Self-recruiting species in farmer managed aquatic systems: their importance to the livelihoods of the rural poor in Southeast Asia

The self-recruiting species (SRS) are aquatic animals that can be harvested regularly from a farmer managed system without regular stocking as described by Little (2002a, b). The potential and current role of self-recruiting species from farmer managed aquatic systems (FMAS) is often overlooked, whilst much attention has been given to stocked species (often associated in conventional culture ponds and cages) as well as the fisheries sector (often relates to large water bodies i.e. river lakes and reservoirs). Using the combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches, the current status, the important contribution of SRS and factors undermining this contribution to the livelihoods of rural households in mainland Southeast (SE) Asia were investigated. The overall analysis of this research was done based from the sustainable livelihood (SL) framework (Scoones, 1998; DFID, 1999) in order to have a broader understanding of the importance of SRS as well as the rural livelihoods in selected areas of mainland SE Asia which often benefit from this resource. The research was carried out in rural villages of southeast Cambodia (SEC), northeast Thailand (NET) and Red River Delta in northern Vietnam (RRD). The sites (region of the country) were selected based from the intensity of aquaculture practices (less established and mainly relying on natural production, aquaculture established but also relying on natural production and mainly aquaculture dependent) as well as the agriculture i.e. intensiveness of rice production. Eighteen villages (6 villages/ country) were selected to represent the two agro-ecological zones (i.e. LOW and DRY areas) of the study sites. In order to fully assess the situation and meet the objectives of the research, the study was carried out using three stages which dealt with different approaches and sets of participants/respondents; i) participatory community appraisal (PCA), ii) baseline survey and iii) longitudinal study. The different stages of the research were carried out during the period of April 2001 until September 2004. During the first stage, a series of community appraisals using participatory methods were conducted in all of the participating villages in the three study sites. The participatory appraisal was conducted in order to understand the general rural context in the villages as well as the importance of aquatic resources. Moreover, the PCA in a way helped build rapport between the researcher and the communities. The series of appraisals were conducted with different wellbeing and gender groups (better-off men, better-off women, poor men and poor women). The various shocks, trends and seasonality that influenced the status of living in the community, diversified livelihoods and the differences in preference of socioeconomic and gender groups were analysed in this stage. The important aquatic animals (AA) and the local criteria for determing their importance were the highlights of this stage of the research. The important AA identified were composed of large fish (Channa spp., Clarias spp., Hemibagrus sp, Common, Indian, Silver and Grass carps), small fish (Anabas testudineus, Rasbora spp., Mystus spp., Carassius auratus) as well as non-fish (Macrobrachium spp., Rana spp., Somanniathelpusa sp., Sinotaia spp.) which were particularly important to poorer groups in the community. The local criteria used were mainly food and nutrition related (good taste, easy to cook, versatility in preparation), abundance (availability, ease of catching) as well as economic value (good price). Significant differences were found between various interactions of sites, agro-ecological zones, gender and wellbeing groups. The second stage of the research was the baseline survey (cross-sectional survey) which was also carried out in the same communities and collected information from a total of 540 respondents (30 respondents per village or 180 per country). This stage of the study was carried out in order to generate household level information (mostly quantitative) regarding the socio-economic indicators to triangulate the information generated during the participatory appraisal and the different aquatic systems that existed in the community as well as the various management practices used (not limited to stocking hatchery seed and feeding). The different livelihood resources (human, physical, financial, natural and social capital) and the diversified strategies of rural households in SE Asia were analysed in this phase. Another highlight of this phase was the understanding of the various aquatic systems that rural farmers managed and how they related to the existence of self-recruiting species. The common aquatic resources identified during this phase included farmer managed aquatic systems (FMAS) and openwater bodies (OWB) where rural households usually obtained their aquatic products. The various types of FMAS which included ricefields, trap ponds, household ponds, culture ponds and ditches were identified as important aquatic resources which mainly provide food as well as additional income to the rural poor. All of these FMAS were being managed at various levels which directly affected the SRS population. Different types of farmers were identified based on their attitudes towards and management of SRS: i) SRS positive, farmers who allow and attract SRS into the system, ii) SRS negative, farmers who prevent or eliminate SRS and iii) SRS neutral, farmers doing nothing that would encourage or prevent SRS from entering into the system. Variations were related to the main factors (i.e sites, agroecological zones, wellbeing groups) and their interactions. The final stage of this study was the year-long household survey (longitudinal study) that investigated the seasonality of various aspects of rural livelihoods, status of the different aquatic systems and the important contribution of AA in general, and SRS in particular, to the overall livelihood strategies employed by rural farmers. This phase involved a total of 162 households (9 per village or 54 per country) selected based on the aquatic systems they managed and had access to. Other socio-economic factors (gender and wellbeing) were also considered during the selection of participants in this phase of the study. The results of the year long household survey highlighted the important contributions of SRS: i) to the total AA collections which were utilised in various ways, ii) contribution to overall food consumption in general and AA consumption in particular (which was found to be the most important contribution of SRS), iii) contribution to household nutrition (as a major source of animal protein and essential micro nutrients in rural areas), iv) contribution to income and expenditures, and v) improving the social capital of rural households (through sharing of production and mobilizing community in local resources user group management). Moreover, the social context and the dynamics of inter and intra household relationships were understood, especially the gender issues on division of labour (where women and children played an important part on the production), access and benefits (how women and children were being marginalised in terms of making decision and controlling benefits). The various results of the combined approaches that were utilised in all stages of the research were analysed and presented in this thesis. The results of the community appraisals and the baseline survey were used in setting the context (background) of each topic (e.g. livelihood activities, AA importance, etc). Meanwhile, the results of the longitudinal survey were used in illustrating the trends and highlighted the seasonality of particular issues. Overall the study contributed to knowledge by elucidating the status and roles of self-recruiting species in maintaining/ improving the overall livelihoods of rural farmers in Southeast Asia. Various factors influenced the importance of SRS to rural livelihoods such as social (wellbeing and gender), ecological factors (agroecological zones, intensity of both agriculture and aquaculture) and seasonality. Moreover, results of this thesis illustrated the variations or complexities of aquatic resources in the rural areas and also how and where the SRS fits in the aquaculture – fisheries continuum which therefore can be used in future research and development

