Public policies for the Development of a Sustainable, Forage-Based Cattle Sector in Colombia, Argentina, and Costa Rica: A Comparative Analysis

Projected increases in global food demand highlight the importance of Latin America as one of the major future food suppliers, particularly regarding animal-source foods such as beef or milk. Despite the importance of the cattle sector for the region, its negative environmental impacts are numerous and the shift towards sustainability is perceived as slow and uncoordinated. This study aims to identify achievements and difficulties in the implementation of public policies for a sustainable cattle sector in Colombia, Argentina, and Costa Rica, for which policies focused on the use of silvo-pastoral systems and forage-based solutions are prioritized. Based on the review of scientific articles, government reports, and publications of international organizations, a comparative qualitative analysis was carried out, documenting the policy developments between 2010-2020. For the three countries, the findings highlight a large number of public policies focused on the implementation of silvo-pastoral systems, both at the local and national levels. At the same time, the efforts of the governments to include such strategies in the National Development Plans and stimulate legislative advances are evident. However, they also coincide in difficulties, such as the disconnection and lack of continuity between policies, unclear budgets for their financing, and little socialization within the communities. Another obstacle to the success of public policies is the way in which they are perceived by producers, who on many occasions refuse to make the transition from conventional to sustainable methods, considering that it implies the availability of economic resources, knowledge, and training that are difficult to access. The results also indicate that, despite the initiatives developed over the last ten years, problems such as deforestation and increasing greenhouse gas emissions persist in the three countries, although to different extents and at different levels. It is concluded that the policy efforts for the implementation of silvo-pastoral systems should be seen as initial steps in a long-term process towards achieving a sustainable cattle sector. Recommendations are provided that could help increase the success of these and new policies at different stages, from the identification of the problem to their evaluation, particularly given the difficulties of financing, disconnection, and participation of citizens and producers

Identificación de Staphylococcus spp. en mamitis en pequeños rumiantes.

La mamitis o inflamación de la glándula mamaria es una enfermedad de alta prevalencia que genera grandes pérdidas productivas y económicas en las explotaciones con aptitud lechera. Las mamitis se pueden dividir en dos grupos, según la sintomatología (clínicas o subclínicas) y, en función del agente bacteriano implicado (contagiosas o ambientales). Para su diagnóstico se emplean diferentes métodos como el Test de California (CMT), la palpación de las ubres, el recuento de células somáticas (RCS) o el cultivo microbiológico (prueba Gold Standard para identificar el microorganismo responsable). Existen factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de la infección que pueden eliminarse o reducirse con un buen plan de control de la explotación. Staphylococcus aureus es uno de los principales patógenos que causan las mamitis ovina, caprina y bovina. Por ello el objetivo de este estudio es identificar en tres explotaciones de la Comunidad Valenciana a los animales portadores de S. aureus y proponer un plan de medidas de control para reducir la incidencia de la infección. Para ello, se ha llevado a cabo un estudio en el que se ha realizado un Test de California a todos los animales del ordeño de cada explotación, tomando muestras de leche a aquellos animales con resultados positivos en el CMT para posteriormente realizar un cultivo microbiológico y así identificar el microorganismo responsable de la mamitis y saber si hay más microorganismos involucrados. Los resultados revelaron presencia de mamitis en un 4,44% de animales de la explotación A, un 16% en la explotación B y un 34,02% en la explotación C. Por otro lado, los microorganismos identificados como principales responsables de estas mamitis fueron en la explotación A Staphylococcus aureus y en la explotación B y C Staphylococcus epidermidis. Como posible solución, se propone un plan de medidas de control para reducir estos porcentajes y eliminar la infección de estas explotaciones.Mammitis or inflammation of the mammary gland is a highly prevalent disease that generates large productive and economic losses in dairy farms. Mammitis can be divided into two groups, according to the symptomatology (clinical or subclinical) and, depending on the bacterial agent involved (contagious or environmental). Different methods are used to diagnose mammitis, such as the California Mastitis Test (CMT), udder palpation, somatic cell count (SCC) or microbiological culture (Gold Standard test to identify the responsible microorganism). There are risk factors for the development of infection that can be eliminated or reduced with a good farm control plan. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main pathogens causing ovine, caprine and bovine mastitis. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the animals carrying S. aureus in three farms in the Valencian Community and to propose a control measures plan to reduce the incidence of the infection. For this purpose, a study has been carried out in which a California Test has been performed on all milking animals of each farm, taking milk samples from those animals with positive results in the CMT to subsequently perform a microbiological culture to identify the microorganism responsible for the mastitis and to know if there are more microorganisms involved. The results revealed the presence of mastitis in 4,44% of the animals in farm A, 16% in farm B and 34,02% in farm C. On the other hand, the microorganisms identified as the main responsible for these mastitis were Staphylococcus aureus in farm A and Staphylococcus epidermidis in farm B and C. As a possible solution, a plan of control measures is proposed to reduce these percentages and eliminate the infection from these farms.Veterinari

