Value, (use) values, and the ecologies of capital : on social form, meaning, and the contested production of nature.

This research was funded by the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research of Chile (CONICYT).This paper connects hitherto distant strands of literature to contribute to the ongoing turn to value theory in socio-ecological studies. Starting from Marx’s understanding of value as social form, I revisit Neil Smith’s contribution to the question of value and nature and argue for a reassessment of the internal relations between valorisation and the ‘vernacular’ dimensions of socio-ecological reproduction. I approach this problem through Bolívar Echeverría’s reconstruction of the category of use-value and his understanding of the pivotal role it plays in Marx’s critique, which allows for an open and non-reductive account of the subsumption of socio-ecologies under capitalism as contradictory entanglements of abstraction and meaning. The paper mobilises these insights alongside Marxian-inspired anthropological theories of value – the work of Terence Turner and David Graeber – in order to sketch elements for a symbolic-materialist framework to approach the question of value in its cultural-moral register, its relation to value as economic form, and issues of moral economy and ecology under capitalism.PostprintPeer reviewe

Sistema manipulador antropomórfico de tres grados de libertad

El presente artículo describe los aspectos fundamentales para la construcción de un manipulador antropomórfico o robot angular de tres grados de libertad. Se describe el diseño, modelado, implementación del manipulador físico, construcción de un simulador y de la interfaz de comunicación entre el simulador y el manipulador robótico de tres grados de libertad. El sistema manipulador antropomórfico diseñado tendrá fines didácticos y será utilizado como herramienta de apoyo en las asignaturas de robótica de la Universidad de Los Andes. El diseño del manipulador se realiza con la ayuda de programas CAD. Se calcula la cinemática directa e inversa con los parámetros de Denavit-Hartenberg. En la construcción del manipulador real se utilizan encoders ópticos como sensores y servo-motores como actuadores. El sistema de transmisión de potencia hacia los eslabones se realiza mediante el uso de engranajes. Adicionalmente, se explica el desarrollo de una herramienta computacional que simula un manipulador robótico antropomórfico de tres grados de libertad. La implementación del sistema se hace mediante el uso del lenguaje de programación Java y la librería de gráficos tridimensional Java 3D. Finalmente, se presenta la construcción del sistema interfaz entre el manipulador real y el simulador.The article describes the principal aspects in the design, modeling, implementation of the anthropomorphic manipulator prototype, a simulator construction and the interface of a three degree of freedom robotic manipulator. The anthropomorphic manipulator system designed will be for educational purposes in the robotics area at the Universidad de Los Andes. The design of the anthropomorphic manipulator is made with CAD programs. Denavit-Hartenberg parameters are used in order to calculate the forward and inverse kinematics. Optical encoders act as sensors with angular position measurement are used. Servo-motors are used as actuators. The power transmission system to the links is done by gears. The article also explains the development of a computational tool that simulates a three degree of freedom anthropomorphic robot manipulator. Java and the graphics tridimensional library Java3D are used for system implementation. Finally the interface between the real manipulator and the simulator is presented.Este trabajo ha sido realizado con el apoyo recibido del C.D.C.H.T. de la Universidad de los Andes bajo el marco del proyecto I-919-06-02-B titulado Diseño y Construcción de un Manipulador Robótico para fines educativos. Proyecto de la Comunidad de Madrid S2009/DPI-1559/ROBOCITY2030 II

Experimental development and testing of low-cost scalable radiative cooling materials for building applications

Urban overheating has a serious impact on building energy consumption. Daytime radiative cooling materials are an interesting passive solution for refrigeration. However, their costs and complex manufacturing hinder their current application. In this study, a series of scalable and lowcost daytime radiative cooling (DTRC) materials were designed, fabricated, and tested in a moderate climate (Cfb-Köppen-Geiger classification) and compared to aluminum and Vikuiti. The methodology was: i) material selection and design, (ii) optimization, (iii) fabrication, (iv) characterization, and (v) testing. The materials were fabricated using different substrates, aluminum and Vikuiti, and two kinds of formulations for the emissive layers based on silica-derived polymer polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ) with embedded silica nanoparticles. The resulting aluminum DTRC materials had a mean solar reflectivity of 0.7 and 0.34 emissivity in the atmospheric window, the samples with Vikuiti had 0.97 and 0.89, respectively. During the experiment, the samples were exposed to different ambient conditions without a convection barrier and were contained in an extruded polystyrene board to eliminate conduction. The samples reached 7.32 °C and 9.13 °C maximum surface temperature reduction (below ambient) during the day and night, respectively. The samples with the commercial substrate achieved a mean reduction of 3.72 °C below ambient temperature. Although the aluminum samples did not achieve subambient cooling throughout the entire day, the emissive layer reduced the sample's surface temperature by an average of 1.7 °C. The PMSQ radiative cooling materials show great potential for future building applications. Suitability under different climates and experimental settings should be done to test broad applicability.The materials development in this research received a grant from the Government of Navarre "Convocatoria proyectos I + D 2019" file number 0011-1365-2019-000051; and financial support from Alonso Hernandez & asociados arquitectura, S. L

