Las experiencias de participación de las personas LGBTI en los Consejos Territoriales de Paz, Reconciliación y Convivencia en el marco del Acuerdo Final de Paz en Colombia

El Acuerdo Final de Paz colombiano es considerado innovador a nivel mundial, debido a la introducción del principio de igualdad de género para su implementación. Su firma ha significado una oportunidad para la incidencia de las organizaciones LGBTI por una paz incluyente y afirmativa que avance en el reconocimiento de sus derechos. Como parte de la implementación territorial y del fortalecimiento de la participación política a nivel local, el acuerdo reformó los Consejos Territoriales de Paz, Reconciliación y Convivencia (CTPRC). Este artículo explora, mediante entrevistas y análisis de documentos, las experiencias locales de participación de las personas LGBTI en la implementación territorial del acuerdo y los CTPRC. Asimismo, reflexiona sobre el impacto de su participación para avanzar en el reconocimiento de sus derechos humanos y la igualdad de la participación. Estas acciones se enmarcan en lo que corrientes contemporáneas de estudios sobre la paz han denominado paz crítica o paz posliberal. El artículo sostiene que los CTPRC, como espacios de participación territorial del acuerdo, han dado un lugar explícito a las personas y organizaciones LGBTI, pero aún falta traducir esta participación en la profundización de sus derechos humanos, en construir una paz heterogénea territorial y asegurar entornos seguros y libres de estigmatización.Colombia’s Final Peace Agreement is considered innovative worldwide, as it introduces the principle of gender equality for its implementation. Its signing has provided an opportunity for LGBTI organizations to advocate for an inclusive and affirmative peace that furthers the recognition of their rights. As part of the territorial implementation and the strengthening of local political participation, the agreement reformed the Local Councils for Peace, Reconciliation and Social Cohesion (CTPRC). In this article, we employ interviews and document analysis to explore the local experiences of LGBTI people’s participation in the territorial implementation of the agreement and the CTPRCs. It also reflects on the impact of their participation in promoting the recognition of their human rights and equal participation. These actions are framed in what contemporary currents of peace studies have called critical peace or post-liberal peace. The article argues that the CTPRCs, as spaces for territorial participation in the agreement, have provided an explicit arena for LGBTI people and organizations, but this participation has yet to be translated into the strengthening of their human rights, in building a heterogeneous territorial peace, and in ensuring safe, stigmatization-free environments.O Acordo Final de Paz colombiano é considerado inovador em todo o mundo devido à introdução do princípio de igualdade de gênero para sua implementação. Sua firma significa uma oportunidade para a incidência das organizações LGBTI por uma paz inclusiva e afirmativa que caminhe rumo ao reconhecimento de seus direitos. Como parte da implementação territorial e do fortalecimento da participação política em nível local, o acordo reformou os Conselhos Territoriais de Paz, Reconciliação e Convivência (CTPRC). Neste artigo, são exploradas, por meio de entrevistas e análise de documentos, as experiências locais de participação das pessoas LGBTI na implementação territorial do acordo e dos CTPRC. Além disso, é refletido sobre o impacto de sua participação para avançar no reconhecimento de seus direitos humanos e na igualdade da participação. Essas ações se situam no que correntes contemporâneas de estudos sobre a paz denominam “paz crítica” ou “paz pós-liberal”. No artigo, é sustentado que os CTPRC, como espaços de participação territorial do acordo, dão um lugar explícito às pessoas e organizações LGBTI, mas ainda falta traduzir essa participação no aprofundamento de seus direitos humanos, em construir uma paz heterogênea territorial e garantir ambientes seguros e livres de estigmatização

Concert recording 2018-04-13

[Track 1]. Trio for piano, oboe, and horn, op. 188. I. Allegro moderato [Track 2]. II. Scherzo [Track 3]. III. Adagio [Track 4]. IV. Finale. Allegro ma non troppo / Carl Reinecke -- [Track 5]. Contrasts for clarinet, violin and piano, Sz. 111. I. Verbunkos (Recruiting dance) / Béla Bartók -- [Track 6]. InChaSon for violin, piano and tumbadoras. I. Intro [Track 7]. II. Cha cha cha [Track 8]. III. Son / Fernando Valencia -- [Track 9]. Sextet for piano and flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn, op. 100. I. Allegro vivace [Track 10]. II. Divertimento andantino [Track 11]. III. Finale, prestissimo / Francis Poulenc

Niveles de nitrógeno y edad de corte y sus efectos sobre el valor nutritivo y características fermentativas del maíz (Zea mays L.)

The experiment consisted of two dates of planting [in September (D1) and February (D2)] of maize (Zea mays L.) DKC 67-60, to evaluate the effect of four N fertilization levels (0, 56, 112 and 185 kg/ha) and three ages at harvest [70, 77 and 84 days after planting (DAP)] on dry matter yield (DMY) of the leaves, stem, ear and of the entire plant; and as indicators of nutritive value [crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF)] of harvested material prior to ensiling. In both plantings, the levels of N affected (P<0.05) DMY of leaves, stems, ears and entire plant, exhibiting both a linear and a quadratic response, and suggesting that the optimum N application rate is between 112 and 185 kg/ha. Age at harvest date affected (P<0.05) DMY of stems, ears and entire plant, but not that of the leaves. Greater DMY was observed at 84 DAP for all components. The CP concentration was greater in the forage of the first planting (D1). Increasing N application rates increased CP, but had no effect on NDF concentration. Age at harvest had no effect on CP, but progressively increased NDF. Both pH and organic acid concentrations in the silages were similar with the four N levels; all of the silages showed good fermentation characteristics.El experimento consistió de dos fechas de siembra [FS; en septiembre (F1) y febrero (F2)] de maíz (Zea mays L.) DKC 67-60. En cada fecha se evaluaron los efectos de cuatro niveles de fertilización con nitrógeno (0, 56, 112 y 185 kg/ha) y tres edades de madurez [70, 77 y 84 días después de la siembra (DDS] sobre el rendimiento de materia seca (RMS) de las hojas, tallos, mazorcas y la planta entera; y como indicadores de valor nutritivo [proteína bruta (PB) y fibra detergente neutro (FDN] del material antes de ensilar. En ambas FS los niveles de N afectaron (P<0.05) el RMS de los componentes hojas, tallos, mazorcas y de la planta entera, exhibiéndose una respuesta lineal y otra cuadrática, por lo que la dosis óptima pudiera estar entre los niveles de 112 y 185 kg de N/ha. La edad de corte afectó (P<0.05) los rendimientos de tallos, mazorcas y de la planta entera, pero no el de las hojas. Los mayores RMS de todos los componentes se obtuvieron a los 84 DDS. La concentración de PB fue mayor en F1 que en F2. A medida que se aumentó la fertilización nitrogenada la concentración de PB también aumentó, pero la concentración de FDN no varió. La edad de corte no tuvo efecto en la concentración de PB, pero sí en la FDN (aumentando con la edad). El pH y los ácidos orgánicos de los ensilajes fueron similares con los cuatro niveles de N; todos los ensilajes mostraron características propias de un buen proceso de fermentación

Monitoring Animal Behaviour and Environmental Interactions Using Wireless Sensor Networks, GPS Collars and Satellite Remote Sensing

Remote monitoring of animal behaviour in the environment can assist in managing both the animal and its environmental impact. GPS collars which record animal locations with high temporal frequency allow researchers to monitor both animal behaviour and interactions with the environment. These ground-based sensors can be combined with remotely-sensed satellite images to understand animal-landscape interactions. The key to combining these technologies is communication methods such as wireless sensor networks (WSNs). We explore this concept using a case-study from an extensive cattle enterprise in northern Australia and demonstrate the potential for combining GPS collars and satellite images in a WSN to monitor behavioural preferences and social behaviour of cattle

Two new glassfrogs (Centrolenidae: Hyalinobatrachium) from Ecuador, with comments on the endangered biodiversity of the Andes.

