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: The promotion of education as a human right became part of the discourse of international aid agencies and banks since the end of WWII. Consequently, studies of development have examined the conditions under which education becomes a driver of socio-economic progress under three theories: “modernization”, “human capital”, and “dependency”. Previous research has not agreed on the impact of education on inequalities and mainly adopted a quantitative approach. This dissertation implements a mixed-methods approach to examine context-specific variables in comparative education with the “dependency” theory. The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 generated great losses in human capital accumulation. In Latin America, one of the most unequal regions in the world, the impact of school disruption increased drop-out rates and forced governments to generate measures to mitigate learning losses. This dissertation examines through a comparative analysis to what extent remote learning policies implemented during COVID-19 reduced inequality gaps in Chile and Colombia, with a particular focus on secondary education. Moreover, as intervening variables, it selects two neoliberal characteristics: privatization and government intervention. Colombia and Chile implemented multimodal education policies during COVID-19. However, in Colombia, school closures lasted longer than in Chile. The PISA exam forecast of the World Bank also suggests that education inequality gaps in secondary education increased after the pandemic, with greater inequalities in Colombia. Moreover, the Gini coefficient shows that Colombia has been more unequal than Chile before and after COVID-19. Lastly, the analysis of the intervening variables shows that remote learning policies were unable to reduce inequalities and mainly favoured private institutions and urban areas. Finally, as part of the lessons, this research suggests that the neo-liberal characteristics of both countries marked a difference in the implementation of policies. Moreover, the lack of information incentivised the adoption of good practices that become suitable policy alternatives when adapted to local needs. Lastly, this research evidences the need for LAC to include technological tools in their education systems to respond to future crises.

Abstract: Interventions of the built environment at the neighborhood level allow for evaluating the effects of these changes on sociodemographic variables of the residents. In 2011, the local mayor's office of Medellín-Colombia began the construction of outdoor escalators in Las Independencias neighborhood to improve transportation times for its residents. This study assesses the effect of urban renewal on the violence and average income of Las Independencias. Mixed methods are used, employing a quasi-experimental design in which the synthetic control method is utilized to estimate the causal effect and a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews is applied to identify mechanisms of change. To assess the impact on the homicides per km2, 14 neighborhoods are used in the donor pool and 10 neighborhoods for the average household income. Regarding the qualitative methods, 10 semi-structured interviews were analyzed with an average of 24 minutes. It was not possible to draw causal effect conclusions of the effect of the change in built environment over homicides due to a poor fit of the pre-intervention trends. However, one year before the intervention, Las Independencias had a homicide rate of .118 per km2 (way above synthetic Las Independencias 0.0981) and one year after the intervention this rate was (.0157373) below the synthetic control (0.049). The residents of the neighborhood perceive that crime has decreased in recent years and attribute the change to the investment in the escalators, which has generated a chain of events that over time had a positive impact on security. The mechanisms through which the escalators produced this impact are identified in the interviews: the strengthening of social efficacy, greater police and State presence, greater job opportunities, reduction of relative depravity and the interest of the Combos in maintaining security. Regarding the average household income, the quantitative results estimate that in the period immediately after the construction of the stairs, the income of Las Independencias decreased more than that of the synthetic control, indicating a negative effect. From 2013 to 2016 there is evidence of a positive trend, but it is still below the synthetic control and only in 2017 is there a positive effect compared to the synthetic Las Independencias. In 2019, a significant drop in income is observed compared to the synthetic control. The qualitative results indicate that the impact of the escalators was consolidated until 2016 with a greater influx of tourists. Residents believe that economic opportunities have improved, the quality of life has increased, and the neighborhood has become an ""economic paradise."" The dependence on tourism meant that in 2019 COVID strongly affected the finances of the neighborhood, which is reflected in the quantitative results. The results of this study show that in the context of low and middle-income countries, low-cost structural interventions can be conducted that impact people's quality of life, their possibilities to generate income, and their security.

