Medioambiente, agua y conocimiento en la coyuntura latinoamericana: La justicia social como matriz de los estudios socioambientales críticos

En el siguiente texto hemos articulado diversos momentos de conversación, enraizados en la experiencia personal y de investigación de campo de Tom Perreault en nuestro continente, ensamblándolos a las accidentadas dinámicas de la coyuntura en la historia reciente. En este sentido, examinamos cuestiones como el carácter problemático y contradictorio en torno a diversas nociones de justicia en el marco de la historia reciente de Bolivia y Ecuador desde una mirada de justicia ambiental. Conversamos en torno al rol nodal del agua en tramas de justicia ambiental, y la (geo)política del conocimiento en el contexto de la coyuntura contemporánea en América Latina.In the following text, we have articulated various fragments of a conversation grounded on Tom Perreault's personal experience and field research in our continent. We have linked them to the eventual dynamics of the conjuncture in recent history. From this perspective, issues such as the problematic and contradictory nature of diverse notions of justice are examined; they are addressed within the framework of the recent history of Bolivia and Ecuador from an environmental justice view. We have also dealt with the plot water’s nodal role of environmental justice, and the geopolitics of knowledge in the contemporary context of Latin America.Fil: Perreault, Tom. Syracuse University; Estados UnidosFil: Astudillo Pizarro, Francisco Segundo Cristian. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Arquitectura Planeamiento y Diseño. Centro Universitario Rosario de Investigaciones Urbanas y Regionales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentin

Riverhood: political ecologies of socionature commoning and translocal struggles for water justice

[EN] Mega-damming, pollution and depletion endanger rivers worldwide. Meanwhile, modernist imaginaries of ordering `unruly waters and humans' have become cornerstones of hydraulic-bureaucratic and capitalist development. They separate hydro/social worlds, sideline river-commons cultures, and deepen socio-environmental injustices. But myriad new water justice movements (NWJMs) proliferate: rooted, disruptive, transdisciplinary, multi-scalar coalitions that deploy alternative river-society ontologies, bridge South-North divides, and translate river-enlivening practices from local to global and vice-versa. This paper's framework conceptualizes `riverhood' to engage with NWJMs and river commoning initiatives. We suggest four interrelated ontologies, situating river socionatures as arenas of material, social and symbolic co-production: `river-as-ecosociety', `river-as-territory', `river-as-subject', and `river-as-movement'. globalThis work was supported by the ERC European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme [Riverhood, Grant Number 101002921]; see also www.movingrivers.org.Boelens, R.; Escobar, A.; Bakker, K.; Hommes, L.; Swyngedouw, E.; Hogenboom, B.; Huijbens, EH.... (2023). Riverhood: political ecologies of socionature commoning and translocal struggles for water justice. The Journal of Peasant Studies. 50(3):1125-1156. https://doi.org/10.1080/03066150.2022.21208101125115650

The SysteMHC Atlas project.

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based immunopeptidomics investigates the repertoire of peptides presented at the cell surface by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. The broad clinical relevance of MHC-associated peptides, e.g. in precision medicine, provides a strong rationale for the large-scale generation of immunopeptidomic datasets and recent developments in MS-based peptide analysis technologies now support the generation of the required data. Importantly, the availability of diverse immunopeptidomic datasets has resulted in an increasing need to standardize, store and exchange this type of data to enable better collaborations among researchers, to advance the field more efficiently and to establish quality measures required for the meaningful comparison of datasets. Here we present the SysteMHC Atlas (https://systemhcatlas.org), a public database that aims at collecting, organizing, sharing, visualizing and exploring immunopeptidomic data generated by MS. The Atlas includes raw mass spectrometer output files collected from several laboratories around the globe, a catalog of context-specific datasets of MHC class I and class II peptides, standardized MHC allele-specific peptide spectral libraries consisting of consensus spectra calculated from repeat measurements of the same peptide sequence, and links to other proteomics and immunology databases. The SysteMHC Atlas project was created and will be further expanded using a uniform and open computational pipeline that controls the quality of peptide identifications and peptide annotations. Thus, the SysteMHC Atlas disseminates quality controlled immunopeptidomic information to the public domain and serves as a community resource toward the generation of a high-quality comprehensive map of the human immunopeptidome and the support of consistent measurement of immunopeptidomic sample cohorts

Correction: Expanding the clinical phenotype of individuals with a 3-bp in-frame deletion of the NF1 gene (c.2970_2972del): an update of genotype–phenotype correlation

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Ontologías en disputa: Diálogos entre la antropología y la arqueología para la problematización de paisajes regionals

Objetivo/contexto: Hacia finales del siglo XX, el dualismo ontológico con el que antropólogos y arqueólogos nos hemos formado teórica y metodológicamente ha sido cuestionado y puesto en debate. En este contexto, nuestro objetivo es exponer críticamente los trabajos que se están realizando y que contribuyen a problematizar los paisajes enredados de existencias, materialidades, saberes, sentidos o prejuicios pasados y presentes, y con ello a restablecer el diálogo entre la antropología social y la arqueología. Metodología: Exponemos el estado actual de la apertura ontológica en clave latinoamericana. Problematizamos la noción de paisaje como concepto que permite diálogos teórico-metodológicos entre la antropología y la arqueología, así como con otras disciplinas. También presentamos ejes de comunicación y diálogo entre los artículos que forman parte del presente dossier para finalizar con los desafíos por delante en cuanto a traspasar fronteras disciplinarias, temporales y espaciales. Conclusiones: En contextos de históricas relaciones de poder, de profundas crisis socio-ambientales, los principales desafíos de la apertura ontológica serían: 1) generar referentes teóricos permeables a diversas disciplinas y saberes; 2) consolidar metodologías que integren lo etnográfico con lo arqueológico; 3) alentar diálogos constructivos hacia y con otras disciplinas y saberes, y 4) propiciar la comprensión del entramado político actual y la generación de políticas públicas que permitan diversas formas de relacionamiento con el entorno. Originalidad: El restablecimiento de diálogos entre la arqueología y la antropología social desde las aperturas ontológicas tiene el potencial de discutir cómo en determinados contextos se concretan y/o disputan paisajes y modos hegemónicos de habitar en el mundo, así como se problematizan los usos políticos del pasado y las políticas de uso del espacio y el ambiente.Objective/context: Towards the end of the 20th century, the ontological dualism with which anthropologists and archaeologists have trained us theoretically and methodologically has been questioned and debated. In this context, our objective is to critically expose the works that are being carried out and that contribute to problematizing the landscapes entangled with past and present existences, materialities, knowledge, senses or prejudices, and, with it, to re-establish the dialogue between social anthropology and archaeology. Methodology: We expose the current state of the ontological opening in Latin American code. We problematize the notion of landscape as a concept that allows theoretical-methodological dialogues between anthropology and archaeology, as well as with other disciplines. We also present axes of communication and dialogue between the articles that are part of this dossier, to end with the challenges ahead in terms of crossing disciplinary, temporal and spatial borders. Conclusions: In contexts of historical power relations, of deep socio-environmental crises, the main challenges for an ontological opening would be: 1) to generate theoretical referents permeable to various disciplines and fields of knowledge; 2) to consolidate methodologies that integrate the ethnographic with the archaeological; 3) to encourage constructive dialogues towards and with other disciplines and fields of knowledge; and 4) to propitiate the understanding of the current political framework and the generation of public policies that allow for diverse forms of relation with the environment. Originality: The re-establishment of dialogues between archaeology and social anthropology from ontological openings has the potential to discuss how, in certain contexts, landscapes and hegemonic ways of living are concretized and/or disputed, as well as the political uses of the past and the policies of use of space and the environment.Objetivo/contexto: No final do século XX, o dualismo ontológico com o qual antropólogos e arqueólogos se formaram teórica e metodologicamente vem sendo questionado e colocado em debate. Nesse contexto, nosso objetivo é expor criticamente os trabalhos que estão sendo realizados e que contribuem para problematizar as paisagens permeadas de existências, materialidades, saberes, sentidos ou preconceitos passados e presentes, e, com isso, reestabelecer o diálogo entre a antropologia social e a arqueologia. Metodologia: Expomos o estado atual da abertura ontológica no âmbito latino-americano. Problematizamos a noção de paisagem como conceito que permite diálogos teórico-metodológicos entre a antropologia e a arqueologia, assim como outras disciplinas. Também apresentamos eixos de comunicação e diálogo entre os artigos que fazem parte do presente dossiê para finalizar com os desafios que temos adiante sobre ultrapassar fronteiras disciplinares, temporais e espaciais. Conclusões: Em contextos de históricas relações de poder, de profundas crises socioambientais, os principais desafios para uma abertura ontológica seriam: 1) gerar referentes teóricos permeáveis a diversas disciplinas e saberes; 2) consolidar metodologias que integrem o etnográfico com o arqueológico; 3) promover diálogos construtivos com outras disciplinas e saberes; e 4) propiciar a compreensão da estrutura política atual e a geração de políticas públicas que permitam as diversas formas de relacionamentos com o ambiente. Originalidade: O reestabelecimento de diálogos entre a arqueologia e a antropologia social a partir das aberturas ontológicas tem o potencial de discutir como, em determinados contextos, se concretizam e/ou disputam paisagens e modos hegemônicos de habitar, bem como se problematizam os usos políticos do passado e as políticas de uso do espaço e do ambiente.Fil: Saldi, Leticia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Mafferra, Luis Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Barrientos Salinas, J. Alejandro. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés; Bolivi

Expanding the clinical phenotype of individuals with a 3-bp in-frame deletion of the NF1 gene (c.2970_2972del): an update of genotype–phenotype correlation

Purpose: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is characterized by a highly variable clinical presentation, but almost all NF1-affected adults present with cutaneous and/or subcutaneous neurofibromas. Exceptions are individuals heterozygous for the NF1 in-frame deletion, c.2970_2972del (p.Met992del), associated with a mild phenotype without any externally visible tumors. Methods: A total of 135 individuals from 103 unrelated families, all carrying the constitutional NF1 p.Met992del pathogenic variant and clinically assessed using the same standardized phenotypic checklist form, were included in this study. Results: None of the individuals had externally visible plexiform or histopathologically confirmed cutaneous or subcutaneous neurofibromas. We did not identify any complications, such as symptomatic optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) or symptomatic spinal neurofibromas; however, 4.8% of individuals had nonoptic brain tumors, mostly low-grade and asymptomatic, and 38.8% had cognitive impairment/learning disabilities. In an individual with the NF1 constitutional c.2970_2972del and three astrocytomas, we provided proof that all were NF1-associated tumors given loss of heterozygosity at three intragenic NF1 microsatellite markers and c.2970_297

Climate Change and Climate Politics: Parsing the Causes and Effects of the Drying of Lake Poopó, Bolivia

Located some 240 km south of the Bolivia’s capital La Paz, shallow and saline Lake Poopó was once Bolivia’s second-largest lake. Located at roughly 3700m in the semi-arid central Altiplano, Lake Poopó has long been known for its high bird diversity and in 2002 was added to the list of internationally important lakes and wetlands included under the Ramsar Convention. In late 2014, with water levels decreasing and water temperature on the rise, local fisherman reported a massive die-off of fish and shorebirds. By late-2015 the lake had virtually disappeared, with far-reaching ecological and social implications. While fishing cooperatives and communities all around the lake were negatively affected, arguably the greatest impact of the lake’s drying was experienced by the three communities of Urus indigenous peoples, located on the lake’s eastern shore. With the drying of the lake, the Urus communities have lost their primary means of subsistence and have experienced high levels of out-migration. While there are many factors driving environmental change in the region, national and local officials emphasized climate change as the sole driver of the lake’s drying. While climate change undoubtedly plays a role, the discursive focus on it allowed officials to divert attention away from more immediate issues, such as mine-related water contamination and water withdrawals for mining, agriculture and urbanization, which are major factors driving regional socio-environmental change. Based on field research in 2016 and 2018 as well as an analysis of Bolivian news articles from 2014 through 2018, this paper examines the causes and consequences of the drying of Lake Poopó and considers the politics of climate change discourse in Bolivia

Corrientes, colonialismos y contradicciones: repensando las raíces y trayectorias de la ecología política

Este ensayo es una adaptación de una ponencia magistral presentada en el Congreso Latinoamericano de Ecología Política, que tomó lugar en Santiago de Chile en octubre de 2014. Es una reflexión y autocrítica sobre la ecología política como campo académico. Aquí examino la historia intelectual de la ecología política en el contexto de las tradicio­nes académicas coloniales del norte global. La presencia e influencia de los y las intelectuales del norte en los países del sur forman parte de los proyectos coloniales imperialistas de los países ricos del norte. Esta es una realidad que no podemos evitar, aún los intelectuales de la izquier­da. Considero la ecología política como “aporía” es decir, una paradoja cuya lógica es insuperable. A pesar de su historia colonial, argumento que no debemos desechar la ecología política, sino utilizarla para superar sus propias contradicciones. Necesitamos una ecología política anticolonial y transhemisférica, y tenemos que realizar la dura labor de traducción, tanto lingüística como cultural. No debemos romper lazos entre el norte y el sur, sino formar lazos nuevos y distintos, basados en el concepto gramsciano de praxis: la práctica informada por la teoría y la crítica.Palabras claves: colonialismo - poscolonialismo - pensamiento geográfico.Abstract This essay is an adaptation of a keynote address presented at the Latin American Congress of Political Ecology, which took place in Santiago, Chile in October, 2014. It is a reflection and self-critique of political ecology as an academic field. In it I examine the intellectual history of political ecology in the context of the colonial academic traditions stemming from the global North. The presence and influence of northern intellectuals in countries of the global South are part of the colonial/imperialist projects of wealthy northern countries. This is an unavoidable reality, even for intellectuals on the political Left. I con­sider political ecology to be an ‘aporia,’ that is, an unavoidable logical paradox. In spite of its colonial history, I argue that we should not discard political ecology, but rather use it to overcome its own inherent contradictions. We need an anti-colonial, trans-hemispheric political ecology and must do the hard work of translation, both linguistic and cultural. We should not break ties between north and south, but rather form new and distinct ties, based on the Gramscian concept of ‘praxis’: practice informed by theory and critique.Key words: colonialism – postcolonialism - geographic thought