Background The Tropical Andes is the world's most biodiverse hotspot. This region contains >1,000 amphibian species, more than half of which are endemic. Herein we describe two new glassfrog species (Centrolenidae: Hyalinobatrachium) that we discovered within relatively unexplored and isolated localities of the Ecuadorian Andes. Methods We employed morphological, acoustic, and molecular methods to test the hypothesis that Hyalinobatrachium mashpi sp. nov and H. nouns sp. nov. are species new to science. Following standard methods, we generated mitochondrial sequences (16S) of 37 individuals in the genus Hyalinobatrachium. We inferred the phylogenetic relationships of the two new species in comparison to all other glassfrogs using Maximum Likelihood. In addition to describing the call of H. mashpi sp. nov., we performed a discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) with the advertisement call characteristics of several congeners. Results Based on an integrative taxonomy approach, we describe two new species. Morphological traits and the inferred phylogeny unambiguously place the new taxa in the genus Hyalinobatrachium. Both species are distinguished from other glassfrogs mainly by their dorsal coloration (i.e., dorsum lime green with small light yellow spots, head usually with interorbital bar) and transparent pericardium (i.e., the heart is visible through the ventral skin). The new species exhibit a high morphological similarity (i.e., cryptic) and occur within relatively close geographical proximity (closest aerial distance = 18.9 km); however, their uncorrected p distance for the mitochondrial gene 16S is 4.6-4.7%, a value that greatly exceeds the genetic distance between closely related species of centrolenid frogs. The DAPC revealed that the advertisement call of H. mashpi sp. nov. is acoustically distinct. Discussion Our findings are congruent with several previous studies that report a high degree of endemism in the Toisán mountain range, which appears to be isolated from the main Andean cordillera for some amphibian groups. We recommend that both H. mashpi sp. nov. and H. nouns sp. nov. be listed as Endangered, following IUCN criteria. These new species provide another example of cryptic diversity in the Andes-further evidence that the region fosters much more biodiversity than we have the resources to catalog. Threatened by mining and other exploitative industries, these glassfrogs and many other yet-to-be-discovered Andean species highlight the dire need for effective conservation measures-especially in northwestern Ecuador

Concert recording 2018-05-14

[Track 1]. Impresiones de la Puna / Alberto E. Ginastera -- [Track 2]. Sextet for piano and woodwind quintet FP 100 / Francis Poulenc -- [Track 3]. Cantata. Solitudine Avvenne / Alessandro Scarlatti -- [Track 4]. Suite for flute and jazz piano trio / Claude Bolling

Global birth defects app: An innovative tool for describing and coding congenital anomalies at birth in low resource settings

BACKGROUND: Surveillance programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have difficulty in obtaining accurate information about congenital anomalies. METHODS: As part of the ZikaPLAN project, an International Committee developed an app for the description and coding of congenital anomalies that are externally visible at birth, for use in low resource settings. The “basic” version of the app was designed for a basic clinical setting and to overcome language and terminology barriers by providing diagrams and photos, sourced mainly from international Birth Defects Atlases. The “surveillance” version additionally allows recording of limited pseudonymized data relevant to diagnosis, which can be uploaded to a secure server, and downloaded by the surveillance program data center. RESULTS: The app contains 98 (88 major and 10 minor) externally visible anomalies and 12 syndromes (including congenital Zika syndrome), with definitions and International Classification of Disease v10 -based code. It also contains newborn examination videos and links to further resources. The user taps a region of the body, then selects among a range of images to choose the congenital anomaly that best resembles what they observe, with guidance regarding similar congenital anomalies. The “basic” version of the app has been reviewed by experts and made available on the Apple and Google Play stores. Since its launch in November 2019, it has been downloaded in 39 countries. The "surveillance” version is currently being field-tested. CONCLUSION: The global birth defects app is a mHealth tool that can help in developing congenital anomaly surveillance in low resource settings to support prevention and care

Development and Initial Validation of the Assessment of Sleep Environment (ASE): Describing and Quantifying the Impact of Subjective Environmental Factors on Sleep