Abstract: The research studies the role of Architects performing as Design Managers in construction projects. It reflects on the industry’s shifting environment, where architects, once central members in project delivery, are increasingly being displaced by new disciplines, technicians and suppliers. The dissertation identifies Design Management, a function of Project Management, as a strategic position from which architects can improve projects’ value. As Design Managers, architects can integrate their knowledge in space creation with Project Management skills to improve project performance in terms of budget, schedule, and spatial, social and environmental qualities. The role was studied through two case studies; two stations for UK’s High-Speed 2 (HS2) programme: The redevelopment of Euston Station in London, and the new station development at Old Oak Common. Data was collected from nine semi-structured interviews with Design Managers and design team members working on one of these projects. The research findings indicated that projects as large and complex as these require Design Managers from multiple backgrounds, among which architects have significant opportunities to increase value capture. Although the role is mostly concerned with Project Management tasks, the Design Manager’s background -in this case, architecture- enables them to increase value capture beyond projects’ basic requirements. Architects as Design Managers can integrate multidisciplinary designs considering how they can improve users’ experience and the project’s connection to their communities and environment to create more human and inviting projects with a long-term value perspective. Resumen: La investigación estudia el rol de los arquitectos desempeñándose como gestores de diseño en proyectos de construcción. Es una reflexión en el entorno cambiante de la industria en donde los arquitectos, alguna vez actores centrales del desarrollo de proyectos, han sido gradualmente desplazados por otras disciplinas, técnicos y proveedores. Esta tesis identifica la Gestión de Diseño, una función de Gestión de proyectos, como una posición estratégica dese la que los arquitectos pueden mejorar el valor de los proyectos. Como Gestores de Diseño, los arquitectos pueden integrar su conocimiento en creación de espacio con habilidades de Gestión de Proyectos para mejorar el desempeño de los proyectos en términos de presupuesto, cronograma y calidad espacial, social y ambiental. El rol se estudió a través de dos casos de estudio; dos estaciones para el programa de El tren de alta velocidad HS2 en Reino Unido: El desarrollo de la estación de Euston en Londres y el nuevo desarrollo de la estación Old Oak Common. Los datos se recolectaron a partir de nueve entrevistas semi-estructuradas con gestores de diseño y otros profesionales participando en estos proyectos. Los hallazgos indicaron que los proyectos de esta escala y complejidad requieren gestores de diseño con múltiples trayectorias profesionales, entre los cuales, los arquitectos tienen una oportunidad significativa de capturar valor. Aunque el rol está en gran parte asociado a tareas de Gestión de Proyectos, la experiencia del profesional desempeñándolo -en este caso, arquitectura- permite la captura de valor por encima de los requerimientos básicos del proyecto. Los arquitectos como gestores de diseño pueden integrar diseños multidisciplinarios, considerando como mejorar la experiencia de los usuarios, y la integración del proyecto con sus comunidades y su entorno para generar proyectos más humanos, acogedores y con una perspectiva de valor a largo plazo.

Resumen: Este trabajo presenta una propuesta socioeducativa centrada en el enfoque metodológico del aprendizaje-servicio y por el cual los estudiantes de secundaria empiezan a desarrollar habilidades y competencias para formarse como agentes de cambio, comprometidos con el liderazgo para transformar su comunidad. El proyecto, se ha diseñado teniendo en cuenta los resultados obtenidos por Unicef (s.f}) y el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (2020) en el que mostraban una carencia en habilidades blandas o del siglo 21 en jóvenes. Una vez se obtuvieron estos datos, se realizó una revisión teórica en el que se definía el aprendizaje-servicio como una metodología y sus aproximaciones pedagógicas como la educación a través de experiencias, el aprendizaje basado en proyectos, el aprendizaje significativo y transformativo. A partir de esa revisión se realizó el proyecto, ""Junt@s hilando redes"" compuesto por tres etapas (preparación, implementación y evaluación) en trabajo en red con dos entidades educativas. Esta caracterizado por su continuidad en el calendario escolar, por su aplicación en las asignaturas de ciencias sociales, historia, geografía, constitución política y democracia, ciencias naturales y educación artística y cultural, además de su servicio en cada una de estas; llevando a una integración curricular con el contexto complementando la formación de los jóvenes. Abstract: This work presents a socio-educational project related with the methodological approach of service-learning, by which high school students begin to develop soft skills and competencies to train as agents of change, committed with leadership to transform their community. The project has been designed considering the results obtained by Unicef (s.f) and the Inter-American Development Bank -BID (2020) in which they showed a lack of soft skills or 21st century skills in young people. With these data, a theoretical review was carried out and led to the definition of service-learning as a methodology related with pedagogical approaches such as experiential education, project-based learning, meaningful and transformative learning. Also, based on this review, ""Junt@s hilando redes"" project was design. The project has three stages, the first on is the preparation, second one the implementation and third is evaluation. All these stages happened with the partnership between two schools. Some of the main characteristics are long term project, its applied in the subjects of social sciences, history, geography, political constitution and democracy, natural sciences and artistic and cultural education, the service happens in each of these subjects. Also, a curricular integration was done and context, with the objective to help the develop of skills.

