Hard to catch : experimental evidence supports evasive mimicry

Most research on aposematism has focused on chemically defended prey, but the signalling difficulty of capture remains poorly explored. Similar to classical Batesian and Mullerian mimicry related to distastefulness, such 'evasive aposematism' may also lead to convergence in warning colours, known as evasive mimicry. A prime candidate group for evasive mimicry are Adelpha butterflies, which are agile insects and show remarkable colour pattern convergence. We tested the ability of naive blue tits to learn to avoid and generalize Adelpha wing patterns associated with the difficulty of capture and compared their response to that of birds that learned to associate the same wing patterns with distastefulness. Birds learned to avoid all wing patterns tested and generalized their aversion to other prey to some extent, but learning was faster with evasive prey compared to distasteful prey. Our results on generalization agree with longstanding observations of striking convergence in wing colour patterns among Adelpha species, since, in our experiments, perfect mimics of evasive and distasteful models were always protected during generalization and suffered the lowest attack rate. Moreover, generalization on evasive prey was broader compared to that on distasteful prey. Our results suggest that being hard to catch may deter predators at least as effectively as distastefulness. This study provides empirical evidence for evasive mimicry, a potentially widespread but poorly understood form of morphological convergence driven by predator selection.Peer reviewe

Criterios de implementación ISO 14000:2015 Caso Estudio Sector Aluminios Yudaesma

El propósito de este trabajo es proporcionar a la Organización Aluminios YUDAESMA el marco de referencia para prevenir la contaminación ambiental y atender los requisitos legales aplicables al proceso. Las bases para la aplicación del Sistema de Gestión Ambiental se encuentran documentadas tales como la definición de contexto de la organización, partes interesadas y gestión estratégica teniendo en cuenta los lineamiento de la norma NTC-ISO 14001:2015, este Sistema de Gestión proporciona información a la Alta Dirección para generar estrategias de desarrollo sostenible por medio de la mitigación de aspectos e impactos ambientales, el cumplimiento de lo requisitos legales y otros adoptados de acuerdo a las necesidades y expectativas de las partes interesadas, la mejora del desempeño ambiental usando una perspectiva de ciclo de vida para generar control e influencia en la cadena de suministro. Hemos estructurado el análisis del impacto ambiental que Aluminios YUDAESMA genera en el desarrollo de su actividad productiva que consiste en reciclaje y reintegración del aluminio de segundo uso, este proceso promueve la disminución de la carga de los rellenos sanitarios, genera empleos y aprovecha el material para la generación de productos o subproductos del aluminio. Una vez realizada la revisión de los procesos a la luz de los aspectos e impactos ambientales se han propuesto los programas ambientales para el Agua, Energía, Residuos, Gestión Atmosférica, Vertimientos, Requisitos Legales y otros, que tienen como finalidad la adopción de buenas prácticas ambientales y a largo plazo la sostenibilidad de la empresa Aluminios YUDAESMA.The purpose of this work is to provide the Aluminios YUDAESMA Organization with the frame of reference to prevent environmental contamination and meet the legal requirements applicable to the process. The bases for the application of the Environmental Management System are documented such as the definition of the organization's context, stakeholders and strategic management, taking into account the guidelines of the NTC-ISO 14001: 2015 standard, this Management System provides information to Senior Management to generate sustainable development strategies through the mitigation of environmental aspects and impacts, compliance with legal requirements and others adopted according to the needs and expectations of the interested parties, the improvement of environmental performance using a perspective of life cycle to generate control and influence in the supply chain. We have structured the analysis of the environmental impact that Aluminios YUDAESMA generates in the development of its productive activity that consists of recycling and reintegration of second-use aluminum, this process promotes the reduction of the load of sanitary landfills, generates jobs and takes advantage of the material to the generation of aluminum products or by-products. Once the processes have been reviewed in the light of environmental aspects and impacts, environmental programs have been proposed for Water, Energy, Waste, Atmospheric Management, Discharges, Legal Requirements and others, whose purpose is to adopt good practices environmental and long-term sustainability of the company Aluminios YUDAESMA

Desarrollo de Competencias Comunicativas del Docente en el Proceso de Enseñanza con Estudiantes de Primer Semestre de una Universidad

El presente trabajo de investigación pretende abordar la caracterización de competencias comunicativas que permitan al docente fortalecer su proceso de enseñanza en un escenario de educación virtual, este proceso de enseñanza, involucra a los estudiantes y los invita a que se aproximen al docente en una misma congruencia comunicativa, esto traza un camino que puede volverse un importante tema de investigación en futuras propuestas e interrogantes sobre los fenómenos que surgen en torno a la educación virtual. Los resultados de esta investigación permitirán identificar las competencias comunicativas como herramienta valiosa en los programas de educación virtual. El papel del docente en los entornos de educación virtual y su interacción con los estudiantes es fundamental, y para ello es indispensable el uso de las competencias comunicativas de manera puntual, esto posibilita a que el docente reflexione sobre el uso de sus competencias y las adapte de manera asertiva en los entornos de educación virtual, permitiendo así, la resolución de problemas y la construcción colaborativa del conocimiento.The present research paperwork pretends to abord the characterization of communicative competencies that allow the teacher to strengthen the teaching process in a scenario of virtual education, this teaching process involves students that are invited to get closer to the teacher in a communicative coherence, this research may become an important research topic in future proposals and research questions about the phenomenon that arises around the virtual education. The results from this research will allow identifying communicative competencies as a worthy tool in virtual education tools. The teachers’ role in the virtual education environment and their interaction with the students is fundamental, and that is why it is indispensable the use communicative competencies in a specific manner. This allows teachers to reflect upon the use of their competencies and adapt them in an assertive way in the virtual education environments allowing them to solve problems and build knowledge in a collaborative way

Calidad en las empresas del sector cosmético y aseo en Colombia

Las empresas colombianas han identificado que la calidad es un factor clave para lograr la competitividad y el éxito en el mercado nacional e internacional. Esta tendencia ha generado un creciente interés de las empresas por adquirir las certificaciones de un sistema de gestión de calidad. Para tener una mejor comprensión de los efectos y resultados de la implementación de un sistema de gestión de calidad al interior de las empresas del Sector Cosmético y de Aseo en Colombia, se realizó una investigación de tipo cuantitativo, descriptiva y transeccional. Su objetivo fue identificar si las empresas del Sector Cosmético y Aseo con Sistema de Gestión de Calidad (SGC) tienen un mayor nivel de calidad comparado con aquellas que no tiene un SGC. Para lo anterior, se aplicó un cuestionario de 35 preguntas, según el Modelo de Nueve Factores del TQM, desarrollado por Jorge Benzaquen de las Casas (2013), a una muestra de 124 empresas del sector cosmético y de aseo en Colombia. Los nueve factores analizados, que permitieron conocer el nivel de compromiso y estado de implementación de la calidad fueron: alta gerencia, planeamiento de la calidad, auditoría y evaluación de la calidad, diseño del producto, gestión de la calidad del proveedor, control y mejoramiento de proceso, educación y entrenamiento, círculos de calidad y enfoque hacia la satisfacción del cliente. Como resultado de esta investigación, las empresas que cuentan con un sistema de gestión de calidad presentan una mayor puntuación en los nueve factores del TQM. Es decir, que estas empresas tienen mejores sistemas de gerenciamiento, planeación, ejecución y control de sus procesos, los cuales están enmarcados bajo una óptica de cumplimiento y gestión de la calidad en todas las etapas productivas, promoviendo un mejoramiento continuo al interior y al exterior de la organización. Este impacto positivo que genera la implementación de un sistema de gestión de calidad, no solo asegura el cumplimiento de los principios básicos de calidad, sino que además permite un gerenciamiento más estratégico, con metas claras y definidas y una visión de éxito a largo plazo. De igual manera permite una incorporación de la calidad en todos los procesos de la compañía, incluyendo el desarrollo y diseño de nuevos productos de acuerdo a las necesidades del mercado, así como el mantenimiento de los proveedores como aliados estratégicos. También garantiza el compromiso del personal en términos de calidad, lo que permite la creación de oportunidades de mejora en todos los procesos, haciéndolos cada vez más eficientes, competitivos y sostenibles. Estos resultados son una base para que el Gobierno Nacional pueda conocer el estado de la calidad en las empresas del sector cosmético y de aseo en Colombia y pueda formular planes de acción para mejorar este estado. Como sugerencia, el Gobierno Nacional, la ANDI, el Programa de Transformación Productiva (PTP) y el INVIMA, entre otros, deben aumentar su colaboración y soporte a las empresas del sector cosmético y aseo en Colombia, en cuanto a la capacitación, implementación, evaluación y certificación de sistemas de gestión de calidad, para alcanzar la visión del PTP: “en el 2032 Colombia será reconocida como un líder mundial en producción y exportación de cosméticos”. En el caso de las compañías del sector cosmético y de aseo en Colombia, se recomienda que inicien lo antes posible la implementación de un sistema de gestión de calidad, pues esto les permite ser más productivas, competitivas, y estar preparadas para la globalización.Colombian companies have identified that the quality is a key factor to achieve competitiveness and success in the national and international market. This trend has generated an increased interest of the companies to acquire the certifications of the quality management system. To obtain a better understanding of the effects and results of the implementation of a quality management system inside the companies of the Cosmetic and Toiletries Industry in Colombia, a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional investigation was performed. Its objective was to identify if the companies of the Cosmetic and Toiletries Industry in Colombia with a quality management system (SGC) have a higher quality level compared with the ones that doesn´t have a quality management system. Thirty five (35) questions were applied to a sample of 124 companies of the Cosmetic and Toiletries Industry in Colombia, according to the “Modelo de Nueve Factores del TQM”, developed by Jorge Benzaquen de las Casas (2013). The nine (9) factors that allow us to know the level of commitment and the state of the quality implementation were: senior management, quality planning, audit and evaluation of the quality, product design, quality management of the vendor, process control and improvement, education and training, quality circles and focus on customer satisfaction. As a result of this investigation, the companies that have a quality management system have a higher score in the nine factors of the TQM. These companies have better management systems, planning, execution and control of their processes, which are framed under the compliance and quality management in all the production stages, promoting a continuous improvement inside and outside the company. This positive impact generated by the implementation of a quality management system, assure the accomplishment of the basic quality principles and also, allow an strategic management, with clear and defined goals and a vision of a long term success. Also, it allows incorporating the quality in all the process of the company, including the development and design of new products according to the market needs, as well as the management of the suppliers as strategic allies. At the same time, it guarantees the staff commitment in terms of quality, which allows the creation of improvement opportunities in all the processes, making them more efficient, competitive and sustainable. These results are a base so the Nacional Government can know the quality state of the companies of the Cosmetic and Toiletries Industry in Colombia and can define action plans to improve this state. As a suggestion, the National Government, the ANDI, the Programa de Transformación Productiva (PTP) and the INVIMA, should increase their collaboration and support to the companies of the Cosmetic and Toiletries Industry in Colombia, in terms of training, implementation, evaluation and certification of the quality management system, to be able to achieve the vision of the PTP: “in 2032 Colombia will be recognized as a worldwide leader in production and exportation of cosmetic products”. In the case of the companies of the Cosmetic and Toiletries Industry in Colombia, we recommend that they can initiate as soon as possible with the implementation of a quality management system, because this will allow them to be more productive, competitive and prepared for the globalization.Tesi

