Abstract: Spiking neural networks (SNNs) using time-to-first-spike (TTFS) codes, in which neurons fire at most once, are appealing for rapid and low power processing. In this theoretical paper, we focus on information coding and decoding in those networks, and introduce a new unifying mathematical framework that allows the comparison of various coding schemes. In an early proposal, called rankorder coding (ROC), neurons are maximally activated when inputs arrive in the order of their synaptic weights, thanks to a shunting inhibition mechanism that progressively desensitizes the neurons as spikes arrive. In another proposal, called NoM coding, only the first N spikes of M input neurons are propagated, and these ``first spike patterns'' can be readout by downstream neurons with homogeneous weights and no desensitization: as a result, the exact order between the first spikes does not matter. This paper also introduces a third option - ""Ranked-NoM"" (R-NoM), which combines features from both ROC and NoM coding schemes: only the first N input spikes are propagated, but their order is readout by downstream neurons thanks to inhomogeneous weights and linear desensitization. The unifying mathematical framework allows the three codes to be compared in terms of discriminability, which measures to what extent a neuron responds more strongly to its preferred input spike pattern than to random patterns. This discriminability turns out to be much higher for RNoM than for the other codes, especially in the early phase of the responses. We also argue that RNoM is much more hardware-friendly than the original ROC proposal, although NoM remains the easiest to implement in hardware because it only requires binary synapses. Resumen: Las redes neuronales de picos o potenciales de acciôn (SNN) que utilizan códigos de tiempo hasta el primer pico (TTFS), en los que las neuronas se disparan una vez como máximo, son atractivas para un procesamiento rápido y de baja potencia. En este artículo teórico, nos enfocamos en la codificación y decodificación de información en esas redes, e introducimos un nuevo marco matemático unificador que permite la comparación de varios esquemas de codificación. En una propuesta inicial, llamada codificación por orden de rango (ROC), las neuronas se activan al máximo cuando las entradas llegan en el orden de sus pesos sinápticos, gracias a un mecanismo de inhibición de derivación que insensibiliza progresivamente las neuronas a medida que llegan los picos. En otra propuesta, denominada codificación NoM, solo se propagan los primeros N picos de las M neuronas de entrada, y estos ""primeros patrones de picos"" pueden ser leídos por las ""downstream neurons"" con pesos homogéneos y sin desensibilización: como resultado, el orden exacto entre los primeros picos no importa. Este documento también presenta una tercera opción: ""Ranked-NoM"" (R-NoM), que combina características de los esquemas de codificación ROC y NoM: solo se propagan los primeros picos de entrada N, pero las neuronas posteriores leen su orden gracias a pesos no homogéneos y desensibilización lineal. El marco matemático unificador permite comparar los tres códigos en términos de discriminabilidad, que mide en qué medida una neurona responde con más fuerza a su patrón de picos de entrada preferido que a patrones aleatorios. Esta discriminabilidad resulta ser mucho mayor para R-NoM que para los otros códigos, especialmente en la fase temprana de las respuestas. También argumentamos que R-NoM es mucho más compatible con el hardware que la propuesta ROC original, aunque NoM sigue siendo el más fácil de implementar en hardware porque solo requiere sinapsis binarias.