LPAC syndrome associated with deletion of the full exon 4 in a ABCB4 genetic mutation in a patient with hepatitis C

El síndrome LPAC (low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis syndrome) está asociado a mutaciones del gen ABCB4, que codifica la proteína MDR3, esencial en la secreción de fosfatidilcolina en las sales biliares. Este síndrome se caracteriza por una mayor prevalencia en mujeres, síntomas biliares en adultos jóvenes y excelente respuesta al ácido ursodesoxicólico (AUDC). Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 48 años con hepatitis C, genotipo 1b, fibrosis F3, nula respuesta Peg-IFN-α-2b/ribavirina y cólicos nefríticos de repetición. En 2011 desarrolló ictericia, prurito y dolor cólico epigástrico acompañado de aumento sérico de AST, ALT, GGT, bilirrubina y alfafetoproteína, y carga viral (14.600.000 UI/ml). La endoscopia oral, la ecoendoscopia, la angio-TAC y la ecografía-doppler evidenciaron hepatopatía crónica no cirrótica. El cuadro se autolimitó y un año después sufrió un episodio similar. Iniciamos tratamiento con AUDC, con excelente respuesta clínica. El estudio inmunohistoquímico y la secuenciación completa del gen ABCB4 no mostraron alteraciones. La técnica MLPA® detectó deleción heterocigota del exón 4 completo y confirmó la sospecha de síndrome LPAC.Low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis syndrome (LPAC) is associated with ABCB4 genetic mutation. ABCB4 encodes MDR3 protein, involved in biliary phosphatidylcholine excretion. Higher prevalence in women, biliary symptoms in young adults and ursodesoxycholic acid (UDCA) response are the main features. We report the case of a 48-year-old man with hepatitis C, genotype 1b, fibrosis F3, null responder to Peg-IFNα2b/ribavirin and nephritic colic. In 2011 he developed jaundice, pruritus and epigastric pain. He showed increased serum levels of AST, ALT, GGT, bilirubin and alpha-fetoprotein, and viral load (14,600,000IU/mL). Pancreatic CT, endoscopic ultrasonography and echo-Doppler showed non cirrhotic chronic liver disease. The episode resolved spontaneously and one year later he suffered a similar episode. UDCA was started with excellent response. An immunohistochemistry study and sequencing of ABCB4 did not find alteration. MLPA® technique detected heterozygous deletion of the full exon 4 confirming LPAC syndrome diagnosis

Diagnóstico precoz de gestación en ovejas a partir de muestras de plasma sanguíneo analizadas mediante espectroscopia en el infrarrojo cercano (NIRS)

Se ha realizado un estudio para determinar si es posible diferenciar las ovejas gestantes de las vacías en un momento cercano a la inseminación analizando el plasma sanguíneo con la tecnología NIRS (Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy) y comparar el grado de precisión del diagnóstico con la determinación de Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein (PAG) y de Progesterona (P4). Se tomaron muestras de sangre en 188 ovejas Rasa Aragonesa y Ansotana 18 y 25 días después de ser inseminadas. En el plasma recuperado, se analizó la concentración de PAG y de P4 mediante ELISA con kits comerciales y se determinó el espectro en un espectrofotómetro NIRS. La fertilidad de la IA fue del 47,9%. El día 18 el NIRS mostró una mayor sensibilidad para detectar las ovejas gestantes que la PAG (sensibilidad: 98,9 vs 32,2 %; P<0,001) y similar a la P4. La especificidad fue 100% en NIRS y PAG, mientras que la de la P4 fue menor (84,7; P<0,001). El día 25 no se encontraron diferencias en ningún parámetro entre NIRS y PAG. Se concluye que el NIRS es un método seguro de diagnóstico de gestación en ovejas a partir del día 18 de la fecundación y sin utilizar compuestos químicos.PublishedPremio "Mejores Trabajos sobre el sector de los Pequeños Rumiantes". Sección Grupos de Investigación. SEOC 201

