is an experience of knowledge generation within the university educational field. It arises from the collaborative work that has been generated by the academic group that writes this article from different areas of knowledge of the University of Veracruz, from the construction of synergies from inter and transdisciplinary dialogue. This proposal aims to be an instrument that, step-by-step, guides the formation of groups of academics and/or students and can move towards collaborative inter-transdisciplinary research. In this way, situations can be approached with a more comprehensive approach, and responses can be given considering the interwoven, complex, transversal, and sustainably human wholes. Keywords: Human Sustainability; Complexity; University Transformation; Planetary Crisis; Alternatives.El presente texto plantea una metodología de re-aprendizaje e incubación de Colectivos Colaborativos Inter-Transdisciplinarios en las instituciones de educación superior, que permita atender las urgentes necesidades frente a las complejas problemáticas socioambientales del siglo XXI. Mediante la metodología de investigación-acción participativa transdisciplinaria, se reportan los resultados de investigación de más de seis años de trabajo colectivo académico. Las universidades, como instituciones generadoras de conocimiento, se encuentran cada día más obligadas a incidir en la restauración de nuestra caótica humanidad y de la naturaleza en lo general. Cada día las realidades presentan situaciones (problemáticas y paradojas) más difíciles de abordar con enfoques reduccionistas, lineales y con prácticas individuales y unidisciplinarias. Se torna relevante y urgente, constituir acciones basadas en nuevos paradigmas, con lógicas de pensamiento y acción que sean capaces de generar escenarios de empatía, basados en enfoques inter-transdisciplinarios. En este sentido, lo que aquí presentado es una experiencia de generación del conocimiento dentro del ámbito educativo universitario. Surge del trabajo colaborativo que ha venido generando el colectivo académico que escribe este artículo de diferentes áreas del conocimiento de la Universidad Veracruzana, a partir de la construcción de sinergias desde el diálogo inter y transdisciplinario. La presente propuesta pretende ser un instrumento que paso a paso guíe la conformación de grupos de académicos y/o estudiantes y puedan transitar hacia la investigación colaborativa inter-transdisciplinaria. De esta manera se podrán abordar situaciones con un enfoque más integral, y dar respuestas considerando las totalidades entramadas, complejas, transversales y sustentablemente humanas. Palabras clave: Sustentabilidad Humana; Complejidad; Transformación Universitaria; Crisis Planetaria; Alternativas

Harmonin-b, an actin-binding scaffold protein, is involved in the adaptation of mechanoelectrical transduction by sensory hair cells

We assessed the involvement of harmonin-b, a submembranous protein containing PDZ domains, in the mechanoelectrical transduction machinery of inner ear hair cells. Harmonin-b is located in the region of the upper insertion point of the tip link that joins adjacent stereocilia from different rows and that is believed to gate transducer channel(s) located in the region of the tip link's lower insertion point. In Ush1cdfcr-2J/dfcr-2J mutant mice defective for harmonin-b, step deflections of the hair bundle evoked transduction currents with altered speed and extent of adaptation. In utricular hair cells, hair bundle morphology and maximal transduction currents were similar to those observed in wild-type mice, but adaptation was faster and more complete. Cochlear outer hair cells displayed reduced maximal transduction currents, which may be the consequence of moderate structural anomalies of their hair bundles. Their adaptation was slower and displayed a variable extent. The latter was positively correlated with the magnitude of the maximal transduction current, but the cells that showed the largest currents could be either hyperadaptive or hypoadaptive. To interpret our observations, we used a theoretical description of mechanoelectrical transduction based on the gating spring theory and a motor model of adaptation. Simulations could account for the characteristics of transduction currents in wild-type and mutant hair cells, both vestibular and cochlear. They led us to conclude that harmonin-b operates as an intracellular link that limits adaptation and engages adaptation motors, a dual role consistent with the scaffolding property of the protein and its binding to both actin filaments and the tip link component cadherin-23

Tratamiento de aguas residuales vinicolas en planta industrial de tipo SBR

*INRA Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l'Environnement de Narbonne Diffusion du document : INRA Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l'Environnement de NarbonneInternational audienc

Transition Metals-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks, Synthesis, and Environmental Applications

This work illustrates examples of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived from transition metals and their environmental applications in areas of catalysis, sorption, and hydrogen evolution. Explanation of some of the techniques employed for their synthesis has been discussed. On the other hand, the advantages of the use of hybrid materials such as the metal-organic frameworks are exposed in this book as well a detailed description of the different linkers and metals used for the synthesis of this kind of porous materials going through the methodologies and techniques utilized by different authors to obtain good-quality crystalline applicable materials. Adjustments of linker geometry, length, ratio, and the functional group can tune the size, shape, and internal surface property of an MOF for a targeted application. The uses of MOFs are exploring new different areas of chemistry such as catalysis, adsorption, carrier systems, hydrogen evolution, photocatalysis, and more. Different examples of MOFs from Scandium to Zinc are well described in this book, and finally, a brief description of some common environmental applications such as metals and azo dyes sorption, hydrogen evolution, and catalyst in the transesterification process of vegetable oils to produce biodiesel is explored and commented

Loss of X-linked mental retardation gene oligophrenin1 in mice impairs spatial memory and leads to ventricular enlargement and dendritic spine immaturity

International audienceLoss of oligophrenin1 (OPHN1) function in human causes X-linked mental retardation associated with cerebellar hypoplasia and, in some cases, with lateral ventricle enlargement. In vitro studies showed that ophn1 regulates dendritic spine through the control of Rho GTPases, but its in vivo function remains unknown. We generated a mouse model of ophn1 deficiency and showed that it mimics the ventricles enlargement without affecting the cerebellum morphoanatomy. The ophn1 knock-out mice exhibit behavioral defects in spatial memory together with impairment in social behavior, lateralization, and hyperactivity. Long-term potentiation and mGluR-dependent long-term depression are normal in the CA1 hippocampal area of ophn1 mutant, whereas paired-pulse facilitation is reduced. This altered short-term plasticity that reflects changes in the release of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic processes is associated with normal synaptic density together with a reduction in mature dendritic spines. In culture, inactivation of ophn1 function increases the density and proportion of immature spines. Using a conditional model of loss of ophn1 function, we confirmed this immaturity defect and showed that ophn1 is required at all the stages of the development. These studies show that, depending of the context, ophn1 controls the maturation of dendritic spines either by maintaining the density of mature spines or by limiting the extension of new filopodia. Altogether, these observations indicate that cognitive impairment related to OPHN1 loss of function is associated with both presynaptic and postsynaptic alterations

Wine waste treatment methodology

As more than 20% of wine production is waste, the latter constitutes a serious environmental problem that has to be solved urgently. Several methodologies such as composting, aerobic and anaerobic digestion, thermophilic anaerobic digestion, electrodialysis, pyrolysis, ozonation and wet oxidation among others were launched in an effort to solve effectively the wine waste management. This review aims at presenting comparatively and critically the characteristics of the currently employed waste treatment methods (properties, advantages and disadvantages, effectiveness) in order to emerge (with the aid of numerous tables and figures) the most promising and effective method