Abstract: Resilience has become a fundamental paradigm for communities to deal with disaster planning. Formal methods are used to prioritise and decide about investments for resilience. Strategies and behaviour need to be developed that cannot be based on formal modelling only because the human element needs to be incorporated to build community resilience. Participatory modelling and gaming are methodological approaches that are based on realistic data and address human behaviour. These approaches enable stakeholders to develop, adjust, and learn from interactive models and use this experience to inform their decision?making. In our contribution, we explore which physical and digital elements from serious games can be used to design a participatory approach in community engagement and decision?making. Our ongoing research aims to bring multiple stakeholders together to understand, model, and decide on the trade?offs and tensions between social and infrastructure investments toward community resilience building. Initial observations allow us as researchers to systematically document the benefits and pitfalls of a gamebased approach. We will continue to develop a participatory modelling exercise for resilience planning with university graduate students and resilience experts within academia in Christchurch, New Zealand. Resumen: La resiliencia se ha convertido en un paradigma fundamental para que las comunidades afronten la planificación de las catástrofes. Se utilizan métodos formales para priorizar y decidir sobre las inversiones en resiliencia. Es necesario desarrollar estrategias y comportamientos que no pueden que no pueden basarse únicamente en modelos formales, ya que es necesario incorporar el elemento humano para aumentar la resiliencia de la comunidad. La modelización participativa y los juegos son enfoques metodológicos que se basan en datos realistas y abordan el comportamiento humano. Estos enfoques permiten que las partes interesadas desarrollen, ajusten y aprendan de los modelos interactivos y utilicen esta experiencia para informar su toma de decisiones. En nuestra contribución, exploramos qué elementos físicos y digitales de los juegos seriados pueden utilizarse para diseñar un enfoque participativo en el compromiso y la toma de decisiones de la comunidad. Nuestra investigación en curso pretende reunir a múltiples partes interesadas para comprender, modelar y decidir sobre las compensaciones y tensiones entre las inversiones sociales y las de infraestructura para el desarrollo de la resiliencia de la comunidad. Las observaciones iniciales nos permiten, como documentar sistemáticamente las ventajas y los inconvenientes de un enfoque basado en el juego. Seguiremos desarrollando un ejercicio de modelización participativa para la planificación de la resiliencia con estudiantes universitarios y expertos en resiliencia dentro de universitarios y expertos en resiliencia de Christchurch (Nueva Zelanda).

Abstract: Currently, there is limited insight on the role that scientific diasporas can play in STEAM education in Latin America. Here, we present the Science Clubs Colombia (Clubes de Ciencia Colombia-SCC) program, a pioneering STEAM capacity-building initiative led by volunteer scientists to engage youth and children from underserved communities in science. The program brings together researchers based in Colombia and abroad to lead intensive project-based learning workshops for young students in urban and rural areas. These projects focus on channeling the students’ technical and cognitive scientific aptitudes to tackle challenges of both local and global relevance. The program provides high-quality STEAM education adapted to communities’ needs and articulates long-lasting international collaborations using the mobility of the Colombian diaspora. The program’s success is tangible via its sustained growth and adaptability. Since its first version in 2015, 722 volunteer scientists living abroad or in Colombia have collaborated to create 364 clubs with the participation of 9,295 students. We describe elements of the SCC program that lead to a scalable and reproducible outcome to engage science diasporas in STEAM education. Additionally, we discuss the involvement of multiple stakeholders and the generation of international networks as potential science diplomacy outcomes. The SCC program strengthens the involvement of Latin American youth in science, demonstrates the potential of engaging scientific diasporas in science education, and enriches connections between the Global South and the Global North. Resumen: En la actualidad, existe una visión limitada sobre el papel que las diásporas científicas pueden desempeñar en la educación STEAM en la educación STEAM en América Latina. Aquí presentamos el programa Clubes de Ciencia Colombia (SCC), una iniciativa pionera de desarrollo de capacidades en STEAM dirigida por un grupo de científicos. Ciencia Colombia-SCC), una iniciativa pionera de creación de capacidades STEAM dirigida de científicos voluntarios para involucrar a jóvenes y niños de comunidades marginadas en la ciencia. El programa reúne a investigadores de Colombia y del extranjero para dirigir talleres intensivos de aprendizaje basados en proyectos para jóvenes estudiantes de zonas urbanas y zonas urbanas y rurales. Estos proyectos se centran en canalizar las aptitudes técnicas y cognitivas aptitudes científicas de los estudiantes para afrontar retos de relevancia local y global. El programa proporciona una educación STEAM de alta calidad adaptada a las necesidades de las comunidades y articula colaboraciones internacionales duraderas utilizando la movilidad de la diáspora colombiana. El éxito del programa es tangible a través de su crecimiento sostenido y su adaptabilidad. Desde su primera versión en 2015, 722 científicos voluntarios residentes en el extranjero o en Colombia han colaborado para crear 364 clubes con la participación de 9.295 estudiantes. Describimos los elementos del programa SCC que conducen a un resultado escalable y reproducible para involucrar a diásporas científicas en la educación STEAM. Además, analizamos la participación de múltiples partes interesadas y la generación de redes internacionales como posibles resultados de la diplomacia científica. El programa SCC refuerza la participación de los jóvenes latinoamericanos de la juventud latinoamericana en la ciencia, demuestra el potencial de involucrar a las diásporas científicas en la científica y enriquece las conexiones entre el Sur y el Norte.

