The Body as an Artifact: Medical Technologies, Anatomy-Policies and Resistance

En este artículo se defiende la tesis de que hay un giro importante en el biopoder anatomo-político de finales del siglo XX y comienzos del XXI. Este giro consiste en la aparición de diferentes tendencias culturales que comprenden el cuerpo humano como un artefacto que puede usarse para manifestar resistencia al poder. Para ello, estas tendencias se sirven de las tecnologías médicas como un medio para diseñar el cuerpo de acuerdo con una intención particular que permita cumplir cierta función elegida de antemano por quien identifica ese cuerpo como propio.In this article, the thesis that there is an important change of direction in anatomy-politics bio-power of the end of XX century and beginning of XXI century is defended. This change of direction refers to the ap­pearance of different cultural trends, which embodies the human body as an artifact that may be used to show resistance to power. For this, these trends use medical technologies as a means to design the agreement body with a specific intention which allows complying certain previously selected function by whom it identifies such a body as his/her own

El diseño de la política científica en América Latina: organismos internacionales, gobiernos nacionales y comunidades científicas

La política científica (o la política científica y tecnológica, o política de ciencia y tecnología, términos que se usan como sinónimos aquí) es, ante todo, un tipo de política pública. De ahí que una estrategia posible para comprender sus transiciones históricas sea establecer un paralelo entre el análisis que reciben las políticas públicas en general y el que recibe la política científica en particular. Este análisis puede hacerse con base en dos elementos: uno conceptual (la definición de política científica) y otro histórico (las transiciones en los estilos o maneras de hacer política científica). Ambos elementos son complementarios entre sí

Dissemination-degradation models of scientific and technological knowledge

Este artículo presenta un análisis de los modelos de propagación-degradación del conocimiento científico y tecnológico en la divulgación científica, no desde categorías como la oposición entre déficit y democracia u otras similares, sino desde la categoría de conocimiento en tránsito. El artículo empieza con una discusión de la falta de consenso que existe al ocuparse de temas de divulgación científica, que se refleja incluso a nivel terminológico. Luego, pasa a considerar el tratamiento de la divulgación científica desde la oposición entre modelos de déficit y otros modelos comunicativos. Después, entra directamente en el análisis de los modelos de propagación-degradación del conocimiento, desde la perspectiva del conocimiento en tránsito. El artículo termina con algunas ideas sobre la dirección hacia donde ha girado el tema de la divulgación científica, gracias a la crítica que se ha hecho de los modelos de propagación-degradación del conocimiento científico y tecnológico.This paper presents an analysis of the dissemination-degradation models of scientific and technological knowledge in the popularization of science. Such analysis is carried out from the angle of knowledge in transit, and not by adopting approaches like the opposition between deficit and democracy or other similar ones. The first part is a discussion on the lack of consensus among scholars on the popularization of science, which is reflected even at the terminological level. Then, the article considers the treatment of such popularization from the standpoint of the opposition between deficit models and other types of communicative models. Afterwards, the knowledge dissemination-degradation models are examined from the perspective of knowledge in transit. Finally, the article presents some ideas on the direction the popularization of science has taken thanks to the criticism over the dissemination-degradation models of scientific and technological knowledge

Heat shock evidences within dust particles after explosion in coal mining.

Con el fin de determinar las temperaturas alcanzadas y el grado de transformación del polvo de carbón durante explosiones en dos minas subterráneas, se tomaron tanto muestras de los mantos de carbón originales, como las resultantes de la explosión del polvo de carbón. Una mina corresponde a la Región 1 donde se explota carbón térmico, y la otra a la Región 2 con explotación de carbón coquizable. Estas muestras se observaron al microscopio en luz reflejada normal y fluorescente; se hicieron secciones pulidas tanto del polvo de carbón como del char obtenido de la desgasificación a 950°C efectuada en el laboratorio. Igualmente, se sometieron a microscopía electrónica de barrido con microanálisis de energía dispersiva SEM-EDX para determinar la morfología y la composición química. Se observó el efecto térmico en ausencia de oxígeno no sólo en la materia orgánica, en la cual hay evidencia de la desgasificación y la formación de char y coque, sino también en la materia mineral, en dónde se encontraron minerales fundidos. Los resultados indican que el polvo de carbón de la región 1 en general, es menos explosivo que el de la región 2, igualmente el poder calorífico es un parámetro influyente en la explosividad, más no así la materia volátil. Cada tipo y rango del carbón presentan características muy diferentes frente a la explosividad y por lo tanto no se puede generalizar la influencia de los diferentes factores en este proceso. Abstract In situ coal samples and coal dust explosion samples were taken with the aim to determine the raised temperatures and the transformation grade of the coal dust during an explosion in two underground mines in Colombia. One of them exploited thermic coal (Region 1) and the other coking coal (Region 2). These samples were observed under the microscope of reflected normal and fluorescent light; some polish sections of coal dust and the char obtained from the degasification at 950°C in the laboratory, were observed and also analyzed with scanning electronic microscopy SEM-EDX to determine the morphologic characteristics and chemical composition. The thermic effect was observed in the absence of oxygen in the organic matter, in which is possible to visualize the evidences of degasification and the char and coke formation, as well the mineral matter, with the presence of melted minerals. The results indicate that the coal dusts from the Region 1 are in general fewer explosives than the coal dusts from the Region 2, also the calorific value is a parameter influencing the explosivity, but not so volatile matter. Every type and coal rank presents different characteristics compared to the explosivity and therefore cannot be generalized

