A data-driven methodological routine to identify key indicators for social-ecological system archetype mapping

We thank R Romero-Calcerrada and J M Requena-Mullor for helpful discussions, and three anonymous reviewers for their constructive suggestions to improve this paper. We also thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Business (Project CGL2014-61610-EXP) for the financial support, as well as the Spanish Ministry of Education for the FPU Predoctoral Fellowship of MPR (FPU14/06782) and MTTG (16/02214). MPR gratefully acknowledges funding from Universidad de Almeria for a research stay at the Laboratory of Regional Analysis and Remote Sensing (LART) of University of Buenos Aires to develop this study. This research was done within the LTSER Platforms of the Arid Iberian South East-Spain (LTER_EU_ES_027) and Sierra Nevada/Granada (ES- SNE)-Spain (LTER_EU_ES_010), and contributes to the Global Land Programme.The spatial mapping of social-ecological system (SES) archetypes constitutes a fundamental tool to operationalize the SES concept in empirical research. Approaches to detect, map, and characterize SES archetypes have evolved over the last decade towards more integrative and comparable perspectives guided by SES conceptual frameworks and reference lists of variables. However, hardly any studies have investigated how to empirically identify the most relevant set of indicators to map the diversity of SESs. In this study, we propose a data-driven methodological routine based on multivariate statistical analysis to identify the most relevant indicators for mapping and characterizing SES archetypes in a particular region. Taking Andalusia (Spain) as a case study, we applied this methodological routine to 86 indicators representing multiple variables and dimensions of the SES. Additionally, we assessed how the empirical relevance of these indicators contributes to previous expert and empirical knowledge on key variables for characterizing SESs. We identified 29 key indicators that allowed us to map 15 SES archetypes encompassing natural, mosaic, agricultural, and urban systems, which uncovered contrasting land sharing and land sparing patterns throughout the territory. We found synergies but also disagreements between empirical and expert knowledge on the relevance of variables: agreement on their widespread relevance (32.7% of the variables, e.g. crop and livestock production, net primary productivity, population density); relevance conditioned by the context or the scale (16.3%, e.g. land protection, educational level); lack of agreement (20.4%, e.g. economic level, land tenure); need of further assessments due to the lack of expert or empirical knowledge (30.6%). Overall, our data-driven approach can contribute to more objective selection of relevant indicators for SES mapping, which may help to produce comparable and generalizable empirical knowledge on key variables for characterizing SESs, as well as to derive more representative descriptions and causal factor configurations in SES archetype analysis.Spanish Government CGL2014-61610-EXP FPU14/06782 16/02214Universidad de AlmeriaLTSER Platforms of the Arid Iberian South East-Spain LTER_EU_ES_027Sierra Nevada/Granada (ES- SNE)-Spain LTER_EU_ES_01

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ADVANCES TO ENHANCE COMPARABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE GENERALIZATION IN SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM RESEARCH.

Tesis doctoral en período de exposición públicaDoctorado en Ciencias Aplicadas al Medio Ambiente (RD99/11)890

Evaluación del posicionamiento preciso a través de los receptores GPS LEA-6T, NEO-M8T y ZED-F9P de bajo costo

