Forest Structure, above-Ground Carbon Stocks, and Productivity along an Elevational Gradient in the Ecuadorian Andes

The Andean forest provides a natural laboratory for evaluating long-term interactions between forests and variation in environmental parameters along elevational gradients. In particular, the mechanisms that control above-ground carbon stocks (AGC) and natural dynamics in mountain ecosystems constitute a potentially powerful tool for understanding the function of these ecosystems and their response to current climate change scenarios or past human disturbances. The present study integrates biotic (rarefied species richness and leaf traits) and abiotic (climate, soil properties and degradation) factors as possible drivers of AGC stocks, AGC net change (AGCnt), AGC productivity (AGCp) and AGC mortality (AGCk), along an elevational gradient of ca. 3000 m in the montane forests of the Ecuadorian Andes. My findings show that AGC metrics respond to elevational gradients (climate conditions) and past human disturbances. I found that temperature constitutes the primary filter for forest structure, AGC stocks, AGCnt and AGCp along the elevational gradient, where abiotic factors such as degradation and soil properties represent the main drivers for AGCk. This study provides insight into the processes that control patterns of AGC metrics in mountainous ecosystems, where temperature is likely the most important source of AGC variation in Andean forests

Infections with extracellular trypanosomes require control by efficient innate immune mechanisms and can result in the destruction of the mammalian humoral immune system

Salivarian trypanosomes are extracellular parasites that affect humans, livestock, and game animals around the world. Through co-evolution with the mammalian immune system, trypanosomes have developed defense mechanisms that allow them to thrive in blood, lymphoid vessels, and tissue environments such as the brain, the fat tissue, and testes. Trypanosomes have developed ways to circumvent antibody-mediated killing and block the activation of the lytic arm of the complement pathway. Hence, this makes the innate immune control of the infection a crucial part of the host-parasite interaction, determining infection susceptibility, and parasitemia control. Indeed, trypanosomes use a combination of several independent mechanisms to avoid clearance by the humoral immune system. First, perpetuated antigenic variation of the surface coat allows to escape antibody-mediated elimination. Secondly, when antibodies bind to the coat, they are efficiently transported toward the endocytosis pathway, where they are removed from the coat proteins. Finally, trypanosomes engage in the active destruction of the mammalian humoral immune response. This provides them with a rescue solution in case antigenic variation does not confer total immunological invisibility. Both antigenic variation and B cell destruction pose significant hurdles for the development of anti-trypanosome vaccine strategies. However, developing total immune escape capacity and unlimited growth capabilities within a mammalian host is not beneficial for any parasite, as it will result in the accelerated death of the host itself. Hence, trypanosomes have acquired a system of quorum sensing that results in density-dependent population growth arrest in order to prevent overpopulating the host. The same system could possibly sense the infection-associated host tissue damage resulting from inflammatory innate immune responses, in which case the quorum sensing serves to prevent excessive immunopathology and as such also promotes host survival. In order to put these concepts together, this review summarizes current knowledge on the interaction between trypanosomes and the mammalian innate immune system, the mechanisms involved in population growth regulation, antigenic variation and the immuno-destructive effect of trypanosomes on the humoral immune system. Vaccine trials and a discussion on the role of innate immune modulation in these trials are discussed at the end

Sport Participation and Academic Performance in Young Elite Athletes

Strong evidence supports physical activity and fitness levels being positively associated with cognitive performance and overall academic performance in youth. This also applies to sports participation. However, whether participation in sports at the elite level is associated with greater academic performance remains unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to compare the academic performance of young elite athletes to that of control students, as well as to analyze whether the type of sport mediates these results. Between 2010 and 2019, all students from the last Baccalaureate course of the Spanish Elite Sport High School—which also includes non-elite athletes and recreational athlete students, who were categorized as controls—participated in this study. Academic performance was assessed through both the grade point average of the two last Baccalaureate courses and through the average grades from the University Entrance Examinations. Athletes were categorized attending to different sport classifications. A total of 1126 adolescents (570 girls, 18.2 0.6 years) participated in the study, of which 483 and 643 were categorized as elite athletes and control students, respectively. Elite athletes attained a lower overall academic performance than controls (p < 0.001), which was confirmed for both sexes (p < 0.001). These differences were separately confirmed for most academic subjects (p 0.05). Young elite athletes attained a lower academic performance than their non-elite peers, regardless of their type of sport. These findings highlight the importance of programs aimed at facilitating dual careers among young elite athletes

Development of a recombinase polymerase amplification lateral flow assay for the detection of active Trypanosoma evansi infections

Author summary Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affecting humans and/or domestic animals severely impair the socio-economic development of endemic areas. One of these diseases, animal trypanosomosis, affects livestock and is caused by the parasites of the Trypanosoma genus. The most widespread causative agent of animal trypanosomosis is T. evansi, which is found in large parts of the world (Africa, Asia, South America, Middle East, and the Mediterranean). Proper control and treatment of the disease requires the availability of reliable and sensitive diagnostic tools. DNA-based detection techniques are powerful and versatile in the sense that they can be tailored to achieve a high specificity and usually allow the reliable detection of low amounts of parasite genetic material. However, many DNA-based methodologies (such as PCR) require trained staff and well-equipped laboratories, which is why the research community has actively investigated in developing amplification strategies that are simple, fast, cost-effective and are suitable for use in minimally equipped laboratories and field settings. In this paper, we describe the development of a diagnostic test under a dipstick format for the specific detection of T. evansi, based on a DNA amplification principle (Recombinase Polymerase Amplification aka RPA) that meets the above-mentioned criteria. Background Animal trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi is known as "surra" and is a widespread neglected tropical disease affecting wild and domestic animals mainly in South America, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. An essential necessity for T. evansi infection control is the availability of reliable and sensitive diagnostic tools. While DNA-based PCR detection techniques meet these criteria, most of them require well-trained and experienced users as well as a laboratory environment allowing correct protocol execution. As an alternative, we developed a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) test for Type A T. evansi. The technology uses an isothermal nucleic acid amplification approach that is simple, fast, cost-effective and is suitable for use in minimally equipped laboratories and even field settings. Methodology/Principle findings An RPA assay targeting the T. evansi RoTat1.2 VSG gene was designed for the DNA-based detection of T. evansi. Comparing post-amplification visualization by agarose gel electrophoresis and a lateral flow (LF) format reveals that the latter displays a higher sensitivity. The RPA-LF assay is specific for RoTat1.2-expressing strains of T. evansi as it does not detect the genomic DNA of other trypanosomatids. Finally, experimental mouse infection trials demonstrate that the T. evansi specific RPA-LF can be employed as a test-of-cure tool

Desarrollo de una metodología para el análisis y evaluación de la seguridad en la cadena de suministro de una empresa: aplicada a la corporación "X"

After studying supply chain vulnerabilities, its existing knowledge, standards, and best practices, it was clear that a complete methodology with specific and clear procedures was needed. Parallel to this, due to its background, the need of doing an analysis on the supply chains vulnerability of corporation “X” was identified. Due to this reasons, this thesis offers a methodology to analyze the vulnerabilities of a supply chain applied to a real corporation, which provides the reader with a clear explanation of each step and tools used. As results from the analysis, many mitigation and contingency measures where proposed, giving the corporation the opportunity to reduce the vulnerability it generates in its supply chain, and a complete methodology to execute a similar analysis in any other enterprise. The objective of this thesis is to provide the industry with a powerful methodology of supply chain vulnerability analysis and contribute to its existing knowledge.Luego de un estudio sobre la seguridad en la cadena de suministro, las tendencias, normas y sus mejores prácticas, se definió que hace falta una metodología completa que describa de forma clara y específica sus fases y procedimientos. Tras conversaciones con la presidencia de la corporación “X”, se identificó la necesidad de analizar y evaluar la seguridad en su cadena de suministro. Por estos motivos, la tesis busca desarrollar una metodología para poder realizar un análisis y evaluación de la seguridad en la cadena de suministro, la cual sea perfeccionada durante su aplicación dentro de la corporación “X”. Como resultados se propusieron medidas de mitigación y contingencia que permitan a la corporación disminuir la vulnerabilidad generada en su cadena y una completa metodología para el desarrollo de un similar análisis en cualquier empresa. Con esto se espera proveer al mercado con una valiosa metodología, la cual aporte al mejoramiento de la seguridad en las cadenas de suministro

Estudio técnico económico para la elaboración de bloques de hormigón liviano en base a poliestireno expandido

