Phoneutria is one of the most medically important spider genera; however, its ecology is poorly known. In Amazonian upland rainforests, there are two sympatric species of the genus Phoneutria, P. reidyi (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge 1897) and P. fera Perty 1833. For 15 months we collected data on the spatial distribution, use of habitat (activity on the ground or vegetation) and temporal changes in body size structure in a forest reserve near Manaus city in three distinct habitats: dense forest, located on the plateaus on yellow latossol; swamp forest, located in the valleys; and heath forest or “campinarana,” on dry white sand soil in the Reserva Florestal Ducke. A total of 239 P. reidyi and 239 P. fera were captured in nocturnal searches during their period of activity. There were significant differences between the two species: 1) P. reidyi existed in higher abundance in the swamp forest than in the dense forest areas and was almost absent in the heath forest, while P. fera existed in similar abundance in the three habitats. 2) During their development, members of both species used the vegetation as an area of activity, but the subadults and adults of P. reidyi were less often found on the ground than the subadults and adults of P. fera. 3) P. reidyi more frequently used small or acaulescent palms as a substrate, and its abundance was directly related to the abundance of these palms, independent of the habitat, while P. fera did not show such relationship. 4) There was a strong temporal variation in the body size structure of the P. reidyi population indicating seasonal reproduction, but there was no evidence of seasonal reproduction by P. fera. We suggest that the differences in the use of habitat and in the seasonality of reproduction are related to the avoidance of intraguild predation between these species. Abstract: Phoneutria es uno de los géneros de arañas más importantes desde el punto de vista médico; Sin embargo, su ecología es poco conocida. En las selvas tropicales de las tierras altas amazónicas, hay dos especies simpáticas del género Phoneutria, P. reidyi (FO Pickard-Cambridge 1897) y P. fera Perty 1833. Durante 15 meses recolectamos datos sobre la distribución espacial, el uso del hábitat (actividad en el suelo o vegetación) y cambios temporales en la estructura del tamaño del cuerpo en una reserva forestal cerca de la ciudad de Manaus en tres hábitats distintos: bosque denso, ubicado en las mesetas en latossol amarillo; bosque pantanoso, ubicado en los valles; y bosque de brezales o “campinarana”, en suelo seco de arena blanca en la Reserva Florestal Ducke. Un total de 239 P. reidyi y 239 P. fera fueron capturados en búsquedas nocturnas durante su período de actividad. Hubo diferencias significativas entre las dos especies: 1) P. reidyi existió en mayor abundancia en el bosque de “baixio” que en las áreas de bosque denso y estuvo casi ausente en el bosque de brezo, mientras que P. fera existió en abundancia similar en los tres hábitats. 2) Durante su desarrollo, los miembros de ambas especies usaron la vegetación como un área de actividad, pero los subadultos y adultos de P. reidyi se encontraron con menos frecuencia en el suelo que los subadultos y adultos de P. fera. 3) P. reidyi utilizó con mayor frecuencia palmeras pequeñas o acaulentas como sustrato, y su abundancia estuvo directamente relacionada con la abundancia de estas palmas, independientemente del hábitat, mientras que P. fera no mostró tal relación. 4) Hubo una fuerte variación temporal en la estructura del tamaño corporal de la población de P. reidyi indicando reproducción estacional, pero no hubo evidencia de reproducción estacional por P. fera. Sugerimos que las diferencias en el uso del hábitat y en la estacionalidad de la reproducción están relacionadas con la evitación de la depredación intragremio entre estas especies.

Organotypic brain culture is an experimental tool widely used in neuroscience studies. One major drawback of this technique is reduced neuronal survival across time, which is likely exacerbated by the loss of blood flow. We have designed a novel, tube flow system, which is easily incorporated into the commonly-used, standard semi-permeable membrane culture methodology which has significantly enhanced neuronal survival in a brain stem nucleus involved in control of motivated and arousal states: the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT). Our automated system provides nutrients and removes waste in a comparatively aseptic environment, while preserving temperature, and oxygen levels. Using immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology, our system was found superior to standard techniques in preserving tissue quality and survival of LDT cells for up to 2 weeks. In summary, we provide evidence for the first time that the LDT can be preserved in organotypic slice culture, and further, our technical improvements of adding a flow system, which likely enhanced perfusion to the slice, were associated with enhanced neuronal survival. Our perfusion system is expected to facilitate organotypic experiments focused on chronic stimulations and multielectrode recordings in the LDT, as well as enhance neuronal survival in slice cultures originating from other brain regions.

