O modelo de Governo Aberto na América Latina. Paralelismo das políticas públicas de transparência e a corrupção

En el siguiente artículo se analizan de las políticas públicas de reforma administrativa y de institucionalización del acceso a la información pública en México, Guatemala y Honduras, como factores clave para la evaluación de su vinculación con la modernización y mejora de la administración pública y el combate a la corrupción.The following article analyzes public policies of administrative reform and related to the institutionalization of access to public information in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. It analyzes these policies in relation with the modernization and improvement of public administration and the fight against corruption.No seguinte artigo analisam-se as polítcas públicas de reforma administrativa e de institucionaliazação do acesso à informação pública no México, Guatemala e Honduras, como fatores-chave para a avaliação do seu vínculo com a modernização e melhora da administração pública e o combate à corrupção

Structural and magnetic characterization of ordered Sr2LnSbO6 (Ln=rare earth) perosvkite

The double perovskites A2LnMO6 (A = Sr2+ and Ba2+; Ln = trivalent lanthanide cation; M = pentavalent 4d or 5d transition elements) have been widely studied concerning their structure and properties [1]. If the Ln and M cations are ordered within the B-perosvkite sites the symmetry and size of the unit cell change when are compared to the ideal cubic aristotype. Woodward predicted 15 possible space groups for the ordered A2BB’O6 perovskites when the cation ordering and the octahedral tilting around the pseudo-cubic axes take place simultaneously [2]. The ordered double perovskites A2LnMO6 with only one of the two B-sites carrying magnetic moment, namely Ln, show a magnetic sublattice consisting of edge-sharing tetrahedral, which represents a frustrating magnetic geometry in three dimensions. More recently, the structure of double perovskites Sr2LnSbO6 (Ln= Dy, Ho, Gd, Y and In) has been investigated, and the monoclinic symmetry of the space group P21/n, with Ln and Sb elements ordered in the B-sites, was reported [3, 4]. We report the preparation of the whole family of double perovskites Sr2LnSbO6 (Ln = La-Lu), which crystallize with the P21/n space group, with lattice parameters p= a2a , p= a2b and p= a2c(β∼90 º), being the lattice parameter of the cubic aristotype. A progressive decreasing was observed in lattice parameters with the increasing of the atomic number of the Ln cation, according with the wellknown lanthanide contraction. pa Magnetic susceptibility measurements for this family of compounds reveal a paramagnetic behaviour in a very wide temperature range. From experimental spectroscopic data as well as from a semi-empirical estimation (Simple Overlap Model SOM [5]) of the crystal-field parameters corresponding to the point site symmetry of the magnetically active Ln, Oh, and using the wavefunctions associated with the energy levels obtained, the paramagnetic susceptibility and its evolution vstemperature is simulated according to the van Vleck formalism. The observed deviation from the Curie–Weiss behaviour at low temperature, very well reproduced in each case, reflects the splitting of the ground state of the corresponding Ln cation under the influence of the crystal field. Thus, magnetic frustration or cooperative interactions do not need to be considered to explain the mentioned low temperature deviation from the linearity of Curie-Weiss plots

The complete genome analysis of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UMAF6614 and UMAF6639 reveals genetics features involved in biocontrol activity and bacterial fitness

Comunicación presentada en formato panel en la sesión "Biocontrol"The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains UMAF6614 and UMAF6639 were originally isolated from healthy leaf areas of melon plants naturally infected with the cucurbit powdery mildew fungus Podosphaera fusca. In previous works, we have demonstrated the multifaceted bicontrol activity of these strains based on: i) direct antagonism against fungal and bacterial pathogens of cucurbits, and ii) induction of plant defense mechanisms (ISR) and promotion of plant growth when applied to roots. With the idea to look for bacterial features responsible for the outstanding biocontrol activity of these strains we decided to sequence and analyze their genomes. Some of the most relevant findings obtained from initial genome analyses are: First, though initially identified as B. subtilis, a more robust phylogenetic analysis has confirmed the identification of both strains as B. amyloliquefaciens. Second, detection of bacterial features involved in diverse mechanisms of action and engaged in the biocontrol activity of these strains: the synthesis of secondary metabolites, production of phytohormones, or multicellular behavior as biofilm formation. Third, the development of new bioinformatics tools in combination with open access softwares have permitted to identify unique regions in either of our strains and non-conserved within the Bacillus genus. Ongoing studies are focused on elucidating the putative implication of these uncharacterized regions in the biocontrol activity of these strains.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Plan Nacional Plan I+D+I del antiguo Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (AGL2010-21848-CO2-01) e Incentivos a Proyectos de Excelencia de la Junta de Andalucía (P10-AGR-57-97), ambos cofinanciados con fondos FEDER (UE)

Análisis de los metabolitos secundarios producidos por los agentes de control biológico Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 8237 Y CECT 8238