112 p.La principal característica del hormigón liviano es su menor peso propio respecto al hormigón tradicional, y esta propiedad le da ciertas ventajas al rubro de la construcción. Sin embargo, presenta una gran dificultad en la elaboración de dicho hormigón, debido a que todavía en Chile no existe una normativa ni dosificación válida, no obstante, se han investigado las propiedades mecánicas obteniendo no tan bajos resultados en la resistencia a la compresión como se pudiera esperar . Estas referencias me han motivado a estudiar elementos elaborados con este material, como por ejemplo los bloques de hormigón liviano. La siguiente investigación tiene como tema central la elaboración de bloques huecos de hormigón liviano en base a poliestireno expandido, los que son confeccionados conforme a una dosificación para un hormigón tradicional, que a tiempo de ser mezclados el cemento, los áridos, y el agua, se agrega poliestireno expandido en reemplazo de la grava. Transcurridos 28 días, los bloques elaborados son sometidos a ensayos de resistencia a la compresión, absorción y humedad, como lo establece la NCh 181 Of 65 para bloques tradicionales, logrando un bloque con un peso 25,7% menor al de un bloque tradicional, con resistencia a la compresión de 47,63 kg/cm2, absorción de agua de 152,3 kg/m3 y una humedad no mayor al 2,2% cumpliendo la normativa de calidad chilena establecida. Los bloques livianos elaborados presentan un aumento del costo base de materiales en un 19,2%, debido únicamente al precio actual de venta de las perlitas de poliestireno expandido. Sin embargo, el mayor costo del árido liviano es compensado con el ahorro en transporte y el aumento en el rendimiento en la ejecución de los trabajos, por lo tanto, se obtienen economías de tiempo y dinero al utilizar bloques con estas características. Palabras claves: hormigón liviano, perlitas de poliestireno expandido, bloques estructurales./ ABSTRACT: The main characteristics of lightweight concrete is its low weight compared to traditional concrete itself, and this property gives certain advantages to the field of construction. However, it presents a great difficulty in drawing up the concrete, because in Chile is still no legal or valid dose, however, have investigated the mechanical properties making is not so low on the compressive strength as might expect. These references have led me to consider items prepared with this material, such as lightweight concrete blocks. The following research is to focus the development of lightweight concrete blocks based on polystyrene, which are made pursuant to a dosage for a traditional concrete, which in time to be mixed cement, aggregates and water, polystyrene added to replace the gravel. After 28 days, made sn blocks used for testing resistance to compression, moisture absorption and, as required by the NCh 181 Of 65 for traditional blocks, making a block weighing 25.7% less than traditional block, resistance to the understanding of 47.63 kg/cm2. Water absorption of 152.3 kg/m3. and humidity to 2.2% fulfilling the quality standards established in Chile. Lightweight blocks made an increased cost of materials base by 19.2% due solely to the current selling price of the beads of expanded polystyrene. However, the increased cost of lightweight aggregate is offset by savings in transportation costs and increased performance in the execution of the work,therefore, you get economies of time and money by using blocks with these characteristics. Keywords: lightweight concrete, expanded polystyrene beads, building blocks

Social Media Fingerprints of Unemployment

Anexo: Supporting Information. This file contains Figures A-I, Tables A-F and Sections A-I.Recent widespread adoption of electronic and pervasive technologies has enabled the study of human behavior at an unprecedented level, uncovering universal patterns underlying human activity, mobility, and interpersonal communication. In the present work, we investigate whether deviations from these universal patterns may reveal information about the socio-economical status of geographical regions. We quantify the extent to which deviations in diurnal rhythm, mobility patterns, and communication styles across regions relate to their unemployment incidence. For this we examine a country-scale publicly articulated social media dataset, where we quantify individual behavioral features from over 19 million geo-located messages distributed among more than 340 different Spanish economic regions, inferred by computing communities of cohesive mobility fluxes. We find that regions exhibiting more diverse mobility fluxes, earlier diurnal rhythms, and more correct grammatical styles display lower unemployment rates. As a result, we provide a simple model able to produce accurate, easily interpretable reconstruction of regional unemployment incidence from their social-media digital fingerprints alone. Our results show that cost-effective economical indicators can be built based on publicly-available social media datasets.Partial funding came from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through grant FIS2013-47532-C3-3-P, the Australian Government, and the Australian Research Council. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Salivarian Trypanosomes Have Adopted Intricate Host-Pathogen Interaction Mechanisms That Ensure Survival in Plain Sight of the Adaptive Immune System

Salivarian trypanosomes are extracellular parasites affecting humans, livestock and game animals. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense are human infective sub-species of T. brucei causing human African trypanosomiasis (HAT—sleeping sickness). The related T. b. brucei parasite lacks the resistance to survive in human serum, and only inflicts animal infections. Animal trypanosomiasis (AT) is not restricted to Africa, but is present on all continents. T. congolense and T. vivax are the most widespread pathogenic trypanosomes in sub-Saharan Africa. Through mechanical transmission, T. vivax has also been introduced into South America. T. evansi is a unique animal trypanosome that is found in vast territories around the world and can cause atypical human trypanosomiasis (aHT). All salivarian trypanosomes are well adapted to survival inside the host’s immune system. This is not a hostile environment for these parasites, but the place where they thrive. Here we provide an overview of the latest insights into the host-parasite interaction and the unique survival strategies that allow trypanosomes to outsmart the immune system. In addition, we review new developments in treatment and diagnosis as well as the issues that have hampered the development of field-applicable anti-trypanosome vaccines for the implementation of sustainable disease control.</jats:p

Propuesta de un modelo de gestión de logística verde, caso de estudio cooperativa de transporte pesado Los Andes

El objetivo principal de este trabajo de investigación fue proponer un modelo de gestión de logística verde a la Cooperativa de Transporte Pesado Los Andes. Para el desarrollo de la investigación fue necesario conocer y sustentar adecuadamente el tema; se aplicaron encuestas a los clientes, conductores y estibadores, también se realizó una entrevista al gerente. Al ser una investigación de campo, la observación se convirtió en un elemento clave para la realización del diagnóstico pues permitió dotar de una interpretación más amplia y completa del tema, contribuyó en el análisis, diseño e interpretación del aspecto administrativo, logístico y medio ambiental, esto permitió establecer que el servicio y la experiencia en el sector son sus grandes fortalezas, mientras que su endeblez está directamente relacionada con la carencia de una política ambiental, sobredimensionamiento de carga, manipulación de la mercancía, la contaminación y generación de residuos producto del servicio que oferta. Como resultados se obtuvo que el 84,89% de los clientes recomienda a la cooperativa adoptar lineamientos de responsabilidad y compromiso ambiental, el 15% de los conductores emplea prácticas de conducción eficiente para reducir el consume de combustible, el residuo más común son los filtros en el mantenimiento vehicular y el cartón durante las operaciones de cague y descargue de la mercancía; lo expuesto anteriormente dio lugar a la propuesta de un modelo de gestión de logística verde que consistió en el diseño de una política ambiental, rediseño de los descriptores de puesto, elaboración de programas de gestión ambiental, recomendaciones ambientales para el personal y normas para la manipulación de la carga lo que permitirá a la cooperativa adaptarse a las necesidades actuales del mercado y de los clientes. Se recomienda que la cooperativa tome en consideración la investigación realizada lo que le ayudará a generar un valor agregado al servicio que oferta.The main objective of this study was to propose a green logistics management model for a heavy cargo transportation company called Los Andes. To develop this study, surveys were applied to customers, drivers and workers, an interview was also applied to the CEO. Due to it was a field investigation, the observation technique became a key element for the realization of the diagnosis as it allowed to provide a broader and more complete interpretation of the topic, and it contributed to the analysis, design and interpretation of the administrative, logistical and environmental aspects. This permitted to establish that the service and experience in the sector constitute its main strengths, while its weakness is directly related to the lack of an environmental policy, cargo oversizing, treatment of products, pollution and generation of waste as a result of the service that the company offers. As a result, it was obtained that 84.89% of the clients recommend that the company should adopt guidelines of responsibility and environmental commitment, 15% of the drivers use efficient driving practices to reduce fuel consumption as the most common waste become the filters in vehicle maintenance and cardboard during the loading and unloading operations of products. This led to a green logistics management model about the design of an environmental policy, redesign of descriptors, preparation of environmental management programs, environmental recommendations for the staff and rules for cargo treatment which will allow the company to adapt itself to the current market and customer needs. It is recommended that the company takes into consideration this study as it will help to generate added value to its service

Implementación de un sistema de aseguramiento de la calidad, en base al Reglamento de buenas prácticas de manufactura, en la Empresa de lácteos El Tambo.

Mejorar la inocuidad de los productos de la empresa de lácteos “El Tambo” mediante la implementación de un Sistema de Aseguramiento de la Calidad en base al Reglamento de Buenas Prácticas de Manufactura para Alimentos Procesados.La presente tesis desarrolla el diseño e implementación de un Sistema de Aseguramiento de la Calidad en la empresa de lácteos ¿EL TAMBO¿, enfocado en el cumplimiento de los requisitos de higiene e inocuidad en todos los aspectos relacionados con la elaboración de alimentos, los cuales se encuentran descritos en el Reglamento de Buenas Prácticas de Manufactura. Los alimentos pueden convertirse en portadores de un sinnúmero de microorganismos patógenos que ocasionan serias afecciones en la salud de quienes los consumen. Por este motivo resulta de vital importancia cambiar la manera en que éstos son elaborados, a través de prácticas adecuadas de manipulación, limpieza y desinfección de todos los elementos que intervienen en dichos procesos. A lo largo del trabajo de estudio se describen las guías y lineamientos que se deben considerar para lograr que la forma de trabajar y comportarse del personal cambie radicalmente, de manera que se mantenga un ambiente adecuado, con las condiciones idóneas para evitar la posible contaminación de los alimentos.Ingenierí