Learning theories and holistic philosophies: Putting theory into practice to achieve early literacy

Whole language approach

Los cuidados en discapacidad : generadores de la autonomía o de la dependencia

El Cuidado como Derecho emerge de marcos normativos y estándares contenidos en dispositivos de orden nacional e internacional, que incluyen la perspectiva de Género, como la Convención Internacional sobre los derechos de las personas con Discapacidad, pactos internacionales, nuestra Constitución Nacional, el Código Civil y Comercial de la Nación Argentina, etc., a partir de los cuales se incorpora el econocimiento al Cuidado de manera explícita, entre otras garantías. El presente trabajo nace de la observación empírica profesional como trabajadora social, interpelada por la reflexión teórico-epistemológica en torno a ambas temáticas Cuidados y Discapacidad. Al respecto, el cuidado en la infancia resulta más visible, la madre es identificada como principal destinataria y responsable de las demandas institucionales y políticas públicas. Cuando se habla de personas con discapacidad, queda librada a las familias y, en dicho campo, a sus mujeres (de cualquier edad) la resolución individual de una problemática que tiene responsabilidades sociales y públicas. Si los hogares disponen de ingresos propios, tienen mayor cantidad de soluciones (de gestión privada) para asumir el cuidado, ante la nula oferta pública (de gestión estatal). En general, los servicios que brindan atención a este grupo poblacional están diseñados para que exista una familia detrás que sustenta la vida cotidiana. Por lo tanto, en las instituciones y dispositivos de las políticas públicas, se tiende a generar procesos de familiarización y feminización de los cuidados. En el contexto social la temática de los Cuidados emerge como problema público en los discursos. Desde las prácticas sociales surge como interpelación: ¿Las políticas públicas -y sus dispositivos- son gestores de la autonomía o la dependencia de las personas con discapacidad?Fil: Menendez, Rosa

Complementarity of dung beetle species with different functional behaviours influence dung–soil carbon cycling

Decomposition of large ungulate herbivore dung and its subsequent incorporation into the soil play key roles in carbon and nutrient cycling and are important for grassland productivity. Dung beetles contribute to the initial breakdown and transport of organic matter from the dung into the soil but how they interact with the microbial community to modify decomposition processes remains poorly understood. Using a mesocosm experiment, we investigated the individual and interactive effect of two dung beetle species with contrasting functional behaviour (dweller species: Agrilinus ater (De Geer 1774) vs. tunneler species: Typhaeus typhoeus (Linneaus 1758)) on dung C cycling (CO2 fluxes and C transfer through the soil profile) and resultant effects on microbial activity and biomass in the soil. Both dung beetle species contributed significantly to dung removal, reducing the C lost through microbial respiration from the whole mesocosm. However, C concentrations measured in leachates from the mesocosm were only significantly higher in the presence of the tunneler species, indicating that tunnelling activity was required to increase C transfer down the soil profile. The combined effect of the two dung beetle species resulted in the highest soil microbial respiration from the soil and in particular in the 2–10 cm depth increment, suggesting positive complementarity effects between species with different functional behaviour. We conclude that the return of C in the form of dung in grasslands, coupled with the activity of a functionally diverse dung beetle assemblage, could result in short term fluctuations in soil microbial activity with important consequences for soil C cycling

The effects of land use change on native dung beetle diversity and function in Australia’s Wet Tropics

The impacts of land use change on biodiversity and ecosystem functions are variable, particularly in fragmented tropical rainforest systems with high diversity. Dung beetles (Scarabaeinae) are an ideal group to investigate the relationship between land use change, diversity and ecosystem function as they are easily surveyed, sensitive to habitat modification and perform many ecosystem functions. Although this relationship has been investigated for dung beetles in some tropical regions, there has been no study assessing how native dung beetles in Australia's tropical rainforests respond to deforestation, and what the corresponding consequences are for dung removal (a key ecosystem function fulfilled by dung beetles). In this study we investigated the relationship between dung beetle community attributes (determined through trapping) and function (using dung removal experiments that allowed different dung beetle functional groups to access the dung) in rainforest and cleared pasture in a tropical landscape in Australia's Wet Tropics. Species richness, abundance and biomass were higher in rainforest compared to adjacent pasture, and species composition between these land use types differed significantly. However, average body size and evenness in body size were higher in pasture than in rainforest. Dung removal was higher in rainforest than in pasture when both functional groups or tunnelers only could access the dung. Increased dung removal in the rainforest was explained by higher biodiversity and dominance of a small number of species with distinct body sizes, as dung removal was best predicted by the evenness in body size of the community. Our findings suggest that functional traits (including body size and dung relocation behaviour) present in a dung beetle community are key drivers of dung removal. Overall, our results show that deforestation has reduced native dung beetle diversity in Australian tropical landscapes, which negatively impacts on the capacity for dung removal by dung beetles in this region