Las cepas de Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 8237 (UMAF6639) y CECT 8238 (UMAF6614) han sido ampliamente estudiadas en trabajos previos de nuestro grupo por su reseñable capacidad de biocontrol. Desde un principio ha destacado su actividad antagonista frente a Podosphaera fusca y ciertas bacterias patógenas de cucurbitáceas, siendo la antibiosis mediada por lipopéptidos tales como iturinas y fengicinas, uno de los principales mecanismos de acción. La secuenciación de los genomas de ambas cepas nos ha permitido localizar un amplio grupo de genes implicados en la síntesis de otros antibióticos ya descritos con anterioridad en otras cepas del género Bacillus. Sin embargo, las cepas CECT 8237 y CECT 8238 siguen mostrando mayor capacidad de biocontrol que otros agentes de biocontrol, lo que nos lleva a pensar en la producción de otras moléculas activas. Por ello, hemos desarrollado herramientas bioinformáticas que han facilitado la identificación de regiones poco conservadas con respecto al género Bacillus, así como regiones presentes solo en las cepas de estudio. También se pudo determinar si la adquisición de estas regiones genómicas por parte de estas bacterias se debía a procesos de transferencia horizontal, debido a las variaciones en el patrón de tripletes de aminoácidos y/o en el contenido en GC de dichas zonas. Actualmente, se está realizando la caracterización de algunas de las regiones identificadas en la cepa CECT 8237, cuyos genes parecen estar implicados en la síntesis de nuevos antibióticos no descritos hasta la fecha. Todos estos resultados refuerzan la hipótesis de que la producción de antibióticos es el mecanismo de acción determinante en la actividad de biocontrol de estas bacterias.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por ayudas del Plan Nacional de I+D+I del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (AGL2010-21848-CO2-01) e Incentivos a Proyectos de Excelencia de la Junta de Andalucía (P10-AGR-5797), ambos cofinanciados con fondos FEDER (UE) y una ayuda del Plan Propio de Investigación de la Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Ocupación social del espacio en el Estado de Tlaxcala, México, 1980-2017

Currently, the state of Tlaxcala faces major challenges in terms of territorial planning and urban management. Since the last third of the last century, it has experienced a rapid population increase in the rural towns that make up the periphery of their cities, which translates into a rapid urbanization of the state, but also great challenges to face this demographic transition. This study aims to explain the process of urbanization of the metropolitan area of the state between 1980 and 2017 using the available statistical information and based on various theories of urban development, with the aim of carrying out a characterization of the territorial system with the existing information, and incorporate the analysis of the different interactions of the natural, social, economic and legal systems that influence the population dynamics of Tlaxcala, to subsequently make a diagnosis of the state and identify the main weaknesses of the current urban development model. Finally, a proposal is made to orient the territorial ordering of the state, which lands in the specific needs of infrastructure, services and development strategies required to achieve an efficient, orderly and sustainable integration of the rural localities to the metropolitan region of Tlaxcala.Actualmente, el estado de Tlaxcala enfrenta grandes desafíos en materia de ordenamiento territorial y gestión urbana, pues desde el último tercio del siglo pasado ha experimentado un rápido incremento demográfico en las localidades rurales que conforman a la periferia de sus ciudades, lo que se traduce en una rápida urbanización del estado, pero también en grandes retos para afrontar esta transición demográfica. Este estudio pretende explicar el proceso de urbanización de la zona metropolitana del estado entre 1980 y 2017, utilizando la información estadística disponible y fundamentándose en diversas teorías de desarrollo urbano, con el objetivo de realizar una caracterización del sistema territorial con la información existente, e incorporar el análisis de las diferentes interacciones de los sistemas naturales, sociales, económicos y jurídicos que influyen en la dinámica poblacional de Tlaxcala, para posteriormente, hacer un diagnóstico del estado e identificar las principales debilidades del modelo de desarrollo urbano actual. Finalmente, se realiza una propuesta para orientar el ordenamiento territorial del estado, que aterrice en las necesidades concretas de infraestructura, servicios y estrategias de desarrollo requeridas para lograr una integración eficiente, ordenada y sustentable de las localidades rurales a la región metropolitana de Tlaxcala

The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Application of Evidence-Based Practice in Health Science Professionals

(1) Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) informs daily clinical interventions with the purpose of seeking changes to traditional practice through scientific evidence that justifies the reasons for our actions. The objectives were to describe the barriers, beliefs, and attitudes in the application of EBP among university health professionals (not doctors) and to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic among them. (2) Methods: This prospective study is both descriptive and observational. The individuals under study were university health professionals (not doctors) from various autonomous regions within Spain, in both public and private spheres. Sociodemographic and labor-related variables linked to the research and its completion were studied. Likewise, the survey instrument Health Sciences Evidence-Based Practice questionnaire (HS-EBP) was administered to evaluate the barriers to, beliefs in, and attitudes towards evidence-based practice. (3) Results: A total of 716 responses were gathered, of which 387 were collected during the period of confinement, and 343 in the COVID-19 post-confinement period. Possible associations that might help respond to the objectives were explored through a correlational study between the sociodemographic variables and each sub-scale of the HS-EBP 30 questionnaire (n = 716). (4) Conclusions: Barriers to, beliefs in, and attitudes towards evidence-based practice are described. There is a leadership gap where line management provides insufficient motivation to follow work routines. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense stress among health professionals. The post-confinement group showed a significant change in the variables "beliefs and attitudes", and likewise in the "evaluation" block, justified by the need to update knowledge and to apply evidence.This project has been financed with the help of IDIVAL, Project number NVAL 19/04 through the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute, IDIVAL, Spain