Assessment of Cranial Deformation Indices by Automatic Smartphone-Based Photogrammetric Modelling

[EN] This paper presents research carried out to assess the accuracy of a fully automatic smartphone-based photogrammetric solution (PhotoMeDAS) to obtain a cranial diagnostic based on the 3D head model. The rigorous propagation of the coordinate measurement uncertainty to the infant's derived cranial deformation indices is demonstrated. The cranial anthropometric parameters and cranial deformation indices that PhotoMeDAS calculates automatically were analysed based on the estimated accuracy and uncertainty. To obtain both accuracy and uncertainty, a dummy head was measured 54 times under different conditions. The same head was measured with a top-of-the-line coordinate-measuring machine (CMM), and the results were used as ground-truth data. It is demonstrated that the PhotoMeDAS 3D models are an average of 1.01 times bigger than the corresponding ground truth, and the uncertainties are around 1 mm. Even assuming uncertainties in the coordinates of up to 1.5 mm, the error in the derived deformation index uncertainties is around 1%. In conclusion, the PhotoMeDAS solution improves the uncertainty obtained in an ordinary paediatric consultation and can be recommended as a tool for doctors to establish an adequate medical diagnosis based on comprehensive cranial deformation indices, which is much more precise and complete than the information obtained by existing analogue devices (measuring tapes and callipers) and easier to use and less expensive than radiological imaging (CT and MRI).Baselga Moreno, S.; Mora Navarro, JG.; Lerma, JL. (2022). Assessment of Cranial Deformation Indices by Automatic Smartphone-Based Photogrammetric Modelling. Applied Sciences. 12(22):1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211499115122

¿Cómo hemos adaptado las recomendaciones de los Proyectos Zero durante la pandemia?

El impacto negativo de la pandemia sobre las tasas de infecciones controladas ha evidenciado la necesidad de reanudar la aplicación de las recomendaciones de los Proyectos Zero (PZ). En este artículo, en primer lugar, se realiza un análisis de la situación de las unidades de cuidados intensivos de España durante la pandemia. A continuación se presenta la adaptación de las recomendaciones de cada uno de los cuatro PZ y su grado de cumplimiento y riesgo de que existan infecciones relacionadas con dispositivos invasivos y/o bacteriemias multirresistentes. Para ello, se han tenido en cuenta: 1) el documento publicado en octubre de 2020 por el Consejo Asesor del Programa de Seguridad de pacientes críticos, y 2) el estudio exploratorio realizado, un año después, por el Consejo Asesor de los PZ, junto con los líderes de los proyectos de las unidades participantes del registro ENVIN. Por último, y en base a los hallazgos encontrados, se formulan cinco recomendaciones tentativas y prioritarias.The negative impact of the pandemic on infection control rates has highlighted the need to resume the implementation of Project Zero (PZ) recommendations. This article first analyses the situation of intensive care units in Spain during the pandemic. Subsequently, it presents the adaptation of the recommendations of each of the four PZs and their degree of compliance and the risk of invasive device-related infections and/or multidrug-resistant bacteraemias. For this purpose, we have taken into account: (i) the document published in October 2020 by the Advisory Board of the Critical Patient Safety Programme, and (ii) the exploratory study conducted, one year later, by the Advisory Board of the PZs, on the leaders of the Projects of the units participating in the ENVIN registry. Finally, based on the findings, five tentative and priority recommendations are formulated

