Global health politics: neither solidarity nor policy Comment on “Globalization and the diffusion of ideas: why we should acknowledge the roots of mainstream ideas in global health”

The global health agenda has been dominating the current global health policy debate. Furthermore, it has compelled countries to embrace strategies for tackling health inequalities in a wide range of public health areas. The article by Robert and colleagues highlights that although globalization has increased opportunities to share and spread ideas, there is still great asymmetry of power according to the countries’ economic and political development. It also emphasizes how policy diffusion from High Income Countries (HICs) to Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) have had flaws at understanding their political, economic, and cultural backgrounds while they are pursuing knowledge translation. Achieving a fair global health policy diffusion of ideas would imply a call for a renewal on political elites worldwide at coping global health politics. Accordingly, moving towards fairness in disseminating global health ideas should be driven by politics not only as one of the social determinants of health, but the main determinant of health and well-being among— and within—societies

Improved spectral descriptions of planetary nebulae central stars

Context. At least 492 central stars of Galactic planetary nebulae (CSPNs) have been assigned spectral types. Since many CSPNs are faint, these classification efforts are frequently made at low spectral resolution. However, the stellar Balmer absorption lines are contaminated with nebular emission; therefore in many cases a low-resolution spectrum does not enable the determination of the H abundance in the CSPN photosphere. Whether or not the photosphere is H deficient is arguably the most important fact we should expect to extract from the CSPN spectrum, and should be the basis for an adequate spectral classification system. Aims. Our purpose is to provide accurate spectral classifications and contribute to the knowledge of central stars of planetary nebulae and stellar evolution. Methods. We have obtained and studied higher quality spectra of CSPNs described in the literature as weak emission-line star (WELS). We provide descriptions of 19 CSPN spectra. These stars had been previously classified at low spectral resolution. We used medium-resolution spectra taken with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS). We provide spectral types in the Morgan-Keenan (MK) system whenever possible. Results. Twelve stars in our sample appear to have normal H rich photospheric abundances, and five stars remain unclassified. The rest (two) are most probably H deficient. Of all central stars described by other authors as WELS, we find that at least 26% of them are, in fact, H rich O stars, and at least 3% are H deficient. This supports the suggestion that the denomination WELS should not be taken as a spectral type, because, as a WELS is based on low-resolution spectra, it cannot provide enough information about the photospheric H abundance.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y GeofísicasInstituto de Astrofísica de La Plat

El comportamiento de las semillas de Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. en relación con la población de rizomas

p.227-231Se estudió el comportamiento de las semillas de sorgo de Alepo caídas naturalmente en un área que previamente había sido cultivada con trigo y que poseía alta infestación de dicha maleza, con el objeto de investigar una posible inhibición de germinación por acción de los rizomas existentes en el suelo. Los resultados indican que no hay una relación de tendencia definida, entre la germinación de las semillas y el peso seco de rizomas presentes en el perfil del suelo. Lo mismo vale para la mortandad de las semillas, aunque este carácter muestra una tendencia creciente con el aumento del peso seco de rizomas en el suelo. De la información aquí presentada no se concluye la existencia de algún mecanismo de inhibición que pudiera asociarse a una táctica particular, dentro de las estrategias reproductivas de esta especie. Para las condiciones del estudio efectuado, es probable que la competencia por nutrientes, luz, etc., sea la que regula el establecimiento de plántulas de sorgo de Alepo en la comunidad vegetal. Sin embargo, el efecto de los rizomas sobre la germinación de las semillas podría adquirir importancia en casos en que la biomasa de rizomas fuera muy elevada (más de 4 g-1.700 g de suelo), siendo ésta una situación poco frecuente en los campos de cultivo estudiados