Photoreceptor Activity Contributes to Contrasting Responses to Shade in Cardamine and Arabidopsis Seedlings

Plants have evolved two major ways to deal with nearby vegetation or shade: avoidance and tolerance. Moreover, some plants respond to shade in different ways; for example, Arabidopsis thaliana undergoes an avoidance response to shade produced by vegetation, but its close relative Cardamine hirsuta tolerates shade. How plants adopt opposite strategies to respond to the same environmental challenge is unknown. Here, using a genetic strategy, we identified the C. hirsuta slender in shade1 (sis1) mutants, which produce strongly elongated hypocotyls in response to shade. These mutants lack the phytochrome A (phyA) photoreceptor. Our findings suggest that C. hirsuta has evolved a highly efficient phyA-dependent pathway that suppresses hypocotyl elongation when challenged by shade from nearby vegetation. This suppression relies, at least in part, on stronger phyA activity in C. hirsuta; this is achieved by increased ChPHYA expression and protein accumulation combined with a stronger specific intrinsic repressor activity. We suggest that modulation of photoreceptor activity is a powerful mechanism in nature to achieve physiological variation (shade tolerance vs. avoidance) for species to colonize different habitats

Pharmacological Blockade of NLRP3 Inflammasome/IL1β-Positive Loop Mitigates Endothelial Cell Senescence and Dysfunction

The clinical relevance of IL-1β in chronic inflammation underlying atherosclerosis has been reinforced by recent evidence associating pharmacological inhibition of the cytokine with lower cardiovascular risk. Previously, we have demonstrated a direct involvement of IL-1β in endothelial senescence. Therefore, this can be a key mechanism contributing to the sterile inflammatory milieu associated with aging, termed inflammaging. In the present study, we have evaluated whether a positive feedback of IL-1β in the NLRP3 inflammasome via NF-κB could promote human endothelial senescence in vitro and murine endothelial dysfunction in vivo. Our results indicate that the NLRP3 inflammasome is pivotal in mediating the detrimental effects of IL-1β, showing that auto-activation is a crucial feature boosting endothelial cell senescence in vitro, which is paralleled by vascular dysfunction in vivo. Hence, the inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, MCC 950, was able to disrupt the aforementioned positive loop, thus alleviating inflammation, cell senescence and vascular dysfunction. Besides, we explored alternative NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitory agents such as the RAS heptapeptide Ang-(1-7) and the anti-aging protein klotho, both of which demonstrated protective effects in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, our results highlight a fundamental role for the hereby described NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β positive feedback loop in stress-induced inflammaging and the associated vascular dysfunction, additionally providing evidence of a potential therapeutic use of MCC 950, Ang-(1-7) and recombinant klotho to block this loop and its deleterious effectsThis work has been supported by funding from 1) Plan Nacional I+D (PID2020-115590RB100/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033) to C.P. and C.F.S-F; 2) Talent Advanced Researchers' Grant from Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (2019-T1/IND-13794) to F.C., and 3) FONDECYT 1130300 to G.D.A. P.D. is recipient of a European social fund and Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid fellowship (PEJ-2018-AI/SAL-9955). I.V. is supported by an FPU-MECD fellowship (FPU16/02612

Bridging the Gap Between National and Ecosystem Accounting Application in Andalusian Forests, Spain

National accounting either ignores or fails to give due values to the ecosystem services, products, incomes and environmental assets of a country. To overcome these shortcomings, we apply spatially-explicit extended accounts that incorporate a novel environmental income indicator, which we test in the forests of Andalusia (Spain). Extended accounts incorporate nine farmer activities (timber, cork, firewood, nuts, livestock grazing, conservation forestry, hunting, residential services and private amenity) and seven government activities (fire services, free access recreation, free access mushroom, carbon, landscape conservation, threatened biodiversity and water yield). To make sure the valuation remains consistent with standard accounts, we simulate exchange values for non-market final forest product consumption in order to measure individual ecosystem services and environmental income indicators. Manufactured capital and environmental assets are also integrated. When comparing extended to standard accounts, our results are 3.6 times higher for gross value added. These differences are explained primarily by the omission in the standard accounts of carbon activities and undervaluation of private amenity, free access recreation, landscape and threatened biodiversity ecosystem services. Extended accounts measure a value of Andalusian forest ecosystem services 5.4 times higher than that measured using the valuation criteria of standard accounts