The Struggle for a Voice: Tensions between Associations and Citizens in Participatory Budgeting

The emergence of new participatory mechanisms, such as participatory budgeting, in towns and cities in recent years has given rise to a conflict between the old protagonists of local participation and the new citizens invited to participate. These mechanisms offer a logic of collective action different from what has been the usual fare in cities — one based on proposal rather than demand. As a result, urban social movements need to transform their own dynamics in order to make room for a new political subject (the citizenry and the non-organized participant) and to act upon a stage where deliberative dynamics now apply. This article aims to analyse this conflict in three different cities that set up participatory budgeting at different times: Porto Alegre, Cordova and Paris. The associations in the three cities took up a position against the new participatory mechanisms and demanded a bigger role in the political arena. Through a piece of ethnographic research, we shall see that the responses of the agents involved (politicians, associations and citizens) in the three cities share some arguments, although the conflict was resolved differently in each of them. The article concludes with reflections on the consequences this conflict could have for contemporary political theory, especially with respect to the role of associations in the processes of democratization and the setting forth of a new way of doing politics by means of deliberative proceduresPeer reviewe

Covalent modification of antimicrobial and anticancer peptides for the improvement of their farmacological properties

Following the information obtained by a rational design study, cyclic and dimeric helical stabilized analogues of the peptide Cm-p5 were synthetized. The cyclic monomer showed an increased activity in vitro against Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis, compared to Cm-p5. Initially, fourteen mutants of Cm-p5 were synthesized following a rational design to improve the antifungal activity and pharmacological properties. Antimicrobial testing showed that the activity was lost in every of these fourteen analogues, suggesting as a main conclusion, that a Glu-His salt bridge could stabilize Cm-p5 helical conformation during the interaction with the plasma membrane. A derivative, obtained by substitution of Glu and His for Cys, was synthesized and oxidized with the generation of a cyclic monomer with improved antifungal activity. In addition, two dimers were generated during the oxidation procedure, a parallel and anti-parallel one. The dimers showed a helical secondary structure in water, whereas the cyclic monomer only showed this conformation in SDS. In addition, the antiparallel dimer showed a moderate activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a significant activity against Listeria monocytogenes. Nor the cyclic monomer nor the dimers were toxi c against macrophages or THP-1 human cells. Continuing with the covalent modifications of the Cm-p5 structure, in chapter 2 is described the design, synthesis and characterization of 15 lipidated and cyclo-lipidated analogues of Cmp5. Previous studies showed that N-lipidation of Cm-p5 by Ugi-4CR increase notably the antifungal activity. Our initial biological test showed that lipidation with decanoic acid did not display any effect inthe activity of Cm-p5, while pentadecanoic acid decreased it. These results are not in accord with the increased activity in case of the Ugi lipidated analogue. The Ugi-4CRdo not only introduces a lipid chain, also produce N-substitution that can alter the conformational behavior of the lipid chain. To determine the influence of N-substitution, three analogues containing Ala, Gly or Pro between the lipid chain and the normal sequence of Cmp5 was synthetized. Gly and Pro are implied in several conformational changes in proteins or peptides.Gly possesses high flexibility while Pro is the only N-alkylated aminoacid and participate in loop or rigid structure formation. In addition, following the expected increase of activity by disulfide bridge formation, similar variants possessing Ala (introduced as a comparison), Gly or Pro between adodecyl chain and cyclic/dimeric CysCysCm-p5 were XVII prepared. Finally, lipidationby Ugi-4CR with n-dodecylisonitrile and subsequent cyclization between Cys produce cyclic and dimeric versions of Ugi lipidated cyclopeptides. All compoundsare under biological evaluation thatwill permit to gainconclusion about the structural motif needed to produce the more antifungal cyclic and lipidated analogue of Cm-p5. In chapter 3, we used the combination of solid phase and liquid phase methods for the synthesis of the anticancer drug, carfilzomib (CFZ). The convergent route comprises the tetrapeptide construction in solid phase followed by coupling with the previously prepared Leu-epoxide. Side effects of CFZ include the heart failure and shortness of breath so that the development of bioconjugation for targeted delivery is desired. With this aim, we prepared a traceless carbonylacrylic-Val-Cit-PAB linker as an alcohol in solid phase using the special DHP resin in high yield. This alcohol linker was tosylated and iodinated with the aim of improve the yields of the substitution reaction with CFZ (substitution of tosylate need heating). The pH (low) insertion peptides (pHLIPs) target acidity at the surfaces of cancer cells and show utility in a wide range of applications, including tumor imaging and intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents. We pretend to merge the capacity of tumor cell selectivity of pHLIP peptide with the traceless, stability and selective delivery of the new carbonylacrylic linker. Finally, the bioconjugation of CFZ to pHLIP peptide through the carbonylacrylic-Val-Cit-PAB linker, for the traceless release and targeted delivery to tumors could significantly improve the effectiveness of this drug in cancer treatment.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Seguindo a informação obtida por um estudo de concepção racional, sintetizaram-se análogos estabilizados helicoidais cíclicos, diméricos e lipidados do péptido Cm-p5. O monômero cíclico apresentou atividade aumentada in vitro contra Candida albicans e Candida parapsilosis, em comparação com Cm-p5. Inicialmente, 14 mutantes de Cm-p5 foram sintetizados seguindo um racional de sinal para melhorar a atividade antifúngica e as propriedades farmacológicas. Testes antimicrobianos mostraram que a atividade foi perdida em cada um dos 14 análogos, sugerindo como uma conclusão principal, que uma ponte de sal Glu-His poderia estabilizar a conformação helicoidal de Cm-p5 durante a interação com a membrana plasmática. Um derivado, obtido por substituição de Glu e His por Cys, foi sintetizado e oxidado com a geração de um monômero cíclico com atividade antifungica melhorada. Além disso, dois dímeros foram gerados durante o procedimento de oxidação. Os dímeros mostraram uma estrutura secundária helicoidal em água, enquanto o monômero cíclico mostrou apenas esta conformação em SDS. Além disso, o dímero antiparalelo apresentou moderada atividade contra Pseudomonas aeruginosa e atividade significativa contra Listeria monocytogenes. Nem o monómero cíclico nem os dímeros eram tóxicos contra macrófagos ou células humanas THP-1. Continuando com as modificações covalentes da estrutura do Cm-p5, no capítulo 2 se descreve o desenho, síntese e caracterização de 15 análogos lipídicos e cíclicos/lipidados doCm-p5. Estudos anteriores mostram que a N-lipidação do Cm-p5 pela reação de Ugi-4C aumenta notavelmente a atividade antifúngica. Nosso teste biológico inicial mostra que a lipidação com ácido decanóico não mostrou nenhum efeito na atividade do Cm-p5, enquanto o ácido pentadecanóico o diminuiu. Esse resultado não está de acordo com o aumento da atividade no caso do análogo lipidado da reação de Ugi-4C. A reação de Ugi-4C não apenas introduz uma cadeia lipídica, também produz uma N-substituição que pode alterar o comportamento conformacional da cadeia lipídica. Para determinar a influência da N-substituição, três análogos contendo Ala, Gly ou Pro entre a cadeia lipídica e a sequência normal de Cm-p5 foram sintetizados. Gly e Pro estão implicados em várias mudanças conformacionais em proteínas ou peptídeos. Gly possui alta flexibilidade enquanto a Pro é o único aminoácido N-alquilado e participa na formação de giros ou estruturas rígidas. Adicionalmente, seguindo o esperado aumento de actividade por formação de ponte disulfeto, foram preparadas variantes XV semelhantes possuindo Ala (introduzida como comparação), Gly ou Pro entre a cadeia de decanoilo e o peptídeo CysCysCm-p5 cíclico/dimérico. Finalmente, a lipidação por reação Ugi-4C com n-dodecilisonitrila e posterior ciclização entre Cys produzem versões cíclicas e diméricas de ciclopeptídeos Ugi lipidados. Todos os compostos estão sob avaliação biológica que permitirá obter uma conclusão sobre o motivo estrutural necessário para produzir o análogo cíclico e lipidado do Cm-p5 mais antifúngico. No capítulo 3, usamos a combinação de métodos de fase sólida e fase líquida para a síntese da droga anticâncer, carfilzomib (CFZ). A via convergente compreende a construção de tetrapéptidos em fase sólida seguida de acoplamento do epóxido preparado previamente. Os efeitos colaterais da CFZ incluem a insuficiência cardíaca e a falta de ar, de modo que o desenvolvimento da bioconjugação ou da entrega direcionada é realmente desejado. Com este objetivo, nós preparamos um ligante que não deixa resíduos, carbonilacrilic-Val-Cit-PABna forma de álcool em fase sólida usando a resina especial DHP em alto rendimento. Este ligante na forma de álcool foi tosilado e iodado com o objetivo de melhorar os rendimentos da reação de substituição com CFZ. Os peptídeos de inserção a pH baixo (pHLIPs) visam a acidez nas superfícies das célulascancerígenas e apresentam utilidade numa vasta gama de aplicações, incluindo imagiologia de tumores e distribuição intracelular de agentes terapêuticos. Neste trabalho, pretendemos fundir a capacidade de seletividade de células tumorais do peptídeo pHLIP com a libertação sem resíduos, estabilidade e seletividade do novo ligante carbonilacrílico. Finalmente, a bioconjugação de CFZ com o peptídeo pHLIP através do ligante carbonilacrílico-Val-Cit-PAB, para a libertação sem resíduos e distribuição direcionada para tumores poderia melhorar significativamente a efetividade deste fármaco no tratamento do câncer.CAPES: código de financiamento - 00

Accessibility and social participation in urban settings for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or an intellectual disability (ID)

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or an Intellectual Disability (ID) often have difficulties in interpersonal relationships, adaptation to new situations/environments and problem-solving. Today, many of these individuals face the challenges associated with adulthood in an urban setting. Despite the extensive research developed on children with ASD and ID in the indoor environment, little research has been done on the social participation of adults with ASD and ID within urban settings thus far. This systematic review aims to shed some light on the activities developed by adults with ASD and ID in an urban context, the main facilitators and obstacles of these activities, as well as the means of transportation used to achieve them. Like the rest of the population, adults with an ASD or ID engage in various activities related to work, leisure, community life or education, using different modes of transportation, including buses, to perform them. The most important obstacles identified are related to interpersonal relationships along with social and physical environments that are not adapted to their needs. In order to address these obstacles, health professionals, including occupational therapists, have a role to play in the development of methods and tools to increase the abilities of people with an ASD or ID. They can also participate in raising awareness among the population and can advocate for changes in the physical environment in urban settings.Peer Reviewe

Higgs effective Hlilj vertex from heavy νR and applications to LFV

The European Physical Society Conference on High Energy Physics 5-12 July, 2017 VeniceWe present a new computation of the Lepton Flavor Violating effective vertex involving the Higgs boson and two leptons with different flavors. This vertex is generated from the integration to oneloop level of the heavy right handed neutrinos which are considered here within the context of the Low Scale Seesaw Models and with masses close to the TeV scale. We apply the Mass Insertion Approximation technique to compute the loop contributions from these heavy νR and derive a symple analytical formula for the Hli lj effective vertex in terms of the input Yν Yukawa coupling matrix and right handed MR neutrino masses. Some interesting phenomenological applications of this Hli lj effective vertex are also includedWe thank our respective projects: FPA2016-78645-P (MINECO(Spain)/FEDER(EU)); ITN-ELUSIVES H2020-MSCA-ITN-2015//674896 (EU); ANPCyT PICT 2013-2266 (Argentina

Los Planes de Desarrollo Comunitario como política pública para la transformación social. Las experiencias de Barcelona (1997-2015)

El presente artículo analiza el despliegue de los Planes de Desarrollo Comunitario (PDC) como política pública en la ciudad de Barcelona (periodo 1997-2015). Su principal objetivo es hacer una aproximación a como los PDC han contribuido a la transformación social del territorio des de una triple perspectiva, la configuración de las políticas, la mejora de las condiciones de vida y la redefinición de las relaciones de poder. A su vez hace una aproximación a los factores que han incidido en la diferente evolución de las experiencias. Metodológicamente se apoya en varias fuentes, análisis documental, metodologías etnográficas e investigación cualitativa a través del trabajo de campo. Como principales resultados se señala como elemento facilitador el papel de la administración local y de los equipos comunitarios, no municipales, para generar sinergias público-ciudadanas fundamentadas en la cooperación y la proximidad territorial. En cuanto a las transformaciones, los PDC han contribuido al despliegue de acciones y proyectos con incidencia en las condiciones de vida, han permitido una mayor efectividad del trabajo de determinados servicios públicos (a partir de estas lógicas de proximidad), pero solo en casos excepcionales, han sido optimizados como plataformas para el diseño de nuevas políticas y grandes transformaciones urbanas. El artículo cierra sus conclusiones abriendo el interrogante sobre los límites de la acción comunitaria con soporte institucional para la generación de conciencia crítica y empoderamiento político en los territorios.El present article analitza el desplegament dels Plans de Desenvolupament Comunitari (PDC) com a política pública a la ciutat de Barcelona (període 1997-2015). El seu principal objectiu és fer una aproximació a com els PDC han contribuït a la transformació social del territori des d'una triple perspectiva, la configuració de les polítiques, la millora de les condicions de vida i la redefinició de les relacions de poder. Al seu torn fa una aproximació als factors que han incidit en la diferent evolució de les experiències. Metodològicament es recolza en diverses fonts, anàlisi documental, metodologies etnogràfiques i recerca qualitativa a través del treball de camp. Com a principals resultats s'assenyala com a element facilitador el paper de l'administració local i dels equips comunitaris, no municipals, per generar sinèrgies públic-ciutadanes fonamentades en la cooperació i la proximitat territorial. Pel que fa a les transformacions, els PDC han contribuït al desplegament d'accions i projectes amb incidència en les condicions de vida, han permès una major efectivitat del treball de determinats serveis públics (a partir d'aquestes lògiques de proximitat), però només en casos excepcionals, han estat optimitzats com a plataformes per al disseny de noves polítiques i grans transformacions urbanes. L'article tanca les seves conclusions obrint l'interrogant sobre els límits de l'acció comunitària amb suport institucional per a la generació de consciència crítica i empoderament polític en els territoris.This paper explores the deployment of Community Development Plans (CDP) as a public policy in the city of Barcelona (period 1997 - 2015). We discuss how CDP have contributed to social transformation from a threefold perspective: shaping policies, improving the living conditions, and redefining power relations. At the same time, an analysis of the relevant factors contributing to the evolution of different cases is undertaken. Methodologically, the study is based on articles reviewing, ethnography and qualitative methods. Findings indicate that the role-played by the local authorities and non-municipal community workers teams can be an enabling factor to generate citizens and public's synergies based on cooperation and territorial proximity. CDP have contributed to the development of projects affecting the living conditions and have increased the effectiveness of civil services, relying on proximity. Only in exceptional cases, CDP have contributed to the design of new policies and major urban transformations. A final discussion about the limits of institutional support-based CDP in critical awareness and empowerment promotion is developed

Winter: public enemy #1 for accessibility exploring new solutions

Abstract: Winter is expensive. For countries situated in the northern hemisphere, closer to the north pole, such as Canada, Russia and Scandinavia, winter requires the acquisition of special clothing, car tires, and sports equipment, snow removal or plowing from the streets, and is associated with the presence of ice patches, along with accidents and illnesses associated with cold weather. Fall-related injuries due to winter conditions have been estimated to cost the Canadian health care system $ 2.8 billion a year. However, the greatest cost snow entails every year is the social isolation of seniors as well as wheelchair and walker users. This results from the lack of accessibility, as it is difficult to circulate on snow-covered streets even for the able-bodied. Social isolation has been associated with other negative consequences such as depression and even suicide. This exploratory pilot study aimed at finding possible and feasible design solutions for improving the accessibility of sidewalks during winter conditions. For this project we used a Co-Design methodology. Stakeholders (City of Quebec representatives, designers, urban planners, occupational therapists, and adults with motor, visual and aural disabilities) were invited to participate in the design process. In order to meet the objectives, two main steps were carried out: 1. Conception of the design solutions (through Co-design sessions in a Focus-group format with seniors, designers and researchers); and 2. Validation of the design solutions (consultation with experts and stakeholders). The results are a wide variety of possible and feasible solutions, including the reorganisation of the snow-removal procedure and the development of heated curb cuts. This project was funded by the City of Quebec in partnership with the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (CIRRIS). Ultimately, the project sought to explore possible solutions to be implemented, if feasible, in the future by the municipal government.Peer Reviewe