La nutrición mineral en plantulas de eucalyptus saligna

En plántulas de Eucalyptus saligna se indujeron deficiencias de nitrógeno, fósforo, potasio, magnesio, calcio y boro. El potasio fue el nutriente que más limitó el crecimiento en altura y producción de biomasa. En orden de importancia le siguieron nitrógeno, magnesio y fósforo. El calcio no limitó el crecimiento en altura pero sí la producción de biomasa. El boro no produjo limitaciones en ninguno de los parámetros. Se consideró que 100 ppm de nitrógeno, 10 ppm de fósforo, 20 ppm de potasio y 0,5 ppm de boro representan un suministro adecuado para un buen crecimiento en las plántulas cultivadas hidropónicamente. Concentraciones en el follaje de 0,9% N; de 0,05% P a 0,09% P; 0,31% K a 0,38'f{-K; 0,16% Mg; 0,14%Ca y 13 ppm B indicaron deficiencias de los nutrientes. Contenidos foliares de 1,6'J N a 2,1% N; 0,21% P a 0,27'J-P; 1,29% K a 1,94';1,: K; 0,24'k Mg a 0,37% Mg; 0,48% Ca a 1,34% Ca y 26 ppm B a 46 ppm B correspondieron a una cantidad óptima. Se definió a las concentraciones 0,10'k P Y 0,46'1,. K como niveles críticos de fósforo y potasio en el follaje, para las condiciones del Ensayo

Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplements with Sucromalt and Isomaltulose versus Standard Formula on Glycaemic Index, Entero-Insular Axis Peptides and Subjective Appetite in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomised Cross-Over Study

Oral diabetes-specific nutritional supplements (ONS-D) induce favourable postprandial responses in subjects with type 2 diabetes (DM2), but they have not been correlated yet with incretin release and subjective appetite (SA). This randomised, double-blind, cross-over study compared postprandial e ects of ONS-D with isomaltulose and sucromalt versus standard formula (ET) on glycaemic index (GI), insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and SA in 16 individuals with DM2. After overnight fasting, subjects consumed a portion of supplements containing 25 g of carbohydrates or reference food. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min; and SA sensations were assessed by a visual analogue scale on separate days. Glycaemic index values were low for ONS-D and intermediate for ET (p < 0.001). The insulin area under the curve (AUC0–180 min) (p < 0.02) and GIP AUC (p < 0.02) were lower after ONS-D and higher GLP-1 AUC when compared with ET (p < 0.05). Subjective appetite AUC was greater after ET than ONS-D (p < 0.05). Interactions between hormones, hunger, fullness and GI were found, but not within the ratings of SA; isomaltulose and sucromalt may have influenced these factor

Regenerative and resorbable PLA/HA hybrid construct for tendon/ligament tissue engineering

[EN] Tendon and ligament shows extremely limited endogenous regenerative capacity. Current treatments are based on the replacement and or augmentation of the injured tissue but the repaired tissue rarely achieve functionality equal to that of the preinjured tissue. To address this challenge, tissue engineering has emerged as a promising strategy. This study develops a regenerative and resorbable hybrid construct for tendon and ligament engineering. The construct is made up by a hollow poly-lactic acid braid with embedded microspheres carrying cells and an anti-adherent coating, with all the parts being made of biodegradable materials. This assembly intends to regenerate the tissue starting from the interior of the construct towards outside while it degrades. Fibroblasts cultured on poly lactic acid and hyaluronic acid microspheres for 6 h were injected into the hollow braid and the construct was cultured for 14 days. The cells thus transported into the lumen of the construct were able to migrate and adhere to the braid fibers naturally, leading to a homogeneous proliferation inside the braid. Moreover, no cells were found on the outer surface of the coating. Altogether, this study demonstrated that PLA/HA hybrid construct could be a promising material for tendon and ligament repair.This work was supported by AITEX (Textil Research Institute, Alcoi, Alicante, Spain) through the researching contract "Development of braided biomaterials for biomedical applications'' and also funded by AEI "RTI2018-095872-B-C21 and C22/ERDF''.Araque-Monrós, MC.; García-Cruz, DM.; Escobar-Ivirico, JL.; Gil-Santos, L.; Monleón Pradas, M.; Más Estellés, J. (2020). Regenerative and resorbable PLA/HA hybrid construct for tendon/ligament tissue engineering. Annals of Biomedical Engineering. 48(2):757-767. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-019-02403-0S757767482Aktas, E., C. S. Chamberlain, E. E. Saether, S. E. 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Utilización de los registros de peso corporal con fines de selección en un zoocriadero de curies criollos, cavia porcellus

