Vegetation structure and biodiversity recovery in 19-year-old active restoration plantations in a Neotropical cloud forest

Aim of the study: To evaluate how middle-aged active restoration plantations of native tree species contribute to the recovery of the tropical cloud forest in terms of vegetation structure, tree richness, species composition, and to shade-tolerance and seed dispersal mode functional groups.Area of the study: We studied two 19-year-old active restoration sites and their reference mature forests in the tropical montane cloud forest belt, Veracruz, Mexico.Materials and methods: The basal area, density and height as well as the tree species composition and number of species and individuals classified by shade tolerance (pioneer and non-pioneer trees), and seed dispersal mode (anemochorous, barochorous-synzoochorous and endozoochorous) were compared between active restoration plantations and reference forests.Main results: Planted trees and the woody vegetation growing under them represented a high proportion of reference forests’ basal area. Tree richness and Shannon’s equitability index were similar in both reference forests and one active restoration plantation and slightly different in the other. Tree species composition differed among sites; however, each 19-year-old plantation already had several non-pioneer species and a similar species proportion of the seed dispersal syndromes present in their reference forests.Research highlights: Active restoration accelerated the recovery of cloud forest in degraded pasture and bracken fern lands. Planted trees promoted the rapid development of vegetation structure and natural tree regeneration. Although species composition is still different, these middle-aged restoration plantations already have forest species and a proportion of functional groups of species similar to those of their own reference montane cloud forests.Keywords: active restoration; forest recovery; passive restoration; seed dispersal mode; succession; tree species; tropical montane cloud forest

Decomposing Noise in Biochemical Signaling Systems Highlights the Role of Protein Degradation

AbstractStochasticity is an essential aspect of biochemical processes at the cellular level. We now know that living cells take advantage of stochasticity in some cases and counteract stochastic effects in others. Here we propose a method that allows us to calculate contributions of individual reactions to the total variability of a system’s output. We demonstrate that reactions differ significantly in their relative impact on the total noise and we illustrate the importance of protein degradation on the overall variability for a range of molecular processes and signaling systems. With our flexible and generally applicable noise decomposition method, we are able to shed new, to our knowledge, light on the sources and propagation of noise in biochemical reaction networks; in particular, we are able to show how regulated protein degradation can be employed to reduce the noise in biochemical systems

Utility of curcumin for the treatment of diabetes mellitus: Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies

"Turmeric or Curcuma longa is a natural product, whose medicinal properties have been extensively studied and a wide variety of therapeutic effects on several diseases such as neurodegenerative, hepatic and renal damage, cancer, and diabetes have been mainly attributed to its curcuminoid content. In the last decades, diabetes mellitus has become an alarming worldwide health issue, because of the increasing number of people suffering from the disease, as well as the devastating consequences for them. In this paper, we review the current basic and clinical evidence about the potential of curcumin/curcuminoids for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, mainly by its hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The activity of curcumin (or curcuminoids) as a hypoglycemic agent or just as an adjuvant to improve the metabolic profile and to ameliorate the associated complications of diabetes mellitus, such as diabetic nephropathy and cardiopathy is discussed. The interactions between curcumin and conventional antidiabetic drugs might be explored for the therapeutic management of diabetes mellitus.

El efecto de la imagen de marca país en el proceso de decisión de compra del consumidor

El objetivo principal de esta investigación consiste en determinar el efecto de la imagen de las empresas de España en Brasil. Para tal efecto, se ha realizado un análisis comparativo de la imagen de las empresas de España, y de las empresas de sus principales competidores en Brasil (EEUU y Alemania), en una muestra de 346 empresarios brasileños. Los resultados del estudio podrán servir a los empresarios españoles como soporte para desarrollar mejores tácticas de marketing adecuadas al mercado brasileño.The main objective of this research will be to determine the effect of national brand image of Spanish Firms in Brazil. For this purpose, a comparative analysis of the image of the Spanish companies and of their main competitors in Brazil (USA and Germany) has been made, from a sample of 346 Brazilian entrepreneurs. The results of this research may contribute to Spanish entrepreneurs in supporting the development of better marketing tactics, adapted to the Brazilian market

The effect of national brand image in the process of customer purchase decision

El objetivo principal de esta investigación consiste en determinar el efecto de la imagen de las empresas de España en Brasil. Para tal efecto, se ha realizado un análisis comparativo de la imagen de las empresas de España, y de las empresas de sus principales competidores en Brasil (EEUU y Alemania), en una muestra de 346 empresarios brasileños. Los resultados del estudio podrán servir a los empresarios españoles como soporte para desarrollar mejores tácticas de marketing adecuadas al mercado brasileño.The main objective of this research will be to determine the effect of national brand image of Spanish Firms in Brazil. For this purpose, a comparative analysis of the image of the Spanish companies and of their main competitors in Brazil (USA and Germany) has been made, from a sample of 346 Brazilian entrepreneurs. The results of this research may contribute to Spanish entrepreneurs in supporting the development of better marketing tactics, adapted to the Brazilian market.Peer Reviewe

Renal damage in the metabolic syndrome (MetSx): Disorders implicated

"The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing worldwide and has become a risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease. The complex linkage between metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease is under research and the factors involved beyond the biological pathogenesis include demographic, sociological and psychological factors that are related to the metabolic syndrome prevalence. The social context of disease causation is as relevant to today's clinical scientist and practitioner as biomarker-directed risk stratification and therapy. The aim of this review is to compare the criteria for diagnosis among different international health organizations, identifying all factors that contribute to the development of this association between metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease, and categorizing them by those that could be useful for preventive strategies. In addition, patients with metabolic syndrome have microvascular disease characterized by microalbuminuria, decreased glomerular filtration rate, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and glomerulosclerosis. These effects may be due to insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemias, activation of inflammatory processes, fibrotic, dysbiosis and generation of oxidative stress; which cause an imbalance in the main vasoactive factors and thus endothelial dysfunction, deteriorating the renal function. Furthermore, since unhealthy eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle are among the strongest risk factors related to these diseases, lifestyle interventions programs have been recommended for facilitating positive changes in behavior at the individual level. However, further research is needed to promote multiple social, economic and political transformations, shifting the intervention emphasis from individual education, counseling, regimens and medications to community, national and global institutions.

Disponibilidad del azufre para las plantas en dos suelos de los Llanos Orientales de Colombia.

Trabajo para estudiar la influencia de 2 fuentes marcadas y varios niveles de S sobre el rendimiento de materia seca y absorción y utilización de varios macro y micronutrimentos por el pasto raigrás anual (Lolium multiflorum) bajo condiciones de invernadero en dos suelos de los Llanos Orientales. Determinar la correlación de 2 métodos de extracción de S del suelo. Determinar el valor A por medio del uso del radioisótopo S35. Determinar la distribución del S dentro de la planta utilizando técnica del radio-isótopo. Observar la influencia sobre el pH y contenido de P en el suelo de 2 fuentes y varios niveles de S. En el Centro de Investigaciones Tibaitatá, se aplicaron con 4 replicaciones cada uno, niveles de 0-25-50-75-100-125-150 kg/ha de S (NH4)2SO4 y 0-50-100-150 kg/ha de S en forma de CaSO4, ambas fuentes marcadas con S35. Se encaló antes de la siembra. Se determinó el contenido de P disponible por Bray II en cada uno de los potes de 1800 gr de suelo y pH después del segundo corte, se encontró que el pH disminuía a medida que aumentaba la cantidad de S, siendo más marcada la acción del (NH4)2SO4 en suelo de La Libertad. Mediante el uso del S35 se halló el valor A, que es un índice de la disponibilidad del S del suelo. Los testigos mostraron sintomatología característica de deficiencia de

Santiago de Chile: comprehension and configuration of a modern city since the visit of Karl Brunner, 1932

En su primera visita a Chile (1929 a 1932), el urbanista Karl Brunner elabora las bases de un estudio para el futuro ensanche de la ciudad capital. Los estudios propuestos en este viaje se compilan en el libro Santiago de Chile: Su estado actual y futura formación (1932). El texto es un análisis descriptivo del Santiago que encuentra y cómo, desde esa misma realidad debe transitar hacia la ciudad moderna que proclama. Allí se manifiesta el corpus teórico y práctico que trae desde Europa central, donde su argumento de modernidad se confronta inteligentemente con la realidad observada. Una ciudad real que se aborda a través de visiones en simultaneidad de distintas escalas de comprensión e intervención, y que se codifica en imágenes y descripciones, hasta llegar a una propuesta de normativas. A través de un análisis cuidadoso de representaciones, proyectos y el discurso que contiene, se intenta develar cuál es la propuesta para Santiago que encarna Brunner, cómo determina las distintas visiones para una misma ciudad y descifrar cómo pudo concebir su tránsito desde la ciudad encontrada hacia una configuración y una expresión moderna como capital, relevando el hecho de que lo moderno estará dado fundamentalmente por el cambio de escala inevitable de la ciudad del futuro próximo.In his first visit to Chile (1929-1932), the urbanist Karl Brunner elaborates the bases of a study for the future expansion of the capital city. The studies proposed on this trip are compiled in the book “Santiago de Chile: Su estado actual y futura formación” (1932). The text is a descriptive analysis of city that he finds and how it should move towards the modern city that proclaims. There the theoretical and practical corpus that brings from central Europe manifests, where his argument of modernity intelligently confronts with the reality observed. A city that is approached through simultaneous visions in different scales of understanding and intervention, and that is coded in images and descriptions until the regulations proposal. Through the analysis of representation, projects and the containing discourse, it tries to reveal what is the embodied proposal for Santiago, determine the different visions for a same city and fi gure out how he could conceive their transit from the found city towards a configuration and a modern expression as capital.Dossier: Ciudades, Territorios, DibujosFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Santiago de Chile: comprehension and configuration of a modern city since the visit of Karl Brunner, 1932

En su primera visita a Chile (1929 a 1932), el urbanista Karl Brunner elabora las bases de un estudio para el futuro ensanche de la ciudad capital. Los estudios propuestos en este viaje se compilan en el libro Santiago de Chile: Su estado actual y futura formación (1932). El texto es un análisis descriptivo del Santiago que encuentra y cómo, desde esa misma realidad debe transitar hacia la ciudad moderna que proclama. Allí se manifiesta el corpus teórico y práctico que trae desde Europa central, donde su argumento de modernidad se confronta inteligentemente con la realidad observada. Una ciudad real que se aborda a través de visiones en simultaneidad de distintas escalas de comprensión e intervención, y que se codifica en imágenes y descripciones, hasta llegar a una propuesta de normativas. A través de un análisis cuidadoso de representaciones, proyectos y el discurso que contiene, se intenta develar cuál es la propuesta para Santiago que encarna Brunner, cómo determina las distintas visiones para una misma ciudad y descifrar cómo pudo concebir su tránsito desde la ciudad encontrada hacia una configuración y una expresión moderna como capital, relevando el hecho de que lo moderno estará dado fundamentalmente por el cambio de escala inevitable de la ciudad del futuro próximo.In his first visit to Chile (1929-1932), the urbanist Karl Brunner elaborates the bases of a study for the future expansion of the capital city. The studies proposed on this trip are compiled in the book “Santiago de Chile: Su estado actual y futura formación” (1932). The text is a descriptive analysis of city that he finds and how it should move towards the modern city that proclaims. There the theoretical and practical corpus that brings from central Europe manifests, where his argument of modernity intelligently confronts with the reality observed. A city that is approached through simultaneous visions in different scales of understanding and intervention, and that is coded in images and descriptions until the regulations proposal. Through the analysis of representation, projects and the containing discourse, it tries to reveal what is the embodied proposal for Santiago, determine the different visions for a same city and fi gure out how he could conceive their transit from the found city towards a configuration and a modern expression as capital.Dossier: Ciudades, Territorios, DibujosFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Santiago de Chile: comprehension and configuration of a modern city since the visit of Karl Brunner, 1932

En su primera visita a Chile (1929 a 1932), el urbanista Karl Brunner elabora las bases de un estudio para el futuro ensanche de la ciudad capital. Los estudios propuestos en este viaje se compilan en el libro Santiago de Chile: Su estado actual y futura formación (1932). El texto es un análisis descriptivo del Santiago que encuentra y cómo, desde esa misma realidad debe transitar hacia la ciudad moderna que proclama. Allí se manifiesta el corpus teórico y práctico que trae desde Europa central, donde su argumento de modernidad se confronta inteligentemente con la realidad observada. Una ciudad real que se aborda a través de visiones en simultaneidad de distintas escalas de comprensión e intervención, y que se codifica en imágenes y descripciones, hasta llegar a una propuesta de normativas. A través de un análisis cuidadoso de representaciones, proyectos y el discurso que contiene, se intenta develar cuál es la propuesta para Santiago que encarna Brunner, cómo determina las distintas visiones para una misma ciudad y descifrar cómo pudo concebir su tránsito desde la ciudad encontrada hacia una configuración y una expresión moderna como capital, relevando el hecho de que lo moderno estará dado fundamentalmente por el cambio de escala inevitable de la ciudad del futuro próximo.In his first visit to Chile (1929-1932), the urbanist Karl Brunner elaborates the bases of a study for the future expansion of the capital city. The studies proposed on this trip are compiled in the book “Santiago de Chile: Su estado actual y futura formación” (1932). The text is a descriptive analysis of city that he finds and how it should move towards the modern city that proclaims. There the theoretical and practical corpus that brings from central Europe manifests, where his argument of modernity intelligently confronts with the reality observed. A city that is approached through simultaneous visions in different scales of understanding and intervention, and that is coded in images and descriptions until the regulations proposal. Through the analysis of representation, projects and the containing discourse, it tries to reveal what is the embodied proposal for Santiago, determine the different visions for a same city and fi gure out how he could conceive their transit from the found city towards a configuration and a modern expression as capital.Dossier: Ciudades, Territorios, DibujosFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism