Abstract: Climate change poses great challenges to modern societies, central amongst which is to decouple human need satisfaction from energy use. Energy systems are the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the services provided by energy (such as heating, power, transport and lighting) are vital to support human development. To address this challenge, we advocate for a eudaimonic need-centred understanding of human well-being, as opposed to hedonic subjective views of well-being. We also argue for a shift in the way we analyse energy demand, from energy throughput to energy services. By adopting these perspectives on either end of the wellbeing-energy spectrum, a “double decoupling” potential can be uncovered. We present a novel analytic framework and showcase several methodological approaches for analysing the relationship between, and decoupling of, energy services and human needs. We conclude by proposing future directions of research in this area based on the analytic framework. Resumen: El cambio climático plantea grandes retos para las sociedades modernas, entre los cuales es de central importancia desacoplar la satisfacción de necesidades humanas de luso de la energía. Los sistemas energéticos son la mayor fuente de emisiones de gases efecto invernadero, y los servicios provistos por la energía (como calentamiento, fuerza, movilidad e iluminación) son vitales para el desarrollo humano. Para abordar este reto, abogamos por un entendimiento de bienestar humano eudamónico centrado en necesidades, contrario a posiciones hedónicas subjetivas de bienestar. También argumentamos en favor de un cambio en la manera como analizamos la demanda energética, pasando de energía final a servicios energéticos. Por medio de la adopción de estas perspectivas a ambos lados del espectro energía-bienestar, se descubre un potencial de “doble desacoplamiento”. Presentamos un marco teórico original al igual que varias aproximaciones metodológicas para analizar la relación entre (y el desacoplamiento de) servicios energéticos y necesidades humanas. Concluimos proponiendo futuras avenidas de investigación en esta área, basadas en este marco teórico.

Nest morphology can affect the breeding success of birds. Thus, birds inhabiting different environments may experience divergent selection for nest structure and composition that results in intraspecific geographic variation in nest architecture. We describe interpopulation differences in nest architecture among Thorn-tailed Rayaditos (Aphrastura spinicauda) in 2 contrasting environments near the species’ distribution limits: a temperate and very humid environment in north-central Chile (the forest relicts of Fray Jorge National Park; 308380S, 718400W) and a cold and windy sub-Antarctic environment in the south of Chile (Isla Navarino; 55840S, 678400W). We collected a total of 62 nests from Fray Jorge and 61 nests from Navarino in 2013 and 2014, measured their dimensions, and quantified their constitutive materials. We tested the nests’ thermal properties (simulating heat loss by convection and conduction) and hygroscopic features (water absorption and water loss capacity) and used general linear models to (1) compare these properties between populations and (2) test for a relationship between nest morphology and function. Nests from the northern population exhibited lower rates of heat loss by convection because they were larger and had a lower ratio of surface area to volume; these nests also absorbed less water, probably because of their greater content of plant-derived materials. In the southern population, nests were more compact and better insulated with feathers and hairs, with lower rates of heat loss by conduction. By separately analyzing the roles of convection, conduction, and humidity, our results suggest that potential trade-offs (insulation–humidity) could be differently affecting the nest building behavior of these populations. Therefore, Thorn-tailed Rayaditos may be using site-specific strategies to cope with the local climate in contrasting environments.

Silicon and germanium present distinct and interesting transport properties. However, composites made of silicon?germanium (SiGe) have resulted in a breakthrough in terms of their transport properties. Currently, these alloys are used in different applications, such as microelectronic devices and integrated circuits, photovoltaic cells, and thermoelectric applications. With respect to thermoelectricity, in the last decades, Si0.8Ge0.2 has attracted significant attention as an energy harvesting material, for powering space applications and other industrial applications. This chapter focuses on the recent advances and new approaches in silicon?germanium (Si1?xGex) nanostructures for thermoelectric devices with high thermoelectric efficiency obtained through magnetron sputtering.

The intent of this research is to propose and analyse a set of policies in the construction industry to enhance social development. First, the paper shows the connections between the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and social entrepreneurship (SE), the reduction of the leakage, and then the generation of social value (SV) for sustainable regional development. For that, the article analyses briefly the literatures on SE and leakage, and focuses on the relevance of SME and social entrepreneurs as promoters of SV creation and development. Second, the paper proposes a framework and proposes a set of 20 policies aimed to reduce leakage, reinforce SMEs and entrepreneurship and also to promote SE behaviour by the diverse economic agents in the construction industry, in order to increase the generation of SV and sustainable development. Then, the paper analyses the acceptability, feasibility and viability of these proposed polices, which can be useful for academics and practitioners. For that, the study uses the Delphi methodology, applied to an expert- group of 23 professionals (representatives of the private and public sector) belonging to the Colombian construction industry. The results emphasize the relevance of the development of local incumbents and the social focus of firms to increase the generation of SV. Oppositely, policies interfering economic freedom and free trade receive the lowest rates in the three criteria considered.

The distribution of suitable habitat influences natal and breeding dispersal at small spatial scales, resulting in strong microgeographic genetic structure. Although environmental variation can promote interpopulation differences in dispersal behavior and local spatial patterns, the effects of distinct ecological conditions on within-species variation in dispersal strategies and in fine-scale genetic structure remain poorly understood. We studied local dispersal and fine-scale genetic structure in the thorn-tailed rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda), a South American bird that breeds along a wide latitudinal gradient. We combine capture-mark-recapture data from eight breeding seasons and molecular genetics to compare two peripheral populations with contrasting environments in Chile: Navarino Island, a continuous and low density habitat, and Fray Jorge National Park, a fragmented, densely populated and more stressful environment. Natal dispersal showed no sex bias in Navarino but was female-biased in the more dense population in Fray Jorge. In the latter, male movements were restricted, and some birds seemed to skip breeding in their first year, suggesting habitat saturation. Breeding dispersal was limited in both populations, with males being more philopatric than females. Spatial genetic autocorrelation analyzes using 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci confirmed the observed dispersal patterns: a fine-scale genetic structure was only detectable for males in Fray Jorge for distances up to 450 m. Furthermore, two-dimensional autocorrelation analyzes and estimates of genetic relatedness indicated that related males tended to be spatially clustered in this population. Our study shows evidence for context-dependent variation in natal dispersal and corresponding local genetic structure in peripheral populations of this bird. It seems likely that the costs of dispersal are higher in the fragmented and higher density environment in Fray Jorge, particularly for males. The observed differences in microgeographic genetic structure for rayaditos might reflect the genetic consequences of population-specific responses to contrasting environmental pressures near the range limits of its distribution.

Here; we present the genome sequence of the Escherichia coli bacteriophage UFV-AREG1. This phage was isolated from cowshed wastewater and showed specificity for enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43895); E. coli 0111 (CDC O11ab) and E. coli (ATCC 23229).

The search for new technologies that guarantee the safety and quality of food has intensified, as has concern for consumer health, leading to the adoption of measures to reduce food-related risks. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of active biodegradable films incorporated with bacteriophage for future application in packaging materials. Cellulose acetate films incorporated with solution of bacteriophages showed antimicrobial activity against Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 displayed the formation of inhibition zones in Muller-Hinton agar, and a growth curve, using the diffusion method in liquid medium. There was an increase in the lag phase and slower growth of microorganisms in the environment containing bacteriophages with the films, compared to control. The mechanical and physical properties of films, such as thickness, elongation and puncture resistance showed no significant effects. However, tensile resistance was different between control and treatments. The addition of bacteriophage altered the film surface, as observed by atomic force microscopy. There was a higher porosity of the films containing the bacteriophage solution compared to control. The acetate films may be incorporated with bacteriophages, since the physical and mechanical properties of the films were not changed drastically and there was an effect of the antimicrobial film.

Abstract: The government take may be defined as an indicator to measure the participation of the State in the oil and gas projects developed under its jurisdiction or to compare fiscal regimes, but the truth is that this indicator is to be crucial in designing a competitive set of fiscal rules to attract foreign investment when needed. Usually a high or low government take will depend on the necessities of the particular country, but it is commonly admitted that countries with high government take have better success rates for exploration activity and vice versa. The aim of this paper is to analyse the government take of Colombia and provide some comparisons with the current exploratory activity. To do so, the indicator will be developed in detail to understand the elements comprised in it. Having mentioned what the main elements are, the next step will provide an overview of the current set of fiscal instruments used by Colombian government to take its share of the projects. The balance required to get the proper portion of the revenue without affecting the investor’s decision making process will be addressed. Subsequently some statistics on exploratory endeavours are to be exposed, because the final purpose of this paper is aimed at comparing if the fiscal set that compose the government take in Colombia is designed to successfully meet the investor’s expectations when oil and gas is eagerly pursued. Resumen: El “Government Take” puede definirse como un indicador para medir la participación del Estado en los proyectos de petróleo y gas desarrollados bajo su jurisdicción o para comparar regímenes fiscales, pero la verdad es que este indicador ha de ser crucial para diseñar un conjunto competitivo de medidas fiscales para atraer inversión extranjera cuando sea necesario. Usualmente una alta o baja participación del gobierno dependerá de las necesidades de un país en particular, pero comúnmente se admite que los países con alta participación del gobierno tienen mejores tasas de éxito para la actividad de exploración y viceversa. El objetivo de este ensayo es analizar el “Government Take” de Colombia y proporcionar algunas comparaciones con la actividad exploratoria actual. Para hacerlo, el indicador será desarrollado en detalle para comprender los elementos comprendidos en él. Habiendo mencionado cuáles son los principales elementos, el siguiente paso proporcionará una visión general del conjunto actual de instrumentos fiscales utilizados por el gobierno colombiano para tomar su parte de los proyectos. Se abordará el balance requerido para obtener la participación adecuada de los ingresos sin afectar el proceso de toma de decisiones del inversionista. Posteriormente, se expondrán algunas estadísticas sobre esfuerzos exploratorios, porque el objetivo final de este documento es comparar si el conjunto fiscal que compone el “Government Take” en Colombia está diseñado para cumplir con las expectativas del inversionista cuando se busca ansiosamente el petróleo y el gas.

El documento comprende dos artículos del Boletín de la Academia Colombiana que tienen como tema central el estudio de la ortografía antigua y normas correspondientes al español, ejemplos y forma de pronunciación.

Even though the main purpose of the Medicaid expansion is to allow for a broader health coverage for the population, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) leaves aside undocumented immigrants. This situation leads us to question how illegal individuals are dealing with diseases and health problems: Are State Legislators or Courts addressing this issue? This paper focus on one particular branch, that is, the CA judicial branch, and focuses on trying to to provide an answer to the following questions : What is CA Court's role in interpreting the eligibility requirements under the ACA, in order to extend health coverage to uninsured immigrants? Is it good that it plays an active role in this factual and legal framework?