Rethinking diplomatic history: Dialogues, absences and challenges to understand global historical otherness

El presente artículo pretende señalar las limitaciones de las teorías dominantes de las Relaciones Internacionales sobre el entendimiento histórico de la diplomacia, y la normalización hecha de las bases categoriales sobre las que es interpretada la alteridad histórica mundial, la cual invisibilizó actores, saberes y prácticas diplomáticas que perviven en la exterioridad del sistema mundial. Para respaldar las afirmaciones del texto, se aportan hechos históricos de la actividad diplomática que dan cuenta tanto de la resistencia histórica como del entendimiento político y diplomático mundial. En su conjunto, se suma a la promoción de las agendas de investigación sobre diplomacia, interesadas en comprender mejor la alteridad planetaria y su preocupación por la transformación de la violencia y la dominación globalThis paper seeks to identify the limitations of mainstream International Relations theories about the historical understanding of diplomacy, and the normalization of the parameters used to interpret world historical otherness, which invisibilized actors, knowledge and diplomatic practices that survive outside the world system. For this purpose, the paper outlines historical facts of diplomatic activity that account for historical resistance as well as for global political and diplomatic understanding. Overall the paper aims to contribute to the research agendas on diplomacy, interested in better understanding planetary otherness and its concern for the transformation of violence and global domination

Citrus psorosis virus movement protein contains an aspartic protease required for autocleavage and the formation of tubule-like structures at plasmodesmata

Plant virus cell-to-cell movement is an essential step in viral infections. This process is facilitated by specific virus-encoded movement proteins (MPs), which manipulate the cell wall channels between neighboring cells known as plasmodesmata (PD). Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV) infection in sweet orange involves the formation of tubule-like structures within PD, suggesting that CPsV belongs to "tubuleforming" viruses that encode MPs able to assemble a hollow tubule extending between cells to allow virus movement. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show that the MP of CPsV (MPCPsV) indeed forms tubule-like structures at PD upon transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Tubule formation by MPCPsV depends on its cleavage capacity, mediated by a specific aspartic protease motif present in its primary sequence. A single amino acid mutation in this motif abolishes MPCPsV cleavage, alters the subcellular localization of the protein, and negatively affects its activity in facilitating virus movement. The amino-terminal 34-kDa cleavage product (34KCPsV), but not the 20-kDa fragment (20KCPsV), supports virus movement. Moreover, similar to tubule-forming MPs of other viruses, MPCPsV (and also the 34KCPsV cleavage product) can homooligomerize, interact with PD-located protein 1 (PDLP1), and assemble tubule-like structures at PD by a mechanism dependent on the secretory pathway. 20KCPsV retains the protease activity and is able to cleave a cleavage-deficient MPCPsV in trans. Altogether, these results demonstrate that CPsV movement depends on the autolytic cleavage of MPCPsV by an aspartic protease activity, which removes the 20KCPsV protease and thereby releases the 34KCPsV protein for PDLP1-dependent tubule formation at PD. IMPORTANCE Infection by citrus psorosis virus (CPsV) involves a self-cleaving aspartic protease activity within the viral movement protein (MP), which results in the production of two peptides, termed 34KCPsV and 20KCPsV, that carry the MP and viral protease activities, respectively. The underlying protease motif within the MP is also found in the MPs of other members of the Aspiviridae family, suggesting that protease-mediated protein processing represents a conserved mechanism of protein expression in this virus family. The results also demonstrate that CPsV and potentially other ophioviruses move by a tubule-guided mechanism. Although several viruses from different genera were shown to use this mechanism for cell-to-cell movement, our results also demonstrate that this mechanism is controlled by posttranslational protein cleavage. Moreover, given that tubule formation and virus movement could be inhibited by a mutation in the protease motif, targeting the protease activity for inactivation could represent an important approach for ophiovirus control.Fil: Robles Luna, Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Peña, Eduardo José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Borniego, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Heinlein, Manfred. Université de Strasbourg; Francia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Garcia, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; Argentin

