IMPORTANCIA SOCIOECONÓMICA DE LOS HUERTOS FAMILIARES EN TRES COMUNIDADES RURALES DE CAMPECHE

Objetive: Identify the socioeconomic importance that the rural families of the communities of Santo Domingo Kesté, Sihochac and Tixmucuy, Campeche, Mexico give to the home gardens.Desing/methodology/approach: A case study was conducted through the interview technique. The composition of the orchards, socioeconomic aspects and importance that the rural families grant to the orchards was evaluated. Analysis of variance, Poisson regression, Tukey tests and generalized likelihood ratio were performed with a confidence level of 5%.Results: The highest level of education was found for Sihochac residents (11.0±3.7 years). 100% of the people of Santo Domingo Kesté come from Guatemala and the time dedicated to the family garden is greater (2.9±1.7 h). The number of vegetable, animal and ornamental species is higher (17.0±0.5, 15.0±1.6, 200.0±1.1, respectively) in orchards of Santo Domingo Kesté. The importance that families give to the garden is economic, environmental, nutritional and aesthetic.Study limitations/implications: The benefits provided by home gardens in these communities help to improve the food security of its inhabitants, preserve diversity and provide environmental services. However, as the communities are closer to the poles of development, the importance they are given is lower.Findings/conclusions: The importance that the families of the communities of Santo Domingo Kesté, Sihochac and Tixmucuy Campeche give to the home garden is economic, environmental, nutritional and aesthetic. The homes gardens of Santo Domingo Kesté and Sihochac are the most diversified.Objetivo: Identificar la importancia socioeconómica que las familias rurales de las comunidades de Santo Domingo Kesté, Sihochac y Tixmucuy, Campeche, México confieren a los huertos familiares. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Se realizó un estudio de caso, por medio de la técnica de entrevista. Se evaluó la composición de los huertos, aspectos socioeconómicos e importancia que las familias rurales le otorgan a los huertos. Se realizó análisis de varianza, regresión Poisson, pruebas de Tukey y de razón de verosimilitudes generalizada con un nivel del 5% de confianza. Resultados: La mayor escolaridad se encontró para pobladores de Sihochac (11.0±3.7 años). El 100% de las personas de Santo Domingo Kesté provienen de Guatemala y el tiempo dedicado al huerto familiar es mayor (2.9±1.7 h). El número de especies de hortalizas, animales y ornamentales es mayor (17.0±0.5, 15.0±1.6, 200.0±1.1, respectivamente) en huertos de Santo Domingo Kesté. La importancia que las familias le dan al huerto es económico, ambiental, alimenticio y estético. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: Los beneficios que proporcionan los huertos familiares en estas comunidades coadyuvan a mejorar la seguridad alimentaria de sus habitantes, conservan la diversidad y proveen servicios ambientales. Sin embargo, a medida que las comunidades se encuentran más cerca de los polos de desarrollo la importancia que se les da es menor. Hallazgos/conclusiones: La importancia que las familias de las comunidades de Santo Domingo Kesté, Sihochac y Tixmucuy Campeche le dan al huerto familiar es económico, ambiental, alimenticio y estético. Los huertos familiares de Santo Domingo Kesté y Sihochac son los más diversificados

External stimuli help restore post-partum ovarian activity in Pelibuey sheep

Post-partum anestrus is a problem on farms, and its duration depends on the frequency and intensity of suckling which affects reproduction and production efficiency to become a determining economic factor. The aim of this study was to determine the post-partum reproductive response in ewe to a "male effect" with an ovulation induction protocol of five days using progesterone and the application of a metabolic restorative (MR; Metabolase ®). One hundred and twenty females were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: T1: Continuous suckling (CS; n = 29), T2: CS + MR (n = 29), T3: CS + Male Effect (ME; n = 32), and T4: CS + MR + ME. The percentage of females in ovulation, weight changes among females and lambs, the onset of estrus, calving, fecundity, and prolificacy were also determined. The ovulation percentage was higher in CS + ME and CS + MR + ME (75.0 and 73.3%) than in the other treatments. Weight changes in females and lambs were different among periods. The onset of estrus was similar for CS and CS + MR (25.9 ± 1.9 and 25.7 ± 0.7 h, respectively). The calving percentage was higher for CS + MR (86.2%) than other treatments. Male presence positively affected the postpartum cyclic ovarian re-establishment and the metabolic restorative could even improve the fertility of hair ewes in continuous suckling with similar hormone protocolKeywords: Male effect, metabolic stimulation, post-partum anestru

Summary of CPAS EDU Testing Analysis Results

The Orion program's Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) project is currently conducting its third generation of testing, the Engineering Development Unit (EDU) series. This series utilizes two test articles, a dart-shaped Parachute Compartment Drop Test Vehicle (PCDTV) and capsule-shaped Parachute Test Vehicle (PTV), both of which include a full size, flight-like parachute system and require a pallet delivery system for aircraft extraction. To date, 15 tests have been completed, including six with PCDTVs and nine with PTVs. Two of the PTV tests included the Forward Bay Cover (FBC) provided by Lockheed Martin. Advancements in modeling techniques applicable to parachute fly-out, vehicle rate of descent, torque, and load train, also occurred during the EDU testing series. An upgrade from a composite to an independent parachute simulation allowed parachute modeling at a higher level of fidelity than during previous generations. The complexity of separating the test vehicles from their pallet delivery systems necessitated the use the Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems (ADAMS) simulator for modeling mated vehicle aircraft extraction and separation. This paper gives an overview of each EDU test and summarizes the development of CPAS analysis tools and techniques during EDU testing

Administration of royal jelly in estrus synchronization protocols for wool and hair sheep

Objetive: To know the most representative results of the use of royal jelly in reproductive protocols in wool and hair sheep,Desing/methodology/approach: A review of studies referenced in scientific databases published in the livestock sector was carried out. Results: In sheep, the administration of royal jelly in conjunction with reproductive management protocols improves the response to oestrus timing, oestrus onset time and duration, number of large follicles, ovulatory rate, and gestation rate. Study limitations/implications: Royal jelly is a substance that has beneficial effects on sheep reproductive variables, however the cost can be a limitation for its incorporation into the synchronization protocols, in addition to being necessary to elucidate the active metabolites that exert the action and the most effective route of administration.Findings/conclusions: Royal jelly can be an alternative to be incorporated in the estrous synchronization programs in sheep in order to replace some hormonal and without reducing reproductive variables.Objective: To assess the most relevant results on the usage of royal jelly in reproductive protocols of wool and hair sheep. Design/methodology/approach: A review of studies referenced and published in scientific databases regard the livestock sector. Results: In ewes, administration of “royal jelly” in addition to reproductive management protocols improves the response to estrus synchronization, time of onset and duration of estrus, number of large follicles, ovulatory rate and gestation rate. Study limitations/implications: Royal jelly is a substance with beneficial effects on reproductive variables in ewes; however, the cost may be a limitation for its incorporation in synchronization protocols. Additionally, it is necessary to clarify the active metabolites that exert the action and the most effective route of administration. Findings/conclusions: Royal jelly can be an alternative incorporated to estrus synchronization programs in ewes to substitute some hormones without decreasing reproductive variables

Sheep reproductive management

Objetive: Describe some reproductive management programs that have made it possible to increase the productive efficiency of sheep. Desing/methodology/approach: Description of the main hormones and their application in sheep reproductive management protocols. The topics are addressed from academic references and use in sheep reproductive protocols in the Reproduction Laboratory for Sheep and Goat of the Colegio de Postgraduados, Mexico. Results: The use of hormones, socio-sexual strategies, reproductive protocols and techniques are tools that improve the reproductive efficiency of sheep during the reproductive and seasonal anestrus season. Study limitations/implications: The basic techniques of reproductive management and protocols in sheep are mostly available, however they still have a wide margin for improvement, which requires multiple efforts that involve all participating sectors, such as the primary sector, institutions public and private. Findings/conclusions: Reproductive management is a pillar of great importance in animal production, which is why it is essential to implement it to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of the herd.Objective: To describe some reproductive management programs that allow increasing the productive efficiency of ewes. Design/methodology/approach: Description of the main hormones and their application in sheep reproductive management protocols. The subjects are reviewed based on academic references as well as on their use in sheep reproductive protocols at the Sheep and Goat Reproduction Laboratory of the Colegio de Postgraduados, Mexico. Results: Hormones, socio-sexual strategies, reproductive protocols and techniques are tools that improve the reproductive efficiency of ewes during the reproductive season and seasonal anestrus. Study limitations/implications: The basic techniques of reproductive management and protocols in sheep are mostly available, however, they still have room for improvement, therefore, multiple efforts involving all participants, such as the primary sector, public and private institutions, are required. Findings/conclusions: Reproductive management is an important pillar for animal production; thus its implementation is fundamental to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of a her

The community engagement course and action network: strengthening community and academic research partnerships to advance health equity

BackgroundHistorically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions are uniquely positioned to implement community-campus research partnerships based on a history of service, the pursuit of community trustworthiness and student demographics often similar to surrounding marginalized communities. The Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center collaborates with members of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutes, and community organizations on the Community Engaged Course and Action Network. This network is the first of its kind and aims to strengthen members’ ability to implement Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles and partnerships. Projects address public health priorities including mental health among communities of color, zoonotic disease prevention, and urban food deserts.Materials and methodsTo assess the effectiveness of the network, a Participatory Evaluation framework was implemented to conduct process evaluation which included review of partnership structures, operations, project implementation processes, and preliminary outcomes of the research collaborations. A focus group of Community Engagement Course and Action Network members (community and academic) was also conducted to identify benefits and challenges of the network with emphasis on key areas for improvement to further enhance the relationships between partners and to facilitate their subsequent community-campus research.ResultsNetwork improvements were tied to themes strengthening community-academic partnerships including sharing and fellowship, coalition building and collaboration, and greater connections and awareness of community needs through their current community-academic partnerships. The need to conduct ongoing evaluation during and after implementation, for determining the early adoption of CBPR approaches was also identified.ConclusionEvaluation of the network’s processes, infrastructure, and operation provides early lessons learned to strengthen the network. Ongoing assessment is also essential for ensuring continuous quality improvement across partnerships such as determining CBPR fidelity, assessing partnership synergy, and dynamics, and for quality improvement of research protocol. The implications and potential for advancing implementation science through this and similar networks are great towards advancing leadership in modeling how foundations in community service can advance to CBPR partnership formation and ultimately, health equity approaches, that are local defined and assessed

Risk Estimation in COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps

In the context of COVID-19, contact tracing has shown its value as a tool for contention of the pandemic. In addition to its paper based form, contact tracing can be carried out in a more scalable and faster way by using digital apps. Mobile phones can record digital signals emitted by communication and sensing technologies, enabling the identification of risky contacts between users. Factors such as proximity, encounter duration, environment, ventilation, and the use (or not) of protective measures contribute to the probability of contagion. Estimation of these factors from the data collected by phones remains a challenge. In this work in progress we describe some of the challenges of digital contact tracing, the type of data that can be collected with mobile phones and focus particularly on the problem of proximity estimation using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals. Specifically, we use machine learning models fed with different combinations of statistical features derived from the BLE signal and study how improvements in accuracy can be obtained with respect to reference models currently in use.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Assaying Environmental Nickel Toxicity Using Model Nematodes

Although nickel exposure results in allergic reactions, respiratory conditions, and cancer in humans and rodents, the ramifications of excess nickel in the environment for animal and human health remain largely undescribed. Nickel and other cationic metals travel through waterways and bind to soils and sediments. To evaluate the potential toxic effects of nickel at environmental contaminant levels (8.9-7,600 µg Ni/g dry weight of sediment and 50-800 µg NiCl2/L of water), we conducted assays using two cosmopolitan nematodes, Caenorhabditis elegans and Pristionchus pacificus. We assayed the effects of both sediment-bound and aqueous nickel upon animal growth, developmental survival, lifespan, and fecundity. Uncontaminated sediments were collected from sites in the Midwestern United States and spiked with a range of nickel concentrations. We found that nickel-spiked sediment substantially impairs both survival from larval to adult stages and adult longevity in a concentration-dependent manner. Further, while aqueous nickel showed no adverse effects on either survivorship or longevity, we observed a significant decrease in fecundity, indicating that aqueous nickel could have a negative impact on nematode physiology. Intriguingly, C. elegans and P. pacificus exhibit similar, but not identical, responses to nickel exposure. Moreover, P. pacificus could be tested successfully in sediments inhospitable to C. elegans. Our results add to a growing body of literature documenting the impact of nickel on animal physiology, and suggest that environmental toxicological studies could gain an advantage by widening their repertoire of nematode species

Preneoplastic lesions of the lung

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. If we can define and detect preneoplastic lesions, we might have a chance of improving survival. The World Health Organization has defined three preneoplastic lesions of the bronchial epithelium: squamous dysplasia/carcinoma in situ; atypical adenomatous hyperplasia; and diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia. These lesions are believed to progress to squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumors, respectively. In this review we summarize the data supporting the preneoplastic nature of these lesions, and delve into some of the genetic changes found in atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and squamous dysplasia/carcinoma in situ