Se comparó el posicionamiento obtenido en dos casos de estudios dependientes de las distancias (~31 y ~4.9 Km) a través del método estático mediante el uso de receptores de bajo costo de simple (LEA-6T y NEO-M8T) y doble frecuencia (ZED-F9P); tomando como referencia un receptor de orden geodésico Geomax Zenith 25. Asimismo, el posicionamiento fue evaluado con a la normativa vigente en México para el Circulo de Error Probable (CEP) y Exactitud Posicional Vertical (EPV) con una incertidumbre del 95%. Seencuentran discrepancias entre coordenadas para un mismo punto en el sistema ENU, valores mínimos de ~ 2 mm y ~ 10 mm, para una distancia ~31 y ~4.9 Km, respectivamente, obteniendo el mejor resultado con el receptor de una frecuencia LEA-M8T para la distancia de ~31 km; para el caso ~4.9 km se presenta con el receptor ZED-F9P en conjunto con una antena de orden Geodésico. Por otro lado, los resultados muestran un grado de cumplimiento en el posicionamiento de los receptores de bajo costo favorable donde; se obtienen valores de 8 mm de variación máxima para CEP; para EPV al 95% de confiabilidad, 1 cm de discrepancia. Presentando los mejores resultados los receptores LEA-6T y NEO-M8T, caso ~31 km, en cuanto a CEP y EPV.   A comparative study between the positioning obtained in two case studies depending on distances (~31 and ~4.9 km) was carried out through the static method of survey using the low-cost receivers of single (LEA-6T and NEO-M8T) and double frequency (ZED-F9P). The reference was taken as Geomax Zenith 25 geodetic order receiver. The positioning was evaluated with the current regulations in Mexico for the Circle of Probable Error (CEP) and Vertical Positional Accuracy (EPV) with an uncertainty of 95%. The discrepancies between coordinates for the same point in the ENU system were found to be the minimum values of ~ 2 mm and ~ 10 mm for a distance of ~31 and ~4.9 Km, respectively. The best results were obtained with the NEO-M8T single frequency receiver for the distance of ~31 km and for the distance of ~4.9 km, it is presented with the ZED-F9P receiver in conjunction with a geodetic antenna. Whereas on the other hand, the results show a degree of compliance in the positioning of low-cost receivers wherein the variation values of a maximum of 8 mm are obtained for CEP and for EPV 1 cm discrepancy was observed at 95% reliability. The LEA-6T and NEO-M8T receivers presented the best results for the case of ~31 km, in terms of CEP and EPV

HIV-Infected Subjects With Poor CD4 T-Cell Recovery Despite Effective Therapy Express High Levels of OX40 and α4β7 on CD4 T-Cells Prior Therapy Initiation

Background HIV-infected subjects with suboptimal CD4 restoration despite suppressive combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) (immunodiscordant subjects) have been classically characterized after a variable period of time under cART. Recently, we have reported that an increased frequency of proliferating CD4 T-cells in these subjects is already present before the cART onset. The potential contribution of peripheral compensatory homeostatic proliferation (HP) is yet unknown. We aimed to analyze the expression of HP-related cellular markers on CD4 T-cells of immunodiscordant subjects before cART. Go to: Methods We analyzed the expression of OX40 and α4β7 on peripheral CD4 T-cells from immunodiscordant and control subjects (n = 21 each group) before cART initiation, and also on available follow-up samples (after 24 month of suppressive cART). Additionally, we tested the expression of these markers in an in vitro system for the study of human HP processes. Go to: Results Immunodiscordant subjects showed increased levels of OX40 and α4β7 on CD4 T-cells before cART initiation. While the cART tended to reduce these levels, immunodiscordant subjects still maintained comparatively higher levels of OX40 and α4β7 after 24 months under suppressive cART. These HP-related markers were upregulated in vitro during the human HP, especially during the fast HP. Go to: Conclusion Our results are compatible with exacerbated HP processes in immunodiscordant subjects, already before the cART onset.Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria FIS PI14/01693 PI13/0796 PI16/0503Fondos Europeos para el Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) CTS2593Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo CTS2593AGAUR 2017SGR948GILEAD GLD14/293The Spanish AIDS Research Network of Excellence RD12/0017/0029 RD16/0025/0019 RD16/0025/0006Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Salud y Bienestar Social C-0013-201

A multiple-trait analysis of ecohydrological acclimatisation in a dryland phreatophytic shrub

Water is the main limiting factor for groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) in drylands. Predicted climate change (precipitation reductions and temperature increases) and anthropogenic activities such as groundwater drawdown jeopardise the functioning of these ecosystems, presenting new challenges for their management. We developed a trait-based analysis to examine the spatiotemporal variability in the ecophysiology of Ziziphus lotus, a long-lived phreatophyte that dominates one of the few terrestrial GDEs of semiarid regions in Europe. We assessed morpho-functional traits and stem water potential along a naturally occurring gradient of depth-to-groundwater (DTGW, 2–25 m) in a coastal aquifer, and throughout the species-growing season. Increasing DTGW and salinity negatively affected photosynthetic and transpiration rates, increasing plant water stress (lower predawn and midday water potential), and positively affected Huber value (sapwood cross-sectional area per leaf area), reducing leaf area and likely, plant hydraulic demand. However, the species showed greater salt-tolerance at shallow depths. Despite groundwater characteristics, higher atmospheric evaporative demand in the study area, which occurred in summer, fostered higher transpiration rates and water stress, and promoted carbon assimilation and water loss more intensively at shallow water tables. This multiple-trait analysis allowed us to identify plant ecophysiological thresholds related to the increase in salinity, but mostly in DTGW (13 m), and in the evaporative demand during the growing season. These findings highlight the existence of tipping points in the functioning of a long-lived phreatophyte in drylands and can contribute to the sustainable management of GDEs in southern Europe, paving the way for further studies on phreatophytic species

Social-Ecological Functional Types: Connecting People and Ecosystems in the Argentine Chaco

Sustainability science recognizes the importance of the integrated assessment of the ecological and social systems in land-use planning. However, most studies so far have been conceptual rather than empirical. We developed a framework to characterize the social-ecological systems heterogeneity according to its functioning through the identification of social–ecological functional types (SEFT). The SEFT framework builds on the plant, ecosystem and agent functional type approaches, taking a step forward to integrate the dimensions of social–ecological systems into an operational product to characterize administrative units in a hierarchical way. To illustrate this novel framework, we described the heterogeneity of SEFT in the Argentine Chaco by clustering administrative entities. This area is a global deforestation hotspot and has diverse social actors that harness ecosystem services in multiple, and sometimes contrasting and conflictive, ways which determines an urgent need for land-use planning. We combined data from national census and remote sensing to identify SEFT by clustering census tracts based on 17 input variables that integrate key human, ecological and interaction processes across landscapes. We identified three classes and eight subclasses of SEFT. Ecological variables defined the first level of heterogeneity (classes), while human variables and the variables of interactions between the human and ecological components defined a second level of heterogeneity (subclasses). The degree of anthropization and mean annual productivity were important variables to explain the first two axes in the ordination (32% of the total variance). This framework offers a conceptually novel and comprehensive approach to understand the spatial heterogeneity of social–ecological systems functioning, which could play a pivotal role to support conservation or land-use planning in rural areas.Fil: Vallejos, María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Aguiar, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Baldi, Germán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico, Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi"; ArgentinaFil: Mastrangelo, Matias Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gallego, Federico. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Pacheco Romero, Manuel. Universidad de Almería; EspañaFil: Alcaraz Segura, Domingo. Universidad de Almería; España. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Paruelo, José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; Argentina. Universidad de la República; Urugua

Visible Light Communication System Using an Organic Bulk Heterojunction Photodetector

A visible light communication (VLC) system using an organic bulk heterojunction photodetector (OPD) is presented. The system has been successfully proven indoors with an audio signal. The emitter consists of three commercial high-power white LEDs connected in parallel. The receiver is based on an organic photodetector having as active layer a blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The OPD is opto-electrically characterized, showing a responsivity of 0.18 A/W and a modulation response of 790 kHz at -6 V.This work has been supported by Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid under project S2009/ESP-1781.Publicad

Fundamentos de electrónica analógica

La presente obra está dirigida a estudiantes de ingeniería, y trata de introducir al lector en los fundamentos de Ia electrónica analógica, analizando componentes básicos, como el diodo o distintos tipos de transistores, y estudiando configuraciones de amplificación multietapa y diferenciales. Dado el fuerte carácter introductorio que impregnan toda Ia obra, Ia teoría tiene un peso muy importante en Ia misma. Difícilmente se puede llevar a cabo el diseño o implementación de un circuito electrónico analógico si no se domina con claridad el funcionamiento de cada uno de los componentes. Estos cimientos teóricos son los que trata de afianzar este texto. Sin embargo, este carácter teórico no implica que el texto no sea de aplicación. Precisamente son estos conceptos teóricos los que dan a Ia obra su sentido práctico, que surge al proporcionar al lector métodos estructurados para el diseño y análisis de sistemas electrónicos analógicos básicos. Este carácter práctico se refuerza especialmente en los estudios de los amplificadores multietapa y diferencia

Factores que inciden en la transparencia corporativa: aplicación a empresas del sector banca y finanzas que cotizan en la bolsa de valores de Lima