Young Latino immigrants in school. From school rejection to the gangs reception

The following text analyzes the integration problems into the Spanish school that young Latin American immigrants have in their first years in Spain. Next, it establishes a relation between the adaptation difficulties of these young people to the school institution and its entrance in the calls Latin gangs. The frustration feelings, stress and discrimination experiences that they suffer favors the search for identity, cohesion and security environments. The equals group constituted in band will become a space of protection and empowerment in front of the majority society. The research has followed a qualitative methodology based on the technique of discussion groups. To reach this conclusion, the essay has analyzed the discourses of four discussion groups carried out by a group of thirty young people belonging to Latin gangs in Madrid.El siguiente texto analiza los problemas de integración a la escuela española que tienen los jóvenes inmigrantes latinoamericanos en sus primeros años en España. A continuación, establece una relación entre las dificultades de adaptación de estos jóvenes a la institución escolar y su entrada en las llamadas bandas latinas. Los sentimientos de frustración, el estrés y las experiencias de discriminación que sufren favorecen la búsqueda de entornos de identidad, cohesión y seguridad. El grupo de iguales constituido en banda pasará a convertirse en un espacio de protección y empoderamiento frente a la sociedad mayoritaria. La investigación ha seguido una metodología cualitativa basada en la técnica de grupos de discusión. Para llegar a esta conclusión el ensayo ha analizado los discursos de cuatro grupos de discusión realizados a un conjunto de treinta jóvenes que pertenecen a bandas latinas de Madrid

Low-cost virtual reality system in evaluation of rhythmic motor patterns in elderly and Parkinsonian patients

[Abstract] This work details a Virtual Reality (VR) system developed to evaluate and potentially treat alterations in hand movements and central rhythm formation in Parkinsonian and Elderly subjects. An essential feature of VR systems to prove useful in clinical evaluation and to warrant \Presence", is the lack of behavioral distortion from real world execution. Herein, we present a technical description of our VR and its validation to evaluate rhythmic motor patterns when experimental subjects perform a nger tapping test. Execution of the test was performed at di erent rates in the VR system, and compared to the gold-standard real world testing. The VR system proved to be as valid and reliable as real world testing to characterize arrythmokinetic pro les present in Parkinsonian and Elderly subjects (compared to Young subjects), at the di erent rates of execution. VR serves like a complementary tool in research settings to isolate subjects from un-naturalistic environment, during clinical evaluation, like lab-rooms or brain scans, since it did not bias behavior from real world evaluation in a basic clinical test

Probabilistic agent-based model of electric vehicle charging demand to analyse the impact on distribution networks

Electric Vehicles (EVs) have seen significant growth in sales recently and it is not clear how power systems will support the charging of a great number of vehicles. This paper proposes a methodology which allows the aggregated EV charging demand to be determined. The methodology applied to obtain the model is based on an agent-based approach to calculate the EV charging demand in a certain area. This model simulates each EV driver to consider its EV model characteristics, mobility needs, and charging processes required to reach its destination. This methodology also permits to consider social and economic variables. Furthermore, the model is stochastic, in order to consider the random pattern of some variables. The model is applied to Barcelona’s (Spain) mobility pattern and uses the 37-node IEEE test feeder adapted to common distribution grid characteristics from Barcelona. The corresponding grid impact is analyzed in terms of voltage drop and four charging strategies are compared. The case study indicates that the variability in scenarios without control is relevant, but not in scenarios with control. Moreover, the voltages do not reach the minimum voltage allowed, but the MV/LV substations could exceed their capacities. Finally, it is determined that all EVs can charge during the valley without any negative effect on the distribution grid. In conclusion, it is determined that the methodology presented allows the EV charging demand to be calculated, considering different variables, to obtain better accuracy in the results.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

The Effectiveness of Advanced Practice Nurses with Respect to Complex Chronic Wounds in the Management of Venous Ulcers