The vulnerability of tropical peatlands to oil and gas exploration and extraction

Funding: Leverhulme Trust (Grant Number(s): RPG-2018-306); UK Natural Environment Research Council (Grant Number(s): NE/R000751/1, NE/R016860/1, NE/V018760/1); Scottish Research Council/University of St Andrews.Tropical peatlands store globally significant quantities of carbon and are ecologically and culturally important, but little is known about their vulnerability to oil and gas exploration and extraction. Here, we analyse the exposure of tropical peatlands to the activities of the petroleum industry and review what is known about the sensitivity of peatlands to these activities. We find that 8.3% (107,000 km2) of the total area of tropical peatlands overlaps with a 30-km buffer area around oil and gas infrastructure. Major areas of overlap include the Sumatra Basin (Indonesia), the Niger Delta (Nigeria) and the Putumayo-Oriente-Marañón Basin (Peru/Ecuador/Colombia). Documented environmental impacts include deforestation and habitat loss associated with the exploration and development of oil fields, and contamination from spills of oil and produced water (well brine). Peatlands, and the ecosystem services they provide, are sensitive to these impacts due to unique aspects of their ecology and hydrology, the easy spread of contamination by flowing water, the long-term storage of contaminants in peat, and the slow degradation of oil under anoxic, waterlogged conditions. Given the potential negative consequences for human health, resource security, biodiversity, and carbon storage, we propose a research agenda to provide an improved evidence base to support effective governance.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

An Approach to Values in High School Students in a Rural Community of Yucatan

Communities are social systems that create and multiply behaviors; in this area, education provides competencies that shape the thinking of the adolescent, a budding citizen. The objective of this study is to describe the importance that high school students in a rural area of the Yucatan State give to the axiological principles of education and the relationship with their expectations for the future. The study is quantitative with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design; 441 students were included. Among the results, the differences in the axiological principles of education according to sex and school grade, as well as a positive correlation between these variables, stand out. It is concluded that the axiological principles of education provide high school students with fundamental elements to build their expectations. The proposals for change based on education should take into consideration the effect of the experiences faced by the adolescent during his or her life trajectory and the current global context

Characterization of the genetic structure and diversity of maize (Zea mays L) landrace populations from Mexico

Maize (Zea mays L) is a globally important crop. In Mexico, its center of origin and diversity, it forms part of the culture and staple diet of present-day towns. This condition has allowed the development of a large number of maize landraces. In southern Mexico, in the states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Campeche and Chiapas, little attention has been given to the diversity potential that landraces represent in order to make best use of them. This work therefore characterized the genetic structure and diversity of 16 maize landrace populations from the southern region of Mexico using ISSR markers. A total of 69 loci were generated with 100% polymorphism. The analysis revealed the formation of two groups with geographical and genetic origins in the Yucatán Peninsula and the state of Chiapas. Wide genetic diversity was found for the entire sample of assessed populations (He = 0.40 and I = 0.54), as well as in the groups formed (He = 0.36, I = 0.52 and He = 0.35, I = 0.50 respectively). At the population level within each group, the populations that formed the Yucatán Peninsula group had greater mean diversity values than in the Chiapas group (He = 0.33, I = 0.36 and He = 0.32, I = 0.35 respectively). Based on this information, it is recommended to develop in-situ conservation programs and to increase the existing ex-situ collections in the region that allow us to enhance the germplasm of the maize landraces of Mexico in breeding programs

Piedra, hierro y papel. Trayectoria histórica de la villa de Lesaka

Piedra, hierro y papel realiza un recorrido por la historia de la villa de Lesaka, una de las Cinco Villas de la Montaña de Navarra. Desde sus ordenanzas bajomedievales hasta la industrialización del siglo XX, pasando por su estructura socio-económica en la Edad Moderna, la obra presenta tres trayectorias que pueden considerarse típicas: la de los orgullosos linajes bajomedievales, las nuevas familias que tras la incorporación a Castilla sirven al rey, y los emigrantes al Nuevo Mundo. Junto a ello, se analiza con detalle el rico patrimonio urbanístico y artístico de la villa, cuyos patrocinadores y mecenas pueden ser identificados entre los linajes ya citados. Además de las obras que han llegado hasta nuestros días, se detalla también la historia de lo desaparecido. El libro reúne ilustraciones en parte realizadas para este trabajo, e incluye un completo índice onomástico