Original Abstract: This work provides an analysis for the civil engineering community of the practice of participatory modelling (PM), reviewing the advances that environmental researchers and practitioners have made over 20 years, providing key references, case studies, and practical guidelines. Past consultation methods have proven inadequate to build trust with communities, and have led to development of PM to improve engagement. Three lessons from PM are emphasised: (1) listen to stakeholders to better understand the system, (2) collaborate with stakeholders to better model the system, and (3) co-decide on actions to better empower and engage stakeholders. Advice on the key aspects to consider when designing a PM process is summarised. The challenges and obstacles to progress are analysed for PM in civil engineering applications. PM appears to be of greater value in larger projects involving complex socio-technical systems. The incorporation of PM within civil engineering work will be more useful to society when civil engineers understand better the operation of PM. Resumen traducido: Este trabajo ofrece un análisis para la comunidad de ingenieros civiles de la práctica del modelamiento participativo (MP), revisando los avances que los investigadores y profesionales del medio ambiente han realizado a lo largo de 20 años, proporcionando referencias clave, estudios de casos y directrices prácticas. Los métodos de consulta anteriores han demostrado ser inadecuados para crear confianza con las comunidades, y han llevado al desarrollo del MP para mejorar el compromiso. Se destacan tres lecciones del MP: (1) escuchar a las partes interesadas para comprender mejor el sistema, (2) colaborar con las partes interesadas para modelar mejor el sistema, y (3) codecidir las acciones para empoderar e involucrar mejor a las partes interesadas. Se resumen los consejos sobre los aspectos clave a tener en cuenta a la hora de diseñar un proceso de MP. Se analizan los retos y obstáculos al progreso de la gestión del proyecto en las aplicaciones de ingeniería civil. La gestión del proyecto parece ser más valiosa en los proyectos de mayor envergadura que implican sistemas sociotécnicos complejos. La incorporación del MP en las obras de ingeniería civil será más útil para la sociedad cuando los ingenieros civiles comprendan mejor el funcionamiento de la PM. Traducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor www.DeepL.com/Translator.

Abstract: This article inquires about who is deemed a legitimate actor by international human rights law. It offers an analysis of the role of the Latin American Federation of Associations of Relatives of Disappeared Detainees (FEDEFAM) as a women-led leading organization in creating the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (CED) in 2007. The article shows that the wives and daughters of the disappeared played a determinant role in their struggle against enforced disappearances, undermining the view of the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances (WGEID), which did not recognize their struggle in its early reports. The article also critiques how international human rights law uses colonial and patriarchal power to produce and exclude subjects. Finally, it concludes by offering an analysis of the affective dimensions of FEDEFAM’s struggle as an opportunity to rethink human rights grassroots women-led mobilizations as a place for resistance against dominant narratives in international human rights law.