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of advanced practice nurses with respect to complex chronic wounds (APN-CCWs) in the care of patients with venous ulcers. A multicentric, quasi-experimental pre-post study was conducted without a control group in the sanitary management areas where the APN-CCW program is being piloted. The intervention consisted of a mass training of clinical nurses from the participating districts on the proper management of injuries and the use of compression therapy. The data were collected through a specifically constructed questionnaire with questions regarding descriptive variables of injuries and their treatment. A total of 643 professionals responded (response rate of 89.1%), attending to a total population of 707,814 inhabitants. An increase in multilayer bandage use by 15.67%, an increase in elastic bandage use by 13.24%, and a significant decrease in the referral of patients to consultation with hospital specialists was achieved, from 21.08% to 12.34%. The number of patients referred to the APNs was 13.25%, which implied a resolution rate of 94.08% of their injuries. In conclusion, the coordination by the APN-CCWs in patients with venous ulcers was effective in improving the continuity of care, in the optimization of resources, and in their care role

Effects of movement imitation training in Parkinson's disease: a virtual reality pilot study

[Abstract] Background. Hypometria is a clinical motor sign in Parkinson's disease. Its origin likely emerges from basal ganglia dysfunction, leading to an impaired control of inhibitory intracortical motor circuits. Some neurorehabilitation approaches include movement imitation training; besides the effects of motor practice, there might be a benefit due to observation and imitation of un-altered movement patterns. In this sense, virtual reality facilitates the process by customizing motor-patterns to be observed and imitated. Objective. To evaluate the effect of a motor-imitation therapy focused on hypometria in Parkinson's disease using virtual reality. Methods. We carried out a randomized controlled pilot-study. Sixteen patients were randomly assigned in experimental and control groups. Groups underwent 4-weeks of training based on finger-tapping with the dominant hand, in which imitation was the differential factor (only the experimental group imitated). We evaluated self-paced movement features and cortico-spinal excitability (recruitment curves and silent periods in both hemispheres) before, immediately after, and two weeks after the training period. Results. Movement amplitude increased significantly after the therapy in the experimental group for the trained and un-trained hands. Motor thresholds and silent periods evaluated with transcranial magnetic stimulation were differently modified by training in the two groups; although the changes in the input–output recruitment were similar. Conclusions. This pilot study suggests that movement imitation therapy enhances the effect of motor practice in patients with Parkinson's disease; imitation-training might be helpful for reducing hypometria in these patients. These results must be clarified in future larger trials.Galicia. Conselleria de Educación 2007/000140-0Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; AP2010-2774Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; FPU-AP2010-277

Sensibilización al gato en pacientes con alergia respiratoria, experiencia de una institución universitaria

Antecedentes: La frecuencia de sensibilización al gato en sujetos con alergia respiratoria puede ser hasta de 60% y es un factor de riesgo para desarrollar alergia al gato. Objetivo: Establecer la frecuencia de sensibilización al gato por exposición ambiental y por prueba cutánea al alérgeno de gato Fel d1 en pacientes con alergia respiratoria. Métodos: Estudio transversal prospectivo comparativo realizado de agosto a noviembre del 2009. Se Incluyeron 198 sujetos divididos en dos grupos (un grupo de 98 pacientes con alergia respiratoria y otro con 100 controles sanos). Se les aplicó un cuestionario clínico epidemiológico y prueba cutánea con alérgeno de gato Fel d1 (1:20 p/v) mediante el método de punción epicutánea (Prick-test). Resultados: La frecuencia de sensibilización al gato medida por prueba cutánea en pacientes con alergia respiratoria fue de 25% comparado con 10% en sanos (p = 0.004). En los sujetos con rinitis alérgica y asma la frecuencia de sensibilización al gato fue de 31% y en los sujetos que tenían exclusivamente rinitis alérgica fue de 22% (p = 0.416). La presencia de síntomas a la exposición ambiental con gato en el grupo de pacientes con alergia respiratoria fue de 19%, en los sujetos sanos fue de 2% (p < 0.001). La presencia de gato en casa en pacientes con alergia respiratoria que fueron sensibles a la prueba cutánea de alérgeno de gato fue de 1%. Los pacientes tuvieron una frecuencia de sensibilidad a otros alérgenos como D. pteronyssinus (80%), D. farinae (72%), Cynodon (52%), Amaranthus, Salsola y Fraxinus (40% cada uno). Conclusión: La frecuencia de sensibilización al gato en sujetos con alergia respiratoria fue de 25%, similar a lo informado por otras series