Measuring the success of reforestation for restoring biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

Summary 1.Effective assessment of the success of ecological restoration projects is critical in justifying the use of restoration in natural resource management as well as improving best practice. One of the main goals of ecological restoration is the recovery of ecosystem function, yet most researchers assume that increasing species and or functional diversity equates with restoration of ecosystem function, rather than empirically demonstrating these mechanistic relationships. 2.In this study we assess how dung beetle species diversity, community composition, functional diversity and ecological functions vary along a restoration chronosequence and compare restored areas with reference (rainforest) and degraded (pasture) systems. We also directly investigate the dung beetle diversity – ecosystem functioning relationship in the context of ecological rainforest restoration by testing the predictive power of traditional taxonomic indices and functional diversity metrics for functionality. 3.Species richness, abundance, biomass and functional richness all increased with restoration age, with the oldest restoration sites being most similar to rainforest; whereas functional evenness and functional divergence decreased with restoration age. Community composition in the restored areas was clearly progressing towards the rainforest sites and deviating from the pasture sites with increasing restoration age. 4.Secondary seed dispersal rates increased with restoration age, but there was only a weak positive relationship between dung removal and soil excavation and restoration age. Biodiversity metrics explained 47–74% of the variation in functions mediated by dung beetles; however, functional trait-based indices provided greater explanatory power of functionality than traditional species-based metrics. 5.Synthesis and applications. Our results provide empirical evidence on the potential of tropical forest restoration to mitigate biodiversity losses, recovering not only faunal species diversity, but also functional diversity and ecosystem functions in a relatively short period of time. We also demonstrate that functional trait-based metrics are better predictors of functionality than traditional species-based metrics but that the relationship between restoration age, diversity and ecosystem functioning is not straightforward and depends on the functions, traits and metrics used