Um dos objetivos do grupo que estudou aranhas no projeto “Mecanismos de manutenção da alta diversidade nos Trópicos” (ver capítulo anterior) foi reconhecer variáveis bióticas e abióticas atuando na diversidade de aranhas. Uma das linhas dentro deste objetivo foi a avaliação da coexistência de um grupo restrito de espécies da família Ctenidae que ocorrem na Reserva Ducke. Resumen: Uno de los objetivos del grupo que estudió las arañas en el proyecto "Mecanismos mantener una gran diversidad en los trópicos” (ver capítulo anterior) fue Reconocer las variables bióticas y abióticas que actúan sobre la diversidad de las arañas. Una de las líneas dentro de este objetivo fue la evaluación de la coexistencia de un grupo restringido de especies de la familia Ctenidae que se encuentran en Reserva Ducke.

The aim of this assignment is to explore some of the main debates regarding both socio-economic, cultural issues and its relation to education. In the first section, it will mainly draw ideas from Nancy Fraser, Iris young and Amartya Sen to explain not only how inequalities have taken place in society, but also how it appears to be an alternative paradigm of social justice. The assignment shows an overall understanding of how redistribution and recognition can have pressures and tensions but also the linking points between them through Fraser´s remedies for justice. It also will show how socio-cultural differences have become relevant in society and why those appear to be claims for justice. This analysis will provide a discussion of education and policy tensions and pressures within the social justice approach and social democracies in the Latin American context. The assignment will question the role of education in addressing inequalities based on a paradigm of recognition and redistribution as well as how the system has helped to homogenise and then marginalise groups of minorities. This social justice paradigm will be argued as a way to offer an alternative rationale about quality in education. This analysis will support the idea of a quality education redefinition to develop individuals and society´s capabilities through what they have reason to value (Tikly and Barrett, 2011). Hence, quality should have a place in schools´ communities to reflect upon the curricula as “praxis”, and, more precisely, as a “bridge between society and school” to address inequality (Sacristan, 2000 p.14).

Abstract This paper analyses how the Nasa indigenous community of Toribío (Cauca, Colombia) has configured mental reconciliation models in spite of the violent feedback they received during the armed conflict in Colombia. For this analysis, the theoretical perspective of cognitive institutionalism is used. Empirical evidence was collected mainly through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The results suggest that strategies of peaceful resistance, such as the creation of Permanent Assembly Sites, the Community Life Plan and the Indigenous Guard, have contributed to producing successful solutions in the search for reconciliation and peace in indigenous territories. Resumen El presente artículo analiza la manera en que la comunidad indígena nasa de Toribío (Cauca, Colombia) ha configurado modelos mentales de reconciliación pese a haber recibido retroalimentaciones violentas del entorno a raíz del conflicto armado en Colombia. Para ello, se emplea la perspectiva teórica del institucionalismo cognitivo. La evidencia empírica se recolectó principalmente a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupos focales. Los resultados sugieren que estrategias de resistencia pacífica como la creación de Sitios de Asamblea Permanente (SAP), el Plan de Vida Comunitario y la Guardia Indígena han contribuido a generar soluciones exitosas en la búsqueda de la reconciliación y de la paz en los territorios indígenas.

During the eighteenth century, there was an increased interest in the Spanish World for French fashions and imported luxury goods, sparked by both the establishment of the Bourbon dynasty and a general increase in consumption. A new style, influenced by the fashions of the French court at Versailles, invaded the Spanish American colonies, where aristocratic women began to modify the French fashions into a local culture of appearances. Using portraits, inventories, diaries, and travellers’ journals, this article makes a preliminary exploration of the emergence of this process in the Viceroyalty of New Granada, in northern South America, by studying the influence of French female fashions and their adoption and adaptations by the Spanish colonial aristocracy. Durante el siglo XVIII, aumentó el interés por las modas francesas y los bienes de lujo importados en el mundo español, a raíz del establecimiento de los Borbones en la Corona y un incremento generalizado del consumo. Un nuevo estilo, influenciado por las modas de la corte francesa en Versalles, invadió las colonias hispanoamericanas, en donde las mujeres aristocráticas modificaron el gusto francés para ajustarlo a la cultura local de las apariencias. A partir de retratos e inventarios, diarios y crónicas de viajeros, este artículo ofrece una exploración preliminar sobre la emergencia de este proceso en el Virreinato de la Nueva Granada. Se estudia la influencia de la moda femenina francesa, su adopción y las adaptaciones realizadas por las mujeres de la aristocracia colonial.

