Informe 2012 : ¿comer de nuestra tierra?; estudios de caso sobre tierra y producción de alimentos en Bolivia

La crisis alimentaria del año 2008 reveló la ineficiencia del actual sistema agroalimentario para satisfacer, de manera equitativa y sostenible, la demanda de alimentos a nivel global. Desde entonces, se ha hecho aún más evidente la necesidad de analizar y debatir las características y los impactos de dicho sistema en el marco de una creciente presión por los recursos naturales, especialmente agua y tierra. En este contexto internacional, la seguridad alimentaria en Bolivia –parcialmente dependiente del mercado externo de alimentos– está siendo interpelada. Dado que las políticas agrarias y alimentarias continúan desvinculadas entre sí y los avances en cuanto a desarrollo rural y agropecuario no parecen ir a la par de una creciente demanda nacional de alimentos, se ha empezado a debatir esta problemática para definir cómo nos alimentaremos en los siguientes años. Los importantes desafíos a futuro convierten a la vinculación entre la tierra, el territorio y la seguridad alimentaria en una de las temáticas prioritarias de análisis a fin de dar luces sobre las amenazas y potencialidades de la producción de alimentos y sus repercusiones en términos sociales, ambientales, económicos y productivos. Con esto en mente, en la Fundación TIERRA nos hemos propuesto estudiar las características, los logros y las limitaciones de diversos sectores productivos en Bolivia, clasificados según su sistema de tenencia de tierra respecto de la producción de alimentos, su articulación al mercado y su aporte a la seguridad alimentaria nacional, en la búsqueda de sectores más eficientes en términos de uso de la tierra y seguridad alimentaria. El Informe 2012 de investigación que ahora Fundación TIERRA presenta es un primer esfuerzo investigativo en este sentido. Se trata de seis estudios de caso en ocho distintas zonas del país que, con sus particularidades, cubren algunas de las principales situaciones productivas en cuanto a la pequeña propiedad se refiere. Desde el análisis de los medios de vida, se recoge una diversidad de realidades sociales, económicas y agro ambientales. Los alcances de estos estudios incluyen aspectos históricos, geográficos, organizativos y productivos, entre otros y relevan información útil para la toma de decisiones

Proposal of a Novel Setup for Linac Monitoring Using a Specifically Designed Plastic Scintillator and a Spectrophotometer

In this work we report the design, implementation and results of an alternative monitoring system for a linear accelerator (LINAC) used in medical therapy. The system proposed consist in aslab of scintillator plastic with awavelength shifter fiberoptically coupled to collect the light generated,and a Spectrophotometer Ocean Optics USB4000 as analyzer. The control was made with two computers, one into the therapy room and another, using a VNC (Virtual Network Computer) and Ethernet wire, outside of the room in order to avoid radiation exposure. The LINAC dose range covered was 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 Monitor Units (MU) with 6 and 18 MeV energy photons. The spectrum obtained was compared with the measures of the LINAC ionization camera used to calibrate it. The results obtained allowus to propose this device as an alternative method to monitor the LINAC performance

105 AÑOS DE INVESTIGACIÓN MASTOZOOLÓGICA EN MÉXICO (1890-1995): UNA REVISIÓN DE SUS ENFOQUES Y TENDENCIAS

We reviewed and analyzed the scientific literature on mammals of Mexico, including journal articles, the series Mammalian Species, book chapters and books, published between 1890 and 1995. The references were classified according to 11 general topics and included into a database. We registered 2129 publications, of which 1826 were articles in periodical journals, 206 fascicles monographs of Mammalian Species, 40 book chapters and 45 books. Journal articles showed a significant increase in the 1950's, due to a concomitant increase in number of scientist and institutions with professional interest in mammalogy. Geographically, Veracruz has been intensively studied, reaching 22% of all publications, while Tlaxcala is the least studied, with only 1% of all publications. The 79% of these publications were authored by foreign researchers, and 82% were published in foreign journals, lead prominently by the Journal of Mammalogy with 21%. Forty percent of the publications dealt with taxonomy and phylogeny, and 36% with the geographic distribution of species. Foreign authors, mostly from the U.S.A., outnumbered Mexicans in publications, except in book chapters. In recent years, however, an increase in Mexican scientists working with mammals has resulted in a significant increase in publications. These trends showed that U.S. scientists have historically played a crucial role for the development of mammalogy in Mexico, while Mexican scientist have recently contributed significantly to this field. We propose balancing efforts devoted to the different disciplines in mammalogy to guarantee an adequate knowledge of the mammal fauna in Mexico.Se revisaron y analizaron las publicaciones (artículos de revistas científicas, la serie Mammalian Species, capítulos de libros y libros) sobre investigaciones de los mamíferos de México publicados entre 1890 y 1995. Los trabajos de investigación se agruparon dentro de 11 temas generales con subdivisiones más específicas y fueron organizados en una base de datos. Se registraron un total de 2129 referencias, de los cuales 1826 son artículos en publicaciones periódicas, 206 fascículos monográficos dentro de la serie Mammalian Species, 40 capítulos de libro y 45 libros. El número de artículos publicados en revistas periódicas mostró un incremento notable a partir de la década de los 1950’s, debido al reclutamiento de un mayor número de científicos e instituciones con interés profesional en la Mastozoología. El estado de Veracruz ha sido el más estudiado, con un 22% del total de trabajos y, el de Tlaxcala el menos estudiado, con apenas el 1% del total de trabajos. El 79% de los trabajos fueron de autores extranjeros, en tanto, se publicaron el 82% en revistas extranjeras, sobresaliendo el Journal of Mammalogy, con el 21% de las publicaciones. El 40% de los trabajos se refirieron a taxonomía y filogenia y el 36% a la distribución geográfica de las especies. En las restantes categorías, los autores extranjeros publicaron más que los mexicanos, excepto en los capítulos de libros, los cuales a su vez, han sido editados en mayor cantidad por editoriales extranjeras. Sin embargo, los libros han sido editados con más frecuencia en México. Esta tendencia demuestra que los investigadores extranjeros (particularmente estadounidenses) y, recientemente los nacionales, han jugado un papel preponderante en el estudio de los mamíferos de México. Se propone la necesidad de establecer un proyecto nacional que promueva e impulse los estudios enfocados a las disciplinas históricamente poco abordadas, además de las comúnmente tratadas, para garantizar un conocimiento adecuado de las mastofauna nacional

Factors associated with producing a scientific publication during medical training: evidence from a cross-sectional study of 40 medical schools in Latin America [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

"Background: Scientific publication during medical training is key to promoting enduring cutting-edge knowledge. The promotion of science among medical students in Latin America is a multisectoral issue that is hampered by the lack of governmental knowledge to invest in national research, as well as by the lack of support from local universities. This study aims to determine the factors associated with the production of a scientific publication during medical training among Latin American medical students of local scientific societies. Methods: This is a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study conducted in 2016 that assessed the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among medical students from 40 local scientific societies of medical students affiliated with FELSOCEM. Teams from each local scientific society surveyed self-reported scientific publications and explored their association with socioeconomic, academic, and research training conditions. We applied nested models to identify the covariates associated with selfreported scientific publication, obtaining a parsimonious mixedeffects multilevel model grouped by medical scientific society. Results: Of 11,587 participants, the prevalence of scientific publications increased in 36% among medical students affiliated to a Scientific Society of Medical Students [parsimonious prevalence ratio (pPR)=1.36, 95%CI=1.16–1.59], 51% among medical students with advanced English proficiency [pPR=1.51, 95%CI=1.21 – 1.87], 85% among medical students who attended a scientific writing skills course [pPR=1.85, 95%CI=1.59–2.15], 81% among medical students who use Sci-Hub [pPR=1.81, 95%CI=1.50–2.20], and 108% among medical students who have access to a pirated academic account [pPR=2.08, 95%CI=1.83–2.36]. Conclusions: Producing a scientific publication among medical students is associated with being affiliated to a scientific society of medical students, English proficiency, training in scientific writing, use of Sci-Hub, and pirated academic accounts. The results will help clinical educators and medical programs improve resources for training students in high-quality research

Using Biotic Interaction Networks for Prediction in Biodiversity and Emerging Diseases

Networks offer a powerful tool for understanding and visualizing inter-species ecological and evolutionary interactions. Previously considered examples, such as trophic networks, are just representations of experimentally observed direct interactions. However, species interactions are so rich and complex it is not feasible to directly observe more than a small fraction. In this paper, using data mining techniques, we show how potential interactions can be inferred from geographic data, rather than by direct observation. An important application area for this methodology is that of emerging diseases, where, often, little is known about inter-species interactions, such as between vectors and reservoirs. Here, we show how using geographic data, biotic interaction networks that model statistical dependencies between species distributions can be used to infer and understand inter-species interactions. Furthermore, we show how such networks can be used to build prediction models. For example, for predicting the most important reservoirs of a disease, or the degree of disease risk associated with a geographical area. We illustrate the general methodology by considering an important emerging disease - Leishmaniasis. This data mining methodology allows for the use of geographic data to construct inferential biotic interaction networks which can then be used to build prediction models with a wide range of applications in ecology, biodiversity and emerging diseases

Floral odors and the interaction between pollinating Ceratopogonid midges and Cacao

Most plant species depend upon insect pollination services, including many cash and subsistence crops. Plants compete to attract those insects using visual cues and floral odor which pollinators associate with a reward. The cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, has a highly specialized floral morphology permitting pollination primarily by Ceratopogonid midges. However, these insects do not depend upon cacao flowers for their life cycle, and can use other sugar sources. To understand how floral cues mediate pollination in cacao we developed a method for rearing Ceratopogonidae through several complete lifecycles to provide material for bioassays. We carried out collection and analysis of cacao floral volatiles, and identified a bouquet made up exclusively of saturated and unsaturated, straight-chain hydrocarbons, which is unusual among floral odors. The most abundant components were tridecane, pentadecane, (Z)-7-pentadecene and (Z)-8-heptadecene with a heptadecadiene and heptadecatriene as minor components. We presented adult midges, Forcipomyia sp. (subgen. Forcipomyia), Culicoides paraensis and Dasyhelea borgmeieri, with natural and synthetic cacao flower odors in choice assays. Midges showed weak attraction to the complete natural floral odor in the assay, with no significant evidence of interspecific differences. This suggests that cacao floral volatiles play a role in pollinator behavior. Midges were not attracted to a synthetic blend of the above four major components of cacao flower odor, indicating that a more complete blend is required for attraction. Our findings indicate that cacao pollination is likely facilitated by the volatile blend released by flowers, and that the system involves a generalized odor response common to different species of Ceratopogonidae