Relevance of trade facilitation in emerging countries exports

The objective of this article is to analyse trade flows in emerging nations with a maritime boundary, where trade facilitation plays a decisive role in their international development. In order to detect possible patterns in performance, we apply the economic approach of gravity models using the World Bank Logistic Performance Index (LPI) as a good proxy of trade facilitation. The results of the estimation lead to the conclusion that the more complex the transportation of goods is, the more influential the logistics indicator, trade facilitation being most prominent in Middle East exporters.Martí Selva, ML.; Puertas Medina, RM.; García Menéndez, L. (2012). Relevance of trade facilitation in emerging countries exports. Journal of International Trade and Economic Development. 23(2):202-222. doi:10.1080/09638199.2012.698639S202222232Behar, A. and Manner, P. Logistics and exports. African Economics Working Paper Series 293. CSAE WPS/2008-13. Oxford: University of Oxford.Bergstrand, J. H. (1989). The Generalized Gravity Equation, Monopolistic Competition, and the Factor-Proportions Theory in International Trade. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 71(1), 143. doi:10.2307/1928061Bergstrand, J. H. (1985). The Gravity Equation in International Trade: Some Microeconomic Foundations and Empirical Evidence. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 67(3), 474. doi:10.2307/1925976Clark, X., Dollar, D., & Micco, A. (2004). Port efficiency, maritime transport costs, and bilateral trade. Journal of Development Economics, 75(2), 417-450. doi:10.1016/j.jdeveco.2004.06.005Decreux, I. and Fontagne, L. A quantitative assessment of the outcome of the Doha development agenda. CEPII Working Paper 2006–10. CEPIIDennis, A. The impact of regional trade agreements and trade facilitation in the Middle East and North Africa region. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3837. Washington, DC: World Bank.Djankov, S., Freund, C. and Pham, C. Trading on time. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3909. Washington, DC: World Bank.Freund, C. L., & Weinhold, D. (2004). The effect of the Internet on international trade. Journal of International Economics, 62(1), 171-189. doi:10.1016/s0022-1996(03)00059-xHanson, G. and Xiang, C. The home market effect and bilateral trade patterns. NBER Working Paper Series, Working Paper 9076. Cambridge, MA: 02138. July.Hausman, W., Lee, H L. and Subramanian, U. Global logistic indicators, supply chain metrics, and bilateral trade patterns. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3773. Washington, DC: World Bank.Henderson, J. V., Shalizi, Z., & Venables, A. J. (2001). Geography and development. Journal of Economic Geography, 1(1), 81-105. doi:10.1093/jeg/1.1.81Hoekman, B., & Nicita, A. (2010). Assessing the Doha Round: Market access, transactions costs and aid for trade facilitation. The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 19(1), 65-79. doi:10.1080/09638190903327476Hoekman, B., & Nicita, A. (2011). Trade Policy, Trade Costs, and Developing Country Trade. World Development, 39(12), 2069-2079. doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2011.05.013Iwanow, T., & Kirkpatrick, C. (2009). Trade Facilitation and Manufactured Exports: Is Africa Different? World Development, 37(6), 1039-1050. doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2008.09.014Krugman, P. (1991). Increasing Returns and Economic Geography. Journal of Political Economy, 99(3), 483-499. doi:10.1086/261763Korinek, J. and Sourdin, P. To what extent are high-quality logistics services trade facilitating? OECD Trade Policy Working Papers 108. Paris: OECD Publishing.Limao, N. (2001). Infrastructure, Geographical Disadvantage, Transport Costs, and Trade. The World Bank Economic Review, 15(3), 451-479. doi:10.1093/wber/15.3.451Martínez-Zarzoso, I., Pérez-García, E. M., & Suárez-Burguet, C. (2008). Do transport costs have a differential effect on trade at the sectoral level? Applied Economics, 40(24), 3145-3157. doi:10.1080/00036840600994179Moïsé, E., Orliac, T. and Minor, P. Trade facilitation indicators: The impact on trade costs. OECD Trade Policy Working Papers 118. Paris: OECD Publishing.Nordas, H. and Piermartini, R. Infrastructure and trade. WTO Economic Research and Statistics Division Staff, Working Paper ERSD-2004-04. Geneva: WTO.Portugal-Perez, A. and Wilson, J S. Export performance and trade facilitation reform. Policy Research Working Paper 5261. Washington, DC: World Bank. AprilPrabir, D. Impact of trade costs and trade: Empirical evidence from Asian countries. Working Paper Series 27. Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade. New York: United Nations. JanuaryShepherd, B. and Wilson, J. Road infrastructure in Europe and Central Asia: Does network quality affect trade? Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4104. Washington, DC: World Bank.Soloaga, I., Wilson, J S. and Mejía, A. Trade facilitation reform and Mexican competitiveness. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3953. Washington, DC: World Bank. JuneTang, D. (2005). Effects of the Regional Trading Arrangements on Trade: Evidence from the NAFTA, ANZCER and ASEAN Countries, 1989 – 2000. The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 14(2), 241-265. doi:10.1080/09638190500093562Wilmsmeier, G., Hoffmann, J., & Sanchez, R. J. (2006). The Impact of Port Characteristics on International Maritime Transport Costs. Research in Transportation Economics, 16, 117-140. doi:10.1016/s0739-8859(06)16006-0Wilson, J. S., Mann, C. L., & Otsuki, T. (2005). ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL BENEFIT OF TRADE FACILITATION: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE. Quantitative Methods for Assessing the Effects of Non-Tariff Measures and Trade Facilitation, 121-160. doi:10.1142/9789812701350_0008Wilson, J S. and Otsuki, T. Regional integration in South Asia: What role for trade facilitation? World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4423. Washington, DC: World Bank. Decembe

Selection of aphid prey by a generalist predator:do prey chemical defences matter?

1. For predators, prey selection should maximise nutrition and minimise fitness costs. In the present study, it was investigated whether a generalist predator [Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) lacewing larvae] rejected harmful, chemically-defended prey [Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) aphids] when non-defended prey [Myzus persicae (Sulzer) aphids] were available. 2. It was tested: (i) whether consuming different prey species affects predator mortality; (ii) whether naïve predators reject chemically-defended prey while foraging when non-defended prey are available; (iii) whether the relative abundance of each prey affects the predator's prey choice; and (iv) whether predators learn to avoid consuming chemically-defended prey after exposure to both prey species. 3. Consumption of B. brassicae yielded greater C. carnea mortality than M. persicae consumption, but naïve C. carnea did not reject B. brassicae in favour of M. persicae during foraging. When presented at unequal abundances, naïve predators generally consumed each aphid species according to their initial relative abundance, although, predation of non-defended prey was less than expected when defended prey were initially more abundant, indicating a high consumption of B. brassicae impeded M. persicae consumption. With experience, C. carnea maintained predation of both aphid species but consumed more M. persicae than B. brassicae, indicating a change in behaviour. 4. Although prey choice by C. carnea may change with experience of available prey, prey chemical defences do not appear to influence prey choice by naïve predators. This inability to avoid harmful prey could facilitate wider, indirect interactions. Myzus persicae may benefit where high consumption of B. brassicae hinders predators in the short term, and in the long term, increases predator mortality