Autonomia na gestão hospitalar no Chile: desafios para o recurso humano em saúde

Destacam-se algumas experiências de reforma sanitária na América Latina que têm dado lugar à implementação de hospitais autônomos. No Chile, o sistema de saúde implementou uma reforma que introduziu os Estabelecimentos de Autogestão em Rede. Estes serão centros de alta complexidade que abarcarão uma maior complexidade técnica, centros de custos e mecanismos de avaliação da satisfação dos usuários. Para o recurso humano em saúde, a implementação destes centros estabelece desafios no planejamento para a provisão de serviços, assim como na transição da gestão clássica das equipes a uma baseada em redes. Estes desafios envolvem a estimativa de vazios de especialidades médicas, assim como de outras profissões do setor. Para o sucesso da autogestão no Chile, conclui-se que se deve avançar em estabelecer políticas globais e locais que abordem temas de formação e organização da provisão de serviços de saúde nestas instituições.In Latin America, some health sector reforms have included steps to the implementation of autonomous hospitals. In Chile, the health system is implementing a reform that introduces a network of self-managed institutions. These organizations will be high complexity centers that involve greater technical diversity, cost centers and mechanisms to evaluate users' satisfaction. For human resources in health, the implementation of these centers creates challenges in the planning of service provision and a change from the traditional management style of the teams to one based on networks. These challenges include the estimation of gaps in medical specialists and in other professions in the health sector. In order to be successful with self-management, Chile needs to establish universal and local policies that address training and the organization of health service provisioning in these institutions.En América Latina destacan experiencias de reforma sanitaria en donde se ha dado paso a la implementación de hospitales autónomos. En Chile, el sistema de salud implementa una reforma que introduce los Establecimientos de Autogestión en Red. Estos serán centros de alta complejidad que involucrarán una mayor diversidad técnica, centros de costos y mecanismos de evaluación de la satisfacción de los usuarios. Para el recurso humano en salud, la implementación de estos centros plantea desafíos en la planificación para la provisión de servicios, así como en la transición de la gestión clásica de los equipos a una basada en redes. Estos desafíos involucran la estimación de brechas de especialidades médicas, así como de otras profesiones del sector. Para el éxito de la autogestión en Chile, se deben establecer políticas globales y locales que aborden temas de formación y de organización de la provisión de servicios de salud en estas instituciones

Improved spectral descriptions of planetary nebulae central stars

Context. At least 492 central stars of Galactic planetary nebulae (CSPNs) have been assigned spectral types. Since many CSPNs are faint, these classification efforts are frequently made at low spectral resolution. However, the stellar Balmer absorption lines are contaminated with nebular emission; therefore in many cases a low-resolution spectrum does not enable the determination of the H abundance in the CSPN photosphere. Whether or not the photosphere is H deficient is arguably the most important fact we should expect to extract from the CSPN spectrum, and should be the basis for an adequate spectral classification system. Aims. Our purpose is to provide accurate spectral classifications and contribute to the knowledge of central stars of planetary nebulae and stellar evolution. Methods. We have obtained and studied higher quality spectra of CSPNs described in the literature as weak emission-line star (WELS). We provide descriptions of 19 CSPN spectra. These stars had been previously classified at low spectral resolution. We used medium-resolution spectra taken with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS). We provide spectral types in the Morgan-Keenan (MK) system whenever possible. Results. Twelve stars in our sample appear to have normal H rich photospheric abundances, and five stars remain unclassified. The rest (two) are most probably H deficient. Of all central stars described by other authors as WELS, we find that at least 26% of them are, in fact, H rich O stars, and at least 3% are H deficient. This supports the suggestion that the denomination WELS should not be taken as a spectral type, because, as a WELS is based on low-resolution spectra, it cannot provide enough information about the photospheric H abundance.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y GeofísicasInstituto de Astrofísica de La Plat

Morphological techniques used in ichthyopathological diagnosis

In this review, different diagnostic techniques for identifying etiology of fish disease are described. Among microscopic techniques, we find rapid diagnostic tests to observe parasites, gill diseases and bacteria; routine histopathological techniques are also used. In samples having bone tissue, decalcification methods are employed. In recent years, apart from using immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, morphological techniques allow a deep study of disease pathogenesis. At present, molecular techniques for pathogen identification and atomic-absorption spectrophotometry to measure the concentration and distribution of toxic metals in tissues they also use. In conclusion, different techniques can contribute to the evaluation of disorders and provide tools for a better understanding in fish medicine.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Morphological techniques used in ichthyopathological diagnosis

In this review, different diagnostic techniques for identifying etiology of fish disease are described. Among microscopic techniques, we find rapid diagnostic tests to observe parasites, gill diseases and bacteria; routine histopathological techniques are also used. In samples having bone tissue, decalcification methods are employed. In recent years, apart from using immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, morphological techniques allow a deep study of disease pathogenesis. At present, molecular techniques for pathogen identification and atomic-absorption spectrophotometry to measure the concentration and distribution of toxic metals in tissues they also use. In conclusion, different techniques can contribute to the evaluation of disorders and provide tools for a better understanding in fish medicine.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Challenge 2: From genes & circuits to behavior

Understanding the brain from genes and circuits to behavior is a major scientific challenge. The large repertoire of cell activities supporting behavior stems from an equally diverse range of specialized cell types, from neuron to glia. To untangle mechanisms underlying brain function, elementary processes should be dissected, from the complex machinery of signaling pathways at the level of single cells and synapses, to the intricate phenomena leading to orchestrated ensemble activity and the establishment of engrams driving memory-guided behaviors. In this chapter we identify the main key tasks required to address some of the open questions in the field, and discuss on the main issues and strategies