Las bibliotecas públicas ante la brecha digital: tercera edad y discapacidad

Ponencias de la Segunda Conferencia internacional sobre brecha digital e inclusión social, celebrada del 28 al 30 de octubre de 2009 en la Universidad Carlos III de MadridLa biblioteca pública tiene el deber de implicarse en el desarrollo personal, educativo y cultural de los ciudadanos a los que sirve. Para ello debe ofrecer servicios especiales a los grupos que, en nuestro caso, por edad o por discapacidad, no pueden acceder a los servicios habituales de la biblioteca. Estos servicios les permitirán mejorar su calidad de vida y abrirles nuevas oportunidades en la sociedad. Ocupándonos de estos colectivos evitamos que acaben quedando aislados, y que la brecha digital se vea reducida e incluso eliminada. Para ello las bibliotecas ofrecerán servicios en los que puedan participar activamente, se les dará información en la web y también formación para que puedan consultarla y saber manejarse en ella sin problemas. Por último, la Web pone a nuestro alcance una serie de servicios que hace poco tiempo eran impensables, y se prestan sin problemas de accesibilidad a los mismos. Ofrecemos recursos disponibles en Internet específicos para estos colectivos, aunque también pueden extrapolarse a otros sectores desfavorecidos de la sociedad

Actuaciones de la biblioteca pública para paliar la brecha digital entre los colectivos de inmigrantes: desarrollo de servicios a través de la web

Ponencias de la Segunda Conferencia internacional sobre brecha digital e inclusión social, celebrada del 28 al 30 de octubre de 2009 en la Universidad Carlos III de MadridLas bibliotecas públicas pueden contribuir en las sociedades multiculturales a la integración social de la población inmigrante, desarrollando servicios y recursos de información específicos para estos colectivos, de tal manera que encuentren en ella un lugar adecuado para cubrir sus necesidades de información y cultura. Las bibliotecas públicas son también portales fundamentales para acceder al contenido de Internet, y, para algunos ciudadanos, los únicos puntos de acceso disponibles. Internet permite a las personas y a las comunidades de todo el mundo tener igualdad de acceso a la información para el desarrollo personal, la educación, el estímulo, el enriquecimiento cultural, la actividad económica y la participación informada en la democracia. El objetivo principal del estudio es mostrar los recursos y servicios que las bibliotecas públicas ofrecen a los colectivos de inmigrantes a través de la web

Los portales de los telecentros españoles en el 2009: nuevo paradigma para la inclusión social

Ponencias de la Segunda Conferencia internacional sobre brecha digital e inclusión social, celebrada del 28 al 30 de octubre de 2009 en la Universidad Carlos III de MadridLos telecentros españoles constituyen un instrumento de dinamización e inclusión en la sociedad de la información. Sin embargo, se ha detectado una ausencia de estudios que describan los servicios online que llevan a cabo estas entidades, como complemento a la labor realizada por las bibliotecas. Teniendo en cuenta este aspecto se ha realizado una investigación que analiza las actividades, los recursos y los contenidos que ofrecen los portales de los telecentros en la Web. Con este estudio se pretende difundir las características generales de los telecentros junto a un “Modelo de Recursos y Servicios”

Bibliotecas 2.0: herramientas para paliar la brecha digital

Ponencias de la Segunda Conferencia internacional sobre brecha digital e inclusión social, celebrada del 28 al 30 de octubre de 2009 en la Universidad Carlos III de MadridExiste un acuerdo generalizado sobre el papel que juegan las bibliotecas en la Sociedad de la Información como un servicio que contribuye a la inclusión digital gracias a la capacitación para un uso reflexivo y ético de la información, así como la formación en las herramientas tecnológicas que median en el acceso al conocimiento. El desarrollo de la web social, no ha dejado indiferentes a los profesionales de la información quienes han adaptado, y generado nuevos contenidos y servicios en los sitios webs de sus organizaciones utilizando estas nuevas aplicaciones, dando lugar a la denominación de Biblioteca 2.0. El debate sobre los beneficios o inconvenientes de la utilización de estas aplicaciones en las bibliotecas continúa abierto en la actualidad mientras cada vez mayor número de unidades de información siguen creando nuevos espacios de interacción con sus usuarios implementando el software social. Las tecnologías digitales están abriendo una nueva brecha entre diferentes colectivos de ciudadanos por motivos muy variados: diferencias socioeconómicas, distinta capacidad de acceso y uso de las Tecnologías de la información o distintos niveles de capacitación tecnológica. Las bibliotecas, utilizando las aplicaciones de la web 2.0 intentan paliar la brecha digital, aunque sólo sean una parte de la solución. En la presenta comunicación, se intenta dar a conocer, cómo las bibliotecas colaboran en la reducción de la brecha digital utilizando el software social, y se ofrece una panorámica de buenos ejemplos españoles que han implementado estas herramientas con un doble objetivo: como herramientas para la formación en competencias informacionales, pero también dándoles una utilidad en la promoción y marketing bibliotecario y acercando el conocimiento de los servicios de las unidades de información a los usuarios

Comprehensive metabolite profiling of Solanum tuberosum L.(potato) leaves by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS

The objective of this work was to study the non-targeted metabolite profiling of potato leaves using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). The mass accuracy, true isotopic pattern in both MS and MS/MS spectra provided by QTOF-MS made possible the tentative identification of 109 compounds present in potato leaves, including organic acids, amino acids and derivatives, phenolic acids, flavonoids, iridoids, oxylipins and other polar and semi-polar compounds. Among them, 32 compounds have been found for the first time in potato leaf and in the Solanaceae family. Quinic acid and its derivatives represented more than 45% of the bioactive compounds quantified in the extract. Derivatives of hydroxybenzoic acid and gentisic acid were also founded at considerable concentrations. This study shed light on the composition of potato leaf extract and will serve as a base for further research into activities of the various compounds found in this matrix which has demonstrated a potential use as functional ingredients

Crisis y reestructuración de grandes zonas regables en Andalucía: el caso del bajo Guadalquivir

Este trabajo pretende analizar las características actuales de la Zona Regable del Bajo Guadalquivir, así como la percepción y respuestas de los diferentes actores ante las nuevas dinámicas socioeconómicas y modificaciones normativas (DMA y última revisión de la PAC). En primer lugar, se realizó un diagnóstico socio-económico de la agricultura y el espacio rural de un área seleccionada (Municipios de Los Palacios, Las Cabezas de San Juan y Lebrija). A continuación se identificaron los agentes socio-institucionales con implicaciones en la agricultura de este entorno y se realizaron 23 entrevistas. Este trabajo se completó con la aplicación de una encuesta a 156 agricultores

Risk factors associated with the antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci in canine pyoderma

This study reports the susceptibility to antimicrobial agents of staphylococci 4 (n=105) isolated from dogs, and the factors associated with this resistance. The study 5 animals were 23 healthy dogs (group A), 24 with first-time pyoderma (group B), and 27 6 with recurrent pyoderma that had undergone long-term antibiotic treatment (group C). 7 Staphylococci were more commonly isolated from the pyoderma-affected than the 8 healthy dogs (p<0.0001). 9 10 Some 78% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent. 11 Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate,cephalosporins (OR 4.29, 95% CI [1.15, 16.3] 12 respectively), enrofloxacin (OR 9.47, 95% CI [1.53, 58.5]) and ciprofloxacin (OR 79.7 13 95% CI [3.26, 1947.4]) was more common among group C isolates. Some 32% of all 14 the isolates were multiresistant (MR) and 10.4% were methicillin-resistant (MRS). The 15 probability of isolating MRS staphylococci in group C increased by a factor of four 16 (95% CI [1.18, 17.9]) compared to A plus B. Multi-resistant (MR) isolates were 17 obtained more commonly from urban than rural dogs (OR 3.79, 95% CI [1.09, 13.17]). 18 All the MRS staphylococci encountered were obtained from urban dogs and more 19 commonly from male dogs (p= 0.07). 20 21 This study shows that dogs bred in urban habitat, with a history of antibiotic 22 therapy in the past year represents significant risk of being carriers of isolates resistant 23 to methicillin (MRS) and other antimicrobials. These factors should be considered 24 before applying an antimicrobial treatment in veterinary clinics

Permeable reactive barriers for the remediation of groundwater in a mining area: results for a pilot-scale project

The Sierra Minera of Cartagena-La Union is located in the Region of Murcia, Southeast of Spain. This zone presents high levels of heavy metals due to natural, geogenic reasons. In addition, the prolonged mining activity, and subsequent abandonment of farms, has had consequences on the environment, including severe affectation of the groundwater in the area. To remediate this situation, the Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) technology was assayed, which required in addition to the hydro-geological study of the zone, a careful optimization study for the design and construction of PRBs. For such a purpose a pilot-scale project was developed, and this communication reports some of the most relevant findings obtained after a four-years monitorization period. The selected reactive material for the PRBs was limestone filler. The filler is a waste material produced in many factories in the zone. These residues have good adsorption properties, high alkalinity, low cost and high availability, which make them suitable for use in remediation. The PRB was constituted by a 50% limestone filler and 50% sand, a proportion optimized by means of independent batch experiments. A layer of gravel was placed at the top, and on it a layer of natural soil. The barrier was designed in the form of a continuous trench, because the level of the contaminated groundwater was not very deep. In this way, the barrier could be prepared with standard excavation equipment. Parallel to the barrier, 6 wells where arranged downstream for sample collection. The pH and conductivity of the samples was measured directly in situ, and the content of Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Pb were analyzed in the laboratory. All the samples collected after the PRB was constructed had basic pH values between 7.5 and 8. The conductivity was between 5 and 11 mS / cm except for the well 4, which had a value of 3.70 mS / cm. The concentration values of trace elements were below the detection limit (atomic absorption measurement) in most of cases, or showed values below normal levels of the area. Our results prove that limestone filler is suitable as the active component of PRBs barriers for sites polluted by trace elements. Following this relatively simple technology, there is no risk for human health or ecosystem, and a big cost-saving can be obtained in projects focused to the remediation of areas affected by mining activities