35 años de educación popular en los barrios de Madrid

Las escuelas populares son organizaciones de base para la Educación de Personas Adultas, el aprendizaje colectivo y la transformación social. Son organizaciones basadas en el voluntariado y en la gratuidad, resultan de la capacidad de la iniciativa social para auto organizarse y responder a las necesidades culturales de la comunidad

Functionally richer communities improve ecosystem functioning:Dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles in the Western Palaearctic

Aim In several ecosystems, the diversity of functional species traits has been shown to have a stronger effect on ecosystem functioning than taxonomic diversity alone. However, few studies have explored this idea at a large geographical scale. In a multisite experiment, we unravelled the relationship between ecosystem function and functional completeness of species assemblages using dung beetles as a model group, focusing on dung removal and secondary seed dispersal. Location Seventeen grassland locations across the Western Palaearctic. Methods We used a randomized block design with different exclosure types to control the dung and seed removing activities of individual functional groups of the local dung beetle assemblage. We classified dung beetle species according to resource specialization and into functional groups based on dung processing behaviour (dwellers, tunnellers, rollers) and body size (small, large). Additionally, we assessed the role of other soil macro‐invertebrates. By sampling the dung beetle community and measuring the remaining dung and seeds after the experiment, the impact of each functional group was estimated. Results Dung beetle assemblages differed along a north–south and east–west gradient. Dwellers dominated northernmost sites, whereas at lower latitudes we observed more tunnellers and rollers indicating a functional shift. Resource specialists were more abundant in southern and eastern areas. Overall, functional group diversity enhanced dung removal. More dung (+46.9%) and seeds (+32.1%) were removed in the southern sites and tunnellers and rollers were more effective. At the northernmost sites, where tunnellers were scarce or absent, other soil macro‐invertebrates removed the majority of dung. Main conclusions The conservation of functionally complete dung beetle assemblages is crucial to maintain the ecosystem functions provided by dung beetles. Given the latitudinal variation in functional group diversity, it is reasonable to expect compositional changes due to climate change. These changes could lead to increased dung removal and a higher secondary seed dispersal rate in northern regions

Human ESCs predisposition to karyotypic instability: Is a matter of culture adaptation or differential vulnerability among hESC lines due to inherent properties?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in research is increasing and hESCs hold the promise for many biological, clinical and toxicological studies. Human ESCs are expected to be chromosomally stable since karyotypic changes represent a pitfall for potential future applications. Recently, several studies have analysed the genomic stability of several hESC lines maintained after prolonged <it>in vitro </it>culture but controversial data has been reported. Here, we prompted to compare the chromosomal stability of three hESC lines maintained in the same laboratory using identical culture conditions and passaging methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Molecular cytogenetic analyses performed in three different hESC lines maintained in parallel in identical culture conditions revealed significant differences among them in regard to their chromosomal integrity. In feeders, the HS181, SHEF-1 and SHEF-3 hESC lines were chromosomally stable up to 185 passages using either mechanical or enzymatic dissection methods. Despite the three hESC lines were maintained under identical conditions, each hESC line behaved differently upon being transferred to a feeder-free culture system. The two younger hESC lines, HS181 (71 passages) and SHEF-3 (51 passages) became chromosomally unstable shortly after being cultured in feeder-free conditions. The HS181 line gained a chromosome 12 by passage 17 and a marker by passage 21, characterized as a gain of chromosome 20 by SKY. Importantly, the mosaicism for trisomy 12 gradually increased up to 89% by passage 30, suggesting that this karyotypic abnormality provides a selective advantage. Similarly, the SHEF-3 line also acquired a trisomy of chromosome 14 as early as passage 10. However, this karyotypic aberration did not confer selective advantage to the genetically abnormal cells within the bulk culture and the level of mosaicism for the trisomy 14 remained overtime between 15%–36%. Strikingly, however, a much older hESC line, SHEF-1, which was maintained for 185 passages in feeders did not undergo any numerical or structural chromosomal change after 30 passages in feeder-free culture and over 215 passages in total.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results support the concept that feeder-free conditions may partially contribute to hESC chromosomal changes but also confirm the hypothesis that regardless of the culture conditions, culture duration or splitting methods, some hESC lines are inherently more prone than others to karyotypic instability.</p