Aproximación al estudio del daño oxidativo causado por larvicidas naturales y temefos sobre proteomas de larvas del mosquito Aedes aegypti

El dengue es la enfermedad viral trasmitida por vectores artrópodos que más rápidamente se distribuye a nivel mundial. Actualmente, el control del vector Aedes aegypti se realiza con larvicidas sintéticos que han ido perdiendo eficacia por la aparición de cepas resistentes. De ahí, que la búsqueda de nuevos larvicidas de origen natural complementados con métodos modernos de la biología molecular se requieren para comprender nuevos mecanismos involucrados en la acción larvicida. Objetivo General: Evaluar mediante métodos de proteómica redox el daño oxidativo causado por el larvicida sintético Temefos y dos extractos de plantas sobre proteomas de larvas de Aedes aegypti. Métodos: Larvas en estadios III y IV del mosquito fueron expuestas a la acción de Temefos, y extractos larvicidas de semillas de T. cymosa y M. americana. Luego, las proteínas carboniladas de los proteomas obtenidos de larvas expuestas y no expuestas a los larvicidas se marcaron con DNPH. Finalmente, los perfiles de proteínas carboniladas se determinaron por metodología western.  Resultados y Discusión: El larvicida sintético Temefos produce intenso daño oxidativo sobre el proteoma de larvas Aedes aegypti a las concentraciones de ensayo. Los extractos de T. cymosa y M. americana resultaron activos a 200 ppm. Tanto Temefos como los extractos de T. cymosa y M. americana produjeron daño oxidativo en proteínas de bajo peso molecular, presentes en el proteoma de Aedes aegypti.  Conclusiones: Temefos y los extractos larvicidas aumentan la carbonilación de proteínas de bajo peso molecular de larvas de Aedes aegypti

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level.

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection