On the emergence of the Λ{\bf\Lambda}CDM model from self-interacting Brans-Dicke theory in d=5{\bf d= 5}

We investigate whether a self-interacting Brans-Dicke theory in $d=5$ without matter and with a time-dependent metric can describe, after dimensional reduction to $d=4$, the FLRW model with accelerated expansion and non-relativistic matter. By rewriting the effective 4-dimensional theory as an autonomous three-dimensional dynamical system and studying its critical points, we show that the $\Lambda$CDM cosmology cannot emerge from such a model. This result suggests that a richer structure in $d=5$ may be needed to obtain the accelerated expansion as well as the matter content of the 4-dimensional universe.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

Characterization of Iberian species of the genus Pungentus Thorne & Swanger, 1936 (Nematoda, Dorylaimida, Nordiidae)

Several populations of four known species of the genus Pungentus (P. clavatus, P. engadinensis, P. marietani and P. silvestris), collected in the wild and in cultivated soils from the Iberian Peninsula, are studied. Detailed redescriptions and morphometrics are presented for each species. Illustrations are provided, including line drawings, light microscopy pictures of the four species as well as scanning electron microscopy observations of P. engadinensis. The Iberian populations are compared to type and other known populations, and new data are given that provide a better characterization of these taxa. Pungentus engadinensis is the most widely distributed species in the Iberian Peninsula

Evaluating growth patterns of beech bark disease fungal agents Neonectria faginata and Neonectria ditissima under different in vitro conditions

The co –occurring fungal species Neonectria ditissima and Neonectria faginata are major canker-forming pathogens in the beech bark disease (BBD) systems which has caused restructuring of forests throughout northeastern North America. The role of nutrients in structuring microbial community interactions has been studied in BBD forests stands but has yet to be fully understood and examined under specific in-vitro conditions. This study aimed to investigate how nitrogen, phosphorus, and temperature levels influence the growth, reproduction, and competitive hierarchies between N. ditissima and N. faginata. We performed in-vitro assays where species were first individually and then jointly grown under different concentrations of N and P. Additionally, we performed mating type crossings to evaluate perithecia production. The results revealed that nitrogen concentration had a significant negative effect on the growth rate of both species, while phosphorus concentration did not exhibit a significant effect on the individual growth. N. ditissima’s growth rate was faster than N. faginata’s across treatments in the individual assays. However, neither of the isolates tested produced perithecia in culture suggesting that the nutrient and temperature conditions tested may not be optimal for sexual reproduction and that both species prioritize growth over reproduction under these conditions. In the context of mycelial interactions, N. ditissima displayed a competitive advantage over N. faginata, occupying a larger proportion of the plate and exhibiting greater growth across all nutrient and temperature combinations. However, the absence of overgrowth (covering of the fungal colony) by either species prevented a conclusive determination of competitive advantage. Additionally, phosphorus had a significant effect on the outcome of mycelial interactions, suggesting N. faginata may become more efficient at resource utilization when in contact with its congeners. Competitive deadlock defined as mycelial intermingling at the middle of the plate but no clear evidence of inhibition or overgrowth by either species was only seen under a lower temperature, which suggests that this form of niche differentiation allows co-occurrence between these species under colder climates. Our findings suggest that both species may be ecologically equivalent according to nutrition-based in-vitro responses which hints at the fact that neutral dynamics, driven by dispersal and extinction events, may play a crucial role in the co-occurrence and eventual dominance of N. faginata over N. ditissima in the BBD system. Further research is needed to explore the ecological factors contributing to their co-existence across environmental gradients and the long-term effects of nutrient availability and climate on the dominance of N. faginata in the BBD range. Understanding these interactions will aid in the development of effective management strategies to mitigate the impacts of beech bark disease

Agencias de consejo de votación (sobre la oportunidad de una convención internacional)

Abstract: Proxy advisory firms are relatively new entities in the corporate landscape particularly in the general context of shareholders’ voting devices. Firms of the kind were established with the aim of assisting investors/shareholders with their expertise in how to vote their shares. These third-party consultants are not regulated by any government agency in most of the countries and not even required to disclose the methodology used to render their recommendations. The lack of accountability of proxy advisors but also the possible conflict of interests spotted in their activities have been constant concerns since the kinetic force of international commerce will certainly spread firms of the type all over the world. In this context it may be appropriate to start considering an international convention on the matter. Resumen: Las agencias de consejo de votación son entidades relativamente nuevas en el panorama corporativo, especialmente en el contexto de los mecanismos de voto de los accionistas. Las agencias de este tipo fueron creadas con el ánimo de asistir a los inversionistas/accionistas con su consejo en cómo votar sus acciones. Este tipo de consultores no se encuentran regulados por agencia alguna en la mayoría de los países ni se les requiere informar sobre la metodología utilizada para llevar a cabo sus recomendaciones. La falta de imputabilidad de las agencias de consejo de votación, así como los posibles conflictos de intereses que han sido identificados en el desarrollo de sus actividades son preocupaciones constantes, puesto que la fuerza cinética del comercio internacional dispersará a empresas de este tipo en todo el mundo. En este contexto, parece apropiado comenzar a considerar una convención internacional en la materia

Visor geográfico para la Web de la División Político Administrativa del Ecuador enlazada a la información del censo de población y vivienda 2010

Geographic information systems and web applications have been two very useful tools in solving problems that affect many users. This paper describes building a Web Geographic Viewer for showing the geographical coverage of the Administrative Political Division of Ecuador linked to alphanumeric information obtained from the Census of Population and Housing 2010. The process for building the Viewer starts by collecting geographic and alphanumeric data, generating a Geodatabase where spatial and alphanumeric data is bounded, then installing a suitable hardware and software platform for the development of a Web application supporting geographic services that will be presented to the user through a Web browser. Geographic web services in the Geographic Viewer show both spatial and alphanumeric data supported by tools used in GIS as zoom, panning, identifying attributes, measurements, etc., which will converge GIS with a friendly web application that provides a very useful application to view and examine integrated spatial and alphanumeric information. The next step may be to develop enterprise geographic viewers that combine Business Intelligence, GIS spatial analysis and new platforms of massive use such as tablets and smartphones.Los sistemas de información geográfica y las aplicaciones Web han sido dos herramientas muy útiles para resolver problemas que afectan a gran cantidad de usuarios. El presente trabajo construye un Visor Geográfico para la Web que muestra las coberturas geográficas de la División Político Administrativa del Ecuador enlazadas a la información alfanumérica de variables obtenidas en el Censo de Población y Vivienda del año 2010. Los pasos para la construcción del Visor empiezan con la recopilación de datos geográficos y alfanuméricos necesarios, la generación de una Geodatabase donde se enlazan los datos espaciales y alfanuméricos, luego la instalación de una plataforma de hardware y software adecuada para el desarrollo de una aplicación Web que soporte los servicios geográficos que por último se presentarán al usuario a través de un navegador de Internet. Los servicios geográficos para la Web presentados en el Visor Geográfico mostrarán tanto los datos espaciales como alfanuméricos con el soporte de herramientas usadas en los sistemas de información geográfica como acercar, alejar, paneo, identificación de atributos, mediciones, etc., lo que hará converger un SIG con una aplicación Web amigable que nos da como resultado un producto tecnológico muy útil para visualizar y examinar información espacial y alfanumérica integrada. El próximo paso será desarrollar visores geográficos empresariales que combinen la inteligencia de negocios, el análisis espacial de los sistemas de información geográfica y las nuevas plataformas de uso masivo como las tabletas y los teléfonos inteligentes

Especies de rhabdítidos (Nematoda, Rhabditida) citadas en España peninsular y las Islas Baleares

Previous records of species belonging to the order Rhabditida in peninsular Spain and Balearic Islands is presented as compilation. Eighty species of forty genera and twelve families are listed. Information concerning each species contains scientific name, synonymy, distribution and remarks. Distributional data include localities and/or geographical areas where the species have been collected and the corresponding references. A short discussion on current knowledge on rhabditid nematodes in the Iberian geography is also made. Majority of species are defficiently known, being necessary additional taxonomic and/or faunistic studies of this taxon.Se presenta una recopilación de citas previas de especies pertenecientes al orden Rhabditida en la España peninsular e Islas Baleares. Se listan ochenta especies de cuarenta géneros y doce familias. La información que concierne a cada especie contiene el nombre científico, sinonimia, distribución y observaciones. Los datos de distribución incluyen las localidades y/o áreas geográficas donde las especies han sido recolectadas, y las referencias correspondientes. También se realiza una breve discusión sobre el conocimiento de los nematodos rhabdítidos en el área ibérica, concluyéndose que la mayor parte de las especies se conocen deficientemente, siendo necesario un estudio taxonómico y/o faunístico adicional del taxon

Las aceleradoras de negocios pueden ayudar a identificar y acelerar el crecimiento de “gacelas” en países en desarrollo (v�deo)

Sin embargo, las aceleradoras no pueden transformar a los emprendimiento de bajo potencial en gacelas, escriben Juanita Gonzalez-Uribe and Santiago Reye

Business accelerators can help identify and boost “gazelles” in developing countries (video)

However, accelerators cannot transform low-potential ventures into 'gazelles', write Juanita Gonzalez-Uribe and Santiago Reye