The Metabolic Redox Regime of <i>Pseudomonas putida</i> Tunes Its Evolvability toward Novel Xenobiotic Substrates

Some environmental bacteria evolve with new capacities for the aerobic biodegradation of chemical pollutants by adapting preexisting redox reactions to novel compounds. The process typically starts by cooption of enzymes from an available route to act on the chemical structure of the substrate-to-be. The critical bottleneck is generally the first biochemical step, and most of the selective pressure operates on reshaping the initial reaction. The interim uncoupling of the novel substrate to preexisting Rieske nonheme iron oxygenases usually results in formation of highly mutagenic ROS. In this work, we demonstrate that the background metabolic regime of the bacterium that hosts an evolving catabolic pathway (e.g., biodegradation of the xenobiotic 2,4-DNT) determines whether the cells either adopt a genetic diversification regime or a robust ROS-tolerant status. Furthermore, our results offer new perspectives to the rational design of efficient whole-cell biocatalysts, which are pursued in contemporary metabolic engineering.During evolution of biodegradation pathways for xenobiotic compounds involving Rieske nonheme iron oxygenases, the transition toward novel substrates is frequently associated with faulty reactions. Such events release reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are endowed with high mutagenic potential. In this study, we evaluated how the operation of the background metabolic network by an environmental bacterium may either foster or curtail the still-evolving pathway for 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) catabolism. To this end, the genetically tractable strain Pseudomonas putida EM173 was implanted with the whole genetic complement necessary for the complete biodegradation of 2,4-DNT (recruited from the environmental isolate Burkholderia sp. R34). By using reporter technology and direct measurements of ROS formation, we observed that the engineered P. putida strain experienced oxidative stress when catabolizing the nitroaromatic substrate. However, the formation of ROS was neither translated into significant activation of the SOS response to DNA damage nor did it result in a mutagenic regime (unlike what has been observed in Burkholderia sp. R34, the original host of the pathway). To inspect whether the tolerance of P. putida to oxidative challenges could be traced to its characteristic reductive redox regime, we artificially altered the NAD(P)H pool by means of a water-forming, NADH-specific oxidase. Under the resulting low-NAD(P)H status, catabolism of 2,4-DNT triggered a conspicuous mutagenic and genomic diversification scenario. These results indicate that the background biochemical network of environmental bacteria ultimately determines the evolvability of metabolic pathways. Moreover, the data explain the efficacy of some bacteria (e.g., pseudomonads) to host and evolve with new catabolic routes

Uptake of potentially toxic elements by edible plants in experimental mining Technosols: preliminary assessment

A study was carried out to evaluate the absorption of potentially toxic elements from mining Technosols by three types of vegetable plants (broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and onion (Allium cepa)), the different parts of which are intended for human and farm animal consumption (leaves, roots, edible parts). The preliminary results obtained highlight the importance of the design of the mining Technosols used for agricultural purposes, obtained from soils and sediments of mining origin and amended with residues of high calcium carbonate concentrations (limestone filler and construction and demolition wastes). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, and the total metal(loid)s concentration (As, Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) of the soil, rhizosphere, aqueous leachates and plant samples was monitored, the translocation and bioconcentration factors (TF and BCF, respectively) being calculated. The characterization of the soils included a mobilization study in media simulating different environmental conditions that can affect these soils and predicting the differences in behavior of each Technosol. The results obtained showed that the levels of potentially toxic elements present in the cultivated species are within the range of values mentioned in the literature when they were cultivated in soils with calcareous amendments. However, when the plants were grown in contaminated soils, the potentially toxic elements levels varied greatly according to the species, being higher in onions than in lettuce. Experiments with the use of lime filler or construction and demolition wastes for soil remediation result in crops that, in principle, do not present health risks and are similar in development to those grown on non-contaminated soil