Colombia is an upper middle-income country with an estimated population of 49.2 million people, and road traffic collisions (RTCs) are the second most common cause of traumatic death. The government established the National Road Safety Plan (PNSV) for the period 2011-2021, to reduce RTC-related deaths by 26%. Study aim was to evaluate whether Road Safety Laws have had a long-term effect on road safety in the country. Data on RTC from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2017 were collated from official Colombian governmental publications. Three periods were considered for analysis: 2001-2010 evaluating the Transit Code; 2011-2017 evaluating the PNSV; and 2001-2017 evaluating the full study period. A total of 102,723 deaths (12.7%) and 707,778 injuries (87.3%) were reported from 2001 through 2017. Transit Code period showed a 10.1% decline in deaths, 16.6% decline in injuries, and rates per 100,000 inhabitants and per 10,000 registered vehicles also declined. During the PNSV period, there was an increase in deaths by 16.6%, injuries decreased by 1.7%, and death rates per 100,000 inhabitants also increased. During the total study period, a 12.4% reduction in the total number of casualties was achieved, and death and injury rates per 100,000 inhabitants decreased by 12.4% and 27.5%, respectively. Overall, the absolute number of RTCs and deaths has increased. RTCs rates per 10,000 registered vehicles has decreased. Although the goals of the PNSV may not be realized, some laws may be having a beneficial effect. Further study is required to determine the longer-term impact of these initiatives.

If justice in Colombia has stepped toward transitional justice, a framework mainly focused on providing redress to the victims of war, why have animals been excluded from it? As a response to animal cruelty, in war and outside of it, a punitive response remains. In a transitional justice regime, moving away from strictly anthropocentric solutions could bring reconciliation that transcends the criminal/innocent, city/jungle, and human/nature artificial dichotomies. Si la justicia en Colombia ha dado un paso hacia la justicia transicional, un marco enfocado principalmente en brindar reparación a las víctimas de la guerra, ¿por qué se ha excluido a los animales? La respuesta estatal a la crueldad animal, en la guerra y fuera de ella, sigue siendo punitiva. En un régimen de justicia transicional, alejarse de soluciones estrictamente antropocéntricas podría traer una reconciliación que trascienda las dicotomías artificiales entre criminal/inocente, ciudad/jungla y humano/naturaleza. Distinción Harvard Law School Writing Prize, 2020.

This article analyses the complexities of the double bind between colonial domination and Indigenous resistance in conversation with anarchist sociologist Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui. The functioning of the double bind appears in the article at three levels: first, by exploring the encounter between Western and Indigenous jurisdictions in the context of colonial meetings and across imperial networks; second, by analyzing the way in which Rivera develops an epistemological program based on daily life practices; and, third, by showing one example in which Rivera develops a double bind epistemological framework in order to read the colonial encounter between Western and Indigenous jurisdictions in the Americas in the sixteenth century. The interaction with Rivera allowed me to better understand the complexities of an Andean world that operates through the double bind of being Indigenous and non-Indigenous at the same time; while on the other, it enabled me to test out the academic tradition that depicts history, in particular the history of the international legal order, in a linear and progressive trajectory. With this approximation at hand, I analyze the relationship between past, present, and future within the social life of Andean Indigenous communities.

This article displays the idea of indigenizing international law by recognizing indigenous law as law. It is by directing indigenous jurisprudences to the framework of international law that the possibility of transforming its roots becomes possible—I call this process inverse legal anthropology. In indigenizing international law using an inverse legal anthropology, the article presents a case study on the ongoing genocide of Colombian indigenous peoples in the age of the global ecology of the Anthropocene. In this context, I explain the political consequences of valuing indigenous cosmologies regarding their territories. Indeed, mainstream representations of indigenous territories, taking into consideration the topographic and biologic dimensions of the earth’s surface, have forgotten the pluriverse of organic and inorganic beings that make and negotiate their social living together with indigenous peoples’ ecological and spiritual relations.