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Background: Leptospirosis is the world's most common zoonotic disease. Mitigation and control rely on pathogen identification and understanding the roles of potential reservoirs in cycling and transmission. Underreporting and misdiagnosis obscure the magnitude of the problem and confound efforts to understand key epidemiological components. Difficulties in culturing hamper the use of serological diagnostics and delay the development of DNA detection methods. As a result, especially in complex ecosystems, we know very little about the importance of different mammalian host species in cycling and transmission to humans. Methodology/principal findings: We sampled dogs from five indigenous Kichwa communities living in the Yasuní National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. Blood and urine samples from domestic dogs were collected to assess the exposure of these animals to Leptospira and to identify the circulating species. Microscopic Agglutination Tests with a panel of 22 different serovars showed anti-leptospira antibodies in 36 sampled dogs (75%), and 7 serogroups were detected. Two DNA-based detection assays revealed pathogenic Leptospira DNA in 18 of 19 dog urine samples (94.7%). Amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and SecY genes from 15 urine samples revealed genetic diversity within two of three different Leptospira species: noguchii (n = 7), santarosai (n = 7), and interrogans (n = 1). Conclusions/significance: The high prevalence of antibodies and Leptospira DNA provides strong evidence for high rates of past and current infections. Such high prevalence has not been previously reported for dogs. These dogs live in the peridomestic environment in close contact with humans, yet they are free-ranging animals that interact with wildlife. This complex web of interactions may explain the diverse types of pathogenic Leptospira observed in this study. Our results suggest that domestic dogs are likely to play an important role in the cycling and transmission of Leptospira. Future studies in areas with complex ecoepidemiology will enable better parsing of the significance of genotypic, environmental, and host characteristics. Author summary: People around the world interact with a wide range of animals, but one of the closest is the domestic dog. Dogs can be reservoirs of several zoonotic infectious diseases, including leptospirosis. The frequent ecological interactions between people, dogs, and wildlife in indigenous communities living in the Amazon basin might increase the complexity of leptospirosis transmission, in comparison with what has been described for other settings. In the Amazon basin, wild animals and domestic animals may act as reservoirs of the pathogen, excreting the bacteria through their urine. In this work, we analyzed serum and urine samples from dogs living within Kichwa communities from the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador. Serum samples were analyzed with MAT and urine samples with qPCR assays that detect the presence of pathogenic Leptospira. Our results suggest that a high percentage of dogs have been exposed to Leptospira. We identified the presence of ten serovars and three different Leptospira species. These findings provide important insights into the epidemiology of leptospirosis in this ecosystem, showing that dogs are a common reservoir and thus likely to play a critical role in the transmission of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global environmental crisis demands urgent attention and comprehensive action. While governments must prioritise environmental protection and climate change mitigation, the continued depletion of natural resources calls for innovative approaches. One such approach is the Environmental Global Citizenship theory, which offers a perspective on participatory environmental governance while emphasising cultural diversity. The article argues that the idea of global environmental citizenship can help address the challenges associated to the global environmental crisis, outlining a vast theoretical framework to this notion, grounded in a thorough literature review and legal examination of global environmental agreements. Environmental Global Citizenship is presented as a critical, yet non-exclusive strategy for global environmental stewardship, simultaneously advocating for a model of global integration that is rooted in cultural diversity. The manuscript underscores that the concept of Environmental Global Citizenship should form one necessary aspect of a more extensive environmental protection global strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and increasing water demand in urban environments necessitate planning water utility companies' finances. Traditionally, methods to estimate the direct water utility business interruption costs (WUBIC) caused by droughts have not been clearly established. We propose a multi-driver assessment method. We project the water yield using a hydrological model driven by regional climate models under radiative forcing scenarios. We project water demand under stationary and non-stationary conditions to estimate drought severity and duration, which are linked with pricing policies recently adopted by the Sao Paulo Water Utility Company. The results showed water