Abstract: In recent years, there is an evident capitalism of disasters that continues to strengthen in the Caribbean. Migration and the status of climate and environmental refugees hides the persistent and historical land grabbing. Understanding this situation is possible by comparing the ways in which different countries suffered the impact of Hurricane Iota in November 2020. There is evidence of land appropriation, control and territorial intervention strategies associated with certain types of impositions on how development is defined and carried out. Five key elements of this capitalism of disasters are compared to show similarities and differences between countries, as trends that can be glimpsed under the advancement of this perpetual accumulation of wealth and land. While exacerbating the vulnerability of environment and complex local cultures that are perfect subjects for displacement and migration. Capitalism of disasters or post-disasters is configured on the basis of the shock doctrine, which, as Naomi Klein (2007) explains, is consolidated with the ideas presented by Milton Friedman, to strengthen free market capitalism and the world economy. Key elements organized in three waves of neoliberalism, as examples of how the shock doctrine has been applied. Certain actors increasingly use the opportunity of shock, from which fear emerges. It works perfectly to impose what is necessary to continue the consolidation of that system. Resumen: En los últimos años, hay un evidente capitalismo de desastres que sigue fortaleciéndose en el Caribe. La migración y el estatus de los refugiados climáticos y ambientales ocultan el persistente e histórico acaparamiento de tierras. Entender esta situación es posible comparando las formas en que los diferentes países sufrieron el impacto del huracán Iota en noviembre de 2020. Se evidencian estrategias de apropiación, control e intervención territorial asociadas a cierto tipo de imposiciones sobre cómo se define y lleva a cabo el desarrollo. Se comparan cinco elementos clave de este capitalismo de desastres para mostrar similitudes y diferencias entre países, como tendencias que se vislumbran bajo el avance de esta perpetua acumulación de riqueza y tierra. Al tiempo que exacerba la vulnerabilidad del medio ambiente y las culturas locales complejas que son sujetos perfectos para el desplazamiento y la migración. El capitalismo de desastres o post-desastres se configura sobre la base de la doctrina del shock, la cual, como explica Naomi Klein (2007), se consolida con las ideas presentadas por Milton Friedman, para fortalecer el capitalismo de libre mercado y la economía mundial. Elementos clave organizados en tres oleadas del neoliberalismo, como ejemplos de cómo se ha aplicado la doctrina del shock. Ciertos actores aprovechan cada vez más la oportunidad de la conmoción, de la que emerge el miedo. Funciona perfectamente para imponer lo necesario para continuar con la consolidación de ese sistema.

Abstract: Entomopathogenic fungi infect insects via spores but also live inside plant tissues as endophytes. Frequently, colonization by entomopathogens provides plants with increased resistance against insects, but the mechanisms are little understood. This study investigated direct, local, and systemic root-mediated interactions between isolates of the fungus Metarhizium brunneum and larvae of the cabbage root fly (CRF) Delia radicum attacking Brassica napus plants. All fungal isolates infected CRF when conidia were present in the soil, leading to 43–93% mortality. Locally, root-associated M. brunneum isolates reduced herbivore damage by 10–20% and in three out of five isolates caused significant insect mortality due to plant-mediated and/or direct effects. A split-root experiment with isolate Gd12 also demonstrated systemic plant resistance with significantly reduced root collar damage by CRF. LC-MS analyses showed that fungal root colonization did not induce changes in phytohormones, while herbivory increased jasmonic acid (JA) and glucosinolate concentrations. Proteinase inhibitor gene expression was also increased. Fungal colonization, however, primed herbivore-induced JA and the expression of the JA-responsive plant defensin 1.2 (PDF1.2) gene. We conclude that root-associated M. brunneum benefits plant health through multiple mechanisms, such as the direct infection of insects, as well as the local and systemic priming of the JA pathway. Resumen: Los hongos entomopatógenos infectan a los insectos a través de esporas, pero también viven en el interior de los tejidos vegetales como endófitos. Con frecuencia, la colonización por entomopatógenos proporciona a las plantas una mayor resistencia contra los insectos, pero los mecanismos son poco conocidos. Este estudio investigó las interacciones directas, locales y sistémicas mediadas por la raíz entre los aislamientos del hongo Metarhizium brunneum y las larvas de la mosca de la raíz de la col (CRF) Delia radicum que atacan las plantas de Brassica napus. Todas las cepas del hongo infectaron a la CRF cuando las conidias estaban presentes en el suelo, provocando una mortalidad del 43-93%. Localmente, las cepas de M. brunneum asociados a la raíz redujeron el daño de los herbívoros en un 10-20% y tres de las cinco cepas causaron una mortalidad significativa de los insectos debido a efectos mediados por la planta y/o directos. Un experimento de raíz dividida con la cepa Gd12 también demostró la resistencia sistémica de la planta con una reducción significativa del daño en el cuello de la raíz por parte de CRF. Los análisis de LC-MS mostraron que la colonización de la raíz por el hongo no indujo cambios en las fitohormonas, mientras que la herbivoría aumentó las concentraciones de ácido jasmónico (JA) y glucosinolato. También aumentó la expresión de genes inhibidores de proteinasas. La colonización fúngica, sin embargo, aumentó el ácido jasmónico inducido por los herbívoros y la expresión del gen de la defensina vegetal 1.2 (PDF1.2) que responde al ácido jasmónico. Concluimos que M. brunneum asociado a las raíces beneficia la salud de las plantas a través de múltiples mecanismos, como la infección directa de los insectos, así como el Priming local y sistémica de la vía de JA.