La presente investigación propone analizar la relación del nivel de transparencia corporativa en las empresas del sector banca y finanzas que cotizan en la Bolsa de Valores de Lima con los factores organizacionales: consejo de la administración (tamaño y participación femenina), estructura de la propiedad, comité de auditoría y características de la empresa (endeudamiento, tamaño, rentabilidad, edad) durante el ejercicio 2018. La investigación inicia con una revisión de la literatura de los modelos para determinar la medición del índice de transparencia corporativa, así como los conceptos de las dimensiones y las definiciones operacionales de los factores organizacionales que influyen en el ITC, además se identificaron las 33 empresas del sector bancario y financiero que cotizaron en la Bolsa de Valores de Lima en el año 2018. En el modelo de medición del índice de transparencia corporativa se aplicó el modelo propuesto por Briano y Rodríguez (2013) denominado Índice de Transparencia Corporativa en Internet (e-ITC), este modelo se compone de tres dimensiones con 41 ítems y se basó en la información encontrada en los sitios web de empresas con mayor cotización en las bolsas de México y España (llamado Modelo IBEX 35). En el análisis de confiabilidad de los resultados se utilizaron las pruebas del Alfa de Cronbach y mediante el cálculo del coeficiente KR-20 de Kuder y Richardson para la consistencia interna del instrumento (considerando que esta prueba es la más adecuada para el análisis de datos dicotómicos: sí o no). Asimismo, para el análisis correlacional de las variables se ratificó mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman, a un nivel de significancia de 0.05. Los resultados determinan que el índice de transparencia corporativa global del sector banca y finanzas tiene un nivel medio de transparencia alcanzando un puntaje de 58.4%, donde los subíndices de: información corporativa (ITC-1), información financiera (ITC-2) y gobernanza corporativa (ITC-3), fueron de 55.8%, 67.0% y 56.1% respectivamente. En contraste con los objetivos planteados, el análisis correlacional entre la transparencia corporativa y las variables organizacionales como: tamaño de la empresa y edad de la empresa, existe una correlación positiva media. Asimismo, una correlación positiva débil entre las variables: tamaño del directorio y participación femenina; en este caso, la revisión de la literatura indicó que sí hay correlación positiva con estas variables; sin embargo, los resultados del presente estudio no confirman lo investigado por Briano (2014) donde las variables: participación femenina en el consejo de administración y la edad de la empresa, no son significativas. Se concluye de los resultados, que los factores organizacionales: estructura de propiedad, comité de auditoría, endeudamiento y rentabilidad en las empresas del sector banca y finanzas no presentan una correlación estadística significativa con el índice de transparencia corporativa global; sin embargo, en la revisión de literatura el comité de auditoría, la rentabilidad y endeudamiento de la empresa sí influyen en nivel de transparencia corporativa. Como propuesta a futuras investigaciones se considera interesante ampliar la investigación, analizando la influencia de los factores organizacionales a cada uno de los subíndices que integran el índice de transparencia corporativa global y aplicar el modelo para todas las entidades financieras del país, segmentando la población a bancos, financieras y cajas y entre empresas que cotizan en bolsa y las que no cotizan.The present research proposes to analyze the relationship of the level of corporate transparency in companies of the banking and finance sector that are listed on the Lima Stock Exchange with the organizational factors: board of directors (size and female participation), ownership structure, audit committee and company characteristics (indebtedness, size, profitability, age) during fiscal year 2018. The investigation begins with a review of the literature of the models to determine the measurement of the corporate transparency index, as well as the concepts of the dimensions and operational definitions of the organizational factors that influence the ITC, in addition the 33 companies of the banking and finance sector that were listed on the Lima Stock Exchange in 2018. For the measurement of the corporate transparency index, the model proposed by Briano and Rodríguez (2013) called the Corporate Transparency Index on Internet (e-ITC) was applied. This model consists of three dimensions with 41 items and was based on the information found on the websites of companies with the highest prices on the Mexican and Spanish stock exchanges (called Model IBEX 35). The results of the corporate transparency index were subjected to the Cronbach's Alpha tests, and the Kuder and Richardson KR-20 coefficient test was performed for the internal consistency of the instrument, the latter being the most appropriate for binary or dichotomous data ( Yes or no). Also, for the correlational analysis of the variables, it was validated with the test of the critical value of the Spearman correlation coefficient, at a level of significance of 0.05. The results determine that the global corporate transparency index of the banking and finance sector has an average level of transparency with a score of 58.4%, where the subindices of: corporate information (ITC-1), financial information (ITC-2) and corporate governance (ITC-3), were 55.8%, 67.0% and 56.1% respectively. In contrast to the stated objectives, the correlational analysis between corporate transparency and organizational variables such as: company size and company age, is positive average. Moreover, exists a weak positive correlation between the variables: board size and female participation; in this case, the literature review indicated that there is a positive correlation with these variables; however, the results of this study do not confirm what Briano (2014) investigated where the variables: female participation in the board of directors and the age of the company are not significant. It is concluded from the results that the organizational factors: ownership structure, audit committee, indebtedness and profitability in the companies of the banking and finance sector do not present a significant statistical correlation with the global corporate transparency index; however, in the literature review the audit committee, the profitability and indebtedness of the company do influence on the level of corporate transparency. As a proposal for future research, it is considered interesting to expand the investigation, analyzing the influence of organizational factors on each of the sub-indices that integrate the global corporate transparency index and apply the model for all financial entities in the country, segmenting the population into banks, financial and savings banks and between publicly traded and non-listed companies.Tesi