El trabajo se realizó en el zoocriadero "Bellavista", Cali-Colombia. Se incluyeron los eventos correspondientes a 120 partos de 54 hembras que se aparearon con 22 machos durante un período de tres años. Los animales presentaron promedios de 94,277 y 407 g, para nacimiento (231 crías), destete (204) y saca (170), respectivamente. Las distribuciones del peso corporal son del tipo "normaloide", con ligera asimetría positiva. Los coeficientes de correlación entre pesos corporales disminuyen con el transcurso del tiempo. Los promedios de peso se diferencian en cada etapa de vida del animal, según el sexo y el tamaño de camada; para compensar los efectos, los datos se ajustaron en forma multiplicativa y se corrigieron linealmente por edad. Para la selección de reproductores se ensayaron tres criterios: grupo de mejor comportamiento, padres que no difieren significativamente del mejor reproductor y padres con hijo, homogéneamente más pesados. La estimación de heredabilidad para el incremento post-destete por el método de Hermanos Medios Paternos, arrojó un valor de 0.298 y mediante el ajuste multiplicativo, se incrementó en un 72% con la combinación de los tres factores. Con base en los datos ajustados se definió como criterio de selección de crías, las características peso a 90 días e incremento post destete, exigiendo en forma simultánea el requisito de estar por encima de la media general más 0.5 veces la desviación estándar.The accomplishment of this work took place in zoobreeeding "Bellavista", Cali-Colombia. Events this refers to 120 births of 54 females mated to 22 males, were included in this study, data gathered in a period of 3 years. These animals present weight averages of 94,227 and 407 g, per birth (231 breedings), weaning (204) and end of foIIow-up (170) respectively. A distribution of weight is of "normaloide” type, with a slight positive asimetry. Coefficients of correlation between body weight, are decreasing as time pass. In each stage of life, the average weight of animals, showed remarkable difference, in accordance with the sex and the size of the brood or litter. To compensate the effects, all data was adjusted in a multiplication way and correction was made in a lineal way, according to age. ln selection of breeder, three critetions were taken in mind: group of best behaviour, fathers with slight difference from the best one, and fathers with childs with more weight homogenously. Estimation of heredability for increments post-weaning by the method of Paternal Brothers, to throw a value of 0.298 and by means of the multiplication adjustment, was incremented in a 72% in combination of the three factorso Based on adjustment of data, was defined as criterion of selection of breeds, the combinations of features as body weight at 90 days and increase post-weaning, with exigence of requirement to be over the genera I media plus 0.5 times the standart desviation

Using integrated wildlife monitoring to prevent future pandemics through one health approach

In the One Health context, Integrated Wildlife Monitoring (IWM) merges wildlife health monitoring (WHM) and host community monitoring to early detect emerging infections, record changes in disease dynamics, and assess the impact of interventions in complex multi-host and multi-pathogen networks. This study reports the deployment and results obtained from a nationwide IWM pilot test in eleven sites representing the habitat diversity of mainland Spain. In each study site, camera-trap networks and sampling of indicator species for antibody and biomarker analysis were used to generate information. The results allowed identifying differences in biodiversity and host community characteristics among the study sites, with a range of 8 to 19 relevant host species per point. The Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) was the most connected and central species of the host communities, becoming a key target indicator species for IWM. A negative relationship between biodiversity and disease risk was detected, with a lower number and prevalence of circulating pathogens in the sites with more species in the community and larger network size. However, this overall trend was modified by specific host-community and environmental factors, such as the relative index of wild boar - red deer interactions or the proximity to urban habitats, suggesting that human-driven imbalances may favour pathogen circulation. The effort of incorporating wildlife population monitoring into the currently applied WHM programs to achieve effective IWM was also evaluated, allowing to identify population monitoring as the most time-consuming component, which should be improved in the future. This first nationwide application of IWM allowed to detect drivers and hotspots for disease transmission risk among wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, as well as identifying key target indicator species for monitoring. Moreover, anthropogenic effects such as artificially high wildlife densities and urbanisation were identified as risk factors for disease prevalence and interspecific transmission