Abstract: Leptospirosis is the most neglected widespread zoonosis worldwide. In Spain, leptospirosis reports in people and animals have increased lately. Cats can become infected with Leptospira, as well as be chronic carriers. The aim of this study was to determine serological antibody prevalence against Leptospira sp., blood DNA, and shedding of DNA from pathogenic Leptospira species in the urine of cats in Spain. Microagglutination tests (MAT) and blood and urine TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed. Leptospira antibodies were detected in 10/244 cats; with 4.1%positive results (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1–7.18%). Titers ranged from 1:20 to 1:320 (serovars Ballum; Bataviae; Bratislava; Cynopteri; Grippotyphosa Mandemakers; Grippotyphosa Moskva; Pomona; and Proechimys). The most common serovar was Cynopteri. Blood samples from 1/89 cats amplified for Leptospira DNA (1.12%; 95% CI: 0.05–5.41%). Urine samples from 4/232 cats amplified for Leptospira DNA (1.72%; 95% CI: 0.55–4.10%). In conclusion, free-roaming cats in Spain can shed pathogenic Leptospira DNA in their urine and may be a source of human infection. Serovars not previously described in cats in Spain were detected; suggesting the presence of at least 4 different species of pathogenic leptospires in the country (L. borgpetersenii ;L. interrogans ;L. kirschneri; and L. noguchii).

Abstract: Global importance: Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis worldwide. Mammals (eg, rats, horses, cows, pigs, dogs, cats and aquatic species, such as sea lions and northern elephant seals) can all be infected by leptospires. Infection in animals occurs through contact with urine or water contaminated with the bacteria. In people, the disease is acquired mainly from animal sources or through recreational activities in contaminated water. Practical relevance: Literature on the clinical presentation of leptospirosis in cats is scarce, although it has been demonstrated that cats are susceptible to infection and are capable of developing antibodies. The prevalence of antileptospiral antibodies in cats varies from 4% to 33.3% depending on the geographical location. Urinary shedding of leptospires in naturally infected cats has been reported, with a prevalence of up to 68%. Infection in cats has been associated with the consumption of infected prey, especially rodents. Thus, outdoor cats have a higher risk of becoming infected. Clinical challenges: Clinical presentation of this disease in cats is rare and it is not known what role cats have in the transmission of leptospirosis. Ongoing work is needed to characterise feline leptospirosis. Audience: This review is aimed at all veterinarians, both general practitioners who deal with cats on a daily basis in private practice, as well as feline practitioners, since both groups face the challenge of diagnosing and treating infectious and zoonotic diseases. Evidence base: The current literature on leptospirosis in cats is reviewed. To date, few case reports have been published in the field, and information has mostly been extrapolated from infections in people and dogs. This review is expected to serve as a guide for the diagnosis and management of the disease in cats.

Abstract: This checklist of oribatid mites of the Republic of Colombia compiles and provides a taxonomic update of all records known up to 2020. It includes 192 entries accounting for 68 named and 47 unnamed species belonging to 73 genera and 58 families of non-astigmatid oribatid mites. Specimens from the brachypyline supercohort were dominant (54.7%), followed by Mixonomata (30.7%). However, current knowledge is far from being complete and distribution patterns show large gaps throughout the country due to this lacking knowledge and most existing investigations only include group specific studies that prevent from any conclusions regarding the real community composition of oribatids in Colombia. From 32 political-administrative departments, oribatids have been reported in 20, but 5 account for 65% of the records. These are: Cundinamarca -including Bogotá D.C.- (24.4%), Magdalena (21.8%), Nariño (6.3%), La Guajira (6.3%), and Quindío (5.9%). Whereas most oribatid reports in the Neotropical region have taken place during the past five decades, a map presented in this document shows that Colombia still lags behind other Latin American countries. Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, for instance, have reported the highest number of species for the region and are the only nations that possess national oribatid checklists in Latin America. The current work represents a national baseline of oribatids encouraging further study of this clearly underrepresented group.