insecurity. The non-stationary trend imposed larger differences in the drought resilience financial gap, suggesting that the uncertainties of WUBIC derived from demand and climate models are greater than those associated with radiative forcing scenarios. As populations increase, proactively controlling demand is recommended to avoid or minimize reactive policy changes during future drought events, repeating recent financial impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in the area of health with the development of new diagnostic and surgical procedures require an increasingly precise knowledge of human anatomy. The diffusion of the variable arrangement of anatomy is essential not only in the field of specialization or postgraduate, but above all, in the undergraduate, from where the specialists will be trained who will later develop these new clinical and surgical practices that will require a solid anatomical background. This is why the correct application of anatomical techniques in anatomical samples is essential for this undergraduate teaching to be developed efficiently, plastination having a fundamental role in this regard. The aim of this work was to report the discovery of anatomical variations in the upper limbs of a human sample subjected to the plastination process to promote, on one hand, the importance of anatomical knowledge in undergraduate, postgraduate and specialties, as well as the relevance of longterm preservation of biological material for the continued dissemination of anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of works proving the possible relationship empirically that Airbnb lodgings could have with crime in Spain is not known. This research analyzes the relationship between Airbnb lodgings and crimes against the properties and people in Barcelona's neighbourhoods. To achieve this, we use an ordinary least squares regression model and a geographically weighted regression model. The results show a significant and positive relationship between the higher density of Airbnb lodgings and the higher crime rates in the neighbourhoods, especially of patrimonial nature. Divided by type of leased space, the Airbnb homes, in which the guest shares a room with other guests, show a higher relationship with crimes against property and people. The results of the local model show a spatial heterogeneity in all variables used, indicating the need to address non-stationary spatial processes that reveal hidden patterns. However, the only variable that shows statistically significant local variability is the total Airbnb lodgings variable. Finally, we discussed some unexpected results, proposing some future lines of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research analyses the factors that could be involved in the insecurity perceived by the inhabitants of 69 neighbourhoods in Barcelona from the possible influence of the adjacent neighbourhoods. A set of variables are constructed from different sources to measure their influence on the insecurity perceived by residents. Ordinary least-squares regression models were replaced by others that consider the spatial dependence of the data. The results show that when controlling for the influence of adjacent neighbourhoods, ethnic heterogeneity, satisfaction with police services, social disorder, and socio-economic status are significantly related with the insecurity perceived in each neighbourhood. However, when spatial autocorrelation is corrected, crime density in the neighbourhood is not related to perceptions of insecurity, nor there is clear evidence that insecurity is affected by crime levels in adjacent neighbourhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a facile approach to the preparation of graphene oxide (GO) composites with lanthanide (Ln) oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles (Ln = La, Eu, Gd, Tb) under relatively mild conditions by two different procedures of solvothermal synthesis. The mechanism of GO-Ln nanocomposite formation is thought to involve the initial coordination of Ln3+ ions to the oxygen-containing groups of GO as nucleation sites, followed by f Ln 2 O 3 and Ln(OH) 3 nanoparticle growth. The nanocomposites obtained preserve the intrinsic planar honeycomb-like structures of graphene as proven by the typical G and D bands in the Raman spectra. Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the interaction between oxygen-containing groups of GO and Ln ions. The size and distribution of Ln oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles on GO sheets, estimated from scanning and transmission electron microscopy images, vary broadly for the different lanthanides. The size can span from sub-nm dimensions for Eu oxide to more than 10 μm for Eu hydroxide nanoparticles. The most homogeneous distribution of Ln oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles was found in La-containing composites. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that all the GO-Ln nanocomposites are thermally less stable, by up to 30 °C than pristine GO. [Display omitted] • GO-Ln oxide/hydroxide (La,Eu,Gd,Tb) nanocomposites prepared by solvothermal method. • Lanthanide oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles were formed on the graphene oxide surface. • Ln oxides present better distribution and smaller sizes than Ln hydroxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document analyzes the perception of students of the Catholic University of Cuenca in Ecuador on a set of factors associated with the concept of digital citizenship. Quantitative study using an instrument with 47 indicators evaluated through a Likert scale. For this purpose, a structural equation model (EEM) is proposed, consisting of eight variables: (1) membership, (2) rights, (3) privacy, (4) security, (5) online service level agreements, (7) interaction and (8) digital competence. The results show two variables (6 and 7) with high significance level, two with low level of significance (5 and 2), and three variables did not influence the digital competence of university students (1, 3 and 4). Therefore, it is concluded that the elements that contribute to the study of the manifestation of digital citizenship in young university students according to the results obtained are: the norms of behavior that young people perform when they are connected online (netiquette); the modes of expression about online shares that are published by young people in different fields (interaction); the mechanisms of personal data management that young people use in virtuality (service level agreements); and the knowledge that university students have about the ways of exercising and fulfilling rights and obligations in their role as digital citizens (rights). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Colombian Politic Constitution of 1991 adopted the politic model of social state of law and recognized the fundamental and social rights. This article is to review and analyze the way how the constitutional action called Acción de tutela, to protect the health right, has increased in a really high proportion in the first decade of Constitution validity, this situation hasn't changed in the last years, as a consequence of the failures and weakness of the General System of Social Security of Health (SGSSS) established by the Law 100 of 1993. This specific situation has caused an economical impact in the public finances, besides the dogmatic division inside the country, this is called by the Constitutional Court as activism, because all the orders and decision has an economic and budgetary content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quantum dots/polycations assemblies shows catalytic activity towards CO 2 reduction. • Rigid polycation structure promotes the electrostatic assembly growth. • Less rigid polycation structure leads carbon dioxide reduction to methanol. The present work describes the characterization by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical techniques of ITO modified electrodes with electrostatic assemblies (Polycation/Quantum Dots) and their use in the electro- and photoelectrocatalytic reduction of CO 2. These assemblies were prepared with polycations poly-diallyldimethylammonium (PD) and poly-(2-trimethylammonium) ethyl methacrylate (PM) and nanocrystals of CdTe of 2.77 nm (Q2). The size of the nanocrystals was controlled by the synthesis reflux time and incorporated by electric field directed Layer-by-Layer assembly method (EFDLA). The polycations were characterised by NMR measurements; showing important effects on the electrostatic assemblies. PM modified electrodes, with its lower rigidity, exhibited less roughness than the PD modified electrodes, 8.0 nm versus 32.8 nm, and higher heterogeneity in its surface composition. Higher resistance to the charge transfer and time constants were obtained with PMQ2 modified electrode, 63.8 Ω cm−2 and 2.69 ms versus 49.30 Ω cm−2 and 1.3 ms for PDQ2. The electro- and photoelectro properties for CO 2 reduction were studied through j-E curves and potential controlled electrolysis. Modified surfaces were active toward the reduction of CO 2 , with a positive shift of the activity between darkness and irradiation conditions, 0.050 V with PDQ2 and 0.450 V with PMQ2. The main product of the CO 2 reduction was CH 3 OH, with traces of CO and HCOOH. The PM modified electrodes with QDs of 2.77 nm presented a selective behaviour for the production of CH 3 OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have focused on characterizing different aspects of drought (i.e., meteorological, soil moisture, hydrological, or even, socio-economic drought). However, the complexity of the phenomenon and the uncertainty associated to the data analyzed makes it difficult to predict its associated risk and resulting impacts. In this work, we used the severity-duration-frequency approach for hydrological drought to analyze the risk of the Cantareira System in Brazil, the main water source for the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo, which has been recently affected by drought. Our approach combined water demand and supply conditions. For water demand, we set up one stationary and one non-stationary threshold. For water supply, we used: (a) hydrologic modeling simulations using as climatic input historical series (1962-2015) from the regional climate models Eta-INPE, HadGEM-ES, and MIROC5; (b) monthly historical reconstructed streamflow data (1930-2016). We used the Generalized Extreme Value distribution to fit the hydrological deficit data for return periods of 2, 10, 20, and 100 years. Results showed greater water deficits for the cases that used the reconstructed hydrologic