Niveles elevados de leptina y adipsina se asocian con la actividad clínica en pacientes con artritis reumatoide temprana con sobrepeso e infección periodontal

Las adipocinas están asociadas a la patogénesis de la artritis reumatoide (AR) y son biomarcadores potenciales de la actividad de la enfermedad, la periodontitis y la obesidad. El objetivo era establecer la asociación entre el perfil de adipocinas, la actividad de la enfermedad de la AR, el índice de masa corporal y la infección periodontal. En este estudio se evaluaron 51 pacientes con AR temprana y 51 controles, incluyendo marcadores reumatológicos séricos, niveles de adipocinas, detección de Porphyromonas gingivalis y anticuerpos séricos anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis, y mediciones clínicas y periodontales. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos con SPSS® V26, con un modelo de regresión logística para confirmar las asociaciones. Los resultados muestran que los niveles elevados de leptina eran más frecuentes en pacientes (p = 0,001) que presentaban simultáneamente una mayor frecuencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis (p = 0,004). Los pacientes con presencia concomitante de Porphyromonas gingivalis, alta puntuación de actividad clínica y sobrepeso se correlacionaron con altos niveles de leptina (OR, 7,20; IC 95%, 2,68-19,33; p = 0,0001) y adipsina (OR, 2,69; IC 95%, 1,00-7,28; p = 0,005). La conclusión es que los niveles elevados de leptina y adipsina se asocian a una mayor actividad clínica en pacientes con AR temprana con sobrepeso e infección periodontal, por lo que el sobrepeso y Porphyromonas gingivalis pueden potenciar la actividad de la AR. Esto puede representar un mecanismo patológico entre estas condiciones, donde las adipokinas parecen tener un papel clave.Adipokines are associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are potential biomarkers of disease activity, periodontitis, and obesity. The aim of this was to establish the association between adipokine profile, RA disease activity, body mass index, and periodontal infection. This study evaluated 51 patients with early-RA and 51 controls including serum rheumatological markers, adipokine levels, detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis and serum anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis antibodies, clinical and periodontal measurements. Statistical analyses were run with SPSS® V26, with a logistic regression model to confirm associations. The results show high levels of leptin were more frequent in patients (p = 0.001) who simultaneously showed a higher frequency of Porphyromonas gingivalis (p = 0.004). Patients with concomitant presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, high clinical activity score, and overweight were correlated with high levels of leptin (OR, 7.20; 95% CI, 2.68–19.33; p = 0.0001) and adipsin (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.00–7.28; p = 0.005). The conclusion is that high levels of leptin and adipsin are associated with greater clinical activity in early-RA patients with overweight and periodontal infection, whereby overweight and Porphyromonas gingivalis may enhance RA activity. This may represent a pathological mechanism between these conditions, where adipokines seem to have a key role