Design and Application of a Citizen Participation Tool to Improve Public Management of Drought Situations

[EN] The growing scarcity of water for human consumption in southern Europe is driving today¿s public administrations to search for new ways of optimising its availability. Within this context, the purpose of this paper is to analyse whether citizen participation is an appropriate way of improving the management of available water, as several international organisations suggest. This study is part of a research project carried out by the University of Seville in Spain on behalf of the city of Seville¿s metropolitan water supply company, hereinafter EMASESA. A qualitative method is applied in this research using pre-mortem testing techniques, enabling a specific participation tool to be designed, called the EMASESA Water Observatory, which this article describes in detail. The tool produced specific measures aimed at better addressing drought situations. In view of the practical application of this newly designed tool, we conclude that citizen participation is indeed useful in identifying solutions to improve public water policies and drought management. It is also concluded that the tool¿s design calling for active participation is a positive factor in its application. Finally, the tool has also demonstrated that it generates knowledge that can be used to address other water-related issues and challenges, beyond those related to water availability.Casero-Cepeda, JF.; Catalá-Pérez, D.; Cano-Orellana, A. (2022). Design and Application of a Citizen Participation Tool to Improve Public Management of Drought Situations. Land. 11(10):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101802112111

Implementación de un modelo y herramienta de inteligencia (Balanced Scorecard y Cuadro de Mando) para el mejoramiento de la gestión universitaria en la Facultad de Informática y Electrónica de la Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo para el período 2014 – 2018

La presente investigación forma parte del cambio en la implementación del nuevo sistema de Educación Superior, tratando de introducir el Plan Estratégico por medio de la aplicación del Balanced Scorecard (BSC) en la Facultad de Informática y Electrónica (FIE), mejorando la Gestión Universitaria con la adopción de modelos inteligentes que han sido aplicables en empresas. Se utilizó el método deductivo-descriptivo pues en nuestro tema de investigación se partió de referencias llevadas a cabo con anterioridad cuyos resultados fueron favorables, los datos encontrados se estudiaron de forma individual y luego de forma integral, para la recolección de datos se utilizó cuestionarios para las entrevistas y las encuestas. Para la implementación del Cuadro de Mando se manejó un software Easy PHP versión 12.1, con aplicación web ODUN instalado con un servidor de Sistema Operativo GNU/Linux. La implementación del BSC y Cuadro de Mando en la (FIE) permite tener una herramienta sistematizada para monitorear periódicamente el cumplimiento de los objetivos e indicadores que tienen relación a los criterios del CEAACES, del análisis de resultados se ha obtenido que la FIE tiene un cumplimiento de La visión (1.4 de un máximo de 3) que se considera mal. Se demostró que la hipótesis tanto la variable dependiente e independiente se pudo comprobar por tener un sistema de control y seguir los indicadores del CEAACES que puede medir la eficacia de los objetivos y se recomienda que se continúe actualizando la base de datos para el seguimiento de los objetivos e indicadores de la FIE.The research is part of the change in the implementation of the new system of higher education. This is introducing a strategic plan through the implementation of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) at the Faculty of Informatics and Electronics (FIE), to improve university management with the adoption of intelligent models that have been applied in companies. A Deductive-descriptive method was used, since this issue came from references carried out previously. The result were favorable, the data found were studied individually and then holistically. Questionnaires were used to collect data from interviews and surveys. To implement the scorecard was handled a software “Easy PHP” version 12.1 Easy PHP web application ODUN server installed GNU/Linux operating system. The implementation of the scorecard in the FIE allows a systematic tool to periodically monitor compliance of the objectives and indicators related to CEAACES. From the analysis of results has been obtained that FIE has a fulfillment of the vision (1.4 up to 3) that is considered bad. It was shown that the hypothesis, dependent and independent variable for having a control system and follow the rules of CEAACES that can measure the effectiveness of the objectives and it is recommended to continue updating the database for tracking FIE objectives and indicators

Effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on stroke and atrial fibrillation in diabetic kidney disease: Results from the CREDENCE trial and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic kidney disease with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate or elevated albuminuria increases risk for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. This study assessed the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on stroke and atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) from CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation) and a meta-Analysis of large cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) of SGLT2i in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: CREDENCE randomized 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease to canagliflozin or placebo. Post hoc, we estimated effects on fatal or nonfatal stroke, stroke subtypes, and intermediate markers of stroke risk including AF/AFL. Stroke and AF/AFL data from 3 other completed large CVOTs and CREDENCE were pooled using random-effects meta-Analysis. RESULTS: In CREDENCE, 142 participants experienced a stroke during follow-up (10.9/1000 patient-years with canagliflozin, 14.2/1000 patient-years with placebo; hazard ratio [HR], 0.77 [95% CI, 0.55-1.08]). Effects by stroke subtypes were: ischemic (HR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.61-1.28]; n=111), hemorrhagic (HR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.19-1.32]; n=18), and undetermined (HR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.20-1.46]; n=17). There was no clear effect on AF/AFL (HR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.53-1.10]; n=115). The overall effects in the 4 CVOTs combined were: Total stroke (HRpooled, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.82-1.12]), ischemic stroke (HRpooled, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.89-1.14]), hemorrhagic stroke (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.30-0.83]), undetermined stroke (HRpooled, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.49-1.51]), and AF/AFL (HRpooled, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.71-0.93]). There was evidence that SGLT2i effects on total stroke varied by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=0.01), with protection in the lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate (45 mL/min/1.73 m2]) subgroup (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.31-0.79]). CONCLUSIONS: Although we found no clear effect of SGLT2i on total stroke in CREDENCE or across trials combined, there was some evidence of benefit in preventing hemorrhagic stroke and AF/AFL, as well as total stroke for those with lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate. Future research should focus on confirming these data and exploring potential mechanisms