Molecular Physiology of Kainate Receptors

28 páginas, 15 figuras, 3 tablas.A decade ago, our understanding of the molecular properties of kainate receptors and their involvement in synaptic physiology was essentially null. A plethora of recent studies has altered this situation profoundly such that kainate receptors are now regarded as key players in the modulation of transmitter release, as important mediators of the postsynaptic actions of glutamate, and as possible targets for the development of antiepileptic and analgesic drugs. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the properties of kainate receptors focusing on four key issues:1) their structural and biophysical features, 2) the important progress in their pharmacological characterization,3) their pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms of action, and4) their involvement in a series of physiological and pathological processes. Finally, although significant progress has been made toward the elucidation of their importance for brain function, kainate receptors remain largely an enigma and, therefore, we propose some new roads that should be explored to obtain a deeper understanding of this young, but intriguing, class of proteins.Work in the laboratory of J. Lerma has been supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture (DGICYT Grants PB93/0150 and UE96/0007 as well as DGESIC Grants PM-0008/96 and PM99–0106), the Ministry of Health (FISSS Grant 95/0869), the Comunidad de Madrid (Grant 08.5/ 0042/1998), and the European Union (Grant BIO2-CT930243). J. C. López-García is the recipient of a long-term fellowship awarded by EMBO.Peer reviewe

How do sustainability policies emerge in the Colombian political system? Analysis of the Policy for Sustainable Cattle 2022-2050

Global projections for the agricultural sector indicate that environmental indicators like deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise for the period of 2018–2030, with livestock accounting for more than 80% of this increase. This has prompted the response of various governments, which have committed to taking mitigation measures. The Policy for Sustainable Cattle 2022-2050 in Colombia is one of the most ambitious efforts to support the pledges by encouraging the switch from conventional cattle farming to sustainable production systems and value chains. To serve as a catalyst for events that will allow policy makers to promote sustainability in similar contexts, this study attempts to use the Kaleidoscope Model of Policy Change to identify the exogenous and endogenous political system factors that facilitated the path towards the consolidation of the policy. Two qualitative methods were used to apply the framework: semi-structured key informant interviews and an extensive literature review to broaden the context provided by the experts. The main emphasis was placed on the first three stages of the model, namely a) Agenda Setting, b) Design, and c) Adoption. The results reveal that sustainability policies emerge in the political system not as isolated initiatives promoted by independent agents but through a series of events and synergistic agents that coordinate activities towards that purpose. Policies are a consequence of a set of factors where no single factor explains the change. Instead, change is the result of the accumulation and interaction of internal and external demands, political will, local policies, laws, and knowledge. In addition, although no clear veto players were identified, sustainability policies are at risk when the design is funded by international aid and the internal actors in charge of funding during the implementation phase are not specified. Conclusions highlight the importance of an observatory to analyze environmental, social, and economic indicators, as well as the implementation of new tax instruments (e.g., carbon taxes) to avoid strong dependence on international institutions

Sustainable beef labeling in Latin America: Initiatives based on silvopastoral systems