time series (compared to the cases using hydrologic modeling) but, for the simulations using the hydrologic modeling, results showed greater water deficit for the MIROC5 model. Greater water deficits existed for the non-stationary threshold water demand case. Furthermore, the diagnostic plots found that the longest droughts showed better fit for the Gumbel distribution. This approach may be useful for regional water resources management, helping on the quantification of the impacts of hydrological drought and its uncertainty.Key words: Hydrological droughts, climate change, urban water, SDF approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reintroduction of fossorial mammals could be limited by the availability of satellite burrows that provide refuge from predators while foraging away from their permanent burrows, and by availability of short grasses. In order to generate information to assist in the reintroduction of vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus), we asked: 1) what type of satellite burrow do they accept based on burrow complexity, entrance size and distance from permanent burrows?, and 2) how did the provision of burrows and mowing affect their foraging range? We carried out the study in the Sierras of Cordoba, Argentina, with 13 vizcachas transferred to two adaptation pens equipped with permanent burrows. We mowed part of the vegetation around the pens and we dug 14 satellite burrows of two types: simple with only a tunnel, and complex with a tunnel and underground chamber. Burrows were situated between 1 and 16 m from the pens. For six months we evaluated satellite burrow occupancy. We also counted feces, estimated bare soil, and height of the vegetation in 15-m-long transects originating in the entrances of highly used burrows, which were distributed in two sectors. Occupancy was 2 and 67% for simple and complex satellite burrows, respectively, and was negatively related to burrow entrance size. There was no relationship between burrow occupancy and distance to adaptation pens. Transect sampling showed that 91% of the pellets were within 4 m of the pens or satellite burrows, and that they preferred cut to uncut grass. We conclude that building complex satellite burrows and mowing vegetation will increase secure foraging range for translocated vizcachas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemichannels (HCs) are hexamers of connexins that can form gap-junction channels at points of cell contacts or "free HCs" at non-contacting regions. HCs are involved in paracrine and autocrine cell signaling, and under pathological conditions may induce and/or accelerate cell death. Therefore, studies of HC regulation are of great significance. Nitric oxide affects the activity of Cx43 and Cx46 HCs, whereas carbon monoxide (CO), another gaseous transmitter, modulates the activity of several ion channels, but its effect on HCs has not been explored. We studied the effect of CO donors (CORMs) on Cx46 HCs expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using two-electrode voltage clamp and on Cx43 and Cx46 expressed in HeLa cells using a dye-uptake technique. CORM-2 inhibited Cx46 HC currents in a concentration-dependent manner. The C-terminal domain and intracellular Cys were not necessary for the inhibition. The effect of CORM-2 was not prevented by guanylyl-cyclase, protein kinase G, or thioredoxin inhibitors, and was not due to endocytosis of HCs. However, the effect of CORM-2 was reversed by reducing agents that act extracellularly. Additionally, CO inhibited dye uptake of HeLa cells expressing Cx43 or Cx46, and MCF-7 cells, which endogenously express Cx43 and Cx46. Because CORM-2 carbonylates Cx46 in vitro and induces conformational changes, a direct effect of that CO on Cx46 is possible. The inhibition of HCs could help to understand some of the biological actions of CO in physiological and pathological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a simple protocol based on a multi-step methodology is used to form flat, first-generation (G1) or second-generation (G2) wrinkled patterns. Different concentrations of DMAEMA were used to synthesize hydrogel films. The multi-step method used to form the wrinkled pattern involves vacuum, argon plasma, and UV exposure. This methodology allows creating different morphologies, which are intimately related to both the kind of treatment as well as the order employed in each case. The G1 and G2 patterns involve three essential steps. First, water removal via vacuum, generating a deswelling gradient in the films triggering the formation of a G1 pattern on top. Secondly, a frontal vitrification process was induced by argon plasma, which generates a rigid top layer, thus triggering the formation of a G2 pattern. Finally, UV irradiation for fixing the pattern. From these, we obtained the roughness, area increase percentage, undulation wavelength, and amplitude. Image 1 • Homogenous films of smart hydrogels were deposited by using spin coating. • First and second-generation (G1 and G2) hierarchical wrinkled patterns were formed. • Different protocols to generate flat, G1, and G2 wrinkled patterns are reported. • Pattern dimensions can be tuned by employing the methodology described. • Pattern morphology can be adjusted by varying monomer feed ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]