Tintinnids from Todos Santos Bay, B.C., Mexico (1980-1985). I. Taxonomy

Tintinnids from Todos Santos Bay, Baja California (Mexico), were collected from 1980 to 1985 by means of 83 horizontal surface tows with a standard No. 20 net (75 µm mesh size). Based on lorica morphology, 66 species and 30 genera were identified. Ten species are considered as permanent due to their presence in plankton during at least four years. Other records include: two cold-water, five tropical and two cosmopolitan species. Such an assembly suggests that the bay is subject to changing conditions. A key to the genera is presented with 70 light microscope photographs, 41 SEM pictures and seven line drawings. Remarks on synonymy, specific taxonomic characters and polymorphism are included. Ultrastructure observations proved to be of great aid in these forementioned aspects. The high diversity suggests that Todos Santos Bay harbors several different microhabitats

Evaluación y modificación de los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas del lavado de manos en los niños y niñas de la Escuela Ramón Ulloa, parroquia Victoria del Portete, Cuenca 2008-2009

Con el objetivo de evaluar y modificar los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de lavado de manos, se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental, durante un periodo de seis meses, que consistió en la aplicación de un programa educativo dirigido a un grupo de escolares. El estudio se realizó con 18 niños que cursaban sexto año de básica de la escuela Ramón Ulloa, perteneciente a la parroquia rural Victoria del Portete de la ciudad de Cuenca que constituyó el grupo de intervención y por 16 niños deMédicoCuenc

Cysts of lingulodinium polyedrum, red tide producing organism in the todos santos bay (winter-spring, 2000)

Dinoflagellate cysts with dinosporin walls were identified for the first time in samples collected at Todos Santos Bay, Baja California, Mexico, during winter-spring 2000. Eighteen neritic species characteristic of temperate to temperate-cool neritic regions were identified, mainly from the Gonyaulacaceae and Congruentidiaceae families. The cysts were concentrated in the coastal zone, at depths shallower than 25 m, associated with surface fine sediments. Lingulodinium polyedrum (Stein) Dodge was the dominant species in both the sediments and in the water column, producing spring and summer red tides in the area

Diffraction pattern applicability in the identification of Ceratium species

At present, a subject of great interest for the scientific community is to obtain automatic systems for counting and identifying organisms responsible for red tides. Nevertheless, there are key problems that affect the results in the correct identification and quantification, such as image background (detritus, lighting variation in the microscope), variation in cell sedimentation in the observation field, natural morphological variation of the species in a sample, intra- and interspecific problems, and organism fragmentation. These problems are quantified by means of digital analysis of the phytoplankton organisms' image diffraction patterns. Quantification was accomplished by analyzing the results of the image diffraction pattern correlations and the image correlations. The results showed that the use of diffraction patterns in the identification of six Ceratium species overcomes the numerous noise problems mentioned above

In Rasmussen Encephalitis, Hemichannels Associated with Microglial Activation are linked to Cortical Pyramidal Neuron Coupling: A Possible Mechanism for Cellular Hyperexcitability

AIMS: Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare but devastating condition, mainly in children, characterized by sustained brain inflammation, atrophy of one cerebral hemisphere, epilepsy and progressive cognitive deterioration. The etiology of RE-induced seizures associated with the inflammatory process remains unknown. METHODS: Cortical tissue samples from children undergoing surgical resections for the treatment of RE (n=16) and non-RE (n=12) were compared using electrophysiological, morphological, and immunohistochemical techniques to examine neuronal properties and the relationship with microglial activation using the specific microglia/macrophage calcium-binding protein, IBA1 in conjunction with connexins and pannexin expression. RESULTS: Compared with non-RE cases, pyramidal neurons from RE cases displayed increased cell capacitance and reduced input resistance. However, neuronal somatic areas were not increased in size. Instead, intracellular injection of biocytin led to increased dye-coupling between neurons from RE cases. By Western blot, expression of IBA1 and pannexin was increased while connexin 32 was decreased in RE cases compared with non-RE cases. IBA1 immunostaining overlapped with pannexin and connexin 36 in RE cases. CONCLUSIONS: In RE, these results support the notion that a possible mechanism for cellular hyperexcitability may be related to increased intercellular coupling from pannexin linked to increased microglial activation. Such findings suggest that a possible anti-seizure treatment for RE may involve the use of gap junction blockers