African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causal agent of African swine fever, a hemorrhagic and often lethal porcine disease causing enormous economical losses in affected countries. Endemic for ...decades in most of the sub-Saharan countries and Sardinia, the risk of ASFV-endemicity in Europe has increased since its last introduction into Europe in 2007. Live attenuated viruses have been demonstrated to induce very efficient protective immune responses, albeit most of the time protection was circumscribed to homologous ASFV challenges. However, their use in the field is still far from a reality, mainly due to safety concerns. In this study we compared the course of the in vivo infection caused by two homologous ASFV strains: the virulent E75 and the cell cultured adapted strain E75CV1, obtained from adapting E75 to grow in the CV1 cell-line. Interestingly, the kinetics of both viruses not only differed on the clinical signs that they caused and in the virus loads found, but also in the immunological pathways activated throughout the infections. Furthermore, E75CV1 confirmed its protective potential against the homologous E75 virus challenge and allowed the demonstration of poor cross-protection against BA71, thus defining it as heterologous. The in vitro specificity of the CD8(+) T-cells present at the time of lethal challenge showed a clear activation against the homologous virus (E75) but not against BA71. These findings will be of utility for a better understanding of ASFV pathogenesis and for the rational designing of safe and efficient vaccines against this virus.
Anticholinergic burden (AB) is related to cognitive impairment (CI) and older complex chronic patients (OCCP) are more susceptible. Our objective was to evaluate the predictive value of ten ...anticholinergic scales to predict a potential CI due to anticholinergic pharmacotherapy in OCCP. An eight-month longitudinal multicentre study was carried out in a cohort of OCCP, in treatment with at least one anticholinergic drug and whose cognition status had been evaluated by Pfeiffer test twice for a period of 6–15 months. CI was considered when the Pfeiffer test increased 2 or more points. AB was detected using ten scales included on the Anticholinergic Burden Calculator. An ROC curve analysis was performed to assess the discriminative capacity of the scales to predict a potential CI and the cut-off point of AB that obtains better validity indicators. 415 patients were included (60.2% female, median age of 85 years (IQR = 11)). 190 patients (45.8%) manifested CI. Only the DBI (Drug Burden Index) showed statistically significant differences in the median AB between patients without CI and with CI (0.5 (1.00) vs. 0.67 (0.65), p = 0.006). At the ROC curve analysis, statistically significant values were obtained only with the DBI (AUC: 0.578 (0.523–0.633), p = 0.006). The cut-off point with the greatest validity selected for the DBI was an AB of 0.41 (moderate risk) (sensitivity = 81%, specificity = 36%, PPV = 51%). The DBI is the scale with the greatest discriminatory power to detect OCCP at risk of CI and the best cut-off point is a load value of 0.41.
Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae is a reemerging pathogen which causes bacterial canker of kiwifruit (Actinidia sp.). Since 2008, a global outbreak of P. syringae pv. actinidiae has occurred, and ...in 2010 this pathogen was detected in New Zealand. The economic impact and the development of resistance in P. syringae pv. actinidiae and other pathovars against antibiotics and copper sprays have led to a search for alternative management strategies. We isolated 275 phages, 258 of which were active against P. syringae pv. actinidiae. Extensive host range testing on P. syringae pv. actinidiae, other pseudomonads, and bacteria isolated from kiwifruit orchards showed that most phages have a narrow host range. Twenty-four were analyzed by electron microscopy, pulse-field gel electrophoresis, and restriction digestion. Their suitability for biocontrol was tested by assessing stability and the absence of lysogeny and transduction. A detailed host range was performed, phage-resistant bacteria were isolated, and resistance to other phages was examined. The phages belonged to the Caudovirales and were analyzed based on morphology and genome size, which showed them to be representatives of Myoviridae, Podoviridae, and Siphoviridae. Twenty-one Myoviridae members have similar morphologies and genome sizes yet differ in restriction patterns, host range, and resistance, indicating a closely related group. Nine of these Myoviridae members were sequenced, and each was unique. The most closely related sequenced phages were a group infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and characterized by phages JG004 and PAK_P1. In summary, this study reports the isolation and characterization of P. syringae pv. actinidiae phages and provides a framework for the intelligent formulation of phage biocontrol agents against kiwifruit bacterial canker.
El modelo de gobierno abierto se ha adoptado en la mayoría de los países americanos, fortaleciéndose como una tendencia de la administración pública en la comunidad internacional. Al ser un tema que ...cobra importancia, porque implica un cambio en la relación del Estado y la sociedad, se ve la necesidad de comprenderlo a partir de una aproximación teórica de sus antecedentes, desde la teoría de la democracia; para así aportar a la apropiación del término y entender su implementación en los países que lo adoptan, ya que cada vez tiene más fuerza a través de tratados y convenios con entidades internacionales que lo incorporan y promueven para fortalecer la democracia y las capacidades del Estado.
Resumen: Europa se ha convertido en el continente que ha desarrollado de forma más prolija el derecho al olvido digital, no solamente dentro de la Unión Europea, sino también en el ámbito de los ...ordenamientos jurídicos nacionales de sus Estados miembro. El presente artículo comienza haciendo un repaso de las primeras sentencias que se dictaron en la materia, y que son previas a la creación de internet, para posteriormente analizar el punto de inflexión que se produjo en el año 2014 con el Caso Costeja, y que influyó directamente en la nueva legislación que se ha dictado en la materia tanto en el Parlamento de Bruselas, como en los diferentes parlamentos nacionales europeos. Todo ello con el objetivo de poder demostrar la complejidad de este derecho poliédrico tan importante para los ciudadanos en la actual sociedad digital.
Outstanding properties and advanced functionalities of thermal–regulatory by origami-based architecture materials have been shown at various scales. However, in order to model and manage its ...programmable mechanical properties by Building Information Modelling (BIM) for use in a covering structure is not a simple task. The aim of this study was to model an element that forms a dynamic shell that prevents or allows the perpendicular incidence of the sun into the infrastructure. Parametric modelling of such complex structures was performed by Grasshopper and Rhinoceros 3D and were rendered by using the V-ray’s plugin. The elements followed the principles of origami to readjust its geometry considering the sun position, changing the shadow in real time depending on the momentary interest. The results of the project show that quadrangular was the most suitable Origami shape for façade elements. In addition, a BIM-based automated system capable of modifying façade elements considering the sun position was performed. The significance of this research relies on the first implementation and design of an Origami constructive element using BIM methodology, showing its viability and opening outstanding future research lines in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency.
This paper intends to analyze the role of the chief executive officer’s (CEO) Corporate Social Responsibility Orientation (CSRO) on interfirm cooperation. Interfirm cooperation is central to gaining ...competitiveness, particularly in international scenarios where firms must deal with uncertain challenges. Nonetheless, the current understanding of its key determinants needs further development. We argue that whereas environmental hostility pushes firms to cooperate for self-interested purposes, CEOs’ CSRO pulls towards cooperation as an end in itself, even more so under hostile conditions where the need for good-willed committed partners is higher. In a sample of 124 internationalized Spanish firms, we found that CEOs’ CSRO alone increases firms’ international interfirm cooperation and that this impact is stronger under hostile international environments. Our findings thus highlight the importance of leading firms in a socially responsible direction to boost their interfirm cooperation levels in international scenarios.
La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar la percepción de jóvenes rurales frente al ecoturismo. Mediante investigación cualitativa, se diseñó y aplicó encuestas y herramientas de ...análisis situacional con muestreo de tipo aleatorio simple. Se evidenció que los jóvenes rurales consideran como principales problemáticas el uso inadecuado de los recursos naturales (62%), la falta de compromiso de los jóvenes por el cuidado de los recursos naturales (73%), y el poco conocimiento sobre ecoturismo (78%). También destacan como actividades ecoturísticas los talleres de educación ambiental y caminata guiada. Se identificó como debilidad la mínima integración de la comunidad, su fortaleza el talento, y como oportunidades el apoyo institucional. Esto permite generar estrategias de formación en formulación de proyectos, educación ambiental y ecoturismo. Se concluye que los jóvenes rurales tienen apropiación por su territorio, constituyendo una oportunidad para la estructuración de proyectos de emprendimiento turístico.
•Long-term changes in green infrastructure and urban expansion were assessed.•Population and economic growth were the main drivers of observed changes.•Climate and latitude were not the main factors ...behind green infrastructure changes.•Loss and fragmentation of GI were linked with urban expansion and lack of planning.
Green infrastructure (GI) contributes to environmental quality and human well-being in urban environments by providing a number of ecosystem services. There is evidence that urban expansion negatively impacts on GI, but most studies have focused on large cities at the expense of an understanding of these processes in smaller cities. Here we assess the urban expansion and spatio-temporal dynamics of GI in small and medium-sized Chilean cities over a period of three decades. Seven cities were selected along a latitudinal gradient extending from 23 °S to 45 °S, and covering a wide variety of climates including: arid, semi-arid, mediterranean and temperate. Remote sensing and landscape analysis techniques were employed to assess changes in urban areas and GI spatial patterns. The cities that were analyzed showed a continuous expansion over the last 30 years associated with high population growth rates. Landscape analysis also evidenced an increasing level of GI fragmentation in most cities. Population growth, economic growth, and public policies seem to have a greater influence on long-term changes in GI than climate or geographic location. Our study highlights the need for better urban policies that protect and develop GI because of its crucial role in human well-being and urban sustainability.
•Using landscape ecology on ES is appropriate to better understand urbanization dynamics in Latin America.•Patterns of ES in Latin America differ as a consequence of climate and green ...governance.•Urban vegetation cover is not the only factor influencing urban ecosystem services, also important is its structure, composition and fragmentation.•Fragmentation of ES can inform decision-making for reducing environmental inequalities.
Latin America is one of the most urbanized region in the world, where patterns of urbanization are disorganized and disjoint from urban planning, with unknown effects for ecosystem services (ES). We evaluated the ES in Bogota and Santiago for a 30-year period. Using remote sensing data, models and census data we quantified carbon regulation, climate mitigation and recreation potential. We assessed ES provision changes and their spatio-temporal patterns using landscape metrics. Urban vegetation patterns differ between the two cities because of climate variability and greening policies. Bogota stored more carbon than Santiago given to climate effects, differences within city were the result of different policies and management. Climate mitigation showed similar behavior for both cities, influenced by global climate, densification and urban sprawling. Recreation potential increased in the inner-city and decrease at the outskirts, reflecting unplanned urban sprawling and increase population. Areas of high ecosystem services connected for Bogota and fragmented for Santiago. Bogota improved its environmental condition, as evaluated by ES provision, while Santiago worsens, even there was an increased in vegetation cover. Vegetation cover was not a sufficient indicator for ecosystem services and the distribution of it becomes highly relevant for informing mismatches between services and vegetation.
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