The purpose of this study was to develop and test the reliability and validity of a 13-item self-report Assessment of Sleep Environment (ASE). This study investigates the relationship between subjective experiences of environmental factors (light, temperature, safety, noise, comfort, humidity, and smell) and sleep-related parameters (insomnia symptoms, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and control over sleep). The ASE was developed using an iterative process, including literature searches for item generation, qualitative feedback, and pilot testing. It was psychometrically assessed using data from the Sleep and Healthy Activity Diet Environment and Socialization (SHADES) study (N = 1007 individuals ages 22-60). Reliability was determined with an internal consistency and factor analysis. Validity was evaluated by comparing ASE to questionnaires of insomnia severity, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, sleep control, perceived stress, and neighborhood disorder. The ASE demonstrated high internal consistency and likely reflects a single factor. ASE score was associated with insomnia symptoms (B = 0.09, p < 0.0001), sleep quality (B = 0.07, p < 0.0001), and sleep control (B = -0.01, p < 0.0001), but not daytime sleepiness. The ASE was also associated with perceived stress (B = 0.20, p < 0.0001) and neighborhood disorder (B = -0.01, p < 0.0001). Among sleep environment factors, only smell was not associated with sleep quality; warmth and safety were negatively associated with sleepiness; and of the sleep environment factors, only light/dark, noise/quiet, and temperature (warm/cool) were not associated with insomnia symptoms. The ASE is a reliable and valid measure of sleep environment. Physical environment (light, temperature, safety, noise, comfort, humidity, and smell) was associated with insomnia symptoms and sleep quality but not sleepiness

An automated method to detect and quantify fungiform papillae in the human tongue: validation and relationship to phenotypical differences in taste perception

Determination of the number of fungiform papillae (FP) on the human tongue is an important measure that has frequently been associated with individual differences in oral perception, including taste sensitivity. At present, there is no standardised method consistently used to identify the number of FP, and primarily scientists manually count papillae over a small region(s) of the anterior tip of a stained tongue. In this study, a rapid automated method was developed to quantify the number of FP across the anterior 2 cm of an unstained tongue from high resolution digital images. In 60 participants, the automated method was validated against traditional manual counting, and then used to assess the relationship between the number of FP and taste phenotype (both 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) and Thermal Taster Status). FP count on the anterior 2 cm of the tongue was found to correlate significantly with PROP taster status. PROP supertasters (PSTs) had a significantly higher FP count compared with PROP non-tasters (PNTs). Conversely, the common approach used to determine the number of FP in a small 6 mm diameter circle on the anterior tongue tip, did not show a significant correlation irrespective of whether it was determined via automated or manual counting. The regional distribution of FP was assessed across PROP taster status groups. PSTs had a significantly higher FP count within the first centimetre of the anterior tongue compared with the PNT and PROP medium-tasters (PMT), with no significant difference in the second centimetre. No significant relationship was found with Thermal Taster Status and FP count, or interaction with PROP taster status groups, supporting previous evidence suggesting these phenomena are independent. The automated method is a valuable tool, enabling reliable quantification of FP over the anterior 2 cm surface of the tongue, and overcomes subjective discrepancies in manual counting

Back to its roots: REDD+ via the Copenhagen Accord

Although it may be easy to forget, forests affect everyone. Forests, particularly in the tropics, provide a home for millions of people, support 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, and drive many of the earth’s local and global climatic and hydrological cycles. Forests also seriously contribute to climate change when they are cut down. In fact, deforestation and forest degradation activities emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than the entire global transportation sector. Unfortunately, the increasing demand for agriculture and timber products, among others, requires the land that forests occupy, which in turn drives deforestation. This especially rings true in developing countries, where land-use changes are often associated with economic development. Recognizing the crucial role that trees play in climate change mitigation, in 2009 the international community presented the Copenhagen Accord at the 15th session of the Conference of Parties (the decision-making body of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change). A large portion of the Accord emphasizes Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) as a viable climate change mitigation strategy. The concept of REDD+ is simple: developed countries, as the main emitters of greenhouse gases, will provide financial incentives to developing countries to keep their forests standing. REDD+ attempts to give an economic value to the carbon stored within the biomass of trees. This article aims to give an overview of the issues that surround deforestation in developing countries, the history of the REDD+ solution, current initiatives that support it, and a suggestion for a phased-implementation approach that will ensure that REDD+ is financially feasible in the long-term. REDD+ has the potential to be the most rapid and cost-effective solution in the fight to mitigate climate change. If implemented, REDD+ will have impacts that reach beyond reducing carbon dioxide emissions: ultimately, REDD+ provides an economic solution for enhancing the sustainable growth of developing countries