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: This research questions how ‘human rights’ are used in a parliamentary inquiry on the coercive or involuntary sterilisation of people with disabilities in Australia. Throughout three chapters, the thesis breaks down ‘human rights’ as a concept and as a practical approach in development programming. Chapter two delves into the multiple understandings of rights in the development literature and incorporates contributions from legal anthropology and the field of the social studies of science and technology to understand human rights in the development context. Chapter three proposes an “ethnography in the archives” as a methodological design that pushes disciplinary boundaries to understand the value of documents and arguments in how different stakeholders inside and outside of the development field engage with issues such as the coercive sterilisation of people with disabilities. Finally, chapter four offers an analysis derived from 82 documents presented in the parliamentary inquiry in Australia. This chapter shows this thesis’s main argument: That human rights differ from what this research calls ‘everyday rights’, which are the claims articulated by people drawing upon their lived experiences rather than human rights treaties or arguments. This argument sheds light on how development practice often faces a gap between what the stated outcomes are in terms of Human Rights-Based Approaches and the practical realities of rights claims. Resumen: Esta investigación cuestiona cómo se utilizan los 'derechos humanos' en una investigación parlamentaria sobre la esterilización coercitiva o involuntaria de personas con discapacidad en Australia. A lo largo de tres capítulos, la tesis desglosa los 'derechos humanos' como concepto y como enfoque práctico en el mundo del desarrollo. El capítulo dos profundiza en las múltiples interpretaciones de los derechos en la literatura sobre desarrollo e incorpora contribuciones de la antropología jurídica y el campo de los estudios sociales de la ciencia y la tecnología para comprender los derechos humanos en el contexto del desarrollo. El capítulo tres propone una “etnografía en los archivos” como un diseño metodológico que traspasa los límites disciplinarios para comprender el valor de los documentos y argumentos sobre cómo diferentes actores dentro y fuera del campo del desarrollo se involucran con temas como la esterilización forzada de personas con discapacidad. Finalmente, el capítulo cuatro ofrece un análisis derivado de 82 documentos presentados en la investigación parlamentaria en Australia. Este capítulo muestra el argumento principal de esta tesis: que los derechos humanos difieren de lo que esta investigación llama “derechos cotidianos”, que son los reclamos articulados por personas basándose en sus experiencias vividas en lugar de tratados o argumentos de derechos humanos. Este argumento arroja luz sobre cómo la práctica del desarrollo a menudo enfrenta una brecha entre los resultados esperados de los enfoques basados en los derechos humanos y las realidades prácticas de los reclamos de derechos.

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: According to legal positivists like Raz and Kelsen, natural law theorists deny the legal validity of unjust laws. John Finnis, presumably one of the most prominent defenders of the natural law tradition in recent years, famously argues against this claim. In this essay I argue against Finnis's defence of the classical natural law tradition. In particular, I argue that Finnis fails to show that the positivist objection against natural law theories misfires. After reviewing the works of Thomas Aquinas and Francisco Suárez, I conclude that the legal validity objection posed by positivists could very well be applicable to the naturalist theories of both Aquinas and Suárez, because of which Finnis is wrong in his defence. Resumen: De acuerdo con positivistas como Raz y Kelsen, los iusnaturalistas niegan la validez legal de las leyes injustas. John Finnis, quizás uno de los más famosos defensores del derecho natural clásico en años recientes, famosamente afirma que los positivistas se equivocan a este respecto. En este ensayo argumento que la defensa que hace Finnis del derecho natural falla. Tras revisar las obras de Tomás de Aquino y De Francisco Suárez, concluyo que la objeción realizada por los positivistas podría aplicarse a las teorías de tanto Aquino como Suárez, por lo cual la defensa de Finnis es errónea.

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.