Scientific research is increasingly conclusive regarding the responsibility of food production in environmental issues, a situation that contrasts with greater consumer awareness. In this regard, sustainability seals for meat have emerged, which offer guarantees that production is based on principles of e.g., animal welfare, zero-deforestation, or carbon neutrality. Since research on this subject is scarce, we aim to identify and analyse developments of this type of labeling in Latin America and the Caribbean through a qualitative-descriptive study based on primary and secondary sources. The results show that although the conditions in the region are favourable for the development of sustainable meat labeling, progress to date has not been significant. The development is uneven, the labels identified correspond mainly to large producers and exporters in the region, with particularly noticeable lags in Central America and the Caribbean. Even countries with a strong livestock tradition, such as Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Mexico, show differences between them. While Brazil and Uruguay promote labeling, the others rely on traditional production, since quality criteria currently in place are still sufficient to maintain market shares. In Colombia, however, producers seem to have understood that sustainability is gradually acquiring greater value providing opportunities to position their products nationally and abroad. Another regional characteristic is the absence of a coordinating element: initiatives have begun spontaneously and gradually in different contexts and lack institutions or mechanisms that facilitate feedback. Among the positive aspects, Uruguay and Brazil demonstrate collaboration among public and private institutions, in addition to the involvement of independent certifying bodies. This is fundamental when it comes to guarantees for the consumers and good governance. However, in these countries, as well as Colombia and Argentina, exclusive private labeling strategies continue, which can be affect reliability. There is a diversity of seals in the market, which and makes it difficult for consumers to differentiate between those that do or do not have rigorous certification processes. Despite these challenges, the transition towards sustainability is inevitable. This process will, however, not happen spontaneously but must be coordinated with other strategies and the actions of the numerous actors involved in the sector

Public policies and silvo-pastoral systems in Latin America: A comparative study

The global projections of population and food demand increases by 2050 highlight the importance of Latin America as one of the future big food suppliers for our planet. The region has high agricultural potential and activities such as cattle farming can increase the global food supply, i.e. through the adoption of sustainable technologies such as silvo-pastoral systems. Despite the importance of this economic sector for the region, its negative environmental impacts (especially those of traditional extensive production systems) are numerous and the shift towards sustainability is perceived as slow and uncoordinated. This study aims at identifying both success stories and difficulties in the implementation of public policies for the development of sustainable cattle production systems in Colombia, Argentina and Costa Rica during the period 2010-2020. Based on literature review, media analysis and legal document reviews, a qualitative descriptive analysis was carried out, documenting and outlining the main political activities in the region. The results highlight the development and application of policies aimed at the use of sustainable production technologies, the adaptation of pastures to changing environmental conditions and the use of silvo-pastoral systems for cattle production. Although common successes are identified in the three countries, such as the existence of a large number of public policies aimed at promoting sustainable livestock - which is strengthened through e.g. national level development plans and legislative advances - they also coincide in difficulties, such as a minimal articulation between national and local policies and the lack of continuity of development programs. We conclude that, although the selected countries have different socioeconomic characteristics, as well as different levels of progress in the implementation of their policies, the general perception among the three countries is relatively similar to the extent that their efforts are still insufficient, i.e. when the commitments made during the COP21 are being considered. Although the advances made so far provide valuable contributions, it is necessary to treat them as a first stage in a long-range process towards sustainability, and support their continuity and further out-scaling, i.e. for reaching the ultimate goal of a broader adoption of silvo-pastoral systems

Sustainable beef labeling in Latin America and the Caribbean: Initiatives, developments, and bottlenecks

Scientific research is increasingly conclusive regarding the responsibility of food production in environmental issues, a situation that contrasts with greater consumer awareness. In this context, sustainability labels for meat have emerged, which offer a guarantee that production is based on principles of animal welfare, and carbon neutrality, among others. Since research on this subject is scarce, the objective of this article is to identify and analyze the initiatives and development of this type of labeling in Latin America and the Caribbean. For this purpose, a qualitative-descriptive study is carried out based on primary and secondary sources. The results show different types of progress in the main producing countries, with Uruguay and Brazil standing out as success stories. At the same time, difficulties are highlighted in the different stages of the production chain, such as low demand, or traceability. It is concluded that, despite the challenges, the transition to sustainable cattle farming is inevitable. However, this process will not happen spontaneously, but must be coordinated up with other types of strategies and the actions of various actors including governments, policymakers, and NGOs